AEW returns to Chicago!

And CM Punk finally gets his match with MJF! Will the Best in the World finally shut down Maxwell Jacob Friedman?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Jon Moxley VS Wheeler Yuta w/ Orange Cassidy & Danhausen; Moxley wins.
• The House of Black VS PAC & Penta El Zero M w/ Alex Abrahantes; The House of Black wins.
• Nyla Rose w/ Vickie Guerrero VS Ruby Soho; Nyla wins.
• CM Punk VS MJF; MJF wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Jon Moxley VS Wheeler Yuta w/ Orange Cassidy & Danhausen!

The Maniac is here in Chicago to open this wild night of Dynamite! It may be snowing outside but it is red hot already, will Moxley use that to keep his own hot streak going? Or will the Decoder have him figured out?

The bell rings and Yuta rushes in, but Mox dodges the dropkick. Yuta dodges the lariat and the two stand off. Fans rally, the two circle and tie up. Moxley wrenches, hammerlocks, headlocks, but Yuta powers out. Moxley runs Yuta over, and Moxley stares at Danhausen. Danhausen shrugs and Moxley circles with Yuta. Moxley gets an arm, wrenches to an elbow breaker, then wrenches to a wristlock. Yuta rolls, handsprings and arm-drags, then eggs Moxley on! Moxley circles with Yuta, they feel out a grapple, and Yuta waistlocks. Moxley switches, Yuta baits him in then leap frogs, slides under, and dropkicks!

Moxley bails out, is a bit frustrated, but then he stares at Freshly Squeezed. Yuta DIVES, but Moxley catches him for a SLEEPER HOLD! The ref reprimands, it wont’ count out there. Moxley back suplexes but Yuta lands on his feet! Yuta SHOTGUN dropkicks Moxley down, then gets him up and into the ring. Yuta springboards, jumps around, but misses the missile dropkick! Moxley drags Yuta up to X-PLEX! Yuta writhes and Moxley double guns as fans fire up. Danhausen feels Yuta’s pain as Moxley gets the legs and stomps Yuta in the gut! Moxley covers, TWO! Yuta CHOPS, Moxley CHOPS back!

Yuta CHOPS again, so Moxley CHOPS him out of the ring! Moxley paces, Yuta drags himself back in, and Moxley is right on him. Moxley reels Yuta in, PILEDRIVER! Cover, TWO! Moxley gets the leg, STF! Yuta endures, reaches outs, but Moxley pulls him back. Moxley gets the arms for a straitjacket modification, but Yuta gets his legs free to get the ropebreak! The ref counts, Moxley lets off at 4, and Yuta sits up to CHOP! Moxley withstands it to poke Yuta in the eye! Moxley puts Yuta up top, CHOPS him, then CHOPS again. Moxley climbs up, CLAWS Yuta’s back, then CLAWS him again. Moxley digs his fingers in, but Yuta throws body shots.

Yuta headbutts Moxley down, but Moxley gets under the leap. Moxley comes back, into a dropkick! Yuta dodges, atomic drops and ENZIGURIS Moxley! Yuta fires up, runs corner to corner, A-LIST LARIAT! Yuta goes up top, but Moxley bails right out! Yuta goes out to BOOT Moxley, then CLUBS away on him. Moxley knees low, throws headbutts of his own, then HEADLOCK DRIVER to the apron! Moxley drags Yuta up after those dirty deeds, and he puts Yuta back in. Moxley and Cassidy stare down, but Danhausen is there! Danhausen CURSES Moxley, and Yuta LEAPS! Direct hit and down goes Moxley!

Yuta gets Moxley back in the ring but Moxley BOOTS him! Yuta rewinds to waistlock, GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Yuta holds on, Moxley switches, but Yuta victory rolls, TWO! Yuta runs, Moxley dodges, CUTTER! Moxley drags Yuta up, underhooks the arms, PARA- NO! Yuta slips out, spins Moxley around, OLYMPIC SLAM! Yuta hurries up top, leaps, SUPER SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Moxley survives and Yuta can’t believe it! Yuta clubs Moxley, throws forearm after forearm, but Moxley SLAPS Yuta! Moxley runs, Yuta dodges and wheelbarrows, but into a SLEEPER! Moxley squeezes tight, then spins Yuta around for a LARIAT!

Moxley hammers away with elbows on Yuta, then he drags Yuta up to the underhooks! PARADIGM SHIFT!! Cover, Moxley wins!

Winner: Jon Moxley, by pinfall

Yuta brought the fight to Moxley but Moxley still comes out on top! Undefeated in his return, still unhinged in his mindset, but Bryan Danielson appears again! The American Dragon stares Moxley down but also smiles. Bryan has a mic, and he says, “Do you guys wanna see us fight?” “YES! YES! YES!” Bryan says that for a long time, he wanted to see him and Moxley fight, too. Moxley was different, so Bryan wanted to see what he had. But since Moxley returned, this is a new Jon Moxley! Give it up for Moxley, everybody! Fans do cheer, and Bryan continues. “Deep inside of me, there’s always been a part of me that’s wanted to test you.”

Bryan was watching Moxley as AEW World Champion. And it doesn’t matter what anyone says, Moxley was the BEST AEW World Champion. And if Moxley had some support, Bryan thinks Moxley would still be world champion. That’s when Bryan realized that Moxley and Bryan shouldn’t be fighting against each other. They should be fighting together! Fans really like the sound of that! Bryan says everyone here loves AEW, obviously. But there is no reason why “some millennial cowboy” should be the world champion.

