Tag: the acclaimed

Daily Update: Becky Lynch, Laredo Kid, The Acclaimed

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

*Coverage of the Tokyo Dome show

*How did the show accomplish what should have been its key goals

*Thoughts on Aaron Wolf

*Business notes on the show

*Yota Tsuji and the title name change

*The end of the Bullet Club

*Shinsuke Nakamura and his thoughts

*Angle with Will Ospreay

*Records that Tanahashi set during his career

*Tanahashi’s background

*Notes on his last IWGP title win that wasn’t supposed to happen

*The unique way he became a mainstream figure in a news story

*How his career exploded from there

*How Tanahashi differed from prior IWGP champions and how that changed who could hold that title

*The Tanahashi era that turned around New Japan

*A look at his record setting 13 Tokyo Dome career main events

*Various title wins and career awards

*2025 Business Year in Review

*A look at all the shows that drew 15,000 fans

*Biggest individual draws of the year

*Crowds of 15,000 or more by promotion  and how the main companies did

*How UFC PPV gates wer

*The biggest pro wrestling drawing card every year from 1916 to 2025

*What wrestlers were No. 1 for the year the most years in their career

*The 50 biggest arena draws  in pro wrestling history based on the standards of their era

*New Year Dash coverage

*The year in matches, who had the most great matches in 2025, most over the course of a career, top ten arenas of all-time and new records set in 2025 by a promotion for a year as well as for a city

*A look at the life of Johnny Legend, a cult celebrity wrestling fan, his work with Freddie Blassie and Andy Kaufman, and his promotion, Incredibly Strange Wrestling.

*The most detailed look at the ratings of the pro wrestling TV shows and details regarding who watches

*Advanced ticket sales for WWE, AEW and TNA events

*AEW stars headed to CMLL next week

*Another Arena Mexico sellout

*Legendary pro wrestling promoter turns 101

*Old living wrestling personalities

*Ted DiBiase files lawsuit

*The Ted DiBiase Jr. case

*A look at the career of Bob Boyer/Bobby Bold Eagle, who wrestled from 1955 to 1987

*Documentary planned on 80s tag team

*Notes on WrestleMania week shows

*Update on the WBD sale

*Former UFC champion goes for boxing world title

*Update on the home for WWE’s library

*Plans for TV shows this month

*How much Dwayne Johnson has made from the WWE contract he signed two years ago

*Those added to WWE, those leaving, those injured and those they are interested in

*How the Holiday week house shows did

*Why WWE’s weekly  audience on Netflix should go up close to 12 percent over the next three months.

This Week’s Back Issue

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Tuesday Update

Image Copyright: AEW

WWE

  • WWE has more footage of Drew McIntyre celebrating his title win in Glasgow over the weekend.
  • New Sol Ruca merchandise is out.
  • Becky Lynch on social media: “One year ago, the women’s Intercontinental championship was won by LOSER LYRA! Big whoop!! Now, because I’M holding the gold, people say this title means more than ANY OTHER CHAMPIONSHIP in the world of pro wrestling! Instead of THANKING ME, the media continues to spread LIES! Instead of PRAISING me, PETTY Pearce tries to stack the deck against me! However, when you’re THE MAN like me, you take on all challenges and prove to these SCUMBAG haters that you’re the best for a reason! As my gift to you, ENJOY this picture of me in my garden that I PLANTED MYSELF – BTB THE GREATEST INTERCONTINENTAL (Intergalactic) CHAMPION EVER!”
  • Laredo Kid shared his feelings on the second AAA La Parka, who passed away six years ago on January 11: “Today marks 6 years since you left us, my mentor. Thank you for opening your home to me, for believing in me when I was just starting, and for supporting me without expecting anything in return. You were a mentor, a true friend, and family. La Parka, you will never be forgotten.”
  • Recent WWE Vault additions include R-Truth confronting Brock Lesnar from the January 13, 2020 edition of Raw, a WWC match between Luna Vachon and Madusa from 1993, a compilation of wrestlers doing bench presses, and Asuka & Charlotte Flair vs. Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler from the Royal Rumble 2021 kickoff.

AEW & Other Wrestling

  • The latest “team building exercise” between Anthony Bowens and Max Caster.
  • HBO Max is now available in Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Israel, and Greece. The UK and Ireland will get the service at the end of March.
  • The lineup for next Monday’s CMLL show in Arena Puebla, which will see Bandido taking on Angel de Oro and GOA vs. Volador Jr. & Hechicero.
  • Okumura has been added to the MLW Battle Riot.
  • Fred Rosser reflected on his own tryout in wake of WWE holding tryouts this week in Orlando: “I hate to sound like an old timer, but I can’t stress enough how fortunate today’s men and women are to have opportunities with @WWE. Back in my day, I paid $1,000 for a four-day tryout, beat out 75 men and women from all over the world, and earned my WWE contract May 4th 2009. Make the most of it, and good luck to you all  @WWEID @WWERecruit #blockthehate”
  • Jetspeed vs. Janelasus (Joey Janela & Megan Bayne) has been announced for Superpower Slam on February 1.
  • Gangrel vs. Matt Tremont has been signed for Hybrid Wrestling on April 16.

AEW Collision live results: Kyle Fletcher vs. Komander TNT title match

Posted on by Josiah MacDonald

The TNT title will be on the line as part of tonight’s live AEW Collision from Huntington, West Virginia.

Coming off a failed challenge of AEW World Champion Hangman Page at last Saturday’s All Out, Kyle Fletcher defends against Komander, making his return after a lengthy injury absence. The winner will defend against the undefeated Hologram on Wednesday’s Dynamite.

In a trios match, the Death Riders (Jon Moxley, Daniel Garcia & Claudio Castagnoli) take on Paragon (Kyle O’Reilly & Roderick Strong) and Matt Menard.

Eddie Kingston returns to AEW TV as an in-ring competitor for the first time since April 2024, teaming with Hook against Big Bill & Bryan Keith in a match coming out of last Saturday.

The former Acclaimed — Max Caster & Anthony Bowens — will reluctantly reunite to take on Swirl (Lee Johnson & Blake Christian).

Former AEW Women’s World Champion Jamie Hayter battles Julia Hart in the final match of their trilogy.

Our live coverage kicks off at 8 PM Eastern.

**********

The Death Riders and the Paragon, with Daddy Magic, cut promos on each other for their six-man tag. Julia Hart and Jamie Hayter talked about their third match, while Komander talked about his match with Kyle Fletcher and hoping to win the TNT title so he could face his best friend, Hologram. The screen behind them glitched, and El Clon’s video aired and Hologram appeared to have a headache, and as it aired, Kyle Fletcher attacked Hologram, laying him out, delivering a second headache, I assume.

