Will the Mad King regret this gamble?

Before putting both belts on the line against Katsuyori Shibata at AEW WrestleDream, Eddie Kingston defends his NJPW Strong title against Rocky Romero! Will plans have to change all thanks to Azucar?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• AEW World Trios Championships: The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn VS The Hardy Party; The Acclaimed & Billy win and retain the titles.
• NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Eddie Kingston VS Rocky Romero; Eddie wins and retains the title.
• The Righteous VS Caleb Crush & Gunnar; The Righteous win.
• AEW Women’s World Championship #1 Contender’s match: Ruby Soho VS Hikaru Shida; Shida wins and will challenge Saraya for the title on Title Tuesday, October 10th.

PLAY BY PLAY

AEW World Trios Championships: The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn VS The Hardy Party!

The open challenge was put forth, and it was answered very quickly! Will Matt, Jeff & Brother Zay DELETE the Scissor World Tour? Or will Max Caster, Anthony Bowens & Daddy Ass keep the party going?

But of course, Platinum Max has a diss track! “Acclaimed on the mic, ’bout to leave these dudes up in smoke! Y’know we comin’ like the Colorado Buffalos! Matt, I don’t want any heat! I don’t need your crazy ass wife sendin’ me tweets! It’s the one guy in Private Party! Nowadays, he gets tag teamed by the Hardys! Jeff, I’m a leave you black in both eyes! You gonna need these sunglasses like Coach Prime.” Bowens takes the mic to say “COLORADOOOO~! The Acclaimed have arrived! Scissor Me, Daddy Ass~!” And he does! The belts are raised, and we see who survives WrestleDream weekend!

The trios sort out and Bowens starts against Kassidy. They shake hands, tie up, and Bowens waistlocks. Kassidy drop toeholds, facelocks but Bowens slips free to wrench. Kassidy rolls, handsprings, wrenches and hammerlocks to a headlock. Bowens powers out to headlock but Kassidy powers out, only for Bowens to run him over! Bowens self-scissors, then things speed up. Kassidy hurdles, Bowens shoves then follows but Kassidy arm-drags! Bowens arm-drags! Bowens blocks Kassidy’s arm-drag to whip, but Kassidy wheelbarrows and arm-drags! Bowens stands, into a RANA! Kassidy then pounds the mat and fans fire up.

Bowens kicks but Kassidy blocks to spin him. Kassidy kicks but Bowens blocks to flip him! Bowens then kicks, kicks and KOTARO KRUSHER! Fans fire up, “EVERYONE Loves The Acclaimed!” Bowens drags Kassidy up, tags in Caster, and they double whip. Kassidy holds ropes, TOSSES Bowens then BOOTS Caster! Tag to Matt and Matt BOOTS Caster! Kassidy hits a NECKBREAKER, Jeff tags in to go up, for the SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Jeff snapmares Caster to then NECK SNAPPER! Fans fire up with Jeff and he waits on Caster to stand. Kick but no Twist as Caster slips free! Jeff ducks the backhand to SPIN KICK!

Jeff CLUBS Caster, Caster scrambles away, tags to Billy and Matt! Fans fire up as Matt says “DELETE! DELETE!” Billy says “SUCK IT!” “DELETE!” “SUCK IT!” “DELETE!” “SUCK IT!” And repeat! Then Billy headlocks! Matt throws body shots, powers out, but Billy runs Matt over! Billy flexes and does a dance, and then he runs in. Matt ELBOWS Billy, BOOTS him, then bumps him off buckles! “DELETE! DELETE! DELETE!” Billy gets all three layers, and Matt tags Jeff. Jeff tags Kassidy, and the Hardys set up fort he classic POETRY IN MOTION! Then Kassidy adds PARTY IN MOTION! But The Acclaimed CLOBBER Kassidy & The Hardys!

Fans fire up as Caster has Kassidy up to scoop and SLAM! Billy helps get the legs, and Bowens goes up to SCISSOR ME TIMBERS! Kassidy squeals before impact! Cover, TWO! Kassidy survives but The Acclaimed have control as Rampage goes picture in picture.

Billy brings Kassidy up, bumps him off buckles, and he hears the fans singing. Billy ROCKS Kassidy with a right, apologizes to the ref, then tags to Bowens. Bowens drags Kassidy up to ROCK him with haymaker after haymaker! Bowens then brings Kassidy up to tag in Caster. They double suplex Kassidy, Caster covers, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Caster keeps Kassidy down with a chinlock while fans rally up. Kassidy fights to his feet, throws body shots, and he fires forearms as Rampage returns to single picture. Kassidy runs but Caster CLOBBERS him! Tag to Billy and they mug Kassidy.

Billy brings Kassidy to an open corner, stomps and ROCKS him on repeat, then lets off to smirk at the Hardys. He dares them to do something, but Matt tells Billy to suck it! So Billy DECKS Matt! Billy runs corner to corner but Kassidy dodges! The splash hits buckles and Billy falls back! Fans rally up as both men crawl, but Billy gets Kassidy’s leg! Kassidy stands up to ENZIGURI! Hot tag to Jeff! Jeff rallies on Billy, on Bowens, and on Caster! Fans fire up and Jeff clotheslines Billy up and out! Jeff CLOBBS Bowens, then catches him for a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Leg hook cradle! Cover, Caster breaks it!

Caster helps Bowens up, then runs in, but Jeff ELBOWS caster and ROCKS Bowens! Jeff goes up, WHISPER IN THE WIND! Jeff gets both Caster and Bowens but everyone is down! Billy returns, kicks low, says ‘SUCK IT!” and runs, but Jeff dodges! Matt kicks Billy for a TWIST OF FATE! Jeff hurries up top, fans fire up, SWANTON BOMB! Cover, Bowens breaks it in time! Matt CLUBS Bowens, Bowens hits back, and Bowens calls to Caster. They whip Matt to a corner, forearm then ELBOW then forearm again! And a feed to the POWERSLAM! ROLLING ELBOW for Jeff! The Acclaimed regroup, and Billy crawls to the corner.

Fans fire up as Billy drags Jeff over. Jeff gets loose, hot tags to Kassidy and Bowens! Kassidy dodges Bowens to DROPKICK Caster! “This is Awesome!” as Kassidy BOOTS Bowens! Kassidy goes up, leaps, FLYING FLATLINER! Billy stands, runs in, but Kassidy dumps him out! Kassidy slingshots out then QUEBRADAS to take Billy down! Kassidy mocks the scissoring, then tells Bowens to get up. Kassidy springboards in, but Bowens dodges and Caster BACKHANDS Kassidy! Then Bowens BACKHANDS Kassidy! Bowens fires off the Five Tool Strike Fest! Caster hoists Kassidy up and Bowens helps, to give Kassidy the PLATINUM BOMB! Cover, The Acclaimed win!

Winners: The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn, by pinfall (still AEW World Trios Championships)

A huge win for the champions, and the Scissor World Tour continues! In fact, it is heading to Seattle for WrestleDream’s Zero Hour! TMDK’s Shane Haste, Mikey Nicholls & Bad Dude Tito are waiting, will they show The Acclaimed that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?

Eddie Kingston speaks.

“Well folks, tonight, it’s me and Big Rock, Rocky Romero, for the NJPW Strong Openweight Championship. Rock, I got nothing but respect for you, dawg, so it’s gonna be an honor and a pleasure to defend this against you. You’re the man that got me into the G1. You’re the man that got me-” Wait, Team Triple J is interrupting. Jay Lethal says that if we’re talking honor and respect, Eddie is standing here with two titles on his shoulders, and that is worth respecting. But Lethal can’t get behind how Eddie is the ROH World Champion. Lethal dedicated his life to that title! His blood, sweat, tears, all to honor a tradition that meant that every person to hold that title would be a pure athlete!

And Eddie, you are no pure athlete! Now as for this NJPW Strong Openweight title, Lethal doesn’t care if Eddie wins it or loses it here tonight. He really doesn’t. But he just cares that Eddie is unfit to be ROH World Champion! Eddie says okay, he’s got Lethal. But excuse his back, he’s gotta go beat up Romero. The Mad King leaves, but will he still have both crowns going into WrestleDream?

AEW shares an interview from after last week’s Collision.

Lexi Nair was with Andrade El Idolo after he was bandaged up from the beating Bullet Club Gold gave him. He almost won, but Juice Robinson interfered. What was that about? Andrade says everyone saw that Andrade had White beat. But the question for Juice is… “Do you have a problem with me? With Andrade El Idolo? Lemme tell you something. See you Saturday in Seattle!” Andrade wants his revenge on Rock Hard, will he get it on WrestleDream Eve?

NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Eddie Kingston VS Rocky Romero!

The Mad King beat Kenta at NJPW Independence Day back in July to have his first singles title under the NJPW banner. And now he defends it against Azucar as a favor for getting him in the door. Will Rocky repay this favor by taking this title from Eddie? Or will Eddie still head to Seattle as a double champion?

The introductions are made, the NJPW belt is raised, and we see who is truly NJPW Strong!

The bell rings and fans rally up for “EDDIE! EDDIE!” The two circle, Rocky tests things with a kick but Eddie stays back. They feel things out, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Eddie waistlocks, Rocky wrenches, wristlocks, but Eddie clinches. Fans rally, Rocky keeps on the wristlock but Eddie powers through to wrench and wristlock back. Rocky rolls, breaks free and DROPKICKS! Fans are torn as Rocky swaggers, but he and Eddie reset. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and Rocky knees low. Rocky headlocks, grinds the hold, but Eddie powers up and out. They RAM shoulders, but Eddie stays up with a smirk.

