For the first time, All Elite Wrestling is coming to Oakland, CAand bringing a live edition of RAMPAGE with it! With a week to go until FULL GEAR 2023, The Oakland Arena will be rocking with all the athletes of AEW jockeying for superiority before that pay-per-view extravaganza, including a huge tag match pitting former 2-Time AEW World Tag Team Champions FTR against AAA Mega Champion El Hijo Del Vikingo and AAA World Cruiserweight/World Tag Champion Komander! Plus those in attendance on Friday night will get to see COLLISION one day early, featuring another big tag team bout with La Faccion Ingobernable’s RUSH and Dralistico, as well as Edge, Sting, and Darby Allin putting in Trios work against The Righteous and Lance Archer!
Live action begins at at 10pm ET/9pm CT live on TNT, and at AEWPlus.com for international fans, but if you’ll be in attendance in Oakland, the party begins at 6:30pm PT! Before the night begins, make sure to visit the official AEW YouTube channel to watch highlights from this week’s DYNAMITE, previous episodes of RAMPAGE and COLLISION, as well as this week’s CONTROL CENTER, and much more!
TAG TEAM BATTLE…
FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood) vs. AAA Mega Champion El Hijo Del Vikingo & AAA World Cruiserweight/World Tag Champion Komander
It was just over a month ago that FTR were enjoying their second reign as AEW World Tag Team Champions, a goal finally accomplished after fighting since FULL GEAR 2020 to reclaim the titles they lost to The Young Bucks. Over the span of 185 days, Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood had toppled The Gunns, BULLET CLUB GOLD in an epic 2/3 Falls Match, Jarrett and Lethal, Better Than You BayBay, Big Bill and Brian Cage, The Young Bucks at ALL IN: LONDON, Aussie Open at WRESTLEDREAM, all en route to matching the record of nine successful title defenses held by both The Young Bucks in their first reign, as well as by Kenny Omega/Hangman Page during theirs.
The along came Big Bill and Ricky Starks, in just their second match as a team, to smash their way through FTR and end that run in just under five minutes. It was a beating unlike any Cash and Dax had taken since coming to AEW in 2020, one that kept them out of action for a few weeks as they recovered, only to be waylaid in their return to competition by The House of Black. FTR would however be back in the ring last week as part of a wild eight-man tag pitting Cash, Dax, Preston Vance and Rush against The Gates of Agony and the AEW World Tag Champions. Despite the rather uneasy alliance of FTR and LFI, that foursome did manage to secure the victory, only for LFI to bail and for FTR to get attacked by The House once more. The surprising arrival of Claudio Castagnoli and Wheeler Yuta brought that to an abrupt end though, creating another rather unusual alliance between FTR and the BCC in the face of that common enemy.
But this week FTR will be right back in the mix as they take on two of Lucha Libre’s finest athletes, both champions in their own right with the AAA promotion, the team of Komander and El Hijo Del Vikingo! Now as a result of their rivalry with The Lucha Brothers, Dax and Cash have had some experience fighting competitors versed in the Lucha style, but as superb as Penta and Fenix are, they’re approach is quite different than Vikingo and Komander, and FTR is going to be in for a wild ride this Friday night!
Can Dax and Cash overcome? Will they need eyes in the back of their heads where The House of Black is concerned? Or will we see the two AAA champions reign supreme over the former 2-Time AEW Tag Champs?
JERICHO TALKS DRAGON GAIDEN…
Ahead of the LIKE A DRAGON GAIDEN STREET FIGHT going down on Wednesday night’s DYNAMITE, we will hear from Chris Jericho on RAMPAGE on Friday night! What will “The Ocho” have to say before he goes to war with The Don Callis Family? Tune into TNT to find out!
RAMPAGE begins at at 10pm ET/9pm CT live on TNT, and at AEWPlus.com for international fans, but if you plan to be at the Oakland Arenafor the action, the night gets underway at 6:30pm PT! Prior to the fights, drop into the official AEW YouTube channel to catch highlights from Wednesday’s DYNAMITE, as well as previous episodes of RAMPAGE and COLLISION, this week’s CONTROL CENTER, and much more!
Tonight’s special episode of AEW DYNAMITE was broadcast live from the Moda Center in Portland, OR!
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 was backstage with AEW World Champion MJF to kick off the show!
MJF: “Congratulations Jay White, because you are not going to pin me again like you did last week!”
MJF’s phone began to vibrate, and it was Adam Cole calling.
MJF: “Adam, what’s going on?”
Adam Cole: “Hey man, I’m really worried about you man. It kills me that I can’t be there with you, but I have to tell you this as your best friend. Full Gear is coming up. This match against the Gunns and I know you really don’t want to hear this but if you want to win this match, I think you’ve gotta take Samoa Joe up on his offer.”
MJF: “Again with this? You’ve been telling me all week. It’s not happening, and I don’t need him. I can defend our titles and that’s a promise. I’m going to handle Bullet Club Gold after I handle Daniel Garcia.”
Daniel Garcia interrupted MJF by walking onto the set with Matt Menard and Angelo Parker!
Garcia: “You’re going to handle me, huh?”
MJF: “You want to have a chat? Why do you think I agreed to this World title shot tonight? Do you think it’s because of your perfect win-loss record? Nah, I don’t think so. It’s because I believe in you. It’s because I see a little bit of myself in you back when I would listen to quote-unquote veterans, trying to tell me how to run my business. I’ve proven it’s talent over tenure. So, tonight am I getting Danny Garcia the sports entertainer or am I getting the professional wrestler?”
Garcia: “Tonight, you get a professional wrestler.”
Roderick Strong and the Kingdom rolled onto the set.
Roderick Strong: “Yo, Max, I know you already know this, but I am a wrestling legend, and I could easily give you some tips, dude.”
MJF: “You know what’s funny? You were a wrestling legend. You have turned into a complete joke. Adam, I’ve gotta go wrestle. I love you.”
Roderick: “Adam, don’t you see that. That’s exactly what the devil would do, dude. He would walk away.”
Adam Cole hung up.
Roderick: “It’s time to remind everyone exactly who the hell I am!”
AEW World Championship Match!
MJF (c.) vs. Daniel Garcia (with Matt Menard & Angelo Parker)!
MJF locked up with Garcia and then taunted Garcia by doing Garcia’s dance. Garcia grappled MJF to the mat. MJF offered his hand to Garcia as a sign of sportsmanship. Garcia slapped it away and MJF thumbed Garcia in the eyes.
MJF began to work over Garcia’s arm, concentrating his offense there. Garcia fired back with a flurry of forearms and strikes. Garcia followed up with a high release German Suplex. Garcia nailed MJF with a brainbuster for a near fall.
MJF double stomped on Garcia’s elbow. MJF rocked Garcia with a shoulder breaker. MJF stunned Garcia with a DDT for a near fall.
“Garcia deserves a lot of credit kicking out of that hammer lock DDT because that was nasty,” said Taz.
Garcia dodged a Panama Sunrise from MJF and then chopped the champ down with kicks to the legs. Garcia spiked MJF with a piledriver for a near fall. Garcia locked in the Dragon Tamer! MJF countered and transitioned with the Salt of the Earth arm bar, forcing Garcia to tap out!
MJF offered his hand to Garcia as a sign of respect. Garcia reached for it, but Angelo Parker and Matt Menard pulled Garcia away.
Darby Allin & Sting vs. The Outrunners—Turbo Floyd & Truth Magnum!
The Outrunners double teamed Darby in their corner of the ring. Sting tagged in and he and Darby chopped Turbo Floyd. Sting knocked Turbo over the top with a lariat. Truth pulled Darby out of the ring and whipped him into the barricade. Sting clubbed the Outrunners with lariats. Sting applied the Scorpion Death Lock and won via tap out!
Earlier in the day there was a sit-down interview between AEW Women’s World Champion Hikaru Shida & “Timeless” Toni Storm, conducted by Tony Schiavone!
Shida: “What happened to you Toni Storm? You want this title? I don’t think so. You want attention paid to your silly acting!”
Toni Storm: “You happened to me, darling. I was meant to walk into Wembley with that title, and then you happened. You don’t happen anymore. I happen. I couldn’t make history, so I became history. You may have that title, but you will never have the spotlight.”
Shida: “You know what? What will happen is what always happens. I will beat you at Full Gear.”
Toni: “Very well. There’s a saying in showbusiness. Chin up, t!ts out, and watch for the shoe!”
Shida knocked the shoe away and Shida and Toni glared at one another.
Swerve Strickland (with Prince Nana) vs. Penta El Zero Miedo (with Alex Abrahantes)!
“Hangman” Adam Page was banned from ringside for this match.
Swerve nailed Penta with a diving European uppercut. Swerve wrenched down on Penta’s fingers. Penta El Zero Miedo and Swerve traded chops. Swerve stomped on Penta’s fingers.
Penta planted Swerve with a backstabber. Swerve rolled out of the ring, Penta ran for the tope suicida, but Swerve countered with a European Uppercut. Swerve dropped Penta on the steel ring steps. Penta jumped over the top rope with a tope con hiro on Swerve!
Swerve blocked the Made in Japan. Swerve was looking for the JML Driver, but it was blocked. They knocked each other down with lariats, each man having the same idea! Penta hit two sling blades on Swerve. Penta hit a driver on Swerve for a two-count.
Penta El Zero Miedo blasted Swerve with a destroyer on the apron! Penta connected with diving foot stomps for a two-count on Swerve.
“What a match! Holy smokes,” said Tony Schiavone.
Swerve stomped Penta over the top rope, landing on Penta’s ribs! Swerve climbed to the top turnbuckle and attempted a 450 splash, but Penta dodged it. Penta snapped back on Swerve’s arm! Penta crushed Swerve with the Made in Japan but Swerve kicked out at two!
Penta punted Swerve on the arm. Penta tried for the Fear Factor, but Swerve escaped. Swerve drove Swerve down hard and then stomped on Penta’s arm. Swerve stomped, crashing down on Penta and pinning him for the victory.
After the match, Swerve began to pull at the mask of Penta El Zero Miedo, but “Hangman” Adam Page ran into the ring with a steel chair. Page chased Swerve out of the ring and waffled Swerve in the back with a steel chair!
“Hangman is like a man possessed! He’s crazy,” said Tony Schiavone.
Hangman jumped off the stage with Swerve, spiking him through a table with the Dead Eye!
Alex Marvez was backstage with Bullet Club Gold’s “Switchblade” Jay White, Juice Robinson, and the Gunns!
Jay White: “I am here with the Bang Bang Belt. We took a vacation, but I still turned in to Collision and what did I see? After I pinned MJF last week on Dynamite, he said, ‘Hey Jay, what don’t you go compare our names on some graph chart on the internet. Max, you want me to play along? I’ll indulge you. Maybe the graphs are like that because you spend all your time searching your name hoping one day, you’ll see those graphs in a way that will appease all those insecurities of yours.
“Jay White will always be better than you and everybody knows it. I am truly elite, and I will show that tonight against Mark Briscoe. MJF you just sit back, watch, and breathe.”
Renee Paquette interviewedthe Golden Jets—Chris Jericho & Kenny Omega, ahead of their Dynamite match against The Don Callis Family that’ll be taking place next Wednesday.
Jericho: “I think when Don proposed this match, he didn’t think that Kota Ibushi and Paul Wight would have our backs and be our partners. You see, we’ve got some good friends.”
The Young Bucks—Matt and Nick Jackson, walked onto the set and interrupted.
Matt Jackson: “You know, we actually set up camp with the extras in the broom closet. Because there’s no space in our locker room. Chris’ bag is so big. Hey, but I like what you’re doing here. This whole tag team thing? Sweet promo. I even heard you had a really cool, new name. The Golden Jets! I bet you came up with that, huh, Chris?
“You know another cool name? I remember one. The Elite. The guys who started this whole damn place. That’s a cool name too.”
Jericho: “That’s so funny, you didn’t have Kenny’s back when Will Hobbs was beating the hell out of him a few weeks ago with a steel chair. I remember essentially it was the four of us starting AEW, who helped get this company off the ground.”
Matt Jackson: “You would say that. You would put yourself up on the pedestal with us. Because the way I remember it, we created the revolution and you just waltzed in and cashed another big check, didn’t you Chris?”
Jericho: “I want you to remember who you’re talking to here. You’re talking to Kenny F’n Omega and Chris Jericho. We’re two of the greatest to ever do this in the history of pro wrestling. So even though you might be the greatest tag team in the world, I’ll give you all the credit for that. I still think that Jericho and Omega can beat you.”
Nick Jackson: “Can beat us? There’s a big show coming up.”
Matt Jackson: “The light bulb just went off. I don’t think you guys are booked either. It’s called Full Gear. How about Kenny Omega, our best friend, and Chris Jericho, against Nick and Matt Jackson, the Young Bucks, the best damn tag team of all time. You said it yourself.”
Chris Jericho: “Well, uh, I kinda like that idea. But let’s put a little more steam on it. How about when Jericho and Omega beat the Young Bucks at Full Gear, and we will beat you, that guaranteed title shot that you’re sitting on, goes to us.”
Matt Jackson: “I like the way you’re thinking here Chris. How about when we beat you, and we will, right in the middle, clean as a whistle, how about this whole Golden Jets thing is no more. And we can start doing the Elite again, how about that Kenny?”
Kenny Omega: “Look, if this is about who is the greatest tag team of all time, it’s you. I don’t want to wrestle you guys. But if you’re asking me, do I think I can beat you? We’ve been down that road. I’ve done it before. You want to talk about Ibushi? You want to talk about Hangman? Kenny Omega and Chris Jericho can rise to the challenge. We can do it. So, if you guys really want to face us, we’ll do it. And then maybe you’ll clean up your act and then maybe you’ll start acting like real adults instead of sissy, bitchy children. I think you had to hear it from someone like me. So, see you in L.A. at Full Gear.”
Jericho: “Bucks, I’ll be happy to take you to the woodshed and beat your little spoiled brat asses. And by the way, I have my own dressing room.”
ROH World TV Championship Match!
Samoa Joe (c.) vs. “Limitless” Keith Lee!
Samoa Joe and Keith Lee locked horns like two massive bulls. Samoa Joe took a side headlock on Keith Lee. Joe gouged Keith’s eyes and then dropped him with a running shoulder block.
Keith Lee fired back with a shoulder tackle of his own. Keith Lee pounded Joe in the corner with big hooks. Samoa Joe chopped at Lee and then began to work over Lee’s body with jabs, pounding him down in the corner.
Keith Lee came back with a cross body to Samoa Joe. The champ hoisted up Keith Lee and dropped Lee with a knee breaker. Samoa Joe began to stomp Keith Lee.
Keith Lee got back up to his feet, but Samoa Joe took him down with a dragon screw leg whip. Joe followed up with a Manhattan drop. Keith Lee countered the senton with a German Suplex to Samoa Joe!
Keith Lee blocked a lariat from Samoa Joe. Keith Lee smashed Samoa Joe with a pop up powerbomb for a near fall. Samoa Joe slipped behind Keith Lee, locked in the hooks for the rear naked choke, and the ref stopped the match. Samoa Joe was awarded the match as Keith Lee faded.
Samoa Joe: “What stands before you is the greatest Ring of Honor Television Champion of all time. But I did not come here to merely be your television champion. I said hunger is what defines the greats. Well consider me officially hungry.
“As of tonight, I vacate the ROH Television Championship. Because the next gold that is going to be on my shoulder will be the AEW World Championship whether you like it or not, Max!”
AEW International Champion “Freshly Squeezed” Orange Cassidy and FTW Champion HOOK were backstage!
Orange Cassidy: “Jon Moxley, you must have lost your mind, saying that I overlooked you, that I don’t respect you. You are the only person that I have been thinking about since you left me in a pool of my own blood in Chicago after taking my International Championship. And I’m sorry that when the opportunity knocked, I didn’t pick up the piece of Rey Fenix, I picked up the pieces of the International Championship that you dropped. And now holding it, it doesn’t feel the same. Because I need to beat you. I have to beat you in order to be the International Champion that I know I am. And at Full Gear, I will beat you.”
The Gunns—Austin & Colten (with Juice Robinson)
vs.
The Bollywood Boyz!
The Gunns quickly hit the 3:10 to Yuma and won the match, right out of the gates!
Colten: “Hey Max, you are a liar. You have been lying to these people for years. You are not a generational talent. You’ve been telling sob story after sob story. That’s not what a generational talent does. Me and Austin, we were made for TV. We’ve been doing this for three years. We are former AEW Tag champs. We are about to be ROH Tag Champs because we are generational talents.”
Austin: “Max, you’re an embarrassment as a champion. For the past three months, you’ve defended the ROH Tag titles one time! Now the only friends you have left are on the other side of this guardrail. And I pray to God you pick one of them as your partner for Full Gear so we can send them on a ride on the 3:10 to Yuma. Max, Full Gear, November 18th, the ROH Titles go back in the hands of a real tag team!”
AEW World Champion and ROH Tag Team Champion MJF was watching on a monitor backstage when Samoa Joe approached him. MJF walked away.
Jon Moxley was backstage with Wheeler Yuta!
Moxley: “We heard what Orange Cassidy had to say and I knew it! I’ve been getting calls all week to let Orange off the hook. I knew that Orange knew exactly what he was doing. It’s about the laws of nature. This business is a jungle. And the BCC are a dominant pack of predators. What kind of example would I be setting for young Wheeler if I didn’t beat the piss out of you, Orange? What kind of example would you be setting for Hook? Teaching him he can just do and say what he wants, and it’ll be fine? You don’t even deserve to get to Full Gear. So, the minute we land at LAX, it’s on. Gang warfare. You and whoever you want to bring.”
Wheeler: “Hook, you might think you’re some tough guy, but I guarantee you, you crossed the wrong crew. See you in Cali, pretty boy.”
The House of Black’s Julia Hart vs. Red Velvet!
Julia shoved Red Velvet into the turnbuckles. Red Velvet rolled up Julia Hart for a pin attempt. Red Velvet used an arm drag to take down Julia Hart.
Red Velvet hammered Julia in the corner with body strikes. Red Velvet splashed Julia Hart with double knees and then a standing moonsault press for a two-count. Red Velvet pulled Julia off the top turnbuckle with an iconoclasm.
Julia stomped on the ribs of Red Velvet. Julia smashed Red Velvet with a moonsault and pinned Red Velvet! Julia locked in Heartless after the bell.
Skye Blue came down to the ring and had a stare down with Julia Hart. TBS Champion Kris Statlander and Willow Nightingale walked to the ring. Willow checked on Red Velvet. Julia glanced over at Kris Statlander and then left.
RJ City was backstage to introduce the newest AEW signing…Mariah May!
Mariah May: “I’m so excited to be in AEW. I’ve wrestled all over the world. I just came from Stardom in Japan and I’m so excited to be a part of the AEW Women’s division. And I’m a big fan of your work. Toni Storm is the reason I’m here. I went to Japan because Toni went to Japan. Toni’s in AEW so I’m in AEW.”
RJ: “Maybe next week I could introduce you.”
Mariah May: “You’re going to introduce me to Toni Storm?!”
Main Event Time!
“Switchblade” Jay White (with Bullet Club Gold) vs. Mark Briscoe!
The Full Gear 2023 title shot is on the line here.
Mark Briscoe spiked Jay White with a side suplex. He followed up with a vertical suplex for a two-count on Jay White. Mark knocked Jay White out of the ring with his redneck kung fu. Mark jumped off the apron with a running elbow to Jay White on the arena floor!
Juice Robinson diverted the attention of the ref while the Gunns grabbed Mark Briscoe’s boot. Jay White dodged Mark Briscoe and planted Mark with a DDT!
Jay White pretended his knee was injured. The ref turned to check on Jay White while Bullet Club Gold stomped on Mark Briscoe outside the ring.
Mark Briscoe tried to build some momentum with a dropkick off the top rope. Mark and Jay White traded shots in the center of the ring. Mark hammered away with chops and elbow strikes. Mark Briscoe nailed Jay White with a neck breaker for a near fall.
Mark Briscoe hit a fishermen’s buster on Jay White for a two-count, Jay White just barely escaping. Jay White gouged at Mark’s eyes. Jay White connected with a dragon screw on Mark’s leg. Mark fired back with a Death Valley Driver. Mark climbed to the top for the froggy bow, smashed Jay, and covered him for a near fall!
Jay White rocked Mark Briscoe with a uranage. Jay White planted Mark with the Kiwi Crusher for a two-count! Jay White chop blocked Mark Briscoe. Mark escaped the Blade Runner with an exploder suplex. Mark walloped Jay with a lariat. Mark called for the Jay Driller, but Jay White backdropped his way out of it. Jay White targeted the neck of Mark with a sleeper suplex. Jay spiked Mark with a brainbuster.
Mark countered the Blade Runner with redneck kung fu. Jay served up with sleeper suplex and then spiked Mark! Jay White finished off Mark with the Blade Runner and pinned Mark Briscoe!
After the match, MJF snuck into the ring and cleaned house on Bullet Club Gold with the Dynamite Diamond Ring. Only Jay White was left in the ring with MJF! “Switchblade” Jay White retreated out of the ring!
MJF: “Look at me Jay White. I hope you’ve had fun playing dress up as top guy. Because pretty soon play time is almost over. Because you’ll have to get in the ring with the real World champion. With a generational talent. With MJF! When I won that title, I made a promise to myself that I was going to go down as the greatest AEW World Champion of all time or die trying. And that’s what you’ll be dealing with Jay.
“You’ll have to kill me to beat me. I’m not fighting just for me anymore. For the first time in my life, I’m fighting for everyone who has been on this journey with me since day one. I am fighting for Adam Cole. I am fighting for you watching at home. I am fighting for everyone in this arena! ‘Cause I’m not just a scumbag. I’m their scumbag! So, I got one question Jay. Full Gear, will the leader of the Bang Bang Gang, will you be able to be the first man to pull the trigger?!”
The arena lights went out! Footage played from backstage of masked men attacking the Acclaimed and Billy Gunn!
“It seems like whoever helps MJF is in harm’s way,” said Excalibur.
The footage scrambled and then a person wearing a devil mask appeared on the screen for a split second!
The lights turned back on in the arena and MJF was standing in the ring alone. MJF sprinted to the back to check on the Acclaimed!
Samoa Joe approached MJF backstage. “Looks like you’re running out of friends, champ,” said Samoa Joe, as he laughed and walked away.
Catch AEW DYNAMITE on TBS next Wednesday live at 8/7ct from the Toyota Arena in Ontario, CA!
Special Programming note: This Friday tune in to AEW RAMPAGE live at 10/9c on TNT!
Don’t miss AEW Collision on Saturday on TNT at 8/7c from the Oakland Arena in Oakland, CA!
And remember…the home of professional wrestling is All Elite Wrestling!
Last week was another exciting one in the world of All Elite Wrestling, and it all began with AEW World Champion MJF teaming with AEW World Trios Champions Daddy Ass & The Acclaimed to take on BULLET CLUB GOLD in a wild eight-man tag! Unfortunately for the World Champ, the bout ended with Jay White pinning his shoulders to the mat, but at least it bonded the one Max with the other, and garnered the World Champ with some friends besides Adam Cole. Then on Saturday night at COLLISION, the World Trios Champs got to celebrate 69-Day in a fashion only they could, and capped off their 69th day as champions with a record-setting victory over Dalton Castle & The Boys!
We also saw FTR and LFI defeat the AEW World Tag Champions and The Gates of Agony in their own 8-Man Tag on COLLISION, watched Darby Allin and Lance Archer go to battle in a fight lost by Archer, but one in which he and Jake “The Snake” Roberts garnered new allies in The Righteous. Willow Nightingale defeated Emi Sakura, The Kingdom continued to deliver their #NeckStrong message with a “miracle” for Roderick Strong, and much more as AEW barrels towards the Fabulous Forum for FULL GEAR 2023!
AEW is returning to Portland, OR but this time it’s with DYNAMITE and marking our debut at the Moda Center, the home of the Portland Trailblazers! We’ve got MJF, with FULL GEAR 2023 getting closer, defending his AEW World Championship against Daniel Garcia as well as ROH World TV Champion Samoa Joe acecpting the challenge of “Limitless” Keith Lee! Plus Swerve versus Penta, Julia Hart versus Red Velvet, and Mark Briscoe battling Jay White; the action begins at at 8pm ET/7pm CT live on TBS, and at AEWPlus.com for international fans. Be sure to drop by the official AEW YouTube channel to watch highlights from last week’s DYNAMITE, RAMPAGE, and COLLISION, as well as this week’s CONTROL CENTER, plus so much more!
AEW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH…
MJF(c) vs. Daniel Garcia
Prior to last Friday night’s edition of RAMPAGE, Daniel Garcia had not competed in an AEW match that wasn’t a tag, trios, or multi-man since the Four Way International Championship match at FORBIDDEN DOOR 2023, with his last one-on-one encounter being in a top-shelf fight with Dax Harwood only seen by those in attendance for HOUSE RULES: TUPELO on June 2, and his last televised being a loss to Roderick Strong on the May 24th edition of DYNAMITE. As a man whose AEW resume includes victories over Brody King, Ricky Starks, and Bryan Danielson, it has clearly been frustrating for the former ROH Pure Champion, and the interpersonal issues he and his friends have been experiencing since walking away from The Jericho Appreciation Society have not helped matters.
Perhaps that is why Garcia, after his victory over Trent Beretta, chose to grab the microphone and shoot his shot by challenging Maxwell Jacob Friedman to put his AEW World Championship on the line. Clearly Garcia is tired of fighting with his friends, both inside and outside the ring, and tired of feeling overlooked despite being one of the best technical wrestlers in the game today. In Daniel’s eyes this is a fight that should’ve happened a long time ago, not MJF specifically but rather a World Championship opportunity, and he just had to take it upon himself to breath it into existence.