The Death Riders (Jon Moxley, Daniel Garcia, & Claudio Castagnoli) (w/ Marina Shafir & Wheeler Yuta) vs. The Paragon (Kyle O’Reilly & Roderick Strong) & ‘Daddy Magic’ Matt Menard

Garcia and O’Reilly started the match, exchanging some fun mat wrestling, before O’Reilly tagged out to Menard. Menard demanded that Garcia face him, but Garcia tagged out to Castagnoli, who immediately hit a wheelbarrow suplex on Matt Menard. Moxley came in and hit a knee and then started chopping Menard. The Death Riders maintained control through the early portions of the match, beating on Menard and Kyle O’Reilly.

Moxley hit a half & half suplex and tagged out to Castagnoli. Garcia and O’Reilly exchanged gullitine choke attempts, and Garcia hit a twist and shout, but O’Reilly hung on and hit a brainbuster and tagged out to Roderick Strong, who ran wild, hitting a dropkick to Moxley on the floor, a back breaker across the guardrail on Castagnoli, a uranage into a backbreaker on Garcia, and an Olympic Slam on Moxley. Strong hit the Sick Kick on Moxley for a 2-count.

Garcia and Menard ended up in the ring together, and Menard hit a series of punches on Garcia but Garcia ran away and tagged out to Moxley. Moxley backed off from the firey Menard, but as Menard hit the ropes Garcia tripped him, and Moxley hit a curb stomp on Menard. Garcia tagged in, hit a Super Dragon style curb stomp for the pinfall finish.

Result: The Death Riders

–Brody King announced that he wanted revenge on the Don Callis Family and the Young Bucks for their assault on Kenny Omega, and he said that he had a plan – Josh Alexander and the Young Bucks vs. Kenny Omega & Brodido at Dynamite. That match is going to be so awesome.

The Death Riders (Wheeler Yuta & Marina Shafir) vs. Rosario Grillo & Rachel Ellering

This was a quick squash with Shafir choking Ellering out with an inverted rear naked choke, apparently called Mother’s Milk. There was a production error, as the announcers pitched to an interview before the match, but they came back to the ring and this squash instead.

Result: The Death Riders

–Wheeler Yuta grabbed a mic and said that Kris Statlander made the wrong decision on Wednesday, and next Wednesday, she would face Yuta & Marina Shafir, while Statlander would team with Darby Allin. He also threatened to murder Darby Allin and drop his body on Everest. That is not allowed, Yuta.

–Hangman Adam Page, Samoa Joe, and Powerhouse Hobbs were backstage, and Hangman said that despite how many times the Death Riders have been beat back, they do not learn, and that since Shibata is out for awhile, Hangman would step up to take his place. Joe claimed that school was in session, and his new equestrian coach, Hangman, will run them down, and the new PE teacher, Hobbs would teach them a lesson in pain. Samoa Joe remains one of the best promos in wrestling.

The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens & Max Caster) vs. The Swirl (Blake Christian & Lee Johnson)

The Acclaimed, especially Bowens, was completely unwilling to work with Caster. This match had very little heat as the very good Blake Christian and Lee Johnson played heels to the utterly unlikable babyfaces. I hope there is a resolution to this that is actually better than what we are seeing here. Christian and Johnson got the non-existent heat on Caster

Cater pulled Christian from the ring and sent him crashing into the guardrail, which actually got a good reaction, and the fans chanted for Max, as he is apparently the best wrestler alive. Christian hit a flying kick on Caster and then over the ropes into the ring on Bowens. Jonhson did a monkey flip on Christian, sending him into a lariat on Caster.

Bowens tagged in, but was reluctant to fight, and wanted to target Caster instead, which led to Christian and Johnson hitting a series of incredible double team moves on Caster and Bowens, including a handspring kick on Bowens into a brainbuster by Johnson for a pinfall that Caster broke up. Jerry Lynn came down to ringside at some point to try and encourage them to work together, but Caster blind tagged in and Bowens was sent from the ring. Bowens hit the Mollywhop on Johnson as he was near the ropes, and Max Caster rolled up Johnson for the win.

Result: The Acclaim

The fans chanted for the them to scissor, and Bowens refused, but Caster seemed to be warming up for it.

Talk about making Blake Christian and Lee Johnson look like geeks, losing to these guys who couldn’t get along. Not a fan of this.

–Mother Wayne, Kip Sabian, and Nick Wayne were backstage. Wayne said that after his injury, the average human wouldn’t be able to walk again, but he was not average, and he would be Christian Cage’s biggest nightmare, and was always one step ahead.

–Tony Schiavone did an old school NWA style promotion for the upcoming shows in Florida, including with the old 4:3 video, announcing the big matches in the 4 upcoming shows. This was awesome. I want to believe they bought an old camera to make it look that way, though I imagine it was just filters. I still want to believe it though.

–A hype video aired for the upcoming AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championship.

–TayJay were backstage with Lexy Nair, and Anna Jay and Tay Melo made it clear that they wanted those tag titles, and threw their hat in the ring to win those titles. Hopefully they actually announce the tournament soon, presuming there will be one. They promised to be the first women’s tag team champions.

The Outrunners (Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd) & Dalton Castle vs. Cowpoke Paul, Corey Sparks, & KM

The Outrunners sent Paul and Sparks to the floor, while Castle threw KM around the ring with east. Tony Schiavone claimed he wanted to call Nigel McGuinness a SOB, but he would let the Outrunners do it as they hit the SOB elbow. Dalton Castle hit the Bangarang for the win.

Result: The Outrunners & Dalton Castle

–Mark Briscoe claimed he was satisfied with finally beating MJF, and now he can get back to having fun with the Conglomeration, especially as Orange Cassidy came back, and that while they may be funny, they are not a joke, and they were coming for AEW gold. Great promo from Briscoe.

Komander (w/ Alex Abrahantes) vs. Kyle Fletcher for the TNT Championship

Fletcher shut down the quick offence of Komander with a bodyslam, which he needed, as Komander was relentless. Don Callis was noticeably absent, and Nigel McGuinness insisted he was busy recovering from the destruction of his painting at the hands of Orange Cassidy. Tony Schiavone claimed he was running in fear from the announcement that Kenny Omega was back next week. Komander hit a headscissors takedown on Fletcher, and a hard chop. Fletcher asked for more, so Komander hit a few chops, grabbed the arm, ran up the ropes, bounced around, and hit a hurricanrana.

