Bryan Danielson awaits tonight’s big winner!

Hangman Page was the wild card dealt into the Men’s Owen Hart Cup tournament, and now he’s one step away from winning it all! But will Jay White force us all to Breathe with the Switchblade?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Six Man Tag: The Conglomeration VS The Iron Savages; The Conglomeration wins.
• Toni Storm w/ Mariah May & Luther VS Trish Adora w/ The Infantry; Storm wins.
• AEW TNT Championship Open Challenge: Jack Perry VS Marko Stunt; Jack wins and retains the title.
• Claudio Castagnoli VS The Beast Mortis; Claudio wins.
• Riho VS Lady Frost; Riho wins.
• 2024 Men’s Owen Hart Cup Semifinal: Hangman Page VS Jay White; Hangman wins and advances.

PLAY BY PLAY

MJF is here!

Southaven is torn as the Wolf of Wrestling makes his way out after having shown his true colors last Wednesday Night Dynamite. MJF is back to wearing suits and scarves, and he already has a mic as he steps into the ring. The boos are louder than the cheers, and MJF says he knows everyone in this building is inbred and incredibly stupid, but he’d appreciate it that while he was talking, they unlike their mothers on their knees in a truck stop bathroom, would all kept their mouths shut. The fans boo but MJF tells Daniel Garcia, “You are nothing more than a pawn. You really thought MJF, the biggest star in AEW, you thought I was gonna give you a match at All In?

“No, man. That match was never gonna happen. I was always going to stab you in the back and break your scrawny little neck. And I’ll explain why later, but I gotta be honest with you, Danny. During this ruse, there was something you did that offended me. Let’s keep it real here, Danny, you’re a Make-A-Wish kid at best. And I was trying to grant you the greatest wish of them all. Was it real? No. But you didn’t know that. I offered you a match at Wembley Stadium against, let’s face it, the greatest wrestler who’s ever lived, and you didn’t answer. Well, Danny, after what I did to you, you ain’t gonna make it to All In. Hell, you’re never gonna wrestle again.

“But I’m not here to talk to Danny Garcia. I’m here to talk to you… Roll the clip.” MJF has production show on the tron, Dynamite on August 2nd, 2023. It was the time MJF explained ADHD came along with Rejection Sensitivity Disorder. MJF cannot regulate rejection based emotions and behaviors. And there was one thing he still remembers to this day, the incident of those bullies throwing quarters at him and calling him “Jew Boy.” MJF told himself that day that to survive in a world of scumbags, he had to become the worst scumbag of them all, and that he would betray others before they could betray him.

MJF back then said being a scumbag was easy. What was hard was being vulnerable. He knew if he opened himself up to be “Max,” and then got booed, it’d kill him being that little kid being bullied. But MJF also said he wasn’t afraid anymore! The fans cheered for him then, but MJF now gets boos. This MJF says he opened up to the fans, told us all that if they turned on him, it’d tear his heart out, and they didn’t give a damn! MJF did everything for the fans! He changed for the fans! He let his guard down and became friends with Adam Cole, he broke his body down, all for the fans! And how did they repay MJF?

After MJF’s best friend stabs him in the back, after Samoa Joe steals “Triple B,” MJF is writhing in pain at home, and he turns on Dynamite after World’s End. What do the fans do? They chanted “Thank You, Joe!” The fans chant for “JOE! JOE! JOE!” now. MJF says he was in physical therapy, trying to get function back in his arms, the fans discarded him for guys like Swerve, Okada, “and worst of all… that talentless hack, Will Ospreay!” MJF says what he did to Garcia wasn’t personal between the two of them. It was personal between MJF and the fans! And Garcia was just the beginning. MJF will take away everything we love, because everything we love SUCKS!

The fans boo but MJF says the fans have ruined the company MJF has built from the ground up with their garbage taste. MJF will fix AEW, and the only way to do that is with MJF on top! But no, the fans want Will Ospreay, don’t they? Yeah, they like Ospreay? The fans cheer, but MJF says the fans are too delusional to realize it, but Ospreay can’t help AEW like MJF can. Ospreay is a child! He doesn’t care about ticket sales, about making money. All Ospreay cares about is putting on good matches. Gasp, what a novel concept. The only ratings Ospreay cares about are those stars from Meltzer.

MJF is a grown ass man, and the ratings he cares about come from a guy named Nielsen! And so here’s an idea, Will! Let’s pop a number right here, right now! MJF will get medieval on you, bruv! Ospreay is “The Billy Goat?” Then how about MJF sacrifices him like one? No response and MJF says he knew it. But then surprise! Ospreay’s music hits now! Only for it to NOT be Ospreay. MJF says Ospreay is not coming because he is a two-faced, fickle, gutless coward. “Just like you.” This is Maxwell Jacob- NO, fans, you had your chance, shut your mouths! He is MJF, and you can thank him later. The Scumbag has gotten even worse, but will Ospreay take him out once and for all?

Backstage interview with The Conglomeration.

Lexy Nair is with Kyle O’Reilly, Mark Briscoe & Orange Cassidy and asks if they have any last words before their match tonight? Kyle says after Forbidden Door, he is bummed out. Mark says he ain’t bummed. Is Orange bummed out? Why? Cuz none of them won at Forbidden Door? Well, the word of the day is “Epiphany,” because Mark had one. Failure is just a figment of your imagination! It is just a stepping stone to the throne, a pitstop on the road to the top! They are in the shadow of one of the most historical cities in wrestling, Memphis, Tennessee! And The Conglomeration is about to put a historical ass kicking on The Iron Savages!

