Get ready to pull into the Fastlane!

Fastlane is this Saturday, so Raw is tuning things up! But will Seth Rollins be in any shape to take on Shinsuke Nakamura in their Last Man Standing match? Or will the King of Strong Style have an ace up his sleeve?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Nia Jax VS Shayna Baszler; No Contest?
• Jey Uso VS Damian Priest w/ The Judgment Day; No Contest?
• The Alpha Academy w/ Maxxine Dupri VS Imperium; Imperium wins.
• NXT Women’s Championship: Becky Lynch VS Tegan Nox; Postponed.
• Bronson Reed VS Cedric Alexander; Reed wins.
• Xavier Woods w/ Kofi Kingston VS Ivar w/ Sarah Logan; Woods wins.
• Tegan Nox VS Chelsea Green w/ Piper Niven; Tegan wins.
• Drew McIntyre VS The Miz; McIntyre wins.
• WWE Intercontinental Championship: GUNTHER w/ Imperium VS Tommaso Ciampa; Gunther wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler are brawling!

They were supposed to open with their match but neither wanted to wait! Nia throws Shayna down the ramp, then RAMS her into the apron! Nia puts Shayna in the ring, the refs want them to stop, but Shayna fires off on Nia! Shayna jumps on with a SLEEPER! The fans fire up but Nia flails and RAMS Shayna into a corner! And again, and again, and again! Fans boo but Nia roars! But wait! Here comes RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ! Big Mami Cool is coming after the Irresistible Force and she fires off hands! Nia shoves back, Raque BOOTS but hits Shayna by accident! Nia CLOBBERS Raquel, but wait! RHEA RIPLEY is here!

Fans fire up as The Eradicator TACKLES the Annihilator! Fans are thunderous, they’re all scrapping now because none of them like each other! Fans fire up, security rushes in to stop this, but fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!” Rhea CLOBBERS security! RIPTIDE!! Fans love that! The Women’s World Champion shouts at all her challengers, and then Shayna chases Nia to the back! Producers rush out to try and stop this, but the fans are on Mami Rhea’s side! Rhea then gets a mic to shout, “Mami’s back on Monday Night Raw!” San Jose cheers and Rhea says she ain’t done yet! She’s staying here to handle business!

Rhea tells the rest of Judgment Day to get out here so they can talk. Mami will have to wait a minute, but does this mean she saw No Mercy on Saturday…? Dominik Mysterio sulks his way out, wearing Rhea’s title, and Damian Priest is with him. They enter the ring, but where is Finn Balor? Guess we’ll hear everyone out, after the break.

Raw returns and Rhea tells the fans to show respect to Damian and Dom! Fans boo instead. Rhea says now that she got all that off her chest, she has Judgment Day business to attend. We all know that there is no leader in the Judgment Day, right? Right? Right. But they each have their own responsibilities to handle. And someone has to come up with a game plan so things don’t go downhill. Right, Dom? R-Right… So what happened? Mami got taken out by Nia Jax and things start falling apart! Because Mami is the one that makes the plans. But in the end, her being out, she left that responsibility to someone and they disappointed her.

Mami left that responsibility… to Priest. Fans are a little stunned. Rhea was gone, and Priest couldn’t handle the job. After the brawl last week, Finn is out injured, and Priest isn’t even cleared to compete against Jey tonight! And what else? Huh? Dom loses his NXT North American Championship to Trick Williams at No Mercy! Fans cheer that, but she tells ’em to shut up! She puts it on Priest for not being there to help Dom like Rhea said to. And now there’s this Cody and Jey situation. They don’t fear the Judgment Day. And why? Because there’s tension! Because the Judgment Day isn’t a threat! And now they’re gonna try and take those tag titles away!

What is Priest gonna do about it? Nothing? Priest says with all due respect, she is not saying anything he doesn’t already know. Yeah, Cody and Jey are coming for these tag titles. But when push comes to shove, Priest will push harder. And with that said, SCREW Cody Rhodes! SCREW Main Event Jey Uso! And while we’re at it, all these talks about Judgment Day falling apart, screw that, too! But the way Priest sees it, he has his titles. And he has his MITB contract. He’s not pointing fingers or nothing, but… “Mami, where’s Dom Dom’s title?” Fans love Priest turning the tables! Rhea then looks over her shoulder at Dom, and Dom sulks again.

Fans chant “WHERE’S YOUR TITLE?” and Rhea asks Dom, she’s his Mami, right? So what does that make Dom? That makes him Papi. So tomorrow night, on NXT, Dom has a rematch with Trick. “You’re welcome.” Fans boo, but Rhea warns Dom that if he doesn’t come home with that title, then don’t bother coming home at all. Fans go wild hearing the ultimatum. But then here comes Jey! San Jose fires up and bounces along with the beat as Main Event Jey heads down to the ring. Jey then gets in the ring and he gets a mic for himself. Fans chant, “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” and Jey smiles as he looks Judgment Day in the eye.

Jey says hey, first and foremost importantly, let’s welcome back Ms. Rhea Ripley. “We missed you. We all missed you.” But it looks like there’s a new Tribal Chief on Mondays, and she apparently has bigger balls than Roman Reigns ever did. Priest tells Jey that he is real tired of Jey opening his mouth. Priest tells Jey in Spanish that he’s gonna shut it, but then Dom steps up? Fans boo as Dom lifts the mic, and Dom says, “Damian… You’re not medically cleared to handle Judgment Day business. So I’m gonna take care of business, for Mami.” Dom wants Jey! Priest says that’s a great idea, go ahead.

Priest and Rhea argue but Priest says if Dom wants to be Papi, let him be Papi. Fans chant “WHOOP HIS ASS!” as Jey and Dom square off. Priest and Rhea drop back, and then Dom swings! Jey dodges to SUPERKICK Dom down! But then JD MCDONAGH attacks! The Irish Ace CLUBS away on Jey, helps Dom up, but Jey fires haymakers on McDonagh! But then Dom DECKS Jey! Dom & McDonagh stomp away on Jey, haul him up, and they mug Jey! Priest nods and steps back in, briefcase at the ready. But then here comes Cody! The American Nightmare rushes in, he fakes the Irish Ace out and Jey SUPERKICKS McDonagh down!

Cody kicks Dom to RHODES UPPERCUT! Priest just watches as Jey SUPERKICKS Dom into the CROSS RHODES! Cody and Jey stare Priest down, but Adam Pearce storms out. Enough chaos tonight! We resolve this at Fastlane as Cody & Jey take on Finn & Priest! And just so everyone understands, that match WILL BE for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships! Priest is furious, and Finn isn’t even here to be upset! How will the Punisher & Prince prepare for this high stakes match going into Indianapolis?

 

The Alpha Academy w/ Maxxine Dupri VS Imperium!

Chad Gable came oh so close and yet is still oh so far away from holding the Intercontinental Championship. But he and Otis won’t stop fighting to get to the top, will they SHOOOOOSH Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci? Or will Gunther’s goons keep Gable down?

Raw returns and Imperium makes their entrance. The teams sort out and Ludwig starts against Gable. They tie up, are in a deadlock, and Ludwig powers Gable back. Ludwig swings, Gable dodges and arm-drags! Gable has the armlock, fans rally as Gable headlocks, but Ludwig powers up and chinbars free. Ludwig headlocks, Gable powers out but Ludwig runs him over! Ludwig dusts himself off while fans boo, but Ludwig clamps onto Gable’s arm. Gable endures, fans rally, and Gable fights up. Gable rolls, bridges, handsprings, and spins to headlock, spin, drop toehold and armlock! Fans cheer but Ludwig fights up.

Ludwig throws Gable down by his hair, then PENALTY KICKS Gable down! Fans boo but Ludwig tells Vinci to handle this. Tag and Vinci runs up to stomp a mudhole! Vinci CHOPS, UPPERCUTS, and then headlocks Gable to grind him down. Gable endures, fights up, powers out, and things speed up. Gable goes up to “A THANK YEW~” headscissor! Vinci staggers around but he fights the waistlock. Vinci shoves Gable, Gable rolls and has the leg, ANKLE LOCK! Vinci has had leg problems before, he rolls but that sends Gable into Ludwig! Ludwig goes down, Vinci back suplexes but Gable lands on his feet!

Gable clinches to EXPLODER! Fans fire up with Gable, “A THANK YEW~!” Gable goes up but Ludwig drags Vinci out of the ring. Ludwig gets mad at Vinci, but then Otis gives Gable a boost to FLY! Direct hit on Vinci! Ludwig is fuming but the fans are loving this as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Ludwig CLUBS Gable down. Gable CHOPS in return! Ludwig is stinging, but Gable CHOPS him again! Ludwig runs to UPPERCUT! Gable flops out of the ring, Ludwig keeps the ref busy and Vinci goes to get Gable. APRON BACK SUPLEX! Otis protests but Ludwig WRECKS Gable with a dropkick! Gable falls to the floor, Imperium looms over him, and then they cool off. The ref starts a ring count but Ludwig puts Gable in at 4 of 10. Ludwig drags Gable up to DECK him, but fans rally up. Vinci tags in, he stomps Gable, and then brings Gable up. Vinci UPPERCUTS Gable down, then UPPERCUTS him down again!

Gable flounders, gets upset, but Vinci UPPERCUTS into a backslide! TWO, and Vinci blocks a kick to short arm LARIAT! Fans boo but Ludwig tags in now. Vinci thought he was doing good but this is Ludwig wanting to get some credit. Ludwig blocks a boot, says “NEIN!” and he DECKS Gable! Cover, TWO! Ludwig keeps on Gable with a cobra clutch and he grinds Gable down. Fans rally, Gable fights up and throws hands, but Ludwig CLUBS him down! Ludwig whips, Gable reverses but Ludwig sunset flips, only for Gable to roll through! ANKLE LOCK! Ludwig BOOTS Gable away, but Gable BLASTS Vinci off the apron!

Ludwig swings, Gable gets under to GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans fire up as Gable crawls, and Ludwig sees he has no one to tag! Hot tag to Otis! Otis BLAST through the lariat, BLASTS through the uppercut, rolls under and DISCUS LARIATS! Fans fire up as Otis ELBOWS Vinci! Otis scoops Ludwig to OVERHEAD SUPLEX! Fans fire up as Otis SPLASHES Ludwig and down he goes! Fans fire up, but Vinci runs in! Otis catches the springboard, to POWERSLAM Vinci! Off comes the shirt! CATERPILLAR ELBOW! Ludwig goes to the apron but Otis puts him on the top rope! Otis then climbs, hauls Ludwig up, but Vinci trips Otis! Ludwig falls on Otis in a CROSSBODY!

But then Gable CANONBALLS Vinci! Ludwig ENZIGURIS Otis! Cover, Imperium wins!!

Winners: Imperium, by pinfall

Vinci did his job, and he wants Ludwig to know that. Ludwig nods, but this is just night one. Will the Pride of Italy still do his job for the glory of Der Ring General?

 

Becky Lynch posts a picture.

It is a rather nasty laceration on her arm, which happened during the course of her Extreme Rules match with Tiffany Stratton on Saturday. She types, “The Man brought Tiffany to the main event but she brought it to The Man. Respect.” Becky got ELEVEN stitches to close that wound up, but sadly that means her match with Tegan Nox will be postponed.

Adam Pearce talks with Tegan.

He apologizes about the NXT Women’s Championship match being postponed, and she understands. But then Chelsea Green walks in and says she has an amazing idea! Pearce says they’re in the middle of a conversation. With who? Her? Aw, she heard about Becky and is complaining? Honestly, the audacity of people. Chelsea just cannot. Tegan, you need to suck it up. If she were Tegan, Chelsea would be happy. She would almost want it cancelled so that she wouldn’t lose to Becky. Tegan is good, but some people just aren’t championship material.

Now, back to Chelsea’s idea! Tegan has an idea of her own now, actually. Now that her schedule is wide open, Tegan wants a match with… this. They can find out who really is championship material. Pearce says that’s a great idea! That idea is official! Chelsea is going to talk to management. She storms out but uh, Pearce is management. Will Chelsea just have to complain to everyone else after she loses to the Girl with the Shiniest Wizard?

 

Bronson Reed VS Cedric Alexander!

Auszilla is rolling after his literally massive win over Otis, but he isn’t stopping yet! Will this Tsunami take him all the way to a title match? Or can PRIMED Alexander survive?

The bell rings and Cedric runs in to fire off on Reed! Reed shoves Cedric, Cedric comes back to fire off hands, but Reed HEADBUTTS him down! Reed runs in but only gets buckles! Cedric goes up and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK! Reed tumbles out and fans rally for Cedric as he WRECKS Reed with another dropkick! Cedric runs and DIVES! Reed falls but gets up fast, so Cedric FLIES! Direct hit at the ramp and down goes Reed! Fans rally up and Cedric brings Reed up. Reed shoves Cedric away, then ELBOWS him! The ring count is climbing as both men get in the ring. Cedric triangle jumps but into a LARIAT!

Cedric crawls, Reed drags him up and whips, but Cedric ducks ‘n’ dodges and NEURALIZER! Cover, TWO! Cedric doesn’t stop, he goes up top! But Reed choke grips him! And trophy lifts him! Cedric slips free, dodges again, but Reed BODY CHECKS! And SENTONS! Reed drags Cedric to the drop zone and goes up. Fans fire up for the TSUNAMI! Cover, Reed wins!

Winner: Bronson Reed, by pinfall

Cedric was not war ready like Reed was tonight! Will nothing stop the Colossal Aussie from bulldozing towards a title?

 

Adam Pearce is on the phone.

Everything is lining up great for Fastlane. But uh, hold on, he’ll call back. Drew McIntyre is there and he tells Pearce he is not going to be on MizTV this week. McIntyre just did one last week because he felt the fans deserved to see him, but no, he’s out. Pearce says okay, he gets it. Miz wanted to give McIntyre an open forum, that’s why he requested it. Oh, Miz requested? Then absolutely not. McIntyre will still go out there to say what he has to say, but if Miz pokes his head out there, he will regret it. Pearce will send along the message. But um, Pearce hopes he isn’t overstepping, is McIntyre good? He just seems off.

Oh, is Pearce gonna come down on him for not doing the “right thing?” McIntyre doesn’t recall anyone doing “the right thing” when the Bloodline was beating McIntyre down. A fair point. But will the Scottish Warrior be able to get everything off his chest without someone interrupting?

 

Adam Pearce is in the ring.

He welcomes us to the contract signing for the Intercontinental Championship. Introducing first: the challenger, Tommaso Ciampa! The fans cheer as The Blackheart makes his entrance. Then the champion, Der Ring General, GUNTHER! The longest reigning Intercontinental Champion of all time smirks as he makes his way out to the ring. Pearce says they discussed the specifics, but we all know how this works: two signatures makes this match official. Ciampa takes a pen, opens the folder, and then looks at Gunther. Ciampa picks up a mic to says, “Hey. Yeah. What I’m setting out to do with you, that’s even beyond my own imagination.

“The morning I wake up to fight for that championship, the air is gonna taste different. The sun is gonna shine a little bit different. And there’s only two people in this world that’re gonna matter, and I’m one of ’em! You wanna know what the difference is between you and me? Ever since you came to the WWE, you’ve been served five course meals, opportunity after opportunity after opportunity. That doesn’t happen for guys like me! We’re served roadkill and we’re expected to turn it into filet! And when we do that, we do that enough times, then we get an opportunity. But that’s okay with me. I don’t need 100 chances. Boy, look at me when I’m talking to you!”

Gunther smirks as Ciampa says that when his music hits, when he fights for that Intercontinental Championship on next week’s Monday Night Raw, a title Ciampa has dreamed of holding since he was five years old, Ciampa will have his family ringside to watch him make history. But make no mistakes about it, Ciampa fights for him. Not for mom and dad, not for brother and sister, not for his wife or even his baby girl. No, next week, when that bell rings, Ciampa fights for that five year old boy who has dreamed about this moment his entire life as he wrestles with his entire heart! And in the end, he will be the NEW Intercontinental Champion!

Fans fire up and Ciampa signs his name. Then he shoves the contract at Gunther. Gunther takes the mic to say, “First of all, this is an official contract signing for the most important championship in this sport today, and you choose to show up like this? That tells me everything I need to know about you. But… You talk about your family, fighting for the right things, standing up for yourself. I respect that. Very noble motives. I fight for what’s near and dear for myself. You know what’s near and dear to me?” Fans ask “WHAT?” Gunther says this title is what means the most to him! Gunther IS the greatest and longest reigning Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion of all time!

Fans are torn and Ciampa sarcastically applauds. Gunther tells Ciampa to take a good look. Ciampa says Gunther seems so damn confident for someone whose entire world will crumble when Ciampa takes his most prized possession. Now sign the damn contract! Gunther tells Ciampa that Ciampa will never, ever interrupt Gunther again. Ciampa asks if he means like this. Gunther says once he is done with Ciampa, Ciampa can go home, hug his family real tight, and keep on dreaming. Because this is the closest Ciampa will ever get to this great championship! Well, if he’s so damn confident yet he hasn’t signed the contract, there’s still time.

They’re both standing here, Pearce is here, maybe they can change some words in this contract. In fact, there are cameras and people all around here in San Jose that would love to see history made tonight! They don’t need to wait until next week or even Fastlane! Ciampa would love to make Gunther tap out TONIGHT!! Fans love that idea! Gunther scowls, but then says, “Mr. Pearce, I think he should prove it.” Gunther signs his name, but does that mean what we think it means? Well then, it is official! This match takes place TONIGHT!! Fans are loving that, but then Gunther SLAPS Ciampa! Ciampa brushes that off, to LEAP onto Gunther!

Fans fire up as the brawl is on! Gunther TOSSES Ciampa over the table, then TOSSES the table! But Ciampa CHUCKS a chair at Gunther! And gets Gunther down, SICILIAN STRETCH!! Gunther flails, gets free, and is furious! But the match is tonight’s new main event, will the Psycho Killer take Gunther’s “Goldie” from him?

 

The Judgment Day regroups.

Priest says it’s that kind of night. He cannot wrap his brain around this! He can’t beat anybody up tonight, but they have to put up the Undisputed Tag Titles on the line at Fastlane?! He just doesn’t understand Pearce! McDonagh wants him to calm down but Priest asks why McDonagh’s even talking! Rhea has them both calm down and McDonagh has a point. They don’t want Cody, Jey, Sami or Kevin on the same page. Remember what it took for Sami & Kevin to be champions? Kevin already doesn’t like Jey, so how do you think he’s gonna feel about Jey going for the tag titles? This might be the very thing the Judgment Day can use to divide them.

And then, Judgment Day can divide and conquer. Rhea and McDonagh are in agreement, but Priest says he’ll think it over. Not a bad idea, though. Priest walks away, and McDonagh breathes a little easier. Will Senor MITB learn to finally accept the Irish Ace?

 

Xavier Woods w/ Kofi Kingston VS Ivar w/ Sarah Logan!

The New Day were busy with Drew McIntyre, and that allowed the War Beard to attack outta nowhere! Will Woods be better prepared now that this battle is head on? Or will the raid still run through them?

Raw returns and Kofi has joined commentary while the Viking Raiders make their entrance. The bell rings and Woods SHOTGUNS Ivar! Woods fires off hands and CHOPS, but Ivar shoves him away. Woods KNEES Ivar, CHOPS and ROCKS him again, then whips. Ivar reverses, Woods goes up an dover but Ivar hits the SEATED SENTON! Fans boo but Ivar soaks up the heat. Ivar storms up on Woods, whips him to ropes, but Woods reverses. Ivar reverses back to clinch and EXPLODER! Woods flounders, Ivar runs in at the corner, BRONCO BUSTER! Ivar drags Woods to a cover, TWO! Ivar frowns but he drags Woods up.