Komander countered an attempt to lawn dart him into the guardrail with an armdrag, ran across the guardrail and went for a hurricanrana, but Fletcher caught him and powerbomed him on the apron twice as they went to the ad break. Fletcher beat on Komander around the ring so much that the fans started to cheer for Fletcher, and it seems like that match with Hangman Page might be turning him babyface slowly. This is not a bad thing.

The fans were wildly cheering for Fletcher as he chopped Komander and pointed at himself to cheers, and Komander to boos. As Komander ran across the top rope, flipped onto the other rope, and hit an armdrag, Tony Schiavone let us know that Hologram was injured by Kyle Fletcher and the match would not be happening next week on Dynamite. Fletcher hit a half & half suplex.

Fletcher went for a brainbuster to the floor or on the apron, but Komander hit a kick. Komander went for a headscissors to the floor, but Fletcher countered into a tombstone position, which caused some fans to scream in horror, which was great. Komander flipped out of the tombstone and hit a headscissors takedown onto the floor. When they came back into the ring, Fletcher managed to hit a Michinoku driver for a near fall. This match is fantastic.

Fletcher was sent to the floor, and Komander ran and hit a springboard moonsault to the floor on Fletcher. Komander then hit a springboard into a Canadian Destroyer in the ring, and a 450 splash for a 2-count. Komander ran across the ropes into a shooting star press, but Fletcher got the feet up, hit a lawn dart into the middle turnbuckle, finally hitting the move, and then a helluva kick in the corner before hitting a brainbuster for the win.

Result: Kyle Fletcher

This match was incredible. Kyle Fletcher having this kind of match shortly after his war at AEW All Out is astonishing. The level of work in this match was great, with Fletcher teasing and hinting at that lawn dart throughout the match, and finally hitting it before the finish, and Komander looked like an absolute star by the end, despite losing. Komander was booed for a short time, but by the end, this match was so awesome he won the crowd over and Fletcher was back to being the heel. Excellent match. Go out of your way to watch this.

–A recap of Fletcher injuring Hologram and defeating Komander aired, and transitioned to Fletcher cutting a promo, saying he was reestablishing dominance. Fletcher said that Hologram was scared of him, and he was going to be TNT Champion for a long time. Fletcher said that he wanted to put his title on the line, and wanted someone to step up to him, so he was offering an open challenge. Excellent promo. It was announced that Orange Cassidy stepped up, and would be facing Fletcher on Dynamite.

–Eddie Kingston and Hook came out and announced that the tag match between them and Big Bill & Bryan Keith was now a tornado tag.

Eddie Kingston & Hook vs. Big Bill & Bryan Keith

Bill sent Kingston crashing hard into the ring steps, while Keith hit a cannonball off the apron. Keith beat on Hook around ringside. When they came back from break, Keith hit a suplex on Hook, and they sent Kingston from the apron to the floor. As it was a tornado tag, they continually kept Kingston from the ring while attacking Hook. As they were beating on Hook, Schiavone announced that the 6th anniversary of Dynamite would be a 2.5 hour special episode.

Hook hit a suplex on Keith, and Kingston finally made it into the ring, chopping the heck out of Keith. Big Bill tried to chokeslam both men, but Hook and Kingston hit a double team back body drop on Bill, sending him crashing to the mat. They both covered Bill, and Bill shoved them off. Keith hit a suplex on Hook, but ate a lariat from Kingston. Bill hit a big boot and lariat on Kingston for a 2-count.

Bill went for a chokeslam on Kingston, but Kingstonh hit a dragon screw on Bill. Hook hit a suplex on Keith and hit the ropes, but Bill tripped Hook, allowing Keith to roll Hook up with the tights hooked for a 2-count. Kingston hit a Backfist to the Future on Keith, and Keith fell into Red Rum from Hook for the submission win.

Result: Eddie Kingston & Hook

–Austin Gunn & Juice Robinson talked about how they took The Young Bucks to the limit last week, despite losing. However, Jay White called them, and told them they needed some backup, and Ace Austin walked up, rejoining his Bullet Club brethren. This was the right call, I think. Both Austin Gunn and Ace Austin shook hands, said “Hi, I’m Austin,” at the same time, which was amusing.

Jamie Hayter vs. Julia Hart (w/ Skye Blue)

Hayter immediately started attacking fiercely, stomping Hart in the corner, and hitting forearms before throwing Hart across the ring. Hayter missed a running elbow in the corner, and Hart rolled to the floor. As the referee was distracted by Hart, Skye Blue hit a superkick on Hayter, allowing Hart to hit a DDT back in the ring for a 2-count.

When they came back from the break, Hart was distracted the referee again, but Hayter saw Blue coming this time and hit a snap suplex on the floor. Hayter than hit a Saito suplex on on Hart for a 2-count. Hayter picked up Hart in a fireman’s carry into a Samoan Drop, but Hart countered into a crucifix pinfall attempt. Hart locked on an the Tarantula, and floated into the ring through the middle ropes, but Hayer caught her in fireman’s carry and hit an Ushigoroshi. Hayter missed a lariat, and Hart leveled Hayter and hit a moonsault for a 2-count, but Hayter got her foot on the ropes.

As Hayter stood up, Hart locked on an octopus stretch. Hayter countered and powered Hart up into a tombstone piledriver for a 2-count. Hayter picked her up and hit the Hayterade lariat for the pinfall.

Result: Jamie Hayter

Solid main event match with Hart and Hayter here.

–Skye Blue and Julia Hart attacked Hayter after the match, but Queen Aminata ran down to the make the save. Hayter grabbed a mic and said that she was sick of them using their numbers to attack. Hayter said that the only way to solve this issue with the Triangle of Madness was three words: Blood & Guts. It looks like we’ll be having the first ever women’s Blood & Guts match in the near future.

Final Thoughts

There were a lot of squash matches on this episode of Collision, but the Fletcher/Komander match, and the main event more than made up for it. I give this show a thumbs up. Go out of your way to see Fletcher vs. Komander.

AEW Dynamite – October 1, 2025

  • Hangman Page, Samoa Joe, and Powerhouse Hobbs vs. The Death Riders
  • Kenny Omega & Brodido vs. Josh Alexander & The Young Bucks
  • Kyle Fletcher vs. Orange Cassidy
  • Jurassic Express Returns
  • Timless Toni Storm Returns
  • Darby Allin & Kris Statlander vs. Wheeler Yuta & Marina Shafir

AEW WrestleDream – October 18, 2025

  • I Quit Match: Jon Moxley vs. Darby Allin

Former AEW Tag Team Champions to reunite next week

Posted on by Josh Nason

Former AEW Tag Team and Trios Champions The Acclaimed will reluctantly reunite next week on either AEW Dynamite or Collision.

