Toni Storm is crazy like a fox!

Toni Storm knows Athena is after her AEW Women’s World Championship, but she’s throwing a curveball by giving Billie Starkz a Title Eliminator match! Will Toni pit Minion and Overlord against each other?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Hangman Page VS Wheeler Yuta; Hangman wins.
• AEW World Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Tournament Quarterfinal: FTR VS #JetSpeed; FTR wins and advances to the next round.
• AEW Women’s World Championship Eliminator: Toni Storm VS Billie Starkz w/ Athena; Toni wins and denies Billie a title opportunity.
• Swerve Strickland w/ Prince Nana VS Hechicero; Swerve wins, by disqualification.
• Mark Briscoe VS Claudio Castagnoli; Briscoe wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

AEW announces a World Tag Team Contender Tournament!

As we head for Forbidden Door in London, Sunday, August 24th, eight teams will have the opportunity to win that #1 spot to challenge the Hurt Syndicate! Tonight, FTR and JetSpeed will kick things off, the other matches to be made in the following days! Who survives Shark Week now that there’s blood in the water?

Backstage interview with Hangman Page.

Renee Paquette finds The Cowboy as he walks down the stairs, and she says it has just been under two weeks since he survived the Texas Deathmatch with Jon Moxley at All In to become the NEW AEW World Champion. The question is, why take a match with Wheeler Yuta when he is fully aware of the damage the Death Riders can and are looking to do? Hangman says last Saturday, the Death Riders bloodied and hanged Colt Cabana. Tonight, Hangman looks to take Yuta out for it and not regret a single thing he does. But then MJF steps in and tells “Seabiscuit,” long time no see. MJF was hoping he could’ve told Hangman last week but all the better face to face.

MJF will beat Hangman for his world title. But he won’t cash-in the contract to do it, no. MJF wants to make a point that he can beat Hangman in the squared circle. Hangman says MJF isn’t going to goad him into giving MJF a title match. If MJF wants the world title so badly, he will have to either cash in that contract or he’ll have to earn it. And knowing MJF, he doesn’t have the guts to do either, because he is a child, a facade, and a gutless coward. Hangman storms off, and Renee goes the other direction, leaving MJF speechless. But will denying MJF motivate him to go after what he wants even more?

Hangman Page VS Wheeler Yuta!

As The Cowboy just said, this isn’t just a match, it is a fight to avenge Colt Cabana for what happened on Collision. Will Hangman send a message to Moxley through Yuta? Or is the Decoder just bait for a trap?

Well, Yuta springs a trap of his own as he attacks Hangman the moment Hangman’s on the apron! The fans boo but Yuta then builds speed and DIVES onto Hangman at the ramp! Yuta takes his shirt off, CHOKES Hangman with it, but the ref reprimands. Yuta puts Hangman in the ring, the fans tell him off, but Yuta goes up to FLYING FOREARM! The bell rings, Yuta covers, ONE!! Hangman won’t be beat that easy, but Yuta SLAPS him! Hangman SLAPS back, then holds Yuta’s beard to fire off haymakers! The fans fire up but the ref counts as Hangman stomps a mudhole in the corner! Hangman stops at 4 and the fans fire up again.

Hangman throws off his jacket, then triangle jump LARIATS Yuta off the apron! Hangman goes out, THROWS Yuta into railing, then brings Yuta up again to run and THROW him into the LED board! The fans fire up and Hangman runs Yuta into more railing! The fans are thunderous as Hangman looms over Yuta. Hangman drags Yuta up, he puts Yuta in the ring, and Hangman scoops for a FALL AWAY SLAM! Yuta ends up in the corner, Hangman runs in, and he BOOTS Yuta back down! Hangman stands Yuta up, and LARIATS! The fans tell Yuta off as Hangman CHOPS! Yuta snarls but Hangman whips corner to corner.

Hangman runs in, Yuta ELBOWS back! Yuta runs up, but into a fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Yuta survives but Hangman kicks him around. Yuta eggs Hangman on so Hangman Alabama Lifts! Yuta grabs the ropes, the fans rally, and Hangman lets Yuta down. But Yuta CLAWS Hangman’s face! The fans boo, Yuta spits at them, then runs, but into a LARIAT! Hangman knocks Yuta down, goes to the apron, and slingshots for the BUCKSHOT!! Cover, Hangman wins!

Winner: Hangman Page, by pinfall

Hangman makes quick work of the pawn, but then he looks to the chain he used to choke Moxley out. Hangman brings that chain in, wraps it around his fist, then aims at Yuta. CHAIN FIST PUNCH! Yuta is down, but Hangman rains down chained-up fists! The fans fire up as Hangman then unfurls the chain, and fans chant for “COWBOY S*IT!” Yuta sputters, but Hangman wraps the chain around his neck! Hangman runs Yuta to the ropes, but then Yuta begs for mercy. Hangman says the Death Riders ain’t coming to save Yuta, they don’t care about Yuta, he needs to see that! Hangman lets Yuta go, even though the fans chant “He Deserved It!”

Yuta is visibly shaken, but Hangman speaks the truth. Will The Decoder finally see it for himself? Or will he continue to delude himself like he has for months?

Athena talks with Billie Starkz.

The ROH Women’s World Champion wears a foam shark fin hat while she circles her Minion. Athena asks, “Who am I, Billie?” “The Fallen Goddess, the American Joshi, the Minion Overlord, and our Forever ROH Champion.” Athena says good job. Now, who is “Tonty Storm?” “A jealous, desperate, musty-ass ho who cannot touch you in that ring!” And what does she have? Toni has Athena’s AEW Women’s World Championship! And what does AEW stand for? Athena Elite Wrestling! So what are they gonna do to Toni tonight? Billie will BEAT Toni- NO! No, Billie, she will not win that match, she will just take Toni out.

Billie nods and Athena says she holds the pen with all the power. Get ready, Toni, your movie is almost over. The Overlord leads her Minion away, but will things go according to plan?

AEW World Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Tournament Quarterfinal: FTR VS #JetSpeed!

As we learned to start the show, Forbidden Door is the destination, and the journey starts tonight! Will Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood prove they’re the sharks of the AEW Tag Division? Or will Kevin Knight & “Speedball” Mike Bailey take the #TopGuysOut of the running?

The teams sort out and FTR just attacks! The fans boo as Dax stomps Knight and Cash stomps Bailey. Cash pulls Bailey’s gi (martial arts jacket) off him and SMACKS him with it! FTR then mugs Bailey in the corner but the ref counts. FTR stops, Knight gets up, but Cash DECKS him! FTR double whip Bailey to the ropes, SHATTER- NO, Bailey stops it! Cash throws hands instead! Bailey ROCKS Cash, Knight DROPKICKS Cash, and Bailey rolls up Dax! TWO, but Bailey fires LIGHTNING KICKS! Dax ducks the enzigiri to waistlock, but Bailey switches. Dax switches, Cash runs up, Bailey BACKDROPS Cash!

