AEW ran their first-ever house show Friday in Jacksonville, Florida, called The House Always Wins.
In the main event, Darby Allin successfully defended the TNT Championship against The Butcher who had won a battle royal at the start of the show to earn the opportunity.
After the main event, Matt Hardy and the Hardy Family Office attacked Allin. The Dark Order made the save and Allin closed the show with a promo.
In the co-main event, DDT’s Konosuke Takeshita made his AEW debut, teaming with World Champion Kenny Omega, Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks and Michael Nakazawa in a losing effort against PAC, Penta El Zero Miedo, Rey Fenix, Matt Sydal and Mike Sydal.
Here are full results from Jacksonville:
The Butcher won a battle royal for a TNT title match later in the show that included Powerhouse Hobbs, Lance Archer, Ricky Starks, Scorpio Sky, Ethan Page, The Blade, Dustin Rhodes, Austin Gunn, Colten Gunn, Dark Order’s 10 and Colt Cabana.
The Pinnacle (MJF, Dax Harwood, Cash Wheeler & Shawn Spears) (w/Tully Blanchard & Wardlow) defeated Jurassic Express (Jungle Boy, Luchasaurus & Marko Stunt) & Dante Martin
Jade Cargill defeated Reka Tahaka
Cody Rhodes defeated Aaron Solow in a street fight
Orange Cassidy, Trent & Chuck Taylor (w/ Kris Statlander) defeated Max Caster & The Hybrid2
Eddie Kingston defeated Cezar Bononi
Women’s Champion Hikaru Shida, Tay Conti, Ryo Mizunami & Red Velvet defeated Britt Baker, Nyla Rose, The Bunny & Rebel
Death Triangle (PAC, Penta El Zero Miedo, Rey Fenix) and Matt Sydal & Mike Sydal defeated World Champion Kenny Omega, Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks, Konosuke Takeshita and Michael Nakazawa
TNT Champion Darby Allin defeated The Butcher (w/vMatt Hardy, The Blade & The Bunny) to retain
Anthony started the match hitting chops. He kicked Cage, but he cut off Anthony with a clothesline. Cage hit a Buckle Bomb and then a apron suplex into the ring before killing him with a Drill Claw.
A quick, effective squash.
SCU defeated David Ali and Musa
Daniels started the match with Musa and exchanged some armdrags, ending with a standoff between both men. David attacked Daniels from behind and Musa hit a powerslam on Daniels before tagging out to David Ali. Musa hit a moonsault on Daniels, scoring a two count.
David hit a butterfly suplex for another two count. Musa went to attack Kaz, but Kazarian dodged and hit a legdrop over the middle rope that sent Musa into a Blue Thunder Bomb by Daniels. Daniels tagged out. Kaz hit a big clothesline on Ali and then tagged out to Daniels.
SCU hit a powerbomb/neckbreaker combo on Ali, and Kaz tagged back in. They then hit the Best Meltzer Ever for the win.
This was a fun little tag match that showed off SCU, but allowed the newer talent that was squashed to get some offence in.
Shawn Spears (with Tully Blanchard) defeated Pineapple Pete
Spears seemed to have a greater edge to him in this match, which he needed. Spears hit a shoulder tackle, which got Pete frustrated. Pete hit a crossbody for a one count, and every attempt at a pinfall again resulted in a one count from Spears. Spears rolled out of the ring and came back aggressively with some shots in the corner.
The ref checked Spears’ glove to make sure nothing was in it. Taz’s commentary was great here, implying it was ridiculous to think anyone would use something in a glove like it was the 80s. Spears hit a spinebuster for a two count. Pete fought out of a back suplex, but Spears hit a Blue Thunder Bomb for a two count.
Tully then distracted the referee, allowing Spears to slip something into his glove. Spears then dropped Pete and got the pinfall. I really like the payoff with the ref checking the glove earlier and then Spears loading it later. I think this could be a winning heel gimmick for Spears.
Lance Archer w/ Jake Roberts defeated Griff Garrison
I’m afraid Griff is about to die. Archer killed him with a pounce. He hit Griff with a few chops before yelling at the Gunn Club at ringside. Archer hit a hard forearm, then an uranage for a two count. Archer continued the beating, but Garrison’s morale did not improve. Archer hit the Blackout and then the EVD Claw for the win.
Sonny Kiss & Joey Janela defeated 3 & 4
Janela started the match with Renyolds, and subjected him to several double team moves with Kiss for a two count. Renyolds drove Kiss back into the corner and tagged out, but Silver ate a forearm and Kiss tagged out to Janela. Janela hit a Russian legsweep on Silver for a two count.
Silver hit a dropkick so hard on Janela that his mask came off, and Taz loved it as he never saw it before. Silver paused and put his mask back on. Silver pressed Janela into a cutter from Renyolds for a two count. They got the heat on Janela for the next few minutes.
Janela was able to roll and avoid a clothesline to tag out and Kiss hit a flipping dropkick and flatliner for a two count on Silver. Janela went for a dive through the legs of Kiss, but Silver caught him. Silver then picked up Janela for a suplex and Renyolds hit a suicide dive into Janela.
Kiss and Janela managed to hit stereo dropkicks off the top rope. Kiss hit a leg drop off the top rope after jumping off the back of Silver then onto Renyolds. Janela hit a DVD on Silver for the win.
I liked how good the Dark Order looked here. Janela and Kiss also had some good offense, which makes me look forward to their match on Dynamite.
Mel defeated Kilynn King
King and Mel exchanged some wrist lock attempts to start the match, but Mel blocked an armdrag and threw King to the mat. Mel drove King into the middle turnbuckle and then hit some hard strikes in the corner. King went for another armdrag, but Mel stomped on her.
King hit a jumping kick before finally getting the armdrag and hitting a running uppercut on Mel in the corner. King hit a series of hard chops on Mel. King hit a crossbody and then missed a middle rope dropkick before Mel hit a hard chokebomb for the three count.
This match was not very good at all. I think King has a lot of potential, but she is clearly still green. Mel is simply okay.
Scorpio Sky defeated Lee Johnson
Sky and Johnson exchanged a ton of standing switches before Sky hit a takedown and a headlock. Sky went for a quick cradle for a two count, and then both men exchanged chops before exchanging some strikes. Sky hit a dropkick on Lee and got a two count.
Sky hit a backbreaker for a two count. Taz clearly likes Lee, as he said he is getting better every single match, even in losing, when he faces older and more experienced wrestlers. Johnson flipped out of a German suplex attempt and then hit a Blue Thunder Bomb or a two count.
Sky sprawled out, so Johnson just hit him with a forearm and countered a sunset flip with a pinfall attempt for a two count. Sky managed to hit a TKO and score the pinfall.
I like Lee Johnson. I think he’s quite talented, and I expect he will have a good future in AEW should they choose to sign him. The singles push of Sky continues, and hopefully we will see him move up the rankings soon.
Jurassic Express defeated Luther, Serperntico, and Max Caster
The Jurassic Express faced a rather strange trio. Certainly, an assortment of gimmicks, to say the least. Max Caster decided to try and freestyle, but Marko slapped him and started to throw punches. Excalibur said that Marko was more of a folk music fan. That made me laugh.
Marko hit a huge dropkick in the corner and then followed up with a second. Jungle Boy tagged in and helped launch Marko into another dropkick before hitting a boot scrape on Caster. Jungle Boy hit a running knee strike for a two count. Caster tried to tag repeatedly, showing desperation, which was quite funny as he laid in his corner.
Serpentico and Jungle Boy exchanged some basic lucha before tagging out to Luther, who gave Jungle Boy the look of death. Luchasaurus tagged in and both faced off. Luther then tagged out immediately to Serpentico after ducking a kick. The Express beat on Serpentico and Caster for a bit with double team moves.
Luther broke up a pinfall attempt and started to beat on Marko Stunt. Luther hit a belly-to-belly for a two count. Luther argued with the ref over a two count, and tagged out to Caster. Marko hit a dropkick on Caster again and tagged out to Luchasaurus. Luchasaurus ran wild, hitting hard kicks and hitting Extinction.
Luther threw Marko onto Luchasaurus to break the pinfall. Serpentico and Luther decided to leave Caster to the wolves, as Jungle Boy made Caster tap out. I wonder if we’re seeing an alliance between Serpentico and Luther?
OC started the match with the traditional hands in the pockets stance. Avalon took him over with a headlock. There were some comedy spots around OC’s hands being in the pockets, as OC found creative ways to keep putting his hands in his pockets.
OC was able to hit a dropkick, sending Avalon to the mat before kicking back up to his feet. OC then put on his sunglasses on the floor and flirted with Leva Bates. Avalon hit a baseball slide on OC for that, and then hit a flapjack on Cassidy back in the ring for a two count.
Avalon hit a butterfly suplex on Cassidy for a two count. Cassidy drove Avalon into each top turnbuckle before hitting a DDT for a two count. Cassidy managed to hit a superman punch for the pinfall victory over Avalon.
Good opener. This was slightly more competitive than a squash match.
They opened with a lockup. They traded shoulder tackles. Jordyn hit a pendulum DDT off the second rope. She rolled through into an armbar. Shida powered out and hit a running knee in the corner.
