Will tonight be Very Nice, Very Evil or whatever?

Greetings humans! Danhausen is back in AEW, and to celebrate, he teams with Orange Cassidy, Trent Beretta & Hook in a Very Nice, Very BIG 8 Man Tag!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• 8 Man Tag: Orange Cassidy, Hook, Danhausen & Trent Beretta VS Matthew Menard, Angelo Parker & The Dark Order; OrangeHookHausen & Trent win.
• Six Man Tag: The Don Callis Family VS ???; The Don Callis Family wins.
• Six Woman Tag: Anna Jay & The Outcasts VS Hikaru Shida, Skye Blue & Kris Statlander; Shida, Skye & Statlander win.
• Six Man Tag: Penta El Zero Miedo, El Hijo Del Vikingo & Komander w/ Alex Abrahantes VS Brian Cage & The Workhorsemen w/ Prince Nana; Penta, Vikingo & Komander win.

PLAY BY PLAY

8 Man Tag: Orange Cassidy, Hook, Danhausen & Trent Beretta VS Matthew Menard, Angelo Parker & The Dark Order w/ Jake Hager!

OrangeHausen, HookHausen, OrangeHook, all of the above, and #JustTrent take on Daddy Magic, Cool Hang Ange, Alex Reynolds & Evil Uno in a big, super team-up type deal! But will the Very Nice, Very Evil Best Friends be victorious together? Or will the rogues gallery standing against them earn themselves quite a lot of golden opportunities all at once?

But wait, as Big Hurt Hager gets the VNVEBFs to turn their backs, the rogues attack! Fans boo, the bell rings, and all but Danhausen is tossed out of the ring as he tosses Reynolds instead. Uno CLUBS Danhausen, Cassidy is sent into railing, and Uno puts Danhausen in a corner. Uno CHOPS him, soaks up the heat, and then storms up. Danhausen kicks low, throws hands, but Uno kicks back. Uno whips corner to corner, runs in but into a BOOT! Danhausen runs up to RANA! Uno tumbles, fans fire up and Danhausen catches Reynolds as he runs in, wrench and NORTHERN LIGHTS! Fans fire up as Danhausen kicks low and tags Hook.

HookHausen double whip Uno, Uno holds ropes and Menard tags in. Menard, Parker and Reynolds all get in, but then so do Trent and Cassidy! The eight men are stare down, and the brawl is back on! The ref reprimands but the Dark Order & X-JAS get the edge. They all have someone in a corner, then they all coordinate to quadruple whip! But the Best Friends all reverse that, X-JAS and Dark Order crash into each other! And then Best Friends set up in the corners… and Hook needs to be coaxed a little bit, for the GROUP- NO, they all get kicked low! Fans boo as X-JAS & Dark Order reel them in, but the Best Friends QUADRUPLE SUPLEX!

Fans fire up because now we get the GROUP HUG! You GOT to give the people what they want! Hook then goes after Parker with body shots, but Menard storms up. Menard hits low, scoops Hook, BACKBREAKER and Parker KNEES Hook down! But Trent JUMP KNEES Parker down! Menard kicks low and POWERBOMBS Trent! Cassidy dodges Menard to tilt-o-whirl and DDT! Uno CHOPS Cassidy down! Danhausen baits Uno in for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Reynolds runs in, spins Danhausen and ROLLING ELBOWS!

Hook is back up, T-BONE for Reynolds! T-BONE for Parker! Uno is up, he kicks low and whips. Hook reverses that to clinch and T-BONE! Extra large serving for Uno there! But wait, here comes Wheeler Yuta! The ROH Pure Champion wants to taunt Hook like he has been for weeks now, and then Menard CLOBBERS Hook in the distraction! Yuta joins commentary while Menard bumps Hook off buckles, and reels him in for a big suplex! Tag to Parker and he stomps Hook down. Parker stomps more, then pushes Hook around. Parker tags Uno, they mug Hook. Uno then bumps Hook off the boots of Menard and Reynolds.

Reynolds tags in, he runs side to side to ELBOW Hook! Uno SPLASHES, short arm LARIATS, and Reynolds covers, TWO! Reynolds stands on Hook’s head, fans boo but the Dark Order and X-JAS soak up the heat. But Hook clinches! Reynolds fights with forearms, then he bumps Hook off buckles. Tag to Menard, he stomps Hook then lets off to distract the ref, Uno and Parker CHOKE Hook while Rampage goes picture in picture!

Menard stomps Hook, drags him up, and ROCKS him with a right. Menard pushes Hook around, soaks up the heat, but turns around into a CHOP! Menard trips Hook, drags him back, and tags Parker in. Parker CLUBS Hook down, then stomps him. Parker taunts the Best Friends, flicks his hair gel at them, then goes back to Hook. Parker CLUBS Hook, tags Uno, and they mug Hook some more. Uno scrapes his laces on Hook’s face then tags Parker back in. Parker stomps Hook, but Hook powers Parker back! They end up on ropes, Parker KNEES Hook back! Parker then BLASTS Cassidy off the corner!

Rampage returns to singe picture as Parker goes after Hook, and Hook gets around to NORTHERN LIGHTS! Parker tags Menard but Hook LARIATS Menard down! The fans fire up as Hook and Menard crawl, hot tags to Trent and Uno! Trent rallies on Uno, then on Reynolds! GERMAN SUPLEX! And then another GERMAN SUPLEX! Trent still has Reynolds but Reynolds fights the nelson. Uno runs in but Trent ducks, the BOOT hits Reynolds! Trent HALF ‘N’ HALF SUPLEXES Uno away! Trent runs in at Reynolds but into a BOOT! Reynolds goes up but Trent YANKS him down for a SAIDO! Fans fire up with Trent!

Trent tags Cassidy, and Cassidy storms up to “unleash.” But then he really does fire off BOOT after BOOT on Dark Order! Yuta sighs as this is typical Cassidy. Cassidy dodges the Dark Order’s double lariat to DOUBLE SHOTGUN! Cassidy kips up and the fans fire up! Cassidy ducks ‘n’ dodges and tilt-o-whirls, but Uno stops the DDT to suplex! Only to get STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Cassidy keeps moving but Uno BOOTS him! Uno hooks Cassidy up, for SOMETHING EVIL! Cover, Trent KNEES it apart! Fans fire up, Reynolds BOOTS Trent! Reynolds runs in to BOOT Cassidy in a corner! Reynolds puts Cassidy up top!

Reynolds ROCKS Cassidy, climbs up, but Trent runs up to get Reynolds! SUPER GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans fire up as Cassidy adjusts, and Danhausen tags in! But so does Menard! Menard says do NOT do what he thinks he’s gonna do! But then Danhausen CURSES him! And yes, the PURPLE HAT! Hager is pissed, Parker tries to calm him down, but then Hager runs in! Danhausen dodges, Trent & Cassidy dump Hager out! Menard grabs Danhausen, Parker runs in to get the hat back! But Hook gets Parker in the REDRUM!! Menard lets Danhausen go, but Danhausen rolls him up! BEST FRIENDS WIN!

Winners: Orange Cassidy, Hook, Danhausen & Trent Beretta, by pinfall

Not only is X-JAS furious, but Yuta says this is unbelievable. But will the Decoder have to worry about the much more Cold-Hearted Handsome Devil?

Backstage interview with The Outcasts & Anna Jay.

Renee Paquette is with Saraya, Ruby Soho & The Star of the Show to say they are teaming up for the first time in Six Woman Tag action. Saraya says yes they are, and sorry for cutting Renee off, Renee knows Saraya loves her, but… Isn’t Anna just the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen? Ruby sighs and Saraya says “Liza Minnelli” is in a time out so shush. Anyway, Saraya thanks Anna for teaming with them, Lord knows they’ve needed some extra help around here. And also, they do have something in common that is giant, greasy, irritating, and needs to be handled. Oh, speaking of, here it comes.

Parker walks in, apologizes for not being here sooner, and then says hi to Ruby. But uh, yeah, the guys are ready to go, they’ll be out there for her, team effort! Um, no, Anna doesn’t want the boys out there. Especially Parker. What? But Saraya says this is why she loves Anna! She’s great. Yeah, she is. Hey, no, stop looking at Ruby. Saraya drags Ruby along, leaving Parker alone. Will the X-JAS still even be the X-JAS anymore with all this drama?

Tony Schiavone is in the ring.

Schiavone says that 28 years ago, in this town, at the Mall of America, two men were in the main event for the very first wrestling match ever on TNT. It was Sting VS Ric Flair. And Schiavone wants to also say that the final match on TNT back then was Sting VS Ric Flair. So it gives Schiavone a sense of pride to welcome one of Minnesota’s favorite sons, as well as STIIIING~! The Icon makes his way out to the ring and fans howl for him. Schiavone then introduces the Nature Boy, the Minnesota native, Ric Flair! Fans “WOO~!” as Flair makes his way out now, and hugs Sting in the ring.

Schiavone has them bring it in. Wednesday night, they announced the location of Sting’s final match at AEW Revolution, March 3rd, 2024. It will be Greensboro, North Carolina, where these two set the standard for a great televised wrestling event. Sting stands at 24-0, the longest undefeated streak standing, and we’re just two weeks away from tickets going on sale. Sting asks to take the mic, and he howls for the fans! The fans howl back and Sting says Minneapolis, lots of great memories here! Not only did he and Ric do the first and last WCW shows on TNT here, but they did the very big, gigantic- Oh, can’t really say that on TV, sorry. Copyright and stuff.

