High stakes in Las Vegas!

The AEW International Championship Eliminator Tournament continues on Collision as Ricochet battles Katsuyori Shibata for the first time ever!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• AEW International Championship Eliminator Tournament Opening Round: Ricochet VS Katsuyori Shibata;  Ricochet wins and advances.
• “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs VS Griff Garrison w/ The Frat House; Hobbs wins.
• AEW International Championship Eliminator Tournament Opening Round: Mark Davis VS Mark Briscoe; Davis wins and advances.
• 4v2 Handicap: Lance Archer & Brian Cage VS ???; Archer & Cage win.
• Six Man Tag: Holo.grm & Top Flight VS Shane Taylor Promotions; Hologram & Top Flight win.
• Megan Bayne VS Thunder Rosa; Megan wins.
• FTR w/ Daniel Garcia VS Kyle O’Reilly & Roderick Strong w/ Adam Cole; FTR wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Ricochet speaks.

“Ladies and gentlemen, you know who it is, so please, show some love for Ricochet, your soon to be NEW International Champion. Because if Shibata is a smart man, he’ll take my advice and he’ll just forfeit. He’ll give up and allow me to move on to Dynamite next week. And if not, I guess I will have to continue to show everybody why I am Outta This World. AHA~!”

Katsuyori Shibata “speaks.”

His text reader says, “Shut up, baldie.” Will The Wrestler show that actions speak louder than words?

Mark Davis speaks.

“Chicken man, I never would’ve believed it, but you might just be even more insane than you look. Stepping in the ring tonight with Dunkzilla, I’m a chop you up, I’m a pluck those feathers, and I’m gonna eat you for dinner.”

Mark Briscoe speaks.

“I got my eyes set on that International title at Dynasty. Kenny Omega, I’m coming for you! But tonight, Mark Davis, you in my way! So I’m gonna run right through you, big man! RAH RAH RAH!” Which Mark hits the mark and heads for Dynamite’s Fatal 4 Way?

The Undisputed Kingdom speaks.

Roderick Strong tells, “KYYYLE~! Tonight, we prove to FTR that we are the best tag team on planet Earth.” Kyle O’Reilly says, “That’s right, Roddy.” They beat FTR once, and it was no fluke. Tonight, they do it again. Adam Cole says, “And that is undisputed.”

FTR speaks.

Cash Wheeler says, “So a few weeks ago, we made a mistake that cost us the match against Roddy & Kyle. But tonight, here in Vegas, put all your money, bet the house, on FTR.” Dax Harwood says, “I imagine if you guys beat FTR, that’ll put you right in line for an AEW World Tag Team title shot. I’m not gonna apologize for spoiling your party, but it ain’t happening at our expense. Top Guys Out.” But will Dax & Cash make good on this rematch? Or will this be a bet they lose big time?

AEW International Championship Eliminator Tournament Opening Round: Ricochet VS Katsuyori Shibata!

We heard how the One & Only thinks he should be the one that faces Kenny Omega, but he’ll have to get through The Wrestler! Will Shibata knock Ricochet off his high horse to then represent Japan in the Fatal 4 Way? Or will Ricochet make up for losing to Swerve Strickland at Revolution?

The bell rings and the fans rally for Shibata. Shibata and Ricochet circle, but Ricochet stays back. Ricochet is wary as Shibata steps closer, and he goes up a corner to tell fans to calm down. Ricochet and Shibata tie up, Ricochet headlocks and wrenches, but Shibata wrenches back. Shibata then KICKS Ricochet in the leg! Ricochet hobbles away to a corner, and he walks off the pain. The fans boo, Ricochet tells them to shut up, and he ties up with Shibata. Ricochet headlocks, but Shibata powers up and out. Ricochet runs Shibata over, then keeps moving, but Shibata sits up! Ricochet stays back, and he tells Shibata to stand up.

The fans rally for Shibata as he stays seated, legs and arms crossed. Ricochet runs up, Shibata ducks the kick, then stands, only for Ricochet to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP again! Shibata brushes himself off, swings, but Ricochet dodges. Ricochet kicks and whips but Shibata reverses. Ricochet rolls over Shibata’s back, ducks a lariat, but not the CHOP! The fans fire up while Ricochet is stinging! Shibata then KICKS Ricochet in the back! Ricochet goes to the ropes, the fans rally up, and Shibata storms up. Ricochet uses the ropes as a defense, Shibata kicks anyway, but Ricochet blocks to HOTSHOT the leg!

Ricochet goes back to the apron and he springboards to FLYING LARIAT! Down goes Shibata, the fans boo, but Ricochet eggs them on. Ricochet goes out to fetch Shibata, and he RAMS Shibata into the barriers! Ricochet tells the fans to shut their mouths, then he RAMS Shibata into the apron! Shibata falls to the mat, Ricochet taunts the fans, then he puts Shibata in the ring. Ricochet runs and basement UPPERCUTS Shibata in the back! Ricochet sits Shibata up to KNEE him in the back, and KNEE him again. The fans boo but Ricochet brings Shibata up, snapmares and STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO!

The fans cheer as Shibata stays in this, but Ricochet taunts them again as Collision goes picture in picture.

Ricochet drags Shibata up, and he RAMS Shibata into the corner! And RAMS him again, sits him down, and digs his boots in. The ref counts, Ricochet steps off, and Ricochet taunts the fans more. Ricochet digs his boots in, scrubs Shibata’s face, but lets off as the ref counts. Ricochet drags Shibata up, whips him corner to corner hard, and Shibata bounces off buckles. Ricochet flexes, then gets on a corner to soak up all that heat. Ricochet goes back to Shibata, digs his boot into Shibata’s head, and the ref counts. Ricochet puts Shibata on the ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Ricochet steps off, and Ricochet is arguing with the fans sone more.

Ricochet CHOPS Shibata, CHOPS again, but Shibata isn’t even bothered! So Ricochet CLAWS Shibata’s eyes! The ref counts, Ricochet stops, and then Ricochet scoops Shibata to SLAM him! Ricochet runs for an ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Shibata stays in this and Ricochet grows frustrated. Ricochet scuffs Shibata, eggs him on, then kicks him! Collision returns to single picture as Ricochet CHOPS! And CHOPS! Shibata stands up, the fans fire up, and Ricochet fires forearms! Shibata ROCKS Ricochet! Ricochet falls against Shibata, Shibata eggs him on then runs. But Ricochet DROPKICKS Shibata down! The fans boo while Ricochet snarls.

Fans chant, “You Still Suck!” Ricochet taunts Shibata that the fans know better. Ricochet then sits cross-legged, all to taunt Shibata. Shibata sits up and crosses his legs now, and he eggs Ricochet on. Ricochet CHOPS, then SLAPS, but Shibata just eggs him on. Ricochet fires SLAP after SLAP, but Shibata isn’t even bothered! Ricochet says fine, Shibata should try. Shibata holds Ricochet back by his bald head! Then he CLAWS at the head! The IRON CLAW as learned from the Von Erichs! Shibata whips Ricochet to a corner for a BOOT! Ricochet sputters, Shibata rains down forearms, then Shibata runs corner to corner! HYDRAULIC feint to SLAP that bald head!!

The fans fire up as Shibata brings Ricochet up. HALF HATCH! Cover, TWO! Ricochet stays in this, goes to ropes, but Shibata blocks a kick. Shibata UPPERCUTS, whips, but Ricochet reverses to NORTHERN LIGHTS! Roll through, deadlift, and BRAINBUSTER! But Shibata’s right up to GERMAN SUPLEX! Ricochet flounders, Shibata rises, and “This is Awesome!” as both men stand. Shibata runs up, Ricochet BOOTS, SOBATS, and KNEES him back! Then ROLLING ELBOWS! Ricochet dodges a haymaker to handspring, but into an ANKLE LOCK, and then an STF!! Ricochet endures, reaches out, but the fans fire up for him to “TAP! TAP! TAP!”

Ricochet claws his way forward, brings Shibata along, and has the ROPEBREAK! Shibata lets go, stomps Ricochet, then drags him up. Shibata waistlocks, Ricochet fights the lift, so Shibata has the SLEEPER! Ricochet RAMS Shibata into a corner, ELBOWS him, but Shibata clamps back on! SLEEPER! Ricochet powers up to fireman’s carry, DETONATION KICK! Shibata falls, Ricochet runs, LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Shibata is still in this, but Ricochet keeps moving! STANDING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO! Shibata survives the onslaught and the fans rally up even more. Ricochet gets mad now, and he brings Shibata up.

Ricochet dragon sleepers, for the VERTI- NO, Shibata slips out and has the SLEEPER! Ricochet snapmares free fast, but Shibata dodges a lariat to have the SLEEPER! Ricochet kicks off the ropes, rolls back to a cover, TWO!! Shibata ducks a buzzsaw, has the SLEEPER again, and Ricochet is fading! Ricochet reaches out for ropes, but Shibata KNEES him low! Shibata fireman’s carries, for an USHIGOROSHI! And PENALTY- NO, Ricochet dodges! Shibata runs up, into an ELBOW! High stack, with the ropes!! Ricochet wins!!

Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall (advances to the Fatal 4 Way)

The fans boo as Ricochet steals that one! Ricochet had to stack the deck here in Vegas, but how is he going to win an even wilder match like the Fatal 4 Way?

BREAKING NEWS for next Saturday!

With March Madness on the way, it will be a special “Slam Dunk Saturday” Collision! Live coast to coast at 11 PM Eastern, 8 Pacific, immediately following NCAA Tournament coverage. But that’s just for one hour! The second hour is “Slam Dunk Sunday,” also live coast to coast, 11 PM Eastern, following more NCAA Tournament coverage. Make sure to set your DVRs accordingly so you don’t miss a second of this wild weekend!

The Don Callis Family is on a rampage!

And no, not the debunked weekly show! Brian Cage, Lance Archer & Mark Davis are beating up a bunch of random wrestlers backstage! Archer has one in a headlock as he’s telling Mark Davis to take out Mark Briscoe and get in that Fatal 4 Way! Cage tells Mark he has to bring that gold back to the Don Callis Family! Davis CHOPS down the guy Archer was holding onto! Who dies? EVERYBODY! And who betta? NOBODY! The Murder Machines help Dunkzilla with his tune-up, will there be nothing the Sussex County Chicken can do to survive tonight?

Toni Storm speaks.

“My name is Timeless Toni Storm, and I am your AEW Women’s World Champion. And by God, welcome to Las Vegas. After a hearty evening of filling up slots, hitting on anything over 21, and making Wayne Newton scream Danke Schoen, I am ready for some Collision. And there is no one I would like to collide with more than Megan Bayne. What sort of perverted fanfiction did they write you up in, hey? You want to blindside me in my spotlight? Then I would love to see what you will do in front of my face.

“Darling, you want to swim around like some sort of hammerhead terrorizing the guppies of AEW waters? Then I have no problem making shark fin soup, and then being put away again for animal cruelty. And that goes for all the women in this company and beyond. You want to fight for gold? Then step up to the table and place your bets, shake your fists and blow! Because everything will come up… TIIIMELESS~!” The champion smiles, then uses the belt as a compress. Will no one ever stop the reign now that Ms. Storm is back on top?

“Powerhouse” Will Hobbs VS Griff Garrison w/ The Frat House!

After chopping down The Redwood and helping Hologram get even with La Faccion Ingobernable, the Powerhouse is looking to get back on track towards his own goals. Will the Book of Hobbs start a chapter about grabbing up titles? Or will the Ivy League MVP win one for the Frat House?

The bell rings and the fans rally up for Hobbs as he makes the pecs dance. Griff says he can do that, but the fans cheer on Hobbs. Griff LARIATS, but Hobbs doesn’t budge! Griff fires LARIAT after LARIAT, but still nothing! Hobbs tells Griff to run the ropes. Griff runs, but then he dodges a lariat to BOOT! Griff runs, but Hobbs CLOBBERS him after all! The fans fire up, Preston Vance gets on the apron but Hobbs TOSSES him in! Hobbs CLOBBERS Vance, so Jacked Jameson tries! Hobbs TOSSES Jameson up and out! Griff kicks low, whips, but Hobbs reverses to then SPINEBUSTER! Cover, Hobbs wins!

Winner: “Powerhouse” Hobbs, by pinfall

Now that was #TownBidness! Hobbs probably could’ve won if it was 3v1, but speaking of… Vance & Jameson get back on the apron, but here come The Outrunners! They run off the Frat House, the fans fire up as Hobbs winds up with Truth & Turbo, “You son of a b*tch!” The Outrunners shake hands and Hobbs flexes with them! Will even Truth & Turbo get back on track towards a title opportunity?

Backstage interview with Thunder Rosa.

Lexy Nair is with La Mera Mera and says given everything that’s happened between her and Megan Bayne, she mentioned Megan’s lack of respect. How does this affect Rosa going into the match tonight? Rosa asks, “Do you know what this business is built on? It is built on respect. And there are women here who think that they’re too big and too pretty or maybe too good to come and respect the women who come and lay themselves for this business and AEW. Yes, Megan Bayne, I’m talking too! I’m so sick and tired of you disrespecting me! Disrespecting Kris Statlander!

“And let’s talk about what you did to Toni Storm last Wednesday! You don’t do that to our champion. And guess what? Thunder Rosa, La Mera Mera, has bigger ovaries than your braincells! So tonight, I’m gonna teach you a lesson in-” MEGAN BAYNE ATTACKS NOW! Megan fires off knees on Rosa, CLUBS her down, then KICKS her in the side! Megan stands over Rosa and smiles before she storms off. Rosa clutches her side and says her ribs hurt. Lexy calls for a medic, did Megan just disrespectfully cancel tonight’s match?

