Claudio Castagnoli: AEW Blood & Guts handshake probably should have aired on TV

On AEW Dynamite earlier this week, the rivalry between The Elite and Blackpool Combat Club came to a close in Blood & Guts.

The Elite & Kota Ibushi prevailed in the match, defeating Blackpool Combat Club inside of the two-ring cage. Blackpool Combat Club lost the match after their two partners, PAC and Konosuke Takeshita, walked out on them.

After the show went off the air, there was a moment where The Elite and Blackpool Combat Club were able to at least momentarily put their issues aside. The two factions shook hands, expressing their mutual respect for each other.

In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Castagnoli discussed the post-show moment, saying that it’s something he thinks probably should have aired on television. 

Castagnoli also said that, despite losing the match, he thinks Blackpool Combat Club accomplished something by making The Elite play by their rules. 

“That’s what we wanted to come across. We lost that battle but we won the war. Thanks to the Blackpool Combat Club, now The Elite is better than ever. We brought them to a place they’ve never been,” Castagnoli said.

“The post-match between the BCC and The Elite, with Kenny talking and we all shook hands, that probably should have been on television, but it shows that there is nothing like being there in-person. There is nothing like being there live.”

Castagnoli told Sports Illustrated that he thinks the Blood & Guts match delivered on its high expectations.

“It was the spectacle of blood and guts that people expected, and even exceeded that,” Castagnoli said. “We had modifications from last year with the separate entrances, which helped. There’s only been two other of these matches in AEW, but I thought it delivered.”

The dissension between Castagnoli and PAC in Blood & Guts leads to the main event of tonight’s ROH Death Before Dishonor pay-per-view. Castagnoli is defending his ROH World Championship against PAC at the PPV.

WOR Video: Fallout from AEW Blood & Guts

Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer discussed the fallout from Wednesday’s Blood & Guts match.

Despite using weapons such as glass, thumbtacks, and a bed of nails, no one emerged from the match on Dynamite Wednesday being seriously injured, a change from the previous two Blood & Guts matches.

“There were no serious injuries in Blood & Guts. Everyone is ‘fine’,” Alvarez said.

“They’ll be feeling it. Everyone will be feeling it,” Meltzer said.

“They delivered more than they advertised,” Meltzer said regarding the match. “People were kinda promised something big and that kind of stuff, and they got a 51 minute match that was very, very violent and one of the better War Games matches that I’ve ever seen.”

Meltzer added that back in the day, the War Games matches in NWA were considered some of the more violent matches in pro wrestling.

“Those matches were so tame compared to this,” he said.

An interesting note after the show had The Elite and Blackpool Combat Club shake hands. Kenny Omega cut a promo saying that whatever happens next, he’s sticking with The Young Bucks.

“It’s got people talking tonight, yeah” Meltzer said, pointing out he didn’t know the contract status of the trio, and whatever may happen won’t for a long time.

The Golden Elite win Blood & Guts match on AEW Dynamite

The Golden Elite claimed victory in the annual Blood & Guts match on Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite in Boston. 

The Golden Elite squad of The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson), Kenny Omega, Hangman Page, and the debuting Kota Ibushi defeated the Blackpool Combat Club side featuring Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, Konosuke Takeshita, and PAC via submission when Yuta passed out while being choked with a chain by Page. It appeared at first that the call was a referee stoppage, but commentary pushed that Moxley submitted with Yuta unable to respond while being choked out.

The finish came after PAC and Takeshita walked out on the match, The Young Bucks kept Castagnoli at bay, and Moxley was handcuffed to the ring ropes. PAC walked out after a series of miscommunication spots with Castagnoli, while Takeshita bailed on the match at the behest of Don Callis as it became clear that The Golden Elite had the upper hand. 

The wild brawl included Matt Jackson hitting a series of northern lights suplexes on Yuta on the top of the cage, glass, thumbtacks, a table, a chair, a bed of nails, as well as the aforementioned chain and handcuffs. 

The Pinnacle (MJF, Wardlow, FTR & Shawn Spears) defeated The Inner Circle (Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara, Jake Hager, Santana & Ortiz) in the first Blood & Guts match on the May 5, 2021 Dynamite. 

In last year’s edition, Blackpool Combat Club (Moxley, Castagnoli & Yuta) and Eddie Kingston, Santana & Ortiz defeated The Jericho Appreciation Society (Jericho, Guevara, Hager, Daniel Garcia, Matt Menard & Angelo Parker) on the June 29, 2022 Dynamite.