Fans fire up as Rocky smirks back, but then pie faces Eddie! Rocky runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and RANAS! Eddie bails out, Rocky builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit but Eddie stays up, so Rocky goes again! DIVE and Eddie drops to his knees! Rocky keeps going, and he DIVES for the hattrick, only for Eddie to catch him! Stalling suplex, to the floor! Fans rally behind Eddie while Rampage goes picture in picture.

Eddie stands, stretches out his back, and then he gets Rocky up and into the ring. Cover, TWO! Eddie keeps cool, and also chooses not to rain down fists, instead clamping on a chinlock. Rocky endures as Eddie grinds him down, and fans rally up. Eddie cranks the headlock but Rocky refuses to give up. Rocky fights up, throws elbows, but Eddie knees him low! Eddie whips to knee low again, then whips for another knee! Eddie whips but Rocky rolls him up, TWO! Rocky BUZZSAWS Eddie, then TORNADO DDTS! Both men are down and a standing count begins. Rocky stirs at 3, crawls over, and he brings Eddie up.

Eddie pushes Rocky, runs, but into an IRON OCTOPUS! Eddie endures, pries at the hold, and pops free, only for Rocky to wrangle him with a ghost pin! TWO, and Eddie goes to ropes. Rocky storms up, KICKS Eddie in the back, but Eddie just grimaces. Eddie eggs Rocky on so Rocky KICKS him again! Eddie growls and eggs Rocky on more as Rampage goes picture in picture.

Rampage returns and Eddie suplexes, but Rocky knees free! Rocky knees low, Eddie rebounds, but into a JUMP KNEE! Eddie goes to ropes, Rocky storms over and brings him up through the ropes, to KICK! Eddie eggs Rocky on even though he’s stuck, so Rocky SLAPS Eddie! Eddie SLAPS Rocky! Rocky SOBATS! Then Rocky goes up a corner to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Eddie is still in this and Rocky argues the count but the ref says it was fair. Rocky drags Eddie up, cravats, but no Sliced Bread! Eddie runs in to clothesline in the corner! And MACHINE GUN CHOPS! Fans fire up and Eddie hoists Rocky up top!

Eddie climbs up behind Rocky, stands him up, but Rocky throws hands! Rocky CLUBS Eddie, cravats, and hits SUPER SLICED BREAD! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up as Eddie survives, and Rocky grits his teeth. Rocky pumps up and fans rally. Rocky runs in to clothesline! That’s one-ever! Two-ever! But URAKEN stops that! URAKEN again!! Eddie drags Rocky into the STRETCH PLUM!! Rocky taps, Eddie wins!!

Winner: Eddie Kingston, by submission (still NJPW Strong Openweight Champion)

Azucar could not dethrone The Mad King, but he still shows Eddie respect with a handshake and hug. Eddie is still NJWP Strong, but will he have to fight even harder to survive The Wrestler, Katsuyori Shibata?

Wait! That’s Shibata’s music! Shibata is HERE! He goes into the ring and shakes hands with Eddie. These two respect each other, and that means they will give it everything they’ve got! Will Eddie still be a two belt king? Or will Shibata become a TRIPLE CROWN Champion?

Aussie Open speaks.

Mark Davis says he is so tired. So tired of hearing the “top blokes” walk around here the last year, hubris unchecked, lying to the people that they are the best in the world. Kyle Fletcher says that for the last 365 days, everything Aussie Open has done has been to get back to FTR. When FTR beat them a year ago, it broke Fletcher. Fletcher felt like a failure and felt lost. So what he wants more than anything is to make FTR feel that pain. This Sunday, Aussie Open takes the AEW World Tag Team Championships, burns down the legacy of #7StarFTR, and from the ashes, rebuild a new empire that they will stand atop of to proclaim that THEY are the best tag team in the world!

The Aussie Arrow and Dunkzilla are ready to bring down Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler, will they fulfill that WrestleDream?

The Righteous VS Caleb Crush & Gunnar!

Speaking of tag titles, Dutch & Vincent are aimed at the ROH World Tag Team Championships! However, Adam Cole will be out with injury so it’ll just be Maxwell Jacob Friedman meeting them in Seattle. Will this tune-up prove to be more than enough going into that tag title handicap match?

The teams sort out, but then Dutch just CLOBBERS Crush & Gunnar! Fans boo as Dutch says just a few more days and those titles will be theirs! Vincent rains down fists on Crush, then drags him up to UPPERCUT! Vincent bumps Crush off buckles, tags in Dutch, and the Righteous mugs Crush before the BOSS MAN SLAM! Gunnar staggers up but Dutch feeds him to Vinnie’s KNEE! Then Vinnie feeds him to a BOSS MAN SLAM! Tag to Vinnie, fans are torn as the Righteous pace around Crush. Vinnie snaps his fingers, then cravats, AUTUMN SUNSET! Cover, Righteous win!

Winners: The Righteous, by pinfall

A swift and dominant win, these are the two men coming for the tag titles! Will The Righteous purge ROH of the “false friendship” that is the brochachos? Or are even two Righteous men combined not on the level of the Devil?

Ortiz sits alone in a room.

He looks back on his career alongside Mike Santana. They were at the top of their game coming into AEW, but then it ended up going downhill. There’s even audio from Konnan touching on how Ortiz and Santana stopped talking to each other and how Konnan was saddened by that. Ortiz has the footage stop there. What will it take for him to get Santana to talk to him?

Darby Allin speaks.

After replaying what Christian Cage said just last Wednesday on Dynamite, the Relentless One reiterates that he is NOT losing in Seattle, Washington! Will Darby defend home turf against Captain Charisma?

Nick Wayne speaks.

He knows Darby has a lot to say about Christian Cage, and all of that will be part of the Countdown special. But Nick also knows Darby’s actions will speak louder than his words at WrestleDream. And although Darby told Nick not to be there ringside, Nick doesn’t really want to anyway because of what Christian & Luchasaurus are capable of. So, while they let Christian and Darby settle their business, how about Nick and Luchasaurus settle theirs? For months and months, Luchasaurus walked around here while another man held his title. And Luchasaurus followed Christian around like he was some kind of father figure.

And Nick isn’t sure what it is about Christian where he thinks he can even be such a figure to “us Lost Boys,” but Nick had a father. And he told Nick at a young age “to never leave your debts unpaid.” Nick owes Luchasaurus. At Wembley Stadium, Luchasaurus choke slammed Nick onto a skateboard and Nick never forgot it. Nick will repay Luchasaurus this Sunday during Zero Hour. And Nick will even hand Luchasaurus a receipt. Nick brings his own skateboard, will he grind it right into the Right Hand of Destruction?

BREAKING NEWS for Collision!

AEW is going to do it big for WrestleDream Eve as, with Zack Sabre Jr. on commentary, we see an 8 Man Tag! FTR teams with Bryan Danielson & Wheeler Yuta to take on Aussie Open, Ricky Starks & “Big Bill” Morrissey! Plus, Chris Jericho & Kenny Omega test their tag team chemistry against The Gates of Agony! Will The Ocho & The Cleaner survive Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun to take on the Don Callis Family? And Julia Hart gets in action to build some last minute momentum, will she be ready for Kris Statlander and their TBS Championship match set for Sunday?

Backstage interview with Zack Sabre Jr.

Renee Paquette is with The Front Man of TMDK, and says we’re just days away from WrestleDream, where ZSJ takes on The American Dragon, Bryan Danielson. ZSJ just came off a three week tour in NJPW and just got here to the States, is he worried at all about acclimating? ZSJ asks Bryan “Dragon Bullocks” Danielson, “Where are you, darling?” As Renee just said, ZSJ got off a 16 hour flight from Tokyo and is feeling fresh as a daisy. But perhaps this company’s keeping Bryan wrapped head to toe in bubble wrap, or keeps him in a giant Zorb ball. At this point, a strong gust of wind will knock Bryan over.

And is ZSJ supposed to be honored that Bryan chose him as part of the year long retirement tour? Newsflash: Bryan barely has a weekend. This Sunday isn’t just about finding out who the best technical wrestler is, no no. Bryan has retired once in Seattle, so ZSJ will make it final. Ya like that? The final retirement~! Submissions in Seattle, see you on Sunday. The NJPW World Television Champion has put Bryan on notice, but will he be able to slay the American Dragon?

AEW Women’s World Championship #1 Contender’s match: Ruby Soho VS Hikaru Shida!

While the Outcasts stand at two members, Saraya is looking forward to a friendly showdown with the Runaway in a little under two weeks! But will Ruby make sure there is No Future for the Shining Samurai? Or will Shida take down one Outcast to go after another?

The bell rings and the two circle. Fans fire up as Ruby and Shida step up, and they’re on Shida’s side. Ruby shoves, runs, and RAMS Shida, but Shida just fires up! Ruby headlocks, Shida throws body shots, and then she powers out. Shida then runs past Ruby to run Ruby over! Fans duel, Shida has the majority, and she goes to the corner. Shida climbs up but Ruby slips away before any fists can rain down! Shida is annoyed but she waits on Ruby to return. Ruby takes her time going to the apron, steps in at 6 of 10 but wants Shida to stay back. Shida gets annoyed as the ref keeps her back, but then Ruby pulls Shida’s hair to throw her down!

Ruby throws hands, puts Shida in the corner, then RAMS into her again and again! Fans boo but Ruby runs, only to miss! Shida ROCKS Ruby, then climbs up to rain down fists! Ruby gets away before three, runs back in but into a BOOT! Shida bumps Ruby off buckles, climbs up and rains down those fists! Ruby slips out at five to YANK Shida down! Ruby whips, Shida goes up and CROSSBODIES! Shida then drags Ruby up, puts her in yet another corner, and tries one more time! Shida rains down fists, and goes all the way to TEN! Fans fire up with Shida and she kicks Ruby out, to then MISSILE DROPKICK!

