https://www.youtube.com/embed/xqrN6cnRydo?si=J7gricsG0E915YYC

The landscape of All Elite Wrestling keeps getting more competitive with each passing week, and the knowledge that new rankings will drop shortly has only exacerbated the drive to victory for the members of the AEW locker room. Wins and losses matter more than ever before, AEW World Champion Samoa Joe has made that abundantly clear each time he’s spoken, and plenty of people want that next shot at his title. That means they need to win, win, win, no matter what, and the same goes for the people pursuing Toni Storm’s AEW Women’s World Championship, and all the other titles under the AEW banner! 

Those fights continue this Wednesday night on DYNAMITE, when AEW returns to the UNO Lakefront Arena in New Orleans with a loaded edition of AEW’s flagship program! Swerve Strickland and Hangman Page will engage in a Dealer’s Choice scenario where each man hand-picks the others opponent for the evening. An old rivalry will pick right back up when Deonna Purrazzo takes on Taya Valkyrie for the first time in AEW, while another rivalry rages on as Chris Jericho battles Don Callis Family member Kyle Fletcher!

REVOLUTION 2024 is coming upon us fast, and this Wednesday DYNAMITE brings us one step closer starting at 8pm ET/7pm CT live on TBS, as well as at AEWPlus.com for international fans! Prior to that kickoff, be sure to visit the official AEW YouTube channel, as well as AEW’s various social media platforms, for highlights from last week’s episodes of DYNAMITE, RAMPAGE, COLLISION, as well as the newest CONTROL CENTER, and more!  Then it’s time for the Elimination Trios Cage Match on Saturday night in Bossier City, Louisiana pitting The House of Black against FTR and Daniel Garcia!

DEALER’S CHOICE # 1…

“Hangman” Adam Page vs. Toa Liona

Last week it was laid out that “Hangman” Adam Page and Swerve Strickland would be placed in a Dealer’s Choice situation; what this meant was that each man would choose the other’s opponent for this Wednesday night on DYNAMITE. It did not take long for the boss of The Mogul Embassy to lay out Hangman’s foe for the evening, keeping choice in the family, and selecting one-half of The Gates of Agony, the monstrous Toa Liona!

In his first televised singles match on AEW programming, the behemoth of the Mogul Embassy will attempt to massacre Swerve Strickland’s greatest enemy! Hangman has fought monsters and giants before, but likely not one with the sheer unrestrained savagery of Toa Liona, certainly not one whose sole purpose may not be to win the match but simply to maim the former AEW World Champ. One can only guess under what marching orders Toa will be dispatched into this fight, but whether he’s coming to defeat Hangman, or simply to hurt Hangman on behalf of Swerve Strickland, Adam Page is going to just lay down and die. He will give Toa Liona the toughest fight that man has ever had, and that is saying something considering what The Gates of Agony just went through in New Japan with Tag League. 

DEALER’S CHOICE # 2…

Swerve Strickland vs. ?????

While Swerve Strickland had no problem laying all his cards on the table to reveal fellow Mogul Embassy member Toa Liona as Hangman Page’s foe this Wednesday, the former AEW World Champion did not offer the same. 

Instead, playing his cards close to the vest, Page told Swerve he would have to “wait the whole f’n show” to find out his opponent for this Dealer’s Choice scenario. Now for any professional wrestling fan, that seems like a dead giveaway for who Strickland’s opponent will be; after all there is but one man in the wrestling world associated with Hangman’s chosen verbiage. That being said, Hangman could be throwing out a red herring, a misdirect to keep Swerve Strickland on his toes, expecting one opponent while he will actually be facing another. It looks like the AEW faithful will be waiting right alongside the boss of The Mogul Embassy to see who walks onto that stage to fight Swerve Strickland! 

ONE-ON-ONE…

Taya Valkyrie vs. Deonna Purrazzo

***TONI STORM ON COMMENTARY***

Taya Valkyrie and Deonna Purrazzo are no strangers to one another; they’ve battled each other in singles bouts, tag team competition, in the United States, in Mexico, and in multiple promotions; Taya is even the woman who ended Purrazzo’s 252-day reign as the AAA Reina de Reinas champion! Their last interaction inside the ring was nearly a year ago as part of AAA’s LUCHA LIBRE WORLD CUP 2023 event, a match won by Deonna’s team, but in one-on-one competition it is “La Wera Loca” who holds the advantage with two victories to The Virtuosa’s one.

This Wednesday night on DYNAMITE, the two world-class competitors will renew their rivalry with their first clash under the auspices of All Elite Wrestling! Taya feels like Deonna is attempting to jump the line into a championship fight without earning her way there, somewhat ironic considering Taya’s fourth ever AEW fight was a TBS Championship match and this fight will mark Purrazzo’s third since signing with AEW, and fourth overall. 

So with both women championship contender hopefuls, can “The Virtuosa” even the tally with “La Wera Loca” and continue pushing towards a title fight with “Timeless” Toni Storm? Speaking of the champ, she will be joining the commentary team for this match and you never know what she will have to say about any subject at hand!

FIGHTING THE FAMILY…

ROH World Television Champion Kyle Fletcher vs. Chris Jericho

https://www.youtube.com/embed/sigES7qGy_w?si=AkLix1zXYq2xfXtm&start=145

Don Callis and his ilk have been that thorn in Jericho’s paw for months now, ever since Callis chose to stab the man in the back rather than take him in as part of the Family. What’s always been ironic about Callis’ choice is that all signs pointed to the original AEW World Champion signing on with his long-time friend, but the perpetually paranoid Callis assumed he’d be stabbed in the back first, and decided to get Jericho first.

It’s led us down the path of Jericho and Will Ospreay having an epic collision, Jericho being destroyed by Powerhouse Hobbs, slamming Jericho and Kenny Omega into an unintended alliance, Chris going to DDT Pro Wrestling in Japan to fight Takeshita, and these acts of betrayal inadvertently causing a reunion between Chris and Sammy Guevara. Throughout the entire ordeal, Callis has never stopped trying to make life hellish for “The Ocho”, and that continues this Wednesday night on DYNAMITE when Chris, fresh off his signature cruise, returns to AEW’s flagship to take on ROH World Television Champion Kyle Fletcher!

Now Kyle’s on a tremendous run as of late, winning five straight singles matches, including Survival of the Fittest at FINAL BATTLE 2023 and three consecutive title defenses, with his last singles loss ironically coming at the hands of Takeshita back in October. With Jericho already slotted to face Takeshita next week as part of AEW’s return to Phoenix, is this fight more about a victory for Fletcher or about hurting Jericho for the rest of the Callis Family? A victory over Jericho would be huge for the ROH World TV Champion, but is that what Don cares with this fight? Or does Callis just want Kyle to soften up his former friend for the future fights?

MAKING THE RANKINGS…

Jeff Hardy vs. Jon Moxley

In a previous life, they dance in tags and trios, they were even been partners on a couple of occasions, but never before in their careers have Jeff Hardy and Jon Moxley gone one-on-one inside the squared circle. This Wednesday night on DYNAMITE that changes; for the first time ever, with the rankings set to make their return this week, Hardy and Moxley will lock up! Moxley has won eight of his last ten fights, as well as all three of his 2024 bouts, while Hardy is struggling to get himself back on track, both as a singles competitor, and as a team with brother Matt. Of his last ten fight, Jeff has won but three, and none of this in singles competition; In fact, Hardy has not won a singles match in AEW since beating Darby Allin in the 2022 Owen Hart Foundation Tournament, though he has infrequently competed under those circumstances.

As he has made quite clear to the rest of the AEW locker room, Moxley considers himself (and the rest of The BCC) the measuring stick of All Elite Wrestling, and anyone who expects to ascend up the ladder is going to have to go through them first. Can Jeff Hardy do that and score a long-awaited singles victory, or will be the former 3-Time AEW World Champion picking up his fourth consecutive victory as the rankings return to prominence?

https://www.youtube.com/embed/gNdxnPzqKLI?si=zRcpBfR-PdkbViNF&start=300

This Wednesday night, All Elite Wrestling is back in New Orleans at the UNO Lakefront Arena with a loaded-up edition of DYNAMITE, starting at 8pm ET/7pm CT live on TBS, as well as at AEWPlus.com for international fans! For starters, we’ve got Dealer’s Choice with Swerve Strickland and Hangman Page choosing the other man’s opponent for the evening; now we are already aware of Swerve picking Toa Liona for Hangman, but we will have to wait to see who Page chooses for Swerve until it’s time for that fight! AEW Women’s World Champion “Timeless” Toni Storm will be on commentary as Taya Valkyrie faces an old rival in Deonna Purrazzo, and Chris Jericho picks up his fight against the Don Callis Family with ROH World Television Champion Kyle Fletcher! 

All that and more comes your way this week on DYNAMITE, so before the show gets underway, make a point to visit the official AEW YouTube channel, as well as AEW’s assorted social media platforms, for highlights from last week’s episodes of DYNAMITE, RAMPAGE, and COLLISION, as well as the newest edition of the CONTROL CENTER!  Then come on down to Edinburg, TX and the Bert Ogden Arena this Saturday for an all-new edition of COLLISION!

https://www.youtube.com/embed/DzoAz2CgBKg?si=8pYhePGM_w5tHzqN

CONTAINS SPOILERS

Tonight’s AEW COLLISION was broadcast from the Brookshire Grocery Arena in Bossier City, LA!

It’s Saturday night and you know what that means! Saturday night’s alright for fighting!

Nigel McGuinness, Kevin Kelly and Tony Schiavone were the broadcast team for tonight’s event.

Kicking off tonight’s show…

Blackpool Combat Club—Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli

vs.

Shane Taylor Promotions—Lee Moriarty & Shane Taylor!

The teams brawled around ringside. Moxley choked Shane Taylor with his Blackpool Combat Club t-shirt. Taylor decked Moxley with a stiff shot, knocking Mox to the mat. Taylor mauled Mox in the corner with forearms. Moxley dodged a splash and tagged out to Claudio.

Claudio rocked Taylor with European Uppercuts. Lee Moriarty jumped in and put Claudio in an octopus hold while Taylor hit Claudio with a cheap shot. Taylor whipped Moxley into the metal ring steps. Claudio charged at Taylor, but Taylor moved; Claudio’s own momentum carried him into and over the steel guardrail.

Shane Taylor used his bulk and dropped a leg on Claudio on the apron. Claudio fought out of the opposition’s corner until Lee trapped him with a suplex and then an arm bar. Taylor tagged in and slammed Claudio. Taylor followed up with his second leg drop of the match. Claudio blocked a suplex attempt from Shane Taylor and walloped Taylor with a vertical suplex of his own. 

Moxley tagged in and cleaned house. Moxley hoisted up Lee and planted him with a release suplex. Moxley ate an elbow from Lee. Lee climbed the turnbuckles, about to go for a dropkick, when Claudio jumped in and shoved Moxley out of harm’s way. Claudio caught Moriarty and placed him in the Giant Swing! Shane Taylor entered the ring, and he slugged it out with Claudio. Claudio knocked Taylor out of the ring with a lariat.

Lee snuck up behind Moxley, but Moxley stuffed him with a cutter! Taylor tagged in but Claudio came in from behind, grabbed Taylor, and Moxley nearly decapitated Taylor with the Hart Attack. Claudio pounced on Taylor with a double foot stomp! Moxley captured Taylor’s wrists and stomped on Taylor’s head. Moxley locked in a rear naked choke on Taylor and won the match via ref stoppage!

Lexy Nair was backstage with the Undisputed Kingdom and Komander!

The Undisputed Kingdom had a few words they wanted to say to Komander before Komander’s big match tonight with Orange Cassidy. Roddy told Komander that he had a match scheduled with Orange at Revolution. Roddy said Komander could be the champion for five weeks…until Roddy beats Komander at Revolution. “But obviously, the only way that can happen is with our help,” Roddy said. 

Roddy asked if they had a deal, and grabbed Komander’s hand, shaking it, as Komander looked confused.

“He had no idea with they were talking about,” said Tony Schiavone. 

AEW International Championship Match!

“Freshly Squeezed” Orange Cassidy (c.) vs. Komander!

Orange and Komander chain wrestled at the start of the match. They went to a stalemate. Finally, Orange blasted Komander with a Stundog Millionaire and a spinning DDT.

The Undisputed Kingdom walked down the ramp and set up chairs ringside, looking to scout the match.

Komander rattled Cassidy with a DDT! Orange regained momentum with a thrust kick. Komander came back with a Destroyer and then a lung blower for a near fall on Cassidy. Komander frog splashed Orange, but Orange kicked out at the two-count. 

Orange grabbed Komander and bashed him with the Beach Break out of nowhere! Komander ducked the Orange Punch and then took down Orange with a hurracanrana for a near fall. Roderick distracted the referee while the Kingdom held back Orange. Roddy was motioning to Komander, perched up on the ropes, telling him the door was open. Komander ran the tight tope, leaped off the top, but Orange moved! Komander crashed into Mike Bennett and Matt Taven!

Komander jumped back into the ring, but Orange wasted no time and drilled Komander with the Orange Punch and scored the pin! Roderick was in the ring, applauding Orange. Roddy presented the belt to Orange but dropped it at Orange’s feet before Orange could grab ahold of it. 

A camera crew was dispatched to capture a scene backstage! 

Daniel Garcia was on the concrete floor, writhing in pain, a bloody mess, while Daddy Magic “Matt Menard” check on him. Menard signaled for help!

Mariah May vs. Lady Frost!

Mariah May shoved Lady Frost. Lady Frost fired off an ice cold chop. Mariah May yanked Lady Frost by the hair. Mariah May thawed out Frost with a shotgun dropkick. Mariah May ducked a kick but Lady Frost flung May with a release German Suplex.

Lady Frost spiked Mariah May with the Chiller Driller. Mariah May retaliated with a dropkick off the top rope. Lady Frost clobbered Mariah with a handspring into a cannonball. Lady Frost climbed to the top turnbuckle, but Mariah met her up there. Mariah May nailed Lady Frost with May Day and pinned Lady Frost!

“Mariah May has arrived in AEW! I know talent when I see it!” said Nigel.

Swerve Strickland had some choice words for “Hangman” Adam Page ahead of the upcoming Dealer’s Choice Match this Wednesday on Dynamite!

Swerve said he was sending Toa Liona to inflict punishment on Page on Dynamite!

