The Blackpool Combat Club Civil War has come!

Before Bryan Danielson defends the AEW World Championship at WrestleDream, Wheeler Yuta joins him against Claudio Castagnoli & Pac! That is, if Yuta has cleared out his conflicted feelings.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Holo.grm VS Komander; Hologram wins.
• AEW Women’s World Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Britt Baker VS Willow Nightingale; changed to…
• AEW Women’s World Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Willow Nightingale VS Nyla Rose VS Jamie Hayter VS Saraya; Mariah wins and will challenge Mariah May for the title at AEW WrestleDream.
• Jay White w/ Juice Robinson VS Cody Chhun; White wins.
• AEW TBS & NJPW Strong Women’s Double Championship Match: Mercedes Mone w/ Kamille VS Emi Sakura; Mone wins and retains the titles.
• Bryan Danielson & Wheeler Yuta VS Claudio Castagnoli & PAC; Bryan & Yuta win.

PLAY BY PLAY

PROGRAMMING NOTE for Collision!

Well, it’s that there WON’T be a Collision! Between WrestleDream and the Men’s International Soccer Friendly, USA VS Panama, Collision is taking the week off. However, Friday Night Rampage and the Countdown to WrestleDream special will still happen, 10 PM to 11:30 PM Eastern!

Jon Moxley speaks.

“No one wants the blood of the very legend, The American Dragon, on their hands. The fact is, for the better part of two years, Bryan’s been trying to kamikaze himself. It’s been disconcerting to watch, trying to take himself out. Because as of yet, no one possesses the constitution to do it for him. The way things have worked out, it’s gotta be me. It’ll be a wakeup call for AEW. This is the real world. Nothing lasts forever. You don’t get to pick the day. All these people, living in a fantasy world, playing with their toys, they’re figments of their own imaginations. Saturday night, they will see the truth.

“Of course, there is this little matter of the dark side of Bryan Danielson that most people don’t understand. See, in his element, in the ring, doing what he was put here to do, The American Dragon comes to life, and it’s a beautiful thing. You back that dragon up into a corner, poke it, prod it, provoke it, it becomes something truly terrifying. Bryan’s never been truly comfortable with that part of himself. Now, as this world closes in around him, in his last remaining light, Bryan Danielson will embrace his dark side. And I will be ready. I have to be. I don’t have a choice. There are not enough people in the state of Washington to stop me on Saturday night.

“What I stand for is too powerful. I and those that come with me are too powerful. No weapon shall be formed against us, whom shall we fear!? I will run into the mouth of war Saturday night and beyond. Stand down while you can, run while you have a chance. I can only hope that one day, Bryan, you’ll understand. It’s gotta be this way. It’s gotta be this way. But I don’t have time to worry about that right now. The stakes are too high.” Moxley shoves the camera over and storms off, just what is driving The Maniac to these lengths?

Bryan Danielson speaks.

“So apparently, Claudio just did an interview with Sports Illustrated, telling everybody that this was gonna be my last match on Dynamite. Well guess what, Claudio? Big news: This is NOT gonna be my last night on Dynamite. Tonight, I’m gonna run through you and Pac, me and Wheeler Yuta are gonna run through you guys. And then on Saturday at WrestleDream, Mox, you don’t know what you’ve got coming to you. Listen, Claudio, I’ve been a supporter of you for over 20 years. 20 YEARS, I have been your friend! 20 YEARS, I have supported you in every company that we’ve worked together in!

“But tonight… Tonight, there’s gonna be no support. There’s just gonna be me, here in Spokane, Washington, kicking your gaddamn head in!” The American Dragon is all fired up, will he burn what’s left of the bridge between him and the Blackpool Combat Club?

Darby Allin is here!

The Relentless One let us know on Collision that he’d be here to call out Brody King, and he already has a mic. Darby shouts to cut his music, and he shouts for Brody King, “What’re you waiting for? Brody King, get your ass out here right now!” The fans cheer that, and Darby paces as he watches the stage. And here comes the King of Death! Brody grabs himself a mic before he steps into the ring with Darby, and Darby says he’s actually excited it’s Brody accepting the WrestleDream Open Challenge. Brody could’ve just asked nicely, he didn’t have to attack, but Darby knows what Brody is doing.

Remember years ago, when they were both on the independents? They would stay in these “crackhead” motels, talk all night, saying hopefully it’ll all be worth it. Hopefully one day, they’d make it to national TV while staying true to themselves. And Darby remembers that Brody was so nervous because he had his first kid on the way, didn’t know how his career was going to end up. Darby remembers everything. The thing is, years later, Darby was hired by AEW, and Brody called Darby up every week. Brody was so excited seeing AEW, it looked amazing, and Brody wished he was there. Darby wished Brody was here back then, too.

Because Brody was signed to ROH at the time. Until ROH shut down. No one knew it’s future, because before Tony Khan bought ROH, no one knew what would happen. Brody was out of a job with two young kids. And you know what Darby did? Darby called TK and told him to hire Brody King. Darby got Brody his job here! The fans cheer that. Darby says he knows Brody doesn’t take this for granted, just like Darby doesn’t take it for granted! But dude, they’re so much alike. Because of AEW, Brody could have his dad retire, just like Darby. Because of AEW, Brody bought his family a home. But the thing is, Brody now wants Darby’s spot and what Darby has.

And what Darby has is, he’s basically the Face of AEW! The thing is, he was the guy who was never supposed to make it. But thanks to AEW, he made it! He is the guy doing the talk shows, the radio shows, you name it and he does it. Brody stops Darby there. Darby is right, he has everything that Brody wants. But the difference is, Brody doesn’t take it for granted. We all know Darby has a death wish. So what happens when Darby climbs Mount Everest, and doesn’t come back? What happens when he DIES on that mountain?! Darby’s dad has to get a job again. AEW is without its face.

Darby can lie to all the fans and say he doesn’t take it for granted, but at the end of the day, Darby needs someone to save him… from himself! Then why wait? Why wait for Saturday? Put him out of his misery here and now! Do it! Take his spot! C’mon! He’s right here! Darby sits and tells Brody to do his little thing! Darby mockingly barks, “Woof, woof!” The fans join in, Darby dares Brody to do it, but Brody tells Darby to get up. Darby stands, the two stare down, and then Darby SLAPS Brody! Brody DECKS Darby! Brody looms over Darby, drags him up, and has the SLEEPER! But Darby brings something out of his jacket pocket.

IT’S THE BRICK! The brick Darby was smashing cars with last week! Darby SMASHES Brody’s hand with it! And then CLOBBERS Brody in the face! The fans are going nuts, and Darby aims, until security rushes in! Brody is busted open, but he’s pissed! The fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!” but these two will only have to wait a few more days. The Tacoma Dome might be more like the Roman Coliseum, which of these wild gladiators will walk away from WrestleDream?

Backstage interview with Lance Archer & Jake Roberts.

Renee Paquette is with The Murderhawk Monster & The Snake and says there has been a lot going on lately. It would seem Don Callis was trying to acquire Archer for his faction, but then speak of the devil. Callis steps in, says hello to Renee, and to “Mr. Roberts.” Callis says it is a very exciting day here for The Don Callis Family. As it turns out, he and Jake the Snake concluded the first-ever management to management talent exchange here in AEW. It is Calils’ understanding that after several long discussions, and several bank transactions, Mr. Archer is now part of The Don Callis Family, isn’t that right? Jake says absolutely!

The two shake hands, and Callis says what a pleasure. Archer doesn’t seem as pleased, but Renee asks what this means regarding Will Ospreay. We’re set to hear from Ospreay later tonight, but how will that affect him? Callis says he loves Ospreay, Ospreay is a great talent, but for now, “we’ve got some indoctrination to do.” Callis has big plans for Archer, time to meet The Family! Archer shakes hands with Jake as they part ways, and Renee asks who Jake got in return. Oh, well, does Renee like surprises? Yes. Good, cuz so does Jake. Just who did The Snake get giving up the Murderhawk Monster?

Daniel Garcia arrives backstage!

Renee is there to greet Red Death here in Spokane and notes we haven’t seen him since AEW All Out roughly a month ago. Since then, there has been a lot of questions regarding Garcia’s AEW future, so what’s going on? Garcia says as much as he would love to give an answer right now, he owes the world to go tell them himself. Renee thanks Garcia for his time, then Garcia heads inside. What will Garcia have to say about his next chapter?

Holo.grm VS Komander!

The futuristic luchador and the Commander of the Skies were a major part of that high-flying Fatal 4 Way on Collision, and now they’re going to turn it up a notch for Title Tuesday! But will Hologram’s streak end after going 13-0? Or is there no such thing as “luck” with this incredible innovator?

The bell rings and the fans rally up. Hologram and Komander circle, tie up, and Hologram waistlocks. Hologram spins, wrenches and wristlocks, but Komander wrenches to wristlock in return. Hologram rolls, handsprings, but Komander snapmares. Hologram rolls back, flips over, and kips up to trip Komander. Komander kips up to arm-drag! Hologram handsprings through, comes back, but Komander blocks a kick. Komander spins and flips Hologram, and Hologram almost lands on his feet! Hologram gets up fast, though, but Komander ducks the lariat! Komander Tiger Wall Kicks off Hologram’s back!

Hologram runs up, Komander jumps over to arm-drag! Hologram returns the favor! The fans rally for “LUCHA! LUCHA!” as Komander bypasses Hologram. Hologram sunset flips, Komander rolls through but Hologram MONKEY FLIPS him! Komander lands out, sweeps legs, but Hologram up-kicks him away! Hologram sweeps but now Komander up-kicks! Hologram spins through to cover, ONE, and both men pose! The fans fire up as the two take a moment to cool off and reset. Komander and Hologram circle, knuckle lock, and then go shoulder to shoulder in a Test of Strength. Both men turn, Hologram flips Komander up and over.

Komander kicks and whips but Hologram jumps up to stand on Komander! Then he backflips off Komander, keeps moving, and tilt-o-whirls to DEJA VU ARM-DRAG! Komander bails out, the fans fire up, and Hologram DIVES! Direct hit and Komander is sent right into railing! The fans fire up while both men are down! Referee Aubrey Edwards checks on both men, and Hologram rises! The fans cheer, Hologram high-fives some of the front row, then he puts Komander in the ring. The fans rally up as Hologram stands Komander up. Hologram whips, pops Komander up and FLAPJACKS, to then BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO!

Hologram double checks, but it was dos. Hologram rolls to have the legs, and he ties Komander up. BRIDGING DEATHLOCK! Komander endures, shifts around, and they roll so that both men are on their knees. Komander hooks Hologram’s arms, but Hologram fights the backslide. Komander powers through, he drags Hologram free of the hold, but Hologram wrenches to facelock! Snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Komander is still in this, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Hologram stalks Komander to ropes, drags him up and into a corner, to then CHOP! Komander staggers to another corner, and Hologram winds up. But Komander turns things around to CHOP back! Komander fires up with the fans while Hologram goes to another corner. But now Hologram turns it around, to CHOP! Hologram whips corner to corner, runs in, and he ROCKS Komander! Then GAMANGIRI! Hologram snapmares Komander, PENALTY KICKS, and STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Komander bridges free, but Hologram clamps onto his arms. Hologram pulls Komander into a motorcycle stretch!

Komander endures, the fans rally, and Komander rolls, only for Hologram to make it a stacked cover! TWO, but Hologram holds onto Komander’s arm. Hologram wrenches, hammerlocks, and then hits a rolling takeover! Hologram floats right to a leg, and he rolls Komander around to step through, TWISTING the deathlock into an STF! Komander endures as Hologram keeps busting out the Llave Submission Style! Komander claws his way forward, but now Hologram grabs an arm! Komander keeps fighting, Hologram tries the crossface again, but Komander elbows free! Komander crawls to ropes while Hologram stands.

Hologram rallies the fans, then storms up on Komander. Hologram whips, Komander rolls off Hologram’s back, and has an Inverted Gory Especial! But Hologram powers through to have that for himself! Dynamite returns to single picture as Hologram bends Komander back! But Komander powers up to sit up, only for Hologram to set him down and SOBAT! Hologram whips, but Komander KICKS and whips back! Hologram reverses, drops, but Komander handsprings over! Komander dodges a lariat, comes back again, but Hologram pops him up top! Komander balances up top, hops down to the apron, and springboards to Arabian Press right back up!