Fans fire up as Shida drags Ruby up, and Rampage goes picture in picture.

Ruby CLUBS away on Shida to stop the lift, then shoves her to a corner. Ruby runs in, Shida dodges, but Ruby ELBOWS her! Ruby goes up to hit DEADLY NIGHTSHADE! Ruby digs Shida into the buckles, lets off as the ref counts, and then brings Shida up to snapmare. Ruby covers, TWO! Ruby throws down fists now, but lets off with a smug smirk. Ruby puts Shida on ropes to CHOKE! The ref counts, Ruby lets off, and then Ruby has Shida in the ropes to throw knees! A shoutout to Saraya, and Ruby lets off at 4. Ruby stalks Shida, looms over her, and pushes her around. Shida pushes back but Ruby eggs her on.

Shida ROCKS Ruby, then fires again! Ruby claws Shida’s face! And throws her down by her hair again! The ref reprimands, but Ruby clamps on a straitjacket stretch! Shida endures, but Ruby grinds her into the mat! Fans rally, Shida fights up, and she arm-drags free! Ruby returns to CLOBBER Shida! Cover, TWO! Ruby is annoyed but Shida grabs at Ruby’s hair! Ruby CLUBS Shida, drags her up, and stomps a hand! Shida scrambles to a corner while the ref reprimands but Ruby stomps a mudhole in. Ruby lets off as the ref counts, and Ruby storms around. Shida drags herself up, but Ruby CHOKES her on the ropes!

The ref counts while Ruby BITES Shida’s ear! Ruby lets off at 4, drags Shida up, but Shida ROCKS her! And again! And again! And again! But Ruby knees low! Ruby talks trash, whips Shida to ropes, but Shida ducks ‘n’ dodges, and DOUBLE LARIATS knock both women down! Rampage returns to single picture as the standing count climbs. Fans rally, both women are down at 5 of 10 but Shida goes to ropes. Shida snarls, she and Ruby stand at 7, and they storm up. Shida fires a forearm, Ruby gives it back! Shida throws another, so Ruby gives it back! They go back and forth, harder and harder, faster and faster!

Ruby gets the edge, but Shida ROCKS her! And ROCKS her! And ROCKS her again! Shida whips to JUMP KNEE! Shida then suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Shida fires up again and the fans are with her! Shida aims, KATA- NO, Ruby ducks and bails out! Fans boo but Shida goes out to pursue! Shida runs in, jumps off the steps, and DROPKICKS Ruby down! Fans fire up again and Shida stands Ruby up. Shida torture racks Ruby, then goes to the ramp!? Fans are thunderous but Ruby fights free! They throw forearms, and CHOPS! Shida CLUBS Ruby, Ruby throws body shots, but the count is climbing!

They both hear it’s 8 of 10 and start sprinting! They both slide in at 9.5!! Fans are thunderous and then Ruby swings, but Shida blocks! Ruby HEADBUTTS, blocks a kick, then KICKS back! SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Shida survives and Ruby grows frustrated. Ruby goes to a corner, and she takes Shida’s kendo stick for her own! The ref stops Ruby, takes the kendo stick, but then Ruby brings out the spray paint! Shida and the ref both block that and they’re all fighting over it! Down goes the ref!! Shida and Ruby are both stunned, but then Ruby HEADBUTTS! DESTINATION UNKNOWN! But no ref to count the cover!

Ruby is furious, she would’ve had this! But then she sees the kendo stick! Ruby grins as she wields Shida’s weapon! Fans boo, but Shida blocks the strike to kick and HEADSHOT! Then KATANA KICK!! Cover, but still no ref! Wait, here comes Aubrey! Aubrey slides in, counts the cover, TWO!! Ruby survives but Shida fires up! Shida puts Ruby in a drop zone, goes up the corner, and she METE- NO! Ruby dodges to then STO! Ruby drags herself up the corner, goes to the very top, and STAGE DIVE SENTONS onto knees! And then FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!! Ruby survives but Shida won’t stop there!

Shida hauls Ruby up but Ruby wrenches to NO FUTURE KICK! But Shida rebounds to KATANA!! Cover, Shida wins!!

Winner: Hikaru Shida, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the AEW Women’s World Champion)

The Shining Samurai takes down The Runaway, but wait! Here comes Saraya! #TitleTuesday is coming, will that be a good Knight for the champ? Or will Shida take this belt back to become a historic THREE-TIME champion?

My Thoughts:

A great Rampage, especially as the go-home to WrestleDream. I figured the title matches would end with the champions retaining, but we got really good stuff out of Acclaimed VS Hardy Party and Eddie VS Rocky. As for their title defenses on WrestleDream, I don’t see TMDK taking the trios titles as this will be their AEW debuts. And as I’ve said a few times already, Eddie isn’t losing both belts he worked so hard to have so soon. Plus, it feels like there’s some tension between NJPW the company and Shibata, or else Shibata would already be NJPW Strong Openweight Champion and not one of ROH’s champs.

Speaking of Eddie, good promo from him before his match with Rocky, and good interaction with Team Triple J. I wasn’t exactly expecting Jay Lethal to be Eddie’s first actual feud for the ROH World Championship, but I suppose it does make sense as Lethal was a major player in ROH. I hope these guys actually show up on ROH programming, but also, Tony Khan wants this feud to be seen so it’ll end up on AEW programming instead. Y’know, just like all these other ROH title stories outside of the AEW Women’s title.

Good squash from The Righteous, and I’m really curious as to how the tag title match goes on Sunday. There’s a lot of stuff MJF still has to do with Cole, Roddy and The Kingdom, and now this intrigue with Jay White, Bullet Club Gold and the backstage attack at the end of Dynamite. I still feel it should’ve been The Kingdom in the PPV match anyway, but it seems they were going to drag this story out even before Cole hurt his foot. Good promo from Nick Wayne to call out Luchasaurus, but I feel like Luchasaurus ends up winning that match just to make a point of Nick not being able to show up ringside for Darby.

Good promo from Andrade to call out Juice for this week’s Collision, and I’m still wondering if/when La Faccion Ingobernable helps Andrade against Bullet Club Gold. For that matter, why can’t MJF be paying LFI to beat up on White and the BCG? He’s had business dealings with Andrade & Rush before, let’s strike that up again for some continuity. Really good promo from Aussie Open ahead of their tag title match, and from ZSJ to call out Bryan. That 8 Man Tag tomorrow night is going to be good stuff, and perhaps rather telling about where the PPV matches go. The only reason I don’t see Aussie Open winning against FTR is because of that big Fatal 4 Way tag contenders match, but who knows, maybe Aussie Open wins to bring the AEW belts to NJPW events as they take on like Goto & Hashi.

And of course, a great main event from Shida and Ruby. Seems a little silly to set up Ruby as a contender, wouldn’t that just end up in a Finger Poke of Doom situation with Saraya? Which therefore meant Shida was winning. Saraya VS Shida for this Title Tuesday Dynamite is going to be good stuff, but something makes me feel like Ruby is just gonna help Saraya retain. And not to be mean to Shida, but if she’s already a two-time champ, I don’t see her becoming three-time so soon. Why not get Shida in on the TBS Championship story? Britt Baker wants to be the first to have held both titles in AEW, but Shida should want that distinction, too. Then that lets us have Britt VS Shida as we should’ve gotten by now given everything else we’ve been seeing lately.

My Score: 8.7/10

Dynamite begins the countdown to WrestleDream!

It’s another big week for AEW! And before Swerve Strickland returns home to Seattle, he and Hangman Page sign on the dotted line!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• AEW International Championship: Rey Fenix w/ Alex Abrahantes VS Jeff Jarrett w/ Triple J; Fenix wins and retains the title.
• AEW International Championship #1 Contender’s Triple Threat: Nick Jackson VS Brian Cage w/ Prince Nana VS Claudio Castagnoli; Nick wins and will challenge Fenix for the title next week.
• Fatal 4 Way: Penta El Zero Miedo w/ Alex Abrahantes VS Matt Jackson VS Orange Cassidy VS Austin Gunn; Cassidy wins.
• Julia Hart w/ Brody King VS Willow Nightingale; Julia wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

AEW International Championship: Rey Fenix w/ Alex Abrahantes VS Jeff Jarrett w/ Team Triple J

The Immortal Firebird burned brightest last week in his revenge match with Jon Moxley, and now HE is opening the night with an open challenge! But will the entire carnival help the Last Outlaw win this title right off Fenix? Or will Fenix refuse to be a transitional champion?

Well as soon as Team Triple J is ringside, Fenix FLIES out onto them all! Fans fire up and Fenix drags Jarrett up to fire off shots! Fenix stalks Jarrett, CLUBS him, then fires more forearms! And CHOPS! Jarrett pokes Fenix in the eye! Jarrett whips Fenix into railing! And JAMS him with a chair! No rules since this ain’t a match yet, but Fenix CHOPS in return! And CHOPS again! Fenix whips, Jarrett reverses but Fenix RANAS Jay Lethal into Satnam Singh! But Karen CLAWS Fenix’ back! Fenix grabs Karen, but Sonjay CLUBS Fenix! So Fenix SUPERKICKS Sonjay! Fenix puts Jarrett in the ring, the bell finally rings, and Fenix SMACXKS Jarrett to GAMANGIRI!

Fenix goes up and up and QUEBRADAS! Cover, TWO! Jarrett is still in this but Fenix brings him around to fireman’s carry. But the back gives up! Jarrett CLUBS Fenix down, fans rally up for Fenix but Jarrett stomps him. Jarrett brings Fenix around to CLUB him again, and then CLUBS him again! Fenix leans against ropes but Jarrett CHOKES him! Jarrett runs, Karen CHOPS Fenix, and Jarrett hits the STRADDLE ATTACK! Jarrett struts while fans boo, and then Jarrett mocks Cero Miedo, and says ‘SUCK IT!” Jarrett runs, into a SOBAT! KICK! And FOREARM! Fenix runs in to JUMP SOBAT!

