Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (7/15/20)
Descent Into Darkness VS Shiniest Wizard!
NXT continues to heat up the summer!
The Great American Bash is over but the fireworks are still going! Will this still be Io Shirai’s NXT after defending her title against Tegan Nox?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Cameron Grimes VS Damian Priest; Priest wins.
- Shotzi Blackheart VS Indi Hartwell; Hartwell wins.
- NXT and North American Championship Winner Take All Match: Keith Lee VS Dominik Dijakovic; Lee wins and retains the NXT and North American Championships.
- Timothy Thatcher VS Denzel Dejournette; Thatcher wins.
- NXT Women’s Championship: Io Shirai VS Tegan Nox; Shirai wins and retains the NXT Women’s Championship.
PLAY BY PLAY
NXT, #BaskInHisGlory!
Keith Lee is now the first ever DOUBLE CHAMPION in NXT history as he holds both the North American Championship and THE NXT Championship simultaneously! “This makes me not just a moment maker, not just a prophecy ender. Today, I am a history maker.” Johnny Gargano says Keith Lee did make history, but he won’t have too long to bask in it. Finn Balor says that the only thing Keith achieved was becoming the biggest target in NXT history. Damian Priest looks forward to taking some of the weight off Keith’s shoulders. Cameron Grimes says he is taking BOTH championships! Timothy Thatcher “wishes” the champion luck.
And even Kushida, Bronson Reed, Danny Burch, Oney Lorcan, Tyler Breeze, Fandango, Malcolm Bivens, Tehuti Miles, Ever-Rise, Tony Nese, El Legado del Fantasma, Drake Maverick and Dexter Lumis (though silently) all congratulate him. But Karrion Kross says, “Ticktock.” Who will be the first to step to this first-ever Double NXT Champion?
Keith Lee is here!
The Limitless Champion brings both belts to the ring as the crowd goes wild! Keith grabs a mic but takes a moment to enjoy the crowd sing “Oh~ Bask in His Glory!” and chant “N X LEE!” Keith smiles and says, “That is beautiful. Like a choir!” But there’s something more he needs. Ms. Alicia, can he hear the announcement one more time, please? “Please welcome, the North American and NEW NXT Champion~! Keith, LEE~!” That’s beautiful, thank you so much.
Keith admits he is at a crossroads. He understands the past few months have been difficulty and trying. All of us have had our struggles and tough times, sadness and suffering. Keith understands more than anyone, the losses, the hurt and the pain. He wants the fans at home to know something. This ring Keith stands in, “there’s something so incredibly special that can occur when we are in this ring and I am standing here before you, because I can feel it right now.” Not just the crowd here, not just Ms. Alicia, but when Keith stands here with these two titles. “And now, I stand here before you as not just your North American Champion. No, no, no, no, no. Also NXT Champion.”
But he wants to highlight the fact that he is not in disbelief or fooled himself. He has enjoyed this, celebrated it, but he is back to reality. And the reality is, there’s an entire locker room, some supporters and friends, some just straight-up enemies. They all want the same opportunity he managed to earn. SO in the mood of celebration, Keith celebrates the understanding: “This wasn’t done on my own. Opportunity created this. Chances created this.” Keith understands he isn’t a self-made man, there’s no such thing as that. He has to acknowledge Tim Brooks was more than just a trainer. Brooks was like a father who was there when no one else was, and he believed in Keith when no one else did!
And it doesn’t stop there! Keith didn’t do this alone. The fans made sure that when he came here, he was welcomed with the most opened arms! They told the people about Limitless Keith Lee, and would sing with all their passion, love and energy, “Oh Bask in His Glory!” Guess what? Now the world does! Keith thanks the fans but that’s not all! There is still one more person Keith must point out as playing a pivotal part. Keith saw this man backstage, and he knows that this person might be trying to decide what he’s doing with his WWE career, but Keith feels like maybe, just maybe, he can be of help. Keith is celebrating for Brooks, for the fans, and now he’d like to talk with his “Number one frenemy,” Dominik Dijakovic!
And so the Croatian Colossus appears! Dijakovic joins Keith in the ring with a mic of his own, and says no one on this planet is prouder for Keith than him. But this isn’t about Dijakovic, this is Keith’s moment. No, no, Keith disagrees. Keith feels this is also about Dijakovic, because it is about both of them. Dijakovic doesn’t realize it, but Keith’s line of “not being self made” means this: The matches these two have had is one of the things that propelled Keith to the opportunities. Dijakovic is the one individual that has truly tested Keith’s limits. With that in mind, the best way to represent these titles is with competition. Keith talked with Mr. William Regal, and upon a suggestion, it has been made. The first challenger for these titles will be Dijakovic.
Dijakovic can’t believe it. These titles together? Absolutely! When? Keith figured he’d say that. The best way to honor competition is with the best competition. Keith’s idea would be… Well, Keith is dressed, so how about tonight?! Dijakovic isn’t dressed, however, and he hesitates to answer. Keith wants him to just say yes. The crowd wants to see it! Then Dijakovic says yes! Double fist bumps for a double championship showdown! Will Keith and Dijakovic put on another instant classic in this historic first defense?
Cameron Grimes VS Damian Priest!
The Carolina Caveman calls himself the #1 contender to the NXT double championship prize, but he has to actually earn that right. Now that the Archer of Infamy is 100%, will things be very different from their previous showdown?
Grimes rushes Priest to surprise him, but Priest BOOTS Grimes down! The ref keeps Priest back to check on Grimes, Grimes wants this fight so the bell rings. Grimes fires off body shots and fast hands but Priest gives knees. Priest throws Grimes into buckles, clubs and stomps away, but lets up at the ref’s count of 4. He drags Grimes up by his vest and hair to throw him back into buckles. Priest hits a leaping back elbow, then goes corner to corner for another! Grimes staggers, Priest runs in again, spinning heel kick! Grimes is down and Priest eggs him on. Priest kicks Grimes out, follows after, but Priest elbows him back!
Grimes gets in the ring, Priest climbs up the apron, and Priest dodges Grimes’ counter attack to ROUNDHOUSE him away! Priest climbs the ropes to leap in, into Grimes’ SUPERMAN FOREARM! Priest bails out, Grimes runs and wrecks him with a dropkick! Grimes drags Priest up and into the ring, and then throws Priest into buckles! Grimes scoops Priest and swings him for a side slam! Cover, TWO! Grimes grows frustrated but he drags Priest up by his hair. Grimes says “You don’t mess with Cameron Grimes!” He rams his shoulder into Priest again and again, then whips him to the ropes. Grimes dropkicks Priest down, covers, TWO! Grimes grows further frustrated and NXT goes picture in picture.
Priest sits up so Grimes KICKS him in the back! Grimes drags Priest up to kick him more, and he stomps a leg in the corner. The ref counts, Grimes throws forearms but Priest throws them back. They brawl, Grimes digs his fingers into Priest’s face! Priest falls out of the ring and tries to see, and Grimes trash talks the crowd. Grimes drags Priest back up and DECKS him! Grimes goes to the apron to KNEES Priest away! Priest staggers around the corner, Grimes throws him into barriers! Grimes grimaces as he drags Priest back up and into the ring. Grimes clubs away on Priest at the apron, then follows after. Grimes wrenches Priest and drags him down to the armlock. Priest endures the grind as Grimes grinds his teeth.
Priest fights up against the hold but Grimes chinbars to wrangle Priest down! Grimes makes the hold part straitjacket but Priest keeps fighting. Priest sits up, fights back but Grimes knees low. Grimes whips Priest hard into a corner! Priest crawls, Grimes KNEES him into the ropes! Grimes grinds his forearm on Priest’s face but lets up at the ref’s count. Grimes pushes Priest around, then stands on his head in the corner. Grimes backs off to drag Priest up again. Priest breaks free to throw heavy elbows! Grimes gets under and around to ROUNDHOUSE Priest in the back! Grimes kicks Priest into another corner, then brings him up for forearms.
Priest fires up as Grimes keeps hitting him. Priest hits back and the two brawl back and forth! Priest wobbles, Grimes gets the edge, ROCKS Priest, but takes too long taunting and Priest comes back with forearms of his own! NXT returns to single picture as Grimes slips around and scoops, but Priest slips out to ear clap! Boot and several kicks, then furious forearms and a LARIAT! Grimes is in a daze as Priest drags him back up. Grimes slips out below but Priest runs into the corner, but the back elbow misses! Grimes runs, and clotheslines Priest out hard! Grimes keeps moving, but Priest dodges the baseball slide to choke grip. Grimes slips out of that and forearms the back. He comes back, to get ROCKED by another right!
Priest drags Grimes up as the ring count climbs. He crucifix lifts, for an APRON CRUCIFIX BOMB! Priest refreshes the count, brings Grimes back in and takes aim. Spinning roundhouse misses, Grimes lifts but Priest elbows free. Grimes O’Conner rolls instead, TWO! Grimes ends up in a corner, comes back, LIFTING COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, TWO!! Priest can’t believe Grimes lives, but he looks to change that. Priest drags Grimes up by his beard, dragon sleepers, but no reckoning as Grimes cradle counters! TWO, Grimes ducks the lariat and turns Priest’s counter into the COLLISION COURSE! Cover, TWO!! Priest still lives and Grimes is beside himself! Grimes gets to ropes while Priest sits up and the crowd rallies up.
Grimes wants Priest to stand up. “you’re not gonna stop Cameron Grimes!” He SLAPS Priest, but Priest DECKS him! Priest has Grimes’ bear to throw furious fists! Grimes pushes and ROUNDHOUSES back! Grimes runs, but no Cave-In! Grimes gets stuck int he ropes, CYCLONE KICK from Priest! DRAPING RECKONING!! Cover, Priest wins!!
Winner: Damian Priest, by pinfall
The Archer of Infamy hit his mark and has his redemption in the rematch! Priest tells Keith and Dijakovic that he’s “real interested” in the results of tonight’s double title match. Will Priest continue on towards the two golden targets and take them from whoever reigns supreme?
Timothy Thatcher teaches another lesson.
“Hello, gentlemen. Welcome to another session of Thatch As Thatch Can.” Tonight’s lesson is what Oney Lorcan learned at The Great American Bash. For every submission, there is something to be learned. Fujiwara Armbar can be added even more pressure. The one being used as an example is tapping and cursing, and Thatcher says this is how he got Oney to “cry like a child.” Not only will you win, you will leave an impression that lasts a lifetime. Tapping is a lesson, but making your opponent cry is pure satisfaction. Class is over, get out. And put some ice on that arm.
Shotzi Blackheart VS Indi Hartwell!
It’s time to #TCB, Take Care o’ Business! Shotzi and her tank ran over the Robert Stone Brand’s, well, Robert Stone after he and Aliyah got in her face. Will Shotzi leave an impression on #Impressive Indi?
The bell rings and Indi rushes Shotzi, but Shotzi gets around to waistlock. Indi switches, Shotzi elbows back and shoulder breakers to an arm-drag. Indi runs back, Shotzi gives her an arm code breaker, then grabs the arms o kick away from the mat! Shotzi spins, rolls Indi to a cover, TWO! Shotzi kicks but Indi blocks and laughs at her. But Shotzi turns to trip Indi up! Indi kicks Shotzi away, but Shotzi BOOTS Indi away! Shotzi goes up and headscissors Indi into buckles! Shotzi runs side to side, but Indi dodges the attack to dropkick Shotzi to the outside! The crowd boos Indi but she drags Shotzi up and into the ring. Indi clubs Shotzi down then brings her up for haymakers. Cover, TWO!
Indi keeps her cool as she keeps on Shotzi. Indi whips and DECKS Shotzi then covers, TWO! Shotzi grits her teeth as Indi looms over her. Indi drags Shotzi up, whips and scoops for a sidewalk slam! Cover, TWO! Indi grabs Shotzi’s arms and pulls her back, knee in between the shoulders. Shotzi endures the stretch even as Indi changes it to a boot. The crowd rallies, Shotzi fights her way up, spins around and throws big forearms! Shotzi whips, Indi blocks to reverse, but Shotzi goes up and over. Shotzi runs back to corner splash! She rolls Indi, and SLING DOGS her down! The crowd rallies up as Shotzi KNEES then ROLLING ELBOWS! QUESTION MARK KICK! BOOT! Indi wobbles, Shotzi runs, CANNONBALL!
But here comes Robert Stone in a walking boot! He hobbles up the steps, Shotzi shining wizards Indi to a DDT from the corner! The ref and Stone argue, Shotzi climbs up, Aliyah appears out of nowhere to trip her up!! Shotzi crashes down, Indi runs in to BOOT her down! Cover, Indi wins!!
Winner: Indi Hartwell, by pinfall
The Robert Stone Brand were certainly a major factor here! Will Indi be their next impressive recruit? Is Shotzi only starting to suffer at the hands of Stone and Aliyah?
Backstage interview with Tegan Nox.
She is finishing her warm-up for her huge title match tonight, and was quoted as saying Io Shirai is the best female wrestler in the world. What will it take for Tegan to win? A wise man once said that when you come across an obstacle, you just jump over it. Shirai is that obstacle. The thing is, Tegan has traveled too far and done this for too long to not win. She will solidify her destiny, and is faster, stronger and shinier than she has ever been. She wants to be on the same level as her heroes, Kane and Molly Holly, and that means she must become champion. Tonight’s that tonight. Will that all come true later tonight?
NXT checks in with El Legado del Fantasma.
In a luxurious restaurant, Santos Escobar and his cohorts toast their first victory together at The Great American bash. And one more thing. This is to the end of Drake Maverick’s career. The only reason he has a job is because he cried on YouTube. Joaquin Wilde says, “To the little chihuahua.” Raul Mendoza adds that they need to do something about Breezango. Those two tried to make a joke out of lucha libre culture! Escobar says everyone will see “what happens when you try to mock the lucha libre culture.” The NXT Universe has it wrong. It isn’t some fiesta. It is an art. Exactly! And these three are the true artists. Look at Mendoza! The technical assassin! Look at Wilde! When he is in the air, that is the end of his opponent.
