AEW Battle of the Belts X recap & reactions: HOOK (2024)

AEW Battle of the Belts X (Apr. 13, 2024) emanated from Truist Arena in Highland Heights, KY. The show featured Hook with a classic babyface performance, Roderick Strong turning on Kyle O’Reilly, and Athena repping ROH in the main event.

Battle of the Belts X ran as a double-header with Collision. This recap will cover the Battle of the Belts episode. For the Collision recap, click here. Ring the bell!

Shibata had Hook’s back, but Hook had his own plans for Shane Taylor. Bet.

FTW Championship: Hook (c) vs. Shane Taylor

FTW Rules in effect. Hook started with bravado, then Taylor tenderized him with powerful punches for most of the match. Hook rallied with clotheslines, but Taylor was still standing. A German suplex finally planted Taylor onto the mat. Hook also added a T-bone suplex.

Taylor regrouped for a flying splash. That wasn’t enough to keep Hook down. He jumped on Taylor’s back for the Redrum submission. Taylor rammed into the corner trying to free himself from the chokehold. Hook wouldn’t let go, so Taylor flopped backward with all his weight landing on Hook. That move did the trick. Taylor thought he was safe, then Hook grabbed his neck again for Redrum. Taylor passed out in defeat for a referee stoppage.

Hook defeated Shane Taylor.

Kyle O’Reilly wished Rocky Romero good luck against Roderick Strong.

AEW International Championship eliminator: Roderick Strong (c) vs. Rocky Romero

Strong was ready to do this match on his own with Matt Taven, Mike Bennett, and Wardlow providing frequent distractions. Romero needed to win to earn a title shot. Azucar was sweet with skills, while Strong relied on backbreaker offense. Romero rallied for an avalanche sliced bread. When Romero went up top again, Taven crept too close to disturb him just enough to delay the attack. Once Romero took flight, Strong sprang up to intercept with a jumping knee to win.

Roderick Strong defeated Rocky Romero.

After the match, O’Reilly celebrated with Strong. He also checked on Romero. O’Reilly helped Romero up on wobbly legs, then Wardlow cracked a running lariat on Azucar. When O’Reilly protested, Strong surprised him with a jumping knee to the mush. Strong declared that O’Reilly made the wrong choice not to join his friends in the Undisputed Kingdom. AEW later announced Strong versus O’Reilly for the International Championship at Dynasty on April 21.

Serena Deeb is climbing the rankings to the top. She invited Yuka Sakazaki into her dojo, which was poetic speech for a challenge to a standard match.

ROH Women’s World Championship: Athena (c) vs. Red Velvet

Billie Starkz was ringside to support her minion overlord. Athena pounded the challenger in the first half. Velvet rallied in the second half with sparky offense. Athena caught Velvet in the air to deliver a slam on the floor. Athena finished with the O-Face to win.

Athena defeated Red Velvet.

As is typical of Athena’s behavior, she wanted to add extra punishment after the match. Velvet wasn’t taking any sh*t, so she fought back. The numbers were too much. Queen Aminata ran out for the save to headbutt Starkz and execute an Air Raid Crash on Athena.

Grade: B-

The matches were fine, however, the lineup positioned itself for mockery. No AEW titles were defended, and one match wasn’t even a title match. The Battle of the Belts brand barely has value anymore.

Hook versus Shane Taylor was a classic babyface type of match. All the elements were there, and it was just a matter of if you believed. The hero took a severe beating, then he dramatically rallied for victory. The formula was effective in popping the crowd. Taylor was a badass in smashing Hook so badly. Hook was a badass as well with suplexes. His heart was the story in achieving victory. I don’t know why FTW Rules were used. There was nothing bending the rules here if it was a regular match.

Roderick Strong versus Rocky Romero was decent, however, it wasn’t given a chance to push to a higher level that both are capable of reaching. The finish was pretty cool with Strong’s jumping knee out of nowhere. There was a layer of amusem*nt with the Kingdom cronies involved. Matt Taven and Mike Bennett hammed it up with distractions. They were like gutter-dwellers reaching up from the sewers being careful not to cross the line in the referee’s vision. Wardlow’s explosive clothesline after the match was hilarious. Everything was calm, then boom! Strong officially kick-started the feud with Kyle O’Reilly with that sneak attack. I would have liked to see this story simmer longer, however, I completely understand if all parties involved want to do it posthaste to avoid the risk of injury cancellation.

Athena’s best work in the ring is done with a storyline involved. There was no story here, so it was just a standard performance. There was never any reason within the bout to believe a title change was possible.

Share your thoughts about Battle of the Belts X. How do you rate it? What were your favorite moments from the show?