Buddy Matthews is the latest Aussie to join AEW’s trip to Brisbane next week.
Matthews will search for his first AEW singles gold in just a few days, meeting Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada in a singles bout as part of Grand Slam Australia on February 15.
The upcoming title fight between Matthews and Okada was announced on Wednesday’s episode of Dynamite.
The pairing stems from a meeting at last week’s episode of AEW Collision, where Matthews challenged Okada to a title match. While Okada initially denied Matthews a title shot, he had a change of heart after Matthews told him: “So I guess you’re just still a b****.”
What's next for AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada?
A nearby HOUND might have an idea, whether he wants it or not…
Watch #AEWCollision on @tntdrama & @SportsOnMax@rainmakerXokada | @SNM_Buddy | @LexyNair pic.twitter.com/upEFgbjFTS
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) February 2, 2025
Matthews and Okada haven’t crossed paths in AEW before, but the upcoming match isn’t a first-time meeting. The duo had a 16-minute clash back in late 2021, appearing as the co-headliner at NJPW’s Battle In The Valley card that year. Okada won in their face-off.
Matthews, who is from Melbourne, Australia, will be trying to end Okada’s nearly year-long run as AEW Continental Champion while making the most of his home-field advantage.
Okada first became champ in March of 2024, dethroning Eddie Kingston. Aligned with The Elite, he has gone on to defend the title nine times over the past few months.
Cope and Jay White to potentially team up
It was also teased on Wednesday that Adam “Cope” Copeland and Jay White could form a tag duo to take on Jon Moxley and Claudio Castagnoli at Grand Slam Australia.
White proposed that he and Cope team up to face Moxley and Castagnoli in a “Brisbane Brawl” as part of the card. The matchup was mentioned by White after a brawl between Moxley’s Death Riders and the babyface alliance countering them opened this week’s episode of Dynamite.
The bout, while yet to be officially announced for the card, is likely to join the lineup for Grand Slam Australia. Moxley seemingly liked the idea of the potential match, mimicking the signing of a piece of paper after White spoke.
A full recap of this week’s Dynamite can be read here.
An updated look at AEW Grand Slam: Australia
- Mariah May vs. Toni Storm (AEW Women’s World Championship)
- Kenny Omega & Will Ospreay vs. Konosuke Takeshita & Kyle Fletcher
- Kazuchika Okada vs. Buddy Matthews (AEW Continental Championship)
