Will any of these teams be able to coexist?

While the Owen Hart Cup is going on, AEW starts up a Blind Eliminator Tag Team Tournament! MJF teams with Adam Cole, and Keith Lee is forcefully reunited with Swerve Strickland! Will these teams hold it together? Or will they implode in dramatic fashion?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Blind Eliminator Tag Team Tournament Opening Round: Keith Lee & Swerve Strickland w/ The Mogul Embassy VS Darby Allin & Orange Cassidy; Darby & Cassidy win and advance to the next round.
• Six Man Tag: The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn VS The Blade & The Bollywood Boyz; The Acclaimed & Billy win.
• Blind Eliminator Tag Team Tournament Opening Round: MJF & Adam Cole VS Matthew Menard & The Butcher; MJF & Cole win and advance to the next round.
• Women’s Owen Hart Cup Opening Round: Britt Baker VS Ruby Soho w/ The Outcasts; Ruby wins and advances to the next round.
• Kenny Omega VS Wheeler Yuta; Omega wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Backstage interview with Darby Allin and Keith Lee.

Renee Paquette is with two men who are going to be opponents tonight in the Blind Eliminator Tag Tournament, but Darby wanted to speak first. Darby says he’s not an idiot. He knows Keith doesn’t wanna team with Swerve, but this isn’t about that. This is about Keith alone. Keith was among one of the most dominant champions in AEW, and if he feels like he’s been lost in the shuffle since losing the tag titles, “do something about it.” Even if he has to win with or without Swerve. But main thing is, pull your head out of your ass and take this serious. Or sit on the apron and cry about it. Darby will see which Keith shows up tonight.

Keith chuckles and says Darby is ballsy. Stupid, but ballsy. Will the Relentless One regret egging on the Limitless One just moments before the match?

Blind Eliminator Tag Team Tournament Opening Round: Keith Lee & Swerve Strickland w/ The Mogul embassy VS Darby Allin & Orange Cassidy!

Speaking of that match, #SwerveInOurGlory is forcibly reunited because of the tag team lottery. They were former tag team champions, just as Darby said, so will they find a way to get past their past and try again? Or will Darby and the Freshly Squeezed AEW International Champion make their own winning combination?

The teams sort out and Keith says he’ll go ahead and start. Fans cheer for Keith but boo Swerve. Keith starts with Darby and they circle. Darby SLAPS Keith! Keith smirks, and RAMS Darby to a corner! Then TOSSES him across the ring! Darby ends up in the other corner and Swerve likes that. Keith storms up on Darby as fans lose their minds already. Keith stands Darby up, fireman’s carries, but Darby fights free with elbows. Tag to Cassidy and fans fire up as he slow rolls in. Keith smirks as the sunglasses are put aside. Cassidy pumps himself up and fans rally up. Cassidy “chops” Keith! And “chops!” And winds up for “double chops!”

Fans fire up and Keith wonders what to do. Keith says he’ll try now. GRIZZLY MAGNUM! Down goes Cassidy! Cassidy sits up, clutching his chest, and Swerve sure has a good laugh. Keith stalks Cassidy to a corner, Cassidy stands up and says wait! Hands in pockets. Fans cheer again and Keith GRIZZLY MAGNUMS again! Cassidy falls against Keith but Keith lets him down. Cassidy sits up again, Keith watches him stand, and fans rally, “KEITH LEE! WOOP WOOP!” Darby tags back in, Cassidy SHOTGUNS Keith! Darby runs and springboards, COFFIN- Well, no, Keith catches Darby! But ORANGE PUNCH!

Keith wobbles, now COFFIN SPLASH! Keith wobbles, ORANGE PUNCH hits again! Swerve tags in, hides, and Cassidy aims again. Cassidy runs in but into a STEP-UP HOUSE CALL! Darby is up top, he leaps but Swerve gets under. COFFIN SPLASH, a wring, and a shoot around to the THROW- NO, Swerve slips free! Darby hobbles, Swerve UPPERCUTS, then SOBATS! Swerve snapmares Darby to then go up, FALLING UPPERCUT! Fans fire up all the same as Swerve swaggers and flexes. Fans boo the arrogance as Swerve mocks Keith’s pose. Swerve drops a knee, then stalks Darby to a corner.

Swerve ROCKS Darby, whips him corner to corner hard and Darby tumbles out of the ring! Fans rally for Darby as Cassidy checks on him, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Cassidy helps Darby up while Swerve waits. Darby crawls in, Swerve drags Darby up to CLUB him on the back! Swerve has Darby in a corner, digs his knee in, but the ref counts. Swerve lets off, then ROCKS Darby with a right. Swerve suplexes but Darby fights with knees! Darby gets free to SCORPION DEATH DROP! Both men are down and fans rally up. Darby crawls, hot tag to Cassidy! Or maybe just warm. Darby & Cassidy still double suplex Swerve down! Cover, TWO! Cassidy stays between Swerve and Keith, then runs to drop an elbow! Cover, TWO! Cassidy drags Swerve up to bring him around and ROCK him!

Tag to Darby, and he CHOPS Swerve in the corner. Swerve goes to another corner so Darby runs in, but into KNEES! Swerve runs to LARIAT Darby down! Swerve and Keith talk, Nana wants them to get on the same page, but Swerve stands Darby up. Swerve digs his forearms in, the ref counts, and Keith tags in. Keith throws a body shot, then he stands Darby back up. Tag back to Swerve, though it was almost a chop. Swerve scowls, steps in, and throws a haymaker. The ref reprimands Keith taking his time exiting, and Swerve puts Darby up top. Dynamite returns to single picture as Swerve climbs up.

Keith tags in and adds on, TOWER OF DOOM!! But Darby tags in Cassidy! Keith smiles as he catches Cassidy! BEARHUG! Swerve RAMS Darby into steel steps! Cassidy endures, Swerve tips steps over and stomps away on Darby. Sserve then traps Darby under the steps! Cassidy fights with elbows as fans rally! Swerve stomps away on Darby, Cassidy gets free of Keith, but Keith storms up. Cassidy dodges to DIVE onto Swerve! Direct hit and Cassidy goes to pick up the steps. Keiths teps out, Cassidy rushes up, ORANGE- NO, Keith catches the first! Keith picks Cassidy up but Cassidy slips aruond to a SLEEPER!