The news was revealed during Saturday’s All Out with footage shown from after this past Wednesday’s September to Remember. Max Caster and Anthony Bowens were shown arguing with each other with recent peacemaker Jerry Lynn telling them he pulled some strings to get them a match against Swirl (Blake Christian and Lee Johnson) next week.

Caster and Bowens didn’t like the idea and continued to bicker with Caster eventually disappearing after Bowens briefly turned around.

That follows developments from last Saturday’s Collision where Bowens reluctantly helped Caster fend off Christian and Johnson after they attacked Lynn and Caster.

The two have been split up since January 2025 after a breakup was teased for several months. Both men had less than successful singles runs as pointed out by Lynn recently. Caster hasn’t won a singles or tag match since November 2024 while Bowens has had mixed results since returning from a three-month absence in April.

Notably absent in this angle is Billy Gunn whom the two held the aforementioned Trios title with. Previously aligned with Bowens, it’s unclear why he hasn’t been involved.

WOL: Worlds Collide, Smackdown, Acclaimed, news!

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Filthy Tom Lawlor is back with tons to talk about including all of the news on Jerry Lawlor and Maria Kanellis and TKO stock buybacks, then reviews of Worlds Collide, Smackdown, and some notes on the Acclaimed getting back together. A fun show as always so check it out~!

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The Acclaimed break up on AEW Collision Maximum Carnage

Posted on by Bryan Rose

The Acclaimed are no more.

After Max Caster told Anthony Bowens to choose between himself and Billy Gunn, Bowens signaled he wanted to scissor with Caster. However, Bowens ended up flipping him off, aligning himself with Billy Gunn and choosing to end his association with Caster. Angered, Caster said he was going to walk out on them, saying The Acclaimed was no more.

During his promo on Collision, Caster said he wanted to clear the air with Bowens, who joined him in the ring. Caster told Bowens that he was upset that he didn’t recognize him as the Best Wrestler Alive. Bowens became frustrated and told Caster that he had protected him for five years because he was his partner, but Caster made him turn into a liar, calling Caster a “arrogant edgelord piece of s***”.

Billy Gunn then came out to try an settle the issue. Caster claimed that Gunn was only part of the group to get attention and even his own sons didn’t want anything to do with him. After Bowens rejected Caster, he and Billy Gunn scissored one last time.

During their run in the company, Caster and Bowens had held the AEW Tag Team titles and AEW Trios titles on one occasion. The split came after weeks of Caster arrogantly claiming himself to be the Best Wrestler Alive, a phrase he trademarked on a piece of paper he carried around, including on Collision.

Daily Update: R-Truth, The Acclaimed, GCW Hammerstein

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

  • A big new issue of the Observer up on the site.  Special note that we’ve had a lot of people contact us both about the Rey Misterio Sr. and Tijuana wrestling story and the breakdown of every PPV this year and how they did.  Highlights of the issue:
  • WWE expanding television in 2025 and the biggest unanswered questions
  • A look at international deals with WWE’s move to Netflix.  What countries will still have TV deals, where Raw won’t be on Netflix, and what this means to AEW and TNA and the scoreboard of who has gotten what. And what is potentially the biggest international deal and when it will be open.
  • The Auditorio in Tijuana and Rey Misterio Sr., a look at the biggest matches in a building that should be on the list as a major wrestling arena that nobody ever talks about, plus how did Rey Mysterio, Konnan, Psicosis and others get their start and looking back at the biggest matches in Rey Misterio Sr.’s career
  • Drawing money and a look at how every PPV show in 2024 did, to see what does and doesn’t work as far as being a PPV headliner, covering WWE, AEW and TNA and every show so far this year.
  • The Battle of Orlando and where things stand for Worlds End.
  • Full coverage of ROH Final Battle
  • WWE’s holiday special in MSG and a look back at how the show has done since 2010.
  • Death of Jax Dane
  • The most detailed look at the TV ratings for all the major shows,including placings, competition, segment-by-segment and more.
  • The Gran Alternative tournament and its history at picking future stars
  • Stardom’s big show the week of the Tokyo Dome.
  • NOAH preparing for Budokan Hall show.
  • More news on the Tokyo Dome shows.
  • New Japan notes for San Jose.
  • St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame
  • RevPro show notes
  • Notes on upcoming North American stadium shows.
  • Lots of thoughts on booking
  • Upcoming ticket sales for WWE & AEW events
  • More on Lee Fitting.
  • Why there’s a very real chance the Janel Grant lawsuit will be thrown out and why, and what it will take for that not to happen.
  • McIntyre makes fun of Punk

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter Back Issue

Thursday Update

WWE

  • On Insight with Chris Van Vliet, R-Truth said he thinks Road Dogg should probably be the person to induct him if Truth gets into the WWE Hall of Fame one day.
  • R-Truth said he’d love to turn heel in WWE but doesn’t think he would be able to get heel heat:
    • The selfish part of me would love to turn heel and be a heel, but the majority of me is like, I could never be a heel. People would think it’s cool if I did something bad, if I did something heelish, they would think it’s cool. I smoked a cigarette, and they thought that was the coolest thing on TV. To be a heel you have to get that real, genuine hatred heel heat. Mine would be more of like, they will want me to bash somebody’s head in. Selfishly, I would love to see it one time, but I don’t have to.
  • WWE Vault uploaded a new Retrospective video with John Cena, Mick Foley, R-Truth, Big E, and more looking back at some of their greatest Raw moments.
  • The West Sport interviewed Grayson Waller.