Mark says let’s get out there, pull their proverbial heads out of their proverbial asses and do this thing! The ROH World Champion is fired up, Kyle says he really knows how to pull a guy out of a dark abyss. Cassidy says he doesn’t care. He’s in a Pixies kinda mood, but will Freshly Squeezed, Violent Artist & Sussex County Chicken be feeling back on top after tonight?

Six Man Tag: The Conglomeration VS The Iron Savages!

Jacked Jameson tells the fat morons and skinny idiots to shut up! The Savages know the fans love these “Low T Losers” because they’re just like all of them. But these anorexic athletes don’t stand a chance! Mark Briscoe is the Chicken because his bones are brittle, and both Kyle and Cassidy look like they belong at the bottom of the evolutionary chart! These are the Iron Savages! Sippin’ sauce, livin’ hoss, and takin’ everyone to #TIDDYCITY! But as beefy and bulky as they are, will they be ready for a fired up force of nature?

The trios sort out and Kyle starts against Jameson, but then The Undisputed Kingdom shows up. Though, what did anyone expect with how Roderick Strong keeps thinking of himself as Kyle’s friend. Roddy, Taven & Bennett join commentary on stage, and Jameson says it is time to sip the sauce! He sips, then pumps up. Jameson and Kyle circle, Kyle KICKS, headlocks, and grinds the hold. Jameson powers out, Kyle RAMS him, but Jameson comes back to run Kyle over! Jameson goes for another sip, but Mark snatches the cup! Mark takes a CHUG, CHUG, CHUG! Mark is all fired up now! Mark CLOBBERS Jameson!

Bronson gets in, Mark dodges him and CLOBBERS Bronson! The fans fire up, Kyle sips, and Roddy says that’s not good, he has to watch his blood sugar. Kyle is all fire dup, he and Mark RAM Boulder! Boulder comes back to LARIAT Kyle, but Mark ENZIGIRIS! Bronson runs up, CLOBBERS Mark, but Kyle KICKS and KICKS and KICKS Bronson down! Boulder CLOBBERS Kyle, and then he warns Cassidy. Kyle CHOP BLOCKS Boulder, JAWBREAKERS Bronson, then runs Jameson gets a cheap shot in, so Kyle DECKS him! But then Boulder & Bronson CLOBBER Kyle! Boulder DECKS Mark, then Bronson runs to SENTON Kyle! Cover, TWO!

Bronson drags Kyle up, bumps him off buckles, then fires hands! The ref counts, Bronson short arm LARIATS! The Savages stand tall while Collision goes picture in picture.

The Savages soak up the heat and Bronson drags Kyle over. Tag to Jameson, the Savages mug Kyle, and Jameson RAMS into Kyle! Jameson throws elbows, stomps Kyle down, then tags Boulder. Boulder brings Kyle around to scoop and SLAM! Boulder soaks up heat, stomps around like an Earthquake, and then runs and SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO! Kyle stays in this but Boulder mocks Cassidy by putting hands in his “pockets.” Boulder kicks Kyle but Kyle fires strikes in return! Kyle runs, but Boulder runs him over! Boulder snarls, the fans rally up, but Boulder drags Kyle over. Boulder HIP DROPS Kyle, then tags in Bronson.

Bronson goes up the corner and he HIP DROPS Kyle, too! Tag to Jameson, and he flexes before he climbs. Jameson talks a lot of trash, then HIP DROPS onto knees! Collision returns to single picture with both men down and the fans rallying up! Kyle and Jameson crawl, hot tag to Bronson! Bronson grabs a leg, but Kyle hops forward, hot tag to Mark! Mark CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS Bronson! Boulder gets in but gets some REDNECK KUNG-FU! Bronson runs up but into a kick! Mark REDNECK KUNG-FU UPPERCUTS, then ROLLING ELBOWS! The fans fire up again, but Boulder kicks Mark.

Boulder flexes, whips, but Mark uses that to BOOT Jameson! Boulder runs in but Mark dodges! Boulder tumbles up and out! Mark reaches out for Cassidy, Cassidy doesn’t reach back, so Mark gives him a push. Cassidy gets fired up and he tags in! And he DIVES onto Jameson! Cassidy goes up and CROSSBODIES Bronson! Roddy isn’t impressed, but Cassidy keeps moving! Cassidy ducks ‘n’ dodges Boulder to tilt-o-whirl DDT! Cassidy kips up and the fans fire up. Roddy says that was impressive at least. Cassidy takes off his elbow pad, run sin, but Bronson catches him for a BEARHUG! Cassidy throws elbows to get free.

Bronson throws knees, snarls and shouts, “I’M GONNA BUST!” Bronson suplexes, but gets STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Cassidy keeps Bronson down so Mark can use him as a step, to FLY onto Boulder and Jameson! Kyle gets in, he and Cassidy FRESHLY SQUEEZED HIGH LOW! FLYING KNEE for Jameson, BLOCKBUSTER for Boulder! ORANGE PUNCH for Bronson! Cover, The Conglomeration wins!

Winners: The Conglomeration, by pinfall

Roddy says good stuff. He can’t wait to see Ishii again, by the way. He’ll slap that guy in the face. The Kingdom storm commentary, but Roddy keeps Taven & Bennett from going to the ring. They’ll settle this with Kyle and The Conglomeration later, but when and where will that be?

Jack Perry speaks.

“Someone once said that the true cost of anything is what you’re willing to sacrifice for it. A long time ago, I was the first challenger to the first ever TNT Champion. But I wasn’t ready then. Because I didn’t realize just how great that cost would be. But as of tonight, I’m paid in full. And I wanna go ahead and give that same opportunity to sacrifice everything and take this away from me. Because if you don’t… I will sacrifice you.” The Scapegoat is issuing an Open Challenge, who answers the call?

Backstage interview with Hangman Page.