After a commercial break, “Hangman” Adam Page responded to Swerve!

“Swerve, I get to pick your opponent, but nothing says I have to tell you who you’ll face. So, I guess you’ll have to wait the whole f’n show to find out!”

Continental Crown Championship Eliminator Match!

“Mad King” Eddie Kingston (c.) vs. Willie Mack!

Willie Mack charged at Kingston and booted him. Mack smashed Kingston with a brain buster for a near fall! Willie Mack clobbered Kingston with a big splash in the corner and followed up with a standing moonsault for a two-count!

Kingston chopped and kicked Mack, rebounding nicely. Eddie launched Mack with an Exploder Suplex. Mack power bombed Kingston for a near fall. They exchanged chops in the center of the ring, blistering the chest of one another. Willie staggered the champ with a short jab. Willie hit a stunner. Willie went for the six-star frog splash, but Eddie countered by raising his knees into Willie’s ribs. Kingston cracked Mack with the spinning backfist and pinned Mack!

As Eddie was walking to the back, “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson made his entrance for his match. Danielson walked past Kingston and ignored Kingston.

Eddie Kingston decided to join the broadcast booth for the next match…

“American Dragon” Bryan Danielson vs. “Blue Justice” Yuji Nagata!

Nagata grabbed a wrist lock on Bryan. Bryan escaped and locked up with Nagata. Nagata lit up Bryan with kicks and stomps in the corner. Bryan returned in kind. Bryan suplexed Nagata and tried to lock in an arm bar. Nagata rolled to the ropes, forcing the ref to break the hold.

Danielson started to work on Nagata’s knees, dropkicking Nagata’s knee as he was trapped in the ropes. Danielson followed up with a shotgun dropkick from the top. Danielson smashed Nagata with the hammer and anvil elbow strikes. Nagata fired back with an exploder suplex.

Nagata was looking for the Nagata Lock. Danielson was struggling to escape. Danielson reversed it and applied a heel hook. Nagata escaped and cracked Danielson with the Justice Boot.

The fans chanted “This is awesome! This is awesome!”

Danielson tried to headbutt Nagata off the top rope, but Nagata wouldn’t go down, Blue Justice showing off his monstrous fighting spirit. Nagata hit an avalanche exploder and then put Danielson in the Fujiwara Arm Bar. Danielson reached the ropes with his boots, forcing the ref to break the hold. 

Danielson used a dragon screw leg whip on Nagata. Danielson and Nagata traded round kicks. Danielson caught Nagata in the back of the head with a kick. Danielson rocked Nagata with a running knee strike and pinned Nagata!

Danielson and Nagata shook hands after the match, showing mutual respect. Danielson flipped off Kingston as Danielson was returning to the dressing room.

Lexy Nair was backstage looking for a medical update on Daniel Garcia from FTR!

Mark Briscoe approached FTR. “My brothers, you all know we’ve been to war against each other, and I would love to go to war on your side. So, if DG isn’t cleared tonight, look no further.”

Dax: “We’ll see if Daniel wants to go tonight, but if we need someone, you’ll be the first person we call.”

Renee Paquette interviewed “The Machine” Brian Cage backstage!

Cage: “We’re no longer the ROH Six-Man Champions. We didn’t become the AEW Trios Champions. And speaking of champions, why in the world is everyone talking about the FTW Champion HOOK? Speaking of Team Taz, that was all me. I was the first FTW Champion here in AEW. And all you hear about is HOOK.”

FTW Champion HOOK interrupted Cage.

HOOK: “Any time you want another shot at this, I’m right here.”

“The Professor” Serena Deeb vs. Robyn Renegade!

The fans chanted “Welcome Back! Welcome Back!”, cheering on the returning Deeb.

Robyn slapped Deeb and Deeb slapped her right back. Deeb knocked Renegade down with a lariat. Deeb rocked Robyn with a neck breaker. Deeb drilled Renegade with the Deeb Tox. Deeb applied the Serenity Lock and forced Renegade to tap out!

Deeb: “I have one question: did you miss me? For the past 15 months, I’ve been sitting at home asking myself if I’m coming back, how I’m coming back, and tonight I’m standing in this ring, and it feels damn good to be back!

“And amongst all of the questions, one thing has always been certain in my mind. And it’s been why. First, I’m here to elevate this Women’s Division. Second, I’m here to put the wrestling back in All Elite Wrestling. And third, I am back to become champion. This is not just what I do. This is who I am. And the Professor is back!”

The stars of CMLL are coming to AEW! Catch Mistico, Mascara Dorada, Volador Jr., and Hechicero next Friday on AEW Rampage!

Main Event Time! Six-Man Elimination Steel Cage Match!

Mark Briscoe & FTR—Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood

vs.

The House of Black—Brody King, Buddy Matthews, & Malakai Black!

It appeared that Mark Briscoe was replacing the injured Daniel Garcia. As Briscoe was making his entrance, the lights went out. When the lights returned, the House of Black stood behind Briscoe. They threw him off the ramp and sent him crashing through a table below!

FTR sprinted up the ramp, but they were outnumbered by the House of Black. Cash grabbed two tables from beneath the ring. Buddy catapulted Dax into the steel cage! Garcia appeared on the ramp, throwing a steel chair at Brody! Black backdropped a bandaged up Garcia onto the ramp. Malakai threw Garcia and Dax into the ring.

The House of Black triple teamed Dax in the ring. Cash climbed to the top of the cage, jumped off the very top, and wiped out the entire House of Black below!

Dax planted Malakai Black with a spinebuster. Brody cracked Cash with the Bossman Slam. Buddy and Malakai hurled Garcia into the cage. The House of Black began to scale the cage. FTR and Garcia pulled the House of Black down, preventing them from escaping the cage and winning the match. 

FTR walked to the cage door. The ref opened the door. Garcia stopped FTR and said, “We’re not done with them yet!” FTR hit the Shatter Machine on Black. Brody King retaliated on FTR. Matthews destroyed Dax with a kick. Cash curb stomped Matthews. Dax rocked Black with a brain buster!

“Look at the bodies! Listen to the fans chanting FTR!” said Schiavone.

Dax was leaving the cage when Brody speared him! Both men escaped the cage.

“Once you leave you can’t go back in!” said Schiavone.

Matthews scored with a meteora on Garcia. Matthews began to scale the chain link, but Cash climbed up after him. Buddy rammed Cash’s head into the cage. Cash lost his grip and plummeted down, crashing onto a table at ringside!

“I don’t know if he realizes it or not, but Cash has escaped the cage,” said Tony Schiavone.

“He didn’t escape the table,” replied Nigel.

Garcia rammed Black into the cage, knocking Buddy off the cage and threw the other table! Black caught Garcia with a knee strike! Garcia rallied back with a running lariat! 

The fans chanted “This is awesome! This is awesome!”

Julia Hart appeared out of nowhere, scaled the cage, and sprayed black mist into Garcia’s eyes!

“Garcia has been blinded!” said Schiavone.

Malakai ordered the referee to open the cage door. Garcia screamed at Black, “Come and finish me!”

“Garcia dared Black to come back in!” said Schiavone.

Daniel Garcia ducked a roundhouse kick from Black! Garcia drilled Black with a piledriver onto a steel chair! Garcia, still blinded, began to climb the wall of the cage while Black crawled to the cage door! Mark Briscoe slammed the cage door in Black’s face! Garcia managed to escape the cage! FTR and Daniel Garcia celebrated with Mark Briscoe!

 

Catch AEW DYNAMITE on TBS next Wednesday live at 8/7ct from the UNO Lakefront Arena in New Orleans, LA!

Tickets On Sale Now! – www.AEWTix.com

And remember…the home of professional wrestling is All Elite Wrestling!

https://www.youtube.com/embed/HdMqDN0dees?si=HLd8ccydWINUKxbu

This Saturday night All Elite Wrestling makes our debut in Bossier City, LA at the Brookshire Grocery Arena with what will surely be an unforgettable edition of COLLISION based on the Cage Match alone. That’s right, six of the best in the world, locked inside a Steel Cage together, The House of Black battling FTR and Daniel Garcia,  and fighting it out under Elimination rules! Plus, “Blue Thunder” Yuji Nagata returns to AEW to take on “The American Dragon” Bryan Danielson in their first-ever singles match; they’ve got some New Japan history from two decades back, but never went one-on-one until now! In addition to those two huge bouts, Mariah May will be in action against Lady Frost, Serena Deeb makes her return to in-ring competition, and Orange Cassidy defends his AEW International Championship against Komander!

The night gets underway at 8pm ET/7pm CT on TNT, and the AEW faithful can get prepared for the action-packed evening by visiting the official AEW YouTube channel, as well as AEW’s other social media platforms, for highlights from this week’s DYNAMITE and RAMPAGE, as well as the latest CONTROL CENTER, and so much more!

SIX-MAN ELIMINATION STEEL CAGE MATCH…

Daniel Garcia & FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood) vs.

The House of Black (Brody King, Buddy Matthews, & Malakai Black)

Since October, there has been a war going on between FTR and The House of Black, the details of which can be viewed in great detail on this Timeline presentation, and that war has also pulled in Daniel Garcia as an ally on the side of Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler. See in their final match of the Continental Classic, Daniel Garcia defeat The House’s Brody King, his second singles victory over Brody in 2023 actually, and Daniel has suffered for that sin against The House repeatedly.

But that hasn’t stopped Garcia from stepping up against The House of Black, from aligning himself with FTR, and fighting them with every ounce of his being. He did it two weeks ago on COLLISION when he and FTR lost in a standard Trios bout to The House of Black, and again last week when he bested Buddy Matthews in their singles bout. FTR has done their part as well, tussling with House of Black as two of the teams in FULL GEAR 2023’s Championship Ladder Match, and beating the Buddy/Malakai combination three weeks ago, but every contest involving these six individuals seems to end up in a fight after the bell. 

That’s why this Saturday night on COLLISION, with AEW’s debut in Bossier City, all six of these competitors will be locked inside a Steel Cage! This will be the first time in AEW’s history a Trios battle will be contested under this circumstances, as well as the first Elimination Rules Cage match, and that could lead to very painful outcome for any one of these six men. It wouldn’t be unreasonable to find one man alone against all three House of Black members, or FTR going 2-on-1 with a House member; the Elimination factor makes this even more an unpredictable battle that it would be as a standard Cage Match. 

This will be a violent affair, of that there is no doubt, but will even this be enough to end the hostilities perpetually erupting between these six combatants? Or will the outcome just be adding more fuel to the burgeoning inferno?

DREAM (MATCHES) DO COME TRUE…

“The American Dragon” Bryan Danielson vs. “Blue Justice” Yuji Nagata

The very first time Bryan Danielson stepped into the ring with Yuji Nagata was November 2, 2002 at the tail end of American Dragon’s very first tour with New Japan Professional Wrestling. That night, with Scott Norton and a man named Jack The Bull at his side, Danielson’s team bested Nagata, Masahiro Chono, and Heat (aka Minoru Tanaka). Over the course of the next two years, Bryan and “Blue Justice” would be on opposite sides of the ring a total of nine times, all in tags or trios, with Danielson’s side of the coin winning just twice, that aforementioned first match and their last on July 16, 2004, making Bryan 1-2 in tags and 1-5 in trios all-time against Yuji Nagata. 

What that means in the grand scheme of things is that this Saturday night on COLLISION, when Yuji Nagata returns to All Elite Wrestling nearly three years since he fought Jon Moxley over the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship! In the years since, Nagata reigned as All Japan’s Triple Crown Champion for 133 days during the course of 2023, competed in the NJPW’s 2023 World Tag League as Minoru Suzuki’s partner, fought in AJPW’s Real World Tag League and Royal Road Tournament’s in 2022, competed for DDT Pro Wrestling, GLEAT, ZERO1’s Shinjiro Otani Benefit Show, and even for West Coast Pro here in the United States; Nagata generally made his way across the wrestling landscape, and now the oldest 55 year old returns to AEW for this dream battle with Bryan Danielson!

We know Bryan has his eyes set on ripping that Continental Crown away from Eddie Kingston, a man he clearly does not respect in any fashion, but before that can become reality, “The American Dragon” has to contend with Nagata this Saturday night! 

ONE-ON-ONE…

Mariah May vs. Lady Frost

Several weeks ago, Mariah May made her much anticipated in-ring debut by scoring a victory over Queen Aminata. It wasn’t the easiest of wins, Amanita gave Mariah May a tremendous fight in the process, but it was a win nonetheless. Unfortunately for the former Stardom champion, not only did her idol Toni Storm neglect to watch the match, but Mariah’s moment was crashed by a Deonna Purrazzo more interested in challenging the AEW Women’s World Champion than in Mariah May.

This Saturday night, Mariah will have a second chance to make the night all about her as she gets back into the ring for the first time since January 3rd, and her opponent will be one of the more impressive competitors gunning for a spot at the top of the locker room: Lady Frost! While Mariah may be new to All Elite Wrestling, these two women that are no stranger to one another, each having been a part of a pivotal moment in the other’s career.

For Lady Frost, when she made her first excursion to the United Kingdom in November of 2019, the very first match she competed in was spent working as Mariah May’s partner, and the two were actually victorious in that bout.

For Mariah May, when she traveled to the United States for the very first time in March of 2022, the opponent standing across the ring from her that night in the South Philly’s legendary Arena was in fact Lady Frost! In that singles outing, it was May who came out with the victory, and Frost has been itching for another go for nearly two years.

Well she will have her opportunity this Saturday night on COLLISION when she and Mariah May lock horns under the AEW banner! May is still desperate for the approval and acknowledgment of the AEW Women’s World Champion, so she will be fighting as much for that as for herself, while Frost is fighting for to establish her position within the grand scheme of the Women’s Division. Will this rematch go the same way as the first, or can Lady Frost dim May’s spotlight?

AEW INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH…

Orange Cassidy(c) vs. Komander

https://www.youtube.com/embed/o1ZEZaBEUUQ?si=vCwoWqWBJ5gcZbSS

Last night on RAMPAGE, Komander scored the victory on Kip Sabian in the “Freshly Squeezed Four Way” that also included The Butcher and AAA Mega Champion El Hijo Del Vikingo. With that pinfall victory, the AAA World Cruiserweight Champion earned himself a shot at Orange Cassidy’s AEW International Championship this Saturday on COLLISION! This will mark Komander’s first singles opportunity at that title, though he did participate in the 21 Man Blackjack Battle Royale at DOUBLE OR NOTHING 2023, as well as the first one-on-one encounter between he and “Freshly Squeezed”. OC does hold a tag team victory over Komander from the January 17th edition of DYNAMITE, and between a desire to even that score, as well as to earn his first AEW championship, Komander will no doubt go all out on Saturday night!

