Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (8/15/22)
A PHENOMENAL first-time-ever!
Will the United States Champion still be All Mighty?
For the first time one-on-one, Bobby Lashley takes on AJ Styles, and for the WWE United States Championship! Will the All Mighty prove he’s even more phenomenal than the Phenomenal One?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Vacated WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Nikki A.S.H. & “Doudrop” Piper Niven VS Alexa Bliss & Asuka; Bliss & Asuka win and advance.
- The Miz & Tommaso Ciampa VS Cedric Alexander & Mustafa Ali; The Miz & Ciampa win.
- Drew McIntyre VS Kevin Owens; McIntyre wins, by disqualification.
- Veer Mahaan VS Beaux Keller; Veer wins.
- WWE United States Championship: Bobby Lashley VS AJ Styles; Lashley wins and retains the title.
- Dakota Kai w/ Iyo Sky & Bayley VS Dana Brooke; Kai wins.
- (Austin) Theory VS Dolph Ziggler; Theory wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
The Judgement Day is here!
Finn Balor, Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley are in Washington D.C. and headed to the ring! And they’re feeling great after what they did to Rey & Dominik Mysterio just last week. They all get mics while fans boo, but Rhea says, “The Judgement Day… We run Monday Night Raw. And that’s been the harsh reality to the Mysterios week in and week out. I even proved to Dominik Mysterio that I really am his Papi, haha, as I destroyed his soul!” Finn says everyone loves the Mysterios! But do they even know why? No! But then to those fans, Finn has some sad news: The Mysterios will NOT be here tonight.
And why is that? Because just like Rhea said, poor little Dom had his soul crushed! And Rey was destroyed by Finn in the middle of the ring, 1-2-3, to further solidify Finn’s already legendary status in this business! But enough about last week, here’s what Priest will do to Edge next week. “What won’t I do to Edge next week? But let me ask you all a question: Do you not wanna see Edge confront the Judgement Day right now?” DC says yes! Do they wanna see the Rated R Superstar right now? Yes! Too bad! He ain’t here! HA! No, no. Edge is out in Toronto, doing his “duties” promoting this match. Edge’s first match in Toronto in over a decade!
Priest tells Edge the he heard everything Edge said. Priest doesn’t need the Judgement Day ringside. He doesn’t sweat Edge! He doesn’t need anyone to deal with Edge! That is where Priest puts the final nail in the coffin of Edge’s career! There will be no Finn, no Rhea, just Priest VS Edge, 1v1, man to man, no Judgement Day! And then Toronto will no longer be Edge’s hometown. It’ll be the place where Damian Priest sent Edge back into retirement! Oh, the fans don’t like that, huh? Bye-bye, Edge! And this time it won’t be about filming TV shows or crap movies. It’ll be Beth wheeling Edge around and feeding him through a tube for the rest of his life!
But then REY dropkicks Priest from behind! And throws hands on Finn! Finn shoves Rey but Rey RANAS him out! Then BLASTS Priest out! But then Rhea steps to him! Rhea dares Rey to hit her, but Rey keeps control. But then Finn gets in with a chair! Rey SHOTGUNS Finn first! And then JAMS Finn and SMACKS Finn with the chair! And then the same for Priest! Fans fire up for Rey as he raises the chair, but Rhea shields Finn! Then she snatches the chair! Priest BOOTS Rey down! Priest KICKS Rey, rains down fists, and fans boo! But Priest drags Rey up, feeds him to Rhea, DDT to the chair!! Then Priest rains down fists!
Rhea tells this is what happens when Dom holds you back! Priest puts the chair on Rey’s chest! Finn is up top, COUP DE GRACE with the chair!! Finn sits on Rey after having crushed him! Will the Judgement Day destroy Edge just like they have Dom and Rey?
Vacated WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Nikki A.S.H. & “Doudrop” Piper Niven VS Alexa Bliss & Asuka!
This Celtic Connection of Almost SuperHero and Scottish Viper has been waiting for their opportunity to grab some gold together. As for the Five Foot Fury and the Empress of Tomorrow, they’ve each held the tag titles before, just with other partners. Who takes the crucial first step towards the gold and meets Kai & Sky next round?
But before the action gets going, the RawEST Women’s Champion, Bianca Belair, makes her way out to ringside! She’s going to be a teammate to Alexa & Asuka at Clash at the Castle against “The Control,” Bayley, Kai & Sky, so she’s here to cheer her allies on. Nikki & Piper then make their entrances, Nikki now sporting a leather jacket to match Piper’s. The teams then sort out and Asuka starts against Nikki. Asuka rushes in but Nikki throws her down! Nikki rains down forearms on Asuka then strikes a pose. Fans boo but Nikki stomps Asuka down. Nikki drags Asuka up, whips her but Asuka reverses and pop-up KNEES!
Nikki wobbles, Alexa tags in and she runs Nikki over! Piper gets in, Alexa & Asuka DOUBLE SHOTGUN her out! Then they both HIP ATTACK Nikki & Piper off the apron! High-five and fans fire up while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Nikki thrashes Alexa around in a straitjacket stretch! Fans rally up, Alexa fights up, but Nikki keeps her down by digging a knee in. Fans still rally and Alexa fights her way up again, getting her arms free to hit a JAWBREAKER! Piper tags in and drags Alexa away. But Alexa kicks Piper into Nikki! Hot tag to Asuka! Asuka goes up to missile dropkick Piper down! Fans fire up with Asuka and she dodges Nikki to DECK Piper! Asuka elbows Nikki, ROUNDHOUSES her, then hits a RUNNING NECKBREAKER! Asuka runs in at the corner to HIP ATTACK, then she waistlocks.
Nikki fights the suplex but Asuka BAKCHANDS, BACKHANDS, SOBATS, KICKS and BACKHANDS! GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Nikki survives but Asuka sits Nikki up to KICK, KICK and run! Piper swipes at Asuka but Asuka BOOTS her! Nikki gets Asuka for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Nikki is furious but fans fire up! Nikki goes to ropes, DECKS Alexa, then rushes back to get Asuka! Nikki whips her to a corner and Piper whips her in! Asuka puts Nikki on the apron, elbows Piper but Nikki shoulders in! Nikki climbs to CROSSBODY! Cover, Alexa breaks it with a dropkick! Piper CROSSBODIES Alexa!
Fans fire up while Dana Brooke & Tamina watch backstage. They lost last week, so what’re they hoping from this? Piper drags Nikki to her corner to tag back in! Piper storms up on Asuka, drags her up and scoops, but Asuka fights free! BACKHAND! Piper goes down, Asuka HIP ATTACKS Nikki away! Asuka comes back but into Piper’s scoop! MICHINOKU DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Asuka survives and DC is thunderous! Piper drags Asuka to a drop zone and she goes up the corner! VADER BOMB FLOPS as Asuka moves! Asuka drags herself up to her feet, Piper runs in but into a ROUNDHOUSE! Asuka runs Alexa tags, SLIDING KICK to a DDT!
Alexa hurries to tag Asuka back and she hits a CODE BREAKER! Oklahoma Roll, into an ARMBAR!! And Alexa intercepts Nikki with a RIGHT HAND! Piper taps, Asuka & Alexa win!
Winners: Alexa Bliss & Asuka, by submission (advance to the next round)
They may seem like an unlikely duo, but they just made it work here! And we get a Clash at the Castle preview within the tournament, will- Wait. Bayley and her team are waiting on the stage! They all applaud sarcastically and then talk some trash with Bianca, Asuka & Alexa. Refs and officials rush out already to stop this from blowing up again! Fans want to “Let Them Fight!” but will we just have to wait until next time?
Backstage interview with (Austin) Theory!
The Youngest Mr. Money in the Bank is back after the… less than successful attempt to cash-in at SummerSlam. Uh, well, he still has the briefcase, doesn’t he? And he’s still the Youngest WWE United States Champion Ever, and the handpicked future of the business! He may have made some miscalculations, but he doesn’t make mistakes. He is tougher because of that, wiser because of that, and he’s more dangerous because of that. Next time he- Dolph Ziggler walks in to say, “The next time? Kid, I’ve been watching you. You got crushed out there. Brock, Roman, you name it! And I get it, I’ve been there, too.”
But there’s a difference between the two of them. See, the MITB contract was never handed to Ziggler. He earned it. That is why it mattered when he cashed in and became World Heavyweight Champion! Well, that’s interesting. Ziggler was Mr. MITB, he was a world champion. And that’s great, really. But he won’t be around when Theory cashes in, and because of that, Theory thinks Ziggler’s nothing more than “an over the hill, title having has-been.” But Theory suggests Ziggler keeps paying attention to Mr. All Day. Because when Theory cashes in successfully, he’ll just keep winning and winning and winning. And he won’t screw up like Ziggler did!
Oh, didn’t like that, huh? But then Ziggler PUNCHES Theory! They brawl, and end up hitting the cameraman! Will these two have to settle this thing in the ring?
Raw shares footage of the brawl during the break, and they ended up deep in the arena! Officials rushed in to stop this, but… Who’s arm is that slipping in through the door?
Backstage interview with The Miz & Tommaso Ciampa.
Sarah says after an amazing performance against Bobby Lashley, where he came so close to winning the United States Championship, where does Ciampa see himself going next? Ciampa says he did get really close. Unfortunately, there are no participation trophies here. Ciampa came to Raw to become a champion, so the next time he gets an opportunity, that is what he is going to do. The Miz says to be honest, the only reason Ciampa didn’t win is because Styles interfered! And how is Styles repaid? He’s given a US Championship match tonight! That’s collusion!
But Miz will reward Ciampa for his valiant effort with a token of appreciation. Miz made his own custom polaroid NFT necklace. He and Ciampa have a matching pair! This is awesome! “No, we are AWWWWWESOOOOME!” The Hollywood A-Lister and his Guardian Psycho now head to the ring. Will they start on the road to tag title opportunities together? Or will they end up a stepping stone for their opponents?
The Miz & Tommaso Ciampa VS Cedric Alexander & Mustafa Ali!
The teams sort out and Alexander starts against Ciampa. They tie up, go around, and Ciampa pulls Alexander’s hair to put him on ropes. The ref counts., Ciampa lets off, and Alexander gets away. They tie up again, Ciampa headlocks, but Alexander powers out. Ciampa pulls hair to reel Alexander back in! Fans taunt Miz over his “TINY BALLS!” but Ciampa snapmares into a chinlock. Alexander slips out, hammerlocks an arm, and he leans on the hold. Ciampa fights up, reaches back to snapmare free, but Alexander slips out of the chinlock again! Alexander has the hammerlock, talks some smack on Miz, but Ciampa fights up.
Ciampa throws a hard elbow, then he clamps on the headlock for a takeover. Alexander keeps his shoulders up, fights up, and fans rally. Alexander powers up and out, but Ciampa runs him over! Things speed up, Ciampa slides under the hurdle but Alexander rolls off the back drop to DROPKICK Ciampa down! Tag to Ali, Alexander trips Ciampa for Ali’s slingshot senton! Tag back to Alexander and he slingshot sentons! Cover, TWO! Alexander drags Ciampa up, CHOPS him against ropes, then whips him to ropes. Ciampa reverses but Alexander kicks back! But Miz grabs at Alexander! Alexander DECKS Miz, dodges Ciampa, but handsprings onto a dropkick!
Miz and Ciampa applaud and pat themselves on the back while fans boo, but this new “Must-See Duo” are on top while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns as Miz fires off It Kicks on Alexander in the corner. Tag to Ciampa, he whips Miz in to A-LIST LARIAT! Then feed to Ciampa’s LARIAT, cover, TWO!! Alexander survives that combo but Ciampa clamps on a bulldog headlock! Fans rally up as Alexander endures and fights up. Ciampa swings but misses, Alexander fires off hands but Ciampa ROCKS him! Ciampa reels Alexander in, but Alexander suplexes first! Fans fire up and Alexander crawls over, but so does Ciampa, hot tags to Miz and Ali! Ali dodges, fires off CHOP after CHOP, then whips corner to corner. Miz reverses but Ali uses it to SHOTGUN Ciampa!
Ali slips out, ROUNDHOUSES Miz then slingshots and NECKBREAKERS on Miz! Cover, TWO! Ali drags Miz up but Miz YANKS him into ropes! Alexander tags in, he ducks Miz’s haymaker to back suplex but Miz lands on his feet! Alexander fights the full nelson to scoop and SLAM! Cover, Ciampa helps Miz get the ropebreak! Just like Miz has done for Ciampa! Fans boo and Alexander knows what happened! Alexander glares at Ciampa but Ali DIVES and sends Ciampa over the desk! Miz DUMPS Alexander out but Alexander shoulders back in! Slingshot sunset flip but Miz sit son it! Ale BOOTS Miz over! Alexander has the cover, TWO!!
Fans can’t believe Miz survives! Alexander hurries to tag in Ali, and Alexander drags Miz up. Feed to Ali, Alexander runs, but Ciampa dumps him out! Ali storms over but Ciampa gets away. Miz rolls Ali up, TWO! Ciampa tags in and Miz runs, into a SUPERKICK! Ali goes up but focused on Miz! 450 PSYCHO KNEE!!!! Then the underhooks into the FAIRY TALE ENDING!!! Cover, Miz & Ciampa win!!