Bailey switches with Dax, Knight slide in, and Knight SUPERKICKS Dax into the GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Dax survives, then bails out to regroup with Cash. But JetSpeed DOUBLE PLANCHAS FTR down! Chicago fires up and JetSpeed rises. They stomp FTR, Bailey pushes Dax into the ring, but Dax kicks! And CHOPS! Dax finally takes his vest off, and he CHOKES Bailey with it! Dax stomps Bailey, backs off as the ref counts, and he drags Bailey up by his mullet. Dax puts Bailey in a corner, UPPERCUTS him, then taunts Knight. The fans boo Dax but Bailey fires forearms! Dax fires back with a forearm and CHOP!

Dax UPPERCUTS Bailey again, then brings him around to whip. Dax ELBOWS Bailey down and Bailey bails out. Dax goes out after Bailey, reels him in, but Bailey BACKDROPS Dax to the ramp! The fans fire up but Cash ahs Bailey now! Bailey BACKDROPS Cash to the ramp! Bailey hurries into the ring as Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Bailey hurries to his corner, hot tag to Knight! Knight wants after Dax but the ref has him stay back. FTR regroups, talk strategy, and they flank the ring. Cash slides in, Knight stomps Cash, then Knight goes after Dax with forearms! But Cash drags Knight down! Dax CLAWS Knight’s eyes! The ref backs Dax off but that lets Cash CHOKE Knight! Bailey runs in from around the way so Cash backs off. The ref reprimands them both, but Knight CHOPS Dax! And CHOPS again! Knight follows Dax to a corner to ROCK him, wrench, and whip back the other way. Dax hits buckles hard and flounders around, so Knight hits the UFO SPLASH! Cover, TWO!

Knight clamps onto Dax with a chinlock and grinds him down. Dax fights up, Knight shifts to a wristlock, but Dax YANKS Knight into buckles! The ref reprimands but the damage is done. Dax tags Cash and Dax bumps Knight off Cash’s knees! Cash CHOPS Knight, ROCKS him, then stands Knight up again for another CHOP! Cash wrenches Knight to hit a BIG back suplex! Cash soaks up the heat, then he sucker punches Bailey! Cash puts up his dukes, and he JABS away on Knight! Then DECKS him with a right! Cash tags Dax and FTR drags Knight back up. Cash argues with the ref, so the ref misses Knight get the inside cradle!

Cash keeps the ref busy, Knight would’ve won twice over! The ref finally sees the cover, counts, TWO! Dax LARIATS Knight, Cash soaks up the heat, and Dax puts Knight in a corner. Dynamite returns to single picture as Dax puts Knight up top. Dax CHOPS Knight, climbs up, and Cash goes to the adjacent corner. Knight resists the suplex and fires body shots! Knight DECKS Dax, and Bailey ENZIGIRIS Cash! Bailey goes up and SUPER STEINERS Cash! FTR regroups, JetSpeed DOUBLE MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Bailey SUPERKICKS Dax! Knight SATELLITE DDTS! Cover, TWO!!

Dax survives but Bailey runs to WRECK Cash with a dropkick! JetSpeed run, and they HIGH LOW Dax with the shoulder tackle and leg sweep! JetSpeed coordinate again as they go to opposite aprons. Stereo springboards as Bailey ASAI MOONSAULTS onto Cash and Knight DIVING BODY PRESSES onto Dax! Cover, TWO!! Dax survives again and the fans can’t believe it! Dax goes to the apron but Knight pursues. Dax fights off Knight grabbing at him, then has a leg for a DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Knight slumps down and Dax slides in. Dax drags Knight up, has the leg, DRAGON SCREW again!

Stokely checks on Cash, he’s alright. Dax drags Knight around, brings him to the corner, and then mockingly offers a handshake to fans. They refuse so he flips them off. Dax SLAMS Knight’s leg against the post! And then ROCKS him with a right! And SLAMS the leg against the post again! The fans boo but Dax pushes Knight back down so he can tie the legs up! The fans chant “One More Time!” so Dax CLAWS Knight’s face instead! Dax then does as he intended, HANGING FIGURE FOUR! A shoutout to The Hitman, but Bailey DECKS Cash! And Bailey KICKS away on Dax! The fans fire up as Bailey lights Dax up with KICK after KICK!

Dax ducks the Buzzsaw, Cash gives Bailey a DRAGON SCREW! Cash CLOBBERS Bailey with an elbow for good measure! Dax storms into the ring, but Knight cradles again! TWO!! Dax escapes, grabs the leg, DRAGON SCREW! Dax steps through, another shoutout with the SHARPSHOOTER! Dax sits deep on the hold, and Cash keeps Bailey on the outside with a SHARPSHOOTER of his own! But Knight fights his way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, FTR is upset, but Dax coordinates with Cash. Dax puts Knight up top and Cash climbs. Cash mocks the fans chanting for JetSpeed, and Dax hits the SUPER DUPER PLEX!

That’s the power, here’s the SPLASH onto knees! No glory for FTR! Bailey is up top, and he aims at Dax! SHOOTING STAR PRESS to Dax’s back! Knight crawls to cover, TWO!! Dax survives yet again and JetSpeed is shocked! But Chicago knows “This is Awesome!” as Dynamite goes back to picture in picture.

The teams regroup in their corners, and while Cash helps Dax sit up, Bailey helps Knight stand. JetSpeed fires up together, and they hobble their way over to FTR. They all kneel so they can throw forearms at that level! JetSpeed fires first, FTR fires back, and then JetSpeed fires again! The forearms go back and forth, Knight & Bailey then Dax & Cash! Then it’s fire at will as they all stand up! Bailey puts Dax in one corner, Knight has Cash in another, and they fire off! Things spill outside, Stokely wants everyone to be careful as he needs crutches from that spear Copeland gave him last week. Cash FLAPJACKS Knight into railing!

Dax and Bailey fight out into the crowd! The fans cheer as Bailey DOUBLE CHOPS Dax! Then they make their way back to ringside and Bailey puts Dax in the ring. Bailey waits on Dax to rise up, and SOBATS! And AX KICKS! And KICKS Dax down! But then Cash anchors Bailey! Bailey SHOVES Cash down, RUNNING SHOOTING STAR on Dax! Cover, TWO! Dax continues to tough it out, and here comes Cash! Cash runs up ROCKS Bailey! FTR double whip Bailey as Dynamite returns to single picture. Bailey sunset flips with Dax but Cash helps Dax stay up! Knight springboards to FLYING LARIAT Cash down! Sunset finishes, TWO!!