Fans fire up but Darby’s still stuck. Keith stands on the steps and squishes Darby as he gets in the ring! Keith TOSSES Cassidy away, Darby drags himself out from under the steps, and Keith stalks Cassidy. Keith winds up those arms, runs the ropes, but Cassidy goes the other way! Tilt-o-whirl, but Keith blocks the DDT to suplex! STUN DOG- NO, Keith blocks that, too! Keith gets Cassidy up but Cassidy tries another DDT! STUN DOG MILLION- NO!! Keith is still blocking! Cassidy fights to STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE after all! And Darby hops on, CODE RED!!! Fans are thunderous as Swerve climbs and Cassidy covers! TWO before the 450!!

Swerve hits Keith by accident! But he doesn’t really regret it after that superplex powerbomb fiasco. Cassidy tags Darby, Swerve blocks a kick to spin around and BACKBREAKER! Cassidy returns, tilt-o-whirls, but Swerve blocks it! Toss to Keith for the fireman’s carry! Toss to the ROLLING- NO! Cassidy ducks and the kick hits Keith! That was an actual miscue, and then Cassidy hits DEEP IMPACT! Cassidy DIVES to TORNADO DDT Keith to the floor! Darby has the LAST SUPPER! Cassidy & Darby win!!

Winners: Orange Cassidy & Darby Allin, by pinfall (advance to the next round)

Swerve is FURIOUS! The “Relentlessly Squeezed” combo is moving on because they held it together! Will they go all the way to the finals and win the golden tickets?

AEW welcomes a new recruit.

In Everett, Washington is the Buddy Wayne Academy. 2014, Darby began training here. Buddy’s son, Nick, was just 8 years old. Talented back then. But June 17, 2017, Darby gets this text message. Buddy died, his heart stopped. In that moment, Darby had an almost out of body experience, punching his car steering wheel. And when he composed himself, he wondered first what happens to Nick. Darby made a promise that he would watch over Nick. Nick doesn’t need it, but Darby wanted to be sure Nick got what he wanted in life. Darby went to DEFY Wrestling to give Nick his AEW contract in person.

Darby didn’t ask Tony Khan to sign Nick as some kind of pity move. It’s just that Nick is that good. And now that Nick is 18, he’s ready. It’s just up to him to show the world now.

Someone arrives backstage.

Tony Schiavone is there, understanding that this is Jack Perry. Perry looks around and says last week was ridiculous! He isn’t some thug from New York. If Hook wants to handle business with Perry, they do this in the ring like professionals. That’s why Perry is going to Tony Khan right now to demand an FTW Championship match. But Perry turns around and HOOK CLOBBERS him! Hook beats on Perry, Perry gets back in his SUV and it takes off, just like last week! Hook is still wanting revenge, but will he hear Perry out on waiting for their match?

MJF waits for Adam Cole outside the gym.

The AEW World Champion says he loves the Panama City Playboy but c’mon, he’s been waiting outside forever. Cole walks out of the gym and asks where MJF has been. Cole’s been doing cardio for an hour, let’s go. Oh. Where’s the new Better Than You BAYBAY shirt? Cole doesn’t answer that so MJF assumes he just forgot it at home. They get to work, and MJF says thanks for coming to this bro workout session. Cole’s good to spot him, right? Right. MJF gets going, Cole is on his phone. MJF finishes the set, thanks Cole, and Cole says sure thing. MJF sees a real chunky guy and has a laugh.

MJF leans in and tells “Brochacho” Cole that that guy’s so fat, when he took his pants to the laundromat, they said, “Sorry sir, we don’t do curtains.” Cole tries not to laugh, but MJF then starts another one. Cole says don’t do that, it’s not funny anymore. Oh, sorry, bro. But Cole does say that there’s someone that guy reminds him of. They both say “Tony Schiavone!” at the same time! That they can agree on, oddly. Cole takes his turn next, and MJF doubts he can handle the same weight. MJF will spot him. Cole gets going and he actually impresses MJF. He does even a few more than MJF did! That was good, what’s next? Uh… WTF?! Can MJF keep up with Cole?

Six Man Tag: The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn VS The Blade & The Bollywood Boyz!

Max Caster, Anthony Bowens & Billy Gunn didn’t get swept up in the Blind Eliminator Tag shuffle, their plans for trios dominance is still on track! Speaking of track, here’s a new one from Platinum Max! “Acclaimed in the house, and we say we the live wire, breathing through the smoke like Canadian wildfires. Bollywood Boyz causin’ outrage, lookin’ like Trudeau when he did Brown Face! And I just gotta say this, you look like two b*tches and a dominatrix! It’s the illest in the game. In Edmonton, everybody loves the Acclaimed!” Bowens gets the mic to say, “EEEDMONTOOOON~! The Acclaimed have arrived! SCISSOR ME, DADDY ASS!” And he does~!

The trios sort out and  Billy starts against Blade. Billy takes off the shirt and circles with Blade. Fans sing “OH~ Scissor Me, Daddy~!” Billy and Blade tie up, Billy headlocks then wrenches to a hammerlock, and back to a headlock. “That’s wrestling, everybody!” Blade powers out, but Billy runs him over! Fans cheer and Billy revels in it a second. Billy shows off the ships quite literally, but then Blade rolls him up! TWO, and Billy ROCKS Blade with that right! Billy shakes out his own hand, he hit that hard. Tag to Caster and they double whip Blade to double ELBOW! Caster covers, ONE! Caster says “SUCK IT!” but Blade hits low!

