Date: August 28, 2023 Location: FedExForum in Memphis, TN
**********
Show Recap —
They aired memorial graphics for Terry Funk and Windham “Bray Wyatt” Rotunda. RIP.
********
Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens will defend the tag team titles against Damian Priest and Finn Bálor at Payback.
Damian Priest defeated Tag Team Champion Sami Zayn (11:41)
Zayn was doing well until Priest dropped him with a clothesline and followed with a falcon arrow for two. Zayn tried a dive but Priest caught him and dropped him onto the announce table.
After a break, Zayn hit a sunset flip sit-out powerbomb for two, followed by a flip dive and Blue Thunder Bomb for two. Zayn slipped out of a Razor’s Edge attempt and hit an exploder into the corner.
As Zayn set up for Helluva Kick, he was tripped by JD McDonagh. Zayn turned his attention to McDonagh so Priest hit him with a chokeslam for the pinfall win.
(Zayn was getting a lot of offence compared to Priest so you kind of knew where this was going.)
— After the match, Priest shoved McDonagh to the ground and told him to stay out of his business. As Priest left, the crowd began cheering because Kevin Owens appeared in the ring.
Owens dropped McDonagh with a stunner and Zayn laid him out with a Helluva Kick.
********
Drew McIntyre was in the back looking at a picture that Matt Riddle gave him. The picture was a photoshop of McIntre wearing gear to match Riddle’s. Akira Tozawa was there and told McIntyre he looked good. McIntyre told Riddle not to get ahead of himself.
Riddle did some comedy before suggesting that they sit at ringside for the Viking Raiders/New Day match. McIntyre liked that idea because he wanted to see those “two idiots” get beat up. Riddle thought he was talking about New Day but McIntyre corrected him before storming off.
********
There was a Raquel Rodriguez promo video package hyping her title match against Rhea Ripley. Rodriguez was bigger and stronger than Ripley and was out for revenge.
Becky Lynch was shown warming up.
(The McIntyre/Riddle segment and the Rodriguez video were the only things that happened between commercial breaks.)
********
Miz segment
LA Knight’s music hit and the crowd popped but it was actually Miz dressed as Knight. The crowd booed Miz who did an impression of Knight.
Miz deepened his voice which he claimed Knight did to sound like a tough guy and repeatedly said “Yeah.” Some of the crowd still sang along and Miz called them sheep to which they responded, “Yeah!” (which was funny). Miz also mixed in some Steve Austin catchphrases as a way to mock Knight.
Miz returned to his regular voice and said being LA Knight was easy and anyone could do it. Miz said Knight was all about catchphrases but when Miz called himself “awesome,” that wasn’t a catchphrase. Miz said the crowd would cheer anything including losers which Knight would be at Payback.
(Miz was pretty good here.)
********
Seth Rollins was shown seething in the back (over Shinsuke Nakamura). Ricochet walked by and nodded at him. (Rollins wore an armband for Bray Wyatt.)
********
McIntyre and Riddle entered to watch the next match from ringside.
Kingston hit a dive but the Viking Raiders were in control anyway after a break.
[SECOND HOUR]
Valhalla distracted Woods which allowed Ivar to prevent a hot tag. The crowd chanted “Let’s go Kofi” whose attempt for a hot tag got cut off again.
Kingston finally made the hot tag to Woods who hit Ivar with a forearm and Honour Roll clothesline for two. Woods avoided a double team and Kingston tagged back in and splashed Ivar but Erik broke up the cover.
The fight spilled to the outside which led to Ivar driving Kinston into both McIntyre and Riddle. McIntyre was pissed and chucked a big leather chair into the ring (trying to hit Ivar). With the ref distracted, McIntyre also chucked one at Erik but he ducked and Woods was knocked out instead.
The Vikings used the opportunity to hit Kingston with Ragnarok for the pinfall win.
— McIntyre checked on Woods and apologized to Kingston who wasn’t pleased. McIntyre was still upset and chucked a leather chair again.
********
Bálor told Priest that they needed to get on the same page. Priest was hot and said they do need to focus but focus on people who matter — not JD McDonagh. Priest yelled at Bálor until Ripley cut him off. She said the only members of Judgment Day who were handling business were herself and Dirty Dom.
Ripley said that if they don’t all walk out of Payback as champions, there will be some changes. Priest held up his briefcase and said he’d have no problem winning gold.
(There were Bray Wyatt t-shirts hanging up in the background.)
********
They aired the Bray Wyatt tribute video. The crowd held up their cell phone lights and chanted “Thank you, Bray.” A spotlight shined on Bray’s empty rocking chair.
********
Riddle and McIntyre approached Kingston as he left the trainer’s room. Kingston said Woods wasn’t doing great but that he’d be fine. McIntyre told Kingston what happened was an accident. Kingston said he knew McIntyre wouldn’t do something like that on purpose and they were all good. They bumped fists.
McIntyre was pissed about the Viking Raiders and said he would take them out last week and wouldn’t wait to tag in. McIntyre left. Kingston wasn’t sure what he meant by that. Riddle was excited because he assumed they were teaming up next week.
********
Gunther cut a promo while standing on the announce table. The crowd booed him. Gunther said Chad Gable made history last week when he became the first person to beat him in over 500 days. Gunther said Gable won on a technicality but in reality, he has won nothing. Gunther said Gable did accomplish one thing and that was piss him off.
Gunther fired up and said Gable had his attention and focus. He announced that Gable would get a title rematch next week on Raw. But Gable would not win next week and would not win tonight against his best man, Ludwig Kaiser.
Gable interrupted with Otis and Maxxine Dupri. Gable said Gunther has been on the main roster for almost two years but no one was able to defeat him — until last week. Gable said he won in ten seconds (count out) last week and next week would win the title with a three-count. Gable told Kaiser to get in the ring so he could cook him up Memphis style.
Chad Gable (w/Otis & Maxxine Dupri) defeated Ludwig Kaiser (w/Giovanni Vinci) via disqualification (18:18)
They went to break 45 seconds into the match after Gable hit a cannonball. Gunther left ringside during the break. (Cole called him arrogant for doing so.) They went to a second break after Kaiser knocked Gable off the top and followed with a running uppercut outside the ring.
Kaiser maintained control after the break while cutting off Gable’s comeback attempts. Kaiser hit a rolling fireman’s carry and PK for two. Gable came back with a neckbreaker and suplex before wiping out both Kaiser and Vinci with a moonsault to the outside.
After 18 minutes, Gable hit a Chaos Theory suplex but Vinci broke up the cover for the DQ.
— Otis suplexed Vinci but Kaiser attacked him and the two Imperium members double-teamed him before putting the boots to Gable.
Gunther marched back out and was going to powerbomb Gable but Gable countered into an ankle lock. Kaiser and Vinci decked Gable and stomped away at him until Gunther shoved them aside and powerbombed Gable.
(They’ve been protecting Kaiser but this is obviously not the match Gable should’ve had a week before facing Gunther again.)
********
They paid tribute to Bob Barker by showing clips of his guest hosting gig on Raw in 2009. (They didn’t show his interaction with Chris Jericho.)
********
[THIRD HOUR]
Seth Rollins segment
Rollins kicked off by saying “Yowie wowie” and welcomed us to Monday Night Rollins.
Rollins got straight to the point and called out Shinsuke Nakamura. Nakamura didn’t show so Rollins thought he should head to Beale Street, order a stiff drink, and listen to the fans sing his song all night long.
A Nakamura video played on the screen. It included clips of Nakamura training while stating his desire to break Rollins and destroy his back. Nakamura said Rollins wouldn’t be able to walk his daughter down the aisle at her wedding and said that Rollins had no future.
Rollins wasn’t impressed that all we got from the great Nakamura was a video package. Rollins wanted to know where the Nakamura was that headlined the Tokyo Dome and set NXT on fire.
A month ago, Rollins would’ve given Nakamura the shirt off his back. The same back that was broken in two places. But his back didn’t stop him from winning the world title and wouldn’t stop him from beating Nakamura’s ass on Saturday. Rollins wouldn’t stop until someone pulled him off Nakamura.
Rollins said Nakamura would never take anything from him — not his title, not his future, not his family.
Nakamura suddenly attacked Rollins from behind. Nakamura dropped him with a kick and took a look at the title belt before leaving.
********
Zayn and Owens cut a backstage promo. Zayn was tired of dealing with Judgment Day for all these months. No matter how many times they beat them, Judgment Day found a way to come back and get a cheap victory and now they’ve themselves got a title match. Zayn was ready to face them one more time.
Owens said they went to Adam Pearce and had their match made into a Steel City Street Fight. Owens said a lot of crazy things have happened in Pittsburgh including Owens himself being thrown off a cage through the announce table. He said that was nothing compared to what they would do to Judgment Day and they would end this once and for all.
********
Tommaso Ciampa defeated Bronson Reed (4:30)
Ciampa hit an air raid crash early on for a nearfall and Reed followed with a running sit-out powerbomb for a nearfall. Reed knocked Ciampa out of the ring but Ciampa came back with a Widow’s Bell and a running knee strike for two.
Ciampa followed moments later with a crucifix bomb into a pin for the win. (Reed over-rotated in the crucifix pin so the pinfall didn’t look good at all.)
********
Jackie Redmond asked Becky Lynch if she had any second thoughts about having a falls count anywhere match against Zoey Stark just days away from facing Trish Stratus in a cage match.
Lynch said she’s had second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth thoughts and they’ve all been about whipping Stark all over the arena. This wasn’t the easy way but she didn’t want the easy way. Lynch planned on bringing the chaos to Memphis.
********
Tiffany Stratton was shown in the crowd.
Rhea Ripley/Raquel Rodriguez segment
Ripley entered with Dom for a promo. Ripley said Rodriguez only got one up on her last week because she feigned an injury. Ripley said she could run down her list of accomplishments but that would take too long. The title around her waist was enough to prove everything and Rodriguez was an idiot if she thought she was taking it on Saturday.
Ripley agreed with Rodriguez that she was big and a bit tough — but she was not Rhea bloody Ripley. Mami was walking out as champion at Payback.
Rodriguez marched out. They brawled until Rodriguez sent Ripley out of the ring with a fallaway slam. Dom distracted Rodriguez and Ripley tried to take advantage with a Rip-tide but Rodriguez countered with a clothesline. Ripley backed away with Dom while telling Rodriguez she just made a big mistake.
********
Trish Stratus and Zoey Stark cut a quick promo on Lynch. Stratus called Lynch an idiot for taking this match tonight.
The announcers ran down the Payback card.
********
They aired the Terry Funk tribute video. The crowd gave a big ovation and “Terry” chants.
********
Next week on Raw:
Gunther vs. Gable for the Intercontinental Title
McIntyre & Riddle vs. Viking Raiders in a tornado tag team match
Stratus got involved a minute in by attacking Lynch with a kendo stick. Lynch fought them off and hit both women with a flying crossbody outside the ring. Stark shoved Lynch into the steel steps and hit a springboard dropkick in the ring for two.
Stratus threw a chair into the ring but it hit Stark right in the face — which very much looked like an accident. (Stratus tossed the chair in while Stark had her back turned but she turned around at exactly the wrong time.) They both played it off well. Stark brushed it off as Stratus chucked about six more chairs into the ring.
Stark tried a superplex onto the chairs but Lynch blocked it and hit a diving leg drop for two. Lynch countered Stark’s finisher into a Man-handle Slam but Stratus broke up the cover.
Lynch ran after Stratus and hit her repeatedly with a kendo stick. Stratus scampered up the ramp as Lynch continued to hit her with the stick but Stark attacked Lynch with a chair and hit a thrust kick for two.
Lynch was back in control after a break and gave Stark an exploder into the barricade for two. Lynch grabbed a table and the crowd popped but Stark dropkicked her. Stark hit Lynch repeatedly with a chair. She placed the chair on Lynch and hit a twisting senton.
Lynch chucked a chair at Stark and hit a superplex onto a chair for two. Lynch set up for a Man-handle Slam on the announce table but Stratus reappeared to stop it. Lynch fought them off momentarily but Stratus attacked her again and hit a Stratusfaction bulldog through a table. Stark made a cover for a nearfall.
They fought into an excited crowd and Lynch began fighting them off. Stark accidentally knocked Stratus off a platform and through a table. Lynch and Stark both looked shocked.
Lynch took advantage and gave Stark a Man-handle Slam off the platform through a table for the pinfall win. This wound up being pretty fun and the crowd popped big for the finish.
— Lynch was in tears as she held up a Bray Wyatt armband.
AEW descends upon London’s Wembley Stadium Sunday for All In — both the largest event in the company’s history and one of the largest in pro wrestling history.
In front of more than 80,000 fans, AEW World Champion MJF will defend against rival turned friend Adam Cole hours after they challenge Ring of Honor Tag Team Champions Aussie Open on the pre-show.
AEW Tag Team Champions FTR defend against The Young Bucks in their trilogy match.
AEW Women’s Champion Hikaru Shida will defend her title in a four-way that includes former champions Toni Storm and Britt Baker in addition to hometown favorite Saraya.
“Real World’s Champion” CM Punk will defend his ceremonial title against Samoa Joe while Will Ospreay will take on Chris Jericho in their first-ever clash.
The Golden Elite (Kenny Omega, Hangman Page & Kota Ibushi) will face Jay White, Juice Robinson & Konosuke Takeshita.
The rest of the card features Sting & Darby Allin in a coffin match, Jack Perry vs. Hook, and more.
**********
Zero Hour
Machinehead by Bush plays as Renee Paquette, Paul Wight, Anthony Ogogo & Kip Sabian welcome us to Zero Hour by quoting the late Windham Rotunda saying “wrestling is not a love story, it’s a fairytale for masochists, a comedy for people who criticize the punch lines, a fantasy most people can’t understand and a spectacle no one can deny.”
They run down the matches and have video packages before we see Powerhouse Hobbs waiting in the ring with security and a contract waiting to be signed for All In for his match with Miro. Hobbs said the people of London don’t deserve to see him, as Miro interrupted, had a faceoff with Hobbs, who tried a cheap shot, but Miro sent him to the outside. Security restrained Miro, who quickly broke free and laid them all out to stand tall, as he told Hobbs next week he will break his spine and humble him.
After some more video packages, Tony Schiavone introduced Jay Lethal, Sonjay Dutt, Satnam Singh, Jeff & Karen Jarrett to the ring, as Jeff proceeded to run down the London crowd about how American wrestling paved the way and trash talked UK wrestling. Paul Wight, Anthony Ogogo and Grado made their way out to a huge ovation. Excalibur referenced Jarrett smacking a guitar over Grado’s head during a media appearance a few weeks back. Wight & Singh had a face off and Wight KO’d Singh with a punch, while Lethal ate a choke slam. Jarrett ate a right from Ogogo before Grado got his revenge with a guitar shot.
MJF & Adam Cole defeated Aussie Open (Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis) to win the ROH Tag Team Titles
(A very fun sprint of an opener, with the crowd on fire for a majority, going crazy for the highly anticipated Kangaroo Kick and Double Clothesline by Better Than You Bay-Bay. Cole officially completes his quest on winning ROH gold he never held.)
Before Cole & MJF could do their double pose, Davis & Fletcher attacked from behind and hit the collider outside. Bell officially rang and MJF was isolated in the early going with Cole being kept from making a tag. MJF got a throat shot and wanted the Kangaroo Kick, but Fletcher put a stop to that. Finally MJF did a roll and made the hot tag to Cole, who ran wild with pump kicks and clotheslines. Fletcher avoided the Boom, but not the backstabber, which got Cole a two. Cole wanted Panama Sunrise, but opted to demolish Fletcher with a super kick instead. Cole & MJF called for the double clothesline, but Davis saved his partner. Cole got the crowd to chant for an MJF dive and he hit the ropes too long with Cole being dragged outside.
Davis & Fletcher hit double thrust kicks on MJF and connected with the Aussie Arrow for a near fall. Friendly fire from Aussie Open, as MJF hit a Kangaroo Kick that made the crowd go crazy. MJF & Cole hit the double clothesline on Fletcher that folded him up and got the three count and the titles.
-While Paquette, Wight, Sabian & Ogogo were recapping what we just saw, we cut to Mercedes Mone sitting in the crowd to a huge ovation.
-Lexy Nair is backstage with Britt Baker and said she never thought they’d be at Wembley, but also never thought she’d be complacent, which is what she’s been. Baker allowed herself to take a backseat, assuming someone would take the driver’s seat, but no one has. Tonight she walks out a bonafide star and the face of the women’s division. Baker will walk out women’s champion and re-start the era of D.M.D. Paul Wight said all the women in the title match are determined to win, but there’s a shark circling in the stands, bringing up Mercedes Mone.
HOOK defeated Jack Perry to win the FTW Title
(This didn’t go as long as I’d thought it would, but it was a solid brawl and win for HOOK. Perry is really settling into the heel role and I wonder if this is it for their feud or if there will be another chapter? Regardless, I’m looking forward to seeing what both men do next.)
Jim Ross joined commentary, as Perry rode to the stage in a limousine and was promptly met by HOOK, as Perry was whipped into the open door. As both fought to the top of the limo, Perry hit a suplex before hit a RVD Rolling Thunder on the hood. Perry told the camera “real glass, cry me a river” (a reference between the report of CM Punk’s take on Perry wanting to use real glass in a previous match), but wasted too much time and HOOK hit a fisherman’s suplex onto the windshield, shattering it. Both finally went to ringside and Perry hit a draping DDT off the barricade to regain control. Placing a trash can in front of HOOK; Perry went up top and mocked like he was going to do a RVD Coast to Coast, opting to flip off the crowd.
HOOK tried fighting back, but Perry hit rolling bridging suplexes for a few near falls and capped it with a thrust kick flush. Perry tried a moonsault on top of a trash can, but HOOK moved and leveled Perry with a lariat and trash can shot. Cross face punches led to REDRUM and despite Perry trying to fight his best, tapped out.
-Nigel McGuinness joined Excalibur & Jim Ross as we’re told CM Punk vs. Samoa Joe will kick off the main card.
AEW All In London
-Excalibur said “It’s Wembley, you know what that means” before welcoming us to the biggest night in AEW history.
CM Punk defeated Samoa Joe to retain the “AEW Real World’s Title”
(I thought this was an excellent opener, with the finish somewhat coming out of nowhere, despite it being Punk’s old finisher. The crowd was loudly behind Joe, but Punk, who played it up heel a bit, still had his share of chants. This was exactly the hard hitting opener you’d expect between these two.)
Nigel McGuinness cleverly said Joe has a Sweet Tooth for revenge. Punk smirked that he got in the first chop and used his speed early to avoid Joe’s strikes. While in a headlock, Joe slid to the floor and lit up Punk with chops. Back inside, Punk was teetering on the ropes like Terry Funk, getting chopped relentlessly. Joe tried his side step of a cross body, but Punk had it scouted and hit a hurricanrana dropping Joe on his head. Joe regained control and hit his old school ROH Ole, Ole kick outside, but Punk tried another hurricanrana off the apron, only to be caught by Joe and swung through the lower part of the announce table, busting Punk open. Joe picked Punk apart in the ring, hitting a corner charge and enzugiri with blood dripping from Punk. Signature Joe combo with the atomic drop, big boot, running senton got two, but Punk avoided a Muscle Buster into a high kick for the double down.
Punk hit the John Cena combo of shoulder tackles, spinning back suplex, then opted to get even more heat by channeling Hulk Hogan for a leg drop. Joe wasn’t having that, as he hulked up and fired off strikes and snap powerslam. Joe locked in the STF, transitioned into a crossface, but Punk escaped into a stiff high kick. The crowd is loudly booing Punk, who does the Terry Funk spinning toe hold, which Joe escaped with an inside cradle. STO connected, but again Punk avoided the Muscle Buster, this time hitting his old ROH finisher, the Pepsi Plunge and got the victory.
Konosuke Takeshita, Jay White & Juice Robinson (w/The Gunns & Don Callis) defeated The Golden Elite (Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi & Hangman Adam Page)
(What an action packed six man, with everyone getting in their offense and looking very good. You have a lot of singles matches you could do next week at All Out stemming from this result. The result certainly came out of nowhere, but it made sense to give Takeshita and especially Callis bragging rights over Omega.)
After a six man face off, it was Robinson who was isolated early by Page & Omega, who fired off chop after chop. Ibushi tagged in and Robinson bailed to tag White to reignite their rivalry from NJPW. Ibushi no sold everything White threw at him and punted White in the chest with a kick before firing off some Golden Lovers double teaming. They went to do the same on Takeshita, who had it scouted, but was sent to the floor where Omega hit his Terminator Dive. Robinson took the ref, as The Gunns held up Omega long enough for White to dodge a diving Omega and gain control. With Omega down, now Takeshita wants to pick him apart, as Callis on commentary was shown on the big screen and the crowd booed him mercilessly.
Ibushi tried to save Omega and briefly had a slugfest with Takeshita, but the numbers of White & Robinson were took much and they took out Page as well. Omega & Takeshita traded forearms until a Takeshita-line connected and White grounded Omega, even playing air guitar like Hiroshi Tanahashi before doing a dragon screw. Robinson connected on the Left Hand of God and standing senton, but Omega kicked out. Omega fought out of the corner and nearly dove for a tag, but The Gunns pulled Page & Ibushi away. That worked the first time, but after dispatching of The Gunns, Page made the hot tag and ran wild with multiple tope’s and diving lariat on White for two.
White avoided Dead Eye, as Ibushi got the blind tag and lit up White with a combo and standing moonsault. Omega & Ibushi tried their double moonsault to the floor, as Omega hit flush, but Ibushi slipped briefly on his, still getting enough. With White all alone, locomotion corner splashes led to a pop up German suplex into a half and half by Ibushi for two. Kamigoye was countered into a Uranage with the reset leading to Takeshita & Omega slugging it out. Robinson & White suffered snap dragons, as Takeshita was there to hit a Blue Thunder Bomb. Omega answered with a V-Trigger to the back and Poison Rana, Omega & Page hit You Can’t Escape on Robinson, while Page hit a Blockbuster on Takeshita. Page wanted the Buckshot, but The Gunns interfered, only to be both wiped out with a moonsault.
Buckshot was countered into a half and half by White, as Omega charged with a slam dunk, but Takeshita countered Kamigoye into a massive jumping knee. Page blindsided Takeshita with a Buckshot to the neck, as Omega caught White with a V-Trigger and one for Robinson as well. As Omega was going to go for a home run shot, Takeshita flew in and rolled up Omega for the flash pin. Page, Ibushi & Omega were shocked as Takeshita & Callis celebrated.
FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood) defeated The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) to retain the AEW Tag Team Titles
(Post match, McGuinness called this yet another classic in this title reign for FTR and I completely agree, this match was phenomenal and added to this saga between the two best tag teams in wrestling. It’s not a matter of if, but when will this happen again, as post match, the denial of a handshake means there’s still a story left to be told.)
The Bucks are rocking Freddie Mercury inspired gear for this one as an early back and forth between both teams, we got an all out slugfest leading to a double down. The Bucks kipped up and sent FTR to the outside to regroup. Nick hit a running punt kick on the apron on Harwood, while Wheeler was flattened by a Spear. Nick hit his corkscrew tornillo on both, as the crowd is split 50/50 with their chants so far. Wheeler ate a superkick, hung up in the ropes and Nick hit a Swanton for two. Wheeler remained isolated, nearly diving for a tag, but Matt hit a superkick on Harwood in mid air to prevent it. 15% miscalculation by The Bucks allowed Wheeler to make the hot tag to Harwood, running with jabs, lariats and suplexes. Three Germans from Harwood led to two Northern Lights by Matt, as each traded one more of each before a crazy amount of switches led to a number of near falls and again trading suplexes in a fun sequence.
Harwood countered a springing Nick into hit slingshot powerbomb, but he wasn’t the legal man, as Matt made the save, only to be trapped in a Sharpshooter. While on the apron, Wheeler somehow got a Sharpshooter on Nick as well until Nick powered out and launched Wheeler into the ring steps. Nick saved his brother and took out Wheeler with a moonsault leading to everyone down. The Bucks wanted a Power-Plex, but Matt & Wheeler tried double splashes, with Nick & Harwood getting their knees up. FTR hit the Spike Piledriver on Nick for a close two and the fans cheered loud. Matt saved his brother from Shatter Machine, as Nick & Harwood nearly replicated the Bulldog/Bret finish to Summerslam 92, but Nick kicked out.