Bailey runs but Dax DUMPS him to the apron! Bailey ROCKS Dax, ROCKS him again, and again, and again! Cash runs up, he brawls with Bailey on the apron! Bailey BOOTS Cash down! But Dax runs back in! Bailey jumps over his baseball slide, and ASAI MOONSAULTS FTR down!! The fans are thunderous as Bailey rises up! Bailey puts Dax back in the ring, goes up top, and SHOOTING- NO, he has to roll through as Dax moves! Dax runs back in, Bailey jumps up, but Dax rolls through the rana, only for Bailey to roll through the sunset, and PENALTY KICK! Then STANDING MOONSAULT KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO!!

Dax is defying expectations by surviving all this damage and the fans are thunderous! Bailey stands Dax up for LIGHTNING KICKS and the ENZIGIRI! Waistlock, tag to Knight, and then Bailey Electric Chair Lifts Dax! Knight says TIME2FLY! The dropkick doomsday connects, Knight hurries to cover, Cash YANKS Knight away! The fans boo but Bailey is after Cash on the outside! Cash THROWS Bailey into the barriers! Cash runs up, but Bailey BACKDROPS Cash into the timekeeper’s area! Even Stokely is stunned seeing that! Bailey then runs in and FLIES! Down goes Cash again! Knight is up top, MOTHERSHIP onto BOOTS! Dax cradles Knight, TWO!!!

Knight survives the sudden turnaround and the fans are thunderous for “A E DUB! A E DUB!” Dax brings Knight up, SLINGSHOT POWER- NO, Knight ranas through! Cover, TWO!! Dax escapes, Knight SUPER- NO, Dax blocks and DECKS Knight! Bailey runs in, Dax stops the rana and SLINGSHOT POWERBOMBS! But Knight ghost pins Dax! TWO!??! Dax escapes by nanoseconds!! And he pops Knight up, but Knight victory rolls, only for Dax to stuff it! And he grabs Stokely’s crutch!! FTR WINS!!

Winners: FTR, by pinfall (advance to the semifinals)

The fans boo because FTR found another way to steal a win! They’re not sharks, they’re snakes! But who will FTR face in the next round? We’ll find out with Collision. For now, Tony Schiavone interviews #BigStoke & FTR in the ring. He says they aren’t the most pleasant men in the world, but he must congratulate them somewhat. How is Stoke feeling? Because Cope said he is coming for FTR and Stoke seems very upset by that. Stoke says Adam Copeland…! Adam Copeland belongs in prison! Everybody in this company knows Stokely is NOT a wrestler! So Cope had no business putting his hands on Stokely last week!

The fans boo but Stoke says Cope is a horrible human being! Cope is a loser! Cope is a CANCER to AEW! And it doesn’t matter what anyone says, because- COPE IS HERE! The fans fire up as Cope at least waited until FTR’s match ended. Cope has a mic but FTR remind him of the restraining order. Stoke shouts that they had a discussion! Cut the music! CUT THAT STUPID MUSIC! The music stops, but Chicago still sings Metalingus for us. Stoke tells Adam that last week, he made it perfectly clear that Cope is not allowed within the vicinity of FTR, so what’s he doing here? Cope sighs and says he forgot all about that.

Cope says he did make a business deal, though, with some gentlemen. And they were willing to come down and do what Cope can’t do, and uh… Their business is hurting people! Wait, what?! The fans fire up as Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin make their way out here, Montel Vontavious Porter accompanying them! The fans sing, “We Hurt~ People!” MVP shakes hands with Cope, then holds onto the title belts for the All Mighty & Standard of Excellence. They storm into the ring and brawl with FTR! The fans fire up as Lashley TOSSES Dax and Shelton TOSSES Cash! But security and refs rush out here to stop this!

The fans boo, they want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” Cash and Shelton scrap, Lashley is beating on Dax against railing, but then Dax CLAWS Lashley’s face! The Hurt Syndicate trade, Lashley sends Cash into barriers while Shelton goes after Dax! The fans fire up as this brawl moves up the ramp! Even Cope is rather stunned by how far Lashley & Shelton went on his behalf. But seems he go this money’s worth. And then he runs at Stokely! Stokely dodges and the security guard takes the SPEAR! Stokely hobbles as fast as he can to get away from Cope! The fans sing with Metalingus again, but will Cope be forced to watch FTR head for the tag titles?

The Patriarchy (if that’s what they still are) speaks.

Nick Wayne says, “At All In, we took a big risk. And what’s the point of taking risks when there’s no reward waiting for you at the end?” Kip Sabian says, “Now’s the time! The time that we show them, right?” Mother Shayna Wayne says, “It certainly is.” Nick says last week, they explained themselves as to why they did what they did to Christian Cage. Tonight, they back up those words with actions. Starting this Saturday, they begin their quest to prove why they are the most dangerous faction in AEW! To show what they are able to do when they’re not being held down by a patriarch! To show what they are capable of when they are uncaged.

No more father figures, Nick & Kip are ready to be their own men! But just what are The Prodigy and The Superbad about to do here in AEW?

Jon Moxley speaks.

“The Hangman fought the fight of his life at All In, he dug down deeper than he ever has, he found something he didn’t know was there. Something extraordinary like that, even I can celebrate. But now he finds himself in the position they all do. I don’t know why they’re surprised. That was good. Get up and do it again tomorrow. Get up and do it again tomorrow. Me? I lost the match. No reason to be a b*tch about it. I’m ready to go again. As I’m sure you are. Avoiding a rematch, I mean, that’s not something you would do. That’s not something world champions do. See, the credits don’t roll, the movie don’t end, the cowboy doesn’t ride off into the sunset.

“I ask a lot of the people around me, and I ask even more of myself. A mistake was made, and I will fix it, one way or another. We know who the Hangman Page was who rode into Arlington. By the end of the night, we will find out who the Hangman Page was that rode out.” Marina Shafir gives one mean glare into the camera, then curses under her breath. Are the Death Riders going to hunt Hangman down until they’ve gotten their payback?

Will Ospreay is here!

The fans cheer as the Aerial Assassin joins Tony Schiavone in the ring. Ospreay and Schiavone hug, and Schiavone brings up how at All In, Ospreay & Swerve win an incredible tag match against The Young Bucks. But then the main event, Death Riders on the attack, Ospreay goes to help Hangman, it is good to see Ospreay out here. Ospreay thanks Schiavone and Chicago for it, he’d love to be wrestling tonight. But Tony Khan didn’t even really know Ospreay was showing up tonight. Ospreay flew himself here, arrived at 3PM, knocked on TK’s door and TK jumped up all excited as always, couldn’t believe Ospreay was even walking.