Lexy Nair is with The Black Hat Cowboy, and brings up that his indefinite suspension was lifted so that he could be the Wild Card in the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament. The question on everyone’s mind would have to be then, “Why now?” Hangman repeats, “Why now?” Convenience. Not his, but theirs. The Elite didn’t care where Hangman was, how long he was gone, what was happening to him or his family. It didn’t matter, because the moment The Elite through they could use Hangman, they brought him back. But that isn’t why Hangman his here. Hangman says Lexy knows why, and Swerve knows why.

Hangman is going to burn through the rest of this tournament, he will go to Wembley Stadium, and he will right a wrong that should’ve ben handled a long time ago! Hangman swears to God, with his last breath, he will right this wrong, and BURN Swerve’s House to the ground! Lexy is very nervous as she says tonight, Hangman faces Jay White, who he has never defeated before. Hangman glares at Lexy, then storms off. Hangman is more than ready for a fight, will it be a real shootout between these Collision Cowboys?

Toni Storm w/ Mariah May & Luther VS Trish Adora w/ The Infantry!

While her protege is in the finals of the Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament, The Leading Lady is leading by example by getting back in action. Will Storm once again have the spotlight on “Colli-jon?” Or will the AfroPunk look to upstage the AEW Women’s World Champion?

The bell rings and the fans rally up. The two circle, put up their dukes, and tie up. They goa round, Storm headlocks but Adora endures the grind. Adora powers up and pops out the back to headlock in return. Storm pops out the back to headlock in return. Adora powers up and out then RAMS shoulders! Storm stays up and eggs Adora on. Adora runs to RAM Storm again! The fans cheer and Storm pumps up. Storm runs, Adora follows then runs Storm over! Adora salutes, runs, but Storm trips her! Oklahoma Roll, TWO! Adora has a cradle, TWO! Storm stands, Adora trips her, and then pulls a leg into a cradle, TWO!

Storm storms up but Adora Alabama Lifts her! And swings her around, into the AIR RAID STRETCH! Storm endures and the fans rally up! Storm fights, Adora lets her down and snapmares her, to then have a motorcycle stretch! Adora steps over, and she bounces on Storm’s head! Adora then turns around, claps and the fans rally. Adora hooks the legs to a sunset flip, TWO! Storm flounders up but Adora pumps up. Adora ROCKS Storm, whips her to ropes, but Storm SHOTGUNS Adora back! Adora goes to the apron, Storm runs and HIP ATTACKS her to the floor! The Infantry is there to coach Adora but Storm asks for a standing ovation.

The fans give the standing ovation, and Storm sends us to commercial, so Collision goes picture in picture.

Storm marches around the outside, still ordering ovations, and the fans gladly give Storm what she wants. Storm does a full lap around the ring, comes back for Adora, and Adora BOOTS Storm down! Carlie Bravo & Shawn Dean are all fired up, but Luther & Mariah storm up on them! That’s not exactly a fair fight, though it’s unclear who has the advantage. But then Mariah & Luther salute? The Infantry return it, and everyone stands down. Adora drags Storm up and into the ring, Storm goes to a corner, and Adora stomps her. Adora drags Storm up, reels her in, and snap suplexes! Bridging cover, TWO!

Storm flounders to a corner, Adora storms up on her, and Adora ROCKS Storm with a forearm. Storm goes to another corner, and Adora CHOPS! Storm falls and flounders, Adora stalks her, and the fans rally as Collision goes to break.

Collision returns, Adora runs corner to corner, but Storm goes up and over! Storm runs in, she blocks boots and puts Adora in ropes, to DRAPING BACKSTABBER! Then Storm FISHERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Storm won’t stop! Adora shoves Storm away, runs, but so does Storm! Adora scoops Storm for a SWINGING BACKBREAKER! Both women are down and the fans rally up. Mariah is worried for Storm as Storm grits her teeth. Adora brings Storm up, but Storm fires a forearm! Adora gives that back, they go back and forth! Storm JABS, JABS and JABS! Storm winds up, but Adora ducks!

Adora BASEMENT GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO! Storm escapes, but Adora goes corner to corner. Storm trips Adora, Adora hits buckles, and then Storm comes in, SWEET HIP MUSIC! And then DDT! Cover, TWO! Adora survives and the fans fire up! Storm drags Adora up, ROCKS her, then ROCKS her again. Adora rises, and she fires a forearm! They go back and forth, shot for shot! Adora roars, winds up, but Storm HEADBUTTS! Adora wobbles, but she BOOTS! Storm wobbles, Adora runs in, but Storm gets around to STORM ZERO!! Cover, Storm wins!

Winner: Toni Storm, by pinfall

Adora was a powerful costar, but like all supporting actresses, she let the Leading Lady shine brightest. Storm is on a roll heading for All In, but will she be meeting her protege in that title match? Or will it be the Babe with the Power once she becomes a TWO-TIME Queen of Harts?

AEW hears from Willow Nightingale and Mariah May.

The Babe with the Power says, “Last year, still in my rookie year here in AEW, excitedly entering the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament. This year, it’s not just about winning The Owen. Mariah May, I feel like you are in the same spot I was last year.” Mariah responds that if Willow’s The Babe with the Power, then call her The Chick with The Champ. Storm believes in Mariah. Storm believes that Mariah can win the Owen Hart Cup home to her family and friends at All In Wembley. Willow knows Mariah wants to have her moment in the spotlight in front of her whole family, but Willow’s had a chip on her shoulder the last year, because she sat on the couch and watched All In all alone.

Mariah says she will stop at nothing to bring The Cup home! This one’s for Storm! Powerhouse or protege, who gets to go All In with the AEW Women’s World Champion?

The Patriarchy speaks.

