Are you looking for ways to enjoy Spotify Premium without the cost? We've got some great methods for you to try in 2024! Here's a quick guide based on a detailed post from AudiFab.
1. Take Advantage of Trials Many companies offer free trials for Spotify Premium. Keep an eye out for these offers and sign up to enjoy premium features at no cost.
Tips: Check 12 Ways to get free trial of Spotity Premium.
https://preview.redd.it/yoc831j14a3d1.png?width=700&format=png&auto=webp&s=e41db60bc8b2e6873318c8c65f696a2ed386295e
2. Install Spotify Mod APK Though not officially recommended, some users opt to install modified APKs of Spotify to access premium features for free. Proceed with caution, as this method can have risks.
3. Use AudiFab Spotify Music Converter AudiFab Spotify Music Converter allows you to download and convert Spotify music to MP3 files, letting you keep your favorite tracks forever. Follow these simple steps:

• Download and install AudiFab Spotify Music Converter.
• Drag and drop your Spotify playlist into the converter.
• Choose MP3 as the output format and start the conversion.

https://preview.redd.it/3rcb29064a3d1.png?width=779&format=png&auto=webp&s=bdab71536813d398eccf199376fb325b0aad32be
4. Look for Promotional Links and Discounts Occasionally, Spotify offers promotional links for discounted or free Premium subscriptions. Stay updated on such deals to save money.
5. Canceling Spotify Premium If you’re on a paid plan but want to cancel, make sure to follow the correct steps to avoid unnecessary charges.

Today a look at four slime stores. Let's go!
​
The Library of Slime
https://preview.redd.it/ben8h6qut93d1.jpg?width=2769&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b183e6946cb0f465ddd29bd309821ae1527c472d
A wide range of prices from £4-12 depending on size and they also do bundles. The sizes range from 2-6oz. Beautifully designed waterproof labels.
The box was very well packaged with foam peanuts to protect the contents and the utterly stunning glass slime jars had nice honeycomb cardboard protectors around them. Even the charms were beautifully packaged with one being in a little canvas bag. Included was a mini lemon hand towelette (what a great touch!) a card telling me my packaging is eco friendly (lovely to know) and a cute bookmark care card with a super sweet note on it.
Upon unpacking, I found that Eliora (the head librarian 😁) had including an incredibly thoughtful gift in the way of delicious, high quality chocolate from a little company that shares my name! In the note it was mentioned that this was especially ordered just for me on account of being the first international customer 🥲 I was so deeply touched by this! It says a lot about the customer service and just how much care is put into customer satisfaction and enjoyment.
The library/book aesthetic of the entire web-store and the slimes/jars is just spectacular. I have so much appreciation for slime stores who clearly put so much thought and love into everything they do, it really is a magical experience. One thing I love about slime is how it affords us the ability to turn our thoughts off and indulge in something that taps straight into our primal pleasure center, allowing us to leave the stresses and responsibilities of the world for a while. The library theme and how beautifully it’s all pulled off ramps that experience up for me. All I’ve done so far is open the box and I already feel like I’ve taken a trip to a whimsical bookstore in some Harry Potter-esq universe! 😆 I think they may also be the only slime store to use glass jars which makes them feel very high end.
​

• ARRAKIS (Sandfizz and coated clea scent: Usul's Awakening - Essential oil blend of cinnamon, clove, and fossilized amber)

The scent is beautiful with all the stated notes being apparent, reminding me of Christmas. I think it’s very special that these slimes are created with real essential oil! They aren’t cheap and you can really tell quite obviousy by the quality of the scent. The little book charm is so cute and a lovely touch!
I was worried I may have a struggle getting this slime out the jar but it slipped out into my hand nice and politely. It was a tiny bit sticky at first but a couple of puffs of activator sorted that out completely. The slime was very dense and super stretchy. It was very resistant but also very elastic and bouncy with no ripping. As you stretched you could feel the sand brush across your fingers but there was very little in the way of sand fallout. This has some unreal crackly sizzles when you inflate and then squeeze it. The crackles just keep coming and coming the more you squeeze. It does inflate a lot calling for a second jar for the excess.
The packaging is stunning and, equally, so is the slime!
​

• FOURTH PLANET POTATOES (Thick and glossy with clay/scent: wax coated potatoes Martian Soil - Essential oil blend of ginger, orange, and pinyon pine)

Another beautiful, ultra classy scent. Again with all the notes mentioned coming through. The little pot of potatoes, rocks and soil is hilarious! The potatoes are insanely realistic and fun to squish! I thought they would be a bit dry on account of their size but they weren’t at all, they melted straight in to the base. An ultra thick, medium gloss slime which is perfectly activated. It has a super resistance and miles of stretch. It makes tons of huge, loud, deep pops and a ton of snaps and crackles. It inflated a lot and needed a new container. It is quite tricky getting slime back into the glass jars.
These look like real potatoes, they're utterly uncanny!!
https://preview.redd.it/sytwljg8v93d1.jpg?width=1356&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2e8054f16d8493babc8fa4a78b4329fa76f221b0

• GOLDEN CHOCOLATE EGG (glossy/snappy, rich chocolate scented.

This was plastic sealed, which is always a great idea to keep moisture in. The chocolate scent is really not a bad effort (chocolate is tricky) but a tiny tad perfumed and artificial. Strangely enough I was getting a slight hint of orange chocolate from it. It looks beautiful with its lovely rich shade and little pieces of gold leaf sparkling throughout. The label is incredible too! This slime is ultra glossy, jiggly, super stretchy and clicky. The more you play the thinner and jigglier it becomes. It has tons of snaps and crackles and some sharp bubble pops. I had a little trouble with tiny pieces sticking to my hands and did come at it with activator a few times. It was quite a tacky one to play with but not at all prohibitively so.
https://preview.redd.it/yi940tvgv93d1.jpg?width=5854&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=965de6ae379ae8e06ed4e26f5dea98d5798e9a1f
Every slimer has to try the Library of Slime at some point as it’s such a special and surreal experience! The essential oil scents were some of the classiest and most nuanced I have experienced, the textures are super entertaining, interesting and well made. I absolutely adored the clay potatoes which were mind bendingly realistic! The mini book charms are an amazing touch. This store really blurs the lines between art and sensory product.
I have a love/hate relationship with the glass jars. On one hand they are very beautiful and make the product feel so special, it wasn’t hard to get the slime out of them in the least. On the other it is harder to get the slime back in the jar. I was having issues with air pockets and the narrower mouths. Of course it inflated a fair bit so usually I just put them in new jars of my own but I loved the aesthetic of the library jars and really wanted to get some slime back in there. I very tied because I wouldn’t want the library to swap to plastic but the glass does make things tricky.
All in all I can’t wait to see what's in the next restock and had SO much fun visiting the library's beautiful and profoundly whimsical little world! We are always seeking for a new and novel experience when it comes to slime and this provides just that! 9.9/10
...............
​
Pink Sugar Slimey
£11-13 for 7oz. Came very well packaged in super cute pink heart and white foam chips. Included is little organza bag with care card, activator and delicious lychee hard candy. The labels are not waterproof.
​

• HORCHATA CREAM (T&G, scent: horchata- cinnamon rice milk)

The scent is incredible. Very creamy with a waft of beautiful warm cinnamon. A chewy, stretchy slime full of clicks, crackles and loud pops. It was low resistance and on the loose/sticky side and I had trouble thickening it up with activator.
https://preview.redd.it/v1x6s4ggw93d1.jpg?width=5524&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=94d20a125bdf99c94293e371f48745800fe90ede
​

• TRES LECHE (snow softie + 2oz clear, scent: tres leches cake - vanilla sponge cake soaked in milk, heavy cream & condensed milk, topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon)

A beautiful, scent with notes of cream, vanilla and cake. I got excited and completely missed the 2oz of clear topper at first. My apologies! Incidentally the base was very lovely without it. Very fluffy, a little jiggly and inflating with lots of resistance. I added the topper after playing with the base. The topper also smells incredible, like a creamy milk and made a huge difference to the finished texture. It activated the snow and made it puff up and inflate much more. This was the loveliest puffy snow creme and had a ton of soft crackly sizzles.
Before and after the topper.
​

• ESQUITES (thick & glossy semi floam, scent: buttered popcorn)

The scent is SUPER buttery! It really does smell absolutely and ridiculously delicious and so much like hot, buttered popcorn it’s crazy! This is again super clicky, stretchy and full of pops and crackles, but I find the base a little bit loose and sticky again with very low resistance.
https://preview.redd.it/t98oxf8xw93d1.jpg?width=7915&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b10f21ae5ddea6ba1cb74ea5fb6326082b4e0b2a
​

• PAN DULCE DOUGH (wood glue clay, scent: pan dulce/sweet bread)

The scent is just like bread dough with a little sweetness. Stretchy and moist with clicks that get louder the more you inflate. This is lovely and plush and very inflatable with a firm jiggle, soft and medium bubble pops and lots of snaps and crackles. Great soft sizzles when you deflate. As you play, it gets a lot looser and fairly tacky.
https://preview.redd.it/hzdan803x93d1.jpg?width=5638&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=db465d9d61dac25fc9b7d01d026dac86736d5a88
​