Something else that no doubt will happen on Saturday night is this bout having the eyes of Roderick Strong all over it. Roddy may have the patience to wait until REVOLUTION 2024 to fight Orange Cassidy, but with that willingness to wait comes the possibility it won’t be OC holding the International Title. That means the former ROH World Champion will also have to keep his eyes on anyone Cassidy faces between now and March 3rd, just to stay prepared for whoever may be standing across the ring from him in Greensboro, NC! For Roderick, that fight does not seem to be about the person, but rather about the prize, and it doesn’t appear to matter who he fights as long as they have what he wants!

ELIMINATOR MATCH…

Continental Crown Champion Eddie Kingston vs. Willie Mack

If wrestling is a matter of respect earned, then there are few men who’ve fought harder to earn it than Eddie Kingston, and not because he was seeking it out like some individuals may be compelled to do. Instead, that respect came from those who watched Kingston grind it out across the independent landscape for the last two decades before he earned his way into All Elite Wrestling. That respect grew in those who watched Eddie struggle publicly with his demons and his mental health, never denying he had issues to work through, and willing to fail in the process of learning. Eddie is respected by fans and most of his peers because he’s willing to be an open, honest man about himself, as well as those around him, but that kind of honesty can cut when it’s pushed towards someone who refuses to hear it.

That someone is Bryan Danielson, that someone is Claudio Castagnoli, and there is nothing that Eddie Kingston can ever do that will make those two men see him as any other than the street kid they first met twenty years ago. Even though they share the Blackpool banner with Jon Moxley, they will never see Kingston the same way Mox does, but after all these years of being ridiculed and derided by men like Bryan and Claudio, it doesn’t matter to Eddie. His love and respect, his time and energy, it will be reserved for those who have earned it, and that is where Willie Mack comes into the picture.

Just like Eddie, and many of their AEW compatriots, Willie Mack has been through the independent grind of little-to-no pay, long drives, small crowds, and yet he still stands, and yet he too has worked his way into fighting on the AEW stage. That is why Eddie Kingston is giving Willie this Eliminator opportunity on COLLISION; all he’s got to do is beat Eddie and a shot at the Continental Crown will be his! History isn’t on the side of Mack, the only Eliminator match in AEW history that’s gone the way of the potential challengers was actually the night Kingston and Jon Moxley beat then AEW World Tag Champions The Young Bucks, but if there’s anyone who can pull it off, it may just be Willie Mack!

TAG TEAM GRUDGE MATCH…

Blackpool Combat Club (Claudio Castagnoli & Jon Moxley) vs. 

Shane Taylor Promotions (Lee Moriarty & Shane Taylor)

https://www.youtube.com/embed/5OZoqdRXdSY?si=R8LxyloxU__5X606

Short and sweet, after Jon Moxley defeated a very game Lee Moriarty last night on RAMPAGE, the two members of Shane Taylor Promotions did something very few men in All Elite Wrestling had done: left Jon Moxley laying in the middle in the ring. Perhaps it was frustration over both Shane Taylor and Lee taking an “L” from Moxley in the last week, perhaps it’s a bigger picture than just those two matches, either way it marked a new level for Shane Taylor Promotions, and with that leveling up (or down depending on your perspective) comes a whole new level of competition.

That is why this Saturday night on COLLISION, STP will have to answer for this assault and those consequences come in the form of a tag team fight against Blackpool Combat Club! Of the few men Jon Moxley has deemed worthy of partnership in his AEW career, Claudio Castagnoli has been one of his strongest alliances, the two marking an 8-1 record as a team (ironically the same record he holds with Eddie Kingston), whereas Lee and Shane T’s experience working as a team has all been under the ROH banner, but at least they are 4-0 in traditional tag team competition, including a 2/3 Falls victory over The Infantry. 

So will this be Shane Taylor Promotions elevating their game to overcome BCC or will it be, as Robert Southey wrote over 200 years ago, “Curses are like young chickens, they always come home to roost”?

SCHOOL IS BACK IN SESSION…

459 days; that is how long it has been since Serena Deeb stepped out onto the AEW stage and into an AEW ring to compete in front of the AEW faithful. For 459 days she fought with her mind, body, and soul to get back to a place where she was ready to step back between the ropes and do what she does best: wrestle.

As a former Women’s Champion, many times over, Deeb has made a career out of being spoken of as one of the best technical wrestlers in the game, a woman capable of breaking an opponent’s body down, treating a match like a complete dissection, and making sure her opponent left the match realizing they had a lot left to learn. Serena Deeb is “The Professor of Professional Wrestling”, a woman who teaches lessons in pain and suffering to those hapless enough to be across the ring from her, but one lesson she still has to learn herself is that of an AEW champion.

Despite the accolades she has earned across her career, Serena Deeb has yet to wear a championship around her waist bearing the letters AEW, but with this return to form “The Professor” aims to fix that blemish on her record, to make up for failures against Toni Storm and Thunder Rosa, and show that she herself learned the lessons taught from those championship losses. For all those women in the AEW locker room, and for whoever stands across the ring from Serena Deeb on Saturday night, this fight on COLLISION will be a warning that “The Professor” is back, and she has plenty of lessons to teach the division!

Bossier City, LA and the Brookshire Grocery Arena play host to COLLISION this Saturday night! The House of Black will be locked inside a Steel Cage with FTR and Daniel Garcia, battling one another under Elimination rules, in hopes that this violent affair will bring an end to their rivalry! Danielson versus Nagata, Serena Deeb returns, Mariah May takes on Lady Frost, and so much more in store for your Saturday night fights! The action gets underway at 8pm ET/7pm CT on TNT, and the AEW faithful can get prepared for the action-packed evening by visiting the official AEW YouTube channel, as well as AEW’s other social media platforms, for highlights from this week’s DYNAMITE and RAMPAGE, as well as the latest CONTROL CENTER, and so much more!

The New Day Interview ( Big E, Kofi Kingston, & Xavier Woods) by Big Gold Belt Media at 2024 Royal Rumble 2024-The 2024 Royal Rumble is an upcoming professional wrestling event produced by WWE. It is…

CONTAINS SPOILERS

Tonight’s episode of AEW RAMPAGE was broadcast from the Enmarket Arena in Savannah, GA!

Your broadcast team was Excalibur, “Daddy Magic” Matt Menard, and Tony Schiavone.

It’s Friday night and you know what that means!

This…is…Rampage!

Jon Moxley vs. Shane Taylor Promotions’ Lee Moriarty (with Shane Taylor)!

Moriarty took Mox down with a snap mare. Lee flexed and posed and let Mox get to his feet. Lee showed off his technical prowess, taking Mox down again with a side headlock. Moxley escaped and trucked Lee with a running back elbow. Moxley had a face off with Shane Taylor on the floor.

Moxley chopped Moriarty. Lee ducked a lariat attempt and rolled up Mox in a Border City Stretch. Moxley lunged toward the ropes, forcing the ref to break the hold. Moriarty and Moxley traded stiff forearms in the center of the ring. Moxley knocked Moriarty’s block off. Moxley charged at Lee in the corner with a lariat and then pummeled him with shots.

Moriarty blasted Mox with a shotgun dropkick off the second turnbuckle. Moxley was looking for a piledriver on the apron, but Lee countered with a hammerlock, using Mox’s own body weight against him, planting Mox hard on the apron. Moriarty connected with a belly-to-belly suplex and then applied a cross arm breaker. Moriarty rocked Mox with a high stack German Suplex for a near fall.

Lee charged at Mox, but Mox wiped him out with a King Kong lariat! Moxley was looking for the bulldog choke, but Moriarty escaped and transitioned into the border city stretch. Moxley reversed and crashed down with hammer and anvil elbow strikes. 

Moriarty fired back with a flurry of offense. Moriarty kicked at Mox’s arm. Lee went for a springboard forearm, but Mox countered with a big right elbow. Mox stomped Moriarty and then spiked him with a piledriver. Moxley locked in a choke and Moxley won via ref stoppage!

“A victory for Jon Moxley but a hell of a match for Lee Moriarty,” said Excalibur.

“No question. I don’t think Moxley expected to go this long with Lee. I’m impressed,” replied Matt Menard.

After the match, Shane Taylor mauled Mox with a cheap shot!

“What a sucker punch that was!” said Tony Schiavone.

Moriarty took advantage of Shane Taylor’s heavy right hand and stomped on Moxley’s injured arm. 

Renee Paquette was backstage with Anna Jay and Angelo Parker!

Parker wanted to know if Anna had anything to do with Harley Cameron kissing him two weeks ago. Anna Jay slapped Cool Hand Ang!

Anna Jay: “I cannot believe you just asked me that! After everything we’ve been through. I am so sick of this. Tonight, I was defending you against your girlfriends. But tonight, I am doing this for me. I am tired of having everyone’s back, and no one having mine. Tonight, I am done!”

“The Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels vs. “The Alpha” Konosuke Takeshita (with The Don Callis Family)!

Daniels got the jump on Takeshita at the bell. Takeshita walloped Daniels with a massive shot. Takeshita landed the Takeshita Line on CD. Takeshita followed up with a dive on Daniels. Takeshita attempted a superplex but CD headbutted Takeshita, knocking him to the mat. Daniels swung down, driving Takeshita face first into the mat.

Daniels hurled Takeshita with a German Suplex. Takeshita countered the Angels Wings and drove Daniels down on the back of the head. Takeshita finished off Daniels with a running knee strike and pinned Daniels!

“A statement made by Takeshita with that victory,” said Excalibur.

Don Callis: “I have something important to say. The Don Callis Family takes everything. Jericho you took 33 years from me. I can’t get those years back. We took your tag team partner from the Golden Jets. Then we took Sammy. But you keep coming back. Now it’s time to end this. So, Jericho, in two weeks on Dynamite, we challenge you to face the real Alpha of professional wrestling, Takeshita, and this time, there’s going to be nothing left!”

Kyle Fletcher: “Pardon the interruption, Don. Hasn’t Takeshita already had his shot at Chris Jericho? Hasn’t Will Hobbs already had his shot at Chris Jericho? If anybody deserves the next shot at Chris Jericho it’s me!”

Callis: “You’re right. Jericho, you’ve got Takeshita in two weeks. How about next week in New Orleans, you got Kyle Fletcher if you’ve got the guts. And whatever is left at the end of the next two weeks is going to be mine and Jericho, there’ll be nothing left but the tears!”

Renee Paquette was backstage with Top Flight and Action Andretti, and Private Party!

Private Party said they won last time. Action Andretti said next time he’d be in Top Flight’s corner, watching their back!

Anna Jay vs. Ruby Soho (with Saraya and Harley Cameron)!

Ruby ambushed Anna Jay, trying to ruin her homecoming. Ruby whipped Anna into the barricade outside the ring. Anna connected with a high boot to Ruby’s face. Anna followed up with the pendulum kick.

Saraya swept out Anna Jay’s leg on the apron. Anna got to her feet and planted Ruby with a DDT for a near fall. Anna was looking for the Queen Slayer, but Harley grabbed Anna Jay’s boot. Saraya held back Anna Jay, but the referee saw it and ejected Saraya and Harley from ringside. 

Anna attempted a backslide, but Ruby escaped and rocked Anna with Destination Unknown. Anna stunned Ruby with a blockbuster and then forced Ruby to tap out with the Queen Slayer!

Renee Paquette was backstage with Continental Champion Eddie Kingston!

Kingston: “Bryan Danielson, you don’t respect me? That’s fine. I don’t respect you at all. I want to be on Collision. I’m going to go against somebody I respect. And if he beats me, he gets a title shot. And said person is Willie Mack. Me and you Willie, we paid our dues, so I want to give you an opportunity. Bryan, good luck with Nagata tomorrow.”

Main Event Time! Freshly Squeezed Four Way Match!

Kip Sabian vs. El Hijo del Vikingo vs. Komander vs. The Butcher!

The winner earns an International Championship Match on tomorrow’s Collision.

Butcher turned his back and Sabian rolled him up for a near fall. Vikingo swept out Sabian’s legs, and Komander hit a tope on Kip while Vikingo smashed Butcher with a tope!

Butcher blocked a springboard dropkick from Komander and applied a Texas Cloverleaf. Vikingo rocked Butcher with a thrust kick. Kip dropkicked Vikingo. Kip cannonballed Komander in the corner. Butcher went over the top with a splash on Komander.

Butcher tossed Komander at Kip and Kip nailed Komander with a lung blower. Kip booted Butcher in the midsection. Butcher stunned Sabian with a back breaker. Vikingo staggered Butcher with a corkscrew kick!

Sabian swept out Vikingo’s legs. Komander walloped Sabian with a Spanish Fly for a two-count. Komander climbed to the top rope, but Vikingo tripped him up. Vikingo climbed to the top, but Butcher put Vikingo on his shoulders, while Vikingo had Komander locked in a superplex position. Kip got on his hands and knees behind Butcher, tripped him up, and knocked all three men to the mat!

Komander jumped off Alex Abrahantes’ back like a launching pad and crushed Kip with a Canadian Destroyer on the arena floor! Vikingo took out both men on the floor with a moonsault. Vikingo tried for a moonsault, but Komander booted him. Butcher power bombed Komander and covered him, but Vikingo broke up the pin attempt. 

Kip snuck in and drilled Komander with a German Suplex. Komander reversed a vertical suplex attempt, grabbed Kip’s legs and pinned him!

“Now we know it’ll be Orange Cassidy defending the International Championship tomorrow against Komander on Collision,” said Excalibur.

Catch AEW DYNAMITE on TBS next Wednesday live at 8/7ct from the UNO Lakefront Arena in New Orleans, LA!

Don’t miss AEW Collision on Saturday on TNT at 8/7c from the Brookshire Grocery Arena in Bossier City, LA:

-AEW International Championship Match! Orange Cassidy (c.) vs. Komander!

-Serena Deeb’s First Match Since 2022!

-Mariah May vs. Lady Frost!

-Continental Champion Eddie Kingston vs. Willie Mack!

– “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson vs. Yuji Nagata!

-Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli vs. Shane Taylor & Lee Moriarty!