“The Cruiserweight Division was in desperate need of a leader.” Escobar took the Cruiserweight Championship from being a sideshow, to being the main show. “We are going to build our empire!” Sometimes, you have to tear things down to build it back up. They are El Legado del Fantasma. They are familia. But are they the true future of lucha libre and the Cruiserweight Division?
NXT and North American Championship Winner Take All Match: Keith Lee VS Dominik Dijakovic!
A historic first defense worthy of a main event anywhere is shockingly tonight’s halfway point! Will the Limitless One still simultaneous-Lee reign? Or will we have a shocker courtesy of some #BigGuyMagic?
The introductions are made, both titles are raised, and this titanic rematch for two titles begins!
Keith and Dijakovic circle as the crowd rallies already. The rivals know each other well as they keep circling, both perhaps wary of a grapple. They tie up with knuckle locks, go around and go shoulder to shoulder in a test of strength. It is a deadlock but Keith starts to back Dijakovic down to ropes. The ref counts, the two break and Keith lets Dijakovic move aside. They go again with an collar and elbow, and Lee backs Dijakovic to a corner. Dijakovic pushes back and they go along the ropes back and forth. The ref counts for the ropebreak, Dijakovic lets up and gives Keith space. The crowd cheers this good sportsmanship as the two circle again.
Keith and Dijakovic approach, tie up, go back to ropes and then off ropes to the other side of the ring. Keith has control, wrangles Dijakovic down and stands over him, but Dijakovic pushes Keith’s face. Keith stands on Dijakovic’s arm and holds the other one to throw it down! Dijakovic avoids the splash on his arm, and the elbow drop to follow, and then hurries to cover, ONE! The two stand off and the crowd is loving this even more. Both rivals smile and the crowd sings, “Oh~ Bask in His Glory~!” Dijakovic and Keith reset and Dijakovic offers a handshake. Keith trusts it, and they shake hands. But it’s Keith who reels Dijakovic in for a headlock!
Dijakovic endures the grind, pries at the hold, slips in and gets a headlock of his own. Keith endures the grind, powers out, and the two collide with shoulders! Neither moves, the two grin, and they try again. Still neither falls, so Dijakovic tries a third time. And a fourth time! And a fifth time! Still nothing, and the crowd is thunderous. Dijakovic nods his respect and wants another handshake. Keith still trusts it, but gets a CHOP for it! That might’ve been a mistake. Keith grins and GRIZZLY MAGNUM CHOPS Dijakovic off his feet! Keith drags Dijakovic to a drop zone and climbs up! Dijakovic stops him, torture racks him, but Keith slips off! Dijakovic says it was that close and Keith chuckles as NXT goes to break.
NXT returns as Dijakovic has Keith down in a chinlock! The crowd rallies as Keith endures and fights his way up. Keith pries at the hold but Dijakovic thrashes him around. Keith tries again, Dijakovic keeps cranking on the hold, but Keith fights up and breaks the grip! Dijakovic headbutts and clubs Keith down! Dijakovic facelocks, “TIME TO FLY, KEITH!” But Keith blocks the suplex, so Dijakovic throws body shots. Dijakovic keeps trying but Keith blocks. Dijakovic clubs but Keith breaks the facelock. Keith ROCKS Dijakovic with haymaker after haymaker, but Dijakovic swings back. Keith ducks, whips and follows to run Dijakovic over! And then POUNCES him to a corner!
Keith follows Dijakovic outside, runs but Dijakovic moves! Keith stops himself, remembering this from just last week with Adam Cole. Dijakovic sees Keith glaring at him and gets back in the ring. Keith follows, blocks the boot to ROCK Dijakovic again! Keith runs, but Dijakovic scoops for a sidewalk slam!? Cover, TWO!! The crowd is still thunderous as Keith and Dijakovic both catch their breath. Dijakovic slaps some focus into himself as he goes to a corner. Keith grits his teeth as he drags himself up with the ropes. Dijakovic runs but into Keith’s arms, for a DRAPING SIDEWINDER! Cover, TWO!! Dijakovic survives but Keith just grits his teeth again.
Keith drags Dijakovic up, puts him in a corner and hoists him to the top rope. The crowd rallies as Keith CHOPS Dijakovic then climbs up to join him. Keith sits Dijakovic up with a choke grip, but Dijakovic throws body shots back. Dijakovic headbutts Keith again and again, and again and again, until Keith flops to the mat! Dijakovic steadies himself, adjusts his position, and Keith stands for Dijakovic’s FLYING BLOCKBUSTER!! TWO!! Dijakovic keeps going, with a BOOT and rolling elbow! Dijakovic runs to spin, CYCLONE BOOT! Cover, TWO!! Dijakovic stays focused as he goes back up top. Dijakovic aims at “Keith Lee! Woop Woop!” and he leaps into GRIZZLY MAGNUM!
Lee pops Dijakovic up for the LIMITLESS SPINE BUSTER! Keith fires up, drags Dijakovic into a fireman’s carry, but Dijakovic elbows away. It’s not enough! BIG BANG CATASTROPHE!! Cover, Keith wins!!
Winner: Keith Lee, by pinfall (still NXT & North American Champion)
The rivalry raised the bar again, but it was still Keith Lee’s victory! Is he truly Limitless? Keith and Dijakovic are still good sports, and they hug it out. But wait, the lights start to dim. Scarlett is here! She has a satchel, and she brings it to the ring. She pours it out under the spotlight to reveal the broken pieces of the hourglass. Does Keith understand what is waiting for him in the near future? Will he have no choice but to #FallAndPray?
NXT returns with a backstage interview with Dominik Dijakovic.
An instant classic with Keith, but Dijakovic says Keith feels on a completely different level. Dijakovic saw Scarlett show up, sending a message for Karrion Kross. Kross is good, but he’s not Keith Lee good. However, Kross barges in, perhaps taking offense to that. Does he have something to say? Kross speaks in Serbian, “Yes. I will tear you apart, piece by piece.” Dijakovic dares him to do it. Dijakovic turns to leave, but Kross grabs at him, so Dijakovic shoves Kross into a door! The two start brawling in the backstage area, and Kross NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPLEXES Dijakovic over spare railing! Kross takes off his jacket and tie before kicking the railing away. “Ticktock!” Dijakovic is down, who else will feel his wrath?
Timothy Thatcher VS Denzel Dejournette!
Class is in session again, and the sadistic professor of pain looks to school another opponent. Will Denzel survive his Thatch As Thatch Can crash course?
The bell rings, Thatcher and Denzel tie up and go around. Thatcher pushes Denzel to the corner, Denzel pushes back to another corner, but Thatcher turns things around. Thatcher clubs Denzel but Denzel hits back. Thatcher hits again, then facelocks for a guillotine suplex! Float over, cover, ONE, and Denzel gets a leg pick and takedown! Denzel tries a cover, ONE, but Denzel keeps close to turn Thatcher over to another cover! ONE, but Denzle scrambles around to get a facelock of his own. Thatcher slips out, waistlocks, but Denzel switches. The two go around and Thatcher is after the arm! Thatcher knees and clubs Denzel down, clamps onto the head and cranks. Denzel slips up and out and they tie up again.
Thatcher arm-drags but Denzel has the chinlock! Thatcher gets up, throws Denzel down and has the leg. Denzel kicks him over and over but Thatcher still turns him for a Half Crab! Thatcher deeply twists that ankle and knee and Denzel taps! Thatcher wins!
Winner: Timothy Thatcher, by submission
Thatcher makes Denzel suffer a little longer but he lets up in the end. Thatcher then goes after the leg again because as we learned earlier tonight, tapping is the lesson, but everything else is for fun! Denzel taps as Thatcher has the heel hook Half Crab, but here comes Oney Lorcan! Lorcan CLOBBERS Thatcher and stomps away! The crowd cheers as Oney chases Thatcher out of the ring! Will Oney get extra credit with Mr. Thatcher?
Rhea Ripley tweets at NXT!
“No more dumpsters, no more time wasted, I’m OFFICIALLY done with Robert Stone Brand.” Rhea vows to get right back to the NXT Women’s Championship, and that means she will be watching tonight’s match very closely. Will the Aussie Nightmare return more brutal than ever?
NXT Media catches up with The Robert Stone Brand.
Rhea may be done with Stone, but it seems Stone isn’t done with Killian Dain. Stone apologizes for the coffee last week but he’s had a really rough week. But to be truthful, that coffee thing was all Shotzi’s fault! She knocked Aliyah into him and then the coffee flew into Keith. Aliyah hurries over to show Dexter Lumis’ newest artwork. It’s The Great American Bash highlights, from Mia Yim VS Candice LeRae to Keith Lee becoming double champion, to Dain and Shotzi humiliating Stone. Dain grabs the artwork and is furious at his part in it. Stone will make this up to Dain by getting him a match with Lumis! Stone promises to do just that! Stone pulled it off, Dain VS Lumis will have a first-ever match-up next week! Will Dain look to make Lumis into a bloody masterpiece of his own?
Another big match announced for next week!
After that confrontation backstage, Mr. Doomsday and the Croatian Colossus collide in the ring! Will Dijakovic cancel the apocalypse Kross promises for Keith Lee? Or will he simply be the first titan to fall?
NXT Women’s Championship: Io Shirai VS Tegan Nox!
The Evil Genius finally took over and made this HER NXT at TakeOver: In Your House. The Girl with the Shiniest Wizard has been on a comeback story like no other. Something’s gotta give as these two finally collide! Who takes this title further on into the summer as things heat up?
The introductions are made, Shirai slaps the handshake away, and we skip raising the title to ring the bell!
Shirai and Tegan circle, tie up, and then break. They go again as the crowd cheers. Shirai backs Tegan down, Tegan turns it around, and they end up in a corner. They go along the ropes to another corner, the ref counts, but they get out of the corner and Tegan throws Shirai down. Shirai keeps shoulders up as the two keep the collar and elbow. Tegan brings Shirai up to wristlock and wrench but Shirai spins and wrenches back. Tegan steps through, bridges back, handsprings and wrenches to a hammerlock. Shirai reaches back to headlock, then spins to hit the takeover! Tegan keeps her shoulders up, turns Shirai to a cover, TWO! Shirai keeps the headlock and grinds on it. Tegan tries again, TWO!
Shirai traps an arm but Tegan sits up. Shirai wrenches the arm, Tegan breaks through to drop toehold and lace up the legs. Tegan headlocks and cranks back. Shirai rolls but Tegan rolls it further, and they end up near ropes. They stand, the crowd rallies, and Shirai pries out to bring Tegan to a knee. Shirai gets the headlock back, Tegan fights up and pries out to arm-drag Shirai away! They both stand, Tegan arm-drags again, then side steps Shirai to table top, waistlock and roll for a bridging cover! TWO, but Tegan rolls Shirai up, TWO! Tegan bumps Shirai off buckles, stomps a mudhole, but Shirai hits back and gives those stomps in return! Shirai lets up as the ref counts, and she bumps Tegan off buckles.
Shirai stomps Tegan more, lets up at the ref counts again, and then trash talks Tegan. Shirai clubs and forearms Tegan, but Tegan turns things around to fire off forearms of her own! The ref counts, Tegan stomps but lets up to run. Shirai puts her on the apron but Tegan lands on her feet. Shirai runs and slides but Tegan gets away to the apron. Tegan aims but Shirai blocks the Penalty Kick to sweep the legs! Tegan crashes on the apron and Shirai grins as NXT goes to break.
NXT returns and Shirai has Tegan down in a chinlock. The crowd rallies up as Tegan fights to her feet. Shirai throws Tegan down by her hair! Shirai taunts Tegan and slaps her around. Tegan gets mad as Shirai keeps pushing. Tegan eggs Shirai on and Shirai pie faces Tegan, so Tegan throws forearms and uppercuts! Tegan whips Shirai but Shirai goes up and crossbodies, but Tegan catches her to make it a BRIDGING FALL AWAY! Cover, TWO! Tegan is surprised but fires up as she runs corner to corner. Shirai drop toeholds Tegan into buckles then stomps away! The ref counts, Shirai lets up, but she digs both boots in before the swinging meteora! Cover, TWO!
Shirai keeps her cool, and she stands on Tegan’s hands at the ropes! The ref counts, Shirai lets up at 4 and Tegan scrambles to another corner. Shirai wrenches an arm, stands on the hand then chinlocks Tegan. Shirai also pulls hair but stops when the ref reprimands. Tegan fights her way up, rolls Shirai up, TWO! Shirai kicks Tegan down then chokes her at the ropes with a deep headscissor hold! The ref counts again, Shirai lets up and Tegan gasps for air. Shirai scoops Tegan to slam her down, then she runs only to miss the elbow drop! Tegan crawls and stands, Oklahoma Roll, TWO! Shirai bumps shoulders and puts Tegan on the ropes.
Shirai stands Tegan up, CHOPS her, then brings her up for more! Shirai thrashes Tegan around but Tegan fights up to kick back. Tegan throws big forearms but Shirai throws them back! Tegan eggs Shirai on but Shirai throws her down by her hair! Handstand knee drop! Cover, TWO! Shirai grows annoyed with Tegan and stomps her around. Shirai drags Tegan up to dig her knee into Tegan’s head but lets up at the ref’s count. Shirai brings Tegan up but Tegan HEADBUTTS back! Tegan wobbles, runs, but into Shirai’s FLAPJACK! Cover, TWO! Shirai grows frustrated as NXT goes picture in picture.
