Mercedes Mone and Britt Baker are officially set to clash at AEW All In.
During AEW’s panel at San Diego Comic-Con on Thursday, Tony Khan confirmed that Mone will defend her TBS Championship against Baker at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, August 25. The two have been feuding since Baker returned at Forbidden Door last month.
Before the match was made official, Mone repeatedly turned down Baker’s challenge for All In. She again said no to the challenge on Dynamite last night. On the episode, former NWA Women’s Champion Kamille arrived in AEW and aligned herself with Mone. Kamille attacked Baker and laid her out with a Torture Rack slam.
An angle then took place during today’s Comic-Con panel where Mone and Kamille — dressed as Batman villains Poison Ivy and Bane — confronted Baker. That led to Khan announcing Mone vs. Baker for the All In pay-per-view.
đ¨ BREAKING NEWS!!!đ¨
MERCEDES MONĂ VS BRITT BAKER IS OFFICIAL FOR AEW ALL IN AFTER MERCEDES SURPRISE CONFRONTS BRITT AT SAN DIEGO COMIC CON!!!! pic.twitter.com/kJeYloIW67
— Denise 'Hollywood' Salcedo (@_denisesalcedo) July 25, 2024
With Jamie Hayter having been out of action for more than a year now, Baker is at a numbers disadvantage against Mone and Kamille. Khan said last month that the timetable for Hayter’s return is still pending.
Mone has been TBS Champion since dethroning Willow Nightingale this May. She also is the current NJPW Strong Women’s Champion.
Five matches have now been announced for All In:
AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland defends against Bryan Danielson
AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm defends against Mariah May
AEW American Champion MJF defends against Will Ospreay
TNT Champion Jack Perry defends against Darby Allin
TBS Champion Mercedes Mone defends against Britt Baker
A TNT Championship match has been added to the AEW All In lineup.
TNT title holder Jack Perry will defend against Darby Allin in London at Wembley Stadium at AEW All In on Sunday, August 25 as announced during Wednesday’s Blood & Guts edition of Dynamite.
Allin handcuffed Perry to the cage wall during the Team AEW vs. Team Elite Blood & Guts match on Wednesday’s episode, then doused the champion with gasoline.
Allin extorted both an All In title bout and the submission victory for Team AEW from EVP Matthew Jackson of Team Elite by threatening to set Perry on fire.
Allin previously set Perry on fire with a flamethrower during the Anarchy in the Arena match at Double or Nothing in May.
Four bouts, all title matches, are set for All In to this point. The current pay-per-view lineup:
AEW All In, Sunday, August 25 —
AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland defends against Bryan Danielson
AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm defends against Mariah May
AEW American Champion MJF defends against Will Ospreay
TNT Champion Jack Perry defends against Darby Allin
A rematch of one of the best bouts of the year is officially set for next month’s AEW All In from London’s Wembley Stadium as MJF will defend his newly-renamed AEW American Championship against Will Ospreay.
The rematch was put into motion during the opening segment on Wednesday’s Dynamite. MJF kicked off the show by proclaiming that he decided to rename the International title to the American title, complete with a new belt he unveiled Wednesday (seen above).
Ospreay interrupted the proceedings and after calling out MJF for cheating, he said he had a meeting with Tony Khan and the rematch was on for Wembley. Ospreay then recovered the International title from a trash can MJF tossed the belt into.
In previous weeks, MJF had offered Daniel Garcia a match for the August pay-per-view, but then attacked him after Ospreay’s title defense over Garcia. laying him out. Garcia has yet to return, selling storyline injuries.
Ospreay and MJF competed against each other for the first time ever on last week’s 250th Dynamite that went nearly an hour, ending when MJF punched Ospreay with his Dynamite diamond ring which led to him getting the win and the title.
MJF shuns the #AEW International Championship and names HIMSELF the #AEW American Champion!
AEW has added a fan event to its schedule for All In 2024 weekend.
The promotion announced today that All In Celebration will take place at Boxpark Wembley on Saturday, August 24. It will last from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. local time. General admission tickets are priced at ÂŁ56.25 each.
Boxpark Wembley also hosted a fan fest/welcome party before AEW made its London debut last year with All In 2023. Here’s the description for this year’s event:
“Join us as we celebrate the return of AEW All In: London at Box Park Wembley! Enjoy DJ & music, prize giveaways, your first opportunity to buy 2024 AEW All In merch and over 90 minutes of stage shows, interviews, and content featuring many of your favourite AEW stars! Come celebrate with us!“
The celebration event is taking place one day before Wembley Stadium hosts All In.
With Bryan Danielson and Mariah May winning the Owen Hart Foundation tournaments, the first two matches have been made official for All In. The pay-per-view will feature Swerve Strickland vs. Danielson for the AEW World Championship and Toni Storm vs. May for the AEW Women’s World Championship.