Shida used a missile dropkick for a two count. Shida missed an enzuigiri but connected on a running knee to the back of the head for a near fall.
The finish saw Shida hit a running knee strike and use a Michinoku driver for the pin.
QT Marshall defeated Clutch Adams
There was nothing wrong with this from a technical standpoint but it lacked in excitement, a constant in Marshall matches.
Marshall throws an apple in the air and catches it during his entrance. That spot has to go away.
Marshall came out with his ribs taped up, selling an attack from Lance Archer. Adams went after the ribs with kicks and a kitchen sink.
Adams made a series of covers but only scored one counts. Marshall hit a backbreaker into a flatliner for a near fall.
After selling most of the way, Marshall slipped off the back of Adams and hit a QT Cutter out of nowhere for the pin.
Marko Stunt defeated Jason Cade
I think this may have been a shoot. Not really, but this was very physical.
Stunt opened with a slingshot sunset flip and a running knee strike. Cade cut him off with a forearm strike, then whipped Stunt face-first into the buckle. The elbow bloodied up Stunt’s nose and may have broken it.
Stunt slid off Cade’s back and hit a poison rana. He followed up with a suicide dive.
The finish saw Stunt hit a crucifix bomb, then follow with a 450 splash for the pin.
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The ringside doctor checked on a glassy-eyed Stunt after the match. Taz and Excalibur promised an update on Stunt later in the show. No such update was provided.
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Kip Sabian (w/ Penelope Ford) & Jimmy Havoc defeated Musa & Lee Johnson
This was endless and a miss.
Sabian controlled Johnson early on with some mat wrestling. Havoc got a tag and nailed Johnson with strikes.
Musa got a tag. Havoc acted as though he was going to lock up with Musa but punched him in the face instead. Havoc and Sabian worked over Musa.
Musa came back with a flying headscissors and a dropkick. Johnson tagged in and hit Sabian with a dropkick for a one count.
Havoc took the referee and Sabian gouged Musa’s eyes. Sabian hit an inverted atomic drop on Musa into a one-legged dropkick by Havoc. Sabian hit a PK. Havoc hit a cool underhook suplex. Musa hit Sabian with a back elbow and Sabian spent the rest of the match selling on the apron.
Johnson got a hot tag and ran wild on Havoc. Havoc cut him off with an Acid Rainmaker and hit the implant DDT for the pin.
Rey Fenix defeated Shawn Dean
Fenix is so spectacular. This is the second straight week where I thought Fenix had the best match on the show. In both cases he sold way more than you would expect a star to sell for a job guy. In both cases, it helped the job guy and didn’t hurt Fenix one bit.
Dean hit a nice dropkick. Fenix answered with a hook kick. Fenix used a cross armbreaker but Dean forced a break.
Dean avoided a brainbuster and hit a step-up knee in the corner. Fenix rolled outside and Dean hit a huge tope con giro. Dean hit a tiger driver but Fenix kicked out at one.
Dean hit a series of strikes. Fenix hit a tornillo kick and used a spinning muscle buster for the pin.
Luther defeated Jon Cruz
Cosmetically, Luther does not necessarily look 51 years old. The problem is that he moves like he’s 51 years old.
This was a total squash.
Luther hit chops, kicks and stomps. He slammed Cruz into the barricade. Luther hit an inverted suplex.
Luther used a camel clutch and gouged Cruz’s mouth and eyes. This was the finish and not a DQ for some reason.
Private Party defeated Ryan Rembrandt & Mike Reed
Private Party matches tend to have a template. Marq Quen typically sells a lot and Isiah Kassidy gets the hot tag. They deviated from that here as Kassidy did most of the selling.
Private Party opened with some cool tandem offense. Kassidy got clotheslined on the top rope by Rembrandt for the heat.
Quen got a hot tag and hit a backflip kick and a plancha. Kassidy entered for a step-up stunner and an assisted sliced bread on Rembrandt for a near fall.
Kassidy hit Silly String on Reed but Reed was not the legal man. Kassidy hit Rembrandt with a facebuster.
The finish saw Kassidy hit Rembrandt with a swanton bomb for the pin.
Sammy Guevara defeated Alan Angels
This probably would have had a good reaction in front of a crowd.
They tied up. Guevara got a trip takedown. Angels answered with his own takedown. Guevara hit a leapfrog dropkick. They traded chops. Guevara hit a snap vertical suplex.
Angels was able to get a crossface applied. Guevara turned Angels over with a cradle. Angels mocked Guevara’s pose. Guevara hit a running knee strike.
Guevara did some squats with Angels on his shoulders. Angels turned Guevara over with a crucifix and got a near fall. Guevara hit a delayed vertical suplex. They exchanged chops and strikes into a double down. Angels teased a GTS. Guevara answered with a knee strike.
The finish saw Guevara hit the GTH for the pin.
Darby Allin defeated Serpentico
They had a nice match to cap off this episode.
Serpentico controlled the early part of the match after hitting a thumb to the eye. He used a slingshot double stomp and a slingshot cutter.
Allin made a comeback and hit a superplex. He sent Serpentico outside and hit a Coffin Drop to the floor. That’s a spectacular move.
Allin tossed Serpentico back inside and used The Last Supper for the pin.
BTE 200 opened with a compilation of the various intros the show has used over the years.
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Matt Jackson defeated Nick Jackson
The show itself began with Matt Jackson making his entrance on the tennis court in Nick Jackson’s backyard. Matt remarked that it was just like Nick not to show up for their match.
Just then, Nick hit a dive from a balcony to the tennis court and covered Matt for a near fall. “Now that was a house show dive,” remarked Nick.
The two brawled to the garage gym. Matt stood Nick on his head with a DDT and picked up a two count. They brawled close to Nick’s house. Matt’s kids were shown watching the brawl from inside. Mrs. Matt closed the blinds.
Back outside, Matt hit five consecutive northern lights suplexes for a series of near falls. Nick answered with a swing DDT. They foreshadowed a water bump by brawling near a swimming pool.
Nick hit Matt with a pair of superkicks, then laid him across a table. Nick hit a swanton bomb off the roof of a picnic area. There may have been a cleverly hidden crash pad. If not, that was a profoundly stupid bump to take.
Again they brawled near the pool. Nick dunked Matt’s head in the water. Matt fired up and superkicked Nick on to a diving board. Matt hit a destroyer off the diving board into the pool. The ref jumped in after and counted a near fall in the pool.
Nick asked Matt if he wanted to see some magic. Nick snapped his fingers and the two were transported to a barber shop window set. Nick was dressed as Shawn Michaels, Matt as Marty Jannetty. Nick sent Matt through the barber shop window.
Matt awoke from the dream sequence on a raised platform on a hill on the property. Nick hit Matt with a shovel. Nick hit a powerbomb on the platform for a two count. Matt sold his back.
Nick teased throwing Matt off the platform. Matt blocked and hit a tombstone for a near fall.
Matt put on a shoe covered in thumb tacks. He hit a superkick to Nick. Nick was shown bleeding. They spoofed the Shawn Michaels/Ric Flair “I’m sorry, I love you” spot.
Matt hit a second superkick and Nick took a bump off the platform onto some boxes and foam padding.
Matt followed with an elbow drop off the platform. He then covered Nick for the finish.
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After their match, the brothers sat on the platform and talked about their journey over the last four years. Nick said he’s not back to full health yet, but he needed to do the match today for the fans.
The Bucks then threw to a montage of moments from the first 199 BTE episodes.
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The show finished with The Bucks in a car.
“Where to next?” Nick asked.
“For the first time ever, I don’t know,” said Matt.
“Well, actually Matt, there is that one thing we still need to do,” Nick said. Matt agreed.
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The final scene showed Nick closing his computer. Rather than the usual closing credits, there was just a fade to black.
The ending left open the possibility that the show could go on hiatus, but there was nothing definitive.
The episode was centered around a battle royal with a special stipulation.
Highlights from the show included:
Matt Hardy delivered the rules for the Under The Limit Battle Royale
Every 60 seconds a new person comes in
You can enter the battle royale in groups of two if you’re jobbers
The winner of the match gets to main event BTE Episode 200 and choose his match
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SCU discussed the entry numbers they drew for the battle royale.
Private Party were shown watching BTE matches in a backyard. They began to spar. Their friend EJ appeared and they had a handicap match. Private Party defeated EJ. This was shot in the manner of action movie fight sequence.
After the match, a giant teddy bear appeared at Private Party’s house. The bear exploded. A mystery man was shown lurking in the yard, watching on with glee as Private Party fell victim to the exploding bear.
Britt Baker appeared on a video conference call. She said she has a broken nose but always has Tony Schiavone’s best interests in mind.
Baker conferenced in Schiavone and Benigno Bodega the future teller. Bodega insulted Tony and told him he still has heat with Mick Foley. Bodega said Tony has a cavity. Baker freaked out.
Bodega said Tony will get a call later that will show him his future. Tony exited the video conference and answered a phone call from Starbucks, offering him their lead barista position.
We saw a Luchasaurus dream sequence. His mother told him to find his tail. Super Panda briefly appeared. Taya Valkyrie appeared and chopped Luchasaurus’s head off. Luchasaurus woke up and said he needs to see a doctor.
