Because HEEEEEEE’s Matt Taven!

The Kingdom has come to AEW, but they chose the wrong ones to go after! Will Wardlow’s World wreck former ROH World Champion, Matt Taven?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• AEW World Title Eliminator: Jon Moxley VS Matthew Menard w/ Angelo Parker; Moxley wins and denies Menard a title opportunity.
• Keith Lee VS Serpentico; Keith wins.
• Madison Rayne VS Tay Melo w/ Sammy Guevara; Tay wins.
• AEW TNT Championship: Wardlow VS Matt Taven w/ The Kingdom; Wardlow wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

AEW World Title Eliminator: Jon Moxley VS Matthew Menard w/ Angelo Parker!

Well, seems there was a miscommunication in scheduling. NJPW already had Wheeler Yuta on the card for Rumble on 44th Street, so The Decoder is in New York. But that’s alright, the Maniac is more than ready to beat someone’s ass for what The Firm did to him on Wednesday! Will Moxley tear Daddy Magic apart? Or will Menard snatch a golden ticket off a distracted AEW World Champion?

The bell rings and Parker starts barking at Moxley, and Moxley does his best to ignore him, but Parker just doesn’t shut up. Moxley tells Menard to hold on, and then Moxley storms up to Parker. Parker runs off and Menard grabs at Moxley through the ropes. Moxley ROCKS Menard, storms up on him and whips him out of the ring! Moxley goes out after Menard, whips him at railing, and Menard hits hard! Fans fire up as Moxley rains down fists as Menard sits in the corner. The fans count and Moxley gets nine, then CLAWS Menard for the tenth! Menard writhes and the ref reprimands but Moxley backs Parker off.

Moxley goes back to Menard but Menard throws body shots. Menard throws forearms, he brings Moxley around but Moxley fights back. Moxley puts Menard in the ring, storms after him and clotheslines in the corner! And again! And then he stomps a mudhole in! Moxley climbs up to BITE Menard! The ref counts, Moxley lets off, and he whips Menard corner to corner. Menard BOOTS back, knocks Moxley down, then drops an elbow! Menard rains down more fists, but fans boo and Menard soaks it up. Menard stomps Moxley, drags him up and whips him into a corner hard, then he stomps a mudhole!

Menard digs his knee in, lets off as the ref counts, and he brings Moxley up. Moxley blocks the lift, trips Menard, and steps through. Menard kicks Moxley away and Moxley tumbles out of the ring. Menard distracts the ref and Parker CLOBBERS Moxley! Fans boo but Cool Hand Ange gets away with that one. Menard goes out to drag Moxley up and around. Menard lifts Moxley to POST him groin first! Moxley holds on as long as he can but falls to the floor, and Parker talks a lot more trash as AEW goes picture in picture.

Menard soaks up the heat while Moxley slowly sits up. Menard goes out to fetch Moxley, and POST him again! Moxley again slumps off and he hobbles around. Menard soaks up the heat, then he distracts the ref again so that Parker can POST Moxley! Moxley staggers and flops, but Parker gets away with things again. The ring count climbs but Menard goes out to fetch Moxley. Menard ROCKS Moxley, puts him in the ring, then has him on the apron to CLUB him! And ROCK him again! Menard pushes Moxley in and wraps on a chinlock. Menard squeezes tight but fans rally and Moxley fights up for a BIG back suplex!

Rampage returns to single picture and Menard goes to a corner. Moxley climbs up to rain down fists! Parker rushes over but he gets one for himself! Menard brings Moxley off the corner to POWERBOMB! And then BOSTON CRAB! Menard more or less shouts out Jericho but Moxley endures! Moxley drags himself over to the ROPEBREAK! Menard holds on, the ref counts, and Menard lets off at 4. Moxley slowly stands, and he CUTTERS outta nowhere! Fans fire up while both men are down! Moxley and Menard rise as a standing count starts. Menard throws hands but Moxley gives forearms back!

Moxley runs, Menard ducks to waistlock, but Moxley switches to spin and LARIAT Menard down! Menard flounders to ropes, Moxley has him for a CHOP! Moxley puts Menard up top, climbs up after him, and then brings Menard up for a SUPERPLEX! Cover, TWO! But Moxley has the leg for an ANKLE LOCK! Menard endures, rolls, kicks at Moxley with the free leg and gets free. Menard CHOPS, whips, but Moxley reverses. Menard sunset flips but Moxley rolls through, REGAL KNEE! Cover, TWO!! But Moxley has the knuckle locks, for some DRAGON STOMPS! Fans fire up, Parker gets in, Moxley CUTTERS Parker!

