The legendary luchador Mistico will face Rocky Romero in a battle of CMLL champions from different weight classes in what is billed as a battle for the pound-for-pound crown of Mexico. No titles are officially on the line in the contest. Mistico is CMLL World Historic Middleweight Champion, while Romero holds the World Historic Welterweight Championship.
John Silver of Dark Order will face Kip Sabian & Brother Zay in a triple threat match for a shot at Orange Cassidy’s International Championship at Saturday’s Battle of the Belts VIII special.
The Outcasts’ Ruby Soho will face Skye Blue in a women’s division contest.
Also set for the show, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta of Blackpool Combat Club will be in tag team action on the show. Yuta & Castagnoli will challenge for the AEW World Tag Team titles on Saturday’s Collision episode.
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Taped in Rosenberg, Texas.
Excalibur and Tony Schiavone were on commentary.
Mistico defeated Rocky “Azucar” Romero in a two out of three falls match (14:24 aired)
Romero is the CMLL World Historic Welterweight Champion, which “dates back to 1946” according to Excalibur. Mistico is World Histroic Middleweight Champion, which dates to 1933, the year CMLL was founded. Neither championship is on the line, and Excalibur was in his glory going into the details about CMLL and the history of the company.
First Fall: After a few minutes of back and forth action, Mistico hit a back handspring elbow to send Romero to the floor, and followed up with a twisting tope. The crowd was solidly behind Mistico. Back in the ring, Mistico tied up Romero on the mat in a surfboard and got a surprisingly quick tap out at 2:38. Mistico up 1-0.
Second Fall: Romero attacked Mistico from behind and sent him into the ring stairs. Back in the ring, Romero tore at Mistico’s mask. Romero dominated through the split-screen break. Romero hit the forever clotheslines in the corner. Mistico fought out of a cravat and took Romero down with a tijeras. Mistico sent Romero to the floor with an arm drag. Romero suplexed Mistico on the ring apron, then hit a tope suicida that sent Mistico halfway up the ramp.
Back in the ring, Romero hit a superplex for a near fall. Romero caught Mistico with a kick, then locked in a camel clutch. Mistico escaped the clutch, but Romero hit Sliced Bread for the pinfall at 9:49 (total time).
Third Fall: This fall was joined in progress after a long commercial break, which killed my enthusiasm for the match. Mistico came off the top rope with a crossbody onto Romero on the floor. Back in the ring, Mistico hit a springboard bodypress for a near fall. After a slam, Mistico went for a moonsault, but Romero got his feet up and kicked Mistico in the mush. Mistico hit a spinning powerslam for a near fall. Mistico tried for a German suplex off the middle rope, but Romero countered with a Sliced Bread off the top rope for a near fall.
Romero slowly climbed to the top, and Mistico ran up the ropes and took Romero to the mat with a Spanish Fly for another near fall. Mistico planted Romero with a Canadian Destroyer, then took Romero down with a spinning tijeras into a Fujiarwa armbar, and Romero tapped out.
The multiple commercial breaks really hurt this one for me.
– From Dynamite Wednesday, Stokely Hathaway made a match between Eddie Kingston and Jeff Jarrett for Collision. If Jarrett wins, Lethal gets a shot at the ROH World Title. I sure hope this isn’t the dream match we were promised earlier today.
John Silver (w/ Evil Uno & Alex Reynolds) defeated Kip Sabian (w/ Penelope Ford, The Butcher & The Blade) and Brother Zay for a shot at the AEW International Title (7:03 aired)
Less than two minutes into the match, the show went into another split-screen break. The commercials feel really poorly timed and have been killing the show.
After the long break, Zay hit a springboard cutter for a near fall. He went for the Twist of Fate, but Sabian shrugged him off. Silver pressed Sabian into Zay for a low blow. Silver hit a German suplex for a near fall. Sabian hit an Arabian Press on Silver on the floor. All the hangers on got into it on the floor, so Zay came off the top with a dive on everybody. Back in the ring, Zay hit the swanton bomb on Sabian, but Silver ran in with a punt and got the pinfall.
None of these three should be near a singles title match. This was a mess, and the cheap finish didn’t help.
– Santana and Ortiz will fight next week in Philadelphia. Is this the dream match?
Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta defeated “Bounty Hunter” Bryan Keith & Exodus Prime (1:41)
Yuta catapulted Prime into a gorilla press from Castagnoli. A giant swing into a dropkick from Yura and the Fastball Special ended the match.
– Renee Paquette interviewed Matt Menard and Daniel Garcia (along with the rest of that group, and they desprately need a new name), who immediately started arguing. Jake Hager didn’t give up the hat for this! Anna Jay told them it was time to squash it, and even though Menard hates the dance, he loves Garcia and the beef is squashed. It’s unclear how this affects the status of Hager and his hat.
– The Young Bucks and Hangman Page offered an open challenge for their ROH Six Man titles on Dynamite Wednesday.
– New on Collision Saturday: FTR returns, and the Dream Match is Official! Bryan Danielson will take on Andrade El Idolo. That’s it?!?!?
–New on Dynamite Wednesday: Tony Khan has a gift for Sting (there’s like a 50% change with Sting’s history that Khan is turning on him) and The Hardys & Brother Zay accepted the open challenge for the ROH Six Man Titles.
– New on Rampage Friday: Santana v. Ortiz, which makes sense since the entire feud has been happening through Rampage segments.
Ruby Soho (w/ Saraya) defeated Skye Blue (9:59)
Soho hit a series of short-arm lariats, and Blue came back with a superkick. They fought to the apron and Blue planted Soho face first into the apron. Soho caught Blue with a kick to take control on the floor.
Both women exchanged forearms after a split-screen break. Blue caught Soho with a running knee and a chop block. Blue is noticeably more aggressive, fish-hooking Soho and generally playing dirty. Saraya tripped up Blue, and Soho dropped Blue with a Saito suplex for a near fall. Blue powerbombed Soho out of the corner for another near fall. Saraya interfered again, and Soho hit the No Future for another near fall.
Blue countered an attempt at Destination Unknown with a backslide. Behind the ref’s back, Saraya hit Blue with the can of spray paint, and Soho rolled up Blue for the victory.
Soho and Saraya beat on Blue after the match, but Kris Statlander ran out to chase the heels away. Statlander tried to help Blue back to her feet, but Blue shoved Statlander away and left on her own.
Final Thoughts:
This show felt like kind of a mess tonight. They probably would have been better off just announcing Danielson v. Andrade without hyping up “announcing a dream match.”
The Blackpool Combat Club & Mogul Embassy square off on tonight’s AEW Rampage in tag team action.
Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta of the BCC take on Gates of Agony (Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona) from Mogul Embassy in the headline bout this week.
In a women’s division contest, Skye Blue will face Emi Sakura on this evening’s show.
In a trios match, former Jericho Appreciation Society members Daniel Garcia, “Daddy Magic” Matt Menard, & “Cool Hand Ang” Angelo Parker will face Matt Hardy, Jeff Hardy, & Brother Zay on tonight’s episode.
Jay Lethal (with Jeff Jarrett, Satnam Singh, Sonjay Dutt, & Karen Jarrett) vs. Trent Beretta of Best Friends (with Chuck Taylor & Rocky Romero) in a singles bout is also set for the show.
This week’s episode was taped Wednesday night, October 11 in Independence, Missouri at the Cable Dahmer Arena. Spoilers from the event can be found here.
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Taped in Independence, Missouri.
Tony Schivone, Exclaibur and Paul Wight were on commentary.
And I guess we’re joining the show in progress?
Matt Menard, Angelo Parker & Daniel Garcia (w/ Jake Hager) defeated The Hardys & Brother Zay
I tuned into TNT at 9:58 PM and this match was already happening. It semed like the show started early. The heels were dominant early, and at 10:01 EST the show went to a picture in picture break.
