Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (6/12/20)
TONIGHT, Daniel Bryan VS AJ Styles!
SmackDown crowns a NEW WWE Intercontinental Champion!
The Phenomenal One and the Goat collide! Will the new Intercontinental Champion be AJ Styles or Daniel Bryan on the SmackDown before Backlash?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- The New Day VS The Artist Collective; The Artist Collective wins.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship Tournament Finals: Daniel Bryan VS AJ Styles; Styles wins and becomes the new WWE Intercontinental Championship.
- Six Man Tag: Braun Strowman & Heavy Machinery VS Dolph Ziggler, The Miz & John Morrison; Strowman & Heavy Machinery win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Renee Young is in the ring.
Jeff Hardy and Sheamus will have a match for Backlash given all the animosity between them. But before that match can happen, both men must sign on the dotted line. First out is the Celtic Warrior, as well as a physician, security, and a screen. This can only mean one thing. But first, the Charismatic Enigma appears! Renee asks what this is all about. Well the curtain is for discretion, as they wouldn’t want to offend the ladies. Offend how? Hardy knows what this is. He doesn’t give a damn, though, after all that happened. Sheamus hit Elias with a car and tried to frame Hardy for it! Sheamus says Hardy shouldn’t go pointing fingers, because Sheamus had nothing to do with that. Hardy still says Sheamus tried to ruin Hardy’s life and livelihood! “You have no idea what you’ve unleashed at Backlash. Not even you’re little security team’s gonna be able to help you then.”
Wait, you think these guys are here to protect Sheamus? Pff, they’re here for your protection, Hardy. But Sheamus wants some assurances. Hardy was cleared of the car accident, but he’s still a man that can’t be trusted. It could be booze, it could be drugs, but a leopard can’t change its spots. So to ensure everyone’s safety, before signing the contract, Hardy will have to take a urine test. And if Hardy fails it, which he probably will, then he’s in a whole heap of trouble. Hardy won’t get a match between Sheamus is not going to step into the ring with a junkie. The crowd boos because they believe Hardy is innocent and sober, but Sheamus says it’s all true. Hardy admits, “My name is Jeff Hardy, and I’m an alcoholic.” Hi, Jeff. “And if this is what I Have to do to get to you, then fine!”
Hardy is tired of fighting. He goes to meetings every week, talks about how he let his family and his fans and even himself down. Hardy’s demons are starving. And sometimes, all it takes make him want to feed them is to be in the presence of a BASTARD like Sheamus. But Hardy will be a beacon of light for the struggles! So Hardy will agree to this BS, just to get after Sheamus. That’s the spirit! But we all know it takes 24 hours, which Hardy should know from taking many of them. But the doc here has a rapid test that can get almost immediate results. Sheamus is footing the bill because that’s how much he cares. But just to show there are no shenanigans, the doc will supervise the whole thing. Renee, time to skedaddle because Hardy’s got a bit of stage fright.
Hardy goes into the curtained off area and Sheamus gives the WWE Universe a “PSA” of sorts. Kids, if you’re a user, you’re a loser. Don’t end up like Jeff Hardy. Don’t do drugs. Thank you very much. Hardy, hurry up, we don’t have all night. Hardy finishes filling the jar, and Sheamus jokes that someone had quite the happy hour. But before the bad news, does Hardy have any last words? Perhaps an apology? Or a positive message to everyone at home. Like, oh i dunno. “Just Say No.” Good, right? Sheamus wants Hardy to laugh but Hardy says another classic is coming to him. “It’s better to be pissed off than pissed on!” And then Hardy SPLASHES Sheamus with the jar of pee!! Hardy signs his part of the contract while Sheamus gags.
The crowd wants him to “PUKE! PUKE!” but Sheamus manages to hold it in. Hardy leaves while Sheamus throws the table over and tries to get the taste out of his mouth. The crowd taunts Sheamus with, “You Got Pissed On!” but will he be more than pissed off at Backlash?
SmackDown finds Sheamus backstage in a restroom.
He’s obviously doing his best to rinse and scrub away the smell, taste and feeling of Hardy’s pee. The doc finds him and lets him know the results came back. Negative for alcohol. Hardy IS sober, the match IS on, and Sheamus IS pissed.
The New Day VS The Artist Collective!
AWWW~ people at home~! Clap for your world famous eight-time champs, and FEEL~ the POWER~! But will Kofi Kingston and Big E feel the strength of the Swiss Cyborg and the King of Strong Style?
The teams sort out and Cesaro starts against Kofi. They tie up, go around and Cesaro wrenches to a wristlock. Kofi rolls, handsprings, wrenches back and sweeps the legs to splash down! Cover, ONE, but Kofi headlocks. Cesaro powers out but Kofi reverses the whip. Kofi leaps but into a tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER! Cesaro taunts Kofi while tagging Shinsuke Nakamura. Nakamura gives Kofi BAD Vibrations, then goes corner to corner, only for Kofi to DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO! Kofi clotheslines Nakamura out then tags in Big E. Big E gives Kofi the boost to FLY out onto Nakamura! But Cesaro BOOTS Kofi down, only for Big E to go out and CLOBBER him! Big E puts Nakamura in but Cesaro anchors his foot. Big E shakes free but Nakamura PELES!
Nakamura distracts the ref and Cesaro BLASTS Big E with a European Uppercut! The Tag Team Champions are down on the outside as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns and Cesaro grinds Big E down with an armlock. The crowd rallies up and Big E fights free, only to be put in the corner. Cesaro runs in to EuroUpper! Tag to Nakamura, Cesaro sets Big E up for the Top Shelf Knee! Nakamura covers, TWO! Tag to Cesaro and he clamps back onto Big E with an armlock. Big E endures as the crowd rallies up. Cesaro whips Big E to a corner but Big E elbows him away. Cesaro keeps Big E from the tag but Big E hits a belly2belly! Both men are down, hot tags to Nakamura and Kofi! Kofi springboards to ax handle! He rallies with CHOPS and a dropkick! Leaping ax handle! Kofi fires up and hits the New~ Day~ Boom Drop! The crowd fires up as Kofi aims from a corner. Cesaro swipes at Kofi but it’s to give Nakamura an opening! Kofi breaks free of the inverted exploder to hit SOS! Cover, Cesaro breaks it!
Cesaro stomps away on Kofi but Big E comes in. Big E dodges to clotheslines himself and Cesaro out! Nakamura runs at Kofi but gets the swing kick in the corner! Kofi climbs but Nakamura joins him. They brawl up top and Kofi gets an edge with clubbing forearms! Kofi adjust, leaps, but into a GUT BUSTER! Cover, Nakamura & Cesaro win!!
Winners: The Artist Collective, by pinfall
They just defeated the SmackDown Tag Team Champions! When and where will they come for those titles to make them their own?
Heavy Machinery reunites backstage!
Tucky and Otis are back together and are ready for tonight’s supersized main event! But Tucker wants Otis to learn not to rely on just his eyes. Otis needs all his other senses. He has a blindfold on and the test begins. Sound! That’s a bell. Smell! Those are burgers! Touch! Tucky, Otis appreciates the motivation but- Blindfold off and it’s Mandy! His peach! Mandy wishes the boys good luck, and tells him not to forget the Mr. Money in the Bank briefcase. Oh yes, of course. Thank you, Mandy. A kiss for good luck and she’s gone, but Tucky snaps to focus Otis. Braun Strowman is their tag team partner tonight, but if the opportunity presents itself, then tonight could be THE night. Oh yeah~!
But whoa! A brawl is going on around the corner, and it’s Sheamus and Hardy! The Fella wants to make sure Hardy doesn’t make it to Backlash! He shoves him into ladder after ladder until security and referees rush over. D-Von drags Sheamus away while Jamie Noble keeps Hardy here. The Charismatic Enigma wants to make Sheamus pay, but they’ll both have to wait for Sunday!
SmackDown retells the history of the WWE Intercontinental Championship.
“A symbol that has changed through the years, yet remains timeless.” A storied past steeped in tradition for over four decades. Contenders have come and gone but only the most worthy have held it huge overhead. Generations evolved through waves of change, but this title has always been the pillar of excellence. Ultimate Warrior and the yellow belt defeated Hulk Hogan to become DUAL champion! The Miz and the white belt made this title AWESOME again. Triple H and the black belt had a reign of terror! And so many others created a lasting presence with this title around their waist. This title demands the very best from the very best. It is a catalyst of stardom, Hall of Fame careers, and iconic moments. The next chapter is waiting to be written by the victor.
Daniel Bryan and AJ Styles may boast similar accolades, but their journeys set them apart. This couldn’t have been made more clear than when the tournament was sent into disarray a few weeks ago. When Elias and Jeff Hardy were taken out, each man chose a different philosophy. Daniel Bryan wanted the traditional approach of fighting for his spot. He suggested that Styles and himself take on two new opponents, because there are many deserving names on the SmackDown roster. AJ Styles shouted that down as the “dumbest thing I’ve ever heard.” He took a calculated approach so that he’d be in the finals no matter what.
True motivations are revealed when given such a choice. The Phenomenal One took the bye because he’s smarter. Bryan would give others opportunity not because it’s noble, but because he has heart. So who will prove to be better and revel in the prestige of this title? Who joins the lineage of legends to become timeless?
WWE Intercontinental Championship Tournament Finals: Daniel Bryan VS AJ Styles!
The Goat has already stamped his name on this title’s history, but it was short lived because of his need to step away. But the Phenomenal One wants to add this title to his legacy. Who writes the future with a victory tonight?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and this battle for glory begins!
The crowd duels even before the bell. Styles and Bryan circle and tie up, Bryan wrenches to a wristlock, then clamps onto the arm to bring Styles to a knee. Styles rolls, wrenches back, but Bryan rolls through. Bryan hooks a leg, hooks Styles’ chin, but Styles spins through to keep the wristlock. Bryan gets up, rolls, bridges, and breaks free to dropkick Styles down! The crowd cheers as Styles gets to a corner. Styles and Bryan circle again then tie up. Styles kicks low then clubs Bryan down only to bring him up for buckle bumps. Styles goes to suplex but Bryan blocks. Styles keeps trying but then Bryan tries to suplex. Styles lets Bryan go to throat chop him! The crowd boos but Bryan sends Styles out of the ring hard. Bryan builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit takes both men down and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns and Bryan grinds Styles’ arm. Bryan hammerlocks to knee the shoulder and back! Bryan cranks back on the other arm and stands on it! It’s a cover, TWO! Styles gets to ropes but Bryan brings him up to wrench and hammerlock again. Styles powers out and hurdles over to then duck down and dropkick Bryan! Bryan is wincing while Styles is seething. Styles brings Bryan up for straight rights and CHOPS! He puts Bryan in a corner to CHOP more. Bryan throws EuroUppers in return and backs Styles down. Bryan snapmares Styles and wraps on a chinlock, but Styles slips out the back to get an armlock of his own. Styles leans on the shoulder then wrenches to a wristlock and wringer! Styles circles Bryan before bringing him up.
