A live AEW Rampage will kick off two hours of action on Friday with Battle of the Belts VI coming right afterward.
Darby Allin will look to stake his claim to an AEW World title shot as he takes on Lee Moriarty. Allin is looking to keep pace with Jungle Boy and Sammy Guevara in pursuit of MJF.
After defeating Ethan Page on Wednesday following a title belt shot from Matt Hardy, FTW Champion Hook will rematch with Page.
Swerve Strickland will make an important announcement that will hopefully give some clues as to his future.
The Acclaimed, Matt Menard & Angelo Parker will be in eight-man tag team action while Julia Hart of the House of Black (and 20-match win streak) will take on Anna Jay A.S. of the Jericho Appreciation Society.
TBS Champion Jade Cargill and Taya Valkyrie will have a sit-down confrontation as the build to their eventual match continues.
**********
FTW Rules Match: Hook (c) defeated Ethan Page via submission
This match had FTW no-disqualification rules, falls-count-anywhere match. They brawled into the crowd early on. Hook used a T-Bone suplex to Page on the floor. Page would later powerslam Hook through a table at ringside.
Back in the ring, when Page went for a chair shot but Hook moved away and Page hit the rope instead, which ricocheted and hit Page in the face. Hook did a Twist of Fate onto the chair for two. Page hit a big pump kick. The finish saw Hook lock Page into Redrum (f.k.a. Tazmission) for the submission win.
Afterwards, Hook would T-Bone Page through a table in the corner.
QTV segment
QT Marshall’s team did a bit where they spoof the TMZ set and gossip with each other about AEW business. They talked about their ROH Tag Title match later tonight. Aaron Solo pretended not to know how to pronounce “lucha libre,” then Marshall said he wouldn’t be dead doing any of that “flippy shit” in the match. When someone told Marshall to “break a leg” he replied with “Who am I, Dante Martin?” and then everyone started laughing all campy-like.
Jericho Appreciation Society & The Acclaimed defeated LSG, Bobby Orlando & The Infantry
Jake Hager came out with JAS.
Max Caster rapped about JAS being more annoying than Marjorie Taylor Greene while they were coming out.
The Acclaimed did their “Scissor Me Timbers” double-team move on Orlando. Caster did The Mic Drop (frog splash elbow drop) for the win.
Despite winning together, the JAS with Jake Hager would attack the Acclaimed during their post-match celebration.
Swerve’s PSA
Swerve said he had a public service announcement for everyone, that he’d announce his new “merger” (partner, possibly?) later tonight.
Darby Allin defeated Lee Moriarty (w/ Big Bill)
According to Jim Ross and Excalibur, yesterday, Darby Allin was run over by a car while skateboarding in New York City. He was cleared to wrestle for this match’s though.
The Rhode Island crowd broke out into a loud “DAR-BY!” chant before the match.
They showed a picture-in-picture shot of Sammy Guevara and Tay Conti watching the match from a remote location.
Allin grabbed a headlock early. He earned a near fall when he hooked Moriarty into a La Casita pin. Another loud chant for Allin broke out.
Moriarty began took over from here. He worked over Allin’s midsection. On the floor, he slammed Allin into the barricade. He’d go for a running kick next, but Allin moved out of the way, so Moriarty got crotched on the guardrail. When Allin threw him back in the ring, the ref went to check on Moriarty, so Big Bill appeared and blasted Allin with a boot, keeping him laid out on the outside.
When the program returned from break, the crowd was again chanting for Allin. He exploded at Moriarty into the corner with a shotgun dropkick that sent Moriarty flying. When Allin went to the top rope for another attack, Big Bill appeared again, distracting Allin and causing him to crash onto the ropes.
Moriarty lifted Allin up in a vertical suplex and dropped Allin stomach-first over the tope rope. He’d follow up with a superplex, but Allin held on and locked Moriarty into a small package two. Moriarty went for a wrist-clutch pin but got two himself.
Allin hit a Code Red on Moriarty before taking Big Bill out with a dive through the bottom rope before finishing Moriarty off with a Coffin Drop for the win. Good match.
Before Allin could make it to the back, Swerve’s music hit. An image for MOGUL AFFILIATES appeared on the monitor. Swerve appeared and offered Allin a handshake. The two have a history in the Pacific Northwest and on commentary it sounded like it’d be possible they could join up. Before Allin could shake Swerve’s hand, Brian Cage appeared and decked Allin. He’d then LAUNCH Allin with a helicopter spin that saw Allin do two full rotations, I think. Prince Nana also appeared. It seems as if this is the new “merger” Swerve was talking about.
