Ricky Starks takes on Jake Hager and his stupid hat!

Ricky Starks looks to tear down the Jericho Appreciation Society piece by piece, and he’s starting with bucket hat wearing Rock Hard Jake Hager!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• AEW All-Atlantic Championship: Orange Cassidy VS Jay Lethal; Cassidy wins and retains the title.
• The Young Bucks VS Top Flight; Top Flight wins.
• Ricky Starks VS Jake Hager w/ The Jericho Appreciation Society; Starks wins.
• Bryan Danielson VS Bandido; Bryan wins.
• Willow Nightingale VS Toni Storm w/ Saraya; Storm wins.
• AEW TNT Championship: Darby Allin w/ Sting VS KUSHIDA w/ Kevin Knight & The DKC; Darby wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

AEW mourns the loss of Jay Briscoe.

AEW All-Atlantic Championship: Orange Cassidy VS Jay Lethal!

This episode of Dynamite is certified Freshly Squeezed! But with neither Best Friends or Lethal’s alliance allowed ringside, this will truly be 1v1! Will Lethal be able to beat Cassidy again like he did back in August? Or will Cassidy get serious here in Fresno?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who gets it done all on their own!

The bell rings and fans rally for Cassidy but Lethal wants a timeout. Fans boo but then Lethal looks up to the bleachers. Wait, Jeff Jarrett, Sonjay Dutt and Satnam Singh are walking down the steps! Fans boo more, but there’s nothing anyone can do because they’re here as members of the audience! Guess that’s their loophole around Tony Khan’s ringside ban. Cassidy puts his hands up, but Lethal rushes in! Cassidy dodges Lethal, comes back, but Lethal ducks the Orange Punch! Lethal trips Cassidy, “WOO~!” but Cassidy turns Figure Four into a cradle! TWO, and Lethal rushes in. Cassidy drops, hurdles, but Lethal blocks the hip toss!

Lethal tries to hip toss but Cassidy blocks it! Cassidy slips around to hook the arms! Backslide, TWO! Cassidy has the wrist but Lethal whips Cassidy to a corner. Cassidy goes up and out, but Lethal DECKS him! Fans boo but Sonjay, Satnam & Jarrett cheer. Jarrett wants to hop the railing but Sonjay tells him no, they have to stay part of the crowd. Tony Khan said Sonjay would be fired if they violate the ban. Lethal goes out to fetch Cassidy, but DANHAUSEN appears! Danhausen is checking for tickets. Sonjay produces them, and Danhausen checks them. Seems they’re okay, and then he waves someone over? It’s Trent & Chuck! And they have popcorn!

Cassidy gets in the ring, builds speed, and he DIVES! Lethal hits railing! Cassidy puts Lethal in the ring as Chuck & Trent make their way to the same area Jarrett and the others are seated. Cassidy keeps things moving, he tilt-o-whirls, but Lethal HOTSHOTS him! Lethal rains down fists on Cassidy then stomps away. Lethal drags Cassidy up, bumps him off buckles, then digs his boots in. The ref counts, Lethal lets off at 4, and fans cheer as Danhausen changes from being an usher to being in Cassidy’s corner! Lethal tosses Cassidy out while Jarrett and the boys cheer him on. Cassidy crawls around the way and Lethal goes out to the apron.

Lethal walks down the steps, he brings Cassidy around, and he RAMS Cassidy into the apron! Cassidy grits his teeth, the ring count climbs, but Lethal whips Cassidy into the POST! Cassidy goes flying and fans boo while Lethal’s friends cheer him on. Lethal goes into the ring to give us a strut. Danhausen boos and the fans give thumbs down. Cassidy gets in the ring, but Lethal drags him up to snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Lethal clamps on for a chinlock. Cassidy endures as Lethal leans on him. Fans rally for Cassidy, Trent and Chuck munch popcorn, and Cassidy fights up. Lethal knees low, then scoops and SLAMS!

Fans boo as Lethal swaggers around. Lethal goes to a corner and climbs up, but Cassidy crawls away. Lethal hops down, he goes to the next corner, but then Cassidy crawls away from that one. Lethal is annoyed but he goes to the third corner, only for Cassidy to crawl to the fourth! Fans fire up but Lethal hops down, and bypasses the fourth to the first! HAIL- NO, Cassidy gets his boot up, only for Lethal to block it! Lethal steps through, but Cassidy kicks him away and into buckles! Cassidy gets up, runs in, but is put back on the apron. Cassidy bumps Lethal off the buckles again and again, all the way to “OCHO!” and then TEN!

Fans fire up as Lethal staggers. Cassidy climbs, leaps, CROSSBODY! Cassidy keeps moving, but Lethal follows! Lethal fakes Cassidy out and suplexes! But into STUN-DOG MILLIONAIRE! Lethal wobbles, Cassidy runs to tilt-o-whirl DDT! Cover, TWO! Lethal and Cassidy are both down, Sonjay argues with Jarrett to stay put, and fans rally up. Cassidy crawls to the apron, then stands up. Cassidy goes up the corner and fans fire up! Lethal stands, for DEEP- NO, he catches Cassidy to the LETHAL COMBINATION! Then the handspring, LETHAL- NO, Cassidy just moves out of the way! Lethal crashes down, and off comes the elbow pad!

Fans fire up as Cassidy takes aim. ORANGE- NO, fireman’s carry! A TOSS, and the LETHAL INJECTION!! But Cassidy flounders right out of the ring! Lethal is furious, Sonjay again keeps Jarrett back, but then Chuck dumps his popcorn on Sonjay’s head! Jarrett wants to fight back but Sonjay says no, that could still cost him! Lethal drags Cassidy back into the ring but the ref hurries over to settle everyone down. Wait, Jarrett sneaks his guitar to Lethal! Only for Danhausen to snatch it away! Payback for them stealing Paul Walter Hauser’s Golden Globehausen! And then Danhausen CURSES Lethal! And plays the guitar.

Danhausen runs as Lethal chases him, and they get in the ring, Cassidy wheelbarrows Lethal to a VICTORY ROLL! TWO!!! ORANGE PUNCH!!! Cover, Cassidy wins!

Winner: Orange Cassidy, by pinfall (still AEW All-Atlantic Champion)

Best Friends helped out, and now they join Cassidy in celebrating! Double J is furious, but Sonjay keeps him back. Satnam rushes into the ring and he grabs Best Friends! Sonjay hurries in to calm the giant down! This will get Sonjay fired! Satnam shoves them down, and Trent asks what his problem is! But then Jarrett gets his guitar back and aims for Cassidy! But Sonjay stops him, too! They argue, and the ref dares someone to do something! Cassidy puts his hands in his pockets! And he fires off the “devastating” shin kicks on Sonjay! Sonjay throws off his jacket, but now Lethal and Jarrett hold him back! Lethal says up yours, and Team Triple Jay leaves.