Styles kicks away on Bryan’s arm then cranks it to a keylock. Bryan gets around and powers free to speed things up. The kitchen sink knee takes Styles down! Bryan grabs the leg for a standing toehold! He twists the leg, then turns Styles over to hook him up. Bryan pulls on the arms but his bad arm bothers him. So instead of a surfboard, Bryan just stomps the knees! Styles clutches his thigh but Bryan is on him with a modified STF! Styles endures so Bryan shifts to get both legs in a SNAP deathlock! Bryan gets up to do it again! Styles crawls but Bryan sits back to get the arms, surfboard cover! TWO, and Styles scrambles to ropes. The crowd cheers and rallies as Bryan brings Styles up. Bryan throws more EuroUppers in the corner then gives Styles Yes Kicks!
The ref counts, Bryan goes corner to corner, but Styles sunset flips! TWO and Bryan stacks, TWO! Styles has the cover, TWO! Bryan has it back, TWO! Styles has another cover, TWO! Styles headlocks, hits a takeover, but Bryan headscissors. Styles moves around, pops out to a jackknife, TWO and Bryan bridges! Bryan wants a backslide, Styles slips free and dodges, a DOUBLE CROSSBODY collision takes both men down! This evenly fought match continues as SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns and Bryan wrenches Styles to a shoulder breaker! Bryan gives Styles another! He wrenches for another but Styles rolls him up! TWO, and Bryan wants the Yes Lock! Styles scrambles, reaches, but so does Bryan. The two struggle for control, Styles gets the legs to catapult Bryan up and out of the ring! Bryan sits up but Styles keeps his eyes on him. Styles slingshots, the Pescado is caught to a waistlock! Bryan hammerlocks and POSTS Styles shoulder first! Styles falls in a heap and clutches his arm, but Bryan is on him already. Bryan takes the arm, keylocks it on the apron, and STOMPS it!! Styles shouts in pain while Bryan leaves him behind. The ref checks on Styles, and when he’s deemed okay to continue, Bryan is on him again to drag him into the ring.
Bryan wrenches the bad arm with a knuckle lock, then digs knuckles into the elbow. Styles hits back with his good arm, but Bryan wrings Styles out and snap wrenches the arm! Bryan grabs the arm, keylocks again, for another STOMP! Styles clutches his forearm but Bryan is on him with a mounted hammerlock. The crowd duels as Bryan cranks back on the arm! Styles refuses to quit so Bryan chicken wing covers! TWO and Styles gets to the apron. Bryan won’t let up as he drags Styles up and into the ring. Bryan headbutts Styles down, wrenches and whips him corner to corner, then runs corner to corner, only to miss the dropkick! Bryan crashes and burns but both men are down.
The crowd rallies up and Styles uses ropes to get to his feet. Styles KICKS Bryan’s leg, then kicks it again. Styles goes out and has Bryan’s leg for an apron dragon screw! Styles stalks Bryan as he crawls, and he tweaks the leg between his own. Styles drags Bryan to the ropes and wraps the leg up in them. Bryan is stuck as Styles throws him down! The ropes wrench the leg for Styles! The ref tries to free Bryan but Styles kicks away! The ref backs Styles off and Bryan frees himself, but the damage has been done. Styles drags Bryan around but Bryan ENZIGURIS! Both men are down again but the crowd keeps rallying. Bryan clutches his leg but sits up. Styles follows though in a daze. They go to opposite corners, Bryan runs in but Styles boots him away! Styles goes to the apron, springboards, but Bryan trips him up!
Styles topples down but Bryan puts him in a corner. Bryan fires off more Yes Kicks! He hoists Styles up top, climbs up to join him, and leaps for the SUPER STEINER! Styles goes down but the crowd fires up more! Bryan fires himself up and waits for Styles to sit up. Bryan gives more Yes Kicks! Styles ducks the buzzsaw to fire off the Phenomenal Blitz, into a roundhouse! But Styles LARIATS back!! Both men are down again but the energy is still high as SmackDown goes to another break.
SmackDown returns again and Bryan throws more EuroUppers. Styles hits back with haymakers and the two brawl back and forth. Bryan kicks and kicks but Styles CHOPS. Bryan uppercuts, Styles punches, back and forth, fast and furious! Styles kicks the bad leg, but Bryan dumps Styles out again! Bryan tests the leg and builds speed, but he leaps into a PELE! Styles drags himself up on the apron to springboards, but Bryan catches him to underhooks, butterfly suplex to ARMBAR! Styles rolls over but Bryan cranks on the arm. But Styles pops out to get the CALF CRUSHER! Bryan endures, reaches, but Styles drags him back to crank harder! Bryan pops out to get the ARMBAR! Styles shifts, makes it a cover, but then dead lifts! Bryan lets go, trips Styles up, and Penalty Kicks the arm out! BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO!! Styles survives and the crowd loves it!
The dueling continues as Bryan drags Styles up off the mat. Bryan wrenches, shoulder breakers, then hoists Styles up top backwards. He climbs up to join Styles, but Styles fights back with elbows! Bryan falls, but gets up to club Styles on the back! He climbs back up but again Styles fights him off with elbows. Bryan hits the mat again, Styles stands up, but Bryan stops him again! Bryan clubs away on Styles’ back over and over and over, then brings Styles up for a SUPER BACK SUPLEX!! Both men are down again, and SmackDown again goes to break!
SmackDown returns again, and Bryan kicks and uppercuts Styles to a corner. Bryan fires off even more kicks then whips Styles corner to corner. Styles reverses, Bryan goes up and over but the bad leg buckles! Styles moonsaults to inverted DDT! Cover, TWO! Bryan and Styles are both down again, clutching their limbs. The crowd rallies up and Styles rises. Styles hobbles over, fireman’s carries, but Bryan elbows over and over until he’s free. Bryan swings, but into Styles’ PELE! Styles drags Bryan up for a snap BRAIN BUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Styles and Bryan are exhausted but the crowd has not given up. The crowd rallies as Styles and Bryan slowly rise. Styles gets Bryan first and reels him in. Bryan trips Styles up to jackknife, TWO! Styles dodges, PELE but into an ANKLE LOCK! Styles flails, gets up, but Bryan gets a trapped leg GERMAN! Bridging cover, TWO!
Bryan still has the waistlock, but Styles standing switches to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Styles holds onto Bryan but Bryan fires up. Bryan standing switches, to GERMAN! Bridging over, TWO! Bryan clamps onto Styles with a seated cobra stretch, and he elbows over and over and over! Then he rolls Styles to the YES LOCK! Styles endures as Bryan cranks back, but Styles drags himself blindly towards ropes. Styles uses his leg for the ROPEBREAK! Bryan lets go in frustration but he fires himself up again. The crowd fires up with him as he grabs the wrists. Bryan gives Styles DANIELSON STOMPS!! Bryan fires up and the crowd is at a fever pitch. Bryan demands Styles stand, and he starts up the “YES! YES!” Styles stands, Bryan runs in, but his knee is caught to the STYLES CLASH!! But Styles is too exhausted to cover!!
Styles crawls to ropes, Bryan flounders to his feet and the crowd continues to duel. Styles springboards, PHENOMENAL FOREARM!! Cover, Styles wins!!
Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall (NEW WWE Intercontinental Champion)
That was TRULY phenomenal! Styles joins the legends as he earns this title! Renee Young interviews Styles in the ring and congratulates him on this victory. What does it mean to him to finally capture this title that has eluded him? Styles said it before, and he’ll say it again: “I’m the best WWE champion the WWE Universe has ever seen.” Styles IS Phenomenal. Will Bryan return for another chance? Who will Styles make earn a shot against him?
Braun Strowman speaks.
“There’s a lot going on tonight. From in-ring drug testing, to a new Intercontinental Champion. You’ve got Sheamus running around, raising hell, and you’ve still got a main event to come.” Speaking of, The Miz & Morrison are trying to make Strowman’s life a living hell. He can fix a windshield of a car, but there’s nothing that will fix Miz or Morrison after Backlash. And as for Mr. MITB, Strowman likes Otis. They played this game before, and Storwman is in no mood tonight. If Tucker and Otis try something tonight, they should remember “I have no problem obliterating some Heavy Machinery. Will Otis take those words to heart during tonight’s Six Man Tag?
Sasha Banks and Bayley head to the ring!
The WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions already had the crew decorate the ring for a championship celebration! The Boss and #BayleyTwoBelts hold their titles up high, and then force Michael Cole to join into a selfie, that doesn’t actually show him anyway. The crowd boos as they go to the ring, but they clearly doesn’t understand any of this. This is their celebration and they have something to say! The booing gets louder but Bayley says they’re lucky to be invited to their party. “You Suck! You Suck!” Bayley doesn’t suck! She’s at the top of her game! When you get to the top, it is lonely. When you’re untouchable, unbeaten and the most dominant SmackDown Women’s Champion ever, it would seem that way. But DING DONG, she’s not lonely! Her best friend, #DaBlueprint is here with her! They are YOUR WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions!!
Sasha says, “We told you so!” No one listened. They are the role models! They are the leaders! They are not liars. Sasha said they’d take the tag titles back when they wanted to, and they did. These titles represent their friendship, and they’re only getting stronger. Together, they are unstoppable! Bayley tells Sasha to shut out the haters, because she has a poem to express how she feels. But before she can get started, Bliss-Cross appears! Alexa and Nikki go right to the ring as Alexa says it’s fine to celebrate. But reciting poetry to each other is where we draw the line. Bayley won’t let them ruin their moment! Nikki says it’s okay. She and Lexi love parties!
The pair of friends argue, but the IIconics are on the titantron! Peyton Royce and Billie Kay have a very special message. So enough of this tacky celebration, because at Backlash, Bayley’s and Sasha’s time ends. Peyton is about to hit us with facts. The IIconics have both beaten Bliss-Cross, and they were the ones to end the “role models'” original reign at WrestleMania. And most recently, left them laying on Raw. If they don’t want the same thing to happen on SmackDown, don’t turn your backs on Bliss-Cross. Too late! Nikki and Alexa DECK Sasha and Bayley, then throw Sasha out to keep on Bayley more. Bliss-Cross throws Bayley out onto Sasha, and the champs are down and out again! The IIconics on one side, the Goddess and loony lass on the other. Do Bayley and Banks stand a chance of keeping this sequel going?
Backstage interview with The Miz & John Morrison.
Hey hey, ho ho. Kayla Braxton wants to talk about their actions last week. Miz says Kayla getting slimed is no big deal. It’s more like an early birthday present. But since she did get slimed, she was trending backstage. She meant in regards to Strowman. Well, Strowman’s threats are so annoying. Miz & Morrison responded with a new music video! They’ve titled it, “Hey Hey! Ho Ho! The Universal Champion needs to go.” Roll it! MC M I Z and Johnny Drip Drip are now rocking a hip hop power ballad, but it gets interrupted by the #StrowmanExpress! The Monster Among Men wants to #GetTheseHands on the Greatest Tag Team of the 21st Century and the Show-Off already! Will there even be anything left of Miz & Morrison to challenge in the 2v1 Handicap match? Will Strowman even be the one going into that match as Universal Champion?
“Who is Matthew Riddle?”
He’s the stallion that’s about to make a SmackDown debut. He can go from bro-down to throw down at the flip of a hat. He’s been fighting all his life to make it this far, will he completely bro up Friday nights?