Ospreay asked if he could have just five minutes of the show tonight to talk and give an update, and here he is. Ospreay has been struggling with his neck now for about ten months. The fans already don’t like where this is going. Ospreay says it has been causing some issues. Usually, the medical staff is on it straight away. They hear “neck issue” and they wanna stop it, they wanna ensure safety. The thing is, Ospreay hadn’t spoken to anyone about it, he kept it a secret, and that’s not fair. He should’ve been telling the staff, he should’ve been telling people, the other wrestlers, but he wanted to “get us over the finish line.”

The fans applaud Ospreay’s commitment, and Ospreay says he made a lot of promises to Swerve, to Hangman, and most importantly, to all the fans that he would play a part in retrieving the AEW World Championship. The fans cheer again, and Ospreay says although the sacrifice was great, he is glad to say, “We got the belt back, boys.” So here it is… When the Death Riders did what they did to him at All In, Ospreay was rushed to the emergency room, put on an MRI, and… His C2 and C6 are herniated discs and those have gone into his spinal cord. As bad as that sounds, every doctor that he has spoken to says it is treatable.

The fans cheer that news, and Ospreay says with the right treatments and physiotherapy, and especially with what AEW can provide, hopefully with everything right, he can be back for Forbidden Door. The fans cheer that, and Schiavone says that is great news. Ospreay says before he goes, he has three things he wants to say. To Swerve Strickland, Ospreay loves ya, brother, thanks so much for what you’ve done. To Hangman Page, it was an honor for Ospreay to fight by your side, and he is glad to call Hangman the world champion. But Ospreay will want that rematch, lad! And to the Death Riders…!

The fans boo, but Ospreay says the MOMENT he is fit and healthy, well where he’s from, it is eye for an eye! So best believe that he is coming for each and every one of you d*ckheads!! The Bruv needs time away, but he is planning on only making it a month! Will the Aerial Assassin be ready to strike down the Death Riders in London? But as Ospreay exits, Swerve makes his way out to shake hands with his brother in arms. The fans cheer again, will Swerve be able to focus on his fight with Hechicero later tonight?

Thekla, Julia Hart & Skye Blue speak.

The Toxic Spider says, “Sometimes, poison is the cure.” The Princess of the Black Throne says, “Sometimes, hurting is what heals you.” A spider has its web, and a rose has its thorns. It is only a sin to resist. They’re not friends, they’re sisters. And their bond, you will feel its effect. They will “infest” AEW, and whoever is not with them is against them. They are a triangle of madness, because the heart always wins. And the last thing you see will be these three. When and where will the sinister Sisters of Sin strike?

Backstage interview with Willow Nightingale.

Renee is with the Babe with the Power, and brings up how last week, Willow was not victorious in the big money Fatal 4 Way. Talk to us about what is net? Oh, good question. What is next? Well, Willow spent the past few months wrapped up in all this Death Rider stuff, Kris Statlander… But there is a refreshing sense of renewal in the air! Hangman is the new champion, love that! And there are even some new girls on the roster, and Willow got her chance to mix it up with Thekla. That was in the Fatal 4 Way, right? $100,000 on the line, and Willow had Thekla pinned in the ring… So “Big Thek,” are your spidey senses tingling? That’s Willow. Find her in the ring.

Willow heads out, will she not be afraid to mess with Thekla and her sinister new sisterhood? Or will they soon give her arachnophobia?

Backstage interview with The Hurt Syndicate.

AEW returns as Renee is now with Lashley, Shelton & MVP, and she asks they please elaborate on the business deal with Adam Copeland. MJF walks in and says that is an excellent question, because it’s also the one he has for them. Are they just boys with Cope now? It took MJF months to get into the group! And where the hell were they when he was nose-to-nose with Hangman? Does the thumbs up not mean anything to them? MVP shouts at MJF to say that they are in the business of hurting people, that was a business arrangement with Cope. Oh, well, that’s cute, but how about getting in the business of getting MJF’s damn title around his waist?

MVP cues Shelton and Shelton asks Renee for the room. Renee obliges, and MJF says yes, this should really be between them. They can talk game plans, strategy- LASHLEY PUSHES MJF INTO THE LOCKERS! Lashley tells MJF that they don’t need to help him with s*it! They are not his lackeys. Every week, it is “I, I, I,” from MJF. As far as Lashley’s concerned, he wants MJF OUT! Thumbs down! Shelton shakes his head and follows Lashley out. MVP also shakes his head and leaves MJF behind. MJF is mad, but when is he going to understand he needs to deflate the ego?

Athena is in the balcony opera box!

The fans cheer as the ROH Women’s World Champion is ready to watch her Minion at work.

AEW Women’s World Championship Eliminator: Toni Storm VS Billie Starkz w/ Athena!

The Timeless AEW Women’s World Champion overcame The CEO, and is fully aware of Athena eyeing the gold around her waist. But Toni is also showing Athena isn’t the only one who can play games. Will Toni take advantage of Billie only playing not to lose?

The bell rings and the fans rally up for “TONI! TONI!” Toni thanks the fans, and then she circles with Billie. They tie up, Billie pulls hair, and she puts Toni on the ropes to then ROCK her with forearm after forearm! The ref counts, Billie stops, and she whips. Toni sunset flips, TWO, and Billie headlocks. Toni powers up and out to roll Billie up, TWO! Toni headlocks, Billie powers up and out, but Toni RUNS Billie over! Things keep moving, Toni redirects and basement DROPKICKS! The fans cheer, Toni scoops Billie, and BACKBREAKER! The fans cheer and Toni dances around a little before she whips Billie to a corner.

Toni runs up, jumps and MONKEY FLIPS! The fans fire up and Toni shows a little fanny. Toni runs up, but Billie puts her up top! Billie CHOPS Toni, looks to Athena for approval, then has Toni on the apron. Toni blocks a shot to ROCK Billie! Billie comes back to SWEEP the legs! Billie then basement SUPERKICKS Toni to the floor! Billie DIVES and down goes Toni in front of commentary! The fans fire up and Athena applauds her Minion. Billie goes to the apron, runs and CANNONBALLS! Direct hit on Toni’s back and Billie is all fired up! The fans are torn, Athena says keep after her, and Billie SMACKS Toni off the desk!

Billie puts Toni in the ring, the fans cheer, and Billie storms in. Billie snap suplexes Toni, covers, TWO! The fans continue to rally while Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Billie stalks Toni, brings her up, and bumps her off buckles. Billie whips corner to corner, Toni hits buckles hard, and Toni falls to the mat. Billie pushes her to a cover, TWO! Billie kicks Toni around, eggs her on, then CLUBS her! And CHOPS her! Toni goes to a corner, Billie turns her around to CHOP! Toni staggers away to another corner, but Billie is right on her with another CHOP! Billie stalks Toni to the far side, bumps her off buckles, and CHOPS again! Toni sits down, Billie stomps a mudhole in, but stops as the ref counts. Billie huffs ‘n’ puffs but waits on Toni to sit up. Billie storms back over, brings Toni up, and reels her, only for Toni to fight the suplex.

