CONTAINS SPOILERS
Tonight’s episode of AEW RAMPAGE was broadcast from the Gas South Arena in Duluth, GA!
Your broadcast team was Excalibur, “The Ocho” Chris Jericho and Tony Schiavone.
It’s Friday night and you know what that means!
This…is…Rampage!
“Freshly Squeezed” Orange Cassidy & Trent Beretta vs. Kip Sabian & The Butcher!
The Butcher backed Trent into the turnbuckles. Trent charged at Butch, but Butch shoved Trent right to the mat. Trent fired back with a forearm to Butcher’s head. Butcher dished out his own forearm and staggered Trent.
Butcher bulldozed Trent with a big shoulder tackle. Kip tagged in but Trent sent Kip flying with a huge back body drop. Orange grabbed a tag and he and Trent connected with double shoulder tackles on Sabian.
Cassidy spiked Kip with a DDT. Butcher came in and powerslammed Orange, then followed up with a back breaker. Butch wasn’t even the legal man! Sabian whipped Cassidy into the corner. Sabian inadvertently hit Butcher, allowing enough time for Orange to tag out to Trent.
Trent smashed Kip with two consecutive suplexes. Trent blasted Butcher with a knee to the chin. Trent rocked Sabian with a running knee strike for a near fall! Butcher rallied back with a pump handle throw on Trent, and Sabian crashed onto Trent with a double foot stomp. Sabian covered Trent but Orange jumped in to break the pin attempt.
Trent rocked Butcher with a German Suplex. Orange pulped Butcher with the Orange Punch! Trent nailed Butcher with the Strong Zero and scored the pin for his team!
“The was a great showing for Orange Cassidy and Trent Beretta ahead of the World Tag Team Title Tournament,” said Excalibur.
A video package aired showing highlights of The Infantry—Capt. Shawn Dean and Carlie Bravo—in action!
Renee Paquette was backstage with Ruby Soho wondering if Ruby would provide an update on Angelo Parker.
Ruby: “He’s hurt. He’s really hurt. He might have torn a couple ligaments in his knee. And honestly this whole thing feels like it’s my fault. Because I brought him into this, this whole thing with Saraya. I hate you, Saraya. I want you to understand that. I thought you were just sad without me. But deep down inside you’re a bad person. You and your inbred family are going to get what’s coming to you!”
TBS Championship Open Challenge Match!
The House of Black’s Julia Hart (c.) vs. Robyn Renegade!
Julia bounced Robyn’s head off the mat repeatedly. Julia whipped Robyn into the turnbuckles. Julia hit a vertical suplex on Robyn Renegade. Julia used a back heel trip on Robyn and then wrenched back on Robyn’s neck.
Robyn fought to her feet and then blasted Julia with a shotgun dropkick. Julia dodged a charge from Robyn and then connected with a back elbow and a thrust kick to Robyn. Julia drilled Robyn with a lariat to the back of the head. Julia locked in Heartless and forced Robyn to tap out!
Renee Paquette was backstage when Saraya and Harley Cameron interrupted!
Saraya: “What about my side of the story? You’ve turned on me just like Ruby Soho! This is all your fault, Ruby, and all for a man? And you’re going to see what we’re going to do to Angelo next!”
Harley: “Oh, and Angelo, get well soon!”
Action Andretti vs. Penta El Zero Miedo (with Alex Abrahantes)!
Penta took down Action with two sling blades. Action fired back with a DDT. Action attempted a tope suicida, but Penta countered with a kick to Action’s head, shutting down Action’s high flying offense.
Action wiped out Penta with a hurracanrana off the apron onto the arena floor! Action splashed Penta with a senton. Action went for a springboard, but Penta countered with a thrust kick. Penta charged at Action, but Action countered with a Spanish Fly! Action planted Penta with a poison rana for a near fall! Andretti was looking for a tornillo but Penta El Zero Miedo countered with a thrust kick! Penta stuck Action Andretti with the Fear Factor and pinned Andretti!
Main Event Time! Three-Way Tag Team Match!
Private Party—Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen
vs.
Top Flight—Dante & Darius Martin
vs.
“Bounty Hunter” Bryan Keith & Komander!
Dante rocked Bryan Keith with a jumping knee strike. Private Party jumped in but Top Flight dropkicked them out of the ring. The match broke down, with the teams brawling at ringside!
Keith shoved Kassidy into Quen. Bryan Keith followed up with a neck breaker to Kassidy and was forced to tag out to Darius as Komander hadn’t returned to the ring apron yet. Darius connected with a flatliner DDT combo on Private Party for a near fall on Isiah.
Komander grabbed a tag, but Private Party double teamed him, and Kassidy covered Komander, but Dante broke up the pin. Bryan Keith hit an exploder suplex on Kassidy while Komander used a backslide on Quen for a near fall.
Dante came in and walloped Quen with a lariat! Dante clocked Komander with a knee strike under the chin. Dante took out Private Party on the outside with a tope suicida! Darius flattened Komander with the ripcord and scored the pin for Top Flight!
Don’t miss AEW Collision on Saturday on TNT at 8/7c featuring:
-CMLL’s Mistico vs. Angelico!
-Mariah May vs. Trish Adora!
-AEW Women’s World Champion “Timeless” Toni Storm Presents the First-Ever Toni Award!
- “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson vs. Shane Taylor!
-Chris Jericho vs. CMLL’s Titan!
-The Debut of The Elite— “Rainmaker” Kazuchika Okada & The Young Bucks—EVPs Matthew & Nicholas Jackson!
-Atlanta Street Fight: House of Black vs. Mark Briscoe, Jay Lethal, & Jeff Jarrett!
Catch AEW DYNAMITE: Big Business on TBS next Wednesday live at 8/7ct from the TD Garden in Boston, MA featuring:
-Willow Nightingale vs. Riho!
-Darby Allin vs. “Switchblade” Jay White!
-AEW World Championship Match: Samoa Joe (c.) vs. Wardlow!
-And much more!
Tickets On Sale Now! – www.AEWTix.com
And remember…the home of professional wrestling is All Elite Wrestling!
...
The official announcement of an AEW World Tag Team Championship Tournament! The arrival of “The Rainmaker” Kazuchika Okada as both an official member of All Elite Wrestling and as the newest addition to The Elite! Ospreay versus Fletcher! And that's just a sampling of what DYNAMITE brought to the AEW faithful this past Wednesday night at the Gas South Arena! With a new set design and a new season underway, All Elite Wrestling moved forward into the post-Sting era in explosive fashion, and it continues this Friday night on TNT with RAMPAGE!
Before the action starts, drop by the official AEW YouTube channel, as well as AEW's assorted social media sites, to catch up on highlights from this week's DYNAMITE, as well as previous episodes of RAMPAGE, COLLISION, the latest CONTROL CENTER, and let's not forget REVOLUTION 2024! Then be sure to join AEW next Wednesday night for DYNAMITE: BIG BUSINESS coming your way from the TD Garden in Boston, an event already shaping up to be one of the most unforgettable in AEW's television history!
TAG TEAM TOURNAMENT WARM-UP...
Orange Cassidy & Trent Beretta vs. Kip Sabian & The Butcher
We know there's a tournament coming up this month to fill the AEW World Tag Team Championship vacancy created by Sting's retirement and Darby Allin's unwillingness to continue on without “The Icon” as his partner, and while the locker room awaits the bracketing, teams are already throwing their names in the hat.
As we heard on Wednesday night in the interview embedded above, Chuck Taylor still isn't cleared for action, meaning The Best Friends will have to continue never having held a championship together, but that doesn't mean Trent Beretta and Orange Cassidy can't give the tournament a try as a team! With that in mind, the former 2-Time International Champion will tag up with Beretta this Friday night on RAMPAGE to do battle with some familiar foes making their first appearance as a tandem.
Kip Sabian and The Butcher have been united for quite some time, competing in Trios matches with The Blade, and just generally supporting each other's careers, but this Friday will mark the first time the two have fought as a tag team! Best Friends have had their far share of interaction with Butcher & Blade over the last four years, while Cassidy defended the International Championship against both Kip Sabian and The Butcher over the course of his two title runs. In short, all four of these men know each other quite well, which should make for quite the intriguing match-up as both duos hope to earn their way into the World Tag Title Tournament when the brackets are set!
TBS CHAMPIONSHIP OPEN CHALLENGE...
Julia Hart(c) vs. Robyn Renegade
After losing in tag team action during the REVOLUTION 2024: ZERO HOUR, TBS Champion Julia Hart is hearing challenges coming her way from Willow Nightingale and Kris Statlander, and though Stat's loss to Riho on Wednesday night may not have done her any favors in getting the rematch she's thus far been denied, Willow remains in the hunt with a fight of her own against Riho set for DYNAMITE: BIG BUSINESS.
In response to the challenges laid before her, Julia Hart put out an Open Challenge of her own with the intention to remind the other women in All Elite Wrestling just who is holding the TBS Championship. Situations like this are the perfect opportunity for the unlikeliest of challengers to step up and try to shock the world, and that is exactly what we have this Friday night with Robyn Renegade stepping up to plate! Renegade is no stranger to a TBS Title Open Challenge, she actually answered the call when Kris Statlander did the same on the 9/9/23 edition of COLLISION, though obviously coming up short in that challenge.
Still, that's the sort of thing that can either bolster a competitor's hunger or discourage them from continuing the fight, and clearly Robyn Renegade has chosen the former! Can she upset the TBS Champion and throw a massive monkey wrench into the works, or will Renegade end up as an example to Willow, Statlander, and any other woman with designs on Julia Hart's TBS Championship?
THREE WAY TAG BATTLE...
Private Party (Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen) vs. Top Flight (Dante & Darius Martin) vs. “Bounty Hunter” Bryan Keith & Komander
As is the case with the other tag team battle taking place on RAMPAGE, this Three Way fight is absolutely an opportunity for all six men to make a statement as to why they should be included in the brackets. Ever since Private Party returned to tag team competition, they've looked better than ever, but have made enemies out of Top Flight over the course of their two outings this year.
As for Bryan Kieth and Komander, this will mark just their second outing as a tag team, the first taking place two months ago when the met ROH World Tag Team Champions The Kingdom in a Proving Ground match to try and earn a title opportunity but came up short. Now they are looking for another path to greatness, perhaps through a bid in that impending World Tag Title Tournament, and a victory here over two well-established teams could get the eyes on them required for consideration.
If the tensions between Private Party and Top Flight get in the way, then Bryan Keith and Komander could find themselves with an upset victory Friday night, but even that is going to come with a fight, because best believe all three duos are bringing their A-game as the tag teams in AEW jockey for position!
ALSO FEATURING...
Action Andretti vs. Penta El Zero Miedo
After clashing in a Three Way tag team bout two weeks ago on RAMPAGE, this Friday night will see Action Andretti and Penta El Zero Miedo go one-on-one for the very first time! In their two televised matches, Action's team holds one victory and Penta's holds one, but this being the first time they've ventured into the realm of singles competition, it is anyone's ball game. Penta clearly has more experience that Andretti, but Action has proven himself capable of shocking the world in the past (just ask Chris Jericho) so don't count him out either.
Which of these two amazing athletes will get their hand raised on RAMPAGE? Tune in Friday night to TNT to find out!!
RAMPAGE comes your way from the Gas South Arena in Duluth, GA and it is loaded with action! TBS Champion Julia Hart laid out an Open Challenge on Wednesday night, and it looks like Robyn Renegade has stepped up to answer, plus Orange Cassidy will be in tag team action alongside Trent Beretta as the two take on Kip Sabian and The Butcher! In addition, we will see Top Flight, Private Party, and the Bryan Keith/Komander tandem collide in a Three Way tag, as well as Penta El Zero Miedo battling Action Andretti! That gets underway at 10pm ET/9pm CT so prior to bell time, swing on by the official AEW YouTube channel, as well as AEW's various social media platforms, to catch up on highlights from Wednesday's DYNAMITE, as well as previous episodes of RAMPAGE, COLLISION, the latest CONTROL CENTER, and of course REVOLUTION 2024!
https://www.youtube.com/embed/78xj6IQ9lFo?si=pFPHQ25R03bc6zcz ...
CONTAINS SPOILERS
Tonight’s season premiere episode of AEW DYNAMITE was broadcast live from the Gas South Arena in Duluth, GA!
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!
Tony Schiavone kicked off the show in the ring to interview Swerve Strickland!
Swerve: “What’s Swerve’s house without the keys? I couldn’t get the job done this past Sunday. You know who did? Samoa Joe did. Here I stand, no gold around my waist. Part of me think it’s karma for all the bad things I’ve done in AEW. Maybe I’m paying for it now.
“Maybe I’m not supposed to be a champion here. Maybe I’m supposed to be a role player and be the guy that gets close enough but can’t quite grasp it, and I’ve gotta settle for this. I’m going to tell you all a little something. Something about Sunday felt different. Something about Revolution felt very different. It felt like people were truly rooting for me for the first time. It felt like y’all wanted me to win and make history.
“The fact remains nothing changes from this point on. Samoa Joe, whether you’re still holding the World championship or not, I’m coming for you. That I promise!”
AEW World Champion Samoa Joe came down to the ring!
Samoa Joe: “You know for a man who I beat down the other day, you sure are talking funny. Making a lot of promises to these good people that you will never keep. In fact, I came out here to give us a reality check. Here we are in Swerve’s House. But unfortunately, your house exists in my world. So instead of coming out here and disappointing these people about how you’re almost the champion, I thought I’d come out here and let them gaze upon an actual World Champion.”
Swerve: “Don’t talk your back on me, Joe. You’re talking real spicy. How about you put this title on the line tonight? Actually, I don’t want to wait until tonight. How about we do this right now?”
The Undisputed Kingdom’s music interrupted Swerve, and the Undisputed Kingdom rolled out onto the ramp!
Adam Cole: “The only story coming out of Revolution worth talking about is the Undisputed Kingdom. Roderick Strong is your new AEW International Champion. Mike Bennett and Matt Taven are still the greatest ROH Tag Champions of all time. And then there’s Swerve and Samoa Joe. Joe, you’re only champion because we allowed it to happen. And Swerve, in six months, no one will give a damn about you. You’re not going to win the World championship, but I’ll tell you who is: Wardlow.”
Swerve: “It’s funny you’re telling me I need to get to the back of the line. How many times did you fail, yet you got opportunity after opportunity.”
Adam Cole: You think you’re funny? How about this? The greatest ROH Tag Champions of all time against you and Samoa Joe next week?”
Swerve: “Why wait until next week?”
Adam Cole: “The match is happening next week!”
Tony Schiavone: “Pardon me. I heard from Tony Khan. The match is happening right now.”
ROH World Tag Team Champions Mike Bennett & Matt Taven
vs.
AEW World Champion Samoa Joe and Swerve Strickland!
Samoa Joe booted Taven in the head and flattened him with a senton for a near fall. Samoa Joe hit Taven with a headbutt. Bennett grabbed a blind tag and began to strike Samoa Joe after a swift kick from Matt Taven.