After the break, Jeff Hardy got the hot tag from Matt and hit an impressive sequence on Parker for a near fall. Hardy caught Parker with the side effect and Jeff dispatched of Garcia with a face-front suplex. Matt and Brother Zay hit Poetry in Motion on Parker. Hager crotched Jeff on the top rope before he could deliver the Swanton Bomb. Zay took out Hager and Menard with a dive to the floor. Garcia dumped Matt Hardy and floored Zay with a lariat in the ring. Garcia did his dance, then finished off Zay with a face-first suplex/gutbuster to get the pinfall. I couldn’t get a sense of the quality of this match, but it seems like Zay is doing most of the flying for the trio, which is probably for the best.
After the match, Matt Menard was upset with Garcia for doing the dance. Menard shoved Garcia and left alone.
– From Dynamite Tuesday, Jay White and the Bullet Club interrupted Renee Paquette’s interview with Penta El Zero Mideo and Alex Abrahantes. This lead to the match next week on Dynamite.
– Renee Paquette interviewed the winners of tonight’s opener. Menard is sick of the dancing, but Parker is okay with it because it’s bringing wins. Hager demands they “squash this.” Menard told everyone to “squash this” and stormed off.
Jay Lethal (w/ the Sonjay Dutt & Crew) defeated Trent Beretta (w/ Chuck Taylor)
Tony Schiavone called Karen Jarrett a name that should lead to a hefty contribution to the swear jar.
Lethal blocked a spinning DDT from Beretta, but he hopped up with a rana and a superkick for a ner fall. Lethal ducked a crossbody and Beretta hung himself up in the ropes and dropped to the floor. On the floor, Beretta absorbed an Irish whip into the barricade and then hit Lethal with a spear. Beretta got in a shot at Dutt on the floor. Lethal snuck up behind Beretta and rammed his leg into the ringpost. Lethal then worked over Beretta’s leg on the floor during the split-screen break.
After the break, Beretta got a backslide and a cradle for a near fall. Beretta delivered a pair of high-angle German suplexes. Lethal went for the Lethal injection but got caught with a half-and-half suplex for a near fall. Lethal took Beretta down and locked in a figure-four leglock. Lethal released the hold to hit a superkick on the prone Beretta. Beretta blocked a top rope elbow and tried to mount a last comeback, but Beretta’s leg gave out on him and Lethal hit the Lethal INjection for the win.
– Mike Santana and Ortiz finally confronted each other face-to-face. A very intense backstage promo between Santana and Ortiz culminated when Ortiz said he was coming for Santana’s knee, and Santana told Ortiz he blew out his knee carrying Ortiz.
Skye Blue defeated Emi Sakura
Blue isn’t her happy-go-lucky usual self after taking the mist from Julia Hart a few weeks ago. Sakura dumped Blue to the floor and hit a cannonball on Blue against the ring stairs. Sakura tied up Blue in a Rito Romero Special, but had to break the hold when her own shoulders were on the mat. Blue came back with a high knee and a DDT.
Sakura hit a double-underhook into a backbreaker for a near fall. Blue escaped an inverted DDT attempt and smacked Sakura with a superkick. Blue then hit the Code Blue for the pinfall.
– New for Collision: Skye Blue v. Kris Statlander for the TBS title and Brian Cage v. Komander. And new for Dynamite: Jay White v. Penta (I thought that was announced before tonight?), and more matches for Dynamite will be announced on Collision tomorrow night. Also, Rocky Romero v. Mistico has been announced for next week’s Rampage.
Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta defeated The Gates of Agony (Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona) (w/ Prince Nana) (12:10)
On the floor, Kaun whipped Yuta back and forth between the ring barricade and the ring apron. Liona then flew in with a clothesline that knocked Yuta into the seventh row.
After a long split-screen brea, Kaun has Yuta locked in a chinlock. I think Castagnoli has been in the ring for maybe 30 seconds of the match so far. Yuta escaped and hit a German suplex on Kaun. Tags were made on both sides, and Castagnoli hit a series of uppercuts on Liona. Castagnoli mauled Liona in the corner with clotheslines and uppercuts, then floored Liona with a running lariat for a one count. Liona escaped a Neutralizer. Kaun got the tag and hit Claudio with a Juice Box for a near fall.
Clauido kept trying for the giant swing, and finally it on Kaun. He swung Kaun into a dropkick from Yuta for a near fall. Castagnoli chased Prince Nana to the back. Back in the ring, Kaun hit Yuta with a pedigree for a near fall. Yuta had to fight off both members of the Gates of Agony, who planted him with a double spinebuster. Yuta kicked out, but barely. Castignoli came back to take out Liona with an uppercut. Yuta hit a high-angle slam, and Yuta and Castignoli hit the “Fastball Special” (a modified rocket launcher) to get the pinfall. Good enough match.
Final Thoughts:
The show ended at 10:56 EST, so I guess it started four minutes early. Whatever Paul Wight’s job is in AEW, it should be changed to full-time commentator because he was great on this show. Wight could be a modern-day Gorilla Monsoon, and I mean that in the nicest possible way.
A new number one contender to the ROH World Championship will be decided on tonight’s AEW Rampage.
Penta El Zero Miedo, Johnny TV, Komander, and the debuting Lince Dorado will do battle in a four-way to decide Eddie Kingston’s next ROH World title challenger. Kingston will be on commentary for the bout.
TBS Champion Kris Statlander & Hikaru Shida will team up against former Women’s World Champion Nyla Rose & Marina Shafir on the show. Shida will challenge Saraya for the Women’s World title on Dynamite Title Tuesday next week.
An eight-man tag team bout is also set for tonight’s episode, with Matt Menard, Angelo Parker, Jake Hager, and Daniel Garcia facing Matt Hardy, Jeff Hardy, and Trent Beretta and Chuck Taylor of Best Friends.
Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta of Blackpool Combat Club will also be in tag team action on tonight’s show.
Our live coverage begins at 10 p.m. Eastern time.
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Taped in Stockton, California.
Excalibur and Tony Schivone were on commentary. Chris Jericho was not on commentary, selling the beating from Wednesday.
Matt Hardy, Jeff Hardy, Trent Beretta and Chuck Taylor (w/ Brother Zay) defeated Matt Menard, Angelo Parker, Jake Hager, & Daniel Garcia (w/ Anna Jay) (10:30)
Jeff Hardy and Garcia had a dance-off, which led to a cheap shot from Menard and the former JAS team taking control. The heels worked over Jeff in the corner while the commentary team reminded us for the first time that next Tuesday is “Title Tuesday.” Jeff reversed and Irish Whip, hit Garcia with a clothesline, and got the tag to Trent Beretta.
Beretta hit Garcia a series of suplexes and a big boot, then followed up with a death valley driver. the match broke down with all eight men fighting in the ring. The Hardys clotheslined Jake Hager to the floor, and the Hardys and the Best Friends got to give the people what they want!
After the group hug in the ring, Beretta hit Menard and Parker with a dive on the floor. Hager followed out with a charging clothesline that dimmed Beretta’s lights.
After a split-screen break Menard worked over Beretta in the corner with chops. Beretta caught Menard with a running knee and got the tag to Matt Hardy. Hardy hit the Side Effect on Hager Garcia. Parker broke up the Twist of Fate attempt. Hager hit a Hager Bomb on Hardy and Garcia covered for two. Everybody was back in the ring again and Rick Knox didn’t even try to control things. Beretta hit a knee, Mendard hit a powerbomb, Jeff Hardy hit a Twist of Fate. Garcia went for a sharpshooter on Matt, but Matt pushed him away and into Menard and Parker. He crashed into Anna Jay on the floor. While his partners attended to at Anna Jay, Garcia got hit with a Twist of Fate and the Swanton Bomb and Jeff Hardy got the pinfall.