Christian Cage says last week, there were a lot of people left in awe when Jay White confronted The Patriarchy with his words. “Those same people were left in awe that Christian Cage seemingly let him get away with it. Well, Jay, this was never personal for me, but you made it persona. See, I simply promised my family the gift of the Trios Championships for their loyalty to me over the past year. I didn’t even know you were the Trios Champions! I had to Google who the Trios Champions were, that’s the type of run The Bang Bang Gang has been on.

“But I have to be honest with you, Jay, I’m not sure your head’s in the game anyway. Otherwise, why would you enter yourself into the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament? And it’s simple: That’s your exit strategy, isn’t it? And I can’t say I blame you. Look who you surrounded yourself with. Juice Robinson? The guy’s a child. The guy’s a child! Go suck on another fentanyl lollipop, you loser. And then you’ve got genetic waste of Billy Gunn, Austin & Colten. Actually… Colten has a little bit of promise, but that’s a story for another day.

“So Jay, I’m gonna do you a favor. I’m gonna take those Trios Championships off your hands, and I’ll do what I do best. I’m gonna revive them. I’m gonna take them to new heights. I’m gonna make them the most prestigious championships in AEW, and pave my road to the World Heavyweight Championship. And like I said, Jay, I’m doing you a favor. And I think you’re gonna make your boss, Tony Khan, very happy, and I think you’re gonna make the AEW fanbase very happy. Because I speak for all of us when I say they are tired of watching you contently tread water. I think they’d like to see The Switchblade they thought they were getting when they signed you here. Guns… Down.”

The Patriarchy then looks over and sees someone is hiding. What’s this guy doing in his space? Come here. It’s Kip Sabian! And he apologizes, but… Speak up already! Kip says he lost his father. No disrespect. Oh, well, the apple doesn’t fall far, right? So Kip’s dad must’ve been a loser. But hey, at least he isn’t around to see what a disgrace Kip’s career has become. The good news? His dad is gonna get a whole lot worse. Killswitch (Luchasaurus), take care of this. Kip begs for mercy but he’s THROWN around backstage! Christian, Mother Shayna & Nick enjoy the show. Superbad’s super bad timing aside, will The Patriarchy really tear down The Bang Bang Gang?

AEW TNT Championship Open Challenge: Jack Perry VS ???

The Scapegoat said earlier tonight that he was either going to “sacrifice” his opponent tonight, or they are going to “sacrifice” in order to win. So then, with such stakes behind this match, who will step up to Jack Perry? Wait, Jurassic Express theme…? It’s MARKO STUNT! The fans can’t believe it, and neither can Jack! Is Perry’s past about to come back to haunt him?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who lives that Jungle Life!

The bell rings and the fans fire up for their home state hero’s return. Marko and Jack stare down, and Marko says let’s do this. Jack tells Marko to just go away, don’t even bother trying. Marko HEADBUTTS instead! Mark fires off hands and the fans fire up! Jack shoves Marko away, then LARIATS him inside-out! The fans boo but Jack rains down forearms on Marko. Jack lets his hair down before he KICKS Marko in the back. Jack drags Marko up, but Marko fires body shots! So Jack CHOPS Marko down! Jack drags Marko up, CHOPS him again, but Southaven rallies up. Jack taunts the fans so they boo.

Jack drags Marko up to whip, but Marko BOOTS Jack! Marko ducks ‘n’ dodges to tilt-o-whirl, but Jack LAWN DARTS Marko into buckles! Cover, TWO!! Marko survives, and Jack laughs! Jack is almost amused by Marko toughing it out. The fans rally for Marko but Jack sits him up, to SLAP him down. Jack soaks up the heat, scuffs Marko around, and eggs Marko on. Marko SLAPS back! Jack kicks low, suplexes, but Marko RANAS through! Cover, TWO! Marko keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges, tilt-o-whirl and CODE BREAKER! Jack flounders, Marko hurries to a corner and the fans are going wild!

Marko climbs, leaps, DRAGON RAN- NO!! Jack stops that to BUCKLE BOMB! Marko flops down, and Jack says time to sacrifice! GOAT KNEE! Cover, Jack wins!

Winner: Jack Perry, by pinfall (still AEW TNT Champion)

Jack literally rubs the championship in Marko’s face. The fans boo but Jack revels in it, who else will he “sacrifice” for the so-called great good?

The House of Black speaks.

Malakai says, “It’s interesting. This is one of the first times that I don’t know what to say. Perhaps that is the beauty of this little conversation we’re about to have. See, people constantly want to know what’s going on with us in regards to Buddy Matthews. How we feel about it. We don’t feel anything. See, we don’t sweat out our feelers the same way as most of you do. No, for us, revenge is not some straight line, as Mr. King so adequately put it. No. For us, revenge is an imbalanced scale, waiting to be tipped back into perfect balance. It is a shadow hiding in the dark, waiting to be put back into the light.”

Brody King then tells Christian Cage, “Even though we feel nothing, we promise that you will feel everything.” The Kings of the Black Throne disappear into the night, when and where will they choose to strike?

Claudio Castagnoli VS The Beast Mortis!

The Blackpool Combat Club has been on a roller coaster ride lately. Jon Moxley lost the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, Wheeler Yuta has contenders gunning for his ROH Pure Championship, and Bryan Danielson will be in the finals of the Owen Hart Cup this Wednesday. So what is Claudio to do? Well, first he has to survive the monstrous minotaur! Will Claudio make it through The Beast Mortis to go for some gold this Summer? Or will Mortis prove to be The Swiss Superman’s Doomsday?