Jade Cargill & Taya Valkrie sitdown
The two had a sit-down “mediation” about the usage of Cargill’s “Jaded” (or “Glam Slam”) finisher which Valkyrie had already been using. Valkyrie insisted the champion show some more respect for history, but Cargill wasn’t impressed. The two ended up in a shouting match with each other before things were broken up and the segment finished.
Julia Hart defeated Anna Jay
Jay attacked Hart before her introduction could finished. They brawled on the floor for the first few minutes. Hart whipped Jay into the barricade.
When the match spilled back out onto the floor, Anna Jay lifted Hart up in a power bomb, then let her hang down vertically before she slammed an upside-down Hart head-first into the barricade. The program cut to commercials at this point.
Jay was on offense for much of the break, but when the show returned, Hart had just regained the upper hand. She did a running basement elbow that connected with Jay’s back. Jim Ross said she is Hart is AEW’s youngest wrestler right now. She did a standing moonsault and earned a two for it.
Jay came back and earned a two-count before putting on the Queenslayer sleeper hold but she couldn’t synch it in fully. Hart returned fire and fought Jay into the corner before placing her on the top rope. Hart was hanging in a Tree of Woe before pulling her body up to grab Jay and throw her into the ring. She’d then hit a nice moonsault press and earned two for it.
Jay would try for the Queenslayer again, but the two would end up falling out of the ring as they tussled for leverage. Jay rolled back into the ring and Hart was almost counted out, but when the referee wasn’t looking, Hart appeared and spit poison mist into Jay’s face. Back in the ring, she’d roll Jay into an inside cradle for the hollow win.
As Hart exited, Orange Cassidy’s theme song sounded. This looked like it pissed Hart off. She eyeballed him as he went to the back.
For the second straight week, the TNT title will be on the line on a special Saturday edition of AEW Rampage.
Powerhouse Hobbs will look for the second defense of his TNT title when he faces Penta El Zero Miedo. Penta will be looking for revenge for Rey Fenix and Alex Abrahantes following the events of last week’s Rampage.
In her second AEW match, Taya Valkyrie will take on Leila Grey. When Valkyrie debuted last week and confronted TBS Champion Jade Cargill, she delivered Cargill’s own Jaded to Grey.
Brody King will face Jake Hager of the Jericho Appreciation Society after Daniel Garcia picked up a tainted win over King last Friday.
Former AEW Tag Team Champions The Acclaimed will battle former ROH Tag Team Champions The Kingdom.
Ricky Starks threw out an open challenge for tonight to Juice Robinson after the Bullet Club member took him out on Dynamite.
**********
Taped from Independence, Missouri.
Jim Ross, Excalibur and Tony Schiavone were on commentary.
Powerhouse Hobbs (w/ the cast of QTV) defeated Penta El Zero Miedo (w/ Alex Abrahantes) to retain the TNT Championship (10:33)
Hobbs and Penta exchanged strikes in the opening, and Penta knocked Hobbs to the floor with a dropkick. Penta tried to follow up with a tope, but Hobbs cut him off with a forearm. Harley (the woman from QTV) took video of the match on her phone while Hobbs threw Penta into the ringpost. Doesn’t she know she can DVR the show?
Hobbs tossed Penta about the ringside area, into the ring barricades. Back in the ring, Hobbs dropped a Bret Hart style elbow for a two. Penta tried to catch Hobbs with a kick, but Hobbs grabbed his foot and yanked him into a backbreaker. While Hobbs distracted Aubrey Edwards, Marshall tied Penta’s mask onto the bottom rope. He didn’t stay tied up for long though. Hobbs delivered a delayed vertical suplex for a near fall.
After a split screen break, Penta took Hobbs down with a sloppy slingblade, then caught Hobbs with a back stabber for a near fall. Hobbs gave Penta the Big Ending for a near fall. Harley was blatantly recording the whole match with her phone. Penta escaped Hobbs’ attempt at the Town Business, kicked Hobbs to the floor and caught him with a tope con hilo. Penta dodged Hobbs and sent him into the steps Penta dropped down on Hobbs from the top rope with a pair of double foot stomps, one on the ring apron and one on the ring. All that only got Penta a two count.
Penta setup Hobbs for the Fear Factor, but Marshall got on the apron with a chair to distract him. Solo jumped in and attacked Penta, and Penta took him out with the Fear Factor. Hobbs decked Penta with the TNT title belt, then hit the Town Business for the pinfall.
After the match, Hobbs and Marshall tried to beat on Abrahantes some more, but Rey Fenix ran in with the hammer to chase them off.
Hobbs beating two-thirds of Death Triangle is a seriously good start to his TNT title reign. Hopefully PAC is next.
– Highlights from last week’s Dynamite led to a package on Kenny Omega’s match with Jeff Cobb for the IWGP United States Championship next week.