Harwood collided with his partner and The Bucks answered with a Superkick Party until hitting a Spike Piledriver of their own for a near fall. Wheeler prevented a Meltzer Driver, so Nick took him out with a tope. The Bucks wanted BTE Trigger, but Harwood ducked and their knees collided. Wheeler sprinted in with a dive through the ropes on Nick, as the FTR Trigger connected into Shatter Machine, with Matt kicking out last second. Wheeler missed a 450 Splash, as The Bucks hit BTE Trigger, with Harwood breaking it up barely. Harwood knew what was in store, as he turned into Shatter Machine, while Wheeler ate another BTE Trigger, only to kick out. With every near fall, the crowd gets more and more loud. The Bucks tried Meltzer Driver, but FTR somehow countered into Shatter Machine in mid air and got the pin. Post match, FTR wanted a handshake, but The Bucks denied them.
Eddie Kingston, Orange Cassidy, Chuck Taylor, Trent Beretta & Penta El Zero Miedo defeated Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, Mike Santana & Ortiz in a Stadium Stampede Match
(First off, I know it looks like I wrote a novel about this match, but I tried my best to keep up with everything that took place. Did this maybe go too long, sure, but you can’t say this match didn’t deliver the blood and wild moments. This match was crazy and lived up to the Stadium Stampede billing.)
Kingston sprinted down the aisle to meet Castagnoli. Best Friends & Proud and Powerful had a face off in the ring and reignited their rivalry from their classic Parking Lot Fight. Taylor hit a somersault suicida onto Ortiz & Santana, but trash can shots put them back in control. Meanwhile, Kingston & Castagnoli brawled into the crowd with Moxley using what I think was a branding iron on the side of the head of Beretta. Penta saved Beretta from a Street Sweeper by using chair shots and Sling Blades, but a backstabber barely connected. Moxley hit a springing Penta with a Paradigm Shift, as Moxley, in fact, is bleeding first. We get a split screen now with Kingston & Castagnoli and Yuta & Taylor paired off.
Moxley goes to the bag that Yuta brought to the ring and wanted to use skewers, but the tables were quickly turned and it was Penta who used the skewers, which the crowd couldn’t believe. With some of the skewers still in the head of Moxley, Penta hit Made in Penta for two as we see Kingston & Castagnoli battling into the royal box level of Wembley. Santana connected with a piledriver onto a chair onto Penta, as the doctors had to come out and check him as a result, with Penta ultimately being helped to the back. As this was happening, Cassidy tried his little kicks on Moxley, who brought out a fork and stabbed Cassidy relentlessly, busting Cassidy open. A violent brainbuster onto a set up chair led to Moxley raking a barbed wire board onto Beretta. We then saw back in the parking lot Yuta suplexing Taylor onto a set up guard rail.
Taylor & Kingston fought with Castagnoli & Yuta up in the box seats and used umbrellas as weapons, Kingston jamming the umbrella into the mouth of Yuta. McGuinness did make a Mary Poppins reference while this was going on. Kingston had a bottle smashed over his head by Castagnoli, while back in the ring, Beretta had his legs swept out of the corner and smashed onto a ladder before Santana & Ortiz followed with a powerbomb onto the steel, Beretta is bleeding now as well, as Moxley hit a suplex onto a barbed wire board. Beretta was dropped with a piledriver on the steps, as Ortiz stabbed away at Cassidy more with the fork.
Taylor & Beretta were thrown up the ramp and surrounded by everyone except Ortiz, who was setting up tables ringside. We then see a van drive up to the stage and it was indeed Beretta’s mother, Sue, who Moxley walked up to and kissed, which caused Beretta to explode and fight back. Sue handed her son & Taylor some trays of cookies, which they waffled The BCC with. The music for Penta Oscuro hit, as Penta appeared to no longer be injured and in different gear, as Penta & Santana fought onto a ladder, which broke initially, but they still hit a Destroyer off it through set up tables. A barely conscious Yuta was in the ring and Best Friends group hugged him to give the people what they wanted before beating him down.
Yuta tried to use the screwdriver on Taylor, who dodged and hit the Awful Waffle, but Moxley quickly answered with a dive outside. Castagnoli blocked Orange Punch into the Giant Swing. As the swing was still going on, Beretta superplexed Ortiz to the floor through tables, while Moxley slammed Taylor onto I believe Legos on the floor. Cassidy taped his hand with the sticky part on the outside, broke a bottle and dipped his hand in the glass, but Moxley cut Cassidy off before it could do damage. Cassidy did manage a Tornado DDT onto the broken glass, but Castagnoli hit a pop up uppercut to follow.
A bleeding Kingston walked out from backstage, holding a barbed wire chair and hit everyone that moved until Moxley tried to stop him. Kingston started firing off spinning backfists on Castagnoli & Moxley, who he ultimately tackled through a set up corner table. Cassidy popped up and hit an Orange Punch wrapped in glass on Castagnoli got the win in this chaotic war.
Saraya defeated Hikaru Shida, Toni Storm & Dr. Britt Baker to win the AEW Women’s Title
(A great moment and celebration for The Knight Family, as the hometown girl, who at one point of her career, never thought she’d wrestle again, now wins the title in front of 80,000 plus fans. I think it’s safe to say The Outcasts have officially imploded, as Shida & Baker not involved in the pin certainly gives them some gripe to get a title shot. Commentary also mentioned Mercedes Mone being in attendance and brought up how she might have something to say as well.)
Queen’s “We Will Rock You” played as Saraya made her entrance with her family. “God Save the Queen” played for Storm’s entrance, as McGuinness on commentary compared her to Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor, among others. He also talked about how Baker must’ve handed out business cards around London, as she could be a millionaire with the possible business, which I got a kick out of.
Storm & Saraya dispatched of Shida early with a double powerbomb, as Baker was able to fight off both Outcasts initially, but the numbers were too much. Storm hit Sweet Cheek Music, but Saraya & Storm couldn’t figure out who would make the cover. Shida hit a double noggin knocker before suplexing Saraya into Storm. Ten corner punches on Storm was broke up with Saraya slamming Shida on the apron, as Storm had Saraya’s mother hold onto Baker, as Storm charged and accidentally wiped out Saraya’s mother. This infuriated Saraya, as Storm tried to plead her innocence, but led to a brawl. Storm got the upper hand, exposed the bottom turnbuckle and Ruby Soho ran to the ring to play peacemaker, but Storm popped her with a forearm and that was it for Soho.
Shida flew in with a missile dropkick, but Baker was there with a spinning neckbreaker. A Baker thrust kick caused Storm to fall onto Saraya for a cover, as Saraya was furious it happened, so she locked on the former PTO submission, which Baker hit a Curb Stomp for two. Shida, Baker & Saraya traded strikes until Shida hit a Falcon Arrow on Baker onto Saraya. Shida hit a Meteora and Katana kick, but Baker was there to apply the Lockjaw. With the submission applied, Baker didn’t realize Saraya sprayed Storm in the eyes with the spray paint and hit the Knight Cap to get the pin and win the title. Post match, The Knight Family jumped in the ring to celebrate the victory.
Darby Allin & Sting defeated Swerve Strickland (w/Prince Nana) & Christian Cage in a Coffin Match
(Sting is 64 ladies and gentlemen, 64; I just want us all to remember that. We can question how Allin’s body is holding up, but the same can be said for Sting, as he’s defying the odds. This was such a fun match and a lot more fun than I thought it’d be. These four men absolutely crushed it. The usage of Metallica at the start was icing on the cake for me.)
Flash Garments & DJ Whoo Kid rapped Strickland & Nana to the ring. Meanwhile, Sting & Allin had a really great video walking the streets of London, with Sting wearing a top hat, half of his face as Joker and the other the Crow. When making their official entrance, Sting’s old theme, Seek & Destroy by Metallica played in an incredible moment. Sting & Cage had an early face off, as Allin pulled out two coats covered in thumbtacks from the coffin. Sting lit up Nana & Strickland with a cricket bat before tandem Coffin & Stinger splashes connected while wearing the jackets. Cage came in and chop blocked the leg of Sting, as he & Allin ate Spears before they ripped the jackets off. Cage taped the wrists of Allin behind his back, while Strickland used the cricket bat on Sting outside.
Cage missed a corner charge and Allin hit a no handed springing moonsault before hitting a running dive on Strickland. Allin broke free as Sting almost slammed Strickland into the coffin, but Cage kicked the lid shut at the last moment. Back inside, Cage wanted a Con-Chair-To, missed, as he laid out Strickland with a float over stunner on the apron. With Strickland draped over a table, Sting leapt off the apron once and it didn’t break, so Sting tried again and hit a massive legdrop to successfully shatter it. Excalibur with the line of the night saying Sting letting 80,000 plus know he is the table. Allin set up Cage on a chair and hit a shotgun dropkick off the top rope to the floor.
Cage was about to have the coffin door shut, but Luchasaurus appeared from behind to make the save and Snake Eyes Allin into the closed coffin door. Nick Wayne showed up and cracked Luchasaurus with a skateboard, but it was no sold and Luchasaurus hit a head butt and chokeslam onto the skateboard and took him backstage. Sting set up Strickland on top of the coffin and Allin tried a Coffin Drop off the top, but missed and Allin crashed insanely hard. The sound of the thud made was pretty gross, as Sting was left to go at it 2 on 1 in the ring. With the Scorpion Death Lock on Cage, Strickland hit a chair shot from behind, which Sting no sold. Cage hit a low blow with the bat, as Strickland hit the Swerve Stomp.
Cage laid out Allin ringside, as Strickland had Sting in the coffin, which had been brought in the ring. Strickland threw the bat in the coffin, as this allowed Sting to keep it from closing. Sting escaped, ate a Kill Shot kick, but took way too long on the top and missed a 450 onto the coffin. Allin outside fought back with a TNT Title shot to the face of Cage, as Sting laid out Strickland with a Death Drop on top of the coffin. With Strickland half stuck in the coffin, Allin did a Coffin Drop on top of it and slammed the door shut to win a wild spectacle.
Will Ospreay (w/Don Callis) defeated Chris Jericho (w/Sammy Guevara)
(This was another really good match, with Ospreay taking advantage of the home turf and the crowd being behind him. There was one spot with Jericho trying an OsCutter and both men clonked heads pretty good, but aside from that, these two certainly delivered in my book. I also really enjoyed this being a one on one match, with no outside interference. The post match is another chapter in Jericho not having many allies left, as Guevara was left on his own watching Jericho walk off.)
Jericho channeled his best Freddie Mercury Ay-Oh impression before Fozzy played Judas live for the Wembley crowd. Ospreay got his wish and had Elevated for his entrance, as the crowd was loudly behind him, with amazing pyro going off during it. We saw footage of Jericho attacking Ospreay last night at the RevPro show after Ospreay’s match with Shingo Takagi. Osperay shook off Jericho’s early and hit a Sky Twister Press outside that clipped Jericho on the head. Back inside, Osperay hit Pip Pip Cheerio, as both traded chops and big boots into a double down.
Ospreay was sent to the apron and Jericho hit his springing dropkick and baseball slide outside. Back on the apron, Jericho folded up Ospreay with a German, as Ospreay was shaking out his right arm as a result. Jericho targeted the upper back of Ospreay until a standing shooting star put Ospreay back in control. It was short lived, as Jericho fought back with a top rope hurricanrana. Osperay got his knees up to avoid a Lionsault, draped Jericho on the top and hit his Shooting Star splash. After countering their finishers, Jericho hit a Code Breaker to the back of Ospreay, who was looking for an OsCutter. A proper Code Breaker got a near fall, as Ospreay answered with a hook kick and OsCutter for two. Jericho incredibly countered Storm Breaker into a flipping hurricanrana into the Walls of Jericho.
Ospreay got free, as Jericho charged right into a Spanish Fly, as Ospreay wanted Hidden Blade, but ran into another Code Breaker and OsCutter from Jericho, who nearly landed on his own head in the process. It was very awkward, as Ospreay kicked out and hulked up into a forearm exchange. Jericho hit a mule kick with referee Aubrey being unaware, as a Judas Effect connected for two. Ospreay floated up and hit a massive powerbomb, as both went for home run shots, Ospreay hitting Hidden Blade first and then Storm Breaker, only for Jericho to kick out. The elbow pad was removed, as Jericho flipped Ospreay off and dared him to hit him, as Ospreay charged for Hidden Blade and another Storm Breaker to win it. Post match, Sammy Guevara tried to console Jericho, but he was shoved away multiple times, with Jericho leaving on his own.
-Nigel McGuinness went to the ring to thank the 81,035 paid attendance record for tonight’s event.
The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens & Max Caster) & Billy Gunn defeated The House of Black (Malakai Black, Brody King & Buddy Matthews w/Julia Hart) to win the AEW Trios Titles
(I think they tried to cram too much stuff into this. Also the House Rules just popping up whenever they choose is kind of strange, as No Holds Barred was fine, but I think it resulted in a clunky match. That said, this result was the only way to go, with The Acclaimed & Gunn losing their first two shots at the Trios Titles. This also gives House of Black something to do outside of Trios tags in the future.)
House of Black paid tribute to the late Windham Rotunda by having a lantern during their entrance, as the fireflies in the crowd lit up. Commentary paid respects to Rotunda as well. We’re told this was House Rules, which happens just randomly I guess, as The Acclaimed & Gunn have selected No Holds Barred. Black hit an early moonsault outside on Caster, while Gunn & King fought ringside. Matthews flipped over the top to take out The Acclaimed, as Gunn teased a dive, put on the brakes and it was King who did a dive instead. Gunn again teased a dive, but Julia Hart stepped in and slapped him. Gunn told her to suck it and The Acclaimed hit Scissor Me Timbers on Hart. Yes, Taz made a yambag reference, which he realized didn’t apply in this situation, which was hysterical.
We once again see Mercedes Mone watching from the stands, as the House of Black took over, but King missed a charging senton on Gunn against the railing. Gunn drove a chair onto King’s head, but was surrounded by Black & Matthews, who both ate a double clothesline by Gunn. Locomotion splashes led to Gunn missing a Fame-Asser, but hit the One and Only for two. Bowens hit The Arrival on Black, as the match broke down with Bowens dropping Matthews with a right hand, but the House of Black hit triple corner charges for a near fall. King is bleeding from earlier in the match, as he wrapped a chain around his fist, but accidentally cracked Black.
Caster low bridged King, while Gunn & Caster took turns hitting Fame-Assers on Matthews. Hart again intervened, which allowed Black to hit The End kick on Gunn, who kicked out. House of Black went for Dante’s Inferno, but wiggled free, as Bowens hit The Arrival on King, Caster connected on The Mic Drop, but King kicked out at one. Gunn hit another Fame-Asser, an Arrival by Bowens and second Mic Drop by Caster got the win and the titles. Post match, the House of Black didn’t want to initially give up their belts, but showed respect and awarded them to Gunn, Caster & Bowens, who said Gunn deserves this moment. Despite being Bad Ass tonight, they scissored with Daddy Ass in celebration.
MJF defeated Adam Cole to retain the AEW World Title
(What a story these two told, from the opening few minutes of friendship, to things getting more intense throughout, each man couldn’t pull the trigger for the home run shot. They couldn’t find it in themselves to cheat to win. An excellent performance by champion and challenger, with the crowd being there every step of the way. Friendship won out tonight, but there’s no telling when the wheels of this team will fall off, I’m thinking sooner rather than later.)
Cole had a standard entrance, while MJF came to the ring on a gold throne and wore his devil mask, ladies kneeling and bowing in masks down the aisle. From the opening match of the 2018 All In to the main event in 2023, it’s been quite the journey for the AEW World Champion.
Being brochachos, MJF & Cole put their tag team shirts on at the bell and wanted a right down the middle match with drop downs and leap frogs with headlocks into a stalemate. A Fargo Strut and Rude hip swivel from MJF nearly led to him eating a superkick, which he dodged and Cole did his pose. MJF started a sportsmanship chant, but poked Cole in the eyes to He’s A Scumbag chants. Cole slapped MJF and the match picked up with Cole hitting the fireman’s carry neckbreaker on the knee. Both men took turns pulling the others hairs into a slam, as MJF faked a dive, turned his back and ate a superkick for two. Cole said they might be friends, but he’s better than MJF, as he ripped the shirt off MJF, who hulked up, but Cole raked the eyes. MJF blocked a superkick and ran wild with corner punches in bunches, whipping Cole violently to follow.
MJF was again tempted by a dive and successfully did it this time, as he was stunned like everyone else. A double stomp to the arm off the second back inside led to a wild series of near falls until MJF bridged out of a jackknife cover and caught a Cole leap frog into a powerbomb on his knee. Cole responded by hitting MJF’s own Heatseeker, but MJF got his foot on the ropes. MJF was sent into the steps outside, as Cole followed with a violent sheer drop brainbuster onto the steps and Taz said it was right in front of MJF’s parents, who are sitting ringside. MJF didn’t move until 9 and broke the count, as I wonder why Cole even wanted to win by countout there.
Cole wanted the Panama Sunrise, but MJF rolled outside, so he could sweep the legs of Cole on the apron. MJF cleared the announce table, but couldn’t bring himself to Tombstone his best friend. Cole meanwhile, pulled the trigger just fine, as once MJF came back, Cole dropped him with the Tombstone on the table and got a two count back inside. Cole was able to hit a Destroyer back inside, but the momentum allowed MJF to hit a kick before collapsing together. Both men rose to their feet and yelled for Double Clotheslines, as they collided at the same time, both men’s arms draped over the other and referee Bryce counted the double pin. Justin Roberts called the match a Draw and Cole demanded 5 more minutes just like their last match. MJF declined and said they’re going until they have a winner in f*cking Wembley.
Both men got quick roll ups and Cole charged, but collided with referee Bryce, as MJF is smirking and grabbed a chair. Both men tried channeling Eddie Guerrero and played hot potato with the chair until Cole bumped, so MJF wrapped the chair around his head and played dead. Cole couldn’t believe it as Bryce recovered and saw the chair, but MJF got a school boy for two; hit a thrust kick and Heatseeker for a near fall. To the apron they went, as Cole hit a Florida Key on the edge of the ring and Panama Sunrise onto the floor, but MJF kicked out back inside. Cole wanted a proper one in the ring, but MJF pulled Bryce in and Cole laid out the ref with a Panama Sunrise.
MJF reached in his trunks for the Dynamite Diamond Ring, but like the Tombstone, couldn’t pull the trigger and put the ring away. Roderick Strong appeared from behind and punted MJF low, as Cole turned and didn’t realize what happened. Strong told Cole to finish it, as Cole hit a Panama Sunrise and lowered The Boom, but no referee, as he got a visible three. Bryce recovered and MJF kicked out officially at two. Strong threw the AEW Title at Cole and told him to use it, as Cole took his shirt off, but couldn’t bring himself to do it. Strong stormed to the back, as MJF surprised Cole with an inside cradle and got the flash pin. Cole was left in shock.
Post match, MJF said the crowd still loves Cole and MJF got lucky, as Cole is in tears. MJF grabbed the ROH Tag Titles and said Cole still has them, as he slapped them away. MJF broke down and called Cole a fake piece of s*it and threw the AEW Title at Cole, saying he was never his friend, turning his back and telling Cole to hit him. Roderick Strong appeared again on the apron yelling for Cole to do it, but Cole threw down the belt again and hugged MJF. Cole & MJF stood tall with their hands raised as pyro went off and confetti poured down with The Kingdom consoling Roderick Strong on the aisle.
Excalibur informs us AEW is returning to London and Wembley for All In next year on August 25.
The Knockouts title will be on the line in the headliner for Sunday’s Emergence streaming special from Impact Wrestling.
After defeating Deonna Purrazzo for the gold at July’s Slammiversary, Trinity will defend for the first time and against the former champion in a rematch.
Impact World Champion Alex Shelley will be in eight-man tag team action as he teams with former champion Josh Alexander, KUSHIDA & Chris Sabin against Bully Ray, Moose, Brian Myers & Lio Rush.
Impact Tag Team Champions Subculture (Flash Morgan Webster & Mark Andrews) will defend against The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz) while the Knockouts Tag Team Champions MK Ultra (Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly) will defend in a four-way.
IWGP World Champion and former X-Division Champion SANADA will make his return to Impact as he faces Jake Something in a non-title match.
The rest of the card from Toronto features a Kenny King Digital Media title defense, a no DQ battle between Eric Young and Deaner and more.
*********
Mike Bailey defeated Alan Angels
This match was awesome, and they will be hard pressed to have a better one on the main card.
Mike Bailey was very over with this Canadian audience for Impact Emergence. Bailey took most of the early portions of the match, hitting kicks, a triangle moonsault to the floor, and many other fast paced moves. Angels managed to trap Bailey’s head in the top turnbuckle, but instead of the superkick to the face, Angels hit a dropkick. Angels and Bailey then exchanged a series of strikes, which included an awesome spinning kick from Bailey, before Angels hit a lariat and both men were down.
Angels went to the top rope, but Bailey cut him off. Angels trapped the head in the turnbuckle again, but Bailey fought out. Angels pulled Bailey from the top rope, sending him crashing back first onto the turnbuckles. Angels then hit a frog splash and a twisting butterfly suplex for a 2-count. Angels went for a it a second time, but Bailey back body dropped Angels and hit a moonsault into double knees on Angels.
Bailey missed a tornado kick but managed to hit a standing Spanish fly on Angels for a 2-count. Angels went behind Bailey and snapped his neck like a movie neck break. This did not break Bailey’s neck and kill him, thankfully. Bailey hit a tornado kick in the corner before hitting Ultima weapon for the win.
while Canada was not. This got heat in Canada, as America is the foreign heel outside of the US.
This led to Joe Hendry and Yuya Uemura making their entrance to a brand new theme played by and produced by Joe Hendry. Hendry and Uemura came out with matching gear and danced like a boy band down to the ring, and it was incredible.
JoYa (Joe Hendry & Yuya Uemura) defeated The Good Hands (Jason Hotch & John Skylar)
This was a ton of fun, and there is absolutely a tag team title run in waiting for Hendry and Uemura eventually. It must happen.
Hendry and Uemura were very over with the audience, easily getting the crowd behind them no matter what they did in this one. It was not long before Hotch and Skylar were getting the heat on Uemura. Hendry kept getting fired up and trying to save his partner, but the official kept cutting him off. However, this referee was a smart one, and she noticed that Hotch and Skylar changed places without tagging, and demanded they switch, which allowed Uemura to recover enough to escape their grasp and tag out to Hendry.
Hendry sent Hotch into a front facelock by his own partner, and then hit a neckbreaker on Skylar to drive Hotch down with a DDT. Hendry then picked up Skylar in a running powerslam position and launched him into a cutter from Uemura for the 3-count.
Impact Emergence 2023 Main Card
–The show opened with a very nice tribute picture to Terry Funk and Windham Rotunda before having a 10-bell salute.
Eric Young defeated Deaner (w/ Kon) in a No DQ match
Young hit the ropes as the match started and hit a tope suicida to the floor on Kon. Young pulled a ladder out from under the ring and hit Kon with it before coming back in the ring. Young dumped Deaner onto the ladder, but as Young hit the ropes, Deaner responded with a drop toe hold that sent Young face first onto the ladder. Kon pulled the ladder through the ropes while Young was on it, sending him crashing to the floor.
Deaner hit Young with some cookie sheets in the ring. Deaner grabbed a staple gun and tried to use it on Young. Young tried to fight out of it, so Deaner raked his eyes and stapled the hand of Young. Deaner sent Young into a chair in the corner. On the outside, Kon got involved again, but Young managed to handcuff him to the corner. Young stapled the hand of Deaner, and was about to piledrive him on a pair of chairs, but Kon ripped and broke the handcuffs, came into the ring, and chokeslammed Young through the chairs for a 2-count.
Deaner tried to get Kon to help him with a spike piledriver, but Young fought out and hit a Death Valley Driver on both men onto a barbed wire board before hitting a piledriver on Deaner on the board for the win.