Ivar CLUBS Woods, CLUBS him some more, but Woods gets away. Fans rally but Ivar TOSSES Woods to a corner. Woods BOOTS him, HONOR ROLL, but Ivar dodges to back suplex! Woods lands on his feet, but he tries to fireman’s carry!? Ivar is too big for that, and he CLUBS Woods again. Ivar whips Woods to ropes, but Woods ducks ‘n’ dodges and slides to SUPERKICK! Woods runs in to clothesline Ivar up and out! Fans fire up with Woods and he builds speed, to WRECK- NO, Ivar catches Woods to RAM him into the apron! Ivar then runs to SPLASH but only gets apron! Fans fire up and Kofi says here goes!

Woods tightrope walks the barriers to DROPKICK! Kofi is fired up, as is San Jose, as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Woods fires CHOPS and haymakers! Ivar kicks low, reels him in to underhook, but Woods fights free of the bomb to kick, KICK and then duck to mule kick, kick and ROLLING ELBOW! Ivar wobbles, and Woods fireman’s carries?!? He actually does it!! Fans are thunderous as Woods hits a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Ivar survives but Kofi says Woods IS a powerhouse, do not doubt him! Ivar rolls, Woods storms up, only for Ivar to scoop and BACKBREAKER! And SLAM! Ivar goes to the corner, climbs up, and fans fire up again. But Woods CLUBS Ivar first! And again!

Woods turns around to bring Ivar off the corner for- NO, Woods collapses under Ivar’s weight! A bomb was one power move too far, and Ivar goes back up. VIKING SPLASH FLOPS as Woods moves! Woods Oklahoma Rolls, TWO!! Ivar is up, kicks low, and reels Woods in. POWER- NO, BACKWOODS CRADLE! Woods wins!!

Winner: Xavier Woods, by pinfall

Kofi and San Jose are all fired up, but Ivar CLOBBERS Woods! Fans boo the sore loser but Kofi storm sin! Ivar runs up but into a GAMANGIRI! Kofi goes up to FLYING AX HANDLE! But Ivar is up to HEEL KICK! HEEL KICK for Woods, too!! Fans boo but Ivar drags Kofi around. Ivar reels Kofi in, underhooks, and TIGER DRIVERS Kofi onto Woods! And then Ivar goes up the corner! Fans boo as Ivar VIKING MOONSAULTS!! A two-for-one on The New Day and fans lose their minds! If Ivar can do this on his own, how much more destructive will The Viking Raiders be when Erik is back to 100%?

 

Michael Cole is in the ring.

And he introduces the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, The Visionary, Seth Freakin’ Rollins! Fans sing “WHOA~ OHH~ OHHH~!” as Rollins makes his entrance. Rollins swaggers out in his brown ‘n’ white triangle plaid suit, and he gets the mic to say “SAN JOSE! Welcome to Monday Night Rollins!” And give it up for the Voice of WWE, the one and only Michael Cole! Fans cheer for Maggle, and Rollins welcomes him to the party. Then let’s get right to it. Cole has had the honor and privilege of calling most of Rollins’ WWE career, and they’ve known each other for a very long time.

Cole has even helped come up with those great nicknames: Architect; Visionary; and even Great Manipulator and Puppeteer. But this time, it seems like Rollins is the puppet. Whoa, whoa, whoa, Michael! C’mon! After that great intro, this is how Cole treats him? Like Cole said, they go back a long ways. What show has he been watching? Rollins has been asking Nakamura for this rematch for weeks, and finally, he gave it to Rollins! Cole asks Rollins what he’s doing. Rollins has accomplished everything, is a first ballot hall of famer for sure. Rollins has never been in a Last Man Standing match, so does he understand what’s about to happen?

This is one of the most brutal match types in wrestling. Everything and anything can be used as a weapon, with only one rule: you must beat your opponent down so badly, that they cannot answer a ten count. That could be Rollins! It has been well-documented that Rollins’ back is hanging on by a thread. He could be days away from his career ending! His livelihood going away! So why the hell is Rollins doing this? The sunglasses come off so Rollins can be serious. The fans sing his song, but Rollins says “Michael, I’m gonna be honest with you. I don’t really know how to put it into words, man. But let me ask you a question real quick.

“How many years have you been sitting at that commentary desk, Michael?” 26 years! Wow. And how many shows has he missed? Um, just two. JUST TWO in 26 YEARS! Rollins then says Cole gets it. He’s addicted to this. This is a compulsion! And most importantly, he loves this. That is what it is for Rollins in this ring. That is what it is for Rollins to be in front of the fans. Rollins needs this, he loves this. He has an honor and responsibility and a duty. This ring has given Rollins everything. It put a roof over his head, food on his table, and how he met his wife, Becky, and they have a beautiful baby girl.

And when you are World Heavyweight Champion, all that responsibility gets amplified. You have to be an even bigger example. You have to BE the change! And if that responsibility takes Rollins to Fastlane for one last ride, his back gives out and he can’t do it anymore, that doesn’t matter. What matters is that Rollins left it all in the ring! Fans cheer that! Rollins says he will have then fulfilled his responsibility and be an honorable man and honorable example to his daughter. So you want a reason why? It’s that. It isn’t words, it’s a feeling. And tell you what, it feels right. But then Shinsuke Nakamura speaks on the tron!

“Seth Rollins! I am tired of listening to your nonsense. No one believes you anymore. Did I plan this perfectly? Or did you? Is your back injury just a lie to get sympathy? We all know you’re a liar! You say nothing will keep you down. You want the world to feel sorry for you? Well you can thank me when I make that happen.” And then Nakamura appears from the crowd to CLOBBER Rollins!! Fans boo as Nakamura hits a BLINDSIDE KINSHASA!!! The King of Strong Style struts around as his tron persona counts. Rollins flounders about at 5 of 10, drags himself up with ropes at 8, so Nakamura JAMS him with a chair! And SMACKS him on the back!!

Rollins writhes, but Nakamura SMACKS him again! Nakamura struts around, then SMAKCS Rollins again and again and again!! Nakamura then uses the chair to take a seat while the count restarts. Rollins writhes and spasms from the pain, Nakamura’s count passing 5 of 10. Rollins pushes himself up at 8, but Nakamura stomps him back down! Nakamura KNEES Rollins in the gut, ROCKS him with a right, throws more knees, then scoops to FULL METAL BACKBREAKER!! Rollins writhes from hitting the seat of the chair! Nakamura aims again, KINSHASA!!! Nakamura picks up Rollins’ mic to count this for himself!  It’s a bit fast, but Nakamura gets to TEN!

Nakamura picks up the world title while fans boo. Will Rollins be able to rise up and get his revenge? Or is exactly how it’ll happen this Saturday at Fastlane?

 

Becky Lynch talks with Tegan backstage.

The Man wishes she could’ve put her NXT Women’s Championship on the line against Tegan tonight, but after wrecking her arm, she isn’t cleared to compete. Tegan wouldn’t be facing the best version of Becky anyway. But when Becky is cleared, Tegan better be ready for a fight. No worries there. But then Natty steps in Becky’s way. The Queen of Harts tells Tegan that she’s sorry. Losing this title opportunity, Natty knows what it is like to be disappointed. But they got off on the wrong foot. Natty has a different level of respect for Tegan after last week, and is genuinely proud of Tegan. Tegan will get her title opportunity against Becky again, and she will nail it.

So Natty wanted to get that off her chest. Tegan appreciates that. Natty heads out, but will the Welsh Firecracker keep making her proud? Or will she not be able to clean up the Hot Mess?

Tegan Nox VS Chelsea Green w/ Piper Niven!

Raw returns as Tegan makes her entrance. The bell rings and Tegan runs in, but Chelsea BOOTS her down! Chelsea says high five, and Piper gives her the high-five. But then Tegan rolls Chelsea up! TWO, and Chelsea CLUBS Tegan. Chelsea runs but into an UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Tegan runs up but Chelsea duck to roll her up! Tegan rolls through but Chelsea SLAPS her! Chelsea hooks the arms, but Tegan powers out to HEADBUTT! Both women wobble and Chelsea SUPERKICKS! Tegan falls out, Chelsea tells Piper to do something. Piper says no, Chelsea’s gotta do something. Chelsea runs, slide, but Tegan dodges!

Tegan runs into the ring, builds speed, but Chelsea gets on the apron. Tegan SLAPS Chelsea down! Piper catches Chelsea, stands her up, but Tegan CANNONBALLS Chelsea down! Fans rally and Tegan puts Chelsea in the ring. Tegan and Piper stare down, and then Piper distracts Tegan. But here comes Natty! Chelsea SLAPS Tegan, but Natty hurries to stop Piper! Chelsea is distracted, Tegan fires hands and GOURD BUSTERS Chelsea! Tegan hits a MOLLY-GO-ROUND! Then the SHINIEST WIZARD! Cover, Tegan wins!

Winner: Tegan Nox, by pinfall

The Queen of Harts gives Tegan the assist against the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions! Will this momentum help Tegan be more than ready for her shot at The Big Time?

 

Backstage interview with Jey Uso.

Byron Saxton asks Main Event Jey how he is feeling right now. Jey says he doesn’t really know. When Cody invited him to Raw, it was for a fresh start. When Jey was with Bloodline, Cody was the enemy. But then Judgment Day put them in the situation. Jey will throw hands with Judgment Day any time, any where. If it’s at Fastlane, good. If it’s for the tag titles, good. Main Event Jey & American Nightmare are good. Full speed ahead, y’all. YEET.

 

Drew McIntyre heads to the ring!

The Scottish Warrior is doing this on his own, no need for the Hollywood A-Lister and his “Must-See Talk Show.” What will McIntyre have to say about everything that’s been going on with him lately? We find out, after the break.

Raw returns and McIntyre asks San Jose, “Whaddya wanna talk about?” A shot at Cody there… But McIntyre says everyone wants an explanation, “What’s going on, Drew? Why’ve you changed? You’re not the same guy!” He doesn’t have to explain a damn thing to anybody! The only ones he answers to are his fans! The ones who have been with him since he was 22! The ups, the downs, the firings, the titles, all the way until right now. And the truth is… McIntyre is gonna stop being the savior, stop getting into fights he didn’t start. He’s been doing it for years, from his business to everyone else’s business. McIntyre is showing up, fighting at less than 100%, and he is done with it!

He knows everyone’s noticed that he isn’t stepping up to save the day, but neither are they, so they’re a bunch of hypocrites! Except Cody, but we covered him, right? he’s cleaning up his own mess, he has his ego, this is like the Codyverse or something! Cody just does what he wants, says what he wants, McIntyre is at a loss. But here’s the deal: forgiveness for Jey is weakness, not strength! And another thing! “AWESOME~!” The Miz is here… Did he not get the memo? Miz says this must make Miz really strong because he doesn’t forgive McIntyre for what he did last week! Or that he cancelled this week!

Miz gave McIntyre an open platform to talk about whatever he wanted, and McIntyre just sat there! So what did Miz do? Out of the kindness of his heart, Miz told McIntyre’s story, did a good job of it, and- “Shut up, Miz.” Miz was warned to NOT come out here. So bugger off and let McIntyre finish what he was saying. You gotta stand up for yourself cuz no one is gonna do it for you. And MIZ is standing up for McIntyre! Miz was the one looking out for McIntyre! What’d he do? He told him to shut up! Just like he did here! McIntyre had 10 THOUSAND people telling Miz to shut up! And he has just as many more saying it tonight.

Miz tells McIntyre, “Ya think you’re justified, don’t you?” All edgy, taking a stand. Then why not embrace who you really are, McIntyre? “Shut up, Miz.” Fans echo that again. But does Miz want McIntyre to be the bad guy? Attack Rollins and his bad back to take the title off him? Maybe screw Jey at Fastlane? No, that is not how McIntyre operates. He gets the wins, he earns the shots, but since Miz is here, maybe McIntyre can get another W. Let’s fight, unless those balls are still tiny. Fans chant “TINY BALLS!” Oh, they want to see Miz VS McIntyre here and now? “YES!” Well, they are not dressed for a match.

Miz is in a suit, McIntyre is in a skirt. And you don’t think Miz knows what this is? McIntyre is painting himself as the hero, pandering to the fans, wanting them to think maybe, just maybe, he feels bad for what he’s done. But in reality, McIntyre is self-absorbed. McIntyre is selfish! McIntyre is “Good Drew,” but if someone gets beaten down, he’ll be the real Drew. This isn’t the Batman of WWE, this is Two Face! He just picks a side that benefits himself! McIntyre suggests Miz actually shut up. Miz doesn’t shut up, he grows up, and when he looks at McIntyre, he throws up! BLEEEH~! McIntyre says Miz is an idiot. Miz says McIntyre isn’t worth his time.

Well then, guess what? Time’s up. Time to fight. Whoa whoa whoa whoa, wait a second! McIntyre throws everything off and has his tights ready! Mama Miz always taught him that the bigger man walks away from a fight. So instead of playing the hero, Miz will actually be the hero. Miz steps out of the ring, fans boo, and McIntyre shakes his head. But then Miz rushes in when McIntyre turns around! Miz cheap shots McIntyre out of the ring! But McIntyre is still on his feet. McIntyre runs in, Miz stomps, but McIntyre RAMPS Miz into a corner! And then fires off windmill haymakers! Refs rush in and Miz gets away! Is Miz gonna have to fight McIntyre after all?

Drew McIntyre VS The Miz!

Raw returns and yes! Miz does have to fight McIntyre, and he’s the only one not dressed to compete! The bell rings and Miz bails out! Fans boo but McIntyre storms out after Miz! They run around the way, Miz slides in and stomps away on McIntyre! The ref reprimands but McIntyre drags Miz in to RAM him into barriers! And into the apron! And barrier! And apron! Miz writhes and McIntyre fires up. The ring count climbs to 5 of 10 but McIntyre CHOPS Miz! McIntyre scoops but Miz slips free to POST McIntyre! Miz gets in the ring, he wants the count to finish this! McIntyre slides in at 4 of 10 but Miz stomps away on him!

Miz claws at McIntyre’s face, the ref counts, and Miz lets off. Miz stomps McIntyre while fans taunt his “TINY BALLS!” Miz runs in, but McIntyre catches him! Miz begs for mercy but McIntyre THROWS him overhead! And then clinches to OVERHEAD SUPLEX again! Miz staggers up, swings, but McIntyre dodges to NECKBREAKER! And kip up! Fans fire up and McIntyre is having fun now! McIntyre kicks low, underhooks, but Miz slips free. McIntyre ROCKS Miz, but Miz dumps McIntyre out! Miz KNEES McIntyre int he ropes, to hit a DRAPING CODE BREAKER! Miz then wants the ref to check McIntyre.

The ref checks, but this is all so Miz can untie a buckle pad! The ref catches that, reprimands Miz, and McIntyre stands to GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT! Miz falls over, and McIntyre goes to the corner. Fans fire up and McIntyre starts the countdown! “THREE! TWO! ONE!” Miz barely gets up, though. McIntyre decides to bring out the REAL Claymore!! The ref says no, no swords! McIntyre says fine, and gives that over. Then McIntyre finishes untying the buckle pad?! And he SMACKS Miz off the steel!! And then FUTURE SHOCK!! Cover, McIntyre wins!

Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall

McIntyre gives Miz a taste of his own medicine, even though he didn’t need to. McIntyre gets the mic and says he was doing some serious thinking. He’s not the man he was 30 seconds ago. He is sorry for what he did. And now that he’s said it, he is forgiven! YEAH! McIntyre moves on from The Miz, will he dominate all the way back to the top of WWE?

 

Backstage interview with Trick Williams.

Jackie Redmond is with the NEW NXT North American Champion, and she congratulates him on the win at No Mercy. But tomorrow, he defends this title in a rematch against Dominik Mysterio. Yes, and may he just say it is an honor to meet Jackie here on Monday Night Raw. Allow him to introduce himself to her and the WWE Universe. He is Trick Williams. He is 6’4″, 240 pounds of muscle, with gold in his ear, gold on his wrist, and most importantly gold around his waist. He is your NEW NXT North American Champion, believe it! And tomorrow, he defends his title against Dirty Dom.

But speaking of, Dom walks in with Rhea & McDonagh, and he tells Trick to keep his name out of his mouth. Trick says Dom sure is more confident now that he has his Mami with him. Dom says keep talking trash. Rhea says tomorrow, Trick won’t have to worry about just Dom, because he won’t be walking in alone. And Dom will be walking out with his North American Championship. So keep it clean for him. The Judgment Day heads out, but will Trick Willy be ready for whatever tricks Dirty Dom tries to play?

 

Raw returns and Jackie Redmond is on stage.

She welcomes out her guest, the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes! San Jose fires up as Cody walks out on stage, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody hugs the fans in the front row, and then stands with Jackie. Jackie says hi, and says that earlier tonight, it was announced that he and Jey Uso are going to face Finn Balor & Damian Priest for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships at Fastlane. Does Cody feel that maybe he was backed into this situation? Cody will be honest, he never anticipated or planned on tagging with Jey Uso. But the Judgment Day are the ones who backed themselves into this situation.

It is the Judgment Day that has backed themselves into this fight. Their hyena like fashion of running around Raw, and now they wanna be on SmackDown this Friday. Great, because guess what? Cody will be there, too. And he won’t be alone! Jey will be with him, and they will march into Fastlane, win the Undisputed Tag Team Championships, and come back for a very different Monday Night Raw. Cody thanks everyone for their time, then heads out. Will the American Nightmare & Main Event Jey take away the gold from Finn & Priest? Or will the Judgment Day have something up their proverbial sleeves?

 

The Alpha Academy regroups.

Otis is upset but Gable says he doesn’t need to apologize. Gable could never be disappointed in his number one guy. But what Gable is disappointed in is all the clowns they keep running into who gotta keep cheating just to win! But rest assured, Gable’s keeping track of ’em all in his big golden brain. They’ll get to them eventually. And as for Gunther, he peaked! Gable hasn’t begun to peak! When he peaks, everyone will know! All those idiots will pay for what they’ve done! SAVAGES! IDIOTS! SAVAGES!! Master Gable is all fired up, but will he burn out before he reaches his peak?

 

WWE Intercontinental Championship: GUNTHER w/ Imperium VS Tommaso Ciampa!

What was meant to be a battle for this title next week ended up a match for this week! The Blackheart didn’t want to wait another seven days, but will he be able to end Der Ring General’s reign at 479 days? Or will the historic reign only continue to grow?

Raw returns and Ciampa makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if no one will survive!

The bell rings and the two circle. Fans rally up, Ciampa and Gunther approach, and Ciampa fires off fast hands! Gunther ends up in a corner, the ref counts, but Gunther turns things around to swing on Ciampa. Ciampa dodges to CHOP! They clinch, go along the ropes, and Ciampa wants an arm! Gunther resists the takedown, puts Ciampa on ropes, and the ref backs him off. Ciampa dodges another cheap shot to fire off haymakers! Gunther staggers, Ciampa clotheslines him against ropes! And again! But Gunther shoves, swings, but misses! Ciampa jumps but Gunther catches him to SLAM him down!

