Will Ospreay is done talking about Paul “Triple H” Levesque or anyone in WWE.
Levesque made comments on The Pat McAfee Show before WrestleMania that many took to be a shot at Ospreay signing with AEW over WWE.
“When I see people that come out of trying to make it and then they pick the job where they go, well, they work less, the schedule’s lighter. Alright, then I’m glad I didn’t get you. If you’re not in it for the grind, at that point early in your career, you have no business being here,” Levesque said on the show.
Ospreay seemingly responded to Levesque’s comments in a promo on the April 10 AEW Dynamite, saying that Levesque is only in his position due to “grinding on the boss’s daughter.”
At the AEW Dynasty post-even media event, Ospreay said he’s done “mentioning anyone over there now” in response to his comments about Levesque.
Ospreay said:
I don’t want to address it anymore. I come from a generation when like, the way I (grew) up, if you throw a jab I throw one back. And although I wasn’t mentioned by name, it was clearly about me. So, all due respect, I’m kind of done with mentioning anyone over there now. I don’t want to do that anymore because I feel like I lowered myself to that standard. I don’t need to do that anymore, like, look what I just did in the ring with Bryan and that’s only match two from pay-per-views, do you know what I mean? I’ve got a f— load more to go now.
With all due respect, if you take everything into consideration, of course, I’m annoyed about the jab that I took. I threw one back, I don’t think it was anything bad. It was a joke from like 20 years ago for f—‘s sake.
I’ll be honest with you, that’s the first time I’ve ever experienced true tribalism between the two. It’s not nice, it’s unncessary. I’m over it, I can’t be bothered with it, I just want to focus on promoting AEW.
I don’t regret what I said, I’m saying that now because once again you take the entire siutation into consideration, it pissed me off but from this day on, I won’t go down that route, I don’t need to.
Following the April 10 Dynamite, our own Dave Meltzer wrote about Ospreay’s motivations for his promo in The Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Meltzer wrote:
(Ospreay)’s feeling was that WWE was fully aware about his situation with his partner, woman wrestling star Alex Windsor, and his stepson. But Levesque still took a cheap shot at him and he felt Levesque deserved one back.
Ospreay defeated Bryan Danielson in 32 minutes and 40 seconds at AEW Dynasty. He’s now 6-0 since becoming a full-time member of the roster in March. He’s defeated Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher, Katsuyori Shibata, Powerhouse Hobbs, Claudio Castagnoli, and now Danielson in that time.
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including AEW Dynasty, all the matches and angles on the show, Smackdown and Collision, Arena Mexico, WWE cuts, RAW women’s title match, all the upcoming line-ups and more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Timestamps:
Start: Will Ospreay vs. Bryan Danielson, AEW Dynasty recap
39:56: AEW Dynasty press conference notes, another 3-hour block set for Saturday
Tony Khan and other AEW stars spoke to the media following AEW Dynasty.
New AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland, new TBS Champion Willow Nightingale, AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm, Will Ospreay, and Khan spoke following Sunday’s pay-per-view event. Here are the notes:
Swerve Strickland
The first thing Swerve said upon being introduced was “My champion is black.”
He said that he was offered opportunities for the International title but turned them down, saying he wanted to shoot at the top.
When asked what message would he want to send to little Black boys and girls who are watching. Swerve replied that he wanted to send the message that it’s possible, but it’s not easy. He had to take it.
He named Kofi Kingston winning the WWE Championship back at WrestleMania 35 as one of the most inspiring things in history. He said that was something that motivated him and something he wants to do for the next generation “multiple times.”
After he finished taking questions, Swerve introduced his shoes that will be coming out soon. He gifted them to Khan before leaving.
Willow Nightingale
When asked about Mercedes Mone, Willow said she would need to refocus, but just wants to celebrate the win for now and think about that and other title defenses before Double or Nothing.
She said that when she wrestled Mone last year, won the Owen Hart Cup tournament, and headlined an ROH show against Athena all at the same time, that is when she thought she could be on this level.
Toni Storm
Storm gave a statement, where at one point she said Nicole Garcia couldn’t hold a “p**** scented candle to her.”
She stormed off after someone asked a question regarding if she’d wrestle Mariah May, who is currently in the rankings.
Will Ospreay
Before Ospreay answered any questions, he started by apologizing by saying he didn’t see the doctor’s call before he laid out Danielson with the hidden blade for the win. He said he felt awful about what had happened. Moving forward, he will retire using the Storm Driver 91. Khan mentioned that he thought Danielson would be “okay” and that it was still a great match.
When asked about his recent jab against Triple H, he said that he’s done mentioning anyone from WWE because he’d just be lowering himself to that standard. He said it was the first time he’d experienced “true tribalism” over his remark. He doesn’t regret what he said, but he doesn’t want to go down that road moving forward.
After someone asked if he’d be going after the World title, he sidestepped the question by saying that he remembers seeing Swerve back when he was in CZW and put him over heavily.
One person asked about Ospreay paying for a ring for Softground Wrestling in Uganda. Ospreay said it reminded him of wrestling in his back garden. One of his dreams is to wrestle in Uganda.
Ospreay said the match he had tonight was probably the best one he’s ever done. He’s never felt more joy performing at that level.
Tony Khan
Thought Swerve stepped up another level with his recent matches against Hangman Page. He also mentioned the Casino Battle Royal back in 2022.
Regarding Jack Perry’s return, he said the return got a huge reaction. He also mentioned the response Perry got in Chicago last weekend. He called airing the footage “a bold call”, saying he felt that he had a responsibility to the home viewer to explain Jack Perry’s circumstances.
Someone asked if Mercedes Mone was cleared. Khan said that “she’ll be cleared at Double or Nothing.”
Regarding another pay-per-view in St. Louis, Khan said that the pay-per-view calendar is set for 2024, but would love to bring another event to the city.
One person asked if he would take all three of AEW’s shows to a streaming platform, he said it was “an interesting question.” They’re still in an exclusive negotiation window with Warner Bros. Discovery and Khan likes having wrestling on TBS and TNT. He hopes to have AEW’s library online in 2025, mentioning AEW and ROH libraries while also mentioning the possibility of bringing in other content like NJPW.
When asked about WBD’s morale, he said he heard positive things from them following Dynasty and got a text message from them right before he entered the press conference.
Regarding financial details for Dynasty, Khan said data is coming in from multiple sources, but is looking positive.
When asked about MJF, he would love to get MJF back sooner rather than later. Another person asked about Kenny Omega and Britt Baker. Khan said hopefully we’ll see them soon. He hoped to have Omega back for when they run Winnipeg, even if he isn’t cleared to return to the ring. For Baker, the sooner she’s back, the better.
The Bryan & Vinny Show is back with special guest Lisa Gifford to talk AEW Dynasty! A great show with an absolutely positively ridiculously incredible Bryan Danielson vs. Will Ospreay match, a new AEW World Champion, the return of Jack Perry and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Sunday’s AEW Dynasty saw its share of successful title changes & title defenses including the ceremonial FTW Championship changing into the hands of Chris Jericho.
Jericho defeated Hook for the title, hitting him with a bat strike to the face while Hook defiantly flipped him off. In the later stages of the bout, Jericho had already hit a Judas Effect for a nearfall and kept telling Hook to stay down but to no avail.
After the bat shot, Hook’s father Taz got up from the announce desk but didn’t get involved. He told Jericho to back off after the match to help play up the severity of the bat shot.
The win ends the 238-day second reign of Hook which saw just three successful title defenses. Jericho becomes the ninth overall titleholder and the seventh unique champion dating back to its creation in ECW in 1998.
Several champions did leave St. Louis with their title reigns intact.
AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm defeated former champion Thunder Rosa after a second Storm Zero that was preceded by a low blow kick. It’s Storm’s fourth title defense in her third reign.
In his first title defense, AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada defeated PAC to retain in their first-ever meeting while AEW International Champion Roderick Strong defended against former teammate Kyle O’Reilly in his first-ever title defense.
**********
Miracles do happen as Adam Cole rose out of his wheelchair following Strong’s title defense over Kyle O’Reilly, walking into the ring.
As The Undisputed Kingdom celebrated, Cole shot a disgusted look toward Wardlow, following up on his displeasure for the big man losing to then-AEW World Champion Samoa Joe in March.
It was another literal step toward returning to in-ring action for Cole who has been on the injured list since last September’s Grand Slam Dynamite when he broke his ankle jumping off the entrance ramp during the MJF-Joe World title match.
There is still no public timetable for Cole’s return. Former friend turned enemy MJF has also been out of action since being screwed over by Cole at last December’s Worlds End, costing him the World title.
