AEW begins the inaugural Owen Hart Foundation Tournaments!

History is being made as both the Men’s and Women’s Tournaments begin! Will Toni Storm strike down Jamie Hayter in their highly anticipated opener? Will a Charismatic Enigma or Relentless One lead the charge?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Owen Hart Foundation Men’s Tournament Opening Round: Adam Cole VS Dax Harwood; wins and advances to the semifinals.
• CM Punk VS John Silver; Punk wins.
• Tony Nese w/ Mark Sterling VS Danhausen; Nese wins.
• FTW Championship: Ricky Starks VS Jungle Boy; Starks wins and retains the title.
• Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament Opening Round: Toni Storm VS Jamie Hayter; Storm wins and advances to the semifinals.
• Owen Hart Foundation Men’s Tournament Opening Round No Holds Barred: Jeff Hardy VS Darby Allin; Hardy wins and advances to the semifinals.

PLAY BY PLAY

Owen Hart Foundation Men’s Tournament Opening Round: Adam Cole VS Dax Harwood!

The Undisputed Elite looks to start on their promise that they will win this historic tournament! But will Adam Cole make sure the Owen Hart Cup is all about the Boom? Or will Dax the Ax represent for FTR, his family and for the Harts?

The bell rings and fans are fired up for Dax. Dax and Cole circle, tie up, and go around. Cole puts Dax in a corner, the ref counts and Cole lets off. Fans say, “ADAM COLE BAYBAY!” along with Cole, but Dax lets it go. Cole pie faces Dax, but still Dax lets it go. They tie up, Cole wrenches to a wristlock but Dax rolls, wrenches and slips around to headlock for a takeover! Fans cheer, Dax grinds but Cole makes it a cover, ONE! Dax holds on but Cole fights his way up and puts Dax in a corner. The ref counts, Cole lets off to say, “ADAM COLE BAY-” CHOP! Dax ROCKS Cole, CHOPS him again, then EuroUppers!

Dax whips, Cole reveres to kitchen sink knee! Cole rains down fists on Dax, lets off, but brings Dax around for a NECKBREAKER! Fans rally and Cole bumps Dax off buckles. Cole digs his boots in but lets off as the ref counts. Cole ROCKS Dax against ropes, fans duel, Cole whips. Dax slides under, JABS, JABS, and JABS, then DECKS Cole! And again! Cole swings but into a takedown! Cole denies the sharpshooter but Dax gets a cradle! TWO, Cole has it now, TWO! Dax whips, Cole KICKS and Dax staggers away. Cole whips and POSTS Dax low! Dax falls out of the ring and a count begins. Cole goes out after Dax and brings him up to RAM into steel steps!

Dax writhes and Cole soaks up the cheers and jeers. Cole refreshes the count, he drags Dax back up, and RAMS him back into steel steps! Cole smirks as he refreshes the count again. Dax clutches ribs, Cole goes back out after him and stomps those ribs! Dax sputters as he scrambles away but Cole pursues. Cole ROCKS Dax, follows him further along, then ROCKS him again. Dax CHOPS, Cole KNEES low! Dax grits his teeth, Cole refreshes the count, and Cole POSTS Dax again! Fans boo as Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Cole takes a moment to catch his own breath before he puts Dax in the ring. Cole stalks Dax, brings him around and JAMS a knee into Dax’s back. Cole has the arms for a motorcycle stretch but Dax endures. Fans rally as Dax fights up and Dax mule kicks, forearms, and runs, into a cobra twist! Cole digs his elbows into those bad ribs but Dax endures. Dax fights, fans rally, and Dax pries free to switch the twist onto Cole! Cole hip tosses out fast but backs off to check his bad arm. Cole drives in elbows into Dax’s shoulder and then clamps on a chinlock. Dax endures, moves around but Cole grinds him into the mat.

Dax fights up as fans rally again. Dax gets to his feet to throw body shots! Dax headlocks, Cole powers out then CLOBBERS Dax with an elbow! Cole paces while Dax writhes, and Cole brings Dax up to bump off buckles. Cole throws forearms, talks some trash, throws more forearms, and Dax staggers. Dynamite returns to single picture as Cole hits Dax low. Cole wrenches, whips Dax corner to corner hard, and Dax bounces off buckles to hit the mat! Cole smirks as he looms over Dax. Fans rally and duel as Cole drags Dax up. Cole pushes Dax around, pie faces him, talks some trash, but Dax snarls as he gets up.

Dax throws a haymaker, Cole ROCKS Dax with a forearm! Dax swings, misses, Cole ROCKS him again! Cole ROCKS Dax against ropes, wrenches and whips but Dax reverses to reel Cole in for a GERMAN SUPELX! And Dax holds on to GERMAN SUPLEX again! Dax still has the waistlock but Cole switches to GERMAN SUPLEX back! Cole holds on, but Dax switches, GERMAN SUPLEX! Dax finishes his hat trick and fans fire up! A standing count begins as both men are down. Dax drags himself to the apron and up the ropes as fans chant for “FTR! FTR!” Cole ROCKS Dax first, climbs up after him, but Dax hits back!

The two brawl, Dax sends Cole down! Dax adjusts to DIVING- NO, Cole moves, but Dax lands on his feet! Pop-up, REBOUND POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Cole survives but Dax just grits his teeth and gets back up. Dax throws off his elbow pad but Cole BOOTS him first! Cole reels Dax in, GHOSTBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Dax survives and Cole is annoyed. Cole goes to a corner, tunes up the band, a shoutout to his hero, HBK. Dax slowly gets up, Cole runs in, but Dax gets under the superkick! O’Conner Roll, TWO! Dax goes up the corner to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Dax hurries to whip but Cole reverses!

