The Absolute vows to avenge himself!

Unable to compete because of an ambush, Ricky Starks is back to have his AEW World Title Eliminator match! But can he survive the Murderhawk Monster, Lance Archer, just to run into The Machine, Brian Cage?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• AEW World Title Eliminator Tournament, Opening Round: Ricky Starks VS Lance Archer; Starks wins and advances to the semifinals.
• FTW Championship: Hook VS Lee Moriarty w/ Stokely Hathaway; Hook wins and retains the title.
• Athena VS Madison Rayne; Athena wins.
• Eddie Kingston & Ortiz VS Konosuke Takeshita & Jun Akiyama; Takeshita & Akiyama win.

PLAY BY PLAY

AEW World Title Eliminator Tournament, Opening Round: Ricky Starks VS Lance Archer!

The Absolute dared the Murderhawk Monster to fight him backstage for real, and they’re doing just that! Archer digs Starks into a garage door, just like last week! Archer then whips, but Starks reverses to send Archer into road cases! Starks shakes it off, brings Archer up and RAMS him into the garage door! Archer staggers, but he scoops Starks to LAWN DART him into the garage door! Starks flounders, the ref tells them to get this to the ring! Archer drags Starks up, TOSSES him onto a road case, then pushes him over. Archer says Starks wanted this, so this is what he gets! They end up by the backstage viewing area, and Archer TOSSES a production crew member at Starks!

Starks dodges, and the crew member goes bowling through the chairs! STRIKE! Archer stalks Starks, but Starks SMACKS him with a trash can! Starks CLUBS Archer out and CLUBS him again, they’re off to the side of the stage! Starks SMACKS Archer with another trash can! And then SLAMS the can on him! Fans fire up but Archer hits Starks back and DUMPS him into the front row! Archer drags Starks up and brings him to ringside. Archer ROCKS Starks with a haymaker! New Jersey boos Archer, but he drags Starks away to CLUB him down. Archer drags Starks up the bleachers and fans fire up as they go higher and higher!

Starks fires haymakers back, chases Archer back down, but Archer SWATS Starks with a right! Archer soaks up the heat, but Starks LEAPS and KNEES Archer down! Fans fire up with Starks as he beats his chest! Starks pushes Archer around to ROCK with haymakers! But Archer choke grips! Archer lifts but Starks slips free to ROCK Archer again! But Archer FLIES over the railing to take Starks down! Archer throws his shirt off and he drags Starks into the ring. The bell finally rings and this match finally happens! Archer stalks Starks but fans rally for “RICKY! RICKY!” Archer snarls and he stands Starks up to swing.

Starks dodges to CHOP! Starks fires off haymaker after haymaker, then he BOOTS and clotheslines Archer out! Starks goes to the apron, Archer avoids the kick, and he catches Starks! APRON CHOKE SLAM!! Starks flops down and Archer grins while AEW goes picture in picture!

Archer stalks Starks, rips up a fan’s sign, and then he drags Starks up to bring around to SMACK off the timekeeper’s table! Starks slumps over while Archer soaks up the heat. Archer stands Starks up but Starks throws haymakers! Archer ROCKS Starks right back! Archer pushes Starks into the ring and follows him in. Archer drags Starks up and slaps him around before giving him crossface forearms! Archer CLUBS Starks down, and Starks flounders to the corner. Starks kicks back but Archer ROCKS him with an uppercut! Archer smothers Starks while Rampage returns to single picture. The ref counts and Archer lets off at 4.

Archer stands Starks up to ROCK him again. Fans rally for Ricky but the ref counts. Archer throws forearms, then he sets Starks up top. Archer ROCKS Starks with a right, and Starks wobbles! Starks sits back up, Archer lifts him with the inverted crucifix! But Starks fights and CLUBS away on Archer! Fans fire up as Starks goes way past ten! Then he shoves Archer, leaps, and FLYING SHOULDER TACKLES! Archer staggers but stays up! Starks fires up again, he dodges Archer and elbows him! Starks runs to LARIAT! Fans fire up with Starks and he watches Archer rise. Starks spins Archer around, to TORNADO- NO, no DDT!