AEW International Championship Eliminator Tournament Opening Round: Mark Davis VS Mark Briscoe!

Dunkzilla is all warmed up after helping beat down random guys in the back, but he’s gonna have to #ManUp if he wants to do that to the former ROH World Champion! Will the United States of America have three-fourths representation in the Fatal 4 Way? Or will Davis win this one for Aussie Open?

The bell rings, the fans fire up for Briscoe, and he circles with Davis. They tie up, Davis powers Briscoe to a corner, but the ref counts. Davis lets off slowly, but Briscoe avoids a chop to CHOP! Briscoe eggs Davis on, then dodges to waistlock. Davis elbows free, whips, but Briscoe ducks a boto! Briscoe then Crane Kicks! And UPPERCUTS! And HAYMAKERS! Briscoe has Davis in a corner to CHOP! Briscoe CLUBS and ROCKS Davis, then ROCKS him again. Briscoe winds up, REDNECK KUNG-FU UPPERCUT! Briscoe whips, Davis reverses, and Davis BACKDROPS Briscoe! The fans boo but Davis storms back up on Briscoe.

Davis stands Briscoe up to put him in a corner, and he LARIATS! Then he hits a BIG back suplex! And SENTONS! The fans boo but Davis soaks that up while Briscoe goes to the apron. Davis storms up, Briscoe RAMS into him, then Briscoe DUMPS Davis out! Briscoe builds speed and the fans fire up as Briscoe FLIES! Direct hit and the fans fire up! They high-five with Briscoe, he looks under the ring, and he brings out a chair! The chair is thrown into the ring but the ref says no, that’s not this kind of match. Davis drags Briscoe out of the ring to THROW into railing! Davis then scoops Briscoe, but Briscoe slips free to POST Davis!

Briscoe gets the chair back! The fans cheer and Briscoe puts it on the apron. Briscoe uses it to FLY, and down goes Davis again! The fans fire up for Briscoe, and Collision goes picture in picture.

Briscoe puts Davis in the ring, climbs up a corner, and he leaps, only for Davis to get under! Davis runs in at the corner and LARIATS Mark, to then short arm LARIAT him down! Davis has Briscoe on ropes to LARIAT him again! Briscoe flops out to the ramp, Davis goes out after him, and runs to LARIAT Briscoe back into the ring! Davis stalks Briscoe, then runs to LARIAT again! Davis soaks up the heat while Briscoe is down. Davis kicks Briscoe’s chair off the apron, then he SENTONS onto Briscoe! Cover, TWO! Briscoe stays in this but Davis stays on him with a body scissors! Davis squeezes Briscoe but Briscoe endures.

Briscoe fights around, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Briscoe escapes by a literal foot, and Davis lets go in frustration, but Collision goes to break.

Collision returns, both men are up top, and Briscoe fights off the suplex with body shots! Briscoe fires forearms, then he BITES Davis’ face! Briscoe shoves Davis down, then MISSILE DROPKICKS! The fans fire up while both Marks are down! A standing count starts, the fans rally up, and Briscoe rises. Briscoe dodges Davis’ chop to CHOP! And then he CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! Davis puts Briscoe in the corner to CHOP, CHOP, and CHOP! But Briscoe CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Davis CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS, but then Briscoe CHOPS, ROCKS, and CHOPS! Briscoe fires forearms in the corner, but Davis turns things around.

Briscoe dodges a chop to then stomp away. Briscoe whips, Davis reverses, but Briscoe goes up and out! Briscoe blocks a shot to RKF UPPERCUT! Briscoe gets in, runs, and LARIATS! Davis stays up but the fans fire up! Briscoe runs again, and LARIATS! Davis is still up, and he even shakes his head! So Briscoe ROCKS and CHOPS and fires a flurry! Briscoe whips, Davis reverses, but Briscoe FLYING FOREARMS! Davis staggers but stays up in a corner. Briscoe LARIATS Davis, reels him in, and the fans fire up! Briscoe hooks a leg, but Davis fights free! Davis ROCKS Briscoe, then bumps him off buckles. Then a DRAGON SUPLEX!

Davis runs up and KNEES Briscoe down! Cover, TWO!! Briscoe survives but Davis pursues him to the outside again. The fans rally up for Briscoe but Davis brings him around. Davis gets Briscoe up, but Briscoe fights the bomb! Briscoe is on the apron and he BOOTS Davis! Then BLOCKBUSTER to the floor! The fans fire up for Briscoe, and he gets on the barriers! Briscoe says BANG BANG, and then a FOLEY ELBOW DROP! The fans fire up more, they help Briscoe stand, and he puts Davis in the ring. Briscoe winds up, runs, and LARIATS! Down goes Davis! But Briscoe isn’t done, he hurries to fisherman and BUSTER! Cover, TWO!!

Davis survives and shocks everyone! Briscoe is shocked, but he fires back up and calls his shot! The fans fire up more, and Briscoe hooks the arms. Davis fights the lift to BACKDROP, but Briscoe sunset flips! Davis rolls through, PILEDRIVER!! TWO?!?! Briscoe survives and the fans love “A E DUB! A E DUB!” Briscoe goes to a corner, and Davis grinds his forearm into Briscoe’s face. Davis runs side to side but Briscoe follows, and he forearm SMASHES! Briscoe puts Davis up top, RKF UPPERCUTS, and then fireman’s carries, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! The fans fire up as Briscoe goes up the corner!

Davis rolls away, Archer runs out here! The ref stops Archer, but Cage slips in from the other side! Cage SHOVES Briscoe off the corner, into Davis’ GAMANGIRI! The fans boo but Davis roars and hops on, SATELLITE DDT!! Cover, Davis wins!

Winner: Mark Davis, by pinfall (advances to the Fatal 4 Way)

The #CorealisForce does the job, but Davis did have a major assist from the Murder Machines. Will nothing stop the Don Callis Family from having that International Championship again?

4v2 Handicap: Lance Archer & Brian Cage VS ???

Oh well turns out those randos they were beating up are the four that the Murder Machines are facing now! Cage carries out and FALL AWAY SLAMS two of them onto the ramp! Archer TOSSES the third, BOOTS him down, then TOSSES the last guy into the ring! Cage puts another one in, the bell rings, and the fans boo as Cage & Archer stomp away! Cage hauls one up, Archer helps out, BOOT GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO! Cage then grabs the other guy, puts one out, MURDER BOMB!! Cover, Murder Machines win!

Winners: Lance Archer & Brian Cage, by pinfall

But they’re not done! They grab the other two who were spared during the “match,” and give them an F5 and CHOKE SLAM! Cage CHOKES one while doing pushups, and Archer just chokes the last guy! But here comes Briscoe with a chair! He storms the ring, gets mugged 2v1, but wait! HOBBS is back! Briscoe fights with Cage while Hobbs brawls with Archer! The fans fire up as Hobbs has Archer staggering around on stage! They go to the back, Cage and Briscoe brawl into the crowd! The fans fire up as the action is even closer now! Cage and Briscoe fight around towards the wall, then the exits! Will Hobbs & Briscoe brawl with Cage & Archer all the way to the Las Vegas strip?

Swerve Strickland is here!

Las Vegas becomes “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” as The Realest #1 Contender to the AEW World Championship goes to the ring. Swerve grabs a mic to ask, “Las Vegas, what’s good with you? Last Sunday, I did exactly what I said I was going to do, and that was beat Ricochet to become the #1 Contender for the AEW World Championship.” The fans cheer that! Swerve doesn’t take anything away from Ricochet, he is tough as hell. Probably one of the best to ever step foot in the ring. Hell, Ricochet even ruptured Swerve’s eardrum. But Swerve warned Ricochet about stepping to the Most Dangerous Man in AEW gets you put down.

And if you wanna challenge him again, Ricochet, Swerve will gladly accept it so he can slap your bald head back to the ground again. The fans cheer that! Swerve hears the fans chant for “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” and smiles. Swerve is sorry that Nana wasn’t here, but Nana is safeguarding the Embassy Robe so that Swerve can focus on the big things, the important things, like the AEW World Championship. The top prize for the best roster in the world. To compete for that championship, you have to be great. But to win that championship, you have to be elite. And last year, Swerve was All Elite! Last year at Dynasty, Swerve became AEW World Champion!

The fans cheer, and Swerve says 126 days, he was All Elite. And it seems that history repeats itself, because he will not be across from the champion in just three weeks. Swerve will have a chance to lead the Dynasty once again. That said, next week in Omaha, Nebraska, we have Jon Moxley VS Adam Copeland once again, but in a Street Fight. The fans boo a bit but Swerve smiles. Swerve says that you probably know he and Cope go way back. Swerve looked up to that man since he was a kid, so all Swerve’s life. A few years ago, Cope took Swerve under the ring and taught him what it was to seize the opportunity.

To put it this way, you don’t become dangerous without learning from the Rated R. But make no mistake about it, Cope, Swerve will reiterate something Cope once said: Whether you are challenger, or whether you are champion, you’re in my way. Right now, Cope is a legend and an icon, but he is in the way of the future of AEW, and Swerve will mow him down. Now, there’s also Jon Moxley. The fans boo again, and Swerve says Moxley is a FOUR-TIME AEW World Champion. You don’t become that without being an elite level performer. Swerve used to think he and Moxley were cut from the same cloth.

Until Moxley mentioned that there is no one that can hold down the world title like Moxley. Swerve doesn’t believe Moxley believes his own words! So much so, we have to listen to the dribble night in and night out, Moxley standing in the back, in boiler rooms, talking in riddles. All Swerve sees when he looks at Moxley is true desperation! And desperation is all Moxley will have, because to catch a maniac, you have to send a maniac! In three weeks, Dynasty in Philadelphia, whether it is Moxley or Cope, the result doesn’t matter, the Dynasty Era continues! And it will be Swerve that takes back the world title to turn AEW back to whose house?

MOXLEY SLITHERS IN FROM THE CROWD! And he CLOBBERS Swerve with a crowbar!! The fans boo and shout, but Moxley takes aim again. CURB STOMP!! Swerve writhes, Moxley storms his way back out of the arena, and then Moxley goes to the parking lot. “Consider that a free lesson: Respect won’t get you anywhere, Swerve! Swerve, Jay White, all these guys trying to back me into a corner! Copeland, you’re all amateurs! The Rated R Superstar, I hate your guts! I hate what you turned me into! I hate what you’ve done to me! On Wednesday night, IT’S OVER!! The Rated R Superman Superstar is a dead man.

“Wednesday night on Dynamite, Copeland, it’s ON!!” Moxley has sent his message to everyone else in AEW, will anyone end this reign of terror?

Backstage interview with Thunder Rosa.

Lexy is again with La Mera Mera for a health update. Can Rosa still compete tonight? Rosa says don’t ask the doctor, you ask Rosa. And Rosa won’t let Megan punk her out tonight! It is time to effin’ go!! Rosa storms out of the trainer’s room, will she regret going after The Megasus at anything less than 100%?

Six Man Tag: Holo.grm & Top Flight VS Shane Taylor Promotions!

The futuristic luchador has been picking up speed ever since he returned from injury, and now he might achieve takeoff alongside Dante & Darius Martin! Will three high-fliers make leaps and bounds towards title opportunities? Or will Lee Moriarty, Shawn Dean & Carlie Bravo show them how to rumble, bad man, rumble?

The trios sort out, Hologram starts against #TAIGASTYLE, but wait, The Cru is here? Lio Rush & Action Andretti have been watching other tag teams in AEW, but it makes sense they’d watch their former friends, Top Flight. The bell rings and Hologram circles with Lee. They feel things out, tie up, and Lee wrenches to wristlock and wrangle Hologram. Hologram kips up, Lee grabs both arms for a motorcycle stretch. Hologram flips, spins things around, and NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, ONE! Hologram wrenches and spins Lee, but Lee full nelsons. Hologram uses a leg for leverage in breaking that, then he victory rolls Lee!

Hologram steps forward, leans back into a JAPANESE LEG ROLL, ONE and Lee turns that around for his own! Hologram stops that to roll Lee up, TWO! Lee CLOBBERS Hologram, then soaks up the heat. The fans rally for Hologram, and he reaches up to twist and RANA! And “Harley-gram” is backstage watching! The fans rally as Hologram dodges Lee, then handsprings to stare him down! Hologram and Lee back off, tag to Dante and Dean. Things speed up, Dante dodges and A-LIST LARIATS Dean int he corner! Tag to Darius for the snap suplex, and a kip up to tag Dante back in, slingshot SENTON!

Carlie & Lee coach Dean but Dante brings Dean up. Dean pushes free, takes a swing, but Dante gets around to arm-drag! Dante has the armlock, Dean fights up, and Dean whips Dante away. Dante rolls under, comes back, and he jumps, but Dean denies the rana! Dante DROPKICKS Dean and then talks trash on Action. Action dares Dante to bring it, but Dean waistlocks. Dante switches, headlocks, but Carlie tags in as Dean powers out. Dante runs up on Dean but Dean BOOTS him! Carlie is there to BOOT Dante down! The fans boo but Lee applauds, and Collision goes picture in picture.