The fans fire up as Komander knuckle locks, jumps up and around to FLYING DRAGON RANA!! The fans are thunderous as Hologram bails out! Komander shows he can bust stuff out just like Hologram, and now he builds speed! ESCALARA CONJILO! The fans are thunderous again, and Komander puts Hologram in. Komander pushes Hologram from ropes, then goes up a corner. Hologram goes right up after him! INVERTED SPANISH FLY! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! A standing count begins, “This is Awesome!” as both men stir at 3 of 10. Hologram rises, goes to a corner, and he has Komander in the drop zone.

The fans cheer, Hologram aims, and 450 SPLASH, onto knees! Komander saves himself, and Hologram bails back out. Komander sees his target, and he goes up the corner! The fans fire up again as Komander hits the tightrope walk! But Hologram meets him halfway! SPRINGBOARD RANA BOMB!! Komander counters the counter and the fans are losing their minds! Komander crawls to drag Hologram up. Komander fires a forearm! Hologram fires back! The fans are torn as these shots keep going, and picking up speed! ROUNDHOUSE from Hologram! Komander swings but Hologram boots the haymaker, to then HEEL KICK!

Komander wobbles, but he ROLLING ELBOWS! Komander runs, springboards, but Hologram gets under the Quebrada to Quebrada! Dragon sleeper, inverted suplex and a pop-up, but Komander POISON-RANAS!! The fans again go nuts as Hologram is dazed! But then he runs up to POISON-RANA right back?!? Both men are down again and the fans are electric! The fans cheer “A E DUB! A E DUB!” for making this match happen! Komander goes to the apron, Hologram hurries up the corner, but Komander CHOPS! And YANKS Hologram down! Komander springboards, to FLYING POISON- NO!! Hologram turns rana into torture rack!

Hologram gets the airplane spin going, for the TOWER HACKER BOMB!!! Cover, Hologram wins!!

Winner: Hologram, by pinfall

La Desnucadora de Hologram, aka The Portal Bomb, takes care of Komander, but what a battle it was from start to finish! This 14th win in a row was his strongest, will nothing stop Hologram from shining with gold? Wait, Jake the Snake is here? And then LA FACCION INGOBERNABLE ATTACKS!! The surprise is that Jake got Rush, and with Rush comes Dralistico AND The Beast Mortos! They all beat down Hologram and Komander, and the fans boo them ruining the moment! LFI fist bump, will these wild bulls stampede all over AEW now that The Snake is leading the way?

Backstage interview with Mark Briscoe.

Lexy Nair is with The Sussex County Chicken, and brings up how last week, Chris Jericho said some absolutely disgusting things to Mark. Lexy trails off a bit as Mark scowls. Mark tells Jericho in a very serious tone, “Man, you done messed up. You ain’t have to take it there. This isn’t a place you want me to be at, man. At WrestleDream, it ain’t even about this, man.” Mark sets down his ROH World Championship. Mark tells Jericho, “I’m gonna hurt you.” Did The Learning Tree make the biggest mistake of his life lighting a fire inside Mark Briscoe?

Daniel Garcia heads to the ring!

Spokane cheers on Red Death while he high-fives fans in the front row as he goes. Garcia steps into the ring, grabs a mic, and asks the fans, “How you guys doin’ tonight?” The fans cheer, they’re feeling good. Garcia says it feels so good to be out here to see the fans, to hear them, to feel that energy. The fans cheer that, too! Garcia says he’s been sitting at home for a while, and he won’t lie, he’s really missed this, so thank you so much for this. The fans chant, “Welcome Back! Welcome Back!” Garcia wants to thank the fans, thank Tony Khan for this time when he didn’t have to, so he thanks TK for letting Garcia do what he has to do.

Garcia says when you’re sitting at home, contemplating, with so much time to think, wondering, “What is best for my life? What is best for me?” Those answers aren’t always the easy answers, or the most popular ones. A fan says, “I love you!” and Garcia says he loves them, too, for real. Garcia says the thing is, he never wanted to be a guy who doesn’t follow through on his word. He never wanted to be a guy who just disappears with no explanation. Garcia takes a moment, the fans cheer him on, and Garcia says it felt really important to him that he came out here, look all the fans in the eyes, and everyone at home in the eye, and let us know what he’s gonna do.

Garcia takes another moment to gather his thoughts. Garcia says he came to the conclusion that Daniel Garcia can do whatever he wants, because Daniels Garcia is one of the best pro-wrestlers in the world! The fans cheer that! Garcia says the thing is, he feels like because he IS one of the best, then it is only right that he stays where the best WRESTLE, and that is A E W!! The fans cheer even more now! Garcia says the Garcia that is staying is not the same Garcia we know. This Garcia is not the person that gets little brother’d by everyone else in the back! This is not the Garcia that CRIED when he loses!

This Garcia is the Daniel Garcia that AEW can build their future on the back of! This Garcia is the Daniel Garcia that represents everyone int he back! And this is the Daniel Garcia that starts changing everything in AEW, starting with gold at his waist! So to everyone in the back, everyone who is a champion, and that’s a lot of people… “You’re not safe, and I’m coming for what you’ve got. The feeling is restored!” The fans are all fired up with Garcia, and he joins the people in celebrating! Who among the championship selection will Red Death come for first?

Swerve Strickland gets back at it.

It was just as Prince Nana said: Mentally, nothing can stop the most dangerous man in AEW. But it is also as Montel Vontavious Porter said: Swerve lost the AEW World Championship, only to then lose his childhood home as it was burned to the ground. Swerve gets in the gym with EJ Nduka, one of the top prospects in ROH. MVP’s words are ringing in Swerve’s ears, and The Judge says he’s got this. Swerve is heading to Tacoma for WrestleDream, will he be ready to talk business with MVP?

Speaking of, we see MVP and Shelton Benjamin finish watching this video like the rest of us, and they are very intrigued. Will MVP & The Gold Standard make Swerve an offer he can’t refuse?

Backstage interview with Mercedes Mone & Kamille.

Renee does her best Mercedes Mone introduction for The CEO, and it doesn’t really impress Mone nor Kamille. Mone says Renee should stick to asking questions. Renee says okay. Then tonight is Mone’s first-ever DOUBLE title defense, against Emi Sakura, and it would seem the Queen of Joshi had some… strong words for Mone. Oh, who doesn’t for Mone? Everyone wants to tweet at Mone, everyone wants to jump on the Money Train. Just ask Kris Statlander. Mone & Kamille laugh, and then Mone brings us back to Emi. Emi thinks Mone doesn’t respect her? Mone has all the respect in the world for her!

After all, Emi’s been wrestling longer than Mone’s been alive! Another laugh, and Mone says this is not the first time she’s “dethroned a queen,” and it won’t be the last time. Because money changes everything. Mone pushes past Renee, Kamille makes sure the dress train doesn’t drag on the floor, and they head out. But will Emi make sure everyone in Spokane is singing “We Will Rock You” tonight?

Garcia high-fives with the boys in the back.

Private Party, Anna Jay, even The Conglomeration is there to welcome the AEW faithful. Even Katsuyori Shibata! The Wrestler uses text-to-voice to say, “I’m happy you’re staying in AEW. At WrestleDream, the TNT Title will be around the waist of The Wrestler.” These two shake hands, perhaps making a done deal that Garcia gets next. Will The Scapegoat have something to say about it, though?

AEW Women’s World Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Willow Nightingale VS Nyla Rose VS Jamie Hayter VS Saraya!

Whatever misfortunes befell Britt Baker, it has created quite the opening for even more top names in the AEW Women’s Division! The Babe with the Power goes from 50% to 25% odds, can she still head for WrestleDream? Or will someone else be battling The Glamour for her gold?

Speaking of The Glamour, Mariah May joins commentary. And she does not buy for one second that Britt Baker “fell ill” right before this. Mariah claims Britt fears her, but Mariah might need to worry about who’s in this match now. The bell rings and Saraya says WAIT! She’s trying to Chris Pratt with the raptors here, but they’re all closing in. Saraya bails out and hides behind Harley Cameron. The fans boo, Hayter says she figured Saraya would pull this. The other three circle, Willow dodges Nyla to ROCK Hayter! Willow kicks Nyla, but Nyla scoops Willow! Nyla SLAMS Willow, but Hayter bumps Nyla off buckles!

The fans rally as Hayter stomps a mudhole into Hayter. Hayter then lets off, to run up, but into a BOOT! Nyla storms up and reels Hayter in, to suplex her right to the top rope! Nyla then climbs up, but Willow CLUBS Nyla! Willow gets under Nyla, Hayter CLUBS Nyla into Willow’s- NO! Nyla RANAS free! The fans fire up, the Native Beast busting out something new! But Hayter CROSSBODIES Nyla! Mariah reminds us that she already beat Nyla, and as fun as a “double dip” can be, no thanks. Hayter and Willow stare down and the fans rally up. Mariah says she doesn’t care for Saraya or Willow, so let’s go “Daphne Blake.”

Jab at Hayter’s red hair looking like Daphne from Scooby-Doo aside, Hayter and Willow circle, only for Saraya and Harley to slide in! The Outcasts CLUB Willow & Hayter down, but there’s nothing to be done about it in a Fatal 4 Way! Saraya CLUBS away on Willow, Harley THRASHES and CHOKES Hayter! Saraya kicks Willow out, Harley TOSSES Hayter, and then Saraya whips Willow into railing! Hayter ROCKS Harley, but Saraya SMACKS Willow off the apron! These four brawl it out, and wait, is Nyla climbing a corner?! The fans fire up as she aims at the cluster! “SURPRISE, B*TCHES!” SUPER CROSSBODY wipes out everyone!!

Mariah can’t even as Nyla fires up, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Nyla KICKS Saraya aside, then scuffs her for good measure. Nyla CLUBS Hayter, and then puts Saraya in the ring. Nyla storms up but Saraya asks for mercy. Nyla says nope, and BOOTS Saraya! Nyla rains down fists, then scoops and SLAMS! Cover, TWO! Saraya toughs it out, but Nyla drags Saraya up. But Saraya sends Nyla into buckles! Saraya KNEES Nyla, TOSSES her out, then talks some smack. Willow climbs to the apron but Saraya BOOTS her down! Harley stomps away on Nyla because she can, and Saraya tells her to go after Willow. Harley does as told and she THRASHES Willow. But Hayter sends Saraya into railing!

Hayter sends Saraya into railing again, and then says one more time! Hayter SLINGS Saraya into railing, and flexes. Hayter stomps Saraya, but Harley goes after Hayter! Willow goes after Harley, then ROCKS Saraya! And none of them notice Nyla is bringing out chairs, and a TABLE! The brawling continues by the ramp side but Nyla grins as she puts a table in the ring. Willow scoops, Saraya slips free and SHOVES Willow into railing. Harley jumps on Nyla because she saw what Nyla’s been up to! Harley CLUBS away on Nyla, then fixes her top before we have a malfunction. Saraya mule kicks Hayter, then storms after her.

Hayter chases Harley down first and SLINGS her into railing! But Saraya CLOBBERS Hayter! Saraya tells fans to shut up, and she drags Hayter up. Saraya SLINGS Hayter into railing now. Saraya picks up the broom Nyla brought out, and uses the handle to CHOKE Hayter! The ref reprimands but that’s all he can do. Hayter powers out and turns things around, to suplex Saraya onto the broom! Saraya writhes, Hayter leaves her behind, and she meets Willow in the ring. These two circle again, and Dynamite returns to single picture as they start throwing hands! The fans fire up, then Hater clinches. Willow ducks the lariat, kicks low, but Hayter slips free of the gut wrench!

Hayter clinches again, HAYTBREAKER! But Saraya YAKUZA KICKS Hayter! But Nyla LARIATS Saraya! Willow is up, she SPINEBUSTERS Nyla! All four women are down in the ring and the fans are thunderous! Mariah just likes that this is how badly they’re beating each other up. She doesn’t mind a night off so she can finally have her celebration with Mina Shirakawa. All four women drag themselves up in different corners, and the fans fire up! Hayter DECKS Saraya, ROCKS Willow, then BOOTS Nyla! Hayter ELBOWS Willow, whips Nyla to a corner, then stomps a mudhole into Nyla.