Dax goes up, leaps again, SUPERKICK! Cole covers, TWO!! Into a ghost pin, TWO!! Cole and Dax both survive and fans are thunderous! Another standing count starts as fans chant for “A E DUB! A E DUB!” Cole gets to a corner and he aims again. Dax storms over, into a mule kick! Cole goes up, leaps, PANAMA- NO! Dax block sit with a ropebreak, to ALABAMA SLAM! Cole scrambles to get ropes, then he BOOTS Dax away! Cole resets on the corner, PANAMA SUN- NO, Dax back drops it, rolls Cole and gets him up, PILEDRIVER! Cover, TWO!!! Cole survives and no one can believe it! Another standing count starts as fans are electric!

Dax gets up and he grimaces. Fans rally up as Dax gets the legs and steps through! SHARPSHOOTER!! Cole endures, Dax sits deep, but the bad rib is a problem. Cole fights, tries to turn, and Dax can’t hold it! Dax falls off the hold and flops to the apron. Dax drags himself up, Cole runs in and BLASTS Dax to the railing! Dax is down and a ring count begins. Fans rally for Dax but the count is already 5 of 10. Dax reaches, crawls, gets back to ringside at 7, but he flops off the apron! The count is 9, Dax springs to life and in at 9.9!! Cole is furious so he gets Dax’s legs! Cole wants to, and does STEAL THE SHARPSHOOTER!

Dax endures, he reaches out, but Cole drags him away! Cole sits deep on the hold but Dax keeps fighting! Dax can’t, the ribs hurt! Dax taps, Cole wins!!

Winner: Adam Cole, by submission (advances to the semifinals)

Cole is going on to the next round, one step closer to keeping his promise. But who will he be meeting in the semifinals? We’ll find out in the main event!

Rampage will be early again this week!

Another round of NHL playoffs means this Friday’s Rampage will be at 5:30 Eastern, 2:30 Pacific! Make sure to schedule accordingly so you don’t miss a thing!

AEW hears from Jeff Hardy and Darby Allin.

Speaking of that main event, the Charismatic Enigma tells Darby that tonight is the night their worlds collide and their chemistry embraces one another. The Relentless One says no one wants to see these two exchange headlocks, that’s not what this match will be about. This will about getting crazy, getting psycho and do everything they live for. Jeff said it best, they’re more stuntmen than wrestlers. They’ve studied each other closely, this energy is going to be different. Darby knows fans want to see someone going to the hospital after tonight. Hell, Darby wants to do that. This is what they live for.

Darby even asked Tony Khan to just waive the rules and let these two go nuts. The people will see what this dream match is really all about. Will Tony give Darby want he wants tonight? Will it be a No Holds Barred Owen Hart Cup match?

Hangman Page is here!

The AEW World Champion is here to join commentary, because he wants to watch what happens with his own eyes.

CM Punk VS John Silver!

Before the Best in the World goes 1v1 with the Cowboy for #PrettyPlatinum at Double or Nothing, the Meat Man gets himself some! Will Johnny Hungy devour CM Punk? Or will it be #ClobberingTime on Long Island?

Punk wears a New York Islanders hockey jersey for Tavares, number 91, to get Long Island on his side. A nice try, as Long Island’s own Silver makes his entrance with the Dark Order seeing him out. Silver says hey to Brian “Q” Quinn of the Impractical Jokers before he gets in the ring. The bell rings, the two circle and fans rally up. They tie up, go around, and Punk puts Silver in the corner. The ref counts, fans duel, and Punk lets off at 4 to then go outside and soak it all in. Punk gets back in, circles and ties up with Silver again, and Punk headlocks. Punk grinds Silver down but Silver fights up to wrench out and headlock.

Punk powers out, Silver runs Punk over and fans cheer as he flexes. Silver runs, Punk drops, hurdles and goes to hip toss but Silver makes that a backslide! TWO, and Punk slides out. Silver waits as Punk cools off. Silver goes out, Punk gets back in, and Punk drops an elbow as Silver slides in. Punk ROCKS Silver, clinches in a corner, but Silver turns things around to fire off fast hands! Fans fire up as those forearms and stomps keep flying! The ref counts, Silver lets off at 4 and Silver brings Punk up for more. Silver goes up the corner, reels Punk in, TORNADO- NO! Punk tosses Silver, then CLOBBERS him!

Fans boo as Dynamite goes picture in picture. Punk goes back for Silver, brings him up, and scoops him for a BACKBREAKER! Punk stalks Silver to ropes, talks trash on Q, whips Silver and hits a body shot, into a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Punk stays cool while Silver gets to ropes. Silver CHOPS, ROCKS Punk, CHOPS him again, then ROCKS him again. Silver whips, Punk reverses and kitchen sink knees Silver down! Punk looks at Hangman, then goes back for Silver. Punk hits an atomic drop, then turns Silver for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Punk is annoyed but he clamps onto Silver with a chinlock.

Silver endures, fans rally, and Silver fights up to throw body shots. Punk knees low, whips Silver to a corner, and Dynamite returns to single picture as Punk goes corner to corner. Silver dodges and Punk hits only buckles! Punk gets stuck a moment but he flops out of the corner, and Silver ROCKS Punk with a forearm. Silver dodges, CHOPS, dodges and KICKS! Silver KICKS and KICKS and KICKS! Silver fire sup, runs, but Punk spins him around to a backslide! Silver rolls through to KICK, KICK and SUPERKICK! Then deadlift BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Punk survives but fans fire up for Silver!

Silver runs into the corner to ROCK Punk with a forearm! Silver then hops up, reels Punk in, TORNADO- NO, Punk denies it again! Silver dodges, goes up, jumps and TORNADO DDT hits! Cover, TWO! Punk survives another one but Silver says it’s time to go around! Fans fire up with Silver as he gets Punk in the torture rack. Punk fights free, ROUNDHOUSES, and Silver goes to a corner. Punk runs in, SHINING WIZARD! Then short arm LARIAT! Punk mocks the flex, and he drags Silver up to whip, CALF KICK! Punk goes out to the apron and he looks at Hangman. Fans rally and duel, Punk is taking his time just staring at the champ.