Fenix pushes Jarrett down, goes up, but Satnam distracts! Fenix avoids the big haymaker, but Jarrett kicks low to DDT! Fans boo while both men are down and Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Fenix crawls to ropes, Jarrett pursues, but the ref has Jarrett back off. So Karen CHOKES Fenix more! Abrahantes shouts at Triple J but Jarrett stomps Fenix. Jarrett puts Fenix in a corner, whips him corner to corner hard, and Fenix hits the mat.  Jarrett struts some more, distracts the ref, and that allows Lethal to drag Fenix out for some stomps! Sonjay gest some shots in, too! Sonjay mocks #ANIMO, and Lethal keeps Abrahantes back! Jarrett soaks up the heat from Broomfield, Colorado before he goes out after Fenix. Jarrett whips Fenix hard into railing, and Fenix tumbles into the front row!

Abrahantes checks Fenix as he drags himself up, but Triple J chases him off! Abrahantes can’t do anything when it’s 4v1! Jarrett then drags Fenix up to suplex to the floor! Fenix writhes, the ring count is climbing, but Jarrett stomps Fenix. Jarrett talks trash, drags Fenix up, and puts Fenix in before ten. Jarrett CLUBS Fenix, taunts the fans, and then paces around Fenix. Jarrett CLUBS Fenix, taunts him, and Dynamite returns to single picture. Jarrett drags Fenix up but Fenix CHOPS first! And CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! Fenix whips, Jarrett reverse but Fenix ducks ‘n’ dodges and rolls, but Jarrett trips him up!

Fenix goes to the apron and Jarrett kicks him down. Triple J rallies behind their guy but he then sicks them after Fenix. The ref stops Karen right in her tracks! Aubrey ain’t having it no more, and fans love it! Fenix gets up on the apron, RAMS into Jarrett, then RAMSA him again! Fenix RAMS into Jarrett one more time, then hobbles his way to the corner. Fenix springboards and leaps, FLYING ARM-DRAG and DOUBLE STOMP! Fans fire up as Fenix crawls to the cover, TWO! Jarrett is tougher than that but Fenix SUPERKICKS him down! Fans fire up as Fenix goes to the corner and drags himself up top!

Fenix aims, Lethal distracts, but he gets a PENALTY KICK for it! Sonjay tries now, and Jarrett LOW BLOWS! Fans boo but Jarrett cradles! TWO!! Triple J is furious but Jarrett whips. Fenix reverses, Jarrett lifts, Fenix slips out of the bomb! Jarrett kicks and wrenches, THE STROKE!!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Fenix survives and the fans are loving this! Satnam gets on the apron, Jarrett sends Fenix his way, but Fenix dropkicks the legs out! Satnam falls but Jarrett gets Fenix’s legs! FIGURE- NO, Fenix cradles now! FENIX WINS!!

Winner: Rey Fenix, by pinfall (still AEW International Champion)

Triple J tried all the tricks, but nothing could stop Fenix! But he only has a week to rest as we’re getting another title match next week! Will Fenix be facing Nick Jackson, Brian Cage or Claudio Castagnoli? We find out in a Triple Threat later tonight!

Adam Cole & MJF have another bro session.

Though with a bad foot, the Panama City Playboy joins Maxwell Jacob Friedman at the Long Island pierce to celebrate the win at Grand Slam. MJF sees Cole and tells him to hop onboard! Wait, MJF has a boat? Nah, this is his dad’s, but he doesn’t need to know. Uh, what? But anyway, they set sail, have some drinks and even go fishing. Cole thanks MJF for the invite. So beautiful out here. Yeah, it’s the greatest place on Earth. But uh, quick question. MJF is so glad Cole came out to help a brochacho out, and got hurt in the process, but… He was on the phone with Roddy a long time, huh?

Yeah, sorry, he was just worried about Roddy. Yeah, MJF gets it. Seems he was so worried, he couldn’t even be out there at the start of the match. Cole apologizes but Roddy is a brother to him. Yeah, yeah. MJF has Cole hold his beer so he can get some more. Cole hopes they can catch something today. Good beers, right? Yeah, delicious. MJF goes to the cooler, and brings out the Dynamite Diamond Ring?! MJF puts it on his pinkie, but Cole asks if MJF brought him out here just to hit him with the diamond ring then dump his body in the ocean, did he? What? No that is the last thing he’d ever do! MJF is secretly taking the ring off behind his back.

Cole says they do need to talk. Part of a healthy friendship his having more than one friend. It is okay and normal and healthy. Cole knows friendship is new to MJF, but MJF needs to know, Cole still cares about him. Well, look, having more than one friend is not for MJF, but… If it is normal and is Cole’s deal, then he supports that. Cole appreciates that. Plus, MJF almost got caught the last time he threw someone overboard so that’s a relief. What? Whoa, wait, we got a bite! They work together and pull it in! It’s PAUL WIGHT!? He says he was just trying to go for a swim! Paul spits out the hook and joins the boys on the boat. Paul knows they’re Better Than You, Baybay, and that’s aight.

Don Callis & Konosuke Takeshita returned to Japan.

The patriarch of the Don Callis Family and his “new son,” The Alpha, walked the streets of Tokyo as they responded to the Six Man Tag Challenge. Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi & Chris Jericho want to make a match for WrestleDream, but they’re not even in Seattle. They’re in Japan to hunt down the Golden Star! And Don knows all the favorite places of the Golden Lovers, so Kenny better have a new third man in mind for WrestleDream after they take care of business! The DCF will be live and in person after the break, will they have succeeded in their mission?

Renee Paquette is in the ring.

She says to expound upon their actions this past week, please welcome Don Callis & Konosuke Takeshita. The fans boo as dastardly Don and treacherous Takeshita make their way out during a recap package. Back in present, Renee gets to business. We all saw what happened between Sammy Guevara and Chris Jericho at Grand Slam and the days after, so is it safe to say that Sammy is DCF? And sorry, but it is hard to hear over the chorus of boos. Callis says he has something to say. “I’m so happy that Sammy Guevara is FREE of the toxic influence of Chris Jericho, that I wanted to bring him out here myself! Ladies and gentlemen, the newest member of the Don Callis Family, SAMMY GUEVARA!”

The Spanish God, the REAL Judas of AEW, struts his way out like he did last Friday on Rampage. Fans boo him like they boo Callis and he joins the family. Sammy and Callis hug, and then even Konosuke hugs Sammy. Callis says, “You wanna know about Tokyo now?” Renee says yes, we just saw their video. What was the business there? Callis reminds us that Kota Ibushi is not safe! He and The Alpha went to Tokyo with a personal camera crew that caught it all! They were at Ibushi’s dojo in Gunma, Japan, and they barged right in! Ibushi wasn’t there, so they beat up on one of his students!

Ibushi showed up, took the fight to Konosuke, but checking on his student left him open to a SLEEPER! Ibushi fought free, gave some ground ‘n’ pound, but Callis SMACKED Ibushi with his umbrella! Big mistake, Don! Ibushi stormed up on Callis, Callis ran away, but Konosuke CLOBBERED Ibushi with a kettle bell weight! Callis then came back to stomp Ibushi, and then Konosuke CHOKED Ibushi with his jacket! Callis told Omega that this is his beating heart lying on the ground! No one is safe from the Don Callis Family!! Fans boo as Callis says his family has never been stronger! With Konosuke, Will “BAH GAWD” Ospreay and Sammy Guevara going to WrestleDream!

Fans boo as Sammy now speaks. Sammy is being painted as the bad guy, when in reality, he’s the HERO! Fans boo more but Sammy says Jericho is the real villain. Fans chant “F YOU, SAMMY!” but he just tunes that out to say Jericho, for four YEARS, held Sammy back! Sammy was champion without Jericho! He headlined PPVs without Jericho! And he was great all on his own. Every time Sammy started to fly, Jericho would clip Sammy’s wings and bring him down. Sammy thought that one day, Jericho would pass him the torch. But Jericho never was going to do that, and Callis is the one who showed Sammy that Jericho is selfish!

Sammy TOOK the torch, and now looks to become the star he was born to be! Fans boo more but Callis says at WrestleDream, they take everything from Ibushi, Jericho and Omega, “until there’s nothing left but the tears!” Konosuke adds as much in Japanese, will the Don Callis Family truly destroy three of the greatest of all time?

AEW shares footage from after Collision.

Last Saturday, after losing to Bryan Danielson again, Ricky Starks & “Big Bill” Morrissey were backstage, and Starks says that he survived again! He didn’t lose, he survived, period! Bryan Danielson has not tapped him out, and he never pinned him. The rankings is still Starks above Bryan! But then Wheeler Yuta walks over. Easy, man, he comes in peace. Yeah, Starks survived. And Yuta is man enough to admit he was wrong for what he did. He put his hands on Starks when the fight was over, and Starks was just trying to show Bryan respect. Starks tells Yuta that the next time Yuta puts his hands on Starks, Starks makes sure Yuta doesn’t walk away on his own accord!

Yuta says he’s trying to be the bigger man but it seems Starks doesn’t wanna hear it, so here’s how Yuta really feels. Starks is an entitled prick, all style and no substance, and all he does is whine, complain and moan! Starks couldn’t get up after everything Bryan put him through but guess what? Yuta gets up every damn day! The Blackpool Combat Club beats his ass, puts him down, and he just gets back up because that makes him stronger. And Starks doesn’t have the balls for that! But if he disagrees, let’s find out at WrestleDream. Starks smirks and walks off. Yeah, walk away. But it is now official! Absolute VS Decoder, who proves they’re tough enough?

