Tinsel Town is Timeless!

Before challenging for the AEW Women’s World Championship, Toni Storm has a tune-up! Will she still be the center of attention this close to Full Gear?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• AEW TNT Championship: Christian Cage w/ Nick Wayne & Luchasaurus VS Trent Beretta; Christian wins and retains the title.
• “Timeless” Toni Storm w/ Luther VS Emi Sakura; Storm wins.
• Roderick Strong w/ The Kingdom VS Action Andretti; Strong wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Chris Jericho is here!

Los Angeles sings Judas for The Ocho, and he’s even wearing a brand new Golden Jets shirt. He and Kenny Omega face the Young Bucks tomorrow where Matt & Nick Jackson put up their guaranteed AEW World Tag Team Championship opportunity up against the Golden Jets even being a team, is this shirt only going to be good another 24 hours? That all aside, Jericho joins commentary for this final hour on the eve of Full Gear.

AEW TNT Championship: Christian Cage w/ Nick Wayne & Luchasaurus VS Trent Beretta!

Captain Charisma is more than confident going into Full Gear’s Six Man Tag match where he and his cronies take on the #RatedRelentlessIcons. However, will that confidence be tested in this title match just 24 hours before the PPV? Or will he be more than able to handle #JustTrent?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if the “patriarch of AEW” handles business!

The bell rings and fans rally for Trent. Trent isn’t backing down, even after that Fatal 4 Way he went through to have this match. Christian steps up to Trent, the two talk, and Christian pats Trent on the head. Trent shoves Christian down! Christian gets up in a huff, they tie up, and they go around. Trent pushes Christian back but Christian turns it around. The ref counts, Christian lets off with a pie face. Trent scowls, but he and Christian feel things out. They tie up, Trent waistlocks, but Christian pries at the hold. Christian throws elbows, then runs, but Trent sidesteps, and Christian tumbles out of the ring!

The fans laugh at Christian and he gets upset again. The ring count starts, Christian gets back in the ring, and he claims Trent pulled pants or something to do that throw. The ref says he saw no such thing, but then Christian sucker punches Trent! Christian stomps Trent, ROCKS him, then stomps him more. The fans rally for Trent as Christian digs his boots in. The ref counts, Christian lets off, and he whips Trent to ropes. Trent reverses, drops and hurdles, then STANDING METEORAS! Christian bails out, Trent PLANCHAS him down! Fans fire up as Trent rains down fists! Trent lets off to put Christian in the ring.

Trent aims from a corner, runs in, but Christian grabs the ref to make him a shield! Fans boo, and Nick Wayne CLUBS Trent on the back! Christian CLUBS Trent now, fans boo more, but Nick soaks up the heat. Christian stands Trent up and POSTS him! Trent falls to the floor, and Nick stands over him to taunt him. Christian soaks up the heat and flexes while Rampage goes picture in picture.

Christian paces around while Trent writhes. The ref has Nick and Luchasaurus stay back while the ring count starts. Christian goes out to fetch Trent, and sends him into steel steps! Christian puts Trent in the ring, drags him up and turns him for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Christian rains down fists, CHOKES Trent, but lets off as the ref counts. Christian puts Trent on ropes, to then stand on him to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Christian lets off and argues with the ref, but Luchasaurus gets a cheap shot in! Nick shrugs, Christian soaks up more heat, and Rampage returns to single picture.

Christian stands Trent up but Trent throws body shots and forearms! Christian CLUBS Trent, snapmares, and then KNEES Trent in the back! Christian clamps on the chinlock, claws Trent’s face, but the ref counts. Christian lets off to put on a different chinlock, and he grinds Trent down. Fans rally as Trent endures, fights up, and throws body shots. Christian ROCKS Trent, TOSSES him up and out, but Trent is on the apron. Christian runs in but Trent SLINGSHOT SPEARS! Fans fire up while both men are down! Trent and Christian stir, slowly rise, and Trent CHOPS! Christian UPPERCUTS! They go back and forth, then Trent HALF ‘N’ HALF SUPLEXES!

Fans fire up and Trent snarls. Trent runs in at the corner to BACK ELBOW! Then TORNADO- NO, Christian slips free! Christian PENDULUM KICKS in the corner, then goes up. Christian soaks up the heat, but Trent stops the tornado before it starts! Trent UPPERCUTS Christian, then climbs up after him. Trent BITES Christian’s forehead! The fans fire up, Trent climbs up, SUPER STEINER! Cover, TWO! Christian survives, but Trent grits his teeth. The fans rally behind Trent but Christian wants mercy. Trent storms up but Christian YANKS him out! But Trent is up top fast! Trent CROSSBODIES but FLOPS as Christian moves!

