Talk about escalation…!

Chris Jericho won’t stop disrespecting Dem Boys, so Mark Briscoe will give him one last shot at the ROH World Championship… in a LADDER WAR!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Sammy Guevara VS Shelton Benjamin w/ MVP; Shelton wins.
• Brian Cage & Lance Archer VS The Pillars of Destiny; Cage & Archer win.
• ROH World Championship Ladder War: Mark Briscoe VS Chris Jericho; Jericho wins and becomes the new ROH World Champion.
• Six Man Tag: The House of Black VS Kevin Koa, Jaden Monroe & Pirata de la Muerte; The House of Black wins.
• Kamille w/ Mercedes Mone VS Queen Aminata; Kamille wins.
• Six Man Tag: The Elite VS Daniel Garcia & Private Party; Garcia & Private Party win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Jon Moxley speaks.

“The caterpillar doesn’t just get to become a butterfly, no. Those wings ain’t free. The caterpillar eats itself. The caterpillar is preparing by instinct, by nature, to cannibalize itself. Imagine what we could become at AEW if we all had that same instinct. Tonight, AEW Dynamite, just a little piece of someone will be destroyed forever. But it’s for their own good. And for the greater good. Always for the greater good.” From the images shown, it could be Orange Cassidy, Darby Allin, Daniel Garcia, Private Party, Top Flight or The Dark Order. Moxley hops into the back of the truck and it takes off into the desert. Who will the Blackpool Combat Club tear down to build their AEW?

Daniel Garcia, Mark Briscoe, and more wait in the parking lot!

Speaking of those featured in Moxley’s message, they and a few others are all waiting for BCC to arrive. Will Moxley’s maniac crew learn what happens when they try to take what doesn’t belong to them?

Tony Schiavone is in the ring.

To begin Dynamite in Salt Lake City, let’s welcome in Hangman Adam Page. The fans are torn as the Blackhat Cowboy makes his entrance. Hangman steps into the ring and Schiavone just wants a moment of his time. Hangman loses to Jay White at WrestleDream, only to cost White his match against Christian Cage last week. Where is Hangman’s mind right now? Hangman snatches the mic from Schiavone! The fans boo but Hangman says last week, he took White’s head off! And before that, Hangman nearly took Juice Robinson’s life. And a few weeks ago, Hangman knocked out Austin Gunn so bad that he probably doesn’t remember his brother’s name!

But wait! COLTEN GUNN ATTACKS FROM BEHIND! The brother Hangman didn’t care to mention is now the one raining down hands! The fans fire up but Hangman slips free. Colten pursues out of the ring, to LARIAT Hangman down! The fans fire up with Colten and he runs up again, to LEAP! Hangman dodges and Colten crashes into the timekeeper’s area! Hangman goes around to get Colten, throw him into the side of the ring, then drags him up again. Hangman puts Colten in the ring, stomps him around, and he takes off his belt! Hangman CHOKES Colten, but here comes The Switchblade AND Juice Robinson!

The fans fire up as The Bang Bang Gang save their boy, and then they flank the ring. Hangman swings on White, swings on Juice, but White TACKLES Hangman! The fans fire up but Hangman gets free and retreats! Hangman hobbles a bit, but White asks where he’s going! White’s here where Hangman wants! Hangman can hobble away but he can’t hide! Hangman can’t hide that leg! White knows how much it hurts Hangman that he always has Hangman’s number! White’s 4-1, and if not for Hangman helping Christian, it would be a perfect 5-0!

Hangman can try to cover up his shortcomings with all the blood, barbed wire and fire he wants, it won’t change the fact that when the bell rings, he’ll never be able to measure up to the Switchblade! They haven’t seen the last of each other, and that’s perfect! Go ice up, Hangman, and they’ll see each other real soon. And if you ain’t down with that, they’ve got two words for ya! GUNS UP! Hangman hobbles away to metaphorically lick his wounds, when and where will he Breath with the Switchblade?

Sammy Guevara speaks.

“I’ve been here for the past five years. I take a lot of pride in being called an AEW Original. Because of this place, my life changed for the better. So the best way I know how to repay AEW is to make sure every single time I get in that ring, I give you a moment you’ve never seen before. For me, it’s always the same. But the way I get there needs to be different. The way I realize my destiny is by going against the best. And one of the best just had a hell of a debut last Wednesday on Dynamite.”

MVP & Shelton Benjamin speak.

Montel Vontavious Porter says, “There is always an agenda. There’s no ulterior motive, there is a motive.” The Standard of Excellence says, “We’re not here to make friends. We’re not here to shake hands. We’re here to crack heads, we’re here to make money, we’re all about that business.” MVP says they are merchants of misery. Shelton is exceptionally gifted at hurting people. And when you’re good at something, you never do it for free. So what is the agenda? They’ll take over. As they say, trust the process. They’ve done it before, and they’ll do it again. The Spanish God is about to have the match of his career, will he hold his own with one of the best ever?

Sammy Guevara VS Shelton Benjamin w/ MVP!

The bell rings and the fans rally as the two stare down. Shelton and Benjamin circle, tie up, and Shelton knees low! Shelton has the Gotch hold, and he TOSSES Sammy with the single leg suplex! Sammy flounders to ropes, Shelton storms over, and Shelton brings Sammy up. Shelton whips corner to corner hard and Sammy falls to the mat. Shelton storms up on Sammy again, puts him in a corner, but Sammy CHOPS! And fires a forearm, then CHOPS again! Sammy fires more shots but Shelton DECKS him! Shelton fires knees into Sammy, then snap suplexes! MVP says that’s what he’s talking about!

The fans rally but Shelton drags Sammy up again, for a stalling suplex! But Sammy slips to waistlock. Shelton elbows Sammy, runs, but Sammy hurdles, backflips, and DROPKICKS! Sammy kips up so smooth and the fans fire up! Sammy somersaults but Shelton stops the cutter. Shelton shoves Sammy to the apron, but Sammy comes back to GAMANGIRI! Shelton snarls, runs up, but Sammy DUMPS him out! The fans fire up as Sammy mule kicks! Sammy then ASAI MOONSAULTS! Down goes Shelton and the fans are thunderous for Sammy! MVP is upset but Sammy hurries into the ring. Sammy builds speed, but MVP stands in the way!

