Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Press Event Coverage! (2/8/24)
Place your bets! Place your bets!
WWE says Viva Las Vegas!
To set the stage for WrestleMania 40, WWE is going XL! It’s a huge press event in Las Vegas to officially declare the Universal Championship match!
The WrestleMania XL Kickoff begins!
On the road to the BIGGEST WrestleMania of all time, WWE enters the T-Mobile Arena, with Michael Cole, Pat McAfee, Big E Langston and CM Punk as our hosts! Pat is excited to stand alongside the handsome Big E and the legendary Punk as a major decision will be made, a decision that will be talked about until the end of time! Big E says he’s here so Punk doesn’t get fined. And The Voice of the Voiceless, arm in a heavy brace, has the fans chanting for him as he says it helps his heart to be here. And to be here with Cole and the “Cole Miners” is great, too.
Before getting to business, how is Big E’s neck? Oh he’s doing good. He loves everyone for checking in and sending the love. And Punk, how are the triceps? Well, this sucks, for one. He is one week out from surgery and yet he’s not 100%, he’s a little disappointed in himself. He is heartbroken he won’t be competing at WrestleMania, but don’t worry, he’ll still piss a lot of people off because his mouth and brain still work. Cole brings up Pat having The Rock on the Pat McAfee Show today, which fans boo, but others chant for “Rocky! Rocky!” Pat says The Rock brought the WWE to new heights and has a massive legacy.
Fans duel, “We Want Cody!” “No We Don’t!” Pat says there’s the fans who have respect for the American Nightmare, who wants to finish the story as he has rightfully earned. Of course, The Rock called many of those fans, “Cody Crybabies.” Cole brings up Punk how he had a similar situation happen, and Punk says, yeah, where were all these fans in 2013? But what then should happen in Punk’s opinion? Punk thinks that the Road to WrestleMania will be really spicy. If everyone plays their cards right, and he’s talking about Cody, about Roman, and even about Seth Rollins and The Rock, we could be in for a hell of a roller coaster.
But what needs to happen from all these guys is chips on shoulders. From an NFL perspective, which Pat should get, there are a lot of Quarterbacks, Tom Brady got in the Super Bowl after those other guys carried the team into the championship. If Punk is that other guy, he’s not happy about it, but he also understands how it goes. He understands the box office, but also about making a name for yourselves. Cody and Rollins are in such a position to truly make a name for themselves, but especially Cody.
Cole then turns to Big E, who also had to fight to get to the top. That is what Cody is also trying to do, so where does Big E see this? Big E says he is here to “beat the drum for Cody.” Cody is someone who has a special connection with the fans, who does the Make A Wishes, and really relates to people authentically. Big E saw how Cody reached out to the Huber family after Brodie Lee/Luke Harper past. That connection is what you want out of your top guy, who will carry this show every week and even go to the live events. Big E knows pro-wrestling isn’t a pure meritocracy, it’s just not how it works. BUT what Cody has done in and out of the ring is proof he is the guy to carry WWE forward.
Michael Cole sends it backstage.
Jackie Redmond confirms The Rock is here, making the rounds, including that “feisty” appearance on Pat McAfee’s show. The Rock says tonight will be historic and it will cement his Road to WrestleMania.
Byron Saxton is with Paul Heyman, and asks The Wise Man what Roman Reigns’ mood is, given he has to prepare for WrestleMania and his face-to-face with- Heyman cuts Byron off to repeat, “Mood? Mood?! Oh, he’s honored to be here since you’re in The Bloodline locker room, Byron. Thank you so much. It has made his mood so much better to come to Vegas just to see you. Did that answer your question about his mood? Here’s the mood in the Bloodline locker room, ladies and gentlemen. The mood in the Bloodline locker room is no different than it has been for three and a half years.
“We look out at the outside world, and what do we hear? We Want Cody! We Want Cody! And then we also hear everybody chanting, we also hear everybody cheering, we also see all the love for the biggest movie star in history, The Rock. And for once it’s not about Cody, everybody wants to talk about The Rock. But do you know what everybody’s really talking about? Which one of them gets to main-event WrestleMania with Roman… Reigns! That’s what this is all about. That’s what the hype is about. That’s what the controversy is about. That’s what the discussion is about.
“Who gets to fight the Tribal Chief? Who gets to share the spotlight with the Head of the Table? Who gets to step into the ring with the reigning, defending, undisputed WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion? Who gets to main event WrestleMania? And until someone beats Roman Reigns, that’s where the main event of WrestleMania will remain to be.” Heyman grins, then tells Byron that is Roman’s mood. The Wise Man storms off, and mockingly asks Roman his mood since Byron wants to know! Heyman said what he said, but will that “mood” change before the end here?
We return to the panel.
Michael Cole brings up that Seth Rollins wants to face Cody Rhodes, so a quick check: who does everyone think Roman wants to face? Pat says Roman should want The Rock so that we can all finally see who the TRUE Head of the Table is, because that is a story that’s been going on their entire lives. Big E agrees with that. The Rock is a global superstar, there’s the family connection, and as much as Big E wants Cody to #FinishTheStory, Roman surely wants The Rock. Punk understands box office, so Roman wants The Rock. But The Rock didn’t eliminate CM Punk from the Royal Rumble, Cody Rhodes did.
Punk feels this is really more who Roman doesn’t want, and he doesn’t want Cody. Cole says we all saw WrestleMania last year, and Cole says we’ll get more opinions later, but BREAKING NEWS! WWE Speed comes to Twitter/X! Matches with a five minute time limit, starting in Spring 2024! It’ll be a fast-paced new format featuring fresh match-ups, make sure to tune in!
Cole then welcomes the WWE Chief Content Officer, The Game, Triple H, Paul Levesque! The fans fire up as HHH walks out on stage, mic in hand. HHH says, “In 1985, in a sold-out Madison Square Garden, a tag team match took place between ‘Mr. Wonderful,’ Paul Orndoff and his partner, ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper. They would take on the team of Mr. T and ‘The Immortal’ Hulk Hogan. That night was so big, anybody that was anybody had to be there. It drew pop culture icons and celebrities from all over the globe. Muhammad Ali was a special guest referee. Cindy Lauper was there, Liberace was there, the Rockettes, everybody was there.
“And it was named… WrestleMania.” The fans cheer that! Now, WrestleMania would launch the WWE from a small regional promotion to a global juggernaut that you see today, selling out stadiums all over the globe. In those 40 years since then, a lot would change. WWE would see the cable TV boom, closed circuit TV, and pioneer the PPV industry as well as internet streaming and direct-to-consumer content with the WWE Network. And just recently, it would announce a deal with Netflix for over five BILLION dollars!
Along the way, it’d create global superstars, icons known the world over: Hulk Hogan; Randy Savage; Andre the Giant; Ric Flair; Bret Hart; Shawn Michaels; Stone Cold Steve Austin; The Rock; The Undertaker; Mick Foley; Batista; John Cena. The list goes on and on! Those people would catapult the WWE to where it is today. But on April 6th and 7th in Philadelphia, HHH vows the WWE will take it to a whole new level. It is a new era, and it is an all-new WWE! HHH promises us this: “You ain’t seen nothing yet.” Fans like the sound of that! “So Las Vegas…” The fans already know what’s coming!
“ARE… YOU… READY…?! You better be, because right now, we start the Road to WrestleMania 40!” The Game heads out and the fans fire up, and then Cole & Pat walk on stage. They have us take a special inside look at their first guest, The EST, Bianca Belair! After the video plays, Pat says a champion since birth, from college and into the WWE, she won and won and won, et cetera! An absolute beast! Bianca Belair makes her entrance and the fans cheer. Bianca has a mic of her own, and she says, “Las Vegas~!” The fans cheer for “E S T! E S T!” and she says, “How amazing is it that we are in Vegas the week of the Super Bowl to talk about OUR Super Bowl, WrestleMania?”
The fans cheer and Bianca says the Road to WrestleMania is one of the most exciting times of the year. It is why she and her hubby, Montez Ford, decided to share with the world how amazing WrestleMania is through their docuseries, Love & WWE: Bianca & Montez, now on Hulu. But they wanted to show the world the ups, the downs, the ins, the outs, the sacrifices and the triumphs. Because WrestleMania is a spectacle! The best entrances, the best gear, the best matches, and where history is made. It is where Bianca made history, which fans cheer.
There was WrestleMania 37 with Sasha Banks! The first two Black females to main event, and Bianca walked out as champion. Then there was WrestleMania 38, where she faced off against Becky Lynch, and again walked out as champion. And then WrestleMania 39 where Bianca beat Asuka to threepeat to leave as champion again! The fans cheer, and Bianca says she’s only been here a short amount of time but has had an amazing time. However, this year is different because she’s not walking in as champion. A young fan says, “That’s okay!” And Bianca says yes, it is okay. Because she’ll do whatever it takes to continue the Mania streak.
She might not know what her journey is, what lane she’ll be in, but she vows to be on the Road to WrestleMania, cuz you cannot spell it without E S T! The fans cheer, what championship story will Bianca write this year? Speaking of, she’s in a qualifier match for SmackDown to get into the Women’s Elimination Chamber, which will determine the #1 contender to the Women’s World Championship. Pat is sure Bianca will figure this one out, because did you hear the fans when she showed up? This crowd, you can feel their energy! Pat is excited, too! And speaking of Elimination Chamber and Australia, here comes The Eradicator!
Pat says “Mami” is running the WWE, and when she returns to Australia, Perth is gonna be throwing vegemite all over the place. Cole introduces the WWE Women’s World Champion, Rhea Ripley! The fans fire up as Rhea makes her entrance, a mic of her on in hand. “Las Vegas! Mami’s here!” Fans cheer and Rhea has them go on. She thanks them and says we are on the Road to WeestleMania. “The one event that people dream to be a part of! They scratch and they claw just to make it. But this isn’t any WrestleMania. This is WrestleMania 40! And y’know what makes it so special, guys? Because Mami is walking in and out as the most dominant woman to hold a championship within this company!”
Fans cheer and Rhea wants them to get louder! So they get louder! There it is. Rhea says it was no surprise to her as to why the Royal Rumble winner, Bayley, chose to turn on her friends and challenge Io Shirai instead of Rhea. Why waste your golden ticket when you know you’re gonna lose? Now for Rhea, she has a Mania before Mania. She has the Elimination Chamber in Perth, Australia, her home country. And once she’s done dealing with Nia Jax, which the fans boo, Rhea will be ready for whoever wins the Chamber. It really doesn’t matter to Rhea, and why? Because- BECKY LYNCH IS HERE!? Rhea is furious that The Man is interrupting but the fans fire up!
Becky has a mic and says, “You didn’t think that you could have a big time WrestleMania press conference without Big Time Becks, now did ya?” The fans cheer as Becky says The Man has come around to Las Vegas! “And as of Monday, The Man is officially in the Elimination Chamber for the first time ver. Which means that The Man will WIN the Elimination Chamber for the first time ever. Which means that in front of all your little friends and family in your home country, The Man will challenge you for your title at WrestleMania, where it will be Mami VS The Man for the first time ever!” Fans love that!