For the first time ever, Swerve Strickland can call himself AEW World Champion after he defeated Samoa Joe in the main event of Sunday’s AEW Dynasty pay-per-view.
The end came when Strickland hit a second Swerve Stomp off the top rope for the pin, getting emotional before he took flight.
As noted on commentary, Strickland becomes AEW’s first African-American World Champion, their 11th overall World champion, and eighth unique World Champion.
His run toward the title began after he failed to advance to the finals of the first-ever Continental Classic last December. After six straight wins, he went to a 30-minute draw with blood rival Hangman Page this past February. He found his way into a three-way with Page and Joe for the title at March’s Revolution only to have his title win opportunity robbed by Page who didn’t make an appearance at Dynasty to thwart his rival.
Strickland then defeated Konosuke Takeshita in late-March to earn the shot.
Joe’s 113-day run with the title ends with three successful title defenses dating back to last December’s Worlds End when he defeated MJF for the title.
Strickland, who came out in full Black Panther garb for his entrance, survived the physical Joe who hit a Muscle Buster on the outside of the ring and later inside the ring.
Strickland set up the ending by jumping over Joe while on the top rope, hitting a power bomb and then the second Stomp for the win.
HE DID IT! Swerve Strickland is the NEW #AEW World Champion!
For the third time, The Young Bucks are AEW Tag Team Champions thanks to interference from old friend Jack Perry at AEW Dynasty.
Matthew & Nicholas Jackson defeated FTR at Sunday’s pay-per-view in a ladder match for the vacant titles, aided by Perry’s surprise return. As Dax Harwood was up on the ladder and about to grab the belts, a man in a white mask and hood ran into the ring and pushed Harwood off the ladder.
Security swarmed him and commentary played it up like he was a fan, but they removed his mask to reveal Perry. Nicholas then was up on the ladder to grab the belts and win the titles. Perry was taken out by security afterward as the Bucks pretended to be surprised by everything.
The titles were vacated by Darby Allin & Sting following Sting’s retirement at March’s Revolution and put up in a tournament. FTR advanced with wins over The Infantry and Top Flight while the Bucks defeated Private Party and Best Friends (Orange Cassidy & Trent Beretta) to get to the finals.
It’s the third reign for the Bucks and their first since a 28-day reign in 2022. This was the fourth-ever meeting between both teams with each winning two of them.
Perry has been out of AEW since last August’s All In when he got into a backstage skirmish with CM Punk that AEW aired footage of several weeks ago. He just wrapped up a short run in NJPW where he adopted the “Scapegoat” moniker to help play off the Punk controversy.
Both teams did their best to follow the spectacular Bryan Danielson vs. Will Ospreay match that preceded them, pulling out all the stops and eventually getting the crowd back into things.
Some highlights:
Wheeler hit a running spear to Matthew on the ring apron who then slid on the table and broke it before his body then nailed the barricade, followed by Nicholas hurricanrana counter onto Harwood through a table at ringside.
In a nasty looking bump, Nicholas hit a 450 splash onto Wheeler through a table while Harwood hit a piledriver onto Matt on top of a ladder, but the ladder broke making for an awkward fall.
In their first-ever meeting, Will Ospreay and Bryan Danielson did not disappoint with Ospreay picking up the victory at AEW Dynasty in a match many are already calling the best of the year and one of the best in recent memory.
In one of many dizzying sequences, both men squared off in the corners and stared at each other before each ran out with Ospreay being the faster of the two, landing a Hidden Blade and then a Tiger Driver ’91.
Danielson immediately started selling his shoulder and as the doctor attended to him, Ospreay hit another Hidden Blade to finish him off and get the win. The AEW commentary team played it up like a real injury, but never cut away from Danielson in the ring getting tended to. Afterward, they said he was able to walk out on his own power but needed some assistance.
The bout was just over 32 minutes in length. Ospreay remains undefeated in this AEW run at 6-0 while the loss snapped a three-match win streak for Danielson.
The atmosphere in the Chaifetz Arena was incredible from the onset with the fans chanting “Holy sh*t” before the men even locked up and later a “We’re not worthy” chant. The crowd was decidedly pro-Ospreay, chanting his name throughout.
The early going was Ospreay surviving Danielson’s physical style, using quick bursts to stun his opponent and bring the crowd to his feet as a result. However, Danielson began to work on the midsection after throwing a kick to Ospreay’s midsection as he springboarded into the ring. He threw punches and knees to Ospreay’s ribs in addition to stretching him out.
When Ospreay got his shots in, he made them count with one sequence punctuated by a Skytwister Press to the outside of the ring only for Danielson to regain momentum moments later by kicking Ospreay’s elbow on a Hidden Blade attempt and eventually working for an unsuccessful Cattle Mutilation submission attempt.
The story of the match was that neither man got an extended dominant period of time. Every time Ospreay would get on a roll, Danielson would counter and have his own run.
An example: after more competitive action, Danielson hit an avalanche tiger suplex and went to work with his array of kicks including two PKs that Ospreay sat up and invited more of. He then rallied and punctuated that sequence with an Os Cutter on the apron.
Danielson barely made it back into the ring after a Hidden Blade from the apron to the floor. Ospreay continued his attack and later went for a second Os Cutter, but Danielson countered with a La Mistica into a LeBell Lock in the middle of the ring that Ospreay barely escaped by making it to the ropes.
Another sequence following a poisonrana pin attempt on Ospreay that he barely got out of saw Ospreay flip out of a belly-to-back suplex and miss a Hidden Blade only for Danielson to hit a Busaiku knee strike for another close near fall that brought the fans to their feet.
Danielson hit a shoulder cutter suplex only for Ospreay to rally and hit a Hidden Blade and then on an Os Cutter attempt, Danielson nailed him square on the jaw with another Busaiku knee strike for a near fall.
The match was third from the top with only the Young Bucks/FTR Tag Team title ladder match and the Samoa Joe/Swerve Strickland AEW World title match to follow.
A rematch nearly a year in the making is now official for AEW Double or Nothing as new TBS Champion Willow Nightingale will defend against Mercedes Mone.
The match was made official for the Sunday, May 26th pay-per-view after the results of Sunday’s Dynasty PPV that saw Nightingale defeat Julia Hart for the title in just over six minutes.
After the win, Mone came out into the ring for a face-to-face confrontation — the latest one they have had since Mone made her debut in March.
The two squared off at May 2023’s NJPW Strong Resurgence in the finals of the inaugural NJPW Strong Women’s title tournament. Mone famously injured her ankle severly during the match, changing the course of what the finish was supposed to be. Nightingale won the 13-minute match and held the title for 45 days before losing it to Giulia.
For Mone, it will be her first in-ring action since that night. As part of the tension-building, Mone has been cold to Nightingale since her debut, blaming her for the injury she suffered.
Nightingale’s title reign is her first in AEW of any kind, ending Hart’s 155-day run that featured seven successful title defenses.
Mercedes Moné stands face-to-face with the NEW TBS Champion Willow Nightingale!
AEW World Champion Samoa Joe will defend against Swerve Strickland as part of tonight’s first-ever AEW Dynasty from St. Louis, Missouri.
The show will feature a much-anticipated dream match as Bryan Danielson goes one-on-one with Will Ospreay.
In a ladder match for the vacant AEW Tag Team titles, the Young Bucks will face FTR for the fourth time ever.
AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm defends against Thunder Rosa while TBS Champion Julia Hart defends against Willow Nightingale with Mercedes Mone set to face the winner next month.
AEW International Champion Roderick Strong defends against Kyle O’Reilly while AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada defends against PAC.
FTW Champion Hook defends against Chris Jericho while Adam Copeland, Mark Briscoe & Eddie Kingston take on the House of Black.
The pre-show will see Billy Gunn & The Acclaimed vs. Jay White & The Gunns in a match to unify the AEW Trios and ROH Six-Man Tag Team titles in addition to other action.
Zero Hour
The WrestleAunts, Renee Paquette & RJ City, welcome us to Zero Hour as they run down tonight’s card and video packages for the show. The crowd started loud Swerve’s House chants throughout the first half hour. We see footage of The Young Bucks showing up earlier in the day in a Tesla Cybertruck, which Nicholas Jackson said his wasn’t one that was recalled.
Trent Beretta defeated Matt Sydal (w/Mike Sydal)
(Solid first win for Beretta in this heel role, as it’s nice they’re slowly building this storyline and not rushing it. We find out where Chuck Taylor’s loyalties lie this Wednesday on Dynamite.)