• FLAN SOUFFLÉ (wood glue slay + 1oz clear, scent: flan)

Another fantastic scent with notes of rich caramel. An ultra stretchy, moist and jiggly slay which has a ton of bubble pops, big air bubbles, snaps and crackles, plus very loud clicks. Again a loose texture which is tricky to activate futher.
https://preview.redd.it/ewdm2mv4x93d1.jpg?width=8288&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0761c38c0cfc7a00d67c92bc46dca6ba32d75806
These are some of the most incredible and utterly delicious scents I have come across on my slime spree, they go so well with the themes which are all so well thought out. Clearly, a lot of love and attention go into these slimes.
Personally I found them to be a little on the loose side and a bit tricky to activate. It can be hard to ascertain whether this is by design or due to the warmer weather now we have hit the summer months. I always go for the fastest international shipping to minimise issues with melting and the slimes go in the fridge for 15-30 minutes prior to play. I am very much on board with Momo, Pilot, OG and others who slightly overactive their slime to avoid this. While I enjoy the odd jiggly slay, I prefer my slimes to be on the more holdable side so this is something I will keep in mind in future with Pink Sugar.
Nonetheless these scents were spectacular and the thicker textures lovely! Waterproof labels would be a strong preference of mine, I did manage to get slime on one or two of these labels while photographing and that is always a real shame. 9.1/10
......
​
Oh My Slime (Singapore)
Came with borax, a care card and a couple of candies. Slimes come in 6 or 8oz for between around $10-14. The jars have anti leak inner caps which is a great shout. I hate opening the box to discover slime leaks and this keeps things so much tidier! The labels are nicely designed and waterproof.
​

• TURKISH DELIGHT (juice jelly, scent: Turkish Delight)

The scent is very subtle but a super pleasant sweet rose Turkish delight. This slime was very sticky and under-activated. Unfortunately, I couldn’t really get it to activate and it remained so. This is a shame as it looked like it would be quite lovely and I adore rose flavoured Turkish delight.
https://preview.redd.it/ls76r151y93d1.jpg?width=5701&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a3c6b86cd9ca7d7dddcf0cb175856a71535c7cd7
​

• OLIVE OIL (thick water, scent: tea-light)

This slime had a very pleasant subtle tea sent that I found very fresh. This was a fantastic water slime on the thicker side that was well activated and left very little in the way of residue on my play surface, less so than Momo’s. It was jiggly and fun and made excellent bubbles. I thought the whole theme and concept was super cute and well done. This is one of my favourite water slimes to date!
https://preview.redd.it/y9n2nia8y93d1.jpg?width=1348&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=69c8470ea11d9e386050a390051eb708d169d2e6
https://preview.redd.it/rffvecaay93d1.jpg?width=2890&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=54bdd9e9d7528acb8968775d854c2943637a622e

• MAYONNAISE (T&G, scent: Yakult)

This had a pleasant mild Yakult scent but sadly had completely deactivated so I didn't proceed.
​

• TOOTHPASTE - Colgate (t&g, scent: fresh minty toothpaste)

The scent is a lovely sweet mint. Frustratingly this slime had also turned to glue.
https://preview.redd.it/vuwropjey93d1.jpg?width=3995&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e051a6329f56a23db7349421b3978c689bc54a1a
​

• GREEN TEA (gummy, scent: green tea)

The scent is very pleasant with a hint of sweet green tea. However, in a frustrating and somewhat comedic twist of fate, it is pretty drastically over-activated and extremely rubbery and unyielding 😅 I would of course take this over drastically under-activated any day but this is all the way rubber. In fairness I don’t tend to stretch milky jelly textures so much as poke and fold for mega pops. It has big squelchy pokes and makes big, loud, snappy bubbles pops on account of being so firm and thick.
https://preview.redd.it/wdhxrcoly93d1.jpg?width=5937&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b5952870a91b47b249631fe7353859df8b24ed2c
This was a pretty disappointing experience, more so than anything because the themes were great, the charms gorgeous, the colours and scents really beautiful and I could tell the textures were well made and at some point gorgeous. It would have been less disappointing if the quality of the slimes was low and the scents/aesthetics mediocre. I would have understood if all the slimes were all the way in one direction or the other activation-wise but it was super weird to get one perfect slime (water slime no less, a typically temperamental texture) and the rest either totally deactivated or wildly over-activated to the point of being unstretchable.
In light of this I am really scratching my head over giving Oh My Slime a rating that fairly represents their concoctions. I just got done reactivating slimes that arrived with me in a liquid state and it took a good 12 hours for them to settle into the consistency I like. Personally hate touching totally melted slime, it really gives me the ick which is amongst the many reasons why I have no wish to make my own slime. I keep my slime in a chiller so this is not typically an issue I commonly have as I go in with activator long before they turn back to glue. I would reactivate some of my favourites if they melted down slightly over time but I just lost heart for these sadly.
I hear from a friend that their slays and clays are much better. On this occasion 6/10 on account of the great water slime and all the other redeemable factors such as jars/designs/excellent scents but I only had one slime I could play with out of the whole batch so I don’t think I will return with any enthisiasm. MAYBE for another thick water slime.
............
​
Lime Slimes Company
Comes with care card and Borax. Waterproof labels with a lovely aesthetic. The jars are 8oz and priced from £12.15 to £15.39. Link to my previous review here.
​

• WAY TO LIMEVILLE (DIY clay/snowfizz, lemon lime pound cake scented)

The scent is a lovely, sweet and creamy lime. The clay was nice, soft and moist and fun to squish. The base had melted quite badly and was extremely sticky and I had to add a great deal of activator to get it handleable again. It had sat around for a week after I received it via fast international shipping. During this period, it was kept in an air conditioned room and had been in the fridge for 15-20 minutes before play. I was able to bring it back to a handleable consistency, but it remained tacky. This is the reason why I really appreciate companies such as Pilot, Momo, and Slime Japan sending their slimes slightly over activated.
Other than the tackiness, it was a nice and puffy, inflatable snow fizz with plenty of soft sizzles, soft finger, pokes, and soft pops.
https://preview.redd.it/4vrlogvrz93d1.jpg?width=5827&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=95baa8b8379cf8b040c355770b4dbfe4203fbe74
​

• WHIPPED TIRAMEWSU FOAM (whipped foam texture, tiramisu scented with notes of ladies fingers biscuits, espresso coffee and cocoa powder)

All the notes of the scent mentioned come through but I find it a lit thin and lacking in richness. I love the tiramisu aesthetic with the brown “cocoa powder” which you dust on top of the slime. This was also under-activated and loose but less sticky, I ended up losing an entire pen’s worth of activator between this and the previous slime. Though the texture became a lot more handleable, it remains to have some tackiness. This was a puffy and jiggly texture with medium clicks that get louder as it inflates and soft/medium bubble pops. The resistance on the pulls is low and I can’t tell how much of that is by design and how much of that is because of the melting issue
https://preview.redd.it/tyheh3pa0a3d1.jpg?width=5560&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=87659a72e8f63e05f8a3f80c8de8b891d2cc0267
​

• OUI STRAWBERRY WHOLE MILK FRENCH STYLE YOGHURT (T&G strawberry yoghurt scented)

A really beautiful sweet strawberry yoghurt scent with a hint of tartness. Frustratingly this had also melted and was the worst of the bunch, it was pretty much just glue. I was able to get this playable again but it took about 12 hours and some frustration. I had to add a lot of activator but this took it to a stage where it was both still sticky and rippy so I let it rest over night. The next day, with a little more working, it was closer to the intended texture (going off the Oui from my last order) but not quite perfect. Incidentally my other Oui which is a month old is still perfect and didn’t arrive melted (it is kept in a chiller at 50f.)
I don’t much like judging a slime that I have reconstituted nearly from scratch as it’s hard to know if it’s as the creator intended. That having been said, it is a very nice, creamy thickie with medium gloss. Lovely to pop and full of crackles. It has tiny bits of red flocking in it for a very pretty strawberry pulp effect.
Top left is how it arrived. Top right is where I managed to get it to with activator (still sticky by rippy.) Bottom left is after it rested overnight. Much better but still not quite as great as my previous Oui which I bought a month ago (an up to date picture of that on the bottom right.)
I am so tied over Lime Slimes. I love their scents and themes and when they are good they are great. However, this is not the first completely liquified slime I have received from them and it very much spoils the experience for me. Reading your reviews on this sub I see that I am not alone in having this issue with them but it seems to be quite hit and miss.
I know they come from California so I would hazard a guess that the issue happens during shipping due to the heat, I doubt these left them in this condition. I always pay for the fastest international shipping to prevent this issue occurring and most slimes arrive with me in 2-4 days. The only completely melted US slimes I have received have been from Lime Slimes, I’ve never had anything more than a slightly tacky surface that calls for a squirt of activator from other US companies. Once again, I can only reiterate how much I appreciate it when a slime leaves a store a little over-activated!
I hate rating slimes which are melted as it’s not really a representation of what the creator intended. I do love Lime's Oui line when not melted and may chance buying another one if a particularly interesting scent is released when mine dies but, ultimately, I won’t be returning to Lime Slimes Co. with any gusto, which is a real shame. I really feel drawn to them as I really love the themes, presentation, aesthetic and scents generally. However, it’s a very important factor to me that I receive my slimes in a play-ready condition as I hate having to reactivate them (to a texture that may not be quite right) and the feeling of sticky mess on my hands 6.5/10
.........
Thank you for reading! I'll be back soon to review Audeez and more Mythical Mushbunny, Rodem and Momo! Feel free to give me a follow so you don't miss the review 🩵😊

