Dynamite begins the countdown to WrestleDream!

It’s another big week for AEW! And before Swerve Strickland returns home to Seattle, he and Hangman Page sign on the dotted line!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• AEW International Championship: Rey Fenix w/ Alex Abrahantes VS Jeff Jarrett w/ Triple J; Fenix wins and retains the title.
• AEW International Championship #1 Contender’s Triple Threat: Nick Jackson VS Brian Cage w/ Prince Nana VS Claudio Castagnoli; Nick wins and will challenge Fenix for the title next week.
• Fatal 4 Way: Penta El Zero Miedo w/ Alex Abrahantes VS Matt Jackson VS Orange Cassidy VS Austin Gunn; Cassidy wins.
• Julia Hart w/ Brody King VS Willow Nightingale; Julia wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

AEW International Championship: Rey Fenix w/ Alex Abrahantes VS Jeff Jarrett w/ Team Triple J

The Immortal Firebird burned brightest last week in his revenge match with Jon Moxley, and now HE is opening the night with an open challenge! But will the entire carnival help the Last Outlaw win this title right off Fenix? Or will Fenix refuse to be a transitional champion?

Well as soon as Team Triple J is ringside, Fenix FLIES out onto them all! Fans fire up and Fenix drags Jarrett up to fire off shots! Fenix stalks Jarrett, CLUBS him, then fires more forearms! And CHOPS! Jarrett pokes Fenix in the eye! Jarrett whips Fenix into railing! And JAMS him with a chair! No rules since this ain’t a match yet, but Fenix CHOPS in return! And CHOPS again! Fenix whips, Jarrett reverses but Fenix RANAS Jay Lethal into Satnam Singh! But Karen CLAWS Fenix’ back! Fenix grabs Karen, but Sonjay CLUBS Fenix! So Fenix SUPERKICKS Sonjay! Fenix puts Jarrett in the ring, the bell finally rings, and Fenix SMACXKS Jarrett to GAMANGIRI!

Fenix goes up and up and QUEBRADAS! Cover, TWO! Jarrett is still in this but Fenix brings him around to fireman’s carry. But the back gives up! Jarrett CLUBS Fenix down, fans rally up for Fenix but Jarrett stomps him. Jarrett brings Fenix around to CLUB him again, and then CLUBS him again! Fenix leans against ropes but Jarrett CHOKES him! Jarrett runs, Karen CHOPS Fenix, and Jarrett hits the STRADDLE ATTACK! Jarrett struts while fans boo, and then Jarrett mocks Cero Miedo, and says ‘SUCK IT!” Jarrett runs, into a SOBAT! KICK! And FOREARM! Fenix runs in to JUMP SOBAT!

Fenix pushes Jarrett down, goes up, but Satnam distracts! Fenix avoids the big haymaker, but Jarrett kicks low to DDT! Fans boo while both men are down and Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Fenix crawls to ropes, Jarrett pursues, but the ref has Jarrett back off. So Karen CHOKES Fenix more! Abrahantes shouts at Triple J but Jarrett stomps Fenix. Jarrett puts Fenix in a corner, whips him corner to corner hard, and Fenix hits the mat.  Jarrett struts some more, distracts the ref, and that allows Lethal to drag Fenix out for some stomps! Sonjay gest some shots in, too! Sonjay mocks #ANIMO, and Lethal keeps Abrahantes back! Jarrett soaks up the heat from Broomfield, Colorado before he goes out after Fenix. Jarrett whips Fenix hard into railing, and Fenix tumbles into the front row!

Abrahantes checks Fenix as he drags himself up, but Triple J chases him off! Abrahantes can’t do anything when it’s 4v1! Jarrett then drags Fenix up to suplex to the floor! Fenix writhes, the ring count is climbing, but Jarrett stomps Fenix. Jarrett talks trash, drags Fenix up, and puts Fenix in before ten. Jarrett CLUBS Fenix, taunts the fans, and then paces around Fenix. Jarrett CLUBS Fenix, taunts him, and Dynamite returns to single picture. Jarrett drags Fenix up but Fenix CHOPS first! And CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! Fenix whips, Jarrett reverse but Fenix ducks ‘n’ dodges and rolls, but Jarrett trips him up!

Fenix goes to the apron and Jarrett kicks him down. Triple J rallies behind their guy but he then sicks them after Fenix. The ref stops Karen right in her tracks! Aubrey ain’t having it no more, and fans love it! Fenix gets up on the apron, RAMS into Jarrett, then RAMSA him again! Fenix RAMS into Jarrett one more time, then hobbles his way to the corner. Fenix springboards and leaps, FLYING ARM-DRAG and DOUBLE STOMP! Fans fire up as Fenix crawls to the cover, TWO! Jarrett is tougher than that but Fenix SUPERKICKS him down! Fans fire up as Fenix goes to the corner and drags himself up top!

Fenix aims, Lethal distracts, but he gets a PENALTY KICK for it! Sonjay tries now, and Jarrett LOW BLOWS! Fans boo but Jarrett cradles! TWO!! Triple J is furious but Jarrett whips. Fenix reverses, Jarrett lifts, Fenix slips out of the bomb! Jarrett kicks and wrenches, THE STROKE!!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Fenix survives and the fans are loving this! Satnam gets on the apron, Jarrett sends Fenix his way, but Fenix dropkicks the legs out! Satnam falls but Jarrett gets Fenix’s legs! FIGURE- NO, Fenix cradles now! FENIX WINS!!

Winner: Rey Fenix, by pinfall (still AEW International Champion)

Triple J tried all the tricks, but nothing could stop Fenix! But he only has a week to rest as we’re getting another title match next week! Will Fenix be facing Nick Jackson, Brian Cage or Claudio Castagnoli? We find out in a Triple Threat later tonight!

Adam Cole & MJF have another bro session.

Though with a bad foot, the Panama City Playboy joins Maxwell Jacob Friedman at the Long Island pierce to celebrate the win at Grand Slam. MJF sees Cole and tells him to hop onboard! Wait, MJF has a boat? Nah, this is his dad’s, but he doesn’t need to know. Uh, what? But anyway, they set sail, have some drinks and even go fishing. Cole thanks MJF for the invite. So beautiful out here. Yeah, it’s the greatest place on Earth. But uh, quick question. MJF is so glad Cole came out to help a brochacho out, and got hurt in the process, but… He was on the phone with Roddy a long time, huh?

Yeah, sorry, he was just worried about Roddy. Yeah, MJF gets it. Seems he was so worried, he couldn’t even be out there at the start of the match. Cole apologizes but Roddy is a brother to him. Yeah, yeah. MJF has Cole hold his beer so he can get some more. Cole hopes they can catch something today. Good beers, right? Yeah, delicious. MJF goes to the cooler, and brings out the Dynamite Diamond Ring?! MJF puts it on his pinkie, but Cole asks if MJF brought him out here just to hit him with the diamond ring then dump his body in the ocean, did he? What? No that is the last thing he’d ever do! MJF is secretly taking the ring off behind his back.

Cole says they do need to talk. Part of a healthy friendship his having more than one friend. It is okay and normal and healthy. Cole knows friendship is new to MJF, but MJF needs to know, Cole still cares about him. Well, look, having more than one friend is not for MJF, but… If it is normal and is Cole’s deal, then he supports that. Cole appreciates that. Plus, MJF almost got caught the last time he threw someone overboard so that’s a relief. What? Whoa, wait, we got a bite! They work together and pull it in! It’s PAUL WIGHT!? He says he was just trying to go for a swim! Paul spits out the hook and joins the boys on the boat. Paul knows they’re Better Than You, Baybay, and that’s aight.

Don Callis & Konosuke Takeshita returned to Japan.

The patriarch of the Don Callis Family and his “new son,” The Alpha, walked the streets of Tokyo as they responded to the Six Man Tag Challenge. Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi & Chris Jericho want to make a match for WrestleDream, but they’re not even in Seattle. They’re in Japan to hunt down the Golden Star! And Don knows all the favorite places of the Golden Lovers, so Kenny better have a new third man in mind for WrestleDream after they take care of business! The DCF will be live and in person after the break, will they have succeeded in their mission?

Renee Paquette is in the ring.

She says to expound upon their actions this past week, please welcome Don Callis & Konosuke Takeshita. The fans boo as dastardly Don and treacherous Takeshita make their way out during a recap package. Back in present, Renee gets to business. We all saw what happened between Sammy Guevara and Chris Jericho at Grand Slam and the days after, so is it safe to say that Sammy is DCF? And sorry, but it is hard to hear over the chorus of boos. Callis says he has something to say. “I’m so happy that Sammy Guevara is FREE of the toxic influence of Chris Jericho, that I wanted to bring him out here myself! Ladies and gentlemen, the newest member of the Don Callis Family, SAMMY GUEVARA!”

The Spanish God, the REAL Judas of AEW, struts his way out like he did last Friday on Rampage. Fans boo him like they boo Callis and he joins the family. Sammy and Callis hug, and then even Konosuke hugs Sammy. Callis says, “You wanna know about Tokyo now?” Renee says yes, we just saw their video. What was the business there? Callis reminds us that Kota Ibushi is not safe! He and The Alpha went to Tokyo with a personal camera crew that caught it all! They were at Ibushi’s dojo in Gunma, Japan, and they barged right in! Ibushi wasn’t there, so they beat up on one of his students!

Ibushi showed up, took the fight to Konosuke, but checking on his student left him open to a SLEEPER! Ibushi fought free, gave some ground ‘n’ pound, but Callis SMACKED Ibushi with his umbrella! Big mistake, Don! Ibushi stormed up on Callis, Callis ran away, but Konosuke CLOBBERED Ibushi with a kettle bell weight! Callis then came back to stomp Ibushi, and then Konosuke CHOKED Ibushi with his jacket! Callis told Omega that this is his beating heart lying on the ground! No one is safe from the Don Callis Family!! Fans boo as Callis says his family has never been stronger! With Konosuke, Will “BAH GAWD” Ospreay and Sammy Guevara going to WrestleDream!

Fans boo as Sammy now speaks. Sammy is being painted as the bad guy, when in reality, he’s the HERO! Fans boo more but Sammy says Jericho is the real villain. Fans chant “F YOU, SAMMY!” but he just tunes that out to say Jericho, for four YEARS, held Sammy back! Sammy was champion without Jericho! He headlined PPVs without Jericho! And he was great all on his own. Every time Sammy started to fly, Jericho would clip Sammy’s wings and bring him down. Sammy thought that one day, Jericho would pass him the torch. But Jericho never was going to do that, and Callis is the one who showed Sammy that Jericho is selfish!

Sammy TOOK the torch, and now looks to become the star he was born to be! Fans boo more but Callis says at WrestleDream, they take everything from Ibushi, Jericho and Omega, “until there’s nothing left but the tears!” Konosuke adds as much in Japanese, will the Don Callis Family truly destroy three of the greatest of all time?

AEW shares footage from after Collision.

Last Saturday, after losing to Bryan Danielson again, Ricky Starks & “Big Bill” Morrissey were backstage, and Starks says that he survived again! He didn’t lose, he survived, period! Bryan Danielson has not tapped him out, and he never pinned him. The rankings is still Starks above Bryan! But then Wheeler Yuta walks over. Easy, man, he comes in peace. Yeah, Starks survived. And Yuta is man enough to admit he was wrong for what he did. He put his hands on Starks when the fight was over, and Starks was just trying to show Bryan respect. Starks tells Yuta that the next time Yuta puts his hands on Starks, Starks makes sure Yuta doesn’t walk away on his own accord!

Yuta says he’s trying to be the bigger man but it seems Starks doesn’t wanna hear it, so here’s how Yuta really feels. Starks is an entitled prick, all style and no substance, and all he does is whine, complain and moan! Starks couldn’t get up after everything Bryan put him through but guess what? Yuta gets up every damn day! The Blackpool Combat Club beats his ass, puts him down, and he just gets back up because that makes him stronger. And Starks doesn’t have the balls for that! But if he disagrees, let’s find out at WrestleDream. Starks smirks and walks off. Yeah, walk away. But it is now official! Absolute VS Decoder, who proves they’re tough enough?

AEW International Championship #1 Contender’s Triple Threat: Nick Jackson VS Brian Cage w/ Prince Nana VS Claudio Castagnoli!

