Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (8/21/23)
SHOOOOOOOOOOOSH!

Will Chad Gable stop Der Ring General?
Gunther is weeks away from the all-time longest WWE Intercontinental Championship reign, but Chad Gable looks to stop him tonight on Raw!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Drew McIntyre & Matt Riddle VS The New Day; The New Day wins.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship: GUNTHER VS Chad Gable; Gable wins by count-out, Gunther retains the title.
- Rhea Ripley w/ Dominik Mysterio VS Candice LeRae w/ Indi Hartwell; Rhea wins.
- The Miz VS Akira Tozawa; Tozawa wins.
- Chelsea Green & Piper Niven VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance; Chelsea & Piper win.
- Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn VS Finn Balor & Damian Priest w/ The Judgment Day; Finn & Priest win, by disqualification.
- Six Man Tag: Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn & Cody Rhodes VS The Judgment Day; Kevin, Sami & Cody win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Sami Zayn is here!
Quebec City, Quebec is all fired up for their hometown hero! The Great Liberator heads to the ring, borrowing a fan’s Quebec flag for a moment to show his love for his home. Fans continue to sing along with his theme and Sami revels in the moment. The music dies down but the fans chant for “SAMI! SAMI!” as hard as they can. Sami gets the mic, and the fans change to singing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~!” Sami fires up and the fans fire up with him! Sami shows the goosebumps on his arm and the hair standing on end, and the singing just keeps on going! Then the chanting for “SAMI! SAMI!” returns!
Sami finally says, “Madame and monsieur! Bienvenu to Monday Night Raw!” But then The Judgment Day makes their way out! Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley, Dominik Mysterio and even Finn Balor walk out and head for the ring as fans boo. The Judgment Day flanks the ring and have Sami all alone. Sami says, “Alright, hey. Before you do whatever it is you’re about to do, I just have one question for you.” In French, he asks, “You know you’re in Quebec, right?” So did they think he’d come here of all places, alone? HERE COMES KEVIN OWENS! He DECKS Dom and stomps him down!
Fans fire up, Sami dodges Finn and Kevin trips Finn to drag him out! Damian has Sami, Sami fights free, and Kevin gives him a STUNNER! The Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions stand tall and Quebec is all fired up! Sami picks up the mic and hands it to Kevin, and fans fire up more as Kevin stares the Judgment Day down. Fans chant for “KEVIN OWENS! KEVIN OWENS!” and Kevin says, “It’s uh… It’s been far too long since I’ve had a match on Raw, so how ’bout this? Right here, tonight, Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn against any two of you!” Finn and Priest say they’re ready, so Kevin says, “Guess what?” In French, Kevin basically says they’re gonna kick Judgment Day’s ass!
Will The Prizefighter & Great Liberator not just #FightTogether but win together? Or will The Prince & The Punisher prove Judgment Day is on the same page?
Drew McIntyre & Matt Riddle VS The New Day!
The Scottish Warrior & The Original Bro are giving it a go in the tag division, but they’re up against one of the very best to ever do it! Will #GlasBro be a force to be reckoned with? Or will Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston remind us all that New Day Rocks?
Raw returns and Riddle makes his entrance, followed by McIntyre’s. The teams sort out, Woods starts against Riddle and the two tie up. Woods headlocks, Riddle powers out, things speed up and Riddle hurdles. Woods stops to pie face Riddle! Woods says, “You are NOT a real tag team!” Riddle says, “Yes we are!” Woods dodges Riddle to DROPKICK him! Woods kips up, runs in, clothesline and a tag to Kofi! Feed to the GAMANGIRI, then BIG back suplex to a double-jump SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Kofi brings Riddle up but Riddle slips around to back suplex! Kofi lands on his feet, and he dropkicks Riddle down!
Riddle scrambles to his corner, tag to McIntyre! Fans fire up as the two former WWE Champions tie up. Kofi waistlocks, headlocks, but McIntyre powers up and out. Kofi ducks ‘n’ dodges and slips around to then DROPKICK! McIntyre goes to a corner, Kofi runs in to clothesline! Kofi whips, McIntyre reverses but Kofi goes up and up and leaps, into McIntyre’s arms! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Woods runs in, he gets an OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Riddle runs in and he hugs McIntyre! Fans cheer and Riddle goes on about how cool that was. McIntyre grins, and he clinches Riddle? To OVERHEAD TOSS him onto the New Day!
Fans fire up and Riddle is surprised! He gives a thumbs up and McIntyre gives it back, #GlasBro is rolling as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Kofi covers Riddle, TWO! Kofi drags Riddle around with a double wristlock, but Riddle endures. Fans rally up, Riddle fights up, but Kofi waistlocks. Riddle reaches out for McIntyre, but he elbows free. Kofi clamps onto the other arm, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Kofi snapmares Riddle, runs and tags Woods, PENALTY KICK to SLIDING FOREARM to IMPLODER SPLASH to FIST DROP! Cover, TWO! Woods keeps cool, Riddle flounders, and Woods clamps on with an armlock and chinbar. Woods grinds his forearm into Riddle’s face but he endures. Fans rally, Riddle fights up, and Riddle breaks free!
Riddle fires off fast hands, but Woods blocks a kick! Woods ducks the enziguri! Woods runs, tag to Kofi before the SLIDING COMPLETE SHOT! Kofi goes up the corner, leaps, CROSSBODY to the back! Cover, TWO! Riddle survives but Kofi clamps on with another armlock and chinbar. Riddle endures all over again, and fights up as the fans rally. Riddle reaches out, McIntyre reaches out, but they’re fingertips away! Kofi kicks low, CLUBS and whips and trips Riddle, then hurries up a corner. Kofi aims as Riddle rises, FLYING- KNEE!! Riddle’s knee takes Kofi outta the sky! Hot tag to Woods and he CLOBBERS Riddle!
Woods wags his finger at McIntyre, puts Riddle in a corner, but Riddle puts Woods up top! Riddle paint brushes Woods with SLAPS! Riddle climbs up, fires off hands, then goes to the very top! Woods fights and fans fire up, Riddle has a leg! SUPER FISHERMAN BUSTER!! Fans are thunderous and McIntyre is feeling it! Riddle crawls, Woods stirs, and Woods grabs a foot. Riddle kicks at Woods with the other foot, but THE VIKING RAIDERS trip McIntyre!? Where’d they come from!? Kofi tags in, leaps over Riddle, spins him around, TROUBLE IN PARADISE!! Cover, New Day wins!!
Winners: The New Day, by pinfall
Then the Viking Raiders attack the New Day! They stand Woods up to CLOBBER him! And then they drag Kofi up, he fights back, but gets the HEEL KICK O’ DOOM! Fans boo but McIntyre is back! He GLASGOW KISSES Erik, but Ivar BOOTS him! Ivar runs, into a SPINEBUSTER!! McIntyre is all fired up, he clotheslines Ivar up and out! The Vikings regroup but McIntyre still wants more! Will #GlasBro look to end the raid once and for all?
Backstage interview with JD McDonagh & Finn Balor.
Jackie Redmond welcomes the Irish Ace and Prince, and asks McDonagh about this friendship with Finn and if it’s created only more tension between Finn and the Judgment Day. Finn shakes his head and McDonagh says he hopes not. He’s known Finn his whole life, Finn’s like his older brother. And if anything, he hopes this friendship makes the Judgment Day stronger. Finn adds that he isn’t sure what she’s doing, trying to stir the pot. They’re not having it. Last week, the Judgment Day laid out Sami Zayn AND Cody Rhodes because of JD! And if anything- Wait, Rhea & Dom walk in. They apologize to Finn & JD, but not to Jackie.
Jackie scoots away while Rhea says they need to talk about just who is facing Sami & Kevin. They go, but Rhea tells McDonagh to stay. Judgment Day only. Finn says it’s okay, he’ll catch McDonagh later. Will the Irish Ace be on the outside looking in?
Shayna Baszler speaks.
“Opera Non Verba. You are what you do, not what you say you do. I’ve watched all these frail toy soldiers parading as opposition for long enough. You’ve all got me in a vendetta kind of mood.” Highlights play of Shayna’s win over Ronda Rousey, and Shayna says no one understands. She’s not here to be a hero. She’s gonna set it all on fire. Their only hope is to survive. “Let the world burn.” Who will the Queen of Spades use to stoke the flames next?
Gunther speaks.
“Tonight, the world will witness the glory of the greatest Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion of all-time, Der Ring General, Gunther. Chad Gable thinks that time is my enemy. But indeed, time is my friend. Because with every day passing, I keep building my lifelong legacy. Chad Gable, I respect all your accomplishments. But you will not make a name for yourself on my expense. Your little fairytale story will end tonight!”
Chad Gable & The Alpha Academy are at gorilla position.
Byron Saxton is with them and brings up what Gunther had to say. Does Gable have any final comments before the biggest match of his career? Otis takes this first. “Coach, at the lowest point of my career, you brought me into the Alpha Academy, we became world tag team champions together. OH YEAAAAH~! But tonight, live in Quebec City, it’s your own golden opportunity.” Maxxine Dupri says that she could never have imagined becoming an in-ring competitor until Coach Gable showed her the way. “Chad has been working for this moment for ten YEARS! Some of you may think that disgusting ogre is unbeatable. Okay, but let me remind you, Byron, if anyone can do the impossible, it’s Chad Gable.”
Gable says he’s blushing. In this moment, there’s only one thing left to say. “A THANK YEW~!” The Academy heads out, will they leave Quebec with that Intercontinental Championship?
WWE Intercontinental Championship: GUNTHER VS Chad Gable!
Raw returns as Gunther makes his entrance, without Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci. This looks to be a truly 1v1 match-up so that there is no doubt when one of these great wrestlers wins the war. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if an American Alpha can stop an Austrian Juggernaut!
The bell rings and fans rally up behind Gable. They circle, tie up, and Gunther powers Gable back to a corner. The ref counts, gets in there, and Gunther swings! Gable dodges to CHOP! Gunther storms up on Gable but Gable gets back. They tie up, Gunther wrenches and wristlocks then knuckle locks for the straight arm lever and SLAM! Gunther drops a knee on the arm, then shifts to have a cording hold. Gable endures, fights up, but Gunther twists the arm as part of a double wristlock. Gable endures, fans rally, but Gunther wrenches to hit a hip toss! Then back to the wristlock! Gable endures and fights up again.
Gunther keeps on that arm, but Gable CHOPS! And then rolls, bridges, handsprings and spins to headlock, spin, and drop toehold! Fans fire up as Gable facelocks! Gunther rolls, Gable rolls with him! And again! Gunther picks Gable up, and TOSSES him out of the ring! Gable tumbles, fans boo but Gunther eggs Gable on. The ring count climbs, Gunther crawls his way over, and he slides in at 5 of 10. Gunther CHOPS him down! Fans boo more while Gunther paces around, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Gable is outside the ring. The ring count is 6 of 10 but Gunther goes out to BOOT him down! And then BARRIER BACK SUPLEX! Gable flops to the ground and Gunther goes back into the ring. The ring count starts again, Gunther waiting on Gable. Gable crawls over, flounders at 6 of 10, drags himself up at 8 and in at 9! Fans fire up but Gunther drags Gable up, underhooks and lifts for a stalling Butterfly Suplex! Cover, TWO! Gable is still in this and Gunther is getting frustrated with him! Fans rally, Gunther drags Gable up and whips him hard into a corner! Gable bounces off buckles and falls back!
Gunther talks trash how this is HIS ring, then he kicks Gable around. Gunther drags Gable up, whips him to a corner, but Gable flops over before even making it! Gunther grins and mocks Gable, and the ref checks if Gable is okay. Gable drags himself to the corner, Gunther gives him kicks and mockingly asks what’s going on. The ref counts, Gunther lets off, but then grabs for a foot. Gable BOOTS him! And BOOTS him again! Gable goes up, BOOTS Gunther again and again and again! Gunther gets Gable’s leg, swings, but the chop is blocked! HANGING ARMBAR! The ref counts, Gable lets go at 4!
Gable sits up, leaps, but into a CHOP!! Gunther watches Gable stagger up, and runs in to LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Gable is still in this and fans fire up! Gunther storms around, eggs Gable on, and then runs, into a DROPKICK! Gable gets up again, but Gunther LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Gunther is losing his cool as Gable keeps finding power to kick out! Gunther watches from the corner, shouts at Gable, and runs in, into an arm-drag! Ghost pin! TWO!!! Gunther CHOPS, then clamps on a SLEEPER!! Gunther falls back into body scissors! Gable flails, claws at the grip, and fans rally up! Gable fights around, Gunther is a backpack now!