-The Escape The Cage Elimination Match! FTR & Daniel Garcia vs. House of Black!

Tickets On Sale Now! – www.AEWTix.com

And remember…the home of professional wrestling is All Elite Wrestling!

https://www.youtube.com/embed/7YHIzn1_Gnw?si=PoEL6CTuNmkbozBG

On Wednesday night’s DYNAMITE, fans watched as Samoa Joe stood in the center of the ring and told  the AEW locker room just how things were going to go moving forward. Showing he still had no fear despite their vicious fight a week prior, HOOK shook Joe’s hand but told him they would meet again down the line. With that, Joe watched ringside as Adam Page bested Penta El Zero Miedo, saw Swerve Strickland beat Jeff Hardy later in the night, as well as Wardlow defeat Trent Beretta; three men all with aspirations of dethroning the AEW World Champion, all picking up wins as they await the new ratings to drop. On top of that, we saw Thunder Rosa score victory over Red Velvet, the AEW World Trios Championship titles at stake, and that gritty fight between Adam Copeland and Minoru Suzuki!

This Friday RAMPAGE comes your way from the Enmarket Arena in Savannah, beginning at 10pm ET/9pm CT on TNT, as well as at AEWPlus.com for international fans, and featuring a quartet of top shelf battles! AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy has laid it out, he wants another challenger, and one will be set when The Butcher, El Hijo del Vikingo, Komander, and Kip Sabian battle it out for the next title fight! Jon Moxley has promised to bring the fight to RAMPAGE to which Shane Taylor Promotions’ Lee Moriarty has stepped up to the challenge, Anna Jay and Ruby Soho will lock horns, and Konosuke Takeshita will battle “The Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels!

Before the show begins, drop in on the official AEW YouTube channel, as well as AEW’s various social media platforms, to catch up on highlights from this week’s DYNAMITE, as well as previous episodes of RAMPAGE, COLLISION, and the latest CONTROL CENTER!F

RESHLY SQUEEZED FOUR WAY…

***WINNER EARNS AN INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH ON COLLISION***

Kip Sabian vs. El Hijo del Vikingo vs. Komander vs. The Butcher

AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy knows that Roderick Strong wants a shot at the title, but  rather than pushing for the immediate fight that “Freshly Squeezed” is willing to give, he wants to wait until March 3rd at REVOLUTION 2024. Well OC isn’t going to just sit around and wait until then, he’s been a defending champion since the moment he beat “The Bastard” PAC to win this championship the first time, and he’s been the same since beating Rey Fenix to kick off the second reign.

That is why he requested a championship fight this Saturday night on COLLISION when AEW debuts in Bossier City , and why this Freshly Squeezed Four Way is going down on RAMPAGE to determine who gets the title opportunity! Cassidy has plenty of history with all four of these men, be it as friend or foe, and successfully defended the International Championship against Kip Sabian, The Butcher, and Komander over the course of his first championship reign, though the last one was only as part of the Blackjack Battle Royale at DOUBLE OR NOTHING 2023 rather than a singles match. Vikingo is the only one OC has never competed against as a foe, only as an ally in a Trios Match last summer. So it’s reasonable to believe that Cassidy is fine with any one of these men being the one to challenge him Saturday, but what makes the getting there interesting is the alliances that exist between the men here; Kip Sabian and Butcher have been close allies for quite some time now, competing regularly as a trio with The Blade, while Komander and Vikingo have a relationship as both friend and foe dating back several years, with quite a bit of teamwork exhibited on Ring of Honor programming.

All this means that alliances could be made to help accomplish goals, like Kip and Butch working together to eliminate their foes, and then settling the matter between each other after the fact. Will that be how it plays out on Friday night, or will it truly be every man for himself with a championship opportunity on the line?

ONE-ON-ONE…

Jon Moxley vs. Lee Moriarty

Last week on COLLISION, Jon Moxley made his return to All Elite Wrestling after several weeks away competing with NJPW, and even making a challenge towards IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Tetsuyo Naito for a championship fight. Waiting for Mox was one of the hardest-hitting individuals in professional wrestling today, the namesake of Shane Taylor Promotions himself, former ROH World TV Champion Shane Taylor. Shane gave Mox a tremendous fight, putting the 3-Time AEW World Champion on his heels several times, but eventually Mox was able to overcome. It was a loss that didn’t sit well with Taylor, but one which he clearly intends to learn from and move on a better fighter than he was beforehand. 

After all, Shane has a young man at his side by the name of Lee Moriarty who also has aspirations of being the best fighter in the world, and that means taking on the best in the game in order to evolve. With that in his mind, #TAIGASTYLE has stepped up to face Jon Moxley this Friday night on RAMPAGE, answering the former champ’s challenge to the rest of the AEW locker room. 

Moriarty danced these steps with Jon Moxley before, and was found wanting when the final bell rang, but that was many moons ago, and Lee has garnered quite a bit of experience since that night. Is it enough to push Moriarty to the next level of competition and give him the biggest victory of his life?

SINGLES MATCH…

Anna Jay vs. Ruby Soho

This all feels like a set-up, Saraya and Harley Cameron framing Anna Jay for something she’s not remotely responsible for, but Ruby Soho has enough trust left in her Outcast sister to follow in the direction that she is pointing. That brings Ruby to this Friday night on RAMPAGE where, in retaliation for that kiss and how she believes it came to pass, she will fight Anna Jay one-on-one! 

Now the intriguing part of this fight is that Anna Jay will be stepping into the ring just 75 miles away from her hometown of Brunswick, GA, meaning she will have the support of the fans on her side, all while insisting that this drama is not of her doing.

Ruby isn’t hearing that though, all she knows is her relationship with “Cool Hand” Angelo Parker has been put in jeopardy and apparently Anna Jay is to blame! It’s time for vengeance, at least in Ruby’s world, and getting it so close to Anna’s home is just icing on the cake. Will Ruby listen to reason and hear Anna Jay out, or has her anger made her unwilling to listen? And can the relationship between Ruby and Angelo survive all this drama being heaped upon it from outside forces?

ALSO FEATURING:

-“The Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels vs. “The Alpha” Konosuke Takeshita

https://www.youtube.com/embed/VyrPBWoOCJo?si=SVcxraSlEcdCIud3

Savannah, GA hosts this Friday’s edition of RAMPAGE beginning at 10pm ET/9pm CT on TNT, as well as at AEWPlus.com for international fans, and features four men vying for a shot at AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy on COLLISION, Anna Jay and Ruby Soho looking to settle their issues, Jon Moxley taking on Lee Moriarty, and Takeshita battling “The Fallen Angel” in singles competition! Prior to showtime, be sure to visit the official AEW YouTube channel, as well as AEW’s various social media platforms, to catch up on highlights from this week’s DYNAMITE, as well as previous episodes of RAMPAGE, and COLLISION, plus the latest CONTROL CENTER!

CONTAINS SPOILERS

Tonight’s episode of AEW DYNAMITE was broadcast live from the Enmarket Arena in Savannah, GA!

Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, and “The Human Suplex Machine” Taz were the broadcast team for tonight’s event.

It’s Wednesday night and you know what that means!

AEW World Champion Samoa Joe kicked off the show, dressed in a business suit, and eager to speak his mind!

Samoa Joe: “I stand before you your undisputed, undeniable AEW World Champion. And tonight is a night of celebration because a new championship endeavor, we embark upon tonight. No more will AEW Championship opportunities be given. No, tonight, they must be earned. That’s why all your favorite AEW superstars are going to battle tooth and nail in this ring, all for an opportunity at my championship gold.

“I come here with a warning. You may think you’re getting an opportunity at a championship. But I’m here to tell you it’s going to be an opportunity to have the worst night of your life. Anyone that comes in here, I’m going to do them like I did Hook last week. I will take everything from you!”

FTW Champion Hook’s music began to play! Hook entered the ring with a microphone.

HOOK: “Last week you won, I lost.”

Hook extended his hand and offered it to Samoa Joe before they embraced.

Hook: “I don’t know when, and I don’t know where, but I will see you again.”

Samoa Joe: “I bet you will. Now if you excuse me, I came here to survey the field, so you can get to the back of the line. Security, get the unworthy out of my ring.”

AEW Security entered the ring but Hook suplexed them until Hook had enough and stormed off, defiantly scowling at Samoa Joe on his way out.

“Hangman” Adam Page vs. Penta El Zero Miedo (with Alex Abrahantes)!

AEW World Champion Samoa Joe joined the broadcast team.

They began with a collar and elbow tie up. Page backed Penta into the ropes and then allowed for a clean break. It quickly escalated as both men brought heavy shots, blistering one another with chops. Penta connected with a thrust kick, but Page returned with a big boot of his own. Penta El Zero Miedo wiped out Hangman Page with a Sling Blade. Hangman retaliated with a fallaway slam and then a standing shooting star press for a near fall.

Penta El Zero Miedo hit a leg drop from off the bottom rope for a two-count on Page. They traded chops again. Hangman landed a thrust kick but then they knocked each other down with clotheslines, both men having the same idea.

Penta flew over the top rope with a tope con hiro and crashed onto Hangman Page outside the ring! Page dodged a double stomp and countered with a Death Valley Driver on Penta El Zero Miedo for a near fall. Penta planted Page in the center of the ring and nearly put away the former AEW World Champion. 

Hangman Page stunned Penta El Zero Miedo with a pop up powerbomb. They traded strikes on the ring apron. Hangman went for the Buckshot Lariat, but Penta blocked it and nailed Hangman with the Made in Japan for a two-count!

Hangman Page drilled Penta El Zero Miedo with a Dead Eye on the apron! Page connected with the Buckshot Lariat and pinned Penta El Zero Miedo!

“Boy, that’s a big win as far as rankings go,” said Tony Schiavone.

Page pointed at Samoa Joe and his championship and yelled, “I am taking that away from you!”

Renee Paquette was backstage with AEW International Champion “Freshly Squeezed” Orange Cassidy!

Renee wanted to know Orange’s reaction to Roderick Strong’s challenge.

Orange: “My reaction to that is okay. I will wrestle you for my International Championship at Revolution on March 3rd. If you want to wait that long, fine, but I’m not going to wait. I’m going to keep wrestling because that’s what I do. I told Tony to put some of my friends and enemies in a match on Rampage and the winner of that will face me for my championship on Collision. So, I guess Tony is going to do it.”

The Young Bucks—Nicholas and Matthew Jackson, were walking backstage when Alex Marvez approached them, hoping to get a word with them!

Nicholas: “Our first plan of action as executives? Let’s talk about your first plan of action. By showing a little more respect to us. By calling us by our passport names of Nicholas and Matthew Jackson.”

Matthew: “Alex, as the last two remaining, surviving, EVPs, backstage chatter and buzz is through the roof. We fixed the catering problem. Did you have lunch? You’re welcome. Most importantly we’re just here to make sure the show runs smoothly. Let’s have a killer show.”

Top Flight—Dante and Darius Martin were walking down the hall past the Young Bucks.

Nicholas: “Look who’s showing up so late tonight.”

Matthew: “Did you guys just get here?”

Darius: “No, we’ve been here since one.”

Matthew: “Why aren’t you in your gear and where’s your dang credentials?”

Dante: “Credentials? You guys hired us.”

Nicholas: “Next time it’s going to be a fine, but we love you guys.”

Matthew: “Hey, we’re just kidding.”

The Undisputed Kingdom’s Wardlow (with Adam Cole, Roderick Strong, and ROH World Tag Team Champions Matt Taven & Mike Bennett)

vs. 

Best Friend’s Trent Beretta (with Rocky Romero, Chuck Taylor, & AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy)!

Wardlow sent Trent for a loop with a big shoulder tackle right out of the gate! Wardlow hurled Trent halfway across the ring. Wardlow was looking for the Powerbomb Symphony, but Trent cradled him with a small package for a near fall. 

Wardlow charged at Trent, but Trent ducked him and then dropkicked Wardlow through the ring ropes. Trent went over the top rope, but Wardlow countered with a beautiful anti air forearm. Wardlow whipped Trent into the barricade.

Back in the ring, Wardlow headbutted Trent in the chest. Trent countered a lariat with a jumping knee strike. Trent connected with a tope suicida. Trent walloped Wardlow with a steel chair. Trent rocked Wardlow with a half and half suplex in the ring, followed by a DDT. Trent spiked Wardlow with a piledriver for a near fall!

Trent climbed to the top rope and went for a crossbody, but Wardlow caught him and powerslammed Trent! Wardlow power bombed a limp Trent and pinned him! After the match, Wardlow tried to grab Trent again, but the Best Friends saw enough and entered the ring. The Undisputed Kingdom called off the “War Dog”.

Excalibur announced that this Saturday on Collision it’ll be the “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson vs Yuji Nagata!

AEW Women’s World Champion “Timeless” Toni Storm went face-to-face with “The Virtuosa” Deonna Purrazzo during an interview on the stage with Renee Paquette!

Luther the Butler and Mariah May joined Toni on the stage.

Toni: “I will speak first. Deonna, I believe you were recently body shamed. Which I think is ridiculous because there is so much more to shame about you. Yes, we do have history, but that doesn’t mean you can just waltz in here to get yourself a title shot! I have had many friends and all of them less talented than me. You may be the greatest technical wrestler in the world today but let me make one thing clear. If you step into that ring with me, I will twist your lips so hard you will need an epidural!”

Deonna: “This is insane. I didn’t come to AEW to make friends. I came to become the AEW Women’s World Champion. It just so happens, Toni, that the champion used to be my friend. But I have no problem earning a title opportunity and winning arm by arm. This isn’t the Toni Storm that I want to wrestle, this delusional sham. 

“I want to wrestle the Toni Storm that lived on dojo floors with me, that moved to America and lived in my house. That Toni Storm was arguably one of the best in the world. And that Toni Storm is the one I want to beat for the AEW Women’s World Championship. So, I’m begging you, dig down deep inside yourself and find that version of yourself. And if you need a reminder, take a look at your ankle, because I’m sure it looks a lot like mine.”

Deonna revealed she and Toni had matching ankle tattoos.

Deonna: “You might have everyone here fooled, Toni, but not me.”

Toni: “You know what, Deonna You can take your little tattoo and blow it right out of your bumhole!” 