–Gia Miller was backstage interviewing Joe Hendry & Yuya Uemura and Uemura asked if Gia could give him a JoYa, and Gia proceeded to sing it with gusto. This was great.
–We got a video of Taylor Wilde sitting on the floor as doctors checked on her, and KiLynn King blamed Jody Threat for it. Threat denied it. Santino showed up and made them a team to replace Wilde, while calling Threat “Jody Treats.”
Impact Knockouts World Tag Team Champions MK Ultra (Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly) defeated Death Dollz (Jessicka & Courtney Rush), Jody Threat & KiLynn King, & Gisele Shaw & Savannah Evans
This wasn’t too bad, and was given enough time for the fans to get into it, especially with getting the heat on Kelly. MK Ultra is a great team, and Impact is doing a great job establishing them.
Shaw and Slamovich started the match, but the action got particularly violent once Slamovich and King were in the ring beating on each other. King and Kelley ended up in the ring, but the Death Dollz baited King in and tagged in on King, letting Jessicka hit a running crossbody on Kelly, but she missed the Evans blind tagged in. Shawn and Evans then targeted Kelly, getting the heat.
King managed to tag back in and resume beating on Kelly. Threat asked for the tag, but King kept refusing. Threat protested again, and King tagged her hard, so Threat continued working over Kelly. Threat hit a German suplex on Kelly before tagging out to Rush, and cheering before realizing that King was her partner, and not Death Dollz.
The announcers noted this was the second time Death Dollz lured an opponent in for a tag. Kelly managed to hit a double DDT on Death Dollz and the tag was made to Masha Slamovich, who started murdering everyone. As Slamovich was taking everyone out, Rush rolled her up for a 2-count. Everyone started hitting big moves after this, ending with Kelly dumping Threat to the floor with a lariat. After clearing the ring MK Ultra hit what looked like a double team Ganso bomb/Kawada driver for the win.
–Johnny Swinger was with Gia Miller, and he called her Vanna, before saying that he told Greg Gagne to take a year off and come back as a tag rope, and asked Miller to smarten him up to “this internet gimmick”. Miller then asked if Swinger had what it took to win, and Swinger suddenly got serious, saying he has wondered that since he was 12 and his uncle was wrestling in Maple Leaf Gardens. He said that he used to sleep in ring trucks and setup the ring before he broke in, and that he was going to win tonight because it all came to this for him. This was actually awesome.
Impact Digital Media Champion Kenny King (w/ Sheldon Jean) defeated Johnny Swinger
I wanted Swinger to win this match so badly, and it made me sad that he lost here.
King was surprisingly aggressive in this match, but soon paid for it, as Swinger kicked the middle rope into King’s lower regions. Swinger then said he was going to use his head and fell over hitting a headbutt to the breadbasket. King didn’t go down for a shoulder tackle, and Swinger protested. King told him to stay there, and they hit the ropes and did a crisscross until Swinger jumped over a drop down and hit an elbow.
King distracted the referee, allowing Sheldon Jean to choke Swinger on the ropes. Swinger ended up hitting a slingshot into a flipping leg drop on King, which was entirely unexpected. Swinger said he was going to go for a dive, and King was pulled out of the way by Jean. Swinger went to the top rope, and Jean got on the apron to try and get involved, and as he jumped off he shoved the ropes and Swinger crashed on the ropes. The referee ejected Jean, and as she was doing that, Heath ran in and hit a Wake Up Call on King. Swinger then went to the top rope to try a moonsault, but King cut him off and hit the Royal Flush for the win.
–King and Jean continued beating down Swinger after the match. Tommy Dreamer and security came out to defend Swinger, and King laid out Dreamer. I am not a fan of this transition unless Swinger and Dreamer become a team and Dreamer helps him win this Digital Media title.
–Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, Josh Alexander, and KUSHIDA were backstage talking about how Bully Ray, Moose, Lio Rush, and Brian Myers were facing them tonight. KUSHIDA promised that they would not escape.
The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachery Wentz) defeated Subculture (Mark Andrews & Flash Morgan Webster) (w/ Dani Luna) to become the Impact World Tag Team Champions
This match was awesome. A little overbooked with false finishes, but it was excellent. I expected the Rascalz to win here, and it was the right call for now. Subculture are definitely an act that Impact should keep using though, as they are consistently great.
Miguel and Andrews started the match, with Miguel surprisingly engaging in the ground game with Andrews. Andrews can high fly well, but the ground game usually goes far for those trained in the British style, and Andrews did not disappoint, hitting a dead arm drag on Miguel. Wentz pulled Miguel from the ring to help them reset. The reset worked and the Rascalz were able to isolate Flash Morgan Webster and get the heat on him for several minutes.
Wentz almost got a kimura on Webster, but Webster made it to the ropes to escape, Miguel hit a back suplex onto the apron on Webster before hitting a slingshot senton from the apron to the inside. Wentz hit a double stomp to the arm of Webster, continuing where he left off with the submission.
Webster managed to kick away from Wentz and tag out to Andrews, who ran wild taking both men out, and then Subculture hit stereo tope con giros to the floor on both men. Webster missed a 450 splash, but rolled through and tagged out to Andrews, who hit a double team blue thunder bomb on Miguel for a 2-count.
Both teams exchanged strikes in the middle of the ring until Subculture hit stereo headbutts, but then all 4 kicked up, and The Rascalz hit a spectacular series of kicks. Miguel and Wentz went for a double team move where Miguel did a moonsault and Wentz shoved him in midair into landing on Webster. However, he got the knees up and a Canadian destroyer was hit. Subculture missed a tope, letting the Rascalz hit hot fire & flame from the ramp to the floor onto both men.
Miguel hit a Cross Rhodes on Andrews but it was broken up. While Miguel sprayed Andrews with paint, ABC came down to keep The Rascalz from cheating to win. The Good Hands came down and everyone brawled around until Dani Luna hit a crossbody off the top rope onto the Good Hands. Andrews hit Miguel with the Stundog Millionaire and Webster hit a senton for a 2-count. Wentz ran in and they isolated Webster again and hit a double stomp into burning hammer on Webster for the win.
Bully Ray, Brian Myers, Moose, and Lio Rush were backstage and Ray was thrilled about Rush being there, saying that he was smiling because he was glad to finally be on their side. Ray said he was now included in the group text, and Rush said that he had always been ready, but he wondered if Bully Ray was because of PCO. Moose said not to worry about that, and that they were all scumbags while Rush was a scumbag in training.
–We saw Deonna Purrazzo & Trinity preparing for their match.
Eddie Edwards defeated Frankie Kazarianin a Back to School match
This would have been much better as a live match, but honestly, it wasn’t bad. I hope their next match is live and given time, as they’re both great workers.
When the announcers pitched to the match, they had tech trouble and couldn’t get the video to play right away. We saw Kazarian entering the school with a voice over from an old Killer Kowalski promo before entering the school. It fade to Eddie Edwards pulling up to the school with a Jeep the same colour as he green gear. Colour coordination in the heel here, while the same nostalgic music played.
Edwards paused at the same places Kazarian did, noting the photographs of their trainer, and the one signed to Kazarian. The music then got serious as they both entered the gym. Kazarian tried to explain what happened with him accidentally hitting Alisha Edwards. Edwards asked if it hurt Kazarian when he beat Bobby Lashley for the Impact title, or when he became the first foreigner to win the GHC championship in NOAH, rather than him. Edwards than sat in Kowalski’s chair, essentially saying that he was the true successor to their trainer.
Kazarian hit a cheap shot and they got into the ring and started fighting. Kazarian dumped Edwards to the floor but ate a drop toe hold into Kowalski’s chair from Edwards. Kazarian used the gym equipment to hit a hurricanrana on Edwards before throwing him into a pillar. Kazarian hit a springboard leg drop before going for the chicken wing. Edwards fought out and hit a backpack stunner for a 2-count. Edwards went for a Tiger driver, but Kazarian hit an inverted piledriver. Alisha Edwards came in and distracted Kazarian at this point, letting Edwards hit the Boston Knee Party for the win. He then kissed his wife over Kowalski’s chair and left.
Kazarian sadly went back to the photo table, and Alisha Edwards hit Kazarian with a kendo stick while Edwards taunted him, calling him a failure. Eddie Edwards then broke the photo Kazarian brought to the gym over Kazarian’s head, leaving him laying.
SANADA (Just 5 Guys) defeated Jake Something
This was a very good match, with SANADA being treated as a star by the Impact audience and Something looking like he could keep up with the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. Something didn’t win, but he definitely walked out of this with higher stock. SANADA also got a bit of a nice homecoming with Impact, since he spent his excursion there.
SANADA entered wearing his Great Muta tribute gear. It wasn’t long into the match before SANADA tied Something up in the ropes with the paradise lock. SANADA hit a dropkick to release him and then a few elbows. Something flipped backwards out of a back suplex and then hit a Vader body press and a clothesline for a 2-count.
Matt Rehwoldt noted that Something would get a championship opportunity at the IWGP World Heavyweight Champinship if he beat SANADA. You can take the man out of WWE, but it’s harder to take the WWE speak out of the man. To his credit, Hannifan called the title a belt after this though, so take that Vince McMahon!
SANADA hit a plancha to the floor on Something, which got the crowd on their feet. SANADA hit a forearm from the apron but missed a dive off the top ropes, causing him to roll through and end up in the opposite corner, with no time before Something hit a huge spear in the corner on SANADA. SANADA managed to hit the ropes and float over from a Destino into a skull end on Something. Something managed to power out, but SANADA hit a magic whip on Something.
SANADA hit a TKO on Something, but Something kicked out at 2. SANADA then followed up with a big moonsault, but Something kicked out again to the surprise of the fans. SANADA almost hit deadfall, but Something countered out and then caught a moonsault attempt with a Greetings from Asbury Park for a 2-count.
SANADA hit a dropkick, and tried to hit a hurricanrana, but Something rolled through it, hanging onto SANADA’s leg, and hitting a powerbomb for 2. The crowd started to get into Something more here, beyond just cheering SANADA, which I think is the point of this match. Something went for into the void, but SANADA hit an enziguri and a shining wizard before going for deadfall again, but Something powered out yet again and hit a big right hand on SANADA. Something went for into the void again, but SANADA quickly countered into deadfall for the win.
Josh Alexander & Time Machine (Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, & KUSHIDA) defeated Bully Ray, Lio Rush, Moose, & Myers
I’m really not sure about pinning Alexander right now when you’re probably warming him up to face Shelley, but they got time to warm him up again before Bound for Glory in October. This was a fun, but definitely overbooked, tag match. That said, it was still quite good.
Ray, rather nicely, said into the camera during his entrance, “God bless the Funker, and God bless the Fiend” before going right back into character and hugging Lio Rush, which Rush did not look thrilled about.
Myers spent the early parts of the match getting beaten up by the entire babyface turn, which is his role, and Shelley continued working over the arm like he did on Impact on Thursday. Myers protested this attack, as one does, and tagged out to Moose. Moose then pointed at Alexander. Alexander put Moose in the tree of woe and then did the “O Canada” that Petey Williams used to do.
Sabin tagged in and went to the top rope, but Bully Ray cut him off and tagged in. The announcers noted how Ray hated Sabin since Sabin beat him for the Impact World Championship years ago. The announcers speculated that this was only a team for Ray until something more valuable was presented to him, which is actually a great point about his character. It’s a little thing, but a way for new viewers to become acquainted with characters. Really good job by Rehwoldt here.
Ray decided to pull a table out despite this being a normal tag match. Josh Alexander responded to Ray by pulling out a table of his own. Sabin went for a sunset flip on Myers, but Myers tagged out to Moose before the move was hit and was able to resume beating on Sabin. Nice little spot to keep the heat. Sabin managed to hit an enziguri on Myers, which finally let him tag out to Alexander who suplexed everyone all over the ring, including catching Rush as he went for Rush Hour.
Moose tried to powerbomb Alexander, but Alexander countered and tried for a C4 Spike. Moose countered out and ran up the ropes to try and hit his crossbody, but Alexander dodged and locked on an ankle lock. Myers ran all the way around the ring, climbed the ropes, and hit a flying elbow on the referee to save Moose.
Time Machine took out Myers with a triple kick in the corner. Sabin tried to hit a suicide dive on Moose, but Moose caught him and hit a uranage through the table that Ray setup earlier. That looked brutal, as the table broke in several places and Sabin went through it like butter. Moose fought off the hoverboard lock from KUSHIDA and walked him around the ring to place him on the other table allowing Rush to hit the Final Hour off the top rope to the floor through the table.
Ray then went directly after Shelley, and asked for another table from Moose. Ray went to powerbomb Sabin off the ramp and through the table, but Shelley tried to fight back, hitting a superkick on Moose. Right as Ray cut him off and went for the powerbomb though, the lights went out and came back up with PCO fighting with Ray on the ramp.
PCO then tried to chokeslam Ray off the ramp and through the table, but Myers made another save, low blowing PCO. Ray, Moose, and Myers then powerbombed PCO off the stage through the table, but PCO immediately sat up and no sold it and the crowd roared. That was awesome. As PCO chased after Bully Ray, Steve Maclin ran in and took out PCO from behind before brawling with Alexander. Unfortunately, as this happened, the camera caught PCO just standing up and walking off stage casually.
Security ran out to break them up, as they continued to try and brawl. Everyone seemed to forget there was a match going on, and again, to the credit of the announcers, they pointed this out. Alexander walked back to the ring and got hit with a uranage from Moose. Moose missed a spear, but got his feet on the ropes for a pinfall attempt. Alexander kicked out. Shelley and Alexander crashed into each other when Myers shoved Alexander, leading to Shelley and Alexander arguing. Alexander turned around and got hit with a spear from Moose, and managed to get the pin.
–Impact aired a video, showing that Jordynne Grace was returning to Impact at Victory Road. It seems she has signed with Impact again.
Impact Knockouts World Champion Trinity defeated Deonna Purrazzo to retain
This was a decent match. Trinity’s in ring still isn’t quite there, but that doesn’t really matter if you are over, and she absolutely is. She comes across as a star, and she is so easy to root for, so all of that overcomes a lot. This was still a perfectly fine match, and both women worked very hard, and I’m happy to see them both be highlighted as a main event act. You have to think Trinity vs. Jordynne Grace will happen down the line with Grace coming back to Impact as well.
Gail Kim joined the commentary team for the match, talking about her own history with both Trinity and Purrazzo, back to the start of their careers. Purrazzo took down Trinity, but Trinity managed to hit an axe kick, and also two kicks from the ropes on Purrazzo. Purrazzo slowed it down after this for the next few minutes, taking it to the mat. Both went down with a double clothesline, and I think one fan screamed “Double clothesline!” ala MJF/Cole, which made me chuckle.
Trinity was able to get back on top with a Samoan drop and then a crossbody off the top rope for a 2-count. Purrazzo went right to the arm of Trinity, hitting a Pentagon Jr. style arm breaker on Trinity before hitting a Russian legsweep and floating over into a Fujiwara armbar. Trinity managed to make it to the ropes to break the submission.
Trinity drove Purrazzo face first into the mat and then hit a split legged moonsault for a 2-count. Purrazzo hit a superplex on Trinity, who went back to the top rope. Trinity blocked a strike after an exchange and went for a full nelson bomb, but Purrazzo blocked it. I’m not sure what the next move was, but it got a two count. A sort of flipping STO?
Purrazzo and Trinity ended up back-to-back and stood up leaning on each other. Purrazzo went for the Fujiwara armbar again, but Trinity countered in into starstruck. They were close to the ropes, and the damage done to the arm of Trinity earlier all played into why Purrazzo was able to escape. Trinity blocked Queen’s Gambit and then hit the full nelson bomb for a 2-count. Trinity tried to hit a full nelson bomb off the ropes, but Purrazzo managed to puller her down back into an armbar, but Trinity countered again, hit a Code Red, and locked on Starstruck right out of it, forcing the tap out for the win. The show faded away as Trinity celebrated.
–The show then closed with Impact announced that Will Ospreay was returning to Impact Wrestling on October 21 for Bound for Glory!
Final Thoughts
This was a fun show, overall. It will be greatly overshadowed by the phenomenal AEW All In earlier today, but Impact still delivered a quality outing here. They are definitely starting to setup the card for Bound for Glory, and starting to put all the pieces together. Where they struggled in the early part of the year with some of what they are doing, they seem to be in a much better place now, selling out shows, and generating some buzz online. This was another easy thumbs up show.
This week’s WWE Main Event was taped at the Videotron Centre in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, before Monday’s episode of Raw.
Another good couple of matches on Main Event made this a watchable show yet again this week. Canadian crowds do seem to make this show better.
Ricochet defeated Riddick Moss (5:43)
This was all the better for the crowd liking the match and, particularly, Ricochet who continues to be wasted on Main Event.
Another week, another Ricochet match and another time where you can’t help but feel that he’s being a) wasted and b) that people in the company must be deaf when they hear the reaction he gets.
Moss was back on the show here for the first time in a few weeks, no longer flanked by Emma and looking as jacked as ever. It’s crazy to think that he was Madcap Moss back in April because this version suits him way more.
Moss pretty much took Ricochet out from the bell, using lots of big power moves and allowing Ricochet to look plucky and seem like he was fighting his way out of a corner all the time.
Moss hit his SOS slam for a near fall and a fallaway slam before trying for a suplex. Ricochet fought out of it, hitting the Recoil.
His standing shooting star press, followed by an enzuigiri and Sliced Bread, got it done in the end to leave the fans happy in a solid curtain jerker.
Natayla defeated Nikki Cross (7:36)
This was a good match here, but nothing too remarkable. The crowd loved Natalya which made it have a way bigger feel that it would have had otherwise.
Two matches in two weeks on Main Event for Natalya and with the kinds of reaction she gets in front of home crowds, you would have thought they would have at least put her on the dark match after Raw went off air.
Regardless, she and Cross worked well together here, but as I said last week, Natalya’s matches have largely just become about her trying to find a way to win with the Sharpshooter…and I’m fine with that.
Cross has been used as a safe pair of hands on Main Event this year, up against the likes of Tegan Nox, Cora Jade and Kayden Carter, so it was interesting to see her up against a grizzled vet this week.
They did a bit of comedy and then ended up on the outside with Cross nailing Natalya with a shoulder barge tackle to head into the commercial break.
We then had a couple of chin locks from Cross after the break, but the crowd was into supporting Natalya trying to fight her away out. She did just that and fired up with her familiar moveset before using a stiff looking clothesline to try to get Cross in position for the Sharpshooter.
Cross got out of the hold quickly and threw Natalya into the corner. She used a neckbreaker for two and then took forever to go up to the top rope — so much so that she missed the splash. Natalya was then able to lock in her finisher to get the submission win.
The final stop before Sunday’s AEW All In has arrived with Saturday’s AEW Collision from Duluth, Georgia.
The headliner will be an all star eight-man tag team match which will see “Real World’s Champion” CM Punk team with Sting, Darby Allin & a mystery partner against Jay White, Swerve Strickland, Brian Cage & Luchasaurus with Samoa Joe on commentary.
Ahead of their participation in a Stadium Stampede match Sunday, Orange Cassidy, Penta El Zero Miedo will face The Butcher, The Blade & Kip Sabian.
Jack Perry is claiming he will retire the FTW title on tonight’s show.
Dark Order’s John Silver & Alex Reynolds will return to AEW TV as they face Darius Martin & Action Andretti.
Owen Hart women’s tournament winner Willow Nightingale will take on Robyn Renegade.
Two big men will be in singles action as both Keith Lee and Big Bill will compete against opponents to be named.
**********
Kevin Kelly and Caprice Coleman – filling in for Nigel McGuinness – welcomed us to Collision, less than 12 hours before All In Wembley.
The Funeral of the FTW Championship
FTW Champion Jack Perry made his way to the ring, with pallbearers bringing out the FTW Title on a black stand. Oh, like Paul Bearer. I just got the pun. Perry has grown fond of the FTW Title, noting that in 100 years, he will be the legacy of FTW. He played a video of the fun times he has had with the championship, showing him showering and biking with the title belt.
Perry said that it was time to send the title to a better place, pulling out a sledgehammer. The lights went out, with a video of Hook playing on the screen. Hook said that the title was his bloodline, and he was coming to take it back. When the lights came up, Hook was behind Perry in the ring. Hook ducked a sledgehammer shot and threw Perry around the ring before hitting a T-Bone suplex through a table in the corner. Hook took the mic and simply said “Wembley. Sunday.”
The FTW Title match between Perry & Hook was shown to be signed for the All In Zero Hour.
We got a video package covering the history between MJF & Adam Cole and their All In main event.
Eddie Kingston, Orange Cassidy & Penta El Zero Miedo (w/Alex Abrahantes) defeated Kip Sabian, The Butcher, & The Blade (w/Penelope Ford)
After shenanigans with Penta, Sabian, Abrahantes, & Ford, the match quickly broke down into a Pier Six brawl. Penta was outnumbered by Butcher and Blade but was able to hit a running Death Valley Driver on Blade into Butcher in the corner. Sabian crotched Penta in the corner before Cassidy dived onto him.
After an exchange in the ring, Sabian feigned a dive before baiting Cassidy into a double team from Butcher and Blade. Butcher cut Cassidy off with a knee to the back, leading to a Sabian cannonball in the corner. The rudos clubbered Cassidy as we went to commercial.
Cassidy was still fighting to the corner as we came back from the break. Cassidy made the tag to Penta, who ran wild until Butcher cut him off with a boot. Butcher asked for Kingston to tag in, and Kingston obliged. They ran at each other until Butcher got knocked into the corner, with Sabian tagging in. The match broke down again, with Cassidy taking out Butcher and Blade. The match ended with Kingston hitting a sliding lariat on Sabian to score the win.
We came back with the Best Friends in the ring with their teammates for All In. Trent Beretta was upset at the disrespect the Blackpool Combat Club showed his mother, so they’re going to Wembley to take them out. Orange Cassidy took the mic from Kingston, but before he spoke, the Blackpool Combat Club, Santana & Ortiz appeared on the screen. Santana said he spent a year on the shelf, which is when he found out who his real friends were. Castagnoli said that Kingston blamed everyone but himself for his issues. Ortiz said that everyone gets what they deserve.
Kingston walked to the back to find them, but they had already left. Kingston said that he understood what Santana and Ortiz did, but he would gut them all the same. He told Moxley to stay out of his way. He said that he would bury Yuta and that he would save Castagnoli for last. Kingston said that he would burn Claudio and scar him for life.
We got a video package with sitdown interviews between The Young Bucks & FTR. The Bucks talked about creating the FTR name, with a different meaning at first. Dax Harwood said that they came to AEW for the match against the Bucks and that FTR would prove that they were the better team at Wembley.
Alex Reynolds & John Silver defeated Action Andretti & Darius Martin
After some early work, Andretti and Martin double-teamed Reynolds to gain an advantage. Silver got a blind tag in before picking up Andretti on a jackknife pin and powerbombing him onto Reynolds’ knees. Dark Order hit a double-team dropkick on Andretti and posed as we went to commercial.
Andretti fought to make the tag to Martin as we came back from the break. Martin ran wild, dropping both Reynolds and Silver with a neckbreaker/DDT combination. Andretti tagged in and hit a shotgun dropkick that sent Reynolds into a German suplex from Martin for a nearfall. Andretti hit a springboard 450 for a nearfall that was broken up by Silver. Silver ran wild with kicks before an elevated uppercut took Andretti out. Reynolds and Silver hit their strike combination on Martin to score the win.
We cut to an interview from Wednesday with Darby Allin & Nick Wayne. They were quickly joined by AR Fox, who explained to Wayne that his actions were out of panic. He was afraid he had let everyone down, so he joined up with the Mogul Affiliates. Fox said that he lost his father too, and while he couldn’t give him his blood back, he’d give him his word. Wayne walked away without a word, while Allin told Fox that he knew he was sorry. I’m glad they came back to that point, and I’m glad that Wayne stood up for himself here.
We got a music video with The Acclaimed dissing the House of Black. The song was about getting knocked down and getting back up again. My favorite bar was “blowin’ up the House of Black like Oppenheimer.”
We got a promo for the four-way Women’s Title match at Wembley, with words from Hikaru Shida, Britt Baker, Saraya, & Toni Storm.