Gable stands up with Gunther on his back?! But then Gunther CLUBS Gable! Gable comes back to throat chop! Gable runs, and forearms! And again! Gable ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Gunther gets another sleeper! But Gable spins it to a BIG back suplex!! Fans fire up again as both men are down! Gable crawls, as does Gunther, and Gable stands up first. Gable storms up to waistlock, but Gunther fights the lift! Gunther knees low and hard, backs away to a corner, then runs in, but Gable blocks the knee! Gable glares at Gunther, before the DRAGON SCREW! Into the ANKLE LOCK!! Gunther flails and freaks out!
Fans fire up as Gable leans on the hold! Then he drags Gunther from ropes! Gunther rolls and kicks at Gable! Gable holds on but Gunther kicks and kicks until he’s free! Gunther CHOPS Gable, Gable TACKLES Gunther! And fires off some fists for ground ‘n’ pound! Gable ROCKS Gunther, CHOPS Gunther, and deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES!! Bridging cover, TWO!! Gunther survives and fans know “This is Awesome!” Gable goes to a corner, he climbs up, but Gunther SHOVES him off! Gable hits barriers on the way down! A ring count starts again and fans rally up. Gable rises, Gunther storms out after him, and CHOPS him again the barriers!
Gunther BOOTS Gable, has him against barriers, and says this is HIS ring! Gunther CHOPS Gable down again! Gunther shoves Gable, swings, but Gable dodges! The chop hits POST!! And then Gable POSTS Gunther! And then GERMAN SUPLEXES Gunther into the timekeeper’s area! Gable slides in, the ring count hits TEN!!
Winner: Chad Gable, by count-out (Gunther retains the title)
It’s a huge victory for Chad Gable, but he doesn’t win the Intercontinental Championship! And yet, Gunther is furious! He is more upset that he lost to Gable than anything! Imperium rushes out and they tell Samantha to announce the last part! Yes, and STILL champion, Der Ring General! That is the silver lining for Gunther, but Gable still rubs it in that he won! Gable will be back for more, will he take that title the very next time these two face off?
The Judgment Day talks backstage.
Rhea says they’ve been going on for too long, they need to figure out who is facing Kevin & Sami. Finn says he doesn’t know how many times he has to say it! He thinks the team should be him and Dom. Priest says yeah, fair, they’d make a great team. But seeing as how Dom is already NXT North American Champion, and Priest is Mr. MITB, that makes more sense. Finn asks what that’s supposed to mean. Priest says don’t get hot. Dom, what do you think? U-Um, Finn & Priest are both amazing. Mami, what’s your vote? She thought they buried the hatchet! They did! Then stop doing this! They don’t have time for this!
Rhea has her own beef with Candice LeRae, so it’s not like she can be in the match! Someone decide before Rhea & Dom get back, or she’ll make it for them. Mami & Dommy head out, are things not okay in the Judgment Day?
Imperium regroups backstage.
Gunther is upset with Ludwig & Vinci, again. He then storms off, and Ludwig says they have to make this right. What’s Vinci gonna do? Ludwig storms off and Vinci is left speechless. Why is it on him to do something? Is there anything Imperium can do about this?
Backstage interview with Cody Rhodes.
Byron Saxton is with the American Nightmare and congratulates him on last week’s win over Finn Balor. But how did he feel the way Raw ended last week? Cody smirks and says Finn sat on him like a piece of furniture. And what the hell is wrong with JD McDonagh? Head so big on a little body, he’s like a Funko Pop. Byron, y’know what? Sorry, but this isn’t working. This setting isn’t his vibe. Let’s take a walk. Cody wants to introduce Byron to some friends. They go from the backstage area to gorilla, to right on stage! Fans fire up for getting to see Cody with their own eyes, and Cody asks Quebec, in French, “Whaddya wanna talk about?”
Byron then asks Cody that since we’re out here now, what would Cody like to talk about? Cody says that first order of business, down the aisle from here, hello and welcome to the newest commentators, Wade Barrett and “the voice of the WWE,” Michael Cole! Fans cheer for them, and for Cody, it feels like the JBL Cole Show. Shoutout to the Cowboy, John Bradshaw Layfield. But we’ve all seen the clips, Judgment Day vying to be the strongest group in all of sports entertainment, and what do they have on their side? The numbers! Gotta respect that.
“But if there was one place on the map where the numbers didn’t matter, if there was one place on the map where the odds weren’t in their favor, it’d be down the road from where Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn grew up!” Cody wants to hear ya! Quebec gets louder and Cody says he wants the Judgment Day to hear this! Will they be in the corner of Kevin & Sami tonight? The fans cheer so that’s a yes! And Cody says they won’t be alone, either. There is no love lost between him and the Judgment Day. He will be watching very closely, but tonight is about Kevin and Sami as we watch the Judgment Day rise… and fall!
Fans cheer that, but will Cody’s backing help the tag team champions make it through the night?
Shinsuke Nakamura speaks.
In Japanese, the King of Strong Style says, “Everyone asks me what I whispered to Seth Rollins. What could I have possibly said to fill him with fear? Seth is a man who acts like he has it all. Prosperous, charismatic, a champion. But… I know Seth. And I know his weaknesses.” In English, he tells us, “I whispered to Seth, ‘I know about your back.’ Seth’s back has been broken for many years. He lives in pain, and this pain creates a void inside of him that nothing can fill. No matter how successful he is, he is still in pain. When he hugs his wife, he is in pain. When he picks up his child, he is in pain.
“He is a world champion, yet every day of his life is filled with pain. And now his worst fears are coming true. He knows that I can break him once and for all! You see, Seth and I are not so different. I have a void, too. We live by a code that others do not. In fact, that code is displayed on his back. The very same back that is failing to hold him together, just like he is failing to live by that code. His body has crumbled, under the pressure of his own vanity. Are you satisfied, Seth? With what you have done with your life? Are you satisfied, Seth? Because I will not be satisfied until I take this burden from you when I break you once and for all. Watch your back.”
Rhea Ripley w/ Dominik Mysterio VS Candice LeRae w/ Indi Hartwell!
The Women’s World Champion may be #MondayNightMami, but she isn’t going to be kind or caring here against #MamaWrestling! Will Rhea have her way with Candice? Or will Candice avoid being eradicated?
Raw returns and Candice makes her entrance, Indi by her side for the no-look high-five. The bell rings and the two rush in! They tie up, Rhea powers Candice back to a corner and fires off fast hands! The ref counts, Rhea lets off, and then runs in, but into a roll-up! ONE, Candice dodges and Rhea hits buckles! Rhea staggers, Candice goes up, but Dom gets on the apron! Indi drags him down! Indi chases Dom off, but Rhea catches the crossbody to a BACKBREAKER! And then pop into the pump handle! RIP- DDT!! Candice turns things around, then hurries to LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO!
Fans rally and Candice fires off haymakers! Rhea choke grips back! CHOKE- NO, Candice wheelbarrows, but Rhea blocks! PRISM TRAP!! Candice taps, Rhea wins!
Winner: Rhea Ripley, by submission
Dom says that’s right! Mami breaks Candice down one way or another, but wait! Here comes Raquel Rodriguez! She’s on a crutch, did her knee only get worse as she tried to get back to 100%? Dom & Rhea laugh at Raquel, but then Raquel holds the crutch up to throw it at Rhea! And BOOTS her down!! It was a fake out! Big Mami Cool RAMS Mami Rhea all around ringside! Fans fire up as Raquel puts Rhea in the ring, but Rhea BOOTS her! Rhea CLUBS away, but Raquel throws hands in return! Raquel TOSSES Rhea to a corner, then fires off more shots! Raquel brings Rhea around, but Rhea breaks free!
Rhea ducks one lariat, but not the SOUTHPAW! And then Raquel scoops for a FALL AWAY SLAM! Rhea tumbles out and retreats! Fans fire up and Raquel gets a mic to tell Rhea not to go anywhere. If it isn’t obvious, as of today, Raquel has been medically cleared for action! And don’t worry, she already spoke to Adam Pearce. It will be Rhea Ripley VS Raquel Rodriguez at PAYBACK! Fans fire up for that, and Raquel tells Rhea that there can only be ONE Mami, and there can only be ONE Women’s World Champion! Rhea says bring it on! Who will be La Mami del Mundo after these two throw down?
Tommaso Ciampa speaks.
“It has been nine weeks since I’ve returned to Monday Night Raw. A long, 63 days to reflect on the man I’ve been since returning. I’m the man who lied in that ring two weeks ago as Chad Gable celebrated with his son. And this is nothing against Chad Gable, he is a workhorse. But I would be lying to you if I said I didn’t want that Intercontinental title opportunity versus Gunther. This close. And heck, even before Chad Gable, I’m the man who Shinsuke Nakamura defeated, and now look at him: Challenging for the World Heavyweight Championship. This close.
“But I didn’t come back to be this close! I didn’t come back to be that guy. I came back to be THE guy! I’ve been him before, I know that feeling, I know that pressure. It’s like oxygen and I am dying to take a breath. So I’m going to be the change that I want to see. Do It Yourself! Because I ain’t here to play no more games. I am here to take over the game.” Ciampa storms off, just what is he aiming to do next?
The Miz VS ???
All to prove he’s the bigger and better “mega star,” The Hollywood A-Lister promised us last week that he’d be facing someone bigger, faster and stronger than anyone LA Knight has ever face! Then just who is going to face The Miz tonight? We find out, after the break!
Raw returns, Miz has the mic, and fans chant for Maryse. Miz says she is from Montreal, she would never come to Quebec City. Fans boo but Miz says in his best French, “Let me talk to yah!” Friday on SmackDown, LA Knight lost a match to earn a US Championship match, and everyone is blaming Miz! What Knight fails to realize is that on the big show, there is no room for excuses. Things happen! Champions know that! Roman Reigns knows it, Gunther knows it, and in the main event of WrestleMania, The Rock messed with The Miz’s match with John Cena and The Miz still retained the WWE Championship, because that is what champions do!
Miz is not a trend! Trends come and go! Miz evolves! 20 years from now, fans will remember Miz as a game changer, a trend setter! A two-time Grand Slam Champion and a WrestleMania main eventer! 20 years from now, we will remember Knight as “a blip on the radar, a human fidget spinner. The Hoobastank of WWE!” Miz says LA Knight is NOT on his level! And to prove it, Miz talked with Pearce and he got Pearce to let Miz handpick his opponent tonight. Miz went with someone faster, stronger, bigger and more dominant than anyone Knight has ever faced ever! So ladies and gentlemen, Miz’s opponent tonight is… Akira Tozawa?!
The Stamina Monster isn’t bigger than Knight himself! He’s a former Cruiserweight Champion who would still qualify as a Cruiserweight! Miz gives Tozawa his introduction, and brings up that Tozawa is a former WWE 24/7 Champion. A shame that title doesn’t exist anymore, because it is the perfect title for someone like LA Knight: “a watered-down throwback to the Attitude Era.” But this isn’t about Knight, this is about Tozawa! Is this the biggest match of Tozawa’s career? YEAH. Wow, Miz thought Tozawa would have more to say. YEAH! No, he didn’t finish his next question. And don’t say that word, Miz doesn’t like that word!
Tozawa asks, “Say what?” “Yeah-” “YEAH!” Really? YEAH! Really? YEAH! Really? YEAH! Really really really? YEAH YEAH YEAH! STOP IT, THIS IS STUPID! Miz is giving Tozawa the opportunity of a lifetime! Does he think this is funny?! Tozawa grins as fans say “YEAH.” And then Tozawa says “YE-” BOOT from Miz! Fans boo, the ref reprimands and Miz backs off. Miz puts his jacket aside and Tozawa gets back up. Tozawa still wants to fight, sot he bell rings. Miz and Tozawa approach, but then LA KNIGHT is here!! Quebec goes wild and Miz is furiously shocked! Tozawa SHOTGUNS Miz out of the ring!
Fans fire up as Knight goes to the ring and gives Miz some tissues so he can cry more. Fans fire up and Knight joins commentary! Miz gets in the ring, rushes up but Tozawa dumps Miz out! Miz sees Knight again and Knight tells him to pay attention. Tozawa DIVES and hits Miz into the desk! Fans fire up with Tozawa and Knight, “YEAH!” and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns as Miz hits an A-LIST LARIAT! Miz dumps Tozawa out of the corner, climbs up and leaps, AX HANDLE! Knight is on commentary saying Miz is going on about stuff that happened 12 years ago when he was a background dancer for The Rock and John Cena. Good for him! Talk about flash in the pan, but Miz hasn’t been a trend in the last 10 years. Miz gives Tozawa It Kicks and says Knight is in HIS space! Miz hits more kicks, then soaks up the heat. Miz runs in to BUZZSAW Tozawa down! Cover, TWO! Knight continues to mock Miz over him constantly bringing up his early years.