Being the hometown boy, Matt is accompanied by his brother Mike, who competed in AEW during the Daily’s Place era. Beretta still has the same Best Friends entrance music and video, but he came out through the heel tunnel. Beretta immediately threw a throat shot to Sydal, who answered with multiple snap hurricanranas. Beretta dodged a high kick and bailed outside, only to be met by a diving Sydal. The Slice and Mariposa connected for a Sydal near fall. Beretta responded with a brainbuster, but got “We Want Sue” chants from the crowd before sending Sydal to the floor, opting to pose. Back inside, Sydal was pulled out of the corner into a swinging back suplex for two. Sydal battled back with a spin kick into the reset.
Sydal connected with a series of kicks, ending in a question mark kick for a near fall. Beretta went to the eyes, which allowed for a half and half suplex before a big time lariat followed. Sydal once more battled back with a top rope Meteora, but again got two. Sydal brought Beretta to the corner, but Beretta slid out, swept the leg and spiked Sydal with a Gotch Style Piledriver for two. Beretta connected on the charging knee before sinking in a submission choke with the shin over the throat for the tap out. Beretta refused to let go until Mike jumped in to break it up, but he was also attacked by Beretta. Chuck Taylor hit the ring, as Beretta bailed and took the microphone. Beretta said he doesn’t know why Taylor isn’t responding to his calls and texts, instead acting like a prick. Beretta gives Taylor until Wednesday to tell him where he stands. As Beretta walked up the ramp, Orange Cassidy’s music hit and both men had a stare down on the ramp before Katsuyori Shibata entered and Beretta just bailed to lead us to the next match.
Orange Cassidy & Katsuyori Shibata defeated Shane Taylor & Lee Moriaty
(This started as a pretty standard tag team match, but this picked up in pace tremendously in the second half. Cassidy doesn’t seem to have many friends he can rely on, but luckily, Shibata is one of them. I’ll be interested in seeing who Chuck Taylor chooses to side with this week and where the Cassidy/Beretta feud leads to. As for Shane Taylor Promotions, they continue to put on very good matches, they just need to start getting victories more often.)
Anthony Ogogo joined commentary for this one, as Cassidy & Moriarty start things off trading ground work before Cassidy went to the pockets. The signature dropkick and kip up led to Shibata tagging in and bouncing Moriarty back and forth with uppercuts. Shibata wrestled Moriarty to the ground and got a quick surfboard before an escape led to a stalemate. Shibata grew tired of Moriarty and tossed him to Taylor, wanting the big man to enter the match, which he did. A chop battle ensued before Taylor went with a punch to the midsection. Shibata answered with boots to the face and chopped Taylor down with kicks before Cassidy tagged back in with an elbow drop fall off the top. Cassidy took out Moriarty with a dive, realized Taylor was waiting for him, so rolled back out and leveled Moriarty again. Ogogo was about to attack when Shibata put a stop to it, only to be blindsided by Taylor.
Moriarty gained control on Cassidy, allowing Taylor to connect with a legdrop on the edge of the apron. Cassidy remained worked over until Taylor missed a corner dive, allowing Shibata to make the hot tag and run wild, including his corner dropkick on Moriarty. Abdominal Stretch applied before Taylor came in, only to eat a wild shot from Shibata. Taylor was brought to the corner, where Shibata & Cassidy ramped up the dueling strikes, ending in a double dropkick. Moriarty ran in with a boot on Shibata, then snapped the fingers of Cassidy, who answered with a Stundog Millionaire. Moriaty side stepped the spinning DDT, nearly got the Border City Stretch, but led to a series of reversals until Cassidy spiked Moriarty with a DDT. Wild counters led to Taylor headbutting Cassidy, trying a package piledriver, but Shibata sank in a choke, while Cassidy was still upside down. Ogogo jumped on the apron and was knocked off just as quick, as Cassidy & Moriarty traded a series of pin attempts until Cassidy fired off an Orange Punch for the victory.
Switchblade Jay White & The Gunns (Austin & Colten) defeated The Acclaimed (Max Caster & Anthony Bowens) & Daddy Ass to unify the AEW & ROH Trios Titles
(While this match had it’s slow points, it picked up at the end and the whole crowd were really into it. Everyone performed really well, as I’m hoping this is it for this storyline and everyone moves on. White thankfully was the one to get the win, as come Double or Nothing, I can only hope he’s not on the pre-show once again.)
Caster had an extended freestyle that had a couple lines that could get him in trouble in the pre-match, as White bailed on starting the match immediately, as Colten & Bowens began things with a fast exchange. Bowens kept Colten grounded, before a blind tag by Austin led to Daddy Ass also making the tag. Billy faked helping his son up and locked on a headlock before having a nice back and forth with his son. Billy dropped his two boys with clotheslines before White tagged in and Billy, similar to a few weeks ago, continued to no sell for him. White bailed and made the blind tag to Colten, who attacked his dad from behind, which again, Billy no sold, so Colten tried to hug him. Billy punched Colten in the face and tagged in Caster, as the match broke down enough for The Acclaimed to hit Scissor Me Timbers on Austin.
Caster awkwardly missed a corner splash, allowing White to launch him into the barricade. Caster remained isolated, as White & The Gunns trash talked the crowd in the process. Bowens made the hot tag and wiped everyone out before a dropkick from Colten sent him to the floor, where White dropped him multiple times on the apron. Excalibur said Bowens carries the load for his team, similar to how he does on commentary, which popped Tony Schiavone & Taz. A double down led to Billy making the hot tag, as a series of haymakers on everyone connected before hitting the One and Only on Austin, as Colten flew in with a Fame Asser for a close two.
Billy avoided 3:10 to Yuma, as the match broke down, resulting in White clocking Billy in the back with the golden baseball bat. Billy was dropped with 3:10 to Yuma, but kicked out, causing much of the crowd to boo. The Acclaimed made the save, dispatched of The Gunns, leaving White alone to eat a series of superkicks. The Gunns distracted enough for Bowens & Caster to be sent outside, as White wanted Blade Runner on White, but again, Gunn no sold, hit the Fame Asser, as Caster hit a Mic Drop, Billy made the cover, but White kicked out. White & Billy traded finisher attempts until White hit Blade Runner and got the win to a huge pop.
AEW Dynasty
Kazuchika Okada defeated PAC to retain the Continental Title
(This has to rank up there with the best openers in AEW PPV history, as they set the bar incredibly high for the night. This more than lived up to the hype and I can only hope this isn’t the only time these two face one another. Okada’s ability to get the crowd to go crazy for him and then go against him in the span of seconds was incredible. I’m also so happy PAC is back and healthy, I’ve missed watching him crush it, as the post-match standing ovation he received was more than warranted.)
Jim Ross joins commentary for the opener, as there are “Holy Sh*t” chants right at the bell. The match began with a series of counters leading to PAC trying to ground the larger Okada. PAC with a snap hurricanrana that sent Okada to the floor, where PAC followed with a twisting dive, landing on his feet. Okada was driven into the barricade, as back inside, PAC wasted no time with an Avalanche Brainbuster for two. PAC started toying with Okada before going to the ropes, wasting too much time and Okada hit a dropkick to the outside. PAC smacked his leg on the edge of the apron on the fall. Back inside, Okada with a snap low dropkick, resulting in a loud ovation, as he returns the favor and toys with PAC, who slowly gets up and throws forearms. PAC tried a float over, but ran right into a perfect dropkick by Okada.
Okada draped PAC over the barricade and completely spiked PAC with a DDT on the floor. Okada smiled, content with the countout, but PAC beat the count at 9, only to be spiked with another DDT for two. PAC low bridged Okada over the top and followed with a spectacular moonsault off the top to the outside. Slugfest ensued back inside before PAC connected on a flying forearm before going up top and hit a missile dropkick. A series of kicks from PAC hit, but Okada avoided a final one, tried a German suplex, but PAC landed on his feet, hit a bounce back German, which Okada exploded up from into a Shotgun dropkick for the double down.
PAC charged but suffered an Air Raid Crash onto the knee of Okada for two. Okada connected on the top rope elbow, which led to a fake out of the Rainmaker pose, as he flipped off the crowd instead. PAC nearly got a flash roll up as a result, as he threw a superkick and lariat before a deadlift German hit for a close two. PAC wanted Black Arrow, but crashed and burned, as Okada dropped him with a Tombstone. PAC turned a Rainmaker into a cradle for two and victory roll before sinking in a crucifix Brutalizer. Okada gouged at the eyes, tried another Tombstone, but PAC reversed into one of his own. PAC went to the top, but Okada grabbed the leg of referee Paul Turner. PAC tried Black Arrow, but Okada got the knees up and connected on a Rainmaker for the victory. Okada made his way to the back, as PAC recovered long enough to get a much deserved standing ovation.