WrestleDream on Sunday, and the FOURTH ANNIVERSARY of Dynamite next Wednesday, things are looking up for AEW! As such, one of these three men will challenge Rey Fenix for his title live on Dynamite next week! Who grabs themselves a golden ticket to #ANIMO?

The bell rings and Cage rushes Nick! Nick dodges but then Cage blocks the superkick to CHOP! Cage drags Nick up to trophy lift, and then TOSS him to the floor! Fans fire up as now Machine and Swiss Superman meet! First time anywhere, and the two tie up for a test of strength! They’re shoulder to shoulder, and Cage powers up to bend Claudio back! But Claudio powers up to push Cage! Cage kicks, SOBATS, and suplexes, but Claudio counters to suplex Cage! But Cage is right up! Cage suplexes, and he SLAMS Claudio! But Claudio is up, to UPPERCUT! Cage snarls, LARIATS, but Claudio stays up to UPPERCUT!

Cage LARIATS, Claudio UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS, and runs at Nick. Nick RAMS into Claudio, slingshots up and over to CHOP Cage! SOBAT for Claudio! LUCHA LIBRE~ as Nick FLYING ARM-DRAG RANA COMBOS! Nick goes up and up and TOPE CONJILO! “How about that?” Nick puts Cage in, goes up and in but Cage SPLASHES first! Cage hoists Nick up but Nick slips under to kick a leg out! Cage is stuck, Claudio puts Nick on the apron but Nick GAMANGIRIS! Nick slingshots to STOMP Claudio and DRAPING BACKSTABBER Cage! Fans are thunderous with Nick but Claudio BOOTS him down! Now fans fire up with Claudio!

Dynamite goes picture in picture as Claudio stalks Nick. Claudio scoops Nick to a trophy lift of his own, to DROP Nick behind him! Claudio flexes, covers, TWO! Claudio keeps cool, looms over Nick and brings him up to ROCK with a forearm! Nick goes to a corner, Claudio fires more shots, but Nick hits back! Nick backs Claudio down with haymakers, whips him to ropes, but Claudio reverses to LARIAT! Claudio then goes out to whip Cage, only for Cage to reverse! Claudio hits railing and gets stuck in the front row! Cage goes after Nick in the ring and fires forearms. Cage RAMS into Nick in the corner, then CHOPS him!

Cage talks some trash, runs back in, but into a BOOT! Then into more BOOTS! Nick goes up but Claudio SHOVES him, into a suplex from Cage! JACKHAMMER! Cover, but Claudio stomps it apart! Claudio drags Cage up, fires a forearm, and then has him in a corner. Claudio brings Cage out but Cage puts Claudio up top! Cage ROCKS Claudio, climbs up after him, and the two fire forearms back and forth! Claudio fires a flurry, and then HEADBUTTS Cage down! Nick springboards to CROSSBODY! Then Claudio CROSSBODIES Nick! Cover, TWO!! Claudio reels Nick in, but Cage CLOBBERS Claudio first!

Cage drags Claudio up, whips but Claudio reveres to knee low, and GUT WRENCH SUPELX! Dynamite returns to single picture as Cage flounders to a corner. Fans fire up with Claudio and he runs in, but Cage moves! Cage UPPERCUTS, GAMANGIRIS, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Nick is back and he runs up to SHINING WIZARD! GAMANGIRI! FOREARM! BULLDOG! Fans fire up as Nick goes up and out to PENALTY KICK Claudio! Then Nick RAMS into Cage, slingshots to FACEBUSTER, then he CARTWHEEL MOONSAULTS, but Claudio catches it! Only for Nick to TORNADO DDT it!!

Fans are thunderous as Nick goes up top, and Nana freaks out as Nick hits a 450 SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Cage survives and Nana is relieved. Nick stands, but Claudio drags him out to RAM him into steel steps! Claudio hurries in after Cage, and fans fire up as they wanna see it! Claudio says okay, here comes the SWING!! Cage endures as he goes around and around, and the fans count to TEN! Claudio then covers, but Nick breaks it! Nick runs at Claudio but is put on ropes! Only to body scissor throw Claudio out! Nick goes up, he leaps and CROSSBODIES, but Cage catches him! F10!! Cover, TWO!!!

Fans are thunderous while Cage is furious! Cage storms up, Claudio RAMS into him, but Cage GAMANGIRIS! Cage goes up, and he deadlifts Claudio for the SUPERPLEX!! Cover, TWO!!! Claudio barely survives and Nana is beside himself! Cage slashes his throat, he wants to end this! Cage hauls Claudio up, Alabama Lifts, but Nick SUPERKICKS! “This is Awesome!” and Claudio sunset flips, but Nick ghost pins! TWO!! Nick SUPERKICKS Cage, but Cage rebounds! DISCUS- SUPERKICK! Nick gets Cage again, but then Claudio UPPERCUTS Cage in the corner! Nick SUPERKICKS again! UPPERCUT! SUPERKICK TO CLAUDIO!

Nick runs, into a POP-UP UPPERCUT!! Cage swings but Cage blocks to DISCUS LARIAT!! Cover, TWO?!?! Cage survives, but now Claudio has the clinch! HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS!! Claudio drags Cage up, reel shim in and tucks the arms, RICOLA~ BOMB!! But then Nick FLYING RANAS Claudio away! Cover on Cage, NICK WINS!!

Winner: Nick Jackson, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the AEW International Championship)

Nick snatches this one away from Cage and Claudio, and would you look at that? Fenix VS Nick one more time around! Will Nick prove he is the better younger brother? Or will Fenix make sure The Buck stops here?

The Righteous speak.

Dutch addresses, “Mr. MJF… Mr. Cole… We have one question to ask you two: Do you ache for a feeling that you fake to feel?” Vincent says, “Boys, just like everyday society, all the fake people of the world are bonded by materialistic thinks. Just like the two of you! But soon, that’s gonna change.” “Karma has no deadline, gentlemen.” “And for us, we’ve done nothing wrong. It’s easier to forgive your enemy than it is to forgive fake friends. Dig what I’m saying, man?” Will the brochachos see what they mean soon enough?

MJF & Adam Cole are here!

Broomfield fires up as the ROH World Tag Team Champions head to the ring, Cole with his foot wrapped in a cast and using crutches to get along behind the AEW World Champion. Will Cole even be able to compete this Sunday? The brochachos still get in the ring, and MJF has a chair for Cole to take a seat. And even then, they still do the “ADAM COLE BAYBAY!” together. MJF gets the mics and has the music cut. MJF hears the cheers, and he says, “Ladies and gentlemen, the Devil has arrived in Colorado!” And Cole, talk to ’em! “Who’s ready for Story Time with Adam Cole, Baybay?” Fans cheer that!

Cole says this is going to be a sad chapter. Because last week, Cole got hurt, and hurt real bad. His ankle exploded, broke in three different places, and tore ligaments. He did everything he could but now he has to get surgery. There is nothing more soul crushing than hearing this, but Cole promises us that he will do everything in his power to get back as soon as humanly possible. Fans cheer that, but Cole wants us to know, that he and MJF are the ROH World Tag Team Champions. Because they can’t defend these titles now, they must now relinquish- WHOA WHOA WHOA! MJF wants brocacho Cole to hold on there.

Fans chant “NO! NO! NO!” and MJF tells Cole, “I know you didn’t have my fine kosher ass wrestle twice in one night to win these belts, to relinquish them to those freaky deeky douchebags, the Righteous.” MJF asks Colorado if they wanna see them just relinquish these titles. “NO!” Yeah, he thought so. MJF can’t believe he’s gonna say this, but let’s keep it real. Cole wouldn’t be hurt right now if not for him. Cole doesn’t want MJF blaming himself but MJF says no, he needed help with Samoa Joe, that is true. MJF will take that. However, he also knows how much these tag titles mean to Cole.

And MJF wants to make sure when Cole comes back, which he will 110% because he’s one of the best of all time, these will be waiting for him. MJF tells The Righteous that on October 1st, The Devil of AEW slides into Seattle, and will defend these tag titles in a HANDICAP MATCH, and will WIN, because they’re Better Than You, BAYBAY! Fans love that, but wait. Here comes Roderick Strong shouting for “ADAM~! ADAM~!” Fans echo it in mocking tones, as The Kingdom wheel Roddy out on a wheelchair. Roddy tells Cole that he needs him more than ever now. This is an emergency! Fans boo as they don’t believe the timing.

MJF says hold on, everybody, listen. As much as he thinks Roddy is nothing but a simp, which the fans echo, MJF learned a lesson on that boat. Roddy is Cole’s boy. And MJF may not like it but he respects it. So Cole, you go do what you gotta do. Just know MJF will be here when he comes back. Fans cheer that and Cole stands up. Cole and MJF look each other eye to eye, and then hug! Fans cheer again, Roddy says hurry up already. Cole hops out of the ring and says he’s coming, just calm down. Fans chant, “HE’S OUR SCUMBAG!” As The Kingdom and #HotRoddy head out. MJF gets the fans to cheer Cole again before he reaches the back.

MJF says he isn’t a fan of- Bullet Club Gold?! Jay White, Juice Robinson & The Gunns strut their way out, #Cardblade included, and then White tells his boys he can handle this on his own. Juice & The Gunns return to the back, and White continues to the ring. Fans chant “TOO SWEET! WOOP WOOP!” but then come back with “M J F! M J F!” MJF starts to talk but White tells him to shut up! Fans boo the attitude but White says they can shut up, too. White says we’ve all heard MJF’s voice enough tonight, time to hear White’s sweet and exotic accent for a change. Fans boo, and MJF is perplexed.

White says don’t worry, he knows coming out with the Bang Bang Gang, 5v1, it had MJF shook. Rock Hard Robinson, Fully Cocked Colten, Austin. And Cardblade, too! But it is okay, this is one on one time to revel in the moment. MJF tells White he must be smoking some strong Colorado grass. Fans chant for “WEED! WEED! WEED!” MJF says he is gonna yank it out, watch! White, that mid mic work ain’t gonna work on MJF. When you come for the king, you best not miss, and that first shot was a little bit hairy. Almost as hairy as that pubic hair stuck on White’s chin he passes for a goatee!

Fans chant “PUBIC HAIR! PUBIC HAIR!” Another first here… But MJF says in his career, he’s been compared to a lot of people. The sentiment was always the same: “Sure, MJF is good, but he’s no blank.” And as the star rose, the names got bigger and bigger. It never bothered MJF, until he read, “Sure, MJF is good, but he’s no Jay White.” White says that’s true, though. Fans call BS. But MJF says he didn’t get why it upset him, until now, standing eye to eye with White, in front of all MJF’s beautiful poors. Fans cheer the “compliment.” MJF says it is very apparent now. The people know better than anyone that MJF is like filet mignon.

And the thing about filet is that it is a thing unto itself. You can have other things on a plate with it, but it is all about the filet. Much like when MJF is in this ring, the show is all about MJF. Because NOBODY is on the level of The Devil. He is a generational talent, babe! Fans cheer that! And then there’s White. He is very talented, don’t get MJF wrong. However, even the smartest of fans have been confused into thinking these two are equal. That White is a filet when in reality, he’s just tofu. Fans boo tofu, then chant “TOFU! TOFU!” at White. The funny thing about tofu is that it takes on the flavor of whatever you want, BUT you need to add something to it to trick yourself into believing it has flavor.

And Jay White, you have been given everything. All the finest spices, herbs, and so on! The entrance, the nickname, the music, the shirts, the opportunities. White was handed the keys to one of the greatest wrestling factions of all time, the Bullet Club. White shows off the jacket. However… if you take that all away, we are left with nothing but boring, bland, tasteless TOFU. And now here White is, trying to hop onto MJF’s plate and steal some of his flavor! MJF doesn’t even mind because he sees through him. White is all hype. White is nothing more than a smartly produced, mass marketed vision of what someone in Japan thinks was a top guy!

So allow MJF to give you some advice from a REAL top guy! If MJF were White, he’d just leave the ring and would stop talking smack to MJF’s poors! Cuz if White doesn’t, for the rest of his career, whenever their names are mentioned in the same sentence, it will read as follows: “Sure, Jay White is good, but he’s no Maxwell Jacob Friedman.” Because he’s better than you, and you know it! Fans cheer and MJF soaks it all in. White shakes that off and then gives MJF his applause. Yes, thank you, this is what White wanted! His very own, personalized, MJF experience! But to be honest, White’s a little let down.