AEW/Other Wrestling

  • Dissension within The Acclaimed continued with Anthony Bowens and Max Caster arguing backstage in a post-Dynamite segment.
  • Screen Rant asked Adam Copeland if he’s had any conversations with John Cena about what it’s like to retire:
    • No, we had talked briefly when he came back there and I was with WWE. He said, ‘How are you doing this, man? You’re having half an hour matches and stuff.’ But we haven’t talked about retiring or anything like that. But John is a very – he’s thought this through. And he’s thought of every scenario and every conceivable direction and all of those things. He’s an intelligent man, so I’m sure he’s already come to terms, and I think he’s been coming to terms with it for a long time. I think it’ll be harder for the fanbase to come to terms, which usually ends up being the case.
  • On AEW Unrestricted this week, Will Washington, Aubrey Edwards, and guest co-host Nyla Rose looked back at their favorite AEW moments from 2024.
  • NJPW uploaded an interview with Zack Sabre Jr.
  • NJPW also has a hype video for Tetsuya Naito vs. Hiromu Takahashi at Wrestle Kingdom 19.
  • A representative for AXS TV issued a statement to Post Wrestling confirming that NJPW will no longer air on the station, which Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio earlier this week: “We will not be airing New Japan Pro Wrestling for the foreseeable future. Our agreement expired at the end of 2024. And we do not comment on the state of current or future agreements.”
  • El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. discussed his upcoming departure from Pro Wrestling NOAH: “The match at Korakuen on January 11th will be my last match for NOAH. I think now is the time to go back to Mexico, recharge my batteries & become even stronger. Please come to Korakuen Hall to watch Hijo de Dr Wagner Jr’s final fight!”
  • Megan Bayne vs. Atticus Cogar has been added to the card for GCW’s show at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City on Sunday, January 19. Plus, it’s been announced that Richard Holliday will take on Charles Mason in a steel cage match at the show.
  • Bobby Fish will face Ariel Dominguez on the TV taping portion of MLW’s Kings of Colosseum event in North Richland Hills, Texas on Saturday, January 11.
  • Joe Hendry will be a guest on the next Chris Jericho Cruise from February 2-4.
  • The Nick Beasley Show has an interview with AJ Francis.
  • Indi Hartwell has been announced for one of her first post-WWE appearances. She is set to appear at the WrestleCon Indianapolis convention on Saturday, February 1: “Making her first Convention appearance in years, please welcome @indi_hartwell appearing EXCLUSIVELY Saturday”

Tag match added to AEW Dynamite Fight for the Fallen

Posted on by Bryan Rose

A new tag match is set for Wednesday.

Tony Khan announced on social media Monday that Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin of the Hurt Syndicate will be taking on The Acclaimed.

Benjamin is coming off a loss in the Continental Classic tournament, while Bobby Lashley continues to be confronted by Swerve Strickland, who he beat at Full Gear. The Acclaimed in recent weeks have teased dissension, with Max Caster receiving a card from MVP. During a match between Anthony Bowens and Chris Jericho on the final episode of AEW Rampage, Caster inadvertently cost Bowens the match after accidentally striking hsi tag partner with the ROH World title belt.

Earlier on Monday it was announced that Orange Cassidy would be taking on Hangman Page, continuing their rivalry following Worlds End.

Here is the updated card:

AEW Dynamite Fight for the Fallen (Wednesday, January 1) —

  • Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta vs. Adam Copeland & FTR
  • Jamie Hayter vs. Julia Hart
  • Jeff Jarrett makes an announcement about his career
  • Orange Cassidy vs. Hangman Page
  • Hurt Syndicate vs. The Acclaimed

The Acclaimed advance to AEW Full Gear Tag Team title match

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: AEW

Former AEW Tag Team Champions The Acclaimed are now the final team to qualify for the four-way Tag Team title match at next Saturday’s AEW Full Gear.

Max Caster & Anthony Bowens qualified by defeating LFI’s Rush & The Beast Mortos on Saturday’s Collision, getting the pin after both an Arrival by Bowens and a Caster Mic Drop onto Mortos.

They join reigning champions Private Party, House of Black’s Malakai Black & Brody King, and The Outrunners in the four-way at the pay-per-view. The duo haven’t held the titles since their 140-day reign ended in February 2023.

It will be the first title defense by Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy who won the titles from the Young Bucks last month while The Outrunners and House of Black have never held the gold.

Here’s the current card for Saturday, November 23rd in Newark, New Jersey:

  • AEW World Champion Jon Moxley defends against Orange Cassidy
  • TBS Champion Mercedes Mone defends against Kris Statlander
  • TNT Champion Jack Perry defends against Daniel Garcia
  • Will Ospreay vs. Kyle Fletcher
  • Jay White vs. Hangman Page
  • Bobby Lashley vs. Swerve Strickland
  • MJF vs. Roderick Strong
  • Mariah May & Mina Shirakawa champagne celebration
  • Four-way match for AEW Tag Team titles: Private Party (Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen) defends against The Outrunners (Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd), House of Black (Malakai Black & Brody King), and The Acclaimed (Max Caster & Anthony Bowens)
  • Zero Hour: Costco Guy AJ vs. QT Marshall

Two title matches added to AEW All In

Posted on by Bryan Rose

A three-way for the AEW Tag Team titles is now set for All In.

The main event of Saturday’s Collision saw FTR and The Acclaimed wrestle to a 30 minute time limit draw in a match that had been set to determine The Young Bucks’ opponents for August 25. As the two teams argued in the ring, both ended up fighting. Tony Schiavone announced on commentary that Tony Khan had officially made the Wembley Stadium match a three-way.

After being the number one contenders for the AEW Tag Team titles for weeks, The Acclaimed got their shot against The Young Bucks on Wednesday’s Dynamite. The finish of that match had Matthew Jackson attempting to use one of the titles as a weapon. FTR came out to prevent it, but ended up fighting The Young Bucks when Matthew spit in Dax Harwood’s face, causing the match to be thrown out.

Also announced is a London Ladders match for the AEW Trios titles. The Patriarchy (Christian Cage, Nick Wayne, and Killswitch) will face off against The House of Black, The Bang Bang Gang, and a third team yet to be determined. The final slot will be determined in a wildcard match that will take place on Collision next Saturday in Wales.

Here’s the current AEW All In card for Sunday, August 25 from London’s Wembley Stadium:

  • AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland defends against Bryan Danielson
  • AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm defends against Mariah May
  • AEW American Champion MJF defends against Will Ospreay
  • TNT Champion Jack Perry defends against Darby Allin in a coffin match
  • London Ladders match for AEW Trios titles: The Patriarchy (Christian Cage, Killswitch, and Nick Wayne) defend against The Bang Bang Gang, The House of Black, and TBA
  • AEW Tag Team titles: The Young Bucks defend against The Acclaimed and FTR
  • TBS Champion Mercedes Mone defends against Britt Baker
  • Casino gauntlet match for future AEW World title shot
  • FTW Champion Chris Jericho defends against Hook
  • Zero Hour: Willow Nightingale & Tomohiro Ishii vs. Kris Statlander & Stokely Hathaway, winners get to pick stipulation to Nightingale/Statlander CMLL Women’s title match for All Out

AEW Collision live results: FTR vs. The Acclaimed, Eddie Kingston appearance

Posted on by Suit Williams

The challengers for the AEW Tag Team title at this month’s All In will decided on tonight’s AEW Collision from Arlington, Texas.