Strickland tagged himself in and cleaned house on Taven and Bennett. Swerve blasted Bennett with a brain buster! Swerve climbed to the top turnbuckle, but Taven cut him off. Swerve shoved Taven away and nailed Taven with the double foot stomp and followed up with the House Call! Swerve planted Taven and scored the pin!
“No help from Joe, Swerve did it on his own, pretty much,” said Taz.
Wardlow walked down the ramp. Swerve was distracted by him, and while his back was turned, Samoa Joe locked Swerve in a sleeper.
“Joe just used Strickland as an example to Wardlow,” said Taz.
And it was made official for next week on Dynamite: Big Business—it’ll be AEW World Champion Samoa Joe placing his title on the line against Wardlow!
Renee Paquette was backstage to interview FTW Champion HOOK!
Chris Jericho interrupted Renee.
Jericho: “You know Hook, the first match I worked as “Lionheart” Chris Jericho in this country was against your father. He suplexed me on my head. I’ve never forgotten that. But I’ve always felt like I had a little connection to Taz because of it, which made me feel like I have a little connection to you. But I never really respected you, Hook, until you dumped me on my head this past Sunday at Revolution. And when I was in the ring with you, I realized maybe you are the real deal. So, congrats on that.”
Jericho fist bumped Hook and smiled.
Next: A huge announcement from AEW EVPs The Young Bucks—Matthew & Nicholas Jackson!
Nicholas: “Actually we have two huge announcements.”
Matthew: “How about we make those announcements in the ring tonight?”
FTW Championship Match!
HOOK (c.) vs. “The Machine” Brian Cage!
Cage cracked Hook with a thrust kick. Cage followed up with a suplex and then a running elbow to Hook in the corner. Cage sent Hook flying with a belly to belly suplex. Cage pulled a chair from beneath the ring and wedged it into the corner. Hook blasted Cage in the face with a fire extinguisher. Hook clocked Cage in the head with a trash can lid.
Hook jumped off the ring steps, but Cage caught Hook and powerslammed Hook on the arena floor. Cage charged at Hook, but Hook dodged him, sending Cage crashing through the barricade.
Back in the ring, Hook countered an F5 and spiked Cage with a DDT on a steel chair! Hook nailed Cage with a T-bone suplex! Hook smashed a trash can onto Cage and then suplexed Cage onto a steel guardrail for a near fall!
Brian Cage escaped the Red Rum. Cage smacked Hook with an F5 onto a chair. Brian Cage took a bag and emptied it, spilling thumbtacks onto the ring. Hook cracked a kendo stick across Cage’s back and then suplexed Cage into the thumbtacks!
Hook clubbed Cage. Hook applied the Red Rum, but Cage sat back into the thumbtacks! Hook wouldn’t let go, despite being in the thumb tacks, and put Brian Cage to sleep! Hook won via ref stoppage!
Out of nowhere, The Gates of Agony ambushed Hook! Bishop Kaun and Toa Liona stomped Hook!
Chris Jericho sprinted to the ring with his baseball bat, coming to the aid of Hook, and cleared the ring of the Gates of Agony!
It was announced that across the coming weeks, the AEW World Tag Team Championships will be decided in a tournament!
Renee Paquette was backstage to interview “Freshly Squeezed” Orange Cassidy, Trent, and Chuck Taylor!
Renee: “What’s next for you Orange?”
Orange: “Well, you know, it’s going to be the same thing I always do. And that’s to do what ever I can to fill up my backpack up with another championship.”
Renee: “Let’s talk about these new vacated AEW World championships. Trent and Chuck, are you guys going to be in the tournament?”
Chuck: “Renee, it is high time that the Best Friends win the big one, but unfortunately, the boys aren’t back in town. I’m not cleared, my ankle is still hurt. But I think these two should enter that dang tournament and win the whole dang thing. And guess what? Friday night on Rampage, you guys got your first match.”
Trent: “Boys, it’s time to win the big one.”
Killswitch (with the Patriarch) vs. “Daddy Magic” Matt Menard!
TNT Champion Christian Cage joined the broadcast booth for this match.
Menard charged at Killswitch, not wasting anytime, throwing forearms at Killswitch. Menard ran into Killswitch, but Killswitch countered with a chokeslam! Killswitch clobbered Menard with a lariat to the back of the neck and then pinned him!
“Killswitch just made his father very, very proud,” said Christian Cage.
Killswitch continued his onslaught after the match, but Daniel Garcia ran to the ring to even up the odds! Garcia pummeled Killswitch in the corner! Nick Wayne jumped into the ring, but Garcia backed him off with strikes. Garcia turned around and was wiped out by a massive boot from Killswitch! Nick Wayne walloped Garcia with Wayne’s World!
“There’s nothing Nick Wayne can’t do under my guidance,” said Christian Cage.
Christian Cage and the Patriarchy celebrated on the ramp until “The Rated R Superstar” Adam Copeland ran up from behind and attacked Killswitch with a steel chair! Copeland choked out Nick Wayne and then set his sights on Christian Cage, but Christian began to back away. Mother Wayne went to strike Copeland with a low blow, but Copeland blocked it! Copeland charged after Christian Cage, but Cage retreated! Adam Copeland chased Christian Cage through the arena and then backstage! Christian Cage jumped into someone’s SUV, highjacked it, and drove away!
Adam Copeland looked into the camera.
Copeland: “I know you’re going to see this. This has to end where it started. Toronto, March 20th, Dynamite, Copeland-Cage 3 for the TNT Championship in an I-Quit Match!”
Renee Paquette was backstage to interview Kyle O’Reilly!
Kyle: “I hate admitting this, but for awhile there, I didn’t think that I’d ever wrestle again. But to be here now, to be cleared, to feel the love from the fans, to get a second chance at the only thing I’ve ever been good at, to get a second chance to provide for my family, I’m just grateful.
“I’ve got nothing but love and respect for the Undisputed Kingdom, but you’ve got to understand that I feel like I’ve fallen so far down the mountain, I don’t know which path to take. Now that I’ve got a second chance, I’ve just got to do it on my own.”
Tony Schiavone was in the ring to interview AEW EVPs The Young Bucks—Matthew & Nicholas Jackson!
The Bucks kicked Schiavone out of the ring. Nicholas said the Bucks were entering themselves into the tag tournament and getting the titles back.
Matthew said they had two huge announcements. The first item pertains to two of their dear friends. Matthew said “Hangman” Adam Page crossed the line at Revolution by putting his hands on two AEW officials, so he’d be suspended from the Elite without pay. Matthew also said Kenny was fired from the Elite. Matthew was about to make another announcement until the Continental Crown Champion Eddie Kingston walked down to the ring!
Kingston said he was warned that if he talked crap about the Bucks, he’d be fined, so he threw a wad of cash at Nicholas Jackson and said he might as well fine him now! Matthew told Eddie not to air their grievances on national television and put his arm around Kingston. Nicholas moved closer and grabbed Kingston, but Kingston knocked Nicholas down and then struck Matthew! As Kingston and Nicholas were tussling, Matthew connected with a low blow to Kingston and then Nicholas followed up with a thrust kick!
The Bucks were about to smash Kingston with the EVP Trigger when suddenly…
“The Rainmaker” Kazuchika Okada’s music began to play!
Okada came down to the ring as the arena became unglued! Okada got in the ring, and it appeared he was about to help Kingston. Instead, Okada grabbed Kingston and rocked him with the rainmaker clothesline!
Nicholas: “One announcement we forgot to make! The newest member of the Elite…” The Rainmaker” Kazuchika Okada!
“Omega is out, Okada is in! I can’t believe it!” said Tony Schiavone.
“Is Okada targeting the Continental Crown, gesturing at his waist and pointing to Kingston? Kazuchika Okada is All Elite, and the newest member of the Elite. What a shocking turn of events,” added Excalibur.
Kris Statlander (with Stokely Hathaway) vs. Riho!
Riho dropkicked Statlander. Riho followed up with a drop toehold, but Kris got up and shoulder blocked Riho. Kris put Riho in a bear hug. Statlander nailed Riho with a vertical suplex.
Statlander pressed Riho and then planted her hard on the mat! Riho connected with a dropkick and rallied back with a big hammering elbow in the corner. Riho rocked Kris with a Northern Lights Suplex for a near fall.
Riho climbed to the top turnbuckle, but Kris dodged the double stomp. Kris clubbed Riho in the face with a clothesline. Kris followed up with two more forearms. Riho was playing possum, jumped off the top rope, but Statlander rolled through. Riho slipped behind and nailed Kris with a dragon suplex for a two-count!
The fans chanted “This is awesome! This is awesome!”
Stokely Hathaway placed a chain in the ring for Kris, and then jumped onto the apron to distract the ref. Statlander picked up the chain, and it was clear she was torn, but then tossed the chain away. Riho charged at Statlander, but Statlander put on the brakes and suplexed Riho!
Statlander planted Riho with a German Suplex. Statlander picked up Riho, but Riho rolled through and pinned Statlander!
“What a win! What a comeback! Statlander is shocked, she should have used the chain,” said Taz.
Renee Paquette was backstage with AEW Women’s World Champion “Timeless” Toni Storm, Mariah May, and Luther!
Storm said this Saturday on Collision she’d be presenting the first ever “Toni” award.
Renee Paquette was backstage with Stokely Hathaway and Willow Nightingale!
Renee asked Stokely what went wrong out there.
Stokely: “Kris Statlander wanted to do things here way. She is my favorite. I just wish she listened to those who love her the most.”
Renee: “I have good news I’ve just been informed. Next week on Dynamite: Big Business, you will be going one on one with Riho.”
Willow: “Stokely, I know what you were trying to do out there, but next week we have to do things my way. I know I can beat Riho, the former Women’s Champion. And Julia Hart, I’ve got my sights set on you and the TBS Championship. I am going to become the face of TBS, I just have to get through Riho first.”
Tony Schiavone was in the ring to interview Darby Allin ahead of his match against “Switchblade” Jay White at Dynamite: Big Business!
Tony asked Darby what it would be like without Sting.
Darby: “I’m lacerated, I’m beat up, I’m tired. Next week at Big Business I’ve got a match against Jay White. And then on March 27th, I’m flying to go climb Mount Everest. There is no guarantee that I’m going to come back alive from Mount Everest. I just want to take this moment to thank every fan and AEW for giving me this dream. And if next week is my last match, I’m going to go out fighting for my life! And as for this AEW World Tag championship, everybody asks me why I don’t just find a new partner and keep defending it. Let’s get serious here, Tony. I can’t replace Sting. So next team that wins this, congratulations.”
“Darby Allin is relinquishing the AEW World Tag Team Championship,” said Excalibur.
The Bullet Club Gold came out onto the ramp!
“Switchblade” Jay White: “Whoa, I am sorry, I didn’t want to interrupt this little sob story but Darby, you’re just such an elusive guy, I didn’t know if I’d get the chance to talk to you face to face. Congrats on an amazing night at Revolution.
“You were willing to risk it all when you jumped off the top of the ladder. Our EVPs moved out of the way, and you went crashing through the glass all by yourself. Between you and me and Atlanta, I don’t really care that this is all people are talking about. There’s no one to watch after you now. But you don’t have to get in the ring with me. Trust me, nobody would think any less of you after what you’ve been through. Because Darby remember, if you do decide to get in the ring with me, there’s a lot worse things that can happen than a few scratches.
“So, I have a better idea. Instead of a match, why don’t you come back, and you can hang with the Bang Bang Scissor Gang. We have a nickname for you already: Darby Scissorhands.”
Darby: “Are you done? I’m going to get right to the point. You came to AEW and did what? I don’t believe the hype. If you think you’re as good as you say you are, you’d come out here alone. I’ll see you at Big Business on Dynamite next week!”
The House of Black were backstage with strong words for Mark Briscoe!
They said they’d fight fire with fire!
Brody King: “Just let us know if we need to dig one grave or three after Collision this Saturday.”
Renee Paquette was backstage with Mark Briscoe!
Briscoe: “Saturday night, let’s do it! Atlanta Street Fight, anything goes on Collision!”
Jay Lethal interrupted and said he had Mark’s back. And he’d bring Jeff Jarrett with him.
Main Event Time!
ROH World TV Champion Kyle Fletcher vs. “The Aerial Assassin” Will Ospreay!
Don Callis joined the commentary team for this match.
Fletcher and Ospreay hugged as the bell rang.
Fletcher hit Ospreay with a shoulder tackle. Ospreay took down Fletcher with a step up hurracanrana. Will chopped Fletcher in the chest. Fletcher reversed an Irish Whip and sent Ospreay into the turnbuckles. Will, with an injured back from Revolution, crumbled to the mat, writhing in pain.
Will rallied back and hit a tope on Fletcher. Will suplexed Fletcher for a near fall. Fletcher had the Os Cutter scouted and nailed Will with a suplex and then a brain buster! Fletcher and Ospreay exchanged chops in the center of the ring.
Fletcher tried to block the Os Cutter with a Styles Clash, but Will countered with a DDT! Fletcher ducked the Hidden Blade and countered with Snake Eyes into the middle turnbuckle! Ospreay staggered Fletcher with a heel kick and then blasted Fletcher with an Os Cutter on the apron!
Ospreay countered a tombstone piledriver with a poison rana to Fletcher! Ospreay climbed to the top turnbuckle, but Fletcher knocked Will down. Fletcher attempted an avalanche dragon suplex, but Will landed on his feet! Will power bombed Fletcher but Fletcher kicked out at the two-count! Ospreay decimated Fletcher with an avalanche poison rana! Ospreay caught Fletcher with a Spanish Fly and then an Os Cutter, but Kyle kicked out!
“How tough is Kyle Fletcher?” asked Excalibur.
“Double tough,” replied Don Callis.
Ospreay finished off Fletcher with the Hidden Blade and pinned Fletcher!
After the match, “The American Dragon” Bryan Danielson came down to the ring!
Danielson smiled at Fletcher and the two had a stare down.
This Friday tune in to AEW RAMPAGE at 10pm ET!
Don’t miss AEW Collision on Saturday on TNT at 8/7c!
Catch AEW DYNAMITE: Big Business on TBS next Wednesday live at 8/7ct from the TD Garden in Boston, MA!
Tickets On Sale Now! – www.AEWTix.com
And remember…the home of professional wrestling is All Elite Wrestling!
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In the aftermath of REVOLUTION 2024 and “The Icon” Sting's amazing final match, All Elite Wrestling returns to the Gas South Arena in Duluth, GA for TWO huge nights of professional wrestling starting on March 6th with DYNAMITE! With Sting going out undefeated, and as ½ of the AEW World Tag Team Champions, what does the future of those titles look like? During the REVOLUTION Media Scrum AEW GM Tony Khan mentioned holding a tournament to crown new champions, so what shape will that take? And knowing that we are now on the road to DYNASTY 2024 on April 21st in St. Louis, how will the AEW locker room step up for that pay-per-view extravaganza coming to the Chaifetz Arena Do not miss out on this Wednesday's DYNAMITE as the future of AEW takes shape!
