Kevin Knight retains the TNT Championship on AEW Dynamite

Kevin Knight retained the TNT Championship after defeating a returning Brian Cage in an open challenge on the latest episode of AEW Dynamite, which aired last night from the Harrah's Cherokee Center- Asheville in Asheville, North Carolina. Knight had to overcome a tough opponent who controlled most of the match, but was ultimately surprised by the champion's flashes of quality.

Match development

Knight tried to use his agility to his advantage, but lacked the strength to take down Cage, who played with the champion in the early stages of the match. Brian punished Kevin in the corner. The champion managed to throw Cage out of the ring, but he stopped a suicide dive to continue his offense. Brian threw Knight against the apron before taking him to the barricade where he continued to strike him.

Once satisfied, Cage brought Kevin back into the ring to trap him in a painful Single Boston Crab. The champion grabbed the ropes to force the release, but soon fell back into the clutches of his opponent. He was about to finish off Kevin, but he took him to the ropes to turn the situation around. A Missile Dropkick finally took down his rival, allowing him to unleash a quick counterattack.

The action moved back to ringside, where Cage was able to stop a flying tope con hilo. Nevertheless, the champion was able to reverse the situation with a hurricanrana that sent his opponent into the metal stairs. It was at that moment when Lance Archer (who was accompanying Cage) tried to intervene in the fight, but two superkicks and an Asai Moonsault from Mike Bailey (Knight's partner) foiled his plans.

Meanwhile, Kevin dodged a lariat to respond with a tornado DDT that almost gave him the victory. The action then moved to the top of one of the corners, where Brian tried to execute a powerbomb. The champion reversed the situation with a hurricanrana to finally finish off his opponent with a definitive UFO Splash.

After the match, Mike Bailey congratulated his partner, ensuring that his future is to become a world champion. An objective that "Speedball" also aims to achieve soon. His intention is to face Darby Allin once he "shaves" MJF at Double or Nothing.

Thus, Knight adds his fourth title defense in his first reign as TNT Champion. A title he obtained 31 days ago after emerging victorious from a Casino Gauntlet Match in AEW Dynasty, where the belt was at stake, vacant due to an injury to Kyle Fletcher.