House of Black (Malakai Black, Brody King & Buddy Matthews) defeated TNT Champion Adam Copeland, NJPW Strong Openweight Champion Eddie Kingston & ROH Champion Mark Briscoe
(A very good match, which sets up the next TNT Title program, as the only interaction between Copeland & Black was the finish, I wonder if the black mist will turn Copeland evil down the line, as it has for others in the past? I also wouldn’t be surprised if Matthews & King go after Kingston & Briscoe’s individual titles as well. This feud is far from over as far as I’m concerned.)
Fast tags and action to start as Black & Briscoe and Copeland & Matthews were paired off in the early going. Black tagged himself in and stared down Copeland, as you can hear Kingston yelling at his partner to beat the sh*t out of him. Black, playing mind games, tagged in King, as Kingston followed and we get a big-time chop and forearm exchange. King absorbed kicks and chops, but not the enzugiri, which staggered King to the corner, where he suffered Kobashi machine gun chops. King reversed a whip and connected on a Black Hole Slam and corner cannonball. Kingston remained isolated before a release German suplex dropped Black to give Briscoe the hot tag and pick up the pace against Matthews. Redneck Kung-Fu connected, as Briscoe sent Matthews to the floor with a baseball slide as the match broke down with Black going at it with Kingston ringside. Matthews grabbed a chair, but Briscoe got ahold of it and used it as a launching pad to hit a somersault dive, clearing the post onto King.
Briscoe & Matthews fought to the apron, where Matthews hit a pump knee, dropping Briscoe into the clutches of King, who hit a rolling Death Valley Driver, bending the barricade in the process. Briscoe would be picked apart in the House of Black corner until fighting free and diving for the Copeland hot tag. Black bailed before Copeland could get his hands on him, as King ate a series of clotheslines. Kingston & Briscoe hit the ring to take out Black & Matthews, with Kingston throwing a chop so hard on King that he himself fell down. Black & Matthews took out Kingston & Briscoe with double corner powerbombs, leaving Copeland to hit a superplex on King, leaving all six men down.
Copeland tried an Impaler, but Matthews flew in with a Meteora. Everyone started hitting home run shots, leaving Kingston to hit a back fist on King, while Copeland hit the Impaler and Briscoe with the Froggy Bow, but Matthews broke the count. Just as Copeland & Black were about to go at it for the first time, the match broke down again, as a triple Spear by Copeland, Kingston & Briscoe dropped all of the House of Black. Copeland charged at Black, who misted him and hit The End kick to get the win.
Willow Nightingale defeated Julia Hart to win the TBS Title
(For as short as this match was, I thought it was a pretty good back and forth battle. Nightingale getting the win here made the most sense, as I’m happy there were no heel turns or interference and Nightingale got her moment, which got a massive pop. The match we all thought would happen, will take place at Double or Nothing, as Mercedes Mone finally makes her in ring debut to challenge Nightingale in Vegas.)
House Rules means Nightingale gets to pick a stipulation and that was Skye Blue & Kris Statlander was banned from ringside. This caught Statlander off guard, who walked to the stage with Nightingale for her entrance. Stokely Hathaway is on commentary and trading jabs with Taz immediately. Nightingale exploded out the gate, but as she went to the corner, was superkicked from Hart and tumbled to the floor. We can see Tony Schiavone hilariously protecting Hathaway as Hart threw Nightingale over into the time keepers table. Mercedes Mone is shown watching backstage, as Hart continued to stay in control back in the ring. Nightingale fought back, applying a sleeper, but Hart kicked her way free.
Hart charged right into a spinebuster, but Nightingale missed the follow up dropkick off the second. Hart applied Hartless, but Nightingale powered out and started firing up. Hart connected on a double stomp in the corner, wanted her top rope moonsault, but ate boots to the face, as Nightingale connected on a wild lariat. Nightingale hit the Doctor Bomb and pinned Hart clean, as Hathaway yelled “Chuck E Cheese, here we come!”
Post match, Statlander came to the ring with Hathaway for a group hug before Mercedes Mone interrupted, coming to the ring. Statlander & Hathaway went to the floor, as Mone & Nightingale had a face off in the ring, with Nightingale holding her title high in the air. The Double or Nothing PPV graphic is shown, as the match is official. Nightingale celebrated with her family ringside, as Mone gave one final look from the stage.
Roderick Strong defeated Kyle O’Reilly to retain the International Title
(Just a flat out excellent wrestling match between two of the best in the business. Strong continued the Messiah of the Backbreaker moniker, as similar to his Revolution match with Orange Cassidy, there were backbreakers galore. O’Reilly put up one heck of a fight, but Strong won this one clean, despite the attempted interference never taking place by Wardlow, who seems to already be on the outs with The Undisputed Kingdom.)
Excalibur documents the history these two have had as opponents in Ring of Honor and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla as it was very evenly matched in the early going, with counters aplenty. O’Reilly threw kicks at the leg of Strong, who pulled him in for a pin attempt, long enough to pop up and hit a perfect leg lariat to gain control briefly. Both men went at the others shoulders, as a plethora of kicks from O’Reilly led to Strong catching and countering into a backbreaker. Strong set up O’Reilly in the corner and delivered a backbreaker on the turnbuckle, but opted to dish out punches instead of a pin attempt.
A loud chop from Strong seemingly woke up O’Reilly, but Strong switched to boots to keep O’Reilly down. Strong continued to deliver backbreakers, including a Torture Rack into the double knees, but only managed two. O’Reilly fought off End of Heartache into a guillotine, as O’Reilly let go and lit up Strong with strikes before sinking in a knee bar. Strong managed a desperation Angle Slam, as a series of charging forearms nearly led to a step-up knee, but O’Reilly dodged, hung up Strong and hit a top rope guillotine knee. O’Reilly went up top and hit a diving knee to the knee of Strong, sinking in the knee bar again. Strong kicked free, as both threw heavy forearms with Strong turning to another backbreaker.
Strong connected on a superplex, but each man held on and traded near falls. Both to their feet trading kicks and chops until O’Reilly hit a snap German, tried his home run shot, but Strong fired a desperation pump knee into the double down. Both up and O’Reilly got the guillotine choke, but Strong hung-up O’Reilly by the neck in the ropes. O’Reilly fought back on the apron, as Strong took the ref and Wardlow came down, tried to get involved, but was caught by the ref and he backed off. O’Reilly got a crucifix, but Strong got out and hit a fireman’s carry double knee, which O’Reilly answered with a Nigel bounce back lariat. O’Reilly sank in a cross-arm breaker, but Strong got the ropes. Strong got up and hit a flying boot, followed up by the End of Heartache for the victory.
Post match, Adam Cole was rolled to the stage by Mike Bennett & Matt Taven before standing out of the wheelchair and power walking to the ring. The Kingdom holds up Strong on their shoulders, as Cole gives a long glare behind the back of Wardlow before celebrating with the rest of the crew. Seeds planted for Wardlow already getting booted from the group.
Chris Jericho defeated HOOK to win the FTW Title
(This was HOOK’s best match in his career so far I’d say, save for maybe the match with Samoa Joe he had a few months ago. The crowd was loudly behind him from the start and really laid into Jericho with some tough chants in this. “The Learning Tree” is the nickname they’re going with for Jericho now, which seems more like a tagline than nickname, but I digress. This story is just getting going, as HOOK continues to grow into a solid worker and Jericho did bring the best out of him in this one.)
Jericho offered a fist bump to start and HOOK accepted, as the match began with trading chops and punches until HOOK hit a series of overhead suplexes before sending Jericho to the floor. HOOK leapt for a shot off the apron, but missed by a mile, as Jericho still sold and Excalibur said it was a glancing blow. Jericho slammed HOOK into the announce table in front of Taz before setting a table up ringside, tried a powerbomb, but HOOK escaped and hit a German suplex, as Jericho came within inches of catching the corner of the steps. HOOK got a trash can lid and waffled Jericho with it, but tried too much, as Jericho caught him with a boot and DDT on the lid for a two count.
Both men fought to the apron and HOOK delivered a T-Bone off it through the set-up table, shattering it, giving HOOK a two count. Back in the ring, HOOK hits another German suplex to the chants of “Go Home Jericho” from the crowd. Jericho fought back with a corner clothesline and top rope hurricanrana, which Jericho himself nearly fell on his head doing. Jericho threw in more weapons, wanted a trash can shot, but HOOK hit another German. HOOK put the trash can over Jericho and smashed it with a kendo stick before delivering a T-Bone on a trapped Jericho for two.
HOOK brought another table to the ring, set it up in the corner and delivered another throw, only to walk into a Code Breaker for the double down. Both men slug it out, as Jericho, who is getting “Please Retire” chants now from a little bit of the crowd, rakes HOOK’s eyes, but missed a corner fist drop. HOOK applied REDRUM, but Jericho fell back onto the corner table. Jericho made the cover and put his feet on the ropes, causing the ref to briefly stop the count, but she realized it’s FTW Rules, so she just counted, but HOOK kicked out. HOOK tried a leg lock, but Jericho countered into the Walls of Jericho, but escaped into a small package for two.