Our full report from Dynamite can be found here.

AEW Dynamite live results: Blood & Guts match

AEW Dynamite airs live tonight from Boston with The Golden Elite facing Blackpool Combat Club in the third annual Blood & Guts match.

Kota Ibushi makes his AEW debut, teaming with Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson), and Hangman Page as The Golden Elite. They take on a Blackpool Combat Club team comprised of Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, Konosuke Takeshita, and PAC.

Moxley, Castagnoli, and Yuta will take part in the Blood & Guts match for a second consecutive year, with this year’s seven other competitors taking part in the match for the first time.

World Champion MJF & Adam Cole team in the finals of the Blind Eliminator Tournament against Sammy Guevara & Daniel Garcia. The winning team will earn a shot at FTR’s AEW Tag Team Championship. 

The FTW Championship is also on the line, as Hook defends the title against “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry in a grudge match. 

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

**********

AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Tony Schiavone and Taz, as Tarzan Boy played, but Jungle Boy Jack Perry never came out. Instead, we saw a video of Perry in the desert pulling a body with Jungle Boy’s boots into a grave and he dug the hole. A limousine pulled up and Perry stepped inside as he was announced simply as Jack Perry and walked out to his new music, Beethoven’s 5th Symphony.

Jack Perry defeated HOOK to win the FTW Title

(It appears Jungle Boy is officially dead and buried, as the new theme and look for Perry set the stage for handing HOOK his first loss. This feud is far from over and this was a good first battle between the two. My one complaint was the ref bump looked absurd and made Paul Turner look ridiculous in the process. Pun intended, but by hook or by crook, Perry did what was needed to win his first singles title in his AEW career.)

Despite Taz literally being right there on commentary, Excalibur asked Tony Schiavone to give the history of the FTW Title. HOOK immediately went after Perry, who bailed outside and was launched over the barricade with HOOK going right out after, launching off the barricade with a Superman punch. Back inside, Perry got an eye rake and dropkick to gain control. The crowd really let Perry hear it as the fight went back to the floor during commercial.

HOOK fought off a German suplex off the apron and delivered an Exploder suplex to the floor with both landing super hard. HOOK went to throw Perry back inside, but Perry posed HOOK and connected with a draping DDT off the apron. Perry was content with a countout win, but HOOK broke the count at 9 as Perry hit a release German, but HOOK no sold and hit a multiple bridging Germans for two. HOOK went for a third, but Perry grabbed the ref, hit a mule kick and charging forearm to the neck for a close near fall.

Perry grabbed the FTW Title and brought it in the ring, as referee Paul Turner awkwardly tried to take it from him, but got sandwiched instead. HOOK hit a head and arm suplex, had the visible pin, but the ref was down. HOOK went to revive the official when Perry grabbed the FTW Title and waffled HOOK. Perry draped an arm over HOOK, getting the win and the title, ending the undefeated streak of HOOK in the process.

-We see footage of Alex Marvez earlier today seeing Chris Jericho & Don Callis having a meal together when Callis’ security spots them and shoves him away.

-Footage of MJF & Adam Cole last night at Kowloon restaurant with Cole saying MJF has to face his fear of one of the things Max hates most, spicy food and not poor people, which MJF thought it’d be. Another chapter in the bonding of Better Than You Bay Bay, as they ate spicy food and drank what they thought was water, but it was 100 proof alcohol. A drunken Cole & MJF thought the waiter looked like Daniel Garcia & Sammy Guevara and were about to give him a double clothesline when the video ended.

**********

-We see Alex Marvez outside of the arena earlier today waiting for Don Callis’ limousine to pull up as he arrived with Chris Jericho. Marvez asked if Jericho has made a decision with both calling him a fat headed idiot.

Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D. defeated Kayla Sparks

(With the Owen Hart Cup over, this was a way to get Baker back on the winning track after being eliminated so early in the tournament.)

Baker hit a Sling Blade, double underhook suplex and Lock Jaw for the quick victory.

-Renee Paquette is backstage with Adam Cole & MJF who talk about winning the Blind Eliminator Tournament tonight. MJF presented Cole with matching trunks, while Cole had matching ring jackets made. There was one final surprise Cole had, as they walked off and Roderick Strong came into the shot yelling for Cole. Paquette tried to tell him what just happened, but he didn’t want to hear it, looking dejected again.

