Kofi Reflects on ROH World Title Match Loss to Bandido at AEW Grand Slam France

At AEW Dynamite Grand Slam France, held on October 6, 2026, Kofi challenged Bandido for the ROH World Championship in a high-stakes opening contest that marked a significant milestone for AEW’s debut in continental Europe. The match, held at the Adidas Arena in Paris, saw the veteran challenger push the champion to his limits before a chaotic ringside sequence determined the outcome.

The bout lasted approximately 14 minutes and 30 seconds, serving as the introduction to the historic Paris event. Bandido ultimately secured the victory and retained his title following a distraction involving Kofi’s “The New Level” stablemate Swerve Strickland and Hangman Adam Page. The interference allowed Bandido to execute his signature 21-Plex maneuver to earn the pinfall.

The opening match in Paris lasted over 14 minutes and ended following ringside interference.

Kofi’s Reflections on the Paris Performance

Following the match, Kofi addressed the loss by offering significant praise for the ROH World Champion. In social media comments reported by 411Mania, Kofi described Bandido as “special” and noted the champion’s “strong” physical presence in the ring. The former WWE champion also took the opportunity to thank the Paris crowd for their energy during the promotion’s first French showcase.

This title challenge comes only months after Kofi’s high-profile move to AEW. After nearly 20 years with WWE, the veteran signed with the promotion in August 2026, quickly aligning himself with Swerve Strickland and Austin Creed in the “New Level” faction. While the loss at Grand Slam France stalls his momentum toward ROH singles gold, his performance against Bandido highlighted his transition into the AEW and Ring of Honor landscape.

For Bandido, the victory marks his 19th successful defense of the ROH World Championship. The win continues a dominant title reign that is currently approaching historical records for combined days as champion, previously set by figures such as Jay Lethal. The tension at ringside between Strickland and Page remains a focal point for the “New Level” group as they navigate the fallout from the Paris event.

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