Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (9/30/20)
One last stop before the TakeOver!
The NXT North American and Women’s Champions team up against their challengers!
Before TakeOver 31 and their respective title matches, the Evil Genius and Archer of Infamy take on Mr. & Mrs. Wrestling in a Mixed Tag Match! Will Io Shirai and Damian Priest make sure Johnny and Candice don’t get their way?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Dakota Kai VS Shotzi Blackheart; Shotzi wins.
- The Cameron Grimes Invitational Stepping Stones to the Moon: Cameron Grimes VS Ariel Dominguez; Grimes wins.
- Cameron Grimes VS Ridge Holland; Grimes wins, by disqualification.
- KUSHIDA VS Tony Nese; Kushida wins.
- Adam Cole VS Austin Theory; Cole wins.
- Kayden Carter w/ Kacy Catanzaro VS Xia Li; Carter wins.
- Mixed Tag: Io Shirai & Damian Priest VS Candice LeRae & Johnny Gargano; LeRae & Gargano win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Dakota Kai w/ Raquel Gonzalez VS Shotzi Blackheart!
#CobraKai and the wild child were in the NXT Women’s Championship Contender Battle Royal, but neither won it all. Dakota wants payback on Shotzi for eliminating her, but will Shotzi just welcome her to the ball pit?
The bell rings, Dakota says Shotzi doesn’t need to worry about Raquel at ringside, and then she pie faces her! Shotzi trips Dakota, has the legs, but Dakota pushes her away. Dakota dodges a boot, Shotzi whips but Dakota reverses. Shotzi blocks the monkey flips but runs into a waistlock. Shotzi pries free, waistlocks back but Dakota ducks down to trip Shotzi up. Dakota runs, Shotzi ducks the kick to roll Dakota, TWO! Dakota trips and jackknifes, TWO! Shotzi Oklahoma rolls Dakota, TWO! Dakota gets up, Shotzi atomic drops her, trips her, and has both legs for a Jeff Hardy leg splitting leg drop! Shotzi drags Dakota up, wrenches and arm-drags Dakota around. Shotzi spins Dakota for an armbreaker!
Shotzi holds onto the wrists to kick Dakota from below, then spins to victory roll her! TWO, but Shotzi whips Dakota! Dakota reverses. Shotzi holds ropes and side steps to snap Dakota back and get a takedown! Shotzi laces up the legs for a drop into a modified Muda Lock! Dakota endures this Cattle Muda-lation, and Shotzi bridges up to drop down her weight! Shotzi drops again and keeps the arms hooked, but Dakota rocks and gets free to a Fujiwara! Shotzi endures, clasps hands, fights her way up and she arm-drags Dakota again. Dakota is in the corner, Shotzi storms over to throw forearms, but Dakota counter punches to rock Shotzi! Dakota bumps Shotzi off buckles and digs her boot in. The ref counts, Dakota stops at 4, but Shotzi hits back!
Dakota forearms Shotzi, sweeps the legs and digs her boot in again. The ref counts, Dakota lets up but scrapes Shotzi’s face. Shotzi gets up but Dakota reels her in for a snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Dakota grows frustrated and Raquel argues the count, too. Dakota throws forearms in the corner, puts Shotzi on ropes and digs her knees in! The ref counts, Dakota stops at 4 to run, but into Shotzi’s drop toehold! Dakota ends up on ropes now, but Raquel saves her from the cannonball! Raquel glares at Shotzi, Shotzi turns around into Dakota’s URENAGE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Shotzi survives and Dakota is furious as NXT goes picture in picture.
Dakota cools off, stalks Shotzi and mocks her. Dakota chokes Shotzi against ropes, bumps her off buckles, then runs side to side to BOOT her! And then again! Dakota snapmares Shotzi to a cover, TWO! Dakota stands on Shotzi but lets off at the ref’s count. Shotzi staggers away, Dakota clinches but Shotzi throws body shots. Dakota grabs hair but so does Shotzi. Dakota throws Shotzi down, covers, TWO! Dakota drags Shotzi around, turns her over and laces up the legs. Dakota chinbars Shotzi and brings her into the Bow ‘n’ Arrow! Shotzi endures being bent back, pops out to cover, TWO! Dakota escapes and gets up to clobber Shotzi!
Dakota throws forearms on Shotzi in the corner, then runs back in, only for Shotzi to boot her! Shotzi hops up, FLYING SUNSET! Cover, TWO!! Dakota BOOTS Shotzi down! Cover, TWO! Shotzi clings to the ropes while Dakota seethes. Dakota drags Shotzi from the ropes, drags her up into a seated cobra twist and stretches her! Shotzi endures as Dakota cranks on the crossface. Shotzi gets her arm free and arm-drags Dakota away! NXT returns to single picture as Shotzi dodges Dakota to bait her into a corner. Shotzi goes up and over Dakota, rolls and comes back to shotgun dropkick Dakota into buckles! Shotzi hits a corner splash, snapmares Dakota and runs for the SLING DOG!
Shotzi fires up but Raquel coaches Dakota. Dakota walks into a KNEE, and a ROLLING ELBOW! ENZIGURI! Dakota is back on the ropes, the ref keeps Raquel back, CANNONBALL! Shotzi brings Dakota up, chicken wing to TIGER SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Dakota survives and Shotzi grows frustrated. Raquel coaches Dakota but Shotzi runs in, only to get BOOTS! Dakota staggers, hip tosses Shotzi into a trapped-leg cover, TWO!! Shotzi escapes and Dakota talks things through with Raquel. Dakota drags Shotzi up, fireman’s carries, but Shotzi fights out. Shotzi baits Dakota into another corner to put her on the apron. Shotzi forearms, but her shoulder gets a KICK!
Shotzi ends up on the apron, Dakota goes out to follow, but Shotzi kicks Dakota’s legs out! Dakota even lands on Shotzi’s knees in the process! Shotzi stands up, throws forearms on Dakota, but Dakota counter punches! Shotzi kicks Dakota’s legs, Dakota SCORPION KICKS! Dakota boots but Shotzi blocks to spin and QUESTION MARK KICK! Shotzi has Dakota for SLICED BREAD to the apron!! Shotzi takes herself out, practically! The ref checks on them both, somehow they’re both okay to continue! Shotzi gets in the ring first, builds speed, but Raquel trips her up! So Rhea TACKLES Raquel into steel steps! Referees rush out to get Rhea to leave, but Raquel wants to give chase! Dakota runs Around the World, Shotzi dodges the boot to roll her up! Shotzi wins!!
Winner: Shotzi Blackheart, by pinfall
A nasty spill could not stop NXT’s Tank Girl, and Shotzi was able to #TCB! Will Shotzi barrel through the rest of the NXT Women’s Division to challenge whoever is champion after Sunday?
NXT holds a dual video interview with Santos Escobar and Isaiah “Swerve” Scott.
The NXT Cruiserweight Champion and the only man to pin him twice, let alone once, are set to battle for that title at TakeOver: 31. To start, Tom Phillips asks Swerve about how he has Escobar’s number yet falls short in the matches. That’s true. Swerve has had his shots but it’s hard to believe there was fairness to those matches. Swerve is the better competitor, is still the only man to pin Escobar in NXT and all of WWE. So frankly, when they have their rematch, Swerve will come out on top.
Phillips asks Escobar if Swerve is right about things being fair this time around. Escobar laughs but tells Swerve he is a parasite that Escobar just can’t get rid of. It doesn’t matter, Swerve just lingers. And there’s nothing Escobar hates more in life than things that linger. Escobar vows Swerve will lose again and tie up loose ends. Swerve complains about what’s fair and what’s not. But Escobar promises this will be fair. Will it? Swerve can’t believe that. Every time they face off for the title, there’s always something or someone. El Legado del Fantasma interfering, a loaded lucha mask waiting under the ring, there’s always a bag of tricks. Escobar says those are excuses. When it counts, Swerve just can’t deliver.
What Escobar calls excuses are actually reality. And the reality here is that Swerve has adapted to everything in this business, and in life. Swerve is ready for whatever Escobar will throw at him. Good, Escobar is glad Swerve has prepared himself. Swerve isn’t just prepared. He is ready to show us all what he’s truly capable of. And he’ll show how the champion is just a fraud. But that’s the difference between them. Swerve makes things about himself. That is why he will fail. Escobar has built the division back up in his image, and infused it with respect for lucha libre, from which Cruiserweight wrestling was born, a culture that Swerve has no respect for. All that “showcasing” will not be enough. What Swerve claims are a “bag of tricks” is actually a century of tradition. Escobar vows to bury Swerve with it, but Swerve says he can try.
NXT hears from the anonymous alumni.
“I’ve heard them say you can never go back home. Too many roads in life to take. But sometimes, you have to stop and look around you to see that home may not be the same place it was when you left it. And you realize, doing something about it will be your best moment.” Just who or what is returning to NXT at TakeOver?
NXT presents Prime Target: Kyle O’Reilly!
“When I first stepped into a wrestling ring, a small kickboxing gym in British Columbia,” he took to it like a fish takes to water. He felt at home. This is something he has put every once of himself into for his entire adult life. Even if he never made it to NXT, just wrestling for a few dollars every other weekend, he would still be doing it with his everything. “This is my love, my passion.” The Undisputed Era is the best thing that ever happened to him professionally and personally, because these are three guys who are legitimately his best friends.
Adam Cole is so proud of Kyle. They’ve known each other for 12 years, travelled the world together, and Cole has known for a long time that Kyle is one of the best. “Blood on our lips and smiles on our face,” Kyle, Cole, Roderick Strong and Bobby Fish have all gone to war against each other and alongside each other. That’s what’s special about the Undisputed Era, “It is real.” More than anything, Kyle wants to be the NXT Champion. There is nothing more important to him right now. It is cliché, but Kyle has had his sights set on Finn Balor for a long time. As Kyle came to America, Balor was already big in Japan. When Kyle went to japan, Balor was in NXT. When Kyle got to NXT, Balor was on Raw.
“Needless to say, the fact that this match is finally happening is one thing. But to put in the main event of TakeOver and it’s for the NXT Championship, that’s what the last 15 years has been building up for.” Every moment, match, opportunity, country and company, it has all led to this Sunday. Kyle thrives under pressure, and if he wins, the Undisputed Era will be the same as when Cole won. This is just the second wave of the Golden Prophecy. And that is Undisputed.
NXT has an update on Tegan Nox.
As they tweeted out earlier today, NXT informs us that after the attack from Candice LeRae backstage, Tegan has suffered another torn ACL. The Shiniest Wizard again must recover and repair, will she ever get past being the comeback kid?
Backstage interview with Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae.
They “feel awful” for Tegan, but this was karma. Tegan broke their TV, Candice tears Tegan’s ACL. Even Stevens now. But moving on from that, their mixed tag match with Io Shirai and Damian Priest- Johnny scoffs at that. He knows Sarah is nervous, but just breathe. NXT’s Power Couple is teaming up tonight, but what are they hoping to accomplish before TakeOver and their respective title matches? Sunday is destiny for them. Gargano said they are destined to be the first married couple to be champions in NXT, and that is already here. It starts tonight, and finishes at TakeOver. The Garganos compliment Sarah, but they don’t really mean it. But will this twisted fairy tale of theirs really have a happily ever after?
Cameron Grimes VS ???
The Technical Savage didn’t win the gauntlet like he wanted, but there’s still time for it to be Grime Time in NXT. Before his match, Grimes gets the mic to say, “To tell you the truth, I’m not in the best mood right now.” Last week, he had all the opportunities, but it was all taken away to a match called the Gauntlet Eliminator! Whose idea was that? Not Regal’s, he’d make something way better! But Grimes can cheer up! Grimes is gonna make a match right now! How about this? The Cameron Grimes Invitational Stepping Stones to the Moon match! What you think of that?
To make it better, Grimes has handpicked each of his opponents tonight. Here comes the first opponent: Joey Pistachio! Actually the jacket says Ariel Dominguez but Grimes is right about him being the NCAA Champion in the 85 pound weight class. Ariel is here, all the way from San Diego, California, and he’s here to go to the moon! “Pistachio” gets in the ring and the match begins!
The Cameron Grimes Invitational Stepping Stones to the Moon: Cameron Grimes VS Ariel Dominguez!
CAVE-IN!! Cocky cover, Grimes wins!
Winner: Cameron Grimes, by pinfall
The fastest win of Grimes’ career, is against a man quite literally half his size. Grimes feels great about it, but admits that was a little rough. But he wouldn’t be the man he is if he didn’t have more competition lined up. The second opponent is: “Joey Strong.” But whether that’s his real name or not, it doesn’t matter, because RIDGE HOLLAND tosses the guy out to the stage! Holland HEADBUTTS Joey over and over and then throws him off the stage! Also, judging from Joey’s singlet, his real last name is “Lockhart.” Grimes introduces himself to Holland and says that he’s a big fan. Holland is great, really. But he’s not part of this invitational! If Holland is here to shake his hand, that’s fine. But this isn’t a match. Holland HEADBUTTS Grimes instead! This IS a match, and here’s the bell!
Cameron Grimes VS Ridge Holland!
Holland grabs Grimes for more headbutts, and then an OVERHEAD SUPLEX! Grimes to a corner and Holland storms over to club away on him! Holland CLUBS and CLUBS and crossface forearms over and over! Grimes scrambles away but Holland stomps him at the ropes! The ref counts, but Holland won’t stop!! The ref rings the bell!
Winner: Cameron Grimes, by disqualification
Holland doesn’t care, he just wants to turn Grimes into Carolina tar! Grimes flops out of the ring, probably thinking he’s on the moon. Will Holland bring him back down to earth next time they meet?
Backstage interview with Austin Theory.
