A promo segment with Max Caster & Anthony Bowens of The Acclaimed has been added to the lineup for the Saturday, August 5 AEW Collision episode.
A week after their loss in a Trios Championship match against The House of Black, The Acclaimed will speak on Saturday’s Collision. Their teammate Billy Gunn was pinned in the Trios title match and left his boots in the ring after the bout, seemingly symbolizing his retirement. The Acclaimed will now presumably address Gunn on Collision.
Three title bouts are also set for Saturday’s episode, as CM Punk defends the “Real AEW World Championship” against Ricky Starks, FTR defend the AEW World Tag Team Championship against Big Bill & Brian Cage, plus Kris Statlander defends the TBS Championship against Mercedes Martinez.
Here is the updated lineup for Saturday’s show:
Real World Championship: CM Punk defends against Ricky Starks
AEW Tag Team Championship: FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) defend against Big Bill & Brian Cage
TBS Championship: Kris Statlander defends against Mercedes Martinez
We’ll hear from The Acclaimed (Max Caster & Anthony Bowens)
After last week’s Owen Hart Foundation tournament finals, Ricky Starks will celebrate his victory over CM Punk on tonight’s AEW Collision from Newark, New Jersey.
However, Punk will be on tonight’s show as well and is “looking for a fight.” Whether that is with Starks or someone else remains to be seen.
The AEW Trios titles will be on the line as the House of Black (Malakai Black, Brody King & Buddy Matthews) defend against The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn from May’s Double or Nothing. They will be looking for the sixth defense of the titles.
Bullet Club Gold (Jay White & Juice Robinson) will look to rebound from last week’s loss to AEW Tag Team Champions FTR as they take on Darius Martin & Action Andretti.
FTR will also be on the program in a promo.
Taya Valkyrie is also looking to rebound from last week as she lost to AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm. Valkyrie faces Skye Blue tonight.
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Collision returned to the United States, in the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Ian Riccaboni and Nigel McGuinness were on the call.
In our pre-show hype videos, we got words from The Acclaimed, Andretti & Martin, Bullet Club Gold, and Ricky Starks.
After the introduction package, Tony Schiavone welcomed out Owen Hart Cup winner Ricky Starks. Starks got a comical amount of pyro, reminiscent of Kevin Nash on that one episode of Nitro. Schiavone asked Starks about his use of the ropes to win the tournament as the crowd told Starks that he deserved it. After showing off his Louis Vuitton bag, he says that it doesn’t matter how he did it, all that matter is that it was done and that he was the winner.
After blowing off a question about Jushin Thunder Liger, he says that while he appreciates the sentiment from the fans, he doesn’t want to be a pillar. The Pillars never won the Owen Hart Cup, he did. Out walked CM Punk to a mixed reaction that leaned negative. Punk says he’s not mad at Starks, he’s actually a bit proud of him. Punk won’t act like he’s never cheated. He can live with the loss but asks Starks if he can live with the fact that he couldn’t beat Punk without cheating.
Punk goes to leave, but Starks says that his Vuitton bag is as empty as the red bag Punk’s been carrying around. Punk comes back and gets in Starks’ face. He says that Starks is just like MJF in that they just don’t want Punk to have it. Punk calls himself the Real World Champion before TNT Champion Luchasaurus & Christian Cage enter the scene. Cage says that they don’t want to be in New Jersey longer than they have to be, so he’ll ask one question. What kind of man carries around a title that he didn’t win?
Cage goes to leave, but Darby Allin – Royal Rampage winner – comes out. He addresses Starks and Punk before telling Luchasaurus that he’s going to win the TNT Title at All Out in Chicago. Allin suggests a tag team match, with Allin and Punk teaming against Starks and Cage. Schiavone says that Khan has made it official.
Riccaboni and McGuinness threw to video of Andrade El Idolo being removed from the building to make sure he wouldn’t interfere with the Trios Title match tonight.
Jay White & Juice Robinson (w/ The Gunns) defeated Action Andretti & Darius Martin
White and Martin started, with the announcers putting over his cardio after wrestling in the hour-long match last week against FTR. Martin fought off a double-team and tagged in Andretti, who hit Robinson with a corkscrew moonsault. Andretti and Martin ran wild on Robinson until Robinson cut off Andretti with a side kick. White tagged in and clubbered on Andretti in the corner before Robinson dropped Andretti with a neckbreaker off the apron. As the crowd chanted Daddy Doesn’t Love You to the Gunns, Bullet Club posed as we went to a picture-in-picture commercial.
Andretti fought for the tag to Martin as we came back from break. Martin made the tag and ran wild, dropping White and Robinson with a combination DDT/Death Drop. Martin hit a top rope crossbody to White for a nearfall. Martin sent Robinson and White to the floor, setting up Andretti to hit an Arabian Press moonsault on both of them. Andretti booted White into a German suplex for a nearfall.
Andretti went for the split-legged moonsault, but Robinson cut him off, hanging him in the Tree of Woe. Robinson hit cannonballs on both men before hitting his pendulum DDT on Andretti. White hit the Blade Runner to score the win. The Gunns tossed Andretti and Martin out of the ring before celebrating with White and Robinson.
The announcers highlighted Willow Nightingale’s week, with her Owen Hart Cup win last week on Collision and her standout performance in the ROH Death Before Dishonor main event against Athena. I reviewed Death Before Dishonor for this site, and I cannot recommend that match enough. Go out of your way to see it.
Miro defeated Nick Comoroto
This crowd was into Miro. It’s time to do something with him that isn’t a squash.
Comoroto attacked Miro during his entrance. Comoroto controlled Miro early on, hitting corner splashes. Miro dodged one and hit a German suplex. Miro hit the big side kick and ripped his shirt off. He called for the Game Over and locked it on for the quick win.
We got a highlight package for FTR, highlighting their numerous title wins over the course of their AEW careers. We will hear from them later tonight.
AEW World Trios Title Match – The House Of Black (Brody King, Buddy Matthews & Malakai Black) (w/Julia Hart) (c) defeated The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens, Max Caster, & Billy Gunn)
This was a surprisingly quick win, but the story here is the post-match.
Caster’s rap included jabs at Matthews, who charged Caster on the ramp to start the match. A Pier Six brawl broke out at ringside as Matthews and Caster started in the ring. King crushed Gunn and Bowens into the barricade with splashes. The champions isolated Caster as his partners crawled to the corner. Caster fought his way to the corner as the crowd taunted Matthews with Dirty Dom chants, as Mysterio is paired up with Matthews’ girlfriend Rhea Ripley.
King tried taking out Bowens and Gunn again, but Gunn took him down with punches. Caster made the tag to Gunn, who ran wild on the House before taking a massive lariat from King. Black hit the Black Mass on Gunn to score the emphatic victory. As Gunn recovered, Black whispered something to Gunn before leaving.
Back in the ring, Gunn began unlacing his boots as the crowd begged him not to. They chanted You Still Got It at him, making Gunn tear up. But Gunn took his boots off and left them in the ring, pushing his way past the Acclaimed to leave.