Part One Here!
We pick up following Blood and Guts, where AEW Champion Swerve Strickland led his team to victory over the Elite. It’s been an insanely brutal and bloody reign for Swerve so far, and with enemies and allies alike climbing the ladder towards a shot at the gold, he’s starting to grow slightly paranoid. With a second trip to Wembley approaching, the talk of the town is who’s going to win the Owen and go for AEW’s top title at Wembley - if Swerve even makes it there, the fans knowing that his wars of attrition are leaving him worse for wear with each passing defence.
Road to All In London
The lineup for the Owen is being narrowed down coming out of Blood and Guts, with MJF, Jay White, Bryan Danielson, Will Ospreay, Darby Allin, Hangman Page, Konosuke Takeshita and Katsuyori Shibata all in the running. With blockbuster match after blockbuster match being fought to determine the finalists for Calgary, we eventually come down to two: MJF and Will Ospreay, set on a collision course for the ages.
Swerve’s troubles don’t end there, though - after leaving the Mogul Embassy, his old allies smell blood in the water, and the EVPs are all too happy to make Strickland’s life more miserable by announcing a title match with Brian Cage for the Dynamite opener in Alberta’s largest city.
AEW World Title: Swerve Strickland (c) vs. Brian Cage
Cage gets a good showing in here, using his remarkable athleticism to nearly put the champion away early, but once Swerve gets rolling, it’s clear that there are levels to this game. The Machine goes for a Liger Bomb, Swerve reversing into a hurricanrana to leave him prone for a HOUSE CALL, FOLLOWED BY A SWERVE STOMP! ONE! TWO! THREE!
Swerve Strickland def. Brian Cage (11:51) to retain the AEW World Title
After the bout, Swerve’s handed his title, and he keeps it hugged tight to his chest as he grabs a microphone. He says everyone’s been working their asses off around him to try and take this from him, but the champion promises he’s not afraid. He welcomes the challenge, because there ain’t nobody like Swerve Strickland in SWERVE’S HOUSE. He says he’s looking forward to seeing who comes out on top in the main event, and heads off backstage to watch it with Prince Nana.
Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Final: MJF vs. Will Ospreay
This gets a lot of time, with no limit on a tournament final. Let them cook. MJF is in worse shape than Ospreay, having been flung straight into a tournament after a series of surgeries left him held together with duct tape, but Ospreay’s in a worse headspace, his typical unending confidence hampered by a few narrow wins en route to the final. However, it’s two spectacular in-ring talents, and they go ham in pursuit of victory, MJF wanting to headline Wembley for the second straight year and Ospreay looking to win the AEW World Title in a stadium in his home country. The back-and-forth gives way to MJF getting control, working the arm extensively to warm Ospreay up for the Salt of the Earth. However, an appearance by Adam Cole gives an unknowing Ospreay the opportunity to turn the tables with a handstand reversal to a Heatseeker, following it with a Hidden Blade for two. Ospreay considers working on the shoulder, MJF crying out in agony with each blow to the surgically repaired joint, and eventually, Will has him in perfect position for the Storm Driver 93. He knows MJF’s neck and shoulder are in such a state that this would be an automatic victory, but he hesitates just long enough for MJF to roll him up… ONE! TWO! THRE-KICKOUT! MJF grabs the arm to go for a Salt of the Earth, Ospreay rolling him back into a pin of his own, followed by another HIDDEN BLADE! STORMBREAKER! ONE! TWO! THREE! OSPREAY’S GOING TO WEMBLEY!
Will Ospreay def. MJF (31:02) to win the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament
Out comes Swerve, standing toe to toe with his challenger as confetti falls around them. Ospreay leans on his trophy, grabbing a microphone as it becomes rapidly apparent his confidence is back. He says that All In is on the horizon, and last time AEW was at Wembley Stadium, he won as an outsider… yet Swerve lost. Now, Ospreay’s in AEW full time, mowing through all the competition, and now it’s time that the Kingpin get a shot at the crown. Swerve chuckles before his smile turns into a sneer, growling under his breath that Ospreay will have to kill him to take the AEW Title away - and he’s seen that despite being called the Assassin, he can’t do that.
The next week on Dynamite, Ospreay and Swerve are scheduled for a face to face promo in the ring, the title match official for All In. It’s electric as they stand opposite one another in the squared circle, trading some quick verbal barbs that they both brush off before getting down to brass tacks, Swerve holding the microphone and beginning to speak.
“Will, you’re impressive, man. You can be as athletic as the day is long, but it’s not ‘heavy is the body that wears the crown,’ it’s ‘heavy is the head,’ and there ain’t nobody like me. This is a mental game, and you don’t have what it takes there. You blew yourself up and broke your own neck when you went for the IWGP Title. You were betrayed by the Don Callis Family and somehow didn’t see it coming. You were beaten on your home turf by your sworn enemy because you got in your own head. You had the win of a lifetime against Bryan, and then you felt so bad about it that you neutered your arsenal. You don’t have what it takes… in your head or in your guts. There’s only one head fit for this crown, and it’s mine.”
Ospreay scoffs, trying to keep his cool, but he doesn’t wait long before grabbing the microphone out of Swerve’s hand to an “oooh,” from the crowd.
“Ain’t nobody like you, bruv? How dare you talk down to me. How dare you condescend me, belittle me, you arrogant bastard? I came here to AEW and started taking heads, just like I did in Japan, and there were people there just like you. People who said ‘ah, he’s not got it in him to be the next big gaijin. He’ll never be the champion,’ and now there’s you, saying I don’t have what it takes because I don’t have the mentality. YOU don’t have the mentality to do what I do. To fly from the UK to here twice a week, to raise a family, to spend a whole career an ocean away from home, to wear the crown on your head that says you’re the greatest wrestler on Earth. Nobody’s done that but ME, and when that championship’s fastened around my waist, mate, it’s going to prove what everyone already knows - that Will Ospreay’s on another level, and Swerve Strickland… he’s punching up.”
Now it’s Strickland’s turn to try and keep a lid on his anger, stepping toe to toe with his challenger and holding the title inches from his face. He tells Ospreay to listen close, before saying that the years of hard work Ospreay put in everywhere but home aren’t gonna be enough to help. He’s gonna be in front of his family, he’s gonna be in front of his friends, he’s gonna be in front of his people, and he’s going to let them all down, because he’s an impressive athlete, but he’s not the guy. Finally, Ospreay snaps, throwing a SHORT HEADBUTT, AND NOW BOTH MEN ARE THROWING FISTS! IT’S UTTER BEDLAM! The bell starts ringing to try and encourage them to break it up, but neither man is stepping down now, furiously exchanging blows as security rushes to the ring to divide them. Swerve grabs the championship, hoisting it high as he spits venom at Ospreay, the challenger spewing a string of words that probably won’t make air. They keep trying to break free and take another swing, commentary asking what on Earth they’ll do when they’re finally let loose at Wembley Stadium, pride and the promotion’s top prize on the line.
Swerve Strickland (c) vs. Will Ospreay
All In London
Wembley Stadium is packed to the gills as All In goes on the air, and they’re fit to burst as the first theme they hear is that of the Commonwealth Kingpin. Justin Roberts announces that our opening match is for the AEW World Title, and Ospreay receives plenty of fanfare and fireworks as he makes his way to the ring, looking more motivated than ever. He’s clearly jonesing in the ring, eagerly awaiting Swerve’s arrival as his compatriots cheer him on… and then Chaka Khan hits. Strickland may be in enemy territory, but the crowd can't help but sing. Oozing charisma as he enters the squared circle, the AEW Champion seems more than ready to put the Assassin down, the electric crowd letting both men soak in the moment as the bell rings. HERE WE GO! SWERVE VS. OSPREAY, LIVE FROM WEMBLEY, AEW TITLE ON THE LINE!
AEW World Title: Swerve Strickland (c) vs. Will Ospreay
From the bell, Strickland and Ospreay are exchanging words as they gravitate towards one another, Ospreay calling for a lockup. They settle into a collar and elbow, Ospreay using his size to his advantage to try and muscle Swerve into the ropes, but Strickland reversing the momentum to cinch in a side headlock. Will still drives Swerve into the ropes, eventually breaking free and whipping Strickland across the ring, the champion building up speed as he ducks a clothesline attempt from the challenger and nails a Tijeras to send Ospreay flying. Ospreay’s quickly back up to his feet, Swerve attempting a slip behind for a German Suplex, but Will countering with a headlock takeover, kipping up and throwing a superkick that’s narrowly avoided by Swerve, who drops flat to his back, picking Ospreay’s leg and floating into a handstand to bring Ospreay down with a headscissors. Will kips up once more to break free, Swerve scrambling to stand up before OSPREAY THROWS A HIDDEN BLADE, SWERVE DIVING OUT OF THE WAY AT THE LAST MOMENT BEFORE CATASTROPHE! Strickland quickly pivots as Will looks to get to his feet, attempting a HOUSE CALL, BUT NOW IT’S OSPREAY’S TURN TO DODGE AS BOTH MEN END UP STANDING!
