A Fatal 4 Way that leads to a Fatal 4 Way!

Kylie Rae, Zayda Steel, Aria Bennett and Chantel Monroe battle to be the fourth woman in next week’s WWE Evolve Women’s Championship match! Who survives the frying pan to jump into the fire?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• WWE Evolve Women’s Championship Play-In Fatal 4 Way: Kylie Rae VS Zayda Steel VS Aria Bennett VS Chantel Monroe; Kylie wins and advances to the championship match.
• Oro Mensah VS Edris Enofe; Edris wins.
• Swipe Right w/ The Vanity Project VS Sean Legacy & Timothy Thatcher; Swipe Right wins.
• WWE Evolve Championship Play-In: Harlem Lewis VS Keanu Carver; Keanu wins and advances to the championship match.

PLAY BY PLAY

WWE Evolve Women’s Championship Play-In Fatal 4 Way: Kylie Rae VS Zayda Steel VS Aria Bennett VS Chantel Monroe!

With Wendy Choo, Kali Armstrong & Kendal Grey waiting in the wings, it is time to finally fill that fourth spot in the title match! But will it be Smiley Kylie, The Real Deal, The Star Trainer or the Reflection of Perfection that joins an already star-studded field?

The bell rings and the fans rally up. Zayda goes after Aria while Chantel goes after Kylie! The fists fly, the fans rally up, and while Chantel puts Kylie in one corner, Zayda whips Aria to another. Aria goes up and out, then RAMS into Zayda! Aria slingshots to sunset flip, ONE!! Kylie fires hands on Chantel now, but Chantel turns things around again. Aria TOSSES Zayda, Chantel runs up on Kylie, but Kylie puts Chantel on the apron. Kylie then blocks a shot to DECK Chantel! The fans fire up as Kylie and Aria now circle. Aria runs up, ducks ‘n’ dodges to then AERIAL over! Aria arm-drags Kylie, has the armlock, and the fans rally up.

Kylie fights up, whips Aria away, but Aria jumps the dropdown. Kylie hurdles, Chantel trips Aria, and then Chantel drags Aria out to SMACK her off the apron! Zayda rolls up Kylie! TWO, and Zayda fires hands! Zayda talks trash, but Chantel DOUBLE CROSSBODIES! Double cover, TWO! Aria ENZIGIRIS Chantel! And DROPKICKS Kylie! Aria ROCKS Zayda, then goes for Kylie. Aria whips Kylie to a corner but Zayda runs up. Aria sends Zayda into Kylie, then runs up to LEG LARIAT them both! Aria snapmares Zayda, snapmares Kylie, and then DOUBLE BASEMENT DORPKICKS! Chantel gives Aria a CODE BREAKER!

Chantel whips Kylie  to SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, Zayda breaks it! Zayda CLUBS away on Chantel, kicks Kylie, then bumps Chantel off buckles. And off more buckles! Zayda stomps a mudhole in, soaks up heat, then TORNADO DDTS! Chantel flounders away, Zayda says, “That’s why I’m the Real Deal!” Kylie runs up, Zayda puts her in the ropes, and DRAPING CODE BREAKERS! Cover, TWO! Kylie is tougher than that, and then Aria ROCKS Zayda! Aria slingshots but Zayda DECKS her! Zayda whips Kylie to a corner, runs up, but Kyile dodges! Kylie UPPERCUTS in return! The fans fire up as Kylie sits Zayda down.

Kylie runs up and CANNONBALLS! But Bryce Donovan distracts from the pin! Even then, Jackson Drake reaches in to help Zayda get the ropebreak! The ref sees that, and he knows The Vanity Project is nothing but trouble, so he EJECTS them! The fans cheer while Bryce, Jackson & Swipe Right throw a fit! But now Zayda has to do this all alone, none of her pretty boys helping her out! The fans sing “Hey Hey Hey~! Goodbye~!” Kylie DECKS Zayda, but Chantel DECKS Kylie! Chantel snapmares Zayda for a NECK SNAPPER! Chantel RUNS Kylie over, then she drop toeholds Aria onto Kylie! Chantel STANDING SHOOTING STARS onto Kylie! Cover, Aria breaks it!

Aria drags Chantel up and bumps her off buckles. Aria huffs ‘n’ puffs and DROPKICKS Kylie to a corner! The fans rally behind Aria as she DECKS Zayda! Aria stands Chantel up to headlock, but Chantel fires body shots. Aria still hits a BULLDOG LARIAT COMBO on Chantel and Zayda! Aria goes up, DIVING SPLASH FLOPS as Chantel moves! Kylie SMACKS Aria off buckles! And she SPINEBUSTERS Chantel! But Zayda TOSSES Kylie out! Cover on Chantel, but Kylie YANKS Zayda out of the ring! They push each other around, but Aria SUPER CROSSBODIES them both! The fans fire up again as Aria puts Kylie in.

Kylie wrenches Aria to a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP, and CROSSFACE! Aria rolls it to a cover, TWO!! Kylie SUPERKICKS Aria down! Cover, KYLIE WINS!!

Winner: Kylie Rae, by pinfall (advances to the WWE Evolve Women’s Championship Fatal 4 Way Elimination Match)

Chantel is almost in tears, and Zayda is throwing a fit that she’s not in the title match! Kylie vows she is going to be the first-ever WWE Evolve Women’s Champion, because she has waited her entire life for a moment like this! Next week is the moment of truth, will we see some of that #KylieRAGE take out Wendy, Kendal and Kali?

Keanu Carver speaks.

“Harlem Lewis. You wanna walk around here, acting like you tough, then you sneak me during our match? We been eyeballin’ each other for months, but that ends tonight. I hope you take your best shot, cuz I’m gonna PUNISH yo’ ass! I’m not the one to be played with, you’re looking at Keanu Carver, the first Evolve Champion!” Keanu has said his piece, will his actions follow through as he moves on to the title match?

Backstage interview with Oro Mensah.

Chuey Martinez has the Main Man with him, and Oro says ever since he got to Evolve, he’s been on a roll. And he feels he is more than deserving of a spot in the Evolve Championship Fatal 4 Way. Listen, after he handles Edris Enofe tonight, the Main Man takes flight into the Fatal 4 Way! You like it, you’ll love it! But while Oro is very confident in himself, will Edris be the Epitome of Excellence in his in-ring return?

Oro Mensah VS Edris Enofe!

The bell rings and the fans cheer, “Welcome Back! Welcome Back!” for Edris. Edris and Oro tie up, Oro waistlocks and SLAMS Edris down, but Edris moves around. Edris rises, pries free and waistlocks, then wrenches. Oro endures the wristlock, rolls and KICKS from below! Then he CHOPS! Oro ROCKS and CHOPS Edris, but Edris blocks to KNEE low, CHOP back, and whip. Oro flips through the hip toss to RANA! Then he SUPERMAN PUNCHES Edris down! Cover, ONE!! Edris is tougher than that, but Oro whips. Edris reverses, Oro ducks ‘n’ dodges but Edris DROPKICKS him down! Edris then scoops and SLAMS!

The fans cheer Edris and he drops the ELBOW! And another ELBOW! And then a feint, to the STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Edris keeps the fans fired up while Oro goes to ropes. Edris runs hup, Oro DUMPS him out, but Edris comes back. Oro SWEEPS the legs and Edris falls on the apron! Oro slips out, has Edris dangling, DRAPING SWINGING SLAM! Oro sarcastically says, “Welcome back.” Oro puts Edris in, covers, TWO! Oro sits Edris up, keeps on him with a whip, then runs up to CHOP! Edris sits down in the corner and the fans rally. Edris kicks Oro, ELBOWS him, but Oro CLUBS Edris!

Oro scoops Edris for a SLAM, then covers, TWO! The fans rally, Oro covers again, TWO! Oro drops a knee on Edris’ face! The fans rally and duel more as Oro brings Edris up. Edris fires body shots, whips, but Oro ELBOWS him from the corner! Oro goes up, TORNADO HOTSHOT! Edris sputters, Oro springboards, RIDER KICK! Cover, TWO! Oro keeps on Edris with a body scissors squeeze! Edris endures, the fans rally, and Edris fights around. The fans duel as Oro chinlocks, then CLUBS Edris. Oro squeezes even tighter but Edris still fights. Edris rises with Oro as a backpack, and he powers up to power out! But Oro CHOPS him on the back!

Oro runs, fights off Edris’ spinebuster, but Edris leaps the leg sweep! BACKDROP! LARIAT! And LAIRAT! Edris keeps going, SLING-DOG! SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Oro survives and Edris grows frustrated. The fans continue to duel as Edris stalks Oro to ropes. Oro blocks the whip, steps over to SOBAT, then he SNAP DRAGON SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO!! Edris survives and Oro is shocked! The fans fire up, Oro runs up, but into an E-TRIGGER! Edris goes up, but Oro is right after him! Oro and Edris brawl, and Oro CLUBS away on Edris! Oro hops back, goes back up, but Edris stops the flip kick to LARIAT Oro down! Edris goes up, up, and EOE ELBOW!! Cover, Edris wins!

Winner: Edris Enofe, by pinfall

The Epitome of Excellence hits the mark and takes the win! Will Edris put the EOE in Evolve soon enough? Chuey Martinez interviews Edris at ringside, and says that they talked before. Chuey knows what it means to be back in the ring, what is going on in his head? Edris says it has been seven months. Seven MONTHS. He ain’t gonna lie, it was a long road to recovery, but here he is! The fans cheer that! Edris says he won’t lie, either, but it feels damn great ot have his hand raised in victory! Especially against a great opponent like Oro, a man who has been working his ass off every single night!