Kenny Omega appeared at the Nightmare Factory. He was waiting to use the restroom. He pounded on the door and said he really needed to use the bathroom. Colt Cabana answered and said he was busy working.
Omega said he didn’t want to flex his EVP muscle, but this was an emergency. He walked to another part of the building. He opened the door to an out of order bathroom and Cabana was in that room as well.
Cabana tossed Omega some toilet paper and told him to go outside.
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Nick Jackson won a 9-person Under the Limit Battle Royale
Order of entry:
1. Frankie Kazarian
2. Scorpio Sky
3. Christopher Daniels
4. Matt Jackson
5. Simon Lotto & Steven Andrews
6. Peter Avalon
7. Brandon Cutler
8. Nick Jackson
Order of exit:
1. Daniels
2. Sky
3. Avalon
4. Cutler
5. Lotto & Andrews
6. Kazarian
7. Matt
Sky and Kazarian did some Rocky III-inspired comedy.
Daniels entered and tried to talk Kazarian and Sky into teaming with him. They threw Daniels out instead. Matt Jackson entered and tossed Sky. Jackson and Kazarian went for pinfalls and submissions.
Kazarian hit a cutter on Andrews. Avalon entered. Kazarian kicked Avalon low. Avalon eliminated himself. Cutler entered and was immediately clotheslined over the top and eliminated.
Nick Jackson was the final entrant. He came in as the proverbial house of fire and hit a crossbody. Nick rolled outside and did some NBA Jam comedy with Sky. He also shot Avalon off a tennis net as if it were ring ropes.
Matt and Nick appeared to be the final two. They did a prolonged series of teases and counters that was awesome. Kazarian climbed out from under the ring and was promptly eliminated.
Nick went out to the apron. They did a series of elimination teases. Matt and Nick traded strikes on the apron.
The finish saw Matt tease a tombstone on the apron. Nick reversed and eliminated Matt with a German suplex off the apron.
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Nick said he wants to face Matt in the main event of BTE 200 to prove that he’s ready to return to AEW. Matt said Nick has no idea what he’s gotten himself into, then called his brother a prick.
Episode 197 of Being The Elite showcased The Young Bucks and SCU in tag team matches.
The storyline elements of the episode focused on Luchasaurus looking for his tail, Brandon Cutler and Peter Avalon continuing their losing streak gimmicks and Kenny Omega and Colt Cabana continuing their comedy feud.
Some highlights from the episode include:
Peter Avalon took an Uber to Brandon Cutler’s house. Avalon taunted Cutler on another loss, then asked him to team up with him in an effort to snap both of their losing streaks. Avalon told Cutler that he has a match ready for him right now on the BTE Compound.
Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian defeated Brandon Cutler & Peter Avalon
Excalibur was on commentary for the match. Nick Jackson served as the camera operator.
Cutler and Kazarian began the match. They traded holds and quick cradles for a series of one counts. Daniels and Avalon tagged in. Daniels hit a quebradora on Avalon and an STO on an interfering Cutler.
Cutler and Avalon cut Daniels off and worked him over. Avalon and Cutler had some communication issues which allowed Daniels to tag Kazarian. Kazarian ran wild with a backstabber, a cutter and a leg slice.
The finish saw Avalon and Cutler both attempt sunset flips. Daniels and Kazarian sat down on the attempts and scored a double pin.
Luchasaurus was shown wandering the streets. He went to Taya Valkyrie’s house and demanded to see “him.” Valkyrie refused to let Luchasaurus in and suggested he go see Super Panda.
Kazarian and Daniels, disguised as police officers, pulled over Scorpio Sky. They asked for a bribe. Sky refused to pay them.
Kenny Omega gave an update on his injury from the Dynamite set. He said he made sure that Colt Cabana was not allowed in the building. Cabana appeared. The two chased each other and swapped clothes.
The Young Bucks defeated Team High Risk (Simon Lotto and Steven Andrews)
This was quick but very good.
Matt and Lotto started off with chain wrestling. Nick tagged in and got cut off. Nick sold as though he had ring rust.
Nick hit a springboard dropkick. He tried for a tope suicida but was blocked. Andrews hit a tope to both Bucks on the outside. Andrews and Lotto hit a shooting star press/neckbreaker combo for a near fall.
Nick made a comeback with a bulldog/clothesline combination. Matt tagged in and hit a series of northern lights suplexes and got a two count on Andrews. Nick hit a springboard facebuster and a moonsault to the outside.
The Bucks hit stereo kicks and a double knee strike to Andrews. They nailed Lotto with a double superkick, then Nick covered Andrews for the pin.
After their match, Nick said that he’s not at 100 percent yet. He teased the idea of trying a crazy move to get back to full strength. Matt said they can’t do that move because someone might die. Nick asked Matt to think about it anyway.
Lotto and Andrews were working out after their match. Kazarian approached and complimented them on their heart and their balls. Kazarian freaked out because Lotto didn’t put dumbbells back in the rack and confronted him. Daniels entered. Kazarian and Daniels challenged Lotto and Andrews to a “squash match” on next week’s BTE.
The first World Champion in AEW history will be crowned tonight.
All Out is taking place at the Sears Centre Arena in the Chicago area and will feature Chris Jericho and Hangman Page facing off to determine the inaugural AEW World Champion. Jericho advanced to the match by defeating Kenny Omega at Double or Nothing, while Page got his spot by winning a Casino Battle Royale.
With Jon Moxley unable to wrestle at All Out due to injury, Omega will now face PAC tonight. The Lucha Bros and The Young Bucks will clash in a ladder match for the AAA Tag Team titles. Cody is facing off with Shawn Spears, who will have Tully Blanchard in his corner. In storyline, Blanchard made a stipulation where Cody will only be allowed to have one person at ringside with him.
Tonight’s main card will also feature Hikaru Shida vs. Riho, Darby Allin vs. Joey Janela vs. Jimmy Havoc, Best Friends vs. The Dark Order (with the winning team getting a first-round bye in AEW’s Tag Team title tournament), and a six-man tag match between Luchasaurus, Jungle Boy & Marko Stunt and SCU.
The pre-show will begin at 7 p.m. Eastern time. It includes the women’s Casino Battle Royale and Private Party vs. Angelico & Jack Evans. The main card will start at 8 p.m. Eastern.
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Goldenboy and Excalibur are on commentary to kick off the Buy-In.
Casino Battle Royale winner: Nyla Rose
Leva Bates, Faby Apache, Priscilla Kelly, Solandra Royale and Nyla Rose are in first. Rose took everyone out. Bates was almost eliminated but she didn’t touch the floor; she landed on two books. She went back in the ring and Rose hit her with a book and eliminated her. Diamonds are next: Penelope Ford, Shazza McKenzie, Sadie Gibbs, Big Swole, and Britt Baker are in next. McKenzie was eliminated quickly. Rose did a double chokeslam. Big Swole was way over and her and Rose had a quick, good exchange. Rose is dominating early on.
Next out: Tenille Dashwood, Bea Priestly, Brandi Rhodes and Awesome Kong. Baker jumped Priestly on the outside before this group made it to the ring, revenge from Fight for the Fallen, I imagine. Kong dominated as soon as her and Rhodes hit the ring. Later Rose and Rhodes had an exchange and Rhodes hit a big stunner on Rose which elicited boos. Allie, Nicole Savoy, Teal Piper, ODB and Jazz are out next. Big chants for ODB on her entrance. Savoy and Kong faced off, then Kong whipped her into the ropes but she flew through them and did a tope suicida onto some of the wrestlers outside. ODB has a flask. Piper poked ODB in the eyes and put her in the sleeper. Nyla Rose eliminates Savoy. Rose and Kong now face off. Big pop for their lock up until Jazz gets in on it, then ODB. Bigger ODB chants during this four-way face-off.
Baker eliminated Kong. Jazz was also eliminated, and moments later Brandi was out too. The joker entrant is Mercedes Martinez. She has red hair and new gear now, and sounded like she got her own music. Huge response from the Chicago crowd here, a real superstar reaction. She planted Rose with a backdrop suplex upon entry.
Sadie Gibbs did a press slam to Bea Priestly but she botched the slam part. Regardless of that, she was eliminated by Priestly thirty seconds later. The final four are Baker, Martinez, Rose and Priestly. Props to Excalibur for calling a gamengiri kick during one of Baker’s spots. Martinez was eliminated quickly and the final three way among the AEW-contracted talent bgean. Rose did a step-up dance-kick thing on the aprong and kicked Baker. Baker did a Canadian Destroyer on Priestly, and a few minutes later Baker eliminated Priestly. Rose snuck in just afterwards and dumped Baker to the floor. Nyla Rose is your winner. She’ll face either Riho or Hikaru Shida for the AEW Women’s title on Oct 22 in Washington, DC.
This was a string of spots put together with the intention of getting a lot of girls over quickly without much (if any) storytelling. It worked sometimes, especially with Martinez, but for the most part this was a quick, sloppy opener that the crowd enjoyed.