Christian aims, runs in, but Trent KNEES the Spear! And then TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO!! Christian survives but Trent doesn’t lose his cool. Trent aims from a corner, Christian rises up, and Trent runs in to BUSAIKU KNEE! Cover, TWO!! Christian survives again! Trent seethes, he storms up on Christian and hauls him up. Christian hooks the arms! Christian turns Trent, Trent slips free to Alabama and tuck! STRONG ZERO!! Cover, TWO!?! HOW?! Christian survives Trent’s best shot! Fans fire up as Trent grits his teeth, but Luchasaurus gets on the apron! The ref tells him to get down, Trent storms up on Christian, but Christian pokes him in the eyes!

Christian then HOTSHOTS Trent, targeting the neck! Christian storms in, stands on Trent’s neck and shouts to Edge, “I’M GONNA BREAK YOUR NECK!” Christian STOMPS Trent’s neck! Fans boo but Christian drags Trent up. Christian whips Trent hard into buckles, then drags him back up, KILLSWITCH!! Cover, Christian wins!

Winner: Christian Cage, by pinfall (still AEW TNT Champion)

The Forum may not like it, but Captain Charisma is still the Patriarch of TNT. Will Christian, the Right Hand of Destruction & “adopted son” Nick Wayne take down Edge, Sting & Darby? Or will they pay for their actions once and for all?

“Timeless” Toni Storm w/ Luther VS Emi Sakura!

Think of this “tune-up” as the Hollywood Homecoming opening previews. Toni Storm wants to again be the leading lady of AEW, will she be more than ready for Hikaru Shida after defeating Shida’s former sensei?

The bell rings and Storm holds out her hand. Luther hands her the script and Storm goes through it quickly with Emi. Emi takes it, and rips it up! Toni is shocked, but Emi CLUBS her down! And stomps away! Emi laughs and TOSSES Storm! Then Emi CHOPS Storm to a corner! Emi TOSSES Storm again! Fans fire up as Emi kicks Storm around. Storm gets up to grab Emi by her hair, and Storm TOSSES Emi! Emi flops to the apron, Storm runs in to HIP ATTACK her to the floor! Luther helps Madame Storm off the apron, and then Storm BOOTS Emi down! Storm drags Emi up, and snap suplexes her to the floor!

Fans fire up as Storm puts Emi back in the ring. Storm hurries up the steps, and Luther Electric Chair Lifts her to the apron. But Emi CROSSBODIES Storm back to the floor! Emi runs in to CROSSBODY Storm into the steel steps! Emi “sips tea” and stands over Storm as Rampage goes picture in picture.

Emi slaps Storm around, sits her up and smears the lipstick! Emi shows that off, then goes into the ring. Storm goes to Luther and he consoles her. Storm dramatically flops back into the ring, and Emi storms up on her to CHOP! Storm is stinging and staggers into buckles. Emi turns Storm around to CHOP her again! Storm flails and stumbles about, but Emi CHOPS her again! Storm drops to her knees, then Emi pushes her to a corner. Emi fakes the chop to poke her in the eyes! Storm staggers, Emi storms up again, and Emi brings Storm around to dragon sleeper! And then TWISTING NECKBREAKER!

Emi keeps on Storm by hooking up the legs. Emi pulls the arms back, back and into the ROMERO SPECIAL! Storm endures as Emi holds her up in the air, then Emi DROPS her! Emi kicks Storm around, taunts her, pulls her hair to sit her up, but Storm starts to fire up, just as Rampage goes to break!

Rampage returns and Emi CHOPS in the corner! Storm leans into it this time! So Emi CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Storm says “How DARE you!” Fans fire up, but Emi swings, storm dodges to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! And DOUBLE CHOP! And CHOP again! Storm backs Emi down with CHOP after CHOP, MACHINE GUN CHOP! Fans fire up and Storm headlocks for a BULLDOG! The fans cheer as Storm winds up and… HAYMAKER! Emi staggers about and Storm goes to a corner. Storm runs in, but into underhooks! TIGER DRIVER! High stack, TWO! Storm gets out, but Emi has her again!

