The Prime Minister of Evolve has calls a town hall!

Stevie Turner wanted to say something last week on Evolve, but now she’ll have the proper time to tell us all what she has planned for the future!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Wendy Choo VS Summer Sorrell; Wendy wins.
• Jackson Drake w/ The Vanity Project VS Drako Knox; Drake wins.
• Nikkita Lyons VS Kendal Grey; Lyons wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Stevie Turner is in the ring.

With the entire Evolve roster at ringside, the Evolve “Prime Minister” stands behind a table with two items under purple velvet. Stevie welcomes us to the show, and says they are going to kick the night off with her monumental announcement that’ll change the landscape of Evolve forever. “For over two months, on Tubi and YouTube, these men and women have been fighting to showcase their skill in the hopes that one day, they will make it to NXT!” The fans cheer that! “Now in addition to those big NXT dreams, the women of Evolve will be fighting to become… the Evolve Women’s Champion” REVEAL of the belt and its white strap!

The fans cheer and Stevie continues. “In just three weeks, the Evolve Women’s Champion will be determined in a Fatal 4 Way Elimination Match. When I became Evolve Prime Minister, I asked all of these competitors to step up and impress me. And impress me they have! But three women in particular have really stood out to me. And those women are… Kali Armstrong! Kendal Grey! And Wendy Choo!” The fans cheer each name as they get fired up ringside. Stevie promises that even if she didn’t say their name, all the other women of Evolve still have a chance. There’s one spot open in that Fatal 4 Way, and it’s time to step up and take it!

Stevie then says, “And now for the men.” REVEAL of the THE Evolve Championship and its black strap! The men’s champion will be crowned in four week’s time. The men in that Fatal 4 Way Elimination Match will be… Sean Legacy! Keanu Carver gets upset that he wasn’t named first, and then It’s Gal gets mad. Only for Harlem Lewis to YANK the guy off the apron and storm into the ring, same as Keanu! These two titans want their spot, and Stevie tells them to calm down. But Vanity Project jumps in! Keanu & Harlem easily toss Jackson Drake & Swipe Right out, but then here comes Gallus! Now a real brawl is on!

The fans fire up as Harlem & Keanu take on Wolfgang, Markus & Joseph 3v2! Stevie wants this to stop, but it spills out of the ring! Refs rush out and the other Evolve stars help out, this brawl moves on to the back! Kali and Kendal then get in the ring to admire the Evolve Women’s Championship, only to then push each other! They brawl now, and the other ladies of Evolve hurry to stop this! Kali CHOP BLOCKS Kendal!! The fans boo that cheap shot, Stevie reprimands Kali, and now Kendal has to prepare for a match with a bad leg! Will she be easy pickings for #BigKatKita, Nikkita Lyons?

Backstage interview with Summer Sorrell.

Chuey Martinez is with the debuting star, and asks her how she feels drawing Wendy Choo as her first opponent here. Summer admits, she’s very nervous. This is the biggest dream come true, but facing Wendy right out the gate is a nightmare. Make no mistake, Summer is scared. But she uses fear as fuel to push and motivate her. When she gets in there, she’ll heat things up. It’s Summer Time, and these Summer nights will get you ready for a fight! Will Summer have a bright future? Or will Wendy make it a very dark one?

Nikkita Lyons meets with Stevie Turner in her office.

Lyons asks who Kendal thinks she is clapping back like that on socials. That is crazy! Stevie says yes, she’s seen the posts, and- Lyons says if Kendal thinks she can hang with “Nikkita Multimedia,” then Lyons is ready to pounce. Stevie says Kendal has been on a roll here in Evolve, which is why Lyons and Kendal are in the main event. Zayda Steel walks in, makes nice with Lyons, and says Lyons will handle Kendal just like her boy, Jackson Drake, will handle that… uh, Drako Knox! Stevie, that town hall meeting, that fourth spot in the Fatal 4 to crown THE Evolve Women’s Champion? Look no further! Just put Zayda right in!

Stevie says Zayda can’t just talk her way into the match. Uh, but she’s the Real Deal! They all know that! And Vanity Project runs Evolve. So let’s be real, when you think of Evolve, you think of Real Deal Zayda Steel! Stevie says no, Zayda still has to earn her way into it. Lyons says hold on, though. She sees Zayda has heart and guts. Maybe Big Kat Kita and the Vanity Project can collab. Zayda loves that. They head out together and Stevie asks for her minute back. Will the Real Deal understand she has to prove herself worthy instead of just thinking she’s worthy?

Wendy Choo VS Summer Sorrell!

The sleepy psycho made Kylie Rae take another Dirt Nap, and now she’s headed into the Women’s Evolve Championship match. But will the “Gatekeeper of Evolve” put Summer to sleep? Or will Summer turn up the heat and keep Wendy up all night?

The bell rings and the fans rally. Wendy and Summer step up, and then Summer cartwheels to dodge! Wendy isn’t amused and she runs up on Summer. Summer gest around to waistlock, but Wendy elbows free! Wendy Alabama Lifts, Summer sunset flips, TWO! Summer headlocks, Wendy powers up and out, and the two RAM shoulders! Wendy wags her finger, but Summer runs. Wendy follows to run Summer over! Wendy smiles, runs, but Summer drops down, hurdles over, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Wendy RAMS Summer into a corner! Wendy RAMS her again and again but the ref counts.

Wendy backs off, then UPPERCUTS Summer! Wendy snapmares Summer, then hits a NECK TWIST! Summer writhes and flounders away, but Wendy grins. Wendy creeps up and creeps Summer out! Summer goes up and over, but Wendy ELBOWS her down! Wendy drags Summer up, and THROWS her across the wing! Wendy storms up in the corner, ROCKS Summer, then runs up. Summer BOOTS Wendy, goes up, and FLYING SUNSET FLIPS! But Wendy rolls through to BOOT Summer in the face! Wendy drags Summer up, hammerlocks, and PEPSI TWISTS! Wendy isn’t done, time for a DIRT NAP!! Summer TAPS, Wendy wins!

Winner: Wendy Choo, by submission

Still undefeated, still unnerving, and still unkind! But before Wendy can doodle on Summer’s face, here comes Kylie! Kylie runs in and fires off hands! But Wendy slips around, DIRT- NO, Kylie snapmares free! SUPERKICK! Wendy runs for it now! The Kylie RAGE is burning, will she give Wendy a wakeup call?

A car pulls up.

It parks, and out steps… Lexis King! The Drama King is here, but what business could he have with Evolve?

Lexis King heads to the ring!

The fans cheer as the former Heritage Cup Champion grabs a mic and says, “Ladies and gentlemen, The King has finally arrived in WWE Evolve. And I do say finally, because once upon a time, The King was just so eager to debut for Evolve. Back before I was such a big star, of course. Evolve was the place to be. Evolve is where everyone wanted to work, because Evolve is a portal to NXT. Alright, Evolve is a new place where new things are happening. Fresh faces are coming in, spotlights are being shined on new talent. And let’s face it, nobody knows more about spotlight than Lexis King.” The fans are bit torn there.

Lexis says he loves it, he lives for it, and he thrives in it. That’s why he’s here and now. He wants a taste of that spotlight! That’s why he is standing here a living, breathing superstar! The KING of NXT! “And to all the men and women in that locker room, let me just inform you that I’m the portal now. Nobody comes and goes from my NXT Kingdom without MY say.” But wait! Here comes Sean Legacy! The fans cheer as “Super Sean” has a mic to tell Lexis, “Welcome to Evolve! Now, I was gonna let you ramble on and on and on, because I just know you love hearing yourself speak. But there was one thing that didn’t sit right to me.

“You may be the King of NXT, but that doesn’t let you decide who’s a superstar and who isn’t; the WWE Universe does.” The fans cheer, but Lexis tells Sean and the fans to simmer down. Sean “thanks” Lexis for gracing us with his presence. But if Lexis thinks Sean’s gonna sit back there and let Lexis disrespect the men and women putting in all the hard work to make it to NXT… Oh, so is Sean the guy? He’s the big cheese around here? The locker room leader superhero? Tell him more! The fans cheer on “LEGACY! LEGACY!” but Lexis says okay, shut up. Sean says there’s nothing special, he’s just being himself. One fans says Sean can jump pretty high and Sean admits that’s true.

But Sean’s just some kid from Augusta, Georgia. He is someone that has been told countless times that he wouldn’t be standing in a WWE ring. He has paid his due, made the trips, done the sleepless nights and the 16 HOUR car drives for a $20 bill and a handshake. Hell, he’s still doing it cuz he loves this! He’ll be damned if someone like Lexis talks down to him when he’s busting his ass to get to NXT! When an NXT superstar comes out here and cuts down this place, a place that is giving Sean the opportunity of a lifetime, Sean will stand up for that one. Oh, he’ll stand up and defend everyone in the back?

Then Lexis dares him to stand up and defend something in this ring next week, against Lexis. It’ll be the biggest night of Sean’s life. Lexis offers a handshake, Sean takes it, and the fans cheer. Sean then tells Lexis, “That sounds super.” But then Lexis pulls Sean in close to tell him, “You have a long way to go to becoming a king.” Next week, Lexis and Legacy go 1v1, but will conquering Evolve be the King’s next crowning achievement?

Kendal Grey gets checked by medical.

She swears she’s okay, but Carlee Bright is very worried. How could Kali do that to Kendal? Doc, please say Kendal’s okay to compete. Kendal says she is, seriously! Nothing and no one is going to stop her. Carlee wants to have Kendal’s back but Kendal says no, she wants to do this alone. Kendal hobbles off and Carlee tells the ref that “her bestie” is tough. But will this bravado only get Kendal taken out of the Fatal 4 Way? Or can Kendal step into Lyons’ den and come out the conquering hero?

Keanu Carver is hunting Gallus!

