Category: WWE Results - Page 54

AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door live results: Bryan Danielson vs. Okada

Posted on June 25, 2023 by Ryan Howard

The second-ever AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door has arrived, live from a sold-out Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada.

The show features two highly anticipated co-main events as Bryan Danielson takes on Kazuchika Okada for the very first time while Kenny Omega defends his IWGP U.S. title against Will Ospreay in a rematch from January’s Wrestle Kingdom.

AEW World Champion MJF will defend against Hiroshi Tanahashi in the main card opener while IWGP World Champion SANADA defends against “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry.

The men’s Owen Hart Foundation tournament begins with CM Punk making his first PPV appearance since last September’s All Out as he takes on Satoshi Kojima.

AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm defends against Willow Nightingale while AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy defends against Daniel Garcia, Zack Sabre Jr. and Katsuyori Shibata in a four-way.

The rest of the 13-match card will feature the latest chapter of the Blackpool Combat Club vs. The Elite feud; Sting, Darby Allin & Tetsuya Naito, and four Zero Hour pre-show matches.

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Zero Hour

The Wrestling Aunts (Renee Paquette & RJ City) begin Zero Hour in the ring, plugging the show this evening. They throw it to Excalibur, who is joined on commentary by Kevin Kelly & Chris Charlton for our opening contest.

Swerve Strickland, Brian Cage & The Gates of Agony (Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun w/Prince Nana) defeated Rocky Romero, Chuck Taylor, Trent Beretta & El Desperado

(Exactly what you’d expect to kick off the show, as this was action packed, had some fun false finishes and everyone got a chance to show off their signature moves. Strickland gets back in the win column for his team following his loss last night.)

Early greatest hits from Beretta & Romero on Kaun before Taylor jumped in and caught Liona with Sole Food and charging boot. Team Strickland were all sent to the floor, as Romero, Desperado & Taylor all took turns doing dives, capped by a Beretta moonsault. Back inside, Liona flattened Beretta with a pop up Samoan Drop to gain advantage, as Beretta remained isolated. Cage connected with a DVD on the apron, but Liona missed a leaping senton, allowing Beretta to counter a Cage lariat into a half & half. Beretta dodged a charging Liona and made the hot tag to Desperado, who ran wild on Strickland. Desperado went after Strickland, but Romero had to stop him, so they could group hug and give the people what they want.

The match broke down, as Desperado ate a pop up triple powerbomb and House Call kick by Strickland. Romero & Strickland slugged it out before everyone started hitting high impact moves in succession. Strickland missed a Swerve Stomp and collided with Cage, leading to Stickland being planted with Strong Zero for a close two. Romero tried Sliced Bread, but was met with Cage, who hit a dueling F5 Cutter combo with Strickland. Swerve Stomp followed to give Mogul Embassy the win.

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ROH Women’s Champion Athena defeated Billie Starkz in an Owen Hart Tournament Match

(This was a hard hitting back and forth match, with Athena advancing to the semi finals. If you’ve been watching ROH TV, you’ve seen Athena is on a whole other level right now, despite the strong effort from the 18 year old Starkz.)

Excalibur mentioned Athena’s 47 match winning streak, as Starkz got a fast start with a thrust kick and neckbreaker over the knee. Athena answered with a kip up head scissors into the corner and trash talked the crowd. A snap suplex into a front face slam kept Athena in control, as Starkz was punted in the ribs and struggled getting up. Athena took her time climbing the ropes and ate a thrust kick in mid air, leading to a Starkz Death Valley Bomb for two. Starkz went up top herself, but was crotched, as both ladies slugged it out on the ropes until Athena hit a hurricanrana and pop up powerbomb. Both ladies traded dropkicks and Starkz wanted a swanton, but Athena baited her, rolling to the ring apron. Starkz went for the dive, but Athena moved, causing Starkz to crash and burn. Athena rolled Starkz back in and hit a slam piledriver for the win.

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El Phantasmo defeated Stu Grayson (w/Vincent & Dutch)

(I certainly wouldn’t mind seeing these two battle it out again, they worked very well together. Both got solid reactions being from Canada, as this was a strong win and showing for ELP, who as noted by commentary, is heading into his second G1 Climax tournament.)

Grayson has recently turned on Dark Order and joined The Righteous in ROH, thus explaining why Vincent & Dutch joined for his entrance before leaving. Grayson was relentless on his attack early, but ELP shot a double leg, using his speed to take over. ELP tried his springing rope walk, but dove into a waiting Grayson, who caught him with a slam. We got a loud chop exchange, turned slap battle and slug fest until ELP went for the purple nurple. Grayson didn’t stand for the nonsense and hit a slingshot senton on the apron. ELP missed a Lionsault, as Grayson bailed outside, only to get caught with an ELP tope. A beautiful senton off the top back inside got ELP two, but Grayson fought out CR2 into a spinning slam. ELP cut off Grayson in the ropes and hit a super hurricanrana followed by Thunder Kiss ’86 for two. Grayson ducked a thrust kick, planted ELP and connected on a perfect 450 splash for a near fall of his own. Grayson signaled for Nightfall, but ELP escaped with a Jody Fleisch-esque springboard spinning DDT followed by CR2 for the win.

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Shingo Takagi, Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI defeated Kyle Fletcher, Jeff Cobb & TJP

(After the first few minutes, this turned into a solid little sprint to end Zero Hour. Takahashi didn’t get to show off all that much, but it was Takagi who got to hit his big finisher. The crowd was really behind the Los Ingobernables de Japon trio.)

United Empire attacked at the bell and isolated BUSHI almost immediately out of the gate. Cobb showed off his incredible athleticism with a standing moonsault, but BUSHI dropkicked the leg out and tagging in Takahashi, who ran wild. A shotgun dropkick sent TJP into Cobb, who caught Takahashi in his clutches with an overhead belly to belly, planting Takahashi on his head. Takagi made the tag and fired off forearms with Fletcher, who hit a half and half followed by a thrust kick. TJP hit his Mamba Splash, but Takagi kicked out at two. Cobb & Takahashi and Fletcher & BUSHI paired off outside as Takagi planted TJP with a pop up DVD. Takagi clobbered TJP with a Pumping Bomber, but Cobb broke the count. Takahashi & BUSHI hit dueling dives, as TJP avoided Last of the Dragon, but not Made in Japan, giving Takagi the pinfall.

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AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door

Excalibur welcomes us alongside Taz & Kevin Kelly as we get right into our opening World Title match.

MJF defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi to retain the AEW World Title

(Very few have the ability to draw fans emotions into a match like Hiroshi Tanahashi. In doing so, he hides his weaknesses, which, while few, is clearly that he’s moving very gingerly in the ring. Despite that, the heart of Tanahashi, mixed with MJF’s heel antics made this an enjoyable opener. The finish gave Tanahashi a visible pin, while MJF did what was necessary to retain the gold.)

After mocking Tanahashi’s air guitar, MJF bailed once Tanahashi took over and chants of coward reigned out, with Tanahashi conducting the fans. MJF came back and wanted a handshake, but Tanahashi didn’t fall for it, slapping MJF silly. MJF shielded himself with referee Bryce and took control, draping Tanahashi over the top rope. Dueling chants from the crowd, as Tanahashi rolled through a knee lift into a roll up, but as he charged again, MJF slapped on an abdominal stretch, with the occasional hand on the top rope. MJF finally got caught, trash talked Bryce, who kicked the hand free to allow Tanahashi to build momentum. After hitting a somersault senton, Tanahashi eventually hit a flying cross body, as MJF tried a float over in the corner, but was thrown off the top and followed by a Sling Blade. Tanahashi again took too long trying to get his feet under him on the top, allowing MJF to crotch him and follow with a superplex.

MJF wanted the Heat Seeker, but Tanahashi fought out, landing right on his knee. MJF hit a double arm under hook shoulder breaker, but did it on the bad knee, hurting him in the process. MJF spat on and trash talked Tanahashi, who fired up, only to be cut off with a poke to the eyes. MJF opted to flip off the crowd and turned into a Dragon Screw and Tanahashi Cloverleaf. MJF got the ropes, as Tanahashi responded with Twist and Shout and Sling Blade before going up top for High Fly Flow, but MJF got the knees up. MJF rolled to the floor and wanted to use the Triple B title, but was caught by referee Bryce who took damn near forever to get rid of the gold. Tanahashi had a visible pin on MJF, before MJF sent Tanahashi into the ref and hit a cheap shot with the Dynamite Diamond Ring to steal the win.

CM Punk defeated Satoshi Kojima in an Owen Hart Tournament Match

(Punk heeled it up in this one quite a bit, much more I’d say than he did 24 hours earlier. Kojima really got the crowd behind him and had some close moments, but in the end, Punk wasn’t losing. Kojima looked strong here, even in defeat.)

Similar to last night on Collision, Punk had some fans, but the rest booed him out of the building. After an early exchange, Kojima fired off shots in the corner to annoy Punk, who charged and ate a hip toss, to allow Kojima to flex for the crowd. Punk fought back and mocked Kojima, sending him to the outside where both men traded chops. Punk was sent over the ring attendant table and nearly took out ring announcer Dasha in the process. Back inside, a charging Kojima was caught by a leg lariat, as Punk did his Hogan hand to the ear and Hulkster leg drop to really get the crowd to boo him.

Punk hit ten corner punches and very slowly picked Kohima apart, mocking him with corner lariats by yelling Kojima’s name. After throwing a Hiroyoshi Tenzan style chop, this woke up Kojima, who fired off machine gun chops, causing Punk to crumble. Kojima absolutely crunched Punk with an elbow drop off the top and Taz said it was right in Yam-bag City, which the replay showed, it was. Punk blocked a Koji-Cutter, hit his corner knee strike and his own top rope elbow, which took forever to hit. Punk slapped on the Anaconda Vice, but strikes to the head got Kojima free. More Tenzan chops by Punk, who tried GTS, but Kojima escaped into Tenzan chops of his own leading to a Koji-Cutter. Punk countered the home run lariat into a neckbreaker, tried GTS again, but Kojima countered into a brainbuster. Kojima missed the lariat once more and Punk hit a high kick and GTS to get the three. Post match, Punk helped Kojima up and showed respect.

Orange Cassidy defeated ROH Pure Champion Katsuyori Shibata, NJPW TV Champion Zack Sabre Jr. & Daniel Garcia to retain the AEW International Title

(This felt like a sprint and a damn fun one at that. With this win, Cassidy has now 25 title defenses of the International Title, tying Jade Cargill and her TBS Title reign. An incredibly fun, action packed match with a nice callback at the end with the showing of respect with Cassidy & Shibata, whose friendship started at last year’s show.)

After trying his little kicks on everyone, each challenger played hot potato with Cassidy’s leg. Sabre & Shibata found themselves sent outside and Cassidy hit a dive, as back inside, everyone took turns trying submissions on the champion. While tag partners on Wednesday, Garcia & Sabre were about to fight when Shibata decided to take them both on. Garcia was almost like the kid brother being shoved away until he opted to dance, resulting in Sabre & Shibata beating him down. All four men clocked each other with a series of big boots resulting in a four way big boot into the quadruple down. Dueling Cobra Twists by Sabre & Shibata, who opted to slap each other instead of holding on, as Garcia & Cassidy got double sleepers. Everyone took turns with suplexes, until Cassidy hit a Stundog Millionaire and spinning DDT on Garcia for two.

Sabre wrenched at Cassidy’s wrist, but was thrown into the ring post, as back inside; Garcia clocked Shibata with one of the title belts, as it’s legal in a four way. Shibata started no selling forearms and starched Garcia with one of his own to set up the corner stalling dropkick. Cassidy & Shibata faced off a replayed their spot back from their match in Atlantic City last year, both sitting down and trading slaps. Shibata went for a home run shot, but Cassidy faked the hands in the pockets and hit Orange Punch. The bad hand didn’t put much behind it and Shibata flew at him with a strike. Cassidy hit a desperation Beach Break, but Sabre jumped in to stomp on the wrist.

Sabre countered the Mouse Trap and a Stundog, but as Sabre went for a submission, Shibata locked in a rear naked choke. Garcia distracted long enough to get booted outside and Sabre to get the European Clutch for a close two, which Garcia broke up. Garcia planted Sabre with a piledriver, but Shibata answered with a PK. Cassidy appeared, sent Shibata to the floor and got a crucifix pin on Garcia to win it. Post match, Sabre & Shibata both grabbed their titles and stood with Cassidy holding his, with Sabre saying they aren’t done yet. Sabre left and Shibata shook hands with Cassidy.

SANADA (w/DOUKI) defeated Jungle Boy Jack Perry (w/HOOK) to retain the IWGP Heavyweight Title

(I liked how the match was going and it was looking to hit another gear when it just sort of ended. I understand SANADA has won matches with that moonsault, but the crowd, nor I, was expecting that to be how SANADA would retain the gold. Post match was the bigger story, as Perry finally turned heel and I’m happy they pulled the trigger now instead of teasing it a while.)

The crowd showed referee Red Shoes respect before the match began, as Perry got a quick takedown and Snare Trap, but SANADA got the rope break. SANADA tried regrouping outside, but Perry hit a tope. Back inside, both men tried the Paradise Lock, with SANADA obviously the one to lock it on to a huge ovation. Once free, Perry tried a strike exchange, but crumbled off a vicious chop. Perry leveled SANADA with a lariat and Tiger Driver for two, but SANADA responded with a neckbreaker into the double down. Both men traded strikes again with Perry trying a crucifix, SANADA getting a fireman’s carry, which Perry countered into Skull End. SANADA got the rope break and caught a charging Perry with a TKO for two.

SANADA missed his moonsault, but landed on his feet, briefly got Skull End, but Perry hit a Poison Rana. Perry tried for the home run shot, but SANADA ducked and got the swinging Skull End. SANADA spiked Perry with a Poison Rana of his own, followed by a Shining Wizard for a near fall. SANADA connected with his moonsault and got the three count, which the fans certainly weren’t expecting at that moment, so their reaction was flat. Post match, HOOK helped Perry up the ramp and HOOK held up Perry’s hand, who clocked him with a lariat. Taz was furious on commentary, as Perry dropped to his knees, soaked in the boos and mocked the crowd waving their hands. Perry held up the FTW Title and tossed it at HOOK. Perry stopped at the top of the ramp and went the heel side to the back.

Hangman Adam Page, The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson), Eddie Kingston & Tomohiro Ishii defeated Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, Konosuke Takeshita & Shota Umino

(To the surprise of no one, this match was loaded with hard hitting strikes, high impact moves, you name it. It also showed that Kingston was willing to take the bullet for Moxley, but it wasn’t the other way around. Ultimately The Bucks were upset about Kingston shoving Moxley out of the way of a Superkick and post match, Kingston was having none of their complaints. This whole match from start to finish was a lot of fun.)

Tony Schiavone joined commentary in place of Taz, who stormed to the back between matches following what happened to his son. Right at the bell, Castagnoli bailed from Kingston so Umino & Page had a fast opening sequence. Ishii & Takeshita jumped in and had an extended forearm battle and traded a series of shoulder blocks, that neither sold until both men finally collapsed to a big ovation. The Bucks unleashed fast offense on everyone until it was Kingston & Moxley standing face to face to loud Eddie chants. Moxley threw the first forearm, as Kingston lowered the straps and we had a chop battle. The exchange continued, even when everyone else started brawling on the outside, including a massive moonsault to the floor by Page. Castagnoli finally got a cheap shot on Kingston to end the chop war, with Yuta picking up the pieces. Moxley had an open cheap shot on Kingston, but just stared, as it was Castagnoli following through with a boot.

Takeshita locked Kingston in a Camel Clutch and Ishii tried to break it up, but Takeshita absolutely knocked the living daylights out of Ishii as a result. Kingston remained isolated until he blocked a Castagnoli boot, hit a lariat and was about to make the tag when Moxley stood in front of him. The chop battle continued before both collided with lariats. Ishii recovered and ran wild, countering a Castagnoli suplex into his signature brainbuster. Takeshita jumped in and hit a Helluva Kick, Umino hit a pop up knee, but Ishii sent Moxley into Umino and planted him with a back suplex into the double down.

Page & Takeshita collided when Takeshita went for a Takeshita-line and was caught with a roaring elbow. Page cleaned house outside the ring and sent Takeshita into the awaiting arms of The Bucks before hitting a running shooting star press off the apron. Page hit an awkward looking top rope clothesline back inside on Takeshita for two. Takeshita escaped Dead Eye, but ate a triple kick by The Hung Bucks, as Matt & Nick missed BTE Trigger and clunked knees. Takeshita hit a double German suplex on The Bucks, who recovered long enough for a Superkick Party. Moxley was about to be hit, but Kingston took the bullet for his friend, as Matt was planted by a Takeshita Blue Thunder Bomb for two. Takeshita crunched Matt and hit a cazadora suplex before Moxley & Umino hit a Hart Attack. The Giant Swing by Castagnoli, as Yuta hit the dropkick mid move as a nod to Tyson Kidd.

Castagnoli & Yuta went for the Rocket Launcher, but Nick got just enough of Yuta in mid air to stop the move. Ishii made the tag and hit Yuta with a massive superplex, as Kingston & Ishii sandwiched Yuta with lariats. Everyone started wiping each other out with high impact moves ending in Castagnoli eating a spinning back fist from Kingston, who turned into a Moxley cutter. Yuta avoided a Buckshot from Page, but was turned inside out by an Ishii lariat. Sheer drop brainbuster connected for Ishii, who got the pin on Yuta.

Toni Storm (w/Ruby Soho & Saraya) vs. Willow Nightingale to retain the AEW Women’s Title

(This definitely felt more like a TV match than PPV one, as it was the same formula we’ve seen from The Outcasts for quite some time. I’m totally fine with that, but it really puts whoever the challenger is, in this case Nightingale, at such a disadvantage because you know what is going to happen. Regardless, both ladies did a solid job here and I hope Nightingale makes it far in the Owen tournament.)

After an early powder, Storm tried a sneak attack, but Nightingale hit a shotgun dropkick to send Storm outside where Soho & Saraya ran distraction. Nightingale was having none of it and sent both women into each other, only for Storm to fly in with a hip attack. Saraya & Soho got in their cheap shots, as Storm took control back inside with a snap suplex. Nightingale fought out of a Full Nelson into a spinning slam to create some distance to recover. While on the apron, Storm tried for her piledriver, but Nightingale countered into a DVD on the hardest part of the ring. Back inside, Nightingale hit a running DVD, but as she went for a moonsault, the referee saw The Outcasts throw Storm a spray paint can. He tossed both ladies, but Nightingale ultimately missed the moonsault press. A snap DDT, Sweet Cheek Music and another DDT connected for Storm, but Nightingale kicked out.

Nightingale started hulking up and dropped Storm with a spinebuster before locking in a figure four. Storm escaped, wanted Sweet Cheek Music again, but Nightingale Pounced her to the floor. Back inside, Nightingale hit a series of corner lariats, but Storm pulled the ref in front of her. Storm got an eye rake and Storm Zero to steal the win.

Will Ospreay defeated Kenny Omega to win the IWGP US Title

(This match was absolutely phenomenal and right there with their Wrestle Kingdom match. Just when you thought this match was over, you’d get an amazing near fall and the crowd would go wild. My one complaint is why the referee allowed Callis to come back to the ring after ejecting him so early. I digress, this was unreal, I can’t wait for whenever round 3 is.)

A video is shown about unrest and violence in the streets of Canada. Will Ospreay is watching a wall of TVs of his match with Kenny Omega from Wrestle Kingdom and then makes his entrance with Don Callis and two massive security guards. Ospreay trash talks fans the entire time. Omega has his NJPW theme and gets a massive ovation from the crowd.

Ospreay was warned early about high chops to the throat, as each man countered One Winged Angel & Oscutter into the stalemate. Thumb to the eye and chops by Ospreay, who plays to the crowd and allows Omega to hit a hurricanrana and You Can’t Escape. Ospreay bailed and Omega wanted his Terminator Dive, but Callis hooked the leg and the security stepped in front of him. The referee ejected Callis, as Ospreay hit a slingshot dive and drove Omega knee first into the steps. Back inside, a spinning backbreaker led to a delayed vertical suplex to keep Ospreay in control. A fantastic looking counter of an Omega hip toss into the Cobra Twist led to a misdirect dropkick to the knee of Ospreay followed by the Kotaro Crusher. Ospreay exploded out with a wall walk enzugiri, draped Omega on the top and hit a beautiful Shooting Star followed by an Oscutter onto the apron.

Ospreay wanted revenge for Omega driving his head through the table at Wrestle Kingdom, so Ospreay did the same thing, violently slamming Omega into it, busting him open in the process. Back inside, Ospreay was relentless; licking Omega’s blood off his forearm and you can guess what the crowd chanted when that happened. Omega tried to fight back, but collapsed thanks to a roaring elbow. Ospreay connected with V-Trigger, then grabbed a Canadian flag and did his best Shawn Michaels in Canada in 97 impression before Omega fired off a lariat, choking Ospreay over the top with the flag. A running start V-Trigger nearly sent Omega himself over the barricade leading to Omega slamming Ospreay repeatedly head first into the steps, causing Ospreay to bleed a gusher. Omega followed with a DDT on the steps, as back inside Omega tried a triangle choke, but Ospreay powered up into a powerbomb.

Both men trade a series of release German suplexes with Omega hitting a V-Trigger, but Ospreay answering with a Spanish Fly for two. Ospreay locked on the Sharpshooter to a loud reaction, but transitioned into a crossface. Omega got a rope break, as Ospreay delivered Kawada kicks and chops until Omega tried to fire back, but had nothing behind his strikes. Violent thrust kicks from Ospreay, who tried a home run Oscutter, but was caught with a knee in mid air. Snap Dragons, knee strike to the back, Poison Rana and spike piledriver combo got Omega a two count. Omega connected with the leg trapped neckbreaker and V-Trigger to the corner as they went up the ropes where Omega wanted an Avalanche One Winged Angel, but Ospreay escaped into the Cheeky Nandos kick at the 30 minute call. Omega rolled outside where Ospreay immediately hit a Sky Twister Press.

Back inside, Ospreay hit a springboard forearm to the back, as Ospreay wanted Hidden Blade, but Omega ducked, tried a lariat, but Ospreay floated over into a Liger Bomb. Top rope Oscutter connected for two, as Omega countered Storm Breaker into almost a Dead Eye. Don Callis came back to the ring, as Paul Turner is just allowing this to happen. Omega hit repeated knees, as Callis clutched Ospreay and there was a tug of war with him between Callis & Omega. The referee stepped in, as Callis handed Ospreay the screwdriver and Ospreay clocked Omega with it before hitting Hidden Blade and Storm Breaker for two, Omega got a foot on the rope. Ospreay hit a V-Trigger and One Winged Angel, but Omega kicked out at one and the crowd erupted.

A slugfest ensued, with Ospreay hitting a hook kick, but Omega answered with a brainbuster. Omega hit Croyt’s Wrath for a super close two. Both men countered each others finishers, as Ospreay hit a ripcord Hidden Blade and a nasty Tiger Driver ’91 followed by another Hidden Blade and Storm Breaker for the win.

Sting, Darby Allin & Tetsuya Naito defeated Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara & Minoru Suzuki

(This match, despite having a few scary looking moments, was a fun and chaotic brawl. I still can’t believe the punishment Sting takes at his age, as he continues to defy all odds during this run. I also can’t believe we just saw Minoru Suzuki in the ring with Sting in 2023, I love that.)

Naito did his signature early stalling, but Guevara responded with his dropkick, kip up and pose. Naito chucked Guevara to the floor and answered with his Tranquillo pose. Both men turned on the speed briefly before Allin & Suzuki tagged in. Allin dared Suzuki to hit him and that was foolish as hell, because Suzuki was happy to oblige to chants of Murder Grandpa. Allin nearly got a pin off a Rear Naked Choke before Sting made the tag and Jericho screamed for a tag. Suzuki reluctantly did, thus robbing us of a Suzuki & Sting face off. I’d say Sting & Jericho isn’t too bad of a face off either, as Suzuki attacked from behind and everyone brawled. Sting & Jericho slugged it out in the ring before Jericho mocked a Sting howl and ended in a Scorpion Death Lock as a result. Guevara came flying in with a cutter off the top and really folded Sting up awkwardly. Le Suzuki Gods did a glorious trio pose to get things back on track in one of the best images ever.

Sting fought back and tagged in Allin, who ran wild with a Code Red on Guevara for two. Jericho distracted long enough for Guevara to hit a top rope Spanish Fly as both Allin & Guevara clonked heads into the double down. Naito & Jericho renewed their rivalry as Jericho countered Gloria into a sleeper, as Guevara & Suzuki locked in sleepers of their own on Allin & Sting. Everyone spilled outside where Allin hit a fast dive on Suzuki, but when he went at Jericho, he ate a mid air Judas Effect. We missed Sting crashing into the barricade, as Jericho pulled a table from under the ring, setting Sting up. Jericho demanded Guevara put Sting through it and he reluctantly obliged with a 630 senton on Sting through the table.

Naito got knees up to avoid a Lionsault, but Jericho countered Destino into a Walls of Jericho. Sting rose from the dead and sank in a Scorpion Death Lock until Suzuki appeared and trapped Sting in a Rear Naked Choke. Naito broke it up, but ate a Code Breaker for two. Suzuki & Naito went at it until Sting & Naito worked together to lead to a Naito roll up on Suzuki for the win. Post match, Jericho attacked Naito with his bat until Sting immediately made the save.

Bryan Danielson submitted Kazuchika Okada

(At one point Excalibur said when you say Dream Match, you’re setting unrealistic expectations. It’s safe to say, this delivered big time. The crowd didn’t see the finish coming, but commentary did a great job explaining how if Okada didn’t tap, he’d risk a long term injury and perhaps being out of the G1, so he’d live to fight another day. Danielson won the battle, but I have a feeling the war will continue down the line.)

