It’s a packed Friday night for Minneapolis!

From the AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championships to a preview of the AEW World Trios Championship tournament, Rampage is jampacked!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championships: Sammy Guevara & Tay Melo VS Dante Martin & Skye Blue; Sammy & Tay win and retain the titles.
• Parker Boudreaux w/ The Trustbusters VS Sonny Kiss; Boudreaux wins.
• Beardhausen VS Gunn Club; Gunn Club wins.
• Orange Cassidy w/ Best Friends VS Ari Daivari w/ The Trustbusters; Cassidy wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Bryan Danielson is here!

The American Dragon is back and Minneapolis is fired up to see him! Bryan goes to the ring and Tony Schiavone is there waiting for him to say we can all tell Bryan is here with purpose. So first, there is speculation that after the loss to Daniel Garcia, Bryan is not 100%. Second, Garcia has said he is the “Dragonslayer,” and he will not only defeat Bryan but end his career. Bryan takes the mic to say, “To be honest, I’ve been wrestling almost 23 years, I don’t know if I will ever be 100%. But I don’t need to be 100%, I need to live 100%! And there is nothing that makes me feel more alive than being in this ring!”

Fans cheer that and Bryan continues to say, “I will never willfully stop wrestling. Daniel Garcia said if I get in the ring with him, he’ll slay the dragon, end my career. Do you know what? Someone is gonna have to damn end my career because I am not going to end this ring on my own. But my career will not end this Wednesday!” But then Garcia is on stage and telling Bryan to “hold up, hold up, hold up. Bryan, it’s no secret that Bryan Danielson is my hero! You’re my hero, Bryan! But it sounds like to me that my hero is prepared to lose. It sounds like to me that my hero is coming up with excuses.” Fans boo that as Garcia gets in the ring.

Garcia says that he isn’t sure how many times he can put up with this! Bryan retires, then comes back, then retires again, then comes back again. Bryan can’t keep putting Garcia through this, it hurts Garcia. Garcia says when Bryan hurts Garcia, Garcia wants to hurt Bryan back. And when you step in the ring with Garcia again, Garcia will hurt him so bad, that he ends Bryan’s career for good! And then he won’t just be the Dragonslayer, he’ll be the Greatest Technical Sports Entertainer on the Planet.

Fans boo and Bryan responds with, “I’m okay with people saying they’re gonna end my career. Ever since I came to AEW, I’ve been talking about violence. I love violence, and violence begets violence. But do you know what really pisses me off? It’s that sports entertainment BS!” Fans cheer for that! Bryan knows what Chris Jericho’s been shoving down Garcia’s throat, and it IS that sports entertainment crap! Do you all know that this kid, Daniel Garcia, was one of the first names Bryan mentioned when talking about starting the Blackpool Combat Club? And why? Because Bryan saw Garcia at 21 years old go 60 MINUTES in front of 250 people, showing them the best wrestling Bryan’s seen in a young talent in YEARS!

So let Bryan ask Garcia, and he wants Garcia to think about it all the way to Wednesday, when Bryan’s stomping Garcia’s face in! “Do you wanna be the Best Technical Sports Entertainer on the Planet? Or, or… Look at me when I talk to you!” Bryan even grabs Garcia’s face to keep him looking forward! “If I was your hero, do you want to be the Best Technical Wrestler in the world? And I’ll leave that up to you.” Bryan drops the mic and leaves Garcia to mull that over. What path will Garcia choose while his career is still young?

AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championships: Sammy Guevara & Tay Melo VS Dante Martin & Skye Blue!

Another young protégé of Chris Jericho, and his blushing new bride, are back in action! And for the first time in AEW, they defend the belts that signify their bond! But will the Spanish God and his Brazilian Goddess celebrate a title win on top of their marriage? Or will Angel Dorado & Cielo Azul prove that for once, love doesn’t conquer all?

The introductions are made, the matching red ‘n’ blue belts are raised, and we see if the hometown hero of Minneapolis and the girl next door can win the big one!

The teams sort out, and Skye insists that it’s ladies first. Tay and Sammy kiss for luck, but Dante tells Sammy to leave that stuff backstage. Sammy shoves Dante down! So Skye fires off on Tay! And Dante TACKLES Sammy! The fans fire up as the scraps continue, and the ladies spill out of the ring! Dante TACKLES Sammy again, so it seems the gentlemen are starting instead! Tay RAMS Skye into the railing, Sammy shoves Dante again but Dante trips Sammy up! Dante rains down more forearms while fans fire up for the 612! Sammy gets up and KNEES Dante, then soaks up the heat. Sammy CHOPS Dante against ropes, then whips him to ropes.

Dante reverses, knees and CHOPS Sammy in return, then ROCKS and CHOPS him again. Dante whips Sammy to ropes, Tay catches Sammy to stop him then tags in. Skye is to come in automatically, but she tags to climb up and CROSSBODY! Skye then gets around but Tay throws her off with the judo hip toss. Skye shoves Tay so Tay SLAPS Skye! Skye smirks and SLAPS back! And then fires off fast hands! Fans fire up but Tay trips Skye! Tay steps through, rolls and uses the leg lock to THROW Skye! Tay steps over into a modified STF, and she chinbars Skye into an almost Bow ‘n’ Arrow style stretch! Skye endures, scoots but Tay makes it a cover, ONE!

Skye has a cover, ONE! Skye ROCKS Tay, whips her to ropes, and fans rally. Tay holds ropes but Skye SHINING WIZARDS! And SHINING WIZARDS again! Tay shoves Skye, Skye dodges and mule kicks a leg! Tay blocks the superkick but now the DRAGON WHIP! Fans fire up and Skye runs, but Sammy swipes at her! The ref reprimands, but Tay BOOTS Skye down! Fans boo SamTay while Rampage goes picture in picture.

Tay stomps Skye, covers her, TWO! Tay is frustrated and she talks trash on Dante. Tay stalks Skye to ropes to CHOKE her! The ref counts, Tay lets off at 4, and then she drags Skye up to whip her into a DROP SAYANAGI! And then another! And another, but Skye blocks to a cradle! TWO, and Tay ROCKS Skye! Tay kicks Skye around, drags her up, and she kisses Sammy. That’s not a tag so Tay CLUBS away on Skye. Tay cravats to throw knee after knee into Skye, and then whips her into a neutral corner. Tay runs in and BOOTS Skye! Tay runs in again but Skye dodges the boot to roll Tay up, with a bridge, TWO!!

Rampage returns to single picture and Tay grabs a leg, but Skye ENZIGURIS Tay down! Fans fire up as Skye crawls, hot tag to Dante! That brings Sammy in, but Dante fakes him out into a TACKLE! Dante rains down fists, Sammy shoves him away but Dante rallies with forearm smashes! Dante then ducks a haymaker to DROPKICK Sammy out! Minneapolis fires up and Dante takes aim. Tay runs in but Dante goes up and over her! Dante DIVES and takes out Sammy! Fans fire up as Dante puts Sammy in fast. Dante slides in but Tay anchors a foot! The ref reprimands, Dante drags Tay into the ring with that foot, and Sammy grabs Dante!

Sammy clinches but Dante breaks free. Dante kicks, Sammy blocks and flips Dante, over Tay! Dante then uses Tay as a step to hit a DESTROYER on Sammy!! Sammy flops down, Dante covers, TWO!! Sammy survives and Dante can’t believe it! “This is Awesome!” and Dante drags Sammy up. Sammy KNEES Dante back, torture racks, but Dante slips off! Skye tags in, Dante gets Sammy in a half nelson! Sammy elbows free, Tay tilt-o-whirl DDTs Dante! But Skye FLYING RANAS Sammy! The ladies cleared the ring, Tay SUPERKICKS and hooks Skye, TAY K O!! Cover, SamTay win!

Winners: Sammy Guevara & Tay Melo, by pinfall (still AAA World Mixed Tag Team Champions)

There was a lot of fire in the hearts of Dante & Skye, but not enough to burn down Sammy & Tay. Will Mr. & Mrs. Champion continue to reign on everyone’s parade?

The Lucha Brothers speak.

Rey Fenix says, “After a long road, the Lucha Brothers are coming back for gold.” Penta, with Alex Abrahantes translating, tells Andrade and the world, “This hasn’t finished. But next week, the All-Atlantic Champion returns, and Death Triangle will be reunited and will fight for the Trios Championships.” The Bastard, Pac, is returning from his European tour, will he, Penta & Fenix be ready for The United Empire’s Aussie Open and Will Ospreay in the opening round?

Parker Boudreaux w/ The Trustbusters VS Sonny Kiss!

Ari Daivari recruited this brutal blue chipper to the group, knowing this would be a very wise investment. Will Parker pay off right away? Or will the Concrete Rose prove not to judge a book by its cover?

The bell rings and Parker CLOBBERS Kiss! Kiss flounders, Parker drags him up with a facelock and CLUBS away on the corner! Parker lets off as the ref counts and runs in, but Kiss dodges the splash! Kiss ROCKS Parker, then runs to handspring and SLAP! And uppercut! But Parker grabs Kiss by the neck, for a CHOKE SLAM! Parker snarls and drags Kiss up to a back suplex SLAM!! Cover, Parker wins!

Winner: Parker Boudreaux, by pinfall

Slim J is pumped for Parker but Parker just looks hungry for more. Will the Trustbusters eat well when the Trios Championship begins?