“There is NO reason why somebody dressed as a dinosaur should be an AEW World Tag Team Champion. There is NO reason why somebody who’s main contribution to society is creating a ‘vlog’ should be the TNT Champion.” Bryan says that he and Mox together could run AEW. Whatever they wanted! If Mox wanted to be world champion, he could be that with Bryan. They could be AEW World Tag Team Champions together! If they wanted to take some of those young guys, like Wheeler Yuta, who is coming out here with jokes like Cassidy & Danhausen, could be under their wing. Someone like Daniel Garcia! Then THEY could mentor him!

They could take someone like Lee Moriarty away from Matt Sydal & Dante Martin with their “high-flying bull crap,” and train the future of pro-wrestling, together. Bryan says even if fans don’t like Bryan, they like what he’s talking about. So Moxley, Bryan knows this is a lot right now, so he doesn’t have to answer right now. Just think about it. Think about the possibilities. Think about all the positive things they could do. Think about the greatness that they could create! And the legacy that Moxley could leave. Bryan offers a handshake, fans seem torn, but Moxley isn’t sure. Bryan knows this is a lot of pressure, so just think about it.

Bryan drops the mic, leaves the ring, and Moxley looks at the camera as if to say, “Is he serious?” If Bryan is serious, could he and Moxley become more than just a two man power trip, but a force of nature in AEW?

Brandi Rhodes is here!

Mrs. American Nightmare has the mic and says, “I just love every time I get to come back to this town. Everyone is so nice to me here in Cleveland- Or Chicago, whatever. It’s the same thing: snow, ice.” But then Dan Lambert interrupts, and fans are actually happy to see him. Lambert says “You’d think someone from a wrestling family would understand how bad it is for business when you start believing your own bullsh*t.” They may have given the Rhodes a reality show, but Brandi needs a reality check. So he’ll give it a shot!

Lambert gets in the ring to say Brandi can pretend that Cody earned a spot here, and pretend that Chief Brand Officer is a real title and not just something to stroke that massive ego. Brandi can even pretend her “Brandi from Da Block” accent when she gets all mad isn’t as fake as those bulldogs poppin’ outta her T-shirt right now. But she can’t pretend that she’s not getting booed out of the ring, even though she’s standing next to a “rich, angry, conservative, sexist, AEW hating old man” like him! He almost feels like a decent human standing next to her.

Brandi isn’t sure what Ethan’s laughing at. Everyone knows the only reason AEW got him was to get to Josh Alexander. But Dan, let’s keep this between him and her. What’s his beef with her? They should get to know each other. She looked into him, and after the last time he ran her down, he is doing good! Five-time Gym of the Year! Most champions on the team in history! He’s doing great. Fans stay “STFU!” and the Men of the Year encourage them. Brandi asks if they’re done. But things are going good, but not great for Lambert. Fans keep it up and she says she’ll just keeping going because she can do anything, just like she can in this company.

Brandi says Lambert that it is a little telling that his best fighter got knocked out by Jake Paul, and Amanda Nunez. Oh, too soon? That one must hurt. But her point is, Lambert should spend less time in AEW and more time with American Top Tits- Er, Team! Same thing, right? “Wow. All that charm and a quick wit as well. Cody’s a lucky man. But that begs the question: Don’t you think it’s time that your whole family goes Heel?” The only Face turn anyone will believe is from Brandi’s old job, where she was always turned face down. Brandi and Lambert talk trash off mic and then she SLAPS him!

Lambert says he had a feeling she’d be in a fighting mood tonight. And he’s not the only one who has slapping the sh*t outta her on his bucket list. But he has a few things to do here first, before going down in a “glorious fireball of cancel culture.” So he has a better idea. Here comes PAIGE VANZANT! She gets in the ring, Brandi rushes her but is RAMMED to the corner! The AEW Women’s Division rushes to stop this, but fans want to “Let Them Fight!” Brandi and Paige egg each other on, but American Top Team falls back for now. Will Mrs. American Nightmare make Paige regret signing up with Lambert?

Matt Hardy speaks.

“Private Party. I was very disappointed in your performance last Friday.” Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen failed to bring the AEW World Tag Team Championships home to the Andrade Hardy Family Office! But Sammy Guevara, Hardy knows you’re offering an open challenge for Rampage. Hardy wants that title! But in steps Andrade and he shakes Hardy’s hand. Andrade knows Private Party lost, and Hardy says he is furious. It was embarrassing! So this week, for the TNT Championship, it’ll be Isiah Kassidy taking on Sammy Guevara! Marq says he could beat Sammy! But he got beat, so Kassidy will redeem them!

Andrade says he doesn’t want any mistakes. Kassidy says he can take that title, then take Sammy’s girl! Fist bump from Jose. But Hardy asks Andrade about Darby Allin. Why isn’t he with them already? Andrade says Sting handles the business. Maybe he needs more money for the deal. Mas dinero. Money talks. Yes, it does. Andrade leaves, but will Sting and Darby show him it’s not always about the money? As for Hardy, he grabs Kassidy by the head and tells him, “Rampage! Do not fail me, Isiah! This is your chance to be a star! Bring home the TNT title to the AHFO!” Kassidy says he’s got this, but will the Spanish God still be golden?

The House of Black VS PAC & Penta El Zero M w/ Alex Abrahantes!

The Windy City just got much colder as Malakai Black & Brody King make their way out. Will Death Triangle #FadeToBlack? Or will the Bastard’s return signal the beginning of the end for the Kings of the Black Throne?