Private Party (Marq Quen and Isiah Kassidy) defeated Jack Evans and Angelico
Angelico and Kassidy are in first. Party people in the place to be. They did some lucha things before Quen and Jack Evans started going big move for big move, lots of handsprings and handstands, lots of showmanship that the crowd admires. The announce team did a tickets promo for their upcoming TV tapings in October. Evans did a springboard roundhouse kick. Quen did a coast-to-coast tag to get Kassidy back in on the action; the latter hit an Asai moonsault to the floor onto Angelico and then a modified springboard quebrada back into the ring on Evans for two. The crowd started chanting “Pri-vate -par-ty!” Private Party did a few innovative double-team moves, then Quen landed a shooting star press on Evans that had a lot of hangtime. Kassidy was the legal man and pinned Evans for a two-count.
The finish saw Quen hit a super-poisonrana on Evans which Quen “didn’t get all of,” as they say, then Kassidy hit a regular poisonrana, and finally Private Party hit their finisher, something where Evans was catapulted into Kassidy who hit Angelico with a cutter. The crowd loved that, but hated the heel swerve after the match which saw Evans and Aneglico offer a handshake then ambush the winners. The crowd chanted “party poopers.” This was impressive and the crowd sounded into it at the end.
–They cut to a promo/mini-movie for Wardlow. It saw him beat up a bunch of goons in a parking lot at night. Wardlow was with a young woman. When he took his shirt off in the segment the camera kept focusing in on a scar on his right shoulderblade.
–Quick promo with MJF with some comments on the Cody vs. Shawn Spears match later on.
–Jim Ross entered the announce booth to a standing ovation like he has at the past shows. All three announcers went over tonight’s card as production panned to different fans in the crowd tonight. It looked fun, everyone looked excited to be there. It was similar to what CMLL does between matches on their shows.
SCU came down to their late-’80s Red Hot Chili Peppers-inspired theme song and a small tidal wave of cheers. They did a promo inside the ring and the crowd went “SCUUuuu.” Luchasaurus carried Jungle Boy out. These three had music that sounded like something straight out of Game of Thrones. Jungle Boy and Kazarian were in first for their respective teams. Jungle Boy is going to be a big superstar in a few years. He and Daniels looked awesome together. Luchasaurus is very popular with this crowd. Marko Stunt was in next and flossed and did a few frankensteiners. He looks so small on the TV screen. Him and Jungle Boy did dives onto SCU, then Luchasaurus did a one-legged flip dive onto everyone that people lost it for. It looked really good. Jim Ross keeps saying “Jungle Jack.”
When SCU returned the offense they were suddenly evil heels and they leaned into it. Daniels mocked Stunt and did his own version of the floss dance. They worked over Jungle Boy until “Jack” was able to make it to his corner tag in Luchasaurus. He did a lot of kickboxing kicks, even the Arisa Hoshiki Brazilian Kick. He went on a tear and did a lot of choregraphed-looking muay thai/kickboxing exchanges with all three of SCU who were just so damn good in their roles, bumping like maniacs for him. Luchasaurus has a slight Tom Magee softness to him when he does strikes, you sort of always see them coming, but everything he landed tonight looked fine and this is nitpicky but negligble. He was wildly, wildly over with the crowd at points, even garnering a standing ovation at one point. The match was over after a few more high spots, followed by SCU hitting the Best Meltzer Ever on Jungle Boy for the win. This was short but action-packed. It was a showcase for the three younger guys and SCU was genius in helping them tonight. Really good stuff.
Pac defeated Kenny Omega via TKO (Brutalizer submission)
Of any two in AEW who could come together for a match with no story beforehand, nothing at all, really, it’d be these two men. For many this is a modern dream match. The two are talking trash andn keep exchanging short, explosive sequences. Pac blocked the Kotaro Crusher leg lariat. They’re shifting gears now and teasing dives. Omega went for a pescado but Pac kicked him in the gut on his way down. The match shifted in tone and is getting much more physical.
After a few minutes of ringside punishment, Pac rolled Omega back into the ring and blasted him with a missile dropkick, and later locked in a rear chinlock with a sprawl, his murder-stare locked onto fans in the front rows. Omega bounced back and lariat’d Pac to the floor, then landed a beautiful swandive tope con giro to the floor, flush onto Pac. The crowd reacts to anything Kenny does.
Pac landed an Orihara moonsault onto Omega and crash-landed shin-first into the barricades. It looked brutal. Pac hit a 450 splash on Omega in the ring after this, but only for two. Omega launched a return attack, landing a number of big moves including a Sky High spinebuster. At one point Omega lifted Pac onto his shoulders, then caught him mid-air and threw a German suplex for a close two-count. There was a nice loud peak from the crowd here. They started booing after Pac returned with a back bodydrop.
The finish saw Pac lock Omega in the Brutalizer crucifix submission until Omega passed out. The ref called the match. Pac wins and gets a shot at whomever wins the AEW Heavyweight Championship later tonight, either Adam Page or Chris Jericho. This was excellent.
Jimmy Havoc defeated Joey Janela and Darby Allin in a Cracker Barrel Clash three-way match
The announce team put over Cracker Barrel like crazy before the match, almost to comedic levels. Jimmy Havoc busted out a staple gun early on. Allin taped Havoc to a chair with gaffer tape. Allin poured thumbtacks into Havoc’s mouth and then taped his mouth shut. To the best of my knowledge thumbtacks are not on the Cracker Barrel menu. Not yet. Allin did a flip onto Havoc who was still all taped up. Janela landed adisgusting Emerald Frosion onto the apron on Allin. Havoc started doing the paper cut spots and people were losing their minds. This feels like a Quentin Tarantino movie. Janela did a running flipping piledriver from inside the ring through a table to the floor and the crowd exploded. Janela did a dive onto nothing, just the floor, I guess trying to match what PCO did from last week. People chanted “Cracker Barrel” and “we want barrels.” Havoc smashed Janela in the face with a tin of cornbread.
Allin recovered after the table spot and brought a thumb-tacks-covered skateboard and did an ollie onto Janela’s back, the same spot Allin and Brody King did in PWG somewhat recently. This match was a complete car wreck that got over like gangbusters. The ringside area was trashed, cornbread everywhere, and later splinters of wood after Allin dove off the top turnbuckle onto a pull-away staircase, back-first. It was a huge bump, the barrel exploded, the crowd did, too, sort of, but it was so grotesque that JR mentioned there were also “murmurs” throughout the arena afterwards. Allin’s back looked red and purple immediately after the bump. Havoc superplexed Janela off the ropes but only Joey’s leg caught the barrel. The finish saw Havoc landed a Rainmaker through said barrel for the win. This was always violent and sometimes sadistic.
The Dark Order (Uno and Stu Grayson) defeated Best Friends (Chuck Taylor and Trent), will receive bye in first round of AEW Tag Team title tournament
The winner of this match gets a bye in the upcoming AEW tag team tournament. Dark Order had masked minion boys with them. The Best Friends hugged and did the parody of Kazuchika Okada’s Rainmaker pose. People started chanting “spooky perverts” chant and Excalibur confirmed this on commentary. Uno dominated Trent for a while which really takes on a different tone when you actually know what Uno’s ring gear looks like. Trent made a hot or rather tepid tag to Taylor who went to land a tope con giro onto the Dark Order. Stu Grayson landed a crazy-looking tornillo onto his own guys, so I didn’t completely understand that but hey it looked cool and I guess that’s what they want to count here. The Dark Order did some cool double team moves but Best Friends kept kicking out. The crowd was loud in support of the buddies. Trent almost pinned Grayson until Uno pulled him to the floor and the minions beat him behind the ref’s back. The Dark Order hit the Fatality on Taylor next to win the match. This was the weakest match of the card so far.
The lights went out and Orange Cassidy out. He got a huge reaction and did a tope suicida with his hands in his pockets. JR called him “Mr. Laisez Faire.” Taylor and Trent hugged with Orange Cassidy “squeezed” in the middle.
Riho defeated Hikaru Shida, will face Nyla Rose for AEW Women’s championship in Washington, DC
They flew at each other from out of the gate. Shida seemed to take on the heel role here. The fast work is great but I’m not sure if every move registers on television as much as it does live. Shida slowed the pace midway through and bent Riho in half with a deep Boston crab. Riho rallied back and later hit a stiff diving double stomp from the top to the apron onto a prone Shida. Back in the ring they started laying in hard elbows. Riho went for a 619 but Shida blocked it and transitioned into a Stretch Muffler submission until Riho rolled her into a high stack pin for two. Shida used an impressive deadlift vertical suplex on Riho that got a nice reaction. Riho wouldn’t stay down for anything though it felt like she was getting hit with everything. She finally returned with a snap Northern Lights suplex and later another diving double stomp to a draped Shida, sort of like what Dragon Lee or Alberto Del Rio would do. She only got a two-count. Shida returned with a powerslam into a backbreaker that looked to break Riho in two. They began trading big moves until Riho swung herself into a headscissors and pin on Shida. Riho wins and she’ll get a shot at Nyla Rose in Washington, DC at AEW’s first TV broadcast.