Theory requested this interview time, is it about his recent struggles? Struggles? “Theory” and “Struggles’ do not belong in the same sentence. As for Damian Priest, that should’ve never happened. Theory should’ve been in the gauntlet match Kyle O’Reilly won. Theory saw the Prime Target video, and it is very touching and inspirational to learn it took Kyle 15 years to finally get an NXT Championship match. But that’s a long time. More than half Theory’s life. Theory was already part of WrestleMania at 22, but Kyle is the future? Kyle should try to be catching up to Theory. Will Theory prove he is the one everyone should be putting stock into?
NXT hears from Kushida.
“The migration to this new environment, the United States, has been truly the biggest event that has happened to me and my family. It was a struggle to juggle my work and private life. It was hard to concentrate. But now it’s time! The setup is complete. I can concentrate on the ring.” Now Kushida will show the real him. He hasn’t had many opportunities at titles, injuries set him back, and now he is impatient. He’s changing gears, ramping it up a notch, and will go “ballistic.” Everything has its meaning, and TakeOver will see an explosion. Velveteen Dream will learn HE is the stepping stone, and Kushida will become the core of NXT. “The new Kushida is VICIOUS! Here I come, TakeOver!” But first, we’ll see the Timesplitter tune-up, after the break!
KUSHIDA VS Tony Nese!
Before taking on The Experience, the Super Junior wants to give us all a sample of the new aggression he is about to unleash! Will the Premier Athlete wish he could go Back to the Future to avoid this?
The bell rings, Nese and Kushida circle, approach, but Nese flexes on Kushida. Kushida enziguris! And Kowata Kicks, and Penalty Kicks the arm out! Kushida whips, Nese holds ropes to throat chop back! Nese hotshot bulldogs Kushida down! And drags him out to whip him, but Kushida reverses to POST Nese! The crowd goes wild as Kushida puts Nese in and kicks the arm again! And again! Kushida whips, Nese slides under to pump handle, but Kushida gets the arm! Kushida wrenches Nese for a bulldog to the arm! Nese gets to a corner, Kushida is after his arm again! The ref counts as they’re in the ropes, but he just gives Nese another arm bulldog! Kushida gives Nese DANIELSON STOMPS! Kushida doesn’t stop the stomps, then he wraps the arm into the Hoverboard! Nese taps, Kushida wins
Winner: Kushida, by submission
Kushida shows us he wasn’t kidding! This was a faster, meaner and more precise Kushida here tonight. But the lights change purple, and Dream speaks from the titantron. “Will the real Kushida please stand up?” Because it doesn’t matter who shows up, the spotlight will be too bright for Kushida. Dream always puts on his best performances under the brightest lights. See you Sunday. A simple message for simple game plans: win. Who will see that plan through to success at TakeOver?
NXT Media finds Grimes backstage, nursing his eye.
Grimes tells cameras to get out of his face or direct him to William Regal! But then Grimes walks into Dexter Lumis! Lumis is back?! Grimes walks past the “freak,” and storms off down the hall. Between Northern Grit and the Tortured Artist, will the Carolina Caveman have to be much more careful walking around Full Sail these days?
NXT returns to Adam Cole in the ring.
The former champion makes a surprise appearance as he says, “Three years. For three years, the Undisputed Era has been part of NXT. And for three years, we have dominated. We’ve done what we want, when we want, and nobody has been able to stop us.” The prophecy came true! They said they’d win every title and they did! But even more important than that, people in the locker room knew that if you crossed them, you would pay. Then the prophecy ended and they lost their titles. And somewhere along their way, people felt the Era changed. People felt like they could say whatever and there’d be no repercussions.
Cole is telling us here and now, “Nothing has changed! We are the same Undisputed Era that won the first-ever WarGames match in WWE history! We are the same Undisputed Era that has DOMINATED this brand unlike anybody has or anybody will!” So then, Austin Theory, if you want to run your mouth about Kyle, fine. Do Cole a favor and bring your ass down to this ring to say that to Cole’s face! Theory does make his way out to the ring and he wants Cole to calm down. Why is he so mad? Cole dares Theory to get in the ring since he’s so big and bad.
But if not, fine. Cole keeps this simple so even Theory can understand. Two options: bring your stupid face in and fight like a man; stay right there, so that the rest of the Era can beat him where he stands and make him BEG to go back to option one. Theory decides to take option one and heads for the ring. The ref gets in, too, and this is a match!
Adam Cole VS Austin Theory!
Cole dodges Theory to CHOP and forearm and CHOP! Theory staggers, Cole follows to fire off forearms! Cole stomps away on Theory in another corner, lets off as the ref counts, then goes after Theory at the ropes. Cole KICKS Theory, BOOTS him down, then dares him to get up. Theory stands, Cole gives him a neckbreaker! Theory pushes Cole away but Cole stomps him down. Cole drags Theory up, wrenches and whips but Theory grabs ropes to bail out! Theory mocks the UE sign, but Cole goes out to BOOT him down! Theory sits up in a daze, Cole tells him he’s nothing. Cole bumps Theory off the apron, the ring count climbs to 5 but Cole refreshes it. Cole whips Theory into steel steps!
Cole says Theory mocked the wrong people, then he drags Theory up into the ring. Theory gets Cole at the ropes but Cole PELES first! Theory checks his face but Cole is on him with another neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Theory survives that Rude Awakening, but then he talks trash about going #AllDay. Cole stomps Theory, drags him back up and snap suplexes him down. “Wrong guy, Austin. Wrong guy.” Cole drags Theory up to club him back down! Theory gets to a corner, Cole laces his leg in the ropes to dropkick him in the stomach! Theory falls with the leg twisted up, and Cole wraps on a chinlock to grind him down. Cole tells Theory to quit but he refuses. Theory tells Cole they’re “Undisputed Crap” but Cole just wrenches harder.
Cole and Theory stand up, Theory fights out but runs into a back elbow! Cole storms back after Theory to knee him down and put him in the corner. Theory hits the buckles hard, Cole throws more forearms then wrenches for a corner to corner whip. Theory reverses, runs in but is put on the apron. Theory shoulders into Cole, slingshot somersaults to shotgun dropkick! “THAT is undisputed!” Cover, TWO!! Theory grows frustrated but the crowd fires up as NXT goes to break.
NXT returns and Theory is stomping a mudhole into Cole! Theory talks smack but fans rally up as he drags Cole up to snapmare and stomp! Theory slaps Cole around before clamping on a chinbar armlock combo. Cole endures, Theory digs his elbow into Cole’s face, but Cole fights up. Cole fights back, Theory knees low and hits a backbreaker! Theory hits a standing moonsault! Cover, TWO! Theory has his arrogance back as Cole gets to a corner. Cole elbows him away, then boots him away! Cole rallies with clotheslines now, and another BOOT! Theory sits up in another daze, but Cole stalks him to ropes. Cole brings Theory into a waistlock, Theory standing switches but Cole PELES and BACKSTABBERS! Cover, TWO!
Cole grows frustrated but he has control again. He gets up while Theory stirs. Cole brings Theory to a fireman’s carry but Theory fights off. Theory whips, Cole reverses and BOOTS again! And then the fireman’s carry, USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO!! Theory survives but Cole smirks. Cole might actually respect Theory now, but he’s not going to take it easy on him. Cole goes to a corner, Theory anchors a foot but Cole stomps him. Cole hops up, takes aim, and leaps, PANAMA-NO! Back drop, and no sunset flip, MULE KICK to the back! Theory drags Cole up, torture rack, for the TOWER HACKER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Cole is a Triple Crown winner for a reason!
Theory talks trash on Cole and throws forearms. Cole gives them back. They brawl from mat to their feet, Cole gives as good as he gets, then runs, into Theory’s elbow! Theory runs, into a SUPERKICK!! Theory ends up on the apron from that one! Cole sees him floundering, drags him up, but Theory hotshots! Theory slingshots, into another SUPERKICK! Suplex, UNDISPUTED BRAIN BUSTER! LAST SHOT SHINING WIZARD! Cover, Cole wins!
Winner: Adam Cole, by pinfall
And THAT is Undisputed! “Kyle O’Reilly was born ready! Nobody wants this more, nobody has earned an NXT title shot more.” Cole promises Kyle will #ShockTheSystem, but it won’t be a shock to the UE. Will this new Undisputed Prophecy come true this Sunday?
NXT returns with a backstage interview with Io Shirai and Damian Priest.
The champions are teaming for the first time ever against their respective challengers. How confident are they against the Power Couple? Hah, that’s cute. They can keep that nickname, because these two are keeping the titles. Tonight is a preview of TakeOver as the Women’s Champion and North American Champion, “the rockstars of NXT,” take care of business. Shirai says she is on another level than Candice, and Priest is literally on a different level than Gargano. In the end, that is why Johnny and Candice have no chance at becoming champions. She’s ready to rock, and Priest likes that. Will the champs stay golden all the way through Sunday?
Kayden Carter w/ Kacy Catanzaro VS Xia Li!
NXT’s Ninja Warriors are a great tag team, did very well in the Women’s Battle Royal, but things are about to get spicy! Will Xia Li divide and conquer KC Squared?
The bell rings and Xia circles with Kayden. They tie up, Xia rolls Kayden, ONE! Kayden sits on the cover, ONE! Xia sunset flips, ONE, Kayden is up but Xia sweeps the legs! Cover, ONE, Kayden reverses the roles to sweep and cover, ONE! The crowd cheers the fast and furious technical exchange, and both women fist bump out of respect. A bit different compared to the scowling Xia did last time these two faced off in that tag match. But they go again, Kayden waistlocks, Xia standing switches, but Kayden drops down, slides under and waistlocks back. Xia uses ropes but Kayden still O’Conner rolls. TWO, Kayden springboard missile dropkicks! Cover, TWO!
Xia bails out but comes back to trip Kayden up! Xia spins Kayden to ROCK her with that right! And then drags her out more to DUMP her on the ground! Kacy coaches Kayden but Xia gets back in the ring. Xia waits for Kayden to return, Kacy coaches Kayden on but Xia stomps away! Cover, ONE! Kayden gets to a corner, Xia is after her with a CHOP! Xia fires up and fires off knees! And a back kick! Cover, ONE! Xia tries again, ONE! Again, ONE! Xia gets spicy with the ref, Kayden staggers about and into a corner. Xia is after her, Kayden elbows her away. Kayden kicks but Xia blocks and trips. Kayden kicks Xia to a corner, Kacy coaches her up but Xia is after her. Kayden CHOPS, forearms, knees and repeat!
Kayden whips, Xia reverses, Kayden wheelbarrows, victory rolls and MULE KICKS! Cover, TWO!! Kayden is frustrated, Xia shoves her but then sunset flips up and over, TWO! Kayden sits up, brings Xia up, Xia bucks her to a prawn hold but Kayden rolls through to sunset Xia! Kayden wins!!
Winner: Kayden Carter, by pinfall
Xia can’t believe she got caught like that! Kayden still shows respect with her hand held out, but Xia shoves her down! Kacy asks what her problem is, but Xia shakes her off, too. Xia is going from spicy to burning with anger, will she explode soon enough?
NXT returns to Shawn Michaels in the ring.
The NXT Championship sits on a table as HBK says, “This Sunday, on the WWE Network, Finn Balor will be defending his NXT Championship against the #1 contender, Kyle O’Reilly. Gentlemen.” Balor and Kyle step in and we have our face-to-face. There isn’t animosity here, but please shake hands before you sit down. They shake hands and take their seats at the table. Balor wishes Kyle a congrats for winning the gauntlet match. Balor has the utmost respect for Kyle and what he’s done, and looks forward to their match. The feeling is mutual for Kyle, there’s nothing but respect. HBK appreciates all that, but let’s get to the heart of the matter.
Balor has told us all, and HBK agrees, this is the best Balor yet. But Balor is facing someone who HBK has said for a long time, the best kept secret in wrestling today. How does Balor prepare for a guy like Kyle? Balor doesn’t think this is a secret. Maybe a fringe, casual fan doesn’t know Kyle, but the business watches Balor because Balor watches the business. Balor has known how great Kyle is. Kyle has proven himself in the NXT Tag Team Division, but more importantly, Kyle has proven himself around the world as a singles competitor. Balor knows how hard that is.
Kyle likes Balor. He is a fan of Balor. Sitting here and seeing Balor expertly stroke his own ego, thinking he can beat Kyle. Balor is a fighting champion, and this is what a fighting champion does: defends the title, even when defeat is certain. And that’s what this is, Balor. “Absolute certain defeat.” Oh? Well there’s one thing Balor isn’t so sure about. Is Kyle going to show up with Undisputed Era, or be a man? He’ll be a man. But he appreciates the question. See this? One hand, and then the other, watching each other. That is how UE has operated since the beginning. That is the foundation to their success. But this Sunday isn’t about the UE. It is about Kyle’s moment.
HBK says that in regards to that, the elephant in the room is the “apparent conflict” that Kyle could be champion and that could upset Cole. Anything to that? Kyle says this “nonexistent power struggle amongst the Era boys, quite frankly, is laughable.” Yes, ol’ Grimey had a point with his, “You ain’t nothin’ like Adam Cole, hurr hurr,” and that’s true. They’re nothing alike because Cole is a beautiful man! Kyle has mismatched ears, freckles all over, and- Balor vows to slap the freckles off Kyle’s face. Now there’s the Prince! “A good Irish boy, this one.” Kyle welcomes that. Balor can’t say Kyle got lucky or making other excuses. Balor agrees, there’ll be no room for excuse from Kyle. And no room for jokes. Balor has proved himself for 20 years.
Big whoop! Kyle’s been here 15, so what’s another 5 years? Every month since walking in here, it’s been “the biggest match of my career.” This week, next week, and this Sunday. This isn’t the biggest match of Kyle’s career, but of Kyle’s life. Balor explains what “the big whoop” is. It’s understanding the difference between the main event of one night, versus the main event that alters your life. Not just for Kyle, but for everyone watching. Kyle gets it. Balor’s first big title defense. No one ever loses their first defense, right~?