In her return to AEW Dynamite for the first time in nearly a year, Britt Baker detailed why she was gone all that time which was followed by both a face-to-face confrontation and challenge to TBS Champion & NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Mercedes Mone.
Baker said that in November, she was banged up and mentally running on empty but told herself she was fine despite a couple herniated discs and torn hip labrum which weren’t going to keep her away. Then one day, she got really sick and began having the spins, blurry vision and her right arm was numb and tingly.
She said her entire right side of her body stopped working and she was in a hospital for a week, diagnosed with TIA which is also known as a mini stroke. She had to admit to herself that things weren’t ok, but now she is healthy and back.
Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. shares what kept her away from #AEW.
Baker then returned her attention to Mone, saying it was a brilliant move to manipulate your fanbase by putting the letters CEO in a song to get fans to chant them. She didn’t have to do that with her fans who knew the letters DMD.
Britt Baker has some thoughts about the TBS and NEW NJPW Strong Women's champion!
Mone then arrived on the scene in a car for her championship celebration, making nice with the Young Bucks on the way in. They started setting up for it while Baker was in the ring.
The two then sparred verbally for several minutes with Mone moving into full heel mode. Baker then challenged Mone for All In from Wembley Stadium in London, but Mone said there was a line to get in as there were more deserving women in the back. The two didn’t get physical, but went face-to-face several times with Mone holding up the two title belts before leaving the ring.
Baker hasn’t wrestled since September 2023 and made her surprise return at this past Sunday’s AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door following Mone’s title win over Stephanie Vaquer.
Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. lays out a challenge to Mercedes MonĂŠ for #AllIn!
A little something extra will be on the in the 2024 editions of the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament.
Dr. Martha Hart (the widow of the late Owen Hart) and AEW owner/president/CEO/GM/head of creative Tony Khan made a joint appearance on Sunday’s Double or Nothing pay-per-view pre-show and revealed that the winners of this year’s Owen Hart Foundation Men’s and Women’s Tournaments will receive AEW World title shots at August’s All In pay-per-view at Wembley Stadium in London on Sunday, August 25.
Furthermore, Khan confirmed Friday’s report that this year’s tournament finals will be held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada on Wednesday, July 10.
AEW has yet to announce start dates or participants for this year’s tournaments.
This marks the third consecutive year that AEW will hold tournaments to honor the late Owen Hart. The inaugural editions in 2022 were won by Adam Cole and Dr. Britt Baker, while Ricky Starks and Willow Nightingale were the 2023 winners of the Owen Cup.
Two AEW stars are set to perform at a concert in London during All In weekend.
On August 23, Chris Jericho’s band Fozzy will be playing the O2 Forum Kentish Town. It’s been announced that AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland and rapper Flash Garments will be special guests at the concert. It’s taking place on the Friday before All In.
The announcement noted that this will be Strickland and Flash Garments’ first concert as a rap duo in the United Kingdom:
FOZZY have announced their hugely anticipated return to the UK capital with a date at Londonâs O2 Forum Kentish Town. Promising an explosive Friday evening of rock and rap, the show kickstarts a weekend that culminates in the return of AEW to Londonâs Wembley Stadium on Sunday 25th August.
If itâs not enough for fans to have FOZZY, with their heavy melodic groove and fronted by 8 time World Champion Chris Jericho headlining the night, fans will go crazy knowing that direct support comes from current AEW World Champion: Swerve Strickland. Swerve Strickland & Flash Garments will be performing their first concert as a rap duo in the UK.
Music is one of Strickland’s outside-the-ring pursuits. He and Flash Garments also performed together at the Rolling Loud music festival in California this March.
Strickland’s “Big Pressure” theme music is by him and Flash Garments.
At AEW Dynasty last month, Strickland defeated Samoa Joe to win the AEW World Championship. Strickland has a title defense against Christian Cage at Double or Nothing this Sunday.
Jericho won the FTW title from Hook at Dynasty and will be defending against the winner of an FTW Contender Series at Double or Nothing.
Fozzy also played a concert in London prior to All In 2023. They were involved in the All In event itself as well, performing Jericho’s “Judas” entrance music live prior to his loss against Will Ospreay.
“All In All Night” is the name of the Fozzy concert. Tickets go on sale to the general public this Friday.
Before he wraps up his career as a full-time wrestler, Bryan Danielson wants to compete at London’s Wembley Stadium.
AEW is returning to Wembley for All In 2024 on Sunday, August 25. It’s the second straight year AEW has run the stadium. When AEW made its Wembley debut last summer, Danielson was out of action at the time and couldn’t wrestle at the show.
Danielson told Casual Conversations with The Classic this week that his AEW contract actually expires before All In 2024. Despite that, he really wants to wrestle at the show before ending his full-time run.