The fans boo but Sammy just builds speed again. Sammy DIVES, but into Shelton’s hands! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY onto the ramp! MVP says that’s what he likes, that’s how they get down, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Shelton looms over Sammy, drags him up, to then scoop and SLAM him back on the ramp! Shelton leaves Sammy behind for the count to handle, and MVP talks a bit of smack on Sammy. Sammy crawls his way to the ring, drags himself up, but Shelton BOOTS him back down! The ref reprimands, but the count continues. Sammy crawls, Shelton storms out after Sammy, and Shelton throws knees into Sammy! Shelton pushes Sammy against railing, then THROWS him at the apron! And THROWS him back at railing! And repeat! And repeat! Sammy flops over, Shelton rolls in and lets the ref check on Sammy.

Sammy is somehow still in this so MVP talks more smack. Sammy drags himself into the ring, but Shelton is right on him! Shelton rains down forearms in the corner, but lets off as the ref counts. Shelton stomps Sammy, drags him up, and then whips him to ropes. Shelton FLAPJACKS Sammy right as Dynamite returns to single picture! The fans fire up and rally while Shelton paces around Sammy. Shelton watches Sammy rise up, to then GERMAN SUPLEX! Shelton watches Sammy flounder around, and Sammy grabs at Shelton. The fans rally up while Shelton drags Sammy to his feet. Shelton waistlocks for another GERMAN SUPLEX!

Sammy writhes and Shelton grins. Shelton storms over to Sammy, looms over him, then brings Sammy up. Shelton clinches but Sammy rolls him up! TWO!! Shelton escapes, Sammy SUPERKICKS! And SUPERKICKS! The fans fire up as Shelton ends up on the apron, and Sammy SUPERKICKS again! Sammy runs to JUMP KNEE Shelton to the floor! Sammy fires up and the fans rally again as he builds speed! Sammy FOSBURY FLOPS! Down goes Shelton and the fans fire up again! Sammy drags Shelton up, but Shelton pushes free. Shelton rolls into the ring, but Sammy goes to the apron. Sammy springboards, but into a waistlock!

Shelton GERMAN SUPLEXES, but Sammy lands out! The fans fire up and Sammy dodges Shelton to run, POP-UP CUTTER!! Both men are down and MVP shouts to stay on his man! Sammy crawls to a cover, ONE?!? Sammy is shocked, but MVP says this is what happens when you play with your food. Stop playing, end this! Sammy RAMS into Shelton first! Sammy ENZIGIRIS Shelton and Shelton staggers away. Sammy aims, springboards, but into a SUPERKICK! Shelton grins as he lines up another shot, and SUPERKICKS again! Sammy falls right over, but Shelton drags him up. Shelton puts Sammy in a corner to go corner to corner, for the STEP-UP KNEE!

Shelton drags Sammy into the clinch, for the EXPLODER POWERSLAM! Cover, Shelton wins!

Winner: Shelton Benjamin, by pinfall

MVP raises Shelton’s hand, and the Hurt Syndicate is rolling into Fright Night Dynamite! Will they teach Swerve Strickland what happens when you refuse to do business with them?

Backstage interview with Mariah May.

Renee Paquette is waiting to talk with the AEW Women’s World Champion after her loss to Anna Jay at last Saturday’s Battle of the Belts. Mariah storms out of her locker room as Renee adds Anna’s win earned her a future title opportunity. Renee now notes that it seems Mariah is already leaving. Mariah says no, she’s not leaving yet. Then what is she doing with her luggage? Oh, this isn’t Mariah’s. Mariah TOSSES Anna’s luggage! Mariah says Anna does NOT belong in the ring with her, and she does not belong in the same locker room. But here comes Anna! Anna and Mariah pull each other’s hair, but Christopher Daniels rushes in!

Daniels says to stop it, let go, and the hair pulling stops. Anna and Mariah dare the other to make a move, but Daniels reminds Anna she has her championship match, just wait until then. But then how long will Anna have to wait to tear into The Glamour?

Tony Schiavone is back in the ring.

And he says that last Saturday, we heard Kyle Fletcher has something he wants to say here tonight. With that in mind, welcome Kyle Fletcher and… Don Callis. The fans boo as the Protostar and the scumbag he chose over Will Ospreay make their way out here. Callis takes the mic from Schiavone, and he says, “Kyle Fletcher has something important to say!” The fans boo as Callis hands the mic over to Kyle. Kyle says, “You people can boo me all you want. The only person I am here to talk to is Will Ospreay. It has been 11 days, Will, since I cost you your International Championship.

“It has been 11 days that you have been laid up in a hospital bed, with numbness tingling up and down your arms because of that herniated disk you don’t tell anyone about. And that whole time, just like these people, you have been wondering, ‘Why, Kyle, why?’ And oh boy does that make me happy. What these idiots don’t realize is that they are just as much to blame for this as you are. See, when I got to AEW, they said I was the next big thing. They said that I had the brightest future in professional wrestling.” The fans chant for Ospreay, but Kyle smirks. Kyle continues by saying, “And then you got here, Will.”

Instead of Kyle being “The Next Big Thing,” he became “The Next Will Ospreay.” They all started saying how Kyle looked like Will, how he wrestled like Will, and these “inbred Americans” even thought Kyle sounded like Will. Kyle took every one of those comparisons as an insult. Because in reality, Kyle is bigger, stronger, faster and better than Will in every single way! The fans boo more but Kyle says maybe there was a time he would’ve liked those comparisons. Back in 2021, when he joined The United Empire, Ospreay was the Kingpin! The Assassin! He had a killer instinct! The fans chant, “Wrap It Up! Wrap It Up!”

Kyle says Callis bought Kyle all the TV time he wants to get this off his chest, so you WILL listen to him! But do you wanna know why Kyle left NJPW to join AEW? Let’s talk about what happened between Ospreay and Okada. Okada brought Ospreay into NJPW when Ospreay was young and full of potential. Okada became Ospreay’s mentor and brother, and what’d Ospreay do? Ospreay stabbed Okada in the back. What about Ospreay and Kenny Omega? Omega left NJPW, Ospreay stepped up as the biggest foreigner in NJPW. But instead of being praised for that, they said Ospreay would never fill Omega’s shoes.

So what’d Ospreay do? He used that same screwdriver that Kyle did, and Ospreay stabbed Omega in the head! Then Ospreay dropped Omega on his neck with the Tiger Driver. Starting to notice a pattern yet? The reason Kyle left is because he saw the writing on the walls. Kyle knew what he had to do to get out of Ospreay’s shadow, because that is the lesson Ospreay taught Kyle. That is when Callis helped Kyle realized: Ospreay never wanted Kyle to realize his full potential; Ospreay never wanted Kyle to surpass Ospreay. Because that is the kind of person Ospreay is! Ospreay is selfish!

