Tag: headlines

Samoa Joe ‘stepping away’ from AEW for a few months

Posted on by Josh Nason

Former AEW World Champion Samoa Joe is “stepping away” for a few months.

He revealed the news during the third hour of Wednesday’s combo Dynamite & Collision during a backstage segment, flanked by fellow Opps members Hook, Katsuyori Shibata and Anthony Bowens.

The reason? “Opportunity calls…and Hollywood’s ringing,” he said.

He reminded all three men that they know how this works before shaking their hands and departing with Hook immediately moving between Bowens and Shibata to re-establish himself as the group leader as he did before when Joe previously was gone.

The “Hollywood” reference is to Joe heading off to film the third season of the Peacock show Twisted Metal, one of the streaming service’s biggest hits in terms of viewership minutes. Joe plays the role of Sweet Tooth with Will Arnett providing the voice work.

The 47-year-old recently returned from a concussion and overall has wrestled just five times in 2026, the last coming at this past Sunday’s Double or Nothing in an Owen Hart tournament defeat to Will Ospreay.

Semifinals set in men’s AEW Owen Hart Foundation tournament

Posted on by Josh Nason

After Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite, the semifinals are now official for the men’s Owen Hart Foundation tournament where the winner gets an AEW World title shot at August’s All In.

On the right side of the bracket, Brody King defeated Claudio Castagnoli in the early match on Wednesday’s combo edition of Dynamite/Collision. King pinned the Death Riders member clean to win the rubber match in their unofficial series dating back to the 2023 Continental Classic.

King now moves on to face Swerve Strickland in a rematch from March’s Revolution that Strickland won. The date was not announced.

In the later quarterfinal, AEW National Champion Mark Davis defeated Jack Perry in the latest chapter of their recent rivalry, getting the pin after a piledriver.

Davis now moves on to face former United Empire teammate and friend Will Ospreay in the other semifinal next Wednesday on Dynamite. It will be their third meeting in AEW with Ospreay picking up the win in February 2025 with Davis upsetting Ospreay this past February as part of his recovery storyline.

TV Asahi, Stardom’s Taro Okada comment on future of NJPW following ownership change

Posted on by Josh Nason

Following Wednesday’s surprise news that TV Asahi and CyberAgent had acquired the majority of shares in New Japan Pro Wrestling from Bushiroad, the Japanese broadcast outlet has spoken about the deal to Tokyo Sport.

In the story (translated into English), an unnamed spokesperson said the deal was made “to further strengthen cooperation in the development and rollout of content and IP, and to work together to create powerful content and IP with an eye toward global expansion, thereby further increasing the corporate value of both companies.”

Bushiroad, which oversaw NJPW through its 2010s revival and international expansion efforts, transferred all of its shares in the promotion to TV Asahi and CyberAgent, making the wrestling brand a consolidated subsidiary of the broadcaster with support from the massive entertainment company publicly traded in Japan.

In terms of how they are going to run it, the only comment relayed was from Tokyo Sport who wrote “it is highly likely that a new system will be established with TV Asahi as the main operator.”

The article also mentions Stardom and speculates as to the future of the women’s brand. It included a quote from Stardom president Taro Okada who said that “coordination between the two sides will start from here” but they would like to continue working together.

Both NJPW president Hiroshi Tanahashi and Bushiroad founder Takaaki Kidani issued positive statements about the change Wednesday.

We’ll have more on this story with Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez tonight on Wrestling Observer Radio.

AEW Dynamite & Collision live results: Chris Jericho vs. Ricochet, MJF title celebration

Posted on by Ryan Howard

AEW Dynamite tonight is live from Philadelphia featuring the fallout from Sunday’s Double or Nothing pay-per-view.

MJF will celebrate his third AEW World Championship win on the show. The Owen Hart Foundation tournament will continue with a men’s quarterfinal match between Mark Davis and Jack Perry. Chris Jericho will wrestle Ricochet with everyone banned from ringside.

Also, new AEW World Tag Team Champions Adam Copeland and Christian Cage will give a five-second pose for the benefit of those with flash photography.

And Kris Statlander and Hikaru Shida will wrestle in a Lights Out Philly Street Fight.

The full lineup for the show:

  • MJF celebrates his AEW World Championship win
  • Lights Out Philly Street Fight: Kris Statlander vs. Hikaru Shida
  • Men’s Owen Hart Foundation tournament quarterfinal: Mark Davis vs. Jack Perry
  • Men’s Owen Hart Foundation tournament quarterfinal: Brody King vs. Claudio Castagnoli
  • Rush vs. Brian Cage vs. Lio Rush vs. Orange Cassidy in a Superstation Showcase
  • Jon Moxley, PAC & Will Ospreay vs. The Rascalz
  • TayJay In Action
  • Everyone banned from ringside: Chris Jericho vs. Ricochet
  • Adam Copeland & Christian Cage five-second pose
  • We’ll hear from Kevin Knight
  • The fallout from Double or Nothing

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

AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Tony Schiavone & Taz as we go over Will Ospreay & Swerve Strickland advancing in the Owen Hart Foundation tournament at Double or Nothing and tonight we’ll see the other two Quarterfinal matches.

Renee Paquette caught up with Ospreay after his win on Sunday saying he’s over the move about his win before going to the doctor when he runs into Kenny Omega already there with an icepack on his neck. Omega wants to address the elephant in the room, Death Riders, who he’s no stranger to. His worry is Ospreay can’t trust them, as they do what they say they’ll do and they’ve hurt both Omega & Ospreay in the past. Omega questions why Ospreay didn’t ask him to help instead and Ospreay said because Omega wasn’t there. Omega said he’s got his own way of going about things and way to bounce back like he used to both in and out of the ring. Omega gets the appeal of the Death Riders, they get the job done, he’s not saying not to trust them, but just be careful, as a friend. Jon Moxley walks in saying that’s good advice, as they all have their skeletons, don’t we? Moxley hands Ospreay an icepack and tells him the truck is outside. Omega said he’ll always be there for Ospreay, who told Omega not to give up on that World Title, Omega said you too. This was a very good opening segment.

Kevin Knight Explains His Actions at Double or Nothing

We see footage of Knight turning on Darby Allin after the conclusion to the main event on Sunday. He’s drowned out with “F*ck You Kevin” and “Shut the F*ck Up” chants as Knight said he told Allin not to let him & the fans down, which is exactly what he did, he blew it. Knight said just like the Sixers did against the Knicks, they let us down. Knight decided he’s not trusting the process any longer, instead, taking matters into his own hands, asking who the last person MJF was humbled by, The Jet, as it should’ve been him in the main event. Instead, Knight was watching from the sidelines and asks the crowd if he looks like a bench player? They chant yes, as Knight said he’s here to take over this whole damn company. Knight put trust into Allin, who told him never to waste any time, which is exactly what he did, leaving Allin in a pool of his own blood.

A sharp dressed Speedball Mike Bailey storms out saying he knows how vicious Knight is, it’s his best and worst quality, which is what makes them such a great team. Bailey said Knight gets impatient, gets ahead of himself and makes mistakes, which is what he did to Allin. Bailey said it’s not too late, if he apologizes, they can still make things right. Bailey offered a handshake, but Knight brushed by him with a shoulder, turned and popped Bailey with a microphone shot. Knight faked leaving before coming back and planting Bailey with a Rock Bottom. Taz was thrilled by Knight’s actions to kick off the program.