Big Bill (w/Ricky Starks) defeated Vary Morales
Big Bill dropped Morales with a gorilla press slam before swinging him around with a hair mare. A big splash and a big boot followed before Big Bill scored the win with a massive chokeslam.
After the match, Ricky Starks grabbed the mic and praised Morales, saying that he reminded him of a young Steamboat. He reminded everyone what he did to Steamboat by whipping Morales. He said that he would be back next week with a bigger strap before whipping Morales until referees pulled him away.
Backstage, Lexy Nair was with Ruby Soho. Ruby officially challenged Kris Statlander for her TBS Title at All Out in Chicago, saying that while Statlander was more than a woman, she would always be less than an Outcast.
Nightingale was in firm control early, dropping Renegade with a back elbow and a low crossbody for a nearfall. Nightingale hit two of the three amigos, before hitting a fisherman’s suplex for a nearfall. Renegade bailed out to confer with her sister before Nightingale booted Charlette. She went to boot Robyn, but Robyn caught the leg and swept her down on the apron as we went to commercial.
Nightingale fought out of a chinlock as we came back from the break. She hit the main event spinebuster for a nearfall. Nightingale sent Renegade into the corner, but Renegade bailed out of the way on a cannonball. Renegade hit a missile dropkick for a nearfall before booting Nightingale off of the apron. Nightingale came back by suplexing both of the Renegades on the floor before hitting Robyn with the Babe With The Powerbomb for the win.
We got a video package of the AEW stars taking over London. Saraya was on a talk show, and Chris Jericho brought Fozzy to Europe.
We got a video package hyping the Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Miro match for All Out in Chicago.
Backstage, Lexy Nair was with TBS Champion Kris Statlander. Statlander says that she’s tired of the Outcasts and their shenanigans before accepting Ruby Soho’s challenge for All Out in Chicago.
Keith Lee defeated Zicky Dice
Dice slapped Lee in the face and hit him with forearms before Lee pounced him across the ring. Lee popped Dice up and hit a massive powerbomb for the win.
We got an update on Preston Vance and Dralistico, who we last saw being kidnapped in Mexico at the behest of Rush & Jose The Assistant. Vance and Dralistico were being beaten bloody but fought back and fought off their assailants. Jose came in, pleased at the violence as we saw that this story would be continued.
Samoa Joe came out to the ring. He was told by AEW management that if he interfered in this main event, he would jeopardize his match against CM Punk at Wembley. Joe says that in order to help with that, he’ll join the commentary desk so that everyone can see where he is and what he is doing. He said that while Punk hid under a mask like a coward to jump him last week, Joe would give him the ass-kicking he deserved at Wembley.
We got a rundown of the All In Wembley card, with Jack Perry vs. Hook being made under FTW Rules. They announced that Orange Cassidy would defend the AEW International Title next week on Dynamite in Chicago if he was physically able to do so.
CM Punk, Darby Allin, Hook & Sting defeated Brian Cage, Swerve Strickland, Jay White & Luchasaurus (w/Christian Cage & Prince Nana)
This was a fun mix of names in the Collision main event, making for a wild scene going into All In.
Punk started the match with Strickland. Punk caught Strickland on a leapfrog, teasing a Go To Sleep, before Strickland slipped away and tagged in White. White asked for Punk to tag in Sting, but dropped Punk as we went to tag out. Punk dropped White with a back suplex before tagging Hook, who fired up with body shots. Allin tagged in and went to work on White’s arm before Punk came in to continue the work.
White slipped away before Sting could get in on the arm party, tagging Luchasaurus. Allin tagged in Sting, who helped him hit splashes on Luchasaurus. Punk tagged in but got goozled on a splash attempt. Punk fought away, but the combination of Nana and Cage on the outside allowed Luchasaurus to get the advantage.
White was working on Punk as we came back from commercial break. A backbreaker on Punk scored a nearfall before White tagged in Strickland. Swerve clubbered on Punk before going for a Swerve Stomp attempt. Punk moved out of the way and tagged Hook, who ran wild on Strickland with judo throws and suplexes. White clawed at Hook from the apron, allowing Swerve to send him to the floor. There, White and Cage threw Hook into the barricades. Cage tagged in and beat on Hook as we went to break.
We came back from the commercial with Cage sending Hook up and over with a fallaway slam. Hook came back with a T-Bone suplex, then a vertical suplex when Cage tried to cut off a tag. White and Punk tagged in, with Punk running wild. Punk hit rising knees on both Strickland and White before dropping them with a bulldog/clothesline combination.
Punk hit an elbow drop on White before going for a GTS. Strickland got involved, with the match breaking down into a Pier Six brawl. Cage ended up the legal man and ended up getting caught with a Go To Sleep. Punk looked square at Samoa Joe at commentary before locking on the Coquina Clutch. Cage tapped out, with Joe noting that the match officially ended then. Joe attacked Punk, Darby attacked Luchasaurus, Jack Perry came out to attack Hook. All hell broke loose, with chairs and kendo sticks being used. Perry and Hook brawled in the crowd as Joe dropped Punk with his World Title as we faded to black.
The Octagon closes out August with a pretty strong fight card featuring several intriguing fights as UFC On ESPN 83: Holloway vs. The Korean Zombie takes place at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Kallang, Singapore.
The main event features two of the most exciting featherweights in UFC history as former UFC Featherweight Champion Max Holloway takes on “The Korean Zombie”, Chan Sung Jung, in a fight fans have been anticipating for years. Holloway is looking to score his second straight win, while Jung returns from injury in what could end up being his final fight.
The co-main event is a rematch at light heavyweight as Anthony Smith looks for another win over Ryan Spann after submitting him in September 2021. There is also a potential title eliminator bout in the women’s flyweight division, as Erin Blanchfield takes on Taila Santos. Also on the main card is a featherweight fight pitting Giga Chikadze against Alex Caceres, and a heavyweight bout between Junior Tafa and Parker Porter.
They trade hard leg kicks. Both trading leg kicks early on. Errens lands a right hand and Choi fires back with a leg kick. Errens lands a combo. Choi lands a pair of calf kicks. Choi clips Errens as he was coming in with a right hand and Errens pushes it against the fence. Errens lands a knee and elbow as they break. Errens scores with a combo and then a big right hand. They are both throwing wildly. Choi lands a jab but Errens fires back with a big right hand. Choi lands some leg kicks. Errens shoots for a late takedown but Choi defends. 10-9 Errens.
They’re trading to start the second and Choi lands some leg kicks. They trade kicks. Errens drops Choi with an uppercut and jumps on top. He’s working in the half-guard but Choi is able to reverse. Choi is landing from the top and landing elbows and finishes the round on top as he has a big comeback. 10-9 Errens, 20-18 Errens.
Choi landing leg kicks and Errens throwing punches in return. Choi lands a leg kick and a right hand. Errens lands a right hand and Choi counters with a right hand and leg kick. Choi lands a pair of kicks. Choi lands a combo. Choi lands a combo and a leg kick. Choi lands a leg kick and Errens is hurt and falls down. Choi gets on top and is landing to the body. Choi is in side control and landing punches. Choi gets the back and threatens with a choke but time runs out. 10-9 Choi, 29-28 Errens.
Official Result- SeungWoo Choi def. Jarno Errens by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
> Women’s Flyweights- Liang Na (19-6, 0-2 UFC) vs. JJ Aldrich (11-6, 7-5 UFC)
Aldrich landing more to start as Na is throwing punches but not really landing. Na lands a right hand that forces a clinch and Na gets it to the mat. Na lands more on the mat but Aldrich is able to get it back to the feet. Na lands a kick. Aldrich lands a combination. Na tries a takedown but Aldrich reverses and gets the back and has the hooks in as she flattens Na out. Na escapes from the position but Aldrich remains on top and in side control. Aldrich ends the round on top. 10-9 Aldrich.
They trade to start the second. Na lands a body kick and a quick flurry. Na tries a takedown and Aldrich sprawls, but Na gets the back and has the mount. Na looking for an arm-triangle choke. Aldrich is fighting it off. Aldrich escapes and is on top and in side control. Aldrich is landing from the top and gets the mount and continues to land from there. Aldrich landing hammerfists from the top and Na gives up her back. Aldrich landing more punches. Aldrich flattens Na out and starts landing lots and lots of punches, then lands some elbows as Na spun back around and gets the late stoppage. Great finish from Aldrich!
Official Result- JJ Aldrich def. Liang Na by TKO (strikes) at 4:49 of Round 2
> Welterweights- Billy Goff (8-2, 0-0 UFC) vs. Yusaku Kinoshita (6-2, 0-1 UFC)
Kinoshita lands a head kick that Goff partially blocks. Goff lands some leg kicks. They trade punches. Kinoshita lands a combo. Goff lands a right hand. Goff lands a pair of kicks. Kinoshita lands a combo in close range. Goff lands a leg kick. He lands another and Kinoshita lands a solid jab. They trade punches and Kinoshita lands slightly more. Goff tries a takedown but Kinoshita defends. Kinoshita lands a big left hand as Goff lands a leg kick. Kinoshita lands a knee to the body and Goff lands a leg kick. Kinoshita lands a head kick. Goff lands a few jabs. Goff drops Kinoshita with a body shot and starts landing from the top and gets the finish! Great debut from Goff to get the win.
Official Result- Billy Goff def. Yusaku Kinoshita by TKO (punches) at 3:49 of Round 1
> Welterweights- Song Kenan (19-7, 4-3 UFC) vs. Rolando Bedoya (14-2, 0-1 UFC)
Bedoya lands some heavy calf kicks to start. He lands some more and they trade punches with Bedoya getting the better of it. Bedoya landing more kicks and Kenan lands a right hand. Kenan lands a knee. They trade leg kicks. Kenan lands a right hand. Bedoya lands a combo. Bedoya scores with another big combo. They tie up and Bedoya lands a knee on the break and then a series of kicks. Bedoya lands a combo ending with a leg kick. Bedoya scores with a body kick. Kenan lands a body kick. 10-9 Bedoya.
Kenan landing to start the second and pushes Bedoya to the fence. Kenan lands some punches that send Bedoya to the mat and he tried to jump on the back but they scrambled right up. Bedoya lands a right hand and Kenan lands a leg kick. Kenan lands a nice combo. Bedoya lands a left hand. Kenan lands a combo. Bedoya lands a leg kick. Kenan with a short right hand. Kenan lands a combo. Bedoya lands a leg kick. Bedoya looks for a takedown as he pushes it against the fence. Bedoya lands a knee to the body before they break. Kenan lands a left hand. Kenan lands a right hand. 10-9 Kenan, 19-19.
Bedoya landing leg kicks and they trade inside the pocket. They separate and Bedoya lands a leg kick. Kenan lands a stiff jab. Bedoya lands a nice combo. Bedoya lands a leg kick but Kenan is still landing with more volume and some hard punches. Kenan lands a combo. They trade leg kicks. Bedoya lands another leg kick then another. Kenan lands a right hand. They tie up and Kenan lands a left hand. Kenan drops Bedoya with a right hand and lands a knee on the way up. Kenan lands a couple of right hands. Bedoya tries a takedown but Kenan defends and lands a right hand as Bedoya was getting up. Kenan lands a left hand. 10-9 Kenan, 29-28 Kenan.
Official Result- Song Kenan def. Rolando Bedoya by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
> Middleweights- Chidi Njokuani (22-9 1 NC, 2-2 UFC) vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk (18-6 1 NC, 6-4 1 NC UFC)
Njokuani lands a body kick. They’re swinging. Njokuani lands some knees. He lands a series of knees then a high kick as they score. Oleksiejczuk lands a left hand. Oleksiejczuk lands a combo that stuns Njokuani for a moment. Oleksiejczuk has the back against the fence. Njokuani lands a knee as they break. They trade and Njokuani goes for a takedown but Oleksiejczuk reverses and ends up on top. They get to their feet. They trade leg kicks. Njokuani rocks Oleksiejczuk with a head kick then lands some elbows. They trade big punches. Oleksiejczuk hurts Njokuani with some left hands. Oleksiejczuk lands against the fence. Oleksiejczuk gets a takedown and is working inside the guard. Oleksiejczuk with some left hands from the top. Oleksiejczuk with some hammerfists from the top and he gets the finish! What a fight between these two as Oleksiejczuk gets the first-round finish.
Official Result- Michal Oleksiejczuk def. Chidi Njokuani by TKO (punches) at 4:16 of Round 1
Armfield lands a jab and Kazama lands a right hand. Kazama lands a leg kick. Armfield lands a left hook. He lands a right hand. Armfield lands a combo. Kazama shoots for a takedown but Armfield defends and lands a high kick. Armfield continuing to land as he’s coming forward. Armfield lands another combo. Armfield lands to the body. Armfield lands a combo and hurts Kazama with a jab. Kazama tries to get Armfield down but Armfield is landing from the top. Kazama is ordered to his feet. Armfield lands a combo. Armfield lands a flurry and Kazama circles away. Armfield drops Kazama with a right hand and it is stopped right away. Big finish from Armfield!
Official Result- Garrett Armfield def. Toshiomi Kazama by TKO (punch) at 4:16 of Round 1
Cortes-Acosta lands a leg kick. Brzeski lands a pair of leg kicks. He lands another. They trade leg kicks. Brzeski with more leg kicks and Cortes-Acosta lands a right hand. Cortes-Acosta lands a combo. Brzeski lands a high kick. They trade punches. Brzeski with a leg kick and Cortes-Acosta lands a counter right hand. Brzeski lands a body kick but Cortes-Acosta hurts him with a right hand. Cortes-Acosta lands some more big right hands and Brzeski goes down face first and it is stopped! What a finish from Cortes-Acosta!
Official Result- Waldo Cortes-Acosta def. Lukasz Brzeski by knockout (punches) at 3:01 of Round 1
Tafa lands a right hand and just misses a front kick. They trade inside the pocket and Tafa lands a big punch that makes Porter stumble. Porter tries for a takedown against the fence. Tafa lands a big elbow as they break and lands some big punches. He lands a big right hand that makes Porter drop face first to the mat and it is stopped.
Official Result- Junior Tafa def. Parker Porter by knockout (punch) at 1:24 of Round 1
Santos lands some leg kicks and a combo. She lands another leg kick. She lands another combo. Santos lands a combo and a body kick. Blanchfield not getting much going early. Santos trips Blanchfield up with a leg kick. They trade right hands. Blanchfield’s nose is bleeding. Blanchfield lands a flurry against the fence. She has Santos pushed against the fence. Blanchfield with some foot stomps but Santos lands some elbows to back Blanchfield up. Blanchfield gets a trip takedown but Santos scrambles up. Santos lands a big right hand. Blanchfield lands a body kick. Santos lands a right hand. Blanchfield ties up and they battle against the fence. Blanchfield lands some knees. 10-9 Santos.
They’re trading to start the second and Santos lands a leg kick. Blanchfield gets a brief takedown but they get right up. Blanchfield has it pushed against the fence and is landing knees while pressuring. Santos gets the underhooks and tries for a takedown but Blanchfield ends up on top. Blanchfield in the half-guard and pressuring but not a lot of action happening. Santos gives up her back. They get to their feet. Blanchfield still pressuring against the fence and lands some knees. They separate. They clinch right back up and trade knees. 10-9 Blanchfield, 19-19.
Blanchfield lands a high kick and they trade punches. Blanchfield looks for a takedown and pushes it against the fence. She lands a knee before they break. Santos lands a leg kick as Blanchfield is throwing. They trade and Blanchfield pushes it against the fence. Blanchfield lands some short knees against the fence. They separate. Blanchfield back looking for the takedown against the fence. Santos looked like she was trying for a takedown but they separate. Blanchfield lands a right hand. Blanchfield pushes it to the fence. Blanchfield lands a combo and then almost gets a takedown. They separate. Blanchfield landing the jab and they’re trading on the feet. Blanchfield lands a big elbow that hurts Santos and lands a knee. Close fight. 10-9 Blanchfield, 29-28 Blanchfield.
Official Result- Erin Blanchfield def. Taila Santos by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Nakamura lands a leg kick. Nakamura looks for a takedown against the fence as he has a leg and he gets it down. They get up but Nakamura gets a big takedown. Nakamura working from the top as he’s landing from north-south position. He has a north-south choke locked in. Garcia escapes but Nakamura remains in control from the top. Nakamura gets back to side control. Nakamura with big punches to end the round. 10-9 Nakamura.
They trade to start the second. Nakamura lands a body kick. Nakamura lands a high kick and slips to the mat but gets right up and lands. Nakamura lands another high kick. Garcia lands a leg kick. Nakamura lands a right hand then a leg kick. Nakamura gets a takedown and Garcia has a guillotine choke locked in. Nakamura rolls to side control. Nakamura gets his head out and is landing elbows from side control. He has an arm trapped. Nakamura is looking for a straight armbar but Garcia gets both arms free. Nakamura ends the round on top. 10-9 Nakamura, 20-18 Nakamura.
Garcia lands a right hand. Nakamura lands some body kicks. Garcia lands a right hand and he starts to slip and Nakamura scores a takedown. Nakamura controlling from the top as he almost has the mount and lands a few elbows. Garcia gives up his back and Nakamura has neck control. Nakamura gets back on top in the half-guard and lands some left hands. Garcia gives his back up again. Nakamura grabs the arm and locks in an armbar but Garcia escapes. They get to their feet. Nakamura lands a big head kick but Garcia is walking forward. 10-9 Nakamura, 30-27 Nakamura.
Official Result- Rinya Nakamura def. Fernie Garcia by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
> Featherweights- #9 Giga Chikadze (14-3, 7-1 UFC) vs. #15 Alex Caceres (21-13 1 NC, 16-11 1 NC UFC)
Caceres lands some leg kicks. Chikadze lands a body kick. Caceres lands a right hand. Chikadze with some leg kicks. Caceres lands a nice left hand. Caceres scores with a spinning back fist. Chikadze throws a high kick but Caceres blocks. Chikadze lands a right hand. Caceres scores with another left hand. They trade kicks. Chikadze lands a jab as Caceres was coming forward. Chikadze lands a body kick and a right hand. Close round. 10-9 Chikadze.
They’re feeling each other out in the second. Caceres lands a left hand. Chikadze lands a jab then a combo. They trade punches and Chikadze lands some good punches. Chikadze lands a jab then a right hand then a body kick. Caceres lands a left hand. They trade wild shots inside the pocket. Chikadze lands a body kick. Chikadze lands a right hand. Chikadze lands a combo. Caceres lands a leg kick but eats a counter right hand from Chikadze. Chikadze lands a right hand. Close round. 10-9 Chikadze, 20-18 Chikadze.
Chikadze lands some leg kicks. Caceres is pressing forward and lands a left hand but Chikadze lands a counter right hand. Chikadze lands a right hand then a left hook. Caceres lands a left hand and almost lands a head kick. Chikadze lands a right hand. Chikadze lands a body kick. Caceres lands a jab but eats two leg kicks from Chikadze. Chikadze lands a pair of body kicks. Chikadze lands another big body kick and Caceres fires back with a left hand. Caceres still throwing. Chikadze with a spin kick late. Close fight. 10-9 Chikadze, 30-27 Chikadze.
Official Result- Giga Chikadze def. Alex Caceres by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Light Heavyweights- #8 Anthony Smith (36-18, 11-8 UFC) vs. #10 Ryan Spann (21-8, 7-3 UFC)
Spann lands a front kick. Smith lands a leg kick. Smith with a hard leg kick and Spann fires back with punches. Smith lands a left hand. Spann lands a right hand but Smith fires back with the left hook. Smith lands a right hand and then another. Smith lands a leg kick. They trade front kicks. Smith lands a leg kick. He lands another and follows it with a right hand. Smith lands a leg kick but eats a right hand from Spann. Spann lands and Smith gets a takedown and pops his head out from Spann’s control. They scramble back to their feet. Smith lands a hard leg kick. 10-9 Smith.
Smith lands a calf kick. He lands a leg kick. Smith lands a right hand. Spann lands a left hand. Spann hurts Smith with a left hand. Spann tries a flying knee but they go to the mat. Spann is on top and is landing as Smith is covering up. Spann with some hammerfists and elbows from the top. Smith is trying to attack the leg. Spann stands and Smith is ordered to his feet. Spann lands a jab then a front kick. Smith’s left eye is badly damaged. Smith lands a leg kick. Smith lands a left hand. Spann lands a right hand. Smith scores with a leg kick. They trade punches. 10-9 Spann, 19-19.
They trade low kicks to start. Smith lands a leg kick. Spann lands a right hand. Smith lands to the body. He follows with a sharp jab. Spann lands a right hand and Smith counters with a leg kick. Smith with some leg kicks. Smith lands a right hand. Smith lands a body kick. Smith lands a left hand. They trade in close range. Spann lands a nice right hand. Smith lands a left hand. Smith landing slightly more here. Smith lands a leg kick. Spann lands a leg kick. Spann lands a right hand. Very close fight. 10-9 Smith, 29-28 Smith.
Official Result- Anthony Smith def. Ryan Spann by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
> Featherweights- #1 Max Holloway (24-7, 20-7 UFC) vs. #8 Chan Sung Jung (17-7, 7-4 UFC)
They trade leg kicks early and Holloway lands a jab. Jung lands a leg kick. Jung lands a right hand then Holloway rocks Jung with a right hand. Jung lands a right hand. Holloway lands to the body then lands a left hand. Jung lands a right hand and then a leg kick. Holloway lands a left hook. Jung lands a left hand as he rushes in. They trade right hands. Holloway lands a left hook and a body kick. Jung lands a right hand. Holloway lands a leg kick and Jung fires back with a combo. Jung lands two right hands late. Close round. 10-9 Holloway.
Holloway lands a right hand. Holloway drops Jung with a combo and Jung is rolling on the mat. Holloway locks in an anaconda choke and is trying to get it in tight. Holloway lets go and tries to get the mount but Jung gets to his feet. They crack each other with hard punches. Holloway lands a left hook. Jung lands a left hook. Holloway lands and they trade hard shots against the fence. Holloway lands a high kick. Holloway lands to the body. Jung lands a right hand. Holloway lands a combo to the body and head. Holloway lands a spin kick to the body. 10-9 Holloway, 20-18 Holloway.
Jung landing big punches early in the third and Holloway is firing back. They are both landing big shots. Holloway then lands a big right hand and Jung goes face first to the mat out cold. An unreal finish by Holloway.
Official Result- Max Holloway def. Chan Sung Jung by knockout (punch) at :23 of Round 3
Two title defenses and a women’s tag team match highlight the final AEW Rampage before this Sunday’s All In.
AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy will attempt to secure his 30th title defense as he takes on QTV’s Aaron Solo. Cassidy will be in action Sunday as part of his first-ever Stadium Stampede match.
The AAA Latin American title will be defended for the first time on AEW TV as champion QT Marshall defends against Gravity. Marshall will also take time for a sit-down interview with Jim Ross.
Ahead of their four-way for the AEW Women’s title on Sunday, reigning champion Hikaru Shida will team with former champion Britt Baker to take on former champion Toni Storm & Saraya.
Reigning TNT Champion Luchasaurus will be in non-title action against an opponent to be named. His next challenge will come in the “all star” eight-man tag team main event of Saturday’s Collision.
**********
An In Memoriam graphic for Windham Rotunda opened the show.
Taped in Lexington, Kentucky.
Excalibur and Tony Schiavone were on commentary.
Orange Cassidy defeated Aaron Solo (w/ Harley Cameron) to retain the AEW International Title (9:12)
Kinda weird the International Title isn’t being defended on AEW’s second-ever international pay-per-view.
Tony Schiavone doesn’t understand why Aaron Solo is spraying his mouth with the breath spray, which kinda makes me feel bad for Tony’s wife. Cassidy worked a side headlock. Solo countered with a head scissors, which Cassidy escaped with a headstand. Cassidy put his hands in his pockets. Cassidy impressively gave Solo a hip toss while his hands were in his pockets. The fight went to the floor, where Solo used Cameron as a human shield. Cassidy gave her the “high impact” kicks, ducked a clothesline from Solo and hit a running tope. Cameron tripped up Cassidy to allow Solo to hit a modified uranage going into the split-screen break.