Miz runs but Tozawa ducks the boot! Tozawa KICKS and KICKS and stands up. Miz swings, Tozawa dodges and fires off haymakers! Miz throws hands, whips and pops Tozawa up, but Tozawa RANAS! Fans fire up for Tozawa and he runs to SHINING WIZARD! Fans fire up while Miz is down and Tozawa goes up the corner. But Miz BOOTS Tozawa down to the floor! Then Miz builds speed, to WRECK Tozawa with a dropkick! Miz asks Knight if he saw that! Knight says to keep his attention on Tozawa. Miz drags Tozawa up, and then sends him at Knight! But Tozawa goes up the desk to FLYING RANA! Miz is sent into steel steps!
Knight says that’s what he was talking about. Tozawa puts Miz in, then GAMANGIRIS! Tozawa goes up the corner, fans fire up, TOKYO TOWER SENTON onto knees! Knight says “Miz is what you get if Biff Tannen banged a frog and then pushed it down the stairs.” Miz glares at Knight and then soaks up the heat. Knight says Miz is an inspiration. Miz proved that even if you’re awful and boring, you can still make it in this business. Miz full nelsons Tozawa and mocks Knight’s usual spelling it out with “You Are Not Miz, YEAH!” But then Tozawa drops down to victory roll! TOZAWA WINS!!
Winner: Akira Tozawa, by pinfall
Knight says look at that! That IS a game changer! Tozawa celebrates for the first time in a long time and Miz is going nuts! But then Knight hits Miz with B F T!! YEAH!! Will Miz ever get over this? Will he ever get past LA Knight?
McIntyre & Riddle regroup backstage.
Riddle says it’s okay, they’re 2-1 and that loss wasn’t even their fault. They still have a future, just keep trying. McIntyre says okay, but just listen for a second. McIntyre appreciates Riddle’s enthusiasm, but we’ve seen what’s happened with McIntyre these last couple of years. He has enough drama of his own, and now the Viking Raiders. This team isn’t gonna work out. The New Day walk over and can’t believe what they’re hearing. Did they not hear the people out there? Don’t go so fast, they’ve got a good thing going! And they really showed The New Day something out there. They’ve got potential.
Matter o’ fact, The New Day has a name for this team. “McRiddle.” Get it? Bada ba ba ba~~! Riddle’s loving it! Is McIntyre loving it? Yeah, can’t get enough… Now, they have issues with the Viking Raiders, but so does the New Day. New Day VS Erik & Ivar is next week, and then after that, if #McRiddle wants a rematch, Woods & Kofi are down. And thanks for having their backs. Pound it. Fist bumps! And then paper covers rock. Thanks, Riddle, kinda ruined the moment. Oh, sorry. New Day heads out, and Riddle is fired up! If New Day says they have potential, and those guys won the tag titles tons of times, don’t give up on this yet!
McIntyre doesn’t give an answer, and Riddle says it wasn’t a no! Will #McRiddle get cooking and go for some gold?
Rhea & Dom return to the Judgment Day lounge.
Priest asks where’ve they been, and Rhea asks if he and Finn worked out the tag team problem. No. Priest tried, Finn didn’t wanna hear him out, claims he doesn’t trust Priest, and then went off to talk with JD McDonagh. Rhea says Priest also isn’t trusting Finn. Uh, do you blame him? He’s here, there, all over the place! What can Priest do? Oh, fine, then that’s how this is gonna be? Rhea gave them a chance to work it out, so now they do things Rhea’s way! Rhea storms off, and Dom says Mami is not happy. What is Rhea going to decide for the team? Will it work out in their favor?
Becky Lynch is here!
Time and time again, The Man has been denied vengeance on Trish Stratus! But a big time Steel Cage match is coming, what are Becky’s thoughts on that? We’ll hear her out, after the break.
Raw returns and Becky has the mic to say, “The Man has come around to Quebec City! And The Man has Trish Stratus in a Steel Cage at Payback! Now, over the last few brutal months of this rivalry, there’s been a lot talk about who’s the best. Who is the greatest? And really, ultimately, it comes down to legacy. What do you want your legacy to be? What are you in control of? What are you not in control of? And how can you take those so-called lemons,” as she points out her new merch shirt, “and turn them into lemonade?”
And Becky has realized that her legacy will not be defined by wins or losses, or by championships, but by survival! Fans like the sound of that. Because you can beat Becky, put her on the shelf for months on end, break her bones and tear hear ligaments, but she will always come back! And not because she is unbeatable, but because she is unstoppable! And she is unstoppable because she always wins, but because she always, always, ALWAYS FIGHTS! Which brings us back to Trish. Trish and Becky are going into a Steel Cage, but there is still business with Zoey Stark. Becky talked with Adam Pearce and-
Wait! Here comes Trish & Zoey! Trish asks what’s up Quebec, it is so nice to hear them. They’ve been having to be south of this beautiful country, dealing with those silly USA-Holes. To be in her home country of Canada, Trish is very emotional. The fans chant “Thank You, Trish!” But she says she should be saying, “Merci beaucoup, Quebec.” Fans cheer and Trish says she can’t tell us what it means to be here in her home country, and in Quebec City, because it means ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! HA! It’s not like this is Montreal. Or even Toronto! Fans boo but Trish says at least the Leaves made the playoffs.
Trish continues to the ring and says she wouldn’t be here tonight if not for this sourpuss running her mouth. Trish would’ve made like Trudeau and split. Trish steps into the ring with Becky, Zoey still by her side. The fans chant at Trish in French and she’s a bit surprised. But she also tells them the rest of the world doesn’t understand what they’re saying so this is pointless. As for Becky, Trish has some good news and some bad news. Good news: When Trish beats Becky 1v1, she will finally prove she is the greatest of all time. Not only of her generation but of this generation!
And the bad news: Becky has Trish in a steel cage. Trish has never been in a steel cage match. And is she scared? Is she? Fans think so, and Becky asks if she is. Trish admits, she is scared! But was she scared at 24 years old, and thrown into the WWE ring with almost no experience? Yes, but she killed it! Was she scared as the first female to ever main event Raw? Yeah, but she killed it! Trish’s entire career has been her thrown into the fire and shining! She has proven herself. Shove her into a steel cage? Guess what? She will stand tall! Fans continue to chant at Trish and she asks what the frogs are doing.
Trish continues to tell Becky that if we’re talking survival and legacy, then here she is, 23 years later, face to face with one of the best in the business. And y’know what? Trish finds herself once again having to prove herself to everyone! She is sick and tired of proving herself to everyone! And y’know what? When Becky gets into that cage with Trish, you’ll see a side of Trish we’ve never seen before, and if Trish were Becky, Becky would be scared! Because Becky will NOT survive this one, b*tch! Becky says she’s so~ scared~! Trish brings up how Becky brought up Zoey. Oh, yes, Becky had something to say before Trish so rudely interrupted!
Trish, in two weeks, it will be you and Becky locked in a steel cage. But next week, Zoey, it’ll be the exact opposite! It will be Becky VS Zoey, FALLS COUNT ANYWHERE! Welcome to the Big Time! Becky drops the mic and is all fired up! She even takes Trish’s cowboy hat! Will Trish’s protégé survive when Becky can take her anywhere and do anything to her?
Chelsea Green & Piper Niven are at gorilla position.
Byron Saxton walks over to ask The Hot Mess and her newest tag team partner that as the NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, where are their heads at- Chelsea stops him there. She doesn’t know whatever “Bryan” was gonna talk about, but let’s talk about how Chelsea had to authorize WWE Management to make them the new Tag Team Champions after Sonya’s injury. Piper seems confused by that, as Chelsea was about to be stripped of the gold, but Chelsea continues to say she handled it, as she always does. And now they will do what champions do. This chemistry is off the charts!
Piper steps in to put a stop to this interview but Chelsea keeps wanting to talk. Piper then gets Chelsea’s attention. “Did I stutter? Move.” Piper ushers Chelsea on, and this new duo heads for the ring! Will the chemistry really be all Chelsea says it is? Or will they simply be added to the Highlight Reel?
Chelsea Green & Piper Niven VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance!
Raw returns as KC Squared make their entrance. The teams sort out, Katana starts against Chelsea. The two tie up, go around, and Chelsea tosses Katana aside. Chelsea taunts Kayden but Katana DROPKICKS her down! Tag to Kayden, she trips Chelsea and drags her halfway out so that Katana can backflip and KNEE DROP! Then Kayden slides back in, facelocks to keep Chelsea from Piper, but chelae powers out to kick a leg! Chelsea then sucker punches Katana! Kayden swings, misses, and Chelsea ROCKS her with a right! Chelsea talks trash but Kayden ROCKS her in return! Chelsea staggers back and Piper tags in!
Chelsea runs in, Kayden dodges and she SUPERKICKS Piper! Chelsea superkicks but Kayden blocks, to then spin Chelsea and SUPERKICK her now! Hot tag to Katana and KC Squared set up in a corner. Kayden carries Katana on her shoulders, HANDSTAND SPLASH! Cover, but Piper is the legal one! And speaking of, Piper drags Kayden out to TOSS her at the desk! And then Piper storms in, Katana storms up, and Piper DECKS her! Piper runs to SPLASH! Cover, Piper & Chelsea win!
Winners: Chelsea Green & Piper Niven, by pinfall
Piper the Viper singlehandedly handles KC Squared, and singlehandedly celebrates while Chelsea writhes in the corner. Will Piper be just the thing Chelsea needs to make it through the Summer as champion?
Backstage interview with Seth Rollins.
Jackie is with the World Heavyweight Champion, but he stops her from asking her question. He knows they’ve been waiting all night long. Before they get to business, can’t we just take a second to “let, them, sing?” Fans sing “OH~ OHH~ OHHHH~” for Rollins and he soaks it all in. Rollins says now he presumes she’s going to ask about his back. Yes, is there an injury update? Or any truth at all to what Nakamura said about Rollins? Rollins takes off the sunglasses and says Shinsuke… He caught Rollins off guard bringing up the back injury, because the truth is, it isn’t something he talks about publicly.
“But if we’re being completely open here, I do have two fractures in my lumbar spine. I have been living with that injury for over four years, and it doesn’t get better by itself. As a matter of fact, it gets worse, and the truth is, I don’t really know, um… I don’t know what the endgame is, I don’t know how much longer I’m gonna be able to do this at the level I’m currently running at. And um, y’know what? That’s part of the gig. And it’s part of the gig if Shinsuke wants to bring up and target my injuries. And it’s part of the gig if Shinsuke Nakamura wants to take cheap shots, if he wants to play mind games.
“Hell, it’s part of the gig if Shinsuke Nakamura wants to question my character! Many have! He’s not the first, he won’t be the last. But if Shinsuke Nakamura wants to bring my family into it… My wife, and my daughter, and my livelihood into this, then he better be prepared… to face me man to man. But you’re not, are you, Shin? You’re not even here tonight, are you, Shin? You’re in a TV studio a thousand miles away, too afraid to face me!
“So here’s what I’m gonna do for you. Next week, I’m gonna give you one more chance to play your little mind games. Prove to the world that you are an honorable warrior, and I’ll repeat to you what I told you last week. I’m not a hard guy to find! I’ll be in the center of that ring, dressed to the nines, world title wrapped around my waist, with the whole world singing, my, song.” Fans sing again, “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Will the Visionary and the King of Strong Style be face-to-face just days before their match at Payback? And what happens if they will?
Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn VS ??? w/ The Judgment Day!
The Prizefighter is back in action, because he will always #JustKeepFighting! And with his best friend by his side, they #JustKeepFighting The Judgment Day! But who will it be that Mami decided will step up to them? And will it not keep the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions from getting a huge hometown win?
Raw returns and the Judgment Day makes their entrance. Priest is storming out, and Rhea drags Finn along?! She says THEY are tagging! So get it together already and win! Will the Prince & Punisher have no choice but to do that with Mami on their case? Finn & Priest rush in, they brawl with Kevin & Sami! Fans fire up but the ref wants this to sort out! Sami TOSSES Finn, Kevin TOSSES Priest, but then Finn & Priest drag them both out! So the brawling just continues outside! Kevin ROCKS and CHOPS Priest, Sami RAMS Finn into barriers! Priest throws hands, fans sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~!”