We got a recap of the Royal Rampage, where Darby Allin won a TNT Title shot at All Out.
Tony Schiavone welcomed FTR to the ring. Wheeler talked about unfinished business with several teams – Aussie Open, The Acclaimed, the Young Bucks – but they must focus on MJF and Adam Cole first. He tells Adam Cole not to trust MJF, as they know from first-hand experience. Harwood tells a story about his dad making him get a job when he was a teenager. He was made fun of by well-off kids who had money handed to them. He thinks Cole and MJF see the tag team titles as a joke, with the comedy skits and the dance breaks. He’s sacrificed his body to make FTR the best tag team in the world, and next week, there will be no comedy. He’s going to do to Cole and MJF what he should have done to those kids when he was a teenager and kick their asses. Top guys out. Solid promo.
We got a highlight package of Blood and Guts from Wednesday.
Taya Valkyrie defeated Skye Blue
Valkyrie patted Blue on the head before shoving her down. She shrugged off a waist lock before chopping Blue in the corner. Blue fired up with chops before getting knocked down with a shoulder block. Blue avoided a charge and hit a rising knee but got knocked off the apron and speared on the floor by Valkyrie. Valkyrie hit a Blue Thunder Bomb for a nearfall as we went to a picture-in-picture commercial.
Valkyrie knocked Blue down with a lariat as we returned to full-screen action. Blue won a strike exchange before firing up, hitting a rising knee and a low kick. Blue hit a high crossbody for a nearfall. She set up Skyfall, but Valkyrie tied Blue up in the ropes to hit a sliding German suplex. Blue hit a pair of kicks but ran right into a lariat. Valkyrie tied up Blue’s legs and hit a curb stomp to score the win.
Valkyrie grabbed the microphone and bragged about winning. She noted that Britt Baker won her match on Dynamite this week, albeit against an extra. She challenged Baker to a match this Wednesday on Dynamite.
We got a video package highlighting AR Fox’s win on the Death Before Dishonor Zero Hour over Shane Taylor, leading into his International Championship match this Wednesday on Dynamite.
We got a rundown of the Dynamite card, featuring:
– AR Fox vs. Orange Cassidy for the International Championship
– Darby Allin vs. Swerve Strickland
– Britt Baker vs. Taya Valkyrie
– PAC vs. Gravity
– Castagnoli & Moxley vs. The Lucha Brothers vs. Best Friends
– We hear from Adam Cole & MJF.
We got our Collision card for next Saturday:
– FTR vs. Adam Cole & MJF for the AEW World Tag Team Titles
– El Hijo del Vikingo, Action Andretti & Darius Martin vs. Juice Robinson & The Gunns
– Buddy Matthews vs. Andrade El Idolo in a rematch from the debut edition of Collision
Ricky Starks & Christian Cage defeated CM Punk & Darby Allin
A fine main event. Starks winning with the ropes for a second time is setting up a payoff, either with the referee catching him or his opponent kicking out anyway. Starks had a vocal fanbase here, a week after cheating to win a prestigious tournament. The situation with Punk being a divisive babyface makes everything energetic, but it muddies up a lot of the face/heel division surrounding him.
Cage came out wearing the TNT Title. Starks and Cage both got on the apron, assuming the other would start the match. The referee counted them up to nine before Starks got in the ring. Punk immediately rolled him up and teased a Go To Sleep before Starks tagged Cage, who got pinballed around by Punk. Punk and Allin controlled Cage’s arm as Punk mocked Starks. Starks avoided a tag until Christian got Punk in control. Punk and Allin hit dives to Starks and Cage as we went to commercial, with the announcers teasing big breaking news for next week’s Collision on the other side of the break.
Back from commercial, and the breaking news is that next week’s match between Buddy Matthews and Andrade El Idolo will be a ladder match, with Andrade’s mask as the prize above the ring and the House of Black banned from ringside. A bit wacky, but still a compelling match. Speaking of matches, Cage and Starks worked over Punk. Starks went Old School on Punk before tagging Cage back in. We got a glimpse of Scorpio Sky in a Scorpio Sky-Box watching this match. I will not apologize for the pun there.
Punk made the hot tag to Allin, who ran wild on Starks and Cage. Allin hit a dive into Starks but ran into Luchasaurus on a dive attempt to Cage. Cage threw Allin into the announce desk before tagging in Starks to beat down Allin. Starks hit Snake Eyes on Allin before flooring him with a lariat for a nearfall as we go to another picture-in-picture break.
Allin beat a countout as we came back to full screen. More clubbering on Allin before Allin moved out of the way of a diving headbutt. Starks ripped Punk off the apron, leaving Allin with no one to tag when he broke free from Cage. Allin fought his way free and made the tag to Punk, who ran wild with rising knees. Punk did a random cartwheel in the middle of his comeback, with Riccaboni calling it a tribute to New Jersey native Bam Bam Bigelow.
Punk hit the Pepsi Twist on Cage for a nearfall. Punk hit a high crossbody, but Christian rolled through for a sneaky nearfall. Punk knocked Christian off the top rope, then went up and hit an elbow drop for a nearfall. Cage tagged in Starks, who ran right into a GTS attempt. Starks turned it into a rollup for a nearfall. They traded strikes before Punk floored Starks with a high kick. Punk tagged in Allin, who avoided a spear upon entry. Starks then speared Allin out of the air before hitting a Rochambeau for a nearfall.
Starks took Allin up for a superplex, but Allin turned it into a Death Drop from the top rope for a nearfall that Cage broke up. Punk got involved, taking Cage to the floor and hitting a GTS. Allin set up a Coffin Drop, but Luchasaurus crotched him on the top rope. Starks set up a second Rochambeau, but Allin reversed it into a rollup. Starks reversed that rollup, grabbing the ropes to win again.
A shot at the TNT title will be on the line in the second-ever Royal Rampage match as part of tonight’s AEW Rampage from Boston, Massachussetts.
20 men will compete in a Royal Rumble-style match over two rings with the winner earning a TNT title shot at September’s All Out. Four men start the match.
Participants include Nick Wayne, Darby Allin, Swerve Strickland, Butcher & The Blade, Gates of Agony, Big Bill, Matt Hardy, Brian Cage, Jeff Jarrett, Komander, Jay Lethal, Ethan Page, Brother Zay, Jake Hager, Matt Sydal, Matt Menard, Angelo Parker, and a surprise entrant.
TBS Champion Kris Statlander will defend her title against Marina Shafir in search of her defense. This is Shafir’s third opportunity at the championship.
Ahead of their challenge of AEW Trios Champions The House of Black on Saturday’s AEW Collision, The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn will face QTV’s QT Marshall, Johnny TV & Aaron Solo.
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Taped in Boston, Massachusetts.
Tony Schiavone, Excalibur and Chris Jericho were on commentary.
Darby Allin won the 20 Man Royal Rampage to earn a shot at the TNT Championship at All Out (29:33 aired)
Ten men will enter each ring at what are probably supposed to be one-minute intervals but wildly fluctuated based on entrances and commercial breaks. The winner gets a shot at the TNT Title match at All Out.