After the break, Solo and Cassidy were battling over a vertical suplex. Cassidy sent Solo headfirst into the turnbuckles, then came off the top rope with a crossbody. Lots of counter-wrestling from both guys, until Cassidy hit a Slumdog Millionaire and a spinning DDT for a near fall. Cameron started singing into the house mic, distracting Cassidy to allow Solo to hit a spinning kick. Solo followed up with a terrible looking suplex for a near fall. Solo came off the top with a double stomp for another near fall. Solo got Cameron’s boot and hit Cassidy with it for another near fall. Cassidy countered a pedigree attempt, then hit the Orange Punch and Beach Break to get the pinfall. This was fine, as Cassidy’s storied International title run continues.
– JR conducted a sit-down interview with new AAA Latin American champion QT Marshall. Marshall puts the “pro” in “professional wrestler” and wanted to dispel the notion that his relationship with Tony Khan gives him opportunities others dont get. After all, he had to go to another company to get a championship. He’s not just simply a guy who latches himself onto other guys like Cody Rhodes and Powerhouse Hobbs. Also why isn’t there a QT Marshall an action figure, but his mother can order 150,000 Excalibur figures? This was a good promo from Marshall.
– Promo for Samoa Joe/CM Punk at All In on Sunday.
QT Marshall defeated Gravity to retain the AAA Latin American Championship (8:46)
An updated look and presentation for Marshall, which emphasizes the pride Marshall has representing Mexico as a AAA champion. Marshall and Gravity exchange promos in Spanish before the match. Gravity started out fast with a tope con hilo that looked like it could have gone very badly. Marshall caught Gravity coming off the top with a forearm, then powerbombed him against the ring apron.
Marshall put Gravity down with a forearm. Gravity caught Marshall with a couple of pin attempts for near falls. Gravity countered a powerbomb attempt with a Canadian Destroyer for another near fall. Marshall caught Gravity with a combination backbreaker/flatliner. Gravity countered a powerbomb attempt with a rana, and hit a series of superkicks. Gravity used his brother Bandido’s 21-plex for another close near fall.
Marshall came back with a short-arm lariat. Marshall set up a diamond cutter from the top (Gravity was in a superplex position), but Gravity escaped. Now, Marshall was in the superlex position and Gravity Samoan-dropped him from the middle rope for another near fall. Marshall caught Gravity with a pop-up cutter, then finished him with the “Dirt Sheet Driver” (a vertical suplex into a sit-out powerbomb) and got the pinfall. Between the promo and the match, this was an excellent showcase for Marshall.
– The Dark Order cut a promo. They are back to being bad guys after Death Before Dishonor, last month’s ROH pay-per-view.
Luchasaurus defeated R. Jones (1:12)
Luchasaurus is the TNT champion, but he did not wear his belt to the ring. Chokeslam and a clothesline to the back of the end finished off Jones.
After the match, Christian was shown watching the match with the TNT Championship belt over his shoulder.
– All In promo for Adam Cole v. MJF.
– Rundown for Collision: new matches added were the return of Keith Lee and Alex Reynolds & John Silver v. Darius Martin & Action Andretti. Maybe Willow Nightingale v. Robyn Renegade, if that wasn’t announced on Wednesday.
– Excalibur also ran down the cards for All In and All Out, but nothing new was announced.
Saraya & Toni Storm (w/ Ruby Soho) defeated Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D & Hikaru Shida (11:52)
The heels attacked before the bell. Baker and Saraya fought in the ring and Storm and Shida fought on the floor. Soho tripped up Baker from the outside and Saraya took control. Storm hit a vertical suplex for a near fall. Saraya drove her knee into Baker’s midsection. Storm sent Baker to the floor with a hip attack. Soho pounded on Baker on the outside until TBS Champion Kris Statlander ran in and attacked Soho, then carried her to the back to even things up.
After a split-screen break, Storm taunted Shida with the Women’s World title belt, and Baker was still being worked over by the heels. Baker caught Storm with a neckbreaker and finally got the tag to Shida. Shida hit a jumping knee strike while the fans chanted “let’s go Shida!” Shida suplexed Saraya on Storm (say that five times fast) for a near fall. Storm and Shida exchanged forearms, and Shida caught Storm with a enziguri. Baker tried to run and hit a rolling elbow, but Storm caught her with a German suplex.
Saraya tossed Baker back into her corner and forced Baker to tag back into the ring. Storm hit another hip attack on Baker. Baker took a double-team powerbomb for another near fall, and soon all four women were down. They got back on their feet and started lugging it out. Shida hit Saraya with a Falcon Arron, and Baker gave Saraya the Twist and Shout for another near fall. Storm went to use the spray paint on Baker, but Shida saved Baker and took the spray paint instead. Shida, blinded, accidentally hit Baker, and Saraya hit her finish on Baker (the Nightcap, formerly the Rampaige) for the pinfall. This was clunky.
As the show went off the air, Shida was still blinded on the floor, and Storm and Saraya engaged in a tug of war over the AEW World Women’s championship belt.
Final Thoughts:
QT Marshall’s match and promo was a revelation tonight. They need to get rid of the QTV nonsense and give Marshall a more serious push. Nothing was at the level of last week’s opener, but the first two matches were good enough to make it a worthwhile hour.
WWE SmackDown takes place from the KFC Yum Center in Louisville, Kentucky tonight.
The company announced on Friday that the show will pay tribute to the late Bray Wyatt (Windham Rotunda). Wyatt passed away at 36 years old on Thursday due to a heart issue.
The show will also pay tribute to Terry Funk, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 79.
It’s been confirmed that WWE Women’s Champion IYO SKY will defend her title against Zelina Vega tonight. It’s SKY’s first defense since cashing in her Money in the Bank briefcase at SummerSlam to become champion.
A non-title match with United States Champion Rey Mysterio facing Grayson Waller is also set.
WWE had advertised that Jimmy Uso would be on SmackDown to continue the Bloodline story, but that segment is no longer included on WWE.com’s rundown for the show.
Our live coverage starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
SmackDown opened with a graphic paying tribute to both Terry Funk and Bray Wyatt. The top of the entrance ramp was met by the WWE locker room including Braun Strowman and Wyatt family member Erick Rowan. Michael Cole then dedicated the show to the memories of Bray Wyatt and Terry Funk before we witnessed a moment of silence with a ten bell salute. After the ten bell salute, we were honored with the accomplishments, memories and lasting images of Windham ‘Bray Wyatt’ Rotunda and what he meant to the WWE Universe.
After the tribute played, WWE Superstars remained on stage, choking up as fans sang “He’s got the whole world in his hands…” before we saw a lone rocking chair sitting on stage before the camera faded away into darkness.
– A video tribute followed of Terry Funk’s peers recognizing and honoring him on social media.
– Michael Cole stated that Cody Rhodes was in attendance tonight and followed up by mentioning Dusty Rhodes’ rivalries with the late Terry Funk. Cole then stated that the WWE wanted to provide entertainment tonight as Rey Mysterio’s music hit.
Rey Mysterio defeated Grayson Waller in a non-title match
Waller was hungry to gain the victory against the current United States champion as quickly as he could but Mysterio remained resilient. Waller misstepped and action spilled to the outside and Mysterio gained momentum as we headed to commercial.
We are back from commercial and action was back in the ring and as Mysterio charged Waller in the corner, Grayson side-stepped and Mysterio was now in trouble. Waller followed up with a diving elbow but could only land a two count however.
Waller followed up by sending Mysterio corner to corner but as Waller attempted a powerbomb, Mysterio maneuvered and landed a seated senton and a tornado ddt but could only manage a two count himself.
Myterio with the momentum in his hand, managed to land Waller in a position to hit the 619 but before he could hit it, Austin Theory’s music hit causing the distraction. Santos Escobar hit the ring and countered Theory’s interference and after Mysterio was able to gain control of the match once again, he nailed Waller with the 619 followed by the Drop the Dime to get the 1-2-3.
– A video promo aired on the birth of The Wyatt Family.
– It was announced that on top of IYO SKY defending the WWE Women’s Championship against the LWO’s Zelina Vega tonight, we would also see Butch and Ridge Holland of The Brawling Brutes battle The Street Profits.
– A video promo aired on the return to WWE Friday Night SmackDown of the one-and-only John Cena live next week.
– A video tribute was shown of Bray Wyatt’s peers recognizing and honoring him on social media.
– Michael Cole announced that two of Bray Wyatt’s former foes would go to battle in the main event tonight as LA Knight would face Finn Bálor.
– Backstage, Kayla Braxton interviewed Damage CTRL. Bayley stated that this was IYO SKY’s era and it would remain that way.
IYO SKY (w/Damage CTRL) defeated Zelina Vega to retain the WWE Women’s Championship
After both competitors were introduced, we headed to commercial.
– Back from commercial and a video promo aired on the debut of The Fiend equipped with a QR code in the corner.
The bell rang and it was all SKY as Damage CTRL cheered on loudly from the outside. Vega attempted a comeback by climbing to the second rope but SKY caught her and Zelina was grounded hard to the mat.
Vega finally managed to gain momentum and managed to nail SKY with the Meterora but only managed a two count. SKY countered but so did Vega as she attempted to land Code Red but SKY escaped. SKY followed up and attempted to hit the air but Vega countered and nailed Code Red but SKY luckily rolled to he outside.
Vega followed SKY to the outside but IYO was able to execute an assault and send Zelina into the post switching momentum in her favor. SKY followed up by heading back into the ring, nailing Vega with the Over the Moonsault to retain the WWE Women’s Championship.
– Backstage, Cody Rhodes was shown heading to the ring to honor the career and legacy of the late Terry Funk.
– Another video tribute was shown of Bray Wyatt’s peers recognizing and honoring him on social media.
– Cody Rhodes made his way to the ring. Rhodes stated that he knew what he wanted to talk about tonight and shared a story when he was 11 years old, hearing a guy calling his father an “egg sucking dog”.
Cody paid tribute to the 50-year legacy of Terry Funk before introducing a video package honoring the career of the WWE Hall of Famer. Clips were shown of Funk’s highlights in the NWA, WWE and ECW before ending the package with Terry and Dory Funk Jr.’s induction into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009.
After the package ended, Rhodes announced that the tag team match taking place next would be a Terry Funk Hardcore Match!
– A video promo aired on The Era of Wyatt, focusing on Bray winning the WWE Championship at Elimination Chamber in 2017.
The Street Profits defeated The Brawling Brutes in a Terry Funk Hardcore Tag Team Match
No count outs, no disqualifications and the new edge Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford gained control of the match early on but it wouldn’t last long as in tribute to the late “Funker”, Holland picked up Butch in a fireman’s carry and swung him around, knocking out Dawkins and Ford, reminiscent of Funk’s infamous ladder spot in ECW.
The Street Profits would rebound and after Ford took out his opponents on the outside, Bobby Lashley made his presence known as we headed to commercial.
Back from commercial and Butch and Holland were in control but Lashley was now ringside and watching on like a shark. Momentum changed and Ford nailed Holland with a double team blockbuster but Butch was able to make the save.
Ford followed up with his “From the Heavens” frog-splash but Butch once again was able to make the save. Butch grabbed a table from under the ring but with no rules, Lashley got involved and laid out Butch. The Street Profits followed up with The Revelation through a table on Holland to score the 1-2-3 after a hard fought battle.
– A video promo aired on The Firefly Funhouse.
– Backstage, LA Knight was shown heading to the ring.
– Another video promo aired on the return of John Cena to WWE Friday Night SmackDown live next week.
– Another video tribute was shown of Bray Wyatt’s peers recognizing and honoring him on social media.
– Highlights were shown of this week’s past Monday Night Raw where LA Knight helped Akira Tozawa score a victory over The Miz.
– Video was shown of TMZ catching up with The Miz, questioning him about his feud with LA Knight.
LA Knight defeated Finn Bálor
Knight took the mic before the match to honor the career and legacy of the late Bray Wyatt. Knight stated that sometimes your greatest foe can become your greatest helper and said he held it together tonight until he thought about Bray’s family.
Knight then went into character and cut a promo on The Miz and his current feud with him. Knight finished the promo, telling The Miz to “run” .
– A video promo aired on Bray Wyatt’s return at Extreme Rules last year.
– Another video promo aired on the return of John Cena to WWE Friday Night SmackDown next week followed by the announcement of Rey Mysterio & Santos Escobar battling Austin Theory & Grayson Waller and the return of Jimmy Uso to Friday Night SmackDown as well.
Knight was quick to gain control of the match using his size and power and as he was capitalizing, it was announced that Knight would battle The Miz at WWE Payback early next month before we headed to commercial.
– A video promo aired on Bray Wyatt’s “Heartfelt Message” promo on SmackDown earlier this year.
We’re back from commercial and Bálor had gained momentum but Knight went back on the attack fairly quickly, landing some stiff shots but could only manage a two count. Bálor followed up with a sling blade but failed to capitalize any further.
Bálor nailed his running dropkick in the corner but missed the Coup de Grâce and Knight followed up with a massive powerslam. Knight furthered his momentum and after nailing a suplex from the top rope, hit the B.F.T. and picked up the victory.
– After the match, a lantern sat in the middle of the ring as a silhouette of Bray Wyatt was shown on the screen. Fans chanted “Thank you Bray” as the show came to an end.
Final Thoughts:
Touching tributes to both the late Bray Wyatt and Terry Funk but not what I expected with regards to the tribute shows the WWE produced for the late Owen Hart and Eddie Guerrero.
Nonetheless, the WWE honoured both men tonight with class and after seeing the presence of Braun Strowman and Erick Rowan on the entrance ramp tonight at the beginning of the show, you couldn’t help but shed a tear.
Hug your loved ones and let them know how much you appreciate them.
Impact World Champion Alex Shelley will look to follow up on his big win at last Sunday’s Multiverse United 2 event with another title defense on tonight’s Impact on AXS TV.
The show will be the final stop before Sunday’s Emergence streaming special from Toronto, Canada.
After defending against NJPW legend Hiroshi Tanahashi, Shelley will move on to defend against Brian Myers. Both men will be part of an eight-man tag team match Sunday.
Ahead of her title defense against Deonna Purrazzo Sunday, Knockouts Champion Trinity will face Jody Threat in non-title action.
For the first time ever, Chris Sabin will take on Samuray Del Sol with everyone banned from ringside.
Former Impact Tag Team Champions ABC (Chris Bey & Ace Austin) will take on The Good Hands (Jason Hotch & John Skyler).
Deaner will face Laredo Kid while the BTI pre-show bout will see Champagne Singh vs. Russ Jones.
**********
Champagne Singh defeated Russ Jones
The crowd liked Jones a lot, but Singh defeated him relatively quickly.
–After the match, Singh cut a promo saying he was the best wrestler Chicago has ever seen before PCO’s music hit, and BFI went off the air as PCO was making his entrance.
Impact Wrestling Main Show
–PCO finished his entrance beat up Singh, ending when he put him through a table. Bully Ray showed up on the video screen and said that he wasn’t in the building, as Impact Wrestling couldn’t guarantee his safety, but he promised he would take out PCO for good.
Impact Knockout’s World Champion Trinity defeated Jody Threat to retain
Threat looked good in the early stages of the match, hitting a Michinoku driver on Trintiy for a 2-count. Threat went for the F-416 but Trinity countered out into a face buster. Not to be deterred, Threat tried for a second F-416, but Trinity countered it again into a full nelson bomb and then a roll into a pinfall.
–Jake Something was in a pretaped video talking about his match with SANADA at Impact Wrestling Emergence for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.
–Jake Something was in a pretaped video talking about his match with SANADA at Impact Wrestling Emergence.
–Impact put up a very nice graphic for Terry Funk after this.
–A recap video aired about Impact x NJPW Multiverse United 2. The show was excellent, and highlighted Gulia asking “Who is next?” about defending her NJPW Strong title. It ended with Alex Shelley and Hiroshi Tanahashi highlights, in what was an excellent match.
–Josh Alexander was backstage with Gia Miller and talked about his return to the ring, and how after Emergence, he was going to go after the Impact World Championship again.
Deaner (w/ Kon) defeated Laredo Kid
Kon’s distractions were funny. That’s about all I can say about this match.
Laredo Kid was doing well in the first minute or two of this match before Kon furiously waved his arms and screamed while Kid was on the floor. This distracted Kid. Deaner then hit a clothesline on Kid and got the heat. I can’t say that was the best distraction spot I have ever seen, but it definitely made me laugh. I don’t think that was the goal.
Deaner slapped Kid when the fans chanted for him, and ate a boot from Kid in response. Kid hit a missile dropkick and a Michinoku driver for a 2-count. Laredo Kid went to the top rope, and as Kon was waving his hands again, Kid hit a flip dive off the top rope onto the floor on Kon. Unfortunately, Kons hand waving tactics proved effective because Kid came back into the ring and got hit with an antidote from Deaner for the win.
–Deaner grabbed a mic and the fans chanted “Please, don’t talk.” Deaner said some weird stuff about Young being the designer, and Deaner put a knife in his heart, but he rose again to finish his story. Deaner claimed that Young was no longer the author of the story, and he was in control. This was not good.
–Johnny Swinger made hype video for his Impact Digital Media Championship match at Emergence. It was edited to look badly edited, but was actually well edited because it is difficult to make it look like it came from 1993. I laughed.
ABC (Ace Austin & Chris Bey) (Bullet Club) defeated the Good Hands (Jason Hotch & John Skylar)
Really good tag match from these folks here. ABC looked good, and they even had me convinced the Good Hands were going to win.
Austin had an answer for everything Hotch and Skylar tried in the early parts of the match, bouncing all over the place as they tried to stop him. Austin and Bey exchanged a few quick tags and double team moves to isolate Hotch. Skylar managed to get in the face of Chris Bey, which drew the attention of the referee, allowing Hotch and Skylar to turn it around and drive Austin into the turnbuckle before working him over for the next few minutes.
Bey managed to take down Hotch and Skylar at the same time with a DDT and flatliner before hitting a slingshot DDT on Skylar. ABC was going to hit the 1-2-sweet, but Austin couldn’t launch Bey into the air due to the damage done to his arm earlier by the Good Hands. Bey hit the ropes but was low bridged.
Hotch and Skylar hit the favour on Austin, but Bey managed to break it up. ABC managed to hit The Fold soon thereafter, but the Good Hands gave them a run for their money. This was excellent.
–Subculture had a pretaped video where they talked about how they were going to prove their supremacy at Emergence, continuing their Impact World Tag Team title reign.
–A cinematic movie trailer aired like a buddy cop movie for Joe Hendry and Yuya Uemura. It was fantastic.
–A hype video aired for Trinity vs. Deonna Purrazzo at Impact Emergence.
Chris Sabin defeated Samuray del Sol
This was a great match from Sabin and Sol. If Impact was to keep booking Sol, it would be great.
Debuting against Chris Sabin is a good place to start, as it doesn’t get much better than him to showcase high flying and fast paced wrestling with. Sabin had trouble keeping up with Sol’s fast paced start, but managed to move out of the way of a potential dive, but Sol bounced backwards with his shoulders off the top rope rather than hitting a suicide dive.
Sabin rethought his strategy when he came back in the ring, and started to work on submissions on the leg of Sol in an attempt to ground him. Every time Sol tried to speed things up, Sabin was there to take out the knee or lock on a submission. Sabin locked on an octopus stretch that looked brutal. Sabin butterflied the arms of Sol and tried to bend him forwards while seated.
Sol managed to hit a rolling kick and then a short hurricanrana to plant Sabin right on the mat before trying to get the fans to chant “lucha!” to a minimal reaction. That’s unfortunate, as this match has been quite good. A Salina del Sol attempt by Sol was blocked, and Sabin hit a DDT. Sabin hit a powerbomb and like Samoa Joe, transitioned into an STF after Sol kicked out. Sabin hit a Tiger suplex for a 2-count.
Sabin went to pick Sol up, and Sol managed to hit Salina del Sol as Sabin was lifting him, but Sabin rolled to the floor. Sol managed to slingshot himself over the top rope, land on the middle rope, and launch into a springboard flip onto Sabin on the floor. Sol went for an attack off the top rope, but Sabin rolled under and Sol landed on his injured leg, allowing Sabin to recover and hit the cradle shock for the pinfall.
–Crazzy Steve’s sit down interview with Tom Hannifan continued, and Steve asked Hannifan to deliver a message for him. He said he was tired of being abandoned and forgotten, and on the receiving end of evil. Steve said that he was going to become a plague if he couldn’t be the antidote to evil, and he screamed that Tom was going to tell everyone his message. Security tried to separate him from Tom, so Steve attacked them and said that he was going to be the psychopath in everyone’s story.
–Killer Kelly and Masha Slamovich cut a promo about how they were going to take on all comers at Emergence, and it will be their next experiment in violence.
–A hype video aired for Eddie Edwards and Frankie Kazarian, and their upcoming fight at Killer Kowalski’s wrestling school.
–PCO was wandering around through a hotel lobby looking for Bully Ray. He found the place where Ray was sitting for his promo, screaming for Ray to fight to him, but he was nowhere to be found.
Impact World Champion Alex Shelley (c) defeated Brian Myers to retain
This was a really good match, with Shelley making Myers look better than he has in a long time. Myers has always been solid, and Shelley made him look great here.
Shelley outwrestled Myers on the mat in the early part of the match, almost getting a pinfall with the same move he did a few weeks ago against Myers. Myers learned from it though, kicking out and getting away, but he made the mistake of trying to outwrestle Shelley again. Shelley tied him up by his arms in the ropes and kicked the ropes to hurt Myers’ arm.
Myers ate a kick from a corner charge and grabbed the ropes to stay standing. Shelley made him pay for this, flying in with a knee attack off the middle ropes onto the arm of Myers. Shelley continued this assault, working the arm over as the announcers noted how Shelley had become far more focused and deliberate in his attacks on limbs since becoming champion.
Myers managed to drive Shelley into the apron. Myers got some heat on Shelley here, managing to get the crowd into a comeback by Shelley that saw him almost get the Border City stretch in, but Myers managed to fight out and hit a spear for a 2-count. Myers went for a second spear, but ate a superkick and a sliced bread #2 for a 2-count that Shelley immediately transitioned into a Border City stretch for the submission.
–Bully Ray ran in and attacked Shelley after the match, and Moose joined in as well. Apparently Ray lured PCO to the hotel so he could come to the Impact Zone to attack Shelley without his interference. Josh Alexander and KUSHIDA ran down, but soon fell to the larger numbers, and we saw Chris Sabin laid out backstage by Lio Rush, so he couldn’t make the save either.
The fans where chanting for PCO as Ray continued to beat on Alexander, biting him and gouging his eyes. Alexander fired up though, and turned it around and stomped on Ray and suddenly the babyfaces were fighting back in an equal brawl as the show went off the air.
Final Thoughts
Not a bad go home episode for Emergence from Impact here. They have the misfortune of running the same day as AEW All In, so it will likely be lost in the shuffle, though it airs later than All In does, starting at 8 PM ET, where All In starts at 12 PM ET. There is plenty of time for both, but I’m sure if fans had to pick which one to buy, most would end up choosing All In.
That said, the matches on the card were well built tonight, with everything being given time to breathe along with delivering two really good matches in Sabin and Myers and ABC vs. The Good Hands. This episode was definitely a thumbs up.
Impact Wrestling Emergence Card
SANADA vs. Jake Something
Impact Konkouts World Tag Team Championship: MK Ultra (c) vs. Gisele Shaw & Savannah Evans vs. The Coven vs. Death Dollz
Impact Digital Media Championship: Kenny King (c) vs. Johnny Swinger
Deaner vs. Eric Young
Impact World Tag Team Championship: Subculture (c) vs. The Rascalz
Eddie Edwards vs. Frankie Kazarian
Time Machine & Josh Alexander vs. Bully Ray, Moose, Brian Myers, & Lio Rush
Impact Knockouts World Championship: Trinty (c) vs. Deonna Purrazzo
NJPW TV Champion Zack Sabre Jr. will defend his title against former Ring of Honor World Champion Christopher Daniels on tonight’s ROH on HonorClub.
This will be his fourth defense of the title on ROH TV while Daniels is looking for his second TV title run and first since 2011. This will be their first ever singles match.
ROH World Champion Claudio Castagnoli will be a non-title Proving Ground match against Ryan Nemeth. This will Nemeth’s first-ever ROH singles match and also his first with Castagnoli.