The match will see rivals and former champions FTR and The Acclaimed battling it out with the winners set to face The Young Bucks for the titles in London. The match happened after FTR interfered in Wednesday’s title match, causing a DQ loss for The Acclaimed.

In a surprise announcement Friday, Eddie Kingston will make an appearance on tonight’s show as he has All In on his mind. The former ROH World Champion has been out of action since May after tearing his ACL, meniscus, and fracturing his leg in a match against Gabe Kidd at NJPW Resurgence.

Tonight’s show will also feature ROH Tag Team Champions The Undisputed Kingdom (Mike Bennett & Matt Taven) defend against Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara, Britt Baker vs. Harley Cameron, and TNT Champion Jack Perry in action. Toni Storm is also set to debut a new film.

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The final Collision from the eSportatorium started with Britt Baker making her entrance for the opening match. Tony Schiavone & Nigel McGuinness were on the call.

Dr. Britt Baker DMD defeated Harley Cameron

Decent build for the TBS Title match at Wembley.

We got footage of Baker’s attack on Mercedes Mone from Dynamite. The two went back and forth as the announcers ran down the card for tonight. Baker fired up with forearms before running wild, scoring a nearfall with the Twist and Shout neckbreaker. Baker pulled out the glove, but Cameron showed her no love by hitting her with Sole Food and a Shining Wizard for a nearfall.

The two jockeyed for position before Baker scored with a question mark kick. The two traded kicks before Baker hit a Slingblade and a curb stomp for the win. After the match, Mercedes Mone & Kamille came out. Mone sent Kamiile to the ring, with Baker responding by fishing a kendo stick from under the ring. Kamille took the kendo stick and broke it over her knee before booting Baker in the face. Kamille carried Baker into the ring before dumping her with the Dominator. Mone & Kamille stood tall over Baker to end the segment.

We got footage of the press conference announcing All In: Texas for July 12, 2025. Arlington mayor Jim Ross – not that one – was shown in the front row for tonight’s Collision.

We got a recap of Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara’s recent history on Ring of Honor television, with them getting laid out by the Undisputed Kingdom on Thursday’s episode of ROH.

ROH World Tag Team Title Match – Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara defeated The Undisputed Kingdom (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) (c) to win the titles

This was a load of fun, as the eSportatorium got behind the Texas boys winning the titles here. Dustin Rhodes is a double champion in Ring of Honor, as we all predicted back in 2002.

Bennett & Rhodes started the match off, with Rhodes working hard to eventually catch both men with the sliding uppercut. Guevara tagged in and ran wild with dives, with him and Rhodes posing to big cheers. The Kingdom got the advantage on Guevara by chucking him into the stairs as we went to a commercial break.

The champions continued to beat on Guevara as we came back from the commercial. Rhodes provided a distraction to Taven while he was on the top rope, allowing Guevara to race up the ropes and hit a little Spanish Fly. Rhodes got the hot tag and ran wild, dropping Taven with the Canadian Destroyer. Rhodes set up for Shattered Dreams, then sent Bennett into Taven’s crotch before hitting the move behind the referee’s back.

Rhodes hit Taven with the Cross Rhodes for a nearfall. A move train broke out before Rhodes and Taven were left alone again. Roderick Strong & The Beast Mortos came out, with Mortos providing distraction as Strong hit a Sick Kick. Rhodes kicked out, and the Von Erichs came out to lock on them both in the Claw.

A battle royal broke out at ringside, with Cage of Agony & The Conglomeration joining the fray on the floor. Back in the ring, Guevara cut off the Hail Mary with a springboard cutter to Taven. Rhodes hit the Curtain Call on Bennett before Guevara scored the win with a senton.

We got a video package of the roster making predictions on the Swerve Strickland/Bryan Danielson AEW World Title match at All In: Wembley, set to Machinehead by Bush.

FTW Champion Chris Jericho was with Renee Paquette backstage, who noted that Jericho would be facing Tommy Billington on Dynamite in Wales. Jericho called his All In opponent, Hook, stupid for fighting him blind. He told Hook that he would be banned from the Jericho Vortex after All In and said that he wanted a warm-up against one of the UK’s top prospects. He said that Billington’s uncle wouldn’t have liked Billington as he hadn’t worked enough to earn his opportunities. Jericho called himself a modern-day Stu Hart and said that the Dynamite Kid would be Dynamite done.

Hologram defeated Angelico

The announcers made sure to note that Hologram used his mat skills to beat the technician, spotlighting the diversity of Hologram’s work. I wonder how Hologram’s push will translate to the bigger buildings, with this being the last show in the eSportatorium for now. And yes, I am shoehorning eSportatorium into this review as much as possible.

The two worked on the mat, with Hologram spinning on his head to take Angelico down with his legs. They fought to a stalemate before Hologram armdragged Angelico with his feet to send him to the outside. Hologram hit a massive suicida as we went to a commercial break.

After the commercial, Hologram evaded Angelico in the corner before hitting a high kick and a ropewalk hurricanrana. Angelico caught Hologram in the corner, but Hologram turned it into a DDT for a nearfall. Hologram went for a 450 splash, but Angelico moved out of the way and hit a rising enzuigiri for a nearfall. Hologram stood on Angelico’s back, then vaulted up into a rana for a nearfall.

We got a pinning predicament before Hologram stuffed a La Magistral cradle for a nearfall. Hologram caught Angelico with a leg-trap crucifix pin to win.

We got a video package highlighting the danger of the Tiger Driver ’91, with Will Ospreay talking about how there is no way for the man taking the move to protect himself. We got footage of Mitsuharu Misawa using the move in Ring of Honor as Excalibur talked about the origins of the move. After Misawa’s death in 2009, the move was effectively retired until Ospreay used it at Forbidden Door 2023 against Kenny Omega. Ospreay regretted using it on Bryan Danielson because of his neck issues and walked out of the interview.

(Mitsuharu Misawa footage on Collision. This really is the People’s A-Show.)

Non-Title Match: TNT Champion Jack Perry defeated Danny Orion

I was expecting Perry’s personalized TNT Title to be made of glass. I don’t know how that would have worked, but it would’ve been something.

Orion was billed from “Dallas Singles dot com.” Perry quickly drilled Orion with a rebound lariat. Perry hit the Glass Jaw knee to score the win.

After the match, Perry grabbed a can of spray paint and a body bag. He painted half of Orion’s face white and stuffed him and the TNT Title in the body bag, which was branded with Darby Allin’s name. He pulled out another bag which held a personalized TNT Title, spraypainted black with veiny leather. Is there a better way of describing the look of the leather? It looked veiny.