-Renee Paquette is backstage with The Demand and asks if Jericho has momentum going into tonight’s match following getting a pin at Double or Nothing? Ricochet said Jericho got lucky and Kaun said it’s because they attacked him 7 on 1. Ricochet said he’s got 2 wins over Jericho and everyone will find out what Jericho already knows, he’s Ricochet and he’s out of this world.

Jericho vs. Ricochet – Everyone Banned from Ringside

(I thought this was a very good match, as these two have worked very well together since Jericho returned a few months ago. I enjoyed how it was no interference, as it was a good end to this story for the time being and Jericho is already off to the races with his next program. I guess Jericho only works exclusively with bald wrestlers now, as this feud with Ciampa should be quite fun and new.)

Excalibur said Jericho had a pretty sizeable welt on his leg from Stadium Stampede and his dive onto a table that didn’t break. Ricochet quickly hits a series of dropkicks and slingshot dive outside, as he follows with a springboard lariat back inside and running Shooting Star for two. Ricochet went for another springboard, but Jericho met him with a right hand and hit a dive off the top to the floor of his own. Taking too long clearing the announce table, Ricochet front suplexed Jericho onto the table, both climbed atop, where Jericho shot a double leg into the Walls of Jericho. Ricochet fought back on the apron, sweeping out the legs sending Jericho crashing down, as he slamming him into the steps to stay in control.

Both fought back up to the apron, where Jericho escaped a fireman’s carry and spiked Ricochet with a Death Valley Driver, causing both to crumble on the floor. Back inside, they slug it out with Yay/Bald dueling chants, as Jericho ramps up the shoulder tackles and double sledge from the top. Running bulldog set the stage for Jericho to try a Lionsault, slipped briefly on the ropes, improved great a counter with a back elbow and brainbuster for two. Ricochet pulled Jericho by the hair over the top, caught him with a springboard dropkick and Tope Suicida to follow. Corkscrew plancha connects, as Ricochet connects with a brainbuster on the floor and orders referee Aubrey to put the count on Jericho, who beat the count, but rolled in position for a Phoenix Splash and close two.

Ricochet whiffed on a Spirt Gun, Jericho swept out the legs again into the Walls of Jericho. The bad knee gave out, as Jericho missed a Judas Effect, Ricochet leaned against Aubrey, who Jericho nearly clocked, allowing Ricochet to get a low blow and Rico-sault for a near fall. Placing Jericho in position, Ricochet went up top, crashed and burned on a 630, as Jericho popped up into a Code Breaker for two. Judas Effect absolutely waffled Ricochet, as Jericho opted for a Lionsault to get the win.

Post-match, Tommaso Ciampa blindsided Jericho, choking him out with his t-shirt before wearing Jericho out with punches. Lowering the knee pad, Ciampa decked Jericho with a charging knee and stood tall by mocking a Jericho pose.

Match Result: Jericho defeated Ricochet

-Andrade El Idolo is backstage and said now that the stupid Stadium Stampede is over, he can focus on winning the World Title and beating MJF. Does MJF think he’s better than Andrade? How you know?

**********

Rush vs. Brian Cage vs. Lio Rush vs. AEW Trios Champion Orange Cassidy in a Superstation Showcase 4-Way

(Chaotic party match, as there were some spots that were clunky, but all in all, the fans were into this and especially Lio Rush’s gimmick. Hopefully they have something planned for him, as he has something here with this Blackheart character. I can only assume Rush is still looking for an AEW World Title shot, as he called his shot last week, but we never heard if he intends on challenging MJF or what exactly the winner gained from this. We get the return of Jake Doyle in all this chaos and I hope he’s not lost in the Callis Family crew and he’s showcased like prior to his injury.)

Cassidy’s new shirt is phenomenal, if you haven’t seen it, is a sideways face on his chest and you can have your sunglasses rest perfectly as if Cassidy is wearing them. During Rush’s entrance, Lio, who is already leaking black liquid from the mouth, told the camera that they’re twins, which was hilarious. Cassidy & Lio were dispatched early and Rush & Cage slugged it out. Botched head scissors still took Rush over enough, as both no sold lariats, popped up, as Rush hit a snap German, but Cage responded with a pop-up DVD for two. Cassidy & Lio broke things up, as Cassidy looked genuinely scared of Lio as he ramped up his little kicks. Lio did his misdirect, tried a sunset flip, but Cassidy went to the pockets, rolled through, hit his dropkick and kip up to stand tall. Lio avoided a dive with a handstand kick, but ran into Cage’s clutches. Lio got a hurricanrana, another handstand kick before galloping around the ring, trying a Tope, which Cage caught, so Cassidy ran in with a Tope to take both out. Rush teased a dive and hit the LFI pose as things settled down.

Rush tried a superplex inside, but Lio bit the leg and hit a twisting enzugiri. Cassidy kept getting crotched in the corner by everyone in the match, as Cage turned Lio inside out with a lariat before Cassidy was able to fight the big man off and hit a falling splash for two. Cage proved he’s a machine with a suplex from the outside in, but Rush flew in with a dropkick. Cage planted Rush with a Jackhammer for two, as Lio returned with a striking combo, but Cage spiked him with a Falcon Arrow, as Cage did the deal for a near fall. Cassidy dove off the top and countered a suplex into a Stundog followed by a spinning DDT for two. Diving Tornado DDT to the floor by Cassidy on Cage, as we see Rocky Romero & Lance Archer appear ringside. Archer blocks an Orange Punch, as Romero gets booted and Archer ate an Orange Punch. Jake Doyle returned and blindsided Cassidy, as Roderick Strong rushed ringside to brawl with Doyle backstage, as Archer carried Cassidy out with them.

It’s now a singles match, Rush & Lio had a face-off, as Lio caught him with a bounce back Stunner and misdirect Spear for two. Lio leapt off the top, but Rush caught him with a right hand. Quickly outside, Rush smashed Lio into multiple barricades before choking Lio out with a cable chord ringside. Since it’s a 4-way, there’s no DQ, as back inside, Rush stomped away in the corner before delivering Bulls Horns for the victory.

Match Result: Rush defeated Brian Cage, Lio Rush & Orange Cassidy when Rush pinned Lio

-Renee Paquette is backstage awaiting word from MJF, who walks in dragging the AEW World Title, dropping it on the floor, as we see he’s carrying his Triple B. Kevin Knight walks in and MJF thanks him for what he did after the main event, saying he knows Knight wanted to show off for him and said he appreciates that. Knight said it wasn’t for MJF, it’s because Darby Allin blew his shot. MJF said that’s fine, he’ll see Knight around. MJF left and Kyle Fletcher walks in eyeing the TNT Title. Don Callis said so much young athleticism, is the territory safe? Callis said if Knight ever wants to get serious about being Jet 2 Belts, you know where to find them.

-Video package for Mark Briscoe is shown

**********

-Renee Paquette is backstage with The Brawling Birds, as Jamie Hayter said next time, she will take the title from Thekla, who she at least got to take her head off at the PPV. Alex Windsor said it’s unfortunate about Willow Nightingale’s injury and when she returns, they can throw down. Paquette asks about facing the Wild Card and unknown, as Windsor said she fought all over the world and will prove she deserves to be part of the conversation of being one of the best in the world. She brings up both chasing their Wembley dreams along with her Billy, as Hayter said one way or another, The Birds will come out on top. We learn that Windsor will face the Wild Card next week on Dynamite.