Gunther has the legs, turns Ciampa over, BOSTON CRAB! Fans fire up as Ciampa fights around, pries at the leg, and gets free. But Gunther stomps Ciampa! And KICKS him in the back! Ciampa bails out, Gunther follows, and Gunther scoops, only for Ciampa to slip free and POST Gunther! And then THESZ PRESS! Ciampa rains down fast hands, but Gunther pushes Ciampa away. Gunther gets in the ring, Ciampa pursues and goes for the arm! SICILIAN STRETCH!! Gunther scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Ciampa lets go and fans boo as Gunther bails out, but Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Gunther has Ciampa’s arm. Gunther grinds the shoulder but Ciampa fights up. Gunther CHOPS Ciampa down! Gunther drags Ciampa up, fans rally and duel, and Gunther eggs Ciampa on. Ciampa ROCKS Gunther! And ROCKS him again! And again! But Gunther scoops to SLAM Ciampa! Fans fire up while Gunther dusts himself off. Gunther looms over Ciampa, taunts him, and then brings him up. Gunther SLAPS Ciampa and Ciampa goes to ropes. Gunther CHOKES Ciampa on the ropes, but the ref counts. Gunther lets off, the fans duel, and Gunther wipes some sweat from his forehead.

Ciampa goes toa  corner, Gunther storms over, but Ciampa CHOPS! Gunther scoops to put Ciampa up top but Ciampa fights with fists! Ciampa LARIATS, but Gunther stays up! Ciampa swings again but Gunther gets around to SLEEPER! Gunther brings Ciampa down to the mat! Ciampa endures, pries the hold open, but Gunther changes his grip to an almost Bully Choke! Ciampa is turning red, he’s reaching out, but Gunther lets off to KNEE him in the side! Gunther headlocks but Ciampa fights up. The phones come out as fireflies but Gunther has the SLEEPER again! Ciampa endures, and JAWBREAKERS free!

Ciampa goes to ropes, Gunther runs in to BOOT him down! Cover, TWO! Gunther puts the SLEEPER back on! Ciampa endures all over again, pries at the hold again, and fans rally. Ciampa stands, but Gunther thrashes him around! Ciampa runs to a corner to RAM Gunther into buckles! Ciampa is free, he wrangles Gunther down, SICILIAN STRETCH!! Gunther endures and reaches out as fans fire up! Gunther moves around, but Ciampa HAMMERS fists into Gunther! SICILIAN STRETCH, but Gunther gets the ROPEBREAK! Ciampa lets go, and Gunther uses that to drag Ciampa out to CHOP!

Gunther RAMS Ciampa into the barriers, CHOPS him again, then hits an APRON BACK SUPLEX! Ciampa sputters and fans boo but Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Ciampa CHOPS! Gunther puts him in the corner to CHOP! Ciampa pushes Gunther to CHOP and CHOP and CHOP, but then Gunther CHOPS! And CHOPS! And scoops to put him up top, to CHOP! Ciampa hangs on upside-down, but then Gunther STANDS on Ciampa! The ref counts, Gunther lets off and Ciampa flops to the floor! Fans fire up while Ciampa crawls, and Gunther goes out after him. Gunther stands Ciampa up, talks trash, then CHOPS him against the barriers! The fans felt that one! Ciampa staggers around, goes to the desk, but Gunther stalks him. Gunther grins, runs up, but Ciampa dodges and the chop hits desk!

Fans fire up as Gunther clutches his hand! The ring count is 8 of 10 but Gunther hurries up, into a KNEE from Ciampa! Ciampa goes out and takes aim, to FLYING KNEE Gunther down! Fans fire up as Ciampa SMACKS Gunther off the steel steps! And SMACKS that bad hand on the desk! And again! And again! The ring count is past 5 of 10 again, Ciampa slides in to refresh, but Gunther CHOPS Ciampa with his left hand! The ring count starts again, and Gunther looms over Ciampa. Gunther puts Ciampa in the ring, goes up, but Ciampa gets him in the ropes! WILLOWS BELL!! Cover, TWO!!

Gunther survives and Ciampa is beside himself! Ciampa grits his teeth, brings Gunther up and in, underhooks, but Gunther fights the lift! Ciampa KICKS the bad hand, KICKS it again and again and again, keeping it in place with a knuckle lock! Gunther sits down, Ciampa stomps away on him! Fans are thunderous but the ref backs Ciampa off! Ciampa has a wild look in his eye, and he brings down the kneepad. But Gunther SHOTGUNS Ciampa first!! Cover, TWO!! Ciampa survives and Gunther can’t believe it! Fans fire up while both men are down. Gunther shakes out the bad hand, he stands up, and he storms over to Ciampa.

Gunther drags Ciampa up, reels him in, but the bad hand gives up on the lift! Ciampa runs up, Gunther scoops him, but Ciampa slips free to REVERSE DDT! Fans fire up as Ciampa aims from a corner! PSYCHO KNEE!! Cover, TWO!! Gunther survives and Ciampa can’t believe it! Both men are down again and San Jose rallies up! Ciampa rises and he stomps Gunther around. Ciampa brings Gunther up and in, underhooks, but Gunther wrenches out to CHOP! But that’s the bad hand! Gunther still SLEEPER SUPLEXES!! Cover, TWO!! Ciampa is still in this and Gunther grows frustrated! Gunther shakes out the bad hand while fans declare, “This is Awesome!”

Gunther aims as Ciampa rises, Gunther runs, but Ciampa SWATS the lariat! Takedown, SICILIAN STRETCH!! Gunther rocks it to a cover, TWO! SICILIAN STRETCH!! Ciampa HAMMERS Gunther’s face! SICILIAN STRETCH!!! Gunther endures, fights his way around, reaches out with a foot, but he has to kick forward! ROPEBREAK!! Gunther’s toes save him! Ciampa lets go in frustration but Gunther is still hurting. Ciampa nods as the fans rally up, and Ciampa stands up again! Gunther stands, into a CHOP! CHOP! Gunther CHOPS! But that was the bad hand! Ciampa CHOPS!

Ciampa has Gunther in a corner for more CHOPS! CHOP CHOP CHOP, but Gunther CHOPS through the pain! Ciampa blocks one! BOOT! Then the fireman’s carry! But Gunther clubs free, and hoists Ciampa up, GUNTHER BOMB!! And then a DEADLIFT GUNTHER BOMB!! And then a deadlift SLEEPER!! Ciampa flails, sputters, foams at the mouth, and Gunther squeezes tight!! Ciampa fades out, GUNTHER WINS!!

Winner: Gunther, by submission (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)

Der Ring General makes it to 480 days! But then Ludwig & Vinci get in to beat up Ciampa! They pick the bones as if this is to teach Ciampa a lesson for pushing Gunther this far! Gunther smiles and walks away, but wait! IS THAT JOHNNY GARGANO!? IT IS!! Johnny Wrestling is back, and he SLINGSHOT SPEARS Ludwig! Gargano fires fists off on Vinci, SUPERKICKS Ludwig, and then SUPERKICKS Vinci!! Fans are thunderous as Gargano & Ciampa are reunited! Ciampa grins, is DIY about to take over the WWE?

---

My Thoughts:

A great episode for Raw, especially as the go-home to Fastlane. Also, good improvisation after Becky was not cleared to compete rather legitimately given the nasty gash on her arm. Granted, the fans did not care anymore when it was Tegan VS Chelsea, but hey, good win for Tegan. Natty supporting Tegan feels very two-faced, like she wants to get in good with Tegan just so she can get herself close to a title match. And the opening brawl of Nia and Shayna that then had Raquel and Rhea join in was a great opening segment. I can sense it now that Rhea, Nia, Shayna and Raquel will compete in a huge title match at some point after Fastlane.

That opening was a great segue to Judgment Day story, with Rhea bringing down the hammer on the others. Priest did a really good job of deflecting, and Rhea putting Dom in the hot seat is great. Trick being here was great, which also made sense since all three brands have been in California this four day weekend. Good promo with him and Judgment Day, but I would hope that NXT superstars help counter the Judgment Day trying to screw Trick. For one, Melo should want to support his friend. For another, there’s Dragon Lee, Axiom and Lyra Valkyria who have also had beef with Judgment Day.

Good stuff with Judgment Day with Jey Uso and Cody Rhodes, too, as we are now getting a tag title match for Fastlane. Cody of course had a “suit and tie on stage” promo on top of the brawl tonight, but he literally lets us know there will be one more go-home segment for this on SmackDown since Finn & Priest are going to show up. And I like the subtle detail that Rhea is no longer against McDonagh while Priest still is, all because McDonagh is helping get things done. Priest also bringing up having his MITB briefcase, Fastlane has to be where he cashes in. Rollins and Nakamura had amazing promos tonight, and that was an awesome ambush from Nakamura. Now, go-home math would suggest Nakamura loses, but it is a Last Man Standing match so Priest could easily go after Rollins.

Bronson Reed gets a good win off Cedric Alexander, who is still here after the cuts because I guess there still needs to be a bottom of the card. I don’t know which singles title Reed should be going after, but he should be going after a title after Fastlane. Really good promos from McIntyre and Miz, and a really good match from them, especially with Miz in a suit, not his gear. Great win for McIntyre here, especially with him truly riding that Tweener line where he says he’s gonna do things the right way, but shows that it is only for himself. McIntyre himself deserves to get back to a title, maybe he can find his way to the World Heavyweight Championship.

We got great stuff from the Alpha Academy and Imperium, and it is adding to both stories. Gable is all fired up while Vinci managed to avoid looking like the weak link. Great contract signing segment with Gunther and Ciampa, and I like the improvising of putting that match on tonight. We weren’t getting a title match from Becky and Tegan, so why not have the Intercontinental Championship now? That match was awesome stuff, but I figured that with it being on TV, not a PPV/Premium Live Event, there was no title change in mind. Ciampa still looked awesome, and best of all, Gargano is back! DIY is back! These guys can take the fight to Imperium, maybe even to Judgment Day and take those tag titles, assuming Cody & Jey don’t, I’m really excited for that.

My Score: 8.8/10

AEW begins a new chapter!

To honor the memory of Antonio Inoki, AEW brings a WrestleDream to life! But will it become a nightmare for Darby Allin in the TNT Championship match?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Zero Hour – Mixed 8 Person Tag: Keith Lee, Satoshi Kojima, Athena & Billie Starkz VS Mercedes Martinez, Diamante & Shane Taylor Promotions; Keith, Kojima, Athena & Billie win.
• Zero Hour – Claudio Castagnoli VS Josh Barnett; Barnett wins.
• Zero Hour – Nick Wayne VS Luchasaurus; Luchasaurus wins.
• Zero Hour – AEW World Trios Championships: The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn VS TMDK; The Acclaimed & Billy win and retain the titles.
• ROH World Tag Team Championships Handicap Match: MJF VS The Righteous; MJF wins and retains the titles.
• ROH World & NJPW Strong Openweight Double Championship Match: Eddie Kingston VS Katsuyori Shibata; Eddie wins and retains both titles.
• AEW TBS Championship: Kris Statlander VS Julia Hart w/ Brody King; Kris wins and retains the title.
• AEW World Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Fatal 4 Way: The Young Bucks VS The Lucha Brothers VS The Gunns VS #OrangeHook; The Young Bucks win and can challenge for the titles at any time.
• Swerve Strickland w/ Prince Nana VS Hangman Page; Swerve wins.
• Ricky Starks VS Wheeler Yuta; Starks wins.
• Bryan Danielson VS Zack Sabre Jr; Bryan wins.
• Six Man Tag: Will Ospreay, Sammy Guevara & Konosuke Takeshita w/ Don Callis VS Chris Jericho, Kenny Omega & Kota Ibushi; Ospreay, Sammy & Takeshita win.
• AEW World Tag Team Championships: FTR VS Aussie Open; FTR wins and retains the titles.
• AEW TNT Championship Best 2 Out of 3 Falls: Christian Cage VS Darby Allin; Christian wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

It’s the WrestleDream Zero Hour!

Join Renee Paquette, RJ City & Stokely Hathaway in discussing, analyzing and predicting all the action on the first night of AEW’s “new era.”

 

Backstage interview with Eddie Kingston.

Lexi Nair is with the Mad King and his two belts, which he keeps looking back and forth between. Lexi says we are just moments (an hour) away from the start of WrestleDream, the tribute show to Antonio Inoki. Eddie will be defending both belts against Katsuyori Shibata, how is he feeling? Eddie says this is feeling weird, having both belts up. But it is an honor to step in there with a man he respects, a man who represents Strong Style, the style Mr. Inoki represented and believed in. Inoki believed pro-wrestling is a mixed martial art, and that it is the strongest mixed martial art, and that is surely what everyone on tonight’s card is going to do their best to represent.

But then Stokely walks in. He introduces himself as a member of the ROH Board of Directors, and he finally gets a chance to congratulate Eddie for his title win. Eddie doesn’t like Stokely touching him. Stokely says that’s the problem with everybody in this b*tch! Everybody’s gotta be a contrarian! What’s a contrarian? Urban Dictionary it. But Stokely has something to say about the ROH World title on Eddie’s big ass shoulder. He is gonna find out… on Wednesday! Good luck, champ! Stokely heads out and Eddie pins this on Lexi, that’s her friend. No, don’t get it twisted. Stokely is Big Bill’s friend.

But assuming Eddie makes it through tonight with the ROH World Championship, what is “Big Stoke” gonna do about it?

 

AEW holds a special opening ceremony for WrestleDream.

Tony Khan stands and welcomes us to the inaugural AEW WrestleDream! It is great to be here tonight in Seattle, Washington, a great pro-wrestling city, to honor one of pro-wrestling’s greatest pioneers and greatest dreamers, the late, great Atonio Inoki. And so to represent NJPW and Inoki’s legacy, we have Rocky Romero, “the man trying to become the new American Triple Crown Champion,” the current ROH Pure Champion, Katsuyori Shibata, and most of all, Hirota and Naoto Inoki, Antonio’s grandsons. Tony thanks them for sharing these commemorative red scarves, the signature of Antonio Inoki himself.

Tony wants to pay tribute to such a wonderful man and mind, with the first-ever AEW WrestleDream! Rocky presents flowers to Naoto & Hirota as fans applaud. They all shake hands, and Tony promises a great night of wrestling. Let us remember who this is really about. One more time for the Inoki family! Fans cheer again, and Tony says, “Let’s have a great WrestleDream.” Then they put on screen, “ICHI! NI! SAN! DA!!” Inoki’s signature call gets things started- Wait. What is Christian Cage doing watching this? Does he have no shame about preying on those who’ve lost loved ones?

 

Zero Hour – Mixed 8 Person Tag: Keith Lee, Satoshi Kojima, Athena & Billie Starkz VS Mercedes Martinez, Diamante & Shane Taylor Promotions!

The Limitless One knows Big Bad Shaney T. and #TAIGASTYLE are coming after him, and the Fallen Goddess knows the OG Badass & Cuban Diamond are also targeting her. They team up with the NJPW living legend and Athena’s new little protege, but will they make a winning combination? Or will they realize everyone has their limits?

The teams sort out and fans chant “WE WANT BREAD!” for Kojima. But it is ladies first as Billie starts against Mercedes. They circle, tie up, but Mercedes kicks low, then UPPERCUTS! Mercedes CLUBS Billie, tags Diamante, and they double whip Billie to a corner. Mercedes runs in to forearm smash! She sits Billie down so Diamante can basement dropkick her! Diamante drags Billie up, she and Mercedes double whip again, but Athena tags in. Athena dodges Mercedes to SHOTGUN Diamante! But Mercedes UPPERCUTS Athena! Mercedes whips, Athena reverses and Billie DUMPS Mercedes out!

Athena is actually proud of her minion there, but she turns around into haymakers from Diamante! Diamante kicks, Athena ducks and Electric Chair Lifts! To then hit COYT’S WRATH! Fans fire up as Athena kips up, and she and Billie both cheer. Then Billie & Athena build speed to DOUBLE TOPE! Down go Mercedes & Diamante! Fans fire up as Athena puts Diamante in, but Diamante scrambles to tag in Shane. Athena says okay then, let’s go! The ref says no, this is a Mixed Tag, she has to switch out. Keith holds out his hand, and Athena huffs and puffs, but she still tags him in. Fans fire up as we get Keith and Shane standing in the ring!

Fans rally up for Keith as he and Shane circle. These former tag partners speed up, and RAM shoulders! Neither man falls, so Shane JABS! Keith shakes that off, shoves Shane, then bypasses him to RANA!? Fans can’t believe it and Shane goes tumbling out! Moriarty runs in to BOOT! But Keith stays up! Moriarty runs, but Keith pops him up! Shane runs in to ROCK Keith first! Shane CLUBS away on Keith, but Keith shoves him back. Shane runs up, facelocks, and he tags Moriarty in. STP mugs Keith, Moriarty stomps away but lets off as the ref counts. Fans boo as Moriarty roars, and then he CHOPS Keith! And UPPERCUTS!

Moriarty brings Keith around but Keith TOSSES Moriarty! Tag to Kojima and fans fire up! Moriarty BOOTS, CHOPS and whips, but Kojima CLOBBERS Moriarty! Fans fire up and Kojima fires MACHINE GUN CHOPS! Kojima gets through before the ref counts 4, and then Kojima whips corner to corner to SMASH Moriarty! Kojima says he’s gonna get ya, ya bastard! Moriarty returns to SMASH Kojima! Moriarty waistlocks but Kojima resists the lift. Kojima throws elbows, then hits a DDT! Cover, Diamante breaks it! Athena & Billie rush in, and Billie’s HEEL KICK takes Diamante down! Again, Athena is impressed!

Mercedes runs in, Athena gets Billie outta the way but she takes the SPEAR! Billie HEEL KICKS but Mercedes LARIATS! The ladies are down, Kojima rises up to kick Moriarty! But Shane runs in to HEADBUTT! Keith runs in to dodge Shane, and SPINEBUSTER him! Fans are thunderous but then Moriarty dropkicks Keith’s legs! But he turns around into Athena’s O-FACE! Fans are thunderous again as Moriarty staggers into Keith’s fireman’s carry! BIG BANG CATASTROPHE! And then Keith feeds Moriarty to the COZY LARIAT!! Cover, Team Limitless wins!

Winners: Keith Lee, Satoshi Kojima, Athena & Billie Starkz, by pinfall

The fans are all fired up as the heroes win! Will there be limitless bread for all after this?

 

Zero Hour – Claudio Castagnoli w/ Jon Moxley VS Josh Barnett!

The Swiss Superman put a challenge out to the world of wrestling, and it was answered by The Warmaster! Will Barnett show Claudio the error of his ways? Or will Claudio be even more powerful now that he isn’t ROH World Champion?

Moxley joins commentary, a great sign that he is okay after that scary finish to his AEW International Championship match with Rey Fenix. Moxley admits that Barnett is his “secret weapon” when it comes to training, and that the door to the Blackpool Combat Club is open to him. The bell rings and the two circle. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and Claudio clinches. Barnett fights the waistlock but Claudio hooks a leg. Barnett waistlocks, Claudio pries free to trip Barnett but Barnett goes for the armbar! Claudio scrambles to the ropebreak! Barnett lets off quickly, and the two reset. Fans rally as the two feel things out, and tie up again.

Claudio and Barnett go around in a clinch, fight for control, and Barnett goes for a leg. Claudio fights around but Barnett picks him up for a SPINEBUSTER! Barnett powers to a cover, ONE, but Barnett keeps hold. Claudio fights around, mounts, and rolls to ARMBAR! Barnett clasps hands, powers his way to a stack, then a KNEEBAR! Claudio fights around, clinches on the mat, and fans rally as Claudio gets his leg free. Claudio facelocks, Barnett switches to headlock but Claudio fights up to chinbar. Then Claudio hammerlocks, tries to double wristlock but Barnett drops to push Claudio back. But Claudio uses that to ghost pin!