To MJF’s credit (it still somewhat bristles to write that), despite coming off that COLLISION clash with Kenny Omega and the 8-Man bout on DYNAMITE that saw him pinned by Jay White, he still plans to face Daniel Garcia this Wednesday night and to put the AEW World Championship on the line! That means, by the end of DYNAMITE, fans could see the entire face of the FULL GEAR 2023 championship match change! We could end up with Mark Briscoe taking on MJF, or Mark Briscoe versus Daniel Garcia, as well as the possibility of Jay White versus Daniel Garcia, in addition to the scheduled White/MJF bout. There could be a shake-up on the horizon for All Elite Wrestling, but should MJF survive the night with the championship still…well…not in his possession…but at least attached to his name, then he will tie the 9-defense record set by Jon Moxley during his first reign, making FULL GEAR 2023 the night Maxwell could add “most successful” to the “longest reigning” credit in his championship bio.
Can Garcia step up to that next level of competition and conquer AEW’s own devil? Or will Maxwell Jacob Friedman survive another day as champion and be able focus his sights on the KIA Forum, Jay White, and FULL GEAR 2023? The challengers are circling all-around…
ROH WORLD TV CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH…
Samoa Joe(c) vs. Keith Lee
When the calendar turned from Wednesday November 1st to Saturday the 2nd, Samoa Joe officially became the longest-reigning World Television Champion in Ring of Honor history, surpassing Jay Lethal’s record that had stood since October 23, 2015, and with no seeming end in sight. When Samoa Joe walks into Portland on Wednesday night, he will stand with 575 days as champion to his resume, a number that actually puts the ROH Legend just 71 days away from breaking his own 645-day record as ROH World Champion, maintaining Joe’s status as the longest-reigning champion across all titles in ROH’s nearly 22-year history only now with the Television Championship rather than the World.
Though Samoa Joe felt he’d cleared out all challengers after putting down former TV Champion Rhett Titus on the October 28th COLLISION, and has thus devoted a good deal of his focus on MJF’s AEW World Championship, there was a man willing to step up to that challenge this past Saturday night, someone with a bit of ROH experience of their own, but who has never shared the ring with Samoa Joe: “Limitless” Keith Lee!
Though he’s only made one ROH appearance in the new era of honor, that being at FINAL BATTLE 2022, Keith Lee first competed in Ring of Honor, alongside Shane Taylor, on the May 29, 2015 event known as ROAD TO BEST IN THE WORLD 2015: NIGHT 1. Though never title holders, The Pretty Boy Killers (as Keith and Shane were known) did face top teams like The Briscoes, War Machine, and the All Night Express before Keith Lee left Shane Taylor in February 2017 following UNDISPUTED LEGACY. That’s a whole other issue, one Taylor and Lee still need to sort between each other, merely brought up to show that ROH is not unfamiliar territory to Keith Lee.
That bring multiple questions to bear regarding this fight set for Wednesday’s DYNAMITE: will we see Keith Lee return to Ring of Honor as a champion? Can Samoa Joe continue his run as the “King of Television” and press own towards breaking his own championship record come January 19, 2024? Though both men have issues beyond this title fight, Joe with MJF and Keith with Shane Taylor, they will no doubt be focused on the battle at hand, a battle pitting two of the biggest behemoths in All Elite Wrestling or Ring of Honor against one another!
ONE-ON-ONE…
Jay White vs. Mark Briscoe
***FULL GEAR 2023 TITLE SHOT ON THE LINE***
Once upon a time in 2016, a young lion named Jay White left the New Japan Pro Wrestling Dojo and traveled to the United States on excursion. This is a common happening among the young men coming out of the NJPW Dojo, though the destination is not always the same, and in the case of Jay White it was a year-long voyage to Ring of Honor. Yes he spent time in promotions like RevPro in the UK, fought in American indies like PWG, IWC, and House of Glory, but Ring of Honor was his home until October 28, 2017.
During that time, Jay White would find allies in a group known as Search and Destroy that consisted of White, The Motor City Machine Guns, Lio Rush, and Jonathan Gresham, and with that unit would end up in a several battles with two pillars of Ring of Honor: Jay and Mark Briscoe. One of White’s earliest matches in ROH was a 20-Minute draw with Jay Briscoe, and he would first collide with the brothers from Sandy Fork on the 9/3/16 edition of ROH WRESTLING with Lio Rush at his side. Though that S&D team was unsuccessful, Jay White would find success against The Briscoes at ALL-STAR EXTRAVGANZA VIII when he, ACH, and KUSHIDA defeated Jay, Mark, and Toru Yano in the inaugural World Six-Man Title Tournament and again when he, Lio, Sabin, and Shelley bested Jay, Mark, Silas Young, and Jay Lethal in an 8-Man tag.
As the young lion in those situations, Jay White took his beatings even in victory, and it all helped him prepare for the inevitable birth of “Switchblade” that came with his return to NJPW in November 2017. Jay and Mark would clash with White on one more occasion in May 2022, after “King Switch” had ascended to the head of BULLET CLUB and brought a young man named Chris Bey into the fold, but as it was in their only other straight-up tag match, The Briscoes claimed victory over Jay White and his partner.
All that being said, with that history lesson on the relationship between Mark Briscoe and Jay White, it’s a brand new day and both men are now members of the All Elite Wrestling family. Jay White and his BULLET CLUB GOLD brethren have absconded with MJF’s AEW World Championship title belt, leaving “Switchblade” to walk around AEW and claim himself the true champion. The old saying goes “possession is 9/10ths of the law”, but it’s tantamount to “finder’s keepers, losers weepers” here with Jay White, and Mark Briscoe has decided to put his foot down on the shenanigans he’s watched unfold over the last several weeks.
That is what has led the former 13-Time ROH World Tag Champion to challenge Jay White to this fight on DYNAMITE, a fight in which White’s FULL GEAR 2023 World Championship opportunity will also be on the line! Mark Briscoe’s got nothing to lose and everything to gain with this one, and in just his second match back from injury he could be the next challenger to either MJF or Daniel Garcia. Mark will likely have to contend with the full Bang Bang Gang contingent in Jay’s corner, but perhaps someone in the back with their own BC GOLD issues will be watching Briscoe’s back.
PARA LA FAMILIA…
Swerve Strickland vs. Penta El Zero Miedo
Alex Abrahantes could not have made it more clear; this fight is about something greater than just the match itself. Much like Mark Briscoe standing up for what he sees as wrong, this challenge made to Swerve Strickland on Penta El Zero Miedo’s behalf is also about what the latter sees being done wrong by the former.
After watching what Swerve did at “Hangman” Adam Page’s home, that complete violation beyond the pale of professional wrestling, Penta was disgusted and as a man who cherishes his family, decided to do something about it. So for the first time in AEW, and for the first time since December 2018, Swerve Strickland and Penta El Zero Miedo will go one-on-one on DYNAMITE! History tilts in the favor of Strickland, three previous meetings and all won by the boss of The Mogul Embassy, but this week Penta fights with his family in mind, with Hangman’s family in mind, and that’s the kind of motivation that will push a man to some dark deeds.
Then again, Swerve seems to thrive in those dark deeds as well based on his invasions of both Nick Wayne’s and Hangman Page’s private spaces, and clearly has no issues about crossing the lines decent human beings won’t, and certainly not in the name of a professional wrestling contest. Whose darkness is going to win out in this one-on-one clash?
SINGLES MATCH…
Julia Hart vs. Red Velvet
The last time Julia Hart was inside the squared circle was a month ago at WRESTLEDREAM 2023 after Kris Statlander bested her in their TBS Championship bout. Not only was that night a championship loss for The House of Black member, it was also the loss that snapped a 28-match win streak that Julia had built since May 2, 2022. The other night when The House of Black returned to the COLLISION stage in full force, so too did Julia Hart arrive, and with them the AEW landscape shuddered.
The last time Red Velvet appeared inside an AEW ring was on the February 1st edition of DYNAMITE when she fell to Jade Cargill in their TBS Championship bout, suffering an injury in the process that has kept her out of action for the last nine months.
That marks two things these women have in common, a TBS Championship loss in their last match, and some time off following that fight. Obviously for Velvet it was a far less of a choice to remain away from the ring, where as with Hart it was more of a regrouping alongside The House.
This Wednesday night the path of these two women will intertwine once more, the first time since their bout on the July 19, 2021 edition of DARK: ELEVATION, a match won by Red Velvet on her road to fighting Dr. Britt Baker for the AEW Women’s World Championship on the very first episode of RAMPAGE.
While Velvet has never contended with this dark, twisted version of Julia Hart, neither has Hart dealt with the Red Velvet of today who learned so much from her time as a Baddie, her challenges for the TBS and Women’s World Titles, and the motivation of long-term injury recovery. What will each bring to the table this Wednesday evening, and whose eyes will be watching it go down?
TAG TEAM TUSSLE..
Darby Allin & Sting vs. The Outrunners (Turbo Floyd & Truth Magnum)
Ahead of their COLLISION trios bout where Adam Copeland will join Darby Allin and Sting to fight Lance Archer and The Righteous, Darby and “The Icon” will be in tag team action against a team who’s been very impressive in their AEW outings to date: The Outrunners!
The Outrunners, Truth Magnum and Turbo Floyd, have been in the ring with The Acclaimed, Butcher & Blade, The Kings of The Black Throne, Aussie Open, and The Gunns, just to name a few of their AEW opponents, and they’ve managed to impress in their losses.
This Wednesday night they’ve got a huge opportunity when they square off with Darby Allin and Sting on the home stretch of The Icon’s career! This could be the biggest night in the lives of The Outrunners, can they take advantage of the situation, particularly all the damage done to Darby by Lance Archer?
Last week, following Hikaru Shida’s AEW Women’s World Championship defense against Willow Nightingale, Toni Storm made her way to the DYNAMITE stage and stole the spotlight from the champ for the third time. This time Shida had had enough, and as Storm rolled about on the stage, the 3-Time Champion came charging up the ramp, knocking down Luther, and delivering a solid knee strike to Toni’s face.
Storm went scurrying away with Shida in pursuit, but there will be no running this Wednesday night on DYNAMITE when both women, ahead of their FULL GEAR 2023 title fight, sit with Tony Schiavone for a chat! Will tempers flare up and turn this interview into a disaster not seen since THE ROOM?
AEW is back in Portland, OR this Wednesday night for DYNAMITE and our debut at the home of the Portland Trailblazers: the Moda Center! The AEW World Championship will be on the line, as well the ROH World Television Title, plus Swerve Strickland takes on Penta El Zero Miedo, Red Velvet is back in action for the first time in nine months to take on Julia Hart, Mark Briscoe and Jay White clash, and plenty more on top for AEW’s flagship! The night gets underway at 8pm ET/7pm CT live on TBS, and at AEWPlus.com for international fans so make a point to visit the official AEW YouTube channel to catch-up on highlights from recent episodes of DYNAMITE, RAMPAGE, and COLLISION, as well as this week’s CONTROL CENTER, and so much more!
Tonight’s AEW COLLISION was broadcast live from the Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita, KS!
Nigel McGuinness, Kevin Kelly and Tony Schiavone were the broadcast team for tonight’s event.
It’s Saturday night and you know what that means! Saturday night’s alright for fighting!
AR Fox vs. Swerve Strickland (with Prince Nana)!
Fox attacked Swerve as the show was coming onto the air. They brawled onto the ramp. AR Fox jumped off the stage and landed on Swerve with a crossbody press! They made it to the ring and Fox flipped over the top rope and landed on Swerve on the arena floor, Fox clearly taking the fight to Strickland!
Swerve hip tossed Fox onto the ring apron, with Fox’s legs taking the brunt of the impact. Swerve whipped Fox into the steel guardrail. Prince Nana called down the Gates of Agony to ringside.
Back in the ring, Swerve flung Fox onto the top turnbuckle. Swerve superplexed AR Fox, with Prince Nana yelling for Swerve to finish off Fox. AR Fox fired back with an offensive flurry, including a 450 splash off the top for a near fall on Swerve!
“Look at the rotation and the added impact of the 450,” said Nigel.
Swerve stunned Fox with a neck breaker and then a kick to the back of the head. Swerve squashed Fox with a double foot stomp and pinned Fox!
“That is a lethal move, guys,” said Tony Schiavone.
After the match AR Fox was surrounded by the Gates of Agony, Swerve, and Prince Nana! FTR sprinted to the ring and began to brawl with the Gates of Agony! Ricky Starks and Big Bill came down to the aid of the Mogul Embassy. LFI sprinted down and helped clear the ring of the AEW World Tag Champs and the Mogul Embassy! FTR offered to shake LFI’s hands, but LFI declined and left the ring.
The House of Black were watching from somewhere in the arena.
Lexy Nair was backstage with a very angry Kip Sabian!
Sabian said the Workhorsemen are underrated, and if Mark Briscoe can find two partners, Sabian and the Workhorsemen will wrestle them tonight!
The Kingdom came out, wheeling Roderick Strong onto the ramp!
Taven and Bennett charged into the ring against their opponents, James McGregor and Brixton Nash! Mike Bennett nailed McGregor with a Death Valley Driver. Taven jumped off the top rope and they hit a spiked piledriver, quickly pinning their opponent. Roderick Strong jumped into the ring and connected to one of the Kingdom’s opponents with a jumping knee strike, and then quickly rolled out of the ring and back into his wheelchair.
Lexy Nair was backstage interviewing Mark Briscoe when FTR walked onto the scene and greeted their friend Mark!
Cash offered to pull double duty and tag with Mark tonight. Mark said he appreciated that, but he already had partners lined up for his match tonight.
Darby Allin vs. “The MurderHawk Monster” Lance Archer (with Jake “The Snake” Roberts)!
Lance Archer hurled Darby to the mat. Darby fired back with a big right hand. Lance Archer pounced at Darby Allin, sending Darby crashing outside of the ring. Lance followed up with a knee breaker.
Lance tried to walk the top rope, but Darby knocked him off. Darby rocketed out of the ring and right at Archer with a tope suicida. Lance Archer rocked Darby with a release suplex! Lance cracked Darby with a knee strike in the ring. Darby escaped a Black Out attempt and cradled Archer for a near fall.
Archer blocked Darby’s modified Coffin Drop attempt. Archer drilled Darby with a choke slam! Archer picked up Darby again and choke slammed Darby over the top rope and onto the edge of the ring! Jake Roberts was about to hit Darby with Darby’s skateboard, but the ref saw it and then ejected Roberts from ringside.
Lance Archer clocked Darby with a stiff right hand! Darby scraped at Archer’s back and connected with a Destroyer off the top rope, scoring the pin on Archer!
Jake Roberts came back out and had words for Darby! “You think I came to a fight with only one piece of artillery? No, I’ve got a couple more guys you may have seen on the street!” said Jake Roberts.
The Righteous walked onto the ramp!
Vincent: “Revenge is forever. It’s showtime.”
Archer grabbed a distracted Darby Allin and planted him with the Black Out!
Lexy Nair was backstage with TBS Champion Kris Statlander, Willow Nightingale, and Skye Blue!
Statlander and Willow had requested the time to speak with Skye Blue.
Kris: “You had us going there for a second, but you showed up and picked the right side. I wanted to say thank you for making the right decision.”
Skye: “You don’t have to thank me because I didn’t do anything for you. I did it for Willow because I always have Willow’s back. And good luck out there tonight, Willow.”
Kris: “I have your back too.”
Lexy Nair interviewed Alex Abrahantes next!
Abrahantes said he and Penta El Zero Miedo showed last night that lucha is life.
Swerve Strickland and Prince Nana interrupted.
Alex said it was disgraceful what Swerve did, invading Hangman Page’s house. Alex said the only thing Penta puts ahead of lucha is his family, and he challenged Swerve to a match against Penta El Zero Miedo at Dynamite!
Up next:The AEW World Trios Champions The Acclaimed’s 69 Day Championship Celebration!
Daddy Ass: “It seems everyone here is ready to have a little fun. We have been Trios Champs for 69 days!”
The fans chanted “69! 69! 69!”
Bowens: “It is a very special day because it’s been 69 days of the Acclaimed and we are fired the hell up. So, I wanted to introduce a little surprise. And that surprise is for Max Caster. Because he had a pretty good week. So, Billy and I got you a special gift. Roll the clip please.”
AEW World Champion MJF appeared on the big screen with a message for Caster. MJF said Caster earned his respect. “You’re starting to grow on me, Caster. I’m kind of starting to like the Acclaimed.”
Caster: “Thank you so much! I love it, Billy! Thank you, Anthony! It means a lot and this holiday means a lot to us because it’s a culmination of all of our hard work at the top of the Trios division. And that hard work is symbolized by that trophy sitting on the announce desk right there. As much as that trophy belongs to us, we couldn’t have done it without the people And since we are the people’s choice and the people’s voice, this trophy goes out to all the fans.”
Dalton Castle and the Boys walked onto the ramp, crashing the party!
The Boys grabbed the trophy off the announcers’ table and handed it over to Dalton Castle. Castle threw the trophy to the floor, destroying it! The two teams began to brawl!
Tony Khan made the match official!
Daddy Ass flung Castle overhead. The Boys dropkicked Billy Gunn. Bowens blasted the Boys with a double clothesline.
Dalton Castle was taken down with a fameasser from Bowens. Daddy Ass tagged in, and body slammed a Boy. Bowens jumped from the top with a Scissor Me Timbers. Caster crashed down with the Mic Drop and the Acclaimed and Daddy Ass retained the titles!
“That’s nine title defenses, one more than the House of Black,” said Kevin Kelly.
Lexy Nair was backstage with Andrade El Idolo, asking if he put any more consideration into CJ’s offer.
Andrade: “Next week I will give my answer to CJ face to face.”
Trios Match!
Kip Sabian & The Workhorsemen—JD Drake and Anthony Henry
vs.
Mark Briscoe, “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes, and “Limitless” Keith Lee!
Kip cracked Briscoe with a cannonball in the corner. The Workhorsemen came in, but Mark stopped Henry and then threw JD Drake out of the ring. Sabian hit an Arabian moonsault onto Mark Briscoe.
Mark threw Henry down with an exploder suplex and tagged in Dustin Rhodes. “The Natural” powerslammed JD Drake. Keith Lee powerbombed Henry onto Sabian. Mark Briscoe dropped the Froggy Bow on Sabian and pinned him!
Lexy Nair interviewed Mark Briscoe after the match!
Mark Briscoe challenged “Switchblade” Jay White to a singles match on Wednesday at Dynamite!
Willow Nightingale vs. Emi Sakura!
They rammed each other with shoulder tackles. Willow got the upper hand, her power knocking Emi to the mat. Emi slapped Willow in the face. Emi connected with a cross body, knocking Willow off the apron. Emi splashed Willow, sandwiching her against the steel ring steps.
Outside the ring, Willow smashed Emi with a Death Valley Driver on the arena floor. Willow followed up with a shotgun dropkick for a near fall. Emi clobbered Willow with a swinging neck breaker.
Willow dropped Emi with a spinebuster. Willow finished off Emi with the Doctor Bomb, pinning Emi!
Lexy Nair was backstage with ROH TV Champion Samoa Joe!
Samoa Joe: “No, I haven’t heard back from MJF yet. You need me to make moves on your behalf and to watch your back properly. Until you realize that man is me, you will continue to endure that pain week after week.”
Keith Lee walked onto the set and said Samoa Joe hasn’t beaten him yet. Samoa Joe said they could remedy that situation this Wednesday!
Keith Lee: “Count me in.”
Main Event Time!
Eight-Man Tag Match!
FTR—Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood, and LFI—Preston Vance & Rush (with Jose the Assistant & Dralistico)
vs.
AEW World Tag Champions Big Bill & “Absolute” Ricky Starks,
and Gates of Agony—Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona!
Jim Ross joined the broadcast team to provide his main event analysis.
Big Bill and Preston Vance locked up. Preston battered Big Bill with forearms in the corner. Big Bill walloped Vance with a lariat. Bishop Kaun tagged in and suplexed Preston Vance.
Cash Wheeler tagged in and jabbed at Bishop Kaun. Dax grabbed a tag and FTR hit Kaun with a drop toehold elbow combo. Toa Liona rocked Dax with headbutts. Dax answered with chops to Toa’s chest. Toa nearly knocked Dax out of his boots with a lariat.
Rush tagged in and rammed Ricky into the guardrails! Rush kicked Ricky in the corner and then powerslammed him for a near fall.
Big Bill blocked a discus elbow from Preston with a chokeslam. FTR were looking for the Big Rig, but Big Bill ran over them with a double clothesline. Ricky Starks speared Rush out of nowhere!
The fans chanted “This is awesome! This is awesome! This is awesome!”
Ricky starched Rush with a thrust kick. Rush fired back and then tagged to Dax. Rush and Dax smashed Kaun with the Big Rig! Rush charged at Kaun and nailed him with the Bull’s Horns, grabbing the pinfall victory on Bishop Kaun!
“A demonstrative victory for the leader of LFI,” said Nigel.
LFI walked away without shaking the hands of FTR.
“Rush is a difference maker,” said Jim Ross.
The House of Black appeared on the big screen, with words of warning for FTR!
It was a ruse, as the House of Black blindsided FTR from behind in the ring!
Claudio Castagnoli and Wheeler Yuta ran to the ring to even up the odds for FTR! Claudio tried to put the Giant Swing on Malakai Black, but Brody pulled Black out of the ring! The BCC and FTR shook hands.
Catch AEW DYNAMITE on TBS next Wednesday live at 8/7ct from the Moda Center in Portland, OR!
And remember…the home of professional wrestling is All Elite Wrestling!
This Saturday night in Wichita, KS All Elite Wrestling makes its debut at the Intrust Bank Arena with a stacked up edition of COLLISION! The AEW World Trios Champions Daddy Ass and The Acclaimed will celebrate their 69th Day as the reigning champions and plan to celebrate it in style! Plus, Darby Allin and Lance Archer will clash in their first-ever bout, Willow Nightingale and Emi Sakura lock up in a rematch of their NJPW STRONG Women’s Championship match, and AR Fox looks for vengeance when he faces Swerve Strickland. But that’s not all, in addition there is a huge eight-man tag on tap featuring the unique pairings of FTR and LFI against the AEW World Tag Team Champions Big Bill and Ricky Starks and their partners in The Gates of Agony.
COLLISION is coming to you this Saturday night on TNT, beginning at 8pm ET/7pm CT, so before the night begins swing over to the official AEW YouTube channel for highlights from this week’s episodes of DYNAMITE and RAMPAGE, the latest editions of CONTROL CENTER, and so much more!
At ALL IN: LONDON, before the largest crowd in All Elite Wrestling history, The Acclaimed and Daddy Ass defeated The House of Black to become the 5th AEW World Trios Champions and begin this reign that is already bordering on historic. In just 69 days, this trio has matched the number of successful defenses that The House achieved in their 175 days atop the division, leaving Billy Gunn and The Acclaimed just one victory away from being the most successful championship trio to date. In fact, aside from Billy and his sons 24-1 record, they are the winningest active trio at 19-2; in other words they have a lot to celebrate, and this Saturday night on COLLISION the World Trios Champions are having their 69-Day Celebration!
Join them in-person in Wichita, or live on TBS, for what will certainly be a one-of-a-kind party that only Daddy Ass and The Acclaimed could deliver!
SINGLES MATCH…
Darby Allin vs. “The Murderhawk Monster” Lance Archer
To date, the only interaction Darby Allin and Lance Archer have had inside the squared circle is their mutual participation in the ALL OUT 2020 Casino Battle Royale and the June 8, 2022 Casino Battle Royale on DYNAMITE. Besides that, they’ve never locked up in a tag, a trios, a singles, nothing, but that all changes this Saturday night on COLLISION!
For the first time, one of the most daredevil high-risk combatants in AEW’s history will clash with one of the most violent destructive forces AEW has ever tried to contain: Darby Allin versus Lance Archer. Archer’s last outings in AEW were when he challenged Orange Cassidy for the AEW International Championship at BATTLE OF THE BELTS VII and followed that up with the destruction of Barrett Brown on the October 18th edition of DYNAMITE.
Now fresh off challenging the Guerrillas of Destiny for the NJPW STRONG Openweight Tag Titles at FIGHTING SPIRIT UNLEASHED 2023, Archer comes back to try and lay waste to Darby. Allin, coming into this fight, is possibly more banged up than he’s ever been, with a nagging shoulder injury that’s been affecting him since WRESTLEDREAM 2023 to the point that he hasn’t competed since that night in Seattle. Though he’s got a huge match on the horizon at FULL GEAR 2023, Darby is putting himself at risk to not even make it to the KIA Forum by taking this fight with “The Murderhawk Monster”. Win or lose, what condition will Darby Allin be in when he leaves Wichita and this fight with Archer?
Last week, after months away from the spotlight, the AEW faithful saw La Faccion Ingobernable return in full force on COLLISION to help FTR when Cash and Dax were faced with the combined might of Ricky Starks, Big Bill, and The House of Black. It was quite the surprising moment as one would anticipate LFI joining in on the gang assault of the former 2-Time AEW World Tag Champion, but instead Rush, Preston Vance, Dralistico, and Jose stood at their side to even out the numbers.
Well this Saturday night LFI will stand by the side of FTR once again as AEW World Tag Champions Big Bill and Ricky Starks are joined by The Mogul Embassy’s Gates of Agony for a big eight-man tag team battle! This is going to be a wild one with eight men who just love to fight, and may even have some implications on the future of tag team division. A pinfall on Big Bill or Ricky Starks could be the ticket to a championship challenge, but a loss to them could knock one out of contention as well. Can any referee manage to contain the chaos that this fight will be, especially given what we’ve seen out of LFI in their recent videos?
GRUDGE MATCH…
AR Fox vs. Swerve Strickland
It wasn’t that long ago that AR Fox stood side-by-side with Swerve Strickland and Prince Nana to invade the home of Nick Wayne for the purpose of assaulting the young man to send Darby Allin a message. The reality of it was simply Swerve using AR Fox, preying on his anxieties and worries, to drive a wedge between he and Darby, and it worked, albeit temporarily, but once it was no longer convenient, Swerve dumped Fox cold prior to ALL IN: LONDON.
Seeing the error of his ways, Fox attempted to make amends with both Darby and Nick Wayne, though only the former was willing to accept the apology, and perhaps that willingness of Allin’s played a role in Nick’s decision to join up with Christian Cage. That’s neither here nor there for tonight though, tonight is all about AR Fox setting his sights on revenge against Swerve Strickland for what was done to him. Though it was Fox’s decision to sign up with The Mogul Embassy, it certainly wasn’t with the expectation of being stabbed in the back as soon as his usefulness to Swerve was done.