La Faccion Ingobernable meets with the former Andrade Family Office.

Andrade formally introduces Rush to Butcher, Blade and Private Party. Rush doesn’t like Private Party. But Andrade says it’s fine! The LFI will win those Trios Championships, unlike Private Party against Keith Lee. Jose even adds that was embarrassing. Isiah Kassidy tells Jose to shut up, and he tells El Idolo that people like him have been sleeping on Private Party for a very long time. But that’s fine, because it all changes. Private Party will wake Andrade up. Well good, maybe Private Party can get this group those world tag titles. Upper management leaves, will Kassidy & Quen redeem themselves in the eyes of the ungovernables?

Beardhausen VS Gunn Club!

Erick Redbeard returns to AEW alongside the Very Nice, Very Evil Danhausen to teach these Ass Boys something! Not quite sure what, but will Danhausen & Erick put a curse on the Gunn Club? Or can Austin & Colten redeem themselves after losing in the Dumpster Match?

The teams sort out and Erick starts against Colten. Fans taunt the “ASS~ BOYS! ASS~ BOYS!” Colten shrugs that off to tie up with Erick, and Erick shoves Colten down! Fans fire up but Austin tags in. Austin steps to Erick now, but then decides not. Psych! Austin rushes in, but Erick runs him over! The boys bail out and regroup and Billy asks what the hecc! Billy tells Austin to get in there, but then Danhausen tags in! Fans fire up as Danhausen flexes on Austin. He powers up and… CURSES Austin! But Austin DECKS Danhausen! So no hex? Austin bumps Danhausen off buckles as Rampage goes picture in picture.

Austin tags Colten, Colten bumps Danhausen off more buckles then stomps away. Colten whips corner to corner, runs in, but Danhausen boots him away! Danhausen goes up, reels Colten in, and puts him in the ROPE BUTTERFLY! Austin protests but that only means Colten suffers longer! The ref counts, Danhausen lets go at 4, and then he slingshots up to the top! But while the ref is checking on Colten, Austin sucker punches Danhausen! Colten then DROPKICKS Danhausen down! Colten soaks up the heat, drags Danhausen up and brings him around to bump off buckles. Colten stomps Danhausen, the ref counts, and he lets off at 4.

Colten taunts Erick but then backs off as Erick steps in. Colten bumps Danhausen off buckles, tags Austin in, but Danhausen fights back! He fires off haymakers on Austin, but Austin kicks low! Austin ROCKS Danhausen, taunts the fans, and Billy taunts Danhausen with an Orange Cassidy thumbs up. Austin drags Danhausen up to stomp away in the corner, then lets off as the ref counts. The ref reprimands Austin but misses Colten CHOKING Danhausen! Colten CLUBS Danhausen then tells fans they saw nothing! Austin stomps Danhausen, drags him up, and brings him around as Rampage goes to break.

Rampage returns and Austin has Danhausen in a headlock. Fans rally up and Danhausen slips away! Austin rushes after him but Danhausen slips under! And then under again, hot tag to Erick! Redbeard rallies on the Gunn Clubs, BOOT for Austin, DROPKICK for Colten! Then a SPLASH and TOSS for Colten, then he runs at Austin, Austin BOOTS Erick, but Erick TOSSES Austin out onto Colten! Erick goes out now and runs in to CROSSBODY both Ass Boys! Fans fire up as Erick puts Austin in and fans rally up for the slingshot senton! Shoutout to Brodie Lee! Then a HEEL KICK! Cover, Colten breaks it!

Fans boo as Colten hammers away on Erick! Colten rags Erick up, Austin joins in, but Erick fights the double suplex to DOUBLE SUPLEX Gunn Club! Fans are thunderous, and Danhausen wants back in! Tag and Danhausen is in! Erick drags Austin up for him, Danhausen hooks Austin up, and Erick runs! But Colten distracts the ref and Billy dumps Erick out! Fans boo and Austin turns things around into a FAMOUSER! Cover, Gunn Club wins!!

Winners: Gunn Club, by pinfall

Big assist from Daddy Ass, and yet Billy gets the mic to say, “Oh my God, are you kidding me? Really, that’s what you’re giving us? No wonder they call you Ass Boys, and no wonder I miss The Acclaimed.” Ouch… Billy means that the guys need to toughen up a bit. A lot of bit! They sure ain’t doing what he’s taught them, that’s a fact! But that’s okay, on Dynamite, they’ve got another match to prove themselves with. But who is it? Billy doesn’t say, will Austin & Colten just have to tough it out? Wait, Stokely Hathaway is in the crowd, offering his business card again. Austin & Colten don’t accept, and they follow after Billy.

Backstage interview with Keith Lee & Swerve Strickland.

Lexi Nair is with the AEW World Tag Team Champions, Swerve in Our Glory. Earlier, Andrade made it clear that he wants Private Party to go after the titles. Now, Keith Lee has history with them, but what makes the tag title match different? Keith chuckles and says, “Listen. I got here, Mr. Kassidy was a challenger, and I dismantled him. His friend, Quen, jumps in, I dismantle him. I don’t know if this makes sense, but if you didn’t have a chance against me, what makes you think you have a chance against us? Please, do the math.”

Swerve admits math wasn’t his best subject, when it came to counting money! But um, he added up Private Party’s losses, subtracted their wins, and carried the one, and the still don’t add up to a top five ranking team! So they will allow Private Party to be grace the champs with their presence, since no ranked team wants to, and they can #SwerveInOurGlory. Whose house? “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” Will Quen & Kassidy take advantage of this gracious opportunity? Or will they be of further disappointment to El Idolo.

HOOK is here!

Minneapolis fires up for the Cold-Hearted, Handsome Devil of a NEW FTW Champion! Hook goes to the ring, Schiavone is there, and Schiavone says there is no question that one of the most incredible debuts in AEW culminated with Hook becoming FTW Champion. As we understand it, this title is always in open challenge. Is that right, Hook? “Yup.” Okay. We’ve followed Hook’s career, short as it is still, and it has been tremendous. But wait! Out walks Zack Clayton! He introduces himself as “The Reality,” and he knows some recognize him from his reality TV superstardom in the great state of New Jersey!

Clayton tells Hook that he will take that FTW Championship from him, “you little wannabe tough guy New Yorker!” And Clayton will bring it to God’s Country, New Jersey, where it belongs! Hook nods and wave Clayton to bring it, but Clayton says no, he just got new boots made, they’re not ready it. And plus, being a Jersey guy, he does things on his terms. So how about we do this on next week’s Rampage? Hook holds up the belt to say sure thing! The match is made, will The Reality be the one getting a reality check against the Son of Taz?

Mark Henry speaks with tonight’s main eventers!

The World’s Strongest Man says Ari Daivari offered Orange Cassidy a spot in the Trustbusters, but what is it that Daivari sees in him? “Mark, Orange Cassidy is easily, hands down, one of the most talented professional wresters on the AEW roster. And now that my trust has officially kicked in, I am investing my hard earned money into the best talent around.” Look what he’s already down for Slim J and Parker Boudreaux! And Orange doesn’t wanna join that? He still wants to hang out with “those stupid goofs?” Hey, you don’t wanna join in, fine! They’ll do the next best thing, and Daivari will beat Orange’s ass in this old dump of a hometown, Minneapolis!

Wow. Well, uh, looks like there’s been enough talk. Orange, no, that’s Mark’s line. Oh. Well, it is true, though. It’s time for the main event! Will Cassidy give Quake by the Lake a Freshly Squeezed main event? Or will Daivari Dinero make that money?

Orange Cassidy w/ Best Friends VS Ari Daivari w/ The Trustbusters!

The bell rings and fans rally for “Freshly Squeezed!” as he gives Best Friends his jacket and tie-dye shirt. Cassidy lifts up his hands but Daivari has him wait before putting them in his pockets. Daivari gets a mic and says, “I’m gonna give you one last chance to join the Trustbusters. All you have to do is lay down and let me pin you, then the four of us can get out of this sh*tty town.” Fans boo and Cassidy… nods?! Cassidy lies down and Daivari says he knew Cassidy was smarter than that. Cassidy is ready, Daivari takes a moment to decide what angle he’s coming in from, but then Cassidy rolls away!

Fans laugh and Cassidy tells Daivari to hurry up. Daivari goes to cover again but Cassidy rolls away again! Daivari is annoyed, he storms up but Cassidy rolls out of the ring. And then puts his hands up, to… Nope, Cassidy has to get in the ring as Daivari rushes out! Cassidy then rolls all the way to the far side and gets a GROUP HUG from Best Friends! Got to give the people what they want! But then Boudreaux and Slim J flank them! Chuck & Trent step to them, Daivari rushes out after Cassidy! Daivari puts Cassidy in but things speed up! Cassidy ducks, waistlocks, Daivari switches but Cassidy switches back.

Daivari switches again and he SLAMS Cassidy down! Cassidy fights up, pries at the hold, goes for a leg, but then just puts his hands up. And he slips his hands inside the waistlock to put them in his pockets! Cassidy uses that to break free! And kangaroo kicks! Things speed up, Cassidy hurdles and SHOTGUNS Daivari down! Fans fire up as Cassidy kips up, and then he blocks Daivari’s kick! It was headed a little low and Daivari apologizes, but Cassidy shoves Daivari to a corner. Daivari goes up and out, Cassidy rushes in but into a shoulder! And then a DRAPING NECKBREAKER! Daivari grins and hugs it out with his team, NOT what the people want.