Fans boo, but Best Friends go back to celebrating. They give Cassidy the popcorn, and they GROUP HUG! You GOT to give the people what they want! But will Best Friends give Triple Jay what they deserve soon enough?

The Young Bucks w/ Brandon Cutler VS Top Flight!

Matt & Nick Jackson are fresh off their AEW World Trios Championship win in that Best of 7 Series that went all the way to match seven and Escalara de la Muerte! But now, they face off against the Coldest Tag Team in the Game, Dante & Darius Martin, who won big in that Three Kings Christmas Battle Royal. Will Top Flight earn themselves and AR Fox some golden tickets to the trios titles? Or will it be a Superkick Party in Fresno?

The teams sort out and Dante starts against Nick in a showdown of younger brothers. They circle, tie up, Nick wrenches and wristlocks but Dante handsprings and wrenches back. Nick uses the ropes to flip through, then he wrenches back. Nick wrenches Dante again, but Dante just flips through to WRING out Nick! Fans fire up, but Nick kicks low to headlock. Dante powers out, Nick runs him over, but things keep moving. Dante hurdles, rolls and headscissors, but Nick handsprings, dropkicks cancel out! They both kip up and Dante says he did his faster. Fans fire up but Nick pie faces Dante. So Dante ROUNDHOUSES Nick!

Nick staggers, Matt tags in, and Matt has Dante cool off. Then he throat chops him! Matt mocks Dante checking the time, but Darius tags in. Matt whips Dante but Darius slips in, and as Dante returns, LEG SWEEP BULLDOG COMBO! Fans fire up as Darius fires off on Matt. Darius runs in, Matt puts him on the apron but Dante tags in. Darius CHOPS Matt, Dante runs in and A-LIST LARIATS! Darius tags back in, snap suplexes Matt down, and Dante slingshot sentons! Nick runs in, into DOUBLE DROPKICKS! Top Flight double suplex Matt but Nick makes the save! Darius runs in, but into double dropkicks to the legs! Darius flies face first into buckles!

The Bucks aim at Dante, Dante elbows Nick away, then he elbows Matt away. Dante goes up, but the Bucks mule kick his legs out! Dante gets stuck in the ropes, Darius is in the other corner. Nick runs in but Darius puts him on the apron. Matt runs in but Darius ducks, only for Matt to catch his dropkick! Matt CATAPULTS Darius into a GAMANGIRI! Darius ends up on Matt’s knees, Nick springboards to DOUBLE STOMP Darius, then rolls to DRAPING BACKSTABBER Dante! Fresno fires up for the Bucks and they regroup in their corner. Nick tags back in as Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Nick brings Dante up to rain down fists! Nick goes all the way to “OCHO!” and then TEN! Nick swaggers a la Savage, then he sucker punches Darius. Nick drags Dante up but Dante fires a forearm! And another! Nick swings but misses, Dante mule kicks and whips. Nick tumbles up and out to PENALTY KICK Darius! But Dante BLASTS Nick off the apron! Dante then builds speed, only for Matt to CLOBBER him! Matt swaggers about, then drops a fist. And then another! And then has a cocky cover, TWO! Matt is annoyed but he drags Dante up to ROCK him with a right hand. And then another! Matt bumps Dante off buckles, fires off hands, then stomps a mudhole in!

Matt lets off as the ref counts and he soaks up the cheers and jeers. Matt tags Nick, Nick drags Dante up and brings him around to scoop. Nick carries Dante around, then SLAMS him with some stank! Nick drops a leg, brother, then another! And then another! Nick taunts Dante to reach out to Darius, then he SPITS at Darius! Darius spits back! Nick takes that wad of gum, and puts it in his own mouth! Darius doesn’t even know what to make of that. Nick drags Dante up, tags Matt, and the Bucks mug Dante. They double whip Dante to ropes, but Dante holds ropes to avoid the Superkicks!

Dynamite returns to single picture as Nick runs in, but Dante jumps up and over! Nick tumbles out, Matt runs in, whips Dante to the corner, and Matt blows a kiss to Darius. Matt runs in, into a BOOT from Dante! Dante then front flips over Matt, only for Nick to trip Darius! Fans are torn as the Bucks deny the tag! Matt stomps Dante, drags him up, and whips him corner to corner. Dante reverses, Matt goes up and over, and Nick runs in to SHINING WIZARD! And GAMANGIRI! And elbow smash! Then BULLDOG DROPKICK COMBO! Matt tags Nick back in, then he drags Dante into the drop zone. They coordinate, RISKY BUSINESS! Cover, TWO!

Dante crawls but Nick drags him from Darius. Tag to Matt, the Bucks drag Dante up and double whip to ropes. Dante handsprings out of the double hip toss to double arm-drag! Dante keeps moving, ducks ‘n dodges to RANA Matt away! Fans fire up as Matt flounders! Dante crawls, hot tag to Darius! Atomic drop, and haymaker after haymaker to Matt! Matt tries to hit back, but Darius just blocks to ROCK Matt, and then LARIAT! Darius BLASTS Nick for good measure! Darius BOOTS Matt away, goes up and over and redirects Matt into a SPANISH FLY! And then a DIVE for Nick! Fans are thunderous as Darius goes up top!

Darius leaps, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Matt survives but Darius fires up. Darius stands Matt to fire forearm after forearm after forearm! Matt shoves Darius away, but swings into a back suplex! Matt lands on his feet, Nick sneaks a tag, Darius DECKS Matt! Nick springboards, Darius dodges, ducks ‘n’ comes back, into a SUPERKICK! Dante tags in and springboards, but Nick gets under! Nick runs, hurdles, Matt tags and Nick sunset flips! Dante rolls through to jackknife, but Nick bridges up and brings Dante around! Backslide feed to the gut wrench! Nick hurries to the apron, but Darius trips him up! Dante escapes the piledriver to shove Matt!

Darius GAMANGIRIS! Dante SUPERKICKS! Darius steps in to COMPLETE SHOT! Matt is down, fans are thunderous, and Dante goes up! Darius tags before the ASAI MOONSAULT onto Nick! Darius drags Matt up, reels him in, “This is Awesome!” as Dante returns! NOSEDIVE BOMB!!! Cover, NICK BREAKS IT!! The Bucks survive by nanoseconds! All four men are down and Fresno is thunderous for “A E DUB!” as a standing count starts. Nick drags Matt to their corner, then he tags in. Dante runs in but Nick dumps him out! Darius runs in but Nick shoulders into him! “Hey, Darius! SUCK IT!” FACEBUSTER for Darius, cartwheel MOONSAULT for Dante!