-Chris Jericho joined commentary before the match, cutting his music off before the crowd could sing along to the Judas chorus. The surprise Cole was referencing was he had a mash-up made with his & MJF’s entrance themes, which popped MJF like crazy. I know I was late to the party on this, but Cole & MJF have completely won me over as a buddy duo.

AEW World Champion MJF & Adam Cole defeated Sammy Guevara & Daniel Garcia to win the Blind Eliminator Tournament

(I did my best to describe what took place in the pre-match, but I can’t recommend seeking it out more, as it was a whole lot of fun. We finally got our pay off to the build of the double clothesline spot and it made the crowd go wild. Post match not only planted more seeds of dissention between Jericho & his crew, but we also saw cracks in the friendship between Cole & MJF. The time will come, assuredly sooner rather than later, but this pairing has turned into a lot of fun while it’s lasted.)

Prior to the bell, MJF & Garcia had what can only be described as a Thrust Off. This turned into a full blown Dance Battle, as MJF jumped ringside and literally hit the music as Garcia & Guevara were first and obviously had a routine planned out ready for this moment. MJF took the stage and did his dance before Cole thrusted so often and terribly that the music scratched and MJF begged him to stop. This was one of the most surreal, yet amazing openings to an AEW match ever. Garcia & Guevara attacked immediately, but bailed when Cole & MJF yelled for a double clothesline. MJF hit the ropes tirelessly, faking a dive before opting to pose, as Garcia took control soon after into commercial break.

MJF remained isolated the whole break before MJF fell head first into the groin of Guevara, which Taz called Yam-Bag Yahtzee. MJF dodged a double clothesline and made the hot tag to Cole, who ran wild, dropping Garcia with a series of superkicks, but missed the Panama Sunrise. Garcia opted to thrust at referee Bryce and ate a Cole superkick, as did a springing Guevara. Cole & MJF signaled for the double clothesline, but Guevara ducked and hit a double standing Spanish Fly. MJF dodged a super Cutter and tried Cross Rhodes, but Guevara avoided and Cole made a blind tag. Garcia hit a double chop block and sank in the Dragon Slayer on Cole, who got the ropes. Garcia was backdropped to the floor onto Guevara, as Cole told MJF to do the dive. Hesitant at first, MJF connected on the tope on both outside and the crowd lost their minds. Back inside, Cole hit the Panama Sunrise on Garcia, tagged MJF and they finally hit the elusive double clothesline with MJF getting the pin and win.

Jericho tried to cheer up Guevara & Garcia at the ramp, but both men walked away from him, similar to Jake Hager walking away last week. Meanwhile, in the ring, Cole held the AEW Title and MJF ripped it away furious before cooler heads prevailed with both hugging, but MJF giving a look when Cole turned his back. FTR’s music hit, as Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler came to the ring for the face off, as the match is set for July 29th on Collision for the AEW Tag Team Titles.

**********

-Renee Paquette is backstage with Best Friends, Kris Statlander, Orange Cassidy, Darby Allin & Nick Wayne. Paquette talked about Allin & Wayne being in the Royal Rampage this Friday, while Statlander will be facing Marina Shafir for the TBS Title on Rampage as well. Allin said Swerve Strickland will also be in the Royal Rampage, but asks Cassidy if he’ll do him a favor and give someone a shot that helped him out when he was homeless, that being AR Fox. Cassidy says Allin & he are cool, so he grants the shot to Fox next week on Dynamite. Best Friends tried doing an all hands in, but Allin & Wayne walked off with Paquette being the only one who joined in.

-Chompy The Shark joined commentary to plug Shark Week starting Sunday as Taz said if the shark touched him, he’s tossing it off the stage.

-A video package on the history of The Golden Elite & Blackpool Combat Club is shown, as the main event is up next.

**********

The Golden Elite (Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson), Hangman Adam Page & Kota Ibushi) defeated Blackpool Combat Club (Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, Konosuke Takeshita & PAC) in a Blood & Guts Match

(An incredibly violent and action packed war to put an end to such a hard hitting saga. I wrote a lot about this match because a hell of a lot happened. This was my favorite Blood & Guts match that AEW has done as this was filled with holy sh*t moments. If you aren’t a fan of violence, I don’t know what to tell you, as this match lived up to the billing. At one point the crowd chanted they wanted fire and I’m thrilled they didn’t get their wish as I think they had just run out of things to chant for, since they had already gotten glass, tacks, chairs, nails, tables, forks, screwdrivers, etc. You have multiple stories you could tell coming out of this match, especially since two teammates bailed on the BCC. It’ll be interesting the direction they go heading into All In & All Out.)