Darby Allin was the last man eliminated in last year’s Royal Rampage match and started out in the red ring with Jay Lethal. Swerve Strickland and Nick Wayne started out in the Blue Ring. Minoru Suzuki was #3 for the red ring and the crowd popped huge for his music. When Suzuki finally got to the ring, he partnered up with Lethal to beat on Darby Allin. Brian Cage was #3 for the blue ring, and he took it to Nick Wayne while Strickland caught a breather. The Suzuki/Lethal partnership started to fall apart and Ethan Page entered the red ring at #4. Page went after Jay Lethal like he promised he would last week. Suzuki and Page started exchanging forearms while Komander entered the blue ring at #4. He bounced off the top rope, onto Cage’s shoulders, and off of Cage’s shoulders into a DDT on Strickland.
The Butcher was #5 in the red ring and charged Page with a clothesline. Big Bill came into the blue ring at #5, having recovered from the Saskatoon Slam. Bill hit Komander with a black hole slam. In the red ring, Page tossed Lethal off of a Lethal Injection attempt. Lethal then pulled at Page from outside the ring elimated him with Suzuki’s help from inside the ring. Suzuki then got into it with The Butcher. He went for the Gotch-style piledriver, but Butcher backdropped Suzuki to eliminate him. The Blade came in at #6 in the Red Ring, and he and The Butcher combined to beat up Allin around the ringside area.
During the split screen break, Brother Zay came in at #6 in the blue ring, where there had been no eliminations. Toa Liona entered the red ring at #7. The three heels worked over Darby Allin in the red ring. Matt Sydal entered the blue ring at #7. Sydal and Brother Zay hit the gin and juice double-team on Swerve Strickland. Bishop Kaun came in at #8 in the red ring. The Gates of Agony squared off with the Butcher and the Blade while Allin sold in the corner. Brother Zay was eliminated in the blue ring. The Gates of Agony tossed the Butcher and the Blade. Matt Hardy entered the blue ring at #8, and he went right after Strickland, then hit a hangman’s neckbreaker on Cage and a DDT on Big Bill.
Matt Menard entered the red ring at #9. Menard looked like he would challenge The Gates of Agony, but changed in mind and stomped on Darby Allin instead. Jeff Jarrett entered the blue ring at #9 and squared off with Hardy. Jarrett did the Fargo Strut to a huge pop. Angleo Parker joined the blue ring at #10, so again in the blue ring we have two heel tag teams squaring off and Allin selling in the corner. The last entrant in the blue ring (which was much more crowded) was Jake Hager.
During the split-screen break, Hager, Cage, and Big Bill had a hoss fight in the center of the blue ring while Jarrett watched in the corner. Komader helped Bill eliminate Hager. Hager and BIll then double-teamed Komander and dumped him. Meanwhile, in the red ring, the four heels quadrupled teamed Allin.
After the break, all four of the heels had Allin above their heads, but he escaped. The Gates of Angoy and the JAS started to fight with each other, and the Gates eliminated Menard and Parker. Meanwhile in the Blue Ring, Hardy eliminated Jarrett. Hardy was triple-teamed by Bill, Cage and Strickland and eliminated by a clothesline from Big Bill. Bill tried to chokeslam Nick Wayne over the top, but Wayne countered with a guillotine and tried to pull Bill out from the apron. Strickland pushed Bill out of the ring, and Cage (Bill’s partner from The Blind Eliminator tag tournament) was not happy about it. Big Bill looked tremendously strong up to his elimination. Strickland and Cage started to argue, and Wayne jumped into the other ring to help Allin eliminate Kuan.
Wayne hopped back into the blue ring and eliminated Cage. This left Wayne and Strickland in the blue ring, but Strickland quickly dumped Wayne, and Allin dumped Linoa.
This left Swerve Strickland and Darby Allin as the final two to finish the match in the red ring. Swerve charged at Allin, who backdropped him over the top. Allin couldn’t knock him to the floor, and Prince Nana ran in and hit Allin with a skateboard. Swerve power bombed Allin onto the wheels of the skateboard, but Allin hung on when Strickland dumped him over the top. Allin was out on the apron. Swerve came off the top rope with a stomp, but Allin blocked it. Swerve tried for a suplex, but Allin escaped back into the ring, then ran the ropes and hit his high-speed tope through the middle ropes. Allin and Strickland both crashed to the floor, but since Allin went through the MIDDLE ROPE, he was victorious. Very good battle royal but I loved the clever finish.
The Acclaimed & Bill Gunn defeated QT Marshall, Aaron Solo & Johnny TV (w/ Harley Cameron)
Max Caster took advantage of the lateness of the hour when he made his rap, with most of the insults directed at Cameron. Then Caster handed his chain to a kid at ringside, which is a great babyface move.
Marshall’s back was taped up from the Ambulance Match he had at TripleMania last weekend. The Acclaimed triple-teamed Marshall and Gunn clotheslined him to the floor. Then they scissored in the ring.
During the split-screen break, the heels got the heat on Caster, but after the commercial, he got the hot tag to Gunn. 59-year-old Billy Gunn cleaned house on QTV, and even though it’s just QTV I still don’t think a guy this old should get that much shine on them. Bowens came and wore out Marshall with forearms and elbows, and then hit a superkick on Solo. QTV triple-teamed Billy Gunn and got a near fall after a top rope stomp from Solo. The QTV crew tried to set up Scissor Me Timbers on Gunn, but the Acclaimed made the save. Gunn hit a corba clutch slam on Solo, and the Acclaimed finished Solo with the Arrival/Mic Drop combo. Billy Gunn then got the pin.
New for Collision tomorrow: Ricky Starks celebrates his Owen Hart tournament win. Skye Blue takes on Taya Valkyrie. Action Andretti and Darius Martin will take on Juice Robinson and Jay White… does this show have a main event yet? Also, we’ll hear from CM Punk and FTR (in a separate segment), and CM Punk is looking for a fight.
Kris Statlander defeated Markina Shafir (w/ Nyla Rose) to retain the TBS Championship (5:02 aired).
Announced for Dynamite during this match is PAC v. Gravity. But I thought PAC was the man that Gravity forgot? Also an Adam Cole & MJF segment, and Darby Allin v. Swerve Strickland.
Statlander is 7-0 since her return and on a 13-match winning streak overall (I guess going back before her injury). Excalibur did a read for the red cross blood drive during this match, which was way less ironic than when he did it during Blood & Guts on Wednesday.
Shafir got the advantage on the mat with Statlander and worked her over with kicks. Statlander got sick of this, caught one of the kicks, and pulled Shafir up into an electric chair before dropping her face first to the mat. A big vertical suplex got Statlander a near fall that the replay crew liked so much that they showed it three times.
Statlander went for her finish, the Friday Night Fever, but Shafir escaped and transitioned into a standing figure-four. Statlander escaped, hit a discus lariat, and hit the Friday Night Fever on the second try to get the pinfall.
Final Thoughts:
The two-ring battle royal made for one of the better Rampage shows of the year. Big Bill got a lot of shine, the finish was clever, and there was hardly any laying around during the match. The rest of the show wasn’t great, but the battle royal more than made up for it.