Tegan checks her teeth but they’re still there. Shirai watches Tegan crawl to the corner, then brings her around to whip corner to corner. Shirai runs in but Tegan boots, only for Shirai to put the leg on the ropes. Shirai puts the other leg on the other rope, and then dropkicks the inner thighs! Tegan manages to free herself from the corner but Shirai stalks her again. Shirai throws the legs down hard on the mat, and Tegan hops and hobbles to the corner. Shirai sets the leg up in the ropes again to this time pull on it! The ref counts, Tegan kicks at Shirai, and Shirai lets go. Tegan hobbles away but has to flop down and check those knees.
Shirai goes after Tegan with clubbing forearms, but Tegan hits back. They go back and forth with big forearm shots, Shirai turns one around into a CROSSFACE! Tegan reaches around, crawls, endures, and manages to turn Shirai to a cover! TWO and Shirai still cranks on the crossface. Tegan scoots around again, ropebreak with her feet! Shirai lets go as NXT returns to single picture. Shirai stomps away on Tegan at the ropes, then springboards, but Tegan moves! The stomps get nothing but Shirai hurries after Tegan on the outside. Shirai KICKS Tegan down then clubs away on her back. Shirai whips, Tegan reverses, but Shirai stops herself from running into steps. Tegan runs at her but Shirai elbows her away! Shirai throws Tegan into the steps!
Shirai runs but Tegan moves, the Shinkansen crashes into the steel! Tegan drags Shirai up and into the ring, prepares the hand, and choke grips! But Shirai grabs the arm, Tegan resists the takedown, so Shirai throws big forearms instead! Shirai double underhooks, TIGER BACKBREAKER! But Shirai can’t cover because her own knee is in pain! The crowd rallies up, Shirai walks over but Tegan cradle counters, TWO! Shirai ducks around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Shirai steps on Tegan and goes to the corner, but Tegan trips her up! Shirai is in the Tree of Woe, Tegan runs corner to corner, but Tegan sees Shirai sitting up, so she EuroUppers Shirai in the back! Tegan goes again, to CANNONBALL into the Tree! Cover, ROPEBREAK!!
Tegan is beside herself but the crowd rallies up. Tegan CHOPS Shirai, and CHOPS and then rallies with clotheslines! She brings Shirai back up to whip, but Shirai reverses. Shirai runs in, Tegan goes up and over to uppercut back! Tegan sits Shirai down, runs and CANNON-BOARS! Shirai staggers while Tegan climbs, FLYING CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO!! Tegan wants to try again to make Kane proud! Choke grip, CHOKE SLAM! Cover, TWO!?! Shirai survives and Tegan doesn’t know what to make of it! Shirai crawls away but Tegan glares at her. Tegan runs in, corner uppercut! Tegan goes corner to corner, for another! And then corner to corner again, but Shirai dodges! Shirai waistlocks to CORNER GERMAN SUPLEX!
The crowd is thunderous again as Shirai goes corner to corner, SHINKANSEN! Shirai puts Tegan on the ropes, for the TIGER FEINT KICK! Tegan flounders, Shirai climbs up and leaps, missile dropkick! Tegan is in a daze as Shirai covers, TWO!! Tegan will not die! The crowd will not stop rallying, either, and both women slowly rise. Shirai drags Tegan into the underhooks but Tegan fights out to mule kick the bad leg! GOURD BUSTER! Tegan hurries up top as Shirai rises, MOLLY-GO-ROUND!! Cover, TWO!?!? The best moves of Tegan’s role models haven’t been enough, but she still has something of her own! SHINIEST- SHOTEI!! Then DESCENT INTO DARKNESS!! The Asai Moonsault hits, Shirai covers, Shirai wins!
Winner: Io Shirai, by pinfall (still NXT Women’s Champion)
The Evil Genius made some miscalculations here and there, but in the end, she has the result she wanted. But as Shirai makes her exit, she gets a BOOT from Dakota Kai!! The champion is down despite being victorious! Will #CobraKai do what her former friend just failed to and dethrone Shirai?
My Thoughts:
Another great episode, with a lot of great stuff not expected at all. Keith Lee giving Dominik Dijakovic a match for both titles was incredible for many reasons. For one, the match itself was incredible, real TakeOver worthy. Second, it implies NXT will do what NJPW is doing with the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships, in that both titles are defended at the same time yet they’re not unified. Scarlett had a good moment presenting the shattered hourglass to make it even more clear Kross will be coming for the titles. But Kross won’t go for the titles right away, and that’s a good thing. Kross and Dijakovic are going to have a great match, and that’s the path Kross needs to be on. Almost all the people we saw in the opening video congratulating yet warning Keith need to be on Kross’ lift for dream matches.
Priest and Grimes had a great rematch, but I figured Priest wins to stay even with Grimes. Maybe they have a tiebreaker that acts as a contender’s match, but again the winner runs into Kross first. Kross should be the conduit for tying many stories together, especially with both titles attached to each other right now. Shotzi’s story with the Robert Stone Brand isn’t over, and I’m surprised things deflected from Dain VS Stone to Dain VS Lumis. I know Rhea dodged a bullet of sorts not joining Stone’s brand, but is Dain really going to end up the replacement? Dain VS Lumis is still going to be a lot of fun but it just doesn’t add up to me. Indi Hartwell joining Robert Stone Brand would, after they helped her beat Shotzi. And then despite Rhea saying she’s done, I almost want to see Rhea and Shotzi have a tag match with Aliyah and Indi to establish a kayfabe restraining order or something. Plus, I feel like Shotzi and Rhea would be a great combination.
Thatcher and Dejournette had a great match, really scrappy and yet very technical. I’m glad to see Oney run out to go after Thatcher, and this makes for a great rivalry. I still want this Thatch As Thatch Can thing to become a faction to give a lot of unused names some real great shine, and they can have matches against Oney, Burch and whoever else Thatcher brutalizes, like Dejournette. El Legado del Fantasma had a really good promo, but did NO ONE check the audio? I had to crank the volume on the TV to get any of it. And lastly, the main event of Shirai and Nox was also worthy of TakeOver, Tegan looked incredible even in losing, but naturally Shirai wins to keep her long awaited reign going. Dakota’s boot outta nowhere was also an incredible way to end the episode. Shirai herself should go on a dream match run before ever even coming close to losing. Asuka had a great streak, Shayna had a great and at times too long of a streak, Shirai deserves no less.
My Score: 9.4/10
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Will Angel Dorado breathe with the Switchblade?
After battling in the Casino Gauntlet, and then over the Unified AEW & ROH Trios Championships, Jay White and Dante Martin are on a Rampage to go 1v1!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Jay White w/ The Gunns VS Dante Martin w/ Top Flight; White wins.
- Rocky Romero VS Kyle O’Reilly; Kyle wins.
- Konosuke Takeshita w/ Don Callis VS London Lightning; canceled due to time constraints.
- AEW TBS Championship Manitoba Massacre: Willow Nightingale VS Skye Blue; Willow wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Rampage opens with Kenny Omega down in the ring.
As seen in the closing moments of Dynamite, The Cleaner returned home, only to be betrayed by The Young Bucks as they continue to become tyrants of AEW. FTR is with Omega, as is a medic, given the vulnerable and life-threatening state of his diverticulitis. The Elite leave, and Omega is helped to a stretcher. The fans cheer in support of Omega as he’s wheeled out, will he be alright physically and emotionally?
Wait, as the stretcher reaches the ambulance backstage, The Elite return to attack FTR! Matt & Nick mug Dax while Okada & Jack are after Cash! Omega is powerless to help the guys who just helped him! Now Okada throws uppercuts into Dax while Jack THROWS Cash! Then Dax is sent crashing into railing! But then The Elite all surround Omega! Omega is writhing in pain while Matt says he loves Omega to death. But this is just business, Kenny. They’ve gotta change the world, right? The world needs them more than it needs him. They SHOVE the stretcher over!! Omega falls right off, and then Matt almost mockingly says for someone to check on him.
Medics hurry to help Omega but have to be careful. Have this new and downright evil Elite all but forced Omega into retirement?
Jay White w/ The Gunns VS Dante Martin w/ Top Flight!
Don’t adjust your screens or worry about your eyes, Bullet Club Gold is carrying three sets of belts. That’s because they’ve brought back the classic AEW World Trios Championship belts while still parading around with the hot pink Acclaimed trios belts and the ROH World Six Man belts. But all the hardware aside, this battle is because The Switchblade and Angel Dorado were part of the wild Casino Gauntlet, and they want to settle the score! Will Dante earn his trio a golden ticket back to a trios title match? Or will Winnipeg soon Breathe With The Switchblade?
The bell rings and Dante CLOBBERS White to a corner! Dante fires off forearms over and over and over, but the ref backs him off. White bails out but Dante pursues to CHOP! Dante CHOPS again, but White knees low! White CHOPS now, then brings Dante around. Dante blocks a chop to CHOP back! Dante puts White in the ring, runs up, but White knees low again. White stomps Dante in a corner, then JABS, JABS and CHOPS! The fans “WOO~” and White whips. Dante rolls off White’s back, ducks ‘n’ dodges to then flip and RANA! White bails out again but the fans fire up with Dante. Dante goes out after White again to CHOP!
White shoves Dante but Dante flips up and into the ring! Dante DECKS White off the apron, then DIVES! Down goes White and the fans fire up with Dante! Dante stalks White around the way, brings him around, but White knees low. White CLUBS Dante, whips, but Dante goes up and backflips off the apron! Dante then JUMP KNEES White down! The fans fire up and Dante puts White in the ring. Dante runs corner to corner, but White puts him on the apron. Dante GAMANGIRIS, springboards, but White YANKS him down! Dante hotshots off ropes, calls for the ref, and White says call it off! The ref checks on Dante and we go picture in picture.
White mockingly asks if Dante’s done while Dante checks his face. White brushes the ref aside, stands Dante up, and CHOPS him to the corner! White CHOPS again, and Dante sputters. White brings Dante up again, whips corner to corner, and Dante rebounds into a LARIAT! Cover, TWO! White keeps cool as he stomps Dante’s leg. White stomps and stomps, but Dante kicks at White from below! Dante goes to ropes but White gets the legs, ROPE GUILLOTINE! Cover, TWO! Dante is still in this and White is frustrated. White steps through to tie up the legs, into the INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Then White swags his way back into the MUTA LOCK!
Dante endures, flails, but White fishhooks the face! The ref reprimands, but then Dante CLAWS White’s face! White lets Dante go and protests, but the ref says he just did that to Dante! White goes back, Dante cradles, TWO! Dante victory rolls, TWO!! White escapes, kicks low, but Dante dodges the chop to CHOP! CHOP! And run, but into an UPPERCUT! White UPPERCUTS in a corner, reels Dante in and scoops, for a SHOULDER BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Dante survives again and White is growing frustrated. White clamps onto Dante and pulls hair to dig him into a knee! Then it’s a chinlock, and Dante endures.
Rampage returns to single picture, the fans rally and Dante fights up. Dante moves around but White CLUBS him! White snapmares and clamps on another chinlock. Dante endures again and the fans rally back up. Dante fights up again, throws body shots, but White CLUBS him! White keeps on the cravat, Dante throws hands, but White CHOPS! White snapmares but Dante rolls through and DROPKICKS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Dante pounds the mat while the ref starts a standing count. White and Dante rise, White runs up but Dante flips up and over! Dante CHOPS, CHOPS and CHOPS again!
Dante whips White, White reverses and runs in, but Dante slips out to go up and around! GAMANGIRI! Dante springboards and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! White survives but Dante throws off his elbow pads! Dante snarls and storms up on White. Dante gets a leg, stands White up, but White has ropes! The ref counts but Dante clotheslines White up and out! The fans fire up with Dante and he goes out after White. Dante puts White back in fast, and then storms up, only for White to clinch and URENAGE! Cover, TWO! Dante survives, White shakes his head, and White clamps on a SLEEPER!
White drags Dante up, for the SNAP- NO, Dante throws elbows! White CHOPS Dante, CHOPS him again, and CHOPS him again! White eggs Dante on but Dante fires forearms! Dante CHOPS, CHOPS and CHOPS! White CLAWS the eyes! The ref reprimands, White THROWS Dante out, but Dante is on the apron! White storms up, Dante HOTSHOTS him! Dante springboards again, to NOSEDIVE! Cover, TWO!! White survives and Dante can’t believe it! The fans fire up and Dante hurries to get White up! Waistlock, full nelson, but White slips free to SNAP SLEEPER SUPLEX!! Dante staggers, into the BLADERUNNER!! Cover, White wins!
Winner: Jay White, by pinfall
The Switchblade cuts down Dante, and he celebrates with all the gold! But then White then shows respect by helping Dante up. White says Dante has heart, and he raises Dante’s hand! The fans cheer, this is quite the surprise from Jay White. But then BRAINBUSTER for the hell of it!! Top Flight rushes the ring but White gets away! Will nothing stop The Bang Bang Gang from collecting belts and taking cheap shots here in AEW?
Backstage interview with Deonna Purrazzo.
Arkady Aura is with The Virtuosa, and notes that she attacked Thunder Rosa after losing the match to her last week. The question then is: Why? Deonna repeats, “Why?” Why what? She has a question for everyone else: When is enough enough? She’s not just some random girl who walked in and became All Elite. Deonna has been at this for 12 YEARS! She is a FIVE-TIME Women’s World Champion, and THE Virtuosa. And after last week, she’s starting to feel like herself. Time for the rest of the locker room to feel it, too. If Rosa doesn’t wanna heed Deonna’s advice, then they can make this personal!
Do you know what happens when you make things personal with a Jersey girl? Arkady does not. Then pray you never do. Deonna says vafanapoli with the hand gesture, will she stick it to La Mera Mera?