Nick returns to slingshot and DESTROYER on Darius! Cover, TWO!?! Darius survives and Nick is stunned! Fans are thunderous again while Nick stands back up. Tag to Matt, the Bucks bring Darius up and bump him off buckles. Matt gives a shoutout to Jay Briscoe with a kiss to the armband. Matt Electric Chair Lifts Darius, Nick goes up top, DOOMSDAY DEVICE!! Cover, Dante breaks it!! Dante brings Matt up, throw shim out, but Nick runs in! Dante dumps Nick out onto Matt! Dante builds speed and he springboards, into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS!! The Bucks hurry back into the ring, they have Darius by the arms!

The Bucks sit Darius up, B T E TRIGGER but Darius ducks! Knees collide, Darius kicks Nick away and rolls Matt up, TOP FLIGHT WINS!!!

Winners: Top Flight, by pinfall

As great as the Bucks felt coming out of the Best of 7, they slept on Darius & Dante just a bit here! Matt takes onus for the lost, but will he, Nick and Kenny Omega need to be razor sharp if they want to hold onto their AEW World Trios Championships?

The Gunns are here!

Though, everyone was expecting The Acclaimed next… Austin & Colten storm down to the ring while fans boo, but the Gunns grab mics. Fresno taunt the “ASS~ BOYS!” but Colten wants them to show respect to the best tag team in the world! Austin waits but fans keep chanting “ASS~ BOYS!” Austin says, “Last week, The Acclaimed embarrassed us on national TV!” Fans cheer that! Austin says what fans keep forgetting is that the Gunns made The Acclaimed popular! The Gunns MADE the Acclaimed champions! They even gave them their own dad! But the Gunns promise that that is the last time The Acclaimed embarrass them!

But wait! Here comes the Acclaimed now! Austin says NO NO NO! CUT THE MUSIC! And sadly, the music is cut. Austin won’t let us hear rhymes, this isn’t about Fresno! Bowens says maybe they shouldn’t then. Caster asks Fresno, “Did y’all come to hear the Ass Boys talk? Or do y’all wanna hear me freestyle?” Fans cheer for the rap! Caster says to shut off Austin’s mic and play the music. And so that happens! “Acclaimed on the mic, got the atmosphere. Y’all only got a job cuz your dad works here! Your last name got class, boys. Billy Gunns’ sons, better known as the Ass Boys! And now I’m done with the lyin’. Y’all the worst kids since Hunter Biden!

“Up in Fresno State, y’all’re so bitter. You’re not the bullsh*t, you’re the sh*tters!” Bowens then says, “FRRRESNOOOO~! The Acclaimed! Have arrived!” But no time for scissor fingers, The Acclaimed get right in the faces of Austin & Colten! The shoving starts, then the brawling starts! But Daddy Ass hurries in to get his boys off his sons?! Billy and Austin shout at each other, Austin storms off and Colten joins him. The Ass Boys are done with this, but Billy gets a mic. “Well, I’m sick and tired of this, and I’m tired of you whining, the self-privileged two that you think that you are. And you two are tag champs, let’s start acting like it.”

Fans are surprised Daddy Ass is laying down the law. But Billy says that if his sons have some kind of issue, then tell ya what, next week, they’re all going to sit down and hash this out. So now all he has two words for ya. Fans say “SUCK IT!” but Billy says, “FAMILY THERAPY!” Billy leaves on his own, is he hoping to get the super group back together?

Backstage interview with Hangman Page.

Renee Paquette is with The Cowboy, and she has of course spent time with Jon Moxley since his match with Hangman just last week. How is Hangman feeling? Physically fine, but as Hangman said before, after that first match, Moxley took something from Hangman. Hangman told Moxley to his face that he’d beat Moxley for the world title, and that didn’t happen, so Moxley took Hangman’s word from him. Hangman feels like with this win in the rematch, he at least has his word back.

Renee says Moxley said something rather interesting to her this past week. She understands that Hangman and Moxley are elite level performers and athletes, but Moxley said that Hangman really pushes him to be a better version of himself. That he both “despises and cherishes” Hangman. What is Hangman’s response to that? Is that really what he said? Yes it is. Well, Hangman understands the nature of pro-wrestling. Their first match, Moxley put Hangman to sleep. But then Moxley made jokes about it. So Hangman told Moxley to his face that he’d knock Moxley out cold if he had to in order to win, and he did that.

If Moxley has something to say about that, then he can say so to Hangman’s face, and Hangman will gladly go again. That’s how Hangman feels about that. Renee then asks where Hangman goes from here. Well, Renee did say something earlier that reminded him of where he’d like to go, and the tough conversations Hangman would like to have. And to mend some fences that have been needing mending for a long time. But Hangman won’t get too specific, he’ll just leave it at that. Renee thanks him for his time, and Hangman does ask how Moxley’s doing.

Honestly, he’s been hurt one way or another for the ten years Renee’s known him, but Moxley always dusts himself off. That’s good. If she gets the chance, can she tell Moxley that… Nevermind, it’s dumb. Hangman thanks her and heads out. Just what was it that Hangman wanted to say to Moxley? And when and where will The Maniac return to action?

Ricky Starks VS Jake Hager w/ The Jericho Appreciation Society!

There’s already been a lot of back and forth between the Absolute and the “JAS Holes,” with Starks already owning a win over Chris Jericho. But the JAS isn’t done with Starks, so will Rock Hard Hager be the one to finish it? Or will Starks put the hurt on Big Hurt and that purple bucket hat of his?

Fans sing Judas as Jericho joins commentary. Starks then makes his entrance and Jericho says we are going to watch the demise of Ricky Starks. Jericho doesn’t wanna just see it, he wants to feel it and to smell it! The bell rings and Hager ties right up with Starks. Hager powers Starks to a corner, Starks pushes back, and they go along the ropes and into another corner. Hager fires off body shots, the fans rally for Starks, and the ref counts. Hager lets off at 4 and Angelo Parker hands him the bucket hat. Hager puts it on and shouts, “I like this hate!” Hager mocks the Starks pose, then he whips Starks to ropes, to then run him over!

Starks flounders, Daddy Magic mocks Starks, then Hager whips Starks to a corner. Hager runs in, but into a BOOT! Starks CHOPS, bumps Hager off buckles, and he snatches the hat! Starks puts the hat on, kicks Hager’s legs out, then brings Hager up with a knuckle lock. Starks goes up and up, and goes Old School, only for Hager to yank him down! Hager scoops, Starks slips out and shoves Hager out! Starks runs, slides, but Hager catches him for knees! Hager whips Starks at a corner, but Starks manages to slip between the ropes! Starks comes back around, into a BOOT! Hager roars as he has his hat back! “Don’t touch my hat!”

Parker kicks dust at Starks and Hager drags Starks up. Hager RAMS Starks into railing, refreshes the count, and AEW goes picture in picture.