The Final Countdown rang out for Danielson’s entrance and I loved every second of it. Okada rained money in an equally epic entrance, as this should be one for the ages. Danielson escaped the grips of Okada early and tried for the Romero Special, but stomped on the knees instead. The match spilled outside where Okada hit his big boot that sent Danielson into the crowd. Danielson anticipated the draping DDT and posted Okada. Danielson hit a running dropkick through the ropes and follow up diving knee off the apron. Danielson zoned in on the right shoulder, then opted for chops, which just woke Okada up, as he no sold leading to a huge flapjack. A big boot dropped Danielson, as Okada hit a leaping corner splash and DDT for two. Danielson was placed in the corner and Okada dropkicked him to the outside where Danielson reversed a whip into the railing. Danielson missed a charge into the crowd and Okada hit a charging cross body over the barricade.

Back inside, Okada applied Money Clip and turned it into a nasty Air Raid Crash. Okada wanted an avalanche Landslide, but Danielson fought out and hit a huge missile dropkick. Both men trade a long series of uppercuts that get more intense as it goes on until Okada fired off a shotgun dropkick. Danielson answered with a release German suplex and hit a series of running boots in the corner, with the third Okada answering with a perfect dropkick. Danielson ducked a Rainmaker, but Okada hit another dropkick. Okada wanted a top rope elbow drop, but Danielson caught him with a Disarmer into the LeBell Lock. Okada used his height to get the rope break, as Danielson punted him to the floor. Danielson nearly dove into the clutches of a Rainmaker, but instead hit a charging dropkick and Yes Kicks. Okada caught the home run shot and connected with a Tombstone on the ramp.

Okada brought Danielson back to the ring, as this time Okada hit the top rope elbow and did his Rainmaker pose. Danielson went dead weight, as referee Bryce called the doctor in the ring, as Danielson is convulsing. The doctor oddly just leaves, as Okada tried to go to Danielson, who was playing possum and hit a Busaiku Knee into the double down. Danielson flipped out of a German suplex and hit another Busaiku Knee before opting to kick Okada’s head in, trying to apply a LeBell Lock with one arm. He couldn’t get it, so a head kick would have to suffice, as Danielson did the Yes Chants, but ran into an Okada dropkick, Landslide & Rainmaker for a close two.

Both men ducked a finisher attempt, as Danielson got the LeBell Lock applied, despite really having only one arm. Kevin Kelly said Danielson’s right arm is pretty much a passenger, but a 60% LeBell Lock is better than nothing, which was a great line. Danielson used his legs to wrap up Okada in such a crazy way that Okada had no choice but to tap, as the crowd was stunned.

AEW Collision live results: CM Punk, FTR & Ricky Starks eight-man tag team match

Posted on June 24, 2023 by Suit Williams

The final stop before Sunday’s Forbidden Door has arrived with Saturday’s live edition of AEW Collision from Toronto.

In the headliner, CM Punk will team with FTR and Ricky Starks in eight-man tag team action against Bullet Club Gold’s Jay White & Juice Robinson and The Gunns.

For the first time ever, NJPW legend Hiroshi Tanahashi will take on Swerve Strickland. This will be Tanahashi’s second-ever AEW TV match.

The second women’s Owen Hart Foundation match will take place as Willow Nightingale faces Nyla Rose.

Andrade El Idolo will look to go 2-0 in his return as he takes on House of Black’s Brody King after defeating Buddy Matthews last week.

Powerhouse Hobbs will make his Collision debut against an opponent to be named.

Sting & Darby Allin will reveal their mystery partner for Sunday’s trios match.

Other segments include Christian Cage addressing the TNT Championship situation, and Miro sharing his thoughts after his return last week.

**********

– In a cold open, we got promos from both teams in the eight-man tag team main event. CM Punk, FTR, & Ricky Starks questioned whether this match was wise for their opponents to take. Meanwhile, Bullet Club Gold & The Gunns said that they were ready to fight and that every show would be the Gunn Show.

Who Is The Third Man?

24 hours before the Forbidden Door is opened, AEW Collision is live from the Scotiabank Arena. Kevin Kelly and Nigel McGuinness were on the call as Tony Schiovane was in the ring. He went to welcome out Darby Allin & Sting, but Chris Jericho & Minoru Suzuki came out instead. They were peeved at how Allin & Sting made them wait to find out who their partner would be at Forbidden Door. Jericho noted that Sammy Guevara wasn’t there because he was a bit miffed at how well Jericho and Suzuki got along. Jericho and Suzuki showed off their new best friend handshake before Jericho began menacing Schiovane, believing that he knew who the partner was already.

Darby Allin & Sting came out to make the save. Allin addressed Guevara, noting that his common sense may have kicked in by not coming, but if he did show up at Forbidden Door, Darby would kick his ass. Darby then turned to Jericho, noting that their partner kicked Jericho’s ass at the Tokyo Dome. With the card looking like it does, that only left one name for Jericho and Sting to pick. With the crowd chanting his name, former IWGP Heavyweight Champion Tetsuya Naito made his way to the ring. The match is official for Forbidden Door – Tetsuya Naito, Darby Allin, & Sting vs. Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara, & Minoru Suzuki.

Naito went face-to-face with Jericho as Kevin Kelly noted that Naito beat Jericho for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 13 in 2019. Jericho backed away as Naito’s music played again to end the segment.

– We got a video package, recapping Miro’s successful return to action last week. We cut to Miro in the back. He talked about his year-long exile, and how he was summoned back. Miro said he walked alone, kneeling to no man. He renounced his god and his wife and said that he was now godless.

Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Swerve Strickland (w/ Prince Nana)

While he’s clearly not at his physical peak, Tanahashi still has an incredible aura that makes North American crowds go wild for him. This was a good primer for any fans who didn’t know Tanahashi. He won with his big move and the announcers made it clear what a big deal he is in the New Japan landscape.

Swerve came out in a robe reminiscent of the former Crown Jewel of the Embassy, the late Jimmy Rave. Tanahashi caught Swerve with his reverse crossbody before playing his air guitar to the crowd. He gave Strickland the guitar, who mockingly played it before Tanahashi dropkicked him in the knee.

Strickland recovered and hit a headscissors that sent Tanahashi out of the ring. After more air guitar shenanigans, Strickland crotched Tanahashi and grounded him as the crowd chanted for Tanahashi. Tanahashi skinned the cat and took Strickland to the floor, but Strickland caught Tanahashi in the apron on a baseball slide. He hit a pump kick as we went to picture-in-picture break.

Back from break, Swerve was working over Tanahashi as the crowd chanted Go Ace. Tanahashi cut Swerve off and hit a somersault senton for a nearfall. Swerve avoided the Slingblade and hit a rolling facebuster for a nearfall. Tanahashi caught Swerve in a pair of rollups before hitting a Dragon Screw Leg Whip. Tanahashi hit the Slingblade for a nearfall. Tanahashi went up for the High Fly Flow but caught nothing but knees before Swerve rolled him up for a nearfall.

Swerve hit his big side kick before going to the top, but Tanahashi moved out of the way of the Swerve Stomp. Tanahashi went to the top again but lost his footing and slipped off. Swerve went to meet him at the top, but Tanahashi swatted him down. Tanahashi hit the High Fly Flow and scored the win.

After the match, MJF’s music played. MJF showed up on the video screen, saying that he wasn’t actually going to be there to watch Tanahashi’s preview match. MJF said that he would embarrass Tanahashi at Forbidden Door. MJF said that after a discussion with Tony Khan, their match would be going on first at Forbidden Door. He said that he didn’t want to sit through any more of the “indie jabrones” than he had to and that Tanahashi was not on the level of the Devil.

Andrade El Idolo defeated Brody King (w/ Julia Hart) by disqualification

Andrade continues to impress during his comeback, as this was another quality match. He’s got a few options to help even the numbers against the House of Black.

Andrade came into this match with his pectoral area taped up. Andrade kept King at bay, hitting a headscissors in the ring before low-bridging King to the floor. King got on the apron, but Andrade sent King into the post. Andrade hit a moonsault over the ring post to King on the floor, but only got a one-count when he rolled King into the ring. Andrade worked over King’s knee before King lifted him onto the top rope and chopped him to the floor as we went to picture-in-picture break.

King chopped Andrade down as we came back from break. Andrade fought back with elbows, but King lifted Andrade onto the apron and hammered him in the chest. He tried locking on the hanging sleeper, but Andrade hung him up on the ropes. Andrade dropkicked King into the turnbuckle before hitting a Dragon Screw in the ropes. Andrade continued his work on King’s knee, then hit a running forearm to take him down.

Andrade hit a big lariat in the corner before hitting the running knees in the corner for a nearfall. King fought out of the hammerlock DDT, hitting a rolling elbow on Andrade on the top rope. He struggled to get Andrade up into a fireman’s carry but powered through and hit a running Death Valley Driver into the corner. King followed up with a cannonball but his knee buckled on a Gonzo Bomb attempt. Andrade went for the Figure Four, but Julia Hart got on the apron with his mask. The distraction didn’t work, as Andrade ducked a rolling lariat and hit a big back elbow. He locked on the Figure Four and bridged up, but Buddy Matthews came out and jumped Andrade to cause the disqualification.

They beat up Andrade after the bell, with Matthews sending Andrade into a lariat before lifting him into King’s Gonzo Bomb. From the video board, Malachi Black watched on as his House stood tall.

– In the ring, Tony Schiovane welcomed out TNT Champion Luchasaurus & Christian Cage. Christian came out with the title belt over his shoulder, having never allowed Luchasaurus to even hold the belt after winning it last week. The crowd chanted for Christian as he talked about how he left Collision last week in a bad mood. He knew he would come to Toronto in a few days, and now he’s in an even worse mood! Christian goes on the cheap heat offensive against his own hometown, noting that Toronto bred losers and lived with mediocrity. Christian said that the TNT Title Open Challenges were over, saying that people had to earn the title shot like he did. Christian took a potshot at Cody Rhodes before giving a speech as if he was the champion.

– We got pre-tape promos from everyone in the men’s bracket of the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament before we got a rundown of the bracket. CM Punk and Satoshi Kojima will kick off the tournament at Forbidden Door, while the other three matches will take place on next week’s Collision. We got a highlight video of Skye Blue winning her tournament match before looking at the women’s bracket, leading into our next match.

Owen Hart Foundation 2023 Women’s Tournament Quarter-Final Match: Willow Nightingale defeated Nyla Rose (w/ Marina Shafir)

A fine television match to get Nightingale onto the next round while heating her up for her AEW Women’s Title match on Sunday.

The winner of this match will take on the winner of Athena vs. Billie Starkz, which will take place on the Forbidden Door pre-show. After Rose clubbered on her for a moment, Nightingale cartwheeled out of an Irish Whip and hit an enzuigiri. Rose cut off a chop, leading to a test of strength that Nightingale turned into an inside cradle for a nearfall. Rose bailed to the floor, where Shafir’s distraction allowed Rose to send Nightingale into the post as we went to picture-in-picture break.

Nightingale fought back out of the corner as we came back. She hit a middle rope dropkick for a nearfall as she shook out the arm. Nightingale couldn’t get Rose up for the powerbomb, allowing Rose to hit a suplex and a gourdbuster for a nearfall. Rose got Nightingale up for the Beast Bomb, but Nightingale fought out and hit a Pounce. Nightingale followed it up with the Babe With The Powerbomb for the win.

After the match, The Outcasts surrounded the ring to menace Toni Storm’s opponent at Forbidden Door, but Skye Blue made her way to the ring with a chair to make the pre-emptive save.

– Backstage, Lexy Nair was with Scorpio Sky. Sky ran down his accomplishments while noting that he allowed success to change him. Sky said that he was his true self now after his injury layoff and that he was back.

Powerhouse Hobbs defeated Jeremy Prophet

Hobbs came out on his own, no QTV members in sight. Hobbs got a jumpstart on Prophet before crushing him in the corner with back elbows. Prophet tried to get a roll-up, but Hobbs didn’t even go down. Hobbs bludgeoned Prophet with lariats to both the front and back of the head. The main event spinebuster ended proceedings here.

– We got a rundown of next week’s Collision card. The men’s Owen Hart Tournament quarterfinals will take place – Hobbs vs. Dustin Rhodes, Samoa Joe vs. Roderick Strong, Ricky Starks vs. Juice Robinson – as well as MJF’s in-ring Collision debut.

Jay White, Juice Robinson & The Gunns defeated CM Punk, FTR & Ricky Starks

The most important goal of this match was to showcase the reaction for CM Punk outside of Chicago. And was there ever a strong reaction for Punk. The crowd was fired up either way. A whole lot of people were chanting for Punk, and a whole lot of people were booing Punk. Punk was eating it all up, of course. The match itself was much like last week’s main event. It was good, but it could’ve done with less time in the middle. Again, it’s to get Punk on screen as long as physically possible. It also gave Jay White a showcase win while filling out the Bullet Club Gold ranks.

Punk came out to a mixed reaction, leaning more negative than positive. Kevin Kelly astutely noted that they weren’t in Chicago anymore. Jay White teased starting with Punk but tagged out to Robinson. The crowd was heavily split, as strong CM Punk chants were getting booed down as the Bullet Club team worked on Harwood. FTR got the upper hand for their team after Austin Gunn tagged in. Starks took Austin Gunn to old school, but Gunn tagged out to White. White asked for Punk, who tagged in. They traded chops and teased each other’s finishers before White sent Punk to the floor, where his teammates jumped Punk. Punk’s partners rushed over to get him out of the fray as we went to commercial.

Back from the commercial, and Harwood was bringing Robinson down hard with a superplex before holding on to hit a powerbomb with Wheeler. Kevin Kelly noted new matches for the Zero Hour – the United Empire team of Kyle Fletcher, Jeff Cobb, and TJP would take on the Los Ingobernables team of Shingo Takagi, Hiromu Takahashi, and BUSHI. Two Canadians would face off as Montreal’s Stu Grayson would go one-on-one with Vancouver’s El Phantasmo. Swerve Strickland would team with Bishop Kaun and Toa Liona against Roppongi Vice and El Desperado.

Meanwhile, the Bullet Club side got the advantage on Punk and worked him over. The crowd booed down Punk chants and Punk’s attempt at a comeback. After a commercial break, Punk knocked White off the top rope and hit a high crossbody. White cut off Punk’s attempt to get to the corner, but Punk whipped White into a rising knee in the corner. Punk hit a neckbreaker, but the Gunns knocked FTR off the apron. Robinson tagged in and went for a Go To Sleep on Punk, but Punk knocked him down with a high kick. Punk kicked away the Gunns and tagged in Starks.

Starks ran wild on the Gunns, hitting a tornado DDT on Austin for a nearfall. Starks went for a Rochambeau, but the match broke down into a Pier Six brawl as everyone began brawling in and around the ring. White blind tagged in, but Starks caught him with a Blue Thunder Bomb for a nearfall. Starks set White up for a Rochambeau, but White caught him in a rollup with the tights for a nearfall. Starks hit a brainbuster for a nearfall on Starks. We got a finisher train, featuring a wild Wheeler dive to the floor.

White caught both Punk and Starks with uranages, but Starks came back and ran wild with spears on everyone. He went for a second spear on White, but Robinson caught him with the Left Hand of God. White followed it with the Blade Runner to score the win. After the match, White and Robinson threw up the Bullet Club Gold guns, and the Gunns joined in. It looks like The Gunns have officially joined Bullet Club Gold as we fade to black.

UFC on ABC 5 live results: Josh Emmett vs. Ilia Topuria

Posted on June 24, 2023 by Ryan Frederick

UFC action is back on network television as the Octagon heads to the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida for UFC On ABC 5: Emmett vs. Topuria, headlined by an exciting featherweight battle.

Featherweight sluggers Josh Emmett and Ilia Topuria square off in the five-round main event. Emmett is coming off a loss in an interim title fight to Yair Rodriguez in February, which ended a five-fight win streak. Topuria enters his first main event looking to remain undefeated, as he’s won 13 straight to start his career, including five straight UFC wins.

In the co-main event, it’s a battle of rising female flyweight contenders as Amanda Ribas takes on Maycee Barber. Also on the main card is heavyweights Austen Lane and Justin Tafa, a featherweight fight between David Onama and Gabriel Santos, and a middleweight bout between Brendan Allen and Bruno Silva.

ESPN PRELIMS | 11:30 AM ET/8:30 AM PT

> Middleweights- Cody Brundage (8-4, 2-3 UFC) vs. Sedriques Dumas (7-1, 0-1 UFC)

Brundage lands a leg kick then gets a takedown. Dumas reverses to the top. Dumas lands a few right hands from the top. He attacks the body. There’s not much going on as they’re holding each other as Brundage is limiting damage from the bottom. Dumas lands a big right hand. Brundage is attempting an armbar from the bottom. They scramble and Dumas lands from the sprawl position. They briefly get up as Brundage takes it right back down. Brundage attacks the neck looking for the guillotine but Dumas escapes. Dumas lands an elbow from the top and some right hands at the end. 10-9 Dumas.

They trade kicks to start. They go to the mat and Dumas takes the back. Dumas lands from the back and Brundage is doing nothing. There’s not much action happening. Dumas is trying to find a choke but Brundage is defending. They start sprawling and Dumas is in a favorable position. Dumas gets the back and is attacking for a choke but it’s not even close. Dumas lands from the back. 10-9 Dumas, 20-18 Dumas.

Brundage lands and shoots for a takedown against the fence. Dumas lands an elbow as he defends. Brundage gets the takedown. Brundage grabs the neck and locks in a guillotine choke and it was in tight but Dumas is able to escape and is now inside the guard of Brundage. They don’t do much and Dumas ends the fight on top. 10-9 Brundage, 29-28 Dumas.

Official Result- Sedriques Dumas def. Cody Brundage by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)

> Featherweights- Jamall Emmers (19-6, 2-2 UFC) vs. Jack Jenkins (11-2, 1-0 UFC)

They trade leg kicks and Jenkins lands a hard calf kick. Emmers lands a flurry with some body kicks. Jenkins lands a body kick and Emmers catches it but lets go. Jenkins on the offense as he lands a high kick then a leg kick. Jenkins with a hard body kick. Emmers lands a hard body kick. They trade inside the pocket and Emmers lands a big knee to the body and they call a low blow. They trade kicks late and Jenkins lands a head kick at the horn. 10-9 Emmers.

They trade leg kicks to start the second. Both throwing punches and landing. Emmers lands a body kick. Jenkins with a leg kick as Emmers lands a spinning back fist. Emmers lands a nice combo. Jenkins lands a nice jab as Emmers lands a combo, then Jenkins lands a leg kick. They trade inside the pocket and Jenkins lands a leg kick. Emmers lands a hard right hand. Jenkins lands a body kick. Jenkins gets a late takedown and has the back as they stand but Emmers ends up on top and lands as the round ends. 10-9 Emmers, 20-18 Emmers.

Emmers gets a takedown and is working from the top against the fence. Emmers controlling the mat battle as Jenkins is trying to work his way up. They get to the feet and separate. Jenkins gets a takedown. Emmers reverses to the top and is now inside the guard of Jenkins. Both landing on the mat as Emmers looks to pass the guard. Jenkins lands some elbows from the bottom. Both landing on the mat as the fight ends. Fun fight. 10-9 Emmers, 30-27 Emmers.

Official Result- Jack Jenkins def. Jamall Emmers by split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)

> Lightweights- Trevor Peek (8-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Chepe Mariscal (13-6 1 NC, 0-0 UFC)

Both throwing kicks right away. Peek lands a body kick. Peek with a combo then a knee. Mariscal lands and gets a brief takedown but they start landing punches as they get right to the feet. They clinch against the fence and both land some knees. Mariscal lands a big knee as they break then a right hand. Mariscal gets a takedown and takes the back and lands the left hand. He locks in a rear-naked choke but Peek fights out of it. Peek then lands a groin punch and we have a timeout. They get back to action and trade kicks. They’re trading big punches as Peek was pressing forward. Peek lands a head kick then some punches as Mariscal escapes danger. Peek with a head kick and some downward hammerfists. Mariscal lands a flurry and gets a takedown. He lands some elbows from side control. They scramble and Mariscal remains on top. Mariscal landing from the top. They stand at the end. Wild round. 10-9 Mariscal.

Peek lands a right hand. Mariscal throws a right hand and they clinch. Peek lands a knee and elbow and Mariscal lands some body shots. Mariscal gets a takedown. They get to their feet and Peek lands an elbow as they stand. Peek lands a backhand. Mariscal lands a leg kick that trips Peek up. Mariscal gets on top but Peek is able to reverse to the top. Peek has the back and lands a hammerfist. Mariscal reverses and takes the back and lands some punches. They stand and are pushed against the fence. Mariscal lands some knees as Peek lands to the body. Mariscal lands a big knee. 10-9 Mariscal, 20-18 Mariscal.

They trade leg kicks to start the third. Peek lands a big right hand and just misses a huge uppercut. Mariscal grabs the clinch against the fence. They separate. Peek lands some hard punches. Mariscal lands a massive right hand. They clinch against the fence. Both land as they trade position before breaking. Mariscal lands a nice combo. Mariscal lands some nice right hands. Mariscal lands an elbow. Mariscal lands a front kick to the face. Peek lands a right hand. Peek lands a combo and a head kick. Both land big punches inside the pocket. Mariscal lands a head kick and they both land big shots at the end. Wild fight. 10-9 Mariscal, 30-27 Mariscal.

Official Result- Chepe Mariscal def. Trevor Peek by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Flyweights- Zhalgas Zhumagulov (14-8, 1-5 UFC) vs. Joshua Van (7-1, 0-0 UFC)

Van lands a jab. They trade body kicks. Zhumagulov lands a left hook. They trade jabs and Zhumagulov lands a leg kick. They clinch against the fence and Van lands a knee to the body as they break. Zhumagulov lands to the body. Zhumagulov lands a combo. They trade and Zhumagulov gets a brief takedown and they clinch against the fence. Zhumagulov gets it down but Van has the overhook and gets it standing. They break. They trade late. 10-9 Zhumagulov.

Both are landing combos to start the second. Van lands a leg kick. Van lands a big right hand. They trade leg kicks and Van lands a jab. Van lands an overhand right as he’s pressing forward. Zhumagulov with a left to the body. Van lands two right hands. Zhumagulov lands a combo. Van scores with a high kick. Van lands a head kick and lands big body shots. They’re swinging against the fence and Van lands a lot of hard punches and a head kick. They trade leg kicks. Zhumagulov lands a combo. They trade inside the pocket. 10-9 Van, 19-19.

They’re trading inside the pocket and Zhumagulov is landing leg kicks. Zhumagulov lands more leg kicks after scoring with a combo. Both are landing as Van is pressing forward more. Zhumagulov lands a leg kick. They trade left hooks. Van now starting to land with more volume as the round goes on. Van lands a left hand as Zhumagulov lands a leg kick. Zhumagulov lands a left hook. Van lands and stumbles Zhumagulov a little. Van lands a knee. They trade and Van lands a big right hand. They trade late. Fun fight. 10-9 Van, 29-28 Van.

Official Result- Joshua Van def. Zhalgas Zhumagulov by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

> Women’s Strawweights- Tabatha Ricci (8-1, 3-1 UFC) vs. Gillian Robertson (12-7, 9-5 UFC)

Ricci lands some leg kicks. Robertson lands an elbow. They trade punches. Robertson looks for a takedown but Ricci defends. Ricci gets a takedown. Ricci lands but Robertson gets to her feet as she looked for a leg. Ricci gets another takedown but they get right back up. Ricci lands a right hand. Ricci with a leg kick then a right hand. Robertson lands a right hand. Ricci lands some punches. They trade late. 10-9 Ricci.

They’re trading in the second as Ricci is landing a solid amount of punches. Robertson is mainly landing leg and body kicks. Ricci is applying pressure and landing combinations. Ricci lands a leg kick. Ricci gets a takedown but they get right back to their feet. They’re trading and Robertson lands a leg kick. Ricci lands a body kick. They trade leg kicks. They trade late. 10-9 Ricci, 20-18 Ricci.

Ricci lands a body kick then a combo. Robertson gets a takedown against the fence. They get to their feet and Ricci lands a combo. Robertson lands a couple of right hands. Ricci lands a jab then a right hand. Both landing inside close range. Robertson lands a right hand. Ricci lands at the end. 10-9 Ricci, 30-27 Ricci.

Official Result- Tabatha Ricci def. Gillian Robertson by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

> Lightweights*- Mateusz Rebecki (17-1, 1-0 UFC) vs. Loik Radzhabov (17-4-1, 1-0 UFC)

*Radzhabov missed weight by 1.25 pounds

Radzhabov lands a right hand, then another. He lands another. Rebecki lands a combo. Rebecki lands a leg kick. He lands another then goes to the body. They trade in close range. Rebecki lands a leg kick then a right hand as Radzhabov is backed against the fence. They both swing wildly and Rebecki scores a takedown. Rebecki working from the top and they get to their feet. They trade and Rebecki lands a leg kick that makes Radzhabov fall to the mat. Rebecki gets on top and has the crucifix position. He ends the round on top. 10-9 Rebecki.

Rebecki landing leg kicks and punches against the fence as he has Radzhabov in lots of trouble. Radzhabov has taken a lot of damage to his lead leg. Rebecki lands a combo. He lands another and Radzhabov is trying to respond by throwing big but missing. Rebecki with another hard leg kick and Radzhabov falls down. He gets up. Radzhabov lands a right hand. Rebecki with more leg kicks. Rebecki drops Radzhabov with a big left hand and it is stopped. What a finish and showing from Rebecki to get the win.

Official Result- Mateusz Rebecki def. Loik Radzhabov by TKO (strikes) at 2:36 of Round 2

> Welterweights- Randy Brown (16-5, 10-5 UFC) vs. Wellington Turman (18-6, 3-4 UFC)

Brown landing the jab early. Brown lands a right hand. Turman lands a right hand. Turman with some leg kicks. Brown scores with a head kick. Brown lands the jab but also an eye poke and we have a timeout. They get back to action and both are landing leg kicks. They clinch against the fence. Brown lands a knee to the groin and we have another timeout. They get back to action and Brown landing more. He lands a flying knee and scores a takedown at the end of the round. 10-9 Brown.