The teams sort out, and though wearing a blindfold, Pac starts against Malakai. Fans sing, “Ole~ ole ole ole~! Ole~, ole~!” Malakai grows impatient with Pac, telling him that he should be seeing the light. Malakai swings on Pac, but Pac dodges!? Pac wags his finger, but Malakai whips. Pac slides under, Malakai whips him again. Pac goes up and over i the corner and fans fire up. Malakai runs right into a sobat, front kick and sobat again. Pac runs, basement dropkick! Malakai bails out, a nd Pac takes off the blindfold! He CAN see! Brody gets in but Penta dropkicks him out! Pac BOOTS Malakai, then Death Triangle shouts, “CERO! MIEDO!”

They both FLY! Down go the Kings of the Black Throne! Fans are fired up and still swinging as Pac circles Malakai like a shark. Pac puts Malakai in, tags Penta, and Pac positions Malakai as Penta climbs. QUE PASO! Double stomps to the bad place! Cover, TWO! Penta drags Malakai up to KICK his leg, and fans chant for “Cero Miedo!” Penta CLUBS Malakai, has him in the corner but Malakai elbows back. Penta puts Malakai on ropes to CHOP him! Tag to Pac, Death Triangle mugs Malakai, and Pac brings Malakai up. Brody gets in to CLOBBER Pac but the ref reprimands! Malakai tags Brody as AEW goes picture in picture.

Brody CHOPS Pac off his feet, then drags him up to ROCK him with a right. Pac goes to a corner, Brody CHOPS him! Brody whips Pac corner to corner hard and Pac bounces off buckles. Brody drags Pac up, scoops him, and SLAMS him down, before running to drop a SENTON! Brody keeps Pac down with a neck wrench. Brody digs his elbow into Pac’s head, then clamps onto an arm so he can CLUB away on Pac’s chest! Brody shoves Pac down, covers, ONE! Pac has fight but Brody ROCKS him to the corner. Tag to Malakai, he stomps Pac then snapmares him for a basement dropkick! Cover, TWO!

Malakai keeps on Pac by putting him in the corner. Malakai stomps and KICKS away on Pac, then snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! Malakai wraps on a chinlock and grinds Pac down. Pac endures, fans rally up, and Pac fights up. Malakai knees low, KICKS him down, then drops knees on Pac’s head. Cover, TWO, but Malakai grinds an arm. Pac endures, fans still rally up, but Malakai leans his weight on the arm. Pac fights his way up, AEW returns to single picture, and Pac throws a forearm. Malakai hits Pac back, but Pac elbows Brody away! Pac ROCKS Malakai, but runs into a lift! Penta reaches out but Malakai keeps Pac away!

Pac sunset flips, Malakai rolls through, but Pac leaps over the leg sweep to hot tag Penta! Fans fire up as Penta SLINGBLADES Malakai! SLINGBLADE for Brody! Penta mule kicks Brody, wheelbarrows Malakai and springs up to DDT Brody! SUPERKICK for Malakai! Fans fire up with Penta, Pac SHOTGUNS Brody from the apron! But Malakai drags Penta to a cradle! TWO, Malakai KICKS and whips. Penta goes up and over to BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Penta argues the count but the ref defends it was two. Penta drags Malakai up, tells him to listen, “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta runs, Pac tags in, Malakai blocks a kick to BOOT!

Pac gets Malakai for a suplex but Malakai slips out. Pac elbows free of the waistlock but Malakai forearms. Pac forearms, kicks but Malakai blocks to JUMP KNEE! Malakai runs, knees through the lariat, reels Pac in, but Pac wrenches free. Malakai fires off a strike fest, leg sweep and sliding KNEE! Cover, TWO! Malakai keeps going, another sliding KNEE! Cover, TWO! Pac is still in this and fans rally up. Malakai stalks Pac, runs the ropes but Pac sidesteps for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Pac suplexes for a SHEER DROP BRAINBUSTER! Cover, Brody breaks it! Penta SUPERKICKS Brody but Brody shrugs it off!

Brody and Penta trade forearms, Brody gets the edge. Brody throws Penta out of the ring, then goes to the apron. Penta slips back inside to GAMANGIRI Brody down, then PLANCHA to take him down! Fans fire up, Penta builds speed, ESCALARA! Direct hit onto Brody King and fans are thunderous! Pac sees Malakai in a corner and he coordinates with Penta. Malakai goes over Pac, Penta SUPERKICKS! Pac SUPERKICKS and down goes Malakai! Tag to Penta, Pac goes up top. Penta says, “CERO! MIEDO!” But Brody SHOVES Pac off the top! Malakai slips out of the piledriver, BLACK MIST!!

The ref missed the mist because he was checking on Pac! Tag to Brody, DANTE’S INFERNO! Cover, The House of Black wins!

Winners: The House of Black, by pinfall

Malakai & Brody conquered Death Triangle, will they continue on until they’ve made those AEW World Tag Team Championships #FadeToBlack?

Adam Cole speaks.

“Brandon, turn the damn camera on. I am still undefeated in singles competition here in AEW. And my record, it reflects that. Because I swear to God, if I have to hear one more damn time that Orange Cassidy beat me, I will slap you in the mouth.” Cassidy didn’t beat Cole, that was a fluke! The record reflects that. Well, it was unsanctioned and therefore off the record… But Cole says that even with his undefeated streak, he still doesn’t get the respect he deserves. Cole is one of the best damn pro-wrestlers on the planet, and has been for years! Everyone will see a new side to Cole, an Adam Cole that takes what he wants.

So in two nights, Cole goes to Rampage and he will fight Evil Uno. After he hurts and beats Uno, the entire world will know exactly what Cole wants. Cole leaves, will he use the Dark Order to send a message to a certain millennial cowboy?