Spears sat in a folding chair at the top of his entrance, an allusion to him hitting Cody with the chair. Blanchard followed him out after. Spears had white contacts in and looked like Scorpion from Mortal Kombat. Cody and his crew were dressed in Star Trek-inspired tunics. Cody dove through the corner at Spears and Blanchard before the match. The fight spilled deep into the crowd before the bell had even rung, Hart vs. Austin Wrestlemania 13 style. Production got an amazing shot of Cody posing in the crowd while they chanted for him. Blanchard snuck over to Cody while MJF distracted Earl Hebner and landed a low blow, leading to an eruption of boos. Cody hit an ugly top rope frankensteiner on Spears. MJF kept trying to involve himself and yelled at Hebner to do his job properly. Hebner actually freaked out on Spears when he went to hit Cody with his own weight belt. He screamed at him and threatened to DQ him. Spears conceded but Blanchard slipped him his own belt his he whipped Cody with anyway. I guess that’s Hebner’s gimmick in AEW, tough as nails and dumb as bricks. Cody fired up and started no-selling the belt shots and the crowd really went into a frenzy. He landed a jump kick to Spears’ face.
At 20 minutes into the match both looked exhausted and rolled to the floor. Spears gave Cody a running Death Valley Driver onto the floor. Spears made it to the ring and Hebner started counting Cody out. Cody’s back looked bad, really tore up from one of the spots outside earlier. Cody was able to make it to the ring and somehow sneak a CrossRhodes in but Blanchard broke up the count. Blanchard and MJF then got into it in the ring and started choking each other until Spears took MJF out. Blanchard tarted stomping MJF on the floor until ‘Double A’ Arn Anderson stomped his way to the ring. The roof disappeared after this crowd exploded. Anderson had a look on his face that said “I don’t care for this foolishness, Tully Blanchard.” He got into the ring and squared up. Spinebuster. This place must have shook. Blanchard had no idea what to think and sold it like his plan was royally screwed after this.
Cody hit a “bowling-shoe ugly” draping DDT and then teased a chairshot. Spears begged off. Cody landed a Disaster Kick while Spears had the chair in his hands. He then planted Spears with a CrossRhodes to win the match. MJF celebrated with Cody in the ring though he teased turning on Cody as he’s done in Being the Elite recently. This was tremendous, and probably one of the best to happen in the States this year. The Arn Anderson angle had about as much heat as the KENTA/Shibata angle from a few weeks ago.
Escalera de la Muerte ladder match for the AAA Tag Team Championship:Lucha Brothers (Fenix and Pentagon) defeated The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson)
I haven’t mentioned it but the production value tonight has been slick and most everything was high quality. They’re also begun displaying AEW records on the screen when some wrestlers come out.
The Bucks came out in their own entrance masks and money rained down from the sky. They exchanged catchphrases before things really got started. Excalibur mentioned this was the sixth meeting between the two teams this year. Penta did a cross body from a ladder to the floor. Fenix launched himself from the middle of the ropes over a ladder and onto the Young Bucks for the first big dive of this match.
Fenix and Nick Jackson did a spot where they sprung from the ropes to the ladders at the same time. Penta and Matt Jackson did cutters to their teammates from the adjacent ladders, then both speared Nick and Fenix through two tables. Penta screamed “Escucha, puto!” at Nick which loosely translates to “please listen to me, sir” and went for a chop but Nick countered and somehow that led to a corckscrew dive to the floor. Fenix did a springboard frankensteiner from the top rope onto a ladder. The crowd chanted “AEW.” Pentagon showed off some mild flying, nothing too flashy but cool enough to elicit even more chants from the crowd. Nick did a swandive tope con giro to the floor onto Penta. When Matt Jackson tried tipping Fenix off the top of the ladder he adjusted in mid-air and somehow did an amazing Oirhara moonsault to the floor onto Nick and Penta. Moments later in the ring, Penta used a slingblade from atop two ladders. The crowd got onto their feet and started chanting for the company again. Nick Jackson dove under the ladder but over the tope rope and to the floor. Isn’t this guy injured??
Pentagon did a Canadian Destroyer to Matt Jackson from the top of the ladder through a table. It looked insane. Nick and Fenix then did dueling splashes from the ladder to the floor through tables on Matt and Penta. The best part about that spot was the shot they got on camera, which will most likely be used as AEW B-roll footage for a while.
There was a spot towards the end where Nick didn’t know whether to help Matt with a Meltzer Driver on Fenix or grab the titles. Penta kicked Matt and then pushed Nick off the ladder. Nick’s ankles caught the rope and he went through one of the tables. It was an explosion. Penta and Matt were on top of the ladders when Nick grabbed Penta’s mask off and pushed him off the ladder. Feniz jumped and Matt kicked him midair. The Lucha Bros then did Zero Fear, the cradle piledriver with a diving double stomp, to Matt onto a ladder that was on the apron and barricade. Really good finish to this.
After the match two masked men in came out and took out the Young Bucks. One of them wore a Bill Clinton mask. AEW will be in DC soon. The two unmasked and it turned out to be LAX from Impact.
Chris Jericho defeated Adam Page to become the first AEW World Champion
Things started slow, deliberately. They exchanged sharp chops and Page lit up Jericho’s chest early on. Jericho returned with a dropkick from the second rope, but Page did a tope suicida through the floor. JR mentioned he’d seen a lot of tope suicidas tonight, which is fine for his podcast but not great when you’re trying to get talent over. Page went for the running shooting star press off the apron but Jericho timed a Codebreaker masterfully and crushed Page with it as he hit the floor.
Jericho beat on Page in front of his family who were in the front row. He took the bell and rang it and walked around the ring like he’d won the match, then tossed the bell over his shoulder. There sounded to be a ton of Jericho fans in the crowd and they were really split amongst themselves over him and Page throughout this. Jericho landed a cross body that’d make Ricky Steamboat proud. Page rallied back but only picked up two-counts. Jericho locked on the Walls of Jericho but Page fought out of it and used a discus punch to wobble Jericho out of the ring to the floor. Jericho started bleeding from above the left eye and they sold it like Page did it with the punch.
Page laid in a few potato punches while Jericho was on the tope rope bleeding all over the place. He used a top-rope swinging neckbreaker, but Jericho again came back and again locked on the Walls of Jericho.
Jericho and Edwards got into it but Edwards stood her ground, Jericho backed down. Page used their tiff to knock Jericho to the floor and landed a big Orihara moonsault. He then went for the Buckshot Facelift in the ring but Jericho countered with a Codebreaker and a very close count of two. Page put Jericho out with the Deadeye, his reverse-tombstone finish, but only got a two-count. Huge pop for that. He hit the Buckshot Lariat for two. Jericho then, out of nowhere, blasted Page with the Judas Effect back elbow as Page was mid-discus punch. One, two, three. Chris Jericho is your first-ever AEW World Champion. This was a really good match, and a solid way to kickstart their main event division.
Final thoughts —
This was a solid show that went maybe an hour too long. Kenny Omega vs. Pac was the stand-out match, with Spears vs. Cody and Jericho vs. Page not too far behind. The Lucha Brothers vs. the Young Bucks was great for what it was, and while the finish was clever, it didn’t feel and better or worse than any of their other matches in the past. Riho and Hikaru Shida worked really hard but the crowd seemed somewhat burnt out from the matches early on. A few of the tag team matches were good but nothing that off-the-charts, though the crowd loved pretty much everything, even the Best Friends vs. Dark Order angle. The biggest reactions sounded to be the Arn Anderson angle during the Cody vs. Spears bout and the LAX debut. The Cracker Barrel three-way match went beyond violence from conflict and felt more about trying to showcase as much violence as possible in the moment as creatively as possible. With all that happened tonight, I wonder if some of those more sadistic spots were worth it. All in all, a solid show and a good lead-in to whatever AEW plans on doing in October on television.
The second show in AEW history takes place tonight as the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Florida hosts Fyter Fest.
The Young Bucks & Kenny Omega will team against The Lucha Bros & Laredo Kid in a six-man tag match. The Young Bucks defeated Pentagon Jr. & Fenix at Double or Nothing, but The Lucha Bros then won the AAA Tag Team titles from The Young Bucks at AAA Verano de Escandalo.
After appearing at Double or Nothing, Jon Moxley will make his AEW debut against Joey Janela tonight. AEW has added a “non-sanctioned” stipulation to the match.
Cody Rhodes vs. Darby Allin, Hangman Page vs. MJF vs. Jungle Boy vs. Jimmy Havoc in a four-way match, Nyla Rose vs. Yuka Sakazaki vs. Riho in a triple threat match, and Christopher Daniels vs. CIMA are also set for the main card.
The pre-show will begin at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time and will feature Best Friends (Trent Barreta & Chuck Taylor) vs. SoCal Uncensored (Scorpio Sky & Frankie Kazarian) vs. Private Party (Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy) in a match where the winning team will advance to All Out for a shot at a first-round bye in AEW’s Tag Team title tournament.
The event is in partnership with CEO Fighting Game Championships, and CEO organizer Alex Jebailey will face AEW’s Michael Nakazawa in a hardcore match on the pre-show.
Fyter Fest will stream for free on B/R Live in the United States and Canada and will be available to purchase via Fite TV elsewhere. The pre-show will also air on AEW’s YouTube channel.