– Ricky Starks came to the ring for a confrontation with Juice Robinson. Robinson came out to the ring but turned his back, and Starks tried to chase him down. Robinson got away from Starks because he didn’t want to fight in Missouri. Robinson wanted the match in New York City. The next date AEW has in New York is April 5th, and Starks/Robinson match was made official for that show in a later segment.
– Jay Lethal and Jeff Jarrett ran down all the ways that AEW referees have screwed them out of titles they were cheating to win with their dastardly enforcement of the rules.
Brody King (w/ Julia Hart) defeated Jake Hager (w/ a hat that he likes) (6:15 aired)
Hager’s hat got a bigger pop than either wrestler.
Slugfest to start, while JR put over Hager’s MMA credentials. The fight went to the floor, where both guys threw each other into the ring barricades.
After a break, King caught Hager with a blackhole slam for a near fall. King went for a piledriver, but Hager countered with an ankle lock. King kicked free and caught Hager with an avalanche, but Hager ducked the cannonball. Hager tried for the Hager bomb, but King got his feet up into Hager’s face. King hit a discus lariat for a near fall.
Anna Jay ran in and attacked Julia Hart. This distracted King for a minute, but he still caught Hager with the “All Seeing Eye” (kind of an inverted/sit-out death valley driver) for the pinfall.
It seems like the Jericho Appreciation Society and the House of Black feud will continue.
– Swerve Strickland (and a rapper named Tek 9) promised to win the war with Keith Lee with help from a new “affiliate” he wouldn’t expect.
Sterling had the cease & desist order with him to keep Valkyrie from using the “Road to Valhalla” finishing move. Excalibur clarified on commentary that the cease & desist order is not a court order; just a threatening letter. Since I’m not a lawyer, I’ll take his word for it.
Valkyrie pinned Grey with the Road to Valhalla in short order. After the match, Sterling confronted Valkyrie with the cease & desist, and Valkyrie gave him the Road to Valhalla as well. I can’t wait to see Sterling in a neck brace for the next three months.
Rundown of next week’s Dynamite:
Kenny Omega v. Jeff Cobb for the IWGP US Title
Willow Nightingale v. Ruby Soho
Matt Hardy v. Jack Perry
Dalton Castle & The Boys v. Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta
Orange Cassidy v. The Butcher for the AEW International Championship
Adam Cole v. Daniel Garcia
Matt Menard and Angelo Parker for the Jericho Appreciation Society joined the commentary team for the main event.
The Acclaimed (w/ Billy Gunn) defeated The Kingdom (w/ Maria Kanellis Bennett) (9:10)
Mike Bennett and Max Caster started out, and the Kingdom got the advantage after a distraction from Maria. Matt Taven hit a middle rope dropkick on Caster for a near fall. Acclaimed caught Bennett with a back-stabber/neckbreaker combination for a near fall. The Acclaimed gave Bennett the Scissor Me Timbers, then dumped Taven to the floor.
The Kingdom got the heat on Caster during the split-screen break. Taven caught Caster with a superkick and Bennet followed up with a spear for a near fall.
After the break, Taven hit a spin kick for a near fall on Caster. The Kingdom directed a crotch chop at Billy Gunn, which drew him onto the apron. Maria distracted Caster, and the Kingdom hit another double team on Caster. Maria tried to slip her team one of her boots to use as a weapon. Gunn chased Maria up the ramp, and Top Flight met her there to escort her to the back. “Maria didn’t have to leave!” complained JR. Gunn took out Bennett with a clothesline on the floor.
Meanwhile in the ring, the ref caught Taven with the boot, and Anthony Bowens got the hot tag. Bowens made the comeback on Taven and took out Bennett with a superkick. Bowen hit a rolling elbow on Taven, delivered the Arrival, and Caster followed up with the Mic Drop for the pinfall. Solid tag match.
Parker and Menard gave the Acclaimed a standing ovation upon the victory. During the match, they announced they’d be taking the Acclaimed out for a night on the town on Chris Jericho’s dime, so expect some skits on Dynamite.
This was a quick show that was over in about 40 minutes, taped at the Cow Palace Friday.
The Acclaimed (w/ Billy Gunn) defeated The WorkHorsemen (5:53)
Max Caster did a pre-match rap suggesting that his opponents lived in a meth lab and jerked off horses. They were also happy to be in the Bay Area. The crowd chanted “San Fran-scissor,”but Taz wasn’t impressed.
They had a basic tag match with some nice spots. Caster avoided a JD Drake moonsault and hit an Attitude Adjustment. Acclaimed followed with Scissor Me Timbers on Drake for the pinfall win.