– Renee Paquette tried to interview Eddie Kingston, but was interrupted by Sonjay Dutt’s crew, less Jay Lethal. Dutt challenged Kingston on behalf of Jay Lethal. Kingston will give Lethal a shot if he proves he deserves it. Kingston exited stage right, while Stokely Hathaway entered to cut a deal with Dutt and his crew.
– A very nice, very evil promo for Danhausen.
Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta defeated Wise Guy Ruiz & Levi Shapiro (2:37)
Commentators wanted to talk about Christian Cage telling Adam Copeland to “Go Fly a Kite” at the end of Dynamite Wednesday. I wondered what he said; my audio went out for a minute last Wednesday.
Anyway, Yuta took Shapiro down with a modified Angle slam, and Castagnoli followed up with a clothesline. Ruiz kept Castignoli from dropping the hammer and tong elbow drops, so Yuta booted him out of the ring. Castagnoli gave Shapiro the giant swing into a dropkick from Yuta. Castagnoli and Yuta finished off Shapiro with the “Fastball Special,” a modified Rocket Launcher.
– The former JAS members argued about the loss, but it seemed like most of them were upset with Garcia and his dancing. But don’t they know the dance is money?
Komander (w/ Alex Abrahantes) defeated Lince Dorado, Penta El Zero Miedo (also w/ Alex Abrahantes) and Johnny TV (w/ Harley Cameron & Aaron Solo) in a Four Way for a shot at the Ring of Honor World Title (9:49).
Kingston was on commentary for the match, and immediately reminded us Penta was his best friend. Also I think Abrahantes literally entered twice, once with Penta and then again wtih Komander.
Komander also had a AAA title belt with him.
Lots of high flying to start. Dorado and Komander had a nice exchange in the center of the ring while Penta was literally sitting out the match on the floor. Solo’s interference sent Dorado to the floor and into a superkick from Johnny TV. Back in the ring, Penta caught Johnny TV with a Canadian Destroyer that sent Johnny TV to the floor. Penta then hit Komander and Dorado with a tope con hilo on the floor. Penta strutted around ringside, and Johnny TV hit him from behind to take control as the show went to break.
After the break, Johnny TV was dominating the field, taking out Penta with a neckbreaker and dropping Dorado with a rolling fallaway slam. Johnny TV powerslammed Komander. Komader hit Dorando with a top rope rana, which sent Dorado into Johnny TV, and Dorado caught HIM with a rana. Dorado hit both Johnny TV and Penta with a top rope moonsault to the floor. Komader then ran along the top ropes and hit everyone on the floor with a springboard twisting moonsault.
Back in the ring, Komander hit a springboard 450 on Dorado and got the pinfall.
This was just a bunch of moves… amazing moves to be sure. But just a bunch of moves.
– Ortiz cut a promo on Mike Santana in the back. Karma took Santana’s one knee, and Ortiz is coming for the other one.
– In new matches announced for Collision: Adam Copeland responds to Christian Cage (will he accept the invitation to fly kites?), Eddie Kingston faces Komander for the ROH World Title, and Bryan Danielson takes on Kyle Fletcher. Nothing new was announced for Tuesday’s Dynamite (but they at least did mention that Dynamite was on Tuesday, and Collision started at 7pm).
Kris Statlander & Hikaru Shida defeated Women’s World Champion Nyla Rose & Marina Shafir (11:06)
Shafir and Rose attacked their opponents before the bell. Rose stomped Statlander on the floor and threw her into the ring barricades. In the ring, Shafir and Shida exchanged punches on the mat. Shida got the ropes to break up an armbar attempt. Rose got the tag and slammed Shida, then dropped the leg for a one count.
Shida had to fight through a 2-on-1 disadvantage while Statlander sold the beating from Rose on the floor. As Statlander started to get on the apron, Rose sent her to the floor with a flying dropkick.
The heels dominated through the split screen break. Shida finally caught them with a crossbody and made the tag to Statlander for the first time at 7 minutes into the match. Statlander hit Shafir and Rose with clotheslines in the corner. Statlander went to slam Rose, but her back gave out and Rose fell on top for a near fall. Statlander got her knees up on a senton attempt, then slammed Rose for a near fall.
Rose came back with a lariat on Statlander for two. Rose gave Statlander a hanging tree slam for a near fall from Shafir. The crowd chanted for Shida while Statlander took a beating. Statlander dropped Shafir with a blue thunder bomb and caught Rose with a kick, then made the tag to Shida.
Shida came off the middle rope with a crossbody on both her opponents on the floor. Shafir hit the falcon arrow for a near fall. Shida tried to go to the top, but Rose cut her off. Statlander came in and got Rose up in the electric chair drop, and Shida flew off the top with a palm strike in a modified Doomsday Device. Shida caught Shafir with a hook kick, then finished her off with Saraya’s finisher (the Night Cap) to get the pinfall.
Excalibur managed to get in one more plug for the special start time for Collision tomorrow and the special night for Dynamite next week.
Final Thoughts:
I was kind of bored with this show tonight. And I don’t think they plugged the special start time for Collision or Dynamite being on Tuesday next week nearly enough.
Ahead of WrestleDream, two championship matches will air on tonight’s edition of AEW Rampage.
Eddie Kingston puts his NJPW Strong Openweight Championship on the line against Rocky Romero. Kingston recently became a double champion, winning the ROH World Championship from Claudio Castagnoli in a title vs. title match at Dynamite Grand Slam. Kingston is scheduled to defend both belts against Katsuyori Shibata at WrestleDream this Sunday.
The AEW Trios titles will also be defended tonight as The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn take on The Hardys & Brother Zay.
In another match with championship implications, Ruby Soho faces Hikaru Shida. The winner challenges Saraya for the AEW Women’s World Championship on the upcoming Title Tuesday edition of Dynamite on October 10.
The Righteous will be in action ahead of challenging for the ROH Tag Team titles at WrestleDream. At the pay-per-view, they’re facing MJF for the titles in a handicap match. MJF has to defend the titles on his own due to Adam Cole’s broken ankle.
Our live coverage starts at 10 p.m. Eastern time.
Excalibur & Taz were on the call this week, with Tony Schiavone on assignment and Chris Jericho preparing for his matches this weekend.
AEW World Trios Title Match – The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens, Max Caster, & Billy Gunn) defeated Isiah Kassidy & The Hardys (Jeff Hardy & Matt Hardy) to retain the titles
This was the best possible version of this match. The Hardys looked much better in this trios setting.
This was the fourth defense by The Acclaimed.
Kassidy & Bowens started with a handshake before Kassidy used his speed to get the better of an exchange. Bowens came back with a jumping Fameasser before Caster tagged in. After a misdirection, Caster ended up on the wrong side of a Jeff Hardy splash for a nearfall. Caster evaded a Twist of Fate but couldn’t avoid a reverse kick.
Matt Hardy and Gunn tagged in, and after some hand signal shenanigans, Gunn took Hardy down with a shoulder block. Hardy avoided a corner charge before bashing Gunn’s head into the ropes. The challengers triple-teamed Gunn, hitting a pair of Poetry in Motions. The Acclaimed cleared the ring and hit Kassidy with Scissor Me Timbers for a nearfall.
The Acclaimed held serve on Kassidy after a commercial break. After a Matt Hardy distraction, Kassidy evaded a corner charge. Kassidy hit an enzuigiri on Gunn before tagging in Jeff Hardy, who ran wild on all three champions.