Hager distracts the ref, allowing Parker & Menard to mug Starks! They get away with that, and then Hager fetches Starks. Hager puts Starks in, Starks goes to a corner, and Hager storms over. Hager throws body shots, Starks falls to his knees, and Hager flexes. Hager puts his hat aside and stalks Starks to a corner. Starks CHOPS Hager, so Hager CHOPS back! Hager stands on Starks at the ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Hager lets off, but then Hager hauls Starks up for a BELLY2BELLY SLAM! Hager gets Parker to go look under the ring. Parker & Menard bring out a TABLE! The ref reprimands but they still set the table up.

Hager CLUBS Starks in the corner, CLUBS him more, and then digs his knee in. The ref counts, Hager lets off and he sees the table is ready. Hager goes to Starks but Starks kicks low! Hager powers Starks to a corner and throws another body shot! Starks falls over, and he clamps onto Hager’s legs. Hager sighs, stomps Starks, and then hauls him up. Hager throws a hand but Starks slips around it! Starks fires off in return! The fans fire up, the ref counts, Starks DOUBLE HAMMERS as Dynamite returns to single picture! Starks fires off as he climbs, but Hager brings him out! Hager heads for where the table is, but Starks slips free!

Starks dropkicks Hager to the apron! Parker & Menard move the table aside as Hager tumbles to the floor. Starks runs and WRECKS Hager with a dropkick! Parker rushes in but Starks slides him along the table! Menard rushes in but Starks CLOBBERS him! Starks gets in the ring, Hager rushes at him! Starks sidesteps the shoulder to KICK Hager back! Starks goes up to springboard, FLYING CROSSBODY! Fans fire up, Starks keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges to LARIAT! Fans fire up with Starks as he goes back for more, but Hager throws him away! Hager BOOTS Starks down, then goes up, HAGER BOMB into boots!

Hager staggers and Starks runs in to spin him around! TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Hager survives but Jericho is upset on commentary. Starks beats his chest as Fresno fires up again! Starks strikes his pose, but Menard is on the apron! Starks DECKS Menard! Starks sees Parker and swings on him, but Parker catches him! Hager rushes in, Starks sends him into Parker! Parker goes down, Hager staggers around, into Starks’ SPEAR!! Cover, Starks wins!

Winner: Ricky Starks, by pinfall

Jericho is furious! Menard and Parker regroup, but here come Sammy Guevara & Daniel Garcia! Starks gets outta there before the numbers game gets him again! The Absolute has two big wins over the JAS, will he get the rest of them soon enough?

Adam Cole speaks.

“I’ve been looking forward to a day like today since I got injured six months ago. I’d been imagining and fantasizing what it would be like to get back in front of the AEW fans, what it would be like to feel that rush again. And my God, Los Angeles did not disappoint one bit.” Cole vows that he will run AEW, and that he will run over anyone who stands in his way. It’s a new Adam Cole, but will he still be the same undisputed talent he always has been?

Backstage interview with the Jericho Appreciation Society.

Tony Schiavone is with Garcia, Guevara and Jericho himself, and Jericho is furious. Jericho says, “Ricky Starks has been insulting us, he’s been mocking us, he’s been evading us, and worst of all, he’s been beating us! But next week, it’s all gonna end, because I’ve requested a tag team match with Ricky Starks and his little buddy, Action Andretti, that orphan! Against Sammy Guevara & Chris Jericho, Le Sex Gods!” Daniel Garcia says that he’ll get his hands on Action this Friday Night Rampage, he wants to get after Starks, too. He wants to be Jericho’s partner over Guevara.

Sammy says, “Wow! This is exactly what we’ve talked about! I’ve trained you for this! I’m so proud of you.” And then Sammy hugs Danny. When Garcia beats Action on Friday, if he beats him, he CAN have Guevara’s spot on Dynamite. And y’know what? Sammy believes in Danny so much, he got Garcia new ring gear! Leather pants? Well, whether we get #LeSexGods or #Garciacho, next week is when Starks’ lucky streak ends for good! The JAS is all on the same page, but will they all end up taking another upset loss to Starks & Andretti?

Bryan Danielson VS Bandido!

The American Dragon needs to stay undefeated in singles competition until February 8th, and so far, he’s 2-0! But where The Future failed, will the Most Wanted succeed? Or will Bryan keep the streak alive?

The bell rings and Fresno fires up as the two stare down. Bandido has a huge fanbase here, they’re red hot for him! Bryan and Bandido shake hands to show respect, and they circle. They tie up, Bryan wrenches and wristlocks but Bandido rolls, handsprings and breaks free to show finger guns. Bryan kicks the “gun” away and the two circle again. Fans rally for Bandido even harder, and Bandido fires up from that! He and Bryan tie up, Bryan headlocks for the takeover, and he fights off the headscissors. Bandido endures the grind, keeps his shoulders up, and he headscissors after all. Bryan rolls, pops free and hooks up the legs!

Bryan has the Deathlock and fans rally. DEATHLOCK SNAP! And then Bryan gets the arms to turn Bandido over, SURFBOARD CRADLE! TWO, and the two stand off. Bryan shows his finger guns, and Bandido nods respect. Fans fire up as the two reset and circle again. They tie up with knuckle locks, Bandido drop toeholds and he drags Bryan down. Bandido hooks up the legs, SLAPS Bryan, and Bryan knows what Bandido’s after! Even so, he can’t keep his arms away and Bandido pulls Bryan up and up and into the ROMERO SPECIAL! Fans fire up as Bryan endures one of his favorites, but he manages to slip free!

Bryan KICKS Bandido in the leg, has a standing toehold and he uses it to turn Bandido over. Bandido crawls but Bryan drags him back. Bryan hooks the legs, he grabs the arms, but Bandido’s power game helps fight! But not for long, as Bryan pulls those arms back again! Bandido powers up again, crawls, but Bryan STOMPS the knees! Bryan aims his finger gun again but Bandido aims his back. And goes double! BANG! Fans fire up and Bryan applauds. The two circle again, tie up, and Bryan headlocks. Bandido powers up and out, but Bryan runs him over! Things speed up, Bryan sunset flips, but Bandido rolls through to hook Bryan up!

Bandido has a SURFBOARD CRADLE of his own! TWO as Bryan gets his left shoulder up! Bandido pushes it down, TWO as Bryan gets the other shoulder up! Bandido tries again, TWO as Bryan curls! Bryan then bridges, sits up, and fans fire up as Bryan throws short headbutts! Bryan gets up and over to sunset flip, TWO!! Bandido trips Bryan, ties the legs up, but Bryan fights free! Bandido says it was that close as fans applaud. Bryan is a little annoyed, but he and Bandido circle. “This is Awesome!” as the two knuckle lock. They go shoulder to shoulder, forehead to forehead, and Bryan knees an arm to KICK and KICK and KICK!

