316 days. That is the length of Kazuchika Okada's first AEW International Championship reign, a run that started when he pinned Kenny Omega at All In the prior year. On Sunday, also at All In, Okada took the belt back, covering champion Kyle Fletcher for the pin in a three-way that included Konosuke Takeshita. It is Okada's second reign as AEW International Champion.
The title's recent sequence matters here. Takeshita defeated Okada to strip him of the championship. Fletcher then returned to All Elite Wrestling at Double or Nothing and worked his way back to the title. He entered All In defending against both former holders, every man for himself from the opening bell.
Fletcher started with a superkick to Okada, who arrived appearing aligned with the Don Callis Family. That alignment held no weight once the match was underway. Okada hit Fletcher with two Rainmakers; going for a third, he absorbed Fletcher's lariat counter instead. Takeshita had been recovering on the outside. He returned to the ring but found Fletcher a durable target. Fletcher caught him on the top rope and went for a brainbuster; Takeshita reversed into a tornado DDT. The two then traded forearms in the center of the ring. Fletcher took a Blue Thunder Bomb and answered with a turnbuckle brainbuster on Takeshita.
Both men had knocked Okada to the floor during the exchange. Okada waited. With Fletcher's focus locked on Takeshita, Okada re-entered, caught Fletcher with a Rainmaker, and covered him for the three count.
Fletcher did not use the belt on Okada after the bell. He raised Okada's hand. The first reign ran 316 days; the second is open.
Related reading
- Bengals' 6-11 collapse triggers defensive overhaul around Joe Burrow's championship window
- 3.31 million viewers made Sunday's Fever-Sky game the most-watched WNBA regular-season broadcast in 29 years
- Calvin Austin III carted off Giants training camp with apparent right knee injury
- Philadelphia Phillies add former Twins starter under unusual contract terms