That is… if Rhea can get past Nia. But Rhea says it doesn’t matter who she faces? It doesn’t matter because Mami is always on top? Fans cheer that, but Becky says it does matter. Because Becky has made a legendary career out of knocking golden girls off their top spot. So Mami is gonna learn what it’s like to be a bottom! Because that’s what happens when The Man comes around! Fans fire up for the stare down, and Adam Pearce storms in to keep this from getting physical! But with Becky and Rhea all fired up, is this showdown all but inevitable?
Cole & Pat are back on stage.
After a short break, the press event continues and Pat says that the world has bestowed great things upon Las Vegas, this city is fantastic for hosting the Super Bowl, and then oh snap! The week got bigger because a massive decision is going to be made that will be talked about for generations to come. This is the perfect time for the perfect event in the perfect place. That said, our next guest is the self-proclaimed workhorse champion, the “real” champion, the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, and perhaps the name that’s gone forgotten in all of this… Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins!
The fans sing “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” as Rollins struts out in a velvet tuxedo that is a Philadelphia Eagles shade of green. “Laaaas~ Vegas! Oh~, it’s a party in here tonight!” The fans continue to sing so Rollins takes a moment to revel in it. Rollins says he loves Vegas. And yes, he is a Visionary, a Revolutionary, and your World Heavyweight Champion, Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins! Still a pretty big pop, right? Now, Vegas, we are on the Road to WrestleMania, WrestleMania 40, XL, Extra Large, the biggest Mania of ALL TIME! Now, what do you say they cut to the chase and get ourselves a main event?
Now, Rollins isn’t the man to make that decision, he is just the prize at the end of the road. So let’s get the man who can make that decision out here. The TWO-TIME Royal Rumble winner, the American Nightmare himself, Cody Rhodes! Wait, that’s Roman Reigns’ music! Rollins is upset that the Head of the Table, the Tribal Chief, the WWE Universal Champion walks out here instead, accompanied by his Wise Man. Rollins and Roman are face to face again after roughly two years, their Universal Championship match at Royal Rumble 2022. Rollins yawns at how long the entrance is taking.
The fans are torn as Heyman hands Roman a mic. Roman tells “Las Vegas…! ACKNOWLEDG ME.” The fans are still torn but Rollins says, “Hey, guys, he showed up for work for once. I love to see it! Good to see ya, big brother.” Roman says, “And he showed up to work in his wife’s shoes.” Rollins says don’t be mad that he can still run circles around Roman. Roman says let’s talk about someone who matters right now. The fans chant “Cody! Cody!” and “Rocky! Rocky!” Roman says yeah, let’s talk about Cody Rhodes! “The man who can’t make his own choice, huh? Mr. Hesitation. Here’s a life lesson, kids. If you hesitate, your moment’s gonna move on.
“And that’s what’s happened to Cody Rhodes. It’s no longer his decision. It’s now Your Tribal Chief’s decision.” Rollins asks if that’s really how it is, and Roman says yes, that IS how it is. So tonight, Roman chooses who faces him in the main event of WrestleMania! So get this bum outta here already, huh? Roman chooses… Fans chant and duel, “Cody!” “Rocky!” “Cody!” “Rocky!” Roman is amused as he says HE chooses The Rock! Rollins says that’s not how this works! But here comes The Rock! Fans fire up as Dwayne Johnson walks out on stage and raises the iconic eyebrow, and then raises the fist.
Fans boo, Rollins smirks, but The Rock smirks back. The Rock says, “Finally…! The Rock has come back to Las Vegas…! Now let The Rock ask you a question. Do you think that Roman Reigns is gonna beat The Rock at WrestleMania?” Fans sound torn and Roman grins. The Rock then says, “Or… do you think that The Rock is gonna beat The Tribal Chief at WrestleMania?” The fans are again torn and Roman shakes his head. The fans are all over the place, but “We Want Cody!” “No We Don’t!” shows up again. The Rock says, “Or… do you think that The Rock and Roman Reigns will be the biggest main event in the history of the WWE?”
Fans are really torn here. Roman is annoyed, but The Rock loves the passion from the fans. So then, to members of the press, welcome, glad you’re here. To the WWE Universe… The fans continue to duel! Rollins is amused, at least. The Rock continues to welcome the fans. To everyone watching around the world, welcome. And certainly to the millions, “AND MILLIONS!” of The Rock’s fans, welcome. World watching, The Rock introduces you to “The Cody Crybabies.” Fans are torn again but Roman and Heyman find that one funny. The Rock wants to show us all something that is very important, very cool, and he’s sure we’ll like it a lot.
But whether you like it or you don’t, love it or hate it, one thing for damn sure, you are gonna respect it. Take a look. Rock cues up the true Bloodline family tree. Rollins sighs but The Rock and Roman take a moment to show respect to the tree. When you look at this incredible family tree, and really take a look at the top of it. There’s The Rock’s grandfather, and Roman’s grandfather. They made a blood oath said “family forever.” If you can’t see the fact that this is proof there is only one dominant and powerful royal family in pro-wrestling, and if you think that The Rock VS Roman Reigns isn’t the biggest main event in WrestleMania history, then in simple terms: It doesn’t matter what you think!
Fans boo but The Rock and Roman nod to each other. The Rock says WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia, The Rock VS Roman Reigns, People’s Champion VS Universal Champion, whether you like it or not, THE People’s Champion in the biggest main event in the history of pro-wrestling, bound by blood, is happening. Roman and Rock shake hands, and fans boo what is really a conspiracy. Wait, someone says to hold on? It’s CODY RHODES! Rollins and the fans fire up as Cody says this is BULL SH*T!! The fans cheer that!
Cody says Roman is out here, calling the shots, dictating WrestleMania. And as Tribal Chief, Universal Champion, he has a lot of stroke. But it is not his right to determine the main event, it is CODY’S, as winner of the Rumble! The fans cheer that, too! Cody then tells The Rock that while they had a great conversation, Cody had many great conversations, and he has finally made his decision! Cody looks to Rollins, then to the fans. “At WrestleMania 40, in the main event… I choose YOU, Roman Reigns!” The fans fire up and Rollins is disappointed, but Roman is shocked most of all! Cody must be crazy! Or stupid, or something!
This was a done deal! Cody’s old news, he should go over to join Number Two at the loser table! Fans boo but Roman says Cody should leave with the dummy in green. Last year was Cody’s moment, he was but a chapter in Roman’s book. No one cares about Cody’s story or if he finishes it. H e is embarrassing his entire family now. Cody is irrelevant, just like his DAD! Cody is fuming from that one. HHH, Adam Pearce & Nick Aldis have appeared on stage now as this gets heated. Cody says Roman talks about his family, isn’t that what The Bloodline is? Cuz Cody has a question: How’s Jey? Roman drops his mic, he’s that mad now.
Cody continues to say that’s not a family! Roman doesn’t care about them, they’re just lackeys, yes men and goons to Roman! And what is this match all about? Who sits at the Head of the Table? What does it matter when neither Roman or Rock has done any of the cooking the last two years?! Heyman tries to keep Roman calm but Cody says they had that family tree. And they’ve used Cody’s father against him before, so he’ll do the same. If Roman’s grandfather was here… If the HIGH CHIEF, The Rock’s grandfather, was here… They’d both be ashamed! GASP! The mics drop on all sides, and even The Rock steps up now.
Cody stares Roman and Rock down, and The Rock tells Cody, “Lemme make something perfectly clear to you. When you talk about his family, you’re talking about my family. When you’re talking about his ancestors, you’re talking about MY ancestors. And when you’re talking about his blood, you’re talking about my blood. So now, we have a problem.” The Rock SLAPS Cody! Rollins steps up, HHH and the GMs step in, and the fans are going nuts! Rock & Roman want them to let the others bring the fight, but HHH talks Rollins down and Pearce gets Cody off stage. Rollins says these two can’t just do whatever they want!
Roman dares Rollins to do something and Rollins says bet, he’s beat Roman every single time and he’ll do it again! Fans boo as Rock and Roman seethe. HHH reprimands Heyman but Heyman says he doesn’t represent Rock!
We return to the panel.
Cole recaps what we just saw, and asks Punk. What does the master of the pipebomb think about that? Punk says this is like Valentine’s Day, “I choose you, I want you.” Cody is way too diplomatic. You get slapped in the mouth, you bust them right back, that’s what Punk would’ve done. Cody should’ve punched The Rock out. Do the fans want to see that? The fans cheer! Punk says it should happen. But Rock didn’t throw Punk out of the Rumble, Cody did, so it is Cody’s shot to call. Big E’s thoughts: This was explosive! He doesn’t know where we’re going. A tag match on the horizon, maybe? But he loves it, with just two months until Mania.
Cole says this also leaves the World Heavyweight Championship match in question. Pat says The Rock just went to bat for his family, got offended, and smacked Cody in the mouth. Rollins almost defended Cody, and on the way out, The Rock said they could do whatever they wanted. Seems like a power flex to Pat. Rock is of course Wrestling Mount Rushmore, Roman’s earned his own mountain to himself really, they were just reminding everyone about that. Cole says #WeWantCody has been trending, and Pat points out it is clearly popular in here. Cole says Cody did earn the right to pick his opponent.
So Cody went with Roman, does he #FinishTheStory? Punk says he can, but he’ll have to hit back. Can’t let someone slap you like that. Punk would be gouging eyes and punching people, even with one arm. Big E says yeah, talk about the odds stacked against you. The Rock is one of the biggest stars in the world, and is now a member of the board! He’s basically Cody’s boss. The Rock has his ties with Nick Khan, too, so Cody’s got a lot up against him. Pat says that is valid, and The Rock pointed out his ties to The Bloodline. When you talk about one, you talk about the other. What’re those two plotting for the WWE now?
Cole steers it back to Rollins. He’s being left out of this talk, despite being World Heavyweight Champion. He’s being called B Team, secondary title, all that. Punk says he’s the wrong guy for this one. Rollins said he hates Punk’s guts, so no love lost. But Rollins does need to stop with the stylist, get his balls out of Becky’s purse and hit someone back, period. Cole goes back to how they talked before, Big E’s own climb to the top. Cody has to finish the story, this is massive pressure. There won’t be a third chance, right? No, not at all. Big E got chills hearing Cody talk.
Big E thought back to where Cody was before he left, “languishing in the midcard,” and then left to come back with the fans behind him, to have this much support, this much live, and that fire in his belly. His time is now. Not next year, not even SummerSlam, he has to get it done now. Pat says yeah, that’s what we learned: Cody VS Roman at WrestleMania. Rollins is in the air, but where does The Rock stand? Roman VS Rock was big, but what happens with that? Punk isn’t sure what is official anymore. Is it JUST Roman VS Cody now or what? Pat wants Cole to tell us. Cole says Cody had his chance to choose, and he said Roman.
