Why, Konosuke, Why?

Another Double or Nothing in the books, and after their betrayal of The Elite, we hear from Don Callis and Konosuke Takeshita!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Six Man Tag: The Blackpool Combat Club VS The Lucha Brothers & Bandido; The BCC wins.
• Triple Threat: Swerve Strickland VS “Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trent Beretta; Swerve wins.
• Orange Cassidy & Darby Allin VS The Gates of Agony w/ Prince Nana; Darby & Cassidy win.
• AEW TBS Championship: Kris Statlander VS Nyla Rose; Kris wins and retains the title.
• Mixed Tag: Chris Jericho & Saraya VS Adam Cole & Britt Baker; Cole & Britt win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Six Man Tag: The Blackpool Combat Club VS The Lucha Brothers & Bandido!

Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta, along with Bryan Danielson, were victorious at Double or Nothing in Anarchy in the Arena II, but they had some help at the end. We’ll hear from dirty Don and turncoat Takeshita later, because right now, the BCC want to unleash #DeathJitsu on the ROH World Tag Team Champions & The Most Wanted! Will the Maniac, the Swiss Superman and the Decoder prove they’re ready for more violence?

Fans are fired up for the Lucha Bros & Bandido but the BCC isn’t amused. The trios sort out but then everyone starts shoving. Then they start brawling! The ref reprimands but the BCC have the luchadores on the ropes. They triple whip but the luchadores all reverse to TRIPLE SUPERKICK! Fans fire up with “CERO! MIEDO!” The luchadores build speed and TRIPLE DIVE into forearms and lariats! Moxley drags Penta out to the floor to throw him at the timekeeper’s area! Wheeler RAMS Bandido into steel steps! Claudio SNAKE EYES Fenix off the railing, then tosses him OVER the railing! Then he goes out after him in the crowd!

Moxley has an ANKLE LOCK on Penta, while Yuta throws Bandido into railing! And then more railing! The ref reprimands, but Moxley runs in, only for Penta to toss him into the crowd! Yuta puts Bandido in the ring, the bell finally sounds, and this is finally a match. Fans cheer as Yuta stomps Bandido and Claudio TOSSES Fenix back to ringside. Yuta drags Bandido up but Bandido throws body shots. Bandido clotheslines in the corner, whips him corner to corner, but Yuta goes up and over. Bandido runs back in but into a scoop SLAM! And Claudio clotheslines Fenix back up and over the railing!

Yuta SENTONS on Bandido, covers, TWO! Yuta scowls but Bryan is at least impressed with Yuta using a “fundamentally sound” cover. Yuta drags Bandido up, suplexes, but Bandido blocks! Fans rally up, Bandido suplexes Yuta! And holds him up! Uno! Dos! Tress! But then Mox rushes in! Fenix SUPERKICKS him first! Penta sees Claudio and SUPERKICKS him first! Then they SUPERKICK again! Bandido goes past TWENTY, and then the Lucha Brothers each grab Moxley and Claudio to hammerlock arms. DOUBLE SACRIFICE ARMBARS!! Bandido makes it to THIRTY but he isn’t done!!

Bandido makes it to FORTY, and then FIFTY!! Yuta’s head is almost as red as Bandido’s outfit as we get to SIXTY, and the SLAM!! Cover, TWO!?! Yuta survives and Bryan is proud of his student again. But tag to Penta, Fenix goes up, “CERO! MIEDO!” But Yuta slips free, only for Penta to SUPERKICK! TIGHTROPE WALK KICK! But Moxley CUTTERS Penta! Fenix SCREW HIGH KICKS Mox, but Claudio CLOBBERS Fenix! Penta SUPERKICKS, whips, Claudio reverses but Penta goes up and over, BACKSTABBER!! Fans are thunderous and Bryan has to admit, the lucha trio is incredible.

Penta crawls, as does Yuta, hot tag to Bandido! He HOTSHOTS Yuta, springboards but Yuta moves! Bandido FLOPS, then distracts the ref! Claudio & Moxley drag Bandido out to ASSISTED PILEDRIVER to the floor!! Bryan loves it while fans boo, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Yuta snap suplexes Bandido up and over, then drags Bandido back up. He fists bumps Claudio, puts Bandido in the ring, then tags Moxley. Moxley keeps Bandido from the corner with a facelock, but fans rally up. Bandido fights to his feet, only for Moxley to HALF HATCH! Moxley then tags Claudio in, they stomps Bandido, then Claudio grabs an arm to grind it down. Bandido endures, fights to the ROPEBREAK, but Claudio brings him up. Bandido throws body shots but Claudio chinbars to keep him from the corner. Claudio whips and CLOBBERS Bandido, then flexes. Tag to Moxley and the BCC stomp Bandido again.

Moxley gets the legs to stomp Bandido int he stomach. Moxley then turns Bandido with a HALF CRAB! Bandido reaches out, Yuta tries to keep the rope from him but the ref reprimands. Fans rally up, Bandido gets the ROPEBREAK! Moxley lets go to bring Bandido up and he throws knee after knee. Moxley whips, Bandido sunset flips, but Moxley rolls through to KNEE Bandido down! Cover, TWO, but Moxley gets the arms for DRAGON STOMPS! Moxley drags Bandido to a cover, TWO! Moxley grabs an arm to hammerlock it and grind Bandido down. Bandido endures while Dynamite returns to single picture.

Fans rally but Moxley chinbars Bandido into a chinlock. Bandido still endures, but Moxley wraps Bandido arms around for a straitjacket stretch. Bandido still fights up and JAWBREAKERS free! Moxley runs in to clothesline at the corner! And again! Moxley talks trash on Bandido, whips him corner to corner, but Bandido BOOTS him! And UPPERCUTS! And goes up top for a TORNILLO! Direct hit and fans are thunderous! Both Bandido and Moxley crawl, hot tags to Claudio and Fenix! Fenix waistlocks, Claudio fights it and elbows free to then whip. Fenix ducks ‘n’ dodges, tiger feint rewind but Claudio dodges the heel kick!

Fenix still SUPERKICKS! Yuta runs in to BOOT Fenix! Fans foo, but Yuta runs in and only gets the buckles! JUMP SOBAT! Snapmare and tag to Penta! UNO, DOS, TRES! DOUBLE SUPERKICKS!! Claudio returns, Penta dodges and SLINGBLADES! Penta goes to a corner, Claudio runs in but Penta pops him up into a headstand, to SUPERKICK him down! Penta then uses Claudio to victory roll and jump, DDT for Moxley! Claudio LARIATS in return!! Fans fire up again as Claudio stirs. Claudio drags Penta back but Penta kicks him away. Hot tags to Yuta and Bandido! Yuta and Bandido fire forearms back and forth!

The fans are on Bandido’s side but Yuta ROCKS him! Yuta eggs Bandido on, and the forearms go back and forth again! Bryan says Yuta’s technique is the advantage, but Bandido starts using speed! The forearms keep going and the fans fire up! Yuta BITRES Bandido’s forehead! Yuta runs, into a DROPKICK! Bandido throws off the shirt and fans are thunderous again! Bandido whips, pops Yuta up, CUTTER!! Bandido goes up, the Lucha Brothers get in. “CERO! MIEDO!” The Lucha Brothers DOUBLE TOPE to take out Mox & Claudio! FROG SPLASH for Bandido! Cover, TWO!!! Bryan says this is what he was talking about!

Fans boo but Bandido drags Yuta up to gut wrench and Canadian Rack. Torture rack to KNEE STRIKE! Bandido has Yuta on the ropes, he runs, but Moxley anchors Yuta out of the 21 Plex! The ref reprimands, Penta ENZIGURIS Moxley! Yuta sends Bandido to ropes, Claudio UPPERCUTS Bandido! Yuta BUSAIKU KNEES, to the HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS!!! Bryan calls ever shot, and then Yuta shifts into the SEATBELT! The BCC wins!

Winner: The Blackpool Combat Club, by pinfall

Bryan celebrates with his guys, though the fans aren’t as happy about it. Will the BCC soon look to take over AEW one division at a time?

 

Backstage interview with The Elite.

Alex Marvez is with Hangman Page and the Young Bucks while Matt Jackson is having his foot taped up. Anarchy in the Arena II was perhaps one of the most brutal matches in AEW history, what is the status of Matt and the rest of the team three days later? Matt says a long time ago, he told Hangman that he brings out the good in them. Safe to say, after Sunday, the BCC bring out the worst in them. Never thought the day would come where Matt would try to melt the face of another man with an explosive sneaker, and alas, here we are.

Nick, a big bandage on his forehead, recounts Hangman saying that they are the heart, the soul and the spirit of AEW. Not one setback is gonna keep them down! Hangman says they are still standing, still swinging, and still breathing! To be a group that prides themselves on being the best, the BCC sure love to use numbers. But the truth is- Wait, in walks the Dark Order. They tell Hangman, “Good to see you.” Oh, did Matt hurt his foot? Silver says Hangman is with his new-old best friends, they should probably just go. Sorry about that. Hangman wants to respond to that, but Marvez has one more question.

It has been said, rumored, that Kenny Omega has left the country and gone home to Canada based on everything that’s happened the last few weeks. Any word on that? Hangman says Kenny is hurt, he is pissed, and yes he is out of the country, but he’s not in Canada. Hangman excuses himself to chase after The Dark Order, what is the status of that friendship? What is the status of The Cleaner after further betrayal by men he once called friends?

 

Tony Schiavone is in the ring.

Double or Nothing is in the rearview mirror, and he welcomes out two men who were very active that night, Jay White & Juice Robinson, Bullet Club Gold! The Switchblade & Rock Hard make their way out, and White says the money’s here! Schiavone says their issue with Ricky Starks seems never ending. They get in close and he says they attacked Starks backstage! White starts by saying that Double or Nothing was a great night. Fans cheer and White applauds, too. But White bets Starks feels he’s on top of the world after he eliminated Jay & Juice from the battle royal.

But as a reminder to everyone, especially to Ricky Starks, he’s not the International Champion. he lost that battle royal just like he lost to White. And Juice says that brings them to FTR! BCG wants to know, WHY, Dax & Cash, did you come to the aid of “sweet boy” Ricky? It doesn’t make sense! There’s no way FTR are friends with Ricky Starks, because we all know Ricky Starks ain’t got no friends! White says we also know FTR are “a couple of Southern boys,” so maybe they’re a little bit slow. And they look dumb, too, have you seen them? You heard them talk? They sound pretty dumb, too!

White just didn’t actually think they were dumb enough to get in the Bang Bang Gang’s business! But wait, here comes FTR! Dax & Cash are still AEW World Tag Team Champions after Mark Briscoe saw who were his real friends on Sunday night. The champs get in the ring but White uses Schiavone as a shield. Seems FTR are that dumb. Juice says keep this cordial. This isn’t them being dumb, they’re here to apologize! White isn’t so sure, but maybe Juice is on to something. Maybe they’re also here because they wanna join BULLET CLUB GOLD~! Yeah? Huh? White says FTR are ready to be some Gold members!

So do they wanna join the top shelf gunslingers? Top Shelf Top Guys! If they wanted to join, all they had to do was ask. Just make sure you do it politely. White holds out the mic to Dax, then drops it as he reaches out. Fans boo and Dax glares at White. But then Juice sucker punches Dax! FISTFUL O’ SILVER DOLLARS!! Cash TACKLES Juice, but White goes after Cash! The BCG mug Cash while Dax writhes, clutching his jaw! Juice drags Dax up, JUICE IS LOOSE!! “Take that!” White gets Cash for a BLADERUNNER!! “That’s what you get!!” But here comes Starks! Starks runs BCG off and grabs the mic.

“Hey you two cowards! I’m sick of you two every single week! So how about this? You keep that jabroni ass freak in the back, and you and me, Jay, we finish it next week on Dynamite! YOU PUNK ASS B*TCH!!” The Absolute throws out the ultimatum, will he and King Switch finally put an end to this?

 

Tony Khan has an announcement for AEW Collision.

“It’s great to be here tonight in San Diego. The last few weeks, we made some announcements regarding the debut of AEW Saturday Night Collision, starting June 17th at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. I’m here tonight to give you a little more information about the debut of AEW Collision. I’m here to announce that AEW Collision, beginning June 17th, will feature… CM Punk!” Fans go wild hearing that! The Best in the World, the polarizing Plus Delta of AEW, is making his return in his hometown! What kind of collision are we going to say for that debut episode?

 

Triple Threat: Swerve Strickland VS “Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trent Beretta!

The Blackjack Battle Royal was a bust for everyone hoping to take the title off Orange Cassidy, but there was a lot of beef between these three men during all the chaos. Who scores a much easier win under 33% odds versus the one in 21?

The bell rings and Swerve bails out so Bill can’t get him. Fans boo but then Bill turns his attention to Trent. Fans fire up and Bill storms up on Trent. Trent slips away to not be cornered, then he CHOPS Bill! Bill scowls and dusts himself off. Bill storms up again, Trent slips away again and headlocks. Bill powers up but Trent holds on. Bill powers out, Trent ducks ‘n’ dodges and DIVES onto Swerve on the outside! Fans fire up as Trent puts Swerve in the ring saying “You’re turn!” He wants Bill to get at Swerve and Bill’s fine with that. Swerve wants Bill to hold on, but then he swings on Bill!

Bill blocks the punch, so Swerve kicks a leg. Swerve goes to whip but Bill blocks that, too! Bill whips, Swerve goes up and around and BOOTS Bill! Trent returns to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Bill just choke grips back! Bill BOOTS Swerve, then shoves Trent to a corner. Bill SPLASHES Swerve, SPLASHES Trent, and repeat! Bill clotheslines Swerve up and out! Trent ducks ‘n’ dodges but Bill FLAPJACKS Trent then BOOTS him down! Fans fire up with Bill while Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Bill watches as Trent crawls back in. Bill kicks Trent, drags him up, and CLUBS him back down. Bill then steps out to go after Swerve. Fans fire up as Bill stalks Swerve around the way, then UPPERCUTS him! Swerve CHOPS, Bill TOSSES him to the ramp! Swerve writhes, Trent goes out after Bill and throws body shots. Bill ROCKS Trent with a haymaker! Then he SMACKS Trent off the steps! Trent falls and Bill soaks up the cheers and jeers. Bill stalks Swerve on the ramp, drags him up, and brings him around to SMACK him off the apron! And then CHOPS him against the apron! Swerve sputters and drops to his knees.

Bill gives a toying kick to Swerve, but Swerve comes back with a CHOP! Bill ROCKS Swerve with a right hand! Bill then kicks Trent down. Bill soaks up the cheers and jeers as he brings Swerve around the way, to scoop, but Swerve lips off! Swerve POSTS Bill, Trent SPEARS Bill! Fans fire up but then Swerve RAMS Trent into the railing! Swerve puts Trent on the apron, goes up after him, and fireman’s carries. Trent fights free, but Swerve CHOPS him! Trent ROCKS Swerve! Swerve ROCKS Trent and Dynamite returns to single picture, right as Trent ROCKS Swerve! Swerve ROCKS Trent back so the shots keep going!

Fans fire up but Swerve knees low! Swerve fireman’s carries, Trent slips off again, but Swerve fights the half nelson! Swerve throws elbows, Bill gets in the ring and runs that way, Trent pulls Swerve into the path of the BOOT! Down goes Swerve, then Trent SHOTGUNS Bill off the apron! Fans fire up as Trent goes up a corner, to ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Down goes Bill! Fans fire up with Trent but now Swerve goes up to BOOT from the apron! Swerve drags Trent up, puts him in the ring, and fans rally up. Trent is in a drop zone, Swerve goes up the corner. But Bill choke grips him! Swerve fights the arm but Bill CHOPS him!

Bill climbs up to join Swerve, choke grips again, but Trent hits Bill low! Trent climbs up, but Bill grabs him, too! But then both Trent & Swerve throat chop! Fans boo, but Trent & Swerve work together to DOUBLE SUPERPLEX Bill!! All three men are down and fans are thunderous! Bill goes to a corner, Swerve and Trent throw forearms again! They go back and forth, Swerve throws body shot after body shot! Swerve runs, but Trent gets around, HALF ‘N’ HALF! Swerve tumbles out, Trent builds speed, but Bill scoops! BIG BOSS MAN SLAM!!! Cover, Swerve HOUSE CALLS! Cover on Bill, TWO?!?!

Bill survives but Swerve rolls to COMPLETE SHOT Trent! Trent sits up, Swerve goes up, KILL- NO, Trent avoids the stomps! To BUSAIKU KNEE!! Trent reels Swerve in, PILEDRIVER!! Cover, BILL BREAKS IT! Bill stalks Trent to the apron and fans fire up. Bill drags Trent up but Trent CHOPS! Bill doesn’t budge, so Trent CHOPS again! Bill clamps onto Trent’s throat, CHOKE SLAM into the ring! But Swerve APRON KILL STOMPS Bill!!! And then roll-up on Trent, Swerve wins!!

Winner: Swerve Strickland, by pinfall

The Mogul takes advantage and gets a huge win! Will Swerve soon be aiming for another title shot?

 

Kris Statlander speaks.

“Today’s date is May 28th, 2023. It’s the PPV, Double or Nothing, in Las Vegas, Nevada, and I am officially cleared. I am your NEW TBS Champion. It’s been a long time coming, and this whole time, I was never really sure if I deserved it. Not sure if I was someone deserving of this moment. It just really shows me how much not only does this place mean to me, but how much I mean to AEW. It’s just so nice to physically hold something to feel like you deserve it for once. Not only am I gonna prove to everyone that they were right, but I’m gonna prove to myself that this is my time. And I’m gonna have the best damn title reign anyone’s ever seen.” But she’s already putting the title on the line, will her time be short?

 

Renee Paquette is on stage.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass.” Max Caster, Anthony Bowens & Billy Gunn are here, and Renee says that unfortunately, thing didn’t go their way in that AEW World Trios Championship match. They asked for this time, so the floor is theirs. Billy says Renee is right, things did not go quite the way they’d planned. But that’s okay! Because anyone can get beat at any given time. Billy’s biggest regret is that he let his guys down. Caster says that Billy shouldn’t blame himself. They win as a team and lose as a team. They won a lot as a trio, undefeated until facing House of Black.

And see, Caster is the best wrestler alive, Bowens is the Five Tool Player, and Billy is the legend! They ARE The Acclaimed, they are the People’s Choice. Bowens says that is right. And their goal remains the same. A few months ago, Acclaimed were screwed outta tag team gold. Fans boo that, but the Acclaimed want gold back! “And this man, this legend, after over 30 YEARS of giving his all to the business, of giving his all to each and every one of you, giving his all to us, this man deserves to hold gold one more time!” Fans love the sound of that! They chant for “DADDY ASS! DADDY ASS!”