Gritting his teeth, Swerve goes for another lockup with Ospreay, this time quickly kicking him in the gut for a snapmare, cinching in a chinlock to talk some smack. The Aerial Assassin lands a few elbows to the body as he strives to get back to his feet, finally breaking free before being grounded again by a Tijeras from Swerve. Strickland grabs hold of his challenger again, Ospreay furiously backpedaling into the corner to avoid a lifting inverted DDT, only for Swerve to send him through the ropes for a HANGING NECKBREAKER! Ospreay rolls out to the apron instinctively, Swerve kicking out one of his legs and stepping through the middle rope to SLINGSHOT INTO A DDT ON THE APRON, BUT OSPREAY HANDSPRINGS STRAIGHT TO HIS FEET ON THE FLOOR! Strickland gets cocky, thinking he landed the shot, and turns around to see Ospreay charging at his legs. Swerve leaps up, still on the apron as Will overshoots, the champion pivoting for an APRON PUMP KICK, OSPREAY DUCKING IT AND LEAPING BACK ONTO THE APRON! SWERVE TURNS AROUND ONCE AGAIN… AND OSPREAY FLIES IN WITH AN APRON OSCUTTER! Tumbling to the floor, Swerve tries to get to his senses and figure out how he came out on the rough end of the sequence on the apron, but Ospreay gives him no time to think with a ROBINSON SPECIAL OFF THE APRON, STRAIGHT THROUGH THE BACK OF HIS HEAD! He props Swerve against the barricade, chopping him across the chest before scrambling to the top rope for a SKY TWISTER PRESS TO THE OUTSIDE - ONLY FOR SWERVE TO AVOID IT, NAILING OSPREAY WITH A GERMAN SUPLEX ONTO THE FLOOR!
With Ospreay stunned, Strickland slides back in to break the count, measuring his man before effortlessly delivering a FOSBURY FLOP OUT TO RINGSIDE, WIPING OUT THE CHALLENGER! Turning the tables on Ospreay, now it’s Swerve’s turn to lay in some chops against the barricade, only for Will to dump him over the barrier and into the crowd. He follows it up with a hook kick over the guardrail to stagger the champion, running the length of ringside and LAUNCHING HIMSELF STRAIGHT INTO A PUMP KICK FROM THE CHAMPION! Swerve hops up onto the barricade, grabbing hold of Ospreay in a front facelock before MUSCLING HIM UP AND OVER WITH A BRAINBUSTER, OFF OF THE BARRICADE AND RIGHT DOWN ONTO THE FLOOR AT RINGSIDE! He rushes to roll Will back between the ropes, hooking both legs… ONE! TWO! TH-NOOO! Swerve jumps to the middle rope to deliver a diving European Uppercut to the back of the head before Ospreay can quite get to his feet, following it up with a DISCUS LARIAT! The assault on the head is relentless, Swerve looking for a DDT before being driven into the ropes, Will trying to earn a momentary reprieve. Instead, Strickland pummels him with Muay Thai knees to the body, heaving him up for a LIGER BOMB! ONE! TWO! THRE-KICKOUT ONCE MORE! Swerve lets out a frustrated roar, deadlift Ospreay up to attempt another powerbomb, but Ospreay manages to drop to the apron for a gamengiri, followed by a PIP PIP CHEERIO! ONE! TWO! KICKOUT! Desperate to keep momentum on his side, Ospreay quickly delivers a rolling elbow, following it up with a SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX, BUT SWERVE RIGHT BACK UP TO HIS FEET, NAILING A GERMAN! He swivels around, only to see Ospreay landed on his feet, BOTH MEN THROWING HIGH KICKS BEFORE COLLAPSING TO THE CANVAS!
Wembley rallies behind Ospreay as both men struggle to get to their feet, barely stirring before the challenger begins pounding the mat, leaning back onto his hands for a kip-up before Swerve simply spins to punt him in the face and bring him back to the mat. Strickland rises to his feet, looking for the House Call, but OSPREAY HAS NONE OF IT, CATCHING THE LEG FOR A STYLES CLASH! ONE! TWO! THR-NOO! Following through, Ospreay attempts a Hidden Blade, Swerve ducking it before rushing towards his opponent and INTO A SPANISH FLY FOR A NEARFALL! Ospreay grabs the back of Swerve’s head, paying him back for the focused assault with a flurry of Kawada Kicks to the face, followed by an attempt at a delayed vertical suplex, Strickland floating over and landing on his feet. The champion runs the ropes, Ospreay stopping him in his tracks with a dropsault and an enziguri, continuously building momentum with a STUNDOG MILLIONAIRE TO FINALLY DROP SWERVE TO HIS BACK! Unleashing a war cry, Ospreay has a gleam in his eyes as he looks towards the top turnbuckle, dragging himself through the ropes to the apron before clambering up to the high rent district, turning his back to Swerve for another SKY TWISTER PRESS, SWERVE ONCE AGAIN ROLLING IN TOWARDS THE TURNBUCKLES… BUT OSPREAY ROLLS STRAIGHT THROUGH TO HIS FEET! Strickland flashes his grill to the camera in the corner with a smile, Ospreay looming behind him before BLASTING STRAIGHT THROUGH HIM WITH A HIDDEN BLADE! ONE! TWO! THRE-SWERVE POWERS OUT!
It’s been just over fifteen minutes of insanity as Ospreay smells blood in the water, knowing if he connects with a Stormbreaker, he can wrap this up. However, that certainty would only be cemented if he were to nail a Storm Driver 93, but he refuses to go to such lengths, hooking the arms… BUT SWERVE COUNTERS WITH A BACK BODY DROP, ONLY FOR OSPREAY TO LAND ON HIS FEET! HE BREAKS INTO A SPRINT, REBOUNDING OFF THE ROPES FOR A SPRINGBOARD OSCUTTER - STRAIGHT INTO A HOUSE CALL! SWERVE INTERCEPTED HIM! ONE! TWO! THRE-NOOOO! Strickland can’t believe it, but he’s got Ospreay dead to rights, spinning him around into position for a Tombstone. Strickland looks to the hard cam, a smug sneer on his face as OSPREAY REVERSES WITH A SEGA MEGA DRIVER, SPIKING HIM DOWN ON HIS HEAD! ONE! TWO! THRE-NOOOO! Ospreay is in disbelief, even a tribute to Mad Kurt not being enough to put Swerve down, but he’s staying on the ball as he hooks Swerve’s arms to go for a STORMBREAKER, ONLY FOR SWERVE TO FLOAT OVER FOR A LIFTING INVERTED DDT! Will’s rally wasn’t enough to get him out of trouble, and STRICKLAND FOLLOWS IT UP WITH A SECOND HOUSE CALL! SWERVE IMMEDIATELY ON THE ATTACK ONCE MORE, POSITIONING OSPREAY FOR A JML DRIVER… BUT WILL CLEARS HIS HEAD, COUNTERING WITH A POISON RANA! SWERVE UP TO HIS KNEES, BUT OSPREAY FOLLOWS IT WITH A SPRINGBOARD OSCUTTER! HIDDEN BLADE TO THE BASE OF THE SKULL, AND NOW… STORMBREAKER! ONE! TWO! THREE! WILL OSPREAY IS THE AEW WORLD CHAMPION!
Will Ospreay def. Swerve Strickland (20:10) to win the AEW World Title
Later in the night, Kazuchika Okada defeats Kenny Omega to win their fifth encounter, establishing himself firmly as the Number One Contender to the AEW World Title, giving the new champion only two weeks to prepare to face off with one of his greatest foes - a foe he’s only managed to beat cleanly once, while falling to the Rainmaker eight times.
Road to All Out
Ospreay gets to celebrate on Dynamite, cutting a promo saying he’s geared up to finally put this to bed. He says he’s glad he’s starting his title reign like this, because he’s certain he can beat Okada, and he’ll not have to worry about the spectre looming over him anymore. Every time there was a title on the line, every time the stakes were high, he failed against the Rainmaker - but the stakes were high at Wembley, and he won. He proved Swerve Strickland wrong, and now it’s time to prove Kazuchika Okada wrong. Out steps the Rainmaker, taking the EVP Elevator up onto the stage to say that Ospreay has already proven him wrong; he thought, years ago, that Ospreay was a talent worthy of being in Okada’s stable of CHAOS, and Ospreay proved him wrong when he betrayed his leader, only for Okada to beat the brakes off him at the Tokyo Dome. Okada says that Ospreay should be all too familiar with Okada being the top champion, the Ace, and he plans to finally bring that vision to AEW by restoring the world to its natural order and beating the Aerial Assassin for a ninth time. The Rainmaker’s ego is peaking, having avenged his loss to Kenny Omega just a few days prior, and he says that Omega’s a taller mountain to climb than Ospreay. However, he says he’s sure there’ll be room in the Elite’s ranks for Ospreay, should he come to his senses and want to fall back in line behind the Rainmaker. Ospreay declares that at All Out, he’ll prove to Okada and the world that he’s eclipsed the onetime Ace, while Okada insists that Omega was just the beginning - in just a few days, it’ll be time for the Rainmaker Era to start back up.
All Out
With All In having just occurred recently, All Out is a package deal with the Wembley show, ensuring a huge audience for what’s certain to be an all-timer main event between the Rainmaker and the Assassin. Both men want to walk out with the gold more than anything in the world, making an already personal rivalry all the more exciting as the coin drops for the last match of the night. Okada appears in a new robe, debuted two weeks prior at Wembley, and as he rises from the Elite Elevator, he’s looking more daunting than ever. There’s only one feud the man had ever lost, and he’d just avenged it against Kenny Omega - this is the most dangerous he’s ever been, and as Will Ospreay makes his way to the ring, Okada doesn’t even turn to face him. The champion is furious, but the challenger sees him as a formality standing between him and another epic World Title reign, refusing to even acknowledge him as they’re both introduced by Justin Roberts. They head to their respective corners, and THE BELL RINGS! IT’S OKADA AND OSPREAY, WORLD TITLE ON THE LINE!