But the truth is, Kyle being considered the underdog is BS! Kyle is not the underdog here, because Balor has never faced Kyle, or anyone like Kyle. Kyle will change Balor’s mind. “There’s something about the sound of a man’s knee caps exploding, tends to say a certain opinion.” And this Sunday, the so-called tag team specialist will do it again.
HBK says Balor is champion, so he gets one final word. “Kyle. You’re witty, you have charisma. You are really, really good in the ring. I believe you have everything it takes to be NXT Champion. And you will be, if this title was on anybody else except for Finn Balor.” HBK thanks them for their time. But who triumphs when it’s time to back up all these words at TakeOver 31?
Mixed Tag: Io Shirai & Damian Priest VS Candice LeRae & Johnny Gargano!
The Evil Genius and the Archer of Infamy face their TakeOver contenders together in this special sampler main event! Will the Pint-Sized Poison Pixie and her Wednesday Knight take the first steps toward a historic power couple reign?
The “rockstar” champions fire up and rush the ring to brawl with Johnny and Candice! Things are furious under the strobe lights, but the challengers bail out! The referee hurries in to cool everyone off, Mr. & Mrs. Wrestling complain as they take their corner. Priest starts for his team so Gargano gets in. The bell rings, Gargano fires off a haymaker but Priest kicks. Gargano gets under and uppercuts, but Priest grabs him to throw him to a corner! Gargano dodges to CHOP and forearm but Priest shoves, kicks and swings. Gargano dodges those but not the BOOT! Priest fires off fast hands in the ocrner, Cnadice protests but Priest stops at the ref’s count.
Priest whips Gargano corner to corner, scoops him for a BIG sidewalk slam! Gargano rolls away, Candice tells Priest to back off, and Candice checks on her husband. Priest tags Shirai in so Candice has to come in! The crowd is thunderous as these two step to each other. Candice fires off but Shirai gives it back! Candice knees low, whips Shirai to a corner then runs corner to corner, but Shirai dodge and kicks back! Shirai goes up, leaps, but Candice gets under. Candice comes back, Shirai waistlocks but Candice blocks the German to standing switch and roll up! TWO, SHirai FLAPJACKS Candice! Then basement dropkicks!
Candice gets to a corner as the crowd fires up. Gargano gets in the way of the bullet train, but Priest backs Shirai up. And ROUNDHOUSES Gargano into the corner! Candice gets a bit of hubby’s buns as Priest leaps in to hit the back elbow! Then Shirai runs in, Gargano bails out so that Candice takes the SHINKANSEN alone! Some husband he is. Candice bails out, Priest gives Shirai a boost for an INFAMOUS CROSSBODY! Direct hit on Mr. & Mrs. Wrestling at the ramp, and NXT goes picture in picture!
Shirai drags Candice up and puts her in the ring. Shirai stomps Candice around, and in the corner! The ref counts, Shirai lets off, but then digs her boots in! Shirai swings to meteora! Candice flounders around, Shirai drags her up and throws her! Shirai runs but Gargano redeems himself by taking the tiger feint kick for Candice! Candice hits Shirai with a DRAPING NECKBREAKER! Cover, ROPEBREAK! Candice is furious as she clubs away on Shirai! Shirai gets to a corner, Candice slaps her around, then hauls her into another corner to ram her into buckles! Candice snapmares Shirai into a chinlock and grinds her down. Shirai endures, fights back and fights up, but Candice throws her down. Candice talks trash to Priest but he tells the little lady to calm down.
Shirai knees Candice back! Candice rolls Shirai away to dropkick her down! Cover, TWO! Shirai flounders but Candice drags her away from Priest. Candice has a neck wrench as NXT returns to single picture. Shirai endures, the crowd rallies up but Gargano talks smack. Candice knees Shirai, clubs her, and paces. Gargano is the only one applauding as Candice kicks Shirai. Candice toys with Shirai, tells her the belt will be Candice’s, but Shirai gets up to SHOTEI! Candice wobbles, Shirai counter punches her and waistlocks her for a GERMAN! Both women are down, hot tag to Priest! Gargano gets in but gets clobbered over and over! Priest ROUNDHOUSES Gargano, and LRAIATS him in the rebound!
The crowd fires up as Priest aims and fires the flying back elbow in the corner! And then BROKEN ARROW! Cover off the toss, TWO! Gargano crawls to a corner but Priest brings him back up. Priest reels him in, Canadian racks to a crucifix, but Gargano slips off! Gargano boots Priest back, hops up, TORNADO COMPLETE SHOT! Gargano grits his teeth, fires himself up and kicks, but Priest ducks to kick away! Gargano enziguris, Priest staggers and Shirai tags in! Candice is now legal, but Shirai missile dropkicks Gargano! Shirai rallies on Candice with shoulders, then underhooks, but Candice fights out of the Tiger Driver! Shirai ducks the enziguri and drops down on Candice for the crossface!
Candice flails, reaches, endures, Gargano drags Shirai out of the ring! Priest comes around to choke grip and lift, but Gargano lands on his feet to mule kick from the apron! Shirai SHOTEIS Gargano! Candice cradles Shirai, TWO! Shirai wheelbarrows but Candice turns it into a FACEBUSTER! Step-up senton! Candice grins as she springboards, LIONSAULT flops! Shirai underhooks, TIGER BACKBREAKER! Shirai has Candice in the drop zone and climbs up top, but Gargano gets Candice out of the ring! Shirai shouts at Gargano, but Priest BELL CLAPS and ROUNDHOUSES Gargano! Gargano is down, Shirai still gives him the MOONSAULT!
Tag to Priest, Priest grabs Gargano for the dragon sleeper! The ref is busy telling Shirai to go back to the corner, he doesn’t see Candice LOW BLOW Priest!! Shirai goes after Candice but the damage is done! Shirai stomps Candice down, Gargano slingshots, ONE FINAL BEAT!! Cover, the Gargano Way wins!!
Winners: Johnny Gargano & Candice LeRae, by pinfall
Mr. Wrestling secures the victory only because Mrs. Wrestling kicked the Archer of Infamy in his arrow! Shirai shouts at Gargano but Candice hits her with a BACKSTABBER! And in a bit of premature celebration, Gargano grabs the belts and hands the Women’s title to Candice. They raise the belts up as if they’ve already won. But if #TheJohnnyGarganoWay only succeeds when they’re both together, do either of them stand a chance on their own?
My Thoughts:
An incredible go-home for NXT! Not much was advertised match-wise, but they were all solid to say the least. A lot of great stuff has also been added to TakeOver 31 given circumstances are clearly keeping the NXT Tag Team Championships off the card. The Cruiserweight Championship getting to be on TakeOver is exactly what I was hoping for, and while the video call interview segment was just a tad awkward, Escobar VS Swerve is going to be great once again. Kushida put a hurting on Nese, Dream had a good promo for keeping it simple, and their match is going to be a lot of fun, too. It is truly a shame Tegan is out of action again, her story with Candice had so much going for it. We can only hope Tegan can recover and still wrestle at all.
Dakota VS Shotzi was really good, and I like that Rhea and Shotzi are basically being teamed together again. I felt like these two meshed very well when going against Aliyah and Mercedes Martinez, they’ll do the same here against Dakota and Raquel, and maybe, just maybe, NXT starts getting properly involved in the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship scene. Though, if WWE is keeping their stupid Draft as just Raw and SmackDown, it seems not at all likely. Grimes was hilarious, thinking he could do the same scrub gauntlet Ariya Daivari did on 205 Live, and just hilarious in general as Holland not only mauled that jobber but then mauled Grimes. Lumis returns, too, so maybe what was meant to be Lumis & Dream becomes Lumis & Holland to put some literal heavy hitters in the tag division.
I like that this mysterious return is being kept so secret, it’s not even clear if it’s a male or female superstar. The robot voices are more male and female, the person picked up a TakeOver flyer that had both the men’s and women’s title matches on it, and in the current era, the only difference between the male and female title belts is color, which gets washed away in the night vision green. It cold be Bo Dallas, it could be Ember Moon, it could be… Paige? Maybe not, that’s something that might’ve leaked by now. And while Paige was literally born into wrestling, I feel like she’s fine with where she is in both WWE and in life right now. Though the robot-cyborg gimmick could work for her as much as it does Ember with injuries being the only thing in her way, and the idea of her repairing herself to retake NXT.
I like that the story of Xia Li, and by proxy KC Squared, is getting airtime. They’ve all been around for a good amount of time, really working hard to be notable parts of NXT, and this is it paying off. Xia continues to be a sore loser of sorts, and a full Heel turn would be something interesting to see. The Mixed Tag match was a great main event, and it was a bit out of nowhere to see Priest and Shirai work so well together, but I suppose you credit the fact they have a common enemy in Johnny and Candice. But the math indicates that the #NXTPowerCouple standing tall tonight, touching the belts no less, means they’re not both winning. Maybe Gargano gets the better of Priest, being that Gargano is the Triple Crown winner, I’m not sure about Candice. If Tegan wasn’t actually out with the torn ACL, I could see her interfering with the women’s title, but now it’ll just have to be a clean win for Shirai.
Adam Cole basically being the big brother to Kyle against Theory was unexpected, but that match Cole and Theory had was incredible. It felt on par with a midcard title match, in which case the reputation of Cole being an NXT Triple Crown was itself the prize. The Prime Target for Kyle was incredibly well made, but if he doesn’t win… In the face-to-face, Kyle sure came in with a bit of ego, but he did make some good points. They’re both much more experience than the average fan probably realized, so this isn’t an underdog story but two peers who finally meet to see who is really the better man. It’d be so wild if Kyle won, but this also feels like it’s meant to puff Kyle up so much that he falls that much harder when he loses.
My Score: 9.3/10
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Who is the true alpha male of Evolve?
WWE Evolve is still growing, but it is already huge as Harlem Lewis takes on Joe Coffey and Keanu Carver takes on Luca Crusifino!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Brinley Reece VS Zayda Steel; Brinley wins.
- Luca Crusifino VS Keanu Carver; Keanu wins.
- Chantel Monroe VS Masyn Holiday; Chantel wins.
- Joe Coffey VS Harlem Lewis; Harlem wins.
- Kylie Rae VS Wendy Choo; Wendy wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Brinley Reece VS Zayda Steel!
#BrinActive promised there’s more to her than we know, and she showed some of that last week in her big Evolve debut victory. But will she keep up that #Brinergy? Or will she be worn out by the Real Deal Zayda Steel?
The bell rings and the two circle. Steel says hold on, hold on, she needs to warm up. The fans boo but Steel tells them to shut up. The two tie up, Brin wrenches an arm to a wristlock, but Steel powers to a knuckle lock. Brin cranks both hands, then kicks an arm to wrangle Steel with a top wristlock! Steel headscissors, Brin kips free, and we see Jackson Drake is hanging out in the VIP Section, along with Ms. Drink Service. The fans rally but Steel puts Brin on the ropes. The ref counts, Steel lets off, but she SLAPS Brin! Steel soaks up the heat, but Brin grabs an arm to WRING it! Brin then SLAPS Steel in return!
The fans fire up, Steel runs up, but Brin jumps the kick and ducks the boot! Brin wrenches, YANKS the arm, YANKS it again, then clamps on. Steel pulls hair then arm-drags Brin! Brin dodges a lariat, handsprings over the dropdown, but Steel stops the hip toss! Steel body shots, but now Brin stops a hip toss! Brin spins things, backslide FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Brin keeps her focus and whips, but Steel slides to KICK from below! Steel THRWOS Brin down by her hair, then stomps away! Steel tells the fans to shut up as they boo. Steel stomps a mudhole into Brin, then SLAPS her again!
Brin seethes, but Steel UPPERCUTS, ELBOWS, and snapmares! Brin flounders, Steel soaks up the heat, and she storms up on Brin. Brin fights Steel off to fire body shots! And then ROCKS her! Brin whips, Steel reverses, and Brin hits buckles! Steel runs in, Brin slips to the outside and ROCKS Steel back! But Steel avoids the shoulder to BOOT Brin in the ropes! And then DRAPING CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Brin survives but Steel clamps on with a chinlock. Steel digs her knee into Brin’s back, the fans rally up, and Brin fights up. Brin powers up for a BIG back suplex! The fans rally while both women are down!
Brin goes to the ropes, but Steel storms up. Brin ELBOWS Steel away, then BOOTS her! Steel staggers, comes back, but Brin goes up and over! Brin runs to run Steel over! She runs Steel over again! Brin whips, then lifts Steel, SPINEBUSTER! The fans fire up with Brin and she aims from the corner! Steel rises up, Brin runs and handsprings to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Brin doesn’t understand why the #BrinShot didn’t work! Brin gets Steel up, fireman’s carries, but Steel pulls hair! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Steel O’Conner Rolls with tights! TWO!! Brin escapes, but Steel whips. Brin reverses and fireman’s carries! BREECES PIECES! Cover, BRIN WINS!
Winner: Brinley Reece, by pinfall
The Real Deal hyped herself up, but Brin shows you gotta back it up with action! Swipe Right hurries out here to check on Steel, and she throws a bit of a fit. Will Steel redeem herself as the inaugural WWE ID star?
Kylie Rae prepares backstage.
She takes deep, calming breaths, but Zara Zakher walking over to check on her kinda spooks her. Zara asks how she’s feeling. Kylie says she’s just trying to stay calm. Zara hears that. But what’s up with Wendy? Really creepy with that teddy bear, huh? Kylie gets anxious and Zara says sorry, that’s her fault. Just breathe, just breathe. In, and out. In, and out. Good. To be honest, Zara would be freaking out, too. But you gotta look fear in the eyes, focus, and confront it. Kylie says Wendy Choo is her fear, she doesn’t really wanna look it in the eyes. Zara says no, no, you’re Kylie Rae. A competitor, a fighter! What do fighters do? They fight!