Carlie RAMS Dante into the STP corner, then STP all mugs Dante! The ref counts, Dean & Lee let off, and Carlie swaggers around. Carlie storms back over, tags in Dean, and Dean sends Carlie in for a forearm SMASH! Then “Psyche!” Carlie is sent back in for another forearm SMASH! Dean runs up to ELBOW Dante, then LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Dante toughs it out but Dean stomps him to ropes. Dean tags Lee, Lee scrapes his soles off Dante’s face. Lee clamps onto the arm, grinds Dante down, but Dante endures. Dante fights up, fires body shots, but Lee bends fingers! Lee wrangles Dante, SNAPS the fingers, then puts Dante in the corner.

Tag to Carlie and Carlie CHOPS Dante! Carlie taunts the fans, CHOPS Dante again, then also tells The Cru to watch it. Carlie steps on Dante’s neck, “apologizes,” then dares Dante to go for his corner. Carlie puts Dante back in the STP corner, tags in Dean, and the mugging continues. Dean brings Dante up to scoop and SLAM! Dean stays between Dante and his team, then runs to drop a JUMP ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Dean is frustrated, but he keeps Dante down with an armlock. Dante endures, Lio is vlogging this, but Dante fights up. Dean facelocks Dante to then knee him low. Dean ROCKS Dante, The Cru talks trash, and Collision returns to single picture.

Carlie tags in, The Infantry whips Dante back into the STP corner, then Dean sends Carlie in. Dean TOSSES Carlie out! And he BLATS Lee, BOOTS Dean, then runs up. Dean catches Dante to keep him from his corner! Atomic drop! Dean BLASTS Darius & Hologram, then Carlie hits a SOMERSAULT FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Carlie clamps onto Dante while Harley-gram is still watching. Harley-gram is confronted by Beast Mortos?! These two stare down while the fans rally for Dante. Dante fights up, the fans rally, and Dante JAWBREAKERS free! Dante crawls, Carlie anchors legs, and we check in with Spanish commentary if Dralistico can give us explanations as to Mortos’ actions.

Dralistico seems just as confused as we are about this, but it seems Mortos is enamored with Harley-gram. Meanwhile, Dante kicks free of Carlie, Dean tags in, and he stops Dante short! Back suplex, but Dante lands out! Carlie waistlocks, Dante elbows free, and he dodges Dean! Hot tag to Darius! Darius rallies on STP, then fires shots on Dean! Darius whips, Dean reverses, but Darius atomic drops and BULLDOG HOTSHOTS! Darius SUPERKICKS Lee, ROUNDHOUSES Carlie, and GAMANGIRIS Dean! Dean staggers, into the springboard FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Dean stays in this, Shane coaches him up.

Darius brings Dean up, Dean JAWBREAKERS free, then Carlie sneaks a tag. Darius ROCKS Dean, UPPERCUTS him, then whips corner to corner. Dean reverses, then Carlie runs up to SMASH Darius! Feed to Dean’s FLYING LARIAT! Carlie BLASTS Hologram, the Infantry gets Darius up, ASSISTED URENAGE! Cover, Hologram breaks it! The fans fire up but Dean CLOBBERS Hologram! Dante runs up, Dean picks him up, but Dante RANAS Dean out of the ring! Lee runs up, Hologram dodges to roll and arm-drag! Hologram builds speed, and he DIVES! Direct hit into Lee into railing! The fans fire up but The Cru is furious!

Darius avoids Carlie’s scissor kick! Darius waistlocks Carlie to O’Conner Roll, TWO! Dante tags in, Darius gets around Carlie! Carlie fights free, but gets a SHOTGUN GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO! Dante stares The Cru down as he covers, Top Flight & Hologram win!

Winners: Hologram & Top Flight, by pinfall

Dante stares daggers at The Cru but they don’t sweat him. Will The Man of the Hour and the Sight to See ground Top Flight once and for all? As for Hologram, he sees Dralistico on commentary and is having his own stare down. Will LFI reel in Mortos before he has a change of heart?

Alex Abrahantes speaks.

“LFI, months ago, you took out Hologram, you took out Komander, and that’s something neither one of them has forgotten. So if you want to prove you’re as tough as you say you are, allow us to make a challenge to you. But be aware: what you’ve done, LFI, is bring two of the most exciting and unique luchadores together. They aren’t some random competitors, they are lucha stars. And they challenge you, LFI, because united we stand, and together, you will fall!” The Hype Man has issued the ultimatum to LFI, will Rush, Dralistico y Mortos learn to respect Hologram y Komander?

Megan Bayne VS Thunder Rosa!

Speaking of respect, or lack there of… The Megasus shocked Storm by attacking on Wednesday, and then she rolled Thunder by attacking here tonight. But La Mera Mera has never backed down from a fight, and she won’t start now! But can Rosa even keep up with damaged ribs? Or will her undying heart see her through?

The bell rings, Megan storms up to Rosa, and pie faces her! The fans rally for Rosa and she SHOTGUNS Megan! And DROPKICKS again! Megan stays up but Rosa DROPKICKS her to a corner! The fans fire up and Rosa runs corner to corner to ELBOW Megan! And CHOP! And CHOP! Rosa CHOPS again, but Megan shoves her down. Megan runs up but Rosa avoids the boot! Rosa fires forearms and CHOPS, has Megan on the ropes and fires more shots! The ref counts, Rosa runs, but Megan CLOBBERS her! Megan drags Rosa up, bumps her off buckles, and then CHOPS! The fans boo but Megan runs corner to corner, but Rosa ELBOWS her away!

Megan comes back but Rosa BOOTS her away! Rosa goes up and CROSSBODIES, but into Megan’s arms! BEARHUG! Megan thrashes Rosa around, before she OVERHEAD BELLY2BELL SUPLEXES her! Rosa flounders to the apron, Megan runs and BOOTS her down! Rosa hits the floor and clutches her ribs while Megan soaks up the heat. Rosa struggles to sit up while Collision goes picture i npicture.

Rosa rises up, but Megan just kicks her back down. Megan goes out after Rosa, THROWS her into the ring, then drags her out just to THROW her into railing! Megan paces, then she whips Rosa into the apron! Megan whips Rosa into more barriers! Rosa flops over but Megan is looming. Rosa shoves Megan, fires body shots, but Megan KNEES her low! Megan scoops and SLAMS Rosa on the floor! Rosa writhes, Megan stalks her, and then Megan SMACKS Rosa off the apron! Megan brings Rosa around the way, fireman’s carries her, and then goes up the steel steps! Megan DUMPS Rosa into the ring!

Megan goes to a corner, watches Rosa rise, and then she runs in for a LEAPING LARIAT! Rosa is in serious trouble while Collision goes to break.

Collision returns, Megan has Rosa in a BEARHUG, but Rosa JAWBREAKERS free! Rosa CHOPS, then fires a forearm, but Megan ROCKS her back! Rosa comes back to fire a flurry! Megan DECKS Rosa! Megan eggs Rosa on, and Rosa rises again to run. Rosa fires a flurry of forearms and CHOPS! Megan roars, Rosa dodges, but then Megan kicks low! Megan suplexes, Rosa slips free, and Rosa kicks low! Rosa fires forearms, then powers up to SHOTGUN! Megan staggers to a corner, the fans fire up with Rosa, and Rosa runs corner to corner! But Megan puts her on the apron! Rosa blocks a shot to ROCK Megan back!

Rosa climbs, aims, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Megan flounders away and the fans fire back up! Rosa says time to teach Megan some respect! DROPKICK through the ropes! Megan flops out to the floor but Rosa is right on her! Megan fires a body shot, and she scoops Rosa! But Rosa slips free to POST Megan! Rosa SMACKS Megan off the steel steps, then dribbles her off them! Rosa pushes Megan along and they go up the ramp. Rosa CHOPS, then uses the ropes to springboard, but Megan catches her again! Rosa fires elbows, slips free, and ROCKS Megan! They go up the ramp to the stage, and Rosa ROUNDHOUSES!

Megan drops to her knees, and Rosa runs up! But Megan fireman’s carries! “BOW DOWN!” FATE’S DESCENT on the stage!! Megan leaves Rosa behind for the ring count to handle. The count is 5 of 10 as Rosa crawls to the ramp. Rosa reaches ringside at 8, and she rolls in at 9.5! But Megan hoists her back up! “BOW! DOWN!” FATE’S DESCENT again!! Cover, Megan wins!

Winner: Megan Bayne, by pinfall

A former AEW Women’s World Champion is now among those defeated by The Megasus! But she isn’t done! She gut wrenches Rosa for an ARGENTINE BACKBREAKER! BUT WAIT! Toni Storm is here! The fans fire up as Toni storms her way into the ring! Megan dumps Rosa down, and they start firing forearms, then haymakers! The fans fire up, and Toni dodges a shot to HEADBUTT! Megan stays up!? Toni roars and runs up, but into a fireman’s carry! FATE’S DESCENT!! The fans boo but Megan now stands over the four-time AEW Women’s World Champion! Kris Statlander rushes out here, along with refs, and Megan stands down.

Kris helps Rosa, Luther appears to help Miss Storm. Megan has demolished some of the best in AEW today, is it only a matter of time until she is THE best in AEW?

BREAKING NEWS for Slam Dunk Saturday!

Adam Cole and Daniel Garcia both agreed that Cole was owed a rematch, so here it comes! Garcia VS Cole Round 2 for the AEW TNT Championship! There will be a RINGSIDE BAN of all others, but will there also be a NEW Face of TNT?

BREAKING NEWS for Slam Dunk Sunday!

The challenge was issued, and the challenge was accepted! Dralistico y Mortos will battle with Hologram y Komander in what will surely be a lucha libre instant classic! But will LFI start their takeover of AEW? Or will the Super Amigos prove they are the future, and the future is now?

FTR w/ Daniel Garcia VS Kyle O’Reilly & Roderick Strong w/ Adam Cole!

Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler won’t apologize for giving their opponents a fair shake last time, but they also feel that kindness came back to bite them. Will FTR be only concerned with a win this week? Or will Collision once again be Undisputed?

The teams sort out while Cole and Garcia join commentary. The bell rings as Kyle and Dax start off. Vegas duels between “UN-DIS-PU-TED!” “F T R!” Almost sounds like a super team name. Kyle and Dax circle, they tie up, then break. Then they tie up, break, and go again. Dax waistlocks, Kyle switches, but Dax arm-drags for an armlock. Kyle headscissors, Dax kips free and then hits a headlock takeover. Kyle headscissors again, Dax kips free, but Kyle trips Dax to an ANKLE LOCK! Dax scrambles to the ROPEBREAK, and even goes to the apron. The ref counts, Kyle lets go, and the fans cheer for “TAG TEAM WRESTLING!”

Dax storms back into the ring, but he tags Cash. Cash and Kyle circle, feel things out, and tie up. Cash wrenches, wristlocks, but Kyle wrenches and wristlocks back. Cash rolls, but Kyle wrangle shim! Cash stands up to whip but Kyle reverses. Cash goes up and over, keeps moving, then slides under to arm-drag! Kyle avoids the dropkick, and he KICKS Cash down! The fans fire up and Kyle bumps Cash off buckles. Roddy tags in, he clinches for a GUT BUSTER! Kyle goes up to add a KNEE DROP! Roddy drags Cash up to CHOP, then CHOP, then he tags Kyle. Roddy & Kyle CHOP and KICK on repeat! Then they DOUBLE SUPLEX! Kyle covers, TWO!

Kyle rains down palm strikes from all sides, then looms over Cash. Kyle brings Cash up, wrenches, then tags Roddy. Roddy knees Cash low, has him in a corner, and he fires a forearm. Roddy whips corner to corner, Cash just gets up and over, then runs again. Roddy doesn’t quite hurdle so he clips Cash. Roddy CLUBS away, then whips. Cash reverses and kicks low, then he whips Roddy into the FTR corner! Dax might have gotten a bit of Roddy’s face in his face, but Cash CHOPS Roddy! And CHOPS! Cash whips Roddy, Roddy reveres, but Cash turns that around to send Roddy back to the corner. Roddy BLASTS Dax off the corner this time!

Cash HOTSHOTS Roddy, Dax returns, and Cash anchors Roddy’s legs. Tag to Dax, he drops a leg, an elbow, and a HEADBUTT! The fans fire up as Dax paces around, and then Dax drags Roddy up. Dax snapmares, clamps on a chinlock, and the fans again duel, “UNDISPUTED!” “FTR!” Roddy fights up, fires body shots, but Dax CHOPS! Roddy CHOPS! Dax CHOPS! Repeat! The fans fire up as the CHOPS keep going, and Roddy gets the edge! Roddy runs up, but Dax catches him! Dax keeps Roddy from Kyle, puts him in a neutral corner, but then Roddy dodges! Dax hits buckles hard and staggers back. Cash runs in, almost runs the ref over, but Roddy DUMPS Cash out!

The fans rally as Roddy rises, but Dax reels him in! Dax lifts, Roddy fights it, and Cash stumbles back in. The ref ushers Cash to the corner while Roddy BACKDROPS free! Roddy tags Kyle, but the ref doesn’t see it! Cash’s stumbling might be Cash playing it up just for this moment! FTR now mugs Roddy in the corner! The fans boo, Kyle protests, and then he jukes past the ref to go after FTR! Dax leads Kyle on a cat ‘n’ mouse game while Cash keeps beating up Roddy! The ref then stops Kyle, Cash hoists Roddy up, Dax runs the ropes, HART ATTACK! Cover, TWO! All the trickery doesn’t pay off, but Collision goes to break.