Sami goes after Priest now, puts him in the ring, and the match begins! Priest ROCKS Sami, CLUBS away on him, then fires off hands! Fans boo but Rhea cheers Priest on. Priest CLUBS Sami, whips him to ropes, but Sami ducks ‘n’ dodges and comes back to clothesline! Priest goes up and out, Sami goes out after him, on the desk! Sami fires hands, Finn runs over but Sami SMACKS him off the desk! Sami fires off on Finn now, but Priest UPPERCUTS Sami! Priest puts Sami back in the ring, then DECKS him with a big forearms! Fans boo, Finn tags in, and Finn brings Sami in, but Sami suplexes first!
Fans fire up as Sami tags in Kevin! Kevin dodges Finn, DECKS Priest, then fires off on Finn! Fans fire up with every haymaker, and then Kevin stomps away on Finn at the ropes! Kevin lets off and he’s all fired up! Fans are even more fired up as he goes out to LARIAT Finn and then LARIAT Priest! Kevin hurries right back into the ring, he DECKS Finn, and then CANNONBALLS Priest down! Kevin goes up a corner, takes aim, SWANTON BOMB!! Fans are thunderous for the Prizefighter as he watches Finn flounder. Finn stands up, Kevin kicks low, but no Stunner! Finn SLINGBLADES in return! Both men are down and fans boo.
Priest has the briefcase? But Sami CLOBBERS him first! Rhea is shocked, but now Sami’s bad elbow bothers him! JD McDonagh is here! McDonagh tosses the briefcase into the ring, but Kevin intercepts it! And CLOBBERS Finn with it! But the ref saw that!!
Winners: The Judgment Day, by disqualification
Kevin argues that the Judgment Day brought the briefcase in! But then Priest CLOBBERS Kevin! Priest asks what McDonagh is even doing! Why’s he touching Priest’s stuff!? McDonagh says he’s just trying to help! But then Sami CLOBBERS McDonagh! But then Dom attacks Sami! The Judgment Day beats down Sami and fans boo! Kevin gets up, but that’s still 3v2! Fans want to see Cody, and so here comes Cody! He runs down, weight belt in hand so he can LASH Dom! Finn & Priest get away, and now the American Nightmare stands tall with the hometown heroes as he says they are NOT ending Raw like this! THREE VS THREE, LET’S GO!
Quebec fires up and Judgment Day is upset. But they have no choice, because here comes Adam Pearce! He says they ARE doing it! Will Judgment Day finally pay for what they’ve been up to?
Six Man Tag: Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn & Cody Rhodes VS The Judgment Day!
Raw returns with this match underway! Dom whips Cody but Cody ducks ‘n’ dodges ‘n’ slides under, to then kick low and RHODES UPPERCUT! Dom staggers, Cody bumps Dom off buckles, and then tag to Sami. Fans cheer as Cody holds Dom and Sami goes up, AX HANDLE! Sami brings Dom around, ROCKS him with rights, but Dom knees low! Dom fires haymakers, fans sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~!” but Dom fires more hands and knees against ropes. The ref reprimands, Dom gives us some Latino Heat but the fans boo. Dom whips, Sami reverses and back drops Dom high and hard! Dom flounders to a corner and Sami storms over.
Sami brings Dom up but Dom powers him to a corner! Tag to Finn, he stomps Sami and bumps him off buckles. Finn fires off hands, whips corner to corner, then runs in, but Sami LARIATS first! Fans cheer as Sami bumps Finn off buckles and tags in Kevin. Kevin CHOPS Finn, whips him, and then body shots to a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP and SENTON! “SUCK IT!” to Priest and Dom! Fans fire up, but the ref keeps the Judgment Day back., Finn knees low and bumps Kevin off buckles! Tag to Dom and fans boo as he stomps a mudhole in. Dom throws hands, knees low, but Kevin ROCKS Dom in return!
Kevin and Dom scrap, Dom ROCKS Kevin then gives us more Latino Heat! “I run this!” Dom wraps on a chinlock and he grinds Kevin down. Fans taunt Dom more, but Rhea tells him to grind that hold. Kevin endures, fights up, and fans rally as Kevin fights up. Kevin throws body shots, but Dom knees low and TOSSES Kevin out. Fans boo as Dom goes out and leaps, into a body shot! Fans fire up again as Kevin brings Dom up to put him in the ring. But Priest runs up! Kevin ELBOWS him down, then DECKS Dom, and ELBOWS Finn! Dom HOTSHOTS Kevin, tags Finn, and Finn sweeps the legs!
Kevin lands hard on the apron, Finn & Dom distract the ref so Priest can RAM Kevin into barriers, and so Rhea can scoop SLAM Kevin! Rhea high-fives Priest and tells Kevin to suck it! Fans boo as Judgment Day soaks up the heat. Finn goes out to get Kevin, RAMS him into the apron, and shoves him in the ring. Finn then slingshot stomps Kevin down! Fans boo but Finn tags Priest. Priest taunts Cody and Sami, goes back to Kevin and brings him up, but Kevin ROCKS Priest! And again! And again! But Priest LARIATS Kevin down! Cover, TWO! The Judgment Day is still in control and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once again and Finn stomps away on Kevin at the ropes! Fans rally for Kevin, the ref counts, and Finn lets off at 4. Kevin goes out, Finn goes out after him, but Kevin hits a back suplex to the desk! Rhea is stunned and Kevin flounders back to the ring. Rhea tells Finn to get up, Finn hurries in and tags Priest. Priest CLOBBERS Kevin, then taunts Sami and Cody. Priest drags Kevin over, tags Finn back in, and they mug Kevin. Finn fires hands, then snapmares Kevin to elbow him in the neck. Finn wraps on a chinlock but fans rally for Kevin. Kevin endures, fights up, but Finn facelocks now to grind him down!
Kevin still fights, but Finn powers him back. Kevin powers his way forward, but Finn powers him back! Kevin powers forward, then JAWBREAKERS free! And SUPERKICKS! But Finn bumps into Cody and sends him off the apron! Finn then staggers, HEADS COLLIDE! Both men go down and fans rally up! Finn and Kevin crawl, flounder, hot tags to Priest and Sami! Fans are all fired up for Sami as he fires off on Priest! Sami whips, Priest reverses but Sami springboards to go up and over and then LARIAT! Sami BLASTS Finn & Dom, then baits Priest into an ELBOW! Sami goes up, to AX HANDLE!
Fans fire up again as Sami spins Priest around, knuckle locks and CHOPS, then he goes up and up and TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Priest is still in this and Rhea can breathe again. Sami positions Priest in a drop zone and fans rally up as he climbs. Rhea shouts to Dom, Dom hurries up but Sami DECKS him! Sami sees Finn and points him out to the ref, but that allows Rhea to trip Sami up! Fans boo as Sami staggers up, into Priest’s choke grip! SOUTH OF HEAVEN SLAM!! Cover, Kevin breaks it! Fans fire up, but Finn whips! Kevin reverses to TOSS Finn! Priest LARIAT Kevin down! Hot tag to Dom!
Dom climbs, aims, and FROG SPLASHES onto knees! Sami saves himself, and Cody rises! Fans fire up as Sami crawls his way over, hot tag to Cody! Cody runs in, dodges Dom, then springboards, BEAUTIFUL DISASTER! Cody dodges Priest, to hit DOUBLE CODY CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!! Dom survives but fans fire up with Cody! Cody stalks Dom, drags him up, dragon sleeper but Finn runs in! So Cody gets Finn for CROSS RHODES instead! But Dom runs up, rolls Cody up, TWO!! Cody escapes, spins Dom around, CROSS RHODES!! Dom is in the corner, and Sami is back! Fans want it, Cody tags in Sami!
Sami aims at Dom, tags Kevin in first, then HELLUVA KICK!! Then feed to the STUNNER!! Cover, Kevin’s team wins!!
Winners: Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn & Cody Rhodes, by pinfall
A massive victory for the WWE Tag Team Champions and American Nightmare, and a massive defeat for The Judgment Day! Sami gets the mic to say, “Hey, Judgment Day. Better luck next time, hey bud?” Then in French, Sami says that this title run is for Canada, and it is for Quebec. Merci beaucoup! Will anyone stop Kevin & Sami as they #FightTogether? Will this only cause Judgment Day to fight each other?
My Thoughts:
A really good Raw here, though maybe a bit redundant with how we got another Judgment Day VS Cody, Kevin & Sami match. Don’t get me wrong, all great stuff leading to it, like this returning dysfunction between Finn and Priest and how they played it with JD McDonagh. But it just seems like they’re relying a little too much on that combo again and again. JD McDonagh technically not costing them that 2v2 match was also clever, because Priest wasn’t even upset about the result but that it was McDonagh getting in the mix. This has to come down to like Finn & McDonagh VS Priest & Dom as Judgment Day starts falling apart more.
Rhea also had some great stuff tonight, with another quick win this week but against Candice. But then Raquel showing up and revealing she’s 100% and ready to go, we’re going to get a great title match from them at Payback. No idea who wins that, but I feel like Rhea finds a Heelish way to win so that she’s the one person in Judgment Day with any success. Great stuff out of the tag match of Chelsea & Piper VS KC Squared, especially that handstand splash combo KC Squared cooked up. Piper being the powerhouse keeping that team from losing is going to be a fun story, like the combo of Piper & Eva Marie if Eva Marie had a Heel persona that worked.
Great tag match from McIntyre & Riddle VS New Day, though I did not see them throwing Viking Riders into this. I’m not going to outright say this is just a rehash of RKBRO, but it’s dangerously close to it. The nickname, “McRiddle,” is pretty clever, though. If it comes down to it, I wouldn’t mind seeing a Triple Threat Tag to determine #1 contenders to Sami & Kevin, assuming Judgment Day falls apart before getting their own shot. Then, if #McRiddle loses, McIntyre turns on Riddle for their feud. At least, if WWE isn’t going to try and make McRiddle a thing. Which they might, though McIntyre deserves a shot at the new world title.
Speaking of, great promo from Nakamura, especially with that plot twist of the aggravating back injury for Rollins. And great promo from Rollins in response, with some real heat going into next week’s go-home episode. The back injury (assuming it is exaggerated for sake of story) could very well be how they have Rollins lose and write him off TV so he can do filming with the next Marvel Captain America project. But if not and he keeps going past Payback, then Rollins VS Heel McIntyre for Fastlane in October.
Becky had a really good promo segment with Trish and Zoey, and I like that Zoey was keeping Trish back as Trish was trying to step to Becky while also finally raising her voice. Becky VS Trish in the Steel Cage for Payback will be great, but Becky VS Zoey in Falls Count Anywhere for the go-home is a wild choice. But at the same time, that could be how Becky takes Zoey out of the equation, or at least thinks so until Zoey shows up and still interferes with the cage match anyhow. And again, please let Lita show up and get back in the story, it just makes sense.
Really good promo from Ciampa about how he has been the guy who others springboard off of to get to the titles. And he used the phrase “Do It Yourself,” DIY, his old tag team with Johnny Gargano. I hope they get back together and get into the tag title scene, too. And just great stuff from Miz, LA Knight and Tozawa. I should’ve known Miz wasn’t going to face someone actually big and strong. And Knight got me to legitimately laugh out loud with that line about Biff Tannen banging a frog, as stupid as that is. Great win for Tozawa out of this story, and we have to see Miz VS Knight at Payback at this rate. Miz probably even shows up on Friday to make the challenge.
And great stuff out of the Intercontinental Championship scene. Really good promos before the match, and the match itself was awesome. Maybe a bit too like “Lex Luger beating Yokozuna by count-out” from 30 years ago, just without the locker room celebrating with Gable. But Gunther getting so upset was great, because he was so confident he’d beat Gable. I’m sure we get yet another rematch at Payback, because then the deadline to Honky Tonk Man’s record reign will be even closer. If they can take the same energy from tonight’s match and somehow escalate it, the Intercontinental Championship could steal the show.
My Score: 8.7/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

The Fallen Goddess returns!
The ROH Women’s World Champion, Athena, finally returns home! But who will be next to challenge The Minion Overlord’s Forever Reign?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Sammy Guevara VS Mansoor w/ Mason Madden; wins.
- Griff Garrison & Preston Vance w/ Cole Karter VS ???
- Lee Johnson w/ EJ Nduka VS ???
- Blake Christian VS ???