Six Man Tag: Braun Strowman & Heavy Machinery VS Dolph Ziggler, The Miz & John Morrison!
SmackDown returns as Heavy Machinery finishes their entrance. Ziggler heads out next, and is no stranger to The Dozer. But he is quickly reinforced by the A-Lister and Guru of Greatness. Strowman gets out of the ring to glare at Miz and Morrison over their trash talk. The trios sort out, and Otis starts against Ziggler.
Ziggler keeps on the outside but bails out as Otis draws clear. Miz asks what’s going on but Ziggler tags Miz in. Otis grabs Miz and hip tosses him in! Otis scoops Miz to slam him, then he pumps and thrusts. Tag to Tucker and Heavy Machinery gives us the classic BOOM SHAKA LOO double falling headbutts! Tucker keeps his eyes on Miz and gives him a Junkyard Dog headbutt! Miz tags out to Morrison and he circles with Tucker. Tucker gets the leg but Morrison spin back kicks free. Morrison waistlocks, headlocks, but Tucker powers out to back drop. Morrison lands on his feet! And springboards, but into a SLAM! Cover, TWO! Tucker is pumped up and the crowd rallies behind him. Tucker moves towards Strowman but Morrison runs away to tag Ziggler!
Ziggler circles with Tucker, they tie up, and Ziggler waistlocks. Tucker elbows free then tags in Otis. Heavy Machinery bring Ziggler up as Strowman tags in. Miz and Morrison run away from Strowman, but Heavy Machinery double whip him in to corner CRUSH Ziggler! Strowman CLUBS Ziggler down then tags in Tucker. Tucker brings Ziggler up to suplex and hold him! But wait, what is this on the titantron? Baron Corbin has a camera man following him backstage? Tucker drops Ziggler as he and everyone else watches what happens. The Wolf King finds Mandy Rose backstage watching, and Otis goes running!
Corbin wants to talk about last week, when Otis stole the crown and stretched it out. Was that her idea? Oh c’mon, it was just a little fun. Corbin isn’t mad. In fact, he understands. Mandy is fantasizing being with a man with power, status and respect. She’s fantasizing about being with the King of the Ring, Baron Corbin. Before Mandy can answer, Otis bulldozes Corbin into the fencing!! Otis fires off on Corbin for trying to steal his girl, but the referees and security back him off. The Dozer is fuming but what about his match? SmackDown goes to break while things sort out.
SmackDown returns once more as Morrison Shining Wizards Tucker! Miz adds the basement BOOT! Tag to Ziggler and he drops an elbow! Cover, TWO! Tucker reaches for Strowman because Otis hasn’t returned from going after Corbin. Ziggler clamps on with a chinlock but the crowd rallies behind “Tucky! Tucky!” Tucker fights up but Ziggler wrangles him back down. Miz and Morrison mock the cheers but Tucker fights up again. Ziggler pulls hair and puts Tucker in the A-Lister corner! Tag to Morrison and Morrison throws hands on Tucker. Morrison gives kicks as Miz starts up the “Hey hey! Ho ho!” Cover, TWO, and Morrison is right on the arm. Tucker fights up, goes around, but Miz tags in. Tucker sends Morrison out but Miz trips him up. Miz wants the Figure Four but is pushed out! Ziggler tags in and grabs the leg! Tucker hops and ENZIGURIS!
The crowd fires up with Strowman, but Miz and Morrison trip him up! FLYING CHUCK and the BASEMENT DDT take him down! Ziggler bumps Tucker off buckles and keeps between him and the corner. BUt Mandy and Otis head to ringside! Otis sees what’s happened to his best buddy, but Ziggler taunts them both. Ziggler aims at Tucker but Tucker SUPERKICKS first! Both men are down, the crowd rallies up, hot tag to Otis! Otis hits Miz and Morrison down then rallies on Ziggler! Mandy likes what shes sees as Otis scoop slams Miz! And flapjacks Morrison! Otis throws Morrison out but Ziggler rises to kick llow. But it only powers The Dozer up! Ziggler keeps hitting but Otis keeps pumping! Otis headbutts, scoops and TOSSES Ziggler out of the ring!
Otis shouts for Strowman to start it up, and the train leaves the station! Strowman BLASTS Miz into barriers! Then BLASTS Morrison into barriers! Strowman throws Ziggler into barriers then into the ring! Otis hits the CATERPILLAR ELBOW! Cover, Heavy Machinery and Strowman win!
Winners: Braun Strowman & Heavy Machinery, by pinfall
Mandy celebrates with Otis, Tucker and Strowman as all three big men stand tall! Will Miz & Morrison be able to recover for Backlash? Will Mr. MITB find an opening to cash in his contract? Or will everyone #GetTheseHands?
My Thoughts:
This was a really good go-home, with only THREE matches! Hardy and Sheamus had an alright final build to their grudge match, but c’mon. The same segment HBK did against the McMahons from years ago? I saw the “pissed on” line coming from the moment Sheamus made his entrance. For anyone who hasn’t been a fan of WWE the last 15 years, HBK went through this same thing with Vince in the lead up to WrestleMania 22 and Backlash 2006. It seems people who don’t learn from history really ARE doomed to repeat it. But Sheamus VS Hardy will be an alright match, and at this point should just be the end of the feud. There’s only down from here.
We got a really good tag team match between The New Day and Cesaro-Nakamura, and without saying much of anything, yes the Forgotten Sons have been moved aside in the SmackDown Tag Division’s story. Again, I didn’t really see that trio reaching titles so soon anyway, as they didn’t even get to do all that much in NXT. Cesaro and Nakamura are going to give the New Day a great match, but it might be too soon to call who wins. We got a good segment with the Women’s Tag Team Championships, with Bayley and Sasha wanting to celebrate but getting the exact opposite. With their contenders standing tall on both Raw and SmackDown, I am very confident that Sasha and Bayley retain to then take the titles to NXT next Wednesday. Yes, the Women’s Tag Division needs to be built and Bayley and Banks will certainly have their own story, but for this stretch, let them have the reign they should’ve had at the start.
The WWE Intercontinental Championship match was exactly what it should’ve been! I just don’t understand why we had so many commercial breaks! There’s that segment where we come back, blah blah super back suplex, and then commercial! And yet BRUCE PRICHARD is the one Vince is putting in charge of both shows?! But that’s a subject for a different article. Styles wins despite Bryan’s passion for making this title the workhorse/television title, but perhaps the story becomes Bryan’s chase for that title through all the other contenders on SmackDown. And perhaps because WWE doesn’t want to be like AEW with Cody’s TNT Championship workhorse schedule.
And we got great stuff from the Universal Championship and MITB stories. Corbin being after Mandy just to get at Otis because of his crown is petty, but at least it’s something to tide Otis over until we can be sure he can cash in. Again I say, Otis cashing in when fans are finally live is the best course of action. I just hope Otis doesn’t run out of steam going against Corbin and others in the meantime.
My Score: 8.4/10
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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
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Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Who heads for the Tokyo Dome?
Even with ROH Final Battle on the horizon, Athena, Billie Starkz, Red Velvet & Leyla Hirsch battle to be part of NJPW’s International Women’s Cup! Who will represent ROH at WrestleDynasty?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WrestleDynasty International Women’s Cup ROH Qualifier Fatal 4 Way: Athena VS Billie Starkz VS Red Velvet VS Leyla Hirsch; wins and advances to WrestleDynasty.
- The Outrunners VS The Premier Athletes w/ Mark Sterling; win.
- Toa Liona w/ Bishop Kaun VS Lee Johnson w/ EJ Nduka; wins.
- Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara VS ???
- Madison Rayne VS ???
- NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: Grizzled Young Veterans VS MXM Collection; win(s) and
- ROH Pure Championship: Lee Moriarty VS Matt Taven; wins and
PLAY BY PLAY
[Due to scheduling conflicts, coverage will be on delay]
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Fight the cold by fighting for gold!
Best friends no longer, Mina Shirakawa wants to take the AEW Women’s World Championship from Mariah May, and break her heart like Mariah broke hers! Who will truly be the ice queen of AEW?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Jon Moxley & PAC w/ The Death Riders VS Orange Cassidy & Jay White; Moxley & Pac win, by disqualification.
- AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Claudio Castagnoli VS Will Ospreay; Ospreay wins.
- Dynamite Diamond Ring #1 Contender’s Match: Adam Cole VS Kyle O’Reilly; Cole wins and will face MJF at Worlds End.
- AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Brody King VS Ricochet; Ricochet wins.
- AEW Women’s World Championship: Mariah May VS Mina Shirakawa; Mariah wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current Continental Classic Blue League standings!
Kyle Fletcher: 3-0, 9 points
Shelton Benjamin: 1-1, 3 points
Kazuchika Okada: 1-1-1, 4 points
Daniel Garcia: 1-1-1, 4 points
Mark Briscoe: 1-1, 3 points
The Beast Mortos: 0-1, 0 points
Here are the current Continental Classic Gold League standings!
Claudio Castagnoli: 2-0, 6 points
Brody King: 1-1, 3 points
Will Ospreay: 1-0, 3 points
Ricochet: 1-1, 3 points
Darby Allin: 1-1, 3 points
Komander: 0-2, 0 points
Jon Moxley & PAC w/ The Death Riders VS Orange Cassidy & Jay White!
It was last Saturday that the AEW World Champion and his band of rogues almost poisoned Freshly Squeezed, if not for FTR saving him. And it was last Wednesday that Pac & Wheeler Yuta almost got one over on The Switchblade, if not for Jay White’s top tier toughness. But will tonight be the night The Maniac & The Bastard destroy their enemies once and for all? Or will unlikely allies be able to win another battle in this war for AEW’s soul?
The teams sort out and while fans cheer on Cassidy, White works to convince him that White should start. Cassidy isn’t so sure, but then he warns White! White turns around and he DECKS Pac first! Moxley runs up but Cassidy SHOTGUNS him down! The fans fire up as Cassidy kips up and DIVES onto Pac! White slides out to SMACK Moxley off the desk! White fires hands, SMACKS him off the desk again, then CHOPS! Cassidy sends Pac into railing, the fans fire up more, and Cassidy ROCKS Pac! White CHOPS Mox, then RAMS him into the apron! Pac is sent into more railing! Moxley is sent into railing!
The fans fire up but Pac whips, only for Cassidy to reverse! Pac hits more railing! Fans on the other side count along as White rains down fists on Moxley’s head! White stops at nine so he can BITE Moxley’s head! The fans fire up and Cassidy DECKS Pac! White CLAWS Moxley’s back, and Cassidy CLUBS Pac. Pac and Moxley stumble into each other, so White and Cassidy trade! White sends Pac into railing while Cassidy does the same with Moxley! The fans fire up more, and now Cassidy climbs up so he can rain down fists! The fans count along, and Cassidy is almost about to fall as he reaches nine! Cassidy uses that to his advantage, and he runs back up to BOOT Moxley!