They trade kicks early in the second. Turman grabs the body lock and lands an elbow before Brown reverses position. Brown landing the knee against the fence. They remain tied up and it’s mostly Brown landing offense landing knees. Brown gets a takedown but they pop right up, though Brown jumps on the back. Brown went for a choke late. Close round. 10-9 Brown, 20-18 Brown.

Turman throwing the right hand but just missing on landing. Turman lands a leg kick. Brown scores with a right hand. Brown lands a high kick. Turman scores with a right hand. Turman tries a spin attack and misses as Brown misses a flying knee attack. Turman with a left hook to the body. Brown lands a nice combo then Turman initiates a clinch. Turman lands an elbow. Turman lands another elbow. They separate. Brown lands a combo. Turman lands a leg kick. They trade in close before tying up and Turman lands another elbow. Turman lands a spin kick. 10-9 Turman, 29-28 Brown.

Official Result- Randy Brown def. Wellington Turman by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Welterweights- #11 Neil Magny (27-10, 20-9 UFC) vs. Phil Rowe (10-3, 3-1 UFC)

They clinch right away as Rowe pushes Magny against the fence. Magny reverses position as he lands to the body and head. Magny has the back of Rowe. They end up separating. Rowe lands a right hand. Magny lands a combo as he presses forward. They clinch and Magny lands a punch and they trade elbows before separating at the end. 10-9 Magny.

Rowe landing some leg kicks and right hands to start the second. Rowe gets a takedown and has the back. Rowe jumps on the back and Magny is carrying him around. Magny is trying to shake him off as Rowe is back on one foot. Rowe gets a brief takedown but they get up and remain tied up against the fence. They break and Magny lands some punches as they clinch again. Magny lands a few punches. They break. They trade left hands. Magny with some knees late. 10-9 Rowe, 19-19.

Magny comes forward and lands some punches. Rowe lands a combo then Magny lands. Rowe lands a jab. They tie back up. Rowe pushes it against the fence. They end up separating. Magny landing the jab. Rowe misses a left hand and they tie back up. Magny lands two knees as they break. He then lands a jab. Rowe lands a combo. Rowe with a short uppercut. Magny works for a takedown against the fence. He lands a knee as they break. They tie up and Rowe lands some punches. Magny pushes it against the fence and it ends there. Close fight. 10-9 Magny, 29-28 Magny.

Official Result- Neil Magny def. Phil Rowe by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

ABC MAIN CARD | 3 PM ET/12 PM PT

> Middleweights- #13 Brendan Allen (21-5, 9-2 UFC) vs. Bruno Silva (23-8, 4-2 UFC)

Allen lands a leg kick. Allen with a left hook. He lands a head kick. Silva lands to the body before they clinch at the fence. Allen lands a knee. Silva is bleeding from his nose. They break and Silva lands some big punches. Allen tried for a takedown then he hurt Silva with a punch. They trade and Allen lands a right hand that stuns Silva. Allen goes for a takedown but Silva defends. Silva lands a combo. Allen with a body kick. Silva lands a flurry. Allen drops Silva with a right hand and starts landing from the top. Allen locks in a rear-naked choke and Silva taps! What a finish from Allen!

Official Result- Brendan Allen def. Bruno Silva by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:39 of Round 1

> Featherweights- David Onama (10-2, 2-2 UFC) vs. Gabriel Santos (10-1, 0-1 UFC)

Santos with a leg kick. They trade in close range and Santos connects well. Santos lands a combo after Onama lands. Onama gets a takedown and works in the guard before they stand. Santos lands a combo. Santos lands a right hand. Santos lands a left hand. Santos jumps on the back and grabs the arm as they go to the mat. Santos looked for the armbar but Onama escaped. Onama is now on top. They scramble to their feet. Onama lands a couple of right hands. Santos gets a takedown and is landing from inside the guard. They get to their feet and Onama lands late. 10-9 Santos.

They’re teeing off on each other against the fence and both land good punches before Santos gets a takedown and has the back. Santos has the body triangle. Onama is able to reverse into the full guard of Santos. Santos is hunting for submissions but is eating elbows from Onama from the top. They get to their feet. Santos lands a body kick. They’re trading inside the pocket and Onama is landing elbows. Onama drops Santos with a big uppercut and it is over! Big finish from Onama in a wild fight.

Official Result- David Onama def. Gabriel Santos by knockout (punches) at 4:13 of Round 2

> Heavyweights- Austen Lane (12-3, 0-0 UFC) vs. Justin Tafa (6-3, 3-3 UFC)

Lane with a body kick then a right hand. We have an eye poke by Lane and Tafa immediately holds his eye as we have a timeout. This is a very bad eye poke and they’re giving Tafa the full five minutes but that eye won’t even open and there is no way this can go on. The fight has been called off.

Official Result- Austen Lane vs. Justin Tafa ruled a no contest (accidental eye poke) at :29 of Round 1

> Women’s Flyweights- #9 Amanda Ribas (11-3, 6-2 UFC) vs. #11 Maycee Barber (12-2, 7-2 UFC)

They’re trading to start off. Ribas landing with more volume as she’s landing punches and kicks. Ribas gets a takedown and is landing from the top. Barber is landing from the bottom and Ribas is cut open. They get to their feet and are trading. Ribas tries for a takedown and has the leg and is attacking but Barber is landing big shots from the top and is hurting Ribas with the punches. Barber ends the round landing from the top. 10-9 Barber.

They’re trading to start the second and both are landing. Ribas tries for a takedown but Barber defends. Both ladies are now bleeding. Barber lands a right hand. They trade and both are landing. Ribas gets a takedown and is landing from the top. They get to their feet. Barber lands a left hand and Ribs returns fire. Barber lands a big flurry and Ribas is hurt. Ribas tries for a takedown but Barber defends and is landing big shots from the top and Ribas is bleeding everywhere. Barber keeps landing and it is stopped! What a fight and what a finish from Barber!

Official Result- Maycee Barber def. Amanda Ribas by TKO (punches) at 3:42 of Round 2

> Featherweights- #5 Josh Emmett (18-3, 9-3 UFC) vs. #9 Ilia Topuria (13-0, 5-0 UFC)

Emmett landing first. Emmett lands a combo. He lands another combo. Topuria lands a right hand. They both swing inside the pocket. Emmett lands to the body. He lands a left hook. Topuria lands a big right hand. Topuria with a short uppercut to the body. Emmett rushes forward and is throwing but mostly misses. Topuria lands a right hand. He lands a hard leg kick on Emmett. They trade leg kicks. Topuria lands a right hand. 10-9 Topuria.

Emmett lands a leg kick. Emmett with a right hand to the body. Emmett with a quick combo. Topuria lands a big right hand. Topuria with the jab. Topuria lands a right hand. He lands another. Emmett lands a jab. He lands a right hand. Emmett scores with a left hook. He lands another left hand. Topuria lands a leg kick. Topuria with a combo. Emmett tries to throw a combo but slips. Topuria rocks Emmett with a big combo. They trade big shots against the fence. Topuria lands a leg kick. Topuria lands a big right and unloads on Emmett late. Topuria lands another right hand late. 10-9 Topuria, 20-18 Topuria.

Emmett lands a leg kick and they trade punches. Emmett with a high kick. Topuria lands a jab. They trade leg kicks and Topuria lands a combo but Emmett lands a nice left hook in return. Topuria lands some big punches inside the pocket. Emmett lands a big right hand. Topuria lands a jab. They trade jabs. Emmett lands a right hand. Topuria lands a right hand then a combo. They trade in close range. Topuria lands a calf kick. Topuria lands another combo. 10-9 Topuria, 30-27 Topuria.

They trade jabs to start the fourth. Topuria landing the jab. Topuria continuing to land the jab. Emmett lands to the body. Topuria with a heavy calf kick. Topuria lands a massive jab that stuns Emmett. Topuria lands a left hand that drops Emmett. Topuria gets on top and starts to land. He gets the back and is landing left hands. They get to their feet and Topuria lands some more big punches. Topuria drops Emmett again and is landing from the top. Topuria has the mount and is landing big punches. Topuria looks for a late choke but Emmett survives the round. 10-8 Topuria, 40-35 Topuria.

Emmett lands a left hand and has Topuria hurt a little. Emmett is just throwing bombs. Emmett still pressing forward and looking to land. Topuria is circling around. Emmett lands a leg kick. Emmett lands a left hand. Emmett lands and Topuria scores a takedown. Topuria gets the back and lands some knees as they get to their feet. Topuria gets it back down despite Emmett grabbing the fence. Topuria gets the back and is trying to flatten Emmett out. Topuria lands some left hands. What a fight! 10-9 Topuria, 50-44 Topuria.

Official Result- Ilia Topuria def. Josh Emmett by unanimous decision (50-44, 50-42, 49-45)

AEW Rampage live results: MJF appearance, Owen Hart Tournament kicks off

Posted on June 24, 2023 by Joseph Collins

For the first time in show history, AEW World Champion MJF will appear on tonight’s Rampage in Chicago ahead of his title defense Sunday at the Forbidden Door pay-per-view.

Adam Cole — MJF’s surprise teammate for the upcoming blind tag team eliminator tournament — will also be on the show to share some thoughts and perhaps find a dance partner for Sunday’s pay-per-view.

The Owen Hart Foundation tournaments will begin as the women kick things off. Past AEW Women’s title challenger Skye Blue will face Anna Jay A.S. in a quarterfinal battle.

Ahead of his challenge of NJPW World Champion SANADA on Sunday, “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry will face SANADA’s stablemate Douki.

CHAOS (Rocky Romero, Chuck Taylor, Trent Beretta & Yoh) will take on United Empire (Will Ospreay, Kyle Fletcher & Jeff Cobb) and Swerve Strickland in an eight-man match.

Former AEW Tag Team Champions The Acclaimed will also be in action.

**********

Taped in Chicago, Illinois.

Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, and Chris Jericho were on commentary.

Will Ospreay, Kyle Fletcher & Jeff Cob and Swerve Strickland (w/ Prince Nana) defeated Rocky Romero, Chuck Taylor, Trent Beretta & Yoh

This is sort of a rematch for a six-man tag last week, with Swerve Strickland and Yoh added to each side, respectively.

Beretta slid ouf a suplex attempt from Fletcher and took him down with a half-and-half suplex. Fletcher came back with a bodyslam. Beretta and Romero caught Fletcher with a double high knee. After a classic Roppongi Vice double team, The Best Friends and Rocky tried to give the people what they want, but the heels broke that up.

Ospreay took control of the match by giving Romero a tornado backbreaker. Cobb got the tag and a pretty noticeable pop. He took Romero down with a clothesline and hit a standing moonsault for a near fall.

After a split-screen break, Yoh squared off with Ospreay, who gave him a powerful chop. Ospreay hit a corkscrew kick and the crowd got solidly behind him. The match broke down and all the babyfaces ganged up on Ospreay, and they were finally able to give the people what they want! Yoh hit a falcon arrow on Ospreay for a near fall. Strickland took out Romero, and the United Empire ganged up on Yoh in the ring. Ospreay hit the Hidden Blade on Yoh to get the pinfall.

– Toni Storm promised New Japan Strong Women’s Champion Willow Nightingale she would “bend [her] over and make [her] humble” in their title match on Sunday. Storm’s title is the only title on the line in the match because hers is the only one that matters.

– Adam Cole came to the ring for a promo but was interrupted by MJF (making his first-ever appearance on Rampage) from the entrance stage. MJF is so thankful that Cole encouraged him to take that title match with Hiroshi Tanahashi on Sunday, that MJF got Cole a match with “Filthy” Tom Lawlor for Sunday. And no sooner does MJF announce the match were Lawlor and Royce Issacs in the ring to attack Cole. MJF took his time getting to the ring to run off Team Filthy, but not before Issacs and Lawlor got their licks in. It was almost as if MJF wasn’t interested in saving his tag team partner.

The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn defeated three unnamed enhancement talents (0:50)

Nothing to this match. The Acclaimed won quickly with The Arrival and the Mic Drop.

After the match, Harley Cameron (from QTV) came out with men dressed in masks and black hoodies. The Chicago crowd wanted nothing to do with this and were quite vocal with this disapproval. Cameron wanted to join the Acclaimed. She wanted to sing with the Acclaimed and tried to sing for them, but Billy Gunn cut her off. Cameron tried to impress the Acclaimed with her rap skills and tried flirting with Anthony Bowens. Bowens asked if she’s been kicked in the head too many times by a kangaroo because he’s gay. Bowens’ proclamation drew the biggest pop from the crowd all night. There was a very loud “He’s gay!” chant in support of Bowens.

QT Marshall and Aaron Solo came out to really take this segment off the rails. Marshall declared Harley’s rap “incredible” and compared Max Caster to John Cena… in 2003. This distracted the Acclaimed and allowed one of the men to unmask as Johnny (Hennigan/Nitro) TV and take out Billy Gunn with a superkick. Solo and Marshall then took out the Acclaimed.

This was a trainwreck of a segment. But I could not look away.

– Swerve Strickland promo. He’s going to cut the line to MJF by taking his opponent for Sunday, Hiroshi Tanahashi, out on Collision tomorrow night.

Skye Blue defeated Anna Jay A.S. (w/ Matt Menard & Angelo Parker) to advance in the first round of the Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament (7:52 aired)

Anna Jay A.S. dropped Blue with a DDT on the floor to take control of the match through the commercial break.

Skye Blue made her comeback after the break. Blue came off the top with a crossbody for a near fall. Jay hit a backstabber for a near fall. Blue hit Code Blue and got the pinfall. Blue looked great in this match and had the crowd behind her. Let’s hope she can keep this going outside of Chicago.

“Jungle Boy” Jack Perry defeated Douki (w/ Yoshinobu Kanemaru) (10:11)

Douki dumped Perry to the floor and followed him out with a tope. Douki chopped Perry around ringside, who came back by whipping his opponent into the ring barricade and back-suplexing him onto the ring apron.

After a long split-screen break, Douki caught Perry with a flying forearm and a double stomp. Douki gave Perry a powerbomb out of a backslide for a near fall. Perry came back with a tiger driver for a near fall.

Douki rolled to the floor, and Perry set up the timekeeper’s table. He made went for a powerbomb, but Douki escaped and took out Perry with his own diver through the table. This got the crowd behind Douki, (they chanted “Holy Douki!”) and they even started booing Perry. Douki got a brainbuster for a near fall, then a springboard into a DDT for another near fall. I’m pretty sure there was a “We want Douki/Not Jack!” chant.

Perry came back with a superkick and a poisoned rana while the crowd booed his comeback. Perry hit the sliding elbow strike, then locked Douki in SANADA’S finisher, the Skull End, to get Douki to tap out. The crowd stopped booing Perry to sing and dance to his sown after the match.

After the match, SANADA (looking quite dapper in a suit with the IWGP World title over his shoulder) came to the ring to have a staredown with Perry.

WWE SmackDown live results: Tag Team title unification match

Posted on June 23, 2023 by Colin McGuire

Tonight’s SmackDown emanates from the Cajundome in Lafayette, Louisiana, as the friction between The Usos and Roman Reigns & Solo Sikoa may reach new heights following the events of last week where Jey Uso superkicked Reigns.

The two teams will square off in the Bloodline Civil War at Money in the Bank. WWE is hyping that the war begins tonight.

WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler will face off against NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn tonight in a match to unify the belts.

After a confrontation last week, Bayley will put her women’s Money in the Bank ladder match spot on the line against Shotzi. The match was made when IYO SKY accepted the challenge for Bayley.

A triple threat match between Santos Escobar, Butch, and LA Knight was originally announced for tonight. Instead, Knight will be going one-on-one with Rey Mysterio.

Plus, Charlotte Flair returns to action against Lacey Evans, Pretty Deadly appear on The Grayson Waller Effect, and more.

Our live coverage starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

– The show opened with a video recap of what happened with the Bloodline on last week’s episode.

The Usos Segment

The Usos made their entrance and had mics in their hands. The crowd chanted their name and they soaked it in before starting to talk. Jey started to say “The Bloodline …” but Jimmy stopped him and Jey corrected himself to say “The Usos are in your city.” Jimmy asked Jey how he was feeling and the crowed chanted “Ucey!” Jey noted that they’re about to fight their own family and it’s not supposed to be like that. Jey started to ramble a bit and Jimmy stopped him to say he thinks Jey made the “absolute perfect choice” last week. Jey said they still love Roman Reigns and the crowd booed.

Jey spoke to Roman, into the camera, and said he would have done anything Roman told him to do. Jey said where Roman messed up was when he disrespected Jey and Jimmy. Jimmy said respect is huge and they were in the most dominant faction in WWE, but once Roman stopped showing the Usos respect, the Usos left him on the Aisle of Irrelevancy on his own. Jey said they can forgive Roman, but they can’t forgive those outside the circle. Jimmy talked about how Jimmy and Jey were built on respect. Jey said there’s going to be a Civil War at Money In The Bank. Jey said everyone is looking at the best tag team in the world. Jey said at MITB, it’s lockdown and Jimmy and Jey welcomed Solo Sikoa and Roman Reigns to the Uso Penitentiary to end the segment.

**********

LA Knight defeated Rey Mysterio Jr. [8:35]

Wait. Where was Butch?! Anyway, the match was fine enough, but those two had a few too many sloppy moments for me. A rare half-miss for two wrestlers who I typically like, but here, things felt a half-step off for the bulk of the match. Knight going over was the right move, but nobody came out of this looking good when it’s all said and done. The post-match angle felt a little forced, too, because nobody’s buying Knight as a heel, yet WWE keeps trying to sell it. This was fine, but it could have been much, much better.

The crowd chanted “LA Knight” once the bell rang. Knight had control early. Mysterio eventually cut Knight off with a dropkick, but Knight responded quickly with a knee to the head. Mysterio eventually fought back and landed a series of punches on Knight and hit the first part of the 619. Knight went to the apron and Mysterio hit a baseball slide onto Knight, taking him to the outside as the show went to a commercial.

Back form break, Knight had control with a neck-breaker. Knight lifted Mysterio, but Mysterio rolled Knight into a turnbuckle. Mysterio hit a Senton and cross-body for a two count. Mysterio ran at Knight and Knight caught him for a slam. Knight then landed a jumping elbow for a two count. Mysterio jumped at Knight and eventually it turned into a DDT for a two-count. Mysterio hit an enziguri, but Knight caught Rey and ultimately Blunt Force Trauma for the win.

After the match, Knight tried to take off Mysterio’s mask, but Santos Escobar ran out for the save. The show cut backstage, where Solo Sikoa gave the Samoan Spike to Ridge Holland in the back. Paul Heyman was with Sikoa and after Sikoa took Holland down, Heyman “called Roman Reigns” as the show went to break.

**********

– Back from break, Sheamus cut the show off and walked out of the back with a microphone calling out Sikoa. He said he’d give Sikoa the fight of his life and stomped to the back. Ronda Rousey’s music hit and she, along with Shayna Baszler, walked to the ring. Raquel Rodriguez was sitting at ringside for their match with Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn.

Shayna Baszler & Ronda Rousey defeated Isla Dawn & Alba Fyre to win the WWE Unified Women’s Tag Team Titles [9:50]

The outcome wasn’t really in doubt, but I do wonder what Liv’s injury was. It seems like this has been happening a bit lately in WWE: a woman with a title gets injured, the injury isn’t really ever explained, and then she reappears fairly quickly to challenge for a title she never lost. OK, maybe it doesn’t happen too, too much, but I have Roxanne Perez on my mind. Anyway, it’s hard to think anyone outside of Baszler and Rousey should have those tag titles for a good long time, if only because maybe they can build them into something they haven’t been. As for the match itself … Fyre and Dawn showed good fire (pun always intended). Here’s hoping they get some meaningful time moving forward. I’d hate it if they were just in a bad position at a bad time, considering how they’ve been the NXT women’s tag champs and the company is just in title unification mode. Time will tell.

Baszler and Fyre began the match and Baszler got the best of her. Dawn tagged in soon into the match and got a quick two count, which led to Baszler tagging in Rousey. Rousey did her takeover series on Dawn, but Dawn cut her off with a boot. Fyre tagged in and took Rousey down. Fyre suplexed Rousey and Dawn hit a meterora for a two-count. Fyre kicked the back of Rousey’s leg and put Rousey on her shoulders, but Rousey came right back with a poison-rana, which sent the match to break.

Back from the commercial, Rousey was working an ankle-lock on Fyre until Fyre got out of it via an enziguri. Baszler tagged in, hit a knee strike and got a two-count on Fyre. Fyre kicked away Baszler and got the hot tag to Dawn. Dawn took town Baszler with a kick. Dawn then landed a back suplex and came off the top with a meteora for a two count. Baszler sank in her finisher, but Fyre came off the top to break it up. Fyre then took out Rousey on the outside and Fyre tagged in. Baszler kicked Dawn and Baszler and Rousey sank in their finishers on Fyre and Dawn to win the match in a double tap-out.

After the match, Rodriguez got on the mic and said “they” want a rematch because they never lost the titles. Baszler asked who “they” were and Liv Morgan came to the ring to solidify her comeback. It appears Rodriguez and Morgan will be first up for Rousey and Baszler.

**********

The Grayson Waller Effect

Waller introduced Pretty Deadly as his guests. Waller added a disco ball to his set. The team said the Grayson Waller Effect is “so much better” than The KO Show. Waller said it was nice to have people on the show who have style and banter. Waller brought up the fact that next week, Pretty Deadly will take on Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn for the Undisputed Tag Team Titles. Elton Prince started talking about how he doesn’t believe Owens and Zayn haven’t given them enough respect. The crowd chanted “Shut up!” in response.

Prince talked about how Owens and Zayn have giant egos. Prince said Pretty Deadly will be on the same page for at least the next 10 years while Zayn and Owens’s egos will get in the way. Waller brought up how Pretty Deadly won five of the best teams in WWE last week to get the title shot. Kit Wilson said Pretty Deadly are the iron men of SmackDown. Pretty Deadly noted repeatedly how they beat the LWO last week. Pretty Deadly then brought up the Street Profits and on cue, the Profits made their entrance. Montez Ford yelled that they want the smoke and as a result, Pretty Deadly vs. the Street Profits was made.

**********

Pretty Deadly defeated The Street Profits [8:58]

Poor Street Profits. They came into the main roster with a bang and since then … well, can someone please name me the last significant win they had? Asking for a friend. Either way, the match here was pretty good, even though a lot of it was lost to commercial break. The Profits showed pretty good fire (even though they mostly always do), despite the prevailing notion that Pretty Deadly would get the win because they’re the ones with an upcoming title match. The Profits, meanwhile, are veering into that era in WWE where either something changes soon or they might want to head elsewhere if they’re interested in being used as a serious top team. Or, for that matter, I mean … WWE could break them up. Right? Whichever it is, they are closer to WWE purgatory than they’ve ever been and that’s not great.

Ford and Wilson began the match and Ford took control with a headlock. Dawkins tagged in and Pretty Deadly quickly got the upper-hand. Prince tagged in and worked over Dawkins with some strikes. Prince came off the second rope and Dawkins caught him with a punch. Ford tagged in and chopped the hell out of Prince. Ford took Prince’s shirt off him and put it on himself before the Profits took out Pretty Deadly, who were on the outside, with a tandem splash.

After the show returned from commercial, Wilson was in control, working over Ford inside the ring. The two came off the top with Ford getting the best of it. Ford got the hot tag to Dawkins and Dawkins came in to clean house. Dawkins landed a double under-hook slam for a two count. Ford tagged in and Dawkins shoulder-blocked Prince into Ford, who pinned Prince for a two count. Ford slammed Prince and tagged in Dawkins. The Profits set up for something, but Wilson broke it up and Prince rolled up Dawkins (with a little help from the ropes) for the win.

**********

Charlotte defeated Lacey Evans [2:30]

The closest thing to a squash we got all night. It’d be nice to see this segment get more love because my God, Asuka and Charlotte are set to fight next week for the WWE Women’s Championship. But it is what it is, I suppose. Remember that purgatory I was just whining about when it comes to the Street Profits? Lacey Evans has a permanent address there these days. She’s doing her best to work her way out of it, but luck doesn’t seem to be in her favor these days.

The two locked up to begin the match and Evans pulled Charlotte’s hair, but Charlotte responded with a shoulder block before stepping over Evans while Evans laid down. Charlotte hit Evans with some chops. Evans fought back by whipping Charlotte to the ground via her hair. Evans went to the second rope to demand the crowd salute her. Somewhere, Sgt. Slaughter called his lawyer. Charlotte mocked Evans and suplexed Evans. Charlotte hit the big boot and sank in the figure eight for the win.

After the bell rang, Asuka attacked Charlotte and saluted Charlotte repeatedly in some very funny moments. Asuka left Charlotte laying.

**********

– Bianca Belair was shown talking to Adam Pearce backstage. Belair said she wants to be ringside next week to make sure nobody cuts the line. Pearce said there is too much at stake and as a result, Belair will be barred from ringside. Belair questioned Pearce and walked away.

– Next week, we get Charlotte vs. Asuka for the WWE Women’s Championship. Roman Reigns will return to SmackDown next week. Logan Paul will be the guest on the Grayson Waller Effect. And the tag team title match between Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens vs. Pretty Deadly will go down.

**********

Solo Sikoa fought Sheamus to a no-contest in 14:53.

Good for Sheamus for stepping up in a match that didn’t feel like it was necessarily planned to happen since WWE started making plans for this SmackDown. Sikoa continues to step up in these high-profile moments, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say that final run through the barrier didn’t look like Sikoa utterly missed Sheamus. It wouldn’t be so bad if Sheamus wasn’t written to be taken out as a result of it, but so it goes. With the Usos standing tall to end the episode, you have to wonder if they’ll be the ones taking the loss in at MITB. There’s still next week, I suppose. As for this episode of SmackDown, this was the match of the night for what it was worth, but a lot there felt luke warm. We’ll see how they heat it up next week going into MITB.