But the massive match at Mall of America, everyone knows about it. Sting’s had great matches here against and with Lex Luger, Bam Bam Bigelow, and lots of other great memories. So good to be back. Thank you for those memories. Thank you, Tony Khan, Tony Schiavone and the Nature Boy! WOO~! Ric takes the mic now, and he says, “Wow. From 1972 ’til today. And believe it or not, I’m still alive. And that’s saying a lot, heh. Because I’ve covered a lot of ground and had a lot of fun. But there are three or four people that are always gonna be special in my life, and you’ll love these names.

“Dusty Rhodes, Ricky The Dragon, and a guy that I think I’ve wrestled at least 15 hundred times over our career, the great–and the word ‘Icon’ does not even enough to begin to say what a man he is. I’m so serious, to be back in my hometown in this moment, and this ride. This is an incredible ride. Think about the history of our business. I’ve been there with him since ’88, and I’m gonna be there with him in the end. And man, that doesn’t happen in real-life, guys. And y’know what? We’ve stayed as respectful and honest with each other as the day we met, and that’s really unusual. You’re the man, brother.”

Fans cheer, and Ric says, “We’re gonna dance all night and dance a little longer. We’re gonna stay up all night and stay a little longer. I cannot tell you where we’ll be at like the old days, but you know we’ll be going AEW strong! WOO~!” Fans echo “WOO~!” with Ric and Schiavone says Ric will be there for Sting at AEW Revolution, tickets on sale soon! The Icon and Nature Boy are riding off into the night, and we have the when and where. Now all we need is, who faces Sting in his final match?

Backstage interview with Hikaru Shida, Kris Statlander & Skye Blue.

Renee is now with the Shining Samurai, the Galaxy’s Greatest and Chicago Skye as she says a lot has changed in the AEW Women’s Division after Full Gear. Shida lost the AEW Women’s World Championship to Toni Storm, and Statlander lost the AEW TBS Championship to Julia Hart, the same match Skye Blue was in. Does tonight feel like a way to get momentum back? Kris says it has been a hard pill to swallow. “You work so hard for something, and you come back from multiple injuries, you come back and change yourself so many times, and you obtain something so precious, and it’s just taken away in a matter of seconds.”

And worse yet, Kris wasn’t the one who got pinned. Oh, okay, blame Skye when Kris had plenty of chances to win the Triple Threat, and didn’t. Shida tells them to stop. She also lost a title, she also feels angry, but not towards them. Not towards her partners. They can take their anger out on their opponents tonight! Kris agrees with that, and so does Skye. Will this trio of stars be able to bring down The Outcasts and Star of the Show?

The Don Callis Family VS JAH-C

So what if they lost the Like A Dragon Street Fight? “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs did damage to Paul “The Giant” Wight like no man has ever done before, and there’s still a lot left in the tank for Kyle Fletcher & Konosuke Takeshita. Will they only be made stronger from that loss?

The teams sort out, Hobbs starts and Jah throws hands! Hobbs doesn’t even flinch! Jah runs, but Hobbs CLOBBERS him! In runs ??? but Hobbs picks him up to SPINEBUSTER! D runs in but Hobbs SPINEBUSTERS him, too! Fletcher & Konosuke step in, they all get a man up, and in synchronized formation, we get the WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM, GRIMSTONE and BASTARD DRIVER!! Cover, The Don Callis Family wins!

Winners: The Don Callis Family, by pinfall

Fans boo but Callis celebrates with his “family.” Then Callis gets a mic to talk. “Chris Jericho and Kenny Omega! The Golden Jets! You put two of the greatest of all time into a tag team and what do you got? You got a team that could be the most dominant of all time. And I know that wins and losses matter here in All Elite Wrestling. But in the Don Callis Family, the only thing that matters is winning! And whether it’s singles, tag, or trios, the Don Callis Family will continue dominating until there’s nowhere for the Golden Jets to hide in AEW!” The ultimatum has been issued, will it only be a matter of time before AEW belongs to the DCF?

Prince Nana & Brian Cage talk with The Workhorsemen.

Nana says it is an unbelievable time for the Mogul Embassy. Cage says it’s always a great time. Nana says the Gates of Agony are in NJPW World Tag League, killing it and bringing home that money. But tonight, Nana needs to hire some help, and that brings in JD Drake & Anthony Henry. Nana has been watching them, he likes their style. That is why tonight, he needs their services. And this could be a huge opportunity for you both to step up to the plate and to prove a point. To impress Swerve Strickland, too. So tonight, Nana’s paid them, get the job done, and we’ll see if they can join the team. But he believes in them!

Nana & Cage head out, will Scrap metal & The Saint of Augusta help The Machine bring down the luchador trio in tonight’s main event?

Six Woman Tag: Anna Jay & The Outcasts VS Hikaru Shida, Skye Blue & Kris Statlander!

Both sides have said what’s on their mind, but it’s the emotions in their hearts that could make or break these team-ups. Will Saraya be able to keep things together between Anna and Ruby? Or will it be Shida who struggles to keep Skye and Kris on the same page?

The teams sort out and Kris starts against Anna. The fans rally as the two circle, then tie up. Kris waistlocks, SLAMS Anna, then drags her up to tag Shida. The former champs double whip, sweep and ELBOW Anna down. Then they shake hands to DOUBLE ELBOW DROP! Shida covers, TWO! Tag to Skye and she wrenches Anna to a JAWBREAKER! Anna blocks the superkick but not the BASEMENT ROUNDHOUSE! Skye pushes Anna around, but Kris tags herself in. Skye lets that go, to then tag herself back in! But Kris tags back in again! They argue, but then Shida tags herself in to get them both to stop.

But then Anna hot tags Saraya! Saraya gets around Shida, Shida gets around Saraya, but Saraya mule kicks Shida! Saraya runs, but Shida ENZIGURIS first! Shida fires up, the fans are with her, and Shida torture racks! Saraya endures, but Ruby says put her down! So Shida DROPS Saraya! Ruby storms in but Shdia kicks her low, and snap suplexes her onto Saraya! Fans fire up as Shida covers Saraya, TWO! Shida tags Skye in and Skye keeps Saraya from her corner. Skye whips, runs up and SHINING WIZARD on the ropes! But Anna distracts the ref so Saraya can keep Skye stuck, and Ruby ROUNDHOUSES Skye down!

Fans boo but Saraya howls to the moon. Saraya stomps Skye, insults her, and whips her to the corner as Rampage goes picture in picture.

Saraya bumps Skye off buckles, lets off to distract the ref, and Ruby digs her boot in! Anna pulls Skye’s hair to help out, then Saraya storms up to bump Skye off buckles. Tag to Ruby, she stomps away on Skye, but lets off as the ref counts. Saraya tells fans to shut up while Ruby drags Skye around. Skye throws body shots, then JAWBREAKERS! Ruby staggers back, Saraya tags in, and the Outcasts mug Skye! Saraya has Skye in the ropes to throw knee after knee! The ref counts, Saraya lets off, and she pushes Skye back in. Saraya keeps Skye from her corner, taunting Shida and Kris, then she stomps Skye.

Saraya bumps Skye off buckles, tags Anna and Anna CHOKES Skye! The ref counts, Anna lets off, and then Anna CHOKES Skye on ropes! The ref counts again, Anna lets off and distracts the ref so Saraya can SLAP Skye. Anna bumps Skye off buckles, Ruby tags in, and Anna ROCKS Skye. Ruby CHOPS Skye, stalks her to a corner, and stands her up, but Skye avoids the chop to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Skye and Ruby sputter and drop to their knees while Rampage goes to break.

Rampage returns and hot tag to Kris! She BLASTS Ruby, drags Saraya up and FISHERMAN BUSTERS! Cover, but Anna kicks it apart! Anna drags Saraya back and tags herself in. Anna stands Kris up, wrenches and HOOK KICKS! Then Saraya KNEES Kris down! Cover, TWO! Anna drags Kris up, QUEENSLAYER SLEEPER! But Kris powers up to back suplex free! Ruby runs in, STO! Skye SUPERKICKS Ruby! Saraya YAKUZA KICKS Skye! Shida ROCKS Saraya, whips her but Saraya reverses, only for Shida to JUMP KNEE! Anna BOOTS Shida! Kris runs up, but into a COMPLETE SHOT! Anna tags Ruby and they get Kris up.

Anna HOOK KICKS, then Ruby SUPERKICKS but Kris pulls Anna into it! Ruby panics, Kris tags Skye and Electric Chair Lifts Ruby! SLAM and CODE BLUE!! Cover, Skye’s team wins!

Winners: Hikaru Shida, Skye Blue & Kris Statlander, by pinfall

The dysfunction wasn’t enough to bring down Skye and Kris, they made it work and now celebrate together! As for Anna, she is furious with Ruby, and Saraya pulls Ruby along like an angry mother with her daughter. Are the Outcasts going to be on the outs sooner rather than later?

BREAKING NEWS for Dynamite!

Firstly, the Continental Classic continues, and the Gold League’s third round has been set: Jon Moxley VS Rush; Jay White VS Jay Lethal; and Swerve Strickland VS Mark Briscoe! Will El Toro Blanco be the one to serve The Maniac that first L in the tournament? Will Lethal and Briscoe finally get on the board?

And after being the one to score the pinfall in tonight’s Six Woman Tag, Skye Blue gets her shot at “Timeless” Toni Storm and the AEW Women’s World Championship! Will Skye finally make it through the Storm to grab the gold on the other side?