Omega & Castagnoli began for their respective teams and it was Castagnoli getting the upper hand as we were told the BCC won the coin toss and will be getting the early advantage. Omega hit a cross body off the top and launched Castagnoli into the second ring. After Castagnoli regained control, Omega hit an up and over in the corner, snap hurricanrana and drunk slam as PAC was the next entrant and caught Omega with a quick missile dropkick. PAC & Castagnoli had a brief face off before beating down Omega during commercial.

Hangman Page joined the match right when they returned from break and the crowd is already on fire. Page caught PAC on a cross body and hit a fall away slam before wiping out Castagnoli with a springing clothesline and moonsault off the top rope. Page & Omega showed great teamwork and why they were former Tag Team Champions with their double team pop up German suplex on PAC. Castagoli was able to dropkick Omega against the cage repeatedly and gain control just as Jon Moxley entered the arena. Page was waiting for Moxley, who jumped in with a screwdriver and stabbed Page & Omega repeatedly with it, even biting the fingers of Omega. Moxley handed Castagnoli a fork, before grabbing a bucket from under the ring, dumping broken glass out. Before anything could happen, Nick Jackson ran to the ring and hit a dropkick on Moxley, landing on the glass. Thankfully Moxley had a jacket on to absorb a lot of it.

Nick ran wild, sending Castanoli & PAC almost colliding and brief argument before Jackson laid them both out. Nick hit a double springboard hurricanrana that dropped Castagnoli onto the glass, but Moxley quickly hit suplex on Nick, stomping down glass onto the chest. Castagnoli & Moxley hit a double suplex on Omega onto the glass as Wheeler Yuta was in next, running to the ring with a chair during commercial. Even in picture in picture, the camera unfortunately cut right as Yuta dropped Nick with a brainbuster onto the set up chair. Omega tried a springboard on Moxley, who shoved Omega back first into the cage. Omega found himself trapped between the cage and the ring when Matt Jackson entered and dropped PAC with a face buster and Yuta with a DDT onto the chair.

I could be wrong, but Moxley is I believe the first person to officially bleed as The Young Bucks connected with Risky Business. Omega emerged from under the ring as Moxley mounted a comeback with Castanoli’s help on The Bucks with suplexes and uppercuts. Yuta meanwhile, was driven face first into the glass by Omega with Konosuke Takeshita the final entrant for the BCC as Don Callis joined commentary. Takeshita cracked Page with a chair and hit The Bucks with dueling suplexes before turning Omega inside out with a lariat. Moxley brought out a bed of nails with Taz calling him a horror movie dude. Omega blocked the first shot, but Moxley hit a shotgun dropkick sending Omega into the nails followed by a bodyslam by Moxley. Callis loved it as even Castagnoli looked at Moxley with an impressed reaction.

Kota Ibushi’s music hit to a monster reaction, as Yuta sprinted up the ramp and was laid out. Ibushi laid out Castagnoli, PAC & Takeshita as Ibushi stared down Moxley, who stomped down on Omega’s hand onto the nails, flipping Ibushi off. Both men started a wild strike exchange until PAC & Castagnoli ate a double Pele kick before Moxley was dropped onto the nails by Ibushi who followed with a standing moonsault. Ibushi clutched his wrist, as The Golden Lovers were going to do the BTE Trigger on Takeshita, but PAC & Castagnoli made the save. Nick was pressed over Castagnoli’s head and launched into the cage before they went to commercial.

Yuta & Matt Jackson had been brawling on the stage before both decided to climb to the top of the cage. Matt did his rolling Northern Lights suplexes up there, but Yuta countered the final one into a DDT. Yuta wisely climbed down the cage as Excalibur plugged the American Red Cross during Blood & Guts and even acknowledged how wild that was. PAC & Castagnoli were about to do double piledrivers on Page & Nick when Matt rained down thumbtacks from the top of the cage and PAC & Castagnoli got backdropped onto them in one of the coolest visuals I’ve seen. All 10 men are finally in the ring and The Elite hit You Can’t Escape, standing shooting star, top rope elbow & 450 Splash combo on PAC heading into the final commercial break.