REDRUM applied again, this time Jericho hit a mule kick and the Judas Effect, but HOOK kicked out. Jericho hit another Judas Effect, but once more, HOOK kicked out. Jericho told HOOK to stay down before grabbing his baseball bat. HOOK stumbled to his feet and flipped Jericho off before Jericho hit HOOK in the face with the bat to get the win. Before the pin, the crowd exploded, as Taz took his headset off and they thought he was about to get involved, but he didn’t. Post match, Taz told Jericho to leave, as doctors checked on HOOK.
Timeless Toni Storm (w/Luther & Mariah May) defeated Thunder Rosa to retain the AEW Women’s Title
(A very good match with the crowd having dueling chants for both throughout. You could certainly continue to build the dissention between Rosa & Purrazzo out of this and also Storm resorted to a low kick to lead to the finish. The question Excalibur presented post match was who could beat Toni Storm? I was hoping for a return of someone tonight, but that didn’t happen, at least not quite yet.)
Nigel McGuinness joins commentary for this, as Taz went to the back with HOOK and said “It’s Shoe-time!” Rosa had a mask on until the bell rang and she took it off to reveal none of her signature face paint. Storm wasted no time with an early assault, but Rosa quickly responded with hard chops. Storm responded with a stiff kick to the ribs and beal, but Rosa hit a head scissors that sent Storm to the floor. Rosa went up top and hit a Tornillo that took out Storm & Luther before May got in her face, but quickly backed off. Back inside, Rosa fired off clubbing blows before trying a cross body, which Storm caught into a backbreaker.
Storm kept grounded Rosa before Rosa exploded out with a shotgun dropkick and crucifix bomb for a near fall. Rosa brought Storm to the apron and delivered a brutal Death Valley Driver, as Rosa trash talked some Storm fans ringside beforehand. Rosa wanted a Fire Thunder Driver, but her back gave out, as Storm hit a backstabber out of the corner. A spinning corner DDT led to a fisherman’s suplex for two. Rosa battled back with a roll up into a double stomp for two of her own before going up top, missing a double foot stomp, rolling through and ran into a Storm Sky High.
Storm kept targeting the lower back before Rosa turned things into a forearm battle, which changed to slaps. Each woman traded snap Germans before Mariah May jumped on the apron to run distraction, but Deonna Purrazzo ran out and wiped out May & Luther. May got up and brawled with Purrazzo to the back, as this distracted Rosa, allowing Storm to hit another release German, Sweet Cheek Music and Storm Zero, but Rosa kicked out. Storm sank in the Texas Cloverleaf, but Rosa got the ropes. Rosa side stepped Storm, hit a backstabber and got a Cobra Clutch crossface, but this time Storm grabbed the apron. The ref fixed the apron, allowing Storm to hit a low kick and another Storm Zero to get the win. Luther carried Storm up the ramp as Excalibur questioned who can beat Toni Storm?
Will Ospreay defeated Bryan Danielson
(I don’t think I’ve ever cheered for a 60 minute time limit more than I did for this absolute classic. That didn’t happen obviously, but it’s going to take a whole hell of a lot to beat this for Match of the Year. This more than delivered on the hype, which was already at an all time high. This hit multiple levels and resulted in the crowd getting even louder. The finish leaves room for a rematch (hopefully) as Ospreay didn’t know just how injured Danielson was before he hit the exclamation mark on the victory. I’m really looking forward to seeing where they go from here. This was incredible storytelling.)
Justin Roberts announced this as an absolute Dream Match and I wouldn’t argue that one bit as “Holy Sh*t”, “AEW” & “Both These Guys” chants rang out. Each man tried to use their strength early, Danielson with the ground game and Ospreay with the speed, but each had it scouted, resulting in multiple stalemates. An insane series of counters of kicks from one another led to another stalemate and “Fight Forever” chants. Ospreay picked the leg and Danielson easily got up, flipping off Ospreay, who answered with hard chops, which Danielson responded with. Don Callis, who is on commentary, got F Don Callis chants as well, as Danielson applied a rolling cravat, but Ospreay flipped out into a snap dropkick. A quick head scissors from Ospreay put him in control until Danielson woke up via a chop, but Ospreay answered with a pop-up stun gun and slingshot cross body. Callis was upset Ospreay was playing to the crowd.
Back inside, Danielson caught a springing Ospreay with a kick to the ribs and proceeded to keep him grounded. Ospreay battled back with chops, but Danielson lit up the ribs until doing a corner backflip, only to be met with an Ospreay corkscrew kick for the double down. Pip Pip Cheerio connected, as Kawada Kicks were stopped by Danielson, who threw more stiff uppercuts until Ospreay exploded with a wall walk enzugiri, sending Danielson outside. Ospreay delivered a picture-perfect twisting moonsault, as back inside, a top rope elbow strike to the back connected. Ospreay wanted Hidden Blade, but Danielson kicked out to avoid it and hit a Tiger Suplex for two. Anvil elbow poured down, as Cattle Mutilation was locked on, but Ospreay used his size to get the ropes.
Danielson hit the corner dropkicks, he tried a corner hurricanrana, landing smack on his head in the process which no one seemed to notice, but Ospreay landed on his feet. Ospreay followed with a Tiger Driver for a near fall, but took too long in the corner, as Danielson cut him off with a gnarly Avalanche Tiger Suplex that was insane, as Ospreay got his foot on the ropes at two. Danielson fired off kicks, until a PK woke Ospreay up, who asked for more, so Danielson obliged. Danielson slapped Ospreay in the face, so Ospreay leveled Danielson in the face with a forearm, crumbling him. They go to the apron, where Ospreay wanted a Tiger Driver, but thankfully Danielson escaped, only to eat a thrust kick and Oscutter on the edge of the ring. While Danielson was being checked on by referee Bryce, Ospreay flew in with a Hidden Blade off the apron. Ospreay opted to take the countout, but Danielson broke the count.
Ospreay was right there to hit a springboard dropkick and high stack powerbomb, but Danielson kicked out at two. Ospreay tried another Oscutter, this time with Danielson trying a LeBell Lock, but opted for a guillotine. Ospreay tried a counter, but Danielson hit a beautiful La Mistica into a LeBell Lock. Danielson wrenched at the arm, but again, Ospreay got his foot on the ropes. Yes Kicks into the Buzzsaw Kick, as Ospreay intercepted a Busaiku Knee, but Danielson turned a powerbomb into a snap hurricanrana pin for two. Both trade pin attempts, Ospreay flips out, missed Hidden Blade, as Danielson flew in with a Busiaku Knee for the closest two of the match, as the crowd is going nuts. Danielson said it’s time to kick his head in, as boots rained down to Yes/No dueling chants. Ospreay fought out of the LeBell Lock with forearms, but Danielson got the triangle choke, which Ospreay countered into a Styles Clash.
Both trade headbutts and punches from their knees, before Danielson hit a combo into a Regal Plex, which Ospreay no sold into Hidden Blade. Ospreay tried an Oscutter, but Danielson hit a Busiaku Knee in mid-air, as this match has somehow hit another level. Both rose in separate corners, as Ospreay took off the elbow pad and both exploded out, with Ospreay connecting first with the flying foream and Tiger Driver 93. The ref immediately called for the doctor to check Danielson, as Ospreay didn’t realize it and he fired out with a Hidden Blade to get the win. Post match, Danielson is in serious pain, as doctors told Ospreay Danielson was hurt before the finish and Ospreay was caught off guard by it. Excalibur told us before the next match that Danielson was able to walk to the back with doctors assistance.
The Young Bucks (Matthew & Nicholas Jackson) defeated FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) in a Ladder Match to win the vacant AEW World Tag Team Titles
(You could tell the crowd was exhausted following the epic they just witnessed, so there were times when they were quiet in this, but reacted really strong to the big time bumps. There were a lot of those bumps, as this was a TLC match pretty much with quite a few table bumps as well as your usual ladder spots. These two put everything into this one, as a lot of credit to all involved, this was wild. The finish was very predictable, as Jack Perry made his first AEW appearance since All In London and was escorted from the building as a result for what Excalibur said was a criminal offense and trespassing.)
Both teams dodged the others finishers early before FTR quickly went for ladders, only to get cut off. While Harwood ate a ladder shot, Wheeler came in with a baseball slide on the ladder onto both Bucks. A scramble back in the ring with a ladder set up, as FTR was sent into the ladder before a Superkick Party from The Bucks. Matthew & Nicholas were both sent into the ladder, as Wheeler set up multiple tables around ringside before Harwood ate a drop toe hold holding a ladder into the steps. Wheeler was set up on a ladder bridge held by Matthew, while Nicholas hit a somersault dive onto it. The Bucks climbed a tall ladder in the ring, as Harwood made the save, but he’s bleeding now from the ring steps shot.