He responded when asked what milestones are left on his checklist:
The big one is Wembley. I want to make it to Wembley. My contract actually expires before Wembley. But I want to make it to Wembley. Because as a wrestling fan — one, last year’s All In was incredible. But then as a wrestling fan, that’s like a defining moment, when the British Bulldog beats Bret Hart. So you think of Wembley almost in these mythical terms.
AEW All In 2023 and WWF SummerSlam 1992 are the only wrestling shows Wembley Stadium has ever hosted.
Danielson mentioned that he’d like his last match as a full-time wrestler to take place at AEW’s WrestleDream pay-per-view this October, but he isn’t sure if he’ll make it that far before the end of his run:
But I really want to be able to do Wembley and just see what that’s like, see what that feels like. So, yeah, that’s a big one for me.
Iâm not sure if Iâll make it, but one thing that would be a nice way to like kind of close everything out for me is to do my last match as a full-time wrestler at WrestleDream at the Tacoma Dome.
Washington is Danielson’s home state, and the Tacoma Dome is the venue where he saw his first wrestling show. It was a WWF event headlined by Ultimate Warrior vs. Rick Rude.
WrestleDream is being held on Saturday, October 12.
Tony Khan thought it âmade a lot of senseâ to air the All In footage.
Speaking to Chris Russell, Khan said airing the Jack Perry/CM Punk altercation from last year’s All In plays into the FTR/Young Bucks match that will take place at AEW Dynasty this coming weekend.
Well, I think it made a lot of sense. First of all, FTR/Young Bucks ladder match coming up at AEW Dynasty for the World Tag Team Championships. This is the fourth chapter in FTR vs. The Young Bucks…the last time they wrestled, Young Bucks/FTR III, was at Wembley Stadium, AEW All In. And a lot happened that day. They were the third match on the pay-per-view and at one point it looked like we were going to have to call them up and they were going to have to wrestle the first match. And then they ended up going on in the spot they were in, but the Young Bucks said, the whole day, everything that happened, it really affected their mental preparation, they werenât able to pray before the match, they were very stressed out. They slipped on the banana peel and lost the match but they blame FTR, they blame what happened at Wembley Stadium, and thatâs why, in hindsight, thats why they refused to shake FTRâs hand.
Khan also pointed out the reaction Jack Perry received this past Friday at NJPW Windy City Riot, losing to Shota Umino.
It was fascinating to see after that tape played, the reaction that Jack Perry got at New Japan Pro Wrestling this week, he got the reaction of a superstar. That is not altogether unexpected and itâs something very interesting, perhaps a side effect of this. Jack Perry [is] already a big star in wrestling, really the way the crowd connected with him in Chicago, that was interesting to see.
The Young Bucks have made references to Perry in recent weeks, including Matthew Jackson wearing a scapegoat t-shirt on last week’s Dynamite. Perry remains under suspension following the altercation with Punk, who was fired.
Before The Young Bucks showed footage of the All In altercation between Jack Perry and CM Punk on last weekâs Dynamite, Schiavone appeared flustered at what was about to go down. On his podcast What Happened When, Schiavone said the reaction wasnât about the footage being shown, but about putting heat on The Young Bucks.
âMy facial reaction to what happened was…trying to put more heat on The Bucks for being a*******. I did not have any reaction to the footage weâd seen because I donât give a damn,â he said. âSo what? So f***** what. So I was not upset at the promotion, I was not upset at Tony Khan, I was not pissed off about what we had shown, I was trying to be fully in the moment of the angle, which is The Bucks b******* about FTR, not wanting to shake their hands and getting f****** around…Iâm sincere when I say I donât care. It has no impact on my life.â
Schiavone also rejected the idea of AEW airing the footage being similar to tactics WCW pulled toward the end of their run.
âSome people are saying oh, the footage you were showing is like the finger poke of doom moment for AEW. Well you know what, thatâs what you want it to be because you want to see us fail,â he said. âAnd there is no way because I was in both companies, there is absolutely no way that you can compare us to WCW, you canât. You may want to, you may think youâre right, youâre wrong. You cannot compare us to WCW, I was there for both, you were not.â
In storyline, The Young Bucks used the footage to play into their match against FTR at AEW Dynasty on April 21, using it as the reason they lost their last match against FTR on that night. They went as far as to accuse FTR of being the masterminds behind the altercation, but immediately recanted as their accusation was âunprofessional.â
The Young Bucks will present backstage footage from All In purportedly showing an altercation between CM Punk & Jack Perry on tonight’s AEW Dynamite.
FTR & The Young Bucks are set to square off in the finals of a tournament to crown new AEW Tag Team Champions at Dynasty on April 21, and the footage will play into the storyline, according to Tony Khan.
A World title eliminator match is also set for tonight’s show, with World Champion Samoa Joe facing Dustin Rhodes.