Fans bring back “TOFU! TOFU!” but White shrugs that off. He says something is off about MJF. Personally, is it the injuries? Or maybe it’s the distraction that is his bromance with Adam Cole BAYBAY! See, when they scream Cole’s name, people do that, they go “BAYBAY!” White bets MJF wishes they’d do something like that for him. But White doesn’t think the fans love MJF like they do Cole. The fans boo and MJF smirks. White tells the fans remember, when he’s talking, they hush. But this whole situation, if you think about it, is kinda White’s fault. See, if White didn’t put Cole’s career on halt at Forbidden Door 1, maybe this friendship doesn’t develop as Cole makes his way back.

Then they don’t tag together, they don’t become ROH World Tag Team Champs together, they don’t Wembley main event together, Cole doesn’t try to break MJF’s neck at Wembley… But hey! You got him back cuz now Cole’s ankle is busted and that is MJF’s fault! Fans boo but White says MJF’s neck really isn’t feeling good after Samoa Joe last week. So yeah, White’s been ruining MJF’s life from afar. But it’s okay, he’s here, up close and personal, to ruin it in the flesh! Fans boo more but White tells MJF that MJF says he’s the devil? Nobody is on the level of the devil? Well, Mr. Devil, find a new level that does not exist, in order to stop White from taking the AEW World title!

Yeah, he is taking the thing that matters most! Funny how the All Elite Wrestling World Heavyweight Champion isn’t so elite when compared to Switchblade Jay White, the #1 asset in all of pro-wrestling! The Last Rock ‘n’ Rolla! The man who singlehandedly sold out Madison Square Garden AND the United Center! White is King Switch, baby! The ONLY Grand Slam Champion that matters! And he is high rolling in Denver! The Catalyst of Pro-Wrestling!! And HE, NOT MJF, will be a truly elite champion when he peels that off MJF’s carcass! MJF can go sulk and sob with all his poors! He’s just like them, he’s their scumbag!

Fans boo and tell White to STFU, but White says yeah, yeah, yeah. Don’t worry, Max, he will have them and they will have him while White has the Triple B, BAYBAY! And you can ALL breath with the Switchblade, the new and true AEW World Heavyweight Champion! It is STILL his era! This is the Switchblade Era because MJF’s soft, and he knows it! MJF tells White he doesn’t have a damn clue what MJF’s capable of, so how about he shows you!? MJF throws off the scarf and belt and even his shirt! Fans fire up as White throws his jacket off, but then White bails out! Fans boo but MJF tells him that if he wants the title, he ain’t getting it!

When and where will these two young and violent stars have it out for the top prize in AEW?

Jim Ross has a sit-down interview with Darby Allin and Christian Cage.

Good ol’ JR makes one thing perfectly clear: it is a smart move for AEW to guarantee there is no physicality here. The match on Sunday is too important for the company, for both men’s careers, because we expect a classic. Times are changing, look who the recognized champion is now. No controversy on Captain Charisma’s claims to be TNT Champion, what are his thoughts on that? Christian isn’t sure what JR means.  He’s been champion for months now. And he just proved he is far superior every single way on Collision when he “retained” his title in a Triple Threat.

Then JR has a question that’ll piss Christian off. Christian’s lost to Darby twice. What makes Christian think he can win two outta three falls at WrestleDream? First, those were flukes, and all non-title. Christian will walk out of Darby’s hometown as the TNT Champion. Christian knows in his heart that Darby is nowhere near the man or the wrestler Christian is. Darby relies on his stupid skateboard and other little tricks, and throws his whole body around, tables, ladders and chairs. Christian wanted the two outta three so that we can see what happens when Darby actually has to wrestle. Christian vows that Darby will be exposed in his hometown, in front of his family and friends, and he hopes Darby will be ready to live with that for the rest of his life.

Now speaking of being prepared, is Darby’s uncle going to be there? Oh, right, no, his uncle… Sounded like a great guy, taking his little nephew out for a drunken joyride. And what happened? Darby says he’s dead! Is that what Christian wants to say? Everyone Christian talks trash on is dead! What is Christian after? That doesn’t define who Darby is today! You think Darby’s afraid of dying? You think he’s afraid of losing? Newsflash, he won’t lose! Christian cannot beat Darby in Seattle! Darby’s won the TNT title there once and he’ll do it there again! So then, if he’s so confident, Christian says bring everyone. Mom, dad, brother, hell! Bring Nick Wayne and his mom!

Actually, yeah, do that, Christian can call her to make sure. But bring everyone. Bring Buddy- OH, right, he’s dead. Darby says Christian wants Nick to be there so he can take advantage of him again! That’s the only reason Luchasaurus won at All Out! And Darby will make sure Nick doesn’t show up ringside, and if Christian has the BALLS, he’d do this without Luchasaurus at ringside! Only if Christian does, though. Christian explains: You think Darby is helping Nick? Darby’s not the mentor that kid needs. He needs a champion, a real man! Someone who doesn’t paint his face to hide his identity!

Darby gets restless in his seat and Christian dares him to hit him! Darby instead gets a water bottle and says he isn’t hiding. Darby washes the paint away and asks if Christian thinks he’s hiding! Christian says he does! And Christian also says he does not need Luchasaurus. WrestleDream, October 1st, in Seattle, TNT Championship, best two outta three, Christian proves he has and always will be the Face of TNT, so get used to it!! Darby stands up and storms off, will he prove the only one hiding is the guy in the turtleneck?

Fatal 4 Way: Penta El Zero Miedo w/ Alex Abrahantes VS Matt Jackson VS Orange Cassidy VS Austin Gunn!

Ahead of a HUGE Fatal 4 Way Tag to determine new #1 contenders to the AEW World Tag Team Championships, one man from each team faces off, no teammates allowed ringside! Rey Fenix is still International Champion, Nick Jackson is headed for a title match with him next week, with one of their brothers move the team into pole position? Will Freshly Squeezed serve up some Orange Punch? Or will Bullet Club Gold’s… uh, Austin hit a bull’s eye before WrestleDream?

The bell rings and Austin talks trash while holding up the gun finger. He rushes Cassidy but Cassidy tosses him out! Austin drags Cassidy out to join him and sends him into railing! But then Austin sees Penta there and backs off. Matt rolls Penta up, TWO! Matt arm-drags, wheelbarrows and arm-drags again! Matt fakes Penta out to DDT! But Austin rolls Matt up! TWO, and Matt TOSSES Austin! Cassidy returns, Matt hurdles, things speed up and Cassidy ARM-DRAGS Matt! Fans fire up as off comes the elbow- NO, Austin rolls Cassidy up! TWO, and Austin runs in at the corner, only for Cassidy to TOSS him out!

Penta returns but Cassidy ELBOWS him back! Penta wobbles, then he swaggers! Fans fire up and Penta rolls back to RANA, and then LEG DROP! Cassidy stagger sup into a DROPKICK! Cassidy falls out of the ring, fans fire up but Austin cuts Penta off. The two stare down, but then the fans taunt the “ASS~ BOY~!” Austin and Penta circle, Austin mocking Penta’s swagger. Austin says “Listen! GUNS UP!” Penta says hold on, and off comes the glove! Perfect pass and catch to Abrahantes, and then “Listen! CERO! MIEDO!” Penta pie faces Austin but Austin reloads to say “GUNS! UP!” Fans boo but Penta resets, but Austin dodges the chop!

Austin CHOPS, he talks trash, but Penta CHOPS him down! Fans fire up as Austin bails out, “CERO!” NO, Matt is back! Penta dodges to SUPERKICK! Cassidy is back, he stops the Cero Miedo to say hands up, into pockets! But Penta SUPERKICKS him down! “CERO! MIEDO!” But then Austin CLOBBERS Penta! Austin CLOBBERS Matt, too! Then he dodges the Orange Punch to JAB! JAB! JAB! Austin does a little dance, to then DECK Cassidy! Austin soaks up the heat, covers, TWO! Austin fumes while Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Austin hears the fans taunting him, then he goes up the corner to taunt them back. Austin brings Cassidy around, stomps him, then talks a bit more trash. Austin paces around, DECKS Penta off the apron, then brings Cassidy up again. Austin bumps Cassidy off buckles, brings him out, and reels him in to suplex. Cassidy blocks, Austin keeps trying, but Cassidy suplexes Austin! Matt runs in to kick and snap suplex Cassidy! Penta runs in to kick and snap suplex Matt! Austin snap suplexes Penta! Cassidy snap suplexes Austin! Matt snap suplexes Cassidy! Penta snap suplexes Matt! Austin goes after Penta, but Penta snap suplexes Austin!

Fans fire up as Cassidy runs up, but Penta snap suplexes him, too! Matt runs up, but Penta snap suplexes him, too! Fans are thunderous as Penta comes out with the Three Amigos and “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta runs in at the corner but Cassidy ELBOWS him again! Cassidy goes up, Penta superkicks the legs out! Cassidy is stuck, Penta goes up, but Austin drags Cassidy out of the corner to ROCK Penta! Austin climbs up to fire hands but Penta hits back! They brawl, and Penta HEADBUTTS Austin down! Matt goes up to BLAST Penta off the corner! Matt then goes up, but Austin CLUBS him on the back!

Austin climbs up behind Matt, brings him up, and Dynamite returns to single picture. Matt throws headlock punches on Austin, ELBOWS him down, then adjusts. Fans fire up and Matt CROSSBODIES Penta on the outside! Cassidy goes up to aim at Austin but Austin is up first! Austin CLUBS away on Cassidy, but Cassidy throws hands back! Austin falls down again, and Cassidy adjusts, to TRUST FALL onto Penta & Matt! Fans are thunderous and Cassidy goes up, but Austin gets under the leap! Things speed up, Austin turns hip toss into QUICK DRAW! Cover, TWO!! Cassidy survives and Austin fumes.

Abrahantes rallies the fans while Austin drags Cassidy up and reels him in. Austin calls out The Game, underhooks the arms, but Cassidy back drops him away! Penta runs in to DESTROYER on Cassidy! Austin staggers up, reels Penta in, but Penta back drops him. Matt hits a DESTROYER on Penta! Austin runs up on Matt, but Matt back drops him away! Cassidy hits a DESTROYER on Matt!! Austin tries again, but Cassidy Alabama Lifts! Austin sunset flips it, TWO! Cassidy reels Austin in, to hit a DESTROYER!! The fans are thunderous as all four men stagger and wobble! Then they all fall over!

A standing count begins as fans chant for “A E DUB!” All four are down at 4 of 10, but they stir and go to ropes. Every man has a corner, but Penta runs in at Matt. Matt dodges to CLUB Penta, cravat, and he SUPERKICKS Austin! Matt runs to kick off Cassidy to hit SLICED BREAD on Penta! Cassidy runs, tilt-o-whirls but Matt makes it a NORTHERN LIGHTS! Then the Polar Express begins! But Cassidy slips around but Matt switches. They go to ropes, Matt manages the O’Conner, but Penta AND Austin run in! Matt gets them both, DOUBLE NORTHERN LIGHTS!! TRIPLE COVER!! TWO!!! All three escape and fans are thunderous!

Matt feeds off the energy and he drags Penta up. Matt doesn’t have Nick but he still calls the shot! B T E- NO, Penta blocks! “CERO! MIEDO!” Kick and underhook, but Matt slips out to underhook. Penta slips out to ENZIGURI! Penta runs, dodges Austin, to SLINGBLADE! Penta kicks Matt low, reels him in, but Cassidy ORANGE PUNCHES Penta down! Cassidy blocks Matt’s superkick to spin him, Alabama Lift him, and BEACH BREAK!! But Austin hits a FAMOUSER!! Cover, TWO!! Austin hurries to cover Matt, TWO!! Austin hurries to pin Penta, TWO!! Austin strikes out and is furious, but the fans rally up.

All four men rise, and Austin ROCKS Matt! ROCKS Cassidy! ROCKS Penta! “GUNS UP-” TRIPLE SUPERKICK!! Then DOUBLE SUPERKICKS for Cassidy! Penta SUPERKICKS Matt, but Matt SUPERKICKS Penta! They SUPERKICK each other! They DOUBLE LARIAT, DOUBLE LARIAT, and then run, but Austin trips Penta! Cassidy returns to ORANGE PUNCH Matt!! Cover, Cassidy wins!!

Winner: Orange Cassidy, by pinfall

Freshly Squeezed finds the opening, and now he and the Cold-Hearted Handsome Devil have the momentum! Will #OrangeHook grab themselves tag title tickets that are good for a title match at any time? Or will one of the three brother tag teams pull together and win big together?