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Best Friends defeated SoCal Uncensored and Private Party in a Triple Threat Match
The winners of this match get an opportunity in All Out to get a Bye in the AEW Tag Team Title Tournament.
Marq Quen of Private Party wore sunglasses throughout the match ala Mr. Hughes. The fans were into SCU the most, but they showed love for all three teams. After three or four minutes of well executed, but “dull” wrestling, Quen and Isaiah Kassidy got the crowd up and going with a series of dives and springboard moves in and out of the ring. The director completely missed what looked like an amazing dive out of the ring by Kassidy. The two more experienced teams teamed up on Private Party. Kassidy took a double suplex on the floor and Quen took a Tornado DDT on the floor, which finally caused his glasses to fall off.
Best Friends cut off Kassidy and got the heat on him. Even though they are babyfaces (I think), Chuck and Trent did a great job doing all those old school heel tag team tactics. Quen had been knocked off the apron, so Kassidy was forced to tag in Kazarian when he needed out. The match broke down into a wild 6-way series of moves. Quen hit the most beautiful Shooting Star Press you’ve ever seen on Trent, but it was only for a 2 count. Kazarian hit a Scorpio Sky-assisted Unprettier for a 2 count. Quen landed on his feet on an attempted Super German Suplex and then Private Party used a double team hurricarana/cutter on Kazarian, but that was broken up.
The finish was Trent pinning Kassidy.
After the match The Dark Order appeared on the video screen and vowed to make Best Friends their first victim. The lights went out and when they came back on there were 6 minions around the ring. The lights went out a second time and this time everyone disappeared.
The biggest pop was for Chuck and Trent hugging mid-match, but the fans were into it from bell to bell.
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The Elite have lost their gear and Kenny Omega told the Young Bucks that he has the seamstresses working on new gear. The problem is Kenny spent half the budget on gear, so they had to fire 2 of the models, who were on the stage and replaced by manequins.
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Leva Bates came out as The Librarian and told everyone to “Shhh”, but Peter Avalon was hiding in the tent on the stage also telling people to “Shhh”. Avalon got upset and threw the tent into a kiddie pool and then broke one of the mannequins.
They encouraged the fans to stop playing video games and start reading books. This led to a mild “We can’t read” chant. This brought Allie out for a bonus match.
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Allie pinned Leva Bates
Leva kept trying to “Shush” Allie, so Allie grabbed her finger and twisted it around before stomping on Leva’s hand. It was pointed out that that is the finger you use to turn the page of a book. Avalon was reading and accidentally-on-purpose tripped Allie as she was running the ropes. He swore innocence as Leva took over.
Leva stretched Allie backwards and put her finger to Allie’s lips as she was grimacing in pain, which was a nice touch. Allie made her comeback, using a series of strikes, including a Sliding Elbow to a seated Leva in the corner. Leva cut her off and hit a Pedigree, but Allie kicked out.
Avalon tried to get involved at the finish, but he accidentally-on-purpose threw his book at Allie, who tossed it back to Leva and laid her out with the Best Superkick Ever for the pin. The match was rough in points, but still good.
The fans chanted “Hooked on Phonics” and “Reading Rainbow” during this one.
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Kenny Omega was walking around with a drum and a bunch of cords, but was informed all the bands that got booked dropped out, including Blink-182. Not sure if Kenny was sadder than me.
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Michael Nakazawa pinned Alex Jebailey in a Hardcore Match
This match was supposed to happen at last year’s CEO show, but Alex injured his Achilles Tendon, and couldn’t wrestle. Before the match, Nakazawa took the mic, calling Alex “Mr. Cripple” and saying CEO sucks.
Nakazawa bumped really well for Jebailey, but Alex’s strikes looked awful. Nakazawa poured babyoil all over himself to get out of a go-behind. Both the referee and Jebailey slipped and fell. Jebailey used a clipboard on Nakazawa when I began having buffering issues, but it began working again in time to see them near the entrance ramp. Jebailey tried drowning Nakazawa in the pool, but Nakazawa fought back with a flamingo. Jebailey slammed Nakazawa in the pool before they got back to the ring.
Jebailey pulled out all kinds of foreign objects, but it came back to bite him in the butt, as Nakazawa choked him with the cord of a Nintendo Gamecube controller. My brother popped for that one. Nakazawa speared Jebailey through the ropes and through a table on the floor. Nakazawa somehow removed his thong and went to shove it down Jebailey’s throat, but Alex is rich and smart, so he ducked it. Next up they pulled out something that were described as buttons and were said to be worse than legos, so Nakazawa got backdropped into them. Nakazawa still had the thong in his hand and somehow wiped it into the referee’s face.
Jebailey used a La Magistral cradle, but Nakazawa shoved his thong in his face, reversed the roll up and got the win. All I’ll say about this match is that if you are someone who would enjoy this type of match, this is the match for you.
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Jim Ross joined the commentary team as the official show began. He joined Excalibur and Goldenboy at the desk.
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Cima pinned Christopher Daniels
Excalibur implied that Chris Daniels and Curry Man are the same person, which is obviously not true. I do think Daniels was Mr. America, though. Cima twisted Daniels up like a pretzel early on, but Daniels was able to just get his toe on the ropes for the break. Daniels used a crossface later on, which Cima just barely got to the ropes during. Cima sold the lower back for most of the match and kicked out of an Angel’s Wings early on. Cima used a step-up inzigri and a sunset flip into a Liger Bomb.
Unfortunately I got horrible buffering issues and didn’t see the finish, but Cima won with the Meteora and they showed respect for each other after the match.
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Riho defeated Nyla Rose and Yuka Sakazaki
Nyla used her size and power at the bell to toss around her tinier foes. Riho and Sakazaki had limited success, but any offense they got was immediately reversed. Rose used a Double Camel Clutch, but Riho was able to get the ropes, which broke the move. Nyla heaved Yuka onto Riho, which actually almost led to a pinfall. Yuka sent Nyla out of the ring with a headscissors and then did a Springboard Tope onto her on the floor.
Riho and Yuka had a rough spot in the ring where they fell to the mat during a spot. Nyla got back into it and the story was that she was being very lackadaisical and not taking her opponents seriously, as she made half hearted covers. Nyla leaped to the top rope and came off with a diving knee to Riho, which led to the first “Holy Shit” chant of the night. She didn’t make the cover and when she went back to the top rope she was momentarily cut off by Yuka. She went for a Swanton Bomb, but Riho rolled out of the way. Nyla did catch both of them, at the same time, after attempted top rope crossbody, but that led to both Riho and Yuka getting a simultaneous two count on Nyla.
The finish saw Nyla got for a Beast Bomb on Riho, but Riho rolled through and got a sudden, surprising three count on the monster. Nyla attempted to attack Riho after the match, but Yuka made the save. Riho shoved down Yuka and walked away.
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Kip Sabian joined the commentary table for the next match. He will face the winner of the next match at Fight For The Fallen.
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Hangman Page defeated MJF, Jungle Boy (w/Luchasaurus) and Jimmy Havoc
MJF cut a really good heel promo before the match, where he succeeded in getting the fans to turn on him. He then said he used to love video games…and then he lost his virginity.
This was a fast paced match with a lot of constant movement. MJF tried to take a walk and avoid fighting, so Page flew over the top rope and took him out. Jungle Boy went for a cannonball moonsault, but his foot got caught on the top rope, but he was somehow able to recover in mid-air and complete the move. Page and Havoc used a Stacked Up Superplex to Jungle Boy, but on the way down, Boy kicked MJF in the head.
Page and MJF squared off mid-ring and MJF got the better of it by chop blocking Page. MJF went for a Sharpshooter, but Page blocked it and put on one of his own. Luchasaurus stopped Jungle Boy from taking a bump on the floor, so Havoc gave him a Death Valley Driver onto Luchasaurus. Havoc tried multiple times to hit an Acid Rainmaker, but couldn’t connect.
Page hit a Buckshot Lariat and then pinned Havoc after a Deadeye.
Jungle Boy looked great and takes an amazing beating. MJF is a tremendous character.
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Cody vs Darby Allin finished in a 20-minute time limit draw
Allin dragged out a bodybag with Cody’s name on it.
Allin looked good here and it helped that he was in the ring with someone as good as Cody. The story was about how much punishment could Allin take and still fight back from. Allin took a tremendous looking bump where he flew out of the ring over the middle rope and crashed and burned on the ground in one fluent move. Cody used a Shock Treatment backbreaker in the ring, looking like he broke Allin in half. Darby’s best move early was when he threw Cody’s hand into the ring post. The rest of the match saw Cody fight through the pain every time he tried using a hold, while Cody withstood all the punishment and stayed in this.
Darby’s comeback started by blocking a vertical suplex by attacking the injured hand. Darby hammerfisted Cody’s hand and used a wristlock while continuing to torture the hand. Allin torpedoed out of the ring with a dive, but got tripped up on the steps. Back in the ring Darby hit a Code Red for a near fall. Cody used a reverse superplex, which hurt his hand almost as much as Allin. Allin went for a Coffin Drop (basically he did a trust fall dive), but Cody rolled out of the ring and Allin loudly crashed onto the ring apron, which is the hardest part of the ring.