Daivari takes his time returning and Rampage goes picture in picture. Daivari drags Cassidy up, whips him to a corner hard, and Cassidy bounces off buckles. Daivari soaks up the heat from the fans and he stands Cassidy up. Daivari CHOPS Cassidy in the corner, follows him along the way to another corner, and then drags him up to whip corner to corner hard! Cassidy bounces off buckles again, and Daivari drags him back up. Daivari puts Cassidy in the ropes, CHOKES him, but lets off at 4. Slim J chokes Cassidy behind the ref’s back! Best Friends protest but the ref misses it all. Trent storms over but Slim J has Parker backing him up.

Daivari stomps Cassidy, then drags him up to turn him for a Neckbreaker Rack! Cassidy endures the stretch, pries at the hold, and fans rally up as Cassidy turns things back around! Daivari fights the backslide, but Cassidy fights it back. They struggle for control, Daivari swings Cassidy out for a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Daivari is annoyed, he slaps Cassidy around, and then drags him up to TOSS out of the ring! The ref watches Slim J and Parker, and Best Friends storm over to back them off. Daivari goes out to fetch Cassidy, and RAMS him into the apron! Daivari RAMS Cassidy into railing and soaks up the heat from the front row.

Daivari puts Cassidy in the ring, talks trash on Trent, then clamps onto Cassidy with a chinlock. Cassidy endures, pries at the hold, and fans rally as he works on the grip! Rampage returns to single picture as Cassidy has the hold open. Cassidy turns things around but Daivari turns them right back and shoves Cassidy to ropes! Daivari catches Cassidy to a SLEEPER, but Cassidy flails and reaches out! Cassidy is fading, and is turning red, but he gets the ROPEBREAK! Daivari SLAPS the arms off the ropes and puts the SLEEPER on again! Fans rally as Cassidy endures again, but the ref checks. The arm drops once! And then it drops twice!

But Cassidy gets his second wind, puts both hands up, and then puts them in his pockets! Cassidy RAMS Daivari into buckles, gets free and dodges a lariat, but DOUBLE LARIATS collide on the return! Fans rally up again as both men stir. A standing count starts and climbs, the Trustbusters and Best Friends coach their guys up. Cassidy gets to a corner and drags himself up while Daivari stands. Daivari runs in but only gets buckles! Cassidy runs in but gets put on the apron! Cassidy blocks a punch to bump Daivari and then climbs. Daivari CHOPS Cassidy, then CHPOS again! Daivari hurries to set Cassidy up, but Cassidy boots Daivari away!

Cassidy adjusts now, but Daivari CHOPS him again! Daivari climbs up after Cassidy but Cassidy resists. Daivari CLUBS away on Cassidy, but Cassidy SHOVES Daivari down! Cassidy leaps, CROSSBODY! Cassidy keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges to tilt-o-whirl, but no DDT! Daivari whips, Cassidy goes up but Daivari KICKS him out of the air! But Cassidy dodges again, only for Daivari to dodge and RUNNING NECKBREAKER! Cassidy staggers up, Daivari reels him in, but Cassidy suplexes first! Fans fire up as Cassidy gets to a corner. The standing count returns but fans rally for “Freshly Squeezed!”

Cassidy is up first, he gives those “devastating” kicks to Daivari, but dodges a superkick to SUPERKICK back! Cassidy prepares the arm, runs in, but Daivari turns Orange Punch into URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Daivari is furious but he drags Cassidy up. Daivari says Cassidy should’ve accepted the offer. Daivari hammerlocks the arm, but Cassidy arm-drags him away! Cassidy tilt-o-whirls and DDTs! Fans fire up and Cassidy goes up top, DEEP IMPACT!! Cover TWO!! Daivari survives two DDTs in a row but the armband comes off! Cassidy is fired up, Slim J gets on the apron! Chuck trips him up! Parker grabs Chuck and Trent!

Cassidy DIVES to take Parker out! Cassidy hurries back up but Daivari trips him up! Daivari crosses the arms, ICONOCLASM!! Cover, TWO!! Daivari is furious but he slashes his throat! He vows to end this with the hammerlock and LION- NO, Cassidy ducks then rolls Daivari up. ONE as Daivari rolls through, Cassidy ducks the superkick to ORANGE PUNCH!! Cover, Cassidy wins!

Winner: Orange Cassidy, by pinfall

Cassidy refused to sell out Slim J CLOBBERS Cassidy! But Best Friends TOSS Slim J out Only to turn around and get CLOBBERED by Parker! Parker SPLASHES Chuck in one corner, then SPLASHES Trent in the other, and roars! Fans boo but Orange is back up! And Sonny Kiss rushes out there! Kiss did just lose to Parker, so- Kiss LOW BLOWS Cassidy!?!? And then Parker gives Orange the SLAM!! Did Kiss just sell out to the Trustbusters!? Did that happen between now and that match earlier? Or was it all part of the plan?

My Thoughts:

A great episode to close out the first Quake by the Lake event, with some surprising developments here. While Parker Boudreaux didn’t really change his moveset up from when he was Harland in NXT, he of course wins here tonight in a squash. Then we got an awesome main event out of Cassidy VS Daivari, even with Best Friends and the Trustbusters ringside. I was a touch surprised Cassidy won, but then that brawl at the end with Kiss swerving and turning Heel was a great way for Trustbusters to stand tall here. The go-home math is now a wash, but I would think Best Friends win to advance in the trios tournament.

Speaking of that tournament, great promo from the LFI and extended faction, as well as from Keith & Swerve. A title match between Keith & Swerve VS Private Party is going to be awesome, but I would think the champions retain the titles. Private Party going after LFI would be great to turn Private Party Face. Good promo from Lucha Bros to hype up their Trios Championship tournament match, and I would think Death Triangle beats The United Empire, pinning one of Aussie Open. And their promo implies that no matter who the third man is for the Young Bucks, LFI advances. AKA it’ll be Brandon Cutler because the Bucks have no one else, and he takes the pin.

Really fun match from Gunn Club and Beardhausen, but rather surprising that Gunn Club won. Billy is really ripping into his own sons, I have a feeling he just pushes them into joining Stokely’s stable. Stokely’s got Ethan Page, he’s got Lee Moriarty, he needs a tag team before can start taking over AEW properly, and it could be Gunn Club. Great promo segment from Hook and Zack Clayton, and this is a great opportunity for Clayton to move up in the world. The Mixed Tag Championship match was a great opening match, and while Dante & Skye looked great, I figured SamTay would win to retain.

And we got a great promo from Bryan and Garcia to open the whole show, and I am so happy Bryan is taking this story the way I was hoping. Daniel Garcia is definitely more a BCC guy than a JAS guy, so I hope the best two outta three falls match starts getting Garcia to consider his position in the feud. There’s a lot that Garcia can bring into the BCC, from both a moment of dysfunction since he battled Yuta for the ROH Pure Championship and was insufferable to the other BCC members, to more fire in the faction because they can get even more titles now. I can’t wait to see where this goes next.

My Score: 8.7/10

Can the Maniac tame the Lionheart?

Jon Moxley puts up the Interim AEW World Championship, but not against The Wizard of the Painmaker, but against LIONHEART Chris Jericho!! Will Dynamite never, ever, EEEVER… be the same, again?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Coffin Match: Darby Allin VS Brody King; Darby wins.
• Tornado Tag: The Lucha Brothers VS La Faccion Ingobernable; LFI wins.
• Luchasaurus VS Anthony Henry w/ JD Drake; Luchasaurus wins.
• Ricky Starks VS Aaron Solo w/ The Factory; Starks wins.
• AEW TBS Championship: Jade Cargill w/ The Baddies VS Madison Rayne; Cargill wins and retains the title.
• Interim AEW World Championship: Jon Moxley VS Chris Jericho; Moxley wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Coffin Match: Darby Allin VS Brody King!

The Relentless One wants the House of Black’s behemoth to remember who brought him into AEW, but Brody wants to quite truly bury Darby and take his spot! Will the Coffin Drop one last time? Or will it be the House that falls?

Darby attacks Brody in the dark! The bell rings and fans are thunderous as Darby fires off on Brody in a corner! Brody shoves him away, runs in but into BOOTS! Darby gets his skateboard covered in tacks and SMACKS Brody with it! And again! Fans fire up more as Darby DIGS the tacks into Brody’s forehead! Brody fights it off, but he’s bleeding already! Darby stalks Brody while fans lose their minds! Brody bails out, Darby runs in but Brody ducks the board strike to DECK Darby! And then Brody TOSSES Darby over the timekeeper’s table! Brody BREAKS Darby’s board! But then Darby CLOBBERS Brody!

Darby dribbles Brody’s head off railing! Then off the steel steps! Brody’s blood is replacing his face paint! Darby BITES Brody but Brody shoves him away. Brody gets in the ring, Darby climbs up, but Brody choke grips! Darby DIGS his fingers at the eyes and then hops on top, SUPER CODE RED!! Fans are thunderous again as Brody flops away to the far side. Darby scurries over to push Brody off the apron and to the floor. Darby drags Brody by his arms but that’s some serious dead weight. Brody picks Darby up to RAM him into railing! Darby clutches his ribs, Brody CHOPS him off his feet! There’s a lot of blood painting ringside and it’s all from Brody!