Adam Copeland will defend the TNT Championship tonight against Penta El Zero Miedo.
Women’s World Champion Toni Storm will toast her Dynasty challenger Thunder Rosa on tonight’s episode in Charlestown, West Virginia.
Mariah May will go one-on-one with Anna Jay in a women’s division contest.
After returning to the company on Collision and aligning with Shane Taylor Promotions, Anthony Ogogo will team with Shane Taylor & Lee Moriarty against Chris Jericho, Hook & Katsuyori Shibata in a trios match tonight.
AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Tony Schiavone & Taz as we go to the entrances for the opening contest. AEW Champion Samoa Joe made his way out of the tunnel, but immediately attacked by Swerve Strickland. Joe quickly gained control and set up a table off to the side of the stage, but Strickland side stepped and tackled Joe through the table. Security and officials pulled Strickland away, as Joe is left to stumble backstage.
Excalibur said they had to pivot, so we see footage of Trent Beretta turning on Orange Cassidy last week. Kris Statlander confronted Beretta backstage and he whispered something to her before walking off. Renee Paquette was standing outside Orange Cassidyâs locker room and she was told Cassidy will be wrestling on Rampage Friday and will address the issues then.
Adam Copeland defeated Penta el Zero Miedo (w/Alex Abrahantes) to retain the TNT Title
(I thought this was excellent, as Iâm really glad it went through multiple breaks and went right about 20 minutes. Penta put up one heck of a fight and controlled a lot of this, but Copeland hung tough and showed the Spear can put anyone away at any time. Post match, we almost saw Julia Hart mist Copeland, but Nightingale making the save was a good way to incorporate both PPV matches into this.)
Trash talk from Penta to start, as an early Spear connected for two. Penta followed with a top rope double stomp for another near fall. Copeland spun out of Fear Factor, but ran into a superkick and clothesline to the floor. Copeland dodged a dive, as the match reset back inside with Penta tattooing Copeland with chops that took things to commercial.
Copeland gained control briefly during break, but Penta was in the driverâs seat when things returned. Copeland delivered an old school flying head scissors, but Penta escaped with a pump fake kick to the head. A series of leapfrogs from Copeland, as each man traded tilt a whirl head scissors before colliding with three clotheslines in succession, causing the double down. Both slugged it out on their knees as a Countdown clock to The Young Bucks is shown in the corner with 19 minutes remaining. Penta connected on a Sling Blade to send Copeland to the floor, as a follow up somersault dive hit. Copeland beat the 10 count, as Penta set Copeland up on the edge of the apron and punted him in the neck, taking things to a second commercial break.
When things returned, Penta, who controlled the whole break, delivered a corner backstabber for two. Penta went for it again, only this time Copeland countered into an Electric Chair face buster. Copeland locked on the Edgecator, reverse Sharpshooter, transitioned into an Ankle Lock, but Penta escaped. Penta wanted the arm breaker, but Copeland reversed into a Crossface. Penta got the ropes, tried a springboard to the apron, but Copeland cut him off. Both tried home run moves on the apron, but it was ultimately Copeland delivering a pretty cool powerslam on the edge of the ring. Copeland wanted a Spear on the floor, but Abrahantes leapt in front of Penta and took the bullet, much to the delight of Taz.
Back inside, both fought to the ropes, as Penta hit an Avalanche Code Red for a very close two. Penta quickly snapped the arm back, but again, Copeland kicked out. Fear Factor attempt was spun out of, as Penta tried a springboard, but leapt back right into a Spear to give Copeland the win.
The lights went out as Julia Hart and Brody King were in the ring, as King attacked from behind and ran down Copeland in the corner. King choked out Copeland, as Hart was going to mist him when Willow Nightingale hit the ring and tackled Hart. King pulled Hart away, as Copeland sent King packing and retreating with Hart, while Nightingale checked on Copeland.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with Chris Jericho, HOOK & Katsuyori Shibata, as she talks about their six man tag tonight against Shane Taylor Promotions. Jericho said HOOK brought in Shibata on his own, which means heâs learning. Tonight, they both can sit under the learning tree of Jericho, who pretty much went over the entire match with them. Jericho said if they breathe the verified air of Jericho, theyâll be successful. Jericho walked off and Shibata said through his phone Whatâs His Deal? HOOK said donât worry about it, before Shibata looked at Paquette and told her he liked her necklace.
Footage from the previous three meetings of The Young Bucks and FTR are shown, with The Bucks winning the first battle, while FTR have won the following two. Excalibur said up next, The Bucks will discuss and show their footage from All In London.