AEW International Championship #1 Contender’s Triple Threat: Nick Jackson VS Brian Cage w/ Prince Nana VS Claudio Castagnoli!

WrestleDream on Sunday, and the FOURTH ANNIVERSARY of Dynamite next Wednesday, things are looking up for AEW! As such, one of these three men will challenge Rey Fenix for his title live on Dynamite next week! Who grabs themselves a golden ticket to #ANIMO?

The bell rings and Cage rushes Nick! Nick dodges but then Cage blocks the superkick to CHOP! Cage drags Nick up to trophy lift, and then TOSS him to the floor! Fans fire up as now Machine and Swiss Superman meet! First time anywhere, and the two tie up for a test of strength! They’re shoulder to shoulder, and Cage powers up to bend Claudio back! But Claudio powers up to push Cage! Cage kicks, SOBATS, and suplexes, but Claudio counters to suplex Cage! But Cage is right up! Cage suplexes, and he SLAMS Claudio! But Claudio is up, to UPPERCUT! Cage snarls, LARIATS, but Claudio stays up to UPPERCUT!

Cage LARIATS, Claudio UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS, and runs at Nick. Nick RAMS into Claudio, slingshots up and over to CHOP Cage! SOBAT for Claudio! LUCHA LIBRE~ as Nick FLYING ARM-DRAG RANA COMBOS! Nick goes up and up and TOPE CONJILO! “How about that?” Nick puts Cage in, goes up and in but Cage SPLASHES first! Cage hoists Nick up but Nick slips under to kick a leg out! Cage is stuck, Claudio puts Nick on the apron but Nick GAMANGIRIS! Nick slingshots to STOMP Claudio and DRAPING BACKSTABBER Cage! Fans are thunderous with Nick but Claudio BOOTS him down! Now fans fire up with Claudio!

Dynamite goes picture in picture as Claudio stalks Nick. Claudio scoops Nick to a trophy lift of his own, to DROP Nick behind him! Claudio flexes, covers, TWO! Claudio keeps cool, looms over Nick and brings him up to ROCK with a forearm! Nick goes to a corner, Claudio fires more shots, but Nick hits back! Nick backs Claudio down with haymakers, whips him to ropes, but Claudio reverses to LARIAT! Claudio then goes out to whip Cage, only for Cage to reverse! Claudio hits railing and gets stuck in the front row! Cage goes after Nick in the ring and fires forearms. Cage RAMS into Nick in the corner, then CHOPS him!

Cage talks some trash, runs back in, but into a BOOT! Then into more BOOTS! Nick goes up but Claudio SHOVES him, into a suplex from Cage! JACKHAMMER! Cover, but Claudio stomps it apart! Claudio drags Cage up, fires a forearm, and then has him in a corner. Claudio brings Cage out but Cage puts Claudio up top! Cage ROCKS Claudio, climbs up after him, and the two fire forearms back and forth! Claudio fires a flurry, and then HEADBUTTS Cage down! Nick springboards to CROSSBODY! Then Claudio CROSSBODIES Nick! Cover, TWO!! Claudio reels Nick in, but Cage CLOBBERS Claudio first!

Cage drags Claudio up, whips but Claudio reveres to knee low, and GUT WRENCH SUPELX! Dynamite returns to single picture as Cage flounders to a corner. Fans fire up with Claudio and he runs in, but Cage moves! Cage UPPERCUTS, GAMANGIRIS, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Nick is back and he runs up to SHINING WIZARD! GAMANGIRI! FOREARM! BULLDOG! Fans fire up as Nick goes up and out to PENALTY KICK Claudio! Then Nick RAMS into Cage, slingshots to FACEBUSTER, then he CARTWHEEL MOONSAULTS, but Claudio catches it! Only for Nick to TORNADO DDT it!!

Fans are thunderous as Nick goes up top, and Nana freaks out as Nick hits a 450 SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Cage survives and Nana is relieved. Nick stands, but Claudio drags him out to RAM him into steel steps! Claudio hurries in after Cage, and fans fire up as they wanna see it! Claudio says okay, here comes the SWING!! Cage endures as he goes around and around, and the fans count to TEN! Claudio then covers, but Nick breaks it! Nick runs at Claudio but is put on ropes! Only to body scissor throw Claudio out! Nick goes up, he leaps and CROSSBODIES, but Cage catches him! F10!! Cover, TWO!!!

Fans are thunderous while Cage is furious! Cage storms up, Claudio RAMS into him, but Cage GAMANGIRIS! Cage goes up, and he deadlifts Claudio for the SUPERPLEX!! Cover, TWO!!! Claudio barely survives and Nana is beside himself! Cage slashes his throat, he wants to end this! Cage hauls Claudio up, Alabama Lifts, but Nick SUPERKICKS! “This is Awesome!” and Claudio sunset flips, but Nick ghost pins! TWO!! Nick SUPERKICKS Cage, but Cage rebounds! DISCUS- SUPERKICK! Nick gets Cage again, but then Claudio UPPERCUTS Cage in the corner! Nick SUPERKICKS again! UPPERCUT! SUPERKICK TO CLAUDIO!

Nick runs, into a POP-UP UPPERCUT!! Cage swings but Cage blocks to DISCUS LARIAT!! Cover, TWO?!?! Cage survives, but now Claudio has the clinch! HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS!! Claudio drags Cage up, reel shim in and tucks the arms, RICOLA~ BOMB!! But then Nick FLYING RANAS Claudio away! Cover on Cage, NICK WINS!!

Winner: Nick Jackson, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the AEW International Championship)

Nick snatches this one away from Cage and Claudio, and would you look at that? Fenix VS Nick one more time around! Will Nick prove he is the better younger brother? Or will Fenix make sure The Buck stops here?

The Righteous speak.

Dutch addresses, “Mr. MJF… Mr. Cole… We have one question to ask you two: Do you ache for a feeling that you fake to feel?” Vincent says, “Boys, just like everyday society, all the fake people of the world are bonded by materialistic thinks. Just like the two of you! But soon, that’s gonna change.” “Karma has no deadline, gentlemen.” “And for us, we’ve done nothing wrong. It’s easier to forgive your enemy than it is to forgive fake friends. Dig what I’m saying, man?” Will the brochachos see what they mean soon enough?

MJF & Adam Cole are here!

Broomfield fires up as the ROH World Tag Team Champions head to the ring, Cole with his foot wrapped in a cast and using crutches to get along behind the AEW World Champion. Will Cole even be able to compete this Sunday? The brochachos still get in the ring, and MJF has a chair for Cole to take a seat. And even then, they still do the “ADAM COLE BAYBAY!” together. MJF gets the mics and has the music cut. MJF hears the cheers, and he says, “Ladies and gentlemen, the Devil has arrived in Colorado!” And Cole, talk to ’em! “Who’s ready for Story Time with Adam Cole, Baybay?” Fans cheer that!

Cole says this is going to be a sad chapter. Because last week, Cole got hurt, and hurt real bad. His ankle exploded, broke in three different places, and tore ligaments. He did everything he could but now he has to get surgery. There is nothing more soul crushing than hearing this, but Cole promises us that he will do everything in his power to get back as soon as humanly possible. Fans cheer that, but Cole wants us to know, that he and MJF are the ROH World Tag Team Champions. Because they can’t defend these titles now, they must now relinquish- WHOA WHOA WHOA! MJF wants brocacho Cole to hold on there.

Fans chant “NO! NO! NO!” and MJF tells Cole, “I know you didn’t have my fine kosher ass wrestle twice in one night to win these belts, to relinquish them to those freaky deeky douchebags, the Righteous.” MJF asks Colorado if they wanna see them just relinquish these titles. “NO!” Yeah, he thought so. MJF can’t believe he’s gonna say this, but let’s keep it real. Cole wouldn’t be hurt right now if not for him. Cole doesn’t want MJF blaming himself but MJF says no, he needed help with Samoa Joe, that is true. MJF will take that. However, he also knows how much these tag titles mean to Cole.

And MJF wants to make sure when Cole comes back, which he will 110% because he’s one of the best of all time, these will be waiting for him. MJF tells The Righteous that on October 1st, The Devil of AEW slides into Seattle, and will defend these tag titles in a HANDICAP MATCH, and will WIN, because they’re Better Than You, BAYBAY! Fans love that, but wait. Here comes Roderick Strong shouting for “ADAM~! ADAM~!” Fans echo it in mocking tones, as The Kingdom wheel Roddy out on a wheelchair. Roddy tells Cole that he needs him more than ever now. This is an emergency! Fans boo as they don’t believe the timing.

MJF says hold on, everybody, listen. As much as he thinks Roddy is nothing but a simp, which the fans echo, MJF learned a lesson on that boat. Roddy is Cole’s boy. And MJF may not like it but he respects it. So Cole, you go do what you gotta do. Just know MJF will be here when he comes back. Fans cheer that and Cole stands up. Cole and MJF look each other eye to eye, and then hug! Fans cheer again, Roddy says hurry up already. Cole hops out of the ring and says he’s coming, just calm down. Fans chant, “HE’S OUR SCUMBAG!” As The Kingdom and #HotRoddy head out. MJF gets the fans to cheer Cole again before he reaches the back.

MJF says he isn’t a fan of- Bullet Club Gold?! Jay White, Juice Robinson & The Gunns strut their way out, #Cardblade included, and then White tells his boys he can handle this on his own. Juice & The Gunns return to the back, and White continues to the ring. Fans chant “TOO SWEET! WOOP WOOP!” but then come back with “M J F! M J F!” MJF starts to talk but White tells him to shut up! Fans boo the attitude but White says they can shut up, too. White says we’ve all heard MJF’s voice enough tonight, time to hear White’s sweet and exotic accent for a change. Fans boo, and MJF is perplexed.