Barnett sits up, Moxley wants Claudio to just throw elbows! Claudio throws HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Barnett fights that so Claudio traps those arms for a neck wrench! Claudio leans on the hold but Barnett shifts to go for a leg. They go around, and Barnett DRAGON SCREWS! Then HEEL HOOKS! Claudio fights, pushes up, pries the legs away from his leg, and then rear mounts again. Fans rally as Barnett fights up but Claudio trips him! Claudio has the legs and fans fire up! Barnett scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Claudio lets go but he was that close. Barnett and Claudio reset and circle again.

Claudio and Barnett feel things out, then Barnett KICKS a leg! Claudio hobbles back just a bit, but then comes back. They knuckle lock, and Barnett KICKS the leg again! Moxley says he can feel that one. Claudio and Barnett tie up, Barnett throws a hand then KICKS again! Claudio walks that off, rushes up and UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! But Barnett gets around to COBRA TWIST! Claudio fights that, and fans rally up as Barnett powers through, only for Claudio arm-drags free! Claudio storms up to UPPERCUT! But Barnett ROCKS Claudio with a forearm! So Claudio UPPERCUTS!

Barnett forearms, Claudio uppercuts, repeat! Barnett wobbles so Claudio fires off shots in the corner! Claudio hauls Barnett up to throw more shots, but Barnett responds with muay thai knees! Claudio wobbles now, Barnett lets him steady himself, before the ELBOW!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio is still in this but Barnett clinches, OVERHEAD SUPLEX! Barnett goes for a sleeper but Claudio fights it, so Barnett shifts around for a front mount! Claudio has his guard up, bucks Barnett off but Barnett returns! Barnett tries a headscissor but Claudio gets those legs! GIANT SWING!! Fans are thunderous and then Claudio shifts to a KNEEBAR!!

Barnett crawls, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Claudio lets go and fans rally up. Claudio storms up on Barnett to UPPERCUT! And forearm! Barnett body shots, but Claudio fires more shots! Barnett hits a HALF HATCH! Both men slowly rise and fans rally up. Claudio eggs Barnett on so Barnett eggs Claudio on! Claudio JABS and JABS and JABS but Barnett KICKS! Then fires off palm strikes! Claudio LARIATS! Claudio reels Barnett in, Gotch NEUTRALIZER! Then a clinch, GROUND OCTOPUS!! Barnett fights it but Claudio goes for an OCTOPUS CRADLE! CLAUDIO WINS!!

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli, by pinfall

Moxley loves it! Barnett is upset with himself, but he gets in Claudio’s face to tell him something. Barnett gets a mic, too, and he says, “Boo all you want, but listen. The boy from Ballard’s got something to say.” Fans cheer, and Barnett says he heard a lot about Claudio. From friends, training partners, and Claudio is highly regarded. And while hearing about it is great, experiencing it is another thing. And after this match, Barnett says they’re all right about Claudio. In fact, they don’t understand how great Claudio really is! Barnett came in with no expectations, but leaves with only the highest ones for him.

Barnett promises Claudio, that Inoki-san would approve and even be a fan. Barnett vouches for that. So Claudio said he doesn’t need a title belt to make him strive for the top spot, it’s challenges. So here’s a challenge for Claudio. Barnett is proud of Claudio. However, this ain’t over. He owes Barnett more time. Some time, some place, Barnett will reclaim this time. And it’ll be on Claudio. Keep training, keep pushing, and don’t settle. Barnett looks forward to where Claudio goes from here. Claudio takes the mic to say any time, any place! Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for The Warmaster! Seattle cheers their hometown hero, when will we get a rematch of this battle?

 

Zero Hour – Nick Wayne VS Luchasaurus!

While their mentors face off in tonight’s epic main event, these two face off here in the Zero Hour to settle a score! Luchasaurus choke slammed Nick on a skateboard of all things, will he have to eat the receipt? Or will history painfully repeat itself here in Nick’s hometown?

The bell rings and fans fire up for Nick as he rushes in to DROPKICK! But Luchasaurus barely moves! Luchasaurus whips Nick to a corner, then clotheslines him in the corner! Luchasaurus picks Nick up, carries him around, and flips Nick around to a GERMAN SUPLEX! Nick flounders and writhes but Luchasaurus storms up on him. Luchasaurus stands Nick up to CHOP! And then he stands Nick up again to CHOP him again! Nick staggers away to a corner, but he fires shots back! So Luchasaurus CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Luchasaurus scoops Nick, carries him and POWERSLAMS him! Mama Wayne and Seattle rally but Luchasaurus stands on Nick’s head!

The ref reprimands, Luchsaurus steps on Nick and then drags him up. Nick fights the choke grip! Nick then bends Luchasaurus’ fingers, but Luchasaurus breaks free to UPPERCUT Nick down! Luchasaurus then hauls Nick up, but Nick flips free of the slam! Nick SUPERKICKS Luchasaurus, ROUNDHOUSES, then bobs ‘n’ weaves to ENZIGURI! Luchasaurus wobbles, Nick runs, but into a SHOULDER! Fans boo but the Right Hand of Destruction drags Nick up again. Luchasaurus choke grips to APRON CHOKE SLAM! Nick falls to the floor while fans lose their minds! The fans boo as hard as they can but Luchasaurus just soaks it all up.

The ring count starts and Nick writhes, but Luchasaurus waits. Nick crawls his way around, Seattle and Mama Wayne rally for him, but Luchasaurus storms out after Nick! Luchasaurus looms over Nick, and wheelbarrows Nick to SWING him into railing! Mama Wayne can only watch as Nick is dazed on the floor. Luchasaurus leaves Nick behind for the ring count to return. Nick reaches out for his mom, drags himself up with the railing, but Luchasaurus goes out to CHOKE Nick on the railing! Then BOOT him down! Nick clutches his jaw and Mama Wayne asks what the hell is Luchasaurus even doing!

Luchasaurus puts Nick in the ring, watches him go to a corner, and then runs in, but Nick dodges the splash! Nick goes up and up and QUEBRADA! Cover, TWO!! Luchasaurus escapes and Nick can’t believe it! Nick BUZZSAWS! SUPERKICKS! And then up, up and WAYNE’S- NO, Luchasaurus stops the cutter to BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Cover, Luchasaurus wins!

Winner: Luchasaurus, by pinfall

Seattle couldn’t rally Nick to a victory against Christian Cage’s personal monster, and now Nick can only watch as Darby Allin battles for the TNT Championship at the end of the night. Will the Relentless One be able to win two of the three falls and once again be the Face of TNT?

 

Zero Hour – AEW World Trios Championships: The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn VS TMDK!

An open challenge was issued and answered! Hysterical Shane Haste, Mad Mikey Nicholls & Bad Dude Tito know their Front Man is taking on The American Dragon, but will these three be able to add more gold to the group? Or will they be cut down as the Scissor World Tour continues?

But of course, Platinum Max Caster has a diss track on deck! “These three dudes couldn’t weather the storm. They’re fresh from Japan, watchin’ tentacle porn! The Mighty Don’t Kneel? Cool story, bro. Cuz I saw you all kneelin’ at the glory hole! Get some retribution, clap back! You step to me, ya, you ’bout to get slapped, Jack! New era, same ol’ thing. In Seattle, everybody loves The Acclaimed.” Anthony Bowens then tells “SEEEEATTLLLE~! The Acclaimed have arrived! Scissor me, Daddy Ass~!” And he does! But as fired up as they are, will the champs get burned by The Mighty’s flame?

The trios sort out and Caster starts against Tito. Fans sing “OH~ Scissor Me, Daddy~!” TMDK don’t care for that song, but Tito and Caster circle. They tie up, and Tito shoves Caster down! Tito flexes but fans boo. Caster and Tito reset, tie up again, and Tito shoves Caster again! But Caster gets up to CHOP! Tito doesn’t budge! Tito choke grips, Caster breaks free and things speed up. Caster hurdles, runs, but Tito follows to CLOBBER Caster! Tag to Shane and he bumps Caster off buckles. Caster throws hands on everybody! And back drops Shane! Tag to Billy and fans fire up! Billy nods and steps in, and he revels in the moment.

Shane says he’s more of an ass man than Billy! Shane swaggers around, but Billy calls for a test of strength. Shane reaches up but then Billy says “SUCK IT!” Shane can’t believe he fell for it, and he kicks low! Shane runs but gets run over! Billy flexes, things speed up, and Billy blocks the hip toss! Shane keeps trying, but then apologizes. Billy doesn’t let go, and he scoops Shane to SLAM him! Fans fire up as Billy says let’s go up! Tito runs in but gets the Five Tool Strike Fest! Mikey runs in but Billy scoops him! SLAM, then tag to Bowens! Caster & Billy hold Mikey open for SCISSOR ME TIMBERS!

Mikey writhes, and The Acclaimed run in to TRIPLE SCISSOR~! Fans fire up but the ref wants things to sort out already. Bowens whips, Shane reverses and Mikey trips Bowens so Shane can basement dropkick! Shane drags Bowens over, eggs Caster & Billy on, then tags Tito. Tito fires up to slingshot and SENTON! Tito taunts Billy, covers Bowens, TWO! Tito whips Bowens to a corner, runs in and UPPERCUTS! Fans rally but Tito CHOPS and ROCKS on repeat! Then Tito wrenches, clinches, and EXPLODERS! Cover, TWO! Tito drags Bowens up, tags Shane, and Shane tags Mikey. The OG TMDK double whip to double ELBOW! FIST DROP SPLASH COMBO! Cover, TWO!

Bowens hangs tough but Mikey clamps on with a neck wrench. Fans rally, Bowens fights up, and Bowens fires body shots and forearms! Mikey knees low! Mikey drags Bowens up, CHOPS him in the corner, then tags Tito. Tito brings Bowens around to stomp, but Bowens hits back! Mikey ROCKS Bowens, then Tito scoop SLAMS! Tito runs to drop an elbow! Tito tags Shane, and Shane drags Bowens into an armlock and chinbar. Shane then KICKS Bowens right in the shoulder! Bowens writhes and Shane shakes out his leg. Shane drags Bowens up, bumps him off buckles and tags Tito. Tito ROCKS Bowens, then carries him around.

Bowens fights free, fires forearms, and then leaps, but Tito keeps him from his corner! Billy and Caster both reach out, but Shane & Mikey BLAST them first! Then Tito RAMS Bowens into the Mighty corner! Shane runs in to UPPERCUT! Mikey runs in to clothesline! Mikey feeds Bowens to Tito’s SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Bowens survives and fans rally up. Tito tags Shane, and Shane kicks Bowens around. Tag to Mikey, and they combine, but Bowens BOOTS Shane! Bowens lands out of the back suplex, dodges TMDK and tags Billy! Fans fire up as Daddy Ass starts whooping ass! He TOSSES Shane then TOSSES Mikey!

Tito runs in but Billy kicks him low! “SUCK IT!” FAM- NO, Tito dodges to mule kick and ENZIGURI, then GERMAN SUPLEX! Cover, Caster breaks it! Shane & Mikey return to mug Caster! They double whip, but then Bowens runs in. Shane UPPERCUTS, he and Mikey send Bowens into Caster! DOUBLE DROPKICK, then a scoop! POWERSLAM, and then STEP-UP CANNONBALL! Feed to Tito’s BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up and Billy RAMS Mikey into railing! Caster POSTS Shane! Billy hits the FAMOUSER on Tito! Bowens hits the ARRIVAL! Caster tags in, goes up top, for the MIC DROP!! Cover, Acclaimed wins!

Winners: The Acclaimed, by pinfall (still AEW World Trios Champions)

That was a mighty match, but it was also a mighty win for The Acclaimed! 35 days as champions and counting, where will the Scissor World Tour go from here?

 

ROH World Tag Team Championships Handicap Match: MJF VS The Righteous!

Adam Cole was there for Maxwell Jacob Friedman at Dynamite: Grand Slam but busted his foot up in the process. Now he can’t be here when these tag titles are on the line! Even so, MJF isn’t going to give these up without a fight! Will not even two Righteous men be on the level of The Devil? Or will Dutch & Vincent tear the brochachos apart as they take these belts away?

As MJF makes his entrance, he has a mic and has them cut his music. The fans cheer for “M J F! M J F!” and he says, “It appears the Devil has arrived in Seattle!” And MJF won’t lie, he’s a little pissed off. There are rumors and BS about how MJF attacked Jay White, AKA “Tofu.” Fans echo “TO~FU!” as MJF defends his innocence. In fact, some shmuck stole that devil mask outta his luggage! And to make matters worse, MJF’s boy is hurt and isn’t even here tonight. The Righteous laugh but the fans cheer on “ADAM COLE! ADAM COLE!” MJF says it is all good, because he is gonna make sure that when Cole returns, these tag titles are here waiting for him!

So MJF is gonna explain what is about to happen to these “Dollar Store Devil’s reject d*ckheads!” MJF tells “fat boy” Dutch that he’s gonna pick him up and hit him with a body slam. But then he tells “White boy with dreads” Vincent, that he will grab Vinnie by that dirty hipster hair, tie it all up in a nice little boy, and them shove him right up Dutch’s fat ass! Because he is Maxwell Jacob Friedman, and he is better than you, and you know it! MJF storms down to the ring, ready to back up all his words with actions, but will he really win 2v1?

The belts are raised and The Righteous sort out. Fans rally behind MJF and Dutch starts as the bell rings. MJF asks who wants to see a body slam, and everyone wants to see it! MJF and Dutch approach, and Dutch also wants to see it. MJF goes to lift Dutch but he’s a big boy! MJF bails out to stretch his back, and he gets the nice young lady in the front row to give him a shoulder rub. MJF then returns and says he was not familiar with Dutch’s game. MJF calls for a sportsmanship handshake! Fans cheer that, and Dutch accepts. Then MJF pokes Dutch in the eyes! Fans cheer because he’s their scumbag!

MJF headlocks but Dutch powers out. MJF ducks ‘n’ dodges, then fakes out the dropdown so he can strut! Fans cheer as MJF swivels ravishingly. Dutch runs in but MJF drop toeholds him onto ropes! Then MJF runs to slingshot Vinnie in! Time for that second promise! Fans fire up as MJF aims, but Vinnie whips and Dutch CLOBBERS him! The Righteous mug MJF but the ref backs them off! This is a handicap match, not a tornado tag! Dutch drags MJF up, tags in Vinnie, and they whip MJF to KNEE, ripcord and short arm LARIAT! Then SLIDING FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Vinnie just walks around and snaps his fingers, “Dig what I’m saying, baybay?”

Fans boo Vinnie mocking Adam Cole, but Vinnie drags MJF over. Tag to Dutch and they stomp MJF down. Dutch sits MJF up into a neck wrench but the fans rally. MJF fights up, pries the hold, but Dutch shifts to a chinlock. MJF fights up to throw body shots! But Dutch CLUBS MJF down! Dutch drags MJF up, whips him to a corner, and then Dutch runs in. MJF BOOTS Dutch, then pokes him in the eyes! And then pokes Vinnie in the eyes! MJF slips past Dutch, but there’s no one to tag! MJF feels sad now, but Dutch storms up on him! MJF sighs, turns around, and says sorry. But Dutch scoops! MJF slips free to scoop back! But then he falls over under Dutch’s weight! Cover, TWO!!

MJF survives going splat but Dutch tags in Vinnie. Dutch brings MJF up, to POWERBOMB! Vinnie goes up to SWANTON BOMB! Cover, TWO!! MJF survives “Death From Above,” but Vinnie drags him right up. Tag back to Dutch and Vinnie feeds MJF to the BOSS MAN SLAM! Cover, TWO!! MJF is still in this and fans fire up. Dutch hurries to tag Vinnie and The Righteous drag MJF up. AUTUMN SUNSET!! Cover, TWO?!? MJF survives The Righteous’ best shot and they can’t believe it! Dutch hurries out, and Vinnie follows. They grab a chair and a wood block! The same thing they did just last night on Collision!

Dutch distracts the ref while Vinnie sets MJF up with the block! But MJF sits up to NUT CLAMP!! The Nature Boy would be proud! Dutch is furious now as Vinnie endures! MJF lets go and plays dead before the ref sees what happened! Vinnie hobbles, and the ref sees the chair and wood block! The ref asks what the heck, and Vinnie tries to defend what’s going on. MJF rolls him up! TWO!! Vinnie BOOTS MJF down! Vinnie hurries up top, to SWANTON, but he FLOPS as MJF moves! Both men are down, but Vinnie crawls to his corner. MJF and Vinnie are still down, but MJF is feeding off the energy of the fans!

Vinnie tags Dutch, he runs in, but MJF dodges to CLOBBER Vinnie! MJF rallies on The Righteous with forearms and elbows! Scoop SLAM on Vinnie, then MJF fires forearm son Dutch! Dutch puts MJF in a corner! Dutch runs in but misses the splash! MJF dribbles Dutch off the buckles, all the way to TEN! MJF storms up on Vinnie, climbs up and rains down fists! MJF goes all the way to nine, to then BITES Vinnie!! Fans fire up but the ref reprimands! MJF lets off, baits Dutch in and sends him into Vinnie! Fans fire up as MJF raises the roof! Or rather, he scoops Dutch! And SLAMS him!! Fans fire up while all three men are down!

MJF slowly sits up while The Righteous take opposite corners. MJF smirks as he has his choice of targets. MJF drags Vinnie up by his dreads! To RAM him into Dutch’s gooch!! And then, MJF takes the kangaroo stance! Fans are thunderous as MJF takes aim at The Righteous! Vinnie gets free, but MJF hits a DOUBLE KANGAROO KICK! MJF kips up and shakes the ropes! Then he reels Dutch in, HEATSEEKER!! Cover, with the ropes, MJF wins!!

Winner: MJF, by pinfall (he and Adam Cole are still ROH World Tag Team Champions)

MJF is sneaky but he did what he promised! He and Cole are still champion brochachos, but will MJF be able to keep this up while Cole is recovering?

 

ROH World & NJPW Strong Openweight Double Championship Match: Eddie Kingston VS Katsuyori Shibata!

The Mad King said in the Zero Hour that as far as he’s concerned, this match embodies the true spirit of Strong Style that Antonio Inoki devoted his life to creating. Both men highly respect each other and the legacy of Inoki, but will Eddie regret betting it all in one match? Or can he prevent The Wrestler from becoming a historic Triple Crown Champion?

The introductions are made, Eddie’s belts are raised, and we see if they stay Eddie’s belts!

The Code of Honor is upheld given both men are champions in ROH, and the bell rings. Fans fire up as these two circle, and Shibata already tries a fast shoot in. Eddie avoids the takedown, and then stays back as Shibata uses his leg guard as offense. They reset, circle, and tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Eddie breaks to CHOP! Shibata brushes that off to egg Eddie on. So Eddie CHOPS again! Shibata drops a little, but still eggs Eddie on! So Eddie CHOPS again! Shibata sits down, but he still wants more! Eddie CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Shibata rolls back to stand and kick low! Shibata then snapmares to KICK! And CHOP!

Now Eddie eggs Shibata on! Shibata CHOPS and CHOPS but Eddie brings the straps down! Fans fire up as Shibata KICKS Eddie down! Cover, TWO, but into a short arm scissor! Eddie clasps hands and bridges to relieve pressure, but Shibata pulls on the arm. Eddie reaches out, ROPEBREAK with a foot! Shibata lets go and fans cheer. Shibata then stomps Eddie’s arm, drags him up, and reels him in to waistlock. Eddie switches, but Shibata fights the lift to roll and ANKLE LOCK! Eddie endures, reaches out, but Shibata drags him back to GRAPEVINE! Fans rally and duel as Eddie fights his way forward! Eddie claws his way to the ROPEBREAK!