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-Renee Paquette is backstage with Mark Briscoe & Eddie Kingston, congratulating Briscoe on winning the ROH Title from Kingston this past weekend. Both are amped up for their match at Dynasty, as Adam Copeland walked into the shot with Willow Nightingale & Stokely Hathaway. Copeland said theyâre all good for Dynasty, before Hathaway told Copeland to put the TNT Title on the line against Nightingale next week. Nightingale said that was ridiculous, but asked for a mixed tag next week with Copeland against Julia Hart & Brody King. Hathaway tried to apologize to Eddie Kingston for saying he smelled like Burger King & Newports last time they saw each other, Kingston rolled his eyes and walked away.
The Young Bucks Show Unaired Footage from All In London
Matthew & Nicholas Jackson were backstage and said the TV audience is ready to see the footage, but not before context. Nicholas said Dynasty is coming up and itâs FTR vs. The Young Bucks, which got them to think about the wounds from All In London, so this is a perfect time to talk about it. The biggest show in company history, as a lot of critics said whoever won that match would be the greatest team of the generation. Matthew said before their match, an incident occurred between Scapegoat, the loveable kid, Jack Perry, who reminded them a lot of them at his age. The other individual, tried to make it all about himself, someone who is good friends with FTR. Nicholas wondered if FTR were the masterminds of the entire situation, which Matthew said they couldnât say, as thatâs unprofessional. There was a cut and Matthew said that incident put the locker room in disarray, as they didnât have time to prepare for the match, not even time to pray. If you asked anyone in the room, there should be an asterisk next to that FTR win. Matthew said the footage is short and itâs similar to a high school scrap. However, the ramifications were anything but, as it threatened to bring down the biggest show of all time.
They roll the tape with no audio and we see Jack Perry backstage, as CM Punk walks up and talks to him. Samoa Joe is getting ready for his match in the top corner of the shot, as after talking briefly, Punk shoves Perry first and puts him in a guillotine, as Joe stepped in, pulling Perry away. You could see Tony Khan trying to reach over the table to calm Punk, but Punk did seem to go after Khan, only to be pulled away by Chris Hero, Malakai Black and I believe Jerry Lynn, who ultimately ushered Punk away.
Matthew said that wasnât the worst of it, the worst was filling a building for such a great wrestling show and losing on that night. Matthew said FTR had the balls to shake their hands, which they wonât do at Dynasty. Nicholas storms off, while Matthew shows heâs wearing a Scapegoat shirt.
FTR stormed the ring and asked what The Bucks hoped to accomplish showing that footage aside from having an excuse on why they lost at Wembley? Wheeler said heâs sick and tired of this, as everyone wants to move on. Instead of showing the talent doing their best work ever, we get footage from 8 months ago, thanks to Rod & Todd Flanders (which is fitting, since Wheeler is wearing a Simpsons shirt). Wheeler said heâs sick of The Bucks being petty bitches. Harwood said thatâs the EVPs, who say without them, AEW wouldnât exist and folks would be without jobs. Harwood said he kind of agrees, as without The Bucks, he might still be shaving Wheelerâs back. What makes The Bucks sick, is FTR has eclipsed them as the best team on this planet. At one time, The Bucks cared about AEW, but whether itâs greed, they lost that and they only care about themselves. Harwood said on the backs of every single man and woman who want to be there, they will build things on their backs, not just for them, but for the future of pro wrestling, so it gives people a decision on where fans decided to spend their money. If The Bucks donât want to be part of that AEW, grab your ball, FTR has got this.
Harwood said this isnât about Wembley or All In, this is about the AEW World Tag Team Championships at Dynasty. Two teams walk in, one walk out the first three time Tag Team Champions. The Bucks mightâve built the foundation, but FTR will build the roof and have no issue blowing it off, top guys, out.
This footage will be talked about by a lot of people as it did show Punk initiating contact with Perry, who didnât get any shots off, then ultimately going after Tony Khan, but was held back. FTRâs frustrations this was even brought up all this time later probably echoes a lot of peopleâs thoughts, but it did show Punk getting physical first, so thereâs that.
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-A video package for Bryan Danielson & Will Ospreay was shown as Renee Paquette introduces Ospreay to the stage. Ospreay said Tony Khan told him he had 5 mintues to talk, as TV time is expensive. Ospreay said thereâs a rumor going around heâs afraid of the grind. Ospreay said he travels from the UK every single week and delivers the best pro wrestling matches the world has seen. Normally he wouldnât be baited by this, but since the one who said this is only in the position heâs in because he was grinding the bosses daughter. You donât throw stones at an Assassin with a machine gun. The only way Bryan Danielson has any chance to beat him is by grounding the Arieal Assassin. Many have tried, but all have failed, except Danielson is a living legend, so Ospreay canât call himself the greatest in the world until he pins him. This is AEW, where the best wrestle and itâs Ospreayâs time to show everyone what heâs about and what he brings to this table and why heâs the Ace of AEW. Danielson finds out at Dynasty why his name is Will Ospreay and why heâs on another level.