Kyle will give Ospreay one chance to save face with the people. The fans have moved on to chanting STFU, but Kyle ignores them. Kyle says Ospreay will face Kyle in this ring next week on Fright Night, ignoring the doctor’s orders, ignoring his wife Alex and son Harry begging him to rest up, to prove to the people that Ospreay gives a damn. But one thing is for sure, Kyle is sending Ospreay back to the hospital for a LOT longer than 11 days! Kyle will bury Ospreay in the mat with Tiger Driver after Tiger Driver until Ospreay’s neck withers away to dust! Kyle will stand atop Ospreay’s carcass as the one and only Protostar!

The fans boo more, but Kyle says one thing is very apparent. If Kyle wants to stand atop AEW and take it to heights it has never seen before, Kyle can be nothing like Ospreay. Kyle takes off his shirt, and Callis has an electric razor? Kyle says from this day forward, he is nothing like Ospreay. Kyle SHAVES HIS HEAD, no more blonde hair, and he keeps shouting, “I am nothing like you! I am nothing like you! I am nothing like you! I… am NOTHING… like you!” The symbolism aside, will the Aussie Arrow shoot down the Aerial Assassin and take his place in history?

Backstage interview with Ricochet.

Renee is with the One & Only and notes that he is enjoying his newfound freedom. Let’s talk what happened last week at the Maple Leaf Pro-Wrestling event. Ricochet says he is a man of his word. He told everyone that he would be willing to show up anywhere to get his hands on Konosuke Takeshita, and that is what he did. But it is funny, it plays in his mind, Takeshita never pinned Ricochet to become champion, Takeshita has screwed Ricochet out of that title twice now. So here Ricochet is, calling Takeshita or anyone else out because he is in a bad mood. Please, show up this Friday for Rampage to find out why he’s not from here, he is Outta This World!

But remember: Payback’s a b*tch. In steps MVP and says yes it is, but that’s not why he and Shelton are here. They have a tumultuous history but hey, new company, new chapter, new beginnings. Let’s start off right. MVP hands Ricochet his card. MVP also notes the very nice suit. MVP & Shelton head out, will Ricochet join up if it means a fair fight with The Don Callis Family? Or will he still prefer to be The One & Only?

Brian Cage & Lance Archer VS The Pillars of Destiny!

From one Don Callis Family member to another, The Machine & The Murderhawk Monster dominated in their debut last Saturday, and they look to do the same on Dynamite! If #EverybodyDies will there be no answer to #WhoBetta? Or can Hunter Grey & Paul Titan survive?

The teams sort out, Archer starts against “Parviz” Paul Titan. The bell rings, Archer kicks and CLUBS away on Parviz to then bump him off buckles. Archer fires off forearms, then laughs as the ref counts. Archer CHOPS Parviz, then runs corner to corner. Parviz dodges, tags Grey, and Grey LARIATS! But Cage steps in as Grey fires himself up, and then he SPINEBUSTERS Grey down! Parviz roars, runs in, but into a waistlock! BOOT GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO! The fans fire up as Cage reels Parviz in. Archer LARIATS Grey up and out, and Cage brings Parviz up! Archer adds on, CHOKE SLAM BOMB COMBO!! Cover, Don Callis Family wins!

Winners: Brian Cage & Lance Archer, by pinfall

Callis joins his #MurderMachines in the ring, and he hugs it out with his Family. Will nothing stop them from taking over AEW?

Daniel Garcia and the anti-BCC alliance are still waiting.

It’s been about 45 minutes since the show began, but still no Moxley and crew. But wait, Chuck Taylor comes out, he’s officially part of AEW staff. He tells Kyle O’Reilly & Orange Cassidy that Mark Briscoe’s match is up next. The Conglomeration has to head out to back him up, but Chuckie T does wanna talk to his old Best Friend. Chuck has known Cassidy 20 years, used to be roommates since they couldn’t make it on their own. Then AEW came along. Chuck knows Cassidy knows what’s going on and he knows Cassidy sees what BCC is doing. And even with all these guys, God bless ’em, they might not be able to beat BCC. None of ’em ever have.

Except for Cassidy. And it is about time to step up, Cassidy. Okay? Chuck escorts Cassidy into the arena, but will Freshly Squeezed be ready to get serious? Like, really serious?

ROH World Championship Ladder War: Mark Briscoe VS Chris Jericho!

The Sussex County Chicken cooked The Learning Tree at WrestleDream, but if there’s one thing about Jericho, he is persistent. He ruffled Mark’s feathers all over again to get this rematch, but he’ll have to go above and beyond if he wants to win it. Will The Ocho rise up to become The Nueve? Or is this the end of the Jericho Vortex once and for all?

Introductions are- Never mind, Mark CHUCKS a ladder at Jericho already! The bell rings, Jericho grabs the ladder, but Mark SPEARS Jericho! Mark rains down fists, the fans fire up, and Mark drags Jericho up to UPPERCUT! Jericho goes to the apron, but Mark runs him side to side to bump off buckles! And then to the other side! And back the other way! Mark runs to BLAST Jericho off the apron, and Jericho falls down through tables! The fans are thunderous and Mark throws off the headband. Free souvenir there, and Mark thinks about the ladder. Mark says no, not yet. Mark goes out to drag Jericho from the wreckage!

Mark brings Jericho around to CHOP! Mark headlocks, throws hands, then ROCKS Jericho! Mark CLAWS at Jericho’s face and the fans fire up! Mark lets off to CHOP Jericho again! Mark then brings a ladder over, props it up against the railing, and goes for Jericho. Mark brings Jericho over, suplex, but Jericho fights it! Jericho suplexes Mark to the floor! They narrowly miss the steel steps but Jericho stands Mark up. Jericho SMACKS Mark off the steps, but Mark fires back! They brawl, Jericho has the edge, and then he uses a piece of broken table to SMACK Mark! The fans boo but Jericho goes looking under the ring.

Mark huffs ‘n’ puffs while Jericho brings a new ladder into play. Jericho puts the ladder against the apron, but Jericho grabs it to SEESAW it into Jericho’s face! Mark’s done that before, and he brings Jericho to the apron! The fans fire up as Mark lifts, but Jericho fights the driver! Jericho fires hands, kicks a leg, then brings Mark up. But Mark fires hands in return! Mark DECKS Jericho, then hops down to put him against the ladder. Mark rains down fists, then goes into the ring. The fans are thunderous as Mark builds speed, and DIVES! But only onto ladder!! Jericho avoids disaster but Mark does not, and fans lose their minds!