Punk aims at Silver, handsprings in, and steals BUCK SHOT?! Cover, Punk wins!

Winner: CM Punk, by pinfall

Hangman is done on commentary, not that he said much, and he storms right to the ring! Punk waits on him, and fans fire up as the two get in each other’s face! Punk asks if Hangman’s mad. Last week, it sounded like Hangman’s taking this all a little personal. Punk doesn’t know why Long Island doesn’t like him, but when it comes to them, Hangman and the title, it isn’t personal. It’s just business. Punk used to wake up and ask himself, “Are you a good guy?” This morning, Punk asked himself, “Are you the champ?” Punk’s answer was YES.

Last week, Hangman said he was going to destroy Punk? Well Punk just destroyed Hangman’s boy, that is a blueprint for what happens at Double or Nothing. And at the end of the night, Hangman will shake Punk’s hand, conscious or unconscious. Punk offers Hangman the chance now, but Hangman just flips him off! Fans love that #CowboySh*t, but will Hangman still have the AEW World Championship after taking Punk on 1v1?

Backstage interview with Jamie Hayter, Britt Baker & Rebel.

Tony Schiavone says in the opening round of the Women’s Owen Hart Cup, Britt Baker takes on the joker, whoever that will be, and Hayter takes on Toni Storm. Britt says this only makes sense given the conspiracy that exists in AEW against her. She can’t really prepare for her opponent, but she doesn’t care, she’ll still win. And so will that lovely lady, Hayter. See, here’s the thing about storms. When storms first come rolling in, they’re all violent and exciting. But then eventually, they pass. Tonight, the Storm is over and a Hayter is on the forecast. Schiavone asks if Britt realizes that if they both win, we get Britt VS Hayter in the semifinals.

Hayter says they shouldn’t worry about that right now. It’s fine, no worries. And if it does happen, at least it’ll be a fair fight, and the better woman will win. Britt gives a smirking look to Rebel, will Hayter end up hoping the joker takes out the Doctor?

Tony Nese w/ Mark Sterling VS Danhausen!

The Premier Athlete has had beef with both the Cold-Hearted, Handsome Devil, Hook, as well as the very nice, very evil “demon waif” making his AEW in-ring debut here tonight! Will Danhausen prove his powers here tonight? Or will he suffer his first loss in AEW right out the gate?

The bell rings and fans rally up behind Danhausen. Nese is annoyed but he circles with Danhausen. Nese then flexes on Danhausen, so Danhausen CURSES him! Sterling gets on the apron to yell at Danhausen, interrupting the casting, and Nese CLOBBERS Danhausen! Nese then runs side to side, PREMIER KNEE!! Cover, Nese wins!!

Winner: Tony Nese, by pinfall

This is all because of Sterling! Danhausen had no chance with Sterling there distracting him on Nese’s behalf! But Sterling gets on a mic to shout, “Are you shocked?! Oh, sorry! I’m not!” Sterling tells Nese that Danhausen got a televised entrance but Nese didn’t! What do we think about that? Nese runs to PREMIER KNEE again! Sterling says Tony Nese will just have to continue to embarrass all the internet meme wrestlers! He wants another one, and even sits Danhausen up. Nese brings down his kneepad, but here comes HOOK! Sterling is freaking out and Nese is squaring up as two of Long Island’s own are about to collide!

But then Nese and Sterling bail once Hook is in the ring. Danhausen flounders up while Hook stares down Nese. Fans want #Hookhausen but what does Hook say to the handshake? He accepts! Fans are thunderous, but then Hook just leaves on his own. Will this team-up of Cold-Hearted, Very Nice Devils be what humbles the Premier Athlete?

AEW returns and Wardlow is being escorted to the ring.

He’s still cuffed and has no music, but now his tron says “Boo Wardlow!” That tron must be MJF’s personal creation since it’s so cheap. But Wardlow has no choice but to get in the ring with security all over the place, as well as Shawn Spears armed with a chair. Mark Sterling has returned since MJF is another of his clients. And then a trailer for the new season of Dark Side of the Ring plays? Chris Jericho is narrating, “In the middle of the most barbaric match in the history of All Elite Wrestling between top star, MJF, and PG Punk…” Jericho realizes this is about MJF, and he sure ain’t narrating for that a-hole after all they’ve been through.

Wait, how much is the paycheck? Wow, okay, Jericho will do it. The amazing MJF was well on his way to a victory that felt like a dream, but it soon became a nightmare. Taz, “MJF’s consigliere,” says that his boy, MJF, the King of Long Island, had it won, but then Wardlow… Jake Roberts says Wardlow screwed it up. Taz can’t even speak, but Jake the Snake says Wardlow’s a bad man. He gave the Dynamite Diamond Ring to the wrong man in CM Punk. Then Wardlow attacks innocent security guards, costing MJF against Shawn Dean. Take it from Barry Horowitz, “legendary Jewish wrestler,” that Dean is a jobber!

Jericho continues to say that out of the kindness of MJF’s heart, he gave Wardlow TV matches. But that greedy piggy wanted more. The amazing MJF has therefore decided to sit down with Wardlow to talk over his contract. And in the most magical place in the world: Long Island, New York! Because he is Maxwell Jacob Friedman, and he is better than you, and you know it. And of course, we return to present and the fans, being locals, are all chanting for MJF. MJF makes his entrance in an Islanders jersey of his own, with his name on it. MJF fist bumps fans for once, even copies CM Punk doing some crowd dives, then goes to the ring.