MJF World Title Celebration is Interrupted

Balloons are in the ring, as Justin Roberts introduces the 3-time AEW World Champion, as MJF is carried out on a throne. MJF said Darby Allin is probably hanging his head in shame, as yet again, he defeated him with a move as basic as a headlock takeover. More importantly, pro wrestling has been around since the 1800’s and only 8 men in major promotions have been World Champion by 30 years of age. They’ll be writing about MJF in the history books and until the sun explodes. MJF hopes these schmucks realize how lucky they are to witness greatness in real time. It’s the greatest era imaginable because it’s all about MJF, as he’s a three-time, three-time, three-time champion of the world. #1, ain’t nobody close, a generational talent, as the fans need to do the right thing and bow before the greatest of all time. A massive banner with 3x World Champion falls down briefly before Mark Briscoe interrupts the celebration, as he tore down the banner.

Briscoe said MJF doesn’t fit in Philly, it’s like how a penguin is wandering through a desert and not one of those exotic penguins. They’re in Philly, where some of the toughest human beings live and MJF sticks out like a sore thumb, tough MJF is not. Briscoe said MJF is so self-absorbed and actually believe he’s better than everyone, so let him remind MJF that it wasn’t long ago that Briscoe pinned him. Therefore, Briscoe wants a World Title shot and asks if MJF will continue to be a soft little b*tch or will he Man Up? MJF said no because unlike everyone in this company, he understands AEW is a business and optically speaking, it’s bad that an emo freak like Darby Allin even sniffed the World Title, you think Mark Briscoe can champion? If Briscoe challenged for the title, it’d probably put the company out of business and said he’s nowhere near the level of the Devil.

MJF left up the aisle, but Rush walks out behind him (well that answers my question from the last match). Rush said MJF says he’s a fighting champion, but it’s funny, Briscoe is a chicken farmer, while MJF is a chicken sh*t. Rush said he’s almost beaten MJF before and talked about his challenge made for the title and if you mess with the bull, you get the horns. MJF asks if Rush thinks he’s cool that he’s bilingual, he’s not the only guy who can speak different languages, so listen up, senior. If anyone has earned a title shot, it’s Rush, as he’s got a good look, cute catchphrase, more marketable than the piece of sh*t Briscoe and asks if Rush wants a title shot tonight? Rush agrees, but MJF says psych, next week, for the World Title, the Bull is about to lock horns with The Devil.

-Jungle Jack Perry is on the Jurassic Express bus saying he’s had his battles with Mark Davis, as the stakes tonight are higher than they ever been. This might just be the beginning of Jack Perry’s World Title Express Tour and if you don’t like it, F*ck You! Luchasaurus pulls over and Perry was reluctant, but obliges and we get a Rocky montage of eating raw eggs, running up the steps and in the streets with Perry doing the Rocky pose.

Brody King vs. Claudio Castagnoli in a Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Quarterfinal

(If you love haymakers, have I got the match for you, as this was 99.9% clubbing strikes and gave this a completely different feel. King now moves on to face a familiar foe in Swerve Strickland in the Semi-Finals. I hope we get at least a promo or something from Castagnoli later about how the Death Riders are priming Will Ospreay for this tournament, while he just lost in the opening round. It feels that should at least be mentioned in a promo, no?)

Renee Paquette was ringside pre-match and brought up both men splitting wins in the 2023-2024 Continental Classic. Castagnoli had a hit and run strategy to start until King started firing loud chops. Castagnoli answers with uppercuts of his own, as both trade lariats until Castagnoli spills outside to regroup. King joins him, as they exchange a prolonged strike exchange, nearly getting counted out, as they dove in just in time to ramp up the strikes some more and throughout the entire commercial. Schiavone made a Kyle Schwarber home run reference that hilariously repulsed Taz.

Both men collide like trucks with lariats and fall simultaneously to their knees, where overhand chops are traded before each face plant. Castagnoli is up and really kicked into gear uppercuts aplenty before King got a boot up and ramped up a Violence Party in the corner. King started barking, but turned his back and Castagnoli exploded out with another uppercut. King stayed strong, dropped Castagnoli in the corner and connected with a Cannonball, which Taz questions if it was the first actual move in the match and not a strike. King wanted a dive, but was uppercut before takeoff, as Castagnoli connected on a discus uppercut, flipped out of a Neutralizer, as both collided multiple times. Chop, lariat, elbow combo from King, who wanted a Gonzo Bomb, but Castagnoli slid out, tried a springboard, but ate a forearm in mid-air. King charged into a pop-up uppercut, but never went down, instead, swung for the fences to hit a King Kong Lariat for the win.

Match Result: Brody King defeated Claudio Castagnoli to advance in the Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament

**********

Cope & Cage Have Their 5-Second AEW Tag Team Title Pose Crashed

Cage was about to tell the fans to sit down and shut up when Cope cut him off, asking if he heard that ovation? Cage said what, he didn’t say he banged any of their mothers, but then again, maybe he did. Cope said the 90s were a crazy time. Cage put over FTR as being the best tag team they’ve ever shared the ring with, they brought out the best in them and are Top Guys, they just aren’t the Tippy Top. Cope said FTR agreed to an I Quit Match with the stip of possibly never teaming again, but they’d never quit, instead, they got their careers back. It’s time to live in the now with FTR in the rearview and said it’s time to do something they haven’t done in 25 years, for the benefit of those with flash photography, they’ll hit a 5-Second Pose. Cage said he’s not doing it, but said they don’t even make flash photography anymore, which Cope said that’s where he’s wrong. Cope said about 20 years ago, he went to the store and bought these just for this scenario, as he dumps a bag of disposable cameras from under the ring and hands a bunch out ringside and how to properly use them if you’re under 25. Taz swears if Cope gives him one, he’ll double leg him.

Before the pose could start, The Dogs attack from behind, as David Finlay & Clark Connors attack Cage’s injured forearm outside, smashing the shillelagh against the ring steps. Finlay placed the steps onto Cage’s hand and Connors double stomped down from the apron. Cope had been blasted with the shillelagh before and Cage got one for good measure back in the ring. Finlay lifted Cope up, as he told Connors to show him how it’s done, as he laid out Cope with a Spear. Connors orders a photographer ringside to take a photo of the downed champions with a disposable camera. Connors said The Dogs present a new 5-second Pose, Your Next AEW Tag Team Champions, as they stand over the fallen Cope & Cage.

-Prince Nana is backstage with Swerve Strickland saying that he’s taking the Owen back to Wembley and there, he will win the AEW World Title once again. Strickland applauds Brody King and said if it wasn’t for Swerve, no one would know who King was. Strickland doesn’t care about Bandido’s condition right now, but one thing he’s learned is conflict creates cash and looks forward to making a lot of it with King. Whose House?

TayJay (Tay Melo & Anna Jay) vs. Ava Everett & Allie Katch

Divine Dominion cut an inset promo pre-match saying they’ll be timing TayJay and they’ll fall victim just like everyone else. Jay immediately popped Katch with a hook kick and flying slam before tagging in Melo for locomotion corner strikes. Katch stumbles back to tag Everett, who walked right into a pump kick. Jay returns for a running low Blockbuster, Melo with a running knee, as a Gory Special/Knee Lift finishes the job in quick order.