Jericho puts a ladder in the ring, sets it up, and he climbs! The fans boo, but Mark rises up! Mark hurries in to drag Jericho down! Mark fires hands on Jericho, then whips, but Jericho reverses! Mark is sent right into the ladder! The ladder falls over, but Jericho picks it up, to RAM Mark down!! The fans boo but Mark is certainly busted open from that. Jericho soaks up the heat while Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Jericho brings the ladder over, sets it down, and opens it up. Jericho pretends he can’t hear the fans as he stalks Mark. Jericho drags Mark from the ropes, throws hands into the bloody forehead, and then puts Mark in the ladder. Jericho SLAMS the ladder shut on Mark! And then again! Jericho paces while Mark crawls free of the ladder. Jericho puts the ladder on top of a corner, then he stalks Mark to a corner. Jericho drags Mark up to CHOP! Jericho waves hi to the picture of Jay Briscoe on Mark’s shirt, then CHOPS again! Jericho fires hands, but Mark fires back! Mark backs Jericho down and the fans rally up!

Mark fires a flurry, then powers up, only for Jericho to send him into the ladder! Another headshot and Mark falls back! The ladder falls, so Jericho storms out of the ring to fetch it. Jericho even brings in a very tall ladder. Jericho steps into the ring, soaks up some heat, and goes back to a very bloody Mark. Jericho slaps Mark around, then stands him up to ROCK with a forearm! Mark just fires up! Mark fires a forearm, Jericho fires back! Mark fires a haymaker, so Jericho fires back! Mark UPERCUTS, then fires a flurry of shots! Mark fires up again, runs up, but Jericho DUMPS Mark out! Jericho hurries to stand his tallest ladder up!

Mark sputters behind the crimson mask as he rises up. Dynamite returns to single picture as Jericho puts his shorter ladder aside. Jericho climbs, but Mark hurries in! Mark CLUBS Jericho on the back, CLUBS him again, then fireman’s carries! DEEATH VALLEY DRIVER through the corner ladder!! The fans lose their minds again as Mark and Jericho writhe! Mark flounders out of the ring, and he finds himself a ladder! Mark slides that into the ring, stomps Jericho, and moves the taller ladder aside. Mark puts the short ladder on top of Jericho, and he goes up a corner! The fans fire up, but Jericho stands to JAM Mark up!

Jericho SMACKS Mark with the ladder! Jericho climbs the ladder while it leans against the corner. Jericho drags Mark up, but Mark fires hands! Mark ROCKS Jericho, and then pushes the ladder over! Jericho falls back, ladder on top! Mark SWANTON BOMBS Jericho!! Jericho lessened the damage by getting the ladder out of the way, but the fans fire up for Mark. Mark goes out, and he brings a table to the ring! But Jericho climbs! Mark hurries to climb the other side, and he fires hands! Jericho and Mark brawl up at the very top! The fans fire up as Mark grabs for the belt! But Jericho fires hands! Jericho CLAWS Mark’s face!

Jericho SMACKS Mark off the top, and Mark falls! Jericho grabs for the belt as it swings around, but Mark hurries to tip the ladder! Jericho falls and HOTSHOTS off ropes! The fans are thunderous while both men are down! “This is Awesome!” as Mark pounds the mat. Mark grabs that table, but Jericho fires hands! Mark and Jericho brawl some more, the fans strongly behind Mark. Jericho gets the edge with forearm after forearm, then he runs, but Mark THROWS him into a ladder! And then Mark SHOVES the ladder over to jam Jericho up again! Mark sees the title and he fires up! But Mark still sets up his table?

Mark did say this was personal now, and he stands the tall ladder up near the table. Mark drags Jericho up, puts him on the table, and throws down fists! Mark hurries up top and the fans fire up already! Mark gets Salt Lake City even hotter, but here comes Bryan Keith! The Bad Apple climbs up the ladder, but Mark dares him to try. But here comes Rocky Romero! Kendo stick SMACK for Keith! Keith falls off the ladder, and Azucar chases him away with more kendo stick SMACKS! Mark goes to the very top, to SUPER DUPER FROGGY-BOW~! The fans are absolutely erupting, but Mark says that’s not all!

Mark drags Jericho up, JAY DRILLER!! Mark pushes Jericho away, adjusts the ladder, and he climbs! But of course, here comes BIG BILL! Bill CLUBS Mark, choke grips, and carries him over to SKYSCRAPER CHOKE SLAM through tables!!! The fans boo as Jericho is saved by his Redwood. Bill shouts to Jericho to get up! Jericho barely sputters, so Bill hauls him up to a fireman’s carry! Bill literally carries Jericho to victory! Jericho grabs at the belt, brings it down, and WINS!

Winner: Chris Jericho (NEW ROH World Champion)

The Nueve is real, but wait! TOMOHIRO ISHII is here! Rocky also backs Ishii up, because here comes payback! Will it be The Stone Pitbull that uproots The Learning Tree once and for all?

What does it mean to be an elite athlete?

Is it being bigger, stronger, and faster than your opponent? Is it how you outwork and out hustle the competition? Is it getting up every time you’re knocked down, and hitting back twice as hard? Is it defeating every opponent that stands in your way? It’s all these things and more. Kris Statlander VS Kamille will clash next Wednesday, in Cleveland, Ohio, for Fright Night Dynamite, looking to prove who is the scariest woman in AEW.

Adam Cole is here!

Salt Lake City fires up as the Panama City Playboy makes his way to the ring. The fans join in for “BOOM!” and “ADAM COLE BAYBAY!” Cole grabs the mic to ask whose ready for- “ADAM! ADAAAM!” Roderick Strong shouts at his friend and says hey, he knows Cole needed to get stuff off his chest. But we all know who MJF really is: He’s an egomaniac, a manipulator, and a user. He used the Adam Cole brand to get something MJF has never had his entire career, and that is for the fans to really care about him. MJF never checked on Cole once when he was injured. But guess who did: The Undisputed Kingdom did.

Roddy, Mike Bennett & Matt Taven all step into the ring and Bennett says we all know in MJF’s egotistical mind, MJF thinks this whole group was formed because of him. But no, this group, this friendship, has always been way bigger than that. They started this together, so they’ll finish this together. Taven says a year ago, when Cole told them about this plan, they said “Yes” before he even finished a sentence. Because they knew this wasn’t about MJF, this was about them! And when Taven thinks on the best moments of his career, or hell, his life, it is with this group here together. Roddy says yeah, that’s right.