Hayter runs corner to corner to UPPERCUT Willow, then runs back to UPPERCUT Nyla! Hayter sends Nyla into Willow, then reels them both in! The fans fire up as Hayter somehow DOUBLE SUPLEXES Willow and Nyla!! The fans are thunderous, but here comes Saraya with a chair! Hayter stops the attack, and she takes the chair from Saraya! Hayter swings, Saraya manages to block with her arms, but the force knocks her down! Hayter SMACKS Saraya on the back, and SMACKS her again! Saraya bails out, Hayter pursues, now the metaphorical tables have turned from that “Saraya’s Rules” match!

Hayter chases Saraya, but here comes Harley! Harley CLUBS Hayter, but Hayter THROWS her into barriers! Hayter stalks Saraya, but is that PENELOPE FORD!? Mrs. Superbad is back, and she SMACKS Hayter!! Hayter is pissed, but Penelope leads her on a chase up the ramp! Mariah mockingly says, “Go get her, Daphne! One down, three to go.” Willow and Nyla fire forearms, but Nyla scoops to WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM! Nyla fires up, she brings Willow up, and CLUBS her down. Saraya runs up to fire forearms! Nyla dodges Saraya, wrenches and STRAITJACKET NECKBREAKER!

Mariah asks when is Nyla gonna use that table, and then things start moving that way! Mariah joins in on the “We Want Tables!” chant. Nyla goes up the corner instead, so Mariah asks why bother. But then Harley SHOVES Nyla off the top!! Nyla hits apron on the way down! The ref checks on Nyla, and Harley takes the table for her own! The Outcasts get the table in the ring, and Mariah says yes, hurt everyone as much as possible. The Outcasts can’t get the table to cooperate, and Willow CLUBS Saraya! Willow drags Saraya in but Saraya fires body shots. Saraya fires forearms, then reels Willow in. GOOD KNIGHT DDT! Cover, TWO!!

Willow survives and Saraya seethes. But Harley finally figures out how to slide a table in. The Outcasts wedge the table into a corner, but Willow is up! She DOUBLE LARIATS, then she brings Harley around to send into Saraya! The fans fire up as Willow reels Harley in, gut wrench, BABE WITH THE POWER BOBM! But then Saraya ROCKS Willow! Roll-up, TWO! Saraya tries again, but Willow fireman’s carries! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER through the table!!! The fans are thunderous, Willow stacks Harley and Saraya to cover, Willow wins!!

Winner: Willow Nightingale, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the AEW Women’s World Championship)

Mariah is very upset, this was her least favorite option. It will be a rematch from the 2024 Owen Hart Cup, and for the top prize in AEW! But while Willow is celebrating up the ramp, Mariah leaves commentary to meet her on stage. Mariah holds up the belt, but Willow sees the slap coming and blocks it! Willow says not so fast, but then Mariah HEADBUTTS her!! Willow flops right over, and Mariah says if you like that, here’s this! Mariah LASHES Willow with the belt! The fans boo, but Mariah holds up the title. Will The Glamour prove there is no one that can stop her reign of terror? Or will the Babe with the Power rise up to be the hero of this story?

The Learning Tree and his Branches are backstage.

Bad Apple Bryan Keith tells the cameraman to follow him, and he leads the way to The Redwood and Chris Jericho. Big Bill says, “The Learning Tree always says, ‘The people that need the lessons the most want them the least.'” And Jericho says let’s go talk to one of those people right now. C’mon, guys. These three head down the hallway, and they find Rocky Romero. Azucar says hey, wanna throw fists? Jericho says no, no, relax. This is no time for fighting. This is a time for learning. Keith says class is in session! Yeah, and the lesson is this. They’re just trying to help Rocky learn his own self-worth, his own self-esteem.

Right now, Rocky does not realize his own value. But Rocky is an international superstar! He’s been wrestling for decades! And yet, Rocky’s “friends” invite him to join The Conglomeration months after it starts? And they just give him a shirt? Keith points out Rocky ain’t even on the shirt! And then what? Rocky is to “neutralize” Mark Sterling? That’s as low as it gets in the food chain here. And last week on Rampage, when Rocky tries to be a hero and thwarts Jericho, well, Jericho admits that throw into the steel steps was a good one. But Rocky still ended up on his back while his “friends,” Cassidy & Kyle were celebrating in the ring.

Rocky, is this really what you want for your career? To be a lackey? Rocky says he’s no man’s lackey! Okay, okay, calm down. They’re just trying to teach Rocky a lesson. Bill says sometimes, when you’re in the picture, you can’t see the “big picture.” Jericho says that’s the truth. Thanks, Rocky. Jericho & Bill head out, but Keith says Jericho is the future ROH World Champion, you better respect him. Rocky says, “Or what?” Keith says, “Or else!” Keith now leaves, but will Rocky let these words get in his head?

Jay White w/ Juice Robinson VS Cody Chhun!

The Switchblade made his return last week, saving his Bang Bang Gang teammate from Hangman Page. But will White shake off any ring rust he has here tonight? Or can #ClassicCody catch White off guard?

The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally for White, he and Cody tie up. White headlocks, Cody powers up and out, but White runs him over! The fans fire up, and White CHOPS Cody to a corner. The fans cheer, Juice mockingly asks how Cody feels, and then White CHOPS him again! White stomps Cody in a corner, RAMS into him again and again, then lets off as the ref counts. White offers a high-five, but Aubrey says no thanks. White reels Cody in to scoop, but Cody slips free to atomic drop! And DROPKICK! Cody CHOPS White in the corner, CHOPS again, and then whips corner to corner. White reverses, Cody goes up and over!

Cody reels White in to DDT! Cover, ONE!! White is still tougher than that and Juice coaches him up. Cody storms up to CHOP, CHOP and whip. White slides to a stop, comes back and LARIATS! The fans fire up and White has a sinister look in his eyes. White stalks Cody, winds up, and CHOPS! And JABS, JABS, and CHOPS! JAB, JAB, CHOP! The ref counts, White whips corner to corner, then runs up to UPPERCUT! White reels Cody in, CORNER HALF HATCH! Cody flounders but White drags him back up. White clinches for an URENAGE! White says that’s not all, here’s a BLADERUNNER! Cover, White wins!

Winner: Jay White, by pinfall

Ring rust? Well, maybe a little. But the Switchblade still cuts like a knife, and he grabs himself a mic. “Guns up for my Spokane Gold Members~!” The fans cheer, and White tells Hangman, “I told you, you’re one of two men that knocked me off on my path to the AEW World Championship. That means you are one of two wrongs that I have to correct. And Hangman, you are lucky number one! Last week, I made that very, very clear to you, Hangman. So now I ask you, what’re you gonna do about it?!

“I’d imagine, Hangman, he won’t be quiet about it. I’d imagine he’s gonna be coming around that bend, guns blazing, steaming from the ears, veins popping out of his head! Because I meddled in his business. And now The Hangman is coming for ME!” The fans cheer, and White says that is perfect. Because that is what White wants! White wants Hangman VS Switchblade once more! And when White beats Hangman and puts an end to the “new” Hangman, White corrects wrong number two, and then moves on to the gold! The fans cheer but White says hold on, he’s not done.

It’s funny how the same voices that have booed and despised him for years are now the same voices that are willing into existence Switchblade Jay White as AEW World Champion! And Hangman, it starts with you! And it starts this Saturday at WrestleDream! “Giddy-up, Cowboy!!” The shootout is coming to Tacoma, but who will be number one with a bullet?

Hook is backstage.

The Cold-Hearted Handsome Devil has a cameraman, and he says, “You know why I’m here. You know what I’m looking for. I’m done chasing your punk ass! Whoever jumped my father, reveal yourselves! I’ll be right here!” Kip Sabian bumps into Hook and Hook pushes him into a wall! Hook asks if he has something to say! Kip has no idea what Hook’s going on about! Kip has nothing to do with Taz, so Hook lets him go. Hook says he’ll be here all night. He’s looking! But then in steps The Patriarchy. Christian Cage has Mother Wayne and Nick by his side, and Christian asks if Hook’s seen Kip Sabian around.

Hook says nope. And he asks Captain Charisma if he has something to say to Hook. Christian does, actually. They’re both family men, aren’t they? They’ve both been through a rough time lately. The Patriarchy lost Killswitch/Luchasaurus to a serious medical condition, so Christian can sympathize with Hook on the “loss” of his father. The Patriarchy moves on, but Hook’s search continues. Will Hook find the culprit, or culprits, behind the attack on Taz?

Backstage interview with Mariah May.

Renee is with The Glamour, saying it is now official for WrestleDream. The AEW Women’s World Championship will be on the line, Mariah May VS Willow Nightingale, WHO POUNCES MARIAH OUTTA FRAME!! Willow says Mariah has said enough, so Willow will keep it short and sweet. “Tonight, I beat three former Women’s World Champs. And on Saturday, at WrestleDream, I’ll make Mariah May a former champ when I become the NEW AEW Women’s World Champion.” Willow thanks Renee and heads out. Will Mariah never get her championship celebration at this rate?

AEW TBS & NJPW Strong Women’s Double Championship Match: Mercedes Mone w/ Kamille VS Emi Sakura!

The CEO continues to build her Money Corporation empire, but she is going double or nothing on this one! Will Mone prove she’s an ace by trumping the Queen of Joshi? Or will Emi take two thrones with one match?

The introductions are made, both belts are raised, and it is time to see if the Face of TBS is still NJPW Strong!

The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Mone arm-drags, and then soaks up the cheers and jeers with her CEO dance. Emi shrugs that off as she and Mone circle. They approach, and then Emi dodges Mone to laugh at her. Mone is annoyed, and she kicks Emi low! Mone pulls hair, whips, but Emi reverses to pull hair in return! The ref reprimands, but Emi puts Mone in a corner. Emi laughs before she BIELS Mone away! Mone goes to a corner, Kamille protests, but then Mone YANKS Emi into buckles. Mone stomps Emi, hushes the crowd, and CHOPS! Emi is stinging but Mone follows her to another corner.

Mone CHOPS, fans “WOO~” and Mone bumps Emi off buckles. Emi dodges a chop to CHOP! Emi CHOPS again, and again, and again! The fans fire up as Emi MACHINE GUN CHOPS! But Mone scrambles away before Emi can punctuate it! Kamille rallies the fans but Emi pokes Mone. Cover, ONE! Mone JAWBREAKERS Emi, runs, but they RAM shoulders! Emi shakes her head, then runs to RAM Mone! Mone shakes her head, and they both run! Mone wrenches under to CHOP, knuckle lock, and CHOP again! Mone goes up and up to FLYING ARM-DRAG! The fans fire up, Mone runs up, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER!

The fans fire up more while Mone writhes. Emi drags Mone to a corner, CHOPS again, then goes corner to corner. Emi laughs, runs in, but Mone dodges! Emi hits buckles, Mone HOTSHOTS her in the ropes! Emi flops out of the ring, Mone pursues, and she METEORAS to the floor! Mone high-fives with Kamille, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Mone soaks up cheers and jeers, then drags Emi up. Mone pushes Emi into the ring, pushes her to a cover, TWO! Emi stays in this and Mone is annoyed. Mone drags Emi up, puts her in ropes, and CHOKES her! The ref reprimands, Mone lets off, but now Kamille CHOKES Emi! Kamille gets away with it and Mone covers, TWO! Emi toughs it out, but Mone rains down fists! Mone pushes Emi to a cover, TWO! Mone is frustrated with Emi, and drags her around to HIP DROP an arm! Emi body shots in return but Mone KNEES her down! Mone eggs Emi on, then sits on her like she’s a bench! Mone pushes Emi to a cover, TWO!