Hardy hit a Whisper in the Wind, and after a flurry of offense from the challengers, Hardy hit a Swanton Bomb on Gunn for a nearfall. The Acclaimed came back and ran wild on the Hardys, allowing Gunn to tag out to Bowens. Kassidy tagged in on the other side and hit a twisting facebuster on Caster. Kassidy followed with a springboard moonsault on Gunn, but springboarded into a double team from the Acclaimed. The Acclaimed hit the KRS-1 on Kassidy to win and retain the titles. It was announced here that The Acclaimed would defend the Trios Titles on WrestleDream: Zero Hour against New Japan’s TMDK – Shane Haste, Mikey Nicholls, & Bad Dude Tito.
Backstage, Eddie Kingston spoke on his STRONG Openweight Title match tonight against Rocky Romero. He respected Romero before getting interrupted by Jay Lethal & the Jarrett crew. Lethal said that he spent most of his life fighting for the ROH World Title, and Kingston was unfit to be ROH World Champion. Kingston laughed them off and left.
In video from last Saturday, Lexy Nair spoke to Andrade El Idolo after his loss to Jay White. Andrade asked Juice Robinson – who cost him the match – if they had a problem. Andrade told Robinson that he would see him in Seattle.
NJPW STRONG Openweight Title Match – Eddie Kingston defeated Rocky Romero to retain the title
A fun, hard-hitting bout here. A real highlight of AEW is having fun matches like this in the middle of any show.
This was Kingston’s third defense of the STRONG Openweight Title.
Romero won the opening exchange with a dropkick that sent Kingston into the corner. Excalibur talked about Romero’s success in Japan and Mexico as Romero took Kingston to the floor with a hurricanrana. Romero hit a pair of dives to Kingston on the outside. On the third try, Kingston caught Romero and hit a suplex on the floor as we went to a commercial.
We came back to see Romero fight out of a Northern Lights Bomb. Romero rocked Kingston with a jumping knee before tying Kingston in the ropes. Romero hit a spin kick before hitting a springboard dropkick for a nearfall. Romero went for Sliced Bread, but Kingston shoved him away and hit the machine gun chops in the corner. Kingston brought Romero to the top rope, but Romero hit an Avalanche Sliced Bread for a nearfall. Romero hit the Forever clotheslines but ran right into a Kingston Backfist. Kingston hit a second Backfist before locking on the Stretch Plum and scoring the submission win.
The two men bowed to each other after the match, with Romero raising Kingston’s hand. Katsuyori Shibata made his way to the ring to go face-to-face with his opponent at WrestleDream. The two men shook hands.
Aussie Open were backstage. Mark Davis was tired of hearing FTR walk around with their egos unchecked. Kyle Fletcher said that their loss to FTR last year broke them, but this year, they would take the AEW World Tag Team Titles and build their empire here in AEW.
The Righteous (Dutch & Vincent) defeated Caleb Crush & Gunnar
A quick win for the Righteous before their WrestleDream title match. I’m impressed at the level of heat they’ve garnered this quickly into their run in AEW.
For anyone interested, this was not the Gunnar of TNA Impact fame. Dutch dropped both men with a double clothesline. Vincent sent Gunnar into a Bossman Slam from Dutch. Vincent did the same with Crush before tagging in and hitting Autumn Sunshine on Gunnar for the quick win.
We got a video from Ortiz, going over the history between himself and Mike Santana. We got clips of their highlights over the years, with sound from their longtime manager Konnan talking about how the two don’t talk anymore.
We got a video package highlighting Christian Cage & Darby Allin, hyping their match at WrestleDream. Backstage, Nick Wayne spoke about his role in their situation. He said that he wasn’t sure if he wanted to be at ringside for Darby at WrestleDream, but he did want to finish his business with Luchasaurus. He wanted payback for Luchasaurus chokeslamming him at Wembley Stadium and would get it in a singles match on the WrestleDream Zero Hour.
We got a rundown of the Collision and WrestleDream cards.
Backstage, Renee Paquette spoke to Zack Sabre Jr. Sabre felt fresh as a daisy after his fifteen-hour flight from Japan. He said that a stiff breeze could knock Danielson over, much less a match with Sabre. Sabre said that Danielson didn’t have a year to retire, he barely had a weekend. Sabre was going to force Danielson to retire in Seattle for the second time in his career. He called it The Final Retirement before humming The Final Countdown. Be careful Zack, Europe will charge for that too.
AEW Women’s World Title #1 Contender’s Match – Hikaru Shida defeated Ruby Soho
An excellent Rampage main event. Shida and Soho had a fun match here, with a couple of good nearfalls that I thought would be the finish. It’s been good to see Shida stay in the mix in the women’s division.
The winner of this match will challenge Saraya on the October 10thTitle Tuesday edition of Dynamite.
Shida knocked Soho down with a shoulder block, but Soho escaped the ten punches in the corner. Soho grabbed Shida by the hair and clubbered on Shida in the corner. Soho escaped the ten punches again, but Shida hit her with a reverse crossbody. Shida finally got the ten punches before hitting a missile dropkick as we went to a commercial break.
Both women were down as we came back from the commercial. They traded forearms before Shida hit a jumping knee. Shida followed with a brainbuster for a nearfall. Soho rolled out of the way of the Kitana, but Shida hit a missile dropkick off of the stairs to the floor. Shida carried Soho up the ramp, where they brawled before diving into the ring at a nine count. Soho hit Shida with a Saito suplex for a nearfall.
Soho grabbed Shida’s kendo stick, but only used it as a distraction. Soho went for the spray paint, but Shida caught it. The referee got knocked down in the process, costing Soho the win after she hit No Future. Soho went to hit Shida with the kendo stick, but Shida took it, cracked Soho in the head, and hit a Kitana. Aubrey Edwards came out to count the pin, but Soho was able to kick out. Soho avoided a Meteora before hitting an STO. Soho went for a top rope senton, but Shida got the knees up and hit a Falcon Arrow for a nearfall. Soho hit No Future, but Shida came back with the Kitana for the win.
After the match, Saraya came out to collect Soho and stare down her challenger for October 10th.
Grand Slam 2023 finishes up with a special two-hour edition of AEW Rampage tonight.
The show begins on TNT at 10 p.m. Eastern time. Sting will be in action, teaming with Darby Allin against Christian Cage & Luchasaurus. The match is airing one night before Luchasaurus defends his TNT title against Allin and Christian in a three-way match on Collision.
Two sets of Trios titles will be on the line tonight. The Young Bucks & Hangman Page are challenging Mogul Embassy for the ROH Six-Man Tag Team titles, while The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn are defending their AEW Trios titles against The Dark Order.
The Kingdom, The Hardys, The Righteous, and Best Friends are facing off in a match with WrestleDream implications. The winning team earns a shot at MJF & Adam Cole’s ROH Tag Team titles at the October 1 pay-per-view.
Kris Statlander, Orange Cassidy & Hook are set to clash with Anna Jay, Matt Menard & Angelo Parker in a trios match. Mike Santana is also set for action, Skye Blue takes on Julia Hart, and we’ll hear from Sammy Guevara & Don Callis.
Taped at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing, Queens, New York.
Excalibur, Tony Schivone, and Ian Riccaboni were on commentary.
Sting & Darby Allin defeated Luchasaurus & Christian Cage (7:40)
Sting paired off with Cage and Luchasaurus with Allin to start the match. Allin hit his high-speed plancha on Luchasaurus who was sitting on the long entrance ramp (so it didn’t look as impressive as usual). Allin took a bump into the ring post and then crashed into the barricade, and the crowd chanted “Please Don’t Die!” Since it’s Darby, he got back into the ring and was worked over by the heels.
Darby fought his way back with a springboard coffin drop, but Luchasaurus cut off Sting from getting the tag. The heels worked over Allin during the split screen break. Allin backflipped out of a chokeslam attempt, but Cage snapped Allin’s back against the ring ropes and Luchasaurus hit the chokeslam anyway for a near fall. Cage missed a flying headbutt from the top, and Allin got the tag to Sting.