A Trios title match is set for next Saturday’s AEW Collision.
The Acclaimed, along with Daddy Ass (Billy Gunn), will challenge The House of Black (Malakai Black, Brody King, and Buddy Matthews) for the Trios titles. On this week’s Collision, Max Caster announced that the team will get a championship match due to their recent success in the division.
At AEW Double or Nothing back in May, The House of Black defeated The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass to retain the titles. In the weeks since, The Acclaimed have won three trios matches, most recently defeating The Blade & The Bollywood Boyz on the July 5 edition of AEW Dynamite.
The Acclaimed and Daddy Ass will also be in action on next Friday’s Rampage. They will face members of QTV after Johnny TV called them out on this week’s edition of the show.
Here is the current card for next week’s Collision:
AEW Trios Championship: The House of Black defend against The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass
That’s not the only example of how many of the old pro wrestling tropes don’t apply anymore.
From Friday’s WWE SmackDown: LA Knight is over, but is he too old to push? Also, Roman Reigns passed Pedro Morales and The Uso Penitentiary is back.
Speaking of Rampage, the show had good wrestling and some notable surprises including John Hennigan and Tom Lawlor. We run down all the wrestling on Friday and preview Saturday’s AEW Collision.
It was announced on Friday’s AEW Rampage that the former AEW Tag Team Champions will be making an appearance on the debut episode of Collision, which premieres on Saturday on TNT.
In the last couple of months, The Acclaimed have mostly been working on AEW Rampage. They challenged for the AEW World Trios title at Double or Nothing last month in Las Vegas, Nevada, where they came up short. Their most recent match took place on the June 7th edition of Rampage, where they teamed up with Daddy Ass (Billy Gunn) to defeat the Spanish Announce Project (Angelico, Luther, and Serpentico).
Here is the updated lineup for Collision, which takes place at The United Center in Chicago, Illinois:
CM Punk & FTR vs. Samoa Joe, Jay White, and Juice Robinson
TNT Champion Wardlow defends against Luchasaurus
We’ll hear from The Acclaimed
Miro in action
Skye Blue & Willow Nightingale vs. Toni Storm & Ruby Soho
Four women will vie for an AEW Women’s title shot on Friday’s Rampage on TNT from Colorado Springs, Colorado.
In a four-way former champions Britt Baker and Nyla Rose will face Skye Blue and former Ring of Honor Women’s Champion Mercedes Martinez. The winner will challenge current titleholder Toni Storm on this Wednesday’s Dynamite.
The plot will continue to thicken in the AEW trios division with two matches.
In one, ROH Tag Team Champions The Lucha Brothers (Penta & Rey Fenix) will unite with Bandido against former Firm teammates Ethan Page, Lee Moriarty & Big Bill. In the other bout, former AEW Tag Team Champions The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens & Max Caster) and Billy Gunn battle the Spanish Announce Project (Serpentico, Angelico & Luther).
Powerhouse Hobbs will return to action ahead of an anticipated move to the impending Collision show on Saturdays.
Our coverage begins at 10 PM Eastern.
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Taped in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Jim Ross, Excalibur, and Tony Schiavone were on commentary.
Bandido & The Lucha Brothers vs. Big Bill, Lee Moriarty, and Ethan Page
Ethan Page was teaming with his former partners in The Firm, even though his contract is now under the control of Matt Hardy. Because this match was signed before Hardy got control of the contract, you see. Page hit a nice-looking rana on Rey Fenix before tags were made to Bandido and Moriarty. Bandido hit Moriarty with a tornio and then a tijeras, before tags were made to Big Bill and Penta. Penta showed no fear facing Bill. Bill kept going for a choke on Penta, who kept breaking free with kicks. Pent tried for a tope through the ropes on Bill, who cut him off with a right hand. Bill whipped Penta into the barricade, and soon everyone was brawling around the ring.
After a split screen break, Bill overpowered Bandido in the corner. Bill hit Bandido with a boot, and Page hoisted Bandido from the mat into a powerslam for a near fall. Bandido slipped out of a powerbomb attempt and hit an enziguri, then got the tag to Ray Fenix. Fenix sent Page to the floor with a superkick, then the Lucha Bros took out Bill with a series of double team superkicks. Penta catapulted Bandio over the ropes into a torino onto their opponents on the floor. Back in the ring, Page took a beat from the Lucha Bros. Bill ate some more superkicks, and Moriarty caught a cutter from Fenix.
The Lucha Bros hit the Fear Factor on the ring apron on Moriarty. Page got his knees up when Bandido went for a splash. Page set up the Ego’s Edge, but the Hardys came out to chastise Page for not wearing the special arm sleeves that Jeff Hardy gifted Page. Page pulled his brand new arm sleeves up, but this distraction allowed Bandido to hit the 21-plex and get the pinfall.
– A QTV segment. They can’t think of an edgy idea for Collision that hasn’t already been done, so they agree to send Powerhouse Hobbs out to beat someone up.
Crush is from Colorado Springs, which is probably convenient for him since he’ll know where the hospital is. Hobbs destroyed this poor kid. Crush caught Hobbs with an enziguri. Hobbs bodyblocked him into the ropes and put him through the mat with a spinebuster to get the pinfall.
– Rene Paquette interviewed Arn Anderson and Wardlow about the beating Brock Anderson took at the hands of Christian Cage and Luchasaurus. Wardlow promised to make Cage and Luchasuarus pay, and talked about an open challenge he has next Wednesday with Jake Hager for the TNT title.
The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn defeated Serpentico, Angelico, and Luther
Collectively, Serpentico, Angelico and Luther are known as SAP, and in his rap Max Caster revealed what that really stood for.
The first four minutes of this match were just goofiness around scissoring spots before they went to a split-screen break.
After the break, Billy Gunn got the hot tag. Angelico caught Gunn with an enziguri and Luther got a near fall. Bowens got the tag and hit Luther with the Arrival, and Caster dropped the big elbow to get the pin. As a match, this was nothing but the crowd was happy.
– A Dynamite recap.
– Rene Paquette brought out Jeff Jarrett’s crew for an interview. Karen Jarrett grabbed the mic and demanded Aubrey Edwards come out. Edwards came out with Mark Briscoe. AEW won’t sanction a one-on-one match between Edwards and Karen (because Aubrey is a referee and Karen “sure as hell isn’t a wrestler.”). But Mark announced that they will sanction a mixed trios match, The Jarretts & Jay Lethal against Aubrey Edwards, Mark Briscoe… and Papa Briscoe.
Skye Blue defeated Nyla Rose (w/ Marina Shafir), Britt Baker (w/ Hikaru Shida) and Mercedes Martinez in a four-way match to become the No. 1 contender for the AEW World Women’s Championship.
Toni Storm and Ruby Soho were shown watching the match in the back.
Shafir interfered and tried to choke out Martinez, and Shida chased her to the back with a kendo stick.