Exactly! Just believe in yourself! Kylie says she’ll try. It’ll be hard, but she’ll try. No, don’t try, just do. Then Kylie will do! They hug it out, and Zara wishes her luck. Kylie does more breathing, but will she still be able to smile when staring wicked Wendy in the eye?
Luca Crusifino VS Keanu Carver!
The Consigliere is looking to claim Evolve as D’Angelo Family territory, but let’s just say there are big obstacles in the way. And one of them is stepping to Luca in the ring right now! Will Keanu carve a path right to the top of Evolve? Or will the Legal Eagle rest his case?
The bell rings and Keanu grabs Luca by the neck! Luca breaks free, fires CHOPS and haymakers, then ducks a shot to have a SLEEPER! Keanu THROWS Luca right off! Luca goes to a corner, runs right up on Keanu, but Keanu DECKS him! Luca checks his jaw as he goes to the other corner, and Keanu runs up again. Luca dodges to fire fast hands in the corner! Luca stomps, the ref counts, but Keanu shoves Luca back. Luca returns, but Keanu puts him on the apron. Luca RAMS into Keanu, then slingshot SHOULDER TACKLES! Keanu staggers, Luca runs in and UPPERCUTS in the corner! Keanu sits down, Luca runs corner to corner, CANNONBALL! Cover, TWO!
Luca stays on Keanu with fists, then whips corner to corner. Keanu reverses, but Luca goes up and out! Keanu runs up but into a BOOT! Luca slingshots, but Keanu catches him with both hands! Luca is draped on the ropes as Keanu DECKS him! The fans fire up and Keanu tells Luca, “I’mma break you!” Keanu drags Luca to center, runs and BASEMENT FOREARMS! Cover, TWO! Luca stays in this but Keanu drags him up again. Keanu TOSSES Luca right out of the ring! Keanu then storms out after Luca, eggs him on, but the ring count climbs. Keanu drags Luca up, tells everyone to pay attention because this’ll happen to everybody that gets in the ring with him!
Keanu puts Luca in the ring, KNEES him in the side, then pushes him around. Cover, TWO! Luca toughs it out but Keanu clamps on with a chinlock. Luca endures, fires body shots, but Keanu ROCKS Luca! Keanu drags Luca up again, ROCKS him again, then runs! BASEMENT FOREARM again! Keanu just piles on the damage, and he clamps on with a chinlock. Luca fights up, fires body shots, then fires hands! Keanu rebounds, Luca tries to fireman’s carry, but his back is too beat up! Keanu CLUBS Luca to a corner, then runs in. Luca dodges and Keanu hits buckles! Luca runs up to ROCK Keanu, and ROCK him again!
Luca runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and he TACKLES Keanu! SAMOAN DROP! Then a LAW BREAKER, into the SHOTGUN BOOT! Cover, TWO! Keanu is still in this, but Luca shakes off the doubt. Luca BOOTS Keanu, then reels him in, but Keanu fights the scoop! Keanu shoves Luca away, then POUNCES!! The fans are fired up as Keanu looms over Luca, then covers, TWO!! Luca survives but Keanu scoops him. RUNNING POWERSLAM! Cover, Keanu wins!
Winner: Keanu Carver, by pinfall
Keanu overwhelms Luca with power, and is undefeated at 3-0! Could he be the most dominant man in Evolve?
Chantel Monroe VS Masyn Holiday!
While one won their debut match, the other lost theirs. But even so, The Debutante and The Valedictorian have equal confidence that they will be the top star in Evolve. Will Chantel still be a show stopper? Or will this mat become the canvas for Masyn’s masterpiece?
The bell rings and the two tie up. Chantel headlocks, snapmares, and then taunts Masyn. Masyn gets up but Chantel waistlocks to SLAM her! Chantel literally walks all over Masyn, but Masyn comes back to waistlock and SLAM! Masyn steps on Chantel now! The fans cheer, Chantel gets up in a huff, but Masyn arm-drags her down! Masyn armlocks, but Chantel whips her away. Masyn runs Chantel over! Things speed up, Chantel drops down then hurdles over Masyn, but Masyn stops the hip toss to HIP TOSS Chantel! The fans fire up while Masyn has Chantel on the apron! Masyn drags Chantel up by her hair, but Chantel HOTSHOTS!
Chantel storms in, bumps Masyn off buckles, then stomps a mudhole in. The ref counts, Chantel lets off, and she wraps Masyn’s arm around the ropes to pull! The ref reprimands, Chantel lets go, and she WRINGS Masyn’s arm! Masyn hobbles back up but Chantel wrenches to YANK the arm! Chantel CLUBS the arm, hammerlocks it, then RAMS Masyn into the corner! Chantel brings Masyn around, hammerlocks the arm again, but Masyn turns things around to send Chantel into buckles! Masyn rolls Chantel up, TWO! Chantel grabs the arm, wrenches and RAMS it! Masyn falls and Chantel stomps away! Chantel steps over to drop KNEES on the elbow!
The fans rally while Masyn writhes, but Chantel pushes her down for a cover. TWO, but Chantel clamps onto the bad arm. Chantel has a COBRA CLUTCH! Masyn endures, fights up, but Chantel THROWS her down! But Masyn avoids the knee drop! Masyn then dodges Chantel to CLOBBER her! And FLYING SHOULDER TACKLE! Masyn fires up, the fans are with her, and Masyn whips Chantel corner to corner. Chantel bounces off buckles, Masyn scoops her, and SLAMS her! Cover, TWO! Masyn drags Chantel up, but Chantel fights the suplex! Chantel wrenches for an ARMBREAKER! Roll up, with tights! Chantel wins!
Winner: Chantel Monroe, by pinfall
Just her second match on Evolve, and Chantel had to steal this one from Masyn! Chuey Martinez is here to interview Chantel at ringside, and he has the fans give it up for Chantel. That is 2-0 already, so congratulations. Chantel thanks Chuey for that, and she asks if they’re surprised. Chuey isn’t, and Chantel says she isn’t. When she looks in the mirror, all she sees is a winner. And you know what winners do, right? They win championships! Chantel has been hearing the whispers of a WWE Evolve Women’s Championship, and you best believe that Chantel, The Reflection of Perfection, will be the center of that conversation.
Chuey says okay, he’s convinced. Will The Debutante do whatever she has to in order to be the INAUGURAL Evolve Women’s Champion?
Kali Armstrong and Dani Palmer have a Faceoff.
But as Kali steps in, she mockingly asks why Dani’s sitting up. Shouldn’t she be on the ground where Kali’s gonna leave her anyway? Dani says she knows she misfired on the moonsault, and it is always disappointing to lose. They may not make a good team, but isn’t that why they’re here? They’re trying to evolve as superstars. Kali again sarcastically says, “Golly gee, Dani. Wasn’t that inspirational?” But that’s why Kali is different. What Dani just described is a loser mentality, a way for losers to convince themselves that they don’t suck. If you wanna learn from your mistakes, do it when you’re not attached to a partner who can win.
Dani says if this is how Kali responds to every loss, she’ll end up with a very short career and a long list of enemies. Ooh, that’s for the unsolicited advice. But Kali has been doing perfectly fine on her own, and will do so as long as she isn’t handcuffed to some poor excuse for a consolation prize as Dani. Dani knows Kali’s type. They reek of insecurities, and try to push all her buttons to get a response. But it won’t work. Dani is saving it all for their match. Kali’s mouth is writing checks her talent can’t cash! Girl, it ain’t the 90s, no one writes checks! Either way, they both tell the other, see you in the ring! Checks, cash, wins, who hits the jackpot when these two go 1v1?
Joe Coffey VS Harlem Lewis!
Part one of the double main event is here, as The Iron King looks to test Harlem’s mettle. Harlem has leveled up, but is he ready to evolve? Or will it be Gallus Boys On Top?
We get the big fight feel for the introductions, and the fans cheer on Joe. The bell rings and the two tie up. Joe powers Harlem to the ropes, takes a swing, but Harlem dodges. The two tie up again, then break. They go again, Harlem wrenches an arm, but Joe grabs at Harlem’s shoulder. Harlem powers on that wristlock but Joe rolls and kips up to then wrench and WRING Harlem! Harlem gets up but Joe arm-drags him! And arm-drags again! Joe has the armlock, then rolls to turn Harlem over with a hammerlock. The fans rally, Joe STOMPS Harlem, and Harlem staggers up. Joe ROCKS Harlem, then whips, but Harlem reverses.
Joe goes up and around, then UPPERCUTS! Harlem staggers, Joe goes up, and up, but Harlem catches Joe! It’s not an easy feat, but Harlem makes it work! Harlem suplexes, but Joe slips free! Joe waistlocks, but Harlem goes to the ropes to HOTSHOT Joe! And BLINDSIDE LARIAT! The fans boo but Harlem soaks up the heat. Harlem stomps away on Joe, digs his boot into Joe’s head, but steps off as the ref counts. Joe stands, and he BODY BLOWS! Harlem comes back with forearms! Harlem whips, Joe hits buckles hard, then Harlem runs to LARIAT! Down goes Joe, but Harlem keeps going, basement BOOT! Cover, TWO!
Harlem tries again, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Harlem slaps Joe around, talks trash, but the fans boo. Harlem clamps on a chinlock and he grinds Joe down. Joe endures, the fans rally, and Joe stands up. Joe wrenches, fires body shots, but Harlem fights the back suplex! Harlem rains down elbows, but Joe hits a BIG back suplex! Both men are down and the fans rally up. Harley goes to the ropes, but Joe fires hands! Joe fires body shots and then whips, but Harlem reverses. Joe CLOBBERS Harlem! And he CLOBBERS him again! The fans fire up as Joe ducks ‘n’ dodges to FLYING SHOULDER TACKLE!
Harlem scrambles to ropes, then to a corner. Joe runs up, GLASGOW SENDOFF! Harlem hits buckles and falls into the drop zone! Joe goes up, up, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Harlem survives, goes to ropes, but Joe runs up! Joe CROSSBODIES Harlem and himself out of the ring! The fans fire up and the ring count starts. Both men rise up, and they start firing forearms! Joe swings, Harlem ducks, Joe’s fist hits POST! Joe scrambles into the ring, but Harlem grins. Harlem slides in and storms up on Joe! Joe HEADBUTTS! Roll up with one arm, TWO! Harlem STOMPS the bad hand! And then suplexes, fore the JACKHAMMER! Cover, Harlem wins!
Winner: Harlem Lewis, by pinfall
The fans may not like it, but it wasn’t the Gallus Boy on top! Harlem brought that EPA: Effort, Passion & Aggression! But will he be able to get that top spot here in Evolve?
Kylie Rae VS Wendy Choo!
And now, part two of the double main event, it’s THE main event, where two icons of the independents finally meet 1v1. But while Kylie is still smiley, this isn’t the same Wendy she knew back then. Wendy’s been trying to get Kylie’s attention, but to what end? Will Kylie put this mystery to an end? Or will Wendy simply put her to sleep?
The introductions are given for the big fight feel. The bell rings, and Wendy’s creepy smile creeps Kylie out. Wendy offers a handshake, and Kylie is unsure. But then Wendy runs up! Kylie gets around to waistlock, but Wendy headlocks. Wendy hits a headlock takeover, grinds the hold, but Kylie keeps her shoulders up. Kylie powers Wendy to a headscissor, but Wendy kicks around. Kylie holds on, but Wendy headstands, does the splits, then pops free! Wendy grins as she gets Kylie back in the headlock! The fans rally, Kylie fights up, then powers out, but Wendy runs her over! Things speed up, Kylie hurdles, but Wendy leaps over!
The two stare down as they both crawl. Kylie backs up into a corner, Wendy scurries up, but Kylie jumps up and over! Kylie runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then comes back to arm-drag, handspring, and basement- NO, Wendy blocks the kick! Wendy spins Kylie, Kylie dodges, and Kylie tilt-o-whirl RANAS! And then DROPKICKS! The fans fire up while Wendy ends up on the ropes. Kylie goes up and over to the apron, but Wendy avoids the boot to HOTSHOT Kylie down! Wendy rains down fists on the apron, then KICKS Kylie to the floor! The fans are torn while Wendy crawls back up. Wendy drags Kylie up by her hair!
The ref reprimands but Wendy drags Kylie in so she can stomp her! And then NECK TWIST! Kylie writhes and scrambles to corners, but Wendy storms up. Wendy stands Kylie up to ROCK her, whip her, and then run in for a handspring LARIAT! Wendy goes side to side now, and she YAKUZA KICKS Kylie down! Snapmare and cover, TWO! Kylie toughs it out, the fans rally up, but Wendy clamps right on with a neck wrench! Kylie endures, pries at the grip, and the fans rally. Kylie fights up, fires body shots, but Wendy shoves her to a corner. Wendy runs in, but Kylie UPPERCUTS! And BOOTS! Kylie LARIATS!
The fans fire up as Kylie LARIATS again! Kylie roars and runs in, to UPPERCUT! Kylie sits Wendy down, runs and CANNONBALLS! Cover, TWO! Wendy stays in this, but Kylie is right on her with a fireman’s carry! Wendy slips free and full nelsons, but Kylie breaks the hold! Kylie drops down to then victory roll Wendy, TWO! Wendy slips around, and goes for the DIRT- NO, Kylie has the ROPEBREAK! Wendy SLAPS the arms down, to STRAITJACKET GERMAN! Kylie flounders away to a corner, and Wendy runs in. Wendy blocks the boot, but Kylie BOOTS her away with the other foot! Kylie then goes up to FLYING ARM-DRAG!