Nyla Rose w/ Vickie Guerrero VS Ruby Soho!

The Native Beast wants to prove that the TBS Championship Tournament loss to The Runaway was a fluke and that no one is going to stop her from getting back to the gold. But is that really going to happen? Or will Ruby make history repeat itself with No Future?

Ruby gets right after Nyla as soon as she’s in the ring! Nyla brawls with Ruby, the bell rings, and Nyla whips Ruby to a corner. Ruby goes up and over, fires off more shots, but Nyla shoves her away. Nyla runs Ruby over and Vickie is happy. Fans rally behind Ruby but Nyla drags Ruby up to scoop and SLAM! Nyla seethes while Ruby writhes, and Nyla drags Ruby up. Nyla whips Ruby, Ruby slips around to a crucifix then sunset flip, but Nyla stays up. Ruby avoids the jumping leg drop! Ruby runs and PENALTY KICKS Nyla down! Cover, TWO! Ruby keeps her focus, even as Vickie cackles.

Nyla blocks the whip, laughs and whips Ruby to the corner. Ruby elbows Nyla back, goes up and headscissors, but Nyla pops her around to a fireman’s carry and SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Nyla and Vickie are annoyed, Nyla stomps Ruby down. Nyla facelocks, CLUBS Ruby, then grinds Ruby down. Fans rally for Ruby, Nyla gets Ruby up for a big suplex! Cover, TWO! Vickie is annoyed with the ref but Nyla drags Ruby up for a mounted armbar! Nyla BITES Ruby’s fingers! The ref checks but Nyla stops, only to bite the fingers again! The ref sees it this time so Nyla throws the arm down. Nyla stomps Ruby then brings her up.

Ruby throws body shots, Nyla CLUBS Ruby down. Nyla puts Ruby in a corner, RAMS into her again and again, then sweeps the legs to stand on Ruby’s face! Vickie laughs at Ruby’s pain but Nyla lets off at 4. Nyla drags Ruby up, CHOPS her right down, and Ruby is fuming while gasping at the ropes. Nyla stands on Ruby, the ref counts and Nyla lets off at 4. Ruby throws body shots and CHOPS, but Nyla HEADBUTTS Ruby down! Nyla shakes the stars out of her own head, and she scoops Ruby to SLAM her again, then LEG DROP! Cover, TWO! Nyla sits Ruby up to claw her face, but the ref reprimands and counts. Nyla stops at 4 and fans still rally for Ruby.

Ruby hits and runs, but into a fireman’s carry, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Ruby is still in this but Nyla pulls way back on the arm! Ruby endures as AEW goes picture in picture.

Nyla bends the fingers and twists the wrist but Ruby still endures. Ruby turns over, kicks away on Nyla, and she gets free. Ruby runs, Nyla scoops her for a BACKBREAKER! Nyla makes it a backbreaker rack as she bends Ruby across her knee. Ruby throws hands but Nyla picks Ruby up for another BACKBREAKER! Nyla paces, mocking the fans cheering Ruby. Nyla drags Ruby up, whips her to a corner hard, then throws heavy body shots. Nyla wrenches and whips Ruby corner to corner harder, and Ruby bounces off buckles! Nyla drags Ruby up again, whips her to another corner, but Ruby kicks her back! And kicks again!

Ruby goes up and headscissors for DEADLY NIGHTSHADE! Ruby fires up, she runs side to side and YAKUZA KICKS! Ruby keeps moving, YAKUZA KICK from the other side! Ruby goes corner to corner but Nyla puts her on the apron. Ruby avoids the shoulder to KICK Nyla back! Nyla flops to the apron, Ruby drags her up and fires forearms. Nyla hits back, they brawl on the apron edge! Ruby CHOPS, Nyla winces, but Nyla CHOPS back! Ruby drops to her knees, but she stands back up to CHOP Nyla in return. Nyla kicks low, reels Ruby in, but Ruby holds ropes for dear life! AEW returns to single picture as Ruby headbutts Nyla!

Nyla staggers, Ruby fireman’s carries?! Fans fire up for Ruby’s APRON TKO!! Both women crash down to the floor and the ref checks them both. Fans lose their minds but Ruby is up first. Vickie complains, the ref has her stay back, and Ruby goes back for Nyla. SPINEBUSTER on the floor! Vickie shouts for Nyla to end this, and Nyla drags Ruby into the ring. Nyla brings Ruby up and reels her in, BEAST- NO! Ruby slips out the bomb, NO FUTURE! Cover, Vickie puts Nyla’s leg under the rope! The ref has to honor the ropebreak but she’s suspicious of Vickie. Ruby wants after Vickie, and gets her by her hair!

But Nyla gets Ruby by her hair! Vickie laughs at Ruby, Nyla gives Ruby a DRAPING NECKBREAKER! Vickie says Nyla can finish this, and Nyla goes to the corner. But Ruby gets up to CHOP! Ruby climbs up, this is looking like their tournament match! Ruby fires off hands, goes to the very top, but Nyla blocks the Super Steiner to a- NO, Ruby slips out the bomb again to ROCK Nyla! Wrench and NO No Future! Ruby hits the mat, Nyla hits a SWANTON BOMB! And then a BEAST BOMB!! Cover, Nyla wins!

Winner: Nyla Rose, by pinfall

Vickie only gets more shrill now that her client has won! Nyla redeems herself from the tournament match, but will she give Ruby a chance at a tiebreaker?

Gunn Club gets a cameraman to follow them.

