This could be a chart-topping Dynamite!

As Revolution draws closer, AEW heats up with a TNT Championship match, a Face of the Revolution qualifier, a No Disqualifications match, and Inner Circle: Civil War!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Bryan Danielson VS Lee Moriarty; Danielson wins.
• Face of the Revolution Ladder Match Qualifier: Wardlow w/ Shawn Spears VS Max Caster w/ Anthony Bowens; wins and advances to the Face of the Revolution match.
• Chris Jericho & Jake Hager VS Santana & Ortiz; Santana & Ortiz win.
• No Disqualifications: Mercedes Martinez VS Thunder Rosa; Rosa wins.
• AEW TNT Championship: Sammy Guevara VS Darby Allin; Guevara wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

CM Punk sits in the ring.

Fans chant his name and Punk says, “If you don’t know by now, you should. My name is C, M, Punk. And what I am is straightedge. I’m drug free, I’m alcohol free, and that means I’m better than you. Does that sound familiar? Those words I spoke for the first time over 20 years ago, and they became the foundation for my career. And I can sit here in Nashville, Tennessee and feel pride that that foundation grew into such a career that I have managed to inspire the next generation of professional wrestling.” Some are in the back because they became wrestlers because of him. Some are straightedge like him, and some sit like he does.

And then there’s MJF. He tries to walk like Punk, to talk like Punk, but he can never think like Punk. But when MJF beat Punk in his hometown… twice… You would think that Punk would be furious. But the truth is, Max, Punk is proud of you. But where MJF strays from the path is failing to retain the knowledge he is being taught. MJF thinks he’s Piper in Portland, Bret in Calgary and Punk in Chicago, when he’s really just sh*tty little Max from shi*tty little Long Island. The foundation of MJF’s career is a diamond ring he won with the help of other people. So now the situation is this: because of last week, thanks to Jon Moxley’s assist, Punk now gets to pick the time, the place, and the match for his rematch with lil’ Max.

So to get right to it: the time is after sundown; the place is Orlando, Florida; the date is March 6th; the PPV is Revolution; which leaves Punk with a match type. He thought of his toughest matches ever. And the situation he’s in, maybe… They go in a cage. Well, Punk’s seen Wardlow, that guy can climb a cage and MJF can still run away from the lessons he needs to be taught. Piper in Portland? Well, Punk thinks back into the vault, the matches he’s had with legends. The cage matches were easy because believe it or not, he’s won more of those than he’s lost. And losing got Punk thinking. What matches has he lost?

The irony of losing a tough match is that is where you really learn. Punk says MJF needs to learn a lesson. The toughest matches, where Punk has literally left pieces of himself in the ring! Piper in Portland keeps repeating in Punk’s head. If MJF wants to be like Piper, he’ll have to be tied to Punk. Punk is poetically going to ask MJF what Piper once asked. Will you be Punk’s Valentine? He brings out a dog collar!! MJF is backstage, pissing himself, Punk is sure of that. No one wants to be in a dog collar match. They take years off your life, but that’s the lesson MJF needs to be taught! And Punk wants MJF to be here for this last part because Punk wants to see MJF’s face when he says it.

Punk waits, and here comes MJF! Punk wants MJF to take this all in. And he’ll leave us with this: the picture of young Maxwell and Punk. Max surely remembers “The greatest day of his life,” and it was just a Friday for Punk. But Sunday, March 6th, Orlando, Florida, will be the worst day of MJF’s life, and it’ll just be another Sunday to Punk. The price MJF paid to see Punk on that Friday long ago will be nothing compared to what he’ll pay on March 6th. The canvas Punk sits on won’t be stained with MJF’s sh*tty suntan, it’ll be stained with his BLOOD! Punk bites the dog collar chain as fans chant his name.

MJF’s answer? He just drops the mic! He has finally been silenced! But will Punk finally settle the score when he has MJF by the throat?

Backstage interview with Jurassic Express and Christian Cage.

AEW returns and Tony Schiavone announces that Revolution will have a TRIPLE THREAT for the AEW World Tag Team Championships. We’ll find out which teams will be going against Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus in next week’s Tag Team Battle Royale, and then the Casino Tag Team Battle Royale the week after. JB loves a good three way tag match, and loves winning battle royals. Captain Charisma laughs that off, and says over the next few weeks, there’ll be some changes in the AEW Tag Division. But after Revolution, one thing remains the same: Luchasaurus & JB as AEW World Tag Team Champions!

Bryan Danielson VS Lee Moriarty!

The American Dragon wants to forge the future of wrestling, but with Jon Moxley by his side. The Maniac has yet to give an answer, but Moriarty heard Bryan talking and wants to show him what he’s made of. Bryan has wanted nothing less, but will he get more than he bargained for out of #TYGASTYLE?

The bell rings and fans rally up already. Bryan offers a handshake, fans chant “YES! YES! YES!” but then Bryan leaves Moriarty hanging. They circle, tie up with knuckle locks, and go around. They trade facelocks, Moriarty waistlocks, but Bryan wrenches through to a double wristlock takedown. Moriarty fights up but Bryan puts him on ropes. The ref counts, fans sing for Moriarty, but Bryan SLAPS Moriarty! Bryan backs off and fans boo but Moriarty just checks his chin. Moriarty and Bryan circle, knuckle lock again, and Moriarty shoots in to trip Bryan for a toehold! Bryan endures, fights through to waistlock and get a leg.