AEW World Title: Will Ospreay (c) vs. Kazuchika Okada
Both men are hesitant to open themselves up to a big counter in the early goings, especially given how well they know each other, so they try and psych each other out a different way - by waiting. The crowd greets them with a deafening reception as they slowly circle the centre of the ring, eventually meeting with a lockup that sees Okada immediately put his height to good use, bearing down on Ospreay with an attempt at a test of strength. He pushes Ospreay down to the mat, even getting his shoulders down for a moment, but the champion bridges up off the canvas. Okada jumps up and drives his legs down into Ospreay’s body, but Ospreay maintains the bridge with both men’s weight, Okada getting back up and shooting for a lateral press that gets a one count. Transitioning into a side headlock, Okada talks some smack, the Young Bucks supporting him at ringside while taunting the champion. However, Ospreay’s put on plenty of muscle mass over the years, making it all the easier for him to slowly make his way to his feet, twisting free and securing a side headlock of his own on the Rainmaker. Okada sends him into the ropes, Ospreay clinging to the top as Okada instinctively goes for a flapjack. Momentarily confused, Okada gives Will the opening to run in for a dropsault, attempting to follow it with an enziguri that’s ducked, Ospreay springing up… and into a flapjack, the inevitability of the Rainmaker’s plans coming to fruition putting the champion in a bad spot early.
Continuing with his somewhat lackadaisical pace, Okada keeps treating Ospreay like he’s not that big of a deal, shoving him into the corner for a double pat on the chest, followed by a stiff forearm across the jaw as the referee steps in. Ospreay lunges at him, Okada grabbing the arm for an Irish Whip into the opposite corner, rushing the champion with a big boot, but Ospreay SLINGSHOTS RIGHT OVER HIM, LANDING ON HIS FEET BEHIND THE RAINMAKER FOR A KICK TO THE HAMSTRING! Ospreay hones in with a swift roundhouse to Okada’s other leg, trying to take out his base, but Okada shrugs it off by catching the leg on a third kick attempt before driving his shoulder straight into the bridge of Ospreay’s nose, following it with a DDT that makes it look like Ospreay just died. The champion goes full scorpion, folding over himself like PAC as Okada grabs hold of the wrist to attempt an early Rainmaker. He gets Ospreay up to his feet, a smirk on his face as he winds him up, but Ospreay cuts through his grip with a sharp elbow before rolling Okada up with a victory roll reversal, straight into a DOUBLE STOMP TO THE GUT! Okada rolls right out of the ring and into the waiting arms of the Elite, Ospreay lining up to try and take him out with a dive before being halted by the Bucks, who leap into the way with their hands up. Ospreay shouts at them to move before going for it anyway, launching himself with a PESCADO, STRAIGHT INTO A BOOT TO THE STOMACH BY THE RAINMAKER! THE BUCKS GAVE HIM TIME TO RECOVER!
Taking advantage immediately, Okada sends Ospreay crashing into the barricade, Ospreay crying out before Okada sends him into the aisle on the crowd side of the barrier. He measures his man as he heads to the opposite end of ringside, the Bucks gassing him up as he takes a running start for a CROSSBODY OVER THE GUARDRAIL, LANDING ON HIS FEET AFTER TAKING OUT THE AERIAL ASSASSIN! Okada dusts himself off, his signature look of superiority clearer than ever as he drags Ospreay back to ringside, laying in a few boots to the body before spitefully laying in another DDT, this time on the floor. He breaks the count before continuing to pummel Ospreay at ringside, the Bucks taunting the champion with each consecutive shot he takes. Okada works over the champion’s neck, digging a knee into the back of it as he postures with his stablemates before securing a waistlock for a GERMAN SUPLEX ON THE FLOOR, BUT OSPREAY FLIPS OUT OF IT! He flings himself at Okada with a Hidden Blade attempt from behind, the seemingly omniscient Okada ducking at just the right moment before throwing a boot - but Ospreay’s just too quick, slipping under it and LAYING IN A HOOK KICK, FOLLOWED BY A BACK SUPLEX ON THE OUTSIDE TO THE RAINMAKER! Ospreay backs the Bucks away, threatening to put their faces through the back of their heads before sliding back into the ring and EFFORTLESSLY SOARING THROUGH THE AIR WITH A SKY TWISTER PRESS TO THE FLOOR! He sends Okada back between the ropes, following him with a PIP PIP CHEERIO, BUT OKADA CUTS HIM OFF AGAIN BY KICKING OUT THE ROPES! Ospreay is left hung up on the top, Okada turning him over for a DRAPING NECKBREAKER OFF THE TOP! ONE! TWO! THR-KICKOUT!
It’s been virtually all Okada thus far, and he continues to methodically wear Ospreay down with a targeted offensive on the neck of the AEW World Champion. Whenever Ospreay tries to get some momentum going, Okada’s able to reverse it, the style Ospreay honed in New Japan having paid dividends against plenty of other AEW talents, but not the man who defined the style for over a decade. Soon enough, Okada looks for the Rainmaker again, and Ospreay finds his opening by reversing it into a SPANISH FLY! ONE! TWO! KICKOUT! Ospreay looks like a bullet fired from a gun the second Okada’s constant pressure is taken off his shoulders, the champion bolting out to the apron to connect with a PIP PIP CHEERIO, NAILING IT BEFORE OKADA HAS TIME TO REALIZE WHAT HIT HIM! Okada tries to evacuate out the other side of the ring, but Ospreay’s having none of it, grabbing him by the trunks and pulling him back in for a SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX! ONE! TWO! TH-NOOO! Okada sits back up just in time for Ospreay to strike him with a standing round kick to the ear, filling the Rainmaker’s head with cobwebs before flattening him to the canvas with a superkick, finishing the sequence with a RUNNING SHOOTING STAR PRESS! ONE! TWO! THR-ANOTHER KICKOUT, BUT OSPREAY’S FINALLY GOTTEN CONTROL AWAY FROM THE CHALLENGER! With the Chicago crowd rallying behind him, Ospreay struggles to get to his feet, the twenty straight minutes of punishment taking a heavy toll on the champion. However, he’s certainly up before the stunned Okada, with the challenger still attempting to get his wits about him when Ospreay charges with a ROBINSON SPECIAL, STRAIGHT TO THE BASE OF THE SKULL! Okada gets to his feet on instinct alone, the Assassin positioning himself behind his prey and circling him before running the ropes for an OSCUTTER! ONE! TWO! THR-NOOO!
Ospreay unleashes some Kawada Kicks on the challenger, letting out his aggression before lighting him up with a flurry of chops, Okada attempting to stand on business and throw some of his own, only for Ospreay to obliterate him with a superkick. Okada is left leaning on the ropes, Ospreay beckoning him towards the centre of the ring before attempting a SHOTGUN DROPKICK, SENDING HIM STRAIGHT THROUGH TO THE APRON! With Okada prone, Ospreay looks for the OSCUTTER ON THE APRON, BUT OKADA CATCHES HIM IN A STRAITJACKET! He attempts a Straitjacket German Suplex on the apron, Ospreay avoiding catastrophe with a back headbutt to the bridge of the nose, followed by a stiff back elbow to send Okada tumbling to the floor. Ospreay vaults over the ropes to break the count, finding himself in the perfect spot for an old favourite as Okada gets to his feet at the base of the ramp. Measuring his man, Ospreay leaps into motion with a SASUKE SPECIAL, BUT OKADA CATCHES HIM! WHAT STRENGTH FROM THE RAINMAKER, AND NOW… OH MY GOD, A TOMBSTONE PILEDRIVER ON THE FLOOR! Okada’s confidence is peaking, the Tombstone on the floor having been a hallmark of so many of his defining victories and none of his defeats. Knowing this, he rolls Ospreay straight back into the ring, the work on the neck having paid dividends as he immediately secures wrist control, hoisting Ospreay up into position for a RAIIIINMAKERRRRRR! HE GOT ALL OF IT! ONE! TWO! THRE-OSPREAY SOMEHOW LIFTS THE SHOULDER UP!
Frustrated, Okada hurls Ospreay’s lifeless corpse into the corner and simply starts stomping a mudhole in his face, grinding his boot into the champion’s features before the referee pulls him away. Okada bickers with the ref as the Bucks sneak up on each side of Ospreay, Will instinctively grabbing a hold of Matthew, who scrambles backwards. However, Will stays latched onto him, forming a fist around Matthew’s tie and being pulled through the ropes… ONLY FOR NICHOLAS TO SUPERKICK OSPREAY STRAIGHT INTO THE RING POST, SPARING HIS OLDER BROTHER! Blood begins to spill from the side of Ospreay’s head, dripping onto the ring post and ring skirt as it becomes clear he hit his head damn hard against the steel. Okada pushes past the referee and continues to beat Ospreay down, relishing each moment of offence as he sends the champion packing to the outside with a petulant boot to the side of the head. He rolls out to the floor, the Bucks handing him a bottle of water to cool himself off with after such a brutal match, and now Okada gets to admire the Elite’s handiwork as crimson teardrops start dotting ringside, a bloody mask obscuring Ospreay’s face. Okada keeps beating ass, commentary noting that this is now the longest we’ve seen these two duke it out for, nearly 40 minutes having elapsed. Excalibur notes Ospreay seems harder than ever to put down, but Okada’s showing the same sort of dominance he has in the past, with Schiavone sounding worried that it might just be a matter of time.