Billy says the cameras will wanna see this. They walk up behind Jungle Boy and say hey. Just reading the Jungle Book on your phone or something? Hehehe, it’s the bare necessities, the- Jungle Boy attacks them first! But the preemptive strike doesn’t change that it’s 3v1! Billy and Colten RAM JB into the wall, then Colten BOOTS JB out the door! The Gunn Club has JB and they BOWL him into the snowy sidewalk! But here come Christian Cage & Luchasaurus! Jurassic Express runs Gunn Club off, but will they make Billy and the Ass Boys pay for all these ambushes?

AEW returns and Tony Schiavone is in the ring.

They’re in the great city of Chicago, but it’s time for some Cowboy You-Know-What! Schiavone introduces the AEW World Champion, Hangman Page! The pyro goes off for the top champ as he goes to the ring. Schiavone reminds us that next week, AEW Dynamite is in Atlantic City, and it will be a TEXAS DEATHMATCH for the AEW World Championship, Hangman Page VS Lance Archer! The Murderhawk Monster has certainly made himself known to Hangman, so what are Hangman’s thoughts on this match stipulation?

Hangman has the mic as fans chant “COWBOY SH*T!” and Hangman says he has been champion for 81 days! Yet he’s only gotten to defend it twice. Hangman says he started this year, pleading for challengers. Here he is, three weeks later, still waiting. Hangman has a five month old baby at home, throwing mashed peas all over the house, there’s a foot of snow outside and his flight back home has been cancelled. Yet, Archer wants the match next week to be a Texas Deathmatch. Hangman doesn’t really give a sh*t! He just needs SOMETHING, ANYTHING, and not next week! He wants it tonight, so if Archer is willing, he can get his sturdy ass out to the ring so Chicago can see a fight!

Dan Lambert returns and says he is surprised Hangman showed up here and didn’t just stay in Cleveland. This is the home of the Chicago Blackhawks, and Lambert figured a “soft ass cowboy” like Hangman would feel more comfortable back in a city like Cleveland, a place that cancelled their Indians. Hangman says he’s gonna shut Lambert up right here. Hangman doesn’t care about what Lambert was gonna say backstage- Jake the Snake Roberts tells the “little boy” to shut it. People are saying Hangman is acting different, looking over his shoulder. Is he having bad dreams? Maybe a nightmare, if you will?

Jake says he smells something. Is Hangman sweating? That must be fear! Archer then barges his way out and says he’ll shut Hangman up, “Let’s do this!” Archer storms to the ring but Hangman DIVES out onto him! The brawl is on at the ramp, Archer knees Hangman! Archer rushes Hangman but Hangman dodges Archer to send Archer into steel steps! But then Lambert SMACKS Hangman with a chair! Hangman doesn’t budge, and Lambert freaks out! Hangman puts Lambert in the ring, but Archer SMACKS Hangman! Hangman falls down, Archer sets up the steps, and he drags Hangman over. CHOKE SLAM onto the steps!!

Archer pushes Hangman off the steps, Jake the Snake knows that’s not enough for him. Archer gets Hangman up, inverted crucifix, BLACKOUT BOMB through the timekeeper’s table!! Lambert counts like it’s the match, and he reaches ten! Archer says next Wednesday, everything changes! The Murderhawk Monster will be the NEW AEW World Champion, and he doesn’t give a damn about what anyone thinks or wants! Will the Texas Deathmatch be the death of Hangman’s reign?

Chris Jericho speaks.

“Santana and Ortiz. What you did last week by blatantly not tagging me in in our match versus 2point0 and Daniel Garcia was disrespectful to me, it was embarrassing to me, and it was unacceptable. And for what? Why? Because Eddie Kingston? Because you started in the business together? We started AEW together! What, does Eddie Kingston have some kinda hold over you? Some kinda influence? Nobody has more influence in this company than Chris Jericho! When it comes to AEW, I am more an influencer than Kylie Jenner is on Instagram!” Jericho just wants to hear why they did what they did.

So Jericho is asking- No, DEMANDING a full Inner Circle team meeting next week on Dynamite! And they all better show up, especially Santana & Ortiz. Attendance is mandatory! But will Le Champion being so tyrannical only bring about the end of the Inner Circle?

CM Punk VS MJF!

The pawns of The Pinnacle have been cleared out of the way, and now the Salt of the Earth has no choice but to face the Best in the World! Will Maxwell Jacob Friedman find a way to survive CM Punk in Chicago? Or will having homefield advantage guarantee Punk a victory?

AEW returns and CM Punk makes his entrance. MJF taunts Punk but Punk just flips him off! MJF wants after Punk but the ref keeps him back. Punk and MJF stare down from across the ring, the bell sounds, and fans are all fired up for this one. MJF snarls, but then he backs off as soon as Punk storms over. The ref keeps Punk back, MJF gets a cheap shot! MJF CLUBS Punk, stomps him, but Punk turns it around to CHOP, forearm and CHOP again! Punk fires off haymaker after haymaker, then he climbs up to rain down rights! But MJF slips away and wags his finger. So Punk kicks him low, then KICKS him to ropes!

MJF uses ropes as a defense but Punk jukes the ref to DECK MJF! MJF teeter-totters in the ropes, Punk DECKS him again! And repeat! And repeat! Punk is having fun hitting MJF over an dover like that, and then he DECKS MJF to the floor! Fans fire up as Punk stalks MJF around the way. Punk brings MJF up to CLUB him in the back. Fans fire up as Punk CHOPS MJF against the railing, and then stalks him to the corner. MJF throat chops back, then hops over the railing! MJF wants to run away but Punk chases after him! They go up the stairs, Punk runs MJF down and CLUBS him on the back!

