Hook Reclaims FTW Championship in Brutal Battle with Chris Jericho

One big thing: Hook outsmarts “The Learning Tree” to regain FTW title

In a chaotic FTW Rules match at AEW Dynamite, Hook defeated Chris Jericho to reclaim the FTW Championship, becoming a three-time champion.

Key takeaways:

• Hook revealed he had been faking an eye injury, catching Jericho off guard
• Taz, Hook’s father and creator of the FTW title, intervened to neutralize Bryan Keith
• The match featured extreme violence, including cricket balls, barbed wire, and tables

Why it matters

This victory solidifies Hook’s status as a rising star in AEW and continues the legacy of the FTW Championship, which has deep roots in ECW history.

Match highlights

Brutal weaponry

The FTW Rules allowed for extreme tactics, with both competitors using:

• Cricket balls and bats
• Kendo sticks and pool cues
• Trash cans and lids

Interference backfires

Jericho’s allies, Big Bill and Bryan Keith, attempted to help him win, but their efforts ultimately backfired:

• Big Bill was sent through a table after Jericho accidentally struck him with a pool cue
• Taz neutralized Bryan Keith with the Tazmission

Hook’s clever ruse

In a shocking twist, Hook revealed he had been faking an eye injury, saying, “I can see.” This deception allowed him to gain the upper hand in the match’s final moments.

The finishing sequence

With Bryan Keith taken out by Taz and Big Bill incapacitated, Hook locked in the Red Rum submission on Jericho. The “Ocho” had no choice but to tap out, crowning Hook as the new FTW Champion.

What do you think about Hook’s clever strategy to regain the FTW Championship? Leave a comment below with your thoughts on this brutal match and what it means for AEW’s future!