Julia Hart w/ Brody King VS Willow Nightingale!

The Lady of the House is on an impressive win streak of 26-0, since losing to Kris Statlander. As such, she is after the TBS Championship this Sunday. Will she make the Babe with the Power just another example? Or will Willow prove why she’s the 2023 Queen of Harts?

It’s also of note that Willow still has bandages wrapped around her head, covering the eye Julia Hart hit with black mist while backstage at Rampage. Will having only one eye hold her back against such a sadistic opponent?

The bell rings fans rally up as Willow stares Julia down. They approach, Julia has a sinister smile, but Willow CLOBBERS her! And bumps her off buckles! Willow fires clotheslines in the corner, the ref backs her off, but then Willow storms back up on Julia. Willow fires more forearms, bumps her off buckles, and then stomps a mudhole into Julia! The ref counts, Willow lets off, and Julia jumps on! She claws at the bandages! Willow SLAMS Julia down, storms around, but Julia dodges to fire off more forearms! The ref counts, Julia whips but Willow handsprings through! Willow comes back to short arm LARIAT!

Willow hauls Julia up, CHOPS her in the corner, and then bumps Julia off buckles! Willow throws more clotheslines and CHOPS! Willow reels Julia in, snap suplexes, covers, TWO! Willow rains down fists while Brody coaches Julia to get up. Willow storms around, but Julia SLAPS Her! That only makes Willow grin! Willow scoops to SLAM! And then scoop to SLAM again! And then another scoop, but Julia fights free! Julia ducks ‘n’ dodges, bails out, and she hides under the ring! Willow storms out after her but Brody stands in the way. Julia sneaks out the other side, then runs up to CHOP BLOCK! Fans hoot and bark as Julia hits a BLINDSIDE LARIAT!

Julia grins as she CLUBS away, and Dynamite goes picture in picture!

Julia drags Willow up and into the ring, storms in after her, and CLUBS away more! Julia makes us all look at the damaged eye before she CLUBS Willow again. The ref reprimands, Julia stalks Willow to ropes and CHOKES her! The ref counts again, Julia lets off, and she CLUBS Willow down. Julia digs her boots in, but Willow pushes her away. Julia CLUBS Willow, Willow hits back. They throw hands back and forth, and Julia stomps Willow around. Julia brings Willow up but Willow throws body shots! Willow fireman’s carries, but Julia CXLAWS at Willow’s face! Julia drags Willow down while the ref reprimands!

Julia puts Willow on ropes and CHOKES her! The ref reprimands and counts, Julia lets off at 4, and then stalks Willow as she rises. Julia SLAPS Willow, has her in a corner, and CHOPS her! And ROCKS her! Julia fires forearms, snapmares, then KICKS her in the back! And KICKS her in the side! Julia rains down forearms, then clamps on a chinlock. Willow endures as Julia leans on the hold. Willow fights up as fans rally, and Willow stands as Dynamite returns to single picture. Julia jumps on for a SLEEPER, but Willow pops her into a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Both women rise and fans rally behind Willow!

Willow runs corner to corner to BACK BODY BLOCK, then she snapmares Julia away, to BOOT her down! Willow then whips Julia to SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO!! Julia survives but Willow stays focused. Willow drags Julia up, reels her in, short arm LARIAT! And short arm- NO, Julia turns it into an STO! Julia then steps over, for the HARTLESS STRETCH!! Willow endures, reaches out, ROPEBREAK!! Julia is furious as she lets go, but then she watches Willow go to the corner. Julia runs in, handsprings, but into a POOOOUNCE! PERIOD!! The straps come down, Willow is roaring, and she hauls Julia up!

Willow gut wrenches, scoops, and then RAMS Julia into a corner! Julia is put in the Tree of Woe, and Willow mocks the hooting and barking! Fans join in, Willow runs in, but Julia sits up and cannonball hits buckles! Julia adjusts, to MOONSAULT! Cover, Julia wins!

Winner: Julia Hart, by pinfall

Julia angered Willow and took advantage of that rage! But she’s not done, either! HARTLESS STRETCH!! Willow endures, refuses to tap, but it doesn’t matter anyway because this match is over! But here comes Kris! The TBS Champion runs down and rushes Julia but Julia dodges and hides behind Brody! Julia has a sly little smile, but will nothing stop Mama Kris from grounding the brat? Or is the song right that the House Always Wins?

BREAKING NEWS for Rampage!

As if this week wasn’t big enough, The Acclaimed’s Open Challenge for the Trios Championships has been answered! It will be the Hardy Party, Isiah Kassidy & The Hardy Boyz! Will the Scissoring World Tour be DELETED? Or will nothing stop Max Caster, Anthony Bowens & Billy Gunn? Plus, Ruby Soho takes on Hikaru Shida for a shot at the AEW Women’s World Championship for October 10th, the special edition Tuesday Night Dynamite! And though he is to defend both the ROH World and NJPW Strong Openweight titles against Katsuyori Shibata, Eddie Kingston defends the latter against Rocky Romero! Will Azucar look to change the Mad King’s plans?

Renee Paquette is back in the ring.

She is already with Swerve Strickland at the table for this contract signing, and says we are days away from WrestleDream, Swerve returning to his hometown to face this former AEW World Champion, Hangman Adam Page! The Anxious Millennial Cowboy makes his entrance and the fans fire up. And Renee makes sure everyone knows, no one else is allowed ringside, neither from The Mogul Embassy nor from The Elite. Security is here to ensure that, so let us make this 1v1 match official. Hangman is given the contract first, and he takes the pen but Swerve says before he signs, Swerve has to admit. He is impressed with the fire Hangman has shown lately.

Even at Grand Slam, Swerve didn’t think Hangman had it in him. But uh, a little too late for it, don’t you think? We’re just four days away from WrestleDream. Swerve says it is better to be prepared on the approach rather than the landing, but that’s just him. Does Hangman understand what he is walking into? This is Seattle, “Whose house?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” That is a lion’s den! It’s the Twelfth Man, dammit! Unlike anything Hangman’s ever dealt with. And he doesn’t really understand. They are two competitors that couldn’t be more opposite. Swerve is nothing like Hangman. Hangman is not the wrestler Swerve is, and Swerve is NEVER going to be the wrestler Hangman is.

Cuz what’s a farm to a mogul? A cowboy to an outlaw? A Buckshot to a Killshot? Swerve puts down his mic and stares Hangman down but Hangman says Swerve is all fire dup. Good, he should be. A few weeks ago, Swerve said some things that in the moment, Hangman won’t lie, they stung. But now that he’s had time to think about them, he wants to thank Swerve for saying all that. Hangman hadn’t gotten new wrestling gear in over a year. He hadn’t had new shirts or merch, and that something was up with Hangman. Hangman knew it, too, deep down.

Because for a year and a half, every day that Hangman would come to work, he felt there was a little black cloud hanging over his head that he just couldn’t get rid of. And yeah, sure, the sun would shine sometimes. Hangman beat Moxley in a Texas Death Match! Hangman reunited with his friends in The Elite! And it felt like Hangman should’ve been the happiest man in the world, but every time he started to smile, that little cloud came back and started to rain. Hangman was annoyed, pissed off, because he knew he couldn’t do anything or say anything. He had this umbrella folded up at his side, and he knew that for as long as God let it rain on him, he didn’t dare open the umbrella.

“But that is over with. And I weathered the storm, I’m still here!” Fans cheer that, and Hangman says the thing that Swerve noticed and made Hangman see, is that in the downpour, it washed something out of Hangman. Call it determination, passion, hope, but it was gone. And now that Hangman has had time to think, to really reckon with it, he realizes that the people have always, and now more than ever, deserve more from Hangman! They deserve the best of Hangman! Fans cheer that, too! And Hangman deserves to do that for himself. So that is what Swerve will get in Seattle. He will get THE BEST of Hangman!

Fans fire up as Hangman signs his part. Swerve laughs as the fans chant for “COWBOY SH*T!” Swerve says that was beautiful stuff. But frankly, that was also the most pathetic thing he’s ever seen! More pathetic than Russell Wilson and the Broncos against the Dolphins. Fans boo but Swerve says him being from Seattle, he is happy to have gotten “that piece of trash” out and left him here in “this dumpster fire of Colorado.” But Swerve will level with Hangman. This isn’t personal. It could’ve been anybody, but it happened to be Hangman in the position Swerve wants. Yeah, it’s true. Swerve really just might have mental issues, like mental health problems, because he makes an enemy out of someone every single day.

And that is what drives him to get into the position Hangman has! Swerve will do that! He will take this spot from Hangman this Sunday at WrestleDream! Oh and by the way, it rains an awful lot in Seattle. Hangman says Swerve keeps on saying he wants Hangman’s spot, Hangman’s position, to be a main event player in AEW. That’s what he keeps saying, right? Swerve himself said that if he had Hangman’s opportunites, he would’ve been long ago the first Black AEW World Champion. And Swerve, maybe he would’ve, that is a hypothetical. But the only thing either man can do is to live in a way that the generations to come won’t have to ask the same questions.

They could go back and forth all day long about what opportunities were handed to him and what opportunities Hangman earned. But in the end, one thing we can all agree on is that for every opportunity Hangman ever had, he has knocked it out the park! Fans cheer that! Hangman tells Swerve that if he wants this spot, damn right he should want it! But if he wants to say he has what it takes to fill Hangman’s boots, he does NOT! Swerve SLAPS Hangman, then signs his part. Renee backs away, as Hangman STABS Swerve’s hand with the other pen!! Security rushes in to pull these two apart before it gets worse!

Fans fire up as both men want to tear each other apart! They only have to wait four more days, will they be willing to wait until WrestleDream?

Wait, what’s going on backstage?!

Four men in completely black suits and masks are beating up on someone! They drag this person up, and TOSS him into the wall!! Wait, is that JAY WHITE?! Who just jumped King Switch and why? The camera pans over, and it’s MJF’s devil mask! Is MJF bringing out that dark side again? Is that even MJF under the mask?

My Thoughts:

A great Dynamite to start another go-home week. They hadn’t advertised much in the way of matches, so we got some great stuff essentially outta nowhere. Fenix VS Jeff Jarrett was a really good opener, with of course that circus of sidekicks doing what they can to help Jarrett, but of course Fenix retains. Fenix’s leg seemed to be actually banged up after that suplex over the barriers, so hopefully he’ll be okay given the recent handful of injuries. And awesome Triple Threat of Nick Jackson VS Cage VS Claudio to set up a title match for next Dynamite, and what a great move to make it a rematch of Fenix VS Nick. That was a huge hit when Dynamite first got going, so it’ll be great to see them go another round for the Dynamite anniversary.

Awesome Fatal 4 to hype up the Fatal 4 Tag we’re getting at WrestleDream. Cassidy winning makes me think #OrangeHook is out of the running, but then it feels like The Bucks are getting the title shot. That’s a lot given they’re now ROH World Six Man champs. At the same time, the Bucks VS FTR is always a good match. And Willow VS Julia was a great match, especially as it ended up the main event match. But I got to thinking, while Julia has been working hard a long time, but like, what happened to Willow getting to do stuff after winning the Owen Hart Cup? Why didn’t they think to raise the stakes, have Willow win here and then we get a Triple Threat at WrestleDream? If you’re going to do so few women’s matches, have more women in the matches.

Great promos all over to hype things for WrestleDream, though. A little redundant to show Don Callis & Konosuke in Tokyo, have them walk out live, and then cue up the rest of that Tokyo trip, but the point got across that neither Omega, Jericho or Ibushi is going into the Six Man Tag grudge match at 100%. As such, this has to be where Omega, Jericho & Ibushi get a win to make up for the losses at All In and All Out, as well as the betrayal of Sammy on Jericho. And nice post-Collision promo from Starks and Yuta to set up a match for WrestleDream. And given Starks has lost twice to Bryan, he has to win against Yuta here.

Great sit-down interview promo from Christian and Darby, and it seems Christian is just going to bring up anyone’s dead relatives to get heat. I like that Darby has dared Christian to leave Luchasaurus behind so they can truly be 1v1 for their two outta three, but I’m sure something still happens where Luchasaurus shows up and costs Christian in the end. At least, I’m sure hoping that happens. And a great promo for the contract signing with Swerve and Hangman. They could really steal the show since the fans will already be fired up for hometown hero Swerve, and at this point, it feels like Swerve could win.