Six Man Tag: Penta El Zero Miedo, El Hijo Del Vikingo & Komander w/ Alex Abrahantes VS Brian Cage & The Workhorsemen w/ Prince Nana!

While the AEW World Trios Champions, Billy Gunn & The Acclaimed, are down and out, trios are forming and fighting their way up. Alex Abrahantes’ league of luchadores want their shot, but will they make it through a Rampage? Or will The Mogul Embassy learn that having #CeroMiedo is priceless?

The trios sort out, and Cage starts against Komander. Cage kicks Komander low right at the bell, then whips him to ropes. Komander handsprings, Cage dodges but Komander dodges back, then RAN- NO, Cage blocks that to pop Komander up! But Komander sunset flips! Cage drags Kmoander up to OVERHEAD SUPLEX! Penta tags in, then GAMANGIRIS Cage! Penta goes up to CROSSBODY! And then he dodges to SUPERKICK! Henry tags in, bobs ‘n’ weaves and fires off hands. Henry gets around to make Penta kneel, and he DROPKICKS Penta away! Henry soaks up the jeers, but Penta tags Vikingo!

Viking springboards to MISSILE DROPKICK Henry! Fans fire up as Vikingo then whips Henry corner to corner. Henry reverses, but Vikingo reverses back to HEEL KICK! Vikingo forearm smashes int he corner, goes up and fans rally, for the IMPLODER DRAGON-RANA! And then the DREAMCAST KICK! JD tags in and fans rally up. JD says “SUCK IT!” and then dares Vikingo to chop him. Vikingo winds up as fans chant “SI! SI! SI!” CHOP! JD nods, but he wants another. Vikingo CHOPS again, and JD huffs and puffs. JD swings, Vikingo ducks ‘n’ dodges but JD CHOPS Vikingo down after all!

JD then powers Vikingo to ropes to BIEL him across the way! JD taunts Penta, whips Vikingo, but Vikingo ducks ‘n’ dodges again to CORKCCREW RANA! JD flounders out, Cage and Henry run in, but Penta & Komander SUPERKICK them first! Henry bails out, Penta gives Komander a boost, saluting MISSILE DROPKICK! Cage tumbles out, fans rally as the luchadores coordinate, and “CERO! MIEDO!” TRIPLE DIVES!! Some cleaner than others, and JD pops Vikingo back up to CLOBBER him off the ropes! Komander stomps Cage, and puts him in the ring as Rampage goes picture in picture.

Komander hurries in, Penta BOOTS JD to join Komander. But Henry trips Komander! Penta runs up, SUPERKICKS Henry, then makes sure he knows, “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta runs but into a SPIN POWERSLAM! Cage drags Komander up for a deadlift SUPERPLEX!! Cage flexes, Henry & JD join in, and then JD stalks Komander. JD drags Komander up, DECKS him, then stalks him to ropes. JD puts Komander in the corner, CHOPS, and then tags Henry. The Workhorsemen mug Komander, Henry throws body shots, then he runs in to forearm smash! JD tags, LARIAT, NECK TWIST and SLINGSHOT SENTON!

Nana likes what he sees as Komander writhes. JD drags Komander up, keeps him from the lucha corner, and he CLUBS Komander back down. JD drags Komander up to scoop and SLAM! JD goes up a corner, to then VADER FLOP as Komander moves! Henry tags in, he drags Komander from the corner, then ducks the enziguri! But Komander rolls free and hot tags Vikingo! Vikingo springboards to CROSSBODY! Vikingo SOBATS Henry, runs but into a cheap shot from Cage! The ref reprimands but Henry throws Vikingo down by his hair! NECK TWIST! And a headscissor squeeze, even!

Henry lets off to then stand Vikingo up, for another NECK TWIST! Tag to Cage and he RAMS Vikingo into a corner! And again! And then he CHOPS! Cage wrenches Vikingo, scoops him, and does bicep curls before he FALL AWAY SLAMS Vikingo! Cage flexes, taunts Cero Miedo, and he drags Vikingo up to GERMAN SUPLEX! Vikingo lands on his feet! Vikingo waistlocks, Cage elbows free then whips Vikingo to ropes. But Vikingo slides under, only to get caught! But Vikingo then PELES! Hot tag to Penta as Rampage returns to single picture! Penta dodges Cage to then SLINGBLADE Cage down! SLINGEBLADE again!

The Workhorsemen attack, double whip, but Penta KICKS JD and SUPERKICKS Henry! Penta runs in to wheelbarrow Cage, victory roll and DOUBLE DDT on the Workhorsemen! Fans fire up and Penta SUPERKICKS Cage! Tag to Komander and he goes up top to MISSILE DROPKICK JD! Penta hauls Henry up, ALLEY-OOP into a MISSILE DROPKICK from Vikingo!! Fans lose their minds over that one, and then Penta sets up so Komander can use him as a step, HANGTIME DROPKICK on JD in a corner! Cage staggers up, Penta has his target, SUPERKICK! Komander springboards, FLYIGN CODE BREAKER! And he holds on for Vikingo to DOUBLE STOMP Cage!

Penta goes up, “CERO! MIEDO!” DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS of his own! Cover, TWO!! Cage survives because he’s a Machine! But Abrahantes rallies the fans for his team. Penta hauls Cage up, reels him in, “CERO! MIEDO!” But Cage wrenches out to JUMP KNEE! Penta falls into the tag with Komander, and Komander springboards, but Cage SWATS him! Cage whips Komander to the corner, tags Henry, and Cage runs up to MONKEY FLIP Komander into JD’s POWERBOMB!! Then JD CATAPULTS Kmoander into Henry’s SUPERKICK! Henry goes up, DIVING DOUBLE STOMP BACKBREAKER of their own! Cover, Vikingo breaks it!!

JD TOSSES Vikingo, Penta SUPERKICKS JD! Cage fireman’s carries Penta for F10! Vikingo returns with a springboard, FLYING TORNADO DDT!! Henry is back, he steps over and reels Vikingo in, PILEDRIVER! But Penta catches Henry now, half nelson, pump handle, MADE IN JAPAN!! JD is up, Penta kicks but JD blocks it! JD has Penta for the underhooks, the SILENCER! Komander returns, JD ducks his roundhouse but not the HEEL KICK! But Cage waistlocks Komander! Komander fights with elbows, but Henry runs up! Komander ducks, the ENZIGURI hits Cage! Nana is furious, and Cage CLOBBERS Henry!!

Nana says no more, they’re done. JD asks what the hell, but Cage shoves JD. Vikingo DREAMCAST KICKS JD! The Embassy is leaving, they don’t want to hire Workhorsemen anymore? Well Penta says “CERO! MIEDO!” and FEAR FACTOR!! Komander is up top, he tags Vikingo before giving Henry CIELITO LINDO! Komander DIVES onto JD! Vikingo adds on the 630 SENTON!! Cover, the luchadores win!

Winners: Penta El Zero Miedo, Komander & El Hijo Del Vikingo, by pinfall

The implosion of Nana’s team all over a misunderstanding gives Penta’s team their first victory together! Will Penta, Komander y Vikingo take this momentum to next beat Action Andretti & Top Flight?

My Thoughts:

A really good Rampage here with a lot of tag team action. There must be something in Cassidy’s contract about opening shows, though, because that 8 Man Tag certainly felt main event worthy. But then it made sense in story that it had to go first so that the X-JAS could be in action before Anna, and Anna would tell Parker to stay in the back during her match because of how Ruby would be involved. Great win for Cassidy’s team, and great win for the Faces in the Women’s Trios match. Rather surprised Skye is getting her shot at Storm so soon. Yes, she interrupted Storm’s acceptance speech moment, and won here, but why not give us a promo segment between them first, then the match on Winter is Coming. But at the same time, debut in Montreal, they want it to be important.

Of course Don Callis Family squashes jobbers, but I like that we got to see Hobbs, Konosuke and Fletcher all in red ring gear. And seeing Don Callis’ Last Supper parody, it makes me think he wants a total of 11 faction members. I say 11 because “Judas” is already accounted for in Jericho. So far, he has five, Callis really is gonna have to recruit tag teams and/or trios if he wants an easier time of filling out the group. Really good main event from Penta’s team going against Cage & Workhorsemen. Of course the Faces win, but also it was clear the Workhorsemen were going to take the loss for the Heels. Kinda wished Cage would beat down the Workhorsemen after the loss, not because of the “misunderstanding” trope, but that’d probably take away from the Faces celebrating.

And given Rampage is prerecorded, turns out that was for the best this week. I’d only just heard today about how… controversial Ric Flair got in his part of the promo segment. Flair also tweeted about it, both apologizing and not apologizing for what he said. This is gonna be a long three months if everyone has to worry about Flair spouting off the stuff he got away with in the 1980s when he was much, MUCH younger. That aside, the entire segment was redundant anyway, we heard them talk on Dynamite, this is the same crowd that heard it all, it’s just a waste of time.

My Score: 8.5/10

The Switchblade enters whose house?

The AEW Continental Classic continues here on Dynamite! Swerve Strickland and Jay White are both 1-0, but they go against each other for the top spot in Gold League!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Jon Moxley VS Jay Lethal; Moxley wins.
• AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Mark Briscoe VS Rush; Rush wins.
• Wardlow VS AR Fox; Wardlow wins.
• Six Man Tag: Action Andretti & Top Flight VS The Hardy Party; Action & Top Flight win.
• AEW TBS Championship House Rules Match: Julia Hart VS Emi Sakura; Julia wins and retains the title.
• AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Jay White VS Swerve Strickland; Swerve wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Bryan Danielson is here!