Sting hit a pair of clotheslines and a spinebuster on Cage. Sting hit a Stinger Splash on Cage and Luchasaurus, then took Cage out with a Scorpion Death Drop. Sting hit Luchasaurus with the Scorpion Death Drop while Allin hit a Coffin Drop simultaneously, a very cool double team. Christian came back and tried the Killswitch on Allin, but Nick Waye got on the apron to distract Cage, and Allin reserved Cage’s finisher into a cradle and got the pinfall.
Kris Statlander, Orange Cassidy and Hook vs. Anna Jay, Angelo Parker & Matt Menard (w/ Jake Hager) (8:10 aired)
Referee Bryce Remsberg clarified in the instructions that it’s “men with men, and women with women.” Hook tossed Menard and Parker around and nearly got the Redrum on Menard, but Menard got the tag to Anna Jay, which forced Statlander into the match. Statlander caught Jay with a delayed vertical suplex. While Statlander celebrated, Hager leveled Cassidy with a forearm, and Menard ambushed Hook on the floor.
Parker got the tag (which also made Hook legal because of the same gender rules), and caught Hook with a suplex for a near fall. Menard held Hook open for a running knee for another near fall.
After the commercial, Cassidy got the hot tag and hit a dropkick on Parker and Menard, then took Hager out with a plancha. All the babyfaces suplexed all the heels in a triple suplex for a huge pop. Hook suplexed Parker and Menard, then suplexed Parker on Menard. While Anna Jay distracted the ref, Hager hit Hook with a clothesline, and Cassidy took out Hager with the Orange Punch. Jay tried to put the sleeper on Cassidy, but Statlander pulled her into an electric chair drop. Hook took out Menard with the Redrum, and Cassidy hit the Orange Punch on Parker for the pinfall.
– QTV Segment. The QTV geeks kicked it to footage of QT Marshall defending his title. QT Marshall is looking for a tag team partner for next week, and despite the description of what QT was looking for fitting Aaron Solo to a T, Johnny TV accepted the job.
– Tony Schiavone interviewed Don Callis, with Konosuke Takeshita. The crowd absolutely booed Callis out of the building. But Callis did his promo anyway. Callis pursued Jericho, but the man he really wanted was Sammy Guevara, and that’s who he got on Wednesday. Guevara’s wardrobe budget has improved 200% since joining up with Callis, and he shook Takeshita’s hand. Guevara thank Callis for showing him a real family, and turned on Jericho for holding him back. Guevara is also done with the fans, who couldn’t decide whether to cheer him or boo him.
Just as Guevara said he was done with Chris Jericho, here came Chris Jericho. Jericho attacked Takeshita and Guevara. Just as Jericho got his hands on Callis, Takeshita hit him from behind with a chair. Guevara took the chair from Takehsita and really worked over Jericho, then both Takeshita and Guevara held Jericho open for Callis to get his shots in. Just before Callis murdered Jericho with a screwdriver (I mean, that’s what it looked like he was going for), Kenny Omega ran in with a pipe to chase off the heels. Riccobani: “Callis is that big of a piece of garbage, he put Jericho and Omega on the same side of things.” Jericho went for a really contrived spot where he accidentally “backed into” Omega, but Omega left without shaking Jericho’s hand.
– Alex Marvez caught up with Kenny Omega in the back, who isn’t interested in helping Jericho so much as he wanted to get at Callis. Jericho interrupted. He knows it was their rivalry that started the company, but suggested he and Omega unite to take out the Don Callis family at WrestleDream. Omega accepts, and Jericho clarifies it’s Jericho, Omega and Kota Ibushi against the Don Callis family. “Who ya got?”
The Righteous (Vincent & Dutch) defeated The Hardy Boys (Matt & Jeff), The Best Friends (Chuck Taylor & Trent Beretta) and The Kingdom (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) to become the #1 Contenders for the ROH Tag Team Championship (9:23).
Jeff’s facepaint with eyes all over his face freaked me out. Also it’s been almost 15 minutes since the end of the last match, almost unheard of for Rampage.
The Best Friends and The Hardys briefly took out the heels. They almost celebrated with a group hug, but the heels rebounded to break that up. Taven hit a springboard kick on Dutch, then hit a dive on a bunch of his opponents on the floor. The Best Friends (after a celebratory hug) took out all of the heels on the floor with stereo somersault planchas.
After a split-screen break, the match has settled into a standard four-corners tag match. Matt hit the Side Effect on Vincent while Schiavone points out the inherent flaw in these type of matches: you tag out to another team, you take your team out of possibly winning the match. The Hardys double-teamed Vincent. Jeff and Matt hit Poetry in Motion on VIncent, and the match seemed to settle into The Righteous vs. The Hardys.
And just as I typed that, Taven hit a kick on Dutch and Vincent took him out with a Russian leg sweep. Dutch hit the Black Hole Slam on three of his opponents, but Beretta counterd the move with a suplex. Bennett low-blowed Taylor and the Kingdom hit a spike piledriver for a near fall. Jeff Hardy got the tag and hit the Swanton on Taylor, but not before Vincent got a blind tag. Dutch pulled Jeff out of the ring and Vincent hit his own Swanton bomb. Vincent got the pin, and the shot at Better Than You, Bay-Bay? After building up the Kingdom as the obvious next opponents for weeks, the title match goes to The Righteous?
After the match, the Kingdom took out the Best Friend with a bunch of chair shots. And that ends the first hour of Rampage.
The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn defeated The Dark Order (Evil Uno, Alex Reynolds & John Silver) to retain the AEW World Trios Titles (10:40)
Reynolds and Caster started out exchanging headlocks. Caster caught Reynolds with a back hand and took control with an armbar. Gunn and Bowens hit a scissor double elbowdrop on Silver, but Reynolds broke up the Scissor Me Timbers. The Dark Order took out Bowens and Gunn on the floor, and Silver got a near fall on Caster with a German suplex.
The Dark Order worked over Caster during the split screen break. Silver kept posing while screaming “I’m Freaking Jacked, Baby!” Silver cut of Caster’s comeback with a german suplex, then Uno stomped away at Caster in the corner. Uno hit an avalanche in the corner and followed up with a short-arm clothesline. Caster caught Reynolds with a cradle for a near fall, then got the hot tag to Gunn, who dumped Silver and Uno, then dropped Reynolds with a hig back body drop. Reynolds avoided the Famasser but got knocked for a loop with a clothesline. Reynolds caught Bowens with a cradle for a near fall, but Bownes came back with the four-piece combo. The Arrival and Mic Drop almost finished off Reynolds, but Silver broke up the pin attempt.
While Silver argued with referee Aubrey Edwards, Uno hit Caster with one of the trios title belts. Reynolds got a near fall off the belt shot. Gunn hit Uno with a clothesline, and Silver hit Gunn with a somersault cannonball. Silver and Reynolds went for the Wombo Combo, but Caster cut it off with a Fameasser of his own. The Acclaimed finished off Reynolds with a move that started out like a Magic Killer, but they flipped Reynolds up into a crazy high powerbomb and what even was that? Love that finish, and it got the pinfall for The Acclaimed.
Really good trios match.
Julia Hart (w/ Brody King) defeated Syke Blue (7:12 aired)
Hart has a 24 match winning streak and is undefeated in 2023. I would have never called any of this for Hart when she debuted as a bubbly cheerleader on Dark in 2021.
Blue and Hart played mind games with each other to start, with Blue seemingly nonplussed by Hart’s antics. Hart pulled Blue in to whisper something in her ear, and Blue responded with a knee strike and suplex for a near fall. Hart avoided a charge in the corner and tripped Blue into the turnbuckles.
