The tenth edition goes the X-tra mile!

Battle of the Belts returns, and to settle the score from Dynamite’s Six Man Tag, Hook puts up his FTW Championship against Shane Taylor!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• FTW Championship: Hook VS Shane Taylor; Hook wins and retains the title.
• AEW International Championship Eliminator: Roderick Strong w/ The Undisputed Kingdom VS Rocky Romero; Strong wins and denies Rocky a title match.
• ROH Women’s World Championship: Athena w/ Billie Starkz VS Red Velvet; Athena wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

AEW Collision bleeds over a bit.

Bryan Danielson is still down on the ramp after Konosuke Takeshita’s Brainbuster and the medics check him. The battle with Will Ospreay at Dynasty is still in the books, but what condition will Bryan be in?

Backstage interview with Hook and Katsuyori Shibata.

Lexi Nari is with the FTW Champion and The Wrestler, and notes we saw Hook make the save for Shibata during Collision against Shane Taylor Promotions. At the same time, Hook is about to face Shane Taylor himself with the FTW title on the line. Knowing what Shane’s capable of, what is Hook’s strategy going into that match? Shibata uses his voice-to-text translator say, “Pardon the interruption… Hook, I’ll have your back tonight.” Hook appreciates that, but even knowing what Shane’s capable of, Hook’s got his own way of handling this. Shibata says bet, and Hook gives him the fist bump.

FTW Championship: Hook VS Shane Taylor w/ Anthony Ogogo!

The Cold-Hearted Handsome Devil knows he’s up against a bad, bad man, but this is FTW Rules! Everyone who fights for this title is a bad, bad man, so will Hook prove he’s the baddest? Or will Shane #SendHook back to New York without his gold?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s really the biggest badass in AEW!

The bell rings, the two circle, and they feel things out. Shane swings, Hook dodges to fire off fast hands and forearms! The fans fire up behind Hook but Shane shoves him away. Hook ducks the haymaker, waistlocks, but Shane fights with elbows. Shane swings again, but Hook gets under! Shane CLUBS the Camino down, then whips. Hook holds ropes, then DUMPS Shane out! Shane tumbles to the floor, Hook pursues, and Hook SMACKS Shane off railing! Hook SMACKS Shane off steel steps, then has Shane sit in a corner. Hook rains down fists, then lets off to revel in the cheers. Hook throws knees again and again, then CLUBS Shane again.

Shane staggers along railing, but Hook puts him in the ring. The fans cheer again, Hook storms in, but Shane JABS! JABS! And BODY SHOTS! Hook falls, sputters, and the ref has Shane stay back to check. That could’ve been a liver shot but Shane hauls Hook up. Shane CHOPS Hook in the career, and Hook sputters as he goes along ropes. Shane taunts Hook, puts him in a corner, and CHOPS again! Hook staggers to another corner, Shane taunts him, “I thought you were the man!” Shane BODY BLOWS again and Hook coughs. Hook fires hands in return, backs Shane down, then reels Shane in! Shane’s too big for the suplex, though!

Shane shoves Hook, and BODY BLOWS! Hook falls to the mat, but Shane drags him back up. Shane HEADBUTTS Hook, Hook is dazed, and Shane says he thought Hook was a killer. Shane says to bow down to the killer that’s badder! Shane CHOPS Hook, suplexes him, and hangs him out to dry! Hook sputters and falls, Shane soaks up heat, and Battle of the Belts goes picture in picture.

Shane drags Hook up, TOSSES him out, then goes out to bring Hook up. Shane whips Hook hard into steel steps! Hook writhes, Shane storms around, then Shane drags Hook up. Shane makes Hook take a seat in a corner, then runs up to KNEE Hook against railing! Hook falls over, but he’s somehow still conscious! Shane drags Hook up and hangs him out to dry on the railing! Hook sputters and falls to the floor, and Shane talks more trash. Shane drags Hook up, puts him in the ring, and BOTB returns to single picture. Shane has Hook on the apron, for the APRON LEG DROP! Hook sputters more while Shane seethes.

Shane storms in, talks trash on the fans, then soaks up the heat. Shane drags Hook up, puts him in the corner, and BODY SHOTS! BODY SHOT! HAYMAKER! Hook slumps down in the corner but the fans rally up. Shane waits on Hook, Hook says he’s still in this! Shane stands Hook up to BODY SHOT, BODY SHOT and BODY SHOT! Then Shane ROCKS Hook again, again, and AGAIN! Hook flops back down while Shane storms around. The ref checks with Hook, Shane says to call it already! Hook says no, he’s still in this! Shane drags Hook up, tells Hook to quit or he gets send home in a body bag!