Looking to finally put an end to things, Okada starts raining closed fists on Ospreay’s head wound, hurling him into the timekeeper’s table. Eventually, he lays Ospreay out on it, clambering up with him before flipping off the camera and calling for another Tombstone. He flips Ospreay around… but Ospreay drops to the floor behind him, sweeping out Okada’s legs before nailing a CHEEKY NANDO’S AGAINST THE GUARDRAIL, LEAVING OKADA SPLAYED OUT ON THE TABLE! Ospreay scrambles towards the ring post, blood pouring down onto his chest as he makes the long climb up the turnbuckles for a FROG SPLASH THROUGH THE TABLE, AND THROUGH OKADA! The count was broken by him hitting the top rope, sparing both men the risk of being counted out as they lie their motionless. Chicago wills them to their feet, Ospreay sending Okada back into the ring before using the surge of energy and momentum to get the challenger up for a STORMBREAKER! HE GOT HIM! OSPREAY’S GONNA DO IT! Ospreay leaps atop Okada, grabbing the leg and leaning back into a deep cover, putting all his weight across the challenger’s shoulders… ONE! TWO! THRE-OKADA’S FOOT IS HOVERING OVER THE BOTTOM ROPE, OSPREAY TOO ENTHUSIASTIC WITH HIS PIN! The Bucks look like they’re about to have panic attacks as an exasperated, mentally battered Ospreay fights back tears, a fraction of an inch away from redemption. However, he knows he’s got control, so all he has to do is take this one home.
Both men are in deep waters now, and with both being renowned for their gas tanks, it’s clearly come down to a war of attrition, both men knowing that it’ll all come down to landing the one big move that’ll keep one of them down. They’ve both sustained plenty of damage, but as Ospreay staggers over to the downed Okada, he gets this look in his eyes - the look of a man who has the chance to do the funniest thing ever against a man he resents oh so much. Ospreay grabs Okada’s wrist, the crowd letting out an “oooh” as it becomes clear he’s going for his own parody of the Rainmaker, traditionally a ripcord Spanish Fly. Okada is on dream street as Ospreay positions him, pulling the wrist to whip Okada around… but the Rainmaker is still wise to Ospreay’s moveset, keeping an arm near his side to stop Ospreay from latching on for a Spanish Fly. However, he wasn’t wise enough, Ospreay digging into Kenny Omega’s toolkit with a RAIN TRIGGER, BLINDSIDING OKADA WITH A HUGE HIT HE DIDN’T SEE COMING! Okada falls into the ropes, trying to keep himself upright by keeping a firm grip on the top rope, only to be uprooted by a POISON RANA, OSPREAY SPIKING THE CHALLENGER RIGHT ON HIS HEAD! He stumbles to the corner, Okada looking to find his footing as he gets to his knees… AND EATS A HIDDEN BLADE STRAIGHT TO THE FACE, OSPREAY MOWING STRAIGHT THROUGH HIS CHALLENGER! ONE! TWO! THRE-OKADA GETS THE SHOULDER UP, AND THE GRUELLING BOUT CONTINUES!
Justin Roberts is starting to sound pretty nervous as he makes the 50 minute time call, informing both competitors that there’s only ten minutes left in their longest bout against one another to date. Ospreay crawls towards the ropes, driven by pure determination as he peels off his elbow pad, winding up for the Hidden Blade of a lifetime as Okada slowly starts to stir. Both men have taken each other’s biggest shots, but Okada’s in the champion’s sights now, Ospreay waiting until he’s in the perfect position before CHARGING AT FULL TILT INTO A DROPKICK FROM OKADA! Somehow, Okada’s still got pristine form this late into the match, but there’s no time to linger on his magnificence as he rises to his feet, dazed and confused, in desperate need of a dagger against Ospreay. He leans over to hook Ospreay’s wrist, calling for a second Rainmaker, and now he ripcords him in, ONLY FOR OSPREAY TO BLAST HIM WITH A HIDDEN BLADE TO THE FACE ONCE AGAIN ON THE REBOUND! Okada somehow keeps hold of Ospreay’s wrist, tumbling into the ropes and dragging the champion with him, gritting his teeth and letting out a primal roar before CLOBBERING OSPREAY WITH A SHORT ARM LARIAT, BRINGING THEM BOTH DOWN TO THE MAT! Ospreay gets the slightly better landing tactically, turned completely inside out and managing to drape an arm over… ONE! TWO! THRE-NOO! Okada’s kickout flips Ospreay onto his back, the Rainmaker now making an exhausted pinfall attempt… ONE! TWO! THRE-KICKOUT! WHAT’S IT GOING TO TAKE FOR ONE OF THESE MEN TO STAY DOWN?
Puddles of Ospreay’s blood stain the canvas as both men lie there, the unimaginable exhaustion washing over both of them as they fight to be the first man to a vertical base. Commentary discusses the importance of securing the upper hand at this moment, and somehow, it’s Ospreay who’s up first, although only by a matter of seconds. Okada decks him with a forearm, the Rainmaker doubled over trying to catch his breath, but Ospreay clocks him with one of his own, followed by a ROLLING ELBOW TO DROP OKADA TO A KNEE! Ospreay ponders a moment, considering going for a Storm Driver 93, and as Justin Roberts says there’s five minutes remaining, he goes for it. He hooks Okada’s arms in a butterfly, muscling him up off his feet… but Okada drops down to his knees, Ospreay too exhausted to lift 250 pounds into position if that 250 pounds is still fighting back. The champion knees Okada in the face before going for it again, but this time, Okada shifts his weight back and SWINGS OSPREAY OVER HIS OWN SHOULDER FOR AN AIR RAID CRASH NECKBREAKER! Ospreay goes down like a sack of potatoes, clutching the back of his neck in pure agony, unable to function properly as Okada scrapes him off the canvas and positions him for an EMPHATIC COBRA FLOWSION, DRIVING OSPREAY’S NECK INTO THE MAT ONCE AGAIN WITH A RESOUNDING THUD! The challenger rises to his feet behind his foe… AND SPREADS HIS ARMS, THE CAMERA ZOOMING OUT TO ENCOMPASS THE CHICAGO CROWD! OKADA HITS THE RAINMAKER POSE, AND HE’S READY TO STUNT ON OSPREAY ONCE MORE!
Ospreay’s in the perfect position for the Rainmaker, only a few minutes left on the clock, but both men’s movements have become lethargic and feeble after all they’ve been through. Matthew and Nicholas pound the mat to encourage Okada as he painstakingly leans over to latch on to Ospreay’s wrist, the champion fighting as best he can with a few back elbows, all of which miss the mark. Okada drives a forearm into the back of Ospreay’s neck, dropping him to his knees again before finally heaving him up for the Rainmaker, winding up… AND WHIZZING RIGHT BY OSPREAY, WHO COLLAPSES FROM EXHAUSTION! Okada falls in a heap behind him, but he’s still in better shape than Ospreay with moments remaining. With the last of his adrenaline, Okada scrambles up and picks Ospreay up once more, positioning him for a Rainmaker… BUT OSPREAY DUCKS, THIS TIME BREAKING INTO A SPRINT TO GET OUT OF THE WRISTLOCK! HE BOUNCES OFF THE ROPES, OKADA TOO TIRED TO SPIN AROUND IN TIME, AND NOW OSPREAY NAILS AN UNPROTECTED HIDDEN BLADE TO THE BACK OF THE HEAD! He’s got to roll him over, the seconds counting down as Ospreay simply digs his shoulder into the Rainmaker’s arm to slowly turn him onto his back, struggling to hook the leg… ONE! TWO! THRE-KICKOUT! OKADA GOT THE SHOULDER UP! Ospreay can’t believe it, fighting to get his feet under him, frantically attempting to hook Okada’s arms to get him into position for a Storm… ding ding ding.
Will Ospreay and Kazuchika Okada fought to a draw (60:00), for Ospreay to retain the AEW World Title
Road to WrestleDream
With Ospreay having been unable to put away the Rainmaker within an hour, it’s pretty clear that a rematch has to be on the horizon, but the question is where. Both Grand Slam and WrestleDream are coming up, and on Dynamite, Okada lays down the gauntlet for the PPV, saying that he intends to win the AEW Title at a show paying tribute to one of his idols in Antonio Inoki. However, Ospreay’s not off the hook until October just yet - Grand Slam still stands in the way, and a battle between two of his fantastic previous opponents is set to determine his challenger for the event. Those opponents? Swerve Strickland and MJF. In the end, MJF manages to pull out the win, securing a title challenge right next door to his home at Grand Slam. Ospreay walks in insecure, just as he did in the Owen Finals, but this time with good reason - his first title defence was hardly a successful one, and he might not even have the chance to make up for it if he doesn’t manage to put away the longest-reigning AEW World Champion ever, in their home state. The pressure’s on for the Assassin, and with challengers hounding him, all he can do is try and build momentum with wins week over week. He doesn’t bother trying to match MJF on the stick, the next challenger eviscerating the champion with promo after promo until the go-home show, where a fed up Ospreay simply snipes him with a Hidden Blade to cut him off. Grabbing the microphone, Will promises to prove the title belongs around his waist, telling MJF that he wants the same Max who dominated the AEW main event scene for over a year.
(Cont'd in Comments)