So Chuey and the world, the E O E is back! But then out steps Stevie Turner! The Prime Minister congratulates him on his comeback victory. This has already shown Stevie he is ready to contend for the Evolve Championship! That is why everyone will be seeing Edris Enofe in that Fatal 4 Way Elimination match! Edris thanks Stevie, and he is ready to make this HIS time! But wait, wait, now something is going down backstage? Stevie hurries to check on this, and there’s been another attack! Dani Palmer is clutching her leg! Brinley Reece was attacked last week, have the dangers of NXT’s backstage area only spread to Evolve?

Harlem Lewis speaks.

“Hey, Keanu. You don’t know anything about me. Ever since I debuted, you’ve been the one standing in my way, and that’s exactly why I left your ass last week. But tonight, you gon’ find out there’s only room for one alpha male on Evolve, and his name is Harlem Lewis.” These behemoths are ready, who will survive the main event to enter the title scene?

The Vanity Project returns to ringside.

The fans boo but Brad Baylor says, “Alright, alright. Peter, Rob, boys, boys, boys. That’s about enough talking for the rest of the night, I think. I mean, just my opinion, but I say wrap it up. Because seriously, though, who really cares about Brinley Reece & Dani Palmer? Let’s be realistic for just one second, boys, for just one second. Because the only woman anyone cares about in Evolve, you guessed it! The Real Deal, Zayda Steel.” Ricky Smokes says, “Oh fo’ sho’, bro! Zayda’s the only one that deserves in the Fatal 4 Way next week and be crowned the first Evolve Women’s Champion!” Brad says, “Hundos! Hundos, hundos!”

But the same goes for Jackson Drake and the men’s Fatal 4 Way! The wild card! But honestly, they’re not that worried. After they beat down on Super Loser Sean, they’ll have to fill that spot with the Carolina Reaper. But with that, here comes Sean Legacy and Timothy Thatcher! Will the only losers “fo’ sho'” be the bro-bros of Swipe Right?

Swipe Right w/ The Vanity Project VS Sean Legacy & Timothy Thatcher!

The teams sort out and Thatcher starts against Brad. They circle, Brad keeps his distance, but then the two tie up. Thatcher slips around, spins Brad around, then wrenches and wristlocks. Brad endures, scrambles around, but Thatcher wrangles him. Thatcher stands on Brad’s other hand, bends and twists the left hand, but Brad fights up. Thatcher wrangles Brad again, stands on Brad’s face, then bends the fingers. Thatcher drags Brad over, tags Sean, and Sean takes the handoff to wrench Brad’s arm more. Sean hits an ELBOW BREAKER, then he RAMS Brad’s shoulder. Tag to Thatcher, and he takes the handoff for an ELBOW BREAKER!

Thatcher UPPERCUTS the arm, wrangles Brad to a hammerlock, but Brad scrambles around. Thatcher makes it a cover, TWO! Brad ROCKS Thatcher, tags Smokes, and Smokes ties up with Thatcher. Thatcher wrenches, wrangles, and isolates the arm! Thatcher grins his toothy grin, and KNEES the arm!! Cover, ONE!! Smokes is still in this but Thatcher stays on that arm. Tag to Sean and he takes the handoff to wrench the arm. Sean RAMS the shoulder again and again, then brings him back over. Tag to Thatcher, Thatcher takes another handoff, and he CLUBS the arm! Thatcher covers, ONE!! Smokes is tough but Thatcher wants the ARMBAR!

Smokes has the ROPEBREAK, but Sean tags in. Smokes scrambles away to tag Brad. Sean and Brad circle, tie up, and they go around. Brad headlocks, Sean powers up to wrench and headlock. Sean hits a takeover, Brad fights up, and Brad fires body shots. Brad powers up and out, Sean RUNS him over! Cover, ONE!! Sean tags Thatcher, he wrenches the arm, and Thatcher CLUBS away on Brad’s arm! Brad fights around, pulls hair, and he puts Thatcher on ropes. Brad CHOPS, tags Smokes, and they mug Thatcher! Smokes sends Brad in and he RAMS Thatcher! Feed to a BOOT! Cover, TWO! Thatcher is tougher than that but Smokes waistlocks to keep him down.

Smokes fires knees into Thatcher’s side, but Thatcher snarls. Thatcher fights up, Smokes headlocks, but Thatcher hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Brad storms in, Sean steps up, and Brad sees Smokes bailing out so he does the same. Sean & Thatcher egg Swipe Right on but Zayda says back off, and Evolve goes to break.

Evolve returns, Thatcher looms over Smokes and stands him up. Thatcher UPPERCUTS Smokes, tags Sean, and Sean RAMS Smokes’ shoulder to then WRING him out! Smokes staggers up, Sean DROPKICKS him down! Smokes hurries to tag Brad, Brad runs up but Sean redirects him and DROPKICKS the legs out! Then he DOUBLE STOMPS! And DROPKICKS Brad again! The fans cheer, Vanity Project is frustrated, but Sean KICKS! And PENALTY KICKS! And STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Brad tags Smokes, Smokes runs up, but into a torture rack! Smokes fights free, shoves Sean to the corner, but Sean ELBOWS him away!

Sean swings on Brad, Smokes runs up, but Sean puts him up top! Brad tags in, Swipe Right mugs Sean, then Brad LARIATS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Sean but Brad says he and Smokes are the best team they’ve ever seen! Brad UPPERCUTS Sean, tags Smokes, and Smokes RAMS into Sean again and again. Smokes lets off to argue with the ref, and Brad CHOKES Sean! The fans boo but Brad lets go so Smokes can rain down fists! Smokes then cravats for the neck wrench, then he fires knees! Tag to Brad, Smokes snapmares and Brad NECK SNAPPERS! Smokes basement DROPKICKS, Brad covers, TWO!

The fans rally but Zayda & Jackson complain. Brad sucker punches Thatcher, then goes to Sean. Sean CHOPS and ROCKS but Brad DECKS Sean! Brad CHOPS Sean to the corner, tags Smokes, and they mug Sean. The fans rally for “LEGACY! LEGACY!” but Smokes brings Sean out. Smokes CLUBS away on Sean, then stomps him! The fans boo but Smokes drags Sean up and reels him in. Sean fires body shots, fires a forearm, but Smokes hits back! Sean ROCKS Smokes, CHOPS, and repeat! Smokes shoves Sean and BOOTS him! Smokes CHOKES Sean, the ref counts, but Smokes tags Brad. Brad KICKS Sean and Smokes CLUBs him!

Brad springboards for the X FACTOR! Cover, TWO! Brad KNEES Sean in the back again and again, then ELBOW DROPS! The fans rally but Brad drags Sean up. Tag back to Smokes, Smokes sends Brad in, but Sean ELBOWS him away! And he goes up and over Smokes! Hot tag to Thatcher! He clinches to BELLY2BELLY Smokes! BELLY2BELLY Brad! Thatcher fire sup and the fans are with him as he UPPERCUTS away on Smokes in the corner! Thatcher stops as the ref counts, then Thatcher body shots! Thatcher underhooks for a BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! Cover, Brad breaks it! Sean goes after Brad but Brad suplexes, GHOSTBUSTER!

Thatcher UPPERCUTS Brad down! Smokes rolls Thatcher up, TWO! Smokes tags Brad, Thatcher dodges Smokes, but Brad HOTSHOTS! Smokes JUMP KNEES, and then Brad scoops! Smokes runs to push start the SUPER SWIPE!! Cover, Swipe Right wins!

Winners: Swipe Right, by pinfall

No one likes it, but the better team won out in the end! Zayda celebrates for her guys, but will the after party be even bigger?

Kali Armstrong speaks.

“Hey, Kendal Grey. You look at yourself as this Mighty Mouse badass, then why did you had to get at me from behind? Is it cuz I took your wheel out at that town hall? That’s what happens when you get in a scrap with the Difference Maker of Evolve. I’ll tell you. Hell, Wendy and Kylie, I hope y’all listening, too. Cuz next week, it’s my moment. Since the day I stepped foot in Evolve, I been calling my shots. I say I’m the best competitor, male or female, on this brand. Yeah, I’m brash. Yeah, I’m confident. But I’m used to winning. I’m a three-time All American at Track & Field.

“And next week, I’ma put my name in them history books again when I become the first-ever Evolve Women’s Champion, straight like that.” Will nothing stop the Kali Connection from running through all three opponents and claiming the title for her own?

The others watch that message.

And Kendal says, “Seriously? Did you guys just hear what Kali Armstrong said? In her egotistical mind, she’s already the Evolve Women’s Champion. Like, what?” Masyn Holiday says she had a match with Kali last week, and Kali hits hard. She is no joke. Kendal still isn’t backing down. She threw guys twice Kali’s size on the mat. Chantel says oh please! This is not amateur wrestling, and Kendal is not winning the title. That is a dream you can keep dreaming. Chantel leaves, and Masyn says the real Chantel would be pretty cool. But until she drops the act, we’ll never know. Will the Reflection of Perfection ever truly show who she is inside?

BREAKING NEWS for next week!