Fans cheer as the American Dragon, eyepatch on like a pirate, joins commentary to watch the Continental Classic competition in person.

AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Jon Moxley VS Jay Lethal!

The Maniac is 1-0 with three points, so he’s feeling pretty good batting lead for round two! Will he continue his momentum with #PureCarnage? Or will this be a lethal week two?

The bell rings and the clock is ticking on the 20 minute time limit. Moxley and Lethal circle, tie up, and Lethal headlocks for a takeover. Moxley headscissors, Lethal kips free but Moxley headlocks for a takeover. Lethal headscissors, Moxley kips free, and we go another takeover for another scissor. And another! Lethal then ROCKS Moxley with a right! Moxley ROCKS Lethal, Lethal ROCKS Moxley, and they go back and forth! Lethal kicks low, runs, but Moxley CLOBBERS him! Fans fire up but Lethal trips Moxley to step through, FIGURE FOUR! But Moxley rolls to the apron, and they fall to the floor!

Lethal and Moxley get up, Lethal throws body shots but Moxley clinches. Lethal RAMS Moxley into the apron, slides into the ring and he builds speed. Lethal DIVES and sends Moxley into the railing! Fans fire up, Lethal goes to the apron and struts, but Bryan says not to do that with Moxley. Lethal hops in, builds speed again, but Moxley slides in to deny the dive! Then Moxley DECKS Lethal, and he DIVES! Now Lethal is sent into railing! Moxley shakes out his leg after jamming it up a bit. Lethal CLUBS Moxley, CLUBS him more, but Moxley ROCKS Lethal back. Moxley puts Lethal in, runs in at the corner and clotheslines!

Moxley climbs up to rain down fists! The fans count, but Lethal slips away before five to kick at the legs! Then Lethal hoists Moxley for a SHIN BREAKER to a DRAGON SCREW! Moxley clutches his knee, Lethal storms up to stomp him! Lethal goes after that knee with more stomps, but Moxley hobbles to another corner. Lethal CLUBS the leg, CLUBS it again, and again! Moxley ROCKS Lethal! Lethal ROCKS Moxley! They go back and forth, Moxley gets the edge with boxing elbows! Then he BITES Lethal! Moxley runs, Lethal ducks to handspring, but into a SLEEPER! Lethal JAWBREAKRS free, and hits another SHIN BREAKER! Then a SAIDO!

Lethal hits a GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Moxley writhes, Lethal climbs, and he MACHO ELBOWS! Cover, TWO! Moxley is still in this, but he sputters as he crawls to ropes. Moxley is on the apron, Lethal BLASTS Moxley to the railing! The front row has Moxley in their laps as Dynamite goes picture in picture!

Lethal waits while the ref checks on Moxley. Moxley drags himself up but Lethal goes out after him. Moxley drags himself over railing, and Lethal ROCKS him with a right hand! And again! Lethal then RAMS Moxley into the apron, then CLUBS away on the leg! Lethal SLAMS the leg into the apron, and Moxley scrambles into the ring. Lethal pursues, runs up and KICKS the leg out! Moxley crawls, Lethal grabs the leg, and he drops an elbow on the knee! And again! Lethal then has a toehold and he twists the foot. Moxley endures, Lethal stomps the leg, then drops another elbow! But Moxley uses that to get an ARMBAR!

Lethal clasps hands quickly, fights up to stack, TWO and Lethal knees the back of Moxley’s leg! Lethal bends the leg across his own knee, but Moxley endures. Lethal KNEES it again, pulls, and goes back to the standing toehold. Moxley endures, Dynamite returns to single picture, and the fans rally up. Moxley kicks away at Lethal, then gets up to hit a CUTTER! Fans fire up while both men are down. Moxley fires up, he drags Lethal up and in, but Lethal fights the piledriver! Lethal RAMS Moxley into the corner, hoists him up, and CHOPS! Lethal climbs for a SUPER DRAGON SCREW! Moxley writhes and Lethal says he’s gonna rip that leg off!

Lethal aims as Moxley slowly rises, but Moxley avoids the chop block! Moxley ROCKS Lethal with a forearm! And CHOPS him! Lethal fires a forearm but Moxley fires back! The fans rally, the forearms fly, and Moxley gets the edge! Moxley runs, but Lethal follows to UPPERCUT! Lethal runs, but Moxley follows to ELBOW! Moxley runs, baits Lethal in, to LARIAT! Fans fire up with Moxley and he drags Lethal up. Underhooks, but Lethal fights the Paradigm Shift, BACKBREAKER TO COMPLETE SHOT! Moxley is down after the Lethal Combination, and Lethal covers, TWO! Bryan says that wasn’t a great cover, a tournament like this is about the basics.

Lethal grabs Moxley’s leg to SMASH the knee against the mat again and again! Then he drags Moxley, steps through, but Moxley cradle counters! TWO!! Lethal rushes Moxley but Moxley POSTS him! And then rolls him up, TWO!! Lethal escapes again, and Moxley goes back to the corner. Moxley slaps the bad leg and the fans rally up. Lethal stands, he dodges Moxley, and he O’Conner Rolls! TWO and Moxley has the REAR NAKED CHOKE! Lethal rolls back, TWO! Lethal gets the legs, FIGURE FOUR!! Moxley sits up but he endures the pain! Bryan coaches Moxley from commentary and Moxley fights his way around!

Moxley reaches out, Lethal pulls on that hold, but Moxley has the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Lethal lets off and drags Moxley up. Lethal KICKS the leg, then calls his shot! Handspring, but Moxley falls! Lethal stops himself, but falls for it! PARADIGM SHIFT!! Moxley fires up, and he KING KONG LRAIATS Lethal inside out!! Then PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Lethal survives, but Moxley has the REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Lethal CLUBS Moxley’s leg, but then Moxley traps that arm! Lethal taps, Moxley wins!

Winner: Jon Moxley, by submission (gains 3 points; Lethal earns 0)

The Maniac is 2-0 with a strong six points, but it may have cost him a leg! Will he have to watch out next round with that target on his back?

AEW shares footage from after Saturday Night Collision.

Eddie Kingston asks them what they want him to say. He knew this was gonna be tough. Tony Khan didn’t put any scrubs in this tournament. Eddie just maybe got too cocky, thinking that since he put two belts in the pot, he was a given winner. No one deserves to win, everything is earned. Eddie has Bryan next but he’s behind the 8 ball. Eddie says he will not do this. He will not go backwards. Humble in victory and humble in defeat. Eddie has to go heal up, Epsom salt bath, all that good stuff. The Mad King vows he will be ready for the American Dragon.

Bryan Danielson responds.

Bryan says he was actually impressed by the confidence Eddie had to put up both his titles for the tournament. But now, one loss and Eddie feels he’s behind the 8 ball? Against Bryan? Bryan fractured his orbital bone, needed surgery in two places, and yet he is coming into this tournament on fire! He is NOT behind the 8 ball, he is NOT going to be humble, he is here to win this and be the first AEW Triple Crown! Will Bryan’s Blue League start be Eddie’s Blue League end?

Tony Schiavone is backstage.

He brings up that Sting’s final match is coming. AEW Revolution, Sunday, March 3rd, 2024. And when it comes to where they’ll have Sting’s final match, they thought of the many great venues across the world, but what better place for Sting’s final match than Greensboro, North Carolina and the Greensboro Coliseum? So many great Sting matches were held there, but one in particular that comes to mind is 1988, Sting VS Ric Flair for the World Heavyweight Championship. So Greensboro Coliseum in North Carolina, get ready! Joining Schiavone now are those very legends, Sting and Ric Flair!

First off, 24-0, the longest win streak in AEW right now, what a fitting place for Sting to have his final match and maybe end on 25 than in Greensboro. Sting says yeah, wow, all those years ago, it was March 8th, 1988, his very first world title match against perhaps the greatest world champion of all time in The Nature Boy. Sting would’ve never guessed that night, 35 years later, we’d be here now. The memories, 45 minutes but a draw, commercial free, the first time in TV history that any sporting event even did that. But that’s not the real point of it. The big deal was being in there with Ric Flair. That was a make or break night, and so thank you, Ric, for putting Sting on the map.

Sting says yeah, that is a fitting place to end his career all these years later, Greensboro. Schiavone says so many great memories, and for him and Flair, forty years ago, does he remember? Oh, Flair knows. The words cannot be spoken to emphasize what is about to happen! Greensboro, where Sting, make no mistake, Ric didn’t make Sting a thing, Sting made himself! 45 MINUTES! Commercial free! With Flair! Unthinkable! Sting walked back there to 25 wrestlers going, “Jesus! You’re the man! You did it, Stinger!” He went out there and did it like a man! That’s what this business is all about.

Flair is 74 years old, standing next to the Icon, with his friend, Schiavone, and going back to Greensboro for what will be the greatest moment of his life, and God knows Flair’s had some good ones. He is honored to be there at Sting’s side! They shake hands, and Flair says the ACC Tournament and all that, nah, this is one for the ages! Highway 85 will be lined up from Richmond, all the way to Charlotte, like it always was! Sting, The Nature Boy, and AEW are coming to Greensboro! Let’s give it to ’em! “WOO~!” It’s the 80s all over again! Tickets on sale December 15th! IT’S SHOWTIME!

AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Mark Briscoe VS Rush!