Rush speaks.
“For decades, my family has dominated Mexican lucha libre. The Munoz Dynasty is reflected in discipline. The discipline that my father taught us. And I became the first-ever Mexican ROH World Champion. Now, I am known as The Most Hated Man in Mexico. You will recognize that people like Rush is superior to you. And if there is a price to pay, you’re about to pay! I am El Toro Blanco, Rush, and you will put respect to my name. RESPECT, TO MY NAME!” The ungovernable is ready to take over, who will be gored by the Bull’s Horns?
Backstage interview with “Big Bill” Morrissey.
Renee Paquette is with the human skyscraper and says he made it abundantly clear that he’d like to be under Chris Jericho’s Learning Tree. Why at this point in his career does that feel like the right fit? Bill says that he believes, and always has believed, that he has all the tools necessary to make it to the top of this industry. The one thing that has always been missing is the proper guidance. Bill thinks Jericho is the guy to give him that guidance. Jericho is the guy to help him reach his full potential. Jericho is the guy that takes Bill to the Promised Land. Bill proclaims one more time, teach him, Learning Tree.
But speaking of, Jericho steps in! He waves hi to the camera and says he heard what Bill said. Jericho thanks Shibata for the match earlier tonight. Shibata is a great wrestler, he beat the crap outta Jericho, as shown by the red chest. But Jericho was able to retain the #ForTheWorld Championship, with the fans in his hometown cheering him on. It just gets louder and louder every single week. And Big Bill, the way you were cheering Jericho on, that made Jericho think and realize, Bill’s right. So Jericho would love to take Bill into the Jericho Vortex and make him a student of the Learning Tree, if Bill will have him.
Bill says Jericho will not regret this decision. This will be one of the best decisions Jericho has ever made, and Bill will not let him down. Jericho knows Bill won’t. Just like the fans never let Jericho down! And now with a “big redwood” by his side, Jericho knows The Learning Tree will hold onto the FTW Championship for a long time to come! Thanks, guys! Jericho waves bye and Bill is very excited, will these two really reach the top of AEW together?
Swerve Strickland speaks.
The AEW World Champion is backstage, icepack on his head after what The Patriarchy did to him during Dynamite. Swerve reminds Christian that Christian chose to team with him last year in Wembley Stadium because Christian knows what kind of man Swerve is. And so that means Christian’s forgotten something. Swerve is going to remind the whole family just who the hell Swerve is. Dynamite next week, they’ll have a little “talk.” And next time, Swerve won’t be alone. Swerve laughs sinisterly, is Captain Charisma going to regret stepping into Swerve’s House?
Rocky Romero VS Kyle O’Reilly!
This match was only just made earlier tonight, with Azucar wanting to strike out on his own from Best Friends. He and #CombatKyle both want to prove themselves worthy of championships, but who will be one step closer after tonight?
The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally up, feel things out, and they knuckle lock. Kyle gets around to waistlock, Rocky switches but Kyle switches back. Rocky switches again, Kyle switches again, and he SLAMS Rocky down. Rocky slips free to waistlock Kyle, but Kyle moves around to switch with him. They both get back and Rocky gives some Latino Heat. The two reset, tie up, and Kyle wrenches to wristlock. Rocky wrenches, Kyle wrenches, repeat! They go back and forth, wrench for wrench, but then Rocky reaches back to to wrench. Kyle slips under to wrench, then he cranks the wristlock.
Rocky endures, fights up, and he rolls. Kyle still wrangles Rocky with a top wristlock and the fans applaud. Rocky kips up, breaks free, but Kyle avoids the dropkick! Rocky avoids the Penalty Kick, and the fans cheer the newest standoff. The two reset again, fist bump, and then tie up. Kyle headlocks, Rocky endures the grind then throws body shots. Rocky powers out, but Kyle avoids the arm-drag! Kyle trips Rocky, steps on him, but Rocky stays low. Kyle BOOTS Rocky on the return, but then Rocky RANAS! Rocky goes into the ARMBAR! Kyle fights around, slips out and has an ANKLE LOCK!
The fans fire up as Kyle brings Rocky around. Rocky hops, kicks, but Kyle ducks the enzigiri, only for the REWIND HEEL to hit! Kyle bails out, Rocky DIVES! Direct hit and Kyle hits railing! Rocky keeps moving, and he DIVES again! But Kyle catches Rocky to FALCON ARROW on the floor! And then ARMBAR! The ref counts, they’re on the outside as it is! Kyle lets go at 4, snarls, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Kyle stomps Rocky, brings him up and puts him in, then brings him up. Kyle wrenches, CLUBS the arm, then hammerlocks. Kyle wrangles Rocky, KNEES him in the back, then throws down elbows! Kyle floats over to ELBOW and KNEE the other side! Kyle then runs to SLIDING KNEE! Rocky writhes and flounders to a corner but Kyle storms up on him. Kyle KICKS and KICKS, then wrenches for an ELBOW BREAKER! Kyle holds onto the arm to YANK it! Kyle wrenches again, but Rocky shoves him away. Rocky dodges Kyle to RUNNING SLICED BREAD! Cover, TWO! Kyle stays in this but Rocky’s right on him for a DOUBLE WRISTLOCK!
Kyle endures, fights around, but Rocky looks to drop into an armbar! Kyle clasps hands to fight that, but Rocky breaks the grip! Kyle rolls back, Rocky stands up to keep the wristlock, and he keeps Kyle from ropes. Rocky knuckle locks, goes up the ropes, and then METEORAS the arm! Kyle writhes now and Rocky storms up. Rocky brings Kyle around to CHOP! Kyle staggers, Rocky grabs the bad arm, and hits an ELBOW BREAKER! Rocky repays Kyle from earlier, then CHOPS! Kyle fires a forearm! Rocky gives it back! Kyle fires another forearm, but Rocky wrenches to another ELBOW BREAKER! And then Rocky YANKS the arm!
Rocky YANKS the arm again, but Kyle fires more forearm shots! Kyle gets free of the wristlock, but runs into an UPPERCUT! Rocky runs, but Kyle KNEES him against ropes! Kyle WRINGS the arm, Rocky writhes, and Rampage returns to single picture. Kyle stands to KICK Rocky! Rocky KICKS back! They KICK and KICK, each going after the other’s arm! KICK, KICK, KICK and repeat! The fans fire up with every shot, but then Kyle wrenches for another ELBOW BREAKER! Rocky wrenches Kyle’s arm for an ELBOW BREAKER! They both fire forearms, but then Kyle fires off a strike fest! Rocky jumps the leg sweep to JUMP KNEE! Kyle yoyos and LARIATS!
The fans fire up while both men are down! The standing count starts, both men go to corners. Rocky and Kyle stand at 6 of 10, then Rocky runs up, but Kyle puts him up top! Kyle CLUBS Rocky, climbs up after him, but Rocky fires hands! Rocky cravats to then SUPER SLICED BREAD!! Cover, TWO!! Kyle survives and Rocky is beside himself! Rocky fires back up, and he KICKS Kyle’s arm! And KICKS! And KICKS, but Kyle blocks, KICKS, steps over, and KNEES Rocky, to then AX ‘N’ SMASH!! Cover, TWO!! Rocky survives but he is dazed! Rocky goes to ropes, Kyle runs up, but Rocky UPPERCUTS! And HAYMAKERS! And then runs, into a KIMURA!
Kyle has the body scissors, but Rocky reaches for ropes! Rocky drops as Kyle cranks the arm! Rocky slips through, and has the ARMBAR! Kyle fights to stack, pop free, and KNEEBAR! Rocky makes it a cover, TWO!! Both men get up, Kyle takes a swing but Rocky makes it a backslide! TWO, but Rocky goes for the KIMURA! Kyle fights up, even as Rocky cranks the arm! They go around and around and around, Kyle rolls, but Rocky drops onto the hold! But Kyle victory rolls with crossed legs! KYLE WINS!
Winner: Kyle O’Reilly, by pinfall
Even Rocky is shocked that he got caught! Kyle still shows Rocky respect, but will this momentum help Kyle go back for revenge on Roderick Strong? Or perhaps, given what we saw on Dynamite, is there a different title that’s caught Kyle’s eye?
BREAKING NEWS for Rampage!
Rampage is once again live on a Saturday to follow AEW Collision next week on May 11th, and it’s all on TBS! Make sure your DVRs catch this so you don’t miss another THREE HOUR BLOCK of All Elite Wrestling!
Backstage interview with The Outcasts.
Arkady is now with Saraya and Harley, and she says this wasn’t scheduled, the Outcasts demanded time to speak. With that, the floor is theirs. Saraya says how could they not talk after that “disastrous” performance by, um, Mariah… May, is it? Yeah, but Harley has another name for her: Tiny Storm. Saraya likes that, because losers breed losers! Saraya beat Storm, was the champ at the time, and then Storm has found this “illegitimate daughter” of sorts. Mariah’s quite the chip off the old… box. Harley tells “Tiny Storm” that since she enjoys quitting so much, how about she does it all again next Wednesday against… Oh, Harley!
Saraya likes that idea! Like they say, what’s old is new. Yeah, and what’s new is old! And what’s old can’t be new because it’s old. And new can’t be old because it’s new! Harley, stop already. But no need to keep their chins up and tits out, they’ve got that covered. The Outcasts head out, but will they remember to watch for the shoe?
Backstage interview with The Undisputed Kingdom.
Rampage returns and Arkady is with Matt Taven, Mike Bennett & Roderick Strong. Arkady notes that Roddy’s AEW International Championship will be on the line against Will Ospreay at Double or Nothing. Taven interrupts with, “Jeez, Not Lexy.” But she corrects him, that’s his nickname for Renee. Well, Arkady ain’t Renee either! But there are more pressing issues here! #NeckStrong has been back and trending for over a week now, and Taven finds it disrespectful that the guy wearing a neck brace (Tony Khan) is too hurt to travel. Meanwhile, Roddy, a wrestling legend, would take his neck brace off, win a match and do it again over and over!
Roddy is truly #NeckStrong! Roddy thanks Taven for that. As for “Billy Boy” Ospreay, he’s “retired” the Tiger Driver 91, aka Storm Driver 93. It’s just dead? Well, get ready to resurrect it, because he’s facing The Messiah of the Backbreaker! And the Assassin is gonna need every bullet in the chamber! And as we celebrate the five year anniversary of AEW, we look back to where it started, what has happened, and where it stands now. But where is AEW going from here? The Kingdom decides! At Double or Nothing, WILL Ospreay will fall to the Messiah of the Backbreaker! Roddy is ready, but will he see it isn’t Billy Boy, it’s #BillyGOAT?
AEW TBS Championship Manitoba Massacre: Willow Nightingale VS Skye Blue!
The Babe with the Power heard the challenge made, and then upped the ante on Skye! This is now Falls Count Anywhere and Anything Goes! However, the EVPs took offense to what Stokely Hathaway had to say about them, so he and Kris Statlander aren’t allowed anywhere near ringside! Will Willow still find a way to win? Or is Skye about to take her place against Mercedes Mone at Double or Nothing?
Well, Kris can’t be with Willow at ringside, but she does see her off at the ramp, and hands her a smiley face trash can lid. Willow storms to the ring but Skye rushes her first, kendo stick in hand! Trash can lid becomes shield, and then Willow JAMS Skye up! The bell rings, Willow SMACKS Skye on the back, then Willow SMACKS her again! Willow RAMS Skye into barriers, then gets space to run up and LARIAT her against the barriers! Willow dumps Skye over, storms out after her, and CLUBS her on the back. They go around the back of the floor seats, and Skye hits back! Willow runs up to ROCK Skye and SMACK her off more barriers!
Willow stalks Skye, brings her around to CLUB her again and again, then shoves her towards ringside. Willow pulls off protective padding from barriers, and SMACKS Skye off them! Willow then drags Skye up, but Skye HOTSHOTS Willow off the barriers! Willow flounders against a chair, and Skye climbs the barriers. Skye leaps, into a CHAIR SHOT! Skye falls in a heap, Willow covers, TWO! Willow huffs and puffs but goes looking under the ring. Willow brings out another chair, and another chair, and then goes back for Skye. Willow stomps Skye, grabs another chair, and she sits that up. Willow ROCKS Skye then makes her take a seat.
Willow CHOPS Skye, then goes to the apron! Willow aims, the fans fire up, and Willow CANNONBALLS but only gets chair! Skye avoids disaster, Willow crashes ‘n’ burns, and the fans go wild as Rampage goes picture in picture!
Willow writhes, we get an instant replay, and then we see Willow stagger around. She finds her trash can lid, storms up on Skye and SMACKS her! And SMACKS her again! Skye leans against the desk, ROCKS Willow in return, then CLUBS her on the back! Skye takes the lid to SMACK Willow! And SMACK her right in the head! Willow falls over, Skye covers, TWO! Skye is frustrated but she puts Willow back in the ring. Skye kicks Willow around, bumps her off buckles sand digs her boots in. Skye is a little bloody already but she doesn’t sweat it. Skye lets off, she and Willow trade shots, and then Skye HAMMERS away on Willow!
Skye grabs a chair, sets it up, and then CLUBS Willow. Skye brings Willow over, reels her in, but Willow fights the suplex! Willow fires body shots, then scoops Skye to SLAM her on the chair! Skye writhes, Willow hauls her up to TOSS her out, then goes out after her. Willow grabs another chair, puts that in the ring, then grabs yet another chair. Chair after chair is put in the ring, but Skye ROCKS Willow first! Skye CLUBS Willow, takes a chair and puts that in the ring. Skye follows Willow around the way, but Willow throws body shots! Skye SUPERKICKS her down! Skye leaves Willow behind to go looking under the ring.
