After two huge nights on DYNAMITE and RAMPAGE, All Elite Wrestling is right back at it this Saturday night with two massive events in a single evening! COLLISION and BATTLE OF THE BELTS VIII come to you this Saturday night from the FedEx Forum in Memphis and kick off on TNT starting at 8pm ET/9pm CT! Between the two events, four championships will be at stake, including The Blackpool Combat Club challenging Big Bill and Ricky Starks for the AEW World Tag Titles, The Acclaimed and Daddy Ass defending the AEW World Trios Championship, Kris Statlander facing Willow Nightingale for the TBS Title, and Orange Cassidy making the first defense of his second AEW International Championship reign against John Silver! Plus Action Andretti tries to survive Miro and Jeff Jarrett meets Eddie Kingston in a Memphis Street Fight where a potential championship match for Jay Lethal is at stake!
Before the night begins, make a point to drop by the official AEW YouTube channel for highlights from this week’s episodes of DYNAMITE and RAMPAGE, the latest editions of CONTROL CENTER, and much, much more!
COLLISION
AEW WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH…
Big Bill & Ricky Starks(c) vs. Blackpool Combat Club (Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta)
The hostilities between The Blackpool Combat Club and the new AEW World Tag Tag Champions has been relentless over the last several weeks. Originally born as an issue between Ricky Starks and Bryan Danielson, it has grown into something bigger and now the entire BCC is involved in the scenario.
Now, with Big Bill and Ricky Starks decimating FTR to claim the tag championship, there are titles involved as well and after their dominating performance on RAMPAGE, Claudio Castagnoli and Wheeler Yuta will challenge for the gold! This BCC duo are 11-2 in tag team competition, have won their last four bouts following that win Friday night, and have far greater tag team experience than the champs.
That being said, in their wins over Danielson/Claudio and FTR, Big Bill and “Absolute” Ricky Starks have looked tremendous, complimenting each other as a team, and clearly doing something right with how they handled Dax and Cash to win the belts. In their time in AEW, no team has beaten down FTR the way Bill and Ricky did, and hopefully Claudio and Yuta were paying close attention to how that went down.
COLLISION has the potential to be a huge night for the Blackpool Combat Club, will it include the crowning of new AEW World Tag Team Champions?
DREAM MATCH…
Andrade El Idolo vs. “The American Dragon” Bryan Danielson
The other reason it could be a huge night for BCC is right here: the first AEW clash between “The American Dragon” Bryan Danielson and Andrade El Idolo, a dream match between two of professional wrestling’s greatest competitors, each who want little more than to test themselves against the best from around the world!
It’s been five years since their last one-on-one fight took place, and both have grown tremendously as competitors, each traversing their own paths of championship success, heartbreaks and loss, paths that ultimately led both men to All Elite Wrestling where they debuted just a few months apart from each other. Andrade has been on a tear since the launch of COLLISION, the only blemish on his record being a loss to Jay White, giving him five wins over the last six bouts. On the other side, Bryan has six wins over his last seven matches, that loss being the TNT Championship bout with Christian Cage last week, and that includes defeating New Japan’s Kazuchika Okada with a broken arm.
So in this clash of the world’s finest, will it be a triumph for Danielson and The Blackpool Combat Club, or will it be Andrade El Idolo with the victory?
ONE-ON-ONE…
Action Andretti vs. “The Redeemer” Miro
Miro is not a happy man; despite his successes since the premiere of COLLISION, he finds himself unhappy with the AEW arrival of his wife CJ Perry, and her intentions to launch a management company. “The Redeemer” made it clear he renounced his wife, his god, essentially everything he felt was holding him back from being a true destroyer, so much so that when she did arrive at ALL OUT 2023, in the moment it seemed Miro didn’t even believe she was real.
Clearly that has changed, and Miro seems intent on stopping CJ from gaining any traction with any potential clients, as Action Andretti found out the hard way after he showed interest in CJ’s services:
So this Saturday night on COLLISION, in a fight he may live to regret, Action Andretti will go head-to-head with Miro after the events of last week. It’s clear Miro wants no other man anywhere near his wife, even in a professional situation, though he doesn’t want her involved in his career either, and Action Andretti may be used as the example to any others looking to CJ Perry for managerial guidance.
MEMPHIS STREET FIGHT…
ROH World & NJPW STRONG Openweight Champion Eddie Kingston
vs. Jeff Jarrett
***IF JARRETT WINS, JAY LETHAL GETS A ROH CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH***
Jay Lethal wants a shot at the ROH World Championship, he wants to join the Adam Cole Club as a 3-Time holder of the title, but apparently he doesn’t want to earn it himself through hard work in the ring, he just wants it handed to him because of past accomplishments. Now Eddie Kingston will gladly fight anyone and accept any challengers, but it is clear that Lethal and his contingent have a plan in mind as Lethal’s title opportunity is now married to this Memphis Street Fight between the ROH World Champion and Jeff Jarrett!
If Jarrett wins, Lethal will get his championship match with Eddie Kingston, and given the nature of a Street Fight, there has to be plans in motion between Jarrett, Lethal, Sonjay Dutt, Satnam Singh, and Karen Jarrett. There’s no doubt Eddie will have to contend with all of that in order to survive this scenario on Saturday, and given the path Kingston has chosen in his travels through AEW and ROH, he will likely have to do it alone.
BATTLE OF THE BELTS VIII
AEW WORLD TRIOS CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH…
The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens/Max Caster) & Daddy Ass(c)
Though this is a match that Kris Statlander requested, a championship opportunity she wanted to offer Willow Nightingale, it may prove to be Stat’s last if she can’t get her focus on the task at hand. Based on what went down on RAMPAGE, and Kris getting involved in the aftermath of Skye Blue’s fight with Ruby Soho, it seems the TBS Champion is a bit distracted by attitude Skye has adopted since being misted by Julia Hart several weeks ago.
Interestingly enough, following Statlander and Skye’s championship match last Saturday on COLLISION, it was Willow Nightingale who came to the ring following the match to quell what seemed a potentially combustible situation. As Skye swatted away the helping hand of Statlander, it was Nightingale who seemed to say she had it under control and encouraged Statlander to back off.
Will this ongoing situation affect the TBS Championship match going down during BATTLE OF THE BELTS VIII on Saturday night? Where will the focus of Statlander and Nightingale be when they lock up? This will be the first clash between these two women in AEW, and the fourth singles match of their career with the first going down in September 2017. Historically speaking, Willow has dominated their match history, winning all three of their previous encounters, so will that history repeat itself on Saturday and give us a new TBS Champion?
Friday night on RAMPAGE, John Silver scored a victory over Brother Zay and Kip Sabian to earn this title fight with Orange Cassidy, his first singles championship match since March 24, 2021 when he challenged Darby Allin for the TNT Championship and just his second overall. Though he’s been in the mix for Trios and Tag championships over the years, the singles ranks have largely been untouched by Silver, having competed in just twenty singles matches, and carrying a record of thirteen wins and seven losses in those fights.
One of those losses, the first loss as a matter of fact, took place nearly three years ago at FULL GEAR 2020 and the man who had his raised in victory that night in Jacksonville was none other than “Freshly Squeezed” Orange Cassidy. Fast forward to 2023 and Cassidy has enjoyed great success in the singles ranks, standing as the only 2-Time International Champion and holding the record for most successful championship defenses of any title in the whole of AEW. In addition, at 326 days in that first run, he’s also one of the longest reigning champions of any AEW title holder, with only Jade Cargill, Hikaru Shida, MJF, and Kenny Omega holding titles for a longer.
Conversely John Silver has not held any championships, and neither has any member of The Dark Order since the late-Mr. Brodie Lee lost the TNT Championship back to Cody Rhodes in their vicious Dog Collar Match on the October 7, 2020 edition of DYNAMITE. That’s three years without a title for Silver and his kin, and he aims to end that drought this Saturday at BATTLE OF THE BELTS VIII!
COLLISION and BATTLE OF THE BELTS VIII come to you this Saturday night on TNT starting at 8pm ET/9pm CT, and feature four championship matches between the events, as well as a Memphis Street Fight with a potential title match at stake there as well! It all goes down at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, so be sure to visit the official AEW YouTube channel for highlights from this week’s episodes of DYNAMITE and RAMPAGE, the latest editions of CONTROL CENTER, and much, much more!
Tonight’s special episode of AEW DYNAMITE was broadcast live from the Fort Bend Epicenter in Rosenberg, TX!
Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, and “The Human Suplex Machine” Taz were the broadcast team for tonight’s event.
It’s Wednesday night and you know what that means!
Penta El Zero Miedo (with Alex Abrahantes)
vs.
“Switchblade” Jay White (with Bullet Club Gold)!
“Massive reaction for Penta here tonight,” said Taz.
Jay White walked out wearing the championship he stole from rightful AEW World champion MJF.
Penta wiped out Bullet Club Gold, jumping over the top rope and crashing onto them as they made their entrance. Penta followed up with a sling blade to Jay White! Penta El Zero Miedo crushed White with a diving double foot stomp for a near fall.
Jay White spiked Penta El Zero Miedo with a DDT. Jay White hit a snap suplex on Penta El Zero Miedo. Penta connected with a thrust kick. Penta was looking for a monkey flip in the corner, but Jay White dodged it and then chopped Penta, sending Penta crashing to the arena floor.
Penta El Zero Miedo retaliated with two consecutive sling blades to Switchblade! Penta jumped over the top rope, landing on Jay White on the arena floor! Back in the ring, Penta and White exchanged chops. Penta planted Jay White with a spinning Death Valley Driver! Penta was looking for the package piledriver, but Jay White countered with a uranage.
Jay White drilled Penta El Zero Miedo with a brain buster for a two-count. Jay White nailed Penta with a sleeper suplex. Penta countered the Blade Runner with Made in Japan for a two-count! The Gunns distracted the ref while Juice clocked Penta with the left hand! Jay White smashed Penta with the Blade Runner and pinned him!
Jay White: “Cut my music! You know who sucks? It’s MJF. Because where is MJF? He’s not here. But you know who’s here? J-A-Y. Because I’m a real world champion. I’m a truly elite world champion. And Max, I’m still waiting on your answer to my very generous offer. I’m assuming you can’t find anyone who wants to team up with you to try to take back the Bang Bang Belt. Until then, I’ll lead by example.”
Juice Robinson: “Spoiler alert! Tonight, in your main event, the ‘stray bullet’ Juice Robinson is going to win the battle royal. After I win the right to face MJF for this Dynamite Diamond Ring, we’re taking his ring and we’re going to pawn it and I’m getting another gold tooth!”
Renee Paquette was backstage with the AEW World Champion MJF!
MJF: “I could have run out there like every single dumb good guy in the history of pro wrestling. But I’m not a good guy. I’m a scum bag. Jay White, I will get back my Triple B before Full Gear. Juice Robinson, I pray to God that you win tonight because next week it’ll be your left hand of God against the right hand of the devil!
“As far as an update on Adam Cole—”
AEW Trios Champs The Acclaimed and Daddy Ass interrupted the interview.
Max Caster: “If you want your world title back from Jay White, they said an 8-man tag, us three and you, we’ll get all the belts and we’ll scissor after we win.”
MJF: “How about no.”
Max Caster: “Then how about I get in the Dynamite Dozen Battle Royale, win that, and then next week I’ll win your ring and you’re gonna have to put a ring on it!”
Daddy Ass: “That guy is such a scumbag.”
Max Caster: “Yeah, but he’s my scumbag.”
World Title Eliminator Match! “Student vs. Teacher”!
AEW Women’s World Champion Hikaru Shida
vs.
Emi Sakura!
Sakura ambushed Shida as Shida was entering the ring. Sakura collided into Shida with a shoulder tackle. They traded chops in the center of the ring. Sakura went for a running cross body, but Shida countered with a knee strike.
Sakura dropkicked Shida in the face while Shida was on her knees. Sakura splashed Shida in the corner with a running cross body press. Sakura sent Shida crashing to the floor after a running cross body as Shida was standing on the ring apron. Shida took down Sakura with a hurracanrana. Shida followed up with a missile dropkick for a near fall.
Emi planted Shida with a Tiger Driver for a two-count! Shida dodged a moonsault and blasted Emi with the katana! Sakura nailed Shida with a back breaker. Shida fired back with a Falcon Arrow for a near fall. Shida rocked Emi with a knee strike and pinned her!
Earlier in the day, the “Rated R Superstar” Adam Copeland was backstage with Renee Paquette and gave his Rated- R Rebuttal to TNT Champion Christian Cage!
Adam Copeland: “Things have not been going smoothly. I don’t understand what’s happened. The whole idea in coming here was to end my career with Christian Cage and team with him. And he sounded on board with that until it got real.
“I sat down this week and began replaying my relationship with him over the years. We’ve known each other since the 6th grade. We were best friends in high school and in college. We both entered an essay contest to get into wrestling school. I wrote in and he didn’t. Fast forward and I got the dream gig and I always said, to whoever would listen, you’ve gotta see my friend.
“For whatever reason, over the years, it’s always been Adam and Jay. And it’s stuck with him, and I feel it’s frustrated him. He said I had a rocket strapped to my back, but I worked hard. I’m surprised that this keeps repeating at this stage in our lives. He’s riding high right now. He came here first, and I didn’t intend to take away his spotlight. I don’t want his TNT Title. I’m not going to fight him. What that means for me, I don’t know. One thing I do know is eventually Nick Wayne and Luchasaurus are going to leave him high and dry. And I’ll be there to pick him up.”
Wardlow vs. Ryan Nemeth!
Nick charged at Wardlow but Wardlow powerbombed him. The ref stopped the match after a single powerbomb!
Tony Schiavone entered the ring to interview Wardlow.
Schiavone: “Everyone knows your back, but what are you back for?”
Wardlow held up his fist and showed off his wrist tape, which had the letters “MJF” written on it.
Schiavone: “Whoa. That says MJF.”
Wardlow left the ring, bumping into Tony and knocking him to the mat.
Renee Paquette was backstage to interview Kenny Omega ahead of his match tonight against Kyle Fletcher.
Kenny said maybe soon we’d soon the Kenny of old and he’d go after the World Championship.
AEW World Champion MJF walked onto the set.
MJF: “Kenny Omega, the measuring stick. World Champion, MJF. I’ve always been a massive fan of Kenny Omega.”
Omega: “I appreciate it.”
MJF: “So I just wanted to say I’d love to shake your hand.”
MJF leaned in as he shook Omega’s hand and whispered, “13 days, bitch.”
Omega: “13 days, huh? We’ll see about that.”
Footage was shown from earlier in the day from Roderick Strong’s humble abode!
Mike Bennett was playing the bongos. Matt Taven was listening with his plush giraffe, and Roderick Strong was resting on the other couch. Adam Cole brought Roderick Strong coffee.
Strong took a sip and spit it out, saying Adam knew that he hates hot coffee! Strong apologized and asked Cole to make them PB&J sandwiches. Strong then complained that Adam Cole left the crust on the sandwich.
Cole: “I have done everything I can to possibly help you! I haven’t talked to Max in weeks practically. And I need to get surgery. I’m done with this!”
Adam Cole left. Roderick Strong turned to the Kingdom and said he knew what he was going to have to do to get his best friend back. “I guess I’m going to have to be nice to that scumbag MJF.”
Tony Schiavone was in the ring to interview Don Callis!
Callis walked to the ring with Powerhouse Hobbs and Takeshita!
Don Callis: “I’ve got something to say. Last week the Don Callis Family made history. Because in over 30 years in one of the greatest careers of all time, Chris Jericho has never been manhandled like he was last week. Because last week Will Hobbs broke Chris Jericho in half.”
Powerhouse Hobbs: “February 22nd, 1998, was supposed to be the greatest day of my life. I had the chance to meet my hero, Chris Jericho. My grandmother got me front row tickets to meet you. And you walked past that old lady, told her to shut up, and looked at me and told me to sit down. 25 years, Chris, I held on to frustration. I swore the day I got to whoop you, I was going to hurt you over and over and over.
“As I looked at you, Chris, you were lifeless. So, what did I do. I picked you up and gave you spinebuster after spinebuster after spinebuster. I loved it!”
Don Callis: “All Will Hobbs’ life, he’s been told by people who supposedly love him to bottle up the hate and violence. Well now Will has a new family, and we don’t tell you to bottle it up. We tell you to be what you are. And he’s a killing machine! And we are not done with Jericho. We are going to unleash Will Hobbs on AEW! We are on a roll! We are undefeated in four months except for one match, where Sammy Guevara was hurt by Chris Jericho.
“And I had to get a replacement. I had to get a scab worker to come in, a young man named Kyle Fletcher. He let us down. He screwed the Don Callis Family.”
Kyle Fletcher came down to the ring!
Fletcher got into Callis’ face, but Hobbs squared up with Fletcher.
Callis: “No, no, I want to hear this. Say what you gotta say, kid.”
Fletcher: “As far as I can recall, I did that match for you as a favor after Will Ospreay called and said, ‘Don Callis is on his knees begging me to do this match.’ And maybe I was the weakest link that night, but tonight I have another chance against Kenny Omega one on one. And I’m going to prove to everyone, especially you, that I don’t need anybody’s help to beat Kenny Omega.”
Callis: “You know what? I like the confidence. I’ll tell you what, Kyle. You beat Kenny Omega tonight, and you and I may have an opportunity to discuss next week.”
Kenny Omega’s music began to play, and Omega made his entrance!
Aussie Open’s Kyle Fletcher vs. Kenny Omega!
Fletcher got the jump on Omega as Omega entered the ring. Kenny jabbed Fletcher with stiff shots. Omega chopped at Kyle Fletcher.
Fletcher grounded and pounded on Omega. Kenny fired back with a vertical suplex. Omega jumped over the top rope with a cross body press down onto Kyle Fletcher.
Fletcher rocked Omega with a kick, knocking Omega off the apron and onto the arena floor. Fletcher whipped Omega into the steel guardrail, sending him over the barricade. Omega nailed Fletcher with a hurracanrana. Omega was looking for the Terminator Dive, but Fletcher grabbed Omega’s ankle.
Both men traded chops outside the ring. Kenny charged at Kyle, but Kyle tripped him, and Omega crashed into the barricade. Omega wiped out Fletcher with a middle rope moonsault. Kenny clocked Kyle with a dropkick from the top rope to the lower back.
Kyle spiked Omega with a half and half suplex. Fletcher followed up with a brainbuster for a near fall. Fletcher lawn darted Omega into the turnbuckle pad. Fletcher kicked Omega in the back of the head. Omega spiked Fletcher with a reverse hurracanrana and followed up with a powerbomb and a V-Trigger for a two-count!
Kenny went for the One-Winged Angel. Fletcher countered with a dragon sleeper. Omega escaped and planted Kyle with a snap dragon suplex. Omega rammed into Fletcher with a knee strike and then pinned Kyle with the One Winged Angel!
Don Callis: “This kid is such a miserable disappointment!”
“The MurderHawk Monster” Lance Archer vs. Barrett Brown!
Archer choke slammed his opponent on the ring apron! Archer suplexed Brown. Archer smashed into his opponent three consecutive times in the corner. Archer planted Brown and pinned him!
Prince Nana and Swerve Strickland were on the streets!
Nana: “Some of the top rappers have been here. And now you get to release the remix of the Big Pressure video this Friday on YouTube. What an exciting time!”
Swerve: “Why am I not excited? Because I should be celebrating my music video along with being the TNT Champion. There’s only one reason I’m not. It’s because of you Hangman Page. It wasn’t a personal thing. It was Swerve versus the opportunity. But now it’s personal and you couldn’t leave well enough alone after I beat you at WrestleDream. Nobody cares less about life than me. Just remember this. It’s not always you that pays for your actions.”
Tony Schiavone was in the ring to interview Sting!
Sting: “Shall I say the word? Before I say the word, I want to reflect a little bit with all of you. That word makes me think about all the years traveling down the road with guys like Lex Luger, Rick and Scott Steiner, Buff Bagwell. I traveled up and down the road with these guys and we’d look at the generation ahead of us, guys like Dusty Rhodes. Dusty Rhodes being the most charismatic human being I’ve ever seen in my whole life.
“Hulk Hogan. Hulk Hogan transcended wrestling and I did learn something from the guy. But one of the guys I really want to give a lot to is the ‘Nature Boy’ Ric Flair. Thank you for all of the moments. I remember the Clash of the Champions 1988, the very first title match that I had with you, and you put me on the map. What a moment that was.
“We used to wonder though, what makes these guys want to come year after year, decade after decade, what more do they have to prove. Here I am all these years later. And I understand why they hung on. It is the roar of the fans. That’s what makes us keep coming back for more.
“So, getting back to that word. That word. It makes me, before I quite get there. I know what some of you are thinking. ‘He retired once already.’ I gotta tell you, that retirement in 2015 just didn’t sit right with me. Which brings me now to the word ‘retirement’ again.
“I want to address it live and in color on Dynamite. I started my very first match with AEW was Revolution 2021. And my very last match will be Revolution 2024. One more key thing that you all need to know. The only thing for sure about Sting is my retirement, Revolution 2024 is for sure.”
Jim Ross had a sitdown interview with Nick Wayne and Nick Wayne’s mom!
Jim Ross: “Nick, I can’t get over what you did to Darby Allin. He’s like a brother to you.”
Nick Wayne’s mom: “It was shocking to me J.R. I can’t make sense of it. Darby has been like a brother to you, Nick. This is just so out of character for you. And Christian? The things that he has said about your father, and to me! Nick, I don’t recognize you right now.”
Nick Wayne: “That’s enough! It was always about Darby Allin. I was always in his shadows. It was always him. They congratulated him for getting me here. It’s time for me to prove why I’m here. And I’m under a new father figure now. Christian Cage. A better father figure than dad ever was.”
TNT Champion Christian Cage walked onto the set and put his hand on Nick’s shoulder.
Christian Cage: “Are you ready to come home, son?”
Nick Wayne’s mom: “Nick, no!”
Nick Wayne: “Don’t touch me! You were a terrible mother!”
Nick Wayne got slapped by his mother!
She apologized and Nick said, “You’re dead to me.”
Nick and Christian left the room and Darby was there, laying them both out!
Darby hammered away at Nick, stumbling onto the stage! Luchasaurus snuck up behind Darby and cracked him with his forearm! Sting came out to even up the odds, sweeping out the leg of Christian Cage! Sting rammed Luchasaurus into the guardrail! Sting went to apply the Scorpion Deathlock on Christian in the ring, but Luchasaurus pulled Christian out of the ring to safety.
Main Event Time!
Dynamite Dozen Battle Royale!
The winner earns their shot to face AEW World Champion MJF for the Dynamite Diamond Ring.
“The Natural” Dustin Rhodes was the first participant out to the ring. AEW World Champion MJF joined the broadcast booth for the main event.
Matt Hardy slugged it out with Jake Hager. Jeff Hardy tried to hoist Juice Robinson over the top. Johnny TV and Daniel Garcia were about to have a dance off, but Menard stopped Garcia. Jeff splashed Menard in the corner.
Hager hurled Matt Hardy over the top rope and eliminated him. MJF walked to ringside. MJF offered cash to Dustin and whispered in his ear, wanting him to eliminate Juice Robinson. Dustin kicked Juice between the legs!
Komander hit a springboard dropkick to Hager. Menard and Garcia caught Komander and eliminated him. Trent suplexed Garcia. Dustin smashed Garcia with a Canadian Destroyer. Trent rammed into Hager and knocked him to the arena floor.
Menard eliminated Trent. Jeff Hardy was thrown over the top by Garcia. Daniel Garcia inadvertently collided with Menard. Garcia eliminated Dustin Rhodes. Caster tossed Garcia out of the match. Max was trying to push Juice out of the ring. Caster kicked Juice. Caster charged at Juice, but Juice speared him between the ropes.
Juice and Caster jockeyed for position on the ring apron. Juice gouged Max Caster’s eyes. Caster pushed Juice off the top rope. Caster hit the Mic Drop! Jay White ambushed MJF at the broadcast booth. They began to brawl on the ramp!
MJF grounded and pounded Jay White and got his AEW World Championship back! Jay White connected with a low blow to the champ. Juice Robinson dug into his pocket and pulled out his ring. Juice slugged Caster with the Left Hand of God with the ring on it! Juice eliminated Caster and Jay White took the championship belt back from MJF!
“Juice did it!” said Taz.
“And it is official. One week from tonight at Dynamite it’ll be Juice Robinson against MJF for the Dynamite Diamond Ring!” added Excalibur.
This Friday tune in to AEW RAMPAGE at 10pm ET on TNT featuring:
For Mexico’s Pound-For-Pound Crown!
CMLL’s World Historic Middleweight Champion, the Luchador Legend Mistico
vs.
CMLL World Historic Welterweight Champion Rocky Romero!
Catch AEW DYNAMITE on TBS next Wednesday live at 8/7ct from the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, PA!
Don’t miss AEW Collision & Battle of the Belts VIII on Saturday on TNT at 8/7c from the FedEx Forum in Memphis, TN!
And remember…the home of professional wrestling is All Elite Wrestling!
DYNAMITE: TITLE TUESDAY was a landmark night in AEW as the “Rated R Superstar” Adam Copeland made his triumphant in-ring debut opposite Luchasaurus, leading to a wild situation involving the TNT Champion, his two “sons”, The BCC, and The Gates of Agony. Plus the AEW faithful witnessed the crowning of two new champions as Orange Cassidy reclaimed the AEW International Championship and Hikaru Shida did the same with the AEW Women’s World Championship! That makes her the first 3-Timer and OC the first 2-Timer for their respective titles, but it also means there’s fresh targets on their backs with all those gunning for the titles themselves.
This Friday RAMPAGE picks up the action where DYNAMITE left off, featuring a Trios bout pitting Garcia, Menard, and Parker against Brother Zay and The Hardys, Lethal versus Beretta as the former eyes the ROH World Championship, Skye Blue and Emi Sakura colliding, and The Blackpool Combat Club going head-up with The Gates of Agony!
The night gets underway at 10pm ET/9pm CT on TNT, as well as at AEWPlus.com for our international audiences, so visit the official AEW YouTube channel before RAMPAGE begins to see highlights from this week’s DYNAMITE, as well as previous episodes of RAMPAGE and COLLISION, plus THE CONTROL CENTER, and a great deal more!
TRIOS ACTION…
Angelo Parker, Daniel Garcia, & Matt Menard vs. Brother Zay & The Hardys (Jeff & Matt)
Last week, in an 8-Man Tag, it was The Best Friends and The Hardys who got a victory over the former J.A.S quartet of Angelo Parker, Matt Menard, Jake Hager, and Daniel Garcia, and suffice to say it caused a great deal of friction among the members of that little family who’ve chosen to stay together after they all walked away from Chris Jericho.
Thus when Daniel Garcia chose to check in on Jericho after Powerhouse Hobbs’ utter domination of “The Ocho”, it did not sit well with Matt Menard, nor the others who chose to leave Jericho in their past. Garcia may have had a rational reason for checking on his former mentor’s health, but given the bad taste left in the mouth of Menard, Parker, Anna Jay, and Hager, no excuse would have sufficed.
So this Friday night on RAMPAGE, when Garcia, Menard, and Parker go into Trios action against The Hardys and Brother Zay it will be quite interesting to see how the machine functions. The three of them have been quite successful as a trio in the past, winning 10 of their 15 fights to date, but they’ve never been quite so strained as they are right now. Everyone else seems to be looking to move on with their life while Garcia is feeling some sort of way about the situation; will that prevent the three men from working together to defeat The Hardy Party, or will they pull together like they did when they left Jericho behind and be a success?
ONE-ON-ONE…
Jay Lethal vs. Trent Beretta
It was very clear during the TITLE TUESDAY: BUY-IN that Jay Lethal and his motley crew have a vested interest in Eddie Kingston, specifically in his ROH World Championship. As a former 2-Time Champion whose combined reigns just squeeze him past Samoa Joe’s lone run to make Lethal the man with the most time spent as ROH World Champion, he has designs on joining the Adam Cole club as a 3-Time Champion, and doing so at the expense of “The Mad King”. Now we know Eddie is willing to fight anyone, anywhere, and even put both his ROH World and NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship on the line in the same match. He did it against Shibata and won, he did it on Tuesday night against Minoru Suzuki and survived, so there’s no doubt he’d give Lethal the chance as well if he were to ever step up and request the title shot.
But that’s not the way Lethal, Jeff and Karen Jarrett, Sonjay Dutt, or Satnam Singh do business; it’s far more likely they will attack the man behind his back, and run their mouths off when the numbers are heavily in their favor. It doesn’t matter that Lethal has the skill inside the squared circle to make all their shenanigans unnecessary, it’s just that the whole contingent would rather do everything they can to try and insure success for one another.
And that’s what Trent Beretta has to look out for when he and Lethal go one-on-one this Friday night on RAMPAGE! There is little doubt Lethal will be accompanied by his entourage to this match, it just falls on Beretta to have eyes in the back, the sides, and the top of his head to try and stay wary of their actions. Trent fell victim to Lethal once before in November 2022, hopefully he can avoid the same fate on Friday night and put a little damper on Lethal’s championship aspirations!