Punk points out Pat has a good point: Rock is on the board. Boss man put hands on his employee. Punk would be throwing hands back. Big E says there are two nights, though. What if we get both? Cole says that’s a good point, and this is all so up in the air. Pat says just look around. There’s a lot going on in Vegas, but a few THOUSAND people came in here to show how much then want to see Cody #FinishTheStory. This was the perfect presser! But he still can’t figure it out what happened! Cole says Pat better figure it out, they gotta talk about this in a couple nights on Monday Night Raw. Pat’s summary: Rock smacked Cody in the mouth, then chewed out Rollins.
Backstage interview with HHH.
Jackie is with The Game, can we get a comment on what is going on here? HHH says in moments like this, everyone goes into business for themselves. Hard to say what that was, but there’s a lot of tension, a lot of ego, and… The Bloodline passes by, glaring at HHH. Rock tells HHH to fix it. Cody can’t talk crap on the family like that. HHH says what The Rock did was out of line. That was not out of line, what Cody did was out of line. Either HHH fixes it or they will. The Rock says HHH is lucky HHH can’t wrestle anymore, then leads Roman & Heyman away. HHH says The Rock is the one who’s lucky.
Back to the panel!
Cole says how can HHH fix it when Cody made his choice? There’s no fixing! Punk says here it is: personal issues can be solved when men fight! Let ’em fight! If Rock’s mad about what Cody said, then he can punch Cody in the teeth! If Cody’s mad about what The Rock did to him, Cody can punch Rock in the teeth! That’s how you solve things in pro-wrestling! Big E seconds that! He wants to see the violence! Punk says since coming back, there are a lot of manbuns in the WWE and he doesn’t see any men attached to ’em! Punch people in the teeth! Cole says that’s fine, those guys can fight while he and Pat talk about it! Pat agrees there!
By the way, Pat hasn’t seen The Rock like that before! Is this where the new WWE is going? Cuz he loves it! Cole thanks us all for being here and tuning in, and we’re just 58 days away from WrestleMania! What will the fallout of this press event be on both Friday Night SmackDown and Monday Night Raw?
My Thoughts:
WOW! Who knew a kayfabe press conference/press event could be this good? And y’know what? The Rock and Cody were putting on social media stuff about how we gotta trust them on where this is is going, and this proved we should have faith in them. Just as it seemed like they weren’t going to give us Cody VS Roman, they do this and scramble things up. Now, great stuff for Bianca, Rhea and Becky tonight to really heat up the Women’s World Championship scene, and while I do feel Bianca gets into the Chamber match, it’s clear Becky is gonna win. Bianca isn’t leaving SmackDown until Montez Ford is leaving SmackDown, that’s how couples in WWE work.
But man, the top title story was so good here. Rollins was hoping Cody would still choose him, but then they gave us this great new twist on why they were even teasing Roman VS Rock. I love that they were making this about family, but not even about which branch is superior, but that the entire family tree is going to run WWE one way or another. Maybe The Rock is the new Heel Authority Figure in HHH’s new WWE kayfabe, and that sounds like a lot of fun. And a tag team match was mentioned at the end, and HHH even mentioned a historic tag match at the original Mania. That could be night one before we get whatever match we get on night two, but who knows, and that’s the fun of it all, isn’t it?
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA iMAPCT! & Unbreakable Results & Match Ratings: 4.17.2025
iMPACT is the Pre-Show, Unbreakable is a TNA+ Special! See what happened!
iMPACT! is getting the old Heat treatment as a TV episode pre-show. While nothing about the iMPACT episode seems overly intriguing, they all actually have narrative weight, and since the last two weeks have been devoid of weight and general cohesion…this might be a surprisingly good episode which would serve as a better pre-show than expected.
I’m still mad that it’s a damn Thursday and they want to have 4-5 hours of show because WrestleMania reasons. Even WWE realized doing long shows before workdays was stupid, so NJPW giving them the idea to break Mania into two nights is a boon for everyone over thirty.
Also the main reason I’m doing a joint article. Since Unbreakable starts immediately after iMPACT, I’m not gonna put up back to back articles. One stop shoppin it!
Will @AJFrancis410 be crowned the FIR$T TNA International Champion TONIGHT at #TNAUnbreakable?!
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/rT1TusIxJd pic.twitter.com/rxiBn6PxPw
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 18, 2025
iMPACT! – Ratings:
- Laredo vs Jason Hotch w/Tasha Steelz: Laredo wins via Laredo Fly – ** 1/4
- Jazmyn Nyxx w/Fatal Influence vs Xia Brookside w/Lei Ying Lee: Xia wins via Small Package – **
- KC Navarro vs Cody Deaner: KC wins via Loaded Fist – **
- Maggie Lee & Heather by Elegance w/Personal Concierge vs Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley: Hot Topic Hotties win via Cemetery Drive – ** 1/4
- Jakara Jackson w/Lash Legend vs Dani Luna w/Jody Threat: Dani wins via Luna Landing – ** 1/4
- Leon Slater vs Brian Myers: Myers wins via Roster Cut – ** 1/2
Unbreakable – Quick Ratings:
- Zachary Wentz vs Eric Young vs AJ Francis: Young wins via Piledriver – *** 1/4
- Ace Austin vs Steve Maclin vs Eddie Edwards w/Alisha: Steve Maclin wins via KIA – *** 1/2
- X Division Championship: Moose(c) w/Alisha vs Akeem: Moose wins via Lights Out – Long Squash
- Mustafa Ali & Nemeths vs Hardys & Mike Santana: Jeff Hardy wins via Swanton Bomb – ***
- Kaz & Tessa vs Joe Hendry & Masha: Hendry wins via Standing Ovation – ** 3/4
- Barb Wire Massacre: Sami Callihan vs Mance Warner w/Steph De Lander: Callihan wins via Cactus Driver ’97 – ** 1/2
- Inaugural International Championship: AJ Francis vs Steve Maclin vs Eric You: Maclin wins via K.I.A. – *** – TITLE CHANGE!!!
Results:
Laredo vs Jason Hotch w/Tasha Steelz
Laredo starts quick with a Straight Right, Tijeras, a few quick strikes, kicks Hotch out of the ring, wants a Plancha, but Tasha gets in the way to stop Laredo’s offense which gives Hotch an opening. Quick trip, a few chops and a hard Irish Whip has Laredo trying to catch his breath. Hotch tries to go for another Strong Irish Whip but Laredo reverses, two kicks, Flying Neckbreaker into a Missile Dropkick sending Hotch to the outside. Laredo finally pulls off his Suicida, and he’s rolling. Corner Forearm, Uno Mass Corkscrew Moonsaults, but Hotch manages to get away after two. A Snap Jab staggers Laredo, Ali style Outside In Rolling Neckbreaker and Hotch tries to take things to the top. But Laredo counters and Avalanche Michinoku Driver…only for two.
Laredo tries to keep things going, Back Handspring Crossbody, but Hotch catches him, big Tilt-a-Whirl Backbreaker for two. Hotch looks to the corner and then gets scared because he thinks Santana might strike, Hotch and Tasha argue, Laredo recovers and runs up the corner and hits the Laredo Fly for the win.
If @CodyDeaner can take down @KCwrestles tonight on #TNAiMPACT he punches his ticket Ultimate X at #TNARebellion! @milanmiracle
WATCH #TNAiMPACT on TNA+: https://t.co/rT1TusIxJd pic.twitter.com/T5zqKHVr24
— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 18, 2025
Jazmyn Nyx w/Fatal Influence vs Xia Brookside w/Lei Ying Lee
Jazmyn and Xia go for a chain wrestling or World of Sport kind of start. Xia even gets out of the Head Scissors with the classic Hand Stand and pop. After a little taunting, Jazmyn tries to charge but Xia loops around for a flash Cradle, Nyx kicks out quick and retreats to her Fatal Influence friends for a breather. Xia catches her with a Dropkick, a few strikes and starts putting things together until Jazmyn catches her in the corner and Snake Eyes Xia the hard way and then starts leaning her into the ropes, a few Leg Sweeps, PK kicks and Jazmyn is in control. Fisherman’s Suplex Hold from Jazmyn but Xia kicks at two. She tries to fight back up but Jazmyn is using her positioning to keep control. Bulldog into the middle buckle, puts Xia between the ropes and lays in a Round Kick to her chest and Xia has been eating offense for the last few minutes. The crowd tries to rally the little British Angel, but Jazmyn lays in some forearms, hits the ropes, Xia ducks and they hit stereo High Kicks to double down for a few moments.
Xia starts to rally, gets a few shots in, Tijeras, Xia tries Angel Wings but Jazmyn moves. Jazmyn tries to stay on her, but a Jawbreaker gives Xia time to go to the corner, Xia hits the Crossbody, Angel Wings, and looks for a DDT or something but Fatal Influence get involved distracting everyone. Lei has Fallon hanled, but Jacy is mouthing off causing Rosemary to come down and make a Mist save. Jazmyn tries to be opportunistic, but Xia blocks her move and hits the Small Package for the win.
Overbooked and timing was a bit shoddy in some spots, but not offensive. Not bad, but not good either.
KC Navarro vs Cody Deaner
This is for a spot in the Ultimate X match. Here’s to hoping the Blessed One beats the hell out of the loser who’s about as over as Herpes. Meaning he never goes away, and he’s unlikable. Anyone that says “Funny Underdogs are needed on shows”, isn’t that like 60% of the roster? No one is funny if everyone tries to be funny. KC however, he’s fucking hilarious and amazing.
KC tries to pay off Deaner and get him to forfeit, Deaner of course does the underdog thing of fighting back, dumb looking punches, goofball corner spot that he lengthens to the put of looking dumb and not funny. Oh thank God KC hits the Spiderman in the ropes, ducks Deaner and 305 gets hit for a near fall. Now KC is rolling, nice quick offense, Snapmare, Front Roll Neck Snap, Stomp into Split into cover for only two. Deaner goes for the comeback, and a few Lariats, Bulldog, and everything looks soo stupid. Deaner puts KC in the Airplane spin, gets dizzy and then goes again, TKO for two.
Navarro tries to powder, Deaner goes after him but the ref gets Deaner off of him since KC was in the ropes, KC wraps his necklace around his knuckles and a quick Jab to the face as Deaner tries to suplex him, 1-2-3, Blessed WIN.
If Deaner was the only doofus guy he’d be fine, but when we have Santino, Arianna, Laredo, KC, Great Hands, Brian Myers, Dango, Alisha, Hendry (while not a doofus isn’t close to serious), Kaz, Elegance Brand (all 3 of them), Ryan Nemeth and those are just off the top of my head. Everyone can’t be silly or no one is silly and nothing matters.
Maggie Lee & Heather by Elegance w/Personal Concierge vs Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley
I’m gonna keep any Gigi drooling to a minimum since I respect my boy Wentz, but I will say, you gotta love Hot Topic Hotties. Yes I like walking red flags, I’m self aware, and okay with it.