So this is a night of hopeful redemption for AR Fox, a chance to wash away his sins, and begin anew free of the stain of the Mogul Embassy! Can he do it, or will Swerve stomp Fox’s chest in as part of his message to Hangman Page ahead of FULL GEAR 2023?
On the June 2nd edition of RAMPAGE, in her first defense of the NJPW STRONG Women’s Championship, Willow Nightingale bested Emi Sakura in a hard-hitting bout indicative of what the newborn championship means to those involved. That wasn’t their first encounter, they’ve been on opposing sides of several tags and trios over the last year, but it was their only singles match to date prior to this Saturday night!
So with that June loss in mind, Emi Sakura steps back into the ring with Willow to try and even the score, while Willow has this week’s happenings with Skye Blue and Julia Hart, as well as her loss to Hikaru Shida, floating around her mind. As AEW makes its debut in Wichita, will it be Emi’s night or Willow’s night?
After making his return to All Elite Wrestling in Philadelphia last week on RAMPAGE, Mark Briscoe will be in the house this Saturday night to make his COLLISION debut! It’s been some time since the 13-Time ROH World Tag Champion has been in action, an injury keeping him sidelined for the last several months, so what brings him to Wichita this weekend? Tune in to find out!
This Saturday night AEW makes its debut in Wichita at the Intrust Bank Arena with a stacked night of COLLISION! LFI and FTR take on Big Bill, Ricky Starks, Bishop Kaun, and Toa Liona while Mercedes Martinez and Willow Nightingale go head-to-head, Darby Allin and Lance Archer lock up, AR Fox and Swerve Strickland go one-on-one, and so much more!
Prior to the night getting started, be sure to visit the official AEW YouTube channel for highlights from this week’s episodes of DYNAMITE and RAMPAGE, the latest editions of CONTROL CENTER, and much, much more!
Tonight’s episode of AEW RAMPAGE was broadcast from the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, KY!
Yourbroadcast team was Excalibur, Paul Wight, and Tony Schiavone!
It’s Friday night and you know what that means!
AAA Mega Champion El Hijo del Vikingo
vs.
Penta El Zero Miedo
vs.
AAA World Cruiserweight Champion Komander!
Penta hit the Made in Japan on Vikingo, but Komander broke up the pin attempt. Vikingo flew out of the ring with a tope suicida crashing into Komander. Penta served up sling blades to Komander and El Hijo del Vikingo!
Vikingo connected with a phoenix splash onto Komander for a near fall. Penta ran in with a foot stomp to Vikingo. Penta El Zero Miedo flipped over the top rope and wiped out Vikingo and Komander. The QTV crew were watching the match on a monitor backstage.
Penta El Zero Miedo chopped Komander on the chest. Penta cracked Vikingo with a kick in the corner. Vikingo was looking for a dropkick off the ropes, but Komander countered with a powerbomb. Komander attempted a shooting star press, but Penta anticipated it and blocked it with a lung blower.
Vikingo smashed Penta with a poison rana on the ring apron! Penta rocked Komander with the Fear Factor on the edge of the ring. Penta planted Vikingo for a near fall. Vikingo fired back with a kick to Penta’s jaw. Vikingo stunned Penta with a 630 senton but Komander broke up Vikingo’s pin attempt.
Komander used an implosion phoenix splash on Vikingo. Penta grabbed Komander and nailed him with the Fear Factor on top of El Hijo del Vikingo. Penta covered Komander and grabbed the pinfall victory!
Alex Marvez was backstage with Jeff Jarrett, Karen Jarrett, Jay Lethal, Sonjay Dutt, and Satnam Singh!
Sonjay: “Last week I saw that Ortiz was a man down on his luck, defeated by his former best friend. So, I extended an invitation to him to the hottest group in pro wrestling today. And can you believe he said no to me! And there’s no man that knows Eddie Kingston better than Ortiz. He could have ben a big help for us guys.”
Karen Jarrett: “We don’t need him! We never needed him!”
Jeff Jarrett: “Sonjay does everything he can for this group, but the fact of the matter is you’re looking at the greatest faction in all of AEW. And we don’t need any help. And Jay Lethal is the next ROH World Champion.”
Jay Lethal: “You’re damn straight. Ortiz isn’t even a factor. Because when I cash in my ROH champion shot, it’s a one on one, it’s me against Eddie. I will be the next Ring of Honor World Champion. You can bet on that!”
They walked away and then Ortiz walked onto the set!
Ortiz: “Damn, my ears are burning. Somebody was definitely talking about me. I’ll deal with them next week, though.”
The Gunns—Austin & Colten Gunn (with Bullet Club Gold)
vs.
“Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal!
Daniels and Sydal used tandem offense on Austin Gunn. Daniels chopped at Austin. Colten clocked Daniels with a sucker punch.
Colten tagged in and grounded and pounded Daniels. Colten dropkicked Daniels. CD German Suplexed the Gunns and tagged into Sydal. Matt Sydal smashed Austin with the meteora but Colten was there to break up the pin. The Gunns hit the 3:10 to Yuma on Sydal and Austin pinned him!
Austin: “MJF, Dynamite belongs to the Bang Bang Gang. Collision belongs to the Bang Bang Gang. And now Rampage belongs to the Bang Bang Gang. And at Full Gear, November 18th, we take the ROH Tag Team Championships!”
RJ City was backstage with Danhausen!
Danhausen: “No, no, no. I made a mistake. The return is actually next week. Sorry!”
RJ City: “Well, there you have it. Next week, the return of Danhausen.”
Danhausen: “Thank you!”
Alex Marvez was backstage with Ruby Soho and Saraya!
Ruby: “Yeah, I’d say I’ve been having a rough go at it in the ring as of late. I mean, ever since Toni Storm left the Outcasts, we’ve been in a downward spiral. Saraya lost the title. And I lost my opportunity at the title. I really wish you were there for that, Saraya, I’m not going to lie to you.”
Saraya: “Ruby, shut up. Be quiet. You keep talking about Toni like she’s a big star and without her we’d be nothing, when actually it’s the other way around. And without me, you wouldn’t be on TV. I’m sorry, I feel like I’m taking this whole thing out on you. And I just want the best for you. Stick with me and you are going to be a star, kid.”
Angelo Parker walked onto the set and offered to comb Ruby’s hair. “Don’t even think about it,” she said.
Matt Menard walked onto the scene and asked Parker what happened last Wednesday night. “All you had to do was take the bat and take two years of frustration out on Chris Jericho. Smash him in the face and win the match, but you couldn’t do it. You don’t have the dog in you, that’s why you couldn’t do it. I don’t think you have the dog in you. How about it?”
Parker: “Did you ever think that maybe not everyone is as frustrated as you are? I’m gonna go be a friend to Garcia. He’s got a big match tonight.”
Marina Shafir (with Nyla Rose) vs. Skye Blue!
Skye Blue stomped on Marina’s feet, but Marina didn’t even flinch. Marina kicked Skye away. Skye Blue spiked Shafir with a DDT on the apron! Skye Blue clubbed Marina with aggressive forearm shots on the floor.
Marina planted Skye with a Judo throw for a near fall. Skye Blue fired back with a dropkick. Blue blasted Marina with a boot. Marina applied a neck crank on Blue. Skye Blue bit Marina to escape. As Marina was telling the ref, Skye Blue rolled her up for a near fall.
Skye Blue crumbled Marina with a thrust kick and then pinned her after the Code Blue!
Main Event Time!
Daniel Garcia vs. Trent Beretta!
Garcia chopped Trent. Trent charged at Daniel Garcia. Trent hit Garcia with a moonsault off the middle turnbuckle. Trent spiked Garcia on the arena floor with a brainbuster!
Trent superplexed Garcia for a near fall. Trent knocked Garcia down with a short arm lariat. Garcia backdropped Trent. Garcia punched and stomped down Beretta. Garcia charged at Trent with a double knee strike in the corner. Garcia followed up with a brainbuster for a near fall.
Trent rocked Garcia with a half and half suplex and then the Death Valley Driver for a two-count. Garcia came back with German Suplexes of his own. Trent and Garcia battered one another with elbow strikes. Trent spiked Garcia with a piledriver for a two-count!
Garcia did his dance and the blasted Trent with a piledriver. Garcia applied the cross face and Trent tapped out!
Garcia: “Man, I don’t know about y’all, but Daniel Garcia has a very good track of time. And I’ve been keeping score, alright. So, because I’m so good at keeping time, it has been six months since Daniel Garcia has had a singles match at AEW. I feel like there’s one way to jump in the line at AEW. And that is winning a title.
“I have a fetish for greed. I have a fetish for gold. That’s why I’m calling out the biggest dog…MJF! I know you got a lot of targets on your back. But I promise you there’s not a person in the back that wants that belt more than I do. So, Max if you’re up for the test to step in the ring with one of the best professional wre—, sports entertainers in the world, you know where to find me!”
Catch AEW DYNAMITE on TBS next Wednesday live at 8/7ct from the Moda Center in Portland, OR!
Don’t miss AEW Collision on Saturday on TNT at 8/7c from the Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita, KS featuring:
-AEW World Trios Champs The Acclaimed’s 69 Day Championship Celebration!
-Swerve Strickland vs. AR Fox!
-Willow Nightingale vs. Emi Sakura!
-Darby Allin vs. The “MurderHawk Monster” Lance Archer!
-8-Man Tag Match: FTR, Rush, & Preston Vance
vs. AEW World Tag Champs Ricky Starks & Big Bill, & ROH 6-Man Champs Gates of Agony!
And remember…the home of professional wrestling is All Elite Wrestling!
Tonight’s special episode of AEW DYNAMITE was broadcast live from the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, KY!
Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, and “The Human Suplex Machine” Taz were the broadcast team for tonight’s event.
It’s Wednesday night and you know what that means!
Renee Paquette interviewed AEW World Champion MJF to kick off the show!
MJF: “I’ve got a list of everybody on the roster and hopefully there are three who aren’t complete A-holes. In the meantime, I’ve got my brochacho for life, Adam Cole, on the video chat for some advice.”
Adam Cole: “You know what makes me happy? The fact that you are officially the longest reigning AEW World Champion of all time. At this point you’re the greatest AEW World Champion of all time and that’s something to be really proud of. I wish I could be there right now because it feels like the entire world is gunning for you. I think you should at least consider Samoa Joe’s offer.”
MJF: “The last time I wrestled that guy he almost broke my neck. But listen I gotta go and find three partners for tonight. And just so you know, I promise you I’m going to successfully defend our ROH Tag Titles at the Full Gear pay-per-view. I’ll see you around.”
Roderick Strong rolled up in his wheelchair with the Kingdom!
Strong: “Can you believe Max leaving mid conversation? You know I’d never do that to you, right? But also, serious question, are we still pretending that he’s obviously not the devil? Like, because he seems like the devil to me.”
Adam Cole lost his connection.
Strong: “Adam! Adam!”
The transmission was interrupted by an image of someone wearing the devil mask!
Claudio Castagnoli hoisted up Orange and planted him. He followed up with a body slam to the champ, and then a double foot stomp. Claudio began to tenderize the body of Orange with multiple knee strikes and then an uppercut forearm.
Claudio countered a cross body press off the top rope with a back breaker on Orange, and then switched to a gut wrench rib breaker. Orange Cassidy rolled out of the ring, trying to play head games with Claudio, but Claudio ran around the ring and clubbed Orange with a forearm.
Orange shoved Claudio into the steel ring post and followed up with a tope suicida. Orange went for a second attempt, but Claudio caught Orange and dropped him across the top of the steel barricade.
FTW Champ HOOK walked to the ring, but the referee ejected both HOOK and Wheeler from ringside!
Claudio rocked Orange with a delayed vertical suplex back into the ring! Claudio charged at Orange, but Orange dodged him. Claudio collided into the steel ring post. Orange jumped out of the ring and caught Claudio with a DDT on the arena floor.
Orange cracked Claudio with the Stun Dog Millionaire. Orange went for a DDT, but Claudio countered with the Giant Swing! Claudio applied the Sharpshooter. Orange tried to escape but Claudio transitioned into a cross face! Claudio cracked Orange with a European Uppercut for a near fall.
Claudio put Orange in a sleeper hold. Orange began to fade. Orange escaped and clocked Claudio with the Orange Punch! Orange smashed Claudio with the Beach Break but Claudio rolled out of the ring, showing off his tremendous instincts and ring awareness.
The fans chanted “This is awesome! This is awesome!”
Orange began to stomp Claudio. Orange clobbered Claudio with a running PK. Orange pulped Claudio with a DDT for a two-count. Orange got a hurracanrana on Claudio, grabbed his legs, and pinned him!
After the match, Jon Moxley came down to the ring! Orange charged at Mox, but Mox slammed him right down and began to ground and pound him!
“Orange is getting battered alone!” said Excalibur.
“This is an assault were watching right now,” replied Tony Schiavone.
MJF was knocking on Kenny Omega’s door!
Chris Jericho answered the door.
MJF: “Is Kenny in there?”
Jericho smiled and then slammed the door in MJF’s face.
As MJF was walking away, Wardlow shoved MJF against the wall!
Wardlow: “You took everything away from me! Now I’m going to take everything from you when you least expect it.”
Wardlow let go of MJF and MJF huffed away. As MJF turned the corner, The Acclaimed were waiting for him.
Max Caster: “Why don’t you team with us?”
MJF walked away, clearly frustrated.
After a commercial break, Jon Moxley was backstage!
Moxley: “I showed you respect, Orange, when no one would. I let you walk out on your own power in Chicago. I did not have to do that. Did you just write me off like everybody else did? Right now, I’m not doing too good so maybe this isn’t about you.
“Maybe you’re just the wrong guy in the wrong place at the wrong time. It doesn’t matter either way, Full Gear, I’m going to beat you within an inch of your life with my bare hands. And there’s not a damn thing you can do about it. Just because I can.”
ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship Match!
“Hangman” Adam Page & The Young Bucks (c.)—Nick & Matt Jackson
vs.
The Gates of Agony—Bishop Kaun and Toa Liona, & “The Machine” Brian Cage!
Hangman was fighting this match with revenge on his mind. The Bucks dropkicked Cage and Liona. Hangman jumped off the turnbuckles with a lariat to Kaun. Matt Jackson splashed Kaun with a cannonball in the corner. Nick Jackson smashed Kaun with a senton!
Page hit Toa with a discus lariat. Hangman knocked Toa over the top rope with a lariat. He followed up with a pop-up powerbomb on Bishop Kaun. Page was about to go for the Buckshot Lariat when Swerve Strickland and Prince Nana walked onto the ramp!
Swerve: “Who’s house? As a matter of fact, last week I was at your house!”
Page got a look at Swerve and sprinted up the ramp toward him! Nana and Swerve retreated backstage as Hangman charged after them.
The Bucks were left alone with a three on two situation. Nick Jackson superkicked Bishop Kaun. Brian Cage ate a superkick from Nick Jackson. Cage battered Nick with a lariat and then a suplex from the apron and back into the ring!
Matt Jackson peppered the head of Bishop Kaun with right hands! The numbers were catching up with the Bucks. The Gates of Agony spiked Matt Jackson! Brian Cage shoulder blocked Nick Jackson.
“The odds are against the Bucks right now,” said Tony Schiavone.
“They’re doomed,” added Taz.
Cage powerbombed Nick Jackson and then cracked him with a knee strike. The Gates planted Nick and then Bishop Kaun pinned Nick Jackson.
And new ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Champions…The Mogul Embassy!
Backstage, Swerve Strickland and Hangman Page had to be pried apart by AEW security!
After the match, Matt Jackson went berserk, hitting a steel chair against the ring post over and over!
“This is about coming after somebody’s family,” said Excalibur.
After a commercial break, MJF’s pursuit to find tag partners continued.
MJF was about to knock on Samoa Joe’s locker room door but thought twice about it. MJF walked down the hall instead. The Acclaimed were there waiting for him. Caster said, “Pick us!” MJF stormed off.
Up next: Tony Schiavone interviewed the “Rated R Superstar” Adam Copeland in the ring!
Adam Copeland: “Last week Sting got in my face. He also said we go a long way back. And we do. Because Sting and I have had a lot of the same injuries. So, we’ve been a sounding board for one another, and I respect the hell out of that man.
“I also respect Darby Allin because I think he is one of the lynch pins of this company and of this industry going forward. But Tony, I know you want answers. What am I going to do? Am I going to team with Sting and Darby Allin at Full Gear?”
TNT Champion Christian Cage came out onto the ramp with Luchasaurus and Nick Wayne!
Christian Cage: “Adam, before you give your answer, I just want to paint a little picture for you. I am going to retire Sting at Full Gear whether he likes it or not. And also, you haven’t seen Darby Allin around much lately, and if you have, you’ve noticed he has a gimp arm that’ll never be the same after I dumped him on the stairs at WrestleDream.
“Now I don’t think I need to remind you, Adam, or anybody else of your neck problems. And I’d hate for this fairy tale of yours to turn into a nightmare so I’m going to suggest you back down from me right now. If you know what’s good for you, Adam, you’ll back down from me or else I’m going to snap your neck and leave you in a wheelchair. You used to be somebody, but I can also see this isn’t sinking in. So, guys give him a little preview!”
Luchasaurus and Nick Wayne charged at Adam Copeland in the ring!
Copeland fought off Wayne and Luchasaurus. Christian Cage was in the ring alone with Adam Copeland. Luchasaurus ambushed Copeland as Copeland was staring down Cage. Nick Wayne connected with the Wayne’s World on Copeland!
Sting came to the ring! Sting cracked Nick Wayne with a shot to the face. Darby Allin ran down like a bat out of hell and drilled Christian Cage!
Christian Cage turned things around and began to stomp and kick Darby. Adam Copeland was primed and ready and speared Christian Cage!
Copeland: “You want to snap my neck?! I’m going to beat your ass! It is on! Sting, you were right. Sting and Darby, you want a partner at Full Gear? I’m your man!”
Up Next: An Important Announcement from AEW CEO, President & GM Tony Khan!
Tony Khan was standing next to Nigel McGuinness.
Nigel: “Tony, from what I understand you have a huge announcement for all our fans all over the world.”
Tony Khan: “It’s been a great year for AEW. And now, all over the world, Christmas trees are going up all over the world. It’s the start of the holiday season. I can’t think of a better gift to give to the wrestling fan, your family, your friends, your loved ones, than a ticket to next year’s AEW ALL IN coming August 25th, 2024. Tickets are on sale one month from now, December 1st. But you don’t have to wait until December 1st. You can sign up right now. Get the best tickets early.”
Nigel: “Tony here is my scoop. If you want access to the best tickets before the general public, you can sign up now at Ticketmaster.co.uk/aewwembley2024. Priority and early access presales begin November 27th, with details being emailed to everyone that has registered.”
“Daddy Magic” Matt Menard & “Cool Hand Ang” Angelo Parker (with Jake Hager)
vs.
Golden Jets—Chris Jericho & Kenny Omega!
The Don Callis Family stood behind the broadcast booth as Don Callis sat in on commentary for this match.
Jericho chopped away at Menard and Parker. Omega tagged in. Omega and Jericho hit a tandem suplex on Menard. The Golden Jets followed up with a double shoulder block on Parker.
Jericho dropkicked Menard and then connected with the Code Breaker on Parker. Omega hit the terminator dive on Hager! Menard smacked Jericho in the face with a bat as the ref was distracted. Parker covered Jericho but Jericho kicked out. Parker swung at Jericho with the baseball bat. Jericho dodged it. Jericho decimated Parker with the Judas Effect and pinned him!
Don Callis: “I’ve got something to say! I’ve gotta give you credit, guys. Takeshita destroyed Kenny. Hobbs broke Jericho in two. And you guys are still back! You’re like cockroaches. You’re hard to get rid of. So maybe we have to take it up a notch.
“Maybe this doesn’t get finished in a wrestling match. Maybe this gets finished on the streets. So, if you’ve got the guts to face the greatest family in professional wrestling in a street fight in Ontario, California on Dynamite, then step up to the plate, you dummies!”
Jericho: “He just called us dummies, Kenny. What are we going to do?”
Omega: “You just said the magic word. You want a street fight. None of this was ever about playing by the rules. None of this was about winning matches. It was all about hurting me and hurting Chris. It was all for you. You want a street fight? Yeah, we accept it, but we’re not going to accept it alone. You want to bring your family along, well trust me, we’ve got an extra spot for Ibushi on our side.”
Callis: “You know I’m not a dummy, so I know by my math you’re still a man short.”
Omega: “I’m all out of ideas, Chris, can you help me?”
Jericho: “I look at Will Hobbs right here, the man that annihilated me a few weeks ago. And Hobbs is a big, big man, but I’ve got a friend who is even bigger.”
Callis: “No one is bigger than Will Hobbs!”
Jericho: “Maybe not a normal man, but as big as Will Hobbs is, he’s not a giant.”
Paul Wight walked onto the ramp! Paul Wight knocked out Kyle Fletcher with one punch!
Excalibur: “A match made! Dynamite in two weeks, the street fight in Ontario, California!”
After a commercial break, Renee Paquette was backstage to interview Kenny Omega and Chris Jericho!
Jericho: “In two weeks, the Don Callis Family has to face the Golden Jets, Kota Ibushi, and the biggest man in pro wrestling, Paul Wight!
The Young Bucks were in the locker room. Matt Jackson interrupted.
Matt Jackson: “Kenny, we’re friends, right? What was the whole point of the Elite getting back together if none of us have each other’s backs anymore. Who invited Jericho into our locker room?”
Jericho: “Don’t take it out on me because you lost your Trios titles. You weren’t good enough tonight. Watch your mouth when you talk to me.”
Omega: “Like Chris, hate Chris, he is aligned with us against the Don Callis Family.”
Matt Jackson: “Him and Don are cut from the same cloth. He’s going to screw you over just like Don did. Enjoy our locker room. Just clean up when you’re done!”
AEW Women’s World Championship Match!
Hikaru Shida (c.) vs. Willow Nightingale!
Willow rolled up Shida for a near fall. Willow followed up with a shoulder block and then a low cross body for a two-count. Shida charged at Willow and rattled Willow with a knee to the back of the head. Shida followed up with a diving cross body to the outside.
Shida suplexed Willow. Shida booted Willow in the face. Willow answered with a high boot of her own. Willow cracked Shida with a spinebuster for a two-count.
Shida dropkicked Willow off the turnbuckles. Shida hit an avalanche falcon arrow, but Willow kicked out immediately! Willow pounced the champion! Willow smashed Shida with the Death Valley Driver for a near fall! Shida cracked Willow with the knee strike. Shida unsheathed the shining katana and pinned Willow!
“Three defenses in seven days. That is an impressive streak for the AEW Women’s World Champion,” said Excalibur.
Willow and Shida hugged after the match, showing mutual respect for one another.
“Timeless” Toni Storm came out onto the ramp after the match! Shida sprinted up the ramp and blasted Toni with a knee strike! Shida chased Storm backstage!
The arena lights went dark! When the lights turned back on, Julia Hart was in the ring, standing behind Willow! Julia offered her hand to Willow. Skye Blue jumped into the ring and got in between Julia and Willow. Skye stared at Julia.
Julia nodded at Skye Blue. Skye turned around, looked at Willow, then turned back around and sprayed mist into Julia’s eyes!
“I think Skye Blue is going to pay for that,” said Taz.
Backstage, MJF was sitting on the floor when the Acclaimed approached him!
Daddy Ass: “Still no luck finding partners?”
Bowens: “Max, no one likes you except for Caster. I don’t know why you haven’t picked us in the first place because everyone loves the Acclaimed.”
Caster: “That’s right and if you team with us, you gotta scissor us and just wear what’s in this bag.”
MJF: “No, we will never tag! Do you understand me? And jokes on you, I’ve got one more group on my list.”
MJF turned around and he should be standing there? Jeff Jarrett, Karen Jarrett, Jay Lethal, Sonjay Dutt, and Satnam Singh, laughing!
Jeff Jarrett: “Max, we’re here to help.”
Renee Paquette was backstage when she was interrupted by Roderick Strong and the Kingdom!
They dialed Adam Cole on speakerphone. Roddy said Cole had to hear this.
Adam Cole: “Hello?”
Strong: “Adam! Hey, can you believe Max didn’t even attempt to ask us to be his tag team partners tonight? Especially after I’ve been so nice to him. What a jerk, huh?”
Cole: “Roddy, shut the hell up, man.”
Cole hung up.
Main Event Time!
8-Man Tag Match!
AEW World & ROH World Tag Champion MJF & Three Mystery Partners
vs.
Bullet Club Gold’s Austin & Colten Gunn, “Switchblade” Jay White, & Juice Robinson!
The Acclaimed came out to team with MJF!
MJF made his entrance in Acclaimed-inspired gear!
MJF charged at Jay White but White ducked out of harm’s way and hid behind Bullet Club Gold. Bowens and Juice tagged in. Juice connected with a shoulder block. Bowens clubbed Juice with an elbow.
Daddy Ass and Austin Gunn faced off. Austin jabbed at his father. Daddy Ass fired back with a big right hand. Jay White tagged in and chopped Daddy Ass. But Daddy Ass dropped Jay White with a chop.
Bowens connected with Scissor Me Timbers on Colten Gunn. Colten stomped Caster in the corner. Switchblade cracked Caster with a knife edge chop. MJF tagged in and cleaned house on the Gunns and Juice Robinson! Bullet Club Gold got bounced all over the ring, but Jay White ran out of the ring!
MJF chased Jay White around the ring. Jay White jumped into the ring and MJF followed, but Austin chop blocked him. MJF countered the 3:10 to Yuma with a DDT to Colten! MJF connected with the kangaroo kick on Austin and Juice! Jay White snuck behind MJF and drilled the champ with the Blade Runner! Jay White pinned MJF!
“He just pinned the World Champion!” said Taz.