Dax drags Roddy from Kyle, bumps him off buckles in a neutral corner, then CHOPS! Dax CHOPS again, then UPPERCUTS! Roddy sputters as he leans against ropes, but Dax brings him around. Roddy CHOPS! And CHOPS! Dax CHOPS back! Dax tags Cash, FTR puts Roddy under the ropes and ROPE GUILLOTINES! Cash then goes to the apron, for a GUILLOTINE LEG DROP! Roddy sputters, Cash soaks up cheers and jeers, then he brings Roddy over. Tag to Dax, Dax drags Roddy up, and Dax snap suplexes! Roddy writhes, but Dax soaks up more cheers and jeers. Dax boasts more, and Roddy rolls him up! TWO!!

Dax escapes, and he CHOPS Roddy down! Dax puts Roddy in the corner, snapmares him out, and clamps on a chinlock. Roddy endures, Dax leans on him, but Roddy fights up. Roddy reaches out, Dax keeps him from Kyle, but then Roddy JAWBREAKERS free! Both men fall, and then both men crawl, then they stand. Dax CHOPS Roddy again! So Roddy CHOPS Dax again! Collision returns to single picture as the CHOPS continue! The fans fire up, and Roddy gets around to ANGLE SLAM! Both men are down again and Garcia admits, that was impressive. Hot tags to Cash and Kyle! Kyle BOOTS Cash, KICKS him, then KICKS him again!

Kyle fires off a strike fest on Dax! Cash runs up, but Kyle blocks a kick to get an ANKLE LOCK!! Dax clamps onto Kyle with a SLEEPER! Dax pulls Kyle back, but Kyle hits a SAIDO! Kyle runs to forearm SMASH Cash in the corner! Then ELBOW BREAKER! Cash ROCKS Kyle, inside cradles him, TWO! Cash suplexes, Kyle slips free, and ANKLE LOCK!! Cash endures, reaches out, but Roddy goes after Dax. Dax kicks Roddy away, but Kyle DECKS Dax! Cash rolls Kyle, Kyle rolls through, ANKLE LOCK!! Roddy has Dax on the apron with an ANKLE LOCK of his own! The fans duel as both FTR endure!

Dax turns over and he BOOTS Roddy into the POST! Dax then hurries up top, for a DIVING HEADBUTT on Kyle! Everyone is down at ringside, both Cole and Garcia are talking up their guys, and Vegas says “This is Awesome!” Kyle stirs, Dax calls to Cash. Dax Electric Chair Lifts while Cash climbs. But Kyle slips free to shove Dax into Cash! Kyle then KNEES Dax, fires off a strike fest, and KICKS the legs out! Kyle then goes up after Cash, brings him up with a double wristlock, but Cash fires body shots! Dax tags in, Cash SUNSET FLIPS to Electric Chair Lift Kyle! Dax is up top now, DOOMSDAY BULLDOG!! Cover, TWO!?!

Cole is fired up for his team, but Garcia says FTR is the best at isolating a single opponent. The fans rally up as FTR watches Kyle. But that lets Roddy slip in! Roddy shoves Cash into Dax, then he runs to WRECK Cash with a dropkick! Kyle tags Roddy in, Roddy KNEES Dax against ropes! Feed to Kyle’s KNEE! Then AX & STRONG SMASH!! Cover, TWO!?! Dax survives and Cole admits, Dax is resilient. Kyle & Roddy KICK and CHOP Dax again and again, but Cash rushes in! Roddy kicks Cash, gives him to Kyle, CHOP and BRAINBUSTER! Dax comes back to fire haymakers and CHOPS on Roddy & Kyle!

Dax fires a flurry on Roddy, then runs, but into a KNEE from Kyle! SWEEP THE LEG OUTTA NOWHERE!! Cover, but Cash BARRELS in and breaks it! Cole is beside himself but Garcia and the fans all applaud. All four men are down in the ring but the fans cheer them on. FTR and the Kingdom stand and start throwing forearms back and forth! The brawl picks up speed, Roddy DECKS Dax! Kyle KICKS Cash down, then gets him back up. But Dax saves Cash from the suplex! Dax dodges Roddy & Kyle to shove them into each other! Kyle falls, Dax waistlocks Roddy and Cash goes up and over them both.

Cash sets up, Roddy is sent into SHATTER MACHINE!!! Cover, KYLE DRAGS DAX OUT!! Now Cole is the one fire dup, but Cash DIVES onto Kyle! Cash puts Roddy back in, Dax covers, ROPEBREAK!! The ref sees it this time, so there’s no questioning it! “This is Wrestling!” as Dax calls to Cash. We hit the five minute warning, Dax stands Roddy up. Dax CHOPS, but Roddy fires off forearms and elbows on FTR! Dax CHOPS again, fans hope these teams “FIGHT FOREVER!” Dax JABS, JABS, and ROCKS Roddy! Roddy falls back, Dax storms up and talks trash. Dax even fires up the fans! Dax hoists Roddy up top, then CHOPS again!

Cash tags in and Dax climbs up! SUPERPLEX for the Power! SPLASH onto knees! Kyle KING KONG KNEE DROPS on Dax!! Roddy covers Cash, TWO!! This match is a roller coaster of emotions for Cole and Garcia, and even the fans! Kyle says it’s time, and Roddy runs, SWEEP THE- NO, Dax pushes Kyle away! SHATTER MACHINE!!! Cover, FTR WINS!!!

Winner: FTR, by pinfall

Cole is fuming but he hurries to ringside to check on his guys. Garcia thanks Schiavone & Nigel for welcoming him, and he excuses himself to go celebrate with his Top Guys. No flukes here, but now Cole and Garcia have one week to prepare for their own showdown. They stare down now, and Cole offers a handshake. Garcia takes it, the fans cheer the respect, and then Roddy & Kyle offer the same. FTR still leaves The Kingdom hanging? Even Garcia is surprised by that. But will there still be respect for Cole and Garcia after their Slam Dunk Saturday showdown?

My Thoughts:

A great Collision here, but I’m still not much for cold open promos. It’s really only an issue when trying to keep up and write stuff like this, because the wrestlers still do a great job. It just seems unnecessary when there are other promos both tonight and during the week that help us understand story. I can’t say for sure, but I doubt there are fans watching only Collision and not Dynamite. Just get to Ricochet VS Shibata as the opening moment for even more of a great match. As I predicted on Wednesday, we got both Heels winning tonight since Orange Cassidy and Mike Bailey won on Wednesday.

Great promo from Toni Storm, and a good one from Rosa, but I could just feel an attack ready to happen for Rosa’s. Megan Bayne is clearly building up to be that next challenger, she damages Rosa before their match, and then has a fairly easy time with Rosa in the match. Toni making the save only to need saving was also a nice twist. As I said on Dynamite, this next feud is about Toni overcoming someone so much bigger and stronger than her. Think like Rocky 4 and Rocky having to fight Ivan Drago. At the same time, if Megan & Penelope find a third, they can have a pretty good Six Woman Tag with Toni, Rosa & Kris. Gasp. Willow shocking us by going Heel because it’s Kris?

Very good promo from Swerve to put Ricochet over just a little bit. Swerve calling out both Cope and Moxley equally was also good, and of course Moxley would attack Swerve. He got payback from how Revolution ended, and gives one more ultimatum of his own before the Street Fight with Cope. Also, I wonder if the ambulances in the parking lot acts as foreshadowing. After all, Cope and friends hospitalized Pac, Claudio & Marina, and they’ll be coming back for revenge of their own. It’s half the reason the stipulation is “Street Fight,” aka no disqualifications and nothing to be done should they ALL attack and screw Cope over.

Good stuff from the Don Callis Family just wrecking people, but there is some match order and basically filler stuff going on that was just weird. Commentary called the Six Man Tag the “standby” match, aka the match they didn’t think they’d put on tonight, but no, no, no. Hobbs crushing The Frat House should’ve been the “standby” match, no way should The Frat House be getting on an AEW card on purpose. But that aside, Outrunners getting to help Hobbs was good stuff, and I’m sure we’ll get a Six Man Tag from that. And if Hobbs was going to get involved alongside Briscoe in going after Don Callis Family, why not just let this be Hobbs’ thing instead of that filler?

Sadly, Top Flight & Hologram VS STP wasn’t much better in the end. It was less about that actual match and more about plugging The Cru back into a story with Top Flight, and making a story out of “Harley-gram” and Mortos. Beauty & The Beast Mortos is going to be quite the romcom. But why is Harley being relegated to this when she was doing so well as herself? Good promo from Abrahantes to call out LFI and set up a tag match, though. Komander & Hologram VS Dralistico & Mortos is going to be fast ‘n’ furious, but I already have a feeling Harley’s presence is going to cost LFI.

At least FTR VS Kyle & Roddy was an awesome main event, bordering on PPV worthy. Cole and Garcia on commentary was some good stuff, but obviously all about plugging their title match next week. I figured FTR would win, but it feels like they’re slowly turning Heel. They didn’t show respect at the end there, and Dax has been on that “I’m not gonna apologize” thing for a few weeks. I don’t know if Garcia is going to start using that same attitude or if he cuts ties with them because of it. But Cole VS Garcia will be awesome stuff, and hard to call. Would they really do a title change on an episode that is partially preempted because of basketball? It’d give fans reasons to actually care about Collision.

My Score: 8.8/10

The Best Bout Machine awaits!

With Kenny Omega as the NEW AEW International Champion, an internationally flavored tournament begins to determine his challenger for Dynasty!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Six Man Tag: The Opps VS Vinny Pacifico, Eli Theseus & Gabriel Aeros; The Opps win.
• “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs & Holo.grm w/ “Harley-gram” VS Brian Cage & Dralistico w/ The Beast Mortos; Hobbs & Hologram win.
• AEW International Championship Eliminator Tournament Opening Round: The Beast Mortos VS “Speedball” Mike Bailey; Bailey wins and advances.
• Best Wrestler Alive Open Challenge: Max Caster VS Konosuke Takeshita; Takeshita wins.
• Willow Nightingale VS Penelope Ford; Willow wins.
• AEW International Championship Eliminator Tournament Opening Round: Orange Cassidy VS Hechicero; Cassidy wins and advances.

PLAY BY PLAY

Kenny Omega is here!

Fresno fires up for the NEW AEW International Champion, and he gets a LOT of pyro! Kenny high-fives fans in the front row before stepping into the ring, and the fans get even more fired up. Kenny grabs a mic to say, “This is all still so wild to me. Before 2025, I was more than happy to just be able to stand in this ring and say, ‘Guys, I am cleared, I can try doing this again.’ But what’s even more unbelievable, and what makes me think this is even more of a dream state is now, we’re barely into the new year. Not only am I back with AEW, but thanks to the support of you fans, the support of our doctors, the support of someone who I never thought I’d be able to call a friend in Will Ospreay…

“Not only am I back…” The fans already chant “You Deserve It!” and Kenny says he’s not just back, he’s back with something he never thought he’d hold again. It’s not just a title, it’s a singles title. And though he has listed a whole slew of people he needs to thank, there is one more person he truly needs to thank. It might sound controversial, but he will thank Konosuke Takeshita. Kenny will thank Takeshita because Takeshita pushed Kenny harder than he could ever push himself. If not for Takeshita forcing Kenny back to that place that Kenny needed to be in order to stand amongst the top of AEW, he wouldn’t have this belt. Kenny wouldn’t be here speaking to everyone.

And if there’s one thing Takeshita did aside from being a great champion is that he made this belt a truly international championship. So when AEW’s fearless leader, Tony Khan, had the idea for the Dynasty International Eliminator Tournament, Kenny thought, “Gee, Tony, that’s a great idea. Because I want whoever has this belt to legitimately call themselves the best on the planet.” The fans cheer that! Kenny says best believe he’ll be watching who wins this tournament. It doesn’t matter what country you represent, what walk of life you represent, Kenny wants the best! So as closely as the fans will be watching, Kenny will be watching even closer.

And let’s kick things off with a bang! Speaking of, he will bid us adieu. Goodbye, Fresno, MWAH, and goodnight, BANG! The fans cheer as The Cleaner puts everyone in this tournament on notice! It’s Ricochet VS Shibata and Mark Briscoe VS Mark Davis for Collision, but tonight is Orange Cassidy VS Hechicero in the main event, and The Beast Mortos facing a wild card! Who makes it through to the wild Fatal 4 Way set for next week’s Dynamite?

But as Kenny is on his way out, signing autographs and high-fiving fans, The Opps make their way out! The Wrestler looks at Kenny, a possible match-up already teased. Kenny gives a thumbs up, Shibata, Hook & Samoa Joe go to the ring. Will The Opps also look to keep the AEW Trios Division on their toes?

Six Man Tag: The Opps VS Vinny Pacifico, Eli Theseus & Gabriel Aeros!

The trios sort out, and Joe starts against Eli. The fans rally for “JOE! JOE! JOE!” as he and Eli tie up. Joe fires hands, then CHOPS! And JABS! JABS! JABS! Eli ends up in a corner, Joe JABS, JABS, JABS, and fires off fast hands! The ref counts, Joe stops, and the fans fire up again as Joe CHOPS! Eli sputters, Joe smiles and whips, then he runs up. Eli ELBOWS Joe, runs the ropes, but Joe ELBOWS Eli down! Tag to Hook while Eli gets away. Eli tags Gabriel, but Gabriel is a little worried. Gabriel still runs up, but Hook KNEES him low! And TOSSES him to the corner! Hook LARIATS, fires body shots, then HEADBUTTS!