Menard POSTS Moxley! Menard rolls Moxley with tights, TWO!! DDT! Cover, TWO!! Moxley survives and Menard grows frustrated. Menard paces while fans rally for Moxley. Menard drags Moxley by the wristlocks, and Menard steals DRAGON STOMPS! But Moxley pushes Menard up and gets the REAR NAKED CHOKE! Menard taps, Moxley wins!

Winner: Jon Moxley, by pinfall (denies Menard a title opportunity)

Fans fire up but Parker is furious as Moxley puts this one away! But then Stokely Hathaway shouts, “Cut that awful theme music!” Stokely and Lee Moriarty strut out on stage and Stokely knows Moxley is “pissed to the highest level of pissedtivity” after Dynamite. And Stokely knows Moxley wants to beat their asses, but Stokely says Moxley will do nothing, no thing. But if he wants to fight The Firm, then next week on Dynamite, Moxley VS #TAIGASTYLE! If Moxley wants to see what Moriarty’s capable of, they made something for him since he’s been hit in the head so many times and he is a “special type of visual learner.”

Footage plays on the tron of Moriarty saying he knocked out Yuta “to create a moment for myself,” and there’s no more waiting on the bench. Moriarty is snatching the ball and taking his shot. “TAIGASTYLE Lee Moriarty’s been a star. And now that you’re on my time, y’all gonna watch me shine. Y’all don’t know what TAIGASTYLE is? TAIGASTYLE is knocking the man’s out, and smacking them yams. My name is Lee Moriarty, and this is TAIGASTYLE.” Fans boo but Moxley has a mic to respond. “Lee Moriarty, you are a hell of a talented guy. Hell, the Blackpool Combat Club really liked you.

“But you are hanging out with the wrong crowd, my friend. And you made the biggest mistake of your short career. If you want a match with Jon Moxley, you or anyone else in the back, all you had to do was ask! I’ll see your ass in Baltimore, and you ain’t ever, ever gonna be the same, kid!” The challenge has been accepted, but will TAIGASTYLE soon go extinct?

The World Title Eliminator Tournament is back!

Another field of eight men will be given an opportunity to fight to the top, with the finals happening at Full Gear! The winner of this tournament will be given a guaranteed AEW World Championship match at AEW Dynamite: Winter is Coming on December 14th! The first name in the bracket: DANTE MARTIN! The Inhuman high-flyer lost out on an opportunity before, will this tournament be his second chance?

Jade Cargill speaks.

The UNDEFEATED AEW TBS Champion is also getting in an workout as she tells Nyla Rose, “You think you can come in here and steal my belt? Everybody knows I am the undefeated TBS Champion of All Elite Wrestling! I am undefeated. And while you’re at home, eating your chips with MY belt, when I whoop that ass, I’ma make a point, and tell everybody why I am #ThatBitch.” A storm is coming for the Native Beast, will we see Jade go 40-0 to put an exclamation on it?

Keith Lee VS Serpentico!

The Limitless One is once again #1 contender to the AEW World Tag Team Championships alongside Swerve Strickland, but he’s not going to rest easy just yet. Will #SNAKEMAN have no choice but to #BaskInHisGlory?

The bell rings and Serpentico rushes in to CHOP, but Keith doesn’t flinch! Serpentico realizes he’s doomed already, and Keith pops him right up for a SPIRIT BOMB!! Cover, Keith wins!!

Winner: Keith Lee, by pinfall

That was perhaps one of the fastest wins in AEW, and Keith just sighs. Tony Schiavone joins Keith in the ring to say that was a “big” win. Keith and Swerve, AKA Swerve In Our Glory, earned the #1 contenders spot. The rematch is happening at Full Gear, “Congratulations, big guy.” Keith leans in to speak but The Acclaimed are here! Anthony Bowens has the music cut, and he apologizes to the fans, but there’s no rap tonight. That’s because they have a problem that Keith has the answer to.

The Acclaimed get in the ring with Keith and Bowens says they were with Billy Gunn all morning, and then Billy suddenly goes MIA. Billy hasn’t answered calls or texts, and “Sneaky Swerve” isn’t anywhere around, so where is he? Keith says he isn’t sure, either. They all know Swerve is away, but it seems Billy had a family emergency he had to attend to. What? What family emergency? There’s no emergency, The Acclaimed are Billy’s family! But then on the tron, it’s SWERVE! And he laughs maniacally, too! “Swerve In Our Glory VS The Acclaimed, the rematch, November 19th at Full Gear. Hello, Anthony. Hello, Max.