Kamille coaches Mone, Mone CLUBS Emi, then throws in elbows! Mone clamps on a chinlock and she grinds Emi down. Emi endures, fights up, fights around, and then rolls Mone up! TWO!! Mone escapes, and DROPKICKS Emi right down! Cover, TWO!! Emi survives that hard shot and Mone is growing frustrated. Mone paces around Emi, HIP DROPS her, then taunts her. Mone sits Emi up, clamps on a neck wrench, then a chinlock. Emi endures so Mone KICKS her in the back! Mone drags Emi back up, snap suplexes, and covers, TWO! Emi stays in this, but Mone KNEES her in the back! Mone has the arms for a motorcycle stretch!

Emi endures, Kamille is frustrated on Mone’s behalf, but the fans rally up. Mone twists the arms and digs in her knee, but Emi still endures. Dynamite returns to single picture, and she fights around to stand back up. Emi powers through to RAM Mone, and RAM her again! And then CHOP! Mone sputters to the corner, and Emi whips corner to corner. Mone goes up and over, then reels Emi in for a BACKSTABBER! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Emi survives by a literal foot and Mone is beside herself with anger! Mone pounds the mat in frustration, then aims from a corner. Mone runs in, METEORA in the corner!

Mone goes side to side now, but Emi slips out, so Mone’s dropkick takes her right out of the ring! The fans fire up, and Mone shakes out her legs. Mone runs, uses the steps to leap, but Emi dodges! Emi kicks Mone, underhooks, and lifts! Kamille runs up but Emi SMACKS her with Mone’s feet! Then Emi SLAMS Mone onto the railing! Mone is stuck, Emi runs up to SPLASH her against the barriers! The fans fire up, Emi refreshes the ring count, and Kamille check son Mone. Emi says move aside, “dekai-onna!” (Large Woman, aka Amazon) Emi SMACKS Kamille off the railing again and again and again!

The fans fire up as now Brickhouse sits down beside Mone. Emi runs up, to DOUBLE SPLASH against barriers!! The fans are thunderous, Emi drags Mone up, puts her in the ring, and mocks the CEO dance! The fans cheer as Emi now storms in and drags Mone up. TIGER STALLING BACKBREAKER! But Mone flounders away to ropes! The fans are torn but Emi storms after Mone again. Emi drags Mone in but Mone grabs the apron skirt! The ref stops Mone, and while he fixes the skirt, Mone BOOTS Emi away, into a trip up by Kamille! GHOST PIN! TWO, but into the STATEMENT MAKER!! Emi endures, reaches out, but TAPS! Mone wins!!

Winner: Mercedes Mone, by submission (still AEW TBS & NJPW Strong Women’s Champion)

The insurance policy that is Kamille pays off, but now they wanna make Emi pay! Mone drags Emi up, Kamille winds up, but the ref says don’t! Wait! Here comes Kris Statlander! Mone runs away but Kamille stands to fight with Stat! They brawl and the fans fire up! Kris dodges a boot to then BOOT Kamille! Kamille tumbles out, and Mone says time to retreat! Mone & Kamille let Kris have her moment, but when and where will we see female titans clash?

Backstage interview with Private Party.

Renee Paquette is with Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy, and says we are just days away from their shot at the AEW World Tag Team Championships. Before getting to that, Stokely Hathaway has asked for time with them, and he steps into frame. Renee asks Stokely what’s on his mind. Stokely says he has been watching Private Party for the past few weeks, and notes that every time they get a chance, they knock it out of the park. That is something the three of them have in common. Because at All Out, Stokely proved he could take down the most lovable person in AEW. If he can do that, imagine what he can do.

As for Quen & Kassidy, they have all the tools, but they’re just missing one thing. That one thing is this: Stokely! So at WrestleDream, Private Party with #BigStoke in their corner, what do they say? Quen says wow, another guy ready to jump on the band wagon. A couple weeks? Where was he the last five YEARS? Where was he when they were struggling? Now that they’re the #1 contenders, Stokely wants in? Thanks, but no thanks. They don’t need him. Stokely says okay, that’s not the right move to make, but it’s their careers, they can do whatever they want. Stokely heads out, will he just have to find another team to manage?

Meanwhile, Zay says yeah, this is the perfect move. Because for the first time in five years, they are doing it themselves. For the first time in five years, they are on their own terms. For the first time in five years, they have an opportunity like this! For the first time in five years, they are on a PPV with an official tag team championship match! They don’t want this, they NEED this! They are desperate for the titles! Young Bucks, you got complacent, so allow them to put that chip back on your shoulders. This Saturday, WrestleDream, Private Party will beat The Bucks, take their spot, and Private Party will be THE AEW World Tag Team Champions.

And then after that, it’ll be a party everyone is invited to! Will Quen & Zay make the most of their SHOTS, SHOTS, SHOTS? Or will The EVPs find a way to stay on top?

Tony Schiavone is in the ring.

Schiavone notes that also at WrestleDream, it will be a Triple Threat for the AEW International Championship. Will Ospreay not only defends against Konosuke Takeshita, but also against Ricochet! With that in mind, let’s welcome the champion, Will Ospreay! Spokane fires up as The Aerial Assassin makes his way out to the ring. Schiavone welcomes Ospreay, and says just last week, Ospreay and Ricochet had an incredible match. A double pinfall draw, both men wanted more time and got more time, but then in comes Konosuke Takeshita. And that was after Don Callis & Kyle Fletcher left the arena, but surely what happened had Callis’ fingerprints all over it.

Ospreay says honestly, he’d love to say that’s a lie, but Schiavone might be on to something. Last week was meant to be Ospreay VS Ricochet, and it was meant to be Ospreay looking at the past, beating Ricochet, and moving on. The only thing we can say for sure at the end was that Ospreay and Ricochet are equal. That is because of one man, and one man only, in Takeshita. The fans boo The Alpha, but Ospreay says he has been part of the Family, he knows how they operate, so he knows damn well that Takeshita doesn’t do anything without Callis giving the go-ahead. So Ospreay is here for answers, and he wants them right now!

Ospreay tells Callis, “Let’s have a chat.” Everyone watches the stage, and with a literal low note, here comes Don Callis. The fans boo as Callis makes his way down to the ring, but Ospreay refuses the hug. Callis says he has something very important to say to Ospreay. The fans boo more, but Callis says last week was very difficult for Callis emotionally. He hates to see Ospreay unhappy. And it got Callis thinking. Remember when they beat Kenny Omega at Forbidden Door? Or beating Chris Jericho at All In? Great times, right? Ospreay tells Callis to stop talking about last year, we’re here for last week, and it is a simple question.

Did Callis send Takeshita out to attack Ospreay? The fans boo but Callis says he thinks maybe Ospreay is asking the wrong question. Ospreay says Callis is “waffling on,” it is a simple yes or no! DID CALLIS SEND TAKESHITA?! Callis says Ospreay doesn’t need to know that! What Ospreay should be asking is- Ospreay says just tell the damn truth!! Callis says he’s trying to tell him! Callis stammers as Ospreay gets in his, demanding to know if that was Callis’s idea! Callis shouts YES!!! HE SENT TAKESHITA!! The fans boo even harder now, but Callis says he sent Takeshita out there, out of frustration.

Ospreay just wouldn’t listen. Callis tried to give him good advice, Ospreay refused it, so Callis had to show Ospreay who makes decisions in The Family! He sent Takeshita to show Ospreay. Ospreay doesn’t wanna talk about the past? Forget last week, how about two weeks ago? The tag title match, they were this close to winning! And Ospreay dropped the ball, because he is weak! Too mentally weak to do what needed to be done! Ospreay tells Callis that he’s having a laugh. The tag team champions? Ospreay has the International Championship! And if Callis hadn’t stuck his nose in at Forbidden Door, Ospreay could’ve brought the AEW World Championship, too!

But no, Callis has always gotta stick his nose into other people’s business! So allow Ospreay, the best wrestler in the world, to tell Callis that Callis doesn’t know s*it, bruv!! The fans fire up for that one! Callis says, “The Best Wrestler in the World? Y’know what, Will? I HAD the Best Wrestler in the World, and I threw him in the garbage for you! So maybe, Will, like I did before, maybe I need to throw the Best Wrestler in the World in the garbage one more time.” The fans boo, and Ospreay says he cannot believe he ever had respect for Callis. Callis is just who everyone warned Ospreay about. Callis is utter scum.

Ospreay says he and Callis are DONE! Callis is furious, and he SLAPS Ospreay! Then he instantly regrets it. Ospreay sets the belt aside, and he grabs at Callis by the coat! He TOSSES Callis, throws off his own coat, but here comes Takeshita! Ospreay and Takeshita brawl, and Ospreay has the edge! But Kyle Fletcher gets in, pulls Ospreay back, and Ospreay almost punches Kyle! Kyle asks what Ospreay is doing and Ospreay explains it’s all Callis! But then Takeshita GERMAN SUPLEXES Ospreay, with a HIGH release! Kyle now regrets even distracting Ospreay, but Callis says this is what Ospreay gets for turning on The Family.

Callis brings out a screwdriver!? Kyle says hell no, he’s not doing that to a friend! Takeshita holds Ospreay up, and Callis puts the screwdriver in Kyle’s hand. Callis says do it! But Kyle says no! Callis is mad with Kyle now, but Kyle threatens Callis with the screwdriver! Takeshita steps in, telling Kyle he doesn’t want to do this. Kyle says yeah, and he bails completely. And Ospreay fires fists on Takeshita again! So Callis CLAWS Ospreay’s face! ALPHA ELBOW from Takeshita!! Callis hands the belt to Takeshita, but here comes Ricochet! The One & Only hurries in, to SPRINGBOARD FLYING LARIAT!

Takeshita flounders, but he avoids Ricochet’s curb stomp! Ricochet dares Takeshita to bring it, but then he makes sure to give the belt back to Ospreay. The Triple Threat is coming, who leaves WrestleDream holding the gold?

Top Flight speaks.

Darius Martin says people keep asking how they feel after losing the #1 Contenders Triple Threat on Collision. Well, they’re pissed off! They know that they’re better than those other two teams and that they should be the ones wrestling The Bucks on Saturday. Dante says agreed. In fact, Top Flight has beaten The Bucks, so there’s no reason they shouldn’t already have a tag title match! Action Andretti says, “No reason? No no, there IS a reason you guys ain’t wrestling The Bucks this Saturday at WrestleDream! You guys, y’all ain’t fired up! You’re sitting here, complaining about-”

Leila Grey shouts Action down! Because right now, he is the problem! He is the reason that messed it all up! What? No, he did what was best for them! What he did last week SCREWED them!! Action says they just don’t get it, then he storms off. Dante says Action is all go and no think, and that is going to cost them if they don’t fix it. Dante & Leila go the other direction, and Darius is caught in the middle. What is it that has to change if Top Flight Airlines wants to reach a championship destination?

Jack Perry speaks.

“AEW: Where the Best Wrestle. Now there’s a lot you can say about Shibata. He’s a legend. He’s the embodiment of Fighting Spirit. He’s got a damn turkey leg in his trunks. But are you still one of the best? These days, you let your phone do all the talking for you, but I wanna have a conversation in the language that you really speak: violence. I wanna meat the Shibata who almost killed himself in the center of the ring because he was willing to fight that hard, because he was willing to sacrifice that much. There’s no question, you deserve to be the TNT Champion. But I’ve come to find about what you deserve, it’s about what you are willing to take.

“This says that I am one of the best. Come and take it from me.” The Scapegoat has called out The Wrestler to bring out THE Wrestler, but will he regret asking for that much?

Bryan Danielson & Wheeler Yuta VS Claudio Castagnoli & PAC!

While The Final Countdown is playing, The American Dragon has promised this will NOT be his final Dynamite. Will he and The Decoder stand strong in Spokane? Or will The Swiss Superman & The Bastard make sure Moxley has an easier time slaying The Dragon at WrestleDream?

The teams sort out and Bryan starts against Pac. The bell rings, the fans rally for Bryan, and the “YES! YES! YES!” starts up. Pac and Bryan circle, but then Bryan DROPKICKS Claudio! Pac kicks Bryan, CLUBS him to a corner, then stomps away. The ref counts, Pac stops, and fans rally for Bryan. Pac whips corner to corner, Bryan goes up and over, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then DIVES onto Claudio! Yuta MISSILE DROPKICKS Pac! The fans fire up, and Bryan coordinates with Yuta. Yuta DIVES onto Pac while Bryan FLYING KNEE ATTACKS Claudio! Spokane fires up for Bryan & Yuta as they high-five!