(My apologies if this double posts, my app glitched when I tried to post this a minute ago). Has anyone gotten their free rooms/window/fireplace yet in their mail??? I was stooooked for this and don’t see it in my mail yet. I’m level 17 furniture making.

TLDR: I can understand almost everything well and can speak quite comfortably. I haven't read much, but I could understand the things I have read without much trouble. I still have lots of room for improvement until I reach my definition of spoken fluency, which is speaking without hesitations or pauses. Click here to see me speaking at 1,500 hours.

Table of Contents

• My Spanish Background
• My Thoughts About Dreaming Spanish and Comprehensible Input
• Statistics Breakdown
• Major Milestones
• My Current Abilities
• My Plans Moving Forward
• General Thoughts and Advice
• My Related Links

My Spanish Background

I took three years of high school Spanish from 2015 to 2018. I also took two semesters of Spanish in college, one in the spring of 2020 and one in the fall of 2022. I could only conjugate the present tense, and it was difficult for me to understand anything. I started using the Refold ES1K Anki deck sporadically in mid-September 2021. I started using it more consistently in the summer of 2022 and finished it in mid-October 2022. I stopped using Anki when I finished the deck because I noticed I was picking up new words from Dreaming Spanish alone. I started using Dreaming Spanish seriously about two weeks before the start of the fall 2022 Spanish class, at which point I had 14 hours of prior Dreaming Spanish watch time logged. I got serious with Dreaming Spanish in January 2023. I hit 1,000 hours in November 2023.

My Thoughts About Dreaming Spanish and Comprehensible Input

Without Dreaming Spanish, I wouldn't be at my current level. The "just sit back and watch" method is so easy and straightforward that it motivated me to take learning Spanish seriously for the first time. I saw results so early in the process that I had complete faith in Dreaming Spanish and abandoned all grammar and vocabulary study. Having the entire journey laid out on the roadmap was also incredibly reassuring and provided micro and macro goals for me to achieve. I also found the roadmap accurate, so I will use it to learn future languages.

Statistics Breakdown

Here are my statistics as of 1500 hours of input and speaking (not including the 76.23 hours of Anki flashcards I did).
Figure A

ACTIVITY	TIME IN HOURS
Dreaming Spanish	550
Podcasts	330.92
Anime	319.85
Conversation Practice	138.62
YouTube	81.82
WorldsAcross Lessons*	44.1
TV*	16.47
Crosstalk*	8.57
Voice Rooms*	5.65
Udemy	1.25
Movies	0.5

Figure B shows what percent of my 1,500 hours each activity represents.
Figure B
https://preview.redd.it/esrwc6enx83d1.png?width=1200&format=png&auto=webp&s=f2f201928b0a3ea0f9e2c202c268bacfcecc236e
Figure C shows how much time I spent doing each activity between 1,021 (when I made my last update) and 1,500 hours.
Figure C

ACTIVITY	TIME IN HOURS
Dreaming Spanish	20.15
Podcasts	115.14
Anime	113.4
Conversation Practice	132.54
YouTube	12.59
WorldsAcross Lessons*	44.1
TV*	16.47
Crosstalk*	1
Voice Rooms*	3.78
Udemy	0
Movies	0

Figure D shows what percent of the 479 hours of input between 1,021 (when I made my last update) and 1,500 hours each activity represents.
Figure D
https://preview.redd.it/uphv2ghiy83d1.png?width=1200&format=png&auto=webp&s=4ed5b33da66fc3e94dbfe00be062f2eb171b2f5f
*WorldsAcross Lessons: This is the time during my tutoring sessions when I was not talking or barely talking. For example, if doing a 1-hour group lesson with 2 other students, I would count 1/3 as conversation practice and 2/3 as a WorldsAcross Lesson. Another example would be time spent listening to a tutor talk the vast majority of the time or watching a video with a tutor.
*Crosstalk: I only counted half of each crosstalk session as input. For example, I logged 30 minutes after having a 1-hour conversation.
*TV: Live-action shows
*Voice Rooms: This is the time spent lurking and listening to people speak in voice rooms.
Crosstalk
I did not do much crosstalk because I preferred to just watch content. Also, because of the way I chose to log crosstalk time, I felt it would be better to get 1 hour of input from media than 30 minutes from a 1-hour crosstalk session.
Podcasts
Being able to understand podcasts was a key point in my learning journey. I was no longer bound to a computer screen, and I could get input while doing chores or going about my day.
My top podcast early on was Español con Juan (ECJ). His podcasts are super fun to listen to and very comprehensible. After finishing ECJ, I listened to Charlas Hispanas, but only Fredo's episodes since I was only interested in Mexican Spanish. I then listened to tons of Siempre Hay Flores. I currently rotate between Leyendas Legendarias, Cuida tu Mente, El Dollop, and Siempre Hay Flores. I will occasionally mix in episodes from other podcasts like ECJ, WorldsAcross' advanced Spanish podcast, or Advanced Spanish Podcast by Spanish with Cesar. I started listening to Leyendas Legendarias and El Dollop after hitting 1,000 hours to challenge myself. They are comedy podcasts with the same hosts. The hosts speak fast and talk over each other at times. I can now understand Leyendas Legendarias and El Dollop very well, though I certainly miss things at times.
Anime
Dubbed anime is much easier to understand for me than live-action shows for native speakers. As such, I only watched dubbed anime pre 1,000 hours. I prefer animated shows over live-action ones, so this decision did not bother me. My Hero Academia and Black Clover are two anime with tons of episodes if you're looking for shows where you can get accustomed to the characters' voices. My Hero Academia has about 45 hours of content, while Black Clover has about 55 hours of content.
Anime is currently my primary source of audio-visual content. I tried incorporating live-action stuff to challenge myself, but I would always get bored. I am still improving without live-action content, so I don't think it's necessary to watch it if you don't like it.
Conversation Practice
Essentially 100% of my time spent doing conversation practice (speaking) has been done with tutors from WorldsAcross* (see me review here). Most of that time has been with Venezuelan tutors. However, I now take more classes with Mexican tutors now that there are more on the platform. I decided to do tutoring instead of speaking with language exchange partners to save time because I was only interested in speaking Spanish. For example, I didn't want to have to do 30 minutes in Spanish and 30 minutes in English. Tutoring has also helped me be consistent with my output. I am currently doing five to six 1-hour lessons per week through WorldsAcross' unlimited plan and count the entire hour as speaking time. As I near 200 hours of speaking practice and my speaking skills get more refined, I will switch to their 15-monthly-classes plan to start making more Spanish speaking friends and talking with them.
*WorldsAcross (WA) is a subscription-based Spanish tutoring platform. They are a lot more affordable than iTalki if you plan on doing at least 10 classes per month. WA lets you book each 1-on-1 class for up to 90 minutes. If you only book 90-minute classes on their basic plan of ten 1-on-1 classes per month, the cost comes out to ~$6.67 per hour. You can also book same-day classes, and all their plans offer unlimited access to group classes, which I've had fun doing with other Dreaming Spanish users. My affiliate code YONTZAMIGOS will give you 30% your first month :)
Disclaimer: I will make a commission if you sign up for WorldsAcross using my code.
YouTube
YouTube was essential for me at around 350 hours because it provided variety in my input. Dreaming Spanish is a great resource, but I occasionally got burnt out with it. Luisito Comunica and Cocinando Corea were my most watched channels and are very easy to understand as far as native content goes.
Reading
Figure E