Bryan drops a knee on the knee, has a toehold of his own, then stands on both legs. Bryan gets the arms, fans rally up and Bryan pulls the arms. Up, up and ROMERO SPECIAL! Moriarty endures the surfboard, Bryan brings him back into a dragon sleeper variation! But Moriarty claws Bryan’s face and gets the chicken wing! Bryan scrambles for the ropes to deny the rest of the hold, Moriarty lets up but Bryan puts him on ropes again. Another SLAP! Bryan kicks low, whips, but Moriarty rolls off the back, sweeps the legs and PENALTY KICKS the arm! Moriarty fires up and so do the fans Moriarty drags Bryan up and gets a straitjacket stretch,

Bryan powers through, puts the straitjacket on Moriarty, but Moriarty puts Bryan in a corner. Bryan lets go, Moriarty fires off EuroUppers! Moriarty whips corner to corner, Bryan goes up and over and things keep moving. Moriarty EuroUppers Bryan outta the ring! Then he slingshots, but lands on the apron. Bryan catches him coming back in, hooks him in the ropes and fires off YES KICKS! Though fans are torn, “YES!” “NO!” Bryan lets off as the ref counts, and then drags Moriarty along the rope for a DRAPING KNEE STRIKE! Bryan soaks up the cheers and jeers while AEW goes picture in picture.

Bryan taunts Moriarty, he drags Moriarty up by a knuckle lock, but Moriarty wrenches through! But Bryan claws Moriarty’s face to stop the elbow breaker! Bryan CLUBS Moriarty in the face, then bumps him off buckles. Bryan gives Moriarty more YES KICKS! The ref reprimands and counts, but Bryan just KCICKS again. Moriarty turns things around to fire off EuroUpper after EuroUpper, only for Bryan to DECK him with a EuroUpper in return! Bryan taunts Moriarty a bit more, paces around him, and then drags Moriarty up. Bryan HEADBUTTS Moriarty and Moriarty staggers to ropes.

Bryan taunts the fans, then brings Moriarty up to whip to ropes. Bryan CLOBBERS Moriarty, then soaks up the cheers and jeers again. Moriarty sputters but Bryan sits him up for a neck wrench. Moriarty endures as Bryan focuses on a chinbar. Bryan stands Moriarty up, but Moriarty throws body shots in return! Bryan HEADBUTTS him down! Bryan gets Moriarty up for a SNAP HALF HATCH! AEW returns to single picture, Bryan knuckle lock covers. TWO as Moriarty gets one arm up! Bryan tries again, TWO as Moriarty gets the other arm up. Bryan tries again, TWO as Moriarty bridges up!

Bryan puts his weight on Moriarty and brings him down! TWO as Moriarty bridges up! Bryan knees him down, TWO as Moriarty manages to get up again! Bryan tires a full body cover, TWO! Moriarty hooks Bryan’s legs with his legs! They both bridges, and then start throwing jabs! They topple over, Bryan gets on top to rain down fists! But Moriarty turns it around to do the same! But Bryan shifts, omoplata and LEBELLE LOCK! Moriarty scrambles, ROPEBREAK with a foot! The fans are thunderous as Bryan lets off at 4! “This is Awesome!” and still not over yet! Bryan kicks Moriarty at the ropes then eggs him on.

Bryan whips Moriarty, Moriarty reverses, SAIDO! Bryan tumbles to a corner and Moriarty fires up! Fans are fired up with Moriarty and he fires forearms! Bryan EuroUppers then eggs Moriarty on! Moriarty forearms back, so Bryan gives him another EuroUpper! Moriarty throws another forearm, Bryan EuroUppers again! And again! And again, but into a backslide! TWO!! Bryan hurries up, he backslides but Moriarty flips through, into a SLAP! Moriarty has had it with those! Moriarty SLAPS and ROCKS and forearms and elbows Bryan over and over! Bryan dodges, ROLLING ELBOW! Moriarty drops to his knees, but he blocks the buzzsaw!

Moriarty flips Bryan around, LARIAT, but Bryan catches it! But Moriarty turns that into his BELLY2BELLY! Cover, TWO!! Moriarty hurries to back mount, and he throws down palm strikes to Bryan’s back! This is the violence Bryan wanted! BORDER CITY STRETCH!! Bryan crawls, endures, reaches, fans duel but Bryan pops and rolls, TWO! Moriarty holds on but Bryan makes it a SNAP SHOULDER CAPTURE SUPLEX! Bryan grins, enjoying the violence! Moriarty gets up, BUSAIKU KNEE!! Bryan isn’t done, though! “It’s time to kick his head off!” Bryan gets the wrists, holds Moriarty up, DANIELSON STOMPS!

Bryan drags Moriarty into a TRIANGLE SLEEPER! No hands as Bryan flexes, Moriarty is OUT! Bryan wins!

Winner: Bryan Danielson, by submission

The American Dragon slays #TYGASTYLE, but then he gets a mic to speak. “Ladies and gentlemen, I came out here to teach Lee Moriarty a thing or two about violence. And I wanna know. Did he pass? Or did he fail?” Fans are torn, so Bryan says, “And that’s why I don’t trust the American public with anything.” But that’s not even why he’s got the mic. Bryan asked Jon Moxley to team up with him to create a whole new AEW! To teach the young wrestlers about violence! And Jon Moxley, Bryan wants his answer! Bryan waits, and here comes Mox! He enters from the crowd as always, and fans sing Wild Thing for him.

Moxley finally gets to ringside and enters the ring to join Bryan. But what’s his answer? Bryan hands the mic over and Moxley says, “Little over a decade ago, I was a lot like that Lee Moriarty kid. I was a lot like a lot of the kids in the AEW locker room. I was young, I was angry, I was poor, I had nothing to lose, and I took a shot at taking down the great American Dragon, Bryan Danielson.” It was an indie show in Ohio, Bryan was late, his flight was delayed because of weather, so they sent Tracy Smothers out to vamp with the fans for like 45 minutes. Finally, Mox goes to the ring, Bryan pulls up in his gear, goes through the kitchen to the ring and that’s the first time they met.