Rampage returns to single picture and Winnipeg wants tables. Skye just adds another trash can lid to the equation instead. But Willow POUNCES Skye right down, PERIOD! Willow puts Skye in the ring, RAMS her into a corner, then takes a chair to wedge it in front of her! The fans fire up as Willow goes corner to corner, but Skye CHUCKS the chair at her! Then SUPERKICKS her down! Cover, TWO!! Skye pulls at her hair in frustration, then goes out to find a black bag! Jericho’s had pucks earlier tonight, this one looks a bit different. Yep, it’s THUMBTACKS! Skye drags Willow up, but Willow RAMS Skye into the corner!
Willow puts Skye up top, climbs up after her, but Skye slips under! Skye tucks Willow in to CHEEKY NANDOS! Skye gets under but Willow throws down hands! Skye grabs a chair to CHUCK it at Willow!! Willow wobbles, Skye goes up, but Willow fires body shots! SUPER FISHERMAN BUSTER onto the tacks!! Willow covers, TWO!! Willow ignores the pain and goes outside to fetch… a TABLE! The fans fire up as Willow sets that up on the outside, but Skye grabs a chair. Willow hurries in after Skye, but Skye JAMS her up! Skye hops on, CODE- NO, Willow pops free, kicks low, and SLAMS Skye onto that chair!
Willow goes up and up while Skye is down, MOONSAULT onto just chairs!! Skye avoids disaster again, then SUPERKICKS! Skye CLUBS Willow, BUZZSAWS her down, then goes outside. Skye looks under the ring, and she brings out a plank covered in barbed wire! The fans tell Skye she’s sick but she puts that right on top of the table. Willow ROCKS her first! Skye wobbles, Willow throws a shoulder, but into a KICK! Skye brings Willow to the apron, and fireman’s carries!? Willow fights free of that, and gut wrenches! BABE WITH THE POWER BOMB down through barbed wire and table!!! Cover, WILLOW WINS!
Winner: Willow Nightingale, by pinfall (still AEW TBS Champion)
The stakes were at their highest, and their most dangerous, but Willow comes out the winner! Kris & Stokely hurry to ringside to help her to her feet, and now it’s on to Double or Nothing! Will the CEO find out first hand why Willow is the Face of TBS?
My Thoughts:
A great Rampage right here. Now, doing three hours of AEW stuff on one night is always a lot, but following Dynamite on this night worked out great for Rampage. They got to have the bleed-over of the shocking segment with Kenny and The Elite, where The Elite did even more awful stuff for even more Heel Heat. As I said for the Dynamite article, Omega is surely in better health than his promo told us, and this is definitely also so he can take a few more weeks to get back in ring shape for whatever awesome matches are planned for the Summer. And then, great promo from Swerve to respond to what happened to him. He says he’s bringing people, is there going to be a Face turn for the rest of the Embassy? Kaun and Liona are pretty awesome in the ring, I think fans would like Face Gates of Agony.
But one drawback of Rampage being live after Dynamite tonight when things can go long, Konosuke got his squash match cut. Though, because it was obviously gonna be a squash match, nothing of importance was lost, Konosuke can just squash someone else next week and call out Moxley at the same time. Great match from White VS Dante, but I figured White would win. I did find it funny that Bullet Club Gold was going around with three belts just because they could. Honestly, they should dunk the hot pink belts in the trash in a reference to Alundra Blayze while also sticking it to Acclaimed, and then they just keep the black ‘n’ gold AEW belts and the silver ‘n’ black ROH belts.
Kyle VS Rocky was an awesome match, even for being “booked” the same night. Great quick pin win for Kyle, he’ll probably be primed for the TNT Championship on the other side of Double or Nothing. And really good promo from The Kingdom to call out Ospreay and hype up the International Championship match. Really good promo from Deonna Purrazzo to call out Rosa, they’ll clearly have a rematch post Double or Nothing, maybe make it a Submission Match or some other tough match. Really good promo for Saraya & Harley to call out Storm & Mariah, maybe we get a tag match of Outcasts VS #RoseGold, aka Mariah & Mina Shirakawa, adding to the mentor love triangle of Storm, Mariah and Mina.
And as with Dynamite, Rampage got to have the women in the main event and that’s great. As I’ve said, if they’re not gonna book more than one women’s match per show, make the one match they have matter. Willow and Skye went to some wild extremes, but Skye still needs to work on how she sneaks her blading and where. Another weaker forehead trickle here. But honestly, not even sure Skye needed to bleed from forehead with the tacks and barbed wire getting involved. Great win for Willow here, and so naturally Willow VS Mone is set, it wasn’t gonna be anything else.
My Score: 8.8/10
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What will The Cleaner have to say to The Elite?
Finally, Kenny Omega returns to AEW! But given how his friends, The Young Bucks, gave Tony Khan a piledriver, will his homecoming be a dour one?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- AEW TNT Championship: Adam “Edge” Copeland VS A member of The House of Black; Edge wins and retains the title.
- Samoa Joe VS Isiah Kassidy; Joe wins.
- FTW Championship: Chris Jericho VS Katsuyori Shibata; Jericho wins and retains the title.
- Claudio Castagnoli VS Brian Cage; Claudio wins.
- Serena Deeb VS Mariah May w/ Toni Storm & Luther; Deeb wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Tony Khan speaks.
“Welcome to AEW Dynamite. I’m here live in Jacksonville, Florida, and I’ll be producing tonight’s show here in the offices of the Jaguars. I wish I could be live there in Winnipeg for Kenny Omega’s return in his hometown tonight at a perfect time. Unfortunately I’m not cleared to leave Jacksonville, Florida, due to the actions of AEW’s Executive Vice Presidents, Matthew & Nicholas Jackson, and the reinstated Jack Perry.” Something’s going wonky with Tony’s video as he explains the head and neck injuries suffered… And then The Bucks cut in to say they’re “losing” Tony. Technical difficulties. Sorry, TK, they lost connection.
But hey, Tony may not be here, but the Bucks are. And some of you may be asking, how is that cool after what they did last week? How are they not fired? Well, see, iron clad contracts, with a founder’s clause. They won’t get into the details, but let’s just say that they and their colleagues are not going anywhere. And in those same details, it says that if Tony Khan cannot physically be at an event, the EVPs would succeed him. In other words, The Bucks are in charge now! With that said, they’re going to run the new show open! It’s all Elite, as in all Bucks, all Jack and all Okada! They said they wanted to change the world, is that change just more of themselves?
Swerve Strickland is here!
Winnipeg cheers as Prince Nana leads the way for the AEW World Champion! Swerve takes the mic to say, “What’s going on, everybody? Three matches, three shows, in one week. That is the type of champion that All Elite Wrestling deserves, and that is the type of champion that Swerve said he was always gonna be.” The fans cheer that! Swerve says what AEW does not deserve are selfish, greedy, childish, power hungry EVPs that think they can just throw their weight around without any kind of consequences. Swerve stands on his words: What the Bucks did was a b*tch move. Now that’ll be handled at some point, but Swerve will get to business.
Who is going to be Swerve’s opponent for Double or Nothing? The fans ask “WHO? WHO? WHO?” and Swerve says he doesn’t know. Winnipeg doesn’t know. But whoever it is, come, present yourself. But wipe your feet before you step into whose house? “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” But then The Bucks interrupt on the tron. They tell the champ congrats. But guess who else are champs: The Bucks! And uh, they also wanted to stop by because something else has been bothering them. It seems that success has gone to Swerve’s head. The first time he talks after winning the big one, and he badmouths his bosses, the EVPs, on national television, and using curse words?
The network hated that, that is a fine. And maybe Swerve just needs a dose of humility. How do you do that? Well, how about The Bucks arrange the very best, the perfect opponent, for Swerve at Double or Nothing? This man happens to be one of the best Canadian pro-wrestlers of all time. He’s a former champion, and hasn’t been around. But he’s waiting at the go position, ready to meet Swerve! Hit the music in three, two, one. GO! It’s… Christian Cage?! The fans are a bit torn as they were hoping for a different Canadian star, but The Patriarch leads Mother Shayna, Nick Wayne & Killswitch/Luchasaurus to the ring.
Christian gets a mic as he goes up onto the apron. He steps inside, Shayna Wayne by his side, but Nick and Killswitchasaurus lurking outside. There are fans who cheer on Christian, and then he sucker punches Swerve with the mic!! Christian fires off hands and knocks Swerve down, and Nana can only cower in a corner! But Swerve gets up to fire back! And he DECKS Nick! And he BOOTS Killswitch! But then Shayna gets in Swerve’s face. Killswitchasaurus turns Swerve around to HEADBUTT him! And he CLOBBERS Nana! Christian snatches the world title, drags Swerve up, KILLSWITCH on the belt!!
The fans are again torn, but Christian then drags Nana up! He holds Nana in place so Nick can hit WAYNE’S WORLD! Christian then goes back to the mic, and he looms over Swerve to tell him, “There’s something you should know about me. I never forget. I haven’t forgotten that some months ago, you broke into my son, Nick Wayne’s gym and left him in a pool of his own blood. I haven’t forgotten- Keep it down while I’m conducting my business!” The fans boo but Christian says he didn’t forget that at one time, they were a tag team at the biggest show in the history of this business, and Swerve lost! Swerve embarrassed Christian!
Christian’s been waiting for the right moment to make him answer for those mistakes, and Swerve went and won the world championship. It seems like there’s no better time than right now to make Swerve pay for those mistakes. Christian will embarrass Swerve the same way Swerve embarrassed him. Christian will end Swerve’s reign before it even begins, and make him a footnote in the history of AEW! The fans boo more but Christian says he heard that speech last week, Swerve talking about his path to this title, how grueling it was and how he put every ounce of himself into it, to where his own daughter doesn’t even know him.
Christian tells Swerve that when he’s done with Swerve, Swerve’s daughter won’t want to know him! But Christian will promise Swerve this: Swerve’s daughter will have a father she can be proud of for the rest of her life! Christian tells Winnipeg that the same way the Colorado Avalanche walked into their house and took their championship dreams away, Christian will walk into Swerve’s House at Double or Nothing and rip this AEW World Championship from his hands. But Swerve, know this: “The pain has just begun.” And with that, Luchasaurus PULLS Swerve’s hair out of his head! Luchasaurus shows off the braid, will that only be the first trophy The Patriarchy takes?
AEW TNT Championship: Adam “Edge” Copeland VS ??? w/ The House of Black!
After defeating The Rated R Superstar, as well as Mark Briscoe & Eddie Kingston, at Dynasty, the House of Black has answered the call of the #CopeOpen. However, they’re going to keep us guessing until the very moment it’s time to fight! Malakai Black speaks from the shadows that everyone expected him to come out here, all the bells and whistles. But why should Malakai fight Edge now, when watching what he did to Edge infiltrating Edge’s mind is so much more rewarding? Malakai laughs, but then who is coming for the gold? It’s the Aussie Juggernaut, Buddy Matthews! The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if the House Always Wins!
The bell rings and the fans rally up as Edge and Buddy stare down. The two tie up, Buddy headlocks, but Edge powers up and out. They RAM shoulders and neither falls. The two reset, tie up again, and Edge headlocks. Buddy powers up and out, they RAM shoulders, and again neither falls. The fans rally as the two circle, tie up, and Buddy headlocks for the takeover. Buddy holds off the headscissors but Edge powers through. Edge has the headscissors, Buddy kips free, but turns around into a headlock takeover. Buddy headscissors, Edge kips free, but Buddy sweeps to a cover! ONE, and Edge sweeps to a cover, ONE!
Buddy kip sup and stares Edge down and the fans cheer. Edge and Buddy circle, tie up, and Buddy waistlocks. Edge pries at the hold, switches back, and he CLUBS Buddy. Edge back suplexes, Buddy lands out and RANAS! Edge tumbles out, Buddy builds speed, but then he stops as Edge is ready. The two stare down, Edge eggs Buddy on, and Buddy kicks him. Buddy whips, Edge reverses and TOSSES Buddy out! Edge builds speed but Buddy hurries in, Edge DUMPS Buddy back out! Edge gets moving and DIVES! Down goes Buddy and the fans fire up! Edge shakes out his arms and gets to his feet as Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Edge storms his way over to Buddy at the ramp, drags him up, and sends him into the steel steps! Edge refreshes the ring count, then stalks Buddy to the barriers. Edge brings Buddy around to whip him hard into the railing! The fans fire up as Edge storms over to Buddy, CLUBS him on the back, but then Buddy kicks back! Buddy SMACKS Edge off barriers, makes him take a seat, then runs to KNEE Edge into barriers! Buddy shoves Edge down, then brings him back up to ROCK him with a forearm! Buddy puts Edge in the ring, storms his way up the steps, and then storms up to Edge. Edge throws body shots and forearms in return!
Edge has Buddy in a corner, but Buddy shoves Edge away. Buddy runs up, into a kitchen sink knee! Buddy sits up clutching his stomach, but Edge pushes him down for a cover, TWO! Buddy bails out, Edge pursues, and Edge brings Buddy around to SMACK off steel steps! Edge ROCKS Buddy with forearm after forearm, but then Buddy WRINGS Edge’s arm into the apron! Buddy rolls into the ring, Edge drags himself back up, and Dynamite returns to single picture. Buddy runs up but Edge fires hands! Edge bumps Buddy off buckles, then HOTSHOTS him! The fans rally and Edge drags himself back up, to RAM into Buddy, only for Buddy to make it a DDT!
The fans rally while both men are down. Edge and Buddy rise up, and Buddy stomps Edge to a corner. Buddy stomps a mudhole in, the fans boo and the ref counts. Buddy stomps Edge more, then CHOKES him! The ref counts and fans boo but Buddy lets off at 4. Buddy drags Edge up, snapmares and KICKS him in the back! Edge writhes while Buddy soaks up the heat. Buddy sits Edge up, runs and stops to clamp on a chinlock! Buddy grinds Edge down, almost has a Bulldog Choke, but Edge endures. The fans rally up as Edge moves around, then rises to his feet. Edge RAMS Buddy into a corner, but Buddy holds on tight!