White says don’t worry, he knows coming out with the Bang Bang Gang, 5v1, it had MJF shook. Rock Hard Robinson, Fully Cocked Colten, Austin. And Cardblade, too! But it is okay, this is one on one time to revel in the moment. MJF tells White he must be smoking some strong Colorado grass. Fans chant for “WEED! WEED! WEED!” MJF says he is gonna yank it out, watch! White, that mid mic work ain’t gonna work on MJF. When you come for the king, you best not miss, and that first shot was a little bit hairy. Almost as hairy as that pubic hair stuck on White’s chin he passes for a goatee!

Fans chant “PUBIC HAIR! PUBIC HAIR!” Another first here… But MJF says in his career, he’s been compared to a lot of people. The sentiment was always the same: “Sure, MJF is good, but he’s no blank.” And as the star rose, the names got bigger and bigger. It never bothered MJF, until he read, “Sure, MJF is good, but he’s no Jay White.” White says that’s true, though. Fans call BS. But MJF says he didn’t get why it upset him, until now, standing eye to eye with White, in front of all MJF’s beautiful poors. Fans cheer the “compliment.” MJF says it is very apparent now. The people know better than anyone that MJF is like filet mignon.

And the thing about filet is that it is a thing unto itself. You can have other things on a plate with it, but it is all about the filet. Much like when MJF is in this ring, the show is all about MJF. Because NOBODY is on the level of The Devil. He is a generational talent, babe! Fans cheer that! And then there’s White. He is very talented, don’t get MJF wrong. However, even the smartest of fans have been confused into thinking these two are equal. That White is a filet when in reality, he’s just tofu. Fans boo tofu, then chant “TOFU! TOFU!” at White. The funny thing about tofu is that it takes on the flavor of whatever you want, BUT you need to add something to it to trick yourself into believing it has flavor.

And Jay White, you have been given everything. All the finest spices, herbs, and so on! The entrance, the nickname, the music, the shirts, the opportunities. White was handed the keys to one of the greatest wrestling factions of all time, the Bullet Club. White shows off the jacket. However… if you take that all away, we are left with nothing but boring, bland, tasteless TOFU. And now here White is, trying to hop onto MJF’s plate and steal some of his flavor! MJF doesn’t even mind because he sees through him. White is all hype. White is nothing more than a smartly produced, mass marketed vision of what someone in Japan thinks was a top guy!

So allow MJF to give you some advice from a REAL top guy! If MJF were White, he’d just leave the ring and would stop talking smack to MJF’s poors! Cuz if White doesn’t, for the rest of his career, whenever their names are mentioned in the same sentence, it will read as follows: “Sure, Jay White is good, but he’s no Maxwell Jacob Friedman.” Because he’s better than you, and you know it! Fans cheer and MJF soaks it all in. White shakes that off and then gives MJF his applause. Yes, thank you, this is what White wanted! His very own, personalized, MJF experience! But to be honest, White’s a little let down.

Fans bring back “TOFU! TOFU!” but White shrugs that off. He says something is off about MJF. Personally, is it the injuries? Or maybe it’s the distraction that is his bromance with Adam Cole BAYBAY! See, when they scream Cole’s name, people do that, they go “BAYBAY!” White bets MJF wishes they’d do something like that for him. But White doesn’t think the fans love MJF like they do Cole. The fans boo and MJF smirks. White tells the fans remember, when he’s talking, they hush. But this whole situation, if you think about it, is kinda White’s fault. See, if White didn’t put Cole’s career on halt at Forbidden Door 1, maybe this friendship doesn’t develop as Cole makes his way back.

Then they don’t tag together, they don’t become ROH World Tag Team Champs together, they don’t Wembley main event together, Cole doesn’t try to break MJF’s neck at Wembley… But hey! You got him back cuz now Cole’s ankle is busted and that is MJF’s fault! Fans boo but White says MJF’s neck really isn’t feeling good after Samoa Joe last week. So yeah, White’s been ruining MJF’s life from afar. But it’s okay, he’s here, up close and personal, to ruin it in the flesh! Fans boo more but White tells MJF that MJF says he’s the devil? Nobody is on the level of the devil? Well, Mr. Devil, find a new level that does not exist, in order to stop White from taking the AEW World title!

Yeah, he is taking the thing that matters most! Funny how the All Elite Wrestling World Heavyweight Champion isn’t so elite when compared to Switchblade Jay White, the #1 asset in all of pro-wrestling! The Last Rock ‘n’ Rolla! The man who singlehandedly sold out Madison Square Garden AND the United Center! White is King Switch, baby! The ONLY Grand Slam Champion that matters! And he is high rolling in Denver! The Catalyst of Pro-Wrestling!! And HE, NOT MJF, will be a truly elite champion when he peels that off MJF’s carcass! MJF can go sulk and sob with all his poors! He’s just like them, he’s their scumbag!

Fans boo and tell White to STFU, but White says yeah, yeah, yeah. Don’t worry, Max, he will have them and they will have him while White has the Triple B, BAYBAY! And you can ALL breath with the Switchblade, the new and true AEW World Heavyweight Champion! It is STILL his era! This is the Switchblade Era because MJF’s soft, and he knows it! MJF tells White he doesn’t have a damn clue what MJF’s capable of, so how about he shows you!? MJF throws off the scarf and belt and even his shirt! Fans fire up as White throws his jacket off, but then White bails out! Fans boo but MJF tells him that if he wants the title, he ain’t getting it!

When and where will these two young and violent stars have it out for the top prize in AEW?

Jim Ross has a sit-down interview with Darby Allin and Christian Cage.

Good ol’ JR makes one thing perfectly clear: it is a smart move for AEW to guarantee there is no physicality here. The match on Sunday is too important for the company, for both men’s careers, because we expect a classic. Times are changing, look who the recognized champion is now. No controversy on Captain Charisma’s claims to be TNT Champion, what are his thoughts on that? Christian isn’t sure what JR means.  He’s been champion for months now. And he just proved he is far superior every single way on Collision when he “retained” his title in a Triple Threat.

Then JR has a question that’ll piss Christian off. Christian’s lost to Darby twice. What makes Christian think he can win two outta three falls at WrestleDream? First, those were flukes, and all non-title. Christian will walk out of Darby’s hometown as the TNT Champion. Christian knows in his heart that Darby is nowhere near the man or the wrestler Christian is. Darby relies on his stupid skateboard and other little tricks, and throws his whole body around, tables, ladders and chairs. Christian wanted the two outta three so that we can see what happens when Darby actually has to wrestle. Christian vows that Darby will be exposed in his hometown, in front of his family and friends, and he hopes Darby will be ready to live with that for the rest of his life.

Now speaking of being prepared, is Darby’s uncle going to be there? Oh, right, no, his uncle… Sounded like a great guy, taking his little nephew out for a drunken joyride. And what happened? Darby says he’s dead! Is that what Christian wants to say? Everyone Christian talks trash on is dead! What is Christian after? That doesn’t define who Darby is today! You think Darby’s afraid of dying? You think he’s afraid of losing? Newsflash, he won’t lose! Christian cannot beat Darby in Seattle! Darby’s won the TNT title there once and he’ll do it there again! So then, if he’s so confident, Christian says bring everyone. Mom, dad, brother, hell! Bring Nick Wayne and his mom!

Actually, yeah, do that, Christian can call her to make sure. But bring everyone. Bring Buddy- OH, right, he’s dead. Darby says Christian wants Nick to be there so he can take advantage of him again! That’s the only reason Luchasaurus won at All Out! And Darby will make sure Nick doesn’t show up ringside, and if Christian has the BALLS, he’d do this without Luchasaurus at ringside! Only if Christian does, though. Christian explains: You think Darby is helping Nick? Darby’s not the mentor that kid needs. He needs a champion, a real man! Someone who doesn’t paint his face to hide his identity!

Darby gets restless in his seat and Christian dares him to hit him! Darby instead gets a water bottle and says he isn’t hiding. Darby washes the paint away and asks if Christian thinks he’s hiding! Christian says he does! And Christian also says he does not need Luchasaurus. WrestleDream, October 1st, in Seattle, TNT Championship, best two outta three, Christian proves he has and always will be the Face of TNT, so get used to it!! Darby stands up and storms off, will he prove the only one hiding is the guy in the turtleneck?

Fatal 4 Way: Penta El Zero Miedo w/ Alex Abrahantes VS Matt Jackson VS Orange Cassidy VS Austin Gunn!

Ahead of a HUGE Fatal 4 Way Tag to determine new #1 contenders to the AEW World Tag Team Championships, one man from each team faces off, no teammates allowed ringside! Rey Fenix is still International Champion, Nick Jackson is headed for a title match with him next week, with one of their brothers move the team into pole position? Will Freshly Squeezed serve up some Orange Punch? Or will Bullet Club Gold’s… uh, Austin hit a bull’s eye before WrestleDream?

The bell rings and Austin talks trash while holding up the gun finger. He rushes Cassidy but Cassidy tosses him out! Austin drags Cassidy out to join him and sends him into railing! But then Austin sees Penta there and backs off. Matt rolls Penta up, TWO! Matt arm-drags, wheelbarrows and arm-drags again! Matt fakes Penta out to DDT! But Austin rolls Matt up! TWO, and Matt TOSSES Austin! Cassidy returns, Matt hurdles, things speed up and Cassidy ARM-DRAGS Matt! Fans fire up as off comes the elbow- NO, Austin rolls Cassidy up! TWO, and Austin runs in at the corner, only for Cassidy to TOSS him out!