CURRENT GOAL	PERCENT COMPLETE
1,000,000	18.04

FINAL GOAL	PERCENT COMPLETE
3,000,000	6.01

Total Words Read: 180,363 Total Book Words: 171,571 Total Article Words: 8,792
Percent from Books: 95.13 Percent from Articles: 4.87
Figure F

NUMBER OF BOOKS READ	5
Number of Fiction Books	2
Number of Nonfiction Books	1
Number of Graded Readers	2
NUMBER OF ARTICLES READ	13

I started reading after hitting 1,000 hours. I started with two graded readers followed by the first Magic Treehouse book. After those three books, I felt I desperately needed to read something more interesting. I searched for easy-to-read fiction novels and found the El príncipe del sol saga. I read the first page and was surprised by how easy it was for me, so I decided to abandon graded readers and children's books.
Disclaimer: The links to El príncipe del sol and Magic Treehouse are affiliate links. I will make a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Major Milestones

150 hours: I started listening to podcasts alongside Dreaming Spanish because I realized I could listen to and understand Español con Juan.
~250-300 hours: I genuinely understood Luisito Comunica's videos. I had tried watching some of his videos in Superbeginner and was utterly lost. I also visited my Spanish-speaking family roughly around this time, and I was able to follow a 30-minute conversation they had. I also started focusing on Mexican Spanish content at this time.
~440 hours: Dubbed anime became accessible to me. I started watching My Hero Academia and One Punch Man, and I understood them well enough to enjoy them and follow the story just fine. However, I decided to stop watching dubbed anime after I finished One Punch Man and one or two seasons of My Hero Academia because I felt I would benefit more from learner-focused content.
611 hours: I revisited My Hero Academia and found it was much easier.
~800 hours: Anime became my primary source of daily input. I started watching anime I had never seen before and could comprehend everything extremely well. At this point, I started only watching new Dreaming Spanish videos that seemed interesting.
1000 hours: I had a conversation in Spanish for the first time. I spoke for two hours, and I was blown away by my ability to convey everything I wanted to say. It wasn't smooth or effortless, but I surpassed all expectations I had for myself. Click here to listen to a recording of my second conversation after hitting 1,000 hours.
I started reading this book for Spanish learners, and was able to understand basically everything. There were some words that I didn't know, but they didn't impede my comprehension of the text.
~1150 hours: I started reading my first Spanish-language novel, El príncipe del sol by Claudia Ramírez Lomelí, and was able to easily understand the story.
~1450 hours: I started reading El ego es el enemigo by Ryan Holiday. There were plenty of words that I didn't understand, but they didn't hinder my understanding.
Disclaimer: The links to El príncipe del sol and El ego es el enemigo are affiliate links. I will make a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

My Current Ability

I can understand basically everything I watch or listen to. I haven't read much, but I seem to able to read well too. I can speak very well and have conversations with native speakers about complex topics, but I do not consider myself fluent yet. It's important to define what I consider fluency (specifically spoken fluency), so here is a definition Chat GPT gave me that I agree with:
"Spoken fluency refers to the ability to express oneself smoothly and coherently in spoken language, demonstrating ease of communication without frequent hesitations, disruptions, or difficulty in finding words."
By this definition, I am not fluent because I still pause, hesitate, and struggle to recall words. I will be fluent once I can speak without many interruptions, even if I still make errors. My grammar usage is pretty accurate and I can almost always tell when I make errors. Certain uses of the subjunctive trip me up the most. It is easy for me to switch between English and Spanish. Overall, I am delighted with my current level and look forward to getting even better.

My Plans Moving Forward

I wanted reach 500,000-1,000,000 words read and get 100-150 hours of conversation practice before hitting 1,500 hours to show what someone who did a LOT of reading, speaking, and listening could achieve by level 7 of the Dreaming Spanish roadmap. I managed to reach my speaking target, but I completely missed my reading target. As such, I will be reading more consistently by reading here and there throughout the day. I didn't have the habit of reading before learning Spanish, so the prospect of reading for long periods of time made me shy away from reading.
As of now, I plan to keep tracking words-read and speaking time until 3,000 hours of input.

General Thoughts and Advice

I plan to learn another language after Spanish. Although, I'm not yet sure which one. I will likely do a lot more crosstalk and count 1 hour of crosstalk as 1 hour of input instead of 30 minutes like I did with Spanish.
I would read more consistently after hitting 1,000 hours. I don't know if waiting until 1k helped me jump to more advanced texts faster, but I don't regret not having read earlier.
The toughest periods are the very beginning and 300-500 hours. When I first started Spanish, I would do Pomodoro sessions to help me focus as much as possible on the Dreaming Spanish videos. It's completely normal to feel tired from listening to Spanish, especially in the beginning, so take breaks when you need them. The period between 300-500 hours was an absolute grind for me. I no longer found things interesting just because they were in Spanish, and the things I really wanted to watch were above my level. If I had to start over, I would likely do a lot more crosstalk during this period. Thankfully, I found some YouTube channels that were easy enough to carry me through this period.
My greatest success was the first time I spoke after hitting 1,000 hours--that conversation lasted 2 hours! I hadn't spoken before that point, and I was blown away by my speaking ability because I had absolutely NO prior expectations.
Spoken fluency is a grind. You will sound terrible at first and likely feel awkward and embarrassed. You just have to keep pushing. You might also feel like your speaking ability is actually somehow regressing at times. Don't worry. That feeling is completely normal and comes and goes. As long as you keep spending time speaking, you WILL improve.
Consistency is king! Do at least a few minutes of Spanish every day rather than completely skipping a day.
Make sure you get enough sleep! I feel like I speak much worse when I'm tired. Our brains need sleep to solidify everything we learn.
Exercise! Be active, even if that means just going for a walk every day. It'll help you learn better and faster.
Feel free to ask my questions about anything I may not have covered in this update!!

My Related Links

My 1000-Hour Update
My Speaking Progress Videos
My WorldsAcross Review
My Spanish Progress Website
My Spanish Resources Website

Tano's pizzeria Restaurant in Chicago,IL,United States
Tano's Pizzeria: Your Go-To Spot for Delicious Italian Cuisine in Chicago, IL
Price Level: $$ - $$$
Tano's Pizzeria: Your Go-To Spot for Delicious Italian CuisineLooking for a mouthwatering Italian dining experience in Chicago? Look no further than Tano's Pizzeria! Conveniently situated at 3038 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60618, Tano's Pizza offers a wide range of delectable options to satisfy your cravings. From piping hot pizzas to flavorful pastas and refreshing salads, Tano's has it all. And the best part? You can now order your favorite dishes online with just a few clicks. Whether you prefer to pick up your order or have it delivered right to your doorstep, Tano's Pizza has got you covered. Don't miss out on the chance to indulge in the authentic flavors of Italy – place your order at Tano's Pizzeria today!
Cuisines of Tano's pizzeria in Chicago,IL,United States
When it comes to satisfying our cravings for delicious pizza, Tano's Pizzeria is the go-to place. This renowned restaurant specializes in serving a wide variety of mouthwatering pizzas that are sure to please even the most discerning taste buds. From classic Margherita to unique creations like BBQ chicken or pesto and goat cheese, Tano's offers a diverse range of flavors and toppings to suit every preference. Whether you prefer a thin and crispy crust or a thick and doughy one, Tano's has got you covered. With their commitment to using only the freshest ingredients and their skilled pizza-making techniques, each slice from Tano's is a slice of heaven. So, if you're in the mood for some delectable pizza, head over to Tano's Pizzeria and indulge in their mouthwatering creations.
Features of Tano's pizzeria in Chicago,IL,United States
Delivery Takeout Seating Highchairs Available Free Wifi Accepts Credit Cards BYOB
Menu of Tano's pizzeria in Chicago,IL,United States
Location of Tano's pizzeria in Chicago,IL,United States
Contact of Tano's pizzeria in Chicago,IL,United States
+1 773-478-3070
3038 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60618-3539
http://www.tanospizzamenu.com/?utm_source=organic_tripadvisor&utm_medium=ta_website
Tags

Hi everyone, I’m new to this group. Please meet Juan. He is a Russian Toritoise. I rescued him last October 2023 and about four weeks after he was home, he went in hibernation. He lives outside in a 4 x 8 enclosure with several different hides and different mediums for him to be in, he has a little water bath area, and he eats on top of a slate plate. He has cuttle bone but doesn’t seem to use it much- he loves to climb. and he’s really nosy! I didn’t realize how much personality turtles had and how fast they are. He’s also very strong.
I grow all his food and flowers, including cactus, aloe and all his greens so he eats organic and pesticide free. He was found roaming around the city, and I’m not really sure how long he was on his own, but he certainly has gained some weight since he’s had regular meals and a safe place to sleep.
He now knows my voice. He is not shy at all, and we are really developing a relationship. I had no idea this would happen with a Tort. He gets a warm soak once a week has a nice little heat lamp and he gets plenty of sun. He does try to escape often. I’ve had to build the sides of his living quarters up a little bit higher. He’s quite adventuresome.
We’re in the midst of building a new pimped out place for him to live so he can get a deeper dig for 2024 hibernation! I’m happy to take any advice/ information from all of you experience tortoise lovers.