HEAD-TO-HEAD…
Skye Blue vs. Emi Sakura
Both of these woman are arguably at a crossroads in their AEW career as both have their championship aspirations, but both have been frustrated in actually achieving that goal. Emi Sakura was one of Kris Statlander’s recent challengers for the TBS Championship, but failed to dethrone Stat in that endeavor, and it’s been almost four years, FULL GEAR 2019 to be exact, since the last time Emi challenged for the Women’s World Title.
As for Skye Blue, though one of the youngest competitors in the division, she has put in a tremendous amount of work since coming into AEW. From her first match on April 21, 2021 to now, Skye has competed in 100 matches, leaving only Nyla Rose, Hikaru Shida, Emi Sakura, and Dr. Britt Baker ahead of her. With that century mark has come one TBS Championship bout against Jade Cargill at BATTLE OF THE BELTS V, and a trio of AEW Women’s World Title fights with Toni Storm. All of those championship opportunities have come in 2023, but none have borne any fruit for Skye.
So that leaves both women coming into this singles match on Friday night with a goal to get back on the right track, get back into title contention, and finally put a championship belt around their waist! The last time these two met in a singles bout was the October 4, 2021 edition of DARK: ELEVATION, a match won by Emi, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t fought plenty in tags and trios in the years since. Unfortunately for Skye, the balance of the scales tips heavily in the favor of Emi Sakura with 12 of the 18 encounters going in Sakura’s favor.
Can Skye begin to tip those scales a little more in her favor this Friday night on TNT?
TAG TEAM CLASH…
Blackpool Combat Club (Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta) vs. Gates of Agony (Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona)
We saw it at the end of DYNAMITE: TITLE TUESDAY when chaos erupted in the aftermath of Adam Copeland’s victory over Luchasaurus, and it all began with Nick Wayne attacking Copeland after the match. That brought Bryan Danielson, Christian Cage’s opponent for COLLISION down to the ring, which in turn brought Yuta and Claudio, which begot Gates of Agony and Swerve, which brought out Hangman Page, and utter madness ensued. When the dust cleared, we were left with Christian Cage trapped in the LaBell Lock by Danielson as Adam Copeland looked on.
So while Cage and Danielson have their date on Saturday in Toledo, this Friday night on RAMPAGE it’s his Blackpool Combat Club compatriots who have theirs with Gates of Agony! Toa Liona and Bishop Kaun are two of the most fearsome men in all of professional wrestling, a mix of savagery, speed, and power like few others competing in AEW. Their tools are part of the dynamic that have made this iteration of Prince Nana’s Embassy the most feared that has every existed. Those two, combined with Brian Cage and Swerve Strickland, have made The Mogul Embassy a dominating force and on RAMPAGE The Gates of Agony will clash with one of AEW’s other dominant units in The BCC.
Whose skill set will prove the better on Friday night? Tune into TNT beginning at 10pm ET/9pm CT to watch the fights go down!
RAMPAGE gets started at 10pm ET/9pm CT on TNT, as well as at AEWPlus.com for our international audiences, so drop in on the official AEW YouTube channel prior to the show for highlights from Wednesday’s DYNAMITE, as well as previous episodes of RAMPAGE and COLLISION, plus THE CONTROL CENTER, and much, much more!
Tonight’s special episode of AEW DYNAMITE: Title Tuesday was broadcast live from the Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence, MO!
Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, and “The Human Suplex Machine” Taz were the broadcast team for tonight’s event.
It’s Tuesday night and you know what that means!
ROH World & NJPW Strong Openweight Title Match!
Eddie Kingston (c.) vs. Minoru Suzuki!
Suzuki invited Kingston to chop him. Kingston took the straps down and he and Suzuki exchanged chops to the chest, blistering one another! Suzuki blasted Kingston with a forearm, knocking him to the mat and stunning him.
“Kingston on roller skates,” said Excalibur.
Kingston fired himself up and plastered Suzuki with a stiff chop. He followed up with rapid, machine gun style chops to Suzuki’s chest. Kingston backed Suzuki into the corner with more chops.
Backstage, Jeff Jarrett, Karen Jarrett, Sonjay Dutt, Jay Lethal, and Satnam Singh were watching on the monitor.
After a Northern Lights Bomb, Kingston grabbed the pin on Suzuki and retained the title!
AEW President & CEO Tony Khan made an appearance backstage and advised that Jon Moxley hasn’t been medically cleared for tonight’s match.
FTW Champion HOOK interrupted, along with Orange Cassidy, and HOOK insisted Orange Cassidy fill in for Mox. Tony Khan agreed and made the match official between Orange Cassidy and AEW International Champion Rey Fenix!
Buy-In concluded, and AEW Dynamite: Title Tuesday kicked off with…
TNT Champion Christian Cage appearing from inside the production truck!
Christian Cage: “This is without a doubt the biggest AEW Dynamite ever, Title Tuesday. And how fitting is it that the first thing you see is Christian Cage. And there are serious implications for my title tonight, with Swerve Strickland and Bryan Danielson squaring off to determine who will face me this Saturday on Collision!
“In the main event, my right hand of destruction is going to end the run of Adam Copeland before it even gets started. But before that match, I may have to walk out and elaborate on those three words I left you hanging with last week.
“And as the face of TNT, the face of Warner Brothers Discovery, I’ve procured the first 30 minutes of Dynamite commercial free. You’re welcome. Now start this show!”
#1 Contenders Match for the TNT Championship!
The Mogul Embassy’s Swerve Strickland (with Prince Nana)
vs.
“American Dragon” Bryan Danielson!
There was a stalemate early on. Danielson tried for a knee bar, but Swerve escaped. Swerve slapped Danielson in the face and Danielson fired back with a slap to Swerve. After each man reversed cradles from the other, it was clear they were evenly matched.
The fans began to chant “This is awesome! This is awesome!”
Danielson booted Swerve in the jaw. They traded strikes on the apron. Swerve nailed Danielson with a side slam on the corner of the ring! Danielson came up clutching his back.
Swerve powerslammed Danielson and then transitioned into a brainbuster for a near fall on the American Dragon. Swerve went for a 450 splash, but Danielson raised his knees. Danielson rocked Swerve with a jumping knee strike off the apron! Danielson dropkicked Swerve from the top turnbuckle.
Danielson clocked Swerve with repeated round kicks. Danielson charged off the ropes, but Swerve connected with a kick to the body. Swerve positioned Danielson on the corner of the ring, hanging him by the feet and legs. Swerve crashed down on Danielson with a double foot stomp!
Swerve went for another foot stomp inside the ring, but Danielson countered with a single leg crab. Danielson transitioned into a heel hook, but Swerve managed to grab the bottom rope. Danielson back suplexed Swerve from the top turnbuckle! Danielson was clutching his surgically repaired arm.
Danielson captured Swerve’s wrists and hammered the face of Swerve with kicks! Danielson applied the Le Bell Lock, but Swerve used his leg to get to the bottom rope and force the break. Danielson was setting up to charge at Swerve, running first into the turnbuckle to gather speed, but upon impact he collapsed, holding onto his midsection. Swerve capitalized with the House Call! Swerve jumped down with the Swerve Stomp on Danielson, but Danielson kicked out at two! Excalibur and Taz speculated that Danielson injured his liver.
Prince Nana distracted the ref while Swerve went to grab the crown that Nana left behind. “Hangman” Adam Page grabbed it out of Swerve’s hands! Danielson went for the running knee, but Swerve tried to counter with the JML Driver, but Danielson countered that with a cradle, but Swerve kicked out! Danielson went back to the wishing well again and smacked Swerve with the running knee strike and pinned Swerve!
This Saturday on Collision it’ll be Christian Cage defending the TNT Championship against Bryan Danielson! Swerve and Prince Nana sneered at “Hangman” Adam Page after the match.
A vignette aired for ROH Television Champion Samoa Joe!
“This Saturday at Collision I begin my road to AEW World Championship gold. I’ll show the world why I am violence manifest. Domination made flesh. Why I am the man who goes out there and takes what he wants from anybody he wants to. This Saturday at Collision I begin my ascension towards greatness.”
Powerhouse Hobbs (with Don Callis) vs. Chris Jericho!
Jericho and Hobbs slugged it out! Hobbs got the upper hand. Hobbs nailed Jericho with a spinebuster for a near fall. Hobbs grounded and pounded Jericho and then delivered a second spinebuster!
Hobbs hoisted up Jericho and drilled him with a third spinebuster. Hobbs headbutted Jericho right between the eyes. Hobbs hit another spinebuster on Jericho.
Don Callis yelled “Hurt him! Hurt him!”
Hobbs planted Jericho with another spinebuster. Jericho cradled his midsection. Jericho fought back with shoulder tackles. Jericho connected with a Code Breaker on Hobbs for a two-count. Hobbs fired back with another spinebuster.
Jericho chop blocked Hobbs. Jericho applied the Walls on Hobbs, sitting back deep. Hobbs escaped and slammed Jericho. Hobbs hammered Jericho with punches. Hobbs spiked Jericho with another slam. Hobbs put his knee on Jericho’s face and pinned him!
“I’ve never seen Jericho dominated quite like this,” said Excalibur.
“Powerhouse Hobbs just dismantled one of the greatest ever in Chris Jericho,” said Taz.
“What a victory,” replied Tony Schiavone.
“And what a recruit for the Don Callis Family,” added Excalibur.
After the match Hobbs picked up Jericho and planted him hard on the mat again!
Footage was shown from earlier in the day from Roderick Strong’s humble abode.
Roderick Strong was in his backyard with the Kingdom and Adam Cole.
Adam Cole said he’d been there nearly a week, needed to get his surgery done, but wanted to know what else Roddy wanted him to do.
Strong: “I need you to cut my grass.”
Cole mowed the lawn on one leg while the other leg was on his injury mobility scooter. They went back into the house and Cole said he thought it was weird that there was no service and no TV in the house. He wanted to see what his friend MJF was up to.
Strong: “TV is the devil. The absolute devil.”
Cole wanted to leave to get surgery but Strong said he needed just one more thing.
AEW International Championship Match!
Rey Fenix (c.) (with Alex Abrahantes) vs. “Freshly Squeezed” Orange Cassidy!
Orange charged at Rey Fenix and dished out forearms. Fenix fired back with lariats. Fenix was looking for a German Suplex, but his back gave out.
Rey Fenix cracked Orange with a thrust kick. Fenix hit a frog splash for a near fall, wrestling with purpose and trying to end the match quickly.
“When you’re hurting, you want to end it quickly,” said Taz.
Outside the ring, Orange Cassidy whipped Rey Fenix into the steel guardrail. Orange rammed Rey Fenix into the steel ring post. Orange swept out Rey Fenix’s leg. Orange climbed to the top turnbuckle, but Rey Fenix hit him with a flying uppercut. Rey Fenix was looking for a muscle buster, but his back gave out. Orange countered with a diving DDT and then another DDT for a two-count on Rey Fenix!
Orange tried for the Orange Punch, but Rey Fenix countered with a thrust kick. Rey Fenix tried to charge at Orange, but his back gave out again. Orange Cassidy blasted Rey Fenix with the Beach Break for a near fall. Orange pulped Rey Fenix with the Orange Punch and after tying him up in the mousetrap, Orange Cassidy pinned Rey Fenix!
And once again AEW International Champion…Orange Cassidy!
The Best Friends, Rocky Romero, and HOOK came out to congratulate Orange Cassidy.
Wardlow vs. Matt Sydal!
Wardlow ran at Sydal and rammed him into the turnbuckles. Wardlow powerbombed Sydal. He powerbombed Sydal again. And then again! Wardlow powerbombed Sydal again and the ref stopped the match, declaring Wardlow the winner!
Renee Paquette was backstage trying to get a medical update on Chris Jericho!
Daniel Garcia came to check on Jericho. Matt Menard grabbed Garcia by the shoulder and said, “What are you doing?”
Garcia said, “I’m being a human. I’m checking on somebody that we cared about.”
Menard: “I’ve had just about enough. We’re better than this. We’re better than this now.”
Menard walked away and then Garcia followed.
Bullet Club Gold’s “Switchblade” Jay White
vs.
ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Champion “Hangman” Adam Page!
Switchblade came out wearing the AEW World Championship Title. Bullet Club Gold rode out on big wheels.
“He stole that title from MJF,” said Taz.
Hangman flew over the top rope and landed on Jay White on the outside of the ring. Back in the ring, Jay White grabbed a chin lock on Page. They traded strikes. Jay White took down Adam Page with a dragon screw leg whip.
Hangman caught Switchblade and drilled him with a Death Valley Driver. Page sent White soaring with a fallaway slam and followed up with a standing moonsault for a near fall. Hangman powerbombed Jay White on the apron!
“That was a thud right there,” said Taz.
Jay White suplexed Adam Page into the turnbuckles. White drilled Page with a knee breaker right on the apron! Hangman came back with a blockbuster off the top rope, but Page was clutching his knee after the landing.
Jay White connected with an uranage for a near fall. Hangman dropped Jay White with a rolling elbow. Hangman was looking for the Buckshot Lariat, but Jay White countered with a dragon screw.
Hangman guillotined Jay White on the top rope. Hangman nailed Jay White with a moonsault on the arena floor. Back in the ring Jay White lured Hangman in and rocked him with a German Suplex. Jay White chop blocked Hangman. Page got to his feet and walloped Jay White with a lariat!
Hangman went for the Buckshot, but Jay White tried to counter with the Blade Runner, but Page countered with the Dead Eye! Bullet Club Gold panicked outside the ring. Page covered White but White kicked out at two!
Bullet Club Gold distracted the ref while Prince Nana crept up with his crown in his hand. Hangman saw Prince Nana and turned his attention toward him, but Jay White grabbed a handful of Page’s tights, rolled him up and pinned him!
After the match, an enraged Hangman limped up the ramp and tried to catch up with the retreating Prince Nana!
AEW World Champion MJF came out on the ramp!
MJF: “Cut my music! Look at me Jay White! You wanted the main event match, bright lights, Full Gear for the World Title, you got it, you’re welcome. Now give me back my belt! Be a man!”
Jay White: “We don’t want to hear anymore from MJF. No, no, we want to hear from J-A-Y. Your scumbag wants the Triple B, you want the Bang Bang belt? I was going to say yes until you were so rude, so the answer is no.”
MJF: “I’ll be the bigger man here. Jay, I know you because I was you. You are the guy who doesn’t give a damn about anybody else. You will use and abuse people. You and I both know you don’t care about any of those three in the Bullet Club Gold. You are using them, and I know because that is right out of the MJF playbook.
“For the first time in my life I have earned the respect of these fans. Now Jay White there are two things in this life I care about: my brother, Adam Cole, who is out right now injured. And that’s my cross to bear. And there is that title you’re holding. You call it a belt. That’s not a belt. That is my livelihood. That is my legacy. Because when you win the AEW World Title, that makes you the best wrestler in the world.
“Jay, if you weren’t surrounded by those idiots, I would have already taken back what’s mine. Jay White, I know how talented you are. I am sure someday you will join the very exclusive club of being an AEW World Champion, however, that day is not today. Do you understand me? So, I’m going to ask you to do the hard thing for once in your life. Dig deep, be a man, show some dignity to this sport, to AEW and to these fans, and give me back what you have not yet earned.”
Jay White: “You’re just coming out here and asking me to give it back to you. How is that earning it? Thank you for coming out and asking me nicely instead of jumping me from behind in your cute little devil mask.
“But you’re just asking for this. You can’t just ask for this. You must earn it. You must earn it, officially. And you have a match coming up November 18th at Full Gear. You’ll get your chance, but you’ll fail. But if you can’t be patient, you could just come down and take it.
“But something tells me with us five here, and you don’t have no friends, but if you can find three friends who can tolerate you, you come up with your four against the Bang Bang Gang, and if you win, maybe you’ll get the Bang Bang Belt back.”
Juice Robinson: “And MJF, before you leave, I heard through the grapevine that next week there is a Dynamite Diamond Dozen Battle Royale for a chance to win that stupid ring that you care about so much! So, throw my name in because I’m going to win the battle royale and I’m going to win that ring and we’re going to take away everything you love. And I’ve got a roll of quarters here with your name on it. So, after we ruin your life, I’m going to—”
MJF: “Hey! You come at me with that roll of quarters and I’m going to end your life!”
AEW Women’s World Championship Match!
Saraya (c.) vs. Hikaru Shida!
Saraya shoved at Shida. Shida turned Saraya around and battered her with forearms. Shida scored with a running knee strike.
Shida rocked Saraya with a rising knee strike outside the ring. Someone dressed all in black tried to ambush Shida. They were holding a can of spray paint. It was Ruby Soho!
Shida turned the can around and sprayed Ruby Soho in the eyes! Soho ran up the ramp, but “Timeless” Toni Storm was there, clobbering her with the shoe! Toni Storm chased Ruby Soho over the guardrail and through the fans!
Shida drilled Saraya with a jumping knee strike. Shida hammered Saraya with punches. She followed up with a missile dropkick for a near fall on Saraya.
Saraya yanked Shida by the wrist, sending Shida tumbling onto the edge of the ring! Shida stunned Saraya with a stalling German Suplex on the ring apron. She followed up with a meteora off the apron onto Saraya. Shida rammed Saraya with a running knee for a near fall.
Shida clocked Saraya with a question mark kick. Shida climbed to the top turnbuckle and Saraya countered with a thrust kick. Saraya crushed Shida with the Knight Cap for a two-count! Saraya put a can of spray paint in her waistband and grabbed the kendo stick. Ref Paul Turner saw the kendo stick and pulled it away. As the ref turned his back to toss the kendo stick out of the ring, Saraya went to her backup plan and sprayed Shida in the eyes with the can of paint! Saraya drilled Shida with a second Knight Cap, but Shida kicked out at two!
“Hikaru Shida will not be denied!” said Excalibur.
Shida planted Saraya with the Falcon Arrow. She went to cover Saraya, but Saraya countered. Shida countered that, rolling up Saraya and pinning her!
And new AEW Women’s World Champion…Hikaru Shida!
Renee Paquette was backstage with AEW World Champion MJF!
MJF: “I’m just not in the mood to be interviewed. I just want to call my boy and get some advice. Please pick up Adam.”
Adam Cole answered. MJF said he’d been trying to get ahold of Adam Cole for days.
Adam Cole apologized and said he was still helping Roderick Strong because Strong was injured.
MJF: “Adam, I need your help. I’m getting attacked left and right by Bullet Club Gold. They stole the triple B. Samoa Joe apparently wants another title shot. And Juice Robinson has opened some old wounds, dude.”
Adam Cole: “Max, can you hear me? Roddy is in the middle of nowhere.”
The phone lost reception and the line went dead.
The Acclaimed walked up to MJF. Caster said he overhead the phone call. Caster said he figured the Acclaimed could team with MJF to take on the Bang Bang Gang. MJF walked away, upset.
Daddy Ass told Caster to hold on one second. “When did you think you could just offer up our services? And what is your infatuation with MJF?” asked Daddy Ass.
Caster: “We started wrestling together. I’ve known him for 10 years. And he’s my friend. I think he needs our help. Plus, I like when he plays hard to get.”
Main Event Time!
“Rated R Superstar” Adam Copeland
vs.
Luchasaurus (with TNT Champion Christian Cage)!
Before the match, Christian Cage said he is not Luchasaurus and Nick Wayne’s leader. He is their father. Christian Cage asked why Adam Copeland didn’t want to help him when he was getting held back a few years ago and Adam was being pushed to the moon. “You need me. I don’t need you! But I can’t say I blame you for being a fan, Adam. I have a lot of fans around the world. In fact, I know your wife Beth is a huge fan.”
Adam Copeland charged to the ring! Nick Wayne grabbed onto Copeland’s leg. Luchasaurus booted Copeland in the face. Luchasaurus followed up with the Extinction lariat before the bell rang!
Luchasaurus spiked Adam Copeland with a tombstone piledriver for a near fall. Christian Cage sat on the ramp, watching the match.
Luchasaurus whipped Adam Copeland into the turnbuckles. Luchasaurus body slammed Adam Copeland. Luchasaurus fired off a combination of strikes to Adam Copeland. Luchasaurus suplexed Adam Copeland.
Outside the ring, Nick Wayne shoved Adam Copeland into the ring post! Luchasaurus pulled the ring steps. He was going to plant Copeland on them. Copeland fired back with shots and then DDT’ed Luchasaurus onto the arena floor!
Copeland splashed Luchasaurus across the back! Cope connected with elbow strikes but Luchasaurus countered with a headbutt. Copeland blocked a chokeslam and rocked Luchasaurus with an Impaler DDT for a near fall!
Copeland and Luchasaurus jockeyed for position on the top turnbuckle. Cope superplexed Luchasaurus! Christian Cage walked closer to the ring and the ref was distracted. The ref turned around, ordering Christian Cage to back away. While this was happening, Nick Wayne propped up a chair between the turnbuckles. Copeland went for the spear, but Luchasaurus dodged him, sending Cope headfirst into the steel chair!
Luchasaurus choke slammed Copeland, but Copeland kicked out! Copeland avoided the Extinction from Luchasaurus. Copeland ran off the ring, jumped off the ring steps, and speared Luchasaurus on the arena floor!
Back in the ring, Cope was looking for another spear. Nick Wayne jumped onto the ring apron and distracted the ref while Christian Cage jumped on the other side of the ring. Christian Cage was going to hit Copeland with the TNT Championship, but Copeland yanked it out of Christian Cage’s hands and rammed it into Luchasaurus’ head! Copeland threw the title back to Christian Cage. Luchasaurus turned around and thought Christian Cage was the one who hit him with it! Luchasaurus turned around and Copeland speared him! Copeland covered Luchasaurus and pinned him for the victory!
After the match, Nick Wayne chop blocked Adam Copeland. Nick Wayne and Luchasaurus stomped Copeland. Danielson ran to the ring and clocked Christian. Danielson jumped into the ring and went after Nick Wayne. Luchasaurus drilled Danielson with a high boot. Wheeler Yuta and Claudio Castagnoli sprinted to the ring to even up the odds. The Mogul Embassy came down and began to brawl with the Blackpool Combat Club! “Hangman” Adam Page joined the fray and he and Swerve exchanged strikes. Copeland speared Nick Wayne. Danielson applied the Le Bell Lock on Christian Cage and Cage tapped!
“Will this be the scene this Saturday on Collision at a special 7pm start time?! Christian Cage! Bryan Danielson! One on one for the TNT Championship!”
This Friday tune in to AEW RAMPAGE at 10pm ET on TNT!
Catch AEW DYNAMITE on TBS next Wednesday live at 8/7ct from the Fort Bend Epicenter in Rosenberg, TX!
***Special start time at 7/6c! Don’t miss AEW Collision on Saturday on TNT from the Huntington Center in Toledo, OH!
And remember…the home of professional wrestling is All Elite Wrestling!
Tonight’s AEW COLLISION was broadcast live from the Maverik Center in Salt Lake City, UT!
Nigel McGuinness and Ian Riccaboni were the broadcast team for tonight’s event.
It’s Saturday night and you know what that means! Saturday night’s alright for fighting!
AEW World Tag Team Title Match!
FTR (c.)—Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler
vs.
“Absolute” Ricky Starks & Big Bill!
Starks charged FTR! He nailed Dax with a satellite DDT after bashing Dax’s shoulder into the steel ring post. Big Bill tagged in a slugged Dax with a vicious lariat, knocking Harwood over the top rope and onto the arena floor.
Doc Sampson was checking on Cash on the arena floor. Starks ordered Big Bill to attack Cash. Big Bill choke slammed Wheeler onto the announcers’ table!
Back in the ring, Dax avoided Big Bill, dodging several splash attempts. Dax had no one to tag out to. Big Bill choke slammed Harwood! Starks ordered Big Bill to hit the move again, and Big Bill choke slammed Harwood a second time. Starks said, “One more time!” Big Bill choke slammed Cash a third time! Big Bill held Harwood while Starks speared Harwood. Starks covered Harwood and pinned him!
New AEW World Tag Team Champions… “Absolute” Ricky Starks and Big Bill!
“American Dragon” Bryan Danielson
vs.
Aussie Open’s Kyle Fletcher!
Fletcher blasted Bryan with a shoulder block. He followed up with a kick to Bryan Danielson’s bad arm.
Bryan Danielson regained momentum, applying a surfboard submission onto Fletcher. Bryan transitioned into the mount and grounded and pounded Kyle Fletcher.
Fletcher rocketed outside the ring with a tope suicida toward Danielson. Fletcher connected, but his own force carried him into the steel guardrail! Fletcher got back to his feet. Fletcher body slammed Danielson. Bryan got up and drilled Fletcher with round kicks for a near fall.
Fletcher clipped Danielson with a kick and followed up with a brainbuster for a two-count. Danielson blocked a thrust kick and applied an ankle lock on Fletcher. Danielson threw Kyle overhead with a German Suplex. Fletcher fired back with a dragon suplex on the American Dragon!
Fletcher planted Danielson with a Michinoku driver! Fletcher locked in a dragon sleeper!
“That was vicious!” said Nigel.
Fletcher put Danielson on the top rope. Fletcher hit a reverse suplex and went into the dragon sleeper again, but Danielson countered! Danielson escaped and put Fletcher in a European Clutch and pinned him!
After the match the Gates of Agony—Kaun and Toa—ambushed an exhausted Danielson and assaulted him! They wanted to soften him up ahead of his match this Tuesday against Swerve Strickland!
Wheeler Yuta and Claudio Castagnoli sprinted to the ring to save their Blackpool Combat Club partner!
Bullet Club Gold—Juice Robinson, and Austin & Colten Gunn
vs.
Metalik, Gravity, & Angelico (with Serpentico)!
“Switchblade” Jay White accompanied the Bang Bang Gang, wearing the AEW World Championship around his waist.
Austin decked Gravity on the chin. Juice and Metalik tagged in for their respective teams. Metalik nailed Juice with a sling blade bulldog!
Angelico tied up Juice and Gravity jumped from the top with a double foot stomp. Colten tagged in and drove his forearms into Gravity. Juice entered the fray and jabbed at Gravity. Austin wanted in. Austin used his left handed jabs on Gravity. Colten wanted in. Gravity could barely get to his feet and then rolled up Colten with an inside cradle for a near fall.
Angelico applied a double submission to the Gunns. Juice ran in and punched Angelico right in the face! Metalik tagged in and hit a high cross body on the Gunns. He planted Austin with a hurracanrana. But the Gunns fired back with the 3:10 to Yuma. Juice planted Metalik on his head and scored the pin!
Jay White: “Guys, we’re missing somebody. Card blade! We need the whole gang! The Collision Cowboys are back on Collision together. Except this time, we didn’t come empty handed. This time we brought some gold!
“To your scumbag, MJF…Max, I told you last week, we need a truly elite champion, and I told you that’s not you. And I told you I’d lead by example. And Max, take some notes, example number one, I am here. And where are you? At home nursing your wounds? Nursing Adam Cole’s wounds? I expected you to care a little bit.
“Example two, a champion needs challengers. So ‘Hangman’ Page, you want to challenge me on Dynamite Tuesday? You haven’t earned a chance at the championship, but our match can be an eliminator match. But you will do what you do so well. You will breathe with the Switchblade. And Max, sit back and take notes because I do it better than you and everybody knows it. And if you ain’t down with that, we have two words for you: ‘Guns up!’”
AEW World Trios Championship Match!
The Acclaimed (c.)—Anthony Bowens, Max Caster, & Daddy Ass
vs.
The Iron Savages— “Sauce Boss” Beefcake Boulder, “Dirty Bulk” Bronson, & Jacked Jameson!
Bronson and Boulder double teamed Bowens. Bronson smashed him with a senton. The Iron Savages isolated Bowens.
Boulder went for a moonsault, but Bowens rolled out of the way. Caster tagged in and cleaned house on the Iron Savages, dishing out back fists and thrust kicks. Caster connected with a cross body press on Jacked Jameson for a near fall.
The Iron Savages double choke slammed Caster. Bowens came to the aid of his partner and broke up the pin attempt. Daddy Ass and Caster double suplexed Beefcake Boulder. Bowens hit Beefcake with the Scissor Me Timbers! Caster planted Jameson with the Arrival. Caster hit the Mic Drop and pinned Jameson!
Kiera Hogan vs. “Timeless” Toni Storm!
Toni handed Kiera a script and Kiera ripped it up! Hogan dodged the hip attack. Hogan hit a hip attack of her own.
Toni flung Kiera across the ring by the hair! Hogan jumped off the top with a cross body for a two count. Toni knocked Hogan out of the ring with a hip attack.
Kiera blasted Toni Storm with a missile drop kick. Kiera rammed into Toni with a hip attack and then a baseball slide for a two-count. Hogan hit a step-up leg drop on Toni Storm.
Toni Storm nailed Hogan with a German Suplex. Storm rattled Hogan with her hip attack and then finished her off with the Storm Zero, grabbing the pinfall victory on Hogan!
Renee Paquette was backstage with Ruby Soho!
Ruby: “You can clearly see that I had Shida pinned to the mat. If it wasn’t for her and her fat fingers knocking out the referee, I’d be facing my girl Saraya for the World Championship. But I’ll be cheering her on at ringside.”
Renee: “I’ve been informed that you’ve been banned from ringside.”
Ruby: “That’s fine. Saraya doesn’t need me on Tuesday to beat Shida.”
Main Event Time!
ROH World Championship Match!
Eddie Kingston (c.) vs. Komander!