Emi lifts Storm again, stalling BUTTERFLY BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Storm survives again but Emi keeps her cool. Emi steps on Storm, says she’s Her Highness, and Emi climbs. MOONSAULT FLOPS as Storm moves! BASEMENT DDT! Emi ends up in a corner, and Storm says she’s ready for her close-up! Storm even gets the black ‘n white filter! SWEET HIP MUSIC! And then STORM ZERO!! Cover, Storm wins!

Winner: Toni Storm, by pinfall

And scene! Storm continues to steal the show, but will she be able to win back the world title? Or will there be a plot twist at Full Gear that ruins the homecoming?

Backstage interview with Eddie Kingston and Team Triple J.

Renee Paquette is with The Mad King, but also the circus that is Jay Lethal, Sonjay Dutt, Satnam Singh, and Jeff & Karen Jarrett. Before they begin, she reminds them of the No Physicality Agreement. Lethal has asked for this time, what’s on his mind? Lethal thanks Renee and says that yes, he wants to make things crystal clear to Eddie. Eddie has one day left as ROH World Champion. Triple J spoke with Stokely Hathaway and he has made it official! Tomorrow, the Zero Hour, Eddie Kingston VS Jay Lethal, for the ROH World Championship!

And ever since Eddie lost that Memphis Street Fight to Jeff that granted Lethal this shot, Eddie’s done nothing but duck ‘n’ hide! Every time, Eddie’s ducked around the corner to run from this challenge! Eddie asks what he just said. Lethal says that Eddie has done nothing but duck ‘n’ hide! Eddie tells Lethal to look at him. Lethal knows Eddie. They’ve known each other over 15 years. Why’s Lethal speaking like this? No, no, look Eddie in the eyes. Lethal knows what Eddie can do, and Eddie knows what Lethal can do, just not with them. Jeff tells Lethal not to listen but Eddie tells Lethal not to look away.

Eddie tells Lethal to understand. Lethal is becoming a coward like the rest of these guys! Triple J gets up in arms, and Lethal says he may have agreed to No Physicality, but Eddie’s pushing it. Triple J keeps Lethal back and they say Eddie has until tomorrow. Eddie says yeah, yeah, keep squawking. But then Eddie turns around, and there’s Ortiz. It’s been awhile since these “old friends” have been face to face, what will Ortiz have to say to the Mad King?

Roderick Strong w/ The Kingdom VS Action Andretti!

The Savior of the Backbreaker and his buddies, Matt Taven & Mike Bennett, victimized Darius Martin, and now they look to do the same to his tag team partner. Will Roddy test how #NeckStrong Action is? Or will this truly be a Sight to See?

But the moment Action is in the ring, Roddy CLOBBERS him! The bell rings, Roddy stomps away on Action, then he CHOPS Action to ropes! Roddy whips, Action ducks ‘n’ dodges and tilt-o-whirls to RANA! Fans fire up as Action DROPKICKS Roddy! Action kips up, takes his vest off, and he then springboards to IMPLODER SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Roddy goes to a corner, Action storms up to CHOP! Roddy staggers to another corner, but then BOOTS back! Action CHOPS Roddy, CHOPS again, then keeps Roddy cornered. Action RAMS into him again and again, then ROCKS Roddy with a forearm.

Roddy goes to a corner, Action storms up but Roddy kicks low! And KICKS again, and then CHOPS! Roddy DECKS Action, then he drags Action up. Roddy scoops to BACKBREAKER! Action writhes, Roddy stomps his hand! Roddy talks trash on the fans, but Action CHOPS! Roddy CHOPS, ROCKS and then smothers Action in the mat! Roddy slaps Action around, soaks up the heat, then drags Action up. Roddy CHOPS Action, bumps him off buckles, and CHOPS again! Roddy ROCKS Action again, but Action CHOPS back! And CHOPS again! Roddy knees low, CLUBS Action, then CHOPS again!

Roddy brings Action up to whip, but Action reverses to atomic drop! And SOBAT! Action runs, to SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! The Kingdom freaks out, that was on Roddy’s neck! Action fireman’s carries but Roddy fights free and scoops for a rollup, TWO! Roddy sunset flips, Action stays up and steps over to deadlift suplex! FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!! Roddy survives, bails out, but Action pursues as Rampage goes picture in picture.