White SMACKS Pac off the desk! Fans high-five Cassidy but Moxley turns things around! Moxley fires knees, then he sends Cassidy into steel steps! White gives Pac more SMACKS off the desk, then puts him in the ring. The ref has White hold on, and finally the bell rings! White then JABS, wrenches, and scoops Pac for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, Moxley breaks it! The ref reprimands and fans boo but Moxley steps back. Moxley tags in, he gets in White’s face and he ROCKS White with a forearm! White goes to a corner, Moxley storms up on him, but Moxley blocks a boot! So White kicks a leg! White fires hands and the fans fire up!
White CHOPS, but Moxley CHOPS! The fans “WOO~!” as the CHOPS keep going! White CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Moxley snarls but White gives him more CHOPS! White CHOPS in the corner, then whips corner to corner. White runs up but Moxley ELBOWS him! Moxley storms up, but into a clinch! Moxley powers out, runs up again, but into a BOOT! Cassidy tags in and he runs to DROPKICK Pac! Cassidy then puts Moxley in the corner to fire off hands! Moxley shoves Cassidy, Pac sneaks a tag, and Moxley avoids an Orange Punch! Cassidy runs but Pac BOOTS him down! Pac kicks Cassidy out, then distracts the ref so Moxley can DESK BACK SUPLEX!
Cassidy slumps to the floor, Pac goes out to stomp away! White protests but this only lets Pac stomp Cassidy more! The ref reprimands Moxley & Pac but Moxley puts Cassidy back in. Pac stalks Cassidy, then stomps him down! Pac taunts White, goes back to Cassidy, and Pac snapmares Cassidy to the ropes. Pac stomps Cassidy right on the face! The fans boo but Pac stomps Cassidy again, then digs his boots into Cassidy’s face! The ref counts, and we get a glimpse of The Patriarchy up in a skybox! Captain Charisma is clearly in no rush to cash in his Casino Gauntlet contract, or else he’d be much closer to the action.
The fans boo as we see Christian Cage on the tron, but in the ring, Pac tags Moxley. Pac & Moxley drag Cassidy up to mug him, and Moxley CLAWS at Cassidy’s face! The ref counts, Moxley stops at 4, and fans boo more. Moxley kicks and stomps Cassidy, then talks trash, but Cassidy springs up to SUPERKICK! The fans fire up while both men stagger around! Moxley and Cassidy reach for their corners, hot tags to Pac and White! The Switchblade rallies on The Death Riders! Then he dodges Pac to BACKDROP him! The fans fire up with White, there are many Gold Members in Kansas City, Missouri!
White runs at Pac in a corner, and UPPERCUTS! White then CHOPS, whips, but Pac reverses. White comes back to wrench and DDT! Moxley runs in, but into a wrench and DDT! Moxley staggers, White tells Mox that he has his number! White runs up on Pac in the corner, but Pac BOOTS White down! Death Riders have turned the tides while Dynamite goes picture in picture,
Pac drags White up, TOSSES him out, and then he tags Moxley. Moxley goes after White and brings him around to crotch him on the railing! Moxley then runs up to BOOT White over! Moxley flips off Kansas City because clearly they boo him, and then he goes out after White in the crowd. White fights back! They brawl out there, but Moxley ROCKS and TOSSES White back to ringside. Moxley puts White in the ring, storms up on him, and paces around. Moxley stomps White’s hand, then tags Pac. They mug White, then Pac riles up the fans. Pac stomps White around, taunts the fans, but the fans rally up.
Pac BLASTS Cassidy off the corner! Pac goes back to White but White CHOPS him! Pac BOOTS White back down! Pac then CHOKES White by kneeling on his neck! The ref counts, Pac steps off to taunt Cassidy, then Pac drags White up to snapmare him to the corner. Tag to Moxley and he’s already up top! Moxley jumps down to STOMP White! Christian Cage is still watching intently as White fights from below. White CHOPS but he’s the one that falls over! Dynamite returns to single picture as Moxley puts White in another corner, and Moxley climbs up to rain down fists! The fans do count along, and Moxley goes PAST TEN to FIFTEEN!
The fans boo but Moxley hops down to KNEE White again and again! Moxley digs his knee in, but stops as the ref counts 4. Moxley drags White up and DECKS him! Moxley CLAWS White’s face, the ref counts, but Moxley pushes White down. The fans rally but Moxley drags White to the corner. Tag to Pac, Moxley stomps White in the stomach, and Pac drops knees on White’s face! Cover, TWO! White is still in this and Pac argues with the ref. The ref defends the count, and White rises up to CHOP! Pac eggs White on so White CHOPS again! Pac SOBATS and White falls! Pac mockingly asks, “Is this it?!”
Pac paces while White sputters and crawls. Pac drops down to have a headlock on White. The Patriarchy talks, and Christian has Nick Wayne, Mother Wayne & Kip Sabian head out, but for what purpose? White endures, fights around, and reaches out for a ROPEBREAK! The ref counts and Pac lets go, and then the ref makes sure Marina Shafir & Wheeler Yuta stay back. Pac checks with Moxley, then keeps on White in the open corner. Pac drags White over to bump him off buckles, then tags Moxley. Moxley pie faces White but White CHOSP! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Moxley HEADBUTTS White, then short arm LARIATS! Cover, TWO!
Moxley clamps onto White’s legs to tie them up in a reverse deathlock! Moxley throws down crossface forearms, but White BITES Moxley’s hand! The ref reprimands, Moxley gets free and tags Pac. Pac KICKS White down, then KICKS him again! White shakes his head so Pac KICKS him again! The fans rally, Pac mocks them for it, and the fans boo Pac for that. Pac kicks but White blocks! White grins and hits a DRAGON SCREW! The fans fire up while both men are down! White and Pac crawl, Moxley warns Cassidy, but we get hot tags to Cassidy and Mox! The fans fire up as Cassidy storms up on Moxley and the forearms start flying!
The fans are on Cassidy’s side, he fires a flurry, but Moxley fires a flurry of body shots and knees in return! Moxley JABS, ROCKS, and runs, but Cassidy doges to Alabama Lift! Moxley rolls through but gets a PENALTYO KICK fore it! Pac is back but Cassidy ducks ‘n’ dodges ‘n’ tilt-o-whirls for a DDT! Cassidy kips up while fans fire up, and Cassidy climbs a corner! But Moxley is up after him! Cassidy BITES Moxley! Moxley falls back, Cassidy hits DEEP IMPACT! Cover, TWO! Moxley stays in this but Cassidy fires back up! The fans rally, Cassidy pulls on the elbow pad, but Moxley sits up! REAR NAKED CHOKE!
Cassidy rolls back to have a cover, TWO as Moxley lets go! Cassidy builds speed, ducks ‘n’ dodges, tilt-o-whirl and DDT! Pac is back again, but Cassidy ducks ‘n’ dodges ‘n’ tilt-o-whirls, but this time Pac blocks! Pac powers through to suplex, but gets STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! White is back in and gives Pac a CUTTHROAT SUPLEX! Moxley BOOTS White down! Cassidy Alabama Lifts Moxley for BEACH BREAK!! Cover, TWO?!? Moxley survives and Kansas City is shocked! Cassidy rises up, the fans rally up, and Cassidy goes to a corner. But Yuta gets on the apron! The ref stops Yuta but Marina grabs at Cassidy!
Cassidy KICKS Marina away! And he runs up to ORANGE PUNCH Yuta!! Moxley runs up, Cassidy dodges, ORANGE PUNCH!! Off comes the elbow pad! The fans are thunderous and Cassidy aims, but HANGMAN PAGE SPEARS MOXLEY!!
Winners: Jon Moxley & PAC, by disqualification
This isn’t Cowboy S*it, this is BULL, because Hangman just handed Moxley the win! Granted, Hangman’s raining down fists on Moxley, but Cassidy is upset. Cassidy brings Hangman off but Hangman shoves him away! Hangman rains fists back down on Moxley, CHOKES him even, but now Cassidy is pissed! Cassidy drags Hangman away from Moxley, but Hangman punches Cassidy! So now Cassidy and Hangman are brawling! The fans are torn but Hangman ROCKS Cassidy! So White goes after Hangman! These rivals brawl it out, a score still to be settled, but then Hangman gets loose! Cassidy runs up, Hangman ducks, ORANGE PUNCH hits White!
Hangman swings, misses, ORANGE PUNCH for Hangman! BLADERUNNER for Cassidy!! The Death Riders are amused, because their enemies are doing their dirty work for them! And now the Death Riders attack Cassidy, White and Hangman! The fans boo but Moxley kicks Hangman out of the ring while Yuta digs his boots into Cassidy. Pac & Marina beat up White, the fans tell off Yuta, but Moxley has his crew head out. Will nothing and no one stop this literal reign of terror?
The Most Wanted is back!
The little western town sees Bandido arriving, and the sheriff’s men are ready for a fight! They tell Bandido that he’s wanted, so he’s under arrest. They can do this the easy way, or the hard way. What’s it gonna be? Bandido hops off his horse, puts his hat and cape aside, and so the hard way it is. The sheriff has his men apprehend Bandido, but Bandido TIGER WALL KICKS the sheriff, DOUBLE DROPKICKS his men, then kips right up! Bandido says bring it, so the sheriff runs up! Bandido BACKDROPS him away, grapples with his biggest man, and that guy fireman’s carries Bandido! He claims that reward is all his!
But Bandido slips free, SHOVES the man into the railing, and then with a finger gun, he says BANG! Bandido runs up, pommel horses off the big guy to DROPKICK the sheriff, and then he hits the BLACKJACK 21 GERMAN SUPLEX on the big guy! Bandido stands tall after the shootout, but where will we see him next?
The Death Riders regroup backstage.
Moxley says, “I’m a marked man. Heavy is the head that wears the crown. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. Being a marked man is the only way to live, it’s the only way to feel alive! The only way to live is with a knife to your throat, with the dynamite stick burning down to the end of the wick. That is the only way to live and I wouldn’t have it any other way!” Moxley says these guys, their problem is their egos! They wall want that next title shot! Moxley mockingly runs around arguing with himself, “I want the next title shot! No I want the next title shot!” That’s the problem! YOUR EGOS RUN YOUR LIVES! EGOS RUN ALL ELITE WRESTLING!!
Moxley says none of this is about him, it’s about his people. They do not fight flesh and blood. He’ll give all three of them an “early Christmas gift.” Worlds End in Orlando, Florida, the AEW World Championship, FATAL 4 WAY!! Moxley heads out, Death Riders following, and the champ just raised the stakes on himself! Will The Maniac be able to win his own gamble? Or will there be a NEW AEW World Champion one way or another?
Christian Cage speaks.
Still up in the skybox, Captain Charisma tells Kansas City, “As I literally and figuratively look down on you, sit down and shut your mouths while I conduct my business!” The fans boo, but Christian continues. “So it’s a four way match at Worlds End, huh? Well, I have a problem, a very- SHUT UP!” Fans boo more but Christian says he has problem with every person in that match. Jay White cost Christian the world title at Full Gear, and so did Hangman Page when he didn’t live up to his end of the bargain. And while Orange Cassidy is just a pissant that gets on Christian’s nerves, Moxley is the real problem because he has what Christian wants.