Toni wrenches, rolls Billie up, TWO! Billie BOOTS Toni down! Billie huffs ‘n’ puffs, covers deep, TWO! Billie storms around Toni while soaking up the heat. Billie drags Toni up, fires forearms, then ROLLING ELBOWS! Toni staggers away to a corner, Dynamite returns to single picture, and Billie bumps Toni off buckles again and again. Toni blocks the next one and the fans fire up! Toni breaks free, Billie panics, but Billie fires a forearm! Toni fires Mongolian Chops?! And she fires them again and again and again! Toni whips, Billie reverses, but Toni comes back to THESZ PRESS! Toni rains down fast hands and the fans fire up!

Toni storms around, brings Billie up, and then clamps on, only for Billie to break free! Billie SOBATS, Toni blocks a front kick but Billie ENZIGIRIS! Athena nods, Billie runs, but into the SKY HIGH! Cover, TWO!! Billie survives and Toni looks up at Athena. Athena is a little worried but Toni brings Billie back up. The fans rally for Toni and she clamps onto the chicken wing! But Billie arm-drags free! Then Billie wrenches, KNEE SMASH, and HEEL KICK! Billie reels Toni in and suplexes, GHOST BUSTER! Cover, TWO!! The fans fire up as Toni survives, but Billie is shocked and Athena is seething.

Billie drags Toni up, Toni fires a forearm but Billie fires a flurry in return! The fans rally, Billie whips, but Toni reverses to wrench and backslide! Billie rolls through, but Toni hooks her, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect, and Billie BOOTS Toni down! The fans fire up as Billie has Toni in a corner. Billie Electric Chair Lifts Toni, but Toni throws hands! Toni victory rolls to cover, TWO! Billie has it, with tights! TWO!! Toni escapes, waistlocks, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Billie flounders, Toni goes to the other side, and she has a close-up! SWEET HIP MUSIC! Then STORM- NO, Billie BACKDROPS free! Billie sits on the cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up but Athena is getting more and more upset, because Billie isn’t supposed to win but to hurt Toni! Toni and Billie rise, Billie runs up, but Toni dodges! Billie hits buckles, Toni runs up, and Toni blocks boots. Toni throws those away but Billie FLYING CHUCKS! Billie goes up, up, and Athena likes this now. SWANTON BOMB onto knees! Toni turns things around, and has the T C M!! Billie TAPS, Toni wins!

Winner: Toni Storm, by submission (denies Billie Starkz a title match)

Toni’s Classic Move seals the deal and Athena does NOT like that! Billie doesn’t get her shot, and Toni doesn’t seem that hurt. But then Billie grabs the belt to CLOBBER Toni with it! The fans boo but Athena smiles as Billie still completes the mission. Billie waves to Boss Athena and Athena leaves the balcony. Billie and the ref argue, then Billie TOSSES the ref! The fans boo but Billie is just that mad! Athena arrives at ringside, her contract at the ready, and she SMACKS Toni with the clipboard! Athena then takes Toni outside and RAMS her into the steps again and again and again! “This is MY show now!”

Athena runs in, METEORA against the steps! Athena puts Toni back in, CLIPBOARD STRIKE!! Toni is down in a heap, and Billie pushes the ref back into the ring! Athena tells the ref that it’s time to cash in! But wait! ALEX WINDSOR is here! Iron Will Windsor dodges Billie to TACKLE Athena! Windsor HAMMERS away on Athena, Billie drags her up, and Windsor HEADBUTTS her! Then DISCUS LARIATS! Alex Windsor is getting her ROH Women’s World Championship match for Collision, will she be the one to end the Forever Reign?

Swerve Strickland w/ Prince Nana VS Hechicero w/ Don Callis!

Swerve’s House accomplished it’s mission when Swerve & Ospreay stripped The Young Bucks of their EVP status. But now, he’s been called out by The Rainmaker, making The Rainmaker a new target. Likewise, the Alchemist of Lucha wants after The Most Wanted, Bandido, to bring more gold to the Don Callis Family. Who makes it through the other to be aimed right at a champion?

Justin Roberts introduces Don Callis, but then Callis tells him to keep his mouth shut! “As they say in Mexico, callete, cabron!” The fans boo The Jackal saying Spanish in the Whitest way possible. But Callis says it is a treat for everyone here in Chicago to witness the greatest luchador in the history of Mexico! Better than El Santo, than Mil Masceras, than Bandido, he es muy buenoooooo~! “Yo soy Hechiceroooo~!” So, Callis is Hechicero? He really doesn’t know Espanol… But that aside, Hechicero does make his entrance, and the bell rings. Hechi and Swerve circle while Callis joins commentary. Chicago cheers for “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!”

Swerve and Hechi tie up, knucklelock, and Swerve wrenches. Hechi wrenches back, top wristlocks, but Swerve wrenches through to top wristlock back. The fans tell Callis off but Hechi clamps on double cording holds. Swerve fights around, knees low then whips Hechi to ropes. Swerve drops down, then hurdles, but into a FLAPJACK! Hechi then jumps onto Swerve, rolls him, REAR NAKED- NO, Swerve rolls free and the fans applaud. Hechi says it was that close, and the two reset. They tie up, Swerve wrenches and chinbars, but Hechi wrenches back. Hechi whips, Swerve reverses, but Hechi stops to roll Swerve and stand him up.

Hechi clinches, arm-drags, then clamps onto Swerve’s jaw! Swerve fights around, Hechi snapmares him, and then gator rolls Swerve into a modified triangle hold! Swerve stands, pops fere, and he rolls Hechi. Hechi grabs a leg, Swerve headlocks in return. Swerve wrenches Hechi to then hook him up for an abdominal stretch! Hechi endures, marches over, ROPEBREAK! Swerve lets go quickly and the fans applaud. Swerve mocks Hechi’s alchemy, then steps up. Hechi kicks low and SLAPS Swerve! The fans boo and Swerve seethes. Swerve CHOPS, CHOPS, and whips. Hechi reverses, wrenches, and whips again.

Hechi then wrenches, hammerlocks, and SWINGS Swerve into the BACKBREAKER! Swerve hobbles away to a corner and the fans boo. Hechi storms up to RAM Swerve again and again! Hechi winds up and CHOPS! Hechi whips corner to corner, Swerve reverses, but Hechi comes back! Swerve scoops to BACKBREAKER! Swerve gator rolls to deadlift suplex! The fans fire up while Hechi writhes, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.