Hook reels Gabriel in for a NORTHERN LIGHTS! Hook lets Gabriel scramble away, Gabriel tags in Vinny. Vinny fires up and runs in, but Hook just trips him. Hook tags Shibata, the fans fire up, and Shibata runs to BLAST Eli & Gabriel! Shibata whips Vinny to a corner, BOOTS him, then CHOPS him! And CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! MACHINE GUN CHOPS! The fans fire up, Shibata sits Vinny down, HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Shibata then HALF HATCH SUPLEXES, covers, TWO! But Shibata has a SLEEPER! Vinny endures, but he’s fading fast! Shibata runs to PENALTY KICK! Cover, Opps wins!

Winners: The Opps, by pinfall

The Opps made light work of Pacifico & The Parea, and now they’re rolling on towards Dynasty. Will Shibata make it through his Collision with The One & Only Ricochet?

Ricochet speaks.

“Y’all look. Despite what you may think, just because I got screwed at Revolution does not mean that my question for championship gold is over. Oh, no, Fresno, not by a long shot. And besides, I didn’t want that ugly ass robe anyways. But then I look out there and I see Kenny Omega holding the International Championship, and uh, it looks pretty, I gotta admit. But you know what would look even better? The International Championship on my waist. That is why I entered Dynasty’s International Championship Eliminator Tournament. And Shibata, look, I know who you are, I know everything about you, I know what you’re capable of.

“And that’s why I’m giving you the option. I’m doing you the favor and I’m giving you the option, Shibata, to give up. To quit, to forfeit! Do not show up to Collision this Saturday or I’m afraid of what’s gonna happen. I’m afraid you’re not gonna have your little translator app to tell the world that you got beat by the man destined to hold gold here in AEW. You see, it’s still Ricochet’s time, that’s a promise. AHA~!” The One & Only has spoken, but will he make Dynasty #OuttaThisWorld?

BREAKING NEWS for next week’s Dynamite!

Given everything that happened in Revolution’s main event, they gotta run it back! Jon Moxley will again defend his AEW World Championship against Adam Copeland, but now it’ll be in a STREET FIGHT! Is Omaha, Nebraska about to get Rated R?

AEW shares footage from after Revolution.

AEW Media caught up with Swerve Strickland and congratulated him on becoming #1 contender to the AEW World Championship. Does he know when he wants to challenge for the title? Swerve chuckles and says as a matter of fact, he does. One year ago, Swerve made history by becoming the first Black AEW World Champion in the main event of Dynasty in St. Louis. This year, April 6th, Dynasty is in Philadelphia, and Swerve will do it for the second time. But then Adam Copeland walked over.

Cope says, “Dynasty, huh? By the way, my neck is fine. I don’t know if you noticed, but I didn’t lose tonight. So there is a chance by the time Dynasty rolls around, I could be the AEW World Champion, you’re gonna be facing me, and if it doesn’t happen before then and you do become the AEW World Champion, chances are then you’re definitely gonna be looking at me.” Swerve says good, because it’s what he’d do, too. They fist bump, Cope wishes Swerve luck, but will Swerve need it when he’s the Most Dangerous Man in AEW?

Jon Moxley speaks.

“The Rated R Superstar thinks I should feel lucky, like I was given some kind of gift at Revolution. What’d they use to call you, man? The World’s Greatest Opportunist or something like that? You gotta appreciate the irony. Yeah. I scored the game winning shot at the buzzer in front of 11,000 people, and I’ll do that every single time, but I should’ve never been in that position to begin with. I should’ve gotten that guy outta there. I should’ve put him on ice before Christian even had a chance to tie his boots. I underestimated Adam Copeland.

“I hurt him. I know I hurt him. He was hurt, he didn’t care. Glassy eyes, sucking wind, can’t turn his head side to side, twitchy fingers, can’t get his legs underneath him. I know I hurt him and he didn’t care. He just kept coming forward and coming forward and coming forward. Whatever Adam Copeland is made of, it is rare, and I can admire that. But you wanna complain about the rules? Take the rules. Take disqualifications, take count outs, take whatever you want. Take the rules. Call it a Street Fight, call it whatever you want, whatever you think looks cool on a poster, Copeland. But you take the rules, I’ll take your excuses.

“My dad always told me, ‘Measure twice, cut once.’ I underestimated the depth of Adam Copeland. His resolve, his toughness, his grit, his will to climb, step by step, to the top of the mountain, no matter what avalanches befall him. There’s a reason I am the world champion. There are many differences between amateurs and professionals. One of which: I never make the same mistake twice.” The Maniac has accepted the rematch, but will he make Copeland accept defeat?

“Powerhouse” Will Hobbs & Holo.grm w/ “Harley-gram” VS Brian Cage & Dralistico w/ The Beast Mortos!

For the first time ever, the Book of Hobbs is teaming with the futuristic luchador as The Machine teams with The Prince of Silver & Gold! Will Hobbs & Hologram be able to overcome this collaboration between Don Callis Family and La Faccion Ingobernable?

The teams don’t even bother sorting out, Hobbs just goes after Cage! They brawl, the bell rings, and Hobbs ROCKS Cage! Dralistico knocks Hologram down, but Hobbs whips Cage hard into railing! The fans fire up as Hobbs runs in, but Cage dodges! Hobbs hits railing, and Dralistico keeps Hologram down with a COBRA TWIST! Cage runs up to UPPERCUT Hobbs, then he fires off forearms! Cage then POSTS Hobbs, and Dralistico brings Hologram up to put him on ropes. Dralistico fires up the fans, then winds up to CHOP! The fans fire up while Hologram falls! Dralistico fires up as the fans chant for “OTRA! OTRA!”

Dralistico stands Hologram up, winds up, but then pokes Hologram in the eyes! The fans boo but Dralistico whips Hologram to ropes. Dralistico drops down, then hurdles over Hologram, and arm-drags him! Hologram arm-drags back! Dralistico trips Hologram to cover, ONE! Hologram trips Dralistico to cover, ONE! Hologram handsprings, but Dralistico CHOPS him down! The fans fire up and Dralistico sits Hologram up. Dralistico YANKS at the mask, the fans boo, but Dralistico stops to bring Hologram over. Tag to Cage, they double whip, and then Cage sends Dralistico in. Hologram DUMKPS Dralistico up and out!

Hologram runs, but Cage military presses him! Only for Hologram to RANA free! The fans fire up and Hologram builds speed! Hologram DIVES, but into a SUPLEX from Cage! The fans lose their minds, and the ref has to keep Hobbs back. Cage then drags Hologram up, scoops him, and does some bicep curls with Hologram. Cage gets a set of TEN in, before he THROWS Hologram into the ring! The fans rally as Cage storms up on Hologram, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Cage drags Hologram up, whips him hard into the corner, and Hologram falls. Cage drags him back up, bumps Hologram off buckles, then tags in Dralistico. Dralistico stomps Hologram, then snapmares him for a neck wrench. But he’s also pulling at the mask! The ref reprimands, Dralistico gets in the ref’s face, and “Harley-gram” coaches Hologram up. Dralistico whips Hologram to SUPERKICK him down! Dralistico then drags Hologram over to the ropes, and CHOKES him on the ropes! The ref counts, Dralistico steps off, and Cage BOOTS Hologram down! Hobbs protests but the ref keeps him back again.

Dralistico tags Cage, Cage drags Hologram up, and Cage says he’s dialing it up! Cage runs to 619! Cage flexes and says no one betta! Cage storms back in, taunts Hologram, then sucker punches Hobbs! The ref again keeps Hobbs back, but that lets Cage and Dralistico stomp away on Hologram! Dralistico runs side to side to SUPERKICK Hologram down! Dralistico lounges to say tranquilo, then he stomps Hologram more. Dralistico pushes Hologram around, stands him up, but Hologram fires body shots. Dralistico CLUBS Hologram down, then dribbles Hologram’s face off the mat! Dralistico taunts Hobbs as Dynamite returns to single picture.

The fans rally but Dralistico TOSSES Hologram out. Mortos stomps away on Hologram! The fans boo, but Harley-gram makes the save! Mortos stands Harley-gram up, but she says hold on! Check the hips! Those hips don’t lie, and they might even hip-notize! Dralistico gets Mortos to focus, but the ref tells Mortos to back off. Dralistico puts Hologram in the ring, then brings him up. But Hologram blasts past to SUPERKICK! Hologram keeps moving, but Dralistico jumps over to CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Hologram staggers, Dralistico runs, but into a SPANISH FLY! Hologram and Dralistico are down and Fresno is thunderous!

Dralistico and Hologram crawl, Harley-gram coaches Hologram up, hot tag to Hobbs! Hobbs CLOBBERS Dralistico again and again, then swings again. Dralistico dodges, but Hobbs scoops him! SWINGING SIDE SLAM! Hobbs dares Cage to tag in, so Cage tags in! The fans fire up for “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” Cage and Hobbs run up, DOUBLE LARIATS “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” Cage BOOTS, SOBATS, KICKS, and SUPERKICKS! Hobbs wobbles, but he ducks the discus to come back and CLOBBER Cage! Then he POWERSLAMS Cage! Cover, TWO! Cage survives but Hobbs stays cool. Dralistico storms in, and he ROCKS Hobbs!

Hobbs shakes that off, so Dralistico winds up to CHOP! Hobbs just brings the straps down! But Cage waistlocks! SUPERKICK GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO! Hologram gets in, he dodges a double lariat to POP-UP DROPKICK Cage! Hologram then dodges Dralistico to RANA! Dralistico tumbles out, but Cage POP-UP POWERBOMBS Hologram! And then he BUCKLE BOMS Hologram onto Hobbs! Hobbs and Hologram tumble out, but Cage tags Dralistico. Cage then goes after Hobbs at the other corner, and he brings Hobbs up! Deadlift SUPERPLEX!! Dralistico adds a springboard SPLASH! Cover, ONE!!

Hobbs is more powerful than expected, and he scoops Dralistico! Dralistico slips free, but Hobbs blocks the arm-drag! Hobbs then scoops Dralistico again, for a POWERSLAM! Cage runs up to DISCUS LARIAT! Cage gets Hobbs out of the ring, goes to the apron with him, and hauls him up. But Hologram ENZIGIRIS Cage! Hobbs APRON SPINEBUSTERS Cage! The fans fire up again and Hologram climbs! He jumps off of Hobbs to MOONSAULT onto Cage! Dralistico runs up, fires forearms and CHOPS on Hobbs, but Hobbs just gets pissed! Hobbs SHOVES Dralistico, then runs up! Dralistico dodges, ROCKS Hobbs, then CHOPS!

Hobbs TOSSES Dralistico to the apron, but Dralistico bumps him off buckles and GAMANGIRIS! Dralistico then springboards, into a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, Hobbs & Hologram win!

Winners: “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs & Hologram, by pinfall

The “double payback” pays off, they made Cage & Dralistico #FeelTheWrath! But then Lance Archer & Mark Davis storm out here! They’re upset that LFI didn’t hold up their part of the bargain. They warn Hobbs that he’ll get his, but will Hobbs show them that he handles town bidness?

AEW shares a post-Revolution interview with The Hurt Syndicate.

Alicia Atout found Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin & Montel Vontavious Porter backstage after their huge win. She congratulated them on retaining the AEW World Tag Team Championships, what is next for the Hurt Syndicate? Shelton says he wants to know whose asses they’re gonna beat next. MVP says that’s what he’s talking about! His boys, the Hurt Syndicate, nobody works harder. They’re not worried about time off, they want to know when’s the next fight. Who do they get to beat next? And that’s what MVP loves about this dynamic. But because no one works harder than The Hurt Syndicate, nobody plays harder, either.

As the great CT Fletcher once said, someone’s got to be the baddest. And as they proved with their second consecutive AEW World Tag Team Championship defense, they ARE the baddest. Now to be the chillest. They’re in sunny SoCal, Malibu’s an hour away, and Vegas is a bit further on. Lashley wants to hit the gym but MVP says no, no Gold’s Gym right now. They should enjoy the sun, the fun, the beautiful ladies, take a week off. Then they’ll get back to business next week. MVP will handle TV stuff, he wants them to go enjoy themselves. Shelton says sure, they’ll take time off. But that no gym thing? Still their set, brother.

MVP says that’s what he’s talking about. The Hurt Syndicate is the most dominant faction in pro-wrestling today. His boys don’t want time off, they want more. They wanna do what they do better than anyone on the planet, and that’s hurt people. Then just who will be next for The All Mighty & The Standard of Excellence to dominate and demolish?

Toni Storm is here!

Fresno fires up as our Timeless AEW Women’s World Champion steps out on stage, belt around her waist and mic in her hand. “With stitches in my lip, staples in my head… and glass in my ass, I stand before you to tell you that this tramp is still the champ!” The fans cheer that! Toni continues to say, “This past Sunday at Revolution, it was my Hollywood Ending. And a chunk of my heart will be gone forever. But when I look at this, it was well, well worth it. And now it’s time for a new beginning. It is my honor to be your AEW Women’s World Champion. Because this is the most talented locker room in all of professional wrestling!”

But they have so many different champions. The other world title is in a bloody briefcase. There are forever champions, there are belt collectors… Fans are intrigued by who she is implying. “But when you fight with me, it’s like visiting the zoo. Because I bleed like a pig, I lick like a giraffe, and I will eat you like a lion!” The fans fire up for that! Toni says, “But… I promise you will never hear me meow, because I promise that I am no pussy. Nobody swings like Toni Storm, so ladies, put your keys in the bowl and let’s get this orgy started. It will be messy, and it will be sweaty. But it will always be… TIIIMELESS!!”

Toni drops the mic and takes a bow. The fans cheer, but MEGAN BAYNE attacks?! The Megasus may not be a champion, but she clearly wants to be! Will Toni Storm go from starring in a gritty thriller to starring in a Greek tragedy?