The fans boo more but Christian says if Moxley happens to make it out of that match still the champion, know that Christian very well might be waiting on the other side. And if he is, then this time, Christian will not miss. Christian will send Moxley back into a tailspin, send him back to rock bottom, and Moxley will hear that little voice in his head saying, “It’s okay, Jon, do it. It’s okay, Jon, you earned it. Have that drink.” Christian vows to send Moxley back to rehab, and he will then rehab the world title! Until then, do not ever forget that Christian is THE face of TBS then, now and forever, and he is the reigning, defending, undisputed NEXT AEW World Champion!
The fans boo more but Christian adds one more thing. “Kansas City, before I leave, I just wanted to say… Go- HOOK!?” Hook SMASHES the door window with his arm that’s in the cast! It’s in that cast because of last week’s Con-Chair-to! Christian freaks out, runs away and goes to the bleachers, but Hook drags him back! Hook fires off on Christian in the skybox, and he dribbles Christian off the side of the cabinets! The fans fire up as Christian has no one to help him! REDRUM!! Christian flails while Hook drags Christian out into the crowd, and then goes to dump him over the balcony!! Christian flails and fights free!
Christian runs away but Hook keeps after him! Hook SLIDES Christian across the kitchen counter! And then does it again, right into a wall! Kip & Nick return to fight Hook, but Hook THROWS Kip into the table! And he KNEES Nick low! Christian has run for it but Hook pursues! Kip & Nick hurry after, will The Patriarchy regret getting on the bad side of the Cold-Hearted Handsome Devil?
AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Claudio Castagnoli VS Will Ospreay!
The Swiss Superman is leading this block after demolishing Ricochet and cheating Brody King. But while he’s on his third, The Aerial Assassin is on his second. Can Ospreay bring down Claudio and tie things up with him? Or will all the Death Riders be unstoppable?
The bell rings and both men run right in! SPANISH FLY from Ospreay!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio gets up and out but Ospreay builds speed! Ospreay handsprings to SASUKE SPECIAL! Down goes Claudio and Kansas City is already thunderous! Ospreay high-fives a fan and puts Claudio back in. Springboard, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO! The fans sing for “Ospreay~ Ospreay Ospreay Ospreay~!” and he calls his shot! Ospreay springboards, but into an UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Claudio drags Ospreay by his legs, but Ospreay flips and twists for a victory roll! TWO, and Claudio kicks low! Gotch lift, but Ospreay backdrops free!
Claudio lands on his feet, UPPERCUTS, but Ospreay HOOK KICKS! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous again! A standing count begins, the fans rally for Ospreay, and both men rise at 5 of 10. Ospreay fires a forearm, Claudio give sit back, and they go back and forth. Ospreay rises with a shout and the fans fire up! Ospreay fires another forearm, but Claudio wrenches to hit an ELBOW BREAKER! Ospreay still ROCKS Claudio, the forearms go back and forth, and Ospreay fires a flurry! Claudio hits another ELBOW BREAKER! And another! But Ospreay fires more shots! Ospreay whips, Claudio reverses and WRINGS Ospreay into buckles!
The fans boo while Ospreay bails out, and Claudio goes out after him. Claudio CLUBS Ospreay, and then pulls the steel steps from the corner. Claudio goes to Ospreay but Ospreay CHOPS, and CHOPS! But Claudio hits another ELBOW BREAKER! Claudio whips Ospreay at the steps, but Ospreay leaps up, onto and then off the steps! Ospreay quickly turns back around and he DROPKICKS the steps into Claudio! Claudio hobbles away and the fans fire up with Ospreay. Ospreay runs up the steps to leap, but into Claudio’s arms! FLAPJACK off the railing! Claudio refreshes the count, then shakes out his leg before going for Ospreay.
Claudio UPPERCUTS Ospreay down, then has the legs! Claudio swings Ospreay into the steps! The fans lose their minds while Ospreay writhes! Claudio then tips the steps over to be on their side. Claudio again refreshes the count because he wants to keep putting the hurt on Ospreay. Claudio puts Ospreay inside the steps, and he pulls Ospreay’s arm through a gap in the frame! Claudio pulls Ospreay into that frame, then climbs up to trap Ospreay’s arm on top of the steps! The fans boo, the ref says don’t, but Claudio STOMPS Ospreay’s hand! Ospreay flops out of the steps, and Claudio pushes them over! Ospreay narrowly avoids being crushed!
Ospreay goes into the ring, Claudio pursues, but Ospreay CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Claudio TOSSES Ospreay out but Ospreay ROCKS Claudio from the apron! Ospreay springboards, but into another UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives but Claudio isn’t even annoyed as Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Claudio grabs Ospreay’s legs, steps through, and he turns Ospreay over for the SHARPSHOOTER! Ospreay endures but Claudio sits deep on that hold! Ospreay reaches out with his good arm, pushes up as best as he can with the bad one, and he crawls forward, only for Claudio to drag him back! Claudio sits deep again, but Ospreay still endures! Ospreay pushes back up, fights forward, but Claudio reaches back to get the arm! CROSSFACE! And he rolls Ospreay away from the ropes, too! Ospreay endures all over again, but he has Claudio’s wrists in his face, blinding him to where ropes are! Ospreay fights, even as Claudio pulls him back!
Ospreay endures, Claudio pulls him back again, but Ospreay uses that o cover! TWO, and Claudio now shifts to the legs! Ospreay CLUBS away on Claudio’s legs, but Claudio still turns over, back into the SHARPSHOOTER! Ospreay endures this painful technical innovation as Claudio again sits deep on the legs and back! Ospreay fights, the fans rally, but Claudio does not let Ospreay gain an inch! Ospreay powers up to turn and tuck, and he slips under as Dynamite returns to single picture! Ospreay fires fists from below, Claudio knuckle locks, but Ospreay lifts Claudio! Claudio leans back but Ospreay uses that to spring up, springboard, and FLYING RANA!
The fans are thunderous and Ospreay gets moving! Handspring, NEURALIZER KICK! Both men are down and Kansas City fires up again! Ospreay runs up to BOOT Claudio in a corner! And then he reels Claudio in, but Claudio fights the suplex! ELBOW BREAKER! The fans sing for Ospreay again but Claudio reels Ospreay in. But it’s Ospreay who suplexes up and over! The fans fire up and Ospreay sets up, STANDING SKY TWISTER! Cover, TWO! Claudio stays in this and Ospreay grits his teeth as the fans fire up. Ospreay then takes off the elbow pad, gives a wink, and he aims from a corner. HIDDEN- BOOT from Claudio!
Claudio has the straitjacket, RICOLA- NO, Ospreay slips free, and he wraps Claudio up in the IRON OCTOPUS! Claudio endures, fights around, and goes to the ROPEBREAK! Ospreay lets go, but Claudio ELBOWS him! And he WRINGS the arm! Claudio runs to DOUBLE STOMP Ospreay! Claudio then deadlifts Ospreay into the GUT WRENCH PLEX! Cover, TWO! Ospreay survives, “This is Awesome!” Claudio is a bit frustrated now but he watches Ospreay go to a corner. Claudio runs corner to corner, but Ospreay BOOTS him! Ospreay goes up but Claudio UPPERCUTS! Claudio then climbs up, and goes to the very top!
Ospreay fires body shots, and he HEADBUTTS Claudio down! The fans fire up while Ospreay wobbles, and Ospreay resets up top! LEAP OF- NO, Claudio moves, Ospreay lands out, UPPERCUT!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio is firmly frustrated now as Ospreay survives. Claudio scuffs Ospreay but the fans boo. Claudio kicks Ospreay but Ospreay gets mad! Ospreay sits up, Claudio kicks the bad arm, and Claudio eggs Ospreay on. Ospreay stands to fire a forearm! Claudio hits an ELBOW BREAKER! Ospreay fires a forearm! ELBOW BREAKER! Forearm! UPPERCUT! ELBOW! UPPERCUT! ELBOW! ELBOW BREAKER!
Claudio fires a flurry of UPPERCUTS, then runs, but Ospreay dodges and springboards! OSCUTTER!! But Ospreay can’t cover from the pain in the bad arm! Claudio rolls out to the apron, but so does Ospreay. Ospreay drags Claudio up, puts him back in, and he aims from a corner! HIDDEN- POP-UP UPPERCUT!! Cover, TWO!!! Ospreay survives and Claudio is furious! Claudio drags Ospreay up, runs, and LARIATS him inside-out!! Cover, TWO?!? Ospreay survives so Claudio hurries to Gotch lift! But Ospreay trips him, jackknife bridge! OSPREAY WINS!!
Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Claudio earns 0)
Even Claudio is shocked! Ospreay serves him his first L this year, but Claudio is a sore loser! He CLOBBERS Ospreay, and hits the NEUTRALIZER!! Claudio storms off, but he comes back with a chair! WAIT! Here comes Darby Allin! And he has the baseball bat! Claudio runs away, he doesn’t want this one! The Relentless One makes sure Ospreay stays safe, because next week, Dynamite’s Holiday Bash, we get Will Ospreay VS Darby Allin! With Ospreay at 6 points and Darby at 3, will the dynamic of this Gold League change rather quickly for the holidays? Or will Ospreay make sure he’s headed for Worlds End?
Backstage interview with Ricochet.
Renee Paquette is with The One & Only, and she says he is 1-1 in the Continental Classic right now. He had an incredible win over Komander last week on Rampage, but tonight is about Brody King, who is also 1-1 right now. How is Ricochet preparing for a man like Brody? Well, see, this is why Ricochet came to AEW. This scenario is why! It’s the level of competition. And nothing brings that out quite like the Continental Classic. So tonight, ya boi Ricochet drew Brody King, and we’re seeing this for the first time anywhere! Brody’s big, bad and scary, perhaps one of the toughest guys in this entire tournament.
But do you know one thing Brody is not? He’s not Ricochet. And while both men are 1-1, after tonight… Ricochet glances at MVP’s business card…!? Ricochet says tonight, he’s holding all the cards! Ricochet heads out, but will he make the C2 #OuttaThisWorld?
A car pulls up backstage.
And reaching out is a hand adorned with the Dynamite Diamond Ring on the pinkie. It’s Maxwell Jacob Friedman! MJF is in KC, surely to watch the match between Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly. Will the Wolf of Wrestling have an effect on that match’s outcome?
Backstage interview with Matt Cardona.
Renee is now with “The Complete” Cardona, and brings up the incredible reaction he got when he arrived in AEW/ROH last week. Cardona says he’s #AlwayZReady, but given what we saw on Rampage last Friday, does he feel ready for Chris Jericho? Cardona says it is great to be back in AEW, and everyone was shocked about it. But who wasn’t shocked? Cardona himself. He’s been saying it for years, he is always ready, it even says so on his T-shirts. But for the past five YEARS, he has busted his ass to reinvent himself, going from “Indy Guy” to “Deathmatch King,” and at Final Battle, December 20th, the biggest opportunity of his career is against Chris Jericho.
On Rampage, Jericho and Bryan Keith laid him out, sent him a message, and he’s glad they did. Now he knows what he is in store for in New York City, but he isn’t gonna wait! Cardona calls out Keith for a match this Friday on Rampage! Cardona is always ready, but is Keith? As for Jericho, he better watch so he can get a taste of what’s in store for Final Battle! Will Cardona take a bite out of the Bad Apple before returning home to the Big Apple?