Whether it is Harlem or Keanu that wins tonight, there will be one spot left for the Men’s Fatal 4 Way! And so, Stevie Turner has put together a spicy Triple Threat Play-In! Jackson Drake VS Jordan Oasis VS the returning Lince Dorado! Will the Carolina Reaper make good on his boys putting him over? Will the Nomad be moving on to the title scene? Or will it be a fiesta with the Golden Lynx?

WWE Evolve Championship Play-In: Harlem Lewis VS Keanu Carver!

Both men are big, bad, and hungry. Only one can move on to the title match, and that is the one who survives! Who will be the one true alpha male of Evolve?

The big fight introductions are given while these two jaw at each other. The bell rings and the fists fly! The fans fire up as it is fast ‘n’ furious, adn then Keanu KNEES Harlem! Kenau RAMS Harlem into the corner, fires hands, bugt Harlem dodges. Harlem RAMS Keanu now, then runs, only for Keanu to LARIAT! The fans fire up and Keanu whips Harlem. Harlem grabs ropes then bails out, he knows the Pounce was coming. Keanu rushes out and the brawling continues! The fans rally as this goes around the way, but the ring count climbs. Keanu whips but Harlem reverses, and Keanu hits steel steps hard!

Harlem shoves Keanu into the ring at 7 of 10, then HAMMERS and stomps away! Harlem clamps on with a chinlock, and shifts into an almost Bully Choke! Keanu fights up, fires body shots, and the fans rally. Keanu powers up and SAIDOS free! Both men are down and the fans rally up more. Keanu and Harlem both stand but Keanu runs up to SPLASH in the corner! Keanu scoops to FALL AWAY SLAM! Harlem flounders away, Keanu fires up, and Keanu storms up on Harlem. But Harlem throws hands! Keanu CLUBS Harlem, drags him out along the ropes, WAR HAMMER! The fans are stunned, Keanu covers, TWO!

Harlem survives and flounders, but Keanu grins. Keanu runs and POUNCES Harlem up and out to the floor!! Harlem clutches his knee, the ring count starts, and Keanu lets the count climb. Harlem slowly rises at 5, Keanu runs out after him, but Harlem LARIATS!! Harlem powers through the pain to take Keanu down with that! Harlem puts Keanu in the ring, hobbles over and brings Keanu up. Harlem suplexes, for the BOOM SLAM! But Harlem’s leg hurts too much, he can’t make the cover! Keanu goes to the apron, Harlem hobbles over and he ROCKS Keanu! Keanu sputters, Harlem tells him to stay down! Keanu says NO!

Keanu stands, Harlem BOOTS him, then runs. Harlem RAMS Keanu, slides out to bring him around, BIG back suplex to the floor! The fans fire up and Harlem slaps his leg into working. Harlem drags Keanu back up and pushes him into the ring. Harlem storms up, lifts Keanu, and POWERBOMBS! Harlem crawls to the cover, TWO!! Keanu survives and Harlem is beside himself! The fans rally, Harlem and Keanu rise, and they both tell the other that they’re the one going to the title match! “This is Awesome!” as both men grab the other by the neck! Harlem dares Keanu to show him what he’s got, and Keanu fires a forearm!

The forearms go back and forth, and then Harlem kicks low! Harlem reels Keanu in, suplexes, but the leg won’t let him finish! Keanu whips and POUNCES again!! The fans fire up and Keanu wants Harlem to get up. Harlem stands, Keanu scoops, RUNNING POWERSLAM!! Cover, Keanu wins!!

Winner: Keanu Carver, by pinfall (advances to the WWE Evolve Championship Fatal 4 Way Elimination Match)

A massive battle between massive men, and it is Keanu comes now has a massive opportunity! Undefeated in singles competition, will Keanu soon be our first-ever WWE Evolve Champion?

My Thoughts:

A great Evolve, and the longest episode yet at 56 minutes. And it is also Oro Mensah’s last WWE match… Commentary was talking him up so it’s also a real shame he got released. But even then, Edris was going to win because he is on his return push. So much so, they put him right into the Evolve Championship match. And great to hear about the Triple Threat of Jackson VS Oasis VS Lince Dorada, that’ll be great stuff. But with Vanity Project being the big Heel faction, I would think Jackson finds a way to win. Very good Fatal 4 Way from the women, and great move with Kylie winning.

It is as I expected: Kylie and Wendy will cancel out because their feud isn’t over, and clearly Kali and Kendal are the final two. Good promo from Kali, and an okay promo from Kendal with the others. They’re trying to build that story with Masyn and Chantel but they need to have a match so it isn’t one-sided. And even then, Masyn and Kendal need to work on sounding more genuine and not more like they rehearsed a script. And if it is between Kendal and Kali, I really do think it should be Kali winning, just so that we get big strong Heel champ and Faces in the chase. At the same time, if Zayda wants to be a champion, maybe they commit to how they painted Kali as an inspiration in that interview promo of hers.

Good promo from Vanity Project, their slang vocabulary is annoying which works for Heels. Great match from Swipe Right VS Sean & Thatcher, and I appreciate Sean’s MHA All Might inspired gear. But I suppose it’s fine that Swipe Right won, Sean had that big NXT win and Swipe Right needs wins to be credible as the top tag team. When are they getting to the WWE Evolve Tag Team Championships? Or will they wait until they’ve signed more tag teams to the WWE ID? That aside, very good promos from Keanu and Harlem, and a great main event from them. Until the Triple Threat was announced, I almost thought they’d pull a draw so that Harlem and Keanu could both be in the title match. In the end, Keanu comes out on top and will definitely be the guy to beat in the Fatal 4 Way.

My Score: 8.8/10

Will there be anarchy in New Mexico?

Before Double or Nothing and Anarchy in the Arena, Jon Moxley teams with The Young Bucks against Swerve, Samoa Joe & “Powerhouse” Hobbs!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Six Man Tag: Jon Moxley & The Young Bucks VS Swerve Strickland, Samoa Joe & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs;  Swerve, Joe & Hobbs win.
• Ricochet VS Anthony Bowens w/ Billy Gunn; Ricochet wins.
• Mina Shirakawa VS Julia Hart; Mina wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Tony Schiavone is in the ring!

He brings up the Owen Hart Cup Finals, and the two men fighting for their chance at the AEW World Championship at All In. He introduces first, Hangman Adam Page! The fans fire up for the Blackhat Cowboy as he goes to the ring, and we notice the extra security already on hand. Schiavone then welcomes out the Aerial Assassin, Will Ospreay! Albuquerque fires up again as Ospreay sports his new baseball jersey style merchandise. Schiavone says both men know what is at stake. One goes on to All In: Texas to fight for the world title, upon winning the Owen Cup. Schiavone then turns things over to Ospreay and Hangman.

Ospreay thanks Schiavone and wants everyone to hear him out. He understands why there is security, but he won’t get physical. Will Hangman get physical? No? Good. Then he excuses the security and assures them, he’ll make sure they get paid for their time. Ospreay thanks them as they exit, and Ospreay says he just wants it to be him and Hangman. The fans cheer Ospreay for the gesture, and Ospreay tells Hangman that he has one very important question: “Do you still drink?” The fans boo but Ospreay says c’mon, not in a bad way! He just means, Hangman loves a good beer. And to be honest, Ospreay owes him an apology.

Ospreay says that when they got jumped the other day, Ospreay did take a swing on Hangman. But to be fair, Hangman gave him a headbutt. But like Ospreay’s dad says, when he gets hit in the face, it is a drastic improvement. But Ospreay does have some beers for them. The ring crew brings those over, and Ospreay hands Hangman one. Ospreay wants cheers, but Hangman stares him down. The fans are torn, Ospreay takes a swig, and says it’s fine. Ospreay puts his aside, and says while they need to get things off their chest, there is something else Ospreay wants to do.

Ospreay wishes to petition to Tony Khan and the AEW Board of Directors that Ospreay VS Hangman on Sunday are the main event. The fans like that idea! Ospreay says surely some still think he’s crazy. Why would Ospreay wanna follow one of the most destructive and brutal matches AEW has in Anarchy in the Arena? Why would Ospreay wanna follow three hours of amazing professional wrestling? Ospreay says to those people, “You do not know what is at stake!” The fans cheer, and Ospreay says not only is this about winning the beautiful Owen Hart Memorial trophy, not only is this about going to All In: Texas on Saturday, July 12th…

But the winner of this match is the person with the responsibility of bringing back that beautiful gold belt! The fans cheer that! Ospreay says he really wants this. He wants this so badly! He feels the moment he stepped here, he has done everything the right way. He leaves his home country on a Tuesday, arrives here, makes seven to 15 HOUR flights every single week! He barely sleeps on Tuesday, he is constantly jetlagged, doesn’t really know where he is, but he puts on his “crime fighting pants,” and he says ring the bell, bruv! The fans cheer that! Ospreay says he wants to wear the title with pride! To show it around the world!

And most importantly, he wants to bring it home. Ospreay brings up August 24th, Forbidden Door in London, the O2, an arena just 30 minutes from his home. There are people that have supported Ospreay from the ballrooms and the halls. He has been a young, immature man who has grown up right in front of them, and he wants to wear that title in front of them while he thanks them for their support! The fans also cheer that. But the other thing is, every Tuesday when he flies to the US is that he leaves his six-year-old son at home, and he wants nothing more than to walk into that building so his son can see him as WORLD CHAMPION!