“On top of being a music mogul, I’m also a very, very great Hollywood director.” Billy speaks up, saying Swerve hasn’t directed anything good. Swerve tells him to shut up! Swerve says his favorite genre is horror, and this is called “Billy Scissorhand,” starring Daddy Ass himself! Billy sarcastically says that’s really funny. This is ridiculous! What is Swerve doing? Swerve says last time, he and Keith lost. Billy says that’s cuz they’re not any good! Swerve says Billy is lying. No lying here, Billy. Billy knows Swerve is blaming him, but Swerve should look in the mirror. Swerve tells Billy they’re having a tag title match. Except… Billy won’t make it. Swerve is gonna make sure.

And does Billy know why? Swerve has PLIERS! Don’t do it, Swerve! Swerve says Billy’s gonna be in the hospital! Billy says don’t do it, but Swerve says it’s too late! Swerve BREAKS A FINGER!! Billy cusses and shouts in pain but Swerve says, “Spooky season has arrived.” The Acclaimed hurry to go find where this is, and Keith is speechless! How can this match still happen after what we just witnessed?

AEW shares The Jericho Appreciation Society’s thoughts from after last Wednesday.

Daddy Magic says Dynamite was not their night, but can anyone tell him just what the hell is going on around here? “Because it seems to me like this is a giant load of crap, and I have had enough.” Cool Hand Ange asks if there are any rules around here! There was a BASEBALL BAT in the ring! That is a tainted victory! Who is in charge around here?! Daniel Garcia tells the “Blackpool Cheater Club” that he’s sick to his stomach. Jericho asks, “What kind of a man is Claudio Castagnoli to accept victory over Chris Jericho with a baseball bat in the ring? Who? Who does that?! But what it did do was light a fire under Le Champion’s ass!”

Jericho says he is going after EVERY former ROH champion! Not just the world champions, but the Pure Champions, the tag team champions, WOMEN’S CHAMPIONS, he doesn’t care! This Wednesday, Jericho issues an open challenge to ANY former ROH champion to face #THEOCHO! And it won’t be a good night for whoever steps up. Tay Melo says talking about open challenges, she calls out Madison Rayne over their “unfinished business.” Tay will see Madison on Rampage! Sammy Guevara says, “Ya hear that, you ‘wrestling coach?’ She’s a sports entertainer. And sports entertainers beat wrestlers EVERY TIME!” But will that time be tonight, too?

Madison Rayne VS Tay Melo w/ Sammy Guevara!

The bell rings and Rayne circles with Tay. They approach, Tay talks some trash and pats Rayne on the head, but then Rayne knuckle locks that hand. Tay obliges and they double knuckle lock. Tay drops, hooks Rayne, pops her in and has the sunset flip, ONE! Rayne has the prawn hold, ONE! Rayne rushes in to waistlock, then shifts to a full nelson, but Tay pries free and scoops Rayne. Rayne slips out but Tay rolls her with a leg hook to then body scissor to an ARMBAR! Rayne clasps hands and stacks Tay, TWO! Tay is annoyed, she gets in Rayne’s face, and then SLAPS her! Tay talks more trash but Rayne fires off forearms!

Rayne whips then drops to trip Tay up! Tay flounders, Rayne runs to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Rayne clinches and brings Tay up to whip. Tay reverses, runs in, but Rayne slips out and Tay hits buckles. Rayne climbs but Tay ROCKS her! Tay climbs up and brings Rayne up, TOP ROPE BACKBREAKER! Rayne flops to the mat then crawls to the apron while Tay soaks up the heat, and AEW goes picture in picture.

Rayne goes to the floor but Tay goes out to fetch her. Tay CLUBS Rayne around the way, mocks Rayne’s posing, but Rayne throws body shots! Tay CLUBS Rayne and whips her hard into railing! Tay dusts off her hands and goes into the ring while Sammy talks some trash. Sammy then hops up to kiss Tay and applaud her. Tay goes out after Rayne but Rayne fires forearms! Rayne CHOPS but Tay ROCKS her back! Rayne staggers away, Tay storms up and puts her in the ring. Tay stalks Rayne, pushes her over and covers, TWO! Tay is annoyed but says, “Fine.” Tay KICKS Rayne in the side! Rayne goes to ropes but Tay is on her, and CHOKES her!