Kylie handsprings and basement SUPERKICKS! The #SkyDaySpecial connects, but Wendy rises up like a Deadman! Kylie is spooked, but then she shouts, “I’m not afraid of you, Wendy Choo!” BASEMENT SUPERKICK, then the CROSSFACE! The fans fire up as Wendy flails! Wendy claws at the hold, the fans rally behind Kylie, but Wendy rolls Kylie to a cover! TWO, and Kylie ROLLING ELBOWS! Wendy wobbles, Kylie goes up, up, and leaps, but into a full nelson! And SLAM! Wendy is angry now, and time for the DIRT NAP!! Kylie flails, but she’s caught! She’s OUT, Wendy wins!
Winner: Wendy Choo, by submission
Kylie fought her fear, but she couldn’t stay awake! Wendy puts the blanket over the camera to put the show to bed. Will this match give Kylie nightmares? Will Wendy be living the dream of holding up championship gold?
My Thoughts:
A great Evolve here, lots of action, but I didn’t think they’d pull the “double main event” like main roster has before. Brinley VS Zayda was a good opener, and a bit surprising Zayda took that loss. It does add to her character, though, where her ego gets the better of her. Very good faceoff promo from Kali and Dani, and they’ll have a very good match next week. Very good match from Chantel VS Masyn, and good win for Chantel with Heel tactics. Good promo from her to also get the championship on our minds, can’t wait for what kind of tournament or series we’ll get out of that.
Luca VS Keanu was good stuff, and a very impressive win for Keanu. Same for Harlem over Joe Coffey, and surely we’ll see Harlem and Keanu battle it out on the road to the title. Kylie had a very good promo with Zara and a very good match with Wendy in THE main event. Wendy getting the win is a touch surprising, but it adds intrigue to the story. Maybe we finally learn what was on her note…
My Score: 8.7/10
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Will The Death Riders cancel Dynasty?
Claudio Castagnoli faces Adam Copeland while Jon Moxley & Marina Shafir face Swerve & Willow, all before the PPV this Sunday! Will the champions of AEW make sure their challengers can’t make it?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Mixed Tornado Tag: Jon Moxley & Marina Shafir VS Swerve Strickland & Willow Nightingale; Swerve & Willow win.
- Toni Storm w/ Luther VS Penelope Ford; Toni wins.
- “Big Bill” Morrissey & Bryan Keith VS ???; Bill & Keith win.
- Will Ospreay & Kevin Knight VS Blake Christian & Lee Johnson; Ospreay & Knight win.
- Brody King VS Lance Archer w/ Don Callis; Brody wins.
- Adam Copeland VS Claudio Castagnoli; Cope wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
BREAKING NEWS for the Owen Hart Cup!
Just as the brackets were ready to be revealed, it is revealed that The Death Riders attacked him as he arrived in the arena! Will The Switchblade be ruled out of the tournament before it even begins? Or will it still be his era?
Mixed Tornado Tag: Jon Moxley & Marina Shafir VS Swerve Strickland & Willow Nightingale!
The Maniac admitted that no woman, and perhaps no person, scares him quite like The Problem from Moldova. But the Most Dangerous Man & Babe with the Power aren’t afraid. They are going to take the fight to the Death Riders and smile anyway! Will Swerve be smiling as he heads for Dynasty in Philadelphia? Or will Moxley & Marina take Swerve & Willow out like they did Jay White?
Well, there’s no waiting for a bell as Moxley & Marina rush Swerve & Willow at the ramp! The fans fire up and the bell rings as Swerve fires hands on Moxley! Swerve BOOTS Moxley, Willow ROCKS Marina, and the fans cheer on “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” Swerve ROCKS Moxley, then rips Moxley’s shirt away! Willow ROCKS Marina and high-fives the fans, but Moxley elbows Swerve. Swerve blocks a bump off the steel steps to body shot! Marina fires knees into Willow, but Swerve sends Moxley into railing! Willow does the same to Marina! The fans fire up but then Moxley CHUCKS a chair into Swerve!
Marina snap suplexes Willow to the floor! Willow writhes, Moxley & Marina go looking for goodies. They bring out a TABLE! The fans fire up, and the Death Riders set up that table. Swerve storms up, Willow ROCKS Marina! Swerve kicks Moxley, fireman’s carries, and Willow shoves Marina into the ring. Moxley fires elbows to fight free, then he puts Swerve on the desk! Willow has Marina in the ring, but Moxley gets on the desk with Swerve! Marina slips free of Willow’s scoop to CHOP her! And SAYANAGI! And SAYANAGI! Moxley rains down fists, talks some trash, and Marina top mounts Willow for a facelock.
Willow fights up and RAMS Marina into a corner! Willow CHOPS Marina, Moxley whips Swerve, but Swerve reverses! Moxley crashes into the steel steps at the same time Willow sends Marina into a corner! Willow CHOPS again! The fans fire up and Willow brings Marina around to snap suplex! Marina bails out, but Willow pursues. Willow CLUBS Marina, Swerve has Moxley in the corner. Moxley CLOBBERS Swerve, things speed up, and Swerve hurdles, only for Moxley to CLOBBER him! Moxley flips off the fans and Peoria boos in return. Swerve drop toeholds but Moxley fights to stay up! Moxley grabs at Swerve, but Swerve bends Moxley’s fingers!
Willow CHOKES Marina with her boot to the neck! Swerve whips Moxley to DROPKICK him down! The fans again fire up for “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” while Willow goes up a corner. Swerve brings Moxley around, BACKBREAKER to MISSILE DROPKICK! Moxley flounders away to ropes, and Swerve high-fives Willow. Moxley goes to a corner, Willow sends Swerve in and he UPPERCUTS! Willow runs in and LARIATS! Willow sends Swerve back in for another UPPERCUT! Snapmare, and Swerve goes up to FALLING UPPERCUT! Swerve hits the Griddy and Willow struts around. But Marina runs up to BOOT Willow!
Moxley gets up to hit a CUTTER on Swerve! Marina CHOKES Willow on the ropes, then lets off to put Willow in a corner. Marina CHOPS, Moxley has Swerve on the outside, and Moxley TOSSES Swerve over railing! Marina KICKS Willow in the corner, KICKS again, then stomps away. Marina CHOKES Willow, Willow slaps and claws at Marina, but Marina stands her up for a cravat. Marina puts Willow on the ropes to CHOKE her! Marina & Moxley soak up the heat, then let off so Marina can KICK Willow in the back! Marina drags Willow up, puts her in a corner, and CHOPS! The fans rally for Willow but Marina stomps her in the corner.
Moxley coaches Marina, even while Willow fires body shots. Moxley & Marina talk trash on Willow, but Willow SLAPS Moxley! The fans fire up, but Marina ROCKS Willow! Marina drags Willow up to CHOP, then Moxley reels Willow in!? The fans boo, but Swerve slides back in! He has Marina in a half nelson while Swerve has Willow in the underhooks! Swerve dares Moxley to take his shot, because he’ll take his shot on Marina! The fans fire up as Marina dares Swerve to do it! Moxley says fine, and he lets Willow go. Swerve lets Marina go, but then Willow shoves Moxley, and he runs into Swerve!
The fans fire up as Willow fires a flurry of forearms on Marina! Willow runs, but Marina HIP TOSSES her! Marina grabs a leg, steps over and then rolls Willow to THROW her! Willow flounders to the apron, Marina storms out after her, and Marina ROCKS her! Willow snarls and ROCKS Marina! And BOOTS her! Willow powers up, but Marina gets under the boot! STRETCH MUFFLER into a POWERBOMB, DOWN THROUGH THE TABLE!! The fans lose their minds while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Moxley gets Swerve in underhooks! PARADIGM SHIFT to the floor! Swerve flops over and Moxley goes to regroup with Marina. Prince Nana checks on Swerve but Marina digs her boot into Willow. Marina then drags Willow up, and DUMPS her onto the wrecked table! Moxley has Swerve back in the ring, and CLAWS at Swerve’s face! Moxley crossface forearms Swerve down, then goes out to chase Nana off. Nana stays by the timekeeper’s area, and Moxley has Swerve on the apron. Moxley grinds his forearm and elbow into Swerve’s face and neck, then Marina joins in, to BITE Swerve’s fingers! Swerve flails and tries to get free, but Marina only lets off when she wants to.
Moxley goes looking again, and he brings out a second table! Moxley & Marina set this table up, and they drag Swerve up. Willow stirs but Marina & Moxley mug Swerve with hard kicks. Moxley shoves Swerve to a corner, then fires Marina up. Marina runs in at Swerve, but Swerve dodges! Marina hits POST, Moxley goes after Swerve! Dynamite returns to single picture as Moxley puts Swerve up top. Swerve fires body shots, shoves Moxley down, but Marina’s back to ROCK Swerve! Marina climbs up to CLAW Swerve’s back! Moxley climbs up and he CLAWS Swerve’s back! The Death Riders are both up there, and they both CLAW Swerve’s back!
But Willow returns! She gets under Marina & Moxley, and we get a TOWER OF DOOM!! The fans are thunderous after seeing that double powerbomb superplex combo, and Willow drags herself back up. Marina goes to one corner, Moxley goes to the other. Willow LARIATS Moxley, then runs to back body block and LARIAT Marina! Willow whips Marina into Moxley, then runs to SPLASH them both! Willow snapmares Marina to BOOT her down! But Moxley grabs Willow by her hair! The fans boo, but Swerve JUMP KNEES Moxley! Moxley falls into a corner, Willow runs and CANNONBALLS! Moxley tumbles out, Swerve PLANCHAS him down!
Willow whips Marina to SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO! Marina survives, Willow is frustrated, but Moxley TOSSES her back out! Swerve returns to ROCK Moxley! Moxley fires back, the two go forearm for forearm! The fans cheer Swerve, boo Moxley, and then Swerve shoves to HIP TOSS, gator roll, but Moxley fights the suplex! Moxley suplexes to SLAM Swerve, and has the REAR NAKED CHOKE! Marina clamps onto Willow’s foot, keeps her in a corner, but Willow fires body shots! Swerve is caught in the body scissors while Marina climbs up on Willow. But Willow picks Marina up off the corner, to POWERBOMB her onto Moxley!
All four fighters are down and the fans are thunderous! “This is Awesome!” as Marina and Willow find each other and start throwing forearms! Moxley and Swerve find each other, and they start throwing SLAPS! The ladies scrap to the outside, the gentlemen throw hands! Marina RAMS Willow into the railing! The forearms go faster and faster in the ring, then Swerve gets the edge with fast hands! Moxley CLAWS eyes and BITES Swerve’s forehead! Moxley runs, but into an UPPERCUT! Swerve runs, but he feels Moxley behind him, so he ducks under! Moxley comes back, into the FLATLINER! The fans fire up and Swerve goes to a corner!
Swerve aims, “Whose House?!” But Marina shoves Moxley aside and takes the HOUSE CALL!!! The fans are stunned, but Swerve smiles. Willow POUNCES Moxley, and he falls through the table! The fans are thunderous again, and Swerve fires Willow back up. Willow gets Marina up, BABE WITH THE POWER BOMB!! Cover, Willow & Swerve win!
Winners: Swerve Strickland & Willow Nightingale, by pinfall
Consider the Problem solved! Willow finally gets the better of Marina, but Moxley is back up already! And he grabs Willow for PARADIGM SHIFT!! The fans boo and Swerve is pissed! Moxley runs away, Peoria telling him off as he goes. Moxley acts like it doesn’t matter, he and Marina just get outta there. Will Swerve make sure Moxley doesn’t survive Dynasty?
Backstage interview with FTR.
Renee Paquette is with Cash Wheeler, Dax Harwood, and even AEW referee, Paul Turner. Renee says that last Saturday Night Collision, Dax put his hands on AEW officials and has since been fined $10,000. Dax paid the fine, but he asked for Paul to be here. Why is that? Dax says yes, he is about to pay the fine, but he wanted Paul here in front of the world so that Dax could apologize to both him and Cash for his actions. He let his emotions get the better of him, and he got Tony Khan to allow him to personally hand the check over to Paul. In front of the world, here is the $10,000 for Paul personally to use, perhaps take his wife out for a nice dinner or buy something for the family.
Dax again apologizes for how he treated Paul. Paul accepts the apology, and he can understand it all being heat of the moment. This means a lot to him. Of course, Paul, but just don’t cash that in until Friday, wink wink. Dax pats Paul on the back and Paul takes his leave. Renee says things have been rather heated lately, but this Sunday night, Dynasty on PPV, Rated FTR challenges The Death Riders for their AEW World Trios Championships. Are they going to be able to put their issues aside by then? Dax says yes, FTR are brothers, he loves Cash more than almost anyone in this world. The things they’ve done in these 11 years can never be eclipsed by one event.
Dax wants to let Cash know that he apologizes for what he did. It was an emotional moment, and he mistook Cash for a security guard. Just know that he would never, ever do something like that. But on Sunday night, they add to the legacy of FTR by making Rated FTR the NEW AEW World Trios Champions. Dax loves ya, bud. Dax wants to hug Cash, but Cash stops him?! Cash says yes, they are brothers. And on Sunday, they will be fine. But after Sunday, they need to talk. Cash heads out alone, Dax is unsure what to make of that. Dax apologizes to Renee for this, Renee assures him it is okay. But will FTR be fine with tensions running this high?
AEW presents the 2025 Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Brackets!
Starting on Sunday with Dynasty, this year’s Owen Hart Cup will culminate with Double or Nothing on Sunday, May 25th, in Glendale, Arizona! As such, the Men’s Owen Hart Cup will feature: Brody King VS Konosuke Takeshita! Kyle Fletcher VS Mark Briscoe! Will Ospreay VS Kevin Knight, who subs in for Jay White after what The Death Riders did to him. And lastly, Hangman Page VS a mystery Wild Card! Who will be lucky enough to step to The Cowboy?
In the Women’s Owen Hart Cup, we will see Jamie Hayter VS Billie Starkz, Kris Statlander VS Thunder Rosa, Julia Hart VS Mercedes Mone, and Harley Cameron VS Athena! Another star-studded bracket, who builds their Dynasty with this opening round?
BREAKING NEWS for Collision!