Jay White was going to hit MJF with the belt after the match but The Acclaimed and Daddy Ass jumped in to save him. They chased Bullet Club Gold out of the ring. MJF was prone and Jay White was still in the ring. Jay White wanted to waffle MJF with the title belt, but Max Caster came in and took the bullet for MJF!
“Max Caster pushed MJF out of the way to save him from that blindside shot from Switchblade Jay White,” said Excalibur.
After the match, MJF, the Acclaimed, and Daddy Ass had a four-way scissor party!
This Friday tune in to AEW RAMPAGE at 10pm ET on TNT featuring:
AAA Mega Champion El Hijo Del Vikingo
vs.
Penta El Zero Miedo
vs.
AAA World Cruiserweight Champion Komander!
Catch AEW DYNAMITE on TBS next Wednesday live at 8/7ct from the Moda Center in Portland, OR!
Don’t miss AEW Collision on Saturday on TNT at 8/7c from the Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita, KS!
And remember…the home of professional wrestling is All Elite Wrestling!
Saturday night’s edition of COLLISION brought the AEW faithful an epic World Championship match between Kenny Omega and Maxwell Jacob Friedman that saw the defending champion top his challenger to not only retain, but to also cement his status as the longest-reigning AEW World Champion of all time. As of Wednesday November 1st MJF has officially hit the 347-day mark of his reign atop the mountain, thus surpassing Kenny Omega’s record, and leaving him with one World Championship record left to break, that being Moxley’s nine successful defenses. A win over Jay White at FULL GEAR 2023 would tie that marker, but Max still has a ways to go before he gets to The KIA Forum, and part of that is his fight with The Bang Bang Gang on DYNAMITE!
Also last Saturday, Hikaru Shida continued her third reign as AEW Women’s World Champion by defeating Abadon in a Fright Night Fight, the aforementioned BULLET CLUB GOLD was successful in picking up two victories in their Saturday night fights, and Samoa Joe continued his march towards breaking Jay Lethal’s 567-day record reign as ROH World TV Champion with his victory over Rhett Titus!
DYNAMITE is stacked for AEW’s debut in Louisville, KY at the KFC YUM! Center with MJF possibly taking on the entirety of BULLET CLUB GOLD by himself, Hikaru Shida facing Willow Nightingale’s challenge, the AEW International Championship on the line, and more! The night begins at at 8pm ET/7pm CT live on TBS, as well as at AEWPlus.com for our international fans, so swing by the official AEW YouTube channel to watch highlights from last week’s DYNAMITE, RAMPAGE, an unforgettable COLLISION, as well as this week’s CONTROL CENTER, and so much more!
EIGHT-MAN TAG MATCH…
AEW World & ROH World Tag Champion MJF, ???, ???, & ???
vs. BULLET CLUB GOLD (Austin Gunn, Colten Gunn, Jay White, & Juice Robinson)
As of Wednesday, after topping Kenny Omega in their epic COLLISION bout, Maxwell Jacob Friedman has officially become the longest-reigning AEW World Champion in history, surpassing Omega, with the only record associated with that championship left to break being the most championship defenses. That record is currently held by Jon Moxley during his first title reign, holding steady at nine, with MJF having the potential to tie it at FULL GEAR 2023 when he faces “Switchblade” Jay White in his next title defense. The fact that Jay has physical possession of the MJF’s prized Triple B is meaningless to the actual lineage, just merely a tool for “King Switch” to use to antagonize the actual champion as long as the belt sits in the BC GOLD camp.
Clearly the issue is getting to Max as he attempted, despite having that match with Omega on his plate later in the night, to reclaim the title belt following Jay White’s victory over AR Fox. Once again unsuccessful in his attempt, MJF now has to take on the whole of The Bang Bang Gang this Wednesday night on DYNAMITE if wants to get the Triple B back from Jay White. There’s only one problem, Max has essentially told everyone willing to help him out to kick rocks, not The Kingdom, not Roderick Strong, not The Acclaimed and Daddy Ass, and as far as Samoa Joe’s offer, well Max didn’t scream Joe’s name for help, but he didn’t say no either.
So who will it be? Will it even be anyone? Is there anyone MJF will accept help from, or who will even be willing to stick their neck out for him? After all, despite his recent titling towards the side of the angels, this man is still The Devil who perpetrated a great deal of pain and suffering on many individuals throughout All Elite Wrestling, and why anyone would trust him is generally beyond logic. Yet here is Joe offering a hand, albeit with that championship caveat, and Max Caster searching for friendship based on their shared history at the Create A Pro Academy, while The Kingdom and Roderick Strong are doing it to stay in Adam Cole’s good graces.That’s a lot of firepower that could be on Max’s side, but he doesn’t want a part of any of it, even with the full power of BULLET CLUB GOLD standing in front of him. There’s brave, and then there is foolhardy, and it is very clear which of the two that the AEW World Champion is choosing…
AEW INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH…
Orange Cassidy(c) vs. Claudio Castagnoli
On Wednesday night in Philadelphia, Claudio Castagnoli pinned AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy to win the bout for the Blackpool Combat Club. Unfortunately that victory came at a cost to “The American Dragon” Bryan Danielson as Claudio detailed Saturday night on COLLISION. Whether it was The Rainmaker Clothesline or The Orange Punch, the end result was Danielson suffering a fracture to his orbital bone. So while Claudio had the thrill of pinning a champion, he also had the agony of knowing his BCC brother was down at the hands of their opponents.
For Claudio, there can at least be some solace knowing that he can get revenge for Danielson in short order because, as a result of pinning Cassidy on DYNAMITE, the former 2-Time ROH World Champion will challenge for the AEW International Championship! This marks the first time Castagnoli, a former 2-Time ROH World Champion, will challenge for a singles title in All Elite Wrestling, with that recent AEW World Tag Title loss to Big Bill & Ricky Starks being Claudio’s only other AEW title fight.
Orange has proven he won’t back down from any fight, he even had the gumption to shoulder into Jon Moxley unprovoked which nearly led into a brawl of its own at BATTLE OF THE BELTS VIII, and he has stated his intention to move forward in his second reign as International Champion just like he did with the first. That means defending at every opportunity against every opponent who wants an opportunity, despite the physical and mental toll it took on the man. It was obvious, and OC didn’t hide it, that losing the title shook him to the core and he lost some sense of identity without it around his waist. Reclaiming it, albeit from Rey Fenix rather than Mox, restored some of that identity, but it is not a reach to assume Cassidy wants another fight with Moxley; why else purposefully run into the man? But before that’s even a possibility, Cassidy has to survive the onslaught of The Swiss Superman in his next championship defense! Will the AEW International Championship return to The Blackpool Combat Club this Wednesday night in Louisville?
TAG TEAM CHALLENGE…
Daddy Magic & Cool Hand Ang vs. Golden Jets (Chris Jericho & Kenny Omega)
Much to the chagrin of Daniel Garcia, and the utter annoyance of Anna Jay, last Friday on RAMPAGE Daddy Magic, Cool Hand Ang, and maybe even Jake Hager, seemed buy into the garbage that Don Callis was selling to them. It certainly took some of the focus of Anna’s attempts to earn that COLLISION title match with Shida, in fact she was the one that Abadon defeated to take the title match, and perhaps knowing that some of her friends were focused on other business kept her from focusing 100% on her own.
Disappointingly, Menard and Parker have decided to take Don Callis up on his offer and this Wednesday night in Louisville, they will face Kenny Omega and Chris Jericho in tag team action! The Golden Jets, as Jericho dubbed them, are coming into this one with Omega fresh off a hard-fought AEW World Championship bout with MJF this past Saturday night and Chris Jericho hopefully recovered from the assault he suffered at the hands of Powerhouse Hobbs!
Will Callis’ newfound allies be successful against the two former AEW World Champions, or will the unlikely allies be victorious and frustrate Callis?
Coming off a COLLISION’s Fright Fight with Abadon, the AEW Women’s World Champion is right back in action defending her title against all-comers, and the next one to step up to the plate is fan favorite Willow Nightingale!
As of late Willow has invested her time in whatever is going on with Skye Blue since both were misted by Julia Hart’s “spooky dust” (as Willow dubbed it), and we’ve all seen it bring some changes to Skye while Nightingale has remained true to herself. TBS Champion Kris Statlander tried to bridge the gap on COLLISION to no avail, and now with this opportunity on her table, Willow Nightingale is really going to have to put Skye on the back burner and focus on the task at hand. This is just Willow’s second opportunity at the title, the first coming back at FORBIDDEN DOOR 2023 against Toni Storm, and her second ever match with Hikaru Shida with the first actually taking place on the Jericho Cruise earlier this year.
Will Willow be frustrated by Shida in this championship bid, or can the first-ever NJPW STRONG Women’s Champion add an AEW title to her trophy case as well? Tune in Wednesday night to see how it all goes down!
DYNAMITE comes your way with AEW’s Louisville, KY debut hailing from the KFC YUM! Center. We will see AEW World Champion MJF, and perhaps some partners, taking on the whole of The Bang Bang Gang, Hikaru Shida defends her title against Willow Nightingale, AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy fights The BCC’s Claudio Castagnoli, and much more in store! The show kicks off at 8pm ET/7pm CT live on TBS, and at AEWPlus.com for our international fans, so drop in on the official AEW YouTube channel to catch highlights from last week’s DYNAMITE, RAMPAGE, COLLISION, as well as this week’s CONTROL CENTER, and so much more!
Tonight’s AEW COLLISION was broadcast live from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT!
Nigel McGuinness, Kevin Kelly and Tony Schiavone were the broadcast team for tonight’s event.
It’s Saturday night and you know what that means! Saturday night’s alright for fighting!
AR Fox vs. “Switchblade” Jay White (with Bullet Club Gold)!
Jay White grappled Fox to the mat with a side headlock takedown. Fox came back with a cutter. Fox followed up with a swift kick to Jay White, knocking White out of the ring. Fox nailed Jay White with a shooting star press, posting off the turnbuckles and landing on White on the arena floor.
Back in the ring, Jay White threw Fox into the turnbuckles with a half and half suplex. Jay White spiked AR Fox with a DDT. AR Fox regained momentum, hitting Bullet Club Gold with a tope con hiro, and then he hit one on Jay White! AR Fox smashed Jay White with a twisting vertical suplex and then a 450 splash off the top for a near fall on “Switchblade”!
The fans chanted “This is awesome! This is awesome! This is awesome!”
Jay White rocked Fox with a half and half suplex and then finished him off with the Blade Runner, scoring the pin.
“You make one mistake against Jay White, and he will make you pay every single time,” said Kevin Kelly.
After the match, MJF snuck to the ring in a hoody and tried to steal his world title back from Jay White. He was outnumbered by Bullet Club Gold and had to leg go of the title, discretion being the better part of valor.
AEW Trios Champions The Acclaimed and Daddy Ass said next week on Collision they’re going to celebrate 69 days as champs!
The Boys—Brandon & Brent (with Dalton Castle)
vs.
The Gunns—Austin & Colten (with Bullet Club Gold)!
The Boys showed off their quickness, getting in some great tandem offense on Austin. The Gunns fired back with the 3:10 to Yuma and won in decisive fashion.
The Gunns will be facing MJF and a yet-to-be-named partner at AEW Full Gear: Zero Hour, on Saturday, November 18th for the ROH World Tag Team Championship.
Lexy Nair was backstage with “Hollywood Hunk” Ryan Nemeth!
Ryan: “I have a huge surprise. Big movie coming out next month. National comedy tour. But I want the success I’m having in Hollywood translate to success in AEW, which is why I brought you here.”
Nemeth turned and pointed to the dressing room door of “Hot And Flexible” CJ Perry.
Nemeth knocked on the door and “The Redeemer” Miro answered! Miro invited him in, the door closed, and Miro mauled Nemeth!
Fright Night Fight!
AEW Women’s World Championship Match!
Hikaru Shida (c.) vs. Abadon!
Shida and Abadon locked up. Abadon was looking to bite Shida, but Shida kicked her away. Abadon grabbed a skeleton bone and swung it at Shida, but Shida countered with a dropkick.
Abadon hid under the ring and tried to pull Shida under the ring. Abadon snuck up from the other side and ambushed Shida. Abadon cracked Shida across the back with a trash can lid.
Abadon and Shida collided against each other with double clotheslines, both having the same idea. Abadon found a baseball bat, but Shida got behind Abadon and choked her with it. Abadon cracked Shida with a kick in the face. Abadon poured out a bucket of candy and smashed Shida with a blockbuster on the candy!
Shida rocked Abadon with a shot from the kendo stick. Shida placed a pumpkin on top of Abadon’s head and smashed her with the katana kick, scoring the pinfall victory!
“What a win for Shida,” said Tony Schiavone.
“Timeless” Toni Storm came out and pranced around the ring.
ROH World Television Championship Match!
Samoa Joe (c.) vs. Rhett Titus!
Rhett wrenched on Samoa Joe’s wrist. Samoa Joe bulldozed his way right through Titus. Samoa Joe drove Titus down with jabs in the corner. Samoa Joe chopped at Titus. Rhett Titus jumped off the top turnbuckle, but Samoa Joe simply walked out of the way.
Rhett Titus ran into Samoa Joe with two big boots. He went for a third time, but Samoa Joe planted Titus and then forced Titus to tap out!
“Domination made flesh!” said Kevin Kelly.
Footage aired from last night’s Rampage of Renee Paquette interviewing the QTV crew!
QT Marshall said that when he won the AAA Latin American Title, he told the world he was going to defend it with honor and prestige across the world. “I’m back in AEW and I plan on defending it against some of the luchadores because I’m told AEW has the best luchadores in the world.”
Up Next: An Injury update on the “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson!
Claudio Castagnoli said Danielson had a broken orbital bone and it was either from the Orange Punch or the Rainmaker. “I don’t know, and I don’t care because I’m going to make both of you pay for what you’ve done for my friend. Okada, be it in the Unites States or Japan, I am coming for you. I will find you and I will make you pay.
“Orange, you and me on Wednesday on Dynamite for your International Championship. I know what I’m going to do and what I’m capable of and it frightens me. You hurt one of the Blackpool Combat Club and now I’m going to hurt you. See you on Wednesday. Good luck.”
FTR’s Dax Harwood (with Cash Wheeler)
vs.
AEW World Tag Team Champion “Absolute” Ricky Starks (with Big Bill)!
Before the match began the lights in the arena went dark.
The lights came back on, and The House of Black were seen scouting the match.
Dax and Starks chain wrestled. They traded arm drags. Dax grabbed a side headlock takeover.
“What is the House of Black’s motivation for being here?” wondered Tony Schiavone.
Dax tried for a diving headbutt, but Ricky moved out of the way. Starks nailed Dax with a leg drop across the throat while Dax was on the edge of the ring. Dax went for a baseball slide, but Starks trapped him in the ring skirt. Starks started to pummel him with shots and then nailed him with a suplex on the ramp.
Dax rallied back and superplexed Ricky Starks. Both men hit the mat hard! Ricky rammed Harwood with a lariat. Dax clobbered Ricky with strikes. Dax grabbed an inside cradle for a near fall.
Dax blocked a tornado DDT and countered with a brainbuster for a near fall on Starks. Starks went for the spear, but Dax cracked him with a rising knee. Dax spiked Ricky with a piledriver. Dax went for the cover, but Big Bill pulled Dax out of the ring by the boot. Back in the ring, Ricky crushed Dax with a piledriver and pinned him!
“That’s the door closing on FTR, at least for the time being,” said Kevin Kelly.
“I’m not so sure about that,” replied Tony Schiavone.
The arena went dark again. This time when the lights returned on, Julia Hart was standing on the ramp surrounded by a shroud of fog. The lights went back out and this time when the came back on, the House of Black were in the ring, circling Ricky Starks and Big Bill!
“They’ve surrounded the champions,” said Kevin Kelly.
The House of Black then turned their attention to FTR!
La Faccion Ingobernable stormed down to the ring!
“It’s LFI!” said Tony Schiavone.
“Who are they looking at?” asked Kevin Kelly.
LFI helped FTR and began to slug it out with the House of Black! Big Bill and Ricky Starks retreated!
“LFI and FTR together in the ring! Incredible! Who would have thought this?” said Schiavone.
Lexy Nair was backstage with Andrade El Idolo!
Lexy asked about Andrade’s dealings with CJ Perry, as well as the return of LFI.
Andrade El Idolo: “I am a businessman. This is my business. Nobody else.”
TBS Champion Kris Statlander was backstage with Lexy Nair.
Statlander asked for some time to speak with Willow Nightingale and Skye Blue. Statlander said whatever was going on between Willow and Skye needed to be settled now.
Willow: “Skye, I felt this tension between us, and it’s growing stronger. And ever since we both got misted from Julia, something is getting worse with you.”
Skye: “Anything that I have to say with Julia is between her and I.”
Blackpool Combat Club’s Claudio Castagnoli
vs.
“Hot Sauce” Tracy Williams!
Claudio Castagnoli clobbered Tracy Williams with repeated European Uppercuts! Claudio clubbed Tracy with lariats. Claudio finished off “Hot Sauce” with a European Uppercut and then pinned him.
MJF was seen getting warmed up backstage.
MJF was approached by Samoa Joe.
Samoa Joe: “I could be your friend, Max. You just need to give me a rematch at your championship. If you find yourself in a bad way tonight, you just gotta scream my name and I’ll be your friend. Good luck. Dangerous opponent. I’ll keep my ears pricked up.”
Main Event Time!
AEW World Championship Match!
MJF (c.) vs. Kenny Omega!
Jim Ross joined the broadcast booth to provide his main event analysis.
Both men had each other scouted out early in the match, going hold for hold with one another. MJF offered his hand to Omega as a sign of good sportsmanship. Omega accepted and then MJF poked Omega in the eyes.
Omega backdropped MJF out of the ring. Omega hit the Terminator Dive on MJF! The champ fired back, jumping over the top rope and flipping onto Omega!
Omega jumped off the top rope with a cross body press to MJF. Omega tried for a hurracanrana, but MJF countered with a powerbomb back breaker combo. MJF planted Kenny with a stuffed DDT, good for a near fall.
Omega nailed MJF with a snapdragon suplex. Omega dropkicked MJF’s kneecap. Omega wiped out MJF with a lariat, sending MJF to the arena floor. Omega followed up with a moonsault to MJF. Omega rocked MJF with a missile dropkick from the top rope to the back of the head. Omega went for a moonsault, but MJF countered by raising his knees!
MJF chomped down on Omega’s forehead. MJF arm whipped Omega into the turnbuckles. MJF cracked Kenny with the kangaroo kick.
Omega connected with a sliding baseball kick, sending MJF into the broadcast booth. Kenny pulled a table out from beneath the ring. Back in the ring, they exchanged cradles. Kenny buckle bombed MJF, but the champ came out of the corner with a massive lariat to the Cleaner!
They battled on the ring apron. Kenny drilled MJF with a snapdragon suplex on the edge of the ring! Omega powerbombed MJF off the apron and through the table on the floor!
“My God what a main event here on Collision!” said Jim Ross.
Back in the ring, Kenny connected with a knee strike. MJF countered the One Winged Angel with a Poison Rana! Omega fired back with a Poison Rana of his own!
“Back and forth, back and forth!” said Jim Ross.
The fans chanted “Fight forever! Fight forever!”
MJF hit a double stomp on Omega’s arm. Omega rallied back with a jumping knee strike. MJF planted Omega with a Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall.
“State of the art pro wrestling,” said Nigel.
MJF stunned Omega with a thrust kick. Omega came back with a piledriver, but MJF got his boot on the rope to stop the ref’s count. Omega powerbombed MJF on the guardrail. Omega removed the protective guard from the rail. He threw MJF back into the ring, so they didn’t get counted out.
Kenny was on the top turnbuckle, but MJF charged into the ropes, knocking Omega down. MJF climbed to the top, but Omega countered with a snake eyes from the top. Omega drove his knee into the back of MJF’s head. Omega blasted MJF with a snap dragon suplex and a running knee strike for a near fall! Kenny smashed MJF with the V Trigger. He followed up with another V Trigger. Omega hoisted up MJF for the One Winged Angel, but Don Callis ran to the ring. Omega put MJF down when he saw Callis.
As Omega was distracted by a screwdriver wielding Callis, MJF rolled up Omega from behind. Omega countered by reversing the rollup. MJF kicked out but Omega came back with a running knee strike! MJF kicked out of the pin attempt!
Don Callis climbed the ring steps. Ref Paul Turner ejected Don Callis. Omega hoisted up MJF for the One Winged Angel again, but MJF rolled forward for a pin. Omega rolled back to counter. It was another stale mate.
MJF caught Kenny in the Heat Seeker, but Kenny kicked out at the two-count! MJF went for the Panama Sunrise on Kenny and Kenny ended up countering with a pin attempt, but MJF kicked out! MJF kicked Kenny in the face and drilled Kenny with the Panama Sunrise. MJF finally finished off Omega with another Heat Seeker, pinning the Cleaner!
Samoa Joe was shown watching the match from backstage. Wardlow was also seen scouting the match from backstage. Powerhouse Hobbs was watching the match too. Jay White and Bullet Club Gold were taking mental notes as well.
“Everybody gunning for MJF,” said Tony Schiavone.
Kenny Omega and MJF hugged after the match.
Catch AEW DYNAMITE on TBS next Wednesday live at 8/7ct from the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, KY!
And remember…the home of professional wrestling is All Elite Wrestling!
This Saturday night, at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT, All Elite Wrestling presents the biggest edition of COLLISION thus far as AEW World Champion MJF puts his title on the line against former champion Kenny Omega in their very first meeting inside the squared circle! But it’s more than just the championship at stake, with 343 days as champion to his reign, MJF is just four days away from breaking Omega’s 346 day record as longest reigning champion of all-time. This is history in the making, but it’s not all that’s going down on Saturday night! Abadon will challenge Hikaru Shida for the AEW Women’s World Championship, Jay White will take on AR Fox, and The House of Black are back in action after all the damage they caused a week ago!
COLLISION is coming to you this Saturday night on TNT, beginning at 8pm ET/7pm CT, so before the night begins swing over to the official AEW YouTube channel for highlights from this week’s episodes of DYNAMITE and RAMPAGE, the latest editions of CONTROL CENTER, and so much more!
343 days; for 343 days Maxwell Jacob Friedman has reigned over All Elite Wrestling as the World Champion, just three weeks shy of completing a full year as the top guy in the company, and three days away from breaking the current record of 346 days held by Kenny Omega. That record, and MJF’s egotistical need to be viewed as the greatest champion of all-time, is why these men are heading for a collision on COLLISION this Saturday night!
It wasn’t Kenny Omega who came seeking Maxwell Jacob Friedman, it wasn’t Kenny who first broached the subject when they two men hadn’t so much as shared the same room over the past four years much less the same ring, it was MJF who sought out Kenny. It was MJF who whispered “13 days” into Kenny’s ear, as if to rub it in Omega’s face that he was going to break the record, and perhaps even thinking Kenny would do nothing about it.
If that was MJF’s thought, well he was dead wrong, because Omega stepped onto the stage following MJF’s fight with Juice Robinson this past Wednesday, and laid the challenge on the table. Would MJF be the kind of champion who would risk it all, knowing he’s got a title fight with Jay White already lined up at FULL GEAR 2023, and give Omega an opportunity to defend his streak? MJF may be a scumbag, but he’s also got an ego that would not allow the moment to pass him by, that wouldn’t let the opportunity to cement himself as the greatest AEW World Champion just slip away. If Max hadn’t accepted the challenge, when Wednesday morning came and he woke up as the longest reigning AEW World Champion in history, he would know there’s an asterisk because he didn’t fight Kenny Omega.
Once MJF made the choice to whisper into Kenny Omega’s ear, he made the choice to take on a fight with Kenny Omega, and risk seeing his title reign end before the 346-day streak was broken. In confronting Kenny, MJF added yet another target on his back, joining those already placed there by Jay White, The Gunns, Juice Robinson, Samoa Joe, and Wardlow. The World Champion is always the most wanted man in any sport, but MJF may have more on this plate than he can possibly eat, and that was before “The Cleaner” was heaped on there as well.
This is the biggest match in COLLISION’s short history, one of the biggest in All Elite Wrestling history, and it is happening on TNT this Saturday night! For the very first time, Kenny Omega and MJF, the AEW World Championship on the line, Omega’s 346-day record at stake, and it’s going down at the Mohegan Sun! History will be made if MJF survives this title fight, with but one World Championship record let to chase, that being the nine successful title defenses Jon Moxley accomplished during his first reign. An Omega victory would make eight for MJF, but regardless of who walks out of Connecticut as AEW World Champion, “Switchblade” Jay White will be waiting at the KIA Forum come FULL GEAR 2023!
This past Friday night on RAMPAGE Abadon made her return to AEW competition for the first time since June 14th, and did so against some pretty stiff competition with seriously high stakes. Abadon, Willow Nightingale, Skye Blue, and Anna Jay went to battle with a shot at Hikaru Shida on the line, and when the final bell rang, it was Abadon who scored the victory! Luckily for both women, they don’t have to wait long for the championship fight because it is going down this Saturday night live on COLLISION!
This won’t be the first dance for Abadon and Shida, as a matter of fact their very first battle on the March 10, 2020 edition of AEW DARK was also Abadon’s first match in All Elite Wrestling. Unfortunately for her, Abadon’s first match also took place just days before the world shut down, and it would be several months before “The Living Dead Girl” returned to the AEW stage. When she did, Abadon would win six straight matches, positioning herself for a championship opportunity, and thus a rematch with Hikaru Shida with much greater stakes than their first encounter.
Abadon was unsuccessful in this second attempt at conquering Shida, and at claiming her first AEW championship, but it clearly served as a motivational tool because the woman would rack up 18 consecutive victories en route to facing Dr. Britt Baker in a bloody Trick or Treat match. Though Baker was the champion at the time, the title was not on the line, but given how hard the two women fought, one would never have known.
That fight with Baker was the last time Abadon competed on AEW TV before this past Friday, her fights largely taking place on DARK or DARK: ELEVATION, but now she is back in the mix, healed up and hungry, with the opportunity to be champion once more at her feet. It just feels appropriate that it is once again Hikaru Shida who will stand across the ring from Abadon this Saturday given their connection, and the fact that she is the only woman in AEW to hold two victories over Abadon.