During picture in picture, The Bucks & Page hit an assisted Tombstone & Dead Eye combo as Nick set up a table teetering between the rings. We had four superplexes in succession by The BCC and finally PAC held onto the top of the cage and swung into a double stomp through the table on Nick in an incredible moment. The back of Jon Moxley was shown and it was quite the gnarly image as each team regrouped in separate rings before a 10 man brawl commenced. Everyone took turns hitting home run shots with PAC being planted with a Snap Dragon into the glass. Omega tried One Winged Angel, but PAC countered into the Brutalizer. The BCC had 4 submissions applied while Matt ate the Giant Swing into the Sharpshooter.

Ibushi broke free and busted up all the submissions, really having to work to break up Castagnoli’s. Omega ate corner splashes when miscommunication occurred again between Castagnoli & PAC, who had to be separated by Yuta, Takeshtia & Moxley. PAC flipped off everyone before getting bolt cutters under the ring, snapped the cage door and bailing, slamming the door at Castagnoli. Omega fired up with Snap Dragons, Page hit a Buckshot on Castagnoli, and a Buckshot Trigger on Yuta with Omega. Moxley was handcuffed, as Callis pulled Takeshita from the match and they also bailed leaving it 5 on 3. Yuta meanwhile was busted open with a thumbtack covered shoe by Matt Jackson. Page wrapped a chain around the throat of Yuta and he passed out, ending the match, as Moxley was forced to watch handcuffed as The Golden Elite had their hands raised.

AEW Rampage 7/21/23

· 20 Man Royal Rampage with the winner getting a TNT Title shot at All Out. Participants shown were Jay Lethal, Jeff Jarrett, Big Bill, The Gates of Agony, Swerve Stickland, Brian Cage, Matt Menard, Angelo Parker, Jake Hager, Ethan Page, Matt Sydal, Brother Zay, Matt Hardy, Darby Allin, Nick Wayne, The Butcher, The Blade, Komander & Minoru Suzuki

· Kris Statlander defends the TBS Title against Marina Shafir

· The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass takes on QT Marshall, Johnny TV & Aaron Solo

AEW Collision 7/22/23

· Malakai Black, Brody King & Buddy Matthews defend the AEW Trios Titles against The Acclaimed (Max Caster & Anthony Bowens) & Daddy Ass

AEW Dynamite 7/26/23

· Orange Cassidy defends the AEW International Title against AR Fox

Daily Update: Peacock price increase, new WWE trademarks, Shark Week

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

In this issue:

  • Match and Performer of the Week
  • The Bloodline saga comes very close to a first in the history of pro wrestling on television
  • A look at the Trial of Roman Reigns, the Reigns vs. Usos feud, and the storyline that has caused WWE business to grow
  • A preview of all the big matches of the weekend in three different countries, none of which are the U.S., with TripleMania, G-1, Miyahara vs. Nakajima and Collision
  • Updated news on SummerSlam and Great American Bash and business notes on both shows
  • The new AEW rules memo, what is and isn’t new and the reality of what this means to talent
  • Full coverage of UFC 290 with two of the best fights of the year, a unique television situation and two title bouts
  • Looking at the 2023 Wrestler of the Year award and the top candidates
  • Francis Ngannou vs. Tyson Fury, the questions about the show and why the hope for it to be a success is the evolution of understanding fighting being low
  • The most detailed look at the ratings of every major pro wrestling and MMA show of the past week, the analysis, competition, segment numbers and comparisons with one year ago
  • Lots of injury talks regarding major stars
  • Key husband and wife jumping promotions
  • Mercedes Mone rivalry planned
  • Update on major sports rights negotiations in the next few years
  • The death of Michael Halac, the former Bruiser Mastino and Mantaur
  • Wrestling magazine pioneer writer Ed Garea, The Phantom of the Ring, passes away
  • Notes on the new women’s promotion
  • RevPro Epic Encounters rundown
  • Battle of the two best 18-year-old wrestlers in the world announced for next month
  • Ticket sales for tons of big shows
  • Kenny Omega talks the Tiger driver spot
  • International TV ratings
  • Lots of new major UFC fights
  • Looking at the vacant UFC light heavyweight title situation
  • World champion in UFC talks about how two years ago he supplemented his income driving for Uber Eats
  • More major show dates fr WWE
  • Backstage issue at WWE
  • A look at all the major TV shows and WWE weekend show coverage