But Roddy does want Cole to know that he’s so proud of Cole. Cole worked his ass off this past year to come back from a serious ankle injury. The fans cheer that. Roddy says more importantly, he is proud of Cole coming back to finish what they started, and that is to take MJF out together. Cole, as your best friend, Roddy wants Cole to know this. Roddy wants his shot at MJF first. Fans aren’t so sure about that now but Cole says Roddy is damn right. They are going to finish what they started one way or another, and they should finish it tonight! The fans like the sound of that! Cole dares MJF to come on out here so they can take turns giving MJF an undisputed ass whooping!

The fans fire up, Cole & The Kingdom all watch the ramp, but MJF is on the tron, getting a massage. MJF says that feels so good. He has been so tense since Cole came back. Oh, oops, didn’t see you boys there! MJF is so shocked Cole still wants to get his hands on MJF. Who knew. How greedy. But old friend, greed is a bottomless pit which exhausts the person in an endless effort to satisfy a need without ever reaching it. Remember the revenge MJF promised to dangle over his head? Well, guess greed has blinded Cole from the fact that MJF is literally telling Cole he won’t ever get his hands on him!. Unlike Ms. Natalia here.

Oh, well. But here’s MJF’s carrot. Cole and his “trailer park pals,” whichever one wins three matches in a row first, they get MJF at Full Gear. Classic MJF move, right? Making people jump through hoops just to get at him. But to ensure that Cole cannot assault MJF- Oh, just a little bit lower, babe. Thanks. But MJF won’t be there in person until Full Gear. Gosh, hopefully they get the happy ending they want. Lord knows MJF will. MJF settles back in and the tron shuts off. Cole says hey, if that’s what they gotta do, then that’s what they gotta do. Undisputed Kingdom hugs it out, who wins their right to fight the Wolf of Wrestling?

Oh, and Kyle O’Reilly is watching? How does he feel about all his old friends being friends with each other again?

Backstage interview with Jamie Hayter.

Renee is now with the former AEW Women’s World Champion and asks how it feels to hear Penelope Ford talk about how personal this has been for her. Hayter says she heard everything Penelope said, and she came to the conclusion… that it is BS! Penelope thinks things were handed to Hayter? Hayter slept on floors, had a minus in her bank account, and she could list so many other reasons why Hayter worked for this! “When you wrestle in community centers in front of 20 drunk men for 20 quid for most of your career, then you can talk to Hayter about not ‘working hard’ for this and being ‘handed everything.'”

Penelope wants to attack from behind? Wants to pop up on the tron? Well, Hayter is here in Salt Lake City looking for a fight, but surprise, surprise! Penelope is NOT. Penelope wants to be the victim of Hayter’s return? Then how about Hayter makes Penelope the victim! Two weeks from tonight, Dynamite, will Penelope be there? Hayter heads out, will Mrs. Superbad step up to the challenge?

Six Man Tag: The House of Black VS Kevin Koa, Jaden Monroe & Pirata de la Muerte!

While there are forces fighting for power in AEW, this force of nature proved last Saturday that they have not lost a step. Will every team in AEW remember that The House Always Wins?

The teams sort out, the fans bark for Brody but Malakai starts first. Pirata de la Muerte steps up for his team, only to get THE END! The fans fire up as the pirate of death is down, and now Koa finds himself the legal man! Koa runs up, Malakai sweeps the legs, and now Koa finds he’s surrounded. Malakai wrenches Koa, tags Buddy, and Buddy climbs to DOUBLE STOMP the arm! Buddy wrenches Koa but Koa ROCKS Buddy! Tag to Jaden, but Buddy wrenches him to tag Malakai. They whip Jaden, kitchen sink knee to PENALTY KICK! KNEE DROP! Brody tags and adds a SENTON! Koa runs back in but Brody CHOPS him down!

The fans fire up as Brody runs up to SPLASH Koa in the corner! Koa sits down, the fans bar and the House of Black unleash CERBERUS!! The fans are thunderous as Buddy & Malakai DOUBLE KNEE Jaden, then TOSS him to a POWERBOMB from Brody! Brody says finish it, and Buddy hits the CURB STOMP! Cover, The House wins!

Winner: The House of Black, by pinfall

The former AEW World Trios Champions are rolling, but they’re not done as Buddy grabs a mic. Buddy says, “Now that he’s cleared, next week, Buddy Matthews, Adam Cole Baybay!” The Aussie Juggernaut wants after the Panama City Playboy, will Cole already be eliminated from the MJF Full Gear challenge?

Backstage interview with Adam Cole.

Renee finds Cole & The Undisputed Kingdom to ask about this sudden challenge from Buddy. Cole says hey, he’ll go ask Buddy what’s up. Cole heads over to gorilla, and he stares down The House of Black. Brody & Malakai head out, but Cole asks why Buddy’s calling him out. Does Buddy have some sort of problem with Cole? No? Nothing else to say? What’s the deal? Buddy chuckles, and says it is to prove a point. And what is that? “That you’re fragile.” Buddy wants to break Cole, will he do just that? Or can Cole prove AEW is still undisputed?

Kamille w/ Mercedes Mone VS Queen Aminata!

The Brickhouse is going to battle #BornAgainKristen next week in The Land, but she must first make it through the One True African Woman. Will Aminata prove she is still a worthy contender to the TBS Championship? Or will Kamille remove the Queen from the board?

The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally up, Aminata and Kamille tie up, and Aminata waistlocks. Kamille switches to SLAM Aminata down! The fans boo but Aminata is a little flustered. Aminata storms up but Kamille hits low. Kamille whips Aminata to a corner, runs up, and SPLASHES! Then short arm LARIAT! Cover, ONE?!? Aminata surprises Kamille and upsets Mone. Kamille scoops Aminata, aims, but Aminata slips free to shove Kamille into buckles! Aminata fires hands, then winds up, but Kamille dodges. Kamille runs in, Aminata goes up and over! Aminata runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and tilt-o-whirls to RANA!

Kamille staggers up, but she avoids the dropkick! Aminata avoids the elbow! Aminata PENALTY KICKS Kamille down! Cover, ONE!?! Aminata is surprised but Mone is still upset. Aminata brings Kamille up, but Kamille switches to ripcord. Aminata slips around to crucifix and sunset! TWO! Kamille escapes, scoops Aminata, and powers up to BACKBREAKER! Aminata writhes, Kamille dusts herself off, and Mone feels better now. Kamille cocky covers, ONE, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Kamille scoops Aminata again, and hits another BACKBREAKER! Aminata writhes to the apron, but Kamille drags her up. Kamille puts Amianta through ropes, to CLUB! And CLUB! And CLUB again! The ref counts, Kamille stops at 4, and Aminata flops to the floor. Mone says hold up, and she scampers over to DECK Aminata! The CEO gets away with that because Kamille distracted the ref, and Mone scampers back to her corner. Mone smiles while Aminata sputters. The ring count is 5 of 10, and Aminata drags himself up. Aminata rolls into the ring, but Kamille drops a BIG elbow! Cover, ROPEBREAK!