He won’t let things just go down like that! Where them boys at? Stevie has him stop, and she says Gallus already left. Then he’ll just track them boys down! Harlem Lewis storms in, he wants Gallus, but Stevie repeats Gallus left. Harlem says Gallus are “big bad Irishmen when security’s around.” Harlem will go find them himself. Keanu says hold up, no he’s not. Keanu handles them first. Stevie has them stop arguing. They want a crack at Gallus, they’ll get one next week. But in a tag match. Harlem and Keanu don’t like that, but Stevie says if they want Gallus that bad, then they will. Stevie heads off, Keanu tells Harlem to stay in his lane but Harlem tells Keanu to mind his business.

We’re getting another “Can they or won’t they?” with the two alpha males of Evolve, but will it still be Gallus Boys on Top?

Jackson Drake w/ The Vanity Project VS Drako Knox!

Speaking of grudges, this one has been a long time coming. The Vanity Project mocked the Hard Knox & Cowboy Tate after they lost, and considering Tate is out with injury, that was just salt in the wound. Will Knox knock Drake down a peg? Or will the Carolina Reaper be too spicy for Knox to handle?

The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Knox puts Drake in a corner, but Drake turns things around. The ref counts, Drake lets off at 4, but Knox seethes. Drake talks trash, but Knox DECKS him! Knox then headlocks, grinds Drake down, but Drake fights up and out. Knox runs Drake over! The fans fire up as Knox headlocks again, but Drake powers up and out. Knox ducks ‘n’ dodges, Drake trips him up, and the fans boo. Drake runs in at the corner, but Knox dodges! Drake BOOTS Knox away, goes up, and leaps, but into a clinch! EXPLODER! The fans fire up for the #RedBone, and then Knox LARIATS in the corner!

Knox whips, Drake hurdles over, then he slips around to throw Knox down by his durag! The fans boo but Drake ELBOWS Knox down! Cover, TWO! The fans boo but Vanity Project hypes up their guy. Drake ROCKS Knox, CLUBS him, but the fans taunt him as “Jackson Jackass!” Drake clamps on with a chinlock but Knox endures. The fans rally but Drake pulls back on the hold. Knox fights around, the fans rally behind him, and Knox fires body shots! Knox arm-drags Drake away, then BACKDROPS him on the return! The fans fire up and Knox runs up to DECK Drake! And CLOBBER him! And then scoop and SLAM!

The fans fire up and Knox slips around Drake for a facelock. Drake wrenches out and whips, but Knox reverses and sends in the KITCHEN SINK KNEE! The fans fire up as Knox keeps moving, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Drake toughs it out but Knox gets mad now. Knox clamps onto Drake, but Drake fights the back suplex! Drake wrenches and clinches, FLATLINER! The fans boo but Drake goes to a corner. Drake runs up, but Knox trips him up! Knox runs, SLIDING- NO, Drake ducks it to hit a ghost pin, TWO! Drake kips up, ENZIGIRIS, and Vanity Project cheers! Drake runs, handsprings, but Knox catches him to the RED THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO!

Drake flounders to the apron but Knox is on him! Knox stands Drake up, only for Drake to HOTSHOT! Drake rushes in, only for Knox to LARIAT him inside-out! Knox scoops again, but Drake pulls the ears! Drake CLUBS Knox, the ref reprimands, but Drake handsprings! LETHAL IN-JACKSON!! Drake aims from a corner, runs back in, UNALIVING!! Cover, Drake wins!

Winner: Jackson Drake, by pinfall

The fans may not like it, but at least Drake won without help from his friends. With three spots still open in the Men’s Evolve Championship Fatal 4 Way, will the Carolina Reaper look to spice things up?

Backstage interview with Javier Bernal.

Chuey is now with Big Body Javi, who per the shirt is feeling a bit more emo right now. But Chuey asks how he is and Javi says he’s good. But to address the elephant in the room, this new look. It is definitely a different look than we’re used to. But Javi was on the shelf for eight MONTHS. And every day, he wondered if he’d ever be able to do what he loves again. And as he was making his way back, he heard about Evolve and thought, “That is an excellent opportunity for me to hit the ground running.” So while he hit the ground running, he realized he isn’t “Big Body Javi” anymore. Then who is he now?

Javi says to really understand Javi, we have to see that maybe he was never really “Big Body Javi.” You ever been to metalcore concerts? Javi went, listened to the music, felt the energy of the crowd, even screamed out loud. For a moment, he thought he’d be judged. But then he heard everyone else scream back and all the anxiety just washed away. In that moment, Javi felt genuine. That version of Javi is what he’ll bring to Evolve. He finally feels comfortable in his own skin, and that’s a blessing. But then It’s Gal walks in and says, “Oh, boo hoo, what a cute story, right? Well too bad nobody cares!

“Nobody cares about this version of Javi or any version of Javi, for that matter. You should’ve been interviewing the Real-Life Action Figure, It’s Gal! It’s Gal, it’s Gal, it’s Gal!” Gal leaves laughing, and Javi says he just found his next opponent. Will Javi show he’s finally free by winning big? Or will Gal be laughing all the way to the bank?

Lexis King crosses paths with The Vanity Project.

Brad Baylor unironically says, “What up, King?” Ricky Smokes compliments the beard as “extra crispy,” and says ladies must love the King. Lexis says they are correct. And speaking of crispy, Swipe Right looked real crispy against Fraxiom. And Jackson did great tonight. Drake is honored to have a fan in The King. The Project was just talking about how great it’ll be watching King knock Legacy off his pedestal. Lexis thanks them for that, and Bryce says if he needs anything from them, just let them know. Zayda says he can even slide into the DMs. Say less, darling. Lexis will see them around. He heads out, will Vanity Project become the King’s court?

Nikkita Lyons VS Kendal Grey!

#BigKatKita is back on the prowl, looking to pounce on fresh meat before they evolve and are too much to handle. However, Kali Armstrong may have done all the hard work for her tonight, given she chopped Kendal out at the legs. Will #GrapplerGrey still be undefeated? Or will Stevie Turner have to rethink her plans for the Women’s Evolve Championship?

The big fight introductions are given, and Lyons shows off that she can still use both legs. The bell rings and the two circle. Lyons KICKS and Kendal is already hobbling! Lyons KICKS again, but then Kendal ducks the spin kick! Kendal goes for a leg but Lyons picks her up! Kendal slips fere but the bad leg jams! Kendal still ELBOWS Lyons away, but then runs into a scoop! Kendal slips free, Lyons bucks the O’Conner, and Lyons CLOBBERS Kendal! Lyons bumps Kendal off buckles, CHOPS her, and then talks trash. Lyons swings again but Kendal dodges to CHOP! Kendal hobbles, whips, but Lyons reverses.

Kendal reverses, trips Lyons up, and basement DROPKICKS! Lyons bails out, Kendal hobbles again, and Kendal slides, only for Lyons to block! Lyons SLAMS the bad leg on the apron, spins Kendal around, and ROCKS her with a right! Lyons goes to the apron, does a standing splits into the #YamSlam on the apron! Kendal sputters and Lyons stalks her. Lyons drags Kendal from the ropes, turns her over, and SMASHES that bad leg on the mat! The fans boo and Kendal writhes, but Lyons puts her in a corner. Lyons wraps the bad leg around the ropes and pulls! The ref counts, Lyons stops, but then she ROCKS Kendal!

Lyons puts the leg back in the ropes, ROCKS Kendal again, and then STOMPS the leg down! The fans are torn while Kendal crawls away. Lyons clamps onto the leg and she works to turn Kendal! Kendal fights the turn, kicks from below, and Lyons staggers back. Lyons comes back with the HEEL KICK! Cover, TWO! Kendal stays in this but Lyons KICKS away on the bad leg, and YANKS it! Lyons drags Kendal up, has the bad leg, and SHIN BREAKERS! Kendal falls, Lyons puts the bad foot on the ropes, then HIP DROPS the knee! The fans are torn but Lyons twerks before she YANKS the bad leg again.

Lyons SMASHES the bad knee off the mat again, then looms over Kendal. Lyons stands Kendal up to SHIN- NO, Kendal sunset flips! TWO and Kendal kicks. Lyons blocks, ducks the enzigiri, and lifts the leg again! But Kendal uses that to stand up and ROCK Lyons with forearms and CHOPS! The fans fire up as Kendal DROP- NO, Lyons blocks the dropkick to CATAPULT Kendal, into the HALF CRAB! Lyons sits deep on the leg as she pulls way back! Kendal still endures, fights forward, and reaches out to the ROPEBREAK! Lyons lets go at 4 and looms over Kendal again. Lyons drags Kendal from the ropes, runs, but Kendal avoids the splash!

Kendal and Lyons rise, and Kendal fires body shots! Then SLAP, CHOP, and repeat! Lyons blocks a shot, KICKS low, then winds up, but into an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!! Lyons clasps hands but Kendal pulls on the grip! Lyons stacks Kendal, deadlifts her, but Kendal lets go to KNEE low! Kendal hops on for a SLEEPER! The fans fire up as Lyons flails! Lyons RAMS Kendal into the corner, then runs up. Kendal KNEES Lyons, goes up, and FLYING SHOULDER TACKLES! Kendal has to crawl to the cover, TWO! Lyons survives, Kendal hobbles up, but she ducks Lyons’ roundhouse! Kendal goes up the corner, but her leg gives out!

Kendal falls into the drop zone, Lyons says she’s an idiot. Lyons steps on Kendal, goes up and up, VADER BOMB! Cover, Lyons wins!

Winner: Nikkita Lyons, by pinfall

Kendal may have had one good leg but she had a lot of heart. Even so, Lyons at 100% was too much, and now Lyons has her first win in Evolve! But then Kali rushes out here to pick the bones! She stomps the bad leg, drives it down with DDT after DDT, then she puts on a STRETCH MUFFLER!! The refs rush out here, Kali drops Kendal, and now Kendal’s spot in the Fatal 4 Way really is in jeopardy! Is this how the Ironwoman of Inglewood intends to inspire the next generation? By ending Kendal’s future before it can begin?