The Bucks light up Harwood with chair shots, as he’s bleeding a gusher before being sandwiched between the ladder, as Matthew hit repeated chair shots. Wheeler tried to save, but also suffered a chair shot for his troubles. The Bucks launched Wheeler into the ladder in the corner before setting up a ladder bridge ringside, which Wheeler delivered a moonsault off of. Wheeler tried a piledriver on the bridge, but Nicholas pulled out the leg and crotched him. While trapped in the ladder, The Bucks hit an EVP Trigger on Wheeler before targeting Harwood back inside. The Bucks wanted a suplex to the floor through a table, but Wheeler, who recovered insanely quickly all things considered, returns and cleans house.
Match almost resets, as both teams try climbing the ladder, but Matthew ends up dropped by a Steiner Bulldog off the top rope, as Harwood locks in a Sharpshooter. Wheeler trapped Matthew under the ladder, as Nicholas made the save, but ate a slingshot powerbomb. While Matthew was on the apron, Wheeler charged full steam and speared him through the ropes through the table. Opposite side, Nicholas countered a powerbomb into a hurricanrana off the apron, sending Harwood through another table. Somehow all four men recovered enough to all climb the ladders in the ring, with Matthew standing tall, but Harwood blocked a superkick, took off the shoe and hit a Shatter Machine off the ladder. Nicholas returned with a chair and got in a few shots, before taking too long to climb a ladder in the corner, resulting in FTR connecting on a Power Plex off separate ladders.
Both teams fight to the floor, where Nicholas had another table set up and hit a 450 Splash onto Wheeler through it. Meanwhile, Harwood delivered a piledriver onto Matthew on the ladder bridge and it somewhat gave out and each landed really badly. Harwood sets a ladder up, but Nicholas springboards onto it and hits a sunset flip bomb off it. Nicholas climbs, but Wheeler breaks it up, sends Nicholas outside and tries a dive, but crashes and burns through a table. At this point “Please Be Careful” chants are heard, as Harwood & Nicholas fight up to the belts, but Harwood smacks him with a belt. A “fan” in a Sting mask hits the ring and shoves Harwood off the ladder, but security takes the mask off to reveal Jack Perry. Nicholas climbs the ladder and gets the belt, as security escorts Perry from the building. Excalibur said it’s trespassing, a criminal offense.
Swerve Strickland (w/Prince Nana) defeated Samoa Joe to win the AEW World Title
(I thought this was a really good main event with Strickland winning the title to a massive ovation and reaction. The Era of Strickland officially begins and it’ll be fun to see how his reign goes from here and who challenges first. Credit to Joe for being a fantastic World Champion, as I’m curious for what is next for him as well. This was a very good end to a great PPV.)
Jim Ross once again joins commentary for the main event, as Strickland came out in Black Panther gear as Prince Nana placed the late Jimmy Rave’s jacket on him as a tribute to the original Embassy. Joe got the advantage early with strikes, tried his usual side step walk off to avoid a strike, but Strickland had it scouted and took the fight to Joe, sending him outside. Strickland tried a dive, but Joe caught him and drove him onto the announce table, then launched him clear over it. Joe rips a mat off the ringside area to expose the concrete, but doing this allowed Strickland to hit a Fosbury Flop. Joe nearly it a Muscle Buster on the floor, but Strickland escaped, charged and Joe hit a snap powerslam on the concrete.
Joe kept up the attack back inside, sweeping out the leg of Strickland, causing him to face plant as a result. Joe grounded Strickland, who would try to battle back, only to be mowed down by Joe. They battled to the outside, where Joe tried a home run shot against the ring post, Strickland dodged and Joe smacked the steel, allowing Strickland to zone in. Back inside, Strickland connected on a bounce back German for a near fall, as Joe tried a desperation Coquina Clutch, but Strickland kicked free. With Joe set up in the corner, Strickland hit a diving arm breaker before slapping on a short arm scissors transitioning into a cross arm breaker. Joe powered up into a Buckle Bomb and quickly followed with a Muscle Buster for a close two, which shocked Joe.
Joe grabbed the AEW Title, but Strickland met him coming into the ring with a House Call and 450 Splash with Joe hung up in the ropes. Swerve Stomp hit flush, but Joe kicked out. Joe desperately raked at the eyes, grabbed the AEW Title, as Nana took the ref to tell him, as Strickland dodged a belt shot, but Joe sank in the Coquina Clutch. Strickland wrenched at the bad arm to get free, then snapped it back, as Nana yelled to break it. Strickland delivered another House Call, but Joe once more kicked out. Strickland took too long to follow and this time Joe cut him off. Strickland almost looked for an Avalanche Swerve Stomp, but seemed to overshoot his target and opted for a powerbomb out of the corner. One final proper Swerve Stomp connected flush and Strickland got the victory and the championship.
Joe quickly went to the back post match, as streamers poured down on Strickland, who celebrated with Nana and the fans ringside, as pyro went off to celebrate the new champion. The crowd went wild for this finish. Strickland was crying on the ring steps before holding the title high once more to close the show.
– Bryan and I will be back tonight covering all the weekend news including Dynasty, Smackdown, Collision, WWE cuts, and more. Garrett and I did our week in review show on Friday, we talked with Brad Balukjian extensively about the 80s period when WWF went from regional to national including busting some myths, plus talked about AEW TV contract negotiations, what Steve Austin and Terry Funk had that others didn’t, and Chris Adams.
– AEW has Dynasty tonight in St. Louis at the Chaifetz Arena. There were 6,447 tickets out this morning and the place would sell out at about 7,000 or a little more, so it is possible they’ll sell out but more likely they’ll come just shy. On paper for action, this show looks exceptional. It’ll run from 7 p.m. to midnight.
Zero Hour:
Trent Baretta vs. Matt Sydal
Orange Cassidy & Katsuyori Shibata vs Shane Taylor & Lee Moriarty
Billy Gunn & The Acclaimed vs. Jay White & Gunn Brothers for both the AEW and ROH trios titles
PPV:
Adam Copeland & Eddie Kingston & Mark Briscoe vs House of Black
Julia Hart vs. Willow Nightingale for the TBS tile
Roderick Strong vs. Kyle O’Reilly for the International title
Kazuchika Okada vs. Pac for the Continental title
Young Bucks vs. FTR for vacant tag titles in a ladder match
Toni Storm vs. Thunder Rosa for the women’s title
Will Ospreay vs. Bryan Danielson
Samoa Joe vs. Swerve Strickland for the AEW title
We have a preview in the current edition of the Observer with all the odds going into the show.
The show goes head-to-head with two NBA playoff games and two NHL Stanley Cup playoff games. The next several weeks for all pro wrestling shows will be hard with the playoffs. AEW has another obstacle on Wednesday with a 5 p.m. start on the West Coast for the show headlined by Jon Moxley vs. Powerhouse Hobbs for the IWGP title. The start time should hurt AEW ratings by about eight percent, and NBA playoffs will hurt it as well.
– AEW does have a huge benefit next week as the three-hour Saturday night block with Collision & Rampage starts at 8:30 p.m., only 30 minutes later than usual, but gets a Boston vs Miami lead-in. The first quarter is likely to be by far the highest quarter hour of viewing so far this year so they should open up with the top angle for Double or Nothing when viewership is high. The rating should be way up but it also doesn’t mean anything due to the lead-in past an opportunity to get talent seen by more non-fans than any time in a long time.
– We’re doing polls this weekend on Dynasty and TNA Rebellion so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match for each show to [email protected]
– WWE finished the European tour yesterday in Belfast, Northern Ireland:
Sami Zayn won four-way over Gunther, Chad Gable, and Finn Balor. Balor was a huge babyface of course and Zayn raised Balor’s hand after the match
JD McDonagh b Ricochet – They changed from the ending in the other cities because McDonagh is Irish
Natalya & Tegan Nox b Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark
Damian Priest b Kofi Kingston to keep the world title. McDonagh and Xavier Woods both interfered
Becky Lynch b Piper Niven
Jey Uso b Drew McIntyre. McIntyre cut a promo saying Belfast may host WrestleMania before saying he’ll personally make sure it never happens.
Cody Rhodes b Shinsuke Nakamura to keep the WWE title
The show sold out legit
– For Google searches this week, nothing from pro wrestling or MMA made the list, but the Ryan Garcia vs Devin Hansey boxing match had 2 million searches, the second most for the weekend behind the NBA playoffs, which had 6.5 million. Garcia vs. Haney was just slightly below UFC 300 and double that of WrestleMania.