Shibata lets go quickly, then drags Eddie to center. Shibata steps through to a FIGURE FOUR! Eddie fights it as he holds Shibata’s left leg back! Shibata and Eddie each push the leg, and Shibata powers it down to complete the lock! Eddie endures but he glares at Shibata to egg him on! Shibata pushes up to put more pressure! Eddie’s shoulders are down! TWO as Eddie sits back up! Shibata pushes on the legs but Eddie drags Shibata along towards the ROPEBREAK! Shibata lets go quickly again and fans cheer this technical exchange. Shibata drags Eddie to then tie up the legs in an Indian Deathlock!

Fans fire up as Shibata falls back for a SNAP LOCK! Eddie reaches out, Shibata stands up again, and SNAP LOCKS again! Shibata then drags Eddie into BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Eddie reaches out, flails, but Shibata lets him down to float to a chinlock. Eddie fights up, but Shibata fights the saido. Shibata holds on as Eddie powers up, but then Eddie SAIDOS! Eddie is fere and both men are down, and the fans fire up. Shibata goes to a corner, Eddie runs in and clotheslines! And then MACHINE GUN CHOPS! Fans fire up but Shibata just roars! Eddie CHOPS Shibata back down! Shibata sputters but Eddie is right on him again.

Eddie brings Shibata around to whip, but Shibata reverses to BOOT! Shibata fires shots in the forearm and sits Eddie down! The fans fire up as Shibata runs corner to corner, to HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Eddie is dazed but Shibata drags him up. Shibata hits a HALF HATCH! Cover, TWO! Eddie is still in this but Shibata keeps his cool. Shibata eggs Eddie on and Eddie shakes out the stars. Shibata drags Eddie up for Kawada Kicks! Shibata CLUBS Eddie but Eddie CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Shibata and Eddie both roar, and Shibata BOOTS! Eddie LARIATS! Shibata BOOTS! Repeat!

Fans duel as Eddie wobbles! Shibata also takes a knee to catch his breath, then comes back for more. But Eddie clinches! EXPLODER! Shibata’s up to STO! Fans fire up as both men are down! A standing count starts but Shibata sits up already! Shibata has Eddie’s wrist, and then Eddie sits up! Only to flop back over… The ref checks on Eddie but Shibata drags Eddie up. Shibata KICKS and KICKS and KICKS, then KICKS again! Eddie flops over again but Shibata brings him back up. Shibata ducks the haymaker to ripcord and CHOP! Shibata then reels Eddie into a COBRA TWIST! Shoutout to Inoki!

Eddie endures, fans rally, but then Shibata switches sides! IRON OCTOPUS, then GROUND OCTOPUS! Eddie flails, but he’s also fading! Fans rally as Eddie comes back to life to get a ROPEBREAK! Fans fire up as Eddie is still in this, and Shibata fires up again! Shibata drags Eddie up, to ROCK him with haymaker after haymaker! But Eddie URAKENS! Shibata URAKENS! Eddie URAKENS! Shibata PENALTY KICKS!! Both men are down again and the fans are thunderous! Shibata drags himself up with ropes and Eddie rises. Shibata throws a forearm, and Eddie CHOPS! Another forearm, another CHOP!

Shibata forearms, Eddie wobbles, shakes out the stars, and CHOPS! Shibata fires a flurry of forearms, but Eddie URAKENS! Eddie almost falls onto the cover, ONE?!?! WHAT?!? Eddie doesn’t question it, he just scoops for the NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB!! Cover, TWO??!! Shibata flounders but roars, and then turns around into an URAKEN! And then a POWERBOMB!! High stack, Eddie wins!!

Winner: Eddie Kingston, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight & ROH World Champion)

The Mad King took the fight to The Wrestler, and he keeps both his crowns! But he does show Shibata respect by helping him sit up. They shake hands and even bow, will these two go another round one day? Eddie’s reign as a double champion has still only just begun, who will come for these belts in the future? And as for Shibata, will he ever truly inherit Inoki’s legacy?

 

AEW TBS Championship: Kris Statlander VS Julia Hart w/ Brody King!

The Galaxy’s Greatest is also the Defeater of Undefeated! That’s how she took this title for her own, will it be how she keeps it? Or will the Lady of the House bring home the gold?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see once and for all if the House always wins!

The bell rings and these two slowly approach. They tie up, Kris powers Julia to a corner, then keeps Julia cornered. Kris arm-drags Julia, then runs up to RAM her into the other corner! Kris RAMS into Julia again and again, then fires off forearms! The ref counts, but Kris CLOBBERS Julia! Kris goes side to side but Julia ducks the knee! Julia bails out but Kris puts her back in. Kris runs up but into a SUPERKICK! Only to rebound and run Julia over! Fans rally up, Kris runs, and she runs Julia over again! Cover, TWO! Kris drags Julia up but Julia goes after a leg! Kris CLUBS Julia but Julia holds on!

Kris drags Julia along, CLUBS her, but Julia avoids the stomp! Roll up, TWO! SUPERKICK! Julia ELBOWS Kris down, then runs, but into a pop-up and Electric Chair! But Julia spins to RANA Kris away! Julia runs in but the monkey flip is blocked! Kris suplexes Julia high and hard! Julia bails out again while fans fire up. Kris storms out after Julia but Julia drags her off the apron and to the floor! Julia aims and runs up, but Kris fireman’s carries! Kris carries Julia around, even as Julia fights! Kris goes up the steps, but Brody barks at Kris! Julia CLAWS Kris’ eyes, then YANKS her off the apron!

Julia RAMS Kris into railing! Julia drags Kris back up, to RAM her back into the railing! Kris writhes but Julia looms over her. Julia then RAMS Kris into railing again! Julia puts Kris in, covers, TWO! Kris is hanging tough but Julia thrashes her against the mat! Fans duel as Julia lets off to then push Kris around. Julia KNEES Kris in the side, and then again! And again! Julia runs to then step up and SENTON! Not the cleanest but Julia covers, TWO! Brody says to stay on her so Julia CLUBS Kris. Kris hits back with body shots and fans rally. Julia knees low, hooks Kris up, abdominal stretch! Julia CLUBS away on Kris and claws her face!

The ref reprimands but Julia keeps on the stretch. Kris powers up to hip toss free! Kris hobbles, her legs being a factor. But Julia CLUBS back! And kicks low! They fire forearm for forearm, but then Julia fires a flurry! Julia runs, but into a POWERSLAM! Julia flounders to a corner and fans fire up. Kris runs in to UPPERCUT! Kris goes side to side, KNEE WASH! Then Kris scoops Julia, BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Kris is frustrated but the fans still rally. Kris drags Julia up, brings her around, and gut wrenches. But Julia slips free! Kris blasts through the clothesline, but Julia ducks the discus!

Kris staggers and ends up on the ropes, and Brody taunts her. He says her title belt is as good as gone! But wait, where’s Julia going? Kris snarls at Brody, but Julia returns and stalks up behind Kris. But Kris SLAPS the mist outta her mouth!! Then she tucks Julia, for the FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Kris is shocked but she hurries after Julia, deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! Kris then drags Julia to a drop zone and goes up top! Fans fire up but Julia hurries after Kris! Julia SLAPS Kris, SLAPS her again, then climbs up. Julia CLUBS Kris, CLUBS her more, then throws forearms! Kris hits back and they brawl up top!

Kris stands but Julia hits a SPIDER SUPLEX! Fans fire up as Julia hangs upside down and shakes her head. Julia then sits back up, only for Kris to anchor her foot! Julia kicks Kris down, adjusts, and MOONSAULTS! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Kris’ longer legs save her and Julia is furious! Julia drags Kris around, hooks up the arms, “This is Awesome!” as Kris powers out of Hartless! But the leg gives up! So Julia tries again, HARTLESS STRETCH!! Kris endures, flails, powers her way to a roll-up, but Julia holds on! So Kris stands up! Kris pries free of the hold, pops Julia around, TOMBSTONE!! Kris drags Julia up to hook, FIGHT NIGHT FEVER!! Cover, Kris wins!!

Winner: Kris Statlander, by pinfall (still AEW TBS Champion)

Another win streak crushed but Kris! Kris wants to keep going, but she leaves it at this. She drags Julia to the ropes so Brody can pick up the “spooky little b*tch.” Will anyone take over Mama Kris’ house? Or is this proof that Kris truly is The Galaxy’s Greatest?

 

AEW World Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Fatal 4 Way: The Young Bucks VS The Lucha Brothers VS The Gunns VS #OrangeHook!

One of these duos isn’t like the others, but that doesn’t mean they don’t belong. Sure Matt & Nick Jackson are brothers, as are Rey Fenix y Penta El Zero Miedo, as are Austin & Colten. But Freshly Squeezed and the Cold-Hearted Handsome Devil have, somehow, already forged a bond. Is it a strong bond? Or will we see that blood is ticker than a bag of Doritos?

In this kind of Fatal 4 Tag, only two teams are legal at a time. Nick Jackson and Rey Fenix step up as a preview of their International Championship match set for this Wednesday. The two tie up, break, then tie up again. Fenix waistlocks, Nick switches but Fenix switches back. Nick pries the hold but Fenix CHOPS! Nick wrenches the knuckle lock to keep Fenix from going up a corner. Nick then switches hands to CHOP back! But Fenix keeps Nick from going up a corner! They stare down, break knuckle locks, and then fire forearms! Then DOUBLE LARIAT! And DOUBLE LARIAT! And DOUBLE SUPERKICK, so they end up giving each other Charlie Horses!

Nick and Fenix DOUBLE ROUNDHOUSE! They both fall, but then both kip up! Fans fire up and Fenix shakes out the bad arm. The two reset, but Cassidy sneaks a tag. Fans are torn as Freshly Squeezed steps up to Fenix. The hands go up, but Fenix gest in Cassidy’s face. Cassidy unwraps his bad hand to ROCK Fenix! Fenix ROCKS Cassidy! Cassidy ROCKS, Fenix SOBATS! Fenix runs, ducks the Orange Punch and SUPERKICKS! Fireman’s carry, but the bad arm gives up! Tag to Penta but the Gunns trip Penta up to mug Fenix! They tear the tape away to RAM Fenix into barriers! Then they DOUBLE PUNCH Penta!

The Gunns POST Penta, drag him up and in, and the fans taunt the “ASS~ BOYS~!” as Colten tags in. But Cassidy rolls Colten up! TWO, and Cassidy runs to duck ‘n’ dodge and tilt-o-whirl, but no DDT! Colten shoves Cassidy away and DROPKICKS him down! Fans boo as Colten BLASTS The Bucks! Austin tags in off Cassidy, covers Colten, but the ref says no, that’s not how this works. The Gunns get mad, but the Bucks step in. They fire off on the Gunns! The Bucks double whip but the Gunns reverse, only for the Bucks to dosido and rush the Gunns. The Gunns dodge, but then The Bucks dodge the splashes! DOUBLE SUPERKICKS!

Fans fire up as Cassidy returns, but into a GUT BUSTER and NECKBREAKER BACKBREAKER! The Bucks kick Penta, then ALLEY-OOP RANA! Fans fire up as The Bucks stand tall! Nick runs in at Colten but Colten puts him on the apron. Matt runs in but he also ends up on the apron. Colten doesn’t realize, Matt tags in and The Bucks DOUBLE GAMANGIRI! Matt TOSSES Colten out and Nick PENALTY KICKS! Matt and Cassidy stare down, but Hook wants in. Cassidy obliges! Fans fire up as Hook circles with Matt. Matt swings but Hook fires off counter punches! Hook puts Matt in a corner, but Matt hits back!

Matt ROCKS Hook, Hook ROCKS Matt! Matt catches Hook to NORTHERN LIGHTS! And the Polar Express- is turned around! Hook NORTHERN LIGHTS to then drag Matt up, but Matt NORTHERN LIGHTS! The Polar Express goes back and forth between them! Nick jumps in but so does Cassidy! Hook catches Nick, Matt catches Cassidy, STEREO NORTHERN LIGHTS! Matt runs in but into Hook’s EL CAMINO! Fans rally up as Hook stands tall! Austin tags off Matt but Hook gets him first! Colten saves Austin, the Gunns work together but Cassidy makes a save! OrangeHook DOUBLE SUPLEX The Gunns!

Fenix has been checked by medical, and it doesn’t look good. He’s out of this match at least, leaving Penta alone. Cassidy DIVES to take out The Bucks! Hook stalks Austin, clinches, but Colten runs in. So Hook gets Colten! Austin CLUBS Hook, fans boo, but Penta runs in! He dodges the Gunns, KICKS Colten and then ENZIGURIS Austin! Penta brings Austin in, “CERO! MIEDO!” But Colten CLOBBERS Penta! Fans boo as the Gunns stomp Hook in a corner. Austin tags in, the fans taunt the “ASS~ BOYS~!” but they mug Hook. Austin asks, “Who’s the Ass Boy now, b*tch?!” “YOU!!” Austin JABS and JABS and JABS Hook, does his two step, then DECKS Hook! Cover, TWO!

Austin is annoyed but he tags Colten back in. The Gunns drag Hook up, mug him, then Colten soaks up the heat. Colten stays between Hook and the other corners, then lines up the shot to DECK Hook! Cover, TWO! Hook hangs tough but Colten drags him into a chinlock. The fans rally, Hook fights up, and Hook fights around. Hook throws body shots, reaches for Cassidy, but Austin YANKS Cassidy down! Fans boo but the Bucks reach out! So Austin CLOBBERS them off the apron! Fans boo more, Austin rushes up to stay between Hook and Penta. But Hook sends the Gunns into each other, hot tag to Penta!

Penta goes up to CROSSBODY the Gunns! SLINGBLADE for Austin! SLINGBLADE for Colten! Wheelbarrow and roll with Austin, DDT on Colten! Austin whips, Penta goes up and over to BACKSTABBER! Penta SUPERKICKS Colten, then SUPERKICKS Austin! Fans fire up with Penta as he shouts “CERO! MIEDO!” Colten swings but into MADE IN JAPAN! Cover, Austin breaks it! Austin drags Colten to their corner, then tags himself in. Austin runs in at Penta to hit a QUICK DRAW! Matt fakes Austin out to DDT! Cassidy tilt-o-whirl DDTS Matt! And kips up, only for Nick to dump him out!

Nick RAMS Austin, “SUCK IT!” FACEBUSTER! To the CARTWHEEL MOONSAULT onto Cassidy! Fans fire up as Penta builds speed, but Hook sneaks a tag! Penta FLIES Onto Cassidy and Colten, while Hook stalks Austin! Austin staggers up, into the REDRUM!! But Austin fights it with elbows! Hook lets go, but the ORANGE PUNCH hits!! REDRUM!!! But Nick reaches out to tag off Austin! Austin TAPS but it doesn’t matter! Nick hits a 450 SPLASH onto them both!! Cover, Cassidy breaks it in time!! Fans fire up, Penta tags off Nick. Penta reels Cassidy in, “CERO! MIEDO!” But Cassidy Alabama Lifts!

Penta fights the Beach Break to GAMANGIRI in the corner! Hook runs in to kick but Penta catches him to a Gory Especial! Nick tags off Hook, ENZIGURIS Cassidy so Penta can pick him up! Nick helps out, FEAR FACTOR GORY BOMB COMBO!! But then The Bucks DOUBLE SUPERKICK Hook!! Colten returns, to get DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Penta sends Nick’s kick into Matt and SUPERKICKS! But then Nick flips, flops, he and Matt LARIAT SUPERKICK COMBO! Then B T E TRIGGER!!! Cover, The Bucks win!!

Winners: The Young Bucks, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contenders to the AEW World Tag Team Champions)

The Elite just keep on winning! Matt & Nick are already ROH World Six Man Tag Team Champions with Hangman Page, but when and where will they call their shot for the AEW World Tag titles? And who will they even be targeting after we see FTR VS Aussie Open?

 

Swerve Strickland w/ Prince Nana VS Hangman Page!

From one part of The Elite to another, the Mogul himself says that he’d run AEW if he was given what The Cowboy was given. But will he take over AEW now that we’re in “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” Or will Seattle see some serious #CowboyShid?

The bell rings and fans fire up with “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” Swerve and Hangman circle, tie up, and go around. Swerve and Hangman end up on ropes, the ref counts, and Swerve lets off. The two reset, tie up again, and Swerve headlocks. Hangman powers out but Swerve runs him over! Fans cheer but Swerve stays stoic. Things speed up, Hangman BOOTS Swerve down! Fans boo but The Cowboy just shrugs. Hangman brings Swerve up, bumps him off buckles, then CHOPS Swerve! Swerve sputters and fans “WOO~!” but Hangman CHOPS again! Seattle actually says “HANGMAN SUCKS!”

Swerve turns things around to CHOP Hangman! And CHOP again! And CHOP again! Hangman puts Swerve in the corner to CHOP and stomp! Hangman stands on the corner to ask “Whose House?!” Fans are all riled up but Hangman looms over Swerve. Hangman drags Swerve up, whips him corner to corner, then runs in, but Swerve gets around to O’Conner and EDDY GORDO RANA! Fans fire up as Swerve goes to the apron, to step in and DROPKICK! Hangman checks his face but Swerve covers, TWO! Swerve is annoyed but he clamps onto Hangman’s face. Swerve drags Hangman up, ROCKS him, and Hangman goes to a corner.

Fans rally up as Swerve fires off hands! Swerve snapmares, goes up, and he FALLING UPPERCUTS! Then he hits the Griddy! Fans fire up more and Swerve stalks Hangman. Swerve drags Hangman up, turns him, and hits a NECKBREAKER! Swerve holds on to drag Hangman back up, turn him again, but Hangman slips free to waistlock! Swerve switches, GERMAN SUPLEXES, but Hangman lands on his feet to BOOT! Swerve rebounds to UPPERCUT! Then he scoops but Hangman slips free to FALL AWAY SLAM! Swerve goes to the apron while fans boo. Hangman kips up and soaks up the heat from Seattle.

Hangman runs to triangle jump and LARIAT! Fans boo more but Hangman PLANCHAS! He has to lands out as Swerve moves, but he APRON POWERBOMBS Swerve! Then BARRIER BOMBS him!! Fans boo more but Hangman isn’t done there! Hangman goes up the corner, to ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Direct hit and down goes Swerve! Hangman puts Swerve in, waits on him, POP-UP SIT OUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Swerve survives and fans rally as hard as they can. Hangman checks his nose, he might still be having a hard time breathing. Swerve bails out but Hangman builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit at the ramp!

The 12th Man is booing as hard as they can but Hangman SMACKS Swerve’s hand off the apron! Then whips him into barriers! Hangman twists that bad wrist, but Swerve claws at the nose! Hangman CLUBS Swerve, stalks him, and the ring count climbs. Swerve kicks low but Hangman throws hands! Fans duel between “F YOU, COWBOY!” and “COWBOY SHID!” Hangman SMACKS Swerve’s hand off the steps, then puts him in the ring. Hangman climbs the corner, leaps, and FLYING LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Swerve hangs tough but Hangman keeps his cool. Nana coaches Swerve up but Hangman stalks him to ropes.

Hangman brings Swerve up, but Swerve throws hands! Hangman ROCKS Swerve, Swerve ROCKS Hangman! They go back and forth, then Hangman ROLLING ELBOWS! Swerve mule kicks and ENZIGURIS! But Hangman deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES! But Swerve somersaults to JUMP COMPLETE SHOT! And then a roll into the BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Hangman is still in this and Seattle can’t believe it! Swerve seethes as Hangman goes to a corner, shakes out the bad hand, and CHOPS! Swerve runs, but blocks Hangman’s boot! Swerve slips around to scoop and BACKBREAKER!