Blade tags Harv Sihra in but Caster dodges to back drop him! Gurv gets in but Caster scoops and SLAMS! Blade runs in but also into a scoop SLAM! Scoop SLAM for Harv, tag to Bowens! SCISSOR ME TIMBERS! The fans fire up and The Acclaimed coordinate, to GROUP SCISSOR FINGER~! Fans fire up but Blade CLOBBERS Caster as Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Blade and the Bollywood Boyz mug Caster and then Gurv tags in. Harv sets Caster up for Gurv to FLYING ELBOW! Cover, ONE!! Caster is tougher than that but Gurv rains down fists! Caster pushes him away, goes to ropes, then pushes him again. Gurv ROCKS Caster, tags Harv, and the Bollywood Boyz mug him. Tag to Blade, he helps mug Caster, and then he puts Caster in the corner to CHOP! Blade stalks Caster to another corner, stomps him and headlocks to bring him back to the Bollywood corner. Tag to Harv and he drops AX HANDLES! Harv keeps Caster from his team, tags in Gurv, and they double suplex Caster!

The Bollywood Boyz do their dance, then drop elbows! Gurv keeps Caster down with a chinlock. Caster endures, fights up, and throws body shots. Gurv CLUBS Caster, tags Blade, and they mug Caster again. Blade chinlocks Caster to keep him from the Acclaimed corner, but Caster endures. Fans rally up and Caster fights to his feet. Caster fights up but Blade throws him down! Blade soaks up the heat and he drags Caster up again. Blade whips, Caster ducks ‘n’ dodges and DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Fans rally up as both men crawl, and Dynamite returns to single picture. Blade CLOBBERS Billy, then tags in Harv!

But Caster tags in Bowens! The Five Tool Player rallies o the Bollywood Boyz! ROLLING ELBOW for Gurv! Strike fest for Blade! But Harv rolls Bowens up! TWO, and Bowens SOBATS, front kicks, and runs to KOTARO KRUSHER! “EVERYONE loves the Acclaimed!” Tag to Billy and fans fire up! Billy cobra clutches Harv, for the ONE AND ONLY SLAM! Tag to Caster, for the MIC DROP! Cover, Acclaimed wins!

Winners: The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn, by pinfall

The streak is continuing, as does the scissor party! Will nothing stop these three from going after the House of Black? Wait, QTV has to go and interrupt… Harley “apologizes” for interrupting. But it is only fair after they rudely interrupted her when she was showing us her talents. But as they all know, the Acclaimed got their asses beat, just as they deserved. But speaking of, it is only fair that she gets what she deserves. So she made them a little video. So come next Wednesday, she will show the world what real talent is! Harley Cameron, Miss Money on the Mic, IS the most talented musician in AEW! Then you’ll be peanut butter and jealous~! See you around, Bowens.

Billy gets a mic to respond. “I got something for her, and it only comes in two words. SUCK IT!!” Fans like that much better. But just what will Harley have in store in her music video?

AEW shares results from NJPW Strong Independence Day.

Just earlier today, in Korakuen Hall, Eddie Kingston dethroned Kenta as NJPW Strong Openweight Champion! A lifelong journey sees a major goal fulfilled, will he be bringing that belt back to AEW?

Jon Moxley speaks.

The Maniac is also in Japan, having survived Final Death. He says, “Eddie Kingston and I are the exact same people we were when I met him in 2009. Well over a decade. The ups, the downs, the peaks, the valleys. The good times and the bad, we both made it out. We both got everything we could’ve wanted out of this business. What is there to complain about, man? What is there to walk around mad for all the time, man? We don’t live in the past. We make every day count.

“Dude, y’know what really pisses me off? How much time you spend complaining about the young kids, the new generation, how they have no respect, how they have no work ethic. We spent time building the next generation. I have a dream of this Eddie Kingston that finally let the past be the past and embrace the future. And became what he could be, what these people want him to be! That ain’t reality, I’m not gonna pretend like it is. Eddie, answer your phone.” The Maniac wants to talk with the Mad King, but will that not happen any time soon?

Matt Hardy is backstage with Renee and RJ City.

RJ’s got the tag team lottery tumbler out and Hardy is hoping for a good roll. The rolling is done, Renee says this is for the Blind Eliminator Tag Tournament match this Friday on Rampage episode 100! Hardy gets… Jeff! Hardy? Sweet, his brother! No, Jeff as in Jarrett… Ew, the Nuts of Slap. Hardy hates that guy. Well, will V1 and Double J make it work if it means getting the tag titles?

Wheeler Yuta speaks.

“Kenny Omega. The Cleaner, the Best Bout Machine, the man whose reputation precedes him. A man who everyone thinks is gonna walk through me tonight.” But Kenny isn’t the favorite, Yuta is. Kenny is battered, broken and bruised, and Yuta’s pinned him once before. Yuta already won once, but this won’t even be about beating Kenny. This will be about ending him! Blood & Guts is gonna be a massacre, and a surrender. Kenny and The Elite are already one man down, and Yuta will have already decided this war. And he does that by ending Omega here tonight. They’re in the main event, will The Decoder have the Cleaner solved?

Chris Jericho is here!

The fans sing Judas for him as he makes his way out to the ring. The Wizard doesn’t seem to be feeling too bad despite his loss to Sting & Darby Allin last week in their Tornado Tag Match. Jericho gets a mic and the fans all cheer. Jericho says they’re loud here tonight! “But it’s a little bit bittersweet for me here.” He appreciates them cheering, but over the last few months, Jericho has taken big losses, and things haven’t gone how he wanted them to. So maybe it is time for him to reevaluate a few things and make some changes. The reason he is saying this is because this is the perfect place for him to be reinvigorated, here in Alberta.

Fans cheer as Jericho says this is where he started his career! Seems like only yesterday that he was down the road, starting his training with Stu Hart in Calgary. Wait, they’re booing Stu? But it was all across Alberta. Jericho had his match just an hour from here in Ponoka. Fans cheer Ponoka! Jericho got here a couple days early, he drove up and down the 2 Highway, drove past all the sites, and he remembered what it was like when he first started. The passion! The fire! When wrestling was everything to him! And it reminded him that wrestling is still everything to him! Fans cheer that!