- Fatal 4 Way Tag: The Outrunners VS The Dark Order VS Grizzled Young Veterans VS The Premier Athletes; win(s).
- ROH Women’s World Television Championship: Red Velvet VS Robyn Renegade; wins and
PLAY BY PLAY
[Due to scheduling conflicts, coverage will be on delay]
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Who is really the most dangerous man in AEW?
Ricochet is done with the humiliation and “bullying” he’s endured in AEW, but will Swerve Strickland do a lot worse than that?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Will Ospreay VS Mark Davis w/ Don Callis; Ospreay wins.
- Konosuke Takeshita & Kyle Fletcher VS Brody King & Buddy Matthews; Konosuke & Kyle win.
- Toni Storm VS Queen Aminata; Toni wins.
- Ricochet VS Swerve Strickland w/ Prince Nana; Ricochet wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Backstage interview with Jay White.
Renee Paquette is with the Switchblade, and says she wants to talk the newfound alliance he seems to have with Adam Copeland. Yeah, he made it just in time for the show, luckily they’re close to the airport. But that new relationship, that’s building in real time before our very eyes. There is no real history between him and “Cope,” but there is something there for him and FTR. They haven’t always seen eye to eye, but the last time they spoke, White said that to fight the Death Riders, he’d need to rely on those he usually wouldn’t. Now he must rely on FTR and the Rated R Superstar, Adam Copeland.
Because the Death Riders, they always seem to have the numbers. Well, speaking of, the Death Riders storm up on White! White wants them all to hold on a minute, let’s get a head count. Because up behind the Death Riders is Rated FTR! White shows that it is all right on time! And the brawl is on! White has Moxley while Rated FTR brawls with the AEW World Trios Champions! These eight throw hands as they move further backstage! Moxley sends White into road cases, but White hits back! Moxley RAMS White, the rest of the fighting is closer to gorilla now, and spilling out to ringside! The fans fire up as Cash sends Pac into railing!
Cash then brings The Bastard around to send into the side of a tunnel! Part of it chips off! Pac gets up to kick back, the brawling continues, and now we’re at the ring! The fans fire up as Cope RIPS Claudio’s shirt off to fire hands! Moxley and White brawl among the fans, and Moxley DUMPS White over railing. Dax beats Yuta down, Cope DUMPS Claudio over barriers, and White fires hands on Moxley! Yuta sends Dax into steel steps, but White sends Moxley into some! White and Moxley end up in the ring, but Yuta hurries in. White catches Yuta for a BLADERUNNER! But then Moxley has White! White clinches, Pac BOOTS him!
Dax storms in, Pac SOBATS Dax, runs, but Dax avoids the dropkick! Cash joins in, SHATTER MACHINE for Pac! Claudio drags Dax out, and SWINGS him into railing! Cash BLASTS Claudio, then DIVES into an UPPERCUT! Moxley calls to his Death Riders and they all mug White! The fans boo but Moxley tells White he can go to hell, because he doesn’t stand for anything! But Cope is up! Claudio saves Moxley to take the SPEAR! Moxley stays back, the Death Riders regroup, and now they’re in retreat. ATL cheers on Cope, and Cope tells Moxley, “I don’t know if you can hear it, but these folks here are chanting one name.”
So then, Moxley, what’s your answer? You still got a set of nuts? Is he accepting the challenge for the AEW World Championship at Revolution? Moxley storms back up to ringside, but only so far as to grab a mic and say, “You deserve nothing, you get nothing, the answer is ‘no.'” The fans boo but then White shouts at Moxley! White tells Moxley he has an offer for him! White can make Moxley Breathe with the Switchblade while drowning in a pool of his own blood! Moxley & Claudio VS White & Cope, ANYTHING GOES in a Brisbane Brawl, Grand Slam: Australia!! The fans like the sound of that! Will Cope & White make things Rated R when AEW goes down under?
BREAKING NEWS for Grand Slam: Australia!
After being called out by Buddy Matthews twice, Kazuchika Okada wants to prove “I not b*tch!” The Rainmaker is giving the Aussie Juggernaut his shot at the Continental Championship, but will he deny Buddy the hometown victory? Or will Buddy be the one to make it reign?
Will Ospreay VS ??? w/ Don Callis!
While the Aerial Assassin is going to be taking on Konosuke Takeshita & Kyle Fletcher alongside Kenny Omega in Brisbane, it would seem the newest member of the Don Callis Family wants to fight him first! But just who is it? Callis makes his way out here with a mic to say, “Ladies and gentlemen, I have a very important announcement to make.” The fans chant, “F Don Callis!” but Callis says the opponent for Ospreay tonight is a man he knows very well! A man he called his brother! Ladies and gentlemen, it’s MARK DAVIS! Ospreay is completely shocked! Davis was last scene trying to knock sense into Kyle Fletcher! How did Callis get Davis on his side?
That mystery aside, the bell rings, and the fans chant “YOU SOLD OUT!” at Dunkzilla. Ospreay gets in Davis’s face, pushes him, then SLAPS him! Davis CHOPS Ospreay right back! And CHOPS him again! And again! The fans boo but Ospreay puts Davis in the corner to CHOP, CHOP, and CHOP! Ospreay whips, Davis cartwheels and scoops Ospreay to SLAM him! But Ospreay avoids the senton, then basement DROPKICKS! The fans fire up for Ospreay and he CLUBS Davis on the neck. Ospreay fires forearms, then UPPERCUTS! Ospreay whips, Davis reverses, but Ospreay KICKS in return! Ospreay then dodges a lariat, but runs into a BACKDROP!
The fans boo but Davis soaks it up. Davis runs up on Ospreay in a corner to LARIAT! Ospreay sits down, Davis runs and SLIDING FOREARMS! Ospreay clutches his jaw, Davis covers, TWO! Davis drags Ospreay up to scoop and SLAM! Davis looms over Ospreay, then drags him up. Davis wrenches and CHOPS Ospreay, then CHOPS again! Davis CHOPS Ospreay off his feet, and now SENTONS down on him! Cover, TWO! Davis brings Ospreay up to suplex high and hard! Ospreay clutches his back but Davis KICKS him! Ospreay goes to a corner, but Davis CHOPS again! Ospreay fires forearms and the fans rally up, only for Davis to CLAW Ospreay’s face!
Davis reels Ospreay in, puts him up top, and then throws sumo style palm strikes! Ospreay sputters, the fans rally, but Davis climbs up. Davis brings Ospreay to the very top, but Ospreay fires body shots! Ospreay sends Davis down, then springboards, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Direct hit and Davis bails out, but Ospreay kips up! Atlanta fires up but Callis coaches Davis while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Ospreay aims, but Davis hurries up to HOTSHOT him first! Ospreay staggers away and Davis soaks up heat while going around the outside. Davis storms up the steel steps to get back in the ring, and he brings Ospreay up, only for Ospreay to KICK, KICK, and KICK! Ospreay whips, Davis reverses, but Ospreay wheelbarrows and steps through! Ospreay has the legs for a FIGURE FOUR! Davis endures and tries to pry the hold open, but Ospreay slaps the trapping leg back down! Davis grits his teeth but his shoulders are down for a cover! TWO, and Davis crawls backwards. Davis drags Ospreay along, and manages the ROPEBREAK!
Ospreay lets the hold go, then he grabs the legs, only for Davis to BOOT him away! Both men scramble to their feet, and Davis CHOPS Ospreay! And CHOPS him again! Ospreay blocks the next, then wrenches the arm to grab the leg! SHIN BREAKER, then a leg sweep! Ospreay steps through again, and it’s back to the FIGURE FOUR! Davis endures all over again, but he powers up to turn things over! Now Ospreay endures, and he crawls his way to the ROPEBREAK! The hold is undone, and both men slowly rise. Ospreay fires a forearm, Davis fires a CHOP, and Dynamite goes to break.
Dynamite returns as Davis soaks up heat. Davis storms up on Ospreay to CHOP! And CHOP! But Ospreay CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Davis shoves Ospreay to then CHOP LARIAT in the corner! Davis bumps Ospreay off buckles, then reels him in for a DRAGON SUPLEX! Ospreay goes flying, and then Davis adds a KNEE! Davis isn’t done with Ospreay, he pulls on the arms to then KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Ospreay survives, but Davis reels him in. Ospreay grabs a leg to CLUB it! Ospreay runs, but into a CHOP! Davis whips, Ospreay handsprings, and NEURALIZER KICK! The fans fire up as Davis goes down!
Davis goes out to the ramp, but Ospreay fires the fans up more! “BRUV! BRUV! BRUV!” Ospreay takes aim to PLANCHA! Down goes Davis again and Ospreay high-fives Atlanta! Ospreay storms back up on Davis, puts him in the ring, then goes up the corner. Ospreay springboards, but Davis catches him! Fireman’s carry and- NO, Ospreay slips free to SUPERKICK! Ospreay swats the lariat to HOOK KICK! Ospreay then springboards, OSCUTTER! Cover, TWO! Davis survives, and Callis was almost in the ring to stop it! The fans boo Callis, Callis tells them to shut up, but Ospreay throws the elbow pad away!
Ospreay aims, runs up, but Davis LARIATS first! Ospreay stays up, and he fires a flurry of palm strikes! But Davis LARIATS again! Ospreay stumbles, Davis hops on, SATELLITE PILEDRIVER?! Cover, TWO!!! Ospreay survives that wild attack, but Davis snarls as he goes to a corner. Davis RIPS a buckle pad away! The fans boo but Davis storms back up on Ospreay. Davis drags Ospreay up, but the ref notices the bare buckle! The ref wont’ let Davis get that one! The ref and Davis argue, Ospreay HIDDEN BLADES!! Cover, Ospreay wins!!
Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall
Callis wanted Dunkzilla to be his “Ospreay Killer,” but the underhanded tactic did not work out! As for Ospreay, he grabs a mic to say, “Oh, yes, bruv! Atlanta! Oh my God, it’s like a little party in here, right? And Don. Seeing as you like to crash the party and you’re a little bit of a party pooper, I’ve got a new best friend back there who I’m teaming up with in Australia Grand Slam.” The fans chant for “KENNY! KENNY!” and here he comes! Callis is already panicking! Callis finds his way out into the crowd to run away as Omega makes his way down to the ring. Omega stands with Ospreay as the fans cheer him on.
Omega says, “Now, we’ve been here a couple times now, but I don’t remember a reception quite like that. So thank you very much, Atlanta.” Omega says this was meant to be a celebration for Ospreay, but Omega must get this off his chest. Omega tells Davis that man to man, Omega has no clue what Ospreay has on him, but trust Omega. Even though it might be scary, even though it might seem hopeless, help is there, and there are people you can trust. The fans cheer that. Omega says in a little over a week, Omega makes his AEW in-ring return with Grand Slam: Australia. But listening to these voices made him get that itch so he had to come out here in person, if they don’t mind.
The fans cheer more, and now Kyle and Konosuke storm out here! Callis tells them to stand down, they still have their tag match with Brody King & Buddy Matthews. Omega tells them all that they’ve done this song ‘n’ dance already. If the Callis Family wants this right here, right now, then go ahead. Omega’s an EVP again, they’ve got nothing but time. But if not… Then Omega suggests they pack their bags, hop on a jet, train, and get ready for Brisbane, Australia! Grand Slam, Ospreay & Omega VS Fletcher & Takeshita! It has been a long time since people could really feel what Omega was feeling in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023!
And now that Omega is BACK here in 2025, all the fans will get to feel the exact same things! Next week, it won’t just be a match for fun or to prove they’re better. This is the match to prove that the future of AEW lies not with those cowering on the ramp, but those right here in this ring! The fans cheer, and Omega says it may have been almost a year, but if they know the words, say it with him. He must bid you adieu, so goodbye, MWAH! And goodnight, BANG! Pyro goes off, and even Omega is surprised! But will it be no surprise when the Best Bout Bruvs bring down Don Callis’ cronies?
The Hurt Syndicate is here!
Atlanta chants along, “We Hurt~ People!” as Montel Vontavious Porter and the NEW AEW World Tag Team Champions, Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin, make their way to the ring. MVP makes sure to say hey to Westside Gunn as he hangs out ringside. MVP then grabs a mic to say, “Ladies and gentlemen, ATLiens, and the AEW viewing audience, this is an official announcement from the Hurt Syndicate. Right now, I need everybody to stand on their feet and respect for the Standard of Excellence, Shelton Benjamin, The All Mighty, Bobby Lashley, your NEW AEW World Tag Team Champions!” The fans do stand and cheer, and MVP says that sounds good.