Sheamus had control early on until Sikoa fought back with passion. Sheamus tried an early Brogue Kick before Sikoa rolled to the outside. Sheamus followed him and stomped on Sikoa’s hand and rolled Sikoa back into the ring, where Sikoa bounced right back and worked Sheamus’s back. Sheamus ultimately turned things around and came off the top for a clothesline and a one-count. Sikoa fought back with some chops. Sheamus cut off Sikoa with a clothesline and went for 10 Bells while Sikoa was on the apron, but Sikoa blocked it. On the apron, Sheamus lifted Sikoa, but Sikoa fought out and rammed Sheamus into the ring post. Sikoa then hit a Samoan Drop ont he outside as the show went to break.

Back from break, Sikoa had control and pumped himself up until he ran into a clothesline from Sheamus. Sheamus slammed Sikoa to keep control. Sikoa rolled to the apron and Sheamus grabbed him for 10 Bells. Sheamus fired up and went for the Brogue Kick, but Sikoa cut him off, only for Sikoa to run into a knee from Sheamus for a two count. A “This is awesome!” chant broke out. Sheamus tried to lift Sikoa, but he couldn’t for a minute … until he did and and hit White Noise, but it resulted in only a two count.

Sheamus set up for a Celtic Cross, but Sikoa fought out of it and hit a Samoan Spike, which took Sheamus to the outside. Sikoa slammed Sheamus on top of the broadcast table on the outside, but the match kept going. Sikoa put Sheamus through the barricade on the outside and Jessika Carr called the match off as Sheamus looked to be out. Sikoa started spiking everyone around him. The Usos music hit and they ran to the ring. Both brothers hit Sikoa with super-kicks. The Usos stared down Paul Heyman before hitting Sikoa with another double super-kick. The Usos then hit Sikoa with an Usos Splash to end the show.

Impact Wrestling live results: The road to Slammiversary begins

Posted on June 23, 2023 by Josh Nason

Ahead of their newly-announced tag team match at next month’s Slammiversary, former Impact World Champions Steve Maclin and Bully Ray will unite on Thursday’s Impact on AXS TV.

Before Maclin and Ray take on the unlikely duo of PCO and Scott D’Amore next month, they will face Frankie Kazarian & Eddie Edwards — two men who faced each other for the first time at Against All Odds.

Another set of rivals/partners will unite again as “Speedball” Mike Bailey joins up with Jonathan Gresham against The Design’s Kon and Angels as the latter tries to reassess things after Against All Odds.

Killer Kelly will look to rebound after Against All Odds as she faces former Impact Knockouts Champion Taylor Wilde.

In trios action, the reunited oVe (Sami Callihan, Jake Crist & Madman Fulton) return to Impact TV against Brian Myers & The Good Hands (Jason Hotch & John Skyler).

The BTI pre-show will feature the returning Nevaeh against Jody Threat.

Our live coverage will begin at 8:30 PM Eastern once the Impact Ultimate Insiders YouTube feed starts.

**********

This week’s show was taped in Columbus, Ohio, with Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt on the call.

Brian Myers & The Good Hands (Jason Hotch & John Skyler) defeated oVe (Sami Callihan, Madman Fulton & Jake Crist)

oVe reunited at this month’s Against All Odds to take out Callihan’s rivals The Design in a street fight. Now, they return to battle Myers, Hotch & Skyler — the latter two of which were unsuccessful in unseating Impact Tag Team Champions Ace Austin and Chris Bey at the same event.

This was a fairly standard trios match until Moose ran down to the ring and knocked Crist off the top rope as he was about to hit a big double-team move with Fulton. Callihan and Fulton took chase, leaving Myers to get the tag and hit Crist with the Roster Cut to get the pin and win. Moose and Callihan have an extensive and violent history, so there’s more to come.

– Eddie Edwards met up with Frankie Kazarian about tonight’s tag team match and they argued about how gain trust with each other. Edwards swore on the grave of Killer Kowalski (their trainer) that he can trust Edwards. The tl;dr: these two met at Against All Odds for the first time ever.

– Callihan was backstage throwing chairs around and Rich Swann came up to him, saying he should have been there to back up Callihan at Against All Odds but he was all tied up. He knows what Moose and Myers are like and swore he would be there to back Callihan up from here on out. “It’s a priority,” he said. I smell a swerve coming.

Dirty Dango defeated Bhupinder Gujjar

These two had a confrontation last week when Dango dissed the documentary on Impact Plus about Gujjar. Dango, and his new attitude, were unsuccessful twice in unseating Digital Media Champion Joe Hendry.

Dango won a relatively quick match with a reverse DDT that wasn’t memorable for poor Gujjar. Dango grabbed the stage manager’s cell phone afterward and was filming a video when Santino Marella came out. A distracted Dango was tossed back in the ring by Gujjar right into the Santino Cobra.

– The closing montage of the BTI pre-show match was shown where Jody Threat got a win over the returning Nevaeh with an airplane spin bomb.

Afterward, she and Nevaeh were talking when the latter saw Courtney Rush and Jessicka walk into the backstage area. A conversation about their past characters (Rosemary and Havok) ensued, complete with a wacky camera angle where the Death Dollz had a not-so-secret conversation. Nevaeh suggested they go back to the beginning to help figure out their origin story which the Dollz loved…so they ran away to do just that.

– Zicky Dice was continuing his referee training with Johnny Swinger happily observing. The trainer asked him at what count should a ref break a hold while someone was in the ropes. Swinger had to help him answer correctly and Dice not only got his referee’s certificate but his license and a shirt. Huzzah! He also got a speech about he was entering a brotherhood of unsung heroes. Swinger interrupted and said with Dice, he was on his way to getting 50 wins and an Impact World title shot.

Mike Bailey & Jonathan Gresham defeated The Design (Kon & Angels) (w/ Deaner)

The Design failed in their attempt to get revenge on Callihan at Against All Odds, losing in a street fight. Bailey and Gresham were unsuccessful at winning the 8-4-1 match at Against All Odds and thus, were paired up again here for something to do.

Bailey and Gresham showed some nice teamwork, especially on an assisted pop-up cutter that nearly led to a finish with a Bailey armbar on Angels.

Bailey got knocked into Gresham on the outside of the ring and then Angels accidentally knocked over Deaner, also on the outside of the ring. Angels recovered and hit a sweet looking Spanish fly from the second rope for a nearfall.

Deaner then jumped onto the apron and started yelling orders to Angels, distracting him. Bailey hit his tornado kick into the corner followed by Ultima Weapon on Angels for the pin and win. There are problems in The Design!

Here’s hoping a Tag Team title challenge is coming for Bailey and Gresham…if they can co-exist.

– Trinity was interviewed by Gia Scott about the possibility of Gisele Shaw winning the Knockouts title during next weekend’s Impact Down Under tour, making her Slammiversary title opportunity a three-way. She wasn’t concerned and then called out Shaw associate Jai Vidal (“do boy”) for a match next week.

– New AEW producer Jimmy Jacobs appeared with a statement from Nick Aldis saying he wouldn’t appear on tonight’s show due to threats from Alex Shelley’s fans after last week’s show. Shelley then interrupted and didn’t buy it. Jacobs said Aldis would be there next week and when Shelley left, he said it took Shelley 20 years to win the big one and it’s already gone to his head.

Shelley then superkicked Jacobs as he and X-Division Champion Chris Sabin stood over him. Farewell, Jimmy.

Killer Kelly defeated Taylor Wilde (w/ KiLynn King)

Kelly is coming off a loss in a dog collar match to Masha Slamovich at Against All Odds while Wilde & King are looking for new challengers for their Knockouts Tag Team titles.

This was a competitive, physical match where Kelly had to deal with King’s interference early on. Wilde survived the Killer Clutch by rolling backward, but fell into a roll-up that Kelly held on for the win.

King then got attacked by both Coven members which brought out Slamovich. She teased going after Kelly, but the two then attacked Wilde and King, sending them packing. It appears our next challengers have been found.

– Gia Scott was with Scott D’Amore following last week’s announcement he is taking a leave of absence and returning to the ring at Slammiversary. He cut an impassioned promo about his past and while he’s not as good as he once was, and will get down and dirty if needs to. He told Steve Maclin and Bully Ray to get ready for he and PCO.

Digital Media Champion Joe Hendry defends against Yuya Uemura

As this was about to begin, Kenny King and Sheldon Jean came out to the ring as King decided to join the commentary team.

Hendry won a competitive match after catching Uemura off a crossbody attempt, rolling through and lifting him up into the Standing Ovation finish for the pin and title defense. Hendry certainly is a big strong boi.

King then grabbed the belt to present it to Hendry, staring at it before pushing it into Hendry’s chest. Your next title match is made.

Steve Maclin & Bully Ray defeated Frankie Kazarian & Eddie Edwards (w/ Alisha Edwards)

It is still pretty wild (not Taylor) that Ray is still an active wrestler and part of one of the top angles (not Kurt) in Impact. Maclin will get his World title rematch in Australia, but his path back to the top will likely be delayed for a bit.

This was an entertaining tag match between four veterans. Kazarian got the hot tag with about three minutes to go and went on the attack. He countered a Maclin KIA attempt with a reverse piledriver for two. Kazarian then had the chicken wing on Maclin, but Maclin ducked a superkick attempt that flatted Kazarian. Ray and Maclin hit a combo back suplex/neckbreaker to get the pin and win on Kazarian as a forlorn Edwards looked on…or was he?

That ended a pretty average episode of Impact.

New for next weekend’s double-dip of Impact Down Under pay-per-views from Australia:

Friday: Digital Media Champion Joe Hendry defends against Eddie Edwards
Friday: X-Division Champion Chris Sabin defends against Frankie Kazarian
Saturday: Impact Tag Team Champions Chris Bey & Alex Shelley defend against Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin)

Next Thursday (taped in Atlanta this weekend):

X-Division Champion Chris Sabin defends against Trey Miguel
Trinity vs. Jai Vidal
Nick Aldis will explain his actions from last week to Alex Shelley

Ring of Honor live results: Chicago street fight for the Women’s title

Posted on June 22, 2023 by Suit Williams

In the main event of Thursday’s Ring of Honor on HonorClub, ROH Women’s Champion Athena will look to go into Forbidden Door weekend as champion as she defends against Kiera Hogan in a Chicago street fight.

ROH Tag Team Champions The Lucha Brothers will team with AAA Mega Champion El Hijo del Vikingo & Komander against The Butcher & The Blade, Kip Sabian and Serpentico.

Daniel Garcia will take on Rocky Romero in a Pure rules match ahead of Garcia’s AEW International title opportunity at Sunday’s Forbidden Door.

ROH Six-Man Tag Team Champions The Embassy (Brian Cage, Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun) will face Trenton Storm, AJZ & Luke Kurtis in a non-title match.

After they were unsuccessful on Dynamite, AR Fox, Action Andretti & Darius Martin return to action against The WorkHorsemen (JD Drake & Anthony Henry) and Shane Taylor.

The 13-match lineup also will feature Gringo Loco vs. Willie Mack; Lee Moriarty & Big Bill vs. Blake Christian & Matt Sydal, and more.

**********

This week began Ring of Honor’s traveling tenure with AEW Collision, as this week’s show was taped last Saturday from the United Center in Chicago, IL. I can’t say I’m a fan of the change, as the half-empty crowds do put a damper on my excitement for the show. However, the Universal Studios tapings weren’t much more than Dark tapings with a big match here and there. This is more of a complaint about the show’s format than it is about the show’s weekly setting.

The show began with the ROH Board of Directors – Tony Khan, Stokely Hathaway, & Jerry Lynn – standing with Samoa Joe on the Collision set last Saturday. They want to celebrate Samoa Joe reaching one year as ROH World Television Champion, so they present him with a brand-new title belt. Joe says he can’t think of a better way to celebrate than by breaking CM Punk’s face. We then cut to a video recap of the Collision main event, highlighting Joe and Punk’s faceoff.

Ian Riccaboni and Caprice Coleman are on the call as we head to the first match.

El Hijo del Vikingo, Komander & The Lucha Brothers (Penta El Zero Miedo & Rey Fenix) (w/ Alex Abrahantes) defeated Kip Sabian, Serpentico & The Butcher & The Blade (w/Penelope Ford & Angelico)

Vikingo and Serpentico started off. Serpentico got the better of Vikingo with a powerbomb, but Vikingo hit a hurricane kick and tagged out to Komander. The Butcher tagged in on the other side and took control after Kip Sabian cut Komander off with a knee to the back. The Sabian side rushed Komander with offense, ending with a Butcher lariat for a nearfall.

The Sabian side ran an offensive flurry in the corner on Komander, ending with a Sabian fisherman’s suplex for a nearfall. Komander fought his way out of a double team and tagged out to Penta, who ran wild on both the Blade and Sabian. Fenix tagged in and ran wild on the Blade and Serpentico. Quadruple superkicks on all four opponents gave Fenix a nearfall on Sabian.

The Lucha Brothers’ tag team Package Piledriver got broken up, leading to a triple team on Fenix for a nearfall. The match broke down into a Pier Eight brawl before the luchadors caught the Sabian team in a rowboat in the middle of the ring. Penta hit a Canadian Destroyer on Serpentico in the middle of it all. Vikingo and Fenix hit dives to the floor, leaving Penta to hit the Package Piledriver on Serpentico to score the win.

Gringo Loco defeated Willie Mack

These two went to a stalemate early on, cartwheeling out of each other’s headscissors attempt. Mack caught Loco with a DDT out of the corner. Mack hit a pair of running strikes before landing a cannonball in the corner for a nearfall. Loco fought back before running into a Samoan Drop from Mack. Mack hit a standing moonsault for a nearfall.

Mack took Loco to the top rope, but Loco knocked him down and hit a double jump moonsault. Mack rolled to the floor, but Loco followed him with a plancha. Loco went for a corkscrew moonsault, but Mack moved and hit a main event spinebuster for a nearfall. They traded strikes before Mack hit a Shining Wizard to put both men down. Loco cut Mack off as he went to the top rope and hit a double jump Spanish Fly for the hometown win.

Trish Adora defeated Allysin Kay

Adora caught Kay in an Octopus hold, but Kay dumped her on the ropes to escape. Kay laid in some strikes before landing a neckbreaker for a nearfall. Kay laid in the strikes to Adora before Adora caught her with a German suplex from her knees. Adora fired up, sending Kay into the corner shoulder first. Adora hit a bridging suplex for a nearfall. Kay avoided the Lariat Tubman and hit a boot for a nearfall. Adora rolled out of a powerbomb position and hit the Lariat Tubman for the win.

Kyle Fletcher defeated Silas Young

After trading shoulder blocks, Fletcher sent Young to the floor with a boot. Fletcher hit a crossbody over the top rope. On commentary, Riccaboni noted that a win here would give Fletcher three straight wins over three former ROH TV champions. Young cut Fletcher off with a hotshot across the top rope before sending Fletcher into the turnbuckles hard with an Irish Whip.

Fletcher muscled Young up into a suplex. Fletcher fired up, hitting a running forearm and a back suplex for a nearfall. Young cut Fletcher off with a back elbow, but Fletcher hit a half-and-half suplex before following it with a running kick in the corner. Fletcher followed it with a brainbuster for a nearfall. Young fought out of the twisting Tombstone, but Young sent Fletcher to the apron and hit a springboard lariat. Young hit the backbreaker/lariat combo but missed the headstand moonsault. Fletcher scored the win with a hammerlock reverse DDT, a move Riccaboni noted was a new finisher for Fletcher.

The Mogul Embassy (Bishop Kaun, Brian Cage & Toa Liona) (w/Prince Nana) defeated AJZ, Luke Kurtis & Trenton Storm

Liona charged Kurtis while Kurtis still had his entrance robe on. Kurtis caught Liona with a DDT, but Liona got right back up and hit a belly-to-belly for a nearfall. Cage tagged in and dropped Storm with a lariat. Storm went for a headscissors, but Cage shrugged him off and hit a German suplex. AJZ tagged in and got a bit of offense in on Kaun, but Kaun hit a Stun Gun over the top rope before hitting a running back elbow on the floor.

The Embassy went into their finishing sequence, taking out all three men before hitting three separate power moves to win. Liona got the pin on AJZ. I think Cage was the legal man, so if the other team wanted to file a complaint with the Board of Directors, they may have a case.

Dalton Castle (w/The Boys) defeated Josh Woods (w/Mark Sterling & Tony Nese)

Both men have amateur wrestling experience, so they started this match with some impressive grappling. They got tied up in the ropes, where Woods yanked Castle’s head and neck into the top rope. Castle fired up the crowd before getting back in the ring and dropping Woods with a DDT. Castle hooked Woods on the top rope before kneeing him down. The other Varsity Athletes got distracted Castle, allowing Woods to send Castle into the barricade twice.

Woods tied Castle in the ropes before hitting a German suplex for a nearfall. Castle hit a clothesline before firing up with suplex variants. Castle caught a charging Woods with a German suplex for a nearfall. Woods escaped the Bangarang – with the help of Sterling – and hit a gutwrench suplex and a charging knee for a nearfall. Castle fought off all of the Athletes before using the Boys to take out Nese on the floor. Castle caught Woods on a leapfrog and hit the Bangarang for the win.

– We got a pair of video packages setting up our next match. The Kingdom went up to Stokely Hathaway and accused the Infantry of talking trash about him. The Infantry accused the Kingdom of lying about that and made a challenge for a match.

The Infantry (Carlie Bravo & Shawn Dean) defeated The Kingdom (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) (w/Maria Kanellis-Bennett)

A genuine upset here, as the newer team scored the win and a third against the former ROH World Tag Team Champions.

After trading double team moves, Bravo hit a cutter over the ropes on Taven for a nearfall. Bennett dropped Bravo with strikes before landing a brainbuster for a nearfall. Bennett hit a main event spinebuster before Taven hit a springboard moonsault for a nearfall. Taven hit a DDT on Bravo for a nearfall as the Kingdom isolated Bravo. Bravo fought his way to his corner to make the tag to Dean, who ran wild on both men.

Dean hit a top rope crossbody as a fan could be heard cursing out MJF for some reason. Dean hit a Tiger Driver on Bennett for a nearfall. The Infantry hit a tag team uranage for a nearfall. Taven cut off Bravo with a knee and a Kick of the King. The Kingdom hit a neckbreaker/powerbomb combination for a nearfall. Bravo fought out of the corner, hitting a scissors kick to Bennett. Dean hit a big splash for a nearfall.

The match broke down into a Pier Four brawl before Bennett and Dean took each other down with clotheslines. As Maria distracted the referee, Bennett cut Dean off with a chair. As the Kingdom set up the Hail Mary, Trish Adora came out to remove Maria from proceedings. Dean rolled up Bennett to score the upset win.

Big Bill & Lee Moriarty defeated Blake Christian & Matt Sydal

Big Bill has rounded into a very good wrestler. He and Moriarty have become a solid team.

Moriarty and Sydal began with mat work. Sydal hit a headscissors and a corkscrew senton for a nearfall before tagging in Christian. Christian hit a big dropkick before landing a bottom-rope 619. Christian hit a handspring kick before tagging in Sydal to hit some double-team offense, ending with a running knee from Sydal. Bill tagged in and poked Sydal in his third eye before hitting a kitchen sink knee. Bill cut off a headscissors, allowing Moriarty to boot him in the head.

Moriarty tagged in and clubbered on Sydal to the point where Bill had to tell him to calm down. Moriarty hit a bridging suplex for a nearfall before tagging Bill back in. Sydal avoided two corner charges from Moriarty and Sydal. Christian backflipped off the apron when Moriarty went to cut him off, allowing Sydal to hit a spin kick and tag out to Christian. Christian fired up, hitting a suicide dive to Bill and a Fosbury Flop to Moriarty. Christian hit a springboard 450 for a nearfall that was broken up by Bill.

Sydal and Christian hit a double dropkick on Moriarty, but Bill tagged in and took them both out with clotheslines. Christian cut off a chokeslam with a knee but ran right into a Bossman Slam for a nearfall that Sydal broke up. Sydal took Bill to the floor with a headscissors, but Bill avoided a big dive and chokeslammed Christian on the apron. Bill hit the East River Crossing – Hirooki Goto’s Shouten Kai – for the win.

– Backstage, Lexy was with The Kingdom. They were upset at their loss, blaming Stokely Hathaway for setting it up. Maria said that she gave Trish Adora her first opportunity in ROH and would make sure it would be her last chance as well.

The Dark Order (Alex Reynolds & John Silver) (w/Negative One) defeated August Matthews & Davey Bang

Silver started with Bang and quickly caught him in a double team. Riccaboni noted on commentary that Matthews and Bang had a naughty tag team name on the independent scene. Reynolds hammered Matthews before Silver powerbombed Matthews into the knees of Reynolds. Reynolds and Silver hit their strike combination finisher to score the quick victory.

After the match, The Righteous and Stu Grayson came up on the screen. Grayson asked if the Dark Order would ever bleed for him, turning Evil Uno’s question against him. Vincent asked the Dark Order if they would bring the same aggression next week. In response, Reynolds and Silver dropped Bang with more offense.

– Backstage, Lexy was with Diamante. Smart Mark Sterling came in and offered Diamante half of the winner’s purse to forfeit. Well, 49% of the winner’s purse. Surprisingly, Diamante rejected the offer.

Leila Grey (w/Mark Sterling) defeated Diamante

Diamante seemed to change her mind and laid down for Grey but caught her with a kick when she went for the cover. Diamante hit a baseball slide, but Grey caught a boot and dropped Diamante on the apron. Grey hit a boot for a nearfall. Grey clubbered on Diamante, hitting a bulldog for a nearfall.

Grey missed a senton, allowing Diamante to fire up and hit a German suplex. Diamante hit the hesitation dropkick in the corner for a nearfall. Sterling distracted Diamante for a moment. Diamante stomped on his hand, but Grey caught Diamante with a roll-up to score the win.

Action Andretti, AR Fox & Darius Martin defeated Shane Taylor & The WorkHorsemen (Anthony Henry & JD Drake)

Good trios match here with two new, solid teams. Taylor and the WorkHorsemen are gelling together well.

Henry and Drake sent their opponents out of the ring while Taylor had Fox’s hand in the Code of Honor. Martin tried to fire up, but Drake cut him off on the floor. That allowed Taylor’s team to blitz Martin with offense. Fox caught Drake with a moonsault off the apron. Andretti tagged in and fired up, landing big offense on Henry and Taylor. Drake tried to fight Andretti, but Andretti was able to take them out with the help of Martin.

Taylor was the last man standing, fighting off all three of his opponents until Drake was able to get back in. Drake slingshot Fox into a Marcus Garvey Driver that Henry hit a double stomp to assist with. The cover got broken up, and the match broke down into a Pier Six brawl. Henry and Fox were left in the ring, and Fox caught Henry with a rollup out of a nip-up to steal the win.

– Backstage, Lexy was with Leila Grey and Smart Mark Sterling. They gloated about their win until Diamante came in demanding a rematch. Grey dismissively agreed to a rematch down the line. I was fine with the one match.

Pure Rules Match: Daniel Garcia defeated Rocky Romero

The judges for this Pure Match were Pat Buck, Stokely Hathaway, and Jerry Lynn.

Garcia forced Romero into the ropes to burn one of Romero’s rope breaks. Romero then caught Garcia in the Diablo Armbar to get Garcia to use his first rope break. Romero hit a dive to Garcia who escaped to the floor before hitting a running Sliced Bread back in the ring for a nearfall. Garcia cut off the Forever clotheslines and hit a butterfly suplex into the ropes. The crowd began chanting You’re A Wrestler to Garcia, who responded with a dance and a suplex for a nearfall.

Romero caught Garcia with an Octopus Stretch to burn Garcia’s second rope break. Garcia cut off a headscissors and locked on an STF. Romero dragged Garcia to the ropes and grabbed the ropes to use his second rope break. Garcia taunted the crowd while he had Romero down, allowing Romero to drill him with a jumping knee. Garcia cut off Romero on the top rope, but Romero caught him with a hurricanrana off the top. Romero tied up Garcia in the ropes and hit the Strong Zero for a nearfall, which Garcia used the ropes to break. Garcia used his final rope break.

Garcia caught Romero with the Walls of Jericho, forcing Romero to use his last rope break to escape. The crowd informed the wrestlers that they were both out of rope breaks. Garcia tried to send a message to Pure Champion Katsuyori Shibata by finishing Romero with a Penalty Kick, but Romero caught it and fired up. Romero went on the offensive and caught Garcia in the Diablo Armbar. Garcia got to the ropes and rolled over top to transition the armbar into the Dragon Tamer. Romero tried to escape out of the ring, but Garcia held on through the ropes and got the submission win.

After the match, Garcia feigned a Code of Honor handshake before trying to hook on the Walls of Jericho again. Orange Cassidy made his way out to a big pop to save his best friend’s friend and run off Garcia.

ROH Women’s World Title Chicago Street Fight: Athena defeated Kiera Hogan to retain

These two went all out in this one, giving their bodies up for this main event. But there was a lot of dead time in this one with the setting up of weapons taking up most of it. It would have benefitted greatly from either a tighter time frame or more urgency with the set-up. But the spots they set up did work in getting great reactions from the crowd, so it worked out in the end.

Hogan took the fight to Athena to start, but Athena caught Hogan with a Bossman Slam to cut her off. Athena went for a ladder, but Hogan dropkicked it into her chest. Hogan hit a headscissors into a standing ladder on the floor. Athena shoved Hogan into the ladder before sending her into the barricade. Hogan cut Athena off and tossed weapons into the ring, but Athena grabbed a garbage can lid and hit Hogan with it.

Athena sent Hogan into the open end of a trash can and hammered it with a kendo stick for a one count. Athena went for a handspring, but Hogan threw the trash can into Athena’s face before throwing her can in Athena’s face with a hip attack. Hogan hit a baseball slide to the trash can, then followed it with a neckbreaker for a nearfall. Hogan set Athena up on a ladder bridge and went for a splash, but Athena moved, leaving nothing but ladder for Hogan.