Starks keeps moving, Archer dodges then follows, and Archer LARIATS Starks down! Cover, TWO!!! Starks survives nearly being decapitated, and fans are dueling! Archer drags Starks up, CLUBS him, then ripcords, but Starks slips around to TORNADO DDT! Direct hit this time and Starks stacks Archer, TWO!! Starks is a bit surprised, but he hurries to bring Archer up. Starks keeps his promise to go after those braids as he winds them up and reels Archer in with them! But Archer back drops free! Starks sunset flips, but Archer stays up! Archer drags Starks up, but Starks breaks free! Starks bobs ‘n’ weaves and ROCKS Archer!

Starks ROCKS Archer again, kicks low and runs, into the DERAILER!! But Starks rolled through it! He ducks ‘n’ dodges to SPEAR!! Cover, Starks wins!!

Winner: Ricky Starks, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)

Talk about momentum! Starks hit Archer so hard, he rolled him up at the same time! And wouldn’t you know, Brian Cage makes his way out! The Machine and the Absolute will meet in Full Gear’s Zero Hour to finally find out who moves on to the tournament finals, which are now set for Dynamite this Thanksgiving Wednesday! But wait, Archer CLOBBERS Starks! Fans boo as the Murderhawk Monster is a sore loser! Archer sits the steel steps on its side, and he SMACKS Starks off it! Cage and Prince Nana are happy to see Archer choke grip Starks, for a CHOKE SLAM on the steps! Does Starks have any chance of winning against Cage now?

BIG news for next week’s Rampage!

Talk about a deal! Black Friday Rampage will be on at 4 PM Eastern, 1 PM Pacific! Make sure to write that down so you don’t forget!

AEW takes one last look at Moxley VS MJF.

The Maniac says, “Every time I go to the ring, I set the standard.” Excalibur says, “Jon Moxley really proved that he’s the best wrestler in the entire world.” But Maxwell Jacob Friedman says, “All the sh*t I’ve gone through, all the trauma, all the bullying, all the blood, the sweat, the tears, it would make it all worth it.” Jim Ross wants to know if MJF is truly physically tough enough. Moxley says he almost lost his family and almost lost his life over this. What can anyone do to him?

Backstage interview with Chris Jericho & Sammy Guevara.

Tony Schiavone is with Le Champion and The Spanish God as he brings up the ROH World Championship Fatal 4 Way. Jericho says that as he said a few weeks ago, he has no doubt in his mind that “sooner or later, Danielson and Claudio will be in the ring together and things are gonna break down and they’re gonna beat the hell out of each other. The egos are too big.” Sammy agrees by holding his hands out wide to denote the size of those egos. Jericho says that he is the greatest champion in ROH history, and he is telling us right now that this title stays within the Jericho Appreciation Society! Specifically with Jericho, #THEOCHO, because he and Sammy guarantee it!

Jericho heads out, and Sammy shakes his head with a chuckle and a grin. “We’ll see about that.” Is Sammy implying he will dethrone The Wizard to become an even greater ROH World Champion?

FTW Championship: Hook VS Lee Moriarty w/ Stokely Hathaway!

When you call out any and all champions on the AEW roster, you better be careful, because they just might #SendHook! Will the Cold-Hearted, Handsome Devil remain an undefeated FTW Champion? Or will #TAIGASTYLE be the first to bring The Firm some gold?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Moriarty ends up Mr. Sweet Sixteen!

The bell rings and Hook circles with Moriarty. The fans sing, “Hook is gonna kill~ you!” but Moriarty tunes it out. They tie up, go around, and Hook puts Moriarty in the corner. Moriarty turns it around, the ref counts, but Moriarty gets a cheap shot elbow in! But Hook TACKLES Moriarty! Hook gets Moriarty’s leg and wants a kneebar! Moriarty uses his free leg to hook Hook and bring him around, but Hook pops free of the headscissors! Fans cheer the exchange as Moriarty backs off. Stokely coaches Moriarty and he resets with Hook. Moriarty kicks but Hook dodges! Hook waistlocks, SLAMS Moriarty down, then facelocks!