– We’re looking for reports on these shows from the weekend:
WWE Friday night in Pittsburgh (dark matches only)
WWE last night in Erie, PA
WWE tonight in Fort Wayne, IN
NXT Friday in Davenport, FL
TNA tonight in Las Vegas
AEW last night (anything not on the three-hour live show)
We’re looking for results, finishes and highlights to [email protected]
– Sami Callihan was back with TNA last night but is expected to continue working with MLW.
– I saw the Friday night Arena Mexico show. The three-way where Mascara Dorada beat Mistico and Atlantis Jr. in an elimination match to advance to next week’s tournament of champions final against Titan and Magnus was excellent. Even better was the Villanos & Zandokan Jr. match against Titan & Esfinge & Flip Gordon. The heat for this stuff is so far beyond what you see anywhere else these days. The other match we got high recommendations for this weekend was the Yuma Anzai vs. Ryuki Honda Champion Carnival match from All Japan today in Chiba.
– New Japan did a ten bell salute to Akebono at yesterday’s show in Machida.
– A&E tonight has WWE Rivals at 8 p.m. on the Hulk Hogan vs. Randy Savage feud and Most Wanted Treasures at 9 p.m. features Dusty Rhodes, with Cody Rhodes and Booker T.
– There was a giant upset as four-time NCAA champion and Hodge Trophy winner Aaron Brooks beat defending gold medalist David Taylor, considered the country’s best wrestler regardless of weight, on scores of 4-1 and 3-1 at the Olympic trials last night on the USA Network. So Brooks made the Olympic team at 189 pounds. Taylor had been all over TV commercials done by Cody Rhodes on NBC and USA, so they may have to cut a new one for Brooks, Kyle Dake, or Kyle Snyder. Mason Parris, a WWE NIL wrestler, made the team at 275 pounds beating Hayden Zillmer 7-0 and 7-0 in straight matches. Snyder made his third Olympic team at 213 beating Isaac Trumble 5-0 and 4-0. He’s got one gold and one silver.
– On the women’s side, Amit Elor, the top star at 149 and best woman wrestler regardless of weight in the country, at 20 years old, beat Forrest Molinari 6-0 and 2-1 to make her first Olympic team. Elor won two age group world titles (under 18 and under 20) in 2021, two age group world titles (under 20 and under 23), and the overall world title in both 2022 and 2023. She’s been in eight world championship tournaments and gone 29-0 and outscored opponents 251-9. Helen Maroulis made her third Olympic team after winning gold in 2016. Kayla Miracle made her second team.
The biggest news story from the women’s side was Kennedy Blades beating Adeline Gray 11-6 and 8-3 to make the team at 167 pounds. Gray has been the dominant US wrestler in that division for more than a decade and won six world titles and the 2021 silver medal, but never a gold, and not making this team means she’s likely to never win a gold.
– Adam Coon beat WWE NIL wrestler Cohlton Schutz, winning the second and third match after losing the first, to make the Greco-Roman Olympic team in the 286-pound weight class.
– Luke Rockhold knocked out Joe Schilling in the main event of Karate Combat in Dubai last night. It was Rockhold’s first combat sports win in seven years.
– Swerve Strickland threw out the first pitch at yesterday’s St. Louis Cardinals game. He had with him an AEW world title belt,
– Aero Star debuts with House of Glory Wrestling on 5/5 in New York at the NYC Arena.
– Yuka Sakazaki’s leg injury in her bout last night in Peoria, IL with Emi Sakura was legit. As of this morning, the exact injury and its ramifications weren’t clear. She gutted her way through the match but the injury did change things.
– TNA tapes Impact tonight in Las Vegas:
Jordynne Grace vs. Miyu Yamashita for the Knockouts title
On the doorstep of AEW Dynasty, I am back with an early Sunday edition of Wrestling Observer Live, discussing all the latest news.
Tonight’s Dynasty pay-per-view features a stacked card so let’s break down each match and discuss how strong the show appears from top to bottom. Will Swerve Strickland finally win the AEW World title? I think it’s his time and I will tell you why.
I also talk about Saturday’s AEW Collision and Rampage episodes, and Tony Khan’s comments on his media call this week including negotiations for a new TV rights package.
On Friday’s WWE SmackDown, The Bloodline saga continued with Solo Sikoa emerging as the new leader of the group, solidifying Roman Reigns’ status as a babyface when he does return.
Plus, WWE made some surprising cuts on Friday during SmackDown, “Broken” Matt Hardy re-emerged in TNA Saturday, and more.
The following is an opinion-based preview and reflects the views of the author and not our website.
Yet again, friends, AEW finds itself wrapped up in yet another unnecessary, self-created mess of a media cycle. Forget The Masters: this is fast becoming a tradition unlike any other.
The focus, yet again, is not on the excellent card for Sunday’s Dynasty (8 PM Eastern on PPV from St. Louis), but on more exhausting behind-the-scenes intrigue.
Showing the CM Punk/Jack Perry footage from All In nearly two weeks ago on Dynamite was a mistake, full stop. As much as I respect pettiness, and God knows I do, this was a low floor, low ceiling decision and exactly the type of decision they would be wise to avoid.
How exactly did seeing this footage change anything for the better? All it did was put Punk’s name on the tip of the wrestling world’s tongue (though to be fair, it is frequently there). There were no Punk chants at AEW shows, but there are now. It was a short-sighted play with negative long-term fallout.
Even though the Young Bucks and FTR did their best by spinning it into the storyline, the damage was done. It’s a wrestling truism that there’s no such thing as bad heat, but I’d argue that a returning Perry getting showered with chants for a wrestler from a rival promotion is exactly that. It makes everyone involved look small.
If this article ran on The Ringer, it would be titles “Winners and Losers of the Jungle Boy/CM Punk footage.” The only winner? Punk, of course. Brandon Thurston said it best: he really is a top guy in two companies. The sooner the obsession with the past ends, the better for everyone in AEW.
With my soapbox put away, let’s run through another promising AEW pay-per-view card with some main card predictions:
FTW Champion Hook defends against Chris Jericho
No matter the question, the answer is never “more Chris Jericho.” That is not a panacea for what ails AEW or anyone, really. He is a vampire getting undeserved regular TV and PPV time at the expense of both a talented roster and the audience’s respect. Look at what the other wrestling legends in AEW are doing. Christian Cage is doing the best work of his career and helping elevate younger wrestlers. Adam Copeland is doing the same. Jericho does what he does for one person, himself. Not being on TV is a fate worse than death to him.
Even though this isn’t the best opponent for Hook, matches on big shows like this are necessary for his growth and should have been happening far sooner. The chaos agent inside me wants Jericho to win but I simply will not have it.
Prediction: Hook retains
Adam Copeland, Mark Briscoe, & Eddie Kingston vs. House of Black (Malakai Black, Buddy Matthews & Brody King)
Copeland, Briscoe, and Kingston are just three guys being dudes. Copeland and Briscoe are brimming with some of the most powerful dad energy on television. Pair that with Kingston bringing his trademark level of chaos makes for a wonderful juxtaposition.
Most of their backstage interviews go something like this:
Copeland: Standard wrestling promo with a corny joke
Briscoe: “God is good.”
Kingston: “Malakai Black, you looked at me with both eyes and where I come from, that means one of us has to die and it’s not going to be me.”
House of Black works so well as a trio because they each bring something completely different that plays to their strengths. Matthews is a muscle hamster that moves with incredible power and suddenness (him vs. PAC again soon, please), Black brings striking and aura, and then, there is King.
The king is saved for last because he’s, well, he’s the best. People yearn for Matthews and Black singles runs, but I want nothing more than Big Bad Brody King to get some solo shine. Equal parts powerful and agile, he is a throwback to a territory-style hoss; one tailor-made for either a TNT or International title reign. He had the mixed tag against Copeland on Wednesday, and I’d love to see this match lead to something there.
Prediction: Copeland, Briscoe & Kingston
AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada defends against PAC
AEW is better when PAC is around. Hell, wrestling is better when PAC is around. Still one of the most enthusiastic sellers and explosive performers in modern wrestling, his return makes us realize how much he was missed. There’s always a place in wrestling for someone this angry.
His anger is different than Eddie Kingston’s. Where Kingston is generally perturbed, PAC seems angry that others dare even inhabit his world. Their existence is a source of disgust to him. Other than when the bell rings, my favorite part about the PAC experience is that he always looks the same with black trunks and bicep bands. That’s it and that’s all. I can’t even picture him wearing anything other than his ring gear, let alone something with a collar. Regardless, I’m thrilled he’s back if you couldn’t tell.