Kamille drags Aminata back, stomps her down again and again, then drops an elbow on the leg! Kamille pulls on the toehold but Aminata endures. Kamille drops another elbow on the leg! Aminata endures again, and pulls Kamille  down with her free leg! ARMBAR! Kamille fights free, and she BOOTS Aminata! Kamille covers, TWO! Aminata stays in this and that frustrates Kamille, but Dynamite goes to break.

Dynamite returns and Kamille grinds Aminata down with a chinlock. The fans rally for Aminata as she fights up, and she cravats for a SMASH! Aminata runs, and ducks the wheel kick! Kamille stagger sup, Aminata LARIATS! And ROCKS her! And CHOP BLOCKS her! The fans fire up as Aminata runs to SLIDING D! The fans fire up and Aminata hits a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Mone is freaking out but Aminata runs, to BOOT WASH Kamille! Aminata stares Mone down as the fans fire up! Aminata drags Kamille to a cover, TWO!! Kamille survives but the fans rally for Aminata. Aminata has the body scissors and she squeezes tight!

Aminata then hooks Kamille up, LEG NELSON! The fans fire up and Mone freaks out! Kamille pushes back to a cover, TWO!! DRAGON SLEEPER! Aminata has Kamille caught, but Kamille fights up. Kamille wrenches out to ROCK Aminata! Mone wants another one of those! Aminata ROCKS Kamille first! Kamille shakes that off, runs up, but Aminata wrenches to Alabama Lift! But Kamille fights that, CLUBS Aminata’s back, and brings Aminata up! But Aminata RANAS through! Cover, TWO!! Kamille escapes, slips around, and torture racks! Kamille THRASHES Aminata, then hits a RACK BOMB! Cover, TWO?!?

Mone is losing her cool but the fans are thunderous! Kamille storms around, Mone says finish this! Kamille drags Aminata up, dragon sleepers, and hits the ROAD TO DAMASCUS!! Cover, Kamille wins!

Winner: Kamille, by pinfall

The Brickhouse finally crushes Aminata, and Mone celebrates with her like she did something. But wait! Kris Statlander makes her presence known! The fans fire up as Kris goes right down the ramp and into the ring! Kris stares down Kamille, almost like Mone isn’t there. Mone has Kamille stand down, and tells Kris not to disrespect Kamille. Look at her! And compared to Kamille… Then Mone CLUBS Kris! Kris just smirks at Mone. Kris ELBOWS Mone, and fires off hands with Kamille! The fans are thunderous again, but Mone anchors Kris’ leg! Kamille drags Kris into the ROAD TO DAMASCUS!!

The #BornAgainKristen just got blindsided by The CEO & Brickhouse. They stand over her, Mone holding up the TBS Championship, will we see this again for Fright Night?

A car pulls into the parking lot.

Top Flight, Butcher, Dark Order and the rest of the anti-BCC alliance are ready for a fight with whoever is in there, but turns out it’s just The Patriarchy. Christian Cage tells them all to respect him as the holder of the Casino Gauntlet title match contract. The others don’t care, Captain Charisma isn’t who they wanted anyway. Nick Wayne taunts John Silver’s nunchaku, and Christian reminds us he is the future AEW World Champion. But then Kip Sabian is lurking! Christian chases Mr. Superbad again, will Christian catch him this time?

Wait, that chase brings them to the ring! Kip goes to the ring, Christian & Nick storm in, but Kip wants them to hold on and let him explain! Christian & Nick corner Kip, but here comes Hook! The Cold-Hearted Handsome Devil has been looking for who attacked his dad, and maybe he’s put together whodunnit! Renee hurries to walk ‘n’ talk with him, and points out that Hook just recently saw the security footage of the attack! Can Hook tell us who it was? Hook says yeah, the scumbag’s in the ring right now! Hook’s gonna go kick his ass! The fans fire up for that! But wait, there’s four people, who does he mean?

Hook storms down the ramp, dodges Nick and TAZ PLEXES him! Kip and Christian both tell Hook to hold on, but Hook grabs Christian! Hook says Christian’s gonna pay, but then Kip LOW BLOWS Hook!? The fans boo but Superbad is siding with Christian?! Christian says he knows why Kip’s been doing what he doing, keeping Christian from cashing in a few weeks ago. Christian will deal with that later. For now, Kip can sit in the corner. Kip obeys, and Christian tells Nick to finish this. Nick goes up and up, WAYNE’S- REDRUM!! But Christian CRACKS Hook with the contract clipboard! Nick resets, for WAYNE’S WORLD!

The fans boo as Nick and Christian hug it out. Christian then turns Hook to hit a KILLSWITCH on the clipboard!! And he tells “Tyler” this isn’t what he thinks it is. Christian then holds up his clipboard, dented from Hook’s head. What is Captain Charisma even talking about? Why did he attack Taz? Why is Kip joining The Patriarchy? What will it take for Hook to avenge his father?

Six Man Tag: The Elite VS Daniel Garcia & Private Party!

Even in the face of Moxley’s motley crew claiming they run AEW now, Jack Perry & The Young Bucks did nothing! Their apparent apathy angered Red Death and his friends, so now the pursuit of gold comes with a grudge! Will Garcia, Quen & Kassidy prove they all deserve those AEW titles far more than The Elite? Or will The Scapegoat & The Bucks simply make them the newest sacrifices for the “greater good?”

The teams sort out but then they start getting at each other. There’s trash talking, and then Jack Perry shoves Garcia! Garcia chases Perry out of the ring! The fans fire up, The Bucks go after Private Party, and then Jack turns things around on Garcia. The ref reprimands, but then Garcia sends Jack into steel steps! Private Party DOUBLE DROPKICK The Bucks outta the ring! Then Private Party hurries to DOUBLE PLANCHA! The Bucks go down, the fans fire up, and Garcia puts Jack in the ring! The bell sounds, and the main event finally begins! Garcia stomps a mudhole into Jack, then digs his boot in!