After the split-screen break, Rose had Martinez hung up in the ropes for her guillotine legdrop, but Baker pushed her off the ropes to the floor. Baker hit Martinez with a slingblade for a one count. Blue and Baker exchanged forearms in the middle of the ring, and Blue got a near fall after an enziguri. Baker went for the lockjaw on Martinez, and Blue added a half crab, but Rose broke the submission attempt up.
Blue and Barker hit a double superkick on Rose. Rose chokeslammed Baker and went for the pin, which Martinez broke up with a running knee. Baker gave Rose a stomp, and Martinez dumped Baker to the floor. Baker pulled Martinez out. Blue then snuck back in the ring and hit Rose with the Code Blue and got the surprise pinfall. Blue teared up after getting the surprise win.
As a result, Sky Blue will face Toni Storm for the AEW World Women’s championship on Dynamite Wednesday. Toni Storm reacted to the win by spray painting a green “L” on the monitor in the back.
The following are spoilers for Friday’s AEW Rampage and future episodes of Ring of Honor, taped Wednesday in Colorado Springs, Colorado. AEW Rampage spoilers are courtesy of PWInsider.
AEW Rampage:
Jeff Jarrett and his group came out, calling out Aubrey Edwards. Mark Briscoe came out and announced he got a six-person tag team match signed, with Jarrett, Karen Jarrett, and Jay Lethal vs. Edwards, Briscoe, and Papa Briscoe.
Bandido and The Lucha Brothers defeated Big Bill, Lee Moriarty, and Ethan Page. The finish had The Hardys come out and inadvertently distract Page, allowing Bandido to score the win. After the match, The Hardys celebrated with The Lucha Brothers and made Page dance with the Hardys and Isiah Kassidy.
Skye Blue won a four-way match, pinning Nyla Rose in a match that also had Britt Baker and Mercedes Martinez. As a result, she will face Toni Storm next Wednesday on Dynamite for the AEW Women’s Championship.
Powerhouse Hobbs defeated Caleb Crush with a spinebuster
The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn defeated Serpentico, Angelico, and Luther
The next challenger for AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm will be made on this Friday’s AEW Rampage.
Former champions Britt Baker and Nyla Rose will face former Ring of Honor Women’s Champion Mercedes Martinez and Skye Blue in a four-way no. 1 contender’s match. The winner will move on to face Storm on next Wednesday’s Dynamite.
The show will feature two trios matches. One will feature ROH Tag Team Champions The Lucha Brothers teaming with Bandido against Ethan Page, Lee Moriarty & Big Bill while The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn battle the Spanish Announce Project.
Here’s the full lineup that is being taped in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Wednesday:
Lucha Brothers & Bandido vs. Ethan Page, Lee Moriarty & Big Bill
Powerhouse Hobbs in action
The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn vs. Spanish Announce Project (Serpentico, Luther & Angelico)
Britt Baker vs. Skye Blue vs. Mercedes Martinez vs. Nyla Rose in a four-way no. 1 contender’s match for an AEW Women’s title shot
The final stop before Sunday’s Double or Nothing pay-per-view has arrived with Friday’s AEW Rampage — back in its normal time slot due to how the NHL playoff schedule has worked out.
The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn will be in action against Rush, Dralistico & Preston Vance in a bout that might play into an AEW Trios title shot Sunday.
Former AEW Women’s Champions Britt Baker & Hikaru Shida will team up to take on former AEW Women’s Champion Nyla Rose & Marina Shafir.
Ahead of their challenge of The Hardys & Brother Zay Sunday for Ethan Page’s contract, Page and former AEW Tag Team Champions The Gunns will be in trios action.
In a preview of Sunday’s 21-man Blackjack battle royal for the AEW International title, Lee Moriarty & Big Bill will battle Best Friends (Trent Beretta & Chuck Taylor).
The pre-show matches for Sunday’s PPV are also expected to be announced.
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Taped in Las Vegas, Nevada. Jim Ross, Chris Jericho, Tony Schiavone and Excalibur were on commentary.
The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn defeated Rush, Dralistico & Preston Vance (w/ Jose the Assistant) (9:38)
Max Caster gave his chain to a young fan at ringside. It’s always a solid babyface move to make nice with the youngsters. Bowens and Dralistico started out by exchanging chops in the corner. Dralistico hit a nice step-up rana, but Bowens came back with a Fameasser. During the match, it was announced that the House of Black will have an open challenge for the World Trios titles at Double or Nothing Sunday. 59 year old Billy Gunn manhandled Preston Vance with a fallaway slam. The match broke down into a six way brawl on the floor. The heels triple teamed Caster back in the ring,
The heels dominated throughout the split screen break. Caster took punishment from the heels in the corner while Rush taunted the fans. Billy Gunn got the hot tag and sent Rush to the floor with a clothesline. Rush sold more for Billy Gunn that he did for Jack Perry.
Gunn got a near fall on Vance with a Fameasser, but Jose put Vance’s foot on the ropes to break up the cover. Gunn and Bowens pulled Jose in the ring and hit him with Scissor Me Timbers. Rush came back to take out Gunn. Dralistico came in with a springboard codebreaker, but Bowens hit him with the Arrival, and Caster hit the mic drop to get the pinfall.
After the mic, Bowens grabbed the house mic and more or less challenged AEW Trios Champions House of Black for Sunday.
Later, it was announced that the AEW Trios Champions will defend the titles in an open challenge under their house rules.
Ethan Page & The Gunn Club defeated Frescomatic, Watson & Jeaux Braxton (2:34)
The Firm Deletion should have been the end of this thing with Page and Matt Hardy. Isaiah Kassidy is out of the six-man for Sunday after getting Pillmanized last week. This was a complete squash. I’m not even sure the enhancement team got an introduction. Page hit an Iconoclasm on Watson and the Gunns hit the 3:10 to Yuma to get the pinfall.
After the match, Page gloated about taking Kassidy out. Kassidy came out with a neck brace. He’s not cleared, but he found a replacement… Hook. The Hardys and their new partner run Page and the Gunns off. This six man is for the Buy In.
– Lexi Nair interviewed Dustin Rhodes and Keith Lee about the Blackjack Battle Royal. Rhodes promised he and Lee would eliminate Swerve Strickland and Brian Cage, then eliminate everyone else, all for the International Title.
A battle royal for a shot at the title would make more sense than Cassidy defending the title in the battle royal.
Baker and Jericho (at the commentary desk) exchanged dirty looks on Britt’s way to the ring. This was the typical Rampage women’s match where over two minutes of the heels getting heat on the babyface (in this case Baker) during the split-screen break.
After the commercial, Rose missed a dive in the corner and Shafir missed a kick, which allowed Shida to get the hot tag. Shida dominated Shafir and hit a dropkick off the top for a near fall. Baker gave Shafir a neckbreaker and went for a cover, but Rose broke it up by slamming Shida onto Baker. Baker and Shida dumped Rose to the floor. Baker went for the Lockjaw, but Shafir countered with a judo throw and both women struggled on the mat. Shida hit a spin kick on Shafir and Baker maneuvered her into the lockjaw to get the pinfall.