After a break, Blue mounted the comeback with forearms and a knee strike. Enziguri from Blue got a near fall. Blue went to the top, but Hart cut her off. Blue and Hart brawled on the top turnbuckle. Hart superplexed Blue, with Hart’s own legs still hooked on the turnbuckle. Hart then spinder-crawled into a moonsault for a near fall. Hart hung upside down in the corner for a minute, then did a handstand out of the corner into a moonsault for a near fall. Blue countered the Hartless, but Hart countered the counter with a crucifix for a near fall. Blue got a brief comeback, but Hart hit a sliding forearm to the back of the head, then locked in the Hartless to get the tap out. That is Hart’s 25th win in a row.
After the match, Hart locked in the Hartless again until Willow NIghtingale ran in to make the save. Hart hid behind King and taunted Nightingale, who checked on Blue. It feels like Hart just has every aspect of this character down.
– Bullet Club Gold (with the Cardblade, which should be called the Switchboard) cut a promo on Andrade El Idolo in advance of Jay White’s match with him tomorrow night. This was an excellent promo from White.
Mike Santana defeated “Dirty Bulk” Bronson (2:25)
Bronson is from the Iron Savages (formerly Bear Conutry). Why are the Bear Country guys doing a gym rat gimmick when they don’t particularly look like gym rats?
Santana hit a rolling cutter and a discus lariat sent Bronson to the floor. Santana followed him out with a tope suicida. The crowd was solidly behind Santana. Santana hit a cannonball senton in the corner. Santana finished Bronson off with a high angle Jay Driller.
After the match, Ortiz came out on the ramp to talk to Santana, but Santana walked away from Ortiz.
Collision Update: Hook & RVD will face Jeff Parker & Matt Menard, and Julia Hart will face Willow Nightingale in new matches for tomorrow night’s show. No new matches were added to Dynamite or WrestleDream.
The Elite (The Young Bucks & Hangman Adam Page) defeated The Mogul Embassy (Brian Cage, Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona w/ Prince Nana) to win the ROH World Six Man Titles.
The Elite came out to “Carry on My Wayward Son.”
This match was just one crazy move after another.
Page hit a boot on Kaun who fell off the apron and landed in the arms of the Bucks. Page then hit a shooting star press onto Kaun while the Bucks held him off the apron. Nick Jackson hit a springboard Canadian Destroyer on Cage. The Elite were about to hit a triple-team BTE Trigger on Cage, but Swerve Strickland’s music hit and he came out to observe from the stage. The Gates of Agony tossed Matt into a sitdown powerbomb from Cage for a near fall. Kaun hit Matt with a backstabber in the corner, and Liona dove into Jackson with an elbow while he was still hung up in the corner.
After a split-screen break (where the heels worked over Matt Jackson), Jackson hit a top rope crossbody to the floor on Liona and Kaun. Page got the tag and hit Cage with a boot. Page flipped out of a German suplex, hit a springboard lariat on Kaun and a moonsault on Cage for a near fall. The Bucks hit a pair of dives on The Gates of Agony, but Cage hit a water wheel drop (an Alabama Slam into a sitout powerbomb) for a near fall. Page countered a Cage’s attempt at death valley driver from the top with a super hurricanrana. The Bucks hit a pair of superkicks on Cage, and more superkicks on the Gates of Agony. The Bucks and Page went for the Dave Meltzer driver, but Cage caught Nick diving in. The champs hit all three of their opponents with Samoan drops (Cage’s might have been more like an F5), and Cage got another near fall on Page.
Cage and Kaun held Page open for a middle rope splash from Liona for a near fall. The Bucks hit more superkicks, but The Gates took out the Young Bucks with clotheslines. Page hit a double Buckshot Lariat on the Gates. Page hit the Deadeye on Cage for another near fall. Strickland walked down the ramp to distract Page, allowing Cage to hit a discus lariat. Cage went for the Drill Claw, but Page countered that into a cradle for the pinfall. The Elite are once again the ROH World Six Man champions. This is the second reign for Page & The Young Bucks.
After the match, Strickland and Page had an intense staredown while Swerve walked to the back (never breaking eye contact with Page). The Bucks encouraged Page to “celebrate the moment.”
Final Thoughts:
Three years into this and it just occurred to me the could be calling this show “Grand Slampage.”
In a rematch from May’s Double or Nothing, TBS Champion Kris Statlander will defend her title against the returning Jade Cargill as part of tonight’s AEW Rampage from Cincinnati, Ohio.
Cargill made her surprise return last week to help Statlander fend off the Renegade Twins, only to lay out Statlander afterward. Statlander ended Cargill’s undefeated streak and title run at Double or Nothing in an impromptu match and will be looking for her tenth successful defense.
The show will also feature an eight-man tag team match as the Lucha Brothers (Penta El Zero Miedo & Rey Fenix) will join Matt & Jeff Hardy against Jeff Jarrett, Jay Lethal, The Butcher & The Blade.
AEW Trios Champions The Acclaimed (Max Caster & Anthony Bowens) and Billy Gunn will be in non-title action.
In a clash of former Ring of Honor Tag Team Champions, The Kingdom (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) will battle with Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal.
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AEW Rampage is underway with Excalibur, Tony Schiavone & Chris Jericho on the call as the participants for the opening contest are already in the ring.
The Hardys (Matt & Jeff Hardy w/Isiah Kassidy) and The Lucha Bros (Rey Fenix & Penta El Zero Miedo w/Alex Abrahantes) defeated The Butcher, The Blade, Jeff Jarrett & Jay Lethal (w/Karen Jarrett, Satnam Singh, Sonjay Dutt, Kip Sabian, The Bunny & Penelope Ford)
(Did you catch all those names? This was practically a Lumberjack Match, as there were as many people outside the ring as there were in the actual match. A usual party match with a whole lot of spots leading to the most logical man getting the pin, that being Fenix, who is next in line for Jon Moxley, so he stood tall. Interesting events post match, as it looks like The Righteous & Hardys might be starting a program.)
We had quite the contrast of styles to begin, as Jarrett drove Penta into the ropes before doing a Fargo Strut. Fast tags made, as Fenix unleashed corner chops to Butcher before the Hardys took turns dishing out their offense. Blade was dropped with a double suplex, while Lethal suffered a springing corner splash. As Matt wanted a Twist of Fate, Jarrett attacked from behind to allow Butcher to take over. Lethal mocked the Penta strut, which allowed Dutt & Sabian to get in cheap shots ringside, as Matt was isolated during commercial.
The heels tried attacking the faces to cut off Matt’s hot tag, but Fenix dodged the Butcher attack and made the tag, running wild. With Jarrett & Lethal placed over the top rope, Fenix did his rope walk kick to both until Penta hit a somersault dive onto a pile outside. Fenix went to follow, but Blade pulled him to the floor. Alex Abrahantes was seemingly about to do a dive, but was cut off by Dutt, who ate a punch. Sabian did the same, but Abrahantes poked him in the eyes and leapt to the floor, right into the clutches of Singh, who rag dolled him. Fenix hit a thrust kick and twisting dive onto a pile of bodies before dropping Blade with a sit out driver to get the pin. The Hardys were brawling with Jarrett & Lethal up the ramp before Singh laid them both out, unbeknownst to the Lucha Bros. The Righteous, Dutch & Vincent walked out on the stage and stood over the bodies of The Hardys.
-Renee Paquette is backstage to ask what is next for Dr. Britt Baker after losing the four way on Dynamite. Baker said things haven’t gone as planned, as she should be a two time Women’s champion by now. She’s going to do what she does best, make history, this time becoming the first woman to hold the Women’s & TBS Title. It’s criminal she’s never had a TBS Title match. Therefore, Baker issues a challenge for the winner of Statlander vs. Cargill later tonight to face her in the main event of Collision tomorrow.