In a preview of these opening round matches, we will see some unique team-ups! Mercedes Mone must work together with Harley Cameron against Julia Hart and Athena! Will the wild Aussie be willing to help #FourBeltsMone? Or will The Fallen Goddess & Hart Always Win?
Toni Storm w/ Luther VS Penelope Ford!
Just as Timeless Toni was reaching the climax of her speech on last Saturday Night Collision, the Superbad Girl had to interrupt it with a boot to Toni’s face! Penelope & The Megasus got the better of the AEW Women’s World Champion that night, but will Toni pay Penelope back? Or are things only going to get worse before Dynasty’s world title match?
The bell rings and Toni ties up with Ford. Toni powers Ford to the corner to fire off fast hands! The ref counts, Toni stops at 4, and Ford bails out. Toni storms out but Ford kicks and CLUBS Toni. Ford whips, Toni reverses, and Ford hits the apron! Toni CHOPS Ford, then pursues around the way. Toni pushes Ford in, but Ford kicks her in return! Ford CLUBS Toni, rums, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up, Toni drags Ford up to FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Toni doesn’t mind. Toni hauls Ford up and snap suplexes! The fans rally as Toni aims from a corner.
Toni runs corner to corner, but Ford dodges! Hip attack hits buckles, then Ford hits a JAWBREAKER and SHOTGUN! Toni flops out of the ring to the apron, and Ford slingshot KNEE DROPS! Ford mocks the closeup, then storms into the ring. Ford stomps Toni at the ropes, drags her up, but Toni ROCKS Ford! And ROCKS her again and again! Toni whips, Ford reverses, and Ford BOOTS Toni down! The fans boo but Ford mocks them while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Ford drags Toni up, puts her on the apron, then goes out to bring her up. Ford CLUBS Toni again and again, but Toni HEADBUTTS in return! Ford staggers back, Toni BOOTS her into the post! Toni kicks Ford back into the ring, then drags her up. Ford DECKS Toni! Toni goes to a corner, Ford stomps a mudhole in, but the ref counts. Ford stops at 4, then drags Toni onto the ropes to CHOKE her! The ref counts, Ford lets off at 4, and Toni sputters around the ropes. Ford CLUBS Toni, CLUBS her again, then CHOPS her in the corner. Toni staggers away but Ford pursues, and she rolls Toni up, TWO! Ford kicks Toni around, soaking up heat at the same time.
Ford kicks Toni down, covers her, TWO! Toni is tougher than that, but Ford clamps on to KNEE her in the back again and again! Ford wraps on a chinlock, but Luther and the fans rally up. Ford shoves Toni down, then STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Ford clamps back onto Toni’s arms and pulls back for a motorcycle stretch! Toni endures, even as Ford pulls on the arms. Toni fights up, but Ford THROWS her down by her hair! Dynamite returns to single picture while the fans boo. Toni goes to a corner, Ford runs and handsprings in, BACK ELBOW! Ford goes side to side to BOOT Toni, but she doesn’t let Toni fall.
Ford licks Toni’s face! But Toni BITES Ford’s tongue!! Ford screams in pain, the ref reprimands and counts, but Toni won’t stop! Ford KNEES low, but Toni fires a forearm! The forearms go back and forth, but then Ford knees low! Ford whips Toni to the corner, but Toni comes back to THESZ PRESS! The fans fire up as Toni rains down fists! Then Toni rallies with LARIAT after LARIAT! Toni whips, Ford reverses, but Toni reverses back to hit a BIG back suplex! Ford flounders to a corner, but Toni runs in, SWEET HIP MUSIC! DDT on top! Cover, TWO! Toni doesn’t hesitate, she ties up Ford’s legs into the QUEEN ANGELITO STRETCH!!
Ford endures, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Toni lets go in frustration, but the fans rally up again. Toni drags Ford up, but Ford TOSSES Toni out! Ford HOTSHOTS Toni, then goes to the apron. Ford ASAI MOONSAULTS! Down goes Toni and the fans fire up! Ford puts Toni back in, then fireman’s carries, GUT BUSTER DROP! Cover, TWO!! Toni survives and Ford is shocked! Ford snarls, Toni sits up, but Toni ducks the Buzzsaw! SNAP GERMAN! STORM- NO, Ford NORTHERN LIGHTS in return! But Toni holds on, stands Ford up, but Ford goes Matrix! Toni stops the stunner, shoves and kicks Ford, STORM ZERO!! Cover, Toni wins!
Winner: Toni Storm, by pinfall
There’s the payback, but now Megan walks out on stage. Megan applauds the champion, but Toni dares her to bring the fight already. Toni holds up the title, and Megan decides to step closer. But only to fetch Ford and head back. Will The Megasus be a golden Greek goddess soon enough? Or will Toni conquer this Labor of Hercules?
Backstage interview with Swerve, Nana & Willow.
Renee checks in at Willow is being examined by the training staff. Do we have any update on Willow right now? Swerve says Willow is strong, powerful, and brave. That’s why Swerve didn’t mind facing The Death Riders with Willow by her side. When it came to getting in the ring with two of the most dangerous men in AEW, and perhaps all of pro-wrestling, Willow welcomed the challenge. But Moxley, knowing the history of neck issues that Willow has, and Moxley still did what he did… Now he’s on the run. Swerve will not rest until he has his hands on Moxley. Not before Philly, not at Dynasty, but tonight!
Swerve vows that by the end of tonight, Swerve will have his hands on Moxley! Swerve has put The Maniac on notice, will The Death Riders make sure to be scarce for the rest of the show?
AEW prepares for All In Week in Texas!
In the lead up to Saturday, July 12th for All In: Texas, Dynamite will hit Garland, Texas on Wednesday, July 9th! Then there’s a special edition Thursday Night Collision on July 10th, also in Garland. ROH Death Before Dishonor is Friday, July 11th, in the Arlington ESports Stadium! Plus, Starrcast Texas will be Friday and Saturday in the Sheraton Arlington Hotel, and the “main event” is of course All In: Texas, Globe Life Field, with a special 3 PM Eastern start time! AEW is truly going all in for All In, what about you?
The Hurt Syndicate is here!
Montel Vontavius Porter & Bobby Lashley are here, and Peoria sings along with the song, “We Hurt~ People! We Hurt~ People!” Unfortunately for Shelton Benjamin, weather delayed his flight, he won’t even make the show, but let’s all hope he and everyone else out there stays safe. The All Mighty Lashley goes to speak, but MJF interrupts with his entrance! Maxwell Jacob Friedman struts out here, mic already in hand, and already on Lashley’s bad side. MJF smirks as he steps into the ring, has them cut his music, and the fans cheer him on! MJF says aw shucks, and then he asks the Hurt Syndicate pardons the interruption.
MJF also notes that MVP looks awesome tonight. Can we give it up for MVP? The fans cheer, and wait, there’s a pocket of fans already telling MJF to shut up. Uh, no, MJF’s gonna talk. MJF again says pardon the interruption, but last week, “Bob” disrespected him. But MJF will let that slide because Lashley is friends with MVP, and he doesn’t know MJF like MVP knows MJF. So allow him to formally introduce himself: He is Maxwell Jacob Friedman, M J F. He is a generational talent, and he knows about Lashley all too well. MJF also knows about The Gold Standard, Shelton Benjamin.
MJF looks into the camera and tells Shelton that he knows there were some travel issues today. MJF loves you, big man, see you down the road, hope you’re home safe. And c’mon, we all know about Bobby Lashley, right? The fans cheer, and MJF says Lashley’s one of the all-time greats. Lashley’s been around the block, but however, this is AEW. And baby, you’re standing on the block MJF built. Now, MJF knows this place like the back of his hand. He knows how to get to the top, and how to stay on top, for a record-breaking reign. And MJF can help Lashley & Shelton hold onto the tag team titles for as long as their cold hearts damn well please.
MJF says all cards on the table, he knows they can help him, too. They can help him get back what is rightfully his: The AEW World Championship. The fans are torn about that, but MJF says basically, what he’s getting at here is MJF in the Hurt Syndicate is just good business. MVP knows it, MJF knows it, and hell, even the mouth-breathers in the Midwest know it! The fans boo, but MJF says, “Talk to me when Peoria ever matters ever, alright? Let’s pipe down, this isn’t even a real place.” MVP has MJF hold on, and whispers something to him. MJF says that is fair. What MJF is getting at is this: Lashley may not want MJF, but Lashley…
MJF puts his hand on Lashley’s shoulder as he says, “You big, beautiful bastard you, you need MJF.” MJF smiles and says he rests his case. Lashley tells MJF that he’ll be real clear here. Out of respect for MVP, Lashley will NOT leave MJF laying right here, right now. Lashley does NOT like MJF. The fans cheer that! Lashley does NOT trust MJF, and The Hurt Syndicate damn well does NOT need MJF. So unless MJF can prove otherwise, he needs to get out of Lashley’s face right now. MJF asks if they want him to prove himself. Well, okay. He thanks them for their time, and he tells Peoria he wishes he could say the same, but he’s going to leave cuz they stink.
MJF exits the ring, MVP talks with Lashley, and it seems they’re torn. MVP votes one way, Lashley votes another, will Shelton have to be a tiebreaker down the line? But wait, The Learning Tree makes their way out here! Big Bill & Bryan Keith stare down with Lashley & MVP as they cross paths. The Redwood & Bad Apple offer The Hurt Syndicate “front row seats” to stay and watch this. Bill & Keith are still proving themselves worthy of a tag title opportunity, will they make the cut right here and now?
“Big Bill” Morrissey & Bryan Keith VS ???
The bell rings, and Keith BOOTS ♣ right outta the ring! Bill TOSSES ♪ across the ring, then BOOTS him down! Lashley is amused by this, and Bill hoists ♪ up in a military press! Bill TOSSES ♪ right out of the ring! The poor guy tumbles all the way to Lashley’s feet! The other guy CLUBS Bill, but uh, it does nothing. Well, it does piss Bill off, and the fans tell ♣ he messed up. ♣ apologizes, but Bill CHOKES him! “What’re you doing?! You wanna hit me?!” Bill RAMS ♣ into the corner, then feeds him to Keith’s KNEE! Keith shouts, “Get him, Bill!” Bill makes sure Lashley is watching as he hoists ♣ up, and SKYSCRAPER CHOKE SLAMS! Cover, Bill & Keith win!
Winners: “Big Bill” Morrissey & Bryan Keith, by pinfall
Lashley sarcastically applauds, but Bill grabs a mic to tell the Hurt Syndicate, “On Collision, we whooped Top Flight’s ass. Tonight, we whooped… their ass!” We never really did get their names… Bill says on Sunday in Philly, he and Keith will whoop Hurt Syndicate’s ass! Because they want that match for the AEW World Tag Team Championships! The fans like the sound of that! Lashley stops MVP from saying something, and gives a thumbs up to Bill? Is that a yes on the match? Guess we’ll have to wait and see what boss man Tony Khan decides.
Backstage interview with Mercedes Mone.
Renee is now with The CEO, and notes that tonight, we saw the Owen Hart Cup brackets. Mone is now set to face the former TBS Champion, Julia Hart, in the opening round this Sunday at Dynasty. Mone says Julia Hart is very mysterious and unpredictable. And although Hart is a former TBS Champion, she’s not the Greatest TBS Champion of All Time now, is she? HAHAHA! It’ll take a lot more than tricks and spells to stop the Money Train. Well before Dynasty, this Saturday Night Collision, we will see Hart teaming with Athena against Mone and- “PEORIA~!” Puppet Mone is back! “Say hello to your C E O!”
Harley is bringing back the ventriloquism to say yes, it’s her. And yes, she knows what Mone is thinking, good to see her, too. And Harley has also been thinking. They really brought the house down Down Under. And hear her out. A new dream team is forming! Mone & Harley, The Train Station Money Wrath Excellence Golden Choo-Choo! What do you think? Mone says chew on this: Harley just needs to stay out of Mone’s way on Collision, got that? GOT THAT?! Y-Yes… Good to see you! Mone leaves and Harley says yes, she has the perfect name now. The Money Wrath Train! CHOO-CHOO, all aboard! But will this one go off the rails thanks to Collision?
Will Ospreay & Kevin Knight VS Blake Christian & Lee Johnson!
Speaking of the Owen Cup and odd couple team-ups, The Aerial Assassin is teaming up with his future opponent in The Jet! Will these two be the flyest team in all of AEW? Or will they be put on ice by the Vanilla Baby & Big Shotty?
Ospreay gives thumbs down to Blake and the fans join in. The fans then rally up for Ospreay while the teams sort out. Ospreay starts against Blake and the bell rings. The fans cheer as Ospreay circles with Blake. They feel things out, tie up, and Ospreay powers Blake back. Blake headlocks first, but Ospreay wrenches and headlocks. Blake powers up and out, but Ospreay runs him over! Blake kips up, how very Ospreay of him. Ospreay himself is annoyed seeing that, but Blake SOBATS! Blake talks trash, headlocks, but Ospreay powers up and out. Blake runs Ospreay over, but Ospreay kips up, then struts! The fans cheer, and Ospreay swivels the hips!
Blake kicks but Ospreay blocks this time. Ospreay throws the foot down but Blake ducks the lariat to THROW Ospreay by his hair! The fans boo and the ref reprimands, but Blake struts. Blake mocks the United Empire crown, then whips Ospreay to ropes. Ospreay ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA Blake! Blake goes to ropes, Ospreay tags Knight! They double whip, then drop toehold and UFO SPLASH! Cover, Lee breaks it! Ospreay whips Lee but Lee reverses to TOSS Ospreay! Knight kicks Lee, then whips, but Lee reverses. Blake CHOP BLOCKS Knight from the front, and Lee adds a basement DROPKICK! Lee soaks up the heat while he and Blake loom over Knight.