But the newest vignette from The Righteous wasn’t that different from their previous. However, it was a good segue into the promo we got from MJF and Adam Cole. Another hilarious brochacho vignette, but a damn shame Cole’s foot injury is really that bad. I really hope Cole comes back quickly, it still feels like he just got back from the concussion. Hilarious stuff with Roddy, still in a hospital gown, wheeling in to shout at Adam. I like that MJF is learning to let friends have other friends, that is character growth. And MJF wanting to face The Righteous all alone, that is also some growth, where he is getting the guts to be the Face that takes on all comers.

And then, great promo from MJF and Jay White, setting up a title feud outta nowhere, but probably to make up for Cole being out of action. And what a wild closing scene where Devil MJF has henchmen again. Though, I wonder what’s really going on here. We saw The Kingdom & Roddy leave, Cole trailing behind. How do we know this is Roddy, The Kingdom and a couple others being given an opportunity all framing MJF to turn Cole against him? Either way, there’s some great intrigue thrown back into this story, I like it.

My Score: 8.9/10

We’re on the road to Bakersfield!

Before battling over the NXT Championship, Carmelo Hayes and Ilja Dragunov sign on the dotted line! But will things get intense even before No Mercy?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• NXT Global Heritage Invitational Tournament Finals: Pete Dunne VS Joe Coffey w/ Gallus; Dunne wins and will challenge Noam Dar for the Cup at No Mercy.
• Trick Williams VS Joe Gacy w/ Ava Raine; Trick wins.
• Baron Corbin VS Josh Briggs w/ Brooks Jensen & Fallon Henley; Corbin wins.
• Hank Walker & Tank Ledger VS Lucien Price & Bronco Nima w/ SCRYPTS; Price & Nima win.
• Strap Match: Eddy Thorpe VS DIJAK; Dijak wins.
• Thea Hail w/ Jacy Jayne VS Dani Palmer; Thea wins.
• Gigi Dolin VS Blair Davenport; cancelled.
• NXT North American Championship #1 Contender Triple Threat: Axiom VS Tyler Bate VS Dragon Lee; changed into…
• NXT North American Championship #1 Contender Fatal 4 Way: Axiom VS Tyler Bate VS Dragon Lee VS Trick Williams; Trick wins and will challenge Dominik Mysterio for the title at No Mercy.

PLAY BY PLAY

NXT Global Heritage Invitational Tournament Finals: Pete Dunne VS Joe Coffey w/ Gallus!

With No Mercy this Saturday, there’s no time to waste! Noam Dar either faces the Bruiserweight or the Iron King, will the Scottish Supernova be ready to work this weekend?

Speaking of Dar, he and Meta Four are in their lounge, looking ready to watch the Kentucky Derby or something. Wonder which “horse” they’re betting on. But the bell rings and the two tie up. Fans fire up and duel as Joe puts Dunne on ropes. The ref counts, Joe lets off but Dunne turns it around to SLAP Joe! They tie up again, go around, and they’re in a deadlock. The two let off, go again, and circle. They tie up again and Dunne wrenches an arm, to then shift and wrangle Joe down! Dunne tarps that arm, and he neck wrenches Joe while also grinding in forearms. Fans fire up as Dunne twists Joe’s ears! Dunne then STOMPS Joe’s arm!

Joe shakes that elbow out as he and Dunne reset. They tie up, Joe goes for Dunne’s arm and uses his head for leverage. Joe wrangles Dunne, digs a knee in, and then he twists Dunne’s ear. And claws at Dunne’s face! Dunne endures, kips up, and he grinds forearms in return. Dunne powers Joe to ropes, puts him in a corner, and the ref counts. Fans rally, Dunne and Joe stare down, but then Joe DECKS Dunne! Joe drops knee after knee then an elbow! Joe drags Dunne up, headlocks for a takeover, but Dunne pushes up. Dunne powers out, things speed up. and Dunne hurdles to drop and then- NO, Joe runs through the forearm to CLOBBER Dunne!

Fans are torn but Joe puts Dar on notice. Joe drags Dunne up while Dar taunts back. Dunne SLAPS Joe again! And then ARMLOCK DDT! Dunne drops knees on the elbow, then crosses his arms to mock Gallus! Mark has to keep Wolfgang back as Dunne bends Joe’s fingers. Dunne isolates the arm to STOMP it! Joe goes to a corner and fans fire up. Dunne runs up to GAMANGIRI! Dunne goes up to FLYING KNEE Joe’s arm! Joe writhes and flounders but Dunne is on him with a FUJIWARA! Mark gets in the ring but the ref stops him, only for Wolfgang to ROCK Dunne! Joe is free while fans boo.

Joe deadlifts to GERMAN SUPLEX, but Dunne lands on his feet! Joe ducks the lariat, ELBOWS Dunne, then goes up and up to CROSS- FOREARM!! Cover, TWO!! Joe survives and Dunne seethes as he sees Gallus regroup. Dunne goes up and out and up again, ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Gallus Boys go down and fans fire up! Joe scrambles, Dunne pursues to SNAP GERMAN! Dunne then STOMPS the hands! BUZZSAW! Gallus gets on the apron but the ref sees them now! The ref EJECTS Gallus!! Fans fire up as this is now truly 1v1, and Dunne just shrugs as NXT goes picture in picture.

Even Meta Four joins in on taunting Wolfgang & Markus with “Hey hey hey, goodbye~!” Dunne waits on Joe as Joe fumes. Joe storms up to Dunne, and the hands start flying! Joe ducks to ROCK Dunne! And JAB! And body shot! JAB! BODY! Repeat! BIG LEFT! Joe stomps away in the corner but the ref counts. Joe lets off, shaking out his bad arm. Joe drags Dunne back up, ROCKS him, but that just hurts the bad hand. Joe goes up the corner, takes aim, and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Dunne is tougher than that and Joe seethes again. Joe drags Dunne around by his legs, but Dunne kicks back. Joe just grabs both legs in one arm!

Joe turns Dunne for a DOUBLE HALF CRAB! Maybe some kinda lobster stretch? Dunne endures, turns over, and he kicks Joe again! Dunne drags Joe down into an ARMBAR! Joe scrambles, but ends up in a TRIANGLE HOLD! Joe endures, fights around, but Dunne squeezes tighter! Joe fights back up, deadlifts Dunne, and BUCKLE BOMBS! Both men are down yet glaring at each other. They crawl over to junkyard dog headbutt! Then they throw haymakers and jabs! They brawl, Dunne fires off on Joe! Dunne hammers down on the Iron King, then STOMPS his arm! Joe writhes, Dunne paces, and then Dunne gets the wrists.

Dunne drags Joe up but Joe HEADBUTTS! And HEADBUTTS! And HEADBUTTS! NXT returns to single picture as Dunne flops to the apron. Joe drags Dunne up by his hair, has him against ropes, but Dunne grabs that bad arm! Dunne wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER! Then he gives Joe BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! Shoutout to The Fella, as Dunne goes BEYOND ten!! Fans are thunderous, Meta Four says nuh-uh, that won’t happen to Dar. But Dunne drags Joe back up, for another ELBOW BREAKER! Joe HEADBUTTS back! Joe seethes and drags Dunne up, but Dunne holds ropes to fight the driver!

Dunne reels Joe in, APRON DDT!! Fans are thunderous again and Dunne goes back for more. Joe stands, swings, but Dunne ROCKS him! And ROCKS! Joe ROCKS Back! Dunne rebounds, into a POP-UP UPPERCUT! Joe goes up and up, FLYING CROSSBODY! Joe roars, he drags Dunne into another waistlock, but the bad arm won’t let him lift! Joe just one arms it?! GERMAN SUPLEX!! Joe aims from a corner, fans rally up, and Dunne rises into the GLASGOW SENDOFF! Joe keeps moving, ALL THE- BOOT! Joe stays up, ALL THE- ENZIGURI! ALL THE BEST SOUTHPAW STYLE!! Fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” while both men are down!

A standing count starts, the watch party is loving this, and Joe flounders his way over. But Dunne gets the arm! FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Dunne bends the fingers back! Joe fights up, rolls, and reels Dunne in! POWERBOMB!! Dunne manages to rise up, but Joe runs in again, GLASGOW SENDOFF!! Dunne goes down, Joe keeps moving, ALL THE BEST FOR THE BELLS!!! Cover, TWO?!? Dunne survives and even Meta Four is shocked! Joe shoves Dunne out of the ring, runs in, but the sendoff is sent into steel steps! Dunne puts Joe in the ring, reels him in, BITTER END!!! Cover, DUNNE WINS!!

Winner: Pete Dunne, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the NXT Heritage Cup)

Dar does NOT like this! He knows how dangerous the Bruiserweight can be, just as we all saw with our own eyes! Will Dunne rip the Cup away from Dar once and for all?

Backstage interview with Dominik Mysterio.

McKenzie Mitchell is with the North American Champion and says he retained it against Dragon Lee just last night. Yes, Dom knows, it was another instant classic. Another challenger, another successful defense. And now he has a free Saturday to hang out with Mami and eat chicken tendies. But didn’t he know- Well you thought wrong, Kenzie! No Dom at No Mercy. But HBK just made a Triple Threat to determine a contender. What? Did Dom not see HBK’s social media? No, Dom doesn’t follow HBK. Well, take a look: Axiom VS Tyler Bate VS Dragon Lee! Dom fumes and says HBK’s no better than Pearce! He’s a champion, he should be respected!

Dom storms off, but will he have no choice but to accept a new challenge so soon?

The D’Angelo Family holds their tag team summit dinner.

Stacks says this is a big night for them. Do they have enough food? The Don says c’mon, Adrian’s got ’em covered. So what’s the plan? Everyone sits down, and then they lower the boom? Yeah, Stacks, they lower the boom. Would he relax? Eat some bread. First, they feed their guests, with Uncle Chez slaving away in the kitchen. The chicken parm, the baked ziti. Then they’ll decide who challenges for the tag titles at No Mercy. Right, the champs call the shots. Exactly. The guests arrive and get checked out. Angel Garza doesn’t get it, but Stacks says this is a family establishment. Humberto has his cousin cool off and they sit down.

Humberto appreciates the invite. The last time they met, thigs got… outta hand. Exactly. But Garza says they’re not apologizing. They aren’t even here to eat, just to talk. Well, that mistake is on them. There’s a six course meal coming, and your tastebuds will thank you later. Garza says they’re after one thing. The titles? Good, get a drink, wait for the others. Others? Fine. We’ll check back in on this later, will this meeting even make it through the appetizers?

Trick Williams VS Joe Gacy w/ Ava Raine!

Trick Melo Gang is now, then and forever, while The Schism’s tree seems to be rotting away. Will Trick Willie prove he is his own man and can win his own battles? Or will Mr. Inclusion make him feel all alone?

NXT returns as The Schism makes their entrance. At least, what’s left of it. The bell rings and the two tie up. Gacy headlocks, Trick powers out but Gacy whips. Trick whips Gacy away, then runs him over! Fans fire up as Trick headlocks. Gacy powers out, Trick goes up and over and scoops to SLAM Gacy down! And then DROPKICKS him down! Fans fire up as Trick whips Gacy corner to corner, but Gacy reverses. Gacy runs in, Trick blocks the boot and spins him. Trick ducks the lariat to JAB, JAB and UPPERCUT! Fans fire up more and Trick whips, but Gacy blocks hip toss to knee low and DDT Trick down!

Fans boo as Gacy stomps Trick around. Gacy CLUBS Trick, CLUBS him again, then rains down forearms to the back! Fans boo as Gacy just hammers away! Gacy roars and clamps on a BULLY CHOKE! Trick endures, fights around, and Gacy shouts for Trick to give up! Fans rally, Trick fights up, and Trick pries the hold open! Trick turns around but Gacy kicks low. Gacy throws Trick down by his hair, but Trick avoids the elbow drop! Trick BOOTS from the corner, runs up and fires off haymakers! Trick DECKS Gacy, then throws hands against the ropes! Trick whips, and LEG LARIATS! Then a scoop, but Gacy slips free!

Gacy shoves Trick to a corner to clothesline, ELBOW, and run to UPSIDE- KNEE!! Trick covers, TRICK WINS!