Bryan monkey flips but Bandido lands on his feet! Things speed up, Bandido hip tosses but Bryan blocks! But then Bandido uses his insane strength to lift Bryan up and TOSS him anyway! Bandido gets the legs, ties them up, and even gets the arms! EL NUDO LAGUNERO!! The Blue Panther’s signature hold keeps Bryan off the mat! Bryan endures, fights free, and then scrambles out of the ring! Fans boo but Bandido builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit at the ramp and Bandido hurries back in! Bandido builds speed again, to FLY! Direct hit at the ramp again and fans are thunderous! Bandido fires up and he finger guns again.

Bandido puts Bryan in and he springboards as AEW goes picture in picture! Bryan KICKS Bandido out of the air! Bryan smirks as he slows down the fan favorite, but fans chant “YES! YES! YES” because he’s still a fan favorite, too! Bryan stands Bandido up to EuroUpper him down! Bryan stands Bandido up again, to EuroUpper again! Bryan stands Bandido up a third time, Bandido hits back, but Bryan EuroUppers him down into the corner! Bryan drags Bandido up again, scoops him, and puts him in the Tree of Woe! Bryan KICKS and KICKS and KICKS away on Bandido, but he lets off as the ref counts.

Bryan goes corner to corner, to basement dropkick Bandido outta the Tree! Then Bryan drags Bandido back, hooks up the legs, and pulls on the arms. Up, up and away into the ROMERO SPECIAL! Bandido endures, Bryan tips back to have a ROMERO CRADLE! TWO!! Bandido escapes but Bryan keeps his cool. Fans rally up, Bryan brings Bandido back up, and Bryan EuroUppers again! Bryan whips Bandido to ropes to kitchen sink him down! Bandido flounders and fans fire up as Bryan stalks him to ropes. Bryan brings Bandido up to CHOP! Bryan has Bandido against ropes, and CHOPS him again! And EuroUppers!

Dynamite returns to single picture as Bryan fires off fast hands! Bryan whips but Bandido rolls Bryan up! TWO, and Bryan runs in, into a POP-UP FACEBUSTER! Fans fire up while both men are down, and a standing count starts. “This is Awesome!” as both men slowly rise. They stand at 6, Bryan CHOPS! But Bandido CHOPS! Bryan CHOPS! Bandido CHOPS! Bryan CHOPS, Bandido CHOPS, Bryan EuroUppers! And again! And then he KICKS away on Bandido in the corner! Bryan whips corner to corner, Bandido reverses, Bryan goes up and over but into a SUPERKICK! Bandido goes up and up and TORNILLO CROSSBODIES!

Bandido and Bryan hurry up to their feet, Bandido ducks and SOBATS at the same time! Bandido says BANG and reels Bryan in. Fans fire up as Bandido suplexes, holds Bryan up, for “OCHO!” and beyond! Fans fire up as Bandido still holds Bryan, before the SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Bryan gets his shoulder up as Bandido couldn’t fully cover. But Bandido just goes to the top rope! Bandido takes aim, gives us some Latino Heat, for a FROG SPLASH! Onto knees!! Bryan drags Bandido around, into the LEBELL LOCK!! Bandido endures, fans are thunderous, but Bryan shouts “TAP!” as he pulls way back!

Bandido continues to fight forward, reaches out, but Bryan gets that arm! RINGS OF SATURN!! Bandido kicks with his feet, to get the ROPEBREAK! Fans are thunderous as Bryan lets go in frustration. Fans love “A E DUB!” for this one, but Bryan shakes his head. Bryan aims and KICKS! And KICKS! Fans make these “SI!” kicks! “SI! SI! SI!” Bryan runs in to BUZZ- NO, Bandido blocks! Bandido SHOVES Bryan away, Bryan returns, but into a scoop! Torture rack and flip, GO TO SLEEP! Bryan ends up at the ropes, Bandido runs in, 21 PLEX! But Bryan lands on his feet?! Bandido turns around, into a drop toehold!

Bryan hooks an arm, La Magistrol, TWO!! Another drop toehold, another arm hook, but Bandido trips Bryan to La Magistrol! TWO!!! MJF was almost saved from that Ironman match right there! Bandido and Bryan rise as fans rally back up. Bryan goes to a corner, Bandido storms up and throws forearms. Fans hope these two “FIGHT FOREVER!” but it has to end somehow. Bandido throws body shots and fast hands! Bandido CHOPS, then rallies the fans with “SI SE PUEDES!” Bandido whips corner to corner, runs in, but Bryan tosses him up and out! Bryan then builds speed and WRECKS Bandido with a dropkick!

Bryan then goes to the apron, aims, and FLYING KNEES Bandido back down! Fans cheer and jeer and Bryan soaks it all up! Bryan puts Bandido in, goes up the corner, but Bandido SHORYUKENS! Bandido climbs up after Bryan, throws forearms but Bryan fights back! They brawl up top, fans rally, and Bandido gets the edge. Bandido stands on the very top, brings Bryan up to join him, for the SUPER FALL AWAY SLAM!! Bandido crawls to Bryan, pushes him to ropes while fans lose their minds, and here comes the 21 PLEX!! Bridging cover, TWO!?!? Bryan survives Bandido’s best shot and no one can believe it!

Bandido drags Bryan up and underhooks the arms. Bryan resists the lift, fans are thunderous, and Bryan wrenches out to ROCK Bandido with a forearm! Bandido gives it back! Bryan gives another forearm, but Bandido SLAPS! Bryan forearms, Bandido SLAPS, and they go back and forth, throwing wild shots! Bandido fixes his mask, Bryan ROUNDHOUSES him! Bandido SUPERKICKS in return! Bryan wobbles, Bandido reels him in, to suplex, only for Bryan to knee free! Bryan drags Bandido down but Bandido fights off the LeBell! Bandido deadlifts Bryan! But Bryan shifts around to RANA! Bryan runs in, Bandido pops him up, but Bryan uses that to get a backslide!

Bandido slips free, both men run, BUSAIKU KNEE!! Cover, Bryan wins!!

Winner: Bryan Danielson, by pinfall (now 3-0 in 2023)

Bryan succeeds again! But of course MJF has to interrupt via the titantron! “Hey, Bryan. I just felt that you and these people didn’t deserve to see me live. Actually, I’m beginning to feel a little bit underappreciated around here. Bryan, I’m not deaf and I’m not dumb. I hear, I see, I read everything that you and all these ‘fans,’ have to say about me. Claiming that I am not worthy, I am not deserving of my position here in this company. I’m beginning to think people have forgotten just exactly who the hell I am and how the hell I became your world champion. And I take that very personally.”

To think that after all the moments he’s given us. Saying we’re fickle people, that’s an understatement. MJF tells Bryan what he doesn’t seem to understand: Since they first crossed paths, Bryan has only been dealing with “masked” Max. Masked Max likes to keep things light, likes to keep things fun. But Bryan will find that the further he goes on this journey, the further he gets to Revolution and the One Hour Ironman match that Bryan thinks he wants… The more the mask will begin to slip away. “And Bryan, you don’t want that, man. Sh*t, nobody does.” Bryan may think he’s a dragon, but not even a dragon is a match for the monster behind the mask.