The fans boo as Shane whips corner to corner, hard! Hook sputters, Shane runs in, but Hook dodges! Shane hits buckles, Hook hurries to waistlock! Shane fights the grip, then ROCKS Hook! Hook ROCKS Shane back! And ROCKS him again and again! The fans fire up as Hook fires more shots! Hook runs to LARAIT! Shane stays up, Hook LARIATS again! Hook runs, ducks the haymaker, and GERMAN SUPLEXES!! Shane staggers up in a daze, and Hook clinches to EXPLODER!! Hook covers, TWO!! Shane is still tougher than that and Hook is beside himself! Hook runs up in the corner, but into an URENAGE!

Shane drags Hook into the drop zone, goes up the corner, and he SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO?!? Hook survives and shocks Shane! Shane storms around, the fans rally up, and Shane drags Hook up. Shane slaps Hook around, then winds up, but Hook dodges! And dodges! REDRUM!! Shane is caught, he flails around, but then he fights up! Shane RAMS Hook into buckles, but Hook still holds on! Shane RAMS Hook in again, but Hook still has his hooks in! BACKPACK SENTON!! Shane is free, but then Hook springs up, REDRUM!! He even traps the arms!! Shane flails, reaches out, but he’s fading! Shane’s OUT, Hook wins!!

Winner: Hook, by submission (still FTW Champion)

The Cold-Hearted Handsome Devil does it again! He takes damage and finds a way to win! But now, will he have that face to face meeting with Chris Jericho this Wednesday Night Dynamite?

Backstage interview with Rocky Romero.

Lexi is with Azucar as he is just moments away from his Title Eliminator match for the International Championship. However, Lexi wants to know if he knows what’s going on with Best Friends. Rocky says Chuck, Trent and Orange Cassidy are like brothers to him, and yet he has no idea what’s going on there. But right now, he can’t really worry about that, he has to focus on the match with Roderick Strong. When Rocky wins, he’ll be one step closer to fulfilling his destiny of becoming International Champion. Kyle O’Reilly pops in, wishes Rocky luck, and then heads back out. Will Azucar be able to get one over on the Savior of the Backbreaker? Or will he just end up broken?

AEW International Championship Eliminator: Roderick Strong w/ The Undisputed Kingdom VS Rocky Romero!

While Azucar is confident, it was just last night on Rampage that Roddy took offense to him and Kyle O’Reilly even thinking there was a chance this match doesn’t go The Undisputed Kingdom’s way. Will Roddy prove them all wrong by crossing Rocky off the list? Or is this were The Kingdom starts to crumble?

The bell rings and the two circle. The fans are behind Rocky as he and Roddy tie up. Rocky waistlocks, Roddy wrenches to wristlock, but Rocky rolls, wrenches and wristlocks back. Roddy tries to pull hair but Rocky twists the wrist. Roddy pulls on Rocky’s ear to have the headlock and takeover. Rocky fights up, pops out the back, and then steps over. Rocky hooks an arm but Roddy fights off the takedown to hip toss and cover. ONE, but Roddy facelocks. Rocky fights up, pries at the hold, but Roddy holds on tight. Rocky still fights his way out of the hold, wristlocks and wrenches again, then YANKS the arm.

Roddy ROCKS Rocky then CHOPS him! Roddy whips, Rocky slides under then ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA! The fans fire up as Rocky then wrenches Roddy and goes up a corner. Rocky FLYING KNEE DROPS right on the arm! The fans cheer the Latino Heat and Rocky goes back to the corner. Rocky CHOPS Roddy, Roddy CHOPS back! Rocky CHOPS, Roddy kicks low! Roddy CLUBS Rocky, ROCKS him, then reels Rocky in for a BACKBREAKER! Rocky writhes but Roddy covers, TWO! Roddy and The Kingdom talk trash, Roddy swings but Rocky dodges! Rocky CHOPS and then stomps away on Roddy!

Rocky digs his boot in, lets off as the ref counts, then stands Roddy up. Rocky snapmares and runs to basement dropkick! Roddy flounders, Rocky covers, ONE!! Rocky keeps one eye on The Kingdom, then he brings Roddy around. UPPERCUT and Roddy staggers. Roddy BOOTS, whips, but Rocky goes Spiderman! Rocky then dodges Roddy and sends him tumbling out! Rocky goes out to PENALTY KICK from the apron! Rocky leaps to DIVING STOMP! Roddy writhes, Rocky gives more Latino Heat, and BOTB goes picture in picture.