My Thoughts:

A great Evolve here, but rather bittersweet given some of the cuts that happened before this episode could air. It’s a real shame that Gallus was cut, I can’t really be sure why they never got to go very far. And instead of their tag match with Harlem & Keanu being this week, it’s next week, so I guess technically we can say they’re WWE superstars for a little longer. Javier being cut stings a bit more now as he was literally on the verge of a new persona. He had a good promo to help put “Emo Metalcore Javi” into perspective, and It’s Gal picking a fight with him was also good, but I guess Javi’s last match will be next week, too.

As such, I feel like there was awkward editing on who will be in the Men’s Evolve Championship Fatal 4 Way. Stevie only naming Sean Legacy seemed odd, but I suppose it still works that Keanu and Harlem would each take offense to not automatically being named. I would think after they beat Gallus, we get them named to the match and then we get something special for the fourth spot. The same should happen in the Women’s Evolve Championship Fatal 4 Way. Maybe a gauntlet to essentially give ranks 5 through 10 their chance at being in the match. We can get some great combinations through a match like that to really add something to the different Fatal 4 Ways.

Wendy of course beat poor Summer, but good move to have Kylie rush out there after her. Honestly, make Kylie the fourth contender via a gauntlet or whatever, she needs to settle things with Wendy while potentially going for the gold. Great match from Lyons and Kendal, but even if Kendal wasn’t “hurt” going into the match, I feel Lyons was going to win. I just don’t get what’s going on with Kali Armstrong now. Her interview gave us an idea of who she was as a person, how she wants to be a role model, but then she doubles down on being a Heel here. Just odd really.

Lyons being a new addition to Evolve is fine. It is just unfortunate that injuries slowed down her NXT run and now the title scenes have moved past her. Her and Zayda getting along is an interesting move, but I feel like the title will drive a wedge there. Lexis King showing up in Evolve is a huge surprise, I thought he was going to be moving up from the Heritage Cup to the North American Championship. Great promo between him and Legacy, and then King being friendly with Vanity Project is also interesting. Lexis VS Legacy will be a great match next week, maybe with Vanity Project getting involved, certainly interesting possibilities from here.

My Score: 8.6/10

Show no fear!

To prepare for his AEW World Championship Steel Cage match with Jon Moxley, Samoa Joe faces Claudio Castagnoli! But will it really just be Claudio out there?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• AEW Women’s World Championship Eliminator Fatal 4 Way: Toni Storm VS Penelope Ford VS Thunder Rosa  VS Anna Jay; Toni wins and denies all three a title match.
• ROH World Television Championship Mystery Opponent: Nick Wayne w/ The Patriarchy VS Rhino; Nick wins and retains the title.
• Six Man Tag: Ricochet & The Young Bucks VS Swerve Strickland, Mark Briscoe & “Speedball” Mike Bailey; Ricochet & The Bucks win.
• AEW Continental Championship Eliminator: Kazuchika Okada VS Kevin Knight; Okada wins and denies Knight a title match.
• Samoa Joe VS Claudio Castagnoli; Joe wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Hangman Page is here!

Motor City fires up for that #CowboySh*t as the Men’s Owen Hart Cup finalist makes his way out to the ring. Hangman grabs a mic and says, “I don’t know that I’ve ever understood, after everything that I’ve done, why even one of you would cheer for me, but…” The fans cheer and chant for “COWBOY SH*T!” and Hangman continues, “I just want to let you know that it does make a difference, so thank you.” The fans applaud and Hangman says he probably shouldn’t have to say it, but the past two years for him have been “some kind of special Hell.” And after what happened to his family, he wanted revenge, he wanted justice, and he’d found it!

Hangman took from another man his only hopes and dreams, and Hangman nearly killed him! And after their steel cage match, Hangman stood at the top of the ramp and thought he’d finally feel some kind of joy, some kind of closure, to an awful chapter of his life. But he felt nothing. Hangman thought that maybe if he went and finished the job, he’d have his closure, but he couldn’t do it! The fans now chant, “Tell Us Why! Tell Us Why!” Hangman says he doesn’t know why. But since he couldn’t find that closure, he took that anger, bottled it up, and he unleashed it on anyone who got in his way, because he thought that’d give him catharsis! But all it did was tear down everyone around him!

“So I had to make a decision. Swerve Strickland…” The fans chant for “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” Hangman tells Swerve that he will never forgive what Swerve did to him. And he will probably never forget. But for Hangman, he will have to put it behind him. Hangman made his decision to enter this year’s Owen Hart Cup, and he defeated Josh Alexander in the first round, and then in front of his friends and family, Hangman defeated Kyle Fletcher in the second. And finally, at Double or Nothing, for a chance at the AEW World Championship, Hangman wrestles who everyone says is the BEST wrestler in the world, Will Ospreay.

The fans cheer, and then here comes Ospreay! Detroit fires up even more as the Aerial Assassin walks to the ring to be face-to-face with the Cowboy. The fans are losing their minds just from these two staring down! There’s also a “Happy Birthday!” chant for Ospreay. Ospreay apologizes for interrupting Hangman’s “therapy session,” but isn’t it a bit strange the amount of promotions they’ve both been part of, and this is the first time they’ve even spoken to one another? Just for Ospreay, it is a pleasure to meet The Hangman. And in that same breath, Ospreay wants to apologize, he sees Hangman’s been through a lot.

Ospreay’s seen it with his own eyes, and he’s seen it through the fans’ eyes. “We have watched your journey, my man. I understand how much this match means to you. I get it. I’ve seen it. We’ve all seen it. One of my favorite moments in wrestling, mate, one of my favorite moments is when you took these misfits known as The Dark Order, and you showed ’em leadership, and you showed ’em what it takes to be a cowboy, bruv.” The fans cheer that! Ospreay says from there, how Hangman rode that support and became THE AEW World Champion, “mate, it was perfect!” The fans also cheer that.

But Ospreay continues, “It’s just, after you lost it, everything changed, didn’t it? I understand. I get it. You’ve had a rough couple o’ years. I spotted something last week. Last week, after you beat Kyle Fletcher, I and these people saw something we ain’t seen from you in a long time. You smiled again.” The fans cheer that, too! Ospreay says we hadn’t seen that from The Cowboy in a long time. And while everyone here, including Ospreay, really wants Hangman to beat those demons and go reclaim his spot as the “main character” of AEW, Ospreay has a problem with that. At Double or Nothing, Ospreay is not losing.

See, while Hangman has been finding himself, he’s been tearing this place apart! Does Ospreay even need to mention Jeff Jarrett, Christopher Daniels, or even one of Ospreay’s best friends, Swerve Strickland? See, Ospreay has been doing all of Hangman’s jobs! Has Hangman been doing media? NOPE, Ospreay’s been doing it! Has Hangman been doing meet ‘n’ greets? NOPE, Ospreay’s been doing it! Has Hangman been taking photos with kids and their families? NOPE, Ospreay’s been doing it! And the best bit of it is, when they ring the bell, Ospreay is the one showing AEW is where the best wrestle! OSPREAY, NOT HANGMAN!

And what? All because Hangman is smiling again, all because Hangman’s found himself, he thinks he can just take that spot back? That don’t mean Cowboy Sh*t to Ospreay, bruv! The fans are torn, but Ospreay says all of this, he understands it is about Hangman’s redemption, but it is far too little and far too late! This is not about Hangman’s redemption, this is about Ospreay’s ascension! Ospreay and Hangman get up in each other’s face, but then The Don Callis Family shows up! With Josh Alexander, Lance Archer, Konosuke Takeshita, Rocky Romero & Trent Beretta at his back, Don Callis has a mic to say, “Y’know, Ospreay…!”

The fans boo a lot but Callis continues with how every day, Ospreay shows us just how stupid he is! The dumbest day of Ospreay’s life was when he left the Don Callis Family! The fans tell Callis off but Callis says just to prove how stupid Ospreay is, does Ospreay even know what is standing in the ring with him? Does he even know what that is next to him!? Callis will tell ya! “That is a violent, mentally unstable sociopath who put his mentor in the retirement home and he can’t walk!” The fans boo, Hangman is riled up but Ospreay has Hangman stand down. The fans again tell Callis off.

Ospreay says he’s already had enough of Callis’ talking! Why not do us a favor, Callis, and bring any two of your guys down to the ring right now so Ospreay and Hangman can- But then Hangman brushes Ospreay’s hand away. Callis says he sees what’s going on here. But y’know what? Hangman and Ospreay can’t even get through a segment together without wanting to kill one another! This is the first good idea Ospreay’s ever had! Callis will take any two members of his family to put against Ospreay & Hangman, so long as Hangman doesn’t have another mental breakdown before next week!

The fans boo more and they tell Callis to STFU. Ospreay and Hangman stare down as the Callis Family leaves, but what hand will be dealt this close to Double or Nothing?

FTR visit commentary…?

Cash Wheeler, Dax Harwood & Stokely Hathaway just walk over, and #BigStoke has the mic to tell Tony Schiavone, “Lemme ask you a question.” The fans boo but Stoke asks Schiavone if he has an issue with FTR. Does Nigel McGuinness have an issue with FTR? Because if Stoke recalls correctly, FTR issued an apology. But week after week after week after week, Schiavone has something negative to say about them, and more importantly, something negative to say about Stokely! The fans boo but Stokely says last Saturday Night Collision, Schiavone said Stoke was a snake in the grass! A snake in the grass…!

But y’know what Schiavone is? He’s a decrepit, pale, pasty piece of- Schiavone stops Stokely there and says that’s enough. The fans cheer for Tony, and Tony stands to ask Stokely & FTR to politely leave. But Stokely SHOVES Schiavone! Schiavone gets back up but FTR stand in the way. Cash tells Tony to relax! He’s so tense! Loosen up a bit. This isn’t even about Schiavone. Daniel Garcia says he wants answers, but why did FTR do what they did to him? He gave them no choice! Garcia made that decision himself. FTR saw themselves as father figures to Garcia, and Garcia turned his back on them!