The ref counts, Tay lets off at 4, and then Tay soaks up the heat. But Rayne sneaks up to roll Tay up! TWO!! Tay DECKS Rayne! Tay is upset but Sammy coaches her. Tay puts on the body scissors and a half nelson. Rayne fights off the full nelson to get a cover, TWO! Tay CLUBS away on Rayne’s back and Rampage goes to break!

Rampage returns and Tay reels Rayne in. Rayne throws body shots but Tay CLUBS her back. Tay suplexes but Rayne fights it! Tay tries again, but Rayne turns it into a DDT! Fans rally up and Sammy shouts at Tay. The standing count climbs, both women stir, and they both sit up at 4 of 10. Rayne throws a forearm, a CHOP and another forearm! Rayne CHOPS then DECKS Tay! Tay springs up but into a spin and KNEE SMASH into a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Tay crawls to a corner but Rayne runs in, into a BOOT! Tay goes up, but Rayne ROCKS her first! And again! Rayne goes out to climb up the corner!

Fans rally and Rayne brings Tay up, SUPER CUTTER! Both women are down but Rayne crawls her way over to the cover, TWO!! Tay survives and only Sammy is happy about that. Tay crawls to the apron, Rayne storms over but Tay avoids the shoulder! Rayne avoids the boot, and Rayne rolls Tay up, ONE!! Rayne BOOTS Tay, runs, and wheelbarrows, but into a SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Tay and Sammy can’t believe it but Rayne survives! Tay hurries to drag Rayne up while Sammy argues with fans. Tay Gotch holds, but Rayne back drops! Tay sunset flips but Rayne slips out, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!!

Rayne grows frustrated, but she drags Tay back up. Dragon sleeper, but Tay spins around to RAM Rayne into a corner! Rayne shoves Tay but Tay ROCKS Rayne! Rayne ROCKS Tay but Tay ROCKS Rayne back! Rayne throws forearm after forearm but Tay shoves and KNEES Rayne in the corner! Gory Especial, to TAY K O!! Cover, Tay wins!

Winner: Tay Melo, by pinfall

The sports entertainer beat the pro-wrestler, but at least it was clean! Will the Brazilian Goddess keep on winning until she brings the JAS even more gold?

Backstage interview with Ethan Page.

Lexi Nair notes the “shocking turn of events” on Dynamite. What was The Firm thinking turning on MJF? Uh, they were thinking that there was a change of plans. They didn’t decide as a group to change. MJF decided to change! MJF suddenly thought he could do things by himself. He thought he could do things “the right way.” That’s great, Max! But did you become #1 contender by yourself? NO! The Firm made MJF the contender! And The Firm was going to make MJF the NEW AEW World Champion! But no, MJF changed his plans, so The Firm did, too. The Firm stopped doing favors for MJF. Wednesday was a favor for Moxley.

Ethan says The Firm is going to send MJF to Full Gear at less than 100%! “So enjoy the week off, Max! But don’t be too happy, Jon Moxley, because Ethan Page is also going to be at Full Gear, because now I am officially entered in the AEW World Eliminator Tournament. And my plan is to win the whole damn thing and walk in to Winter is Coming, and walk out the AEW World Champion! And do something that MJF will NOT pull off at Full Gear: BEAT! JON! MOXLEY! Good luck, Max.” All Ego puts forth his mission statement, will he go all the way to New Jersey to take this opportunity with his own two hands?

Mark Henry speaks with tonight’s main eventers!

The World’s Strongest Man welcomes us back, and he says The Kingdom have made their presence in AEW felt. And Matt Taven’s first match in AEW is against TNT Champion, Wardlow. Taven says he’s going to give us a “history lesson.” Taven’s very first night under contract in ROH, he won the Television Championship. “And what this monotone Melvin doesn’t realize is that we are living in the Time of Taven! And that trend comes to AEW tonight, cuz tonight we crown a brand new Taven Network Television Champion!”

Wardlow says, “Wow, wow. Cute little catchphrase there. Cute little gloves, too. You seem very confident for a man about to step into the ring with Wardlow. I know you’re new, but I know you know who I am. I know you know what I do. And that is powerbomb people over and over and over again. So tonight, just so you feel right at home, I’m gonna throw in an extra couple just to properly welcome The Kingdom to Wardlow’s World.” Well, it looks like there’s been enough talk. It’s time for the main event! Will Taven fail to rebrand the title in his first match?

BREAKING NEWS for next week’s Rampage!