The Sussex County Chicken got beat by The Maniac but El Toro Blanco got cheated by the Switchblade! These animals are hungry for points, so who gets fed?

The bell rings and Rush rushes in! They RAM and then fire off forearms! The fans fire up, Bryan says this is what he was talking about! This isn’t going 20 minutes! The forearms keep flying, Rush ROCKS Mark, but Mark fires off forearms and CHOPS! Rush CHOPS back! Rush whips, runs in, and SPLASHES int he corner! Rush runs but Mark follows, JUMP KCIK! Mark gets Rush up, CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Fans fire up as Mark forearms and stomps away! The ref counts, Mark lets off, but Rush dodges to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Rush sits Mark down so he can stomp with both feet!

Rush scrapes Mark, goes to the far side, then runs in. Mark BOOTS back but Rush still clotheslines! Snapmare and KCIK! Rush stomps away, takes Mark’s “head” and kicks it! The kick is good for Rush but fans boo. Rush goes up a corner, but Mark CLOBBERS him! Rush falls to the floor and fans fire up as Mark builds speed! Mark WRECKS Rush with a dropkick! Mark then stomps away on Rush, then stands him up to CHOP! So Rush CHOPS back! Mark CHOPS back! Rush CHOPS again! Rush whips Mark hard into railing! Rush then whips Mark into more railing! And then back the other way! Rush goes into the ring to tranquilo and let the count handle Mark.

Mark hobbles up, so Rush goes out after him. Rush runs in, but Mark ducks and RAILING BACK SUPLEX! Rush writhes, the ring count starts again, and Mark gets on the apron. Fans fire up as Mark says BANG BANG! FOLEY ELBOW! Fans fire up again and Mark high fives the front row. Mark leaves Rush behind now as the count climbs. Rush drags himself up, drags himself in at 5 of 10, and Mark eggs him on. Rush snarls, and he CHOPS! Mark CHOSP! Rush CHOPS! Mark CHOPS! Fans fire up as Rush shoves, and Mark BOOTS him! Rush wobbles, but he dodges Mark to SNAP GERMAN!

Mark wobbles up, Rush SUPERKICKS! Mark stays up to LARIAT in return! Both men are down and Minneapolis is thunderous! Mark sees his chewing gum on the mat and picks it back up while Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Mark goes to ropes, then stomps Rush. Mark drags Rush up, ROCKS him, and Rush falls over! Mark digs his boots in at the ropes, the ref counts, and Mark lets off at 4. The ref checks Rush, he’s still in this and bails out. The ref has Mark stay back, the ref makes sure Rush is okay, but then Mark runs in to stomp away! Rush gets up, Mark CHOPS him in a corner, and then ROCKS him! Mark brings Rush around, but Rush whips and SPLASHES! Rush sits Mark down, stomps and ROCKS him, then hobbles away. Rush snarls, he runs back in, but Mark is up to CHOP him down! Mark drops an elbow! And another elbow! Cover, TWO!

Mark fishhooks Rush into a chinlock, but the ref counts. Mark lets off, stands Rush up, but Rush trips Mark and has a leg! Rush hooks that up into a TRAILER HITCH! Mark endures and Rush pulls on the legs! Fans rally, Mark crawls and drags Rush along. Dynamite returns to single picture and fans rally more. Mark reaches out, powers his way forward, and has the ROPEBREAK! Fans cheer and the ref counts, but Rush lets go. Mark drags himself up, the fans rally again, and Mark CHOPS! Rush CHOPS! Mark CHOPS! Rush gets in Mark’s face, eggs him on, so Mark CHOPS! Rush and Mark throw SLAP after SLAP!

Mark swings, Rush bobs ‘n’ weaves and HEADBUTTS! Rush hobbles back, but Mark is back up! Rush swings, into an EXPLODER! Fans fire up as Mark stands again. Rush roars, Mark runs in, Rush hits an OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY to send Mark into buckles! Rush snarls again, fans rally up and he aims. Rush runs in, but Mark SPEARS him!! Cover, TWO!! Rush survives but Mark drags Rush up. Mark turns Rush for the NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Rush is still in this but the fans fire up for Mark. Mark underhooks, but Rush swings. Mark clinches, waistlocks, but Rush throws elbows. Rush switches, Mark breaks free to PELE!

Rush falls out to the apron and Mark storms after him. They’re both on the edge, Mark fires forearms, but Rush CHOPS! Mark CHOPS! Rush CHOPS! Repeat! Fans “WOO~!” for every CHOP! Mark GAMANGIRIS, Rush staggers back, but Rush gets Mark for another OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Mark crashes on the floor and the ref checks him. The fans lose their minds but Rush snarls. Rush paces as the ring count climbs, and Mark is up at 5 of 10. Mark drags himself in at 6, but Rush storms right up on him. Rush hoists Mark up top, CHOPS him, then climbs up. Mark fires off hands, and then REDNECK HELL STAB!

Fans fire up as Mark leaps, FROGGY-BOW!! Cover, TWO!! Rush survives again but Mark has the underhooks! Rush powers up to back drop free! Rush aims from a corner now, Mark runs in again but into another OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Rush runs up to DECK Mark! Then the BULL’S HORNS!!! Cover, Rush wins!!

Winner: Rush, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Briscoe earns 0)

A true war right here, and now Rush is 1-1! Will this ungovernable one find a way to take over the league? As for Briscoe, he is down 0-2 with no points, is he already on the bubble?

RJ City interviews “Timeless” Toni Storm.

Madame Storm seems rather bothered by something. RJ gets her attention but she tells him to sit. And don’t be so loud. RJ does sit, and Mariah May takes the title for Storm. RJ wants to bring up the championship acceptance speech last week. Yes, and she was rudely interrupted! Yeah, that’s true. How is she feeling? Storm says they partied well into the night, spent some time at the compound, JFK or one of the Kennedys was there. But now she is very fatigued, dehydrated, and has a touch of the gout. Oh, wow. Well, he wants to inform her that she is scheduled to defend the AEW Women’s World Championship. But given her state, is she worried at all?

Worried? Was Fatty Arbuckle worried? Was Jean Harlow worried? Was Frances bloody Farmer worried? No, they all turned out fine, and so will she. Before she goes, take off her shoe, she’s feeling swollen. RJ does take off her shoes for her, but will Storm have to focus before someone takes the title off her?

MJF is here!

Fans cheer as the AEW World Champion walks out here with the help of his cane, mic in the other hand. He has them cut his music, he gets into the ring, and the fans cheer him on. MJF gets right to it as he says “December 30th, Nassau Coliseum, Worlds End, it will be Samoa Joe VS yours truly for the grandest prize of ’em all, The Triple B, the AEW World Championship.” Fans cheer that, and MJF wants to be honest, though. When it comes to Joe as a person, eeeeeeh MJF doesn’t like him. But when it comes to Joe professional, MJF respects him.

MJF respects what Joe has done for the industry, and most importantly, when Joe came into AEW, he didn’t come here to line his pockets, he came here because he believes in those three letters. Fans cheer for “A E DUB! A E DUB!” and MJF says back in the early 2000s, MJF remembers getting a poster in his mailbox and it was for TNA Wrestling. And he remembers thinking, what even is this all about? He tuned in and couldn’t have been happier. He saw insane feats of athleticism, he saw a new cast of pro-wrestlers he’d never heard of before, but most of all, he saw one man among the rest, and that was the Samoan Submission Machine.

While Samoa Joe may’ve looked unconventional, he didn’t seem to care, and neither did any of the fans. Because every time Joe walked through the curtain, we knew he was the baddest man walking on God’s Green Earth. Now unfortunately, later on in his career, Joe’s talents were not recognized and he was not afforded the opportunity to be a world champion in the WWE. Fans boo, but MJF says what Joe did for this sport was bigger than that. “Joe proved you don’t have to be a massive male model bodybuilder to be a top guy in this sport. Samoa Joe broke the mold. Samoa Joe proved alternatives matter.

“And because of the road that Joe paved, it has allowed for a man like me to stand before you today. Without a guy like Joe, there may be no AEW. So Joe, very quickly, what I’d like to say, as much as this all pains me to admit, thank you.” Fans cheer that and join in, “Thank You, Joe! Thank You, Joe!” Yes, thank you, Joe! However… MJF has actually, though grateful to have gone down the road Joe paved, MJF isn’t too shabby himself, now is he? Fans cheer that. MJF managed to pave his own road, and built on a new alternative. He is AEW day one, and he has helped build this place brick by brick! Fans cheer “M J F! M J F!”

MJF says he did that by defeating some of the biggest names in this industry! Names like Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Bryan Danielson, Chris Jericho, Jon Moxley, Kenny Omega. But of all the names MJF has had to face in this ring, the one name he looks back on, and not only was he lucky to win, he was lucky to survive, that is Joe. Samoa Joe is a wrestling legend. But December 30th is not about Joe’s legacy. It’s about MJF’s! December 30th is about answering the question, “Can Max Friedman outlast the Final Boss of this sport one more time?” So now, MJF is gonna make a promise. He promises to everyone watching at home and everyone here in this arena.

MJF promises that on December 30th, it doesn’t matter if his left knee keeps sliding in and out, if his right hip keeps popping in and out of socket, if his right shoulder is hanging on by a threat, or if Joe beats him within an inch of his life. Joe could be King Kong and Godzilla incarnate. Because MJF promises that on December 30th, he shows the world that it is not about the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog! And if you want to take what’s his… at Worlds End, you’ll have to put MJF down! MJF even breaks his cane!! Fans fire up with MJF, but then the lights go down.