Maggie and Gigi start, a few quick counters, Gigi manages the Double Hook Cradle for two, then Hot Topic Hotties go tandem with a Dropkick and a Twisting Elbow for another two. Tatum is officially legal, Maggie looks for the tag but Heather wants to push Maggie more. Which is exactly how ASH treated her. Tatum turns it around, Gigi tags in, Poetry Bronco, and then Kawada Kicks from Gigi. Concierge distracts, Maggie grabs her, Heather takes the cheap shot, Suplex from Maggie for two. Heather and Maggie get some offense in together, and Heather is working Gigi over in the heel corner. Unicorn Stampede essentially. Heather goes for a pinfall and its only 2. Heather is getting frustrated, Gigi with an Upkick headscissors, Heather tries to stop the tag out, but eats the Mule Kick.
Tatum starts beating on Heather, rams Heather into Maggie, Cartwheel Peach Sunrise, tags in Gigi, Double Headbutts and Cemetery Drive from the Hot Topic Hotties and everyone wins. Jesus…will never leave this chat, he started it.
Jakara Jackson w/Lash Legend vs Dani Luna w/Jody Threat
Things start a little slow, Collar & Elbow tie up that they won’t relent for a while, Jakara tries to turn it into a Headlock Takeover, but Dani is too strong. Dani gets a few shots in, hops the rope for something but Lash makes her present felt and trips Dani while Jakara distracts the referee. The referee didn’t see anything but ejects Lash anyway. Lash won’t go, tries to intimidate the ref and say no. Jakara keeps things moving against Dani while Lash takes her sweet time slowly walking away. Jakara tries a Roll-Up but Dani too thicc to keep down. Dani fights back up, scoops Jakara and drops her unceremoniously.
Jakara starts laying in a bunch of Falling Knees and gets a quick two, before locking in a Cravat that Dani tries to fight out of. Dani counters out of it, ducks the Line, and they crash into each other with Forearms. The Double Fall Down spot is a little played out and this is only the pre-show really.
Dani levels Jakara with a few Lariats, looks for the Luna Landing, Jakara slips it so Dani comes off the ropes with a Busaiku Knee. Luna wants a Blue Thunder but Jakara gets away until Luna grabs her again for the Rebound Blue Thunder Bomb and a near fall. Luna charges the corner, misses, Jakara hits the Tornado DDT, but only two. Jakara tries to ram Dani’s head into the buckles, but Luna blocks, fires and takes Jakara’s head off, Luna Landing gets his and Dani wins!
Elijah has a promo segment and they have a really Sesame Street style “Walk this Way” words on the screen thing. When they did the bouncing ball lyrics with Ron Killings, it was at least cool. This comes off as corny and low budget public broadcasting crap just for Elijah to announce an open challenge at Rebellion or something. Admittedly I zoned out cause I figured it would be nothing of note.
Leon Slater vs Brian Myers
Myers and Slater start in a shoving match jawing at each other, and then Leon lays in a Shoulder Tackle off the ropes, some jumping crap and Myers is getting bounced from corner to corner like a dork. Leon tries to continue the Around the World but a punch, Thrust Kick and Irish Whip across the ring gives him some confidence, but he eats the Feint Mule Kick, Back Handspring Back Elbow…and again System matches are “look stupid and get beat up for 70% of the match until a shortcut can be taken”. Speaking of short cuts, Leon goes for his Corner Leap, Myers guards from it, Leon repositions but gets tripped and eats a Spear. Then…we go to commercial.
Coming out of the commercials Myers is still in control. Leon slips out of a suplex and then connects with a flurry of offense, Myers eats more kicks than I can count, powders, Leon does his corner post leap, comes in and looks to win but an Implant DDT, dick kick and Roster Cut gives Myers the win.
Overall iMPACT! Rating: 5/10
Nothing special but at least it made some sense and was a better than the last few episodes. Low bar comparatively. Now immediately onto Unbreakable! So because this is a long night, I figured I’d do a Watch A Long with Mat Sarpraicone over on Dirt Sheet Radio because I have zero faith in Unbreakable being worth the 2-3 hours it will take to watch it.
So you’ll get quick results with ratings and an overall thoughts at the end of Unbreakable from me, because it’s late and I needed something to keep me awake.
Overall Unbreakable Rating: 4.5/10
The iMPACT! episode was easier to watch and digest, three Triple Threats is too many and the Main Event being a slow paced triple threat after a Barb Wire match and a bunch of faster matches really doesn’t resonate well with fans. Even though I didn’t love the Sami vs Mance match, ending on carnage and the “babyface” winning would’ve been a much better way to send the crowd home happy and we wouldn’t have needed so much time fill during the last hour of the show.
Maclin being the inaugural International Champion is cool, setting up the first defense against Eric Young is good for their story, so most of the marks were hit. It just was too damn slow and had no business being a main event. Champions vs Challengers was okay, but it only really picked up when Masha and Tessa were mixing it up. I liked Moose having the extended squash match for shits and giggles, but two Triples back to back to open the show is an easy way to burn out a crowd. Sure the Moose match was an extended piss break to recharge the crowd, but the card was just laid out awkwardly and things felt like far more of a chore than they should have.
All in all this was a very lame event. Yes I get it was purely stop gap to take advantage of WrestleMania weekend, but with Rebellion next week, we all knew it wasn’t gonna shake things up too much. But hot damn was I about to fall asleep if I wasn’t doing the watch-a-long to not pass out.
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Is Thursday night alright for fighting?
AEW Spring Breakthru continues as Collision is brewin‘ up a TNT Championship Open Challenge! Will it be all about the BOOM for Adam Cole, Baybay?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kevin Knight VS Lance Archer w/ Don Callis; Knight wins.
- Josh Alexander & Konosuke Takeshita VS Rocky Romero & Tomohiro Ishii; Alexander & Takeshita win.
- 2v1 Handicap Match: Megan Bayne w/ Penelope Ford VS Rebecca Scott & Ashley Vox; Megan wins.
- AEW TNT Championship Open Challenge: Adam Cole VS Claudio Castagnoli; Cole wins and retains the title.
- Six Man Tag: La Faccion Ingobernable VS Rosario Grillo, Leon St. Giovanni & KM; LFI wins.
- ROH World Television Championship: Komander w/ Alex Abrahantes VS Nick Wayne; Nick wins and becomes the new ROH World TV Champion.
- Mercedes Mone & Harley Cameron VS Kris Statlander & Julia Hart; Kris & Julia win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Marina Shafir storms out here!
She throws some poor rando around on stage, and then kicks her off stage, to then storm into the ring. Marina intimidates Arkady Aura into giving up her mic, then here come the Death Riders! Claudio Castagnoli SHOVES a cameraman down, then SMASHES the camera! Then he CHOKE SLAMS the cameraman through a table! Wheeler Yuta beats up more equipment, the fans boo these sore losers, because clearly this is all in response to losing the AEW World Trios Championships just last night. Boston tells off Yuta but he just uses that as motivation. Jon Moxley is in the ring, waiting for all of this to calm down a bit.
Marina gives Moxley the mic, and Moxley tells the fans and everyone celebrating last night better enjoy it now. “Hobbs, Swerve, Shibata, enjoy it now! Because it’s the last chance you’re gonna have to celebrate for a long time!” The fans boo, but Moxley tells The Young Bucks he officially doesn’t like them, he doesn’t like looking at them, so they better stay in their own lane. They cross the line with Moxley, he swears to God that they are never seen or heard from again, and he means that! Fans are torn there, but Moxley says from the first day he started in this sport, there was one undisputed baddest man in pro-wrestling. That man is Samoa Joe.
The fans cheer for “JOE! JOE! JOE!” and Moxley says he has always shown Joe respect, treated him with reverence. The fans sing, “Joe is gonna kill~ you!” Yuta tells them to shut up! Moxley says he has given Joe that reverence, he has given Joe his space, and it could’ve stayed that way. But Joe started something that Moxley has to finish. Because Moxley doesn’t know any other way, he will not run, he will not hide, he will not roll over and die. he knows no other way to do this but to fight Joe to the death for the AEW World Championship! Tomorrow, now, for better or worse! Mox will be clear: He is challenging Joe!
The fans again chant for “JOE! JOE! JOE!” Moxley says that’s all he’s gotta say. Joe’s known Moxley long enough to know exactly what he’s dealing with. Moxley then storms off, leading the Death Riders away. Will Samoa Joe accept that challenge, and perhaps even go Double or Nothing?
Kevin Knight VS Lance Archer w/ Don Callis!
The Jet is feeling real good having his share of $400,000, and he’s preparing for next month’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors tournament. But will Knight still be too fly? Or will he be sent crashing down by the Murderhawk Monster?
The moment Archer hits the ring, he hits Knight! Archer fires off in a corner, the bell rings, and the ref counts. The fans boo but archer only stops to throw his jacket at Knight! Then he THROWS Knight out of the ring! The fans tell Callis off like they did last night, but Archer SMACKS Knight off the LED walls! Archer says night-night, Knight! He CLUBS Knight down on the stage, then drags him up to TOSS him down the ramp! Knight flounders to the apron but Archer steps inside to stop the ring count. Archer goes out to drag Knight up, choke grips, and CHOKE- NO, Knight flips free! Knight blocks a boot, ROCKS Archer, then goes up the corner, BIG triangle jump DROPKICK!
The fans fire up as night goes to the apron, springboards, QUEBRADA! They fall on the ramp and the fans fire up! Knight storms after Archer as they go into the ring, then Knight climbs up. Knight leaps to SEATED- NO, Archer catches Knight! Knight fights and RANAS Archer into a corner! Knight stomps and UPPERCUTS on repeat! Knight then stomps a mudhole, but stops as the ref counts 4. The fans fire up with Knight, but Archer LARIATS Knight inside-out! The fans boo but Archer drags Knight back up. Short arm LARIAT! Callis applauds while Archer rains down forearms on Knight’s head.
The ref reprimands about pulling hair but Archer tells him to shut up! Archer stomps Knight, paces around him, then drags him up. Archer CLUBS Knight on the back, then stalks him to a corner. Archer CHOPS Knight but the fans rally, “Let’s Go, Kevin!” Archer whips, Knight sunset flips, but Archer stays up! But Knight avoids the punch! Knight runs to SLIDING SHOULDER TACKLE! Archer tumbles out of the ring, Knight runs, and he WRECKS Archer with a dropkick! Archer pinballs off the desk, then Knight goes up the corner. But Callis grabs at Knight’s foot! The fans boo, Callis gets away with that, but Archer drags Knight down!
Archer ROCKS Knight, then SWINGS him into the steel steps! Archer is all fired up, Callis is happy, but the fans boo while Collision goes picture in picture.
Archer drags Knight up, brings him around, and whips him hard into railing! Knight sputters, the fans cheer him on, but Archer brings Knight up. Archer ROCKS Knight, sits him in a chair, and then runs up to BOOT him down! Knight slumps against the barriers while Archer refreshes the count. But this just lets Callis get his shots in! Callis hammers Knight, but stops before he gets caught. Callis talks smack on the fans, especially that one guy in the third row. Archer stands Knight up against barriers, calls out a small child in their father’s arms, and then CHOPS Knight! Archer drags Knight along the way, taunts more fans, but Knight fires body shots!