After the match, the big screen in the arena showed the Outcasts standing over an injured Jamie Hayer, who was clutching her arm.
Lee Moriarty & Big Bill defeated Best Friends (Trent Beretta & Chuck Taylor) (10:41)
Orange Cassidy will make his 23rd defense of the International Title in the Blackjack Battle Royal. Not for nothing, but 23 is a bust in blackjack. Also, what kind of friends are Beretta and Taylor to take advantage of Orange Cassidy by participating in this match?
The commentators put over Big Bill’s size and strength. The Best Friends gave Moriarty a delayed vertical suplex, and Bill stormed in with a double clothesline. Bill clotheslined Taylor to the floor, then whipped Beretta over the turnbuckle and to the floor.
After the split-screen break, Beretta hit a pair of suplexes on Moriarty, but Bill cut him off with a chokeslam on the ring apron. Many of the other participants in the Blackjack Battle Royal were shown watching in the audience. Well at least we know they didn’t have to pay for tickets. Bill missed a splash in the corner, and the Best Friends hit the Soul Food/Half-and-Half. Then the Best Friends had to give the people what they want!
The Best Friends tried to hit the Strong Zero on Bill, but he powered out and took down Beretta with a spinning Boss Man slam. Bill went to the middle rope for a double team, but Taylor sent Moriarty into Bill. The Best Friends hit Bill with a massive superplex, but Bill kicked out at two. Taylor set up Bill for a piledriver, but Moriarty broke it up. Taylor hit Moriarty with a stuff piledriver. Bill hit Taylor with a big boot, then gave Taylor a chokeslam and got the pinfall. Great showcase for Bill, who looked real strong. Hopefully they don’t forget about him for six months.
After the match, Bill got into Bandido’s face at ringside, and Bandido jumped over the guardrail, starting a brawl between all the battle royal participants around ringside. The intention was there, but it felt like a perfunctory brawl that made me less excited for the match. Orange Cassidy ran in to help the Best Friends, but really just posed there with his belt. Brian Cage, Keith Lee and Dustin Rhodes, and finally Swerve Strickland all made entrances to join the fight, although Strickland turned around and left once he saw Lee coming for him.
Final Thoughts:
This show didn’t really do much to get me excited for the pay-per-view Sunday.
A Trios match featuring The Acclaimed is set for this week’s Rampage.
Rush, Dralistico, and Preston Vance will team together to take on The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn. Acclaimed and Gunn have been teaming together as a trios team in recent weeks, scoring wins on Rampage.
Britt Baker and Hikaru Shida will team together to take on Nyla Rose and Marina Shafir. Baker and Shida have joined forces against The Outcasts, who have targeted the two in recent months.
Ethan Page and The Gunns will also be in action. Following The Firm Deletion, Page has joined forces with The Gunns to take on The Hardys and Isiah Kassidy. On last week’s Rampage, Kassidy’s neck was injured after Page and The Gunns wrapped a chair around it and stomped on the chair.
Two former members of The Firm will also be in action, as Lee Moriarty and Big Bill will team to take on Trent Beretta and Chuck Taylor of Best Friends.
Here is the full lineup for Rampage, which does not have a set time due to NHL coverage:
Rush, Dralistico, and Preston Vance vs. The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn
Britt Baker & Hikaru Shida vs. Nyla Rose & Marina Shafir
Ethan Page & The Gunns in action
Lee Moriarty & Big Bill vs. Trent Beretta & Chuck Taylor
Tonight’s AEW Rampage will be another early edition due to the NBA playoffs on TNT.
In trios action, the Blackpool Combat Club (Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta) will take on Best Amigos (Chuck Taylor and Trent Beretta) & Bandido). The BCC learned on Wednesday they will battle The Elite in an Anarchy in the Arena match at Double or Nothing.
Undefeated inaugural TBS Champion Jade Cargill will continue her quest to find challenges as she defends against Danni Bee.
In a trios match, former AEW Tag Team Champions The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens & Max Caster) and Billy Gunn will take on the Varsity Athletes (Tony Nese, Josh Woods & Ari Daivari).
ROH Six-Man Tag Team Champion Bishop Kaun of the Mogul Embassy will face Dustin Rhodes.
Matt & Jeff Hardy and Brother Zay will also make an appearance on the show as they want to make a run at the AEW Tag Team titles.
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Blackpool Combat Club (Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta) (w/ Bryan Danielson) defeated Best Amigos (Chuck Taylor and Trent Beretta) & Bandido)
This was a fun, action packed party match of an opener with everyone getting their time to shine. I liked the history they played off of between Taylor & Yuta as it was fitting the trainee pinned his trainer. The BCC look more than ready for Anarchy in the Arena in a little over a week.
Moxley tried an early attack on Bandido, who used his speed to overcome the onslaught as Yuta & Beretta tagged in. Beretta blocked a skin the cat and sent Yuta to the floor where Taylor slammed his former protégé into the barricade. Castagnoli distracted Taylor long enough for Yuta to hit a chop block as the BCC isolated Taylor in their corner.
Taylor fought out of the corner and tagged Beretta, who took the fight to Moxley with a series of German suplexes. With the BCC collected on the floor, Best Amigos hit a trio of dives. Back inside, Castagnoli shoved Moxley out of the way from danger and caught Beretta in mid air with an uppercut to take control during commercial. There was supposed to be picture in picture, but we only saw commercials and no action.
Beretta avoided a charging Moxley and connected with a Tornado DDT into the double down. Castagnoli & Bandido made tags with Bandido hitting a tornillo out of the corner followed by a springboard hurricanrana pin attempt for two. A strike exchange led to Bandido trying a delayed vertical suplex, but Yuta made the save, only to be caught by Bandido as Best Friends made the blind tag with a Soul Food and half & half combo.
Best Amigos gave the people what they wanted with a hug before Taylor spiked Yuta with a snap piledriver. Taylor tried Yuta’s seatbelt pin, as Moxley broke it up by dropkicking his own partner. The match broke down with everyone hitting big moves until Taylor went for Awful Waffle, but was cut off by a Moxley Death Rider and Rocket Launcher by Castagnoli & Yuta to get the pin.
– Kyle Fletcher cut a promo about why he attacked Orange Cassidy last week. Since Fletcher was born and raised in Australia, made a name for himself in England, won titles in Japan & the USA, no one is more fitting to be AEW International Champion than he is.
TBS Champion Jade Cargill (w/ Leila Grey & Mark Sterling) defeated Danni Bee to retain
Excalibur talked about Taya Valkyrie failing last month to win the TBS Title and subsequently losing her cool on referee Aubrey Edwards, getting suspended in the process. We learned that suspension has since been lifted. Bee has wrestled twice on Elevation in losing efforts to Abadon & Emi Sakura. Cargill smoked Bee with a forearm immediately and followed with a fallaway slam. A violent pump kick got Cargill the win and put her at 58-0. Sterling ran his mouth post-match asking if that’s the best Texas had to offer and brought out another challenger.