With two minutes to go in the time limit, Cody zipped Darby up in the body bag and hit a Beautiful Disaster Kick for a 2 count. The last minute saw Cody take off his belt and whip Darby repeatedly with it. Darby hit an over the top Stunner and Cody hit a Cross Rhodes as the bell rang for the time limit.
Brandi and Cody demanded 5 more minutes. Before it could happen, Shawn Spears ran in and laid Cody out with an unprotected chair shot. Brandi started yelling at Shawn, who looked like he was going to hit Brandi, but Audrey Edwards, the referee, stepped between them. Cody was bleeding from the back of his head. MJF and SCU ran out for support after Shawn left. On replay Cody had just turned his head, which was how the back of his head took it. With that said, he should have put his hands up. (Post-Show Edit: It’s actually Aubrey Edwards with a B and not Audrey. Sorry about that)
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Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks defeated Laredo Kid & Lucha Brothers
It’s being pushed that this is the last “official” match, since the main event is non-sanctioned.
The Young Bucks came out dressed as Ryu and Ken while Omega was dressed as Akuma from Street Fighter. A “fan” ran out and started dancing like Batista, so Omega laid him out. Matt and Kenny both told Justin to announce “Round 1: Fight”. We really needed health bars above everyone’s head, along with a car for one of them to destroy with strikes.
It took…oh….30 seconds for it to go from traditional 6-man tag to a wild 6-way. If I had four hands and two computers I don’t think I could keep track of every spectacular moment. Matt did a series of rolling Northern Lights Suplexes on each man and did one at the same time to both Fenix and Pentagon. Laredo did a top rope crossbody, but Omega countered with a perfectly timed dropkick. Fenix tried doing a flat back bump off the apron, but realized he had to readjust before he slammed his head off the guardrail. Elite used an Asai Moonsault, top rope elbow and Swanton for a 2 count on Loredo Kid. Matt used a running Canadian Destroyer to Pentagon and it was possibly the most fluid version I’ve ever seen.
In case I don’t mention it elsewhere, both Pentagon and Fenix looked amazing here.
Pentagon was going for Something to Omega and threw Nick over the top rope and then backdropped a running Fenix over Omega and the post onto Nick outside the ring. A Superkick Party broke out after another Canadian Destroyer. The Elite used three simultaneous Hadouken’s on their foes. If you have no idea what that is, I don’t know if I could explain it, so YouTube that. Nick did a 450 Splash to Fenix and Laredo Kid, who were being held draping off the ropes. More dives and more cutters led to Fenix doing a Spanish Fly to Nick off the top rope to the floor where Pentagon caught them. Omega hit a Tiger Driver 98 to Laredo Kid for a 2 count. Omega with multiple V-Triggers and finally pinned Laredo Kid with a One Winged Angel.
This was an amazing, spectacular offensive exhibition. This was 20 minutes of pure nonstop athleticism and storytelling. For all the faults you may hear and read about the Young Bucks, this was a perfect match on the perfect night in front of the perfect crowd. I don’t know if this match would suddenly create a million new fans on TNT, but it was different than everything you’ll watch on basic cable and is well worth going out of your way to see it.
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Jon Moxley pinned Joey Janela in an unsanctioned, lights out match
Moxley neither came out with the IWGP United States title belt nor was he acknowledged as champion.
They didn’t even pretend to have a wrestling match, as it immediately became a hardcore weapons match. Janela used someone’s prosthetic leg as a weapon early on, but then took a bodyslam on a chair. Janela sat Moxley on a chair and went for a Swanton Bomb, but Mox moved and Janela dove onto a set up chair. Mox pulled out a Barbed Wire covered chair and stomped it down on Janela. He then took a bow when the fans called him a “Sick F***”. Janela blocked a DVD and Moxley blocked a suplex, both out of the ring, and Mox did what was essentially a Russian Leg Sweep off the apron and through a table. Moxley picked up Janela and ran across the ring with a Spear through a table, which was reminiscent of Rhino in ECW way back when.
Next up was a barbed wire board and Moxley took the brunt of this one as Janela did a running Death Valley Driver that sent him into and through it. After that we got a ladder set up in the ring, which saw Joey dive off the top of the ladder with an elbow through Moxley, who was splayed across a table at ringside. We got a second barbed wire board, this one propped up from ring apron to the guardrail. Because turnabout is fair play, Moxley gave Joey a Death Valley Driver over the top rope and essentially butt-first into and through the board. The thumbtacks were out next, complete with an ovation from the crowd. Moxley ripped the shoes and socks off Joey and sent him flying ass over teakettle into the tacks. A second move saw the tacks go right into Janela’s bare feet. This is getting hard to watch.
We got a second bag of thumbtacks along with an Ambrose Impaler DDT and this one, mercifully, is over.
Scroll up and re-read what I said about the Nakazawa-Jebailey match. This match definitely has its fans. For people who enjoy these types of matches in 2019 will probably love this match. The people who aren’t fans of this type of match will probably hate it.
After the match Kenny Omega ran down and hit Moxley with a running V-Trigger. Omega hit a diving double foot stomp to the floor and then dragged him to the band stand. Kenny grabbed the drumsticks and did a solo on Mox’s back before cracking an electric guitar over Mox.
The referees tried to help Moxley out, but Mox shoved them away. Kenny took a personal afront to this, so he returned with a trash can to continue the beating. Beatings will continue until morale improves! Omega dropped him with a DDT on the trashcan. The show ended with a close-up of Moxley smiling.
Overall Thoughts
This was truly 3 ½ hours of total nonstop action. The show didn’t slow down and built from one match to another. The show truly had a little bit of something for everyone, regardless of your taste.
At the end of the day I don’t believe, for better or worse, that it’s going to change anyone’s opinion about AEW. If you are an AEW fan who feels they can do little wrong, you will love this show and think it’s far superior to Stomping Grounds. If you are a WWE fan who feels WWE is the best no matter what, you probably won’t have your opinion changed and may argue that Stomping Grounds was a better full show.
The next show is Fight For The Fallen on July 13 with Cody & Dustin vs the Young Bucks.
The first show in All Elite Wrestling history takes place tonight as the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada hosts Double or Nothing.
The follow up to All In will see Kenny Omega take on Chris Jericho in the main event. That will have some title implications, with the Omega vs. Jericho winner set to face the winner of the Casino Battle Royale at a later date to determine the first AEW World Champion.
The AAA Tag Team titles will be on the line tonight as The Young Bucks defend against The Lucha Bros. And it will be brother vs. brother as Cody takes on Dustin Rhodes.
Britt Baker, Nyla Rose, and Kylie Rae are set to face off in a triple threat match, SoCal Uncensored (Christopher Daniels, Frankie Kazarian & Scorpio Sky) will wrestle Strong Hearts (CIMA, T-Hawk & El Lindaman) in a six-man tag, Aja Kong, Yuka Sakazaki & Emi Sakura are set to team against Hikaru Shida, Riho & Ryo Mizunami, and Trent Barreta & Chuck Taylor take on Angelico & Jack Evans.
The Casino Battle Royale and Kip Sabian vs. Sammy Guevara will be part of “The Buy In,” which is the pre-show for Double or Nothing. The battle royal will have 21 entrants. It begins with five wrestlers in the ring, with five more entering every three minutes after that. The 21st wrestler will then enter on their own.
The pre-show begins at 7 p.m. Eastern time and will air for free on AEW’s YouTube channel and B/R Live. The main card begins at 8 p.m. Eastern and will be on pay-per-view and B/R Live.
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Buy In
Alex Marvez and Excalibur opened up Buy In. Jim Ross will join them for Double or Nothing. They announced that SoCal Uncensored vs. Strong Hearts opens up the main show. They also announced that the AEW World title would be unveiled in a presentation later tonight.
Hangman Adam Page won the Casino Battle Royale
This was a good battle royal. The first five entrants were MJF, Dustin Thomas, Sunny Daze, Brandon Cutler and Michael Nakazawa. The fans booed MJF and popped big for Cutler. The fans broke into a huge “Nakazawa” chant.
The next five entrants were Brian Pillman Jr., Isiah Kassidy, Joey Janela, Jimmy Havoc and Shawn Spears.
Pillman nailed Kassidy with a superkick on the ramp. Janela and Havoc jumped Pillman before he could enter the ring. They gave him a double suplex on the floor. Spears got a huge reaction. MJF poked Spears in the eye and flipped him off. Spears fought back.
The next entrants were Billy Gunn, Glacier, Jungle Boy, Ace Romero, and Marq Quen.
Glacier and MJF faced off. Glacier got the better of the exchange. Daze threw Nakazawa out of the ring. Glacier eliminated Daze and MJF threw out Glacier. Janela lit a cigarette. Havoc used a staple gun and stapled the cigarette to Janela’s forehead.
The next entrants were Sonny Kiss, Marko Stunt, Tommy Dreamer, Luchasaurus
Romero hit a suicide dive taking out Dreamer, Kiss, and Luchasaurus. Dreamer brought a garbage can in the ring and ran wild. Luchasaurus gave Private Party a double chokeslam.