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

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Tuesday Update

WWE

  • Peacock announced that they will be hiking prices. Starting on August 17, Premium monthly will increase by one dollar to $5.99, while the annual Premium price will increase from $49.99 to $59.99. Premium Plus will increase from $9.99 monthly to $11.99, while the annual Premium Plus price will increase from $99.99 to $119.99.
  • WWE has applied for trademarks for the following names: Tyson Dupont, Tyriek Igwe, Trey Bearhill, Izzi Dame, and Kiyah Saint.
  • Dominik Mysterio talked about working with Rhea Ripley to Metro: “Even though she’s 26 years old, she has 10-plus years of experience. She’s done so much, accomplished so much, she’s held every title in WWE and she’s only 26! I give her another two years before she takes over all the men’s titles, it’s only a matter for time!”
  • Chelsea Green and Sonya Deville commented on their Women’s Tag Team title win on Raw Monday, writing on Instagram: “July 18, 2023… 8 years after we met, we made history together. YOUR NEW @wwe TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS.”
  • A new patch for WWE 2K23 has been released, which includes various stability improvements, updates for multiple WWE stars, and added support for revel with the Bray Wyatt DLC pack.
  • Big E will be a guest on NBC’s Hot Wheels Ultimate Challenge on Tuesday night.
  • Matches added to WWE’s YouTube page today include Macho Man Randy Savage vs. Ric Flair from WCW Bash at the Beach 1995, World’s Greatest Tag Team vs. Rey Mysterio and Billy Kidman from Vengeance 2003, and AJ Styles vs. Theory from the July 18, 2022 edition of Raw.

AEW

  • Wednesday’s Blood and Guts will be presented by Discovery Channel’s Shark Week event. Fans at the TD Garden in Boston will be able to take part in exclusive Shark Week fin hat giveaways and will be “treated to a special appearance by Shark Week Mascot ‘Chompie the Shark’.”
  • The New York Post has an article on AEW Collision.
  • This week’s Sammy Guevara vlog.
  • Shahid Khan is celebrating a birthday today.

Other Wrestling

  • Trinity talked about her Impact Knockouts title win in an interview with Sports Illustrated. “Deonna is incredible in the ring. I had to step up to match her intensity and energy, and matching her style was a challenge, too,” she said. “She is the hardest opponent I’ve had to face in my career, and I feel so honored to have shared the ring with her. We put so much thought into every part of this match. I’m so happy we got it right. Deonna made me dig deep and fight through it. That’s my story. The struggle makes it real. It also makes it beautiful.”
  • The NWA confirmed that Kamille will defend the NWA Women’s Championship against Natalia Markova on the first night of their NWA 75 event on August 26. The following day, Tyrus will defend the NWA World Heavyweight title against EC3. Tickets go on sale July 19 at 10 am CT on NWATIX.com.
  • Dragon Kid will make his GCW debut at its Homecoming event on August 20.
  • Sonny Kiss has been added to Effy’s Big Gay Brunch 7 on September 2 in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.

Kota Ibushi, PAC revealed as AEW Blood & Guts participants

Kota Ibushi and PAC were revealed as participants in the July 19 Blood & Guts match on Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite. 

In the show-closing segment, PAC was revealed as the final member of the Blackpool Combat Club team for next week’s Blood & Guts match, as BCC & PAC attacked Kenny Omega of The Elite. It was then revealed by Omega that Kota Ibushi would be the final member of The Elite’s team, as Hangman Page and The Young Bucks made the save for Omega. 

Next week’s Bllod & Guts match lineup is now official, with The Elite (Omega, The Young Bucks, Page & Ibushi) facing Blackpool Combat Club (Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, Konosuke Takeshita & PAC).

Ibushi’s long-awaited AEW debut in Blood & Guts will mark his return to the ring for the first time since March 2023, where he wrestled at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport & Joey Janela’s Spring Break events for GCW. Prior to that, Ibushi had not wrestled since suffering an injury in the G1 Climax finals for NJPW in October 2021. A lengthy injury rehab and dispute with the NJPW office followed, and NJPW officially announced Ibushi’s departure from the company in January of this year. 

Ibushi has a storied history with Omega, with five tag team title reigns across multiple promotions in Japan as The Golden Lovers. As a unit, Omega and Ibushi faced The Young Bucks in a tag match at NJPW Strong Style Evolved in Long Beach, California in March 2018. Omega and Ibushi have not teamed since December 2018. 

PAC has not wrestled since March 2023’s ScrapperMania events in England and Ireland, and last wrestled for AEW in January in the final match of the best-of-seven series between The Elite & Death Triangle for the AEW World Trios Championship.