Mox met the best wrestler in the world. Mox gave everything he had, balls out, tooth ‘n’ nail, but came up short. But he got a taste of the best made Moxley meaner, angrier and want it more! Over the years, Mox had more shots at Bryan. And every single time, Mox came up short. In fact, Mox has never beaten Bryan Danielson. That’s true! So when Bryan showed up in AEW, everyone else was intimidated, but Moxley was excited to finally put the one head up on his wall he never had, to slay the one dragon he hadn’t yet. No puns intended, American Dragon. But as it turns out, Bryan Danielson doesn’t wanna fight Mox, he wants to join forces with him.

Moxley was listening to everything Bryan said that night. And honestly, he thought of how awesome that could be. All the arms they could snap, all the skulls they could cave in. They’d be a dream team dynasty of pure wrestling violence! Then Mox thought, not just about the destruction, but what they could create. The young guys they could bring along with them. They could give something back to the business and AEW, the legacy they could leave! And not to lie, Moxley couldn’t think of one good reason to say no to that. But then Moxley thought, is the only reason Bryan wants to be side by side with Moxley because he doesn’t want to find himself across the ring from Moxley?

Does Bryan know that Moxley will do to him what he’s done to everyone else put in front of him these last three years? If that’s the case, then Moxley’s already beaten Bryan Danielson. So does Bryan wanna genuinely be Moxley’s partner so that they can create? Or is it because he doesn’t want to be destroyed. So then Bryan, Moxley isn’t saying yes, but he’s not saying no. This is up to Bryan. Moxley isn’t that young kid anymore. And for all intents and purposes, this is their first meeting in AEW, Moxley doesn’t stand side by side with nobody until he bleeds with ’em first! Is that a match challenge? And will Bryan take Moxley up on it?

Keith Lee speaks.

“It was only a matter of time. The anticipation was essentially tangible. The Limitless One has arrived in AEW. And with the arrival comes the qualification for the Face of the Revolution ladder match. And it’s so fitting, as the first person to qualify, this is the one instance where you don’t save the best for last. It is the first and best and the new Face of the Revolution. It is yours truly, the Limitless One, Keith Lee. And when I tell you I’m coming here to make a statement, phase one is done. The ladder match is phase two, and when I’m done with that, the TNT Championship shall be mine.”

Face of the Revolution Ladder Match Qualifier: Wardlow w/ Shawn Spears VS Max Caster w/ Anthony Bowens!

We already know there is a Limitless One in the match, the The Pinnacle’s Maestro of Mayhem looks to break through to join him. But of course, Platinum Max has a diss rap on deck! “If Wardlow thinks he can beat me, he’s crazy. Acclaimed beats down brothers more than Da Baby. Look at him, I’m not trippin’. He’s overrated like Nashville Hot Chicken. I’m not the guy to be fightin’, I knock you out the first round like tha Titans. And we all know the sitch, boy. You not a man, just MJF’s bitch boy!” NASHVIIIILLE~! The Acclaimed have arrived! Will Max make the ladder match critically acclaimed? Or will Wardlow drop Caster harder than the beat?

The bell rings and Wardlow circles with Caster. They feel out the grapple but Caster backs off. They tie up, Wardlow fakes Caster but Caster gets away before the bomb. They tie up again, Caster gets around and clubs Wardlow, but it does nothing! Wardlow lunges but Caster slips away, and Bowens swipes Wardlow’s foot! The ref reprimands, Caster BOOTS Wardlow! Caster fires forearms in the corner, Wardlow shoves Caster away and dodges as AEW goes picture in picture.

Caster bounces off buckles, into Wardlow’s OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Caster ends up in the opposite corner! He bails out before Wardlow can get him, but Wardlow goes out to pursue. And CLOBBER Caster with a clothesline! Fans rally, Spears cheers Wardlow on, and Wardlow brings Caster up to bump him off the apron. Wardlow glares at Bowens, Caster gets around the corner but Wardlow pursues. Wardlow puts Caster in, but Caster bails out the opposite side. Wardlow is annoyed as The Acclaimed regroup. Wardlow goes out, runs in but is sent into the steps! Bowens mocks Wardlow’s pain, but Wardlow still almost gets him!

Caster stomps Wardlow, SMACKS him off the steps, and then he brings Wardlow up. Wardlow throws a body shot but Caster ROCKS Wardlow, then APRON BACK SUPLEXES! Caster pushes Wardlow in, covers, ONE! Caster keeps on Wardlow with haymakers but Wardlow throws them back! They go back and forth, Wardlow gets the edge, but Cater hits back! Caster uppercuts then fires up, but Wardlow gives him a SPINEBUSTER! Wardlow rolls Caster, reels him in, but Bowens drags Caster out to  make the save! Bowens gets on the apron and eggs Wardlow on. And in a bit of Pinnacle copy-paste, Bowens drops his chain to Caster!

Wardlow runs Bowens off, goes after Caster and throws him in the ring. Wardlow calls his shot as AEW returns to single picture. Fans fire up, Spears tries to point out what The Acclaimed did, but that only distracts the ref when Caster PLATINUM PUNCHES Wardlow! Caster hurries up top, MIC DROP ELBOW! Cover, TWO!! Wardlow survives and The Acclaimed can’t believe it! Caster reels Wardlow in, puts one out, but Wardlow is too big to lift! Wardlow back drops out! Bowens tries to help Caster again, but Wardlow BOOTS Caster into Bowens! Wardlow then reels Caster in, POWERBOMB!

Fans are thunderous for “One More Time! One More Time!” Wardlow gets Caster up, POWERBOMB! And then again, POWERBOMB! One foot cover, Wardlow wins!

Winner: Wardlow, by pinfall (advances to the Face of the Revolution)

But then Bowens attacks! Bowens stomps Wardlow down, but Spears doesn’t see it happening! Wardlow gets up, choke grips and reels Bowens in, POWERBOMB!! And now Spears throws his chair around on The Acclaimed. What good is he as an accountabilibuddy? But at least Wardlow is in the ladder match. Will he win it and then the title, to unfortunately hand it over to MJF?