DYNAMITE begins at 8pm ET/7pm CT live on TBS, as well as at AEWPlus.com for international fans, so be sure to visit the official AEW YouTube channel, as well as AEW's assorted social media platforms, for highlights from last week's episodes of REVOLUTION 2024, DYNAMITE, RAMPAGE, COLLISION, the latest CONTROL CENTER, and so much more! Then join us this Thursday night right back at Gas South for a night of COLLISION!
SINGLES MATCH...
ROH World TV Champion Kyle Fletcher vs. “The Aerial Assassin” Will Ospreay
What a fight Will Ospreay had on Sunday night at REVOLUTION 2024! He and Konosuke Takeshita, despite both being Don Callis Family members, decimated one another in hopes of achieving victory, but ultimately the decision went to “The Aerial Assassin”. So taxing was the battle that during the post-PPV media scrum AEW GM Tony Khan noted that Ospreay might not be medically cleared to compete in this contest with Kyle Fletcher that was announced during the REVOLUTION broadcast. Thankfully for all parties involved, but primarily for the health of Ospreay, he was cleared to compete and this Wednesday night on DYNAMITE, we will witness two friends collide in their first singles match since October 2020!
The in-ring relationship between Fletcher and Ospreay dates back to December 2018 and battles over the PROGRESS Tag Team Championships, including a near 45-minute Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match won by Aussie Open of Fletcher and Mark Davis. The two would also unite Melbourne City Wrestling in Australia to challenge for that company's tag team championship, as well as go head-to-head over RevPro's Undisputed British Heavyweight Title held by Ospreay. Their fights as foes, and their time as allies, led Ospreay to recruit Aussie Open to his United Empire group in NJPW, and that collective proved a most formidable force in New Japan, RevPro, OTT, and here in AEW where they took part in the inaugural tournament to crown the first AEW World Trios Champions.
Though it's been many months since Fletcher and Ospreay occupied the same space, their friendship has endured, but now that they're both under the AEW umbrella, and in the Callis Family, the sky is the limit on what they could accomplish together! But before that possibility becomes a reality, the current ROH World Television Champion and the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion are going to go one-on-one! For Ospreay this will mark his first match on DYNAMITE since 8/31/22, and his first singles bout on AEW's flagship since 6/15/22, so he's going to be coming in to make a statement to the fans watching around the world as well everyone in the AEW locker room. For Fletcher this also carries the potential for a statement victory, and as ROH World TV Champion (a title Ospreay himself held for 2 days in 2016) would be a huge bolster to his profile heading towards SUPERCARD OF HONOR 2024 in Philadelphia.
One question need be asked though; how many intrafamilial fights can The Don Callis Family withstand?
ONE-ON-ONE...
Former TBS Champion Kris Statlander vs. Former Women's World Champion Riho
It's been over four years since the last time Kris Statlander and Riho met inside the AEW ring for a one-on-one match, long before the creation of the TBS Championship, and just three months into Riho's reign as the first AEW Women's World Champion. Unfortunately for Riho, it also turned out to be her final successful title defense as Nyla Rose would bring her reign crashing to an end one month later.
Stat and Riho would compete against one another in a Four Way in March 2020, and be partners in a pair of Trios match in 2021, but have not shared a ring since the 11/16/21 edition of DARK, but with Riho's return to AEW competition last Friday night on RAMPAGE, and Kris's tag team victory on the REVOLUTION 2024: ZERO HOUR, the two will meet once more this Wednesday night!
It's clear from Stokely's post-match comments that championships are the ultimate goal of Statlander and Willow Nightingale, and scoring a victory over the first-ever Women's World Champion would be a huge boost for Statlander in that regards, just as a win over the former TBS Champ would be a boon to Riho's return, after all she's never challenged for the championship currently around the waist of Julia Hart. As for Stat, she hasn't yet received a rematch for the TBS Championship she wasn't actually beaten for, nor has she challenged for the AEW Women's World Title since ALL OUT 2021 during Dr. Britt Baker's reign, so this is going to be a hotly contested battle between two women looking to become contenders!
THE FUTURE OF THE TAG TEAM TITLES?
Though it was quite the unforgettable, emotional, historic night this past Sunday at REVOLUTION 2024 as All Elite Wrestling honored the iconic career of Sting, one thing that cannot go unmentioned is the fact that he and Darby Allin ended the night still the reigning AEW World Tag Team Champions. It was a milestone for Sting to retire undefeated in AEW, and an even greater accomplishment to do so with the championship around his waist, but with his retirement from competition, and Darby with no plans to continue on as tag team without Sting, the AEW World Tag Team Championship was declared vacant by AEW GM Tony Khan during the post-PPV Media Scrum. In addition, Tony Khan also made mention of a tournament being held to crown new champions, something akin to AEW's own March Madness brackets, and that's already led to several AEW tag teams throwing their names into the hats.
So what will this tournament look like? How will the future of the AEW World Tag Team Championship titles take shape? Only time will tell, but it is a question on the lips of teams around the world who love nothing more than to be the ones to claim the vacant crown as their own! Also, given their defeat in Sunday night's World Tag Team Championship match, one can't help but wonder if the above post from The Young Bucks has anything to do with this situation...
FTW CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH...
HOOK(c) vs. “The Machine” Brian Cage
It's been building for weeks now, reaching a fever pitch during the All-Star 8-Man Scramble Sunday night, and finally on Wednesday night, “The Machine” Brian Cage will clash with FTW Champion HOOK with the title on the line! Given the history of the two men under the Team Taz banner, not to mention the sheer fact that HOOK's father was the one who not only brought Cage to AEW but also bequeathed him the FTW Championship in the first place, this is going to be a heated affair.
In addition to the REVOLUTION 2024 Scramble, these two competitors have been on opposing sides of a pair of multi-man matches in 2024 with Brian Cage's side winning both bouts, but this will mark their first-ever singles match. Between his two reigns with the title, HOOK has been FTW Champion for 549 out of the last 588 days, with his first reign comprising 357 of those days, leaving him twenty days shy of surpassing Cage's tenure as champion, and twenty-one shy of Ricky Starks' record of 378.
Can HOOK make it past “The Machine” this Wednesday on DYNAMITE and continue the long trek towards breaking the records set by his former Team Taz allies? Or will Brian Cage, with the support of Prince Nana and The Mogul Embassy, begin a second reign of domination as FTW Champion?
IS THE UNDISPUTED AGE UPON US?
Coming out of REVOLUTION 2024 there is one thing for certain, The Undisputed Kingdom is on top of the world! Not only did Roderick Strong dethrone 2-Time AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy to claim that title as his own, but Wardlow also dominated in the All-Star 8-Man Scramble match to earn a future AEW World Championship match with Samoa Joe. Between Strong and Taven/Bennett, The UK already has two championships in their camp, with the potential for a third down the line, and thus are clearly riding high based on the words shared in the video above. Yet an unknown variable was inserted into the mix this past Sunday night when Kyle O'Reilly made his long-awaited return to All Elite Wrestling following Strong's victory over OC! For a moment it seemed like Kyle would fight his friends, then like he would join their ranks, but ultimately Kyle simply whispered something into Roderick's ear before walking away from the ring with eyes full of emotion.
While The Undisputed Kingdom has much to celebrate, there are many questions to be asked, such as what does their future hold as it pertains to Kyle O'Reilly and how long will Wardlow have to wait for his shot at AEW World Champion Samoa Joe? Tune in this Wednesday night to DYNAMITE to see how it all unfolds for O'Reilly, Adam Cole, new AEW International Champion Roderick Strong, ROH World Tag Champions Taven & Bennett, and new #1 Contender Wardlow!
Even though we are all still recovering from REVOLUTION 2024 and Sting's farewell to in-ring competition, All Elite Wrestling has to move forward and that means a return to the Gas South Arena in Duluth, GA for DYNAMITE, and starting on the road to DYNASTY 2024 in St. Louis on April 21st!
https://www.youtube.com/embed/mkPKGzxo4Nc?si=J5WW-U0t747h1RruDYNAMITE comes your way at 8pm ET/7pm CT live on TBS, as well as at AEWPlus.com for international fans, with ROH World TV Champion Kyle Fletcher taking on Will Ospreay, former TBS Champion Kris Statlander battling the original Women's World Champion Riho, and plenty more on tap! Make a point to visit the official AEW YouTube channel, as well as AEW's assorted social media platforms, for highlights from REVOLUTION 2024, as well as last week's episodes of DYNAMITE, RAMPAGE, COLLISION, the latest CONTROL CENTER, and so much more! Then join us this Thursday night right back at Gas South for a night of COLLISION!
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CONTAINS SPOILERS
AEW presented REVOLUTION live from the sold out Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, NC!
It’s showtime and you know what that means!
The Zero Hour portion of the show kicked off!
Your announce team for Zero Hour was Excalibur and Nigel McGuinness.
12-Man Tag Match!
The Bang Bang Scissor Gang—AEW World Trios Champions The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass, and ROH World Six-Man Champions Bullet Club Gold
vs.
Jay Lethal, Jeff Jarrett, Willie Mack, and Private Party—Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen!
Caster flubbed his rap at the end and seemed a bit rattled. Caster hit the Scissor Me Timbers on Marq Quen. Lethal interfered and Quen dropkicked Colten. Jeff Jarrett tagged in and did the Fargo strut after Karen choked Colten when the ref had his back turned. Willie Mack walloped Colten with a massive lariat. Satnam Singh sent Bowens for a ride, hurling him halfway across the ring. Lethal followed up with a delayed vertical suplex on Bowens, showing off his strength. Jarrett, as cunning as they come, tagged in and stomped on Bowens. Anthony Bowens bounced back with a neck breaker on Jeff Jarrett.
Daddy Ass made the tag and cleaned house until Satnam Singh tripped him from outside the ring. Private Party, Willie Mack, and Jay Lethal blasted Billy Gunn with a flurry of offense. Mack went for the frog splash, but Billy rolled out of the way. The Bang Bang Scissor Gang turned the tables on the opposition. Jay White chop blocked Satnam and Billy followed up with the fame-asser. Jay White drilled Mack with the Blade Runner and scored the pin!
“Things working out once again for the Bang Bang Scissor Gang,” said Excalibur.
Jay White: “Yo! Listen! See Max, it’s not that hard. Guns up! Now I’m always telling the gang about how much I love Greensboro. So, what better place to have an event like AEW Revolution! We are the greatest faction in the greatest professional wrestling company, All Elite Wrestling. The Bang Bang Scissor Gang is led by one of the greatest of all time. And I can remind all of you at any time what made me the “Catalyst” of professional wrestling. In 10 days, in Boston on Wednesday, March 13th, maybe I’ll handle some big business of my own!”
Lexy Nair was backstage with Doc Sampson, the Best Friends, and AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy!
Orange: “Tonight I want you guys to stay in the back. I’m sick and tired of my friends getting hurt because of me. I’ll handle this by myself.”
A vignette aired for the impending return of “The Bastard” PAC!
“You cannot get rid of me, Tony Khan!” said PAC.
TBS Champion Julia Hart & Skye Blue
vs.
Kris Statlander & Willow Nightingale (with Stokely Hathaway)!
Skye Blue took some wild swings at Willow and Kris, but Kris whipped Blue into the turnbuckles. Skye tagged out to Julia, but Statlander body slammed Julia. Willow entered the match and connected with a running crossbody for a near fall on Julia. Kris blistered Julia with stiff chops and followed up with a back suplex.
Julia dodged a high boot from Willow. Skye Blue punted Willow in the back. Skye and Julia double teamed Willow in their corner, isolating her with quick tags. Kris tagged in and fired shots to Julia and Skye. She took both of them down with a jumping double elbow. Julia Hart had a blind tag and clubbed Kris from behind with a running lariat. Willow ran toward the corner and nailed Skye with a senton. Willow drilled Julia with a Death Valley Driver for a near fall.
Skye Blue tagged in and walloped Willow with a thrust kick. Willow dropkicked Skye off the middle rope. Kris tagged in and slugged it out with Julia in the center of the ring. Julia connected with a moonsault press to Kris. Julia covered Statlander but Willow ran in to break up the cover. Statlander clobbered Julia and Skye with a double lariat. Willow rocked Skye with the pounce! Willow planted Skye with the Doctor Bomb and pinned Skye Blue!
The main portion of the card kicked off with Tony Schiavone, Excalibur and Nigel McGuinness at the broadcast booth.
TNT Championship Match!
“The Patriarch” Christian Cage (c.) (with Nick Wayne, Mother Wayne, & Killswitch)
vs. Daniel Garcia!
Christian Cage crunched Garcia with a perfectly executed neck breaker. Garcia rallied back with swift strikes, backing Christian into the corner. Christian Cage shoved Garcia to the arena floor and the leaped over the ring post, down onto Garcia!
Nick Wayne charged at Garcia, but Garcia backdropped him, with Wayne crashing onto the timekeeper’s table. Garcia willed himself back onto the ring apron and landed a series of shots on Christian Cage. Garcia connected with a running forearm. Garcia pulled Christian’s turtleneck over Christian’s head and blasted him with strikes.
Daniel Garcia whipped Christian Cage into the steel ring steps. Christian Cage retreated to the relative safety of the ring. Christian went for a diving headbutt, but Garcia dodged it and countered with an ankle lock! Christian escaped but Daniel Garcia planted him with a suplex. Garcia was looking for a piledriver, but Chrisitan Cage countered with a catapult to the corner. Christian had the ref distracted while Killswitch choke slammed Garcia. Christian Cage nailed Garcia with frog splash for a near fall. Killswitch was going to interfere again, but “Daddy Magic” Matt Menard ran down to even up the odds for Garcia! Menard and Killswitch brawled at ringside! Christian attempted the spear, but his leg gave out. Garcia grabbed him and spiked him with a piledriver for a two-count!
“So close!” said Excalibur.
Garcia almost scored the victory with a jackknife pin, but Christian grabbed the ropes. Mother Wayne jumped onto the apron to distract the ref, while a lurking Nick Wayne rocked Garcia, whiplashing Garcia’s neck on the ropes! Christian Cage smashed Garcia with the Killswitch and pinned Garcia!
“Highway robbery by Christian Cage and the Patriarchy,” said Excalibur.
Continental Crown Championship Match!
Eddie Kingston (c.) vs. “The American Dragon” Bryan Danielson!
Kingston headbutted Danielson and hit a backdrop driver early on. Kingston followed up with a tope suicida. Kingston chopped Danielson on the apron but after luring Kingston in, Kingston inadvertently struck the ring post with his hand! Danielson suplexed Kingston off the apron and onto the arena floor!
The fans chanted “This is awesome! This is awesome!”