The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Claudio waistlocks, then he wrangles Mortis to the mat. Claudio facelocks, Mortis spins free to wrench, but Claudio rolls to kip up. Claudio wrenches, YANKS the arm, and has the wristlock. The fans cheer, but Mortis goes up the ropes to flip and wrench back! Mortis headlocks, Claudio powers out and they RAM shoulders! The fans cheer for “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” Claudio eggs Mortis on, Mortis runs, but Claudio follows! Only for Mortis to CHOP BLOCK Claudio! The fans are torn as Mortis storms up on Claudio and CLUBS him. Mortis headlocks but Claudio powers free.

Claudio whips, Mortis reverses, Claudio catches the hurdle for a BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up and Claudio runs up to DOUBLE STOMP! The fans cheer, Claudio brings Mortis up and whips him. Mortis reverses again, runs up and UPPERCUTS, LARIATS and GAMANGIRIS in the corner, to then SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, ONE!! Claudio is tough but Mortis is mean. Mortis ROCKS Claudio, then he brings down the kneepads. Mortis goes corner to corner, but Claudio dodges! Mortis hits buckles, then falls out of the ring, onto a cameraman! The fans lose their minds over that one, but somehow both cameraman and Mortis get back up.

Only for Claudio to run up! Mortis moves, Claudio rolls back and flexes. The fans cheer, Claudio goes to the corner and checks with the cameraman. Cameraman is okay, so Claudio builds speed. Mortis slides in as Claudio slides out, then Mortis comes back, TORNILLO TOPE SUICIDA! Direct hit but Mortis’ leg still bothers him. The ref checks, Mortis gets to his feet, and fans boo as he stalks Claudio. Mortis puts Claudio in, RAMS into him, then slingshots to get moving! Claudio swings, Mortis ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA! Claudio staggers up, Mortis runs in, but Claudio POSTS him! Claudio then drags Mortis back in for a BIG running back suplex!

The fans fire up with Claudio, and even chant “Whoop Dat Trick!” as Collision goes picture in picture.

Collision drags Mortis up, bumps him off buckles, and again, and again, and again! The ref counts, Claudio keeps going but lets off at 4. The fans applaud and Claudio brings Mortis back up. Claudio bumps Mortis off buckles again, then dribbles him some more! The ref counts, Claudio stops at 4, and Mortis slumps down in the corner. Claudio hears the fans and says okay, they’ll go again. Claudio gets Mortis to a third corner, and dribbles him off the buckle! The ref again counts, so Claudio again lets off at 4. Mortis slumps back down, but Claudio figures they should finish the lap! Claudio goes to the fourth corner, and he again dribbles Mortis!

The ref again counts, rather annoyed at this point, but Claudio still stops before 4. Claudio has the fans all fired up, and he then goes up a corner. Mortis stands, into the CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Claudio keeps on Mortis with a top wristlock. Mortis endures, even as Claudio steps over for leverage. Claudio shifts his grip, bends fingers, then goes back to the wristlock. Mortis still endures, fights around, and reaches out. Collision returns to single picture as Mortis fights up. Mortis ROCKS Claudio, Claudio ROCKS Mortis! They go forearm for forearm, CHOP for CHOP, and repeat! Claudio is feeling it, and he fires a flurry!

The fans fire up as Claudio whips corner to corner. Claudio runs in but into a BOOT! Mortis SLING DOGS! Claudio gets up but Mortis dodges to POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Claudio sputters but he is still in this. Mortis snarls, the fans rally up, and Mortis runs up, but Claudio sends him into buckles! Claudio LARIATS, whips, but Mortis goes up and up and FLYING HEADBUTTS! Mortis rises, Claudio staggers and shakes out his arms. Mortis runs in, into an UPPERCUT! Claudio reels Mortis in, but Mortis back drops free! Claudio gets up, both men run, SPEAR!! But Mortis can’t make the cover!

The fans rally, Mortis crawls to a cover, TWO! Claudio crawls to ropes, Mortis rises and runs back in! Claudio ELBOWS Mortis first! Mortis returns again, jumps up, but Claudio DUMPS him out hard! The ref checks on Mortis but he stands again. That leg is holding up somehow, so Claudio goes put, high five to that cameraman! Claudio runs in to UPPERCUT Mortis against railing! The fans fire up and Claudio puts Mortis back in. Claudio then grabs the legs and the fans cheer! Mortis BOOTS free, then HEADBUTTS Claudio! Roll-up, TWO! Claudio runs in, into a spin and torture rack! RACK BACKBREAKER DROP!! Cover, TWO!!

Mortis seethes while Claudio writhes. Mortis drags Claudio up, lifts, but Claudio slips free! Claudio shoves, Mortis ELBOWS him! Mortis goes up, leaps, into an UPPERCUT! Claudio hears the fans fire up, so he gives ’em what they want! GIANT SWING!! Mortis goes around and around and around, for TEN! Claudio powers up, pumps up, and runs, runs and LARIATS!! Cover, Claudio wins!

Winner: Claudio Castagnoli, by pinfall

That’s six straight wins for the Swiss Superman! That’s usually the magic number, so will Claudio get himself a shot at some gold?

Backstage interview with Matthew Menard.

Lexy Nair is with the bandaged up Daddy Magic and says after what we saw on Dynamite, there are a lot of questions concerning Daniel Garcia’s condition. And obviously, Menard got roughed up, as well. How are they feeling? Not great, Lexy. Not at all. Concussion, headaches, light sensitivity, hence his sunglasses. But you wanna know Garcia’s condition? He is at home in Buffalo. He made it home, but he has lost all strength in the left side of his body. There is good news, though. Garcia will be making a full recovery. And good news for MJF, too. Because Menard promised Danny that Danny will get the satisfaction of being the first one to get his hands on MJF.