So yeah, Alberta is the place where Jericho is invigorated, resurrected! Time to become a better Chris Jericho. Maybe even the best version EVER! Wait, what is that on the tron? Don Callis?! What’s he doing coming out here? Fans boo the real Judas of AEW, and he just smiles. Callis says what he is hearing, other than the fans booing really hard, is that Jericho needs a change. Callis says it was six years ago today that Callis called Jericho from the hotel in Tokyo and said, “How would you like to main event the Tokyo Dome with Kenny Omega?” And in their 34 years of friendship, Jericho surprised Callis by saying yes.

And with that match, they changed the course of wrestling history! Without that match, none of these fans are here! Callis doesn’t think Jericho would be here in AEW without that match. Jericho says sorry, it was hard to hear Callis with all these boos. Fans cheer now, and Jericho says he could say the same about Callis. Eight years ago, 2015, when Callis was in the middle of his very successful international career that Jericho knew he was miserable. Callis wanted to be in the pro-wrestling business, and Jericho helped him do that. Jericho’s the one who helped Callis get into AEW, and now look at him! He’s bigger and more powerful than he’s ever been!

So if not for Jericho, Callis wouldn’t be here. Callis starts to speak again but fans boo. As with most things in their 34 year friendship, they’re in agreement. Callis agrees that when these two get together, they make history! But as everyone knows, Callis was “betrayed by a coward punk named Kenny Omega.” Callis is building his new family after Omega destroyed theirs. And this family will be based on trust. When it comes to trust, Callis thinks of the greatest of all time! He thinks of the man who beat Kenny Omega in AEW, and he thinks of his best friend of 34 years, Chris Jericho!

Fans tell Callis to shut up, but Callis says if Jericho wants to change history one more time, Callis is here to formally ask him one thing: “Will you join the Don Callis Family?” Fans boo even more while Jericho thinks on the question. Is Callis really asking Jericho to join him? Jericho joins Callis’ faction? Jericho doesn’t join factions, he makes them! Fans cheer that and says that if Callis is seriously asking Jericho to join up with him, he has one word for him! Jericho joining Callis? The answer is… “Maybe.” Fans are a little disappointed in that but Jericho still takes his leave. Will Jericho disband the JAS to join the DCF? Or is he just stringing Callis along?

AEW hears from CM Punk and Samoa Joe.

Punk says, “You know they say to never say never. I look at Samoa Joe like a mountain I’ve tried to climb and I’ve never quite made the summit.” Joe says, “A true friend comes the week before, shows you what’s gonna happen to you if you get into that ring with him.” This is another chapter in their story, but Punk says it’ll end differently, because for the first time, Punk wins. Joe taking out Strong was to send Punk a message, but Punk tells Joe he’ll have to do that to Punk to stop him from winning. Joe tells “Punker” that “there’s never been a day in your life that you’ve been better than me.” And this week, nothing changes.

Punk vows to finally win, and whatever is left of him goes on to win the whole damn thing. “Tell me when I’m telling lies.”

Backstage interview with Roderick Strong.

Renee is with Strong as Doc Sampson checks on his neck. Renee asks about the update, and Sampson says after what Joe did last week, they’ve been checking Strong daily. With Strong’s history, they should take as much time as they can. Strong says he feels amazing, but then Cole walks in. Cole asks Strong how he’s feeling. Strong again says he’s feeling great, but Cole says he still has to be careful. Take all the time you need. Strong says fine, but what’s the deal with Cole and MJF? Don’t worry about that. Just worry about yourself. Cole has it under control and made it clear they have boundaries.

Oh, MJF just texted. “Hey bro, you ready to hit dat double clothesline or what?” Cole sighs. He’s up next, he’ll catch up with Strong later. Strong says okay but he does look a little worried. Is it because Cole & MJF might not win? Or is it because they are becoming friends?

Blind Eliminator Tag Team Tournament Opening Round: MJF & Adam Cole VS Matthew Menard & The Butcher!

The AEW World Champion has them cut his music so that he can cue up Cole’s. Cole stops him from hugging, and they go to the ring together. Is MJF copying Cole? MJF actually high fives fans, too. But will these two actually make it work? Or will Daddy Magic & Andy Williams get a shocker against two of the best?

The teams sort out, MJF again asks where the Better Than You Baybay shirt is. Cole defends he lost it, but then Butcher & Menard just attack! Fans boo as they stomp away on Cole & MJF, then let off as the ref counts. Cole bails out, MJF is stuck, and Menard mocks the champ. MJF stands up and Menard throws forearms! MJF doesn’t budge, even as Menard CHOPS! MJF choke grips but Menard rakes eyes! Menard soaks up the heat, runs, but MJF ducks and handsprings! MJF kicks, but he thumbs Menard in the eyes! MJF soaks up the cheers, then drags Menard up. Cobra twist, and MJF reaches out for Cole.

Cole says no, he’s not doing the leverage thing. MJF is annoyed and starts a “DO IT!” chant. Cole says no, they don’t need to. MJF says c’mon, dude, what’s the deal? “DO IT! DO IT!” Cole sighs and pulls MJF’s arm! The ref suspects something, Cole lets go, and Menard hip tosses MJF away! MJF crawls, Menard CLUBS him down, and then drags him up. Menard bumps MJF off buckles, RAMS into him again and again and again, then lets off. Menard CHOKES MJF, the fans chant “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” for Cole, and Menard lets off. Butcher gets cheap shots in on MJF! Menard sucker punches Cole!

Fans boo but Cole gets in! Menard hurries away, the ref stops Cole, and Menard CHOKES MJF! Tag to Butcher and Menard is all fired up. Butcher keeps MJF from Cole and HEADBUTTS him down, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.

MJF goes to ropes but Butcher CHOKES him! The ref counts, Butcher lets off, and he looms over MJF. Butcher drags MJF up, bumps him off buckles, and then DECKS him! MJF crawls, Butcher drags him over and tags in Menard. They mug MJF with DOUBLE HEADBUTTS! Menard taunts MJF as he crawls, then stomps him down. Menard drags MJF up, headlocks, but MJF throws body shots. Fans rally up, but Menard throws MJF down by his hair! Menard soaks up the heat, drags MJF up and bumps him off buckles. Menard throws hands, then wrenches and whips corner to corner.