Winners: The Miz & Tommaso Ciampa, by pinfall
WHOA! Miz has a bloody nose but he and Ciampa are the ones standing tall! Will it be a Fairy Tale Ending for the Hollywood A-Lister and his new co-star?
Ezekiel’s family responds to Kevin Owens’ brutal assault.
Not just Elias and Elrod, but their mother, father, and kid brother, too! Ernie Jr, says if he ever gets his hands on Kevin, he will get a piece of his mind!
Drew McIntyre heads to gorilla.
But as he does, someone is putting out a fire! Is that the work of Dexter Lumis…?
Drew McIntyre heads to the ring!
The Scottish Warrior may be part of SmackDown, but he’s here on Raw because Clash at the Castle is coming! And if McIntyre wins, he’ll be able to show up on Raw all he wants! For now, McIntyre gets a mic to say, “Washington, let me hear ya scream!” Fans shout for McIntyre and he says, “I know it’s a shock to see Drew McIntyre on Raw. I’m technically on Friday Night SmackDown. It might be even more shocking to see the other guy here on Raw, but that’s something we can rectify in less than three weeks’ time. Because at Clash at the Castle, it’s Drew McIntyre VS Roman Reigns for the Undisputed Championship.”
To finish McIntyre’s thoughts from Friday, this isn’t a match that happens on the fictional Island of Relevancy! It’s taking place on DREW’S island! And he is gonna drop Roman’s ass, win those titles, and then show up on Monday Night Raw, Friday Night SmackDown, the live events, everywhere the titles should be because that is what the fans and those titles deserve! And he knows there are reports that McIntyre is suffering from a back injury. To be honest, yes, it is true. Because he’s been carrying the load of 20 men for three years in the WWE, in the ring and outside it!
And he does it with a smile on his face because it is a PRIVILEGE. This isn’t a job, it’s a DREAM! That’s why he’s hereon his day off! McIntyre is here on Raw to scout the future opponents he’ll have! Wanna hear some potential ones? McIntyre VS Tommaso Ciampa! McIntyre VS AJ Styles! McIntyre VS Seth Freakin’ Rollins! McIntyre VS Karrion Kross! But here comes Kevin Owens! Kevin has a mic and McIntyre says he likes this idea, too! McIntyre VS KO! Kevin says it is so convenient that McIntyre says his name now.
But there is something about Drew that Kevin never understood. As big and good and strong as McIntyre is, he still feels the need to pretend he’s something he’s not. Because he comes out here, talks with his big, loud almost comical voice! Sometimes he has his kilt, sometimes he has a sword. He thinks this is Medieval Times? But McIntyre is delusional because if he thinks he’s been carrying anyone’s weight around here, he’s a real dumbass! Kevin says McIntyre has no idea who he really is! Kevin’s been the same person his entire 22 years of wrestling! He is and always will be Kevin Owens, who is as real as it gets in this business!
But these past few years, people have forgotten what Kevin’s about! That’s Kevin’s fault, though> he’s been having a good time, having fun coming to work. But then something dawned on Kevin when he got here today. He got goosebumps because he realized that this is the very same arena where at Battleground, Kevin and Sami Zayn had the fight of their lives and left everything they had in that ring! They gave people a match they STILL talk about six years later! And then Kevin realized there’s a side of him that’s been missing for far too long. He misses that side. He misses the old Kevin Owens. He needs to bring back the Prizefighter!
And Drew, Kevin hasn’t held a title in five long YEARS. But enough is enough, and it is time for a change! Now, Kevin is coming after everything! Every champion is a target! The US Champion, the Intercontinental Champion, the Tag Team Champions, and Drew, Kevin doesn’t care if it’s you or Roman. Whoever walks out of Cardiff has a hell of a problem, because Kevin wants the biggest prize of them all! The Undisputed WWE Universal Championship!! Fans cheer that, and McIntyre says okay, he let Kevin say his piece. And frankly, McIntyre will have to respond. McIntyre is sick of people making stuff up juts to get a reaction.
They say things like McIntyre doesn’t carry the load, he doesn’t know who he is. He knows exactly who he is, too!! Someone mocked him for being “The Chosen One.” That was 15 YEARS AGO!! Then he got FIRED, and had to work his ass off, earn his way back off! He didn’t call the WWE, they called him! And he’s worked his ass off ever since! A two-time world champion! He beat Brock Lesnar, Goldberg, Randy Orton and everyone who has stood in his path! Don’t you dare pull this BS again!! Now, it’s time for Kevin and McIntyre to stop talking. Prizefighter, sports entertainer, superstar, they’re wrestlers in a wrestling ring, so let’s just freakin’ wrestle!!
Fans are thunderous and Kevin tells McIntyre that he may not be a prize, but he’s still on! Kevin and McIntyre, a preview of coming attractions, who will win this fight?
Drew McIntyre VS Kevin Owens!
Raw returns and this is happening! The bell rings, they tie up and McIntyre puts Kevin in a corner. He lets off and welcomes Kevin to return, and the two reset. They tie up again, McIntyre pushes Kevin back but Kevin turns things around. Kevin lets off now and he circles with McIntyre again. Fans rally and duel and the tow tie up again. Kevin headlocks, McIntyre powers up and out, but Kevin RAMS him. McIntyre stays up and says, “Not today!” Kevin kicks low and says, “Shut up!” as he headlocks again. McIntyre powers up, powers out, and they RAM shoulders again. McIntyre says up Kevin’s, then kicks low!
McIntyre headlocks now but Kevin powers out. Things speed up, McIntyre RAMS Kevin and sends him flying! McIntyre stomps and punches Kevin in the corner, whips him corner to corner hard, then runs in. But Kevin elbows back and POSTS McIntyre! McIntyre sits down, Kevin says “SUCK IT!” and CANNONBALLS! Fans fire up and Kevin soaks it all up! “This is MY show!” Kevin drags McIntyre to a drop zone, then hits a SENTON, to a MOONSAULT! Cover, ONE!! Kevin grinds a forearm into McIntyre’s face, then stands on McIntyre’s hand. Kevin throws haymakers, then has McIntyre in a corner. Kevin RAMS his shoulder in as fans rally up.
The ref counts, Kevin lets off and brings McIntyre out. Fans duel, Kevin suplexes, but McIntyre blocks! And blocks again, to suplex Kevin and TOSS him! McIntyre says, “SUCK IT” back! Kevin bails out, so McIntyre builds speed! Kevin gets in to ROCK McIntyre! Kevin tosses McIntyre out, builds speed, but McIntyre ROCKS him! McIntyre brings Kevin up but Kevin fights the suplex! Kevin HOTSHOTS McIntyre, POSTS McIntyre, and McIntyre falls to the floor! Kevin steps back but then goes out to APRON FROG SPLASH!! Fans fire up and Kevin roars, “This is MY show!” as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Kevin has McIntyre down in a chinlock. McIntyre endures and fans rally up, but Kevin leans on the hold. McIntyre fights up, Kevin CLUBS him, and CLUBS him again. Kevin whips McIntyre corner to corner but McIntyre comes back to CLOBBER Kevin! And again! McIntyre whips, and OVERHEAD Belly2Belly suplexes Kevin away! Kevin gets to a corner but McIntyre clinches to OVERHEAD Belly2Belly again! And then McIntyre hits a NECKBREAKER! McIntyre kips up and fans fire up! McIntyre aims, Kevin gets up, and McIntyre underhooks, but Kevin wrenches out! Kevin kicks and hits a DDT of his own! Cover, TWO!
Kevin is annoyed but the fans rally up again. Kevin waits on McIntyre and then brings him around. Fans duel as Kevin whips, but McIntyre BOOTS back! McIntyre scoops Kevin but Kevin slips off to waistlock. McIntyre elbows free, runs in but Kevin BOOTS McIntyre down! Kevin goes up the corner again, for a SWANTON BOMB onto knees! McIntyre reels Kevin in to MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! McIntyre is a bit surprised Kevin survives but the fans rally up again. McIntyre snarls as he stalks Kevin to a corner. McIntyre drags Kevin up, throws hands and CHOPS in the corner, then hoists him up top.
McIntyre ROCKS Kevin, climbs up after him, but Kevin trips him up! Kevin adjusts, throws haymakers, and McIntyre falls into the Tree of Woe. But he sits right up! Kevin fights the clinch and HEADBUTTS McIntyre down! Kevin hurries to CANNONBALL McIntyre out of the Tree! Then Kevin goes back up top, for the FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! McIntyre barely kicks out so Kevin goes right back up! SWNTON BOMB hits this time! Cover, TWO!!! McIntyre survives again! Kevin is beside himself but DC is thunderous! “This is Awesome!” as Kevin thinks of what to try next. Kevin paces, then decides to go up one more time!
McIntyre is right up! He ROCKS Kevin again and again, then climbs up after him! McIntyre fireman’s carries Kevin for a SUPER WHITE NOISE!! Cover, TWO!?! McIntyre is beside himself! But he goes to the corner and he wants Kevin to stand up. CLAY- SUPERKICK!! Kevin kicks, but no stunner! GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT! SUPERKICK!! LARIAT!! Both men are down and fans are giving a standing ovation! Kevin gets to the ropes, McIntyre gets to his feet. Kevin and McIntyre just start throwing haymakers! They go faster and faster and it’s just a brawl! Fans are loving it as they get a second wind!
Kevin kicks low, whips, but McIntyre leaps out of the pop-up to turn and FUTURE SHOCK! McIntyre hurries to a corner, he takes aim again, but wait! THE USOS attack!!
Winner: Drew McIntyre, by disqualification
The Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions do Roman Reigns’ dirty work! Jey drags McIntyre up, for a SUPERKICK from Jimmy! Jey then goes up top, and USO- NO! McIntyre dodges the splash, CLOBBERS Jimmy, then TOSSES Jey out onto Jimmy! A nasty landing for the Usos, but then Kevin returns! STUNNER!! The Prizefighter gets the last word, but then he tells the Usos to tell Roman that he owes Kevin one. But then the Usos pick the bones, ONE AND- HEADBUTT! McIntyre dodges Jimmy to CLAYMORE!! Turns out McIntyre gets the last word! Will the Scottish Warrior rip the Tribal Chief off the throne at Clash at the Castle?
Seth Rollins is here!
The Visionary promised he’d be here to hear from Matt Riddle just like the rest of us, but what will Rollins have to say about what Riddle has to say? We’ll find out, after the break.
Raw returns and Rollins has a mic. “I am a Visionary. I am a revolutionary. I am Seth! Freakin’! Rollins! HAHAHA! And I am excited because the time has finally come.” Riddle is getting mic’d up in his mom’s basement via satellite, and he’s about to give us his “big news.” So Rollins came out here for a front row seat so we can all celebrate together, when finally, for the first time in his life, Riddle does the smart thing and tells the entire world that he is retiring! HAHAHAAA! Don’t boo! This is cause for celebration. Riddle can do whatever he wants. He can go back to middle school and finish the seventh grade.
Riddle can start a farm! That industry is very lucrative these days. Riddle says he’s glad Rollins is out there so fans can see what a slimy piece of trash he is! But Riddle doe shave a medical update about his condition. Well here it is! The moment we’ve all been waiting for. Rollins knows this is very difficult for Riddle, so the fans need to be respectful. Riddle, please continue. Riddle says it is a bit hard to say this… But he’s MEDICALLY CLEARED! So the next time Riddle sees Rollins, it is on! Oh, okay, it’s on, huh? Next time they see each other. Like at Madison Square Garden? Or SummerSlam?
Because it seems to Rollins that any time they’re in the same place at the same time, the outcome is the same: Rollins stomping Riddle into the mat! And does Riddle know why that is? Because Rollins is always one, two, three steps ahead! Rollins wishes Riddle was here right now because Rollins would love nothing more than to stomp those last few brain cells out of Riddle’s stupid, stompable head! Well glad you feel that way, Rollins. Because Riddle is NOT in his mom’s basement. He is here in DC and the arena! SO he’ll head to the ring to kick Rollins’ ass!! Riddle is rushing to gorilla, here he comes! And then down the ramp!
Riddle slides in but slides out to avoid the stomp! He drag Rollins out and fire off hands! Fans fire up, Rollins RAMS Riddle into barriers but runs away. Riddle pursues to fire off KICK after KICK after KICK! Then a BROSPLODER! Rollins bails out, Riddle goes to the apron but Rollins trips him up! Riddle crashes down hard, and Rollins drags him back up to TOSS over the desk! Rollins rains down fists, clears off the desk, and then he drags Riddle onto it! “How stupid are you!? How stupid are you?!” Rollins CLUBS Riddle, then climbs up onto the desk! CURB- NO, Riddle dodges! Rollins falls over, Riddle KNEES him into the crowd!
Riddle then pursues, and they run up the bleachers! The fans cheer Riddle on as he runs Rollins off! But will Rollins have no choice but to take The Stallion on soon enough?