Moriarty fights up, but Hook throws him down to then go for a wristlock! Moriarty clasps hands, rolls through, and he wrenches Hook to a wristlock. Hook wrenches through, reels Moriarty in, NORTHERN LIGHTS, and then a float! Hook hooks a leg and Moriarty’s head into a modified Bow ‘n’ Arrow! Moriarty throws elbows and he gets free. Hook hobbles up but into knees! Moriarty whips, Hook flips through the hip toss to shoot around, gut wrench, and SUPLEX! Fans fire up and Hook soaks it all up. Hook watches Moriarty get up, but Stokely swipes at him! The ref reprimands, but Moriarty BOOTS Hook down!

Hook bails out of the ring and Moriarty air guitars while Rampage goes picture in picture. The ref has Moriarty stay in the ring, Stokely talks trash on Hook, but Hook scares Stokely off. Hook slides in, but Moriarty stomps away on him! Moriarty has Hook in the corner, he throws body shots, and he ROCKS Hook with a forearm! Hook staggers away, Moriarty GRINDS his face into the ropes! The ref reprimands, Moriarty lets off, and then Moriarty cravats to throw big knees! Moriarty snapmares, then clamps onto Hook with a modified abdominal stretch. Moriarty has each arm, but Hook pushes through to get the waistlock.

Hook drags Moriarty up but Moriarty throws elbows! Moriarty traps Hook’s arm with his feet to TWEAK the arm! Hook hurries away to a corner, clutching the elbow. Moriarty storms up to dig his boot in! The ref counts, Moriarty lets off at 4, and Moriarty paces while Hook slowly stands. Moriarty CLUBS Hook down then eggs him on, so Hook throws body shots! Hook backs Moriarty down with those shots, puts Moriarty in a corner, but Moriarty bumps Hook off buckles! Moriarty pie faces Hook down, then storms up to bring Hook around. HALF HATCH BRIDGE! ONE!! Hook gets that shoulder up and Moriarty is furious!

Moriarty talks trash on the fans cheering Hook on, and he CLUBS Hook back down. Moriarty mockingly claps for Hook, then brings him up to wrench the arm. Hook endures and Rampage goes to break.

Rampage returns and Moriarty looms over Hook. He puts some stank on his crossface forearms as he goes side to side! But then Hook catches one! Moriarty CLUBS Hook on the back, runs, but into a LARIAT! Fans fire up while both men flounder on the mat. Stokely’s panicking while the standing count starts. Moriarty stands, he swings a haymaker, but Hook blocks to fire off body shots! Hook backs Moriarty down again, fires off on the ropes, but lets off as the ref counts. Hook cools off, brings Moriarty up again, and KNEES him low! Then SAYANAGIS him down! Stokely is frustrated as Hook clinches to STO!

Hook rolls Moriarty around, fisherman BUSTER! Fans fire up while both men are down again! Moriarty flounders to the corner, Hook storms over, but Moriarty kicks low! Moriarty clinches to BUCKLE SHOT! Moriarty pushes Hook away, goes up top fast, and then FLYING KNEE DROPS! Cover, TWO!! But into the KIMURA!! Moriarty has the double wristlock, Hook reaches out, his foot’s under the rope! ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Moriarty lets go and argues with the ref. The ropebreak was legit, the ref had to call it. Hook staggers over, Moriarty rolls Hook up, with tights! TWO!! But Moriarty holds in, BORDER CITY STRETCH!!!

Hook fights around as fans rally up! Hook slips free, and has the REDRUM!!! WITH BODY SCISSORS!! Moriarty is OUT, Hook wins!!

Winner: Hook, by submission (still FTW Champion)

And that’s 16-0 for the Cold-Hearted Handsome Devil! Hook heads out, ready to move on already. Who will be next to step to him for this title? And will Moriarty think twice before calling out champions?

Backstage interview with The Dark Order and La Faccion Ingobernable.

Tony Schiavone is with John Silver, Preston Vance, Rush and Jose. They’ve all agreed to no physicality, and Jose speaks first. He wants Vance to think about what he’s doing. John Silver cost Vance a world title match, remember? Uh, no, Silver didn’t cost Vance anything, but he did cost “Captain Rushbag” his shot. Silver got a good chuckle out of it, too! He giggled all night! That’s the problem with Silver! Everything’s funny to him! He’s the clown of the Dark Order, when we have someone serious about pro-wrestling in Vance! Silver is acting real tough, like he thinks he can take on Rush & Jose.