Edge flails, pries at the hold, and he RAMS Buddy into the corner again! Buddy won’t let go, and Edge starts to fade! The fans rally up again and Edge fights up. Edge RAMS Buddy in again, gets free this time, and comes back, but into a BOOT! Buddy runs up, but into a FLAPJACK! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Buddy rolls to the apron on one side, Edge goes to another. Edge finds Buddy at the corner, but Buddy fires hands! Buddy climbs up now, but Edge resists the lift! The fans fire up as Edge throws body shots then haymakers! Buddy gives those right back, they hockey scrum right up top!
Buddy HEADBUTTS and both men fall back! They both hit apron and then the floor! The fans fire up while the ring count begins. Both men stir at 4 of 10, flounder at 5, and sit up at 7! They stand at 9 and slide in! The fans fire up as this match continues, and the two start throwing forearms! Edge gets the edge, but Buddy still hits back! Edge stands, reels Buddy in but Buddy wrenches out to shove and FOREARM! Buddy runs, but Edge follows to FOREARM! Edge runs, Buddy swings, Edge dodges, but then Buddy dodges! DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! The fans fire up again as both men are down!
The ref checks both men, Buddy sputters and has some blood in his mouth. Medics are called over, is Buddy already done for? He gets checked on while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
The ref double checks Edge, he seems alright. Buddy is still coughing for air, but there doesn’t seem to be any critical damage done, so the match continues. Both men stand, and they fire haymakers! The hockey scrum is back, Edge ROCKS Buddy then KNEES him low! Buddy backs to a corner, Edge whips him corner to corner hard! Buddy coughs for air again as he doubles over. The ref checks him, Buddy says he’s good to go so Edge digs his knee into Buddy’s face! The ref counts, Edge drags Buddy up, and Edge DECKS Buddy with a forearm! The ref again checks on Buddy, but he refuses to stay down, so Edge DECKS him again!
Buddy sits up in a daze, so Edge brings him up to DECK him again! The ref has Edge stay back to double check on Buddy, but somehow Buddy is hanging in there. Dynamite returns to single picture, and Edge CHOPS Buddy in the corner! And CHOPS again! Edge keeps Buddy standing, then climbs up the corner. Edge rains down fists and the fans count all the way to TEN! But Buddy YANKS Edge down into the buckle! And again, and again, and again! Then Buddy gets up and under Edge, for a SITOUT POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Edge survives but Buddy is too sore to be upset. The fans rally up as both men stir, and Buddy rolls his way to the apron.
Buddy drags himself up, climbs a corner, but Edge runs up to trip him up! Buddy lands on the crossbar, and then Edge BOOTS him! Edge then climbs up the corner, he CLUBS Buddy on the back again and again, and he brings Buddy to the top rope. Edge fires a few more fists, but Buddy hits back! Buddy SMACKS Edge off buckles, then goes up and over to SUNSET FLIP! Edge holds onto the ropes so Buddy lets off. Edge mule kicks Buddy right in the chest! But Buddy comes back to UPPERCUT! Buddy climbs, Edge fights the superplex and shoves him away. Buddy comes right back to try again, but he just gets more body shots!
Edge brings Buddy up, for a SUPER IMPALER!! Both men are down as Edge can’t make the cover! The fans are thunderous as Edge crawls over, cover, TWO!! Buddy survives, showing some serious toughness! The fans cheer on “A E DUB! A E DUB!” and then fire up as Edge rises! Edge takes aim from a corner as Buddy rises up. Edge runs in, but into a KICK! And a KNEE! And another KNEE! Buddy then suplexes, JACKHAMMER!! Cover, TWO!! But into a CROSSFACE!! Buddy has Edge caught, but Edge endures and fights around. Edge reaches out, the fans rally as hard as they can, and Edge turns things into a cradle! TWO!!
Buddy swings, but into an OLYMPIC SLAM! We reach the 20 minute mark, time is running out! Edge finds the cover, TWO!! Buddy is still in this after everything he’s taken, but Edge aims to finish this. Buddy rises, Edge runs in, but Buddy sends him into buckles! Buddy then fireman’s carries, to GO TO SLEEP!! Buddy staggers back but he aims! Buddy runs up, but Edge dodges the stomp! Edge shoves and SPEARS!! Cover, EDGE WINS!
Winner: Adam “Edge” Copeland, by pinfall (still AEW TNT Champion)
The Rated R Superstar retains, but in many ways survives this challenge! But there’s rage boiling over and he CLUBS away on Buddy! Edge goes out and looks around, and he finds two chairs! Everyone knows what Edge does with chairs, and he gets in the ring! Buddy flounders, stands, but Edge SMACKS him back down! Edge puts that chair under Buddy’s head, and then gets the other chair! Fans are torn, but is Edge really gonna do this? Edge seems to be conflicted, as well, but then the lights go out! When the lights come back up, MALAKAI BLACK is there! The Dark Father tells Edge to do it!? Do what he was going to! And even Buddy wants it!
Edge raises the chair, but then aims at Malakai! The lights go out again, and the House is gone. Was The Rated R Superstar about to give in to his darkness? Or will the guiding light of being TNT Champion help keep him safe against the House of Black?
Samoa Joe VS Isiah Kassidy!
The King of Wrestling Television may have lost his crown, but he hasn’t lost what made him champion in the first place. Will he get back on track with a win tonight? Or will Brother Zay earn a title shot (shot shot) of his own by pinning the former champion?
The bell rings and fans sing “Joe is gonna kill~ you!” Zay brushes that off as he and Joe circle. They feel things out, but Zay gets back, and he grabs Joe’s towel! Zay mocks Joe, does a dance, and Joe smirks. Joe CHOKES Zay using the towel! The ref counts, Joe lets off, but Zay claws the eyes! Zay tells Joe he wants none of this! Zay runs, but Joe FLAPJACKS him! Joe then JABS! JABS! JABS! Joe fires off on Zay in the corner, then OVERHAND CHOPS! Joe applauds with the fans while Zay bails out. Joe builds speed, but he stops the dive as Zay slides in. Joe goes back to the apron but Zay runs up to triangle jump STUNNER!
Joe falls back, Zay fires up and builds speed, and Zay FLIES, but Joe just steps aside! Zay crashes ‘n’ burns as fans cheer Joe’s signature dodge! Joe drags Zay up, puts him in the ring, and the singing continues, “Joe is gonna kill~ you!” Joe drags Zay up, but Zay throat chops! The fans boo but Zay hobbles, runs, and flapjack DROPKICKS! Joe ends up in a corner, Zay hobbles over and rains down fists! And elbows! Zay MONKEY FLIP- NO, Joe is just too big for that! Joe puts Zay up top, HEADBUTTS, then tucks him in! MUSLCE BUSTER!! Joe drops into the cover, and wins!
Winner: Samoa Joe, by pinfall
Championship or not, Joe is still a dangerous man! Will all the champions of AEW have to watch out for Joe coming after them?
Skye Blue speaks.
“Willow Nightingale, my former best friend. You’re a damn fraud! You know last time one-on-one in that ring, I had you pinned. If it weren’t for that bald b*tch on a leash, Stokely Hathaway… And Julia and I, last time in Canada, we beat both you and Statlander in a Street Fight. So you know I have your number because I have proved it every damn week. And if you’re even half the woman that you say you are, come prove it tonight on Rampage, and put the TBS title on the line.” The Chicago Skye has made the challenge, will Willow go on a Rampage with her?
Orange Cassidy is here!
Winnipeg fires up for Freshly Squeezed, but surely he is in a sour mood after how the Parking Lot Brawl went. It wasn’t even that Trent Beretta beat Chuck Taylor and won. It was that after the match, Trent used a monkey wrench to all but shatter Chuck’s leg just because he could! Cassidy gets in the ring now and has a mic to say, “I hate this. See, I thought after Saturday, when my Best Friends, Chuck and Trent, got into a parking lot, beat each other up, and get everything out of their systems, we’d come back together, stand here in this ring together, as Best Friends. But see, that’s never gonna happen.
“I have been told that because of what Trent did to Chuck after the match… I have been told that my Best Friend, Chuck Taylor, will never wrestle again.” Fans are shocked and upset, and Cassidy takes off the sunglasses. “So now I’m standing in this ring alone, to tell you, Trent Beretta, that the next time I see you-” Trent interrupts! And he says wow, big surprise! Cassidy is making things about himself again! Trying to make somebody else’s career ending about himself! Cassidy rushes out but the security guards get in the way! Trent says Cassidy is too selfish! That’s why this all happened! Chuck’s career is over because of Cassidy, not Trent!
Cassidy is still pushing through the security guards so Kris Statlander hurries out here to stop him! Trent says Cassidy is the selfish one! Then Don Callis walks out here!? The fans boo as Callis talks Cassidy down, and whispers something to him. Trent says Cassidy is selfish, and Cassidy actually walks away with Callis?! Trent gives a mocking thumbs up, but just what is going on here?
Backstage interview with The Young Bucks.
Renee Paquette is with Matthew & Nicholas Jackson, and says tonight is a big night. Can the EVPs give her any nuggets as to what else is planned? Matt says first off, she’s killing it as always. How’s the family? How’s Jon? Oh, they’re all g- That’s great to hear. But they don’t really have time to talk right now, they’re looking for an old. Has she happened to bump into him yet? No? Okay. Well, they’ve had way too much TV time tonight already, let’s give some to their good friend, The Scapegoat, Jack Perry! Jack tags in for the interview and Renee asks him just what the hell was he thinking attacking Tony Khan last week.
Jack says he meant what he said last week. The only thing he wants is what’s best for AEW. And some people might not see it, but that’s what he did. The funny part to Jack is that Tony Khan is the one who made Jack into “The Scapegoat.” It hurt at the time, but he accepted it at the time because he realized that it was a sacrifice that someone was gonna have to make. But we all have to sacrifice, Tony. And thanks to you, we are entering a new era of AEW, under The Elite! Jack & The Bucks head out, what else is going to happen in their era?
FTW Championship: Chris Jericho VS Katsuyori Shibata!
The Learning Tree has not only changed his attitude and his song, but now he’s changed his look when it comes to his ring gear. All this along with how he has supposedly changed the meaning of the acronym. This is now the #ForTheWorld Championship, because he claims to be doing all this for the world! Well, will The Wrestler cut down The Learning Tree for the sake of the world? Or will even Shibata have something to learn from The Wizard?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly the master!
The bell rings and Jericho claps along with the fans as they rally up. Jericho and Shibata tie up, Jericho arm-drags, then gets all fired up for himself. Jericho waves to the fans, then circles with Shibata. They tie up, Jericho waistlocks, but Shibata switches, snapmares, and clamps on a chinlock. Shibata then floats to a top wristlock, even as fans actually cheer on the “LEARNING TREE!” Jericho fights up, Shibata wristlocks, but Jericho has the ropes. Shibata lets off slowly, but Jericho CHOPS! Shibata CHOPS back! Jericho CHOPS, Shibata CHOPS, repeat! The fans ‘WOO~” and Jericho CHOPS, CHOPS and CHOPS!
Jericho whips, he CLOBBERS Shibata, then LIONSAULTS legs onto legs! Cover, ONE!! Jericho stays cool as he goes out of the ring. Jericho looks under the ring, goes around the way, and he keeps searching. What does he want? It’s the trash can lid! Just like in his match with Hook! Jericho SMACKS Shibata down! Jericho goes back out and looks for something else. He brings out a black bag! Those are never good… Jericho brings the bag in and dumps out… HOCKEY PUCKS! The fans cheer that, because those are Winnipeg Jets pucks! But then Shibata hits an STO onto the pucks! Jericho writhes, and Shibata drags him up, to snap suplex onto pucks!
Jericho writhes, again suffering from his own idea. Shibata stomps Jericho, grabs that trash can lid, but puts it aside. Shibata brushes the pucks away with his feet, to CHOP! And CHOPS! The fans “WOO~!” as those CHOPS echo out! Jericho stands, but Shibata CHOPS again! Jericho CHOPS, Shibata CHOPS, and then Shibata eggs Jericho on! The fans fire up and Jericho nods. Jericho CHOPS, but Shibata CHOPS! Both men’s chests are getting redder as the CHOPS keep going! Jericho CHOPS, Shibata barely flinches! Shibata CHOPS, Jericho winces, but he still CHOPS! Shibata CHOPS and the fans are all fired up!
Jericho goes to a corner, grits his teeth and comes back to CHOP! Shibata CHOPS right before Dynamite goes picture in picture!
Jericho is starting to get frustrated, but he still CHOPS! Shibata CHOPS again! CHOP after CHOP, neither man is backing down! Oh, but Jericho does feel that one more than the rest! Shibata eggs Jericho on, and Jericho frowns as he looks around. Jericho stares Shibata down, then winds up to CHOP! Shibata CHOPS again! Jericho huffs and puffs but that one really stung. Jericho still CHOPS, Shibata CHOPS again, and this CHOP fight isn’t stopping! Jericho pumps up to COHP! Shibata pumps up to CHOP! Jericho takes a moment, his entire chest is red! Jericho gets in Shibata’s face, snarls and fires up the fans, to CHOP!
The CHOP fest hits another stride! Shibata CHOPS, and CHOPS, and then CHOPS again! Jericho ends up in a corner, he CHOPS back and they speed back up! Shibata CHOPS overhand and Jericho is sent reeling! Shibata doesn’t even seem to care that his chest is bright red! The CHOPS just keep going back and forth, over and over! Jericho needs to catch his breath from the impacts, but he doesn’t stop coming back for more! Winnipeg fires up as the CHOPS just keep going and Dynamite returns to single picture! The fans cheer on “A E DUB! A E DUB!” as the CHOPS just keep ringing out!