Fans boo and Bryan doesn’t seem affected by MJF’s words, but will MJF show his “true” form soon enough?

Saraya, Toni Storm and Hikaru Shida meet backstage.

Saraya isn’t sure what Shida was thinking last week, but that was a “stupid, idiotic move” for her to throw the kendo stick into the ring! Storm calms Saraya down and says it wasn’t Shida’s fault that Britt got the stick. Storm knows Shida. Shida is solid, she’d never do anything like that on purpose. The problem here is the “AEW Homegrown girls” being in this little bubble! They don’t know what Storm & Saraya know! Shida is flabbergasted like she was when Saraya chose Storm! But speaking of homegrown talent, Storm faces Willow Nightingale tonight. And Storm will show her, just like she will everyone else here, why Storm is the best. Saraya agrees. And Shida, you stay backstage.

Saraya and Storm head out, and Shida wants to say something, but she just sighs. Shida may not have meant to cost Saraya & Storm, but did that mistake only make these two into monsters?

Backstage interview with Brian Cage & Prince Nana.

Renee is with The Machine and announces the official word that next week, Bryan Danielson’s win streak runs into Brian Cage! Huge match right there, how does Cage feel about that? How does he feel? It’s about damn time! But then MJF walks in. “Brian Cage. The Machine, right?” That’s him. Good, that’s what MJF needs. MJF needs a Machine. And what he has potentially for Cage, with all due respect, is “more money than you gentlemen have ever seen in person your entire lives. I don’t care if you win, I don’t care if you lose, but I do care that you break his arm. Sound doable?” Cage says he can work that out. Good. And then MJF SLAPS Cage!?

Cage grabs MJF by the head! Is MJF crazy?! Does Cage want the money or not? Nana calms Cage down and has him think about the money. Cage lets MJF go, and MJF says that feeling Cage has right now is hate. MJF learned the hard way and at a very young age that there is no greater motivator. “So next week, use it. Pleasure doing business with you.” MJF gives Nana the money, and now The Machine is all fired up. Will he slay the American Dragon so that MJF doesn’t have to?

Willow Nightingale VS Toni Storm w/ Saraya!

While the Lightning From Down Under and The Revolution lost to the Pillar & the Killer, the always optimistic Willow and Ruby Soho won a brutal Street Fight against TayJay! Will Willow keep the momentum going from Rampage? Or will Fresno be on #ToniTime after tonight?

The bell rings and Storm circles with Willow. Willow offers a handshake, Toni takes it, and they tie up. Storm arm-drags Willow, Willow comes back and they tie up again. Storm headlocks, Willow powers up but can’t power out as Storm holds tight. Storm hits a takeover, but Willow rolls it to a cover, ONE! Storm holds onto the headlock, but Willow lifts! Storm fights that off, so Willow powers up and out of the headlock. They RAM shoulders, Willow rebounds and runs Storm over! Willow flexes, runs, but Storm drops. Willow rolls, Storm tries a hip toss but Willow blocks it to an arm-drag and cover! ONE!!

Storm gest up, Willow ducks her elbow to whip and lift, BIG back suplex! Fans fire up as Willow runs, BASEMENT SPLASH! Cover, ONE!! Willow is annoyed, Saraya coaches Storm, and fans rally up. Willow storms in to fire off a forearm! Willow whips corner to corner, Storm reverses but Willow handsprings through! Fans fire up, Storm nods in some respect, and offers the handshake back. Willow goes to take it, but Storm SLAPS her! And then BOOTS her down! Saraya says to get her, and Storm stomps Willow out of the ring! Willow is on the apron, Storm runs to HIP ATTACK her to the floor! Storm goes out after Willow to AX HANDLE her down!

Fans boo but here comes Shida! Storm bumps Willow off the apron, whips her into railing, and AEW goes picture in picture! Shida storms over but Saraya tells her to get back. Shida keeps her distance, but she explains she’s out here as support. Saraya lets her stay, and Storm is in the ring as the ring count starts. Willow drags herself up at 5 of 10, staggers at “OCHO!” and gets in at 9! But Storm stomps her down! Storm kicks Willow around, drags her up, and EuroUppers her to a corner. Storm stands on Willow, the ref counts, and Storm lets off. Storm stand Willow up to TOSS her across the way! The ref reprimands about hair pulling and Storm apologizes.

Storm digs her boots in, the ref counts and Storm lets off again. Willow throws body shots but Storm knees low and CLUBS her down. Storm CLUBS Willow more, and more, and Saraya smiles. Storm kicks Willow but Willow throws a forearm! Storm CLUBS Willow down again, then clamps on a seated full nelson! Willow endures, even as Storm leans on the hold. Willow fights up, but Storm throws her down by her hair! The ref reprimands again but Storm clamps the full nelson again. Willow endures, fights back up, but Storm thrashes her about! Willow still endures as Dynamite returns to single picture!

Willow breaks the nelson and elbows Storm away! Willow runs in to back body block! Willow whips corner to corner, runs in and back body blocks again! And then LARIATS, snapmares, and BOOTS! Fans fire up behind Willow as she whips Storm, for a SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO! Saraya rallies for Storm but fans rally for Willow. Willow climbs up the corner, Storm stands, and Willow MISSILE DROPKICKS! Storm ends up in a corner, Willow runs corner to corner, but Storm avoids the CANNONBALL! Willow hits buckles, Storm goes corner to corner, SWEET HIP MUSIC! Storm drags Willow up to TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO!!

Fans fire up while Storm and Saraya are frustrated. Storm drags Willow by her legs, but Willow drags Storm to a cradle! TWO, and Storm swings. Willow dodges, runs and POUNCES Storm to ropes! Fans fire up with Willow and she brings down the straps! Willow roars, runs corner to corner, and she CANNONBALLS! Willow drags Storm out to a cover, TWO!! Storm survives, Saraya is upset and that just distracts Willow so Storm can roll her up! With tights!! Storm wins!!

Winner: Toni Storm, by pinfall

Willow points out the cheating to the ref, but Saraya runs in to CLOBBER her! Saraya and Storm stomp away on Willow and fans boo! Shida is shocked, she gest on the apron, but it’s RUBY who rushes in to make the save! Storm & Saraya bail out while fans rally for Ruby. Ruby asks what the hell this is about, and Shida seems unsure what to make of this. Will the Runaway help Willow get payback on Saraya and Storm?

The Firm speaks.