Menard says MJF won’t know when that happens. It could be six months from now, a year. But when that day comes, Max, when it comes, Menard promises MJF it won’t be the smooth dancing Daniel Garcia. No. Menard takes off the glasses to look right into the camera. MJF will be getting RED, DEATH. When and where will Garcia have his vengeance on the Wolf of Wrestling?

Program, activate.

A man jumps through a portal, and comes out the other side a hero! “Loading soon.” Was that… AEROSTAR?!

Serena Deeb speaks.

“Last week, we saw the return of my good friend, Riho, and Riho… I was just as surprised to see you as everybody else was. It is good to have you back. We have a history, people still to this day talk about the match we had at Double or Nothing 2021. And that’s what you call, making history. So if Riho wants to run this back, I’m fine with that. But please understand that I’m not the same wrestler that I was in 2021. I’m not the same woman that I was in 2021. See, I’ve been through so much in the past three years, but I’ve gotten so much stronger. And I’ve evolved into the best in-ring wrestler in this entire division.

“So Riho, you wanna do this again? Let’s do it. And we’re gonna find out if you’re really as you claim to be, on the same level as the Professor of Professional Wrestling.” Deeb smiles, having thrown down the challenge. Will the original AEW Women’s World Champion respond with actions rather than words? Or is she about to freeze up against the Coolest Wrestler Ever?

Riho VS Lady Frost!

The bell rings, the two circle, and the two tie up. Frost powers Riho to a corner, lets off quickly, and then Riho runs up. Frost gets around to waistlock, Riho switches and pushes Frost to ropes, but Frost bucks the O’Conner. Frost runs Riho over, covers, ONE as Riho goes Matrix! The fans fire up, Riho runs but Frost avoids the dropkick! Frost flips Riho, brings hers up, but Riho arm-drags! Riho runs in, whips, but Frost goes up and over. Frost handsprings, mule kicks, and runs to ROLLING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Frost is already annoyed but Riho drops back to a corner. Frost runs in but Riho moves!

Frost stops the handspring but Riho BOOTS her! Riho drop toeholds Frost, dials it up, 619! Frost flounders away, Riho goes up! Frost rises, the fans fire up, and Riho CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Frost stay sin this but Riho stays cool as she brings Frost up. Riho bumps Frost off buckles, and Collision goes picture in picture.

Riho goes corner to corner and back again, to JUMP KNEE! Then BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! INTO A CROSSFACE! Frost endures, claws at the grip, and she rolls Riho to a cover, TWO! Riho lets go in time but Frost knees low! Frost bumps Riho off buckles, stomps a mudhole in, but lets off as the ref counts. Frost whips Riho corner to corner, Riho reverses. Riho runs in but into BOOTS! Frost then cartwheels over Riho, to basement dropkick! Frost drags Riho to a cover, TWO! Frost is seeing that toughness but she brings Riho up. Frost puts Riho in a corner, hushes the fans, then CHOPS! Riho is stinging but Frost says one more time!

Frost turns Riho around so she can CHOP again! Riho shouts from the pain, so Frost swings again. Riho dodges, and now she CHOPS! Frost frowns, there wasn’t enough on that. Riho says one more time then! And she CHOPS! That one Frost felt! Frost reels Riho in to suplex hard! Riho grits her teeth, Frost storms up on her, and Collision goes to break.

Collision returns and Frost has Riho down in the motorcycle stretch. The fans rally as Riho endures, and she fights to turn things around. Riho brings Frost up to ROCK her with forearm after forearm! Frost ROCKS Riho back, runs, but Riho gets around! Riho body shots, runs, RANA but not a clean one! Riho DROPKICKS Frost outta the ring! Frost hobbles, the fans rally, and Riho goes up and up to SUPER CROSSBODY! A clipping shot but enough to knock Frost down! Riho rises, Frost shakes out her legs. Riho puts Frost in, shakes out an arm, then goes up top. Riho aims to DIVING- NO, Frost avoids the stomp!

Riho rolls through, avoids the spin kick but not the ROUNDHOUSE! Frost cartwheels into the Alabama Lift, spin and CHILLA DRILLA! Cover, TWO?! Riho survives and Frost is shocked! Frost drags Riho to a drop zone, goes up, but Riho anchors her! Frost kicks at Riho, but Riho fires forearms! Frost shoves Riho, runs, but Riho KNEES her against ropes! Riho runs but Frost ROCKS her! Frost runs, Riho follows, they each ROCK the other! Frost OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY SUPLEXES! The fans fire up and Frost snarls as she stomps Riho. Frost goes up the corner, for the MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!!

Riho is still in this and Frost is beside herself! Frost drags Riho up, reels her in for a fireman’s carry, but Riho flails! Riho fights free, full nelsons, and SNAP DRAGON SUPLEXES! Shoutout to The Cleaner, and Riho wrenches to SOS!! AKA Run Hey! Cover, Riho wins!

Winner: Riho, by pinfall

It was a rough return to AEW, but the inaugural AEW Women’s World Champion wins out in the end! Frost shows respect to Riho, but is Riho’s bad arm now a prime target for Serena Deeb?

Backstage interview with Shane Taylor Promotions and Top Flight.

Some deja vu as Lexy mediates this meeting of trios. There is a lot of history here, but it will all come to a head next week on Rampage, in Memphis, Tennessee, when these trios have a Six Man Tag. Shane says that the last few weeks, these boys got a past. STP should’ve beat their asses back a few weeks ago. And while Dante Martin was playing on ladders with Lio, STP could’ve had Darius & Action “touched up.” Action says, “Could’ve? Well guess what? Wait’s over. Because next week, the six of us are settling this on Rampage, right here in Memphis, Tennessee!” Darius says Shane might think Top Flight is scared, but no one’s been ducking anyone.