Danielson began to punish Kingston’s right arm with kicks. Danielson’s gameplan was clear: take away Kingston’s ability to chop and strike. Danielson jumped off the top turnbuckle, but Kingston caught him and countered with an exploder suplex.
Danielson retaliated with a dragon suplex, Kingston landing high on his neck. Danielson employed chops and kicks on Kingston in the corner. Kingston knocked Danielson back with a headbutt. Danielson climbed back up the turnbuckles and stunned Kingston with a butterfly suplex off the turnbuckles.
Kingston played possum and wrecked Danielson with a spinning backfist. Kingston followed up with a Northern Lights Bomb for a near fall on Danielson! Somehow Danielson found the energy to smash Kingston with a running knee strike. Danielson covered Kingston but Kingston found the energy deep down to survive and kicked out at the two-count! Danielson captured the wrists of Kingston and stomped Kingston. Danielson locked Kingston in the triangle sleeper. Eddie managed to reach the ropes with his boot, forcing the ref to break the hold.
Kingston taunted Danielson, inviting him to strike him. Danielson kicked at Kingston. Danielson sent Kingston flying with a suplex, but Kingston got right back up! This time it was Kingston who dished out the pain, suplexing Danielson. The fans got to their feet and applauded both competitors!
Kingston and Danielson traded rapid fire strikes. Danielson was dazed. Kingston drove his knee into the head of Danielson. Kingston power bombed Danielson and pinned him!
“And now Bryan Danielson must shake Kingston’s hand!” said Nigel.
Danielson lived up to his word, showed respect to Kingston, and the two shook hands!
All-Star 8-Man Scramble Match!
FTW Champion HOOK vs. “The Machine” Brian Cage vs. Dante Martin vs. “The Ocho” Chris Jericho vs. “The MurderHawk Monster” Lance Archer vs. CMLL’s Magnus vs. Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Wardlow!
The winner earns an AEW World Championship Match.
Taz joined the commentary team for this match.
Adam Cole was rolled out on a wheelchair by ROH Tag Champs Mike Bennett and Matt Taven to accompany Wardlow to the ring.
“It’s every man for himself,” said Taz.
Wardlow and Hobbs joined forces to beat down Jericho. Cage press slammed Hook over the top rope and to the floor. Wardlow looked at the Tron and began to flex. Archer clocked Cage with a big boot. Wardlow and Archer exchanged strikes. Archer walked the top rope and backflipped onto Wardlow. Archer tried a second time, but this time Hobbs spiked him with a spinebuster.
Magnus and Dante paired off, while Hook and Jericho tangled with one another. Jericho jumped over the ring post and crashed onto Hobbs on the arena floor. Dante flew through the ropes with a tope to Wardlow. Hook climbed to the top and took flight, landing with a double sledge to Cage on the floor.
Dante connected with a crossbody to Jericho for a near fall. Magnus clocked Dante with a cutter for a two-count. Archer hip tossed Magnus off the ropes. Archer planted Magnus with a chokeslam for a near fall. Jericho and Magnus double suplexed Archer and they both followed up with stereo lionsaults on Archer!
Hobbs bulldozed Archer with a running powerslam. Brian Cage hurled Hobbs with a backdrop suplex. Wardlow rocked Cage, Archer, and Magnus with German Suplexes. Hook jumped on Wardlow’s back, looking to lock on Red Rum. Jericho came in and put Wardlow in the Lion Tamer while Hook still had Red Rum locked in. Cage broke up the submissions but Hook German Suplexed Cage for his efforts!
Hobbs massacred Jericho with the World’s Most Dangerous Slam on the arena floor! Hobbs charged at Jericho but Jericho blinded Hobbs with a canister of liquid fog from the fog machine. Wardlow took Cage down with a lariat. Wardlow power bombed Cage. Meanwhile Dante planted Magnus on the mat. Hook went back for the Red Rum on Wardlow, but Wardlow escaped and headbutted Hook. Wardlow clobbered Dante with a power bomb and pinned Dante Martin!
“Action from bell to bell!” said Excalibur.
“What a battle,” added Taz.
AEW International Championship Match!
“Freshly Squeezed” Orange Cassidy (c.) vs. Undisputed Kingdom’s Roderick Strong!
Strong targeted Orange’s back, nailing Orange with repeated back breakers. Roddy chopped away at Orange in the corner. Orange retaliated with elbow strikes. Roderick picked up Orange Cassidy and gut wrench power bombed Orange onto the top turnbuckle and ropes! Roddy grabbed Orange by the arms and began to wrench back against the ring post, making it difficult for Orange to breathe.
“Roderick really has Orange in a bad way,” said Schiavone.
Roderick countered Orange’s swinging DDT with a rib breaker! Roddy put Orange in the Strong Hold! Orange willed himself to the bottom rope and grabbed it. Strong put Orange back in the Strong Hold! Cassidy escaped and this time connected with a DDT to Strong. Orange Cassidy followed up with a diving DDT for a near fall!
Orange rocked Roderick with the Panama Sunrise for a near fall! Roderick dodged the Orange Punch and countered with a back breaker. Orange fired back with the Orange Punch! Orange blasted Roddy with the Beach Break, but Roddy escaped the pin by touching the bottom rope with his boot. Orange got to his feet, but Roderick was there, pulping Orange with the End of Heartache and pinning Orange!
And new AEW International Champion…Roderick Strong!
Kyle O’Reilly made his return! Kyle came into the ring and he and Roderick embraced one another. Mike Bennett took off the Undisputed Kingdom t-shirt he was wearing and handed it to Kyle. Kyle handed the shirt back, whispered something into Roderick’s ear, and left the ring!
“Kyle looks pretty emotional as he’s walking away,” said Schiavone.
The fans chanted “Welcome back! Welcome back!”
The Blackpool Combat Club—Claudio Castagnoli & Jon Moxley
vs.
FTR—Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood!
Mox and Claudio came to the ring wearing spiked shoulder pads, eager to snack on danger and dine on death!
Claudio and Dax traded cradles and pinning combinations at the start of the match, both going for the win early on. They exchanged open palm strikes. Claudio decked Dax with a European Uppercut.
Mox grabbed a tag, as did Cash. Cash Wheeler ran into Mox with a shoulder tackle. Moxley fired in chops, but Cash came back with a big back body drop to Moxley. Dax took down Claudio with a drop toe hold and Cash hit an elbow drop on Claudio, FTR putting their famous tandem offense on display.
Moxley and Cash brawled in the front row! Moxley returned Cash to the ring and Claudio came in with a gut wrench to Cash. Claudio hammered Cash with a clothesline. Dax was busted wide open as he collided with the steel ring post, courtesy of Claudio. Claudio hoisted up Dax for an Air Raid Crash and Moxley jumped off the top rope, spiking Dax.
Dax and Moxley swung at each other with wild forearms and then right hands! Dax power bombed Moxley. Dax held up Moxley for a piledriver while Cash stuffed him from the top rope! Cash connected with a tope to Claudio! Dax was looking for the power plex on Moxley, but Claudio knocked Cash down. Moxley put Dax on his shoulders and Claudio rocked Dax with a European Uppercut Doomsday Device!
The fans chanted “A-E-W! A-E-W! A-E-W!”
FTR went for the Shatter Machine, but Claudio blocked it! Moxley clocked Cash with a cutter while Claudio put Dax in the Giant Swing! Moxley dropkicked Dax as Claudio was swinging Dax!
The fans chanted “Fight forever! Fight forever!”
FTR finally nailed Mox with the Shatter Machine. Dax had Moxley covered but Claudio pulled Dax off Moxley and out of the ring! Cash flew out of the ring with a tope, but Claudio countered with a European Uppercut! Claudio nailed Cash with a Neutralizer on the arena floor. Dax was right there, though, and hit Claudio with a piledriver!
Back in the ring, Moxley drilled Dax with a Death Rider for a near fall! Moxley applied a rear choke. Cash jumped in to try to break up the submission, but Claudio grabbed him and put Cash in a rear naked choke! Moxley sat back with his submission and put Dax to sleep! The BCC won the match via ref stoppage!
“Classic match! I loved it!” said Taz.
AEW Women’s World Championship Match!
“Timeless” Toni Storm (c.) vs. “The Virtuosa” Deonna Purrazzo!
Toni Storm trolled Deonna, sending Mariah May dressed up in Toni’s throwback ring attire.
Deonna and Toni chain wrestled at the start of the match. Deonna baited in Toni and tried for an arm bar, but Toni got to the ropes. Deonna hit Toni with a shoulder tackle. Toni rolled to the outside, trying to collect her thoughts. Deonna caught Toni off guard with a sliding dropkick.
Toni mule kicked Deonna as the ref had her back turned. Toni headbutted Deonna, her confidence growing as she gained more control over her challenger. Deonna slapped Toni across the cheek. Toni fired back. Deonna hammered the jaw of her former friend with elbow strikes. Deonna pump kicked Toni in the face.
Toni tripped Deonna in the corner. Toni smashed Deonna with the running hip attack and followed up with a DDT for a near fall! Toni tripped Deonna and was looking for the Break A Leg submission. Deonna rolled out of it. Deonna pump kicked Toni and Toni fell into Luther’s arms. Deonna jumped off the ropes and wiped out both of them on the outside! Deonna applied the Fujiwara arm bar. Toni was tapping to the Venus De Milo, but Luther distracted the ref. Mariah May jumped on the ring apron and distracted Deonna. When Deonna turned around, Toni drilled Deonna with a piledriver and pinned her.
The Don Callis Family’s “The Alpha” Konosuke Takeshita
vs.
The Don Callis Family’s Will Ospreay!
Don Callis joined the commentary team for this match.
“This is the match of the decade!” said Don Callis.
“The match hasn’t even happened yet,” replied Tony.
“I can say that because these are the two best rope to rope wrestlers in the world,” said Callis.
“I hate to agree with Don,” said Excalibur.
Will took Takeshita down with a hurracanrana. Takeshita fired back with the Takeshita Line! Takeshita hit a delayed vertical suplex off the ropes. Ospreay rallied back with a corkscrew kick and then jumped over the top rope, landing on Takeshita on the floor mats.
Ospreay hit Takeshita with Kawada kicks to the face. Takeshita retaliated with a dive over the top rope and onto Will with all of his body weight! Takeshita tried for a senton off the top, but Will countered by raising his knees into Takeshita’s back. Takeshita wasted no time, though, wiping out Will with a German Suplex. Takeshita charged at Will, but Will countered with a Spanish Fly!
The fans chanted “This is awesome! This is awesome!”
Will took down Takeshita with a spinning kick to the face. Will Ospreay had Takeshita in trouble with a rolling elbow strike. Takeshita rocked Ospreay with a shot of his own! Will planted Takeshita with a Tiger Driver for a near fall!
Takeshita countered an Os Cutter with a Blue Thunder Bomb! Ospreay dodged a flurry of strikes and landed the Os Cutter on Takeshita. Will attempted the Hidden Blade but Takeshita had it scouted and countered it with his own strike for a near fall.
Takeshita blocked a hurracanrana from the top and countered with a brutal brain buster off the top rope! Ospreay found his footing somehow and took down Takeshita with a Poison Rana. Takeshita trucked Will with a running lariat. Ospreay countered a jumping knee with a Styles Clash!
“Who in the hell is going to win this thing? My God!” said Schiavone.
Ospreay nailed Takeshita with a Tiger Driver 91, smashed Takeshita with the Hidden Blade, and pinned Takeshita!
“We all won tonight, guys. The family is stronger than ever,” said Callis.
“That was unbelievable. We will never forget this one,” added Schiavone.
ROH TV Champion Kyle Fletcher came down to the ring and hugged his best friend Will Ospreay.
“I’ve just been informed that coming up this Wednesday on Dynamite it’ll be Kyle Fletcher against Will Ospreay, one on one!” said Excalibur.
AEW World Championship Match!
Samoa Joe (c.) vs. “Hangman” Adam Page vs. Swerve Strickland!
Jim Ross joined the broadcast booth for this match.
Samoa Joe took the fight to Page and Strickland. Hangman hit a fallaway slam on Swerve, but Swerve popped right up and hit Hangman with a high boot. Samoa Joe power bombed Hangman and transitioned to the STF. Samoa Joe was looking for a muscle buster on Swerve, as Joe had Swerve in the ropes. Samoa Joe headbutted Swerve and knocked him to the arena floor.
Hangman and Swerve teamed up and double power bombed Samoa Joe off the top turnbuckle. Hangman Page and Swerve tore each other apart with strikes in the middle of the ring. Swerve developed a mouse under his eye. Swerve laughed at Hangman. Page was looking for Dead Eye, but Swerve countered with a sunset flip until Samoa Joe broke up the pin attempt.
Hangman hoisted up Swerve with a tombstone piledriver. Once again Samoa Joe jumped in to break up the pin attempt. Hangman booted Samoa Joe, catching him flush on the chin. Swerve snatched up Hangman in a vertical suplex and went for the cover, and Samoa Joe was there to break up the pin attempt once again.
Samoa Joe planted Hangman with the Muscle Buster. Swerve connected with the Swerve Stomp on Samoa Joe and followed up with the House Call. Instead of going for the cover on Samoa Joe, Swerve rocked Page with the House Call to the back of the head for a two-count!
Swerve squashed Samoa Joe with a 450 splash! Samoa Joe was clutching his ribs. Swerve nailed Joe with the Swerve Stomp! Samoa Joe kicked out, and then Page pulled the ref out of the ring! Hangman grabbed the World title and smashed Swerve in the head with it!
“Ref Paul Turner is face first on the floor here,” said Schiavone.
Hangman connected with the Buckshot Lariat on Samoa Joe! Hangman hit Joe with a second Buckshot Lariat and went for the pin. Another ref ran down to make the count, but Samoa Joe kicked out at the two-count. Samoa Joe grabbed Hangman in a submission, but Swerve jumped off the top rope with a sky twister press, throwing his body onto the pile to break it up!
“Adam Page was likely on the verge of tapping out,” said Excalibur.
Prince Nana handed Swerve Nana’s crown. Swerve threw it back, saying he didn’t need it. Samoa Joe grabbed Swerve in a rear naked choke, but Swerve countered, rolling up Joe. Hangman Page jumped into the ring and began to hammer the referee in the back of the head, and then threw the ref out of the ring!
Samoa Joe was looking for the Muscle Buster on Swerve but Page smashed Joe with the Buckshot Lariat. Swerve served up one of his own Buckshot Lariats to Page! Swerve drilled Page with the JML Driver! Samoa Joe jumped in and put the half and half on Hangman, trapping Page. Hangman Page tapped out!
“Samoa Joe wins it, and what a fight it was!” said Jim Ross.
“Was Hangman Page tapping out because he was trapped in the grips of Samoa Joe or was he tapping to deny Swerve?” asked Excalibur.
“You can tell Swerve is heartbroken, but he will have another shot down the road,” added Tony Schiavone.
On Sunday, April 21st, AEW presents DYNASTY, live on pay-per-view at 8pm ET/5PM PT! Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10AM CT at AEWTix.com!