Backstage interview with Riddle.
Kevin Patrick says Riddle returned for the first time since Rollins’ SumemrSlam attack. Riddle knows all that, KP, but tonight was just a taste. Riddle is issuing a challenge! Rollins: Clash at the Castle! Be there! Will the Bro get to burn it down with the Architect in Cardiff?
Veer Mahaan VS Beaux Keller!
The Lion of India is on the hunt again, and DC’s own is on the menu! Will everyone from sea to shining sea come to #FearVeer?
The bell rings and Veer circles with Beaux. Veer rushes in, Beaux dodges, and then dodges again! Fans rally up as Beaux shows he can move. Veer rushes in but Beaux dodges again and then bails out! Veer chases after but Beaux gets back in the ring. Beaux plays keep-away as Veer gets back in, then Beaux DROPKICSK Veer! Veer shakes it off but Beaux throws a haymaker! And then another, only to get caught and TOSSED out of the ring! Veer then goes out after Beaux to choke grip and TOSS him back into the ring! Veer gets in and runs at the corner to SPLASH! Beaux staggers, into a FLYING THESZ PRESS!
Veer growls and stomps around, for the MILLION DOLLAR LARIAT! Beaux flounders, but Veer HIP DROPS, into the CERVICAL CLUTCH!! Beaux taps, Veer wins!
Winner: Veer Mahaan, by pinfall
Another battle, another win as another mere mortal falls prey to Veer Mahaan! Will even champions begin to #FearVeer?
Backstage interview with Dakota Kai, Bayley & Iyo Sky.
What can we expect from Kai’s first singles match here on Raw? Uh, Sarah, if you’ve been paying attention, you don’t need to ask that. Then for clarification, can she elaborate? Ugh, Bayley can’t believe this. For all the idiots out there, and for “clarification’s sake,” just please tell them. How is this: spoiler alert, she’ll win! That good enough? Sky says in Japanese and Bayley translates into English, you can expect them all to do a lot more winning when these two become the NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions! And that means first, they beat Alexa & Asuka next week, and again at Clash at the Castle.
Kai then spots something and walks over. “Hey! Relax. We’re not here to ambush you,” Dana, Kai just wants to make sure she’s ready. Oh, Dana’s ready. She is ready 24/7! And if these three are trying to intimidate her, she is NOT afraid of them. Kai says fear is a motivator. Maybe Dana should be afraid. Kai, Sky & Bayley head out, but will #CobraKai sink her teeth into the Flex Appeal?
WWE United States Championship: Bobby Lashley VS AJ Styles!
Though they’ve battled in a tag team match, back when MVP was on the All Mighty’s side and the Nigerian Giant was on the Phenomenal One’s team, this is the first-ever 1v1 battle between these two icons! Who wins this dream match to say they are truly phenomenal?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who carries the golden banner of this great country!
Lashley and Styles circle, feel things out, and Styles KICKS! And ROCKS and KICKS again! Styles has Lashley in a corner, he has the leg, but Lashley shoves him away! Lashley then runs Styles over! Lashley drags Styles up, bumps him off buckles, then throws back elbow after back elbow! The ref counts, Lashley lets off and hits a NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE!! Styles is showing he’s tougher than that, but Lashley drags him back up. Styles fires off forearms, but Lashley kicks low! Lashley runs, but Styles hurdles and things speed up, Styles DROPKICKS Lashley down! Fans fire up while Styles catches his breath.
Styles drags Lashley around to drop an elbow on the leg! And another! Fans duel as Styles kicks the leg and paces around. Styles drags Lashley up, bumps him off buckles, but Lashley scoops and SLAMS Styles! Lashley drags Styles up now, throws him out of the ring, but Styles lands on his feet! Styles gets in as Lashley slides out, and Styles dropkicks Lashley away! Then slingshots, but has to bail out as Lashley moves! Lashley then fireman’s carries Styles to run, but Styles slips off! Lashley stops from hitting the post and he elbows Styles away. But Styles gets up on the apron to SLIDING KNEE! And then FLYING FOREARM!
Fans fire up as Lashley goes down! Both men are on the outside, catching their breath, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Styles has Lashley in the corner again. Styles whips him corner to corner but Lashley reverses. Styles slides into the POST! Styles writhes but Lashley leaves him outside the ring as the count climbs. But then Lashley goes out at 5 of 10 to RAM Styles into the barriers! And then TOSS him into more barriers! Styles almost falls into the timekeeper’s area, but Lashley drags him up to RAM him! Lashley gets in the ring at 7 of 10 to refresh the count. He then goes back to get Styles and put him in the ring. Styles crawls to a corner, Lashley stalks after him. Lashley drags Styles up, throws back elbows, then stomps Styles down.
Lashley throws more elbows as the ref counts, and Lashley rains down fists! The ref backs Lashley away to check Styles but Styles says he’s still good to go. Lashley drags Styles up but Styles hits a JAWBREAKER! And an ENZIGURI! Fans fire up as Styles stands back up, and he stomps Lashley down! Styles hobbles, clutching his bad back. But Styles stomps Lashley more, runs, and drops a knee! Fans rally up while Styles grits his teeth and stands up. Lashley hits back with big forearm shots! Styles KICKS the leg, Lashley shoves him, but Styles KICKS him back! Styles fires off more hands and CHOPS!
Styles runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Fans fire up again as Lashley looms over Styles. Lashley drags Styles up, whips him to the corner again, and Styles SMACKS off the post from the top this time! Styles falls down, but here come Miz and Ciampa! Fans boo but Lashley drags Styles up. Lashley whips Styles corner to corner hard and Styles bounces off off buckles! Miz & Ciampa are ringside and Lashley glares at them. Fans taunt Miz over his “TINY BALLS! TINY BALLS!” but Ciampa covers Miz’s ears to tune that out. Lashley drags Styles up, reels him in and suplexes, but Styles blocks! And blocks again!
Lashley CLUBS away on Styles’ back, suplexes again, but Styles knees free! But Lashley kicks low to try again! He hangs Styles out to dry, then CLOBBERS him! Styles holds on, Lashley runs again, and he BLASTS Styles off the apron! Styles hits the ground hard, but Ciampa distracts Lashley! Miz sneaks up on Styles, drags him up, but DEXTER LUMIS jumps the railing!! Security jumps on Lumis and they spill over into commentary! Miz is shocked to see this and backs away while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Styles has Lashley down now! It’s of note that Miz & Ciampa are gone from ringside. That’s because after Lashley gave Miz a Spear, the ref REJECTED Miz and Ciampa! Styles KICKS the leg and Lashley flounders. Styles drags Lashley up, kicks but Lashley blocks to ELBOW him! And a BIG lift for the COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, TWO! Lashley waits on Styles to stand up, Lashley runs in but is sent right out! Styles KICKS Lashley off the apron, then SLINGHOT FOREARMS! Direct hit and they’re down at the ramp again! Styles puts Lashley in the ring, blocks a punch to fire off the Phenomenal Blitz! LARIAT to SLIDING FOREARM!
Fans fire up behind Styles as he grimaces and gets back up. Lashley goes to the other corner, Styles runs in to SPLASH! And then fireman’s carry! But Lashley slips off and shoves Styles into the corner! Lashley CLUBS Styles, TOSSES him to the apron, but Styles shoulders back in! Styles KICKS the leg out, slingshots again, FALLING FOREARM! Cover, TWO!! Lashley keeps surviving these shots but Styles gets him up, Lashley RAMS Styles into a corner! And again and again! But then Styles BOOTS Lashley away! Styles runs, tilt-o-whirl, but into a POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!! Styles survives and Lashley is surprised!
Lashley stalks Styles to a corner and hauls him back up. Lashley then hauls Styles up to the top rope! Fans rally and duel again and Lashley ROCKS Styles with a right. Lashley climbs up, brings Styles up in a clinch, but Styles slips out underneath! CHOP BLOCK, then a torture rack! TOWER HACKER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Styles’ back may have been a factor, but he stands up again. Fans rally, Styles brings Lashley up and reels him in, but no Clash yet! Lashley back drops Styles away! Lashley wants Styles to stand, but Styles doesn’t, so Lashley hauls him up to the Canadian Rack! CLIFFHANGER! Cover, TWO!! Styles survives again!!
Lashley gator rolls Styles to the apron and then fireman’s carries him. Lashley runs in to POST Styles! Styles helicopters to the floor! But Lashley isn’t done, he drags Styles up and into the ring. Lashley aims from a corner, runs in, but Styles KICKS the Spear away! Then rolls Lashley into the CALF CRUSHER!! Lashley endures but Styles pulls way back on the leg!! Lashley slips an arm inside the grip and breaks it, to get a HURT LOCK on the floor! Styles rolls it back to a cover, TWO!! Lashley lets Styles go in time, but Styles KICKS the leg! Lashley is in the corner, Styles runs in, “This is Awesome!” as Lashley puts Styles on the apron!
Styles ROCKS Lashley, prepares his armband, leaps but no Phenomenal Forearm! Lashley rebounds and SPEARS!! Cover, Lashley wins!!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by pinfall (still WWE United States Champion)
That was a phenomenal battle with a MIGHTY ending! The title stays with Bobby Lashley, who will be next to step to the Rocky Mountain Machine?
Dakota Kai w/ Iyo Sky & Bayley VS Dana Brooke!
The Role Model has promised she, Kai & Sky will take control of Raw, and that is starting with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Tournament. Will #CobraKai show that the 24/7 Championship is beneath them?
The bell rings and Kai ties up with Dana. They are in a deadlock, but Dana waistlocks. Kai breaks free and PELES Dana right down! Kai waits on Dana to get up, and Kai BOOTS her against ropes! Dana flops down, Kai covers, TWO! Kai stays cool and she pushes Dana around. Bayley says to take control, and Kai whips Dana into the corner hard! BOOT WASH! Bayley wants commentary to talk about that! Kai covers, TWO! Kai snarls but Bayley says she’s so proud. Kai sits Dana up to fire off Kawada Kicks! Dana shoves her away but Kai kicks Dana around more. Dana throws more hands but Kai throws more kicks!
Kai whips Dana to a corner, runs in but Dana BOOTS back! Dana then elbows Kai, ducks ‘n’ dodges and fires off forearms! Dana hits a short arm LARIAT, then another! Fans fire up with Dana and she brings Kai up to whip her to a corner. Kai hits hard, Dana handsprings in and back elbows! Dana keeps moving, but the bulldog is sent into buckles! Kai runs in Around the World, BOOT!! Cover, Kai wins!
Winner: Dakota Kai, by pinfall
Bayley & Sky celebrate with Kai, they’re taking over one win at a time! Will they be truly in control once they get those tag titles?
(Austin) Theory VS Dolph Ziggler!
The Youngest Mr. MITB Ever may have missed his opportunity at SummerSlam, but there’s always Clash at the Castle! Will Theory show the Showoff that Theory is the future? Or will Ziggler show Theory that he still has much to learn in the present?
Raw returns and Ziggler makes his entrance. The bell rings and Ziggler TACKES Theory! They scrap, Ziggler gets around and has the SLEEPER! Theory flails but he’s already turning red! Theory pries free, rains down fists, but Ziggler slips around to body scissor! He makes it a cover, ONE, and Theory throws more hands! Ziggler pushes Theory away but Theory DECKS Ziggler with that left! Theory snarls and scowls and he looms over Ziggler. Ziggler gets to the corner, the ref backs Theory off, but Theory storms up on Ziggler to POST him! Theory seethes and he brings Ziggler out. Theory POSTS Ziggler again!
Theory drags Ziggler back in to say, “All day! You hear me? All day!” And he POSTS Ziggler again! Theory is snarling even more as he drags Ziggler to a cover, TWO!! Ziggler is still in this but Theory puts him on the ropes. Theory CHOKES Ziggler, lets off at 4, and then soaks up the heat. “This is my time!” Theory says Ziggler isn’t gonna last, but then Ziggler ROCKS and SATELLITE DDTs Theory down! Fans fire up as Ziggler and Theory are both on the mat. Ziggler gets to his feet while Theory goes to a corner. Ziggler drags Theory up to POST him in return! Theory flops to the apron then the floor and fans fire up again.
Ziggler shakes out his bad arm, goes out after Theory and smacks him off the apron! The ref counts, Ziggler puts Theory in, and he drags Theory back up to fire off haymakers. Ziggler throws body shots in the corner, lets off as the ref counts, and he hoists Theory up top. Ziggler climbs up after Theory now, and goes to the very top! But Theory holds the superplex off and throws body shots! Theory ROCKS Ziggler and he drops down! Fans boo but Theory tells them to shut up. Ziggler comes right back to SUPER FACEBUSTER! But Ziggler clutches his leg! Ziggler crawls to a cover, TWO!! Theory survives thanks to the delay, and Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Theory grinds Ziggler down in a chinlock. Fans rally up as Ziggler fights to his feet. Ziggler throws elbows into Theory’s ribs and then ROCKS Theory with a haymaker! And another! Both men stagger but Ziggler runs in, drop toehold into buckles! Theory storms around on the apron, takes aim and slingshots to somersault, and SHOTGUN! Cover, TWO! Theory is furious so he drags Ziggler up to POST again! Ziggler hangs out of the corner, but Theory drags him in. “I can do this all day! You’re nothing!” Fans rally for Ziggler but Theory keeps talking trash. Theory gets Ziggler up, suplexes, but Ziggler slips off!