Swerve looms over Hechi, stomps him at the ropes, then stands on him! The ref counts, Swerve steps off, and Hechi rolls outside the ring. Swerve waits on Hechi, Hechi storms back to the apron, and Swerve kicks low! Swerve drags Hechi in through the ropes, turns him, and hits the NECKBREAKER! Hechi sputters but Swerve brings him up to TOSS him back out. Swerve puts Hechi through the ropes again for haymakres! The ref counts, Swerve stops at 4 to run, but Hechi blocks the boot! Hechi ROCKS Swerve, then DRAPING DRAGON SCREWS! Swerve flounders but Hechi holds on! Hechi stands on the leg and STOMPS it!

Hechi soaks up the heat while he does his alchemy. Hechi then stalks Swerve, KICKS Swerve, and put Swerve in the corner. Hechi climbs up and rains down fists! Hechi goes to nine, then ELBOWS Swerve for ten! Hechi then stands Swerve up to SLAP him! Swerve kicks in return, but Hechi SMACKS Swerve. Swerve kicks Hechi, Hechi SMACKS Swerve, then Hechi blocks Swerve’s kick! Hechi CLUBS the leg, then CHOPS Swerve to the corner. Hechi taunts Swerve, JABS him again and again, and Dynamite returns to single picture. The fans rally as Swerve fires shots in return! Swerve and Hechi go back and forth, forearm for forearm!

Swerve ROCKS Hechi again and again, whips, but Hechi reverses. Hechi runs and STEP-UP KNEES! Hechi scoops Swerve for a POWERSLAM! Cover, ONE!! Swerve snarls and the fans fire up. Hechi and Swerve stare down and Swerve grins. Swerve eggs Hechi on so Hechi throws hands! Swerve eggs Hechi on, Hechi does his alchemy, but Swerve HEADBUTTS the fist?! And then he BOOTS Hechi down! Swerve whips Hechi hard into a corner, runs up to LARIAT and snapamre! Swerve goes up, up, and FALLING UPPERCUTS! Then he hits the Griddy! The fans fire up but Callis doesn’t know what that has to do with anything.

Swerve storms up on Hechi, but Hechi kicks! Swerve blocks the kick to hit a BACKBREAKER! Swerve whips and ROLLING KICKS Hechi down! Swerve then goes up, up, and 450 SPLASHES! Cover, TWO!! Hechi survives and Swerve is frustrated. Callis says, “As if by magic, he’s out at two!” Swerve seethes more as he waits on Hechi. Hechi slowly rises, and Swerve half nelsons, but Hechi fights free! Hechi rolls back, victory roll, then REVERSE MONKEY FLIP! REAR NAKED- NO, Swerve blocks the sleeper, so Hechi shifts to an ARMBAR! The fans rally as Swerve fights around, but Hechi just Oklahoma Rolls him! TWO!

Hechi and Swerve scramble up, Hechi drop toeholds and body scissors to then roll Swerve to a cradle, TWO! Swerve escapes and Hechi grows frustrated. Hechi stomps Swerve, but Swerve grabs the foot to push it back. Swerve then BOOTS Hechi away, somersaults and FLATLINERS! The fans fire up, Swerve goes to the corner, and he grins as he goes up top! Swerve aims, Callis panics, but then LANCE ARCHER appears! Archer CLOBBERS Prince Nana and he SHOVES Swerve off the corner! The fans boo and the ref calls for the bell!

Winner: Swerve Strickland, by disqualification

Josh Alexander is also here, and now the Don Callis Family mugs Swerve! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, Callis sarcastically says go to commercial or something. But wait! Brody King & Bandido rush out here! The fans cheer as they fight off Archer & Hechi! They TOSS those two out and brawl up the ramp! Alexander guards Callis, but OKADA sneaks in! CHAIR SHOT to Swerve’s back!! The fans boo but Callis laughs. “Now that’s magic.” The Rainmaker grins as he stands over Swerve, and then he puts the chair down beside Swerve. Okada gut wrenches Swerve, but Swerve fights free! And RISING HEADBUTTS!

The fans fire up as Swerve now gets the chair and puts it around Okada’s neck! “WHOSE HOUSE?!” But Okada gets free of the chair and runs away! Will the Don Callis Family regret angering the Most Dangerous Man in AEW?

Backstage interview with Ricochet & The Gates of Agony.

As Alicia Atout introduces them, Ricochet corrects her to just call them “GOA.” Okay… It’s Ricochet & GOA, Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona, who are still riding the high of winning the $200,000- Ricochet stops her again and says he has been trying to tell people for weeks but they didn’t wanna listen! Maybe they’re listening now, huh? Maybe they’re listening now because this trio had two back-to-back victories on the same show. One: Ricochet singlehandedly took care of AR Fox! And two: GOA beat three of the best teams in AEW. The CRU? CRUSHED ‘EM! Bryan Keith & Big Bill? BOUNCED ‘EM! And of course, The Gunns.

Ricochet says that the Gunns are shooting blanks. But because of Kaun & Liona, the trio is $200,000 richer, and that money will be invested into their quest for gold. So for everyone watching, they don’t care what you think about them. Just know that one way or another, you will either respect them, or you will fear them. And that isn’t a threat, it’s a demand. AHA~! Will The One & Only and his destructive duo soon take over AEW and have all the money?

MJF heads to the ring.

The Scumbag goes to the ring without the Hurt Syndicate, but he still has the Dynamite Diamond Ring, Casino Gauntlet contract, and a microphone. He also spits his gum out at fans before he asks they cut his music. MJF paces in the ring and says, “Lemme explain something to all of you. I know you’re not very bright, okay? I don’t need Bobby Lashley to get back MY world championship. Do you understand? I don’t need ‘Bob.’ And as far as Cowboy goes, you wanna call me a coward? Listen to me, you’re the coward, you hypocrite. You won’t wrestle me unless I execute my contract, huh?

“Well, buddy, I’m not gonna execute this contract, I’m gonna beat you inside this ring fair and square, and MY belt is gonna be around MY waist.” The fans boo, but MJF shows off both contract and waist. But then Mark Briscoe makes his way out here! The fans cheer as the Sussex County Chicken has a mic in his own hand. Briscoe tells MJF, “Now, much like that kosher pickle you got there, Max, I’ma keep this short.” The fans chant, “KOSHER PICKLE!” at Max, and Briscoe continues.