So like Cash’s father taught him, sometimes you learn lessons the hard way! Tomorrow night, Thursday Night Collision, here in Detroit, Cash promises Garcia that it’ll hurt them a lot more than it will Garcia… emotionally. The fans boo, but Dax smirks as he says, “Tony… Tell Nigel we’ll see him tomorrow night. Top Guys, out.” FTR leave, but will they survive their Collision with Red Death?

Harley Cameron and Anna Jay talk backstage.

The wild Aussie tells the Queenslayer that tonight, Anna goes into battle and comes out with a title match! Don’t think about anything else! Anna says Harley’s had her fat ass’s back out there, and she’ll have her fat ass again tonight, right? With both hands! Harley has the T, Anna has the A! Tenacity and aggression! Uh, yeah, and the other kind. Those, too! So Toni Storm, Thunder Rosa, Penelope Ford, “Who wants to get choked out!?” YEAH! That was definitely the closing line! Giddy-up! Anna hops onto Harley and they head to gorilla! Will Anna prove she’s the Star of the Show? Or will Dynamite still be Timeless?

AEW Women’s World Championship Eliminator Fatal 4 Way: Toni Storm VS Penelope Ford VS Thunder Rosa  VS Anna Jay!

The bell rings and Anna goes right at Ford, still wanting to settle scores from the past few weeks! Rosa and Toni stay back a moment, still allied as ThunderStorm/ThunderTits. Ford and Anna go to the outside, and Anna sends Ford into railing! The fans fire up, and now the friendly rivals tie up. Toni headlocks, Rosa powers up and out, but Toni runs her over! Things keep moving, Rosa ducks ‘n’ dodges to tilt-o-whirl RANA! Rosa DROPKICKS Toni, Ford sends Anna into steel steps, and Rosa runs to DROPKICK Toni against ropes! Cover, TWO! Ford gets in there to whip Rosa, but Rosa dodges, arm-drags, and lateral presses! TWO!

Ford is up but Rosa scoops her for a SLAM! Rosa then rallies the fans, runs the ropes, but Ford avoids the splash Rosa belly flops and Ford runs up to wheelbarrow! Victory roll, but Rosa rolls into the ropes! Ford runs to DROPKICK Rosa! Cover, Anna breaks it! Anna pushes Ford into the ropes, stands her up, and ROCKS her! Anna runs up, avoids the shoulder from Ford, and KNEES her in the ropes! And LEG LARIATS, then HOTSHOT NECKBREAKERS! Anna drags Ford to a cover, Toni breaks it! The fans cheer and Toni fires forearms on Anna! Toni ROCKS Anna, reels her in, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, Ford LOW BLOWS Toni!

The Superbad Girl is naturally the first to use the No Disqualification rules and the fans boo. Toni tumbles out, Ford throws Anna out to join her, and then Ford ASAI MOONSAULTS! Direct hit and the fans fire up, but now Rosa climbs! Ford has Toni & Anna, Rosa SUPER CROSSBODIES onto them all! La Mera Mera wipes out all three weras and the fans are thunderous! Rosa rises again as Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Rosa stomps Anna, drags her up, and SMACKS her off steel steps! Toni stands, she and Rosa call truce, and Rosa drags Ford up while Toni goes for Anna. Ford fires forearms on Rosa, Toni sends Anna into barriers, and Ford CHOPS Rosa. Toni CHOPS Anna! Toni then kicks Ford, CLUBS her down, and Rosa helps out. ThunderStorm mugs Ford, then puts her in the ring. They drag Anna up, scoop for the BACKBREAKER and LEG DROP! Rosa covers but Toni stops her! Toni covers, but Rosa stops her! They argue, Toni kicks low, and then Toni TOSSES Rosa! Toni goes back for Ford, headscissor squeeze!

Ford endures but Rosa returns. Toni apologizes but Rosa grabs her for a headscissor squeeze! Now Toni endures, but Anna is back! Anna grabs Ford’s legs, powers up, and she turns the chain over! Ford endures multiple submissions, but Toni is still stuck between Rosa’s legs! Anna can’t hold on any longer, she lets go and everyone is separated! Anna and Rosa stand to fire forearms while Ford and Toni go to corners. Anna ROCKS Rosa, Rosa ROCKS Anna, and then they both fire up! They both run, and DOUBLE FOREARMS knock them both down! Toni rises, but so does Ford, and now they start trading shots!

Dynamite returns to single picture, the fans cheer Toni and boo Ford. Toni gets the edge and the fans fire up! But Ford takes a swing! Only for Toni to catch her in a GERMAN SUPLEX! Rosa returns to KNEE Toni down! Anna rises but Rosa is on her first! Rosa CHOPS, then whips, but Anna grabs ropes! Anna ELBOWS Rosa back, then BOOTS her! Rosa falls, the fans rally and Anna covers, TWO! Anna snarls, but then Ford yanks Anna down! They brawl on the outside, Anna ROCKS Ford and snap suplexes her to the floor! Anna rises, but she has to duck Rosa’s dropkick! Rosa and Anna brawl outside, and Rosa DDTS Anna to the floor!

The fans fire up and Toni is back. ThunderStorm regroups, but Ford is up top! ARIHARA MOONSAULT!! Ford wipes out the ThunderStorm and the Star, and Detroit cheers because that was legit! Ford puts Anna in, Anna goes away to a corner, and “This is Awesome!” as Ford handsprings in! Anna dodges, then runs up to LEG LARIAT! Toni runs to SPLASH them both! Ford & Anna sit down, Toni keeps moving, and she says kiss this! SWEET HIP MUSIC for two! Then she sets up for Rosa! Rosa runs up, THUNDER IN MOTION DROPKICK! Ford takes the shot, then ThunderStorm reels her in!

Ford fights the suplexes, and here comes Megan Bayne! It was only a matter of time before The Megasus made her presence known. Megan storms into the ring, Rosa runs up, but Megan BOOTS Rosa down! Then she LARIATS Toni! The fans boo as Megan eggs Rosa on. Rosa rises, into the FLYING LARIAT! Megan smirks, but Anna is up! The fans fire up as Anna steps to Megan, but then Megan dodges a shot to fireman’s carry! Anna slips free and fires forearms! The fans fire up, but Ford CLUBS Anna! Anna gest mad and DECKS Ford! But then Megan LARIATS Anna! Megan hauls Anna up, reels her in, and lifts her up, BAYNE BOMB!

BUT HERE COMES HARLEY! And she has a lead pipe! She dodges Megan, LARIATS Megan up and out, abut then Megan drags her out! Harley dodges and JAMS Megan up! And CLUBS her on the back! Harley keeps after Megan with that equalizer and the fans are thunderous! Harley runs Megan off to the back, only for Ford to have Anna in the MUTA LOCK!! But Toni runs up to LOW BLOW Ford in return! The fans fire up as Toni now locks on the T C M!! Ford TAPS, Toni wins!!

Winner: Toni Storm, by submission (denies her opponents a title opportunity)

Toni’s Classic Move gets the job done, and Rosa shows respect with the secret handshake and chest bump. The Timeless AEW Women’s Champion is 12-0, but will she be ready for whoever comes out of Arizona as the Queen of Harts?

CRU appears ringside.

As Dynamite returns from break, Lio Rush & Action Andretti decide they want to watch the show in person.

The Hurt Syndicate is here!

Detroit fires up as Montel Vontavious Porter, Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin make their entrance. The fans sing, “We Hurt~ People!” as MVP & the AEW World Tag Team Champions go to the ring. MVP has the mic and says, “Attention AEW viewing audience. This is an official announcement from the Hurt Syndicate. Standing to my right is the Standard of Excellence, Shelton Benjamin. And to my left is the All Mighty, Bobby Lashley. The Hurt Syndicate are the AEW World Tag Team Champions. But I have a question. This is AEW, right? This is where the best wrestle, right? Well, where are all the best tag teams stepping up to challenge us for the tag team championships?

“Who is gonna take the tag team titles off of these two gentlemen? We like to hurt people, but who’s gonna hurt us? I wanna know! Is there anybody that has what it takes to step up and take the titles from the Hurt-” Wait! Top Flight is here! Darius & Dante Martin have mics, and Darius tells MVP, “Look, look, look, look, look. I’ma be real. Top Flight, we’ve been a little down on our luck lately. Which is exactly why we can’t look at this challenge and not see it as an opportunity. Teams like CRU are afraid to step up because you hurt people.” MVP says, “That’s what we do. Would you like to be next?” CRU talks trash even though they’re several rows back…

Darius says that’s fine, they’ve been hurt before. They get up every single time! MVP respects that. Darius says you’re looking at a team that just won’t die! Hurt Syndicate can try their best. And they know they’re the underdogs. They know no one’s gonna put money on them. But guess what? They have proven before that they can get in the ring with championship caliber teams and hold their own. And Dante knows they can do it again. So Motor City! Y’all wanna see a miracle? The fans are torn, but then MJF CLOBBERS DARIUS! And he DECKS Dante! The fans are torn but the Scumbag is ready to show Lashley how he can hurt people!

MJF rains down fists on Darius, stands him up, and POSTS him! MJF drags Dante up, and Dante’s already a bit busted open. MJF throws hands on Dante to work on that wound, then he storms over and BITES Darius’s face!! The fans chant “We Hurt~ People!” as MJF stands Dante up. MJF tells Lashley to look at the blood! MJF reels Dante in, and hits an APRON POWERBOMB! MJF storms up to the apron, blood staining his tank top, and he steps to Lashley. The fans fire up as MVP hands MJF a mic. “I! HURT! PEOPLE!!” The fans cheer that, but Lashley is stoic. Lashley takes the mic from MJF, then looks to MVP.