Knight CHOPS Archer, but Archer isn’t even bothered! Archer whips Knight back into the ring, then storms in after him. Archer looms over Knight, stands on Knight’s hand, then steps off as the ref reprimands. Archer taunts Knight, stands him up, and pulls hair to put him in the corner. Archer climbs up, taunts the fans, and he smothers Knight! Archer rains down fists, but he stops short of ten to rob the fans the satisfaction! Spring Breakthru returns to single picture and Archer runs corner to corner. ELBOW! Archer keeps moving, and he ELBOWS Knight again! Archer wants more, so he runs again, to ELBOW Knight again!
The fans are torn as Archer has his hattrick, and he looms over Knight again. Archer taunts Knight, slaps him around, but Knight fires a body shot! Archer nods, eggs Knight on, and Knight fires more hands! The fans fire up, but Archer DECKS Knight! Archer drags Knight around, has a cocky cover, ONE!! Knight is tougher than that as a former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, and he flips Archer off! Archer grabs at him, Knight cradles, TWO!! Archer almost got caught, but he BOOTS Knight for that! And GERMAN SUPLEXES! Knight lands on his face and Archer grins. The fans rally for Knight but Archer puts him in a corner.
Archer hoists Knight up top, ROCKS him, then lifts Knight in the reverse crucifix! Knight flails, BLACKOUT- NO, Knight lands out! But Archer grabs him! CHOKE- DROPKICK! Knight turns things around, then fires hands! The fans rally as hard as they can for Knight as Knight fires shot after shot! Knight whips, Archer reverses, but knight slips to the outside! Archer hits buckles, Knight springboards in, but Archer gets clear. Knight comes back, but into a BOOT/STOMP! Archer drags Knight right up, then goes up the corner with him! The fans fire up already as Archer lifts Knight, but Knight fires elbows!
Knight fires body shots now, Archer pushes him back, but Knight returns, to the UPPER ROOM! Knight rolls and UFO SPLASHES! Cover, TWO! Archer is still in this, but Knight runs corner to corner, only for Archer to dodge! Arche comes back, DERAILER!! Archer hauls Knight up, BUCKLE BOMBS, and CHOKE SLAMS! Cover, TWO?!?! Knight survives and Callis is furious! Archer snarls but he drags Knight back to a corner. The fans rally as hard as they can for “KEVIN! KEVIN!” but Archer walks the tightrope! But Knight trips Archer up! Archer is stuck on the ropes, and Knight DROPKICKS him down!
The fans fire up as Knight springboards, FLYING FOREARM to the floor! The fans fire up and Knight puts Archer in! Knight springboards, but Archer catches him! Knight HOTSHOTS that arm, then springboards again, FLYING LARIAT!! Cover, Knight wins!!
Winner: Kevin Knight, by pinfall
The Jet flies high and takes the win! Will this literally big win help Knight take over the BOSJ?
The Opps speak.
After Dynamite went off the air, the NEW AEW World Trios Champions regrouped backstage. Samoa Joe said, “Do you understand the unusual thing about predators? Predators tend to think they are the largest and most evil thing in the jungle. They think that nothing pursues them because they are the pursuers. Tonight, the Death Riders learned that wasn’t the case. See, we are The Opps. We are not a movement, we are not an understanding between gentlemen, no. We are men who only need an opportunity and excuse to commit violence. We are men like Shibata. We are men like myself. And now, Death Riders, you learned we are men like Willy Hobbs.
“We are The Opps. We are your AEW Trios Champions. And we are coming for so much more.” The Death Riders were the hunters but are now the hunted, will their reign of terror end thanks to The Opps?
BREAKING NEWS for next week’s Collision!
While Collision will return to Saturday nights, it will also have to wait until after coverage of the NBA Playoffs. The silver lining? It’ll be live from coast to coast! Make sure you schedule accordingly so you don’t miss a minute of the Playoff Palooza!
Backstage interview with Jamie Hayter & Kris Statlander.
Renee Paquette is with these two ahead of their Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament match, set for next week on Dynamite. It is a semifinal match, and yet this is also the first time Kris and Jamie face off 1v1. The winner goes on to Double or Nothing to face Mercedes Mone in the tournament finals, but Kris stops Renee there. Enough about Mone. And enough about Toni Storm, honestly. There are plenty of other women in this locker room who work just as hard, if not harder, than those two. Jamie says she won’t disagree there. Jamie works hard, Kris works hard, and Jamie won’t stand here to give endless pats on the back.
But Jamie also knows Kris is good, being a former TBS Champion. And Kris knows Jamie is good, being a former AEW Women’s World Champion. They both know they can go, and this right here has been a long time coming. Whoever wins this, they better go all the way. See you Wednesday, mate. That match is for Dynamite, but will Kris get a leg up on Mone in the tag match later tonight?
Tony Schiavone reads a letter from FTR.
Given the suspension as announced last night, Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler are not allowed in the building, so they sent this message instead.
“Dear Tony & Nigel, I (Dax) wish I could take back everything we did to you guys last week. It was completely unacceptable, unnecessary, and unwarranted. I honestly think the punishment for us wasn’t severe enough.” Schiavone explains it is a suspension for a week, without pay. Dax’s letter continues to say, “Tony, I would never have gone through with the piledriver with you. You said some things about my daughter that I won’t hold against you. But in the heat of the moment, I felt I was justified to scare you a little. I love you, Tony.” Schiavone rolls his eyes, the fans boo because they don’t believe Dax’s words.
Schiavone explains this next part is addressed to Nigel. “I never wanted things to get physical between the three of us, I know your body, and your mind for that matter, is very fragile.” Nigel rolls his eyes at the passive aggressiveness there. “I’m sure you were thinking the same thing with emotions as we were. Even though you probably knew there was no way you could ever beat us up, LOL. Again, my sincerest apologies to you both, and I hope we can just move forward in a professional and productive manner. With love, Dax Harwood.” The fans still boo the ingenuine sentiments, and Nigel sarcastically accepts the apology. Will FTR ever actually learn their lesson?
Josh Alexander & Konosuke Takeshita VS Rocky Romero & Tomohiro Ishii!
The Walking Weapon couldn’t defeat the Cowboy, so he goes and sucker punches him after the match, then seemingly joins forces with The Don Callis Family! Will Alexander get his first win alongside The Alpha? Or can Azucar & Stone Pitbull conglomerate their way to a victory?
The teams sort out and Ishii starts against Konosuke in a battle of Openweight Champions! The fans fire up as Ishii and Konosuke go toe to toe, then they start shoving! The forearms start flying, the fans fire up, and Ishii gets the edge! Ishii runs, but Konosuke BOOTS him! Konosuke whips, Ishii reverses, and then Ishii ducks the lariat to waistlock. Ishii ducks an elbow, but Konosuke ROCKS Ishii! Konosuke reels Ishii in, but Ishii suplexes first! Konosuke fights free, then runs up, and they RAM shoulders! The fans fire up and Ishii runs to RAM Konosuke again! Konosuke returns, runs through the chop and he CLOBBERS Ishii!
Ishii is up, he runs through a chop and then CLOBBERS Konosuke! Konosuke is back up, both men run in, and they RAM each other down! The fans fire up while Konosuke and Ishii back off. Tag to Rocky and Alexander and the fans rally again. The two circle, tie up, and Alexander waistlocks. Rocky switches, Alexander switches, and Alexander SLAMS Rocky down! Rocky brushes that off while the fans rally. The two circle, tie up, and Rocky wrenches. Alexander knees low, whips, but Rocky slides under! Rocky wheelbarrows and arm-drags! Alexander comes back, Rocky dodges and RANAS! The fans fire up while Rocky gives some Azucar Heat!
Rocky runs up, Alexander DUMPS him to the apron, but Rocky UPPERCUTS! Alexander distracts the ref so that Konosuke can YANK Rocky down! Konosuke DOUBLE CHOPS Rocky, then DRIVE-BY DROPKICKS! Rocky sputters while Collision goes picture in picture.
Alexander runs to BODY CHECK Rocky off the apron! The Don Callis Family soaks up the heat, then they fetch Rocky off the ground. Alexander puts Rocky on the apron, CLUBS him, then slides in. Alexander has the ref watch Ishii, and then he stomps Rocky around. Alexander scoops and SLAMS Rocky, then tags Konosuke. Konosuke goes up to SUPER SENTON! Cover, TWO! Rocky stays in this, but Konosuke stays on Rocky with a snapmare and KCIK! Konosuke tags Alexander and Alexander stalks Rocky. Alexander drags Rocky from the ropes to drop a knee! Cover, TWO! Alexander stalks Rocky to the ropes, then bumps him off buckles.
Alexander CHOPS Rocky, and Collision goes to break.
Collision returns and Konosuke has Rocky up top! Rocky fights the back suplex with fists, then he BITES Konosuke! The ref reprimands, but Rocky cravats to hit a SUPER SLICED BREAD! The fans fire up while both men crawl, hot tags to Alexander and Ishii! The fans fire up as these two RAM, and RAM, and then Ishii ROCKS Alexander! Ishii whips, Alexander reverses, but Ishii comes back to CLOBBER Alexander! And SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Alexander survives but Ishii runs, only for Konosuke to get a cheap shot in! Ishii DECKS Konosuke for it! Alexander waistlocks, Ishii fights and switches, but Konosuke runs in!
Alexander ducks, Konosuke BOOTS Ishii! Konosuke runs, he and Ishii DOUBLE LARIAT! Konosuke rebounds to LARIT Ishii down! Rocky runs up, wrenches Konosuke, and kicks off Alexander to TORNADO DDT! Ishii LARIATS Konosuke back down, but Alexander kicks! Ishii blocks, feed to Rocky for a kick and UPPERCUT! Then Ishii hits a GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up more as Ishii runs, and he LARIATS Alexander down! Cover, Rocky blocks Konosuke, but Konosuke SHOVES Rocky onto Ishii! The match is saved but the ref reprimands everyone for being in the ring. Ishii and Rocky argue, but Konosuke has Rocky!
Rocky avoids the forearm, so Konosuke DECKS Ishii! Alexander BOOTS Rocky out of the ring! Alexander torture racks Ishii, for the TOWER HACKER BOMB!! Cover, TWO?!? But into an ANKLE LOCK!! Rocky sends Konosuke into railing! Ishii endures, reaches out, but Rocky storms in! Rocky springboards to CROSSBODY Alexander! The fans fire up, but Konosuke runs in! Rocky DUMPS Konosuke out, then PLANCHAS! Ishii LARIATS Alexander, suplexes, but Alexander fights it! Alexander wrenches, Ishii wrenches back, but Alexander gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, ROCKY BREAKS IT!