Athena set up a table on the floor, as well as a chair contraption at ringside. After some time, Athena went back to Hogan, but Hogan sent Athena through another table at ringside. Hogan hammered Athena with the kendo stick, but Athena got one of her own. They traded kendo stick shots before Athena won the battle. Hogan dropped Athena across a table and hit a splash thro…onto the table. Another splash broke the leg of the table, so it kind of counted.

Hogan set up a table in the ring, but Athena cut her off and went to the top rope. Hogan cut her off and went for a headscissors, but Athena stuffed it and powerbombed Hogan through the table for a nearfall. Athena grabbed a black bag from under the ring and emptied it, revealing thumbtacks all over the ring. Hogan fought out of a Razor’s Edge and sent Athena into a trash can before hitting a side suplex into the tacks for a nearfall.

Hogan choked Athena with her braids, but Athena clawed at Hogan’s eyes to escape. Athena rolled to the apron and superplexed Hogan through the chair contraption at ringside. Athena rolled Hogan into the ring and got the pin to win and retain the title. This was Athena’s 11^th successful defense of the title.

– Backstage, Lexy was with Athena. Athena complained about the lack of a celebration before telling the rest of the roster to step up or step out.

AEW Dynamite live results: Forbidden Door build continues

Posted on June 21, 2023 by Ryan Howard

Chicago hosts tonight’s AEW Dynamite, the last episode before Sunday’s Forbidden Door pay-per-view.

Bryan Danielson will call out NJPW’s Kazuchika Okada on the show. The two will meet at Forbidden Door.

Chris Jericho and Sammy Guevara will team with NJPW’s Minoru Suzuki against Action Andretti, Darius Martin, and AR Fox.

AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy teams with ROH Pure Champion Katsuyori Shibata against NJPW World TV Champion Zack Sabre Jr. and Daniel Garcia.

Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy face Austin Gunn and Colten Gunn in tag team action.

Jeff Jarrett will battle Mark Briscoe in a concession stand brawl.

Kris Statlander is set to defend the TBS Championship against Taya Valkyrie.

Promos from Eddie Kingston and Adam Cole have been announced for the show.

Names will be drawn for the blind eliminator tournament, with the tournament winners set to receive a Tag Team title shot.

While not announced, CM Punk is scheduled for the show.

Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Tony Schiavone and Taz, as they throw it to the entrances for our opening contest.

The Gunns (Austin & Colten) defeated The Hardys (Matt & Jeff)

(The opening match itself I thought was better than the six man tag at Double or Nothing, with the crowd hot throughout. The bigger story is the post match, as it certainly appears The Gunns have joined Bullet Club Gold, who enjoyed the numbers in their favor only briefly, as the main event for the next Collision seems to be made.)

While commentary talked about how this match was made to see who was the best brother tag team, Excalibur pointed out how the Lucha Brothers, Young Bucks & Top Flight are all on the roster, which you can also add Rush & Dralistico as well. Jeff launched early off Matt’s back into a corner splash and followed with Whisper in the Wind on Austin. Colten blindsided Jeff to allow The Gunns to gain control momentarily until a Matt hot tag. Austin was planted with a Side Effect and Twist of Fate, but Colten saved his brother and put the foot on the rope. Austin missed a Fame Asser, but Matt missed another Twist of Fate, allowing Colten to hit a spinning underhook suplex.

Jeff tagged back in and cleaned house with a double DDT and double low leg drop. Jeff sent Colten flying with a Twist of Fate, but as he went up top, Juice Robinson appeared and distracted the referee. Switchblade Jay White shoved Jeff off the top, allowing The Gunns to hit 3:10 to Yuma and steal the win.

Post match, White dropped Matt with a Blade Runner while Robinson dropped Jeff with a Left Hand of God. Matt was about to suffer the same fate when Ricky Starks ran out to make the save, but was quickly outnumbered. FTR sprinted out to a huge ovation, but the numbers again were too much. CM Punk ran out to even the odds, as Bullet Club Gold & The Gunns bailed before Robinson suffered another GTS. Punk took the microphone and issued a challenge for Collision Saturday, as he said he’s not even supposed to be on Dynamite.

Mark Briscoe defeated Jeff Jarrett in a Concession Stand Brawl

(While last week on Rampage, Mark Briscoe found backup in the form of his father and Aubrey Edwards, tonight it was a lot more to fend off Jarrett & crew. This was a fun brawl in another chapter in a pretty fun rivalry.)

Excalibur made sure to mention the famous first ever Concession Stand Brawl involving Jerry Lawler, Bill Dundee, Larry Latham & Wayne Ferris. Both Briscoe & Jarrett were waiting for the match to officially begin by referee Paul Turner, who called for the bell and Briscoe almost immediately threw Jarrett through a table. Briscoe chucked hot dogs at Jarrett, whose hair is bright yellow from the mustard and now his hair looks like the early 90s. Karen Jarrett appeared and blinded Briscoe, as one of the concession attendants, who was independent wrestler Blair Onyx, helped Briscoe with water to clear his eyes. Briscoe set up Jarrett on a table, climbed a ladder, but someone in a hoodie climbed the ladder and shoved Briscoe through the table. That person was Sonjay Dutt, as Jarrett & Briscoe brawled into the crowd during commercial, as Jay Lethal popped up to help during that time.

It’s 3 on 1 back from break in the ring as Lethal went to grab the ring attendant table, but an awaiting Papa Briscoe chokeslammed Lethal through it. Papa Briscoe cleaned house on Dutt & Jarrett until Karen hit a low blow. Mark fired off redneck kung-fu on Jeff, trying for a Jay Driller, but Satnam Singh appeared and laid out Mark with a chokeslam. Best Friends, Lucha Bros & Christopher Daniels ran out to fend off Singh, as Fenix dropped him with a massive springboard splash. Penta cracked Jarrett with a superkick as Briscoe got a school boy to win it.

-Backstage The BCC are with Don Callis & Konosuke Takeshita. Jon Moxley issues a 5 on 5 challenge to The Elite, as The BCC & Takeshita will have Moxley’s protégé Shota Umino by their side. Moxley said The Rainmaker will have a nightmare on Sunday thanks to the best wrestler in the world. Danielson said he challenged Okada to a face to face tonight, but he doesn’t believe Okada is even in the building. When they step in the ring, Danielson will prove Okada is an amateur. If Okada doesn’t answer the call out, he’ll prove he’s an amateur and coward.

**********

-A video package highlighting the debut of Collision was shown.

Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara & Minoru Suzuki defeated Action Andretti, Darius Martin & AR Fox

(I enjoyed the chaos of this six man quite a bit, as we had fun callbacks of the Andretti & Jericho feud, while everyone else got off their big time moves. The post match, I completely understand them saving the announcement of Sting & Allin’s partner for the PPV for Collision, but it ended the segment on a pretty weak note, as the crowd wasn’t happy they had to wait.)

The crowd doing the Kaze Ni Nare chant during Suzuki’s entrance will never get old, no matter the company. Excalibur asked Schiavone if he ever thought he’d see Suzuki team with Jericho & Guevara, but these three teamed together at the last Forbidden Door. Guevara & Andretti had a lighting fast opening sequence before Suzuki & Martin tagged in with Suzuki daring Martin to chop him. Suzuki just ate them and dropped Martin with violent forearms. Jericho & Suzuki double teamed Martin briefly before doing Le Sex Gods pose that popped everyone. Fox jumped in and briefly had control of Jericho, who pulled referee Aubrey in front of him to gain control into commercial.

Fox made the hot tag to Andretti, who fought off the man he upset in his AEW debut, as Jericho responded with chops until Andretti wiped out Guevara with a dive and Jericho with a springboard attack. A shotgun dropkick sent Jericho flying into the corner, but a missed split legged moonsault landed Andretti into Suzuki’s clutches. Martin broke it up and Suzuki dropped him with one shot. The match broke down with back and forth high flying attacks until Fox hit an inverted springboard somersault senton to the floor. Andretti nearly beat Jericho the same way he did before with a running shooting star, but Jericho escaped at two. The match broke down with Suzuki planting Fox with a Gotch Style Piledriver, as Martin ran wild on Jericho, who blocked a dive into a nasty Lion Tamer for the submission.

Post match Renee Paquette interviewed the winning team in the ring, as she asked Jericho about being face to face with Sting for the first time last week. Jericho ripped the microphone from her hands and called it a monumental moment in wrestling history. Everyone was excited except Jericho, who called Sting a whore for showing up wherever the highest bidder is. Jericho issued a challenge to Sting, Darby Allin and partner to face Le Suzuki Gods at Forbidden Door. Sting & Allin walked to the ring as Sting put his arm around Jericho and said they accept the challenge. Allin said Jericho made a lot of enemies in a lot of places and said Jericho will find out their partner at Collision, which deflated the crowd and got boos since they won’t find out tonight.

-Tony Schiavone & RJ City are backstage with names in a tumbler to determine the pairings for the Blind Eliminator Tournament next week. Schiavone picked out two names, but never told us who, instead saying we’ll find out the brackets next week.

**********

-The Elite are backstage talking about The BCC’s challenge earlier in the night. Hangman Page said while the numbers don’t look to be in their favor, they have friends all over. Kenny Omega said thankfully a lot of people hate Don Callis & Konosuke Takeshita, as Eddie Kingston walked into the shot. While Kingston doesn’t like The Elite, he hates Claudio Castagnoli more, so he’ll team with The Elite, but he gets to name the final partner. The Elite accept the terms and Kingston walks out of frame.

Adam Cole & MJF Face Off

Cole came to the ring to a huge ovation and said he had to give the Devil his due last week. While Cole didn’t win, neither did MJF and said it was smart to not accept 5 more minutes after the 30 minute draw. Cole called out MJF, who had a massive reaction from the crowd, as MJF told the mouth breathers to keep their mouths shut. MJF said Cole should thank him for bringing out the best of him last week. MJF said he had Cole beat last week, so while Cole wants a rematch, for his well being and health, MJF declines the rematch. Cole said they could fight tonight when Tony Schiavone stood up from the commentary table and said he had an announcement as Cole & MJF both told him to shut up simultaneously in a great moment.

Schiavone talked about the Blind Eliminator tournament and how the names he drew earlier were Adam Cole & MJF. Cole was furious having to team with MJF, while MJF was upset he has to wrestle every week. Hiroshi Tanahashi appeared on the big screen and talked about his challenge last week to MJF, who was going to reject the challenge again when Cole goaded him into accepting with chanting coward. MJF accepts the challenge, as Cole pats him on the shoulder and said good luck, partner.

The Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Brackets Announced

Excalibur informs us via graphic the brackets for the tournament, as Sunday at Forbidden Door CM Punk faces Satoshi Kojima, then on the June 29^th Collision, Roderick Strong vs. Samoa Joe, Dustin Rhodes vs. Powerhouse Hobbs and Ricky Starks vs. Juice Robinson will all take place.

The women’s tournament will feature Athena vs. Billie Starkz at the Zero Hour of Forbidden Door, while Anna Jay battles Skye Blue on Rampage Friday, Nyle Rose takes on Willow Nightingale on Collision and next Wednesday Ruby Soho vs. Britt Baker in a rematch of last year’s final.

NJPW TV Champion Zack Sabre Jr. & Daniel Garcia defeated AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy & ROH Pure Champion Katsuyori Shibata

(This was a fun tag match and ultimate set up for the Forbidden Door match. At first I thought we’d be getting two singles matches at the PPV, but it makes more sense to potentially save Garcia vs. Shibata for the ROH PPV. Cassidy will again find the odds against him on Sunday.)

A nice opening back and forth grappling sequence between Sabre & Shibata before Garcia & Cassidy jumped in for a 4 way face off with referee Bryce trying to gain order into commercial. Back from break, Shibata & Sabre picked up where they left off, as Shibata worked the ankle until Sabre escaped into a cravat. Sabre blocked a Cobra Twist with a flying octopus hold, but Shibata escaped. Garcia & Cassidy made the tag and dance at one another briefly to pop the crowd, as Cassidy fired off offense with his hands in the pockets. Sabre tagged in and applauded the tricks, daring Cassidy to hit him, as Cassidy threw his little kicks. A series of switches by Cassidy ended in Sabre twisting the neck with his feet to gain control. Garcia & Sabre kept Cassidy isolated as they went to another commercial.

Cassidy fought back with a Stundog Millionaire on Sabre to make the hot tag to Shibata, who fired off kicks, forearms and upper cuts. Sabre went at the arm, allowing Garcia to pick up the pieces and zone in. Shibata fired back with the good arm until Garcia mocked the Shibata pose and sat in the ring eating little kicks by Cassidy & Shibata. Both men went wild with forearms and dueling running dropkicks as Sabre was taken out by a diving Cassidy, while Garcia ate another corner dropkick from Shibata. Garcia rolled through on Shibata and sank in the Dragon Tamer, which Shibata countered into an arm breaker. Sabre broke things up, but ate a Cassidy spinning DDT. Shibata & Garcia no sold strikes until Garcia ducked and Orange Punch, as Cassidy cracked Shibata by mistake. Garcia got a school boy and stole the win. Garcia held up the AEW International Title, but Sabre grabbed it, then Shibata as well, as we’re told Cassidy will defend the title in a Four Way at Forbidden Door. Cassidy ripped the title from Shibata’s hands and walked to the back.

-Alex Marvez is backstage and walks up to Will Ospreay, who is just getting to the arena. Marvez asks about Ospreay disparaging Canadian fans ahead of Forbidden Door and Ospreay said AEW will have to get security for him. Don Callis walks in and said he can provide security saying he’ll do it as a favor. Ospreay asks what is in it for Callis, who said he just wants Ospreay to defeat Kenny Omega and get the three.

**********

-We learn from a video package that AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm will defend her title against NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Willow Nightingale at Forbidden Door

Kris Statlander defeated Taya Valkyrie to retain the TBS Title

(In my opinion this was a fantastic back and forth battle, with both ladies looking excellent. This was the best Valkyrie has looked in AEW and one of Statlander’s strongest matches as well.)

Statlander mowed down Valkyrie with a shoulder tackle and corner chops early, but as Statlander charged, Valkyrie just slapped the taste out of her mouth. Both ladies traded more chops until Valkyrie put together a series of kicks, only to get low bridged to the floor by Statlander. A standing shooting star from the apron by Statlander, who took too long to send Valkyrie back in the ring and ate a shotgun dropkick to the floor to put Valkyrie in control during commercial.

Both ladies connected with high kicks at the same time into the double down. Statlander fought back with a running corner knee and spinning fisherman’s driver for two. Valkyrie countered Statlander’s finisher with a double arm underhook driver for two of her own, as Statlander avoided a curb stomp with a huge spear. Statlander missed a clothesline and Valkyrie hit a spear of her own followed by a sliding German with Statlander hung up in the ropes. Valkyrie went up top, but Statlander cut her off with a superplex. Statlander connected with Wednesday Night Fever to retain the title.

**********

Eddie Kingston is in the ring, thanks the crowd for their ovation and has to put a shirt on because he just had surgery and ate a lot of ice cream. Kingston said there are a lot of things going on he doesn’t agree with, including someone who he thought was his homeboy, but despite not liking The Bucks, he hates Claudio Castagnoli more. Jon Moxley emerges from the crowd and he comes to the ring to face off with Kingston. Moxley said Kingston is drawing a line at Forbidden Door, which Kingston interrupted and said Moxley drew the line teaming with that scum bag. Kingston fired up and wanted Moxley to say something, but because he wouldn’t, Kingston just announced the fifth man for the Forbidden Door tag match as Tomohiro Ishii.

Ishii came to the ring as Bryan Danielson, Wheeler Yuta & Claudio Castagnoli hit the ring to attack Kingston & Ishii. Danielson took the mic and said if Okada isn’t showing up, he’s going to stomp Ishii’s face in. The sound of coins dropping could only mean one thing, as Okada ran out and had a faceoff with Danielson. Yuta attacked Okada from behind, as Danielson was going to hit his charging knee, but Okada ducked and Danielson hit Yuta. Okada nearly hit a Rainmaker on Danielson, who bailed quickly. This left Yuta to eat a Rainmaker as Okada stood tall staring down Danielson at the ramp.

AEW Rampage 6/23/23

· Will Ospreay, Kyle Fletcher, Jeff Cobb & Swerve Strickland take on Rocky Romero, Chuck Taylor, Trent Beretta & YOH

· AEW World Champion MJF makes his first appearance ever on Rampage

· The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass will be in action

· We hear from Adam Cole

· Jungle Boy Jack Perry battles DOUKI (w/Yoshinobu Kanemaru)

· Anna Jay vs. Skye Blue in an Owen Hart Tournament Match

AEW Collision 6/24/23

· CM Punk, AEW Tag Team Champions FTR & Ricky Starks vs. Switchblade Jay White, Juice Robinson & The Gunns

· Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Swerve Strickland

· Christian Cage addresses the TNT Title

· We learn Sting & Darby Allin’s partner for Forbidden Door

· Brody King battles Andrade El Idolo

· Willow Nightingale vs. Nyla Rose in an Owen Hart Tournament Match

AEW & NJPW Forbidden Door 6/25/23

· Bryan Danielson vs. Kazuchika Okada

· Kenny Omega defends the IWGP US Title against Will Ospreay

· MJF vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for the AEW World Title

· SANADA vs. Jungle Boy Jack Perry for the IWGP Title

· Toni Storm defends the AEW Women’s Title against NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Willow Nightingale

· CM Punk vs. Satoshi Kojima in an Owen Hart Tournament Match

· Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, Konosuke Takeshita & Shota Umino vs. Hangman Adam Page, The Young Bucks, Eddie Kingston & Tomohiro Ishii

· Sting, Darby Allin & a mystery partner vs. Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara & Minoru Suzuki

· Orange Cassidy vs. Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Katsuyori Shibata vs. Daniel Garcia for the AEW International Title

· Zero Hour: Athena vs. Billie Starkz in an Owen Hart Tournament Match

WWE NXT Gold Rush live results: Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker

Posted on June 20, 2023 by Chris Aiken

NXT Gold Rush kicks off tonight with one of WWE’s top stars in action.

Seth Rollins comes to NXT tonight to defend the World Heavyweight Championship on week one of Gold Rush. Bron Breakker called out Rollins for the title match and is now getting his shot.

Rollins may not be at 100 percent after being attacked by Finn Balor on Raw last night, but Rollins is choosing to still defend his title. The winner of Rollins vs. Breakker will face Balor at Money in the Bank next month with the World Heavyweight Championship on the line.

Tonight is the first part of the two-week Gold Rush event. Before their NXT Championship match next Tuesday, Carmelo Hayes and Baron Corbin will go face-to-face tonight. There will also be a Chase U pep rally for Thea Hail ahead of her NXT Women’s Championship match against Tiffany Stratton next week.

Wes Lee defends the North American Championship against Tyler Bate tonight in a match where Mustafa Ali will be the special guest referee. Dana Brooke vs. Cora Jade is also set, and there will be a triple threat match to determine the number one contenders to the NXT Tag Team titles.

Our live coverage starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

Opening the show is footage for earlier today of World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins and his challenger, Bron Breakker, arriving at the Performance Center. They meet tonight in the main event.

A video package introduces the first week of a two-part special, dubbed NXT Gold Rush. Kicking off the show love from the soundstage at the PC in Orlando is the first of several title bouts over two week of Gold Rush.

Wes Lee vs. Tyler Bate for the NXT North American Championship with Mustafa Ali as special guest referee

Lee pinned Bate in a really good opener. Ali plays a part in the finish as the guest referee.

The action was good from the start, then came shenanigans. Ali’s intentions are questioned early on, as he does a fast count on both Lee and Bate. We are not talking Nick Patrick at Starrcade either. Ali was indeed counting fast. Moments later, Ali drastically slows down his count. Slow like a Bronko Lubich count. That all begins to draw the ire of both champion and challenger.

The frustration with Ali boils over and spills into the story of the match. Lee and Bate lock up very aggressively, and they both tumbled out of the ring while tied up. The show cuts to a commercial break, but the match continues in a split-screen. Upon returning from commercials, Lee and Bate are rising after a double down.

They wrestle on and the action leads to near falls. They each counter the other in a flashy sequence of high spots. Both take a plunge off the turnbuckles, and Lee takes a bumps onto the floor.

Lee is nearly counted out, but Ali breaks his count. Ali jumps out of the ring and revives Lee. Ali then gets into the ring and revives Bate. Ali leaps into the ring and goes for his finisher. Ali is still holding Bate, and Ali moves just in time for Lee to deliver a Cardiac Kick. Lee then covers Bate for a pinfall, and Ali’s hand hits the mat three times.

Ali raises both Lee and Bate’s hands after the match. Ali celebrates like he won. Bate and Lee notably flash a confused look towards Ali.

Gigi Dolan is the focus of a vignette. That leads to Kiana James cutting a promo on Dolan in an interview with McKenzie Mitchell.

Recapping Raw from last night, footage shows Finn Balor jumping Seth Rollins in sneak attacks where Balor targeting Rollins’s ribs.

Chase U pep rally for Thea Hail

Duke Hudson is in the ring to welcome Thea Hail to a pep rally in her honor. Out comes Thea Hail flanked by Chase U students and cheerleaders. Hail is over with the live studio audience.

Hail says her title shot next week is the biggest match of her life. Hail talks about others on the NXT roster with collegiate accomplishments, and Hails says the biggest thing she accomplishments last year was graduating from high school. Hail goes on the say she did not want to go the college route. She wanted to be a WWE superstar.

Hail also gives props to Charlie Dempsey and Drew Gulak, who were both also in the ring for the pep rally. Hail asks permission from Hudson to curse as she vows to give NXT Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton an “Andre Chase-sized ass whooping!”

Stratton interrupts the pep rally, and she mocks and insults Hail. Hudson responds to Stratton by putting over Hail. Hudson tells Stratton that although she might not believe in Hail, but everyone else believes in Hail. Stratton scoffs, and she steps towards Hail while pointing a finger at her. Stratton is telling Hail she will not tap out Stratton, when Hail suddenly catches Stratton in a kimura lock. Stratton repeatedly taps the mat. Hail releases the hold, and Stratton slinks away.

Ava tries to play peacemaker as Joe Gacy blames himself for losing last week. Meanwhile, a skit with Diamond Mine seems to set up another mixed tag team match with Schism.

Edris Enofe & Malik Blade defeated Hank Walker & Tank Ledger and Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen (with Fallon Henley) in a triple threat match to determine the number one contenders

Blade pinned Ledger to win a fun three-way match. All three times got their moment to shine, and the finish played out really well. Blade & Enofe in winning earn a title shot next Tuesday against NXT Tag Team Champions Gallus.

A lot of stuff going on with three teams being involved in one bout. The match goes through a split-screen commercial break.

Briggs & Jensen are on a roll in the closing moments of the match. They execute a Hart Attack on Ledger. Jensen with a heel kick knocks Walker off the apron. Briggs goes for a cover, but Enofe leaps off the top rope with a flying elbow drop that breaks up the pin cover. Blade follows up with a frog splash on Ledger, and Blade pins Ledger to win the match.

Damon Kemp informs Eddy Thorpe that Kemp has finally decided on a gimmick match for their next bout. Thorpe goes against Kemp in a Raw Underground match on NXT in two weeks time. I’m guessing no Shane O’Mac this time around for Raw Underground.

Roxanne Perez attacks Blair Davenport, and Perez is pulled away by referees and officials.

World Champ Seth Rollins is in the locker room with his title belt slung over his shoulder when in walks Nathan Frazier carrying the Heritage Cup trophy. Rollins congratulates on winning the trophy. Rollins makes some jokes abot Frazier having to tote around a big trophy from now on.

When Frazier leaves, Rollins is confronted by NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams. They all cackled together. They part ways with shared admiration.

Cora Jade defeated Dana Brooke

Jade wins via referee stoppage. The story of the match is Brooke injuring her knee, and Jade targets the knee to win the match. Brooke fought valiantly, and she never submitted.

Brooke is caught up in the ropes when Jade delivers a running knee. Brooke screams out in pain, selling her knee. She continues the match as she counters Jade’s DDT finisher. Brooke looks to make a rally when she attempts gymnastics that set up the Muta elbow. Brooke’s knee buckles, and sells big. Trainers enter the ring to check on Brooke as the show cuts to a split-screen commercial break.

Brooke is placed on a stretcher during the break. Jade taunts Brooke on the stretcher, and Brooke slaps Jade across the face. Brooke will not be stretchered out, as she gets off the stretcher to continue the match.

Jade targets the injured knee, but Brooke is able to fight back. Brooke goes for a Vader Bomb, but no water in the pool. She crashed down on her injured knee. Jade capitalizes by applying a single leg crab. Brooke is unable to reach the bottom rope, but Brooke will not tap out. The ref calls for the bell and stops the match, awarding it to Jade. Brooke leaves the ring on a stretcher, still selling her knee.

Von Wagner reveals a childhood struggle in a heart-wrenching segment with Wagner and Mr. Stone. Wagner shares with Stone the story of Wagner overcoming trigonocephaly as a child. Wagner at 15 months old endured surgery for over 14 hours. Wagner and Stone are both emotional as Wagner gives credit to their parents for supporting him. Wagner goes on to relive stories of him being picked on in school as a kid. Wagner and Stone bond over Wagner sharing his story.

Gable Steveson has a cameo on NXT. Eddy Thorpe is a locker room with numerous other wrestlers. Thorpe is watching footage from past versions of Raw Underground, as Axiom and Scrypts look on. In walks Steveson, and offers to help Thorpe train for the Underground. Steveson remarks that if anyone knows Damon Kemp, it is Steveson (who is Kemp’s brother in real life). This does not seem like a one-off cameo.

Carmelo Hayes and Baron Corbin face-to-face

NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes is heading to the ring for a segment where he and Baron Corbin will talk out their differences. That is a unique way to settle an issue on a wrestling show. Joining Hayes is Trick Williams. Corbin is already in the ring when Hayes and Williams enter. Corbin cuts off their entrance.