Penta returns but Cassidy ELBOWS him back! Penta wobbles, then he swaggers! Fans fire up and Penta rolls back to RANA, and then LEG DROP! Cassidy stagger sup into a DROPKICK! Cassidy falls out of the ring, fans fire up but Austin cuts Penta off. The two stare down, but then the fans taunt the “ASS~ BOY~!” Austin and Penta circle, Austin mocking Penta’s swagger. Austin says “Listen! GUNS UP!” Penta says hold on, and off comes the glove! Perfect pass and catch to Abrahantes, and then “Listen! CERO! MIEDO!” Penta pie faces Austin but Austin reloads to say “GUNS! UP!” Fans boo but Penta resets, but Austin dodges the chop!

Austin CHOPS, he talks trash, but Penta CHOPS him down! Fans fire up as Austin bails out, “CERO!” NO, Matt is back! Penta dodges to SUPERKICK! Cassidy is back, he stops the Cero Miedo to say hands up, into pockets! But Penta SUPERKICKS him down! “CERO! MIEDO!” But then Austin CLOBBERS Penta! Austin CLOBBERS Matt, too! Then he dodges the Orange Punch to JAB! JAB! JAB! Austin does a little dance, to then DECK Cassidy! Austin soaks up the heat, covers, TWO! Austin fumes while Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Austin hears the fans taunting him, then he goes up the corner to taunt them back. Austin brings Cassidy around, stomps him, then talks a bit more trash. Austin paces around, DECKS Penta off the apron, then brings Cassidy up again. Austin bumps Cassidy off buckles, brings him out, and reels him in to suplex. Cassidy blocks, Austin keeps trying, but Cassidy suplexes Austin! Matt runs in to kick and snap suplex Cassidy! Penta runs in to kick and snap suplex Matt! Austin snap suplexes Penta! Cassidy snap suplexes Austin! Matt snap suplexes Cassidy! Penta snap suplexes Matt! Austin goes after Penta, but Penta snap suplexes Austin!

Fans fire up as Cassidy runs up, but Penta snap suplexes him, too! Matt runs up, but Penta snap suplexes him, too! Fans are thunderous as Penta comes out with the Three Amigos and “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta runs in at the corner but Cassidy ELBOWS him again! Cassidy goes up, Penta superkicks the legs out! Cassidy is stuck, Penta goes up, but Austin drags Cassidy out of the corner to ROCK Penta! Austin climbs up to fire hands but Penta hits back! They brawl, and Penta HEADBUTTS Austin down! Matt goes up to BLAST Penta off the corner! Matt then goes up, but Austin CLUBS him on the back!

Austin climbs up behind Matt, brings him up, and Dynamite returns to single picture. Matt throws headlock punches on Austin, ELBOWS him down, then adjusts. Fans fire up and Matt CROSSBODIES Penta on the outside! Cassidy goes up to aim at Austin but Austin is up first! Austin CLUBS away on Cassidy, but Cassidy throws hands back! Austin falls down again, and Cassidy adjusts, to TRUST FALL onto Penta & Matt! Fans are thunderous and Cassidy goes up, but Austin gets under the leap! Things speed up, Austin turns hip toss into QUICK DRAW! Cover, TWO!! Cassidy survives and Austin fumes.

Abrahantes rallies the fans while Austin drags Cassidy up and reels him in. Austin calls out The Game, underhooks the arms, but Cassidy back drops him away! Penta runs in to DESTROYER on Cassidy! Austin staggers up, reels Penta in, but Penta back drops him. Matt hits a DESTROYER on Penta! Austin runs up on Matt, but Matt back drops him away! Cassidy hits a DESTROYER on Matt!! Austin tries again, but Cassidy Alabama Lifts! Austin sunset flips it, TWO! Cassidy reels Austin in, to hit a DESTROYER!! The fans are thunderous as all four men stagger and wobble! Then they all fall over!

A standing count begins as fans chant for “A E DUB!” All four are down at 4 of 10, but they stir and go to ropes. Every man has a corner, but Penta runs in at Matt. Matt dodges to CLUB Penta, cravat, and he SUPERKICKS Austin! Matt runs to kick off Cassidy to hit SLICED BREAD on Penta! Cassidy runs, tilt-o-whirls but Matt makes it a NORTHERN LIGHTS! Then the Polar Express begins! But Cassidy slips around but Matt switches. They go to ropes, Matt manages the O’Conner, but Penta AND Austin run in! Matt gets them both, DOUBLE NORTHERN LIGHTS!! TRIPLE COVER!! TWO!!! All three escape and fans are thunderous!

Matt feeds off the energy and he drags Penta up. Matt doesn’t have Nick but he still calls the shot! B T E- NO, Penta blocks! “CERO! MIEDO!” Kick and underhook, but Matt slips out to underhook. Penta slips out to ENZIGURI! Penta runs, dodges Austin, to SLINGBLADE! Penta kicks Matt low, reels him in, but Cassidy ORANGE PUNCHES Penta down! Cassidy blocks Matt’s superkick to spin him, Alabama Lift him, and BEACH BREAK!! But Austin hits a FAMOUSER!! Cover, TWO!! Austin hurries to cover Matt, TWO!! Austin hurries to pin Penta, TWO!! Austin strikes out and is furious, but the fans rally up.

All four men rise, and Austin ROCKS Matt! ROCKS Cassidy! ROCKS Penta! “GUNS UP-” TRIPLE SUPERKICK!! Then DOUBLE SUPERKICKS for Cassidy! Penta SUPERKICKS Matt, but Matt SUPERKICKS Penta! They SUPERKICK each other! They DOUBLE LARIAT, DOUBLE LARIAT, and then run, but Austin trips Penta! Cassidy returns to ORANGE PUNCH Matt!! Cover, Cassidy wins!!

Winner: Orange Cassidy, by pinfall

Freshly Squeezed finds the opening, and now he and the Cold-Hearted Handsome Devil have the momentum! Will #OrangeHook grab themselves tag title tickets that are good for a title match at any time? Or will one of the three brother tag teams pull together and win big together?

Julia Hart w/ Brody King VS Willow Nightingale!

The Lady of the House is on an impressive win streak of 26-0, since losing to Kris Statlander. As such, she is after the TBS Championship this Sunday. Will she make the Babe with the Power just another example? Or will Willow prove why she’s the 2023 Queen of Harts?

It’s also of note that Willow still has bandages wrapped around her head, covering the eye Julia Hart hit with black mist while backstage at Rampage. Will having only one eye hold her back against such a sadistic opponent?

The bell rings fans rally up as Willow stares Julia down. They approach, Julia has a sinister smile, but Willow CLOBBERS her! And bumps her off buckles! Willow fires clotheslines in the corner, the ref backs her off, but then Willow storms back up on Julia. Willow fires more forearms, bumps her off buckles, and then stomps a mudhole into Julia! The ref counts, Willow lets off, and Julia jumps on! She claws at the bandages! Willow SLAMS Julia down, storms around, but Julia dodges to fire off more forearms! The ref counts, Julia whips but Willow handsprings through! Willow comes back to short arm LARIAT!

Willow hauls Julia up, CHOPS her in the corner, and then bumps Julia off buckles! Willow throws more clotheslines and CHOPS! Willow reels Julia in, snap suplexes, covers, TWO! Willow rains down fists while Brody coaches Julia to get up. Willow storms around, but Julia SLAPS Her! That only makes Willow grin! Willow scoops to SLAM! And then scoop to SLAM again! And then another scoop, but Julia fights free! Julia ducks ‘n’ dodges, bails out, and she hides under the ring! Willow storms out after her but Brody stands in the way. Julia sneaks out the other side, then runs up to CHOP BLOCK! Fans hoot and bark as Julia hits a BLINDSIDE LARIAT!

Julia grins as she CLUBS away, and Dynamite goes picture in picture!

Julia drags Willow up and into the ring, storms in after her, and CLUBS away more! Julia makes us all look at the damaged eye before she CLUBS Willow again. The ref reprimands, Julia stalks Willow to ropes and CHOKES her! The ref counts again, Julia lets off, and she CLUBS Willow down. Julia digs her boots in, but Willow pushes her away. Julia CLUBS Willow, Willow hits back. They throw hands back and forth, and Julia stomps Willow around. Julia brings Willow up but Willow throws body shots! Willow fireman’s carries, but Julia CXLAWS at Willow’s face! Julia drags Willow down while the ref reprimands!

Julia puts Willow on ropes and CHOKES her! The ref reprimands and counts, Julia lets off at 4, and then stalks Willow as she rises. Julia SLAPS Willow, has her in a corner, and CHOPS her! And ROCKS her! Julia fires forearms, snapmares, then KICKS her in the back! And KICKS her in the side! Julia rains down forearms, then clamps on a chinlock. Willow endures as Julia leans on the hold. Willow fights up as fans rally, and Willow stands as Dynamite returns to single picture. Julia jumps on for a SLEEPER, but Willow pops her into a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Both women rise and fans rally behind Willow!

Willow runs corner to corner to BACK BODY BLOCK, then she snapmares Julia away, to BOOT her down! Willow then whips Julia to SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO!! Julia survives but Willow stays focused. Willow drags Julia up, reels her in, short arm LARIAT! And short arm- NO, Julia turns it into an STO! Julia then steps over, for the HARTLESS STRETCH!! Willow endures, reaches out, ROPEBREAK!! Julia is furious as she lets go, but then she watches Willow go to the corner. Julia runs in, handsprings, but into a POOOOUNCE! PERIOD!! The straps come down, Willow is roaring, and she hauls Julia up!

Willow gut wrenches, scoops, and then RAMS Julia into a corner! Julia is put in the Tree of Woe, and Willow mocks the hooting and barking! Fans join in, Willow runs in, but Julia sits up and cannonball hits buckles! Julia adjusts, to MOONSAULT! Cover, Julia wins!