Jim Ross joined the broadcast booth to provide his main event analysis.
Komander was frustrating Kingston with his lucha prowess. Kingston nailed Komander with rapid fire strikes to the chest and then an exploder suplex.
Komander used a twisting corkscrew cross body and then a standing shooting star press for a near fall. Komander ran across the edge of the ring, flipped over the ring post and landed on Kingston on the arena floor. Komander followed up with a 450 splash for a near fall on the champ!
Kingston knocked Komander from his perch on the top rope. Eddie met him up there and they jockeyed for position. Kingston headbutted Komander and then superplexed him, but Komander countered.
“That was a great act of wrestling. They’re impressing me,” said Jim Ross.
Kingson clocked Komander with a short arm lariat. Eddie was looking for the Northern Lights Suplex, but Komander countered with a DDT. Kingston rocked Komander with a spinning backfist and pinned Komander!
“He’s tougher than a two dollar steak, is Eddie Kingston,” said Jim Ross.
The “Rated R Superstar” Adam Copeland made his Collision debut to respond to Christian Cage!
Adam Copeland: “If you watched Dynamite on Wednesday, you know things didn’t go according to my plan. And I don’t get it. I’m really confused. The whole idea with me coming to AEW was for me to team with Christian Cage.
“I’ve got to rewind a bit. For nine years I was told I could never do this again. But I am standing here in an AEW ring through a hell of a lot of hard work and persistence. For seven years Christian Cage was told he could never do this again. And through a lot of work and persistence, he is here in AEW.
“Somewhere along the line he stopped taking my phone calls. I’ve said it before but he’s a dick. I love him and he’s been my best friend for 40 years. He’s in his Bond villain phase. I get it. So really what I’m out here for is some answers. I want to find out what is going on. I’m highly confused. So Christian, can you get out here and just tell me what’s going on since you won’t take my calls? What is up?”
TNT Champion Christian Cage appeared on the screen!
Christian Cage: “Same old Adam. You think you call the shots. As the TNT Champion, I come and go as I please. As far as your request for an answer, you’ll get it this Tuesday live on Dynamite. I’ll be there on Tuesday. The question is: are you going to make it?”
Luchasaurus and Nick Wayne walked out onto the ramp!
“This doesn’t look good for Adam Copeland whatsoever,” said Jim Ross.
Luchasaurus and Nick Wayne circled the ring. Adam Copeland booted Nick Wayne. He speared Luchasaurus.
Luchasaurus grabbed Adam Copeland and choke slammed him! Luchasaurus planted Adam Copeland with the Extinction!
“Copeland is not moving,” said Nigel.
Luchasaurus grabbed a steel chair and placed it under Adam Copeland’s head, looking for a con-chair-to!
Darby Allin jumped into the ring and swung a steel chair at Luchasaurus! Nick Wayne dropkicked Darby Allin! Luchasaurus whipped Darby into the corner turnbuckles! Luchasaurus held down Darby while Nick Wayne bashed Darby’s arm between two steel chairs!
***Special night*** Catch AEW DYNAMITE: Title Tuesday on TBS this Tuesday live at 8/7ct from the Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence, MO featuring:
-AEW International Championship Match—Rey Fenix (c.) vs. Jon Moxley!
– “Switchblade” Jay White vs. “Hangman” Adam Page!
-#1 Contenders Match for the TNT Championship: Swerve Strickland vs. Bryan Danielson!
-Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Chris Jericho!
-AEW Women’s World Championship Match—Saraya (c.) vs. Hikaru Shida!
– “Rated R Superstar” Adam Copeland vs. Luchasaurus!
And remember…the home of professional wrestling is All Elite Wrestling!
This past Wednesday night, AEW celebrated the four year anniversary of DYNAMITE, and ushered in the Rated R Era with the DYNAMITE debut of Adam Copeland! He confronted Christian Cage, attempted to reforge their long-time partnership, and was instead rebuked rather rudely. Fans also witnessed “Switchblade” Jay White challenge MJF to a title fight at FULL GEAR 2023, Roderick Strong and The Kingdom put Adam Cole to work, and AEW International Champion Rey Fenix top Nick Jackson in a title match!
This Friday the action continues with RAMPAGE, featuring a big 8-Man Tag teaming The Hardys with Best Friends to take on the former members of J.A.S, a shot at the ROH World Championship will be at stake in a Four Way bout, and TBS Champion Kris Statlander will team up with Hikaru Shida to face Marina Shafir and Nyla Rose!
The night gets underway at 10pm ET/9pm CT on TNT, as well as at AEWPlus.com for our international audiences, so visit the official AEW YouTube channel before RAMPAGE begins to see highlights from this week’s DYNAMITE, from WRESTLEDREAM, as well as previous episodes of RAMPAGE and COLLISION, plus THE CONTROL CENTER, and much, much more!
EIGHT MAN TAG…
Best Friends (Chuck Taylor & Trent Beretta) and The Hardys (Jeff & Matt) vs. Angelo Parker, Daniel Garcia, Jake Hager, & Matt Menard
As they continue to search for their path separate from Chris Jericho’s machinations, the former J.A.S. members will unite in competition this Friday against the unique team of The Best Friends and The Hardys!
One thing all eight of these men have in common is a desire to find their path forward in All Elite Wrestling, and this is the kind of fight that can help them all towards that goal. Are there championship challenges in their futures? Is it a quest for something else? All we can say is that given the eight man involved in this bout, and the presence of Anna Jay with her quartet, this is going to be one unpredictable situation! How will The Best Friends and Hardys function as a unit in their first time out? Will the former J.A.S members prove as cohesive now as they once were when that “J” was still a party of their careers? Tune in Friday night to find out!
TAG TEAM TUSSLE…
TBS Champion Kris Statlander & Hikaru Shida vs. Marina Shafir & Nyla Rose
Hikaru Shida is set to challenge Saraya for the AEW Women’s World Championship next week during DYNAMITE: TITLE TUESDAY, her shot at regaining the title she lost at ALL IN: LONDON, lost without being pinned or submitted by Saraya. But before she gets there, Shida will unite with TBS Champion Kris Statlander for the first time since 2020 to take on two of women who long to get a championship back in their camp.
Nyla Rose and Marina Shafir, the former having once held the AEW Women’s World Championship herself, would both love nothing more than to be challengers for either the TBS or AEW Women’s World Championship, and taking home a victory on Friday night would help them both get towards that goal. Pinning Statlander could set one of them up for a shot at her TBS Championship, pinning Shida would put them in a prime position should she defeat Saraya on Tuesday, and Nyla Rose would love nothing more than to get one over on the woman who ended her title reign back in 2020.
ROH WORLD TITLE SHOT ON THE LINE…
Johnny TV vs. Komander vs. Lince Dorado vs. Penta El Zero Miedo
Coming off his hard-hitting ROH World Championship defense against Katsuyori Shibata at WRESTLEDREAM, Eddie Kingston is ready to face his next challenger, and this Friday night on RAMPAGE, we will all find out just who that man will be! Four men will clash in a single fall contest, commonly referred to in ROH Land as a Four Corner Survival, and to the victor goes a bout with Eddie Kingston and a shot at his ROH World Championship.
To Eddie, both Johnny TV and Komander are unknown entities having never clashed with either in a head-to-head situation, in fact between the two he’s only set foot in the ring with Komander as part of the Face of the Revolution Ladder Match earlier this year. As for the AEW newcomer, Eddie and Lince Dorado have a great deal of history, dating back to 2007 with their shared days in CHIKARA, and Dorado actually being connected to some of the issues between Kingston and Claudio Castagnoli. Then, of course, there is all the shared history between Kingston and his best friend Penta El Zero Miedo. They’ve been allies, they’ve fought, they even challenged The Young Bucks for the AEW World Tag Titles several years ago, so it’s reasonable to say they know one another better than any other men involved in this fight.
Which man would Kingston rather face? Well the ROH World Champion will be joining the team on commentary for this fight so perhaps we will all hear it directly from the mouth of the man himself!
RAMPAGE gets started at 10pm ET/9pm CT on TNT, as well as at AEWPlus.com for our international audiences, so drop in on the official AEW YouTube channel prior to the show for highlights from Wednesday’s DYNAMITE, as well as previous episodes of RAMPAGE and COLLISION, plus THE CONTROL CENTER, and much, much more!
Tonight’s special 4th Anniversary episode of AEW DYNAMITE was broadcast live from the Stockton Arena in Stockton, CA!
Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, and “The Human Suplex Machine” Taz were the broadcast team for tonight’s event.
It’s Wednesday night and you know what that means!
Renee Paquette interviewed Chris Jericho and Kenny Omega backstage!
Adam Copeland interrupted and shook Jericho’s hand, saying it was good to see him. He introduced himself to Kenny Omega and said it was good to meet him. Kenny said Copeland had kept him on the edge of his seat the other night during the WrestleDream pay-per-view.
AEW International Championship Match!
The Lucha Bros’ Rey Fenix (c.) (with Alex Abrahantes & Penta El Zero Miedo)
vs.
ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Champion The Young Bucks’ Nick Jackson (with Matt Jackson)!
Rey Fenix and Nick Jackson traded and countered a flurry of offense. Rey Fenix rolled out to the edge of the ring, checking on his injured back. Nick tried to powerbomb Rey onto the floor, but Rey Fenix countered with an arm drag off the post and onto the arena floor. Nick stood up clutching his back.
Nick took down Fenix with a hurracanrana off the guardrail. Nick nailed Fenix with a backstabber in the ring. Rey Fenix kicked Nick Jackson’s leg out from beneath him, with Nick landing on the crown of his head on the ring apron!
Fenix connected with a thrust kick, but Nick answered with two superkicks of his own. Both men had the same idea, Fenix with a strike, Nick with a round kick, and they knocked one another down. Fenix got a near fall with a hurracanrana. Nick blasted Fenix with a cutter on the arena floor!
Nick planted Rey with a facebuster for a two-count! Nick rocked Rey with a roundhouse kick. Nick drilled Fenix with an avalanche cutter but somehow Fenix was able to kick out! The fans erupted in applause!
Nick had Fenix rattled after a poison rana and then a destroyer, but Fenix kicked out at two! Nick nearly took off Fenix’s head with a running knee strike. Nick smashed Fenix with a BTE Trigger to the back of the head for a near fall!
Rey Fenix rallied back with a punt kick to the side of Nick’s head. Fenix used a frog splash on Nick Jackson for a near fall. Nick rolled up Rey Fenix, but Fenix countered with a roll-up of his own and pinned Nick Jackson!
“A tip of the cap to both men,” said Tony Schiavone.
Footage was shown from earlier in the day with Adam Cole visiting Roderick Strong’s house.
Roddy was there with the Kingdom. Roddy was rolling around in a wheelchair and had a scooter for Cole as a present. “I couldn’t be the only one on wheels,” said Roddy. They did laps in the house while the Kingdom watched on. Roddy said he had an emergency and wanted Cole to move some furniture for him. Again, the Kingdom simply watched as Cole did all the work.
Wardlow vs. Griff Garrison!
Wardlow charged Griff when the bell rang! Wardlow stomped Garrison in the corner. Wardlow powerbombed Griff! He hit Griff with a second powerbomb, and then a third! Wardlow powerbombed Garrison a fourth time! Griff was hearing the notes of the powerbomb symphony! After five consecutive powerbombs, the ref stopped the match and awarded the match to the returning Wardlow!
Renee Paquette interviewed Don Callis and Takeshita backstage.
Don Callis: “AEW has been shaken to its foundation by Sammy pinning Chris Jericho at WrestleDream. So much so, the crack AEW medical staff has deemed Sammy unable to perform. At the recommendation of Will Ospreay, I have requested Kyle Fletcher to be the partner of the ‘Alpha’ Takeshita tonight. I’m going to win this war, no matter what it takes.”
AEW Trios Championship Match!
The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass (c.)
vs.
The Butcher, The Blade, & Kip Sabian (with Penelope Ford)!
Butch dropped a leg on the chest of Caster. Kip Sabian moonsaulted onto the Acclaimed, wiping them out on the arena floor.
Bowens cleaned house on Sabian, the Butcher and Blade. Bowens dropped the Scissor Me Timbers on Blade. After tandem offense, Bowens pinned Sabian!
“Hard fought victory right there by the Acclaimed but they pulled it off,” said Taz.
Up next:We heard from Juice Robison and The Gunns after last week’s mysterious attack on “Switchblade” Jay White!
Austin Gunn: “Who’s ready for story time with the Bang Bang Gang? We came out to address the one they call ‘the devil.”
Colten Gunn: “You mean the people’s scumbag? Max, the reason you jumped Jay is because you’re scared. You know you’re about to suffocate when you breathe with the ‘Switchblade.’”
Juice: “MJF, get your ass out here! You’ve got some explaining to do! If you’re a man, you’ll come out here and face us like one. But you’re not a man, are you?”
AEW World Champion MJF’s music hit!
MJF: “Cut my music! It appears the devil has arrived in Stockton! And we’ve got an interesting trio here making a lot of accusations. We’ve got the assboys. And then we’ve got their best friend, Juice Robinson, aka talentless taint.
“Just call me mystic Max, I have a premonition that we’re going to have a dueling chant of ‘Ass Boys’ and ‘Talentless taint’. Stockton, I’m magic. Isn’t that nuts! It’s our four year anniversary of Dynamite, so I thought I’d list some of my highlights. I whipped Cody Rhodes with a belt. I threw Chris Jericho off a cage. And I almost got us kicked off TV when I called my boss Tony Khan a mark!
“I know for a fact that I didn’t attack your boy, Jay White. But if you don’t want to talk it out like gentlemen…I’ve got an idea. How about right here, right now, we have ourselves a Stockton Street Fight!”
MJF went to the ring and Bullet Club Gold backed out. “Switchblade” Jay White ambushed MJF from behind with the Blade Runner!
Jay White left with the AEW World Title belt!
“Switchblade” Jay White: “Max, I don’t know what type of caliber athlete you’re used to dealing with, but I’m a cut above. You got the best of me last week, but you’re not fooling anybody. We’re not buying what you’re selling. We use our brains. We know the real MJF. We know that MJF is a pathetic, dirty liar, a slimy gutless coward. And we need a truly elite champion. And you are not him, MJF.
“But hey, I’m a fair man. You want to prove me wrong. Put it all on the line at Full Gear! MJF versus ‘Switchblade’ Jay White for the AEW World Championship. You can try to prove me wrong, and you will fail. But don’t worry, I’ll lead by example tonight, and I’m taking this belt. And I’ve got two words for you: guns up!”
MJF: “Nah, you want me at Full Gear? Well, I’ve got two words for you: you’re on!”
Renee Paquette was backstage with FTW Champion HOOK and Orange Cassidy!
Orange: Hook is a great champion because he has a great championship.”
Hook: “It should be you next week against Rey Fenix instead of Mox.”
Orange: “Whatever.”
The Golden Jets—Chris Jericho & Kenny Omega
vs.
The Don Callis Family’s Konosuke Takeshita & Kyle Fletcher!
Don Callis joined the broadcast booth for this match.
Takeshita hit Jericho with a shoulder block. Jericho got back up to his feet and traded strikes with Takeshita. Jericho fired back with a shoulder block of his own.
Omega tagged in and he and Jericho hit tandem offense on Takeshita. They double suplexed Takeshita. Takeshita blasted Jericho with the Takeshita-line.
Jericho drilled Kyle with a lionsault! Omega tagged in and Omega dished out Polish Hammers to the opposition. Omega hoisted up Takeshita, vaulted off his chest, and nailed Fletcher with a backstabber.
Fletcher sent Omega flying with a half and half suplex. Fletcher rocked Jericho with a thrust kick. Takeshita and Fletcher used a Blue Thunder-Michinoku Driver combo on Omega and Jericho.
Kenny planted Kyle with a snap dragon suplex. Jericho tagged in and dazed Fletcher with a running clothesline. Jericho sent Fletcher flying with a hurracanrana. Takeshita laid out Jericho with a lariat. Omega cracked Takeshita with a jumping knee strike. Fletcher fired back with a thrust kick to Omega and followed up with a brainbuster!
The fans chanted “A-E-W! A-E-W! A-E-W!”
Jericho and Fletcher had the same idea—going for lariats—and they knocked one another down. Omega tagged in and powerbombed Fletcher. He followed up with a knee strike to Kyle for a near fall. Omega got wiped out with a leg lariat from Fletcher. Jericho rattled Fletcher with the Code Breaker and Omega was there to finish off Fletcher with the One-Winged Angel, pinning Fletcher!
Powerhouse Hobbs ambushed Jericho and Omega after the match! He knocked them both down with lariats. Don Callis was smiling. Hobbs smashed Jericho with a spinebuster! Hobbs whipped Omega into the guardrail. Hobbs hurled Omega over the timekeeper’s table, over the barricade, and onto a row of chairs. Hobbs punished Omega out on the arena floor. Hobbs slammed a guardrail onto Omega. Hobbs trapped Omega’s throat in the guardrail.
Back in the ring, Don Callis taped Omega by the wrists to the top rope. Takeshita dropkicked Jericho out of the ring. Hobbs whacked Jericho with the chair, as Jericho was trying to take the bullet for Omega.
Hobbs was about to waffle Omega with the chair, but Don Callis asked for the chair. Callis smacked the chair over Omega’s head!
“Look at the dent left in that chair,” said Excalibur.
Renee Paquette was in the trainer’s room with AEW World Champion MJF!
Renee asked how MJF was doing.
MJF: “It’d be an easier pill to swallow if Adam was here.”
Max Caster snuck up behind MJF and MJF freaked out and told Caster to leave. “Stop stalking me!” MJF said he was going to call Adam Cole. The call went to voicemail.
“Timeless” Toni Storm vs. Skye Blue!
Toni hit Skye with a short arm lariat. Toni Storm whipped Skye across the ring by the hair! Skye fired back with a dropkick. Skye slugged Storm with a forearm. Toni sent Skye crashing to the floor with a hip attack.
Skye Blue was relentless with elbow strikes to Toni Storm. Skye connected with a high roundhouse and then a big cross body press for a near fall. Toni rattled Skye with a powerbomb.
Toni sent Skye flying with a German Suplex. Storm cracked Skye with the hip attack and finished her off with the Storm Zero for the pin!
Renee Paquette was backstage with Stokely Hathaway!
Hathaway said this Friday on Rampage there would be a four way match to determine the next challenger for Eddie Kingston’s ROH World Championship!
The Rated-R Superstar Adam Copeland made his Dynamite debut!
Tony Schiavone was in the ring and asked everyone to welcome to Dynamite— “The Rated-R Superstar” Adam Copeland!
Adam Copeland: “Tony, I grew up and your voice was the soundtrack to my childhood. So, to stand in the ring with you is a pretty big deal for me.
“I came out here to talk to you all. Let’s rewind back to 2011, I’m told I can never do this again. But guys, we’re in 2023 and I am standing in an AEW ring! There’s quite a few reasons why I came here. There’s one major one but I’ll get to that last.
“I’m pretty sure the AEW World Championship would look good around my waist. Check it out, we’re talking first ever matches. Adam Copeland versus Jon Moxley, Adam Copeland versus Kenny Omega, versus Miro, versus Powerhouse Hobbs, versus Juice Robinson. So those are all amazing reasons to be here, to challenge myself 31 years into my career.
“And I’ve already said this before, and this’ll be the last time I say it. The main reason I decided to come to AEW is I sat with my family. I asked my daughter Lyric, ‘Should I retire?’ She said, ‘You should go have fun with Uncle Jay.’
“So, I’ll call him what you all call him—Christian Cage. And I’d like him to come out here so I can tell him the real reason why I’m here. C’mon Jay.
TNT Champion Christian Cage came down to the ring!
Adam Copeland: “For 40 years we’ve been best friends. But it was this industry that made us realize we’d be best friends for life. And I know what you’re thinking. Why did I do those things at WrestleDream to Nick Wayne and Luchasaurus? And even though I know that about you, I still love you. That’s never gonna go away. But I saw you standing over Sting. A guy whose poster you took to the barber and put it on the mirror so she could give you the same haircut.
“And I see you standing over Sting. A man who has entertained people for four decades. My wife’s parents couldn’t speak English, but they loved Sting. I know that Luchasaurus and Nick Wayne are going to drop you like a bad habit as soon as they’ve sucked all the information from your brain.
“You’re so egotistical that you can’t see it. But Jay, it’s time. For the first time since 2011, for the first time properly in over 20 years, it’s time for you and me to team together again. To face a team like FTR. To face a team like the Young Bucks. To show an entire generation of fans why we are inarguably one of the greatest tag teams of all time! So, I am out here, hat in hand, and I am asking you, let’s do it. Let’s end our careers together as a team. Let’s show them all what we can do.”
Christian Cage hugged Adam Copeland.
Christian Cage: “Go to hell!”
Christian Cage walked out of the ring, leaving Adam Copeland behind.
Christian Cage: “Just a quick reminder of what you’ll be up against this Tuesday, live on Dynamite.”
Luchasaurus walked onto the ramp, with Nick Wayne by his side. They all stared at Adam Copeland!
This Friday tune in to AEW RAMPAGE at 10pm ET on TNT!
***Special night*** Catch AEW DYNAMITE: Title Tuesday on TBS next Tuesday live at 8/7ct from the Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence, MO!
***Special start time*** Don’t miss AEW Collision on Saturday on TNT at 7/6c from the Maverik Center in Salt Lake City, UT!
And remember…the home of professional wrestling is All Elite Wrestling!
AEW presented WrestleDream live from the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, WA!
It’s Sunday and you know what that means!
The Zero Hour portion of the show kicked off!
AEW CEO and GM Tony Khan was in the ring with an opening ceremony to honor the legendary trailblazer and dreamer Antonio Inoki. Tony Khan was with some great representatives from New Japan Pro-Wrestling, including the grandsons of Antonio Inoki—Naoto Inoki and Hirota Inoki.
ICHI NI SON DA!
Your announce team for Zero Hour was Excalibur, Jim Ross, and Nigel McGuinness.
8-Person Mixed Tag Team Match!
Diamante, Lee Moriarty, Mercedes Martinez, & Shane Taylor
vs.
ROH Women’s World Champion Athena, Billie Starkz, Keith Lee, & Satoshi Kojima!
Athena ducked a kick from Diamante and then suplexed her. Athena and Billie Starkz hit tandem tope suicidas on Diamante and Martinez.
Shane Taylor charged into Keith Lee but Lee barely budged. Lee took down Taylor with a hurracanrana. Taylor walloped Keith Lee with a cheap shop. Lee Moriarty tagged in, but Keith Lee hurled him across the ring and tagged in Kojima. Kojima lit up Lee Moriarty with rapid fire chops. Kojima spiked Moriarty with a DDT for a near fall.
Athena rocked Lee Moriarty with the O-Face. Keith Lee planted Moriarty. Kojima nailed Lee Moriarty with a lariat and pinned him for the victory!
Blackpool Combat Club’s Claudio Castagnoli (with Jon Moxley)
vs.
“The War Master” Josh Barnett!
“Josh Barnett is the most feared catch wrestler in the world today,” said Nigel.
Jon Moxley joined the broadcast booth for this match.
Barnett and Claudio grappled to the mat. Barnett went for a knee bar. Claudio spun out of it. Claudio began to connect with the hammer and anvil elbow strikes. Barnett fired back with a dragon screw leg whip.
Barnett kicked to the inside of Claudio’s leg. Claudio retaliated with European Uppercuts. They traded forearms. Barnett blasted Claudio with a spinning leg kick. Claudio grabbed the legs of Barnett and put him in the Giant Swing!
Josh Barnett threw Claudio with a double underarm suplex. Claudio transitioned from an octopus submission to a crucifix and pinned Josh Barnett!
Barnett: “Heard a lot about you, Claudio. You’re highly regarded. Hearing about it is one thing, experiencing it is another, and they’re all correct. They don’t understand how great you actually art. I promise you. Inoki-San would approve of you. I came in with no expectations and I leave with only the highest expectations for you. Tonight, I gave you a challenge, and you overcame. I’m very proud of you. However, this ain’t over. You owe me more time. And I will come, someday, some place, for that time.”
Claudio: “Anytime, anyplace.”
Luchasaurus vs. Nick Wayne!
Luchasaurus planted Nick Wayne on the back of his neck with a German Suplex. Nick Wayne’s mother was watching from the front row.
Nick Wayne connected with two thrust kicks. Luchasaurus headbutted Nick Wayne in the midsection. Luchasaurus picked up Nick Wayne and choke slammed him over the ropes and onto the ring apron!
Nick Wayne used a moonsault to take down Luchasaurus. Luchasaurus countered Wayne’s World with a nasty shot to the back of the head and pinned Nick Wayne.
AEW World Trios Championship Match!
The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass (c.)
vs.
TMDK—Bad Dude Tito, Mikey Nichols, & Shane Haste!
Max fought out of TMDK’s corner and tagged Billy Gunn into the match. Billy Gunn hit a shoulder tackle on Shane Haste. As the ref was distracted, TMDK double teamed Bowens. Bad Dude Tito sent Bowens soaring with an exploder suplex.
Bowens peppered Bad Dude Tito with elbow strikes. Tito cracked Bowens with a spinebuster. Billy Gunn tagged in and cleaned house on TMDK. Bad Dude Tito German Suplexed Billy, but Caster was there to break up the pin. Bowens smashed Bad Dude Tito with the Arrival. Max Caster hit the Mic Drop and pinned Bad Dude Tito!
The pay-per-view portion of WrestleDream kicked off with…
ROH World Tag Team Championship 2-on-1 Handicap Match!
AEW World Champion MJF (c.) vs. The Righteous—Dutch & Vincent!
“The Human Suplex Machine” Taz joined the broadcast booth.
MJF: “It appears the devil has arrived in Seattle! I’m not gonna lie, I’m a little mad about the rumors that I attacked Jay White. I had nothing to do with it. To top it off, someone went into my locker room and stole my mask out of my bag. And to make matters worse, my boy Adam Cole is hurt and isn’t here tonight.
“But it’s all good because I’m going to make sure when he comes back these ROH World Tag Titles are here waiting for him. I’m gonna hit Dutch with a body slam. And Vincent, I’m going to grab you by your dirty dreads and shove your head up Dutch’s a–!”
When the match started, the Righteous swarmed MJF and stomped a mudhole into him. Dutch connected with a rip cord lariat and Vincent followed up with a low flatliner for a near fall. MJF tried to go for a tag, his tag team instincts kicking in, but then he realized his partner Adam Cole was out with an injury.
Dutch power bombed MJF and then Vincent swooped down with the Death From Above senton for a two-count on MJF. Vincent drilled MJF with the Bossman slam. Dutch distracted the ref while Vincent grabbed the block of wood and a steel chair, intending to break MJF’s legs. MJF grabbed Vincent in the groin before Vincent could swing the chair!
Vincent rattled MJF with a pump kick. Vincent tried for a senton, but MJF sat up, dodging it in time. MJF chomped down on Vincent’s forehead. MJF body slammed Dutch!
“The slam that shook Seattle, maybe the world,” said Taz.
MJF grabbed Vincent by the hair and rammed him into Dutch’s backend. MJF followed up with a double kangaroo kick! MJF drilled Dutch with the heat seeker and pinned Dutch with his feet on the ropes!
“MJF, somehow, someway, has retained the ROH World Tag Team Titles to kick off WrestleDream,” said Excalibur.
ROH World & NJPW Strong Openweight Championship Match!
Eddie Kingston (c.) vs. ROH Pure Champion Katsuyori Shibata!
Shibata put Eddie in deep water with a knee bar. Kingston managed to crawl to the ropes, forcing the ref to break the hold. Shibata locked on the figure four in the center of the ring. Eddie grabbed the ropes, managing to escape again, but he was wearing agony on his face.
Shibata put Eddie in a bow and arrow. He transitioned to a side headlock. Kingston threw Shibata with a high angle back driver. Kingston fired off machine gun chops. Shibata rocked Eddie in the corner with a running dropkick.
It broke down into a slugfest with Shibata and Kingston exchanging strikes. Kingston nailed Shibata with an exploder. Shibata swept Kingston’s leg and drove him into the mat. Shibata applied a cobra twist. He transitioned into a ground octopus submission, and Kingston was fading. Kingston forced the rope break, grabbing the bottom rope.
Kingston walloped Shibata with a spinning backfist. Kingston drilled Shibata with a Northern Lights Bomb for a near fall! Kingston came back with another spinning backfist and then a powerbomb for the pin on Shibata!
“What a match, what a win, for Eddie Kingston! It was a war,” said Excalibur.
TBS Championship Match!
Kris Statlander (c.) vs. The House of Black’s Julia Hart (with Brody King)!
Tony Schiavone joined the broadcast booth for this match.
Statlander charged with a knee, but Julia moved out of the way. Kris plowed into Julia Hart with a shoulder tackle. Julia Hart connected with a thrust kick to Statlander. Julia pulled Kris out of the ring with a handful of hair. Statlander picked up Julia and carried her up the ring steps. Julia escaped after a distraction from Brody King and swept out Kris’ legs on the apron.
Julia whipped the TBS Champ into the steel guardrail. Julia mounted Kris and bounced her head off the mat repeatedly. Julia rammed her knee into Kris’ ribs. Julia launched herself off Kris’ back and squashed her with a senton. Out of desperation, Kris powerslammed Julia Hart.
