The AEW roster will gather in Sydney, Australia, on February 14 for the second annual Grand Slam Australia event, with Jon Moxley confirmed to make his first defense of the AEW Continental Championship. This match marks a key moment in the ongoing AEW storylines as Moxley puts his title on the line in front of an international audience.
Moxley to Defend Against Konosuke Takeshita, A Familiar Rival
Announced on the February 4 episode of AEW Dynamite, Jon Moxley will face Konosuke Takeshita of The Don Callis Family in the AEW Continental Championship bout. Takeshita earned a pinfall victory for his faction during a recent trios match against the Death Riders in Las Vegas. Since winning the AEW Continental Championship at the conclusion of the 2025 Continental Classic tournament, Moxley has successfully beaten Josh Alexander, Shelton Benjamin, and Ace Austin in Eliminator Matches.
Takeshita has a notable history with Moxley, standing as one of the only two wrestlers to defeat him in the Continental Classic tournament. Moxley, in turn, has also bested Takeshita in significant matches, including an IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Eliminator Match at AEW Double or Nothing in May 2024. This mutual winning history adds intrigue to their clash, as both competitors seek supremacy in Australia.
Additional High-Stakes Matches to Feature at Grand Slam Australia
Alongside Moxley’s title defense, the Death Riders will have further representation with Marina Shafir and Wheeler Yuta competing in a Mixed Tornado Tag Match against Toni Storm of Timeless and Orange Cassidy from Freshly Squeezed. The match carries a unique stipulation: the wrestler who takes the fall will be shaved bald in Sydney, raising the stakes for everyone involved.
Number One Contender Match Also on the Card
The event will also determine the next challenger for the AEW Men’s World Championship. Andrade El Idolo will face Hangman Page in a number one contender’s match, with the winner securing a title shot at the Revolution pay-per-view scheduled for March 15. This match adds significant momentum to the main championship scene and emphasizes the importance of the Grand Slam Australia event within AEW’s ongoing narrative.
Significance of the Event for AEW’s Global Expansion
Jon Moxley’s AEW title defense on Australian soil highlights AEW’s continued global outreach and expansion. By hosting major contests like this outside the United States, AEW is strengthening its international fan base and providing high-profile opportunities for wrestlers such as Takeshita, who represents AEW’s connection with the Japanese wrestling scene. The event layout, with multiple high-stakes matches, promises to deliver compelling action and set the stage for future AEW storylines around the world.
JON MOXLEY VS KONOSUKE TAKESHITA AT GRANDSLAM AUSTRALIA #AEW #AEWDynamite pic.twitter.com/T16o8XA5hS
— Self Made AO 💫 (@KXNGAO) February 5, 2026