Backstage interview with Mercedes Martinez and Britt Baker.

Jamie Hayter and Rebel are of course with The Doctor as Tony Schiavone says the No Disqualification match is still to come. Mercedes says No DQ, no rules, no excuses. And Britt adds no losing. Remember: Britt brought Mercedes here, so she needs to finish Thunder Rosa. Then it is undeniable: Britt Baker, DMD, is the most powerful woman in all of pro-wrestling with the best squad, and the best sensei. In steps Cobra Kai’s Martin Kove, aka Sensei Kreese! Mercedes says she knows her job. It’s time to murder a b*tch. Britt asks Kove what to do if Mercedes loses. He says she knows what to do. “Finish her. No mercy.”

Rampage is gonna be a SLAM DUNK!

Because NBA All Star Weekend is this weekend, Rampage is going to be THREE HOURS EARLIER! Instead of 10 PM Eastern, it’ll be 7 PM!

AEW returns and Tony Schiavone is in the ring.

Schiavone introduces the AEW World Champion, HANGMAN ADAM PAGE! The Millennial Cowboy survived the Texas Deathmatch against Lance Archer and still has #PrettyPlatinum on his arm, and Nashville is ready for some #CowboyShit! Schiavone says this man doesn’t back down from a fight, and you can see the scars on his eyebrow. How is he doing, though, after that violent match? Hangman says he’s surprised, but then Adam Cole interrupts. “First of all, Nashville, if you could do me a favor, and please give a very warm round of applause for our AEW World Champion.” Hangman’s been in some battles!

There were the two matches with Bryan Danielson, then the war to win the title off Kenny Omega. Speaking of, that was a war with Lance Archer last week. One of the craziest Cole has ever seen, against one of the biggest and baddest AEW has to offer. And Hangman still has the title. Schiavone, get the hell outta the ring. Cole is alone with Hangman now as Cole says Hangman earned the right to call himself AEW World Champion. But Cole’s been a world champion everywhere he’s gone. But right now, Hangman is champion, but that reign will have to end pretty soon.

Hangman says he often wondered how it must’ve felt for Cole to leave, then watch from a distance as his friends built a wrestling empire without him. And Hangman also wonders that now it must feel weird being in the ring with his Bullet Club buddy, his ROH roommate, and seeing he’s the AEW World Champion, knowing that this is the one world title Cole will never hold. Cole says that’s funny, Hangman bringing up friendship. Let’s talk about that. Like Nick & Matt Jackson, the Young Bucks. They haven’t said Hangman’s name in weeks! Or what about the Dark Order? That’s supposed to be Hangman’s crew, but he hasn’t associated with them for months.

So truth be told, what kind of friend is Hangman? Hangman says he’s not perfect. Really, when he thinks about it, Cole doesn’t have the best record with friendship, either. So Hangman has regrets, has made mistakes, but the more Cole talks, the more Hangman thinks Cole getting in this ring with him was Cole’s biggest mistake. Cole wants Hangman to cool off. He’s just being frank because they’ve known each other for over a decade. And Hangman has become “an unbelievable professional wrestler, and an unbelievable world champion.

“But now, Hangman, I’m here in AEW. And truth be told, now that I’m here in AEW, where any time we’ve been in the same promotion together, you’ve always been known as the other Adam. Hangman puts the belt down, and the mic, and rolls up his sleeves. Cole wants Hangman to wait and listen. Cole means this from the bottom of his heart, he has nothing but love, respect and admiration for Hangman. If he could share the ring with anyone here, it’d be Hangman. So trust Cole when he says that some day, they will fight for the AEW World Championship. And it’ll be 1v1, man to man, Page VS Cole.

“And when that day does come, filled with respect, may the best man win.” Cole holds out a handshake, and Hangman takes it. Cole leaves, but will all of that love, respect and admiration turn into arrogance and violence? Wait, reDRagon attacks Hangman from behind!! Cole’s other friends are beating up Hangman! Cole rushes back in, and he joins in! That sure didn’t take long! But security rushes out, only to be pushed aside by Cole, Fish and O’Reilly! So here comes THE DARK ORDER! They outnumber Cole & reDRagon so they take off. The Dark Order’s Preston Vance takes his anger out on the security guards!

The rest of the Dark Order has to subdue Vance before he completely wipes them all out! But then he TOSSES the last guy out on to the rest! Is that Number 10 saying he will be the one to humble Adam Cole?

AEW hears from tonight’s main eventers.

Darby Allin says, “Everybody says that Sammy Guevara and Darby Allin both have a death wish. We don’t know why we do what we do, but I think it comes from something that’s missing in our lives. We try to fill this void. The only time that void wasn’t there was when I was TNT Champion.” Going out there and wrestling is therapy for Darby, so surely it is for Sammy. The Spanish God says, “Go back and look at any Darby Allin VS Sammy Guevara match, go back to our time on the indies, go back to AEW, it doesn’t matter, it’s all irrelevant. I beat him, he beat me, none of that matters now.”

They’ve both been TNT Champion. Darby was a great champion, but he’s not going to be better than Sammy. Darby says tonight means the most. He needs this. Who walks out of Nashville the strongest, most relentless TNT Champion in AEW?

Chris Jericho & Jake Hager VS Santana & Ortiz!

Speaking of Sammy, he put the rest of the Inner Circle on notice. If this issue can’t be resolved, then there shouldn’t be an Inner Circle. Will Le Champion and Rock Hard Hager make Santana & Ortiz fall in line? Or will Proud ‘n’ Powerful fight out of Jericho’s shadow to go for the gold?