Brody drags Darby up and runs him into more railing! The front row ends up moving back a bit from that one! Brody has to wipe his blood away, then he drags Brody up to whip him into more railing! Darby goes up and over while Brody roars and AEW goes picture in picture.

Brody stalks after Darby into the crowd, drags him up and gorilla presses, to TOSS Darby back to ringside! Brody then drags Darby up to CHOP him against the apron! Brody stalks Darby, scoops him and SLAMS him! Brody then gets a lot of space, for the SENTON! Brody storms around, looks under the ring, and finds a TABLE! Fans fire up to see that! Brody gets the table in the ring, then goes back to fetch Darby. Brody drags Darby up to RAM him into even more railing! And then he gets another TABLE! Brody sets this table up outside the ring and drags Darby up off the floor. Brody CHOPS Darby towards the table, then gets a THIRD TABLE!

Brody sets this table up next to the second, but the leg breaks off! Brody throws that defective table aside while AEW returns to single picture. Brody puts Darby on the one table, then climbs up the corner! SUPER SPLASH through the table but NOT Darby! Darby avoids certain destruction and the fans fire up behind him. Darby drags himself up with the apron skirt and then the ropes. Brody crawls around and Darby has a wild look in his eyes, but then the lights go out! The lights come back on and it’s Malakai Black AND BUDDY MATTHEWS! Darby doesn’t care how many targets there are, he still builds speed! But Julia Hart trips him up! The FULL House is here!

Buddy CHOP BLOCKS Darby! Buddy stomps away while fans boo and Malakai gets in the ring. POP-UP KNEE from Buddy, and he gives Darby MURPHY’S LAW! Malakai walks over, crouches by Darby and Buddy steps up the table in the corner. Malakai puts Darby up against the table and Brody barks from the corner. Brody runs in, to CANNONBALL through the table! And this time, Darby IS part of the crash! Fans chant for Sting as Buddy and Malakai drag Darby from the wreckage, and then Buddy opens the coffin. But inside, it’s STIIIIING! Sting has his baseball bat, and he JAMS, and CRACKS and SMACKS Buddy!!

Sting whips Buddy hard into steel steps! Buddy tumbles over and Sting gets in the ring,. Malakai sits down, Brody stagger sup, Sting CLOBBERS Brody with it. Sting throws the bat to Malakai?! Sting is daring Malakai to try something, but Malakai thinks better of it. Fans boo as Malakai walks away, and he tells Brody he has to finish this. Sting slowly follows Malakai as he leaves, not letting this one go! Fans fire up, and Darby DIVES! He hits Brody towards the coffin but into the lid! The coffin closes and Darby opens it back up. Brody throws body shots and then RAMS Darby into more railing! Brody scoops and SLAMS Darby on the steel steps!

Brody closes the coffin, moves it around, then opens it back up. Brody drags Darby up and scoops him onto his shoulder. Brody goes up the steps, then to the apron. Darby fights back! Darby slips off and grabs Brody’s steel chain! Brody drags Darby into the SLEEPR, but Darby ROCKS Brody with the STEEL CHAIN FIST! And then he CHOKES Brody with the chain!! Brody suffers the hangman’s sleeper, and then Darby lets him go! Brody tumbles right into the coffin and it closes! DARBY WINS!

Winner: Darby Allin

The coffin didn’t drop, but it did slam shut! Darby survives this quite horrific battle with Brody, but will things only escalate with Buddy Matthews back and Sting going after Malakai?

Jon Moxley speaks.

“Y’know, I was thinking. Since y’all’re coming at me with your ‘interim’ just about every two seconds, and we already have the FTW belt, just for fun, what if we called this the FYI belt? Just an idea. This was forged in Cincinnati, Ohio, in Piccadilly. And just like the famed Hart Dungeon in Calgary, this championship is about pain and how much you can endure. For over two decades, we have watched the last survivor of the Dungeon, ‘Lionheart’ Chris Jericho, and we have watched his fighting spirit on full display. Tonight, I’m going to test it. And I am going to push it to its breaking point. And Chris, if your fighting sprit doesn’t break, your body will.”

Chris Jericho responds!

“After two and a half years, tonight, Chris Jericho takes back what’s rightfully his. Tonight, I will become the new AEW World Champion! I’m gonna beat ya, Moxley, and I’m gonna tell ya why. You wanted to face Lionheart Chris Jericho. You wanted to face the last survivor of Stu Hart’s Dungeon. Well be careful what you wish for, Mox! Cuz Stu wasn’t some kind of loveable old man, no. He was vicious! He was violent! He was a sadist! And the pain he put me through is something I never wanted to think about again. Until tonight.

“You talk about painting the canvas red with blood and scattering teeth across the ring. Well you can fix a tooth. You can heal a cut. But what I’m gonna do to you isn’t so easily fixable. I’m gonna twist you, Mox. I’m gonna turn you, and wrench the sh*t outta you tonight! I was the first AEW World Champion, and tonight, Lionheart Chris Jericho, the last survivor of Stu Hart’s Dungeon, will be the NEXT AEW World Champion! I guaran-effing-tee it!!”

Next week, the AEW World Trios Championship Tournament begins!

Culminating with the final at All Out on September 4th, 2022, the opening round will be: Death Triangle VS Will Ospreay & Aussie Open! The House of Black VS The Dark Order! Best Friends VS The Trustbusters! And La Faccion Ingobernable, now adding DRAGON LEE to the team, against the Young Bucks, and whoever they choose to join them. But who will that be? We’ll have to wait and see!

Tornado Tag: The Lucha Brothers VS La Faccion Ingobernable!

Speaking of all those great trios, Death Triangle’s Penta El Zero M & Rey Fenix are taking on Andrade El Idolo & Rush in an unbridled battle of lucha libre! Will Penta & Fenix show everyone the power of #CeroMiedo? Or will LFI make AEW tranquilo?

The bell rings and since no one needs to tag, Penta and Andrade get in each other’s face. Rush and Fenix stare down, too, and the brawl just fires off! They haymakers fly, Fenix knees Rush and Andrade DECKS Penta. Rush whips Fenix to a corner to clothseline, then he and Andrade stomp the brothers. Fans are torn as Andrade fires up. Penta yanks ANdrade back to GAMANGIRI! Rush runs in to DECK Penta! Fenix SOBATS Rush, then runs corner to corner, but into an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly into the corner! Andrade rusn now, but into a SLINGBLADE from Penta! Rush tears off his shirt and throws it at Penta!

Fans fire up as Penta and Rush circle. Penta goes to headlock but Rush shoves him away. Things speed up, Rush CHOPS on the run! Penta CHOPS back! Rush fires up, Penta runs, but into a ROLLING ELOW! Rush runs, into a SUPERKICK! Fans fire up as Rush bails out and regroups with Andrade. Penta builds speed but Andrade and Rush split up. Penta chooses Rush but Andrade trips him up! Fenix watches Andrade to then DIVE onto Rush! Direct hit into railing and Fenix puts Rush in. Penta gets Rush up but Fenix DIVES to take out Andrade at the ramp! Penta half nelsons, pump handles KARMA!! Cover, TWO!!

Fans are thunderous with “CERO! MIEDO!” Fenix climbs up and Penta tucks Rush in, but Andrade shoves Penta over to thwart the driver! Fenix jumps into a DROPKICK! But Penta SUPERKICKS Rush! Only for Rush to POWERSLAM Penta! Fenix KICKS Rush, then runs and jumps, but into a double hip toss SLAM onto Penta! Rush and Andrade double cover the brothers, TWO!! Both Penta and Fenix kick out and fans rally up. Andrade rains down fists on Penta, and Rush CHOPS Fenix out of the ring. Fans rally as LFI fist bump then DOUBLE TOPE CONJILO! Direct hit on both brothers at the ramp and fans fire up!

AEW goes picture in picture as Andrade puts Penta in the ring. Rush RAMS Fenix into railing while Andrade covers, TWO! Penta keeps his team in this and he goes to the apron. Rush CHOPS Fenix against railing, then drags him up to whip into more railing! Rush snampares Fenix and uses camera cable to LASH him! Andrade hits a DDT onto a chair! Rush CHOKES Fenix with the cables! Andrade leaves Penta behind to bring Fenix up and into the ring. LFI kick Fenix around, fans rally behind “CERO! MIEDO!” but LFI go out after Penta! They mug Penta, stomp him down, then Rush grabs a chair! Andrade has Rush hold on, that’d be a disqualification.

Andrade puts Penta in the ring and he boots Penta down! Andrade clamps onto Penta with an armlock while Rush snapmares Fenix into a neck wrench. Rush is digging at Fenix’s mask! Andrade sits Fenix up and has Rush run, and he basement dropkicks Fenix down! AEW returns to single picture as Andrade puts Penta in a corner and CHOPS him! LFI double whips Penta corner to corner, then Rush runs in. Penta dodges to SUPERKICK Andrade, GAMANGIRI Rush, then wheelbarrow victory roll, FLYING DDT on Rush! Fans fire up as Fenix knuckle locks and CHOPS Andrade to go up and up and FLYING RANA Rush!

Penta swings on Andrade but Andrade ducks. Andrade shoves Penta to a corner and follows him, but Penta goes up and over and BACKSTABBERS! Cover, TWO! But Penta and Fenix wheelbarrow SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Rush runs in, into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Fans fire up and Fenix runs in to get a boost from Penta, BIG SPLASH on Rush! Cover, Andrade breaks it! LFI regroups while fans are thunderous! The brothers say uno, dos, tres! SUPERKICKS! LFI bails out and fans shout, “CERO! MIEDO!” Now the Lucha Brothers DOUBLE TOPE CONJILO! They return the favor and the fans fire up for the Latino Heat!