Bowens says do not worry about it, Billy, because EVERYONE loves The Acclaimed! So the goal remains the same, and the three SCISSOR FINGER~! Will they cut down the House of Black one way or another? Or will the House always win?

 

Tony Schiavone is back in the ring.

The bile rises in his throat as he has to say these names. “Here comes… Don Callis! And… Konosuke Takeshita.” Fans boo as Callis & Takeshita walk their way out to no music, but with highlights of Callis helping the BCC cheat the Elite. Callis & Takeshita go to the ring to join Schiavone, and Schiavone says, “Sunday night, Double or Nothing, not so sure. We talked to Bryan Danielson, whose side are you on? Whose side are you with? One thing we know for sure, you apparently have yourself a new protégé.” Callis grins but fans boo, and Callis says he sincerely hopes that such boos are for Kenny Omega! No, they’re for Callis.

Callis continues to say he is the REAL victim here! He has done everything for Kenny Omega! The booing gets louder! And they’re even flipping Callis off! Callis says Kenny only had what he had because of Callis! The AEW World Championship? All Callis! Kenny chose his friends. Every morning, Callis has to get up and look at the scar on his head! 23 stitches! And Callis blames it all on Kenny! Kenny destroyed Callis’ family! And maybe Callis lost a nephew, but he gained a son in Konosuke Takeshita! Fans chant “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” but Callis says Takeshita is the best athlete he has ever seen in wrestling! 6’3″, 240 pounds, and you know who he’s better than?

Konosuke is better than Rikidōzan! Better than Antonio Inoki! Better than Keiji Mutoh! And yes, better than Kazuchika Okada! But you know who else he’s better than? We’ll see it very soon, too! Konosuke is better than Kenny Omega! Konosuke gets the mic to tell everyone Japanese that they’re all stupid! Kenny Omega is nothing! And they all know it! Then in English, “We will destroy the Elite! We will destroy Kenny… Omega!” Callis tells Kenny that he destroyed his family so Callis is building a new one! And that new family will cut the Elite out of All Elite Wrestling! Fans boo as hard as they’ve ever booed before, but will that not stop what Callis is planning for Kenny Omega?

 

Arn Anderson & Wardlow speak.

The Enforcer says that before Double or Nothing and the ladder match, he cut through all the BS and asked Wardlow one question: What are you willing to do to Christian Cage? Everyone’s giving Arn a bunch of hoopla about biting that giant lizard’s thumb. But Wardlow got manhandled, and when you snatch Arn by the neck, what you think’s gonna happen? Wardlow says Luchasaurus found out not to get involved with their business. Arn wants to know what Wardlow’s willing to do, and he answered that. There are no more limits! If Luchasaurus wants to be next, Wardlow will be more than happy to finish the job!

 

Orange Cassidy & Darby Allin VS The Gates of Agony w/ Prince Nana!

Freshly Squeezed is still the AEW International Champion after facing the steepest odds possible, while the Relentless One could not overcome MJF, Sammy Guevara & Jack Perry all at once to become AEW World Champion. But will this unlikely duo keep going against even this daunting duo in front of them?

The teams sort out, but Bishop Kaun shoves Darby off the corner! And Toa Liona goes after Cassidy with clubbing forearms! The bell rings, Kaun keeps after Darby on the outside, and Cassidy just gets his jacket and shirt off. Kaun CHOPS Darby, Liona pushes Cassidy down, then Liona drags Cassidy up to whip corner to corner. Cassidy tumbles up and out, baits Liona in and shoulders into him. Cassidy bumps Liona off buckles, but Liona just glares at him! Liona drags Cassidy up and into the ring to OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Kaun scoops Darby, but Darby slips free to POST Kaun! Darby tags in!

Fans fire up as Darby, bad shoulder all taped up, has the fans behind him. Darby SLAPS, RAMS, and runs, but Liona rushes in! Darby dodges but then runs into a BODY CHECK! Liona roars, fans boo, but Liona drags Darby up. Liona puts Darby in the corner, tags Kaun, and the Gates fire each other up! Kaun whips Liona in but Darby dodges! Darby BOOTS Kaun away, springboards, but Liona POUNCES the Coffin Splash! Kaun drags Cassidy in, GUT BUSTER DROP! Nana, Cage and Swerve return to ringside, they wanna watch this in person. Kaun has Darby up to CHOP him in the corner!

Kaun drags Darby up and over, tags Liona in, and the Gates mug Darby in the corner. Liona paces, the ref reprimands, but Kaun digs his boots into Darby! The fans rally up for Darby but Liona drags him up. Liona smirks, whips Darby to the corner, but Darby BLASTS Kaun! But then Liona SPLASHES Darby int he corner! But Darby boots from below! Liona gets the legs, yanks Darby up but Darby slips to the outside! Darby HOTSHOTS Liona, but Kaun trips Darby to RAM him into the railing! And then apron! And then railing! And then apron! And then a whip into the railing! Liona rushes around the way to CLOBBER Cassidy!

Fans boo but The Mogul Embassy is pleased while Dynamite goes picture in picture. Kaun drags Darby but he’s deadweight. Kaun gets Darby up and into the ring, covers, TWO! Kaun rains down fists on Darby, lets off to soak up the heat, and then he drags Darby back up. Kaun fishhooks the nose but the ref reprimands. Kaun lets go, Darby goes to a corner, but Kaun fires off on him. Darby hits back, but Kaun kicks and whips to then kitchen sink knee! Kaun stands on Darby for a cover, ONE! Kaun drags Darby over, tags in Liona, and the Gates stomp Darby at the ropes. The ref counts, Liona steps off, then drags Darby back up.

Liona scoops Darby, SLAMS him, then SPLASHES! Darby writhes while Liona looms over him. Liona CLUBS Darby in the side, drags him up and pushes him into the corner. Kaun tags in, Darby is in the ropes, and Kaun kicks him to the floor. Kaun taunts Cassidy, then goes out to stomp away on Darby. Darby scrambles into the ring but Kaun is after him. Kaun stands on Darby’s hands to keep him from reaching Cassidy! Kaun stomps the hands, puts him in the Gates’ corner, then CHOPS him! Darby sputters, drops to a knee, and Kaun taunts Cassidy. Fans rally as Dynamite returns to single picture.

Kaun puts Darby up on the top rope, climbs up behind him, and then scoops for a TOP ROPE BACKBREAKER! Darby writhes on the apron, Liona hits an APRON SENTON! Liona then BLASTS Cassidy, drags Darby up, URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Darby is hanging tough and fans fire up! Tag to Kaun and the Gates circle Darby. Fans rally up but The Gates drag Darby up and high five, but then Darby flops over. The Gates laugh, and Swerve smirks seeing his old rival suffer. But Darby fights back with CHOPS! Liona doesn’t budge! Liona choke grips Darby, he and Kaun throw him to the corner!

Darby comes back, leaps but the Gates catch him to throw him back! Kaun runs in but Darby dropkicks his leg out! Liona runs in, but Darby BOOTS him down! Darby goes up and sunset flips, but Liona stays up! Darby stands up and baits Kaun in, sending him into Liona! Hot tag to Cassidy! Cassidy gets in, raises his hands, and fans fire up as they go in his pockets! Cassidy dodges Liona, dodges Kaun and sends him into Liona, then he dodges Kaun again to send him into buckles! Cassidy SHOTGUNS Liona to the other corner then kips up! Fans fire up, Kaun runs in but Cassidy dodges, Kaun’s SHOTGUN hits Liona!

Cassidy runs to tilt-o-whirl DDT! Cover, TWO!! Kaun survives but Cassidy keeps his focus. Cassidy throws off the elbow pad and takes aim from the corner. Kaun rises, Cassidy runs in, ORANGE- NO, Kaun dodges! Liona fireman’s carries, SAMOAN DROP! The Gates drag Cassidy up, high five, and SHUT THE GATES! Cover, Darby breaks it!! Liona TOSSES Darby, Swerve is getting annoyed, but Liona goes back to the corner. Liona tags in, fans rally up for Cassidy, but the Gates reset. DOUBLE- RANA!! Cassidy hot tags Darby! Darby COFFIN SPLASHES Liona! And again! then one for Kaun! Another for Liona!

Darby fires up a la Sting, dodges Liona and Liona hits buckles! Darby puts Liona outside, CLUBS him and CLAWS him! Liona stands up, grabs Darby, but gets an ORANGE PUNCH! Darby then DIVES to take Liona out!! Kaun ELBOWS Cassidy down! Kaun suplexes, but gets STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! And a boosted CODE RED! Cassidy DIVES to take out Liona! Darby is up top, COFFIN DROP!! Cover, Darby & Cassidy win!

Winners: Orange Cassidy & Darby Allin, by pinfall

But the rest of the Mogul Embassy makes their way to the ring! Swerve & Cage glare right at Darby & Cassidy, and Liona & Kaun both get up. But wait! Here comes STIIIIING! The Icon is back, and he has his baseball bat! Fans are thunderous as Sting steps into the ring and the Embassy backs off. Will Swerve’s house have to worry about the showtime?

 

MJF speaks.

“AEW fans, AEW fans! Oh my God, clock’s ticking and you’re running out of competition. Darby Allin, you sweet, sweet little emo b*tch. Once again, you found yourself victim to a maneuver as simple as a headlock takeover. Now if that’s not telling about my competition around here, I don’t know what is! You are running out of gladiators for me to slay, you are running out of people you could possibly claim that are better than me. And you know it. Once again, it has been made abundantly clear, and this time, in Sin City, that nobody is on the level of the Devil!” Will anyone ever exorcise MJF away from the AEW World Championship?

 

Tony Schiavone is once again in the ring.

He welcomes us back, and thanks San Diego for being part of this great night. But wait, here comes Hook! The Cold-Hearted Handsome Devil, the undefeated FTW Champion, steps in the ring. Schiavone says Hook once again helped the Hardy Boyz against Ethan Page at Double or Nothing. But then, what is next for Hook? But wait, someone interrupts. It’s Jose of La Faccion Ingobernable! He has Dralistico y Preston Vance with him, and he “apologizes” for interrupting Hook’s time, but this is the only way LFI is gonna get TV time here! There are two studs here who have never been given opportunities the way Hook has.

Fans boo but Jose says they know it’s true. Rush is too dangerous to be on TV, so he isn’t here right now. Salud, Rush. But where are the fans when they need LFI? When LFI is looking for chances and they get NONE? But they’re gonna start taking opportunities! Show this perro what LFI is about! Dralistico & Vance mug Hook, but here comes JUNGLE BOY! Jack Perry has helped Hook out before, and he’s here again, with a chair! JB JAMS Dralistico, JAMS Vance, and then he SMACKS them both down! Jose sneaks up, but JB sees him first. Jose runs away into the ring, but that’s where Hook is!

Hook clinches to hit the EL CAMINO! Jose flops out of the ring, JB joins Hook in the ring, and they fist bump. Will #JungleHook reunite to shut LFI up?

 

Backstage interview with The Outcasts.

Renee is with Saraya, Ruby Soho, and the NEW AEW Women’s World Champion, Toni Storm. How does it feel this time around to be champion? Oh, c’mon, look at her! She’s having a great time! She has the world title, the world’s best friends, and she couldn’t be doing any better. A lot of people say she’s just very lucky, but luck’s got nothing to do with this. Toni’s been wrestling since she was 13 years old, a child really! Over half her life! That’s because she’s been all over the world, carrying everyone’s bags and doing everything she can to get to this point.

The Outcasts look around this locker room, and they see no one who could carry Toni’s bags. Ruby says Toni is being very humble. No one anywhere could match Toni’s work ethic. Toni is gracing the AEW fans with her presence during the House Rules live shows. And she’ll even defend this title. That is what a fighting champion does! Oh so humble! Saraya loves Toni so much. But really, there is really no one worthy of carrying Toni’s bags. Not at all. But they’ll keep looking out. And as for “luck,” the only lucky ones are the fans. Who will be “lucky” enough to have some #ToniTime this summer?

 

AEW TBS Championship: Kris Statlander VS Nyla Rose!

The Galaxy’s Greatest made perhaps the greatest return possible, answering the open challenge of the cocky Jade Cargill. Not only did she end Jade’s reign, she ended the undefeated streak! But will Kris regret putting it all on the line so soon? Or will she start her own incredible reign?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Mama Statlander holds onto her baby!

The bell rings and fans rally as the two tie up. The two are in a deadlock, but then they break. Kris shoves Nyla, they tie up again, and they go around. Nyla puts Kris in a corner, the ref counts, and Nyla lets off. Kris dodges the cheap shot to fire off forearms! Nyla dodges to get some air, but Kris SHOTGUNS Nyla down! Fans fire up, Kris is after Nyla but the scoop doesn’t work. Nyla scoops Kris but she slips free to scoop again! Nyla is still really big, and she scoops Kris to SLAM her! SENTON flops as Kris moves! Kris wraps on the body scissors! Nyla endures, those knee braces are right in the ribs!

Nyla scrambles, gets the ROPEBREAK, and Kris lets go. Kris storms up but Nyla shoulders into her! And bumps her off the buckles! Kris falls and Nyla stalks her. Nyla kicks Kris around, drags her up, and brings her over to ropes. Kris fights the suplex and tries to suplex Nyla! Nyla CLUBS Kris, CLAWS her back, but Kris fights with body shots! Fans rally and Kris still tries a suplex. Nyla knees low, brings Kris around, and snap suplexes her into buckles! We see Taya Valkyrie is watching backstage, surely upset that she didn’t get the TBS title off Jade. Nyla grins as she soaks up the heat and Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Nyla taunts Kris, drags her up, and then bumps her off buckles. Nyla stomps Kris, digs her boots in, but the ref counts. Nyla has Kris on the apron before she lets off. Nyla then puts Kris on the ropes to CHOKE and even bend back! Nyla puppets Kris’ mouth, but lets off as the ref counts. Kris flounders, Nyla brings her up to suplex! Cover, ONE!! Nyla grows frustrated, but she stands on Kris before getting a leg. HALF CRAB! Kris endures, reaches out, but Nyla talks trash while she CLUBS away on the knee! Kris crawls, ROPEBREAK! Nyla lets go, Kris goes to a corner, but Nyla RAMS into her!

Nyla pulls the leg against ropes! The ref counts, Nyla lets off and Kris hobbles to another corner. Nyla is after her in the corner with body shots! Nyla then goes corner to corner to ELBOW Kris, and LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Nyla keeps Kris down with a chinlock. Kris endures the knee in the back, fans rally up, and Kris fights, only for Nyla to CLUB her in the chest! Nyla clamps onto the arms to keep Kris down, but still Kris fights. Fans rally, kris throws body shots and elbows, but Nyla CHOP BLOCKS! Kris falls, Nyla gets that leg, and has a modified Half Crab! Kris endures, so Nyla stomps away on the leg before going back to the Crab!

Dynamite returns to single picture as Kris fights with her free leg. Nyla lets go, Kris kips up, but Nyla CLOBBERS her! Cover, TWO!! Kris is still in this but Nyla runs, only to miss the splash! Kris runs to DISCUS LARIAT! Nyla stays up to Kris LARIATS again, ROCKS Nyla and ROUNDHOUSES her! Fans fire up with Kris and she runs in at the corner, UPPERCUT! Kris goes side to side, KNEE! Nyla staggers, Kris brings her in, BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Nyla survives and Kris is surprised! But Kris pounds the mat and fans rally with her. Kris drags Nyla to a drop zone and climbs up the corner.

Kris reaches the top but Nyla trips her up! Kris hits the buckles on the way down! Nyla runs in to SPLASH! Kris sits down, Nyla calls her shot and runs again, but Kris bails out! Nyla stops the cannonball to go tot he apron, CANNONBALL to the floor! Nyla grins and she brings Kris up to RAM her into railing! Fans boo but Nyla runs in to CANNONBALL against the railing! Nyla puts Kris back in the ring, stalks her, and catches Kris’ haymaker into a CHOKE SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Kris survives and now Nyla is surprised! Nyla drags Kris up but Kris JAWBREAKERS! Kris puts Nyla in the drop zone and goes up again!

Fans fire up as Kris aims, to 450 SPLASH!! Cover, Kris wins!

Winner: Kris Statlander, by pinfall (still AEW TBS Champion)

The Galaxy’s Greatest has her first win as champion in the books! Taya is not amused, though. Will La Wera Loca get one more shot at that title? Will the third time be the charm? Or will things not go her way now that Mama’s home?

 

BREAKING NEWS for Rampage!

It’ll be regularly scheduled, 10 PM Eastern on Friday night, but it’s gonna be a CHAMPIONSHIP Friday! The AAA Mega Championship is on the line as El Hijo Del Vikingo defends against Dralistico AND Komander in a Triple Threat! Will the numbers spell disaster for Vikingo in San Diego? And in her first defense, Willow Nightingale puts up the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship against The Queen of Joshi, Emi Sakura! Will the Babe with the Power be too sweet to be sour? Plus, the NJPW World Television Championship makes its AEW Rampage debut as Zack Sabre Jr. defends against Action Andretti!

But that’s not all! Assuming he defeats Alex Coughlin on ROH TV this week, Katsuyori Shibata will defend the ROH Pure Championship against #TAIGASTYLE, Lee Moriarty! Will The Wrestler still be the champion after this week is over?

 

BREAKING NEWS for next week’s Dynamite!

Ricky Starks put out the challenge, and Jay White accepted! In a match where Juice Robinson and FTR are all banned from ringside, The Absolute and the Switchblade will finally settle things 1v1! Plus, after big wins from both men tonight, Orange Cassidy defends the AEW International Championship 1v1 against Swerve Strickland! Will the Mogul Embassy grab up even more gold?

 

Mixed Tag: Chris Jericho & Saraya VS Adam Cole & Britt Baker!

It would seem the Unsanctioned Match at Double or Nothing was not enough for anyone to end this! The Wizard & The Knight called out the Undisputed Couple for this match, and they obliged! Will Jericho & Saraya be the ones standing tall with a fireball? Or will San Diego be all about The Boom?