The fans cheer more, and Ospreay understands how much Hanger wants it. But Ospreay wants it just that little bit more. The fans cheer Ospreay on, but then the “COWBOY SH*T!” rises. Hangman tells Ospreay, “That is the difference between you and I. And that will be the difference between you and I on Sunday. Will, you want this, you want it bad. And I know that feeling, because I have lived it. And I know that you understand that in ALL of professional wrestling, there is no prize grander, there is no greater honor, than to be the All Elite Wrestling World Champion, I know you know that!

“But Will… For you, this could be a professional accomplishment. Granted, it is the biggest professional accomplishment either you or I could ever dream of having! But it is that: A professional accomplishment. For me, this is personal. I don’t want this opportunity, I need it.” The fans cheer that, too! Hangman says he has WASTED two years of his life, filled with nothing but grief, sorrow, and hate! In those two years, Hangman has not won a single tournament or a single championship. The one thing that Hangman did win brought him nothing but the same. The worst of it wasn’t even here. It was when he was at home.

It was last Christmas morning, when Hangman’s son sat on the floor… playing with his new toys, he looked up to see his dad staring out the window, looking for someone he knew would never come back! How many times in two years did his son look at Hangman and feel disappointment?! Hangman NEEDS this!! When Hangman goes home, he needs his wife to look at him and not feel pity! She needs to see the man she fell in love with all those years ago! For Hangman’s kids to look up to him, to know they have the father they deserve! And for all these people who supported him when he deserved it the least to know that he can be the kind of man that THEY can believe in!

And Hangman needs this for himself. Because Hangman needs to know that there can be some kind of light at the end of this two year tunnel through Hell… Hangman needs it, because he needs to know Ospreay was wrong when Ospreay said that for Hangman, this was too little, too late. Ospreay scowls a bit as the fans get fired up. Ospreay tells Hangman, “So what’re you planning on doing about it? You’re gonna wrap a chair over my skull? You gonna beat me so bad that I have to retire, like you did Christopher Daniels? I’m not going down that path. Cuz I’ve been there, and it took a lot for me to come back.”

As silly as this might sound, Ospreay says he is showing up, and he is doing his best. And sometimes, his best hasn’t been good enough. He’ll admit that he’s lost. Lost bad. But he’s never lost because he dragged the ref around to get an advantage. He’s never whined to his boss about not getting his way. If Ospreay has lost, he has lost leaving it all in this ring! And if he’s lost, he at least won the fans’ respect! The fans cheer that, and Ospreay says more importantly… He won their trust! Hangman asks if that’s enough! Is that enough for Moxley and the Death Riders? Ospreay doesn’t know!! He doesn’t know what it takes!

Ospreay wrestled Moxley twice, and he lost both times! He doesn’t know how to do it, but Hangman does! So then show Ospreay! Show THAT man on Sunday! That fire, that animal! Because of Ospreay can beat that Hangman, then Ospreay knows he can beat Moxley! The fans fire up more, and Ospreay says Hangman used to be a pure-hearted man, and he can also be a bad man! He is a Cowboy! The one we’re meant to look towards when times are hard! But he hasn’t been doing that! He’s been staring out of the window! Hangman’s been looking for Swerve! His attention hasn’t been on being The Guy, but on someone else.

And Ospreay gets it, when someone crosses the threshold from business to personal, you gotta handle it. We could give Hangman a month, two months, three, but an entire YEAR?! An entire year has changed Hangman! The kids don’t look up to him! The men, the boys backstage, they lost respect for him. And the women have screamed in terror when Hangman wanted to kill Swerve! Ospreay is not that guy. Ospreay is just the guy that’ll show up and do his best. But before writing Ospreay off, Ospreay’s best has beaten MJF, Bryan Danielson, Kazuchika Okada, Kenny Omega, Chris Jericho, anyone else you can name!

Wanna know what? Because Ospreay is the best in the EFFIN’ WORLD!! The fans are really fired up now! Ospreay tells Hangman, he knows that when the bell rings, anything can happen. If it is Hangman, Ospreay will be happy for him. And if Hangman thinks he has no friends, then it’ll take more than one person off of Moxley. Ospreay says if Hangman needs a friend, someone watching his back, Ospreay will have his back. Ospreay hopes the same goes back from Hangman. If Ospreay wins, hopefully Hangman will have his back. Ospreay then offers the toast again. So what Ospreay is saying, Cowboy, “Meet me in the desert! I’m calling you out for a shootout, bruv!”

Ospreay chugs his bear, HHH spits some of it, and then tosses his bottle. Hangman chugs his beer down to the very last drop, and the duel is set! Which one of these gunslingers hits the mark to then take aim at The Maniac in Texas?

Jon Moxley walks into the building.

Marina Shafir follows the Maniac AEW World Champion, and he seethes all the way. “Tensions are rising in AEW. The spoils will go to those that embrace the anarchy.” Moxley goes from pavilion to bleachers as he makes his entrance. Anarchy in the Arena is no longer the main event, but will this appetizer make up for that?

Six Man Tag: Jon Moxley & The Young Bucks VS Swerve Strickland, Samoa Joe & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs!

The trios sort out, Joe starts against Moxley and they go right to throwing hands! The fans fire up as Joe gets the edge, “JOE! JOE! JOE!” Moxley throat chops, the fans boo, and Moxley runs, but into a ROLLING ELBOW! Moxley and Joe fall back, and both teams have their guys calm down. Hobbs tags in, as does Matthew Jackson. The fans rally for “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” Hobbs and Matt tie up, and Hobbs SHOVES Matt down! Matt comes back, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Hobbs CLOBBERS him! The fans fire up as Hobbs then scoops Matt, brings him over, but Matt slips free! Nick GAMANGIRIS, then tags in!

The fans boo as The Bucks kick, run, and ALLEY-OOP DROPKICK! Swerve tags in, runs up, Nick sidesteps but Swerve flips with the ropes to come back! Swerve trips, laces the legs, then waistlocks. Nick fights with elbows, he runs but Swerve drops down, hurdles, and turns Nick’s leap over into a suplex! Swerve catches the superkick to hit a BACKBREAKER! Swerve runs at the corner, UPPERCUTS Nick and snapmares! Swerve goes up, Matt runs over, but Swerve DECKS him! Nick runs up, Swerve jumps over to HIP TOSS and gator roll! Swerve deadlifts for the suplex! The fans fire up, but Moxley and Matt attack!

The fans boo but Joe & Hobbs storm in! They all brawl, Moxley TOSSES Hobbs to the outside, and Nick RANAS Swerve! The Bucks regroup to DOUBLE PLANCHA, but Joe & Swerve pull the double “Nope!” Moxley builds speed, but Hobbs is in his way! Hobbs swings, Moxley CLAWS Hobbs’ eyes! Moxley shoves Hobbs down then runs to DIVE! Down goes Hobbs! The Bucks see Joe in the ring. Joe winds up and builds speed, but into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! The fans boo but Matt brings Joe out. Nick builds speed, but Swerve slingshots and somersaults! COMPLETE SHOT! Swerve builds speed now to FOSBURY FLOP onto Nick!

Joe throws Matt away, builds speed after all, and he DIVES onto Moxley & The Bucks! The fans are thunderous and Joe flexes while Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Joe drags Nick up, SMACKS him off the apron, then follows him around the way. Marina can only glare while Joe puts Nick in for Swerve. Swerve drags Nick up, wrenches and whips him to a corner, then CHOPS! Swerve snapmares and goes up, FALLING UPPERCUT! And he hits the Griddy! The fans cheer and Swerve drags Nick up again. Tag to Hobbs, Hobbs ROCKS Nick, then he DECKS him! Nick flounders, Hobbs brings him around to suplex. Hobbs holds Nick up for a count of TEN before the SLAM! Hobbs flips off Moxley and Matt, then goes back to N ick. Hobbs has Nick in a corner, whips him corner to corner, then runs up, but Nick dodges!

Nick KIKCKS Hobbs in the leg, hot tags Moxley, and Moxley wraps Hobbs’ leg in ropes. Hobbs fights back but Moxley CLAWS Hobbs’ face! Moxley climbs up and rains down fists! The ref counts, Moxley stops, but that lets Matt get cheap shots in! Hobbs slumps down and Moxley DROPKICKS the leg! Tag to Matt, and Moxley stands on Hobbs’ leg! Matt stomps Hobbs, then HIP DROPS the leg! Matt bends the leg on the ropes but the stops as the ref counts. Matt drags Hobbs over, tags Moxley, and Moxley helps Matt split the wishbone! Moxley talks trash while Dynamite returns to single picture.

The fans rally, Moxley stands Hobbs up, and he climbs up again to talk more trash. Moxley rains down fists, but Hobbs SHOVES him away! Hobbs hobbles but Moxley CHOP BLOCKS him down! Moxley stomps away on Hobbs, then tags in Nick. Nick puts some stank on the CHOP! Hobbs just gets mad! The fans tell Nick he messed up, but Nick kicks low. Nick winds up to CHOP Hobbs on the back again! Hobbs just frowns. Nick runs but into Hobbs’ arms! Hobbs POWERSLAMS Nick! Tag to Swerve but Nick tags Matt. Swerve LARIATS Nick, LARIATS Matt, repeat! Swerve then wrenches Matt and turns him for a NECKBREAKER!