While Orange Cassidy defends his All-Atlantic Championship in a Triple Threat against Rey Fenix and Luchasaurus, the winner of that will get to name their “All-Atlantic City Dream Match!” Yes, the winner of the Triple Threat gets to name their very next opponent and defend the title in Atlantic City! Who will be granted a golden opportunity by the gracious (or selfish) champion?

And there’s news for Dynamite, too!

Though Nyla stole the belt, and though Jade called Nyla out, it’s Marina Shafir getting her shot at the TBS Championship first! Is Jade going to win back the belt by solving The Problem for a second time?

AEW TNT Championship: Wardlow VS Matt Taven w/ The Kingdom!

The dominant duo known as #WARJOE did not appreciate these former ROH champions coming in and thinking they could bully FTR. The open challenge was put out, the former ROH Grand Slam Champion accepted, and here we are! Will it be another classic Powerbomb Symphony? Or will “The Trend” find a way to shock the world once again?

The introductions are made, the title is raised, and we see who will be the Face of TNT!

The bell rings and Taven talks smack as he mocks Wardlow’s muscles. Wardlow shoves Tavne, Taven comes back to CHOP, but Wardlow doesn’t budge. Taven backs up to a corner, but then he gets around Wardlow to CHOP! Wardlow snarls, he choke grips, but Taven kicks low. Taven whips, Wardlow reverses but Taven goes up and over. Taven keeps moving, then slides under and dropkicks Wardlow! Wardlow staggers and Taven shouts, “III’M! Matt Taven!” But he turns around into a HEADBUTT! Wardlow puts Taven in a corner, to then TOSS across the ring! Taven flounders to a corner, Wardlow RAMS into him!

Wardlow lets off to uppercut, then he RAMS in again! Wardlow whips Taven out and around to send him up and over the top rope! Taven takes a tumble to the floor and fans fire up with Wardlow. Maria & Mike coach Taven up but Wardlow goes out to CLUB Taven, and smack him off the apron! Wardlow hauls Taven up to RAM him into the post! The ring count climbs to 5 of 10 but Wardlow smacks Taven off railing! Fans fire up, Maria distracts the ref, and Mike CLUBS Wardlow! But it does nothing! Mike just wants Wardlow to take it easy on Taven. Wardlow puts Taven in the ring, and storms up on Mike!

Maria stands between her husband and Wardlow, and she eggs him on. Taven builds speed to FLY! Direct hit and down goes Wardlow! Taven swaggers while fans boo, and Wardlow crawls back to ringside. Maria distracts the ref again and Mike RAMS Wardlow into steel steps! Wardlow falls over, clutching a knee, and Taven hurries to drag Wardlow back up. Taven puts Wardlow in the ring, climbs up the corner, and Taven FROG SPLASHES the leg! Taven grins and soaks up the heat while Rampage goes picture in picture.

Wardlow takes a bow, then drags Wardlow by his bad leg. Taven stomps the leg, then gives it a DDT! Wardlow clutches the leg as he gets to a corner and Taven taunts the fans. Maria pretends she can’t hear them, and Taven stalks Wardlow. Taven brings Wardlow up, to hit a DRAGON SCREW! Wardlow clutches the knee but Taven drags him around again. Taven eggs the fans on, then he drops an elbow on the knee. Taven has a toehold but Wardlow throws crossface forearms. Taven drops another elbow on the knee! Wardlow can only endure the toehold, but Taven lets off to stomp the leg.

Taven paces, soaks up more heat, and then SLAPS Wardlow! Wardlow is mad and Taven wants him to hold on. Taven KICKS the bad leg! Wardlow falls over and Taven grabs that leg to stomp it again and again! Taven drops another elbow and has the toehold all over again. Wardlow endures, claws at Taven but Taven pulls on the leg. Wardlow CLUBS at Taven, and CLUBS, and CLUBS! Taven elbows Wardlow down to then step through on the leg. Wardlow rolls but Taven drops a leg on the leg! Taven now has a deathlock but Wardlow gets the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts and Taven lets off fast.

Wardlow hobbles, Taven mocks his pain, and then he KICKS the leg back out. Taven eggs the fans on as he has the bad leg again. Taven stomps the bad leg, drags Wardlow up, but Wardlow throws body shots. Taven throws forearms, Wardlow throws body shots, and Rampage returns to single picture. Wardlow CHOPS and CHOPS but Taven mule kicks the bad leg! Taven runs, to SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO!! #JustTheTip isn’t enough, so Taven climbs up top! FROG- NO, Taven rolls through as Wardlow moves! Wardlow comes back to fireman’s carry and F10!! Taven flounders and fans fire up!