We got a video package of the recent events surrounding the AEW Trios Titles. The House of Black and the Bang Bang Gang cut separate promos about Christian Cage screwed them both over. It ended with Brody King asking Cage if he felt nostalgic. Vice Principal Christopher Daniels then announced that The Patriarchy would defend the AEW Trios Titles at All In: Wembley in a “London Ladders Match.” Their opponents would be The House of Black, The Bang Bang Gang, and a third team to be determined in a Wild Card match on Collision from Wales next Saturday.

Claudio Castagnoli defeated Lio Rush

This match was everything I wanted it to be, with Rush less challenging Castagnoli and more being a gnat that Claudio eventually caught.

Castagnoli is warming up for his Continental Championship match on Dynamite against Kazuchika Okada by facing his former CHAOS stablemate Lio Rush. Yeah, Lio Rush was in CHAOS for a minute last year, remember that? Rush manuevered around Castagnoli to find an opening and hit a stunner for a one count before getting booted. After a commercial, Castagnoli caught Rush on a poisonrana attempt, then stuffed a regular rana attempt before Rush baited him over the top to the apron. Rush hit a pair of handspring boots before going for a suicida, but Castagnoli caught him and tossed him on the apron.

Rush hit a kick and a rana off the apron, but Castagnoli vaulted him over the barricade and sent him tumbling among the humanoids. Rush beat the count into the ring, then evaded several strikes before hitting a low enzuigiri. Rush went for the frog splash, but Castagnoli moved before hitting the Swiss Death uppercut for the win.

Kris Statlander & Stokely Hathaway were in the back complaining about Willow Nightingale & Tomohiro Ishii. Statlander talked about how scary Ishii was, with Hathaway becoming more visibly afraid. Hathaway said that whoever won at Wembley would earn the right to pick the stipulation for Nightingale & Statlander’s singles rematch at All Out in Chicago on September 7th. Hathaway then feebly threatened Ishii, claiming that he was the Stone Pitbull around here and failing to bark with any bass in his voice.

Eddie Kingston, with a bushy Mick Foley beard, was at his home. He wasn’t here to give an injury update, as he still had a long road to recovery. He talked to Bryan Danielson, asking what version of Danielson this was. He called this version of Danielson disrespectful to the sport, and a man that would get beaten by Swerve Strickland at All In. This version of Danielson didn’t have the fire anymore. Kingston asked Danielson if he would find that fire and step up, or just go to Wembley and lose.

(In case you were wondering, Eddie Kingston can cut a money promo about a match he isn’t in while nursing a bum leg.)

Mariah May defeated London Dior

May jumped her opponent with a shotgun dropkick as she entered the ring. May hit a hip attack and a Storm Zero for the quick win, as Tony Schiavone barely spit out Dior’s name before the match was over.

After the match, we got a Toni Storm film entitled “My Final Gift.” Storm, in a black wig, told a story about the doctor recommending her to see a clown called Pagliacci. She said that Pagliacci should pay to see her. She threatened May, saying that the River Thames would run red with her blood. I think the River Thames is red anyway from the pollution, but that’s neither here nor there. Storm said that May would regret the day she met the woman who loved her. Wembley was waiting, so they would give them a show.

Back in the ring, May was seething. She beat the poor dead jobber with the shoe before leaving.

For an AEW World Tag Team Title Match at All In: Wembley – FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood) vs. The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens & Max Caster) ended in a time limit draw, both teams will challenge for the titles at All In

I looked at the clock when this match started and had a feeling it would go the time limit. The live crowd was very into the match, but I can’t say I agree. It was a solid effort, but there were some sloppy moments as well as some stretching to fill the time. This was also basically the same thing they did with the trios titles, both ending in a multi-team match at Wembley. They’re both undercard matches, so I’m not terribly upset about it, but it isn’t the most inspired booking here.

We got some video packages on both teams throughout the show to hype the match. Bowens and Harwood started as the crowd was firmly behind FTR. We got some Acclaimed chants as Caster and Wheeler tagged in. The teams worked slowly to start before the Acclaimed sent FTR to the floor. FTR baited Caster to the floor, where Harwood led him into a Wheeler lariat as we went to a commercial.

After the break, the crowd was hot as Caster fought his way to the corner for a tag to Bowens. Bowens ran wild until Harwood caught him with a series of German suplexes. Both Caster and Wheeler blind-tagged their partners, leading to a bit of confusion from FTR before Caster fought out of a Harwood powerbomb. The Acclaimed took control, hitting a suplex/high cross combo for a nearfall.

FTR came back, with Wheeler catching Caster with a sunset flip before getting him with a lariat. Caster went for a victory roll, but Wheeler backed into the corner to tag Harwood, who hit the Steiner Super Bulldog for a nearfall. After a commercial, Harwood and Bowens were trading shots in the ring. Harwood dropped Bowens with a DDT before both men made the tag. Wheeler ran wild on the Acclaimed, hitting Caster with a Gory Special for a nearfall.

Caster hit a powerbomb, but Wheeler rolled through the pin for a nearfall of his own. Harwood pulled Bowens in the ring for a spike piledriver, but Caster knocked Wheeler to the floor. The Acclaimed ran wild, but Wheeler cut off a tag move and allowed Harwood to score a nearfall with a small package. Harwood caught both men in separate Sharpshooters, but Bowens hit a jumping leg drop for a close nearfall.

Harwood and Bowens fought for positioning before Harwood sat Bowens on the top rope. The announcer gave the five-minute call as twenty-five minutes had passed. Harwood slipped on the Powerplex but still pulled Bowens up and over. Wheeler hit the splash and dove onto a sitting Caster on the floor. FTR went for the Shatter Machine, but Caster broke it up and hit the Shatter Machine with Bowens for the nearfall. The Acclaimed hit the Mic Drop, but Wheeler threw Caster into the pile to break up the pin.

The four men swung at each other before FTR hit the Shatter Machine on Bowens for a nearfall broken up by Caster. The one-minute call came as Caster tagged in, with he and Harwood trading flash pins before dropping each other with punches. Harwood sent Caster into the ropes and bonked heads with Caster, falling into the cover for a nearfall. The time limit expired, with the match ending in a draw.

The crowd chanted Five More Minutes as the four men got to their feet. Billy Gunn tried to settle things down, but Harwood punched him in the face and kicked off a brawl that got security out. Tony Schiavone announced on commentary that, since neither team lost, both teams would get the World Tag Team Title match at All In. It will be the Young Bucks vs. The Acclaimed vs. FTR for the AEW Tag Team Titles next Sunday, as the two teams continued to brawl to end the show.