TBS Champion Jade Cargill (w/ Leila Grey & Mark Sterling) defeated Genesis to retain
We learned Genesis is a trainee of the Dustin Rhodes Wrestling Academy and Jericho explained she had a massive stroke, was paralyzed and had to learn how to walk and speak again before deciding to get into pro wrestling. Cargill violently whipped Genesis into the ropes, hit a spear and Jaded to go to 59-0.
Sterling said Cargill was about to go to 60-0 as an unnamed challenger came out to the ramp to accept the challenge until Valkyrie made an entrance and laid out the woman. Valkyrie stormed to the ring, took out Grey and laid out Cargill with a clothesline and Road to Valhalla.
Valkyrie got the microphone and asked Cargill “Who’s that b*tch,” saying she’ll see her at Double or Nothing. Excalibur said Tony Khan made their title rematch official and this time, Valkyrie can use her finisher unlike in their first meeting.
The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens & Max Caster) and Billy Gunn defeated Varsity Athletes (Tony Nese, Josh Woods & Ari Daivari)
Gunn had early face-offs with each member of the Athletes until Nese tried a posedown. Gunn played to the crowd before taking his shirt off and planted Nese with a side suplex. Scissor Me Timbers by Bowens connected as The Acclaimed & Gunn scissored for the crowd. Caster posed too long and found himself isolated during the commercial break, but made his comeback when they returned. A double clothesline by Caster & Woods allowed Bowens to make the hot tag.
While this was all happening, Gunn beat down Daivari ringside. Bowens ran wild with an over the top leg drop on Nese as Gunn tossed Woods to the outside. Nese initially avoided the Arrival with a spin kick to the face, but as he went for a combo, Bowens hit The Arrival and Caster with The Mic Drop to pick up the win.
-This week’s QTV started with QT Marshall asking Aaron Solo if he hacked Matt Hardy, which Solo denied. Marshall said he has them all entered in the Blackjack Battle Royal for the International Title at Double or Nothing. Marshall talks about Powerhouse Hobbs being on the poster for AEW Collision and mentions Miro while Solo & Harley Cameron name drop Buff Bagwell, Blue Meanie and Tatanka. Marshall said it doesn’t matter because on June 17th, the real story begins.
The Hardys and Brother Zay
Tony Schiavone was in the ring and introduced Matt and Jeff Hardy & Brother Zay. Matt said it’s official for Double or Nothing with the three of them against The Gunns & Ethan Page where the stipulation being if Team Hardy wins, then Matt Hardy gets control of Ethan Page’s contract.
Jeff put over the Texas crowd briefly before Page came to the stage alone. Page said he and Matt have been feuding for too long and that Zay can trust Page and he and Zay were going to become The Moan Event until he turned his back on Page.
This was all a ruse as The Gunns showed up from behind with chair shots to the Hardys and Zay. A chair was placed over Zay’s neck as Page stomped down onto it. I’m sure this match will be fun at Double or Nothing, but I agree with what Page said earlier: it feels like this story with Page & Matt Hardy has went on forever.
Chris Jericho and Adam Cole brawl
After highlights of Wednesday’s falls count anywhere match between Chris Jericho and Roderick Strong. Jericho called Adam Cole a coward and said if Cole was there, he’d beat his ass. Cole appeared on screen, saying every week he’d show up and beat Jericho’s ass. Jericho said he has lifted the legal agreement of Cole being banned from the building, challenging Cole to an unsanctioned match at Double or Nothing. Cole thanked Jericho and immediately entered the building for his search of Jericho.
After the break, Cole walked down from the crowd, sprinted up the ramp and the brawl was on between he and Jericho as security tried to separate them. Both men broke free at different points during the fight.
Dustin Rhodes defeated Bishop Kaun (w/Prince Nana)
It wouldn’t be a match in Texas without a Rhodes family member bleeding. Rhodes did an amazing job getting the crowd behind him as he continues to put on very good matches against everyone he competes against. The post match was a continuation of the Swerve Strickland and Keith Lee story which needs to be settled soon as both need to go on to other stories sooner than later.
Kaun attacked just as Rhodes stepped through the ropes, but Rhodes quickly clotheslined him to the outside. Back inside, Kaun reversed a whip to the corner and Rhodes ran right into the camera, spilling to the floor, busting himself open in the process. Kaun connected with a neckbreaker off the apron onto the floor and controlled him during the entire commercial break.
Rhodes tried his snap powerslam, but Kaun nailed an air raid crash for a one count as Rhodes hulked up into a slugfest. A series of clotheslines, dropdown uppercut and snap powerslam got Rhodes in control as he delivered corner punches, but got his legs pulled from under him.
Rhodes fought back with a nice Code Red and piledriver for near falls. Kaun hit a shotgun dropkick, but missed a corner charge, which allowed Rhodes to connect on a bulldog and Final Reckoning for the win.
Post match, Brian Cage attacked and power bombed Rhodes as Swerve Strickland sauntered into the ring, smiling at the beatdown. Keith Lee then walked out from the back as Cage and Kaun went to cut him off on the ramp. Lee took them both out and stared down Strickland. Lee took way too long to get his hands on Strickland, which allowed Cage & Kaun to attack from behind with a chair.
Cage powered Lee up on his shoulders and hit an F5 onto the chair. Lee was placed seated on the chair as Strickland hit a Swerve Stomp as Rhodes was forced to watch by Cage.
This Wednesday:
Tony Khan will announce the location of the debut episode of AEW Collision
All Four Pillars (MJF, Darby Allin, Jungle Boy and Sammy Guevara) will be heard from
AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy defends against Kyle Fletcher
ROH Tag Team Champions Lucha Brothers defend against Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta
AEW Trios Champions House of Black defend against AR Fox, Blake Christian & Metalik
In another early edition of AEW Rampage, the Blackpool Combat Club will be in trios action as Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta take on Best Amigos (Chuck Taylor, Bandido & Trent Beretta).
Friday’s show will begin at 6:30 PM Eastern due to the NBA playoffs on TNT.
In another trios match, The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn will look to keep their recent win streak going as they face the Varsity Athletes (Tony Nese, Josh Woods & Ari Daivari).
TBS Champion Jade Cargill will have an open title challenge as she looks to continue her undefeated run.
In a singles match, ROH Six-Man Tag Team Champion Bishop Kaun of the Mogul Embassy will go one-on-one with Dustin Rhodes as that feud continues.
Here’s the lineup that is being taped after Wednesday’s Dynamite in Austin, Texas:
Blackpool Combat Club (Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta) vs. Best Amigos (Bandido, Chuck Taylor & Trent Beretta)
TBS Champion Jade Cargill title defense open challenge
The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens & Max Caster) and Billy Gunn vs. Varsity Athletes (Tony Nese, Josh Woods & Ari Daivari)
Tonight’s special Saturday edition of AEW Rampage will feature four matches and a promo by The Gunns.
After winning a recent trios battle royal, former AEW Tag Team Champions The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn will head into six-man action against The Butcher & The Blade and Kip Sabian.
Former AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm will face Allysin Kay who is making her return to an AEW ring for the first time since 2020’s Full Gear when she challenged then-NWA Women’s Champion Serena Deeb.