The teams stare down, but then here comes Eddie Kingston! The Mad King is not someone Jericho wants to see, but the fans are happy to have him back! He fist bumps with Santana & Ortiz, he’s in their corner! Santana and Jericho start with the bell, and Jericho talks a little trash. Jericho pie faces Santana, Santana SLAPS Jericho! The brawl is on! Jericho ROCKS, CHOPS, CHOPS and CHOPS Santana, then whips. But Santana dodges to LARIAT! Jericho goes to a corner, Santana hits a FLYING FOREARM! Santana gets in Jericho’s face, the ref counts and Santana whips Jericho corner to corner.

Jericho BOOTS back, but Santana fires up! Santana fires forearms, CHOPS Jericho in the corner, and lets Jericho stew in that. Then he CHOPS again! Santana snapmares, hops up, and jumps for a missile dropkick! Cover, ONE! Santana gets Jericho up, tags Ortiz, and they double whip for an atomic drop, body shot, and DDT! Then they set up, step stoop MOONSAULT! Ortiz stares Hager down, then covers Jericho, TWO! Ortiz drags Jericho up to fisherman suplex! Bridging cover, TWO! Ortiz keeps on Jericho with forearms, then runs, but into a FLAPJACK! Cover, ONE! Jericho tags Hager, they get Ortiz up to double whip.

Jericho and Hager double shoulder Ortiz down! Hager pushes Ortiz around, “We’re family! WHY!?” Ortiz throws forearms but Hager DECKS him! Ortiz gets up, throws more, but Hager DECKS him again! Ortiz pops right back up, blocks Hager’s kick and elbows the leg! Ortiz dropkicks the leg, then fires more forearms! Ortiz runs, into an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Hager goes to the corner, HAGER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Hager looms over Ortiz as AEW goes picture in picture.

Hager puts Ortiz in the corner for heavy hands, then digs a knee in. Hager bumps Ortiz off buckles, tags in Jericho, and Jericho drags Ortiz up. Ortiz fires haymakers on Jericho! Ortiz runs, into a dropkick! Jericho gloats, then drags Ortiz up to back suplex! Jericho drags Ortiz up to whip him hard into the corner. Tag to Hager, they mug Ortiz, then Hager digs his knee in again. The ref counts,. Hager lets off at 4, but Jericho gets a cheap shot in. Hager throws hands, Ortiz hits back! Ortiz fights with more haymakers, but Hager shoves him back to SPLASH! Hager tags Jericho, they mug Ortiz more, and Jericho brings Ortiz to an open corner.

Jericho whips corner to corner to clothesline! Jericho throws more point blank clotheslines, over and over, and over and over! Jericho lets off, but Ortiz CHOPS him! Ortiz CHOPS again but then collapses. Ortiz gets up in a huff but Jericho BOOTS him down! Jericho drags Ortiz up, puts him on ropes and chokes him! The ref reprimands and counts, Jericho lets off and Kingston is there to coach Ortiz up. Jericho stands Ortiz up to DECK him with a right. Jericho brings Ortiz back up, AEW returns to single picture, and Ortiz fights off the suplex with body shots. Jericho knees low and snap suplexes!

Jericho catches his breath, stalks Ortiz as he crawls, and then drags him away from Santana. Jericho slaps Ortiz around, fans boo, and Jericho whips only for Ortiz to roll and come back with a LARIAT! Fans are thunderous as they rally up! Hot tags to Hager and Santana! Santana dodges Hager, BOOTS Jericho, then fires off on Hager! Santana CHOPS and CHOPS, whips but Hager reverses. Santana stops to CLUB, KICK and basement dropkick! Fans fire up with Santana but Jericho gets in to CODE BREAKER! Hager hits a POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!! Santana survives and Kingston coaches him up.

Hager puts Santana in the corner, tags Jericho, and they mug Santana. They double whip him to an open corner, Hager whips Jericho for Jericho to whip Hager in, but Santana tosses Hager! Santana then waistlocks Jericho, Jericho back elbows so Santana LCUBS Jericho! Santana KICKS, runs, but Jericho kicks back! Jericho runs, to BULLDOG! Fans fire up as Jericho catches his breath. LION- NO! Ortiz stops the springboard, Santana hits a DRAPING RUSSIN LEG SWEEP! Ortiz CANNONBALLS Hager while Santana covers Jericho, TWO!! Jericho survives but Santana tags Ortiz back in.

PNP coordinate. they get Jericho up and Santana climbs. STREET SWEEPER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Jericho survives by mere nanoseconds, but Kingston says to just keep going! “This is Awesome!” PNP reset, tag to Santana and Ortiz fires off on Jericho. They set up, step-stool CANNONBALL caught for THE WALLS OF JERICHO!! Santana endures, reaches out, Kingston pushes the rope closer! Santana crawls, reaches out, ROPEBREAK!! Jericho lets go, Kingston is on the apron as he coaches Santana, Jericho TRIANGLE JUMP DROPKICKS him down! Jericho runs at Santana, but Santana ducks Judas Effect!

Ortiz SMACKS Jericho at the ropes! DISCUS LARIAT from Santana! Cover, PROUD ‘N’ POWERFUL WIN!!

Winners: Santana & Ortiz, by pinfall

Jericho gets up in a huff and storms after Kingston! They brawl at the ramp! The refs hurry to stop this before it gets going, but fans want to “Let Them Fight!” PNP leave with Kingston, have they just broken the Inner Circle?

Brandon Cutler’s camera is live backstage.

The Young Bucks, reDRagon and Adam Cole are gathered and Kyle says they just beat the hell outta Hangman. But where were the Bucks during all that? Matt says beating up Hangman is beating a dead horse. Anyone but him, honestly. Nick agrees, but Kyle doesn’t get that saying. Cole says for everyone to let it go. The next few weeks are a HUGE few weeks for The Elite. In two night’s time, Cole woops Preston Vance’s ass all over the ring. Then Jay White beats the hell outta Trent Beretta! And next week on Dynamite, one of two Tag Team Battle Royals happens to crown one of two contenders to the AEW World Tag Team Championships, for a Triple Threat match at Revolution.