Corbin does not care to see Hayes pose. Corbin tells Hayes that posing won’t help in retaining his title. According to Corbin, being the NXT Champion “doesn’t mean you’ve made it.” Corbin tells Hayes there is nothing he can do next week that he has not already seen.

Hayes responds by mocking Corbin for also having never seen a reign with the NXT title, nor has Corbin seen the respect of the audience. Corbin retorts that they are no longer in Hayes’ hometown (like in their last match when Hayes retained his title). Corbin also says he does not care if people on the internet think Hayes is cool. Corbin does not care what anyone thinks.

Hayes talks about other main roster wrestlers coming to challenge him. Hayes says he “sent them packing.” Hayes says the only difference between those others and Corbin is “not a damn thing!”

Hayes brings up Happy Corbin, and Corbin says that character bought him a $1.8 million house. Corbin says his eight career is something the NXT roster can only dream. Corbin offers to compare WrestleMania moments. Corbin calls himself “a main event player on the main roster for nearly a decade.” This is fast becoming very inside baseball.

Hayes makes some comparisons of his own. At 26 years old, Hayes says he won the breakout tournament and cashed it in successfully for a championship. Hayes mocks Corbin for getting cut from the Arizona Cardinals at 26. Hayes gives credit to the old guard from NXT black-and-gold, but Hayes vows to create new expectations of his own. Hayes talks about what he has build in this house, and Hayes says he had to build a new roof on this house because he tore it off too many times.

Hayes does his “HIM” catchphrase. Corbins responds by saying Hayes is a nobody. Corbin says this is normally when he would jump Hayes and leave him laying. Hayes takes off his title belt ready to fight. Corbin says he will not do that. Corbin plots that he will win the NXT title, leave in his Porsche, go home to his big house, and Corbin’s hot wife will pour him a glass of win from a bottle Hayes cannot even afford. Hayes goes to respond again, but Corbin cuts him off to say the lesson is over. Corbin punked out Hayes, and then Corbin leaves.

A backstage skit sets up a match for next week, where Nathan Frazier defends his Heritage Cup trophy against Dragon Lee.

Jakara Jackson & Lash Legend (with Oro Mensah & Noam Dar) defeated Valentina Feroz & Yulisa Leon

Mensah interfered during the match, and he goes to interfere again when he is wiped out by a dive by Leon. However, that distracts Feroz. She gets back into the ring, only to walk into a high kick from Legend. Feroz then takes the fall, as Legend covers her for a pinfall.

WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins defeated Bron Breakker to retain the title

Rollins pinned Breakker to win a really good match. Rollins was over like a superstar … because he is indeed a superstar. The studio audience sang along with Rollin’s theme song as played, and then they sang it some more themselves.

Rollins and Breakker start off hot. Rollins goes for a pedigree, but Breakker counters him. Rollins then plays matador as Breakker charges at him like a bull. Low bridge and Breakker tumbles outside the ring. Rollins with a flying knee off the apron just before the show cuts to a split-screen commercial break.

Breakker cuts off Rollins during the break, and Breakker is in control as the show returns from commercial. Frankensteiner by Breakker, and he suplexes Rollins. Breakker targets the Rollin’s ribs that were injured last night on Raw in an attack by Finn Balor.

Breakker dashes a hope spot, and he goes back to the suplex. However, Breakker posts himself when Rollins sidestepped a charge into a corner. Comeback by Rollins and he fires up as the studio audience sings his theme song. Rollins does a trifecta of dives through the ropes. Rollins then sets up for The Stomp, but Breakker rolls out of the ring.

Rollins looks to set up a table spot at the announce desk. Breakker tries to cut him off, only for Breakker to eat a superkick. Rollins then climbs the turnbuckles for a frog splash with Breakker laid out on the announce desk. The desk collapses on impact as the show cuts to its final commercial break.

They are back in the ring by the time the show returns from the break. They counter each other, and Breakker eats another superkick. Rollins goes for a frog splash, but he misses as Breakker rolls out of the way. Rollins sells his ribs upon impact. Breakker pulls down the straps on his singlet, and Breakker applies the Steiner Recliner. Rollins reaches the bottom rope to break the hold.

They go on to trade near falls. Super Frankensteiner by Breakker, and he follows up with his military press/powerslam finisher. Rollins gets a shoulder up for a close near fall. Breakker signals for a spear, but Rollins blocks it with knee strike. Rollins delivers a pedigree for another near fall. Rollins signals for The Stomp, but Breakker blocks that with a spear for yet another two count.

Breakker climbs the turnbuckles and leaps off. Rollins has one final counter, and Breakker eats one final superkick. Rollins then delivers The Stomp. Not done yet, Rollins gives Breakker a second Stomp, and Rollins covers Breakker for a three count. The champ retains his title.

Rollins is celebrating and posing with his title belt as the show is seemingly about to go off the air. The copyright graphic even pops up on the bottom of the screen, when suddenly Finn Balor runs in to ambush Rollins. Balor attacks Rollins, and Balor also fight off security. Balor looks to deliver a Coup de Grace. Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams run down to make a save. Balor flees the ring. He and Rollins have glare at each other as the show fades to black.

WWE Raw live results: Logan Paul returns

Posted on June 19, 2023 by Steve Khan

Date: June 19, 2023
Location: Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, OH

**********

Show Recap —

No intro this week. Seth Rollins entered for a world title open challenge. (Corey Graves plugged his scheduled title defence against Bron Breakker on tomorrow’s NXT.)

However, Finn Bálor decked Rollins from behind as he basked in the fans singing his song. The crowd chanted “You suck” as Bálor put the boots to Rollins before officials backed him off.

Bálor evaded the officials and leaped off the steel steps to hit a Coup de Grace. Bálor followed with another off the announce table and yet another off the steps. (Bálor running and leaping off the steps for the stomp looked great.)

Officials backed him off again as they went to break just five minutes into the show.

— After a break, Rollins walked gingerly through the back looking for Bálor. Bálor decked him from behind again and chucked him into an equipment box. Bálor held the title in Rollins’ face and said he’s been waiting seven years for this.

********

The Miz was in the ring and complained because he planned on accepting Rollins’ challenge title. Miz knew he was a hero in this depressing town and wanted to give them something to remember. Miz issued his own open challenge to impress the losers of Cleveland.

Tommaso Ciampa entered. Graves reminded us that Ciampa was buddies with Miz (before he left) and Miz seemed happy to see him.

Tommaso Ciampa defeated The Miz (4:17)

Ciampa was on fire until Miz kicked his leg out of his leg and hit a DDT for two. Miz came off the top for a double axe handle but Ciampa caught him mid-air with a knee strike. Ciampa followed with a Fairytale Ending for the pinfall win.

(Ciampa got a decent crowd reaction for his return and they popped for his win. Based on something he said to the announcers, he seemed pissed that Miz never contacted him during the nine months that he was gone.)

********

Judgment Day segment

Judgment Day entered the stage and remained there through a commercial break.

Bálor stated that Rollins’ open challenge was cancelled because the only one who was taking the title was him. Bálor said the fans could sing Rollins’ song at his funeral. The crowd began singing so Rhea Ripley told them to shut up.

Ripley said Bálor would bring the world title to Judgment Day, while Ripley herself already had the women’s division on lockdown. Ripley said Damian Priest would win Money in the Bank while her Latino Heat Dominik Mysterio would put down our favourite wrestler Cody Rhodes.

Priest reiterated that he would win MITB. Priest warned Rhodes to keep Dom’s name out of his mouth or else Judgment Day would ensure he never fought again.

Dom put the mic to his face and the crowd loudly booed. Dom powered through it to say he’d beat Rhodes at MITB. Dom also challenged Rhodes to a six-man tag match (presumably tonight) if he could find two partners.

********

There was a dramatic video package of the Bloodline storyline from Smackdown.

Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa against Jimmy and Jey Uso at MITB was made official. They’re calling it the Bloodline Civil War.

********

Byron Saxton interviewed Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn and, of course, asked about the Bloodline. Owens was annoyed and asked, “Why are you asking about the Bloodline again?” Zayn said it was a fair question but Owens said he didn’t care. Owens was getting angry but Zayn wanted him to calm down.

Zayn didn’t want to say what he was thinking in front of everyone but Owens told him to go ahead because it was just the two of them and Saxton. Zayn said Owens was a rage-a-holic. Owens loudly said, “What?!”

Zayn said he had a rage problem and challenged him to keep it together. Zayn said that if Owens didn’t throw another tantrum tonight, he would never bring it up again. Owens asked what would happen next. Zayn said, “I’ll shut up,” and Owens responded, “Forever?”

Owens agreed to the challenge.

This was very good.

********

They aired TikTok videos of Chelsea Green being annoying and they made it seem like videos of her being a Karen were going viral.

Kayden Carter & Katana Chance defeated Chelsea Green & Sonya Deville (2:00)

Carter and Chance won quickly with their Afterparty finisher on Deville.

********

Cody Rhodes interview

Instead of the usual top-of-the-hour promo segment, Rhodes did a quick interview on the stage with Cathy Kelley. She asked about Judgment Day’s challenge for a six-man tag.

Rhodes said Ripley was dominating, Priest was a few steps on a ladder away from making history, Bálor could be the next champion, “and then there’s Dom.” Rhodes said finding two partners wouldn’t be a problem and accepted Dom’s challenge.

********

Indus Sher (w/Jinder Mahal) defeated Shelton Benjamin & Cedric Alexander (2:09)

Benjamin and Alexander took the fight to Veer and Sanga as soon as the match started in response to the beating they received two weeks ago. It didn’t last long, though. Veer tackled Benjamin while Sanga dropped Alexander on the barricade. They hit Benjamin with a double-team move for the win.

These guys were not on the same page so this was no good.

*******

Owens and Zayn walked through the back and some guy spilled coffee on Owens’ shirt. Owens curbed his rage and brushed it off. The annoyances continued as they bumped into Matt Riddle. Zayn encouraged Riddle to tell them everything he’s been up to this summer (to try to piss off Owens).

Riddle said he’s been watching movies and asked Owens if he’s seen ‘Honey I Shrunk the Kids’ and ‘Little Giants’. Owens was about to freak out on him but settled down and told him those were great movies. Owens wished him luck on his match.

********

[SECOND HOUR]

Logan Paul segment

They introduced Logan Paul who sat on top of a ladder. He was booed. The lights were dimmed but the spotlight was on him and the MITB briefcases.

Paul mentioned some of the great people that were from Cleveland like LeBron James (who received a mixed reaction) and Jerry “The King” Lawler (who was cheered). Paul thought about the moments that made him great and what made him great was leaving Cleveland. He came back and the Browns still suck.

Paul was still the best they got because Cleveland people kept losing. His brother lost his most recent fight, he himself lost at WrestleMania, and Miz even lost tonight. Paul wanted to put respect back on Cleveland’s name.

Paul reached out to WWE executives and received a special invitation: he would be competing in the MITB ladder match in London. Paul said he would win the briefcase, cash in on whoever he wanted, and celebrate at Barley House in Cleveland.

Ricochet interrupted. He mentioned that he made Paul viral at the Royal Rumble. Shinsuke Nakamura entered next to say he had even more reasons to win MITB. LA Knight came out and called them as useless as basketball cleats. Knight told Paul to shove Prime bottles up his ass. (The crowd was very into Knight.) Santos Escobar entered next and welcomed Paul to the party.

Butch entered next and Paul said, “I don’t even know who that is,” as he entered. Butch did not have a microphone and instead of talking, he decked Paul upon entering the ring. A brawl broke out which led to Paul taking out Escobar and Ricochet with a flip dive.

With everyone down, Paul climbed the ladder and posed with the briefcase. (I think the crowd chanted for LA Knight but he didn’t reappear.)

********

Matt Riddle defeated Ludwig Kaiser (w/Intercontinental Champion Gunther) (9:17)

Riddle was all over Kaiser but he distracted himself by yelling at Gunther so Kaiser tripped him and suplexed him off the apron. After a break, Riddle fought back with a fisherman suplex, strikes, a running forearm, an exploder suplex, a dive, and a fisherman buster for two.

Riddle tried something off the middle rope but Kaiser caught him with a rolling fireman’s carry. Kaiser tried a back elbow off the middle turnbuckle but Riddle countered into a German suplex which looked awesome. Riddle followed with a Bro Derek for the pinfall win.

There was some great action here and this wound up being a great showcase for Riddle.

— Gunther tried a cheap shot after the match but Riddle ducked it and fought back. They got the better of him though and Gunther repeatedly stomped his leg as Kaiser held him down.

********

Rollins will be a guest on the Pat McAfee Show tomorrow. (The announcers wished Rollins well and hoped he could recover in time for the interview.)

********

Medical staff helped Riddle walk through the back. He couldn’t put weight on his ankle.

Imperium approached Owens and Zayn in the back. Kaiser hoped that they saw what they just did to Riddle. Owens flipped out on Kaiser and asked why he was so long-winded. He told Kaiser to just get to the point. Zayn saw a notification on his phone and told Imperium that they had to go deal with something. Zayn and Owens basically brushed Imperium aside and left.

********

There was a clip of Alpha Academy training Maxxine Dupri. Chad Gable gave some guy a vertical suplex and the guy sold it like he injured his back. Gable said it was all in the hips and Otis showed her by thrusting his hips. They brought someone in to take a suplex by Dupri but they deliberately ended the video before showing her executing the move.

The Viking Raiders (w/Valhalla) defeated Alpha Academy (w/Maxxine Dupri) (4:13)

The crowd is getting into Gable and they popped when he handed out overhead suplexes to his bigger opponents. Valhalla tried to distract Gable so Dupri yanked her from the apron and gave her a vertical suplex, which the crowd also popped big for.

However, Gable was so excited that it was a distraction. Erik dropped Gable onto his knee (with what looked a bit like a reverse GTS) for the pinfall win. The finish looked brutal for Gable.

********

Natalya told Kelley this was her chance to prove to herself that she still belonged.

Non-title match: Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley vs. Natalya

The match didn’t happen. Ripley attacked Natalya during her entrance, tossed her around and hit Rip-tide. Officials ran down to check on Natalya.

********

Kelley interviewed Raquel Rodriguez. She looked forward to facing a legend in Trish Stratus but she was pissed seeing what Ripley just did to Natalya. Ripley walked through the curtain and got in her face. Rodriguez stood face-to-face with Ripley and said she wasn’t ready for her. (This was a good little exchange.)

********

[THIRD HOUR]

Zayn and Owens met with Rhodes in the back. Zayn said they had his back anytime they wanted his help. Rhodes said Tozawa already offered to be his partner.

Owens was very upset because he’s been holding his temper all night and really wanted to punch someone in the face. Rhodes said he didn’t accept Tozawa’s offer and would be thrilled to have the champs as his partners. Owens was very happy and said, “Let’s go punch people!”

********

Money in the Bank qualifier: Trish Stratus (w/Zoey Stark) defeated Raquel Rodriguez via disqualification (5:53)

Kevin Patrick said this was Stratus’ first singles match on Raw in 12 years. (She lost a no-DQ match to Vickie Guerrero in 2011. Before that, she beat Mickie James in a 2006 Raw match.) Graves said there should’ve been more pomp and circumstance for this.

They were having a pretty good match until the finish. (Stratus applied a Camel Clutch at one point which might’ve been a nod to Iron Sheik.)

Stark interfered with the ref distracted which led to Becky Lynch running out. Lynch attacked both Stark and Stratus for the DQ. That meant that Stratus technically won and qualified for MITB.

Lynch acted shocked like she didn’t know this would happen and tried to reason with a justifiably upset Rodriguez.

********

Bron Breakker interview

Kelley interviewed Bron Breakker. Bron wondered if Rollins would use tonight’s attack as an excuse, especially since he talks such a big game. What Bálor did was nothing compared to what he would do because he would hurt Seth freakin’ Rollins really freakin’ bad.

Bron hoped the doctors would prescribe Rollins enough courage to show up to NXT. He told us to get used to seeing his face on Raw because he planned on becoming the new world champion.

********

Saxton caught up to Lynch for an interview. She basically tried to make it seem like the odds were against her because the likes of Stratus, Stark, Bayley and IYO SKY were all in the ladder match. Lynch said she would either come out victorious or take Stratus and Stark down with her.

(Lynch didn’t acknowledge Rodriguez at all or show any remorse for her. She was only upset because, as she put it, she might have screwed herself.)

********

Bronson Reed defeated Shinsuke Nakamura (8:17)

They went to break after Ricochet entered to watch the match while sitting ringside.

Nakamura hit a spinning heel kick off the ropes for two. Reed followed with a powerslam for two. Nakamura tried a triangle choke but Reed hoisted him up into a sit-out powerbomb for a nearfall.

Reed tried to shove Nakamura into Ricochet but Ricochet popped up and Nakamura landed in his chair. Ricochet then kicked the chair and Nakamura into Reed, which was a well-timed spot. Nakamura stared down Ricochet so Reed attacked Nakamura and rolled him back into the ring. Ricochet turned his back on Reed so Reed shoved him into the steel steps.

Ricochet leaped onto the apron as Nakamura set up Reed for Kinshasa. However, Reed moved and Nakamura knocked Ricochet off the apron. Reed followed with a back suplex and Tsunami for the pinfall win. The crowd really got up for the Tsunami.

(Graves reminded us that Reed is the one of these three who is not in MITB.)

********

There was a clip of Rollins who appeared to be at the hospital. Rollins said they took him from the arena to get X-rays on his ribs. Rollins didn’t care what the doctors said he would see the “badass” Bron Breakker at NXT and he wasn’t going all the way there to lose.

Rollins was happy to see the Bálor who beat him seven years ago and said MITB can’t come soon enough.

********

Six-man tag team match: Cody Rhodes & Tag Team Champions Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn defeated Finn Bálor, Damian Priest & Dominik Mysterio (w/Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley) (13:41)

Boy, was this ever a hot main event.

Rhodes wanted Dom who tagged in to a chorus of boos but he immediately tagged out to Bálor. Dom tagged back in when they had Rhodes held in the corner and smacked him in the back. Dom quickly scampered out of the ring before tagging in Priest. The crowd chanted, “Dom’s a pussy.”

Dom set up for the three amigos but Zayn countered into a vertical suplex. As Dom and Bálor distracted the ref, Ripley dropped Zayn with a clothesline which led to a break.

Zayn avoided a corner splash by Priest but Dom tagged himself in, knocked Rhodes off the apron, and pulled Zayn into Judgment Day’s corner. Dom quickly tagged out again and the crowd chanted, “Dom’s a pussy” again. Zayn dropped Bálor with a clothesline and made a hot tag to Owens.

Owens stomped away on Dom to the delight of the crowd. Dom tried to escape so Owens brought him back into the ring to hit a superkick and cannonball for two. Bálor made a blind tag and hit a headlock elbow drop and slingblade but Owens caught him with a superkick.

Rhodes made a hot tag and he hit Priest with a clothesline, uppercut, powerslam, and Disaster Kick for two. Rhodes went to the top but stepped back down after Ripley jumped on the apron. The distraction allowed Priest to give Rhodes a chokeslam but Zayn broke up the cover. Dom went after Zayn so Zayn knocked him off the apron into the arms of Ripley (who put him down nicely).

Ripley dared Zayn to hit her. Zayn ran at her as if he would but she ducked, so Zayn hit Dom with a flip dive. Rhodes gave Priest a Cody Cutter for a nearfall as Owens and Bálor brawled around ringside.

Rhodes knocked Priest out of mid-air with a forearm but Dom broke up the cover. Dom went to give Rhodes the 619 but Zayn clotheslined him and hit Helluva Kick.

Owens gave Dom a stunner and Rhodes hit Priest with a Cross Rhodes for the pinfall win.

Rhodes posed with Owens and Zayn as the show ended.

This was really fun and the crowd loved it.

AEW Collision live results: The return of CM Punk

Posted on June 17, 2023 by Suit Williams

After months of discussion, the debut of AEW Collision has finally arrived and with it, the return to CM Punk to after ten months away from the company.

Punk will team with AEW Tag Team Champions FTR to take on ROH TV Champion Samoa Joe and Bullet Club Gold’s Jay White & Juice Robinson. It will be Punk’s first match since last September’s All Out and he is expected to kick off the show with a promo.

Both Miro and Andrade El Idolo will join Punk as returning to action after being out since All Out. Miro’s opponent has yet to be named while Andrade will face Buddy Matthews of the House of Black.

TNT Champion Wardlow will defend against Luchasaurus just weeks after the former successfully defended against Christian Cage.

AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm will team with Ruby Soho against Skye Blue & NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Willow Nightingale.

The Acclaimed will also appear in a promo segment.

**********

Elton John’s “Saturday Night’s Alright” played us in as cameras sweep the crowd. The Collision Era begins live in the United Center in Chicago, IL. Kevin Kelly and Nigel McGuinness were on the call.

CM Punk Returns

This will ruffle a few feathers, and Punk knew that when he grabbed the mic. Punk set up feuds with MJF and the Elite, but whether those feuds actually happen or not is anyone’s guess. An energetic start to the show.

After a few seconds of CM Punk chants, Cult of Personality hits. CM Punk made his way to the ring to a massively positive reaction. He in his gear, with his boots around his neck and a red bag in his hand.

He says that he’s tired of being nice. He was on the shelf for 10 months with a ruptured triceps. Punk talks about how, as long as he was here, this would be the professional wrestling business, not a popularity contest. If you told a young Punk that he would sell out buildings all over the world, young Punk wouldn’t believe you. But he has, and he’s gotten here riding the backs of smart and passionate pro wrestling fans. He loves the people because they love him.

They love him because he’s always unapologetically been himself. But there are some people who hate him for that. Punk knows his presence makes people uncomfortable because he is the truth, and the truth is painful. We get F*** The Elite chants. He says you can love him or hate him, but we all know he’s the truth. He says that people can call him whatever they want, but David Zaslov – WBD executive – calls him One Bill Phil, because he’s the one true article in a business full of counterfeit bucks. I’m sure that won’t ruffle any feathers.

Punk says he will never compromise, and that he’ll always be himself. There are people who think they’re owed an apology, and he apologizes. He’s sorry that they’re softer than the wrestlers they like. Punk grabs the bag, saying that the last time he was in the ring, he had what’s in the bag raised over his head. He says it belongs to him until someone can pin him or submit him. Punk grabs his boots from around his neck and says that there are people who prayed that he would hang them up. Until someone can fill those boots, they belong on his feet. Punk leaves with the bag and the boots to a massive reaction.

– We get a video package of hyping the TNT Title match tonight between Wardlow and Luchasaurus. Christian makes his way out, and it appears that the title match is next.

AEW TNT Title Match: Luchasaurus (w/Christian Cage) defeated Wardlow to win the title

This was a fun big guy match. I didn’t enjoy the finish, but it’s clear that they wanted to protect Wardlow as he lost the title.

Kevin Kelly noted that this was Luchasaurus’ first shot at the TNT Title. After a lockup, Wardlow sent Luchasaurus out of the ring with a dropkick. Wardlow followed him to the floor and battered on him before chasing Christian around the ring. Christian escaped under the ring but crawled out to grab Wardlow’s leg on the apron and allow Luchasaurus to take control. Luchasaurus clubbered Wardlow before laying him out with a boot before we went to break.

We come back to Wardlow lifting Luchasaurus in an Electric Chair position before dropping him. Wardlow fired up, muscling Luchasaurus into the corner and hitting shoulder blocks. Wardlow hit a main event spinebuster before heading to the top rope. Christian distracted him again, allowing Luchasaurus to chokeslam him down for a nearfall. Luchasaurus set up another chokeslam, but Wardlow bit the thumb – ala Arn Anderson. They traded strikes before Wardlow dropped Luchasaurus with a lariat.

Wardlow loaded up the Powerbomb, and despite Christian’s attempts to distract, he hit one. Christian grabbed a chair to distract Wardlow, allowing Luchasaurus to rip off a chokeslam for a close nearfall. Wardlow reversed a powerslam into one of his own before hitting a swanton bomb off the top rope.

Wardlow pulled the straps down, but Christian distracted him again. Wardlow went to hit the ten punches in the corner, but Luchasaurus escaped and took the referee. Christian grabbed a camera from a ringside photographer and drilled Wardlow in the head with it, allowing Luchasaurus to lariat Wardlow in the back of the head to win the match and the title. Christian grabbed the title and celebrated with it as Luchasaurus held him on his shoulders.

– Backstage, Lexy Nair was with Powerhouse Hobbs and QT Marshall. Marshall said that Hobbs was here on Collision as promised, and that Hobbs would win the Owen Hart Tournament. Hobbs said that this new chapter of the Book of Hobbs would be about redemption.

Andrade El Idolo defeated Buddy Matthews (w/ Julia Hart)

This was a stellar return match for Andrade, and he and Matthews had a battle playing off of each other’s recent injury history. The post-match set up what looks to be an entertaining feud in the future.

The crowd chanted Welcome Back to Andrade, who hasn’t been in an AEW ring since All Out 2022 where he tore his pec. I guess he was waiting for Punk too. After a stalemate, Andrade caught himself in the ropes and baited Matthews to the floor. After scolding Hart for getting too close to his mask, Andrade cartwheeled into a moonsault off the apron. Matthews sent Andrade into the ringpost and into the timekeeper’s area, but Andrade hopped on the barricade and hit a hurricanrana into the barricade.

Back in the ring, Andrade and Matthews battled near the turnbuckle, where Matthews hooked Andrade’s arm and pulled him into the post. He sent Andrade into the barricade before pulling him into the ring and hitting a meteora for a nearfall. In the picture-in-picture break, both men were being checked by the ringside doctors. Andrade was checking his arm, while Matthews had issues with his knee. They were good to go, so the match continued.

Back in full screen, Andrade was writhing on the floor as the referee laid in the count. Andrade got back in the ring where he was met with boots from Matthews. Andrade came back with dragon screw leg whips before hitting his double jump moonsault for a nearfall. Matthews fought out of Andrade’s hammerlock DDT before catching him with a DDT in the ropes for a nearfall. Andrade followed Matthews to the top rope, where Matthews tried a sunset flip powerbomb. His knee gave way, but he was able to hook Andrade’s head and hit superkicks.