Fenix puts Andrade in and fans chant “EDDIE! EDDIE!” Fenix climbs, to FROG SPLASH onto knees! Cover, TWO!! Fenix survives and Andrade is frustrated. Rush returns and fans rally up. LFI drags Fenix up and they set him up, but Fenix ducks and the SUPERKICK hits Rush! Andrade hurries to reel Fenix in but Fenix fights the hammerlock! Penta SUPERKICKS Andrade! Rush SHOTGUNS Penta! Andrade pounds the mat and fans fire up! Andrade runs corner to corner, CIEN KNEES for Penta! But Fenix JUMP SOBATS Andrade! Rush shoves Fenix to a corner but Fenix BOOTS back! Fenix goes up and up, and leaps into a POWERBOMB!

But Penta SOMERSAULT CUTTERS Rush! Fans are thunderous as all four men are down on the mat! A standing count starts, someone has to stand up! We’re at 5 of 10, then 7! Penta is on the apron with Andrade but Rush rushes in, into a GAMANGIRI! Penta reels Andrade in, “CERO! MIEDO!” But it isn’t a package piledriver, it’s a DESTROYER!! Fans are thunderous again as Penta and Fenix get Rush on the apron. Penta reels Rush in and hooks him up but Rush fights! Penta CLUBS away on Rush, “CERO! MIEDO!” Fenix is up top, but Andrade trips up the tightrope walk! Rush KNEES Penta down!

LFI goes after Fenix, but Fenix ROCKS Andrade! Rush HEADBUTTS Fenix! Fenix wobbles but stays on his feet, so Andrade ELBOW DROP DDTs! Cover, TWO!! Rush intercepts Penta with another knee and then ties the tail of his mask to the ropes! Andrade helps tie a double knot, and fans boo as LFI uses Penta’s lucha tradition against him! But Fenix SUPERKICKS Andrade! Only to turn around into Rush’s SHOTGUN MISSILE DROPKICK! Rush drags Fenix up and tucks the arms, STRAITJACKET PILEDRIVER!! Cover, PENTA LEAVES HIS MASK TO BREAK IT!!! His brother is more important than his mask!

But then Alex Abrahantes slides a spare mask in for Penta! Penta grabs for it, but Andrade stands on Penta’s hand! Andrade snatches the mask and grins. Jose CLBOBERS Alex and Andrade throws the mask away! Rush drags Penta up to TOSS Penta, but Fenix rolls Andrade! Rush breaks it!! Andrade whips Fenix into the corner and stomps away! Fans chant to someone to “THROW IT BACK!” in reference to Penta’s spare mask. Rush takes aim, BULL’S HORNS!! Rush drags Fenix up and feeds him to Andrade! LA SOMBRA DDT! Cover, LFI wins!

Winners: La Faccion Ingobernable, by pinfall

There was no saving Fenix & Penta from tranquilo! Will adding Dragon Lee only make LFI even more dangerous in the coming Trios Championship tournament?

The Young Bucks are on the Cutler Cam.

Matt & Nick Jackson have Brandon Cutler follow them because they need to get this on tape. The Bucks visit the Dark Order and Hangman Page. Sorry to barge in, but they mean no disrespect. They just wanted this on camera. John Silver says that’s fine, they have a BTE bit to film later anyway. Evil Uno asks Hangman and the Bucks if the rest of them should step out for this. No, no, it’s fine. The Bucks want the whole world to know this: They thank Hangman for saving them last week when he didn’t have to. Word on the street is, The Undisputed Elite are going to be around for a long time, and Hangman didn’t have to run them off.

The world has seen how the Bucks have treated Hangman, from what they’ve said to what they’ve done. They’re not proud of that and would take it all back if they could. So, Matt has been thinking and reminiscing. His favorite, most fun time of his career was when the three of them and The Elite were together, runnin’ and gunnin’ and doing this. They were building the revolution that became AEW. The friendship, the camaraderie, but then after AEW became a reality, things just got really weird. Matt knows Hangman felt that, too. Maybe it was the money, the TV time, the fame, but the Bucks got weird and selfish and if they could take it all back, they would.

So Matt just wants to say he is sorry. He means it. And… They’re here in this building, the very building Hangman won the AEW World Championship. Matt stood from afar and was so proud of Hangman, but he couldn’t even man up and say it! Hangman became a superstar! He wasn’t that other guy in The Elite, he WAS the Elite that night. Matt is so proud of Hangman, and wished he had enjoyed the journey over the destination. They can never get that time back. And Matt isn’t sure who he is anymore. He looks in the mirror and wonders if the internet trolls are right that he and Nick are awful. Maybe those people are on to something! Maybe they’re bad people.

But Matt knows one thing: when they’re around Hangman, he brings out the good in them. That is why Cutler’s camera is right here. The Bucks want to ask Hangman here and now: Will he be their third man in the trios tournament? The Hung Bucks can take on anyone! What does Hangman say? Huh? One last time! Hangman knew this would happen. He’d love to, guys, but he can’t. He knows Matt just said he was so proud of Hangman winning the world title and all that, but… The Bucks didn’t, The Dark Order did. These guys have been there for Hangman for those years The Bucks weren’t.

And in this AEW World Trios Championship tournament, Hangman feels this is The Dark Order’s chance. He feels he should have their backs the way they’ve always had his. He won’t be in the tournament at all, the Dark Order guys will be the team. So Hangman can’t be in their corner and in the Bucks’ corner at the same time. Hangman is sorry, but the Bucks get that. Hangman does know the Bucks should find someone who would never turn their backs on them. The Bucks get that. It’s fine. They can talk later. Good luck, Dark Order! Cutler asks The Bucks if they think Hangman meant him for the tournament. SHUT UP, BRANDON!

Jungle Boy is here!

Fans swing their arms and sing along while the pyro goes off! Jungle Jack is joining commentary for this one, but he doesn’t feel it’ll be that long. Because it’s LUCHASAURUS!

Luchasaurus VS Anthony Henry w/ JD Drake!

Jurassic Express is united, but JB is letting the wrestling dinosaur run his own course. Will Luchasaurus go all Godzilla on one half of the Workhorsemen?

The bell rings and Henry rushes in with forearms, but Luchasaurus TOSSES him to a corner! And then clotheslines! Luchasaurus hauls Henry up to pop him around for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Henry flounders, JD coaches him up, but Luchasaurus storms up on him. Henry ENZIGURIS, but Luchasaurus doesn’t budge! Luchasaurus HEADBUTTS Henry down! Luchasaurus hauls Henry back up, for the FOSSILIZER! Cover, Luchasaurus wins!

Winner: Luchasaurus, by pinfall

JB knew he wouldn’t be here long. But wait, Christian Cage is applauding from the back. “Impressive win, Luchasaurus. Now, Jungle Boy, I was gonna go out there and rip that headset off your head and slap the s*it outta you, right here, right now, but I decided the people of Minneapolis, they don’t deserve to see me in person.” JB throws off the headset as Christian says he is having way too much fun- OH NO! JB found Christian but security stops him from tearing into Christian! Captain Charisma runs off, Luchasaurus CLOBBERS the security! CHOKE SLAM onto a trunk! AEW producer Pat Buck rushes in, but gets a HEADBUTT for it!

JB tells Luchasaurus to take it easy, and make sure Pat’s okay. JB goes off to hunt down Christian, will he finally get his hands on the sleazy legend?

Miro speaks.

“Malakai. You’ve put me through changes, dragged me into the dark, but then I saw Hell was empty. Because all the devils are here.” Julia Hart walks over?! She tells Miro, “Embrace the gift. Give into it like I did.” Miro removes Julia’s hand from his face, and says there is only one woman who can touch The Redeemer, and Julia is not her. Tell the Pagans that he accepts their gift, and that he will own it so that he may use it to destroy them. “My warpath to my God is clear now. And it leads directly through The House of Black. These are the words of the Redeemer!” Will Miro join Sting and Darby in their fight against Malakai and his minions? Or is he going to destroy them on his own?

Backstage interview with “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs.

Mark Henry asks Hobbs if it is safe to assume, that after what happened last week, that he is done with Ricky Starks? Hobbs chuckles, but before he can answer, QT Marshall & The Factory walk over. QT tells Mark that this isn’t Will Hobbs, it’s POWERHOUSE Hobbs. And is he done with Starks? Hobbs left some crumbs, but tonight, Aaron Solo and The Factory sprinkles those crumbs around like parmesan cheese on mama’s spaghetti. And Hobbs doesn’t need to worry about a guy like Starks. Look at him! QT sees a world title in Hobbs’ future. The Factory can handle Starks, “because nobody says no to The Factory.”

Hobbs tells QT, “Don’t let your problem become mine.” Hobbs then leaves and Mark looks to QT. Will The Factory take Hobbs’ warning seriously? Will Starks make an absolute fool out of QT when he takes on Solo tonight?

Jay Lethal, Sonjay Dutt & Satnam Singh are here!