Ahead of his challenge of AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy Wednesday, Kyle Fletcher of Aussie Open will take on Action Andretti.
Swerve Strickland & Brian Cage of the Mogul Embassy will team up against John Silver & Alex Reynolds of Dark Order.
For the first time since they lost the AEW Tag Team titles to FTR, The Gunns (Austin & Colten) will be on hand to share some thoughts.
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Taped in Detroit, Michigan.
Jim Ross, Tony Schiavone & Excalibur were on commentary.
The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn defeated The Butcher & The Blade and Kip Sabian (w/ Penelope Ford) (8:08)
In his rap, Max Caster compared his opponents to the crew that tried to kidnap the Michigan governor, and said the Butcher had the worst mustache since Vince McMahon.
Anthony Bowens started out with Sabian. The Blade got the tag and fell victim to the “Scissor Me Timbers” double-team. The Butcher got the tag, and dumped Bowens to the floor after Sabian caught him with a knee. On the floor, Blade threw Bowens into the barricade and Sabian hit an Arabian press.
Back in the ring, The Butcher worked over Bowens while the crowd chanted for Daddy Ass. The Butcher and Blade double-teamed Bowners into the split-screen break.
Sabian hit Bowens with a cannonball in the corner, and Butcher hit an inverted uranage/backbreaker for a near fall. The Blade dove into a back elbow from Bowens, who followed up with a superkick. Billy Gunn finally got the hot tag and the 59 year old Gunn took out all three of his opponents. Gunn hit the Butcher with a powerslam. Caster came in and hit a springboard dropkick on Blade. Gunn hit the Fameasser on Sabian for a near fall, but Blade broke up the pin.
Caster took out Blade with a superkick. Bowens hit the Arrival on Sabian, and Caster followed up with the Mic Drop to get a pinfall.
– The QTV crew’s new goal is to dig up dirt on the British people who will attend All In. Apparently if you live in England but weren’t born there, you’re “Brit-ish.” Harley Cameron interviewed Powerhouse Hobbs. Hobbs read from the Book of Hobbs and plans to add more to that story.
Toni Storm (w/ the Outcasts) defeated Allysin Kay (4:58)
Kay is from Detroit, and got the hometown pop. Kay started out strong, but Saraya tripped Kay up and Storm took her down by the hair to take advantage. Ruby Soho snuck in a cheap shot for good measure. Kay wound up on the floor and was double-teamed by Saraya and Soho. Storm dropped down to the floor and whipped Kay into the ring barricades and the ringpost.
Back in the ring, Kay came back with a neckbreaker and a clothesline for a near fall. Storm came back with a tornado DDT and went for a piledriver. Kay countered the piledriver attempt with a pinning combination, but Soho distracted the ref. Storm took down Kay with a german suplex, hit the running hip attack and the Storm Zero for a pinfall.
The Outcasts will take on Hikaru Shida, Britt Baker & Jamie Hayter on Dynamite Wednesday. Jack Perry vs. Rush and a Sammy Guevara match also announced.
The Gunns cut a promo backstage, but Ethan Page interrupted with an offer to talk.
Kyle Fletcher defeated Action Andretti (w/ Darius Martin) (8:18)
Crowd was solidly behind Fletcher, chanting “Oi! Oi! Oi!” After some solid back and forth action, Andretti caught Fletcher with a rana and a dropkick. Andretti hit a springboard tornio off the bottom rope for a near fall. Fletcher caught Andretti with a leg lariat to send him to the floor. Fletcher slammed Andretti on the floor during the split-screen break.
After the commercial, Andretti clotheslined Fletcher to the floor and followed him out with a plancha. Andretti missed a split-legged moonsault but landed on his feet. Fletcher caught him with a superkick, and running kick in the corner and a brainbuster for a nearfall. Andretti came back with a superplex off the top rope. Andretti hit a springboard 450 for a near fall. Andretti caught Fletcher with an enziguri, but Fletcher caught him with a leg lariat. Fletcher finished off Andretti with a spinning tombstone piledriver and got the pinfall.
– Tony Schiavone interviewed The Hardy Boys and Brother Zay (the former Isiah Kassidy). Jeff Hardy promised to win the AEW World Tag Team Titles in the Hardy Boys final run, and this brought out the Gunns. The Gunns asked for a six man against the Hardys and Brother Zay, with Ethan Page as their partner. Matt Hardy agreed, with the stipulation that if his team wins, he gets Ethan Page’s contract. “You gotta cut it out with this contract stuff, Matt.” “Last time, I promise.” The Gunns agree on behalf of Page.
Swerve Strickland & Brian Cage (w/ Prince Nana) defeated John Silver & Alex Reynolds (w/ Evil Uno) (10:49)
John Silver offered the new Mogul Affiliates membership in the Dark Order during a pre-match interview. They can even bring their hats! I don’t think they’ll be taking them up on that offer.
Reynolds and Strickland started the match, but soon tags were made to Cage and Silver. They engaged in a posedown, and Silver had the support of the crowd. Cage surprised Silver by matching his agility, catching his smaller oppoent offguard with a tijeras. Sivler surprised Cage by matching his power, dropping Cage with a powerslam.
During the split-screen break, Strickland and Cage worked over Silver. Silver reversed a suplex attempt from Cage and got the tag to Silver. Silver sent Cage to the floor with a boot and took Strickland down with a cravat. Silver hit a tiger driver and stuff piledriver on Strickland for a near fall. Reynolds set up a superplex, but Prince Nana broke it up. Silver and Reynolds hit their rapid double team on Strickland, but Cage broke up the pin. Cage went for the Drill Claw, but Silver countered with a small package. Cage dropped Reynolds with a pop-up powerbomb. Strickland and Cage hit a double-cutter for two.
Silver caught Cage with a kick to break up another Drill Claw attempt. Nana grabbed Silver’s foot again, allowing Strickland to nail Silver from behind. Cage hit Reynolds with the Drill Claw while at the same time, Strickland took Silver out with the JML Driver. Cage got the pinfall on Reynolds.
After the match, the Gates of Agony came from the back and double-teamed Evil Uno. The Mogul Affiliates overwhelmed the Dark Order until Keith Lee and Dustin Rhodes came out with a ton of plunder to chase them off.
The Acclaimed won the Tres de Mayo battle royal on AEW Dynamite.
The trios battle royal boiled down to The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn against The Butcher, The Blade, and Kip Sabian. The finish had Gunn and Max Caster give double famousers to Butcher and Sabian, both being thrown over the top rope to the floor
It wasn’t made clear what the winners would receive. Earlier in the show, The House of Black appeared via video talking about how they would put the Trios titles up against anyone in what they called the Open House. However, going forward, they will impose new rules for their matches, including 20 second count outs, no rope breaks, and DQ’s will be enforced.
The Acclaimed had recently been feuding with the Jericho Appreciation Society after the JAS turned on The Acclaimed after they acted like they wanted them to join their group. The Acclaimed, along with Gunn, defeated Angelo Parker, Matt Menard, and Jake Hager on the April 19 edition of Dynamite.