MVP says he’ll keep this short and sweet because they have to hop on the jet and head to New Orleans for the Super Bowl. MVP has to give props to Private Party. Two young, talented athletes with a very bright future, but they were just the wrong people in the wrong place at the wrong time. It was not their fault that they had to face the most devastating duo in ALL of pro-wrestling today! And MVP would like to put everyone else on notice: If you are an AEW athlete, if you are a champion, get ready. Because when the Hurt Syndicate chooses to come see you, they will hurt you and take your title!
But until that time, they’re open for business. And if you would like an opportunity to face them for the tag team championships, then- Wait. That music… “By order of the Bang Bang Gang… GUNNS UP!” Austin & Colten are here! But Lashley & Shelton don’t even bother looking at them, even as Austin & Colten walk down the ramp. Austin has the mic to say they mean no disrespect. But if they’re businessmen, then Austin & Colten would like to talk business. MVP says they don’t look like businessmen, and certainly aren’t dressed like it, but MVP says they’re at least conducting themselves as men, so go ahead. Step up and state your business.
Austin & Colten join the Hurt Syndicate in the ring, and Austin says before getting to the business, Gunns Up for the Atlanta Gold Members~! And to properly introduce themselves, they are The Gunns, former AEW World Tag Team Champions. They have been waiting TWO YEARS to get a rematch, and the only reason The Hurt Syndicate has those titles now is because Austin & Colten have been gone. But guess what? They’re back, baby! Colten says, “Oh, you guys hurt~ people~? Well, congrats on doing your jobs. That’s kinda what this business is about. But now it’s time for us to do our job, which is take back our tag team titles!”
MVP says he’ll tell them what. He appreciates the moxie and respects the courage. But he also respects their father, and if not for that, these two monsters would’ve already choked the Gunns out. But MVP is about business. He shakes hands with the Gunns, and says next week, for the AEW World Tag Team Championships, it’ll be the Hurt Syndicate VS the Ass Boys. The Syndicate moves on, and Austin says, “Ass Boys? Hey, Ass Boys? Y’know what? YOU GADDAMN RIGHT WE ARE! And if you’re not down with that, we got two words for ya! GUNNS UP!!” Austin & Colten no longer let words hurt them, but will a fight with Lashley & Shelton hurt well enough?
Backstage interview with Mercedes Mone.
At least, Renee is hoping to speak with The CEO. Instead, Muppet Mone pops in! “Atlanta~! Say hello to your C E O~! Renee, I have exciting news! This Saturday on Collision, Harley Cameron will be live in concert~!” Harley pops in and wow, she’ll be live in concert for a “Harley Halftime in Houston” special? Yes! What an amazing idea, Mercedes, that you totally came up with. Thanks! And y’know what? Muppet Mone isn’t such a dummy. She doesn’t get it. Of course not. But Harley says this is fantastic! They’re making up! Muppet Mone says she does want to apologize, she was so awful to Harley last week.
Um, real Mercedes Mone is walking out from her locker room. Mone asks Harley, “Are you stupid? Or are you dumb?” Renee says she’s glad to see Mone is here, she wants to talk Grand Slam and how she still doesn’t have an opponent. Harley did get her first win on TV, so maybe they can talk her trajectory. Mone says aw, Harley got her first victory, how cute. Mone remembers her first-ever win. And she also remembers the feeling of winning her first championship at the age of 23. And the feeling of winning another, and another, and then this title. And the TBS Championship is saying that Mone is the GREATEST TBS Champion ever!
And Harley? Well, she’s nothing but a loser. And losers don’t get to ride the Money Train! Mone SNATCHES Muppet Mone off Harley’s hand, to reveal a middle finger! Mone storms off, Renee hides the middle finger, but it’s a strong one. What will it take for Harley to force Mone into a Grand Slam showdown?
Backstage interview with Hangman Page.
AEW returns as Renee is now with The Cowboy, and she wants to follow up with him from last week. It seemed like Hangman was in pursuit of Swerve Strickland. Hangman says that was nothing. No, y’know what that was? That was a moment of weakness! It was a mistake! And that is all he’ll say on that, and Renee will not asking about it again, understood? Renee says okay, but then two weeks ago, Christopher Daniels came out to say that after their Texas Deathmatch, the damage was so severe that he had to retire from in-ring action. Correct her if she’s wrong, but there appeared to be regret on Hangman’s face.
Hangman simply says, “No.” Hangman says Daniels overstepped, overplayed his hand, and accepted a deathmatch with The Hangman. Hangman did what he said he would, and he hurt Daniels so badly that Daniels will never wrestle again! And Hangman does not regret- Wait, Max Caster speaks up? He wants Renee to have Hangman wrap this up. Caster’s been waiting! Caster respects Hangman, and what he did to Daniels was actually awesome, that was so brutal. Daniels had the neck brace and everything. What if Hangman did that to Anthony Bowens? Caster would do it himself, but he’s busy with his Best Wrestler Alive Open Challenge.
Hey, what if Hangman hospitalized Billy Gunn? Hangman says Caster is on to something. Hangman would love to hospitalize someone tonight. But uh, Hangman doesn’t see Bowens and he doesn’t see Billy, but… Caster’s here. Y-Yeah! Okay, thank you for your time, he’ll just be going to his car. Caster leaves, Hangman says he’ll come with. Will Platinum Max ever learn how to not stick his foot in his mouth?
Konosuke Takeshita & Kyle Fletcher VS Brody King & Buddy Matthews!
As we saw earlier tonight, The Alpha & Aussie Arrow want after Ospreay & Omega something fierce, but they’re going to wait until AEW arrives in Brisbane. As for the Hounds of Hell, they’re ready to take a bite out of any and every champion in AEW, so Konosuke’s on their list. Will Brody & Buddy build momentum going into Grand Slam: Australia? Or will the Don Callis Family be ready for the Best Bout Bruvs?
The teams sort out and Kyle starts against Buddy for a showdown of Aussies. The bell rings, Kyle and Buddy stare down and the fans fire up. Kyle and Buddy feel things out, tie up, and Buddy wrenches to a wristlock. Kyle rolls, wrenches back, and hits an ELBOW BREAKER! Kyle clamps onto the wristlock but Buddy rolls, rolls, and wrenches back. Buddy YANKS the arm, then YANKS the arm again! Kyle endures, rolls, and he wrenches in return. Kyle has the wristlock, tells the fans to shut up, but Buddy spins through and headlocks for a takeover! Buddy grinds Kyle down to a cover, ONE, and Kyle headscissors.
Buddy kips up, avoids a leg sweep, then headlocks again. Kyle powers up and out, they RAM shoulders, but Kyle hits a headlock takeover. Buddy headscissors but Kyle kips free, then Kyle ducks ‘n’ dodges. Kyle sunset flips, Buddy rolls through, and Kyle avoids the Penalty Kick! The fans cheer the standoff, and then Kyle tags Konosuke. The fans rally up as Konosuke and Buddy circle. They knuckle lock, Buddy waistlocks, but Konosuke switches. Buddy switches, they switch again and again, and Buddy powers Konosuke to ropes. Brody tags in before Konosuke bucks the O’Conner Roll, and while Konosuke stares Buddy down, Brody steps in.
The fans bark and Brody CHOPS Konosuke down! And CHOPS him down again! Brody eggs Konosuke on, so Konosuke fires haymakers! Brody CHOPS back down! Kyle storms in and CLUBS Brody, but Brody CHOPS Kyle down! Brody storms up on Konosuke but Konosuke bails out. Brody keeps on Konosuke, sending him into apron, then into railing! Buddy runs up on Kyle to SMACK him off the apron! Brody ROCKS Konosuke, Konosuke hits back! Brody CHOPS Konosuke and he stumbles. Buddy UPPERCUTS Kyle into taking a seat, Brody CHOPS Konosuke again. Brody whips Konosuke into railing, and then Brody CHOPS Kyle!
Brody CHOPS Konosuke to make him take a seat on Kyle’s lap! Buddy gets a second chair so Konosuke can sit side-by-side with Kyle, and Brody runs in! DOUBLE CROSSBODY against barriers! Atlanta fires up with The Hounds, and Kyle sputters on the floor. The fans want that “One More Time!” but Brody CHOPS Konosuke down again! The ref says to get this in the ring, but Brody puts Konosuke and Kyle together on one chair! Brody runs up, DOUBLE CROSSBODY against barriers! The fans fire up even more, but Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Brody tosses the chairs aside to then drag Konosuke up and into the ring. Brody storms in after Konosuke, but Kyle anchors his foot! The ref stops Buddy from stepping in, so Buddy tries to point this out to the ref! But Konosuke BOOTS Brody down first! Kyle soaks up heat while he flexes, and Konosuke drags Brody up. Konosuke bumps Brody off buckles, then climbs up to rain down fists! Konosuke goes to five before he BITES Brody’s forehead! The ref counts, Konosuke stops, but Brody CHOPS him! Konosuke ROCKS Brody with a forearm, then put shim in the Callis corner. Tag to Kyle, and Kyle brings Brody out, only for Brody to CHOP!
Konosuke grabs Brody, he and Kyle mug Brody, then Kyle digs his boots in. The ref reprimands, Kyle steps off at 4, then Kyle sucker punches Buddy! The ref stops Buddy, but this lets Kyle and Konosuke stomp away on Brody! Konosuke CHOKES Brody on the ropes, then steps away to tag in. But Brody fights against Konosuke and Kyle! Kyle ROCKS Brody, then he and Konosuke DOUBLE GOURD BUSTER! And then DOUBLE BASEMENT DROPKICK! Brody is down, Konosuke & Kyle soak up more heat, and Kyle even mocks the barking. Konosuke drags Brody up to hit a NECKBREAKER! Konosuke facelocks, and he grinds Brody down.
Dynamite returns to single picture, and Brody fights up, to power Konosuke back! Konosuke holds on and throws knees to back Brody down! Konosuke ROCKS Brody, runs in, but Brody ROCKS him first! And he CHOPS Kyle down! The fans fire up as Brody storms up, but Konosuke ducks the lariat! Brody reaches for Buddy but Konosuke holds on! Brody fires elbows, but Konosuke dodges to BOOT Buddy! But then Brody LARIATS Konosuke! The fans fire up, Brody snarls as he brings Konosuke back up, but Konosuke ROCKS Brody first! Brody fights the saido, but Konosuke GERMAN SUPLEXES! Brody’s right back up!?
Brody hits a ROLLING ELBOW, then he gut wrenches Konosuke! Konosuke slips free, ducks ‘n’ dodges, DOUBLE LARIATS take both men down! But then both men are back up! They roar, but then fall back down! The fans are thunderous and barking as Brody and Konosuke stir. The standing count climbs, but we get hot tags to Kyle and Buddy! Buddy LARIATS, ELBOWS, and QUICK DRAW NECKBREAKERS Kyle! Kyle still gets up, but Buddy ducks ‘n’ dodges to CALF KICK! The fans fire up as Buddy fires a strike fest on Kyle! Stomp to the foot, KNEE to the head! Kyle flops to the apron and the fans fire up for Buddy!
Buddy brings Kyle in through the ropes, but Kyle slips in to TOSS Buddy up and out! Buddy lands safe on the apron, but Kyle catches him through the ropes! Kyle brings Buddy out, but now Buddy slips in to TOSS Kyle out! Kyle staggers up, into a DROPKICK! Buddy builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit on Kyle & Konosuke! The fans are thunderous again and Buddy hurries to put Kyle in. Buddy climbs, aims, METEORA! Cover, TWO! Kyle survives but “This is Awesome!” as Buddy aims again. Buddy runs, but no curb stomp! Kyle catches Buddy for a SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF! Buddy goes to a corner, Kyle runs in, into a V-TRIGGER from Buddy!
Buddy goes up the corner again as Kyle falls down! Konosuke runs up but Buddy BOOTS him away! But wait, OKADA is here!? The Rainmaker’s music plays, but this is him just distracting Buddy! Kyle trips Buddy, then goes up, only for Buddy to slip under! Buddy tucks Kyle in, CHEEKY NANDOS! Buddy then SHINING WIZARDS in the corner, and he calls to Brody! Buddy tags Brody, and the Hounds set up at the corners, for CERBERUS!! Konosuke hurries as Brody covers, MISSILE DROPKICK SENTON COMBO!! Konosuke saves the match while taking out both opponents! Konosuke then hurries after Buddy on the apron.