Stokely Hathaway says that supposedly, the locker room is buzzing because Jungle Boy is telling everyone that he’s done with them. Well, the Firm isn’t done with Jungle Boy! And just like he said to Big Bill Morrissey, it is EMBARRASSING that they lost to people named “Hook” and “Jungle Boy.” Ridiculous names! Ethan Page says that’s where he steps in. Ethan says Stokely’s been letting him have his fun making Isiah Kassidy’s life a living hell while still having a blast with Matt Hardy on Dark and Elevation. But the fun is done! JB wants to tap out Moriarty?! This Friday, it’s payback! Will All Ego take down Jack Perry? Or will he just end up deflated on Rampage?

Backstage interview with Konosuke Takeshita.

Renee is with The Future and says that in his short time here, he has already garnered so much respect from both the wrestlers and the fans. In his match with Bryan Danielson just last week, it was an incredible showing, but how does he feel after that match? Konosuke says he enjoyed wrestling Danielson, one of his heroes, and he learned so much. He is now going to watch Bryan’s back because he doesn’t trust MJF. Konosuke goes off on MJF in Japanese, and Renee asks for a translation. “It means MJF is an asshole.” Perfect! Then if Bryan is supposed to worry about “unmasked Max,” will “unmasked Max” have to worry about undeterred Konosuke?

AEW TNT Championship: Darby Allin w/ Sting VS KUSHIDA w/ Kevin Knight & The DKC!

While the Relentless One and the Icon are heading to Yokohama, Japan for Keiji Mutoh’s final match this weekend, one of NJPW’s best has come here to answer the always open Open Challenge! Will the Timesplitter add another title to his list of accolades? Or will Darby stay the fighting champion through to WrestleKingdom 17 part two?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Darby’s time is up!

The bell rings and fans rally for Darby. Darby and Kushida circle, tie up, and Darby waistlocks. Kushida switches, Darby switches, repeat, but Darby rolls away. Fans rally and duel as the two circle. Darby avoids Kushida’s drop toeholds, but Kushida uses a leg guard to pursue. Darby still keeps his distance so Kushida stands and the two go again. Kushida shoots in, waistlocks, and shifts to a full nelson. Darby breaks free, switches, but Kushida throws him down. Kushida hammerlocks an arm but Darby fights up and slips around to hammerlock Kushida. Kushida tries to spin it around but Darby spins with him to hold onto the hold.

Darby then steps through for a flying-mare, and he clamps on a chinlock. Kushida fights up, Darby shifts to a headlock, but Kushida powers out. Darby runs Kushida over, things speed up, Darby rolls to trip Kushida and cover. ONE, but Darby rolls to get an arm! Kushida moves around, drags Darby down, but Darby gets the ROPEBREAK! Kushida lets off quickly and cleanly, and fans applaud the sportsmanship. Darby and Kushida reset and go again. They knuckle lock, Kushida knees an arm and trips Darby to have a standing toehold. Darby endures, Kushida traps the other leg, but Darby fights free to roll and reel Kushida in.

Darby has a headlock, Kushida powers out, and Kushida sidesteps to then hip toss, cartwheel and basement dropkick! Fans fire up while Darby bails out. Kushida builds speed, but Darby ducks the baseball slide! Darby waistlocks, Kushida reverses and has an arm, but Darby goes around and around to send Kushida into railing! Fans fire up and Darby slides into the ring, but Kushida drags Darby back out! Kushida slides in, Darby follows, but Kushida PENALTY KICKS the arm! Darby clutches his elbow and crawls to a corner, but Kushida digs his boots in. The ref counts, Kushida lets off quickly, and he wrenches the arm.

Kushida wrangles Darby, steps over to hammerlock the arm with his leg, and then Kushida TWISTS! Darby writhes while Knight and DKC applaud. Fans rally but Kushida stalks Darby to a corner. Fans duel, Kushida CHOPS Darby. Kushida whips corner to corner, runs in, but Darby goes up and over. Darby comes back to COFFIN SPLASH! Darby keeps moving, springboards, but Kushida waistlocks! Kushida spins Darby and spins himself, ROLLING ELBOW! And PELE- NO, Darby blocks the kick to stand Kushida up! Darby fires off palm strikes, a headbutt, rolls and runs, CODE RED! Cover, TWO! Kushida escapes and bails out to the LADOJO boys.

Knight fans Kushida off and DKC coaches Kushida, but Darby goes up top! Darby SUPER CANNONBALLS! DKC and Knight take the hit as Kushida gets away! Fans fire up, and Kushida goes after the arm! RUNNING ARMBAR BULLDOG!! Darby writhes and the ref checks him while AEW goes picture in picture.

Darby has the ref back off, he isn’t letting this stop him. But even Sting looks a bit concerned for that arm. Kushida drags Darby up by that arm, puts him in the ring, and stalks him. Kushida drags Darby up, CHOPS him, then CHOPS again! Darby snarls, throws a forearm, and then another. Darby runs, but into a SHOTEI! Down goes Darby, and Kushida shouts out Jushin Thunder Liger with his pose and spin. Kushida then waits on Darby as he crawls to a corner. Kushida goes to the far side, runs corner to corner, RUNNING SHOTEI! Darby flounders away and Kushida stalks him. Cover, TWO! Darby shows his toughness but Kushida goes after the arm!

Kushida hammerlocks the arm again, hooks the far arm, and even a leg! Darby endures this modified Bow ‘n’ Arrow as Kushida pulls him backwards! Kushida lets off on the leg to step over and wrench the arm! Kushida has both arms trapped, for a RECLINER SNAP! Darby writhes and clutches each arm, but Kushida looms over him. Kushida kicks Darby to ropes, then basement dropkicks! Darby crawls to the corner, Kushida drags him up, and Kushida CLUBS the bad arm! Kushida then stands on the arm, to STOMP it! Darby writhes more, but fans rally up. Kushida drags Darby back up as Dynamite returns to single picture.

Fans duel again but Kushida CHOPS! Darby snarls, and he fires a forearm! Kushida CHOPS, Darby CHOPS in return! Kushida CHOPS again, eggs Darby on, so the forearms start flying! Kushida forearms, Darby forearms, but then Kushida KICKS the bad arm! Kushida pie faces Darby, but Darby fires off fast hands! Darby fires off more forearms, whips Kushida to ropes, but Kushida CROSSBODIES! That had some impact on it! Kushida comes back, bobs ‘n’ weaves as Darby throws hands, and then Kushida PELES! Darby staggers, Kushida rushes up and whips, but Darby reverses. Kushida handsprings, into a dragon sleeper! SCORPION DEATH DROP!

Fans fire up as both men are down! The standing count begins, the LADOJO boys coach Kushida up but Sting just watches Darby. The count is 5 of 10, Kushida and Darby sit up at 6. Darby snarls as he stands at 7, and he drags Kushida up. Darby puts Kushida on the ropes to SLAP, SLAP, and SLAP! Darby runs, Kushida follows, HANDSPRING KICK! Darby flops out of the ring and Kushida goes to the apron! Kushida waits, Darby stands, and then Kushida runs in to FLYING KNEE the bad arm!! Fans fire up again, the ref checks Darby but Darby refuses to give up. Kushida wants a count and he gest on the apron.