Sting’s Final Match!
AEW World Tag Team Championship Tornado Tag Match!
Darby Allin & “The Icon” Sting (c.)
vs.
The Young Bucks—Matthew & Nicholas Jackson!
“The Nature Boy” Ric Flair came to the ring! Next came the special guest timekeeper, Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat!
Sting’s sons were by his side, each representing a different era of Sting’s career.
The match started off with a bang! Sting hit the Stinger splash on the Bucks while Darby connected with Coffin Splashes. Sting’s sons got in the ring and delivered Stinger splashes on the Bucks, getting retribution for when the Bucks attacked them on Dynamite! Sting applied a double Scorpion Death Lock on the Bucks, but they managed to escape.
The fans chanted “Thank you Sting! Thank you Sting!”
Sting whipped Matthew and Nicholas into the barricade. Sting smacked the Bucks with a steel chair. Sting’s sons set up tables around the ring, and Darby brought out a ladder. Matthew went for a piledriver on the floor but Sting countered with a back drop. Darby jumped off the ring post with a Coffin Drop to the Bucks on the floor!
Sting pulled a pane of glass out from beneath the ring. Sting pulled out another pane of glass. Sting’s sons and Darby placed the panes of glass across chairs at ringside. The Bucks tried to retreat through the crowd, but Darby and Sting chased after them. Nicholas walloped Darby with a Falcon Arrow off the stage and through tables. Matthew Jackson gouged at Sting’s eyes. Matthew suplexed Sting off the stage and through tables on the side of the stage!
Nicholas propped up a ladder on the turnbuckles. Matthew Jackson power bombed Darby against the ladder! Darby drilled Nicholas with a stunner and then nailed Matthew with a Code Red! Darby rammed Nicholas’ head into the steel ring steps. Darby climbed up and jumped off the top of the ladder that was set up in the ring, but Matthew pulled Nicholas out of the way just in time. This proved to be extremely costly for Darby, as his body crashed through the pane of glass below!
“Look at all those lacerations on the back of Darby,” said Excalibur.
“Yeah, he could bleed out,” replied Jim Ross.
The Bucks double teamed Sting in the ring as Doc Sampson checked on Darby on the outside. Sting fought off the Bucks and set Matthew on a table. Sting climbed the ladder, but Matthew met him up there and power bombed him down through a table! Sting popped right up!
“It’s Sting!” said Tony Schiavone.
“Unbelievable!” added Excalibur.
The Bucks grabbed Sting and whipped him into a pane of glass that was propped against the turnbuckles, sending shards of glass everywhere! Matthew Jackson kicked Sting with a low blow. Matthew planted Sting with the Scorpion Death Drop for a near fall.
“There are car crashes, and then there is this,” said Excalibur.
Nicholas Jackson went to grab one of the Tag Championships so he could use it as a weapon. Ricky Steamboat saw what was about to happen and yanked it away from Nicholas. Matthew Jackson clocked Steamboat with a steel chair! Ric Flair rolled into the ring to check on Sting. Matthew grabbed one of the tag belts and was about to blast Sting with it, but the “Nature Boy” acted as a human shield and begged Matthew not to do it. The Young Bucks blasted Ric Flair with superkicks!
Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat jumped onto the ring apron, but the Bucks rocked him with stereo superkicks too!
“Flair is out, Steamboat is out!” said Jim Ross.
“The Bucks are trying to wipe out every one of the icons,” replied Tony Schiavone.
Matthew Jackson smashed the tag belt in Sting’s face. Matthew covered Sting but Sting kicked out! The Bucks dished out a pair of superkicks to Sting but Sting did not leave his feet! Sting beat his chest and bulldozed the Bucks with clotheslines. Sting drilled Matthew with a Scorpion Death Drop! Sting went for the cover, but Nicholas broke up the pin. Sting tried for another Scorpion Death Drop but Matthew countered, pulled Sting down with a snap mare. The Bucks eviscerated Sting with the EVP Trigger! Matthew covered Sting but Sting kicked out at the two-count!
The Bucks nailed Sting with another EVP Trigger. Matthew covered Sting but Sting kicked out at the one-count and laughed! The Bucks set up Sting for the TK Driver, but Darby appeared out of nowhere and shoved Nicholas off the top rope! Nicholas crashed through ringside table! Sting planted Matthew with the Scorpion Death Drop but Matthew managed to kick out somehow! Sting held onto Matthew while Darby nailed Matthew with the Coffin Drop! Sting applied the Scorpion Death Lock and Matthew tapped out!
“My God what a scene! What an unbelievable scene!” said Jim Ross.
And still undefeated AEW World Tag Team Champions…Darby Allin and Sting! (16-0)
“This is what life is all about,” said Jim Ross.
“This is what AEW is all about. You know what’s great about Sting? He is a better man than he is a pro wrestler,” replied Tony Schiavone.
The fans chanted “Thank you Sting! Thank you Sting! Thank you Sting!”
Sting: “Thank you Greensboro. To be honest with you, I’ve been thanking you all since March of 1988. The Nature Boy and Sting 45 minute draw for the World title. Thank you, Ric. I just want this to be a night that wrestling fans will not forget. A night of wrestling that will be etched in your mind for years to come. And it is me saying this is a night that I will never forget!
Missed what the entire wrestling world is buzzing about? Order the replay of the historic AEW REVOLUTION event! It’s available on all traditional cable and satellite providers in the United States and Canada, Bleacher Report, Triller.TV (international), YouTube (international), and more! See AEW REVOLUTION 2024 for yourself!
Catch all the fallout from AEW REVOLUTION 2024 on AEW DYNAMITE on TBS next Wednesday live at 8/7ct from the Gas South Arena in Duluth, GA!
Tickets On Sale Now! – www.AEWTix.com
And remember…the home of professional wrestling is All Elite Wrestling!
...
AEW International Championship Match!
“Freshly Squeezed” Orange Cassidy (c.) vs. Undisputed Kingdom’s Roderick Strong!
Strong targeted Orange’s back, nailing Orange with repeated back breakers. Roddy chopped away at Orange in the corner. Orange retaliated with elbow strikes. Roderick picked up Orange Cassidy and gut wrench power bombed Orange onto the top turnbuckle and ropes! Roddy grabbed Orange by the arms and began to wrench back against the ring post, making it difficult for Orange to breathe.
“Roderick really has Orange in a bad way,” said Schiavone.
Roderick countered Orange’s swinging DDT with a rib breaker! Roddy put Orange in the Strong Hold! Orange willed himself to the bottom rope and grabbed it. Strong put Orange back in the Strong Hold! Cassidy escaped and this time connected with a DDT to Strong. Orange Cassidy followed up with a diving DDT for a near fall!
Orange rocked Roderick with the Panama Sunrise for a near fall! Roderick dodged the Orange Punch and countered with a back breaker. Orange fired back with the Orange Punch! Orange blasted Roddy with the Beach Break, but Roddy escaped the pin by touching the bottom rope with his boot. Orange got to his feet, but Roderick was there, pulping Orange with the End of Heartache and pinning Orange!
And new AEW International Champion…Roderick Strong!
Kyle O’Reilly made his return! Kyle came into the ring and he and Roderick embraced one another. Mike Bennett took off the Undisputed Kingdom t-shirt he was wearing and handed it to Kyle. Kyle handed the shirt back, whispered something into Roderick’s ear, and left the ring!
“Kyle looks pretty emotional as he’s walking away,” said Schiavone.
The fans chanted “Welcome back! Welcome back!”
...
We are finally here, the moment we have all been anticipating/dreading since October 18th when “The Icon” Sting announced to the world that he would bring his historic Hall of Fame career to an end at REVOLUTION 2024. That night he said to the world “The only thing sure about Sting is my retirement, REVOLUTION 2024, is for sure.”, and it felt like a seismic shift in the foundation of professional wrestling.
We'd learn shortly thereafter that the site for this historic night would be the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, NC, a site very familiar to “The Icon”, a place where he fought “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair to a 45 minute draw over the World's Championship, where he and Lex Luger won the 1988 Jim Crockett Memorial Cup, and where he stepped inside a Steel Cage with Mick Foley. The Greensboro Coliseum is where Sting found The Great Muta to a time limit draw, where he went to a Double DQ with Abdullah The Butcher, and where he was trapped inside that enclosed Steel Cage in 1991. After Sunday night, the Greensboro Coliseum will also be known as the location where Sting fought his final professional wrestling match, and where All Elite Wrestling's first pay-per-view of 2024 took place!
While this Sunday night will obviously be historic as the night professional wrestling bids farewell to Sting's in-ring career, it could also go down in history as one of the most unforgettable nights in AEW history! With so many championship matches on tap, the debut of Will Ospreay as an official member of the AEW locker room, the All-Star Scramble, and so much more, REVOLUTION 2024 goes live on PPV beginning at 8pm ET/7pm CT, with the ZERO HOUR kicking off at 6:30p ET on the official AEW YouTube channel!
AEW WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP TORNADO TAG MATCH...
Darby Allin & “The Icon” Sting(c) vs. The Young Bucks (Matthew and Nicholas Jackson)
13,978 days; 38 years, 3 months, and 7 days; that is how long it has been since the first night “The Icon” Sting stepped inside a professional wrestling ring for a match. In that time he has been an inspiration to fans around the world, one of the most beloved figures the industry has seen, a true Hall of Fame talent, a master of reinvention, and a worthy of that “Icon” tag. It was not all that long ago that, due to injury, it was thought Sting's days inside the ring were over, but since coming to All Elite Wrestling he has proven that to be so far from the truth.
It began at WINTER IS COMING 2020 on December 2nd, when Sting arrived at Daily's Place in Jacksonville, to the delight of the limited fans inside the arena. It was a cold night in Jacksonville but the electricity for Sting's arrival, the excitement from the fans made it red hot, and at REVOLUTION 2021, when he teamed with Darby Allin for his first match in nearly six years, “The Icon” showed he was as good as ever. That Street Fight saw the Sting/Darby tandem score victory over Brian Cage and Ricky Starks, and thus began a streak of twenty-eight victories, fifteen of them in tag matches with Darby, that has included Street Fights, No DQ situations, a trip to Pro Wrestling NOAH, and even a Coffin Match at Wembley Stadium for ALL IN: LONDON!
In the midst of all that, on October 18th, Sting told the world that at REVOLUTION 2024 he would close the book on his legendary in-ring career after thirty-eight years, he said that was the one thing about Sting that was for certain, but between October and this Sunday, there was still a lot to accomplish. Darby and Sting made an ally out of Adam Copeland, joining him in the fight against The Patriarchy, and even signed on with Chris Jericho and Sammy Guevara to fight then-AEW World Tag Champions Big Bill & Ricky Starks and The Don Callis Family. Still, there was one goal, one thing that Sting hadn't accomplished during his AEW tenure, one thing Darby Allin was adamant about making happen before the final curtain: an AEW championship.
That ultimately came to fruition on February 7th when Sting and Darby claimed the AEW World Tag Team Championship from Starks and Big Bill in a Tornado Tag. It should have been a moment of triumph, of celebration, but instead two petulant adults ruined the moment for Sting and Darby, as well as for the fans wanting to celebrate this monumental occasion. While the extent of what The Young Bucks did to Darby, Sting, and his sons was quite shocking, it shouldn't be a surprise that they spoiled the celebration.
After all these are two men who, after losing their tag team title opportunity at FULL GEAR 2023 to Kenny Omega and Chris Jericho, had Brandon Cutler put out the message to “respect their privacy” as they took time away from wrestling, had Brandon Cutler tweet out that they were done with BEING THE ELITE, and on January 10th when Matthew and Nicholas finally came back to work to respond to the question of who Sting would face in his final match, also had Cutler put out that backstage morale increased tremendously due to their return.
The version of The Young Bucks that has taken up television time in 2024 can be summed up in three words: abuse of power. For the first time since AEW's inception, the brothers Jackson are actively taking advantage of their power as EVPs in the company hierarchy, not only to threaten people with fines (as they did with Tony Schiavone) or to disrupt others moments (as they did with Eddie Kingston this past Wednesday), but also to put themselves into this position to challenge for the AEW World Tag Team Championship! The return of the rankings system was intended to provide deserving challengers with their opportunities, to have a system where individuals/teams earn their way to title shots with victories over other deserving challengers, but The Young Bucks arbitrarily decided how it would work for them. They came back, defeated a team of local hopefuls on the 2/9 RAMPAGE, cheated to beat Top Flight on the 2/14 DYNAMITE, and then declared themselves the #1 Contender's to the tag titles. They didn't earn that top spot through actual work, they didn't win an Eliminator Match to get a title opportunity, nor are they answering any kind of Open Challenge to face Darby Allin and Sting; they are simply using the tools they were given as EVPs for selfish ends rather than to the boon of AEW.
The Young Bucks, as they have chosen to operate thus far in 2024, couldn't be farther from who they were in 2019, and could not be any farther from the men they are facing on Sunday night. Since the day he set foot in AEW, Sting has been here for All Elite Wrestling, for the men and women in the locker rooms, and has been an example of how to enjoy a nearly 40 year career in this industry in a way that actually benefits all those around you. That isn't just here in AEW though, the people who were around him long before AEW have testified to that being the way Sting has always conducted himself in the wrestling sphere, and it is also what Sting has told the world he sees in Darby Allin. Darby cares about AEW deeply, not just his own place in it, but in the entirety of All Elite Wrestling, wanting to see it grow and thrive, and thus he is utterly disappointed in the men The Young Bucks have chosen to be in 2024. They are not here for AEW, they are not here to benefit anyone else but themselves, and they obviously don't care who they hurt in the process, and that is why this Sunday night at REVOLUTION 2024, Darby Allin and Sting have bad intentions for Matthew and Nicholas Jackson.
It's about AEW, it's about the Borden family, it's about the bond Sting and Darby have built over the last several years, and for Darby especially, it's about making sure “The Icon” gets the send-off from professional wrestling that he has earned. After thirty-eight years and a lifetime of sacrifice, of a career filled with the highest highs and lowest lows, of championships, and of blood, sweat, and tears, Sting bids professional wrestling farewell, but not before trying to teach one last lesson to The Young Bucks about humility, and the cost of their hubris.
AEW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH...
Samoa Joe(c) vs. “Hangman” Adam Page vs. Swerve Strickland
https://www.youtube.com/embed/2JiQTUOM-ac?si=W6i4ka_xZRFfPkeO&start=285Two years ago, at REVOLUTION 2022 in Orlando, Swerve Strickland signed his name on the dotted line to became All Elite while Adam Page retained the AEW World Championship over Adam Cole. One year ago, at REVOLUTION 2023, as Adam Page beat Jon Moxley in Texas Death and Samoa Joe lost the TNT Title to Wardlow, Swerve sat in the back of San Francisco's Chase Center stewing that he wasn't involved with anything that night.