Punk gets a drink from a fan to SMASH it on MJF’s head! He’s straightedge, after all. Punk stomps away on MJF, then he gives MJF an atomic drop onto railing! Punk ROCKS MJF with a right, and MJF tumbles into the seats! The ref is skipping the count in order to get these guys to ringside, so Punk headlocks and punches MJF all the way down the stairs and back to ringside. Punk double guns and Chicago fires up. The ref insists this get back in the ring so Punk drags MJF up and back in. Punk takes his time getting in, and he asks if the fans want some more. Fans do want more, and Punk stands MJF up to scoop and SLAM!

MJF writhes, Punk drags him up by his ear as fans chant, “One More Time!” Another scoop SLAM! Punk keeps on MJF’s ear, drags him back up and scoops again, for another SLAM! Fans still want “One More Time!” so Punk stands MJF up to scoop and SLAM again. Punk struts about, lounges on the top rope, and fans are loving it! Punk then hops up to the top rope, takes aim and- MJF rolls away. Punk hops down, runs corner to corner, but MJF dodges and Punk POSTS himself! The ref goes out to check on Punk as he clutches his arm. Punk says he’s okay to continue but MJF goes out after him.

MJF puts the arm on the timekeeper’s table, stands on it, and then drops a knee! Punk clutches the bad arm but MJF puts him in the ring as AEW goes picture in picture.

MJF drags Punk by his bad arm, makes lewd gestures with the arm, then BITES the finger! The ref reprimands, MJF lets off to taunt the fans, but Punk CHOPS and forearms back! Punk runs, but MJF clamps onto the bad arm for an ARMBAR DDT! Cover, TWO! MJF clamps onto the bad arm and hammerlocks it. MJF leans on the hold as he tells fans to shut up. Fans rally as Punk endures, and Punk fights up to throw back elbows. MJF ducks one to steal the Pepsi Twist! Cover, TWO! MJF mocks the straightedge X, then looms over Punk. MJF drags Punk up to wrap the bad arm around the ropes! The ref counts, MJF lets off at 4 with a rake of the eyes!

The ref reprimands, MJF ignores him to wrench the bad arm. MJF knuckle locks and twists the wrist, to STRAIGHT ARM LEVER SUPLEX! MJF CLUBS away on the bad arm, pushes Punk to a cover, TWO! MJF grows frustrated as Punk gets to ropes. MJF pulls the bad arm against the ropes, the ref counts, MJF lets off at 4. MJF taunts the fans again, then drags Punk up to put him on the top rope. AEW returns to single picture as MJF YANKS the bad arm. MJF CLUBS the bad arm at the elbow, then sits Punk back up. Fans boo, MJF climbs, and MJF knuckle locks the bad arm again. Punk elbows MJF but MJF keeps on the arm!

Punk fires off forearms, MJF hops down, Punk leaps for a CROSSBODY! Fans fire up as Punk gets back up and shakes out the bad arm, Punk blocks MJF’s punch to counter punch! And again, and again! Punk whips, MJF blocks to jam the bad arm! MJF whips, Punk slips around, SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Punk shakes out the bad arm, runs in and SHINING WIZARDS in the corner! Then BULLDOG! Fans fire up as Punk says night-night! Punk watches MJF but MJF goes to the apron. Punk goes out to stomp MJF, drags him up to scoop, and MJF freaks out as Punk SLAMS him on the apron!

Punk shakes out the bad arm again, fans still want more slams! Punk brings MJF over and lets a fan CHOP him! Punk puts MJF in the ring, climbs up top, MACHO- NO! MJF hits ropes to trip Punk up! MJF climbs back up to join Punk, knuckle locks the bad arm and stands Punk up, SUPER STRAIGHT ARM LEVER SUPLEX! Cover, TWO!! Punk survives and MJF is frustrated. MJF stalks Punk, clamps onto the arm but Punk rolls through to hammerlock and PEPSI TWIST! Punk fires up and so does Chicago! MJF is in the corner, Punk storms over, but MJF uses the ref as a shield! Fans boo, Punk helps the ref outta the way, MJF brings out some kinda string!

MJF uses the string as as garrote to CHOKE Punk! Punk tries to point it out, the ref looks but MJF changes it to a sleeper hold! The ref can’t tell what’s really going on, but Punk is fading out! Punk gets a second wind, fireman’s carry, but MJF slips off to keep on the “sleeper.” MJF body scissors and brings Punk down! Punk flails but he’s fading and turning purple! Fans rally as hard as they can for Punk, the ref checks. The arm drops once, so the ref checks again. The arm drops twice, and then three times! MJF WINS!!

Winner: MJF, by submission

That MJF is an SOB as he hides the string in his armpit. But then the ref raises MJF’s arm in victory and the string falls out! The ref sees it, grabs it, and tells the timekeeper and announcer that this match IS BACK ON!! MJF says the ref can’t do that, his decisions are supposed to be final! But that’s just cuz he doesn’t wanna face justice! MJF shoves the ref, the ref shoves back, and the bell rings again, PUNK ROLLS MJF! TWO!! Punk DECKS MJF over an dover with haymakers! He’s fired up, he bumps MJF off buckles, then off more buckles! Punk climbs up to rain down furious fists! He goes past 10 all the way to 20!!

Punk lets MJF wobble around, before the atomic drop and LARIAT! Fans are thunderous and Punk shakes out the bad arm. Punk gets the legs, steps through, but MJF BOOTS Punk all the way out of the ring! Punk is down on the floor, MJF flounders in the ring, and AEW goes to picture in picture.