Bryan puts Pac in, grabs a leg, and he drags him around. Bryan hooks up Pac’s legs, and he pulls on the arms! And pulls, pulls, and ROMERO SPECIAL! Bryan lets Pac down enough to tag in Yuta, and Yuta runs to SHOTGUN Pac! Cover, TWO! Yuta stays on Pac with a wristlock, and he wrenches the arm to tag in Bryan. Bryan & Yuta mug Pac, and Bryan UPPERCUTS! Pac goes to a corner, kicks in return, and then CLAWS Bryan’s face! Pac bumps Bryan off buckles, the ref reprimands, but Pac tags Claudio. Claudio fires body shots on Bryan, and UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, and Claudio stops.

Claudio drags Bryan up, UPPERCUTS again, then tags in Pac. The mugging is returned to Bryan, and Pac bumps Bryan off buckles. Pac stomps Bryan, digs his boot in, but the ref counts. Pac steps away, brings him around, and bumps him off buckles. Tag to Claudio and he stomps Bryan now. The fans boo more but Claudio stands Bryan up. Bryan UPPERCUTS first! And again! Claudio UPPERCUTS in return! Claudio stomps away on Bryan again, then digs his boot in. The ref backs Claudio up, but Claudio runs up to stomp Bryan! Tag to Pac, and he kicks at Bryan from the outside. The ref reprimands so Pac steps inside.

Pac drags Bryan up, reels him in, back suplex! Bryan lands out, hot tag to Yuta! Yuta CLOBBERS Pac, hits an atomic drop, then an ENZIGIRI! Pac goes to a corner, Yuta runs up to CHOP, ROCK, and repeat! The fans fire up, the ref counts, but Yuta roars as he lets off. Pac staggers, into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Pac survives but Yuta holds on, and he shifts around. Yuta hooks the arms for CATTLE MUTILATION! The fans fire up, but Claudio steps in. Claudio just deadlifts Yuta off Pac! The fans boo as Yuta and Claudio stare down. Yuta SLAPS Claudio! Claudio keeps cool, but Bryan runs up to DROPKICK!

Claudio tumbles out, Bryan builds speed, and Bryan DIVES! But Claudio catches Bryan! SNAKE EYES off the railing, and then NEUTRALIZER on the floor! Yuta is stunned, and Pac SUPERKICKS him! Yuta falls, The Bastard’s in control, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Pac huffs ‘n’ puffs while he looms over Yuta. Pac drags Yuta up, bumps him off buckles, and he tags Claudio. Claudio steps in, and Yuta SLAPS him again! Claudio snapmares Yuta to then smother him into the mat! The ref reprimands, but Claudio digs his forearms into the back of Yuta’s head. Yuta fights up, but Claudio GUT WRENCH PLEXES! Yuta flounders, Claudio storms up on him, and Yuta CHOPS! Claudio is more disappointed than anything. Yuta CHOPS again, but Claudio pushes him to the corner. Tag to Pac and he CHOPS Yuta. Pac brings Yuta around, Bryan is still on the ground, and Pac snap suplexes Yuta!

Pac watches as Yuta goes to a corner. Pac runs up to UPPERCUT! Cover, ONE!! Yuta shakes his head, but Pac eggs him on then. Yuta stands to CHOP! Pac SOBATS in return! Pac bumps Yuta off buckles, BOOTS him, then tags Claudio. Claudio has Pac back off, but then Yuta RAMS into Claudio. Claudio smothers Yuta and goes for a top wristlock. Yuta fights around, uses a leg guard, but Claudio keeps pushing. They stand, and Yuta JAWBREAKERS free! Yuta runs, into a BACKDROP! Yuta goes flying! Claudio drags him all the way to the corner, and he tags Pac. Pac digs his boot into Yuta, but then tags Claudio back in as the ref counts.

Pac steps off, Claudio eggs Yuta on, and Dynamite returns to single picture. Claudio uses another chinbar to smother Yuta, and he shifts into a SLEEPER! Yuta endures, even as Claudio leans on him. The fans rally as Yuta fights up, and Bryan has managed to crawl to the ramp, but that’s still quite a distance from the corner. Yuta CHOPS, ROCKS, but Claudio shoves him! BACKDROP, sunset flip! Claudio stays up, but Yuta slips away before Claudio can grab him. But there’s no Bryan to tag! Claudio storms up to GERMAN SUPLEX Yuta away! Yuta flounders, Claudio tags Pac.

Pac goes corner to corner, only to go out and beat up on Bryan! The fans boo, and Pac goes back to the apron. Pac springboards in, but Yuta SUPERKICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Claudio is frustrated, but a standing count climbs. Yuta and Pac crawl, the count is 5 of 10! But there’s still no Bryan! Claudio tags in and takes his time walking over. Claudio mockingly asks where Bryan went, then whips Yuta to a corner. Yuta BOOTS back! Yuta fights off Claudio & Pac and the fans fire up again! Claudio puts Yuta up top with a choke grip! But Yuta BITES Claudio’s fingers! And then TORNADO DDT!!

Both men flounder around, and the fans fire up again! Bryan is back on the corner! Yuta crawls, staggers, Bryan tags himself in! Yuta didn’t even realize Bryan was up! Bryan MISSILE DROPKICKS Claudio! And then DROPKICKS him in a corner! Bryan keeps moving, another DROPKICK! And then another DROPKICK! Bryan CHOPS, KICKS, repeat! “WOO~! YES! WOO~! YES!” The fans fire up, Bryan puts Claudio on the top rope, and then climbs up, to SUPER- NO! Claudio stops the steiner, and he drags Bryan up again to SUPER- RANA!! Bryan turns the counter back around on Claudio, and Spokane is thunderous!

Bryan aims, “YES! YES! YES!” KICK! KICK! KICK! Bryan winds up, BUZZSAW! Claudio flops over and the fans cheer again. Bryan points to Claudio, and he says time to kick his EFFIN’ head in!! Claudio resists but the DRAGON STOMPS still rain down! Pac CLOBBERS Bryan from behind! Pac reels Bryan in, but Bryan WRINGS Pac’s arm out! The fans fire up, because now it’s Pac’s turn! Bryan DRAGON STOMPS away on The Bastard! Claudio storms up, and he UPPERCUTS Bryan in the back of the neck! Claudio reels Bryan in, but Bryan BACKDROPS free! Claudio lands on his feet! UPPERCUT but into a backslide! TWO!! BUZZSAW!!

The fans fire up and Bryan goes to the corner. “YES! YES! YES!” Claudio slowly rises, but then Bryan spots something. Jon Moxley walks out from the crowd! Marina Shafir is by his side, and Bryan runs up! Claudio POP-UP UPPERCUTS!! Cover, TWO!!! Bryan survives, but Claudio tags Pac. Bryan is in the drop zone, and Pac 450 SPLASHES!! Cover, TWO!!! Bryan survives again, and Pac argues with the ref about it! The count was fair, but now Marina distracts the ref. This lets the BCC grab the bell hammer!! Pac brings that in, Claudio keeps the ref further distracted, but Yuta snatches the hammer!

The fans cheer as Yuta does the right thing. Bryan then waits on Pac to turn around, takedown! Omoplata, LEBELL LOCK!!! Pac TAPS, Bryan & Yuta win!!

Winners: Bryan Danielson & Wheeler Yuta, by submission

Moxley is frustrated, but then Bryan WRECKS him with a dropkick! Bryan fires hands on Moxley and chases him up the ramp! They even fight backstage, going past gorilla position! Are they going to brawl all the way to Tacoma? As for the AEW World Trios Champions, they’re all arguing in the ring, until Pac BOOTS Yuta down! The fans boo, but now Marina drags Yuta up for muay thai knees! We see more brawling from Bryan and Moxley, and Bryan has the edge as he SMACKS Moxley off road cases! Moxley staggers around, and Bryan sends him into the garage door!

As for Yuta, he gets mugged by Pac & Marina! Claudio doesn’t want this to continue, he is still Yuta’s mentor. Wait, he has the hammer in his hand? He has Marina & Pac stand Yuta up, and Claudio tells Yuta he chose wrong. BELL HAMMER TO THE GUT!! The fans boo as they just stand Yuta up again, for another shot to the gut!! Then they stand Yuta up again, for a THIRD SHOT!! Yuta sputters, but wait, the brawl circles back around! Bryan knocks Moxley down the ramp! Bryan shoves Moxley into the ring, Marina checks on him, and that lets Bryan TOSS Pac! And he dodges Claudio to BUSAIKU KNEE!!

The fans fire up as Bryan stands tall in the ring! “YES! YES! YES!” The American Dragon tells Moxley this is what’s coming for him this Saturday. Will Bryan make WrestleDream into Moxley’s Final Countdown?

My Thoughts:

A great Dynamite here as the go-home to WrestleDream, and the only real go-home to it because there is no Collision, and they didn’t even announce what Rampage has because it probably doesn’t matter. Though because of all that, this was perhaps the most talkative Dynamite in a long time, if not of all time. Now granted, opening with a string of promos makes sense when you consider this Dynamite has the one hour overlap with NXT (unless like me, you live in a sad market like El Paso, then it’s a full overlap). As such, they did the best they could to fill the opening half hour or so with talk. It was well done, but it’s hard to say Moxley or Bryan added anything to their feud.

What did matter was how Don Callis made a deal with Jake the Snake, and how Daniel Garcia is STILL All Elite. Great stuff for Garcia, I really hope he does get a championship past WrestleDream. Shibata promised as much, and then Jack Perry had a very good promo in response, but it feels more like Perry cheats Shibata, and it is Perry VS Garcia at the next event. AEW Full Gear is in Newark, New Jersey, so it’s close enough for Garcia, a Buffalo New Yorker, to have that homefield advantage. Garcia having his moment about as close to home as AEW can manage would be so great, it has to be what’s happening.

As for that deal of Callis and The Snake, something about it really works out. La Faccion Ingobernable no longer has Jose the Assistant, but now they have a legend in Jake Roberts helping them, that’ll be good stuff. And assuming Will Hobbs is also Don Callis Family when he returns, he and Lance Archer are two monsters that can quite truly destroy a lot of people and take whatever belts they want. Hologram VS Komander was insanely good, like a PPV level match but here on TV. And then with LFI attacking them both, all they’d need is a third luchador and we’d have an incredible feud right there.

Ospreay and Callis had a great promo segment together, especially with bringing in Konosuke and Kyle and all of that. As it stands, Konosuke was standing tall until Ricochet showed up, and then Ricochet touches the belt. All that signals Ospreay finds a way to retain because it is a Triple Threat. But I really like that Kyle resisted the screwdriver, I really hope he breaks away completely and truly goes United Empire with Ospreay here in AEW. Very good promo from Darby with Brody King, though Darby’s promo on Collision seems obsolete now. I think I even said as much on Collision, because we were of course getting this kind of promo tonight. Great detail of Brody turning things around, too, saying Darby is in denial about how selfish he’s being. Again, their match could steal the show.

While it is a shame Britt Baker couldn’t make the trip out, it works out better for Willow because I felt like Britt was gonna win the 1v1. The Fatal 4 Way alternative was awesome, I’m a little surprised it was Penelope Ford getting after Hayter, and then Willow gets a great win. However, while Mariah beat Willow up on stage, Willow got even with her backstage, the match is kind of muddied. I feel like Mariah finds a way, though, because there needs to be more story of her and Mina Shirakawa as we head for the end of the year. Mariah VS Mina should be just as passionate and gritty as Mariah VS Toni in terms of the build and the anticipation and the finale.

Mina doesn’t even have to win the title, but she can have the moral victory should Mariah sink to new lows and cheat even her oldest and dearest friend. Then Mariah and Hayter can meet up after Hayter deals with Penelope. Meanwhile, Mone VS Emi was another awesome match, Emi really got to unleash her full arsenal here. But naturally, Mone won because Kris Statlander is coming after her! Kris VS Kamille has to be happening soon, maybe even at WrestleDream so that Kris VS Mone can be Full Gear.