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-There’s a QTV segment with Johnny TV taking the place of QT Marshall, who is off wrestling in Mexico. Aaron Solo asks if Marshall is coming back and Johnny said of course, then did a ridiculous handshake. There was a masked luchador standing by named El Hijo del Harvey, someone Johnny brought in to show solidarity while Marshall was gone. Johnny laid him out, as he & Solo had to restrain Harley Cameron from stabbing the poor guy with scissors.
Matt Taven & Mike Bennett defeated Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal
(While Daniels & Sydal got in some offense, this was a solid win for The Kingdom, who are after the ROH Tag Titles going forward. It certainly makes sense from a storyline perspective for them to presumably win the titles; I just wonder if they’ll have that match on TV or at Wrestle Dream. I’m hoping it happens on Dynamite to be perfectly honest.)
Bennett got the first takedown on Daniels with a shoulder tackle, but Daniels fired off the arm drag, hip toss and drop toe hold before tagging Sydal, who crashed down with a mariposa. Taven made the tag, but was lit up with a series of strikes, while Bennett ate a spin kick to the outside. Daniels was knocked to the floor, as Bennett met him with a bounced back forearm strike that led to commercial.
Taven tried for a springing moonsault, which Daniels dodged, as Sydal & Daniels hit a sort of awkward assisted back suplex. Bennett avoided a Sydal high kick and flattened him with a running Death Valley Driver, while Taven hit a corner splash on Daniels. The Proton Pack connected and Taven got the win.
Post match, Taven said they didn’t have a lot of time, as they need to rush to the hospital to check on Roderick Strong. Taven doesn’t blame Samoa Joe for what happened, he blames Adam Cole. The Kingdom wants to take back what is rightfully theirs, the ROH Tag Team Titles. Bennett said its Neck Health Awareness Month and shows their red bracelets. For those who don’t believe in such a thing, you ball up for fist, punch them in the weiner and lay them out with a piledriver. Neck Health Awareness matters, as the Kingdom are coming home to Roddy. This was hilariously delivered by Bennett & Taven.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with Mogul Embassy, as Brian Cage said The Young Bucks were lucky Cage was exhausted after his match with Hangman Page, otherwise he would’ve laid them out on Dynamite. Swerve Strickland said The Bucks were friendly when they were on his podcasts, but now they’re back to putting on their EVP hats. Strickland issued a challenge for Grand Slam for Cage & The Gates of Agony vs. Page & The Bucks.
The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass defeated Peter Avalon & The Outrunners (Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd)
(A quick win for the Trios Champions, as I’m just disappointed we were robbed of hearing Avalon’s saxophone entrance theme. As for tomorrow night, it looks like the next contender for the Trios Titles are about to be set.)
Floyd was able to chop down Gunn with boots to the hamstring early, as Avalon chop blocked the leg, but opted to pose, allowing Gunn to hit a massive upper cut. Bowens made the tag, but Avalon hit a dropkick flush, with Bowens responding with a thrust kick. The match broke down, as Magnum & Floyd were sent packing, as Avalon was hit with Scissor Me Timbers. Gunn hit the Fame-Asser, while Caster connected with the Mic Drop for the easy win.
Post match, Dark Order interrupted the celebration, as John Silver said they’re the good guys and want a shot at the Trios Titles. Bowens asks why they deserve a title shot, which Evil Uno said the last four years of grinding to get to where they are is why. Uno is tired of good things happening to bad people and issues a challenge for tomorrow night, a singles match to show them they deserve a title show. Gunn said they’ll decide it with Rock, Paper, Scissors, but it was scissors every time. Bowens finally just accepted and said whoever it is, they’ll spank their ass purple.
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Aussie Open (Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis) defeated Damian Chambers & Lord Crewe
Davis & Fletcher wasted no time attacking right at the bell and violently drove Chambers & Crewe into one another. The sandwich double lariat led to both Chambers & Crewe being dropped with the Coriolis for the easy win.
Kris Statlander defeated Jade Cargill (w/Mark Sterling) to retain the TBS Title
(Chris Jericho said on commentary this was Cargill’s best match of her career and I would have to agree. I was initially worried we would be robbed of a lot of action with the commercial break in the middle, but this was an excellent battle. The amount of counters throughout showed how each woman was evenly matched and while the rumors are out there about Cargill’s future, if this was indeed her last match in AEW, it was a great one to go out on. I do hope she sticks around though.)
Both ladies showed off their power with collar elbow tie ups before trading lariats, with neither women budging. Both traded catching the other with a cross body attempt, as Statlander missed a pump kick, but Cargill was sent outside. Statlander tried a cross body off the apron, but Cargill caught and slammed her on the apron. During commercial, Cargill continued to show off her strength, doing pushups in between her onslaught of offense.
After going back and forth with attempts, it was Cargill who hit a stalling vertical suplex. Cargill held on for another, but Statlander countered into a spinning sit out fisherman’s buster. Both ladies kipped up at the same time and started slugging it out. Statlander won the battle, delivering a charging corner knee and Blue Thunder Bomb for two. Statlander was distracted by Sterling, who Cargill nearly ran into, but he shoved her out of the way and took the bullet eating a Statlander forearm. Cargill hit the pump kick and nearly hit Jaded, which Statlander got a roll up for two. Cargill popped up and hit a nice choke slam for a near fall of her own. Statlander avoided Jaded again, hitting a discus lariat, scissors kick and Friday Night Fever for the victory. Post match, Cargill shook Statlander’s hand, hugged her and gave her the ring as Statlander stood tall to end the show.
AEW Collision 9/16/23
· Bryan Danielson & Claudio Castagnoli vs. Ricky Starks & Big Bill
· FTR defend the AEW Tag Team Titles against The Iron Savages (Bronson & Boulder)
· Kris Statlander defends the TBS Title against Dr. Britt Baker
· Evil Uno vs. Anthony Bowens
· The Hardys vs. The Righteous (Vincent & Dutch)
· Andrade El Idolo vs. Scorpio Sky
AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam 9/20/23
· MJF defends the AEW World Title against Samoa Joe
· Jon Moxley defends the AEW International Title against Rey Fenix
· Chris Jericho vs. Sammy Guevara
· ROH World Champion Claudio Castagnoli vs. NJPW Strong Openweight Champion Eddie Kingston in a Title vs. Title Match
· Saraya defends the AEW Women’s Title against Toni Storm
AEW Rampage: Grand Slam 9/22/23
· Darby Allin & Sting vs. Christian Cage & Luchasaurus
AEW Rampage airs live tonight from Orlando, Florida, the site of Sunday’s Revolution pay-per-view.
The TNT Championship will be on the line in a three-way, with Sammy Guevara defending the title against his last two challengers in Andrade El Idolo and Darby Allin. Allin is a former TNT Champion. Andrade, Matt Hardy, and Isiah Kassidy will take on Guevara, Allin, and Sting at Revolution in a trios bout.
The final qualifying match for Sunday’s Face of the Revolution ladder match will take place tonight, with Christian Cage facing Ethan Page. The bout will be Cage’s first match of 2022. The winner will join Keith Lee, Ricky Starks, Powerhouse Hobbs, Wardlow, and Orange Cassidy in the ladder match, with Sunday’s winner earning a future TNT title shot.
Keith Lee will be in action against JD Drake, plus Serena Deeb’s five-minute rookie challenge will also continue on tonight’s show.
Our live coverage begins at 10 p.m. Eastern time.
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LIVE from Orlando on the Road to Revolution, it’s Rampage.
Excalibur, Taz, Ricky Starks and Chris Jericho were on commentary.
The entrances for the opener aired on YouTube so the match could start right away on TNT.