MJF bounces off buckles, falls over, and Menard soaks up more heat. Tag to Butcher and he storms up to stand on MJF’s hand! The ref reprimands but Butcher stomps MJF. Butcher drags MJF up, but MJF throws hands! MJF kicks, Butcher blocks and then CHOPS MJF down! Butcher drops a knee, then stays between MJF and Cole. Butcher reels MJF in, and puts him in the Cobra Twist! Butcher returns the favor by reaching out for Menard, but the ref is on his guard. Butcher digs his knuckles into MJF’s ribs instead, and Dynamite returns to single picture. MJF endures, and now Menard and Butcher combine!

The fans boo now but turnabout is fair play. They do it again but the ref catches Menard this time! MJF LOW BLOWS Butcher!! MJF crawls away but Butcher tags Menard! Menard drags MJF from Cole, waistlocks, and puts him back in the Cobra Twist! Fans boo and MJF calls to Cole for help! MJF claims they’re doing the link up again and the ref looks at Butcher. Butcher isn’t doing anything, and MJF gooses Menard! HIP TOSS! Both men are down, they crawl and the fans rally up! Hot tag to Butcher and he intercepts MJF! MJF is fingertips away but can’t tag! Butcher runs at the corner, but MJF slips free! Butcher hits buckles!

MJF scrambles but Menard tags back in! Menard drags MJF back but MJF shows fist, to eye poke! Hot tag to Cole! Fans fire up as Cole BLAST Butcher, BOOTS Menard then CLOBBERS him! Cole rallies on Daddy Magic and BOOTS him down! Fans fire up but Menard elbows low! Menard runs, but Cole fireman’s carries, USHIGOROSHI! MJF wants back in? HE wants to double lariat! But Butcher waistlocks! Cole breaks free to PELE! Cole TOSSES Butcher, fights off Menard, and PELE! Butcher returns, to get a SUPERKICK! Cole has fans fire up and he goes up top! PANAMA- NO, Menard gets under!

Menard ELBOWS Cole, but Cole SUPERKICKS! Fans fire up and and down comes the kneepad! MJF still wants the double lariat, but Cole just settles for the BOOM!! Cover, Cole & MJF win!

Winners: MJF & Adam Cole, by pinfall (advance to the next round)

MJF hugs Cole to celebrate, but then remembers “boundaries.” They still have their hands raised, and MJF wants some mics. MJF has the music cut, and he says, “ALBERTA, CANADA! I got a question. We got any Devil Worshippers in the house tonight?” Fans cheer for MJF, and he wants them to hold on. He has one more question: Any fans of a certain super cool over name? “Do the thing!” Adam Cole says alright, and winds it up. “ADAM COLE, BAYBAY!!” That’s right! MJF says he and Cole are better than you, baybay! But bud, real quick, they could’ve done better if they just did a double lariat already.

Cole tells MJF to stop with that. Right, boundaries, sorry. MJF says that he thinks they should have another “bro session” this weekend. What do the fans think? “YES! YES! YES!” Cole says sure, why not. MJF is all excited, and wants him to hold on! Cole, one more thing! MJF will put the title down for this one. “Happy birthday!” Fans cheer and streamers fly! MJF gets fans to chant “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” Bring out the stuff! What? MJF is covered in streamers as he waves out the one balloon and tiny cake. The crew brings those into the ring, and MJF gets the party hats. He even helps Cole with his.

Cole says this is a lot. MJF puts a party blower in Cole’s mouth and says this day is all about Cole. They’re here to celebrate Cole! Fans like the sound of that. Cole blows the kazoo and MJF says that’s the spirit! Now for the song. “Happy Birthday to you~!” MJF of course puts his best R&B spin on it. Cole wants MJF to stop already. We get it, MJF is a great singer. And Cole appreciates all this, but MJF has done more than enough. MJF says hold on, there’s one more thing! “MAKE A WISH! MAKE A WISH!” The candle is lit! fans want Cole to try, but MJF says he’s gonna push him into the cake.

Cole blows out the candle, and MJF makes his move! But Cole whips around and shoves MJF into the cake!! MJF falls over and the fans love it! MJF sits up and laughs it off. Cole got him good there. Cole wipes some frosting from MJF’s face and takes a taste. Good cake. Fans chant “EAT SOME CAKE! EAT SOME CAKE!” MJF eats the cake off his own face. Cole tells MJF, and he means this with all sincerity, it was actually nice to do all this for him. So thank you, friend. Cole leaves and MJF smiles. Are these two going to be the unlikeliest of friends and finalists in this tournament?

Backstage interview with Britt Baker.

Renee says she was sorely missed being out with illness last week, but tonight, she will face Ruby Soho in the Owen Hart Cup. Ruby had some choice words for her, so what is Britt’s reaction? Ruby’s got a lot of courage lately with her new friends and new attitude. Britt doesn’t care what Ruby says, if she likes her, or if anyone does. But Ruby lied last week. Ruby told the world that she’s taken everything from Britt that she’s ever cared about. But there are two things Ruby can never take from Britt. First is her pride. No matter who you are or what you’ve done, Britt will always be the Face of the Women’s Division.

And second is more something Britt took from Ruby: being the first ever Owen Hart Foundation Tournament winner. Britt still has the belt to show it. Now she’ll win it all over again! Britt is just sorry it’ll be done in the first round. The rematch from the finals is coming, will history repeat itself? Or will the Runaway run through The Doctor?

Backstage interview with Jericho, Daniel Garcia & Sammy Guevara.

Renee is with the JAS and says we all need some explanations about Jericho possibly joining Don Callis. Garcia says Jericho said “maybe” when he is supposed to be leading them. Garcia- er, they both need Jericho. Jericho says they’re still his family. But they can’t always be under his wing. They need to branch out for themselves and do great things without him leading them. Renee says that it turns out, in the Blind Eliminator Tournament drawings, Sammy & Garcia got paired together. This is perfect! Jericho says this is what they can do to prove what he’s saying! They can go win the tournament, then win the tag titles on their own!