Ziggler goes to a corner and UPPERCUTS back! Theory rushes in again, but into a BOOT! Theory tries one more time, but only gets buckles! Ziggler runs and LARIATS Theory down! And LARIATS again! And then jumps into the corner to rain down fists! Fans count and Ziggler goes way past 10! Ziggler turns Theory to a NECKBREAKER! And then a BIG elbow drop! Cover, TWO! Ziggler is beside himself but the fans rally behind him. Ziggler slaps some sense into himself, aims from a corner, and Theory slowly rises. SUPER- NO, Theory blocks the kick, shoves Ziggler away, but Ziggler ELBOWS him! Ziggler goes up but Theory CLUBS him down!
Theory torture racks Ziggler for a TOWERHACKER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Ziggler is showing Theory just why he’s a Grand Slam Champion! Theory snarls, he goes to the apron again and fans jeer and boo. Theory fires up, slingshots again, but into a FAMOUSER! Cover, TWO!! Theory survives and DC can’t believe it! Ziggler facelocks Theory and drags him up. Ziggler ROCKS Theory, eggs him on, so Theory ROCKS him back! Ziggler ROCKS Theory, Theory ROCKS Ziggler, repeat! Fans fire up as the shots go back and forth, faster and faster! Theory kicks the leg, CLUBS away on Ziggler, fires off hands, but Ziggler kicks back! And a HEADBUTT!
ZIG- NO, no Zigzag, BIG LARIAT!! Theory calls his shot, he hauls Ziggler back up, fireman’s carries him, but Ziggler fights free! Sunset flip, TWO! Theory sits on it, TWO!! Fireman’s carry but Ziggler slips off to a ZIGZAG!! Cover, TWO!?!? Theory survives Ziggler’s best shot, is Theory backing up all his trash talk? Fans rally up as Ziggler and Theory stir. Ziggler sits up first and stands back up. Fans fire up as Ziggler is in the corner, and Ziggler tunes up the band! Theory rises, Ziggler rushes in, but no superkick! Roll up, FEET ONT HE ROPES!! The ref sees it just in time! Ziggler rolls Theory now, TWO!!
Ziggler kicks the legs, runs and FAM- NO! Fireman’s carry! A TOWN DOWN!!! Cover, Theory wins!!
Winner: (Austin) Theory, by pinfall
Fans boo but Theory just takes a victory selfie! Will the Youngest Mr. MITB continue to upset everyone as he continues to pull out victories?
My Thoughts:
Another great Raw, though I am curious as to what we got as the main event. Ziggler VS Theory was a great match, but I did not expect that to be what closes the show with how red hot a lot of other stories have been going. I did like that during the brawl between Theory and Ziggler that Lumis’ arm was in that doorway. It doesn’t outright indicate Lumis and Theory will reunite under The Way, but it doesn’t eliminate that possibility. And it seems Lumis is obsessed with AJ Styles. Lashley VS Styles was a great match, even with Miz & Ciampa showing up, but Lumis shows up at the end of another AJ Styles match, so Styles VS Lumis might be the feud after Clash at the Castle.
Miz & Ciampa also had a very good match against Alexander & Ali, and with Ciampa saying he will seize his next title opportunity, I wonder if Miz & Ciampa will help fill out the tag division for a moment since Usos cleared out quite a few other teams. And of course the Usos showed up to go after McIntyre. McIntyre and Kevin Owens had an awesome promo segment, and awesome match, but then the Usos had to “ruin” it. But McIntyre stands tall tonight, so who knows how heated it’ll get this Friday on SmackDown.
And while Kevin is returning to his old self, he also seems to have the added gimmick of claiming no one else knows who they are. I hope he gets to cut a promo on the entire Elias/Ezekiel family. I busted up at that picture they had of the whole family. I hope we get a Nutty Professor: Meet the Klumps kind of promo. Then, like Omos did before, Veer returned to do another squash match just so we don’t forget he exists. At this point, why not have those two guys interact. Omos VS Veer would be really tricky, though, because one of those monsters has to lose. A team of them would also be hard because how would the Usos survive them? At the very least, HHH should probably move one of them over to SmackDown so there’s more space for both of them.
Dakota also squashed Dana to kinda make a point that “The Control” (still not canonically named on TV) are higher up on the card. And we haven’t gotten any 24/7 Championship shenanigans lately, I wonder what HHH has planned for that title. We got a great opening match from the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship tournament, Asuka & Alexa of course winning to then take on Kai & Sky next round. That is going to be a great match, just on Asuka and Sky finally facing off in the WWE. I would think Kai & Sky win to then win the tag titles before Clash at the Castle, but who knows. If so, I wonder if there’s a possibility of Winners Take All in that Six Woman Tag…
We got a good promo from The Judgement Day, and a pretty good brawl with Rey Mysterio, but of course Rey loses when it’s 3v1. I wonder if the Raw in Toronto will help push things towards Edge & Rey VS Judgement Day in time for Clash. And it seems Rollins VS Riddle is happening at Clash after not happening at SummerSlam. Rollins and Riddle had a great promo and a great brawl, they should have an almost show-stealing match.
My Score: 8.5/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Who heads for the Tokyo Dome?
Even with ROH Final Battle on the horizon, Athena, Billie Starkz, Red Velvet & Leyla Hirsch battle to be part of NJPW’s International Women’s Cup! Who will represent ROH at WrestleDynasty?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WrestleDynasty International Women’s Cup ROH Qualifier Fatal 4 Way: Athena VS Billie Starkz VS Red Velvet VS Leyla Hirsch; wins and advances to WrestleDynasty.
- The Outrunners VS The Premier Athletes w/ Mark Sterling; win.
- Toa Liona w/ Bishop Kaun VS Lee Johnson w/ EJ Nduka; wins.
- Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara VS ???
- Madison Rayne VS ???
- NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: Grizzled Young Veterans VS MXM Collection; win(s) and
- ROH Pure Championship: Lee Moriarty VS Matt Taven; wins and
PLAY BY PLAY
[Due to scheduling conflicts, coverage will be on delay]
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Fight the cold by fighting for gold!
Best friends no longer, Mina Shirakawa wants to take the AEW Women’s World Championship from Mariah May, and break her heart like Mariah broke hers! Who will truly be the ice queen of AEW?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Jon Moxley & PAC w/ The Death Riders VS Orange Cassidy & Jay White; Moxley & Pac win, by disqualification.
- AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Claudio Castagnoli VS Will Ospreay; Ospreay wins.
- Dynamite Diamond Ring #1 Contender’s Match: Adam Cole VS Kyle O’Reilly; Cole wins and will face MJF at Worlds End.
- AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Brody King VS Ricochet; Ricochet wins.
- AEW Women’s World Championship: Mariah May VS Mina Shirakawa; Mariah wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current Continental Classic Blue League standings!
Kyle Fletcher: 3-0, 9 points
Shelton Benjamin: 1-1, 3 points
Kazuchika Okada: 1-1-1, 4 points
Daniel Garcia: 1-1-1, 4 points
Mark Briscoe: 1-1, 3 points
The Beast Mortos: 0-1, 0 points
Here are the current Continental Classic Gold League standings!
Claudio Castagnoli: 2-0, 6 points
Brody King: 1-1, 3 points
Will Ospreay: 1-0, 3 points
Ricochet: 1-1, 3 points
Darby Allin: 1-1, 3 points
Komander: 0-2, 0 points
Jon Moxley & PAC w/ The Death Riders VS Orange Cassidy & Jay White!
It was last Saturday that the AEW World Champion and his band of rogues almost poisoned Freshly Squeezed, if not for FTR saving him. And it was last Wednesday that Pac & Wheeler Yuta almost got one over on The Switchblade, if not for Jay White’s top tier toughness. But will tonight be the night The Maniac & The Bastard destroy their enemies once and for all? Or will unlikely allies be able to win another battle in this war for AEW’s soul?
The teams sort out and while fans cheer on Cassidy, White works to convince him that White should start. Cassidy isn’t so sure, but then he warns White! White turns around and he DECKS Pac first! Moxley runs up but Cassidy SHOTGUNS him down! The fans fire up as Cassidy kips up and DIVES onto Pac! White slides out to SMACK Moxley off the desk! White fires hands, SMACKS him off the desk again, then CHOPS! Cassidy sends Pac into railing, the fans fire up more, and Cassidy ROCKS Pac! White CHOPS Mox, then RAMS him into the apron! Pac is sent into more railing! Moxley is sent into railing!
The fans fire up but Pac whips, only for Cassidy to reverse! Pac hits more railing! Fans on the other side count along as White rains down fists on Moxley’s head! White stops at nine so he can BITE Moxley’s head! The fans fire up and Cassidy DECKS Pac! White CLAWS Moxley’s back, and Cassidy CLUBS Pac. Pac and Moxley stumble into each other, so White and Cassidy trade! White sends Pac into railing while Cassidy does the same with Moxley! The fans fire up more, and now Cassidy climbs up so he can rain down fists! The fans count along, and Cassidy is almost about to fall as he reaches nine! Cassidy uses that to his advantage, and he runs back up to BOOT Moxley!
White SMACKS Pac off the desk! Fans high-five Cassidy but Moxley turns things around! Moxley fires knees, then he sends Cassidy into steel steps! White gives Pac more SMACKS off the desk, then puts him in the ring. The ref has White hold on, and finally the bell rings! White then JABS, wrenches, and scoops Pac for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, Moxley breaks it! The ref reprimands and fans boo but Moxley steps back. Moxley tags in, he gets in White’s face and he ROCKS White with a forearm! White goes to a corner, Moxley storms up on him, but Moxley blocks a boot! So White kicks a leg! White fires hands and the fans fire up!
White CHOPS, but Moxley CHOPS! The fans “WOO~!” as the CHOPS keep going! White CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Moxley snarls but White gives him more CHOPS! White CHOPS in the corner, then whips corner to corner. White runs up but Moxley ELBOWS him! Moxley storms up, but into a clinch! Moxley powers out, runs up again, but into a BOOT! Cassidy tags in and he runs to DROPKICK Pac! Cassidy then puts Moxley in the corner to fire off hands! Moxley shoves Cassidy, Pac sneaks a tag, and Moxley avoids an Orange Punch! Cassidy runs but Pac BOOTS him down! Pac kicks Cassidy out, then distracts the ref so Moxley can DESK BACK SUPLEX!
Cassidy slumps to the floor, Pac goes out to stomp away! White protests but this only lets Pac stomp Cassidy more! The ref reprimands Moxley & Pac but Moxley puts Cassidy back in. Pac stalks Cassidy, then stomps him down! Pac taunts White, goes back to Cassidy, and Pac snapmares Cassidy to the ropes. Pac stomps Cassidy right on the face! The fans boo but Pac stomps Cassidy again, then digs his boots into Cassidy’s face! The ref counts, and we get a glimpse of The Patriarchy up in a skybox! Captain Charisma is clearly in no rush to cash in his Casino Gauntlet contract, or else he’d be much closer to the action.
The fans boo as we see Christian Cage on the tron, but in the ring, Pac tags Moxley. Pac & Moxley drag Cassidy up to mug him, and Moxley CLAWS at Cassidy’s face! The ref counts, Moxley stops at 4, and fans boo more. Moxley kicks and stomps Cassidy, then talks trash, but Cassidy springs up to SUPERKICK! The fans fire up while both men stagger around! Moxley and Cassidy reach for their corners, hot tags to Pac and White! The Switchblade rallies on The Death Riders! Then he dodges Pac to BACKDROP him! The fans fire up with White, there are many Gold Members in Kansas City, Missouri!
White runs at Pac in a corner, and UPPERCUTS! White then CHOPS, whips, but Pac reverses. White comes back to wrench and DDT! Moxley runs in, but into a wrench and DDT! Moxley staggers, White tells Mox that he has his number! White runs up on Pac in the corner, but Pac BOOTS White down! Death Riders have turned the tides while Dynamite goes picture in picture,
Pac drags White up, TOSSES him out, and then he tags Moxley. Moxley goes after White and brings him around to crotch him on the railing! Moxley then runs up to BOOT White over! Moxley flips off Kansas City because clearly they boo him, and then he goes out after White in the crowd. White fights back! They brawl out there, but Moxley ROCKS and TOSSES White back to ringside. Moxley puts White in the ring, storms up on him, and paces around. Moxley stomps White’s hand, then tags Pac. They mug White, then Pac riles up the fans. Pac stomps White around, taunts the fans, but the fans rally up.