Good promo from Stokely with Private Party, but you can bet Stokely will recruit a tag team that deserves a good spotlight. That team can cost Private Party, then we feud into Full Gear and such, even though that’s really a shame for Private Party because they should get a turn with the titles. Very good video package from Swerve, and it makes a lot of sense for Swerve to meet with MVP during WrestleDream, that could even be the moment where Bobby Lashley shows he is All Elite. Good return match for Jay White and very good promo to set up White VS Hangman. That’ll be a great match, and it could probably go either way with how dastardly Hangman has been.

Good promo from Hook interacting with Kip Sabian and The Patriarchy. While Taz’s attacker probably isn’t any of those guys, this does help tease a feud of Hook with Patriarchy over the father figure stuff. Kip might even end up an unlikely ally so Hook can fight Christian & Nick at the same time. And then a great tag match main event for this BCC Civil War stuff, helping bookend the night with that story. Great win for Bryan & Yuta, and then great brawling and beatdown to follow. Now, the thing is, with Bryan standing tall over everyone, there’s a very good chance something in Yuta mentally snaps and he turns on Bryan, allowing Moxley to win. It’d be wild WrestleDream is Bryan’s last match, and it’d be bittersweet with it being in Washington.

My Score: 8.9/10

The Gateway to the West is the gateway to greatness!

Tony D’Angelo gets one last shot at Oba Femi’s NXT North American Championship! Can he overcome his fear to dethrone The Ruler?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Six Woman Tag: Kelani Jordan, Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill VS The Fatal Influence; Kelani, Bianca & Jade win.
• NXT North American Championship: Oba Femi VS Tony D’Angelo w/ The D’Angelo Family; Tony wins and becomes the new NXT North American Champion.
• NXT Tag Team Championships: Fraxiom VS A-Town Down Under; Fraxiom wins and retains the titles.
• Je’Von Evans VS Randy Orton; Orton wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Trick Williams is here!

St. Louis fires up for the TWO-TIME (TWO-TIME) NXT Champion as he walks to the ring, and we are back in the Whoop Dat Era! Trick has the mic to say he appreciates the love, but let’s get to business. We’re in St. Louis, Sexyy Red’s waiting in the back, and hey, check it. NXT is reaching new heights. New cities, new network, but Trick wants us to learn his new name: Tricky Two-Times and you say it two times, because he is the NEW NXT Champion! Fans chant ‘WHOOP DAT TRICK!” and Trick is fired up. he knows what it means: He has this brand new baby around his waist, and he knows there are sharks waiting in the locker room, but that doesn’t change a thing!

Wait, someone is calling to Trick from the upper deck? It’s Wes Lee! The fans boo as Wes congratulates Trick, and says we don’t want a celebration for two hours. Especially when Trick’s not the only one with a career defining moment last week. Wes shed some unnecessary weight dragging him down, and he can focus on what he wants, and that is becoming an NXT TRIPLE CROWN by taking that title off Trick. Trick says hold on, “Light Skin.” The accolades should speak for themselves, but Trick knows Wes’s type! The type that backstabs people in the back, pretend like they have friends, Trick went down that road.

And here’s how it ends: With Trick Willy’s hand raised! Wes stops Trick there. Trick is the face of NXT right now, but Wes is gonna say something no one else seems to have the balls to say: Trick ain’t Him, dog. Wes is going to be the one that takes the title from Trick before he even gets comfortable. Then Wes leaves Trick in the dust like Trick’s partner did. But wait! JEY USO makes his way out here! Wes and Trick are stunned but the fans are thunderous, because Main Event Jey comes in from the crowd side! He tells Wes to put it on pause, dawg, it’s a double champ night! The fans bounce and “YEET!” with Jey as he goes to the ring!

Wes is announced but Trick and Jey shake hands and bring it in. Jey lets us know, “Main Event Jey Uso is now in your citaaaaaay~!” The fans cheer, and Trick says hey, look, Trick appreciates Jey coming here after his big victory last night. “YEET!” Trick knows Jey is tired, “YEET!” And they both look good, “YEET!” They got gold on their waists! “YEET!” Trick is NXT Champ! “YEET!” Jey is IC Champ! “YEET!” And if another bum tries ’em for these belts, you know they gonna WHOOP DAT TRICK! “YEET!!” Trick and Jey lock eyes, and they get on the same page, “WHOOP DAT TRICK! YEET! WHOOP DAT TRICK! YEET!”

Trick and Jey bring it in one more time, and they leave it at that. Will Trick and Jey be the faces that lead WWE into the future?

Six Woman Tag: Kelani Jordan, Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill VS The Fatal Influence!

The Standout had a bad feeling Lola Vice & Jaida Parker would be fighting each other more than they were Fallon Henley, Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx, so she made sure to have a Plan B. And by that, it was the EST & The Storm! Now the NXT Women’s North American Champion teams with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions to create a golden trio unlike any other! But will they be able to clean up this toxic waste? Or will they all end up under the Influence?

NXT returns as the Fatal Influence makes their entrance, soaking up the heat from St. Louis. The teams sort out, and Kelani starts against the Toxic Cowgirl. They circle, but Jazmyn distracts, so Fallon attacks! Fallon stomps Kelani, tags Jacy, and then Fallon sends Jacy in to back body block! Jazmyn tags in, Jacy snapmares so Fallon can SLIDING FOREARM and then Jazmyn PENALTY KICKS! Cover, ONE!! Kelani is tougher than that, but Jazmyn whips her to ropes. Kelani slides under, then slingshot arm-drags! The fans fire up as Kelani DROPKICKS then kips up! Jacy & Fallon rush in but Bianca DROPKICKS one and Jade BOOTS the other!

The fans fire up as now Kelani, Jade & Bianca all scoop to TRIPLE SLAM! The fans fire up for the flexing, and Fatal Influence regroups outside. They cool off, Jazmyn storms in, but Kelani is right on her for a snapmare and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Kelani keeps The Toxic Protege back and wrenches her to a wristlock. Tag to Bianca, and she scoops Jazmyn, to do some squats! The fans fire up for “E S T!” but Jazmyn slips away. Tag to Fallon but Bianca CLOBBERS her! The fans fire up as Bianca whips Fallon but Fallon reverses. Bianca goes up and over and handsprings to say, “Kiss this!” The fans fire up, Fallon runs up, but Bianca backflips up and over!

Bianca RAMS into Fallon, then climbs up to rains down fists! The fans count along, and Bianca goes PAST ten! But Jacy pulls the braid! Bianca backflips to short arm LARIAT! Bianca then wrenches Fallon to suplex, and she holds Fallon up! Then the SLAM! Bianca kips up, the fans fire up, and Bianca waits on Fallon. Handspring and MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Bianca stays cool, then tags in Jade! The fans fire up as the StrongEST Duo double whip, to double hip toss and cradle, DOUBLE SLAM! The fans fire up and Jade tags Kelani. Kelani goes up, gets a lift from Jade, MILITARY PRESS SPLASH! Cover, TWO!

The fans stay fired up as Kelani stays on Fallon, but Fallon holds ropes to block the whip! Kelani lets go, but Fallon throat chops! Fallon SLAPS Kelani, headlocks, but Kelani powers out. Jazmyn tags in, Fallon trips Kelani, and Jazmyn BULLDOGS! The fans boo, but The Influence TOSS Kelani out! The ref is busy with so many ladies, Jacy hits a CANNONBALL on Kelani! The Influence is in control as NXT goes to break.

NXT returns again and Jazmyn CLOBBERS Kelani. Jazmyn drags Kelani up, whips her to the Influence corner, then stomps a mudhole. The fans boo, Fallon tags in and feeds Kelani to a LEG SWEEP! Fallon keeps moving, RUNNING FACEBUSTER! Jacy tags in to SENTON! Cover, TWO! Jacy bumps Kelani off buckles, stomps a mudhole in, but the ref counts. Jacy lets off, fans chant for Jade, but Jacy says “SUCK IT!” CANNONBALL gets buckles as Kelani moves! The fans fi reup, but Jacy hurries after Kelani! Jacy whips, Kelani reverses. Jacy ducks a kick but not the CALF KICK! The fans fire up while both women are down!

Kelani and Jacy crawl, but they find each other first. They fire forearms and the fans rally behind Kelani. Kelani staggers to a corner, Jacy runs up, but Kelani BOOTS her! Kelani fights the others off, but Jacy back suplexes! Kelani lands out, then JAWBREAKERS! Jazmyn tags in, but Kelani tags Jade! The fans fire up as Jade rallies on the Influencers! She SPIENBUSTERS Jacy, then scoops Fallon for a BACKBREAKER! Jazmyn runs up, into a scoop, and Jade marches around before the FALL AWAY SLAM! Jade kips up, the fans are thunderous, and Jade SPLASHES Jazmyn! Then a SPLAASH for Jacy!

Jade choke grips Jazmyn to CHOKE SLAM!! Jade drags Jazmyn back up, tags Bianca, and the StrongEST Duo combines! DOMINATOR SPALSH! Cover, but Fallon breaks it! Jade SUPERKICKS Fallon! Jacy NECKBREAKER DROPS Jade! Kelani kicks Jacy to X-FACTOR! Jacy tumbles out, Kelani goes up and up to ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Direct hit on Jacy & Fallon! Even Bianca is stunned! Jazmyn runs up, dodges, and NYX KICK! Cover, TWO!! Bianca survives that toxic Pele, but Jazmyn sweeps the legs! But Bianca blocks the Penalty Kick! “This is Awesome!” as Bianca ALLEY0OOPS Jazmyn!

Tag to Jade, and they hit the STRONGEST PLEX!! Tag to Kelani, and she goes right back up! ONE OF A KIND SAULT!! Cover, Kelani and team win!

Winners: Kelani Jordan, Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill, by pinfall

The champions all stand tall over Fallon, Jacy & Jazmyn, and Jacy is furious! NIL or not, will the Fatal Influence have to admit Kelani just has “it?”

Nathan Frazer & Axiom talk backstage.

The NXT Tag Team Champions are ready, tonight is business as usual. As long as they are on the same page, right? Yes…! But then Randy Orton has a question for #Fraxiom. This Je’Von Evans. Just how fast is he? Axiom says Je’Von might be the fastest guy in NXT, really. Frazer says what’s that about? Frazer’s right here. Aw c’mon, you know what Axiom means. Uh, no, he doesn’t. Axiom apologizes for Frazer, and Frazer also apologizes. He is known to be a “hothead” around here. Orton says trust him, he relates. There’s nothing wrong with being a hothead. In fact, sometimes, we all need to find that “dark place.”

See? Orton just said it’s a good thing, so Frazer is taking it and running with it! He heads out, and Axiom sighs. Orton wishes Fraxiom luck, but will they need to rely on their focus instead?

Backstage interview with Giulia.

Sarah Schreiber is with the Beautiful Madness and says it was a tough loss last week to Roxanne Perez. In fact, we’ll be hearing from Roxie, and Cora Jade, momentarily. What does Giulia think they’ll have to say? Giulia says Roxie & Cora are- Knock knock. Um, sorry, they’re in the middle of an interview. But then Sarah and Giulia see who it is. Giulia says, “Hello, old friend. We got it.” Giulia is in a better mood now as she heads out with this mystery person. Could this mean La Primera is in the building?

Roxanne Perez heads to the ring!

Given the controversy she used to retain, St. Louis boos The Prodigy, not that she cares. The NXT Women’s Champion grabs a mic and says, “I thought last week was gonna be the last week that it finally happened: Your international sensation, your ‘chosen one’ was gonna dethrone me and become your NEW~ NXT Women’s Champion. But… NOPE. Because once again, there you guys are, disappointed. And here I stand with this.” Roxie holds up the shiny new NXT Women’s Championship belt, and she says maybe now we’ll believe what she’s been saying since April. Not that she’ll hold her breath. All of us are so predictable!

In no time at all, we’ll prop up someone new, and she’ll drink the tears of the Flavor of the Month. But she doesn’t have to drink alone anymore. Because of an old friendship has started to reignite. Here comes Cora Jade! Cora grabs herself a mic as she joins Roxie in the ring, and says for the past NINE MONTHS, she had to sit at home and listen to everyone talk about how this is the deepest division in the history of NXT, and even the WWE. They were going on and on listing all the women, yet Cora’s name was left off the list. Imagine that. That really, really pissed her off! So when she came back, she wanted to make sure everyone paid for forgetting about Cora Jade.