Nick springboards to RANA, but Swerve blocks! Swerve pops Nick up for a POWERSLAM of his own! Nick hobbles up, Swerve runs in, but Nick BOOTS him! Nick cartwheels to the apron, then eggs Swerve on. Swerve runs up, Nick backflips away, but Swerve handsprings through! The two stare down, then Swerve scoops Nick to BACKBREAKER! Moxley runs up, Swerve dodges, but Matt SUPERKICKS him! The fans boo but Matt soaks it up. Matt & Moxley get Swerve into the ring for Nick, and Nick tags Matt. They double whip, Swerve ducks a lariat to waistlock, but Matt backs him down into the corner.

Nick SHINING WIZARDS, then he helps Matt with SLICED BREAD! SHIING WIZARD again, then Matt covers, TWO! Swerve stays in this but Matt tags Nick. Nick climbs up and aims, to SWANTON BOMB onto knees! Swerve saves himself and the fans fire up! Swerve and Nick crawl, but Moxley runs up to BLAST Joe & Hobbs! Swerve BACKDROPS Moxley, but no one is there to tag! Matt runs in, Swerve puts him on the apron. Nick runs in, Swerve puts him on the apron. Moxley runs up, LARIAT DOUBLE GIRI COMBO! Then an X PLEX! Matt grins as he goes up the corner, and he CROSSBODIES onto Hobbs & Joe!

Matt hurries back in, sets Swerve up, and The Bucks coordinate, RISKY BUSINESS! Cover, TWO! Swerve survives and the fans fire up! Nick drags Swerve up, bumps Swerve off buckles, and tags Matt. Matt ROCKS Swerve in the back, then puts him in the ropes. Nick goes up, DRAPING SWANTON BOMB! Matt covers, Hobbs breaks it! The fans cheer and Hobbs coaches Swerve. Matt paces while Dynamite goes back to picture in picture.

Matt stomps Swerve around, ROCKS him, then throws hands. Matt bumps Swerve off buckles, tags Moxley, and Moxley throws hands. Moxley beats Swerve down then stands on him! The ref counts, Marina talks trash, and Moxley steps off at 4. Nick gets a cheap shot in while the ref is busy with Moxley. Moxley goes out to fetch Swerve and bring him around. Moxley makes Swerve take a seat, then he flips off the fans before raining down fists. Moxley BITES Swerve’s forehead but Swerve fires hands! Swerve fires more shots, and he backs Moxley down! But Moxley pokes Swerve in the eyes! Then Moxley RAMS Swerve into the steel steps!

The ref reprimands but Moxley just ignores him. Moxley puts Swerve in, dares him to go tag his team, but then stomps hm. Moxley clamps onto Swerve’s arm, bends the fingers, then drags him over with a facelock. Tag to Nick and they mug Swerve. Nick whips Swerve back into the corner, runs up, and SHINING WIZARDS! And then SHINING WIZARDS! Matt won’t let Swerve fall, and Nick SHINING WIZARDS again! Nick soaks up heat while Swerve sputters. Moxley tags in, the mugging continues, and Moxley puts Swerve in the corner. Moxley fires hands and Dynamite returns to single picture.

Moxley and the ref argue, but that lets Marina CHOKE Swerve! She’s once again a problem and the fans boo! Hobbs protests but Marina gets away with it. Marina warns Nana to watch himself, and then Moxley drags Swerve into a stalling, middle finger flipping PILEDRIVER! Cover, JOE BREAKS IT! Joe fires away on Moxley but the ref backs him off. The fans rally but Moxley clamps onto Swerve with a CROSSFACE! Swerve endures, the fans rally for “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” Moxley shifts into a RINGS OF SATURN, but Swerve still endures! Moxley shifts to a facelock then a full nelson, but Swerve still endures!

Swerve reaches out, fires elbows, and he is free! But Moxley has the waistband! Swerve uses his foot to get free, he ROCKS Moxley, but Moxley grabs the waistband again! Swerve HEADBUTTS and both men fall! The fans are thunderous as the teams call to their guys! Hot tags to Matt and Joe! Joe rallies on The Bucks and even Moxley! The Bucks kick and whip, then run up! Joe URENAGES Nick down, then he SNAP POWERSLAMS Matt! Cover, TWO!! Matt survives but Joe hauls him right up! Tag to Swerve, Joe sends him in for an UPPERCUT! Joe BACK ELBOWS, and PELES! Hobbs goes up!?

Hobbs aims to DIVING SPLASH!! Swerve covers, but Moxley AND Nick break it! The fans boo but Moxley backs away. Swerve snarls and the fans rally up again. “This is Awesome!” as Swerve gator rolls again. But Nick saves Matt from the suplex! They DOUBLE SUPERKICK Swerve, then dodge Hobbs to feint and DOUBLE DDT! They both kip up, Joe is in, but Nick SUPERKICKS him! Joe wobbles, so Matt SUPERKICKS! Joe still DOUBLE LARIATS!! The fans are thunderous, but Moxley hits Joe with a PARADIGM SHIFT! HOUSE CALL for Moxley! Then a FLYING STOMP onto The Bucks!! The fans are electric and Nana is loving it!

There is a ring count on Swerve and Matt while the fans rally up. Swerve and Matt crawl, Swerve puts Matt in at 8. The fans cheer as Swerve drags Matt over. Tag to Hobbs and then Swerve climbs. Hobbs brings down his straps, but Moxley is in! Moxley kicks Hobbs, underhooks, but Hobbs werernches out to then hit a SPINEBUSTER! Then SPINEBUSTER for Matt! Nick springboards in, but SPINEBUSTER onto Matt!! Hobbs handles town bidness three times over, then he tags Swerve back in! Swerve is up, but Moxley SHOVES Hobbs into him! Then CUTTER for Hobbs! Joe LARIATS Moxley up and out!

The Bucks DOUBLE SUPERKICK Joe!! The Bucks hurry after Swerve, DOUBLE SUPERPLEX!! Then the E V P- NO, Swerve ducks and knees hit together! COQUINA CLUTCH for Nick! O’Conner Roll for Matt!! Swerve & Opps win!!

Winners: Swerve Strickland, Samoa Joe & “Powerhouse” Hobbs, by pinfall

But Moxley and Matt attack! The fans boo as now Yuta & Claudio join in, too! The Death Riders and Bucks mug Swerve & Opps, and Marina even mugs Nana! BUT SHIBATA IS BACK! The Wrestler fires off fast hands on everybody! Shibata whips and BOOTS Yuta in the corner! Shibata fires more forearms, but Claudio is back! Shibata ROCKS Claudio first! Shibata fires forearms in the corner, he is getting payback for that chair gut buster! But Marina LOW BLOWS Shibata!! The fans boo but HERE COMES WILLOW! The Babe with the Power has been a Problem solver, and she SPEARS Marina!

The fans fire up, because here comes KENNY OMEGA! The Cleaner is a missing piece to the puzzle, but he gives Yuta a SNAP DRAGON! SNAP DRAGON for Claudio! He blocks Matt’s superkick, Matt begs for mercy, but he gets a SNAP DRAGON instead! Matt is on the ropes, Omega takes aim, and everyone joins in with the BANG!! V-TRIGGER on the ropes!! But Omega isn’t done, he drags Matt up. Swerve says hold on a moment. Swerve brings out a TABLE!! The fans fire up and Omega likes that idea. Joe helps set the table up, Omega brings Matt to the apron, and the fans are thunderous! Omega Electric Chair Lifts, but Claudio saves Matt!

The fans boo but The Bucks & Death Riders retreat! Joe shouts, “OH NO NO NO NO NO! A sane man would realize I’ve got all your asses this weekend and I can wait ’til then. But y’know what? I’m not a sane man, and we don’t give a s*it! We’re coming after you tonight in Albuquerque, whether you like it or not!!” Joe has put The Bucks & Death Riders on notice, will this fight go all the way into Collision and the rest of the week?

Backstage interview with The Hurt Syndicate.

Alicia Atout is with Montel Vontavious Porter, Shelton Benjamin, Bobby Lashley, and their other lawyer on this very exciting evening. MJF is set to finally put pen to paper and join the team. How excited are they for this new chapter? MVP says yes, this is a momentous occasion. They are adding a fourth man. But regarding the excitement, you’d need to ask Max about that. “Oh, you can ask him, baby!” MJF steps in, wearing a brand new suit that is covered in gold leaf. Mark Sterling is also here, and MVP likes the suit. MVP says they’ll get some food, let his lawyer handle the legalese, and they’ll see MJF later.

MJF says absolutely. He fist bumps the Hurt Syndicate on the way out, and tells Alicia to scoot. MJF then tells Sterling that he did it! And a pleasure doing business with MVP’s lawyer, too. Sterling presents MJF with a pen, but Dynamite goes to break. Will it all be to MJF’s liking? Or will there be some fine print that bites him in the ass?

The Hurt Syndicate heads to the ring.

Mark Sterling already has a table set up as MVP & The AEW World Tag Team Champions enter, and MVP grabs a mic. “Attention AEW viewing audience. This is an official announcement from the Hurt Syndicate. Tonight’s a very special night. As you know, you’ve been following this drama as it has unfolded. We finally got the All Mighty to change his position, and tonight we officially induct our fourth member into the Hurt Syndicate.” The fans boo a bit, and MVP says hold on, they shouldn’t boo that. But he gets why they’re booing. Maxwell Jacob Friedman is better than all of them, and they know it.