Lee & Blake reel Knight in, but Ospreay saves Knight from the double suplex! Ospreay & Knight dodge Blake & Lee, then they DOUBLE DROPKICK! Blake & Lee bail out, the fans fire up, and Ospreay nods to Knight. They coordinate, and the fans fire up more as both men go to corners. They crisscross, Ospreay DIVES onto Lee while Knight FLIES over the corner to take out Blake! The fans fire up again, and Knight high-fives the front row. Ospreay & Knight dap it up, and fans cheer “A E DUB!” as Knight puts Blake in the ring. Knight stomps Blake, then brings him up to UPPERCUT! The fans cheer as Knight wrenches and whips.
Blake reverses, Lee trips Knight up! The fans boo but Blake adds a basement DROPKICK! Blake then APRON SPEARS Ospreay! Blake struts around while the fans boo, but Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Blake drops an elbow on Knight, then pushes him down for another! Blake pushes Knight down again, winds up, and he stomps Knight! Blake stands on Knight, then drags him over to tag Lee. They stomp Knight, then Lee stands Knight up. Lee bumps Knight off buckles, and he CHOPS! Knight pushes Lee into the corner to CHOP! Lee kicks low, brings Knight around and snap BRAINBUSTERS! Cover, TWO! Knight survives but Lee drags him up again. Tag to Blake and they mug Knight. Blake puts Knight on the ropes and grinds his face off them! The ref counts, Blake stops at 4, but Lee CHOKES Knight behind the ref’s back!
Blake stands Knight up to UPPERCUT! Blake snapmares Knight, runs, and basement DROPKICKS again! Tag to Lee, he jumps in then ELBOW DROPS! Cocky cover, TWO! Lee stays cool and then clamps onto Knight’s arm. Lee taunts Ospreay, then stomps away on Knight. Lee drags Knight up to snapmare, then he clamps on with a chinlock. Knight endures, fights up, and fires body shots. Knight backs Lee down, but Lee turns things around. Knight fires a body shot but Blake throws Knight down! The ref reprimands but Blake tags in. Lee runs in at Knight in the corner to LARIAT! Dynamite returns to single picture as Lee goes back to Blake.
Lee & Blake coordinate, and Lee MONKEY FLIPS Blake so Blake can HANDSPRING LARIAT Knight! Cover, TWO! Knight stays in this, he’s not former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion for nothing! Blake drags Knight up, whips him to a corner, and then Blake sends Lee in. Knight BOOTS Lee, then he BOOTS Blake! Blake & Lee go together, but Knight HURDLES the double lariat! Hot tag to Ospreay, and Ospreay springboards to DOUBLE CROSSBODY! The fans are thunderous as Ospreay DECKS Blake! And DECKS him again! Ospreay whips, Blake reverses, but Ospreay handsprings, NEURALIZER! Cover, TWO!
Blake survives but Ospreay has the fans behind him. Blake goes to a corner, Ospreay runs in, but Blake puts Ospreay on the apron! Ospreay ROCKS Blake, but Lee YANKS Ospreay down! Lee sets Ospreay up, Blake FOSBURY TOPES! Blake puts Ospreay in, then climbs up top. Blake says time for a taste, 450 DOUBLE STOMPS!! Tag to Lee, Blake SHOTGUNS Knight! Lee hauls Ospreay up for the fisherman, but Ospreay wrenches out! Blake ENZIGIRIS Ospreay, Lee has him in again, AOI- STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Blake storms up and waistlocks, but Ospreay switches. Blake ELBOWS Ospreay, but Ospreay HOOK KICKS Blake!
The fans fire up while Blake and Ospreay flop over! Ospreay crawls, hot tag to Knight! Knight runs up on Blake to STINGER SPLASH! Then a BOOT for Lee! Knight brings Lee around, suplexes, but Lee slips free! Lee waistlocks, Knight switches, but Lee ELBOWS Knight! Lee runs, but Knight pops him up onto Blake’s shoulders! Knight says it’s time, 2FLY DROPKICK makes Lee POISON-RANA Blake!! Blake flops out of the ring, Ospreay returns, and Ospreay PLANCHAS out onto Blake! The fans fire up as Knight goes to the corner! Knight waits on Lee, then springboards in, FLYING LARIAT! Cover, Knight & Ospreay win!
Winners: Will Ospreay & Kevin Knight, by pinfall
The aerial assault wins out, and now Schiavone joins Ospreay and Knight for an interview in the ring. Schiavone says as we learned earlier tonight, Ospreay and Knight are going to face off in the first round of this year’s Owen Hart Cup. Big announcement on that: That very match will take place as part of Sunday’s Dynasty! The fans sure like that! Ospreay and Knight had a good time as teammates, but who will fly the highest when they go 1v1?
The Opps speak.
This time, Katsuyori Shibata is on camera as they got a cameraman to join them this time. Samoa Joe smiles and says, “Hey, it’s Samoa Joe here, along with Hook & Shibata, and we’re collectively known as The Opps. And you may be wondering, why did I start this group in the first place? Well quite simply put, I understood that the battlefield was changing, and that the nature of warfare was changing with it. So I knew that when I came back to the battlefield, I needed to bring a different arsenal. And that’s what these men here represent. And as a matter of fact, now that we’ve had a few experimental forays out there into the ring, we’d like to expand our influence in AEW.
“And that’s why come Dynasty in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, The Opps will be in the building. They will be watching all, and they will be seeing all. And please, please, please… Don’t let us catch you lacking.” Joe leaves it at that, but who will end up easy prey for these three big game hunters?
Brody King VS Lance Archer w/ Don Callis!
While this Hound of Hell is going to face Konosuke Takeshita in the Owen Hart Cup, the Don Callis Family is putting quite the obstacle in his way. If #EverybodyDies, will the King of Death be next? Or will Brody take a bite out of the Murderhawk Monster?
As for Don Callis himself, he is not amused by this Don Callis cosplayer in the front row. “You think you’re funny?” Callis whispers an insult to the guy, then goes to commentary. The bell rings and the fans rally for “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” Archer and Brody tie up, go around, and then break. Brody barks, the fans join in, and the two big men RAM! And RAM! And RAM! “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” Archer laughs, fires a forearm, but Brody gives it back! “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” Brody CHOPS, but Archer throat chops! The ref reprimands, Archer tells him to shut up, then Archer runs. But Brody runs up to ROCK Archer!
Brody runs but Archer ROCKS him! Archer runs, but Brody follows! Archer BOOTS Brody, then LARIATS him up and out! The fans boo but Archer goes out to the apron. Archer CANNONBALLS Brody to the floor! Archer tells off Peoria, then he stalks Brody. The ref wants this back in the ring but Archer tells him to back off. Archer runs in at Brody, but Brody sends him into railing! The fans fire up as Brody ROCKS Archer! Archer takes a seat, Brody barks and the fans join in. Callis admits that Brody terrifies him, and Brody runs up to SPLASH Archer against railing! Callis asks why this is allowed, but the fans fire up with Brody.
Brody drags Archer up and into the ring, then storms up to the apron. Archer distracts the ref so Callis can grab at Brody! Brody barks at Callis so Callis scurries away, but Archer KICKS the ropes! That jams Brody up, and Archer BOOTS Brody down! The fans tell Callis off while Archer has Brody on the apron. Archer stands on Brody’s neck! The ref counts, Archer steps off, and Archer whips Brody into the steel steps! Brody goes down in a heap, Archer refreshes the count, #EverybodyDies! Archer drags Brody up, but Brody CHOPS! And CHOPS! And ROCKS! Archer staggers, but he ROCKS Brody back! And CHOPS, too!
Archer talks trash on the front row while he has Brody in a headlock, especially the kid with the sweatbands. But Brody breaks free to CHOP! Brody says sup, kid! Brody and Archer fire hands, Archer sends Brody into railing, and Archer tells the ref to shut up. The fans rally, Archer SMACKS Brody off the desk, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Archer slips into the ring to argue with the ref, then Archer goes back out after Brody. Archer CLUBS Brody on the back, whips him hard into railing, and Brody slumps down. Archer stands on Brody, talks trash to the fans, then soaks up the heat. Archer digs his knee into Brody’s head, but steps off so he can stand Brody up. Brody ROCKS Archer! Archer goes into the ring, Brody pursues, and Archer goes to a corner. Both big men catch their breath, and Archer kicks low! Archer bumps Brody off buckles, digs his boots in, but stops as the ref counts 4. Archer glares at the ref but the ref reminds him he’s the authority here.
Archer goes back to Brody, CLAWS Brody’s eyes, then lets off as the ref counts. Archer paces, then he drags Brody up. Archer whips, Brody reverses, and Brody runs up, only to get buckles! Archer ROCKS Brody, then leans on him in the corner. Archer stands Brody up, but Brody CHOPS, and CHPOS, and CHOPS! Brody fires hands again and again, but Archer kicks low! Archer ROCKS Brody, bumps him off buckles, then RAMS him into the corner! Archer CLUBS Brody, then CLAWS his eyes! The ref counts, Archer stops at 4, but he CLUBS Brody down again. Archer digs his knees in, the ref counts, but Archer stops at 4.
Dynamite returns to single picture, Archer runs corner to corner and back again, and he ELBOWS Brody! Archer says that’s one, and he runs again, for an ELBOW! Archer says that’s two, and he goes again! Brody dodges and waistlocks! Archer fires elbows, but Brody still GERMAN SUPLEXES! The fans fire up while both behemoths are down! Peoria barks for Brody as he and Archer rise. Brody CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Archer swings, Brody BOOTS the lariat, then ROLLING ELBOWS! Archer staggers, Brody runs, and Brody CROSSBODIES! The fans fire up, and Brody hauls Archer up!
Brody scoops, SLAMS, and fires up! Brody runs to SENTON! Cover, TWO! Archer stays in this and he goes to a corner. Brody huffs ‘n’ puffs while the fans rally up, and Brody goes corner to corner! But Archer CROSSBODIES in return! The fans fire up as Archer kicks Brody, KNEE SMASHES and runs, but into a BOOT! Brody runs, but into a HELLICOASTER! Cover, TWO! Brody survives but Archer prepares his Murderhawk talons! Choke grip, CHOKE SLAM!! Cover, TWO!?! Brody survives and Archer is furious! The ref gets right out of the ring, and Callis says he doesn’t blame Archer for being mad at the ref.
Brody crawls to a corner while Archer seethes. Archer runs in, blocks a boot, and he LARIATS! Archer runs, but Brody follows to SPLASH! And LARIAT! Archer sits down, the fans bark with Brody, and Brody runs corner to corner! CANNONBALL! Brody drags Archer up, winds up, and short arm LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Archer survives and Brody is surprised. The fans rally up, “Meat Forever!” Brody reels Archer in but Archer fights the lift! Archer choke grips again, but Brody breaks free! Brody runs, dodges, and LARIATS!! Cover, Brody wins!
Winner: Brody King, by pinfall
Two titans clashed, but it was the King of Death that survives! Callis is not happy, but did Archer at least soften Brody up for The Alpha?
BREAKING NEWS for Dynasty!
Tony Khan heard Big Bill make his case, and it is happening! Bill & Keith will challenge Lashley & Benjamin for the AEW World Tag Team Championships in Philadelphia! Will the Redwood & Bad Apple make Chris Jericho proud? Or will the Hurt Syndicate simply hurt the Learning Tree’s Branches?
MORE BREAKING NEWS for Collision!
We saw Dax and Yuta battle last Saturday, and we’re about to see The Rated R Superstar battle the Swiss Cyborg. That of course leaves Cash Wheeler to face The Bastard, PAC! Who gains some last minute momentum before Dynasty? But that’s not all, as The Cru and Top Flight will finally have it out 2v2! Will Lio Rush & Action Andretti prove they never needed Darius & Dante Martin? Or will it be the other way around? Then, “Speedball” Mike Bailey is in action against Dralistico! Ricochet will be on commentary, will he keep it civil between him and Bailey? Or will they get into it 24 hours before challenging Kenny Omega for the International title?
Last but not least, the Don Callis Family’s Kyle Fletcher & Konosuke Takeshita prepare for the Owen Hart Cup by taking on some familiar foes. The Protostar & The Alpha are taking on Will Hobbs & Tomohiro Ishii! Will Kyle & Konosuke get more than they bargained for with The Powerhouse and The Stone Pitbull?
Adam Copeland VS Claudio Castagnoli!
While Cope failed to take the AEW World Championship from Moxley, Rated FTR wants to reign together by taking the AEW World Trios Championships away from The Death Riders! We saw there is dysfunction between Dax & Cash, but can Cope at least make it through the Swiss Cyborg? Or will Claudio cancel the match by dulling Copeland’s edge?
Peoria finishes singing Metalingus for Cope before Claudio makes his entrance. Claudio then attacks the moment he’s in the ring! The fans boo, the ref backs Claudio off, but then Claudio goes after Cope again! Claudio wants the bell, the ref tells him to back off so he can talk to Cope. Cope says ring the bell, so the ref rings the bell! Then Claudio’s all over Cope again! Claudio stomps a mudhole, the ref counts, but Claudio stops at 4. The fans boo, Claudio storms back up to fire body shots. Cope flops out of the ring, Claudio pursues, and Claudio whips Cope hard into barriers! The fans boo but Claudio seethes as he stalks Cope.
Claudio drags Cope up, DECKS him, then has Cope up against the barriers. Claudio runs up to UPPERCUT Cope down! The fans boo as Claudio digs his boot in, and the ref cosplayer says to get this in the ring. Claudio puts Cope in the ring, tells the real ref to shut up, but Cope attacks Claudio in the ropes! The fans fire up as Cope fires off knees, then has Claudio on the apron. Cope ROCKS Claudio, runs and BLASTS Claudio off the apron! Claudio hits barriers then flops to the floor! The fans fire up and Cope goes out after Claudio. Cope fires hands, SMACKS Claudio off the steel steps, then whips him hard into railing!