And boys, next week is a good time for the Bucks to pick up a W. Oh, well, uh, maybe reDRagon wins the first one, and then the Bucks have a chance to win the second one. Oh, how funny. Kyle, where’ve you been again? Matt hasn’t seen Kyle in weeks. Uh, he was nominated for father of the year for having a first baby. Fish congratulates Kyle but Matt sarcastically says, “Oh, wow, so cool.” Matt has two kids, Nick has three. Guys, guys, c’mon! You all have beautiful kids! This group, this faction, it is also beautiful. They cannot be stopped, they have to get on the same page. Right, then the Bucks will see reDRagon in the battle royal.

Cole’s friends leave in different directions, Cutler asks him which way he’s gonna go. Shut up, Brandon, turn the camera off! With no one watching, which way does Cole go?

No Disqualifications: Mercedes Martinez VS Thunder Rosa!

Britt Baker brought in the mercenary known as Mean Ms. Mercedes, but her pipe attack wasn’t enough. Will Mercedes finish the job and crush La Mera Mera? Or will Rosa rip through Mercedes to get at the AEW Women’s World Champion?

Mercedes is so ready, she doesn’t even get in the ring. She has her pipe, and waits on Rosa right at the ramp. Rosa comes out in a Kill Bill The Bride aka Beatrix Kiddo, and she’s bringing a chair! The two lock eyes, ready their weapons, and CLASH! Mercedes drops the pipe, Rosa SMACKS and SMACKS Mercedes down! Rosa puts Mercedes in, the bell rings, and Mercedes punches back! Mercedes CHOPS Rosa, Rosa hits back. Rosa CHOPS, throws forearms, and Mercedes bails out. Rosa pursues, throws more forearms, then POSTS her! Mercedes drops, Rosa hurries to bring out a TABLE!

Fans fire up as Rosa sets up the table, but Mercedes ROCKS her first! Mercedes whips Rosa into the steel steps! Mercedes brings out a few chairs and puts them in the ring. Mercedes then whips Rosa, but Rosa reverses and Mercedes crashes through barriers! Rosa fires up, throws off the jacket, and kicks Mercedes around. The ref is taking liberties with the ring count as Rosa sits Mercedes down to stomp away! Rosa then brings Mercedes around and RAMS her into guard rail! Rosa climbs up the railing and fans get to be part of the action as she balances off them and CROSSBODIES Mercedes!

Rosa fires up, throws stuff around and AEW goes picture in picture. Rosa elbows Mercedes, drags her up and ROCKS her with a forearm. Rosa SMACKS Mercedes with some trash, but Mercedes hits back with uppercuts! Snap suplex onto the downed railing! Rosa writhes but Mercedes drags her up and back to ringside. Mercedes throws Rosa in, then goes looking under the ring. Mercedes brings out a trash can and puts that in the ring. Then she puts in the trash can lid, and gets in to drag Rosa up. Mercedes DECKS Rosa with a right, then SMACKS her with a chair! Mercedes steps over Rosa to then bring in more chairs!

Mercedes gets in, stomps Rosa, then drags her up to scoop. Rosa slips off, kicks low and hits a STUNNER! Cover, TWO!! Rosa ain’t Stone Cold but she goes outside to fetch that table. Rosa finishes setting it up, but then the leg malfunctions! Rosa says screw it, and gets the table propped up against the ring. Mercedes crawls out, Rosa is after her on the apron. Rosa CLUBS Mercedes, fireman’s carries, but Mercedes clubs free. Mercedes throws body shots and uppercuts, then reels Rosa in. AEW returns to single picture as Mercedes FISHERMAN BUSTERS through the table! The table breaks just enough for the two to slide down to the floor!

Fans lose their minds, Rosa and Mercedes writhe in agony, but somehow they’re both okay to continue. Mercedes is up first and she gets her pipe back! Mercedes puts that in the ring, gets one of the chairs, and she SMACKS Rosa! And JAMS her! Mercedes throws the chair away, puts Rosa in the ring, and then clears some space. Mercedes hoists Rosa up top, throws hands, then climbs up after Rosa. Mercedes fireman’s carries but Rosa fights free and SUPER STEINERS Mercedes away! Rosa then gets the trash can, to CHUCK it at Mercedes! And then Rosa puts the can on Mercedes, to run and BASEMENT DROPKICK! Cover, ROPEBREAK!!

Mercedes saves herself but Rosa drags her to a drop zone. Rosa goes up, but Mercedes SMACKS her with the trash can lid! And again! Rosa wobbles, turns around up top, and Mercedes climbs up behind her. Mercedes CLUBS Rosa, then SPIDER GERMAN SUPLEXES! Mercedes gets back up the corner, aims and ELBOW DROPS! Cover, TWO!! Rosa survives and Mercedes can’t believe it! Mercedes hurries to create a chair pile at center, then she reels Rosa in. Rosa blocks the powerbomb, Mercedes CLUBS away on her, but Rosa still fights free! Rosa slips around, CRUCIFIX DRIVER!

But Rosa drags Mercedes back up, reels her back in, FIRE THUNDER DRIVER on the chairs!! Cover, Rosa wins!!

Winner: Thunder Rosa, by pinfall

There was no mercy in this dojo! Rosa wins, getting the better of Britt’s mercenary again, but Rosa still isn’t done? She drags Mercedes up, to show her respect?! Fans cheer that, and Mercedes seems rather surprised. But here comes Britt and her girls. They storm right to the ring but Rosa stands her ground. Britt asks Kove again, “Now what?” “Finish her.” Britt signals to Hayter and Rebel, and they BLINDSIDE Rosa! They stomp away, then Britt gets in, wielding the pipe! Rebel drags Rosa over, Hayter stomps her more, and Britt looks to Mercedes. Britt holds out the pipe, and Mercedes takes it.