Toni whipped a shoe at Deonna and Deonna threw a shoe right back at Toni! Deonna attempted to put Toni in the Venus De Milo but Mariah May grabbed Toni by the leg and yanked her away from Deonna’s grasp! Deonna pump kicked Luther in the face! Mariah May and Toni Storm were fleeing when Deonna took Toni’s World championship and hoisted it into the air!

“Could this be a vision of the future?” wondered Excalibur.

Jon Moxley was backstage!

Mox: “Since you first heard the words ‘Blackpool Combat Club’, do you know how many matches we’ve won. I don’t keep track, but trust me, it’s a lot. Do you know how many victory parties we’ve had? Zero. We don’t spend a lot of time patting each other on the back because we don’t have the time. There’s always another match around the corner. And that’s what it takes to be the best, to be elite.

“A lot of people come here, and they don’t know what elite means. In 2024 I will maim and torture anyone that can’t keep up in the ring! I’m going to do it every single time!”

Excalibur announced this Friday on Rampage it’ll be Jon Moxley against Shane Taylor Promotions’ Lee Moriarty!

Taya Valkyrie and Johnny TV requested a moment of our time!

Taya: “Let me reintroduce ourselves. I am Taya Valkyrie, and this is Johnny TV. The most TV-ready couple in AEW. Now I’ve been watching, and some things are really starting to piss me off. That girl that’s trying to jump to the head of the line? Deonna Listen, I’m not one of those girlies that don’t know who ‘the virtuosa’ is. I know her very well. So, I challenge you to a little match next week on Dynamite. And then after that you can get to the back of the line.”

Up next: Swerve Strickland (with Prince Nana) vs. Jeff Hardy (with Matt Hardy)!

Swerve used a side headlock takeover, looking to make a quick end to this, but Jeff escaped. Hardy rolled up Swerve, grabbing a handful of tights, but Swerve kicked out. Swerve nailed Jeff with a nasty back breaker. Swerve was going for an arm breaker, but Matt jumped on the apron and pointed at Swerve. As Swerve was distracted by Matt, Jeff kicked upwards at Swerve.

Jeff dropkicked Swerve in the back. Jeff used a Russian Leg Sweep. Jeff rammed Swerve into the top turnbuckle. Swerve swept out Jeff’s legs and then kicked him in the jaw. Swerve blasted Jeff with a neck breaker from the apron, as Jeff’s legs were hung up in the ropes. Swerve set up a folding chair and put Jeff on it. But Jeff got up and swept out Swerve’s legs. Jeff ran and leaped off the steel ring steps, crashing onto Swerve who was on the barricade!

Jeff knocked Swerve off the turnbuckles with a headbutt. Swerve climbed back up and clubbed Jeff with forearms. Jeff fought back, took flight and landed on Swerve! Jeff connected with a sling blade and then a Manhattan Drop. Jeff dropped an elbow, but Swerve kicked out at the two-count. 

Swerve shoved Jeff Hardy over the top rope. Swerve pulled Jeff into the steel ring post! Swerve pulled Jeff onto the steel ring steps but Jeff countered with a Twist of Fate, driving Swerve’s forehead into the steps! Jeff climbed to the top turnbuckle and went for the Swanton, but Swerve rolled out of the way. Swerve blasted Jeff with the House Call for a near fall!

“What a kick out! I thought he had Hardy dead right there,” said Taz.

Swerve was looking for a Twits of Fate of his own, but Jeff reversed it with a cradle for a near fall. Jeff stunned Swerve with a series of jawbreakers. Swerve lured Jeff in and planted him with a flatliner. Swerve nailed Jeff with a delayed vertical suplex. Swerve crushed Jeff with the Swerve Stomp and pinned Jeff Hardy!

After a commercial break, Renee Paquette interviewed “Hangman” Adam Page backstage!

Renee congratulated Hangman on being 3-0 in 2024, which, in her opinion, should be putting him pretty close to the top of the rankings once they drop at the end of the month. 

Prince Nana and Swerve Strickland interrupted Renee.

Swerve: “Why are you interviewing this man? Did you see what I just did out there to Jeff Hardy? I’m undefeated in 2024 as well. Another fun fact. Who is the last person that beat you, Hangman?”

Hangman: “It’s New Year, New Me, dumbass. So, I’m 3-0, and if I were a betting man, I would bet that someone is going to come along and knock you down these rankings before you get a whiff of the World title.”

Renee had some breaking news! “Next week on Dynamite both of you will be in Dealer’s Choice matches, choosing each other’s match,” Renee said. 

“Well, they choose each other’s opponent,” added Tony Schiavone on commentary. 

“Yeah, that’s definitely intriguing,” replied Taz.

Thunder Rosa vs. Red Velvet!

Thunder Rosa used a gator roll on Red Velvet until they reached the ropes. They got to their feet and traded arm drags. Red Velvet swept out Thunder Rosa’s legs on the ring apron. Red Velvet rocked Rosa with stiff chops. 

A slug fest broke out in the ring. Thunder Rosa connected with a running clothesline in the corner, and they drove her knees into Red Velvet. Thunder Rosa hit a Northern Lights Suplex for a near fall. Red Velvet stomped on Thunder Rosa’s midsection. Red Velvet followed up with a knee strike to the back of Thunder Rosa’s head. 

Thunder Rosa blasted Red Velvet with a shotgun dropkick. Thunder Rosa finished off Red Velvet with the Tijuana Bomb and pinned her!

Tony Schiavone was in the ring to interview Darby Allin and Sting!

Darby Allin: “I want to take a few seconds to talk about a few things. Everyone always asks me what it’s like to tag with “the Icon” Sting. I want to talk about the impact that Sting has had on my career. It started back in 2015 in my first year in professional wrestling, when I saw this man’s career essentially end early from a neck injury. I thought to myself, ‘What if that was me? What if my life’s work was cut short?’

“And then all these years later I hear that Sting is coming to AEW. And I don’t know exactly what for because I heard he’d never wrestle again. And you remember this part, Sting. I flew to your house in Texas, you had a wrestling ring in your garage, and we were rolling around in the ring. And within five minutes I looked at you and what did I say to you? I looked you right in the eyes and I said, ‘You’ve still got it.’ And I’m not lying to you.”

The Young Bucks—Matthew and Nicholas Jackson were showing backstage, wearing headsets and watching monitors!

Darby: “And I told you to get back in this ring and finish the career on your own terms! And now look at us, 27-0, undefeated. And the rankings are back so I think that puts us in the top spot as number one contenders against Big Bill and Ricky Starks for the AEW World Tag Team Championships. And we’d be kind of dumb asses not to take the opportunity. So, I’m going to look you in the eyes and say this one more time: ‘You’ve still got it.’ But I’m not alone this time. I think the fans agree that you’ve still got it!”

The fans chanted “You still got it! You still got it!”

Darby: “So what do you say, Sting? Do you want to end your career as AEW World Tag Team Champions? It’s all you, man.”

Sting: “Alright, I’m all in.”

After a commercial break, AEW World Tag Team Champions “Absolute” Ricky Starks and Big Bill responded to Sting and Darby Allin backstage!

Big Bill: “Sting and Darby Allin, thank you for finally having the respect to address us by name. Thank you for having the respect to address us as the AEW World Tag Champions. And as far as your challenge goes, we accept your challenge.”

Starks: “It’s kind of fitting, Sting, that you started your career with me and a partner of mine in your very first match back after six years. And it’s very fitting that now and the best partner I have will be the end of you. You are not making it to Revolution, so you might as well pay us the proper respect that we deserve. Lay down so we can walk right over you and Darby Allin.”

AEW World Trios Championship Match!

The Acclaimed—Anthony Bowens & Max Caster and Daddy Ass (c.) (with ROH World Six-Man Champions Bullet Club Gold)

vs.

The Mogul Embassy—Bishop Kaun, Toa Liona, & “The Machine” Brian Cage!

Brian Cage rammed Caster in the corner with his shoulder. Caster dropkicked Cage. Bowens grabbed a tag and chopped Brian Cage. Bowens pounded Cage with elbows to the back of the head. 

Toa and Kaun doubled teamed Bowens in the Mogul Embassy’s corner, utilizing rapid tags. Bowens tried for a tag, but Kaun and Toa pulled Daddy Ass and Max Caster off the apron. Toa ate an elbow strike from Bowens. Daddy Ass finally got a tag and cleaned house on the Mogul Embassy!

Daddy Ass got pounced by Toa. Bowens rocked Toa with a thrust kick. Caster struck Brian Cage with a backhand. Kaun nailed Caster with a shotgun dropkick. Prince Nana slid a steel chair into the ring. The ref was distracted by Prince Nana. Bishop Kaun was about to whack Billy with the chair, but “Switchblade” Jay White yanked the chair out of Kaun’s hand!

“The Bang Bang Scissor Gang, they’ve got each other’s backs,” said Excalibur.

The Gunns power bombed Prince Nana through the timekeeper’s table! 

“They were right, perhaps there is strength in numbers. Bullet Club Gold the difference makers tonight,” said Excalibur.

Billy Gunn rocked Bishop Kaun with the Fame-Asser! Bowens blasted Bishop with the Arrival! Caster hit the Mic Drop and finished off Bishop Kaun for the pinfall victory!

Main Event Time!

“The Rated R Superstar” Adam Copeland vs. Minoru Suzuki!

Copeland and Suzuki slugged it out in the center of the ring. Copeland got his bell rung and collapsed to the mat. Copeland got back up and Suzuki crumbled him again with a solid forearm on the jaw. Copeland backdropped his way out of an attempted piledriver.

Copeland booted Suzuki through the ropes. Suzuki pulled Copeland onto the floor, but Copeland shoved Suzuki through the barricade. Copeland and Suzuki barely made it back into the ring, but they were able to break the ref’s count just in the nick of time. 

The fans chanted “This is awesome! This is awesome!”

Suzuki and Copeland were on their knees but exchanged stinging elbows. They got to their feet and traded open hand palm strikes, both men knocking one another down. 

Tony Schiavone announced breaking news from Tony Khan! Two weeks away in Phoenix on Dynamite it’ll be AEW World Tag Team Champions “Absolute” Ricky Starks and Big Bill defending their titles against Sting and Darby Allin!

Suzuki had Copeland on spaghetti legs after more open palm strikes. Copeland spiked Suzuki with the Impaler! Copeland tried for a spear, but Suzuki countered with an arm bar! Copeland reached the ropes, forcing the ref to break up the hold. 

Copeland speared Suzuki but Suzuki kicked out at the two-count! Suzuki locked in a rear naked sleeper! Copeland was fading fast. Copeland got to his feet and smashed Suzuki into an exposed turnbuckle corner. Copeland cracked Suzuki with the Killswitch, sending a clear message to Christian Cage! Copeland covered Suzuki and scored the pin!

TNT Champion Christian Cage was seen watching on a monitor backstage. 

“Christian Cage looks discussed seeing that,” said Taz.

Copeland asked for a microphone.

Copeland: “I’ve never been hit that hard in my life. Suzuki, respect.”

Copeland offered his hand to Suzuki. Suzuki growled and walked away, not taking the loss easy.

Copeland: “I would have been disappointed if he did shake my hand. That was a war. The kind of war that Christian Cage knows nothing about. Christian, I am still coming for you!”

Catch AEW DYNAMITE on TBS next Wednesday live at 8/7ct from the UNO Lakefront Arena in New Orleans, LA!

This Friday tune in to AEW RAMPAGE at 10pm ET on TNT featuring:

-Anna Jay vs. Ruby Soho!

-Konosuke Takeshita vs. Christopher Daniels!

-Jon Moxley vs. Lee Moriary!

-Freshly Squeezed 4-Way! Kip Sabian vs. Komander vs. The Butcher vs. AAA Mega Champion El Hijo Del Vikingo! Winner gets a shot at the AEW International Championship this Saturday on Collision!

Don’t miss AEW Collision on Saturday on TNT at 8/7c from the Brookshire Grocery Arena in Bossier City, LA:

-AEW International Championship Match! Orange Cassidy (c.) vs. Winner of Freshly Squeezed 4-Way on Rampage!

-Serena Deeb’s First Match Since 2022!

– “American Dragon” Bryan Danielson vs. Yuji Nagata!

-Mariah May vs. Lady Frost!

-The Escape The Cage Elimination Match! FTR & Daniel Garcia vs. House of Black!

Tickets On Sale Now!www.AEWTix.com

And remember…the home of professional wrestling is All Elite Wrestling!

https://www.youtube.com/embed/_zaf_-jQ0KI?si=O4EtHoDLOaX5RchS

Last week as jam-packed with action as new ROH World Six-Man Champions were crowned in BULLET CLUB GOLD, Jon Moxley returned to AEW action, plus Adam Copeland was tested by Dante Martin only to find out he’s got Minoru Suzuki next on his dance card! Did The Bang Bang Scissor Gang became a real thing? How did Thunder Rosa’s return to singles competition go? How did Jeff Hardy respond to losing to Darby Allin? All of that, and more, went down last week, but now our eyes turn to the Enmarket Arena in Savannah, GA for an all-new DYNAMITE! Copeland versus Suzuki, Jeff Hardy battling Swerve, a battle for the AEW World Trios Championship, “Timeless” Toni Storm and Deonna Purrazzo face-to-face, Hangman and Penta, and so much more on tap for the AEW faithful in attendance, and those watching around the world!

https://www.youtube.com/embed/T1AuRQjQXsY?si=mKNi4UfzTySexNza

The road to REVOLUTION 2024 continues this Wednesday on DYNAMITE beginning at 8pm ET/7pm CT live on TBS, as well as at AEWPlus.com for international fans! Before showtime, be sure to visit the official AEW YouTube channel, as well as AEW’s various social media platforms, for highlights from last week’s episodes of DYNAMITE, RAMPAGE, COLLISION, as well as the newest CONTROL CENTER, and more!  Then it’s time for the Elimination Trios Cage Match on Saturday night in Bossier City, Louisiana pitting The House of Black against FTR and Daniel Garcia!

https://www.youtube.com/embed/rXPq2dIAMfQ?si=4jUNKcq8oJy_N67s

AN UNEXPECTED CHALLENGE…

Adam Copeland vs. Minoru Suzuki

https://www.youtube.com/embed/QmYbXArA7us?si=Yx9qIDObCqB8SLUs&start=294

Yes, this is really happening; possibly the most unexpected of all matches thus far in 2024, possibly the most unexpected of either man’s career, Adam Copeland and Minoru Suzuki will do battle on DYNAMITE in the latest of the Cope Open Challenges! This contest will mark the fourth such challenge, but the first one where Adam knows in advance who he’s stepping into the ring to fight.