MJF gets the mic to cut his music so he can hear the cheers. Wardlow rolls his eyes and MJF conducts the fans. MJF tells Wardlow, “Now that’s a symphony, b*tch.” But let’s just be honest, Long Island. MJF loves you SOB’s, he really does! But unfortunately, we gotta talk to Wardlow. Let’s be honest, it’s a tale as old as time: a true underdog story, Biblical even, with David (MJF) and Goliath (Wardlow). The younger, smaller but way more jacked and humble and Salt of the Earth, Jewish prince from the holy land, and not Israel but the most magical place in the world, LI, NY! Versus the big dumb stupid oaf.

But we all know why we’re here. They’re to discuss the conditions Wardlow must clear to get his match with MJF at Double or Nothing, and then if Wardlow wins at DoN, since MJF is the “Mensch of the Centch,” then MJF lets Wardlow out of his contract. But before all that, since MJF is so humble, he wants to give Wardlow a chance to talk to his people. Fans boo but MJF has them hold on. They have an opportunity to show the world what Long Islanders are all about. So under no circumstances, wink wink wink, would he want each and every one of them to get up out of their seats and boo Wardlow out of the arena.

To reiterate those in the cheap seats. You’re all poor but you’re still beautiful. MJF winks almost every word as he says, “The last thing I would want each and every single one of you to do is create the loudest boo in the history of professional wrestling. We got that, Long Island?” Yes! So then, the floor is Wardlow’s. And the booing begins. Wardlow takes up his mic, but the mic doesn’t seem to be working. MJF says that’s really weird. He can’t hear Wardlow, can anyone? Nope! Should they let him try? No! Really? Then fine, he’s not gonna speak.

But let’s talk those conditions. And let’s be honest, because they’re being honest right now, right, Long Island? Wardlow is kind of the worst. And karma is coming his way for everything Wardlow did to MJF’s best bud back in the day, the American Roller Coaster, Cody Rhodes. Oh, what? He shouldn’t bring up 2024? That’s funny, neither does the guy in the back. Anyway, don’t worry. Back to now. Wardlow, if you want MJF at DoN, you’ve gotta get whipped. Yeah, MJF will take his belt and not just whip Wardlow once, twice or three times. Not four times, not five, not six, seven, eight, or nine. Shawn Spears, if you would.

Spears takes off his jacket and winds it up. How many times? TEN!! And if Wardlow gets past that, then he’ll have to wrestle Spears inside a solid steel cage. Wardlow laughs at that, but MJF doesn’t know why. Last time MJF checked, Wardlow’s 0-2 in a cage. And he isn’t done, either. This is not just any cage match, no no no. It will have a special guest referee, and his name is MAXWELL! JACOB! FRIEDMAN! And Wardlow, if you somehow get past that, MJF will give him the DoN match. But wait, they didn’t even get to what will happen there if Wardlow loses. Fans want to know, right? YES!

If Wardlow loses at Double or Nothing, he will never be allowed to sign a contract with AEW, forever! So what does the “War Pig” say? Is he too scared because this is Maxwell Jacob Friedman, and he’s better than you, and you know it?! Wardlow gets the pen but he struggles to sign it because of the cuffs. MJF is frustrated already so he has them uncuff Wardlow. Sterling and Spears says that’s not a good idea. MJF says he knows what he’s doing. The cuffs are undone, MJF tells War Pig to sign, and Wardlow stands up to sign on the dotted line. Okay, put the cuffs back on and take him away.

Wardlow smirks as he lets the guard get close, and MJF calls Wardlow a coward. Then Wardlow SMACKS the guard off the table! And then TOSSES The table at the rest! Any that are still up, Wardlow DECKS, BOOTS and shoves away! Spears shields MJF as Wardlow finishes up with haymaker after haymaker! MJF tells Spears to go get Wardlow, but Wardlow DECKS Spears, too! And now MJF is all alone! Long Island freaks out, and MJF runs, only to get caught! Wardlow brings MJF back in, but Sterling gets on Wardlow’s back! MJF gets away but Wardlow throws Sterling down! Fans love it as Wardlow sets the table back up!

Wardlow rips off his shirt, snarls as Sterling gets up, and fans are okay with this happening to Sterling! POWERBOMB through the table!! MJF says Wardlow is not going to survive to make it to PPV, but will Wardlow prove MJF dead wrong?

AEW hears from Samoa Joe and his enemies.

Samoa Joe says, “One week, your ROH Television Champion will face the joker in his Owen Hart quarterfinal match-up. Since I’ve walked into AEW, all I’ve been faced with is jokers.” Sonjay Dutt says Joe is sleeping and wishing and dreaming and praying that maybe Jay Lethal is the joker. Ha, it’s not! Joe says he’s been dealing with “fools and clowns like Sonjay Dutt, like Jay Lethal, and their gargantuan protégé.” Dutt says Joe is probably wanting after Satnam Singh, the one in a billion! But it’s not him, either! But here’s a joke for Joe: an old adage that they’d say in India. Lethal knows it, too. “Your stomach is big, but your brain is small.”

Joe vows that he will win the Owen Hart Cup, and then he will come for Lethal and crew to settle things his way. Will Joe be able to trump whatever wild card is thrown his way? Or will the joker be the one laughing all the way to the next round?

FTW Championship: Ricky Starks VS Jungle Boy!

Before Team Taz’s #AbsolutePowerhouses take on Jurassic Express for the AEW World Tag Team Championships, we see how #StrokeDaddy and Jungle Jack Perry match-up 1v1! Will JB be a dual champion going into the tag title match? Or will Starks show JB exactly what FTW is all about?

The introductions are made, the orange belt is raised, and we see just who is an absolute man!