Action pursues Roddy around the way but The Kingdom stand in the way. Roddy slides into the ring so that he can WRECK Action with a dropkick! Roddy soaks up the heat, Taven talks trash but the ref has The Kingdom back off. Roddy hauls Action up to RAILING BACK SUPLEX! Roddy soaks up more heat, drags Action back up, and he CHOPS again! Roddy puts Action in the ring, stalks him, and CLUBS him down. Roddy stomps Action more, then clamps on a neck wrench. Roddy fishhooks Action’s face, but the ref counts. Roddy lets off, he drags Action into a chinlock, and he grinds Action down.

Action endures, fans rally, and Action fights up. Action throws body shots, then forearms! Action whips, Roddy reverses and DROPKICKS Action down! Cover, TWO! Roddy rains down fists, then traps an arm so he can throw down even more shots! The ref reprimands about closed fists so Roddy lets off. Roddy tells fans to shut up, then he storms up on Action. Roddy puts Action in a corner, soaks up heat from the fans, but Action CHOPS! And CHOPS! And ROCKS! And UPPERCUTS! Action runs in at the corner but Roddy BOOTS him! Roddy fires hands, then back suplexes! Cover, TWO!

Roddy clamps onto Action with a modified cording hold and chinlock. Action endures, fights up, but Roddy throws him down by his hair! The ref reprimands, Roddy drags Action into a chinlock and he leans on the hold. Action still endures, fights back up, and Rampage returns to single picture. Fans taunt Roddy by chanting “ADAM! ADAM!” Action fires forearms, Roddy swings but misses! Action bobs ‘n’ weaves but Roddy CLUBS him! Action JAWBREAKERS in return! Roddy staggers, Action runs up to CLOBBER him! And again! Action whips, Roddy reverses but action handspring BACK ELBOWS!

Fans fire up and Action storms up on Roddy. Action TOSSES Roddy out, The Kingdom hurry over, but Action builds speed to WRECK The Kingdom with a dropkick! Action runs at Roddy, Roddy pops him up to the apron, but Action lands safe to mule kick! Then ARABIAN PRESS! Down goes Roddy, but Action hurries to put him back in! Action springboards, but Roddy moves so Action bails out of the 450! Roddy runs in, but into a SPANISH FLY!! Cover, but the ref wants to check Roddy. Doc Sampson & The Kingdom get in. Roddy is dazed, but he seems to be okay. The fans fire up for #NeckStrong, and Roddy goes to a corner.

Action aims as Roddy rises, but then Roddy turns things around! Roddy RAMS Action, fireman’s carries, but Action sunset flips! Roddy sits on the cover, TWO!! Action runs back in, Roddy puts him on the apron but Action GAMANGIRIS! Action springboards, into the STRONG KNEE!! And then END OF HEARTACHE!! Cover, Roddy wins!

Winner: Roderick Strong, by pinfall

The neck brace is back on, The Kingdom hoists Roddy up and that’s another #NeckStrong victory! Will Roddy continue to soldier on and climb up the ranks?

Renee Paquette interviews Jay White.

They sit backstage, much as Schiavone and MJF did for Collision, and Renee welcomes the Switchblade. A huge opportunity ahead of him at Full Gear to “rightfully become” AEW World Champion. A lot has been going on, specifically this “Devil of AEW.” This person and their minions first attacked Jay White a few months ago, then attacked The Acclaimed a couple weeks ago. MJF claims to have no involvement, so who does White think this is? And is he concerned that this Devil could get involved with the match tomorrow?

White says absolutely. The million dollar question is, “Who is The Devil?” In White’s mind, all we have to focus on is that the AEW World Championship is with someone that lives up to the E in AEW. But who is the Devil? C’mon, Renee, White thought she was smart enough not to fall for this. We all know it’s still MJF. White dares MJF to bring the gimp squad to Full Gear, because the Bang Bang Gang will be ready. But remember, MJF won’t even make it to the main event because the #GoldenGunns will dismantle him in the Zero Hour.

Then switching gears a bit, a lot of people are drawing comparisons between White and MJF in their careers. White stops Renee there and says there is one person kicking that off, and that is MJF. MJF is trying to brainwash the people like he already has into thinking he is worthy of being champion. MJF is trying to make people think MJF is equal to J A Y. “Max, the gap between us is vast, my friend, I’m going to show you that. I’m going to show everybody that at Full Gear tomorrow.” Then if things do go White’s way, if he does become the undisputed champion, what does the Switchblade Era of AEW look like?