The fans again sing, “We Hurt~ People!” Lashley sees what MJF has done, and he smiles. “I’ll have an answer for you next week.” The fans boo, but MJF takes what he can get. Will the All Mighty accept the Devil of AEW into the fold?

The Elite speak.

Nicholas Jackson does not appreciate Excalibur cueing them up, and tells the commentary team to have more enthusiasm when you’re pitching to your Founding Fathers! Matthew says they should all have enthusiasm right now because it is a huge night for The Elite! We have the Rainmaker in singles action! Kazuchika Okada tells Kevin Knight that tonight, Okada makes him a b*tch! And of course, their new trios partner, Ricochet. But Matt has to ask, this match was Ricochet’s idea. Why is Ricochet so eager to team with the #YoungBizzles? Ricochet says he knows The Bucks have a little Swerve problem. And Ricochet has already beaten Swerve twice.

That means Ricochet has Swerve’s number! And Ricochet has already beaten “Speedball” Mike Bailey and Mark Briscoe, and so if they just follow his lead tonight, he promises to take them to victory! The Bucks like the sound of that, and they all fist bump. They tell him they’ll see him out there, and Ricochet says, “See you, Bosses!” Ricochet heads out, The Bucks go to their office, but wait! The Death Riders are there…! Is there something The Bucks can help them with? The Bucks step inside, Marina Shafir closes the door. What business will The Maniac AEW World Heavyweight Champion have with the EVPs?

ROH World Television Championship Mystery Opponent: Nick Wayne w/ The Patriarchy VS ???

Right as The Prodigy is about to take off for Japan and the NJPW Best of the Super Juniors tournament, it would seem the “Sins of the Father” will be visited upon him. Someone from Christian Cage’s past wants after this title, but that’s a long list of enemies. Will Nick be able to pass this new test of his faith? Or will he be flying to Japan with much lighter luggage?

AEW returns and the challenger is revealed: IT’S RHINO!! The fans go wild as the manbeast from Michigan is here! The belt is raised, the bell rings, and Detroit is already fired up as Rhino and Nick circle. The two tie up, Rhino SHOVES Nick down, and the fans fire up! Nick bails out and is already frustrated, but Christian coaches him up. Nick goes back into the ring, circles with Rhino, then dodges. Nick kicks low, throws hands, then runs, but Rhino runs him over! The fans fire up as Rhino whips Nick to a corner. Rhino runs up, Nick BOOTS him, then Nick goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! Nick flexes but the fans boo.

Nick storms up to stomp Rhino in the corner but the ref counts. Nick digs his boots in while the fans rally behind Rhino. The ref has Nick back off, but then Nick clamps on a chinlock. The fans boo but Rhino endures and fights up. The fans rally as Rhino fires body shots, but Nick throws him down by his hair! The ref reprimands but Nick picks out the strands on his fingers. Nick soaks up the heat, then STANDING MOONSAULTS, only to FLOP as Rhino moves! The fans rally and Rhino rises up. Rhino fires haymakers on Nick, then whips and LARIATS Nick down! Nick gets up but Rhino ELBOWS him down!

Rhino whips Nick to a corner, runs in and RAMS him! Then Rhino clinches for a BELLY2BELLY! The fans fire up but Christian is worried. At least, he acts worried. Kip Sabian distracts the ref and Christian goes after Rhino! The fans boo but Rhino avoids being tripped up. Nick runs in, Rhino still hits him with a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Nick survives and Rhino is annoyed but the fans rally up. Rhino goes to a corner, takes aim, and Nick rises up. Rhino runs up but is sent into buckles! Nick then chicken wings, KILLSWITCH! Cover, NICK WINS!

Winner: Nick Wayne, by pinfall (still ROH World Television Champion)

Rhino had to deal with distractions and Nick comes out on top! Christian snatches the belt from the ref to personally hand it to Nick, but not without “explaining” he was doing this for Nick’s own good. The fans call BS, especially as Christian lingers with the belt. Nick asks for it back, Christian just drops it on the floor! Will Nick’s time in NJPW for the BOSJ be much needed time away from his jealous father?

Rush speaks.

El Toro Blanco tells Kevin Knight, “You cost me $100,000, and now you owe me that money! And you will pay with blood! Just remember: When you mess with the bull… you get the horns!” Rush has put Knight on notice, but will Knight focus more on earning a golden ticket to the Continental Championship?

Six Man Tag: Ricochet & The Young Bucks VS Swerve Strickland, Mark Briscoe & “Speedball” Mike Bailey!

Well, if we’re talking about being “robbed” of $100,000, then The One & Only knows what that is like when he lost that big money 8 Man a few weeks ago. Ricochet has since then avenged himself of that loss, much like he has with Swerve’s House. But will Ricochet & The EVPs make tonight #OuttaThisWorld? Or will The Most Dangerous Man help the Sussex County Chicken & Speedball be like Swerve’s new track and go #OuttaControl?

The trios sort out and fans cheer on “Whose House?” as Swerve steps up against Ricochet. Ricochet taunts Swerve and his team that he’s got their numbers, but then Swerve points out how The Bucks seem to be inching away. Ricochet turns around and sees that, and asks what they’re doing! The Bucks say Ricochet’s got this, right? Ricochet argues with them, they push him back, and Swerve DECKS Ricochet! And then DECKS him again! And again, and again! Swerve kicks low, fires more hands in the corner, then stomps away! The fans fire up, Swerve HAMMERS Ricochet, but the ref counts.

Swerve lets off of Ricochet, then fireman’s carries for a SNAKE EYES! Swerve runs and BOOTS Ricochet down! Swerve scares The Bucks off, then goes back for Ricochet. Tag to Briscoe and then Briscoe tags Bailey. The Bucks are warry of them, too, and then Swerve has Bailey hop up onto his shoulders in a Chair Lift. Then Swerve THROWS Bailey at Ricochet to RANA! Briscoe adds a SLIDING LARIAT! Bailey covers, TWO! Ricochet stays in this, but Bailey SLAPS him on his bald head! The fans fire up for that! Bailey drags Ricochet up, whips, but Ricochet reverses. Bailey grabs ropes, Nick runs up, but Bailey DECKS him!

Ricochet runs up but into an ELBOW! Matt grabs Bailey’s foot, Bailey kicks free, but Ricochet CLOBBERS Bailey from behind! The fans boo but Swerve runs in! Ricochet gets Swerve for a JAWBREAKER! Ricochet then whips Swerve into a DOUBLE GAMANGIRI from The Bucks! Briscoe runs up but Ricochet KNEES him! The Bucks coordinate, ALLEY-OOP DROPKICK! The fans boo more but Ricochet & The Bucks set everyone up at the ropes! DOUBLE SLINGSHOT SENTONS from The Bucks to Swerve and Briscoe, Ricochet KNEE-BOARD SENTONS Bailey! Then The One & Only poses with The Bucks while the fans boo.

But uh, Swerve’s team stands up! The Elite turn around, see punches coming and run away! The fans fire up but Ricochet & The Bucks huddle up. They talk strategy, go to the apron, but then The Bucks leave Ricochet alone like before. Bailey BOOTS Ricochet and he falls onto The Bucks! The Bucks scramble up to their feet, as does Ricochet, but Bailey SUPERKICKS Ricochet! Swerve’s team all take aim, DOUBLE PLANCHA for The Bucks while Bailey ASAI MOONSAULTS onto Ricochet! The fans are thunderous for all this high flying, and Swerve’s team keeps after The Elite with punches. Briscoe even BITES Matt’s forehead!

The ref reprimands, Bailey puts Ricochet in the ring and whips him corner to corner hard! Tag to Briscoe and he winds up. “This is Awesome!” as Briscoe REDNECK KUNG-FU UPPERCUTS! Ricochet wobbles, Bailey adds a CANADIAN TAE KWAN DO UPPERCUT! They’re very similar. Then Bailey & Briscoe DOUBLE UPPERCUT Ricochet down! The fans fire up more, and Briscoe brings Ricochet around, only for Ricochet to TOSS Briscoe out! Nick PENALTY KICKS Briscoe! Swerve runs up, but Ricochet sends him into a shoulder RAM from Nick! Nick then hits a slingshot FACEBUSTER! And a cartwheel MOONSAULT onto Briscoe!

Ricochet hits a GERMAN SUPLEX on Swerve! Matt intercepts Bailey, ROCKS him, then drags him out along the ropes! Nick goes up, DRPAING DOUBLE STOMP SLINGSHOT BOMB COMBO!! Nick ESCALARAS onto Swerve! Ricochet springboard 450 SPLASHES onto Bailey!! Detroit can’t help but be fired up for all this, and Dynamite goes picture in picture!

The Bucks & Ricochet soak up cheers and jeers, then they focus on Briscoe. They double whip him corner to corner, and Nick runs up to LARIAT! Matt adds his own LARIAT, and then Ricochet adds another LARIAT! Ricochet snapmares Briscoe so they can TRIPLE BASEMENT DROPKICK! Ricochet winds it up, and then just like last time, The Bucks lend Ricochet their hair for the photo op. It doesn’t really work as well this time, it just gives Ricochet a big runway and two long curtains on the side… The Bucks then go to the corner and Ricochet whips Briscoe in. Briscoe hits buckles hard then slumps down.

Matt tags in and he stands Briscoe up. Briscoe fires body shots and backs Matt down, but Matt scoops to BACKBREAKER! Nick tags in and adds the LEG DROP! Nick taunts Briscoe’s team, Ricochet taunts the fans, and Nick drags Briscoe back up. Nick scrapes his soles off Briscoe’s face, then stalks him to a corner. Nick CHOKES Briscoe with a boot, stops as the ref counts, and then whips Briscoe corner to corner. Nick runs in and SHINING WIZARDS! Briscoe sits down but Nick stands him up to reel him in. Nick suplexes, Briscoe slips free, and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEPS! Both men are down and the fans rally up!