AEW International Championship Eliminator Tournament Opening Round: The Beast Mortos VS ???

Though LFI took a loss already tonight, the menacing minotaur is stepping up into this tournament in hopes of bringing gold to the group! But who is this “wild card” that he’s drawn? It’s “SPEEDBALL” MIKE BAILEY! Bailey is now All Elite, and is ready to get right into the thick of it! Will Bailey kick it into high gear quite literally? Or is taking on Mortos right out the gate too tall of a task even for Speedball?

The bell rings and the fans rally for “SPEEDBALL! WOOP WOOP!” Bailey and Mortos stare down, Bailey gives a respectful bow, but Mortos runs up! Bailey dodges to KICK, KICK and KICK! Mortos blocks one then SMACKS Bailey in the face! Bailey goes to ropes, Mortos whips him, but Bailey handsprings! Mortos dodges, runs up, but Bailey bypasses him to then drop down and hurdle over. Mortos leaps over, Bailey kips up and KICKS Mortos down! The fans fire up for Bailey, but Mortos rises! Bailey dodges to then fire off LIGHTNING KICKS! ENZIGIRI and Mortos tumbles out! The fans fire up for Bailey, and Bailey hurries to the ropes.

Bailey aims, slingshots to fake Mortos out, then mule kicks! ASAI MOONSAULT, but Mortos dodges! Mortos comes back to CLOBBER Bailey! And then NECK TWIST! The fans are torn as Mortos get in the ring, but then Mortos storms back out. Mortos storms up on Bailey, SMACKS him again, and Bailey falls over! The fans rally as Mortos stands Bailey up, but Bailey blocks being sent into the post! Bailey ELBOWS Mortos, then CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Bailey KICKS Mortos against the railing! Mortos staggers, Bailey pushes him into the ring, and fans fire up with Bailey as he goes up the corner.

Bailey aims and leaps, but Mortos gets under. Bailey rolls through, then dodges Mortos! Mortos tumbles up and out, Bailey FLIES and takes Mortos down! Bailey even lands on his feet! The fans are thunderous and Bailey is fired up, but Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Bailey waits on Mortos to sit up, then KICKS him! Mortos wobbles, Bailey puts him in the ring, then goes back up the corner. The fans rally as Bailey stands, but Mortos hits ropes! Bailey lands on his speedball, and Mortos storms up! Mortos CLAWS Bailey’s face, then YANKS Bailey off the corner, right into a BACKBREAKER! Bailey flops out of the ring, Mortos builds speed, and Mortos TORNILLO TOPES! Direct hit on Bailey and Mortos snarls. Mortos looms over Bailey, drags him up, and then puts him in the ring. Mortos pushes Bailey down, clamps onto an arm, and pulls it back! Bailey endures, but Mortos bends the fingers!

Bailey endures, Mortos lets go, and Mortos storms around. The ref reprimands but Mortos snarls. Mortos storms back up on Bailey, but Bailey fights back. Mortos CLAWS Bailey’s face, puts him in the corner, and SMACKS him back down! Bailey sputters but Mortos clamps on with fishhooks! The ref counts, Mortos stops, and then Mortos licks his fingers…? Mortos drags Bailey up to SMACK him again! Bailey fires body shots, but Mortos SMACKS Bailey again! Bailey goes to a corner, Mortos whips corner to corner and UPPERCUTS! And GAMANGIRIS! And then short arm- NO, Bailey ducks! the lariat!

Mortos ducks a roundhouse but Bailey dodges again. Bailey goes up, up, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Mortos tumbles away, and Dynamite returns as both men rise. Mortos goes to ropes, Bailey SOBATS, AX KICKS, and then BUZZSAWS! Mortos is down, the fans fire up, and Bailey runs to SHOOTING STAR PRESS! Cover, TWO! Mortos stays in this but Bailey stays focused. The fans rally, Mortos aims, but Mortos ducks the spinning heel kick! Mortos bails out, the fans boo, but Bailey builds speed again! Bailey BOOTS Mortos from the apron, then he goes up, and TRIANGLE JUMP MOONSAULTS! Direct hit on Mortos!

Fans lose their minds over the athleticism, and Bailey pushes Mortos back into the ring. Bailey climbs again, but avoids Mortos this time! GAMANGIRI, and then Bailey gets under Mortos! Bailey SIT-OUT POWERBOMBS! Cover, TWO!! Mortos survives, but Bailey hurries back up! SHOOTING STAR, but Bailey has to bail out as Mortos moves! Mortos pops Bailey up, SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO!! Bailey survives and Mortos is furious! Mortos goes up a corner now, but Bailey ROCKS Mortos first! The fans rally as Bailey climbs up after Mortos. Mortos fires body shots, then he drags Bailey up for a SUPER MILITARY PRESS SLAM!! Cover, TWO?!?!

Bailey survives and shocks everyone, especially Mortos! The fans rally as Bailey stirs, but Mortos takes aim. Mortos runs up to DISCUS- NO, Bailey blocks the lariat! Bailey CHOPS, CHOP, and CHOPS! But Mortos HEADBUTTS! Mortos shoves Bailey, scoops, and torture racks! BEAST BREAKER!! But Bailey is right up, so Mortos DISCUS LARIATS!! Mortos isn’t done?! Mortos hauls Bailey back up, but Bailey ranas through! Cover, TWO!! Mortos sunset flips, TWO!! BUZZSAW! And STANDING MOONSAULT KNEE DROP! The fans fire up as Bailey takes aim from a corner! CRESCENT KICK!!! Cover, Bailey wins!

Winner: Mike Bailey, by pinfall (advances to next week’s Fatal 4 Way)

What a way to debut in AEW! Speedball breaks through Beast Mortos, and is representing Canada in the International Fatal 4 Way! But will Bailey go from “new guy” to #1 contender in a matter of weeks?

Backstage interview with The Patriachy.

Renee Paquette is with Christian Cage, Kip Sabian, Nick Wayne & Mother Shayna as she brings up Revolution’s failed Casino Battle Royal contract cash-in during the main event match. Why did Christian think that was the right time to do that? Christian says Renee is related to Jon Moxley, so he refuses to speak to anyone related to Jon Moxley. This could very well be the most boring interview in AEW history. Renee asks that if he could just elaborate, but Christian says she needs to take a hint. Perhaps she really is blonde and therefore not that smart. He doesn’t want you hear, so get out! Renee leaves, and Christian talks to the camera.

“I’m gonna make it perfectly clear. I am still the reigning, defending, undisputed next AEW World Champion, and I demand my contract be returned to me. The incompetence of that referee is unbelievable. When I handed that contract to him and signed it, I specifically said it was for a one-on-one championship match against Cope. He turned it into a three way match without me knowing, so I was not expecting Jon Moxley to grab me in an illegal choke hold. But be that as it may, I did not tap out. And I damn sure did not pass out. I was simply relegating my breathing, getting ready to turn the hold around! That’s what I was doing!”

Nick Wayne starts to laugh, and he tells Christian that he’s just making excuses. Christian looks at Nick and Nick says Christian isn’t just making excuses, he’s lying! Christian is lying to himself, to the people, and to The Patriarchy! Does Christian not remember the original plan? Maybe if he stuck with it, he would be AEW World Champion now. So not only does Christian owe them an explanation, but he owes them an apology. Christian is a bit taken aback, but he says alright. He is sorry it has come to this. Christian SHOVES Nick! Mother Wayne steps up, Christian asks if she’s got something to say. If she does, she should say it.

But just know, she’ll be back working the night shifts at Waffle House! Shayna stands down, and Christian asks Nick who he is to question Christian and his tactics. Let him ask Nick something. How many world titles has Nick ever won? Or for another, how many word titles did his biological father ever win? Nick should be thanking his lucky stars that Christian found him, or he would have ended up a loser just like Buddy Wayne, “a coward that died in front of your mother’s face!” That would never happen to Christian! He is not a coward! Is Nick questioning him? Hmm!? Does he not think Christian is good enough?!

Christian vows that he will be AEW World Champion if it’s the last thing he does on this Earth! So he suggests Nick shut his mouth and keep riding his coattails. The next time they have this conversation, it’ll be the last time. Christian storms off, Kip goes with him. Will Nick & Shayna Wayne have no choice but to stand by The Patriarch?

AEW shares post-Revolution footage from outside MJF’s locker room.

Lexy Nair was there and said she’s been waiting for ten minutes now, hoping to get a word from MJF after his “devastating” loss to Hangman Page. There’s also been a lot of commotion and yelling, Lexy will try to check on him. The camera peers inside, and MJF is staring at a mirror. “Look at you, you fraud.” MJF PUNCHES the mirror apart! Lexy apologizes for barging in, but MJF shouts for them to get out! MJF rushes up, the cameraman almost falls over!

MJF is here!

In the present, The Scumbag makes his way out to the ring, mic already in hand. MJF has them cut his music, and the fans are a bit torn. MJF says, “I have a splitting headache, my hand hurts, my body hurts, but what hurts the most is the fact that I know it, all you stupid shmucks watching at home know it, all you dumb, ignorant losers in this podunk knows it: I had that match won on Sunday.” The fans boo that, but MJF says “Your cowardly cowboy” decided to cheap shot him like he did in 2019 and get a fluke victory. Congrats, Hangman. The fans chant “COWBOY S*IT!” but MJF will say this: They can chant Hangman’s name all they want, because MJF isn’t upset anymore.

Here’s why: MJF thought long and hard about it, and the fact of the matter is, Hangman… MJF is ten times smarter than you and all your stupid, ignorant fans will be. MJF thinks ten steps ahead of each and every single one of you. MJF will get his, Cowboy. “So heed these words: This thing between me and you? It ain’t over, boy. Not by a long shot.” MJF grins, but then MVP makes his way out?! Even MJF is surprised, but the fans sing, “We Hurt People!” MVP goes to the ring, grabs himself a mic, and MVP steps right up to MJF. MJF says, “MVP.” MVP says, “MJF.” Then they hug?! The fans boo, they thought there was gonna be beef.

MJF says how you been? MVP says obviously, he’s been doing magnificent. But he came out here to talk with MJF. MVP has some things he wants to tell MJF. MVP is PROUD of MJF! MJF isn’t the same bright-eyed and bushy-tailed 18-year-old kid he met 8 years ago. The fans don’t know about that. MVP asks if he can tell the history of him and MJF. The fans sound torn but MVP says good, because he’ll tell us anyway. When young Maxwell Jacob Friedman was 18 years old, he once volunteered to drive MVP to a screening of a documentary on HR from Bad Brains. He was in Philly, the movie was in Ashberry, it was a whole thing.

But anyway, MJF volunteered to drive MVP for the low, low price of being able to ask MVP questions about the pro-wrestling business. And what impressed MVP wasn’t that MJF was asking questions, it was the questions that he asked. MJF’s intelligence showed MVP that this was a kid to be reckoned with, and that MVP would see him around. Then not long after that, it was a certain indie company in South Florida where MVP and MJF met again. And on such a small stage, MVP saw that MJF had… What do we call it nowadays? “Huge aura.” MVP knew then that MJF would be a star, that’s why MVP was eager to work with him.

MVP was so happy to share his knowledge with MJF, because MJF has a certain intuition and temerity about him that you can’t teach. But what MVP loved most is that MJF told him back then that MJF would be a main event world champion! And MJF did everything he said he would do, and that is why MVP is proud. But… what MVP is not proud of, and what he knows MJF can’t possibly be proud of, is what happened on Sunday. MJF is intrigued, but MVP asks him what he’s doing. Why is MJF out here talking with these people about what happened? Some would even say whining about what happened.

MJF, how come you’re not angry? How come you’re not kicking people, smashing things, punching faces? How come MJF is not… hurting people? See, MVP knows the answer: MJF has lost his edge. The boys in the back, look how they treat you! They don’t respect you! And worse than that, they don’t fear MJF. But you know who they do fear? The Hurt Syndicate. And that, MJF, is what you are missing. MVP helped MJF once a long time ago. And perhaps, he can help MJF again. When MVP first showed up here, handing out his card, it was more a matter of MVP trying to introduce himself.

But that has changed because everyone understands: Where MVP and The Hurt Syndicate go, championships go as well. This card isn’t just a business card, it is a golden ticket to change your career. So maybe, young MJF, maybe it is time to talk some business. MJF rejects the card? MJF says with all due respect, it is a very short list of people he does respect, and MVP is one of them. However… MJF is not the same bright-eyed, bushy-tailed kid he was all those years ago. With all due respect, MJF doesn’t need MVP’s help, and he damn sure doesn’t need MVP’s advice. This is M J F! And whether these morons wanna hear it or not, MJF was the world champion for 406 consecutive days!

The fans do fire up for that stat, and MVP says MJF should focus on the word, “was.” MVP still gives MJF his card, and then stares him down. MVP leaves, MJF is again intrigued. MVP is making a deal with the Devil of AEW, and yet he has the upper hand. Will MJF take the offer?

Best Wrestler Alive Open Challenge: Max Caster VS ???

Platinum Max is in the ring as AEW returns, and he has a mic to tell Fresno, “You are lookin’ live at the Best Wrestler Alive!” The fans boo but Caster says, “And thanks to all the Maximaniacs, Platinum Max has the most popular shirt on Shop AEW! And that proves that I always was and always will be the top star of The Acclaimed. Platinum Max also has the most popular chant in all of AEW. We tried it last week. Fresno, let’s give it a shot. ‘Let’s Go, Max! You’re The Best Wrestler Alive! Let’s Go, Max! You’re The Best Wrestler Alive!'” Fans boo instead, mostly because that chant is still too long and clunky.