Sammy Guevara defeated Andrade El Idolo and Darby Allin in a Triple Threat Match for the TNT Championship by pinning El Idolo (13:13)
“Everyone” was barred from ringside for this match to ensure no interference, with Exclaibur claiming fines of “up to $25,000” could be levied against anyone who interfered.
Andrade dropped to the floor to let Guevara and Allin go at, but they decided to follow him out and chased him back in the ring. And then it’s action at 100 miles an hour. Allin got a Code Red on El Idolo for a 2 count, which was quickly broken up by Guevara going for a crucifix on Allin for another two count. Allin and Guevara then worked a side headlock for a bit. Guevara hit a picture perfect dropkick. Guevara propped up Allin on the turnbuckle and hit a gamengiri. Guevara went for a superlex, but El Idolo slipped underneath him and walked Guevara out of the corner with a powerbomb – while he was holding up Allin for a superplex in an insane spot. El Idolo had control of the match and the show went to a picture in picture break.
Back from break, El Idolo hit the Three Amigos on Guevara, with the last suplex sending Guevara into the turnbuckles. El Idolo took Allin down with an inverted backbreaker. El Idolo went for a moonsault on Allin, missed, then hit Guevara with a standing moonsault for two. All three men got to their feet and exchanged strikes. Allin and Guevara worked together for a bit to get the advantage on El Idolo, but stopped cooperating and Allin sent Guevara to the floor.
El Idolo went to the top, but Allin crotched him, hanging him upside down in the ropes. Guevara then came in out of nowhere with a coast to coast dropkick. Fantastic. Guevara set up a springboard on El Idolo on the floor, but before he could hit it, Allin dove through the middle ropes with his high speed tope for a near fall.
When Allin returned to the ring, Guevara caught him with a small package for two, which set off a rapid fire series of near falls between all three guys, including a fantastic spot where El Idolo rolled up Guevara for one, then dead-lifted him into a powerbomb for another two.
The finish was exceptional. Allin hit his flip stunner on El Idolo, who then walked right into the GTH. Before Guevara could make the cover cover, Allin threw him out of the ring, then went to the top and nailed the Coffin Drop on El Idolo. But before Allin could cover, Guevara came off the top with a senton on Allin, threw him out of the ring and covered El Idolo for the pin.
This was a fantastic match. Lots of unique three person spots made this a much better than usual three way match.
Post-match, Guevara tried to shake hands with Allin, but Darby was having none of it and left the ring.
– Alex Abrahantes cut a promo for Death Triangle flanked by Pac and Penta Oscuro. Abrahantes seemingly challenged The House of Black to a trios match, with Abrahantes as the third partner. The House of Black accepted with a promo on the video wall. Then the lights went out and when they came up, the House of Black was in the ring. But Abrahantes clarified the thrid man isn’t him; it’s Erick Redbeard! Redbeard ran in to even the odds in the ring, followed by a gaggle of security guards. They tried to keep everyone separate, but Redbeard took them all out. The House of Black retreated through the crowd. Hot angle to set up a six man for the pay-per-view.
– Scorpio Sky and Dan Lambert had a backstage promo, and Lamber has made and a deal with Tony Khan. Scorpio Sky will get a TNT title shot on Wednesday at Dynamite, and Lambert brings Paige VanZant to the pay-per-view on Sunday to sign her AEW contract.
Keith Lee defeated JD Drake (6:51)
Ring announcer Justin Roberts’s announcement of “He is Limitless…” for Keith Lee is a great piece of business. Of all the little unique touches for the ring entrances he does, that might be my new favorite.
Powerhouse Hobbs joined the commentators to observe Lee’s match.
This was a hoss fight. After a couple of chops from Drake, Lee trucked him with a pounce and the show went to a commercial.
Back from break, Drake hit a cannonball on Lee in the corner, then followed up with a moonsault for a one count. Drake came off the ropes with a crossbody, but Lee caught him, hoisted up Drake on his shoulders and then hit the Big Bang Catastrophe for the pinfall. Most of the match happened in picture and picure and during the break.
After the match, Drake’s stablemates the Wingmen ran in to interfere. Lee dispatched them easily, powerbombing Cezar Bononi and tossing Peter Avalon into a pile of bodies on floor. When it looked like Ricky Starks and Hobbs would join in, Orange Cassidy’s music played and he came out to distract Team Taz.
– CM Punk promo, taped after Wednesday’s attack. Punk’s white t-shirt was caked in blood from the angle and there was dried blood all over his face. This was an intense money promo from Punk. Punk applauded MJF. MJF can call Punk “PG Punk” all he wants to pretend Punk isn’t the same guy he once was, but on Sunday Punk is going to “walk MJF like a dog.” Punk will beat MJF until his own mother doesn’t recognize him and leave parts of him all over Florida. Punk will become a monster on Sunday, because he’s CM Punk, “and I’m better than you.” (Check out Punk’s promo here. It’s fantastic.)
– Tony Schiavone interviewed Jade Cargill and Mark Sterling. Sterling bragged about putting in the contract that Cargill couldn’t be touched until 48 hours before the match. And since Friday is less than 48 hours from Sunday, Tay Conti jumped into the screen with a pump kick (after Anna Jay provided a distraction). Conti told Cargill she has less than 48 hours to be champion.
Serena Deeb defeated Leyla Grey in the Professor’s Five Minute Challenge (0:58)
Grey tried to run out the clock, but Deeb quickly won with a Guillotine choke. Deeb beat on Grey after the match until Hikaru Shida returned and chased off Deeb with several kendo sticks shots. Deeb had to retreat through the crowd.
– Tony Schiavone interviewed Eddie Kingston. Kingston is here for a “promo” but he’s not going to kill kayfabe. But doesn’t mentioning kayfabe on the show kill it? Kingston promised to leave Jericho laying in the ring, then took Schiavone to catering for the good peanut butter pie.
Main Event Promo: Ethan Page sounded a little bitter that both he and Christian Cage debuted at last year’s Revolution, but only Cage was promoted as “Hall of Fame” talent. Cage promised that if Scorpio Sky won the TNT title on Wednesday, he would be waiting in the wings to make Sky a “transitional champion.” And now, “It’s time for the main event!”
Christian Cage defeated Ethan Page to advance to the Face of the Revolution Ladder Match (8:55)
Cage dumped Page to the floor and hit a baseball slide dropkick. A good chunk of the match took place during the split-screen break, and when the show returned Cage was battling out of a bearhug. The fight went to the floor, and Christian took Page down with a spinning DDT. Back in the ring, Christian got a near fall with a sunset flip. Cage countered a powerslam attempt with a reverse DDT for a near fall. Page came back with a cutter for a near fall. Cage came off the top with a diving headbutt for a nearfall. Dudes with bad necks shouldn’t be doing diving headbutts.
Cage went for the spear, but Page charged in with his own flying shoulder block for two. Page went for the Ego’s Edge, but Cage escaped and hit the spear for two. Cage went for the Killswitch, but Page countered and sent Cage into the post shoulder first. Page got Cage up for the Ego’s Edge, but Cage slipped out and caught Page with the Killswitch to get the pinfall. It felt like too much of the match happened during the break, but this was fine.
After the match, Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus came out to celebrate Cage’s victory. The Young Bucks and reDRagon soon followed to taunt the champs. From the floor, O’Reilly and Matt Jackson each managed to nab one of the title belts. Then reDRagon and The Young Bucks began to argue about who would win on Sunday. This allowed Luchasaurus to get the belts back, and Jungle Boy to nail all four guys on the floor with a dive. Nice little angle to end the show.
Final Thoughts:
This show was fantastic. The first 20 minutes alone had an insane match, a notable debut and the announcement of Paige Van Zant signing with AEW. Afer that frentic pace the show did settle down, but what a great hard sell show for the pay-per-view.