So if STP wants to rumble, then let’s go. Dante brings up how Shane wants to say Dante was playing on ladders. Well, uh, at least Dante was on the PPV. And if he wants to bring up Lio Rush, isn’t he the one that cleaned house last time? Lee Moriarty says why wait ’til next week? Let’s go right now! Keep playing! Shane has #TAIGASTYLE stand down, and Ogogo says hey! This ain’t the jungle gym no more. This the fight game, and they’ll smash you up! STP heads out, are they going to ground Top Flight once and for all? Or will Darius, Dante & Action be too fast and too furious to be stopped?

BREAKING NEWS for Dynamite!

Tony Khan has put together quite the match, nicknaming it the “Global Glory Fatal 4 Way!” The Aussie Arrow, Kyle Fletcher VS The Swiss Superman, Claudio Castagnoli VS The British Bastard, Pac VS The Japanese Stone Pitbull, Tomohiro Ishii! A star-studded match, will the winner look to challenge for the International Championship in the near future?

2024 Men’s Owen Hart Cup Semifinal: Hangman Page VS Jay White w/ The Bang Bang Gang!

We saw The Black Hat crush the hopes of Jeff Jarrett on Dynamite when he was dealt as The Wild Card, but he also told Matthew & Nicholas to shove their self-serving apology. Will Hangman now make it real easy for Jay White to focus on the Trios Championships by knocking him out of the tournament? Or will we all Breathe with The Switchblade?

But wait, BREAKING NEWS via Bobby Cruise. The EVPs, the Young Bucks, have decided that Juice Robinson & The Gunns are to be ejected from the building! White throws a fit, as does the rest of the gang, and Hangman grumbles that this is The Bucks doing him more favors. But in the end, this will be a fair 1v1 match now. White claims Hangman got The Bucks to do this for him, he’s still Elite, but then Hangman RAMS White right into the corner! The ref has Hangman back off, and the bell rings. Hangman runs back in but White headlocks. Hangman powers out and runs White over! Then he stomps away on White!

White bails out, Hangman pursues, but White KNEES low. Hangman ROCKS White back! The fans fire up as they go around the way, and Hangman puts White in the ring. White stomps Hangman now, RAMS him into a corner, but Hangman CLUBS away on White! White crawls, Hangman stands him up and CHOPS! The fans “WOO~!” while White falls back to a corner. White kicks low, kicks some more, then fires forearms. White backs Hangman down, but Hangman DECKS him! Hangman scowls, the ref checks on White, and White revives. White also clings to the ref, but Hangman drags him up.

Hangman scoops White, for a FALL AWAY SLAM! The fans are torn while White flounders, but Hangman scowls as he rises up. White goes to the apron, Hangman storms over, triangle jump LARIAT HOTSHOT! White storms in to CHOP! And CHOP! And then he RAMS into Hangman! White CHOPS again, but Hangman shoves White. White returns, but Hangman BOOTS him! The ref checks White again but he’s okay to continue. White goes to the apron, Hangman storms over, and the fans rally up. Hangman drags White up, but White HOTSHOTS again! Hangman sputters his way to a corner, but he comes back to triangle jump LARIAT!

The fans fire up as Hangman goes out and RAMS White into barriers! Hangman dribbles White off the railing, and he soaks up the cheers and jeers as he goes back to the ring. Hangman refreshes the count, the fans rally for “COWBOY SH*T!” and Hangman hauls White up. Hangman puts White in, soaks up more cheers and jeers, then shows off the damage he did to the railing using White. Hangman storms in, BLADE- NO, Hangman slips free and he CLAWS White’s face! The ref reprimands but Hangman puts on a SLEEPER, then he SWINGS White! And he DROPS White, to then HAMMER away on him!

Hangman KICKS White, KICKS him more, but the ref has him let off as White bails out. The fans fire up while White flounders around, and Collision goes picture in picture.

Hangman seethes, and is White really egging him on? A ring count starts but Hangman goes out to fetch White. Hangman brings White up, but White RAMS Hangman into and over steel steps! The ref checks both guys and they’re somehow okay. Hangman get sup, and he LARIATS White and himself up and over railing! Hangman stands up, forehead busted open, but totally unfazed! Hangman TOSSES White back over the railing, and White scrambles into the ring. Hangman snarls as the crimson mask grows. Hangman steps in, stalks White, and drags him up. Hangman RAMS White into a corner, then puts him up top.

Hangman CHOPS White, White punches back! They brawl as Hangman works to climb up. White rains down fists right on the bloody forehead, then he BOOTS Hangman away! Collision returns as White hops down to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP again! Hangman ROCKS White and White goes back to a corner. Hangman runs up, but White dodges. White blocks Hangman’s boot to KNEE JAMMER! Then White grabs at the leg, but Hangman pushes him away. White blocks another kick, to DRAGON SCREW! Hangman hobbles to a corner, White UPPERCUTS! White JABS, JABS, CHOPS, repeat! The ref counts, White CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS!

Hangman HEADBUTTS back! Hangman swings, White dodges, and White CLAWS at Hangman’s eyes! The ref counts, White lets off, and he wipes Hangman’s blood on himself. White whips, Hangman reverses, White slides to a stop. Hangman takes a swing, White spins him into a DDT! Cover, TWO!! Hangman stays in this but White stays focused. White hauls Hangman up, but Hangman fights the urenage. Hangman ELBOWS White away, the fans rally, Hangman runs in. White ELOBWS Hangman back, BOOTS him again, then runs up, but into a fireman’s carry! But White claws free! And CHOPS again!