The two circle and fans rally. They tie up, go around, Starks waistlocks but JB drop toeholds. JB floats to a facelock, Starks switches that onto him, but JB slips out to get the arm. JB hammerlocks, Starks rolls to switch the hammerlock and then he slaps and kicks JB around! Starks taunts JB but JB gets up and rushes in. Starks gets around to waistlock, JB switches and SLAMS Starks down, then floats the facelock. JB gator rolls with Starks and then kicks him around in return. JB slaps Starks over and over, Starks gets up to waistlock again. JB snapmares free, but Starks bridges to snapmare.

JB bridges to snapmare again, but Starks sweeps the legs. Cover, ONE, and JB headlocks for a takeover. Starks headscissors, JB kips free and gets in Starks’ face. Fans cheer the exchange but Starks is annoyed. JB blocks the sucker punch to ROCK Starks and knuckle lock one hand. JB goes for a corner but Starks reels him in to knee low! Starks SLAPS JB, then he brings him up in a knuckle lock. Starks goes up, rebounds and arm-drags! Starks kips up and strikes his pose! Fans fire up and Starks grins, but turns around into a CHOP from JB! JB knuckle locks, goes up the corner, and jumps around and around to rebound and arm-drag! Then dropkick!

JB kips up as Starks bails out, and fans fire up as JB copies the pose! The ring count starts as Dynamite goes picture in picture. Starks gets in but JB WRECKS him with a dropkick! JB goes out after Starks, CHOPS him, then follows him along the way. JB CLUBS Starks, fist bumps Q, then CLUBS Starks down. Starks hobbles away but JB follows after. JB CHOPS again, and shouts out more fans. JB keeps with Starks, CLUBS him against the apron, then refreshes the count. Starks goes to bump JB off the apron but JB blocks and body shots to SMACK Starks off the apron! JB then puts Starks in and hurries after.

Starks FLAPJACKS JB on ropes! JB writhes and clutches his ribs but Starks storms over to stomp him down! Starks kicks JB around, chokes him against the ropes, and the ref counts. Starks lets off at 4 and JB gets to a corner. Starks drags JB up, climbs up and swivels hips before he rains down fists! The ref counts, Starks gets 5 before JB hits an atomic drop! JB then dropkicks Starks down, covers, TWO! JB keeps on Starks, brings him up, and whips him to ropes. Starks reverses and OVERHEAD Belly2Belly Suplexes! Cover, TWO! Starks is annoyed but he drags JB into a rear bearhug. JB endures the squeeze but Starks switches to body scissors.

JB throws elbows as Dynamite returns to single picture. Starks keeps on the squeeze but JB elbows free. JB rolls away while Starks shakes out the stars. Starks gets up, runs but into an elbow! JB ROCKS, CHOPS and repeat! JB whips, Starks reverses but JB CLOBBERS him JB starts to rally, then scoops, but Starks slips off. Starks shoves, JB with the COMEBACKER! Fans fire up with JB and runs corner to corner, but Starks puts JB out! JB GAMANGIRIS, then steps in, TORANDO- NO! Starks blocks to bring JB around, for a suplex! JB knees free, tiger feints for the TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO!!

Starks survives but JB drags him back up. Starks shrugs him off but JB ROCKS him at the ropes. JB brings Starks around, whips but Starks reverses to backslide! TWO! Starks underhooks, but JB blocks the lift to NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO as Starks bridges up! Starks still has the arms hooked, and he lifts JB to the Canadian rack! JB slips out and arm-drags free! SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Starks survives and fans rally up as JB gets Starks up. JB suplexes but Starks fights free and whips. Starks SPEARS the comebacker down! Cover, TWO!! Starks is fuming, drags JB up, but JB trips him to get the leg!

Starks flounders but the SNARE TRAP is on!! Starks endures, panics, is already red in the face, but he claws his way over, to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts and JB lets go. Starks gest to the apron but JB brings him up. Starks HOTSHOTS JB away! Starks hurries to grab the FTW belt! Is Starks going to run away and use Champion’s Advantage? But Swerve Strickland rushes down to stop him! Starks hurries into the ring, into JB’s victory roll! But the ref is busy with the belt, and with Swerve! Swerve says to get in the ring, JB’s already got more than three on Starks! Starks gets free at like 8, and then Starks CLOBBERS JB!

Starks reels JB in, ROSHAMBEAUX!! Cover, Starks wins!

Winner: Ricky Starks, by pinfall (still FTW Champion)

Swerve realizes he screwed up, but here come Christian Cage and Luchasaurus! They bump past Swerve to get in the ring and check on JB. Swerve tries to explain what he was doing, but they don’t care. Starks & Hobbs get in Swerve’s face now, but here comes KEITH LEE! The Limitless One backs up Swerve, will they make sure they’ve got next should Team Taz win the tag titles? And speaking of, JB is rather distraught over his loss. Captain Charisma walks up to JB to pat him on the shoulder and bring it in. Will the Jurassic Express be able to keep on track when they take on Starks & Hobbs?

The Jericho Appreciation Society heads to the ring.

The Influencer, the Wizard, the Demo God, Chris Jericho leads Daniel Garcia, Jake Hager, Matthew Menard & Angelo Parker out and Long Island sings Judas. There’s a podium in the ring and Parker goes up to it. “AEW Galaxy! Welcome to our victory speech!” Menard steps up now to say, “You wanna know what really turns me on? You wanna know what makes Daddy Magic’s nipples hard?!” Uh, no… Well it’s the fact that he gets to stand here as part of the greatest faction in the world, the Jericho Appreciation Society! Jericho then steps up to say, “There’s a lot of hometown heroes here tonight. I’m one of them, did you know that?”