The fans fire up, Garcia lets off to drag Jack up. Jack CLAWS Garcia’s eyes, CLUBS Garcia then tags Matthew Jackson. But Garcia CLOBBERS Matt! Garcia CLUBS Matt, tags Isiah Kassidy, and he fires hands. Zay wrenches Matt, whips him, but Nick tags in. Matt slides under. The Bucks whip but Quen tags off Zay. Zay handsprings through the hip tosses, and then dodges! Quen also dodges, and QUADRUPLE LARIATS take everyone down! But then QUADRUPLE KIP UPS! The fans are thunderous, Jack gets in to CLOBBER Zay, but Garcia TACKLES Perry! Nick drags Garcia up, Garcia elbows him away.

Matt runs up, Garcia kicks low and whips Matt into Jack! Garcia runs up to LARIAT them both! Then he sets up, Quen hits PARTY IN MOTION! Zay hits AFTERPARTY IN MOTION! They feed Matt to a LARIAT from Garcia! The fans fire up, but we get some picture in picture as the anti-BCC alliance is still waiting. Top Flight, Dark Order, The Butcher, now even The Infantry and Triple J, they’re all ready for a fight! As for the match, Quen tags Zay and Private Party double whip Matt. Matt reverses, Quen waistlocks, but Matt ducks, so Zay’s LARIAT hits Quen! Matt smirks, Zay is upset with himself, and Nick hops in. DOUBLE SUPERKICKS for Zay!

Garcia runs in but he gets DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! The fans boo, but then Jack drags Garcia to the apron! Nick climbs, Matt sets Zay up in the ropes, DRAPING DDT & DRAPING SWANTON IN STEREO! The fans boo, Jack mockingly pats Garcia on the back, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Zay writhes while The Bucks soak up the heat. Then Matt stomps Zay around. Matt stalks Zay to a corner, drags him up, but Zay fires body shots. Matt frowns, and he CLAWS Zay’s face! Matt throws Zay down as the ref counts, and Matt snapmares Zay. Tag to Nick and he slingshot SENTONS! Tag to Jack and he adds his own slingshot SENTON! Cover, TWO! Jack drags Zay around, CLUBS him down, then KNEES him in the side! Jack soaks up heat from Salt Lake, then he sucker punches Quen! The ref reprimands but Jack steps on Zay’s face. Jack drags Zay up to snap suplex, then floats to a cover, TWO!

Jack keeps on Zay and brings him to the corner. Tag to Nick, BACKBRAEKER and LEG DROP! Cover, TWO! Zay survives, but Nick runs up to stomp him! Nick taunts Quen & Garcia, but the ref stops them both from getting at Nick. Nick tags Matt, Matt drags Zay into a chinlock, but is secretly CHOKING Zay with a pearl necklace! Matt gets rid of the evidence before the ref can see it, and he tags Nick. The Bucks double whip, but Zay avoids the superkicks! Zay TOSSES Matt, fires hands on Nick, and he runs, only for Matt to trip him! Matt drags Zay out, but Zay ROCKS Matt! Nick runs up, catches Zay to a GUTBUSTER!

Matt runs up, NECKBREAKER BACKBREAKER COMBO! Garcia protests, The Bucks taunt him, and Matt fetches Zay. Matt drags Zay around to THROW him into railing! And Stokely Hathaway is there to applaud… Dynamite returns to single picture as Stokely tells Zay this is why they should’ve accepted his help. Matt drags Zay up, brings him around, and whips, but Zay reverses! Matt is sent into steel steps! The fans fire up, Nick hurries to the apron, but Zay ducks! The PENALTY KICK hits Matt! Zay YANKS Nick down, but Nick tags Jack! Jack anchors Zay’s legs! Jack drags Zay back, but Zay fights up! ENZIGIRI!

The fans fire up as Jack falls back! Zay crawls, Garcia is rabidly waiting, but Matt YANKS Garcia down! Matt wags his finger, no hot tags for Zay. Jack drags Zay back to The Elite corner while Matt whips Garcia into railing! Nick goes up and around to line up a shot. Matt & Jack mug Garcia, and Nick SHINING WIZARDS Zay in the corner! Jack gets Garcia up to POWERBOMB him through the timekeeper’s table! Jack mockingly waves, and Nick hits a BULLDOG on Zay! Nick drags Zay over, tags Matt, and then Nick climbs.

Matt & Nick set up, RISKY BUSINESS! Cover, TWO!! Zay roars and the fans fire up! This is the same fire that kept Private Party in the tag title match for so long at WrestleDream! But Nick tags Matt back in, they double whip Zay, but Zay KICKS Matt! And CHOPS Nick! Zay knuckle locks, hurdles over Matt then goes up and up to FLYING RANA ARM-DRAG COMBO! Hot tag to Quen! Quen blows through Nick’s lariat to BLAST Jack! And he LARIATS Nick! LARIAT for Matt! HEEL KICK for Nick! HEEL- NO, Matt blocks but Quen PELES! Jack is in, he BOOTS Quen! Jack runs up, into a SNAP POWERSLAM!

Quen DOUBLE RANAS The Bucks! But The Bucks DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Zay tags back in, springboards, but The Bucks dodge! DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Jack hits a POISON-RANA! Nick covers, TWO!! Zay survives again and the fans rally again. Nick tags Jack and Jack drags Zay up. Jack aims for the corner, BUCKLE BOMB ENZIGIRI COMBO! Then Jack brings Zay back up, sticks him on the ropes, and Nick goes up! DRAPING DOUBLE STOMP into the POWERBOMB! Cover, QUEN BREAKS IT!! The fans are thunderous again but Jack drags Quen to the apron. Jack reels Quen in, but Garcia YANKS Jack down!

Garcia whips Jack hard into railing, then runs to BOOT him over the railing! The fans are going nuts, but The Bucks have Zay! Zay fires back with fists and elbows! The fans rally as hard as they can for Zay and he whips Nick. Nick BOOTS back, Matt scoops, and Nick goes to the apron! But Quen YANKS Nick down! Zay shoves Matt away, dodges him, and Quen is there for SILLY STRING CRADLE!! PRIVATE PARTY & GARCIA WIN!!!

Winners: Daniel Garcia & Private Party, by pinfall

The Elite doesn’t understand how, but they get caught by Private Party all over again! Zay gets a mic to tell The Bucks, tonight here in Utah proves that they have The Bucks’ number! So they want a rematch! A rematch for the AEW World Tag Team Championships! Nick & Matt say yeah right. Well, Zay did expect that. But then wait, wait, wait! Here is an offer that The Bucks will not turn down. If Private Party gets one more chance, and they lose… Private Party splits up for good. Quen isn’t sure about that but Zay says that’s IF they lose. The Bucks say challenge accepted! Then say less! Fright Night, AEW World Tag Team Championships, Titles VS Team Career!