Dynamite Diamond Ring #1 Contender’s Match: Adam Cole VS Kyle O’Reilly!
It has been quite the tangled web of a roller coaster ride when it comes to the Ballad of the Brochachos. But after MJF relapsed into being the Scum of the Earth, the Panama City Playboy couldn’t keep himself from pursuing MJF. However, from the perspective of The Violent Artist, that same pursuit is what got Roderick Strong hurt. Will Kyle stop Cole from reaching MJF for his own good? Or will Cole have to be the one that hurts a friend to finally have vindication?
Before Kyle steps through gorilla, Renee is there to ask him about this match. These two are good friends with so much history between them, how has Kyle prepared himself for tonight? But before Kyle can answer, The Kingdom’s Matt Taven & Mike Bennett walk over. Taven tells Kyle that they don’t have to do this. Didn’t Kyle himself say a couple weeks ago that MJF is just playing them all? They’re all looking like idiots fighting each other when “that Melvin” isn’t even here! Bennett tells Taven to relax, and says the match is happening. Bennett knows Kyle is gonna go out there and fight, but he hopes Kyle remembers, they’re all family in the end.
Kyle says yeah, they are. But Kyle adds that they all should’ve thought about that before letting one of their brothers get hurt. Kyle gives a shrug before heading out, will Kyle take out his frustrations on Cole?
Cole steps forward and offers a handshake. Kyle slaps the hand, hard to say if that was respectfully or disrespectfully. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Cole wrenches an arm, then wristlocks. Kyle spins, drop toeholds, and he floats to a facelock. Kyle then floats to a waistlock but Cole fights up. Cole switches, the fans duel, and Kyle wrenches out to wristlock. Cole goes to the ROPEBREAK, and Kyle lets off cleanly. They circle again and tie up. Kyle headlocks and grinds Cole down, but Cole fights up. Cole powers up and out, but Kyle runs him over! Cover, ONE, and Cole sweeps the legs! Cover, ONE!
Kyle narrowly avoids the superkick and bails out of the ring. Cole lets Kyle have his time while the ring count climbs. Kyle goes up the steps and into the ring, and the two reset. The fans rally as the two tie up, and Cole headlocks. Kyle endures the grind to power up and out. Cole sunset flips but Kyle stays, to then drop into the ARMBAR! Cole clasps hands and hurries to stack Kyle! Cole steps through but Kyle turns leglock into cradle! TWO, and Cole narrowly avoids a roundhouse! Cole bails out and Kyle gives him time. But then he goes to the apron! Cole avoids the flying knee, but Kyle blocks the superkick!
Kyle fires a strike fest, then SWEEPS the legs! Cole falls hard and the fans fire up while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Kyle paces around, brings Cole up, and he puts Cole back in the ring. Kyle storms back into the ring, and he storms up to Cole to KICK him down! Cole goes to ropes, and Kyle KICKS a leg out! Cole crawls to a corner, then along ropes, but Kyle goes right after him. Kyle clinches to KNEE and whip, then he kitchen sink knees into a COBRA TWIST! The fans rally as Cole endures, and then Cole powers up to hip toss free! Both men go to ropes, and Cole storms up to fire forearms! Kyle shoots in and trips Cole, then he floats for some ground ‘n’ pound! Cole guards as best he can but Kyle lets off to pace around.
Kyle drags Cole up to wrench an arm, and he hits an ELBOW BREAKER! Kyle still holds onto that arm, and he wrenches for another ELBOW BREAKER! And then another wrench, a snapmare, and Kyle ties Cole up in a Figure Four seated COBRA TWIST! Cole endures being turned into a pretzel, but Kyle let shim up to wrench and kick! Kyle wrenches again as Dynamite returns to single picture, and Cole fires off forearm after forearm! Kyle fires another strike fest and Cole hobbles to a corner. Kyle runs up to forearm SMASH! Kyle runs side to side into a SUPERKICK! Both men are down and the fans fire up!
Cole drags himself up as the fans rally, and Cole then goes up the corner. Cole leaps, but Kyle KNEES him first! Kyle then reels Cole in, but Cole suplexes for the GHOSTBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Kyle survives and Cole is shocked! Cole rises, waits on Kyle, and Kyle stands into a 52 FAKE OUT! Then a fireman’s carry, but Kyle slips free! Kyle suckers Cole in, steps up and over, and kitchen sink knees hard! Cole bails out, Kyle goes to the apron, FLYING KNEE! The fans fire up as Kyle puts Cole back in, and then Kyle climbs! KING KONG- NO, Cole moves and the knee hits mat! But then Kyle ducks The Boom!
Cole returns, 52 FAKE- NO, Kyle SOBATS through! AX AND SMASH!! But THE BOOM returns!! Both men are down as Cole can’t make the cover! The fans rally up while a standing count begins! Kyle and Cole go to ropes on opposite ends, and they drag themselves up. They both run up and they both BOOT! And BOOT! Cole avoids a sweep to SUPERKICK! But Kyle yoyos in the ropes to LARIAT! The fans fire up and Kyle suplexes, FALCON ARROW into the ARMBAR! Cole fights that so Kyle grabs a leg! ANKLE LOCK, then GRAPEVINE!! Cole fights to the ROPEBREAK! The fans are torn but Kyle lets go of Cole’s foot.
Cole crawls and Kyle hobbles, but the fans rally up again. Kyle hoists Cole up top, ROCKS him, then climbs up after him. Kyle has the DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! Cole fights but Kyle fires back! They brawl up top and the fans fire up! Cole HEADBUTTS again and again! And then AGAIN! Kyle falls back, Cole adjusts, and Cole leaps for the PANAMA SUNRISE!! Kyle flounders, Cole brings down the kneepad, but Kyle grabs the other leg!! ANKLE LOCK!! Cole flails, reaches out, but Kyle drags him back! Cole still fights, still claws at the mat, then Cole rolls! Kyle is sent outside, but Cole hurries to the ropes. Kyle trips Cole to drag him out!
Kyle reels Cole in to suplex, but Cole knees free! SUPERKICK! Cole drags Kyle back up, puts him in, and Kyle is punch drunk! Kyle staggers then falls, and the ref checks on him. Cole wants Kyle to get up, but wait! MJF SNEAKS OUT HERE! Cole sees MJF, dodges and SUPERKICKS him!! But Kyle rolls Cole up!! TWO!! Cole escapes to SUPER- NO, Kyle blocks to have the ANKLE LOCK!! Cole rolls to a cradle! COLE WINS!!!
Winner: Adam Cole, by pinfall (advances to Worlds End)
The Wolf of Wrestling tried to weasel out of a match with Cole, and now he runs away like the coward he really is! But will Cole soon shine with that Dynamite Diamond Ring as the ultimate revenge on MJF? As for Kyle, Taven & Bennett have also joined them out here, and Cole wants that handshake. Kyle sighs, and bails out. Is Kyle letting this grudge against MJF ruin his friendship with Cole? Or is there something more to this frustration?
FTR speaks.
The Top Guys are backstage again, and Cash Wheeler says, “So as we were saying last week before we had to go stop an attempted murder… Asheville, North Carolina, January 1st, Fight for the Fallen, one of the most important shows, one of the most meaningful shows, that we’ll ever be a part of. Hurricane Helene hit Asheville, it hit the western North Carolina area, it washed away cities, it washed away towns, it washed away communities. And now, with the help of you, with the help of AEW, with the help of Fight for the Fallen, we get to help build Asheville up from the ground up. Because nothing is gonna stop North Carolina, come hell or high water.”
Dax Harwood adds that January 1st might be the biggest night in AEW TV history. Because for the first time ever, Dynamite will be simulcast from TBS and streamed on HBO Max. For the first time ever, AEW comes to Asheville, NC, and for the first time in five YEARS, FTR is bringing pro-wrestling back to their city. So a big event needs a big match. And what FTR suggests is that FTR shows up that night and has that big match. But before we get there, there was a miscommunication last week with The Death Riders. Dax & Cash don’t have a problem with them.
But if they’ve got a problem with FTR, then this Saturday night, on Collision, FTR will be in that ring. Moxley, Claudio, Yuta, Pac, show up, have a conversation with them. See you there. #TopGuysOut. But will Dax & Cash even make it home to Asheville if they start picking a fight with the Death Riders?
Chris Jericho speaks.
With Bryan Keith behind him, The Learning Tree says, “Hi, guys~! It’s Chris Jericho, The King of New York here, and this is a New York Minute. Earlier today, I was on the Staten Island ferry, going from Washington Heights to the meat packing district, and I heard about Matt Cardona’s challenge to Bryan Keith. Matt, apparently you’re not happy that we left you laying like a discarded Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle action figure, also from New York, last week on Rampage, and you wanna challenge Bryan Keith!? Huh?! You wanna try and send a message to the King of the Big Apple by taking a bite outta the Bad Apple?”
Keith says he’ll take a bit outta Cardona, “dumbass!” Jericho says that makes it official. Cardona VS Keith on Rampage, with Jericho on commentary. But wait! There’s more. Tomorrow night on ROH, available on WatchROH.com, you can see Jericho and Cardona have their contract signing to make their title match at Final Battle official. See? Cardona’s getting everything he ever wanted. But be careful what you wish for. As Mayor Bloomberg once said, “New York City is where potential is realized, and where dreams are made.” But there’s a big difference between dreams and delusions.
But Cardona’s delusional if he thinks he’ll walk out of the Hammerstein Ballroom and Final Battle the NEW ROH World Champion! AIN’T GONNA HAPPEN! You are NOT ready for Jericho, NOT ready for The Nueve, and NOT ready for Bryan Keith. Keith says Cardona made a mistake. He put his crumby hands on the King of New York, so Keith’s gonna make him pay the damn price. That’s a Learning Tree lesson for you, Cardona. Jericho signs off, this has been a New York Minute. Thanks, guys~!
BREAKING NEWS for Collision!
Winter is Coming, but only after coverage of the NBA on TNT wraps. That means an EARLY start time for the West Coast, so you better be ready! With that said, there will be MORE Continental Classic action as Blue League leader, Kyle Fletcher, goes up against Mark Briscoe. Can the Sussex County Chicken bring down The Protostar? Or will the Aussie Arrow hit the mark and be an unstoppable 4-0? Plus, Kazuchika Okada is back in action as he takes on The Beast Mortos! Will the Rainmaker make up for some lost ground? Or will the menacing minotaur drag him down into the dungeon?
Sit-down interview with Darby Allin.
Tony Schiavone met with the Relentless One before the show began, and brings up how he hasn’t really spoken to anyone since Full Gear’s ending and that wild car crash into the Death Riders’ truck. Does Darby feel his efforts to topple Jon Moxley failed? And if so, is his quest over? Darby says the quest is never over. When Darby thinks about Moxley, The Death Riders, and everything they’re doing to this place, they are slowly chipping away at what makes AEW great. Darby saw them put Bryan Danielson’s neck in a chair and essentially end his career. And thinking back to that, Darby thinks to how Bryan was the backbone of this place.