GCW Champion Blake Christian will take on Brandon Cutler while Matt Sydal battles Serpentico one-on-one.
In a trios bout, Dark Order (Evil Uno, Alex Reynolds & John Silver) will continue their run with a new attitude as they face former ROH Six-Man Tag Team Champions Dalton Castle & The Boys.
In two women’s matches, Leyla Hirsch will wrestle Leila Grey while Kiera Hogan matches up with Lady Frost.
**********
Ian Riccaboni and Caprice Coleman were on the call for this week’s Ring of Honor TV, with matches from the AEW Dynamite taping in Nashville, TN, and the AEW Collision taping in Lexington, KY.
The Dark Order (Alex Reynolds, Evil Uno & John Silver) defeated Dalton Castle & The Boys (Brandon & Brent)
Silver started this match by requesting a Boy, then gorilla pressing said Boy into the ropes. The Boys ganged up on Silver and Reynolds before Uno cut off Boy Brent from the outside. Dark Order singled out Brent as the commentators talked about the out-of-character underhanded tactics the Dark Order used.
Brent eventually got the tag into Castle, who flung the Dark Order about with suplexes before throwing Boys at them. Brent tagged in, but Uno sent Castle into him before Silver and Reynolds took out Castle on the floor. Silver and Reynolds cut off dives from the Boys, sending Brandon into the barricade. Dark Order then hit Brent with the Ragnarok to score the win.
Backstage, Lexy Nair was with Athena & Billie Starkz. Athena asked for this time to settle the tension she, and only she, saw between Lexy and Starkz. She made them friendship shirts before letting Starkz know that they would be teaming up to take on the Renegade Twins tonight.
Kiera Hogan defeated Lady Frost
Hogan challenged Frost to this match last week. They traded kicks before Frost sent Hogan to the floor with handspring boots. Hogan cut off Frost’s handstands by sweeping her down on the apron. Hogan hit an offensive combination that ended with a superkick for a nearfall. Frost avoided a corner charge and hit a high kick, then followed up with a cartwheel cannonball for a nearfall. Hogan then caught her with a twisting fisherman’s buster for the win.
Matt Sydal defeated Serpentico
Sydal quickly took Serpentico down and hit a twisting senton for a nearfall. Serpentico got his feet up on a corner charge and hit a headscissors, followed by a flatliner for a nearfall. Serpentico then hit a superkick before landing a DDT for a nearfall. Serpentico went to the top rope, but Sydal moved out of the way and hit a jumping back kick.
Sydal fired up and hit a fisherman’s buster for a nearfall. Sydal used a pair of flash pins for a nearfall before taking Serpentico off the top rope with a rana. Sydal hit the Lightning Spiral to score the win.
Backstage, Lexy Nair was with a slinged Stokely Hathaway. He talked about his tag team victory with Samoa Joe last week before noting his respect for Samoa Joe. Nair then told Hathaway that nobody respected him before leaving.
Leyla Hirsch defeated Leila Grey
These two clubbered on each other for a while before Maria Kanellis made her way to the stage. Hirsch held control until Grey fired up, hitting a rising knee and a Death Valley Driver for a nearfall. Hirsch hit a rough back suplex before locking on an armbar for the win.
Backstage, Lexy Nair was with Prince Nana & the Mogul Embassy. They’re defending the titles next week against Action Andretti, Darius Martin, and Lee Johnson next week. They all said that they were going to win.
Blake Christian defeated Brandon Cutler (w/Colt Cabana)
Christian kept Cutler off balance with his speed before catching him with a spinning headscissors. Cutler cut Christian off on the apron and shoved him into the post, but Christian spun around the post and hit a springboard dropkick that sent him to the floor. Christian followed it with a Fosbury Flop, but Cutler moved out of the way of a springboard 450 and hit a Michinoku Driver for a nearfall.
Cutler hit a trio of elbows before hitting an Airplane Spin on Christian. He made himself dizzy in the process, allowing Christian to hit a shoulder block to take him down. They traded kicks before Christian hit a Spanish Fly. Christian hit a Death Valley Driver and followed it with a superkick for a nearfall. Cutler hit a pumphandle slam before ripping off his track jacket and going for a Superman pin for a nearfall. Christian fired up and hit a handspring kick before hitting the springboard 450 for the win.
Lexy Nair was backstage with Tony Nese & Smart Mark Sterling. They complained about Jerry Lynn forcing Nese to wrestle instead of doing group training before chastising a nearby worker for drinking a soda.
Athena & Billie Starkz defeated The Renegades (Charlette & Robyn)
Starkz and Athena ducked an attack during the Code of Honor. Starkz got caught on a dive by both twins, with Athena hitting a cannonball onto the pile. The Renegades then isolated Starkz, hitting a double Fisherman’s Suplex for a nearfall. A lot of those on this show tonight.
The Renegades clubbered on Starkz for a while until she fought her way to a tag to Athena. Athena threw Starkz into a Renegade before powerbombing Starkz into both of them. Athena hit a reverse Alabama Slam on Starkz onto Charlette for a nearfall. The Renegades took Athena out of the ring before hitting a scary-looking double team on Starkz for a nearfall. They hit a double main event spinebuster on Athena for a nearfall.
Athena hit the knockout forearm before going up for the O-Face. Starkz tagged in as Athena jumped, then hit the Swanton Bomb on a Renegade to score the win in her hometown. Athena wasn’t happy and grabbed a retreating Renegade. She wanted Starkz to throw her into the title belt, but the other Renegade grabbed her sister and retreated.
ROH World Title Proving Ground Match – Claudio Castagnoli defeated Ryan Nemeth
Nemeth announced that tonight was Hunk Appreciation Night, leading the crowd in Thank You Hunk chants. He called out for anyone to fight, with Castagnoli making his way to the ring. Nemeth quickly tried to bail, noting that he didn’t think Castagnoli was there. But Castagnoli instead hit the Giant Swing – while still wearing the title belt around his waist – before hitting a big uppercut for the quick victory.
Before the main event, it was announced that Metalik would face the winner of tonight’s main event next week for the NJPW World TV Title.
NJPW World Television Title Match – Zack Sabre Jr. (c) defeated Christopher Daniels
This was Sabre’s 11th title defense.
Daniels had Sabre in a headlock, but Sabre escaped and hit a bicep stomp. He twisted the other arm before Daniels fought back with a pair of swinging neckbreakers. Daniels locked on a cravate before snapping the neck of Sabre. Daniels held control until Sabre locked on a guillotine, then quickly transitioned to an arm wringer.
Sabre hammerlocked Daniels’ arm before stomping on the arm, then worked on Daniels’ leg. Daniels got a big back suplex in after Sabre took a second to tend to his neck. Daniels fired up, hitting a Death Valley Driver for a nearfall. Sabre took Daniels down with a drop toe hold before going back to the arm with a bicep stomp.
Sabre went for a submission finish that Daniels fought off, hitting an STO for a nearfall. Daniels immediately transitioned into a Koji Clutch, but Sabre escaped by picking the bad ankle. Daniels cut off a submission attempt with a rollup, but Sabre was able to lock in a Rings of Saturn-style submission to win and retain the title.
Tonight’s AEW Dynamite in Duluth, Georgia is the final episode before Sunday’s All In pay-per-view.
The Elite’s Kenny Omega, Matt Jackson, & Nick Jackson will take on Bullet Club Gold’s Juice Robinson, Austin Gunn, & Colten Gunn in trios action tonight.
Swerve Strickland & AR Fox of Mogul Embassy will face Darby Allin & Nick Wayne in a tag team bout.
Aussie Open’s Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis will defend the ROH World Tag Team Championship against Matt Hardy & Jeff Hardy.
Jon Moxley of Blackpool Combat Club will take on Rey Fenix of The Lucha Bros in singles competition.
Skye Blue will battle Ruby Soho of The Outcasts in a women’s division contest.
The AEW World Tag Team Champions FTR’s Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler are advertised for a face-to-face interview with their All In opponents The Young Bucks.
Chris Jericho & Will Ospreay are scheduled for a contract signing for their All In match.
Renee Paquette will interview both AEW World Champion MJF and his All In challenger Adam Cole.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
**********
AEW Dynamite comes on the air with a memorial graphic for the legendary Terry Funk as Excalibur welcomes us alongside Tony Schiavone and Taz, while the music for The Elite hit and we’re ready for our opening contest.
Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) vs. Juice Robinson & The Gunns (Austin & Colten) never officially began
(A wild start to the show, a way to get over not just the six man tag at All In, but also having FTR helping out their challengers for their tag titles in the process. Interesting that there was no Adam Page involved in this at all, as I understand why there was no Ibushi, but the absence of Hangman is interesting. I wonder if both the Dynamite & Collision crews being there tonight had anything to do with it?)
The Elite met Bullet Club Gold on the ramp to start the brawl, as Nick hit a tope to wipe out The Gunns. Robinson hit a chair shot to the ribs, but referee Rick Knox stopped him from using it again, so Robinson laid out Knox. The Gunns & Jay White attacked The Bucks, as Nick was dropped with 3:10 to Yuma. Matt avoided it, threw a couple superkicks, but was dropped by a White uranage. Omega stopped a Blade Runner, as Colten & Austin were planted with Snap Dragons. Omega popped White with a V-Trigger and wanted his Terminator dive, but was taken out by Konosuke Takeshita. Bullet Club Gold continued their beat down until FTR’s music hit and evened the odds with everyone brawling up the stage. Takeshita wanted a home run shot on Omega, who hit a V-Trigger, tried One Winged Angel, but Takeshita bailed and Omega stood tall by himself.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with AEW World Champion MJF and talks about the All In main event in London. MJF said he’s going to be real chubbed up and said he’s the 2023 version of the British Bulldog if he was Jewish and a good public speaker. MJF loves the crooked teeth Brits too and wants them to make as much noise as possible during his match, promising them all a pint, but said he’ll ultimately make that mark Tony Khan pay for it. Paquette asks about the pressure he must be facing this Sunday wrestling twice, as MJF said none of this happened without the people who paved the road prior. MJF mentioned Hulk Hogan, Bruno Sammartino, Dusty Rhodes, John Cena, Stone Cold, The Rock, Triple H, The Undertaker, he’s standing on the shoulders of giants and if he wins Sunday, he becomes a giant himself.
Paquette showed clips of the potential cracks in the friendship between MJF & Adam Cole. MJF said he’s never had a genuine friend before, but Cole taught him he can let his guard down and trust. MJF calls Cole his brother and understands why there are reservations about believing him, asking the crowd to go on this journey with him. MJF isn’t just a scumbag, he’s the fans scumbag.
**********
Jon Moxley defeated Rey Fenix (w/Alex Abrahantes)
(Off the heels of one of the best matches on Rampage against Komander last week, Fenix & Moxley had a fantastic battle here with the crowd into it the whole way. With the news of him being unable to be at All In, they needed to find a way to write Fenix out of the Stadium Stampede match. So I assume it’s safe to say that match will be 5 on 5 going forward, as the returning Santana & Ortiz going against Kingston is a way to further that story.)
Moxley was able to avoid the speed of Fenix early, but was ultimately sent outside with a dropkick and taken out with multiple topes. Moxley got up and tore at the mask of Fenix before hitting a violent curb stomp. Back in the ring, Moxley continued to pick Fenix apart until the quickness nearly put Fenix in control, only to be turned inside out with a Moxley lariat for two into commercial.
Moxley controlled nearly the entire break and planted Fenix with a piledriver for a near fall. Moxley drove the boots down onto the face, but as he turned briefly, Fenix kipped up into a spin kick leading to the double down. The spinning corner kick scored, but Moxley countered a rolling cutter into the rear naked choke. Fenix flipped into a roll up and got his rolling cutter quickly thereafter. Fenix connected with his rewind kick and followed with a massive Frog Splash for two. Moxley fought out of a fireman’s carry into anvil elbows and caught a springing Fenix with a forearm in mid air. A strike battle commenced until Moxley cut off Fenix in the ropes and connected with an Avalanche Death Rider, but Fenix kicked out. Moxley was shocked, but quickly locked in the rear naked choke and Fenix ultimately passed out.
Post match, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta hit the ring with crowbars and were about to have Fenix taken out until Eddie Kingston & Penta El Zero Miedo come down the ramp, but were stopped by a returning Ortiz. The music hit and out walked the also returning Santana, who attacked Penta, while Ortiz smacked Kingston with the sock full of baseballs. As the BCC, Santana & Ortiz bailed as Best Friends & Orange Cassidy came out to make the save, doctors rushed to the ring to tend to Fenix, who apparently was laid out with the crowbar, which cameras missed. The stretcher was brought out and Fenix was loaded up. A very somber Excalibur then promoted Draft Kings before throwing it to a commercial, which I got a kick out of.
**********
-Fenix was loaded into an ambulance as Penta & Alex Abrahantes joined him as Kingston, Best Friends & Orange Cassidy are all left watching it drive away. Renee Paquette approached wanting a comment, but Kingston refused, telling her that her husband did this, saying if she wants him to fix this, he’ll fix this at All In.
-We then got pre-recorded comments of Renee Paquette with Sammy Guevara, asking him about what happened to Chris Jericho at the hands of Don Callis & Will Ospreay last week. Matt Menard, Angelo Parker & Daniel Garcia interrupted and said Jericho accepted the offer last week, while Callis was exactly who they thought he was. Guevara said Jericho was about friendship and said he would always have his back. Parker said they are making sure Guevara doesn’t make the same mistakes that Jericho did and questions if Jericho would be there for Guevara? Menard & Parker left, while Garcia took a second to stare at Guevara before leaving as well.
Contract Signing Between Will Ospreay & Chris Jericho
Tony Schiavone announces both men, as security is already in the ring with Don Callis accompanying Ospreay to the ring, as Sammy Guevara was with Jericho. Callis took the microphone and said he did what he did last week because of Will by God Ospreay. The only thing better than having Jericho in his family would be knowing he could end his career. Callis got Ospreay’s help because he promised Jericho’s head on a platter at Wembley. Callis brought up how a few years ago Jericho nearly died in London, but on Sunday, he’s going to make sure Ospreay finishes the job.
Ospreay questions if Jericho is taking this match seriously or is he just using this as a way to get his band to perform live? Ospreay mentions wrestling an indy show a day before All In and said he’s doing this for his family. Ospreay said he’ll be able to say he’s beaten Chris Jericho, Kenny Omega & Kazuchika Okada in the span of two months. His contract is up in 6 months with New Japan Pro Wrestling and talks about how everyone will be vying for his services, as he’s better than The Elite, Bryan Danielson, CM Punk and Chris Jericho. Ospreay respects Jericho’s legacy, but he’s using it as rocket fuel for his future before signing the contract.
Jericho congratulated Ospreay on his recent accomplishments, but said it’s thanks to him. Five years ago, Jericho called Ospreay and told him to tone down his style before he has a short career like his hero the Dynamite Kid as many predicted. Jericho knew before anyone else Ospreay would be one of the top stars in the business, as this match has been in the works for years, but thanks to the lockdown in 2021, it couldn’t happen. Jericho said this is the biggest show of his career and while Ospreay is coming from the bottom, Jericho is coming to this match at the top. Jericho signed the contract, told Osperay to prove it to his family and countrymen that he can beat Chris Jericho. Ospreay slapped the microphone out of Jericho’s hands, but Jericho slapped Ospreay on his ass as security separated the two with the match official.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with Adam Cole and immediately shows him some highlights of their blossoming bromance over the past few months. Cole said while he’s had a ton of fun with MJF, it was Max that’s helped him find his confidence again. Paquette talks about the gold Cole could come away with after Sunday is over considering everything he’s gone through with his injury. Cole got into wrestling to become the best wrestler on the planet and winning the AEW Title cements just that. Paquette brings up Roderick Strong & The Kingdom and shows the clip a few months back of Cole telling Strong how he knows he can’t trust MJF. Cole couldn’t believe how people couldn’t understand how people can’t be friends and says there are no issues between MJF & himself before storming off.
Darby Allin & Nick Wayne defeated Swerve Strickland & AR Fox (w/Prince Nana) in a Tornado Tag Match
(While this was a Tornado Tag, it was not filled with weapons like the last one we saw, as this was more of a brawl. I was surprised Wayne got the pin, but post match we found out truly why. It’s interesting that they decided to break Fox off of The Embassy so quickly, but I guess if they needed to even the odds with Strickland’s side & Allin’s side, he’s the one who could’ve switched back. Although it was odd with Wayne & Allin siding with Fox, when a few weeks ago, Fox helped bloody up Wayne at his wrestling school.)
Nick Wayne’s mother is shown in the front row pre-match, as the brawl started immediately with Strickland launching Allin right into ringside. Wayne was crotched in the corner and Fox hit an impressive springing German out of the corner. Fox followed it up with an imploding senton to the floor and ripped his tank top soaked in Wayne’s blood from last month, as Nana threw it at Wayne’s mother. Strickland & Fox wanted double brainbusters on the apron, but Allin & Wayne fought free and Wayne hit a double Wayne’s World off the ropes to the floor, while Allin hit a Coffin Drop heading into commercial.
The match spilled into the crowd where Allin used his body as a wrecking ball, charging and just launching into Strickland. Fox showed the beaten up Wayne to his mother before launching him over the barricade where Strickland hit a snap suplex. In the ring, Strickland & Fox hit rolling Flatliners and Dropkicks, but Wayne tried to fight back with Wayne’s World, only to jump into a powerbomb/neckbreaker combination. Allin sent Strickland to the outside and hit a low tope that nearly sent both men through the bottom of the announce table. Allin took too long to set up Strickland on a chair and ate a Fox vaulting moonsault before Strickland hit a Swerve Stomp off the apron.
Wayne is left in the ring with a bloody nose, where he ate a Strickland pump kick and Fox corkscrew brainbuster for two. Fox connected with a rolling cradle brainbuster, but again Wayne kicked out. Strickland connected with the Kill Shot kick, but once more Wayne kicked out. Fox missed a 450 splash and Wayne got the roll up, as Allin tripped up Strickland while Wayne got the flash pin.
Post match, Strickland was laughing manically and said this was so disappointing, but was disappointing in Fox. Strickland asks why Fox is always a loser and said he can’t beat an 18 year old child like Strickland has. Strickland can’t trust Fox in front of 80,000 people in Wembley and told Prince Nana to do his light work. Nana fired Fox from The Mogul Embassy before Brian Cage appeared and laid out Fox with a Drill Claw. Sting, Darby Allin & Nick Wayne hit the ring as Strickland, Nana & Cage bailed. Allin said Fox was always there for him and told him to shake his hand, as they hugged. Allin asked who does Strickland have, as Luchasaurus & Christian Cage walked out.
Cage immediately took a cheap shot at Nick’s late father and said he’d never heard of Buddy Wayne before, which means he probably wasn’t any good. Since his father was a talentless hack, he doesn’t have much to live up to. Cage made a super distasteful comment about Wayne watching another coffin door close on a loved one. Cage stumbled on his promo at the end; trash talked the crowd and got back on track to wrap it up.
-Renee Paquette is backstage sitting down with The Young Bucks & FTR. Wheeler said this is simply about who is the better team, as The Bucks agreed. Paquette asks if this is the biggest match of either teams careers and Matt & Nick said it absolutely is, but FTR needs to beat them to cement their legacy, The Bucks don’t need to beat them. FTR agrees it’s the biggest match of their career, but this goes beyond the Tag Team championship, as the only team that stands between them and their legacy are The Young Bucks. Matt said if FTR forgot that it was The Bucks who brought them into AEW and said FTR’s legacy will be the guys who The Bucks named on their YouTube show. Harwood said The Bucks call themselves the foundation of AEW; they will crack The Bucks foundation at All In.
**********
Ruby Soho defeated Skye Blue
(A lot of this happened during commercial, but I enjoyed the back and forth finish with Soho jumping into the crowded TBS Title picture. Kris Statlander certainly doesn’t have a lack of challengers for her title heading into the All Out PPV.)
Soho came to the stage with Toni Storm, who went to the back and gave Soho a kiss on the head good luck. Soho cut an inset promo about how Storm & Saraya will be competing for the Women’s Title; Soho has her sights set on someone else and calls out Kris Statlander for the future. Blue cut an inset promo that was cut off because of Soho attacking pre-match. It was all Soho in the early going until forearmed her way out of the corner, sent Soho to the floor where she hit a thrust kick and cross body into commercial.
Soho immediately regained control during break, but ate a spinning low kick and running knee in the ropes by Blue. Going up to the top, Blue connected on a high cross body, went for her Skyfall, but settled for a rolling neckbreaker. After trading nearfalls, Blue was able to hit Skyfall, but Soho kicked out. Soho avoided Code Blue as both ladies traded thrust kicks until Soho hit No Future and Destination Unknown for the win.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with Roderick Strong & The Kingdom and asks Strong what he knows that everyone else doesn’t about this Cole & MJF relationship. Strong said at the end of All In, everyone will see who the true MJF is and the true Adam Cole is. That was the entire promo.
-The video of The House of Black shown on Collision about laying out The Acclaimed is shown. Malakai Black said for Billy Gunn to rest in pain, destroying the boots of Daddy Ass. Just then we see Anthony Bowens & Max Caster march down to the ring and called out The House of Black. Malakai Black, Brody King, Buddy Matthews & Julia Hart obliged, as they made their entrance, surrounding the ring. Bowens & Caster were promptly beaten down before The Acclaimed music hit and Daddy Ass hit the ring with the House of Black bailing. This was one of the biggest pops of Billy Gunn’s career and he’s had some big ones. Daddy Ass said the House wanted his attention, they got it. He was ok with calling it a career until the House hurt his kids and destroyed his boots. The House of Black pissed all over his Hall of Fame legacy, so one more time, it’s all or nothing, at All In, it’s House of Black vs. The Acclaimed & Bad Ass Billy Gunn.
**********
Aussie Open (Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis) defeated The Hardys (Matt & Jeff) to retain the ROH Tag Team Titles
(The match could’ve been so much more, but there was a lot crammed into this go home episode of Dynamite and the main event action suffered as a result, as it went pretty quick. The main story was the post match and the final will they/won’t they turn on each other between MJF & Cole heading into the main event of the biggest show in AEW history.)
Fletcher & Davis attacked at the bell, but The Hardys quickly turned the tables with Poetry in Motion. The Hardy’s remained in control as they went to commercial after barely being back for 2 minutes. Aussie Open took over and did their signature running around the ring, ramming the backs of their opponents into each other and stayed in control before returning from break. Jeff was able to fight off both men with a Whisper in the Wind and made the hot tag to Matt, who ran wild. Side Effect on Fletcher got a near fall, but as he went for a Twist of Fate, Fletcher spun out. Matt fought Fletcher off in the corner; hit a superplex, Jeff hit a splash off the second, only for Davis to break it up. Fletcher saved his partner in the corner and powerbombed Matt, as Jeff was planted with the assisted Aussie Arrow for the win.
Post match, Davis & Fletcher stood tall, saying there will be no double clothesline or kangaroo kick at All In and Aussie Open will remain the ROH Tag Team Champions bay-bay. MJF & Adam Cole walked out from the back and had a faceoff before a brawl started. Aussie Open had the upper hand, wanted a double clothesline, but MJF & Cole fought back with pump kicks. Davis bailed before he got caught with a double clothesline. Fletcher avoided a kangaroo kick, as MJF saved Cole from a charging Fletcher, but Cole nearly hit MJF with an accidental superkick, pulling it at the last second. Cole & MJF had a face off before MJF shouldered past Cole, put the Dynamite Diamond Ring on and was about to clock Cole, but opted on hugging Cole instead. Cole had a look on his face like he knew what could’ve happened to end the show.