Fans sing Judas for Jericho, but Saraya still calls them all losers. The teams sort out and Jericho starts against Cole. Cole and Jericho fire off hands right at the bell! Jericho gets the edge, CHOPS, then CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! Cole fires back, Jericho ROCKS him, then puts him in a corner, Jericho ROCKS Cole again and again, whips corner to corner, and Jericho clotheslines! Fans are torn but Saraya says they better cheer! Jericho goes back to Cole, but Cole turns things around to ROCK Jericho with forearm after forearm, then he CHOPS! Jericho CHOPS, Cole CHOPS, they CHOP back and forth!

Jericho gets the edge with those CHOPS, but Cole rakes the eyes! Saraya complains but Cole stalks Jericho. Cole stomps Jericho, digs a boot in, but lets off as the ref counts. Jericho pokes Cole in the eyes! Jericho then throws Cole out, goes out after him, and fans fire up as Jericho whips Cole into railing! Jericho puts Cole back in, stalks him to a corner and CHOPS again! Jericho whips, Cole comes back and he CLOBBERS Jericho! Jericho hurries away, Cole dares him to come back, but Jericho tags out to Saraya. Saraya dares Cole to do something, but fans fire up as Britt steps in! And she fires off on Saraya!

Saraya shoves, Britt dodges and SLINGBLADES! And NORTHERN LIGHTS! Cover, TWO! Britt CLUBS Saraya, brings her up to Alabama Lift, AIR RAID CRASH! Britt revels in the cheers and spells it out, “D! M! D!” Britt then sits Saraya up, runs, but Saraya distracts the ref so Jericho can trip Britt! Fans boo but Cole rushes Jericho! Saraya stomps Britt, the ref keeps Cole from getting at Jericho, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Saraya covers Britt, shouts at the ref, and the ref returns, TWO! Saraya drags Britt up to HEADBUTT her down! Saraya paces around Britt, drags her up, and throws her down. Saraya points to Jericho, they “tag,” and then Jericho eggs Britt on. The ref tells Jericho to get out, that’s not the kind of match this is. Saraya taunts Cole while Jericho exits, and Saraya stomps Britt. Saraya drags Britt around, puts her in the ropes, then goes to the apron to fire off knee after knee! The ref counts, Saraya lets off to step back inside and they argue. Jericho talks trash on Britt but she swipes at him! Cole protests but Saraya stomps Britt down.

Saraya drags Britt up to snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Saraya argues with the ref but the count was fair. Saraya drags Britt into a chinlock stretch but Britt endures. Fans rally, Britt fights up, but Saraya CLUBS her back down! Saraya brings Britt around, CLUBS her, then Saraya “tags” Jericho again. Jericho spells it out, “D! M! D!” then signals the fans can shove it! Saraya stomps Britt, Jericho shouts at Britt, and the ref keeps Cole back. Saraya stands on Britt’s hair, pulls on the arms, but lets off as the ref counts. Dynamite returns to single picture as Saraya tosses Britt out. Saraya then goes out, Cole and Jericho shout at each other and the ref is distracted.

Saraya waves to the ramp, and out come the Outcasts! Ruby & Toni stomp away on Britt! Fans boo, Saraya drags Britt into the ring, and they get away with all of that! But HIKARU SHIDA is here! She SMACKS the Outcasts around with the kendo stick and fans fire up! Saraya is furious, but Britt rolls her up! TWO!! Saraya escapes and CLUBS Britt down! Jericho storms in and shouts at Britt, but Britt glares at him. Britt SLAPS Jericho, DECKS Saraya, and tags in Cole! Fans fire up as Cole rallies on Jericho with forearms! Cole whips, Jericho reverses but Cole CLOBBERS him! And ELBOW! And BOOT!

Cole rains down fists, just like at the end of their Unsanctioned match! Jericho pushes Cole away, CHOPS him, but, Cole PELES! Cole whips, Jericho holds ropes and avoids the dropkick! LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Cole survives but Jericho scrambles away, hot tag to Saraya! That allows Britt to run in and rally on Saraya! Fans fire up and Britt hits a NECKBREAKER! Britt then hauls Saraya up but Saraya wrenches out to kick low! Saraya whips Britt to a corner, storms up, but into a BOOT! Britt goes up, Saraya runs back in to ROCK Britt! Saraya climbs up after Britt, but Britt resists the superplex!

Britt SHOVES Saraya down, adjusts, and fans fire up! But Jericho scurries over and asks for mercy! He even shields Saraya? Britt FROG SPLASHES them both!! Cover on Saraya, TWO!! Saraya survives but Britt tags Cole in! Cole BOOTS Jericho, hits a BACKSTABBER, and goes to the corner. Cole climbs up, aims, and Jericho stands, PANAMA- NO, Jericho trips Cole! Cole resists as Jericho tries to turn him! WALLS OF JERICHO!! Fans fire up, Saraya BLASTS Britt!! Cole endures, powers up, crawls forward and reaches out, but Jericho drags him back from the ropes! Fans fire up more as Jericho sits deep!

Wait! Britt gets her glove! Britt puts the glove on, steps into the ring and she fishhooks Jericho!! Jericho lets Cole go and fans fire up! Britt puts Jericho in the Rings of Saturn! LOCKJAW!! Saraya STOMPS Britt! The ref reprimands everyone, but Saraya goes to her corner. Cole tunes up the band as he aims at Jericho. Jericho stands, Cole rushes in, CODE BREAKER hits first!! Cover, TWO!!! Cole survives and Jericho can’t believe it! Jericho and Cole throw forearms back and forth and fans rally up. They stand, CHOP and forearm on repeat, and Cole gets the edge! Cole whips, Jericho reverses but DOUBLE LARIATS collide!

Saraya and Britt shout for Jericho and Cole, both men crawl for their corners. Hot tag to Saraya and Britt jumps in! Britt and Saraya fire off forearms! Saraya hits low, whips, but Britt holds ropes to then reel Saraya in! Saraya wrenches out, HOOK KICK to the GOOD KNIGHT!! Cover, TWO?!?! Britt survives and shocks Saraya! Jericho has Floyd the Baseball Bat! He aims, swings, but Britt doges and Cole SUPERKICKS! Then Britt SUPERKICKS Saraya! Then they DOUBLE SUPEKRICK Jericho!! Fans are thunderous, Cole goes to the corner and Britt tags him in! Cole drops the kneepad, takes aim, “I told you!”

Jericho sits up, into the BOOM!! Cover, Cole & Britt win!

Winners: Adam C0le & Britt Baker, by pinfall

The Undisputed Couple stands tall! The power of love, but also just all that pent up frustration, wins out in the end, while Jericho throws a fit! Cole dares Jericho to keep fighting then! Jericho throws in a chair, and even the ring bell! Cole and Britt grab those for themselves, and that makes Jericho back off. Can Cole & Britt finally move on from The Wizard and his schemes to go get themselves some gold?

---

My Thoughts:

 

Will the Devil of AEW pay for his sins in Sin City?

Double or Nothing raises the stakes on MJF by putting him in a Fatal 4 Way for the AEW World Championship! Will his reign of terror survive a weekend in Las Vegas?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Buy-In – High Stakes Six Man Tag: Hook & The Hardy Boyz VS Ethan Page & The Gunns; Hook & The Hardy Boyz win and Matt Hardy controls Ethan Page’s AEW contract.
• AEW International Blackjack Battle Royal: Orange Cassidy wins and retains the title.
• Unsanctioned Match, Special Enforcer Sabu: Adam Cole VS Chris Jericho; Cole wins.
• AEW World Tag Team Championships, Special Referee Mark Briscoe: FTR VS Team Triple J w/ Sonjay Dutt & Satnam Singh; FTR wins and retains the titles.
• AEW TNT Championship Ladder Match: Wardlow VS Christian Cage w/ Luchasaurus; Wardlow wins and retains the title.
• AEW Women’s World Championship: Jamie Hayter VS Toni Storm; Storm wins and becomes the new AEW Women’s World Champion.
• AEW World Trios Championships Open House Rules Open Challenge: The House of Black VS The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn; The House of Black wins and retains the titles.
• AEW TBS Championship: Jade Cargill w/ Mark Sterling & Leila Grey VS Taya Valkyrie; Jade wins and retains the title.
• AEW TBS Championship Open Challenge: Jade Cargill w/ Mark Sterling & Leila Grey VS Kris Statlander; Kris wins and becomes the new AEW TBS Champion.
• AEW World Championship Fatal 4 Way: MJF VS Sammy Guevara VS “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry VS Darby Allin; MJF wins and retains the title.
• Anarchy in the Arena II: The Elite VS Blackpool Combat Club; The BCC wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

It’s the Double or Nothing Buy-In!

Join Renee Paquette, Paul “Big Show” Wight, Stokely Hathaway and Kazeem Famuyide in discussing, analyzing and predicting everything tonight on this high stakes night for AEW! Oh, and RJ City is backstage on the red carpet.

 

Jim Ross interviews Don Callis.

Watch the full version here. Good ol’ JR asked Don, “How do you want this whole saga to conclude?” Don says he has done the hardest thing that a parent or family member could do. It was a cancer eating away with him, and what do you do with a cancer? You cut it out. And Don wants Kenny Omega to know, he hasn’t even started cutting yet. What more can Don possibly do to Kenny Omega after betraying him?

 

RJ City interviews Arn Anderson.

RJ is intimidated by The Enforcer, and he asks that in tonight’s TNT Championship match, Wardlow’s title will be hanging from the rafters because he got goaded into a ladder match. It feels like they’re playing into Christian Cage’s hands, what is the plan to win? Arn asks, “What makes you think anybody got goaded into their hands?” Arn reminds us that he and Wardlow are playing chess to Christian’s checkers, and they were the ones goading Christian into a match. Does RJ know how heavy a 10 foot ladder is? Arn sure doesn’t see Christian carrying one around much. But he does see Wardlow having yet to unleash what we’re about to see tonight, “in a town that’s up all night long.”

This isn’t them playing around, they’re getting down to business. And Wardlow’s going off tonight. RJ asks Arn if he’s packing heat tonight. Arn chuckles. Ask your mama. “My new step-father, Arn Anderson. Back to you, Renee.” Will the Maestro of Mayhem conduct the most memorable Powerbomb Symphony of all time?

 

Buy-In – High Stakes Six Man Tag: Hook & The Hardy Boyz w/ Isiah Kassidy VS Ethan Page & The Gunns!

The Firm may have been DELETED, but All Ego & The Ass Boys still want to bring Matt & Jeff Hardy down! However, taking out Isiah Kassidy only opened the door to the Cold-Hearted Handsome Devil! Will the FTW Champion help The Hardys take control of Ethan’s life? Or will Hook & The Hardys be the ones rendered OBSOLETE?

The trios sort out and Hook starts against Austin. They circle, tie up, and go around. Austin wrenches an arm to a wristlock but Hook wrenches back. Hook wristlocks while the fans taunt the “ASS~ BOYS!” Austin wrenches, hammerlocks, headlocks, but Hook power up and out. Austin runs Hook over and fans boo but Austin tells Hook to “SUCK IT!” But Hook gest the leg to a KNEEBAR! Austin gets the ROPEBREAK, Hook lets him go, and the two reset. Ethan tells fans to shut up before he steals their girl. Austin rushes in, but Hook waistlocks and SLAMS him! Fans fire up, Hook gets the arm, and he grinds the shoulder.

Hook brings Austin over, he tags in Matt, and Matt goes up. The fans fire up for the AX HANDLE! Hardy wrenches the arm, ELBOW BREAKER after ELBOW BREAKER, “DELETE! DELETE! DELETE!” Tag to Jeff, he and Matt double whip to double elbow Austin down. SENTON FIST DROP COMBO! A classic! Cover, TWO! Jeff CLUBS Austin, brings him up and wrenches. Tag to Hook and Hook takes a handoff to a SAYANAGI! Colten storms in but into a SAYANAGI! Ethan storms in, but into a SAYANAGI! Fans fire up as the Hardys return, they all clothesline Ethan & The Gunns out of the ring!

Fans cheer and chant “DELETE! DELETE! DELETE!” with Matt. The fans then taunt the “ASS~ BOYS!” as they and Ethan regroup. Ethan tells them to get their heads in the game, this is his contract they’re fighting for! Austin tells fans to shut up, but then Hook & The Hardys go out after Ethan & The Gunns! Matt SMACKS Ethan off steel steps, Hook puts Austin in the ring, but Colten turns things around to SMACK Jeff off a corner crossbar! Hook shoulders into Austin but Colten anchors Hook. Hook kicks Colten away, DECKS Ethan, then goes in, but Austin dodges. Austin trips Hook, runs in, BULLDOG!

Austin drags Hook back, tags Colten, and Colten brings Hook to bump him off buckles. Colten stomps a mudhole in, he soaks up the heat and taunts Matt. The ref keeps Matt back, but Ethan uses that to CHOKE Hook! Ethan tags in, he brings Hook along and bumps him off the buckles. Fans rally, Ethan throws hands but Hook counter punches! Fans fire up as Hook backs Ethan down with forearm after forearm! Hook whips, Ethan reverses but Hook BOOTS back! Hook goes up but Ethan ROCKS him! Then scoops to POWERSLAM! Ethan BLASTS the Hardys and fans boo, but Austin tags in.

Ethan tells the fans to kiss this, then Austin puts Hook in the corner. Austin goes corner to corner, but Hook dodges! Austin POSTS himself and then goes out of the ring! Colten and Ethan hurry to get Austin up and into the ring! Ethan tags in, he drags Hook from the Hardys, but Hook shoots around to EL CAMINO! Hot tags to Colten and Matt! Fans rally as Matt rallies on Colten with forearms! And then “DELETE!” buckle bumps! Fans fire up but Austin runs in, but into a SIDE EFFECT! Colten kicks low, whips but Matt reverses, SIDE EFFECT! Ethan CLUBS Matt, bumps him off buckles, and blocks a boot!

Ethan swings but Matt catches Ethan to a SIDE EFFECT! Colten storms up, Matt DECKS him! Matt goes up, ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Colten stays in this for Ethan but Matt calls his shot! Matt says “DELETE! DELETE!” and Kassidy tells Ethan to “SUCK IT!” But Austin goes after Kassidy and pulls his neck brace off! Ethan shoves Kassidy down! Matt rushes over to help Kassidy, but he has to hurry back into the ring. Colten is there to DROPKICK Matt down! Fans boo but Colten drags Matt over. Tag to Ethan, Ethan rains down fists on Matt! The ref counts, Ethan lets off, and shouts, “Hardy who?!”

Ethan stomps Matt at the ropes, ROCKS him, but Matt throws hands! Ethan rakes the eyes and puts him in the corner! The ref counts, but Austin is sneaking a grab at Matt’s shirt! Austin holds the shirt to trap Matt. Matt elbows Austin, but Colten tags in to stomp Matt! Austin anchors a foot to keep Matt trapped, and then Ethan tags in. Ethan drags Matt up, kicks low, and then goes up the corner. Ethan mocks the V1, leaps, and AX ANDLES Matt down! Ethan taunts Hook, and he says it is his turn to “DELETE! DELETE!” Fans boo, but Ethan reels Matt in, TWIST OF- NO, Matt RAMS Ethan into the corner!

Colten tags in and he keeps Matt from his corner! Colten whips, Matt holds ropes, and then Matt throws Colten up and out! Austin hurries in but only gets buckles! Matt crawls for his corner, fans rally up, but Colten crawls in! Colten anchors Matt, then Austin and Ethan trip Jeff and Hook! Colten hits a BIG back suplex! Tag to Austin, he drags Matt up and snapmares into a chinlock. Austin grinds Matt down but fans boo. Matt fights up, fans rally, but Austin brings him to the corner. Tag to Colten, the Gunns mug Matt. Fans rally for Matt but Colten bumps him off buckles. Colten says “SUCK IT!” then runs in, but only gets buckles!

Colten staggers but he tags Ethan in. Ethan drags Matt back, but Matt avoids the elbow drop! TWIST OF- NO, Ethan fights it, so Matt just DDTs Ethan down! Fans fire up while both men crawl, hot tags to Austin and Jeff! Brother Nero rallies on the Gunns, SLINGBLADE for Colten! Kick and whip for Austin, but Austin reverses. Jeff CLOBBERS Austin! And then atomic drops Colten, trips him, and LEG SPLITTING LEG DROPS! And basement dropkicks! Austin returns but Jeff gets around him, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP, and the LEG TRAP CRADLE! TWO! But Jeff calls his shot, kicks low, TWIST- NO, Austin shoves him away!

Austin runs in at the corner but Jeff BOOTS him down! Jeff goes up the corner, fans fire up and Jeff FALLING SPLASHES! Cover, TWO! Austin survives but Jeff calls his shot again. Jeff kicks Austin low, reels him in, but Austin slips out of the Twist! Jeff hobbles, he ELBOWS Austin away, goes up the ropes, but he slips and falls! No Whisper in the Wind, and Austin tags Ethan. Ethan hurries after Jeff, but Jeff JAWBREAKERS free! Ethan goes after a leg, he keeps Jeff from the corner, but Jeff SPIN BACK KICKS! Hot tag to Hook! Hook rallies on Ethan with body shots! Hook fires off in the corner and fans fire up!

Hook HEADBUTTS, then clinches, but Ethan fights the suplex. Ethan knees and CLUBS Hook, suplexes, but Hook knees free to snap suplex in return! Hook hurries back up, and he CLUBS away on Ethan’s chest! Ethan blocks, throws Hook, and RAMS Hook into the corner. Ethan ELBOWS Hook, and ROUNDHOUSES! Hook falls and Ethan drags him to center. But Hook rolls to drag Ethan down! ARMBAR!! Ethan flails, Colten CLOBBERS Hook! Matt gets in but the ref keeps him back. The ref reprimands Colten and he exits, but then Ethan tags him in. Ethan and Colten drag Hook up, double whip, but Hook dodges!

Matt sneaks a tag before Hook LARIATS Ethan! Matt fires off on Colten, bumps him off buckles, and sets up for Jeff! Jeff manages to run in, POETRY IN MOTION! Matt brings Colten around, Jeff goes up! But Austin trips Jeff up! Matt DECKS Austin, dodges Colten, but Colten gets around! Austin returns, 3:10 TO YUMA!!! Cover, but Jeff SWANTON BOMBS it apart!! Fans fire up while all four men are down! Matt and Colten crawl, hot tags back to Hook and Ethan! They throw hands, Ethan throws elbows. And a BOOT!! Ethan scowls, he drags Hook back up, and he reels Hook in. Crucifix, but Hook fights free!

