Kazuchika Okada retained the AEW International Championship against Tommaso Ciampa at AEW All Out.
Ciampa pushed the champion deep into the match and repeatedly came close to scoring the upset before Okada ultimately finished him with the Rainmaker.
The challenger established the quicker pace early and took the fight outside, where he drove Okada into the Spanish announce desk with a running knee.
Okada gradually slowed the match down and took control, including a DDT on the floor directly in front of Ciampa’s family.
That led to one of the loudest reactions of the match. Okada approached Ciampa’s daughter Willow, who was celebrating her eighth birthday, and flipped her off after she declined a high-five.
Willow looked to her mother before responding with both middle fingers, drawing a huge reaction from the Chicago crowd.
Ciampa immediately attacked Okada and later lifted his daughter onto his shoulders as the audience sang “Happy Birthday.”
Back in the ring, Ciampa hit a series of German suplexes and came close with the Fairytale Ending.
Okada responded with his diving elbow and looked for the Rainmaker, but Ciampa bit his finger and stomped on the hand before landing Project Ciampa for another near fall.
Don Callis then left commentary and distracted referee Rick Knox, allowing Okada to retrieve a screwdriver.
The champion attempted to use it while coming off the ropes, but Ciampa caught him with a knee strike.
Ciampa continued to survive Okada’s offense and scored another extremely close near fall with a running knee, bringing the crowd fully behind him.
He then mocked Okada’s pose and attempted a Rainmaker of his own, but the champion escaped.
After a sequence of counters, Okada connected with a dropkick, followed by a high-angle slam and the Rainmaker for the three-count.
Okada celebrated with Callis afterward and continued to taunt Ciampa’s family from ringside.