Buddy kicks, Konosuke blocks and puts that foot in the ropes. Buddy still KNEES Konosuke, but then Konosuke POWER DRIVE KNEES in return! Konosuke reels Buddy in, but Brody storms up behind him! SLEEPER! Konosuke still BOOTS Buddy, and Kyle adds a GAMANGIRI! Down goes Buddy, and Konosuke CLAWS at Brody’s eyes! Konosuke then POWER DRIVE KNEES Brody, and Kyle reels him in! DRAPING DDT!! Cover, TWO!! Kyle is furious but the ref defends his count! Kyle hurries to haul Brody up, but Brody fights the suplex! Brody suplexes, but Konosuke saves Kyle! ALPHA ELBOW!
SUPERKICK from Kyle! Then ALPHA ELBOW SUPERKICK COMBO!! They reel Brody in, DOUBLE BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, Callis Family wins!
Winners: Konosuke Takeshita & Kyle Fletcher, by pinfall
Callis is the only one happy about this, and he says, “On to Grand Slam we go!” Will we see this level of devastation happen to even Ospreay & Omega?
Samoa Joe & Hook walk the halls.
The Samoan Submission Specialist asks if the Cold-Hearted Handsome Devil is ready, and Hook says yeah. But wait, where’s “Speak ‘n’ Spell” Shibata? Hook says Shibata’s back in Japan. But what’s going on? Joe says when people wrap steel around his skull, he tends to get emotional. Hook says Joe once said himself, if you’re furious, you can’t be focused. Joe is annoyed Hook is using his own stuff against him. But they still find The Patriarchy’s locker room. Joe tells Hook he can take lead. Hook storms up and opens the door, but in their way is Nick Wayne & Kip Sabian. Joe asks them, “Where is your daddy?”
Nick says Christian isn’t here right now. Do they have a problem, though? Nah, Joe & Hook can come back when Christian’s here. Kip says yeah, jog on. But then Joe says, “Or… We can leave a message.” Joe & Hook attack Nick & Kip! Joe SMACKS Nick off the locker while Hook hammers away on Kip! Christian Cage & Shayna Wayne walk in now, see what’s going on, and turn right around! Some father he is… Joe tells them to tell “Daddy” that he says hi. Joe & Hook leave and now Christian steps into the locker room, acting as if he didn’t know what happened. Christian pushes the cameraman out of there, was the message received?
MJF is here!
The Devil went down to Georgia, looking for a soul to steal, but seems so did this scumbag. MJF has them cut his music, and he calls out “Geriatric Jeff Jarrett!” All Jeff had to do was stay out of the way of a young, fast-rising, incredibly handsome, humble star, and he just couldn’t do that, could he? No, no, no, and that is why MJF had to teach Jeff a lesson. That lesson is as follows: in AEW, the “E” stands for “Elite.” Not “elderly!” MJF laughs at his own dumb joke, and then says that now that the “carny shmuck” is out of the way, MJF is one step closer to once again obtaining his Triple B! The fans boo that.
MJF says because ain’t nobody on the level of the Devil! Wait, Caster? What’s he doing here? MJF tells Caster to scram, but Caster is pointing to who he’s running from! MJF doesn’t care, this is his time, no Caster’s. But wait! Here comes Hangman! The Cowboy storms in, Caster runs but MJF stands his ground! Hangman stares MFJ down, then pushes past him to go chase Caster through the crowd! MJF asks if this is for real right now. This is his time! But the fans like #CowboyS*it, huh? Well, before he was so rudely interrupted by a talentless, worthless hack… Ain’t nobody- The fans tell MJF to STFU!
MJF does his best to finish his catchphrase, but now DUSTIN RHODES is here! The fans fire up as The Natural heads to the ring but MJF has them cut the music. The dual ROH World Tag Team & Six Man Tag Team Champion steps into the ring, MJF tells him that he was talking, but Dustin tells MJF to shut his stupid trap! All MJF does is come out here and badmouth everybody in the back, degrade them, and even talk about people who aren’t even here anymore, like Dustin’s friend, Owen Hart. MJF scoffs and turns around, but Dustin tells him to look him in the eyes, “you SOB!” Dustin suggests MJF keep Owen’s name out of his mouth, or else Dustin kicks MJF’s teeth in!
The fans fire up, and Dustin tells MJF to stop talking about people’s wives, about people’s pasts, their issues with drugs and alcohol. Dustin is one of those! 16 years clean ‘n’ sober, after going straight to Hell, looking the Devil in his eyes, and kicking his ass! Dustin crawls out of Hell, and he knows MJF ain’t the devil. MJF has all the potential in the world, yet he chooses to go to these dark places. There is a reason Dustin is still here at 55 years old, hanging with everybody on this roster! It is because he is a survivor! Dustin IS the Last of His Kind! Because Dustin has survived everything! Whatever MJF can think of, Dustin’s been though, boy!
The fans cheer but MJF doesn’t seem to care. Dustin tells MJF that when Dustin is gone, the mold will be broken forever. Dustin IS better than you, “and your punk b*tch ass freakin’ knows it!” The fans fire up for Dustin, but MJF says okay, okay, time out. Everybody, bravo, give it up for Dustin Rhodes! MJF applauds and says that was incredible. But MJF has to say, the part where Dustin said he is better than MJF? That was interesting. MJF imagines all those years of Dustin being a worthless drug addict turned his brain into Swiss cheese to come to that realization. But allow MJF to smarten Dustin and all these people on what Dustin’s all about.
“Dustin Rhodes is the man that took 37 long, hard, arduous years of blood, sweat and tears… Just to get out from understand his daddy’s shadow.” The fans boo and MJF says that struck a nerve with “Goldy,” didn’t it? MJF has a better one. The fans chant, “Whoop His Ass!” but MJF says what’s so sad about the whole thing, is that after all that hard work and sacrifice, now Dustin lives in the shadow of his baby brother! Dustin DECKS MJF! The fans fire up as Dustin stands MJF up and they throw more hands! Security rushes in here but the fans boo! “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!” Even Jerry Lynn gets out here!
Jerry tries to calm Dustin down, but Dustin breaks free to CLOBBER MJF! The fans fire up but MJF bails out the side! Dustin is fuming but MJF jukes the security! AND LOW BLOWS DUSTIN!! The fans boo as MJF stands over Dustin, a stupid grin on his face. MJF takes his leave for real this time, but now Christopher Daniels gets in his way. MJF tells Daniels not to touch him, but then realizes who he’s talking to. Hangman sure did a number on Daniels, didn’t he? MJF goes to the back, Daniels seethes, but will someone, anyone, ever humble the Wolf of Wrestling?
Mariah May is here!
The Glamour promised she’d watch as her former mentor battled her first-ever AEW opponent once again. But will Mariah like the outcome? Or will it be a repeat performance? Wait, Justin Roberts has a script to read from for Toni’s entrance? “Playing the role of The Glamour, Mariah May… Timeless Toni Storm!” Mariah has no idea what that means, but then her music plays again! And yes, much as when Mariah used to cosplay as Rockstar Toni, Toni is cosplaying as Mariah! Toni struts around, has obvious hair extensions, and perhaps does a bit more teasing with the finger and lips than Mariah does, but everyone else says that’s spot on!
Mariah is seething more and more the more Toni walks around, but will this still be a smash hit of a parody?
Toni Storm VS Queen Aminata!
The bell rings, Toni and Aminata circle, and they tie up. They’re in a deadlock, then break, and Toni tosses her hair and struts around some more. Aminata and Toni reset, tie up, and Toni headlocks. Toni hits a takeover, grinds the hold, and Mariah refuses to play along. Aminata headscissors, Toni shrugs it off, but Aminata gets the headscissors again. Toni moves around, kips free, but Aminata headlocks. Aminata grinds the hold, hits a takeover, but Toni headscissors. Aminata kips free, the two reset, and we see Serena Deeb watching backstage. Will The Professor of Pro-Wrestling think Aminata has passed the test?
Aminata waistlocks, headlocks, wrenches and then steps over to twerk attack! The fans cheer, Toni says, “How DARE you!” Toni SLAPS Aminata, kicks low, then scoops for the SPIN OUT SIDEWALK SLAM! Aminata drop toeholds Toni onto ropes! The fans rally, Aminata runs, but Toni dodges the boot! Toni runs to HIP ATTACK Aminata to the floor! The fans cheer as Toni does more mocking of Mariah before she fetches Aminata into the ring. Toni tosses her hair more, and Mariah seethes again, but Aminata DIVES onto Toni! Direct hit and Aminata mocks the Timeless closeup! The fans cheer, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Aminata realizes she has some of Toni’s hair extensions on her so she brushes those off. Aminata then fetches Toni for a headlock, and she runs her into barriers! Toni staggers away, Aminata refreshes the ring count, and Aminata storms up on Toni by commentary. Aminata SMACKS Toni off the desk, and Mariah turns away so as not to watch this. Aminata CHOPS Toni against the desk! Toni falls over dramatically, Aminata refreshes the ring count, but Toni hits back! Toni CLUBS Aminata, CLUBS her again, then CHOPS! Aminata ROCKS Toni, puts her in the ring, then scuffs her in the ropes. Aminata scuffs Toni again, but Toni fires back!
Toni runs, but Aminata LARIATS her down! Aminata soaks up cheers and jeers, then pushes Toni to a cover, TWO! Toni toughs it out but Aminata looms over her. Aminata snapmares Toni, runs, and PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO! Aminata grows frustrated but she sits Toni up for a chinlock. Toni endures, even as Aminata leans on her. Mariah is further annoyed as Aminata KNEES Toni in the back again and again! Aminata clamps on body scissors, and she squeezes tight. Aminata turns Toni over for a Gedo Clutch, TWO! Aminata turns Toni the other way, Gedo Clutch, TWO! Aminata shifts to have a leg hook FULL NELSON!
Toni endures, even as Aminata has knuckle locks to pull on the arms. Dynamite returns to single picture as Toni powers back to a cover, TWO! Toni ROCKS Aminata, ROCKS her again, then fires off forearms again and again! The fans fire up as Toni fires off TEN! Mariah still refuses to accept Toni’s copycat. For one, Toni is missing two very obvious elements. Toni puts Aminata up top, DOUBLE CHOPS her, then frolics around a la Mariah. Toni runs, goes up, and hits STRATUSFACTION! Then a SHOTGUN! Cover, TWO! Mariah mocks Toni being dramatic. Toni drags Aminata up, reels her in, but Aminata trips her to a jackknife bridge, TWO!
Toni CHOPS, but Aminata grins. Aminata CHOPS Toni, Toni CHOPS back! The fans rally, the CHOPS keep going, then Toni SLAPS Aminata! Aminata SLAPS Toni! Toni SLAPS again! Aminata runs up, but Toni wrenches, kicks, and whips! Aminata goes up and over, then GERMAN SUPLEXES! Toni tumbles and more hair extensions fall away! Aminata runs and the fans fire up for the BOOT WASH! Aminata again mocks the closeup, then she drags Toni in for a cover, TWO! Mariah says Toni is playing the role of Mariah, Aminata is apparently Timeless, where does it all end? Aminata drags Toni up, Alabama Lifts, but Toni turns that into a DDT!
Toni hurries to run, and she KNEES Aminata to a corner! Then Toni gives us a proper closeup, for the SWEET HIP MUSIC! Then Toni makes sure Mariah sees this as she fireman’s carries, MAYDAY DRIVER! Cover, Toni wins!
Winner: Toni Storm, by pinfall
Mariah is fuming all over again, but Toni proves that anything Mariah can do, Toni can do better. Renee joins Toni in the ring to interview her. But then Toni wants Renee to play along and call her “Mariah,” The Woman From Hell. “And I stand on the neck of every woman in this division. And there’s not a woman alive that can touch me!” Mariah has had it! Mariah storms off commentary to get in the ring! Toni offers her a chance, but then Mariah storms back out to grab her belt and leave. Will Toni get the better of Mariah when they finally have their rematch?
Dustin Rhodes speaks.
“For 37 years, people have been chipping away, trying to put me in the ground. I’m still here! Maxwell Jacob Friedman, I live for blood, sweat and tears! I am the Last of My Kind! I’m around for a reason, boy! And next Tuesday night, Austin Texas, MY backyard, this ain’t New York City, this ain’t Long Island, I’m gonna beat your ass! B*TCH!” The Natural has put MJF on notice, but will everything be bigger in Texas?
The Learning Tree is on stage.