So without further ado, the newest member of the Hurt Syndicate… Maxwell Jacob Friedman! M J F! The Scumbag makes his entrance, he has them cut his music, and he says he’d boo, too, if he was born and raised in Albuquerque. “Gentlemen, I gotta tell you, this reminds me of when I was a young little lad. My mother sat me down, and she said, ‘Son, the most important moment of your life is the day you marry the love of your life.’ And now that I’m older and wiser, I gotta say, clearly, that dumb b*tch never joined the Hurt Syndicate!” The fans boo, but MJF says, “Excuse me, I’m talking. Thanks, though, I appreciate the input.”

MVP also tells the fans to show respect to MJF. The only thing that sucks here is Albuquerque! They paid money to be here, so shut up and show respect to the young genius! MJF thanks Montel for that, and says he loves him. It is such a shame that such a great moment has to happen here, in a state nobody remembers exists. They don’t even have good sports teams here! Nobody cares about Albuquerque! Anyway, they’ve had their fun. Smart Mark, explain the legalese. Sterling assures that the contract benefits both parties. MJF will sign first, then MVP, Shelton & Lashley will sign to make MJF an official member of the Hurt Syndicate, LLC.

MJF tells the fans no one asked them, so please quiet down. MVP suggests booing their bosses when they go back to the jobs they hate. MJF finishes his part, then MVP signs his. Shelton signs, MVP tells more fans to shut up, and Lashley is last, much like he was with giving his thumbs up. Lashley hesitates, though. Now that it is really real, he might have second thoughts. Lashley double checks, MJF says he trusts “Bob.” MVP tells one fan in particular to shut up, men are conducting business! Lashley & Shelton check with their lawyer, MJF asks what’s the problem. Lashley goes back to the contract, and he works up the effort to sign his name.

The fans boo, but there’s nothing to it! MJF says this is the greatest moment of his life! He is now the newest member of- Wait, the Sons of Texas head out here? The fans cheer Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara, aka the ROH World Tag Team Champions, aka the #1 contenders to the AEW World Tag Team Champions! Dustin has a mic but MJF says cut the music! And he tells them to look at him! Dustin & Sammy must be as dumb as these fans are ugly! He wants the White trash honkies to realize they have no right to interrupt this! Dustin tells MJF to shut up, “You stupid SOB!” All MJF does week in and week out is talk! MJF barely wrestles! He has no work ethic, grit, or even…

Well, Dustin will say this. Dustin hates MJF’s guts. He needs MJF to know that. MVP, you and Dustin do go way back. And Dustin has the utmost respect for MVP. He does. But it is in MVP’s best interest as businessmen to watch out for that snake in the grass. MJF says no, that’s not a thing. Dustin say she and Sammy are “day one guys!” Six years ago, Double or Nothing, they did something special! They changed the wrestling landscape! It was an unforgettable night. Fast-forward to now, this Sunday in Phoenix. They have an opportunity that they earned. They want more gold! They’re UNDEFEATED as ROH World Tag Team Champions!

The Sons of Texas have earned their AEW World Tag Team Championship match. Bobby, Shelton, Dustin wants you to look at him when he talks to you. Word is, they like to hurt people. Well, jump on Dustin and see if you can hurt him! He dares you! MVP says please, Dustin, be careful what you wish for. Dustin says there is nothing they can do to him and Sammy, bigger men have tried! And they may not know this, but Dustin & Sammy have both gone to Hell, looked the Devil in his eyes, and kicked his teeth in to claw their way out! They are day one, working around the clock, no off days! Do not think this will be a walk in the park, because it is not!

The fans cheer as Dustin says they fight with heart, honor, fire, passion, soul, and their work ethic is untouchable. One more thing: If Dustin were a betting man, he would bet on day one guys. See you at Double or Nothing. Mic drop from The Natural, and both he and the Spanish God are ready! But will they be able to topple The All Mighty & The Standard of Excellence? Or will Lashley & Shelton just have to hurt people?

Backstage interview with Kazuchika Okada.

Renee Paquette is with the Rainmaker and says last week, “Speedball” Mike Bailey called him out because he is eyeing the Continental Championship. Does he have an official response? “Yeah.” Then what is it…? “I’m the Continental Champion, I say what goes. Speedball, you do not call me out. I call you out! Double or Nothing, you find out why I’m then Continental Champion and you’re not.” Then it is official! But Renee notes that Speedball has yet to be pinned since arriving in AEW. Is Okada at all concerned? Okada says there is a first time for everything, trust him. Okada leaves, but comes back to tell Speedball, “Trust me.” Oh, okay…

The Rainmaker doesn’t hit his signature insult, but will he hit his signature move and be the first to beat Bailey? Or will Speedball be the NEW Continental Champion?

Ricochet VS Anthony Bowens w/ Billy Gunn!

The One & Only picked on Zach Gowen, then beat him in a match, only to beat him down after. Mark Briscoe made the save and then the challenge, so now Ricochet has a STRETCHER MATCH waiting for him on Sunday! Will Ricochet be too worried about that to focus on the 5 Tool Player? Or will Ricochet use the Pride of Pro-Wrestling as a tune-up?

The bell rings, the fans rally, and the two circle. They feel things out, but Ricochet says hold on. He taunts Daddy Ass, but Bowens stops Ricochet from doing the crotch chop! Bowens then fires hands on Ricochet, ROCKS him, and CHPOS him in the corner! The fans cheer Bowens and he whips corner to corner. Ricochet reverses, Bowens goes up and rolls. Ricochet runs up, Bowens hurdles then headlocks. Ricochet powers out, Bowens hurdles, then Bowens FLOAT OVER DDTS! Ricochet flounders to ropes, Bowens LARIATS him up and out! The fans fire up with Bowens again, and Ricochet gets in Billy’s face.

Billy steps and Ricochet flinches! Bowens is there to SLAP Ricochet on his bald head! Bowens whips Ricochet into railing, then he SCISSOR FINGERS~ with Billy! Bowens leaves Ricochet behind, Billy pushes Ricochet in, but the ref reprimands. Bowens runs up, Ricochet dodges, and then Ricochet comes back. Bowens puts Ricochet on the apron, GAMANGIRIS, then he brings Ricochet up. Ricochet fights the suplex, then he drags Bowens to the apron. Bowens BODY SHOTS, fireman’s carries, but Ricochet grabs at the ref! The ref shakes free but Ricochet slips down. Ricochet POSTS Bowens, then SWEEPS the legs!

The fans boo but Ricochet is all fired up, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Ricochet taunts the fans, returns to the ring, and Billy helps Bowens. Ricochet CLOBBERS Bowens as he gets in the ring! Ricochet CHOKES Bowens on ropes, lets off, and he soaks up heat. Ricochet storms up and CHOPS! Bowens kicks Ricochet, CHOPS him, and then goes to a corner. Bowens runs up, Ricochet dodges and fires hands! Ricochet CHOPS, then he drags Bowens around. Ricochet taunts the scissor fingers and digs them into Bowens’ eyes! The ref reprimands, Ricochet stops, and he stands Bowens up to throw knees. Ricochet snapmares Bowens, runs, and then KOKESHI HEADBUTTS! Ricochet taunts the fans while Bowens writhes.

Ricochet goes back to Bowens but Bowens throws hands! Bowens rises, ROCKS Ricochet, then runs, but into a DROPKICK! Ricochet taunts Billy, argues with him, then covers Bowens. TWO, but Ricochet stalks Bowens to a corner. Ricochet CHOKES Bowens on the ropes again, stops as the ref counts, and then taunts the fans again. Ricochet goes back to Bowens but Bowens KICKS from below! Bowens kicks again, but Ricochet blocks to YANK Bowens from the corner. Ricochet then headlocks and rains down fists! The ref reprimands, Ricochet stops, and Billy is frustrated on Bowens’ behalf.

Ricochet taunts Bowens, CLUBS him down, then stalks him again. Ricochet looms over Bowens and CLUBS him down again as Dynamite returns to single picture. Ricochet drags Bowens up, puts one out, but Bowens fights the lift! Ricochet CLUBS Bowens, UPPERCUTS him, and CHOPS him! The fans boo but Ricochet runs, only for Bowens to blow past! Ricochet ducks, Bowens dodges, and Bowens mule kicks! Bowens front KICKS, then runs, FAMOUSER! The fans fire up and Bowens has Ricochet for a torture rack! Swing and SLAM! Cover, TWO! Ricochet survives and Bowens is frustrated but the fans rally behind Bowens.

Bowens waits on Ricochet, clinches, but Ricochet fights the Arrival with elbows! Ricochet spins but Bowens ROCKS him first! Ricochet hits back, Bowens ROCKS him again! The hand fly, Ricochet spins but into a BOOT! Bowens runs, but into a TIGER WALL KICK! SOBAT! FRONT KICK! But Bowens fires off the Rock, Paper, Scissors, SUPERKICK!! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives and Bowens grows frustrated. The fans rally, Bowens stalks Ricochet and waistlocks, but Ricochet slips out of the back suplex! V-TRIGGER! HEEL KICK! Ricochet goes to the corner, locks ‘n’ loads, and SPIRIT- NO, Bowens ducks it! Clinch and ARRIVAL!!

The fans fire up and Bowens signals the scissors! The fans join in, Bowens makes it a fist, MOLLY WHOP!! But Ricochet is sent out of the ring! Billy wants to fetch Ricochet for Bowens but the ref won’t let him! Ricochet crawls, Bowens brings him up, but RICOCHET HAS THE SCISSORS!! HE JABS BOWENS IN THE FORHEAD!!! The fans boo and Ricochet reloads! SPIRIT GUN!!! Cover, Ricochet wins!!

Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall

Just as Ricochet stole Swerve’s coat, and just as he stole Zach Gowen’s prosthetic leg, Ricochet steals this win and he steals the title of “Scissor King” from Bowens! But wait! Mark Briscoe is here with a stretcher! The fans cheer as Mark sneaks up, and he gets Ricochet’s attention! Ricochet freaks out as Mark says this is where he’s going on Sunday! Mark RAMS Ricochet with the stretcher, fires hands, and then scoops him onto the stretcher! Mark positions it at ringside, goes up top, but Ricochet scrambles away! Mark hops down and he tells Ricochet there’s no running away at Double or Nothing! Will Ricochet #ManUp or shut up against the Sussex County Chicken?

BREAKING NEWS for Thursday Night Collision!

While it is official for Double or Nothing, Speedball has business to handle before facing Okada! Bailey teams up with Komander against La Faccion Ingobernable! Will Bailey & Komander wrangle these bulls? Or will they just get the horns? And before she battles Jamie Hayter for the Women’s Owen Hart Cup, Mercedes Mone must defend her AEW TBS Championship against CMLL’s Reyna Isis! Will The CEO lose her belt before going for the trophy? Or can #ThreeBeltsMone build momentum for Double or Nothing?

Stokely Hathaway & FTR speak.

#BigStoke says, “Look what we have here. A contract in my email for your tag match at Double or Nothing, live on PPV this Sunday. And here’s the thing. We could sign this through a dopey Acrobat, but when you look to my left, when you look to my right, you see two men. You see two men who respect and honor the tradition of professional wrestling. You see the greatest tag team alive today, F T R! So we’re gonna do something special. Because Nigel McGuiness, Daniel Garcia, they want to look you in the eyes before they sign this contract. They wanna make sure that this is something that you really want to do.

“And you can even bring along your buddy, Daddy Magic.” Stokely does the fake cough trick as he calls Matt Menard “Dick ass.” Dax gives Stokely a cough drop and Stoke says we will all have the privilege and honor of seeing Nigel sign the last contract he will ever sign in his wrestling career, tomorrow night on Collision, live on TBS. #TopGuysOut. Will Nigel & Garcia be ready for anything FTR might try to pull this close to Double or Nothing?

Renee Paquette is in the ring.

The fans cheer and she says that tonight, we’ve already heard from the Men’s Owen Hart Cup Finalists. Now it is time to hear from the ladies. Renee has chairs set up and reminds us that these two women want to beat the ever loving crap outta each other, so she’ll do her best to keep things in order. That said, please welcome out the Hardest Hitting Hayter there is, the former AEW Women’s World Champion, Jamie Hayter! The fans cheer as Jamie makes her way out to the ring. Hayter takes her seat on Renee’s left, and now we welcome out The CEO, Mercedes Mone. The fans aren’t as excited as Mone struts her way out in her 1990s pop art bodysuit.

Mone takes her seat to Renee’s right, the fans duel, and Renee wants to start with Jamie. Jamie has accomplished something in AEW that Mone has not yet, and that is to hold THE AEW Women’s World Championship. Now, Jamie was sidelined with an awful back injury, but she has fought her heart out just to be back here. But this match makes it seem like Jamie is the underdog. How does it feel to Jamie? Jamie says if she’s the underdog, then so be it. Jamie just hates when people look past her, not realizing how that is a surefire way to get yourself hurt. It doesn’t matter if Jamie is on top of the mountain or deep on rock bottom, she will crawl her way back every single time.

Jamie will fight again and again and again, because that’s just who she is! She’s not some obnoxious C E O~! She doesn’t have people running around doing her dirty work. And she doesn’t walk around here like she’s the best thing since sliced bread! The fans cheer that, and Jamie says yeah, she’s rough around the edges. She doesn’t have it like Mone has it. Jamie will admit to it. But she’s still a fighter. Every single person sat out here tonight, everybody watching at home, helped mold Jamie into just that! This means more to Jamie than it does Mone, and they both know it! It really, really does.

Jamie says this isn’t even about a title anymore. Not to Jamie! It is more than that. This is about not being forgotten. The fans cheer, and Jamie tells Mone that when the bell rings, the confetti falls, and the cup is lifted, if it ain’t Jamie doing it, then what the hell does that even mean for her? Is she just not good enough? Should she even come back? What’s her fight? What’s her why? Will anyone even care? Mone’s guess is as good as hers, but as always, Jamie’s back is against the wall. But what she does is she laces up her boots and she hits bloody hard! That just who Jamie Hayter is! The fans cheer that!

Renee turns to Mone and says Jamie is bringing a new level of intensity even in Mone. Is Mone worried Jamie will be the first woman to beat her in singles competition since joining AEW? The fans cheer that idea! Mone says, “Worried? Renee. Me, worried? Do you not know who the Hell you’re talking to? Jamie Hayter, you think you have me all figured out, but you don’t. Because I am more than just a champion. I’m a revolution. I am the Beyonce of Women’s Wrestling! And I’m not looking past you, I’m looking straight through you like the glass doll that you are.” The fans boo but Mone says she always gets what she wants.

And her destiny is our reality. And the reality is, she will be headed to All in: Texas to become THE AEW Women’s World Champion! The fans are torn, but Mone says Jamie wants to throw shade at her success. Mone is the greatest TBS Champion ever! 360 days and counting, 25-0 in singles competition! She didn’t get there by luck, but by hard work and dedication. So Jamie, at Double or Nothing, Mone will show you why she’s the CEO. It is more than just about winning, but about leaving her legacy. Jamie, Mone wants you to bring your best, to be the best, to be the fighter that you say you are.

Because Double or Nothing will not be where Jamie’s story begins, but where her chapter in Mone’s story ends! Mone laughs, the fans boo, but Jamie has a rebuttal. She wants to ask everyone here tonight, “Have you noticed something a little bit different about Mercedes? She’s looking a little bit lighter, if you will. Something’s missing, but I can’t quite put my finger on it.” Jamie looks Mone up and down, and then says she figured it out! Mone lost the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship! Jamie remembers because she watched Resurgence. That was Mone’s destiny, and Mone’s destiny is to now lose everything!

Mone SHOVES Jamie down! Mone rains down fists on Jamie, Renee bails out, and Mone shoves the chairs aside. Mone is pissed as she makes Jamie look at the belts she still has. But then Hayter grabs an arm, and gives Mone HAYTERADE!! But then Timeless Toni Storm is here! The fans cheer as THE AEW Women’s World Champion is here already, wanting to see her potential challengers before the big night. But at the same time, she’s going to watch her next challenger in person while on commentary! The Fighting Gravure Idol and the Princess of the Black Throne are in the main event, will it all be about #MinaNow?

Mina Shirakawa VS Julia Hart!

Dynamite returns as Toni continues to revel in the cheers before sitting down at commentary. With that, Mina makes her entrance, followed by Julia’s. The bell rings and the fans rally as Mina and Julia circle. The two tie up, are in a deadlock, and then Julia headlocks. Mina powers up and out, drops down, then goes to hip toss, but Julia blocks! Julia gets a leg up, FLIPS, but Mina swings! Julia dodges, wrenches, and YANKS on the arm! Julia goes to a corner, knuckle locks, and climbs. The fans duel as Julia tightrope walks, and she goes OLD SCHOOL! Down goes Mina, Julia runs, but Mina ducks the blindside lariat!

Mina shimmies and shakes, the fans cheer, and Mina blocks a kick to CLUB the leg! Mina CHPOS, and then says it is her turn! Mina goes up, up, and shakes before she goes OLD SCHOOL with a knee drop! Mina shakes more and the fans cheer more. Toni promises that she is not here to make innuendo, just dry sexual comments on occasion. Mina runs in, Julia dodges then comes back, but Mina dodges in return. Mina ROCKS Julia, goes up and FLYING CHUCKS! Mina runs, DROPKICKS the legs out, and brings Julia around. Mina steps through, Julia kicks and kicks, then runs! Mina slides to trip Julia up!

Mina waves to Toni, says she’ll be champion, and Toni asks, “Really? Be careful now.” Julia is there to ROCK Mina! Toni says she told her so. Julia RAMS Mina into the apron, CHOPS her, then pushes her into the ring. Toni is nonplussed, this is going as her “script” says it would. Julia storms in after Mina while Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Julia steps on Mina, TWO, but Julia drops down to DRIBBLE Mina off the mat! Cover, TWO! Mina is tougher than that but Julia drags her around. Julia whips Mina to a corner, runs in and LARIATS! Then she stomps a mudhole into Mina! Julia digs her boot in, the ref counts, and Julia steps off at 4. Julia drags Mina up, brings her around, but Mina CHOPS! Julia CHOPS, then reels Mina in. Julia snap suplexes, covers, TWO! Julia is annoyed but she drags Mina into a chinlock. Mina endures, reaches out, then fights up. Mina fires body shots, but Julia KNEES low. Julia whips, ELBOWS Mina down, then paces.