Briscoe and Nick crawl, but then Matt BLASTS Swerve & Bailey! Nick tags Ricochet and Ricochet stomps away on Briscoe! Ricochet soaks up heat, then stalks Briscoe to a corner. Briscoe CHOPS him first! And CHOPS him again! Ricochet CLAWS Briscoe’s eyes! The ref reprimands, Ricochet stops, only for Ricochet to CHOKE Briscoe on the ropes! The ref counts and Ricochet stops again while Dynamite returns to single picture. The fans rally but Ricochet reels Briscoe in. Briscoe fights the lift, so Ricochet CLUBS him and KNEES him for it! Ricochet talks trash, runs the ropes, but Briscoe ducks ‘n’ dodges!

Ricochet BACKDROPS Briscoe on return but Briscoe lands on his feet! Briscoe reaches out but Ricochet waistlocks! Briscoe breaks free and PELES Ricochet! The fans fire up as Ricochet falls! Both men crawl, hot tags to Bailey and Matt! Detroit fires up as Speedball BOOTS Matt and fires LIGHTNING KICKS on Nick! ENZIGIRI sends Nick down, then a SOBAT rocks Matt! AX KICK and BUZZSAW! The fans fire up as Bailey takes aim, STANDING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO! Matt stays in this but Bailey stays fired up! Bailey brings Matt up, hits a FALCON ARROW into the drop zone, then he goes up the corner!

Nick hurries over to anchor Bailey but Bailey BOOTS him away! Matt bails out, so Bailey FLYING RANAS Nick onto Matt! The fans fire up as The Bucks both fall down! Bailey puts Matt back in, hurries back up, and the fans cheer “A E DUB!” for making this match happen! Bailey is up top, and he ULTIMATE- NO, he has to bail out as Matt moves! Bailey turns around as Matt runs in, but into a SPANISH FLY! Cover, Ricochet breaks it! The fans boo but Swerve storms in! Ricochet ROCKS Swerve, but Swerve BOOTS Ricochet! Both men block a boot, then they see Briscoe and Nick running in! Both men let the other go so they can each go Matrix!

Swerve and Ricochet each kip up, Ricochet CHOPS Briscoe while Swerve BOOTS Nick! Then Ricochet dodges Swerve to DOUBLE STOMP! Briscoe clinches for an EXPLODER! Then he gives Nick an EXPLODER! The fans fire up but Matt feints the superkick to DDT! But Bailey is up top again, and he MISSILE DROPKICKS Matt! Ricochet STANDING SHOOTING STARS Bailey! But a HOUSE CALL connects on Ricochet! Nick gives Swerve a DESTROYER!! Only for Swerve to go Super Saiyan! HOUSE CALL!! All six men are down and Detroit is electric! Everyone else bails out except Bailey, and he crawls his way to the corner!

The Bucks hurry and they anchor Bailey! Nick then BLASTS Swerve! The Bucks aim at Bailey, but Bailey HEEL KICKS the Superkicks away!! Nick blocks Bailey’s kick, but then Bailey blocks Matt’s kick! Bailey hands Matt’s foot to Nick, Matt goes Matrix to avoid Bailey’s kick! Bailey BOOTS Nick! Then he dodges Matt, hot tag to Swerve! Swerve LARIATS Matt! And UPPERCUTS Nick! Roll and UP KICK for Matt! Then another UPPERCUT for Nick! Swerve snapmares Nick and goes up, FALLING UPPERCUT! Hit that Griddy! Ricochet runs up but Swerve TOSSES him out! More Griddy! HIP TOSS for Matt, then a gator roll!

Swerve suplexes but Nick makes the save! The Bucks reel Swerve in, but Swerve DOUBLE SUPLEXES! Ricochet FLYING- NO! Swerve stops the rana to pop and POWERSLAM! The fans are electric as the Most Dangerous Man stands tall! And he blocks Matt’s superkick to slip around and BACKBREAKER! Briscoe is back, Swerve feeds Matt to his fireman’s carry! ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Briscoe then whips Bailey in, PENALTY KICK! And MOONSAULT KNEE DROP! Briscoe goes up while Bailey WRECKS Ricochet with a dropkick! FROGGY-BOW for Matt!! Cover, NICK BREAKS IT! Briscoe CHOPS and TOSSES Nick, then goes to the apron!

Swerve goes up, Briscoe says BANG BANG, but Ricochet anchors Swerve’s foot! Swerve hops down to DECK Ricochet, and then Briscoe adjusts to BLOCKBUSTER Nick! Bailey GOLDEN TRIANGLE MOONSAULTS Ricochet! Swerve jumps in but Matt catches him to a cradle!! ELITE WINS!!

Winners: Ricochet & The Young Bucks, by pinfall

Swerve is as shocked as anyone! After all the chaos, it was a technical move that ends this! Ricochet brags that he still has Swerve’s number! Will nothing stop The One & Only from being as elite as The Elite? The, THE Elite?

Backstage interview with Will Ospreay.

Renee Paquette is now with The Aerial Assassin to bring up the tag match of Ospreay & Hangman VS Don Callis Family. We saw how tense it was out there earlier tonight, and they’re so close to the Owen Hart Cup finals at Double or Nothing. How will this shake out next week? Ospreay hopes to God that- MJF interrupts… MJF asks “Billy Boy” how he’s doing, but then says it doesn’t matter, he doesn’t really care. MJF just wants to do a shameless plug real quick: Go to ShopAEW.com to get yourself a beautiful replica Dynamite Diamond Ring today! Make him richer while you get poorer! Ospreay asks what MJF even wants.

MJF says, “What I want? Will, what is up with all this hostility, my man? I’m a fan. I came over here simply to tell you I hope you win this whole entire Owen Hart Cup tournament. Truly. And do you wanna know why? I know you’re a little bit slow, so I’ll explain the whole thought process to ya. I want you to go to All In: Texas, and I want you to win my AEW World Championship. So that way, when I wrestle you, I’m gonna get another easy dub. Taking the belt off you will be like taking candy from a lil’ Bri’ish baby.” Ospreay says, “Aww. That’s adorable, mate. Thank you so much. But if it was gonna be that easy, why weren’t you in the Owen Hart Tournament?”

Ospreay says MJF can work hard, right? And he could’ve easily talked with Tony Khan. MJF is in TK’s pocket, right? Oh, right, it’s maybe because there’s some little bit of fear that stepping into the ring with Ospreay again will go down like it did last time: Ospreay picking MJF up, dumping him on his head, and losing power in his arms. MJF chuckles and says okay. Understand something. Ospreay is clearly the reason there are instructions on shampoo bottles. MJF will explain this: MJF hopes they do wrestle again. Because if they do, Ospreay finds out yet again that ain’t nobody on the level of the Devil!

MJF turns to leave, but Ospreay yanks him back in! Ospreay says that’s where MJF is wrong. Ospreay IS on that level, because he is on another level! The Assassin puts the Scumbag on notice, then apologizes to Renee. Will we see MJF and Ospreay go another round somewhere down the line? Or will Hangman throw a wrench into both of their plans?

Sit-down interview with Jamie Hayter.

Dynamite returns as Renee is now with one half of the Women’s Owen Hart Cup Finals. Renee says we’re just two-and-a-half weeks away from Double or Nothing, Hayter VS Mone in that tournament finals. The winner then goes on to All In: Texas for a shot at the AEW Women’s World Championship. Renee wants Hayter talk about what this opportunity means to her. Hayter says what this means to her surely means more than what it does to Mercedes, that’s for true. Mone was talking with Renee last week about “Scooby-Doo characters” and her legacy. Pfft! Utter nonsense. Hayter will be damned if Owen Hart’s legacy is represented by Mercedes Mone.

Mone is virtually the antithesis of what Owen stood for! Hayter doesn’t even care about all that, though, because she wants to get to know the real Mercedes Mone. The woman behind the hype. Not the catchphrases, not the brand, not the cheap, egotistical, obnoxious woman that we know today. Renee says regardless of personal feels for Mone, there is no denying what Mone has accomplished throughout her career. Renee notes her talk last week, Mone said Hayter reminded her a lot of Mone. Hayter stifles a laugh and says that’s an insult. They’re not anything alike! Hayter doesn’t claim to be the best or worst, she’s not claiming to be this or that.

Hayter simply reciprocates actions and energy. Mone runs away like she owes Hayter money! Hayter doesn’t have Mone’s resumé, her accolades, her match catalogue or her “star power.” But what Hayter has is integrity, grit, truth, and more of a reason to hurt Mone! This isn’t even about gold or glory now. This is about showing Mone that she is NOT untouchable. Mone cannot just walk around here, do what she wants, say what she wants, like she’s the second coming. Renee does bring up Hayter’s time away with her back injury. Hayter says there’s no need to talk about that. It is irrelevant. She is fine, good to go.

The point is, Mone is looking past Hayter, and that is fine. But then Mone rushes in and attacks! Hayter is ready, and Hayter chases Mone down the hall! So far, it’s going how Hayter said! But will it be that easy for Hayter to punch her ticket to Texas? Or will The CEO find a way to get ahead?

Wait, wait, wait, they’re coming out to ringside! They’re brawling in the special box seats! Hayter CHOKES Mone, but Mone slips away, and safely to the floor! Mone keeps running, Hayter pursues, and they brawl again! Mone still tries to flee, and she KICKS Hayter away! Mone goes to the stage, Hayter pursues, and then Hayter blocks a haymaker! Mone dodges the Hayterade and runs away into the night! Hayter says there she goes, running away again. Hayter stands by the cup, but Mone returns to CLOBBER her! The fans boo as Mone puts on the STATEMENT MAKER!! Mone shouts Hayter will NEVER have what she has!!

Refs rush out here to stop Mone, but Mone only stops once she’s pulled Hayter way back! The fans boo as The CEO now stands by the cup. Will nothing stop the Money Train from railroading Hayter?