They go to the ring, all fired up and dressed to the nines. Sonjay gets a mic to say he’s on a high! Did the fans see Battle of the Belts last Saturday? They did to Wardlow the unthinkable. “Nobody has done to Wardlow what we did last Saturday night. Satnam Singh, One in a Billion, 7’4″, he choke slammed Wardlow right through a table! Wardlow was like 20 feet high up in the air!” Satnam rocks! But Wardlow, you may think that they’re done with you, but they’re not done by a long shot! Lethal gets the mic to say that last Saturday, they sent a message. The message is A) Defend the TNT Championship against Lethal one more time, or B) they come find him and just take the title!

Fans chant for “WARD~LOW!” and wouldn’t you know? Here comes Wardlow! Wardlow says Lethal wants another shot? Then he’s got it! But for tonight, eh whoops all three of their asses! And wait! Following behind are the TOP GUYS! F T R!! Fans are fired up for Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood, draped in gold from ROH, NJPW and AAA! This unofficial Pinnacle reunion storms its way to the ring, so Lethal and his boys bail out! Sonjay looks for something under the ring, but there’s nothing good. Cash dares someone to get in the ring, but Lethal’s group flanks them. Lethal rushes in, but Wardlow blocks hi and ROCKS him, into the BIG RIG!

Lethal bails back out and Sonjay checks on him. Lethal’s crew retreats for now, will Wardlow and FTR stay Top Guys in AEW?

Backstage interview with the Jericho Appreciation Society.

Tony Schiavone is with Daniel Garcia, Angelo Parker, Matt Menard and Anna “Jay AS” but Parker has him shush. Menard says he can feel it! The world can feel it! Daddy Magic’s lucky red jacket is here, and history will be made tonight! Moxley, it’s been a hell of a run, but it comes to an end TONIGHT! Because tonight is the Jericho Championship Appreciation Party! Did you see the spread?! There’s hors d’oeuvres, amuse-bouche, even a fondue fountain! And Schiavone, you are NOT invited! But best yet, they’ve got A Little Bit o’ the Bubbly! It’s time for the AEW Galaxy to APPRECIATE US!

And while talking about appreciation, you know who should appreciate Garcia? Bryan Danielson. Bryan got another paid vacation with his family and that garden. Garcia put Bryan to sleep and owns him now. He is the Dragonslayer! Anna then shouts at a random stage hand and says if they don’t believe Garcia is the Dragonslayer, she’s gonna choke them out!! And then she does!! Will the JAS be celebrating with Le Champion after tonight’s main event?

Ricky Starks VS Aaron Solo w/ The Factory!

The Absolute may be without his FTW Championship and without Team Taz, but he is not about to pay for protection or join up with QT Marshall’s mockery of a mafia. Will Starks prove to his other former tag partner that he’s still a dangerous man? Or will Solo show him the power of The Factory?

Solo rushes Starks the second he’s in the ring but Starks dodges! The bell rings and Starks fires off hands with Solo! Fans fire up but Solo ROCKS Starks. Solo whips Starks to a corner but Starks comes back to CLOBBER Solo! Starks then dodges Solo to back drop him, and strike his pose! Fans fire up, and Starks whips Solo. Solo reverses, Cole Karter trips Starks up, and Solo CLOBBERS Starks! But the ref saw that and EJECTS Karter! So much for his two dimes in this match. Solo is mad and he storms up on Starks but Starks CHOPS him! Solo ROCKS Starks, fires off hands in the corner, then stomps a mudhole in.

The ref counts, Solo lets off at 4, and he talks trash on Starks while fans rally behind Starks. Solo stands Starks up, throws hands and then SLAPS Starks! Solo grins but Starks scowls. Solo and Starks clinch, Starks shoves Solo away and the hands start flying! Starks ROCKS Solo again and again then whips, but Solo reverses. Starks JAWBREAKERS, then dodges Solo to TORNADO DDT! Fans fire up and Starks runs to BOOT Solo! Starks reels Solo in, strikes his pose, and underhooks to lift, but Solo RANAS free! Solo kicks but Starks blocks and side steps, then ducks the Screw High Kick to SPEAR Solo on the return!! Cover, Starks wins!

Winner: Ricky Starks, by pinfall

That was an absolutely exciting finish to the match! QT sends the Freak Beast to the ring, with a chair! Starks sees him coming, dodges that chair shot, and hits a SPINEBUSTER! Starks calls out Hobs with that one! And then he underhooks Comoroto, only for Solo to CLOBBER Starks from behind! Comoroto gets the chair back, but Starks sends Solo into Comoroto! Starks bails, but he sees QT and Ogogo storming down the ramp! Starks goes up and over the railing, QT tumbles as he tries to follow, and Starks gets away! Hobbs is in the back, and he rips the TV off the mount and slams it down! Powerhouse is pissed that Starks survives, will he have to handle Starks himself?

Backstage interview with Gunn Club.

Billy is telling his boys to toughen up, but Lexi Nair asks them about how they’re feeling after the Dumpster Match loss. Funny she should bring that up, because they were just going over that. Billy was trying to figure out how, in one night, these two could RUIN the only match Billy made famous! This is what makes Billy miss The Acclaimed. But wait, Stokely Hathaway walks in? He tells “Grandpa Ass” that it’s time to go to bed, it’s after 8 PM! They’ve got some Ensure in catering, maybe Billy can go get himself a bottle. As for the Gunn boys, they can start taking their careers a little more seriously.

Billy grabs the card away from Stokely. “The jokes are old and funny, but you’re about to have a really bad day.” Stokely says alright, that’s fine. Stokely leaves, and Billy says to make it up to Austin & Colten, they have a match for Rampage. But then Danhausen walks in! He and “the big bearded fellow” will see the Ass Boys this Friday. Don’t touch them! Get away. Who is Danhausen talking about for his tag team partner? Trent?

Backstage interview with Best Friends.

Speaking of Trent, Schiavone is with Trent, Chuck Taylor and Orange Cassidy because they had something they wanted to show everyone. Cassidy high-fives Trent and Chuck, is this what he was talking about? But then the Trustbusters, Ari Daivari, Slim J & Parker Bourdeaux, walk over. Ari has Slim J get the mic to hold it for him. Ari says he’s been trying to get a hold of Cassidy all week! But Cassidy hasn’t answered any of Ari’s texts, calls or emails! Now that the trust has kicked in, Ari is investing in the best talent in AEW. He wants to bring Cassidy to superstardom, and all he’s gotta do is ditch the morons right here!

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Cassidy doesn’t know what Ari’s talking about, but whatever his question is, the answer is no. Trent & Chuck back him up. Is that it? The final answer is no? Alright, that’s fine. They’ll learn first hand what happens to people who say know to Daivari Dinero! Will the Trustbusters beat the Best Friends right out of the AEW World Trios Championship Tournament? Or will it be more like the other way around?

AEW TBS Championship: Jade Cargill w/ The Baddies VS Madison Rayne!

The undefeated streak and inaugural title reign continue as #ThatBitch is 35-0! But she’s up against a FIVE-TIME Women’s World Champion and THREE-TIME Women’s Tag Team Champion. Will Madison reign in AEW? Or will the storm that’s coming make Madison quake by the lake?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Madison is the one, or just another one.

Jade and Rayne get face to face and fans rally up. Jade shoves Rayne down but Rayne is right back up! Jade applauds Rayne, kisses her on the forehead, pats her on the top of her head, then offers a handshake. Rayne fires off forearms instead! Rayne whips, Jade blocks, then reels Rayne in for a knee! Jade CLUBS Rayne, storms up and kicks her low, and Rayne goes to a corner. Jade runs in but Rayne goes up! Jade hits buckles and Rayne hits a missile dropkick! Fans fire up as Jade bails out and Kiera fans her off. Rayne goes to the apron, Jade avoids the Penalty Kick to Electric Chair! Jade pops Rayne around, but Rayne throws hands to RANA Jade away!

Rayne stalks Jade, SHOVES her into railing, then fires up! Fans fire up with Rayne but Jade gets in the ring. Rayne gets on the apron, and the ref watches Kiera! Rayne tells her not to even, and Kiera backs off. Rayne gets in, Jade SPEARS her outta nowhere! And then kips up! Fans fire up as Jade flexes, and AEW goes picture in picture.

Rayne crawls to the apron but Jade storms over. Rayne shoulders into Jade, Jade ROCKS Rayne, then suplexes Rayne up and into the ring! A hard landing and both women are down! Kiera coaches Jade up but Rayne gets to the corner. Jade runs in and fires off forearms! Jade then TOSSES Rayne across the way! Jade says taht’s why she’s 35-0! Jade does push-ups and fans cheer her on. Jade then storms up on Rayne to stomp her in the corner. Jade TOSSES Rayne the other way now, then dribbles, into a BOOT! Rayne goes up again, but Jade ROCKS her first! Jade trophy lifts Rayne off the corner and carries her around, to then DROP her!

Fans fire up for Jade’s power and Kiera says that’s right! Jade looms over Rayne, stomps her around, kicks her around, and talks trash. Jade pie faces Rayne but Rayne throws body shots! Jade CLUBS Rayne, drags her up and DCKS her! Rayne goes to a corner, Jade drags her up and ROCKS her again. Jade whips Rayne corner to corner hard and Rayne falls down. Jade mocks Rayne’s pain then stomps Rayne more. Jade dribbles and runs corner to corner to DUNK on Rayne! Jade keeps dribbling and she drags Rayne back up. Rayne throws body shots again but Jade CLUBS her down. Jade drags Rayne up to suplex and hold her up!