Now REVOLUTION is upon us again, this time hailing from the historic Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, NC, and Swerve Strickland is exactly where he has always wanted to be, in the AEW World Championship picture. Swerve has always felt, always known, he has the tools to be the man standing atop AEW as champion, but this is his first opportunity to become the champion, and he means to make the most of it. Over the course of his AEW career, specifically since the moment he chose to turn his back on Keith Lee, Swerve has shown a willingness to do anything, to go to any lengths, in order to accomplish his goals, and that is where Hangman Page enters into the picture.
This thing between Hangman and Swerve started innocuously enough on the September 6th DYNAMITE when Strickland interrupted Tony Schiavone's conversation with the former AEW World Champion, but it quickly went south as Swerve ran down Hangman. Strickland swore it wasn't personal, that it was simply a matter of wanting the spot Adam occupied, and it was that night Strickland said “if I would've gotten the opportunities that you've gotten, I'd be the first black AEW World Champion by now”. Maybe it wasn't personal to start, but it rapidly became so as Swerve pushed every possible button he could to get under Hangman's skin, the situation ultimately ending with Mogul Embassy member Brian Cage dropping Hangman with a Drill Claw.
Their first singles match at WRESTLEDREAM 2023 went Swerve's way, but not without the assist of Prince Nana, while their second match at FULL GEAR 2023 produced one of the most violent, bloody, sadistic scenarios we've ever seen play out in All Elite Wrestling, and that too was won by the boss of The Mogul Embassy. Along the way Hangman made sure Strickland didn't cheat his way to a TNT Championship opportunity, along the way Swerve thought it was a good idea to break into Hangman's home, along the way everything that started as being about professional wrestling and a “spot” got very, very personal. Hangman swore he'd never let Swerve become AEW World Champion, and when the two men collided on the February 7th DYNAMITE to see who would go to REVOLUTION 2024 to fight for the title and it ended with a time limit draw, Hangman thought he'd accomplished his goal of blocking Swerve's path to the title.
Unfortunately for Hangman, AEW GM Tony Khan had other thoughts, and it was announced just moments after the draw that both Hangman and Swerve would go on to March 3rd in Greensboro as the challengers for the AEW World Championship held by Samoa Joe. Yes, that was another thing that happened along the way; the most dominant World Champion in ROH's 22 year history, the most dominant ROH World TV Champion in that title's 14 year lineage, had now become the king of All Elite Wrestling after smashing through MJF at WORLDS END 2023.
Ask anyone who's ever stood across the ring from Samoa Joe, or even stood in the ring as he made his entrance for that matter; the AEW World Champion is one of the scariest individuals to share space with inside the squared circle. There is an intensity that permeates the room when Joe walks into it, a feeling that you're sharing space with one of the baddest men on the planet, a man willing to destroy you if you come for what's his, and an individual to be feared. Samoa Joe's arrival to ROH at GLORY BY HONOR 2002 changed the game for professional wrestling, his historic reign as ROH World Champion elevated ROH to that next level, and his fight with Kenta Kobashi in October 2005 elevated the entire sport. A man of Joe's size wasn't supposed to move like that, wasn't supposed to be able to string together the furious combinations of offense that he did, but his presence on increasingly larger stages showed the wrestling world different, making his arrival to AEW two years ago one of the most exciting debuts in the company's history.
After all, there are few competitors in professional wrestling more legitimate than Samoa Joe, few men who force all those around them to be better, and that is what both Swerve Strickland and Hangman Page are going to have to be on Sunday night: better. They each need to find the best version of themselves to have a hope of dethroning Samoa Joe as the AEW World Champion, they both need to find a way to focus on that goal rather than on their hatred for each other, otherwise their mutually assured destruction will leave Samoa Joe reigning atop AEW.
AEW WOMEN'S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH...
“Timeless” Toni Storm(c) vs. “The Virtuosa” Deonna Purrazzo
Deonna Purrazzo first showed her face in AEW as the ROH Women's World Champion, but at that time she was obligated elsewhere in her professional wrestling career, and with Mercedes Martinez defeating her to claim the championship, it seemed the only time the AEW faithful would get to see “The Virtuosa”.
Then January 3rd happened, and in the aftermath of Mariah May's in-ring debut for AEW, “The Virtuosa” arrived on the scene in Newark, upstaging Mariah's debut, and telling her to take a message back to AEW Women's World Champion Toni Storm. Mariah took umbrage with the idea that she's Storm's messenger, slapped AEW's new signee across the face, but immediately received a slap of her own from Purrazzo, followed by a kick to the jaw that sent Mariah reeling.
With just those few minutes, Deonna Purrazzo let the world know why she was here in All Elite Wrestling, but it would take a few more weeks before the AEW faithful learned about the history between Deonna and Toni Storm before there was a “Virtuosa” or a “Timeless”. It turned out that the two women were friends, former roommates, who even got identical tattoos to commemorate their bond. Their friendship ran deeper than two women who'd worked in Stardom together, or had been opponents in other companies, they were true friends in their pre-AEW days, but that didn't stop “Timeless” Toni Storm from feigning ignorance to who Deonna Purrazzo identity.
Eventually Storm let the facade drop, and both women spoke to their history, Deonna looking for some glimmer of the woman she knew before “Timeless” took over while the AEW Women's World Champion considered her past dead. It's almost as if, between losing the AEW Women's World Championship twice in less than a year and having her relationship with The Outcasts disintegrate, Storm just broke, deciding that she'd always been “Timeless”, and anything before her AEW premiere as “Timeless” happened to someone else.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/fMoMQtFd47Q?si=HIlXC6OL5FVV4hml&start=74So Deonna did what she had to do in order to get what she wanted, she got to work inside the squared circle and earned her way to a championship fight. Starting with Red Velvet on January 13th, Purrazzo has racked up five singles victories over Red, Anna Jay, Taya Valkyrie, Madison Rayne, and Kiera Hogan, and did not hesitate to throw blows with her former friend last night on COLLISION. It seems Deonna Purrazzo has had to accept that the Toni Storm she knew is gone forever, so all that's left to do is take away the championship she holds so dear, and see if perhaps that shock to the system jolts Toni Storm back to who she was before “Timeless” took over the reins.
TNT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH...
“The Patriarch” Christian Cage vs. Daniel Garcia
Daniel Garcia was at a point in his young career that many individuals could relate to regardless of their occupation; he was questioning himself, questioning his worth, and questioning if he should continue chasing his professional wrestling dreams. The frustration of one loss after another in the Continental Classic didn't help his feelings, but when he finally got that victory over Brody King in their last match of the tournament, even if it didn't matter by that point in terms of the standings, it mattered to Garcia and his dreams. It was a reminder of just how good he is bell-to-bell, it was a wake-up call to the rest of AEW that Garcia needs to be viewed as a threat to everyone standing across the ring from him, and a statement to the fans that the energy they'd invested in Garcia was one worth making.
It wasn't a victory that led Garcia directly into a ripping streak where he's stacked up W's over everyone in front of him, but it bolstered his confidence, it led to his team scoring victory at WORLDS END 2023 when Garcia pinned Lethal, and to Garcia stepping up to aid FTR against The House of Black, notably being the deciding factor in their victory over The House in the Escape The Cage match several weeks ago.
A week later, Garcia followed that up by scoring the decision over Nick Wayne to get his trio with FTR a win over The Patriarchy, and that moment is what brought him to this place on Sunday night's REVOLUTION 2024 pay-per-view. That victory gave Garcia the confidence to call out Christian Cage for a TNT Championship match, it boosted Garcia when he accepted Adam Copeland's challenge for a #1 Contender match on DYNAMITE. Sadly, though unsurprisingly, Christian Cage and The Patriarchy ruined that match, getting it thrown out as a No Contest when they interfered while Copeland had Garcia in a Crossface submission. Merely interfering wasn't enough though, Cage and company tried to deliver a Con-Chair-To to Garcia, one Copeland stopped from happening, only to end up a victim of the devastating chair attack himself thanks to Mother Wayne hitting him in the groin.
So with Copeland on the shelf from that assault, Daniel Garcia was the man left standing, and he absolutely was not going to back down from this fight no matter what. He wants that TNT Championship, he wants revenge for what Cage did to him, Copeland, and Daddy Magic, and he will fight the entire Patriarchy by himself in order to get it! Unfortunately that just may be the scenario in Greensboro on Sunday night, Garcia versus Cage, Killswitch, and The Wayne's, but if that's what it takes to finally wear an AEW championship around his waist, than that is what Garcia will do.
There is one question though, if Garcia is successful in his TNT Championship bid at REVOLUTION 2024, how will Copeland handle that upon his return? It's been his mission to be the one to take that title from Christian Cage, the entire point of the Cope Open was for Adam to play Cage's game and earn his way back to contention with actual victories, so if Garcia is the one to swoop in and end The Patriarch's reign as TNT Champion, how will Copeland respond?
CONTINENTAL CROWN CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH...
Eddie Kingston(c) vs. “The American Dragon” Bryan Danielson
Nearly 500 years ago the Pakistani Beggar King Hussein Nishah wrote, “Treat people the way you want to be treated. Talk to people the way you want to be talked to. Respect is earned, not given”, and those words, especially the final five, have permeated through history to this very day. Marlon Brando's Don Corleone character in The Godfather spoke those words after a fashion, Ring of Honor even named one of its pay-per-view events RESPECT IS EARNED, it's a mantra that many people live by, and one that Continental Crown Champion Eddie Kingston has taken to heart both in his wrestling career as well as in life.
He is the first man to admit that he wasn't the most respectful of individuals as a young kid first getting into professional wrestling. He was an uncouth kid off the streets coming into a world where handshakes are an expectation, respect for those who came before you is demanded regardless of their behavior towards you, and “paying your dues” can be an arbitrary term for treating the younger generations horribly. It could be a world where respect was expected rather than earned, and that system did nothing to bolster those who struggled to find their place in it. Some were rigid in their expectations of adherence to pro wrestling's precepts, and when an individual like Kingston, especially in his nascent years lacing up the boots, comes into that world it can bristle those who have lofty expectations.
That is the relationship of Bryan Danielson and Eddie Kingston, one where the former gives the latter no learning curve and simply demands he be better. There's no leeway given to the notion that Eddie, as he has owned, is his own worst enemy, that he's guilty of walking away rather than fighting the preconceived notions of men like Bryan and Claudio Castagnoli. There are times when Eddie hasn't pushed himself to be his best, that he's allowed himself to be less than, but for some it just takes longer to find that self-belief, to create that self-confidence, that lends itself towards being the best version of yourself.
Bryan and Claudio may entered into professional wrestling utterly confident about their abilities, completely sure of their choices, but that wasn't Eddie. He was the man who took time to figure out his place in the world of wrestling, to learn who he is as a man away from the ring, and figure out why he kept handicapping his own career. It took time, it took making a lot of mistakes and creating a slew of enemies, it took losing friends and relationships, but eventually Kingston looked inward rather than outward, and began to make the changes. The reality is that this is an ongoing process for Kingston, one that will likely last his entire life, but at least it's a process he pursues and won't let himself give up on ever again.
Unfortunately that's not enough for Bryan Danielson; Eddie's desire to change, the work put in towards becoming a better version of himself, of living up to his fullest potential, none of that matters to “The American Dragon” because all he sees is who Kingston was, not who he is. He doesn't see the hard work Kingston puts in every night, the gym hours, the diet, the mental healthcare, the pure passion Eddie has for professional wrestling; all he sees is who Eddie was fifteen, twenty years ago, a version of Kingston that Danielson has forever trapped in amber. For Bryan there is no such thing as growth, no such thing as change, no such thing as redemption; you are who you are and you'll always be that.
So no matter what Eddie Kingston does, Bryan Danielson will never genuinely respect him, not as a wrestler or a man, it will never be earned no matter how many times “The Mad King” can best him. There's a reason why the simple act of a shaking Eddie's hand has to be forced upon Bryan, and it says a lot more about who Danielson is as a person than anything about Eddie Kingston. Perhaps the world can now see that no matter how good “The American Dragon” may be inside the ring, and make no mistake he is quite possibly the best to ever do it, outside of the ring he is a bully who relishes in the misery of others, and Bryan's actions show he is the one who has not earned one ounce of respect.
AEW INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH...
“Freshly Squeezed” Orange Cassidy(c) vs. Roderick Strong
Adam Cole made it abundantly clear on the DYNAMITE followings WORLDS END 2023, when The Undisputed Kingdom officially introduced themselves to the world as a unit, that Roderick Strong was on a mission to claim the AEW International Championship. There was no secret plan now that Cole, Strong, Matt Taven, Mike Bennett, and Wardlow had stepped out from behind their masks, every card was laid out on the table, and Roddy did not hesitate to step to Orange Cassidy's face on the January 17th DYNAMITE after he and Trent Beretta defeated Penta and Komander. To be clear though, while Roderick had no problem getting into OC's face to declare his championship aspirations, he had no intention of fighting Cassidy that night even though the defending champion was more than willing to go.
Instead Roderick Strong made it known he would wait until REVOLUTION 2024 to take up this title fight, giving Cassidy plenty of time to prepare for the match, but also plenty of time to possibly lose the championship as well. After all, just because Roderick was willing to wait over a month for his title opportunity didn't mean Cassidy wasn't going to be the defending champion he's always been. In fact, not only has “Freshly Squeezed” defended the belt since the confrontation with Strong, he's done so three times, including traveling to RevPro in London to put it on the line in a Seven Way bout!
But it looks like Roderick actually had a rationale behind his decision to postpone the opportunity, an actual plan to put into motion leading up to REVOLUTION 2024, and that plan meant removing a majority of Cassidy's allies off the playing field. Trent Beretta, Chuck Taylor, and Rocky Romero have all been put on the shelf by The Undisputed Kingdom, FTW Champion HOOK has been otherwise engaged in issues with Brian Cage and a fixation on Samoa Joe, and Danhausen, well who knows where his head is at. Suffice to say with Trent, Chuck, and Rocky off the table, the AEW International Champion is rather alone while Roderick Strong is always flanked by Taven and Bennett.
If Cassidy had lost the championship between January 17th and March 3rd, it's safe to say Roderick would've just moved his focus to whoever beat Orange, because for him this isn't personal, it's just about taking the International Championship. For Cassidy however, trying to take the title he's poured his blood, his body, and his soul into for 471 out of the last 508 days is very personal, and taking down his best friends out of some misguided delusion that it will make him easier pickings is also very personal.
So while Roderick is fighting for the International Championship, Cassidy is fighting for that title as well as for those who suffered at The Undisputed Kingdom's hands simply for the “crime” of being in Orange's friendship circle. Taven and Bennett have already brought one championship to the UK fold, will Roderick be able to bring another on Sunday night? Or will Cassidy be able to continue chasing the records he set with his first International Championship reign?
THE FAMILY THAT FIGHTS TOGETHER...