Hook wants the Redrum but the Gunns mug him! But the Hardys get the Gunns, STEREO TWISTS OF FATE!! Ethan stands up, and he’s surrounded! “DELETE! DELETE! DELETE!” Ethan wants mercy, but he gets a TWIST OF FATE! And then another TWIST OF FATE! And then REDRUM!!! Ethan TAPS, Hook & The Hardys win!

Winners: Hook & The Hardy Boyz, by submission (Matt Hardy now controls Ethan’s contract)

All Ego’s fate is sealed! What will Matt Hardy do to further the payback from everything The Firm did to him?

 

Renee Paquette is on stage.

She welcomes us to the opening ceremonies for the 2023 Owen Hart Cup, and welcomes out Dr. Martha Hart. Martha makes her entrance and has a mic of her own. Renee says it is always so great to have Marth, and it was this time last year that we had the tournament finals. This year, it all kicks off on Forbidden Door weekend. Yes, and Martha wants to say she is so happy to be back in beautiful Las Vegas. She is so happy to be back here with the AEW Family, and her own Owen Hart Foundation and her own family. She welcomes us all to the opening ceremonies of this year’s tournament to celebrate one of the most memorable wrestlers of all-time in Owen Hart.

Fans chant “OWEN! OWEN!” and Martha says that while last year, we were to dress up in bling and such, but the tournament is turning on its head and getting “gangster” this year. Maybe we should have our fedoras. Tony Khan walks out in such a fedora, with the Owen Hart Foundation logo on it. And Martha says this is not wrapping here but kicking off in Canada! And this will round up in Calgary at “the greatest outdoor show on earth,” the Calgary Stampede, July 15th! Make sure to bring your cowboy hats, pardners! Who will be in on this great tribute tournament to become the 2023 King and Queen of Hart?

 

Get ready to roll the dice.

“As the desert sun sets, the stakes rise. And on this Vegas night, fate will favor the bold, the risk takers. Only those willing to pay a high price survive this town. And the odds on the future? One in four. Tonight, from T-Mobile Arena, this is AEW Double or Nothing.”

 

AEW International Blackjack Battle Royal!

Orange Cassidy has made it to 22 defenses with this title, but this is going to be the biggest challenge yet! Including himself, this will be a 21 Man Battle Royal, all for the title! Will Freshly Squeezed survive The Superbad Squad, the Varsity Athletes, The Mogul Embassy, Naturally Limitless, “Big Bill” Morrissey, #TAIGASTYLE Lee Moriarty, Bullet Club Gold, “Absolute” Ricky Starks, Bandido, Komander, The Lucha Brothers, and even his own Best Friends? Or will someone come out of this the brand new champion?

Cassidy is the only one standing in the ring while everyone else surrounds him on the outside. The belt is raised, the bell rings, and Kip Sabian rushes in! Kip throws Cassidy up and over, but Cassidy holds onto the ropes! Naturally, Jay White & Juice Robinson go after Starks, Bandido goes after Kip and ends up saving Cassidy. Kip bumps Bandido off buckles, Fenix stomps Cassidy, and Penta just revels in the chaos. Penta goes after Daivari with CHOPS, Kip takes Cassidy’s sunglasses, but Fenix stomps Cassidy. Kip puts the sunglasses on, brings Cassidy up, Trent ASAI MOONSAULTS onto Morrissey!

Kip tries to throw Cassidy out again but he holds onto ropes to save himself. Cassidy throws elbows, Kip staggers away, The Butcher & The Blade go after Naturally Limitless, doing Swerve Strickland’s work for him. Starks lands on the apron, he ROCKS Juice, shoulders into White, then goes after them both! Josh Woods helps Daivari stay on the apron, and Komander tightrope walks?! He SUPER TORNILLOS Morrissey & Moriarty! Fans lose their minds and Komander gets back to the ring. White CHOKES Penta on the ropes, stomps him, then stomps Ricky. Penta GAMANGIRIS Daivari, then CLUBS White!

Bandido stomps Juice, Komander stomps Tony Nese, Bandido SUPERKICKS Juice! There’s still brawling on the outside, and the Lucha Amigos get the fans all fired up! They bring Nese up, “CERO! MIEDO!” Bandido suplexes Nese, and the others play defense! Bandido holds Nese up for TEN while forearms and SUPERKICKS fly all around! Then at TWENTY, the SLAM!! Bandido has everyone fired up and Bandido trophy lifts Nese! He still has the power to do that!? And then he TOSSES Nese out onto Woods to ELIMINATE him!! Fans are thunderous and Mark Sterling hurries to his team.

Daivari dumps Penta out but Penta lands on the apron. Penta drags Daivari up and over, “CERO! MIEDO!” But Nese anchors Penta’s foot! Daivari kicks low, then reels Penta in! Daivari mocks “CERO~! MIEDO~!” But Fenix TIGHTROPE PENALTY KICKS Daivari down, to ELIMINATE him! Fans fire up again, but the Mogul Embassy isn’t impressed. Cage finally gets in and he swings, Komander dodges! Komander springboards but bounces off Cage’s shoulder! Penta runs in but Cage CLOBBERS him! Fenix gets up, cage TOSSES him to a corner to UPPERCUT, PELE, and then sends Penta into him!

Cage waistlocks Penta, who is holding onto Fenix, and Cage DOUBLE GERMAN SUPLEXES them! HE really is a Machine! Bandido runs in to trophy lift Cage!? Cage slips off, throws Bandido to the corner, runs in and he MONKEY FLIPS Bandido!? Cage scoops Bandido, Komander goes up, and he leaps, only for Cage to stay up! Cage POWERBOMB POWERSLAM COMBOS! Cage DISCUS- NO, Fenix SUPERKICKS! and mule kicks! And ROUNDHOUSE! Lucha Brothers DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Double mule kick, then Uno! Dos! Tres! DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! And then Wheelbarrow ROLLING SPLASH!

Fans fire up but Bullet Club Gold attacks the Lucha Brothers! They stomp away on them and the other luchadors! Then they go back to Starks, but Starks fights Juice off. BCG lift Komander together, but Fenix makes the save. Penta mule kicks White, the Lucha Bros DOUBLE SUPERKICK Switchblade! Juice is in a corner, Fenix sends Bandido in to back elbow! Fenix sends Penta in to GAMANGIRI! Fenix runs and rolls, SOMERSAULT FOREARM! They snapmare Juice, Komander goes up, and Komander tightrope- NO, White BLASTS Komander down and ELIMINATE him! Then he goes after the other luchadors!

Juice throat chops Penta, then helps White. But starks dumps White over! White holds on, Juice dumps Starks over! Starks dangles off the floor while holding onto the bottom rope! Fans fire up and Starks drags himself back in! Kip scoops Cassidy for a SHOULDER BUSTER, then fireman’s carries! Cassidy holds the ropes, he fights free! Penta KICKS White in the leg! Best Friends and Cassidy get Kip up, TRIPLE POWERBOMB!! Then they TOSS Kip up and out to ELIMINATE him! And then they HUG! You GOT to give the people what they want! But then Big Bill CLOBBERS them all!

Moriarty hits the FANG DRIVER on Cassidy! Moriarty throws him at the ropes but Chuck goes after Moriarty. Cassidy saves himself but Bill goes after Chuck. Bill aims at Cassidy and TOSSES Chuck! Cassidy ducks, Chuck hits the floor, Big Bill ELIMINATES him! So much for helping a friend… Trent jumps on Bill with a SLEEPER, but Bill puts Trent on a corner. White tries to scrape Fenix out, but he has to save Juice from Starks. Bill CHOPS Trent and Trent flops back into the ring! Blade CHOPS Keith Lee, it doesn’t bother him! Keith ROCKS Blade back! Cage and Butcher go after Dustin Rhodes.

Keith CLOBBERS Blade up and out to ELIMINATE him! Swerve is annoyed but Keith just glares back. Cage CLUBS Keith, fires forearms, and they brawl. Swerve is finally ready and he walks tot he ring. Keith ROCKS Cage, Cage JUMP KNEES Keith! Cage spins, into a fireman’s carry! Pop-up, ROLLING ELBOW! But Swerve jumps on to fire hands! Keith throws Swerve off! The two stare down and fans fire up! Cage attacks, but Keith ELBOWS him! Keith blocks Swerve’s kick, Swerve bobs ‘n’ weaves to dodge hands, but then Keith hits him low! Swerve kicks, ROLLING ELBOWS, and fires off fast hands!

Keith shoves Swerve down but Swerve KANGAROO KICKS! Swerve RANAS, but Keith blocks it!! Keith hauls Swerve up, Swerve slips free, but Keith SPLASHES Cage! Swerve ENZIGURIS Keith, somersaults, but into a BIG BANG CATASTROPHE! Swerve crawls to the bottom rope, and Cage KNEES Keith down! The Lucha Brothers have Butcher but he powers out, only for them to DOUBLE SUPERKICK! The Lucha Brothers toss Butcher over, he holds on, but DOUBLE SUPERKICKS send him down! The Lucha Brothers ELIMINATE him! Cage stomps Dustin, Fenix CLUBS Cage, Bandido ELBOWS Moriarty!

bill runs at Bandido but misses! Bandido runs in at Bill but Bill dumps him out. Moriarty BOOTS Bandido and ELIMINATE him! But Trent throws Moriarty over! Moriarty drags Trent out with him, they brawl on the edge! Penta and Fenix go after Cage, White works with Swerve against Naturally Limitless. Trent waistlocks but Moriarty fights with elbows. But Trent APRON HALF ‘N’ HALFS Moriarty and he falls, Trent ELIMINATES him! Bill TOSSES Cassidy, but Cassidy holds onto the ropes! Cassidy skins the cat again, but Bill runs in! Trent takes the shot! Bill’s BOOT ELIMINATES Trent!

Bill stomps Cassidy, Swerve and Keith encounter each other again. Keith throws hands on Swerve, has him on the ropes, then brings him around to TOSS him! Swerve holds on, Cage DUMPS Keith and ELIMINATES him!! Fans boo but the refs have to keep Keith from going after Swerve and Cage! Cage drags Swerve into the ring, but Dustin gives Cage a CROSS RHODES!! Swerve is too busy taunting Keith, he misses Dustin dump Cage out! Dustin stomps Cage’s head, but Swerve CLUBS Dustin! Swerve throws hands on Dustin, but Dustin kicks low to RHODES UPPERCUT! The Lucha Brothers are also brawling with Bullet Club Gold!

The CHOPS go back and forth between Lucha Brothers and BCG. BCG whip but the Lucha Bros reverse to send BCG both up and over! BCG gets back in, White blocks a superkick and lets Juice lift Fenix! Juice dumps Fenix out but he hold son! Penta runs in, but he is sent into Fenix! Penta ELIMINATES his brother!! But then Starks clotheslines Juice up and out to ELIMINATE him!! Fans fire up as Starks fires hands on White! But White hits a SWINGING URENAGE! Cage throws Dustin up and over but Dustin holds onto ropes. Penta looks at White and fans fire up. “CERO! MIEDO!” And a pie face!

White gets mad, he swings on Penta but Penta ducks to kick, and KICK! “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta runs, springboards, but into BLADERUNNER!! White drags Penta up, but Starks SPEARS White!! Starks TOSSES and ELIMINATES White!! But Juice drags Starks out to throw hands! Fans boo, the refs get Juice back, but White drags Starks up to RAM him into the railing! Swerve throws knees into Cassidy, the refs check Starks, and Cage CHOKES Dustin. Bill sees Starks crawl in and stalks him. Penta goes after Cage with a SLEEPER, and he drags Cage from Dustin. Swerve drags Cassidy up while fans rally for Starks.

Bill shakes his head, he drags Starks up and aims. Bill TOSSES Starks, but Starks stays on the apron! Bill runs back in, but Starks ROCKS him! Starks hurries in, fires hands on Bill, then CHOPS! Bill scoops Starks! Starks slips free, dodges, but Bill BOOGS Starks up and over!! Bill ELIMINATES Starks!! Fans boo, but then Dustin dumps Cage out! They’re both on the apron, APRON DESTROYER for Cage!! Cage falls, Dustin ELIMINATES him! But Swerve’s HOUSE CALL ELIMINATES Dustin!! And now we have a final four: Big Bill, Swerve, Penta, and the champion, Orange Cassidy!

Fans fire up as each man has a corner. Fans rally for “CERO! MIEDO!” and “FRESHLY SQUEEZED!” Nothing for Bill or Swerve. That makes them mad, they runs in, but Penta dodges Swerve to SUPERKICK Bill! Swerve runs in again, Penta blocks the kick and feeds it to Cassidy so Penta can SUPERKICK Swerve! And then Penta SUPERKICKS Cassidy! Swerve runs back in but Penta dodges to come back and SLINGBLADE! Penta whips Cassidy, he reverses, but Penta goes up and over and hits a BACKSTABBER! Fans fire up but Bill steps up. Penta CHOPS Bill, KICKS and KICKS and KICKS, then “CERO! MIEDO!”

Penta runs, but into a BOOT! Bill clotheslines Penta up and out to ELIMINATE him!! Fans boo but then Swerve fires off on Cassidy! He feeds Cassidy to Bill’s BIG BOSS MAN SLAM!! Swerve and Bill shake hands, bring Cassidy up, but Bill wants to do this himself. Swerve says aight and backs off. Bill drags Cassidy up, pats his head, and scoops him to a trophy lift! But then Swerve shoves Bill up and over! Bill falls, Swerve ELIMINATES him! But then Cassidy dumps Swerve out! Swerve holds on, gets back in, and TOSSES Cassidy! But Cassidy also holds on!! Fans are thunderous as Cassidy skins the cat!

Cassidy slips around Swerve, but runs into a HAYMAKER! Swerve rolls, into a SUPERKICK from Cassidy! Cassidy ROCKS Swerve, Swerve SOBATS Cassidy! Swerve whips, Cassidy reverses, but Swerve cartwheels through the ropes to come back! Cassidy dodges and runs in, tilt-o-whirl DDT- NO! Swerve blocks and suplexes, but STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! But then HOUSE CALL!! Both men are down and Vegas is thunderous! Cassidy and Swerve stir, Cassidy goes to a corner. “This is Awesome!” and Cassidy steps up, but Prince Nana trips him up!! Fans boo, but Swerve hits another HOUSE CALL!

Swerve goes up the corner, for the KILL STOMPS!!! Swerve huffs and puffs and drags Cassidy up, but he says he’s gonna end this man’s whole career! Swerve puts Cassidy’s hands into the pockets, brings him up, but Cassidy kicks the ropes! TORNADO DDT!! And then tilt-o-whirl DDT!! Swerve flounders, fans are thunderous, and Cassidy is fired up! ORANGE PUNCH! Swerve goes up and out but holds onto ropes!! Cassidy throws off the elbow pad, he reloads, ORANGE- NO, Swerve drags Cassidy up and over! J M L- NO Cassidy pulls hair! Cassidy RAMS Swerve into the corner! Nana grabs at Cassidy, Cassidy BOOTS Nana!

Swerve KNEES Cassidy, and Cassidy sits down on the apron! Swerve goes up the corner, takes aim again, APRON KILL- NO, Cassidy’s boots hit first! And ORANGE kick to the arm! Swerve falls, Cassidy wins!!

Winner: Orange Cassidy (still AEW International Champion)

The odds were against him, but Freshly Squeezed made it through! If 20 men could not stop Orange Cassidy, will anyone ever take this title from him?

 

Unsanctioned Match, Special Enforcer Sabu: Adam Cole w/ Roderick Strong VS Chris Jericho w/ The Jericho Appreciation Society!

The Undisputed One’s return was victorious, but the overly sensitive Wizard would not stand for it. Since then, the JAS has done everything they can to ruin Cole’s time back in AEW, even going so far as to set up a trap for Cole and girlfriend, Britt Baker. Jericho has been hypocritical, disrespectful and conniving, but has it all finally come back to haunt him in the worst way possible? Or will not even having the homicidal, suicidal, genocidal, death-defying ECW legend be enough to help Adam Cole BAYBAY?

Actually, let’s not forget Cole has the Savior of the Backbreaker! Cole, Strong and Sabu all bring chairs to the ring, and the JAS moves to intercept! Menard gets a chair to the gut, Parker gets a chair to the face! Cole rushes in and goes right for Jericho to TACKLE him! The bell rings so this is official, and Garcia goes after Cole! Sabu throws more chairs at Hager and Menard! Jericho & Garcia mug Cole, CHOKE him, but Sabu gets in the ring with a chair! Jericho gets a chair, too! Fans fire up as we take a trip back in time! Meanwhile, Garcia CHOKES Cole! Sabu and Jericho dare each other to make a move!

The JAS get tables and other things while the chairs CLASH! CLASH! And CLASH! Sabu wins out to SMACK Jericho down! Cole stops Menard & Parker from setting up tables, to then put them on it! Sabu goes up to FALLING SPLASH through the table!! Sabu is still all those things they say he is! Fans are thunderous but then Garcia CLOBBERS Sabu! Garcia ROCKS Strong, RAMS him into railing, and Hager RAMS Strong into the apron! And then into more railing! Sabu sends Garcia into railing! Strong does the same to Hager! Cole and Jericho finally get in the ring, this is who’s supposed to be fighting anyway!

Sabu & Strong clear the JAS out so now, Jericho has no choice. “What you got, Chris?!” This is ADAM COLE BAYBAY! And the fists fly!! The fans fire up, Cole knees low and TOSSES Jericho out hard! Cole gets the arm to SLAM it off the steel steps! And then SLAMS the other arm! Cole puts Jericho in, drags him to a corner, and he SLAMS a leg against the post! And then the other leg! And then back again! Jericho writhes on the apron while fans rally up. Cole goes up onto the apron then in the ring. Cole ROCKS Jericho and has him sit down. Cole then goes up a corner, aims, PANAMA- NO, Jericho blocks!

Jericho hits low, then suplexes Cole to the floor! The ref checks Cole but he’s okay to continue. Jericho stands first, soaks up the cheers and jeers, and then Jericho flips everyone off. Jericho drags Cole up, CLUBS him, then brings Cole up. Cole fights the bomb, but Jericho DROPS Cole on the apron! Jericho then drags Cole up and around the way, to RAM into steel steps! Cole tumbles over and fans fire up again. Jericho drags Cole up, SMACKS him off the apron, and has him in the leg. Jericho CHOPS Cole to a corner, CHOPS him again, then stalks him to another corner. Jericho gets in Cole’s face, and SLAPS him!