Match Result: TayJay defeated Ava Everett & Allie Katch when Jay pinned Everett

-A furious Speedball Mike Bailey was backstage and said if Kevin Knight wants to walk down separate paths, so be it and challenges Knight to a match one on one, but we never learn of when as we go to commercial.

**********

Luchasaurus pulls up to the arena in the Jurassic Express, as Jungle Jack Perry steps out letting out a loud woooo.

AEW National Champion Mark Davis (w/Don Callis) vs. Jungle Jack Perry in a Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Quarterfinal

(An excellent thriller this was, as I’d say this was the best of their series of matches. Perry put up one hell of a fight and had plenty of hope spots winning this, but ultimately, it made far more sense for Davis to be the one to face Ospreay in the Semi-Finals, especially considering Davis just defeated Ospreay via referee stoppage not that long ago.)

Davis is rocking an eye patch, as Excalibur said it’s from nearly losing an eye in Stadium Stampede, as we got a video package from a bunch of highlights from that match, including Perry attempting to run down Davis with his bus (and having the cops called in the process). Callis joined commentary, as Davis attacked Perry at the bell, mowing him down with a corner splash and standing senton. Perry went right at the eye, ripped the patch away and put it on himself. Perry tried a charge, but bounced right off Davis (the patch went flying in the process), as Perry sent him to the floor and hit three separate dives. The brawl kept going ringside, where Perry briefly stared down Callis, allowing Davis to chuck Perry clear over the barricade and Perry came up clutching his ankle. Taz made a Richard Simmons reference during commercial saying it’s what Perry’s pants remind him of, as Excalibur said they’ve had to explain the Superstation, flash photography and now Richard Simmons to young viewers tonight.

Davis continues to beat the piss out of Perry around ringside and back in the ring, where Davis wore him out with a series of clotheslines. Perry was launched from the apron to the barricade, as Callis said he’s a punk, but put over his toughness. Davis sat in the corner and did a Taz cross arm pose, which Taz said was gimmick infringement. Perry just broke the count and dodged a Davis senton, as he took Davis to the apron where Perry connected with a hurricanrana to the floor. Perry, quickly up top for a Moonsault outside and another back inside for two. Perry got the knees up from a senton, launched off Davis’ back for a leaping senton of his own for a near fall of his own. For some reason, Perry keeps going for a piledriver, which Davis easily escaped, but Perry low bridged and got just enough of a baseball slide cazadora bulldog. Back to the apron, Davis clobbered Perry back into the ring, pulled him right back out and spiked him with a violent suplex on the edge of the ring causing Perry to literally fly out of his shoes.

Back inside, Davis tore off Perry’s socks and stomped down onto them repeatedly. Excalibur popped Taz when he said he’s never remembered anyone wrestling barefoot winning a match in Philadelphia. Both fight up into the corner, where Perry got a guillotine before falling with an Avalanche DDT spiking Davis. Sliced Bread #2 got a near fall, as Davis rolled through a piledriver attempt into an enzugiri, tried his bounce back lariat, Perry had it scouted, as they exchange quick pin attempts. Finally, after so many attempts, Perry connects on a piledriver, but only netted two. Snare Trap applied, but Davis just managed the ropes. Perry wanted a Sacrifice Knee, but was swatted out of mid-air, as Davis turned Perry inside out with his bounce back lariat, only Perry kicked out. Perry held on for dear life to avoid the gut-wrench piledriver, as Perry slapped Davis repeatedly, only pissing him off. Perry wanted a superplex, but lost his balance due to being barefoot, as Davis powered him up into a spinning Avalanche Piledriver for the win and close the Dynamite portion of the show.

Match Result: Mark Davis defeated Jungle Jack Perry to advance in the Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament

-Renee Paquette came into the ring with Davis & Callis saying next week it’ll be Davis vs. Will Ospreay in the Semi-Finals of the Owen Tournament. Callis says he hopes Ospreay was watching, as next week, Davis will put him on the shelf. He knows Ospreay better than his own mother and was never the Chosen One, neither was Konosuke Takeshita. The only Chosen One of the Callis Family was Kyle By God Fletcher.

Fletcher walks out with Rocky Romero and told Callis to give him some sugar before they hug. Now, they can talk about the elephant in the room, how could Fletcher come back from such a catastrophic injury in such record time? How can you break you leg in two places and come back in 2 months? It’s because he’s a picture-perfect performer and happy to announce he’s 100% cleared for in-ring competition. There’s one more driving factor to come back and that’s to cut the dead weight from the Don Callis Family. For a year, Fletcher tried to hold The Family together, while Takeshita tried to drive a wedge between them, always doing what’s best for him. Takeshita never cared about The Family or Fletcher, who really wanted to sit atop the wrestling world with him, ProtoShita running it all, but it’ll never happen, as Konosuke Takeshita is a selfish prick.

Right on cue, Takeshita’s music hit and out walked the new International Champion, as he held the title in the air before being joined by The Conglomeration. They all look to hit the ring, as Fletcher, Davis & Romero bail being outnumbered. Takeshita took the mic saying he got his title back and simply said he wants Fletcher.

-Will Ospreay is backstage applauding Mark Davis on his win and talked about their well-documented history dating back to the United Empire. Ospreay faced Davis last time at 50%, but now, he’s 100% and nothing is stopping him from Wembley. Death Riders walk in and say it’s go time. Jon Moxley & Marina Shafir give him fist bumps, while PAC denies him, as they leave one way and Ospreay heads to the ring via stage.

Will Ospreay & Death Riders (AEW Continental Champion Jon Moxley & PAC w/Marina Shafir) vs. The Rascalz (Dezmond Xavier, Zachary Wentz & Myron Reed)

(Very effective trios match to get Ospreay over as a Death Rider adjacent and seemingly gaining PAC’s respect as a result. I’ve enjoyed this partnership between Ospreay & the crew, also the involvement briefly with Kenny Omega and look forward to seeing where it eventually goes, especially if/when Ospreay wins the World Title.)

Moxley & PAC attacked before the bell, but Ospreay didn’t join. Xavier & Ospreay started officially, with Ospreay absolutely flattening Xavier with a big-boot in mid-air off a leapfrog attempt. PAC was very reluctant to tag Ospreay initially, but did, as fast tags to Moxley & Wentz led to Wentz showing no fear throwing a series of chops before being mowed down with a running back elbow. Ospreay rolled through Pip, Pip, Cheerio, as he took a locomotion of corner strikes until Wentz & Reed took flight with double dives on Moxley & PAC. Ospreay was isolated, resulting in Moxley & PAC coaching him to get free, but Wentz hit a handspring pump knee, until Ospreay responded with a handspring double Pele to Wentz & Xavier. Ospreay hesitated before making the tag to PAC, who took Reed’s head off with a lariat, tilt-a-whirl back breaker to Xavier and overhead throw to Wentz. PAC hit a release German on Xavier right on his noggin and another to stack Reed on Wentz in the corner for two.