Swerve goes up and fans fire up, but Hangman gets the bad hand! Hangman twists the wrist, the ref counts the ropebreak and Hangman lets off. Hangman climbs up, CHOPS Swerve, and then reels him in. Fans rally for Swerve and he fights the scoop! Swerve throws shots under the chin, but Hangman holds onto the ropes! Swerve just WOE STOMPS him down!! Fans are thunderous as Swerve stands up! “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” HOUSE CALL!! Cover, TWO?!? Hangman survives but Nana says Swerve has this! Hangman goes to the apron but Swerve goes out the other side.

Swerve goes up the corner, but Hangman avoids the apron stomps! But Swerve fights the Alabama Lift! Swerve POSTS Hangman! The ref reprimands, but Swerve has Hangman on the steps! STEEL- NO, Hangman fights the driver! Hangman SMACKS the bad hand off post! Then STEEL STEP DEADEYE!!! Fans boo while both men are down! Hangman clutches his knees, that move was double-edged there! A ring count climbs, Nana says Swerve can’t lose in his hometown! Hangman stands, fans duel again, and Hangman hauls Swerve up. Hangman puts Swerve in the ring, then takes aim from the apron.

Fans boo, Nana says don’t you dare! But Swerve runs up, into a BOOT! Hangman locks ‘n’ loads, but Swerve storms up again! Hangman BOOTS him again, then again, but Swerve blocks! Swerve SLAPS Hangman, Hangman SLAPS Swerve, repeat! Fans fire up, Hangman BITES the bad hand!! Fans boo but Hangman lets off. Hangman locks ‘n’ loads, to BUCK- NO, drop toehold! Swerve gets Hangman’s arm, pulls it back, and pushes it down, to then STOMP it!! Hangman writhes and flops out of the ring! Doc Sampson hurries over to check that arm, but “This is Awesome!” Swerve goes up, to KILL STOMP on the apron!!

Fans are thunderous, Nana is doing the dance, and Swerve hurries back in! Swerve goes up top again, reloads, and 450 SPLASHES the arm!! Cover, TWO!?! Hangman survives, but Swerve has an ARMBAR!! Hangman flails, clasps hands, but Swerve pulls on the arm! ARMBAR!! Hangman flails, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Swerve lets go as the ref counts, and he drags Hangman back up. Swerve reels Hangman in, half nelsons, lifts, but Hangman pries at the bad hand! Victory roll! TWO!! Swerve boots the lariat away, but Hangman spins to DISCUS SOUTHPAW!! Then Hangman hauls Swerve up, DEAD- NO, sunset flip, into the ARMBAR!!

Fans fire up as Swerve pulls on the arm! Hangman moves, but Swerve makes it a TRIANGLE HOLD! Hangman CLUBS away on Swerve’s bad hand! Fans boo but both men are down! Hangman and Swerve go to opposite ends, and Hangman runs in. Swerve sidesteps to SNAP GERMAN! Swerve hurries up top and Nana says this is it! The fans are thunderous for the KILL- NO, Hangman moves! And is on the apron! BUCKSHOT!!! But Hangman’s own bad arm keeps him from making the pin! Fans rally as Hangman crawls after Swerve to finally cover, Nana helps the ROPEBREAK! But the ref caught him!!

Nana freaks out, apologizes, but the ref has no choice. The ref EJECTS Nana!! Hangman resets on the apron, tells Nana to git, then he reloads. Nana begs the ref to let him stay, but Hangman slingshots, into a CROWN SHOT!! Nana’s bejeweled crown becomes Swerve’s trump card! Cover, TWO?!?! How?!? Swerve is furious, and he sits Hangman up, for a HOUSE CALL!! Swerve isn’t satisfied, he drags Hangman up for another HOUSE CALL!!! And then the half nelson, lift and J M L DRIVER!!! Cover, Swerve wins!!

Winner: Swerve Strickland, by pinfall

Seattle cheers and Nana busts out the dance moves again! Swerve wins in his house, is he about to make AEW into All Embassy Wrestling?

 

Ricky Starks VS Wheeler Yuta!

The Absolute didn’t tap out and he didn’t get pinned in his two brutal matches with Bryan Danielson, and The Decoder respects that. But that’s about all he respects when it comes to Ricky Starks! Will Starks make Yuta respect him? Or will Yuta find a way to get that pin on The Absolute?

The bell rings and Moxley is on commentary again. Moxley says he can’t give us verbatim what he said, as he already got fined for language used during Zero Hour. But the gist of it is that Yuta shouldn’t think of Starks as a big deal, though he is becoming a star in AEW. Yuta mockingly applauds Starks, then the two tie up. Yuta knuckle locks, rolls, and wrangles Starks. Starks gets up, wrenches back, but Yuta chinbars Starks into a facelock then armlock. Yuta hooks a leg, pushes Starks down, but Starks slips around to facelock. The two move around, Starks sticking to Yuta with all sorts of holds, but then Yuta flips it back!

Starks slips out, fans cheer this technical exchange, and Yuta rolls, handsprings and wrenches to grind the arm. Yuta eggs Starks on and fans rally up. Starks fights up, pushes Yuta to ropes, and the ref counts. Starks lets off slowly, but then pie faces. So Yuta SLAPS back! Moxley says that’s good. The two reset, and Starks SLAPS! Yuta SLAPS, then forearms, then CHOPS! Moxley feels this is what Yuta wants as the two throw hands. Starks backs Yuta down but Yuta puts him in a corner to CHOP! Starks turns things around to fire off fast hands! Yuta gives those back! Yuta whips and ELBOWS Starks down!

Starks staggers up, goes to a corner, and Yuta CHOPS! Starks SLAPS, Yuta SLAPS, they throw haymakers now, and Yuta whips. Starks reverses, clinches and HOTSHOTS Yuta off ropes! Yuta sputters and flounders but Starks stands him up to CHOP and fire off hands! Starks kicks low as the ref counts, and Starks snarls. Fans rally up while Yuta checks his teeth. Starks scoops to SLAM and stomp Yuta! Starks mocks Moxley’s slithery shoulders, but Yuta CHOPS Starks! Starks pokes Yuta in the eye! Then CHOPS, and ROCKS, and CHOPS Yuta again! Starks keeps Yuta cornered to fire off haymakers! The ref counts and Starks lets off.

Starks brings Yuta up to wrench an arm, then CHOPS! Then Starks knuckle locks and goes up the corner, and fans fire up. Starks struts his stuff for Old School, and Moxley admits that’s cool. Starks CLUBS Yuta, to then hit a BIG back suplex! Cover, ONE!! Starks CHOPS Yuta but Yuta grins. Mox shouts for Yuta to make Starks pay for that shid! But then Mox admits he likes that. Starks CLUBS Yuta, drags him up, fireman’s carries but Yuta slips free and rolls him up! TWO, but Yuta gets a ghost pin! TWO, and Yuta runs, into an OVERHEAD TOSS by Starks! Fans rally up and Starks grits his teeth as he stands up.

Starks strikes his pose! Fans fire up, and Starks runs up to whip Yuta. Yuta reverses, runs in at the corner, but into a BOOT! Starks goes up to leap, into an atomic drop! Yuta ENZIGURIS Starks to the corner, runs in and A-LIST LARIATS! Starks staggers, Yuta goes up, FLYING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up for “RICKY! RICKY!” but Yuta drags him up. Starks ROCKS Yuta! But then Yuta spins and wrenches, PAIN THRILLER! Moxley says if you know, you know. Cover, TWO! But Yuta stays on Starks and clamps on for a double wristlock. Starks endures, moves around, and Moxley coaches to trap the head!

Wait, Big Bill appears! Starks gets the ROPEBREAK so Yuta lets off, and Yuta stares the human skyscraper down. But Starks rolls Yuta up! TWO! Yuta runs, dodges and springboards, but Starks blocks arm-drag to TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Starks drags Yuta up, strikes his pose, and Canadian Racks, but Yuta slips free to arm-drag! Then Yuta runs, but Starks hits a POP-UP POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Starks is frustrated but he sits Yuta up and steps over. Starks takes off his elbow pad to use the HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS!! Moxley says Yuta is just getting mad! Yuta blocks the arm and stands up.

Starks throws more forearms but Yuta just roars! Yuta ROCKS and CHOPS and repeat! Yuta runs, but Starks LARIATS him down! Starks goes to the apron, then the corner. Bill coaches Starks on and Starks springboards, but Yuta SHOVES him down onto Bill! Fans fire up and throws off his elbow pads! Yuta PLANCHAS, but Bill catches him! But Yuta slips free to POST Bill! Yuta hurries up as Starks runs in, but Yuta arm-drags and drags Starks down, for HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Then a shift around into the SEATBELT! TWO!! Starks escapes but Yuta roars! Yuta drags Starks up to waistlock.

Starks fights the suplex, switches and shoves, but Yuta rewinds, only for Starks to dodge! SPEAR!! And then Starks fires up to Canadian Rack, ROSHAMBEAUX!! Cover, Starks wins!

Winner: Ricky Starks, by pinfall

Starks stares down Moxley, and Moxley has to admit, that was all good. Credit where credit is due, but will Starks look to get the rest of the BCC?

 

Bryan Danielson VS Zack Sabre Jr!

Speaking of the BCC, the American Dragon is here in his hometown. He promised that he will retire as his daughter turns seven, so that means time is running out. As for The Front Man of TMDK, he says it is about time we find out who is TRULY the best technical wrestler in the world today. Surely Antonio Inoki-san would smile seeing this match-up, but who will leave here having won the WrestleDream dream match?

The bell rings and fans are already losing their minds witnessing this. The two approach, feel things out, “This is Awesome!” as they circle and go low. Bryan uses his bear style but ZSJ holds that off. The two keep feeling things out, Bryan goes for a leg, but ZSJ gets away. Fans applaud as the two go again. They feel out a knuckle lock, then clinch. ZSJ waistlocks, but Bryan twists the wrist. ZSJ tries a chinbar but Bryan powers through the armlock. ZSJ slips free again and the two reset. Moxley knows that standing, Bryan is the aggressor, the more prepared. But if this goes to the mat, ZSJ will be ahead several moves, like a chess player or football coach.

The two tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, ZSJ chibars but Bryan rolls. ZSJ wristlocks, then spins to wrench the other way. But Bryan bridges, wrenches and THROWS ZSJ away! Fans fire up and Bryan says that’s two times he’s gotten ZSJ. The two reset again, fans rally up, and the two knuckle lock. ZSJ goes after an arm, he wrenches but Bryan goes to ropes. Bryan powers ZSJ away, then drops, but ZSJ catches him to a COBRA TWIST! Bryan pries free, and switches it onto ZSJ! ZSJ switches it back! Bryan switches it and GROUND OCTOPUS CRADLE! TWO, but Bryan has a CALF KILLER! ZSJ fights around to get Bryan’s bad arm!

Bryan fights up, wants the leg, and has a toehold! Indian Deathlock! ZSJ chinbars to fight that hold, but Bryan still pushes against the knees! ZSJ sweeps an arm to break Bryan’s base! Bryan tries again but ZSJ trips Bryan again. Bryan sits up and stands, to have the deathlock while bridging! ZSJ hurries to cover, ONE! ZSJ knuckle locks and pushes Bryan but Bryan turns! They’re still hooked by the legs, and they bridge up! Fans fire up for this double crab whatever, and then ZSJ tips it over! Bryan moves around but ZSJ gets a double wristlock! Bryan lets the legs go to shift and go for an arm, only for ZSJ to slip away!

Fans cheer this standoff, “This is Wrestling!” Bryan and ZSJ circle again, ZSJ shoots in to get a leg! ZSJ then trips Bryan, has the left leg and turns Bryan around with it! ZSJ hooks the legs, then fishhooks Bryan’s face! The fans boo but ZSJ slaps Bryan into giving up the arms! ZSJ pulls and pulls and has the ROMERO SPECIAL! This is one of Bryan’s favorites! But as such, Bryan powers out, then WRENCHES a leg to put ZSJ in the same position! Bryan fishhooks and the fans cheer! Bryan pulls and pulls and has the ROMERO SPECIAL! Fans are thunderous as ZSJ endures! ZSJ powers his way down and he wrenches the bad arm!

ZSJ then ties Bryan up, BOW ‘N’ ARROW but Bryan pops free to cover! ZERO!! Fans are thunderous and ZSJ has to walk off the pain in his legs. Fans tell Bryan to kick ZSJ’s head in, but ZSJ tells the “d*ckhead” to shut up, they’re working! ZSJ and Bryan reset, tie up, and ZSJ clinches. They end up on ropes, the ref counts, and ZSJ lets off slowly, to then UPPERCUT! Fans boo but Bryan just shrugs it off. ZSJ eggs Bryan on, so Bryan UPPERCUTS! ZSJ says that was so-so. Bryan UPPERCUTS again! That one, ZSJ felt. ZSJ UPPERCUTS, Bryan UPPERCUTS, repeat! ZSJ eggs Bryan on and Bryan UPPERCUTS, but he’s using his left arm!

ZSJ eggs Bryan on to use his right arm like normal, so Bryan UPPERCUTS with the right! Now that got him! But then ZSJ RAMS the bad arm! Bryan falls back, ZSJ isolates the arm and STOMPS it!! Even Moxley felt that one! Fans boo and the ref checks Bryan, but ZSJ gets the bad arm. ZSJ bends the fingers, twists the wrist, and wrenches the elbow! Bryan endures but ZSJ steps over to trap that arm, for a TWIST! Fans boo but ZSJ lets the ref check Bryan. Bryan is somehow okay to continue so ZSJ steps over, to pull the arm and fingers! ZSJ SNAPS finger after finger!! Bryan writhes and fans boo but ZSJ just paces around.

ZSJ kicks Bryan around, fans tell him he’s sick, but ZSJ KICKS Bryan in the back! ZSJ eggs Bryan, tells him to wake up, and he just keeps giving kicks! Bryan gets up but ZSJ UPPERCUTS! ZSJ whips corner to corner, Bryan goes up and over! Bryan then gets a leg to roll ZSJ back, HALF CRAB! Fans fire up but Bryan can only use one hand! So Bryan shifts to get the legs again! He can’t get ZSJ’s arms so he just STOMPS ZSJ’s legs! Fans fire up and Bryan seethes. Bryan KICKS ZSJ, and KICKS, and KICKS! “YES! YES! YES!” Bryan grabs a leg to DRAGON SCREW! Bryan gets the arm again to DRAGON SCREW hard!!

ZSJ writhes but Bryan is after him again! Another DRAGON- NO, ZSJ steps through to NECK TWIST! And DROPKICK! Both men are down and fans fire up! Bryan rises and goes to a corner, but ZSJ runs in. Bryan puts ZSJ on the top rope! Then into a Tree of Woe! Bryan KICKS ZSJ while he’s upside down! “YES! YES! YES!” ZSJ guards his face but his ribs and legs are the target! Bryan sits ZSJ up, then climbs up for elevated HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! “YES! YES! YES!” But ZSJ blocks one, for an ELBOW BREAKER! ZSJ then shifts around, gets the other arm, elevated DOUBLE WRISTLOCK!

Bryan endures, and he HEADBUTTS ZSJ in the ribs! And again! Bryan fires more HEADBUTTS, then brings ZSJ up, to SUPER BUTTERFLY SUPLEX!! And then a roll through into the omoplata! ZSJ resists the Lebell and pushes through, but into a TRIANGLE HOLD! ZSJ rolls, Bryan shifts again, omoplata! Bryan wants an arm but ZSJ resists, so Bryan switches to a HALF CRAB! ZSJ endures, reaches out with his free leg, ROPEBREAK! Bryan lets go in frustration and the fans boo. Bryan shakes the bad hand out, and at least it is still working. ZSJ sits up, into a KICK! And KICK! And KICK! “YES! YES! YES!”

ZSJ ducks the buzzsaw, but Bryan BUZZSAWS again!! Fans fire up again and Bryan says, “It’s time to kick his EFFING HEAD IN!” Bryan drags ZSJ by his wrists, for DRAGON STOMPS! Bryan lets off so he can aim from a corner. ZSJ slowly rises, and Bryan runs in to- NO, ZSJ dodges the knee to O’Conner BRIDGE! TWO and Bryan has the O’Conner Bridge! TWO and ZSJ has a SLEEPER! But Bryan rolls back, pops free, SLEEPER! ZSJ rolls back and pops free, gets the wrists, EURO CLUTCH!! TWO!!! Bryan escapes and fans are thunderous again! Even Moxley has to stand up for this one!

Bryan shakes out the bad hand as he and ZSJ stand. Bryan KICKS a leg! ZSJ goes to a corner, Bryan runs corner to corner, to DROPKICK! “This is Awesome!” as Bryan runs, but into a drop toehold! ZSJ body scissors, O’Conner, but Bryan catches him! CATTLE MUTILATION! But ZSJ rolls it over! So Bryan fires HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL, but ZSJ gets an arm! They roll and roll, ZSJ has the omoplata! And he CRANKS and YANKS the bad arm! And bends the fingers!! Bryan endures, fights around, powers out and has a leg! WRENCH into a HEEL HOOK!! ZSJ endures, pries at Bryan’s legs to HEEL HOOK in return!

Fans hope these two “FIGHT FOREVER!” but this has to end somehow! Bryan holds on but ZSJ makes it a FIGURE FOUR! They go forehead to forehead and egg each other on. ZSJ grabs Bryan’s leg to pull on it, but Bryan SPITS at ZSJ! So ZSJ SLAPS Bryan! And SLAPS and SLAPS! Bryan choke grips, to SLAP! ZSJ falls back, the leg lock is undone! ZSJ sits up but Bryan kicks him! ZSJ kicks, Bryan kicks, they both kick each other! Fans fire up as Bryan just stomps away! Bryan stands but ZSJ UPPERCUTS the arm! Bryan KICKS ZSJ’s leg! ZSJ UPPERCUTS the arm! Bryan KICKS the leg! ZSJ UPPERCUTS the arm, Bryan KICKS!

Bryan KICKS and KICKS, but ZSJ avoids the kick to fire off UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT! Bryan hooks the arms! ZSJ throws elbows! ZSJ hooks Bryan but Bryan throws elbows! They go elbow for elbow, hook for hook, and they spin around! ZSJ backslides, TWO!! PENALTY KICK to the arm!! Fans boo but Bryan goes to a corner. Bryan comes back, but ZSJ scoops to MICHINOKU DRIVER! And then omoplata, JIM BREAKS ARMBAR!! Bryan endures but then ZSJ shifts to add a crossface! Bryan keeps moving so ZSJ focuses on the bad right arm! Bryan fights, Moxley says F this guy, but ZSJ almost has Hurrah Another Year, but Bryan gest the ROPEBREAK!

Fans are thunderous as ZSJ lets go in frustration. Bryan sits up, and ZSJ KICKS him! And KICKS! And KICKS! Bryan flops over and fans boo but ZSJ stands on Bryan, to then STOMP the bad arm! And then PENALTY KICK! ZSJ eggs on “Dragon Bullocks” and then runs, but into a ROUNDHOUSE! Bryan adds a BUZZSAW! DRAGON STOMPS!! But ZSJ avoids one, pops Bryan around, ARMBAR!!! Bryan fights around, into a DISARMER!! Bryan keeps fighting but ends up back in the ARMBAR!! Bryan shifts, fights, has a leg, REGAL PLEX!! ZSJ staggers up, into a BUSAIKU KNEE!!! Cover, TWO?!?!

ZSJ roars and fans are thunderous again! Bryan is feeling it, too, and he goes back to a corner! ZSJ flounders around, sits up, BUSAIKU KNEE!!! Cover, Bryan wins!!

