Professional wrestling has always been about the intersection of athleticism and theater, but All Elite Wrestling (AEW) pushed the boundaries of both during its first-ever “Fairway to Hell” special. Live from West Palm Beach, Florida, on May 9, the promotion traded the traditional arena atmosphere for the manicured greens of a golf course, creating a surreal backdrop for a night defined by betrayal, brutality, and a championship resilience that left the crowd breathless.
The one-hour special on TBS was designed as a high-impact sprint, focusing on a few key narratives that shifted the landscape of the AEW roster. From the shocking transition of the National Championship to a main event that utilized the unique geography of the venue, the event served as more than just a gimmick; it was a catalyst for several long-term storylines, most notably the expanding war between Don Callis and a growing coalition of AEW’s top stars.
While the “Fairway to Hell” concept provided the visual spectacle—including sand traps and balconies—the real story lay in the human cost. Whether it was Jack Perry’s emotional collapse following a heist of his title or Darby Allin’s refusal to stay down after a terrifying fall, the night emphasized the grit required to survive in a promotion where the rules are often secondary to the result.
A Golden Club and a Stolen Title
The evening began with a high-stakes clash for the AEW National Championship, pitting the champion Jack Perry against Mark Davis. For much of the contest, Perry appeared to have the match under control, showcasing a blend of agility and precision. He utilized the environment and his technical prowess, landing a middle-rope hurricanrana and a flying elbow that nearly sealed the victory.
However, the match shifted when the influence of Don Callis became the deciding factor. As the referee was distracted by Callis on the apron, Ricochet—dressed in full golf attire—intervened with a golden golf club. The weapon strike to Perry’s back provided the opening Mark Davis needed to execute a piledriver and secure the pinfall. The victory marks a significant shift in the National Title picture, crowning Davis as the new champion through a calculated ambush.
The fallout was immediate and emotional. In a backstage segment, a devastated Perry spoke of the title’s personal significance, noting he had captured it in front of his family. This loss has pushed Perry into an unlikely alliance; he announced he is joining forces with Chris Jericho, the Young Bucks, and Kenny Omega to dismantle the Callis Family. Don Callis, ever the opportunist, welcomed the challenge, confirming his intention to lead Ricochet and the Gates of Agony into a “Stadium Stampede” match, further escalating the tension between these factions.
Dominance and International Ambitions
Beyond the championship drama, the event highlighted the ascending trajectories of several other talents. The “5-Minute Challenge” featured the duo of Divine Dominion (Lena Kross and Megan Bayne) against Ruthie Slay and Rachel Lay. The match was a brief but violent display of power, as Bayne utilized German suplexes and a Samoan drop to dismantle the opposition. The contest ended well before the clock expired when Kross and Bayne executed their “Divine Intervention” finisher.
In the singles division, Mike Bailey continued his momentum with a victory over Kiran Grey. Bailey’s offense was crisp, characterized by a triangle moonsault and culminating in his signature “Ultima Weapon” for the win. Following the match, Kevin Knight took the microphone to express his support for Bailey, suggesting that while the world title may be elusive for now, the two of them are poised to climb the rankings together.
The broadcast also took a moment to look beyond the Florida greens, airing a hype package for Nick Wayne. The young standout is preparing for a return to New Japan Pro Wrestling’s “Best of the Super Juniors,” where he aims to emulate the success of Will Ospreay and Ricochet. The presentation underscored Wayne’s role as a bridge between the North American and Japanese styles of wrestling.
The War of Attrition: Allin vs. PAC
The main event for the AEW World Championship between Darby Allin and PAC was less a wrestling match and more a battle of survival. The two competitors immediately took the fight out of the ring, utilizing the golf course’s sand traps as makeshift arenas. PAC’s strategy was one of systematic destruction, using the “Brutalizer” and a gorilla press to soften Allin up outside the ring.
The violence peaked when the action moved backstage and toward the venue’s architecture. After a series of brutal exchanges, including a tombstone piledriver on the steel steps, PAC—aided by the Death Riders (Daniel Garcia and Wheeler Yuta) and Marina Shafir—dragged Allin to a balcony. In a moment that drew a visceral reaction from the crowd, PAC launched Allin off the balcony, sending him crashing through four stacked tables below.
Despite the devastating impact, Allin exhibited the resilience that has become his trademark. After kicking out of a pinfall, Allin capitalized on a distraction from the referee dealing with the Death Riders. When Shafir attempted to slip the world title to PAC to use as a weapon, Allin turned the tide. He countered with a low blow of his own, struck PAC with the championship belt, and finished the match with the “Coffin Drop” to retain his title.
| Match/Segment | Winner/Outcome | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| AEW National Championship | Mark Davis (New Champ) | Ricochet interfered with a golden golf club |
| 5-Minute Challenge | Divine Dominion | Won via “Divine Intervention” |
| Singles Match | Mike Bailey | Won via “Ultima Weapon” |
| AEW World Championship | Darby Allin (Retained) | Survived a balcony fall through 4 tables |
The victory cements Darby Allin’s status as a champion capable of enduring extreme physical hardship, while PAC’s alliance with the Death Riders remains a potent threat to the top of the mountain. The psychological warfare between these two has reached a fever pitch, leaving the wrestling world to wonder if a standard ring can even contain their rivalry moving forward.
With the “Stadium Stampede” match now on the horizon and the new alliance of Jericho, Omega, and the Bucks forming a front against Don Callis, the fallout from West Palm Beach will ripple through the coming weeks of AEW programming. Fans can look to the official AEW website for updates on match signings and official announcements regarding the Callis Family’s next move.
What did you think of the “Fairway to Hell” concept? Do you think the new alliance can stop Don Callis? Let us know in the comments and share this story with your fellow fans.