Backstage interview with Willow Nightingale.

Alicia Atout is with the Babe with the Power and says the last few months for her have been really busy. It includes some great success, even in Japan. But here in AEW, it seems Willow still has a lot to settle with the Death Riders. Willow says yeah, she does. And luckily, she isn’t alone. The list of people who wanna end the Death Riders just keeps getting longer and longer, and Willow can appreciate that. But she also wants to be the first one to just shove her fist into Marina’s face! A hand reaches out, Willow gets spooked, but it’s Kris Statlander! Kris tells Willow that if Willow doesn’t wanna talk in the back, then they’ll have to have it out on camera.

Willow says she doesn’t think there’s anything that needs to be said. She heard Kris, she gets where Kris is at, and she gets Kris was sorry. So like, what? Kris is now disappointed she lost in The Owen? Last year, Willow could’ve won The Owen, and it’s all because of Kris. Kris doesn’t want Willow going there, but Willow says this conversation is over anyway. Kris goes to leave but then Willow reconsiders. She says if Kris wants to meet in the middle of the ring… Then how about tomorrow night, Thursday Night Collision, here in Detroit, Willow knows a whole bunch of sickos would love to see it! So what does Kris say?

Willow offers a handshake, Kris accepts the handshake, and Kris says if there’s nothing more to be said, then see her there. Kris does leave, and Willow smiles. Will these former besties get out all the tension between them when they go 1v1 on Collision?

AEW Continental Championship Eliminator: Kazuchika Okada VS Kevin Knight!

The Rainmaker told The Jet that he’s going to humble him, but jets are know to still fly through the rain. Will Okada cross another name off the list of contenders? Or will Kevin be feeling #2Flyy as he also prepares for Best of the Super Juniors?

Wait, Rush attacks Knight during his entrance! The fans boo but El Toro Blanco is making good on his warning! Dralistico is also here so La Faccion Ingobernable mugs Dralistico! Security rushes out, Dralistico fires hands on them, and Rush stands Knight up. Rush tells Knight that he said he’d pay! Knight is sent into the steel steps! And then into railing! And then railing again! Security steps in but Rush still CHOKES Knight! But Bailey rushes out here to SUPERKICK Dralistico! Bailey dares Rush to fight him now but Rush shoves Knight down. Rush tells Bailey he’ll be next. LFI falls back, but what about Knight’s opportunity with Okada?

Okada is nonchalant about all this as Knight says no, he doesn’t want to give this up. Bailey helps Knight with his jacket, and Knight manages to roll into the ring, so the match IS on. But now Bailey has to leave ringside per Continental Rules, so he wishes his friend good luck. The bell rings, and Okada runs up to ELBOW Knight! Okada kicks Knight low and hits a DDT! Cover, TWO! Knight is still in this and the fans fire up! Okada is amused, and he drags Knight up to Alabama Lift. Knight sunset flips through, TWO! Okada and Knight stand up and Knight fires a forearm! But Okada DECKS Knight!

Okada whips Knight to ropes, and then FLAPJACKS! Cover, TWO! Knight stays in this and now Okada’s annoyed. Knight goes to a corner but Okada storms up on him. The fans duel as Okada kicks at Knight. Okada drags Knight up, gut wrenches, but Knight fights free! Knight ROCKS Okada with forearm after forearm! Knight UPPERCUTS, the fans fire up, and both men go to corners. Knight runs in but Okada puts him up top! Okada DROPKICKS Knight down to the apron and then Knight falls to the floor! Knight writhes and Okada just waits inside while Dynamite goes picture in picture.

The ref checks Knight but Knight refuses to let this stop the match. Okada goes out after Knight, brings him up, and RAMS him into the railing! Okada laughs at the fans, especially a little girl in the second row. Okada drags Knight up, RAMS him into the railing again, and then laughs at the little girl again! The little girl gets upset and hides behind her mom while Okada goes back to the ring. Okada waits as the ring count climbs. Knight crawls towards ringside at 5 of 10, drags himself up at 7, and rolls in at 8. Okada is right on Knight with a turn and NECKBREAKER! Okada lets Knight writhe a bit before standing over him.

Okada SLAPS Knight! Knight glares up at Okada, but Okada SLAPS him again! Knight rises, Okada SLAPS him again! Knight comes back to CHOP Okada! Okada brushes that off, so Knight CHOPS again! Knight fires a forearm, Okada fires back, and Knight wobbles! Okada ROCKS Knight and puts him in a corner. Okada digs his boot into Knight’s neck, and practically pushes him out of the ring! The ref reprimands but Okada backs off. Knight sputters on the apron, Okada goes back to bring him in, but Knight fires body shots! Okada UPPERCUTS Knight and Knight falls back down! Okada stands Knight up to whip corner to corner.

Knight goes up, up, and FLYING LARIATS! Both men are down and Dynamite returns to single picture. The fans rally for both men as they rise, and Knight roars! Knight runs and SPLASHES Okada in a corner! Knight stomps and UPPERCUTS on repeat! Then Knight stomps a mudhole into Okada! The ref counts, then backs Knight down. The fans boo, but Okada pokes Knight in the eyes! The fans boo more, but Okada whips Knight. Knight reverses to SKY2HIGH! Cover, TWO!! Okada survives and Knight is frustrated. The fans rally, Knight rises again while Okada goes to a corner. Knight runs in, but Okada BOOTS him!

Okada goes up, but Knight jumps up to the UPPER ROOM! The fans fire up as Knight somersaults and UFO SPLASHES! Cover, TWO! Okada stays in this, proof of his championship caliber toughness. But Knight roars, runs up, only for Okada to fight the Satellite DDT into a REVERSE NECKBREAKER! Okada drags Knight up, scoops and SLAMS, then he goes to the corner! Standard formula says MACHO ELBOW! The fans fire up as Okada stands, and Okada winds up the… MIDDLE FINGER~! The fans are torn, and Okada oddly censors his own middle finger for some of the fans. Okada drags Knight up, ripcords, but Knight reels him in for a cradle! TWO!!

Okada is up, Knight has him for a backslide! TWO! Okada is back up, he spins Knight, but Knight hurdles the lariat! Then Knight PELES! Okada falls and the fans fire up again! Knight hurries to a corner and he climbs up! MOTHERSHIP SPLASH onto knees!! Knight sputters as Okada saves himself! Okada grits his teeth, drags Knight up to whip, but Knight avoids the dropkick! Knight runs, but Okada BOOTS him! Both men roar and the fans fire up! Okada UPPERCUTS, whips, but Knight reverses and DROPKICKS! Both men are down again, but Knight still rises! The fans are thunderous as Knight goes to the corner!

Knight springboards in, but into an ANTIAIR DROPKICK!! Ripcord and RAINMAKER!!! Cover, Okada wins!

Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall (denies Knight a title match)

Give the assist to Rush, but The Rainmaker still gets the job done. Wait, now he drags Knight up for another RAINMAKER!!! The fans boo as Okada shows no mercy! RAINMAKER again!!! And then another ripcord, but Knight falls! And then here comes Bailey! Speedball runs Okada off, but Okada still has a smug smile. Knight has to catch a flight to Japan, but will Bailey make sure Okada pays for his arrogance?

The Don Callis Family speaks.

Don Callis himself says, “The Outrunners tried to challenge RPG Vice? Who do you two idiots think you are? Y’know, I was wrestling in the ’80s, I knew a lot of dirtbags like you! So why don’t you get yourselves a couple of other stupid idiots to be your partner, and you can take on the Don Callis Family, and I will kick your ass all the way back to Tennessee like it’s 1983!!” Wait, did he say he will? Well, will Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd find someone willing to take on

BREAKING NEWS for Collision!

It has been decided that Dax Harwood will take on Daniel Garcia in response to his challenge last week. Will Dax the Ax make good on FTR’s word to make this one hurt? Plus, after the confrontation we saw between them, Bailey will take on Dralistico as payback for what LFI did to Knight! Will Speedball strike out the Prince of Silver? And speaking of baseball terminology, the 5 Tool Player is about to throw some heaters at “Big Shotty” Lee Johnson for stepping to the plate last week. Will Bowens make sure to #MollyWhopp Lee back to the dugout?

BREAKING NEWS for Beach Break!

The Don Callis Family has decided: Konosuke Takeshita & Josh Alexander will take on Hangman Page & Will Ospreay! Can Cowboy and Assassin coexist? Or will the Owen Hart Cup Finalists fall to The Alpha & The Walking Weapon?

Backstage interview with The Hurt Syndicate.

Alicia catches MVP, Lashley & Shelton on their way out, and brings up Lashley telling everyone that we have to wait until next week to find out if MJF is officially getting the thumbs up. Can’t he just let us know now where things stand now? Lashley says he is very protective of the Syndicate, but apparent legal counsel advises him to say no more. The answer will be made public next week. MVP introduces longtime legal counsel to the Hurt Syndicate, Harrison Landow. And well, when he speaks, they listen. See you next week. The Syndicate heads out, but will MJF’s attack on Top Flight have been in vain?

Samoa Joe VS Claudio Castagnoli!

The Samoan Submission Specialist and The Opps have been putting The Death Riders on the defensive, and Joe himself has accused Jon Moxley of no longer having the guts to fight a real fight. Moxley took offense to that remark last week, but he will still let his Swiss Cyborg handle things first. Will Claudio soften Joe up for Moxley and that Steel Cage title match? Or will Joe prove it is the Death Riders who are soft?

The fans already sing, “Joe is gonna kill~ you!” but Claudio takes his time entering the ring. The bell sounds, the fans rally up, and the two circle. They tie up, go around, and Joe powers Claudio back. Claudio turns things around to put Joe in the corner, then he grinds his forearms in. The ref counts, but he has to get in there to back Claudio off. Claudio eggs Joe on, the two circle, and they feel things out. They tie up, Joe powers Claudio back, and they end up on the ropes. They go around, end up in a corner again, with Joe in control. The ref counts, he backs Joe off, but Claudio throat chops! The ref reprimands and fans boo but Claudio goes after Joe!