Uh, you mean taking on 1.5 men? Jose’s last name is literally “The Assistant.” So of course Silver & Vance will take them on! Vance asks Silver what he means the two of them? Wait, what does Vance man? Vance leaves, not letting Silver speak for him. And then Rush tells Silver, “I’m gonna wipe that stupid smile off your face. I beat you once, and I’m gonna beat you once again! But this time,” in Spanish, he’ll beat Silver down like the dog he is! See you next week. Will someone end up black ‘n’ blue on Black Friday Rampage?

Athena VS Madison Rayne!

The Fallen Goddess has been alone in the dark, or rather on Dark and Dark: Elevation, and she’s become rather accustomed to showing her dark side. Will that new attitude continue as Athena is on a Rampage? Or will the Coach put her on the sidelines?

The bell rings and Athena DROPKICKS Rayne right away! Athena CLUBS away then TOSSES Rayne aside. Athena grins while Rayne finally gets her jacket off. Rayne is in the corner, Athena runs in, but Rayne BOOTS back! Rayne schoolgirls Athena into buckles! And then SLIDING LARIATS! Athena flounders, Rayne goes up top, and Rayne FLYING SPEARS Athena down! Athena bails out of the ring and the ref wants her to get back in. Rayne goes out after Athena, she runs in and wheelbarrows, but Athena blocks to SWING Rayne into railing! Athena TOSSES Rayne again, then she puts Rayne in the ring.

Fans rally for Athena’s aggression and she aims at Rayne in the corner. Athena runs, handsprings, then CHOPS Rayne! Athena mocks the queenly wave, but Rayne trips Athena to a jackknife bridge! TWO, and Athena SUPERKICKS! Athena reels Rayne in, suplexes, and holds Rayne up , but Rayne CUTTERS out of the suplex!! Athena and Rayne slowly rise, Rayne runs in and she clotheslines Athena down! And again! Rayne whips, Athena reverses but Rayne ROCKS her! Rayne dragon sleepers, but Athena pulls hair! She hits the ROLLING CUTTER, and the SLIDING FOREARM!

Athena rains down forearms, then she hauls Rayne up. Athena reels Rayne in, gets her up, CLIFFHANGER GUT BUSTER! Cover, Athena wins!

Winner: Athena, by pinfall

The Fallen Goddess crushed the Queen Bee, but she’s not done! She KICKS Rayne in the back, slaps her around, and the ref tells her to stop. Athena DECKS Aubrey Edwards!! That’s a fine for sure! But Athena doesn’t care, she puts Rayne in a CROSSFACE!! But wait, MERCEDES MARTINEZ storms out to the ring! The ROH Women’s World Champion ain’t letting Athena just do what she wants. Athena bails out as fans chant, “YOU F’D UP!” Will Athena have the OG Badass on her ass?

Backstage interview with Best Friends and The Factory.

Renee Paquette is with Orange Cassidy, Trent Beretta, Chuck Taylor, as well as QT Marshall, Aaron Solo, Cole Karter, Lee Johnson and Nick Comoroto. Renee says understandably, Best Friends have something to get off their chest and wanted to tell The Factory face-to-face. What is it they want to say? “Um, two things, Renee. First thing, is that all of us wanna fight all of you, five on five, tomorrow.” QT says there’s only three Best Friends here. Trent says, “No there’s not.” Surprise! Rocky Romero is here! Where’d he come from!? Well, alright, but that’s only four.

Uh, Cassidy did say there were two things, so here’s the second. Chuck presents a VHS tape?! “Boom!” What’re we supposed to do with that? Trent says it’s fine, he emailed the raw. Just watch the spooky video on this screen here. Then see you tomorrow. Renee, you might wanna go, it’s really spooky. Renee leaves with Best Friends, and the video begins.

Someone is fiddling with a giant film reel, then brings out a GIANT NAIL! Danhausen is spinning the reel, and he presents his collection of human teeth! QT doesn’t get it. It’s just Danhausen. They can take him out again. Full Gear Zero Hour has a HUGE Ten Man Tag! Will the Very Nice, Very Evil Overlord be very evil in his return?