Chris Jericho, Bryan Keith & “Big Bill” are here, and Jericho says, “Hi, guys~! And welcome to a very special, first-time-live edition of The New York Minute with me, Chris Jericho!” The fans boo but Keith shouts, “RESPECT CHRIS JERICHO!” Jericho says they are here in Georgia, the Big ALT! Um, no… Keith says it stands for, “APPRECIATE LEARNING TREE!” Jericho is pretty sure he speaks for everyone here in ALT when he says he doesn’t know how Bandido decided he’s a Wanted Man returning on Collision. No one here wants Bandido in AEW! But since he’s back, Jericho will turn this into a teachable moment.
“Bandido, apparently there’s a $100,000 on your head. But since I’m standing here with an actual Bounty Hunter, this week on Collision on Saturday-” The fans tell Jericho STFU, but he says no swearing! Jericho promises to double the bounty to $200,000 if Keith can do to Bandido what Big Bill has done to “Powerhouse” Hobbs! Bill tells Hobbs that wherever he is, Bill hopes- WAIT! Hobbs is here!! And Hobbs runs up to brawl with all of The Learning Tree! The fans fire up, but this 3v1 isn’t going Hobbs’ way! But wait! The Outrunners run out here! Turbo Floyd & Truth Magnum want payback for being cheated last Saturday!
The fans cheer as the fight is now even! Bill brawls with Hobbs, Jericho & Keith brawl with Truth & Turbo, but security hurries out here! Fan want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” Bill grabs one guard by his neck! But then he sees Hobbs doing the same with another security guard. Bill gives his guard a SKYSCRAPER CHOKE SLAM to the floor! Hobbs gives his guard a POWERHOUSE CHOKE SLAM to the floor! The fans chant “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” as both men storm into the ring! They circle, then they start throwing hands! The fans fire up, and Hobbs TACKLES Bill to the apron! But Bill drags Hobbs to the floor!
Bill CLUBS Hobbs, but Hobbs SPINEBUSTERS Bill onto the desk, and then over it! They still scrap on the floor! Atlanta fires up as Hobbs HAMMERS Bill, then stands up. Bill staggers to his feet, Hobbs fires more hands, and the cameraman is collateral! Refs rush out, Dynamite goes to break, and this has been a New York Minute! But when and where will Hobbs and Bill settle things once and for all?
Ricochet VS Swerve Strickland w/ Prince Nana!
This fight has been a long time coming, and the animosity only escalated with every week we had to wait! The One & Only is no longer pretending to be a hero, now he’s living the life of an American Psycho. But will that be enough to be the most dangerous man in AEW? Or will even Atlanta be “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!”
But Ricochet attacks from behind during Swerve’s entrance, and with a chair! The fans boo but Ricochet says this is because of them! And he SMACKS Swerve again! The ref reprimands, but there’s nothing he can really do since this isn’t a match yet! Ricochet SMACKS Swerve again! The fans rally for “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” while Ricochet stalks Swerve. Ricochet puts Swerve in the ring, stands over him, and tells him that this is Ricochet’s House now! Swerve SLAPS Ricochet! The fans fire up, the bell rings, and Ricochet comes back to JUMP KNEE! Dragon sleeper, VERTIGO!! Cover, TWO!!
Swerve survives and Ricochet is stunned! Ricochet goes back to a corner, but Swerve crawls up to him! Ricochet kicks Swerve down, then hits a BACKBREAKER! The fans boo but Ricochet stands Swerve up to ROCK him! Ricochet scoops for another BACKBREAKER, but the fans taunt him with, “You Are Bald!” Ricochet CLUBS Swerve, dragon sleepers, but Swerve slips around to put Ricochet on ropes. Ricochet fires hands, Swerve fights back, and Swerve whips. Ricochet ducks ‘n’ dodges, jumps over the dropdown, then he SHOTGUNS Swerve as Swerve tries to hurdle! Swerve tumbles out of the ring, Ricochet builds speed, and Ricochet DIVES!
Swerve is sent into barriers, but then Ricochet whips him hard into railing! Ricochet soaks up heat from the fans, then he drags Swerve up to push against barriers. Ricochet hops up onto the barriers, then brings Swerve up. The fans step back a bit, and Ricochet reels Swerve in. Swerve fights the lift, throws body shots, but Ricochet throws hands! They both throw haymakers, the ring count climbs, and Ricochet gets the edge. Ricochet goes up, but Swerve stops the rana to BARRIER BOMB!! Ricochet falls in a heap and the fans lose their minds! Nana cheers Swerve on as the true and only champion that matters!
Swerve stalks Ricochet, puts him in the ring, and Nana keeps the “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” chant going. Swerve storms up on Ricochet, bumps him off buckles, then has him under the corner. Swerve rips the crossbar’s padding away, to GUILLOTINE CATAPULT Ricochet into it! The fans fire up again while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Swerve scowls while Ricochet sputters. Swerve stalks Ricochet around the corner, stomps him down, then fishhooks him into standing up. Swerve fireman’s carries Ricochet to then hit SNAKE EYES off the railing! Swerve then puts Ricochet against the apron to fire hands! Swerve puts some stank on it before he SLAPS Ricochet’s bald head! Swerve puts Ricochet in, stomps him again and again, then gets Atlanta really fired up. Swerve ELBOWS Ricochet down, then stalks him to a corner. Swerve climbs up to shine Ricochet’s head! Then SLAPS him again and again! The ref counts as Swerve keeps slapping!
Swerve reels Ricochet in for an Atomic BACKBREAKER! Ricochet writhes from being bent back against Swerve’s shoulder, but then Swerve drops a knee! Swerve drags Ricochet up, bumps him off buckles, then UPPERCUTS! Swerve snapmares again, then goes up to FALLING UPPERCUT! Swerve hits the Griddy as ATL cheers him on. Swerve then digs his boot into Ricochet at the ropes. The ref counts, Swerve steps off, and he looms over Ricochet again. Ricochet tries to push Swerve away but Swerve grabs an arm. Ricochet throws hands from below so Swerve KICKS him around! Swerve ROCKS Ricochet, and Dynamite returns to single picture.
Swerve throws hands on Ricochet again and again, then whips him to a corner. Swerve UPPERCUTS in the corner, snapmares him again, then goes back up. But Ricochet stands to kick the legs out! Swerve is stuck in ropes, and Ricochet hits as DRAPING CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Ricochet rains down fists, then growls in frustration. The fans rally but Ricochet brings Swerve up. Ricochet swings Swerve into a BACKBREAKER, then he basement DROPKICKS Swerve in the back! Ricochet keeps moving, and he FALLING AX HANDLES! Fans make up a new chant, “Who’s Bald?” “RICOCHET!”
Ricochet is annoyed, but he brings Swerve up. Ricochet ROCKS Swerve, but Swerve ROCKS him back! Swerve ROCKS Ricochet again, but Ricochet knees low, then CLUBS Swerve on the neck! Ricochet CHOPS Swerve, but Swerve eggs him on! Ricochet CHOPS again, then runs, but into an UPPERCUT! Swerve runs, but Ricochet Tiger Wall Kicks, SOBATS, and KNEES Swerve down! The fans boo but Ricochet brings Swerve in. Swerve slips free of the bomb to lift Ricochet, but Ricochet slips free of the bomb! Ricochet wrenches, tucks and lifts, then fireman’s carries! Swerve slips free to do the same, and POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!
Ricochet survives and Swerve grows frustrated. Swerve stalks Ricochet, full nelsons, but Ricochet fights it! Ricochet grabs the ref, but Swerve stops the low blow! Ricochet grabs ropes now, but Swerve YANKS him back into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Swerve then somersaults and FLATLINERS! Eddy Gordo roll, HOUSE CALL!! The fans are thunderous and Swerve says that’s not enough! Swerve goes up top, for the KILL STOMPS!! Cover, TWO?!? Ricochet survives and shocks Swerve! Swerve stalks Ricochet to the apron, the fans rally up, and Swerve fireman’s carries. Ricochet slips free to HOTSHOT Swerve, then HOTSHOT again!
Ricochet says he does what he wants! Ricochet triangle jumps, but the rana slips off target! Ricochet improvises to APRON GERMAN SUPLEX! Swerve flops down, the fans boo, but Ricochet hurries to get Swerve back in. Ricochet springboards for the 450 SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Swerve survives but Ricochet hurries right back up! Ricochet aims, and he SHOOTING STAR PRESSES Swerve’s back! Cover, TWO!! Swerve survives again and Ricochet is beside himself! Ricochet goes to a corner, but he locks ‘n’ loads! SPIRIT- HOUSE CALL!! Swerve is all fired up and so is Atlanta! Swerve goes up top, for another KILL STOMP LOW BLOW?!
The ref isn’t sure what to make of it, Ricochet simply put his hands up to guard! It still gets Swerve in a bad spot, and Ricochet grins! Ricochet reloads, SPIRIT GUN!! Cover, Ricochet wins!
Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall
A lot of controversy in that finish, and Ricochet grabs the robe! Nana also has it, but Ricochet SHOVES Nana down! Ricochet wears the Mogul Embassy robe, adding insult to injury as he takes his leave. Swerve is seething, but is AEW going to be #OuttaThisWorld from now on?
My Thoughts:
A great Dynamite, but with some new head-scratcher story moves. Mark Davis being the new Don Callis Family member would’ve worked better if this was months ago. Davis has been hanging around, but we barely got any interactions of him and Kyle or Don Callis, so there were no hints at Davis wanting to turn. That doesn’t make this surprise surprising, it makes it confusing. Ospreay VS Davis was still good stuff, and we still got a good promo from Ospreay with Omega to add to the Grand Slam tag match. Speaking of, great tag match of Konosuke & Kyle VS Brody & Buddy, but very fitting that Okada would screw Buddy over now that their title match is happening. As I said for Collision, Okada VS Buddy is going to be awesome, even if Buddy still loses.
Then there’s The Gunns challenging The Hurt Syndicate for the tag titles. It’s not even so much that the Gunns don’t deserve a title match, or that they and the Hurt Syndicate won’t put on a good title match, it’s just… We literally opened tonight with Jay White, leader of the Bang Bang Gang and friend of The Gunns. Why aren’t The Gunns helping Jay White against The Death Riders? Why isn’t it 6v4, but then the trios titles become the reason the Bang Bang Gang doesn’t quite help out Rated FTR like they should? I want to be frustrated for reasons that are perfectly in story, not because the story itself is lacking.
Though to that point, the Death Riders VS AEW story really should’ve been all encompassing. It felt like it was going to be that when this all started, with how Garcia, Private Party, Dark Order, and a lot of others were standing together against The Death Riders, but then it all fell apart because we still needed things like Garcia VS Perry for the TNT title and such. White & Cope VS Moxley & Claudio in a “Brisbane Brawl” No Disqualifications match will still be great stuff, and surely that compels Moxley to face Cope 1v1. I still think we need Christian Cage to get back on this story given his Casino Gauntlet contract.
Christian Cage was hilarious tonight by totally avoiding that beating Joe & Hook gave Kip & Nick. And while Shibata is apparently in Japan, he could come back and we get a Six Man Tag against Patriarchy. Harley Cameron was also hilarious, and between the Muppet Mone and the “Harley Halftime in Houston” segment this Saturday, Mone might be angered into giving Harley the title match for Australia. Toni Storm continues to be a creative genius in her own right where she imitates Mariah for her match with Aminata. Serena Deeb watching the match is another dropped ball TK picked back up, but I guess he kinda had to since Britt Baker didn’t want a feud with Deeb. Britt is a whole different issue, we might not get a real answer on that for some time.
MJF had a good promo, but Dustin showing up was a touch of a surprise. Dustin is upset not just for Jarrett but for the disrespect showing to Owen Hart, but of course MJF gets his own shot on Dustin. MJF VS Dustin will be some good stuff, but surely Double J goes after MJF and we get that match for Revolution. This week’s New York Minute might’ve been the best because it turned into that huge brawl, with the New York Minute graphic still on it. Keith VS Bandido will be good stuff, and surely Bandido wins to set up Bandido VS Jericho for the ROH World Championship. Hobbs and Bill getting to wreck security guards as fun, and they’ll have a great grudge match, too.
Great main event from Swerve and Ricochet, with Ricochet ambushing Swerve as a good start. While Ricochet didn’t get that poison-rana to the apron, that’s just one of those moments where they go just a little too fast and it doesn’t work out. Ricochet still did good improvising with that German Suplex, and then he of course wins with “controversy.” This is certainly going to give us another match, maybe even for Revolution, and they’ll surely turn it up a notch. Honestly, an apron poison-rana is more fitting of a rematch than the first time we see this match in AEW, so this worked out for the better.
My Score: 8.8/10
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