Rocky tells The Kingdom to back off, and so does the ref. Taven mocks Rocky’s Latino Heat, but Rocky puts Roddy in the ring. Rocky storms up on Roddy to KICK his leg! Roddy hobbles to a corner, Rocky CHOPS him and then follows him. Rocky ROCKS Roddy, ROCKS him again, but Roddy bails out. Rocky goes after Roddy on the apron, but Roddy lifts! Rocky fights that to then elbow Roddy! But Rocky has to watch out for The Kingdom lurking! Roddy BOOTS Rocky, then POSTS him! Rocky falls to the floor, Roddy hops down and he drags Rocky up. Roddy gives Rocky a RAILING BACKBREAKER! Rocky writhes, The Kingdom mocks him more, and Roddy drags Rocky up.

Roddy puts Rocky in the ring, stomps Rocky around, then drags him up to CHOP! Rocky staggers to a corner, Roddy storms up on him, and then DECKS him! Roddy soaks up the heat, then he digs his boots into Rocky! The ref counts, Roddy lets off at 4, but just switches feet! The ref counts more, Roddy steps away, and Rocky sputters along the ropes. Roddy gets Rocky up but Rocky ROCKS him first! And again! Roddy hits back, Rocky CHOPS, and CHOPS! Rocky runs, but Roddy blocks the Rana to make it a POWER BREAKER! Rocky writhes, Roddy covers, TWO! Roddy clamps onto Rocky with a motorcycle stretch!

Rocky endures as Roddy digs knee into Rocky’s back. Rocky fights up, moves around, but Roddy knees him low! Roddy scoops Rocky to RAM him into buckles! Then OKLAHOMA STAMPEDE! Cover, TWO! Rocky is still in this but Roddy stays on Rocky with stomps. Roddy stomps and stomps as BOTB returns to single picture. Roddy goes back to the motorcycle stretch but the fans rally again. Rocky fights up, fights back, and he KICKS Roddy’s leg! And KICKS! Roddy CLUBS Rocky, eggs Rocky on, but Rocky roars! Rocky fires forearms, then UPPERCUTS! Roddy wobbles, Rocky KICKS and KICKS and SOBATS!

Rocky CHOPS, whips, but Roddy reverses. Rocky reverses back to kick, but Roddy ducks the enzigiri! Rocky REWIND HEEL KICKS! Roddy flops out of the ring and the fans fire up! Rocky builds speed, fakes Roddy out and DIVES onto Taven! Then Rocky DIVES onto Roddy! Rocky puts Roddy in, runs up, SLICED BREAD! Cover, TWO!! Roddy survives but Rocky keeps his cool. Rocky fires forearms in the corner, then winds up! The fans fire up as Rocky runs in, clothesline! Another clothesline! But Roddy follows to RAM Rocky, and CHOP him! And CHOP! And CHOP! Roddy whips, Rocky comes back into the SICK KICK! Cover, TWO!

Roddy is frustrated but he hauls Rocky up. Fireman’s carry, but Rocky fights free! Roddy shoves, lifts again, but Rocky pops up to RANA! The fans fire up as Rocky ducks ‘n’ dodges, tilt-o-whirls and DDTS! Cover, TWO! Roddy survives but Rocky stays focused. The fans rally for Rocky as he stalks Roddy. Roddy RAMS Rocky, gets him up top, and then climbs up after him. Rocky fights with fists and a HEADBUTT! Rocky then cravats, SUPER SLICED BREAD!! Cover, TWO!! Roddy survives again and Rocky is beside himself! The Kingdom is also worried, they rally up for Roddy. The fans rally for Rocky as he goes out to the apron.

Rocky climbs but The Kingdom is lurking again. The ref tells them to back off, but Roddy ROCKS Rocky first! Roddy has Rocky up top but Rocky DECKS Roddy! Rocky adjusts, Roddy stands, METE- STRONG KNEE!! Cover, Roddy wins!

Winner: Roderick Strong, by pinfall (denies Rocky Romero a title opportunity)

The Kingdom helps Roddy, whether Roddy will say it that way or not. Kyle is here to celebrate with his friend, but he also checks on his other friend in Rocky. Kyle helps Rocky up to his feet, and wants the fans to give it up for Rocky. But then Wardlow LARIATS Rocky, and The Kingdom stomps away! Kyle has them stop, this isn’t cool! But then Roddy STRONG KNEES Kyle down?!? The fans boo as Roddy tells Kyle that he could do it on his own, but there’s only ONE man that can be International Champion! Kyle made the wrong decision! Roddy’s arrogance just ended his friendship with Kyle, will Kyle make Roddy pay for that?