Young Bucks vs. Acclaimed, Mercedes Mone vs. Hikaru Shida announced for AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Josh Nason

After earning their title shot two months ago, The Acclaimed will finally get their opportunity to challenge current AEW Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks on this Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite.

The match was announced on Saturday’s Collision after FTR, a team that has also been pursuing the Bucks, picked up a win. Max Caster and Anthony Bowens held the titles for nearly five months from 2022 through 2023 while the Bucks have yet to defend the titles they won in April.

The Acclaimed earned their shot by defeating the Bucks in a title eliminator.

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A first time ever match between TBS Champion Mercedes Mone and former AEW Women’s Champion Hikaru Shida is officially on tap for Wednesday.

The match was announced by Tony Khan on X on Saturday following Shida’s victory over Aleah James which was then followed by Shida issuing a challenge to Mone.

The winner will then move on to defend the title against Britt Baker at this month’s All In. Shida has never challenged for the TBS title before.

Shida is 5-2 in limited AEW singles action in 2024 while Mone is undefeated in her brief AEW run with four title defenses to her credit.

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Another new match will see a three-way between Orange Cassidy, Roderick Strong and Kyle O’Reilly for the no. 1 spot in the Casino gauntlet match at All In. The winner of the gauntlet earns a future AEW World title match.

On social media, it was announced that a film by Mariah May will also air this coming Wednesday.

Here’s the current lineup for Norfolk, Virginia:

  • AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland vs. Wheeler Yuta in a non-title match
  • AEW Tag Team Champions Young Bucks (Matthew & Nicholas Jackson) defend against The Acclaimed (Max Caster & Anthony Bowens)
  • TBS Champion Mercedes Mone defends against Hikaru Shida
  • Hangman Page vs. Jay Lethal
  • Britt Baker appearance
  • Claudio Castagnoli and Kazuchika Okada face-to-face
  • Orange Cassidy vs. Roderick Strong vs. Kyle O’Reilly with the winner earning the no. 1 spot in the All In Casino gauntlet match
  • A film by Mariah May

Darby Allin & The Acclaimed join Team AEW for Blood & Guts match

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: AEW

And just like that, the roster for Team AEW has been filled out for next Wednesday’s Blood & Guts double cage match from Nashville, Tennessee.

After weeks of chasing after the Young Bucks, former AEW Tag Team Champions and Trios Champions The Acclaimed will get their shot against the Jackson brothers while Darby Allin will get his opportunity to take out his revenge on Jack Perry as part of Team AEW.

All three additions will be making their Blood & Guts match debut.

Made during a backstage segment on Wednesday’s Dynamite, Max Caster & Anthony Bowens made their pitch to Ring of Honor World Champion Mark Briscoe for why they should join the match. Briscoe agreed, but said it wasn’t up to just him. AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland then walked into the frame and after saying he had been to battle with both men before, he agreed to have them join Team AEW.

At the conclusion of Wednesday’s show when a brawl broke out between The Elite (Matt & Nick Jackson, Perry, Hangman Page & Kazuchika Okada) and Strickland, Briscoe, Caster and Bowens, Allin came down from the ceiling ala Sting to join the fray and officially join the squad.

The July tradition will emanate this year from Nashville, Tennessee.

The Elite vs. The Acclaimed & Hiroshi Tanahashi added to AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Two new matches have been added to Forbidden Door.

Hiroshi Tanahashi will team with The Acclaimed to take on The Elite (The Young Bucks & Kazuchika Okada). After The Elite challenged The Acclaimed to a trios match, Billy Gunn said while he’d like to team up with The Acclaimed, he happened to know a president. That is when Tanahashi appeared on the video screen and announced he’d team with Max Caster & Anthony Bowens this Sunday.

This would be the first time Okada and Tanahashi have faced off since Okada’s departure from NJPW earlier this year.

Willow Nightingale and Tam Nakano will team up on Sunday, taking on Kris Statlander and Momo Watanabe. In a video, Statlander challenged Nightingale to a warm up match ahead of their Owen Hart Foundation tournament bout on next Wednesday’s Dynamite. The match was later confirmed for Forbidden Door’s Zero Hour pre-show.

It was also announced on Dynamite that Bryan Keith will not be wrestling at Forbidden Door after suffering an injury. Jericho attempted to recruit Minoru Suzuki into being part of his trios team, but Suzuki rejected the offer and instead challenged Jericho to an FTW title match. It was explained on social media that the trios match between The Learning Tree and Hook, Katsuyori Shibata, and Samoa Joe at Forbidden Door is still on, but Jericho needs to find a new partner.

Here is the updated lineup for Forbidden Door:

  • AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland defends against Will Ospreay
  • Ladder match for the vacant TNT Championship: Konosuke Takeshita vs. Mark Briscoe vs. Jack Perry vs. Lio Rush vs. Dante Martin vs. TBA
  • Title for title: TBS Champion Mercedes Mone vs. NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer
  • AEW Women’s Championship: Toni Storm defends against Mina Shirakawa
  • IWGP World Heavyweight title: Jon Moxley defends against Tetsuya Naito
  • Owen Hart Foundation men’s quarterfinal match: Bryan Danielson vs. Shingo Takagi
  • MJF vs. Hechicero
  • Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Orange Cassidy
  • The Elite (Kazuchika Okada & The Young Bucks) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi & The Acclaimed
  • The Learning Tree (Chris Jericho, Big Bill, and TBA) vs. Samoa Joe, Hook, and Katsuyori Shibata
  • Zero Hour: Kris Statlander & Momo Watanabe vs. Willow Nightingale & Tam Nakano

The Acclaimed earn future Tag Team title shot on AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Ethan Renner

The Acclaimed are next in line to challenge for the AEW Tag Team Championship.

Max Caster & Anthony Bowens of The Acclaimed defeated Matthew Jackson & Nicholas Jackson of The Young Bucks on Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite in a Tag Team title eliminator bout to earn a future shot at the belts.

No date has been set for the future title match.

The Acclaimed are former Tag Team Champions, holding the belts for 140 days from September 2022 to February 2023.

The Young Bucks are in the midst of their record third reign as AEW Tag Team Champions after winning the vacant titles in a ladder match against FTR at Dynasty in April.

In all, 11 teams have held AEW’s Tag Team titles across 14 reigns since their inception in 2019.

Our full report from Wednesday’s Dynamite which included the first matches in the men’s and women’s Owen Hart Foundation tournaments is here.