Jericho says he was born “just down the road” in Manhasset, but then he moved away pretty damn quick cuz this place is a dump! Aw c’mon, you guys know it sucks. Oh, does some nerd in the crowd have a problem with that? Jericho’ll throw a fireball at you, because he’s a wizard! Jericho says the JAS did exactly what they said they would do when they “systematically eliminated Santana, Ortiz, and that piece of trash, Eddie Kingston. They are gone! We win, they lose.” Hager raises Parker’s hand in victory while Jericho tells Santana, Ortiz & Kingston to just stay at home. Especially Kingston. Because Jericho 2:16 says “I just burned your face!”

And besides, Kingston has to stay home and take care of his wife. He’s gotta make sure she feels better. If she doesn’t, have her give Jericho a call. Garcia says the story stays the same every time a pro-wrestler steps to a sports entertainer: every single time, the sports entertainer wins! Jericho takes the mic back but here comes JON MOXLEY! The Maniac is a pro-wrestler for sure as he comes in through the crowd! And on top of that, he’s a good friend of Kingston’s, and an enemy of Jericho’s! Moxley makes it to ringside, but Jericho gives him one chance to go on another extended sabbatical of three months. Get outta here now!

Because guess what? There’s only one Moxley, and five JAS! Uh, Moxley isn’t alone. Here comes BRYAN DANIELSON! And WHEELER YUTA! And hell, count William Regal, too! The full Blackpool Combat Club is here, and Jericho says that’s still 5v4! But fans are chanting for “EDDIE! EDDIE!” And from under the ring, it’s the MAD KING! Eddie is here, even with his face badly burned, and he brought Santana & Ortiz! Jericho and his society turn around and see them! Those three on one side, BCC on the other, 6v5 and fans chant at the JAS, “You F’d Up! You F’d up!” And just as it sinks in for Jericho, the brawl begins!

Bryan is after Menard, Ortiz has Parker, Santana and Moxley are after Hager, Yuta has Garcia, and of course Kingston’s after Jericho! Kingston CHOKES Jericho, even! The BCC, Santana & Ortiz throw the others out, but Hager goes to save Jericho! Regal goes after Jericho to reel him in and DECK him! The JAS goes running for it as the Kingston and company stand tall! Will the sports entertainers survive these violent and angry pro-wrestlers?

AEW takes a closer look at Rosa VS Deeb.

Good ol’ JR says, “If you want somebody that can out-think ya, that’d be Serena. Serena Deeb is very cerebral.” Dustin Rhodes says Deeb took things into her own hands in a dastardly way, and people took notice. Schiavone says that as much as he knows how great a competitor Deeb is, he doesn’t think Thunder Rosa can be beaten. Dustin says he mentors, coaches and supports Rosa 110%. JR says Rosa is more physical than Deeb, and Schiavone adds that Rosa pushes herself. The champion is the favorite, because she is the champion. La Mera Mera is the frontrunner for winning at Double or Nothing, but will the Professor of Pro-Wrestling have a winning formula?

Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament Opening Round: Toni Storm VS Jamie Hayter!

The Lightning From Down Under has competed in and even won her fair share of tournaments, and looks to make even more history with this one! But will this Storm fizzle out? Or are Hayters gonna hate it when it’s #ToniTime in the semifinals?

The bell rings and the two tie right up. They go around, Storm headlocks but Hayter endures the grind. Hayter slips out the back, headlocks Storm, but Storm rolls her to a cover. ONE, but Hayter holds on to shift to a facelock. Storm switches the facelock onto Hayter, they roll, and Storm hooks an arm. Hayter fights up, Storm throws her down hard for a lateral press, ONE! Storm keeps on the facelock but Hayter throws body shots. Hayter gets free and gets away to a corner. Storm steps to Hayter but Hayter stays back to catch her breath. Fans rally and duel, the two reset and feel things out. They knuckle lock, then go shoulder to shoulder!

The test of strength is a deadlock, but Hayter starts bending Storm back. Hayter sweeps a leg, cover, ONE as Storm gets her hand up! Hayter puts it down, ONE as Storm gets the other up. Hayter puts Storm down, Storm bridges up! Hayter CHOPS Storm on the stomach! Things speed up, Storm redirects and basement dropkicks! Hayter bails out, Storm pursues and throws forearms! Storm puts Hayter in, Hayter gets moving and she BOOTS Storm off the apron! Storm is down and Hayter dusts herself off as Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Hayter goes out after Storm, drags her up and snap suplexes her to the floor hard! Storm writhes and pounds the mat but Hayter gets in the ring. Hayter counts along with the ref but Storm drags herself up and to the ring at 5 of 10. Hayter stomps Storm right down! Hayter digs her boots in at the corner, the ref counts and Hayter lets off at 4. Hayter then drags Storm up, whips her hard into buckles, then brings her around to do it again! Cover, TWO! Storm gets back to the corner but Hayter mocks the fans. Hayter CLUBS Storm, Storm kicks from below, it’s scrappy even with Storm on the mat! Hayter drags Storm up to snap suplex!

Hayter takes her time soaking up heat while Storm writhes. Now Hayter covers, ONE! Hayter is annoyed that Storm is still in this but she clamps on a headlock. Hayter grinds Storm, shifts to a facelock, but Storm endures. Hayter hooks an arm, she has a grovit of sorts, but Storm fights up. Dynamite returns to single picture as Storm throw body shots. Hayter blocks the whip, then CHOPS! Storm CHOPS back, so Hayter CHOPS again! They go CHOP for CHOP, neither letting go of the wrist! They start throwing forearms, DOUBLE FOREARMS take them both down! Fans fire up while both women get to corners.