Caster says okay, clearly the people in Fresno are stupid. And whoever answers the Open Challenge, they’re stupid as well! So let’s see who can survive the Best Wrestler Alive! It’s KONOSUKE TAKESHITA! The Alpha storms right to the ring, Caster is freaking out, but the match is on! Caster has Konosuke hold on! The fans tell Caster he messed up, but Caster says thanks for their concern. Caster is sure Takeshita isn’t here to fight Caster. Caster’s the Best Wrestler Alive, he’d freakin’ kill Takeshita, what’re we even doing? Takeshita must be here to invite Caster into the Don Callis Family, right? That’s interesting stuff.

Imagine what the Don Callis Family could do for The Best Wrestler Alive? Maybe he could main event the Tokyo Dome. Maybe he could get that recording contract. The fans tell Caster to STFU, but Caster says maybe he can do what Takeshita couldn’t, and beat Kenny Omega. ALPHA ELBOW!! Cover, but Takeshita lets up!? Takeshita taunts Caster, “You’re the Best Wrestler Alive, huh?” Takeshita slaps Caster around, tells him to wake up, and then he drags Caster into the RAGING FIRE!! Cover, now Takeshita wins!

Winner: Konosuke Takeshita, by pinfall

Caster is 0-5 in his own challenge, but Takeshita is still seething. Will Takeshita just have to focus on his NEVER Openweight Championship while Kenny Omega defends the International Championship?

Chris Jericho speaks.

The Neuve holds up the mask of Gravity, and says, “It’s the perfect word, isn’t it, Bandido? Because that what’s exactly has been introduced into our situation: gravity.” The temperature has changed, Jericho knows Bandido can feel it. And does Bandido know why? It’s because Jericho humiliated Bandido in front of his own family. Jericho embarrassed Bandido’s brother, and stole his mask. Jericho scared his sister and made his mother cry in front of Bandido! How does someone come back from that? How does Bandido ever look her in the eye, knowing the disappointment she has in him?

“It’s a shame, isn’t it. Maybe you brought this upon yourself, I don’t know. Or maybe you’re just the unlucky son of a b*tch who was standing in the way of Chris Jericho when I decided to stop letting people take advantage of me and stop letting people get so comfortable around me. Your life is changed forever, Bandido. It’s not a good thing, and I know you know that. The gravity…” Jericho drops the mask, and not just the physical one. Will the Most Wanted be able to get revenge on the real Chris Jericho?

Willow Nightingale VS Penelope Ford!

The Babe with the Power may have helped Adam Copeland with the Death Riders, but it didn’t change the dynamic. But she’ll keep on smiling anyway! Will Willow start her own road towards a championship opportunity? Or will Ford make sure things are superbad here in Fresno?

The bell rings and the two circle. They feel things out, Ford kicks but Willow blocks. Willow makes Ford reach for it, but then Ford reels Willow into a headlock. Willow powers up and out, RUNS Ford over, and the fans fire up as Willow flexes. Willow runs, rolls over the dropdown, then bypasses Ford. Ford ducks ‘n’ dodges to wheelbarrow, but Willow stops that to scoop and SLAM! Willow runs to SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Willow brings Fod up, bumps her off buckles, and then bumps her off buckles again. The fans rally as Willow fires LARIAT after LARIAT, but Ford bumps Willow off buckles! Ford CHOPS, then clinches.

Willow fights free to bump Ford off buckles! Willow snapmares Ford, runs up, but Ford ducks! Willow still catches Ford to spin her, and snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Willow runs up, but Ford goes Matrix! But Willow gut wrenches, heads for a corner, but Ford slips free! Willow hits buckles, then Ford runs to DROPKICK Willow in the back! The fans are torn, but Ford goes up and APRON KNEE DROPS! Ford grins and soaks up the heat while Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Ford brings Willow around to SMACK off steel steps! Willow falls over, Ford refreshes the ring count, and Ford storms up. Willow fires body shots, but Ford ROCKS Willow in return. Ford puts Willow in the ring, then takes her time stalking after her. Ford brings Willow up to bump off buckles, then she ROCKS Willow with a forearm! Ford snapmares Willow and grabs the arms for a motorcycle stretch! Willow endures, but Ford KNEES her in the back! And KNEES her again! Ford keeps that knee in place while she goes back to the arms. Willow endures, fights up, but Ford THROWS her down by her hair!

The ref reprimands but Ford stalks Willow. Willow fires body shots, then fireman’s carries! Ford flails free, and has a SLEEPER! Willow endures the squeeze but she drops to her knees! The fans rally, Willow fights up to throw body shots, and she fires forearms. Willow runs, LARIATS, and SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Ford stays in this but Willow stays focused. Willow reels Ford in to suplex, but Ford blocks! Ford fires body shots, then drags Willow into a cradle, TWO!! Willow escapes in time, but Ford KICKS her to ropes! Ford hurries to CHOKE Willow on the ropes, but lets off as the ref counts 4. Ford then kicks Willow, and turns her around for a HOTSHOT!

Dynamite returns to single picture as Willow sputters. Ford brings Willow up, whips, but Willow blocks! Ford ROCKS Willow, whips, but Willow reverses to CHOP! And LARIAT! And LARIAT again! The fans fire up as Willow LARIATS again! Ford goes to a corner, Willow runs up to back body block! Willow LARIATS, then snapmares and BOOTS! Ford staggers, Willow whips and SPINEBUSTERS! Cover, TWO!! Ford survives but Willow doesn’t let up! Willow gut wrenches, BABE WITH THE POWER- NO, Ford slips out the back, hooks the arms, but Willow powers up to make it a Gory Especial!

Willow marches around with Ford and bends her! Willow changes her grip and bends Ford even more! But Ford manages to BITE Willow on the face!! Willow lets Ford go, whips her away, but Ford goes up, and up, only for Willow to run up! Ford catches Willow to a HANGING TRIANGLE! The ref reprimands, Ford lets go at 4, and Willow staggers. Ford RAMS into Willow, goes up the corner, and then CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Willow survives but Ford drags her back up. Ford licks Willow’s face, wanting another taste. But Willow scoops, OKLAHOMA STAMPEDE! Cover, TWO!! Ford survives again and Willow is shocked!

Ford rolls Willow into a cradle! TWO!! Willow hurries to ROCK Ford, but Ford ROCKS Willow! They go shot for shot, Willow fires a flurry, and then a SUPERKICK! But Ford BOOTS! Ford goes matrix again to STUNNER! And STUN- NO! Willow shoves her away, then runs to POUNCE~! PERIOD!! Cover, Willow wins!

Winner: Willow Nightingale, by pinfall

It looked superbad there for a moment, but Willow’s positivity prevailed! Bu then Ford gets a chair! Ford JAMS Willow, SMACKS her on the back, and then stomps away on her! The fans boo, but here comes Kris Statlander! The Galaxy’s Greatest not only owes Ford for a few weeks ago, but she’s also saving her old friend, Willow! Kris dodges Ford’s chair shot to then SHOTGUN BOOT! Kris kicks Ford out of there and helps Willow up. Willow shoves Kris, not knowing who it was. Kris says it’s just her, but then MEGAN BAYNE ATTACKS!! The Megasus took Toni down earlier, and now she’s back for more!

Megan looms over Kris, drags her back up, and fireman’s carries! “BOW! DOWN!” FATE’S DESCENT!! Megan stands over Kris, is no one going to stop the Megasus from becoming a champion?

Backstage interview with Mercedes Mone.

Renee Paquette asks we give it up for The CEO, #FourBeltsMone! Mone walks in and can’t quite find the note. She got kicked in the throat on Sunday, Renee, help her out. Renee says, “Fresnooo~! Say hello to your C E O.” Mone thanks Renee, and Renee congratulates Mone on another impressive TBS Championship victory. She is now 15-0 in TBS Championships alone, but has also asked for Billie Starkz to join them. ROH star Billie Starkz indeed steps in, and Renee brings up that they already agreed to no physicality during this interview. But we saw Billie watching Mone during Revolution, clearly taking notes. What is something Billie learned?

Billie says, “Not to get kicked in the throat. Sorry, sorry, my bad. Just trying to lighten the mood. But on a serious note, you (Mone) have accomplished a lot since being here, covered in gold, but… I’ve accomplished a lot here, too. I was the inaugural ROH Women’s World TV Champion at 19. And me and you aren’t that different. Started very young, wrestling is our everything, this is our lives. And you’re the one that says money changes everything, right? Well, I’ve been looking for a change. Next week, I’m looking to change into a champion.” Mone laughs until her sore throat makes her cough.

Mone says y’know what? Billie is way out of her league. But Mone appreciates that Billie is a student of the game. So next week, kiddo, Mone proves there is a price to pay when you mess with Mercedes Mone. Mone boops Billie in the forehead, then walks off. Will Mone still be the Face of TBS? Or will Billie once again be a TV champion?

Tony Schiavone is in the ring.

He says let’s bring in the one and only, the Aerial Assassin, Will Ospreay! The fans fire up as Ospreay is in Fresno, though hobbling and bandaged up. Ospreay still high-fives fans, and manages to step into the ring to join Schiavone. Schiavone asks if Ospreay is alright, and Ospreay says, “Hi, our people, how’s it going?” The fans cheer, and Ospreay says honestly, he’s got about four stitches on the right side of his head, the left side is glued together, he has no idea how he got this wound in his side, but he thinks he was stabbed. But other than that, he made it out alive! The fans cheer that!

Schiavone says after that wild Steel Cage Match on Sunday, it is amazing that Ospreay is even still standing after what we saw from up top of the cage. Yeah, honestly, Ospreay was scared for his life. But the scariest part to him was that Kyle Fletcher at that age, Ospreay was struggling to keep up. Kyle was taking every bit of it out of Ospreay, but Ospreay thanks everyone both at home and in the arena that night, their support carried him through. One day, Kyle Fletcher will be a world champion. And Ospreay hopes that the next time they meet, Ospreay can still stand here and say that Ospreay is the better man.

Ospreay won’t lie, though. He is in a bit of trouble with the wife. Honestly! Fair enough, because he lied to her. He knows, he feels them judging him. But listen, he had to lie. It was Saturday, day before the cage match, and she’s on the phone. She tells him, “Babe, I’m nervous. I’m scared. Please, please don’t do anything stupid off the cage.” Ospreay said, “Babe! I’m not doing anything stupid off the cage! I’m in me thirties now, I’ve got back problems, I’m not going up there! You’re having a laugh.” But then he realized that Revolution was on Prime. And then Ospreay realized it was bad when he was up there, looking down on everyone, and he saw all those camera phones.

There was even this guy who had a green shirt going like this, hands on head, “Don’t die! Don’t die! Don’t die!” So then Ospreay goes to the back after and sees his phone: 15 missed calls from the missus. So at that moment, we all know Ospreay was in trouble. He dials her back, like pulling the pin out of a grenade, and just hoping for the best. She’s being real nice, “Oh, babe, thank God you’re alright. Well done, I love you so much.” He thought, “Oh, babe, thank you so much! I’m emotionally spent, I can’t tell you what’s going on.” She shouts, “YOU JUMPED OFF THE FLIPPIN’ CAGE!!” Ospreay says thankfully, he’s a charming man, he charmed his way out of this.

Ospreay told her that he’d be home on Friday, he’ll cook her a nice dinner, and give her a damn good night, if you know what he means! Schiavone says he gets that. But then, what is next for Will Ospreay? Oh, very good point. What IS next? He said after the cage match, he would be the man around here. But to be the man around here, he needs a certain something around his waist, right? The fans like the sound of that. But see, there’s an issue. Next week: Cope has a world title match. At Dynasty: Swerve has his world title match. So that leaves Ospreay to ask, when does he call his shot?

Fans are chanting a few things, and Ospreay says, “It makes me wonder. When does it matter most?” Ospreay looks to the sign, and just as the fans are chanting, All In: Texas! Ospreay nods, and says he has set himself an objective, a mission. Because Ospreay wants to be in the main event of Saturday, July 12th, All In: Texas at Globelife Field! And Ospreay knows one way to get there: Entering the Owen Hart Cup! Ospreay will go through every single person in his way! So if it is Cope, Ospreay looks forward to a first-time-ever match. If it is Swerve, then Ospreay cannot wait for the rematch. But if it’s Moxley…

The fans boo that name, but Ospreay says “The One True King,” this is a warning in advance: An assassin is coming for the throne! Ospreay wants to be the AEW World Champion because the fans trust him with AEW! Ospreay wants to be the man because he knows he can do it! Ospreay wants to be the champion because he is Will Ospreay, and he is ON! ANOTHER! LEVEL!! The countdown of the next four months has begun! Who will it be that goes All In in Texas?

Backstage interview with Jay White.

Renee is with the Switchblade, but White takes the mic to start up an “Ospreay~ Ospreay Ospreay Ospreay~!” But “Lil’ Willy,” you really are on another level. It is great to see Ospreay, to hear from him, and who knows? Maybe one day, sometime soon, they’ll see each other in the ring again. But for now, White will congratulate Ospreay on winning at Revolution. And here he is, just a few nights later, after going to war inside the cage, and he is begging for more, calling his shot and saying he’ll be the AEW World Champion at All In. But Will, if you want that to happen, “they” will just have to keep protecting you by keeping you away from White, like “they” always have.