Punk clutches his arm as the ring count climbs, but he sits up at 5 of 10. MJF wants the count go faster, but Punk drags himself in at 8! MJF stomps Punk, digs his boots in, but lets off at 4. MJF drags Punk around by the bad arm, stands on the wrist, and stomps it! MJF claws Punk’s face, the ref reprimands as MJF talks trash, but MJF still lets off at 4. MJF is furious but he gets Punk’s bad arm to SNAP it against ropes! MJF undoes his wrist tape now to use it to choke Punk! The ref realizes it right away this time and he stops MJF. MJF throws the tape away as he storms about. MJF gets up on the corner to taunt the fans.

MJF drags Punk into the ropes to choke him more! The ref counts, MJF lets off at 4, then struts about. MJF goes back to Punk but Punk shoulders in! And again, and again! But MJF HOTSHOTS the bad arm! MJF drags Punk into the ring, covers, but he holds the ropes! The ref reprimands and Punk still kicks out. Punk flops out of the ring but MJF smirks. MJF goes out after Punk, bumps him off the apron, and AEW returns to single picture. MJF drags Punk up by his ears, brings him through the ropes and slashes his throat. HEAT- NO! Punk tosses MJF away! Punk springboards for a FLYING LARIAT!

Fans fire up again as Punk gets up with one good arm. MJF staggers, Punk fireman’s carries! MJF grabs the ropes, Punk dumps him out, but MJF HOTSHOTS the bad arm again! But Punk triangle jump dropkicks MJF down! Punk DIVES to send MJF over the railing! MJF flops back to ringside while Punk clutches a leg. Punk might have a bad knee on top of the bad arm now, but Punk refuses to let that stop the match. The ref asks if he’s sure, and Punk drags MJF back up and into the ring. MJF crawls to a corner, Punk drags himself back into the ring. Punk hobbles his way over, MJF kicks the bad leg! MJF goes up, DOUBLE STOMP to the bad arm!

MJF drags Punk by the bad arm, omoplatas, and he gets the bad leg to SMASH the knee! MJF ties up the legs, TEXAS CLOVERLEAF! Punk endures, fans rally and MJF tells them all to shut up! Punk powers up with the good leg to power out of the hold! Half Crab, to an STF!! MJF endures, Punk can only keep the one good arm on him, and he has to let go. MJF hobbles up, but into a double leg takedown! Jackknife bridge, TWO as MJF bridges up! MJF fights for control, but Punk slips out of the backslide to fireman’s carry! But the bad leg gives out! MJF gets Punk back up, but Punk hits a cradle! TWO, and MJF headlocks for a takeover!

MJF makes the takeover a cover, TWO! Punk headscissors, MJF bridge up! “This is Awesome!” even as MJF has an ANKLE LOCK! Punk endures, hops around, rolls and sends MJF into buckles! Both men are down again and fans rally. Punk sits up, drags himself up the ropes, and hobbles over. MJF throws body shots but Punk CHOPS back. MJF forearms, Punk forearms back. MJF kicks the bad leg, throws another haymaker, but Punk gives back slapping strikes! Punk fires forearms, but he blocks MJF’s kick! MJF pokes Punk in the eye! MJF runs, but into a HAYMAKER! MJF rebounds, Punk gets around, hops up, POISON RANA!!!

Both men are down again as fans are thunderous! A standing count begins but Punk crawls to a cover, TWO!! MJF is still in this, but now he’s clutching his neck. Punk hobbles but falls from the bad leg. Fans hope they “Fight Forever!” but this has to end somehow. Punk drags MJF up but they both fall over as Punk’s leg just can’t do it. MJF cries in pain for his neck, too, but Punk still crawls over to MJF. Punk gets MJF up again, but MJF goes for the bad arm! Punk whips MJF away, MJF holds ropes but jams his own shoulder! But MJF still CHOP BLOCKS the bad leg! Both men are fighting through the pain, MJF ducks the roundhouse!

MJF CHOP BLOCKS the bad leg! MJF gets the bad arm! Punk fights up, fights back, but MJF ducks the roundhouse to pump handle! MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO?!!? Punk survives by mere nanoseconds and no one can believe it! MJF and Punk are both down as fans keep rallying. The standing count returns, Punk sits up at 3 and rolls to the ropes. MJF drags Punk up, but Punk waistlocks! MJF grabs at the ref, the ref ducks, MULE KICK LOW BLOW!! MJF rolls Punk up, with feet on the ropes! TWO!! Both men are down again as AEW goes picture in picture one more time!

MJF stands up, stomps Punk’s bad leg, then leans against ropes as he nurses his neck. MJF gets the bad leg to YANK it! MJF double guns then goes back to Punk. MJF puts the leg on the ropes and straddle attacks it! Punk clutches the leg, MJF covers, TWO!! MJF is annoyed, and he CHOKES Punk! The ref counts, MJF lets off, and MJF goes outside. MJF drags Punk to the corner, and he SLAMS the bad leg into the post! Punk clutches at the knee but MJF pulls the kneepad down. MJF SLAMS the bare knee against steel! The ref reprimands, MJF tells him to shut up, and he SLAMS the bad leg into the post again!

MJF wraps up the bad leg in a DRAPING HEEL HOOK! Punk kicks with the free leg, the ref counts, MJF lets off at 4. MJF taunts fans, and he gets back in the ring. MJF paces as AEW returns to single picture yet again. MJF has the leg, twists it with a standing toehold, but Punk endures. MJF keeps twisting the leg back and forth, then steps through, but Punk cradles! TWO!! MJF runs in, into a CALF KICK! MJF crawls to a corner, Punk hobbles over and whips MJF corner to corner. SHINING WIZARD! Punk headlocks, but MJF BITES his hand to stop the bulldog! MJF then BITES Punk’s forehead! The ref counts, MJF lets off at 4.