“If?” When things go White’s way, we get more of what we love, the Bang Bang Gang! Go ahead, Renee, say it. No, she’s good, thanks. That’s fair. But they’ll get more Rock Hard Juice Robinson! More Fully Cocked Colten Gunn! And a whole lot more of Austin! And you know the #CollisionCowboys are gonna run wild all over AEW, and White will be sleeping a little bit sweeter knowing he proved what he has said all along, and that is J A Y is greater than MJF and everyone- MJF ATTACKS!! He’s had enough talk, he wants to throw hands! MJF has Triple B in his hands but White scrambles after it. MJF CLAWS White’s eyes!

MJF says if White wants to be champion, then c’mon! He SMACKS White off the countertop! Curtains fall over, MJF stalks White into the hallway and shoves him into a wall! White wants MJF to show mercy but MJF stomps at him! Juice runs up to RAM MJF into road cases! Juice then tosses MJF back into the interview room, slams the door shut, and we don’t know what’s happening now! White hurries back in, but MJF looms over Juice with a flat screen television! And a big one at that! White panics, MJF CHUCKS the screen at him! White goes running, the TV crashes and breaks, and MJF chases after him! Juice sputters and bleeds on the floor!

MJF and White have made it to ringside! White jumps railing, MJF pursues, and they’re in the ring! MJF TACKLES White! MJF rains down fists, but the Gunns show up! MJF TACKLES Austin! Colten slides in, MJF TACKLES him! MJF then TOSSES Austin, then he TOSSES Colten, and LA is fired up as MJF stomps away on White! MJF sees Triple B, and he picks it up! Fans cheer as the true champion finally has it back! MJF aims at White, White sputters but wants mercy again. But then The Gunns CLOBBER MJF! The BCG stomp away on MJF 3v1! Fans boo, then chant for “JOE! JOE! JOE!”

MJF holds onto Triple B with all he has, but they claw his eyes! They pry the belt away from MJF again, and now the Gunns stand MJF up! White says MJF will never have this belt back! BUT HERE COMES SAMOA JOE! Fans fire up as Joe runs in there, and he chases the Bang Bang Gang off! MJF staggers to his feet, furious he doesn’t have Triple B back after all. But at the same time, this is his last chance to accept Joe’s offer. Will Joe be MJF’s tag team partner for Zero Hour in exchange for a world title match down the line? MJF thinks about it, and the BCG sure as hell don’t want this to happen! So MJF TAKES IT!!

Fans fire up as now #M-JOE-F is ready to tear into the Ass Boys! Will this deal with the Devil pay off for the (former) King of Wrestling Television? Or can Bullet Club Gold still leave the Golden State with titles around their waists?

My Thoughts:

Another great go-home for AEW with Rampage here, and of course an awesome closing moment with White’s promo turning into a brawl. Joe making the save and the team-up finally happening is great stuff, MJF & Joe will surely retain the ROH Tag titles against The Gunns now. Then the big drama will be in the main event, seeing if MJF can retain/regain the world title. And speaking of retaining, of course Christian won the TNT Championship match. Just as I said in the Collision article, this was so Christian could have some momentum going into Full Gear, where he and his team will most certainly lose to Edge, Darby & Sting.

Great match from Storm VS Emi, all very clean, and of course Storm wins. As I also said for Collision, Storm is keeping pace with Shida, their title match could go either way, and that Mariah May will surely have a part to play. Not sure why I’m rhyming. And then a rather scary moment during Strong VS Action where the gimmick of #NeckStrong almost became shoot after that rough Spanish Fly landing. Hopefully Roddy is okay, no concussion or real neck problems now, because this story was just getting good. There’s still a lot that Roddy & The Kingdom can contribute to this “Who is The Devil of AEW?” story, they all need to be shoot 100% for it to work.

And a great promo from Eddie and Team Triple J. I get Lethal is Heel and has to act like Eddie’s hiding from him, but c’mon, Eddie is a dual champion, he has to go to the places those companies need him. Hell, Eddie’s been on ROH TV more than Lethal has, all the more reason Eddie should retain the title. And while I have been complaining that ROH titles end up on AEW programming too much, them putting the ROH World title on an AEW preshow (sadly) makes a lot of sense. As I just said, Lethal hasn’t bothered to show up on ROH TV so what would the point of waiting until Final Battle in December be? Non-ROH-watching AEW fans are the ones watching this story unfold, they wanna see it happen, and they’re gonna get to for free on YouTube rather than on Honor Club.

My Score: 8.6/10