Darby grabs at Kushida’s legs but Kushida kicks him away. Kushida then drags Darby up to the apron by the bad arm, only for Darby to break free! Darby fires off forearms, but Kushida BOOTS him! Darby ELBOWS Kushida, then hops up, THROWBACK STUNNER on the apron!! Darby flops to the floor while Kushida goes flying back! Kushida then flops down just like Darby and the ring count is on both of them! Fans rally up and Darby stands at 3 of 10. Darby brings a chair over, the ref reprimands and wants this to get in the ring. Darby sits the chair up, makes Kushida take a seat, and he throws forearm after forearm!

Kushida fires back but Darby fires off a flurry as we’re past 6 of 10! Kushida finally sits, and Darby slides in at 7. Darby climbs the corner as the LADOJO boys shout to Kushida. Darby SUPER SENTONS, but Kushida catches him to an ARMBAR!!! Kushida thrashes the arm on the floor but Darby endures! The ring count restarts even as Kushida pulls way back on the arm! And the wrist, too! The count is 5 of 10, Kushida lets Darby go and gets back in the ring! Darby drags himself up with one arm, but the count is 7! And then “OCHO!” Darby gets in, but he avoids Kushida’s grip by sliding back out! Kushida roars and he goes to the corner.

Kushida drags Darby up by that bad arm, in a top wristlock! Fans are thunderous as they duel, and Darby ends up on the top rope. Both men stand, for a SUPER INVERTED ARM-DRAG!! Darby flounders, Kushida rolls to get the arm! HOVERBOARD!! But Darby clasps his hands behind his back to relieve the pressure! Knight tells Sting that he might wanna throw in the towel. Knight even has a towel just in case. Sting tells Knight that ain’t happening, and he uses the towel to wipe the sweat. Sting throws the towel to the fans, free souvenir! As for Darby, he fights up and reaches for ropes! But Kushida rolls Darby away! But Darby uses that to get up and SPINEBUSTER!

Darby has Kushida’s legs! Darby steps through, hooks them up, for the LAST SUPPER!! Cover, DARBY WINS!!

Winner: Darby Allin, by pinfall (still AEW TNT Champion)

Kushida is stunned as Darby snatches victory from the jaws of defeat! The TNT Champion is still Relentless, but will that arm be a problem at WrestleKingdom in Yokohama? Darby offers a handshake with his good arm, and Kushida accepts it. Kushida also holds up a finger to say he’ll gladly go one more time. Kushida then raises Darby’s hand in victory, will we see this showdown happen again down the line?

My Thoughts:

This was a great Dynamite, and with pretty good flow. Great opening match with the All-Atlantic Championship, and I like the detail of the ringside ban that neither side actually obeyed. That was all hilarious stuff, and of course Cassidy finds a way to win. If this feud continues, I feel like Cassidy VS Jarrett for the title should happen. Now, if Triple Jay still have the Golden Globe, I would also love if it was Title VS Golden Globe so that Cassidy can avenge Paul Walter Hauser. Great promo segment with Gunn Club and Acclaimed, and I find it rather interesting that only now does Billy Gunn decide they need to talk this out before having another match. “Family therapy” won’t go well, and we’ll probably get Acclaimed VS Gunns for the tag titles.

Really good promo out of Hangman Page and Renee Paquette, with Hangman again teasing that he wants to reconcile with The Elite. At the same time, he also teased that he wanted a tiebreaker with Moxley, but he held back because he knows Moxley is kayfabe recovering. Maybe they’ll give us that match at Revolution. And speaking of The Elite and Hangman’s “fences” that need mending, really good vignette from Adam Cole to add to the hype return from last week. I would love an interaction between the Adams to see if we get a rematch of those two. And there has to be a way to tie The Dark Order into this given their friendship with Hangman.

Good promo from Stokely and Ethan to hype up Ethan VS Jungle Boy, which is not the next step I expected in this feud. That match could go either way, but I would Ethan wins so that The Firm can look like a threat for once. Also I like that Ethan’s promo let us know that there have actually been story developments on Elevation and Dark. And great promo from Konosuke to say he’s staying part of this MJF VS Bryan storyline. I’m pretty sure Konosuke said more than “MJF is an asshole,” but I love that he’s showing some great personality and wit in summarizing it like that. I really do hope we get to see Konosuke confront MJF should MJF try and directly get involved with Bryan’s matches.

Speaking of, Bryan VS Bandido was an awesome match. This is exactly how I knew this series of matches for Bryan was going to go, where Bryan wins but his opponents look amazing. Then Brian Cage being made into Bryan’s next opponent, that match is going to be awesome. MJF had a really good promo directed towards Bryan, and a really good promo talking to Cage. But I would love if at some point, MJF pushes one of Bryan’s opponents to the points where they just hand the win to Bryan so that MJF will have no choice but to be in the One Hour Ironman Match. MJF needs to get some comeuppance in this, and that’d be a great way to do it since he doesn’t wrestle on TV.

Awesome match out of Bucks VS Top Flight, and I loved that the Bucks went for a reference to the Briscoes. But I did not expect Top Flight to win, so that was a great surprise. We also got a great match out of Starks VS Hager, and of course the JAS tried to help Hager win that. Great promo from Jericho, Sammy and Garcia, and I like that Sammy made a deal with Garcia on trading spots in the tag match. Garcia VS Andretti is going to be great for Rampage, and that could go either way, but I would think Garcia wins to team with Jericho. #Garciaco is a sad tag name, especially with “The Death Wizards” right there. Garcia is Red Death, Jericho is The Wizard, boom, Death Wizards.

Really good promo from Saraya, Storm and Shida before Storm VS Willow. I did not expect Saraya & Storm to turn Heel in this but that’s a great twist. Oh, and of course it works to AEW’s overall “We don’t like WWE” motif. Saraya and Storm were in WWE before AEW (but also other promotions), and they’ll have this odd bias against the AEW originals. Shida seemed torn, given she is also someone who got going in her career before AEW, but she also doesn’t like the attitude Saraya and Storm have. Storm VS Willow was great stuff, but of course Storm cheats in her Heel turn and of course Saraya attacks.

In a nice twist, Ruby Soho is a former WWE talent who is on the side of AEW, and I’m sure we’ll get a great match of Saraya & Storm VS Soho & Willow. Then maybe Shida will be forced to choose a side. I would think Shida sides with AEW and we still get Saraya VS Shida at Revolution. And I suppose this helps Hayter turn Face since fans love her anyway. And then we got an awesome main event for the TNT title. Kushida gave Darby a great match on the technical front on top of the Strong Style, but Darby did great in finding a way to win. With AEW and NJPW still working together, I would love to see more NJPW stars showing up and challenging for the midcard titles.

My Score: 8.8/10