Thankfully this is what was needed following the previous segment, as Ospreay is the future of AEW and it’s time to focus on the future, not dwell on the past.
-A video package of Julia Hart telling Willow Nightingale the House Always Wins is shown ahead of their match at Dynasty.
Shane Taylor, Lee Moriarty & Anthony Ogogo defeated FTW Champion HOOK, Chris Jericho & Katsuyori Shibata
(The wheels have already started to fall off for LionHOOK. This was however, Moriartyâs biggest win to date, as hopefully this actually leads to something for Shane Taylor Promotions and not just a one and done win that happened out of sheer luck. Iâve really enjoyed Taylor & Moriarty as a duo. Ogogo barely got into this match, so the jury is still out on how he really is in the ring.)
This is the Wooo Energy Match of the Night, as Schiavone tells us this is Ogogoâs first match on Dynamite since 2021, as Moriarty was taken down by Jericho quickly, as Lionsault connected for two. Jericho hit a bad looking dropkick before dishing out a series of corner clotheslines and chops until a corner hurricanrana connected. Shibata made the tag and absolutely starched Moriarty with a chop until Taylor made the tag, as HOOK did as well. Ogogo got a cheap shot to allow Taylor to connect with a lariat to stay in control during commercial.
When things returned, HOOK delivered a massive overhead suplex on Taylor, as Shibata made the hot tag and ran wild with kicks, chops and forearms. Corner running dropkick from Shibata got a two count, but Jericho unintentionally took a stray shot from Shibata, dropping him to the floor. HOOK wanted to make a tag, but Jericho pulls him to the floor, talking about his learning tree. HOOK & Jericho argued, as Shibata sank in a choke on Moriarty, but Taylor came in and fired off a right hand, leading to Moriarty connecting on a suplex Flatliner to get the win.
HOOK checked on Shibata post-match, as Jericho was upset they lost, which is ridiculous if you think about it. HOOK told Jericho it didnât have to be like this and told Jericho to get lost. Jericho walked up the ramp, as HOOK showed respect to Shibata.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with Dustin Rhodes and said Samoa Joe is medically cleared to compete tonight. Rhodes said this doesnât change his strategy, as he still has nothing to lose, but everything to gain. The time for talking is over, grit, work ethic, passion and glory, itâs what Rhodes is all about and tonight is no different.
Okada no sold a few shots before clubbing Argento with shots before an Air Raid Crash connected. Okada almost looks bored, as he dared Argento to hit him, which resulted in more no sells and the picture-perfect dropkick. Rainmaker connected for the easy victory for Okada. Post match, Okada took the mic and said he accepts PACâs challenge for Dynasty. PAC came out to the stage and applauded Okada before pacing back and forth. PAC was headed to the ring, but was attacked by The Young Bucks from behind. The crowd chanted for CM Punk, as The Bucks hit a superkick, as Okada lifted PAC for a Rainmaker, but FTR made the save and slugged it out with The Bucks. FTR wanted Shatter Machine, but Okada came back with chair shots to drop Harwood & Wheeler. The Bucks hit a double EVP Trigger to FTR, while Okada hit a chair shot to the side of the head of PAC to complete the beatdown.
-Footage of The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass attacking Bullet Club Gold at Supercard of Honor is shown before we go to Switchblade Jay White & The Gunns backstage tonight. They do a recap of crushing Darby Allinâs dream, successfully defending their ROH Six Man Titles last weekend and finally White putting the biggest beatdown on Billy Gunn last week. White said heâs ready to do it again on Rampage, but not against Billy (thankfully), against someone Austin & Colten line up.
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Timeless Toni Stormâs Charleston Championship Champagne Toast to Thunder Rosa
Renee Paquette introduces Thunder Rosa to the stage, who was followed by Timeless Toni Storm & Luther. Stormâs side of the shot is in black and white, while Paquette & Rosa are in color. Everyone has champagne, as Paquette gives Storm the floor, but she immediately tosses the drink in Rosaâs face and clocks her with Lutherâs tray. Storm wipes the face paint off Rosa, as Deonna Purrazzo runs out, with Luther standing between the two. Purrazzo helps out Rosa, who shoves off the assistance, which Purrazzo said screw it and left. Commentary said Rosa mustâve not have known it was Purrazzo who helped, even though she was looking right at her. Referees checked on Rosa, as Mariah May came out for her match, with Storm giving her a kiss and it seemed to Hulk up May.
Mariah May defeated Anna Jay
(The big story here is the debut of Mina Shirakawa on AEW TV, as it looks like Mayâs mentor from Stardom is here to help her as well. I like this, as it could start planting seeds of not just May breaking away from Storm, forcing May to choose between the two, but perhaps May winning the Womenâs Title down the line.)