Gunn gave fameassers to both Drake and Anthony Henry after the match. Anthony Bowens, Caster and Gunn scissored each other.
Daniel Garcia (w/ Sammy Guevara) defeated Aaron Solo (6:25)
Solo got a decent response on the way out because he was announced as from San Francisco.
Garcia teased chucking Solo into the crowd, which they wanted, but Garcia tossed him in the ring instead and mocked the crowd. Garcia worked over Solo and did a little dance while he did, but Solo made a comeback which included a dive and diving double foot stomp for two.
The crowd got behind Solo but he was cut off by Garcia’s Rock Bottom. Instead of going for a cover, Garcia got distracted by Guevera who wanted a hug. Solo knocked Guevara off the apron and hit Garcia with a corkscrew kick. Solo went to the top but Guevera distracted him and Garcia hit a lung blower for the pinfall win.
Guevara grabbed a mic and announced he had a gift for Garcia. The crowd booed. It was a t-shirt with a picture of Guevara and Garcia together, but it only had Sammy’s name on it. The crowd chanted “throw it out” but Garcia reluctantly put it on. Sammy was thrilled but Garcia was less than impressed.
Hook defeated Peter Avalon (0:47)
Avalon cut a heel promo before the match saying he would have beaten Chris Jericho if they were in southern California instead of San Fran. He said he would beat whatever idiot came out for a match.
Hook won quickly by submission with Redrum.
Lucha Brothers (w/ Alex Abrahantes) & Mark Briscoe defeated Matt Hardy, Lee Moriarty & Isaiah Kassidy (w/ Stokely Hathaway) (7:12)
The crowd was really into Penta and Rey Fénix to start. The heels were in control until Mark Briscoe tagged in and handed out chops. The crowd charmed “dem boys.” Kassidy got a two count on Fénix on a schoolboy. Everyone came in and traded moves until Penta dropped Hardy with a slingblade.
Lucha Brothers hit Kassidy with Fear Factor and Briscoe followed with a Froggy Bow and Penta made the cover for the pinfall win.
Hey there! It’s an earlier Friday night post stream! I will be here to talk about WWE SmackDown and also go over my event experience from what I was able to watch on AEW Rampage! Tune in for a good time and some wrestling conversation!
We had a very fiery episode of AEW Dynamite on Wednesday, lots of storytelling and good in-ring action! Tune into Speak Now Pro Wrestling with Denise Salcedo as she breaks down the night.
Topics include: William Regal/AEW situation rundown, MJF/Ricky Starks promo exchange, FTR vs The Acclaimed, and sooo much more!
The Acclaimed will defend the AEW World Tag Team titles against FTR on tonight’s Dynamite.
Months after being named top contenders to the Tag titles, FTR will finally receive their title match on tonight’s episode.
The TNT title will also be on the line tonight, as Samoa Joe defends against former champ Darby Allin.
The Dynamite Diamond battle royale is set for tonight’s episode. The winner of the battle royale moves on to face three-time ring winner MJF for the Dynamite Diamond ring.
A number of promos have been advertised for the show, including ones from World Champion MJF, former champ Jon Moxley, and a sit-down interview with Women’s World Champion Jamie Hayter.
Claudio Castagnoli will team with Wheeler Yuta against Jake Hager and Daniel Garcia.
Jade Cargill and her Baddies (Leila Grey & Red Velvet) will team against Kiera Hogan, Madison Rayne, and Skye Blue.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
**********
AEW Dynamite opened with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Tony Schiavone & Taz as we begin with the Dynamite Diamond Battle Royale, where the winner gets to select the time and place they challenge for MJF’s Dynamite Diamond ring.
Ricky Starks won the Dynamite Diamond Battle Royale
(I had originally thought the winner of this won an AEW Title shot, but it’s for a shot at the Dynamite Diamond ring that MJF holds, which makes sense, so Starks will be going for it all next week. Now, the post match promo was incredible and Ricky Starks best of his career. The crowd was firmly behind him and I’m looking forward to next week.)
The participants were Jungle Boy, Ricky Starks, Dustin Rhodes, Ethan Page, Lee Moriarty, Orange Cassidy, Kip Sabian, Matt Hardy, The Butcher, Shawn Dean, Dalton Castle and Brian Cage
Cassidy & Sabian continued their brawling from this past Friday on Rampage before getting into the ring. Cassidy skinned the cat, but The Blade, despite not being in the match, hit him mid pull up to eliminate Cassidy. Rhodes eliminated Sabian off a Destroyer and clothesline. The Butcher eliminated Rhodes to a loud chorus of boos. Cage knocked Castle off the apron, but he fell onto The Boys repeatedly and crowd surfed around the floor. Castle returned and was immediately bodyslammed over the top onto The Boys. Jungle Boy & Cage wound up on the apron and Perry hit a Meteora on the apron to eliminate Cage.