Pac BLASTS Cassidy off the corner! Pac goes back to White but White CHOPS him! Pac BOOTS White back down! Pac then CHOKES White by kneeling on his neck! The ref counts, Pac steps off to taunt Cassidy, then Pac drags White up to snapmare him to the corner. Tag to Moxley and he’s already up top! Moxley jumps down to STOMP White! Christian Cage is still watching intently as White fights from below. White CHOPS but he’s the one that falls over! Dynamite returns to single picture as Moxley puts White in another corner, and Moxley climbs up to rain down fists! The fans do count along, and Moxley goes PAST TEN to FIFTEEN!
The fans boo but Moxley hops down to KNEE White again and again! Moxley digs his knee in, but stops as the ref counts 4. Moxley drags White up and DECKS him! Moxley CLAWS White’s face, the ref counts, but Moxley pushes White down. The fans rally but Moxley drags White to the corner. Tag to Pac, Moxley stomps White in the stomach, and Pac drops knees on White’s face! Cover, TWO! White is still in this and Pac argues with the ref. The ref defends the count, and White rises up to CHOP! Pac eggs White on so White CHOPS again! Pac SOBATS and White falls! Pac mockingly asks, “Is this it?!”
Pac paces while White sputters and crawls. Pac drops down to have a headlock on White. The Patriarchy talks, and Christian has Nick Wayne, Mother Wayne & Kip Sabian head out, but for what purpose? White endures, fights around, and reaches out for a ROPEBREAK! The ref counts and Pac lets go, and then the ref makes sure Marina Shafir & Wheeler Yuta stay back. Pac checks with Moxley, then keeps on White in the open corner. Pac drags White over to bump him off buckles, then tags Moxley. Moxley pie faces White but White CHOSP! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Moxley HEADBUTTS White, then short arm LARIATS! Cover, TWO!
Moxley clamps onto White’s legs to tie them up in a reverse deathlock! Moxley throws down crossface forearms, but White BITES Moxley’s hand! The ref reprimands, Moxley gets free and tags Pac. Pac KICKS White down, then KICKS him again! White shakes his head so Pac KICKS him again! The fans rally, Pac mocks them for it, and the fans boo Pac for that. Pac kicks but White blocks! White grins and hits a DRAGON SCREW! The fans fire up while both men are down! White and Pac crawl, Moxley warns Cassidy, but we get hot tags to Cassidy and Mox! The fans fire up as Cassidy storms up on Moxley and the forearms start flying!
The fans are on Cassidy’s side, he fires a flurry, but Moxley fires a flurry of body shots and knees in return! Moxley JABS, ROCKS, and runs, but Cassidy doges to Alabama Lift! Moxley rolls through but gets a PENALTYO KICK fore it! Pac is back but Cassidy ducks ‘n’ dodges ‘n’ tilt-o-whirls for a DDT! Cassidy kips up while fans fire up, and Cassidy climbs a corner! But Moxley is up after him! Cassidy BITES Moxley! Moxley falls back, Cassidy hits DEEP IMPACT! Cover, TWO! Moxley stays in this but Cassidy fires back up! The fans rally, Cassidy pulls on the elbow pad, but Moxley sits up! REAR NAKED CHOKE!
Cassidy rolls back to have a cover, TWO as Moxley lets go! Cassidy builds speed, ducks ‘n’ dodges, tilt-o-whirl and DDT! Pac is back again, but Cassidy ducks ‘n’ dodges ‘n’ tilt-o-whirls, but this time Pac blocks! Pac powers through to suplex, but gets STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! White is back in and gives Pac a CUTTHROAT SUPLEX! Moxley BOOTS White down! Cassidy Alabama Lifts Moxley for BEACH BREAK!! Cover, TWO?!? Moxley survives and Kansas City is shocked! Cassidy rises up, the fans rally up, and Cassidy goes to a corner. But Yuta gets on the apron! The ref stops Yuta but Marina grabs at Cassidy!
Cassidy KICKS Marina away! And he runs up to ORANGE PUNCH Yuta!! Moxley runs up, Cassidy dodges, ORANGE PUNCH!! Off comes the elbow pad! The fans are thunderous and Cassidy aims, but HANGMAN PAGE SPEARS MOXLEY!!
Winners: Jon Moxley & PAC, by disqualification
This isn’t Cowboy S*it, this is BULL, because Hangman just handed Moxley the win! Granted, Hangman’s raining down fists on Moxley, but Cassidy is upset. Cassidy brings Hangman off but Hangman shoves him away! Hangman rains fists back down on Moxley, CHOKES him even, but now Cassidy is pissed! Cassidy drags Hangman away from Moxley, but Hangman punches Cassidy! So now Cassidy and Hangman are brawling! The fans are torn but Hangman ROCKS Cassidy! So White goes after Hangman! These rivals brawl it out, a score still to be settled, but then Hangman gets loose! Cassidy runs up, Hangman ducks, ORANGE PUNCH hits White!
Hangman swings, misses, ORANGE PUNCH for Hangman! BLADERUNNER for Cassidy!! The Death Riders are amused, because their enemies are doing their dirty work for them! And now the Death Riders attack Cassidy, White and Hangman! The fans boo but Moxley kicks Hangman out of the ring while Yuta digs his boots into Cassidy. Pac & Marina beat up White, the fans tell off Yuta, but Moxley has his crew head out. Will nothing and no one stop this literal reign of terror?
The Most Wanted is back!
The little western town sees Bandido arriving, and the sheriff’s men are ready for a fight! They tell Bandido that he’s wanted, so he’s under arrest. They can do this the easy way, or the hard way. What’s it gonna be? Bandido hops off his horse, puts his hat and cape aside, and so the hard way it is. The sheriff has his men apprehend Bandido, but Bandido TIGER WALL KICKS the sheriff, DOUBLE DROPKICKS his men, then kips right up! Bandido says bring it, so the sheriff runs up! Bandido BACKDROPS him away, grapples with his biggest man, and that guy fireman’s carries Bandido! He claims that reward is all his!
But Bandido slips free, SHOVES the man into the railing, and then with a finger gun, he says BANG! Bandido runs up, pommel horses off the big guy to DROPKICK the sheriff, and then he hits the BLACKJACK 21 GERMAN SUPLEX on the big guy! Bandido stands tall after the shootout, but where will we see him next?
The Death Riders regroup backstage.
Moxley says, “I’m a marked man. Heavy is the head that wears the crown. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. Being a marked man is the only way to live, it’s the only way to feel alive! The only way to live is with a knife to your throat, with the dynamite stick burning down to the end of the wick. That is the only way to live and I wouldn’t have it any other way!” Moxley says these guys, their problem is their egos! They wall want that next title shot! Moxley mockingly runs around arguing with himself, “I want the next title shot! No I want the next title shot!” That’s the problem! YOUR EGOS RUN YOUR LIVES! EGOS RUN ALL ELITE WRESTLING!!
Moxley says none of this is about him, it’s about his people. They do not fight flesh and blood. He’ll give all three of them an “early Christmas gift.” Worlds End in Orlando, Florida, the AEW World Championship, FATAL 4 WAY!! Moxley heads out, Death Riders following, and the champ just raised the stakes on himself! Will The Maniac be able to win his own gamble? Or will there be a NEW AEW World Champion one way or another?
Christian Cage speaks.
Still up in the skybox, Captain Charisma tells Kansas City, “As I literally and figuratively look down on you, sit down and shut your mouths while I conduct my business!” The fans boo, but Christian continues. “So it’s a four way match at Worlds End, huh? Well, I have a problem, a very- SHUT UP!” Fans boo more but Christian says he has problem with every person in that match. Jay White cost Christian the world title at Full Gear, and so did Hangman Page when he didn’t live up to his end of the bargain. And while Orange Cassidy is just a pissant that gets on Christian’s nerves, Moxley is the real problem because he has what Christian wants.
The fans boo more but Christian says if Moxley happens to make it out of that match still the champion, know that Christian very well might be waiting on the other side. And if he is, then this time, Christian will not miss. Christian will send Moxley back into a tailspin, send him back to rock bottom, and Moxley will hear that little voice in his head saying, “It’s okay, Jon, do it. It’s okay, Jon, you earned it. Have that drink.” Christian vows to send Moxley back to rehab, and he will then rehab the world title! Until then, do not ever forget that Christian is THE face of TBS then, now and forever, and he is the reigning, defending, undisputed NEXT AEW World Champion!
The fans boo more but Christian adds one more thing. “Kansas City, before I leave, I just wanted to say… Go- HOOK!?” Hook SMASHES the door window with his arm that’s in the cast! It’s in that cast because of last week’s Con-Chair-to! Christian freaks out, runs away and goes to the bleachers, but Hook drags him back! Hook fires off on Christian in the skybox, and he dribbles Christian off the side of the cabinets! The fans fire up as Christian has no one to help him! REDRUM!! Christian flails while Hook drags Christian out into the crowd, and then goes to dump him over the balcony!! Christian flails and fights free!
Christian runs away but Hook keeps after him! Hook SLIDES Christian across the kitchen counter! And then does it again, right into a wall! Kip & Nick return to fight Hook, but Hook THROWS Kip into the table! And he KNEES Nick low! Christian has run for it but Hook pursues! Kip & Nick hurry after, will The Patriarchy regret getting on the bad side of the Cold-Hearted Handsome Devil?
AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Claudio Castagnoli VS Will Ospreay!
The Swiss Superman is leading this block after demolishing Ricochet and cheating Brody King. But while he’s on his third, The Aerial Assassin is on his second. Can Ospreay bring down Claudio and tie things up with him? Or will all the Death Riders be unstoppable?
The bell rings and both men run right in! SPANISH FLY from Ospreay!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio gets up and out but Ospreay builds speed! Ospreay handsprings to SASUKE SPECIAL! Down goes Claudio and Kansas City is already thunderous! Ospreay high-fives a fan and puts Claudio back in. Springboard, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO! The fans sing for “Ospreay~ Ospreay Ospreay Ospreay~!” and he calls his shot! Ospreay springboards, but into an UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Claudio drags Ospreay by his legs, but Ospreay flips and twists for a victory roll! TWO, and Claudio kicks low! Gotch lift, but Ospreay backdrops free!
Claudio lands on his feet, UPPERCUTS, but Ospreay HOOK KICKS! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous again! A standing count begins, the fans rally for Ospreay, and both men rise at 5 of 10. Ospreay fires a forearm, Claudio give sit back, and they go back and forth. Ospreay rises with a shout and the fans fire up! Ospreay fires another forearm, but Claudio wrenches to hit an ELBOW BREAKER! Ospreay still ROCKS Claudio, the forearms go back and forth, and Ospreay fires a flurry! Claudio hits another ELBOW BREAKER! And another! But Ospreay fires more shots! Ospreay whips, Claudio reverses and WRINGS Ospreay into buckles!
The fans boo while Ospreay bails out, and Claudio goes out after him. Claudio CLUBS Ospreay, and then pulls the steel steps from the corner. Claudio goes to Ospreay but Ospreay CHOPS, and CHOPS! But Claudio hits another ELBOW BREAKER! Claudio whips Ospreay at the steps, but Ospreay leaps up, onto and then off the steps! Ospreay quickly turns back around and he DROPKICKS the steps into Claudio! Claudio hobbles away and the fans fire up with Ospreay. Ospreay runs up the steps to leap, but into Claudio’s arms! FLAPJACK off the railing! Claudio refreshes the count, then shakes out his leg before going for Ospreay.
Claudio UPPERCUTS Ospreay down, then has the legs! Claudio swings Ospreay into the steps! The fans lose their minds while Ospreay writhes! Claudio then tips the steps over to be on their side. Claudio again refreshes the count because he wants to keep putting the hurt on Ospreay. Claudio puts Ospreay inside the steps, and he pulls Ospreay’s arm through a gap in the frame! Claudio pulls Ospreay into that frame, then climbs up to trap Ospreay’s arm on top of the steps! The fans boo, the ref says don’t, but Claudio STOMPS Ospreay’s hand! Ospreay flops out of the steps, and Claudio pushes them over! Ospreay narrowly avoids being crushed!
Ospreay goes into the ring, Claudio pursues, but Ospreay CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Claudio TOSSES Ospreay out but Ospreay ROCKS Claudio from the apron! Ospreay springboards, but into another UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives but Claudio isn’t even annoyed as Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Claudio grabs Ospreay’s legs, steps through, and he turns Ospreay over for the SHARPSHOOTER! Ospreay endures but Claudio sits deep on that hold! Ospreay reaches out with his good arm, pushes up as best as he can with the bad one, and he crawls forward, only for Claudio to drag him back! Claudio sits deep again, but Ospreay still endures! Ospreay pushes back up, fights forward, but Claudio reaches back to get the arm! CROSSFACE! And he rolls Ospreay away from the ropes, too! Ospreay endures all over again, but he has Claudio’s wrists in his face, blinding him to where ropes are! Ospreay fights, even as Claudio pulls him back!
Ospreay endures, Claudio pulls him back again, but Ospreay uses that o cover! TWO, and Claudio now shifts to the legs! Ospreay CLUBS away on Claudio’s legs, but Claudio still turns over, back into the SHARPSHOOTER! Ospreay endures this painful technical innovation as Claudio again sits deep on the legs and back! Ospreay fights, the fans rally, but Claudio does not let Ospreay gain an inch! Ospreay powers up to turn and tuck, and he slips under as Dynamite returns to single picture! Ospreay fires fists from below, Claudio knuckle locks, but Ospreay lifts Claudio! Claudio leans back but Ospreay uses that to spring up, springboard, and FLYING RANA!