Will this night be different than their previous encounters? Can Abadon take everything she’s learned since their last encounter in January of 2021 and put it together to end the 3rd championship reign of Hikaru Shida The pressure is on Abadon in this Fright Night Fight, will she unleash the monster on Shida
ONE-ON-ONE…
AR Fox vs. “Switchblade” Jay White
After the night the Bang Bang Gang had on Wednesday, with Juice being beaten but The Gunns getting their ROH World Tag Team Championship match at FULL GEAR 2023, it’s time for Jay White to step into the ring and fight on Saturday night! His opponent on this explosive edition of COLLISION will be a man in need of finding himself once again, someone who has been out of action since early September, the high-flying AR Fox!
Fox was last seen on the receiving end of a Jon Moxley beating on the September 6th edition of DYNAMITE, his first match after being excommunicated from The Mogul Embassy, and an opportunity to right his ship by winning the International Championship. Unfortunately Fox did not claim the title, leaving him without a championship, and with a great deal of doubt hanging over his head. Darby Allin seemed willing to forgive Fox’s transgressions, Nick Wayne less so, and perhaps that feeds into why Nick chose TNT Champion Christian Cage over his relationship with Darby.
Now that he’s back in action, it’s time for AR Fox to prove he deserves that forgiveness from Darby, and that he’s willing to do the work rather than take another Mogul Embassy type shortcut. Taking on the next challenger to the AEW World Champion is a tremendous way to begin that quest, and a victory over “King Switch” would be a huge boon to Fox’s career moving forward.
Jay White will obviously have one eye on the Omega/MJF match as it shapes White’s FULL GEAR 2023 future; will that distraction give Fox the opening he needs to score the upset victory?
A week ago The House of Black returned to AEW in full force, laying waste to Bryan Danielson after his fight with Andrade El Idolo, taking out FTR before they could even finish their tag team fight, and coming after the rest of the Blackpool Combat Club following their championship loss to Big Bill and Ricky Starks. The chaos that resulted brought Jon Moxley back to the fight for the first time since his AEW International Championship loss to Rey Fenix, and left Ricky Starks laid out by the combined efforts of FTR and BCC.
This Saturday on COLLISION, The House of Black will be back in trios action, but no doubt the men they assaulted a week ago will have a close eye on the situation, and have to have some form of retribution in mind!
This Saturday night AEW returns to the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, CT for the biggest episode of COLLISION to date with Kenny Omega challenging MJF for the AEW World Championship, Shida defending her AEW Women’s World Championship against Abadon, Jay White in action against AR Fox, The House of Black, and more! Prior to the night getting started, be sure to visit the official AEW YouTube channel for highlights from this week’s episodes of DYNAMITE and RAMPAGE, the latest editions of CONTROL CENTER, and much, much more!
Tonight’s episode of AEW RAMPAGE was broadcast from the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, PA!
Yourbroadcast team was Excalibur, Ian Riccaboni and Tony Schiavone!
It’s Friday night and you know what that means!
No Count Out, No Disqualification Match!
Mike Santana vs. Ortiz!
Mike Santana made the first move, throwing an elbow into Ortiz’s face. The action spilled to the outside with Ortiz grounding and pounding Santana, and then Ortiz smashed a trash can across Santana.
Ortiz whacked Santana with a kendo stick, going after Santana’s surgically repaired knee. Ortiz pulled a table out from beneath the ring. Mike Santana and Ortiz traded open hand shots. Santana suplexed Ortiz back into the ring. Santana wiped out Ortiz on the floor with a moonsault!
Ortiz powerbombed Mike Santana through a table outside the ring. Mike Santana suplexed Ortiz off the apron and onto a pile of chairs on the floor! Back in the ring, Santana and Ortiz traded suplexes!
“Over a decade together, both men with the same idea,” said Excalibur.
The fans chanted “This is awesome! This is awesome!”
Santana spiked Ortiz with a roll-through cutter for a near fall on Ortiz. Ortiz powerslammed Mike Santana and followed up with a brainbuster for a two-count. Mike Santana rocked Ortiz with a nasty lariat. Santana lunged at Ortiz with a cannonball splash in the corner. Mike Santana powerbombed Ortiz and pinned him for the victory.
After the match, Santana wanted to fist bump Ortiz and Ortiz declined. Sonjay Dutt jumped into the ring, trying to get a word with Ortiz. Sonjay Dutt whispered into Ortiz’s ear and seemed to catch his interest.
Kenny Omega was backstage talking about tomorrow’s match with AEW World Champion MJF!
“Switchblade” Jay White interrupted.
Jay White: “All the best and if all goes well, a truly elite champion will be waiting for you at Full Gear. Goodbye. Goodnight. Bang.”
AEW World Champion MJF was backstage ahead of his title match tomorrow against Kenny Omega!
Don Callis entered the room.
Callis: “Think about this: Maxwell Jacob Friedman and the Don Callis Family together.”
MJF: “Don, are you kidding me? This is insane. How did I never think of this? Think of the limitless opportunities for us with me, and with your help, I can move up the ranks around here. I mean maybe one day I can become world champion. Oh wait, that’s right, tough luck but I don’t need your help.”
Kip Sabian was in the ring with Penelope Ford!
Sabian was running down the fans in Philadelphia.
Mark Briscoe’s music hit! Mark heard enough of Kip Sabian and came to the ring, making his return to AEW.
Kip Sabian began to mock Mark and Mark slugged Sabian! Mark hit Sabian with a clothesline and knocked Sabian out of the ring.
Renee Paquette was backstage to interview Anna Jay ahead of tonight’s match.
Anna was with Daniel Garcia, Matt Menard, Angelo Parker, and Jake Hager.
Don Callis interrupted. He said was looking for a good tag team. He told Menard and Parker that if they took care of Jericho and Omega for him, he’d help them out. Garcia wasn’t buying it. Anna Jay told them to get it together because tonight was about her.
Abadon vs. Skye Blue vs. Willow Nightingale vs. Anna Jay!
The winner earns a title shot at AEW Women’s Champion Hikaru Shida tomorrow on Collision.
Abadon German Suplexed Skye Blue. Willow rolled up Abadon, but Abadon rolled through. Abadon chop blocked Willow and Skye. Abadon connected with a double lung blower.
“Timeless” Toni Storm walked onto the ramp with her butler Luther to scout the match.
Willow connected with a double dropkick to Skye and Abadon. Willow splashed Skye and Abadon in the corner with lariats. Willow pounced Anna Jay! Skye connected with a cross body press on Willow for a near fall.
Willow rocked Anna with a spinebuster and then Skye Blue stunned Willow with a thrust kick. Willow countered the Code Blue. Anna was looking for the Queen Slayer on Abadon, but Skye broke it up with a thrust kick to Anna. Willow swept out the legs of Skye Blue and pulled her out of the ring. Abadon planted Skye Blue on the head and pinned her!
AEW World Trios Champions the Acclaimed and Daddy Ass were backstage!
Caster said he had a big surprise. He said they are almost at 69 days as champs, and he wants to celebrate next week on Collision. Caster said he wants MJF to sit in the front row. Bowens said he didn’t want Max there.
Highlights were shown from a press conference last Wednesday with AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy, Tony Khan, and Claudio Castagnoli. This, ahead of next week’s match between Orange and Claudio on Dynamite.
Orange was wearing a suit and said he just wanted to show everyone he looks better in a suit than Claudio.
Claudio: “Is that it? Mind games?”
Main Event Time!
Konosuke Takeshita of The Don Callis Family (with Powerhouse Hobbs & Don Callis)
vs.
Aussie Open’s Kyle Fletch!
Don Callis joined the broadcast booth for this match. Hobbs stood behind Callis.
Takeshita hit a shoulder tackle on Fletcher. Kyle Fletcher countered a Blue Thunder Bomb. Fletcher scoop slammed Takeshita.
Fletcher rammed Takeshita into the steel guardrail on the floor. Back in the ring Takeshita blasted Fletcher with the Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall!
Takeshita cracked Fletcher in the back with a knee strike. Fletcher kicked Takeshita, knocking Takeshita off the turnbuckles. Fletcher flew out of the ring with the Aussie Arrow on the Alpha. Fletcher followed up with a crossbody press for a near fall on Takeshita.
Takeshita connected with a big rolling elbow strike. Takeshita rocked Fletcher with a poison rana. Fletcher rallied back with a brainbuster for a two-count.
The fans chanted “This is awesome! This is awesome!”
Takeshita cracked Fletcher with a wicked knee strike after countering a thrust kick, pinning Fletcher!
Don Callis and Powerhouse Hobbs headed to the ring. Fletcher jumped into the ring and hit Takeshita and Hobbs with a steel chair. Hobbs grabbed Kyle by the throat and muscled him into the corner. Don Callis had Powerhouse Hobbs step aside. Callis told Fletcher, “That was great! That is the hate we want! You earned it!”
“Is he inviting Kyle Fletcher to join the Don Callis Family?” wondered Excalibur.
“Obviously that’s what’s going on,” replied Tony Schiavone.
“Don Callis may have found his young apprentice in Kyle Fletcher,” said Excalibur.
Fletcher left the ring with the Don Callis Family!
Catch AEW DYNAMITE on TBS next Wednesday live at 8/7ct from the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, KY!
Don’t miss AEW Collision on Saturday on TNT at 8/7c from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT featuring AEW World Champion MJF vs. former World Champ Kenny Omega!
And remember…the home of professional wrestling is All Elite Wrestling!
DYNAMITE in Philadelphia was a wild ride this past Wednesday; not only did “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair arrive on the scene to stand at Sting’s side, but “The Icon” was also challenged to a fight by TNT Champion Christian Cage for FULL GEAR 2023! Plus, we witnessed Kazuchika Okada make his DYNAMITE debut alongside Orange Cassidy to fight The BCC, but unfortunately for the AEW International Champion, it ended with Claudio pinning OC and earning himself a championship fight next week. Hikaru Shida retained her AEW Women’s World Championship over Ruby Soho, The Elite retained their ROH World Six-Man Titles, and not only did MJF keep possession of the Dynamite Diamond Ring, but he also found himself with an unexpected challenger:
That’s right, on COLLISION, MJF will defend his AEW World Championship against former champion Kenny Omega, and should Maxwell retain, he will be on track to break Omega’s 346-day record as the longest reigning champion in AEW history! But that’s on Saturday at the Mohegan Sun, and before we get there, there’s RAMPAGE, and that has three big fights on tap! Ortiz and Mike Santana, the former Proud ‘n’ Powerful, will kick things off with a No DQ, No Countout fight that no one ever thought they would see! Plus, we will find out the next challenger to Shida’s Women’s World Title when four of ROH’s best compete for a title match also set for this Saturday night, and after his falling out with Don Callis’ Family, Kyle Fletcher will clash with Takeshita!
AEW’s Friday night fights get underway at 10pm ET/9pm CT on TNT, as well as at AEWPlus.com for our international audiences, so check out the official AEW YouTube channel prior to RAMPAGE begins to see highlights from this week’s DYNAMITE, as well as previous episodes of RAMPAGE and COLLISION, plus THE CONTROL CENTER, and a great deal more!
NO COUNT OUT, NO DISQUALIFICATION…
Mike Santana vs. Ortiz
This has been a long time coming; Mike Santana and Ortiz have been part of each other’s lives for over a decade, they are Tag Team Champions 15-times over across multiple wrestling promotions throughout their careers, and were bonded as Proud & Powerful from the inception of All Elite Wrestling until the injury suffered by Santana at Blood & Guts 2022. At least that was the perception most had following their return to the AEW landscape to compete at ALL IN: LONDON’s Stadium Stampede. Based on the words shared by Ortiz in the video above, it seems the issues between these two men predate that 2022 injury, it’s just that it all finally fell apart in the aftermath.
Since London these two men, once among the upper echelon of tag team wrestling, have engaged in something tantamount to a cold war; a great deal of words exchanged, their feelings and emotions laid bare for the AEW faithful to see, and each looking to the other as the party responsible for how this all started.
For this team who first made their impact on AEW during ALL OUT 2019 at the expense of The Young Bucks, it looks like this Friday night in Philadelphia will be the end of their road traveled together. With no disqualifications and no count outs, Mike Santana and Ortiz will fight each other one-on-one for the first time since 2016, and possibly for the last time ever. Both men want to be done with one another, to put each other in the rear view, and move on with their careers on their own, but before either can, they must put an end to each other.
No one knows Ortiz like Santana, nor does anyone know Santana like Ortiz, and each will bring all that knowledge, all that venom, all those feelings and emotions to this fight, with the hope of being the one still standing at the end of the fight…
COLLISION TITLE MATCH AT STAKE…
Abadon vs. Skye Blue vs. Willow Nightingale vs. Anna Jay
Out of action since June, this Friday night Abadon returns to AEW competition and jumps right into the fire! With a shot at Hikaru Shida’s AEW Women’s World Championship on the line this Saturday night, Abadon will compete against Skye Blue, Willow Nightingale, and Anna Jay in a Four Way bout!
Of these four women, only Skye Blue has never locked horns with Shida, only stood by her side as an ally, and of the three who have been in the ring with the 3-Time Women’s World Champ, not one of them has scored a victory over her. Of the three loses on Abadon’s record, two of them have been to Shida and one in a championship bout while Anna Jay has fallen three times to Shida, twice in title fights, and Willow has just one loss to Shida with no championship involved. Skye Blue is the only one with a clean slate opposite Shida, and that may play in her favor should she make it through this fray on Friday, but she’s got to get to COLLISION first!
Hikaru Shida will be ready for the fight no matter which woman comes out of this contender’s bout on top, but considering she just went through one championship fight already this week, one has to ask how her body’s feeling following a fight with Ruby Soho? At least Shida will have a few days to recover while the winner of this has less than twenty-four hours to prepare for their championship opportunity!
ONE-ON-ONE…
Konosuke Takeshita vs. Kyle Fletcher
When Sammy Guevara went down with injury, Don Callis pulled Kyle Fletcher into his world of drama to be Konosuke Takeshita’s partner against Kenny Omega and Chris Jericho. Though Callis’ duo lost, Fletcher was every bit the impressive athlete in this match that he’d shown to be as a team with Mark Davis. Still, the fact they lost didn’t stop Callis from putting all the blame on Kyle’s shoulders, and thus when Fletcher went head-to-head with Kenny Omega and lost, with Callis sitting there on commentary, it only gave Don more fuel with which to denigrate one-half of Aussie Open.
Well this Friday night on RAMPAGE, Kyle Fletcher will have his opportunity to shove it all right back in Don Callis’ smug face when he takes on “The Alpha” Konosuke Takeshita in singles competition! It’s the second time in their careers these two men have faced off, the first taking place in England back in January 2020 and won by Takeshita. Will the results be the same nearly four years later, or will Kyle Fletcher be able to reckon with the numbers of the Don Callis Family and take home the victory?
RAMPAGE begins at 10pm ET/9pm CT on TNT, as well as at AEWPlus.com for our international audiences, so swing by the official AEW YouTube channel before to the show for highlights from Wednesday’s DYNAMITE, as well as previous episodes of RAMPAGE and COLLISION, plus THE CONTROL CENTER, and much, much more! And do not miss the biggest night in COLLISION history this Saturday when MJF and Kenny Omega meet for the very first time and with the AEW World Championship at stake no less!
Tonight’s special episode of AEW DYNAMITE was broadcast live from the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, PA!
Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, and “The Human Suplex Machine” Taz were the broadcast team for tonight’s event.
It’s Wednesday night and you know what that means!
Renee Paquette kicked off the show interviewing AEW World & ROH World Tag Team Champion MJF!
MJF dialed Adam Cole on his iPhone. Cole answered, but before MJF could get a word in, The Kingdom—Matt Taven and Mike Bennett, and Roderick Strong (in a wheelchair and neck brace) interrupted.
“Adam!” screamed Roddy.
“Is that you Roddy?” asked Cole on speakerphone.
“Yeah, it’s me,” replied Roddy.
“Max, I gotta get going, but I’ll call you later,” said Cole.
“Roddy, what the hell do you want?” asked MJF.
Roddy: “Listen, I’ve been thinking. You’re obviously the man behind the devil mask. But say we live in a world where we pretend you’re not. And for the sake of our mutual best friend Adam, I’ll take pity on you, and I’ll help you with Bullet Club Gold.”
Max replied, mockingly, “You’re going to help me? Dude, thank you so much.” Max pushed the wheelchair that Roddy was in backwards.
MJF: “Jay White, tonight I send you a message in blood! Tonight, I got a bullet with your name on it, Juice Robinson!”
The screen went black and then a man in a devil mask appeared!
Dynamite Diamond Ring Match!
AEW World & ROH World Tag Team Champion MJF
vs.
Bullet Club Gold’s “Rock Hard” Juice Robinson (with Austin & Colten Gunn)!
A very motivated MJF took down Juice Robinson and then stomped him in the corner! MJF whipped Juice into the steel guardrails. MJF flipped Juice over the timekeeper’s table. MJF charged at Juice and nailed him with a knee strike!
MJF smacked Juice’s head into the steel ring steps. Juice was busted wide open! The Gunns distracted MJF and Juice pulled MJF headfirst into the ring steps. Colten distracted the ref, so Juice was able to choke MJF with MJF’s scarf.
“Switchblade” Jay White walked onto the ramp, holding the AEW World Championship, to scout the match! Jay White joined the broadcast booth for the match.
MJF hit a lariat on Juice and followed up with a body slam. MJF chomped down on Juice’s head. MJF rocked Juice Robinson with the kangaroo kick! The Gunns swept out the legs of MJF and Juice cracked MJF with a leg lariat to the jaw.
MJF poked Robinson in the eyes. Juice spat at MJF and then cracked MJF with the Left Hand of God! Juice powerbombed MJF for a near fall!
“Juice’s frustration evident after that powerbomb,” said Excalibur.
MJF tried for the Heat Seeker, but Juice blocked it. Juice charged after MJF, but MJF tied up Juice in the ring apron. As MJF was getting back into the ring, Juice kicked the ropes and then nailed MJF with the Juice Is Loose for a near fall!
The Gunns were distracting the ref while Juice put on his fake ring. In the meantime, MJF put his Dynamite Diamond Ring on. Juice swung but MJF ducked it and countered with a loaded shot of his own, knocking Juice to the mat! MJF smashed Juice with the Heat Seeker and pinned him.
The Gunns swarmed MJF after the match!
The Kingdom rolled Roderick Strong down the ramp to the ring in a wheelchair!
Roddy ordered the Kingdom to get into the ring, and they did! Taven and Bennett jumped in and slugged it out with the Gunns!
“I can’t believe what we’re seeing!” said Excalibur.
Jay White ran into the ring. The Gunns held up MJF and Jay White was about to hit him with the AEW World Championship but then The Acclaimed’s music hit!
The AEW World Trios Champions The Acclaimed and Daddy Ass jumped into the ring and forced Bullet Club Gold to retreat!
Jay White: “Hey! Max, listen, focus, follow the sound of my sweet, exotic accent. Forget about Kenny, forget about Samoa Joe, forget about Wardlow, forget about the devil mask, and your gimp squad, and focus on the only thing that matters and that’s the man standing right here with the Bang Bang Belt! Max, I’m telling you that you will never get your grubby little hands on it again because at Full Gear I will pummel your face into the ground, and you will breathe with the Switchblade!”
Colten Gunn: “And you have something me and Austin want, and that’s the ROH World Tag Team Titles! So Max, what do you say, November 18th, Full Gear, MJF versus the Gunns.”
Austin Gunn: “Whether it’s MJF that shows up that night or the devil himself, it doesn’t matter because we’ve got two guns, one for each of ‘em.”
MJF: “Shut the hell up! You want a shot at the ROH Tag Titles at Full Gear, you got ‘em. And Jay White, I will see you at Full Gear. But I’m not waiting that long to get my hands on you. Next week in the main event of Dynamite, I take you up on your offer. You four versus me and three tag partners of my choosing, and when I win, you will give me back the Triple B because nobody is on the level of the devil!”
Roderick Strong: “Max! Max! Listen to me. You’re obviously going to pick us, right?”
MJF: “You three do me a favor. Get those two big boys on your lap and use that wheelchair to roll off a cliff!”
Max Caster: “Hey so that means you’re going to pick us, right?”
MJF: “Listen very carefully Caster. I’ve known you since I was 18 years old. I never liked you. And if you think I’m going to tag with you, you’ve got another thing coming. I would never tag with you. You understand me?”
Caster: “So you’re saying there’s a chance?”
Bowens: “Don’t you know that everyone loves the Acclaimed!?”
Caster: “Ok, but at least do me one favor. Scissor me!”
MJF walked away and said, “Not a shot.”
As MJF was walking up the ramp, Kenny Omega’s music began to play and out walked Omega!
Omega and MJF had a stare down.
Omega: “Hey Max, you seem to have a lot going on here. You have something that I want. But I’ve got something that you want. Even though I have no right to ask, and if you’re the type of scumbag that I think you are, you’ll laugh in my face. But if you are the champion that I think the fans want you to be, you’re gonna hear me out. I want that belt, Max, and I deserve the right to defend my streak. And if you are truly better than me and you know it, then Max, don’t be afraid to show it, pal.”
MJF: “Ok, how about the Cleaner versus the Devil, this Saturday night, for the AEW World Championship! May the best man win. And Kenny, he will, because my name is MJF and I’m better than you and you know it!”
Omega: “And I supposed on that note, we must bid these people adieu. Good night, and goodbye. And Max, three days, bitch.”
Footage aired of Wardlow!
He said he had to watch MJF while Wardlow was at home. The devil’s claws are in him, and now he’s going to take away everything MJF has!
The Dark Order—Alex Reynolds & John Silver
vs.
FTW Champion HOOK & Rob Van Dam!
Hook grappled Reynolds to the mat and then applied a side headlock. RVD tagged in and used a nice deep arm drag on Reynolds. Dark Order ambushed RVD with cheap shots.
RVD monkey flipped John Silver. Hook flipped Reynolds with a fireman’s carry. Hook tossed Silver with a Northern Lights. RVD blasted Silver with a leaping leg drop. RVD crushed Silver with the Rolling Thunder for a near fall.
Hook was looking for Red Rum on Silver, but Reynolds ran in to break it up. RVD leveled Reynolds with a kick. RVD smashed Reynolds with the five star frog splash Hook grabbed Silver in the Red Rum and forced him to tap out!
Tony Schiavone was in the ring to introduce Darby Allin and Sting!
Sting: “I’m glad to be here right now because I want to thank some people that I forgot last week. I want to thank Philadelphia. It’s been a great run, and a lot of that run was right here in front of you. I also want to thank my tag team partner Darby Allin. I could not have come this far without Darby by my side.
“Darby is the man. Secondly, I want to thank somebody who made this happen. Tony Khan. Tony, I want to thank you for making that phone call to allow me to wrestle a little longer. And Tony is asking for the microphone so here you go.”
Tony Schiavone: “Speaking on behalf of Tony Khan, it is Tony Khan who should thank you for what you’ve met to AEW. You arrived on the scene early in 2021. Your first match was at Revolution 2021, and now your final match will be at Revolution 2024. And we are proud to be a part of Sting’s great career.
“Fans, it was 35 years ago that on this network, TBS, Sting put it on the map. He put professional wrestling on the map on TBS. It elevated him to the icon that he is now. And you heard about it earlier this week that Tony Khan had a special gift for Sting. And I’m proud to bring out that special gift right now.”
“The Nature Boy” Ric Flair walked out to the ring!
“Royalty is in the house,” said Taz.
Sting and Ric Flair hugged in the ring.
Ric Flair: “You know that in life there are moments that are magical. There are few and they are far between. And that’s the magic of the chemistry of whatever you do that makes you the best. 35 years ago, Sting and I made history on TBS. Brother, I’ve told him this, to go 55 minutes in a match 35 years ago or tonight is hard. He never took a deep breath. He is not only one of the greatest wrestlers in the history of this business, but damnit, he’s probably the nicest guys I’ve ever known.
“So, when I got an invitation from Mr. Khan to be a part of this, time flies, but I want to ride this out with you man. Woooo!”
TNT Champion Christian Cage, Luchasaurus, and Nick Wayne walked onto the ramp!
Christian Cage: “So Tony Khan is a billionaire, and this is the gift that he gets Sting for his retirement? So, he basically gave you a suit, some gold chains, and a black liver. Relax, people, I know Ric Flair is not dead. The real reason I’m out here is because last week Sting and Darby Allin decided to stick their nose in my business yet again.
“Darby, how is your arm feeling? You still have some sour grapes that I beat you in your hometown at WrestleDream, huh? I’ll give you one more chance. So go ahead and take a look at something you’ll never be: a champion. Now it’s obvious that this situation isn’t going to go away until I make it go away. So, this is my proposition to you two: I know, Sting, you have this beautiful dream in your head that you want to make it to Revolution because you started with AEW at Revolution in 2021. You’ve got this beautiful picture painted for yourself.
“But I don’t want to wait until Revolution for you to be gone. I want you to be gone right now! So, I’m saying there’s three of us, and when I look in the ring, I see the two of you and I see Ric Flair. I mean, hey, you can take Ric Flair as a partner if you want, but he’s one superkick away from his pacemaker kicking out. At Full Gear, get yourselves a partner, and your retirement is going to come early. And it’s not going to be a celebration. It’s going to be more like a funeral.”
Sting: “Hold on! First of all, Darby and I, we’re going to find a partner, and second, we accept your challenge. See you there!”
Earlier in the day, Renee Paquette had a sitdown interview with Chris Jericho!
Jericho: “As a pro wrestler for 33 years, I can’t ever remember having a beat down like I did at the hands of Powerhouse Hobbs. The thing that is hurting the most for me is my ego. As an athlete, you’re always self-reflecting. One thing I’ve always had is immense self confidence in myself. Last week I didn’t see it coming. Hobbs came at me right out of the gate. I couldn’t get out of the hole that he continued to dig with my body.