Starks eliminated The Butcher with a Spear off the apron. Perry hit a hurricanrana over the top to eliminate Moriarty, but while on the apron, W. Morrissey dropped Perry to eliminate him and connected with a nasty choke slam onto the edge of the ring. Page demanded Hardy raise his hand, despite this not being over. Dean hit a round the world DDT on Page, tried to eliminate him, but Hardy connected with a Twist of Fate to save Page. Dean was tossed out by Page, who bad mouthed Hardy, who went for another Twist of Fate on Starks, but he tossed Hardy out.
Starks & Page are your final two, as Starks hit a Tornado DDT, missed a Spear and Page hit a roundhouse kick. Page went to toss Starks out, but Starks held onto the top rope and Page was eliminated. Starks wins, but MJF’s music immediately hit.
MJF said next week he’ll be a four time Dynamite diamond champion, called Starks the drizzling shits and quoted The Rock, saying Starks is a dollar store Dwayne. MJF calls Starks The Pebble who he’ll send back to Billy Corgan’s NWA on YouTube. MJF hit his catchphrases before Starks grabbed the mic and called him a Maxi Pad and a fifth rate Roddy Piper. Starks verbally lit up MJF from head to toe talking about his cheap suits, shoes and heat. MJF always lets people down, while Starks constantly delivers. Next week he shuts MJF up, smacks the mole off his neck and taking his title. MJF kicked Starks low, went for the ring punch, but Starks ducked and hit the Spear, holding up the title to a huge ovation.
*********
-Jon Moxley is backstage saying this is All Elite Wrestling not All Elite Talking, he enjoys the fighting, so this weekend at Rampage, Final Battle, the Blackpool Combat Club bring back what they do best. Moxley will be ringside tonight to make sure no shenanigans happen. Moxley said if Hangman Page wanted another piece, he knows where to find him.
TNT & ROH TV Champion Samoa Joe defeated Darby Allin to retain the TNT Title
(Fantastic battle this was, as Joe steamrolled Allin the first half of this match before Allin turned it on the second half, nearly regaining his TNT Title.)
Allin sent Joe outside with a dropkick, attempted a dive, but Joe casually side stepped and Allin crashed hard on the concrete. Joe held Allin by his legs and drove him into the railing and side of the ring repeatedly. Joe has a smirk on his face, as he wanted a powerbomb on the exposed concrete, Allin got free, but ran into a snap powerslam on the concrete.
Joe violently rammed Allin head first into the post that sent Allin spinning to the floor where the doctor checked on him. Joe counted along with referee Bryce, but Allin beat the count. Allin hit a few kicks, but Joe hit his Manhattan drop, charging kick and senton combo for two. Allin baited Joe to the floor, tried a slingshot dive, Joe caught Allin, but Allin sent Joe into the steps and hit a huge Coffin Drop from the top.
Back in the ring, Allin hit an over the top stunner and Code Red, but Joe kicked out. Allin ran into a uranage in the corner, but fought out of the corner to try a Coffin Drop, falling right into the rear naked choke. Allin faded fast, his eyes rolled back and the ref called it. Post match, Allin shoved Joe, who headbutt Allin, grabbed his skateboard hit Allin with a Muscle Buster on it as the spine of Allin landed flush on the wheel. Joe put on the sleeper again until Wardlow made the save to run off Joe. I bet Allin wishes Wardlow would’ve shown up about a minute sooner.
-Tony Schiavone is backstage with Orange Cassidy & Kip Sabian. Cassidy said if Sabian wants a title shot at the All-Atlantic Title, all he had to do was ask. Sabian said he’s hurt from the battle royal, so Cassidy said for him to pick someone for him to defend the title against on Rampage. Sabian pondered it and walked off. Tony Schiavone made the match official, so he has that power now.
**********
-A video package is shown highlighting the Chris Jericho vs. Claudio Castagnoli match at Final Battle for the ROH World Title.
Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta (w/Jon Moxley) defeated ROH Pure Champion Daniel Garcia & Jake Hager (w/Sammy Guevara)
(This was your standard tag match with the JAS controlling the entire break and BCC firing back when they returned. Some clunky spots towards the end, but this was a good match. The post match Regal pre-tape promo was an odd explanation (something Moxley didn’t even address), but it was his farewell.)
