Keeton Robinson

Introduction 

AEW continues to shake up the wrestling world, and the event on July 23, 2025, at the Aragon Ballroom was no exception. This night brought intense rivalries, surprise moments, and big title changes that fans will talk about for years. The show took place at one of Chicago’s most famous venues, blending history with high-energy wrestling action. If you missed it, no worries. Here’s a full breakdown of all the matches, the biggest moments, and what it means for AEW’s future. 

Historic Venue and Its Impact on the Event 

The Aragon Ballroom isn’t just a spot for music concerts. It’s a legendary site with deep roots in Chicago’s live entertainment scene. Over the years, AEW has turned it into a wrestling hotspot, drawing huge crowds eager to see their favorite stars. Past shows here have packed in thousands, creating an electric atmosphere that boosts every match. 

Audience and Atmosphere 

The Chicago crowd came ready to cheer and boo loud enough to shake the rafters. Their energy seemed to influence how wrestlers performed, especially during high-stakes moments. When a crowd shows passion like that, it pushes the action to a new level, making each move feel even bigger. That energy turned this show into a night to remember. 

Match Breakdown and Analysis 

Main Event: Mark Briscoe Vs Claudio Castagnoli 

Overview of the Match 

The main event pitted two of AEW’s top stars: Champion Dave Preston and Challenger Max Steele. Their feud had been building for months, with promos and sneak attacks. The crowd was electric from the moment the bell rang. The match lasted around 25 minutes and was packed with drama. It featured intense exchanges, near falls, and signature moves that kept everyone on edge. 

Strategic Highlights and Key Moves 

Both men used their signature moves strategically, with Preston relying on his power finish, the Iron Slam, and Briscoe countering with quick strikes and high-flying maneuvers. The match’s turning point came when Briscoe was taking so many chops and Claudio was taking over the majority of the match. The final sequence was a mix of brute strength and agility, ending with Briscoe with the pinfall. 

Semi-Main and Featured Matches 

Tag Team Turmoil: FTR vs Jetspeed 

Women’s Division Showcase 

The women’s match showcased top talent like Toni Storm and Billie Starkz, with standout moments from both. Starla pulled off a beautiful tornado DDT, while Billie Starkz responded with a backbreaker. Their intense energy kept fans hooked. Both performers proved that AEW’s women’s division is growing stronger every show. 

Character Arcs and Performers 

Top stars like Will Ospray and Adam Copeland looked more confident than ever, evolving their personas on stage. Other stars like Darby Allen are suddenly in the spotlight, hinting at big angles ahead. Fans will want to watch these characters grow, especially how they interact with their villain. 

Audience and Fan Engagement 

Fans took to social media to express excitement, making clips of the best moments go viral. AEW effectively utilizes live events to generate buzz and drive viewers to its streaming platforms. The Chicago crowd’s energy helped push engagement to new heights, ensuring the event stays memorable. 

Conclusion 

AEW’s July 23, 2025, event at the Aragon Ballroom delivered on every level. From a jaw-dropping main event to surprise debuts, it proved AEW remains at the forefront of wrestling entertainment. The night’s results will shape future storylines, elevate stars, and give fans even more reasons to tune in. If you love high-energy wrestling and compelling characters, this show was a must-see. Stay connected, because AEW’s story is only getting more exciting. Watch out for what’s next—big things are just around the corner.

by Judy Grover

a Review of “Swallow the Moon” by Cyoakha Grace

This latest album by Cyoakha Grace is playful, thoughtful, mystical and of course, “witchy.” It is a collection of hymns to nature with Cyoakha’s signature live looping and haunting vocals that put the listener under her spell.

It opens with “Sea Witch,” a song that evokes her mermaid spirit and the crashing waves of the ocean near her Portugal home. The slow, undulating harmonium breaks into a rattling rhythm mid-song, going from a slow-rolling surf to playful, dancing waves.

The next track, a redux of “Church of the Holy Trees” (my personal favorite Cyoakha song) continues the lively pace . This makes me think of a circle of nature-worshippers dancing joyfully underneath huge evergreens with rhythm instruments in hand, and then falling to their knees in adoration.

“Mother’s Magic Circle” is more reflective, with enchanting toy piano lending a childlike feel, reminding me we are all children of the Earth.

The next track, “Woman in the Woods,” paints a playful, satirical picture of the Witch from the viewpoint of observers – “There’s a woman in the woods and she’s up to no good.” The bouncing mouth harp and sometimes-spoken, sometimes-sarcastic vocals make this a fun and lighthearted piece.

“Earth Air Fire and Water” is a hypnotic chant with a pounding rhythm and layered vocals, a 7-and-half minute meditation that entrances the listener.