AEW returns to single picture as Jade still has Rayne in the stalling suplex, with one arm! Then the SLAM! Jade covers, TWO! Kiera is upset, and she tells fans to shut up about the two! Jade drags Rayne up, but Rayne JAWBREAKERS! Jade staggers, Rayne gets up and throws forearms! Fans rally, Rayne CHOPS and forearms on repeat! Jade spins Rayne but Rayne kicks low. Then ENZIGURIS! Jade staggers again, Rayne reels Jade in, turns Jade and hits a NECKBREAKER! Rayne fires up and goes to the corner. Fans fire up as Rayne climbs, and Jade staggers up into the BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO!

Rayne drags Jade back up, Jade throws body shots, but Rayne has a GUILLTOINE! Jade powers Rayne up, but Rayne makes it a SATELLITE DDT!! Cover, TWO!! Jade survives and Rayne is shocked! Rayne sees Kiera on the apron and grabs her by her hair! Jade rushes in, Rayne dodges and the BOOT gets Kiera! Rayne rolls Jade up, TWO!! Rayne kicks but misses, Jade BOOTS Rayne down! Jade drags Rayne up, chicken wings her, but Rayne switches to knee low! CROSS- NO, Jade slips through to chicken wing! JADED! Cover, Jade wins!

Winner: Jade Cargill, by pinfall (still AEW TBS Champion)

THIRTY-SIX! Jade has one 36 singles matches in a row, no losses anywhere on her record, and she just crossed off a big name. But wait! That Baddie fan in the crowd hops the railing, and it’s ATHENA! The Fallen Goddess was in disguise, and Jade turns around into a HAYMAKER! Athena fires off on Jade, whips her to ropes, but Kiera helps Jade get away! Fans boo but Athena snatches up the TBS Championship! Will Athena be the one to finally dethrone #ThatBitch?

Backstage interview with Thunder Rosa & Toni Storm.

Schiavone says it was a big week for #ThunderStorm last week, from that tag team defeat to the successful AEW Women’s World Championship defense at Battle of the Belts III. But a big announcement here: Kris Statlander is injured and cannot compete, making Toni Storm the #1 contender once again. Rosa says in this sport, this happens all the time, and they have to rise to the occasion. This isn’t what Rosa wanted but it is what it is. Storm agrees, she didn’t see it going down like this, either. But next week, Storm will be in action and plans to keep the momentum going. And Storm’s main goal is to be AEW Women’s World Champion.

Rosa says she wishes Storm luck in her match, but they’ll talk about a possible title match after that. Will #ThunderStorm be torn apart by the gold?

AEW has more for Rampage’s Quake by the Lake!

After being called out again and again by Daniel Garcia, Bryan Danielson will make his return to address his status! Plus, we’ll hear(?) from the FTW Champion, the Handsome Devil, HOOK! And it turns out, Danhausen’s “big bearded guy” is none other than ERICK REDBEARD!! It will be the debut of #Beardhausen in a match with the Gunn Club! And ahead of their Trios match with Best Friends, Ari Daivari sends out his heavy hitter, Parker Boudreaux, against the returning Sonny Kiss! Plus, Ari Daivari himself is in action, against Orange Cassidy! Will Daivari get to personally show Cassidy why it was a bad move to reject him?

Then, after their big Street Fight win just last Friday, Swerve in Our Glory is back to speak on the state of the AEW World Tag Team Championships! And lastly, #SamTay, Sammy Guevara & Tay Conti Melo, bring the AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championships to AEW, and defend them against Dante Martin & Skye Blue! Will the newlyweds lose their gold to Angel Dorado & Cielo Azul?

BREAKING NEWS for next week!

As part of the Game of Thrones: House of the Dragon crossover, it will be Dragonslayer VS American Dragon! Daniel Garcia VS Bryan Danielson, the REMATCH! And it will be BEST TWO OUT OF THREE FALLS!! Will Red Death get the better of Bryan again? Or will Bryan be the one doing the slaying this time?

Interim AEW World Championship: Jon Moxley VS Chris Jericho!

As far as The Maniac is concerned, there is nothing “interim” about what he’s been doing! He says he IS the AEW World Champion, no matter when or where CM Punk returns in the future. Likewise, Jericho vows to become the new AEW World Champion here tonight, because he’s bringing out the Lionheart! He even uses the classic theme and some NJPW highlights! Will this be more than a nostalgia trip for everyone tonight? Or will Moxley refuse to lose the belt he’s fought so hard to get back?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if a Wild Thing can tame a Lionheart!

Fans are fired up already with the bell, Jericho flips Moxley off! Moxley just flips Jericho off in return! They circle, tie up, and Jericho arm-drags! Moxley is mad already as Jericho grins. The two reset, slowly circle, and they tie up again. Jericho arm-drags again and now Moxley is getting frustrated. Jericho soaks up the cheers and jeers and circles with Moxley again. They knuckle lock, go for a test of strength, and fans duel. Jericho powers Moxley back, headlocks, but Moxley pries free to headlock and hits the takeover. Jericho headscissors, Moxley kips free and fans cheer the new standoff.

Jericho and Moxley tie up again, Moxley shoots in, around and headlocks. Jericho powers out, Moxley rams shoulders, and neither man falls. Jericho shouts at Moxley, then runs, to ram Moxley! Moxley just SLAPS Jericho, so Jericho SLAPS back! Moxley kicks low and underhooks but Jericho trips Moxley up! Jericho has the legs, but Moxley resists the turnover and spins to throw Jericho away! Both men get up, Jericho wrenches and hammerlocks to then drag Moxley down for a Mexican Jave armbar! Jericho throws elbows into Moxley’s neck, fans rally up with “SKOL! SKOL! SKOL!” and Jericho shifts from that hold to a leglock clutch!

Moxley endures as Jericho keeps him hovering off the mat! Moxley fights and squeaks out, to CHOP! And CHOP! Jericho CHPOS, Moxley CHOPS, repeat! Moxley eggs Jericho on then forearms to a snapmare and KICK! Moxley flips Jericho off again, then dares him to getup. Jericho stands, kicks and snapmares to KICK in the back, and neck wrench! Jericho pulls on Moxley’s earring! AND RIPS IT OUT!! Fans can’t believe how vicious Jericho is! Jericho drops the earring while Moxley gets to the apron. TRIANGLE JUMP DROPKICK! Moxley is hit and tumbles to the floor! Jericho soaks up the cheers and jeers while AEW goes picture in picture.

Jericho shows off the earring again, Moxley writhes on the outside, and the ref reprimands about the earring. Jericho flips everyone off and goes out to put the earring on the timekeeper’s table. Jericho storms up on Moxley, throws elbows into the earlobe, and it is bleeding! Moxley staggers away, Jericho follows after and has him sit in the corner. Jericho rains down fists on that ear, then he RAMS Moxley into the railing! Jericho then soaks up the heat before going back to Moxley. Jericho drags Moxley up, puts him back in the ring, and Moxley staggers away while clutching his ear. Jericho stomps away on Moxley in the corner, focusing on the ear!

The ref reprimands, counts, and Jericho backs off at 4. Jericho drags Moxley back into a CAMEL CLUTCH! Fans rally while Moxley endures, and Jericho lets Moxley go. Jericho taunts the fans and they cheer and jeer. Moxley gets up to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Moxley runs, but into a DROPKICK! Jericho has his cocky cover, ONE! Jericho grins and paces around, then brings Moxley up for a BIG back suplex! Jericho then runs to BOOT Moxley down! Jericho continues to soak up the heat as AEW returns to single picture. Jericho flips fans off, taunts the jeering and booing, but then turns around into a LARIAT from Moxley!

Fans fire up while both men are down, and Moxley, still trying to stop his ear from bleeding, fires off hands on Jericho, Jericho hits back, Moxley fires off forearms and kicks and uppercuts! Moxley runs, but into a spin and underhooks, TIGER BACKBREAKER! Fans fire up and Jericho runs to LARIAT Moxley down! Jericho then LIONSAULTS! He’s still got it! Cover, TWO, and Moxley gets Jericho’s arm for an ARMBAR! Jericho flails, moves around, clasps hands, but Moxley fights the grip by BENDING the fingers! ARMBAR!! Jericho fights around, throws down elbows, again focusing on the ear!

Jericho steps over, INVERTED MOTORCYCLE STRETCH! Moxley endures his arms being bent back, uses that to hook a leg and trip Jericho, for an ANKLE LOCK!! Jericho endures, rolls, kicks Moxley away, but Moxley shoots in and around to a GERMAN SUPLEX! Jericho’s right back up! Jericho gets around, to GERMAN SUPLEX Moxley! Moxley stands up but staggers about, the blood a crimson mask on that left side of his face. Jericho runs in to clothesline in the corner! And again, and again, and again! Jericho hoists Moxley up top to CHOP, then climbs up after him for the SUPER STEINER! Fans fire up as Jericho chases Moxley down! Cover, TWO!!

Jericho doesn’t bother being frustrated with Moxley’s toughness, he just goes outside to YANK Moxley into the post! And SLAM the legs against the steel! The ref reprimands but Jericho SLAMS the legs into the post again! Jericho then ties those legs up, shouts out The Hitman with the HANGING FIGURE FOUR!! The ref counts, Jericho lets go at 4! Moxley crawls and hobbles away but Jericho stalks him. Moxley catches the haymaker into a FUJIWARA, then the CROSSFACE! Jericho endures but Moxley pulls him way back! Jericho fights, but Moxley just keeps pulling back! Jericho pries at the hands, clubs at them, then rolls through to get the legs!