Claudio fires fast hands from all sides and the ref counts. Claudio UPPERCUTS again and again until the ref reaches 4. The ref backs Claudio off, but Claudio jukes him, only for Joe to dodge Claudio! COQUINA CLUTCH!! Joe has Claudio by the head, but Claudio steps through the ropes! The ref counts, Joe lets go at 4, but then Joe LARIATS Claudio down! Joe goes out to then whip Claudio into barriers! Joe storms up, whips him again, and Claudio hits railing hard! The fans fire up and Joe SMACKS Claudio off the top of barriers! Joe CHOPS Claudio, refreshes the ring count, but Claudio scoops to SNAKE EYES off the barriers!

Joe sputters and falls while fans boo, but Claudio RAMS Joe into barriers! Claudio UPPERCUTS Joe, then gets space. Claudio runs back in, but into the URENAGE to the floor! The fans fire up while Claudio writhes. Joe aims at Claudio, runs in and BOOTS Claudio! The fans fire up and Joe brings Claudio into the ring. Joe stalks Claudio but Claudio goes to the apron. Claudio then RAMS into Joe, RAMS him again, and UPPERCUTS! Claudio JABS, CHOPS, and JABS again! Claudio CHOSP, but now Joe is getting mad! The fans rally as Claudio UPPERCUTS and CHOPS, but Joe CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS!

The fans “WOO~” with every CHOP, then Joe whips corner to corner. Joe runs up and ELBOWS! And PELES! Claudio sits down, the fans fire up, and Joe snarls. Joe has Detroit behind him as he hoists Claudio up top. Joe CHOPS again, then tucks Claudio in! Claudio fights that by CLAWING Joe’s eyes! The ref reprimands, Claudio stops, but then Claudio jumps down to HOTSHOT Joe’s arm! Joe falls back, Claudio hurries in, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Claudio stomps Joe down, then paces around. Claudio HIP DROPS Joe, then clamps on a chinlock stretch! Joe endures, even as Claudio pulls on the hold. Joe fights to his feet, but Claudio wrangles him back down! Claudio grinds Joe down with the side headlock, then adds an arm for a straitjacket! Joe endures, fights up, and HEADBUTTS free! Joe ROCKS Claudio, CHOPS him, then runs, only for Claudio to BOOT him down! Claudio goes to a corner, goes along the ropes, and then SPRINGBOARD ELBOW DROPS! Cover, TWO! Joe survives and Claudio is furious, but the ref defends the count.

Claudio pushes Joe back down, runs and DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Claudio is frustrated but this is why Joe is a former AEW World Champion, and why he dethroned the Death Riders as AEW World Trios Champions. Claudio drags Joe back around to DOUBLE STOMP! And DOUBLE STOMP! And DOUBLE STOMP again! Claudio then clamps on with a COBRA CLUTCH! Joe endures and the fans rally up. Joe stands, but Claudio fires knees down low! Joe drops to his knees and Claudio squeezes tighter! Joe still endures but Claudio grinds him down to the mat! The ref checks but Joe is still in this.

Joe rises up, Claudio wrangles him again, but he also smothers Joe! The ref reprimands, Claudio lets go and “apologizes,” mockingly asking for clarification on what was wrong. Claudio then clamps back on with the Cobra Clutch as Dynamite returns to single picture. The fans chant at Claudio, “You Suck!” Joe fights up but Claudio throws knees! Claudio goes back to the Cobra Clutch and thrashes Joe around! Joe endures, the fans rally, and Joe fires hands! But Claudio fires more knees! Claudio runs, but into a SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Joe whips Claudio to a corner, then reels him in for an atomic drop!

Joe runs to BOOT Claudio down, then SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Claudio stays in this but Joe stays focused. The fans rally behind Joe and he brings Claudio up. Joe fireman’s carries but Claudio slips free, and he shoves Joe at the ref! Joe stops short, but then Claudio pokes Joe in the eyes again! Claudio runs, runs, and runs to LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Joe survives and Claudio grows frustrated. Claudio drags Joe up, reels him in, but Joe BACKDROPS free! Claudio lands on his feet! Claudio dodges Joe, springboards and FLYING UPPERCUTS! Claudio snarls while fans are torn, and Claudio calls for it! Claudio grabs the legs, but Joe kicks free!

Claudio staggers, Joe turns him around and reels him in by his tights! COQUINA CLUTCH!!! CLAUDIO TAPS, JOE WINS!!

Winner: Samoa Joe, by submission

The Swiss Cyborg got caught, but here comes reinforcements! Joe dares the Death Riders to make a move, so Wheeler Yuta jumps the barriers! Marina and Moxley follow, they’re flanking the ring! But WILL HOBBS is here! And the Powerhouse is armed with a chair! The fans fire up as The Opps have the numbers and the “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” Moxley backs away, but Hobbs tells him, “Watch this!” Claudio stands up, into a CHAIR SHOT! Claudio falls and the fans want “One More Time!” Joe says okay, and Hobbs SMACKS Claudio again! Moxley seethes but he is still standing at the barriers.

Joe sets the chair down, drags Claudio over, and Joe gives Moxley one more chance to do something. Moxley doesn’t move, so Joe hits a FULL METAL GOURD BUSTER!! Joe avenges Hook and Shibata, but will Joe save all of AEW from Moxley’s reign of terror? Or will The Maniac find a way to survive Beach Break in the Windy City?

My Thoughts:

A great episode of Dynamite here, but not without odd choices. CRU continue to be chihuahuas barking at bigger dogs, and then oddly enough, Top Flight kinda do the same thinking they’ll get at Hurt Syndicate for the titles. MJF going after them to “hurt people” made for a fitting move in that moment, but then Lashley making us wait and them bringing in some lawyer for the Syndicate is disappointing. Are they really dragging this out for Double or Nothing? Why not give us the “moment of truth” tonight, then next week has some sort of official “swearing in,” and then we get shenanigans that give us a Double or Nothing match. I feel like TK’s sense of pacing continues to be a problem…

Good promo from FTR and Stokely to call out Schiavone & Nigel as well as Garcia, and Dax VS Garcia will be great stuff. I still sense Adam Copeland returns to join Garcia and settle things with FTR. Good promo from Willow to call out Marina and the Death Riders, and I like the segue back into the Willow-Kris story. They’ll have a great match tomorrow, but I don’t know what’ll happen with it if Willow is to also still feud with Marina. Unless newly released Shayna Baszler shows up to team with Marina, Kris & Willow getting on the same page doesn’t seem likely. Side note, Shayna and Marina should be part of the ROH Women’s Pure Championship tournament.

Great promo from Hangman and Ospreay to open the show, looking back on continuity and even getting a bit meta with the “main character of AEW” stuff thrown around. But of course The Don Callis Family wants after them and all their other enemies. Konosuke & Alexander VS Ospreay & Hangman will be awesome stuff for next week, but I feel like Alexander takes the loss so Ospreay and Hangman both head for Double or Nothing with momentum. Then with Roppongi Vice and I assume Lance Archer facing The Outrunners, I feel like my idea of Brody King teaming with Truth & Turbo is going to become a reality. It just makes sense given Brody had that brawl with Archer last week.

Great promo from Harley and Anna before the Fatal 4, and then a great Fatal 4 match. Ford was a touch off on those pinfall breaks but that was a minor thing. Naturally, Megan got involved, which cued Harley to do the same, and clearly we’ll get Megan & Ford VS Harley & Anna in a great tag match. Toni winning out is fine, but it just seems odd they did this at all. I still hope Athena steps up so we can have Champion VS Champion at Double or Nothing to go double or nothing on titles. And then with how Hayter VS Mone is going, there’s still a chance we can go all in at All In with Mone putting up at least the TBS title against both the AEW & ROH Women’s titles.

But given the great interview promo from Hayter and the obvious ambush from Mone, there’s also still a chance Hayter VS Storm happens as a rematch from long ago. Then Mone and Athena can still go title for title in Texas as TBS Championship VS ROH Women’s World Championship. Very good stuff with that open challenge for the ROH World TV title, and it was great for Rhino to be in his hometown. But naturally, whoever was showing up would be cheated out of the win. Nick Wayne is going to bring that title with him to Japan, I just wonder if he’s bringing The Patriarchy with him. At the very least, Christian should keep AEW viewers up to date with every little win or loss Nick has in the BOSJ like the overbearing and jealous father he is.

Great promo from The Elite & Ricochet to hype up their matches, and what an intriguing move to have The Death Riders meet The Bucks in their office. Though, they didn’t light the scene very well, I only knew it was The Death Riders from Claudio’s bald head and white shirt. And then of course when it was Marina closing the door. But we got an awesome Six Man Tag of Ricochet & Bucks VS Swerve, Briscoe & Bailey. Rather surprising win for the Heels but I suppose that ups the animosity between The Elite and Swerve. Also, good promo from Rush followed by a pretty good ambush on Knight. Okada VS Knight was a great match but I figured Okada would win. Bailey is clearly going to get an eliminator next, and that’ll be awesome, too.

And of course, a great main event of Joe VS Claudio. Great win for Joe, and naturally the Death Riders would rush out there. Great counter with Hobbs showing up, and it works that The Opps “take out” Claudio. With Pac out from an actual injury and then Hook and Shibata kayfabe sidelined from what Death Riders did to them, things are a bit more even now. But even then, Yuta & Marina can still interfere, Hobbs & Willow can still counter, only for Moxley to still somehow win against Joe because I don’t think Beach Break is where a title change this big is going to happen. It still feels like Double or Nothing gives us Anarchy in the Arena 2025, Death Riders making a deal with The Elite to take on The Opps, Swerve, and Kenny Omega, who was conspicuous by his absence tonight.

My Score: 8.8/10