Statlander charged into the corner with a knee to the side of Julia’s head. Statlander rattled Julia with a Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall. Julia was about to spray the mist into Kris’ eyes, but Kris slapped it right out of her mouth! Kris climbed to the top rope, but Julia met her up there and launched Kris into the ring with a spider German suplex. Julia connected with a moonsault press and went for the pin, but Kris got her boot on the ropes.
The fans chanted “This is awesome! This is awesome!”
Julia applied the Heartless submission, but Kris stood up and smashed Julia with Sunday Night Fever, scoring the pinfall victory over Julia Hart!
AEW World Tag Title #1 Contender Match!
The Gunns—Austin & Colten
vs.
ROH World Six-Man Champions The Young Bucks—Matt & Nick Jackson
vs.
The Lucha Brothers—Penta El Zero Miedo & Rey Fenix
vs.
FTW Champion HOOK & Orange Cassidy!
Nick Jackson and Rey Fenix traded forearms, then superkicks. Cassidy tagged himself in and dared tried for the Orange Punch on Rey Fenix, but Fenix countered with a thrust kick. The Gunns swarmed the Lucha Bros outside the ring, battering them with cheap shots.
Colten blocked a DDT from Orange Cassidy. The Bucks served up a pair of superkicks to the Gunns. Hook tagged in and lit up Matt Jackson with big right hands. Matt Jackson sent Hook overhead with a Northern Lights Suplex. Hook retaliated with a Northern Lights Suplex of his own. Hook sent Matt Jackson for a ride with a high crotch suplex.
Orange Cassidy and Hook double suplexed the Gunns. Orange flew out of the ring with a tope suicida on the Young Bucks. Penta entered the fray and staggered the Gunns with thrust kicks. Colten hit Penta with a blindside shot.
Penta El Zero Miedo jumped off the top rope with a double cross body press to the Gunns. Penta dropped Austin Gunn with a thrust kick. He planted Colten with the Made in Japan for a near fall.
Austin Gunn got rocked by the Orange Punch from Cassidy. Hook locked in RedRum, but Nick Jackson grabbed a tag and hit a 450 on Austin and Hook! The Bucks superkicked Hook, and then Colten Gunn. The Bucks bashed Penta with the BTE Trigger and Nick pinned Penta!
ROH World Six-Man Champion “Hangman” Adam Page
vs.
Mogul Embassy’s Swerve Strickland (with Prince Nana)!
Swerve cracked Page in the face with a strike. Page sent Swerve overhead and to the mat with a fallaway slam. Hangman connected with a lariat. Hangman power bombed Swerve onto the apron and then onto the barricade.
Page soared from the ring post and crashed onto Swerve with a moonsault. Hangman followed up with a pop-up Liger Bomb for a near fall. Hangman smashed into Swerve with a tope!
Hangman went after Swerve’s injured hand. Hangman nailed Swerve with a flying forearm off the top rope. Swerve took down Page with a flatliner. Swerve rattled Hangman with a backbreaker. Swerve squashed Page with a double foot stomp and then rocked Hangman with the House Call for a very close near fall!
“Hangman Adam Page is hurt and hurt bad,” said Nigel.
Swerve was looking for a piledriver on the steel ring steps but Page countered with a Dead Eye! Page bit Swerve’s injured hand. Page went for the Buckshot Lariat, but Swerve countered with a drop toehold.
The fans chanted “This is awesome! This is awesome!”
Swerve snapped back Page’s arm, hyperextending Page’s elbow. The AEW medical staff were checking on Hangman, but Swerve didn’t care, hitting the double foot stomp. Swerve drilled Page with a 450 on the injured arm!
Hangman shocked Swerve with the comeback lariat. Swerve retaliated with an arm bar. Page escaped and hammered away at Swerve’s damaged hand.
“We are in the middle of a classic!” said Nigel.
Hangman dodged the double lariat and countered with the Buckshot Lariat! Hangman was clutching his injured right arm. He covered Swerve for the pin, but Prince Nana pulled Swerve’s boot onto the bottom rope. Ref Paul Turner ejected Prince Nana from ringside.
As Prince Nana was arguing with the referee, Page went for the Buckshot Lariat, but Swerve countered by hitting him with Prince Nana’s crown! Swerve covered Page but Page kicked out at two! Swerve blasted Page with the House Call! Swerve served up a second House Call! Swerve planted Page with the JML driver and scored the pin!
Blackpool Combat Club’s Wheeler Yuta vs. “Absolute” Ricky Starks!
Jon Moxley joined the broadcast booth for this match.
Starks and Yuta chain wrestled during the early goings of the match. Starks and Yuta turned it into smashmouth wrestling, trading stiff strikes with one another. Starks suplexed Yuta.
“Wheeler isn’t going to wilt under pressure,” said Moxley.
Big Bill walked down to the ring. Starks rolled up Yuta for a two-count. Starks spiked Yuta with a DDT! Starks power bombed Yuta! Starks used the hammer and anvil elbows on Yuta, but Yuta grit his teeth and got to his feet!
Yuta shoved Starks off the apron, but Big Bill caught Starks. Yuta applied the seatbelt on Starks for a near fall. Starks speared Yuta. Starks followed up with the Rochambeau and pinned Yuta!
Starks was staring at Jon Moxley, smirking.
Dream Match!
“American Dragon” Bryan Danielson vs. NJPW TV Champion Zack Sabre, Jr.!
“This is a human game of chess, and we are going to watch a masterclass,” said Nigel.
Zack tried to work over Bryan’s arm. They exchanged submissions and Zack was looking for an arm bar. Danielson escaped and put an Indian Death Lock on Sabre. Zack escaped and went into a full mount.
“Stalemate here in the early goings,” said Excalibur.
Danielson escaped a bow and arrow from Sabre. Danielson went for a European Uppercut, but Sabre countered and then stomped on Danielson’s arm! Danielson battered Zack’s leg with a dragon screw but then Zack cranked Bryan’s neck!
Danielson had Sabre in the tree of woe and brutalized him with body shots. They jockeyed for position on the top turnbuckle. Danielson drilled Zack with an avalanche butterfly suplex. Danielson followed up with a single leg crab, but Zack reached the ropes with his boot.
Danielson nailed Sabre with stiff kicks! Danielson captured Sabre’s wrists and stomped on his head! Danielson and Sabre traded European clutches!
The fans chanted “This is awesome! This is awesome!”
Danielson applied Cattle Mutilation, but Zack countered, cranking on Danielson’s wrist. Danielson spat at Sabre and slapped him in the mouth. Sabre uppercutted the inside of Danielson’s arm.
Zack blistered Bryan with the PK kick to the inside of the arm. Danielson escaped a submission attempt from Zack by reaching the bottom rope with his boot. Danielson stopped Sabre in his tracks with a roundhouse kick. Danielson stomped Sabre’s head. Danielson nailed Sabre with a shoulder capture suplex!
“Zack is on wobbly legs,” said Moxley.
Danielson scored with the knee strike and pinned Sabre!
“What a match! What a physical war. What a hell of a match,” said Jim Ross.
“That was one of the finest displays of wrestling I’ve ever seen in my life. What an experience this was for everyone,” said Moxley.
Trios Grudge Match!
Chris Jericho, Kenny Omega, & Kota Ibushi
vs.
The Don Callis Family— “The Alpha” Konosuke Takeshita, Sammy Guevara,
& IWGP UK Champion Will Ospreay!
Jericho chopped Sammy’s chest. Sammy tagged out to Will. Jericho chopped at Will’s chest, taking Will right off his feet. Jericho and Omega used a double suplex to further punish Will.
Both teams entered the ring, and a hockey fight broke out! The ref restored order in the ring. Takeshita connected with a Takeshita-line to Omega. Ospreay tagged in and put Omega in an abdominal stretch. Omega back body dropped Ospreay. Takeshita planted Omega with a Blue Thunder Bomb!
Ibushi drilled Sammy with a high round kick and followed up with a moonsault for a near fall. Jericho dropped down on Sammy with a lionsault! Jericho was looking for the lion tamer, but Takeshita entered the ring and sent Jericho flying with a German Suplex. Takeshita walloped Ibushi and Omega with suplexes!
Omega flew over the top with a tope con hiro onto Ospreay and Takeshita. In the ring, Sammy rocked Jericho with a Spanish Fly. Sammy jumped off the top rope with a shooting star press onto Omega outside the ring!
Sammy clocked Omega with a cutter off the ropes. Ospreay power bombed Ibushi onto the back of his head. Takeshita and Ospreay hit Jericho with a pair of high boots. Sammy used a Code Breaker on Jericho. All three members of the Don Callis Family attacked Jericho. Ibushi decked Ospreay. Ibushi decked Sammy. Ibushi and Takeshita traded strikes and then Takeshita leveled Ibushi with a lariat. Ibushi fired back with a lariat of his own!
Ospreay countered Omega’s One-Winged Angel and then collided with Omega with the Sky Twister Press. Jericho was looking for the Judas Effect on Sammy. Ospreay shoved Sammy out of the way and ate the Judas Effect from Jericho for his troubles.
Jericho took down Sammy with a hurracanrana. Jericho covered Sammy but Ospreay held the ref back long enough for Sammy to gather himself. Jericho countered Sammy’s GTH and was looking for the Walls. While Will had ref Aubrey Edwards distracted, Don Callis cracked Jericho with Jericho’s baseball bat! Sammy covered Jericho and scored the pin while Takeshita held back Omega and Ibushi from making the save!
AEW World Tag Team Championship Match!
FTR (c.)—Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood
vs.
Aussie Open—Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis!
Cash sent Fletcher towards the sky with a back body drop. Dax tagged in and he and Davis traded chops. Davis body slammed Dax and stuck him with a senton.
“Mark Davis wanted to make a statement there and did he ever,” said Nigel.
Dax hit a snap suplex and then a snap leg drop on Fletcher. FTR double teamed Davis with chops. Aussie Open lifted up FTR and rammed them together, smashing the spins.
Davis threw Cash into Fletcher and Fletcher power bombed Cash! Cash superplexed Fletcher from the top. Dax tagged in and jabbed at Kyle. Dax neutralized Davis and focused his firepower on Fletcher. Dax German Suplexed Fletcher and followed up with a diving headbutt but Fletcher moved out of the way.
Dax drilled Fletcher with a slingshot powerbomb for a near fall. Fletcher hoisted up Cash and Davis jumped off the top turnbuckle with a straight crescent kick to Cash! Dax superplexed Davis and Cash splashed him. Fletcher broke up the pin attempt. Aussie Open sandwiched FTR with lariats. Aussie Open smashed Cash with the Shatter Machine! They followed up with the Coriolis, but Dax ran in to break up the pin. FTR rallied back with a spiked piledriver on Davis on the apron! After a super shatter machine, Cash pinned Fletcher!
Main Event Time!
TNT Championship 2 Out of 3 Falls Match!
Christian Cage (c.) vs. Darby Allin!
Christian Cage sent Luchasaurus to the back to prove he could do it alone.
Darby used a back heel kick on Christian. Darby followed up with an arm drag. Darby held onto a side headlock. Christian Cage got to his feet and punished Darby’s chest with chops. Darby pulled Christian’s turtleneck over Christian’s head and scored the first fall with a jackknife pin.
Nick Wayne’s mother was watching from the front row.
Christian Cage stomped on Darby’s head. Darby dodged a diving headbutt. Darby surprised Christian with the Code Red for a near fall. Outside the ring, Christian whipped Darby into the steel barricade.
Christian approached Nick Wayne’s mother and she threw a drink into his face! Darby rocketed out with a Coffin Drop! Darby tried for another Coffin Drop, this time in the ring, but Christian countered by raising his knees. Christian charged at Darby, knocking him off the edge of the ring and down onto the announcers’ desk.
Christian suplexed Darby onto the steel ring steps! Christian slammed Darby off the apron, driving him into the edge of the ring steps! Darby was counted out and the second fall was awarded to Christian Cage.
While Doc Sampson and the referee were checking on Darby, Christian began tearing the padding off the ring. The medical team brought down a stretcher and placed Darby on it. Christian frog splashed Darby who was on the stretcher!
Christian Cage picked up Darby and placed him back in the ring. The pine boards were exposed. Christian nailed Darby with the Kill Switch on the exposed pine boards! Darby side stepped a spear attempt. Christian Cage applied a Scorpion Death Lock on Darby. Darby was able to crawl and reach the bottom rope, forcing the ref to break the hold.
The fans chanted “Let’s go Darby! Let’s go Darby!”
Darby gouged Christian’s eyes. Darby planted Christian with a Scorpion Death Drop. Darby nailed Christian with the Coffin Drop for a near fall! Darby went up for a second Coffin Drop, but Christian pushed him onto the turnbuckles. Christian rocked Darby with a sunset flip powerbomb on Darby. Christian tried for the spear, but Darby moved, sending Christian into the ref! Christian dropped Darby with a low blow. Christian grabbed his TNT Title, but Nick Wayne ran down and pulled it away from him!
Nick Wayne took the title and clocked Darby in the head with it!
“What the hell?” asked Taz.
“What a betrayal,” said Excalibur.
Christian Cage covered Darby and pinned him, retaining the TNT Title!
Christian Cage kissed Nick Wayne on the top of his head after the match. Christian Cage held Darby by the arms and Nick Wayne began to pummel Darby.
Sting came to the ring! Sting struck Nick Wayne and Christian Cage! Luchasaurus popped Sting in the face after Nick grabbed Sting’s leg. Christian placed a chair under Sting’s head. Christian was about to hit Sting with the con-chair-to when the arena lights turned off!
When the lights came back on, the “Rated R Superstar” Adam Copeland walked onto the ramp to a massive ovation!
The “Rated R Superstar” Adam Copeland got in the ring and asked for the chair from Christian. Adam Copeland clobbered Nick Wayne with the chair! Copeland speared Luchasaurus and Nick Wayne! Christian Cage retreated!
Copeland shook hands with Darby and Sting in the ring!
“What an unforgettable moment!” said Excalibur.
Missed what the entire wrestling world is buzzing about? Order the replay of the historic AEW WrestleDream 2023! It’s available on all traditional cable and satellite providers in the United States and Canada, Bleacher Report, Fite International, PPV.COM, and more! See AEW WrestleDream 2023 for yourself!
Catch the four year anniversary of AEW DYNAMITE on TBS next Wednesday live at 8/7ct from the Stockton Arena in Stockton, CA!
And remember…the home of professional wrestling is All Elite Wrestling!
Six championships will be on the line, including a match with both the ROH World and NJPW STRONG Openweight at stake, plus we will see the next contender to the AEW World Tag Team Titles crowned in an all-star Four Way Tag! In addition, Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi will be joined by the unlikeliest of allies in Chris Jericho to take on The Don Callis Family, Hangman Page faces Swerve Strickland, and more!
The action begins at 8pm ET/7pm CT, with the ZERO HOUR getting underway at 7pm ET/6pm CT on the official AEW YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@AEW/videos). Before the ZERO HOUR gets underway, be sure to check out the highlights from all the week’s action to get ready for the first-ever WRESTLEDREAM event!
TNT CHAMPIONSHIP/2 OUT OF 3 FALLS MATCH: Christian Cage(c) vs. Darby Allin
This is as personal as a rivalry in the AEW career of Darby Allin has gotten, and it should come as little surprise that it’s due to Christian Cage picking, poking, and prodding at any vulnerability he sees. He’s not the first man to pick at the scab of Darby’s late-uncle, but he might be the one whose gotten the most reaction from Darby out of it. He’s likely not the first man in the life of Nick Wayne to prod at the memory of his late father Buddy Wayne, but Cage has managed dig in deeper than anyone else. And he’s certainly not the first individual to manipulate others to find a way to his goals, but Christian Cage has done it so masterfully with Luchasaurus that the former TNT Champion is still standing at the side of the man who took the title from him.
It’s clear that Christian Cage is a horrible human, at his core possibly the worst man to ever set foot in an AEW ring, and that’s saying something when Don Callis is also part of the scene. This is a man who has used the deaths of loved ones as a tool against his foes, who has dismissively addressed his own children on live television, and treated everyone around him like pawns on that proverbial chessboard. He’s scum, and this Sunday night in Seattle, in front of the people who have witnessed Darby’s rise to the top from the very beginning of his career, in front of those who watched his TNT Championship triumph over Samoa Joe back in January, Christian Cage is going to get his comeuppance two times over.
In a two out of three falls match, Christian Cage will defend the TNT Championship against Darby Allin and he may well have to do so all by himself depending the outcome of the Luchasaurus/Nick Wayne match during ZERO HOUR. His Right Hand of Destruction may not be available for the assist if Nick Wayne gets his way during their fight, because even though Darby challenged Cage to leave Luchasaurus behind, it’s highly unlikely Christian will stick to his word that he doesn’t need Luchasaurus to beat Darby. Also it won’t be enough for Cage to beat Darby once, if he beats him at all, he’s got to do it twice in a single match, and given Allin’s ability to take the pain and use it as fuel, that may be an impossible task for even the lowliest of men.
Will this be the night that Christian Cage finally beats Darby Allin after losing to him twice in recent months, or will it be a triumphant night for the 2-Time TNT Champion, one where he hoists the title up for the third time, and shuts up Christian Cage for the moment?
SUBMISSIONS IN SEATTLE…
“The American Dragon” Bryan Danielson vs. NJPW TV Champion Zack Sabre Jr.
Over a year ago at the inaugural FORBIDDEN DOOR pay-per-view, this fight was on the table, but an injury Bryan Danielson sustained during Anarchy in the Arena at DOUBLE OR NOTHING 2022 forced a change to the line-up, and introduced Claudio Castagnoli into the AEW landscape.
Fast forward to September 9th’s episode of COLLISION, just a few days removed from defeating Ricky Starks in a No DQ Strap match at ALL OUT 2023, and Bryan Danielson issued the challenge to Zack Sabre Jr. to finally make their dream match a reality. It is not their first meeting, that took place in March 2008 in the United Kingdom where Bryan beat ZSJ in a 2 Out of 3 Falls match, nor is it their second as that took place in March 2009 in Germany and was won by Zack Sabre Jr., but both of those matches too place in the early years of the NJPW TV Champion’s career, before he evolved into the fight he is today.
As talented a wrestler as ZSJ was at that point, just 4 and 5 years into his career, the reality of being a wrestler is that he was still just only beginning to understand the intricacies of the game. Even Bryan’s experience, nearly double that of Zack when they first faced, was still just only beginning to elevate and even in 2009 many considered “The American Dragon” the best wrestler in the world. In the fourteen years since their clash each has grown exponentially as a competitor and as a man, and though Danielson has dealt with injuries that many considered the death knell of his in-ring career, he has rebounded back better than he ever was before, and considering the G.O.A.T moniker that was already being applied in 2015, that’s speaks volumes to just how vast a pro wrestler’s knowledge can get.
Much like Bryan, Zack Sabre Jr. has only gotten better with age, his already superb submission skills honed to a lethal edge, and with that so too has his ego grown. There is little doubt foisted about any who claim ZSJ to be the greatest technical wrestler alive, he’s shown the skills it time and again all around the world, be it as part of SUZUKI-GUN, or since he become the first, and thus far only, NJPW World TV Champion earlier this year at WRESTLE KINGDOM 17.
But there are those who also put that crown on Bryan Danielson’s head, and with “The American Dragon” telling the world that he’s in his last full-time year of competition, every wrestler worth their salt is going to want to test the man on his way out, and try to snatch the crown. What’s interesting here is that this is not a case of Zack wanting Bryan as that time draws near, but rather Bryan wanting the fight after being unable to bring the rubber match to fruition last year.
And that brings us to this “Submissions in Seattle” fight between two of best grapplers in the history of professional wrestling, not just best of today, but best of all-time, and that is an undisputed fact. After confronting each other in the aftermath of COLLISION’s All-Star 8-Man tag, what is this fight going to look like? Will ZSJ live up to his promise to end Bryan’s career in 2023? It may be a homecoming for Bryan, but is he coming home just to say goodbye?
AEW WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH…
FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood)(c) vs. Aussie Open (Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis)
One year ago, New Japan’s ROYAL QUEST II event at the Crystal Palace in London, FTR and Aussie Open went to battle with the IWGP Tag Titles hanging in the balance. For thirty-two minutes Dax Harwood, Cash Wheeler, Kyle Fletcher, and Mark Davis battled their hearts out, leaving every bit of themselves in that ring, but when the final bell rang it was FTR, the defending champions, who walked away with the titles still in their possession. Three months later at WRESTLE KINGDOM 17 Kyle and Mark would have to watch Bishamon, the team that beat them in the 2022 World Tag League Finals, dethrone FTR, and though Aussie Open would in turn take the IWGP Tag Titles from Hirooki Goto and YOSHI-HASHI in April, as well as win the NJPW STRONG Openweight Tag Titles, they would end up having to vacate bout due to Mark Davis’ injury.
Still, while Mark healed and Kyle flew solo for a bit, that loss to FTR clearly ate them up, and hearing Dax and Cash continue to proclaim themselves the greatest tag team in professional wrestling, even after losing all three of their titles between December 2022 and January 2023, didn’t help matters. The fact that FTR claimed the AEW World Tag Titles for a second time only exacerbated those feelings, and winning the ROH World Tag Titles at DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR 2023 upon Mark’s return to action didn’t prove a salve for Aussie Open either. Listening to FTR, watching them with the AEW World Tag Titles, and losing the ROH World Tag Titles to Adam Cole and MJF, well it all just threw gasoline on the fire. The match that finally blew it all up for Kyle and Mark was watching FTR engage in Open Challenges and facing teams that Aussie Open didn’t deem worthy of the opportunity they felt they’d earned many times over.
So it was set, just prior to The Workhorsemen of JD Drake and Anthony Henry getting their shot, that Aussie Open would face FTR at WRESTLEDREAM, and should Dax and Cash retain the titles in their fight with The Workhorsemen, they would be on the line in Seattle! Well here we are, the bell set to ring in just a short time, and after Saturday night’s clash on COLLISION, all four men are anxious to throw down without anyone else involved. No Blackpool Combat Club, no Starks and Big Bill, just two teams that each believe they are the greatest competing in professional wrestling today, and possibly even of all-time.
FTR wants a fight with the toughest version of Aussie Open, not the ones who may have taken an MJF and Adam Cole team lightly, but the ones who carried two sets of tag belts simultaneously last year, the ones who gave FTR the fight of their lives at ROYAL QUEST II. Conversely, Aussie Open want the belts and they want to desecrate the legacy of Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood. Kyle and Mark want to desecrate the work that earned FTR those seven stars, and expose them as subpar to Aussie Open. With The Young Bucks, with The Briscoes, as heated as the fights got, for FTR there was at least some level of respect shared between the four men, but here with Aussie Open, there is no respect for the champions, only disdain.
Can Aussie Open tarnish the names of FTR and take the AEW World Tag Team Championship from their hands, or will it be Dax and Cash who continue to show why they are the best tag team in wrestling today while simultaneously building their legacy towards being known as the best team to ever do it?
Eddie Kingston(c) vs. ROH Pure Champion Katsuyori Shibata
Twice now Eddie Kingston and Katsuyori Shibata have shared the ring as partners, one victory and one defeat, but that defeat at ALL OUT 2023, where Eddie took his eye off the prize for a moment and fell victim to Claudio Castagnoli proved to be the final thing Kingston needed to have happen to push him over the hump. Seventeen days later, in front of his hometown fans and his family at DYNAMITE: GRAND SLAM 2023, Eddie did the one thing that has evaded him since September 2009, he beat Claudio Castagnoli, and not only did he beat the man, Eddie dethroned him as ROH World Champion.
Shockingly Claudio also shook Kingston’s hand after the match, a sign of respect for the fight they had, and hearkening back to a Respect Match they had in November of 2009, but little more than that. These are not to men who will ever be friends again, but at least they can respect the fight and acknowledge one another for their skills.
That acknowledgment of skill, the recognition of a fighter, that is the reason why Eddie Kingston made the challenge to Katsuyori Shibata, the Ring of Honor Pure Champion, to meet him at WRESTLEDREAM for a championship bout. While the Pure Title will not be at stake, after Eddie retained the NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship on RAMPAGE, both that and the ROH World Championship will be on the line in Seattle! This will mark the first time Shibata has challenged for either of Kingston’s championships, as well as their first-ever meeting as foes, and Kingston could would’ve been hard-pressed to find a tougher first challenger to his ROH reign than “The Wrestler”.
A lethal striker, a submission specialist, and man who loves to dish out pain, Shibata is the kind of man to absorb every one of Kingston’s blows and channel them into himself like some kind of fuel. He will not go down easily, this is a man who survived near-death and fought to return to professional wrestling after all, and Eddie will have to throw every bomb he has at the man to put him down. Should Eddie Kingston emerge from this fight with his belts intact, he will have earned it the hard way, just as he has done throughout his entire life, and the same will be said for Shibata as Kingston will rain punishment down upon him as well.
This is going to be a hard-hitting war, of that there is no doubt, and when it ends, no matter who comes out on top, there will be a show of respect and sportsmanship because that is what Ring of Honor is about at its core, and that is what both Shibata and Kingston want from pro wrestling at theirs.
AEW WORLD TAG TITLE #1 CONTENDER MATCH…
The Gunns (Austin & Colten) vs. ROH World Six-Man Champions The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) vs. The Lucha Brothers (Penta El Zero Miedo & Rey Fenix) vs. FTW Champion HOOK & Orange Cassidy
Between the FTR/Aussie Open clash, and this Four Way fray right here, the immediate future of the AEW’s tag team division will be shaped. The former will determine which duo moves forward as champion while this bout will set another pair up as future challengers to the throne at any time of their choosing. Three of the teams, The Young Bucks, Lucha Brothers, and Gunns, are former champions, two times over in the case of the brothers Jackson, while the fourth team in this bout will mark this fight as their first outing together. HOOK and Orange Cassidy did the Mixed Trios thing at RAMPAGE: GRAND SLAM 2023, but this high stakes situation is their first actual tag team bout, putting the FTW Champion and the former International Champion in a serious underdog situation.
One thing working in their favor though is that just this past Wednesday night on DYNAMITE, Orange Cassidy knocked Matt Jackson out with the Orange Punch and secured the victory in a Four Way singles match that also included Penta El Zero Miedo and Austin Gunn. That victory may be a sign of things to come, or it could simply the most experienced singles competitors of that quartet getting one over the man with the least. Either way, the world will soon found out just who the next contenders for either Aussie Open or FTR will be!
SINGLES MATCH…
ROH World Six-Man Champion “Hangman” Adam Page vs. Swerve Strickland (w/ Prince Nana)
That was the question posited by Swerve Strickland when he and Hangman Page sat down to sign the contract for their fight this Sunday night, and by the end of their face-to-face Swerve had a piece of the answer in the form Hangman manically stabbing a pencil into his hand.
After an exchange of harsh words, after Swerve questioning Hangman in the weeks before the signing, after having the audacity to laugh in the face of the former AEW World Champion, Strickland awoke the ugliness inside Page. That ugliness in Hangman is what helped pushed him into the position he is in now, the position that Swerve Strickland covets, but before he woke up that ugliness perhaps Strickland should’ve looked at what else it did for Hangman. That ugliness pushed him to victory in Texas Death Matches with Adam Cole, Lance Archer, and Jon Moxley, the latter of which he actually made quit, something no man in All Elite Wrestling can say. It helped him survive in Blood & Guts, Anarchy in the Arena, and Stadium Stampede, and it helped him survive through some of the toughest times when Hangman Page was riding alone through the wilds of AEW.
Swerve, for as talented a performer as he is, has not ridden alone in All Elite Wrestling, not when he has had his greatest successes. His reign as champion came in the form of tag team gold, and with that came a partner in Keith Lee, a tremendous partner who helped Swerve reach new heights in AEW, but a partner that Swerve casually discarded when he found others with which surround himself. First born as The Mogul Affiliates, a merger with Prince Nana’s Embassy gave birth to The Mogul Embassy, and with that Swerve Strickland surrounded himself with, to be frank, a trio of killers in Brian Cage, Bishop Kaun, and Toa Liona.
They have insulted Swerve in many ways, a great example of that being how in their absence at Wembley it was Strickland shoved into that casket by Darby and Sting rather than Christian Cage, and done his dirty work too many times to count. Just look at the moment Swerve elected to engage in this fight with Hangman Page, it was Brian Cage who committed the physicality rather than Swerve, just as it was Cage who had to step into the ring with Hangman first. That gave “The Machine” his second loss to Hangman, and then it was Cage and The Gates of Agony who had to step up to The Elite with their ROH World Six-Man Championship on the line, and they who paid the price for this fight Swerve started when the lost said titles to The Young Bucks and Hangman.
But now Swerve has to fight for himself, and though it may be in his hometown thus creating a situation likely to make him the crowd’s chosen one that night, the crowd isn’t inside the ring throwing down with a former AEW World Tag Champion, a former AEW World Champion, and current ROH World Six-Man Champion. It is Swerve, ideally Swerve alone, who has to fight this fight, a fight he picked mind you, and who now has to elevate his game against one of the elite competitors in professional wrestling.
The world knows Swerve Strickland has the talent in the ring, and the world knows he can talk the game, but now he has to prove that the spot Hangman has earned through blood, sweat, tears, and beers, that spot is now Swerve’s House.