Moxley fights but Jericho works to turn him over! Fans fire up as Jericho keeps trying, WALLS OF JERICHO!! Jericho sits deep on the hold but Moxley endures! Fans are thunderous and dueling, and Moxley is fading! Moxley stays conscious as AEW goes picture in picture!

Moxley pushes up, fades again, but he gets a second wind! Moxley pushes up, crawls on his elbows through the bloodstains he himself has left on this mat, but his body starts giving out again! Jericho keeps sitting on the hold, but Moxley flips him off! Moxley fights forward again, manages to tuck and roll, and he throws haymakers from below! Jericho stomps Moxley in return! And then turns him again, back into the WALLS!! Moxley endures and fans are thunderous! Moxley keeps fighting, this is maybe his third or fourth wind, but he’s still so far from the ropes! AEW returns to single picture as Jericho shouts for Moxley to just quit!

Moxley crawls, and claws, and scratches, and reaches the ROPEBREAK! Jericho lets off, and he again argues with the ref that he won! Bu the didn’t, that was the ropebreak! Jericho stomps away on Moxley in frustration, then lets off as he tries to think what he has to do. Moxley stands, Jericho TRIANGLE JUMPS but Moxley tosses him to the floor! Moxley gets back in the ring, hobbles with his bad back and massive blood loss, and he gets up the corner! SUPER DIVING AX HANDLES! Then a ground ‘n’ pound at the ramp!! Fans fire up as Moxley just fires off! Moxley drags Jericho up, “This is Awesome!” as this returns to the ring.

Moxley climbs the corner again, leaps, into a CODE BREAKER!! Jericho shoots Moxley down, covers him, TWO!!! Even after everything, Moxley is still in this! Jericho stands and Moxley sits up, and Moxley eggs Jericho on! So Jericho BOOTS him down! Jericho rains down fists on Moxley, tells him to stay down, then he rips off a buckle pad! The ref reprimands and tries to fix that one, but Jericho just rips off another one! Again, the ref reprimands and tries to fix the buckle pad, but Jericho calls to someone. Someone tosses Floyd the Baseball Bat in, but WAY over Jericho’s head! Sammy Guevara’s in the crowd and realizes how bad he did.

Jericho chases to get Floyd, then rushes in to CLOBBER Moxley! The ref was too busy with buckle pads to see it! Cover, TWO!?!? Moxley survives the Sammy screw job?! Jericho gets the legs, but Moxley makes it a cradle, TWO! Jericho swings, into a SLEEPER!! Moxley squeezes tight, Jericho claws at the hold, but pushes Moxley into bare steel!! Moxley staggers into the JUDAS EFFECT!! Jericho crawls to the cover, TWO!?!?! Moxley survives the unstoppable Judas Effect elbow!! No one can believe it and Jericho is furious! Fans hope they “Fight Forever!” but this has to end somehow!

Jericho hurries outside, he grabs the AEW title belt, and brings it into the ring. The ref tries to stop him but Jericho just pushes past and swings on Moxley! Moxley avoids the belt shot to send Jericho into bare steel! Jericho tastes karma, and then the SLEEPER!! Jericho is fading as Moxley squeezes him into the BULLY CHOKE! Moxley rains down elbows and fists, then cranks the hold! But Jericho slips out and rains down elbows of his own! And then, LIONTAMER!!! Moxley endures Jericho’s original submission hold, but Moxley turns it around and drags Jericho down! Moxley rains down forearms to the back of Jericho’s head before the SLEEPER!!

Jericho endures, but he is bleeding from the buckle shot! Moxley traps Jericho’s arm and legs with the body scissors, fans are thunderous as Jericho keeps reaching out, BUT JERICHO TAPS!! Moxley wins!!

Winner: Jon Moxley, by submission (still Interim AEW World Champion)

Lionheart fought his heart out, and did bring out quite a few tricks in his book, but Moxley still holds onto the title! But wait, here comes Sammy and Jake Hager! They CLOBBER Moxley and stomp him down! Fans boo as Jericho’s most faithful lieutenants mug Moxley! But wait, here comes the Blackpool Combat Club, as well as Ortiz and Eddie Kingston! Claudio Castagnoli CLOBBERS Sammy, Ortiz CLOBBERS Jericho, then Claudio hands Sammy off to Yuta so that he and Kingston can go after Hager and Jericho! Fans are thunderous, the bell is ringing, the rest of the JAS rush out! Parker, Menard and Garcia go after the BCC, they have the numbers advantage!

Jericho grabs the AEW world title, Menard sets Moxley up, but wait!! C M PUNK is here!!! The Best in the World storms out to the ring, he CLOBBERS Parker, DECKS Garcia, then dodges Sammy to RAM him into steel steps! Punk dumps Hager out, dodges the belt shot and DECKS Jericho! And again! And then Punk clotheslines Jericho up and out! Fans are electric as Punk storms around, but Moxley grabs the AEW title belt. And even with everything that just happened, it is clear that the question is now: Who is THE AEW World Champion? Punk and Moxley stare down and fans lose their minds! Moxley flips Punk off, then bumps him on the way out!

Will Moxley prove HE is the Best in the World? Or will Punk, now 100%, go all out to prove that he is the UNDISPUTED AEW World Champion?

My Thoughts:

This was another awesome event for AEW, though they didn’t do much in the way to put a theme on this. “Quake by the Lake” was a clever name but they didn’t have props to fit the theme, like camping tents or a campfire. But anyway, the Coffin match was a great opener, though I should’ve known the House of Black would get involved. Great to see Buddy is back, and great use of the lights going out to sneak Sting into the coffin. Sting VS Malakai is coming, but I wonder if they’re going to have Miro join Sting and Darby in a brutal Six Man Tag of some kind after that promo he had. Miro says as much that he’s not joining the House of Black, so that’d be a logical move to me.

I really like the bracket we’re getting for the AEW World Trios Championship Tournament. Really good interaction between Best Friends and Trustbusters to set up matches for Rampage and to give some heat to their match in the opening round. I would think Best Friends win in the tournament, as I see Parker Boudreaux beating Sonny Kiss, and Ari Daivari possibly cheating to beat Cassidy. And great to see that NJPW is sending the United Empire’s Ospreay & Aussie Open, though I don’t see them getting through Death Triangle. After that awesome Tornado Tag where LFI wins, I think they get through the Bucks and their mystery third man.

Speaking of which, great promo from Bucks, Hangman and Dark Order. This all fits within Hangman’s larger story perfectly. He can’t just go back to the guys who left him out in the cold, but he is at least back out of the tournament entirely to let whatever three of the Dark Order try to win. I have a feeling the Bucks will have no choice but to use Cutler, and then Cutler takes the lose to LFI. LFI and Death Triangle then meet in the semifinals for an awesome 3v3 version of what we got tonight. And who knows who they face in the finals, but it’ll be an awesome match at All Out. Personally, would love if it comes down to Best Friends VS Death Triangle, I still want that feud to start again.

Great squash match win for Luchasaurus, and great brawl backstage. Christian of course avoids the fight, and Luchasaurus might get (kayfabe) fined and/or suspended for headbutting Pat Buck. What is it about Pat Buck that he gets beat up by talent? Great little bit from Lethal’s group and then Wardlow and FTR. Wardlow VS Lethal 2 is going to be great, not sure if there will be a Six Man Tag as the go-home to it, because it’s so obvious Sonjay would take the loss on that one. At some point, some team from somewhere has to beat FTR for one of those three titles they hold, and I feel like it’ll be a team from AAA to get those AAA belts since FTR has had those the longest.

Good little promo from Thunder Rosa & Toni Storm getting to the tension Britt Baker was bringing up. That title match could definitely be part of All Out, but I wonder if Britt tries to take the #1 contender spot in the last few weeks before then. Good interaction from Hobbs and The Factory, but QT is making it a little too obvious they’re just copying Tony D’Angelo from NXT. Great match from Starks and Solo, and Starks makes The Factory all look like dorks. Hobbs is mad, but we know Hobbs and Starks are going to have it out between now and All Out. Good stuff from Gunn Club and Danhausen, #Beardhausen is going to be a really fun team for Rampage.

Really good match from the TBS Championship, but I will say like I did for Rampage last week, Madison Rayne doesn’t actually seem that exciting or skilled of a wrestler. She’s somehow become a multiple time champion, but nothing about what we got out of her and Jade really thrilled me. And even then, we all knew Jade was winning. But a great little ambush from Athena, I really hope Athena gets the match for All Out, and I also hope Athena gets the title. Jade’s already set an incredible bar for a singles champion in AEW, and even if she loses at All Out, Jade can easily pivot to the world title to finish out 2022.

Great group promo from the JAS to hype up the main event as well as their own stuff, and I love that we’re getting 2 outta 3 falls for Garcia VS Bryan. Awesome main event for the title, practically PPV worthy, and of course there was blood. But WOW, ripping out the earring. A little disappointing but of course Jericho cheats with help from the JAS, but in the end, Moxley still wins. Great brawl and great return from CM Punk, was not expecting him so soon. But that means they’re going to set up Punk VS Moxley for the title at All Out because duh, it’s in Chicago again. No offense to Chicago, but one day, All Out should be somewhere else. But hey, they’re getting their hometown hero there, no idea if he wins to be Undisputed AEW World Champion or not.

My Score: 9.1/10