The fans are thunderous and Ospreay gets moving! Handspring, NEURALIZER KICK! Both men are down and Kansas City fires up again! Ospreay runs up to BOOT Claudio in a corner! And then he reels Claudio in, but Claudio fights the suplex! ELBOW BREAKER! The fans sing for Ospreay again but Claudio reels Ospreay in. But it’s Ospreay who suplexes up and over! The fans fire up and Ospreay sets up, STANDING SKY TWISTER! Cover, TWO! Claudio stays in this and Ospreay grits his teeth as the fans fire up. Ospreay then takes off the elbow pad, gives a wink, and he aims from a corner. HIDDEN- BOOT from Claudio!
Claudio has the straitjacket, RICOLA- NO, Ospreay slips free, and he wraps Claudio up in the IRON OCTOPUS! Claudio endures, fights around, and goes to the ROPEBREAK! Ospreay lets go, but Claudio ELBOWS him! And he WRINGS the arm! Claudio runs to DOUBLE STOMP Ospreay! Claudio then deadlifts Ospreay into the GUT WRENCH PLEX! Cover, TWO! Ospreay survives, “This is Awesome!” Claudio is a bit frustrated now but he watches Ospreay go to a corner. Claudio runs corner to corner, but Ospreay BOOTS him! Ospreay goes up but Claudio UPPERCUTS! Claudio then climbs up, and goes to the very top!
Ospreay fires body shots, and he HEADBUTTS Claudio down! The fans fire up while Ospreay wobbles, and Ospreay resets up top! LEAP OF- NO, Claudio moves, Ospreay lands out, UPPERCUT!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio is firmly frustrated now as Ospreay survives. Claudio scuffs Ospreay but the fans boo. Claudio kicks Ospreay but Ospreay gets mad! Ospreay sits up, Claudio kicks the bad arm, and Claudio eggs Ospreay on. Ospreay stands to fire a forearm! Claudio hits an ELBOW BREAKER! Ospreay fires a forearm! ELBOW BREAKER! Forearm! UPPERCUT! ELBOW! UPPERCUT! ELBOW! ELBOW BREAKER!
Claudio fires a flurry of UPPERCUTS, then runs, but Ospreay dodges and springboards! OSCUTTER!! But Ospreay can’t cover from the pain in the bad arm! Claudio rolls out to the apron, but so does Ospreay. Ospreay drags Claudio up, puts him back in, and he aims from a corner! HIDDEN- POP-UP UPPERCUT!! Cover, TWO!!! Ospreay survives and Claudio is furious! Claudio drags Ospreay up, runs, and LARIATS him inside-out!! Cover, TWO?!? Ospreay survives so Claudio hurries to Gotch lift! But Ospreay trips him, jackknife bridge! OSPREAY WINS!!
Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Claudio earns 0)
Even Claudio is shocked! Ospreay serves him his first L this year, but Claudio is a sore loser! He CLOBBERS Ospreay, and hits the NEUTRALIZER!! Claudio storms off, but he comes back with a chair! WAIT! Here comes Darby Allin! And he has the baseball bat! Claudio runs away, he doesn’t want this one! The Relentless One makes sure Ospreay stays safe, because next week, Dynamite’s Holiday Bash, we get Will Ospreay VS Darby Allin! With Ospreay at 6 points and Darby at 3, will the dynamic of this Gold League change rather quickly for the holidays? Or will Ospreay make sure he’s headed for Worlds End?
Backstage interview with Ricochet.
Renee Paquette is with The One & Only, and she says he is 1-1 in the Continental Classic right now. He had an incredible win over Komander last week on Rampage, but tonight is about Brody King, who is also 1-1 right now. How is Ricochet preparing for a man like Brody? Well, see, this is why Ricochet came to AEW. This scenario is why! It’s the level of competition. And nothing brings that out quite like the Continental Classic. So tonight, ya boi Ricochet drew Brody King, and we’re seeing this for the first time anywhere! Brody’s big, bad and scary, perhaps one of the toughest guys in this entire tournament.
But do you know one thing Brody is not? He’s not Ricochet. And while both men are 1-1, after tonight… Ricochet glances at MVP’s business card…!? Ricochet says tonight, he’s holding all the cards! Ricochet heads out, but will he make the C2 #OuttaThisWorld?
A car pulls up backstage.
And reaching out is a hand adorned with the Dynamite Diamond Ring on the pinkie. It’s Maxwell Jacob Friedman! MJF is in KC, surely to watch the match between Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly. Will the Wolf of Wrestling have an effect on that match’s outcome?
Backstage interview with Matt Cardona.
Renee is now with “The Complete” Cardona, and brings up the incredible reaction he got when he arrived in AEW/ROH last week. Cardona says he’s #AlwayZReady, but given what we saw on Rampage last Friday, does he feel ready for Chris Jericho? Cardona says it is great to be back in AEW, and everyone was shocked about it. But who wasn’t shocked? Cardona himself. He’s been saying it for years, he is always ready, it even says so on his T-shirts. But for the past five YEARS, he has busted his ass to reinvent himself, going from “Indy Guy” to “Deathmatch King,” and at Final Battle, December 20th, the biggest opportunity of his career is against Chris Jericho.
On Rampage, Jericho and Bryan Keith laid him out, sent him a message, and he’s glad they did. Now he knows what he is in store for in New York City, but he isn’t gonna wait! Cardona calls out Keith for a match this Friday on Rampage! Cardona is always ready, but is Keith? As for Jericho, he better watch so he can get a taste of what’s in store for Final Battle! Will Cardona take a bite out of the Bad Apple before returning home to the Big Apple?
Dynamite Diamond Ring #1 Contender’s Match: Adam Cole VS Kyle O’Reilly!
It has been quite the tangled web of a roller coaster ride when it comes to the Ballad of the Brochachos. But after MJF relapsed into being the Scum of the Earth, the Panama City Playboy couldn’t keep himself from pursuing MJF. However, from the perspective of The Violent Artist, that same pursuit is what got Roderick Strong hurt. Will Kyle stop Cole from reaching MJF for his own good? Or will Cole have to be the one that hurts a friend to finally have vindication?
Before Kyle steps through gorilla, Renee is there to ask him about this match. These two are good friends with so much history between them, how has Kyle prepared himself for tonight? But before Kyle can answer, The Kingdom’s Matt Taven & Mike Bennett walk over. Taven tells Kyle that they don’t have to do this. Didn’t Kyle himself say a couple weeks ago that MJF is just playing them all? They’re all looking like idiots fighting each other when “that Melvin” isn’t even here! Bennett tells Taven to relax, and says the match is happening. Bennett knows Kyle is gonna go out there and fight, but he hopes Kyle remembers, they’re all family in the end.
Kyle says yeah, they are. But Kyle adds that they all should’ve thought about that before letting one of their brothers get hurt. Kyle gives a shrug before heading out, will Kyle take out his frustrations on Cole?
Cole steps forward and offers a handshake. Kyle slaps the hand, hard to say if that was respectfully or disrespectfully. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Cole wrenches an arm, then wristlocks. Kyle spins, drop toeholds, and he floats to a facelock. Kyle then floats to a waistlock but Cole fights up. Cole switches, the fans duel, and Kyle wrenches out to wristlock. Cole goes to the ROPEBREAK, and Kyle lets off cleanly. They circle again and tie up. Kyle headlocks and grinds Cole down, but Cole fights up. Cole powers up and out, but Kyle runs him over! Cover, ONE, and Cole sweeps the legs! Cover, ONE!
Kyle narrowly avoids the superkick and bails out of the ring. Cole lets Kyle have his time while the ring count climbs. Kyle goes up the steps and into the ring, and the two reset. The fans rally as the two tie up, and Cole headlocks. Kyle endures the grind to power up and out. Cole sunset flips but Kyle stays, to then drop into the ARMBAR! Cole clasps hands and hurries to stack Kyle! Cole steps through but Kyle turns leglock into cradle! TWO, and Cole narrowly avoids a roundhouse! Cole bails out and Kyle gives him time. But then he goes to the apron! Cole avoids the flying knee, but Kyle blocks the superkick!
Kyle fires a strike fest, then SWEEPS the legs! Cole falls hard and the fans fire up while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Kyle paces around, brings Cole up, and he puts Cole back in the ring. Kyle storms back into the ring, and he storms up to Cole to KICK him down! Cole goes to ropes, and Kyle KICKS a leg out! Cole crawls to a corner, then along ropes, but Kyle goes right after him. Kyle clinches to KNEE and whip, then he kitchen sink knees into a COBRA TWIST! The fans rally as Cole endures, and then Cole powers up to hip toss free! Both men go to ropes, and Cole storms up to fire forearms! Kyle shoots in and trips Cole, then he floats for some ground ‘n’ pound! Cole guards as best he can but Kyle lets off to pace around.
Kyle drags Cole up to wrench an arm, and he hits an ELBOW BREAKER! Kyle still holds onto that arm, and he wrenches for another ELBOW BREAKER! And then another wrench, a snapmare, and Kyle ties Cole up in a Figure Four seated COBRA TWIST! Cole endures being turned into a pretzel, but Kyle let shim up to wrench and kick! Kyle wrenches again as Dynamite returns to single picture, and Cole fires off forearm after forearm! Kyle fires another strike fest and Cole hobbles to a corner. Kyle runs up to forearm SMASH! Kyle runs side to side into a SUPERKICK! Both men are down and the fans fire up!
Cole drags himself up as the fans rally, and Cole then goes up the corner. Cole leaps, but Kyle KNEES him first! Kyle then reels Cole in, but Cole suplexes for the GHOSTBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Kyle survives and Cole is shocked! Cole rises, waits on Kyle, and Kyle stands into a 52 FAKE OUT! Then a fireman’s carry, but Kyle slips free! Kyle suckers Cole in, steps up and over, and kitchen sink knees hard! Cole bails out, Kyle goes to the apron, FLYING KNEE! The fans fire up as Kyle puts Cole back in, and then Kyle climbs! KING KONG- NO, Cole moves and the knee hits mat! But then Kyle ducks The Boom!
Cole returns, 52 FAKE- NO, Kyle SOBATS through! AX AND SMASH!! But THE BOOM returns!! Both men are down as Cole can’t make the cover! The fans rally up while a standing count begins! Kyle and Cole go to ropes on opposite ends, and they drag themselves up. They both run up and they both BOOT! And BOOT! Cole avoids a sweep to SUPERKICK! But Kyle yoyos in the ropes to LARIAT! The fans fire up and Kyle suplexes, FALCON ARROW into the ARMBAR! Cole fights that so Kyle grabs a leg! ANKLE LOCK, then GRAPEVINE!! Cole fights to the ROPEBREAK! The fans are torn but Kyle lets go of Cole’s foot.
Cole crawls and Kyle hobbles, but the fans rally up again. Kyle hoists Cole up top, ROCKS him, then climbs up after him. Kyle has the DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! Cole fights but Kyle fires back! They brawl up top and the fans fire up! Cole HEADBUTTS again and again! And then AGAIN! Kyle falls back, Cole adjusts, and Cole leaps for the PANAMA SUNRISE!! Kyle flounders, Cole brings down the kneepad, but Kyle grabs the other leg!! ANKLE LOCK!! Cole flails, reaches out, but Kyle drags him back! Cole still fights, still claws at the mat, then Cole rolls! Kyle is sent outside, but Cole hurries to the ropes. Kyle trips Cole to drag him out!
Kyle reels Cole in to suplex, but Cole knees free! SUPERKICK! Cole drags Kyle back up, puts him in, and Kyle is punch drunk! Kyle staggers then falls, and the ref checks on him. Cole wants Kyle to get up, but wait! MJF SNEAKS OUT HERE! Cole sees MJF, dodges and SUPERKICKS him!! But Kyle rolls Cole up!! TWO!! Cole escapes to SUPER- NO, Kyle blocks to have the ANKLE LOCK!! Cole rolls to a cradle! COLE WINS!!!
Winner: Adam Cole, by pinfall (advances to Worlds End)
The Wolf of Wrestling tried to weasel out of a match with Cole, and now he runs away like the coward he really is! But will Cole soon shine with that Dynamite Diamond Ring as the ultimate revenge on MJF? As for Kyle, Taven & Bennett have also joined them out here, and Cole wants that handshake. Kyle sighs, and bails out. Is Kyle letting this grudge against MJF ruin his friendship with Cole? Or is there something more to this frustration?
FTR speaks.
The Top Guys are backstage again, and Cash Wheeler says, “So as we were saying last week before we had to go stop an attempted murder… Asheville, North Carolina, January 1st, Fight for the Fallen, one of the most important shows, one of the most meaningful shows, that we’ll ever be a part of. Hurricane Helene hit Asheville, it hit the western North Carolina area, it washed away cities, it washed away towns, it washed away communities. And now, with the help of you, with the help of AEW, with the help of Fight for the Fallen, we get to help build Asheville up from the ground up. Because nothing is gonna stop North Carolina, come hell or high water.”