TRIOS GRUDGE MATCH…
Chris Jericho, Kenny Omega, & Kota Ibushi vs. The Don Callis Family (“The Alpha” Konosuke Takeshita, Sammy Guevara, & IWGP UK Champion Will Ospreay
Don Callis has done his best to decimate the lives of men he once considered family, all in the name of some imagined sleight created in his own mind, one in which Kenny Omega was an ungrateful wretch rather than an unbelievably loyal nephew and in which Don falsely believed Chris Jericho would refuse his help, thus painting that portrait that triggered their splintering, creating his own self-fulfilling prophecy.
Callis sees both men’s successes, and by proxy the success of AEW, as belonging to him rather than those two men or all the forces that have helped create All Elite Wrestling over the last four years. Don believes that without him Jericho never goes to New Japan, Kenny never goes to Japan, their WRESTLE KINGDOM 12 match in 2018 never happens, and thus AEW is never born. With all his heart and soul, Callis believes those to be facts, and on an even grander scale, he essentially wants credit for everything Kenny Omega has accomplished in his storied career.
So he has stabbed Omega in the head with a screwdriver, turned Takeshita to his side opposite The Elite, aligned himself with The BCC heading into Blood & Guts (bailing when it was no longer convenient of course), aligned with BULLET CLUB GOLD when it was beneficial, facilitated Will Ospreay coming to AEW for fights with Jericho and Omega, poisoned the well of the Jericho Appreciation Society which led to their fracturing, and finally turned Sammy Guevara against his best friend and mentor, though given their tense history it may not have taken much persuasion to pull Guevara away.
But for all his manipulation and plotting and scheming, it is highly unlikely that Don Callis ever saw Chris Jericho and Kenny Omega coming together over their mutual disdain for Don and all he’s done to their lives over the last several months. For years now Jericho and Omega have stayed as far away from each other as possible, and yet it was the only Triple Crown champion in AEW history who rushed to Jericho’s aid when “The Ocho” was at his lowest, totally alone.
To say it was shocking to both Callis and the AEW faithful would be a massive understatement, but it was likely just as shocking to Jericho to see the form his salvation took, and likely shocking to Kenny as well that he would even take up arms alongside Jericho. Only Don Callis could bring together two men with such a heated history and make them allies, but perhaps it was only Don Callis who could whisper the right words in the ears of Takeshita, Guevara, and Ospreay to get them on his side of this fight. It’s clear Don will stoop to any low in his mission to destroy Jericho and Omega, in a situation eerily similar to how he got BC GOLD to attack Kenny Omega in Jacksonville, Callis and Takeshita traveled to Tokyo in order to get at Ibushi while he was without any support.
After Saturday night’s tag team bout it is clear that they can figure out a way to work together, as long as Nana isn’t around to distract, so this Sunday night the unlikely trio of Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi, and Chris Jericho will have to do the same to try and end Don Callis’ family. Callis has done nothing but wreak havoc on the lives of Jericho, Omega, and now Ibushi, and used men like Takeshita, Guevara, and Ospreay as his chess pieces to do so. Whether or not this can ever end while Callis occupies the same space as those he once called family is a reasonable question, one that may be answered comes Sunday in Seattle live on pay-per-view.
TBS CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH…
Kris Statlander(c) vs. The House of Black’s Julia Hart
Starting with last night’s COLLISION and working backwards to DARK: ELEVATION #61 on 5/2/22, those are the women that have fallen before Julia Hart on this road to WRESTLEDREAM on Sunday night, but to truly see where this all began, one need only look a week prior to that first win, April 25th’s edition of ELEVATION, the night that Julia Hart lost to Kris Statlander in just over six minutes. A month after that loss to Statlander, Hart would align herself with The House of Black, and ever since then fans have witnessed a slow, systematic descent by Julia into a sadistic bent for punishment. Hart has come to relish the pain she inflicts on individuals, both the women in her division and the men with whom her House compatriots fight, and it has been particularly noticeable in the last several weeks as Hart’s desire to avenge her last loss became apparent.
Meanwhile, just a few months after that victory over Julia, Kris Statlander would find herself on the outside looking in, recovering from a devastating knee injury that kept her out of action for nearly a year from August 9, 2022 until her shocking reemergence at DOUBLE OR NOTHING 2023 on May 28th of this year. That night in Vegas, not only did Stat return to AEW, but she returned to in-ring competition to dethrone Jade Cargill as TBS Champion, thereby bringing an end to Cargill’s dominating run as champion, and her record-setting unbeaten streak.
Since then Kris Statlander has been a true fighting champion, turning away 13 challenges to her reign, including a rematch with Jade and a bout with Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D, and has done nothing but prove herself as worthy of the crown. No challengers would ever be turned away by Statlander, and certainly not one being made by a woman with an undefeated streak as lengthy as that of Julia Hart’s. Julie has earned this opportunity, of that there is no doubt, but she elevated the stakes over the last several weeks with her attacks on the women Statlander calls friends, namely Willow, Skye, and Kiera.
The defending champion knows she’s not dealing with the same animal she did last time around, that The House of Black has turned Julie Hart into something, someone, far darker than ever before, and unleashed a ferocity in the woman that seems barely contained. Going into this fight Statlander has to remember to meet the woman Julia Hart is now, not the girl she was in 2022, but be aware that where Julia walks she never walks alone. Does The House always wins? Not if Kris Statlander can help it…
ROH WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP HANDICAP MATCH…
AEW World Champion MJF(c) vs. The Righteous (Dutch & Vincent)
After winning their #1 Contender’s Match at RAMPAGE: GRAND SLAM 2023, The Righteous of Vincent and Dutch were all set to challenge MJF and Adam Cole for the ROH World Tag Team Championship titles, but fate had other plans in store. As we all found out this past Wednesday night on DYNAMITE, Adam Cole is injured and won’t be cleared to compete for some time, a situation that would generally dictate the champions vacate their titles, leaving the ROH Board of Directors to decide their future. AEW World Champion MJF had other ideas though and made a promise to Adam Cole that Max would make sure the belts were waiting for him when Adam returned to action, and that he would take on The Righteous in a Handicap Match this Sunday at WRESTLEDREAM! Call it crazy brave or just down right stupid, it goes to show just how much this partnership with Cole means to MJF, and just how much these titles may actually mean to Maxwell as well. He’s not just holding them for Adam Cole’s sake, perhaps he’s taking some pride in being a tag team champion and proving he can work with someone else to great success. Unfortunately he’s now headed down a path where he’s fighting alone, but fighting for two, and doing that against Vincent and Dutch may not be the smartest idea.
It’s clear that The Righteous are ready for this fight, ready to dig into the mess that is the situation between MJF, Cole, Roderick, and The Kingdom, and ready to use that situation to engage in psychological warfare against the champion. In addition to their man advantage, that mental game just may be what The Righteous need to leave Seattle as the new ROH World Tag Team Champions, but should MJF find a way to escape this situation with titles in tow, is this his plan from now until the day Adam Cole is cleared? Taking on that role, along with his duties as AEW World Championship, that is a sure way to find himself with no titles to his name…
SINGLES MATCH…
Wheeler Yuta vs. “Absolute” Ricky Starks
Wheeler Yuta still has a problem with “Absolute” Ricky Starks, and this Sunday night at WRESTLEDREAM he aims to pick up right where “The American Dragon” Bryan Danielson left off and kick Starks’s head right in. Whether or not picking a fight with Ricky after the hell he went through with Bryan is the smartest idea, well that remains to be seen after the final bell rings and we see whose hand is raised. Starks is not about to let this affront from Yuta go unpunished, and Yuta isn’t about to let Ricky skate with what he thought was disrespect to Bryan after their Texas Death Match. This fight between two young and hungry dogs is going to be something to see, and it will be interesting to see if that violence Bryan showed Starks in their two encounters brought that side of Ricky closer to the surface.
ZERO HOUR
-AEW World Trios Championship Match: The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass(c) vs. TMDK (Bad Dude Tito, Mikey Nichols, & Shane Haste)
-Luchasaurus vs. Nick Wayne
-Claudio Castagnoli vs. Josh Barnett
-Diamante, Lee Moriarty, Mercedes Martinez, & Shane Taylor vs. ROH Women’s World Champion Athena, Billie Starkz, Keith Lee, & Satoshi Kojima
With the ZERO HOUR getting underway at 7pm ET/6pm CT, and WRESTLEDREAM proper going live at 8pm ET/7pm CT, Sunday night is loaded with the greatest professional wrestling available anywhere on the planet! Do not miss out as All Elite Wrestling returns to pay-per-view, something no one does as consistently amazing as AEW, and especially this time around when it has been called the end of one era and the beginning of another!
Tonight’s AEW COLLISION was broadcast live from the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, WA!
Nigel McGuinness and Kevin Kelly were the broadcast team for tonight’s event.
It’s Saturday night and you know what that means! Saturday night’s alright for fighting!
Andrade El Idolo vs. Bullet Club Gold’s Juice Robinson (with The Gunns)!
Andrade started things off fast with a double leg takedown and went for the figure four. Juice retreated outside the ring to collect his thoughts and regroup. Andrade hit the three amigos suplexes. Andrade climbed to the top turnbuckle and wiped out Bullet Club Gold on the outside with a moonsault!
As Andrade was trying to get back in the ring, Juice shoved him back out. Juice distracted the ref while the Gunns stomped a mudhole into Andrade. Juice planted Andrade face first right on the edge of the ring.
Juice smashed Andrade in the corner with the running cannonball. Juice followed up with a suplex and then blew snot rockets onto Andrade, showing complete disrespect for his opponent. Andrade slapped Juice and cranked him with a dragon screw leg whip. Hot and flexible CJ was shown scouting the match on the monitor backstage.
“Who was she looking at?” wondered Kevin Kelly.
Juice grabbed the ref and used him as a human shield. Juice thumbed Andrade in the eye and then powerbombed Andrade for a near fall. Juice connected with a high flying press from the top turnbuckle. Andrade rallied back, going for the Figure 8, but the Gunns tried to interfere. The ref ejected the Gunns from ringside!
Andrade drilled Juice with a back elbow for a two-count. Andrade spiked Juice with a DDT and pinned him!
Best Friends—Chuck Taylor & Trent Beretta (accompanied by Rocky Romero)
vs.
The Kingdom—Matt Taven & Mike Bennett!
The Kingdom walked to the ring with their rolling luggage bags.
Trent nailed Bennett with forearms and chops. Chuck Taylor tagged in, and Best Friends hit a double shoulder tackle on Bennett. Taylor used a back suplex on Mike Bennett. Trent tagged back in and chopped Bennett’s chest. Taven grabbed a tag and drilled Trent with a dropkick off the turnbuckles.
Outside the ring, Trent charged at Bennett, but Bennett countered by using Trent’s momentum and sending him soaring into the steel guardrail. Bennett followed up with a drop toehold on Taylor onto a steel chair.
Trent rocked the Kingdom with a double dropkick off the turnbuckles. He followed up with a big swinging DDT on Taven for a near fall. Taven fired back with a running knee strike. Bennett was looking for a piledriver on the ring steps, but Trent countered with a Death Valley Driver!
Chuck Taylor hoisted Bennett on his shoulders and Trent followed through with a knee strike from the stop rope. Best Friends spiked the Kingdom with stereo piledrivers. Trent covered Bennett but Bennett got his boot on the bottom rope before the three-count.
As the ref was distracted, Bennett hit two low blows on Taylor. The Kingdom nailed Taylor with a spiked piledriver, and Bennett scored the pin!
Mike Bennett: “Weiner punch, piledriver, Roddy Strong!”
Matt Taven: “We gotta go! We’re flying right back to you, Roddy! We have a message for Adam Cole. Adam, I know you’re supposed to have doctors’ appointments all week and you delayed your surgery. Please, come meet us at Roddy’s house right now. If we’ve ever meant anything to you, Adam, please, meet us at Roddy’s.”
Alex Marvez tried to interview Don Callis and Prince Nana backstage, who appeared to be conspiring about something!
Don Callis was whispering into Nana’s ear and then walked away.
Prince Nana: “There’s a saying, Marvez. If you dig deep into the universe, you will find something that is very, very unique. And tonight, once the Gates of Agony get through with Chris Jericho and Kenny Omega—we’re in the money!”
The House of Black’s Julia Hart (with Brody King) vs. Vertvixen!
Julia charged at Vertvixen with a running clothesline. Julia slammed Vertvixen’s head on the mat repeatedly. Julia followed up with a cartwheel forearm. Julia Hart splashed Vertvixen with a moonsault from the top rope and then pinned her!
Julia Hart: “Oh Kris, I don’t think I can wait until tomorrow. I think you should come out here right now!”
TBS Champion Kris Statlander walked out onto the ramp. Best Friends followed her to the ring. Julia and Kris pushed their contemporaries aside and had a stare down. Julia smiled and left the ring, clearly playing mind games.
Kris: “Tomorrow, you’re going to be in the ring with not only the TBS Champion, but the defeater of the undefeated! Your clock is ticking and tomorrow your time is up!”
Claudio Castagnoli threw out an open challenge and Josh Barnett answered!
Josh Barnett: “Tomorrow night, Claudio, you’ll see what a challenge can become!”
Chris Jericho & Kenny Omega
vs.
Gates of Agony—Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona (with Prince Nana)!
Jericho chopped at Toa, but Toa answered with a headbutt. Kaun tagged in and rocked Jericho with a lariat. The Gates of Agony pummeled Jericho in their corner.
Omega tagged in and hit Toa with a flying cross body press. Omega and Jericho double suplexed Toa Liona. Omega and Jericho took down Toa with double shoulder blocks.
Prince Nana distracted Omega. Toa rammed Omega and Omega inadvertently knocked Jericho off the apron! Bishop Kaun used a backstabber on Omega and then Toa followed up with a running elbow, proving to be a truly effective combo.
Jericho tagged in and cleaned house on the Gates of Agony. Jericho dropped a double ax handle on Bishop and followed up with the Lion Sault! Jericho tried for the lion tamer, but Kaun kicked Jericho away. Toa blasted Jericho with a back elbow. Jericho fired back with a dropkick off the turnbuckles to Toa.
Omega cracked Bishop with the V Trigger. Kenny followed up with the terminator dive to the outside on Toa. Jericho applied the lion tamer to Bishop and forced him to tap!
Chris Jericho: “I have to say after what you just saw, Kenny Omega and Chris Jericho proved we can coexist together.”
Kenny Omega: “You said it yourself, Chris. Coexisting isn’t just part of some grand scheme to be the greatest tag team in AEW history. Nope, this is about something bigger. I was blinded by Don Callis but now I’ve seen the light. And all it took was for you, Don, to take Takeshita to Japan to hurt the ones I love. Ibushi takes a beating like that as an invitation. So tomorrow at WrestleDream, it’s time for the original Alpha and the original Omega to spell the beginning of the end of Don Callis.”
Jericho: “Tomorrow at WrestleDream, Kenny, Ibushi, and the Ocho, versus the Don Callis Family! Sammy, you are the ultimate Judas, you little bastard. I’m going to ruin your dreams, your goals, I’m going to ruin your entire life. And tomorrow at WrestleDream, I’m going to take out all my frustrations from teaming with you for the last four years, onto you! We’re coming for the Don Callis Family!”
The Righteous—Vincent & Dutch
vs.
Travis Williams & Judas Icarus!
Williams dropkicked Vincent in the corner. Vincent cracked Icarus with a running elbow and then tagged out to Dutch.
Dutch dished out overhand chops to the competition. Dutch planted Williams with the Bossman slam. Vincent finished off Icarus and pinned him.
“I would not like to be MJF come tomorrow night,” said Nigel.
Vincent: “Dutch, look at all the paper people strung together. It’s the same paper people who believe that MJF truly is the devil. You know something, he is the devil. The devil pulls the strings that make us dance. The same strings that are tied to that liar Adam Cole. So, at WrestleDream, not only is the Righteous going to become the ROH World Tag Team Champions, but we’re also going to make sure that the devil leaves with one hoof. Just like Adam Cole. Dutch, dig what I’m saying?”
Dutch pulled a block of wood out from beneath the ring and handed it to Vincent. Dutch held the block of wood between Icarus’ legs while Vincent slammed a steel chair against it!
Main Event Time!
All-Star 8-Man Tag Match!
AEW World Tag Champions FTR—Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood, & Blackpool Combat Club’s Wheeler Yuta & “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson
vs.
Aussie Open—Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis, Big Bil, & “Absolute” Ricky Starks!
Zach Sabre Jr. was on commentary for this match.
Jim Ross was also at the broadcast booth to provide his main event analysis.
Wheeler grappled on the mat with Kyle Fletcher. They got to their feet and Yuta chopped Fletcher and then backdropped him. Dax tagged in and Mark Davis suplexed him. Things broke down with both teams brawling outside the ring.
“What the hell is going on here?” asked Jim Ross.
Ref Aubrey Edwards regained control of the match. Cash dropkicked Davis and then suplexed Fletcher. Cash cradled Fletcher for a near fall.
Yuta grabbed a blind tag. Yuta jumped off the top turnbuckle with a flying forearm to Fletcher. Wheeler Yuta wiped out Fletcher with a German Suplex. Big Bill booted Yuta right in the face!
“Man, that was a hard shot!” said Jim Ross.
Fletcher tagged in and he and Davis double teamed Yuta with a sit out powerbomb. Danielson tagged in and fired into Starks with chops and kicks! Danielson rocketed at Starks with a tope suicida. Danielson dropkicked Starks from the top rope.
Danielson charged at Starks, but Starks countered with a clothesline. Starks drilled Danielson with a DDT. Big Bill tagged in. Big Bill went for a choke slam, but Danielson countered and applied the LeBell Lock. Fletcher kicked Danielson from behind, breaking the submission hold.
Cash and Danielson held Big Bill while Wheeler dropkicked him from the top. Dax followed up with a diving headbutt to Big Bill.
Dax slugged Big Bill with knife edge chops. Dax tried for a sharpshooter on Big Bill, but Bill kicked him away. Big Bill chokeslammed Dax and then Starks speared him, and Starks scored the pin on Dax Harwood!
Just because the match was over didn’t mean the fight was! Both teams began to brawl after the bell! Danielson pointed at Sabre, and Sabre got into the ring. Danielson and Sabre had a face off and then Sabre shoved Danielson.
Danielson slapped back! Sabre grabbed Danielson by the throat, but Danielson was about to counter when Sabre abandoned the ring, saving his energy for his match tomorrow.
Catch the four year anniversary of AEW DYNAMITE on TBS next Wednesday live at 8/7ct from the Stockton Arena in Stockton, CA!
This Sunday, witness history live on pay-per-view and order AEW WrestleDream!
And remember…the home of professional wrestling is All Elite Wrestling!
Wednesday night began the final few days before WRESTLEDREAM goes down this Sunday night in Seattle. Fans learned that Adam Cole suffered an injury at GRAND SLAM 2023 that necessitated pulling himself from the ROH World Tag Team Championship match, but as seen above, rather than vacate the belts, MJF will fight The Righteous himself. In addition, through their contract signing, we all witnessed the kind of aggression Hangman Page is bringing to his fight with Swerve Strickland:
But that wasn’t all; Rey Fenix defeated Jeff Jarrett to retain his AEW International Championship while Nick Jackson defeated both Claudio Castagnoli and Brian Cage to earn the next shot at said title. Success wasn’t universal for The Young Bucks though as Matt Jackson ate the pinfall in his Four Way PPV preview bout. A lot of the pieces for WRESTLEDREAM fell into their final place, and that will continue this Friday night on RAMPAGE! The bouts begin at 10pm ET/9pm CT on TNT, as well as at AEWPlus.com for our international audiences, so visit the official AEW YouTube channel before RAMPAGE begins to see highlights from this week’s DYNAMITE, as well as previous episodes of RAMPAGE and COLLISION, plus THE CONTROL CENTER, and much, much more!
NJPW STRONG OPENWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH…
Eddie Kingston(c) vs. Rocky Romero
It’s been two years since the last time Rocky Romero and Eddie Kingston collided inside the squared circle, a fight won by Kingston, but not one in which any championships were involved. They celebrated July 4th with NJPW STRONG this year, teaming up to fight, and defeat, BULLET CLUB’s KENTA and Gedo in tag action one day before Eddie beating KENTA to earn the NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship.
This Friday night on RAMPAGE the circle comes back around as, after being Eddie’s ally two months ago, Rocky steps up as the next challenger for the NJPW STRONG Openweight title, and just two days before Kingston is set to defend both it and the ROH World Championship against Katsuyori Shibata. Should Kingston fall to Rocky, then obviously only the ROH World Championship would be on the line at WRESTLEDREAM, but win or lose, with a foe like Romero gunning for him on Friday, what kind of condition will Eddie be in on Sunday?
AEW WORLD TRIOS CHAMPIONSHIP OPEN CHALLENGE…
The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens, Daddy Ass, & Max Caster)(c)
vs.
Brother Zay & The Hardys (Jeff & Matt)
Ever since defeating The House of Black to claim the World Trios Championship titles, The Acclaimed and Daddy Ass have made it a point to be defending champions, taking on anyone willing to step up to the challenge, defending the belts on three occasions in the 33 days since ALL IN: LONDON. This week on RAMPAGE there will be another trio who answers the call to arms, forming a unit for the very first time, Brother Zay and The Hardys will take on the World Trios Champs!
Isiah Kassidy has been under the tutelage of Matt Hardy for quite some time now, both through good and bad, meaning they’ve united on plenty of instances, and there have been a few multi-man instances like The Firm Deletion, but this is the first time it’s just been Matt, Jeff, and Brother Zay.
The Hardys know plenty about being champions, though they’ve yet to achieve that here in All Elite Wrestling which is additional common ground with Zay, but that could all change this Friday night on RAMPAGE! Will the Scissor Party be brought to an end?
TITLE TUESDAY OPPORTUNITY…
Ruby Soho vs. Hikaru Shida
This could have some very interesting ramifications; for the very first time Ruby Soho and Hikaru Shida will lock-up in a one-on-one match and to the victor comes an AEW Women’s World Championship opportunity on DYNAMITE: TITLE TUESDAY on October 10th. So there is a possibility that, for the second time in as many weeks, Saraya will have to defend her title against someone who has stood by her side as an Outcast! Difference between Toni Storm and Ruby Soho though is that Ruby is still loyal to Saraya, making that potential title bout rife with potential drama.
The other possibility is that Hikaru Shida earns the opportunity to become the first 3-Time Women’s World Champion and beat the woman who ended her second reign in the process. Though Saraya may have been the one to leave ALL IN: LONDON as the new champion, it wasn’t the woman defending her title who she pinned but rather Toni Storm. That also makes this fight with Ruby one step away from revenge on Saraya, and one step away from Shida redeeming the indirect loss of her championship.
Will we see the remaining Outcasts have wedge drive in-between them, or will Shida get her shot at redemption for what happened at Wembley?
THE RIGHTEOUS IN ACTION!
After learning that their ROH World Tag Team Championship match at WRESTLEDREAM will now be a handicap match against AEW World Champion MJF, Dutch and Vincent have to be quite ecstatic about their impending Sunday night fight.
Before they get their though, The Righteous will be in tag team action on RAMPAGE, one final tune-up before their date with destiny on pay-per-view! There has to be a great deal of confidence on their part knowing they’ll have a man advantage in the championship fight, hopefully it doesn’t make them overconfident in this Friday night fight and leave them ripe for an upset.
RAMPAGE gets underway at 10pm ET/9pm CT on TNT, as well as at AEWPlus.com for our international audiences, so drop in on the official AEW YouTube channel prior to the show for highlights from Wednesday’s DYNAMITE, as well as previous episodes of RAMPAGE and COLLISION, plus THE CONTROL CENTER, and much, much more!
Tonight’s episode of AEW DYNAMITE was broadcast live from 1stBank Center in Broomfield, CO!
Excalibur and “The Human Suplex Machine” Taz were the broadcast team for tonight’s event.
It’s Wednesday night and you know what that means!
AEW International Championship Open Challenge Match!
Rey Fenix (c.) (with Alex Abrahantes) vs. Jeff Jarrett (with Karen Jarrett, Sonjay Dutt, Satnam Singh, and Jay Lethal)!
Rey Fenix hit a high crossbody press to the outside onto Jarrett as Jarrett was making his entrance. Fenix followed up with a moonsault for a near fall. Jarrett DDT’ed Rey Fenix after Satnam tried distracting Fenix.
Jarrett tripped up Fenix and Fenix rolled to the outside. Jarrett ordered his posse to swarm Fenix, but ref Aubrey Edwards stopped them. Rey Fenix fired back with a double foot stomp to Jeff Jarrett for a two-count. Fenix followed up with a thrust kick, trying to fight through the pain. Fenix ran the top rope and punted Lethal. Sonjay distracted the ref while Jarrett hit Fenix with a low blow!
Jarrett spiked Rey Fenix with the Stroke but Fenix broke the count when his boot touched the bottom rope. Jarrett tried to apply the figure four, but Fenix countered with a cradle and pinned Jeff Jarrett!
Footage was shown from Long Island with AEW World Champion MJF taking Adam Cole out on a boat trip to try to cheer up Cole after his recent leg injury.
MJF: “You were on the phone with Roddy a pretty long time.”
Cole: “Yeah, I was worried about him.”
MJF: “So long that you couldn’t come up to the ring with me last week?”
Cole: “Max, you didn’t bring me out here to hit me with the Dynamite diamond ring and then throw me overboard, did you?”
MJF: “No, no,” said Max, as he was hiding the ring behind his back.
Cole: “Having more than one friend is normal.”
MJF: “Plus last time I almost got caught when I was trying to throw someone overboard.”
Footage was shown from earlier in the week of Don Callis and Takeshita hunting for Ibushi in Tokyo!
Renee Paquette was in the ring to interview Don Callis and “The Alpha” Takeshita after their actions last week!
Don Callis: “I have something to say. I am so happy that Sammy Guevara is free of the toxic influence of Chris Jericho that I wanted to bring him out here myself. Ladies and gentlemen, the newest member of the Don Callis Family…Sammy Guevara!”
Sammy Guevara walked down to the ring.
Sammy embraced Don Callis in the ring.
Don Callis: “You want to know about Tokyo now? I said that Ibushi wasn’t safe so the Alpha and I went to Tokyo. I brought my personal camera crew, and we captured it all.”
Footage was shown of Callis and Takeshita invading Ibushi’s dojo. Takeshita attacked one of Ibushi’s students. Ibushi ran in and grounded and pounded Takeshita. Callis hit Ibushi with an umbrella. Takeshita blasted Ibushi in the head with a kettle bell! Callis screamed at Ibushi saying Ibushi wasn’t safe in Tokyo or in Seattle!
Don Callis: “The Don Callis Family has never been stronger with Takeshita, Will Ospreay, and Sammy Guevara going to WrestleDream!”
Sammy: “I’m the hero. Chris Jericho is the villain! For four years he was holding me back. I was champion without him. I did pay-per-views without him. Every time I would start to fly high, he would clip my wings. He was never going to pass me the torch. Chris Jericho is selfish. It is time for me to become the champion and the star I was meant to be.”
Don Callis: “At WrestleDream we are going to take everything from Omega, Jericho, and Ibushi until there is nothing left but the tears!”
Footage was shown from after Collision last Saturday of “Absolute” Ricky Starks!
Starks said he survived against Danielson. Wheeler Yuta approached Ricky and said Ricky was all style and no substance. Yuta challenged Starks to a match on October 1st in Seattle!
It was announced that Tony Khan signed a grudge match for WrestleDream between Ricky Starks and Wheeler Yuta!
3-Way Blind Eliminator Match for an International Title Shot Next Week!
ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Champion Nick Jackson
vs.
“The Machine” Brian Cage (with Prince Nana)
vs.
Claudio Castagnoli!
Brian Cage tossed Nick Jackson over the top rope and out of the ring! Claudio and Cage locked up for a test of strength. Claudio suplexed Cage! Brian Cage retaliated with a vertical suplex of his own.
Nick Jackson jumped back into the ring and wiped out Claudio and Cage at the same time! Nick then flew over the top rope and knocked both of them down on the arena floor! Nick displayed creative, fluid offense to clean house on both opponents!
Brian Cage planted Claudio with a German Suplex. Nick Jackson blasted Brian Cage with a bulldog. Jackson moonsaulted off the apron but Claudio caught him, and then Nick nailed him with a DDT! Nick Jackson splashed Brian Cage with a 450 for a near fall in the ring!
Claudio whipped Nick Jackson into the steel ring steps. Claudio put Brian Cage in the Giant Swing!
“It’s like he’s swinging a Volvo,” said Taz.
Brian Cage suplexed Claudio from outside the ring to the inside, while Cage was on the second rope! Nick drilled Claudio and Cage with superkicks. Claudio rammed Cage with a European Uppercut. Claudio clocked Cage with a lariat. Claudio transitioned to hammer and anvil strikes, punishing the jaw of Brian Cage. Claudio hit the Ricola Bomb on Cage. Nick springboarded with a hurracanrana onto Claudio and then landed on Cage, with Nick Jackson grabbing the pin fall victory!
Ring of Honor World Tag Team Champions Adam Cole & AEW World Champion MJF came to the ring!
Adam Cole was on crutches and his left leg was completely bandaged up.