Moxley eagerly got back in, as he & PAC were joined by Ospreay for a merry go round of corner strikes until Moxley dropped Reed with a Cutter. Stereo double dives from Ospreay & PAC onto Wentz & Xavier, as Reed kicked out of a Moxley piledriver. Death Rider into a cradle by Reed, who kipped up into a Cutter of his own, but opted to pose briefly, giving Moxley a chance to hit another lariat. Double stomp to the arm off the top by Ospreay, who hit La Masitica, while Moxley & PAC trapped Xaxier & Reed with Rear Naked Choke/Brutalizer. Ospreay locked in Death Ground on Reed and got the submission, as PAC gave a head nod and fist bump to Ospreay post-match.

Match Result: Will Ospreay & Death Riders defeated The Rascalz when

-We go backstage to The Opps, where Samoa Joe admits it hasn’t been the best week for the organization, but doesn’t mean the mission changes. We stand in opposition of anyone in their way and brings up HOOK wrapping up filming his first movie, Shibata owns a hottest chain of Pachinko parlors and Bowens will get the opportunity he deserves. Hollywood calls, Joe says he’ll be stepping away for a few months and expects them all to hold it down. Joe hugs all of them before giving a nod to HOOK, who took over standing in the middle, Bowens almost looked like he was going to, but held back. I’m going to assume Joe is leaving to film Twisted Metal season 3.

-Video package for Kris Statlander vs. Hikaru Shida is shown

**********

-Lexy Nair is backstage and wants a word with TayJay, but run into Divine Dominion, as Lena Kross said that only lasted 30 seconds. Nair takes literally 2 steps and sees TayJay laid out, asking if they’re alright and tells the camera they’ll need a minute, instead of, you know, calling for help from anyone, which I thought was hilarious.

Andrade El Idolo vs. Ace Austin

Incredibly quick pace to start, with Austin nearly getting his squatting DVD, but Andrade escaped as they trade a series of standing switches before Andrade flies into the ropes and does his pose. Austin tried to use his speed to catch Andrade in the corner, but Andrade put on the brakes and sent Austin crashing outside where he followed with his Tornillo out the corner. Andrade did his weekly selfie with a female fan, who literally piggy backed Andrade over the barricade, so he picked he took the pic and placed her back in the front row. Austin was still down throughout this, until he fought back inside with a pump knee and sit-out suplex. Squatting DVD missed again, as Andrade got a boot up, but ate a corner enzugiri. Austin went to the apron and hit a twisting head scissors from the outside in and finally hit the squatting DVD for two.

In another fireman’s carry, Austin carried Andrade up the ropes, but Andrade countered into a powerbomb for a rough landing. Andrade wanted the corner double knees, no one was home, as Austin flew in with his springboard twisting kick. Austin called for The Fold, but Andrade popped him with his spinning back elbow and The DM for the win. Excalibur put over that win or lose, Austin again matches up well with high caliber talent.

Match Result: Andrade El Idolo defeated Ace Austin

**********

Prior to the main event, Excalibur talked about these Lights Out matches happening when competitors have so much animosity against one another there’s no other option, which I think is interesting, considering these two just had their falling out on Sunday.

Hikaru Shida vs. Kris Statlander in Lights Out Philadelphia Street Fight

(Action/Plunder packed main event with weapons aplenty and a pretty definitive winner, with Statlander standing tall. I assume this feud continues or maybe it doesn’t? I was terrified that we’d get an insanely unnecessary Harley Cameron heel turn to end this match, but she showed up and just cheered Statlander on for the finish. Don’t get me wrong, Cameron is great, but I think the whole crowd was caught off guard on why she was there and didn’t know how to react initially, either. I’m not sure where Statlander goes after this win, as maybe she’ll bet the Wild Card next week to face Alex Windsor? Or then again, maybe not.)

Bell sounds and both ladies trade punches in bunches until a thrust kick from Statlander took Shida outside to regroup. Jumping knee off the apron from Statlander, who grabbed a chair under the ring, but literally slid it right to Shida, who popped Statlander in the ribs. Shida wedged the chair in the corner, but took too long and Statlander slingshot her into it. Shida responded with kendo stick shots, before going outside, where apparently a fan threw her an apple (is Carlito here or something?) that she punched Statlander with 10 times. Shida drove the apple into Statlander’s mouth and hit a Buzzsaw Kick. Taking too long on the apron, Statlander powerbombed Shida off to the floor. Both ladies brawl backstage (which garnered boos from the crowd), as Shida suplexed Statlander on a guard rail before they spilled back down the aisle.

Shida went backstage and rode out on a bicycle, running over Statlander’s hand before clocking her with the bike. Thankfully Excalibur delivered the Dusty Rhodes gem “He Got a Bicycle!” line during commercial to make us WCW fans happy. Shida suplexed Statlander into the corner where the chair was set-up before applying a crossface with the kendo stick. Sandman-esque White Russian Leg Sweep using the kendo stick before she placed a chair under Statlander’s face on the apron and hit a running knee lift. More chairs tossed into the ring by Shida, who took too long going up top, as Statlander met her with a superplex onto the chairs. Spinning sit-out fisherman’s suplex got Statlander a near fall, as she dragged Shida onto the chairs, but missed a top rope Moonsault. Meteora onto the chairs from Shida connected for two of her own.

Both ladies slug it out in the middle of the ring, as Shida did the deal with a Falcon Arrow, but Statlander kipped up, shocking Shida. Chucking a fastball chair shot right to the face of Shida, as Statlander went outside to set a table to really pop the crowd, as on the opposite side, Shida was stacking up chairs, as she caught a charging Statlander with a drop toe hold onto them. Statlander battled back with a DVD onto the seated chairs before going back under the ring for fluorescent light tubes. Shida pleaded that they were friends, as Statlander foolishly just put them down and had her eyes raked in the process, allowing Shida to hit a running knee. Back inside, Kitana decked Statlander before she smashed the light tubes over Statlander’s back and hit another Falcon Arrow, but Statlander kicked out.

Shida lit up the bloodied back of Statlander with kendo stick shots, awkwardly placing a chair against Statlander’s head in the ropes, which Statlander easily got out of, smashing it into Shida’s face. Both ladies fought to the apron, where Shida tried one last kendo stick shot, but Statlander blocked, smashed the kendo stick in half, stabbing Shida into the head with it before delivering Wednesday Night Fever off the apron through the table. Back inside, Statlander was going to finish it off, when Harley Cameron ran out, handed Statlander another kendo stick, as she got in one last shot before another Wednesday Night Fever got the win. Cameron & Statlander hugged and headed up the aisle as Shida looked furious in the ring to end the show.

Match Result: Kris Statlander defeated Hikaru Shida

AEW Collision 5/30/26

  • The Conglomeration (Orange Cassidy, Roderick Strong & Kyle O’Reilly) defend the AEW Trios Titles against Lance Archer, Rocky Romero & Trent Beretta
  • Status of the Vacant TBS Title Addressed
  • Divine Dominion vs. TayJay in a 5-Minute Tag Team Title Eliminator Match

AEW Dynamite 6/3/26

  • MJF defends the AEW World Title against Rush
  • Kevin Knight vs. Speedball Mike Bailey for the TNT Title
  • Will Ospreay vs. Mark Davis in a Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Semifinal
  • Alex Windsor vs. the Wild Card in a Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Quarterfinal

Jacy Jayne reflects on anniversary of NXT Women’s title win: ‘I love wrestling’

Posted on by Ian Carey

Jacy Jayne has commented on the anniversary of her first NXT Women’s Championship victory.