AEW Rampage 8/25/23 (matches based off spoilers from last Saturday night in Lexington)
· Orange Cassidy defends the AEW International Title against Aaron Solo
· Serpentico vs. Truth Magnum
· Luchasaurus in action
· AEW Women’s Champion Hikaru Shida & Dr. Britt Baker take on Saraya & Toni Storm
AEW Collision 8/26/23
· CM Punk, Darby Allin, Sting & a mystery partner vs. Jay White, Swerve Strickland, Brian Cage & Luchasaurus with Samoa Joe on commentary
· Orange Cassidy, Eddie Kingston & Penta El Zero Miedo vs. Kip Sabian, The Butcher & The Blade
· Jack Perry retires the FTW Title
AEW All In 8/27/23
· MJF defends the AEW World Title against Adam Cole
· FTR defend the AEW Tag Team Titles against The Young Bucks
· CM Punk vs. Samoa Joe for the AEW “Real World’s Title”
· Hikaru Shida vs. Toni Storm vs. Saraya vs. Dr. Britt Baker for the AEW Women’s Title
· The Golden Elite (Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi & Hangman Adam Page) vs. Konosuke Takeshita, Jay White & Juice Robinson
· Will Ospreay vs. Chris Jericho
· The House of Black vs. The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn for the AEW Trios Titles
· Eddie Kingston, Orange Cassidy, Chuck Taylor, Trent Beretta & Penta El Zero Miedo vs. Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, Santana & Ortiz in a Stadium Stampede Match
· Darby Allin & Sting vs. Swerve Strickland & Christian Cage in a Coffin Match
· Zero Hour: Aussie Open defend the ROH Tag Team Titles against MJF & Adam Cole
It’s a special edition of WWE NXT as Heatwave takes place tonight.
The NXT Championship will be contested when Carmelo Hayes defends against Wes Lee. Last week, Lee earned the title shot by defeating Dijak in a number one contender’s bout.
Trick Williams is set for action, battling Ilja Dragunov in a grudge match.
Judgment Day’s Dominik Mysterio & Rhea Ripley will be teaming up in a mixed tag match against Dragon Lee & Lyra Valkyria. Ripley recently interfered to help Dominik retain the NXT North American Championship against Dragon Lee.
The Heritage Cup is set to be defended as Nathan Frazer takes on former champion Noam Dar. Frazer won the cup from Oro Mensah this June when Dar claimed to be too injured to compete.
Ava will have her first-ever televised singles match when she faces off with Ivy Nile tonight. Baron Corbin vs. Von Wagner has also been announced for the episode.
Our live coverage starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
NXT Heatwave begins with a skit at a pool where Tony D’Angelo and Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo run down some of tonight’s card. There is some comedy and also some interactions with others at the pool.
Opening the show, live from a soundstage at the Performance Center in Orlando, is a grudge match.
Ilja Dragunov defeated Trick Williams
Dragunov pinned Williams in a good opener. This looked stiff at times, as they seemed to lay it in, especially Dragunov. Hard hitting in safe places, though. Williams rose to the occasion, but little was done to protect him. Dragunov dominated much of the match. Williams fought from underneath, despite being the larger of the two.
Dragunov takes the fight to Williams soon as the bell sounds to start the match. Williams finally fights back after taking a lot of punishment. When the fighting spills outside the ring, Dragunov gives Williams a German suplex on the floor. Dragunov is again taking the fight to Williams as the show cuts to its first commercial break.
Williams fires up after the show returns from commercial, and a comeback is soon underway. They trade strikes, and Williams drops Dragunov to his knees. Dragunov begs for more and motions for Williams to bring it. Williams does as he hits Dragunov with a running knee strike. That leads to a really good near fall.
Dragunov counters Williams, and Dragunov delivers some DDTs. Near fall for Dragunov. They go on to trade more near falls. Williams gets a really close near fall after giving Dragunov an avalanche Rock Bottom off the top rope. Dragunov kicks out, and he answers back with a powerbomb. Dragunov then delivers an elbow smash like he was falling timber. Williams gets a shoulder up at the last second.
Dragunov climbs the turnbuckles, and he leaps off to deliver a flying elbow smash on a prone Willaims. Dragunov covers Williams for a three count, and giving Dragunov the win.
Nathan Frazier in a skit asks Tyler Bate to be his second tonight, and Bate agrees. Frazier promises to give Bate the first shot at the Heritage Cup if he wins tonight.
Mustafa Ali walks in on Rhea Ripley and Dominik Mysterio in a locker room. There is some bickering, and Ripley orders Ali to get out of their locker room. Ali leaves, but he makes a sexual joke at their expense on his way out.
Ivy Nile defeated Ava (with Joe Gacy & The Dyad)
Nile submitted Ava with a standing Dragon sleeper. This was kept short, and it was okay in that regard. This was also Ava’s first singles match on television, after making her singles debut recently on a house show as part of the NXT loop.
Ava was pummeling Nile, while Nile bumps and feeds into Ava’s offense. Nile counters a scoop slam, and she slid behind Ava to lock in a Dragon sleeper. Ava taps out to give Nile the win via submission.
Masked members of The Schism surround the ring after the match. Nile is seemingly alone is an army of Schism. She grabs Ava and again puts her in a Dragon sleeper, as masked Schism members one-by-one charge into the ring. Nile mows them down. Gacy and The Dyad direct traffic.
Ava is pulled out of the ring and carried on out on someone’s shoulder. Ava flashes a sinister smile as she is carried away.
Dragunov and Wes Lee exchange words in a locker room skit. Lee vows to win the NXT title tonight.
Noam Dar (with Oro Mensah, Jakara Jackson & Lash Legend) defeated Nathan Frazier (with Tyler Bate) to win the Heritage Cup
Dar wins 2-1 in match that goes six rounds. No falls in the first round. The second round begins during a split-screen commercial break. During the break, Dar scores a pinfall to win the second round after outside interference. Dabbo-Kato comes down to ringside, and he chokeslams Bate on the ring apron. That distracts Frazier, and Dar rolls him up for a pin.
Third round ends with no falls, so Dar is still up by one. Dar with a cheap shot after the bell sounded to end round three. Frazier is also alone with no one in his corner.
Some good action throughout, but they really turned things up a notch as the fourth round began. Frazier evens the score after a great high spot. Dar takes a superplex, and Frazier floats over to lift Dar into a twisting neckbreaker. Frazier then covers Dar for a pinfall, evening the match at two falls apiece.
Fifth round starts during a commercial break, Under 30 seconds remain when the show returned from the break. Frazier does a senton on Dar and Mensah on the floor. Dar is rolled back into the ring with seconds remaining, as Frazier goes to capitalize. Lash Legend grabs Frazier’s leg, keeping him from making a cover. Frazier kicks free, but he runs out of time as Dar kicks out as time expires.
Great action in the sixth and final round. It comes down to Frazier going for a Phoenix Splash. No water in the pool. Dar capitalizes with a shining wizard, and Dar covers Frazier for a three count. Dar wins two falls to one to become the undisputed Heritage Cup Champion.
Ava in a promo dares Ivy Nile to come find her under the Schism’s tree, which is mystical or something like that. Ava is flanked by the two masked men that carried her away. This skit would continue later in the night, with a reveal of the Creeds.
NXT Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton is in the ring for a live monologue. She proceeds to brag on herself and her reign as champ. Stratton proclaims she will become the greatest women’s champ in NXT history.
Gigi Dolan interrupts her, which leads to bickering between them. Dolan roasts Stratton for tapping out, and the crowd chants that she tapped out. Out comes Kiana James to join the party. Blair Davenport is next to interrupt. More bickering and whatnot.
Stratton goes to leave, but there is one more interruption. Roxanne Perez comes out to confront the other four. Perez says she has something to tell Stratton. The champ steps forwards and begins to speak when Perez waylays her with a forearm. That ignites a brawl that erupts. The four contenders brawl as Stratton slips out of the ring. This seems to set up a four-way number one contender’s match.
Charlie Dempsey chokes out a student in a skit, while Drew Gulak berates the student. Damon Kemp also looked on with a grin.
Ava is still under the Schism tree, and she is still cutting a promo on Nile. In walks Nile, and Ava orders the two masked men to attack Nile. Instead, the two unmask to reveal themselves as the Creed Brothers. They announce they will face The Dyad in a cage match next Tuesday. If the Creeds win, they are reinstated in NXT.
Meta-Four are backstage celebrating Dar’s win. Dar is served with paperwork from the Heritage Cup committee. There will be a eight-man tournament, and the winner gets a Heritage Cup match against Dar at NXT No Mercy.
WWE World Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley & NXT North American Champion Dominik Mysterio vs. Dragon Lee & Lyra Valkyria in a mixed tag team match
Dragon Lee pinned Mysterio to win the match. That should also set up a singles title match in the future between the two. Raquel Rodriquez ran in just before the finish, and she brawled with Ripley.
There were some mixed spots, but the men mostly worked with the men and vice versa. Dragon Lee and Valkyria do stereo high spots just before the show cuts to a another split-screen break.
Valkyria is worked over by Ripley, building to a hot tag. Valkyria and Ripey do a cool spot with an ugly landing, where Valkyria counters a suplex and spikes Ripley with a DDT. Valkyria then drops Ripley with a kick. Tags are made. Dragon Lee runs wild on Mysterio. Double stomp by Lee for a near fall.
Lee counters a 619, and Lee delivers a Liger bomb. Ripley jumps in to break up a pinning attempt by Lee. Moments later, Valkyria is caught on a dive, and Ripley slings Valkyria into the barricade.
Suddenly, Raquel Rodriguez runs down to ringside to attack Ripley. Rodriquez and Ripley brawl their way backstage. Mysterio is distracted, and he falls prey to a tilt-a-whirl DDT from Dragon Lee. Mysterio is then covered for a three count.
In an interview with McKenzie Mitchell, NXT Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton announces the number one contender’s fatal four-way that was evident by the angle from earlier tonight. That fatal four-way takes place next Tuesday.
Thea Hail is upset about her lose from last week. She is confronted by Jacy Jayne, who gives her some unsolicited advice.
Von Wagner (with Mr. Stone) vs. Baron Corbin ends before it begins
Corbin jumps Wagner before the bell, and they fight around ringside. They never got into the ring to officially start the match. The ring steps and the announce desk are used as props.
Corbin goes to attack Stone, but Wagner makes a save. Wagner teases putting Corbin through the desk. Wagner is stopped in his tracks when Bron Breakker runs in to spear Wagner. Breakker lets our a primal yell as he stands over a fallen Wagner. The match is ruled a no-context, or something like that, as the show simply cuts away.
Joe Gacy and The Dyad cut a promo on the Creeds, and Dyad accepts the challenge for the cage match next Tuesday.
NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes defeated Wes Lee to retain his title
Hayes pinned Lee in an exciting match, although the bout seemed rushed for time. While the action was great, it never captured the feel of a main event title match. Given more time, it likely could been much better. It was still really good for what it was, and Hayes looked strong in winning.
They started off at a rapid pace. Could have possibly been short on time, given how fast they were going. The match goes through a commercial break. There are lots of cool high spots throughout.
Lee is being worked over when he starts a comeback. Lee with a package Michinoku Driver for a two count. Another near fall when Lee does a twisting corkscrew senton off the top rope. Hayes kicks out at two and half.
First 48 (codebreaker) by Hayes for a near fall. The fighting spill outside for a wild high spot. Hayes springboards off the middle rope and jumps backwards into a DDT that smashes the announce desk in a wild spot. Hayes rolls Lee back into the ring, and Hayes climbs the turnbuckles.
Hayes goes for his guillotine legdrop finisher, but Lee moves out of the way. Lee connects with a Cardiac Kick, but Hayes rolls out of the ring before Lee can capitalize. Lee then goes for a tope, but he crashes and burns. Lee smacks the barricade hard, and the barricade even comes apart upon impact. They tease a countout, but Lee is able to break the count. As he gets back into the ring, Hayes is perched on the turnbuckles. Nothing But Net by Hayes, and Hayes covers Lee for a pinfall.
The show goes off the air soon as the bout is over.
Date: August 21, 2023 Location: Centre Vidéotron in Québec City
Show Recap —
Sami Zayn kicked off Raw in Quebec and his home province gave him a thunderous ovation. This went on for a good five minutes or so and probably would’ve gone longer if he let them. Zayn welcomed us to Raw while speaking French but he was abruptly interrupted by Judgment Day.
Judgment Day surrounded the ring like the Shield as the crowd booed. Zayn asked them if they really thought he came to Quebec alone.
Kevin Owens marched out. Owens took out Dominik Mysterio and Finn Bálor, chucking them both into the barricade. Zayn avoided a Damian Priest chokeslam and Owens gave Priest a stunner. Owens got a massive ovation. (Seriously, crowds rarely get this loud.)
Owens said it’s been far too long since he’s had a match on Raw so he challenged any two members of Judgment Day to a tag match. Judgment Day seemed on board. Owens swore at them in French and the crowd cheered.
********
The announcers thanked the fans for already breaking the WrestleMania gate record for WrestleMania 40.
McIntyre tossed Kingston and Woods around and they fell from the ring. Riddle was pumped and gave McIntyre a big hug. McIntyre grabbed him in response and suplexed him over the top onto New Day. McIntyre smiled and Riddle was excited (that McIntryre didn’t turn on him).
New Day were in control over Riddle anyway after a break. Kingston came off the top but Riddle nailed him in the face with a lifting knee strike. Riddle then gave Woods an avalanche fisherman’s suplex.
Before Riddle could even attempt a hot tag, Erik of the Viking Raiders yanked McIntyre off the apron. Kingston then gave Riddle a Trouble in Paradise for the pinfall win.
— Erik and Ivar laid out New Day and Riddle after the match but McIntyre fought them off by himself.
(The crowd was into McIntyre and Riddle as a team and seemed to particularly like McIntyre. They probably would’ve gotten a big pop if they won.)
********
Jackie Redmond interviewed JD McDonagh and Finn Bálor. She asked if McDonagh’s involvement was creating more tension within Judgment Day. McDonagh said he’s known Bálor his own life and he was like an older brother. He hoped his involvement would make Judgment Day even stronger.
Bálor was offended by Redmond’s question and reminded her that they laid out Zayn and Cody Rhodes last week thanks to McDonagh. Ripley (with Dom) interrupted the interview because she wanted to discuss tonight’s tag match with Bálor — but not with McDonagh. Bálor was ok with this and he left with Ripley.
********
There was a Shayna Baszler video with clips showcasing the damage of her strikes. “I’m not here to be your hero, I’m here to set it all on fire.”
Gunther cut a backstage promo. He said he was building his lifelong legacy and Chad Gable wouldn’t make a name at his expense. Gable’s fairytale story would end tonight.
Byron Saxton was about to interview Gable but Otis and Maxxine Dupri both stepped in and spoke highly of Gable. He said they were making him blush and yelled, “Thank you!”
********
They announced the return of John Cena on the September 1st edition of Smackdown.
Intercontinental Championship match: Chad Gable defeated Gunther via countout — Gunther retains the title (13:10)
They did some mat wrestling until Gunther chopped Gable down ahead of a break.
[SECOND HOUR]
Gunther dropped Gable back-first onto the top of the barricade and Gable just barely got back in the ring at a nine count. Gunther used a double underhook suplex for two and whipped him hard into the corner. Gable was so beaten up that Gunther tried another Irish whip and Gable collapsed.
Gunther mockingly kicked him so Gable fired back with kicks of his own before applying an armbar between the ropes. Gable came off the top but Gunther chopped him and hit a clothesline for two. Gunther hit another clothesline for two.
Gable countered another clothesline attempt into a crucifix pin for two. Gunther applied a sleeper but Gable got to his feet with Gunther on his back. Gable fought back with running forearms and a back suplex.
Gable blocked a knee strike and applied an ankle lock but Gunther kicked his way out of it. Gable tackled Gunther and hammered away at him. Gable hit a few chops and a German suplex for two. The crowd chanted, “This is awesome.”
Gable set up for a moonsault but Gunther shoved him off the top to the outside. Gable ducked a chop and Gunther chopped the ring post. Gable then gave Gunther a German suplex over the barricade into the timekeeper’s area — which looked awesome.
Gable slipped back into the ring at a nine count and Gunther was counted out.
— Gable celebrated big as they announced him the winner by countout. Gable said he was coming back for more. Gunther was pissed and his Imperium teammates demanded Samantha Irvin announce that Gunther was still the champion.
Cole said Gable was the first person to beat Gunther in a singles match since he debuted in WWE.
********
Judgment Day discussed who should team up tonight. Bálor thought it should be him and Dom. Priest thought it should be him and Dom since he was Mr. Money in the Bank and Dom was the NXT North American Champion. Bálor was offended.
Priest asked for Dom’s opinion but Dom sheepishly asked Ripley what she thought instead. Ripley had enough. She left to get ready for her match and told them they better make a decision by the time she was back or else she will.
*******
Gunther screamed at Imperium backstage before leaving. Ludwig Kaiser said he was going to make things right and asked Giovanni Vinci what he planned on doing. Vinci looked around confused.
********
Cody Rhodes segment
Saxton interviewed Rhodes backstage. Rhodes said Bálor sat on him like he was furniture last week. Rhodes wondered what McDonagh’s problem was and said he looked like a Funko Pop (because of his big head and small body).
Rhodes didn’t want to continue this backstage and had Saxton follow him through the back and out to the stage. Rhodes greeted the fans in French. Rhodes also gave Cole and Wade Barrett a shout-out.
Rhodes said Judgment Day had the numbers advantage but they wouldn’t here in Quebec City. Rhodes said tonight was about Owens and Zayn. He would have their backs and we would see Judgment Day fall.
(So Rhodes won’t be at ringside but will appear if he must.)
********
Shinsuke Nakamura video
Nakamura did a video promo in Japanese and English (with English subtitles). Nakamura said Seth Rollins acted like he had it all but Nakamura knew Rollins and his weaknesses. The words Nakamura whispered to Rollins were, “I know about your back.”
Nakamura said Rollins’ back has been broken for many years. “He lives in pain and this pain creates a void inside of him that nothing can fill. No matter how successful he is, he is still in pain.” He’s in pain when he hugs his wife and holds his child. Rollins’ worst fears were coming true because he knows Nakamura can break him once and for all.
Nakamura said he had a void too. They live by a code that others do not. That code is displayed on Rollins’ back (his back tattoo) — the same back that was failing him. Rollins tried to live by that code but his body is crumbling under the pressure of his own vanity.
“Are you satisfied, Seth, with what you have done with your life?” Nakamura said he would not be satisfied until he takes this burden from Rollins and breaks him once and for all. “Watch your back.”
The title match was officially announced for Payback.
(I thought this was really well put together.)
********
Non-title match: Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley (w/NXT North American Champion Dominik Mysterio) defeated Candice LeRae (w/Indi Hartwell) (1:20)
LeRae got some offence in but Ripley won quickly by submission with a standing cloverleaf.
— Raquel Rodriguez limped out on a crutch after the match. Ripley mocked her but Rodriguez chucked to crutch at Ripley, revealing that her leg was fine. Rodriguez laid out Ripley who rolled out of the ring and backed off with Dom.
Rodriguez announced that she’s been cleared — and she’s got a title shot at Payback.
********
Tommaso Ciampa cut a backstage promo. He spoke about being this close against Gable, who got the IC title shot, and against Nakamura, who got a world title shot.
Ciampa didn’t want to complain about being this close because he didn’t want to be that guy, he came back to be the guy. He’s been that guy before and was dying to buy that guy again. Ciampa dropped a “do it yourself” line before saying he was here to “take over.”
********
Miz said he was a trendsetter while LA Knight would be remembered as a blip on the radar. Miz rambled about the same things he always does before saying he hand-picked his opponent tonight.
Akira Tozawa entered. Miz called Tozawa a former 24/7 Champion and it was unfortunate that the title didn’t exist anymore because it was a throwback to the Attitude Era — just like LA Knight. Miz asked Tozawa some questions and Tozawa kept responding, “Yeah!” which pissed off Miz. Miz booted Tozawa.
Akira Tozawa defeated The Miz (7:19)
Knight entered as the match started. The distraction allowed Tozawa to dropkick Miz out of the ring and hit a suicide dive. Knight tossed some tissues on Miz. (Knight joined commentary as they went to break.)
Miz was in control after a break. Tozawa fought back but Miz got his knees up on a diving senton attempt. Miz kept yelling at Knight so Tozawa rolled him up for the pinfall win.
— As Miz argued with the referee, Knight laid him out with Blunt Force Trauma. The crowd liked Knight.
********
McIntyre told Riddle that they weren’t working out as a team. New Day chimed in. Woods said the crowd loved them and they had a good thing going. Kingston agreed and said they had potential. Woods suggested their team name be “McRiddle.”
Woods offered them a rematch after they beat the Viking Raiders next week. Riddle asked McIntyre to team up again and McIntyre left without answering. Riddle was happy he didn’t say no.
********
[THIRD HOUR]
Ripley asked Priest if they made a decision. Priest said no because Bálor didn’t trust him and wanted him to talk to McDonagh. Priest didn’t really trust Bálor either. Ripley was annoyed and said they were going to do things her way. She left without explaining.
Becky Lynch/Trish Stratus segment
Lynch entered. She said the person who is considered the best ever comes down to legacy. Lynch said her legacy wouldn’t be defined by wins or losses or by championships, it would be defined by survival. You can break her bones and put her on the shelf but she would always come back. She was unstoppable — not because she always won because she would always fight.
Lynch said she had Trish Stratus in a cage match at Payback but still had an issue to settle with Zoey Stark.
Stratus and Stark interrupted. Stratus was happy to be north of the border instead of with the “U.S.A-holes.” Stratus then turned on Quebec City because she said they meant nothing. They booed and she let them know that the Maple Leafs at least made the playoffs. Stratus said she should make like Justin Trudeau and split. (Trudeau and his wife recently separated.)
The crowd chanted something in French at Stratus who claimed she didn’t understand. Stratus said she would prove she was the greatest of her generation and of the current one.
Stratus said Payback would be her first cage match and she admitted that she was scared. But she was scared when she debuted at 24 years old with no experience — and she killed it. She was scared when she was the first woman to main event Raw — and she killed it.
Stratus once again found herself in a position where she had to prove herself. She was sick of having to prove herself and Lynch would see a side of her she hasn’t seen before. Stratus said Lynch should be scared because, “you’re not gonna survive this one, bitch.”
Lynch pretended to be scared and announced that she was facing Stark next week in a falls count anywhere match.
********
Saxton interviewed Chelsea Green and Piper Niven. Green called him “Bryan.” She rambled for a bit before Niven cut her off.
Non-title match: Women’s Tag Team Champions Chelsea Green & Piper Niven defeated Kayden Carter & Katana Chance (1:36)
Carter and Chance hit a nice double-team move on Green but she wasn’t the legal woman. Niven took out Carter and pinned Katana with a running crossbody.
********
Seth Rollins interview
Redmond interviewed Seth Rollins. He wanted to hear the crowd sing his song before moving on to Nakamura.
Rollins said Nakamura caught him off guard last week when he brought up his back injury. It wasn’t something he wanted to talk about publicly but he admitted to having two fractures in his lumbar spine.
Rollins has been living with it for four years and it doesn’t get better on its own — it gets worse. He didn’t know how much longer he could keep going at this level. But it was part of the gig. It was also part of the gig if Nakamura wanted to play mind games and take shots at him.
But if Nakamura wanted to bring his wife and daughter into this then he better be prepared to face him man-to-man. Rollins questioned if Nakamura wanted this because he wasn’t even there tonight. Rollins invited Nakamura to play mind games again next week. Rollins would be in the centre of the ring with the world singing his song.
********
Next week on Raw in Memphis:
Becky Lynch vs. Zoey Stark – falls count anywhere
Chad Gable vs. Ludwig Kaiser
********
Priest entered moments before Ripley dragged out Bálor. She demanded that the two of them team up tonight. They marched down together to attack Owens and Zayn who got the better of the exchange before the match officially began.
Non-title match: Damian Priest & Finn Bálor (w/Rhea Ripley & Dominik Mysterio) defeated Tag Team Champions Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn via disqualification (2:37)
Owens was all over Bálor to the delight of the crowd. Priest grabbed his briefcase but Zayn decked him. McDonagh tried sliding the briefcase in to Bálor but Owens grabbed it and hit Bálor with it for the DQ.
Judgment Day swarmed Owens and Zayn until Rhodes ran out to even the odds. Rhodes challenged them to a six-man match and the crowd cheered. Adam Pearce made it official.
********
Six-man tag team match: Cody Rhodes & Tag Team Champions Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn defeated Damian Priest, Finn Bálor & NXT North American Champion Dominik Mysterio (w/Rhea Ripley) (14:22)
The match was underway following a break.