Mercedes looms over Rosa, but then looks at Britt. The hesitation is too much, Hayter CLOBBERS Mercedes! Hayter mugs Mercedes, Britt punches away on Rosa! Britt holds up the belt, and says, “D M D.” Will The Doctor still be golden, no matter who she has to take out?

AEW hears from The House of Black.

Malakai Black says, “Wicked hands suffer the unholy fires. Because violence begets violence. That’s why when they put their hands on me, the snakes coil around their arms and daggers pierce their skin. And that’s how they brought forth a stray king. All by design, because violence craves their destruction. And when that fire of destruction extinguishes, there is nothing left but ash. And from ashes, new forms grow. But no violence can truly create without judgement.” As Malakai deals the tarot cards, Brody King asks who they are waiting for. “History.” A knock comes at the door, but who walks in? Perhaps we’ll see, as next week will be a rematch of the House of Black VS Death Triangle!

AEW hears from Jay White!

“Everybody is talking about Switchblade, Jay White. Without me beating Kenny Omega for the IWGP United States Championship, maybe Kenny would’ve stayed in NJPW. And if Kenny had stayed, there would be no AEW. So AEW, you’re welcome. I’m the leader of Bullet Club. I am the catalyst. I am the man that in two night’s time on Rampage against Trent, I’ll show all of AEW how to breathe with the Switchblade. Because it’s still my era.”

AEW TNT Championship: Sammy Guevara VS Darby Allin!

Two of the Four Pillars. Two great TNT Champions in their own right. But only the Spanish God is the UNDISPUTED TNT Champion after dethroning the American Nightmare. Will Sammy still be golden in Nashville? Or will the Relentless One be bringing those belts home with him?

The introductions are made, both TNT belts are raised, and we see who is the one man who gets to have them both!

The two stare down as the bell rings and the fans rally up. More fans chant for Darby but Sammy shrugs that off. Darby and Sammy slowly circle, Darby offers a handshake and Sammy takes it. Fans cheer the sportsmanship, and the two tie up. Sammy shoves Darby, eggs him on, they tie up again. They break again, circle, tie up again, and go around. They end up in a corner, go along ropes more, but the ref counts. Sammy lets off, but then Darby headlocks! Sammy powers up but Darby holds on tight. Darby gets the takeover, Sammy moves around to make it a cover, ONE. Darby holds on, Sammy fights up to his feet.

Sammy pries free and hammerlocks but Darby switches that onto Sammy. Sammy tries to switch it back but Darby spins through to keep the hammerlock. Darby then flying-mares, sweeps the legs, covers, ONE as Sammy goes Matrix! But Darby gets him for a quick crucifix takedown, TWO! Darby has the headlock back and fans cheer the technical exchange. Sammy powers up to power out, then hurdles and flips, but Darby SHOTGUN dropkicks first! Darby runs in at the corner, but Sammy blocks monkey flip to put Darby up top. Sammy joins Darby, Darby fights him off, so Sammy TIGER WALL KICKS!

Sammy goes up fast, brings Darby up, but Darby fights the clinch! Darby elbows Sammy back down, but Sammy fireman’s carries! GUTBUSTER DROP on the buckle! Darby tumbles to the floor and fans lose their minds! Sammy goes out, drags Darby up and puts him in. Sammy covers, TWO! Sammy drags Darby up, hangs him out to dry on the ropes, then CLUBS him. Sammy goes to the corner, goes right up top, and GUILLOTINE SWANTONS!! Darby tumbles back to the floor and fans are thunderous as AEW goes picture in picture!

Sammy and Darby are both down, that move taking a lot out of them both. Darby stirs but Sammy goes out to fetch him. Sammy CLUBS Darby then whips him hard into railing. Sammy gets Darby back in the ring, brings him up and through the corner, to stand on Darby! Darby is bent against the second rope crossbar, but Sammy lets off as the ref counts. Darby sputters as he flops to the mat, but Sammy drags him up again. Sammy puts Darby up against the corner, and CHOPS him! Sammy stands Darby back up, to CHOP him again! And then CLOBBER him from behind! Cover, TWO! Sammy seethes but he keeps focus.

Sammy drags Darby up, scoops him and SLAMS him, then goes to the corner. Sammy climbs up, says a quick prayer, then MOONSAULTS! Darby moves, Sammy lands on his feet and staggers back. Sammy shakes out the leg and hobbles after Darby, but Darby blocks the whip by holding ropes. Sammy ROCKS Darby, CHOPS him, then whips Darby corner to corner hard! Darby slumps down in the corner, but Sammy drags him up. Sammy whips Darby corner to corner again, and Darby again slumps down. Sammy drags Darby up as AEW returns to single picture, for another whip, but Darby reverses! Sammy hits buckles face first! COFFIN SPLASH!

Darby keeps moving, another COFFIN SPLASH! Then a CHOP BLOCK to the leg! Standing COFFIN SPLASH to the leg! Fans rally up, Darby gets the leg and YANKS it back! Sammy writhes and clutches his leg, then drags himself to a corner. Darby storms over, hoists Sammy up top and CLUBS him on the back. Darby drags Sammy into a Tree of Woe, to then BEND the bad leg way, way back! The ref counts, Darby lets off at 4, but Sammy’s still stuck in the Tree! Darby goes up and pulls the leg in a HANGING HALF CRAB! Sammy sits up to ROCK Darby with a headbutt! Sammy gets Darby up, SPANISH FLY!!