Griff Garrison, Lee Moriarty, and Dante Martin were all surprise opponents for “The Rated R Superstar”, men who stepped up on the night of the event, giving Copeland no time to prepare for individuals he’d never fought before while they had all spent their lives watching the Hall of Famer compete inside the squared circle. 

That’s not say Copeland didn’t have some awareness of each young man’s abilities, he is someone who watches everything and everyone as much as possible, but a couple years of tape on someone versus a couple decades is a huge difference. That being said, there’s no experience like actually sharing the ring with an opponent, it’s something no amount of tape study can prepare you for, and Dante, Griff, and Lee all learned that first hand.

But this Wednesday night will be a different experience because, as in response to Adam’s comment that none of the more seasoned fighters have stepped up to the plate, he will get one of the most experienced fighters in the whole of the professional wrestling landscape!

The legendary Minoru Suzuki is coming back to All Elite Wrestling for a fight with Adam Copeland, and is that a sentence anyone thought would ever be written, much less a match that would actually happen?!? In many ways, this is one of the most important fights of Copeland’s historic career, an opportunity to step way outside the wheel house, and take on a man as versed in submissions as he is striking, as willing to choke you unconscious as to knock you out, a champion everyone he’s gone, “The King of Pancrase”, Minoru Suzuki. MiSu has proven himself quite the sadistic, relishing in the pain of his opponents, but fans have absolutely witnessed that in Copeland over the course of his career. Will this one come down to a question of which man can be more wicked than the other? This is not to be missed!

WHO WILL BE NEXT?

Last week, in a hard-won fight against FTW Champion HOOK, Samoa Joe successfully retained the AEW World Championship. There were many moments where it seemed “The Cold-Hearted, Handsome Devil” just could not be put down, but ultimately he had no choice but to succumb to the overwhelming force that is Samoa Joe.

That defeat didn’t stop HOOK from exchanging words with Joe as he recovered from the beating, leading to the FTW Champ getting dropped with a low blow and another Muscle Buster, and even then, with the support of the ropes, HOOK pulled himself to his feet and kept talking at the champ. Luckily for HOOK, before Samoa Joe could inflict even more damage, Adam Page arrived to the ring to ward off the AEW World Champion. So with Swerve Strickland watching on from ringside, Hangman in the ring, and HOOK still conscious despite the beating, Samoa Joe walked away from the ring knowing who had him in their crosshairs.

This Wednesday night on DYNAMITE, we will hear from the AEW World Champion about what is next on his agenda, or perhaps that should be who is next!

ONE-ON-ONE…

“Hangman” Adam Page vs. Penta El Zero Miedo

Given that these two competitors have each been part of All Elite Wrestling since the very beginning, it is astounding that they’ve never once faced off in singles competition. They’ve danced in tag team affairs, a realm where their record is 1-1, and a multi-man affair from February 5, 2020, but no contact save several Battle Royals since their February 19, 2020 AEW World Tag Team Championship bout. Well that all changes this Wednesday night on DYNAMITE when, for the very first time, these two AEW stalwarts will go one-on-one!

With Rey Fenix on the injured list, Penta has seen a bit more singles competition than usual, but that doesn’t make him a stranger this realm of competition; after all, he’s been a solo champion many times over throughout his career, just never in All Elite Wrestling. As for Hangman, his credential as former AEW World Champion speaks for itself, and he’s rolling into this having won his last three consecutive singles bouts with one goal on his mind: get the championship back around his waist. Clearly there’s a Swerve Strickland issue lingering in Page’s mind, but the end game is becoming 2-Time World Champion, and that means facing everyone he has to in order to get there. If the title is still around Joe’s waist when that time comes, all the better for Hangman, but no matter who is is, Page has a Buckshot Lariat with their name on it…provided he can show no fear and get past Penta El Zero Miedo!

FACE-TO-FACE…

Clearly AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm hasn’t completely parted ways with reality; as evidenced by the video embedded above, Storm actually does recall her history with Deonna Purrazzo, a relationship that dates back to their shared time in Japan’s Stardom promotion. That time together included bouts as both ally and foe, and even featured a championship fight over their SWA Undisputed Women’s World Title, but that wasn’t the end of their interactions.

They’d meet again in their life pre-AEW, but that didn’t stop Toni Storm from pretending like she had no idea who Deonna was when they finally shared space in All Elite Wrestling. So is this all a mind game from The Timeless One? Where does “Timeless” begin? Or should the question be, where does the Toni Storm we all knew for the first period of her AEW tenure end and this “Timeless” persona come into being? It’s certainly not the person that Deonna Purrazzo knew in Japan, or in the United Kingdom, and hopefully she realizes that as this situation continues to escalate towards the inevitable World Championship clash these women are destined for!

This Wednesday night on DYNAMITE, we will all see how it unfolds when these two women are face-to-face on TBS! Will shoes be thrown? Will Mariah May and/or Luther be on-hand, and if so what will their presence mean to these proceedings? Tune in Wednesday night to see what else could possibly come out of Toni Storm’s mouth!

WHOSE HOUSE?

Swerve Strickland vs. Jeff Hardy

https://www.youtube.com/embed/E1Rl4SOBpH4?si=TdyL-AF9QIOsLi4E&start=264

As Swerve Strickland and Jeff Hardy prepare to fight for the very first time, take a look at where these two men currently stand in their All Elite Wrestling careers. Swerve is red-hot at the moment, on a mission to become AEW World Champion, and has declared his intentions, not just to the world, but specifically straight to Samoa Joe’s face. He has no fear about standing toe-to-toe with the AEW World Champion, no interest in anything that “Hangman” Adam Page has to say about their issues, but much like the former AEW World Champ, will do anything he needs to do, fight anyone he needs to fight, in order to make his championship aspirations a reality.

Conversely, Jeff Hardy has experienced a great deal of loss over his last year with All Elite Wrestling. With a record of 8-12 across 2023, seven of those losses came over Jeff’s last ten matches, with two singles losses to his 2023 record as well. While Jeff has not competed in a slew of singles matches, he has not won any since that victory over Darby Allin in the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament creeping on two years ago. To add to that, though The Hardys long ago earned consideration as a premiere tag team, they lost six consecutive tag bouts in 2023 before scoring their lone victory in a non-televised match fighting the teams of The Butcher & Blade and Daniel Garcia/Matt Menard. Suffice to say, it’s not been a the best year for the multi-time World Champions, but they’ve declared that changed is afoot, and that was on full display when Jeff Hardy, after losing to Darby Allin on RAMPAGE, bailed out on Darby’s show of respect.

That brings these two competitors to this Wednesday night in Savannah where they will go one-on-one for the very first time! Both men have a goal for their careers, goals certainly at odds with each other, so who will prevail when they lock up on DYNAMITE?

TIME TO FIGHT…

The Undisputed Kingdom’s Wardlow vs. Best Friend’s Trent Beretta

Since unveiling himself as the man behind the devil mask, Adam Cole has repeatedly told the world that Roderick Strong was in pursuit of the AEW International Championship, that ROH World Tag Champions Matt Taven and Mike Bennett were coming for all the tag teams, and that Wardlow would be AEW World Champion. Of course there’s the comments Cole has made about “The War Dog” handing over the title when the time is rest, though that could also be tongue-in-cheek mocking how MJF used to talk to Wardlow when he was under Max’s thumb, but that’s a situation to be unpacked somewhere down the line.

For now, look at everything Wardlow does as in service of his championship aspirations, and should it be Samoa Joe holding the gold if and when that times comes, all the better given their history with the TNT Championship. The path to title contention has to begin somewhere, with someone, and for Wardlow that person is Trent Beretta, and that somewhere is this Wednesday night on DYNAMITE! This marks Wardlow’s first match under the Undisputed Kingdom banner, and in part it could also be looked at as part of Roderick Strong’s push towards challenging Orange Cassidy for the AEW International Championship match. After all, this is one of OC’s best friends taking on one of Roddy’s undisputed allies, so there’s more than one layer to this first-ever meeting between Trent Beretta and Wardlow!

AEW WORLD TRIOS CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH…

Daddy Ass & The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens & Max Caster)(c) vs. 

The Mogul Embassy (Bishop Kaun, Brian Cage, & Toa Liona)

https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ko50hxGfvek?si=TMdNrtum3QC0vLZb&start=264

Last week was quite a big one for both of the trios engaged in this championship fight on Wednesday night, and their moments are rather tied together as both involve BULLET CLUB GOLD. For The Mogul Embassy, it was watching the ROH World Six-Man Championship titles slip from their grasp on DYNAMITE as BC GOLD emerged from their clash as the new champions. The end came when Jay White caught Bishop Kaun with his Bladerunner to score the three count, but that triumphant moment wasn’t the last of the week for The Bang Bang Gang!

Come COLLISION, White and The Gunns had a face-to-face with the AEW World Trios Champions, the latter looking for a response to their proposition to unify forces in opposition to The Undisputed Kingdom. It came as a bit of a shock that the six men actually drew together, but under the circumstances it was likely the best decision for all involved, and certainly puts all three Gunns, Jay White, Max Caster, and Anthony Bowens at an advantage opposite anyone who tries them. It will be interesting to see where Juice Robinson stands on this decision, but at least Rock Card Juice Board is on the same page with everything.

So now all the events of last week come together on DYNAMITE when the recently-dethroned Mogul Embassy come calling on The Acclaimed and Daddy Ass with Brian Cage, Bishop Kaun, and Toa Liona aiming to fill the void left behind by the loss of their ROH World Six-Man Championship with the AEW World Trios Championship! This is the first time Prince Nana’s monsters have challenged for these belts and clearly, as 2-Time ROH Six-Man Champions, they have what it takes to dethrone the current champions, and disrupt this newly formed Bang Bang Scissor Gang alliance! It would be wonderful revenge for The Mogul Embassy to take these titles from BC GOLD’s new allies, can they pull it off this Wednesday night on DYNAMITE? Or will the BBSG kick off their new alliance with victory?

THE RESPONSE…

https://www.youtube.com/embed/ilvU7g2X6w4?si=jomaifj97a108Cc4

The world heard what The Young Bucks had to say last week on DYNAMITE, their words about why they chose to step onto the stage in Jacksonville when Sting was asked who he’d be facing for his final match at REVOLUTION 2024(https://www.allelitewrestling.com/aew-event/aew-revolution-2024), but how much stock one puts into what Matthew and Nicholas had to say likely varies from person-to-person. Cataloging all their issues with All Elite Wrestling, and people who’ve come through the locker room, but then saying they don’t see Sting as one of those individuals just reeks of seeking justification for their actions.

Well this week we anticipate hearing from Darby Allin and Sting, and getting their response to what The Young Bucks had to say! Will this be the night that a match is officially made for AEW’s March 3rd  pay-per-view event? Do not miss out on what “The Icon” and Darby have to share with the AEW faithful!

A DYNAMITE RETURN!

Thunder Rosa vs. Red Velvet

https://www.youtube.com/embed/4LGwOH4VI38?si=0HgencDlesevsvP9

After sixteen months away, time spent recovering from injury, joining the Spanish announce team for COLLISION, and generally being unsure if a return to in-ring competition would be the payoff for all the pain, sacrifice, and rehabilitation, Thunder Rosa stepped back between the ropes on the final COLLISION of 2023. That night, on her home field of San Antonio, and with Abadon as her partner, Rosa was victorious in tag team action! It was a sign to the rest of the Women’s Division that “La Mera Mera” was back to claim her place atop the division, but she hadn’t been tested in singles competition since BATTLE OF THE BELTS III on August 6, 2022. 

Her second match back at DYNAMITE: HOMECOMING 2024 didn’t put that muscle to the test either, though that eight-woman tag also ended in victory for Rosa’s team, but four days ago there was no more postponing the inevitable. On last Saturday’s COLLISION, the former AEW Women’s World Champion stepped into the ring with rising star Queen Aminata, a woman who’d impressed in her AEW bouts with Kris Statlander, Mariah May, Hikaru Shida, as well as in ROH competition. Aminata, even in her losses, had proven herself to be a hard-hitting competitor, one not afraid to throw hands with her opponents, and proven herself capable taking former World Champions into rough waters. This was going to be a tough fight for Rosa’s return to singles competition, but in victory the former World Champion felt empowered:

Thunder’s road back to the top continues this Wednesday night on DYNAMITE when, for the first time, she locks up with Red Velvet in singles competition! Red returned to AEW action last November after her own nine month layoff thanks to injury, coming back with aspirations of ascending to the top of the division, but was frustrated out of the gate by Julia Hart just prior to The House of Black member winning the TBS Championship. She topped Ruby Soho, but fell to Skye Blue in a TBS Title Eliminator match, and was beaten by Deonna Purrazzo two weeks ago on COLLISION. Suffice to say Red needs this victory as much as Thunder Rosa if she wants to get into contention for either of the division’s championships, and she’ aims to give “La Mera Mera” the toughest fight of her comeback thus far!

This Wednesday, AEW returns to the Enmarket Arena in Savannah, GA for a stacked DYNAMITE, getting underway at 8pm ET/7pm CT live on TBS, as well as at AEWPlus.com (https://www.fite.tv/join/aew-plus/) for international fans, and featuring one huge bout after another! Adam Copeland meets Minoru Suzuki in a match no one could’ve imagined ever happening, the AEW World Trios Title will be at stake, Jeff Hardy locks-up with Swerve Strickland, as well as “Timeless” Toni Storm going face-to-face with Deonna Purrazzo! All that and more is coming to the AEW faithful this week, so before the show gets underway, make a point to visit the official AEW YouTube channel, as well as AEW’s assorte social media platforms, for highlights from last week’s episodes of DYNAMITE, RAMPAGE, and COLLISION, as well as the newest edition of the CONTROL CENTER!  Then join us on Saturday in Bossier City, Louisiana for a COLLISION featuring a Trios Elimination Cage Match between The House of Black and FTR/Daniel Garcia!