MJF: “Cut the music! Ladies and gentlemen, the devil has arrived in Colorado. Adam Cole, talk to ‘em.”
Cole: “Who’s ready for story time with Adam Cole baybay? Unfortunately, this is a sad chapter in the story. Last week I got hurt. My ankle broke in three different places, and I tore ligaments last week. I have to go get surgery. There is nothing more soul crushing than hearing this, but I will do everything in my power to get back as soon as possible.
“But me and my good friend Max are the ROH World Tag Team Champions. And because we can’t defend these titles, we will have to relinquish—”
MJF: “Whoa, whoa, whoa! I didn’t wrestle twice in one night to win these and then have to relinquish our titles to the Righteous! Let’s keep it real. You wouldn’t be hurt if I didn’t need your help at Grand Slam. I know how much those ROH World Tag Team Titles mean to you. And I want to make sure that when you come back here, and you will, these will be waiting for you. Righteous, October 1st, I’m going to defend these titles against you in a handicap match and we are going to win!”
The Kingdom rolled Roderick Strong onto the ramp in a wheelchair!
Strong: “Adam! I need you now more than ever! It’s an emergency!”
MJF: “As much as I think Roderick Strong is a simp, I learned on the boat that he is your boy. I may not like him, but I know he’s your boy. Go do what you need to do, Adam, and I’ll be waiting for you when you come back.”
Cole hugged MJF. Adam Cole got on his crutches and walked up the ramp to Roderick Strong and the Kingdom.
MJF: “Everybody give it up one more time for Adam Cole. Now we all know I’m not a big fan of—”
“Switchblade” Jay White and the Bullet Club Gold walked onto the ramp, interrupting the AEW World Champion MJF!
“Switchblade” Jay White sent the Bang Bang Gang to the back and then walked to the ring himself.
Jay White: “Shut up, Max! We’ve all heard you talk enough. Everybody would like to hear this sweet, exotic accent for a change. Don’t worry, I sent everybody to the back. You can have your one on one time with the Switchblade and revel in your moment.”
MJF: “Boy, you must be smoking some strong Colorado grass. That mid mic work ain’t gonna work with MJF. You come at the king you’d better not miss. That first shot was a little hairy. Now Jay hear me out. In my career I’ve been compared to a lot of people. They say, ‘MJF is good but he’s no blank.’ And as my star rose the names got bigger and bigger and the goal posts moved. It never bothered me until I read, ‘MJF is good but he’s no Jay White.’
“It’s become very apparent why it offends me now that I’m standing in the ring with you. I’m like filet mignon. Much like when I’m inside this ring, the show is all about MJF because no one is on the level of the devil. Because I’m a generational talent, babe.
“And then there’s you. You are very talented, however, you’ve managed to convince the fans that you are also filet mignon when in reality you are tofu. Funny thing about tofu. It takes on the flavor of whatever you want it to. But you need to add something to it in order to trick yourself into believing it has taste. And you have been given everything. You were handed the keys to one of the greatest wrestling factions of all time. However, if I pluck it all away, I am left with nothing but boring, bland, tasteless tofu.
“And now here you are, Jay, trying to hop on my plate and trying to steal some of the champ’s flavor. I see through you, Jay. You are all hype. Allow me to give you some advice from a real top guy. If I were you, I would leave this ring and I wouldn’t keep talking smack to my poors. Because if you don’t, for the rest of your career, whenever our names are mentioned in the same sentence, it’ll read as follows: ‘Sure, Jay is good, but he’s no MJF,’ because I’m better than you and you know it!”
Jay White: “That’s what I came out here for, my very own personalized authentic MJF experience. But I have to be honest with you. I’m a little bit let down. Something’s a little bit off about you these days. I don’t know if it’s the injuries, but personally I think you’re distracted by Adam Cole.
“I just don’t think they love you like they love Adam Cole. And you know this whole situation with Adam Cole, it’s kinda my fault. Let me explain. If I didn’t temporarily end Adam Cole’s career after Forbidden Door 1, you wouldn’t have developed a soft spot for him, but I guess you got him back because he broke his ankle and that was your fault. And I’m sure your neck isn’t feeling good after Samoa Joe last week. So, I think I’ve been ruining your life for a little bit now. But I’m here to ruin your life in the flesh.
“You call yourself the devil. You need to find another level to stop me from taking that title away from you. You don’t seem so elite when compared to me. I’m the catalyst of professional wrestling. And I will be a truly elite champion when I pull that title away from your carcass!
“Don’t worry, Max, you will have your fans, they will have you, and I will have the Triple B, and you can all breathe with the Switchblade, because it’s still my era. This is the Switchblade Era because you’ve gone soft, and you know it!”
MJF: “You don’t have a clue what I’m capable of so why don’t I show you!”
Jay White tried to lure MJF in with mind games and then Jay White rolled out of the ring after getting under MJF’s skin!
Ahead of their 2/3 Falls Match for the TNT Title at WrestleDream, Jim Ross had a sit down interview with Darby Allin and new TNT Champion Christian Cage!
Christian Cage: “I’ve been the TNT Champion for months now and I proved I’m far superior to Darby Allin this past Saturday when I wrestled on Collision. I will walk out of Seattle as the TNT Champion because I know in my heart, Darby, that you’re nowhere near the man I am. You’re nowhere near the wrestler I am. I asked for this 2 out of 3 match because I want to see what you can do when you actually have to wrestle.
“Is your uncle going to be in attendance? What happened to him?”
Darby: “He’s dead. You think I’m afraid of dying? You think I’m afraid of losing? You cannot beat me. I’m going to win this Sunday.”
Christian Cage: “Why don’t you bring all the family. Bring Nick, bring Nick’s mother—”
Darby: “You want me to bring Nick so you can take advantage of him. I’ll tell him not to show up. If you had the balls, you’d tell Luchasaurus not to show up.”
Christian Cage: “He needs a man! I will always be the face of TNT! Get used to it!”
Four-Way WrestleDream Preview Match!
Austin Gunn
vs.
Matt Jackson
vs.
Orange Cassidy
vs.
Penta El Zero Miedo!
Partners were banned from ringside.
Austin sent Orange hard into the barricade. Matt Jackson DDT’ed Penta El Zero Miedo. Austin rolled up Orange from behind for a near fall. Penta connected with a thrust kick to Matt Jackson. Penta blasted Orange with a thrust kick. Austin ambushed Penta! Austin dropped Orange with a big right hand shot!
Orange peppered Austin with elbow strikes. Austin countered a hip toss with a neck breaker to Orange Cassidy. Penta nailed Orange with a destroyer. Matt Jackson hit a destroyer on Penta. Orange rocked Matt with a destroyer! Orange smashed Austin with a destroyer!
“All four men are on roller skates and all four men go down!” said Excalibur.
Matt Jackson wiped out Orange with the locomotion Northern Lights suplexes. Matt followed up with a double Northern Lights to Penta and Austin!
The fans chanted “A-E-W! A-E-W!”
Penta blocked the BTE Trigger from Matt. Penta took down Austin with a sling blade. Austin smashed Orange with the fame-asser from a near fall, almost stealing a victory. All three men superkicked Austin. Penta and Matt traded kicks. Orange pulped Matt Jackson with the Orange Punch and pinned him!
“Timing is everything and Orange’s timing was perfect,” said Taz.
The House of Black’s Julia Hart (with Brody King) vs. Willow Nightingale!
Willow’s left eye was bandaged up, a result of the mist attack last week from Julia.
Willow poured on the punishment, charging at Julia Hart and hitting her with a flurry of offense. Julia jumped on Willow’s back and grabbed at the bandage over Willow’s eye.
“Willow is fighting for purpose, not just for revenge,” said Excalibur.
Willow grounded and pounded Julia Hart. Willow body slammed Julia. Julia retreated out of the ring and crawled under the ring. Julia snuck up behind Willow and chop blocked her.
Julia locked in Heartless, but Willow reached the ropes, forcing the break. Willow pounced Julia out of the corner! Willow hoisted up Julia and placed her upside down in the corner. Julia dodged the cannonball splash. Julia hit the moonsault press and pinned Willow!
Julia placed Willow in the Heartless submission after the match! TBS Champion Kris Statlander sprinted to the ring to save her friend. Julia hid behind Brody King and laughed.
It was time for the contract signing between “Hangman” Adam Page & Swerve Strickland ahead of their match at WrestleDream!
The Elite and the Mogul Embassy were banned from ringside.
Renee Paquette was in the ring to help officiate the contract signing.
Swerve and Page sat across from each other at a table in the ring.
Swerve: “Before you sign that paper, I gotta admit I’ve been impressed with the fire you’ve been showing the past few weeks. But it’s a little too late for that. We are four days out from our match. Do you understand what you’re walking into? The lion’s den. This is unlike anything you’ve ever dealt with. We are two competitors who couldn’t be more opposite from one another. You are not the wrestler I am, and I am never going to be the wrestler you are. What’s a buckshot to a kill shot?”
Hangman: “It sounds like you’re fired up for this, and good, you should be. You said a few things to me a few weeks ago that stung. And I’ve had time to think about it. For a year and a half, every day that I came to work I felt there was a little dark cloud hanging over my head that I could not get rid of. And sure, the sun would shine. I beat Jon Moxley in a Texas Death Match. I reunited with my friends in the Elite. It felt like I should have been the happiest man in the world but every time I started to smile, that little cloud came back, and it started to rain.
“And I couldn’t do anything about it. I had a little umbrella next to me and as long as God let it rain on me, I didn’t open it. But that’s over with. I weathered the storm. And I am still here! And through that downpour it washed something out of me. I don’t know if it was hope, or passion, but it washed out of me. But I recognized it, and these people deserve more of me. They deserve the best of me. And I deserve it for myself. So, Swerve that’s what you’ll get in Seattle at WrestleDream. You’ll get the best of Hangman!”
Swerve: “That was quite beautiful, but it was the most pathetic thing I’ve ever seen. This isn’t a personal thing. It could have been anyone in the position that I want. Truth be told, I might have mental health problems because I make an enemy every single day. I am going to take this position from you at WrestleDream. And by the way, it rains an awful lot in Seattle.”
Hangman: “You tell me you want this spot. You’re telling me you want a main event spot? Swerve, I don’t know, we could sit here and go back and forth about whether these opportunities were handed to me, but for every opportunity I’ve had, I knocked it out of the park!
“So, Swerve, you tell me you want this spot? You’re damn right, you should want this spot. But you don’t have what it takes to fill my boots!”
Swerve slapped Hangman and then went to sign the contract! Hangman stabbed Swerve in the hand with the pen! Security had to keep the two men separated!
Backstage, camera crews filmed a gang of men dressed in black from head to toe, wearing masks, swarming “Switchblade” Jay White and attacking him! One of the attackers looked into the camera and cocked his head to the side. He was wearing a devil mask!
This Friday tune in to AEW RAMPAGE at 10pm ET on TNT!
Catch the four year anniversary of AEW DYNAMITE on TBS next Wednesday live at 8/7ct from the Stockton Arena in Stockton, CA!
Don’t miss AEW Collision on Saturday on TNT at 8/7c from the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, WA!
And this Sunday, witness history live on pay-per-view and order AEW WrestleDream!
And remember…the home of professional wrestling is All Elite Wrestling!
It’s the final DYNAMITE before WRESTLEDREAM, and it’s coming to you from the 1st Bank Center in Broomfield, CO just north of Denver, and home to AEW since the March 4, 2020 edition of AEW’s flagship, the first DYNAMITE of the Jon Moxley era!
It’s been nine months since our last visit to Broomfield, and this time we are coming to kickoff the home stretch to WRESTLEDREAM with the exciting action fans expect from AEW! In a preview of the Four Way Tag Fight for an AEW World Tag Title shot, one member of each team will collide in a Four Way Singles match, plus as Julia Hart continues her hunt for the TBS Title, she has to answer for her crimes when she faces Willow Nightingale in a head-to-head fight!
Plus, we will hear from the ROH World Tag Champions Better Than You BayBay ahead of their PPV clash with The Righteous, Hangman Page and Swerve Strickland will sign the contract for their fight on Sunday night, and Jim Ross will sit down with TNT Champion Christian Cage and Darby Allin ahead of their 2/3 Falls Bout!
DYNAMITE begins at 8pm ET/7pm CT LIVE on TBS, as well as at AEWPlus.com for our international fans, so be sure to drop by the official AEW YouTube channel to catch the highlights from last week’s DYNAMITE, RAMPAGE, and COLLISION, plus the CONTROL CENTER, and more!
FOUR WAY WRESTLEDREAM PREVIEW…
Austin Gunn vs. Matt Jackson vs. Orange Cassidy vs. Penta El Zero Miedo
On Sunday night at WRESTLEDREAM all four of these men will be locked in combat with a future shot at the AEW World Tag Team Championship on the line, difference being that in Seattle they will all have a partner sharing the ring, whereas in Colorado each will go it alone! Akin to a preview of that impending pay-per-view match, what makes this especially intriguing is what the AEW singles career has looked like for each of these men. Two of them have engaged in a fair deal of singles combat, particularly Orange Cassidy with his historic AEW International Championship reign, while two have barely been tested in those waters. Matt Jackson, though a 2-Time AEW World Tag Team Champion, 2-Time AEW World Trios Champion, and reigning ROH World Six-Man Champion, has only competed in one singles match, ironically against Rey Fenix back in March of 2021, and it was a match where he fell in defeat. The other man lacking in strong singles experience is Austin Gunn, crediting but one win in his three outings, the last of them being on the Jericho Cruise in October 2021. Penta, while not racking up the numbers of OC, stands 18-14 in his singles rows, including fights with Kenny Omega, Orange Cassidy, Jon Moxley, Samoa Joe, and even getting bloody with his own brother.
As for the former AEW International Champion, well he’s number three in the Men’s Division in terms of singles wins, just one behind Powerhouse Hobbs, and he’s tied with Moxley for the most overall wins with 122. With 156 matches, Cassidy is also the most prolific competitor in All Elite Wrestling, and his 31 match winning streak is the longest in Men’s Division history as well. Of course there’s the fact that Cassidy defended the International Championship more times than any champions in AEW across all divisions to add to the equation, all facts that would seem to tilt the balance of this four way fray in his favor. But what is his physical condition? Heading into his ALL OUT 2023 loss to Jon Moxley, Cassidy seemed held together by K-Tape and willpower, his body ravaged by the effects of the schedule he’d kept as International champion, barely able to stand without the assistance of his Best Friends after the loss. So how can he be ready for this return to action just a few weeks removed from that painful experience?
We will all find out this Wednesday night on DYNAMITE when Orange, Penta El Zero Miedo, Matt Jackson, and Austin Gunn all aim to get a leg-up before their Four Way Tag Team clash on Sunday night!
ONE-ON-ONE…
The House of Black’s Julia Hart vs. Willow Nightingale
Julie Hart is officially set for a TBS Championship fight with Kris Statlander this Sunday at WRESTLEDREAM, her first shot since challenging Jade Cargill back on January 28th of 2022, and three months before Julia’s last loss in All Elite Wrestling. That defeat was at Kris Statlander’s hand, taking place on DARK: ELEVATION #60 on April 25th , and along with The House of Black entering her life, was a transformative experience for the young woman. She’s remained undefeated since, and that streak has blossomed in truly violent fashion as Julia’s targeted anyone friendly to Statlander. Skye Blue felt the wrath last week on RAMPAGE, Willow Nightingale was going to step up to the fight on COLLISION but was attacked earlier in the night and taken to a local medical facility for observation, which left Kiera Hogan to step up in her stead, and she too was put down by The House’s Black Hart.
If the attack on Willow was intended to put her on the shelf then it failed, because all it did was postpone the inevitable by a matter of days. Instead of Julia having to face the music last Saturday night in Grand Rapids, she has to do so this Wednesday night in Colorado! Willow Nightingale will be back in action on DYNAMITE and looking to even the score, not just for herself, but also for the friends Julia Hart has left in the wake of her destructive path to the TBS Champion.
Can Willow humble Julia before her championship fight on Sunday night, or will she end up a repeat victim of that black mist that once served to change Hart’s entire life?
Swerve Strickland laid it all out for Hangman Page the Wednesday following ALL OUT 2023, a night where Page, a former teacher himself, won the Over The Budget Charity Battle Royal and in turn saw to it $50,000 was donated to the Chicago Public Education Fund(https://thefundchicago.org/), but come Wednesday on DYNAMITE, Swerve verbally tore down Hangman for everything he’d done, or hadn’t done, since losing the AEW World Championship.
Strickland verbally poked and prodded at the former champion, initially driving Hangman to leave the ring, but ultimately provoking him to return, only to be waylaid be a trap Swerve set, a trap in the form of “The Machine” Brian Cage. From there, Page and Cage had their third dance in AEW, a dance won by Hangman, and The Hung Bucks would in turn take the ROH World Six-Man Championship from The Mogul Embassy. Well certainly a blow to Swerve and Prince Nana’s organization, Strickland seemed unfazed by how those weeks unfolded, as if he anticipated Hangman rising to the occasion.
So with their head-to-head clash just a few days away, this Wednesday night Hangman Adam Page and Swerve Strickland will publicly put pen-to-paper when they sign their contract in the middle of the ring. These situations are often a powder keg waiting to explode, sometimes filled with an exchange of words that lead to violence, while sometimes no words are shared and its just violence before the ink even dries. Either way, both The Young Bucks and The Mogul Embassy are banned from the area during the course of this contract signing, so whatever happens is going to take place between Swerve Strickland and Hangman Page, only Swerve and Hangman Page.
THE ROH TAG CHAMPS ADDRESS THE RIGHTEOUS…
It was just a week ago on DYNAMITE: GRAND SLAM 2023 that MJF went through hell and back and back to hell again with ROH World TV Champion Samoa Joe, and though Maxwell had to dip into his devilish bag of tricks in order to get the job done, the defending AEW World Champion did exactly as promised when he choked Joe out. The guile it took, the willingness to do whatever necessary to win, it earned MJF the respect of Samoa Joe, and with that came a rather surprising handshake.
And while he may have been running a bit late after having swung by Roderick Strong’s hospital bed to check on his condition, Adam Cole was right there when it was needed the most, motivating MJF (who had just survived a Muscle Buster mind you) to fight out of Joe’s choke. Cole also provided the distraction to Joe that allowed MJF to use that chain…string…tape…whatever the object was that helped Max keep true to his promise.
The Brochachos celebrated together, but their jubilation came knowing that a ROH World Tag Title defense was awaiting them WRESTLEDREAM, it was merely a matter of waiting until Friday night’s edition of RAMPAGE to see which of four teams came out on top. Though Best Friends, The Hardys, and The Kingdom all fought valiantly, it was The Righteous of Vincent and Dutch who came out on top, and earned their very first ROH World Tag Team Championship match. Though former Six-Man Champs with Bateman, this duo has never challenged for the gold made so coveted through the work of teams like The Briscoes, The Kings of Wrestling, Steen & Generico, The Havana Pitbulls, and so many others over the last 20+ years.
We heard from Vincent and Dutch with their rather unique video embedded above, and this Wednesday night we will hear from AEW World Champion MJF and Adam Cole, the defending ROH World Tag Champs, about their fight coming up Sunday night in Seattle! What shape is Max in after his war with Joe? Is Cole okay after we all saw him hobbling a bit at ringside? Are these two bruised and battered men heading into the fight on pay-per-view? We shall have to wait and hear what they say on DYNAMITE!
Set for a Two Out Of Three Falls contest this Sunday night, one with the TNT Championship at stake, new champion Christian Cage and challenger Darby Allin will sit down with Jim Ross for a face-to-face…conversation…before their Seattle title bout. Jim Ross may be in quite the predicament here, sitting between these two, as Cage will no doubt do his best to raise the ire of his challenger. Christian has never let decorum be the rule of the day, never bothered to hold his tongue when the worst possible words drift into his mouth, instead actively choosing to say the most disgusting comments to his foes in hopes of garnering that psychological edge.
But after all these months dancing with Christian and Luchasaurus, not to mention everything else he’s been through in his wrestling career, its doubtful there’s anything left for Cage to say that Darby hasn’t heard before. So is there an edge for Cage to find before this title fight in Darby’s hometown? If there is, and if it’s something horrid, rest assured that the TNT Champion will find it, speak it into the world, and sit back completely proud of just how awful he can be.
DYNAMITE starts at 8pm ET/7pm CT LIVE on TBS, as well as at AEWPlus.com for our international fans, so be sure to check out the official AEW YouTube channel to watch highlights from last week’s episodes of DYNAMITE, RAMPAGE, and COLLISION, as well the newest edition of THE CONTROL CENTER, and so much more!
“AEW: WrestleDream” PPV Available in Select Out-Of-Home Establishments this Sunday, October 1
Sept. 26, 2023 – AEW and Joe Hand Promotions will bring AEW’s highly-anticipated “AEW: WrestleDream” pay-per-view event to select out-of-home establishments across North American this Sunday, October 1 starting at 7 p.m. ET. The inaugural “AEW: WrestleDream” event will honor New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s (NJPW) founder, Antonio Inoki, on the one-year anniversary of his passing. To locate a participating establishment, fans in North America can check the Joe Hand Promotions website HERE. The card for “AEW: WrestleDream” includes the following exciting match-ups:
AEW World Tag Team Title Match: FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood) (c) vs. Aussie Open (Kyle Fletcher and Mark Davis)
AEW TNT Championship (Two Out of Three Falls): Christian Cage (c) vs. Darby Allin
AEW TBS Championship: Kris Statlander (c) vs. Julia Hart
ROH World Tag Team Championship: Better Than You Bay Bay (Adam Cole & MJF) (c) vs. The
Righteous (Vincent and Dutch)
ROH World Championship and NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Eddie Kingston (c) vs. Katsuyori Shibata
Dream Match: Bryan Danielson vs Zach Sabre Jr.
Swerve Strickland vs Hangman Adam Page
Chris Jericho and The Golden Elite (Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi) vs. Don Callis Family (Konosuke Takeshita, Sammy Guevara, and Will Ospreay)
The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) vs. The Gunns (Austin Gunn and Colten Gunn)
vs. Lucha Brothers (Rey Fenix and Penta El Zero Miedo) vs. Orange Cassidy and HOOK
*Card subject to change “Through our collaboration with AEW to deliver these historic events for fans to enjoy in social settings,
we are committed to keeping the wrestling community connected throughout the year. We aim to foster
a collective love for the sport, forging enduring memories that will last a lifetime,” said Joe Hand, Jr.,
President of Joe Hand Promotions. AEW consistently orchestrates thrilling gatherings that unite fans in communal atmospheres. Enthusiasts
can anticipate witnessing this event at handpicked Dave & Buster’s and Tom’s Watch Bar venues. “AEW:
WrestleDream” will also illuminate screens in numerous esteemed movie theaters across the United
States.
ABOUT AEW
Founded by CEO, GM and Head of Creative Tony Khan in 2019, AEW is offering an alternative to mainstream wrestling, with a roster of world-class talent that is injecting new spirit, freshness and energy into the industry. “AEW: Dynamite” airs every Wednesday from 8-10 p.m. ET on TBS and attracts the youngest wrestling audience on television. The fight-forward “AEW: Rampage” airs every Friday from 10-11 p.m. ET on TNT, and the new “AEW: Collision” airs every Saturday from 8-10 p.m. ET on TNT. AEW’s multi-platform content also includes “Being the Elite,” a weekly behind-the-scenes YouTube series, and “AEW Unrestricted,” a weekly podcast series. For more info, check out Twitter.com/AEW; Instagram.com/AEW; YouTube.com/AEW; Facebook.com/AEW ABOUT JOE HAND PROMOTIONS
Joe Hand Promotions brings fan communities from mainstream sports and entertainment into the top corporate and independently owned bars and restaurants, theaters, casinos, and other commercial establishments to provide the best viewing experience outside of the arena.
As the commercial content partner for some of the nation’s top live-sports media properties, Joe Hand Promotions is the leader in the out-of-home live sports and entertainment media distribution industry. For over 50 years, Joe Hand Promotions has seamlessly connected commercial establishments with live sports and entertainment, which has successfully driven traffic and increased revenues, time and time again. The Joe Hand Promotions team is more than the distributor, but also the advisor in this fast-growing industry.
DYNAMITE: GRAND SLAM 2023 was as exciting a night as it gets here in All Elite Wrestling, featuring two championships changing hands to the detriment of The Blackpool Combat Club, but also MJF overcoming all the odds to not only defeat Samoa Joe in their AEW World Championship match, but also earn a handshake from the respected (and feared) ROH World TV Champion. In addition, Saraya retained the AEW Women’s World Championship, Chris Jericho relived a piece of his own history when Sammy Guevara betrayed him to Don Callis, and now RAMPAGE: GRAND SLAM 2023 continues the excitement for two hours this Friday night!
The Ring of Honor World Six-Man titles will be on the line as The Mogul Embassy, one day removed from a successful defense on Honor Club, will put the titles on the line against The Elite of Hangman Page and The Young Bucks! Plus, the AEW World Trios Championship will be at stake between The Acclaimed and The Dark Order, Mike Santana returns to action, a big Mixed Trios match is going down, and the next contenders for the ROH World Tag Titles held by Adam Cole and MJF will be determined! Also, ahead of their three way championship match on COLLISION in Grand Rapids, Darby Allin and Sting will take on Christian Cage and TNT Champion Luchasaurus in tag team competition.
The night begins at 10pm ET/9pm CT on TNT, as well as at AEWPlus.com for our international audiences, so be sure to check out the official AEW YouTube channel prior to RAMPAGE to catch highlights from this week’s DYNAMITE: GRAND SLAM, as well as previous episodes of RAMPAGE and COLLISION, plus THE CONTROL CENTER, and much, much more!
ROH WORLD SIX-MAN CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH…
The Mogul Embassy (Brian Cage, Bishop Kaun, & Toa Liona) vs.
The Elite (Adam Page, Matt Jackson, & Nick Jackson
With Hangman Page and Swerve Strickland set to do battle at WRESTLEDREAM in less than two weeks time, The Elite and The Mogul Embassy will lock horns this Friday night on RAMPAGE, and the ROH World Six-Man Championship will be at stake! Brian Cage, Bishop Kaun, and Toa Liona come into this fight having held the titles since FINAL BATTLE 2022, some 286 days, and turned away nine challenges to their crowns, including one Thursday night on Honor Club (www.watchroh.com).
Now no disrespect intended to their other challengers thus far, but this is unquestionably the toughest challenge Prince Nana’s unit has faced to date, despite the long layoff in their competing as a trio. See it’s only been a few weeks since this particular Elite group reformed as a trio, but they’ve experienced success in their reunion, scoring victories over both The BCC and Dark Order, and their past resume reinforces they danger The Elite represents.
See long before The Mogul Embassy was a gleam in the eye of Swerve Strickland and Prince Nana, BULLET CLUB reigned supreme over Ring of Honor, and with that came a 201 day reign as ROH World Six-Man Champions for Hangman Page and The Young Bucks. Sixth on the all-time list, this trio racked up eight championship victories over The Kingdom, CHAOS, and SCU, just to name a few, before losing to SCU in a rematch at the 16TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW.
Now, with the Seattle collision between Hangman and Swerve looming, The Elite aim to pick up their second run with the titles at the expense of Strickland’s crew. Fans have already seen one ROH championship change hands on AEW programming this week, will they bear witness to another on RAMPAGE: GRAND SLAM 2023?
TAG TEAM CONTEST…
Darby Allin & Sting vs. TNT Champion Luchasaurus & Christian Cage
Christian Cage made the challenge for Saturday night on COLLISION, a Three Way TNT Championship bout between he, Darby Allin, and Luchasaurus, but in order to get there, he and his Right Hand of Destruction still have to through Friday night’s tag team battle against Darby Allin and “The Icon” Sting.
At ALL IN: LONDON, Darby and Sting shut down the tag team challenge of Christian and Swerve Strickland, in a Coffin Match no less, but that fight, in addition to everything he’s gone through since, has left Allin battered and bruised without giving himself time to heal up in the slightest. Christian may have gone through that battle as well, but he came out less the worse for wear, letting Swerve end up with much of that beating, and he’s got Luchasaurus on his side to throw in the way of the punishment as well.
Thankfully Darby has Sting to support him, genuine support not just the…human…shield who actually earned the TNT Championship that Christian Cage has been carrying around, and pick him up when the going gets rough, usually meaning when Darby is at the wrong end of the numbers game or his physically battered body needs a moment of rest.
Whoever comes out of RAMPAGE with the victory will have a distinct advantage heading into COLLISION in Grand Rapids, the kind of momentum that’s hard to fight, but when the numbers are essentially two-on-one in favor of the defending champion, the real one not Cage, a tag team victory may not amount to much. Still, every victory helps momentum, every victory helps psychologically, and every victory helps get Darby one step closer to bringing that TNT to his side in time for AEW’s WRESTLEDREAM return to his hometown!
WRESTLEDREAM OPPORTUNITY…
Best Friends (Chuck Taylor & Trent Beretta) vs. The Hardys (Jeff & Matt) vs. The Kingdom (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) vs. The Righteous (Dutch & Vincent)
***WINNER EARNS ROH WORLD TAG TITLE MATCH AT WRESTLEDREAM***
WRESTLEDREAM is less than two weeks away, and with this bout here, four teams are jockeying for the right to challenge Better Than You BayBay, Adam Cole and AEW World Champion MJF, for the ROH World Tag Team Championship! Of the four teams in contention, The Hardys and The Kingdom can both lay claim to previous status as champions, while The Best Friends have never held a championship of any kind together, and The Righteous can only claim status as former ROH World Six-Man Champions.