Winner: Trick Williams, by pinfall

If you blinked, you would’ve missed it! He whooped dat trick, is this proof enough Williams ain’t no sidekick? Kelly Kincaid congratulates Trick on the win and he tells her let’s talk about it. He ain’t gonna lie,. it feels good to get that dub. And he is ambidextrous: he whoops ass with both hands! Believe that! Kelly says with No Mercy on Saturday, does he feel Melo also walks out with the W? Or do we see a new champion in Ilja Dragunov? Kelly, Kelly, Kelly. Gacy is weird, but this was a good match. This might’ve been Trick’s best yet. And we wanna talk Melo VS Ilja? But hey, Trick will answer the question.

We all know Dragunov hits hard, and no one knows better than Trick. Trick would be a fool to bet against him. And by him, he means his boy, Melo! Fans cheer that, and Trick says Trick Melo Gang always gonna be here. So at No Mercy, Melo retains that title. And now that Trick thinks about it… Melo has his title, yeah? Trick wants to go get his! Trick heads out, but what is he planning on doing next?

Backstage interview with Blair Davenport.

McKenzie is with the Ichiban Gaijin, and says the last time we saw her and Gigi Dolin, they were brawling in the back. Blair says she gets it. That was Gigi’s feeble attempt at taking Blair out. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but in Gigi’s case, it was just sad. The biggest difference is that when Blair targets people, they don’t get up. Blair got back up, and the refs had to pull them apart to save Gigi from Blair. Blair tells Gigi that if she thinks she can share the same vindictive nature and match her vicious intent? Well, she can’t. And if you don’t believe her, just watch what she does tonight.

Andre Chase talks with Duke Hudson.

Mr. Chase knows they have to give Thea her space, but he’s still worried about her. Duke says yeah, but there’s not much they can do. But then Jacy Jayne walks over and asks who they’re looking for. She knows who. They know Jacy is Thea’s new friend, but Thea isn’t returning their texts. How is she doing? Don’t ask Jacy, professor. Just ask her for yourself. Thea! Thea walks in and Duke says HOLY ISH! Thea is in that new leather skirt and top combo Jacy helped her pick out. Chase cannot even, but Duke keeps him from admonishing Thea. Chase says she has never looked so nice. Wait, really? Really really? Yes.

Then great! Because she finally feels like a grown ass woman. All credit to Jacy! But okay, time to go get ready for Dani Palmer in their match. Laters. Jacy says if they liked that, wait until they see the new ring gear. Chase asks what the hell. Duke says it will be okay. Has Chase U’s Sandy gone from cheerleader to modern day Pink Lady? And how much more (or less?) can there be for her ring gear?

Baron Corbin VS Josh Briggs w/ Brooks Jensen & Fallon Henley!

Before facing the #MeanerThanEvil Bron Breakker this Saturday, “No More BS” Corbin looks to show this country boy no mercy. Will Corbin #BurnTheShips and leave Briggs stranded? Or will Briggs show Corbin there’s nothing he can do about the new wave of superstars?

NXT returns as Briggs makes his entrance. The bell rings, the two circle, and then tie up. They go around, Corbin puts Briggs in a corner, and the ref counts. Corbin lets off, to SLAP Briggs! Briggs JABS back! Briggs fires off, fans fire up and Briggs clotheslines Corbin up and out! Briggs pursues, he CLUBS Corbin, then SMACKS him off the apron! The ring count starts as Briggs CLUBS Corbin, then RAMS him into barriers! Fans fire up as Briggs gets in Corbin’s face. Briggs puts Corbin in at 5 of 10, hurries up, and he ROCKS Corbin! Briggs runs, Corbin dodges, but Briggs BOOTS Corbin down!

Fans fire up with Briggs, and he drags Corbin. Corbin grabs ropes, kicks Briggs away, then he kicks Briggs’ leg out! Corbin hauls Briggs up, HALF NELSON SLAM! Cover, TWO! Corbin is frustrated but Briggs is a former tag champion so he’s tough. Corbin fires hands on Briggs, has him in a corner and whips him corner to corner hard. Corbin runs in to SPLASH! Corbin mocks the cheering of the fans and of Fallon, but Briggs avoids his splash! Then scoops for a SIDEWALK SLAM! SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Corbin is also a former US Champion, he’s tougher than that. Fans rally and Briggs looms over Corbin.

Briggs fires hands but Corbin fires back! They go back and forth, Corbin ROCKS Briggs but Briggs fires a flurry! Briggs BOOTS again and Corbin goes to a corner! Briggs snarls, runs in, but Corbin uses the ref as a shield! THROAT CHOP! Corbin goes up to FLYING LARIAT! Corbin drags Briggs up, reels him in, END OF DAYS! Cover, Corbin wins!

Winner: Baron Corbin, by pinfall

One thing Briggs has to learn is that Corbin will do anything to win. Corbin gets a mic to call out “Badass Bron Breakker. This Saturday, we find out if the little doggy is all bark or if he bites.” Corbin burned his past, is looking to the future. Bron just his in the End of Days. But wait, Bron is here! The “little doggy” storms to the ring with a mic of his own, and he tells Corbin, HAYMAKER! Breon fires off, Corbin hits back and fans fire up! Security rushes in, but fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” Corbin and Bron ram into each other, throw hands, the others separate them but they just get hit, too! If this is how fired up they are tonight, how much more violent will it get on Saturday?

Trick Williams walks up to HBK’s office door.

Trick knocks, and Shawn has him come in. Trick asks if he has a minute. Yeah, come on in. What is Trick going to ask of the NXT GM?

NXT takes a closer look at Becky VS Tiffany for No Mercy.

Tiffy thinks she’s effortlessly perfect. But then she talked about the wrong Horsewoman, and ended up thrown into the Big Time. Becky took that title to become a Grand Slam Champion, but Tiffany demanded a title rematch. Becky’s been here nearly a decade, and Tiffany’s only been here a year, and yet she went toe-to-toe with The Man. But Becky says she’s seen the ladies with rockets strapped to their backs and they fizzle out just as fast. But then Tiff had to go and push things, and now Becky’s pushing back with EXTREME RULES! Tiff says she’s hungry, Becky says weapons will be used and bodies will be bruised. But will The Man still be the champ?

Hank Walker & Tank Ledger VS Lucien Price & Bronco Nima w/ SCRYPTS!

Tony D’Angelo’s guest list for dinner is not yet complete, but these two young and hungry teams are ready to eat! Will Hank ‘n’ Tank bring that hoss energy to the table? Or will Reggie’s new crew truly be #OutTheMud?

The teams sort out and Price starts against Tank. Tank dodges the boot to waistlock but Price elbows. Tank tags Hank, whips, and then Hank CLOBBERS Price! Hank ‘n’ Tank DOUBLE FALLING HEADBUTTS! Fans rally while Price goes to a corner. Hank storms up but Price BOOTS! Hank throws hands, whips Price to another corner, then SPLASHES! Hank runs side to side, tags Tank and SPLASHES again! Tank RAMS into Price, feeds him to Hank’s scoop, and then Hank SLAMS so Tank can slingshot SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Tank drags Price up, but Nima distracts. Price wrenches to HOOK KICK! Very Booker T style there!

Tag to Nima, he runs to STOMP Tank down! Tank flounders while Nima fires up. Nima runs to STRADDLE ATTACK! Nima bounces with it, then he throws Tank down. Nima STOMPS Tank’s leg, then tags Price. Price runs to JUMP SPLASH! Tank sputters, Nima cheers Price on, and Price runs in to clothesline! Price snapmares, tags Nima, and Nima runs up. Tank avoids the stomp this time to roll Nima up, TWO! Hot tag to Hank! Hank hits a THESZ PRESS and fast hands! Fans fire up, Price runs in but Hank DECKS him! Fans fire up with Hank as he runs corner to corner to SPLASH! Then whip and scoop, to SNAKE EYES!

Hank keeps moving to BOOT Nima down! Fans are all fired up with Hank and he tags Tank! The big boys scoop the bigger boy, but Scrypts grabs at Hank! The ref stops Reggie but that allows Price to SUPERKICK Tank! Then Nima shoves Tank into Hank! Hank goes down, Nima tags Price. They get Tank up, GRIDIRON SPINEBUSTER!! Cover, OTM wins!

Winners: Lucien Price & Bronco Nima, by pinfall

Scrypts was the brains of the game plan, and they’re ready to eat now! Will Tony have Uncle Chez make some extra helpings for these guys?

Gigi Dolin prepares backstage.

But then the lights go out!? And someone attacks Gigi in the dark!! The lights come back up, and of course it was Blair! Blair tells Gigi she’s pathetic. Did Blair just violently cancel her match? Or will this only further motivate Gigi to get revenge?

NXT checks back in on the D’Angelo dinner party.

Stacks says he’s filling up on bread waiting for the other teams to arrive. Tony says it’s good wine, though. But hey, why does it look like Angel & Humberto got mauled by sabretooth tigers? Garza asks if he is disrespecting their grandfather. Stacks says not at all! Humberto explains that these claw mark tattoos remind them who they are, and is a message from their grandfather. A message that includes taking those tag titles. Oh, some message. Maybe it’ll be a long time before they can respond, huh? Heh. And speaking of family, look who is here! The Creed Brothers walk in, get patted down but Tony assures his guys that these two are alright.

Brutus says he’s starving, so he came to the right place. Tony had them whip up double of the, how did Brutus say it? A-spicy-a meatball-a! Some real I-talian food! Julius says they’ll eat, but they’re also here to discuss business. Stacks rolls his eyes at Julius’ Godfather act. Julius figures maybe Tony can just cut them in on No Mercy with the primos here. Stacks says nothing has been settled, just relax and eat something. Brutus asks if this is where… you know? Know what? Where people have had their last suppers. Food poisoning, that is. Humberto hesitates to eat the pasta now. Tony says no, that’s the place up the street! C’mon!

Stacks reports that OTM is OTM. G O O D. Huh? Good. Oh! And here comes some more pasta! Will Brutus & Julius leave enough for Nima & Price?

Tyler Bate talks with Axiom.

The Big Strong Boi says it goes without saying, but no hard feelings out there, mate. The Undeniable Truth agrees. And no offense to either Bate or Dragon Lee, but understand that opportunities like this don’t come along every day. Bate agrees, you gotta seize these moments with both hands. Trick walks in and he wants everyone to know, face to face… The Triple Threat is now a FATAL 4! See you out there. Well, that changes things. Will Dom be doomed no matter who comes away with the golden tickets?

Strap Match: Eddy Thorpe VS DIJAK!

After going back and forth, The Alpha Wolf being pushed to his limits by Hard Justice, both men are ready to tear into each other! And that’s what the leather strap is for! Who walks away the winner while the other walks away licking his wounds?

In the front row is Thorpe’s family: his mother, father, sister, and six-year-old niece. Will they give Eddy the strength to fight through the pain and bring Dijak down? The strap is secured onto each man’s left wrist, and the bell rings. Fans fire up but Dijak already goes out of the ring. Dijak works to drag Eddy out with him but Eddy uses the corner to stay put! Eddy then YANKS Dijak into the post! And then Eddy DIVES to send Dijak into barriers! Fans fire up, Eddy puts Dijak in the ring, but Dijak YANKS Eddy into the apron! Dijak drags Eddy in, gathers up some slack, but Eddy dodges to use slack to trip Dijak!

Eddy KICKS and CLUBS away but Dijak shoves him away. Eddy comes back with more shots! Dijak shoves again, then BOOTS Eddy! Dijak goes up but Eddy YANKS him down to GAMANGIRI! The fans rally behind Eddy as he uses the strap to help drag Dijak up in a waistlock. Dijak ELBOWS Eddy over and over, but Eddy still holds on! Dijak pries the hold and throws more elbows! Eddy lets go, Dijak gathers up the slack, but Eddy BOOTS him first! Eddy then SHOTGUNS Dijak into a corner! Fans fire up and Eddy aims. Eddy runs in, but Dijak dodges the boot! To LASH Eddy with the strap! Dijak then drags Eddy around to whip and TOSS!

Eddy hits the ground hard, his family and the fans rally behind him, but Dijak just laughs as NXT goes to break.

NXT returns and Dijak has Eddy down, with the strap across Eddy’s mouth! Eddy endures and fans boo Dijak but Dijak tells Eddy to stay down, he’s stuck! Eddy claws at the strap, brings it away from his mouth, but Dijak pulls it back down! Fans rally up, Eddy fights to his feet and he throws elbows! And windmill haymakers! And CHOPS! Dijak SUPERKICKS, whips, and then yanks again, but Eddy stops himself! SOBAT! Eddy runs in but Dijak choke grips! But Eddy swings and clotheslines Dijak and himself out of the ring! But Dijak holds on!? APRON CHOKE SLAM!! Eddy sputters while Dijak grimaces.