Castagnoli faked putting a purple Hager hat on, but punted it instead. An annoyed Hager took his frustrations out on Yuta, who was picked apart in the corner by Garcia & himself. Garcia & Yuta fired off chops and Yuta hit a standing senton. Double big boot by Castagnoli & Yuta, as Hager went back & forth with Castagnoli, with commentary mentioning how they were former teammates. Yuta hit an Angle Slam on Garcia and a tope onto both Garcia & Hager. Back inside, Guevara ran distraction long enough for Hager to hit a Hager Bomb for two on Yuta. Able to fight free, Yuta hit a huge superplex on Garcia for the double down into commercial.
Yuta was controlled the entire break and hit a release German suplex on Garcia when they returned from picture in picture. Castagnoli made the hot tag and delivered uppercuts aplenty on Hager. Castagnoli went for a hurricanrana out of the second rope and slipped in a spot that could’ve really been nasty, thankfully it wasn’t. Giant Swing was broken up by Garcia, who was flattened by a Yuta frog splash. Castagnoli avoided the ankle lock and hit the Giant Swing on Hager for ten revolutions.
Castagnoli went for a springboard uppercut, but Guevara stopped him, right in front of Rick Knox, who did nothing. Jon Moxley dispatched of Guevara, as Hager slapped on an ankle lock on Castagnoli, while Garcia got the Dragon Tamer on Yuta. Castagnoli spun free and sent Hager into Garcia, hitting a huge home run uppercut on Hager to win this.
Tony Schiavone got in the ring with the BCC and threw it to a pre-recorded promo he did with William Regal two weeks ago. Regal said they’ll only see this if something bad happened to him. Regal said he did what he did to show Moxley, Castagnoli & Danielson why they don’t need him and can teach Yuta to be the best wrestler in the world themselves. Hopefully Moxley understands, as he is a calculating man, Regal did what he did so they always stay one step ahead and keep eyes in the back of their head. Regal said he’s Blackpool Combat Club until the day he dies and walked off. Schiavone asked for Moxley’s thoughts, he seemed skeptical, but said he, Castagnoli & Yuta live and breathe for professional wrestling. Final Battle, the feud with the Jericho Appreciation Society is over. Moxley said he challenges any wrestler in the world on Rampage.
-A House of Black video is shown with Malakai Black saying anyone who has an issue with what they’ve done in recent weeks, face them next Wednesday.
**********
-Tony Schiavone has his pre-recorded interview with AEW Women’s Champion Jamie Hayter, who said she finally has a chance to speak. Schiavone asks her thoughts on Hikaru Shida vs. The Bunny on Rampage for the Regina Di WAVE title. Hayter said she’ll have a close eye on the match and grants the winner of that match the next shot at her title.
TBS Champion Jade Cargill, Leila Grey & Red Velvet defeated Skye Blue, Madison Rayne & Kiera Hogan
(Not much to say about this one, most of it happened during commercial. Cargill pretty much picked up the pieces the last minute to get the win for her team.)
Blue & Velvet started off with some near falls, as this is Velvet’s first match since early June. Grey & Velvet picked apart Blue, who fought off Grey, dropkicked Velvet to the floor, tried a dropkick, but Velvet trapped her in the ring apron to take over.
Blue & Velvet collided for the double down as they hit double thrust kicks. Hogan & Cargill both made their first appearance in the match, as Hogan ran wild on her former Baddie running mates. Cargill blocked a Hogan boot to connect with a choke slam. Hogan spun out of Jaded, tagged Rayne, who tried a rip cord, but Cargill countered into Jaded for the win.
-Tony Schiavone is backstage with Saraya, who got out a few words before Britt Baker interrupted. Baker gave Saraya tickets to the Kia Forum for the January 12 edition of Dynamite. Baker made a challenge for a tag team match with her & Jamie Hayter against Saraya and a partner of her choosing.
**********
The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens & Max Caster w/Daddy Ass) defeated AAA, ROH & IWGP Tag Team Champions FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) to retain the AEW Tag Team Titles
(This was a phenomenal main event with both teams looking fantastic in this one. The finish really was a flash pin, as Wheeler was simply caught. They waited for the last possible second to announce FTR’s match for Final Battle, which should be a war.)
It wouldn’t be Max Caster if he didn’t make a Herschel Walker reference, as the camera cut to a Ted Cruz Hates Scissoring sign, which is perfect. Quick tags by both teams, as Caster hit a quick hip toss, dropkick and arm drag on Harwood. Bowens tagged in and immediately traded chops with Harwood. Things got choppy as hip toss attempts took each man into the ropes and shoving match led to a brawl. Wheeler was sent outside, as Harwood was hit with Scissor Me Timbers. Harwood tried a Sharpshooter, but Caster countered and The Acclaimed got double Sharpshooters on FTR. Wheeler & Harwood got the ropes, so The Acclaimed scissored with Daddy Ass. FTR knocked Caster & Bowens outside where they hit Caster with a slingshot using the bottom of the ring as the guillotine.