Will Ospreay vs. “The Alpha” Konosuke Takeshita
https://www.youtube.com/embed/yOaijQExO6k?si=Y5jcO3un9QZlvCNU&start=285In the twisted mind of Don Callis, pitting two of his own “family” members against one another seems to be a way for Callis to hype his own unit as the greatest group of professional wrestlers in All Elite Wrestling. It is a way for Callis to say he won regardless of if it's Takeshita or Will Ospreay who comes out with the actual victory in the match, and it's clear to see that Callis believes, no matter the outcome, his “family” bond will remain as strong as ever.
But will that be the case? Is The Don Callis Family on the same level as, say, The Blackpool Combat Club? Meaning can Callis' crew fight one another with no problem, do they look at it as iron sharpening iron the way The BCC does, or is Don Callis setting himself up for disasterous consequences?
However the aftermath of this battle plays out, there is no doubt it has the potential to be one of the greatest bouts AEW has seen its existence. Konosuke Takeshita is a true hoss in that ring, he's powerful and fast, a hard-hitting beast who has grown to relish the pain he dishes out to his opponents. Will Ospreay, well there's a reason many people, fans and wrestling pundits alike, consider him the greatest wrestler competing today. He can soar, he can strike, he can get on the mat and grapple, he can take punishment as well as dish it out, and the fact that this will mark his first official match as part of the AEW locker room only provides further incentive to make it a memorable evening.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/dYA59k3M37A?si=TH7__yLkW0tUnJGb&start=449So while Don Callis may say that no matter what happens, his family wins, the reality is that no matter happens it is the fans who will win with this match!
TAG TEAM GRUDGE MATCH...
The Blackpool Combat Club (Claudio Castagnoli & Jon Moxley) vs.
FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood)
https://www.youtube.com/embed/3WPmdwHpxKE?si=d2F4xSzoY4IZDj9I&start=221On the 2/21 edition of DYNAMITE, fans witnessed glorious combat as FTR and The BCC, represented by Claudio Castagnoli and Jon Moxley, battled to a 20-minute draw. Though a phenomenal pro wrestling contest, it was understandably unsatisfying for either team, and they nearly came to blows in the backstage area shortly thereafter. Both teams wanted more, with the challenge laid out by FTR for a rematch, and that challenge was gladly accepted by Mox and Claudio, but not without their fair share of words denigrate Cash and Dax as clutching to the past of professional wrestling rather than creating the future.
The former 2-Time AEW World Tag Champions took umbrage with that statement, and their perspective came out after scoring a hard-earned victory over Shane Taylor Promotions last week on COLLISION, but things weren't done yet that night. Bryan Danielson beat Jun Akiyama in a superb main event, but things went pear-shaped after “The American Dragon” kicked him right in the groin, bringing Eddie Kingston into the ring from the commentary position to pound Bryan's skull in. Of course this brought Claudio Castagnoli into the fray, which in turn got FTR involved, sending the two BCC members scurrying away for higher ground. As COLLISION went off the air, it was announced that FTR and the Continental Crown Champion would team up to fight Mox, Bryan, and Claudio in a Trios match on DYNAMITE, a bout that got as intense as one would expect, and ended with Danielson putting Kingston down!
So that brings us to this Sunday night on pay-per-view where FTR meet Moxley and Castagnoli in a tag team grudge match that feels as much about marking territory as it is about tag team wrestling. It's about staking claim as not only the baddest dudes in AEW, but also taking ownership of All Elite Wrestling as the top dogs in the territory.
ALL-STAR 8-MAN SCRAMBLE MATCH...
FTW Champion HOOK vs. Brian Cage vs. Dante Martin vs. Chris Jericho vs. “The Murderhawk Monster” Lance Archer vs. Magnus vs. Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Wardlow
***WINNER EARNS AN AEW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH***
https://www.youtube.com/embed/ltpMUc0QDnQ?si=V3he_FFxDrY8fK8D&start=221Thanks to injuries, Meat Madness had to be put on the back burner, but in its stead, this Sunday night will see AEW's first Scramble match! We've got four of the biggest, toughest men in All Elite Wrestling in Lance Archer, Powerhouse Hobbs, Wardlow, and Brian Cage, a guest from CMLL in Magnus, FTW Champion HOOK, the high-flying Dante Margin, and the original AEW Champion Chris Jericho all competing for a future shot at the AEW World Championship! There's a whole lot of history mixed up in this match, like Hobbs being the one who ended Wardlow's second TNT Championship reign on the 3/8/23 DYNAMITE and Wardlow reclaiming it from Hobbs forty-two days later on the April 19, 2023 edition of AEW's flagship.
Then there's the issues between the FTW Champion and “The Machine” Brian Cage that have been the main focus of Cage for the last several weeks, not to mention their history with Team Taz. Also, it wasn't all that long ago that Powerhouse Hobbs decimated Chris Jericho, putting him on the shelf for several weeks, and it was just last night on COLLISION that Jericho got laid out again by the former TNT Champion!
There is a litany of intriguing situations wrapped up in this All-Star Scramble Match going down in Greensboro this Sunday night, but only one man can earn their shot at either Samoa Joe, Hangman Page, or Swerve Strickland!
TAG TEAM GRUDGE MATCH...
TBS Champion Julia Hart & Skye Blue vs.
Kris Statlander & Willow Nightingale (w/ Stokely Hathway)
After losing to Skye Blue on Wednesday as a result of Julia Hart cracking her in the skull with the TBS Championship belt, Kris Statlander and Willow Nightingale will have a chance to even the score this Sunday night during the ZERO HOUR! Stokely Hathaway's insistence that Stat use a chain as a weapon may have provided a slight distraction to Stat, but it was Hart's involvement that made the former TBS Champion vulnerable for Sky to hit a Code Blue for the pinfall victory. That gave Skye a 2-1 advantage over Statlander in their singles matches, but Willow beat Skye two weeks ago in their singles match, while Julia Hart holds victories over all three women, including her own partner. It was Willow that Julia beat to earn her TBS Championship match, it was Skye who Julia pinned to become the TBS Champion, and though she hasn't beaten her directly, it was Statlander who Julia took the TBS Championship from at FULL GEAR 2023.
Ever since Hart and Skye have banded together, they've set their sights on taking down Willow Nightingale and Kris Statlander, and between the events of Wednesday night, and this first-ever tag team meeting, they've certainly got their opportunity to rid themselves of Nightingale and Statlander. The presence of Stokely Hathaway may not help matters either, he hasn't exactly been the best individual to have at ringside given his insistence on interference doesn't quite jive with the entire oeuvre of the two women he's allied with, but perhaps Willow and Kris believe they can bring out the best in a man who has only ever shown the wrestling world his worst. What they need from Stokely in this fight is to be on the same page, and not create another distraction that leads to defeat. Hart and Skye are obviously of one mind right now, perhaps an effect of that black mist Skye was exposed to months back, and that's where Willow, Statlander, and Stokely need to get if they want to win this bout on ZERO HOUR!
12-MAN TAG!!!
The Bang Bang Scissor Gang (AEW World Trios Champions The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass and ROH World Six-Man Champions BULLET CLUB GOLD)
vs.
Private Party (Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen), Jay Lethal, Jeff Jarrett, & Willie Mack
https://www.youtube.com/embed/rlfCMoj4YDM?si=_mL_LsbxB_Lgu2VR&start=449The final match in the legendary career of “The Icon” Sting takes places this Sunday night at REVOLUTION 2024 live on pay-per-view from the historic Greensboro Coliseum! In one of six championship matches taking place on March 3rd, Sting and Darby Allin will defend their AEW World Tag Team Championship in a Tornado Tag against former 2-Time champions, The EVPs of AEW, Matthew and Nicholas Jackson, otherwise known as The Young Bucks! Plus, AEW World Champion Samoa Joe defends against both Hangman Page and Swerve Strickland, Orange Cassidy defends his International Title against The Undisputed Kingdom's Roderick Strong, and “Timeless” Toni Storm puts her AEW Women's World Championship on the line against former best friend Deonna Purrazzo!
But that's not all; we've also got an 8-Man Scramble for an AEW World Title shot, a TNT Championship clash between Christian Cage and Daniel Garcia, FTR and BCC going at it in a tag team rematch, Continental Crown Champion Eddie Kingston battling Bryan Danielson, and two members of The Don Callis Family colliding when Will Ospreay meets Konosuke Takeshita!! It all begins with the ZERO HOUR, going live at 6:30p ET on the official AEW YouTube channel, and then REVOLUTION 2024 coming at you starting at 8pm ET/7pm CT! Do not miss out on one of the most historic nights in the history of our great sport as we bear witness to Sting's final professional wrestling match!
To witness the fallout of REVOLUTION 2024, join us Wednesday night at the Gas South Arena
in Duluth, GA to see what shape All Elite Wrestling takes in the aftermath of this pay-per-view extravaganza!
...
CONTAINS SPOILERS
It’s the final stop before AEW REVOLUTION!
Tonight’s AEW COLLISION was broadcast from the Propst Arena at Von Braun Center in Huntsville, AL!
It’s Saturday night and you know what that means! Saturday night’s alright for fighting!
Nigel McGuinness, Kevin Kelly and Tony Schiavone were the broadcast team for tonight’s event.
Tonight’s opening contest: The House of Black’s Buddy Matthews against…
Mark Briscoe attacked Matthews before Matthews’ scheduled opponent was introduced!
Mark pulled Buddy out of the ring and Buddy’s opponent left the ring. Briscoe and Matthews brawled at ringside. Mark set up a chair in the ring, used it as a launching pad, and dived onto Matthews on the arena floor, crashing through a table!
Mark Briscoe grabbed a steel spike. Briscoe aimed the spike at Matthews while Matthews begged him off. Brody King and Malakai Black sprinted to the ring to save Matthews from Briscoe’s attack. Mark Briscoe was taking on the entire House of Black. He cracked Brody in the back with a steel chair! Mark whipped the chair at Malakai’s head! Briscoe was about to use the spike on Malakai’s head when Buddy walloped Mark with a running kick to the head!
Mark Briscoe jumped off the top of the ramp and connected with a flying cross body press to Matthews. Briscoe grabbed the remote control to the pyro that was set up on the ramp, and as Buddy staggered backwards, Briscoe triggered the pyro!
Security grappled with Briscoe, preventing him from hitting the switch again. The House of Black retreated to the back, in total disbelief at Briscoe, who seemed out of his mind!
“He was trying to burn the face off Buddy Matthews!” said Nigel.
All-Star 8-Man Scramble Qualifier Match!
“Bounty Hunter” Bryan Keith vs. Top Flight’s Dante Martin vs. Penta El Zero Miedo!
Keith and Martin clobbered Penta with double thrust kicks. Dante rocked Bryan Keith with a rising knee strike. Penta fired back with a sling blade on Dante. Penta followed up with a backstabber on Dante.
Bryan Keith cut off Penta and hit him with an exploder suplex. Penta and Bryan exchanged forearms, but Dante jumped off the top turnbuckle with a cross body press to both of them. Dante dished out tope suicidas to Bryan Keith and Penta El Zero Miedo!
Penta El Zero Miedo used Bryan Keith’s back as a launching pad and then drilled Dante with a Canadian Destroyer for a near fall! Bryan Keith crunched Penta with a headbutt to the jaw. Keith cracked Dante with his knee and then a powerbomb for a two-count.
The fans chanted “This is awesome! This is awesome!”
Penta El Zero Miedo and Bryan Keith traded chops on the ring apron. Penta smashed Keith with a Fear Factor right on the apron! Dante sprung out of nowhere with a Destroyer to Penta! Dante quickly climbed the turnbuckles, seizing the opportunity, hit the frog splash on Bryan Keith and pinned him!
Dante Martin advances to the All-Star 8-Man Scramble taking place tomorrow at REVOLUTION, live on pay-per-view!
Mariah May vs. Angelica Risk!
May rocked Risk with overhead chops. Mariah May set up Angelica in the ropes and dropkicked her from behind. May followed up with a shotgun dropkick. Mariah May smashed Risk with a knee strike. Mariah finished off Risk with the May Day and scored the pin!
After the match, AEW Women’s World Champion “Timeless” Toni Storm came to the ring!
Storm: “Deonna Purrazzo, I must speak with you right now! Please come to this ring, this instance!”
“The Virtuosa” Deonna Purrazzo made her way to the ring!
Storm: “Deonna, please, hasn’t thing gone far enough? Look at what we’ve become. Is this really what we trained for, Deonna Our friendship was destroyed. All just to win a match. Is it worth it? From the bottom of my heart, I love you, I do. I love your abilities, your determination, and I love that there is only room for one and as long as I shall live and breathe, it will never be you!”
Purrazzo: “Toni, I love you too. I love that you have your head so far up your own ass you’re going to lose the one thing that started this to begin with. I love that you have forgotten the most important detail about me. I am the best friend and the worst enemy!”
Storm: “Very well. Goodbye old friend.”
Toni Storm applied lip stick and then kissed the cheek of Deonna, and Deonna smacked Storm with a right punch! Deonna grounded and pounded Storm until Mariah May stepped into the ring and yanked Deonna by the hair, pulling her off the champ! Toni left the ring, with Luther helping her to the back. Deonna struck Mariah with a pump kick and then spiked Mariah with a piledriver! Toni Storm was held back by Luther!
Trios Match!
The Bang Bang Scissor Gang’s Anthony Bowens, Max Caster, & Austin Gunn
vs.
The Dark Order—Alex Reynolds, Evil Uno, & John Silver!
Austin jabbed at Reynolds. Caster tagged in and Caster and Austin hit a double arm drag on Alex Reynolds. Caster body slammed Evil Uno. Bowens dropped the Scissor Me Timber on Evil Uno!
Evil Uno drilled Austin Gunn with a DDT. The Dark Order worked over Austin in their corner. Austin nailed Uno with a neck breaker. Bowens got the hot tag and cleaned house on the Dark Order.
John Silver hurled Austin overhead with a German Suplex. Reynolds inadvertently clocked Silver with a rolling elbow. “Platinum” Max Caster smashed Reynolds with the Mic Drop and pinned him!
Lexy Nair was backstage to interview Willow Nightingale, Kris Statlander, and Stokely Hathaway!
Willow said they needed to get on the same page, because tomorrow’s match pitting Willow and Kris against Julia Hart and Skye Blue is not about friendship, it is REVOLUTION. “So, Julie and Skye, Stat and I are going to kick your ass!”
In the ring, Tony Schiavone interviewed Wardlow ahead of the All-Star 8-Man Scramble at REVOLUTION tomorrow!
Wardlow: “Looks like I finally got someone’s attention around here. Two years ago, I won the Face of the Revolution Ladder Match. One year ago, I choked out your king. This year finally I get my shot at the World championship after I beat all the other ‘all stars’ in the match. But who’s it going to be? Wardlow against ‘Hangman’ Adam Page? Doesn’t matter, I’ll slap his moustache off.