Fans rally for Cole but Jericho goes back to him. Cole shoves Jericho, throws body shots, then runs, but into a LARIAT! Jericho grabs a chair left behind by Sabu, and he CHOKES Cole with it! The ref can only ask if Cole gives up, but Jericho JAMS Cole low! Jericho wedges a chair into a corner, ROCKS Cole with a forearm, then whips him in. Cole reverses, kicks and then whips Jericho to the open corner. Jericho BOOTS back, runs in, but is sent into the chair!! Jericho falls right over, but he isn’t out of this yet. Jericho stands, Cole fires off forearms on him! Fans fire up as Cole BOOTS Jericho, then runs.

Jericho CLOBBERS Cole! Jericho stomps Cole, fans rally up, and Jericho LION- SUPERKICK!! Cole takes Jericho out of the air! Fans fire up, Cole goes up the corner again, aims, PANAMA- NO, Jericho trips Cole! Cole fights it but Jericho still puts him in the WALLS OF JERICHO!! Cole endures, reaches out, crawls over, and he grabs the ropes, but ropebreaks don’t matter in this, this is No Holds Barred! Cole remembers, crawls further on, grabs at the skirt and sees something! Cole grabs the fire extinguisher! But Cole is also fading being stuck in the ropes and the hold! But then Jericho drags Cole in from the ropes!

Cole has the extinguisher, he brings it around, and BLASTS Jericho! Jericho lets go while fans fire up! Cole crawls back to the extinguisher, picks it up, and he CLOBBERS Jericho with it! Cover, TWO!! Jericho survives a canister to the head but Cole just glares at him. Cole drags Jericho up, but Jericho CHOPS! And CHOPS! And then he flops over! Cole talks trash on Jericho, sits him up and runs, but Jericho hits a CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Cole survives and Jericho seethes. Jericho grabs the extinguisher, he BLASTS Cole now! And a long one, too! Jericho then just sprays it all around!

Jericho drops the canister onto Cole’s stomach! Fans fire up as Jericho goes outside, drags a kendo stick out from under the ring, and has a big grin on his face. Jericho gets in the ring, holds up the stick, and Cole sits up. Jericho pints the stick at him, but here comes BRITT! She has a kendo stick, too! And fans fire up for the “DMD!” as she fires off on Y2J! She SMACKS and SMACKS and SMACKS him! “How’s it feel, Chris!?” Britt SMACKS her more and more and the fans are loving it! But Saraya runs in, only to get a SMACK! Britt chases Saraya off and SMACKS her as she goes! As for Cole, he gets the kendo stick now!

Jericho is stinging as he leans against the ropes, but Cole storms up behind him. Cole CHOKES Jericho with the stick! “I’ll end you, Chris! I’ll end you!!” Jericho sputters, stands, but into a BACKSTABBER!! Cover, TWO!! Jericho survives but by only so much! Cole gets the stick back to CHOKE Jericho again! Fans chant “We Want Tables!” but Cole goes out to the apron. Jericho grabs the chair, but Cole climbs a corner. Jericho CHUCKS the chair at Cole! Direct hit to the head, and then Cole falls through the table!! Vegas loses its mind after getting what they wanted! The ref checks Cole, but he’s somehow okay to continue.

Jericho drags Cole from the wreckage, and says “You see what happens when you mess with Chris Jericho?” Jericho drags Cole up to dribble his head off the apron! Jericho shoves Cole into the ring, then brings out a chain! And it has cuffs on it! Fans chant “YOU SUCK EFF!” but Jericho just grins. Jericho goes into the ring with the shackles, and he cuffs one end to Cole’s wrist. Jericho has the other end, swings the cuff around like a morning star, but Cole body shots Jericho! DDT onto the chair! Cover, TWO!! Cole sees the other cuff, and he puts it on Jericho! This has turned into a handcuff match!

Jericho freaks out, tries to run but Cole YANKS him down! And then SUPERKICKS! Cole goes up a corner, reels Jericho in, and PANAMA SUNRISE!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Jericho survives and Cole is a bit surprised. Cole drags Jericho up, runs, but Jericho ducks the Boom to roll Cole up, TWO!! Jericho LASHES Cole with chain! And LASHES him again! And again! Cole writhes but sits up, and Jericho JUDAD- NO, Cole ducks! But Jericho CHOKES Cole with chain! Jericho brings Cole up, and then has Cole hanging off his shoulder! But Cole kicks off the corner! Cole kicks the arm, then SUPERKICKS Jericho down!

Fans fire up again as Cole reloads, runs, BOOM!! But that’s not enough for Cole, and not enough for the fans! Fans want it “ONE MORE TIME!” and Cole wraps the chain around his knee! Cole runs again, FULL METAL BOOM!! Cole unwraps his leg, and then rains down fists! Fans count, Cole goes to TEN! Then he uses the CHAIN to punch Jericho! And then more bare fists! Jericho’s OUT, the ref calls it!!

Winner: Adam Cole, by referee stoppage

The Undisputed One gets his vengeance, having battered and bruised Jericho from head to toe! Will this help Cole move on and head for what he really wants in championship gold?

 

AEW World Tag Team Championships, Special Referee Mark Briscoe: FTR VS Team Triple J w/ Karen Jarrett, Sonjay Dutt & Satnam Singh!

After the loss of his blood brother, the Sussex County Chicken has been leaning on his friends. But who really are his friends? Is it Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler, who he has gone to war with? Or is it Jay Lethal, who Mark has known for a long time? What happens when his friends put him in the middle of their own heated rivalry?

Mark takes his referee duty seriously by checking everyone’s gear. He then takes the belts and raises them, and we see how personal this match gets!

The teams sort out, Lethal starts against Dax, and Mark has the bell ring. Fans rally for “FTR! FTR!” which upsets the Jarretts. Lethal and Dax tie up, go around, Dax headlocks for a takeover but Lethal headscissors. Dax kips free and the two stand off. They go again, Dax waistlocks but Lethal wrenches to a wristlock. Lethal YANKS the arm, wristlocks and then armlocks, but Dax fights up. Dax whips Lethal but Lethal runs him over! Things keep moving, Dax scoops but Lethal slips out to O’Conner Roll! Mark checks, TWO! Lethal is upset at the delay, but Dax scoops. Lethal turns it into a cradle, TWO!

Lethal arm-drags, Dax headscissors, Lethal kips free, but Dax hits a headlock takeover! Lethal’s shoulders are down, Mark calls it, ONE! Lethal fights up, powers Dax to a corner and Mark calls the ropebreak. Lethal throws a cheap shot and Mark scolds him, but Lethal CHOPS! Lethal CHOPS again, but Dax CHOPS in return! Lethal sputters, Dax CHOPS him again! Lethal CHOPS, Dax CHOPS, and fans “WOO~” with every CHOP! Dax headlocks, Lethal powers out and ELBOWS him out! Lethal CLUBS Cash into the ring! Jarrett joins in, Triple J mugs Cash! They double whip, Lethal runs in but Cash goes up and over!

Cash dodges Jarrett, Dax DOUBLE CROSSBODIES! And FTR DOUBLE DROPKICKS! Then then DOUBLE ATOMIC DROP and Triple J collide! FTR have each man in a corner, whip, but they dosido and FTR takes a swing, into DOUBLE BACK SUPLEXES! But FTR land on their feet and they both trip Triple J! Then double step through, double SHARP- NO, Triple J scramble to DUOBLE ROPEBREAKS! Mark counts, Dax lets go at 4 and Triple J regroups outside. Fans rally up for “FTR! FTR!” Mark wants someone to get in the ring and he starts the count. Lethal gets back in at 3, and he stares down with Dax.

Dax and Lethal circle, tie up, and Dax tags Cash. Cash gets the arm to wrench, ELBOW BREAKER, and repeat. But Lethal knees low, CLUBS Cash down, then ROCKS him with hands! Lethal tells Dax up his, but Mark keeps Dax back. Lethal claps hands and says “Tag!” but everyone knows that doesn’t count! Mark ends up knocking Jarrett over as he gets in! Jarrett gets mad but Mark says he is the authority so you respect him! Lethal argues with Mark, but Cash CHOPS Lethal! Karen shouts at fans, Cash CHOPS Lethal to the corner. Dax tags in, FTR whip and DUOBLE BACK DROP! Then they CLOBBER Jarrett!

Mark says one in and one out. Dax DUMPS Lethal onto Jarrett! Karen complains, but Dax tags Cash. FTR run in to slide out, and they ROCK Triple J, and then RAM them into each other! Cash puts Lethal in, Lethal whips Cash away and things speed up. Karen distracts so Jarrett can dump Cash out! And Jarrett gets a chair! Mark sees that and says hell no! Jarrett drops the chair, drags Cash up and RAMS him into railing! Fans rally for FTR but Mark scolds Jarrett. Jarrett still RAMS Cash into the railing again. Mark goes out to check Cash, and he tells everyone to get in the ring. Sonjay mocks FTR while Lethal drags Cash in.

Lethal snap suplexes Cash but the fans rally for FTR. Lethal pretends he can’t hear them so they boo. Lethal drags Cash up, tags Jarrett, and Triple J double whip. Cash reverse to send Lethal, but Jarrett hits the RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Triple J swagger about, Jarrett drags Cash up and puts him on ropes to CHOKE! Mark counts, Jarrett lets off, but KAREN CHOKES Cash!! The fans boo but Jarrett STRADDLE ATTACKS Cash! Tag to Lethal, he stomps away on Cash, and stomps him into a corner! Mark scolds, but Lethal still drags Cash up. Lethal UPPERCUTS Cash down! Karen mocks the fans while Lethal CHOKES Cash more!

Mark counts, Lethal lets off, and he tags Jarrett in. Triple J stomp away on Cash, fans rally up for Cash but Karen cheers her hubby on. Jarrett just stomps Cash from head to toe! Then he struts! And flips Dax off! Mark keeps Dax back, Jarrett soaks up all the heat but Cash hits low! Lethal tags in, Triple J whip Cash to ropes, kick low, SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Lethal clamps onto Cash with a chinlock and he leans on the hold. Triple J soak up the heat but Cash fights up, to a BIG back suplex! Fans fire up while both men are down! Cash and Lethal crawl, but Lethal sucker punches Dax!

Cash rolls Lethal up! TWO!! Cash has no one to tag, though! Lethal gets the leg to DRAGON SCREW! Lethal drags Cash over, tags in Jarrett, and Jarrett KICKS the leg out! And again! Jarrett drags Cash back, fans fire up, and Jarrett steps through to have the FIGURE FOUR! Cash endures and fans boo but Mark checks with Cash. Cash shakes his head, he isn’t giving up! Cash rests back but has to keep his shoulders up. Mark sees them down, ONE as Cash sits up. Cash falls back again, the shoulders are down, ONE! Cash throws hands on Jarrett! Jarrett thrashes the hold! Cash is down again, TWO!

Cash endures, sits up again and fans rally up. Dax TRIPS Lethal off the apron! Dax goes up top, to DIVING HEADBUTT Jarrett! Karen protests but Mark says now it’s a standing count! The count rises to 3 of 10, Cash crawls but clutches his knee. Fans rally as we pass 5, and then go to 8. Hot tag to Lethal, and he CLOBBERS Cash! Lethal whips, Cash hurdles hot tag to Dax! Dax JABS, JABS, JABS and DECKS Lethal! And DECKS again! Dax CHOPS, JABS and repeat in the corner! Fans fire up, Dax whips corner to corner to clothesline! And then another whip, but Lethal reverses. Dax reverses back to short arm LARIAT!

Fans fire up and Mark gets Jarrett outta the way. Dax suplexes, Lethal slips free, but Dax switches to GERMAN SUPLEX! Dax holds, he brings Lethal up, GERMAN SUPLEX! And he still holds on! But Lethal blocks! Lethal switches, Dax switches, repeat! They go around, Dax BRAINBUSTERS!! Cover, TWO!! Dax is frustrated but fans rally again. Dax drags Lethal up, whips him to ropes but Lethal reverses. Lethal gets under to LETHAL COMBINATION! Fans rally while Dax is down from the backbreaker to neckbreaker. Karen coaches Lethal on while comforting Jarrett.

Lethal goes to the corner, he climbs up, but Dax ROCKS him first! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again! Jarrett stands, Dax DECKS him! Then CHOPS Lethal! Dax coordiantes with Cash, they both climb up. But Jarrett goes after Cash! Cash throws hands, backs Jarrett down, but Jarrett ROCKS Cash! Sonjay anchors Cash! Mark reprimands but Jarrett POSTS Cash! Dax DECKS Jarrett, but Lethal CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! CHOP! CHOP! CHOP!! Dax finally falls after about five more chops! Lethal adjusts, aims, HAIL TO THE- NO, Dax trips him up! Dax climbs back up, brings Lethal up, for the SUPERPLEX!!

Dax rolls through, brings Lethal up, and Cash is up top, DOOMSDAY POWERBOMB!! Cash DIVES onto Jarrett!! Dax covers, but Sonjay drags him out!! The fans boo and Mark is upset, but Dax chases Sonjay! Sonjay gets in the ring, but Mark stops Dax? To then tell Sonjay he is EJECTED!!! Fans fire up and Dax loves it! Sonjay is furious, he brings Satnam with him and fans sing “HEY HEY HEY! GOOD BYE~!” Dax pats Mark on the back, but wait! Jarrett has a guitar! Dax moves, SMASH HIT on Mark!!! The ref is down!! Fans say Jarrett effed up but now Lethal runs in! LETHAL- NO! Dax blocks! SHATTER MACHINE!!!

Cover, but Mark is out! FTR should’ve won by now, but Mark is just out cold! Aubrey Edwards rushes out, but Sonjay stands in her way!! Aubrey tells her to get outta here, and then SHOVES him! But then Karen SMASH HITS Aubrey!!! Fans boo her more than they’ve ever booed her before! But FTR is in shock all the same! Lethal DOUBLE LETHAL INJECTIONS!!! But we still don’t have a ref!! Fans chant “F U KAREN!” but Karen flips off the fans and grabs the belts! She tells them to kiss this, and Jarrett gets in the ring. Jarrett gives Lethal a belt, he drags Dax up, and Lethal takes aim. But Dax BOOTS Lethal!

Dax ELBOWS Jarrett, and PILEDRIVERS Lethal! But Jarrett BELT SHOTS Dax! And hits THE STROKE!! Sonjay wakes Mark up in time for the cover, TWO?!?!?!? Mark was still woozy, that is what saved FTR! “This is Awesome!” “FTR!” “This is Awesome!” “FTR!” Jarrett is furious and tells Mark he screwed this up! He pie faces Mark!? Fans boo as Jarrett shoves Mark into the corner. Mark stands, Jarrett SLAPS him! Mark SLAPS back! SHATTER MACHINE!!! Cover, FTR wins!!

Winners: FTR, by pinfall (still AEW World Tag Team Champions)

Mark did the right thing and called this down the middle! Triple J did the wrong thing by thinking they could just use him! FTR hug their friend, and they all celebrate! Are Mark and FTR finally done with Team Triple J?

 

Backstage interview with Ricky Starks.

Alex Marvez says Starks took care of business with the Bullet Club Gold in the Blackjack Battle Royal, but unfortunately did not win the International Championship. Starks says he did what he said he would by eliminating both Jay ‘n’ Juice, and- Oh no! BCG attacks Starks! Actually this is par for the course, but still! They beat him down for costing them the title, but then FTR rushes in! BCG run off, FTR help Starks to the medical area. Will Starks find some unlikely allies against the Switchblade & Rock Hard?

 

AEW Media catches up with Jericho and Saraya.

Both of them are furious after the Unsanctioned Match didn’t go Jericho’s way. “Did you see how I just lost the Unsanctioned Match to Adam Cole via referee stoppage? Adam Cole is insane! Adam Cole is a barbarian! Adam Cole is a bastard!” Saraya agrees, and Cole’s just like Britt! That B*TCH! Hitting them with kendo sticks!? What kind of a woman hits a man with a kendo stick?! They ask- NO, they DEMAND a mixed tag match on Dynamite! This has to stop! Jericho & Saraya VS Cole & Britt! This needs to stop! This is what happens when you mess with Jericho! Security tells Jericho to calm down but Saraya you don’t talk to him like that!

The security guard says he’s just doing his job. Saraya says fine. She backs off, and Jericho hits this guy with a FIREBALL!! No one tells Jericho to calm down, he’s a WIZARD!! But will Jericho & Saraya be able to burn the Undisputed Couple?

 

AEW TNT Championship Ladder Match: Wardlow VS Christian Cage w/ Luchasaurus!

The Maestro of Mayhem made it through the Monstar, but now he faces a monster. No, not the Right Hand of Destruction, but Captain Charisma, who is really more like the Chief of Cheap Shots. Christian insulted Wardlow’s deceased father and what supposed little impact he had on anyone’s life, and that is a step too far. Will Wardlow have a major impact on Christian’s life tonight? Or will Captain Charisma remind us that he is the Lord of Ladders?

Surprisingly, Christian has Luchasaurus leave ringside! Is Christian really going to do this 1v1? Does he really think he can survive doing this 1v1? The introductions are made, the belt is already high above, and we see who climbs over the other to bring it down!

The bell rings, fans chant for “WARD~LOW!” but Christian talks trash that he’s going to be champion. The two feel things out as they circle, and then Christian kicks low! And UPPERCUTS! Wardlow blocks the whip, kicks low, and CLUBS Christian down! Wardlow drags Christina back up, trophy lifts, but Christian slips off. Christian shoves Wardlow but Wardlow blows through the clothesline to then run Christian over! Wardlow winds up, Christiand ucks the lariat, and he chicken wings! But Wardlow powers out of the Killswitch to RAM into Christian at the corner! And again! Wardlow sits Christian down and fans fire up.

Wardlow goes out to DECK Christian from the outside. Wardlow goes for a ladder but Christian CLOBBERS Wardlow! Christian throws hands, Wardlow hits back. Wardlow puts Christian in the ring, gets a ladder, and fans fire up. But Christin DROPKICKS the ladder into Wardlow! And then PLANCHAS, but into the ladder! Wardlow paces and scowls while Christian crawls. Wardlow looks under the ring, and he brings out a TABLE! Vegas likes where this is going, because he gets another table! Wardlow sets those up at ringside, side by side, and then CLUBS Christian. Wardlow SMACKS Christian off the steel steps, and then again!

Wardlow brings Christian around and puts him on the tables. Wardlow throws down hands to keep Christian down, and then Wardlow goes into the ring. Wardlow climbs up, fans fire up, but Christian scrambles away! Fans boo but Wardlow hops down. Wardlow stalks Christian around the way, but Christian sucker punches Wardlow! And RAMS him into railing! Christian stalks Wardlow, gets a ladder, and he RAMS Wardlow down! Christian puts the ladder in the ring, then grabs a really big ladder and RAMS Wardlow with that! Christian makes that ladder a bridge between ring and railing, then goes under.