Show Jericho who can be the new leader here in AEW. They can’t be together forever, he just wants them to think about it. Garcia wants a fist bump, and Sammy gives it. Will Red Dead & Spanish God take over the tag division without The Ocho’s guidance?

Women’s Owen Hart Cup Opening Round: Britt Baker VS Ruby Soho w/ The Outcasts!

The Doctor shows off her Queen of Harts belt, ready to add another one to her collection. Will Britt pull off the win just like at Double or Nothing 2022? Or will there be No Future in her future?

The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Britt wrenches but Ruby wrenches back. Ruby wristlocks, Britt wrenches back, and then cradles, TWO! Britt keeps on the arm, but Ruby pulls hair! Ruby headlocks, The Outcasts rally for her but they’re the only ones. Britt wrenches out to the FUJIWARA, but Ruby gets free and bails out of the ring. The Outcasts regroup, fans rally for “D M D!” Britt smirks as she waits on Ruby to return. Ruby and Britt circle, then Ruby gets aroudn to a waistlock. Britt switches, Ruby pries free to wrench and pull hair. The ref counts, Ruby arm-drags, but Britt drags Ruby down to a hammerlock!

Ruby fights up, Britt keeps on the arm. Ruby pulls more hair but the ref reprimands. Britt headlocks, Ruby powers up and out, but Britt runs her over! Fans fire up and Britt runs, but Ruby drops, swings, but Britt redirects to the SLINGBLADE! Britt then wrenches, clinches, but Ruby fights it. They both stumble, Ruby bails out, and the Outcasts regroup with her. Britt storms up but Ruby trips her! Ruby drags Britt out but Britt ROCKS her! Saraya talks trash on Britt, as does Storm. Britt finds herself surrounded, but the ref says back off. Britt turns around, into an STO from Ruby! Saraya & Storm mock Britt while Dynamite goes picture in picture,.

Ruby admires the literal Owen Hart Cup and says it’s gonna be hers. Ruby then drags Britt up and into the ring, covers, TWO! Ruby puts Britt on ropes to CHOKE! The ref counts, Ruby lets off, and Saraya CHOKES Britt now! Saraya HOTSHOTS Britt then slips away before the ref sees. Ruby bumps Britt off buckles, stomps her down, then stomps her more! The ref counts, Ruby argues with him, and taunts the fans while she’s at it. Ruby stomps Britt, slaps her around, but Britt kicks back. Ruby brings Britt up to ROCK her with a forearm! Ruby CHOKES Britt on the top rope, the ref counts, but Ruby lets off.

Ruby brings Britt around, but Britt kicks her low. And again! And again! Britt throws forearms, but Ruby claws her eyes! Ruby throws Britt down by her hair! The ref reprimands but Ruby covers, ONE!! Britt hangs tough but Ruby clamps on with a full nelson. Britt endures, fights up, but Ruby drags her down again. Ruby has Britt away from ropes as she thrashes her around. Britt still endures, fights up, and throws elbows. Britt gets free, ELBOWS Ruby again, then ROCKS her with forearms! Ruby ROCKS Britt back! Dynamite returns to single picture as Ruby wrenches Britt’s hair.

The ref reprimands again, but Britt elbows Ruby away! Ruby runs up but Britt gets around to ROCK her again! And again! And again! Britt fires off shot after shot after shot but Ruby shoves her away! Britt blocks to LARIAT! And LARIAT again! And NECKBREAKER! Britt gets Ruby up, reels her in, but Ruby stomps a foot! Ruby ROCKS Britt, whips her to a corner, then runs in, But Britt spins Ruby to FISHERMAN SCREW! Cover, TWO!! Ruby survives and Britt grows frustrated. But she brings out the glove! Fans fire up as Britt puts it on, but Saraya barks at her. Britt tells Saraya to shut up, and she spells it out, “D! M! D!”

Britt underhooks, Ruby wrenches out, but Britt blocks the kick! SUPERKICK! Ruby avoids the curb stomp to roll-up! TWO!! SUPERKICK again! Britt runs, Storm trips her up! Fans boo but Ruby gets Britt in a SAIDO! Ruby covers, TWO!! Britt survives but Ruby drags her to a drop zone. Fans boo as Ruby stomps Britt then climbs the corner. Ruby aims, STAGE DIVE- NO, Ruby has to bail out as Britt moves! SUPERKICK! Roll and turn and backslide! TWO!! Ruby escapes but ends up in the RINGS OF SATURN!! Ruby fights, Saraya says something is wrong with this buckle pad! Ruby fights out of Lockjaw as Storm grabs the Queen of Harts belt!

Ruby HEADBUTT Britt, and SMACKS her off the belt!! Then NO FUTURE!! Cover, TWO?!?! Britt survives and shocks everyone! Ruby is furious, but she clamps onto Britt with the RINGS OF SATURN!! Britt fights, moves around, and grabs at Ruby’s mouth! Ruby fights that to get a CROSSFACE!! Britt fights, moves around, reaches out, and gets the ROPEBREAK! But she uses it to kick off and get Ruby! RINGS OF SATURN!! The Outcasts panic, but Ruby scoots around! They drag her to the ROPEBREAK!! Britt is furious, she goes out to SUPERKICK Saraya! and DECK Storm! Britt puts Ruby in but Storm trips her up!

Britt STOMPS Storm on the apron!! Britt hurries in, ROCKS Ruby and whips, but Ruby goes up to get Britt. Britt denies Nightshade to then Electric Chair Lift! Flashbacks to last year! Victory roll, but Ruby turns it around! Cross-legged clutch, with the Outcasts being her link!! RUBY WINS!!

Winner: Ruby Soho, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

Fans can’t believe it! The Outcasts used every trick they had to steak this one, and they’re running for the hills! Will they do this all again to Skye Blue next round? Speaking of, Skye sneaks out to to stare Ruby down. The semifinals are coming, who reaches the cup?