MJF puts Punk up top, climbs up and knuckle locks, but now Punk BITES MJF! Punk hammerlocks, has both arms, SUPER PEPSI PLUNGE!! Punk brings out a classic in a moment of desperation and fans are losing their minds! Both men are down, Punk crawls after MJF but MJF flounders out of reach. MJF gets to the apron then the floor and fans boo. Punk doesn’t waste time being frustrated as he goes out to fetch MJF again. Punk puts MJF in, but MJF kicks the bad leg! MJF gut wrenches but Punk powers his way to get MJF up! But MJF drops to victory roll, TWO!! MJF runs in, into a ROUNDHOUSE!

Punk goes to the corner and fans are electric as he climbs up top! MACHO ELBOW!! Cover, TWO!?!? MJF survives and Chicago is almost out of breath! Fans are loving “A E DUB! A E DUB!” and then Punk rallies the fans up. Punk says night-night, but MJF flops out of the ring again! Punk is beside himself as MJF survives by sheer luck. But wait! Here comes Wardlow! Will the War Dog save MJF? Punk rolls out of the ring but keeps his eyes on Wardlow. Wardlow sees MJF just sprawled on the floor, but he steps over MJF to stare Punk down. But then Wardlow steps aside! Wardlow isn’t going to save MJF?!

Punk gets MJF in the ring, still watches Wardlow, and Wardlow creeps up onto the apron. MJF brings out the Dynamite Diamond Ring! DIAMOND PUNCH!!! Cover, MJF WINS!

Winner: MJF, by pinfall

Wardlow didn’t save MJF but he still helped him! The Salt of the Earth stays unpinned and unsubmitted in AEW while ending Punk’s AEW undefeated streak! MJF smiles but Wardlow shakes his head. Replay shows another angle, and Wardlow managed to drop the diamond ring to MJF behind his back!! Is MJF the NEW Best in the World? Or does this only prove that MJF is nothing without his back-up?

My Thoughts:

What an awesome episode of AEW! I won’t go into detail but “card subject to change” happened here as THE Brian Kendrick had to be replaced in his match against Moxley. But at the same time, Moxley VS Yuta in a rematch from before was a great move. It was a great match, Moxley interacting with Cassidy and Danhausen was great stuff, but naturally Moxley still wins. Bryan Danielson appearing to offer him a team-up instead of a match was a really interesting move. I really would be intrigued to see Bryan and Mox as a Two Man Power Trip, but also as leaders of a faction of some great young talent like Garcia, Moriarty and a few other Elevation/Dark regulars.

I can’t believe we almost got Face Dan Lambert because of Brandi Rhodes just randomly being a Heel to the crowd. Lambert still goes for low hanging, sex joke fruit, but I do like that they’re setting up a female MMA VS Pro-Wrestler story. It probably won’t go all that well but at least they’re trying. And then Lambert is immediately Heel again as he continues to pal around with Archer and Jake the Snake. Archer brawling with Hangman and then destroying him was good stuff, and it definitely gives Hangman the go-home math advantage to next week’s Texas Deathmatch. Jake teasing some “if you will” Dusty Rhodes action makes me wonder if the stories will blend and we see Hangman interact with Cody at some point.

The Andrade Hardy Family Office has a good promo together, referencing the multiple stories they have going on, and it’s rather interesting Hardy puts Kassidy up against Sammy for the TNT Championship. I suppose Sammy is going to win since it’s Kassidy, but I was expecting either Hardy or Andrade to take that match instead. Maybe such match-ups happen for a bigger occasion, like Revolution in March. Also, I think AEW mis-advertised, their site said the FTW Championship was tonight but it’s instead for Rampage. But that does make Rampage bigger, with the FTW and TNT Championships both on the line.

Jericho wanting the Inner Circle to regroup is perhaps a sign they’re slowly going to break the group up. There’s a very good chance Santana & Ortiz argue with Jericho and Jake Hager takes Jericho’s side. Jericho & Hager VS Santana & Ortiz would make for a very good match that also helps get Proud ‘n’ Powerful going in the tag division. Gunn Club gets after Jungle Boy, Jurassic Express VS Gunn Club is of course coming. Adam Cole had a really good promo, and it’s very clear that him going after Evil Uno, we’re getting Super Kliq feuding with Dark Order and eventually Cole going for the world title.

The House of Black VS Death Triangle was a great tag match, but there’s another flaw of AEW’s to point out. Are they the House of Black, the Kings of the Black Throne or the Knights of the Black Throne? All three of those things were used in the entrance, the third one being in the lower third. They need to get that straightened out before Malakai & Brody go for the tag titles. Nyla VS Ruby was a great match that definitely built upon their TBS Championship Tournament match. Naturally, Nyla wins here, and I’m sure we’ll see a tiebreaker that will lead the winner to the TBS Championship, or even the AEW Women’s World Championship.

Then the main event was even more of an instant classic than I could’ve imagined. MJF cheats to get the false win, and it has been such a long time since any company has used a decision reversal. Things entered PPV level as they continued, and it was shocking to see MJF still find a way to win. Wardlow apparently isn’t pushed to the point of turning on MJF just yet, so they’re definitely saving that for when Wardlow wins the TNT Championship and refuses to give it to MJF. Wherever and whenever that moment happens, that crowd will explode seeing Wardlow clobber MJF. Wardlow could use that moment alone to become a top guy in AEW.

My Score: 9.1/10