Hangman ROLLING ELBOWS White! White staggers, Hangman runs, but right into a FLATLINER!! White gets around to deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! White and Hangman crawl to the apron, and White brings Hangman up. But Hangman Alabama Lifts! White fights free and CHOPS! Hangman fires haymakers, then backs up. White wobbles, Hangman runs up, but White APRON FLATLINERS!! Hangman sputters, White crawls back up and drags Hangman into a waistlock. Hangman fights with elbows. Hangman runs and he POSTS White! The cameraman is almost collateral damage again!

White hobbles, Hangman reels him in, and APRON POWERBOMBS him!! The fans go nuts and the ring count is climbing, but Hangman seethes as he puts White in the ring. Hangman takes off the elbow pad, flips off the fans who want tables when this isn’t a No Disqualification match, and then he- NO, White falls over so Hangman has to stop his slingshot. Hangman storms in, White cradles him! TWO!! Hangman escapes that trap, but White BOOTS him to the apron! Hangman BOOTS back, but White grabs the leg! DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! White has a SLEEPER, but Hangman arm-drags free! POP-UP POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!!

Hangman is furious that White survives. Hangman drags White up, ROCKS him with haymaker after haymaker, then goes back to the apron. Hangman reloads, slingshots, and BUCK- URENAGE!! White covers, TWO!!! Hangman survives that turnaround but White reels him in! SLEEPER, for the- NO, Hangman fires elbows! But White still SNAP SLEEPER SUPLEXES! White roars, hauls Hangman up, BLADE- NO, Hangman slips free, Alabama Lifts, but White fights free of that! SNAP- NO, Hangman SHOVES White away, into the ref!! White is stunned, and Hangman lifts him! DEADEYE!! Cover, but no ref to count!

Hangman realizes what happened, and is even angrier than before! So Hangman rains down fists on White! Hangman takes off his belt to CHOKE White with it!! And then he LASHES White with it!! But here comes Double J! The fans fire up as the Last Outlaw storms in and snatches that strap! Hangman warns Jarrett, but White hits a SNAP SLEEPER SUPLEX!! Another ref hurries out here, Jarrett is escorted away, but wait! Christian Cage slips in!? He SPEARS White!!! The Patriarch gets away with that one, and “hides” behind the apron! Hangman loads up again, and he slingshots to BUCKSHOT!! Cover, Hangman wins!!

Winner: Hangman Page, by pinfall (advances to the finals)

Controversy and then some, and now Hangman heads to Calgary! Is the Black Hat going to stampede all over Bryan Danielson? Or will Hangman fail to slay the American Dragon? And as for Jay White, Christian Cage just made sure he has nothing better to do, will The Bang Bang Gang take aim at The Patriarchy?

My Thoughts:

A very good Collision, but it had the misfortune of going up against a great WWE MITB. Very good promo from MJF, namely that he called back to almost a year ago with his Face turn promo. I feel like his explanation of why he turned on Garcia was a bit convoluted, because clearly it was that Garcia made MJF an afterthought when Ospreay offered his title match. It would’ve worked better if MJF said he turned on Garcia because like the fans, Garcia chose Ospreay over him. Either way, we’re obviously getting MJF VS Ospreay for All In. And Menard had a great promo to put MJF on notice for Garcia’s return, and I feel like Garcia could make a “miraculous return” at All In once MJF VS Ospreay ends. Garcia goes after MJF, regardless if he has a title or not, and they take that to All Out.

Great promo from Conglomeration, real fun match from Conglomeration VS Iron Savages, and of course Undisputed Kingdom was around. I’m thinking the Six Man Tag of Conglomeration VS Kingdom is for All In, and with Cassidy’s souring mood, I wonder if he just goes berserk and Orange Punches everyone, The Kingdom and teammates, to become this rogue Tweener version of himself. Very good promo from Jack Perry to hype his AEW TNT Championship Open Challenge, and an honestly great surprise that Marko Stunt returned. But of course Jack won so that he’d have his first title defense already done with.

Toni Storm VS Trish Adora was a really good match, but I figured Storm was gonna win. Storm keeps her momentum up, and I feel like her character is still unaware that if Mariah wins the Cup, they have to face each other. I would love if Storm just expects Mariah to Finger Poke of Doom for her and then Mariah rebels to make it a competitive match, but who knows. Great just-because match from Claudio VS Mortis, though I was really worried for Mortis after falling on the cameraman. Claudio winning helps lead into that “Global Glory” Fatal 4. And if that match really is to help determine an International Championship #1 contender, it’d be fitting if it was Fletcher. Fletcher would find himself stuck between Ospreay and the Don Callis Family, and that’s good story.

Good promo from Serena Deeb, but uh, sorry, I didn’t even remember Deeb VS Riho was on Double or Nothing 2021. I barely remember any of Double or Nothing 2021 as it is. Good match from Riho VS Frost, but the back to back botches of the rana and the crossbody kinda killed the mood. Riho still won of course, she’s got momentum going into her match with Deeb. Good promo from STP and Top Flight, but for what feels like the 100th time, Tony Khan not paying attention to all the stories causes references like what Shane made tonight. The trios were supposed to have it out, but then TK puts Dante in the TNT Championship Ladder match, etc. At least now these trios will have it out, and maybe Lio Rush returns to have a part to play.

But hey, the main event still lived up to expectations. Hangman had a great promo, he really got fired up, and then even The Patriarchy’s story got involved. Good promo from The Patriarchy, too, especially with how they treated poor Kip. Maybe Kip ends up factoring into Patriarchy VS Bang Bang Gang, but Christian screwing White over in The Owen was some clever stuff. Hangman being in his own Tweener state makes for some good stuff, he’s just gonna be fighting everyone on the roster at this rate. Bryan VS Hangman is set, and Swerve VS Hangman at All In certainly feels like the move they’re going for. The Bucks also backhandedly helping is a good detail, it might compel Hangman to actually be on Team AEW for Blood & Guts.

My Score: 8.8/10