Backstage interview with Serena Deeb.

Lexi Nair is with the Professor of Professional Wrestling and notes how last week, Serena walked on stage after Yuka Sakazaki’s return victory. Why? Serena says she was sitting in the back, watching that impressive match, and thought to herself that she was watching a great pro-wrestler. Someone that Serena would love to tear it up with. Tonight, the Professor is here on BOTB, but has no championship opportunity. She’s not sweating it, though. Since her return, Serena is undefeated. She checked the rankings, and The Professor is sitting pretty at Number 3! So week by week, she’s climbing her way up to inevitably become champion.

Serena tells Yuka, that was an invitation. To where? Into the Deeb Dojo! Serena will show Yuka that Serena is better, and that she is what she says she is: The Professor of Pro-Wrestling! Serena wants to test herself against the Wrestling Magical Girl, but who will be the one taking a step closer to a title opportunity?

BREAKING NEWS for Dynasty!

After Roddy’s sudden rejection of Kyle O’Reilly, they are now going to battle over the International Championship! It’s the fight neither man wanted, but will Kyle give Roddy payback for what he did with interest?

ROH Women’s World Championship: Athena w/ Billie Starkz VS Red Velvet!

The Fallen Goddess is 49-0 after defeating Hikaru Shida on Supercard of Honor last week, and when she says she’s the Forever Champion, she means that. But will “forever” come to a crashing halt in Kentucky? Or will The Chef be the one getting served an L?

The introductions are made by Lexi Nair, so just a little biased in Athena’s favor. The belt is raised, and here in the main event, we see who is the face of the ROH Women’s Division!

The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings and the fans fire up for Athena already. The two circle, tie up, and they go around. They go into a corner, along ropes, then Athena throws Velvet down. Velvet holds on, they roll on the mat with the collar ‘n’ elbow, then they stand up. Athena puts Velvet in a corner, the ref counts, but Athena lets off with a cocky smile. Velvet keeps cool and resets with Athena. They tie up. Velvet wrenches an arm to wristlock, but Athena handsprings and wrenches back. Velvet rolls, kips up, and wrenches back. Velvet headlocks but Athena powers up and out. Velvet runs Athena over, but Athena kips up!

The fans fire up while both women brush themselves off. They reset again, tie up, and Athena headlocks. Velvet powers up and out, but Athena wrenches to whip. Velvet ducks ‘n’ dodges and tilt-o-whirls to RANA, but Athena handsprings through! The fans fire up and Athena cheers herself on. But Velvet DROPKICSK Athena down! Athena gets up, Velvet arm-drags, arm-drags again, and then Velvet cheers herself on. Athena runs up into another arm-drag! Velvet has the armlock but Athena fights up and throws Velvet down by her hair! The fans cheer but the ref reprimands, and things speed up.

Velvet drops, runs up and CALF KICKS Athena down! Athena bails out, Billie there to check on her. Velvet goes to the apron, Athena grabs a leg but Velvet kicks her away. Velvet then ASAI MOONSAULTS land takes Athena down! The fans fire up, Velvet drags Athena up and puts her in the ring, then has her on the apron. Velvet climbs up, brings Athena up, but Athena shoves her back. FLAPJACK off the top buckles! Velvet staggers, Athena reels her back in, APRON BACK SUPLEX! The fans fire up with Athena while BOTB goes picture in picture.

Velvet crawls into the ring but Athena follows her. Athena looms over Velvet, drags her up, then CLUBS her down. Athena stands Velvet up to whip her hard into a corner. Athena revels in the cheers before she runs in and back body blocks! Then Athena goes side to side to forearm SMASH! Athena smiles as Velvet leans against buckles. Athena shoves Velvet down, stomps her around, then drags her back up. Velvet fires body shots, but Athena bumps her off buckles. Velvet avoids the forearm to DOUBLE CHOP! Velvet fires body blows but Athena throws hands! Velvet CHOPS, Athena CHOPS, they CHOP, then Athena CHOPS Velvet off her feet!

The fans cheer while Athena snarls. Athena sits Velvet back up, KICKS her in the back, then KICKS her again! And again! Athena stands Velvet up, bumps her off buckles, then scoops to put Velvet in the Tree of Woe. Athena KICKS away on Velvet’s back, then lets her fall out of the Three. Billie applauds, tells Velvet she should’ve known better, but Velvet swipes at Billie. Billie gets away, cheers Athena on, but Velvet fires hands on Athena! Athena swings back but Velvet bobs ‘n’ weaves! Velvet ROCKS Athena, kicks her legs out, then runs up , into a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Athena is annoyed but still in control as BOTB goes to break.