Another message from the House of Black.

“To see the world and its symptoms as nothing short of demonic possession, we must use our greatest tool, our greatest ally. To stop all the idleness and vanity humans have bestowed upon themselves, a world where complacency and subpar have become both standard and rewarded. So stand and hear us as we call upon you. Stand and feel the creed in body and bone.” New recruits to the House step forward! And they fight Julia Hart, Brody King, Buddy Matthews & Malakai Black!

“Recite with us… I stand here before you wanting to merge with The Grey. O Brothers of the House, hear me, as it is my decision to stay, grant me my place amongst you so that I may do my plight to hear the whispers of forbidden knowledge, hidden from even the Devil’s sight. Now, more than ever, members of the House of Black, please rise.” The House has been rebuilt, will it stay standing no matter what happens to it now?

Mark Henry interviews tonight’s main eventers!

The World’s Strongest Man says Eddie Kingston & Ortiz are facing the best of DDT Pro. And Eddie said that facing Jun Akiyama is a dream match. Does he still feel the same tonight? Ortiz says he’ll take this. Eddie is definitely ready for tonight, and he has been for 18 years. Ortiz has been ready for 12 years, they train every day for opportunities like tonight. And you best believe, Team DDT, Eddie & Ortiz aren’t wrestling dumb! “They’re fighting us! They’re gonna have to prove that they’re better than us, because we’re the BEST! We’re the BEST! We’re The BEST!”

Konosuke tells Eddie, “I know you respect Akiyama. This is a dream match for you. But… This is gonna be a nightmare. You’re gonna have to fight for your life!” Well, looks like there’s been enough talk. It’s time for the main event! Will the Mad King & “Monkey” be ready for the Future and the Sternness?

Eddie Kingston & Ortiz VS Konosuke Takeshita & Jun Akiyama!

The teams sort out, and it’s clear Eddie wants to start against Akiyama, but Konosuke insists he start. Akiyama accepts, and the bell rings. Fans rally up for “Eddie! Eddie!” as he tells Konosuke to step aside and let THE Jun Akiyama fight. Konosuke still insists he start, so Eddie circles with him. They tie up, are in a deadlock, and Eddie pushes Konosuke back. They reset as fans rally for Eddie, and Eddie calls for a test of strength. Konosuke accepts and they knuckle lock. They go shoulder to shoulder and are still in a deadlock. Konosuke gets around to waistlock but Eddie wrenches the arm to a wristlock.

Eddie headlocks now, but Konosuke brings Eddie to the mat. Konosuke headlocks now, but Eddie powers out. They RAM shoulders, and Eddie dares Konosuke to run the ropes. Konosuke runs, but into a CHOP! Konosuke powers through it, but then runs into a BELLY2BELLY! Eddie brings Konosuke up and wrenches the arm to then tag in Ortiz. They hand off the wrench, and Eddie runs to DECK Akiyama! The ref reprimands but Ortiz wrenches Konosuke. Konosuke breaks free to ROCK Ortiz! Konosuke snapmares Ortiz, tags in Akiyama, and Akiyama storms up to Ortiz. Akiyama whips to ELBOW Ortiz, then he ROCKS Eddie in return!

Eddie gets in but Akiyama BOOTS him back out! Fans rally for Akiyama while Eddie shakes out his arm. Ortiz sits up and sputters, Akiyama CLUBS him down, but Ortiz throws body shots. Akiyama CLUBS Ortiz with elbows again, then he hauls Ortiz up for a PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO as Eddie storms up. Akiyama won’t let Eddie get his shot in, and he tags Konosuke. The ref checks Ortiz but he’s okay to continue, so Team DDT drags him up to double whip, Konosuke then whips Akiyama in for an elbow! Konosuke runs in to forearm smash! Konosuke feeds Ortiz to Akiyama for a BOOT! Akiyama then picks Ortiz up and Konosuke adds on, BULLDOG BACK SUPLEX!