The fans fire up as we get another save! Rocky brings Alexander i, but Alexander waistlcoks. Rocky fights free, throws an elbow, then a HAYMAKER! Rocky reels Alexander in, but Alexander hits a GOURD BUSTER! Alexander hoists Rocky up, but Ishii helps Rocky RANA! Rocky KICKS Alexander, cravats, and Ishii gives him the boost! SHIRA- NO, Alexander slips free! Rocky waistlocks Alexander, Ishii runs up, but Alexander ducks! The LARIAT hits Rocky! Then Alexander rolls Ishii up, with tights! TWO!! Alexander fires a flurry of elbows, but Ishii roars! Ishii runs in, but into a GERMAN SUPLEX! But he’s right back up!?
Alexander runs up, Ishii SWATS a lariat, then ROCKS Alexander! Alexander ROCKS Ishii, but Ishii HEADBUTTS! The fans fire up while both men fall! A standing count starts, but Ishii crawls hover, hot- WHAT?! Rocky leaves Ishii hanging?! WHY?!? The fans boo, but Konosuke BOOTS Ishii! Then feed to a GERMAN SUPLEX! Alexander holds on, ripcord, DOUBLE ROLLING ELBOWS!! Then a POWERBOMB!! High stack, Don Callis Family wins!
Winners: Konosuke Takeshita & Josh Alexander, by pinfall
Rocky looks conflicted, but they why did he leave Ishii all alone to begin with?! Callis celebrates with his guys, will nothing stop the family from taking over AEW? Rocky goes back to help Ishii, but Ishii shoves Rocky! Ishii asks what the heck, but wait! Is that TRENT BERETTA!? Rocky CLOBBERS Ishii, and Trent takes off the jacket! Trent rains down fists on Ishii now, and the Callis Family returns?! Trent was Don Callis Family the last time we saw him, and it seems he still IS Don Callis Family! Callis explains to Konosuke that it’s fine, and he gives Trent the monkey wrench! The very thing that took Trent out almost a year ago!
Rocky stands Ishii up, and says goodbye. Trent CLOBBERS Ishii with the monkey wrench!!! Trent & Rocky are in the Family, will AEW soon belong to them?
Backstage interview with Mercedes Mone.
Lexy Nair welcomes in #FourBeltsMone, and Mone again says, “Bostooon~! Say hello to your C E O!” Lexy congratulates Mone on defeating Athena last night and advancing to the Women’s Owen Hart Cup finals at Double or Nothing. She will either face Kris or Jamie, and Kris is someone Mone has had a lot of history with. Mone stops Lexy there and says that history is where Mone won them all. Tonight, she is in the main event in another tag match alongside Harley Cameron. Mone already groans as Harley brings out “Mini Mone!” “Bostooooon~! Say hello to your C E O~!” Mone says she already did that.
Mini Mone knows Main Mone doesn’t wanna talk to Harley right now, but she has assured Mini Mone that things will be different this time. They better be! Now now, talk to Mini Mone. She’s not gonna do that! Harley, just stay out of the way and not be such a loser! Harley pouts but Mone says there’s no reason to be sad. Mini Mone says yeah, there’s no crying in wrestling! Damn right! Wait, wait, why is she talking like the puppet’s real!? Harley starts singing “Ride the Money Wrath Train~!” Mone says no no no! Mone storms off, but the train is on the tracks either way. Mini Mone says, “See you tonight!” Will The CEO and the wild Aussie stay on track as we head for Double or Nothing?
2v1 Handicap Match: Megan Bayne w/ Penelope Ford VS Rebecca Scott & Ashley Vox!
The wrath of the Megasus has yet to be satiated, so she is again doubling up on opponents. Will even Everyone’s Favorite Flight Attendant & The Reel Catch #BowDown?
The bell rings and Vox & Scott DOUBLE DROPKICK! The fans fire up as they bring the fight to Megan with fast hands! They double whip, but Megan crisscrosses them into each other, then DOUBLE GERMAN SUPLEXES!! The fans fire up as Megan roars, and she reels Vox in! Megan hauls Vox up to POWERBOMB! And deadlift for ANOTHER POWERBOMB! And ANOTHER POWERBOMB!! Vox flounders away while the fans fire up! Megan aims at Scott, runs in, and LEAPING LARIATS! Megan is all fired up, and she hauls Scott up, FATE’S DESCENT onto Vox!! Double cover, Megan wins!
Winner: Megan Bayne, by pinfall
Vox & Scott tried, but they could not stop this female titan! Megan then sits them both up and tells them, “BOW DOWN!” Megan SMACKS them off the mat! The Superbad Girl raises Megan’s hand in victory, will nothing stop Megan from storming back up the mountain?
Anthony Bowens speaks.
“Throughout my life, I’ve been told ‘no’ so many times. But if I wanted it bad enough, I always found a way. And here in AEW, I won’t take ‘no’ for an answer. My name is Anthony Bowens. I am AEW’s 5 Tool Player. The perfect combination of power, athleticism, intelligence, the look, and The It Factor. I am the Pride of Professional Wrestling, led by a badass. I intend to use every tool necessary to climb to the top of AEW. And oh, yeah, I intend to win gold. Let’s make history. So the question is, who’s next to step to the plate and get their ass Molly Whopped by THE Five Tool Player?! That journey starts now. Don’t believe me? Well I’ve got five tools and one rule: Prove them wrong!”
AEW TNT Championship Open Challenge: Adam Cole VS ???
The Panama City Playboy is in Boston, ready to make this City of Champions undisputed! But who will step to this paragon of wrestling? CLAUDIO CASTAGNOLI! The Death Riders never left the building, they were just lurking from the shadows! But will the Swiss Cyborg snatch away this title to make up for the one he lost?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who brings the boom!
The bell rings and the two tie up. Claudio powers Cole right to a corner, lets off as the ref counts, but then Cole avoids the sucker punch! Cole fires fast hands, the fans fire up, but the ref counts. Claudio scoops Cole first to SLAM him down! Claudio looms over Cole, drags him up, and he whips Cole, only for Cole to reverse. But Claudio bounces off buckles to BOOT Cole down! The fans boo but Claudio stalks Cole. Claudio drags Cole up, scoops again, but Cole fights around to a SLEEPER! The fans cheer, but Claudio RAMS Cole into buckles. Claudio is free, but Cole BOOTS him, then JUMP NECKBREAKERS! Cover, ONE!!
Cole hurries to headlock, but Claudio powers up and lifts Cole, only for Cole to sunset flip! Claudio drags Cole right up, but Cole fires forearms! The fans fire up as Cole whips, btu Claudio reverses. Cole grabs ropes, 52 Fake Out! SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO! Claudio stays in this but Cole runs up to BOOT him back down! Claudio bails out, throws a fit, but then Cole BOOTS him off the apron! The fans fire up for “ADAM COLE, BAYBAY!” Claudio goes to the apron, Cole storms up on him, but Claudio trips Cole up! Claudio drags Cole out, Cole fires forearms, but Claudio knees low! Claudio whips Cole hard into barriers!
Claudio winds up, runs up, but Cole dodges! Now Claudio hits the barriers! Cole fires forearms, stalks Claudio around the way, and he fires forearms again. Claudio YANKS Cole into the barriers! The ring count climbs, Claudio hauls Cole up, BARRIER BACK SUPLEX! Cole flops to the floor and the fans lose their minds! Claudio refreshes the ring count, but he does wait on Cole. Cole slowly crawls, so Claudio goes out to fetch him. Claudio UPPERCUTS Cole, Cole staggers around, and Claudio military presses him! Claudio TOSSES Cole out into the crowd! The fans go nuts again, and they cheer on “A E DUB! A E DUB!” for making this possible.
Claudio storms into the ring, soaks up the heat, and the ref checks Cole. That was a rough landing on that hardwood floor, but it seems Cole is okay to continue. The fans rally for Cole as he hobbles his way back to ringside. Cole rolls in, but Claudio runs up to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Cole stays in this but Claudio clamps onto him with a chinlock. Cole endures, the fans rally, but Claudio squeezes tight. Cole fights around, fights to his feet, and the fans fire up as Cole fires body shots. But Claudio knees low, then TOSSES Cole back out! Cole flops to the floor, the fans boo more, but Claudio just soaks it all up as Collision goes picture in picture.
Cole gets checked by Doc Sampson, given that big bruise right on his side. The ring count climbs all the while, and Claudio paces as he waits on a verdict from Doc. Cole seems to be okay to continue, and he crawls his way over. Cole grabs at the apron skirt, drags himself up, and springs in at 9! Claudio is right on him and rains down fists! Claudio is all fired up, and also sports a cut on his arm from hitting these barriers. Claudio scoops to hit a BACKBREAKER, and then he bends Cole against his knee! Cole endures, throws hands from below, but Claudio shoves him down! Cole avoids the elbow drop! Claudio snarls, but Cole fires a forearm!
Claudio UPPERCUTS, Cole fires another forearm, repeat! Claudio looms over Cole but Cole still comes back with a forearm! The shots go back and forth, but then Claudio smothers Cole with a chinlock! Cole endures and fights back up, but Claudio pushes him down to the mat! Claudio leans on the hold as he grinds Cole down. Cole fights up again, fires body shots, and Spring Breakthru returns to single picture. Claudio ROCKS Cole, runs, but Cole ROCKS Claudio! Claudio UPPERCUTS into a backslide! TWO, and Cole fireman’s carries, but Claudio fights free! Claudio whips, UPPERCUTS, then whips corner to corner.
Claudio runs in and UPPERCUTS! Then he whips corner to corner again, for another UPPERCUT! Claudio tries again, but Cole SUPERKICKS him down! The fans fire up while a standing count begins again! Cole is in a corner, but Claudio rises up to get him. Cole JAWBREAKERS, then ELBOWS, then BOOTS! Claudio still comes back, Cole gets around, BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Cole is frustrated and sore, but he still stands up. The fans fire up as Cole is in the corner, and he climbs up the ropes! Cole aims, Claudio stands, PANAMA- BACKDROP! Claudio wags his finger, then he storms up, but has to fight off another fireman’s carry!
Claudio short arm LARIATS, then he drags Cole up! Claudio reels Cole in, but Cole BACKDROPS! Claudio just manages to land out, but Cole SUPERKICKS again! Cole now fireman’s carries, for USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO! Claudio stays in this and Cole is frustrated, but the fans rally up behind Cole. Cole goes back to the corner, hops up again, and Claudio’s up. PANAMA SUN- NO, Claudio trips and SWINGS Cole! The fans are torn as Cole goes around and around! TEN and Claudio THROWS Cole! Cover, TWO!! But into a CROSSFACE! Claudio pulls back on Cole but Cole endures! The fans rally as Cole reaches out. Cole rolls to a cover, TWO!
Claudio THROWS Cole to a corner! Claudio runs, UPPERCUTS, and then runs again! But Cole DUMPS Claudio out! Claudio HOTSHOTS Cole, hurries up the corner, then leaps, into a SUPERKICK! Cole covers, TWO!! Claudio is still in this, but both men are running on fumes. Cole rises up, brings down the kneepad, and says it’s time. But Claudio stops Cole to waistlock, only for Cole to PELE! Cole runs, into a POP-UP UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO!! Cole survives and Claudio is in disbelief! Cole goes to a corner as Claudio snarls and rises up. Claudio runs up, UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS!