“Spinning Around” wraps up the album with swirling loops and breathy, then soaring, vocals that invoke the sacredness of the sea, the woods, and the moon at once. At times middle-eastern sounding, at times other-wordly, it is what I imagine someone who swallowed the moon would sound like, with moonbeams shining from her eyes and mouth.

This is a beautiful, fun and enchanting album. You can find it on

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Originally published January 18, 2016
by Melanie Falina

A thirty-fifth anniversary is an impressive feat for any band, but particularly in this day and age. With the unfortunate accessibility of illegal downloads having ruined more than one band, the current climate of the music industry resembles that of the Wild West.

And yet, there are still some bands out there who have stood the test of time, faced and then conquered challenges, and still managed to do as artists should – grow as performers and song writers. And thrash masters Anthrax are one of those few bands that have done just that.

But celebrating 35 years in existence isn’t the only reason why 2016 is going to be a phenomenal year for Anthrax, as they’ve got a new album coming out, the highly-anticipated For All Kings due on February 26 via Megaforce Records. The follow-up to 2011’s hugely successful Worship Music, Anthrax – the band once considered an underdog of metal – has been racking up achievements left and right in their career with six (and counting) Grammy Award nominations, more than 10-million units in album sales securing both gold and platinum sales certifications, and countless additional accolades. Yet, once For All Kings is unleashed upon the music world, it’s going to skyrocket this band into all new territory.

As the first Anthrax album specifically written for front-man Joey Belladonna’s vocal range and style since 1990’s Persistence of Time, For All Kings also marks the studio album recording debut for lead guitarist Jon Donais. Drummer Charlie Benante, guitarist Scott Ian, and bass player Frank Bello came to the table to write this album with a cache of riffs and grooves to begin working with, and as a result created more material to bring into the studio than they ever have before in the history of the band. And after molding these songs and whittling then down to the best of the best – For All Kings was realized.

Now just a few weeks away from the release date, the Anthrax guys are bursting at the seams in anticipation of how the music world is going to react to this album. In a conversation with Anthrax bassist Frank Bello, he explained his joy at the impassioned feedback the band has gotten thus far from those who have been fortunate enough to hear the forthcoming release:

“You know what it is…when you have something for so long and you want other people to check it out and hopefully they’ll like it, right? It’s that thing that you feel so passionate about, it’s letting go of your baby. And now that the record’s in people’s hands…it’s very satisfying and it’s a relief that people are getting it the way we wanted them to get it. You know what I mean?”

“They’re catching on. I just looked at iTunes yesterday – my friend texted me and said ‘Dude, you’re on iTunes Hot-List for [the single] “Breathing Lightning!’” Wow! I mean, Anthrax – Anthrax is on iTunes Hot-List – yes! There’s a buzz on Anthrax and I couldn’t be more excited.”

To which Bello then added: “It’s a really good vibe.”

And still, the 35th birthday of the band and a brand spanking new album on the way aren’t the only things that are new and exciting for this band in the new year, Anthrax has also just begun a U.S. tour with Lamb of God that will be running through the middle of February. Bello spoke in anticipation of the tour as a way to have some fun new experiences with friends, in addition to the possibility of turning some music lovers on to Anthrax’s tunes:

“…Lamb of God, not only are they good friends of ours, but they have people who haven’t heard of Anthrax or maybe haven’t given a chance to Anthrax, and there’s nothing more challenging for me – and what I live for at this point – is to get everybody that I can to see the band Anthrax, and maybe give the band a chance. Because there’s a younger generation there that hasn’t seen us and I’m all about making them Anthrax fans. That’s my plight.”

And then after the tour with Lamb of God, Anthrax will be hitching a ride on the Iron Maiden jumbo jet to play a series of shows with the band throughout the month of March in Mexico, Costa Rica, Chile, Argentina, and Brazil.

“Yeah, a month in South America, and that for me as a fan-boy, obviously, I’m so psyched for that,” laughs Bello, “That’s going to be the biggest of the biggest places, the stadiums and all that good stuff. And we’re traveling on the [Iron Maiden] plane with them which is pretty insane so I’m pretty excited about that just as a fan.

Not only does Iron Maiden have their own plane but front man, Bruce Dickinson, will also be piloting the jet as well. “…That’s a completely new experience we’ve never had before,” commented Bello, “Life is about experiences, living day to day and enjoying it – let’s go have a ball!

And Chicago-area metalheads – get ready to have a ball with Anthrax on Saturday, January 30 at the Aragon Ballroom. In addition to Anthrax and Lamb of God Deafheaven and Power Trip will also take the stage.