Matthews crumbled on a powerbomb attempt, allowing Andrade to drill him with a running back elbow. Andrade went for the knees in the corner, but Matthews popped up and hit a knee for a nearfall. Matthews tried locking on a reverse sharpshooter – shades of Rhea Ripley – but Andrade got out of it and locked on a Figure Four. Andrade bridged up into a Figure Eight – shades of his wife Charlotte Flair – to force the submission and score the win.

Andrade offered a handshake, but the lights went out. It wasn’t Sabu, it was the rest of the House of Black. Brody King laid him out with a lariat as the House of Black stood tall around him.

– We got a Scorpio Sky video package, highlighting his AEW career before noting that he will be back soon.

– Tony Nese was in the ring, sick of seeing the cellulite spill over everyone’s chairs. He led the United Center in group exercise before Miro’s music hit.

Miro defeated Tony Nese (w/ Smart Mark Sterling)

From what I saw, Miro looked in good shape and had the crowd on his side. A motivated Miro is another great re-addition to the AEW roster.

I missed most of this match due to technical issues on my end. The issues didn’t take that long to fix. I got the show back running with Miro hyping up the crowd. He hit a big sidekick on Nese before calling for the Game Over. He locked it on, breaking Nese’s back and making him humble. Nese quickly submitted as the crowd cheered Miro’s violence.

Skye Blue & Willow Nightingale defeated The Outcasts (Ruby Soho & Toni Storm)

A fine match that allowed Skye Blue to get a win in her hometown.

The Outcasts got a jump start on their opponents, sending them to the floor. They got in the face of Skye Blue’s mom at ringside, who slapped them both. That allowed Nightingale to pounce Soho into the barricade, and for Blue to jump off the apron to hurricanrana Storm. Back in the ring, Storm cut Nightingale off with a shot to the back, allowing Soho to take control as we went to picture-in-picture.

Back from the commercial, Nightingale clotheslined Soho before making the tag to the hometown girl Blue. Blue fired up on the champion, hitting the rising knee and a low kick. Blue hit a diving crossbody for a nearfall that Soho broke up. The match broke down into a Pier Four brawl before Storm locked on the cloverleaf submission she beat Blue with on Dynamite. Blue crawled all the way across the ring to get the ropes.

Blue escaped the Storm Zero before tagging in Nightingale, who laid out Storm. Soho laid out Nightingale with the Destination Unknown before Blue tagged in. Storm hit the hip attack to Blue in the corner. The Outcasts went to spray paint Blue, but Willow grabbed Storm and sent the paint into Soho’s eyes. Blue hit the Code Blue on Soho to score the win in her hometown.

– In a pre-tape, Ricky Starks added himself into the Owen Hart Tournament. He noted that this tournament was absolutely his to win. I see what he did there.

– In a pre-tape, Jeff Jarrett announced that he’s signed for a Concession Stand Brawl against Mark Briscoe, 46 years to the day of his family promoting the infamous Tupelo Concession Stand Brawl. He says there’s gonna be no Karen and no Sonjay, only Jeff kicking Briscoe’s ass.

The Acclaimed Want Us To Listen

Tony Schiavone welcomed out the Acclaimed. In Caster’s rap, he wanted us to wish Daddy Ass a happy Father’s Day. Billy Gunn noted that while he’s not been in the game much lately, the Trios Titles are still within their reach. Anthony Bowens noted that AEW now stood for two things – Acclaimed Every Wednesday and Acclaimed Every Weekend. They want to scissor in the city that made the Acclaimed the people’s choice, so they have a big scissor party.

– Kevin Kelly ran down the Dynamite card for Wednesday in Chicago. Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara, and Minoru Suzuki will reform their team from last year’s Forbidden Door to take on AR Fox, Action Andretti, & Darius Martin. Kris Statlander will defend the TBS Title against Taya Valkyrie. Orange Cassidy and Katsuyori Shibata will team against Daniel Garcia and Zack Sabre Jr. The Gunns will take on the Hardys. Jeff Jarrett and Mark Briscoe will have their Concession Stand Brawl. Finally, a Blind Eliminator Tournament will take place to determine the #1 contender to the AEW Tag Team Titles.

CM Punk & FTR defeated Jay White, Juice Robinson, & Samoa Joe

This was an energetic main event, as Punk was able to get his feet under him with a win. The energy was mostly directed towards the Punk/Joe faceoffs, and Joe did get the better of Punk in their exchanges, so it’s possible that they move in that direction for Punk’s near future. It didn’t need to go as long as it did, but I understand maximizing the minutes Punk was on screen. A fun show overall.

Jim Ross joined the announce booth for the main event, noting that he was so excited for this match that he talked himself hoarse. White and Harwood started off, with White taking control with heavy chops. Harwood answered back with chops of his own before hitting a big back body drop. Harwood ran White ragged before going for the Sharpshooter, but White rolled out of harm’s way and tagged out to Robinson.

Robinson got cut off with an FTR double team before Wheeler ran wild with dropkicks. Wheeler sent Robinson up and over with a gorilla press slam. Punk tagged in for the first time, helping set up a top rope powerslam from Wheeler for a nearfall. Robinson bailed out of a Go To Sleep before Samoa Joe tagged himself in. The staredown between Joe and Punk got the crowd fired up. Joe got the first shots in with heavy chops before Punk slowed things down with a headlock as we went to a picture-in-picture break.

Back from the break as Robinson knocked Harwood down with the Left Hand of God. Joe’s team clubbered on Harwood before Harwood caught Robinson with a German suplex. Wheeler tagged in and ran wild on Robinson, finishing with a catch powerslam for a nearfall. Punk tagged in and hit an assisted elbow drop on Robinson before tagging back out for another picture-in-picture commercial.

Wheeler reached the ropes on a White single-leg crab as we came back to full screen. Joe’s team battered Wheeler before Punk broke up a cover from Joe. Wheeler and White traded chops before White went low and hit a chop block. Wheeler hit a back drop on Robinson, and despite White’s best efforts, Punk made the hot tag and ran wild on the Bullet Club team. Punk hit both White and Robinson with rising knees before taking them both out with a bulldog/clothesline combination.

White clawed at Punk’s eyes to get out of the Go To Sleep. Punk hit a high kick in response before going to the top rope, but Robinson swept Punk’s legs out from under him. White hit a uranage for a nearfall. White set up the Blade Runner, but Punk hit the Pepsi Twist to escape. FTR tagged in and hit a Powerplex before Punk hit the diving elbow. Robinson broke up the cover, allowing White to tag out to Joe.

Joe and Punk traded strikes before White blindsided Punk. The match broke down into a Pier Six brawl before Punk and Joe were back alone in the ring. Punk hit the rising knee, but Joe slipped out of the Go To Sleep and locked on the Coquina Clutch. Bullet Club tried to hold back FTR, but Harwood was able to break up the submission. Robinson tagged in, but Punk hit a high kick. FTR hit the Shatter Machine, leading to Punk hitting the Go To Sleep on Robinson to win. CMFTR celebrated as we faded out.

UFC on ESPN 47 live results: Marvin Vettori vs. Jared Cannonier

Posted on June 17, 2023 by Ryan Frederick

Former middleweight title challengers Marvin Vettori and Jared Cannonier square off in the five-round main event at Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 47 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Vettori is currently ranked third at 185 pounds and is coming off a win over Roman Dolidze in March, while Cannonier is ranked fourth and is coming off a win over Sean Strickland in December.

Also on the main card is eighth-ranked lightweight Arman Tsarukyan taking on Joaquim Silva in the co-main event in addition to Armen Petrosyan vs. Christian Leroy Duncan, Pat Sabatini vs. Lucas Almeida, and Nicolas Dalby vs. Muslim Salikhov.

ESPN2 PRELIMS | 7 PM ET/4 PM PT

> Light Heavyweights- Zac Pauga (6-1, 1-1 UFC) vs. Modestas Bukauskas (14-5, 2-3 UFC)

Pauga pressing forward with the jab and lands a right hand that made Bukauskas stumble. Pauga then gets a takedown and is working inside the guard. Pauga lands an elbow from the top. They get to their feet and break to the center. Bukauskas lands a leg kick. They clinch against the fence. Pauga trying hard for the underhooks and to get a takedown as he has advantage against the fence, but they separate. Bukauskas lands a jab. He lands another. Bukauskas lands a left hook to the body. They trade right hands. Bukauskas lands a right hand that has Pauga backing up. Bukauskas lands another hard right hand. They trade at the end. 10-9 Bukauskas.

Bukauskas lands a leg kick. They both land solid punches. Pauga lands a leg kick as the pace is slowing just a tad. Bukauskas lands a leg kick. Bukauskas lands a big right hand. They trade left hands. Pauga rushes in with a flurry of big punches and lands to the body. Pauga lands a right hand that stumbles Bukauskas back and he almost fell to the mat. Pauga pushes it against the fence and lands a right hand as they break. They clinch late. 10-9 Pauga, 19-19.

Bukauskas lands a big body kick and they clinch against the fence. They trade knees against the fence. They separate. They trade right hands. Pauga lands a right hand. He lands a body kick. Bukauskas is slowing down a lot. Pauga lands a spin kick. They trade late as Pauga lands. Close fight. 10-9 Pauga, 29-28 Pauga.

Official Result- Modestas Bukauskas def. Zac Pauga by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

> Bantamweights- Dan Argueta (9-1, 1-1 UFC) vs. Ronnie Lawrence (8-2, 2-1 UFC)

Argueta pushes it against the fence right away and is able to get the takedown and the back. He’s trying to get the hooks in. They scramble and Argueta ends up in the half-guard. He works to the neck and has a guillotine choke locked in. Lawrence is pushing the hips but still in danger. Argueta loses his grip but still has the neck. He gets a mounted guillotine choke locked in and Lawrence appeared to tap once and the fight is stopped. Replay shows that Keith Peterson touched Lawrence’s arm to see if he was still out and it kind of forced a tap motion and it was stopped, so we’re going to a replay here.

Official Result- Dan Argueta vs. Ronnie Lawrence ruled a no contest at 2:20 of Round 1

> Women’s Flyweights- Tereza Bleda (6-1, 0-1 UFC) vs. Gabriella Fernandes (8-2, 0-1 UFC)

They trade kicks early on. Bleda looks for a takedown but Fernandes defends against the fence. Bleda landing kicks looking to close the distance. They trade kicks. Fernandes lands a kick and Bleda catches it and gets a takedown despite a fence grab from Fernandes. Bleda in the half-mount and landing right hands. Bleda continuing to land from the top as she’s attacking the head and body. She ends the round on top. 10-9 Bleda.

They clinch against the fence as Bleda is working for the takedown. Bleda gets the takedown and is working inside the guard of Fernandes against the fence. Fernandes throws her legs up looking for a triangle choke as Bleda is defending, and Bleda gets back into the full guard. Bleda ends the round on top landing punches. 10-9 Bleda, 20-18 Bleda.

Both throwing but neither really landing to start the third. Fernandes lands a couple of left hands as Bleda is backed against the fence. Fernandes lands some more punches then a knee. Fernandes still landing the left hand as Bleda circles away. Bleda is able to score a takedown. Bleda being dominant from the top as she continues to land punches after getting the full mount. Bleda gets the back and lands lots of punches to end the fight. 10-9 Bleda, 30-27 Bleda.

Official Result- Tereza Bleda def. Gabriella Fernandes by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Flyweights- Carlos Hernandez (8-2, 1-1 UFC) vs. Denys Bondar (16-4, 0-1 UFC)

Bondar lands a leg kick. Bondar lands a nice combo. Bondar lands an overhand right as they tie up. Hernandez lands a knee in the clinch. They separate. Bondar lands a body kick. Bondar lands another big body kick. Hernandez lands a body kick and they trade inside the pocket. Hernandez lands a combo. Bondar lands a leg kick and Hernandez lands a counter combo. Bondar with another leg kick. Hernandez lands a combo in close range and scores with a knee. They tie up and Hernandez lands a left hand. Hernandez lands a combo at the end. 10-9 Hernandez.

Hernandez throwing the jab to start the second. Bondar lands a high kick and then a couple of right hands to the body. They clinch and go to the fence but quickly separate. Bondar is bleeding from a clash of heads in the first. They trade in the center. Hernandez lands a combo and Bondar counters with a body kick. They trade right hands. Hernandez lands a high kick. Hernandez continuing to throw but Bondar showing good head movement. Bondar gets a takedown. They get right back up and Hernandez attacks with a combination. Hernandez lands a flying knee. Bondar gets a late takedown. Bondar lands an illegal knee to a downed Hernandez, who was on both knees. They end up going to the end of the round since it happened right before the horn. 10-9 Hernandez, 20-18 Hernandez.

They trade leg kicks to start the third. Bondar pressing forward but neither doing a lot. Bondar lands a combo after Hernandez landed to the body. Hernandez starting to land more as the round goes on. Hernandez lands a nice right hand. Bondar is able to score a takedown but Hernandez works his way right back up. Hernandez with a combo and lands a head kick followed by a big knee. They trade in close range and Hernandez scores a takedown. They get back up and both are landing. Hernandez gets a takedown and starts landing big elbows and Bondar is out the fight is stopped with one second to go! What a finish from Hernandez!

We have some controversy here as they’re looking at a replay for a clash of heads but it happened during a throw takedown, which often happens. It shouldn’t be called a clash of heads as it’s a legal wrestling throw. This will be interesting. It shouldn’t be overturned. They are counting it as a clash of heads and are going to the scorecards instead of giving Hernandez the TKO win.

Official Result- Carlos Hernandez def. Denys Bondar by unanimous technical decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) at 4:59 of Round 3

> Bantamweights- Kyung Ho Kang (18-9 1 NC, 7-3 1 NC UFC) vs. Cristian Quinonez (17-3, 1-0 UFC)

They trade to start. Kang lands a leg kick. Kang lands a right hand. Quinonez lands some punches. Quinonez then lands an uppercut that hurts Kang, but then Kang drops Quinonez with a punch. Quinonez looks for the leg. Kang is on top landing and then takes the back. He locks in a rear-naked choke and gets Quinonez to tap. Great finish from Kang there.

Official Result- Kyung Ho Kang def. Cristian Quinonez by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:25 of Round 1

> Flyweights- Jimmy Flick (16-6, 1-1 UFC) vs. Alessandro Costa (12-3, 0-1 UFC)

Costa lands a heavy leg kick. They trade leg kicks. Flick looks for a takedown but Costa defends. Costa with more leg kicks. Costa with a flurry to the body. Flick throws the jab and Costa counters with a right hand. Costa lands a combo. Flick lands a body kick. Costa lands a leg kick and Flick goes off his feet and is on his back but has to get up. Flick looks for a takedown and has a single leg as he pushes it to the fence. They separate. Costa lands a punch and Flick’s leg gives out and he fell but gets up. Costa with a combo. Costa landing big punches inside the pocket. Costa lands some more and a leg kick. 10-9 Costa.

Costa lands some leg kicks and Flick is definitely hurt. Flick tries a takedown but Costa ends up on top. Costa landing big elbows from the top and it is stopped. What a finish by Costa!

Official Result- Alessandro Costa def. Jimmy Flick by TKO (elbows) at 1:03 of Round 2

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> Welterweights- Nicolas Dalby (21-4-1 2 NC, 5-4-1 1 NC UFC) vs. Muslim Salikhov (19-3, 6-2 UFC)

Salikhov with a front kick to the body. Dalby lands a high kick. Salikhov lands a left hook. He lands another calf kick. Dalby scores the jab and then a leg kick. Dalby with some more leg kicks. They trade punches. Salikhov lands a right hand as he grabs the leg but lets go. Salikhov lands a left hook and is backing up. Dalby lands a right hand. He then lands a head kick that stuns Salikhov. Salikhov gets a takedown but they pop right back up. Dalby lands some knees in the clinch at the end. 10-9 Salikhov.

Salikhov lands a leg kick. Dalby goes for a takedown as he pushes it against the fence. Salikhov lands a right hand as the separate. Salikhov with a spin kick to the body. Salikhov scores a takedown against the fence. They get to their feet. Dalby gets a takedown and has the back. He is looking for the body triangle but only has one leg in. Dalby looking for either a twister or an arm-triangle choke. Dalby lets go and they get to their feet. Dalby lands a couple of knees against the fence. They break and Dalby lands a combo. Salikhov slips on a kick and Dalby lands as the round ends. 10-9 Dalby, 19-19.

Salikhov landing some right hands. They trade body kicks. They clinch against the fence. Dalby lands some knees. They separate and Dalby landing more as Salikhov is circling around. Dalby landing a flurry. Dalby landing more as he pushes Salikhov against the fence. Dalby with some knees. Dalby landing more knees. Dalby lands some elbows as they break. Both men are trading punches inside the pocket. Dalby grabs the back and drags it down. He gets the mount to end the fight and lands. 10-9 Dalby, 29-28 Dalby.

Official Result- Nicolas Dalby def. Muslim Salikhov by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Lightweights- Manuel Torres (13-2, 1-0 UFC) vs. Nikolas Motta (13-4, 1-1 UFC)

Torres lands a leg kick. He lands another. He lands a front kick. They trade leg kicks. Motta lands a right hand. Motta lands a big combo ending with a left hand. Torres then drops Motta with an elbow after throwing a flurry and Motta is out cold! He was out cold when Torres landed two follow-up hammerfists. What a brutal knockout from Torres!

Official Result- Manuel Torres def. Nikolas Motta by knockout (elbow) at 1:50 of Round 1

> Featherweights- Pat Sabatini (17-4, 4-1 UFC) vs. Lucas Almeida (14-1, 1-0 UFC)

Sabatini gets the body lock right away and pushes it against the fence. Sabatini gets a trip takedown and is in the half-guard. Sabatini lands some punches from the top. He continues to land left hands from the half-guard position. Sabatini continuing to dominate from the top. Sabatini gets the full mount and lands some big elbows and now is landing some big punches. Sabatini looks for the arm but still lands some elbows. Big end to the round from Sabatini. 10-8 Sabatini.

Sabatini pushes it against the fence right away. Sabatini gets a takedown and is working from the top and landing punches. He locks in an arm-triangle choke and gets Almeida to tap. What an absolute thrashing from Sabatini.

Official Result- Pat Sabatini def. Lucas Almeida by submission (arm-triangle choke) at 1:48 of Round 2

> Middleweights- Armen Petrosyan (7-2, 2-1 UFC) vs. Christian Leroy Duncan (8-0, 1-0 UFC)

Both trading leg kicks early on. Duncan throwing a lot of crazy strikes early. They trade leg kicks. Petrosyan lands a leg kick. Duncan throws a combo. Petrosyan lands a right hand. Duncan lands a spinning punch. Petrosyan lands a leg kick. Duncan lands a combo. They trade near the end. Close round. 10-9 Petrosyan.

Both landing leg kicks and trading some punches. Duncan attempts a takedown but Petrosyan defends. Duncan attempts a spin attack but Petrosyan grabs the back, though he lets go. Duncan lands a leg kick. Petrosyan lands a calf kick. Petrosyan coming on and pouring it on with punches. Petrosyan lands a right hand that stuns Duncan. Duncan forces a clinch. They reverse position and now Petrosyan has the advantage. Petrosyan gets a late takedown. 10-9 Petrosyan, 20-18 Petrosyan.

Petrosyan landing leg and high kicks. Petrosyan with some body kicks and attacks the legs. They clinch against the fence with Petrosyan having the edge. They separate. Duncan lands a big flurry. Petrosyan scores a takedown. Duncan lands a punch from the bottom that splits Petrosyan open. Petrosyan passes guard and takes the back of Duncan. They get to their feet and both miss their late attacks. 10-9 Petrosyan, 30-27 Petrosyan.

Official Result- Armen Petrosyan def. Christian Leroy Duncan by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

> Lightweights- #8 Arman Tsarukyan (19-3, 6-2 UFC) vs. Joaquim Silva (12-3, 5-3 UFC)

Tsarukyan lands a big body kick. Silva with a leg kick and Tsarukyan gets him right down. Tsarukyan landing punches from the top and he gets the back. He has complete control from the back. Tsarukyan has a hook in and is controlling the grappling, but not landing much of anything now. Tsarukyan lands some elbows and a knee to the body. 10-9 Tsarukyan.

Tsarukyan lands some body kicks. He lands a leg kick and a body kick. Tsarukyan with a right hand then an elbow. They clinch against the fence and Tsarukyan lands to the body before they separate. They trade in close range and Silva landed a nice right hand. Tsarukyan lands to the body. They trade inside the pocket and then clinch against the fence. They trade right hands inside the clinch. Silva lands a right hand that rocks Tsarukyan. Tsarukyan gets a takedown and is inside the guard of Silva. Tsarukyan controlling from the top. Silva lands some elbows from the bottom. 10-9 Tsarukyan, 20-18 Tsarukyan.

Tsarukyan pushing forward and they trade. Silva lands an elbow. Tsarukyan gets a takedown and is in the half-guard. Tsarukyan landing from the top before they work their way to the feet. Tsarukyan with a spin kick to the body. Tsarukyan gets a takedown and unloads a flurry of punches from the top. Tsarukyan with big elbows from the top and this could be stopped. Tsarukyan with tons of shots from the top. Keith Peterson finally steps in and stops it. What a finish from Tsarukyan.

Official Result- Arman Tsarukyan def. Joaquim Silva by TKO (strikes) at 3:25 of Round 3

> Middleweights- #3 Marvin Vettori (19-5-1, 9-4-1 UFC) vs. #4 Jared Cannonier (16-6, 9-6 UFC)

They trade leg kicks to start. Cannonier with a leg kick then a right hand. Vettori lands a combo. Vettori rocks Cannonier with a left hand. They tie up and Vettori is on the attack. Cannonier looks to have recovered. Vettori lands a left hand. Vettori scores with another combo. Vettori with a head kick. Cannonier lands a big right hand. Cannonier lands a leg kick as Vettori lands a left hand. Vettori lands a body kick. Cannonier lands a leg kick. Vettori with a combo as Cannonier lands a leg kick. Vettori stuns Cannonier with another combo. Cannonier lands a body kick. Vettori lands a combo. Cannonier lands a right hand. Cannonier lands a combo. 10-9 Vettori.

Vettori landing the jab as Cannonier lands a right hand to the body. Cannonier throws some punches but Vettori evades them. They trade in close range. Cannonier lands a big right hand. Cannonier lands a flurry and an elbow but Vettori circles away. Cannonier landing a lot of punches against the fence. Cannonier lands a leg kick and Vettori slips to the mat. Cannonier gets on top and is landing some big right hands. Cannonier landing elbows as Vettori is attacking a leg. They get to their feet and Cannonier lands another right hand. Cannonier with a flurry against the fence. Cannonier lands a left hand then an uppercut. Cannonier continues to land. Cannonier with a knee. Vettori having trouble staying on his feet. Cannonier lands another big right hand. Vettori lands a combo. They make it to the end of the second. 10-8 Cannonier, 19-18 Cannonier.

Cannonier lands a leg kick. Vettori is throwing but not landing. Vettori lands a left hand. Cannonier lands a big right hand. They trade in close range. Cannonier with a body kick then a right hand. Cannonier lands a right hand. Cannonier lands a right hand then a body kick. Cannonier lands some short uppercuts. Cannonier gets a takedown and lands some punches but they get right back up. Vettori is cut open pretty badly. Cannonier pressuring against the fence. Vettori gets a takedown and has the back as they stand. They separate and trade jabs. Cannonier lands a big right hand. Vettori lands a combo. They trade. 10-9 Cannonier, 29-27 Cannonier.

They trade to start the fourth. Vettori lands a head kick. Cannonier lands a right hand. Cannonier scores a takedown but Vettori is able to work to his feet. Cannonier continuing to land more and Vettori’s face is showing it. Cannonier pressing forward and landing more. Vettori with some leg kicks but Cannonier landing the bigger punches. Vettori lands a left hand. 10-9 Cannonier, 39-36 Cannonier.

They trade leg kicks to start the fifth as both are coming forward. Cannonier lands a big right hand but Vettori fires back with a combination. Cannonier lands another big right hand and then a knee in a brief clinch. Cannonier lands a body kick then Vettori lands a high kick. Cannonier lands a combo as Vettori lands a body kick. Cannonier with a big combination. Cannonier lands some heavy shots and gets another takedown. Cannonier lands from the top. Vettori is bleeding all over. Cannonier with some punches and elbows from the top. They scramble to their feet. Cannonier lands a right hand. Vettori lands a nice left hand. 10-9 Cannonier, 49-45 Cannonier.

Official Result- Jared Cannonier def. Marvin Vettori by unanimous decision (49-45, 49-45, 48-46)

AEW Rampage live results: United Empire vs. CHAOS trios match

Posted on June 17, 2023 by Ryan Howard

On the eve of the debut of AEW Collision, AEW will begin their weekly run of two straight nights of action on TNT with Rampage.

In the featured match, United Empire (Will Ospreay, Jeff Cobb & Kyle Fletcher) will take on CHOAS (Chuck Taylor, Rocky Romero & Trent Beretta). Ospreay made his surprise return at the end of Dynamite to take out Forbidden Door opponent Kenny Omega.

In an unusual trios match, Mark Briscoe, his father, and referee Aubrey Edwards will face Jeff Jarrett, his wife Karen, and Jay Lethal. This will mark the AEW in-ring debuts for Briscoe’s father, Edwards, and Karen Jarrett.

Konosuke Takeshita will look to continue his run in his new mindset and Don Callis direction as he battles Bandido for the first time ever.

Another wrestler with a different mindset — Taya Valkyrie — will compete for the first time since losing to then-TBS Champion Jade Cargill at Double or Nothing. Valkyrie will go one-on-one with Trish Adora.

**********

AEW Rampage is underway with Jim Ross, Excalibur, Tony Schiavone & Chris Jericho on the call as the competitors of the opening contest are already in the ring.

United Empire (Will Ospreay, Jeff Cobb & Kyle Fletcher) defeated CHAOS (Rocky Romero, Chuck Taylor & Trent Beretta)

(A super fast paced opener that showcased what everyone is capable of with the most logical man getting the pinfall. This was a very fun party match.)