Dax Harwood adds that January 1st might be the biggest night in AEW TV history. Because for the first time ever, Dynamite will be simulcast from TBS and streamed on HBO Max. For the first time ever, AEW comes to Asheville, NC, and for the first time in five YEARS, FTR is bringing pro-wrestling back to their city. So a big event needs a big match. And what FTR suggests is that FTR shows up that night and has that big match. But before we get there, there was a miscommunication last week with The Death Riders. Dax & Cash don’t have a problem with them.
But if they’ve got a problem with FTR, then this Saturday night, on Collision, FTR will be in that ring. Moxley, Claudio, Yuta, Pac, show up, have a conversation with them. See you there. #TopGuysOut. But will Dax & Cash even make it home to Asheville if they start picking a fight with the Death Riders?
Chris Jericho speaks.
With Bryan Keith behind him, The Learning Tree says, “Hi, guys~! It’s Chris Jericho, The King of New York here, and this is a New York Minute. Earlier today, I was on the Staten Island ferry, going from Washington Heights to the meat packing district, and I heard about Matt Cardona’s challenge to Bryan Keith. Matt, apparently you’re not happy that we left you laying like a discarded Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle action figure, also from New York, last week on Rampage, and you wanna challenge Bryan Keith!? Huh?! You wanna try and send a message to the King of the Big Apple by taking a bite outta the Bad Apple?”
Keith says he’ll take a bit outta Cardona, “dumbass!” Jericho says that makes it official. Cardona VS Keith on Rampage, with Jericho on commentary. But wait! There’s more. Tomorrow night on ROH, available on WatchROH.com, you can see Jericho and Cardona have their contract signing to make their title match at Final Battle official. See? Cardona’s getting everything he ever wanted. But be careful what you wish for. As Mayor Bloomberg once said, “New York City is where potential is realized, and where dreams are made.” But there’s a big difference between dreams and delusions.
But Cardona’s delusional if he thinks he’ll walk out of the Hammerstein Ballroom and Final Battle the NEW ROH World Champion! AIN’T GONNA HAPPEN! You are NOT ready for Jericho, NOT ready for The Nueve, and NOT ready for Bryan Keith. Keith says Cardona made a mistake. He put his crumby hands on the King of New York, so Keith’s gonna make him pay the damn price. That’s a Learning Tree lesson for you, Cardona. Jericho signs off, this has been a New York Minute. Thanks, guys~!
BREAKING NEWS for Collision!
Winter is Coming, but only after coverage of the NBA on TNT wraps. That means an EARLY start time for the West Coast, so you better be ready! With that said, there will be MORE Continental Classic action as Blue League leader, Kyle Fletcher, goes up against Mark Briscoe. Can the Sussex County Chicken bring down The Protostar? Or will the Aussie Arrow hit the mark and be an unstoppable 4-0? Plus, Kazuchika Okada is back in action as he takes on The Beast Mortos! Will the Rainmaker make up for some lost ground? Or will the menacing minotaur drag him down into the dungeon?
Sit-down interview with Darby Allin.
Tony Schiavone met with the Relentless One before the show began, and brings up how he hasn’t really spoken to anyone since Full Gear’s ending and that wild car crash into the Death Riders’ truck. Does Darby feel his efforts to topple Jon Moxley failed? And if so, is his quest over? Darby says the quest is never over. When Darby thinks about Moxley, The Death Riders, and everything they’re doing to this place, they are slowly chipping away at what makes AEW great. Darby saw them put Bryan Danielson’s neck in a chair and essentially end his career. And thinking back to that, Darby thinks to how Bryan was the backbone of this place.
And Darby gets why the younger guys don’t wanna get involved. For many, this is the first time they’ve made a real living off of pro-wrestling. But the problem is, if they don’t do anything about this, it’ll just keep happening. People think Darby is reckless, impulsive… Darby punches himself and immediately draws blood! Darby says this does not bother him. Blood, pain, violence, that doesn’t bother him. What bothers him is if no one does anything about it. Schiavone understands, and says all of this is going on during the Continental Classic, the most important time of year for AEW.
Darby says that when he thinks on the C2, it is “everything that’s right” with AEW. People going out there, putting it all on the line for the love of the game, and for the love of AEW. Darby needs to win this tournament because it represents AEW. It represents the passion of AEW. And Darby isn’t stupid, he knows there’ll be collateral damage along the way. But Moxley thinks everything is so wrong in AEW and that it needs to be saved. But Moxley failed to remember that this is the company that gave his career a second shot. This is the company that let Sting go out on his own terms. This is the company that took a chance on Darby.
So Moxley keeps telling himself all these lies again and again and again. “But nothing fools you better than the lies you tell yourself, Jon.” Darby has called out The Maniac, but will he be able to focus on Will Ospreay and their Continental Classic Holiday Bash?
AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Brody King VS Ricochet!
Speaking of kings, The King of Death and the King of Flight are about to collide in a critical match for both men! They’re both 1-1 with 3 points, and only one can keep pace with Will Ospreay. Will Brody keep Ricochet grounded? Or will the C2 be #OuttaThisWorld?
The bell rings and we’re on the clock. Brody and Ricochet circle while fans bark. The two tie up, Brody SLAMS Ricochet down, and Ricochet backs right up to a corner. Brody waits on Ricochet and the two reset. They circle, tie up, and Brody TOSSES Ricochet to a corner! Ricochet comes right back to CHOP! Brody just grins. Ricochet ducks a chop to KICK and fire body shots, but Brody TOSSES him to another corner! Brody runs up, Ricochet goes up and over, and Ricochet CHOPS! Brody just stares Ricochet down. Ricochet runs, ducks ‘n’ rolls to roll back, and he RANAS Brody to a corner!
Ricochet runs up, Brody puts him on the apron, but Ricochet RAMS him! And GAMANGIRIS! Ricochet climbs, leaps, but he bounces off of Brody! The fans bark and Brody SHOVES Ricochet up and out to the floor! The fans bark more while Brody storms out to fetch Ricochet. Ricochet CHOPS, but Brody CHOPS back! Ricochet definitely felt that! But then Brody CHOPS again! Brody peels off the protective padding on the railing, brings Ricochet over, but Ricochet jumps up and off the railing! SUPERKICK! Brody wobbles, Ricochet goes to the apron, and Ricochet leaps, only for Brody to stop the rana!
Brody brings Ricochet up to APRON POWERBOMB! Ricochet writhes, but Brody hauls him up to whip hard into railing! Ricochet falls but Brody stands him up to CHOP! Ricochet takes a seat, he wants Brody to leave him be, but Brody runs up to CROSSBODY against railing! Ricochet falls in a heap and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Brody looms over Ricochet, but leaves him behind to refresh the ring count. Brody then hauls Ricochet up and into the ring, stalks him to a corner, then CHOPS! Ricochet sputters while he slumps down to the mat. Brody stands on Ricochet’s neck! The ref counts, Broody steps off, and Brody grabs at Ricochet. Ricochet shoves Brody back but Brody ROCKS him! Ricochet flounders along the ropes, Brody CLUBS him down, and then he digs his boots in at the corner! The ref counts, Brody steps off, and Ricochet sputters some more. Brody comes back, stomps a mudhole into Ricochet, then grabs the legs.
Brody YANKS Ricochet up for him to fall hard on the mat! Ricochet sits up but Brody clamps on with a neck wrench! Brody grinds his elbow into Ricochet’s head, then drags him up. Brody whips Ricochet hard into the corner! Ricochet falls back and Brody looms over him again. Brody drags Ricochet up and CHOPS him back to the corner! Brody then brings Ricochet up to suplex high and hard! And then SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Ricochet survives the onslaught but Brody stays on him. Brody ROCKS Ricochet and Ricochet staggers on noodle legs. Brody brings Ricochet up to ROCK him again!
Ricochet stumbles about, Dynamite returns to single picture, and the fans bark again. Brody CHOPS Ricochet, eggs him on, so Ricochet musters up what he can. Ricochet fires forearm after forearm but Brody shoves him! Ricochet ducks and handsprings, but into a GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up and Brody covers, TWO! Ricochet is still in this but Brody looms over him again. Brody drags Ricochet up, CHOPS Ricochet back down, and he eggs on the King of Flight. Brody stands Ricochet up, so Ricochet fires forearm sand CHOPS! Brody CHOPS Ricochet, then ROCKS him! Brody runs, but Ricochet TIGER WALL KICKS!
Ricochet spins to PELE!, and Brody wobbles! The fans fire up, Ricochet baits Brody in and DUMPS him out! Brody lands on the apron, Ricochet triangle jumps to ENZIGIRI Brody down! Ricochet then builds speed to FOSBURY FLOP! Down goes Brody and the fans are torn. Ricochet drags Brody up and into the ring, then aims from the apron. Springboard 450 SPLASH! Cover, ONE?!? Brody shocks Ricochet with that toughness! Ricochet hurries to BOOT, but Brody just growls! Ricochet BOOTS again but Brody eggs him on! Ricochet KICKS, Brody just snarls! Ricochet runs up but Brody SWATS the kick! And he spins to LARIAT Ricochet! Cover, TWO!!
Brody is annoyed with Ricochet but he drags Ricochet up. Brody reels Ricochet in, hauls him up, but Ricochet fights free to sunset flip! TWO!! Brody escapes and runs back up, only for Ricochet to V-TRIGGER! Ricochet drops back to a corner, Brody runs up again, but into another V-TRIGGER! Ricochet tries to fireman’s carry!? Brody’s too much for that, and he CLUBS Ricochet! And then CHOPS him! Ricochet goes back to a corner for Brody to SPLASH! Ricochet sits down and the fans bark it up! CANNONBALL! Brody drags Ricochet out to cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives and Brody is more exasperated than frustrated.
Brody stalks Ricochet, hoists him up top, and he CHOPS! Brody climbs up, Ricochet fires body shots, and Ricochet CLUBS away! Ricochet adjusts, SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB!! Ricochet hurries back up top, for the SHOOTING STAR PRESS!! But then Brody reaches to grab Ricochet by his neck!! Brody rises like a zombie, but Ricochet CLUBS away on Brody’s arm! Brody spins Ricochet into the SLEEPER! Ricocher grabs the ropes! Th eref counts, Brody holds on until 4. Brody has the SLEEPER again, but Ricochet clibms the corner! Ricochet goes up and out to HOTSHOT Brody! Then he ROUNDHOUSES!
Brody wobbles, Ricochet slingshots, but into a DOUBLE CHOP!! Brody has Ricochet on the apron, drags him up and clinches, to then YANK him right up to the top! Brody climbs now, but Ricochet still fights back! DDT on the top buckle! Brody wobbles, Ricochet shrugs, and he KICKS the legs out! Brody hits buckles on the way down! Kansas City boos but Ricochet says BANG! SPIRIT GUN!! But Ricochet knows that’s not enough! Brody rises, Ricochet runs, SPIRIT GUN!! Cover, Ricochet wins!
Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Brody earns 0)
Ricochet overcomes the biggest and meanest obstacle in his way, and now he is tied with Will Ospreay and Claudio Castagnoli! But given Ricochet lost to Claudio in the opening round, how much harder will he have to fight to become a finalist?
Private Party speaks.
Marq Quen says, “Good evening, everybody. We are your AEW Tag Team Champions, Private Partaaay~! And welcome to The Vault.” Isiah Kassidy says, “What happens in The Vault stays in The Vault.” Winter is Coming, and you know what that means! Santa is coming to town! But in step Lio Rush & Action Andretti, and they say this is rather interesting. What do Quen & Zay say to letting them have a taste of some of that? Oh, okay, Zay’s got ’em! All he had to do was ask. No, Action wasn’t talking about the shots. Lio says they want the gold on the table. That’s what they want this year from Santa Claus.
Well, Zay will tell ’em what HE wants from Santa. This year, a nice, thick, juicy a- And here comes Leila Grey & Top Flight! Leila wants to have a little chat after last week. Zay notes Santa came early this year. Darius & Dante ignore that to have that chat. Darius, remind Dante again, how many tag team matches have Action & Lio won to actually earn a tag title shot? Darius is pretty sure it was ZERO. Dante takes a sip of the good stuff while Private Party says, “Ooh~!” Lio asks Action to remind him who got eliminated from the battle royal. Action says let’s think. Oh, it was Darius & Dante! OOH~! The two sides argue, and Private Party has them both stop.
Zay says he has a perfect solution! Y’all can just face each other at Collision: Winter is Coming, and the winners can face the champs for the titles. That is good for them all. Lio offers a handshake and says, “No hard feelings, right?” Darius takes the handshake, pulls Lio in close, but pats him on the back. Leila leaves with the Martin brothers, and Zay says, “Thank you, Santa.” But then with the table set for Top Flight VS Bad Child & Sight to See, who will get their shot at Private Party?
Backstage interview with both Anna Jay and Mercedes Mone.