So when she cost Giulia the title, no one say it coming. Not even Roxie! Though, listen, the woman we used to know was a young girl just trying to make it in NXT/ But the woman you’re looking at now is the woman who is going to make NXT. Roxie deserves to be NXT Women’s Champion! Hell, this is the version of Roxie that Cora always knew she could be. That is why, after so many years, their friendship is finally being mended. And unfortunately, that is really, really bad for the deepest division in WWE. Roxie agrees. She wishes she listened to Cora all those years ago instead of this nobody know-it-alls.

All Cora ever wanted was Roxie to look out for herself. And in pursuit of this title, she finally learned. And she knows that this title shattered their friendship before, but it’ll be what brings them back together. Wait! Here comes Giulia! The fans cheer the rightful champion as she storms to the ring. Cora dares her to get in. She knows they haven’t formally been introduced, but come on in. WAIT! Here comes Stephanie Vaquer!! Now Cora & Roxie are cowering! The Madness and the Primera rush in to brawl it out with the mean girls! Stephanie BOOTS Cora, Giulia HEADBUTTS Roxie, and those two go rolling away!

The fans fire up as Giulia & Stephanie stand side by side. But then they both spot the belt. They both pick it up, and fans are intrigued to see where this is going. Will neither Roxie nor Cora stand atop the mountain with these two icons coming for them?

No Quarter Catch Crew watches this backstage.

Wren Sinclair says Stephanie Vaquer is finally in NXT. And next week, Wren shows her what NXT is all about! Charlie Dempsey and the fellas commend Wren on taking initiative. That is what NQCC needs. Take notes, boys. Dempsey then leads the way, and spots Lexis King sitting with a tablet. What’s he got there? Lexis says he’s rewatching footage of Oro Mensah stealing the win from him. Dempsey asks why Lexis is still obsessed over Oro? Lexis says Dempsey is a wrestling purist, so maybe he can help. Lexis feels like he needs a match where he and Oro can’t cheat the other. Something down the straight and narrow.

Dempsey says there is one thing, but it’s obscure. The Admiral Lord Mount Evans. The what? It’s an other rounds type system like the Heritage Cup. No, Lexis doesn’t wanna do rounds. But hey, it is a “gentlemen’s battle.” Ah! That sounds good. A gentlemen’s duel! Tell him more about it. These two discuss stipulations, will Lexis be able to prove he’s turned over a new leaf with this unique match type?

NXT North American Championship: Oba Femi VS Tony D’Angelo w/ The D’Angelo Family!

Back at No Mercy, The Ruler put fear in the heart of The Don, but after much training and coaching from Rizzo, Stacks & Luca, it seems Tony is ready for another round. Will this be Tony’s moment to shine? Or will nothing, not even renewed determination, stop Oba’s dominance?

NXT returns and Oba makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly inevitable!

The bell rings and the fans rally up as Tony stares down with Oba. But then Oba pie faces Tony! Oba swings, Tony dodges and fires hands! Tony bobs ‘n’ weaves to fire body shots! Tony avoids haymakers, ROCKS Oba, then whips him. Oba bounces off buckles to CLOBBER Tony! Tony staggers up, Oba is on him with a clinch, and he fires knees! Oba scoops, then SLAMS! Oba lines up and drops a BIG elbow! Cover, TWO! Oba grins as Tony is still in this. Oba headlocks, grinds the hold, and the fans duel as hard as they can. Tony fights up, powers up, but can’t power out as Oba holds tight! Tony endures the grind and pries at the hold.

The fans rally, but Oba thrashes Tony around! Oba hits a headlock takeover, but Tony keeps his shoulders up. The fans rally again, Tony rolls to a cover, TWO! Oba thrashes Tony around again, but Tony still pushes up to his feet. The fans rally, The Family coaches Tony, but Oba hits another takeover! Oba grinds the hold but Tony keeps the shoulders up. Tony stands, fires body shots, and he powers out to whip! Tony then blows past Oba to CLOBBER him! The fans fire up as Tony LARIATS Oba up and out! The Family fires up as Tony aims from the apron. Tony BOOTS Oba, then AX- NO, Oba catches him! APRON CHOKE SLAM!

The fans go nuts and Oba stands tall, but NXT goes to break.

NXT returns again and Oba grinds Tony down with a backbreaker rack across his knee! Tony endures, pries at the hold, and the fans duel as hard as they can. Oba pushes Tony more, but Tony still powers up! Tony stands, only for Oba to clinch! Tony fires elbows but Oba knees low. Oba reels Tony in, but Tony fights the lift! Tony starts to lift Oba! BACKDROP! The fans fire up while both men are down! Tony crawls to the corner and The Family caoches him up. Wait, they slide a crowbar in? Tony thinks about it, but he says no, that’s the old Tony. Tony stands, Oba runs up, but Tony blocks the punch to fire forearms!

The fans fire up as Tony whips, then SPINE- NO, Oba CLUBS free! Oba runs up to LARIAT Tony and himself up and out! The fans fire up, Tony drags himself onto the apron, and the fans rally for “NXT! NXT!” But Oba CHOPS Tony down, just by reaching up from the ground! Oba grins as he stares The Family down. Stacks dares Oba to do something, and so he CLOBBERS Stacks, into Rizzo! Oba says he isn’t at fault for that, but Tony is pissed all the same! Tony TACKLES Oba, and he rains down fists! The fans are thunderous as Tony THRWOS Oba into railing, SMACKS him off apron, and RAMS him into steel steps!

Tony drags Oba up, to BELLY2BELLY onto the ramp! The fans are fired up as Tony puts Oba in the ring! Tony gets moving, and he SPEARS Oba down!! Cover, TWO!! Oba survives and The Family can’t believe it! Tony frowns, brings Oba up, but Oba UPPERCUTS! Tony goes to a corner, Oba runs in, to UPPERCUT again! Oba keeps moving but so does Tony! Tony LARIATS in a corner! Tony runs, into a SHOTGUN BOOT! Oba then CHOKE SLAMS!! Cover, TWO?!? Tony survives and Oba is stunned! Oba frowns, the fans are thunderous as he drags Tony up, and he short arm LARIATS! Oba drags Tony up again, to short arm LARIAT!

Oba does not stop, he drags Tony up to short arm- NO, Tony gets under! Tony GERMAN SUPLEXES! Tony holds on, and he GERMAN SUPLEXES again! The fans fire up as Tony stands Oba up again. But Oba fights with elbows! Oba then reels Tony in to SHOT PUT! But Oba falls over, too! Oba and Tony are hitting their limits, but “This is Awesome!” as they both rise up again! Tony and Oba are in corners, and Oba runs in! UPPERCUT! Oba hoists Tony up top, then climbs, but Tony fires hands! Oba falls back, Tony adjusts, and Tony leaps, into an UPPERCUT!! Tony falls right out of the ring!

Oba pursues, and he clears the desk! Booker T and Vic Joseph step back, the ref reprimands, but Oba drags Tony to his feet. Oba reels Tony in, but Tony slips free to SPINEBUSTER through the desk!! Both men are down and St. Louis is electric! Tony puts Oba in, and he hurries to SPINEBUSTER again!! Cover, TWO!?!? Oba survives the double whammy and no one can believe it! Tony is beside himself, and he looks to The Family. But then Oba sits up to stare him down! Oba choke grips, and CHOKE- SUNSET FLIP! Tony high stacks, TONY WINS!!!

Winner: Tony D’Angelo, by pinfall (NEW NXT North American Champion)

Just as it looked like all hope was lost, Tony finds a way! The D’Angelo Family has gold again, and The Don is back on top! Will nothing stop the Family now? As for Oba, this isn’t just his first defeat as champion, but his first defeat in NXT PERIOD! What will The Ruler do now, now that he has no throne?

NXT shares footage from after last week’s episode.

Lola Vice was obviously furious with Jaida Parker over how their match ended, but it just turned into a fist fight! The refs rushed in to stop it, but cut back to present and now Lola is with Ava Raine. Ava knows Lola is heated, and Lola says she wants a match with Jaida. Ava says that’s fine, because Jaida wants a match with Lola. Ava will handle business, but she has a phone call. Ava takes the call, and says yes, send her in. Nikkita Lyons returns! And she is so grateful to be back! Oh, hey, the Latina badass! How- Yeah, yeah, good for Lyons, but Lola is here, this has to wait. Um, no, Lola has to wait, Lyons has a meeting with Ava. Just chill out, touch grass.

Lola tells Lyons that a lot has changed since she’s been gone. Lyons just got cleared, so don’t make Lola put her on the shelf. Ava has them both stand down. Ava and Lyons were going to talk first opponents, but seems she found them. Lola leaves, Ava says it’s good to have Lyons back. Will Nikkita roar back into the ring against The Mayor of Vice City?

Kelani, Bianca & Jade regroup backstage.

They’re all pumped after their big win tonight. The Fatal Influence has nothing on these three. Kelani thanks Bianca & Jade for having her back. She knows those girls aren’t done with her yet, but she’s got it from here. But then in step Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson. Miss Jackson congratulates them on the win, and The Bougie Bully says if they wanna keep coming into their turf, then there needs to be an opportunity at those titles. Jade knew they were running their mouths while she and Bianca were busy hosting Bad Blood. Now, what we won’t do and don’t do is run from a challenge. Bianca agrees.

And since Meta Four wants to go, Bianca & Jade aren’t gonna come to them. If Lash & Jakara think they can run with the big dogs, then they gotta show up on Friday Night SmackDown. Lash & Jakara say bet, and bye. Will Lash & Jakara soon learn why Jade & Bianca are the StrongEST Duo in WWE?

NXT Tag Team Championships: Fraxiom VS A-Town Down Under!

Nathan Frazer & Axiom have had their ups and downs, but right now they just wanna get even with Austin Theory & Grayson Waller. Will their #NeverSlowDown style help them blow right past these former WWE Tag Team Champions? Or will they be taken out by the Grayson Waller & Austin Theory Effect?

NXT returns as Fraxiom makes their entrance. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see which team is truly on the same page!

The teams sort out and Axiom starts with Theory. They circle, tie up, and Axiom wrenches to a headlock. Theory powers up and out, then he runs Axiom over! Theory says, “What’d I say? That’s all day!” Theory pie faces Axiom, but Axiom CHOPS back! Axiom then dodges Theory to DROPKICK! Theory staggers to a corner, Axiom tags Frazer. Axiom whips, Theory reverses but Axiom reverses back. Axiom wrenches, clinches, and hooks Theory up in the IRON OCTOPUS! Frazer builds speed, to DROPKICK! Theory flounders to a corner but Frazer storms up on him. Frazer CHOPS, whips, but Theory reverses.

Frazer goes up and over, ducks ‘n’ dodges to slide and arm-drag! And arm-drag! Frazer has the armlock, but Theory fights up. Waller talks trash, and Theory throat chops! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Theory has Frazer’s legs. Theory YANKS Frazer to his feet, but Frazer lands on his feet! Frazer PELES Theory! Tag to Axiom, and the speed blitz starts up! BLINDSIDE LARIAT! BASEMENT DDT! Waller runs in but into kick, KICK and tilt-o-whirl DDT! The fans fire up while Waller bails out. Theory BOOTS Axiom, goes up, but Axiom GAMANGIRIS! Axiom climbs, brings Theory up, but Waller anchors Theory!

Theory pushes Axiom onto ropes, then DRAPING LARIATS! Axiom falls to the floor, Frazer checks on him, and NXT goes to break.

NXT returns again and Axiom leaps from steps to FLYING RANA Waller! Waller tumbles along the floro, Axiom gets in the ring, but Theory YANKS Frazer off the apron! No tag for the champs, and Waller LEG LARIATS Axiom! Tag to Theory and ATDU drags Axiom up. DOUBLE ROLLING ELBOW!! Cover, TWO!! Axiom is tougher than that but ATDU is upset with the ref! Frazer drags Waller out! Frazer DECKS Waller, then hurries up. Theory puts Axiom on the corner, ROCKS him, then climbs to join him. Axiom fights the superplex, fires body shots and forearms, but Theory holds ropes! Axiom finally DECKS Theory, and FROG SPLASHES!