All have motivation to press on to Seattle on October 1st and try to claim the throne upon which Cole and Friedman sit, but which pair will be able to see through the chaos that is this sort of affair and find their way to victory? It’s going to be a wild time in Queens with this one come Friday night; which men will come out with their eyes on the prize?
AEW WORLD TRIOS CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH…
The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens, Daddy Ass, & Max Caster) vs.
The Dark Order (Alex Reynolds, Evil Uno, & John Silver)
Last time AEW was at Arthur Ashe Stadium for GRAND SLAM 2022, The Acclaimed captured the AEW World Tag Team Championship from Swerve Strickland and Keith Lee. This year they enter that same hallowed ground as the defending World Trios Champions, and the aim to walk back out the same way they come in: titles around their waist, and surrounded by a sea of scissors.
All that Max Caster, Daddy Ass, and Anthony Bowens have to do is survive The Dark Order’s onslaught, something that Bowens proved unable to do last week when he fell to John Silver (not without some trickery from The Dark Order mind you). Alex Reynolds, Silver, and Evil Uno have proven quite the competent competitors, 8-2 on the year and 11-3 overall as a trio, with a huge victory over The Elite included in that 2023 total. But after all this time in AEW, championship success has continued to allude the group ever since Mr. Brodie Lee lost the TNT Championship back to Cody Rhodes several years ago. No tag team or singles title has found a home in The Dark Order, and this will mark The Dark Order’s second attempt to claim the titles, albeit the first for this particular unit, the only three left standing to hold up the claw.
Can The Dark Order finally find their way to being called champion? Or will Arthur Ashe Stadium continue to be Acclaimed territory as it was in 2022?
vs. “Cool Hand” Angelo Parker, Anna Jay, & “Daddy Magic” Matt Menard
-Mike Santana vs. Bronson
-Skye Blue vs. The House of Black’s Julia Hart
This Friday night, on a stacked two hour edition of RAMPAGE: GRAND SLAM 2023, the AEW World Trios Champions The Acclaimed will defend against The Dark Order, The Elite will challenge The Mogul Embassy for the ROH World Six-Man Titles, we will see the return of Mike Santana to singles action, and a new #1 Contender for the ROH World Tag Team Titles will be set! All that and more is coming to fans this Friday night at 10pm ET/9pm CT on TNT, as well as at AEWPlus.com for our international audiences! Be sure to visit the official AEW YouTube channel ahead of time for highlights from this week’s DYNAMITE: GRAND SLAM 2023, as well as previous episodes of RAMPAGE and COLLISION, plus THE CONTROL CENTER, and much, much more!
Tonight’s episode of AEW DYNAMITE: Grand Slam was broadcast live from Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York, NY!
Excalibur, Tony Schiavone and “The Human Suplex Machine” Taz were the broadcast team for tonight’s event.
It’s Wednesday night and you know what that means!
Title vs. Title Match!
ROH World Champion Claudio Castagnoli (with Wheeler Yuta)
vs.
NJPW STRONG Openweight Champion Eddie Kingston!
Ian Riccaboni joined the broadcast booth for this match.
Claudio rushed at Eddie and booted him in the face. They traded chops and forearms. The fight spilled outside of the ring! Eddie whipped Claudio into the steel guardrail. Eddie headbutted Claudio but Claudio fired back with a lariat.
Back in the ring Claudio gut wrenched Eddie nearly into a doctor bomb, planting him hard on the mat. Eddie German suplexed Claudio. Eddie tried for a backfist, but Claudio countered with the crown of his head. Claudio back suplexed Eddie Kingston onto the ramp!
Claudio clotheslined Eddie over the top rope and back into the ring. Claudio double stomped down onto the left arm of Claudio. Eddie moved out of the way of Claudio’s diving headbutt.
Claudio battered Eddie in the corner turnbuckles. Claudio nailed Eddie with a TKO for a near fall. Claudio blasted Eddie with boots to the face. Kingston baited Claudio in and nailed Claudio with two suplexes for a two-count. Eddie fired off a straight right to Claudio’s jaw, knocking Claudio to his knees. Claudio answered with a right hand of his own.
Claudio staggered Eddie with European uppercuts. Claudio headbutted Eddie and followed up with a short arm lariat. Claudio went for the ricola bomb, but Eddie reversed it for a near fall. Claudio hit the ricola bomb, but Eddie kicked out at the two-count!
“This crowd coming unglued in support of their own Eddie Kingston,” said Excalibur.
Eddie clocked Claudio with three back fists and followed up with a Northern Lights Bomb for a near fall on Claudio. Kingston fired off another backfist and then powerbombed Claudio for the pinfall victory!
And new Ring of Honor World Champion Eddie Kingston!
Claudio extended his hand and Eddie accepted. The Code of Honor was adhered to.
“It’s a great moment in the long history of Dynamite,” said Tony Schiavone.
Footage was shown from earlier of the Kingdom watching over an ‘injured’ Roderick Strong in a hospital bed.
Adam Cole came to visit.
“Where have you been?” asked Matt Taven.
Cole said he got there as fast as he could.
Cole: “I’m glad you’re doing okay, but I have to go. Max has a huge match against Samoa Joe.”
Roderick Strong: “Just go. Just friggin’ go.”
Renee Paquette was backstage with Christian Cage and TNT Champion Luchasaurus!
Christian Cage: “Rampage: Grand Slam, we are going to walk through Sting and Darby Allin. And Darby I am ready to move on. I am bored with you. I have a little proposition for you Darby. This Saturday on Collision how about you step in the ring for a three-way match for the TNT Championship against me and Luchasaurus. If you want this shot, Darby, then Sting isn’t allowed at ringside.”
Chris Jericho vs. Sammy Guevara (with Monteasy)!
Monteasy rapped Sammy to the ring. Sammy was wearing a light up vest, an homage to Chris Jericho when he faced Shawn Michaels 21 years ago.
Sammy and Jericho exchanged chops right out of the gate. Jericho tripped and Sammy seized the moment with a corkscrew dropkick. Jericho hoisted up Sammy with an underhook and then hit a backbreaker. Sammy fired back with a corkscrew tornillo over the top rope onto Jericho on the arena floor.
Jericho countered a GTH attempt with the Codebreaker. Jericho suplexed Sammy off the apron and down onto the arena floor! Back in the ring Sammy lured in Jericho for a Spanish Fly for a near fall. Jericho retaliated with two nasty lariats.
Sammy grabbed Jericho and smashed his face with the Code Breaker for a two-count! Sammy charged at Jericho, knocking Jericho off the apron and onto the front of the announcer’s desk. Sammy jumped off the top rope with a moonsault onto Jericho. Sammy connected with a cutter.
“Both of these men have gone through a lot in a short amount of time,” said Tony Schiavone.
Jericho countered the GTH with the Walls! Sammy twisted his hips and escaped. Sammy cracked Chris with a rising knee strike. Sammy and Jericho jockeyed for position on the top turnbuckle. Sammy got the upper hand with a cutter off the top rope!
Sammy attempted a top rope lionsault, but Jericho countered by raising his knees. Jericho hit a running bulldog on Sammy. Jericho nailed Sammy with the lionsault for a near fall. Sammy caught Jericho with a GTH! Sammy went for the shooting star press, but Jericho countered with the Code Breaker and scored the win!
Jericho and Sammy hugged after the match. Sammy kicked Jericho with a low blow!
“What have you done, Sammy?” asked Excalibur.
Don Callis walked down the ramp and into the ring! Don Callis patted Sammy on the shoulder and the two men left the ring together.
Earlier in the day MJF pulled up to the arena in his exotic sports car with Adam Cole!
MJF had strong words for Samoa Joe. Adam Cole’s phone rang and when he answered, it was Roderick Strong. Cole told Strong to calm down and walked away from MJF to console Roddy.
Renee Paquette tried to interview Sammy Guevara and Don Callis backstage!
Don said all would be revealed this Friday on Rampage.
Daniel Garcia got in Sammy’s face, but Callis insisted they walk away.
AEW International Championship Match!
Jon Moxley (c.) vs. Rey Fenix!
Fenix met Moxley on the ramp and they began to brawl before the bell even rang. Fenix jumped off the ramp, over the cameraman, and onto Moxley on the arena floor!
Moxley rocked Rey Fenix with a forearm and then stomped him face first into the mat. Moxley grounded and pounded Rey Fenix. Moxley tossed Rey Fenix over the barricade. Moxley drilled Rey Fenix with a draping DDT onto the arena floor!
“Fenix is in a world of hurt right now from Mox,” said Taz.
Rey Fenix caught Mox flush in the face with a kick and then followed up with a cutter. Rey Fenix frog splashed Moxley for a near fall! Rey Fenix charged at Moxley, but Moxley wiped him out with a King Kong Lariat!
Fenix propped Moxley onto the steel barricade, draping him over it. Rey Fenix jumped off the top rope and landed on Moxley with a leg drop to the back of the head! Back in the ring Moxley regained momentum with a Gotch style piledriver. But Rey retaliated with a diving double foot stomp for a two-count.
Moxley curb stomped Rey Fenix on the stage ramp! Moxley spiked Rey Fenix with a piledriver for a two-count. Rey Fenix hit Moxley with a senton atomico and then a piledriver. Fenix hit a second piledriver and pinned Moxley!
And new AEW International Champion Rey Fenix!
AEW Women’s World Championship Match!
Saraya (c.) (with Ruby Soho) vs. Toni Storm!
Saraya slapped Toni in the face. Toni Storm smiled and chopped at Saraya. After a distraction from Ruby, Saraya capitalized with a thrust kick to Toni.
Toni swept out the leg of Saraya. As the ref was distracted, Toni Storm cracked Saraya in the head with a high heel shoe for a near fall!
Toni Storm pulled off the bottom turnbuckle pad. Toni had a can of spray paint, but Ruby grabbed it out of Toni’s hands and tossed it to Saraya. Saraya sprayed it in Toni’s eyes and went for the pin after a DDT, but Toni kicked out. Saraya grabbed Toni to ram her head into the exposed turnbuckle, but Saraya didn’t have the heart to do it.
Toni Storm grabbed Saraya, kissed her on the mouth, and then spiked her with the Storm Zero for a two-count! Saraya dodged the Hip Attack and nailed Toni with the Knight Cap, grabbing the pinfall victory!
Main Event Time!
AEW World Championship Match!
MJF (c.) vs. ROH World TV Champion Samoa Joe!
The fans chanted “He’s our scumbag! He’s our scumbag!”
MJF thumbed Samoa Joe in the eye. MJF jumped on the back of Samoa Joe, but Joe shrugged him to the mat. Tony Schiavone pointed out that Adam Cole was not ringside for Adam Cole’s match, despite Adam Cole promising MJF he’d be there for him tonight.
Samoa Joe began to work over MJF’s neck. MJF thumbed Samoa Joe in the eyes again. Joe ran MJF over with a boot to the head. Samoa Joe attempted the muscle buster, but MJF escaped. MJF staggered Samoa Joe with three short arm lariats. MJF went for a fourth, but Samoa Joe swung for the fences and nearly decapitated MJF with a lariat.
Samoa Joe headbutted MJF but MJF fired up and raked Samoa Joe’s back! MJF hammered Samoa Joe with punches to the head. MJF bit down on Samoa Joe’s forehead. MJF connected with the kangaroo kick!
MJF ran for a tope, but Samoa Joe countered with a kick. Samoa Joe spiked MJF with a Death Valley Driver on the apron!
“That’ll change your career, man,” said Taz.
Samoa Joe pulled a table out from beneath the ring. Samoa Joe pulled MJF out of the ring and planted him through the table!
“Samoa Joe can feel the AEW World Championship in his grasp,” said Excalibur.
Samoa Joe pulled the padding off the floor, exposing the concrete beneath it. Samoa Joe was looking for a piledriver, but MJF bit him. MJF attempted a piledriver, but he had to let go because his injured neck began to spasm. Samoa Joe stuck MJF with a piledriver on the exposed concrete!
Samoa Joe told MJF to give up, but MJF spat at Samoa Joe. MJF pulled out a Liger Bomb out of nowhere on Samoa Joe for a near fall!
The fans chanted “This is awesome! This is awesome! This is awesome!”
Samoa Joe and MJF traded strikes in the center of the ring. Samoa Joe applied a sleeper. MJF pulled the ref in close and while the ref was distracted, MJF kicked back with a low blow to Samoa Joe. MJF pulled out the Dynamite Diamond Ring from his trunks.
MJF was about to clock Samoa Joe with the Dynamite Diamond Ring, but Samoa Joe pulled the ref in front of him, and the ref spotted the illegal object! As ref Paul Turner threw the diamond ring to the outside, Samoa Joe kicked MJF with a low blow!
Samoa Joe nailed MJF with the muscle buster but somehow MJF kicked out at the two-count! Samoa Joe applied a sleeper. Adam Cole sprinted down to the ring and tried to motivate MJF! MJF got to his feet! MJF applied the sleeper on Samoa Joe, but Joe shoved MJF into the corner. Adam Cole jumped onto the ring apron. Samoa Joe tried to take a swing at Adam Cole. As Samoa Joe and the ref had their backs turned, MJF used his wrist tape around Samoa Joe’s neck! MJF choked out Samoa Joe and the ref stopped the match, with MJF retaining! MJF dropped the evidence and Adam Cole quickly picked it up and hid it in his pocket.
Samoa Joe got to his feet, and he shoved Adam Cole. MJF jumped in between them, acting as a human shield. Samoa Joe offered his hand to MJF. Samoa Joe shook MJF’s hand, giving the devil his due.
Catch AEW DYNAMITE on TBS next Wednesday live at 8/7ct from 1stBank Center in Broomfield, CO!
This Friday tune in to a stacked two-hour episode of AEW RAMPAGE: Grand Slam beginning at 10pm ET on TNT featuring:
The night is upon us; for the third consecutive year, All Elite Wrestling descends upon the historic Arthur Ashe Stadium for GRAND SLAM, and with it comes two hours of the greatest professional wrestling in the world live on DYNAMITE this Wednesday! After winning the Grand Slam Eliminator Tournament, ROH World TV Champ Samoa Joe will challenge MJF for the AEW World Championship while Toni Storm takes on her former Outcasts’ ally Saraya with the AEW Women’s World Championship on the line!
Plus, the long-standing grudge between Claudio Castagnoli and Eddie Kingston comes to the forefront when both men put their respective championships on the line in a title versus title fight, and two long-time friends collide for the first-time when Chris Jericho and Sammy Guevara lock horns! And in his fourth championship fight in seventeen days, Jon Moxley will meet Rey Fenix in an International Championship fight!
DYNAMITE gets underway at 8pm ET/7pm CT LIVE on TBS, as well as at AEWPlus.com for our international fans, so be sure to check in on the official AEW YouTube channel and watch the highlights from last week’s action during DYNAMITE, RAMPAGE, and COLLISION, plus the CONTROL CENTER, and more!
In the span of five days from 9/8 to 9/13, the ROH World Television Champion conquered three of the toughest competitors in All Elite Wrestling on path through the Grand Slam World Championship Eliminator Tournament. It began with Jeff Hardy on the 9/8 edition of RAMPAGE, continued with Penta El Zero Miedo the following night on COLLISION, and culminated in a 2023 Owen Hart Foundation Tournament rematch with Roderick Strong. Nearly thirty-five minutes of battle was what it took to get Samoa Joe to the precipice of the AEW World Championship, now he just has to complete the mission by taking Maxwell Jacob Friedman down this Wednesday night at DYNAMITE: GRAND SLAM 2023.
For Joe, this is an issue that became more than just the desire to be AEW World Champion after MJF chose to attack Joe at ALL OUT 2023 following the ROH World TV Champion giving him a little shove as they crossed paths between matches. Given that MJF was coming out of a ROH World Tag Team Championship defense with a hurt neck, perhaps attacking the guy whose primary moves consist of either choking a man out or dropping them on their head with a Muscle Buster may not have been the brightest idea, but for Max it was about the insult of that moment, as well as an insult buried in their history.
As MJF tells it, and as video shows it, one day many years ago, long before Maxwell Jacob Freidman was a name on anyone’s lips, Samoa Joe showed him the kind of disregard that can often befall a rookie when engaging with their seniors. For Joe it was a moment he likely forgot about until MJF began to make his name thus leading the internet to incessantly share the clip, especially once Joe and Max came to share the same space here in AEW. But for MJF, much like his interactions with William Regal many years ago, it was not something that ever left his head space, and in truth something that helped to motivate Max to the heights he’s reached today. It’s pretty clear by now that MJF has had a career fueled by a mix of anger, self-loathing, a need for retribution, and false bravado.
In fact, it would be reasonable to say that it’s only through this friendship with Adam Cole that MJF has found a semblance of motivation based on more than just those things, based on discovering actual self-worth, and an appreciation for those who have supported him despite his massive shortcomings as a decent human being. So the fact that Joe chose to attack Adam Cole as his last statement to MJF prior to this fight, well that is something sure to push Maxwell back into his darkest places, deep into the devil inside, and to add those actions to the ones Samoa Joe committed in 2016 to further motivate his desire to smash the Samoan monster.
There’s just one problem: MJF’s neck, and that it represents a huge target for a man as merciless as the ROH World Television Champion. He will look to suplex Max on that weakened neck until MJF looks like a bobblehead, Joe will look to wrap his arms around that stem and squeeze it until no breath remains in the lungs of Maxwell Jacob Friedman, and he will aim to hoist Max from the top rope, his neck flush against Joe’s shoulder, and to drop the AEW World Champion down with a Muscle Buster to end the misery. Be it the Choke, the Muscle Buster, his signature Island Driver, a massive lariat, or even his underrated Brainbuster, Samoa Joe has a million ways to grind that injured neck of MJF’s to dust.
MJF is going to have to dip into every dirty trick he has in his book to survive this fight with the AEW World Championship still in his possession. Max’s devil will have to come out in all its wretched glory, and even then, it may not be enough to stop Samoa Joe from claiming his first AEW championship title. Just as was the case when he claimed the Ring of Honor Title on March 2003, it would be appropriate if Joe’s first AEW championship was the AEW World Championship, and at this point, in his condition, there may not be anything Max can do to stop Joe’s ascension.
This is a journey that has encompassed the last two decades in the lives of Claudio Castagnoli and Eddie Kingston, a journey that started during the dawning days of their wrestling careers, and with their first time sharing the ring somewhere in Indiana back in October 2004. They trained together, lived together, fought together, and most importantly, fought each other both inside the ring and out. From their first singles match back in January 2006, through eleven bouts across five different wrestling promotions, up to March 13, 2011, the scales tipped heavily in favor of Claudio with nine wins to Kingston’s two.
One of those bouts was a Respect Match where, upon losing, Eddie was supposed to tell Claudio he respected him, but instead Kingston told the man he did not respect him, and then leveled him with a spinning backfist. As Claudio lay there unconscious, Kingston’s last words to him as he left the ring were “I know you”, and later that night Double C proved Eddie right when he betrayed the entire promotion they were working for at the time, but this is why several weeks ago, Claudio claimed Kingston still owed him a handshake.
There certainly wasn’t going to be respect shown after what ended up being their last one-on-one bout for twelve years, not after the match ended with Claudio beating Eddie thanks to a chain-assisted European Uppercut, and then proceeding to whip him with a belt. Sadly for Kingston, there was a chance to rectify the situation as Claudio departed for “the land of make-believe” as Eddie called it, and did so in a fashion that only served to further infuriate “The Mad King”.
Thus when Claudio came to All Elite Wrestling to join The Blackpool Combat Club, making him an immediate ally of Kingston’s in the second Blood & Guts Cage Match, it infuriated Eddie and it was only due to his relationship with Jon Moxley that Eddie played nice throughout the bout. Still, the hate burned strong, the kind of hate that not time nor distance can quell, the kind of hate that follows both men wherever they go, even to ROH’s SUPERCARD OF HONOR 2023 event where Kingston failed once more to defeat Claudio when the ROH World Championship was at stake.
It was a fight Kingston took injured, an injury that kept him on the shelf for three months, but the hate brought him back for FORBIDDEN DOOR 2023 and even united him with The Elite, men he despises but strange bedfellows and all that, to defeat The Blackpool Combat Club. Just like that, the war with Claudio picked up right where it left off, just as it had after a dozen years apart, and now it has brought them to this point, on Eddie Kingston’s home turf, in front of his family and loved ones, where he will put his NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship on the line against the ROH World Championship of Claudio Castagnoli. Two titles are on the line, but after two decades, this is a fight that means so much more than words can encapsulate, they can only hope to convey a fragment of what it all means.
Will this be the end? Can there ever be an end with hate that runs this deep, with disrespect this ingrained in their dynamic, and bonds shattered so completely? Are Eddie Kingston and Claudio Castagnoli destined for mutually assured destruction, or will Arthur Ashe Stadium finally be the place where their demons are exorcised?
Speaking of demons, just what has possessed Toni Storm in the weeks since she lost the AEW Women’s World Championship to Hikaru Shida, and had her psyche further fractured by the actions of her fellow Outcasts? Since their formation, it’s always been a lingering question of what may happen should multiple members of The Outcasts find themselves in contention for the AEW Women’s World Champions, and while Saraya, Ruby Soho, and Toni Storm all insisted that things would be fine between them, the reality reared its ugly head as ALL IN: LONDON drew closer.
Then that night, when both Saraya and Toni Storm were in the title match aiming to end Shida’s second reign as champion, it became clear as crystal just what mattered most, and that was getting the championship title around the waist of Saraya. It didn’t matter that Toni striking Saraya’s mother was completely accidental, a fight still broke out between the two Outcasts, and it didn’t matter that Ruby had done nothing in that moment but try to quell the situation, she still got laid out by Toni for her efforts, and it all ultimately led to Saraya pinning Toni to claim the AEW Women’s World Championship.
And then the wheels fell off, though The Outcasts seemed to keep it together for a few days prior to ALL OUT 2023, but that was clearly not the case as Toni Storm cost Ruby Soho the TBS Championship, or rather it be said, prevented Soho from cheating to defeat Kris Statlander, and instead made sure the playing field was a bit more level. That choice made it clear that Toni Storm was an Outcast no more, and her winning the Four Way Eliminator Match to earn this championship fight absolutely solidifies Toni’s excommunication from the group.
But what has Toni become in the last several weeks? She’s clearly not in the same head space she was prior DYNAMITE #200 when she lost the belt to Shida, but just what is this space Toni occupies now? Is this all a mind game? Is it something Saraya and Ruby Soho can even prepare for heading into GRAND SLAM 2023 for the champ’s first title defense? One has to figure that no one knows Saraya like Ruby and Toni, but do Ruby and Saraya know this Toni Storm? After working so hard to come back from a career-ending injury, and having the fans embrace her a year ago at GRAND SLAM 2022 only to turn their backs on what she brought to the table, walking out of Arthur Ashe still champion is essential to Saraya. Can Toni Storm crush that dream and become the first 3-Time AEW Women’s World Champion? Or will Saraya find a way to not only top her old friend, but also rub it in the face of all those who turned away from her since last year?
AEW INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH…
Jon Moxley(c) vs. Rey Fenix
This Wednesday night, in a first-ever match-up, Jon Moxley will defend his AEW International Champion against one-half of the Lucha Brothers, a former AEW & ROH World Tag Team Champion, the incomparable Rey Fenix! As much as this is about the title, it’s also about revenge for Rey Fenix for what went down on the 8/9/23 edition of DYNAMITE between The Blackpool Combat Club and The Lucha Brothers, what was done to his brother in that match, and the injury that kept Fenix from competing in Stadium Stampede at ALL IN: LONDON.
Fenix has never held a singles championship in AEW, though he’s challenged Kenny Omega for the World Title, Hobbs for the TNT Title, Orange Cassidy for the All-Atlantic prior to its leveling up, even taking part in the Blackjack Battle Royale for the International Title at DOUBLE OR NOTHING 2023, but has yet to achieve that singles success to rival his tag team accolades.
So right here, this fight with Jon Moxley, it’s a chance to kill those two proverbial birds, Fenix can get his revenge for that Mox and The BCC did to him and his brother and claim his first AEW singles championship at the same time! Though Fenix prefers his competition honorable, he’s shown in the past a willingness to get down and dirty, even spilling blood in a fight with his own brother several years ago, so Moxley best be prepared for a man as willing to go there as he.
It is clear the defending International Champion intends to keep the same pace as the man he dethroned, likely aiming to surpass the lofty standard set by Orange Cassidy during his reign, but just like it did with “Freshly Squeezed”, eventually it will catch up to Moxley, the question is whether it will be sooner or later, and just who the man will be to lay him low? Will it be Rey Fenix this Wednesday night at GRAND SLAM 2023? Tune into TNT starting at 8pm ET/7pm CT to find out!
With a history dating back to the very first episode of DYNAMITE, looping from The Inner Circle to The Jericho Appreciation Society, Chris Jericho and Sammy Guevara have been through a great deal together, most of it standing side-by-side. They went through the introduction of concepts like Stadium Stampede and Blood & Guts together, competed for the AEW World Trios Championship and were early challengers to the AEW World Tag Team Championship together, and even fought each other over the ROH World Championship at FULL GEAR 2022.
Though Sammy walked away from Jericho and The Inner Circle when it was needed for his own well-being, he came back to the fold when The Jericho Appreciation Society was born, and even spoke of his allegiance to “The DemoGod” when all the others in The J.A.S. abandoned the man for how they felt he took them for granted.
But even with the closest of friends, between the dearest of partners, there comes a time when not all is right, and when even brothers come to blows. That is what is about to happen this Wednesday night on DYNAMITE when, for the first time, Chris Jericho and Sammy Guevara collide in singles competition! Though they’ve expressed their desire to unite and pursue tag team success, their egos, and pershaps even some ill will for recent events, has made it difficult for the two men to stay on the same page, even in victory. Perhaps Jericho feels that Sammy is more underling than equal, perhaps Guevara feels the student has surpassed the teacher, whatever the case may be, these two brothers came to the conclusion that the only way past their issues is to confront them with violence done unto each other.
So like a pair of Cain’s without an Abel in sight, Chris Jericho and Sammy Guevara will lock horns inside Arthur Ashe Stadium, and we shall see if either survives to pursue their supposed tag team aspirations!
DYNAMITE begins at 8pm ET/7pm CT LIVE on TBS, as well as at AEWPlus.com for our international fans, so be sure to visit the official AEW YouTube channel and catch up on highlights from last week’s episodes of DYNAMITE, RAMPAGE, and COLLISION, as well the newest edition of THE CONTROL CENTER, and so much more!
Tonight’s episode of AEW RAMPAGE was broadcast from Heritage Bank Center in Cincinnati, OH!
Yourbroadcast team was Excalibur, Chris Jericho, and Tony Schiavone!
It’s Friday night and you know what that means!
The Lucha Brothers—Penta El Zero Miedo & Rey Fenix—and The Hardys—Matt & Jeff
vs.
Jay Lethal, “The Last Outlaw” Jeff Jarrett, The Butcher & The Blade!
“Interesting to see how these guys work together,” said Tony Schiavone.
Fenix blasted Lethal with a missile dropkick. Fenix took Butcher down with a thrust kick to the head. Jeff Hardy tagged in and worked over Butcher’s shoulder. Matt Hardy tagged in and dropped an elbow on Butcher’s arm. Matt continued to work over Butcher’s arm. The Hardys double suplexed the Butcher and then the Blade.
After some interference from Sonjay Dutt, Butcher and Jay Lethal got the advantage on Matt Hardy. Lethal drove Matt spine first into the corner.
Jeff Jarrett nailed Matt Hardy with a Russian leg sweep. Blade tagged in and nailed Matt Hardy with strikes in the corner. Matt Hardy desperately needed to make a tag as he was isolated by the opposing team. Rey Fenix tagged in and cracked Blade with a kick and then a rolling cutter! Fenix ran the top of the ropes and punted Lethal and Jarrett in the head!
Penta El Zero Miedo flipped over the top rope and wiped out Butcher, Lethal and Jarrett on the floor. Alex Abrahantes knocked Sonjay Dutt off the apron. Alex poked Kip Sabian in the eyes. Alex jumped off the top rope but was caught by Satnam Singh.
Rey Fenix and the Blade traded strikes in the center of the ring. Rey Fenix planted the Blade right on his head and scored the victory via pin!
Satnam Singh nailed Jeff and Matt Hardy at the top of the ramp. The Righteous—Vincent and Dutch walked out and stared at the Hardys.
Renee Paquette interviewed Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D., backstage!
Baker said the last few months haven’t gone as she’d planned. Baker said she is championship material and she said she is going to become the first female to hold the AEW Women’s World Title and the TBS Title! “Whoever wins tonight, Jade or Kris, you’ll be wrestling me tomorrow night in the main event of Collision!” said Baker.
The Kingdom—Matt Taven & Mike Bennett
vs.
“The Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal!
Mike Bennett chopped Daniels. CD fired back with a drop toe hold. Sydal tagged in and slammed Daniels on top of Bennett.