“Matter of fact, y’know, I’m doing all I can do right now, trying to exercise this self-control, man, because all I really wanna do is come down there, take that microphone and shove it so far up your ass…! But man, I got all these kids and I know they will doc my paycheck because they will never get that thing back, man. But Max, bottom line, All In, Casino Gauntlet, you stole that win from me, aight? You stole that win from me, you little opportunistic bastard! Bottom line, I want you in the ring, Mark Briscoe, MJF! What you say we do it right here, in Chicago, next week?!” The fans like the sound of that!

MJF is a little confused, but then he says, “No.” The fans boo and MJF mocks Briscoe, “I was gonna get the winny win, and the pinny pin, and you cost me! Wrong. Mark, if you were supposed to win this right here, you would’ve. But you didn’t, because when the pressure’s on, Mark, y’know what you do? You lose.” The fans boo, but MJF says, “When the pressure’s on, y’know what I do? Unlike all these shmucks, I win.” The fans boo more, but MJF says he is a generational talent. He is the most complete pro-wrestler in the world today. The fans boo still, but MJF says he’ll open up and be honest, and hopefully Mark can take this on the chin.

With all due respect, from the bottom of MJF’s heart, he thinks Mark Briscoe sucks! Briscoe is white trash, just like everyone else in the “M-M-M-Midwest.” But he isn’t an idiot, either, Briscoe. MJF knows everyone loves Briscoe, the people can’t get enough of Briscoe! The fans chant for #DemBoys but MJF says he gets why. Look at him! Briscoe has a wonky eye, missing teeth, and a silly Southern accent. Briscoe’s funny! He’s entertaining! He makes the fans feel all warm and fuzzy inside. But let’s be honest, not even Briscoe’s biggest fans think he’s a top guy. Not even Briscoe’s biggest fans think he’s anywhere near MJF’s level!

Y’know what Briscoe is? He’s a joke! The circus clown AEW parades around for cheap laughs and cheap pops. The fans boo but MJF says deep down, the people don’t respect Briscoe! But MJF knew another guy from Delaware that the people did respect, fear, and look up to. Briscoe frowns and the fans boo but MJF says we all know who he’s talking about. That guy would’ve been worth MJF’s time. MJF can’t imagine how depressing it is to be Mark Briscoe, having to look the fans in the eyes, and having to look his family in the eyes, knowing deep down that no one will ever respect him as much as they did Jay.

Briscoe storms down to the ring so MJF runs away! The fans boo as MJF again shows his yellow belly. Will Briscoe ever get revenge on that Scumbag? Will Briscoe be able to focus on the Swiss Cyborg for our main event?

Mark Briscoe VS Claudio Castagnoli!

The bell rings and the two tie up. The fans cheer on Briscoe but Claudio puts him in the corner. The ref counts, Claudio CHOPS as he lets off, but Briscoe gets right in his face! Briscoe and Claudio tie up again, Briscoe puts Claudio in a corner, and Briscoe CHOPS as he lets off! Claudio and Briscoe tie up again, Claudio CHOPS Briscoe in the corner! Claudio eggs Briscoe on so Briscoe CHOPS! Claudio CHOPS again, Briscoe CHOPS again, repeat! The fans fire up as Briscoe then ROCKS Claudio! Claudio roars and UPPERCUTS! Briscoe wobbles, but he CHOPS, Claudio UPPERCUTS, and repeat!

Claudio ROCKS Briscoe, ROCKS him again, but Briscoe ROCKS Claudio back! Claudio UPPERCUTS, Briscoe CHOSP, and the fans fire up! Claudio seethes, UPPERCUTS, but Briscoe fires a forearm! They go back and forth like that, forearm for UPPERCUTR, but then Claudio fires a flurry! Claudio CLUBS Briscoe at the ropes, whips him, and BACKDROPS, but Briscoe lands out! Briscoe CHOPS Claudio off his feet! Briscoe stomps Claudio, brings him up, and Mongolian Chops! Briscoe stomps a mudhole in the corner, digs his boots in, but the ref counts. Briscoe steps off, then storms back up, and he CLUBS Claudio, then CHOPS him!

Claudio goes to a corner but Briscoe follows. Claudio blocks a buckle bump, fires a body shot, then he FLAPJACKS Briscoe off buckles! Claudio runs and LARIATS, then soaks up the heat. Claudio ROCKS Briscoe, stomps a mudhole in, but the ref counts. The fans boo as Claudio keeps going, and the ref has to back Claudio down. The fans taunt Claudio with “BALD! BALD! BALD!” Claudio ignores that to whip Briscoe corner to corner. Briscoe goes up and out, then ROCKS Claudio. Briscoe RAMS Claudio through the ropes, but Claudio CHOPS! Briscoe CHOPS back! Claudio CHOIPS again, Briscoe CHOPS again, and repeat!

Briscoe CHOPS, then blocks a shot to ROCK Claudio! Briscoe drags Claudio up and over the top rope! The fans fire up and Briscoe builds speed! Claudio slides in but Briscoe ducks the lariat! Briscoe fires off Redneck Kung-Fu palm strikes, and an UPPERCUT! Briscoe runs and LARIATS Claudio up and out! The fans fire up more and Briscoe builds speed, to WRECK- NO, Claudio catches Briscoe, drags him out, and SWINGS him into the railing! And into the railing again! The fans boo but Claudio soaks up the heat, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.

The ref checks on Briscoe and he’s able to continue. Claudio leaves Briscoe behind, the fans rally, and Briscoe rises up. Claudio goes out to fire forearms! Then he DUMPS Briscoe into the front row! The ref reprimands and the fans boo but Claudio just soaks it up. Claudio leaves Briscoe behind, but Briscoe drags himself up and over the railing. Briscoe slides into the ring, but Claudio fires forearms! Briscoe CHOPS! And CHOPS! And fires a flurry of forearms! Briscoe whips, but Claudio reverses to have a SLEEPER! Briscoe endures, but he is fading as Claudio leans on him! Briscoe fights up as the fans rally, and he fires body shots!

Claudio knees low, KNEES again, then TOSSES Briscoe out! Claudio goes out to fetch Briscoe, then DUMPS him over more railing! Briscoe is down in the front row on the other side, and Claudio lets the ring count handle this. Briscoe drags himself up at 5 of 10, hobbles his way over, and slides in at 7. Claudio runs up to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Briscoe survives but Claudio clamps on with a dragon sleeper! Briscoe endures again, and Claudio shifts to a traditional sleeper now. Briscoe stands, Dynamite returns to single picture, and the fans fire up as Briscoe fires hands! But Claudio KNEES low again and again and again!