Now there are lights blinking all over the place. MJF looks around, but THE DEVIL’S MINIONS ATTACK! Fans boo as one of them has a baseball bat!! But here comes Joe!! Joe said he’d have MJF’s back so here he is! He YANKS the big guy out, gets that bat, and he runs the rest off! Cameras have trouble here, but when things come back, a message types out on screen. “In the shadows, our game begins. Next week, MJF & Samoa Joe… will you face the unknown in a tag match? Are you a hero, Max?” The Devil has made his challenge to the champ! The fans chant “DO IT! DO IT!” and “He’s Our Scumbag!” Joe tries to get MJF to ignore all this, it’s what this Devil wants!

But MJF says “I’m so sick of your Scooby-Doo BS! LEMME EXPLAIN SOMETHING TO YOU! I am not dealing with your crap when I got that guy breathing down my neck at Worlds End. No no. I am going to take out all of your men, one by one. I am going to unmask you, you coward! And next week, you wanna tag match?! YOU’RE ON!!” Joe isn’t for it, but the challenge has been accepted. Will Joe just have to save MJF from himself?

Wardlow VS AR Fox!

Speaking of someone who wants to take everything away from MJF, the War Dog is on the warpath, just waiting for the right moment. After what we just saw, is MJF going to be served up on a silver platter?

But wait! Fox BOOTS Wardlow down off the apron! And then FLIES out! But Wardlow stays up! So Fox FLIES again! Direct hit but Wardlow is still up! Wardlow HEADBUTTS Fox, then whips him at the apron. Fox 619s on the apron to hit back! And then he goes up the corner to MOONSAULT, but Wardlow catches him! SLAM on the apron, and then Wardlow box jumps up to the apron. Wardlow storms in, fans rally up, and Wardlow drags Fox up for an OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Now with both men in the ring, the bell finally sounds and this is actually a match. Wardlow storms up on Fox in the corner, to then TOSS him across the way!

Fox flounders out of the ring and Wardlow is having fun now. Wardlow goes out to stalk Fox, CLUB him on the back, and the ring count climbs. Wardlow hauls Fox up to TOSS him back in! Fans rally, Wardlow storms back in, and Wardlow drags Fox up. Fox shoves Wardlow but Wardlow CLUBS him! Wardlow trophy lifts, but Fox slips free! Wardlow runs in, but only gets buckles as Fox slips out to the apron! Fox swings to dropkick, then he goes up to 450 SPLASH! Cover, ONE!! Wardlow snarls and Fox is stunned! Fox runs in to BOOT! Wardlow doesn’t budge so Fox BOOTS him again! And again! Fox runs, but Wardlow pops him up for a SPINEBUSTER!

Wardlow winds up, to LARIAT Fox down! Wardlow then hauls Fox up, POWERBOMB! The symphony begins as fans want more! Wardlow drags Fox up, reels him back in, another POWERBOMB! And then Wardlow goes up the corner, to SWANTON BOMB!! Fans fire up and Wardlow still isn’t done! He reels Fox back in, to LAST RIDE POWERBOMB!!! The ref checks, Fox is OUT! Wardlow wins!

Winner: Wardlow, by pinfall

The remixed Powerbomb Symphony was too much for Fox, and Wardlow storms off. When and where will Wardlow sink his teeth into MJF?

Six Man Tag: Action Andretti & Top Flight VS The Hardy Party!

The Sight to See and the reunited Martin brothers are ready to be the Coldest Trio in the Game, but they’re taking on Isiah Kassidy and the legendary Hardy brothers! Will Action, Darius & Dante add themselves to the top of the trios rankings? Or will Matt, Jeff & Brother Zay take them to the extreme?

The trios sort out and Minneapolis is happy to have Dante back. Action and Matt start, they tie up and Matt headlocks. Action powers out then DROPKICKS Matt down! Matt goes to ropes, Action runs in but is put on the apron. Action RAMS into Matt, slingshots up and over to sunset flip, TWO! Matt is up, Action kicks but Matt blocks! Matt flips Action, Action lands on his feet but Matt hip tosses! Tag to Jeff and the Hardys get Action up, atomic drop and the takedown, DOUBLE LEG DROP! Jeff covers, TWO! Jeff drags Action up, CLUBS him, and wrenches an arm. Jeff hammerlocks but Action switches it onto Jeff.

Fans rally up for Dante, Jeff elbows Action and runs, but Action trips Jeff! STANDING MOONSAULT, but Jeff moves! Action hits the superhero landing and stares the Charismatic Enigma down! Fans fire up, and they both back away, tag to Darius and Isiah. Fans rally up as Zay and Air Wolf tie up. Zay headlocks, Darius powers out but Zay runs him over! Zay pumps and bumps, things speed up, and Darius hurdles. Zay backflips over, but Darius arm-drags! Darius then sidesteps but Zay arm-drags! Darius trips Zay to cover, ONE! Zay trips Darius but Darius throws him away to then DROPKICK!

Fans fire up as Darius mocks the Jeff Hardy dance. Zay is in the corner, Darius runs in to SPLASH and tag Dante! Fans fire up as Dante jumps, runs, and A-LIST LARIATS! Tag back to Darius, snap suplex and a slingshot senton! Fans fire up and Action tags in. Darius gets Zay up, wrenches an arm, and Action DOUBLE STOMPS the arm. Zay losses his durag and Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Action whips Zay, Zay reverses but Action avoids the dropkick. Matt CLOBBERS Action while the ref is checking Zay! Zay gets Action up, RAMS him to the corner, and Zay fires off hands. Tag to Jeff, and they mug Action with some stomps. The ref counts, Jeff lets off at 4, and he brings Action up to snapmare. Jeff runs to NECK SNAP, then NECK SNAP the other way! And then another one! Action staggers up, Jeff kicks low and suplexes for a GOURD BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Jeff stays between Action and the Martins to show them how to do his dance. Jeff then CLUBS Action, tags in Zay, and Zay CLUBS Action’s arm.

Zay throws Action out, goes out and throws him into railing! Zay talks some smack, then he stomps away on Action! High five with the fans, then more stomps! Selfie! Zay then puts Action in the ring, CLUBS him down, then drags him back to the corner. Tag to Matt and he RAMS into Action. Matt ROCKS Action with a right, then bumps him off buckles. Matt dribbles Action off the buckles again and again and again! “DELETE! DELETE! DELETE!” and Dynamite returns to single picture. Matt ROCKS Action again, tags Jeff, but fans rally up for Top Flight. Matt CATAPULT GUILLOTINES, then Jeff hits a GUILLOTINE LEG DROP!

Jeff drags Action into the ring, snapmares and basement dropkicks! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up more but Jeff bumps Action off buckles. Tag to Matt, the Hardys stomp a mudhole in, then dig their boots in. The ref counts, Matt lets off and he stands Action back up. But Action ROCKS Matt with haymakers! Matt shoves Action, Action comes back, but into a SIDE EFFECT! Cover, TWO! Action survives and fans fire up but Matt calls his shot. “DELETE! DELETE!” and Action stands. Kick and- NO, Action wrenches out of the Twist! But Matt ducks the haymaker to back suplex! Action lands on his feet to KICK, KNEE and ENZIGURI!

Both men are down and the fans fire back up! Action and Matt crawl, hot tags to Dante and Zay! Dante goes up and over Zay, CLOBBERS him, CLOBBERS him again, then whips. Zay reverses, Dante goes out and Zay hits buckles! Dante then goes right over the corner, GAMANGIRIS Zay away then jumps to avoid Jeff’s sweep! SPRINGBOARD CROSSBODY! Cover, Matt breaks it! Fans boo but Matt TWIST- NO, Dante powers out and Darius GAMANGIRIS! Dante ROUNDHOUSES, Darius steps in to COMPLETE SHOT! Zay is up and he shoves Dante into Darius! Roll up, TWO!! Zay LARIATS Dante back down, putting his all behind that one!

Fans fire up as both men crawl, but Jeff runs to BLAST Action! Darius ROCKS Jeff, but Zay uses Jeff as a step, PARTY IN MOTION wipes Darius out! Dante sees that, but then Matt sets up for Jeff! POETRY IN MOTION! The Hardy Boyz get Dante up top, Zay GAMANGIRIS him into a Double Electric Chair Lift! Zay springboards, MISSILE DROPKICK DOOMSDAY!! Cover, TWO!!! Dante survives but the Hardys go after Darius & Action! POETRY- INTERCEPTED as Darius jumps off Matt to CLOBBER Jeff!! Action kicks Matt, then QUEBRADAS off the railing! Zay suplexes Dante, but Dante knees free!

Dante runs, Zay dodges to mule kicks! But Darius is in, he and Action set up, but Zay fights the waistlock! Zay BOOTS Action, elbows Darius, but the still get the SHOTGUN GERMAN SUPLEX!! Zay flops into Dante’s half nelson, SIDE SLAM!! Cover, TOP FLIGHT WINS!

Winners: Action Andretti & Top Flight, by pinfall

A powerful homecoming for Dante Martin, he and his team have a massive win! Will they soon fly high and go after the AEW World Trios Championships?

Backstage interview with Action & Top Flight.

Renee is with them and congratulates them on the big win. So good to see Dante back, how is that leg? But then Penta El Zero Miedo and Alex Abrahantes step in. Penta offers a fist bump, and Dante accepts. They’re all good given Penta was responsible for the broken leg in that Reach for the Sky Ladder match. But then Penta counts, one, two, three. Bring ’em in. Komander and El Hijo Del Vikingo join Penta, that makes one, two, three. And Cero Miedo! Dante nods, when and where will we see this top tier trios match go down?