Power Book III Raising Kanan Season 3 Episode 8 Recap & Review “Reckonings”Power Book III Raising Kanan Season 3 Episode 8 Recap & Review S3E08 *SPOILERS*Power Book 3 Raising Kanan Season 3 Episode 8Power Book III…

Masters of the Universe: Revolution review by Big Gold Belt Media-Synopsis:It’s technology versus magic when He-Man and the heroic warriors face the forces of Skeletor and something more in MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE: REVOLUTION – the…

Katie Stippec & Michael Ramey Interview by Big Gold Belt Media-Synopsis:In the near-future tech dystopia of San Francisco, the Tournament of Ruin is about to debut a brand new fully immersive technology – Neural Reality! Lee…

John Eric Bentley Interview by Big Gold Belt Media-Synopsis:In the near-future tech dystopia of San Francisco, the Tournament of Ruin is about to debut a brand new fully immersive technology – Neural Reality! Lee wins the…

Michael Ryan Interview by Big Gold Belt Mediashowrunner and executive producer Michael Ryan-Synopsis:In the near-future tech dystopia of San Francisco, the Tournament of Ruin is about to debut a brand new fully immersive technology – Neural…

AleXa Interview by Big Gold Belt MediaK-Pop star AleXa-Synopsis:In the near-future tech dystopia of San Francisco, the Tournament of Ruin is about to debut a brand new fully immersive technology – Neural Reality! Lee wins the…

CEO Pj Accetturo Interview by Big Gold Belt Media-Synopsis:In the near-future tech dystopia of San Francisco, the Tournament of Ruin is about to debut a brand new fully immersive technology – Neural Reality! Lee wins the…

Hans Zimmer’s Bleeding Fingers Music composers Giovoni Rios, Hendric Buenck, and Russell Emanuel Interview by Big Gold Belt MediaHans Zimmer’s Bleeding Fingers Music composers Giovoni Rios, Hendric Buenck, and Russell Emanuel all join together to discuss…

Director Matt Peters Interview by Big Gold Belt Media-Synopsis:Return to Babylon 5 as the epic interstellar saga continues with The Road Home. Travel across the galaxy with John Sheridan as he unexpectedly finds himself transported through…

Creator/Writer/Executive Producer J. Michael Straczynski Interview by Big Gold Belt Media-Synopsis:Return to Babylon 5 as the epic interstellar saga continues with The Road Home. Travel across the galaxy with John Sheridan as he unexpectedly finds himself…

https://www.youtube.com/embed/YZSUs7T0g94?si=C93x6HmpzkNHTJxk&start=320

After an exciting RAMPAGE on Friday night, AEW is right back in the action with an all-new COLLISION, coming to you from the Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis! Last night we saw an amazing clash between Jeff Hardy and Darby Allin, the continuing…something…with Kris Statlander and Stokely Hathaway, Anthony Henry give Penta El Zero Miedo a tremendous fight, and Chris Jericho get back to business in a bout with Matt Sydal! 

https://www.youtube.com/embed/E1Rl4SOBpH4?si=H0gppR37vmTf8rox&start=320

The night begins with COLLISION at 8pm ET/7pm CT on TNT, featuring a huge Grudge Tag match pitting Eddie Kingston and Ortiz against The BCC of Claudio Castagnoli and Bryan Danielson, Adam Copeland laying out another Open Challenge, Buddy Matthews and Daniel Garcia going head-to-head, and Jon Moxley back in the house after a wild trip through New Japan Pro Wrestling! Fans can get prepared for the action-packed evening by visiting the official AEW YouTube channel, as well as AEW’s other social media platforms, for highlights from this week’s DYNAMITE and RAMPAGE, as well as the latest CONTROL CENTER, and so much more!

TAG TEAM GRUDGE MATCH…

Continental Crown Champion Eddie Kingston & Ortiz

vs.

Blackpool Combat Club (Bryan Danielson & Claudio Castagnoli)

https://www.youtube.com/embed/r9kyXdFTxy4?si=3-YHDqE7Q4ieJ_Gl&start=320

As if there wasn’t enough fuel to the fires that burn between Continental Crown Champion Eddie Kingston and The Blackpool Combat Club, last week during RAMPAGE: HOMECOMING 2024 Eddie beat ROH Pure Champion Wheeler Yuta in a Continental Crown defense, leaving the young man battered and bruised.

So this Saturday night, with Bryan Danielson back on the scene after his New Japan excursion for WRESTLE KINGDOM 18 and NEW YEAR DASH!! 2024, and Claudio coming off a victory over Bryan Kieth Thursday night during ROH ON HONOR CLUB, The Blackpool Combat Club will reunite for tag team action against Kingston and his partner, friend-turned foe-and back again, Ortiz! When last we saw Ortiz and Eddie Kingston engage with one another, the former came to ringside at FULL GEAR 2023 to help the latter in his ROH World Championship match with Jay Lethal. That was on the heels of Sonjay Dutt trying to recruit Ortiz to their little unit, and given that Jeff Jarrett’s guitar ended up around Dutt’s head, that was a clear indication of where Ortiz stood. The question of whether or not that choice had anything to do with Kingston, or was just a response to Dutt, was answered fairly quickly when Ortiz and Eddie stood side-by-side in the ring; it was as if the Stadium Stampede at ALL IN: LONDON got the bad blood out of their system, and now they could move forward as friends.

Hopefully that is the case because Eddie and Ortiz will have to be on the same page when facing The BCC if they want any hope of leaving St. Louis with a victory. Claudio and Bryan are 2-1 as a duo with their last fighting being the bout with Orange Cassidy and Okada in October while Ortiz and Eddie are 9-2, but it’s been over a year since their last time teaming up. Will the bonds forged by The BCC in their time together prove stronger than the ones between Kingston and Ortiz that were so tested in the last year?

ONE-ON-ONE…

The House of Black’s Buddy Matthews vs. Daniel Garcia

https://www.youtube.com/embed/_kQ63q_taBY?si=Hbbev1ftZqPx7Vm2&start=320

Last Saturday night, in one of the many super trios matches AEW has produced, FTR and Daniel Garcia fell to The House of Black, the end coming after Buddy Matthews smashed Dax Harwood’s face into the canvas for the pinfall. It was an intense, chaotic, hateful battle, but the result doesn’t appear to have settled anything between these six men, or should that be seven given how The House pulled Matt Menard into the fray in the aftermath of their victory.

Garcia and FTR may have ran The House off before they could inflict too much damage, but all that means is the fight will continue in one form or another as long as all these men are still able to throw hands. The next form this explosive issue will take goes down this Saturday night on COLLISION when Buddy Matthews and Daniel Garcia meet in singles competition for the first time! Garcia has come so far in his career since debuting in AEW, and seems to have the number of House member Brody King, but will that success parlay over to Buddy as well? Or will Garcia be the next man whose face Matthews stomps into the mat?

ASK AND SOMETIMES YOU RECEIVE…

Jon Moxley vs. Shane Taylor

Though Jon Moxley has not been seen in All Elite Wrestling since WORLDS END, that doesn’t mean he’s been inactive, sitting on the sidelines, watching the world pass him by. As a matter of fact, it has been quite the opposite as the former 3-Time AEW World Champion returned to New Japan for WRESTLE KINGDOM 18 where he vied for the NJPW Global Heavyweight Title against Will Ospreay and David Finlay. Finlay would be the one who ultimately walked away with the newly created crown, pinning Ospreay to claim the title, and sending Mox to NEW YEAR DASH!! 2024 empty handed. Unfortunately loss would follow Mox to his eight-man tag on that event as well, with TMDK’s Shane Haste pinning Moxley’s partner Tomohiro Ishii to get the victory.

Thankfully Moxley rebounded in his No Disqualification bout at NJPW’s BATTLE IN ALLEY 2024, scoring a victory over Shingo Takagi after twenty-six minutes of hard-hitting, violent action, and subsequently let new IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Tetsuyo Naito know that he had eyes on that prize, issuing a challenge for WINDY CITY RIOT 2024 on April 12th.  

But before Moxley gets to that potential championship challenge, he’s coming back home to All Elite Wrestling this Saturday night! And initially we wondered if he was coming for a fight, or was he simply making the trip to St. Louis to let the world know where he’s focusing his energy in the new year; but thanks to one social media follower in particular sharing an older video of Shane Taylor’s, we know now just what’s in store:

Just goes to show that sometimes when you ask for something, you get it, and boy are we all going to get it this Saturday when Shane Taylor throws down with Jon Moxley! These are two of the hardest-hitting, rough and tumble individuals in all of AEW, and Shane Taylor has proven in his fights with Samoa Joe and Keith Lee that he gives as good as he gets in a fight. Aside from the fight with Joe last year, this is Shane T’s biggest match since joining on with AEW, and he aims to leave an impression on the AEW fans, as well as on Jon Moxley’s face! There’s nothing more Mox loves than a fight, and he is now guaranteed to get one on COLLISION!

THE OPEN CHALLENGE CONTINUES…

Adam Copeland vs. ???

https://www.youtube.com/embed/ALtgXeFurtw?si=YMuQ4uuERzKd2xge

Last week it was Shane Taylor Promotions’ Lee Moriarty who answered the call of the Adam Copeland Open Challenge, giving the Hall of Famer a fight he did not anticipate, but one he certainly appreciated, with Moriarty showing the world he’s got the potential down the line to stand with the greats in this business. But that time wasn’t last week, Copeland’s drive to earn himself another stab at Christian Cage is too strong, and it is going to take a very special individual to disrupt this man’s track to the TNT Championship.

Well with “The Rated R Superstar” set to appear on COLLISION for another Open Challenge, someone else will have that opportunity to play spoiler to Copeland’s quest, and given how the competition has escalated with each outing, it’s going to be very interesting to see just who answers the call this week in St. Louis!

LA MERA MERA IS BACK!

It’s been awhile since her last singles match, an August 6, 2022 championship fight with Jamie Hayter during BATTLE OF THE BELTS III to be exact, but this Saturday night Thunder Rosa is back in action! We got a taste of “La Mera Mera” on the December 23rd COLLISION and on DYNAMITE: HOMECOMING 2024, but those were in multi-person bouts, a singles match is a whole different story that could put the former AEW Women’s World Champion to the test! Who will step up to the fight with Thunder Rosa this Saturday in St. Louis?

https://www.youtube.com/embed/XD3xT-2tTRs?si=CEOrvNH5FTA5wpVX&start=320

COLLISION comes to St. Louis this Saturday night, with the action starting at 8pm ET/7pm CT on TNT, and showcasing a massive Grudge Tag Team fight pitting Continental Crown Champion Eddie Kingston and Ortiz against Blackpool Combat Club members Claudio Castagnoli and Bryan Danielson! Plus, Adam Copeland plans to lay out another Open Challenge while, after their tremendous trios bout last week, Buddy Matthews and Daniel Garcia will meet one-on-one! We haven’t seen Jon Moxley since WORLDS END as he’s been putting in work with NJPW, but he will be back home this Saturday night! Before showtime, be sure to visit the official AEW YouTube channel, as well as AEW’s other social media platforms, for highlights from this week’s DYNAMITE and RAMPAGE, as well as the latest CONTROL CENTER, and so much more!

CONTAINS SPOILERS

Tonight’s episode of AEW DYNAMITE was broadcast live from the North Charleston Coliseum in North Charleston, SC!

Excalibur, Ian Riccaboni, and “The Human Suplex Machine” Taz were the broadcast team for tonight’s event.

It’s Wednesday night and you know what that means!

TNT Championship Match!

“The Patriarch” Christian Cage (c.) (with Nick Wayne & Killswitch) 

vs. 

“The Natural” Dustin Rhodes!

The fans chanted “Let’s go Dustin! Let’s go Dustin! Let’s go Dustin!”

Christian Cage hit Dustin with a cheap shot, kicking him in the abdomen. Rhodes fired back with a scoop slam. Christian rolled out of the ring, swept out Dustin’s legs, and was about to pull Dustin by the legs into the ring post. Instead, Dustin pulled back, sending Christian headfirst into the steel ring post. Dustin flew off the ring steps with a clothesline, taking the fight to the champion outside the ring.

Rhodes hit Christian Cage with a haymaker. Christian Cage took a huge risk and jumped off the turnbuckles and landed on Dustin Rhodes outside the ring. Back in the ring, Dustin strung together a flurry of offense and punctuated it with a bulldog for a near fall!

Dustin rocked Christian with a Code Red for a two-count! Christian played possum, begging off Dustin but then pulling him down onto the ropes. Dustin went for a tope, but Christian countered with a stiff strike. Christian connected with a frog splash for a two-count on Rhodes.

Christian grabbed his title from the timekeeper’s table. Christian was about to smash the title against Dustin’s head, but ref Aubrey Edwards grabbed it away. As the ref was distracted, Dustin rolled up Christian in a small package. Nick Wayne jumped in the ring and reversed the cradle attempt, rolling Christian on top of Dustin. “The Natural” managed to kick out!

“That was quick thinking by Nick Wayne. It didn’t work but it was smart,” said Taz.

Dustin slugged Christian. Dustin superplexed Christian Cage as more interference from Nick Wayne backfired. Dustin Rhodes rocked Christian with the Cross Rhodes for a near fall! Nick Wayne grabbed at Dustin’s ankle. Dustin met Wayne outside the ring while Christian distracted the ref. Killswitch diverted Dustin’s attention this time, and Nick Wayne climbed to the top turnbuckle. Nick went for Wayne’s World, but Dustin countered with a Canadian Destroyer on the arena floor!

Dustin got back into the ring and Christian speared him! Christian smashed Dustin with the Killswitch but Dustin kicked out at the two-count! Dustin got back up, but Christian connected with a second Killswitch and pinned Dustin!

“That spear was a direct message to Adam Copeland,” said Taz.

Renee Paquette was backstage with Swerve Strickland!

Swerve said not only did he have his eyes on the main event, but he also has his eyes everywhere. He said it didn’t matter if it was Samoa Joe or Hook who came out as champion. Swerve said he’s the most dangerous man going after the most coveted prize in the industry. Renee mentioned “Hangman” Adam Page, another man going after that prize. Swerve said, “Like I said, I’ve got eyes everywhere.” Swerve said he’s beaten Hangman twice now and he’s got no reason to prove it again.

Renee Paquette interviewed “The Ocho” Chris Jericho backstage!

Jericho said the Don Callis Family ripped those AEW World Tag Team championship belts out of his and Sammy Guevara’s hands at Battle of the Belts last Saturday. “Takeshita, Hobbs, you caused us to lose, and you injured Sammy. Now, even though I just beat you in Tokyo, Takeshita, suddenly that match doesn’t mean as much anymore. I’m going to seek and destroy your ass!”