“I have to wonder if I still have what it takes to beat Will Hobbs. Is it time to step back or should I get even stronger and know that I’m Chris Jericho. Is it time to get some sort of revenge? Don Callis has a whole family. He’s got a lot of friends in that family. Chris Jericho has a lot of friends too. And some of those friends are even bigger than Will Hobbs. Maybe it’s time to give them a call.”
ROH World Six-Man Championship Match!
The Elite (c.)— “Hangman” Adam Page, & The Young Bucks—Matt and Nick Jackson
vs.
The Hardys—Jeff & Matt, & Brother Zay!
Nick knocked down Zay with a shoulder tackle. Nick nailed Zay with a neck breaker. Hatman hit a forearm off the top rope to Brother Zay.
Matt Jackson tagged in and slapped Adam Page in the face. Matt Jackson and Matt Hardy shoved one another. Matt Hardy hit the Side Effect after a blind side knee from Jeff Hardy to Matt Jackson. Brother Zay wiped out Page and Nick Jackson with a tornillo.
Matt Jackson threw Matt Hardy and Brother Zay overhead with a Northern Lights Suplex. Hangman tagged in and cleaned house. Hangman hit the Death Valley Driver on Zay for a near fall. Brother Zay spiked Page with a DDT after an assisted Silly String from Jeff Hardy!
Matt Hardy rocked Matt Jackson with the Twist of Fate. Jeff splashed Matt Jackson with the Swanton Bomb, but Nick was there to break up the pin attempt! Hangman stunned Zay with the Buckshot Lariat. The Elite finished off Zay with the BTE Trigger and Matt Jackson pinned Brother Zay!
Live footage played on the giant screen above the entrance ramp. It was Prince Nana and Swerve Strickland “visiting” Hangman Page’s house!
They walked around Page’s house. They went to a baby crib. “You owe me a debt, Hangman, and since you’re not here, is it Hangman Jr. who will owe me something. You will. Just not today.”
Swerve Strickland tossed a Mogul Embassy shirt into the crib of Hangman Jr. and said he’d never forget that this was his father’s fault!
Renee Paquette was backstage with the “Rated R Superstar” Adam Copeland!
Copeland said he still wasn’t going to face Christian Cage. Copeland said his friendship was more important than anything that’s ever happened within this business.
Darby Allin and Sting interrupted.
Darby: “Adam, I know you came to AEW to ride off into the sunset with your best friend, but that’s not the type of world we’re living in. Do you think last week I wanted to break Nick Wayne’s face? No. But it’s kill or be killed here.”
Copeland: “Darby, you know how much I respect you.”
Sting: “I can’t believe we’re even having this conversation right now. I know what it’s like to have the blinders on. I was up and down the road with Lex Luger, and I had the blinders on. You know the legend out there? I learned from him. I see right through guys like Christian. I can see right through him. You need to open your eyes up before it’s too late. Are you hearing me? Listen to what I’m saying before it’s too late! We go way back. Don’t mess it up now! Get with it!”
AEW Women’s World Championship Match!
Hikaru Shida (c.) vs. Ruby Soho!
Ruby chopped at Shida. The champ hit a crossbody and then slammed Ruby.
Soho connected with a back heel kick. Shida blasted Soho with a missile dropkick. Soho caught Shida with the No Future outside the ring!
Shida landed an elbow strike. She hoisted up Soho in a torture rack. Shida followed up with a sliding elbow for a near fall on Ruby Soho. Ruby pulled the middle turnbuckle pad off. The ref pulled it away from her, but Ruby grabbed the can of spray paint and tossed it to Shida, setting her up for when the ref turned back around. Ruby acted like she’d been sprayed in the eyes.
“All the ref has to do is look at Ruby’s face. There’s no spray paint on it,” said Excalibur.
Ruby jumped back into the ring with the title belt, but Shida went to defend herself by spraying the paint, but instead she sprayed the title belt! The ref took the belt away and as she had her back turned, Ruby unwrapped her wrist tape, choked Shida, and then stunned her with Destination Unknown! Shida was able to kick out at two!
“That was super close,” said Taz.
Shida fired back with the katana kick. Ruby kicked out! Shida nailed Ruby with a knee strike and then the Falcon Arrow! Shida went to cover Ruby, but Ruby reversed it for a pin attempt. Shida shoved her away, sending Ruby right into the exposed turnbuckle! Shida finished off Ruby with the katana and pinned her!
After the match “Timeless” Toni Storm walked onto the ramp! We learned earlier tonight that Timeless Toni Storm will have her Hollywood Homecoming: The Quest for Gold at Full Gear, live on pay-per-view on Saturday, November 18th!
Renee Paquette interviewed MJF backstage ahead of his match this Saturday on Collision against Kenny Omega!
Samoa Joe interrupted!
Samoa Joe: “Congratulations! You’re a man who suffers from a severe lack of friendship. You need people watching out for you. So, I come here with a simple offer. I will be that person and I will be your friend.”
MJF: “Sounds good to me!”
Samoa Joe: “On one condition. You give me my rematch for the AEW World Championship. You don’t have to answer me now, but with the way things are going, I’m sure I’ll have my answer soon enough.”
Main Event Time!
AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy & Kazuchika Okada
Danielson had wrist control on Orange Cassidy. Claudio tagged in and body slammed Orange.
Okada tagged in and locked up with Claudio. Okada and Claudio exchanged forearms and uppercuts in the center of the ring. Orange tagged in and splashed Claudio from the top rope.
Danielson tagged in and dropped a knee on Orange for a near fall. Claudio’s gut wrench was countered by Orange with a DDT. Okada and Danielson tagged in for their respective teams.
Danielson and Claudio traded chops. Danielson connected with round kicks. Okada came back with a running back elbow and then he spiked Danielson with a DDT for a near fall. Danielson applied the Le Bell Lock to Okada, but Okada escaped. Danielson countered the rainmaker with chops.
Orange tagged in and went for a DDT on Claudio, but Claudio countered, but then Orange countered with a Stundog Millionaire and then a DDT. Claudio put Orange in the Giant Swing! Claudio sat back in the Scorpion Death Lock. Okada jumped in to break it up. Okada slammed Claudio and then smashed Claudio with an elbow drop from the top rope. Okada and Orange hugged but Danielson jumped from the top with a dropkick to them both!
Okada cracked Danielson with a dropkick. Cassidy hit the Orange Punch and Okada followed up with the Rainmaker to Danielson! Claudio entered the fray with a diving European Uppercut to Okada. Claudio dished out an uppercut to Orange Cassidy and pinned him!
After the match, Danielson was clutching the side of his face. Moxley, Yuta, and Claudio checked on him. Best Friends, Rocky Romero, and Hook came to the ring to check on Orange too.
This Friday tune in to AEW RAMPAGE at 10pm ET on TNT!
Catch AEW DYNAMITE on TBS next Wednesday live at 8/7ct from the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, KY!
Don’t miss AEW Collision on Saturday on TNT at 8/7c from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT!
And remember…the home of professional wrestling is All Elite Wrestling!
After a jam-packed week of action with three events, All Elite Wrestling returns to one of DYNAMITE’s first homes at the Liacouras Center on the Philadelphia campus of Temple University! With it comes the Dynamite Diamond Ring clash between AEW World & ROH World Tag Team Champion MJF and BULLET CLUB GOLD’s Juice Robinson ahead of Max’s scheduled clash with “Switchblade” Jay White at FULL GEAR 2023! In addition, Hikaru Shida will put her AEW Women’s World Championship on the line against Ruby Soho, Rob Van Dam and HOOK will clash with The Dark Order, and we will hear from Chris Jericho as he sits down with Renee Paquette!
But that’s not all: we will also see a huge dream team match-up as AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy brings Kazuchika Okada back to AEW for a tag team clash with Bryan Danielson and Claudio Castagnoli of The Blackpool Combat Club! In addition, AEW President Tony Khan has a gift for “The Icon” Sting after his stunning announcement last week, and The Elite will put their ROH World Six-Man Championship on the line against The Hardys and Brother Zay!
DYNAMITE is loaded for AEW’s return to Philadelphia, and the action gets underway beginning at 8pm ET/7pm CT live on TBS, as well as at AEWPlus.com for our international fans! Before the night starts, visit the official AEW YouTube channel to watch highlights from last week’s DYNAMITE, RAMPAGE, COLLISION and BATTLE OF THE BELTS, as well as the latest CONTROL CENTER, and so much more!
DYNAMITE DIAMOND RING MATCH…
AEW World & ROH World Tag Team Champion MJF vs. “Rock Hard” Juice Robinson
As of this moment, AEW World Champion Maxwell Jacob Friedman is set to clash with BULLET CLUB GOLD’s “Switchblade” Jay White at FULL GEAR 2023 (https://www.allelitewrestling.com/aew-event/aew-full-gear-2023) on Saturday November 18th, and with that on the horizon, The Bang Bang Gang has done everything they can to make Max’s life hellish. They’ve attacked him, stolen his Triple B championship belt, mocked the Dynamite Diamond Ring MJF has managed to keep in his possession since 2019, and now after Juice Robinson won the Battle Royale last week, they aim to rob him of that accessory as well.
Sure Max, or at least someone wearing his signature devil mask, and a gang of other disguised individuals fired back at Jay White by assaulting him backstage, but circumstantial evidence aside, and taking the man’s word with a grain of salt, MJF claims the mask was stolen from his bags. Now historically speaking Maxwell Jacob Friedman has not been the most trustworthy individual, but his somewhat matured attitude towards everything lends him a credibility he didn’t have earlier this year.
But MJF is going to have to put all that aside, everything BC GOLD has put him through the last several weeks and the distractions of everything surrounding Adam Cole’s surgery, and focus on the task at hand with Juice Robinson. With Cole’s out, and MJF clearly not interested in the help offered by Max Caster, the AEW World Champion is quite alone in a situation where Juice and The Bang Bang Gang will absolutely use their numbers to further break MJF down before FULL GEAR 2023.
Will “Rock Hard” be the first person not named MJF to lay claim to the Dynamite Diamond Ring? Max won the Battle Royale, and the subsequent singles match, three years running while last year defended the AEW World Title, as well as possession of the ring, in a match versus Ricky Starks. So while history is on MJF’s side, the other side has four men on it who will conspire together to insure the current holder of the Dynamite Diamond Ring doesn’t spend another night with it on his finger…
A DREAM TEAM…
AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy & Kazuchika Okada
vs.
Blackpool Combat Club (Bryan Danielson & Claudio Castagnoli)
Four months ago to the day, at FORBIDDEN DOOR 2023, Bryan Danielson defeated “The Rainmaker” Kazuchika Okada with a broken arm. It was the culmination of a hard-hitting twenty-eight minute fight, one fans had dreamed about seeing for years finally coming to fruition, that far exceeded expectations, and left people clamoring for more. Okada, for one, was certainly game for a rematch, quoted as saying “If there is a time to have a rematch, I’d like to win even if I have to break both of Danielson’s arms next time.”!
Well, as Orange Cassidy announced to the world after winning his BATTLE OF THE BELTS VIII International Championship defense against John Silver, “The Rainmaker” will have that chance this Wednesday night on DYNAMITE when he returns to AEW for this tag team dream match! The multi-time IWGP Champion will team with the 2-Time AEW International Champion to take on The Blackpool Combat Club of Bryan Danielson and Claudio Castagnoli!
This match marks the first time Okada has been in Philadelphia since ROH WRESTLING Episode #209, available on Honor Club now, was taped in August 2015! It’s been over eight years since “The Rainmaker” graced the City of Brotherly Love, and now he’s back for this huge tag team collision that’s as much about OC and Jon Moxley as it is Danielson/Okada. Moxley may not be cleared for combat quite yet, but clearly he and “Freshly Squeezed” are on a collision course revolving around that AEW International Championship. What Orange did when he purposefully shoulder bumped Moxley was way outside the norm for the 2-Time International Champion, as was the manner in which he lofted the belt overhead as Mox was pulled away by his BCC brethren, as if Orange was challenging the man who beat him for the belt back at GRAND SLAM 2023.
So while OC and Mox may not get their hands on one another quite yet, Cassidy is more than happy to fight the other members of The Blackpool Combat Club this week, and no matter who the victor is when the final bell rings, the AEW faithful are all winners! This is Danielson and Okada in the ring once more, this is Danielson and OC fighting for the first time, Claudio and Okada for the first time, and it goes down this Wednesday night on TBS! Dreams do come true…
AEW WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH…
Hikaru Shida(c) vs. Ruby Soho
It is clear as day that Ruby Soho is beyond frustrated with her championship situation, or rather lack thereof, in All Elite Wrestling: frustrated at GRAND SLAM 2021 by Dr. Britt Baker in their AEW Women’s World Championship fight, and beaten by Jade Cargill in the finals of the TBS Championship Tournament on January 5, 2022. Then it was the loss at REVOLUTION 2023 in a Three Way World Championship fight with Jamie Hayter and Saraya, the defeat at Kris Statlander’s hands in their TBS Championship bout at ALL OUT 2023, and the loss to Hikaru Shida in their #1 Contender’s match on the 9/29/23 edition of RAMPAGE, a victory that Shida parlayed into her third reign as champion at Saraya’s expense.
So with all that piled on her head, not to mention everything that’s gone down with “Timeless” Toni Storm, Ruby is hellbent on finally becoming a champion in All Elite Wrestling, to the point where she made this challenge to Hikaru Shida despite having ate that loss a month ago. Ruby wants what she feels she deserves, and given her temperament when she delivered those words on COLLISION, she may be willing to do anything to make it happen.
For Shida, this is a possibly a chance to move past The Outcasts, to add a championship win over Ruby Soho to that of her recent one over Saraya and her DYNAMITE #200 one over Toni Storm. It’s also the opportunity to celebrate this third championship reign the way Shida couldn’t with the second when Saraya stole it from her at ALL IN: LONDON, by pinning Storm, after just twenty-five days. Can Ruby bring Shida’s third championship reign to an even shorter conclusion than her second and finally achieve what she’s craved since her first day in AEW?
ROH WORLD SIX-MAN CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH…
The Elite (Hangman Adam Page, Matt Jackson, & Nick Jackson)
vs.
Brother Zay & The Hardys (Jeff & Matt)
The Elite of Adam Page and The Young Bucks captured the ROH World Six-Man Championship titles from The Mogul Embassy at RAMPAGE: GRAND SLAM 2023, beginning their second reign as champions some five and a half years after the conclusion of their first. While all three men have been distracted with other business in the months since that victory, none have forgotten about their responsibility as champions and how that entails actually defending the titles.
It is with that in mind that Hangman and the brothers Jackson laid out an Open Challenge for this Wednesday night in Philadelphia, leaving the door open for any three individuals to walk through and try to claim the titles for themselves. Well it looks like two men men named Hardy heard the call, and found their third in another named Brother Zay who’s grown quite close to Matt and Jeff over the last couple years. Now The Hardys and Zay have only gone the trios route on two instances, once to challenge Daddy Ass and The Acclaimed for the AEW World Trios Titles and another to face Garcia, Parker, and Menard, and have lost on both occasions, but that isn’t going to stop them from taking the gamble when there’s a championship at stake.
The Hardys do know a thing or two about beating The Young Bucks, while Matt, Hangman, and Brother Zay have some history of their own here in AEW; which trio will walk away dominant and which will be despondent?
TAG TEAM CHALLENGE…
The Dark Order (Alex Reynolds & John Silver) vs. FTW Champion HOOK & Rob Van Dam
The Dark Order are quite unhappy with the outcome of John Silver’s AEW International Championship fight with Orange Cassidy that took place at BATTLE OF THE BELTS VIII. Though Silver fought the good fight, “Freshly Squeezed” left with the championship still in his backpack, but for John and Alex Reynolds the deal isn’t over yet.
As they said, since they can’t get their hands on OC this Wednesday seeing as how he’s got that tag match already on his plate, they’ve elected to target a pair of his friends in Rob Van Dam and the FTW Champion HOOK. This being Philadelphia, the home of the promotion where RVD really made his name in professional wrestling, it’s akin to a homecoming for the multi-time World Champion, a return to a city he hasn’t competed in since December 2022, and only six times in the last decade at that. Together, though it’s only been that one match thus far, RVD and HOOK have gelled quite well as a tag team, but they will be put to the test by Alex Reynolds and John Silver on Wednesday night.
Those two Dark Order members are one of the most experienced pairs in All Elite Wrestling, having worked as a team since 2011, and captured multiple championships together before their entry into AEW. Though they’ve been frustrated as team, only challenging one time for the AEW World Tag Titles and once for the ROH tag belts, that doesn’t change the fact they are a dangerous duo with a chip on their shoulder and a reborn malice in their hearts.
Orange Cassidy may be the target of their animosity, but it’s Cassidy’s friends potentially taking stray bullets this Wednesday night on DYNAMITE. Obviously The Dark Order doesn’t care who feels their wrath, as long as it hurts Orange Cassidy in the process…
A week ago we heard “The Icon” Sting tell the world that REVOLUTION 2024, wherever that may take place and on whatever date it may take place, will be his last day competing as a professional wrestler. Though he has often used the line “The only for certain about Sting is that nothing is for certain”, “The Icon” made a point to say that this was for certain. Exactly what shape that final night will take remains to be seen, and luckily we all still have several months to show the man our appreciation for everything he’s meant to professional wrestling, and to so many lives around the world.
One man who intends to show his appreciation for Sting this Wednesday night on DYNAMITE is AEW’s CEO Tony Khan, and he apparently has a gift for “The Icon” he intends to present right here in Philadelphia. It’s a city Sting’s quite familiar with, a place where’s he’s won and lost championships, and a city whose wrestling history he’s been a part of since 1987; what will this next trip to Philly mean to “The Icon” as he heads towards the end of the road next year?
Powerhouse Hobbs decimated Chris Jericho like no man has done since the inception of All Elite Wrestling, and possibly like no man has ever done to Chris in the whole of his career. It was an explosion of so much pent-up within the former TNT Champion, years and years of emotion and rage, and though it was Don Callis who harnessed those emotions to unleash upon Chris Jericho, it was Powerhouse who did the damage.
Now, after the AEW faithful being subjected to Don Callis and his ilk last week, it is time for Chris Jericho to share his thoughts with the world, something he will do when he sits down with Renee Paquette this Wednesday night on DYNAMITE. How is Jericho feeling? What is running through his head after Callis’ latest affront and after hearing Powerhouse Hobbs’ words? The AEW faithful will find out Wednesday night on TBS!
This Wednesday night in Philly Swerve Strickland has some thoughts to share regarding “Hangman” Adam Page and his involvement in Strickland’s match with Bryan Danielson. In the mind of Swerve, if Page hadn’t inserted himself into the fracas it would’ve been Strickland challenging Christian Cage for the TNT Championship instead of “The American Dragon”, and Swerve would’ve won the title whereas Danielson lost.
The reality is that Hangman, despite having an upcoming match with Jay White on his plate, chose to put himself into that fight to stop Swerve Strickland from cheating the same way he did at WRESTLEDREAM to defeat Page. Hangman was only there to make sure it was fair, and that is what played a part in costing Swerve his TNT Championship opportunity.
So on DYNAMITE, in the City of Brotherly Love, Swerve Strickland aims to address the former AEW World Champion about this situation, and we shall see what that leads to, especially considering Hangman has a ROH World Six-Man Championship title defense already on his plate for the evening.
This Wednesday night, DYNAMITE comes back to Philadelphia’s Liacouras Center with a jam-packed night of action beginning at 8pm ET/7pm CT LIVE on TBS, as well as at AEWPlus.com for our international fans! Dynamite Dozen Battle Royale winner Juice Robinson takes on AEW World Champion MJF with his prized Dynamite Diamond Ring at stake, Kazuchika Okada returns to AEW to team with Orange Cassidy for a tag team bout with The BCC, Hikaru Shida defends the AEW Women’s World Championship against Ruby Soho, and so much more set to go down! Be sure to drop by the official AEW YouTube channel for highlights from last week’s episodes of DYNAMITE, RAMPAGE, BATTLE OF THE BELTS, and COLLISION, as well as the newest edition of THE CONTROL CENTER to get prepared!
**CONTAINS SPOILERS**
Tonight’s AEW COLLISION & Battle of the Belts VIII was broadcast live from the FedExForum in Memphis, TN!
Nigel McGuinness, Kevin Kelly and Tony Schiavone were the broadcast team for tonight’s event.
It’s Saturday night and you know what that means! Saturday night’s alright for fighting!
Dream Match!
Andrade El Idolo
vs.
Blackpool Combat Club’s “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson!
They chain wrestled to start the match, both men having a feeling out process. Bryan wrenched Andrade’s neck with a bow and arrow type submission. Andrade escaped and smiled at Danielson.
Andrade was looking for the figure four, but Danielson kicked him away. Danielson and Andrade traded chops. Bryan began switching it up with kicks to Andrade. And then a headbutt. Danielson jumped off the apron with a running knee strike to Andrade.
Andrade connected with a flying forearm. Andrade sent Danielson outside with a springboard dropkick. Andrade moonsaulted out of the ring and onto Danielson.
The fans chanted “This is awesome! This is awesome! This is awesome!”
Andrade smashed Danielson with a split legged moonsault for a near fall. Danielson headbutted Andrade and followed up with a dropkick from the top rope. Andrade came back with a dragon screw leg whip. Andrade had Bryan in the Tree of Woe and squashed him with a double stomp from the top.
Danielson countered Andrade’s moonsault by raising his knees. He stomped on Andrade’s head and then applied the LeBell Lock. Andrade escaped and trapped Danielson in the figure four. Danielson grabbed the ropes to force the ref break. Danielson and Andrade traded cradles and pin attempts, with Danielson ultimately getting the win!
“Both men wanted the best, and they got the best. But it was Bryan Danielson who got lucky tonight with a quick rollup of Andrade El Idolo,” said Nigel.
The arena lights went dark!
They turned back on, and Malakai Black was in the center of the ring! Black knocked out Danielson with a spin kick! The BCC ran to the ring, but the lights went out again. When the lights returned, Malakai Black had vanished.
Skye Blue vs. Hollyhood Haley!
Skye Blue shoved Haley. Blue knocked Hollyhood off her feet, mounted her, and grounded and pounded her. Skye connected with a thrust kick and followed up with a running powerbomb. Skye Blue rolled up Haley and pinned her.
Bullet Club Gold’s The Gunns—Austin & Colten Gunn (with “Switchblade” Jay White)
vs.
Outrunners!
Turbo used an arm drag on Colten. Colten fired back with a stiff strike and then he stomped Turbo in the corner of the ring.
Austin tagged in and rammed the Outrunners together. The Gunns finished things off with the 3:10 to Yuma and pinned Turbo.
“Mission statement from the Gunns tonight, they want gold,” said Kevin Kelly.
After the match, the lights in the arena went dark! A man in a Devil mask was watching on from somewhere in the arena.
“Man, Jay White looks spooked,” said Kevin Kelly.
The fans chanted “MJF! MJF! MJF!”
Memphis Street Fight!
ROH World & NJPW STRONG Openweight Champion Eddie Kingston
vs.
Jeff Jarrett (with Karen Jarrett, Sonjay Dutt, Satnam Singh, and Jay Lethal)!
If Jeff Jarrett wins, Jay Lethal get a Ring Of Honor World Championship Match.
Legendary Memphis announcer Dave Brown joined commentary for this match.
Jarrett swung a trash can lid at Kingston and Kingston blocked it. Kingston whacked Jeff with a kendo stick. Jarrett blasted Eddie with a cooler. Jeff rammed Eddie into the guardrail.
Kingston squeezed ketchup and mustard on Jarrett. Karen distracted Eddie and then Jay Lethal rocked Eddie with a cutter off the ramp and then through a table!
Back in the ring, Jeff cracked Eddie with a lead pipe on the leg. Jarrett went to work on Eddie’s leg and knee with a trash can! Jarrett bashed Eddie with a bar tabletop. Jarrett locked in the figure four in the center of the ring. Eddie flipped off Jeff!
Kingston reversed the figure four. Jay Lethal jumped off the top rope but Eddie rolled out of the way. Eddie chopped Lethal and Jarrett in the chest. Kingston fired off machine gun chops. Karen got in the ring and distracted Eddie, but Eddie cracked Jeff with a spinning back fist for a near fall.
Jeff Jarrett went for the Lethal Injection, but Eddie countered with a half and half. Kingston wiped out Satnam with a guitar shot. Jeff smashed Eddie with the Stroke for a near fall! Satnam choke slammed Eddie and then Jarrett hit another Stroke. Lethal connected with the Lethal Injection. Jarrett covered Eddie and pinned him.
“This is an absolute mugging,” said Nigel.
Action Andretti vs. “The Redeemer” Miro!
“Hot and flexible” CJ Perry came down to the ring before the match started, taking a ringside seat to scout things.
Miro battered Action in the corner. Andretti dropkicked Miro as Miro came rushing in. Miro clubbed Andretti with a lariat. Action came back with a jawbreaker to Miro.
Miro ate a kick from Andretti. Action rocked Miro with shots in the corner, but Miro shoved him away. Action flipped over the top rope with a tope con hiro and landed on Miro, right in front of CJ Perry on the floor.
Miro countered a cross body by planting Andretti. Miro went for the Game Over, but Action slipped out and then spiked Miro with a DDT! Action followed up with a shotgun dropkick! Action hit a springboard 450 but Miro kicked out immediately. Miro stunned Action with a thrust kick and then applied the Game Over. The ref stopped the match and awarded the victory to Miro.
Eddie Kingston was backstage getting stitched up.
Kingston: “Jay Lethal, do you know why I made you jump through hoops to earn this title shot? It’s because you call a man who’s not your blood ‘uncle.’ The Jay Lethal I knew used to love pro wrestling, until you started hanging out with Jeff Jarrett. You are not a pro wrestler anymore, Jay. You are Jeff Jarrett’s bitch. You’ve lost your way. Get your title shot. Go ahead, congrats, but you better find your way before you come at me again.”
FTR—Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler
vs.
Bad Thad Brown & Darian Bengston!
Bad Thad took advantage of Cash having his back turned but Cash came right back with a press slam.
The arena lights went out again! When the lights returned, Malakai Black was standing in the ring!