Dijak drags Eddy from the apron, to whip him into barriers! Right in front of the Thorpe family! Fans boo and mama tells Dijak he’s a bad man. Eddy’s niece fires up for Eddy but Dijak stands Eddy up. Dijak grabs some slack, to LASH Eddy! Dijak says this is for the family! LASH!! Fans boo Dijak for being mean to a kid, but he LASHES Eddy over and over again! Dijak drags Uncle Eddy up and into the ring and fans boo more. Dijak takes off his white belt! The same belt that started it all, and that lashed the tree Eddy uses as a guidepost! Dijak swings, but Eddy dodges! Eddy BOOTS Dijak, then runs in to BOOT in the corner!

Dijak staggers, Eddy has some slack now and he LASHES away on Dijak! Again and again and again! Shot for shot, each one for his family, his heritage and himself! Eddy just unloads and the crowd is thunderous! Dijak grabs for his belt but Eddy stands on it! Eddy shakes his head, and he LASHES Dijak again! Dijak staggers to a corner, Eddy uses the white belt for a LEATHER FIST!! Eddy has Dijak down, drags him into a drop zone, then goes up the corner! Eddy wraps his arm in leather, for a LEATHER MACHO ELBOW! Cover, Eddy wins!!

Winner: Eddy Thorpe, by pinfall

The Alpha Wolf deals with Dijak, but Dijak isn’t done with Eddy! Dijak torture racks Eddy for FEAST YOUR EYES!! Dijak is a sore loser and fans boo, but Dijak drags Eddy up again! Dijak RAMS Eddy into the corner, hoists him up top, then SUPERKICKS him down! Eddy is stuck in a Tree of Woe, and we know what Dijak does to trees! Dijak uses the strap to tie Eddy’s legs to the corner, and then grabs his white belt! Fans boo as hard as they can, and Dijak points at the Thorpes to say watch this! Dijak LASHES Eddy again and again and again!! Then he threatens the refs! Dijak storms off, what will the consequences be for pushing things this far?

Jacy Jayne waits in the hall.

She’s so excited for Thea’s new look. She knocks on the door and asks if she’s ready. Almost ready. She looks so good. Good! Jacy is sure everyone will go nuts, but will this new gear help Thea feel like a winner?

Thea Hail w/ Jacy Jayne VS Dani Palmer!

While Dani makes her entrance for this match, Blair snatches the headset from Vic Joseph to mockingly say “what a shame” that Gigi can’t compete tonight. Maybe her tortured little soul is more beat up than she thought. Next time Gigi wants to play Blair’s game, make sure she remembers how she feels right now. Because next time, it’ll be even worse. And now back to our regularly scheduled match.

Thea makes her entrance, Jacy leading the way to bring out a new theme and tron. Thea walks out in leather and garter belts! Fans seem to accept the new Thea. Will Thea show us she grown in more ways than one? The bell rings, she and Dani tie up, and Thea trips Dani to have a toehold! Dani handstands, slips free and trips Thea into a toehold of her own. Thea rolls, Dani handsprings and headlocks for a takeover! Thea fights around, wrenches out of the headlock to top wristlock, and she wrangles Dani down. Dani kips up, but Thea arm-drags her down! Thea SPLASHES down on the arm!

Thea wrenches, Dani rolls, and then flips to arm-drag free! Thea comes back to wheelbarrow and arm-drag! Dani ducks ‘n’ dodges and tilt-o-whirls to RANA Thea away! Things speed up, Thea tilt-o-whirls to RANA back! They go again and Thea wrangles Dani to a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Dani rolls Thea up, TWO! Dani DROPKICKS Thea down, and then runs, but the splash only gets buckles! Thea GAMANGIRIS, clinches, and EXPLODERS! Cover, TWO! Thea grabs Dani’s arm to WRING it out! Thea wrenches again, but Dani ROCKS Thea! Then LARIATS! And DROPKICKS! Dani kips up and fans fire up as Dani runs in to HANDSPRING KICK!

Dani pushes Thea down, goes up the corner, and SKY TWISTERS! But she lands out of it as Thea moves! Thea runs in to scoop, and KIMURA!! Dani goes down, she TAPS! Thea wins!

Winner: Thea Hail, by pinfall

New look, new attitude, new Thea? Well, one win does not make a streak, but is this just the beginning? Jacy sees Chase & Duke and waves hi to them. Is that also a wave goodbye for the good ol’ days of good girl Thea?

Melo is on his phone.

And in walks Trick! He’s in his bag right now! He showed Gacy while the whole world will be chanting “Whoop Dat Trick!” And now Trick’s gonna show the rest of the world why… Wait, what’s up? Is Melo listening? Yeah, man, he saw Trick do his thing against Gacy. And knew he would! Trick’s getting in a Fatal 4, he’s gonna win! Yeah, and then Trick will go on to No Mercy to face Dom for the North American Championship. Trick will get his first title shot! Melo, c’mon! Is he on mute? No, Melo is hearing Trick, but the contract signing with Ilja is big stuff. He has to lock in. Trick understands, right? Right, Trick understands. Melo handles his business, Trick will handle his.

Trick heads out, and Melo hopes Trick wasn’t upset right there. Will all be okay when Trick Melo Gang leaves the Golden State dripping in gold?

NXT Media catches up with Baron Corbin.

Corbin’s on his way out as he is asked about Bron confronting him after his match, but Corbin says to stop. He has no time for this! “Badass Bron thinks he’s intimidating people but he’s not. This Saturday, No Mercy, he’s getting his ass whooped, and that’s-” BRON LEAPS IN AND CLOBBERS CORBIN! They brawl again and refs rush in! Security, too! These two are separated, will they even make it to Saturday?!

NXT North American Championship #1 Contender Fatal 4 Way: Axiom VS Tyler Bate VS Dragon Lee VS Trick Williams!

Each man in this match has been disrespected by Dirty Dom ever since Judgment Day started coming around NXT. And each man wants their shot at Dom’s title. What was a one-in-three is now a one-in-four, but will the numbers still spell disaster for Dom at No Mercy?

NXT returns as Axiom makes his entrance so now all four men are here. The bell rings, the four look around at the others, and then Axiom and Bate DOUBLE SUPERKICK Trick! Those two must really not like that Trick got himself into their match, but even Dragon is stunned. But now we have the original Triple Threat, and both Bate and Axiom rush Dragon! Dragon dodges, shoves Bate into Axiom and then trips Bate. Things speed up, Bate hurdles but Dragon comes back. Bate dodges to FLY out onto Trick! Fans are torn but then Dragon runs. Axiom dodges, RANAS, but Dragon handsprings!

Axiom trips Dragon, Dragon reaches up to RANA, but Axiom handsprings through. Dragon kicks low, whips Axiom toa  corner and runs in, but into an ELBOW! Axiom goes up to FLYING ARM-DRAG! Axiom kips up, DROPKICKS Dragon, and fans fire up. Axiom goes up and out to FLYING KNEE Trick down! Bate drags Trick and Axiom up but Dragon builds speed to FLY out onto all three! Dragon hurries to get Trick up and in and fans fire up again. Dragon reels Trick in, but Trick trips Dragon! Trick has the legs, BOSTON CRAB! But then Bate has a FUJIWARA ARMBAR on Dragon! But then Axiom slides in, and he studies this puzzling predicament.

Occam’s razor says the simplest solution is often the best, so Axiom just adds on! SLEEPER on Trick! Trick starts fading while Dragon still endures, but Bate sees Axiom. Bate CLUBS Axiom down and now everyone is free. Fans fire up, Bate goes after Dragon but Dragon fires haymakers! Bate puts Bop up but Dragon ducks Bang to ROCK Bate! Dragon whips, Bate reverses and DROPKICKS! Trick DECKS Bate! Axiom runs in but into body shots and an UPPERCUT! Trick runs but Axiom ducks, the LEAPING LARIAT gets Dragon! GORDO KICK gets Axiom! Bate & Axiom run in, into DOUBLE FLAPJACKS! Fans are thunderous with Trick and NXT goes picture in picture!

Trick huffs ‘n’ puffs but Bate ROCKS him back! And again! Trick ROCKS Bate, storms up but blocks the boot. Bate KNEES Trick away, goes up, and FLYING UPPERCUTS! Trick goes to another corner, Bate runs in but Trick TOSSES him up and out! Axiom runs up but into a knee! Trick CHOPS Axiom down! Trick stalks Axiom to a corner, CHOPS him again, and Axiom flounders around! Axiom tries to hit back but can’t put much into it. Trick just CHOPS Axiom down again! Trick shakes out that hand, then he sees Bate on the outside. Trick drags Bate up but Bate RAMS into Trick! Slingshot sunset flip! TWO!

Trick runs up to knee low! Trick reels Bate in, but Axiom stops the suplex. Bate & Axiom double suplex Trick, btu Dragon joins in! Dragon & Trick VS Bate & Axiom in a battle for suplex superiority! It’s Bate & Axiom that get Dragon & Trick up and over!! All four men are down and the fans are going wild! Trick and Dragon crawl away, so Bate throws a hand on Axiom! Axiom hits Bate back, they go back and forth, and Axiom kicks from below! Bate stands Axiom up to UPPERCUT! Axiom and Bate keep going back and forth, SUPERMAN PUNCH from Axiom! NXT returns to single picture as Bate rebounds!

Bate gest under and around Axiom, underhooks the arms, and TYLER DRIVER- RANA COUNTER! Cover, TWO! Axiom runs up, gets around but Bate bucks the O’Conner. Axiom catches Bate, HALF ‘N’ HALF! Axiom then kicks Trick, runs, but Dragon is back. Axiom goes up and up and ARM-DRAG RANA COMBOS! Bate is up, he kicks Axiom low and whips. Axiom tilt-o-whirls to send Bate into Trick! LARIAT DDT COMBO!! Cover on Bate, but Dragon breaks it! Dragon whips Axiom, runs in to JUMP KICK! Leg sweep! COMBINACION DRAGON! Fans rally as Dragon HYDRAULIC DROPKICKS Trick! Then HYDRAULIC DROPKICKS Axiom!

The Boy Wonder swings, Big Strong Boi dodges, REBOUNDER but Dragon slips through! DRAGON BOMB!! Cover, Trick AND Axiom break it!! Fans are thunderous again as all four men are down! The fans love “NXT! NXT!” for making this match a reality! Trick drags Dragon up to TOSS him out, but Axiom is up top! Axiom leaps, into a HAYMAKER from Trick! Trick scoop SLAMS Bate, stomps him around, then rolls to lift, but Dragon adds on! So Trick just DOUBLE BOOKENDS!! Double cover, TWO!!! Trick keeps his focus on Bate and brings him. Trick CLUBS Bate, fans sing “Trick gonna beat yo’ ass~!”

Trick suplexes but Bate SATELLITE DDTS!! Trick is dazed, Bate is roaring! Bate fireman’s carries Dragon to AIRPLANE SPIN! But Axiom runs in! So Bate trips him, and much like a certain Swiss Superman, AIRPLANE SPIN GIANT SWING COMBOS!!! Fans are thunderous as Bate goes around and around, then stops to SLAM Dragon onto Axiom! And then deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX for Dragon! Trick gets Bate to whip, but Bate hits a REBOUNDER!! Cover, Axiom breaks it while giving Dragon a DESTROYER!!! Fans are losing their minds as all four men are down again!! “This is Awesome!” as all four men stir.

Axiom and Bate rise, Axiom kicks but Bate blocks! Bate Bop up, BANG sends Axiom down! Trick whips, again, POP-UP UPPERCUT! Axiom SUPERKICKS Trick! Axiom aims at Dragon, but Dragon blocks the kick to send it into Trick! Dragon then pops Axiom up in the corner, to SUPERKICK him down! And SUPERKICK again!! Fans fire up with Dragon and he goes up the corner! But Bate GAMANGIRIS Dragon first! Bate climbs up to get Dragon, but Axiom CLUBS them both! Axiom climbs to join them, he SUPERKICKS Bate to the apron! Axiom has Dragon now, for a SUPER SPANISH FLY!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?