Wardlow knees low! And CLUBS Christian, and then puts him on the ladder. Wardlow CLUBS Christian more, then box jumps to the apron! Fans fire up, Wardlow brings Christian up, but Christian slips free to UPPERCUT! Christian trips Wardlow up! Wardlow gets crotched on rungs! Fans boo but Christian gets in the ring. Christian sets a ladder up but Wardlow crawls his way back in. Christian sees Wardlow, stomps him down, then stomps him right in the gut! Fans boo as Christian digs his boot in. Christian then sets the main ladder into a corner. Fans taunt Christian’s turtleneck, but he whips Wardlow. Wardlow reverses and Christian hits the ladder!

Wardlow reels Christian in but he slips under, to then RAM Wardlow into the ladder! Wardlow staggers about, Christian puts the ladder in the ropes, and then he puts Wardlow under the ladder. Christian has the legs, CATAPULT LADDER GUILLOTINE!! Fans boo while Wardlow clutches his head and neck, but Christian soaks up the heat. Christian brings the ladder around to be under the belt, and Christian climbs. Christian reaches up, gets fingertips on the belt, but Wardlow tips the ladder! HOTSHOT, and LARIAT! Wardlow catches his breath, brings the ladder up, then stomps Christian.

Wardlow climbs, but slowly, only for Christian to anchor his foot! Wardlow climbs back down to drag Christian up. Christian grabs the ladder to escape the bomb! Fans freak out, but Wardlow quickly yanks Christian back down! POWERSLAM! Fans fire up again and Wardlow decides to put the ladder down. Wardlow drags Christian up, trophy lifts him, and he walks around in a circle, SUPER AIRPLANE SPIN, to then DROP Christian on the ladder!! Christian sputters and falls out of the ring while fans cheer on “WARD~LOW!” Wardlow stands the ladder up, shakes out the junk, and climbs up.

But wait, Luchasaurus returns! The Right Hand shoves Christian into the ring and Christian goes after Wardlow! Christian drags Wardlow down, REVERSE DDT off the ladder! Wardlow writhes but Christian puts the ladder in a corner. Fans start to rally for Christian and we have a fan duel. Christian lines up his shot as Wardlow stands, and Christian runs in! But into a LOW BLOW! And then an Alabama Lift, ALABAMA SLAM on the ladder!! Wardlow then drags the ladder out, with Christian on it! Wardlow goes up the corner, fans fire up as Wardlow SWANTON BOMBS only onto ladder!!! Even Jeff Hardy would’ve reconsidered that!

Wardlow flops out to the apron and Christian picks the ladder up to RAM Wardlow down! Christian then sets ladder up under the belt and climbs. But ARN is here! Fans fire up as Arn coaches Wardlow up. Wardlow hurries up the corner, to LEAP into this ladder! The ladder breaks and they both fall down!! Fans lose their minds as Wardlow grabs his own leg. Was that Arn’s idea or what? Wardlow hobbles up, stands the busted ladder up, but no, this isn’t gonna work. Right? Wardlow still wants to try! A ref stabilizes it but that messes it up! Wardlow gets a new ladder, but Luchasaurus gets in! Choke grip, CHOKE SLAM!

Luchasaurus drags Wardlow up again, another CHOKE SLAM!! But Arn gets in!? Fans fire up as Luchasaurus turns around, and choke grips Arn!! But Arn BITES the hand!! Luchasaurus and Arn scrap, Luchasaurus’ finger is bleeding!? Arn has just pissed Luchasaurus off! Luchasaurus goes out to choke Arn! And he brings him to the table! But Wardlow SMACKS Luchasurus with a chair! And SMACKS him again! Luchasaurus is on the tables now! Fans are fired up as Wardlow positions perhaps the tallest ladder in the building! Arn helps stabilize and Wardlow climbs! SUPER SWANTON BOMB through the tables!!!

Now THAT is something Jeff Hardy would’ve done! Fans are electric and losing their minds while both big men are down in the wreckage! But Christian peeks his head out from under the ring! Christian sees an opening and hurries to get in! Christian grabs a ladder, Wardlow sits up, and fans rally up! Christian stands the ladder up, climbs up, but ARN gets in the ring! Christian has a finger on the belt! But Arn tips the ladder, Christian jumps off, but into Wardlow’s arms! POWERBOMB!! Arn resets the ladder, Wardlow climbs it, and Wardlow grabs the belt! Wardlow brings it down and WINS!

Winner: Wardlow (still AEW TNT Champion)

That was a war, and the Face of the Revolution stands tall! Will the Maestro of Mayhem continue to conduct chaos and dominate AEW?

 

AEW Women’s World Championship: Jamie Hayter VS Toni Storm!

A tale as old as time in pro-wrestling: two best friends are torn apart by success, ambition, jealousy and pride. The two were at odds even before Hayter defeated Storm to become champion, and things have only escalated from there. Will Hayter have to hit Storm even harder to end this? Or will being an Outcast be exactly what Storm needs to strike Hayter down?

But speaking of, where is Hayter? The music plays but she doesn’t appear. Storm acts all surprised, even though we know what The Outcasts did to her just last Friday. Wait, Soho & Saraya throw Hayter out on stage! They go after the bad arm and mug her! Soho has the belt, Saraya says “This is OUR house!” and then Storm goes out to meet her new friends. The Outcasts continue to mug Hayter, and Storm RAMS Hayter into railing! And then they pull her bad arm into the post! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Storm lets off. Saraya says everyone in Vegas are losers, and Storm RAMS Hayter into the steel steps!

The ref tells them all to stop but the Outcasts put the arm against steps, to DROPKICK! And DROPKICK again! Fans boo, The Outcasts put Hayter in, and the ref tells them to stop. Hayter says ring the bell so the bell rings! Storm BOOTS Hayter, covers, TWO!! Storm stomps Hayter’s bad shoulder, fans rally up, and Storm drags Hayter up. Storm grinds the arm, Saraya pulls off a buckle pad, and Storm stomps the arm. Fans rally for Hayter but Storm stomps her. The pad is off, but here comes Britt! Didn’t Saraya think this would happen again?! Britt fires off on Saraya but Storm CHOKES Hayter!

The ref reprimands Storm, she lets off, but then the ref argues with Soho about the buckle pad. Storm whips, Hayter reverses, and Storm goes into the ref and Soho! Hayter gives Storm the HAYTEBREAKER!! Cover, the ref is here, TWO!! Storm survives and she distracts the ref, Soho undoes another pad! Hayter storms over, but gets SPRAY PAINT to the face!! SWEET HIP MUSIC!! Cover, TWO!!! Storm & Soho can’t believe Hayter survives! The ref argues with Soho, here comes SHIDA! Kendo stick SMACK for Soho! And then steel steps! Soho avoids the kendo stick, they brawl with forearms now!

Fans fire up for Shida but Storm is furious! Hayter RAMS Storm into bare buckles! HAYTERADE!! But it’s with the bad arm!! Hayter still manages to cover, TWO!!! Storm survives again but Hayter is just getting angrier! Hayter powers up, rips off the shoulder tape, and roars! Fans fire up as she kisses the bicep and drags Storm up again. HAYTER- NO, Storm gets around and shoves Hayter into buckles! STORM ZERO!! Cover, STORM WINS!!

Winner: Toni Storm, by pinfall (NEW AEW Women’s World Champion)

The Lightning strikes twice, she is a TWO-TIME AEW Women’s World Champion! Though, it took everyone in the Outcast army to do it. Will AEW really be their house?

 

AEW World Trios Championships Open House Rules Open Challenge: The House of Black VS ???

Malakai Black, Brody King & Buddy Matthews have radically and ruthlessly redefined what these titles are all about, from both the look to how you fight for them. The call was sent out to the world for any and all who would challenge them, so who has answered? It’s THE ACCLAIMED!! Billy Gunn, Anthony Bowens & Max Caster have been rolling as a trio, so they wanna take over everything! And of course, Platinum Max has a diss track!

“Platinum on the mic, are you not entertained? In Vegas, everybody loves The Acclaimed! We leaving Brody King in a sad place, lookin’ like a reject from RuPaul’s Drag Race! Yo, that might’ve been in bad taste, but how does Malakai get away with doing blackface? And Buddy acts all ominous, when he’s get cucked by a kid named Dominik! Yo, listen!” There’s a second verse!? “Yo, we have you on your backs in five minutes. How’s it the House of Black with no Black guys in it? And you can keep the advantage, we don’t need a special rule to kick your emo asses!” Bowens says, “LAAAAS VEGAAAAAS~! The Acclaimed have arrived! SCISSOR ME, DADDY ASS!” And he does~!

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if Caster’s mouth just wrote a check Daddy Ass can’t cash!

Fans sing “OH~ Scissor Me, Daddy~!” as the trios sort out. Bowens and Malakai start, and Bowens says he ain’t scared of the House. The two circle, tie up, and go around. Bowens and Malakai break, then reset. They go again, Malakai waistlocks but Bowens wrenches. Malakai wrenches, Bowens wrenches, repeat, and Malakai clamps onto the arm. Bowens wrenches back, but Malakai waistlocks. Bowens elbows free, but Malakai doesn’t even flinch! Malakai even smirks! Bowens and Malakai circle again, tie up, and Bowens headlocks. Malakai headlocks back, Bowens throws Malakai away but Malakai runs him over!

Malakai brings Bowens up, whips but Bowens reverses, only for Malakai roll off his back! Fans cheer as Malakai sits cross-legged. Bowens sits with Malakai! Fans fire up and Bowens shows off the scissor fingers~! Malakai is not amused as Bowens eggs him on. They both stand, Malakai KICKS Bowens, tags Buddy, and Buddy goes up to DOUBLE STOMP the arm! Buddy wrenches Bowens but fans chant “DOMINIK!” The only place that will… Buddy wrangles Bowens to an armlock but Bowens endures. Bowens fights up, whips, rolls Buddy up, TWO! Buddy wrenches, Bowens ROCKS him!

Fans chant “WE WANT MAMI!” as Buddy swings., Bowens dodges, kicks and runs to KOTARU KRUSHER! “EVERYONE loves The Acclaimed!” Tag to Caster, the Acclaimed double whip, trip and then Bowens runs up, Buddy shoves him back, kicks at Caster, but Bowens DROPKICKS him out! Caster APRON BACK SUPLEXES! Caster puts Buddy in, hurries after and covers, TWO! Fans fire up and Caster drags Buddy up. Buddy knees low! Tag to Malakai and he runs, but Caster keeps up with him. Caster hurdles, drops, then DROPKICKS! But Malakai BOOTS back! Malakai bumps Caster off buckles and tags Brody.

The Kings of the Black Throne mug Caster, whip him corner to corner, but Caster dodges Malakai to send him at Brody! Malakai rolls over Brody’s back, Caster BOOTS Brody, then dodges Brody. Malakai BOOTS Caster into Brody’s LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Caster survives, but Brody drags him up to CHOP! Caster falls to ropes, Brody tags Malakai back in. They double whip Caster to ropes, but Caster holds ropes. Caster BOOTS Malakai, dodges Brody and DROPKICS him out! Caster CHOPS Malakai, bumps him off buckles, and then tags Bowens. The Acclaimed hold Malakai into SMASH in the corner!

Caster ELBOWS, Bowens ELBOWS, then feed to the scoop SLAM! Bowens goes up, fans fire up, SCISSOR ME- NO, Malakai boots Caster away and catches Bowens into a KNEEBAR! Brody goes after Billy and Buddy throws Caster out! Buddy FLYING CLOTHELINES Caster, Brody RAMS Billy into steel steps! Bowens endures the kneebar and the heel hook added on! Brody hoots and barks and fans join him. Brody runs in to CROSSBODY Billy into railing! Bowens reaches, grabs the ropes, but House Rules says NO Ropebreaks! Bowens drags himself up with the ropes, Malakai stays on him, and Bowens stands to kick Malakai!

Malakai lets go but Bowens hobbles and falls over. Fans sing, “OH~ Scissor Me, Daddy~!” but Bowens throws forearms. Malakai hits back, Bowens blocks a kick to spin and fireman’s carry, but Malakai fights! Bowens still hits the USHIGOROSHI, but it was on the bad leg! Both men are down, fans rally up, and Bowens crawls to an empty corner. Malakai stands to trip Bowens and KNEE him int he face! Then a dropdown, takedown, KNEEBAR!! Bowens endures, Malakai drags him over, tag to Buddy! Buddy goes up, METEORA!! Then Buddy BLASTS Caster, hits Billy, but Billy is pissed! But the ref has him stay back!

Buddy smirks and he goes back to Bowens. Buddy drops a knee on the bad leg, tags Malakai, and Buddy pulls on the leg. Malakai kicks Bowens around, fans rally up, and Malakai stalks Bowens to a corner. Malakai stomps Bowens, drags him around by the leg, and has an INVERTED CALF KILLER! Bowens endures, reaches, gets the ropes but still no break. Bowens drags himself up with the ropes and he throws hands! Malakai wobbles, Bowens fires a strike fest! Malakai runs in, Bowens dodges to SUPERKICK! Bowens falls and Malakai is out on his feet! Bowens crawls, Malakai staggers, but Malakai STOMPS Bowens!

Tag to Buddy, he goes after the leg on the ropes, HIP DROP! Another HIP DROP! And then a KNEE DROP! Buddy kicks Bowens around, stays between him and Caster, and puts him in the corner. Fans chant “Who’s Your Mommy?” at Buddy as he KNEE – NO, Bowens puts him on the apron! But Buddy pulls Bowens’ ear! Bowens dropkicks Buddy’s leg out! Bowens crawls, reaches for Caster, but Buddy drags him back! Brody tags in to SENTON! Brody drags Bowens up to CHOP him back down! Brody stomps Bowens to the corner, CHOPS him again, and then he brings Bowens up. Bowens throws body shots!

Bowens JAWBREAKERS, ROLLING ELBOWS, and then runs in, but Brody catches Bowens! Brody RAMS Bowens into a corner, then CHOPS him down! Fans hoot with Brody, but the ref keeps Caster and Billy from getting in. Brody BLASTS them for the hell of it! And then CANNONBALL! Cover on Bowens, but Caster breaks it! Malakai TOSSES Caster out! Then RAMS him into steel steps! Billy is furious but Buddy tags in. Buddy hoists Bowens up, DANTE’S- NO, Bowens slips free to shove Brody into Buddy! Brody runs in but Bowens dumps him out! Buddy drags Bowens away, goes to the ropes, but Bowens BOOTS Buddy up and out!

Bowens crawls, Malakai returns and he drags Bowens! Bowens BOOTS Malakai away! Bowens hurries, fans fire up, but Brody drags Billy down! Billy whips Brody into railing for that! Buddy gets Bowens but Bowens ENZIGURIS! Buddy BOOTS back, goes up, leaps into a SUPERKICK!! Both men are down and Billy is back! Bowens crawls, hot tag to Billy! Daddy Ass DECKS Malakai, DECKS him again, then DECKS Buddy! SPLASH in a corner for Buddy! SPLASH in a corner for Malakai! Billy scoops Buddy for a BACKBREAKER! Malakai runs in, into a COBRA CLUTCH SLAM! Brody is back to CHOP! Billy says F YOU! FAMOUSER!!

Billy throws Buddy out but Buddy ROCKS, GAMANGIRIS, but then gets a GUILLOTINE FAMOUSER!! Billy says “SUCK IT!” but turns around into BLACK MASS!!! Cover, The House wins!

Winners: The House of Black, by pinfall (still AEW World Trios Champions)

That heel kick was #TheEnd, and as Julia Hart says, The House always wins. Sin City belongs to them, will anyone ever be able to beat the stacked deck?

 

AEW TBS Championship: Jade Cargill w/ Mark Sterling & Leila Grey VS Taya Valkyrie!

The last time these two faced off, Mark Sterling made it illegal for La Wera Loca to use the Chicken Wing Facebuster because it “belongs” to #ThatBitch. However, this rematch has set Taya free to do whatever move she wants! Will she be the one in 59-1? Or will nothing stop the storm that’s coming?

Jade gets Big Boss Vette to do a live performance of Pretty Girls Walk, and then the introductions are made. The belt is raised, as are the stakes, and we see who walks away with the jackpot!

The bell rings, Taya rushes in, throws forearms, and goes for chicken wings! Jade switches, Taya elbows free, and Jade gets mad now. They go forehead to forehead, and they fire off more forearms! Fans fire up as Taya gets the edge, but then Jade ducks. Taya SLAPS Jade down! Jade scrambles to ropes, Taya runs in, Jade dodges, Taya redirects and CLOBBERS Jade! Fans duel, Taya UPPERCUTS at the corner then snapmares, to run and SLIDING LARIAT! Jade bails out fast and Sterling is there to coach her up. But Taya climbs the corner! Taya CROSSBODIES and wipes out Sterling!! Fans fire up with Taya, but Jade BOOTS her down!

Jade fires up and fans fire up with her now! Jade puts Taya in, “Let’s go!” Jade stomps Taya, drags her up, whips her to a corner, but Taya reverses. Taya runs in but into an elbow! Jade boots but Taya blocks to put her in ropes! KNEE and SLINDING GERMAN!! Fans fire up but Leila talks trash. Taya tells her to stop, but then Leila grabs at Taya! Taya KICKS Leila away, but Leila tries again! Jade BOOTS Taya down! Fans boo but Leila says whatever. Jade drags Taya up, and snap suplexes her to the floor! Jade flexes, she brings Taya up and into the ring, then drags Taya up. Jade whips her to a corner, runs in, and SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!

Jade grows annoyed but she drags Taya up. Jade TOSSES Taya out, then swaggers around. Taya gets up, Jade goes out to CLUB her down. Taya and Jade scrap, and Jade fireman’s carries, to SNAKE EYES Taya off the railing! Jade CHOKES Taya but the ref reprimands. Jade puts Taya in, kicks her around, then has a motorcycle stretch. Taya endures, fans rally and duel, but Jade digs her boot into Taya’s shoulder blade! Taya fights up, fans rally, and Taya arm-drags free! Jade returns but Taya LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Taya keeps on Jade with a whip, but Jade reverses to ROCK Taya! Jade reels Taya in, short arm LARIAT!