Wardlow stands Taven up, winds up, but Taven ENZIGURIS! Taven runs, but into the LARIAT! Wardlow roars and fights through the pain! Fans fire up while The Kingdom freaks out! OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Taven gets up to BOOT back from the ropes, but he runs into a SPINEBUSTER! Wardlow is fired up and so are the fans! Wardlow brings Taven up and reels him in, but Maria distracts again! Taven trips Wardlow to jackknife, TWO as Wardlow bridges! Wardlow stares Maria down as he POWERBOMBS Taven! Mike is stunned and fans want “One More Time!” Wardlow conducts the choir and he obliges.

Wardlow drags Taven up, reels him in again, POWERBOMB! That’s just verse two, so here comes the third! Mike gets in the ring, but Wardlow stares him down. Mike backs off, POWERBOMB for Taven! POWERBOMB for Taven!! Four movements and the cover, Wardlow wins!

Winner: Wardlow, by pinfall (still AEW TNT Champion)

But Mike CHOP BLOCKS Wardlow! The Kingdom are sore losers, Mike stomps away while Taven anchors Wardlow. But here comes SAMOA JOE! The ROH World Television Champion gets right in to DECK Mike! And HEADBUTT Taven! Joe JABS and JABS and JABS away on Mike! Joe whips Mike up and out! Fans cheer as WARJOE stands tall, but then POWERHOUSE HOBBS makes his way out!? Will Hobbs goes right to the ring, but then THE EMBASSY attacks! Brian Cage, Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun all attack WARJOE, and Hobbs helps out! Is Hobbs part of The Embassy now?!

Hobbs CLUBS Wardlow down while Liona & Kaun feed Joe to Cage’s LARIAT! Hobbs then gives Wardlow a SPINEBUSTER! Prince Nana stands with his men as Cage holds up the ROH TV title and Hobbs holds up the AEW TNT title! The targets are clear, but will the Machine and the Powerhouse dethrone WARJOE?

My Thoughts:

A great Rampage here, and quite a bit has been set up for Full Gear and beyond. For one, nice to see the AEW World Title Eliminator Tournament is continuing as a Full Gear tradition. Dante Martin and Ethan Page as the first two entries is great, but I can’t say either of them is making it to the finals. But with Ethan’s promo announcing his part in that tournament, I really hope the break-up of Firm and MJF is legit. It’d be a real shame if MJF was once again swerving all of us. I’m not saying MJF is going to be a true Face, but MJF is stubborn enough and selfish enough to do just as Ethan said and want to have all the spotlight for himself.

Moxley had a really good match with Menard and Parker, especially as an adjustment from not having Yuta available because he was on NJPW’s Rumble on 44th Street card. And I like that they reshot the Jericho Appreciation Society’s group promo since there were such bad technical difficulties during Dynamite. And it worked that Tay called Rayne out during it to set up tonight’s match. But again, I feel like Rayne isn’t quite where she’s hyped to be. That match felt like 75% speed compared to most other matches. Tay winning clean was an interesting choice, but I’m thinking Tay starts heading for a women’s title so that JAS can expand.

Jade had a good promo calling out Nyla Rose, but I find it really odd that they’re giving us Jade VS Shafir Round 2. I guess they want Jade to get to 40 before Full Gear, because if they decide Nyla wins, then at least Jade can say she got to a round number before losing for the first time. And if they don’t and let Jade continue, this just seems like a weird detour. Keith of course crushed Serpentico, but the main thing was that we all got to see Swerve go fully Heel abducting Billy Gunn. I really do like that this adds some real conflict into the team dynamic. Keith may not want to tag Swerve because of how messed up he is, but Keith doesn’t want to lose out on the tag titles, either.

Interesting move to announce here that the All-Atlantic Champion will defend against an opponent of their choosing before that Triple Threat happens. I don’t think it really foreshadows who is winning, but it does make you wonder who each man will name. I feel like Luchasaurus would name Jungle Boy because he knows JB isn’t ready to return, and then he “wins by default.” And Cassidy really could name anyone because he’s so chill but so odd. And we got a fun main event with Wardlow basically taking on The Kingdom all alone. Wardlow wins, of course, but the big thing was Will Hobbs joining The Embassy, even if just in a loose alliance. Hobbs VS Wardlow has been a match I’ve been looking forward to for a long time, but I bet this also sets up 8v8, Hobbs & The Embassy VS WARJOE & FTR, which will be awesome, too.

My Score: 8.6/10