AEW TBS Championship House Rules Match: Julia Hart VS Emi Sakura!

The Princess of the Black Throne successfully defended her gold on Collision against Lady Frost, but now she takes on the Queen of Joshi! And for this match, Dealer’s Choice says submissions can NOT win the match! Then if Julia can’t be Hartless, will she just have to be ruthless?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if the House Always Wins!

The bell rings and fans rally up behind Julia. Julia soaks it up, but Emi laughs at it. Emi and Julia smirk as they stare down, then they approach. Emi dodges Julia and laughs some more, but then Julia grabs her by the face! Julia bumps Emi off buckles, fires off forearms and stomps, then whips corner to corner. Julia runs in, handsprings and clotheslines! Julia keeps moving, back body block! Julia snapmares Emi, KICKS her, but Emi just frowns. Fans fire up, and Emi stands up. Julia CHOPS but Emi CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Julia shrieks, but Emi pushes her around. Emi aims but Julia blocks the chop to WRING the arm!

Emi goes to ropes, the fans fire up as Julia CLUBS, HOOK KICKS then KICKS Emi down! Julia pushes Emi out of the ring, goes out after her, but Emi throws body shots. Julia whips, Emi reverses, and Julia hits steel steps! Per the House Rules, there’s a 20 count, not a 10, so Emi has more time to use. Emi runs in to SPLASH Julia against the steps! Fans fire up and the ref checks Julia as Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Emi stands on Julia’s face, the ref reprimands, but Emi steps away. She has to be careful, part of House Rules is that disqualifications are strongly enforced. Emi then takes a seat on security’s lap before she storms up on Julia. Emi brings Julia around to CHOP against railing! Then Emi brings Julia over to send into more railing, and CHOP again! Emi puts Julia in the ring, drags her around and dragon sleepers! TWISTING DDT! Cover, TWO! Julia is still in this but Emi pushes her to a corner. Emi CHOPS, and Julia staggers away to another corner. Emi CHOPS her again! And again! And MACHINE GUN CHOPS!

Julia sits down, Emi digs her boots in, but the ref counts. Emi lets off, soaks up the heat, and then brings Julia up to whip corner to corner. Julia stops herself to ELBOW back! Julia storms up on Emi to throw hands, but Emi SLAPS Julia down! Julia checks her jaw, but Emi digs her knees into Julia’s neck! The ref counts, Dynamite returns to single picture, and Emi lets off. Emi watches Julia flounder around, and Julia sits up to throw body shots. Emi just laughs and brings Julia around to underhook. Stalling BUTTERFLY BACKBREAKER! Emi waits on Julia to sit up, says she’ll be the champion, and then underhooks again!

Julia fights up and round, SLEEPER! Submissions won’t win but she just wants to make Emi suffer! Emi falls, flails, Julia has a headscissor squeeze! Emi rolls, pops out the back, and she hooks Julia’s legs up! ROMERO SPECIAL! Julia endures, then Emi THROWS her down! Emi drags Julia around, puts her in a drop zone, but fans still rally for Julia. Emi climbs, MOONSAULT FLOPS as Julia moves! Julia wraps on the HARTLESS LOCK!! But it won’t win! Emi flails, taps, but it doesn’t save Emi, either! Julia thrashes Emi, lets her go, and the ref has to remind Julia it’s her own rules. So Julia BLINDSIDE LARIATS!

Julia stomps Emi into the drop zone, then goes up the corner. MOONSAULT!! Cover, Julia wins!

Winner: Julia Hart, by pinfall (still AEW TBS Champion)

Another defense in the books, Julia is still golden! Will she keep on winning with such unpredictable rules?

Backstage interview with Mariah May.

RJ City is with Miss May and says we saw her at Full Gear and last week, but we also know she’s here, hungry for more. Mariah says yes she is. She knows she’s the new girl and all, but she did just come from Stardom, and she had quite the run. She is dying to show us what she can do. So thanks for connecting her with Toni Storm. RJ says it’s nothing, he and Toni go way back, used to play squash together. No, really, RJ is quite the curator. And Mariah knows Toni likes him, so this means the world to her. No, no, Toni makes things happen. He’s just happy to help. Mariah seems a bit disappointed, but RJ says without further ado, go get ’em!

Mariah knocks on Tony Khan’s door, steps inside, and talks with the boss. Will this Tony be just as accommodating as Toni Storm?

Christian Cage is here!

The TNT Champion, the Patriarch, makes his way to the ring, security right behind him. Captain Charisma then gets a mic while the fans boo, and he says what he’d like to do right now is go ahead and invite the Rated R Superstar to this ring right now. Fans fire up for that, and Christian says he knows Edge is back there. Fans shout “ADAAAAM~!” and Christian says he just wants to talk about what Edge said on Collision. So if Edge doesn’t mind making his presence felt, Christian would appreciate it. But still no response? Did Christian make sure to do this when Edge isn’t here?

Christian waits, gets upset, and asks Adam “ADAAAM~!” that he’d like to speak with him in this ring. Please, someone, hit the mic, get Adam’s attention, something. Or should Christian go back there to speak with him? “You think you know him.” And here comes Edge!! Fans fire up as Edge storms into the ring, and of course the security becomes a wall in front of Christian. Edge paces and Christian says listen, management wanted this, not him. Fans boo that garbage, but Christian says they don’t need security. He asks these men to vacate the ring. They shrug and bail out, even though Edge looks ready to pounce.

Christian brings up that last week, Edge challenged him to a match for the TNT Championship on December 6th, Dynamite in Montreal. Christian is here to tell Edge that they won’t make it to Montreal. They get face to face and fans fire up. Christian says they won’t make it to Montreal because “I’m sorry.” What? Edge is also confused, and Christian says he knows what we’re all thinking. Christian is only sorry because he’s all alone, right? Fans confirm and they chant “BULL~ SHID!” at him! Christian asks them to understand. Edge took out “The Prodigy” Nick Wayne, he took out Killswitch/Luchasaurus, but that’s not why Christian’s sorry.

He won’t lie, he was pissed about what Edge did to Lucha- er, Killswitch, with not one but two Con-Chair-Tos. Christian was so mad, he jumped out of his house, got in his car and just drove around. He needed to think, needed fresh air. And somewhere during that trip, it turned into one of reflection. It turned into a roadtrip of soul searching, digging down deep, trying to understand why he became the person that he is, this guy who says and does such unsavory things. And then he remembered those times he and Edge would borrow Christian’s mom’s Ford Taurus. They nicknamed it “Toby the Taurus” because they took it everywhere when they were trying to make it.

They didn’t care where they went, they were broke, not a dime to their names, but they didn’t care. They were having the time of their lives! They knew they were gonna make it. They didn’t know how, but they knew they would. And dammit, did they ever make it, huh? They went on to become multiple-time tag team champions, and Christian will say it, the greatest tag team that ever lived! Fans do cheer that. Christian and Edge then became multiple time world champions, two of the greatest careers in this sport. But take the wrestling away, and it runs even deeper. Everyone knows Edge grew up with a single mom. Everyone knows that Edge didn’t have a father figure.

Fans boo, already sensing where this is going! Christian wants Edge to listen! Yes, he is the Patriarch of AEW, but in no way is he suggesting he’s Edge’s father. Christian is Edge’s brother. And in turn, Christian’s father became like Edge’s father. Edge went on family trips, sat at the dinner table, slept over! When Edge needed discipline, Christian’s dad treated him the same as his own kids. He picked Edge up, brushed him off, hugged him and cheered him on. To this very day, he is still Edge’s biggest fan. So listen, Christian will just say it. They weren’t just random guys thrown together. “I love you, man.” Fans boo that one!

Christian says they’re family. And listen, when Edge’s mom passed a few years ago, that was the hardest time of Edge’s life. Christian knows that. But some time before, she said, “What I wouldn’t give to see you guys in that ring, teaming one last time.” Christian started thinking, that they should do this for her! Let’s go on the journey together again, like Edge wanted! Edge & Christian, for Judy “Judemeister” Copeland! Let’s do it for her! Fans cheer for Judy, but Edge is conflicted. Christian drops the mic, holds the belt, and then rushes Edge! Edge LOW BLOWS Christian first!! Fans cheer as Christian leans on Edge in pain.

Christian slumps down and Edge lets him fall. Fans want that one more time, but Edge gets the mic. “Nice try, dumbass.” Edge tells him to sit up when he’s talking. Edge grabs the belt, tells Christian to shine it up real nice. Hell, sleep with it if he wants. Because next week, the title’s coming home with Edge! Oh, and one more thing, Edge almost forgot. G F Y!! Fans are thunderous as Edge takes his leave. Will Edge crush Christian’s spirit as payback for everything he’s said and done?

AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Jay White VS Swerve Strickland!

The Switchblade and the Realest are both 1-0 with three points, and now they are going to battle in what could be the decisive battle in this block! With no Juice Robinson, no Ass Boys, no Prince Nana or Brian Cage, who will prove to be the slipperiest snake in all of AEW?

The bell rings and fans fire up for “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” White still throws guns up, but he and Swerve then tie up. They go around, Swerve puts White in a corner, but White turns it around. Swerve turns it back around, White pulls hair to turn it around again, then he RAMS into Swerve! And again! And again! White tosses Swerve out, then goes out to CHOP! White then RAMS Swerve into railing, mocks Nana’s dance, but Swerve throws hands! Swerve runs and RAMS White into railing! Fans fire up with Swerve and he stomps White down. Swerve then whips, but White reverses and Swerve hits railing so hard, he goes over into the front row!