The Bucks applaud what could be a foolish gamble, but can Quen & Zay make good on these last SHOTS, SHOTS, SHOTS?

Wait, there’s a truck pulling up into the parking lot! This has to be the BCC! Marina Shafir steps out, but where are the others? YUTA & CLAUDIO JUMP PRIVATE PARTY IN THE RING!! Garcia turns around, he gets mugged 2v1! CHAIR SHOT! Claudio scrapes Garcia out of the ring, and now MOXLEY drags Chuck Taylor?! Moxley is dressed in all black, with a beanie, was he hiding in plain sight as a cameraman!? Moxley tosses Chuckie T into the ring, and Yuta brings the chair around! Yuta wants to destroy what is left of Chuck’s legs! Wait, Claudio stops him? Claudio says Yuta can do better! And by better, he means worse!

Claudio stomps Chuck, and puts the chair around Chuck’s neck!! Yuta is conflicted again, like he was with Bryan Danielson. Yuta wants to hurt his former mentor but not like this! So Claudio does it for him, and STOMPS the chair!! The fans boo, but here comes Cassidy! Cassidy was one second too late, and now the worst has happened! The rest of the anti-BCC gang shows up but BCC runs away into the night! This was the warning Moxley gave at the start of the night, but instead of going after a target directly, they attacked someone Cassidy cared for. And just like last week, The Elite don’t care, they have their own business to worry about.

Jack, Matt & Nick leave while medical comes in. They carefully take the chair off Chuck’s neck, and Cassidy is beside himself with a seething anger. Chuck wanted Cassidy to step up to stop Moxley, will this be the moment everything changes for Freshly Squeezed?

My Thoughts:

A powerful episode, a great episode, with more a go-home to Fright Night than build to Full Gear. I will say, very good promo from Adam Cole, Undisputed Kingdom and MJF to set things up for their story going to Full Gear. MJF being a little meta about “classic MJF,” but yeah, we should’ve figured he’d do this move. Cole and Roddy are definitely going to have a great couple of matches week to week, but I feel like the ultimate plan is to force a Cole VS Roddy match as both men’s third match. They all want revenge on MJF but he’ll use that to tear their friendship apart as some twisted poetic justice of what they did to him.

That said, Buddy Matthews wanting to be Cole’s first opponent is some good stuff. That’ll be a great match, one we never got while both men were in WWE, but also a solid first win for Cole to return to action with. Seems like House of Black just doesn’t need to do anything real anymore, they were already trios champions and TK is fine having them build up other people. Maybe we’ll see The House battle for other belts after Full Gear and this round of stories, but we’ll have to wait and see.

I’m not sure why tonight they felt the need to replay so many promos from Saturday, but they did. Were they that desperately in need of padding time? Well, it all worked to segue into new segments, though who cares, they could just do the new segments. Good new promo here tonight with Hayter calling out Penelope again, and you can bet she won’t be Hayter’s opponent for Rampage. Good new promo from Mariah May and Anna Jay to hype up their match, which surely happens at Full Gear. And good new video package to hype Kris VS Kamille. Kamille VS Aminata was awesome, so great win for Kamille, and great confrontation with Kris. Pretty sure this means Kris beats Kamille next week, to then face Mone at Full Gear for the TBS title.

Good new promo from MVP & Shelton to segue into Shelton’s match with Sammy. Great stuff there, great win for Shelton, and then great promo with the Hurt Syndicate with Ricochet. Ricochet had a good promo, and I like that he did in fact follow Takeshita to Canada to go after him at MLP’s show. I don’t see Ricochet joining up with Hurt Syndicate, but it would be pretty wild if he did. MVP might even sweeten the deal if he, Shelton and possibly even Bobby Lashley help fight off The Don Callis Family to make sure Ricochet VS Takeshita is a fair fight. Speaking of Don Callis Family, of course Cage & Archer win, and thankfully their finish is the choke slam bomb, not the modified Blackout.

Very good promo from Kyle, especially with him shrugging off the fans trolling him. Naturally, this was a “I’m not the next you, I’m the first me!” trope, but Kyle shaving his head was certainly an interesting move. I guess he’ll look more like Callis than Ospreay now. Very good promo segment from Hangman and White that was also partly a brawl. I feel like they’ll build to the Hangman VS White rematch in time for Full Gear, but Hangman might have to fight Colten Gunn 1v1 first to give him some momentum again. And since White won at WrestleDream, I’m sure Hangman finds a way to win at Full Gear, forcing them to do a tiebreaker at some point.

Great stuff with this BCC story throughout the night, but just one glaring flaw at the very beginning. Obviously, no one audio checked the opening hype package, because otherwise we could clearly hear Moxley talking out in the desert against this dramatic music. They’ve been at this for five YEARS, they should know how to do this by now. That said, the anti-BCC Faces waiting all night was good stuff, and it helped bring a lot of stories together at once. Conglomeration had to drop back for the Ladder War, which was a great match, but I suppose Jericho had to win the title this time. Big Bill is why, and that can set things up for Bill feeling unappreciated by Jericho, but it’s mostly just a bummer. But hey, Ishii is back for revenge, he’ll give Jericho a solid first defense.

Good tie-in of the Patriarchy story with them chasing Kip, Hook going after Christian, and then Kip joining Patriarchy by turning on Hook. I had a feeling Kip’s story with Christian was going this way, especially right now with Luchasaurus recovering from illness. Christian dropping Hook’s real name was also a nice detail. Hook surely beats Nick Wayne first, then fights Kip Sabian, and lastly gets Christian Cage at Full Gear, where he probably loses because he gets cheated. And then clearly Cassidy is being built up as the hero of AEW, because Chuck Taylor threw his support behind Cassidy in stepping up to The BCC as the leader of the resistance.

Cassidy’s hesitation, such as not helping Mark against Jericho, costs him when BCC takes out Chuck in brutal fashion. As I said for WrestleDream, AEW is doing this like a Rated R action movie, and while that’s a bit scary for pro-wrestling, it is compelling. This is that moment in the movie when the main character, who just wanted to live his life, loses a close friend, or in this case, a Best Friend, and vows vengeance on the villains. Cassidy VS Moxley for the AEW World Championship would be some awesome stuff, and I’m sure the fans would explode if Cassidy actually manages to win the title.

My Score: 8.9/10