Winner: Bryan Danielson, by pinfall

Moxley is in awe! One of the finest displays in wrestling perhaps anywhere or at any period of time! Bryan offers ZSJ a handshake, fans cheer for it, and ZSJ… bails out? Fans boo that the Front Man won’t give The American Dragon his flowers, but will we get to live this dream match a second time?

 

Six Man Tag: Will Ospreay, Sammy Guevara & Konosuke Takeshita w/ Don Callis VS Chris Jericho, Kenny Omega & Kota Ibushi!

When Creepy Callis betrayed the only friends he had in the world, he had no idea the Pandora’s Box he was opening. Now he pits the Aerial Assassin, Spanish God and new Alpha of wrestling against The Ocho & The Golden Lovers! Will the family Callis created crush the family he abandoned? Or will nothing stop Jericho, Omega & Ibushi from having their revenge?

Fans chant “F YOU, CALLIS!” while the trios sort out. Omega wants to start but Ibushi insists. They hug it out, and in the end, it is Omega who starts against Ospreay in a rematch from Forbidden Door. The fans are thunderous already as the two tie up. Ospreay wrenches, Omega wrenches back, but Ospreay spins and slips through to wrench again. Omega wrenches and wrenches and slips through to throw Ospreay up and over! Omega has the arm, but Ospreay kips up to trip Omega. Things speed up, Omega hurdles but Ospreay handsprings. Omega ducks the Penalty Kick and fans fire up again!

Ospreay and Omega reset, but Sammy tags himself in. Fans boo but Sammy soaks it all up. Sammy and Omega circle, tie up, but Sammy slips away to soak up more heat. Fans chant “F YOU, SAMMY!” while Sammy lounges on the ropes. Omega waits and the ref reprimands, but Sammy stops lounging around. Sammy and Omega tie up, Sammy headlocks, but Omega brings him down to a knee. Omega wrenches, hammerlocks then headlocks. Sammy powers out, but Omega runs him over! Things speed up again, Sammy hurdles, flips and DROPKICKS! Sammy kips up smooth but the fans boo.

Sammy flips Jericho off, but Omega JABS! And JABS! JAB! JAB! Omega DECKS Sammy, then hauls him up to wrench. Tag to Jericho and fans fire up as Jericho CHOPS Sammy! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again! Jericho whips, Sammy holds ropes, and he flips Jericho off before he tags Ospreay back in. Ospreay rushes Jericho but Jericho dodges to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Jericho whips, runs in but into a BOOT! Ospreay bumps Jericho off buckles but Jericho CHOPS back! Jericho hits a BIG back suplex while Sammy hijacks commentary to say Sammy is great, Jericho sucks, and Sammy is the man.

Jericho drags Ospreay up, tags Omega in, and they mug Ospreay. Sammy says that’s illegal, the DOUBLE SUPLEX! Sammy leaves commentary while Omega CLUBS Ospreay! Omega fires haymakers, then a CHOP! Omega whips, Ospreay reverses and Takeshita gets a cheap shot in! Omega DECKS Takeshita, but Ospreay ROCKS Omega! Ospreay runs but Jericho gets a cheap shot in! Ospreay swings but Jericho ROCKS Ospreay first! Omega ROCKS Ospreay, but then Sammy and Takeshita jump in! But so do Jericho and Ibushi! Fans fire up as the brawl is on! Jericho has Sammy, Ibushi has Ospreay and Omega has Takeshita!

The ref reprimands but no one is listening! Jericho & The Golden Lovers TOSS the DCF, and then they coordinate. “Ichi, ni, san, DA!” TRIPLE PLANCHAS!! Direct hit on the DCF and fans fire up more! Jericho hauls Sammy up, Ibushi puts Ospreay in for Omega, and Ibushi even shakes hands with the front row. Ospreay scurries away from Omega but Sammy distracts Omega! Omega swings, misses, and Ospreay kicks low! Ospreay whips, Omega reverses but Ospreay handsprings for the NEURALIZER! Tag to Takeshita and they mug Omega. They stomp away, the ref counts, but Ospreay lets off.

Takeshita digs boots in, then brings Omega up. Omega ROCKS, then CHOPS, then ROCKS Takeshita again! But Takeshita rakes the eyes! Takeshita whips, Omega reverses but Takeshita ducks ‘n’ dodges and TAKESHITA LINE! Then Takeshita clamps on with a chinlock stretch. Fans rally for Omega and Ibushi storms in to KICK Takeshita! This is for that ambush in his dojo! Fans fire up but Ibushi still goes back to his corner to honor the rules. Takeshita snapmares Omega, tags Ospreay, and Ospreay slingshot SENTONS! Ospreay drags Omega up, ROCKS him with a forearm, and Callis talks trash.

Ospreay ROCKS Omega, whips, but Omega reverses to fireman’s carry! “YOU! CAN’T! ESCAPE!” ROLLING SENTON and Omega is at the corner, to MOONSAULT, but onto Ospreay’s knees! Ospreay CHOPS, and CHOPS, and fakes to then SOBAT! Ospreay whips, Omega reverses again but Ospreay turns hip toss into COBRA TWIST! Ospreay drags Omega back to the DCF corner, and Sammy links up with him! And with Takeshita, and then Callis joins in! The fans boo the DCF chain, but the ref catches them! They all let go, and the ref goes back to check Omega. Ospreay reaches out again! The DCF chain reforms!

Fans boo more but the ref catches them again! The ref counts, Ospreay says it’s not him, it’s Sammy! So the ref KICKS Sammy’s arm! Sammy falls off the apron and Omega hip tosses free! But Takeshita drags Omega into the corner! Omega ELBOWS Takeshita, goes up and over Ospreay but Ospreay waistlocks! Ospreay CLUBS Omega down, then ROCKS Jericho! Ibushi ROCKS Ospreay! Omega back drops Ospreay away! Fans fire up and Omega reaches out, but Sammy YANKS Ibushi down! Sammy flexes, Ospreay BOOTS Jericho, then Ospreay whips Omega into Takeshita’s BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO!!

Omega hangs tough but Callis says to end this. Sammy tags in, goes up, and SWANTON BOMBS! Cover, Ibushi breaks it! Ospreay TOSSES Ibushi, then Sammy mocks the finger gun. But Omega grabs that finger! And he CHOPS Sammy! And ROCKS him! And CHOPS him! Sammy claws Omega’s face! The ref reprimands and fans boo, but Omega ELBOWS Sammy back. And BOOTS him! Sammy turns around, into the SLAM DUNK! Ospreay runs in, SLAM DUNK! Hot tag to Jericho! The Ocho dodges Sammy to BLAST Takeshita, and then Jericho rallies on Sammy! Fans fire up, but Sammy puts Jericho on the apron!

Jericho stays up, goes up top, and AX HANDLES Sammy down! Fans are thunderous as Jericho runs to BULLDOG! Sammy founders, Jericho slips around, COBRA TWIST! And now Jericho links up with Omega and Ibushi! Turnabout is fair play! But the ref doesn’t like that, either! Jericho lets go, to poke Sammy in the eyes! Fans cheer and Jericho grins as he brings Sammy up. Tag to Ibushi and they double whip Sammy. They double shoulder Sammy down, then Jericho spins to pose. Ibushi joins in! Le Golden Sex Gods? Ospreay storms in but Ibushi KICKS him down! Sammy storms up but Ibushi KICKS him down! Ibushi STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO!

Callis is relieved that Sammy survives, but Ibushi tags Omega. The Golden Lovers then get Sammy up, double whip, and fans fire up as they leap frog, bypass and KICK, to KOTARO KRUSHER! Tag to Jericho and fans fire up more. The trio coordinates again, GOLDEN SLASH takes out Takeshita and Ospreay! Then the LIONSAULT hits Sammy! Cover, TWO!! Sammy survives and Callis can breathe again. The Golden Lovers regroup, Ibushi fires off strikes on Sammy! “This is Awesome!” as Omega hauls Sammy up, POWERBOMB GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO!! Sammy flounders up, into a takedown!

Jericho has the legs, Ospreay hurries in but Ibushi & Omega stop him! But they forget about Takeshita! Takeshita waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX Jericho! Omega runs in to full nelson but Takeshita slips free to GERMAN SUPLEX! Ibushi kicks, misses, Takeshita shoves him into Ospreay’s GAMANGIRI! And then Takeshita waistlocks to O’Conner and CHAOS THEORY!! Ospreay is in and he fires up. Ospreay & Takeshita get Jericho but he CHOPS them and fires off forearms! Takeshita DECKS Jericho! Ospreay and Takeshita coordinate, aiming at Jericho from opposite corners. But Jericho ducks, the POWER DRIVE hits Ospreay!

Takeshita hobbles, and Jericho fires hands! Takeshita whips, Jericho reverses and then triangle jump DROPKICKS! Ospreay kicks Jericho but runs into Omega’s RANA! Fans are thunderous again as Omega kneels. The Terminator Drums begin! Omega builds speed, and he FLIES out onto Ospreay and Takeshita at the ramps! Sammy rushes in but Jericho CHOPS him! Jericho whips, Sammy reverses, SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO! Sammy doesn’t slow down, he goes up! Ospreay has Omega, and sets him up so Sammy can SHOOTING STAR ATTACK!! Sammy grins but fans chant “YOU STILL SUCK!”

Sammy aims a finger gun at Jericho, springboards, into a CODE BREAKER! Cover, Ospreay breaks it!! But then Omega storms in. Ospreay throws hands on Jericho but Omega turns Ospreay around. These two fire off forearms and fans fire up! Ospreay fires Kawada Kicks! And a CHOP! Ospreay swings a fast ball but Omega gets around to SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX! Sammy is up top, FLYING CUTTER!! Both men are down after that one, but Ospreay BOOTS Ibushi! Ospreay hauls Ibushi up to POWERBOMB him! Ospreay sits Omega up for Takeshita’s POWER DRIVE KNEE! Then Ospreay & Takeshita aim at Jericho, DOUBLE HELLUVA KICKS!!

Callis says this is done, and Sammy is up. He steals CODE BREAKER!! Cover, ONE?!?!? WHAT?!?! Jericho roars with that Lionheart, and he just fires CHOPS and SLAPS and CHOPS, only to get mugged 3v1! Fans boo as the DCF kick and stomp Jericho. But Ibushi rises! The DCF see him, and they see that scary look on his face! Ospreay steps up, but Ibushi ducks and DECKS him! Sammy tries, he fires off forearm after forearm, but Ibushi just shrugs those all off! And STRAIGHT SHOTS Sammy in the chest! Takeshita throws off the elbow pads as he steps to Ibushi-senpai! They fire forearms back and forth and the fans are electric!

Ibushi gets the edge, but Takeshita ROCKS him! Takeshita spins but Ibushi ducks and comes back, but into a back suplex! Ibushi lands out of it, only for the LARIAT to find him! Takeshita fires up, runs, but into a LARIAT from Ibushi!! Fans are thunderous again as Ibushi sits Takeshita up, but Ospreay BOOTS him! And SUPERKICKS Omega! Ospreay runs, into a V-TRIGGER SUPERKICK COMBO!! The Golden Lovers sit Ospreay up, but Sammy CROSSBODIES them both down! Jericho BOOTS Sammy! Takeshita LARIATS Jericho! Ibushi ROUNDHOUSES Takeshita! Ospreay SUPERKICKS Ibushi! Omega V-TRIGGERS Ospreay!

Omega Electric Chair Lifts Ospreay, but Ospreay slips around to RANA Omega out of the ring! Ospreay goes up and up and SUPER SKY TWISTER!! Down go the Golden Lovers, and Sammy rolls Jericho! With tights! TWO!!! Sammy CLAWS the eyes! Sammy runs in but into a BOOT! Jericho runs in but Ospreay takes the JUDAS EFFECT! Sammy SUPERKICKS! The ref is busy with Ospreay while Sammy SUPERKICKS Jericho and puts him in a corner! But Jericho turns things around to put Sammy up top and CHOP! Jericho climbs up after Sammy, fires off hands, all the way to TEN! Then SUPER STEINER!

Jericho hurries to cover but Ospreay is now actively distracting the ref! The ref finally sees the cover, counts, TWO!!! Sammy survives thanks to Ospreay, and now Takeshita slides in. Ospreay gets his IWGP United Kingdom Championship! The ref stops Ospreay while Sammy SUPERKICKS Jericho again! Sammy torture racks, GO TO- NO! Jericho stops the GTH to get the legs! But now Callis gets in with Floyd the baseball bat! Callis CRACKS Jericho!! Ospreay and Takeshita keep the Golden Lovers out, Sammy covers, THE CALLIS FAMILY WINS!!

Winners: Will Ospreay, Konosuke Takeshita & Sammy Guevara, by pinfall

Just like their patriarch, this team proves they are slimy and underhanded! Sammy says he’s the best, the best, the best! But will a win like this only escalate things between the Don Callis Family and all its enemies?

 

AEW World Tag Team Championships: FTR VS Aussie Open!

Almost exactly one year ago, these two teams tore it up at NJPW Royal Quest 2 for the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships. And now, on the inaugural WrestleDream, we have the rematch! Will history repeat itself with Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood saying, “And still?” Or will these Top Guys be out as Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis take over as the best tag team today?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who truly runs the world!

The teams sort out and Dax starts against Fletcher. Fans rally up, the two approach, and talk a little trash. They tie up, go around, and Fletcher powers Dax to a corner. The ref counts, Fletcher lets off, and he throws up the crown. Dax and Fletcher tie up, Dax hammerlocks and cranks the hold. Fletcher headlocks, hammerlocks, but Dax drops to trip Fletcher for a headlock. Fletcher fights up, grinds his forearm in, and then headlocks back. Dax powers out but Fletcher runs him over! Fans rally and Fletcher has them throw the crowns up. Dax shakes his arms out while Seattle chants “AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE! OI OI OI!”

Dax and Fletcher tie up again, Fletcher wrenches an arm, wristlocks, but Dax rolls, spins and wrenches back to headlock. Fletcher powers out, things speed up, and Dax runs Fletcher over! Fans fire up and Dax brings Fletcher up to wrench. Tag to Cash but Fletcher gets away. Fletcher talks with Davis, then he resets with Cash. They tie up, go around, and then break. They go again, Fletcher sucker punches Dax! Cash whips, but then Fletcher bails out as Cash shows punch! Dax puts Fletcher in and Cash CHOPS! Then atomic drop, and UPPERCUT! Cash whips, to back drop Fletcher high and hard! Fans fire up and Cash says “SUCK IT!”

Cash tags Dax, whips Fletcher, then drop toeholds for the elbow drop! Cover, TWO! Dax hauls Fletcher up, wrenches, but Fletcher scoops and SLAMS! Tag to Davis and he storms around. Davis brings Dax up to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP again! But Dax CHOPS in return! Davis CHOPS, Dax CHOPS, and then Dax CHOPS! Davis CHOPS, CHOPS but then Dax CHOPS! It is just a CHOP fight! Davis then scoops to SLAM and SENTON! Fans fire up as Dunkzilla BOOTS Cash! The ref keeps Cash back and Davis kneels for a cover. ONE, but Davis brings Dax up to bump off buckles. Davis CHOP LARIAT COMBOS!

Dax sputters, Davis brings him up and bumps him off buckles. Tag to Fletcher and he CHOPS Dax! Fletcher CHOPS Dax but Dax CHOPS Fletcher! And CHOPS again! Dax brings Fletcher around to snap suplex! Dax drops a leg, covers, TWO! Dax tags Cash, and Cash CHOPS Fletcher! Dax CHOPS, Cash CHOPS! Davis runs in but gets double body shots, and double CHOPS! FTR has Aussie Open in opposite corners, they double whip, but Aussie Open reverse! FTR dosido and forearm smash! Then FTR climbs up to rain down fists! Aussie Open stops that at 5 to SPINEBUSTER SANDWICH!

Fans fire up as things go to the outside! SPINEBUSTER SANDWICH again! Fans fire up and a ring count starts. Aussie Open drags Cash up and into the ring, Fletcher covers, ONE!! Fletcher CLUBS Cash, puts him in a corner, and then ROCKS him. Tag to Davis, fans rally for FTR and Cash CHOPS! And CHOPS! But Davis scoops to SLAM and SENTON! And then KICK Cash in the back! Davis throws up the crowns but Cash hits from below. Davis drags Cash up to ROCK him with a forearm! Davis CHOKES Cash on ropes, the ref counts and Davis lets off at 4. Tag to Fletcher and he stomps Cash. The ref reprimands and Fletcher lets off.

Fletcher brings Cash up but Cash throws hands on him and Davis! Davis BOOTS Fletcher, but Davis grabs Cash! Cash HOTSHOTS Davis, throws hands on Fletcher, but Fletcher ROCKS Cash! “This is Awesome!” as Cash bobs ‘n’ weaves and CHOPS! Then UPPERCUTS! But Fletcher keeps him from Dax to whip, but into a takedown! CATAPULT sends Fletcher up and out! Fans rally, Davis puts Fletcher in so he can tag! Davis then drags Cash up for a TOSS to ropes, and the ASSISTED POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Cash survives but Davis sticks close. Davis clamps on a chinlock and he grinds Cash down.

Fans rally up, Cash fights, but Davis KNEES low! Cash JAWBREAKERS back! Fletcher tags in, Davis runs, but Cash avoids the senton! Fletcher has a leg, but he ducks, so Cash’s ENZIGURI hits Davis! Fletcher gets the legs again but Cash BOOTS him away! So Fletcher BLASTS Dax! Fans rally, Fletcher swings but Cash dodges to lift Fletcher and put him up top! Cash calls to Dax while he climbs. Cash brings Fletcher up for a SUPER BACK SUPLEX!! Both men are down and fans are thunderous! Dax rises and he reaches out! Fletcher and Cash crawl, but Fletcher anchors Cash and Davis YANKS Dax down! Fletcher GAMANGIRIS Cash!

Fletcher suplexes, BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Cash hangs in there and Aussie Open is annoyed. Tag to Davis and Davis rains down forearms! Fans rally and duel, “AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE!” “F T R!” Davis CHOPS Cash, stomps Cash, then soaks up the cheers and jeers. Davis runs, into an UPPERCUT! Fletcher tags in, he drags Cash back, but Cash stands to hop and hop and reach out! Fletcher brings Cash down, swings on Dax but misses! Cash back drops Fletcher, hot tag to Dax! Dax fires off hands on Fletcher, fires off on Davis, then whips Fletcher to a corner to clothesline! And then back the other way, another clothesline!

Dax keeps going, Fletcher reverses to forearm smash! Fletcher runs but Dax follows to clothesline! Dax runs but baits Fletcher in to LARIAT! Davis is back, but Dax ROCKS him! Dax CHOPS, UPPERCUTS and repeat on Fletcher! Dax brings Fletcher around to whip but Fletcher reverses. Dax reverses, Fletcher dodges to LARIAT! But Dax stays up! And he LARIATS back! Dax has Davis for a whip but Davis reverses, only for Dax to reverse and short arm LARIAT! But now Davis stays up! Dax short arm LARIATS again, but Davis is still up! Davis BOOTS Dax’s lariat, BOOTS Dax’s face, but Dax LARIATS in return!

Fletcher waistlocks Dax! But Dax switches to GERMAN SUPLEX! Dax holds on, brings Fletcher up, and GERMAN SUPLEXES again! Dax brings Fletcher up again but Fletcher switches. Davis runs in but Dax back drops him up and over Fletcher! Dax then switches to GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans cheer the hattrick and Dax goes up a corner. Fletcher rolls away to the far side but Dax goes after him. Another GERMAN SUPLEX! Fletcher is in the drop zone again and Dax goes up the corner. DIVING HEADBUTT FLOPS as Fletcher moves! Tag to Davis and he fireman’s carries! AUSSIE DENTAL PLAN! Another scoop, for the FLYING CUTTER! Cover, TWO!