The ref backs Claudio off, the fans boo, but Claudio just seethes. Cole drags himself up with the ropes, Claudio runs back in, UPPERCUT! UPPERCUT! UPPERCUT! Claudio just UPPERCUTS and ELBOWS away! The ref backs Claudio off, warns him to listen to authority, but Claudio goes back in for more UPPERCUTS! The fans rally for Cole as he takes these shots, but then Claudio hoists him up top! Claudio climbs, goes to the very top, SUPER DUPER PLEX!! Cover, ONE, and into a ghost pin! COLE WINS!!!
Winner: Adam Cole, by pinfall (still AEW TNT Champion)
Claudio is in shock! But perhaps his anger got the better of him as he could’ve done things different. But the rest of the Undisputed Kingdom/Paragon is here to celebrate with their guy! Will Cole, Roddy & Kyle all be rolling on the road to Double or Nothing? Wait, now Claudio FLIPS the desk over in his anger! And then he stands it up on it’s side to tip it the other way! And another way! Yuta and Moxley hurry out here to try and calm Claudio down, and the fans taunt Claudio, “That’s expensive! That’s expensive!” They even chant “LOSERS! LOSERS!” The Death Riders storm off, what will satiate their anger?
Backstage interview with “Big Bill” Morrissey & Bryan Keith.
Lexy Nair is with the former Learning Tree Branches, The Redwood & The Bad Apple. She brings up how last week, Chris Jericho said he wasn’t angry, he was just disappointed, and then he left them to themselves. Where do they go from here? Bill says Jericho was disappointed in them, but Bill is disappointed in Jericho. Jericho is supposed to be the leader, and yet he walks out on them? Quite honestly, Bill is getting… angry. Keith wants Bill to chill. Not right now. What? What’s the difference? They talked about this in private, what’s the difference with it being now? Keith says it is like Bill just said: It was in private.
Keith knows Jericho said they were family, and that means something to Keith. And he just feels that if they’re family, they should handle this like family, and that is internally. And maybe, if Bill didn’t put Jericho on blast last week, Jericho wouldn’t have left. Bill understands, family is very important. That is why Keith wants to get back in the good graces of Jericho. Bill gets that. He just isn’t sure they should be living and dying at the whims of Jericho. Either way, the strategy moving forward is the same: They need to get in the ring, crack some skulls, and stack some wins. Lexy, to answer the question of what’s next, that is next.
Bill heads out, Keith follows, but will they do better or worse without The Nueve?
Six Man Tag: La Faccion Ingobernable VS Rosario Grillo, Leon St. Giovanni & KM!
Finally, El Toro Blanco has returned! Rush leads Dralistico y The Beast Mortos into action again, will LFI finally stampede through AEW?
The trios sort out and LFI just attacks! Dralistico has Grillo, Rush has KM and Mortos as LSG! Things spill out side, LFI send their opponents into barriers, and then Darlistico CHOPS Grillo! Rush stomps KM, Dralistico stomps Grillo, and Mortos is back in the ring. The fans fire up with Mortos, and Dralistico sends Grillo into more railing! Rush regroups with his hermanos, both literal and in arms. Dralistico CHOPS LSG, Mortos SPLASHES, and then Mortos whips LSG corner to corner for another SPLASH! Mortos whips LSG to ropes now, for a POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! Tag to Dralistico and he springboards in, FLYING CODE BREAKER!
LSG flounders around and the fans fire up. KM tags in, but Dralistico SOBATS, KICKS, and ENZIGIRIS! The fans fire up as Dralistico tags in Rush! The fans fire up and Rush SUPERMAN PUNCHES KM! Then he DECKS LSG, HEADBUTTS Grillo, and he lets Dralistico FLY! Down go LSG and Grillo! Rush then says, “You mess with the bull…” YOU GET THE BULL’S HORNS!! KM takes those right in the face! Cover, LFI wins!
Winners: La Faccion Ingobernable, by pinfall
LFI makes quick work, and Rush says LFG! Will these three be like bulls in a China shop when it comes to the AEW Trios Division?
Backstage interview with Kevin Knight.
Renee catches up to The Jet as he and “Speedball” Mike Bailey say hey. A big congratulations for Knight in winning against Archer. Renee is pretty sure that match came about because Callis didn’t like the rejection he got in trying to recruit Knight and Speedball. Knight says pretty much, but that’s understandable. He doesn’t think the Don- Ricochet steps in, backwards hat and military coat not really going together, but he tells Knight to shut it. Ricochet says these goofs are not the story of the week. The story is how they screwed Ricochet last week and stole that prize money!
Speedball says if by “screwed,” Ricochet means Speedball’s team beat him fair and square to win 400 stacks, then yeah, he got screwed. Ricochet says first, you pinned Mortos, not Ricochet. And seeing as how they’re the new guys here, here’s some “veteran advice.” Don’t upset the top talent in AEW. You don’t disrupt the chain of command. And since Knight and Speedball are so low, at the bottom of the pole, take his advance before something bad happens. Knight says Ricochet has it all twisted, they respect him. Knight and Speedball respect the game, the in-ring talent, the hot wife, all of that.
But anything that Ricochet can do, the Jet can, too. In fact, here’s something he can do that Ricochet can’t. And then he shakes them dreads! Ricochet says here’s what he can do: he can smack Knight in his mouth! Then do it then! Maybe he will, if Knight keeps talking! Knight fakes a slap and makes Ricochet flinch! Ricochet says okay, he wants trouble now. Yeah, Knight needs that. Speedball says okay, just not tonight. Speedball and Knight head out, Renee tosses her hair and leaves. But will the One & Only find he’s the only one with a problem?
ROH World TV Championship: Komander w/ Alex Abrahantes VS Nick Wayne!
If Christian Cage is to be believed, this match has come about all thanks to him pulling the strings. But at the same time, he told his “son” that he’d have to win this one on his own. Will The Prodigy make The Patriarch of the Patriarchy proud? Or will the Commander of the Skies ruin Christian’s “gift?”
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s the real star of ROH TV!
The Code of Honor is not upheld as Nick SPITS at Komander! The bell rings, the fans boo, and Komander DORPKCIKS Nick! Komander fires off hands in the corner, Nick scurries away but Komander keeps on him! Komander CHOPS, Nick kicks low, and then Nick ROCKS Komander. Nick storms up, but Komander kicks, mule kicks, front kicks, and CHOPS! The fans fire up, Komander whips, but Nick reverses. Komander rolls off Nick’s back, then blocks the chop to knuckle lock and CHOP! Komander goes up, up, jumps around, and then FLYING RANAS! The fans fire up again while Nick flounders away.
Komander runs in, Nick TOSSES him to the ramp! Nick comes back, but Komander GAMANGIRIS him down! Komander goes up with Nick in the drop zone! But Nick hurries away, no Cielito. Komander still tightrope walks to ARABIAN PRESS, only for Nick to put him on the apron! Komander RAMS into Nick, springboards, and CROSSBODIES! Then DROPKICKS! The fans fire up while Nick bails out to the ramp. Komander aims, springboards, but Nick dodges! Komander comes back, Nick puts him in the ring, then he ducks a haymaker to HOTSHOT! Komander falls and the fans boo, but Nick checks his teeth.
We see Christian Cage, Kip Sabian & Mother Shayna are watching this backstage as Nick hurries back in the ring. Nick stomps Komander, RAMS him into a corner, then puts him up top. Komander wobbles, Nick winds up to CHOP, then Nick climbs. Komander fires hands and Nick backs off. Komander hops down, springboards, but Nick SHOVES him down! Komander crashes to the floor and Collision goes picture in picture.
Abrahantes coaches Komander, and Nick goes outside to taunt the fans. Nick then fetches Komander to THROW him into railing! Komander writhes, Nick soaks up heat much like he did during Prelude to Spring Breakthru. Nick fetches Komander again, puts him in the ring, and taunts the fans before stepping inside. Cover, TWO! Nick is annoyed but he looms over Komander. Nick drags Komander up, throws him into the ropes, then CHOKES him! The ref counts, Nick steps off and he taunts the fans before he CHOKES Komander again! The ref counts again, Nick steps off, and Komander sputters while Nick swaggers around.
Nick drags Komander up, brings him around, and snapmares for a leg drop! Cover, TWO! Komander stays in this and Nick grows frustrated. Nick tells the fans to shut up, but Collision goes to break.
Collision returns and Nick again has Komander on the ropes, literally. Nick whips Komander then KNEES him against the ropes! Nick soaks up the heat, whips Komander again, but Komander springboards to go up and FLYING ARM-DRAG! Then he reels Nick into a EURO CLUTCH! TWO!! Nick escapes in time, but Komander CHOPS! And CHOPS! Nick kicks low, runs, but Komander scoops to BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Abrahantes and Boston rally for “KO-MAN-DER!” Nick goes to a corner, Komander runs up, but Nick dodges! Nick runs in, but Komander puts him up top, ROCKS and CHOPS him, then triangle jump ENZIGIRIS!
Nick flops to the ramp and the fans fire up! Komander builds speed, and he FLIES to SWANTON Nick on the ramp! A rough landing no matter what, but Komander still kicks Nick in the ring. Komander aims from the corner, tunes up the band and the fans join in. Komander runs, goes up, up, and MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Nick survives but the fans taunt him with “Whose Mom?” “NICK’S MOM!” Komander drags Nick up, torture racks, but Nick fires hands! Nick is free, he goes to a corner, but Komander runs up. Nick goes up and over, victory rolls, TWO! Komander runs back in, but Nick sends him hard into buckles!
The fans boo while Nick takes aim. Nick kicks but Komander ducks it! Komander RAMS Nick into the corner, then hops up, POISON-RANA! Cover, TWO! Nick survives and both men are down while the fans fire back up. Komander goes back to the corner, aims and springboards, but Nick slips around! DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Nick is stunned, but he takes aim again! Komander rises, into Nick’s ROUNDHOUSE! Then up, up, WAYNE- TIGER FEINT sweeps the legs! And then a FLYING DESTROYER!! Nick tumbles out of the ring, staggers around, and the fans are thunderous as Komander builds speed!
Komander goes up, up, and ARIHARA MOONSAULTS!! Direct hit on Nick and Boston is erupting! Komander puts Nick in, “This is Awesome!” as Komander climbs again. Nick is in the drop zone, for CIELITO LINDO onto BOOTS!! Nick turns things around, then takes aim, ROUNDHOUSE! Nick roars, reels Komander in to pump handle and PRODIGY PLEX!! Cover, NICK WINS!!!
Winner: Nick Wayne, by pinfall (NEW ROH World Television Champion)
Boston doesn’t like it, but Nick Wayne just became the youngest singles champion in ROH! The Patriarchy is certainly proud, but then Christian Cage leaves Shayna and Kip to go off somewhere. Will he prepare some other gift for his Prodigy as celebration?
Hologram is loading.
And Hologram will return to action next week for Playoff Palooza! Will the incredible win streak continue?
Top Flight speaks.