Both ladies took turns firing off chops, with Mayâs echoing a lot louder, so Jay turned to forearms to take control briefly until May hit a sliding trip. Jay side stepped a shotgun dropkick and delivered a flipping neckbreaker and almost a ripcord forearm. May backed Jay to the corner, licked her hand and hit a double chop before a hand stand head scissors sent Jay flying to the mat. Jay regained control with a neckbreaker through the ropes, but May responded quickly with a hard forearm that sent Jay to the outside during commercial.
Back from break, Jay hit her running corner spin kick and Iconoclasm for a near fall. May side stepped a corner charge and hit a high kick before a top rope dropkick connected. Sweet Cheek Music hit, but Jay kicked out. Jay floated over and hit a thrust kick, followed it up with a Flatliner for another near fall. Jay wanted her Gory Bomb, but May rolled through into a flash pin. Post match, a frustrated Jay choked out May with the Queenslayer until Mina Shirakawa made the save, with Jay bailing. Excalibur talked about May & Shirakawa reuniting at Ring of Honor last weekend, as they are former tag team partners and stablemates in Club Venus in Stardom. Shirakawa asked for two glasses of champagne and helped May drink before planting a kiss on her.
-Alex Marvez is backstage somewhere with Mercedes Mone and talked about deciding to make history at Double or Nothing, where sheâll have her debut. Mone was asked about the TBS Title match at Dynasty and Mone said they are the very best, as Julia Hart is unpredictable and has Willow Nightingaleâs number for sure. Nightingale is a force to be reckoned with for sure, sheâs dangerous. Marvez asks her to elaborate and Mone brought up her match with Nightingale getting injured and losing the chance to be the first ever NJPW Womenâs Champion. Mone said sheâs now on a mission, to be TBS Champion at Double or Nothing and was about to answer who she wants to face on that show when the lights went out and we hear Mone getting beat up. A very non panicked Marvez asked for the lights to turn on and when they did, Mone was down and Marvez just asked folks for help. This segment was fine, but Marvezâs non acting made this hilarious when it wasnât meant to be.
**********
Samoa Joe defeated Dustin Rhodes in an AEW World Title Eliminator
(I was entertained quite a bit by this main event, as despite having an uphill battle to pull out a win, the crowd bit at Rhodes near falls. The one thing Dustin shouldâve learned from Cody this past weekend, it takes more than one Cross Rhodes to defeat a World Champion. Joe stealing the win here was fine, as it made the heel sneak out a win, only for Strickland to ultimately get his comeuppance from last weekâs beating he suffered. I thought this was a good chapter in this feud before the go home Dynasty Dynamite next week.)
Joe, with Swerve Stricklandâs chain, limped to the ring, as Rhodes attacked right at the bell with corner strikes. Joe tossed Rhodes to the outside and drove him into the barricade, but Rhodes battled back. Joe was right back in control, posting Rhodes, who bled as things went to commercial.
It was all Joe during break, as Rhodes tried to battle back, but being busted open really messed with his equilibrium. Joe kept pouring down shots until Rhodes fired off a snap powerslam. Rhodes fired up with the Flip, Flop and Fly punches before a perfect Code Red connected for two. Joe dodged a Bulldog and clobbered Rhodes with a lariat that sent him outside. Joe tried to post Rhodes again, this time Rhodes turned the tables and sent Joe into the post before tossing the AEW World Title into the ring. The ref pleaded not to do it, as Rhodes put the title down and booted Joe before hitting Cross Rhodes for a close two. Joe went to the corner and suckered Rhodes in to charge and hit a STO. Joe grabbed the chain and the ref took it away, allowing Joe to deck Rhodes with the AEW Title. Joe made the cover and stole the win.
Post match, Joe sank in the Coquina Clutch before Swerve Strickland appeared out of nowhere with a House Call kick. Strickland grabbed the chain and leveled Joe with a punch. Strickland tried to whip Joe, but he bailed, as security and wrestlers had to keep them separated. Prince Nana presented the AEW World Title to Strickland, who held the title in the air and stared down a pissed off Joe to end the show.
AEW Rampage 4/12/24
¡ Orange Cassidy vs. Alex Reynolds
¡ Switchblade Jay White vs. Matt Sydal
¡ Julia Hart defends the TBS Title against Leyla Hirsch
¡ Cool Hand Ang vs. Zak Knight
AEW Collision & Battle of the Belts X 4/13/24
¡ Roderick Strong vs. Rocky Romero in an International Title Eliminator
AEW Dynamite 4/17/24
Adam Copeland & Willow Nightingale vs. Brody King & Julia Hart
Jack Perry both disputes the claim that he continually apologized or asked for forgiveness in the months following his backstage fight with CM Punk at last August’s AEW All In, or that there are any current plans for an AEW return.