BREAKING NEWS for Rampage’s 100th episode!

More of the Blind Eliminator Tag Tournament matches have been made! Matt Hardy teams with Jeff Jarrett against Sammy Guevara & Daniel Garcia, while “Big Bill” Morrissey teams with The Machine, Brian Cage, against Trent Beretta & Matt Sydal! Which of these teams will make it work to get to the next round? Plus, Hikaru Shida is in action again as she takes on Marina Shafir, and we get a rematch of The Dark Order VS Hangman Page & The Young Bucks!

Kenny Omega VS Wheeler Yuta!

Yes, the Cleaner took the pin in Anarchy in the Arena II at Double or Nothing. Yes, the Best Bout Machine lost the IWGP United States Championship to Will Ospreay. But no, this is not a No Disqualification match and no, The Decoder is not Will Ospreay. Therefore, will Omega rebound with violent redemption? Or will Yuta truly earn this win over one of the best today?

But wait, Yuta CLOBBERS Omega from behind! Fans boo and the bell rings as Yuta goes for the cheap advantage anyway! Yuta fires off hands, then CHOPS Omega in the corner! Fans boo but Yuta CHOPS Omega again! Yuta fires off forearms, the ref counts, but Omega turns things around to CHOP back! And CHOP again! Yuta staggers, Omega stalks him but Yuta CHOPS! Omega CHOPS! Omega ROCKS Yuta with forearms and then stomps away! The ref counts but Omega gets the fans all fired up first! Omega stands Yuta up but Yuta BITES Omega’s forehead! Yuta CLUBS away on Omega in the corner!

Yuta whips corner to corner but Omega reverses! Yuta comes back into a back drop! Omega drags Yuta up, scoops, and hits a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Omega stomps Yuta, fans rally behind him, but Yuta RAMS him into a corner! Yuta snarls, throws haymakers, then whips corner to corner. Omega BOOTS Yuta away! Omega runs in to KOTARO KRUSHER! Fans fire up more, Omega fireman’s carries, and “YOU! CAN’T! ESCAPE!” ROLLING SENTON but Omega’s own neck and shoulders bother him. Omega powers through to go up, MOONSAULT onto knees! Yuta runs in to DROPKICK!

Omega ends up in a corner, he staggers out and Yuta goes up, MISSLE DROPKICK! Omega bails out and Yuta mocks his finger guns. Yuta DIVES to send Omega into railing hard! Fans lose their minds and Yuta snarls again. Yuta drags Omega up to whip him hard into railing! Omega clutches his arm but Yuta whips him the other way, just as hard into more railing! The ref reprimands but Yuta laughs as he stalks up on Omega. Yuta turns Omega, NECKBREAKER to the floor! Fans are going nuts but Yuta just soaks it all up. Omega writhes but Yuta gets in the ring to soak up more heat.

Omega sits up, the ref starts a ring count, but Yuta paces around. Yuta eggs Omega on, Omega stands and the fans rally up. Omega gest on the apron but Yuta brings him up. Omega ROCKS Yuta, ROCKS him again, but Yuta ROCKS Omega! And again! Omega wobbles, Yuta swings but Omega blocks to ROUNDHOUSE! Omega brings Yuta up, suplexes, but Yuta fights it! Omega goes up the ropes to use leverage but Yuta wrenches out to CLUB Omega! And HOTSHOT him! Yuta brings Omega to the corner, tears off the covering and STANDS on Omega on the crossbar! Fans boo and the ref counts, but Yuta lets off at 4.

Dynamite goes picture in picture as Yuta takes another cover off. NECKBREAKER to the top crossbar! Omega falls to the apron and Yuta soaks up the heat with double bicep flex. Yuta then builds speed to WRECK Omega with the baseball slide dropkick! Yuta soaks up more heat, paces around, and lets the ring count start. The fans rally for Omega and he stands up. Yuta swaggers out after Omega to SMACK him off the apron! Omega flops against the post but Yuta SMACKS him against it! Omega is dizzy, Yuta pushes him into the ring. Yuta then drops a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Omega is still in this but Yuta keeps cool.

Yuta chinlocks Omega and digs a knee in. The fans rally up as Omega endures. Omega pries at the hold, but Yuta pushes him to a cover, TWO! Omega crawls, but Yuta stomps him. Yuta clamps on the chinlock again and again digs his knee in. Omega endures, pries at the hold again, and Dynamite returns to single picture. Omega has the hold open and fans fire up! But Yuta powers the hold back on, and he leans on Omega’s head. Omega still endures, so Yuta pushes him down. SENTON onto knees! Omega saves himself and fans rally up. Yuta stands, Omega throws body shots! Fans rally as Yuta staggers away.

Omega throws more hands, then JABS! JABS! And JABS! JAB after JAB, but Y uta claws Omega’s face, then CLUBS him on the back! Yuta wrenches and clinches, but Omega fights the Olympic Slam to arm-drag! Omega then SLAM DUNK BULLDOGS Yuta down! Fans fire up as both men stir on the mat. The ref starts the standing count, and Omega drags himself up with the ropes. Omega stands at 5 of 10, swings and CLOBBERS Yuta! Yuta gets up in a huff but Omega CHOPS him down! Fans fire up as Omega spins, but Yuta ducks to kick. Omega blocks that to ROLLING ELBOW! And then FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO!!

Yuta is still in this and Omega seethes. Yuta crawls to ropes, and Omega takes aim. BANG and Omega runs, but Yuta avoids the V-Trigger to LCUB Omega! OLYMPIC SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Yuta is frustrated but he has Omega down in a drop zone. Yuta climbs, but Omega ROCKS him first! And CHOPS him! And then climbs up after him! Omega HEADBUTTS away on Yuta, then brings him around, to SUPER FISHERMAN BUSTER!! Fans are thunderous while both men are down! Omega crawls to the cover, TWO!! Yuta survives and Omega is beside himself. Omega drags Yuta up, ROCKS him with a forearm, but Yuta hits back.