Jade says she is the number one champ! And she short arm LARIATS again! Jade drags Taya up, fans chant “JADE~BERG!” as she clotheslines again! Fans are torn but Taya throws body shots! Taya fires off forearms, runs, but Jade gets her for a SLEEPER! But Taya powers up, BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Jade survives and fans are fired up! Taya pounds the mat, fans rally up, and Jade goes to the apron. Taya runs in, Jade ROCKS her! Jade springboards?! But into a CODE BREAKER!! Both women are down and fans fire up! Taya slaps herself to fire back up, and she goes to Jade.

Taya throws a forearm, Jade throws it back! They go back and forth, fans rally, and Jade whips. Taya reverses to drop toehold! QUEEN ANGELITO STRETCH!! Jade endures, Taya drags her back! Taya relocks the legs, QUEEN ANGELITO STOMP!! Cover, TWO!!! Jade survives and Leila says that’s right! Leila is on the apron, the ref tells her to get down. Taya storms up, Leila swings but Taya BOOTS her down! But Jade rolls Taya! TWO!! Taya stands, Jade runs in, but into a SPEAR!! Taya drags Jade back up, chicken wings, ROAD TO VALHALL!!!! Cover, TWO!??!? How?! Fans cannot believe it, and neither can Sterling!

Taya drags Jade up, fireman’s carries, but Jade slips off! Jade kicks, Taya wobbles, and Jade chicken wings! JADED!!! Cover, Jade wins!!!

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

SIXTY! AND! ZERO! Sterling gets the mic to say that Jade is undefeated! She has DOMINATED everyone put in front of her, and she is even prepared to wrestle for this title any time! Any place! “But the problem is, there is nobody left!” Jade flexes, but wait. Who is that? Is that… KRIS STATLANDER!? The Galaxy’s Greatest is back again! Sterling is freaking out, he didn’t think this was gonna happen! But Jade says she’s a woman of her word, it’s go time!!

AEW TBS Championship Open Challenge: Jade Cargill w/ Mark Sterling & Leila Grey VS Kris Statlander!

The bell rings, Kris dodges the boot and fires off forearms! Jade shoves Kris but Kris ROUNDHOUSES!! Vegas is thunderous as Kris forearm smashes in the corner! Then BOOT WASHES! Kris drags Jade out, suplexes, holds it, but Jade knees free! Jade CLUBS Kris and BOOTS her down! Jade chicken wings, but Kris fights it! Kris elbows free, scoops Jade, tucks her, BIG BANG THEORY!! Cover, Kris wins!!!

Winner: Kris Statlander, by pinfall (NEW AEW TBS Champion)

You double down, you lose twice as big! 60-1 is where Jade’s streak ends, all because Kris had #SundayNightFever! Confetti flies as we finally have a second-ever TBS Champion!! Sterling is furious but it is all HIS fault! Will Kris finally reach a new stratosphere now that she has gold?

 

AEW World Championship Fatal 4 Way: MJF VS Sammy Guevara VS “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry VS Darby Allin!

The Four Young Pillars of AEW collide in a battle the Devil of AEW tried to avoid with everything he had! He tried to buy the Spanish God, he tried to turn Tarzan Life, and he tried to get inside The Relentless One’s head, but it all backfired! Will Maxwell Jacob Friedman’s reign of terror come to an end? Or is there one last trick up his sleeve?

Fans sing along with Jungle Boy’s song, and JB even gets a little pyro. For Sammy Guevara, he ditches the DBZ tron to a degree, and he brings out his Brazilian Goddess, Tay Melo. They have cue cards? “It’s time for the big match. But first… We have big news to share.” Fans like the sound of that! “We are having a baby!” Fans LOVE the sound of that! Win or lose here, Sammy’s already living the dream, but can he add even more dreams-come-true to it?

For Darby’s entrance, he has a video. A Las Vegas wedding, with an Elvis impersonator presiding, and “MJF” waiting for his bride. But instead, in walks Darby! He JAMS MJF with the board, has Elvis hold the board, then he rains down fists on MJF while Elvis swaggers on the board. Darby gets the duct tape and he wants “The King” to help him “dispose” of MJF. Alright, alright, it’s just business. Elvis will do it. Thank you. Thank you very much. They hogtie MJF, drag him away, and put him in a car. “Alright, King, it’s show time!” The car has “Just Married” in tape on the side, and it cruises into Vegas! Darby comes in wearing an Elvis jumpsuit!

And of course, last but certainly the worst, the lights go down with an ominous orchestral version of his song playing. A spotlight appears, and the Devil of AEW descends on a throne. Then the traditional version of his theme plays, and MJF takes off the mask to head to the ring. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if MJF survives Sin City!

The bell rings, each man in a corner, and the fans rally up. MJF stares his challengers down, then bails out to flip everyone off. MJF says he doesn’t care, we’re on HIS time. But then JB goes out! And Sammy goes out! MJF slides back in but Darby’s there! The challengers corner MJF, and he shouts at them to back off! He’ll beat the piss outta all three of ’em! The challengers beat the piss outta MJF! Fans cheer as they mug MJF, and then JB CHOPS MJF! JB drags MJF back up so Sammy can CHOP! Darby stomps MJF, but Sammy pushes him aside so he can stomp MJF out of the ring.

But then JB & Darby reel Sammy in for a DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX, but Sammy lands out of it! He shoves them both, hurdles over both, but JB holds ropes. Sammy backflips over Darby, then DROPKICKS Darby and kips up, into JB’s DROPKICK! Darby DROPKICKS JB, all three men get back up, TRIPLE DROPKICKS cancel out! All three men kip up and fans fire up as they stare down. MJF returns and mockingly applauds. But they BLAST him down! Darby aims but JB stops his slingshot. Sammy stops JB’s slingshot and wrenches an arm, Darby comes back but JB kicks him away. JB then jumps over Darby to flip through the arm wrench!

JB CHOPS Sammy, knuckle locks and kicks Darby, then goes up the ropes to DOUBLE ARABIAN ARM-DRAG! And kip up! Fans fire up as JB feels it, and he builds speed, only for MJF to get in and CLOBBER him! MJF gets on a corner to raise his hands and fans are torn between cheers and jeers. MJF gets fans rallying, and he runs the ropes, but then struts and swivels his hips. As if he was gonna do anything else. But Darby DROPKICKS MJF out! Darby DIVES and takes MJF out at the ramp! But JB DIVES to take Darby out! JB keeps going, he DIVES to hit MJF! JB goes again, to FLY! Direct hit on both MJF and Darby!

Fans cheer as all three men are down, but Sammy returns! Sammy climbs the corner, aims and SHOOTING STAR PRESSES all three men down!! Fans fire up again as everyone is down in the leftover confetti from Kris Statlander’s win. “This is Awesome!” as all four men stir. Sammy stands up and says, “This is my effing night!” Sammy puts JB in, drags him up, scoops him and puts him in a Tree of Woe. But Darby returns, only for Sammy to kick him. Sammy puts Darby up top above JB, then climbs up after him. MJF slides in and JB sits up! SPIDER GERMAN SUPERPLEX, throwing Sammy & Darby at MJF!

Fans fire up again as all four men are down in the ring! JB drags himself up, MJF runs in but into a BOOT! Sammy runs in, into an ELBOW! JB rolls of Sammy, MJF shoves him, but the COMEBACKER hits! Sammy drags JB up but JB slips under, POISON-RANA! Cover, TWO! Darby drags himself up in a corner, JB runs in but into BOOTS! Darby jumps over JB to COFFIN SPLASH MJF! Then he goes corner to corner to COFFIN SPLASH JB! Then he goes back to COFFIN SPLASH MJF! Darby arm-drags MJF, goes around, MJF shouts “WHAT THE F-” THROWBACK STUNNER! Headlock takeover! Cover, TWO!!

MJF survives and Darby scowls. Sammy returns to RAM Darby into a corner! MJF goes to a corner, Sammy slingshots at JB but JB moves. Sammy lands safe, SHOOTING STARS but JB gets under! Sammy lands on his feet again, to SUPERKICK JB! But then Darby DIVES, into a CUTTER to the floor!! Fans are thunderous, Sammy gets in and dodges MJF to SPANISH FLY! Sammy FLIES to take out JB! Sammy just keeps moving, he goes up top and gives us Latino Heat! FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!!! MJF survives but fans are thunderous all the same! Sammy goes after MJF in a corner and CHOPS!

Sammy hoists MJF up, climbs up, but Darby and JB crawl in. MJF BITES Sammy’s forehead! Sammy drops back and MJF DOUBLE STOMPS Darby’s arm, KNEES JB in the corner, and then pops Sammy up for a POWER BREAKER!! Cover, TWO!! MJF wastes no time, he drags Sammy up to WRING him into JB! Darby returns, but MJF hits a headlock takeover! Cover, TWO!! Darby spins MJF, MJF pump handles him, half nelsons, MADE IN LONG ISLAND! Cover, TWO!!! Darby shocks MJF and fans are thunderous again! Both men in the ring stir and MJF stands. MJF scowls and he looms over Darby.

MJF SPITS on Darby, and says the fans only like Darby because he’s a “nobody, worthless POS, just like all of them!” Fans boo but MJF drags Darby up. Sammy returns but MJF blocks a superkick! MJF calls Sammy an effing idiot, but JB SUPERKICKS MJF! Who’s the idiot now? Sammy JUMP KNEES JB, MJF ROLLING ELBOWS Sammy, but Sammy PELES MJF! JB SUPERKICKS Sammy, but Darby SHOTGUNS JB! All four men are down again and the fans are loving “A E DUB! A E DUB!” Darby gets up, drags MJF into the SCORPION DEATH DROP! Shoutout to Sting, but Sammy hits Darby with a CODE BREAKER! Shoutout to Jericho!

But JB chicken wings Sammy and turns him! KILLSWITCH! Shoutout to Christian?! But MJF dragon sleepers JB! CROSS RHODES?!?! Cover, TWO!!! MJF can’t believe shouting out The American Nightmare didn’t end it! MJF goes out and he grabs a mic. MJF wants everyone to hold on, and then he goes back into the ring. MJF tells Sammy that he saw the cue card. Sammy’s got a baby on the way, he needs that money, so just lay down for him! Fans boo as MJF tries this again. “Just do the right thing. Think about the baby, Sammy.” Sammy asks for the mic, MJF hands it over, and fans chant between “YES! YES!” and “NO! NO!”

Sammy says he’ll lay down for MJF?! He’ll take the money!? MJF smiles, Sammy leans back, and MJF flips everyone off. MJF goes down, but Sammy cradles him! TWO!!! Sammy torture racks MJF! GO TO- NO, MJF blocks to wrangle an arm! Step over, Omoplata, but Sammy rolls through to get the legs! Another shoutout with the WALLS OF JERICHO!! MJF scrambles, ROPEBREAK- Oh but wait, not in a Fatal 4! Darby and JB return, but Darby trips JB?! To step through, SCORPION DEATHLOCK!! Shouting out the mentors with their signature stretches! MJF flails, but JB stops him from tapping!!

Darby and Sammy see that, they let both men go, and then Darby trips Sammy into the FIGURE FOUR! “WOO~!” but JB gets Darby’s arm! MJF staggers, into a trip and ANKLE LOCK! JB has Darby, Darby has Sammy, Sammy has MJF! MJF grabs JB in to a SLEEPER!! Fans are thunderous for this ring of submissions!! The ref checks all four men, but none of them are giving up! Fans hope these four “FIGHT FOREVER!” but it has to end somehow. MJF lets go of JB to stomp Sammy, and the ring is broken. Everyone lets go, MJF and Darby stay in the ring. Darby runs in, into an ELBOW!

MJF brings Darby in, up, but Darby pops free to hit a DESTROYER!! MJF flops over, Sammy springboards in, to hit a DESTROYER!! JB runs in to hit a DESTROYER!!! A Destroyer Hattrick! JB is the only one up, he lines up the shot, “This is Awesome!” as JB uses Darby and Sammy as steps to hit MJF with a DESTROYER!!! Cover, TWO!!!! MJF survives and JB is shocked! Fans rally up while JB is alone in the ring with Sammy. JB drags Sammy up, underhooks, but Sammy slips out. JB ducks, kicks, underhooks, TIGER DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! JB looks outside, he slides, but Darby dodges to RAM JB into railing!

Darby stands MJF up next to JB, goes side to side and comes in, to DOUBLE LARIAT them up and over the railing!! Fans lose their minds having those three wiped out right in front of them! Darby rises, throws JB back over, and then throws MJF back over. Fans fire up as Darby goes back to the ring and goes up a corner. But Sammy JUMP KNEES Darby first! Sammy goes out and says he’s muy loco! Sammy drags Darby up, for a SUPER SPANISH FLY onto MJF and JB!! All four men are wiped out again and the fans lose their minds again! Sammy drags himself away but Darby also rises. MJF and JB stir and follow, and fans rally up again.

Darby and Sammy are in the ring first, but JB and MJF still follow. Fans again say “This is Awesome!” because none of these four have given up. MJF throws a hand on Darby, Darby throws it to Sammy. Sammy CHOPS JB, JB throws a hand at MJF. MJF CHOPS JB, so JB CHOPS Sammy. Sammy ROCKS Darby, so Darby ROCKS MJF! The four stand now, MJF comes back to ROCK Darby! Darby wobbles, but he ROCKS Sammy! Sammy shakes that off and slaps himself, to ROCK JB! JB drops to a knee, but he stands right back up. Fans chant for “PILLARS! PILLARS!” and MJF dares JB to do something.

JB winds up but MJF pokes him in the eye! And then he pokes Darby! And he pokes Sammy! MJF flips the fans off then runs, but into a TRIPLE KICK COMBO!! They get MJF up and say they’re taking him out! Sammy goes up, JB and Darby hold MJF, for the FLYING CUTTER!! CODE RED from Darby, BLINDSIDER from JB! They drag MJF back up to TOSS him! JB rolls Sammy, TWO and Darby O’Conner Rolls JB! TWO and that sends Darby into a cradle from Sammy! TWO!! Darby trips and covers Sammy, TWO as Sammy goes Matrix. JB tilt-o-whirls to a crucifix that tabletops off Darby! But then Darby adds a jackknife, DOUBLE COVER!! TWO!!!

Sammy sunset flips Darby, TWO and JB has the ghost pin back! TWO!! Fans fire up, Sammy SUPERKICKS Darby! JB SUPER- NO, Sammy blocks and back suplexes to a DDT! But JB flops out of the ring! Sammy runs into BOOTS From Darby! CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! Darby drags Sammy to a drop zone, goes up top, but MJF trips Darby up! Sammy bails out while MJF climbs up. Fans rally and duel, MJF brings Darby up, AWESOME BOMB!!! But MJF clutches his bad arm! Everyone is down around ringside, fans rally up, MJF crawls to a cover, Sammy SENTONS it apart! Sammy covers, but JB SENTONS it apart!

JB covers MJF, TWO! JB covers Sammy, TWO! JB drags Darby back in to cover him, TWO!! JB grows frustrated but the fans rally back up. JB drags Sammy up, puts him on the top rope, and CHOPS him! JB climbs up after Sammy, Sammy throws hands, but JB adjusts to CHOP! They are both on the ropes, Sammy fires CHOP after CHOP after CHOP! Sammy then jumps to SUPER CUTTER!! But JB flops out of the ring! Sammy can’t believe it, but he sees MJF is still down. Sammy goes to MJF and fans rally up. Sammy drags MJF up, but MJF LOW BLOWS! And this is the one time it isn’t really cheating!

MJF has the Dynamite Diamond Ring! But Darby has his skateboard! BLINDSIDE SKATEBOARD SHOT!! Darby goes up, COFFIN DROP!!! But Darby isn’t done there, headlock takeover! Cover, but JB breaks it!!! If not for JB, or if Darby had just covered sooner, MJF would’ve lost the belt! Darby glares at JB and shoves him. JB sighs, and he SLAPS Darby! Darby SLAPS back! Then they fire fast hands! Fans fire up for the hockey scrum, they DOUBLE SLAP and both men fall! MJF scurries back in and he has the belt! “Who’s it gonna be?! Who’s it gonna be!?” MJF wants to hit someone, and he grins as JB rises.

MJF runs in, but JB blocks the belt shot! They fight over the belt, but Sammy runs in to clothesline MJF and himself up and out! JB has the belt! Is he gonna bring out the killer instinct like this? Fans duel, “YES! YES!” “NO! NO!” JB watches Darby stagger up, but he says NO to the belt! JB runs in, but Darby trips him! Figure four, LAST SUPPER!! TWO!!! Sammy JUMP KNEES Darby! JUMP KNEE JB! Torture rack for JB, GO TO HOSPITAL!! Sammy hurries up top but Darby SHOVES him down! Darby positions JB, goes up, but MJF puts the belt on JB! COFFIN DROP onto the belt!! MJF then drags Darby up! MJF hits the headlock takeover!! Cover, MJF WINS!!!

Winner: MJF, by pinfall (still AEW World Champion)

Love him or hate him, probably the latter, no one is on the level of the Devil! MJF finds a way to defy the odds, will his reign of terror never end?

 

Anarchy in the Arena II: The Elite VS Blackpool Combat Club!

Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks & Hangman Page may have had their differences, but they realized none of that mattered in the end. And why is that? Because Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Bryan Danielson & Wheeler Yuta have tried to end the Elite! The founders of this company aren’t going down without a fight, will they prove they are truly the heart, the soul and the spirit of AEW? Or will the BCC look to remove them and replace them in the most violent way possible?

While The Elite still has Carry On by Kansas, The BCC get a live performance of Wild Thing from the Violent Idols.  A fitting bad name for this one as The BCC come down through the bleachers. The Elite decide to intercept, so the bell rings so this is on record! Yuta brawls with Nick Jackson, Bryan helps Yuta mug Nick but Hangman goes after Bryan Omega has Moxley, Matt has Claudio! The music keeps playing, kinda like last year. Moxley CHOKES Omega, Claudio pushes Matt down. Nick SMACKS Yuta with someone’s popcorn! Omega gets free to throw hands on Moxley! Claudio RAMS Matt!

Nick gets more popcorn, Hangman SMACKS Bryan off railing then high-fives fans. Nick then puts the popcorn bucket on Yuta’s head! Omega hops the railing to keep after Moxley while Claudio ROCKS Matt. Something’s going on in the timekeeper’s area! Hangman CROTCHES Bryan on the railing! And slides him all the way down into a TRASH CAN from Nick! Matt throws headlock punches on Claudio, but Claudio back suplexes! Matt lands on his feet to ROCK Claudio! Don Callis is here on commentary now!? He says everyone wanted to hear from him anyway. Wild Thing keeps going, Nick drops AX HANDLES!