According to Perry, he didn’t hear from AEW head Tony Khan for two months following All In at London’s Wembley Stadium. Perry said he never texted to say he was sorry and told Khan’s lawyers he would not initiate first contact. Khan finally set up an in-person meeting before Full Gear in Los Angeles where they discussed plans to bring him back last December.
However, after Punk returned to WWE at Survivor Series, those plans were scrapped.
Perry, who had wanted to work Wrestle Kingdom but was unable to for logistical reasons, then worked with Rocky Romero and Khan to set up his current NJPW run.
At this point, Perry is still under AEW contract (he asked for a release but was denied), but there are still no plans to bring him back. He hasn’t talked to Khan in months, nor cleared anything he has done in storyline for NJPW like him tearing up the AEW contract or his use of the term “scapegoat.”
DJ Whoo Kid says he witnessed the backstage altercation involving CM Punk and Jack Perry at AEW All In.
The hip-hop DJ was at the event to be part of Swerve Strickland’s entrance. He spoke about what he saw that night during a recent appearance on the Jim Norton & Sam Roberts show.
Whoo Kid said:
You already know what happened in the back, it was a straight brawl city. So, I’m not going to talk about that. It was blood and killing and death.
After Sam Roberts explained what happened between Punk and Perry, Whoo Kid continued:
Think about it. It was like the biggest moment for AEW and, I guess, he was trying to sabotage that moment. He wasn’t trying to go out there. I’m in the middle, you know me, I’m a fly on the wall.
It was very intense. You know, I always thought it was fake and all this s**t.
Whoo Kid continued to say that “a big guy” backstage who he perceived to be “Hawaiian-looking” started rallying the roster after the altercation. He was likely referring to Samoa Joe, although that can’t be confirmed.
He continued:
The shit that’s crazy is there was a yelling moment where he was like ‘Yo, f*ck this sh*t, this is our moment, everybody get the f*ck out there and do your sh*t!’ And I was like, I don’t even know how to wrestle but I was about to go out there. It was very intense, man. I will always respect wrestling after I saw that.
Whoo Kid’s next appearance in wrestling is scheduled for Saturday. A new music video by him and Top Dolla will debut at the TNA Hard to Kill 2024 pay-per-view.
ICYMI: @AJFrancis410 spoke with @TMZ_Sports about his and @DJWhooKid's upcoming debut of the music video for âWE OUT$IDEâ this Saturday at #HardToKill at the Palms in Las Vegas.
On the latest entry into my JNPO pro wrestling year in review series, it’s time to wrap up summer with a look at August, joined this time by Rich Kraetsch of Voices of Wrestling.
It truly was a month of triumph and tragedy as the wrestling world mourned the sudden passing of WWE star Bray Wyatt at just 36 years old — just a day after one of the greatest of all time — Terry Funk — passed away at 79 years old.
It was a triumphant month for AEW thanks to the success of All In at London’s Wembley Stadium — a show that grossed $10+ million in revenue and saw more than 70,000 fans come through the turnstiles.
However, as seemed to be the case with a lot of AEW success, there were tribulations as CM Punk got into a backstage skirmish with “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry just minutes before he was set to kick off the PPV. It would be Punk’s final AEW appearance and Rich & I dive into all the other Punk-related drama through the month.
Join us for this hour+ deep dive into everything that happened in WWE, AEW, Impact Wrestling, Japan, and more.
I promise this is unlike any other year-end series you’ll hear or read, so catch up on the rest of the series in the archive.
On a new Josh Nason’s Punch-Out, we arrive at May 2023 in my pro wrestling year in review series: a transformative 31 days for AEW.
Or so they thought.
ProWrestling.net’s Jason Powell returns as my co-pilot as we delve into the official launch of AEW Collision — the company’s third TV show on WBD.
Of course, there was a lot to unpack with it, especially the circumstances around CM Punk’s involvement which was surprisingly highly in doubt following the initial announcement.
They also held Double or Nothing which featured a four-way for the AEW World title, an Anarchy in the Arena bout, a surprise return & title change, a pregnancy announcement and more.
We couldn’t forget about the launch of AEW All In ticket sales which saw 60,000 out the door by the time the month ended.
On the WWE side, they held two PLEs including Backlash from Puerto Rico which featured one of the wildest crowds in recent WWE history. The undisputed king of the island — Bad Bunny — made his singles debut and the show featured the first-ever Brock Lesnar vs. Cody Rhodes clash.
Just as she was getting going, Mercedes Mone suffered a severe ankle injury during the finals of the NJPW Strong Women’s title tournament — one that has kept her out of action as of this writing.
Among the several hundred newstips, we talk Tiffany Stratton’s NXT Women’s title win, an incredibly violent Impact World title match, the passing of “Superstar” Billy Graham, and more.
I promise this is unlike any other year-end series you’ll hear or read, so catch up on the rest of the series in the archive.