Judgment Day took turns hitting moves on Owens — including Ripley who bodyslammed him. After a break, Owens dropped Bálor onto the announce desk but Priest tagged in and prevented a tag. The crowd chanted for Owens who superkicked Bálor. Bálor fell into Rhodes who fell off the apron. Zayn made the tag and he hammered away at Priest and knocked his partners off the apron.
Zayn gave Priest a tornado DDT for two. Bálor distracted the ref allowing Ripley to yank Zayn off the top. Priest followed with a chokeslam but Owens broke up the cover. Owens chucked Bálor out of the ring but Priest clotheslined Owens. Dom tagged in but Zayn got his knees up on a frog splash.
Rhodes reappeared on the apron and Zayn made the hot tag. Rhodes hit Dom with a Disaster Kick before hitting both Dom and Priest with a double Cody Cutter. Rhodes gave Bálor a Cross Rhodes before Dom tried a schoolboy for two.
Rhodes gave Dom a Cross Rhodes, Zayn gave Dom a Helluva Kick, and Owens finished him off with a stunner for the pinfall win.
— After the match, Zayn grabbed the mic and said, “Hey Judgment Day — better luck next time, eh bud?” Zayn thanked Quebec and posed with the title belts. The babyfaces embraced as the show ended.
For the second time, Impact Wrestling and NJPW will come together for a co-promoted event as part of Multiverse United 2 from the famed 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The show will feature three title matches, headlined by Impact World Champion Alex Shelley, who will defend his title against former IWGP Heavyweight Champion and wrestling legend Hiroshi Tanahashi.
In another, NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Giulia will make her debut in this series as she defends against Deonna Purrazzo, Gisele Shaw and Momo Kohgo in a four-way.
X-Division Champion Lio Rush will team with former champion Trey Miguel to battle IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Hiromu Takahashi & Mike Bailey.
In another fast-paced affair, it will be Chris Sabin vs. Frankie Kazarian vs. Rich Swann vs. Kevin Knight vs. BUSHI vs. Mao vs. El Desperado in a seven-way scramble
NJPW TV Champion Zack Sabre Jr. will team with Shane Haste to battle Moose & Eddie Edwards.
Other featured matches include Bullet Club vs. The World in a 12-man tag, Impact Digital Media Champion Kenny King defending against Yoshinobu Kanemaru and more.
Uemura and Hendry did a dramatic pose at the end of Hendry’s music, and Taguchi wandered into the shot and gave a thumbs up before Wato and Romero also joined in. I already love this match. Romero and Heath started the match as the announcers talked about Romero’s recent exploits and success in CMLL.
Romero hit a hurricanrana on Heath and tagged out to Taguchi, and Taguchi posed on the middle ropes preparing for his Funky Weapon to be used. Unfortunately, he wasn’t looking at who ran into him, and did not realize that Heath sent Romero into his posterior. Not to be deterred by this, Taguchi continued utilizing his Funky Weapon on Hendry and Heath before tagging out to Wato, who Hendry lariated to death.
Wato sent Heath crashing into Hendry and hit a move on both men before hitting a hurricanrana on Uemura. Wato, Romero, and Taguchi all hit planchas to the floor. Wato attempted to springboard into the ring, but Heath cut him off and beat Wato around ringside before tagging out to Hendry.
Hendry hit a stalling vertical suplex on Wato for a 2-count. Uemura slammed Wato and tagged out to Heath. Wato actually hit a wake up call on Hendry and tagged out to Romero, who hit two forever clotheslines on him. Hendry blocked the third and hit a fallaway slam on Romero and Wato at the same time.
Taguchi missed a Funky Weapon attack on Uemura, and Uemura hit the ropes and hit a hard forearm and bulldog on Taguchi. Uemura hit a huge uranage on Tauguchi and a crossbody for the pinfall.
Impact Digital Media Champion Kenny King defeated Yoshinobu Kanemaru (Just 5 Guys) to retain
Good match, though hurt by it being two heels and the fans not really knowing who Kanemaru is (which is a shame, because he’s really good).
Kanemaru and King did crisscross in the middle of the ring before Kanemaru dropkicked King right in the knee to take the bigger man down. Kanemaru continued his basic offence with headlock takeovers until King raked the eyes and necked Kanemaru on the ropes. Kanemaru hit an inverted DDT on King to make a bit of a comeback, before missing a moonsault, but landing on his feet and hitting the ropes right away before nailing a tornado DDT for a 2-count.
Kanemaru went for the moonsault a second time, but only got a 2-count. Kanemaru hit an enziguri on King and then tried to spit whisky into the face of King, but King dodged and hit an Eddy Gordo kick before hitting a royal flush for the win.
Impact x NJPW Multiverse United II Main Card
Chris Sabin defeated MAO, Kevin Knight, Rich Swann, YOH (CHAOS), BUSHI (LIJ), Frankie Kazarian and El Desperado (Strong Style) in a scramble match
Great match here to open the show, with all eight men being given a shot to shine. Sabin winning was probably the right call.
All eight men did a lock up, creating a huddle, before there were 4 headlocks, and then 4 planchas to the floor, with Kevin Knight looking like he landed face first on the floor. MAO faced off with Swann alone in the ring, cartwheeling over MAO and hitting a kick. YOH came in and took it to Swann, hitting a drop toe hold and a dropkick.
Knight came back in and dropped YOH with a hip toss into a cartwheel and dropkick. Sabin sneaked back into the ring and hit a Manhattan drop and a European uppercut in the corner. Desperado and MAO ended up in the ring, and Desperado offered a handshake and forearmed Desperado right in the face to the delight of the crowd.
7 men all locked submissions on each other, and BUSHI ran around the ring trying to figure out who to lock a submission on, before deciding on YOH and falling back into the ropes to break the submission. All 7 men then beat on BUSHI for his lack of assistance towards any of them. Desperado and MAO tried to hit a superplex on Swann, but Kazarian and Sabin hit a tower of doom power bomb on the 3 men, letting Knight hit a huge splash on Swann for a 2-count.
MAO was making himself a star in this, as all 8 men entered a scramble with MAO hitting a cutter before others hit a series of moves. Sabin hit a flatliner on Knight while hitting a DDT on YOH and a cradle shock for the win.
BUSHI went to shake hands with Sabin, but spit black poison mist into Sabin’s face.
Moose & Eddie Edwards Zack Sabre Jr. & Shane Haste (TMDK)
Sabre was very over when he came out as the fans sung his name. Edwards and ZSJ started the match with a great technical exchange, but Sabre soon made him pay like everyone else does too, tearing at the arm of Edwards before tagging out to Haste, who hit a dropkick to the head on Edwards for a 2-count.
ZSJ tagged back in and proceeded to tie Edwards up and work over the arm, tagging out again to Haste. Edwards did manage to hit a backpack stunner on Haste, and Moose got a 2-count out of it. Moose held the arms of Haste back before hitting a brutal chop that dropped Haste to the mat. Moose and Edwards kept control of Haste, beating him down with hard strikes.
Haste managed to hit a hurricanrana on Edwards and tagged out to ZSJ. ZSJ then locked on an octopus stretch on Edwards, but Edwards fought out. Edwards was quickly trapped in a submission again by Sabre, then he kicked Moose in the face which just made him angry. Moose charged at Edwards but ZSJ pulled the ropes down and sent him crashing to the floor before hitting a PK from the apron.
Edwards and Sabre exchanged chops and kicks, ending with Edwards hitting a blue thunder bomb and both men were down. Haste and Moose tagged in and started brawling. Haste hit a big cannonball in the corner for a 2-count. Moose hit a big uranage and then a pump kick on Sabre, but Sabre responded with a tornado DDT on Moose while Edwards ran in and hit a lariat on Sabre.
Moose and Haste got up and started exchanging forearms. Haste went for the dynamic bomb, but Moose countered into a powerbomb of his own. Haste rolled through and Moose flew into a flying triangle choke from Sabre. Sabre, while being held by Moose in the air, switched to a rear naked choke which allowed Haste to hit a flying knee on Moose to drop him. Moose missed a spear and Haste got a 2-count with a roll up. Moose managed to hit a spear on Haste for the pinfall.
NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Giulia (Donna del Mondo) defeated Momo Kohgo (Stars), Deonna Purrazzo & Gisele Shaw to retain
Giulia and Kohgo came across as massive stars to this audience, with Giulia, in particular, looking incredible. This match was 100% designed to get Giulia over to American audiences. This was great.
Shaw and Kohgo were headlocked by Purrazo and Giulia respectively, before Giulia and Purrazzo tried to face off to a great reaction from the audience. Gisele Shaw took credit for women’s wrestling, but then ate a dropkick to the face from Giulia. Giulia used Kohgo as a weapon to kick Purrazzo before hitting a backsuplex for a 2-count.
Kohgo ran up the ropes and hit a crossbody on Giulia for a 2-count. Shaw broke up a second pinfall attempt. Purrazzo hit a Russian leg sweep on Shaw before going for the Queen’s Gambit, but Shaw fought out. Purrazzo hit the ropes, but Giulia puled her from the ring, letting Kohgo hitting a crossbody off the top rope onto both Giulia and Purrazzo.
Shaw tried to hit a dive to the floor, but fell a little short, crashing into the apron and then falling onto the others. A few fans chanted something very rude but were silenced by the rest of the audience. Who would have thought that would happen in the ECW Arena in 2023? All 4 wrestlers hit a series of move before falling to the mat, and struggling to get to their feet before brawling back and forth.
Giulia and Kohgo had a brief alliance before Purrazzo and Shaw broke it up, leading to Shaw kicking Purrazzo on the top ropes. Shaw managed to hit a Spanish fly on Purrazzo, but it was broken up by Kohgo and Giulia. Kohgo hit a tornado DDT on Shaw but ate a drop toe hold into the corner and a Saito suplex by Giulia. Purrazzo rushed in and hit the Queen’s Gambit on Giulia, but Giulia kicked out.
Purrazzo locked an armbar on Giulia while Shaw locked one on Kohgo, and they started kicking each other while holding the submission. This turned into an all out brawl with Purrazzo. Shaw hit a spinebuster on Kohgo, but soon ate a Northern Lights Bomb from Giulia on Shaw for the win.
Kohgo attacked Giulia after the match but ate the Glorious Bomb for her attack.
Sami Callihan defeated Douki (Just 5 Guys) in a South Philly Street Fight
If you like hardcore matches, this is one for you. Good match here, and Douki really did get over with the audience, especially with that last near fall.
Sami Callhian grabbed the mic before the match and said that they were missing something tonight, thinking they were missing some extreme violence in the ECW Arena. He then suggested they have a hardcore match, and Douki agreed, hitting an enziguri on Callihan and a tope suicida. Douki grabbed a chair and started beating on Callihan.
Callihan caught Douki as he tried to charge and hit a Death Valley Driver on the floor. Callihan threw chairs into the ring, and the fans chanted “Just 5 Chairs!” but Callihan laughed and threw a sixth chair in. Callihan grabbed his 8×4 photo and gave Douki a papercut on the webbing of his fingers and on his armpit.
Douki hit a throat thrust, but Callihan hit an exploder suplex through a setup chair for a 2-count. Callihan hit Douki with a chair. Callihan put a chair in the corner and tried to send Douki into it. Douki blocked a German suplex and hit an enziguri. Callihan tried to charge Douki, but Douki dropped into a splits and laid facedown on the mat as Callihan flew over him and into the chair lodged in the corner.
Douki pulled out a kendo stick and started hitting Callihan with it. Callihan blocked a shot and stole the cane before posing and screaming “Sandman pose!” Douki blocked the kendo stick shot with a chair and hit a drop toe hold onto the chair before posing like Tommy Dreamer. Douki hit a flying stomp on Callihan as he was covered in chairs for a 2-count.
Douki went for a slingshot DDT, but Callihan caught him and hit a slingshot suplex into a twist and shout on Douki. Callihan setup a ladder in the corner and tried to powerbomb Douki onto it, but Douki countered with a hurricanrana, sending Callihan in face first and hitting the slingshot DDT for a 2-count. Douki put the ladder on Callihan and tried to hit a senton, but Callihan moved and Douki crashed hard into the ladder. Callihan hit a lariat and then the Cactus Driver ‘97 for a 2-count that everyone thought was a finish, including some people chanting rudely at the referee, but he was right.
Callihan setup 4 chairs (Just 4 Chairs?!) and went for the Cactus Driver on the chairs, but Douki fought out. Callihan then grabbed Douki low and hit the Cactus Driver on the chairs for the pinfall.
This was a really good match. Fujita was given a lot of chances to shine and show that he is a young lion on the rise.
Akira & Fujita started the match, exchanging some basic technical wrestling. Fujita hit a big dropkick on Akira before hitting some hard chops. TJP blind tagged in and hit a series of moves with Akira on Fujita. Eagles tagged in and launched himself off the back of Fujita into a dropkick on Akira.
Eagles hit a low dropkick on Akira letting Fujita roll into a leg lock on Akira, who made it to the ropes quickly to escape. Akira hit a hurricanrana on Fujita before TJP grabbed his hand and assisted him in running up the ropes into a dive onto both Eagles and Fujita. Akira responded to a hard chop by Fujita with an even harder one. TJP tagged in and launched Akira from an electric chair into a senton for a 2-count on Fujita.
Eagles put a leg submission on Akira to work him over, leaving him limping. Akira managed to hit a poison rana on Eagles and crawled over to TJP for the hot tag. Akira and TJP hit the Alley Oop while TJP then hit a frog splash for a 2-count on Fujita. Fujita hit a belly-to-belly on TJP for a 2-count. Eagles accidently hit a superkick on his own partner, leading to Catch 22 being able to hit the Knee Knee for the pinfall.
–Speedball Mike Bailey was backstage, talking about his win at the All-Star Junior Festival the night before and how he was going to soon challenge the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Hiromu Takahashi. But for tonight, they will be teaming together against Lio Rush & Trey Miguel.
Bullet Club (Ace Austin, Chris Bey, KENTA, Clark Connors, Alex Coughlin & David Finlay) defeated The World (The DKC, PCO, Josh Alexander, Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa & El Phantasmo)
I’m a bit surprised that Josh Alexander’s return match was one in a losing capacity, but he was not pinned, so it’s not a big deal. NJPW’s goal is to clearly continuing trying to establish Finlay’s version of Bullet Club as a top heel faction, and this match helped towards that.
David Finlay and Tama Tonga started the match, with Finlay spitting in the face of Tonga, who started brawling immediately. Not long after it broke down to a brawl between everyone on the floor. By the time Tama Tonga and Finlay were back in the ring, PCO tagged in and Finlay backed away and tagged in Alex Coughlin.
PCO and Coughlin exchanged hard chops to the delight of the fans. Coughlin effortlessly hit a wheelbarrow suplex on PCO, but PCO stood up, screamed, and hit a clothesline that took both men to the floor. A brawl broke out between everyone as this happened. The DKC and Clark Connors ended up in the ring, with The DKC hitting a flipping dropkick on Connors, but Connors responded with a big powerslam.
Alexander tagged in and ran wild, suplexing everyone, but was soon overwhelmed by the numbers of the Bullet Club. Ace Austin pulled a card from his sleave and gave a papercut to the webbing of Alexander’s finger. Bullet Club and The World team broke down and brawled all over the place until PCO hit a moonsault over the corner post to the floor on everyone. The DKC then tried to hit a splash on Finlay, but Finlay got his knees up and hit a massive powerbomb for the 3-count.
Both teams continued brawling after the match, but Bullet Club eventually stood tall in the ring.
Trey Miguel & Lio Rush defeated Mike Bailey & Hiromu Takahashi
This was a really good match, with all 4 men looking great, and an unexpected heel win from the X-Division champion. Another Impact star goes over in this. This is making me think Tanahashi has to win in the main event, because NJPW has took a lot of losses on this one.
Bailey and Lio Rush got in the ring and as Bailey offered a handshake to Rush, who slapped him. They then moved so fast that I would have to type around 300 words a minute to keep up. Bailey hit a kick on Rush and got a 2-count. Takahashi and Bailey hit a double dropkick on Rush to the delight of the fans.
Rush and Miguel managed to isolate Takahashi and hit a series of hard ground and pound strikes, only breaking to tag out.
Rush hit a fisherman’s driver on Bailey for a 2-count. Rush hit a dive on Bailey on the floor and both men exchanged kicks in the ring that dropped them both. Miguel and Takahashi exchanged hard chops and uppercuts before Takahashi finally hit a falcon arrow for a 2-count. Miguel and Rush started double teaming Takahashi, with Rush hitting a spinning kick to a downed Takahashi for a 2-count.
Takahashi hit a pop up powerbomb on Miguel, but Miguel countered a superkick from Takahashi into a school boy. Takahashi and Bailey hit double superkicks on Miguel before Takahashi picked up Miguel in a fireman’s carry, and Bailey flew of the ropes with an Ultima Weapon. I was worried this would drive Takahashi face first into the mat, but he seemed to barely avoid that. Regardless, Rush broke up the pinfall attempt. Miguel slid to the floor into a tornado DDT on Bailey while Rush hit a springboard stunner on Takahashi for a 2-count.
Takahashi and Rush spilled to the floor and Takahashi went for the Time Bomb on the floor, but Miguel launched himself off the apron onto the back of Rush into a meteora. Back in the ring, Miguel managed to just distract the referee enough after a Death Valley Driver by Takahashi for Rush to recover and hit a low blow to roll up Takahashi for the win.
Rush grabbed a mic and said that things have changed since the last time him and Takahashi were in the ring, as he had a title of his own now. Rush said it wasn’t enough though, and he wanted more. He wanted the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, and Takahashi appeared to accept the match. Mike Bailey was not happy about this, as Takahashi wanted the match now, but Rush left, saying he had a date elsewhere. It now seems like Rush and Bailey are in competition to see who gets the shot first. Takahashi screamed “YEAH!” and the fans chanted it at him. Gimmick infringement!
Impact World Champion Alex Shelley defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi to retain
I do not say this lightly, but this was the biggest win of Alex Shelley’s career, beating who may be the greatest wrestler of all time. Hiroshi Tanahashi was a key person in the career of Shelley when he was in Japan, and now he got to beat one of his mentors in the main event of a joint PPV between Impact and NJPW. This match was excellent, and Tanahashi had the fans believing he could win, which he always does. If you enjoy a Japanese style main event match, like a G1 main event, you’ll love this match. It would have fit in with almost any of the matches of the G1.
Tanahashi and Shelley started off slow, working a more grounded and technical style. Shelley stopped a corner charge and hit a knee to the arm of Tanahashi off the middle rope while Tanahashi was grabbing the ropes. Shelley began doing what he does best, working over the arm and trying to wear Tanahashi down.
Tanahashi repaid Shelley for the arm attack and went after the knee of Shelley, including working him over on the floor. The fans screamed “One more!” as he stomped Shelley’s knee, so he responded, asking if they wanted one more. They screamed yes at him, and he obliged to a great reaction. Tanahashi is the best, getting the most out of stomping a knee.
Tanahashi sent Shelley into the ring, but Shelley got up quickly and hit a slingshot over the top rope to the apron onto the arm of Tanahashi. Shelley hit a flying knee off the apron and started to attack the arm around the ringpost. Shelley, at this point, essentially started working as the heel in the match as the fans were chanting for Tanahashi.
It got a little divided, but Shelley was standing on the hair of Tanahashi before looking at the fans as they chanted. Shelley slowly came back in, so Tanahashi grabbed Shelley’s right leg and then dropkicked the left leg so Shelley was forced to fall to the mat. Tanahashi resumed stomping the leg in the corner before hitting a dropkick to Shelley’s left leg which was draped over the ropes.
Shelley started hitting forearms to Tanahashi’s left arm while Tanahashi kicked the left knee of Shelley. Shelley burst from the ropes with a forearm that dropped Tanahashi. Shelley baited Tanahashi in and hit a sliced bread #2 for a 2-count before transitioning into the Border City Stretch. Tanahashi got his foot on the ropes, but Shelley leaned back and locked in in further and only broke when the referee got to 4.
Tanahashi rolled to the apron but couldn’t escape the attack and Shelley did an arm breaker over the ropes. Tanahashi was willing to take that though, as it afforded him a chance to grab the left leg of Shelley and hit a dragon screw through the ropes. Tanahashi then hit a dropkick to Shelley’s left knee and locked on a cloverleaf.
Tanahashi stumbled forward trying to lock it in, unable to fully lock it on dew to his arm, but Tanahashi went right back to the knee with another dragon screw. Shelley and Tanahashi exchanged strikes, with Tanahashi grabbing the left leg of Shelley, so Shelley responded with an enziguri with his right leg to drop the legend.
Tanahashi and Shelley exchanged forearms again, showing their fighting spirit. Tanahashi hit a European uppercut that dropped Shelley. He went for a twist and shout, but Shelley cut him off with an arm breaker. Shelley got Tanahashi up in a fireman’s carry, but Tanahashi slipped out and hit three twist and shouts before hitting a sling blade for a 2-count. Tanahashi called for the High Fly Flow but Shelley moved and Tanahashi crashed to the mat. Shelley the Boma Ye, a big knee, to the back of the head of Tanahashi before hitting a Rainmaker for a 2-count. Shelley hit the finishers of Tanahashi’s biggest rivals – Shinsuke Nakamura, with the Boma Ye, and Kazuchika Okada, with the Rainmaker.
Tanahashi held on with an Irish whip attempt and hit a sling blade before going to the top rope again, but Shelley cut him off. Shelley put Tanahashi into a fireman’s carry and then hit an air raid crash from the top rope and Tanahashi barely kicked out. Shelley hit a superkick to the face of Tanahashi before hitting Shell Shock for the pinfall.
Final Thoughts:
One of the things that surprised the most about this show as not its quality, but how many matches Impact had on the winning side. I suspected it to be much more balanced than it was, but it is clear by some of the post match angles and challenges that were setup that NJPW was happy to put the Impact guys over in this one for the most part. Ironically, it was Josh Alexander on the losing side in his match, while ABC got the win. Nonetheless, this was a great show and one that is worth watching.
This week’s WWE Main Event was taped at the Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, before Monday’s episode of Raw. This was a perfectly watchable show this week, with a very strong offering from Ricochet and Tommaso Ciampa at the top of the show.
Natalya defeated Tegan Nox (5:41)
This was a Natalya match by the numbers as far as her bouts go these days: a ton of selling before finding a way to win with the Sharpshooter.
Nox has had a flurry of appearances on Main Event over the last four months, but still only finds herself with one win in that time. She looks perfectly at home, but none of the matches have really dazzled yet.
Nox took pretty much all of this one, to the point of the result being a bit ridiculous. It was a slow, methodical and fairly dull affair in the first half including several chin locks. Nox looked like she was enjoying being the heel, though.
Natalya eventually fired back at Nox with a German suplex and basement dropkick for a near fall and then she started to look for the Sharpshooter. In the end, it was a pretty simple finish with Natalya dodging a charge to the corner so that she could lock in the Sharpshooter for the win.
Ricochet defeated Tommaso Ciampa (7:40)
By Main Event standards, this was an excellent match. They really went back and forth and put on a fabulous show for this pre-Raw crowd.
Ricochet’s Twitter (yes, I know it’s ‘X’, but I’m just not there yet) was full of promos for this one this week, including a sentence that pretty much said it as it is:
SummerSlam to Main Event!! Catch me this Thursday on @Hulu on #Mainevent where I take on @CiampaWWE! @WWE
They had a really strong match, but given longer, these two could really go. What was most entertaining about this was the pacing and the way they both gave each other plenty without it looking like a spotfest.
Before the ads, Ricochet was in charge, but they did a ton of intricate mat work. It culminated in a cat and mouse exchange outside, culminating with Ricochet eating a knee to the face as he tried to get back into the ring.
After the commercials, Ciampa used a chin lock, that at times became a cravat, as the crowd got behind Ricochet. When he finally got some separation, he hit a Codebreaker to leave them both laying.
Ricochet tried for a springboard off the top rope, but got knocked off which allowed Ciampa to plant him with a rope hung DDT for a near fall. The finish saw Ricochet avoid the Fairytale Ending twice before hitting the Sliced Bread for the win and to round out a really solid performance from them both.