Caster was isolated the entire commercial until he fought Wheeler off in the corner to hit a diving cross body off the top. Jeff Jarrett, Sonjay Dutt, Jay Lethal & Satnam Singh are shown watching backstage, as Bowens made the hot tag and ran wild. Wheeler was sent outside via reverse Rough Ryder, as Harwood was lit up with a combo of strikes to get a Bowens near fall. Harwood battled back with rolling Germans before Wheeler was on the apron and collided with Bowens. Harwood got a roll up with the tights for two, but Bowens hit a neckbreaker for two of his own. Blind tag by Wheeler, as FTR hit a spike piledriver for a close near fall. FTR went for a double suplex, as Caster took out Wheeler with a Spear, while Bowens hit a small package for two. Caster tagged in and hit a cazadora cutter, but Harwood sent Caster colliding into his partner. FTR had to fight for it, but finally hit the Big Rig, as Bowens broke up the count with the crowd going crazy with This Is Awesome chants.
FTR went for the Power-Plex, as Wheeler made the tag, but Bowens sent Harwood to the floor. Bowens hit The Arrival on Wheeler, but Caster missed the Mic Drop. Bowens was flattened by a slam by Wheeler, who turned Caster inside out with a lariat for another close two. Wheeler hit another home run lariat and powerbomb stack, but Caster rolled through it, hooked the legs and got the flash pin to retain. Post match, Wheeler was frustrated, but everyone shook hands and scissored in respect. The Ass Boys were shown on the big screen, called FTR trash and had a card in a stocking saying The Briscoe Brothers have challenged them to a Double Dog Collar Match at Final Battle on Saturday for the ROH Tag Team Titles.
AEW Rampage 12/9//22
· Orange Cassidy defends the All-Atlantic Title against an opponent of Kip Sabian’s choosing
· Hikaru Shida defends the Regina Di WAVE Title against The Bunny, with the winner getting an AEW Women’s Title match
· We hear from Ruby Soho & Tay Melo
· Lee Moriarty & W. Morrissey will be in Tag Team Action
· Athena addresses Mercedes Martinez ahead of their match at Final Battle
· Jon Moxley takes on Konosuke Takeshita
Ring of Honor Final Battle 12/10/22
· Chris Jericho defends the ROH Title against Claudio Castagnoli (If Claudio loses, he must join the Jericho Appreciation Society)
· FTR defend the ROH Tag Team Titles against The Briscoe Brothers in a Double Dog Collar Match
· Daniel Garcia defends the ROH TV Title against Wheeler Yuta
· Mercedes Martinez vs. Athena for the ROH Women’s Title
· Samoa Joe vs. Juice Robinson for the ROH TV Title
· Swerve in Our Glory take on Shane Taylor & JD Griffey
· Dalton Castle & The Boys defend the ROH Six Man Tag Titles against Brian Cage & The Gates of Agony
AEW Dynamite 12/14/22
· MJF defends the AEW World Title & Dynamite Diamond Ring against Ricky Starks
· Match Four in the Best of Seven Series between Death Triangle (2) and The Elite (1)
The third installment in the series between AEW Tag Team Champions The Acclaimed and Swerve in our Glory will take place at November’s Full Gear.
While never formally announced by AEW, a tweet by the company’s official account during Friday’s Rampage referenced the match taking place at the Saturday, November 19th pay-per-view:
Keith Lee & Swerve Strickland earned the opportunity on Wednesday’s Dynamite by picking up a win over FTR in a no. 1 contenders’ match.
The series between the two teams started at All Out where Lee & Strickland narrowly escaped the September pay-per-view with a win in one of the night’s most memorable matches.
Weeks later at Dynamite Grand Slam in Queens, NY, Bowens & Max Caster defeated Lee & Strickland to earn their first taste of AEW gold.
Here’s the current card for Full Gear in Newark, New Jersey:
AEW World Champion Jon Moxley defends against MJF
AEW Tag Team Champions The Acclaimed defend against Swerve in our Glory
Join Denise Salcedo on her weekly Speak Now Pro Wrestling review show where she recaps the events that unfolded. Topics include: the debut of Renee Paquette, the continuation of Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus, the return of Shawn Spears, a heated confrontation between Jon Moxley and Hangman Adam Page, a new All-Atlantic Champion crowned, and so much more. Tune in for a fun review show!
This is a loaded episode of Speak Now Pro Wrestling with Denise Salcedo!
The episode kicks off with an in-depth recap and analysis of the backstage drama between Andrade and Sammy Guevara, then Denise dives into AEW Dynamite coverage. Topics discussed include Wheeler Yuta vs MJF, Wardlow and Brian Cage, the women’s segment, National Scissoring Day celebration, and lots more! This is a fun and engaging show perfect for all fans of AEW!
Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.
In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.
For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.
Liv Morgan was a guest on this week’s Out of Character with Ryan Satin.
The company announced that this month is “Kane Month” in honor of Kane’s 25th anniversary of his debut in the company. Kane made his debut at WWE’s Badd Blood pay-per-view on October 5, 1997.
This week’s Aces High column, where Hiroshi Tanahashi looks at wrestling Naomichi Marufuji back in 2012.
JesSICKa was a guest on the Women’s Wrestling Talk podcast. When asked about who helped her the most during her run in Impact, she said: “I would have to say that there are two people who have helped me I feel more than anyone and that would have to be Madison Rayne and Gail Kim and actually you know what Christy Hemme as well. When I was at TNA being Havok and stuff like I always remember Christy was in my corner and always supportive always and Christy is like, incredibly creative. So I would have to say it would be those three women who have helped me the most. My match with Madison Rayne at the knockouts knocked down match or show all those years ago is actually what got me my job at Impact. She does it because it does what it takes to have a good match. We’ve always had really good chemistry. I think I’ve known Madison Rayne the longest out of everyone in wrestling. She was my first friend in wrestling. There’s a lot of history that people don’t realize, but Madison Rayne was honestly, she was someone who helped me greatly. Then Gail Kim, obviously like it just takes someone to believe in you. I don’t know if Havok would have been so successful the first time around on TV if she did not have an opponent like Gail Kim.”
Tony Khan believes MJF is the “total package” of what it takes to be a successful pro-wrestler.
In an article released by Variety on Wednesday, the AEW President was asked about his relationship with the 26-year-old wrestler.
“It’s very professional,” Khan responded. “He’s been part of AEW from day one, and he’s one of the most important stars on our TV show. … Whether you love MJF or love to hate MJF, I think he’s one of the wrestlers who’s connected with the audience in recent years and made himself a star. He’s also had the company behind him to help build him and support him. I think that he is the total package of everything it takes to be a successful pro wrestler. I think he has it all. He’s a really important part of AEW.”
Khan would also praise the new AEW Tag Team Champions, The Acclaimed. With “National Scissoring Day” being celebrated on Wednesday’s Dynamite, Khan is hoping that “scissoring” will be a popular way for wrestling fans to greet each other in the coming days.
“[The Acclaimed] found ways to connect with the audience, but also to have great matches, and you have to be able to do both to be a truly top wrestler,” Khan continued. “Scissoring is something that really connects to the fans. So I think all this week and especially around Wednesday, and maybe the continuing into Thursday at school the next day, there’s going to be people scissoring at school, at work, and in the audience at AEW, and there’s nothing wrong with it. It’s a great way to greet somebody.”
Hey there, happy Wednesday! Join Denise Salcedo and special guest co-host Phil Lindsey as they recap the September 28th edition of AEW Dynamite on Speak Now Pro Wrestling!
Topics include: Back and forth promos between MJF and Wheeler Yuta, the debuts of Juice Robinson and Bandido, Saraya’s first AEW promo, and more!
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including all the fallout from AEW Grand Slam, new champions, great crowd, great matches, HORRIBLE PEOPLE ON TWITTER burying an injured Britt Baker, and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Max Caster and Anthony Bowens have each posted to social media following their AEW Tag Team title victory at Grand Slam.
The Acclaimed became the eighth team in history to win the titles after defeating Keith Lee and Swerve Strickland at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Wednesday. They both took to Twitter on Thursday to comment on the achievement.
When my Nana passed in 2015 I promised her I’d be a success. Nana, I made it!
AEW’s first Gay Champion 🌈 Most tag team wins in AEW 🤼♂️ Most popular team in wrestling 😁
Swerve in our Glory’s title reign ends after 70 days and three successful title defenses. The Young Bucks hold the record for the most days spent with the titles in a single reign with 302. Hangman Page & Kenny Omega are tied with the Bucks for the most successful title defenses in a single reign with nine. The Young Bucks are the only team to have won the belts twice.
The Acclaimed hold a record of 10 wins and three losses in two-on-two tag team matches so far in 2022. Their only losses this year have been to Swerve in our Glory (All Out), Jurassic Express (March 9), and Sting & Darby Allin (January 19).
AEW Dynamite Grand Slam definitely delivered tonight! Join on-camera personality Denise Salcedo and special guest Coale Henderson as they break down the show.
The show featured a new Ring of Honor World Champion, new AEW tag team champions, an MJF promo, the debut of Saraya, and a new AEW World Champion! This a fun show, perfect for any and all fans of AEW!