“It’s Malakai Black again!” said Tony Schiavone.
The lights went back out. This time when the lights came back on, the House of Black were standing there, and they ambushed FTR! Brody King cracked Cash with the cast on his wrist!
“The House of Black returning to Collision tonight with authority,” said Kevin Kelly.
Main Event Time!
AEW World Tag Team Championship Match!
Big Bill & “Absolute” Ricky Starks (c.)
vs.
Blackpool Combat Club’s Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta!
Jim Ross joined the broadcast team to provide his main event analysis.
Big Bill mauled Yuta with overhead chops. Wheeler fought back but after being distracted by Starks, Big Bill shoved Yuta off the apron. Starks whipped Yuta into the guardrail.
Big Bill planted Yuta with a Big Bossman slam! Bill hammered Yuta with an elbow drop. Claudio tagged in and cleaned house on Starks with European Uppercuts! Claudio clubbed Starks with lariats in the corner, shot after shot stinging Starks. Claudio dropkicked Starks after a single ax handle off the ropes.
Claudio had a full head of steam and ran around the ring and cracked Starks with a European Uppercut, and then dished out a massive uppercut to Big Bill! Claudio connected with a running lariat on Starks in the center of the ring.
Claudio put Starks in the Giant Swing! Yuta dropkicked the head of Starks. Big Bill ran in and tried to chokeslam Claudio and Yuta at the same time, but the BCC fought out of his grip. Yuta climbed to the top of Claudio’s back for the Fast Ball Special, but the House of Black ran to the ring and knocked Claudio down. Starks speared Yuta and pinned Yuta after the Rochambeau!
The House of Black circled the tag champs after the match. The House of Black triple teamed Wheeler Yuta. Danielson sprinted down but Starks and Brody stomped on him. FTR intervened, trying to even up the odds, but the House of Black had them outnumbered with the assistance of Big Bill and Ricky Starks.
Jon Moxley returned! He entered the fray, and he threw Buddy Matthews out of the ring! The FTR and the BCC teamed up, forcing the House of Black and Starks and Big Bill to retreat! Starks entered the ring again, thinking the House of Black were behind him, but they left him on his own. FTR hit Starks with the Big Rig!
“The House of Black have made their statement tonight!” said Nigel.
Battle Of The Belts VIII began…
AEW International Championship Match!
“Freshly Squeezed” Orange Cassidy (c.)
vs.
Dark Order’s John Silver (with Alex Reynolds)!
As Orange Cassidy was making his entrance, Moxley was leaving the ring. They bumped into each other on the ramp and then had to be pulled apart. Moxley had to be held back.
John Silver cracked Cassidy with kicks on the ring apron. Orange climbed to the top turnbuckle. Silver grabbed him and planed him face first across the ring apron! Back in the ring, Orange tried for a backslide, but Silver escaped. Orange came back with the Stun Dog Millionaire and then the Beach Break for a near fall!
Alex Reynolds grabbed the title belt and cracked Cassidy in the head with it. Silver rolled up Orange for a near fall. Silver nailed Orange with an airplane spin type maneuver for a two-count. Orange pulped Silver with the Orange Punch and pinned Silver!
Lexy Nair interviewed Andrade El Idolo backstage!
Andrade was interrupted by CJ Parker. She said with a little guidance, he could become the biggest wrestling star in the world.
Tony Nese (with “Smart” Mark Sterling)
vs.
ROH World TV Champion Samoa Joe!
Samoa Joe jabbed at Nese. Tony Nese kicked Joe and back elbowed him. Nese went for a moonsault, but Joe stepped out of the way. Samoa Joe steamrolled right over Tony Nese! Samoa Joe finished off Tony Nese with the Muscle Buster and pinned him!
Samoa Joe: “MJF…tonight I bring you a gift, my friend. The gift of foresight and what you foresee is that I am coming for the AEW World Heavyweight Championship. Now Max, what you do with this gift is very, very important.
“You can give me what I want, or Max, I can put you in a position where you are forced to give me what I want. Because I am Samoa Joe, the one true king of television, and I will be the next AEW World Heavyweight Champion!”
TBS Championship Match!
Kris Statlander (c.) vs. Willow Nightingale!
Kris leapfrogged Willow and then knocked her down with a shoulder tackle. Outside the ring, Willow rammed Kris into the steel post. Willow followed up with a cannonball against the steel steps.
Willow cracked Kris with rapid fire headbutts. Willow hurled Kris across the ring. She caught Kris in the corner and clocked her with rapid fire lariats. Kris swept out Willow’s legs and connected with a somersault senton. Kris dazed Willow with a Saturday Night Fever Blue for a near fall.
Willow charged at Kris with a big pounce! Kris spiked Willow with a DDT for a near fall! Willow hoisted up Kris and planted her with an avalanche Death Valley Driver off the top for a two-count!
Willow choked Kris and crashed into Kris with a cannonball in the corner. Willow climbed to the top, but Kris got up and powerbombed Willow! Kris splashed Willow with a 450 and pinned Willow!
Kris offered her hand to Willow but Skye Blue ran down and told Willow to refuse. Willow thought about it and then accepted Kris’ hand. Willow walked away without Skye Blue.
Skye Blue looked disgusted as Willow walked away from her.
Lexy Nair interviewed AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy backstage!
“Jon Moxley, you got in my face. Your friends, Claudio, Bryan, they got in my face. I don’t care about Yuta. How about Bryan and Claudio meet me and Okada in Philadelphia this Wednesday on Dynamite. And then we can fight.”
Main Event Time!
AEW World Trios Championship Match!
The Acclaimed—Anthony Bowens and Max Caster, & Daddy Ass (c.)
vs.
Matt Menard, Angelo Parker, & Daniel Garcia!
Anna Jay jumped into the ring to stop Garcia from doing his dance. The ref ejected Anna Jay from the ring. Matt Menard seized the moment and blindsided Bowens.
Bowens fought back with strikes to Menard and Parker. Daddy Ass tagged in, and he and Bowens dropped a double elbow on Menard. Caster hit a double ax handle from the top rope on Menard. Garcia tagged in and put the boots to Caster.
Bowens was triple teamed in the corner. Daddy Ass tagged in and cleaned house on all three members of the competition. He scoop slammed Menard. Bowens smashed Menard with the Scissor Me Timbers.
Garcia went to do his dance, but Caster rolled him up from behind for a near fall. Garcia clotheslined Caster and then danced. Daddy Ass smashed Garcia with the Fame Asser. The Acclaimed planted Garcia and Bowens pinned him!
“He shouldn’t have danced,” said Tony Schiavone.
Catch AEW DYNAMITE on TBS next Wednesday live at 8/7ct from the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, PA!
And remember…the home of professional wrestling is All Elite Wrestling!
Article source: allelitewrestling.com
After two huge nights on DYNAMITE and RAMPAGE, All Elite Wrestling is right back at it this Saturday night with two massive events in a single evening! COLLISION and BATTLE OF THE BELTS VIII come to you this Saturday night from the FedEx Forum in Memphis and kick off on TNT starting at 8pm ET/9pm CT! Between the two events, four championships will be at stake, including The Blackpool Combat Club challenging Big Bill and Ricky Starks for the AEW World Tag Titles, The Acclaimed and Daddy Ass defending the AEW World Trios Championship, Kris Statlander facing Willow Nightingale for the TBS Title, and Orange Cassidy making the first defense of his second AEW International Championship reign against John Silver! Plus Action Andretti tries to survive Miro and Jeff Jarrett meets Eddie Kingston in a Memphis Street Fight where a potential championship match for Jay Lethal is at stake!
Before the night begins, make a point to drop by the official AEW YouTube channel for highlights from this week’s episodes of DYNAMITE and RAMPAGE, the latest editions of CONTROL CENTER, and much, much more!
COLLISION
AEW WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH…
Big Bill & Ricky Starks(c) vs. Blackpool Combat Club (Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta)
The hostilities between The Blackpool Combat Club and the new AEW World Tag Tag Champions has been relentless over the last several weeks. Originally born as an issue between Ricky Starks and Bryan Danielson, it has grown into something bigger and now the entire BCC is involved in the scenario.
Now, with Big Bill and Ricky Starks decimating FTR to claim the tag championship, there are titles involved as well and after their dominating performance on RAMPAGE, Claudio Castagnoli and Wheeler Yuta will challenge for the gold! This BCC duo are 11-2 in tag team competition, have won their last four bouts following that win Friday night, and have far greater tag team experience than the champs.
That being said, in their wins over Danielson/Claudio and FTR, Big Bill and “Absolute” Ricky Starks have looked tremendous, complimenting each other as a team, and clearly doing something right with how they handled Dax and Cash to win the belts. In their time in AEW, no team has beaten down FTR the way Bill and Ricky did, and hopefully Claudio and Yuta were paying close attention to how that went down.
COLLISION has the potential to be a huge night for the Blackpool Combat Club, will it include the crowning of new AEW World Tag Team Champions?
DREAM MATCH…
Andrade El Idolo vs. “The American Dragon” Bryan Danielson
The other reason it could be a huge night for BCC is right here: the first AEW clash between “The American Dragon” Bryan Danielson and Andrade El Idolo, a dream match between two of professional wrestling’s greatest competitors, each who want little more than to test themselves against the best from around the world!
It’s been five years since their last one-on-one fight took place, and both have grown tremendously as competitors, each traversing their own paths of championship success, heartbreaks and loss, paths that ultimately led both men to All Elite Wrestling where they debuted just a few months apart from each other. Andrade has been on a tear since the launch of COLLISION, the only blemish on his record being a loss to Jay White, giving him five wins over the last six bouts. On the other side, Bryan has six wins over his last seven matches, that loss being the TNT Championship bout with Christian Cage last week, and that includes defeating New Japan’s Kazuchika Okada with a broken arm.
So in this clash of the world’s finest, will it be a triumph for Danielson and The Blackpool Combat Club, or will it be Andrade El Idolo with the victory?
ONE-ON-ONE…
Action Andretti vs. “The Redeemer” Miro
Miro is not a happy man; despite his successes since the premiere of COLLISION, he finds himself unhappy with the AEW arrival of his wife CJ Perry, and her intentions to launch a management company. “The Redeemer” made it clear he renounced his wife, his god, essentially everything he felt was holding him back from being a true destroyer, so much so that when she did arrive at ALL OUT 2023, in the moment it seemed Miro didn’t even believe she was real.
Clearly that has changed, and Miro seems intent on stopping CJ from gaining any traction with any potential clients, as Action Andretti found out the hard way after he showed interest in CJ’s services:
So this Saturday night on COLLISION, in a fight he may live to regret, Action Andretti will go head-to-head with Miro after the events of last week. It’s clear Miro wants no other man anywhere near his wife, even in a professional situation, though he doesn’t want her involved in his career either, and Action Andretti may be used as the example to any others looking to CJ Perry for managerial guidance.
MEMPHIS STREET FIGHT…
ROH World & NJPW STRONG Openweight Champion Eddie Kingston
vs. Jeff Jarrett
***IF JARRETT WINS, JAY LETHAL GETS A ROH CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH***
Jay Lethal wants a shot at the ROH World Championship, he wants to join the Adam Cole Club as a 3-Time holder of the title, but apparently he doesn’t want to earn it himself through hard work in the ring, he just wants it handed to him because of past accomplishments. Now Eddie Kingston will gladly fight anyone and accept any challengers, but it is clear that Lethal and his contingent have a plan in mind as Lethal’s title opportunity is now married to this Memphis Street Fight between the ROH World Champion and Jeff Jarrett!
If Jarrett wins, Lethal will get his championship match with Eddie Kingston, and given the nature of a Street Fight, there has to be plans in motion between Jarrett, Lethal, Sonjay Dutt, Satnam Singh, and Karen Jarrett. There’s no doubt Eddie will have to contend with all of that in order to survive this scenario on Saturday, and given the path Kingston has chosen in his travels through AEW and ROH, he will likely have to do it alone.
BATTLE OF THE BELTS VIII
AEW WORLD TRIOS CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH…
The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens/Max Caster) & Daddy Ass(c)
Though this is a match that Kris Statlander requested, a championship opportunity she wanted to offer Willow Nightingale, it may prove to be Stat’s last if she can’t get her focus on the task at hand. Based on what went down on RAMPAGE, and Kris getting involved in the aftermath of Skye Blue’s fight with Ruby Soho, it seems the TBS Champion is a bit distracted by attitude Skye has adopted since being misted by Julia Hart several weeks ago.
Interestingly enough, following Statlander and Skye’s championship match last Saturday on COLLISION, it was Willow Nightingale who came to the ring following the match to quell what seemed a potentially combustible situation. As Skye swatted away the helping hand of Statlander, it was Nightingale who seemed to say she had it under control and encouraged Statlander to back off.
Will this ongoing situation affect the TBS Championship match going down during BATTLE OF THE BELTS VIII on Saturday night? Where will the focus of Statlander and Nightingale be when they lock up? This will be the first clash between these two women in AEW, and the fourth singles match of their career with the first going down in September 2017. Historically speaking, Willow has dominated their match history, winning all three of their previous encounters, so will that history repeat itself on Saturday and give us a new TBS Champion?
Friday night on RAMPAGE, John Silver scored a victory over Brother Zay and Kip Sabian to earn this title fight with Orange Cassidy, his first singles championship match since March 24, 2021 when he challenged Darby Allin for the TNT Championship and just his second overall. Though he’s been in the mix for Trios and Tag championships over the years, the singles ranks have largely been untouched by Silver, having competed in just twenty singles matches, and carrying a record of thirteen wins and seven losses in those fights.
One of those losses, the first loss as a matter of fact, took place nearly three years ago at FULL GEAR 2020 and the man who had his raised in victory that night in Jacksonville was none other than “Freshly Squeezed” Orange Cassidy. Fast forward to 2023 and Cassidy has enjoyed great success in the singles ranks, standing as the only 2-Time International Champion and holding the record for most successful championship defenses of any title in the whole of AEW. In addition, at 326 days in that first run, he’s also one of the longest reigning champions of any AEW title holder, with only Jade Cargill, Hikaru Shida, MJF, and Kenny Omega holding titles for a longer.
Conversely John Silver has not held any championships, and neither has any member of The Dark Order since the late-Mr. Brodie Lee lost the TNT Championship back to Cody Rhodes in their vicious Dog Collar Match on the October 7, 2020 edition of DYNAMITE. That’s three years without a title for Silver and his kin, and he aims to end that drought this Saturday at BATTLE OF THE BELTS VIII!
COLLISION and BATTLE OF THE BELTS VIII come to you this Saturday night on TNT starting at 8pm ET/9pm CT, and feature four championship matches between the events, as well as a Memphis Street Fight with a potential title match at stake there as well! It all goes down at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, so be sure to visit the official AEW YouTube channel for highlights from this week’s episodes of DYNAMITE and RAMPAGE, the latest editions of CONTROL CENTER, and much, much more!
Tonight’s episode of AEW RAMPAGE was broadcast from the Fort Bend Epicenter in Rosenberg, TX!
Yourbroadcast team was Excalibur and Tony Schiavone!
It’s Friday night and you know what that means!
2/3 Falls Match!
CMLL’s World Historic Middleweight Champion, the Luchador Legend Mistico
vs.
CMLL World Historic Welterweight Champion Rocky “Azucar” Romero!
Rocky ran into Mistico with a shoulder block. Rocky hit an arm drag but Mistico used an arm drag of his own. There was a stalemate early on.
Mistico came over the top with a tornillo, taking out Rocky on the arena floor. After a Russian leg sweep, Mistico wrenched back on Rocky’s knee and forced Rocky to tap, taking the first fall.
Rocky Romero tore at Mistico’s mask, and the ref had to warn him to stop. Rocky charged Mistico and took him off his feet with his Forever Clotheslines. Mistico clubbed Rocky with elbows but Rocky snap suplexed Mistico on the apron! Rocky followed up with a tope suicida!
Rocky superplexed Mistico back into the ring for a near fall. Rocky locked in the camel clutch in the center of the ring. Rocky stomped the back of Mistico’s head. Rocky pinned Mistico after the Sliced Bread!
“One fall apiece. This match is now sudden death,” said Excalibur.
Mistico took flight, jumping over the post and crashing onto Romero on the arena floor! Mistico scoop slammed Rocky. Mistico went for a moonsault but Rocky got his boots up to defend. Rocky blasted Mistico with an avalanche sliced bread but somehow Mistico kicked out at the two-count!
Mistico rocked Romero with the Spanish Fly for a near fall. Rocky smashed Mistico with a jawbreaker. Mistico planted Rocky with a destroyer. Mistico forced Rocky to tap out after the Fujiarwa armbar.
Footage was shown from last Wednesday of Jay Lethal and ROH World Champion facing off backstage!
Lethal: “You only want that championship because it was held by your trainer Homicide. Let me put an end to this sad reign. So, I demand that I get a Ring of Honor World Title shot!”
Stokely Hathaway said he had an idea. This Saturday, it’ll be Jeff Jarrett versus Eddie Kingston, and if Jeff wins, Jay Lethal will get a shot at the ROH World Championship.
Kingston: “You don’t have to mention Homicide’s name. You think I don’t know about Memphis wrestling, Jeff? I grew up on that. I’m going to take you out and I’m going to eat you alive.”
Jarrett: “See you Saturday.”
Three Way Match!
AEW International Championship Contender Match!
Brother Zay vs. Dark Order’s John Silver vs. Kip Sabian!
The winner challenges at Battle of the Belts VIII.
Brother Zay slipped behind and nailed Kip with a neck breaker. John Silver clubbed Zay from behind. Silver stunned Sabian with a German Suplex for a near fall.
Sabian swept out Silver’s leg. Kip took flight with an Arabian moonsault to Silver. Brother Zay jumped over the top rope and took out everyone with his perfect landing. Zay connected with a Swanton Bomb on Kip for a near fall. John Silver punted Brother Zay in the head and pinned him.
John Silver will face Orange Cassidy tomorrow for the AEW International Championship.
Blackpool Combat Club’s Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta
vs.
“The Bounty Hunter” Bryan Keith & Exodus Prime!
Bryan booted Yuta in the face and chopped Yuta, backing him into the corner. Yuta suplexed Keith. Exodus Prime tagged in, and Yuta catapulted him into Claudio’s arms, and Claudio planted him!
Claudio put Prime in the Giant Swing! He swung Prime and Yuta dropkicked Prime in the head! They finished things off with the Fastball Special, and Yuta grabbed the pin on Prime!
Renee Paquette was backstage with Daniel Garcia, Matt Menard, Angelo Parker, Jake Hager, and Anna Jay!
Menard: “It’s not about the dancing anymore. You’ve got a real problem Garcia.”
Hager: “Enough! Figure this out! I didn’t give up the hat for this!”
Anna: “Jake’s right. If you guys have any chance of winning tomorrow, then get it together right now.”
Angelo: “She’s right. If we want to win tomorrow, Matt and Garcia need to squash it.”
Menard: “I hate that dance, Garcia, but I love you. Consider it squashed.”
Garcia and Menard shook hands.
Garcia: “You are looking at your new AEW Trios Champions.”
ROH World Trios Champs The Young Bucks and “Hangman” Adam Page were backstage!
Hangman: “We haven’t forgotten about our responsibility to defend these belts.”
Nick Jackson: “Good point. And I think we should defend them on Wednesday. We’ll take on anyone! An open challenge for any trio.”
Main Event Time!
Skye Blue vs. The Outcasts’ Ruby Soho (with Saraya)!
Skye Blue peppered Ruby with shots and then grabbed a handful of hair. Ruby drove Skye down with a back heel kick. Ruby followed up with a short arm lariat. Skye connected with a thrust kick. Skye charged at Ruby, but Ruby telegraphed it and countered with an elbow.
Ruby rocked Skye, punting her in the head. Skye raked Ruby’s eyes. Skye cracked Ruby with her knee and then chop blocked Ruby. Skye hit a DDT neck breaker combo on Ruby for a near fall.
Saraya grabbed Blue’s boot. Ruby capitalized with a suplex on Skye for a two-count.
“The numbers coming back to haunt Skye Blue,” said Excalibur.
Skye Blue powerbombed Ruby out of the corner. She grounded and pounded Ruby. Skye popped Saraya with a shot! Ruby connected with the No Future Kick, but Skye managed to kick out! Skye countered the Destination Unknown with a backslide for a near fall.
Saraya swiped Skye in the head twice with the can of spray paint. Ruby rolled up Skye Blue and pinned her!
“A major assist from Saraya,” said Excalibur.
Saraya and Ruby stomped on Skye Blue after the match.
The TBS Champion Kris Statlander sprinted to the ring and evened up the odds. The Outcasts retreated. Kris offered to help Skye to her feet, but Skye bailed out, wanting no assistance from Kris Statlander.
Catch AEW DYNAMITE on TBS next Wednesday live at 8/7ct from the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, PA!
Don’t miss AEW Collision & Battle of the Belts VIII on Saturday on TNT at 8/7c from the FedEx Forum in Memphis, TN!
And remember…the home of professional wrestling is All Elite Wrestling!
DYNAMITE was another great night in the history of our sport as “The Icon” Sting told the world that REVOLUTION 2024 would be his last night in professional wrestling, and though that landmark announcement may be the biggest wrestling news item coming out of Texas this week, we also say Juice Robinson win the Dynamite Dozen Battle Royale. That means he and MJF will go one-on-one in Philadelphia with the Dynamite Diamond Ring at stake. We witnessed chaos unfold between Sting, Darby Allin, Christian Cage, Nick Wayne, and Luchasaurus and heard from Adam Copeland regarding his future with Christian Cage. Oh, and we had to suffer through Don Callis…
This Friday night RAMPAGE will feature a Three Way contest pitting Brother Zay, John Silver, and Kip Sabian against each other with a BATTLE OF THE BELTS VIII International Championship opportunity at stake, plus The BCC is in action, Skye Blue clashes with The Outcasts’ Ruby Soho, and it all kicks off with the historic clash between CMLL’s Historic Middleweight Champion Mistico and Historic Welterweight Champion Rocky Romero!
The night gets underway at 10pm ET/9pm CT on TNT, as well as at AEWPlus.com for our international audiences, so visit the official AEW YouTube channel before RAMPAGE begins to see highlights from this week’s DYNAMITE, as well as previous episodes of RAMPAGE and COLLISION, plus THE CONTROL CENTER, and a great deal more!
MEXICO’S POUND-FOR-POUND-CROWN…
CMLL World Historic Welterweight Champion Rocky “Azucar” Romero
vs.
CMLL World Historic Middleweight Champion Mistico
From the very beginning, All Elite Wrestling has prided itself on being a place that welcomes competitors from all around the wrestling landscape, and championships from all promotions. It began with the AAA World Tag Titles being the first championships ever defended in AEW at DOUBLE OR NOTHING 2019, and has continued over the years with the AAA Mega Title, the NWA World Women’s Title, the IWGP U.S. Heavyweight Championship, the IMPACT Tag Titles, the IMPACT World Title, the IWGP Tag Team Titles, the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, the AAA World Mixed Tag Titles, the Regina Di WAVE Title, the NJPW STRONG Women’s Championship, the NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship, the AAA Latin American Title, and the NJPW World TV Title. So many companies, and so many wrestlers, have been represented in All Elite Wrestling, and this Friday night on RAMPAGE, we are extremely proud to add a new entrant into that list: Consejo Mundial De Lucha Libre, or more generally referred to as CMLL.
As the video above so encapsulates, this bout pitting CMLL World Historic Welterweight Champion Rocky “Azucar” Romero against CMLL World Historic Middleweight Champion Mistico is quite the historic clash. While Mistico has held his championship since August 21, 2018, an astounding 1,887 days come Friday night, Romero has reigned since January 20th of this year, and is coming off a hard-fought defense last Saturday at The Arena in Philadelphia in which he added an additional championship to his trophy case.
Now these two men will collide in All Elite Wrestling for their very first singles match! Though they’ve been on opposite sides of numerous matches over the last year, never has it been in a one-on-one situation, and not with stakes as high as this Pound-For-Pound Crown! AEW is so fortunate to be able to host this contest, showcasing two of the best in the world, and present the amazing CMLL experience to the world!
AEW International Championship Contender Match…
Brother Zay vs. John Silver vs. Kip Sabian
***WINNER CHALLENGES AT BATTLE OF THE BELTS VIII***
With BATTLE OF THE BELTS just twenty-four hours away, three men will collide in a first-fall match to see which one will meet the now 2-Time AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy in a title bout! For all of these men championship success has been difficult to come by, and even getting a title fight has been difficult for some: the last time Isiah Kassidy challenged for a singles championship was on February 4, 2022 when he fought Sammy Guevara for the TNT Championship while for John Silver it was March 24, 2021 when he challenged Darby Allin for that TNT Championship. At least in the case of Kip Sabian he’s had a title fight this year, challenging Orange Cassidy for the AEW International Championship at BATTLE OF THE BELTS V back in January.
Suffice it to say all three of these men are hungry for gold, hungry to prove themselves deserving of championship opportunities, and this Friday night on RAMPAGE, one of them will earn just that with a victory in this Three Way contest!
TAG TEAM WARM-UP…
Blackpool Combat Club (Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta) in action!
The Blackpool Combat Club of Claudio Castagnoli and Wheeler Yuta will be in tag team action this Friday night on RAMPAGE, looking to get a warm-up in before their AEW World Tag Team Championship clash with Big Bill and Ricky Starks on COLLISION! This particular BCC pairing has won ten of their twelve bouts as a team, four consecutive heading into this Friday, and are looking to add a fifth straight victory as they prepare to bring gold back to The BCC at the expense of their enemies. Pray for whoever steps into the ring with these two killers come Friday night…
ONE-ON-ONE…
Skye Blue vs. Ruby Soho
Skye Blue is coming off a TBS Championship loss to Kris Statlander last Saturday night on COLLISION, and with that loss came a rather poor showing of sportsmanship from Skye. Rather than shake the hand of the champion following the bout, a gesture initiated by Statlander out of respect for the fight they’d just had, Skye bailed out with Willow Nightingale there basically asking Statlander to back down.