Jayne defeated Stephanie Vaquer for the title on the May 27, 2025 edition of NXT in a match that went 13 minutes and 12 seconds. It was the 23rd title change in the belt’s lineage.

On Wednesday, Jayne posted to social media:

“Happy 1 year to the day that changed it all for me.. Forever grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given, and the journey I’ve been on. Exactly 1 year later and I’m headed on my first European tour. This life is crazy & I wouldn’t change it for the world. I love wrestling”

Jayne held the title for a total of 151 days with four successful title defenses on WWE programming before dropping the belt to Tatum Paxley at Halloween Havoc last year.

Jayne then regained the belt at NXT Gold Rush on November 18, 2025, and held it for another 137 days with four successful title defenses on WWE programming before dropping it to Lola Vice in a triple threat match at NXT Stand & Deliver on April 4, 2026, in a match that also involved Kendal Grey.

Will Ospreay says BOSJ match vs. Ricochet ‘changed everything’

Posted on by Ian Carey

New Japan Pro Wrestling, Will Ospreay and others are reflecting on one of the greatest matches in Best of the Super Juniors history.

On May 27, 2016, Ospreay defeated Ricochet in a match that went 16 minutes and 47 seconds and headlined a show at Korakuen Hall.

There were those who were negative on the bout, most notably former IWGP Heavyweight Champion Big Van Vader, who criticized it for not telling a story and instead focusing on acrobatics.

Ospreay reflected on the match in a social media post on Wednesday, saying that he’s grateful to have been part of the “flippy s–t generation.’”

Ospreay wrote:

“10 years ago today was the match that changed everything. It’s crazy how quick time has flown by. Seeing where me and ricochet are now in our careers makes me smile. Grateful to have been part of the ‘flippy s–t’ generation.”

NJPW wrote:

“#onthisday in 2016, one of the most talked about matches in Best of the Super Jr. history had Will Ospreay facing Ricochet!”

Dave Meltzer wrote:

“This was the match that made my son a fan of pro wrestling. He never watched it, met Ricochet that year and saw how people reacted to him and wanted to see one of his matches. That’s the match I chose.”

Meltzer also wrote of the match in the June 6, 2016 edition of The Wrestling Observer Newsletter:

“New Japan’s Best of the Super Juniors tournament got a major viral reaction when a GIF of the 5/27 Ricochet vs. Will Ospreay match spread across social media.

The match was a state-of-the-art match for its time. It can be compared, like the recent Dragon Lee vs. Kamaitachi matches in Mexico, to a modern version of the Tiger Mask vs. Dynamite Kid matches in the early ’80s that put junior heavyweight wrestling on the map. The match contained moves, spots and acrobatics, along with hard hitting strikes and innovative wrestling moves.”

Meltzer rated it four and three-quarter stars.

WWE Clash in Italy, AAA Noche de los Grandes betting odds released

Posted on by Ian Carey

Betting odds for WWE Clash in Italy and AAA Noche de los Grandes are now available for Saturday’s shows.

WWE Clash in Italy takes place Saturday from Turin, Italy. The WWE Championship match between Cody Rhodes and Gunther is currently listed as a pick’em, with both wrestlers at -120 odds. Roman Reigns is a -500 favorite in the Tribal Combat match against Jacob Fatu at +300. Brock Lesnar is a -300 favorite over Oba Femi at +200 in their WrestleMania rematch. Sol Ruca is a -350 favorite against Becky Lynch at +225 in the Women’s Intercontinental title match. Rhea Ripley is a -900 favorite against Jade Cargill at +500 in the WWE Women’s title match.

AAA Noche de los Grandes takes place Saturday evening from Arena Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico. El Grande Americano is a -500 favorite against The Original El Grande Americano at +300 in their Lucha de Apuestas mask vs. mask match. The War Raiders are -155 favorites against Pagano and Psycho Clown at +115 in the AAA Tag Team title match. El Hijo del Vikingo is a -200 favorite against El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. at +150 in the AAA Latin American title match. La Catalina, Lola Vice & Bayley are -700 favorites against Las Toxicas at +400.

WWE Clash in Italy betting odds:

  • Cody Rhodes -120 vs. Gunther -120
  • Roman Reigns -500 vs. Jacob Fatu +300
  • Brock Lesnar -300 vs. Oba Femi +200
  • Sol Ruca -350 vs. Becky Lynch +225
  • Rhea Ripley -900 vs. Jade Cargill +500

AAA Noche de los Grandes betting odds:

  • El Grande Americano -500 vs. Original El Grande Americano +300
  • The War Raiders -155 vs. Pagano & Psycho Clown +115
  • El Hijo del Vikingo -200 vs. El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. +150
  • La Catalina, Lola Vice & Bayley -700 vs. Las Toxicas +400

AEW ticket distribution update for tonight’s Dynamite & Collision in Philadelphia

Posted on by Ian Carey

An update is available regarding how many tickets have been distributed to tonight’s episode of AEW Dynamite.

The show, which will be a three-hour block of programming with a two-hour Dynamite followed immediately by a one-hour Collision, is set for the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

According to WrestleTix, 3,535 tickets had been distributed to the show as of Wednesday morning. The cheapest standard admission ticket, or “get in price” is listed at $40.30.

This is the first time AEW has been in the venue since the AEW Dynasty 2025 pay-per-view on April 6, 2025, which drew 7,921 fans.

AEW also ran an episode of Collision from the venue on November 2, 2024, that drew 2,842 fans. The October 25, 2023 Dynamite in the building drew 5,673 fans, while the September 28, 2022 Dynamite drew 5,124.

The first time AEW ran the venue was the third-ever episode of AEW Dynamite on October 16, 2019. We do not have a ticket distribution number for that event.

The updated lineup for tonight’s AEW Dynamite and Collision is below.

AEW Dynamite/Collision (Wednesday, May 27) —

  • MJF celebrates his AEW World Championship win
  • Lights Out Philly Street Fight: Kris Statlander vs. Hikaru Shida
  • Men’s Owen Hart Foundation tournament quarterfinal: Mark Davis vs. Jack Perry
  • Everyone banned from ringside: Chris Jericho vs. Ricochet
  • Adam Copeland & Christian Cage five-second pose
  • We’ll hear from Kevin Knight
  • The fallout from Double or Nothing

NJPW Best of the Super Juniors night eight results, updated standings

Posted on by Ian Carey

NJPW’s Best of the Super Juniors 33 continued with a show in Numazu, Shizuoka, on Wednesday.

The first tournament match of the night saw Yoshinobu Kanemaru defeat Daisuke Sasaki via tapout to a figure four leg lock. The finish of the match saw several whiskey sprays and interference attempts before Kanemaru ultimately picked up the victory.

The second tournament match of the show featured HYO and SHO. The story of the match was that SHO had HYO’s plush leopard doll named Myon Myon held captive in a cage at ringside. HYO made an attempt to retrieve his friend, but SHO was ultimately able to trap his arm in the cage.

The finish saw several referee bumps and SHO use a wrench to soften up HYO’s arm, then get the tapout to an armbar once the referee was back in position. SHO becomes the first wrestler in B Block to reach eight points.

El Desperado picked up a victory over Jakob Austin Young in the third tournament match to improve his record to 4-2 with eight points. Jakob Austin Young drops to 2-4 in the tournament.