Luther fans Toni given the New Mexico heat. Julia clamps onto Mina with the motorcycle stretch but Mina endures again. Mina fights to turn things around, only for Julia to wrap her in a straitjacket stretch! Mina endures, pushes back to a cover, TWO! Julia clamps onto Mina with a SLEEPER! Mina fights around, Julia shifts to become a backpack, but Mina fights up. Mina JAWBREAKERS free! Julia wobbles, but she ROCKS Mina in the back! Dynamite returns to single picture as Julia stands mina up. Mina fires forearms, Julia fires back, and the fans rally. Julia runs, but into a SOBAT! Mina runs to SLIDING KNEE!

The fans fire up and Mina waits on Julia. Julia stands, into a ROLLING ELBOW! Julia is back up, but Mina LARIATS! Mina grins, runs corner to corner, but she has to block a boot! DRAGON SCREW! Julia writhes, Mina storms up and has the leg. Mina steps through, but Julia BOOTS her away! Julia goes to a corner, Mina runs in, but Julia goes up! And she reels Mina into the TARANTULA!! The fans cheer, the ref counts, and Julia lets Mina go. Julia steps in, but into an URAKEN! The fans fire up and Mina goes to the apron. Mina climbs, brings Julia in, and FLYING SLINGBLADES! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up as Julia survives and Mina grows frustrated. Mina drags Julia up, dragon sleepers, “This is Awesome!” as Julia fights through! STO! Julia then drags Mina to the drop zone and stomps her! Julia goes up, up, and HART SAULTS! Mina moves, Julia lands on her feet, and her leg jams! Mina DROPKICKS the leg out! Mina SMASHES the knee, then has the legs for the FIGURE- NO, Julia cradles! TWO, and Mina hurries to her feet! ROLLING ELBOW, and then URAKEN!! Julia falls, the fans fire up, and Mina drags Julia into the dragon sleeper! GLAMOROUS DRIVER- NO, Julia slips out, rolls Mina up, TWO!!

Mina has Julia’s arm! Chicken wing, roll, ghost pin! MINA WINS!!

Winner: Mina Shirakawa, by pinfall

Toni is impressed as Mina snatches another one! Mina taunts Toni, Toni tells commentary that she is not worried, but then Julia BLINDSIDES Mina! The fans boo as Julia throws hands! Mina shoves Julia, trips her up, and has the legs! FIGURE FOUR!! The fans “WOO~” while Julia suffers, but SKYE BLUE is here! Skye BOOTS Mina down, then rains down fists! The fans boo but Toni storms into the ring! Storm drags Skye off Mina, then GERMAN SUPLEXES! Skye flops out, but Julia storms up! SLAP from Toni, URAKEN from Mina! The dark clouds have rolled away, and now Mina grabs the belt off the apron.

Mina brings the belt to Toni, but promises to take it from her on Sunday. They tug-o-war, Mina SHOVES Toni! Toni comes back, but Mina blocks the kick for a DRAGON SCREW! Mina puts Toni in a corner, ties up those legs around the post, HANGING FIGURE FOUR!! The ref reprimands, Luther calls for reinforcements, and the fans are going nuts! Mina lets go when she’s satisfied, and now Toni might be in trouble. Will it only get worse for Toni when it’s time to go Double or Nothing?

Backstage interview with The Young Bucks.

Renee gets a word from them as they’re on their way out. Nick says they don’t have time, they have a flight to catch. Matt says hold on, they can say this. Remember how earlier tonight, Joe and his crew promised to get their hands on The Bucks? Well, it is the end of the night, nothing happened, so that makes Joe a liar. See you at the PPV. The Bucks head for the exit, but Joe is there! He SMASHES them with a trash can! Hobbs joins in, the luggage is also a weapon, and things go to the backstage area! But the Death Riders are there! They brawl 5v2, but Willow joins in! Marina goes after Willow, Swerve shows up, and so do Shibata and Omega!

Swerve has a chain, Omega has a trash can, and now THIS is an appetizer! They brawl out onto the stage, using the tron and the railing as part of this! Marina is sent into railing! Omega CHUCKS a trash can into Moxley! Swerve CHOKES Nick and puts him in the ring! The fans rally as things go down the ramp, Dynamite’s theme song plays in the spirit of Anarchy in the Arena! Omega has Swerve’s chain and uses it to CHOKE Nick! Joe BOOTS Moxley against barriers! Omega CLUBS Nick, but Nick HOTSHOTS Omega! Hobbs has Claudio, Shibata puts Yuta in a trash can to SMACK away with a kendo stick!

The Bucks turn things around on Omega, beat him up 2v1, and Nick has the chain now! The fans cheer on “A E DUB! A E DUB!” as Swerve and Moxley brawl! E V P TRIGGER to Omega!! Claudio SMACKS Hobbs with a chair, but that just pisses Hobbs off! Joe and Moxley brawl now, but the Bucks aren’t done with Omega! They get him up, but Omega slips free! Omega shoves Matt into Nick! Hobbs CHOKES Claudio, Omega SLAM DUNKS Matt! Swerve is in, BOOT for Nick! Omega and Swerve nod, but Moxley CHOKES Joe! Willow beats down Marina, Omega and Swerve have the Bucks! V-TRIGGER and HOUSE CALL in stereo!!

Joe powers out to turn things around on Moxley! COQUINA CLUTCH!!! Joe makes the AEW World Champion pass out! But GABE KIDD is here! He CLOBBERS Joe with the title briefcase!! The Mad Man slips in and CLOBBERS Swerve! And CLOBBERS Omega! He rains down fists on Omega, the fans boo, but Gabe says he wasn’t just gonna go back home! The Bucks bring out the TABLES! Things have turned around from earlier tonight as The Bucks drag Swerve to the table! Gabe CHOKES Omega, puts him on the outside, and now Omega is put on the other table! The Bucks climb the corners, Yuta makes Nana watch!

STEREO MACHO ELBOW AND FROG SPLASH, DOWN THROUGH THE TABLES!! Albuquerque loses their minds, and the evil alliance of Death Riders and Elite stands tall! How much more chaotic will things get when it’s Anarchy in the Arena?

My Thoughts:

A great episode, even for being a go-home that was light on matches. But at the same time, it had more promos and build. Awesome face-to-face promo from Ospreay and Hangman, and even with the passion and bringing up the past, these guys stayed Faces and are keeping it at “may the best man win.” As such, that really keeps things up in the air. Either guy would make a great challenger for Moxley, especially if the story is that Hangman and Ospreay will work together to make sure it is a fair fight. Also a great promo segment from Hayter and Mone with how they brought some fire to that moment. Mone losing her cool over Hayter bringing up her loss was good stuff, but Hayter standing tall makes me think Mone wins now.

Great segue from Mone and Hayter to Toni watching Mina VS Julia. Great match for the main event, but naturally Mina wins to have momentum. Skye Blue showing up and Toni getting involved was also good stuff, but I’m a bit surprised Mina and Toni took it that far. Mina standing tall over Toni on top of her match momentum, clearly Toni retains at Double or Nothing. Then it will be Toni VS Mone, and I would think Mone retains her title against Reyna Isis tomorrow night. And since we’re not going double or nothing on titles, maybe we go all in, with Mone putting up her TBS Championship against Toni’s Women’s World Championship, with the winner becoming the first dual AEW Women’s Champion.

Good promo from Stokely & FTR to set up their contract signing on Collision, and that will be a good segment for the go-home. Pretty fun stuff with MJF and the Hurt Syndicate, but I feel like MVP adlibs his responses a little too much. He didn’t need to keep shouting down the fans unless someone was actually saying something offensive. I appreciated Lashley playing up like he was going to go back on the deal, but also they kept teasing how there might be someone other than MJF joining. Dustin & Sammy showing up was logical, but I feel like Dustin only had most of his promo put together. But as I’ve said before, I don’t see Sons of Texas winning this one. I wonder if MJF has a part to play, too…

Ricochet VS Bowens was a very good match but I’m a little surprised, and maybe disappointed, Bowens’ return push was sacrificed to Ricochet getting momentum going into Double or Nothing. But I suppose the “Scissor King” crown was good enough a reason to have a match. I would’ve waited until after Double or Nothing so that Ricochet and Bowens could have an actual feud going through the summer. Mark going after Ricochet was good stuff, but he kinda gave away the big spot he wants to do: Froggy-Bow to a stretcher. The math on this match is fairly even, but it’d make sense if Ricochet won to stay hot towards a title opportunity of his own.

Speaking of, good promo from Okada to set up Okada VS Bailey. I wonder if he chose to swerve us on saying “b*tch” or he was told to pull back a bit. It feels more like an Okada thing to make that move himself. Bailey & Komander surely find a way to win against LFI tomorrow, but I can’t be sure about Bailey VS Okada. I still think a great idea is to violate the Continental Rules by The Bucks ending up ringside. Given how tonight ended, I can see the Faces and Heels not wanting to wait to get Anarchy in the Arena started, so The Bucks either brawl their way ringside or are chased ringside, Bailey wins, but Okada retains as it is a disqualification and Champion’s Advantage is a thing.

But of course, great stuff with the Anarchy in the Arena field. Awesome Six Man Tag to open, great win for the Faces, but then the Heels stand tall to close the night, so the math is a wash. The stuff tonight was a great teaser, so that Anarchy match is going to be wild. It could go either way, really, but the result should also lend itself towards the next phase in the story. I don’t know if Darby Allin will be back in time for Sunday, because helping the Faces win AITA would be a great way to return, and it means one more ally for Team AEW to fight against the Death Riders.

My Score: 8.8/10