Dax hangs tough and the fans fire up! Davis tags Fletcher and Aussie Open go to corners. But Cash drags Davis out! Dax dodges Fletcher, rolls him up, TWO! Dax reels Fletcher in but Fletcher slips free to reel Dax in! Dax slips free, pops Fletcher up, SLINGSHOT LIGER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Fletcher survives and Dax is beside himself while fans fire up! Dax hauls Fletcher back up, puts him on the top rope, and he tag Cash. Cash goes to the other corner while Dax climbs. But Fletcher fights and Davis SHOVES Cash down! Fletcher Electric Chair Lifts Cash while Davis climbs, RIDER KICK DOOMSDAY?!? Cover, TWO!!

Cash survives and Fletcher is furious! Davis goes to the corner, Fletcher drags Cash over and tags Davis. Fletcher puts Cash up top and Davis goes to the other corner. Fans fire up as Fletcher climbs, but Dax trips Davis up! Cash fights Fletcher, knocks him down, and Dax goes up to get Davis! SUPERPLEX for the Power! DIVING SPLASH for the Glory! Cover, but Fletcher CROSSBODIES Dax onto the pin to break it!! Seattle gives this a standing ovation, it’s another classic! The teams regroup and sit up. Cash throws a forearm on Davis and Dax throws one on Fletcher. Davis and Fletcher respond with forearms of their own!

FTR forearms, Aussie Open forearms, and the fans rally as these four stand! The brawl is on, Aussie Open has the edge! They back up, to CROSS BOMBER FTR down!! Then Davis hurries to his corner, tags back in, and they focus on Cash! Elbow pads off, CROSS BOMBER!! Then the double pump handles, but Dax runs in to TACKLE Davis! Cash shoves Fletcher, cradles Davis, TWO!!! Fletcher clotheslines Dax up and out! But Cash whips Fletcher. Fletcher reverses, Aussie Open drop down, and they STEAL SHATTER MACHINE!! Aussie Open fires up, they haul Cash up to pump handle, and COREALIS!!! Cover, DAX BREAKS IT!!

Fans fire up again while Fletcher is furious! “This is Awesome!” as Davis and Fletcher glare at Dax. Dax glares back and eggs ’em on, so they DOUBLE BOOT him down! Aussie Open focuses on Cash, and Fletcher tags in. They go out after Cash on the apron, and Fletcher goes up. But Dax shoves Fletcher down! Dax reels Davis in, Cash goes up, APRON MIND BREAKER!! But Fletcher DIVES onto FTR!! Fletcher puts Cash in, goes up top, but Cash SHORYUKENS! Cash climbs up but Fletcher throws hands! Fletcher HEADBUTTS Cash, but Dax goes up! SUPER SHATTER MACHINE?!?! Cover, FTR WINS!!!

Winners: FTR, by pinfall (still AEW World Tag Team Champions)

Royal Quest 2’s IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team title match just got an incredible sequel! Dax & Cash are still Top Guys, and now they’re on track for another rematch with The Young Bucks! Will the fourth time around be another instant classic between the best teams in the world?

 

AEW TNT Championship Best 2 Out of 3 Falls: Christian Cage VS Darby Allin!

Captain Charisma kept claiming this title was his, even though it rightfully belonged to Luchasaurus. A handicap match disguised as a Triple Threat is how Christian came to be the one true TNT Champion, but even he knows this story is not over. Will Christian beat the Relentless Icon not once but twice to keep this title? Or will nothing stop Darby from making his hometown proud?

As Darby makes his entrance, he notices a kid in the crowd with a sign. It’s his fifth birthday and he’d love to have a skateboard as a gift. So Darby gives the kid HIS skateboard! The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and one way or another, we find who is the true Face of TNT!

The bell rings on this first fall, and Darby steps up with the fans all behind him. Christian stays in a corner as he hears the chants and cheers. Christian circles with Darby, but then Christian backs off as fans taunt him. Christian and Darby circle again, tie up, and Christian powers Darby to a corner. The ref counts, Christian lets off slowly, and he smudges Darby’s paint! The ref reprimands and the fans boo but Darby keeps cool. Darby and Christian tie up again, and again Christian powers Darby to a corner. Darby turns things around, fans cheer, and Darby shows slap! Christian puts up his guard, but Darby backs off and eggs him on.

Christian and Darby reset, tie up, and Darby wrenches, knuckle locks, and rolls to then wrench, wristlock and wrangle Christian. Cover, ONE as Christian gets an arm up. Christian scrambles around, reaches out and has the ROPEBREAK! Darby lets go quickly and cleanly, and he stares Christian down. Christian SPITS at Darby! Christian then rushes in but Darby hits an arm-drag! Darby keeps on that arm, Christian fights up, but Darby wristlocks. Christian powers through to wrench, and Christian tells fans to shut up! Darby rolls, wrenches, wristlocks, but Christian rolls, kips up, but Darby drops down to cover! TWO!

Darby keeps the headlock but Christian fights up. Christian powers up but can’t power out as Darby holds on tight. Fans rally as Darby grinds the hold. Christian throws hands, but Darby hits a flying takeover! Cover, ONE! Christian fights up again, throws more body shots, then powers out. Christian ELBOWS Darby down, and fans boo as Christian stomps Darby. Christian CLUBS Darby, drags him up, and CHOPS! Darby snarls and sputters but Christian CHOPS him again! Christian stalks Darby, CLUBS him some more, then CHOKES Darby! The ref counts, Christian lets off and soaks up all the heat as he flexes.

Christian goes back to Darby, CHOPS him against ropes, then whips. Darby sunset flips but Christian stays up! Darby stands up, springboards, but Christian catches him to hook the arms! But Darby slips out of the Killswitch to pull the turtleneck over Christian’s face! Roll-up to jackknife, DARBY SCORES!!

Christian: 0; Darby: 1

Fans fire up as Darby has the crucial first point! Christian flounders, gets his face out of his turtleneck, and is furious! Fans taunt the “TURTLENECK! TURTLENECK!” and Christian complains, but it’s his own fault for wearing such a shirt. Darby waits on Christian, Mama Wayne is still watching, but Christian taunts her about those DMs. Mama shakes her head but Christian steps back in. The second fall begins, the two tie up again, and Christian puts Darby in the corner. The ref tries to back Christian off but Christian sucker punches Darby! Fans boo and the ref reprimands but Christian UPPERCUTS Darby! And again!

Christian digs his boot in, the ref counts, and Christian lets off at 4. Christian whips corner to corner hard and Darby bounces off buckles! Cover, ONE!! Christian grinds Darby’s face into the mat, smears the paint and fishhooks the nose! The ref counts, Christian lets off, and Christian paces around. Fans boo more but Christian stands on Darby at the ropes! The ref counts and Christian lets off again, to stomp Darby more. The fans taunt Christian but he just stomps Darby again and again. Fans are starting to duel now? There are Seattleans that like Christian!? No, those must be tourists from outta town.

Christian brings Darby around but Darby throws body shots! Christian CLUBS Darby, then fishhooks him again! The ref counts, Christian lets off, and he looms over Darby to clamp on a neck wrench. Darby endures, fans boo, but Christian tells them to shut up. Darby fights up and pries free! Darby fires body shots, but Christian ROCKS him! Christian whips but Darby reverses. Christian ends up on the apron, and Darby swings, but Christian ducks to HOTSHOT! Christian goes up and DIVING FLOPS as Darby moves! Darby hops on, CODE RED! Cover, TWO!! Christian survives, but Darby waistlocks! O’Conner Roll, TWO!

Darby springboards to SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Christian again survives but Darby ghost pins, TWO!! Christian continues to escape and then he TOSSES Darby out! Christian goes out to fetch Darby, and whip him hard into railing! Darby writhes and fans boo but Christian looms over Darby. Christian drags Darby up, to RAM him into more barriers! The ring count climbs, Christian puts Darby in, and he gives another look to Mama Wayne. Fans boo and she raises an eyebrow. Christian swaggers his way over, talks her up, and she reaches out? To SPLASH him with water!! Fans fire up for Mama Wayne! Then Darby DIVES onto Christian!!

Darby puts Christian in, climbs up the corner, but Christian bails out. So Darby just adjusts to SUPER COFFIN SPLASH! Direct hit and Darby puts Christian back in! Darby goes back up, COFFIN DROP onto knees!! Christian saves himself from disaster, then runs, to BLAST Darby off the apron and onto the desk!! Commentary almost falls out of their seats and fans lose their minds! Christian mocks the fans like he can’t hear them, and then he goes back out. Christian considers the steel steps, and he decides to move them around. The ring count passes 5 of 10 but Darby drags himself in. Only for Christian to drag him back out!

Christian carries Darby around the way, but Darby fights free and gets back in the ring! Darby then RAMS Christian, ROCKS him, and ROCKS him again! Christian wobbles and holds onto the ropes, so Darby BITES Christian’s hand! The ref reprimands, Darby stops and runs, but into a thumb to the eye! Christian then aims, suplexes, but Darby resists! Christian still gets Darby up, to SLAM Darby down! Darby’s body narrowly misses the steel steps, but Christian won’t stop there! Christian suplexes Darby to then SLAM him on the steel steps!! Christian puts Darby in while fans tell him he’s sick!

Christian drags Darby up onto the apron! APRON- NO, Darby fights! Christian shifts, and SLAMS Darby back on the steel steps!!! Seattle is losing their minds and Christian wants a count out! The count begins while Doc Sampson checks Darby. Darby is breathing, but it’s hard to say if he’s conscious. The count passes 5 of 10, then goes to 8! Christian smiles as the count hits TEN, and he wins this fall!

Christian: 1; Darby: 1

And now it all comes down to this! Fans boo as Christian damn near tried to end Darby’s life just to win this belt. Christian goes out, wanting to start the third fall, but the ref tells him to back off. Christian says if Darby’s done, then call it! The ref says they need Doc Sampson to assess that. So Christian starts untying the ring mat from the frame? What is Captain “Your Relative is Dead” plotting? The ref and Sampson call for a stretcher, is Darby going to be called unable to compete? The stretcher arrives, but Christian keeps untying strings. Christian is exposing the wood? What for?! The medics get Darby on the stretcher, is this match continuing or not?

Christian finishes exposing one whole side of the ring, and then keeps going! But wait, Christian climbs the corner?! TO FROG SPLASH THE STRETCHER!!! Fans lose their minds all over again and the ref is furious! What is wrong with Christian?! Christian did vow he’d end Darby in order to end this feud, but did he mean literally?! The fans call Christian sick, but Christian puts Darby into the ring! They’re on bare wood now, and somehow Darby is moving? The match continues for the third fall!? Darby SLAPS Christian but Christian gets the arms! BARE WOOD KILLSWITCH!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? HOW?!?!?

Seattle is electric for Darby proving he’s superhuman!! Darby crawls but Christian just keeps exposing wood. Christian aims, runs in, but Darby sends spear into buckles! And then runs in, but Christian SLAMS him down! Christian steps through to have the SCORPION DEATHLOCK!! Christian is even mocking Sting now as he tortures Darby! Darby crawls and claws at the wood but Christian sits deep on the hold!! Christian reaches out, fans rally up as hard as they can, and Darby gets the ROPEBREAK!! Christian lets go in frustration and the fans continue to cheer Darby on. Christian drags Darby up but Darby SLAPS and SLAPS and CLAWS the eyes!

Darby’s fancy nails dig into Christian’s face! Then Darby slips on the dragon sleeper, BARE WOOD SCORPION DEATH DROP!! Both men are down and fans rally for Darby! Darby wills himself up the corner! Darby’s up top, BARE WOOD COFFIN DROP!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? HOW?!? Christian survives and Darby is beside himself! But Darby just goes back to the corner, goes back up the corner, but Christian trips Darby! Christian wants the cameras to clear out, and Christian goes up. He’s aiming for the steps from up top!? Darby throws hands but Christian CLUBS Darby! Christian adjusts, to SUPER SUNSET BOMB on bare wood!!

Darby writhes, sputters, but he tells the ref to NOT end this! Christian runs in, Darby moves, the SPEAR hits the REF!! Fans are stunned, as is Christian! But then Christian LOW BLOWS Darby!! As if Christian hasn’t done enough to Darby in this match! Wait, Christian goes out and he grabs the title! Christian storms in and holds the belt up. Fans boo as hard as they can, but Christian shows it to Mama Wayne. Christian aims at Darby, but NICK WAYNE runs out there! Nick snatches the belt! Fans fire up and Christian is furious! Christian chases Nick, they get in the ring, and now Nick and Darby stand together!

Fans fire up as Christian sees he is 2v1. He wants them to calm down, and Darby says go ahead, Nick. Nick says this is for what Christian’s done to the Wayne family! Nick CLOBBERS Darby?!?! Seattle is completely stunned!! Even Nick’s own mother doesn’t understand why Nick did this to his mentor!! But Christian drags Darby around, gets the ref up, and then Christian covers Darby. The ref counts very slowly, but Christian still wins!!

Winner: Christian Cage, 2-1, by pinfall (still AEW TNT Champion)

Why, Nick, why!? Was he broken down so much that he let Captain Charisma brainwash him?! Wait, now Christian sits Darby up. Nick says this is for when Darby left them! Darby abandoned Nick, he abandoned Buddy, he abandoned Nick’s mom, and everyone else in Seattle! Nick beats up on Darby while fans boo! Christian and Nick stomp Darby, and the fans boo as hard as they’ve ever done before! But then here comes STIIIING! The fans cheer the Icon, and that scares Christian and Nick! Nick rushes up but Sting DECKS him! Sting DECKS Christian, DECKS Nick, and DECKS Christian again!

Fans fire up as Sting storms around. Luchasaurus rushes out there, but Sting brings Nick up to RAM him into Luchasaurus! Luchasaurus stays up so Sting fires off hands! Luchasaurus ROCKS Sting, but Sting just roars! But Nick anchors Sting and Luchasaurus beats him down! It’s 3v1 against Sting! Fans boo as they all dig boots into Sting! Christian then grabs a couple chairs! Christian brings those in, and we know what those are for! Luchasaurus stomps Sting, then places the chair. Christian drags Sting onto that chair, gets the other, for a CON-CHAIR- WAIT! The lights go down? Who could this be?!

“Our feature presentation.” A man gets in a muscle car and drives into town. There’s pyro going off at the arena but this man drives to the back alley. “You think you know him.” WHAT??!? And with Alter Bridge’s Metalingus, it is ADAM “EDGE” COPELAND!!! The Rated R Superstar, the WWE Hall of Famer, frenemy of Christian Cage, is now ALL ELITE!! Edge gets his pyro, then storms up to the ring. Edge stares Christian, Luchasaurus and Nick down while Seattle loses their minds all over again. But then Edge wants the chair? Christian hands it over, and Nick figures he’ll set Sting up for the legend.

Edge looms over Sting, fans don’t want him to do it, but Edge SMACKS NICK!! And SMACKS Luchasaurus! And then SPEARS Luchasaurus down!! And then SPEARS Nick!! Christian runs away, not actually caring about either of his young wards! Christian only cares about the TNT Championship, so will Edge look to take that from him now that they’re both in the same company once again? Darby and Sting stand up, and Darby offers a handshake. Edge takes it! Sting then offers the same, and Edge takes it! Fans fire up as Darby now has two legends on his side! Is this story with Captain Charisma far from over for these Relentless Icons?

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My Thoughts:

Another great event from AEW, but I just need to say right now, I really hope that this “new era” of AEW is that they understand the ramifications of these massive PPVs. And I mean that in terms of size. I can’t keep doing five HOURS of wrestling on Sundays. Now, granted, this weekend was unique because WWE NXT had an event that then preempted AEW Collision so I had to do that and this in one day. However, even under normal circumstances, I don’t wanna be doing this once a month every month because now AEW is gonna add something in December, too. If AEW could learn to do more with less, as WWE has figured out, that’d be great.

Plus, the Zero Hour is no longer just an hour. The entire preshow of this was 90 minutes just so they could fit in the promos and the four matches. Great matches again, though. The Mixed 8 was a random move but good to see Keith Lee, Athena and Billie Starks getting on AEW programming while mostly in ROH. And they got paid. But seriously, Keith’s story with Shane Taylor needs to get going already, Tony Khan is not good at pacing. Claudio VS Barnett was probably the best match on the Zero Hour. And the trios titles closing Zero Hour was fine, even though it was obvious The Acclaimed was going to retain.

Opening the main show with MJF VS The Righteous was a good choice. The fans got fired up right away, and they loved every single thing MJF did. Eddie VS Shibata was a great follow-up, getting the other ROH title match out of the way. Eddie retaining also made sense, for all the things I’ve been saying on the other shows. Really good TBS Championship match, but I also figured Kris would retain. Not sure who will be next for Kris, but maybe they restart that story with her, Willow Nightingale, Mercedes Martinez & Diamante. The Fatal 4 Way Tag was awesome stuff, and just as I’d figured, The Bucks win. They didn’t do the Money in the Bank cash-in, but maybe the Bucks call FTR out for Full Gear in Los Angeles.

Fenix going down during the Fatal 4 is a real shame, we can only hope he’ll be okay for Dynamite this week. The Dynamite anniversary show wanted to have Fenix VS Nick Jackson but now that’s in doubt. But don’t call the International Championship cursed, it is just because Fenix has legit been going so hard, and Moxley’s thing was a bit of a freak accident, too. Great to see Moxley back, actually, and he was great on commentary for all his BCC teammates’ matches. Starks VS Yuta was great stuff, and then Bryan VS ZSJ was incredible, and it made sense for Starks and Bryan to win. Starks can totally have a match with Claudio, and then maybe with Moxley once Moxley is cleared. I just hope this all helps Starks get to an AEW title.

Swerve VS Hangman was awesome stuff, and very clever finish having Nana’s bejeweled headband be the weapon Swerve uses. Swerve winning also made sense in story for him to stick it to Hangman that Swerve is “taking his spot” by any means necessary. Great Six Man Tag, and I am really surprised the Heels won. I suppose it would be rather weak if the first match Sammy Guevara has as part of the Don Callis Family was a loss, though. But maybe this all leads to individual matches at Full Gear, like Jericho VS Sammy and then Golden Lovers VS I dunno, Ospreay & Takeshita? That probably makes the most sense.

Awesome match from FTR VS Aussie Open, definitely building upon what we saw a year ago at Royal Quest 2, as well as all other matches these two teams have had since then. Hopefully Davis’ wrist isn’t as bad as it seemed at the end there, he really only just got back from injury. Then the main event was awesome stuff, though they certainly blurred the lines with Darby being down and out after those steel step spots. I did appreciate Christian pulling up the ring mats to expose the hardwood, though, that hardly happens even in No Disqualification matches. Nick Wayne betraying Darby here feels a PPV too late, but better late than never, I suppose.

And then Adam “Edge” Copeland now being here in AEW, that is wild. Nice little swerve, making us think he was on Christian’s side but obviously not now. Edge VS Christian can be some great stuff going into Full Gear and the rest of this “new era” of AEW. And of course we’re gonna need a Six Man Tag of Christian, Luchasaurus & Nick Wayne VS Edge, Sting & Darby now. Maybe get AR Fox back into this story, it feels like Darby forgiving Fox when Nick couldn’t is a good part of why Nick turned, too.

My Score: 9/10