Claudio slumps down, Cope storms up, and the fans rally as Cope fires forearm after forearm! Cope makes Claudio take a seat again and the fans cheer. Cope snarls, stands Claudio back up, and puts him in the ring. Cope brings Claudio around to ROCK him! Claudio fires body shots an an UPPERCUT! Claudio HEADBUTTS Cope, brings him around, and UPPERCUTRS, into a backslide! TWO, and both men stay hooked up. They fight up, Cope swings Claudio around to short arm LARIAT! Claudio stays up, so Cope short arm LARIATS again! Claudio seethes, Cope snarls, and Cope short arm LARIATS!
Claudio roars and he short arm LARIATS in return! And again! But Cope short arm LARIATS again! And again! The fans rally while both men stay up, and Cope LARIATS one more time! Claudio BITES Cope’s ear! The ref reprimands, Claudio spits, and then short arm LARIATS! Cope stays up so Claudio short arm LARIATS again! Cope dodges the next one, BOOTS the lariat, and hits the COPE-A-SETIC! Cover, TWO! Claudio bails out, the fans rally for Cope, and Cope builds speed again. Cope SPEARS Claudio to the floor! The fans fire up while both men are down! Cope and Claudio stir, the ring count starts, and Peoria loses their minds!
Cope and Claudio slowly rise, Cope staggers to the ring and rolls inside. Claudio rises as the count continues, and Cope builds speed again! Cope DIVES into an UPPERCUT! Claudio grins as he has Cope on the floor, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Claudio grits his teeth as he drags Cope up, and then whips him hard into steel steps! Claudio soaks up the heat, rolls into the ring, and lets the count handle Cope. Cope stirs but he’s still down at 5 of 10. Claudio paces, then goes out after Cope. Claudio puts Cope in the ring, then clamps right on with a chinlock. Claudio leans all his weight on Cope, then shifts into a COBRA CLUTCH! Cope endures, fights up, but Claudio KNEES him low! Claudio clamps on the chinlock again, then goes back to the Cobra Clutch. Cope endures but Claudio leans all his weight on the hold again. Cope fights, but Claudio thrashes him around!
The fans rally while Claudio leans on Cope. The ref checks on Cope, the hand drops once! The ref checks again, and Cope is back up! Dynamite returns to single picture as Cope fights to a BIG back suplex! Both men are down and the fans rally up. Claudio goes to the apron, Cope staggers over, but Claudio RAMS into Cope! Claudio looks to the outside, and he hoists Cope up! Cope fights the suplex and now he tries, but Claudio fights off that suplex! They fight for control, and Cope fires body shots! Cope ROCKS Claudio, but Claudio HOTSHOTS Cope! The fans boo while Cope flops back, and Claudio storms into the ring.
Claudio climbs the corner, but Cope rises to ROCK him first! Cope fires more shots, but Claudio fires back! Cope fires forearm after forearm, then he goes outside. Cope climbs up the corner from there, but Claudio fires body shots! Cope and Claudio brawl up top, then they go to the very top! SUPER DUPER BULLDOG! Cope takes Claudio down, but he’s also down after that landing! A standing count starts, the fans rally up, and both men rise at 4 of 10. Cope reels Claudio in, but Claudio fights the DDT! Claudio sends Cope at the ref, then pokes him in the eyes! Claudio trips Cope, but Cope BOOTS free! Claudio returns to DOUBLE STOMP!
The fans are torn, because here comes the GIANT SWING! The fans cheer as Cope goes around and around, and Claudio THROWS Cope at TEN! Cover, TWO!! Cope survives and Claudio grows frustrated. Claudio hauls Cope up, reels him in, but Cope fights free to kick low! IMPALER DDT!! Cope crawls to the cover, TWO!! Claudio survives thanks to that delay, Cope’s gas tank is perhaps running low. The fans rally up as he and Claudio rise up again. Cope whips Claudio to a corner but Claudio reverses. Claudio runs up but into a BOOT! Cope hops up, up, and FLYING SUNSET FLIPS! Claudio rolls through and steps through, SHARPSHOOTER!!
The fans boo while Cope endures! Claudio sits deep on the hold, but the fans rally as Cope reaches out! Cope pushes up off the mat, but Claudio shifts right to a CROSSFACE! Cope endures, pries at the grip, then gets his other arm free! Cope drags Claudio down into the armlock, and now he has the GRINDHOUSE CROSSFACE!! Claudio endures, fights around, reaches out, but Cope shifts around to have the CROSSFACE on that side! Claudio still fights for the ropes, drags Cope with him, ROPEBREAK! Both men flop to the apron while the fans boo. Cope and Claudio catch their breath while the ref says to get in the ring.
Claudio and Cope rise, Cope runs up, but into an APRON POWERSLAM!! The fans go nuts, and then Claudio TOSSES Cope over the barriers! Claudio wants the ring count to start, so he ushers the ref into the ring. The count begins, Cope stirs at 4 of 10, but he’s still down at 6! Cope drags himself up at 7, flops over the barriers, then scrambles to the ring! Cope slides in at 9! Claudio LARIATS him down! Cover, TWO!! But Claudio hauls him right up to reel him in! Cope BACKDROPS free, but Claudio lands on his feet! Cope runs, Claudio hurdles, then Claudio springboards, but into a BOOT!
The fans fire up while Cope and Claudio are both down again! The fans want them to “Fight Forever!” but the show has to end somehow. Cope runs up, but into a POP-UP UPPERCUT! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Claudio is furious but he gets Cope right into the GOTCH NEUTRALIZER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Cope survives and Claudio is beside himself! Claudio goes outside, and he grabs a pair of chairs! Claudio doesn’t care about this match if he can sideline Cope! The ref says don’t do it but Claudio puts one chair under Cope’s head! Claudio then has the other chair, but the ref grabs it! The fans cheer as the ref takes that chair from Claudio!
Claudio says okay, fine, and he lets the ref take the chair. The ref puts the chair aside, and Cope LOW BLOWS Claudio!! That’s what Claudio gets for trying to use the Con-Chair-To! The fans fire up as Cope rises, and Cope takes aim from the corner! Claudio stands, into the SPEAR!! Cover, Cope wins!
Winner: Adam Copeland, by pinfall
It was a vicious battle here on Dynamite, and it’ll certainly be even worse on Dynasty! Can Cope & FTR make things Rated R
Backstage interview with Swerve & Nana.
Renee hopes for one last opportunity to ask about Willow’s condition, but it is clear Swerve is still hunting down Moxley. Renee interrupts their argument, but Nana storms off. Swerve tells Renee sorry, all due respect, but he’s looking for Renee’s husband right about now. The camera follows Swerve as he storms off down the hallway. Swerve looks around, but then it’s HANGMAN PAGE who finds Swerve first! The Cowboy shouts at Swerve, “I’ve been looking for your dumbass!” Hangman says Swerve is wasting his time. Security rushes in, looking to keep this from getting physical.
Hangman reminds Swerve that Hangman made a promise. Hangman will NEVER let Swerve be AEW World Champion again, and he’s a man of his word! Swerve tells Hangman needs to let it go and move on to something else already. Hangman says Swerve broke into his house! Swerve says Hangman burned down Swerve’s house! Hangman says Swerve deserved what he got, and Swerve says, “I KNOW!” What?! “I said… I know.” Hangman seems taken aback, then he storms off in the other direction. Swerve made quite the confession there, but he’s back on the prowl. Only for Moxley & Pac to hit him first!
The security tries but now Marina kicks them over! Yuta even joins in as Moxley & Pac mug Swerve! Moxley says he heard Swerve’s looking for him! The Death Riders drag Swerve up, and they THROW him through GLASS!! Moxley says Swerve was looking for him, so congrats, he found him! The Death Riders aren’t done as they drag Swerve out of the glass, and go through a door to walk into the crowd! The fans boo as The Death Riders TOSS Swerve over barriers to be ringside again. Claudio is still here, so now all the Death Riders mug Swerve! The fans boo, but Claudio hauls Swerve into the ring. The Death Riders now surround Swerve.
The fans boo as Pac & Yuta sit Swerve up, and Moxley tells Swerve that he’s going to see who’s the most dangerous one around here. What is that bucket? Yuta dumps out broken glass! Claudio then drags Swerve back up, crosses the arms, RICOLA BOMB onto the glass!! The fans lose their minds while Swerve writhes. Moxley & the Death Riders take their leave, but then Swerve sits up! The glass digs into his back, but Swerve’s eyes stare daggers at Moxley. Moxley is in disbelief as Swerve LAUGHS. The fans rally for “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” If not even this can stop him, will The Realest once again reign over the AEW Dynasty?
My Thoughts:
A great Dynamite as a go-home to Dynasty, though with some questions when it comes to what they’ve set up for the Owen Hart Cup. Why is there a Wild Card in only the Men’s Owen Hart Cup, and why isn’t it considered the replacement for Jay White? I will give them credit that the Wild Card was the plan all along, because no one could’ve accounted for White getting injured. But why wasn’t there a wild card for the Women’s Owen Hart Cup? That aside, both tournaments have great names, and we’re going to get some great matches. Another great promo from Harley with Mone, they’re going to have a very fun match with Athena & Hart.
Toni VS Penelope was a very good match, but it’d be nice if they did the match graphics correctly. Megan didn’t go out there Penelope but Luther did go out there Toni, despite what they put in the lower third. It can’t be that hard to put those together. But Megan just leaving it at a stare down is actually some good stuff, it shows she can think strategically, so she’s even more menacing than just being big and strong. But I still think Toni finds a way to win as the underdog champion. Out of the Women’s Owen Hart Cup, I’m leaning towards Thunder Rosa winning so that she can make good on going for the title she never truly lost.
Very good promo segment from MJF with The Hurt Syndicate, and very intriguing how MVP is still trying to plead MJF’s case. Great segue into Bill & Keith showing up and squashing those two guys that we never got the names of. Which I suppose is very fitting for squash matches because it was going to turn out this way no matter what. Lashley & Shelton VS Bill & Keith for Dynasty is going to be great, and I wonder if MJF interferes on Hurt Syndicate’s behalf to help them keep the belts, just as he said. Even if he doesn’t, Bill & Keith will likely lose, so as to disappoint Jericho and start us down the road to Bill standing up against Jericho.
Ospreay & Knight VS Blake & Lee was a great tag match, with Ospreay & Knight naturally winning. Ospreay VS Knight is going to be a great match for the Owen Hart Cup, but I would think Ospreay wins. Ospreay stated his goal of going to All In, and he can’t do that without winning the Owen Hart Cup at Double or Nothing. Brody VS Archer was a great match of big meaty men, and naturally Brody wins so he also has momentum going into the tournament. But here’s an interesting thing. why is Will Hobbs not in the Owen Hart Cup? He’s been running hot as of late, so he better be going for like the TNT or Continental title to make up for missing out.
That said, Hobbs & Ishii surely take the loss to Kyle & Konosuke as the Don Callis Family goes into the Owen Hart Cup. Kyle and Mark Briscoe will battle once again, and I think Kyle wins that so that there’s a chance of Kyle VS Ospreay in the finals. The Wild Card for the match with Hangman is also interesting, perhaps a long awaited return that’ll also give Hangman a great opening round match. Hangman also had a great promo with Swerve, where Swerve actually showed some remorse and took some responsibility for how things went between them.
Good promo from FTR with Dax being very apologetic, and with Cash being somewhat surprisingly unwilling to forgive. Cope VS Claudio was a very good main event, and naturally Cope won. For starters, it ties up the singles series we’re getting, and Cash VS Pac this Saturday will be rather telling for the title match. Swerve & Willow VS Moxley & Marina was an awesome tornado tag match, and kudos on Marina and Willow with that table powerbomb. Moxley really adds some heat hitting Willow with the Paradigm Shift as a sore loser, and then we got quite the brutal closing with Death Riders beating down Swerve.
Swerve still getting up after all that was a great visual, and I would hope he wins the title. It’d be very intriguing to see Swerve and Hangman feud again now that both men are working to be redeem themselves and be Faces.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Oblong Ball Foot Show: One For The Road
The Philadelphia Eagles are Super Bowl Champions! Tune in as we recap an excellent NFL season and touch on a...
Oblong Ball Foot Show: Super Bowl LIX Preview
The culmination of a season long journey is upon us. Andrew, Rey and Tunney break it all down for you...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (4/1/25)
Happy Sixth Anniversary!
Bandwagon Nerds #282: Daddy Ganon & A Glass of Wine
A double dose of Daredevil, major Zelda news, a massive Avengers: Doomsday reveal, and Villain Madness Round of 32 matchups...
Musical Chairs Special Edition- Evolution or Regression
Musical Chairs returns for a special episode as the guys look at the modern music scene and discuss whether the...
Bandwagon Nerds #281: Vengeful Abomination
This week the NERDS discuss Episode 4 of Daredevil Born Again and Villain Madness continues with the first round of...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (3/23/25)
Countdown to the Anniversary!
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (4/3/25)
Who is truly ROH Pure?
Mitchell’s WWE Evolve Results & Report! (4/2/25)
A double main event?!
Attitude Of Aggression #305- The Big Five Project: WrestleMania XI
The Big Five Project returns for our recap of WrestleMania XI, including Diesel v. Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart v. Bob...
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (4/2/25)
Dynamite before Dynasty!
Greg DeMarco Show: LET’S GO CENA! CENA’S SOCKS!
John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes: Who is carrying this story? Is this good for Cody? Patrick and Greg discuss the...
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (4/1/25)
Who will Stand & Deliver?
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (3/31/25)
London is Raw!
Mitchell’s AEW Collision Results & Report! (3/29/25)
AEW's back in the Good Land!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: Mania News, Notes & Nuggets
Tune into another episode of The Mindless Wrestling podcast as the boys are firmly on the Road to WrestleMania!
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (3/28/25)
SmackDown in the UK!