The arrival of Okada in AEW is one of the better presentations for a debut in recent memory. There was no time wasted when he formally showed up as he immediately rocked Kingston, aligned with The Elite, and won a championship. There was no pandering to the crowd, no happy to be here promos; just a whole bunch of being a smug jerk, which is Okada’s perfect character alignment. It allows him to work to his strengths: lengthy, control-focused matches with memorable finishing stretches. He is far more charismatic and interesting playing this role compared to being a generic babyface.
This suits him well, and so does having a championship. He’ll keep it this weekend.
Prediction: Okada retains
AEW International Champion Roderick Strong defends against Kyle O’Reilly
O’Reilly is another wonderful return. I have, depressingly, been consuming wrestling long enough to have seen the entirety of O’Reilly’s career. We are similar in age and seeing him grow from a young boy to a full-grown man with a family resonates.
There are moments when we observe someone navigating life’s challenges in a spotlight that amplifies their experiences, mirroring our own. It fosters a unique sense of connection and empathy, knowing that we travel parallel paths through life’s hurdles, both public and private. His triumphant return to the ring is inspiring and a testament to the indomitable will to pursue one’s dreams.
At 40 years old, Strong is still a certifiable monster. A cardio king with an unlimited gas tank, he should be wrestling regularly on TV and having killer matches. Orange Cassidy made this the International title a workhorse title, and there are few better than Strong to carry that mantle forward. He is made for TV matches, ones that are crazy sprints full of non-stop moves. That’s kind of his bag, bay.
This is his first real match since he won the title in early March, odd since this was the title that used to be defended weekly on the non-Rampage shows. That needs to continue. There are too many belts in AEW, but this one deserves far more attention than it’s currently getting.
As much as I love O’Reilly and am thrilled to see him back doing what he loves, big Rod Strong needs to keep the title
Prediction: Strong retains
TBS Champion Julia Hart defends against Willow Nightingale
This is Willow’s moment. She is as good as babyfaces get and is ready for a title. In some ways, she is the nice version of Kingston as fans relate to her similarly to how they relate to him. She is genuine and vulnerable on the microphone (her Dynamite promo a few weeks ago was the best she’s had), but a killer between the ropes. The approaches couldn’t be more different, but they connect with the audience at similar levels.
Hart’s TBS title reign has been fine as are most first-time title reigns. But, Hart has stayed dripping with superstar potential. Not many 22-year-olds can say they had a months-long title reign on TV. Even if it was just a fine run, those reps are invaluable towards her getting to her ceiling as a performer. The presentation and presence are already realized, the rest should come in time.
These are two people who the women’s division in AEW should be built around in the years to come. Julia had her run and it’s time for Willow to have hers.
Prediction: Nightingale wins the title
Bryan Danielson vs. Will Ospreay
The Ospreay haters must have been fuming when Danielson, the Lisan al Gaib of wrestling, lavished him with the highest of praise:
“He has such a great grasp of what the modern professional wrestling fan wants. When I see him, I think he’s the best wrestler in the world for modern wrestling fans as far as what they enjoy.”
As always, our king speaks the truth. Often, you can distill the best Ospreay match down to five minutes and get 95% of the experience. We have attention spans shorter than a goldfish, so of course a dude that has between seven and ten jaw-dropping moments of athleticism per match resonates. The dopamine-addled brains of modern society, mine included, can’t handle much more than that. Many of you probably picked up your phone while reading this paragraph. I don’t take it personally, I did the same thing writing it. We can’t focus, we can’t just be.
In a word full of inattention, Ospreay might just be the best wrestler for it.
But he’s not because he is wrestling the best wrestler in the world and the best wrestler of all time in Danielson. It will be interesting to compare this match to the Ospreay/Kenny Omega matches that received so much attention last year. In many ways, Ospreay is the Pokemon evolution of Omega in that both are explosive, athletic marvels with unlimited stamina and adamantium necks. Both are top 1% athletes, pushing the limits of what a human body can do in the ring without exploding.
Danielson is none of those things. He approaches wrestling with far more subtlety. An artist of the highest form, he grinds, stretches, and strikes his opponents until he breaks their will and spirit. In other words, he is the stylistic opposite of Ospreay who just hits his opponents with bomb after bomb.
The best wrestler of all time vs. perhaps the best modern wrestler happens Sunday. This is as big of a match as AEW can put on, and I can’t wait.
Prediction: Ospreay
Young Bucks vs. FTR in a ladder match for the vacant AEW Tag Team titles
I already went long about the All In footage earlier so I won’t belabor that point. It’s too bad that it’s overshadowing another match between two of the best tag teams ever.
Since I was critical up front, let me play my own devil’s advocate and offer a more…generous reading of the decision to air the footage. The previous match at All In for whatever reason didn’t click. It didn’t feel like anything we hadn’t seen before. It felt like an empty exhibition rather than an emphatic third match in a trilogy. It was certainly good. but it wasn’t at the level we all know it could be. Weaving in the excuse, no matter how thin, that what happened backstage at All In had an impact on the quality of the match works if you really squint. It does lean into what the Young Bucks do better than almost anyone else: making the audience want to see them get beat up.
No one takes a beating like Matt and Nick Jackson. They’ve been doing it around the world for years and it always works. Sting’s retirement match was nearly perfect, and a ton of credit for that goes to the Bucks who did everything humanly possible to make Sting look like a hero going out. They are weasly, they are slimy, and they are just begging to be punched in the face. More so than any other great tag team of the modern era (Hardys, FTR, Motor City Machine Guns, etc.), they have the unique ability to be hated. It speaks to their skills as heels that two guys who wrestle in such an aesthetically pleasing style can get a crowd to loathe them. History will have a complicated relationship with them, as it does with any level of greatness, but we should all appreciate them while we can.
Logic would dictate that the Bucks win here. The whole Elite thing works best when all the slime puppies have gold. Jack Perry probably gets involved, something I definitely don’t care about, and helps them win.
Prediction: Young Bucks win the titles
AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm defends against Thunder Rosa
Nothing about this is compelling as Storm’s gimmick prevents her feuds from getting any serious juice. Her last program with Deonna Purrazzo should have been filled with emotional weight as these women effectively grew up with each other in wrestling. But the program ultimately fell flat. If one character barely takes anything seriously, how is the audience supposed to? At its core, that is the issue with the “Timeless” gimmick. It’s been the same thing for months. Even if her opponent tries to introduce some gravitas, her character is so unserious that it just doesn’t matter.
This program with Rosa is more of the same. She’s become just another character sacrificed at the “Timeless” altar and that’s a shame. Storm is an incredible in-ring talent, much like many women in AEW. Until the gimmick goes away, or the character gets changed, the song will remain the same.
Prediction: Storm retains
AEW World Champion Samoa Joe defends against Swerve Strickland
Joe, the champion, reminds us that God is in his heaven and all is right with the world.
Joe can do anything and make it big with gravitas. He is a pillar of stability in a company that too frequently depends on it. He and Jon Moxley allow AEW to weather all storms. Joe is reliably excellent in the ring and transcendent on the microphone; a true legend of modern wrestling that will only be remembered even more fondly when his time in the ring ends.
As wonderful as Joe is, and as much as I would love him to stay champion forever, this is Strickland’s time. This is the moment where he cements himself as one of the top guys in all of wrestling. It doesn’t feel as emotionally charged as when Hangman Page won the title back in 2021, but the builds that led to coronations are similar. It’s appropriate, too, considering his matches with Page pushed him into that upper echelon of main event-level performers.
The criticisms I have with Swerve are nits that don’t even need to be picked (he can be a little loosey-goosey in the ring with too many unnecessary rolls and somersaults.) But he’s got it all figured out and has for some time now. He seethes, he broods, and he delivers in every area. Last year was the beginning of his rise to the top of AEW. On Sunday, he claims his rightful place there. Who’s house?
With Bryan Alvarez out planning his 4/20 event (it’s not what you think as he gets people in the door and then rants about the anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploding), myself and former MLW World Champion/NJPW Strong Champion “Filthy” Tom Lawlor team up today to let you know about all of the news around the world of professional wrestling.
It’s another busy weekend on the canvassed mat, and we try to get into all of it between tonight’s WWE SmackDown, Saturday’s AEW Collision & Rampage, and Saturday’s TNA Rebellion.
We also run down the card and give predictions for Sunday’s AEW Dynasty pay-per-view, plus boxer Ryan Garcia is continuing to melt down before his fight with Devin Haney on Saturday.
On a new Wrestling Weekly, Les Thatcher and I give our AEW Dynasty picks and take a look at a bunch of questions now facing The Bloodline in WWE post-WrestleMania 40 like who is the current Tribal Chief?