Axiom bounces off the cover, but he hot tags Frazer! Frazer springboard MISSILE DROPKICKS! Frazer CHOPS in a corner, whips, but Theory reverses. Frazer goes up and over with a Quebrada, then keeps moving! Frazer ducks ‘n’ dodges and CLOBBERS Theory! Frazer wrenches, reels Theory in, but Theory slips free. Theory shoves, Frazer hits another Quebrada! Frazer has Theory in a dragon sleeper, but Waller runs up! Frazer kicks him, DOUBLE DDT COMBO! Cover, TWO! Theory stays in this but Frazer stays focused. The fans rally, Frazer PLANCHAS Waller! Frazer coordinates with Axiom, but they disagree on what’s next!

Frazer runs to SHOOTING STAR PRESS, onto knees! Theory saves himself, cradles Frazer, TWO!! Frazer PELES, then hot- NO, Waller YANKS Axiom down!! Frazer checks on Axiom, but Theory mule kicks! Underhook and ATAXIA!! Cover, TWO!! Frazer survives being flipped inside-out, but Theory tags Waller. ATDU drags Frazer up, DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX, but Frazer lands out! Axiom tags in! GAMANGIRI for Waller, FOREARM for Theory! Now Fraxiom coordinate, MISSILE DROPKICK HIGH LOW COMBO!! High stack, TWO!! Waller survives and now Fraxiom is frustrated. The fans rally while ATDU both bail out.

Frazer aims to PLANCHA, but into a forearm! Theory takes Frazer out and Axiom is stunned! Axiom DECKAS Theory, but Waller SOMERSAULT- SLEEPER HOLD!! Axiom has the body scissors locked in! Frazer intercepts Theory to a GUILLOTINE! The fans fire up as ATDU endure double submissions! Theory powers out to GOURD BUSTER Frazer onto Axiom! Theory says A-Town Down, and he hauls Frazer up. But he accidentally smacks Waller! Axiom rolls Waller up, TWO! Waller takes a swing, Axiom ducks, and Theory blocks the shot! ATDU sort things out, and they DOUBLE FOREARM Frazer!

But then Waller dodges, the GOLDEN RATIO hits Theory!! Waller waistlocks but Axiom monkey flips and hits a DESTROYER!! Axiom puts Waller up top, Frazer tags in! Frazer goes to a corner, Axiom goes up! SUPER SPANISH FLY!! Then Frazer hits the PHOENIX SPLASH!! Cover, FRAXIOM WINS!!

Winners: Fraxiom, by pinfall (still NXT Tag Team Champions)

Things weren’t always smooth, but they still turned out alright for Frazer & Axiom! Will no team out there be able to stop these two?

Backstage interview with Ridge Holland.

Sarah Schreiber is now with the Yorkshire Grit and asks his reaction to the video package summing up what he’s done to Chase U. Ridge reminds us that he vowed to run THROUGH Chase U, and that is exactly what he’s done. That is the price they paid for their mediocrity ruining Ridge’s dreams. But then RILEY OSBORNE attacks! They brawl, refs and producers break it up, and Riley says he is NOT afraid of big bad Ridge! But then just what does Turbo Terry plan on doing to bring Ridge down?

Sexyy Red has a live performance!

#GetItSexyy! But wait! Ethan Page interrupts! All Ego says no, no, NO! Sexyy says Ethan has an attitude problem. But Ethan says sorry, Miss, but this concert is canceled. But hey, that’s what she gets for interrupting him last night on Raw. Ethan hasn’t been a champion for one week, and this place has absolutely fallen apart. We have Trick Williams parading around with Ethan’s title, we have a bogus concert going on, and we have Wes Lee letting the Street Fight go to his head, thinking HE is the new #1 contender. And then there’s the GM who is absolutely trying to ruin Ethan’s life.

And on top of it all, we have Je’Von Evans thinking he deserves to wrestle Randy Orton in the main event tonight. No no, Miss Red, Ethan Page deserves to face Randy Orton, and it should be with Ethan Page’s NXT Championship on the line! So hate to break it to you all, this is HIS ring, and he is NOT leaving until he gets his rematch. Sexyy says Ethan just said a bunch of nothing! And wait, here comes Je’Von! The Young OG makes his way to the ring and says Ethan should calm down. Ethan says no, he’s not gonna calm down! Because he doesn’t give a damn that Je’Von is facing Orton next! Then Ethan takes a swing!

Je’Von dodges, to then fire off hands in return! The fans fire up as Je’Von LARIATS Ethan up and out! Sexyy says there you go! She and Je’Von taunt Ethan with some dance moves, and that main event happens, after the break.

Je’Von Evans VS Randy Orton!

NXT returns and The Viper makes his entrance. St. Louis is already fired up for their hometown hero, and he can’t help but smile. The bell rings and the fans cheer on “RANDY! RANDY!” Orton and Je’Von circle, tie up, and Orton headlocks. Je’Von powers up and out, drops down, but Orton avoids the dropkick! Orton wags his finger, and Je’Von gets up in a huff. The fans rally as the two reset. They circle, feel things out, and tie up. Orton wrenches, wristlocks, and YANKS the arm. Orton then whips Je’Von to a corner, runs up, but Je’Von goes up and out! Je’Von slingshots in and around, and the two reset again.

The fans rally as they tie up, and Orton headlocks. Je’Von slips out the back, headlocks, but Orton powers up and out. Je’Von springboards, but Orton dodges again! Je’Von flounders, and Orton again wags his finger. Orton and Je’Von tie up, Orton puts Je’Von in the corner, but he lets off as the ref counts. Orton pats Je’Von on the head, but then blocks a kick. Orton puts that foot down but Je’Von SUPERKICKS! Orton falls, Je’Von pats himself on the head, then DROPKICKS Orton out of the ring! The fans fire up as Je’Von wags his finger, and Orton grins, while NXT goes to break.

NXT returns once again and Je’Von tumbles out of the ring. Orton pursues, and Orton smiles as Je’Von leans on the desk. The fans fire up, and Orton brings Je’Von around. DESK BACK- NO, Je’Von lands on his feet! Then he LEAPS over Orton to reach the apron! Je’Von mule kicks, builds speed, and DIVES! But Orton stuffs it! And then DESK BACK SUPLEXES! Je’Von flops right off the desk but the fans want that again! Orton goes around the way, drags Je’Von up, and brings him back around. DESK BACK SUPLEX! And then another DESK BACK SUPLEX! Je’Von is a ragdoll, but Orton says one more! DESK BACK SUPLEX!!

Orton rolls into the ring to refresh the count while Je’Von writhes on the floor. The fans rally for Randy as he takes his time fetching Je’Von. Orton puts Je’Von in, stalks him, and yet Je’Von fires body shots! Orton CLUBS Je’Von, whips him corner to corner hard, and Je’Von bounces off buckles! Je’Von flounders around, but Orton drags him back up. Orton whips corner to corner again, but Je’Von slides under! Je’Von springboards back in, FLYING LARIAT! The fans fire up as Je’Von hurries to CHOP! And ROCK! And CHOP! Je’Von keeps going, then whips, but Orton reverses. Orton runs in, Je’Von goes up and over!

Je’Von runs, rebounds, and SCREW HIGH KICKS! Cover, TWO! Orton is still in this but Je’Von fires himself back up. Springboard, OG- NO! Orton stops Je’Von’s cutter to then whip. Je’Von ducks ‘n ‘dodges, but runs into a SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Orton stays calm, and the fans rally back up. Orton drags Je’Von up, puts him through ropes, and the fans really fire up now! Orton grins as he has Je’Von dangling, DRAPING DDT! Je’Von is in a daze, the fans are in a craze, but it is Orton who hears the voices in his head! Je’Von rises, Orton aims, but Je’Von SUPERKICKS first!! Both men fall back and the fans fire up!

Je’Von realizes he landed that shot, and now he hurries up a corner! Up, up and O G CUTTER!! Cover, TWO?!? Orton survives but that was a lot closer than expected! So Je’Von reloads! Up, up, and O G TWISTER into an RKO!! Not the cleanest, but Orton says hold on. R K O!! Cover, Orton wins!

Winner: Randy Orton, by pinfall

The Viper still strikes outta nowhere, with family in attendance to cheer him on. But Je’Von still found a way to shine like the diamond in the rough he clearly is. As such, Orton stands him up, and raises his hand. The fans cheer, is this just the first sign that the Young OG is a future legend in the making?

Ethan Page and Wes Lee meet with Ava in her office.

The NXT GM wants Ethan to understand that she is his boss! She signs off on all his opportunities, so if he wants a title rematch, he has to earn it. Wes says that’s right! But then Ava says same goes for Wes. Therefore, it is a #1 contenders match between Ethan and Wes, winner challenges Trick for the title at Halloween Havoc. And y’know what? After what we just saw, Ava will raise the stakes. Je’Von Evans is in the match, making it a Triple Threat! Ethan and Wes are both upset, but what a big move for NXT! Will The Young OG go from taking an RKO to facing Tricky Two-Time Two-Time?

My Thoughts:

A great episode for NXT as just the second week on CW. A shame ticket sales weren’t enough for the bigger venue they had planned, but I kinda like the look of The Factory for NXT. And clearly they’ve made some big moves towards Halloween Havoc. Very good promos in the NXT Women’s Championship story, and Vaquer’s first in-person moment being a brawl with some top Heels is good stuff. I feel like we should get a tag match of Vaquer & Giulia VS Cora & Roxie before deciding who is challenging Roxie for the title. Though, given Roxie & Cora cheated Giulia, I feel like Giulia should be in it. Maybe they go wild and make it a Fatal 4 Way.

Good segue to #WrenQCC, too, but uh, Wren’s totally getting destroyed by Vaquer in Vaquer’s first NXT match. But then also good segue into a promo with Lexis King. I do like that Lexis is asking for a very specific match type. The “Gentlemen’s Duel” will be a very good match, and a very surprising way to do their blowoff. I have no idea who wins that one but it really depends on if they’re committed to this Lexis King Face turn he’s going through. Great Six Woman Tag, and as I figured, Jazmyn took the loss. They can still set up a Women’s North American Championship story, the Fatal Influence claiming Kelani only won because she had Bianca & Jade.

And then good promo with them and Meta Four, we’ll get a very good tag title match there. But of course Jade & Bianca are going to win that, it’s just their tune-up before facing DMG CTRL. Good promo that was really just the brawl between Lola and Jaida, that match is going to happen at some point, but I do appreciate them giving Lyons a match with Lola for them to go martial artist VS martial artist. Regardless of what anyone thinks of Lyons, I personally hope she can stay healthy this time. If anything, Jaida costs Lola her match against Lyons to add more heat to their grudge match, which could even happen at Halloween Havoc.

Awesome North American Championship match, and of course Tony D wins. This was them leaning heavily into the Rocky 3 parallel, so it was going to go this way. But I do appreciate the minor details they put in. Tony refused the crowbar because he’s a Face right now, and he won because the sunset flip was outta nowhere. He didn’t knock Oba out, he didn’t hit him with a finisher, he just caught him off guard. Tony is that much closer to the Grand Slam, but Oba himself is free to move up to the top title in the near future. Equally awesome tag title match, but of course Fraxiom wins as they’re the NXT team. But again, the details matter. There’s more dysfunction on ATDU, they can play that up on SmackDown, and Fraxiom is open to facing any number of teams.

And great stuff in the NXT Championship story. Great promo to open the show, with Trick hyping up everything and then Wes calling him out. But then Jey showing up just to get everyone fired up was… Well, that’s what it was. Fans love Jey, fans love Trick, if only we could’ve gotten Jey & Trick VS Wes & Ethan tonight. And I’m sorry, but I personally cheered when Ethan interrupted Sexyy Red’s performance. But hey, good Heel Heat for All Ego, great segue with Je’Von showing up to fight Ethan off, and then we got a great main event from Je’Von and Orton. This proves NXT sees big things in Je’Von, and we’re going to get an awesome Triple Threat. I’m leaning towards Wes winning. Ethan just lost the belt, and Je’Von is still young and new so give him more time first.

My Score: 8.9/10