Shibata CHOPS, and CHOPS and then finally goes to forearms in the corner! Shibata gives one more CHOP, then he goes corner to corner, but Jericho CHUCKS a puck! Shibata takes it and comes back with haymakers! Jericho trips Shibata into the WALLS OF JERICHO! The fans go wild as Shibata endures! Shibata fights around, reaches out, but Jericho keeps him from ropes! Jericho sits deep on the hold, but Shibata pushes up, tucks ‘n’ rolls and gets the ankles to trip Jericho! Shibata steps through into a FIGURE FOUR! Now fans “WOO~” for a different reason! Jericho grabs another puck as he sits up, to CHUCK it into Shibata’s face!!
Shibata clutches his nose as he lets the leglock go, and Jericho has more pucks! The fans fire up as Jericho goes out to search under the ring. He brings out a kendo stick, and a trash can! Jericho is again recreating his match with Hook, but he also adds another kendo stick. Jericho puts the can around Shibata, then SMACKS it with the stick! And again! The stick is breaking as Jericho SMACKS away with those headshot strikes! Wait, Shibata is standing up!? Shibata is perhaps using the can as armor as he steps into the strikes! Jericho keeps hitting Shibata but Shibata keeps backing him down! Now Jericho’s cornered!
Jericho apologizes, but Shibata TRASH CAN HEADBUTTS him! Jericho sits down, Shibata kicks him, then takes off the trash can! The fans fire up as Shibata lets Jericho hold the can, then runs to HYDRAULIC DROPKICK it into Jericho! Jericho flounders, Shibata covers, TWO! Shibata clears some space, and he finds the kendo sticks! The fans fire up as Shibata dual wields, only to give one to Jericho! Shibata wants a fair fight, after all! Jericho and Shibata circle, but then Shibata sits down? So Jericho does the same. They square up, and Shibata SMACKS Jericho on the ear! Jericho SMACKS Shibata on the shoulder, Shibata returns fire, and the fans fire up!
The SMACKS go again and again, then they clash stick to stick! Shibata disarms Jericho to then SMACK away on Jericho’s leg! Then he gets around, KENDO STICK SAIDO onto the pucks!! Jericho writhes, Shibata goes out and looks under the ring. Shibata brings out a TABLE! The fans go wild seeing that! Shibata puts the table into the ring, props it up in a table, and he fires off JABS and CHOPS! Jericho wobbles with every shot, so Shibata CLUBS him again and again and again! Then CHOPS him! Jericho is against the table, Shibata runs, but into a CODE BREAKER!! Cover, TWO!! The fans fire up as Shibata survives!
Jericho aims from a corner, takes aim, JUDAS- SLEEPER!! Shibata has Jericho caught, but Jericho flails around! Jericho reaches for ropes, but Shibata grabs that arm, ripcords and CHOPS! Jericho falls and Shibata goes back to the table. The fans duel as Shibata takes this table and stands it up in the drop zone. “This is Awesome!” but wait! BIG BILL is here! And he BOOTS Jericho down!! The fans boo as Morrissey saves the Learning Tree and then SKYSCRAPER CHOKE SLAMS Shibata through the table!! Bill leaves it to Jericho, and Jericho crawls to cover Shibata in the wreckage. Jericho wins!
Winner: Chris Jericho, by pinfall (still FTW Champion)
Bill saved Jericho #ForTheWorld, and Jericho seems to appreciate that. Will The Learning Tree take Bill under his wing- er, branches, and guide him to success?
BREAKING NEWS for Collision!
May the Fourth be with you as AEW takes Saturday night off for the Star Wars movie marathon!
Backstage interview with Willow Nightingale, Kris Statlander & Stokely Hathaway.
Renee is with the TBS Champion, the Galaxy’s Greatest and #BigStoke, and she brings up last week’s confrontation with Mercedes Mone. It seemed there was major miscommunication there. Yes, Kris wants to apologizes. Mone had no right to interrupt, Kris was just trying to diffuse the situation, but it backfired onto Willow, Kris is so sorry. Renee pivots to later tonight on Rampage with another challenger in the form of Skye Blue. Yes, Willow will accept the challenge. Because lucky for Skye Blue, last week left Willow in a fighting mood. So Mone, don’t think Willow will forget about that cheap shot.
But Skye, if you want a fight, honey, Willow will mop the floor with you! With this title on the line, Willow will maim, massacre, right here in Winnipeg, Manitoba! Stokely speaks up, saying the worst part is what Skye said about him! And he can’t complain to nobody because those p*icks, the Young Bucks, beat up Tony Khan! And worst part about that is, they did it before payday! But then a technical aid brings Renee her phone. Oh, it’s a text from Matt & Nick… They tell her she’s doing a good job, though she could be smiling more. And let Stoke & Kris know that they are now BANNED from ringside during the TBS Championship! Any interference will strip Willow of the title!
Okay, aside from Stoke’s own words and actions, what’d he do to deserve this!? Kris and Stoke head out, and she makes sure he knows it was his fault. Renee wishes Willow luck, Willow thanks Renee, and she fires herself up. Will the Babe with the Power still be the Face of TBS after tonight?
BREAKING NEWS for Dynamite!
After checking Buddy off the list, and then almost taking him out for good, Adam “Edge” Copeland is moving on through the House of Black to face Brody King! Will the Rated R Superstar go two for two? Or will the House win out in the end? Plus, after the tense confrontation from tonight, Freshly Squeezed will look to avenge Chuckie T with his own two hands! Orange Cassidy takes on Trent Beretta, who will prove they were always the best Best Friend?
Claudio Castagnoli VS Brian Cage!
The Swiss Superman gave Swerve an awesome fight last week on Collision, and believes that he is the best not because he always wins, but because he always shows up, day after day after day. Claudio acknowledges he isn’t the “shiny new toy,” because he’s the one that’ll never break! Will he prove that even against The Mogul Embassy’s Machine? Or will the #Swolverine get his stuff in and take the win?
The bell rings and both men run in to DOUBLE LARIAT! They fire forearms back and forth as fans chant “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” Claudio winds up to LARIAT! Cage stays up, and he LARIATS back! Claudio rebounds to LARIAT! Cage rebounds to LARIAT! The LARIATS go back and forth, then Cage UPPERCUTS! Cage suplexes high and hard! Claudio gets up in a huff, and he UPPERCUTS back! And UPPERCUTS again and again! Claudio reels Cage in for a BIG suplex! But Cage gets right up! Cage ducks ‘n’ dodges to tilt-o-whirl RANA! Claudio stands up, into a DROPKICK! Cage asks, “Who betta than Cage?”
Cage whips Claudio to ropes, but Claudio KICKS back! Claudio then runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Cage drops, only for the hurdle to be caught! Claudio makes it a BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up as Claudio roars, and Claudio drags Cage up. The fans rally as Claudio fires forearms, then he whips Cage to a corner. Cage goes up and over, schoolboy and BOOT! Cage storms up on Claudio, brings him up to fireman’s carry, but Claudio slips free! Claudio shoves Cage to the corner, runs up, but into an ELBOW! Cage runs up, but into a scoop! Claudio holds Cage up before the SLAM! Then Claudio ninja runs to DOUBLE STOMP!
The fans fire up and Claudio fires off on Cage in a corner. Claudio rains down fists, the fans count along, but Cage dumps Claudio over before five! Claudio hits back, ELBOWS Cage, but Cage GAMANGIRIS! Cage goes up the corner, and the fans fire up for the deadlift SUPERPLEX! The fans fire up and Cage flexes while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Cage storms after Claudio, and he CHOKES Claudio on ropes! The ref counts, Cage lets off and stomps Claudio down, then stomps a mudhole. The ref counts again, Cage lets off at 4, and Claudio sputters. Cage drags Claudio up, but Claudio ROCKS him! And ROCKS him again and again! But Cage JUMP KNEES! Cage reels Claudio in to scoop and SLAM! Cage then runs to drop the leg, brother! Cover, TWO! Cage is annoyed but Claudio snarls. Cage pushes Claudio around, but Claudio CHOPS! Claudio goes to a corner, Cage COHPS him in return! Cage stalks Claudio to another corner, and CHOPS again.
Claudio goes to the fourth corner, but CHOPS in return! And CHOPS again, and again! Claudio whips corner to corner, Cage reverses and Claudio hits buckles hard! Cage stomps Claudio, soaks up the heat, then storms over to Claudio in the corner. Cage whips corner to corner, runs in and UPPERCUTS! Then spins to clothesline! Then wrenches for the SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Claudio stays in this but Cage stays on Claudio with a chinlock! Claudio endures, even as Cage squeezes tight! Claudio fights up to his feet, but Cage wrangles him down with a leg sweep! Cage leans on the chinlock and grinds Claudio into the mat!
Claudio endures, fights back up, and Dynamite returns to single picture. Claudio throws body shots, then elbows. Claudio whips, Cage reverses and SUPERKICKS! Claudio ends up on ropes, Cage dials it up, 619! Claudio staggers, Cage DISCUS LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Claudio survives but Cage stays focused. Cage pump handles, lifts, but Claudio lands out! Claudio dodges to springboard, FLYING UPPERCUT! The fans fire up while both men are down! The standing count starts, Claudio rises at 3 and Cage is in a corner. Claudio runs up to UPPERCUT! Claudio UPPERCUTS again and again and again as the fans fire up!
The ref counts, Claudio lets off, but then jukes to UPPERCUT again! Claudio roars, runs and BOOTS! Cage BOOTS back! Claudio BOOTS again, so Cage kicks, Claudio blocks to UPPERCUT, SUPERKICK and then Cage is on ropes! The fans fire up as Claudio dials it up! SWISS-1-9!! Cage flounders up, into a DISCUS LARIAT from Claudio! Cover, TWO! Cage survives but Claudio keeps his cool. Claudio drags Cage up and reels him in, Gotch lift, but Cage Alabama Lifts, to ALABAMA BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio survives but Cage hauls him up! Fireman’s carry, but Claudio fights free! Claudio shoves, Cage ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Claudio comes back to POP-UP UPPERCUT!! Cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up as Claudio calls for it! Claudio gets Cage’s legs, for the GIANT SWING!! Cage goes around and around and around, and the fans count along! Claudio goes all the way to nine, then steps through for a Canadian favorite, the SHARPSHOOTER! Cage crawls forward but Claudio drags him back! Cage is caught, he taps! Claudio wins!
Winner: Claudio Castagnoli, by submission
The Swiss Superman proves tougher than the Swolverine, because that is the power of never stopping! Will Claudio not stop on his way back to a championship?
Backstage interview with Rocky Romero.
Renee is now with Azucar, and brings up the Best Friends tearing each other apart. Next week on Dynamite, Cassidy VS Trent, can she even ask Rocky who he sides with? Rocky says he doesn’t side with anyone in this. Who’s the real winner anyway? The whole thing has been tearing Rocky apart and he just can’t take it anymore. He’s done with it. He told Trent, Chuck, Kris and Cassidy that he’s out. Rocky Romero does his own thing from now on. And that thing is becoming a champion here in AEW. Rocky has been a champ in NJPW, in ROH, and in CMLL. The only way Rocky knows how to do that is by challenging the best.
And speaking of, there’s one guy that brings out the best in Rocky, and who he brings the best out of in return. Just a couple weeks ago, they brought the best out of each other when taking on The Undisputed Kingdom. Rocky tells Kyle O’Reilly that he wants to face him again, here tonight on Rampage, in the great city of Winnipeg! Rocky VS Kyle one more time, may the best man win. Renee wishes Rocky luck and he says thanks, he’ll need it. Will #CombatKyle give Azucar the best fight either man has ever had?
Serena Deeb VS Mariah May w/ Toni Storm & Luther!
The Professor of Professional Wrestling said last week that she is going to prove herself as THE best wrestler in the AEW Women’s Division, and that of course means becoming THE AEW Women’s World Champion. Will Deeb not only put the “understudy” to the test, but prove herself worthy of facing the leading lady?
The bell rings and the two tie up. Deeb headlocks, spins, wrenches, hammerlocks, headlocks, and repeat! Then Deeb hits the takeover, but Mariah headscissors. Deeb kips free, the two stand off, and the fans applaud. The two reset, tie up again, and Mariah waistlocks. Deeb reaches up, slips her hand into the waisltock, then wrenches free. Mariah wrenches back, but Deeb rolls, rolls, then wrenches to wristlock and wrangle Mariah. Deeb then grabs a leg, has a standing toehold, and she smiles at Storm as she ties up Mariah! Mariah ends up in Paradise! Deeb shows it off to the fans and they cheer while Mariah is frustrated.
The fans rally, Deeb goes to a corner, and she runs up to DROPKICK Mariah outta Paradise! Mariah flounders to a corner, Deeb eggs her on, and Mariah runs up. Deeb dodges, spins Mariah, and snapmares to then run and run Mariah over! Things keep moving, Deeb turns Mariah’s hip toss into a takedown, then she gets the legs to turn her over, SEATED SURFBOARD! Mariah endures and the fans cheer! Deeb lets Mariah go to let her get away. Deeb runs in, Mariah goes up and over to ROCK Deeb! Mariah puts Deeb up top, then CHOPS! Deeb snarls as Mariah swaggers, then Mariah comes back with the STRATUSPHERE!