But Sammy’s leg keeps him from making the cover! Sammy writhes, fans lose their minds, and Sammy manages the cover, TWO!! Darby survives because of the damage to Sammy’s leg! Fans rally and duel between these two, but Sammy says he knows what to do. Sammy drags Darby up, turns him around, dragon sleeper! But Darby knees free and swings. Sammy dodges, springboards, but Darby catches the legs! Step through, FIGURE FOUR! Sammy’s not the only one who can reference the American Nightmare! Sammy endures, works to turn this, and does! But Darby turns it back over! Sammy endures again!

Sammy flips Darby off, cusses him out, and SLAPS Darby on the face! Darby SLAPS back, it’s a SLAP fight in the leg lock! They ROCK each other and the hold comes apart! Fans applaud that great exchange as both men go to opposite corners. Sammy runs in, Darby dodges and the knee hits buckles! Darby hops on, THROWBACK- NO! Sammy denies the stunner, torture rack, but Darby blocks the knee! Step through, LAST SUPPER!! TWO!! Sammy escapes, Darby shoots in, THROWBACK STUNNER! Sammy flounders all the way out of the ring! But Darby just builds speed to DIVE!! Into a CUTTER?!?

Fans lose their minds as Sammy got that one outta nowhere! Fans are loving “A E DUB!” for this one as Sammy puts Darby back in. Sammy says he’s crazy, and fans hope these two “Fight Forever!” But it has to end somehow, and Sammy goes up top again. APRON SWANTON only gets apron!! Darby got outta the way and Sammy hit just the edge! His arm is twitching while he clutches his ribs! The ring count is climbing but Darby has to win this with pin or submission. Darby gets Sammy up, puts him in at 5 of 10, and hurries to drag Sammy to a drop zone. Darby goes up the corner now, keeping an eye on Sammy.

Darby reaches the top, fans are thunderous, but Jose, assistant to Andrade El Idolo, appears on the apron! But Sting appears to trip Jose up! Sting tosses Jose into railing! And then over them! But Andrade is here to TRIP Darby, and CLOBBER him with the contract! El Idolo just made Darby pay for not accepting his job offer! Darby is stuck up top, Sammy finally comes to and has no idea what just happened. Sammy shrugs and drags Darby into a torture rack. Even on one leg, GO TO HOSPITAL!! Cover, Sammy wins!

Winner: Sammy Guevara, by pinfall (still AEW TNT Champion)

Matt Hardy hurries out to get his pound of flesh from Darby! Hardy rains down fists, but Sammy gets back in! Hardy bails out, but Andrade gets back in! TABLET SMACK! Sting runs Hardy off but Andrade snatches up the TNT Championship belts. Andrade wants to own them both, but Sting gets in, with his bat! Jose and Andrade hurry away with Hardy and the belts! Will the Andrade Hardy Family Office finally get some gold? Or will they have business to take care of with the Icon and the young pillars of AEW?

My Thoughts:

A great AEW that paved a lot of the road to Revolution. Punk opened with a great promo, and choosing Dog Collar match is pretty wild. MJF being speechless was a great touch, but I’d love if he was still just as speechless next week because of how brutal that match will be. Bryan VS Moriarty was an awesome match, certainly Moriarty’s best yet. Bryan of course wins, and I love that Moxley turns the tables on him. Bryan could choose to face Moxley, and if he wins he gets Moxley to join up, and I’m thinking that could be part of Revolution at this point. Keith Lee had a great promo, and he is clearly going to be treated/used right in AEW.

Wardlow had a great match with Caster, which was basically a handicap with The Acclaimed because Bowens was doing stuff and Spears didn’t do a thing until after Wardlow annihilated each of them. Just Wardlow and Keith Lee facing off in the Face of the Revolution ladder match is awesome, and then we’re going to add a bunch of other people to make it better. The House of Black has a very good vignette promo, and I love that there was a tease of a third member. Resist the temptation to go “Who’s the third man, brother?” if you can, but I am excited to see how this goes. One of the Varsity Blonds, perhaps?

Hangman and Cole had a great promo, lots of history yet to be visited, and what a great step towards the Elite civil war that’s brewing. Cole & reDRagon go after Hangman, Bucks apparently don’t care enough about Hangman to talk about him, but at least The Dark Order and Hangman are connected again. Cole VS Vance is going to probably be Vance’s best match but Cole is still going to win. The promo the Super KliqDragons had backstage was great stuff, especially Cole literally stuck in the middle, unsure who to walk away with. Jurassic Express & Christian have a good promo to set up the two different tag battle royals, and you can bet Bucks win one, reDRagon wins the other, Triple Threat where Jurassic Express can use Bucks and reDRagon against each other to retain.

We got a great match out of The Inner Circle, and how great for Eddie Kingston to show up. Santana & Ortiz get a big win, mostly cuz Jericho couldn’t ignore Kingston. Santana & Ortiz should definitely be in the tag team battle royals, maybe they disrupt the chances of Bucks and/or reDRagon winning, but maybe Jericho & Hager get in to ruin things for Santana & Ortiz. The Inner Circle has had a great run, this is definitely when they break up. Britt and group had a good promo, and what an interesting spot to plug the Cobra Kai series. No one swept the leg, so I’m disappointed. But Rosa VS Mercedes was awesome, and I did not see a Face turn for Mercedes through this.

Good promo from Jay White, he’ll have a great match with Trent on Rampage. And then, along with good promos from Darby and Sammy to hype up the main event, we got an AWESOME main event. And, after the news that Cody Rhodes is apparently gone from AEW, all the references to his moveset were genius. The match was bordering on PPV level, and then came the overbooking. But at the same time, of course Andrade screws over Darby. Andrade doesn’t like rejection, he wants to be the one to take the title, and I feel like instead of “If Darby loses, he works for Andrade,” we’re going to get a Face of the Revolution qualifier between them. That could go either way, but you can bet that’ll be overbooked as much as this match.

My Score: 8.9/10