Dante Martin calls out Action Andretti & Lio Rush to say, “Guess what? We just came from Tony Khan’s office, and there’s no more running, there’s no more hiding, no more ducking, because we have a match next week.” Darius says it isn’t just any match. This has been going on for far too long, so they’re over the wrestling part of this. They want to fight The Cru! Forget the rules, forget the tags, it is a TORNADO TAG MATCH! Leila Grey tells Action & Lio that they’ll see ’em next week for Collision: Playoff Palooza. That is, if The Cru has the balls to show up. Well hold on, The Cru shows up now!
Lio & Action tell Top Flight that they don’t have to wait! Security steps in and keeps this from getting out of hand, but what will happen when there’s nothing holding these teams back?
BREAKING NEWS for a future Dynamite!
It will be AEW’s return to Portland, Oregon, June 11th, when AEW does the unthinkable! It will be the first-ever AEW Summer Blockbuster, a FOUR HOUR edition of Dynamite! That’s right, F O U R!! Get tickets next Thursday, or at least set your DVRs so you do not miss what could be an instant classic!
Toni Storm is here!
The Timeless AEW Women’s World Champion was present last night to watch from afar, but now she wants to get a closer look at tonight’s main event!
Mercedes Mone & Harley Cameron VS Kris Statlander & Julia Hart!
The CEO is reluctant to step back into the ring alongside the wild Aussie, but Harley’s probably the only person who would team with her at this point. Can Harley help Mone keep the Money (Wrath) Train on track? Or will the #BornAgainKristen and the Princess of the Black Throne make a winning combination?
The teams sort out and Mone starts against Kris for both a revival of their rivalry, and also a teaser of what could be for the Owen Hart Cup finals. The two tie up, and Kris SHOVES Mone down! The fans cheer as Kris flexes, but Mone tags Harley. Harley and Kris tie up, and Kris SHOVES Harley away! Harley tags Mone back in, and then picks up Mini Mone! Wait, wait, Harley tags in Mini Mone? Is this a substitution or a 3v2 Handicap now? Harley THROWS Mini Mone at Kris, which Kris easily catches. Kris passes Mini Mone to Julia, how just puts Mini Mone down to step on! Harley tries to roll Kris up but Kris stays up.
Kris drags Harley to her feet, then slips around to roll Harley up! Harley rolls through, Oklahoma Rolls back, TWO! Kris runs up, Harley headlocks, but Kris powers up and out. Harley tilt-o-whirls and HARLEY-GO-ROUNDS! Kris ends up in a corner, the fans fire up, and Harley shouts, “Feel The Wrath~!” Harley runs in, Kris dodges, and then Kris runs in. Harley ELBOWS Kris, has Kris in the ropes, and sunset flips! TWO! Kris kicks, then deadlifts Harley for a suplex! The fans fire up, Kris tags Julia, and Julia takes the handoff to wrench and YANK Harley’s arm! Julia YANKS the arm again and again, then goes up the ropes.
Julia knuckle locks, then tightrope walks! The fans fire up as Julia hits an OLD SCHOOL! Then she adds a BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Cover, but Mone breaks it! The fans cheer, but Julia drags Harley up. Harley JAWBREAKERS, then runs, dodges, and ENZIGIRIS! Tag to Mone, but Julia drop toeholds! Julia dribbles Mone off the mat, but Mone gets free. Mone goes to a corner, Julia runs up and ELBOWS! Julia runs side to side, tags Kris, then goes back to ELBOW Mone again! Kris runs in and KNEES Mone down! Kris brings Mone around to scoop, and FALL AWAY SLAMS! The fans fire up while Mone flounders out and Kris flexes.
Kris goes to the apron, Mone blocks the kick, but Kris handstands out of the throw! Kris also avoids the sweep of her arms, but Mone goes up! Kris avoids the meteora, and they both stop as the other shows haymaker! They then look at Toni Storm, and then they both ROCK the other! Julia and Harley run up, but Mone and Kris DECK them! Then they fire fast hands with each other! The fans fire up, Kris KNEES low, and Collision goes picture in picture.
Kris reels Mone in and FLAPJACKS her off the apron! Mone flounders, Kris stands on her while doing the CEO dance! Kris hauls Mone up and into the ring, covers, TWO! Kris drags Mone up, tags Julia, and they mug Mone. Julia ROCKS Mone, whips her to a corner, but Mone reverses. Mone runs up, blocks boots and ROCKS Julia! Julia is in the ropes and Mone hits the STOCK DROP! Mone huffs ‘n’ puffs before she drags Julia to a cover, TWO! Mone is annoyed but she drags Julia up again. Mone snapmares Julia, runs, and METEORAS! Cover, TWO! Julia stays in this but Mone taunts Kris. Mone dares Julia to crawl to Kris, but then she bumps Julia off buckles.
Mone tags Harley and they mug Julia. Harley brings Julia around, whips her to ropes, and ELBOWS her down! Cover, TWO! Harley stays between Julia and Kris, then brings her around. Julia JAWBREAKERS free, then CLUBS Harley. Julia CHOPS Harley at the ropes, CHOPS her again, then fires forearms. The ref counts, Julia backs off, but then Julia whips Harley to ropes. Harley ducks ‘n ‘dodges, and DOUBLE LARIATS take them both down! The fans rally while Julia and Harley crawl, and Spring Breakthru returns to single picture as they hot tag Mone and Kris! The fans fire up as Mone CHOPS, knuckle locks and goes up, up, and FLYING ARM-DRAGS!
Mone does her dance, then runs corner to corner, DOUBLE KNEES! Mone reels Kris in, the fans rally, and Mone snap suplexes! That’s Una Amiga, and then Mone gets Kris up for Dos Amigas! then THREE AMIGAS! But Kris stops it before quatro! Harley makes the save, and she helps Mone, only for Kris to DOUBLE SUPLEX! Kris rolls through?! DOS DOUBLE SUPLEX! Kris rolls through again and THREE DOUBLE SUPLEX!! The fans are thunderous, we see Jamie Hayter watching backstage and applauding, and Kris puts Mone & Harley in the drop zone! Kris goes up, but Harley rolls with Mone to avoid the 450 Splash!
The fans fire up as Kris tags Julia while Mone and Harley seem to have a tender moment of friendship. Julia ruins the moment with a STANDING MOONSUALT! Julia then tilt-o-whirls Mone, but Mone stops that to RAM Julia into the corner! And then she puts Julia in the Tree of Woe for KNEE after KNEE after KNEE! Mone goes out, goes up, but Julia SPIDER SUPLEXES her away! Harley runs up, Julia sits up to then roll back, and she takes a swing! Harley reels Julia in for a NECKBREAKER! Kris kicks Harley, reels her in, and hits a NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB! But then Mone METEORAS Kris! Julia stalks Mone, runs up, wrench and STO!
Julia puts Mone in the drop zone, goes back up the corner, and HART SAULT gets KNEES! The fans fire up while Julia and Mone are both down! Julia and Mone stir, “This is Awesome!” as a standing count starts. Mone and Julia stir at about 4 of 10, crawl for their corners, hot tag to Kris! Kris fires off on Mone with forearms! Kris ROUNDHOUSES Mone, BLASTS Harley, and then runs up on Mone. Mone hooks her into the Gory Especial! Kris fights free, scoops Mone, but Mone kicks and flails! Kris’ legs give out, they both flop down, and the two fight on the mat. Kris powers up to her feet, but Harley tags in!
Harley brings Mone out of the gut wrench, but Kris hits the DISCUS LARIAT! Kris kicks, Mone blocks, and Mone KNEES Kris in return! Mone whips, Kris reverses, and Mone is sent into Julia’s TARANTULA!! But Harley rolls Kris up! TWO!! Mone is stuck as Kris scoops Harley and hits a BACKBREAKER! Then Kris cording holds Harley’s arm, kisses the bicep, and hits the Hayterade?! Cover, Kris & Julia win!
Winner: Kris Statlander & Julia Hart, by pinfall
That wasn’t just the game winner Kris hit on Harley, it was a message sent to Jamie! Luther helps Toni Storm to the ring so she can applaud Kris, and even blow a kiss! Will Kris go Double or Nothing with Mone to then go All In with Toni? Or will Kris feel a Hayterade from the source?
My Thoughts:
A great Collision to not just wrap Spring Breakthru but to keep things going immediately from last night. Very good promo from The Opps after their win, and some great stuff with The Death Riders for once. The Death Riders throwing a fit was good stuff, and Moxley had a good promo to call out Samoa Joe. Moxley wants his match with Samoa Joe, that’s a great detail in itself, and that is going to be a great match for Double or Nothing. Claudio stepping up to Adam Cole’s Open Challenge was also cool, and that was a great match. Cole surviving was a good touch, especially with how it just pissed Claudio off more.
Very good promo from Bill & Keith, and it feels very obvious that Keith will betray Bill to side with Jericho. We will get Bill VS Jericho, Keith will screw Bill, but then something will happen where Bill gets his rematch and wins over Jericho in the end. Really good “letter” from FTR to keep up their passive aggressive nature, and you can bet they’ll just do all the same things again next week when they’re back. Great to see LFI back in full force, but let’s just hope they actually get going this time around. There could even be some interesting intertwining of stories if LFI challenge for the trios titles at Double or Nothing, putting Joe in a double header situation since he’ll face Moxley for the world title.
Good promo from Top Flight with Cru to hype up next week’s Collision. But does every post-basketball Collision need a nickname? And as nicknames go, “Playoff Palooza” sounds more like a promotional deal run at a supermarket or car dealership. Really good stuff from the Don Callis Family tonight. Great match from Knight VS Archer and a great win for Knight. Knight and Speedball have a good promo with Ricochet, and a match of Knight VS Ricochet would be awesome, I hope we see it before Knight’s off for Best of the Super Juniors.
Great tag match of Alexander & Takeshita VS Ishii & Rocky, and I should’ve realized watching ROH Prelude to Spring Breakthru was teasing something for tonight. Rocky was salty over that loss there, and then he got even saltier during this match. Great to see Trent back, and now Roppongi Vice is Don Callis Family! They can be the tag team of the faction while Konosuke, Kyle Fletcher and now Josh Alexander all go for singles titles. Awesome ROH World Television Championship match from Komander and Nick Wayne, and again to my surprise, the Prelude foreshadowed stuff. Nick brought momentum into this match, he won this title, and unless he loses it back to Komander at like Supercard of Honor, he probably will bring the title to NJPW BOSJ.
Another great handicap match win for Megan Bayne, but she’ll still be spinning her wheels until after Double or Nothing with all this other stuff going on. Great promo from Mone, Harley & Mini Mone before their main event tag match, and same for Kris having a good promo with Jamie Hayter. That was of course a great match, and Kris winning using Jamie’s finisher was wild. I feel like with Toni Storm paying more attention to Kris, that’s a sign Kris is beating Jamie to face Mone at Double or Nothing. It’s still anyone’s guess who wins the Cup, because Toni VS Kris and Toni VS Mone are both great matches.
My Score: 8.9/10
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