Dragon survives and fans are losing their minds! Both men rise, Axiom afraid for his life! Dragon shoves, spins, tilt-o-whirl, DESTINOOO~!! Cover, Trick breaks it! Trick drags Dragon up, Dragon HEADBUTTS Trick into Bate!! Bate falls back, Dragon falls out, and Trick falls forward onto Axiom!! It’s a cover! TRICK WINS!!!

Winner: Trick Williams, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the NXT North American Championship)

Even Trick is stunned! Trick is going to No Mercy to have his own title fight!! Will Trick Melo Gang be the top two of NXT?

NXT returns to the D’Angelo dinner party.

Everyone is enjoying course after course, but only now does OTM arrive. Tony says they were told to impress, and they did. Stacks says Hank ‘n’ Tank ain’t no joke, so they earned their seat at the table. Pull up a chair. They’ll get a booster seat for Scrypts there. The others laugh, but Price says not to disrespect his man. Scrypts says it’s cool. He brought cheese for the rats anyways. What’s that? Nima says they ain’t here to break bread. Brutus says he did, that focaccia bread was amazing. At least someone’s enjoying the hospitality. But Humberto also gets to business. Who will face the champions at No Mercy?

Naturally, Humberto & Angel want their shot, but The Creeds say no one remembers the last time Los Lotharios won. Was it before or after the siesta? Oh, sorry, guess the Creeds were too busy trying to get their jobs back. No, they did that in a Steel Cage Match. Maybe Garza was still napping. Brutus asks if there’s more of that chicken parm. Bro! What? This is great! Better than mom’s. Mom’s is good, too. Eh. Scrypts says it is time for new blood in the division. The D’Angelos invite them just to disrespect them. They won’t even say Lucien’s & Bronco’s names. This man must want to cake walk in Cali. Well, guess Scrypts is a mind-reader now.

Who’re they calling a cake walk? Oh, cake. Brutus, pay attention. The match the people want is Tony & Stacks VS The Creeds! Hey hold up. Everyone’s begging for their shot, but OTM don’t beg. Either Tony gives them the shot, or this place is gonna get real dirty, real quick. Tony says okay. But then he calls in his muscle. Oh, didn’t know Tony rolled like that. Tony says to sit down and shut up. Stacks says this is what they’re gonna do. Everyone makes a good case for themselves. But as their first title defense on a premium event, The D’Angelo Family won’t let others say “Oh, you picked your favorites, you took the easy road.”

So it m ight be high risk, but Tony will see all their ugly mugs at No Mercy! Don’t like it? There’s the door. The three other teams stay quiet, so Tony says that’s more like it. Stacks says they’ve even procured everyone’s favorite beverages for the sake of this toast. Everyone stands, and Tony says to the Fatal 4. Salud. Salud. Everyone toasts, the Creeds having milk while the others have wine. Then No Mercy just got a whole lot bigger! Will The Don & Underboss even make it outta Bakersfield on their own two feet? Or will there be new champions in the NXT Tag Division?

Backstage interview with Dominik Mysterio, again.

McKenzie again has Dirty Dom with her and says it will be Dom VS Trick at No Mercy. Dom says big deal. HBK is throwing curve balls, but Dom will whoop dat Trick, just like he did Dragon Lee. By the way, thanks for the black eye. But HBK needs to realize he doesn’t run NXT, DOM does! On Saturday, Dom will whoop Trick, even DESTROY him, just like he did Dragon Lee. But then Dragon DECKS Dom!! Dragon warns Dom that if he makes it past Trick, they’re going another round. Refs back Dragon off, is the clock running out on Dirty Dom’s run?

Trick catches up with Melo.

Trick is sore and tired, but he and Melo celebrate. Melo is proud of Trick. At No Mercy, they’ll both walk out champions! Trick Melo Gang always gonna be here! They secret handshake, then Melo heads out. The contract signing is next, will Melo and Dragunov keep from blowing things up in the ring before the title match?

Someone is watching.

Watching television, that is. He flips through the channels, watches some classic 80s news, Cincinnati Bengals training came, and even WCW. Just who could this be?

BREAKING NEWS for No Mercy!

HBK heard Dom run his mouth about who runs things, so he’s about to show Dom what’s up! In a bit of karma from before, Dom VS Trick for the North American Championship will have a special guest referee! And it’s none other than DRAGON LEE!! Will Dirty Dom finally taste some of his own medicine at No Mercy?

Ilja Dragunov heads to the ring.

Fans conduct the music along with The Mad Dragon as he goes to the table waiting for him. Then Melo makes his entrance, and both men take their seats. Melo has a mic to tell Ilja, “You and I both know that everything that happened last week, there’s really nothing for us to talk about. So let’s sign this contract, and we’ll see each other on Saturday at No Mercy.” Dragunov asks Melo if he realizes that in that moment last week, Melo is always the wrong person in the wrong place at the wrong time? And Dragunov is convinced that Melo is just the wrong man to be NXT Champion.

Melo says okay, hold on. Wrong person at wrong time? Like Dragunov at The Bash? Melo didn’t plan for it to go down like that, he didn’t call that shot, but it is what it is. Melo didn’t walk into The Bash thinking he wasn’t gonna win, and now he’s walking into No Mercy knowing Melo will beat you! Dragunov says Melo just explained himself, and it had to hurt, right? Dragunov can clearly see that Melo struggles outside of his comfort zone. So at No Mercy, Melo shall know true unbearable pain when he faces a dragon spitting fire! Melo says hold on. Talk about struggling with confidence? Yeah, for the first time ever, Melo is struggling! But only for a moment before he checked himself.

But if Dragunov wants to talk confidence and pain, the unbearable pain is Dragunov believing his own hype! His own hype that Dragunov beat Melo at The Bash when we all know that Dragunov did not. Dragunov says the people know, and deep inside, Melo knows that Dragunov did. So on Saturday, it is destiny! Dragunov isn’t just talking about a prophecy, but here’s a question. What does Melo do when he throws everything he has at Dragunov, and Dragunov doesn’t stay down? Wait, what does Melo do when he shoots his best shot, and oh, I dunno… he misses? Did Melo prepare himself to answer these questions?

Melo says the reality is, being the NXT Champion is not about how much pain you can endure, how many veins you can make pop out of your head, it is about being undeniable! It is about being… HIM! Fans fire up for that one. And Melo wants Dragunov to realize this: Melo is not like any of these guys Dragunov’s beaten lately. He’s not Wes Lee, he’s not Oro Mensah, he’s not Trick- Melo catches himself there and Dragunov laughs. What was that? Melo says no, hold on. Melo will be the one to push Dragunov to his limits, because Melo is champ for a freakin’ reason! And at No Mercy, we get rid of the What Ifs!

Dragunov stands, takes the contract, and signs his part. Then he hands it over to Melo with some stank. Then he tells Melo, “You will do nothing, because you can do NOTHING!” Dragunov is finished with letting destiny slip through his fingers, and so if Melo wants to push Dragunov to places beyond his limit, great! Because everything Melo will find there is a nightmare he will never forget for the rest of his life! And when Dragunov is crowned the NEW NXT Champion, Melo will realize that his dynasty has fallen. “Long Live the Czar!!” Melo stands up, signs his part, and it is official!

Melo then tells Dragunov that now that he’s done, understand something. This NXT Championship is bigger than either of them. When Melo carries the title, it represents a beacon of hope for kids that look like him. It is a beacon of hope for anyone who has shot their shot in the dark and prayed it went in. So can Dragunov carry this championship and all its responsibilities? Melo says absolutely. But does Melo think he can do it better than Melo? Absolutely NOT. Melo holds up the title as he and Dragunov stare down. Neither man is backing down, and neither is going to back down. But who will be knocked down while the other rises up as THE NXT Champion?

There’s a fight going on!?

Baron and Bron are at it again, this time in the parking lot!! Refs ands security try to stop this but Bron knees low, then RAMS Corbin into the side of a car! It gets dented! Corbin staggers up but Bron fires off haymakers! The refs back Bron off, Corbin gets in the car, but Bron tries to drag him out! Security drags Bron back, but then Bron gets loose! But Corbin moves and Bron rams himself into the car door! Corbin SMACKS Bron off the hood, then fires off hands! The security can’t stop Corbin as he brings Bron over, but Bron sends Corbin into the garage door! And then SPINEBUSTERS Corbin on the car hood!!

Bron isn’t done, he just gets on the hood with Corbin! But Corbin LOW BLOWS Bron! To CHOKE SLAM Bron on the car roof!! The refs say c’mon already! But Bron sits up like the Deadman!! SLEEPER HOLD!! Corbin SLAMS Bron back but Bron won’t let go! Corbin fires elbows but Bron RAMS him into the garage door! Corbin RAMS Bron into the wall! They end up going indoors, but where is this? Bron shouts, “Where’re you goin’, b*tch?!” The brawl continues in this random hallway! Bron ROCKS Corbin, Corbin CHUCKS a fire extinguisher!! Bron narrowly dodges that, to then SPEAR Corbin through the wall!!!

WHOA, they end up in HBK’s office!! Security and producers and pretty much every ref rushes in to stop this as Bron tries to choke Corbin out!! Again, will these two even make it to Saturday?!

My Thoughts:

An awesome go-home for NXT, probably one of their best in this post-2.0 era. For one, we got about as close to Prime Target as we’re probably getting in this current NXT. Didn’t really add much, though, as we got more highlight reel and recap than we did new promo material. As I said for Raw, Tegan facing the winner doesn’t really add any indicators either, but it’ll be great stuff all the same. And really good stuff from the other women’s division stories. Hilarious and fully expected reaction from Duke & Chase regarding Thea’s new look, and of course Thea wins to keep her momentum going. And Blair attacking Gigi to cancel their match, this has to be leading to something extreme of their own for after No Mercy.

Really good series of promos from Tony, Stacks and the tag teams. Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Nima & Price was solid stuff, but I figured #OutTheMud would win on virtue of being the one fully(?) Heel team in this story. And I also figured we were getting a Fatal 4 Way Tag, and that is awesome. This is definitely HBK working to get this brand back to the best times of Black ‘n’ Gold. With this Fatal 4, any team can win this, and it will be a lot of fun. Corbin VS Briggs was a good match, great showing for Briggs, but of course Corbin wins. Then great stuff the rest of the night with Corbin and Bron brawling, and what an awesome closing image of them busting into HBK’s office and still fighting. Bron as a Heel has been doing great, I oddly want him to win.

Awesome opener with the Global Heritage Invitational finals, and I figured Dunne was going to win that. Now, while we’ve got Dom with the North American title and Becky with the women’s title, I don’t know another RawDown star wins an NXT prize. It’d be awesome for Dunne if he did, but unless someone backs Dunne up, Meta Four is totally gonna screw him over like they have all Dar’s other challengers. An obvious move would be for Ridge Holland to show up, but it would be pretty cool if Bate backed Dunne up to harken back to their British Strong Style days. Plus, just Ridge won’t be enough, and for those who haven’t heard, Sheamus is out with shoulder injury. Also, well wishes to The Fella that he gets back quickly.

Great stuff out of the Strap Match, and great win for Eddy, but man, Dijak doubled down on his Heel heat in this match. It feels weird that WWE is also doubling on using a Face’s family as a way to get extra heat on things. Chad Gable with his family for when he lost to Gunther, and now Eddy’s family ringside for both his win but also the beating… Well, if the Strap Match isn’t the end of this, then maybe Eddy and Dijak finish this in a return to NXT Underground? That is where this feud started: Eddy won an NXT Underground match and got praise for it, which pissed Dijak off.

And just awesome stuff in this Trick Melo Gang story. Trick beat Gacy much faster than I expected, though I did expect him to win anyway. And with WWE (stupidly) releasing Mustafa Ali before No Mercy and the match he was scheduled for, NXT had to improvise a new match. They pulled out a genius way of doing it, with Trick getting in on the #1 contenders match and then winning it in such an awesome “luck based” finish. Trick VS Dom with Dragon as the special guest ref is going to be a lot of fun, and this might (emphasis on might) be how Dom loses the belt.

Melo and Dragunov had a great contract-signing segment, and NXT is good about having solely promo-based ones, no fighting at all. Something that could add major intrigue to the story is if Trick beats Dom to be champion, and then Melo loses to Dragunov so that he isn’t. Will Melo put his pride aside to be happy for Trick? Or will Trick being the only one with gold upset Melo?

My Score: 8.9/10