BOTB returns once again as Athena hits buckles! Velvet rallies on Athena with clothesline after clothesline! Velvet runs, tilt-o-whirls and RANAS Athena onto ropes! Velvet runs up to DOUBLE KNEE! Velvet shoves Athena down, runs, and tilt-o-whirls again, REVERSE DDT! Cover, TWO! Athena survives and Velvet is frustrated. Athena crawls away, wanting mercy! But Velvet storms up, only for Athena to YANK Velvet into buckles! Athena then fireman’s carries Velvet for the WASTELAND! Roll through and another fireman’s carry, for another WASTELAND! Another roll through, and then Athena mocks the stirrin’ it up motion!

But Velvet pops up to RANA! Cover, TWO!! Athena escapes, Velvet runs up to wheelbarrow, but Athena URENAGES her down! Cover, TWO!! Athena is furious as Velvet survives! Athena goes up a corner, the fans cheer, and Velvet rises. But Velvet ROUNDHOUSES first! Velvet ROCKS Athena, climbs up after her, then CHOPS! Velvet goes to the very top, to SUPER VICTORY THROW! Athena flounders but she ducks the buzzsaw! Roll up, Velvet rolls through! THE SLICE! And then the tilt-o-whirl DDT!! Cover, TWO!!! Athena survives and Velvet is fuming! Velvet pushes Athena around while the fans rally up.

Athena is in the drop zone, so Velvet goes up top. Velvet tells Billie to shut up, but Athena gets out to the apron. The fans boo but Velvet adjusts position, to leap and SUPER CROSSBODY! Athena catches her!? And then brings Velvet around to FALCON ARROW to the floor! The fans fire up as Athena roars, but so does Velvet as she rises! Only for the SUPERKICK to knock her down! Athena has a wild look on her face and Billie cheers on the Overlord. Athena gets Velvet up, THROWS her into the LED board, then THROWS her around again! Athena drags Velvet up and into the ring, storms in after her, and reels her in! Canadian Rack, but Velvet sunset flips it! TWO!!!

Athena escapes, Velvet runs up, ducks ‘n’ dodges then SUPERKICKS! But Athena DECKS Velvet with a forearm! Athena goes up top, Velvet rises in a daze, to get the O-FACE!! Cover, Athena wins!

Winner: Athena, by pinfall (still ROH Women’s World Champion)

And that’s FIFTY and zero! Fifty wins, no losses, and no slowing down as she title belt clinks with Billie. But as is customary on ROH, Athena sets her belt down, and Billie does, too. They drag Velvet up, mock “stir it up,” but Velvet SLAPS Athena! And SLAPS Billie! But then Athena and Billie mug Velvet! The fans boo as Billie picks up her belt, takes aim, but then QUEEN AMINATA is here! Aminata runs down into the ring, dodges Billie to DECK Athena, then HEADBUTT for Billie! That’s payback for cheating in the TV title match! But then Athena runs up, into an Alabama Lift! AIR RAID CRASH!!

Aminata saves Velvet while also making her own impact, will The Queen not be denied her crown? Or will the Fallen Goddess look to make her pay for this insolence?

My Thoughts:

A really good BOTB but uh, after ten of these, we already know nothing really happens on these. Great action and promos like on Collision, but no titles were ever changing hands. And after two hours of Collision, the crowd was of course tired out. Hook of course defeated Shane but it was a really good showing of Hook’s resilience to take all that damage and still win. Really good match from Roddy and Rocky that Roddy of course won, and turns out I was right in thinking they’d fast track Roddy VS Kyle here. That match will be great stuff, but it’d be a shame if Kyle’s first title shot ends up a loss, even with The Kingdom all there to interfere and distract.

Good promo from Serena to make it clear that she’s having a match with Yuka, just in case it wasn’t clear last week. And then a great main event for the ROH Women’s Championship. Red Velvet looked great even in defeat, and natural move for Aminata to show up and go after Athena & Billie. Aminata really has her pick of the two titles at this point, and while payback on Billie for Supercard is an obvious route, why wouldn’t she go right to the source and take down Athena? Athena’s made it to 50-0, and if not when Athena faced Billie, not when she faced Nyla Rose nor when she faced Shida, her first loss should be to pass the torch to Aminata.

Aminata went through the grind, paid her dues, and has got organically over with ROH viewers, so if she isn’t gonna be the historic first Women’s TV Champ, make her the woman that takes down the top woman in ROH.

My Score: 8.6/10