And Darby gets why the younger guys don’t wanna get involved. For many, this is the first time they’ve made a real living off of pro-wrestling. But the problem is, if they don’t do anything about this, it’ll just keep happening. People think Darby is reckless, impulsive… Darby punches himself and immediately draws blood! Darby says this does not bother him. Blood, pain, violence, that doesn’t bother him. What bothers him is if no one does anything about it. Schiavone understands, and says all of this is going on during the Continental Classic, the most important time of year for AEW.
Darby says that when he thinks on the C2, it is “everything that’s right” with AEW. People going out there, putting it all on the line for the love of the game, and for the love of AEW. Darby needs to win this tournament because it represents AEW. It represents the passion of AEW. And Darby isn’t stupid, he knows there’ll be collateral damage along the way. But Moxley thinks everything is so wrong in AEW and that it needs to be saved. But Moxley failed to remember that this is the company that gave his career a second shot. This is the company that let Sting go out on his own terms. This is the company that took a chance on Darby.
So Moxley keeps telling himself all these lies again and again and again. “But nothing fools you better than the lies you tell yourself, Jon.” Darby has called out The Maniac, but will he be able to focus on Will Ospreay and their Continental Classic Holiday Bash?
AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Brody King VS Ricochet!
Speaking of kings, The King of Death and the King of Flight are about to collide in a critical match for both men! They’re both 1-1 with 3 points, and only one can keep pace with Will Ospreay. Will Brody keep Ricochet grounded? Or will the C2 be #OuttaThisWorld?
The bell rings and we’re on the clock. Brody and Ricochet circle while fans bark. The two tie up, Brody SLAMS Ricochet down, and Ricochet backs right up to a corner. Brody waits on Ricochet and the two reset. They circle, tie up, and Brody TOSSES Ricochet to a corner! Ricochet comes right back to CHOP! Brody just grins. Ricochet ducks a chop to KICK and fire body shots, but Brody TOSSES him to another corner! Brody runs up, Ricochet goes up and over, and Ricochet CHOPS! Brody just stares Ricochet down. Ricochet runs, ducks ‘n’ rolls to roll back, and he RANAS Brody to a corner!
Ricochet runs up, Brody puts him on the apron, but Ricochet RAMS him! And GAMANGIRIS! Ricochet climbs, leaps, but he bounces off of Brody! The fans bark and Brody SHOVES Ricochet up and out to the floor! The fans bark more while Brody storms out to fetch Ricochet. Ricochet CHOPS, but Brody CHOPS back! Ricochet definitely felt that! But then Brody CHOPS again! Brody peels off the protective padding on the railing, brings Ricochet over, but Ricochet jumps up and off the railing! SUPERKICK! Brody wobbles, Ricochet goes to the apron, and Ricochet leaps, only for Brody to stop the rana!
Brody brings Ricochet up to APRON POWERBOMB! Ricochet writhes, but Brody hauls him up to whip hard into railing! Ricochet falls but Brody stands him up to CHOP! Ricochet takes a seat, he wants Brody to leave him be, but Brody runs up to CROSSBODY against railing! Ricochet falls in a heap and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Brody looms over Ricochet, but leaves him behind to refresh the ring count. Brody then hauls Ricochet up and into the ring, stalks him to a corner, then CHOPS! Ricochet sputters while he slumps down to the mat. Brody stands on Ricochet’s neck! The ref counts, Broody steps off, and Brody grabs at Ricochet. Ricochet shoves Brody back but Brody ROCKS him! Ricochet flounders along the ropes, Brody CLUBS him down, and then he digs his boots in at the corner! The ref counts, Brody steps off, and Ricochet sputters some more. Brody comes back, stomps a mudhole into Ricochet, then grabs the legs.
Brody YANKS Ricochet up for him to fall hard on the mat! Ricochet sits up but Brody clamps on with a neck wrench! Brody grinds his elbow into Ricochet’s head, then drags him up. Brody whips Ricochet hard into the corner! Ricochet falls back and Brody looms over him again. Brody drags Ricochet up and CHOPS him back to the corner! Brody then brings Ricochet up to suplex high and hard! And then SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Ricochet survives the onslaught but Brody stays on him. Brody ROCKS Ricochet and Ricochet staggers on noodle legs. Brody brings Ricochet up to ROCK him again!
Ricochet stumbles about, Dynamite returns to single picture, and the fans bark again. Brody CHOPS Ricochet, eggs him on, so Ricochet musters up what he can. Ricochet fires forearm after forearm but Brody shoves him! Ricochet ducks and handsprings, but into a GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up and Brody covers, TWO! Ricochet is still in this but Brody looms over him again. Brody drags Ricochet up, CHOPS Ricochet back down, and he eggs on the King of Flight. Brody stands Ricochet up, so Ricochet fires forearm sand CHOPS! Brody CHOPS Ricochet, then ROCKS him! Brody runs, but Ricochet TIGER WALL KICKS!
Ricochet spins to PELE!, and Brody wobbles! The fans fire up, Ricochet baits Brody in and DUMPS him out! Brody lands on the apron, Ricochet triangle jumps to ENZIGIRI Brody down! Ricochet then builds speed to FOSBURY FLOP! Down goes Brody and the fans are torn. Ricochet drags Brody up and into the ring, then aims from the apron. Springboard 450 SPLASH! Cover, ONE?!? Brody shocks Ricochet with that toughness! Ricochet hurries to BOOT, but Brody just growls! Ricochet BOOTS again but Brody eggs him on! Ricochet KICKS, Brody just snarls! Ricochet runs up but Brody SWATS the kick! And he spins to LARIAT Ricochet! Cover, TWO!!
Brody is annoyed with Ricochet but he drags Ricochet up. Brody reels Ricochet in, hauls him up, but Ricochet fights free to sunset flip! TWO!! Brody escapes and runs back up, only for Ricochet to V-TRIGGER! Ricochet drops back to a corner, Brody runs up again, but into another V-TRIGGER! Ricochet tries to fireman’s carry!? Brody’s too much for that, and he CLUBS Ricochet! And then CHOPS him! Ricochet goes back to a corner for Brody to SPLASH! Ricochet sits down and the fans bark it up! CANNONBALL! Brody drags Ricochet out to cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives and Brody is more exasperated than frustrated.
Brody stalks Ricochet, hoists him up top, and he CHOPS! Brody climbs up, Ricochet fires body shots, and Ricochet CLUBS away! Ricochet adjusts, SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB!! Ricochet hurries back up top, for the SHOOTING STAR PRESS!! But then Brody reaches to grab Ricochet by his neck!! Brody rises like a zombie, but Ricochet CLUBS away on Brody’s arm! Brody spins Ricochet into the SLEEPER! Ricocher grabs the ropes! Th eref counts, Brody holds on until 4. Brody has the SLEEPER again, but Ricochet clibms the corner! Ricochet goes up and out to HOTSHOT Brody! Then he ROUNDHOUSES!
Brody wobbles, Ricochet slingshots, but into a DOUBLE CHOP!! Brody has Ricochet on the apron, drags him up and clinches, to then YANK him right up to the top! Brody climbs now, but Ricochet still fights back! DDT on the top buckle! Brody wobbles, Ricochet shrugs, and he KICKS the legs out! Brody hits buckles on the way down! Kansas City boos but Ricochet says BANG! SPIRIT GUN!! But Ricochet knows that’s not enough! Brody rises, Ricochet runs, SPIRIT GUN!! Cover, Ricochet wins!
Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Brody earns 0)
Ricochet overcomes the biggest and meanest obstacle in his way, and now he is tied with Will Ospreay and Claudio Castagnoli! But given Ricochet lost to Claudio in the opening round, how much harder will he have to fight to become a finalist?
Private Party speaks.
Marq Quen says, “Good evening, everybody. We are your AEW Tag Team Champions, Private Partaaay~! And welcome to The Vault.” Isiah Kassidy says, “What happens in The Vault stays in The Vault.” Winter is Coming, and you know what that means! Santa is coming to town! But in step Lio Rush & Action Andretti, and they say this is rather interesting. What do Quen & Zay say to letting them have a taste of some of that? Oh, okay, Zay’s got ’em! All he had to do was ask. No, Action wasn’t talking about the shots. Lio says they want the gold on the table. That’s what they want this year from Santa Claus.
Well, Zay will tell ’em what HE wants from Santa. This year, a nice, thick, juicy a- And here comes Leila Grey & Top Flight! Leila wants to have a little chat after last week. Zay notes Santa came early this year. Darius & Dante ignore that to have that chat. Darius, remind Dante again, how many tag team matches have Action & Lio won to actually earn a tag title shot? Darius is pretty sure it was ZERO. Dante takes a sip of the good stuff while Private Party says, “Ooh~!” Lio asks Action to remind him who got eliminated from the battle royal. Action says let’s think. Oh, it was Darius & Dante! OOH~! The two sides argue, and Private Party has them both stop.
Zay says he has a perfect solution! Y’all can just face each other at Collision: Winter is Coming, and the winners can face the champs for the titles. That is good for them all. Lio offers a handshake and says, “No hard feelings, right?” Darius takes the handshake, pulls Lio in close, but pats him on the back. Leila leaves with the Martin brothers, and Zay says, “Thank you, Santa.” But then with the table set for Top Flight VS Bad Child & Sight to See, who will get their shot at Private Party?
Backstage interview with both Anna Jay and Mercedes Mone.
Renee welcomes both The Queenslayer and The CEO one week ahead of their AEW TBS Championship at Holiday Bash. Mone says, “Kansas Citaaaay~! Missouri or Kansas, Renee? Y’know what? It doesn’t matter! Just say hello to your C E O.” Renee thanks them both for being here, and for agreeing to no physicality. Mercedes has now defended the TBS title ten times, and today marks Day 200 as champion. But before getting into that match, Renee wants to talk Sunday, December 15th. In Long Beach California, it will be NJPW Strong Style Evolved, where Mone defends the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship against Hazuki.
Mone says Renee is doing so good today, she is so proud. But she’s also really proud of Anna. Anna has been doing so well. Mone loves how gutsy Anna is, and how she went to Japan to train. Mone went to Japan, too. And Mone loves that Anna believes in herself, it is so cute. But Mone says Anna is only 26 and just getting started. By the time Mone was 26, she was a FIVE-TIME CHAMPION. And now she’s the greatest TBS Champion of all time. So next week on Dynamite, Mercedes shows Jay there is a price to pay when you mess with Mone. Anna tells her hold on, Mone is not going anywhere.
They may have agreed to no physicality, but they also agreed to a face-to-face. Mone is going to stay and listen to Anna. Mone is a living legend, and Anna does admire what Mone does in the ring. And Anna is aware she’s going into this the underdog. But that’s fine. Anna has been underestimated her whole life, her whole career, and she keeps proving people wrong. So go ahead, underestimate her, too. Because when Mone makes the first mistake, Anna will capitalize on it, because all she needs is 1-2-3 to shock the world and become the NEW TBS Champion. Anna leaves, Mone says we’ll see about that.
Confident as she is, the walls are closing in. Will Mone make it through the holidays with both belts still in her possession? Or will Christmas be cold when you don’t have any gold?
AEW Women’s World Championship: Mariah May VS Mina Shirakawa!