Moxley is on the desk! He aims at Omega, leaps and AX HANDLES! Matt CLOBBERS Claudio and a ref! Oops! Nick borrows a fan’s replica AEW World Championship while Moxley has Omega in a facelock and CLUBS away on him! Claudio gets a chair to SMACK Omega on the back! Nick aims that replica belt to CLOBBER Yuta! Claudio CHOKES Omega with a chair, then Moxley gets a FIGURE FOUR on him! Hangman throws Bryan into the ring, Claudio shows off the ref’s bloody forehead. Hangman and Bryan brawl in the ring, Bryan KICKS away from all sides! And ROUNDHOUSES! Bryan runs, into a LARIAT!

Fans fire up as Hangman finally takes his jacket off. Hangman takes the eye patch off, he’s 100%! Bryan freaks out and Hangman says Bryan’s gonna need this later. He throws the eye patch to him, and brings out a SCREWDRIVER! But Yuta gets in to CHOP BLOCK Hangman! Yuta and Bryan stomp away on Hangman down, Moxley and Claudio get in the ring. They mug Hangman, stomp away, but The Elite hurry in with chairs! Matt SMACKS Claudio, Nick RAMS Yuta, and Omega throws hands with Moxley! Bryan and Hangman brawl in the other corner, and The Elite has the edge! Omega JAMS Moxley with the chair! And SMACKS him on the back!

The Elite all climb up, they all rain down fists! Fans cheer and count, they all get to TEN! The Elite pump each other up, and they QUADRUPLE SUPERKICK!! Fans are thunderous, the music keeps going, and then The Elite all strike Terminator kneeling poses! They build speed, and they QUADRUPLE DIVE!! They even hit the desk! Claudio staggers up the ramp and Matt keeps after him with haymakers! Nick and Bryan are with them, too, while Omega and Hangman have Moxley and Yuta! The Bucks TOSS Claudio & Bryan off the stage! Wait, Violent Idols are repping BCC. The Bucks creep up to him, to DOUBLE SUPERKICK!! Now that’s rock ‘n’ roll!

Omega SMACKS Moxley with part of the desk hood! The Bucks both FLY Off the stage to take out Claudio and Bryan! Omega CHOKES Moxley with the desk piece! Moxley is busted open, but he powers out to CHOP Omega! Nick and Matt keep on Bryan and Claudio while there’s a CHOP fight in the ring! The fans fire up as the CHOPS continue! Then they move to HEADBUTTS! And forearms! Moxley whips, Omega ducks ‘n’ dodges but DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Yuta goes after Matt at the ramp, but he swings into the NORTHERN LIGHTS! And then Matt rolls through, the Polar Express goes down the ramp!

Fans fire up with every suplex, and Matt gets all the way down to ringside! But then Claudio attacks! But Nick runs in to CANNONBALL Claudio! Fans fire up as Matt brings Yuta around to throw at Hangman, POP-UP APRON POWERBOMB!! Omega and Moxley are back up in the ring and Hangman joins in. They both have beef with Moxley, they CHOP Moxley back and forth! Moxley falls, gets up, CHOP, repeat! But Claudio brawls with the Bucks outside, and they go back into the crowd. Omega holds Moxley, Hangman runs in, but Moxley ducks and the BOOT hits Omega! Moxley then LARIATS Hangman!

Moxley goes out after Omega, brings him up the ramp with a headlock, and Bryan CHOKES Nick with a piece of shirt! Claudio CLUBS Matt, Moxley hits DIRTY DEEDS on Omega on the ramp! Bryan goes after Hangman in the ring with fists in a corner! Bryan pulls off his wrist tape and uses it to CHOKE Hangman! Moxley leaps at Omega off the stage, but Omega hits him out of the air! Claudio and Matt keep going up the bleachers, Omega whips but Moxley reverses, and Omega hits the giant poker chip! Flashback to the original Double or Nothing! Claudio and Matt have reached the top, almost to the mezzanine.

Claudio CLUBS Matt, brings him up, and Moxley reveals the poker chip has BARBED WIRE on one side! Claudio scoops Matt, aims for the wall, but Matt slips off to send Claudio into the wall! Moxley brings Omega up, and speaking of going back to the original… Meanwhile, Bryan takes Justin Roberts’ really nice suit jacket from him! Omega fights Moxley’s lift to Alabama Lift Moxley! But Moxley fights that! Matt jumps off a concession counter to CROSSBODY Claudio into some stanchions! Moxley throws knees, then suplexes Omega onto the barbed wire! Fans are losing their minds all over the arena!

Claudio SMACKS Matt off a pillar! Hangman stands, Yuta and Bryan LASH him with leather belts! Moxley has a fork!? Bryan SMACKS Nick with a trash can! Fans chant “YOU SICK EFF!” at Moxley! HE JAMS OMEGA WITH THE FORK! Claudio SWINGS Matt around in the concourse! And TOSSES him into a trash can!! Moxley wraps Omega into a SLEEPER! Bryan digs at a cut on Nick’s forehead, trying to get more blood! Claudio carries Matt to somewhere. Yuta CLUBS Hangman, Omega is fading, but Omega revives! Omega BACKPACK SENTONS Moxley onto barbed wire!

Fans lose their minds more as Omega rises. Yuta has Hangman in the ring and CHOPS him! Hangman’s also bleeding! Yuta takes off his vest to paint his chest with Hangman’s paint. Bryan has Nick, brings him around, there’s a patch where they peeled the floor mats! Bryan digs Nick into the bare floor while Yuta whips Hangman hard into the buckles! Bryan rains down fists on Nick, while Mox rises with pieces of poker chip in his back! Yuta has a chair and he kicks Hangman around. Then he SMACKS Hangman on the back! Moxley returns to ringside to KNEE Omega down! And then he DIGS the fork into Omega’s forehead!

Bryan kneels on Nick to rain down more fists! And he digs at the forehead with his fingernails! Moxley joins Bryan in mugging Hangman with forearms and KICKS! Yuta looms over Hangman while Bryan goes to fetch something. Yuta drags Hangman up, Moxley runs in to KICK Hangman! Claudio and Matt have gone outside to the parking lot! Matt throws hands in return! Moxley CHUCKS a chair at Omega! Claudio trophy lifts Matt to TOSS him into the back of a truck bed! Moxley stands the chair up and brings Nick over, to suplex him onto the chair! Claudio climbs up into the truck to join Matt but Matt SUPERKICKS him!

Matt SMACKS Claudio off the cab, and again! Yuta covers Hangman, TWO! Claudio picks Matt up, PILEDRIVER in the truck bed!! Bryan drags Hangman into the LEBELL LOCK! And Moxley has that bright green power cable and uses it to CHOKE Hangman!! Claudio leaves Matt behind, Omega saves Hangman! But Yuta JAMS Omega with a leaf blower!? And then SMACKS him on the back with it! Omega staggers, Yuta throws hands, and Moxley joins in. They hit Omega with a HART ATTACK!! Bryan TOSSES Nick off the stage! Hangman rises up but Moxley is after him first! Moxley goes up the corner, slashes his throat, and flips everyone off.

Moxley then goes to Hangman, reels him in, but Hangman fights the lift! Hangman turns things around, APRON DEADEYE!! Yuta SMASHES Hangman with the leaf blower! Yuta rushes Omega, but he has the trash can lid shield! He blocks the leaf blower attack to then RAM Yuta down! Bryan rushes in but he gets a SHIELD BASH! Claudio gets in, and he BLOCKS the shield bash! Is he the Winter Soldier or something!? Claudio slaps the shield away, Omega runs, but into a POP-UP UPPERCUT! Nick jumps in to FLYING RANA Claudio! Nick fires off hands on Bryan and Yuta! Then he SCREW HIGH KICKS Yuta!

SHINING WIZARD for Bryan! BULLDOG LARIAT COMBO! Moxley is back, he LARIATS Nick! And then GOTCH PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO!!! Nick survives, but Moxley unleashes DRAGON STOMPS! Omega staggers up, Moxley KNEES him down, then he goes back for more DRAGON STOMPS on Nick! Moxley has the leg, HALF CRAB! But Omega BOOTS Moxley! Moxley says F YOU! But Omega BOOTS him again! And again! Yuta fires off on Omega, Claudio joins in! Claudio clotheslines Omega up and out! Moxley now has a FULL BOSTON CRAB! And Yuta adds a CROSSFACE! Claudio RAMS Omega into railing!

Nick endures double submissions, how much longer can he last!? But wait! MATT RETURNS! Matt clutches his neck but he still gets in the ring to SUPERKICK- WHOA, what exploded off the bottom of Matt’s boot?!? Moxley lets go, Yuta fires off on Matt! Yuta runs, but Matt SUPERKICKS Yuta! And SUPERKICKS him again! And SUPERKICKS AGAIN!! Yuta finally falls over, Nick drags him back up! Hangman is there, BUCKSHOT LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!?!? Yuta survives but just barely! Claudio is back, as is Bryan! Bryan blocks a kick for Claudio to UPPERCUT! Claudio takes Matt’s shoes off and PUNTS one into the crowd!

Claudio and Matt pull at the sock, then stomp away on the bare toes! Claudio digs his boot into Matt’s head while Bryan stomps Matt everywhere else! Fans boo, maybe the shoe has to be given back. Omega drags Claudio out, they brawl, but Matt gets mugged by Yuta and Bryan. Moxley returns, an d he pours out a bag of THUMBTACKS! Fans freak out, Matt kicks but Moxley blocks! Atomic drop on the tacks! Matt’s bare foot gets a heel full! And then DEATH RIDER!! Cover, TWO!?!??! How?!? But Bryan just grabs the bare foot for a HEEL HOOK!! Matt flails, endures, Nick SUPERKICKS Claudio away!

Nick goes up, SWANTON BOMB onto Bryan! Moxley hits a CUTTER onto the tacks! But Omega gets Moxley for a SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX! Omega dares Bryan to get up. Omega aims his finger gun, BANG and- UPPERCUT from Claudio! And then the arms are tucked, RICOLA- RANA!! Omega V-TRIGGERS Claudio! BUSAIKU KNEE from Bryan! Hangman is back, Bryan dodges, BUSAIKU KNEE! Bryan fires up, the fans are thunderous, and Bryan sits Omega up for HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Yuta goes after Hangman to do the same! Moxley has Nick for HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS!

Matt returns to CLUB Yuta and Moxley to stop the, then he CLUBS away on Bryan. But Yuta LOW BLOWS Matt! Moxley drags Matt up, to feed him thumbtacks!! And Claudio takes off an elbow pad, to UPPERCUT the tacks out of Matt’s mouth! Yuta GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, HANGMAN BREAKS IT! Omega and Hangman are surrounded by the BCC and fans are thunderous. Omega and Hangman stand to fire off hands! That’s still 3v2 but Omega starts turning it around! Omega clotheslines Claudio up and out! Hangman GERMAN SUPLEXES Moxley onto the tacks!

Bryan KICKS Omega! And KICKS Hangman! And repeat! Bryan powers up but Omega blocks a kick! Feed to Hangman for DEADEYE!! And then feed back for Electric Chair! ONE WINGED ANGEL!!! Cover, YUTA BREAKS IT!! Yuta saves the BCC and Callis loves it! Yuta glares at Omega and Hangman, he fires off forearms and CHOPS! But Omega ROCKS Yuta again and again! And CHOPS him! Fireman’s carry, “YOU! CAN’T! ESCAPE!” ROLLING SENTON, Hangman SHOOTING STARS, Omega MOONSAULTS, Hangman goes up, to ARIHARA MOONSAULT Claudio!! Callis is mad and storms off commentary!

Hangman reloads, Omega and Hangman coordinate, but Moxley drags Omega out! They brawl, Hangman still slingshots, but Yuta ducks! Callis hands Yuta the screwdriver!! SCREWDRIVER TO HANGMAN’S FOREHEAD!! Omega returns, he dodges Yuta to V-TRIGGER!! Electric Chair Lift, but Callis gets in! Omega drops Yuta to stare down his betrayer. But then someone jumps the railing to get in! He pushes past Callis to KNEE Omega down! That’s KONOSUKE TAKESHITA!!!! Fans boo as another man betrays Omega!! Yuta SCREWDRIVER JAMS Omega! And then SEATBELT! THE BCC WINS!!

Winners: The Blackpool Combat Club, by pinfall

The Future of Wrestling has joined the dark side! Don Callis’ recruiting worked out, but Callis isn’t done with Omega. Callis takes off his own belt, to CHOKE Omega with it!!! Fans boo and rally for The Elite but there’s nothing they can do! Callis finally lets Omega go, and both he and Konosuke stand tall with the BCC! The BCC hoists Yuta up onto their shoulders since he got the win, is their group only stronger now? Is this going to be the end of The Elite?

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My Thoughts:

A mostly great show, but AEW is starting to become more flash than substance. I’ll skip ahead to the TBS Championship, which as far as Jade VS Taya goes, was really good stuff. I didn’t like that Jade won to get to 60-0 because then we all think, “Who’s supposed to beat her now? Why was Taya brought in if she was gonna go 0-2?” And then look, oh! Kris Statlander is back, but she’s getting a title shot now because Sterling and Jade are so arrogant, and that’s how the streak ends. 60-1, but in a rather confusing way.

Though I suppose, as I’ve said leading up to this, there have been any number of confusing moves in other story builds. The Firm story, the Starks VS BCG story and the Swerve VS Keith story all feel disjointed, disorganized, and that is disappointing. The Six Man Tag was of course a Buy-In match, but surprisingly it was the only Buy-In match. Maybe that’s a good thing, because I don’t think I could’ve taken 12+ matches. But of course, this story continues with Matt Hardy now in charge of Ethan Page as karma for before.

The International title Blackjack Battle Royal was itself a lot of fun because AEW does good battle royals, and I suppose there is something to be said for putting in many stories into one match. But a battle royal for a singles title is not how to add to those stories. Obviously nothing is over between Starks and the Bullet Club Gold, and obviously nothing is over between Swerve and Keith. And I’m actually disappointed Orange Cassidy won, I thought this was a great way to have him lose in a protected way to then try for some other title now. Or at least have someone show up after who would get in his face to set up a feud. Didn’t Team QTV say on a QTV that they were supposed to be in this? Where the hell were they, Tony Khan?

I still liked what we got in the Unsanctioned Match, though I’m rather surprised it was second. I do appreciate that there was still stuff from Britt and Saraya, it’d be worse if there wasn’t anything, but then it kinda muddies things later when Britt and Saraya get at each other during Storm VS Hayter. And for an Unsanctioned Match, this actually felt like the tamest one AEW has done. I suppose part of that comes from Jericho being a bit up there in years and Cole still needing to be careful coming back from concussion, but it didn’t feel near as vicious as Cole and Jericho was hyping this up to be. If only there wasn’t all the drama and burned bridges, because this is where reDRagon  (mostly Fish) could’ve returned to AEW to help against the JAS and truly reunite the Undisputed.

While bringing up Storm VS Hayter, that was all put together well and how it should have been done, in a vacuum. The Outcasts of course help Storm in, and Britt & Shida do their best to fight the Outcasts off, but it wasn’t going to be enough, Storm wins. Hayter’s shoulder, whether really hurt or just kayfabe hurt, will get her time off now, and maybe Shida keeps the fight against the Outcasts going. But we already got some Britt and Saraya scrapping, so it lessens the impact in this segment. A Mixed Tag of Cole & Britt VS Jericho & Saraya is an interesting move, too, but maybe this is all meant to make up for not having other pieces available.

Great stuff out of the tag title match. Mark did great as the ref, Karen was just getting nuclear heat, and all the action was good itself. Great use of ref bump here, and of course Jarrett lost his cool with Mark, they’re not the close friends in the group. Great win for FTR that way, and mostly great that Triple J didn’t win, on to some other team. Though, the confusing booking returns as FTR are the ones saving Starks from The BCG when they weren’t in the battle royal. It’d make more sense if it was the Lucha Brothers, cuz I’d love to see White & Juice go for the ROH tag titles. But I guess this is to say BCG will go after the AEW tag titles now? Hmm…

I appreciate them doing the “opening ceremony” for the Owen Hart Cup here, but it didn’t feel like a ceremony, just felt like an announcement promo from Martha Hart. And kind of cringe at that. But this will all be a great opportunity for several men and women in the midcard, though I hope something more happens after the tournament as opposed to last year where it was nice to see Britt & Cole as the Queen and King of Hart since they are also a couple. Really wild ladder match for the TNT title, and that was really risky stuff Wardlow was doing. Wardlow retaining is fine, since it would’ve just been Luchasaurus helping Christian win. Maybe now Luchasaurus gets his match with Wardlow as we were all expecting.

Great Open House match for the trios titles, and Caster had a great rap, but this all felt too soon to mean anything. As soon as The Acclaimed & Billy won that trios battle royal, they should’ve been calling out the House, but because the Open House Rules were something unique, that had to be built, too. Which makes me think they could’ve/should’ve introduced those rules sooner. I guess we can file this as another disjointed and disappointing build from Tony Khan. And I have no idea where Acclaimed & Billy go from here, other than they try again and then actually come up with a crazy rule under Dealer’s Choice. But even then, they’ll look silly for not just trying that here.

And finally, the matches that were actually awesome, AEW’s “Double Main Event” which makes me think WWE’s “Triple Main Event” was just them trying to preemptively one-up Double or Nothing. Between the two matches, the title match was the better match. And even comparing Anarchy in the Arena II to the original, last year’s felt so much wilder. All four men in the Fatal 4 Way proved that they should be seen as the Four Young Pillars, and I loved the creativity in all of it. I figured MJF would find a way, and now maybe he has a 1v1 story with one of the three. Maybe we even get all three in a series, one of them closing out the year with MJF at like Winter is Coming.

And as I said, Anarchy in the Arena II wasn’t as hectic as last year’s, though I suppose still just as violent. And I do appreciate that Wild Thing constantly going on until a certain point is the tradition. Great reveal that Hangman’s eye was 100%, great Captain America motif from Omega with his ring gear and the trash can lid shield, but of course Callis gets involved. Quite the twist that Konosuke returns to help the BCC, though that did feel possible leading into this. It wasn’t really clear if Callis and Konosuke are starting their own group or are now BCC, they didn’t really celebrate all together, they were all just celebrating in the same area. I wish they were a bit more clear. Maybe Konosuke did it not for Callis but for Bryan, that’d be better continuity.

My Score: 8.8/10