Matt Sydal interrupted and questioned why Jericho was losing it over this defeat. “To get over this loss, you have to get back in that ring and you have to fight somebody who’s beaten you before, like me.”

Jericho: “You’re asking for a match? I respect you as a wrestler. Some would even say you’re born to do this. Maybe we need to do this match on Rampage, but I’ve got to warn you, I’ve got a lot of pent up aggression. So be careful what you wish for. I’ll see you on Friday.”

AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy & Trent Beretta (with Chuck Taylor)

vs.

Komander & Penta El Zero Miedo (with Rey Fenix and Alex Abrahantes)!

Orange and Penta El Zero Miedo had a stare down in the center of the ring. Penta blasted Orange with round kicks. Orange attempted a DDT, but Penta countered with a massive thrust kick. Penta was about to fly out of the ring, but Trent cut him off. Komander tagged in and hit a missile dropkick on Trent. 

Trent suplexed Komander with a half-and-half and then returned Orange back to the ring. Orange covered Komander for a near fall. Komander took Trent over the top rope with his legs. Komander up kicked at Cassidy. Penta tagged in and stunned Orange with a sling blade, and then a second sling blade! Penta pulped Orange with the Made in Japan, good for a two-count!

Orange spiked Penta with a DDT. Trent tagged in and pie faced Komander. Trent hammered Komander against the ropes. Komander cradled Trent for a near fall. Trent chopped Komander, backing him up to his corner. Penta tagged in, jumped off Komander’s back, and walloped Trent with an assisted Canadian Destroyer! Komander walked the ropes and splashed Trent. Komander covered Trent for the pin, but Orange jumped in to break it up.

Komander climbed to the top turnbuckle and tried for the Phoenix Splash. Trent dodged it and returned fire with a knee strike! Penta popped up out of nowhere and nailed Trent with a thunderous thrust kick. Penta springboarded off the ropes but Orange jumped in, shoved Trent out of the way, and rocked Penta with the Beach Break! Cassidy cracked Komander with the Orange Punch! Trent hoisted up Komander, hit the Crunchy, and pinned Komander!

After the match, the Undisputed Kingdom walked onto the ramp and down to the ring!

Roderick Strong: “I know you’ve heard me say it to the fans and other people, but I came out here to say it to your face, Orange. So, take off your glasses and look me in the eyes! Orange, take your glasses off now! We can end you right now if we wanted to. 

“Listen, you have been a fighting champion, willing to take on anyone at any time, but tonight you decided to wrestle in a tag match and not defend the AEW International Championship. But why? Is it all becoming too much? Are you afraid you don’t have enough in the tank to keep it? Or are you afraid of me coming for it, and you can’t face it? It belongs to me and I’m coming for it. I’m here to make you face it!”

Orange Cassidy: “Alright, you know what. You got it. Let’s do it, right here, right now.”

Roderick Strong: “No, no, not right now. You, you’re going to have to wait until March 3rd, live on pay-per-view on Revolution. Because I want you for the next six weeks to live with that, to accept that, to wake up every day knowing that you’re just keeping my title warm for me.”

Renee Paquette was backstage to interview “Hangman” Adam Page!

Page: “If you think back on the past five years, you will not find another soul on the planet who cared more about the AEW World Championship than I have. Who treated it with reverence. Who needed it. But in 2024, not only will I win it, but I will also put my name on it and keep it there for as long as I can.

“Swerve seems to think about me a lot. I don’t think about him at all. If he says he can beat me, I would say it doesn’t matter. Because he’s not the World Champion. Samoa Joe is. I’ll be watching tonight. And if Hook wins, God be with you.”

Mark Briscoe walked onto the ramp to honor his brother, Jay!

The Briscoe family was in the front row.

Mark Briscoe: “I come to you tonight representing the baddest tag team in the history of this planet, the Briscoe Brothers. Tragically, one year ago tonight, my brother passed on in a car accident. He moved onto the next level of existence. My nieces were in the truck with him, and tragically they told my oldest niece she’ll never walk again. However, damn it, God is on the throne! We won’t stop because we can’t stop!”

Mark’s niece walked onto the stage!

Mark Briscoe: “We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts!”

A tribute package aired honoring Jay Briscoe.

#Demboys

Renee Paquette had a sit down interview with the Young Bucks—Nick and Matt Jackson!

Nick: “I’m sorry to cut you off, but can you show us some respect and call us by our God-given names, Nicholas and Matthew? We’re executive vice presidents around here, and it’s time to take this job a little more seriously.”

Matt: “Good point.”

Renee: “We’ve heard about the public tantrums, the rumors…”

Matt: “Rumors, you want to go there? I think I know which rumor you’re talking about. You don’t believe the things they say or write about us, do you? None of those are true. Let’s say hypothetically some of those things were true. What would you do to preserve and protect your life’s work? What would you do to protect your baby? I know what I would do. So just think of that the next time you come at us with rumors again. And again, this is all hypothetical, but what would you be willing to lose?

“Also, would you be willing to lose your relationship with coworkers and your friends? How about your legacy and reputation, out the window. If you knew all that in hindsight, would you do all that if it meant there’d be a healthy, sustainable company called AEW? I’ll answer that. Hell yeah. And speaking of there being a company around, you got your paycheck this week, right? You’re welcome.”

Renee: “Switching gears, let’s talk Sting.”

Matt: “When we started AEW there in the beginning, you weren’t there, so you wouldn’t know. But we used to say, ‘Change the world.’ We were disrupters. We were changing the world and somewhere along the way, we lost our way. It’s like the culture shifted and toxicity crept into the locker room. It was just different. I think I know why. I think it’s because we started to lean on yesterday’s self-serving, cancerous superstars. 

“And you mentioned Sting. This isn’t about Sting. Sting is none of those things. Sting is great. Sting is a role model employee. I’m envious of the way they talk about Sting. Maybe they’ll talk about us like that one day. However, it’s what Sting represents. Sting is the last of that dying breed. And the image of Sting isn’t in line with what we wanted to do with AEW. We wanted to change the world. Unfortunately for Sting, we’re going to have to say goodbye to Sting and everybody like Sting. And we would never ask anybody to do anything that we weren’t willing to do ourselves.”

Nick: “Good point.”

Renee: “Is that an official call out to Sting at Revolution for his final match?”

Nick: “As EVPs, we’ll pull some strings.”

ROH World Six-Man Championship Match!

The Mogul Embassy (c.)—Bishop Kaun, Toa Liona, & “The Machine” Brian Cage

vs.

Bullet Club Gold— “Switchblade” Jay White, and The Gunns—Austin & Colten!

Toa backed up Jay White. Toa tried for a chop, but Jay ducked it. Jay blistered up Toa’s chest with chops of his own. Toa retaliated with a heavy chop and then multiple knee strikes to Jay’s lower back. 

Bishop Kaun tagged in and continued the assault on White. Jay White landed a dragon screw leg whip and tagged out to Colten. Colten stomped on Kaun and then Austin tagged in. Cage grabbed a tag but ate some right hands from Austin. Brian Cage retaliated with a German Suplex. The Gates of Agony double teamed Austin, double teaming him.

Colten tagged in and cleaned house on the Mogul Embassy! Colten nailed Cage with a neck breaker. Toa ran in and sent Colten for a ride with a wicked pounce! The Gates of Agony hurled Colten into Cage and Cage power bombed Colten! Kaun connected with an Air Raid Crash, but Austin and Jay ran in to make the save and break up the pin.

Jay White shoved Cage into the steel ring post! Jay White lit up Bishop with heavy chops, sending thunderous echoes throughout the arena. The Gunns blasted Cage with the 3:10 to Yuma! Bishop Kaun split leg dropkicked the Gunns. Kaun distracted the ref while Prince Nana tripped up Jay White. Kaun hit a lung blower on Jay White for a near fall. Prince Nana jumped in the ring with the belt, ready to hit White while Kaun distracted the ref. Anthony Bowens sprinted to the ring and pulled the belt away from Prince Nana! Jay White rocked Kaun with the Blade Runner and pinned him!

And new ROH World Six-Man Champions…Bullet Club Gold!

AEW Trios Champs The Acclaimed and Daddy Ass came out onto the ramp and saluted Bullet Club Gold with the scissor hand gesture. 

“Could we be seeing the genesis of the Bang Bang Scissor Gang?” wondered Excalibur.

The Undisputed Kingdom’s Adam Cole and Wardlow were backstage!

Cole: “Wardlow hasn’t even scratched the surface of what he’s capable of, but now with the Undisputed Kingdom, this man will be unbeatable. This man will go down as the most dominant AEW professional wrestler of all time, I promise you that. And just wait and see until Wardlow continues to run over opponent after opponent after opponent until there is nothing left but the AEW World Championship, which will then be the property of the Undisputed Kingdom. Ain’t that right, big man?”

Wardlow: “Boom!”

“The Virtuosa” Deonna Purrazzo vs. Anna Jay!

AEW Women’s World Champion “Timeless” Toni Storm joined the commentary team for this match. She was flanked by Mariah May and Luther the Butler. 

Deonna hit an uppercut to Anna’s arm. Anna fired back with a neck breaker over the ropes on Deonna. Deonna rocked Anna with clotheslines. Deonna pump kicked Anna for a near fall. Anna cracked Deonna with a backstabber for a two-count.

Anna tried to lock in the Queen Slayer, but Deonna rolled through. They traded forearms. Deonna flattened out Anna, locked on the Venus de Milo, and Anna was forced to submit!

Renee Paquette interviewed Deonna Purrazzo in the ring!

Renee: “Toni Storm said she’d like to meet with you, but the champ is right there. Is there anything you’d like to say to her?”

Deonna: “Absolutely. Toni, I don’t know what’s gotten into you. We’ve known each other for a long time. We used to be like sisters. And it’s clear since I arrived at AEW that you’ve changed. But you know what? So, have I. You might have been friends with Deonna Purrazzo, but you have never met the greatest technical wrestler in the world, ‘the Virtuosa.’”

Toni: “Technical? You’re technical? Well technically speaking, you’re an artificially tanned hack. My past is none of your concern. I aught to march right in that ring and sock you right in that box! But we must go to commercial. So, chin up, t-ts out, and watch for the shoe!”

Mariah May threw a shoe at Deonna! Deonna threw it back!

Toni: “You’re toast! You’re going down!”

Luther carried Toni away on his shoulders.

Top Flight—Dante & Darius Martin vs. Private Party—Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy!

Kassidy and Darius exchanged a flurry of offense, each countering the other, going hold for hold! Dante and Marq grabbed tags. Marq Quen went after Dante’s ankle. Kassidy hit a big springboard crossbody on Dante. 

Marq Quen hit two planchas on both members of Top Flight! Quen went to the top turnbuckle and connected with a 450 splash, but Dante managed to kick out! Top Flight rocked Marq Quen with a quick combination. Dante cracked Quen in the nose with a knee strike. Isiah stunned Dante with a step over kick.

Private Party served up Gin & Juice on Dante! Darius ran in to make the save but Marq Quen rolled him up, and with the help of the ropes, scored the pin!

“Whoa a little highway robbery there,” said Taz.

Excalibur wondered if it was intentional or if it was just instinct. 

“Either way, Top Flight feeling like they were wronged here tonight,” said Excalibur.

A Sting and Darby Allin video package aired!

“This story is going to end with me and Sting as AEW World champions,” said Darby.

Sting: “It’s showtime.”

Main Event Time! AEW World Championship Match!

Samoa Joe (c.) vs. FTW Champion HOOK!

Hook charged into battle, peppering the champ with shots. Samoa Joe immediately sent Hook to the outside. Samoa Joe whipped Hook at the barricade, but Hook jumped onto the barricade and then jumped back at Joe with a shot!

Back in the ring, Samoa Joe sent Hook into the ropes and then drove him hard to the mat with a running back elbow. Samoa Joe jabbed at Hook with right hands! Samoa Joe pummeled Hook in the corner with more strikes. 

Samoa Joe walloped Hook with a kick and then an elbow drop for a two-count. Hook was looking for a T-bone suplex, but Samoa Joe stopped him with an elbow strike. Hook tripped Samoa Joe and then clobbered him with a wild ride hand from off the apron! Samoa Joe spiked Hook onto the announcer’s desk, and it collapsed under Hook!

Hook flipped off Samoa Joe. Samoa Joe power bombed Hook onto the ring apron! The ref had Doc Sampson examine Hook at ringside. Hook wouldn’t stay down; he shoved the doctor away and got back into the ring. Samoa Joe powerslammed Hook for a near fall!

“What is this man made of?” wondered Excalibur.

Samoa Joe nailed Hook with a Death Valley Driver for a two-count! Hook was still alive, despite being put through hell! Samoa Joe planted Hook with a muscle buster and Hook kicked out at the one-count!

Hook blasted Samoa Joe with three consecutive lariats. Hook sent Samoa Joe for a ride with a T-bone suplex! Hook tried to lock in the Red Rum, but Samoa Joe blocked it! Samoa Joe countered with his own submission. The ref raised Hook’s arm three times, but Hook didn’t respond. The ref ended the match, declaring Samoa Joe the winner.

“Hook wrestled the match of a lifetime. The good news for Hook is this is only the beginning. Hook has quite a career ahead of him,” said Ian. 

As Samoa Joe was leaving with his title, Hook yelled, “Is that all you got?”

Samoa Joe jumped back into the ring and kicked Hook between the legs! Samoa Joe planted Hook with another muscle buster! 

“Not after this match! Joe didn’t need to do this,” said Excalibur.

Hook was undaunted and got back to his feet, pointing at Samoa Joe who was outside the ring! Samoa Joe got back into the ring. “Hangman” Adam Page sprinted to the ring, having seen enough out of Samoa Joe. Samoa Joe finally left the ring, glaring at Hangman Page. Swerve Strickland and Prince Nana appeared in the front row! Swerve was smirking at Page and Samoa Joe. Hangman helped Hook to his feet.

“Hook put up a hell of a fight, but he came up short. That’s all right. He will be a world champion. That will happen,” said Taz.

Catch AEW DYNAMITE on TBS next Wednesday live at 8/7ct from the Enmarket Arena in Savannah, GA!

This Friday tune in to AEW RAMPAGE at 10pm ET on TNT!

Don’t miss AEW Collision on Saturday on TNT at 8/7c from the Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis, MO!

And remember…the home of professional wrestling is All Elite Wrestling!