So while Willow Nightingale may now have a TBS Championship fight coming to her at BATTLE OF THE BELTS VIII on Saturday, on Friday night Skye Blue has to step into the ring with an old friend and current foe in one Ruby Soho. Now The Outcasts aren’t exactly in the best state of mind after Saraya lost the AEW Women’s World Championship to Hikaru Shida last week at TITLE TUESDAY, so combine that with the history between Skye and Soho, as well as Skye’s current state of mind, and this is quite an intriguing match-up.
We know what tactics Soho and Saraya will stoop to in order to get their victories, but what will Skye Blue do in order to get hers? Her aggression has been cranked up to 11 since Julia Hart sprayed her with that black mist, will that be the key to Skye Blue finally getting her first victory over Ruby Soho after so many failed attempts?
RAMPAGE begins at 10pm ET/9pm CT on TNT, as well as at AEWPlus.com for our international audiences, so swing by the official AEW YouTube channel before to the show for highlights from Wednesday’s DYNAMITE, as well as previous episodes of RAMPAGE and COLLISION, plus THE CONTROL CENTER, and much, much more!
Tonight’s special episode of AEW DYNAMITE was broadcast live from the Fort Bend Epicenter in Rosenberg, TX!
Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, and “The Human Suplex Machine” Taz were the broadcast team for tonight’s event.
It’s Wednesday night and you know what that means!
Penta El Zero Miedo (with Alex Abrahantes)
vs.
“Switchblade” Jay White (with Bullet Club Gold)!
“Massive reaction for Penta here tonight,” said Taz.
Jay White walked out wearing the championship he stole from rightful AEW World champion MJF.
Penta wiped out Bullet Club Gold, jumping over the top rope and crashing onto them as they made their entrance. Penta followed up with a sling blade to Jay White! Penta El Zero Miedo crushed White with a diving double foot stomp for a near fall.
Jay White spiked Penta El Zero Miedo with a DDT. Jay White hit a snap suplex on Penta El Zero Miedo. Penta connected with a thrust kick. Penta was looking for a monkey flip in the corner, but Jay White dodged it and then chopped Penta, sending Penta crashing to the arena floor.
Penta El Zero Miedo retaliated with two consecutive sling blades to Switchblade! Penta jumped over the top rope, landing on Jay White on the arena floor! Back in the ring, Penta and White exchanged chops. Penta planted Jay White with a spinning Death Valley Driver! Penta was looking for the package piledriver, but Jay White countered with a uranage.
Jay White drilled Penta El Zero Miedo with a brain buster for a two-count. Jay White nailed Penta with a sleeper suplex. Penta countered the Blade Runner with Made in Japan for a two-count! The Gunns distracted the ref while Juice clocked Penta with the left hand! Jay White smashed Penta with the Blade Runner and pinned him!
Jay White: “Cut my music! You know who sucks? It’s MJF. Because where is MJF? He’s not here. But you know who’s here? J-A-Y. Because I’m a real world champion. I’m a truly elite world champion. And Max, I’m still waiting on your answer to my very generous offer. I’m assuming you can’t find anyone who wants to team up with you to try to take back the Bang Bang Belt. Until then, I’ll lead by example.”
Juice Robinson: “Spoiler alert! Tonight, in your main event, the ‘stray bullet’ Juice Robinson is going to win the battle royal. After I win the right to face MJF for this Dynamite Diamond Ring, we’re taking his ring and we’re going to pawn it and I’m getting another gold tooth!”
Renee Paquette was backstage with the AEW World Champion MJF!
MJF: “I could have run out there like every single dumb good guy in the history of pro wrestling. But I’m not a good guy. I’m a scum bag. Jay White, I will get back my Triple B before Full Gear. Juice Robinson, I pray to God that you win tonight because next week it’ll be your left hand of God against the right hand of the devil!
“As far as an update on Adam Cole—”
AEW Trios Champs The Acclaimed and Daddy Ass interrupted the interview.
Max Caster: “If you want your world title back from Jay White, they said an 8-man tag, us three and you, we’ll get all the belts and we’ll scissor after we win.”
MJF: “How about no.”
Max Caster: “Then how about I get in the Dynamite Dozen Battle Royale, win that, and then next week I’ll win your ring and you’re gonna have to put a ring on it!”
Daddy Ass: “That guy is such a scumbag.”
Max Caster: “Yeah, but he’s my scumbag.”
World Title Eliminator Match! “Student vs. Teacher”!
AEW Women’s World Champion Hikaru Shida
vs.
Emi Sakura!
Sakura ambushed Shida as Shida was entering the ring. Sakura collided into Shida with a shoulder tackle. They traded chops in the center of the ring. Sakura went for a running cross body, but Shida countered with a knee strike.
Sakura dropkicked Shida in the face while Shida was on her knees. Sakura splashed Shida in the corner with a running cross body press. Sakura sent Shida crashing to the floor after a running cross body as Shida was standing on the ring apron. Shida took down Sakura with a hurracanrana. Shida followed up with a missile dropkick for a near fall.
Emi planted Shida with a Tiger Driver for a two-count! Shida dodged a moonsault and blasted Emi with the katana! Sakura nailed Shida with a back breaker. Shida fired back with a Falcon Arrow for a near fall. Shida rocked Emi with a knee strike and pinned her!
Earlier in the day, the “Rated R Superstar” Adam Copeland was backstage with Renee Paquette and gave his Rated- R Rebuttal to TNT Champion Christian Cage!
Adam Copeland: “Things have not been going smoothly. I don’t understand what’s happened. The whole idea in coming here was to end my career with Christian Cage and team with him. And he sounded on board with that until it got real.
“I sat down this week and began replaying my relationship with him over the years. We’ve known each other since the 6th grade. We were best friends in high school and in college. We both entered an essay contest to get into wrestling school. I wrote in and he didn’t. Fast forward and I got the dream gig and I always said, to whoever would listen, you’ve gotta see my friend.
“For whatever reason, over the years, it’s always been Adam and Jay. And it’s stuck with him, and I feel it’s frustrated him. He said I had a rocket strapped to my back, but I worked hard. I’m surprised that this keeps repeating at this stage in our lives. He’s riding high right now. He came here first, and I didn’t intend to take away his spotlight. I don’t want his TNT Title. I’m not going to fight him. What that means for me, I don’t know. One thing I do know is eventually Nick Wayne and Luchasaurus are going to leave him high and dry. And I’ll be there to pick him up.”
Wardlow vs. Ryan Nemeth!
Nick charged at Wardlow but Wardlow powerbombed him. The ref stopped the match after a single powerbomb!
Tony Schiavone entered the ring to interview Wardlow.
Schiavone: “Everyone knows your back, but what are you back for?”
Wardlow held up his fist and showed off his wrist tape, which had the letters “MJF” written on it.
Schiavone: “Whoa. That says MJF.”
Wardlow left the ring, bumping into Tony and knocking him to the mat.
Renee Paquette was backstage to interview Kenny Omega ahead of his match tonight against Kyle Fletcher.
Kenny said maybe soon we’d soon the Kenny of old and he’d go after the World Championship.
AEW World Champion MJF walked onto the set.
MJF: “Kenny Omega, the measuring stick. World Champion, MJF. I’ve always been a massive fan of Kenny Omega.”
Omega: “I appreciate it.”
MJF: “So I just wanted to say I’d love to shake your hand.”
MJF leaned in as he shook Omega’s hand and whispered, “13 days, bitch.”
Omega: “13 days, huh? We’ll see about that.”
Footage was shown from earlier in the day from Roderick Strong’s humble abode!
Mike Bennett was playing the bongos. Matt Taven was listening with his plush giraffe, and Roderick Strong was resting on the other couch. Adam Cole brought Roderick Strong coffee.
Strong took a sip and spit it out, saying Adam knew that he hates hot coffee! Strong apologized and asked Cole to make them PB&J sandwiches. Strong then complained that Adam Cole left the crust on the sandwich.
Cole: “I have done everything I can to possibly help you! I haven’t talked to Max in weeks practically. And I need to get surgery. I’m done with this!”
Adam Cole left. Roderick Strong turned to the Kingdom and said he knew what he was going to have to do to get his best friend back. “I guess I’m going to have to be nice to that scumbag MJF.”
Tony Schiavone was in the ring to interview Don Callis!
Callis walked to the ring with Powerhouse Hobbs and Takeshita!
Don Callis: “I’ve got something to say. Last week the Don Callis Family made history. Because in over 30 years in one of the greatest careers of all time, Chris Jericho has never been manhandled like he was last week. Because last week Will Hobbs broke Chris Jericho in half.”
Powerhouse Hobbs: “February 22nd, 1998, was supposed to be the greatest day of my life. I had the chance to meet my hero, Chris Jericho. My grandmother got me front row tickets to meet you. And you walked past that old lady, told her to shut up, and looked at me and told me to sit down. 25 years, Chris, I held on to frustration. I swore the day I got to whoop you, I was going to hurt you over and over and over.
“As I looked at you, Chris, you were lifeless. So, what did I do. I picked you up and gave you spinebuster after spinebuster after spinebuster. I loved it!”
Don Callis: “All Will Hobbs’ life, he’s been told by people who supposedly love him to bottle up the hate and violence. Well now Will has a new family, and we don’t tell you to bottle it up. We tell you to be what you are. And he’s a killing machine! And we are not done with Jericho. We are going to unleash Will Hobbs on AEW! We are on a roll! We are undefeated in four months except for one match, where Sammy Guevara was hurt by Chris Jericho.
“And I had to get a replacement. I had to get a scab worker to come in, a young man named Kyle Fletcher. He let us down. He screwed the Don Callis Family.”
Kyle Fletcher came down to the ring!
Fletcher got into Callis’ face, but Hobbs squared up with Fletcher.
Callis: “No, no, I want to hear this. Say what you gotta say, kid.”
Fletcher: “As far as I can recall, I did that match for you as a favor after Will Ospreay called and said, ‘Don Callis is on his knees begging me to do this match.’ And maybe I was the weakest link that night, but tonight I have another chance against Kenny Omega one on one. And I’m going to prove to everyone, especially you, that I don’t need anybody’s help to beat Kenny Omega.”
Callis: “You know what? I like the confidence. I’ll tell you what, Kyle. You beat Kenny Omega tonight, and you and I may have an opportunity to discuss next week.”
Kenny Omega’s music began to play, and Omega made his entrance!
Aussie Open’s Kyle Fletcher vs. Kenny Omega!
Fletcher got the jump on Omega as Omega entered the ring. Kenny jabbed Fletcher with stiff shots. Omega chopped at Kyle Fletcher.
Fletcher grounded and pounded on Omega. Kenny fired back with a vertical suplex. Omega jumped over the top rope with a cross body press down onto Kyle Fletcher.
Fletcher rocked Omega with a kick, knocking Omega off the apron and onto the arena floor. Fletcher whipped Omega into the steel guardrail, sending him over the barricade. Omega nailed Fletcher with a hurracanrana. Omega was looking for the Terminator Dive, but Fletcher grabbed Omega’s ankle.
Both men traded chops outside the ring. Kenny charged at Kyle, but Kyle tripped him, and Omega crashed into the barricade. Omega wiped out Fletcher with a middle rope moonsault. Kenny clocked Kyle with a dropkick from the top rope to the lower back.
Kyle spiked Omega with a half and half suplex. Fletcher followed up with a brainbuster for a near fall. Fletcher lawn darted Omega into the turnbuckle pad. Fletcher kicked Omega in the back of the head. Omega spiked Fletcher with a reverse hurracanrana and followed up with a powerbomb and a V-Trigger for a two-count!
Kenny went for the One-Winged Angel. Fletcher countered with a dragon sleeper. Omega escaped and planted Kyle with a snap dragon suplex. Omega rammed into Fletcher with a knee strike and then pinned Kyle with the One Winged Angel!
Don Callis: “This kid is such a miserable disappointment!”
“The MurderHawk Monster” Lance Archer vs. Barrett Brown!
Archer choke slammed his opponent on the ring apron! Archer suplexed Brown. Archer smashed into his opponent three consecutive times in the corner. Archer planted Brown and pinned him!
Prince Nana and Swerve Strickland were on the streets!
Nana: “Some of the top rappers have been here. And now you get to release the remix of the Big Pressure video this Friday on YouTube. What an exciting time!”
Swerve: “Why am I not excited? Because I should be celebrating my music video along with being the TNT Champion. There’s only one reason I’m not. It’s because of you Hangman Page. It wasn’t a personal thing. It was Swerve versus the opportunity. But now it’s personal and you couldn’t leave well enough alone after I beat you at WrestleDream. Nobody cares less about life than me. Just remember this. It’s not always you that pays for your actions.”
Tony Schiavone was in the ring to interview Sting!
Sting: “Shall I say the word? Before I say the word, I want to reflect a little bit with all of you. That word makes me think about all the years traveling down the road with guys like Lex Luger, Rick and Scott Steiner, Buff Bagwell. I traveled up and down the road with these guys and we’d look at the generation ahead of us, guys like Dusty Rhodes. Dusty Rhodes being the most charismatic human being I’ve ever seen in my whole life.
“Hulk Hogan. Hulk Hogan transcended wrestling and I did learn something from the guy. But one of the guys I really want to give a lot to is the ‘Nature Boy’ Ric Flair. Thank you for all of the moments. I remember the Clash of the Champions 1988, the very first title match that I had with you, and you put me on the map. What a moment that was.
“We used to wonder though, what makes these guys want to come year after year, decade after decade, what more do they have to prove. Here I am all these years later. And I understand why they hung on. It is the roar of the fans. That’s what makes us keep coming back for more.
“So, getting back to that word. That word. It makes me, before I quite get there. I know what some of you are thinking. ‘He retired once already.’ I gotta tell you, that retirement in 2015 just didn’t sit right with me. Which brings me now to the word ‘retirement’ again.
“I want to address it live and in color on Dynamite. I started my very first match with AEW was Revolution 2021. And my very last match will be Revolution 2024. One more key thing that you all need to know. The only thing for sure about Sting is my retirement, Revolution 2024 is for sure.”
Jim Ross had a sitdown interview with Nick Wayne and Nick Wayne’s mom!
Jim Ross: “Nick, I can’t get over what you did to Darby Allin. He’s like a brother to you.”
Nick Wayne’s mom: “It was shocking to me J.R. I can’t make sense of it. Darby has been like a brother to you, Nick. This is just so out of character for you. And Christian? The things that he has said about your father, and to me! Nick, I don’t recognize you right now.”
Nick Wayne: “That’s enough! It was always about Darby Allin. I was always in his shadows. It was always him. They congratulated him for getting me here. It’s time for me to prove why I’m here. And I’m under a new father figure now. Christian Cage. A better father figure than dad ever was.”
TNT Champion Christian Cage walked onto the set and put his hand on Nick’s shoulder.
Christian Cage: “Are you ready to come home, son?”
Nick Wayne’s mom: “Nick, no!”
Nick Wayne: “Don’t touch me! You were a terrible mother!”
Nick Wayne got slapped by his mother!
She apologized and Nick said, “You’re dead to me.”
Nick and Christian left the room and Darby was there, laying them both out!
Darby hammered away at Nick, stumbling onto the stage! Luchasaurus snuck up behind Darby and cracked him with his forearm! Sting came out to even up the odds, sweeping out the leg of Christian Cage! Sting rammed Luchasaurus into the guardrail! Sting went to apply the Scorpion Deathlock on Christian in the ring, but Luchasaurus pulled Christian out of the ring to safety.
Main Event Time!
Dynamite Dozen Battle Royale!
The winner earns their shot to face AEW World Champion MJF for the Dynamite Diamond Ring.
“The Natural” Dustin Rhodes was the first participant out to the ring. AEW World Champion MJF joined the broadcast booth for the main event.
Matt Hardy slugged it out with Jake Hager. Jeff Hardy tried to hoist Juice Robinson over the top. Johnny TV and Daniel Garcia were about to have a dance off, but Menard stopped Garcia. Jeff splashed Menard in the corner.
Hager hurled Matt Hardy over the top rope and eliminated him. MJF walked to ringside. MJF offered cash to Dustin and whispered in his ear, wanting him to eliminate Juice Robinson. Dustin kicked Juice between the legs!
Komander hit a springboard dropkick to Hager. Menard and Garcia caught Komander and eliminated him. Trent suplexed Garcia. Dustin smashed Garcia with a Canadian Destroyer. Trent rammed into Hager and knocked him to the arena floor.
Menard eliminated Trent. Jeff Hardy was thrown over the top by Garcia. Daniel Garcia inadvertently collided with Menard. Garcia eliminated Dustin Rhodes. Caster tossed Garcia out of the match. Max was trying to push Juice out of the ring. Caster kicked Juice. Caster charged at Juice, but Juice speared him between the ropes.
Juice and Caster jockeyed for position on the ring apron. Juice gouged Max Caster’s eyes. Caster pushed Juice off the top rope. Caster hit the Mic Drop! Jay White ambushed MJF at the broadcast booth. They began to brawl on the ramp!
MJF grounded and pounded Jay White and got his AEW World Championship back! Jay White connected with a low blow to the champ. Juice Robinson dug into his pocket and pulled out his ring. Juice slugged Caster with the Left Hand of God with the ring on it! Juice eliminated Caster and Jay White took the championship belt back from MJF!
“Juice did it!” said Taz.
“And it is official. One week from tonight at Dynamite it’ll be Juice Robinson against MJF for the Dynamite Diamond Ring!” added Excalibur.
This Friday tune in to AEW RAMPAGE at 10pm ET on TNT featuring:
For Mexico’s Pound-For-Pound Crown!
CMLL’s World Historic Middleweight Champion, the Luchador Legend Mistico
vs.
CMLL World Historic Welterweight Champion Rocky Romero!
Catch AEW DYNAMITE on TBS next Wednesday live at 8/7ct from the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, PA!
Don’t miss AEW Collision & Battle of the Belts VIII on Saturday on TNT at 8/7c from the FedEx Forum in Memphis, TN!
And remember…the home of professional wrestling is All Elite Wrestling!
After witnessed two championships change hands last Tuesday during DYNAMITE: TITLE TUESDAY, AEW’s flagship returns to its regular time for our debut at the Fort Bend Epicenter in Rosenberg, TX!With that debut comes the 2023 Dynamite Dozen Battle Royale, the winner facing MJF for that Dynamite Diamond Ring, as well as a first-time encounter between Penta El Zero Miedo and Jay White, Kenny Omega answering Kyle Fletcher’s challenge, Toni Storm’s next blockbuster, “The Icon” Sting, and so much more!!!
This Wednesday night DYNAMITE is back in home time slot, beginning at 8pm ET/7pm CT live on TBS, as well as at AEWPlus.com for our international fans! Before the night begins, nake sure to visit the official AEW YouTube channel to watch highlights from last week’s DYNAMITE, RAMPAGE, and COLLISION, as well as the latest CONTROL CENTER, and so much more!
DYNAMITE DOZEN BATTLE ROYALE…
Including: Dustin Rhodes, Juice Robinson, and more!!!
The first three years of the Dynamite Dozen Battle Royale the format was such that the last two men standing would move on to a singles match the following week to determine ownership of the Dynamite Diamond Ring. 2019 Battle Royale result put MJF opposite Hangman Page in their only singles match to date, ultimately leading to Max becoming the inaugural holder of the pricey accessory. 2020’s winners would be MJF and Orange Cassidy, and that too would result in MJF retaining possession of the ring in their lone head-to-head clash. 2021’s Battle Royale took place in front of MJF’s hometown Long Island crowd, and resulted in he and Dante Martin meeting in their only one-on-one fight, as well as MJF once again keeping the ring on his finger.
2022 would be a different story though; with MJF having defeated Jon Moxley for the AEW World Championship at FULL GEAR a few weeks prior, it was decided that the winner of the Battle Royale would face Max at WINTER IS COMING 2022 with both the ring and the title at stake. “Absolute” Ricky Starks would last eliminate Matt Hardy and Ethan Page to earn his shot, but unfortunately he would leave the match with MJF, their only singles meeting as well, with an empty finger and an empty waist. No ring, no championship, just MJF keeping the ring for the fourth straight year as well as making his first successful championship defense.
Now here we are nearly one year later with MJF still the AEW World Champion, and that ring still adorning his finger, although it hasn’t been put to nefarious use nearly as much over the last few months as it has in the past. This Wednesday night in Rosenberg, TX, when AEW debuts at the Fort Bend Epicenter, someone will earn an opportunity to give the Dynamite Diamond Ring its first new home, and we know that both Juice Robinson and Dustin Rhodes have claimed their spot in the Battle Royale. For the latter it’s about legacy, for the former its about taking something from MJF before he defends the AEW World Championship against “King Switch” Jay White at FULL GEAR 2023. But before anyone looks to the fight with Max, they’ve got to win the Battle Royal first, and that is never an easy feat!
SINGLES MATCH…
Penta El Zero Miedo vs. “Switchblade” Jay White
Speaking of Jay White, though he will likely have an eye on the outcome of the Dynamite Dozen Battle Royale, he will have his own hands full in Texas when he meets Penta El Zero Miedo in singles combat! This first-time meeting of these two men comes as a result of Jay White and BC GOLD interrupting Renee Paquette asking Penta for an update on his brother Rey Fenix after Rey lost the AEW International Championship to Orange Cassidy.
White and company had no skin in that game, no stake in the status of Fenix, OC, or Penta, but yet there they were en masse choosing to insert their voice into the conversation and mock The Lucha Brothers for their lack of championship belts. Of course Jay White persists in his claim that he earned the Triple B rightfully belonging to Maxwell Jacob Friedman, a claim that in his heart even Jay knows is false, but it doesn’t stop him from running off at the mouth, and ending up in fights like the one he’s about to enter on Wednesday night.
Unlike Jay, Penta El Zero Miedo has earned multiple championships in All Elite Wrestling, posting status as a former AEW World Tag Team Champion with his brother, as well as a former AEW World Trios Champion with Rey and “The Bastard” PAC, but this fight will obviously not be held with anyone standing in Penta’s corner waiting for a tag. Nor will anyone be in White’s corner for a tag, but there’s a good chance the rest of the Bang Bang Gang will be there up to no good.
BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR…
Kyle Fletcher vs. Kenny Omega
Kyle Fletcher is a brave man, possibly foolish, but absolutely brave, and on a mission to be, in his words, “…in the conversation of the best to ever do it”. Stepping into the ring with FTR twice, Bryan Danielson twice, Chris Jericho, and Kenny Omega in the span of the week between September 30th and October 7th is certainly one way to work the mission. Calling out the only former AEW World, Tag, and Trios Champion is absolutely another way to do it, and that’s exactly what Fletcher did on COLLISION following his victory over The Iron Savage’s Boulder when he challenged Kenny Omega to a fight!
The only way to become the best is to beat the best, and the only way to make that possible is to be in the ring with them in the first place, so kudos to the former ROH World Tag Champion for his gumption, but this Wednesday night Kyle has to put his proverbial money where his mouth is and actually fight “The Cleaner” one-on-one! Unlike their previous tag team encounter where Fletcher was a last minute substitute for the injured Sammy Guevara, both men have now had several days to prepare for this contest so we shall see if that opportunity shifts the outcome either way. Fletcher no doubt will spend those days with Don Callis in his ear pointing out Kenny’s supposed flaws and weak spots, and possibly with Don, Powerhouse Hobbs, and Takeshita in his corner during the match as well.
After the beating Omega took from Hobbs two weeks ago, is he anywhere near 100% and ready for a fight? And after they were there at Omega’s side during his recovery time last week, will The Young Bucks be at his side to balance the scales?
RATED R REBUTTAL…
JIM ROSS SITS DOWN WITH NICK AND HIS MOM…
When last we saw Nick Wayne he was on the receiving end of a spear from Adam Copeland to close out COLLISION, but that may feel like a walk in the park on a crisp Autumn day compared to what’s in store for the young man this Wednesday night. For the first time since watching Nick betray Darby Wayne at WRESTLEDREAM, the AEW faithful will hear from Nick Wayne’s mother Shayna when she and her son sit-down with Jim Ross on DYNAMITE!
Given everything that Darby has meant to Nick and his family over the years, and what that family has in turn met to the former 2-Time TNT Champion, one can only imagine the disappointment Shayna feels about her son choosing Christian Cage over Darby Allin, especially given the way Christian has talked about Nick’s mother over the last several weeks!
STING RETURNS!
And speaking of that betrayal, another man victimized by Nick Wayne’s betrayal was “The Icon” Sting and it was only the timely arrival of Adam Copeland at WRESTLEDREAM that saved him from suffering a worse fate at the hands of Wayne, Christian Cage, and Luchasaurus.
Now we have not heard from Sting since that night in Seattle, but this Wednesday in Texas “The Icon” will be back in the house to address the AEW faithful! What will Sting have to say about the events that unfolded at WRESTLEDREAM, about AEW’s newest arrival Adam Copeland, and about what the future holds for him?
Last week the AEW faithful witnessed the premiere of Toni Storm’s “Lover’s Lament”, a silent feature in two acts, that wrapped up shortly after a title screen that read “Miss Storm you are needed on set” came across the screen. Coincidentally, or not, it was shortly thereafter that the former 2-Time AEW Women’s Champion entered the scene during Shida’s title fight with Saraya to chase off Ruby Soho.
This week on DYNAMITE, it appears we are all invited to the premiere of “Timeless” Toni Storm’s next cinematic masterpiece! How can she possibly follow-up “Lover’s Lament”? Tune in Wednesday night to TBS to witness the next blockbuster added to Storm’s resume!
This Wednesday night, DYNAMITE returns to its regularly scheduled start of 8pm ET/7pm CT LIVE on TBS, as well as at AEWPlus.com for our international fans, and brings to the Fort Bend Epicenterthe Dynamite Dozen Battle Royale, “Switchblade” versus Penta, Aussie Open versus Elite, “The Icon”, “Timeless” Toni, and so much more! Be sure to check out the official AEW YouTube channel for highlights from last week’s episodes of DYNAMITE, RAMPAGE, and COLLISION, as well as the newest edition of THE CONTROL CENTER to get prepared for AEW’s debut in Rosenberg, TX!