They met in Japan’s World Wonder Ring Stardom and not only became tag team partners, but became best friends. But in the world of wrestling, we all know friendship can only last so long when both friends want to be the best in the world. The Glamour betrayed the Fighting Gravure Idol out of paranoia, but claims to still love her. Will this newest chapter in Mariah’s twisted story have a “happy ending” for her? Or will Mina make May pay?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who ends the night on top!
The bell rings and the two run up on each other! They start throwing hands and the fans fire up! Mina HAMMERS away on Mariah, but Mariah shoves her back! Mariah SLAPS Mina! Mariah talks trash, too, but Mina SLAPS back! The fans fire up as Mina SLAPS, SLAPS, and fires more shots! Mariah cowers in the ropes but Mina keeps after her with hammer fists! The ref counts, Mina lets off, but then she SOBATS! Mina whips, dropkicks Mariah’s legs, then grabs a leg to kick away on it! The fans cheer Mina as she kicks and stomps Mariah around, then hits a KNEE JAMMER! The fans cheer and Mina drags Mariah around.
Mina steps through to have a FIGURE FOUR! Mariah hurries and rolls under the ropes, but Mina holds on! Then they fall to the floor! But Mina still holds on! Mina kicks at Mariah while letting off the hold, and the fans fire up while the ref checks Mariah. Mariah clutches her leg but she is still in this. Mina drags Mariah up while the fans rally, only for Mariah to wrench and whip Mina into the steel steps! Mariah brings Mina up to whip hard into railing! The fans boo, and we see Thunder Rosa in the front row! She holds up a sign that reads, “Mariah May??? You May Not!!!” Rosa herself says, “YOU SUCK! You’re not my champion!”
Mariah is mad, and she runs up to SHOTGUN Mina! Mariah stomps away on Mina, but the ref counts. The ref has to pull Mariah back at 4, and Mariah goes to the ring. Mina crawls and Mariah mocks the shimmy and shake. The fans boo but Mariah slaps her knee, both because she thinks she’s funny and to get it working again. Mariah then goes to the apron, takes aim, and as Mina rises, Mariah runs up! But Mina blocks the kick! Mina trips Mariah, brings her to the corner, and she SLAMS the leg against the post! The fans fire up and Mina ties those legs up! Mina stares Mariah down, and shouts “B*TCH!” before hitting the HANGING FIGURE FOUR!
The fans fire up while the ref counts, and Mina lets go at 4! Mariah screams in pain, but Mina shows no mercy as she SLAMS the leg into the post again! The fans fire up and Mina feeds off that energy while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Mina storms back over and stalks Mariah. Mina drags Mariah up to hook the leg, SHIN BREAKER! Mariah writhes but Mina kicks her around. Mariah goes to the ropes but Mina brings her back up. Mariah CLUBS Mina to stop the lift, and then she hits a SAIDO! Mariah grins while Mina flounders, The Glamour has her confidence back. Mariah then rains down fists on Mina! The ref reprimands about closed fists but Mariah lets off to hobble around. Mariah soaks up the heat from Kansas City, then mocks their crying. Mariah throws her armbands at Mina, stomps her around, but Mina throws them back!
Mariah kicks Mina, snapmares her, and she runs to SHOTGUN! Cover, TWO! Mina stays in this but Mariah storms around. Mariah soaks up more heat, then kicks Mina around. Mina goes to a corner, Mariah stands her up and she CHOPS! Mina staggers away to another corner, but Mariah is right on her at the ropes! Mariah CHOKES then stomps away, then CHOKES Mina again! The ref counts, Dynamite returns to single picture, band Mariah drags Mina up. Mariah snapmares Mina, steps over, and throws down fists! Mariah gives Mina one last kiss, then runs, but Mina dodges! FLYING CHUCK!
The fans fire up and Rosa cheers Mina on as she stands Mariah up. Mariah breaks free but mina still ROCKS her first! Mariah hits back, so Mina hits her again! Mariah ROCKS Mina but Mina ROCKS Mariah! The shots keep going, the fans cheer Mina on, but Mariah gets the edge! Mariah grins, runs, but Mina ROLLING ELBOWS! Mina runs, but into a HEADBUTT! But Mina URAKENS! Both women fall and the fans are thunderous! Mina and Mariah crawl, Rosa gets the fans even more fired up for Mina, and Mina DROPKICKS the legs out! Mina wants the legs but Mariah kicks her away! Mariah rises, but Mina wrenches and SAIDOS!
The fans fire up and Mina hurries to cover, TWO! Mina goes right to a corner and right up, only for Mariah to hit some STRATUSFACTION! Mariah then runs up, but Mina avoids the knee! URAKEN! Mariah stays up this time, takes a swing, but Mina catches her and spins her, dragon sleeper and REVERSE DDT! The fans fire up and Mina covers, TWO! Mariah survives but Mina just hauls her up! Mina suplexes Mariah to the top rope, for a DRAPING DDT!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Mariah survives by her fingertips! Mina grabs the legs, Mariah holds tight to the rope, and then Mariah YANKS Mina into the ropes!
Mariah rises up, runs up to KNEE Mina down! Mariah keeps moving, Mina rises, into another KNEE!! Mariah hauls Mina into a fireman’s carry, for the MAYDAY DRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Mina shocks Mariah and KC loves it! Mariah snarls but her former best friend would know how to survive Mariah’s best shot! Mariah drags Mina up, fireman’s carries again, but Mina hits a CRUCIFIX DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Mariah survives that sudden turnaround, but Mina hurries up top! Mariah stands, into a FLYING SLINGBLADE! Mina roars and the fans fire up with her! Mina drags Mariah up in the dragon sleeper!
Mina lifts, GLORIOUS DRIVER MINA!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Now Mariah shocks Mina for surviving her best shot! Mina tries again but Mariah HEADBUTTS! Mariah reels Mina in, STORM ZERO!!! Cover, MARIAH WINS!
Winner: Mariah May, by pinfall (still AEW Women’s World Champion)
It was a gritty battle, but it took the move of a different former friend to finish this! But even so, Mariah is still champion, or as Rosa’s second sign puts it, “You are NOT My Champ!!!” But wait! IS THAT TONI STORM!? And now Rosa has a sign that says “W T F?!” Because yeah, while this isn’t Timeless, this is STILL TONI STORM!! She’s gone back to her original identity, and everyone is going wild! Are we about to get one hell of a sequel to All In?
My Thoughts:
A great start to what is now Winter is Coming Week in AEW. And the only weak point for tonight might be the time constraints on the women’s match. It was great to make it the main event, and for what time they had, they made the most of it, but if you’re going to make it the main event, I feel like it needed more than 10 minutes. But at the same time, it seemed rather clear Mina was losing. Mina is already Rev-Pro Women’s Champion, she wasn’t going to become the other double champion in AEW. Plus, with Rosa wanting next AND Toni Storm returning, that’s big story stuff for Mariah. Also, it is incredibly clever for Toni Storm to return as rock ‘n’ roll Toni after “Timeless Toni” said she’d retire from wrestling. We all knew this was coming so great to see it happen.
Speaking of the double champion in AEW, good promo from Mone with Anna Jay, but as I said last week, Mone’s going to have two title defenses in one week. Either Mone has a great week by retaining both titles, or she could have a really bad week by losing both titles, it really depends on the plans for WrestleDynasty. I’m leaning towards Mone having a great week because I don’t think she’s going to lose at Strong Style Evolved, and I’m not so sure she loses on Holiday Bash. Mone is more likely to lose her TBS title at Worlds End, maybe even to Kamille once Kamille’s arm is all healed up. Also, I assume that was just a kayfabe injury to lead to the breakup we got.
And to my earlier point of time constraints, I feel like we got a few promos we didn’t really need, despite them still being good promos. For one, Bandido having his Hollywood Western fight scene. Again, really fun and very well made, and maybe it was to help some people learn/remember who Bandido is, but I thought last week’s “Most Wanted” was enough to let us know he’s on his way back. The other was Private Party with all of Top Flight. Given we had Top Flight arguing it out last week, we knew they were going to have a match, Dante & Darius VS Action & Lio. But that promo seems a bit redundant now with this one, setting up that same match, but now with actual stakes. AEW’s been a thing for five years and they still can’t iron out disjointed storytelling?
Though at the same time, they’re not good with pacing out stuff like this Jericho VS Cardona build. They obviously do it to get people to watch ROH Thursdays, and maybe the sooner they get that cable TV deal the better. If Rampage really is going away, they should just make ROH replace it, but keep it on Thursdays because I don’t need overlaps with SmackDown and how that is going to be three hours in 2025. But either way, good promos from both Cardona and Jericho, and we’ll get a very good contract signing segment and good tune-up match for Cardona on Rampage. Though again, what weird pacing since Rampage is being recorded right now yet ROH was more than likely last Saturday…
Really good stuff with this Death Riders story tonight. That was a great tag match to open, though rather long, especially with Hangman “ruining” it. If he was gonna do that, cut things down by 5 minutes because why would Hangman wait until the match was getting hot to go after Moxley? But to Moxley’s point right after with his ranting promo, the egos kept the other three guys from becoming a super team that the Death Riders would’ve certainly lost against. But hey, that Fatal 4 Way is gonna be awesome, and Christian Cage might get in on that. Though, great promo from him and great attack by Hook. I’m a little surprised we didn’t get a follow-up on that tonight.
Very good promo from Darby, though maybe another spot that could’ve been another night for sake of time. Darby still got his point across, and I think this was his best paced promo, no rushing through lines to get them out. Depending on how Worlds End goes, I feel like we could get a really good “Can they coexist?” 8 Man or even bigger, where Darby, White, Cassidy and Hangman work together to fight Moxley, Claudio, Yuta & Pac. They could even do a Stadium Stampede/Anarchy in the Arena (I forget if there’s any real difference other than what kind of venue they do it in), and that could even give us the return of Bryan Danielson for him to tip the scales in favor of “Team AEW.”
Good stuff in the Cole VS MJF story, though I’m not sure we needed the tease of MJF showing up before the match. Clearly The Kingdom weren’t watching the show because Taven didn’t even think MJF was there, but I guess that’s the writing trope known as “dramatic irony,” where the audience knows something ahead of the characters. Not a good execution of it but it still counts. And great match of Kyle VS Cole, but there’s something kayfabe suspicious about the timing of Kyle being down for the count and MJF sneaking out there, only for Kyle to then recover and roll Cole up. Could Kyle have been turned to the dark side by MJF? Or, what is now the dark side after the still rather clunky double turn. I still want Cole to get that diamond ring to stick it to MJF but Kyle could screw him over…
And of course, great stuff in the Continental Classic tonight, even though it was just two matches. Claudio VS Ospreay was awesome, and fitting that Ospreay would win to stay near the front. Darby watching Ospreay’s back was good, but also a reason Darby’s promo tonight could’ve waited for Collision. And Ricochet adds some intrigue by showing he still has MVP’s card. I almost thought The Hurt Syndicate would walk out there after he won, but maybe they’re waiting for Ricochet to take control of Gold League so that no matter what, the Syndicate has someone going to Worlds End. Plus, that’d be a big moment should Ricochet go to Worlds End, win the whole thing and become NEW Continental Champion with MVP, Lashley & Shelton backing him.
My Score: 8.8/10
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TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
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