Fans fire up and security helps Swerve, but then White drags him back in. White puts Swerve in the ring, mockingly asks, “Whose House?” and he stomps Swerve. White wrenches the arm, CLUBS it, and then CHOPS! White again mockingly asks, “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” White CHOPS Swerve, but Swerve BOOTS back! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Swerve whips, White holds ropes, then he dumps Swerve out. But Swerve pulls hair! White HOTSHOTS Swerve, builds speed and slides, but Swerve catches him to BACK SUPLEX White into the front row! Fans are getting a much more interactive experience than expected!

Swerve drags White back up, White grabs at fans desperately, but the fans can’t do anything for him as Swerve dumps White back over. Swerve pushes White around, goes up the apron, and then he FLYING STOMPS White down! Fans fire up, Swerve puts White in, and then aims from the apron. But White gets a leg in the ropes! Swerve claws at White, pushes him away, but White BOOTS Swerve, then DRAPING DDTS! Fans rally for Swerve but White drags Swerve up to CHOP! Fans “WOO~!” and Dynamite goes picture in picture.

White sits Swerve up again, to CHOP him back down! White drags Swerve up again, goes up a corner, and mocks Swerve, to then hop back down and CHOP again! Swerve writhes, White drags him up, and White TOSSES Swerve out of the ring. White goes out after Swerve, but he CHOPS back! Swerve then clinches to hit a BACKBREAKER! White writhes, Swerve goes up to the apron again, and he BOOTS White back down! Fans rally up, Swerve drags White into the ring, and then clamps on a cording hold. White grabs ropes, the ref counts, Swerve takes a swing, but White EXPLODERS Swerve up and out!

White goes out after Swerve, hauls him up, and APRON GOURD BUSTERS! Swerve writhes and flounders but White refreshes the ring count. White then RAMS Swerve into steel steps! Swerve gets in the ring, White pursues and covers, TWO! White clamps onto Swerve’s bad arm, then traps the other, and he stretches Swerve out as Dynamite returns to single picture. Swerve fights up, but White throws him down by hair! White again mocks the chant, “Whose House?” Bryan commends Swerve on toughness. He had a brutal Texas Deathmatch with Hangman Page, and the only thing taped up is that arm.

Speaking of, White clamps onto the arms again, but Swerve endures. Swerve fights up, throws body shots, but White throws him down by his hair! Fans boo, Swerve gets up to SLAP White! Swerve CHOPS, White waistlocks, but Swerve swings elbows. White gets under to SAIDO! White then storms up to drag Swerve up, CORNER HALF HATCH! Cover, TWO! Swerve is still in this but White scuffs him. White mockingly says he needs his points. White knees Swerve low, and again, but Swerve blocks the chop! Swerve wrenches, gets around, HAMMERLOCK BACK SUPLEX! White writhes and fans fire up!

Swerve snarls, storms up on White, and he ROCKS him! Body shot! Forearm! Body shot! Repeat! Swerve snapmares, rolls, but White catches the Complete Shot, but then Swerve slips out of the Urenage! Swerve goes to a corner, White runs in but Swerve goes up and over to O’Conner and Eddy Gordo RANA! White tumbles, staggers, into the SOMERSAULT COMPLETE SHOT! And then a gator roll into a deadlift suplex! Fans fire up as Swerve covers, TWO!! White survives and Swerve grows frustrated. Fans still rally up behind Swerve, and he grabs White’s wrist. White resists but Swerve still drags him up.

White reaches out, kicks Swerve’s legs, then gets free. White swings, Swerve dodges and comes back, COMPLETE SHOT from White! White then waistlocks to deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! White runs up, but Swerve DISCUS LARIATS! Fans are thunderous while both men are down and Bryan says, “How incredible are these two men?!” A standing count starts, both men stir, and White flounders to ropes. “This is Awesome!” as White comes back, he and Swerve go forehead to forehead, and they trade junkyard dog headbutts. Swerve laughs, White throws hands! Swerve throws them back! They go back and forth, faster and faster!

Fans rally up as the shots keep flying, and Swerve DECKS White! Fans fire up, Swerve smiles, but White grabs at Swerve’s legs. Swerve grabs at White, White CHOP BLOCKS! White then gets the bad arm, clinches, and URENAGES! Cover, TWO!! Swerve is still in this, this isn’t anything compared to Texas Death! White clamps on with the sleeper, though, and he hauls Swerve up. Swerve throws elbows, but White wrangles him for a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Fans fire up, Swerve endures, White CLUBS away on the bad arm and pulls! Swerve reaches out, fights around, but White keeps him from ropes by pulling hair!

Swerve and White roll together, but Swerve slips around to get White’s arms trapped! Swerve stands on that arm! Finger gun and BANG!! The arm goes back and the fans tell Swerve he’s sick! Swerve grins, storms up on White and drags him up again. But White fights the half nelson and puts Swerve in a corner. The ref counts, White arm-drags free, but then Swerve sends him at the ref! White stops himself, LOW- NO! Swerve blocks the kick, he was paying attention to last week! Swerve slips around and hits a BACKBREAKER! Fans fire up, Swerve runs to HOUSE CALL!! Then Swerve goes up and he takes aim!

White sits up, into the KILL STOMPS!! Cover, TWO?!?! No one can believe it, least of all Swerve!! White survives Swerve’s best shots, but Swerve drags him up! Swerve’s bad arm holds him back, but then White clinches! BLADERUNNER!! But Swerve flops out of the ring!! White hurries out after Swerve, pushes him in, and hurries to clinch. Swerve fights up, fights the sleeper, and hits an ELBOW BREAKER! But White still rolls Swerve up with his other arm! TWO! White storms up, Swerve trips and jackknife bridges, TWO!! BLADE- NO, Swerve slips free, but White fights the half nelson! And CHOPS!

Swerve CHOPS back! White CHOPS! We get the 15 minute mark, so time’s ticking away! Swerve CHOPS, White CHOPS, repeat! White kicks and CHOPS, then reels Swerve in. Swerve uses a leg to get free but White has him again, SNAP SLEEPER SUPLEX!! Then the clinch, BLADE- ARM-DRAG!! Cradle cover, SWERVE WINS!!!

Winner: Swerve Strickland, by pinfall (gains 3 points; White earns 0)

White is shocked that he got beat! The #Jay1 aside, these points go to The Realest! Will the Gold League soon be whose house?

My Thoughts:

A great Dynamite, with awesome Continental Classic matches. But also really good non-tournament matches, such as that Trios Match. Great return to action for Dante Martin, great win for him and his trio, and those three could really build themselves up into trios title contenders with matches like this. And really good TBS Championship match Julia and Emi, though they need to get better at bringing up how House Rules work. No Ropebreaks, the ring count is to 20, and there’s Dealer’s Choice. They just kinda threw out there that this was gonna be a No Submission Falls, which was honestly a brilliant move by Emi. But in the end, of course Julia wins, it’s still too early for her to lose this belt.

Wardlow squashing- heck, he demolished AR Fox, is fine for Wardlow but a shame for Fox. Wardlow is still staying strong as he waits for the right moment to go after MJF again, but maybe, just maybe, he’s been going after MJF all along as that big guy among the “gimp squad” that tried to get MJF tonight. Great promo from MJF to not just praise Joe but also bury Punk without having to actually reference Punk going back to WWE. Joe made the save as expected, and now they’re getting dragged into a tag match against any two of those goons, and who knows who they are really, but can’t wait to see how this all goes.

Awesome stuff from Christian and Edge tonight, a brilliant move for Christian to so blatantly play to Edge’s emotions just to save his own ass. But of course it was also brilliant for Edge to not fall for it at all and get the better of Christian. But uh, AEW needs to be better at live censoring their shows, that GFY got right past them. That aside, that TNT Championship match is going to be awesome stuff, could go either way, but I still want to see Luchasaurus betray Christian and finally become his own man-dinosaur. Not Jack Perry’s tag partner, not Christian’s henchman, but his own man doing his own stuff.

And as I said at the start, awesome Continental Classic matches. Bryan Danielson also being on commentary for these was a good move, that could easily be a thing he does after he retires, except I think part of retiring is staying home with the family. Anyway, Moxley VS Lethal was a great opening match, and I figured Moxley would win that. Maybe Lethal realizes he really has let Team Triple J weaken him with all their antics. Rush VS Briscoe then raised the bar, though with a somewhat scary moment where I thought Rush took a shot to the head but it was really a concern for his leg. Rush winning was a fair choice, and that puts pressure on a possible 0-2 VS 0-2, Lethal VS Briscoe in the next round. I say “possible” because Tony Khan doesn’t reveal the entire schedule at once.

And then just an awesome, borderline PPV level match of Swerve VS White. The fans were strongly behind Swerve, I was behind Swerve, so it’s great to see Swerve get to 2-0. Swerve’s becoming my top choice for Gold League and maybe even the entire thing. Swerve having the ROH World, NJPW Strong Openweight and the AEW Continental Championships, he could really do a lot with traveling between the three brands. Mogul Embassy is already in ROH given they’re ROH World Six Man Champions, and the Gates are in NJPW right now for World Tag League, so Swerve joining them pretty much everywhere, all four of them having belts, that’s great stuff to me.

My Score: 9/10