Beretta connected early with a standing Meteora on Fletcher, as Ospreay & Romero tagged in with Ospreay getting a loud ovation. Romero connected with a pop up hurricanrana, looked for a dive, but ran into the clutches of Cobb, who was mowed down by Taylor & Beretta. CHAOS took turns hitting dives to the floor as Romero did a double high five to Best Friends. Back inside, Ospreay was worked over until wiping out Taylor with a corkscrew kick to gain control into commercial.

Taylor tried to bodyslam Cobb and that wasn’t happening, so he settled for Sole Food as Beretta & Flethcer tagged in, slugging it out. Beretta connected with stalling rolling German suplexes into a Saito suplex, but Fletcher countered a Tornado DDT into a brainbuster. Roppongi Vice did their double team offense until Cobb deadlifted Beretta with a German suplex. Cobb no sold a few leaping double knees and finally was slammed by Taylor, as Best Friends hit the Sole Food half & half suplex before giving the people what they want with a triple hug. Cobb broke up the celebration by double suplexing Taylor & Beretta and countering a Romero hurricanrana into an overhead throw. Ospreay hit a diving forearm off the top, but Romero countered Hidden Blade into a backslide. Everyone started getting wiped out ending in Ospreay getting saved by Fletcher from a Sliced Bread by Romero, as Fletcher hit a Tombstone and Ospreay with Hidden Blade for the win.

**********

Taya Valkyrie defeated Trish Adora

(This was a relatively quick match to showcase the new attitude for Valkyrie. I’m not exactly sure why she is bitter at Kris Statlander, as she lost to Jade Cargill at Double or Nothing, so it’s not like Statlander stole her thunder. Regardless, I assume we’re getting Statlander vs. Valkyrie soon, so that should be very good.)

Valkyrie connected with early strikes, heeling it up for the crowd before connecting with charging corner double knees. Valkyrie started pie facing Adora, who got a forearm in the corner, but at Valkyrie kicks that Jim Ross called Idaho-esque. Valkyrie hit a sliding German suplex in the ropes, but wasted too much time, allowing Adora to battle back with strikes of her own. Adora missed a lariat and Valkyrie hit the Spear and violent stomp down to the head to get the victory.

-Lexy Nair is backstage asking The Hardys about the challenge from The Gunns on Dynamite. Matt officially accepted their challenge for next Wednesday night. The Gunns will be their stepping stone to becoming AEW Tag Team Champions. Jeff said they’ll do what The Gunns father has failed to do, make them famous.

Mark & Papa Briscoe and Aubrey Edwards defeated Jeff & Karen Jarrett and Jay Lethal (w/Sonjay Dutt & Satnam Singh)

(This match accomplished exactly what it set out to do as they saved the Karen & Aubrey interaction for the end. Papa Briscoe got in a few spots and had the crowd cheering, while Jeff & Lethal bumped all over.)

Excalibur thankfully made us aware that this is the first time Mark & Papa Briscoe are teaming with Edwards. Mark & Lethal briefly started before Jeff tagged in and did enough to do a little Fargo Strut. Mark battled back with hip tosses until Jeff bailed to tag his wife. Karen & Edwards squared off and Karen wasn’t having it, so she tagged Lethal, who got beat up by Mark & Papa Briscoe with a double suplex. Dutt distracted Mark long enough for Lethal to take control into commercial.

Right when we returned from break, Mark hit a double clothesline on Lethal & Jeff, as Papa Briscoe made the tag, as Lethal & Jeff neither wanted any, but got beat up anyways. Papa Briscoe turned Lethal inside out with a lariat, dropped Dutt with one on the apron and laid out Jeff with a spear. Edwards & Karen tagged in and started a cat fight before Edwards hit a few hair mares. Karen raked the eyes, went for a guitar shot, but Edwards took the guitar away, only for Lethal to distract long enough to stop it. Satnam Singh jumped on the apron, as referee Paul Turner took forever to notice the 7 footer and it allowed Edwards to smash the guitar over Lethal. Karen tried The Stroke on Edwards, who countered into the Figure Four Leg Lock for the submission win.

-Lexy Nair is backstage with Taya Valkyrie who said the crowd couldn’t get enough of her tonight. Valkyrie said we’ve heard enough of Kris Statlander, who walked into the shot. Valkyrie said she did all the work to soften up Cargill and is bitter that Statlander took her spotlight. Statlander said the open challenge is out there, but Valkyrie never officially accepted.

**********

-Mark Henry is about to introduce the main event when Don Callis interrupts with Konosuke Takeshita. Much like Kenny Omega, Takeshita only wrestles top level talent and he’s better than El Santo, Perro Aguayo & Ultimo Dragon. Omega has beaten a lot of great Mexican wrestlers, but he hasn’t beaten El Hijo del Don Callis, who calls Takeshita the new God of pro wrestling. Henry was absolutely baffled by Callis’ claims.

Konosuke Takeshita (w/Don Callis) defeated Bandido

(The first half of this match was a little slow, with Takeshita taking time to show off his aggressive streak, but my goodness did this turn into one hell of a main event. The crowd was behind Bandido from the jump, certainly making this a close battle, but in the end, Takeshita wasn’t going to be denied.)

There’s an incredible image of Takeshita as a centaur with Callis riding him on the big screen during their entrance, as Callis joins commentary for our main event. Bandido tried a 21-Plex early, but Takeshita blocked and hit a slingshot dive to the floor. A running boot sent Bandido into the front row where they brawled briefly until back inside, Bandido countered a suplex into one of his own. The crowd chanted one more time, as Bandido obliged, holding Takeshita up with one arm for the suplex. Takeshita was stunned with a kick on the apron, allowing Bandido to hit a hurricanrana off the top on the apron to the floor. Callis had seen enough and made his way ringside while Takeshita caught a springboarding Bandido into a slam to take over into commercial.

Bandido tried to fight back, but Takeshita turned him inside out with a lariat. Takeshita took too long to capitalize, allowing Bandido to hit a spectacular tilt a whirl DDT followed by a massive moonsault to the floor. Back in the ring, Takeshita avoided another springboard and connected on a Blue Thunder Bomb for two. Takeshita went for a home run shot, but ran into the Bandido gorilla press and frog splash for a near fall. The crowd is solidly behind Bandido, who went to the corner with Takeshita, who opted for biting Bandido and hitting an avalanche lariat off the top. Takeshita missed the running knee, as Bandido hit the torture rack GTS, but as he tried 21-Plex, Takeshita landed on his feet. Takeshita tried a rolling German, but Bandido landed on his feet as well. Takeshita wanted a huge powerbomb, but Bandido countered into a Code Red for two. Bandido absolutely spiked Takeshita with a driver until both threw lariats until Takeshita hit his jumping knee, blindside forearm and Power Drive Knee for the victory.

AEW Collision 6/17/23

· CM Punk & AEW Tag Team Champions FTR vs. Switchblade Jay White, Juice Robinson & ROH TV Champion Samoa Joe

· Wardlow defends the TNT Title against Luchasaurus

· Miro returns to action

· We hear from The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass

· Skye Blue & Willow Nightingale face Toni Storm & Ruby Soho

· Buddy Matthews vs. Andrade El Idolo

AEW Dynamite 6/21/23

· AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy & ROH Pure Champion Katsuyori Shibata battle IWGP TV Champion Zack Sabre Jr. & Daniel Garcia

· The Hardys (Matt & Jeff) battle The Gunns (Austin & Colten)

WWE SmackDown live results: Roman Reigns deals with Bloodline in disarray

Posted on June 16, 2023 by Colin McGuire

Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns will be in the building as tonight’s SmackDown takes place at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky.

Reigns will have to deal with a Bloodline that’s in disarray. Jey Uso was expected to make his choice between his twin Jimmy and the rest of The Bloodline last week, but the show ended with Jey still undecided. Jey was unsuccessful in his attempt to win the United States title after getting hit with an inadvertent superkick by Jimmy. Jimmy was attempting to hit Solo Sikoa but accidentally dropped Jey.

Paul Heyman got Jey the US title shot against Austin Theory in an attempt to sway Jey into staying aligned with Reigns and Sikoa. Jey walked away from Jimmy at the end of last Friday’s show — but he also walked past Sikoa and Heyman.

After making her return last week, Charlotte Flair is set to appear on The Grayson Waller Effect tonight.

AJ Styles & Michin vs. Karrion Kross & Scarlett and Zelina Vega vs. IYO SKY have also been announced. Plus, there will be a tag team gauntlet to determine the next challengers for Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn’s Undisputed WWE Tag Team titles.

Our live coverage starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

– The show opened with a video package chronicling what happened last week with the Bloodline.

– Kayla Braxton was in a parking garage and Roman Reigns showed up in a black SUV. Paul Heyman stepped out of the car along with Reigns and said nothing as he walked past Braxton. From there, we went to the ring, where the Street Profits’ music hit.

**********

Pretty Deadly won a tag team gauntlet match to face Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens for the WWE Undisputed Tag Team Championship [21:22]

While this was a fun opening match that ate up the first quarter of the show, the outcome was hardly in doubt after Pretty Deadly’s involvement at the end of last week’s episode. WWE also has a habit of showcasing one team to run the table … until they don’t … so when the Brutes began the match and found themselves still in it at the end, it was hard to think they’d get the win. As for the match itself, it was fairly standard. No other team outside of the final two got a spotlight. The O.C. carried a commercial break, the Profits were out within three minutes, Hit Row barely lasted 30 seconds and the LWO were gone before any momentum could be had. Gauntlet matches never do WWE any favors because it spotlights how weak specific divisions are and this was no exception.

The Brutes and Profits began the match with Montez Ford facing off against Sheamus. Ford chopped Sheamus and Sheamus no sold it. As a result, Sheamus landed the Irish Curse and tagged in Ridge Holland, who suplexed Ford. Eventually, Ford hit a step-up enziguri to take control and tag in Angelo Dawkins, who landed a spinning corkscrew elbow on Holland. Sheamus got in after a blind tag and hit a Brogue Kick on Dawkins to eliminate the Street Profits at about 2:30. The Good Brothers were next to enter the match.

After a commercial break, The O.C. had control as Gallows slammed Sheamus for a two-count. Anderson tagged in and worked over Sheamus. Anderson landed a series of forearms and tagged in Gallows, who hit a nice snap suplex before sinking in a chin-lock. Gallows come off the rope, but Sheamus caught him for a tilt-a-whirl slam. Anderson tagged in and cut off a potential hot tag to Holland. Sheamus came right back with a Brogue Kick on Anderson and eliminated The O.C. at about 9 minutes. The LWO was the next team to enter the match.

Joaquin Wilde had control on Sheamus early, and ultimately, tagged in Del Toro to attempt a few tag maneuvers. Holland tagged himself in and took control, ultimately pinning Del Toro to eliminate the LWO at about 11 minutes. Hit Row were next up, but Top Dolla ran right into a Brogue Kick to get eliminated instantly. The final team to enter and face the Brutes were Pretty Deadly.

Pretty Deadly had control early. Kit Wilson landed a neck-breaker on Holland for a two-count. Elton Prince tagged in and worked over Holland in a corner. Prince kept control with a series of elbows and forearms. Prince sank in a chin-lock to slow things down. Prince chop-blocked Holland and tagged in Wilson. Pretty Deadly went for a double-team move, but Holland countered with a sloppy double back body drop. Sheamus then received the hot tag and cleaned house.

Sheamus hit a pair of Irish Curses on Wilson and Prince and then slammed Prince onto Wilson. Sheamus fired up the crowd and went for a Brogue Kic, but Wilson ducked it. As a result, Sheamus hit an Alabama Slam for a two-count. Holland took Prince to the outside, and before long, Wilson made his way to the apron, where he, along with Prince, were the subject of a dual 10 Beats spot. Sheamus pounded on Wilson for what seemed like forever. Sheamus lifted Wilson and Prince hit a blind tag to come off the top rope with a leg drop to get the win.

**********

– After a commercial break, Pretty Deadly were still in the ring and Sami Zayn’s music hit as the tag champs made their entrance. Zayn said congratulations were in order for Pretty Deadly. Zayn said nobody expected Pretty Deadly to win and since they won, they’ve overstayed their welcome in the ring. Zayn told Pretty Deadly to get the hell out of the ring. Prince made fun of Zayn’s hair. Wilson said when they become the new tag champs, they’ll stay out and celebrate even longer than how long they stayed in the ring after the match. The two Pretty Deadly guys played off the “even longer” phrase. Zayn asked Owens if he was bothered and Owens blew up, saying he wants to punch Pretty Deadly in “their stupid faces.” Owens and Zayn ran to the ring and Pretty Deadly retreated.

– Roman Reigns was sitting backstage with Paul Heyman and Heyman asked Reigns if he had spoke with Jey Uso. Reigns said he hadn’t. Reigns reiterated that he’s the Tribal Chief and that Jey should have reached out to Reigns. Reigns told Heyman that Heyman needs to talk to Jey.

**********

Zelina Vega defeated IYO SKY [2:23]

The long, slow walk toward the end of Damage CTRL continues. This was the first time IYO seemed legitimately annoyed with Bayley, so if that split doesn’t come at Money In The Bank in two weeks, I’ll eat my laptop. In the meantime, Vega got a nice win (even if it wasn’t clean) and it’s good to see her see some W’s under her belt.

Vega started the match by asking for a handshake, but SKY hit her instead. A lot of quick action to begin with the two trading offense. SKY slowed things down by working on Vega’s arm. Vegan went to run the ropes and Bayley stopped her. From there, SKY rolled up Vega and got a visual three count, but Bayley still had the referee distracted. SKY got mad and yelled at Bayley. Vega responded by hitting the 619 on SKY while SKY was yelling at Bayley and that got Vega the win.

**********

– Bianca Belair confronted Adam Pearce backstage and Pearce said he didn’t have an answer for when Belair’s rematch for the WWE Women’s Championship would happen. Belair said if Pearce won’t give her an answer, she’s just going to have to do things her own way. In a wild twist, the Grayson Waller Effect was next, complete with Charlotte Flair as a guest.

– Backstage, Bayley and SKY were arguing backstage until Shotzi interrupted them. Shotzi said if it wasn’t for Bayley, Shotzi would be in the MITB match. Shotzi told Bayley to put her spot in the MTIB match on the line against Shotzi. SKY accepted on behalf of Bayley. Bayley was annoyed and SKY said she was just trying to help.

**********

The Grayson Waller Effect

Waller welcomed Charlotte to the ring. Waller said it was great having Charlotte there while the crowd “Woooo!”-ed it up. Waller talked about Charlotte vs. Asuka and the history they had. Waller said it’s not the same Asuka that Charlotte’s faced in the past. Waller asked Charlotte if she will become a 15-time champion. Charlotte responded by saying she has Asuka’s number. Waller let out a “Woooo!” and Bianca Belair’s music hit as Belair made her way to the ring.

Belair said someone will have to explain how things are working right now because Charlotte got an opportunity at the women’s title and Belair didn’t. Charlotte got up and walked toward Belair. Charlotte said she called her shot and got it and she won’t apologize for getting the title shot. Charlotte said she never got a rematch with Rhea Ripley after losing at WrestleMania. Belair said she stayed, unlike Charlotte, and Belair tried to do it the right way and maybe Belair should take things into her own hands, too. Charlotte said she stepped away, but didn’t run away, and Charlotte said she’s picked herself up every time and that she is a champion with or without the title. She asked Bianca if she was the same.

Bianca said she’s the longest reigning women’s champion of the modern era. Belair told Charlotte to put respect on her name. Belair said the past is the past and because she’s not getting a rematch, she’s going to be ringside while Asuka and Charlotte wrestle at MITB. Belair ended the segment by saying the belt is going to come back to her and left the ring. Charlotte stood in the ring as Belair left.

**********

– Backstage, Heyman tried to talked to Jey Uso and apologized to Jey for being right last week. Heyman said Jimmy is jealous of Jey. Heyman said Jey didn’t deserve it and for that, Heyman said he was sorry. Jey said he was sorry, too, because if Jey is in the Bloodline, Heyman is still out of it. The two stared at each other.

**********

Scarlett and Karrion Kross defeated AJ Styles and Michin [2:21]

I don’t know what the hell this was. I guess the story is Scarlett tried to seduce Styles, but AJ took a glove off and yelled, “I’m married, bitch,” which was a choice. It feels like Michin and Scarlett are going to work together for a bit, but I’m not quite sure if Styles and Kross are supposed to be dancing partners moving forward, either. It’s nuts to throw these four into a match and have the segment last less than five minutes. Maybe there were some timing issues on the show. This felt more random than anything – even though these four are clearly working a story.

Kross and Styles started the match with Styles getting the upper hand. Michin tagged in and landed a DDT on Kross. Scarlett came in to even things out, but Mihcin came right back with some kicks and a German Suplex. Scarlett tagged in Kross and Styles instantly hit a Styles Clash on Kross. Scarlett broke it up and punched Styles. The women fell outside and Kross hit the Kross Hammer for the win.

**********

– Backstage, Reigns asked Heyman if he talked to Jey and the two sat in silence for a bit because Heyman didn’t have much of an explanation. Solo Sikoa intimidated Heyman enough to run him off. Sikoa asked Reigns if he needed Sikoa to handle things. Reigns said they still have plenty of time.

– Cameron Grimes was interviewed backstage and said he’s been having a bunch of fun on SmackDown, but he barely got the line out before Baron Corbin attacked him.

– Rey Mysterio made his entrance and had a microphone. Mysterio said there’s one accomplishment he’s truly proud of in his career and that’s reforming the LWO. Mysterio introduced Santos Escobar. Mysterio gave the mic to Escobar, who said timing is everything. Escobar said he’s worked hard and made a lot of sacrifices for the opportunity of a lifetime at MITB. Escobar thanked Mysterio and said he loved Mysterio. Escobar said Rey inspired him and he will fight for Rey, among others. EScobar was cut off by LA Knight. Knight pushed Mysterio to the mat and Escobar dropkicked Knight. Rey went for the 619 before the show went to commercial and Knight rolled to the outside.

**********

Santos Escobar defeated LA Knight [2:13 of TV time]

For the life of me, I can’t figure out why you have a segment with LA Knight in it, but you don’t make time for him to talk, so perhaps there really were timing issues with this show. On top of that, Knight, who the crowd continues to be vociferously behind, took a loss in about two minutes of television time in a match that never got into a groove to the at-home crowd. You be you, WWE.

The match started during the commercial break and when the show came back, Knight had control. It wasn’t long before Escobar took out Knight and hit a back-breaker. Escobar came off the top for a cross-body, which got him a two-count. Escobar landed a running knee and lifted Knight, but Knight worked out and then slammed Escobar, much to the delight of the crowd. Knight hit his jumping elbow for a two-count. Escobar kicked Knight and ultimately rolled Knight up for the win. After the match, Knight attacked Escobar until Mysterio ran out for the save.

**********

– Jey Uso was walking back stage and ran into Sami Zayn. Zayn nodded at Jey and walked away. Jey kept walking. Roman Reigns’s music hit back at ringside and Roman made his way to the ring with Heyman and Solo Sikoa.

– Next week, Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler will face Isla Dawn and Alba Fyre to unify the women’s tag team titles. Also set for next week, Baron Corbin will square off against Cameron Grimes and Shotzi will go up against Bayley for Bayley’s spot in the women’s Money In The Bank match.

The Bloodline Segment

Reigns began by asking Lexington to acknowledge him. Instantly, the Usos’ music hit and Jey made his way to the ring. Roman said he knows the crowd wants answers. Roman asked Jey if he’s in or out. The crowd chanted “Uso!” Jey responded by saying it’s either going to be Heyman or Jey. Roman said when Jey is Tribal Chief, Jey can pick anyone he wants to be his Wise Man, but Heyman, for now, is Roman’s Wise Man. Roman said he was meant to get them to the top of the mountain, but Jey was meant to keep them at the top of the mountain. The crowd gave Roman the “What?” treatment. Roman said they’ve been training Jey for three years now because Jey is meant to lead, but just not yet.

Roman said the problem is Jimmy. While Roman was talking, Jimmy walked to the ring with a microphone in hand without music. Jimmy said the problem isn’t Jimmy; the problem is Roman. Jimmy said in reality, Roman is using Jey. Jimmy asked Jey if he believes Roman over Jimmy. Roman said it took him 10 years to get the Usos at a WrestleMania. Roman said Jimmy drags Jey down while Roman lifts Jey up. Roman said Jey can’t be a Tribal Chief and a twin at the same time. Roman recalled Jimmy having a problem with naming Jey the righthand man to Roman. Jey stared at Jimmy. Jey asked Jimmy if that was true. Jimmy said it was true. Jimmy looked dejected and Jey paced around the ring. Jey yelled at Jimmy, saying he expects something like that from Roman, but not Jimmy. Jey used Jimmy’s real name, Joshua. Jey looked like he was going to cry as he dressed down Jimmy. Jey said he’s the main event Uso and it’s all because of Roman. Jey screamed that Jimmy is out … and then said he’s out, too. Jey immediately turned around and super-kicked Roman. The Usos took out Sikoa as well. The Usos then double-super-kicked Reigns and stood tall to end the show.

MLW Fusion results: Two title matches

Posted on June 16, 2023 by Iain Oliver

This week’s MLW Fusion was taped in New York City as part of MLW’s War Chamber tapings earlier this year. Matt Striker and Joe Dombrowski were on the call.

AKIRA (w/Raven) defeated Lince Dorado (c) and Lio Rush to win the MLW Middleweight title in a three-way

There were a lot of interlocking storylines going on here. Rush had previously stolen Dorado’s title as he claimed himself to be the real Middleweight champion while Dorado was on the end of a recent Calling attack, setting up this intriguing triple threat match.

AKIRA jumped Dorado during his entrance, dropping him with a hard suplex on the floor and taking him out of the opening of the match.

But the champion got back into it with springboards and a top rope twisting dive to the floor. He and Rush then took turns hitting handspring cutters and stunners to take AKIRA out temporarily.

Dorado momentarily got his own torturous revenge by locking AKIRA in an armbar, but Rush quickly broke it up with a frog splash. Rush then hit a dive to the floor but was taken out when he missed another frog splash.

AKIRA capitalized with Rush out of the ring to hit his Death Penalty (lifting reverse DDT) to pick up the pinfall victory and the MLW Middleweight title win — his first in MLW.

– We heard from Jacob Fatu who is set to return to action next week against John Hennigan. We last saw Fatu being attacked by Raven, AKIRA, and Ricky Shane Page. The Samoan Werewolf is out for revenge. He said his Openweight title shot against John Hennigan – that he lost due to The Calling’s attack- will take place next week.

Raven and The Calling then brought Mandy Leon to life in an ominous pre-taped video package. Leon was motionless wrapped in a plastic sheet, but after a kiss to her forehead, Leon’s eyes popped open.

https://twitter.com/MLW/status/1669501670571515905

Sam Adonis (w/ John Hennigan) defeated Willie Mack

After being part of the party that screwed Mack out of an Openweight title win against Hennigan last week, Adonis faced the revenge-minded Mack this week.

Adonis got on the mic before the match to rile up the New York crowd, but Mack had his own words for Adonis and Hennigan, promising to put his boot up both their asses.

Mack moves very impressively for his size. In the early going, he worked up the speed to hit a flying kick to Adonis in the face and vault to the floor. After catching his leg on Adonis’ head during a leapfrog, Mack hit another jumping kick to stay in control.

After a break, Mack pulled Adonis off the top rope as Adonis tried to bring some of his AAA moves into the match. Mack again caught Adonis off guard and rammed his fist into Adonis’ gut as the Azteca Lucha member came off the top.

Mack was selling the earlier leapfrog collision as he could not complete his usual kip-up, struggling to hit his standing moonsault.

Hennigan got knocked off the apron after tripping Mack’s leg behind the referee’s back. But with Mack momentarily distracted, Adonis hit a Death Valley Driver/Air Raid Crash slam and a 450 splash from the top rope to pick up the tainted distraction win.

After the match, Sam Leterna brought out Mance Warner for an interview on the stage, but Adonis and Hennigan quickly interrupted and jumped him. Adonis used a leather strap to choke Warner out over the top rope.

– Ahead of his MLW title match against Alex Hammerstone at Never Say Never, Alex Kane again promised to reveal the money man behind the Bomaye Fight Club at the event. Before that, he also mentioned a cash prize being up for grabs in a “Big Apple Grapple” open challenge.

– Before the main event and after a few failed attempts to cut a promo on Delmi Exo due to technical difficulties, Taya Valkyrie stormed off saying she is leaving MLW because of issues like this.

Delmi Exo defeated Taya Valkyrie (w/ John Hennigan) to win the MLW Women’s Featherweight title

Valkyrie had been playing politics recently to delay this eventual title match, but the ending did not disappoint with Exo picking up the win and the title to end Taya’s one year reign as champion.

Earlier in the night, Exo said there was only one way she wanted to win the title and that was with the Delmi Driver, and she did just that after Hennigan’s constant distractions came back to haunt him and Valkyrie.

After a slow-building start, Valkyrie dropped Exo face-first on the apron and Hennigan added a few sneaky shots as Valkyrie distracted the referee. She slowed the match down again and kept in control as she double foot stomped Exo in the gut.

They exchanged close near falls when Exo hit a cross-legged fisherman suplex and a Pedigree for close calls, followed by Valkyrie hitting a Blue Thunder Bomb for one as well. Similar to the earlier match with Adonis, Hennigan grabbed Exo’s foot from the outside, causing the challenger to switch her focus to him.

The champion then went for a rollup, but Exo countered with her own pinning combination. Exo had Valkyrie pinned, but the referee was distracted by Hennigan on the ring apron.

Valkyrie and Hennigan then accidentally collided on the apron which distracted the champion enough to give Exo the opening to hit her Delmi Driver to win both the match and the Featherweight title.

Next week:

MLW National Openweight Champion John Hennigan defends against Jacob Fatu