Winner: Julia Hart, by pinfall

Julia angered Willow and took advantage of that rage! But she’s not done, either! HARTLESS STRETCH!! Willow endures, refuses to tap, but it doesn’t matter anyway because this match is over! But here comes Kris! The TBS Champion runs down and rushes Julia but Julia dodges and hides behind Brody! Julia has a sly little smile, but will nothing stop Mama Kris from grounding the brat? Or is the song right that the House Always Wins?

BREAKING NEWS for Rampage!

As if this week wasn’t big enough, The Acclaimed’s Open Challenge for the Trios Championships has been answered! It will be the Hardy Party, Isiah Kassidy & The Hardy Boyz! Will the Scissoring World Tour be DELETED? Or will nothing stop Max Caster, Anthony Bowens & Billy Gunn? Plus, Ruby Soho takes on Hikaru Shida for a shot at the AEW Women’s World Championship for October 10th, the special edition Tuesday Night Dynamite! And though he is to defend both the ROH World and NJPW Strong Openweight titles against Katsuyori Shibata, Eddie Kingston defends the latter against Rocky Romero! Will Azucar look to change the Mad King’s plans?

Renee Paquette is back in the ring.

She is already with Swerve Strickland at the table for this contract signing, and says we are days away from WrestleDream, Swerve returning to his hometown to face this former AEW World Champion, Hangman Adam Page! The Anxious Millennial Cowboy makes his entrance and the fans fire up. And Renee makes sure everyone knows, no one else is allowed ringside, neither from The Mogul Embassy nor from The Elite. Security is here to ensure that, so let us make this 1v1 match official. Hangman is given the contract first, and he takes the pen but Swerve says before he signs, Swerve has to admit. He is impressed with the fire Hangman has shown lately.

Even at Grand Slam, Swerve didn’t think Hangman had it in him. But uh, a little too late for it, don’t you think? We’re just four days away from WrestleDream. Swerve says it is better to be prepared on the approach rather than the landing, but that’s just him. Does Hangman understand what he is walking into? This is Seattle, “Whose house?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” That is a lion’s den! It’s the Twelfth Man, dammit! Unlike anything Hangman’s ever dealt with. And he doesn’t really understand. They are two competitors that couldn’t be more opposite. Swerve is nothing like Hangman. Hangman is not the wrestler Swerve is, and Swerve is NEVER going to be the wrestler Hangman is.

Cuz what’s a farm to a mogul? A cowboy to an outlaw? A Buckshot to a Killshot? Swerve puts down his mic and stares Hangman down but Hangman says Swerve is all fire dup. Good, he should be. A few weeks ago, Swerve said some things that in the moment, Hangman won’t lie, they stung. But now that he’s had time to think about them, he wants to thank Swerve for saying all that. Hangman hadn’t gotten new wrestling gear in over a year. He hadn’t had new shirts or merch, and that something was up with Hangman. Hangman knew it, too, deep down.

Because for a year and a half, every day that Hangman would come to work, he felt there was a little black cloud hanging over his head that he just couldn’t get rid of. And yeah, sure, the sun would shine sometimes. Hangman beat Moxley in a Texas Death Match! Hangman reunited with his friends in The Elite! And it felt like Hangman should’ve been the happiest man in the world, but every time he started to smile, that little cloud came back and started to rain. Hangman was annoyed, pissed off, because he knew he couldn’t do anything or say anything. He had this umbrella folded up at his side, and he knew that for as long as God let it rain on him, he didn’t dare open the umbrella.

“But that is over with. And I weathered the storm, I’m still here!” Fans cheer that, and Hangman says the thing that Swerve noticed and made Hangman see, is that in the downpour, it washed something out of Hangman. Call it determination, passion, hope, but it was gone. And now that Hangman has had time to think, to really reckon with it, he realizes that the people have always, and now more than ever, deserve more from Hangman! They deserve the best of Hangman! Fans cheer that, too! And Hangman deserves to do that for himself. So that is what Swerve will get in Seattle. He will get THE BEST of Hangman!

Fans fire up as Hangman signs his part. Swerve laughs as the fans chant for “COWBOY SH*T!” Swerve says that was beautiful stuff. But frankly, that was also the most pathetic thing he’s ever seen! More pathetic than Russell Wilson and the Broncos against the Dolphins. Fans boo but Swerve says him being from Seattle, he is happy to have gotten “that piece of trash” out and left him here in “this dumpster fire of Colorado.” But Swerve will level with Hangman. This isn’t personal. It could’ve been anybody, but it happened to be Hangman in the position Swerve wants. Yeah, it’s true. Swerve really just might have mental issues, like mental health problems, because he makes an enemy out of someone every single day.

And that is what drives him to get into the position Hangman has! Swerve will do that! He will take this spot from Hangman this Sunday at WrestleDream! Oh and by the way, it rains an awful lot in Seattle. Hangman says Swerve keeps on saying he wants Hangman’s spot, Hangman’s position, to be a main event player in AEW. That’s what he keeps saying, right? Swerve himself said that if he had Hangman’s opportunites, he would’ve been long ago the first Black AEW World Champion. And Swerve, maybe he would’ve, that is a hypothetical. But the only thing either man can do is to live in a way that the generations to come won’t have to ask the same questions.

They could go back and forth all day long about what opportunities were handed to him and what opportunities Hangman earned. But in the end, one thing we can all agree on is that for every opportunity Hangman ever had, he has knocked it out the park! Fans cheer that! Hangman tells Swerve that if he wants this spot, damn right he should want it! But if he wants to say he has what it takes to fill Hangman’s boots, he does NOT! Swerve SLAPS Hangman, then signs his part. Renee backs away, as Hangman STABS Swerve’s hand with the other pen!! Security rushes in to pull these two apart before it gets worse!

Fans fire up as both men want to tear each other apart! They only have to wait four more days, will they be willing to wait until WrestleDream?

Wait, what’s going on backstage?!

Four men in completely black suits and masks are beating up on someone! They drag this person up, and TOSS him into the wall!! Wait, is that JAY WHITE?! Who just jumped King Switch and why? The camera pans over, and it’s MJF’s devil mask! Is MJF bringing out that dark side again? Is that even MJF under the mask?

My Thoughts:

A great Dynamite to start another go-home week. They hadn’t advertised much in the way of matches, so we got some great stuff essentially outta nowhere. Fenix VS Jeff Jarrett was a really good opener, with of course that circus of sidekicks doing what they can to help Jarrett, but of course Fenix retains. Fenix’s leg seemed to be actually banged up after that suplex over the barriers, so hopefully he’ll be okay given the recent handful of injuries. And awesome Triple Threat of Nick Jackson VS Cage VS Claudio to set up a title match for next Dynamite, and what a great move to make it a rematch of Fenix VS Nick. That was a huge hit when Dynamite first got going, so it’ll be great to see them go another round for the Dynamite anniversary.

Awesome Fatal 4 to hype up the Fatal 4 Tag we’re getting at WrestleDream. Cassidy winning makes me think #OrangeHook is out of the running, but then it feels like The Bucks are getting the title shot. That’s a lot given they’re now ROH World Six Man champs. At the same time, the Bucks VS FTR is always a good match. And Willow VS Julia was a great match, especially as it ended up the main event match. But I got to thinking, while Julia has been working hard a long time, but like, what happened to Willow getting to do stuff after winning the Owen Hart Cup? Why didn’t they think to raise the stakes, have Willow win here and then we get a Triple Threat at WrestleDream? If you’re going to do so few women’s matches, have more women in the matches.

Great promos all over to hype things for WrestleDream, though. A little redundant to show Don Callis & Konosuke in Tokyo, have them walk out live, and then cue up the rest of that Tokyo trip, but the point got across that neither Omega, Jericho or Ibushi is going into the Six Man Tag grudge match at 100%. As such, this has to be where Omega, Jericho & Ibushi get a win to make up for the losses at All In and All Out, as well as the betrayal of Sammy on Jericho. And nice post-Collision promo from Starks and Yuta to set up a match for WrestleDream. And given Starks has lost twice to Bryan, he has to win against Yuta here.

Great sit-down interview promo from Christian and Darby, and it seems Christian is just going to bring up anyone’s dead relatives to get heat. I like that Darby has dared Christian to leave Luchasaurus behind so they can truly be 1v1 for their two outta three, but I’m sure something still happens where Luchasaurus shows up and costs Christian in the end. At least, I’m sure hoping that happens. And a great promo for the contract signing with Swerve and Hangman. They could really steal the show since the fans will already be fired up for hometown hero Swerve, and at this point, it feels like Swerve could win.

But the newest vignette from The Righteous wasn’t that different from their previous. However, it was a good segue into the promo we got from MJF and Adam Cole. Another hilarious brochacho vignette, but a damn shame Cole’s foot injury is really that bad. I really hope Cole comes back quickly, it still feels like he just got back from the concussion. Hilarious stuff with Roddy, still in a hospital gown, wheeling in to shout at Adam. I like that MJF is learning to let friends have other friends, that is character growth. And MJF wanting to face The Righteous all alone, that is also some growth, where he is getting the guts to be the Face that takes on all comers.

And then, great promo from MJF and Jay White, setting up a title feud outta nowhere, but probably to make up for Cole being out of action. And what a wild closing scene where Devil MJF has henchmen again. Though, I wonder what’s really going on here. We saw The Kingdom & Roddy leave, Cole trailing behind. How do we know this is Roddy, The Kingdom and a couple others being given an opportunity all framing MJF to turn Cole against him? Either way, there’s some great intrigue thrown back into this story, I like it.

My Score: 8.9/10