“Maybe it’ll be Wardlow versus Swerve. I’m going to kick the front door of Swerve’s house down. So, swerve back into your own lane and dance your ass to the back of the line. Or is it going to be Wardlow versus Samoa Joe? I am so sick of hearing you people chant ‘Joe! Joe! Joe!’ You know what? I hope it is you Joe, because everybody knows you’re in my spot! And this time I am going to finish the job. Not only am I going to take my spot, my title, I am going to beat you so bad that you’ll be forced to put on a headset and sit at that announce table where you belong.
“Tomorrow night I remind everyone that I am still the face of the revolution. I am the uncrowned king. Because this is no longer wrestling. This is war!”
Chris Jericho’s music began to play! Jericho stepped onto the ramp!
Jericho: “What exactly is it that you’re talking about? You mention Swerve, Hangman, and Samoa Joe, but you’re not fighting them tomorrow at Revolution. You’re in the All-Star Scramble, and I don’t know if you know me, I’m Chris Jericho. I’m not an ‘All-Star’. I’m one of the greatest to ever do this.
“And if you think you’re just going to pass over me and six of the greatest performers in AEW and worldwide, I’m going to give you some information. I am Chris Jericho. They call me ‘The Ocho’ because I am 8-time World champion, and more importantly, I am the first AEW World champion. So, the way that I see it, that’s Jericho 8, Wardlow 0, because you ain’t won s—t!
“So, before you disrespect me and say you’re going straight to the front of the line, I want to remind you that it’s been four years since I lost that title to Jon Moxley in one of the greatest matches in AEW. So tomorrow at Revolution, this isn’t just another match for me, it’s a chance for me to get back to being AEW World champion, because I know I’m good enough. Are you? Because you’re complaining so much about being overlooked and pushed aside. Did you ever think the reason people stopped chanting your name is because you just weren’t as good as you think you are, Mike.”
Wardlow: “You know what Chris? You’re absolutely right. Because I was this close to the top of the mountain. I could damn near reach it, and after Double or Nothing I show up to work just to take a step backwards. And then the next week, a step down from the mountain. And then a step backwards, and then a step down, and then a step backwards, and then a step down. And yeah Chris, it pissed me off, to the point that I let it eat me away. To the point where I let it ruin my personal life. I lost me.
“But after sitting at home for three months with no explanation and no phone call, I slowly started to remember who I am. And I did what I have done so many times in my life. I picked myself up off the floor, put myself back together, and come back here to remind everyone who I am. I am the biggest, baddest SOB to step foot in a wrestling ring. I don’t care how many titles you’ve won, and as I said a week ago, I am done eating your scraps. I’m right here. Come down here because I’d like to show you who the hell I am!”
Jericho: “If you want me to come down there, I’ll take the rocket and shove it up your ass in front of all these people!”
Jericho began to approach the ring when Powerhouse Hobbs ambushed Jericho from behind!
Hobbs pummeled Jericho on the ramp. Hobbs looked at Wardlow and taunted him! “One more day! Remember me!” said Hobbs.
Lexy Nair was backstage with Serena Deeb!
Deeb: “Not only am I undefeated, but I’m also unstoppable, putting on clinic after clinic here in AEW. Nobody has really challenged me in the ring here. To be honest I don’t think the competition that I have faced in the ring would know the difference between a wrist lock and a wristwatch. So, if you’re listening and watching and consider yourself one of the best, step into Deeb’s dojo. Step into my home turf and test yourself against the most elite wrestler because I’ll be here each week to show why I am the final boss!”
Private Party—Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen
vs.
“The Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal!
Daniels taunted Quen and then took him down with an arm drag. Daniels clobbered Quen with a clothesline from behind. Sydal tagged in and cleaned house on Private Party with devastating kicks. He followed up with a double hurracanrana. Sydal smashed Quen with an Air Raid Crash for a near fall.
Daniels delivered the Angels Wings on Quen, but Jeff Jarrett’s crew came down to the ring to distract the ref! Jay Lethal blasted Daniels with the Lethal Combination! Lethal grabbed Marq Quen and placed him on top of Daniels. The ref turned around and counted the pin, and Private Party were victorious.
Jeff Jarrett, Karen Jarrett, Sonjay Dutt, Satnam Singh, and Jay Lethal celebrated with Private Party after the match.
“Is this a new allegiance?” wondered Nigel.
Thunder Rosa vs. Cassandra Golden!
Thunder Rosa cracked Cassandra with a chop to the chest. Rosa dodged a splash and countered with a shotgun dropkick. Thunder Rosa followed up with a running dropkick. Thunder Rosa pounded Golden with a double stomp off the top rope. Thunder Rosa applied an arm bar and forced Golden to tap out!
Main Event Time!
AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy, FTW Champion HOOK, Daniel Garcia, & Trent Beretta
vs.
TNT Champion Christian Cage, “The Machine” Brian Cage, Killswitch, & Roderick Strong!
Matt Menard joined the commentary team for this match.
Roderick Strong and Daniel Garcia locked up. They chain wrestled and Roddy grabbed a wrist lock. Garcia chopped away at Roddy. Cage came in without a tag and ate a shot from Hook. Both teams got in the ring, all eight men having a stand off!
Brian Cage deadlift superplexed Garcia. Roderick tagged in and nailed Garcia with a back breaker. Christian Cage grabbed a tag and he and Roderick worked over Garcia in the corner. Cage tagged in and stomped Daniel Garcia.
Garcia countered a suplex from Cage with a DDT. Garcia made the tag to Trent. Trent came in and cleaned house on the opposing team! Trent went for a tope suicida, but Killswitch caught him with a chokeslam on the apron!
Orange Cassidy entered the fray and crunched Cage with the Stun Dog Millionaire! Orange followed up with a tope suicida to Roderick Strong. Orange drilled Cage with a spinning DDT for a near fall! Killswitch came in from behind and tried to double chokeslam Orange and Garcia, but they blocked it. Orange pulped Killswitch with the Orange Punch! Garcia rocked Killswitch with a running knee strike.
Roderick ran in with a big boot to Cassidy’s face. Garcia grabbed Strong and planted him with a suplex. Christian Cage sprung through the ropes with a spear to Daniel Garcia! When Christian Cage turned around, Hook was waiting for him and sent Christian soaring with a suplex.
“Did you see how high Christian got?” asked Daddy Magic.
Brian Cage had Hook in his clutches, though, and walloped the FTW champ with a full nelson slam. Brian Cage blocked an Orange Punch from Cassidy. Cage face planted Orange and went for the cover, but Garcia and Hook broke it up!
As both teams battled in a chaotic scene, Orange tried for a tope suicida to Roderick Strong but Strong blocked it, countering with the End of Heartache on the arena floor! Trent had a sleeper on Killswitch and got Killswitch down to one knee. Killswitch escaped and tossed Trent hard to the mat. Roderick had Orange in the Stronghold outside the ring. Killswitch battered Trent with a headbutt to the chest! Trent retaliated with a thrust kick. Nick Wayne interfered, clubbing Trent from behind, but the ref didn’t see it. Killswitch clocked Trent from behind with a clothesline and pinned him!
Killswitch was planning to chokeslam Garcia onto a steel chair, but Matt Menard jumped into the ring. Killswitch cut him off with a headbutt. Killswitch choke slammed Menard onto the steel chair!
Catch all the fallout from AEW REVOLUTION 2024 on AEW DYNAMITE on TBS next Wednesday live at 8/7ct from the Gas South Arena in Duluth, GA!
Don’t miss AEW REVOLUTION live on pay-per-view on Sunday at 8PM ET/5PM PT from the legendary Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, NC! The action kicks off with ZERO HOUR at 6:30PM ET/3:30PM PT live on YouTube!
Tickets On Sale Now! – www.AEWTix.com
And remember…the home of professional wrestling is All Elite Wrestling!
...
The last stop on the road to REVOLUTION 2024 comes to the AEW faithful this Saturday night from Huntsville, AL and the Von Braun Center! This week on COLLISION, fans will witness The Bang Bang Gang in Trios competition once again, this time represented by The Acclaimed and Austin Gunn, and they will take on The Dark Order! We will also see Women's Division action as both Thunder Rosa and Mariah May will step into the ring, three men will compete in a qualifier for Sunday night's All-Star 8-Man Scramble match, and it call caps off with a huge 8-Man tag that serves as a preview for several matches coming your way in Greensboro on Sunday night!
The evening begins at 8pm ET/7pm CT on TNT, and the AEW fans can get ready for it all by stopping by the official AEW YouTube channel, as well as AEW's other social media platforms, for highlights from this week's DYNAMITE and RAMPAGE, as well as the latest CONTROL CENTER, then we will see you Sunday night live on pay-per-view for REVOLUTION 2024 and “The Icon” Sting's final match!
A REVOLUTION 2024 PREVIEW...
AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy, FTW Champion HOOK, Daniel Garcia, & Trent Beretta vs. TNT Champion Christian Cage, Brian Cage, Killshot, & Roderick Strong
https://www.youtube.com/embed/kUp8gRnoHdA?si=xqNBgpk9mghiabhp&start=111What a wild main event for the last episode of AEW television before REVOLUTION 2024 airs on pay-per-view Sunday night! Stemming out of Orange Cassidy's International Championship defense on Wednesday's DYNAMITE, this eight-man tag team bout is pulling together so many threads that have become entangled. Obviously there's the AEW International Championship match between OC and Roderick Strong going down on Sunday that facilitates their involvement in this bout, then there's the issues “The Machine” Brian Cage has with FTW Champion HOOK that have preoccupied him for weeks now, and of course we have Daniel Garcia and Christian Cage on a collision course for the TNT Championship as well.
And though they are on the periphery of these assorted fights, Trent Beretta is searching to even the score with The Undisputed Kingdom for taking him out several weeks ago, and Killshot is there to do whatever Christian Cage bids. That's the situation for this fight on Saturday night, and with so many moving pieces involved, the obvious question is how it will affect the events of REVOLUTION 2024? It's a chance for the competitors on one side to get an advantage before the pay-per-view, but which side will that be?
TAG TEAM BATTLE...
Private Party (Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen) vs. Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal
https://www.youtube.com/embed/mpxiOQ-d1Hc?si=A54Dln4rxuR3ffOg&start=151Last week on RAMPAGE, Matt Sydal united with Private Party to take part in a Three Way Trios tag opposite Action Andretti & Top Flight and the unit of Penta El Zero Miedo, Komander, and Bryan Keith. Unfortunately Isiah Kassidy and Marq Quen had to watch as Sydal lost the match for their trio, hampering Private Party's hopes to work their way into the Trios rankings.
So this Saturday night on COLLISION, it looks like Private Party aim to pay Sydal back for blowing their opportunity, but thankfully for Matt he's got a reliable partner in “The Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels! Former ROH Tag Team Champions nearly 20 years ago, last year the two men decided to try their hands at teaming once again, and though victory has eluded them thus far, they are still a threat to all those they oppose.
Will Private Party even their score with Sydal, or will bringing “The Fallen Angel” in for support be how Matt needs at his side to reach the level of success he's been chasing since first coming to All Elite Wrestling?
ALL-STAR EIGHT-MAN SCRAMBLE QUALIFIER...
“Bounty Hunter” Bryan Kieth vs. Dante Martin vs. Penta El Zero Miedo
https://www.youtube.com/embed/RKaO2LEPwkU?si=ra0sLS4D6HueBoXR&start=145As we first learned from AEW GM Tony Khan prior to DYNAMITE, due to several outside factors the scheduled Meat Madness bout had to be postponed, but that doesn't mean we aren't going to see some wild action at REVOLUTION 2024, only now it will come in the form of an All-Star 8-Man Scramble! Coming out of DYNAMITE we knew six of the men who would take part, and on RAMPAGE fans witnessed CMLL's Magnus qualify for the bout as well.
Now this Saturday night, just twenty-four hours before REVOLUTION 2024 goes live on pay-per-view, one last man will qualify for the Scramble Match and get one step closer to earning a future AEW World Championship match! Bryan Kieth made such a tremendous impression on All Elite Wrestling over the last few months that he earned his way to an AEW contract, and now stands on the precipice of a championship match, but he has to find a way to survive a fight with both Top Flight's Dante Martin and The Lucha Brothers Penta El Zero Miedo! These are three hungry competitors, all who have proven their willingness to push themselves to the limit in order to accomplish their goals, and this Saturday they share one lofty goal of heading to Greensboro, NC for REVOLUTION 2024!
Though all three could make the trip to the Coliseum, only one can do so as an actual competitor in the Scramble Match, but who will it be and what will they be willing to risk in order to get closer to a championship match?
ANOTHER MASH-UP!
The Bang Bang Scissor Gang (Anthony Bowens, Austin Gunn, & Max Caster) vs.
The Dark Order (Alex Reynolds, Evil Uno, & John Silver)
Last week on COLLISION we witnessed The Bang Bang Scissor Gang mix things up, teaming AEW World Six-Man Champion Billy Gunn up with ROH World Six-Man Champions Colten Gunn and “Switchblade” Jay White to rather successful results. Sure there wasn't perfect communication from the group, and Max Caster's rap got screwed up, but ultimately they were victorious over the Iron Savages and Jacked Jameson.
This Saturday night they're giving it a try once again, this time putting Austin Gunn alongside The Acclaimed, to take on one of the most experienced trios in AEW with The Dark Order. Alex Reynolds, John Silver, and Evil Uno have been together almost since the beginning of AEW, and enter into their nineteenth trios match with this fight on COLLISION. At 13-5, there are only a few active trios with better records than The Dark Order, whereas this will be the first time The Acclaimed and Austin Gunn have united as a trio.
Can this iteration of The Bang Bang Gang have the same kind of success as last week's combination, or will the Trios experience of The Dark Order overcome the momentum the BBSG has built since coming together as a supergroup?
ALSO FEATURING:
-Mariah May in action!
-Thunder Rosa competes!!
-We will hear from AEW Women's World Champion Toni Storm, Deonna Purrazzo,
& Wardlow!!!
With just twenty-four hours to go until REVOLUTION 2024, All Elite Wrestling presents COLLISION this Saturday night from the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, AL! Capped off with a 8-Man tag featuring the AEW International Champion, the FTW Champion, Trent Beretta, and Daniel Garcia taking on the TNT Champion, Roderick Strong, Killswitch, and Brian Cage, it is quite the loaded night! We've also got Thunder Rosa and Mariah May in action, a Three Way fight to qualify for the All-Star 8-Man Scramble Match on Sunday, Private Party taking on Matt Sydal and Christopher Daniels in tag team action, and so much more!
It all gets underway at 8pm ET/7pm CT on TNT, and the AEW faithful can get prepared for the action-packed evening by visiting the official AEW YouTube channel, as well as AEW's other social media platforms, for highlights from this week's DYNAMITE and RAMPAGE, as well as the latest CONTROL CENTER, then join us Sunday night in Greensboro, NC for REVOLUTION 2024 as we bid farewell to “The Icon” Sting!
https://www.youtube.com/embed/rlfCMoj4YDM?si=2BWsm1M_HkdqHqRk ...