Konosuke drags Ortiz to a cover, ONE!! Ortiz checks his teeth, and he fires forearms and CHOPS on Konosuke! Konosuke just takes it all, and he DECKS Ortiz with a right! Konosuke tags Akiyama back in, Akiyama looms over Ortiz but he stares Eddie down. Ortiz throws body shots and forearms, then a CHOP! Akiyama HEADBUTTS Ortiz and Rampage goes picture in picture.

Ortiz wobbles and drops to his knees. Akiyama hauls Ortiz up for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Ortiz is toughing it out but Akiyama pushes him down in the corner. Akiyama runs in to KNEE Ortiz in the face! Tag to Konosuke and Team DDT double whip to double shoulder tackle! And then, DOUBLE RUNNING KNEE! Akiyama stares Eddie down before exiting the ring. Konosuke drags Ortiz up, whips him to a corner, and he runs in to BOOT Ortiz down! Konosuke drags Ortiz up, whips him corner to corner, and then runs in, but Ortiz puts Konosuke on the apron. Konosuke ROCKS Ortiz, goes up, but Ortiz ROCKS him back! And then SUPER CUTTERS!!

Fans fire up while both men are down! Ortiz and Konosuke sit up, Ortiz drags Konosuke over, and Eddie tags in. They mug Konosuke, Eddie CHOPS, then he turns Konosuke for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Eddie stares Akiyama down as he sits Konosuke up for a chinlock. Konosuke endures as Eddie really cranks the hold. Konosuke fights up, Eddie headlocks and puts him in a corner. The ref counts, Eddie lets off, and then Eddie CHOPS! And CHOPS! And he taunts Akiyama before he fires off the MACHINE GUN CHOPS! Eddie gets all the way to nine, but Konosuke stops him and ROCKS him in return!

Konosuke backs Eddie down with boxing elbows, but Eddie pokes him in the eyes! The ref reprimands but fans cheer as Eddie BUTTERFLY SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO as Akiyama storms in! Eddie returns the favor, not letting Akiyama get a shot in. They stare down and fans fire up. Akiyama stands down, Eddie drags Konosuke up, and Eddie suplexes again! Tag to Ortiz, he brings Konosuke around to snap suplex! Tag back to Eddie, the two of them DOUBLE SUPLEX Konosuke! Cover, TWO! Konosuke hangs tough as Rampage returns to single picture. Eddie drags Konosuke up to facelock and he tags Ortiz in.

Ortiz takes the handoff then NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Ortiz stays between Konosuke and Akiyama, to then CLUB Konosuke down! Ortiz brings Konosuke up, tags Eddie back in, but Konosuke fights back with big forearms! But Ortiz rocks Konosuke with that body shot! Ortiz and Eddie mug Konosuke in a corner, then whip him corner to corner, only for Konosuke to reverse it! Ortiz ends up in the corner, Konosuke ELBOWS Eddie, then Konosuke runs at Ortiz. Ortiz catches Konosuke for a BACKBREAKER! Ortiz then feeds Konosuke to Eddie for a DDT! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives being spiked, but Eddie keeps staring Akiyama down.

Eddie dares Konosuke to get up, and the straps come down! Fans fire up, Konosuke stands up, and Konosuke CHOPS Eddie! Eddie grits his teeth, and he CHOPS back! Konosuke crouches but comes back, to CHOP Eddie! Eddie sputters and coughs, but he CHOPS back! Konosuke forearms, Eddie CHOPS, repeat! Konosuke gets the edge, whips, but Eddie reverses. Konosuke ducks ‘n’ dodges and LEAPING LARIATS! Fans fire up and Konosuke crawls to his corner, as does Eddie. Hot tags to Ortiz and Akiyama! Ortiz dodges and CHOPS, forearms, runs, but into a BOOT! Ortiz gets up in a huff, he forearms, CHOPS, runs, but into another BOOT!

Akiyama drags Ortiz up, whips him to a corner, but Ortiz goes up and over, only for the JUMP KNEE to hit! Akiyama tells Eddie to watch this, and he hauls Ortiz up! Ortiz fights the clinch, Eddie storms in, and Eddie CHOPS Akiyama! Akiyama forearms! Eddie CHOPS! They go back and forth, and then Akiyama ROCKS Eddie! And again! But Eddie CHOPS, CHOPS and CHOPS! Akiyama LARIATS Eddie down! Ortiz DROPKICKS Akiyama down! Ortiz dodges Konosuke and hits a POWERSLAM! Ortiz rolls, but Konosuke’s right up! BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Eddie runs at Konosuke, but Konosuke ROCKS him with a forearm!