Claudio puts Briscoe in a corner, hoists him up top, then climbs up after him. Claudio is on the very top, but Briscoe CHOSP! And CHOPS! Claudio drops back, Briscoe leaps, but into an UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Briscoe survives and the fans fire up again! The fans cheer on #DemBoys while Briscoe stirs. Claudio looms over Briscoe, and he stands on Briscoe’s hand! Wait, DARBY ALLIN is here! And in the crowd! Claudio is spooked, but he warns Darby to watch himself. Claudio drags Briscoe up, but Briscoe fires fast hands! Briscoe CHOPS, ROCKS, and repeat! Briscoe whips, Claudio reverses, but Briscoe FLYING FOREARMS!

Darby creeps closer to ringside while Briscoe runs and LARIATS Claudio in the corner! Briscoe clinches but Claudio fights free. Claudio swings, Briscoe ducks to waistlock, but Claudio switches. Briscoe PELES, then clinches, EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! Briscoe runs up on Claudio to BOOT him outta the ring! The fans fire up again and Briscoe builds speed, and he DIVES! Down goes Claudio and the fans fire up with Briscoe! Briscoe stands on the desk for the fans to see him, and BANG BANG! FOLEY ELBOW DROP! The fans cheer, Briscoe high-fives the front row, and he stands on the barriers. BLOCKBUSTER to the floor!

The fans fire up again and Briscoe hurries to put Claudio in the ring! Briscoe climbs, reaches the top, and FROGGY-BOW!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio survives and Briscoe is shocked! The fans still rally behind Briscoe and he calls his shot! Briscoe reels Claudio in, but Claudio RAMS him into a corner! The ref backs Claudio off this time, but Claudio jukes! Briscoe ELBOWS Claudio! Briscoe puts Claudio up top, and Redneck Kung-Fu UPPERCUTS! Briscoe climbs up after Claudio, fires forearms, then goes to the very top. But Claudio CLAWS Briscoe’s eyes! Atomic drop on the top rope! And then Claudio scoops for a SUPER POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up as Briscoe survives! Claudio is furious and he hooks Briscoe up for HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! The fans boo but Claudio reels Briscoe in, only for Briscoe to RAM him into the corner! The ref has to back Briscoe down now, but Claudio pokes Briscoe in the eyes! RUNNING UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO!! Briscoe survives and the fans fire up! But Claudio hurries, GOTCH- NO, Briscoe wrenches out and cradles, BRISCOE WINS!!

Winner: Mark Briscoe, by pinfall

Wherever MJF is hiding out now, he’ll have to eat his words because Briscoe proved he can win! But Marina Shafir CHOP BLOCKS him! The fans boo as The Problem beats up on Briscoe, then runs the ref off! Claudio drags Briscoe up and Moxley storms in, mic in hand. “Hangman Page thinks he’s the champion?! He thinks he’s a champion cuz he’s walking around with a belt!?” Marina puts a chair in the ring, and Claudio uses it for a FULL METAL GUTBUSTER! The fans boo but Moxley says Hangman ain’t champion yet! They’re gonna make sure nobody gets too damn comfortable! Moxley then joins his Death Riders in the ring.

Yuta, bandaged up as he is, is also with everyone, but here comes Hangman! The fans cheer as The Cowboy has a mic in hand. Hangman goes to the ring and Moxley has everyone stand down. Hangman says, “When you told me that I didn’t want Texas Death, you were lying, you and I both know that. But when you say that I don’t want this, that I can’t handle the pressure and the responsibility that comes with this, that I can’t get up and do it again, and do it again, and do it again… I think you believe that. So I will prove it to you. Not the Jon Moxley that is standing here tonight, but to the Jon Moxley that carried the weight of this company so many times these six years. I will prove it to him.”

The fans cheer, and Hangman says next week, Dynamite, Hangman VS Moxley, for the AEW World Championship. The fans cheer again, and Hangman says this time, Moxley is the challenger, so he will play by Hangman’s rules. Everyone but a referee is banned from ringside. And Hangman already knows Moxley’s answer is yes, so see you next week, dumbass. The Cowboy has laid down the law, and Moxley gets one last chance to be back on top. But can Moxley prove he can do it all by himself? Or will Hangman prove he can get #CowboyS*it done every time?

My Thoughts:

A great Dynamite to continue the Chicago residency, but with a rather peculiar move with the AEW World Championship. Great stuff in Hangman interacting with MJF and how that affected MJF’s stuff tonight, but also Hangman whooped Yuta. Hangman busting Yuta open but sparing him from being hung makes me think this is them going back to breaking through to Yuta that the Death Riders don’t care about him. MJF upset with the Hurt Syndicate and getting Lashley to change his vote back to negative was an intriguing twist. Guess that means MJF is out of Hurt Syndicate already. MJF also had a good promo with Briscoe, but it was maybe paced weird or a bit redundant. It did help segue into the main event, though.

Claudio VS Briscoe was a great match, and a great win for Briscoe. The Death Riders of course beat Briscoe up for it, but Hangman of course made the save. Hangman giving Moxley his rematch next week is either AEW spinning their wheels while we’re still a month out from Forbidden Door, or is an opening for MJF to cash in when he claimed he wasn’t going to do that. It would be rather reminiscent of when Bryan Danielson was Mr. MITB and cashed in on Big Show despite claiming he’d wait for a straight-up match.

Awesome tag team match from FTR VS JetSpeed, but of course Stokely had a part to play in it. The bracket is incomplete because sadly, Colten Gunn is hurt (again), so The Gunns can’t join in. Ricochet gave a subtle hint of that in his promo, but you can bet the “GOA” are going to be in the tournament. I feel like FTR could win the whole tournament and take on Hurt Syndicate. And that wouldn’t be Heels VS Heels as Hurt Syndicate ditching MJF and helping Cope turned Hurt Syndicate Face. That was a great segment, too, though the brawl went on a little longer than it needed to be.

Great promo from Billie & Athena, and great match from Billie VS Toni. They did a great job making Billie look strong so that anyone not familiar with her immediately understands she isn’t just a sidekick. Naturally, Toni won while Billie set her up for the cash-in attempt. But just as logically, Windsor made the save to remind Athena they have their match first. I’m pretty sure Athena wins that, and this has to be leading to Toni VS Athena for Forbidden Door. Though at the same time, it’d be a shame if Athena doesn’t get to do a cash-in with the contract.

A real shame about Ospreay’s neck, but those who have been watching him for a long time know he really roughed it up in his Junior Heavyweight days in NJPW. Thankfully they have a great medical team and Ospreay clearly feels he’ll be okay in a month to do something for Forbidden Door. That means whether it is Hangman or MJF, we could get an awesome world title match for Forbidden Door. And great stuff with Swerve VS Hechicero, but of course the Don Callis Family had to “ruin” things. Swerve getting the better of Okada was also good, and they even built towards Bandido VS Hechicero. I suppose they could push both those title matches closer to Forbidden Door, but I guess we’ll see.

My Score: 9/10