Matt Taven tagged in and was hit with a barrage of kicks from Sydal.
“Sydal’s kicks are lethal, man,” said Tony Schiavone.
Daniels tagged back in and worked over Taven. Bennett grabbed Daniels’ leg, allowing Taven to connect with a shot. Bennett ducked a roundhouse kick from Sydal. Taven splashed Daniels in the corner. Taven and Bennett used their combo finisher, the Proton Pack, and then Taven pinned Daniels.
Taven: “We have to rush back to the hospital. Our poor friend Roderick Strong is suffering. He’s in poor neck health. But I don’t blame Samoa Joe. I blame Adam Cole. So, what we want to do is take back what’s rightfully ours—the Ring of Honor Tag Team Titles!”
Bennett: “Roddy, we’re coming home baby!”
Renee Paquette was backstage to interview the Mogul Embassy!
Prince Nana: “The Young Bucks put their stinking feet in my face!”
Swerve Strickland: “Bucks, you have a whole different energy about you since appearing on my podcast. And Hangman, you ran to the Elite. We’re going to handle business. The Gates of Agony and Brian Cage against the Hung Bucks at AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam!”
AEW World Trios Champions the Acclaimed—Max Caster, Anthony Bowens, & Billy Gunn
vs.
Peter Avalon & The Outrunners!
Billy Gunn had Turbo Floyd in his grip. Turbo Floyd chopped Billy down. Peter Avalon chop blocked Billy but Billy tagged Bowens.
Bowens drilled Avalon with the Fame Asser. Billy body slammed Avalon. Bowens nailed Avalon with the Scissor Me Timbers. Billy followed up with a fame-asser. Caster hit the Mic Drop and pinned “Pretty” Peter!
The Dark Order walked onto the ramp after the match!
John Silver said the Dark Order wanted the Trios Championships! Evil Uno said one of them would face one of the Acclaimed tomorrow to prove they were worth the Acclaimed’s time.
Anthony Bowens said he’d accept the challenge and the Dark Order could select a member of their own to face off tomorrow night on Collision.
“Pick whoever you want,” said Bowens.
Aussie Open—Kyle Fletcher and Mark Davis
vs.
Damian Chambers & Lord Crewe!
Davis and Fletcher swarmed Chambers and Crewe. Aussie served up the Aussie sandwich. Crewe was planted with the Coriolis and Fletcher pinned him!
“Wrestling like two men with a point to prove, Aussie Open dominant tonight,” said Excalibur.
Main Event Time!
TBS Championship Match!
Kris Statlander (c.) vs. Jade Cargill (with “Smart” Mark Sterling)!
They locked horns and went to a stalemate in the early goings. Jade hit Kris with a knee to the midsection. Britt Baker was watching the match on a monitor backstage.
Kris and Jade clobbered one another, trading lariats. Statlander caught Jade and body slammed her. Statlander jumped off the apron with a cross body, but Jade caught her and then slammed her onto the apron.
Jade and Kris jockeyed for position in the ring, battling over a suplex. Jade overpowered Kris and nailed her with a delayed vertical suplex.
“Great match, both women, leaving it all on the mat here,” said Tony Schiavone.
Statlander battered Jade in the corner with forearms. Kris followed up with a knee strike. Kris planted Jade with the Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall. Mark Sterling jumped on the apron. Kris ate a pump kick because of the distraction. Jade choke slammed Statlander for a near fall.
Jade tried for a spear, but Kris dodged it. Kris spiked Jade with an inverted Friday Night Fever and pinned Jade Cargill!
“An incredible back and forth battle but Kris Statlander leaves no doubt that she has earned the TBS Championship.”
After the match Jade and Kris hugged one another out of respect.
Catch AEW DYNAMITE: Grand Slam on TBS next Wednesday live at 8/7ct from Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York, NY!
Don’t miss AEW Collision on Saturday on TNT at 8/7c from the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, PA!
And remember…the home of professional wrestling is All Elite Wrestling!
Tonight’s episode of AEW DYNAMITE was broadcast live from Heritage Bank Center in Cincinnati, OH!
Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, and “The Human Suplex Machine” Taz were the broadcast team for tonight’s event.
It’s Wednesday night and you know what that means!
AEW International Championship Match!
Jon Moxley (c.) vs. Big Bill (with “Absolute” Ricky Starks)!
Moxley used some round kicks to try to topple Big Bill. Bill blasted the champ with a massive right hand. Big Bill followed up with overhand chops. Big Bill was taking the fight right to Moxley and manhandling him.
Moxley fired off two clotheslines, but Bill booted Mox in the head, knocking him out of the ring. Ricky Starks kicked Moxley outside the ring. Moxley reversed an Irish whip and sent Big Bill into the steel ring steps.
Big Bill sent Jon Moxley over the timekeeper’s table. Moxley was busted wide open! Back in the ring, Moxley regained momentum and dug his fingers into Big Bill’s flesh! Moxley superplexed Big Bill.
Big Bill hit the Bossman Slam on Jon Moxley for a near fall. Moxley and Big Bill traded shots in the center of the ring. Moxley countered a boot with a King Kong lariat for a two-count. Moxley punished Big Bill with the hammer and anvil elbow strikes. Moxley planted Big Bill with a cutter, but Big Bill rolled out of the ring. Moxley climbed to the top rope, but Ricky shoved Mox as the ref was checking on Big Bill.
Bryan Danielson sprinted to the ring and peppered Ricky Starks with right hands, evening up the odds! Starks whipped Danielson into the ring steps. Big Bill chokeslammed Big Bill for a near fall on Moxley.
“Mox is losing a lot of blood right now. It looks like a crime scene,” said Taz.
Big Bill tried to hoist up Moxley with a chokeslam, but Moxley countered with a submission hold and forced Big Bill to tap out!
After the match Ricky Starks and Big Bill tried to continue their attack. ROH World Champion Claudio Castagnoli ran down to help his BCC teammates. Starks was furious with these developments. Starks and Big Bill retreated.
It was announced that Moxley will put his title on the line next week on Dynamite against Rey Fenix!
Renee Paquette was backstage with Roderick Strong and the Kingdom!
Adam Cole interrupted the interview and said Strong wrestling Samoa Joe was a horrible idea.
Strong: “You’re only worried about Max. And you should be because after I beat Joe, I’m going to beat MJF next week. Because I am a wrestling legend!”
Tony Schiavone was in the ring soDon Callis and Konosuke Takeshita could reveal their next target!
Callis: “We just beat Kenny Omega twice in one week. Show some respect! We’ve been celebrating. I’ve learned a lot from Takeshita about Japanese culture. When you’re the top wrestler in a promotion, they call you the Ace. He’s better than Okada. Better than Inoki. When you beat Kenny Omega once, they call you the Ace. When you beat Omega twice in seven days, they call you the Alpha!
“Henceforth you will all refer to Takeshita as the Alpha. I never had the empathy thing. Because when you’re the Alpha, you don’t feel anything, you take. Kenny, beating you twice isn’t enough for us. We broke your body. Now we’re going to break your heart.
“I promise to reveal through our creation who the next target of the Alpha will be, and Kenny, this one is going to kill you. The next target is none other than the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Kota Ibushi!
“And Kenny, I want you to know right now, we’re not just going to beat Ibushi, we’re going to butcher him. We’re going to burn him. And I’m going to love the fact that while we’re spilling his blood in the ring, you’re going to be at home helpless, watching like the pathetic cuck that you are.”
Alex Marvez was backstage with the BCC!
Danielson: “We love it when things escalate. So, here’s a challenge. This Saturday at Collision, Ricky Starks, Big Bill, you two against me and Claudio Castagnoli!”
Rey Fenix entered the fray and began to shout at Moxley, but Alex Abrahantes and the refs held him back. Meanwhile, Eddie Kingston laughed in Claudio’s face and said, “One more week!”
Renee Paquette was backstage with FTW Champion HOOK!
Orange Cassidy interrupted!
Orange: “I was walking around and saw Hook all mad about something. What do you have to be mad about?”
Hook: “You were a great champion.”
Orange: “Thanks, you are too!”
They fist-bumped and Orange said he was still so tired.
Women’s World Title Eliminator Four Way Match!
Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. vs. Hikaru Shida vs. Nyla Rose vs. Toni Storm!
The winner will face AEW Women’s Champion Saraya next week at Grand Slam.
Nyle Rose plowed into Baker and Shida with double clotheslines. Toni Storm shoved Shida into Britt Baker, with Baker tumbling out of the ring. Shida followed up with a crossbody onto the women on the arena floor!
Shida nailed Baker with a brain buster. Baker was looking for a thrust kick on Shida, but Shida turned around and Baker stopped herself. Nyla Rose chokeslammed Britt Baker. Shida cracked Nyla with the Katana Kick. As Shida was going for the cover, Britt Baker blasted Shida with a thrust kick. Toni Storm saw the opening, rolled up Britt Baker, and pinned her, stealing the victory!
Renee Paquette was backstage with AEW Women’s Champion Saraya and Ruby Soho!
Saraya: “Congrats, Toni, you did it and you did it without us. But Toni lost everything to me. She lost her top spot, and she lost her mind. She’s crazy. But she’s also going to lose the match against me at Grand Slam and then she’ll be left with nothing!”
Up Next: Le Sex Gods— “The Ocho” Chris Jericho and “The Spanish God” Sammy Guevara had their face to face!
Jericho and Guevara will be wrestling each other next week on Dynamite: Grand Slam.
Jericho: “Next week, right here on Dynamite at Grand Slam in New York City, it’s Le Sex Gods going one on one, Jericho versus Guevara, for the first time ever. Lots of history between us. We’ve been together since the first episode of Dynamite.”
Jericho introduced a highlight package showing all the pivotal moments from Le Sex Gods’ history over the past four years.
“That was beautiful,” said Taz.
Sammy: “Chris, I have a confession. I still don’t know the lyrics to ‘Judas.’”
Jericho: “I saw a kid on one of the NWA pay-per-view prelim matches and I was blown away and told Tony Khan, we need to sign this kid Sammy. I knew he had what it took to be a big star and I wanted him to be with me so I could help him out as much as I possibly could.
“Over the years I’ve watched Sammy grow from a boy to a man. I’ve seen him win titles, get married, and now your wife is ready to give birth to a baby girl. I’m really proud of all you’ve accomplished over the past four years.”
Sammy: “I know the typical wrestling thing is to talk trash, but I don’t want to do that. I want to come out here before one of the biggest matches of my career and say thank you. Thank you for changing my life and for changing the lives of so many people in the back. Without Chris Jericho there is no AEW.
“But truthfully Chris, I didn’t come to this company to just be your sidekick. I want to become world champion. I want them to look at me the way they look at Mox or the way they look at you. I don’t want to be in your shadow, so that’s why I need to beat you next week.”
Jericho: “You were never brought in to be Chris Jericho’s side kick. You were brought in to be a main event player and you are getting closer and closer every week. And that’s why I told you that you have to do it on your own. Next week you have that opportunity. You have to beat me to get to the next level. But if you’re going to beat Chris Jericho, you’re going to have to be the best Sammy Guevara ever if you’re going to have a chance to beat me. But I don’t think you’re ready to beat me yet.”
Sammy: “And there it is. It’s whatever Jericho wants. So next week I’m going to beat you as this man, not the 2018 me at the NWA pay-per-view, but this Sammy is going to beat you, we’re going to shake hands, and we’re going to win some tag team titles.”
Jericho: “Let me make something perfectly clear, Sammy. Next week I’m going to give you the match of your life. And I’m not going to go easy on you. I’m going to beat the living hell out of you. And I expect the exact same thing from you.”
Sammy: “I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
Excalibur: “I think we might have a battle for the ages next week.”
Taz: “Sammy is a pro, and he knows what’s at stake.”
Clips were shown from after Dynamite last week with Renee Paquette interviewing MJF!
MJF was told he wasn’t cleared to wrestle until Grand Slam.
MJF: “There are two talents I want to make it to the finals because I hate their guts: Roddy Strong, if you make it through this tournament, I will rip your head off. You’re a manipulative person. Samoa Joe, you think I’m afraid of you? Nah. You might not realize this, but this New York Pitbull has got a lot of bite. If you wrestle me, I’m going to choke you out!
“Hangman” Adam Page vs. “The Machine” Brian Cage (with Prince Nana)!
Cage clocked Page with an elbow strike. Page retaliated with two big boots to Brian Cage. Hangman hit a lariat off the turnbuckles to the Machine. Hangman went over the top rope, but Brian Cage intercepted him. Page reversed a powerbomb with a hurracanrana, sending Brian Cage into the steel ring post!
Brian Cage nearly decapitated Page with a lariat. Page sent Cage into the ropes after a hurracanrana. Page hit the area code shot on Cage.
Swerve Strickland’s music hit, and Swerve walked out onto the ramp!
Cage took advantage of the distraction and hurled Cage from the ring apron on the outside to the inside of the ring with a German Suplex! Brian Cage powerslammed Page and followed up with a moonsault, but Hangman dodged it.
Hangman rocked Brian Cage with a lariat, the momentum carrying both men over the top rope and onto the floor. Hangman jumped off the top rope and Cage caught him again. Adam Page countered with a crucifix bomb.
Hangman climbed to the top turnbuckle and hit Cage with a moonsault on the arena floor! Hangman followed up with a big crossbody press for a near fall on the Machine. Brian Cage dazed Page with a German Suplex.
The fans chanted “This is awesome! This is awesome!”
Hangman swept out Cage’s legs. Hangman attempted the Buckshot Lariat, but Cage countered, but Page fired back with a Deadeye in the center of the ring, scoring the pin!
“Hell of a match by these two men,” said Taz.
“If Swerve was mad before, he has to be pissed off now,” added Excalibur.
“Well, he poked the bear,” added Taz.
Hangman Page: “What passion, what drive, just oozing out of your body as you brood on top of the ramp as you watched me kick Cage’s ass. Last week you said you wanted my spot, but you sent Cage out. Last week I thought you had some balls but tonight I’m pretty sure you’re just keeping them stowed away in Prince Nana’s Burger King crown.”
Swerve: “What up, turd? Them sound like fighting words to me, Hangman. You think this’ll be solved tonight? We do this when I say, where I say. And it just so happens I chose the great state that birthed Swerve Strickland. October 1st, in the City of Seatle, WrestleDream. Me and you, Hangman. But I’m going to make sure you don’t get comfortable by the time you get there, isn’t that right Brian Cage?”
Brian Cage ambushed “Hangman” Adam Page from behind! The Young Bucks jumped into the ring and superkicked the Machine! The Bucks served up superkicks for Prince Nana as well!
Renee Paquette was backstage with Daniel Garcia!
Garcia: “I thought you came here to talk about me but you’re asking about Sammy or Jericho. Why don’t we talk about the career of Garcia”
Don Callis interrupted!
Callis: “The Don Callis family is going to create a Utopian Meritocracy—”
Garcia got in Callis’ face and did his dance, and then walked off!
Callis: “Wow, that’s money! Renee, that’s money!”
Don Callis chased after Daniel Garcia, grinning ear to ear.
Darby Allin & Nick Wayne
vs.
Matt Menard & Angelo Parker (with Jake Hager and Anna Jay)!
As the match started, Christian Cage and TNT Champion Luchasaurus walked onto the ramp and then joined the broadcast booth.
Christian Cage said Nick Wayne needed a better mentor than Darby Allin.
Nick Wayne clipped Matt Menard with an enziguri. Jake Hager grabbed Darby from outside the ring. Matt Menard powerbombed Nick Wayne.
Darby tagged in and nailed Menard and Parker with the Coffin Splash! He followed up with a dropkick in the corner on both men. Darby connected with a Code Red on Parker for a near fall.
“Darby has issues with the back from that Coffin Match, you can tell,” said Taz.
Nick grabbed a blind tag and walloped Parker with Wayne’s World. Matt Menard pulled Parker out of the pinning predicament. Darby flew off the apron with a senton on Menard. Darby hit the Coffin Drop on Parker and pinned him!
Christian Cage stood up, saying he was getting tired of these guys.
Christian Cage: “Very impressive victory. Nick Wayne, after I went home last week, I was scrolling through your mom’s Instagram account. Your mom doesn’t post enough bikini pics. But don’t worry. I sent her a special request on the side.
“There’s still a lot of talk about Darby and Sting’s win in London, and as the Franchise here, it’s embarrassing. Now I just want to remind everyone I did not take the loss for that match, and I didn’t have my regular partner with me. So, I propose next week, Darby Allin and Sting against me and Luchasaurus. If you’ve got the balls, I’ll see you in New York City!”
Main Event Time!
Grand Slam World Title Eliminator Tournament Finals!
ROH World Television Champion Samoa Joe vs. Roderick Strong (with The Kingdom)!
Samoa Joe applied a wrist lock and then headbutted Roddy’s hands, trying to neutralize Roddy’s infamous chops. Roderick Strong was wiped out with a shoulder tackle from Samoa Joe. Joe followed up with jabs in the corner, breaking down Strong in the corner.
Roddy rallied back with a quick kick to Samoa Joe’s face. Strong connected with a dropkick. Strong cranked on Joe’s neck. Samoa Joe nailed Roddy with the Manhattan Drop and followed up with a senton.
Samoa Joe powerslammed Roderick Strong for a near fall. Roddy escaped a powerbomb and staggered Joe with a shoulder tackle. Roddy blasted Joe with a knee strike underneath the jaw. Samoa Joe planted Strong with a uranage! Samoa Joe was looking for the Muscle Buster, but Mike Bennett jumped on the apron to distract Samoa Joe. Roderick Strong stunned Samoa Joe with the Sick Kick for a near fall.
“What a battle here,” said Taz.
Samoa Joe battered Roderick Strong out of the air and then applied the submission, forcing Roderick Strong to tap out!
Samoa Joe will be facing AEW World Champion MJF next week on Dynamite: Grand Slam!
Samoa Joe: “Oh Max! It seems my little prophecy has come true and next week, I go to your backyard and I’m coming for you. Because I’m going to beat you down and take everything you have kid. Everything.”
Adam Cole came down to the ring. Roderick fell to the mat, clutching his neck. The Kingdom told Adam Cole that this was his fault.
Excalibur questioned whether or not Roderick Strong was really injured or if this was a ruse.
The medical staff placed Roderick Strong on a backboard and stretchered him to the back. The Kingdom told Adam Cole not to follow them or Roderick to the back. Samoa Joe struck from behind, blindsiding Adam Cole and choking him out!
“I’m going to take everything from you, Max!” said Samoa Joe.
Catch AEW DYNAMITE: Grand Slam on TBS next Wednesday live at 8/7ct from Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York, NY!
This Friday tune in to AEW RAMPAGE at 10pm ET on TNT!
Don’t miss AEW Collision on Saturday on TNT at 8/7c from the Bryce Jordan Center in State College, PA!
And remember…the home of professional wrestling is All Elite Wrestling!
This Wednesday night All Elite Wrestling returns to Cincinnati’s Heritage Bank Center for a brand new DYNAMITE that will continue to give form to GRAND SLAM 2023 on September 20th! The Grand Slam World Title Eliminator Tournament Finals are going down between Roderick Strong and Samoa Joe, Hangman Page will go one-on-one with “The Machine” Brian Cage for a third time in their careers, Le Sex Gods will be in the building to discuss their collision at Arthur Ashe, and Jon Moxley returns home to defend his AEW International Championship against Big Bill!
DYNAMITE get underway at 8pm ET/7pm CT LIVE on TBS, as well as at AEWPlus.com for our international fans, so be sure to check in on the official AEW YouTube channel and watch the highlights from last week’s action during DYNAMITE, RAMPAGE, and COLLISION, plus the CONTROL CENTER, and more!
GRAND SLAM WORLD TITLE ELIMINATOR TOURNAMENT FINALS…
ROH World Television Champion Samoa Joe vs. Roderick Strong
This is where Samoa Joe and Roderick Strong have spent the last week fighting to get to: the precipice of an AEW World Championship match, a first for either man, taking place at GRAND SLAM 2023 on September 20th. There is just one last step to take on this road, a matter of either Roderick Strong defeating a man he’s only beaten once in their eight singles matches, or Samoa Joe once more beating a man he only lost to once back in January 2005.
Both Joe and Roderick have plenty of motivation pushing them towards victory, Roderick’s well-documented issues with Adam Cole’s friendship with MJF and Joe’s issues with the disrespect thrown his way by the AEW World Champion, but for both men that’s putting the cart before the horse. There’s a fight taking place this Wednesday night in Cincinnati that takes precedent, and while 87.5% of their fights have gone Joe’s way, Strong may have deeper reasons to fight than he ever has before, even when it was the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament that was at stake.
This is about the AEW World Title, ultimately that is the most primary reason to fight, but it’s also about broken trust and shattered friendships, it’s about respect and disrespect, and it’s about Roddy shaking the monkey off his back to finally defeat Samoa Joe, but if that neck is actually as hurt as Strong, Matt Taven, and Mike Bennett have claimed, than “Mr. ROH” is just one Choke or Muscle Buster away from ending up back on the shelf.
WOMEN’S WORLD TITLE ELIMINATOR FOUR WAY…
Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D vs. Hikaru Shida vs. Nyla Rose vs. Toni Storm
Take four former AEW Women’s World Champions, all with plenty of history binding them to one another, and throw them in the ring together to see what happens. Add in the additional factor of a World Championship match being at stake, and this is an explosive formula worthy of DYNAMITE. Baker beat Shida for her first championship, Shida beat Nyla Rose for her first and Toni Storm for her second, Toni Storm won a Four Way that included Britt and Shida to claim her first shot, and then there is the whole issue of The Outcasts and what they’ve been aiming for with the AEW originals since they first united. Now Nyla Rose may have been left alone in that Outcasts mission, most likely out of fear, but reclaiming the Women’s World Championship is something that’s always been part of Nyla’s own personal mission.
Speaking of The Outcasts though, it is abundantly clear that Toni Storm is on the outs with Ruby Soho and AEW Women’s World Champion Saraya, especially since she insured Ruby couldn’t cheat to beat Kris Statlander at ALL OUT 2023. So add in that drama, on top of that mixed in with these four women, and this is quite the intriguing bout set for this Wednesday night.
Which of these four champions will get their chance to reclaim the gold they once lost, or in the case of Toni and Shida twice-lost? Will Britt get to face down Saraya in the same venue where the AEW Women’s World Champion made her AEW debut, the woman who beat her at FULL GEAR 2022? Will Toni Storm end up in a fight with the woman who pinned her at ALL IN: LONDON to claim the title? Or will we see first-time fights in Hikaru Shida or Nyla Rose?
As he heads home to Cincinnati for his 3rd AEW International Championship defense in a week, Jon Moxley has to be feeling the effects of not only the two previous bouts, as well as the match at ALL OUT 2023 where he beat Orange Cassidy, but also the attack perpetrated by Big Bill on COLLISION while Ricky Starks choked the life out of Bryan Danielson with a BCC shirt just a few feet away.
This is the third year in a row that Cincinnati has welcomed AEW, the second at the Heritage Bank Center, and each year has presented Jon Moxley with a huge undertaking, but one in which he has proven victorious. The first year he fought Minoru Suzuki and walked away the winner after eight of the hardest-hitting minutes AEW has seen, while the second hosted an AEW World Championship defense as Hangman Page challenged Mox, with the challenger ultimately ending up on a stretcher after a vicious King Kong Lariat knocked Hangman out.
This year, with a new championship around his waist, Moxley comes home to face the indomitable threat of Big Bill, a man who laid out the International Champion with a single big boot last Saturday night. Now this isn’t their first engagement in singles competition, that took place in June 2019, but it is their first one-on-one encounter in All Elite Wrestling, having only met in a tag match during the HOUSE RULES: TROY event, some 75 miles north on I-75, back in March.
Moxley is hellbent on surpassing Orange Cassidy’s legacy as the best International Champion of all-time, which means defending the title more times than any champions in AEW history across all divisions, as well as holding it for more than 327 days (20 days shy of all three of Mox’s World Championship reigns combined). So that’s why Mox is on his third defense in a week, coming into it having won nine straight singles matches, and with an 11-3 record on the year in those ranks that includes a Steel Cage Match win over Kenny Omega.
As for Big Bill, most of his AEW competition has been in tag team and multi-man competition, but as a singles he’s run a 4-3 record on the year, including an International Championship loss to Orange Cassidy, and three wins in his last five bouts. Though he’s one of the most imposing figures on the AEW roster, Bill hasn’t tasted championship success yet in AEW, though he also united with Brian Cage to challenge FTR for the AEW World Tag Team Championship just over a month ago. Given his dominating presence, his strength and stature, it seems an inevitability that Big Bill will hold a title in All Elite Wrestling before too long.
Will that success come to Big Bill this Wednesday night in Cincinnati, or will Jon Moxley go three in a row in his hometown, as well as three in a row with International Championship defenses? Will Ricky Starks be the kind of presence in Big Bill’s matches the way Bill is in his? And if so, will there be any BCC at ringside to balance the scales? Tune into DYNAMITE this Wednesday night to see if we have a new AEW International Champion by night’s end!
As mentioned above, the last time All Elite Wrestling was in Cincinnati Hangman Page did not leave the arena on his own two feet, instead finding himself carted out on a stretcher and hoisted into an ambulance after a Jon Moxley lariat knocked him unconscious. Though Hangman would recover shortly thereafter, the fact that his last time in town ended the way it did had to be scratching at his brain as this event drew closer.
Well now the former AEW World Champion has an opportunity to redeem himself before the Cincy crowd when he enters into battle with ROH World Six-Man Champion Brian Cage for their third singles fight! Back in the spring of 2021, before AEW returned to a touring schedule, “The Machine” shocked everyone, including Hangman, when he beat Page on the April 28th edition of DYNAMITE. The loss came at a time when many fans felt Hangman was on the path to dethroning AEW World Champion Kenny Omega months before he actually did so at FULL GEAR 2021.
Hangman would rebound from that loss a month later at DOUBLE OR NOTHING 2021, beating Brian Cage in a twelve minute slobber knocker, and evening the score. Though the two would meet one last time in a tag match on the subsequent DYNAMITE, a match won by Hangman and Dark Order’s Ten it should be noted, they never had that rubber match to truly decide who was the better man.
Not until now at least; though Hangman was out there to address his victory in the Over Budget Charity Battle Royal, his presence in the ring last week turned into a confrontation with Swerve Strickland and Prince Nana, and ultimately an assault perpetrated by “The Machine”. So with that in mind, as well as the history between Page and his assailant, the rubber match between Page and Cage has been set for this Wednesday night in Cincinnati! Will this be a repeat of Hangman’s last trip to town, or can the former World Champion shake that monkey off his back and score a second victory over “The Machine”? The presence of The Mogul Embassy is all but certain, the only question is just how much of an impact they will have on this contest!
CALLIS’ REVELATION…
So what’s next for Don Callis and Konosuke Takeshita, the man that Callis has proclaimed as the “New God of Professional Wrestling”? Don has already stated, despite steering Takeshita towards two pinfall victories over Omega, and assisting in Will Ospreay’s victory over him at FORBIDDEN DOOR 2023, that he’s not done utterly dissecting the life of Omega and anyone who supports him.
So what does that mean, and how does it pertain to this revelation Callis has promised for this Wednesday night on DYNAMITE? Who is their next target in this mission to bleed Kenny Omega dry?
One of The Elite seems the obvious choice, the most accessible targets possible, and it wouldn’t be improbable for Don Callis to throw his lot in with someone like Prince Nana to have his Mogul Embassy do the dirty work on Hangman. After all, he did it with BULLET CLUB GOLD and Kenny, but that’s just a bit of speculation about where Callis will attack next. Thankfully the guessing game doesn’t need last long and Don Callis will tell us himself in Cincinnati…
It is official that Chris Jericho and Sammy Guevara, men who’ve been bonded since the very first episode of DYNAMITE back in 2019, who’ve fought together as members of The Inner Circle and The Jericho Appreciation Society, and who’ve been in Stadium Stampedes and Blood & Guts together, that they will go one-on-one at GRAND SLAM 2023 for the very first time.
Now they fought one another in a Four Way for the ROH World Championship at FULL GEAR 2022, and they’ve been on opposite sides of a few tag matches over the years, but they’ve never just straight up fought each other in a singles match. September 20th will change all that, but before we get to Arthur Ashe, these two men will both be on-hand in Cincinnati to address what is about to happen. Though this was presented as a way for the two men to get past their problems, and move onto being tag team championship challengers, there’s more than a little bit of ego at play, so it should be quite interesting to see what thoughts Jericho and Guevara have to share!
Come Wednesday night All Elite Wrestling brings to you the absolute best professional wrestling on the planet, this time emanating from the Heritage Bank Center in Cincinnati, OH and it will shape the face of both the GRAND SLAM 2023 World Title match as well as the Women’s World Championship bout! Plus, Hangman Page and “The Machine” collide for a third time, Le Sex Gods will be in the house with words before their singles bout, plus hometown hero Jon Moxley returns to defend his AEW International Championship against Big Bill!
DYNAMITE begins at 8pm ET/7pm CT LIVE on TBS, as well as at AEWPlus.com for our international fans, so be sure to visit the official AEW YouTube channel and catch up on highlights from last week’s episodes of DYNAMITE, RAMPAGE, and COLLISION, as well the newest edition of THE CONTROL CENTER, and so much more!