Konosuke spins, but into Eddie’s SAIDO! Konosuke staggers up but flops back down, and fans fire up as all four men are down! A standing count starts, fans cheer on “ALL THESE GUYS! ALL THESE GUYS!” Eddie and Akiyama find each other and they throw forearms and CHOPS again! Akiyama HEADBUTTS, runs, but into a knee! And then an EXPLODER!! But Akiyama gets up, to give Eddie an EXPLODER!! Eddie gets back up, to ENZIGURI! Akiyama SHINING WIZARDS Eddie down!! Eddie flops out of the ring, and Akiyama runs at Ortiz in a corner! BLINDSIDE KNEE!! And then the EXPLODER!!! Cover, Team DDT wins!

Winners: Konosuke Takeshita & Jun Akiyama, by pinfall

The legend of Japanese wrestling still has it! He takes the win for DDT Pro, but will Akiyama and Eddie have THE dream match 1v1 in the near future?

My Thoughts:

A great episode for Rampage and a great go-home for Full Gear. Of course, all the hype videos are part of the AEW Countdown special, but we got a nice bit for Moxley and MJF that added to last night’s video. Great World Title Eliminator Tournament match for Starks and Archer, especially with them brawling backstage just as Starks said they’d do on Dynamite. But of course, cards subject to change, the tradition of this tournament ending at Full Gear must be broken. It’d be too much for Starks to do double duty on an already fat match card, so Starks VS Cage is part of the Zero Hour, and then I would think we get Starks VS Ethan Page on Dynamite, winner going on to Winter is Coming.

And I like that we’re getting a big 10 Man Tag for the Zero Hour with Best Friends VS The Factory. That was some great “stage magic” having Rocky just appear as if from nowhere because he’s shorter than Trent. And I like that QT didn’t make that big a deal of Danhausen’s video. It wasn’t really that creepy, but I do like that it had the teeth and the big iron nail. I’ve seen clips of Danhausen’s darker side, so I’m glad we’re going to get to see that in AEW. I bet he’s going to have much scarier face paint to really change the mood and scare The Factory. And either way, Best Friends are definitely winning.

Good stuff from Hook VS Moriarty, that is exactly what that match needed to be. Hook was finally tested, and he still came out on top. Hook isn’t at a Jade Cargill level winning streak, but there will come a point where he’ll need to face tougher competition. Athena VS Rayne was good, but again, I just don’t see what makes Rayne so great. Could that jackknife bridge have been any slower? But the main thing is, Athena wins but is becoming more and more vicious. Mercedes showing up was a great surprise, maybe we get OG Badass VS Fallen Goddess for the women’s title at ROH Final Battle. That’d be pretty big for Athena to be the first woman to have held the NXT Women’s and Women’s Tag titles, and then get the ROH Women’s World Championship.

Another great vignette from The House of Black, though I was kinda hoping seeing those new faces meant the House was expanding and getting at least one more member since AEW has so many more belts now. But for now, the House is getting stronger, and their video packages make me think they are going to attack Darby and Sting at Full Gear as part of revenge for All Out. Then the faction can start worrying about belts on the way to Revolution. And we got a good interaction from Silver, Vance, Rush and Jose. It is planting the seed that Vance will leave the Dark Order of his own free will, not because Rush won some match.

And speaking of such seeds, nice promo from Jericho and Sammy. Jericho is getting a big cocky thinking he can just keep his original protégé under his thumb forever. And while the Blackpool Combat Club does feel a moment away from collapsing, we could see Sammy be the one to break away from the Jericho Appreciation Society to strike out on his own. Now, I still don’t think it’ll cost Jericho the ROH title, but we could see an interesting twist in the story going towards Revolution. And then we got a great main event, but it was clear they were keeping Eddie and Akiyama at limited interaction to give us a 1v1 match down the line. That’s great for Eddie, because you know living the dream is legit for Eddie here, he really does want to go against the legend.

My Score: 8.7/10