Storm fires herself up and fans rally behind her! Storm runs corner to corner, HIP ATTACK! Then she hauls Hayter up, TORNADO DDT! Tonight is Tornado Night, apparently! And furthermore, Storm goes to the apron as Hayter bails out, TORNADO DDT to the floor! Storm drags Hayter back into the ring, then climbs up the corner. Hayter stands, Storm leaps, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO!! Hayter barely gets that shoulder up! Storm is frustrated but she drags Hayter back up. Hayter fights the Alabama lift, then catches Storm for an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Storm survives and now Hayter is frustrated.

Hayter drags Storm back up, ripcords, but Storm ducks and gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Hayter flounders to a corner and Storm hurries after her. They both go to the apron, and Storm fires forearm after forearm! But Hayter gets her, APRON URENAGE!! Hayter drags Storm back in and fans are fired up! Hayter RAMS Storm into a corner, hoists her up top, and then goes up after her. Hayter HEADBUTTS Storm, then brings her up, SUPERPLEX! But she holds on to get Storm up, but Storm cradle counters! TWO!! Storm dodges Hayter’s haymaker to backslides, Hayter rolls through, but into the STORM ZERO PILEDRIVER!! Cover, Storm wins!!

Winner: Toni Storm, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)

Well, at least now Britt won’t have to worry about facing a friend in the next round. But the question will be, will Storm be facing the Doctor? Or the joker?

AEW hears from Scorpio Sky and Frankie Kazarian.

The Face of the Revolution says he will make everyone put respect on his name and the AEW TNT Championship. This Friday on Rampage, he faces someone who is a brother to him, is a former tag team partner, and is someone he traveled the globe with many times over in Frankie Kazarian. It’ll be friendly fire but the title is on the line, so it will be hot as hell. But there can only be ONE Face of TNT. And this Friday, we’re looking at it. Scorpio will SCU there.

As for the Heavy Metal Rebel, Lexi Nair interviews him about this match. How is he feeling about taking on a former tag partner? Kaz has a lot on his mind, but he gets interrupted by Sammy Guevara & Tay Conti. Sammy has some thoughts for Kaz. Kaz has history with Sky, but that man Kaz knew is not the one he’s facing this Friday. That man is dead, and this one will stab Kaz in the back. Kaz can’t trust Scorpio. Trust? A lecture on trust from these two? Sammy, Kaz has been around a long time, he knows who he can and cannot trust. More importantly, he trusts himself, and ultimately, that’s all he needs. So go be unlikeable somewhere else.

Sammy hopes Kaz is right. And he says he’ll SCU later. SamTay kiss before heading out, and Kaz says Sammy’s vlog sucks. But will the Heavy Metal Rebel be ready for anything against American Top Team’s leading man?

Double or Nothing’s Buy-In has a match!

After the shocking defeat and the amazing moment in the ring, #Hookhausen has a match against Tony Nese & Mark Sterling! Will Smart Mark and his premier client regret angering the Cold-Hearted Handsome Devil into doing something very nice, very evil?

Owen Hart Foundation Men’s Tournament Opening Round No Holds Barred: Jeff Hardy w/ Matt Hardy VS Darby Allin w/ Sting!

Tony Khan has approved the special request of these two daredevils! Now nothing, not disqualifications, not count-outs, not even self-preservation, will hold back the Charismatic Enigma and Relentless One! But then whose body lasts longer and moves on to the semifinals?

The bell rings and Darby rushes to SHOTGUN Jeff down! Jeff gets out but Darby DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp and Darby is fired up! Fans fire up with him as he brings out chair after chair after chair! He’s got about eight chairs! Darby starts setting the chairs up and fans are fired up for “A E DUB! A E DUB!” Darby goes from chair square to a chair rectangle, using all eight chairs! Jeff crawls to the ring but Darby hurries after. Jeff FLAPJACKS Darby onto the steel steps! Darby checks his face while Jeff moves the steps around. Sting and Matt give Jeff space, but Darby RAMS into Jeff. Darby whips, Jeff reverses but Darby leaps over the steps!

Darby rolls and comes back, only for Jeff to leap off the steps and CLOBBER Darby! Fans fire up while Jeff shakes out his arms. Jeff hobbles over to reposition the steps again. The steps are now on their side, and with the top facing Darby. Darby gets up but Jeff drags him onto the steps. Darby slips off to RAM Jeff into the post, and almost into Matt! Matt hurries to get away and Darby puts Jeff in the ring. Darby drags Jeff up but Jeff fights back through the ropes. TWIST OF HOTSHOT! Jeff then goes looking, and he brings out a LADDER! Fans love this already as Jeff brings that ladder into the ring!

Dynamite goes picture in picture as Jeff hurries to get in. Darby grabs the ladder for his own, but now he and Jeff tug-o-war over it. They both drop the ladder to go after each other! Jeff kicks low, reels Darby in, but Darby fights free to hop on, CODE RED! Cover, TWO! Jeff survives but Darby grabs the ladder. Darby moves it aside and he drags Jeff around. Darby runs, springboards, but Jeff catches the Coffin Splash! Jeff spins Darby around to JAWBREAKER! Darby flounders to a corner, Jeff rallies the fans and gives Darby the HARDYAC DROPKICK! Darby flops out of the ring but Hardy has to steady himself a moment.

Sting coaches Darby but Jeff goes out after him. Jeff stomps Darby, smacks him off those chairs, and again, before going into the ring. Jeff hobbles, gets that ladder, and stands it up. That is a TALL ladder as Jeff makes sure it is intertwined with the ropes. Darby is sprawled on his own chair rectangle, and fans fire up as Jeff starts climbing! Jeff reaches the top of that ladder, but Darby hurries up the other side! Jeff hurries to meet Darby as Dynamite returns to single picture, but Darby YANKS Jeff down! Hardy gets crotched on his enigma! Darby kicks Jeff down, then Darby climbs! Darby’s up top real fast, and he copies Jeff’s usual pose, before a SUPER FULL METAL SWANTON!!!