Omega grins and fires himself up. Omega ROCKS Yuta, Yuta ROCKS Omega, repeat! Yuta pokes eyes! Yuta runs, but into a CHOP! But Yuta rewinds, shoots around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Omega survives but Yuta still has the waistlock! GERMAN SUPLEX! Yuta drags Omega up again, but Omega powers him to a corner! Omega throws elbows from all sides! Yuta runs up to fire off forearms and CHOPS! But Omega BOOTS Yuta down! Fans fire up as Omega goes corner to corner, but Yuta catches him! Omega fights the waistlock, switches and whips, to BLINDSIDE V-TRIGGER!

Omega full nelsons for a SNAP DRAGON! Fans fire up as Omega hits another SNAP DRAGON!! Omega wants the hattrick and fans want it, too! Omega full nelsons but Yuta fights it! Yuta victory rolls, TWO!! Omega escapes, to V-TRIGGER!! And then Electric Chair Lift, but that bad neck makes it hard! Omega powers through, but Yuta spins out to drag Omega down! Turn and SEATBELT! TWO!!! Omega escapes and Yuta can’t believe it! Yuta hurries to run in, but into a POP-UP BOMB! Flip over and V-TRIGGER!! Cover, TWO!!! Yuta is hanging tough and fans are thunderous as they both stand up!

Omega aims again, BANG! But wait, Don Callis storms down to the ring! The ref and security stop him, but that’s because this is a decoy! KONOSUKE is here! And he BLUE THUDNER BOMBS Omega!! Yuta goes up to FLYING SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!??!? Omega survives and Yuta is furious! But he just goes up top again, only for Omega to anchor him. Yuta reaches between his legs to get at Omega, but Omega gives him a STRAIGHT RIGHT HAND!! Then the Electric Chair Lift, ONE WINGED ANGEL!!! Cover, Omega wins!!

Winner: Kenny Omega, by pinfall

Konosuke & Callis tried to screw Omega over, but it didn’t work out! But then CLAUDIO gets in and he just beats down on Omega! Konosuke returns to help out, and fans boo as they dig their boots in. But here comes The Elite! The Bucks & Hangman have chairs and they use them on The BCC! They get Claudio with a BTE TRIGGER! The Bucks set Claudio up for Hangman’s chair, but the DARK ORDER runs out here?! They stop Hangman from doing any more damage, but why? We know about the Rampage trios match but why spare Claudio? Will The Cowboy have to whoop his old friends’ asses once and for all this Friday?

My Thoughts:

A great Dynamite here with a lot of great action. I will say, the Owen Hart Cup match of Britt VS Ruby was great stuff and also went how I expected. Ruby cheats Britt, she’ll probably cheat Skye depending on who is meant to win out of Willow Nightingale VS Athena. Sadly, Willow VS Athena is no longer Champion VS Champion, Willow just lost her NJPW Strong Women’s title this morning at NJPW Strong Independence Day. If only AEW did more than one woman’s match a show, they might’ve already faced off last week when Willow was still champ. But the silver lining is that maybe Willow gets to be in the finals.

Great stuff out of the Blind Eliminator Tag Tournament, too. Great opening promo where Darby motivates Keith to try, and great match. But Darby and Cassidy are both Faces, Keith and Swerve still have their own beef, so naturally the team that is united wins out. Though on the flipside, Menard & Butcher were put together cuz it won’t hurt either of them to lose like always, and we got great stuff out of MJF & Cole. That really was a fun little post match birthday promo, and combined with the promo with Roderick Strong, Cole could end up in a strange position where he actually likes MJF and has to choose if he wants the tag titles with MJF, or just the world title.

Good promo from Joe and Punk to hype up their match this weekend, and we’ll also get a great match out of Hobbs VS Starks to set up the Men’s Owen Hart Cup finals. Again, any combo is possible in my eyes, but I do think it’ll be Punk over Joe. Starks and Hobbs could go either way, but between Bullet Club Gold hating on Starks and QTV helping Hobbs, it feels more and more like Punk VS Hobbs should be the finals. Great Six Man Tag that of course The Acclaimed & Billy won. I dread what Harley Cameron is about to give us next week, because they’re going to make it purposefully awful rather than as good as Harley really can be as a singer.

Really good promo from Jericho with Callis, and what a twist that Jericho, on the verge of turning Face, is offered a chance to join Callis’ new group, which really does need to start growing already. This could be an opportunity for a lot of people not getting a lot of screen time and not really affiliated with any teams to get on Dynamite. Jericho saying “Maybe” is of course for the intrigue, but I do like that in his prom with Garcia & Guevara, Jericho is now the one saying they need to step out of his shadow and be their own men. Garcia & Guevara VS Hardy & Jarrett, I would think Garcia & Guevara win because Hardy & Jarrett can’t get along. Honestly, give me Garcia & Guevara VS MJF & Cole in the finals of this tournament, those guys are all great and this can all feed into story.

Great Moxley promo that was clearly made just moments after he had his Final Death match with Desperado, and it definitely keeps the beef between him and Eddie alive. Eddie won’t get to be in Blood & Guts because of the G1 Climax schedule, so that perfectly preserves Eddie VS Moxley for the rest of Summer, like going into All In or All out. And great main event from Omega VS Yuta, probably one of if not the best Yuta match in AEW. Of course Callis and Konosuke try to ruin it but Omega makes it through, and we get more great stuff from BCC and Elite.

I am disappointed that they apparently didn’t make it clear there was going to be more, like Dark Order showing up, because then they cut to The Cube which, while it’s surely a good show, I don’t care about compared to AEW. Hopefully social media gets what else happened, or that they make it known on Rampage’s 100th episode (which wow, it’s been that many already?) before the rematch happens. And I feel like for the mystery fifth men in each match (Bryan really is hurt and that forearm break was really serious), Kota Ibushi should show up for The Elite cuz Kenny, and there has to be someone truly shocking to join BCC. Someone who is currently Face that can turn, has links back to the other members, who knows, but it’ll be good stuff.

My Score: 8.9/10