KUSHIDA came into this match needing a win to keep his chances of advancing to the knockout stage alive. In a match that involved him and YOH trying to put KUSHIDA’s socks in each other’s mouths, KUSHIDA picked up the win with Back to the Future. He improves to 2-4 with four points. YOH drops to 3-3 with six points.

Robbie Eagles defeated Taiji Ishimori in the final B Block match of the night to improve to 3-3 with six points. Eagles countered Ishimori’s Bloody Cross attempt by dropping a knee right on Ishimori’s leg and moments later got the tap out with the Ron Miller Special. Ishimori drops to 3-3 with six points.

The main event saw the lone A Block match with Jun Kasai up against Francesco Akira. The two fought over skewers, and Kasai fought off interference attempts by Zane Jay, but Akira ultimately stuck a fork in Kasai’s forehead and later picked up the win with Crown Fall. Akira improves to 4-3 with eight points, while Jun Kasai is also now 4-3 with eight points.

NJPW Best of the Super Juniors 33 Night Eight Results –

  • A Block: Francesco Akira defeated Jun Kasai
  • B Block: Robbie Eagles defeated Taiji Ishimori
  • B Block: KUSHIDA defeated YOH
  • B Block: El Desperado defeated Jakob Austin Young
  • B Block: SHO defeated HYO
  • B Block: Yoshinobu Kanemaru defeated Daisuke Sasaki
  • Tiger Mask, Master Wato, Ryusuke Taguchi & Nick Wayne defeated Gedo, Daiki Nagai, Robbie X & Titán
  • Hartley Jackson, Ryohei Oiwa & Kosei Fujita defeated Masatora Yasuda, Toru Yano & Valiente Jr.
  • Tatsuya Matsumoto defeated Taisei Nakahara

NJPW Best of the Super Juniors 33 standings —

A Block:

  • Titan (5-1): 10 points
  • Master Wato (4-2): 8 points
  • Francesco Akira (4-3): 8 points
  • Jun Kasai (4-3): 8 points
  • Nick Wayne (3-3): 6 points
  • Ryusuke Taguchi (3-3): 6 points
  • Robbie X (3-3): 6 points
  • Kosei Fujita (3-3): 6 points
  • Valiente Jr. (2-4): 4 points
  • Daiki Nagai (0-6): 0 points

B Block:

  • El Desperado (4-2): 8 points
  • SHO (4-2): 8 points
  • Yoshinobu Kanemaru (3-2): 6 points
  • Daisuke Sasaki (3-3): 6 points
  • YOH (3-3): 6 points
  • Robbie Eagles (3-3): 6 points
  • Taiji Ishimori (3-3): 6 points
  • Hyo (2-3): 4 points
  • KUSHIDA (2-4): 4 points
  • Jakob Austin Young (2-4): 4 points

The tournament continues on Friday with a show from Korakuen Hall.

Vince McMahon, Triple H & other TKO executives to testify in WWE shareholder trial

Posted on by Josh Nason

With the WWE shareholder trial set to begin on June 8, the list of witnesses that will testify is a notable one.

First reported by Post Wrestling’s Brandon Thurston, Vince McMahon, Nick Khan, Paul Levesque, Ari Emanuel, Mark Shapiro and others will be testifying in the trial that begins next month in Delaware.

The lawsuit was filed by a group of WWE shareholders who feel the process to merge WWE with UFC to create TKO was a predetermined process designed by McMahon to keep himself in power. The shareholders feel that because of that, they didn’t get the full potential value of a WWE sale.

McMahon was in power until January 2024 when the Janel Grant lawsuit was filed, resulting in him resigning.

Other notable witnesses include former WWE executives and Board members George Barrios, Michelle Wilson and Frank Riddick, former WWE Board member Steve Koonin, banker Jeff Sine who advised WWE in making the deal, TKO CFO Andrew Schleimer and TKO chief strategy officer Mark Zhu.

Some witnesses will appear live while others may appear via video or via pre-recorded deposition testimony like former WWE Board members, Stephanie McMahon, Jeffrey Speed and Steve Pamon.

Liberty Media CEO Marty Patterson is also on the witness list as the company was among those bidding for WWE.

It remains a possibility the lawsuit will be settled pre-trial or even after it starts.

MLW to hold quarterly PPVs as part of new partnership

Posted on by Josh Nason

MLW is getting into the pay-per-view business as part of a new partnership announced on Tuesday.

MLW is teaming with Live Nation owned-VEEPS, a ticketed livestream platform, on a deal that includes weekly access to MLW Fusion starting this Saturday for anyone to watch with VEEPS All Access members getting first looks and opportunities at merchandise, giveaways and special offers during those streams.

The partnership includes four quarterly live PPVs that will be available for All Access subscribers. There is also going to be archive content available for subscribers as well.

The launch date for the PPVs and which ones will be tabbed for VEEPS were not disclosed.

According to MLW’s website, Fusion will continue to be available on YouTube and beIN Sports every Saturday. It’s unclear if the PPVs will make their way to YouTube and if so, how soon after they air on VEEPS.

It’s VEEPS’ first-ever foray into pro wrestling but they have broadcast combat sports before with Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship and the hybrid fighting/heavy metal Blood4Blood events.

From the release:

“As part of the deal, VEEPS will launch exclusive limited-edition merchandise collections for MLW fans, drawing on the platform’s direct-to-fan commerce infrastructure that has powered some of the most successful fan-driven live event campaigns in music. VEEPS will also work with MLW to infuse music culture into future events, creating crossover moments connecting wrestling audiences with artists across metal, country, punk, hardcore, and alternative communities.”

WWE NXT live results: Lola Vice vs. Izzi Dame Women’s title match

Posted on by Chris Aiken

Reigning WWE NXT Women’s Champion Lola Vice will put her title on the line against Izzi Dame in the headliner of tonight’s NXT on The CW.

Dame earned the shot by way of a mixed tag team match that also featured Nikko Vance and Mr. Iguana. This will be Vice’s third televised title defense after winning the title in April.

In another women’s singles match, Speed Champion Wren Sinclair faces Kelani Jordan in a non-title match while Jaida Parker goes one-on-one with the debuting Layla Diggs.

The announced card is rounded out by The Culling’s Shawn Spears and Niko Vance vs. OTM’s Bronco Nima and Lucien Price.

Our live coverage begins at 8 pm Eastern.

****************

NXT is on the air in front of a live studio audience from a sound stage at the Performance Center in Orlando. Opening the show is a women’s match.

WWE Women’s Speed Champion Wren Sinclair (with Kendal Grey) vs. Kelani Jordan in a non-title match

—

Jordan blindsides Sinclair before the bell, but Sinclair counters her as the bell sounds to start the match. They grapple and exchange strikes in a scrappy fight.

Jordan takes a back drop on the floor just before the show goes into a commercial break. Jordan regains her momentum and targets a leg during the break. Back from the break, Jordan works the leg. That includes her doing a modified tarantula in the ropes.

Comeback by Sinclair as she fires up on Jordan. Sinclair is cut off, but Jordan misses her split moonsault. Moments later, Jordan applies a STF hold. As Sinclair reaches for the ropes, Jordan drags her to the middle of the mat. Jordan then applies a modified cloverleaf using her foot to bridge to apply pressure while bridging backwards. Sinclair taps out. Jordan submits the Speed champ, presumably setting up a title match. Jordan got over well with the finish.