Fans lose their minds from Darby and Jeff crashing on the chairs!! It’s hard to tell if the chairs or the human beings are in worse shape! The ref checks on Darby and Jeff but somehow they’re both still conscious. Darby pushes chairs aside as fans chant, “This is Awesome!” Darby manages to get Jeff in a headlock and drag him to the ring. Darby pushes Jeff in, then climbs the corner! But Jeff drags himself to the apron on the other side. So Darby adjusts course, APRON COFFIN DROP only gets apron as Jeff moves!! Matt still checks on his brother while the ref and Sting check on Darby. Jeff goes out as fans hope they “FIGHT FOREVER!”

Jeff drags Darby onto the steel steps. TWIST OF FATE to the steel! But Jeff isn’t done there, he throws off his shirt and goes up the corner! Fans are ready to lose their minds again as Jeff aims, SWANTON onto steel steps and only steps! Darby dodges, the steps get bent, and now the ref checks Jeff! Jeff is somehow okay to continue, and Darby is somehow hobbling his way over to Jeff. Darby drags Jeff up, puts him in the ring, then Darby goes up the corner again. COFFIN DROP!! Cover, TWO!?!? And into a ghost pin into the ladder!! JEFF WINS!!

Winner: Jeff Hardy, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)

Even Matt is shocked! But somehow, someway, Brother Nero snatches victory from the jaws of defeat! Now will he render Adam Cole OBSOLETE? Speaking of, the Undisputed Elite, from Adam Cole to reDRagon to the Young Bucks appear on stage. Will Cole be the first to represent the Undisputed Elite in the Owen Hart Cup finals? And what of Kyle O’Reilly taking on Rey Fenix?

My Thoughts:

A great episode for Dynamite here, and an awesome start to the Owen Hart tournaments! Good promo from Britt and Hayter, Storm VS Hayter was great stuff, but of course Hayter and Britt weren’t going to be facing each other next round. Storm gets a great win, and I can’t wait to see who the women’s tournament joker will be. I have a feeling Britt finds a way to win, no matter who it is, but it’ll be a great match to give us Britt VS Storm. Cole VS Dax was an awesome opener, and they had a lot of great references to the rivalry of Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart, especially with Cole using the Sharpshooter to win. Cole is moving on, it’d be pretty wild if he and Britt both won the tournaments.

The main event was badass because of how they made it No Holds Barred. Jeff and Darby went balls to the wall with that, and WOW that ladder top Swanton onto those chairs. Not to mention how that wasn’t even the end! I think this is the second time steel steps have been bent like that in AEW. But then Jeff winning was actually quite the shock. I thought Jeff was going to drop out early so that the Hardys and the Young Bucks could build towards Double or Nothing. I suppose it can still happen next round with Cole beating Jeff, and we do get a dream match of Cole VS Jeff. Joe and Lethal’s team have a good promo to hype up Joe VS Joker, can’t wait to see who they get for that, too.

Good vignette to hype up Rosa VS Deeb, and a good promo from Scorpio as well as a good promo from Kaz with Sammy all to hype up the TNT Championship. I do like that Sammy thinks Kaz should be careful of Scorpio still being a Heel, but Sammy being a Heel himself, he could just be messing with Kaz. Nese squashing Danhausen to then give rise to #Hookhausen was great stuff, and everyone is going to love that Buy-In tag match. I expect Sterling takes the loss so that Nese stays unpinned and unsubmitted in AEW, and then Nese loses to Hook 1v1 down the line. Hell, I bet fans get Hookhausen to the tag titles because fans love them both so much.

The FTW Championship was great stuff, but I had a feeling something screwy would happen. Starks retains, and then we got great stare downs from Team Taz, Keith & Swerve, and Jurassic Express. Jurassic Express VS Starks & Hobbs is good, but I wonder if they’ll step this up into a Triple Threat. A Triple Threat can be a great way to get the titles off Jurassic Express without actually hurting them. And with Jungle Boy needing Christian to encourage him, we could be seeing Jurassic Express falling apart and turning on Christian or vice-versa. FTR can come back to the AEW World Tag titles after Double or Nothing, perhaps getting their big moment at All Out.

The contract signing for MJF VS Wardlow was great stuff from top to bottom. MJF had Long Island on his side, they played along with him perfectly, and so much of what MJF is putting Wardlow through is a great callback to MJF VS Cody. The Dark Side of the Ring parody was genius, too, especially with Jericho’s narration. Wardlow will somehow, someway make it through the whipping, the rigged cage match, and will get to beat up MJF. And speaking of Jericho, the JAS had a great segment, and I like that the BCC are reinforcing Kingston’s team. It is good continuity since Moxley is Kingston’s friend, and with Yuta going to Japan for Best of the Super Juniors, Moxley and Danielson make Kingston’s team five, we could get JAS VS Team Mad King in Blood & Guts or some other big match.

There was also a lot of genius stuff in Punk VS Silver with Hangman on commentary. Punk played being Heel this time to keep us guessing after Hangman’s promo last week felt almost Heel. Turns out, Tavaren left the Islanders so that’s why it was the perfect jersey for Punk to wear. Punk VS Silver was a great match in itself, and Punk stealing Buck Shot to win was wild. Punk had a great promo to get on Hangman’s nerves, and Hangman just flipping Punk off was a fitting response. Their match at Double or Nothing still feels like it could go either way, Vegas is going to be electric that whole match.

And for those wondering, all the extra Tornado DDT’s from tonight, they’re all in honor of Fuego Del Sol. It seems that after a surgery from last month, Fuego’s neck is now left with a one inch hole in it! He shared a picture of it on his Twitter, but being that it is a hole in his neck, be careful if you go looking for it. On behalf of the Chairshot, I hope Fuego gets well soon and can return to the ring.

My Score: 8.9/10