Mariah keeps moving, and she SHOTGUNS Deeb down! Deeb flounders to ropes, Mariah poses, and the fans cheer as Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Mariah storms up on Deeb while Storm smiles with pride. Mariah digs her boot into Deeb, lets off as the ref counts, then snapmares Deeb so she can scuff her. Mariah stands Deeb up to CHOP her, and Deeb goes to ropes. Deeb CHOPS, but Mariah CHOPS again! Deeb CHOPS, CHOPS, but Mariah knees low! Mariah scoops to hit a SPINNING SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, TWO! Mariah keeps cool as she keeps on Deeb with a chinlock. Mariah shows her own technical prowess with the grip as she grinds Deeb down. Deeb endures, fights up, and throws body shots! Deeb is free, she runs, but Mariah LARIATS her down!
Deeb staggers back up but Mariah is on her. Mariah scoops and carries Deeb around, for a SWINGING SIDE SLAM! Cover, TWO! Deeb stays in this but Mariah swaggers around. Mariah drags Deeb up, pushes her around, then SLAPS her! Mariah runs, but Deeb drops, sets up, and blocks the kick to SLAP and SLAP and SLAP Mariah in return! Then DRAGON SCREW! Mariah writhes and Deeb fires herself back up. Deeb again eggs Mariah on as Dynamite returns to single picture. Mariah runs up, Deeb dodges and UPPERCUTS! Mariah goes to a corner, Deeb runs in to clothesline! Deeb whips, Mariah reverses, and Mariah runs up.
Mariah blocks Deeb’s kick, but Deeb uses that to reel her in for a KNEE! Deeb goes out to the apron, catches Mariah and turns her, for a NECKBREAKER HOTSHOT! Mariah flounders away, Storm is upset, but Deeb reels Mariah in. Mariah wrenches out, swings, but into a ripcord! Mariah ducks the elbow, but Deeb kicks low! Deeb reels Mariah in but Mariah wrenches out. Mariah facelocks but now Deeb wrenches out, and TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans fire up with Deeb and she storms around the ring. The fans cheer on “DEEB! DEEB! DEEB!” Deeb brings Mariah up, reels her in, tucks the arms, but Mariah slips under!
Deeb ducks the roundhouse and UPPERCUTS Mariah! Deeb reels Mariah in, but Mariah breaks the full nelson and throws elbows! But Deeb shoves Mariah to the ropes and SNAP GERMANS on the return! Deeb hauls Mariah up, hammerlock and PEPSI TWIST! Cover, TWO!! Mariah survives but Storm is still worried. Deeb has the fans rallying again, and Deeb gets a leg. Deeb lets out a “WOO~” but Mariah denies the figure four! Mariah runs up, but Deeb puts her on the apron. Mariah ducks a shot to ROUNDHOUSE! Mariah goes up the corner, to MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up as Deeb flounders away!
Mariah goes to the other corner, says kiss this, and she runs in, SWEET HIP MUSIC! Cover, TWO!! Deeb survives but Mariah runs, because IT’S GONNA KNEE MAY!! Cover, TWO!!! Deeb survives and Mariah is beside herself! May vows to end this, and she storms back up on Deeb. Mariah fireman’s carries, tucks, but Deeb uses that for an OCTOPUS STRETCH!! Mariah then shifts around, sunset flip, but Mariah sits on it! TWO and Deeb finishes the flip, TWO! Mariah swings, into a spin and spin and spin, and a little more spinning, for the backslide! TWO!! Mariah survives, staggers up, and HEADBUTTS a la Storm!
Mariah wrenches, for the SAIDO!! The fans fire up as Deeb goes to a corner! Mariah runs up, but into an ELBOW! Deeb hops up, Mariah returns, but Deeb turns Stratusphere into HALF CRAB!! Mariah is caught as Deeb sits deep! Mariah reaches out, Storm coaches her, and Mariah crawls forward! But Deeb drags her back! Storm panics as Deeb SMASHES the knee over and over! Then a DEEP CRAB!! Storm THROWS IN THE TOWEL, Deeb wins!!
Winner: Serena Deeb, by forfeit
Deeb smiles at Storm, because it shows she’s gotten in her head. And now, she’s gotten her match! The graphic goes up to show it is official, Deeb is the #1 contender and will have her match in Las Vegas! Storm is furious, but who wins when she and Deeb go Double or Nothing?
Backstage interview with Adam “Edge” Copeland.
Renee congratulates The Rated R Superstar on his win tonight, but asks if he’s okay. He seemed out of sorts out there. Edge says yeah, he’s… Uh, yeah, he’s okay. Kyle O’Reilly walks in and says to Edge that as a kid from Canada, Edge’s career has meant a lot to him. And now Kyle is sharing a locker room with him, watching his matches, and seeing what’s going on with The House of Black. Kyle doesn’t dig it, man. So if Edge needs back-up or something, Kyle will be there. Edge appreciates that. Brody King is up next, and uh, hey, eyes up here. Kyle gets caught looking at the TNT title, but Edge understands.
Edge also knows Kyle’s got Rocky Romero on Rampage, so good luck out there. Edge heads out, will he be able to handle the House alone? Or will he call upon #CombatKyle when the deck gets stacked?
And now…
“HE is a former AEW World Champion. HE is the only wrestler to hold the AEW World title, Tag Team titles and Trios titles. While most dream of reaching it, HE actually achieved the illustrious seven-star rating. HE is the pride and joy of NOOOOORTH~ CAROLINA~! However, HE is the Golden Boy of Winnipeg, Manitoba! Tonight, HE returns to AEW. Tonight, HE returns… home. HE is the Cleaner, HE is the Best Bout Machine, HE is a Founding Father of AEW. HE is… KENNY! OOOOOOOOOOMEEEEEEEEGAAAAAAA~!” The fans go wild as the man himself makes his way out to the ring, in a sharp suit and shades.
The pyro goes off for Kenny as he makes his way down the ramp and steps into the ring. Kenny gets the mic as the fans cheer him on, and he says they’re making this tough on him. He’s never been good at this sort of stuff. The fans chant “Welcome Home!” and Kenny smiles. Kenny says he’s never been good at talking about injuries, illness, weakness. A few months back, he was diagnosed with diverticulitis. Fans boo diverticulitis, it sucks, and Kenny says he’ll spare fans the gory details if they don’t know what that entails. But after spending 10 days in the hospital, the doctors told him, “You’re one of the lucky ones. You were 24 hours away from dying.”
So to that, Kenny said, “Cool story, Doc, can you patch me up and send me back to Dynamite?” The doc said it wasn’t that simple. They needed to get what’s in him outta him, and if they cut him open now, they’d have to filet him open, and give him a colostomy back for six months, maybe 12 months, maybe even the rest of his life. Kenny told the doctor, “And if I don’t?” The doc said that’s fine, but then for the rest of his life, Kenny will have a ticking timebomb right in his gut. He might not know where, when or why, but he might just one day wake up in the hospital, having the surgery anyway. Any sort of blunt force trauma to the stomach could kill him.
Kenny says since that day, he can’t lie. He had to stop… Kenny gets emotional here as he says he had to stop watching. He had to stop watching AEW because his hands would shake. He was scared. For the first time in his life, Kenny was scared. He felt pathetic, felt like a coward. Like maybe the point today, this whole thing, was to come out and explain to the fans that he’d have to retire. The fans don’t like the sound of that, but then Kenny did something. He turned on AEW for the first time the other day, and he watched Dynasty. Did anyone else watch Dynasty? The fans all cheer that!
Kenny says he saw Swerve make history! He saw Ospreay and Danielson put on one of the greatest matches he’s ever seen in his LIFE! And he wishes he could say he was happy. But he looked at his hands, they were shaking again. The tremors got worse. Kenny thought to himself, “Am I really scared of being a wrestler?” No, it wasn’t fear. When he came out here, hearing Justin Roberts’ introduction, and hearing every single fan chanting his name, it made Kenny realize something very important. Yes he was scared, but that’s life! Everyone’s scared of something! The reason he was shaking was from WITHDRAWAL! The fans cheer that!
Kenny knew he needed to be back in this ring. More than he wanted to breathe! Because living for Kenny is being in this ring! Being called the Best Bout Machine is what fuels him! And it hurt him, and he hated it, that all the best shows, the best PPVS, the best wrestlers on this planet are in the conversation, and Kenny’s being forgotten! So Kenny made a promise to himself, and he makes it to each and everyone watching. “This isn’t over until I exhaust every option! If there’s a 10% chance, a 5% chance, a 1% chance, bag or no bag, you guys aren’t done with Kenny Omega yet.” The fans cheer that!
Kenny says he made a mission statement, #ChangeTheWorld! And that brings him on to the second piece of business. Speaking of colostomy bags, let’s talk about two other bags of crap right now! “Matthew and Nicholas! You’ve been running roughshod over this company and embarrassing yourselves more than you’ve embarrassed yourselves ever before in the past. And you’re free to do that as EVPs. But what you forget… Is that there’s also one other EVP. I may be ‘fired’ from The Elite, but you can’t fire me as an EVP. So as far as I’m concerned, until someone says otherwise, a part of the power in this company belongs to the Best Bout Machine!”
The fans love hearing that! But then the coin drops, and Kazuchika Okada makes his way out here! The Rainmaker, the Continental Champion, is also in his own great suit, and has his own mic. Okada steps into the ring with Omega, these great rivals meeting once again. The fans lose their minds seeing this, and Omega tells “Ohh hisashiburi da na, Okada.” AKA long time no see. The Rainmaker, The Best Bout Machine. Funny, Omega and Okada had a rivalry in NJPW, right? How about Okada gives Omega a couple months, and they’ll settle things right here in AEW? The fans REALLY love the sound of that!
Okada thinks, then says, “I’m sorry, Kenny. I’M the Best Bout Machine now.” And then JACK PERRY ATTACKS FROM BEHIND! The fans boo as The Scapegoat takes a cheap shot, and then Omega gets a chair! Okada slides that in for Jack, and Jack swings on security! Guard after guard goes down, and then Jack aims at Omega! Omega dodges the shot to JAB! JAB! JAB! And then he ROCKS Jack, KNEES him again and again, then brings Jack into a full nelson! SNAP DRAGON! But Omega winces and clutches his gut. The fans rally for Omega but Omega is risking his life just doing this! Omega stands, takes off the suit jacket, and he fires up!
Omega rips his shirt open, takes aim at Jack, and BANG! Omega runs, but Omega trips him up just enough! Omega kicks at Okada, but then Jack JAMS Omega with the chair!! The gut shot takes Omega down! Fans boo but Okada grins and Jack smirks. Okada sputters, The Bucks hurry out here and are very upset. Though, they were also upset last week with the attack on Tony Khan… The Bucks have Okada and Jack stand down, Omega is still their friend. Omega sputters and coughs, the fans rally behind him, and he manages to sit up. But then the Bucks each take a hand, for an E V P TRIGGER!!!
The fans boo as hard as they can as The Elite close in on Omega again. But here comes FTR! Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood aren’t 100% either but they’re not gonna let that stop them! They run The Elite off to make sure Omega stays safe. Medical stuff checks on Omega, will he be alright? Will the Top Guys tear down this corrupt Elite once and for all?
My Thoughts:
A great episode of Dynamite here, especially following up the wild stuff from last week. I just knew the Bucks were going to cut Tony Khan’s opening promo off to give their own promo and make Dynamite all about them. Swerve calling them out on stuff again was good, and it was a good swerve to make us think the Bucks were outright making Omega the #1 contender and then give us Christian Cage. That beatdown from The Patriarchy is definitely going to rile Swerve up, this is going to be a good feud for Double or Nothing and a solid PPV defense for Swerve. But then perhaps the biggest shock of all was right there at the end where Omega wasn’t on The Bucks’ side of this, and they immediately retaliate for it.
Now obviously, if Omega’s able to take all these shots, with the extra stuff happening during the Rampage broadcast, he’s doing a lot better than his great promo would have us believe. But this is all great Heel heat for The Bucks, Okada & Jack Perry, and Omega can now be away for a few more weeks to get back into ring shape for whatever big move we have. Perhaps Blood & Guts, Omega, Hangman & FTR VS New Evil Elite, leading to some various title matches going into All In London 2024. It would be fitting if, one year to the day, Bucks VS FTR was again for the tag titles, and this time Jack was having a grudge match with Hangman or something.
Really good win for Samoa Joe in a return to action, and a great match from Claudio VS Brian Cage to follow up Claudio giving Swerve a great match. Awesome TNT Championship match from Edge and Buddy, but Buddy’s condition after that double crossbody spot was really scary. But of course Edge wins, and I do like the move they’re pulling is Edge being affected by Malakai’s mist. That’s been a very good, very consistent through-line for many feuds involving The House of Black, so I like the many possibilities they have with Edge here. Edge VS Brody will also be great stuff but obviously Edge VS Malakai is for Double or Nothing and will be the epic culmination of what’s going on with Edge after being hit by the mist.
Really good promo segment from Cassidy and Trent, but in a wild twist, Don Callis shows up to talk with Cassidy, not Trent! I don’t want Cassidy in the Don Callis Family. Why isn’t this Callis recruiting Trent? The man shattered Chuck’s leg and apparently forced him into retirement! But I do appreciate Rocky’s promo being about him cutting all ties with it, especially with what Trent did. Rocky VS Kyle for Rampage is going to be awesome stuff, though, and with Kyle having that promo with Edge, maybe a Heel Edge will take on Kyle for the title at All In.
Absolutely amazing FTW Championship match with Jericho and Shibata. I did not expect it to be quite as fun as it was with Shibata turning the trash can trap on its head. But just as I knew, Big Bill screws Shibata to help Jericho. And then in a great move, the main event match was Deeb VS Mariah. As I’ve said before, if Tony Khan’s not gonna book more than one women’s match a show, make the one match they’re getting feel important. Deeb and Mariah had a great match, and it was a great story for Storm to throw in the towel to save Mariah. Storm VS Deeb is now set, that is going to be a true clash of styles and personalities and it will be a lot of fun.
My Score: 8.9/10
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