Renee welcomes both The Queenslayer and The CEO one week ahead of their AEW TBS Championship at Holiday Bash. Mone says, “Kansas Citaaaay~! Missouri or Kansas, Renee? Y’know what? It doesn’t matter! Just say hello to your C E O.” Renee thanks them both for being here, and for agreeing to no physicality. Mercedes has now defended the TBS title ten times, and today marks Day 200 as champion. But before getting into that match, Renee wants to talk Sunday, December 15th. In Long Beach California, it will be NJPW Strong Style Evolved, where Mone defends the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship against Hazuki.
Mone says Renee is doing so good today, she is so proud. But she’s also really proud of Anna. Anna has been doing so well. Mone loves how gutsy Anna is, and how she went to Japan to train. Mone went to Japan, too. And Mone loves that Anna believes in herself, it is so cute. But Mone says Anna is only 26 and just getting started. By the time Mone was 26, she was a FIVE-TIME CHAMPION. And now she’s the greatest TBS Champion of all time. So next week on Dynamite, Mercedes shows Jay there is a price to pay when you mess with Mone. Anna tells her hold on, Mone is not going anywhere.
They may have agreed to no physicality, but they also agreed to a face-to-face. Mone is going to stay and listen to Anna. Mone is a living legend, and Anna does admire what Mone does in the ring. And Anna is aware she’s going into this the underdog. But that’s fine. Anna has been underestimated her whole life, her whole career, and she keeps proving people wrong. So go ahead, underestimate her, too. Because when Mone makes the first mistake, Anna will capitalize on it, because all she needs is 1-2-3 to shock the world and become the NEW TBS Champion. Anna leaves, Mone says we’ll see about that.
Confident as she is, the walls are closing in. Will Mone make it through the holidays with both belts still in her possession? Or will Christmas be cold when you don’t have any gold?
AEW Women’s World Championship: Mariah May VS Mina Shirakawa!
They met in Japan’s World Wonder Ring Stardom and not only became tag team partners, but became best friends. But in the world of wrestling, we all know friendship can only last so long when both friends want to be the best in the world. The Glamour betrayed the Fighting Gravure Idol out of paranoia, but claims to still love her. Will this newest chapter in Mariah’s twisted story have a “happy ending” for her? Or will Mina make May pay?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who ends the night on top!
The bell rings and the two run up on each other! They start throwing hands and the fans fire up! Mina HAMMERS away on Mariah, but Mariah shoves her back! Mariah SLAPS Mina! Mariah talks trash, too, but Mina SLAPS back! The fans fire up as Mina SLAPS, SLAPS, and fires more shots! Mariah cowers in the ropes but Mina keeps after her with hammer fists! The ref counts, Mina lets off, but then she SOBATS! Mina whips, dropkicks Mariah’s legs, then grabs a leg to kick away on it! The fans cheer Mina as she kicks and stomps Mariah around, then hits a KNEE JAMMER! The fans cheer and Mina drags Mariah around.
Mina steps through to have a FIGURE FOUR! Mariah hurries and rolls under the ropes, but Mina holds on! Then they fall to the floor! But Mina still holds on! Mina kicks at Mariah while letting off the hold, and the fans fire up while the ref checks Mariah. Mariah clutches her leg but she is still in this. Mina drags Mariah up while the fans rally, only for Mariah to wrench and whip Mina into the steel steps! Mariah brings Mina up to whip hard into railing! The fans boo, and we see Thunder Rosa in the front row! She holds up a sign that reads, “Mariah May??? You May Not!!!” Rosa herself says, “YOU SUCK! You’re not my champion!”
Mariah is mad, and she runs up to SHOTGUN Mina! Mariah stomps away on Mina, but the ref counts. The ref has to pull Mariah back at 4, and Mariah goes to the ring. Mina crawls and Mariah mocks the shimmy and shake. The fans boo but Mariah slaps her knee, both because she thinks she’s funny and to get it working again. Mariah then goes to the apron, takes aim, and as Mina rises, Mariah runs up! But Mina blocks the kick! Mina trips Mariah, brings her to the corner, and she SLAMS the leg against the post! The fans fire up and Mina ties those legs up! Mina stares Mariah down, and shouts “B*TCH!” before hitting the HANGING FIGURE FOUR!
The fans fire up while the ref counts, and Mina lets go at 4! Mariah screams in pain, but Mina shows no mercy as she SLAMS the leg into the post again! The fans fire up and Mina feeds off that energy while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Mina storms back over and stalks Mariah. Mina drags Mariah up to hook the leg, SHIN BREAKER! Mariah writhes but Mina kicks her around. Mariah goes to the ropes but Mina brings her back up. Mariah CLUBS Mina to stop the lift, and then she hits a SAIDO! Mariah grins while Mina flounders, The Glamour has her confidence back. Mariah then rains down fists on Mina! The ref reprimands about closed fists but Mariah lets off to hobble around. Mariah soaks up the heat from Kansas City, then mocks their crying. Mariah throws her armbands at Mina, stomps her around, but Mina throws them back!
Mariah kicks Mina, snapmares her, and she runs to SHOTGUN! Cover, TWO! Mina stays in this but Mariah storms around. Mariah soaks up more heat, then kicks Mina around. Mina goes to a corner, Mariah stands her up and she CHOPS! Mina staggers away to another corner, but Mariah is right on her at the ropes! Mariah CHOKES then stomps away, then CHOKES Mina again! The ref counts, Dynamite returns to single picture, band Mariah drags Mina up. Mariah snapmares Mina, steps over, and throws down fists! Mariah gives Mina one last kiss, then runs, but Mina dodges! FLYING CHUCK!
The fans fire up and Rosa cheers Mina on as she stands Mariah up. Mariah breaks free but mina still ROCKS her first! Mariah hits back, so Mina hits her again! Mariah ROCKS Mina but Mina ROCKS Mariah! The shots keep going, the fans cheer Mina on, but Mariah gets the edge! Mariah grins, runs, but Mina ROLLING ELBOWS! Mina runs, but into a HEADBUTT! But Mina URAKENS! Both women fall and the fans are thunderous! Mina and Mariah crawl, Rosa gets the fans even more fired up for Mina, and Mina DROPKICKS the legs out! Mina wants the legs but Mariah kicks her away! Mariah rises, but Mina wrenches and SAIDOS!
The fans fire up and Mina hurries to cover, TWO! Mina goes right to a corner and right up, only for Mariah to hit some STRATUSFACTION! Mariah then runs up, but Mina avoids the knee! URAKEN! Mariah stays up this time, takes a swing, but Mina catches her and spins her, dragon sleeper and REVERSE DDT! The fans fire up and Mina covers, TWO! Mariah survives but Mina just hauls her up! Mina suplexes Mariah to the top rope, for a DRAPING DDT!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Mariah survives by her fingertips! Mina grabs the legs, Mariah holds tight to the rope, and then Mariah YANKS Mina into the ropes!
Mariah rises up, runs up to KNEE Mina down! Mariah keeps moving, Mina rises, into another KNEE!! Mariah hauls Mina into a fireman’s carry, for the MAYDAY DRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Mina shocks Mariah and KC loves it! Mariah snarls but her former best friend would know how to survive Mariah’s best shot! Mariah drags Mina up, fireman’s carries again, but Mina hits a CRUCIFIX DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Mariah survives that sudden turnaround, but Mina hurries up top! Mariah stands, into a FLYING SLINGBLADE! Mina roars and the fans fire up with her! Mina drags Mariah up in the dragon sleeper!
Mina lifts, GLORIOUS DRIVER MINA!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Now Mariah shocks Mina for surviving her best shot! Mina tries again but Mariah HEADBUTTS! Mariah reels Mina in, STORM ZERO!!! Cover, MARIAH WINS!
Winner: Mariah May, by pinfall (still AEW Women’s World Champion)
It was a gritty battle, but it took the move of a different former friend to finish this! But even so, Mariah is still champion, or as Rosa’s second sign puts it, “You are NOT My Champ!!!” But wait! IS THAT TONI STORM!? And now Rosa has a sign that says “W T F?!” Because yeah, while this isn’t Timeless, this is STILL TONI STORM!! She’s gone back to her original identity, and everyone is going wild! Are we about to get one hell of a sequel to All In?
My Thoughts:
A great start to what is now Winter is Coming Week in AEW. And the only weak point for tonight might be the time constraints on the women’s match. It was great to make it the main event, and for what time they had, they made the most of it, but if you’re going to make it the main event, I feel like it needed more than 10 minutes. But at the same time, it seemed rather clear Mina was losing. Mina is already Rev-Pro Women’s Champion, she wasn’t going to become the other double champion in AEW. Plus, with Rosa wanting next AND Toni Storm returning, that’s big story stuff for Mariah. Also, it is incredibly clever for Toni Storm to return as rock ‘n’ roll Toni after “Timeless Toni” said she’d retire from wrestling. We all knew this was coming so great to see it happen.
Speaking of the double champion in AEW, good promo from Mone with Anna Jay, but as I said last week, Mone’s going to have two title defenses in one week. Either Mone has a great week by retaining both titles, or she could have a really bad week by losing both titles, it really depends on the plans for WrestleDynasty. I’m leaning towards Mone having a great week because I don’t think she’s going to lose at Strong Style Evolved, and I’m not so sure she loses on Holiday Bash. Mone is more likely to lose her TBS title at Worlds End, maybe even to Kamille once Kamille’s arm is all healed up. Also, I assume that was just a kayfabe injury to lead to the breakup we got.
And to my earlier point of time constraints, I feel like we got a few promos we didn’t really need, despite them still being good promos. For one, Bandido having his Hollywood Western fight scene. Again, really fun and very well made, and maybe it was to help some people learn/remember who Bandido is, but I thought last week’s “Most Wanted” was enough to let us know he’s on his way back. The other was Private Party with all of Top Flight. Given we had Top Flight arguing it out last week, we knew they were going to have a match, Dante & Darius VS Action & Lio. But that promo seems a bit redundant now with this one, setting up that same match, but now with actual stakes. AEW’s been a thing for five years and they still can’t iron out disjointed storytelling?
Though at the same time, they’re not good with pacing out stuff like this Jericho VS Cardona build. They obviously do it to get people to watch ROH Thursdays, and maybe the sooner they get that cable TV deal the better. If Rampage really is going away, they should just make ROH replace it, but keep it on Thursdays because I don’t need overlaps with SmackDown and how that is going to be three hours in 2025. But either way, good promos from both Cardona and Jericho, and we’ll get a very good contract signing segment and good tune-up match for Cardona on Rampage. Though again, what weird pacing since Rampage is being recorded right now yet ROH was more than likely last Saturday…
Really good stuff with this Death Riders story tonight. That was a great tag match to open, though rather long, especially with Hangman “ruining” it. If he was gonna do that, cut things down by 5 minutes because why would Hangman wait until the match was getting hot to go after Moxley? But to Moxley’s point right after with his ranting promo, the egos kept the other three guys from becoming a super team that the Death Riders would’ve certainly lost against. But hey, that Fatal 4 Way is gonna be awesome, and Christian Cage might get in on that. Though, great promo from him and great attack by Hook. I’m a little surprised we didn’t get a follow-up on that tonight.
Very good promo from Darby, though maybe another spot that could’ve been another night for sake of time. Darby still got his point across, and I think this was his best paced promo, no rushing through lines to get them out. Depending on how Worlds End goes, I feel like we could get a really good “Can they coexist?” 8 Man or even bigger, where Darby, White, Cassidy and Hangman work together to fight Moxley, Claudio, Yuta & Pac. They could even do a Stadium Stampede/Anarchy in the Arena (I forget if there’s any real difference other than what kind of venue they do it in), and that could even give us the return of Bryan Danielson for him to tip the scales in favor of “Team AEW.”
Good stuff in the Cole VS MJF story, though I’m not sure we needed the tease of MJF showing up before the match. Clearly The Kingdom weren’t watching the show because Taven didn’t even think MJF was there, but I guess that’s the writing trope known as “dramatic irony,” where the audience knows something ahead of the characters. Not a good execution of it but it still counts. And great match of Kyle VS Cole, but there’s something kayfabe suspicious about the timing of Kyle being down for the count and MJF sneaking out there, only for Kyle to then recover and roll Cole up. Could Kyle have been turned to the dark side by MJF? Or, what is now the dark side after the still rather clunky double turn. I still want Cole to get that diamond ring to stick it to MJF but Kyle could screw him over…
And of course, great stuff in the Continental Classic tonight, even though it was just two matches. Claudio VS Ospreay was awesome, and fitting that Ospreay would win to stay near the front. Darby watching Ospreay’s back was good, but also a reason Darby’s promo tonight could’ve waited for Collision. And Ricochet adds some intrigue by showing he still has MVP’s card. I almost thought The Hurt Syndicate would walk out there after he won, but maybe they’re waiting for Ricochet to take control of Gold League so that no matter what, the Syndicate has someone going to Worlds End. Plus, that’d be a big moment should Ricochet go to Worlds End, win the whole thing and become NEW Continental Champion with MVP, Lashley & Shelton backing him.
My Score: 8.8/10
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