Oh, sorry, Renee, you had a question? Yes, since White brought up Revolution, she wants to talk White going out there. White had the briefcase, he hits Cope, what happened? White asks if that’s a question or an accusation. He gets it, everyone wants to know: Did White hit Cope on purpose? Does Renee think it was on purpose? No, let’s throw it to the Fresno fans. Did they think he did it on purpose? The cheering is hard to decipher, but White says the answer is no. He said he’d have Cope’s back, he would see Cope in as the new champion, and he failed that. But luckily, next week, Cope gets a chance at redemption.

But as far as the #1 contender goes, whose house? Swerve SMERVE! White has given everything to take down the Death Riders and dethroning Jon Moxley! White had that title won at Worlds End, but that rat saved his king, and White will be damned if he lets anyone else take White’s rightful place as THE #1 contender to the AEW World Championship. Thank you, Renee. White heads out, will he make sure Swerve’s House learns to Breathe with the Switchblade?

Backstage interview with Hangman Page.

AEW returns as Renee walks and talks with The Cowboy, congratulating him on his Revolution win. But he seems to be a man who always has a target on his back, so what is Hangman going to do next? Hangman says at Revolution, he took MJF- Oh, MJF bumps into Hangman. MJF asks if Hangman wants to go, but Hangman asks if MJF wants him to finish breaking that neck. But no, Hangman has something that’ll hurt worse. Last week, MJF tried to light Hangman on fire. But the thing about that is… Hangman doesn’t believe MJF. When you do something like that, you have to mean it. Really mean it.

And you know what else Hangman doesn’t believe? Sunday, MJF let the mask slip. And Hangman was right: MJF really does care what these people think. MJF asks if Hangman thinks he was bluffing about lighting Hangman on fire. MJF says that’s good. First, he’s going to step back, as Hangman smells like “rotten ass.” Second, MJF is going to make sure to call Hangman’s bluff now. Hangman doesn’t realize what happens next. Hangman is all high ‘n’ mighty on his high horse, because he beat MJF! Congrats! He beat someone who is a far superior pro-wrestler, fluke victory, they’re 1-1. Good stuff.

But here’s what happens next. MJF is going to move on and become a multiple-time world champion. MJF will go on to be a first ballot Hall of Famer and the greatest of all time. You know what Hangman does next? He does what he does best: Scratch and claw all the way to the top of the mountain, and just as he’s about to reach the pinnacle, he’ll come tumbling all the way down, wallowing in his own self pity. But what’s funny is, when Hangman’s mask slips, you know what MJF notices? That Hangman’s biggest insecurity is that he doesn’t feel he deserves the fans’ love. And y’know what? Hangman’s right.

Because one day, the people will get sick and tired of waiting for Hangman to win the big one, because he never will. He’ll never make them proud. But you know what MJF is gonna do? MJF is going to win the world title over and over and over again, and he will be laughing at Hangman the entire way up the mountain. Well, we’ll see, won’t we? These two stare down, then MJF moves on. Will MJF’s biased prophecy fulfill itself? Or will something happen to completely change the dynamic?

AEW International Championship Eliminator Tournament Opening Round: Orange Cassidy VS Hechicero!

Freshly Squeezed helped bring the BOOM in Revolution’s Zero Hour, and now he’s chasing after the title that he helped put on the map. But will Cassidy get in on the Fatal 4 Way? Or will the Alchemist of the Ring be representing both Mexico and CMLL in the finals?

The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two circle. Then Hechi slides up, distracts Cassidy with some “made you look” magic, and then knuckle locks! Hechi pulls on the arm, but Cassidy raises the other hand. Hechi stops Cassidy from putting a hand in his pocket, but Cassidy swings around to reach out for ropes. Hechi wrenches Cassidy’s arm, but Cassidy still goes for a pocket! Hechi uses a top wristlock and a CHOP to stop that! Hechi top wristlocks but Cassidy stays up. Hechi spins Cassidy, but Cassidy knuckle locks to “chop!” The fans fire up as Cassidy then goes up, up, and tightrope walks rather casually.

The fans cheer as Cassidy makes it corner to corner, then keeps on moving! Han din pocket, but Hechi YANKS him down! Cassidy dodges, and now has both hands in his pockets! Hechi gets frustrated, things speed up, and Cassidy RANAS! Hechi turns around, Cassidy is there, but Hechi shoves him back. Cassidy dodges the dropkick, then he sits on Hechi for a no-hands ghost pin! TWO!! Hechi escapes, then bails out of the ring, and the fans fire up! Cassidy builds speed, but he fakes Hechi out to roll and kip up! The fans fire up while Hechi gets mad, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Hechi paces, the ring count climbs, but Hechi storms in at 5 of 10. Hechi runs up, Cassidy dodges, then hurdles, but Hechi trips him! Cassidy’s hands come out of the pockets, and Hechi runs up to roll Cassidy into body scissors, then an ARMBAR! Cassidy endures, flails around, but Hechi stomps him! Cassidy fights up, stacks Hechi, but Hechi victory rolls Cassidy to then roll him back, and rolling ARMBAR! Cassidy clasps hands, Hechi pulls the grip apart, and he bends the fingers! Cassidy endures, but Hechi SNAPS the fingers! Cassidy goes to a corner, Hechi runs up, and he STEP-UP KNEES Cassidy down!

Cassidy flops out of the ring, Hechi goes out after him, and Hechi whips him hard into the steel steps! Hechi eggs Cassidy on, then runs up to BOOT him down! Hechi taunts Cassidy, fires the fans up, then stalks back up on Cassidy. Hechi puts Cassidy in the ring, and drags him up into a FULL NELSON! Cassidy fights the hold, but Hechi KNEES him low! Hechi shoves Cassidy, scoops him, and SWINGING SIDE SLAMS him! Cover, TWO! Cassidy is still in this but Hechi says he was that close. Hechi drags Cassidy up again, pump handles and half nelsons, and he hits the INVERTED EXPLODER! Hechi then grabs at the arm and pulls!

Dynamite returns to single picture as Cassidy makes the ROPEBREAK! Hechi lets go, kicks Cassidy around, and brings him up in the corner. Hechi CHOPS, then whips corner to corner. Cassidy goes up and out, rolls back in, then keeps moving, but Hechi catches him for a SLEEPER at the ropes! Cassidy fires elbows to get free, and he runs back up, only for Hechi to grab the leg! Hechi CLUBS the leg, then DRAGON SCREWS it! Then he traps the leg in the ropes! The ref counts, but Hechi uses his own knee to TWEAK Cassidy’s knee against ropes! The fans boo but Hechi soaks up the heat. Cassidy goes to a corner, Hechi runs up, but Cassidy ELBOWS him away!

Cassidy goes up, but Hechi blocks a boot! Cassidy BOOTS with the other leg, then CROSSBODIES! Cassidy keeps moving, tilt-o-whirls and DD- NO, Hechi blocks it! Hechi shifts Cassidy around, has a hammerlock, and Hechi SWINGS Cassidy to then BACKBREAKER! Cassidy writhes, Hechi covers, TWO! The fans rally as Cassidy stays in this. Hechi scuffs Cassidy, KNEES him in the back, then drags him up. The fans rally for “FRESHLY SQUEEZED! FRESHLY SQUEEZED!” Hechi suplexes, but STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE hits! Cassidy gets moving, tilt-o-whirl DDT! The fans fire up, Cassidy kips up, but the bad leg doesn’t hold!

Cassidy hobbles, he powers up the arm, but he can’t get running. Cassidy goes up the corner instead, and he LAZY ELBOWS into an ARMBAR!! Hechi has Cassidy caught, but Cassidy moves around to high stack! Hechi rolls to throw Cassidy down, and he has a modified FUJIWARA! Cassidy endures, Hechi CLUBS him, then shifts into a RINGS OF SATURN! Cassidy reaches out, ROPEBREAK with his foot! Hechi lets go at 4, argues with the ref, and then he stands Cassidy up. Hechi suplexes, STUN DOG- NO! Hechi blocks it this time, and he shoves Cassidy to ropes. Cassidy ducks and returns, but Hechi catches Cassidy!

Hechi backslides Cassidy, Cassidy rolls through and comes back, but into a torture rack! Swing and- NO, Cassidy slips through to have the MOUSE TRAP!! CASSIDY WINS!!

Winner: Orange Cassidy, by pinfall (advances to next week’s Fatal 4 Way)

Hechicero may be the Alchemist, but Cassidy pulled off quite the magic trick by snatching victory from the jaws of defeat! And now, Speedball Mike Bailey makes his way back out here. Bailey smiles as he sees Cassidy standing tall. Bailey bows in respect, but who else will join these two in the #1 Contender’s match next week?

My Thoughts:

A great Dynamite that helped turn the corner from Revolution to Dynasty, but it was rather promo heavy. Though, I suppose most weeks, Dynamite can feel like it has more promos than it needs. But something about tonight felt especially so. Kenny Omega opening was good stuff, and I appreciate him thanking Takeshita for pushing him, but I kinda wished Omega would’ve been hanging around on commentary or something for the International Championship Eliminator Tournament. And I did like him having that interaction with Shibata, teasing that match. But with Shibata facing Ricochet, I have a feeling Ricochet wins on Collision.

Though that might not be so bad, as Shibata and The Opps are going to surely go after the AEW World Trios Championships. They squash another trio of jobbers, but hopefully they start calling out The Death Riders, or at least taking on established trios like Shane Taylor Promotions, Premier Athletes, or… Wow, I just noticed that the trios division has kinda fallen apart in the same time that The Death Riders have had those titles. Because the Opps already dealt with The Patriarchy, and The Patriarchy might be falling apart soon. I really liked Nick Wayne standing up to Christian as Christian comes up with such sad excuses for his failed cash-in. I can only hope Luchasaurus returns soon so that he can help Nick defy Christian, as we should’ve gotten a long time ago.

Great stuff in this International Championship Eliminator Tournament for tonight. Mike Bailey being a free agent, and yet not even a tease over on NXT, it was clear he’d be showing up in AEW soon, so making him the wild card is great stuff. Great match with Mortos and a great win for Bailey, he’s definitely a top choice for winning the Fatal 4 Way. Cassidy VS Hechicero was very good, and Cassidy winning makes sense given he’s been back in this International Championship scene since a couple weeks ago. And then Mark Davis VS Mark Briscoe on Collision, that surely goes to Davis. It’ll be two Heels and two Faces, and really anyone’s guess on who wins.

Takeshita getting to destroy Caster was great stuff, but kinda shoehorned in here. Feels like they could’ve done this on Collision but I guess it works as Takeshita’s way of responding to the loss. The tag match of Hologram & Hobbs VS Cage & Dralistico was great stuff, including Harley distracting Mortos. Great win for Hologram & Hobbs, and clearly The Don Callis Family is not through with Hobbs or vice-versa. Maybe we get some huge match where Hobbs, Hologram & Komander take on The Don Callis Family and/or La Faccion Ingobernable, it really depends on where all these stories are going.

Very good stuff with MJF, Hangman and the Hurt Syndicate tonight. The post-Revolution promo from MJF didn’t quite gel until Hangman confronted MJF and said he still cares about the fans. MVP wanting to help MJF is certainly an interesting move, and something in all of this makes me feel like we get another “unlikely duo” team out of MJF where he and Hangman have to fight Lashley & Shelton. Not sure how I feel about that given how Better Than You Baybay ultimately ended up. Either that, or MJF actually joins up with The Hurt Syndicate in a very “Owen Hart & The Nation of Domination” kind of way.

Toni Storm had another great promo to not only celebrate her win, but to make nice references to Mone and Athena. And while I expected someone to attack, I didn’t think it would be Megan Bayne. This is a great opportunity for Megan, and in kayfabe, it will be a physical test for Toni Storm given how strong Megan is. Willow VS Ford was a good match, good win for Willow, and Kris got a good moment making the save. But Megan attacking Kris & Willow makes me think we get Ford & Megan VS Kris & Willow as part of Kris showing Willow she’s changed for the better. But even then, Megan probably wins and that helps make her case for the title match.

Good promo from Jericho to relate what happened at Revolution, but hey look, it’s another case of backwards booking for the Jericho Vortex. Bandido had his title match, Jericho found a way to win, and yet Jericho wants to keep picking on Bandido. Here’s hoping Bandido wins the title in the rematch and puts an end to things, such as Big Bill finally standing up to Jericho. Then Jericho VS Bill can happen, no title, just Bill becoming a Face. Mone and Billie had a good promo together, they’ll have a very good title match, but this has to segue into Athena and Mone interacting and even setting something up for All In: Texas.

Speaking of All In: Texas, Ospreay is having us think long term big picture on that already. He had a fun promo to relate how his wife, Alex Windsor, reacted to his match on Sunday, and then he plugs that the 2025 Owen Hart Cup is on its way already. I don’t doubt Ospreay will be in the finals of the Owen Hart Cup, and I really hope Jay White is on the other end. White has a good promo to not only call Ospreay out but to react to his mishap at Revolution. I do believe that in character, that was an accident, White was aiming for Moxley but got Cope. However, with Cope VS Moxley in a Street Fight, there’s a chance next time won’t be an accident.

And of course we’re getting Cope VS Moxley again… But the way they brought it up was also kinda backwards. They gave us the news, then gave us the promos. I would’ve played the promo from Swerve and Cope first, then played Moxley’s promo, then played the announcement. But whatever, it’s only been five years of doing this on TV every week. And if White doesn’t cost Cope again, I feel like this is where all the Death Riders return from their Con-Chair-To injuries and they all screw Cope, perhaps also compelling The Opps to get involved and get us on that trios title story. Either way, this just all feels like a formality with Moxley VS Swerve as the given Dynasty match.

My Score: 8.8/10