Match result: Kelani Jordan defeated WWE Women’s Speed Champion Wren Sinclair via submission in a non-title match.

— Lizzy Rain chats with WWE Women’s North American Tatum Paxley in a goofy backstage skit where Shiloh Hill enters wanting them sign his petition. Tristan Angels interrupts to tease and taunt Hill before leaving. Rain then declares she is going “redhead hunting” in her search for Zaria. Hill offers to help Rain, and they leave together.

— Darkstate turning on Saquon Shugars and kicking him out of the group is the focus of a video package. That precedes a talking segment with the three members of Darkstate.

Out comes Darkstate for an in-ring promo. In the graphics during their ring entrance, the caricature of Shugars has an “X” over the graphic. Darksate is in the ring to explain themselves.

Osiris Griffin says Shugars was an odd-man out, as the other three are college athletes. Shugars is merely an indie wrestler. Dion Lennox says he never fit it. Cutler James claims Shugars took himself out of the faction.

They think Shugars was trying to be the leader, but he was the weak link. Lennox says Darkstate is going to back to what they do best. Too bad the booking killed that aspect of their gimmick, but whatever.

— Kali Armstrong and Lola Vice exchange words in a skit from the trainer’s room, where Vice and Kendal Grey are checking on Wren Sinclair.

Sean Legacy vs. Dorian Van Dux in a quarterfinal match in a Speed tournament

—

Time limit draw as they go broadway after a Spanish Fly off the top rope. Van Dux looked like a monster at times, and he heaved Legacy hard into the ring post at one point. Legacy came back to set up the Spanish Fly in the closing moments, but to no avail. They shake hands after the match in a show of good sportsmanship. The draw eliminates both from the tournament, so the other quarterfinal match set for later tonight is now the final.

Match result: Sean Legacy and Dorian Van Dux wrestled to a three-minute time limit draw.

— Nattie Neidhart offers encouragement to Layla Diggs, and Nattie says she will be in Diggs’ corner tonight.

Jaida Parker vs. Layla Diggs (with Nattie Neidhart)

—

Diggs fought valiantly, but she ultimately drops the fall to Parker. Setting up the finish, Diggs goes for a moonsault press. No water in the pool, and Diggs takes a Hipnotic from Parker. For the finish, Parker executes a Deja Vu and pins Diggs.

Match result: Jaida Parker defeated Layla Diggs via pinfall.

— NWA Champion Tony D’Angelo is headed to the ring for a monologue, but before a video packing hyping the champ.

Challengers confront the champ

Tony D’Angelo talks about the new talent debuting on NXT, and they are coming for his title. D’Angelo mentions that next week he defends the NXT title against challenger Kam Hendrix. D’Aneglo then shifts his comments to Naraku. Tony D calls him out.

Out comes Naraku to confront D’Angelo. The champ knows Naraku speaks in riddles, but D’Angelo says he is more straightforward. D’Anfelo wants Naraku to simply ask for a title match. Naraku says he is here to keep Tony safe and protect the title. Naraku insists he and D’Angelo are destined for war over the title.

Kam Hendrix interrupts them to cut a promo on D’Angelo in which Hendrix proclaims he will win the NXT title next week. Meanwhile, Naraku sits there like a bump on a log. However, Naraku will soon step in to protect the champ.

Hendrix and D’Angelo cut promos on each other. Hendrix goes to sucker punch D’Angelo, but Naraky blocks it before peppering Hendrix and tossing him over the top rope. Naraku then turns and bows to D’Angelo before leaving the ring.

— Tavion Heights is backstage aplogizing to NXT North American Champion Myles Borne when both are jumped by Darkstate. The heel faction lays out Heigths and Borne, which would seem to set up a tag team match.

Nathan Frazier (with Axiom) vs. Romeo Moreno (with Noam Dar) in the Speed tournament final

—

Originally a quarterfinal match, this bout becomes the tournament final because of a time limit draw in a previous match earlier tonight. In this bout, they tease another time limit draw as Moreno scores a pinfall with a small package in the closing seconds. Good match throughout, and they shake hands in a show of sportsmanship after the match. For the finish, Frazier leaps on the top rope to cut off Moreno and execute a superplex. Frazier rolls through and goes for another suplex, but Moreno counters with the small package for the win.

Moreno won in an upset, and he earned a Speed title match against champion Lexis King. He and Birthright watched the match from a perch overlooking the ring.

Match result: Romeo Moreno defeated Nathan Frazier via pinfall in a Speed tournament final.

— NXT General Manager Robert Stone is talking with Mason Rook in a backstage skit. Naraku interjects to warn Rook about interfering in the upcoming NXT title match.

— OTM are making their entrance for a match when they are jumped by Shawn Spear swinging a metal folding chair. Spears hits OTM with the chairs several times before referees pour out to stop the attack. Niko Vance comes out to get Spears, and Vance is clearly upset that Spears jumped OTM.

— Kali Armstrong is interviewed to kill time when she is met by Thea Hail.

— Shiloh Hill asks Zaria to sign his petition, and she scoffs at him. Suddenly, Lizzy Rain jumps Zaria. Referees and Robert Stone run in to separate them.

Charlie Dempsey (with Birthright) vs. Shiloh Hill

—

Hill is continuing his latest gimmick, which reminds me of wacky Bugsy McGraw. Hill and Dempsey were given plenty of time in this match, as they wrestle through a commercial break. Finish came out of nowhere when Hill counters a front facelock with a Northern lights suplex. Hill does a bridge and scores a three count on Hill.

Match result: Shiloh Hill defeated Charlie Dempsey.

— In a post-match angle, Tristan Angels comes out to inform Hill they are entered into a Mr. NXT pageant in two weeks. This plays on Hill and his petition to become Mr. NXT. Hill intends to embarrass Angles. Hill ends the segment with a wild cackle that was odd.

— Izzi Dame berates Shawn Spears over The Culling booking a tag match the same night as her title challenge. Vance insists they will take care of the issue.

NXT Women’s Champion Lola Vice vs. Izzi Dame in a title match

—

Dame gets in a lot of offense during the match, as she takes the fight to Vice. She becomes upset just before a commercial break when OTM runs down to brawl with The Culling at ringside. The two teams brawl their way to the back.

They trade near falls after the show returns from the commercial break. They also have a ref bump. Double down in the ring as the ref is also down and out. Vice and Dame rise to their feet and exchange strikes. Vice with a near fall, but no ref to count. The ref finally crawls over, but Dame kicks out. Dame tosses the tile belt to Vice, and Dame does a Van Daminator of sorts by hitting a the title belt with a big boot that drops Vice. Ref crawls over again for another close two count.

Dame goes to lift Vice, only get caught in a guillotine choke. Dame flails around. Inside cradle for two. Separation just before Dame walks into a spinning back fist from Vice. The champ falls on top of the challenger to pin her.

Match result: NXT Women’s Champion Lola Vice defeated Izzi Dame via pinfall to retain her title.

— The show ends with Darkstate leaving the building and boasting about being back. They vow to finish their job next week and then go on to win all of the titles. Eavesdropping and lurking over them is Saquon Shugars, as he stands perched over Darkstate.