The final entrant was Hangman Adam Page. Page got a massive pop from the fans. He ran wild and attacked everyone. Page rocked Janela with a clothesline and the Dead Eye. Jungle Boy and Stunt tried to team up against Romero. Stunt caught Romero with a kick. Romero charged at Stunt and tossed him to the floor.
Jungle Boy caught Romero with a dropkick to the back and tossed him out. Thomas gave Janela a 619 and followed up with a 450 splash. MJF attacked Thomas from behind and placed him on the top turnbuckle. Thomas then eliminated Spears. MJF dumped out Thomas. Cutler tossed out Gunn, but MJF jumped Cutler and threw him out.
Luchasaurus choke slammed Janela from the ring through a table on the floor. Dreamer tossed out Kiss. Orange Cassidy entered the ring. He gently attacked Dreamer and was then thrown out. Havoc used the staple gun on Dreamer and tossed him out. Havoc then threw out Jungle Boy.
The final four were MJF, Havoc, Luchasaurus, and Page. They teamed up on MJF and sent him to the floor under the bottom rope. Havoc hit a rolling Death Valley driver on Page. Page threw out Havoc, but he landed on the apron. Luchasaurus then eliminated Havoc with a big boot. Page then threw out Luchasaurus.
Page celebrated that he won, but MJF was still in the match. MJF threw out Page, but he held on. Page hit the Buck Shot clothesline and threw out MJF to win the match. Page faces the winner of Omega vs. Jericho for the AEW World Championship.
In the back, Alicia Atout interviewed Kylie Rae. She discussed her upcoming match, but The Librarian (Peter Avalon) interrupted. The second Librarian (Leva Bates) interrupted as well. They kept shushing each other.
Kip Sabian defeated Sammy Guevara
This was a good pre-show match. It featured lots of fast-paced action. The commentators pushed that wins and losses matter. They started with some mat wrestling. The paced quickened, and Sabian caught Guevara with a hurricanrana. Guevara fought back and caught Sabian with a dropkick. Sabian faked a dropkick and sent Guevara to the floor.
Sabian hit a dive off the second rope to the floor. He threw Guevara back in the ring. Guevara quickly hit a dive to gain control. Guevara caught Sabian with a power slam. Guevara went for a moonsault, but Sabian moved. He landed on his feet and went for a standing moonsault, but Sabian moved again. Guevara then hit a standing shooting star press for a near fall.
Guevara attempted a suplex, but they fall over the ropes. They landed on their feet, and Guevara hit a suplex on the floor. The fans broke into an “AEW” chant. In a crazy spot, Guevara placed Sabian stomach first across the guardrail. Guevara then hit a shooting star press off the apron onto Sabian.
Guevara attempted the 630 splash, but Sabian got his knees up and hit his finisher for the win.
In the back, Jim Ross is on his way to the announce booth.
In the parking lot, Cody and Brandi Rhodes arrive at the arena.
In the back, Kenny Omega is on his computer. He gave a thumbs up and walked out. Matt Jackson ran into Michael Nakazawa. Matt then ran into Nick. Some guy tried to provide them with credentials. They nailed him with double superkicks. The Young Bucks decided to start the show.
The Being The Elite intro played. Omega, Cody, Brandi, and The Young Bucks came out to a huge pop. They all wanted to welcome everyone to the show. Omega got to do it because they left him out last time. The fans broke into a massive “AEW” chant.
Matt announced that there were 20,000 fans in attendance. Cody took the mic and said the place only fits 13,000. Matt said it’s wrestling, so you inflate the numbers. Cody agrees and said they sold out the place with 20,000.
Double Or Nothing Main Show
Jim Ross joined Marvez and Excalibur on commentary. Ross mentioned the AEW World title presentation and promised shocking news.
This was a really good match and an excellent start to the PPV. The fans broke into a huge “SCU” chant. Scorpio Sky got on the mic and said that this is the worst city he’s ever been in. Daniels said the All Elite era starts tonight. They announced that in AEW teams have a ten count to get out of the ring instead of a five count.
Cima and Daniels traded arm drags until they both went for one at the same time. Kazarian rocked T-Hawk with a hard clothesline. T-Hawk fought back with a vicious chop. Sky made a blind tag and caught T-Hawk with a perfect looking dropkick. SoCal isolated Lindaman on their side of the ring.
Strong Hearts took over by isolating Daniels. Cima and T-Hawk used a double dropkick on Daniels. The fans broke into dueling “Let’s Go Strong Hearts” and “SCU” chants. Sky got the tag, and the pace quickened. Strong Hearts used a series of moves on Sky, which ended with a German suplex by Lindaman.
Kazarian rolled up Cima and caught T-Hawk with a Northern Lights suplex for a near fall. Daniels caught Lindaman with suicide dive. Sky caught Cima with a slingshot cutter. Kazarian hit a slingshot DDT on Lindaman. Daniels and T-Hawk caught each other with a double clothesline.
Lindaman made a blind tag. Daniels hit the Angel Wings on T-Hawk, but Lindaman picked him up in a German suplex for a two count. Kazarian hit a hurricanrana from the apron to the floor. Sky followed up with a huge dive to the floor. The finish came when Kazarian and Daniels hit the Best Meltzer Driver Ever on Lindaman for the win.
Brit Baker defeated Nyla Rose, Kylie Rae, and Awesome Kong
Before the match, Brandi Rhodes walked out. Rhodes came out in her gear, and the announcers wondered if she’s adding herself to the match. Rhodes noted she promised a good match, but she now wants an awesome match. She then introduced Awesome Kong to a massive pop.
This was another good match. Kong and Rose squared off. Rae and Baker attacked both women. Kong was firmly in control. Kong got sent to the floor. This left Baker and Rae in the ring alone. Baker rolled up Rae for a near fall. Baker attempted a crossbody off the apron, but Kong caught her. Rae then hit a suicide dive on both to take them out.
Rose used a slam and standing leg drop for a near fall. Rae escaped a chokeslam attempt, but Rose caught her with a spinebuster. Rose attempted a powerbomb on Rae, but she rolled through. Baker broke up the pin attempt.
Rose climbed to the top turnbuckle, but Baker cut her off. Kong gave Baker and Rae a double powerbomb as they superplexed Rose. The fans popped big for this spot. Baker and Kong fought on the apron. Baker rocked her with a superkick. Rae hit Kong with a superkick as well.
Rose charged at Kong and sent her into the steps. Rae attempted a German suplex, but Baker fought back. Baker rocked Rae with a forearm for a very close near fall. Rae hit a German suplex for another very close near fall. Baker caught Rae with a superkick and the Adam Cole Special for the win.
Best Friends (Chuck Taylor & Trent Beretta) defeated Angélico & Jack Evans
This was a really good tag match, especially towards the end. The Best Friends were firmly in control early. They went to hug, but Angélico and Evans broke it up. The fans booed them stopping the hug. Angélico and Evans used a back suplex and double foot stomp. In a cool spot, Angélico flipped Evans into a standing shooting star press for a near fall.
Angélico and Evans isolated Beretta on their side of the ring. Beretta fought back and caught Evans with a clothesline. Taylor got the hot tag but got cut off. Taylor fought back and hit the falcon arrow for a near fall. Taylor hit the standing sliced bread on Angélico on the floor.
Taylor hit a double foot stomp on Evans for a two count. Taylor and Beretta finally hugged to a big pop. Evans and Angélico fought back. Evans leaped off of Angélico’s back and hit Taylor. Angélico gave Evans a suplex into a splash of a near fall. Angelico placed Beretta on his back. Evans jumped off of Beretta’s back onto Taylor on the floor. Angélico gave Beretta a running crucifix bomb into the corner. Evans hit the 630, but Taylor broke up the pin attempt.
The fans broke into a loud “AEW” and “This is Awesome,” chants. Angélico missed a dive to the floor. Taylor followed up with his dive. The finish came when Best Friends hit the crusher/stomp combo for the win.
After the match, Best Friends hugged Evans and Angélico. The lights went out. When they came back on the Super Smash Bros (who weren’t identified) were standing in the ring. There were masked guys all around the ring as well. They attacked the two teams.
Hikaru Shida, Riho & Ryo Mizunami defeated Aja Kong, Yuka Sakazaki & Emi Sakura
This was a good match. Sakazaki tried to trick Shida and stomped on her foot. Kong and Mizunami squared off in the middle of the ring. Riho and Sakazaki had a great exchange. Riho bridged out of a pin attempt. Sakura rocked Riho and tossed her across the ring. The fans broke into a “Woman’s Wrestling” chant.
Kong rocked Riho with a stiff kick to the back. She followed up with an elbow drop for a near fall. Kong hit a huge piledriver on Riho for a close near fall. Riho rolled up Sakazaki and hit a double foot stomp. Mizunami got the hot tag and ran wild until running into Kong.
Mizunami hit Kong with a spear. Riho hit the 619 on Kong, but Kong fought back and hit a huge backdrop driver for a near fall. Kong missed a big elbow. Shida got the tag, but Kong brought in a metal can. Shida brought in a kendo stick. Kong got the better of the exchange. Sakura got the fans chanting “We Will Rock You.” She hit a running cross body splash in the corner.
Shida and Sakura traded stiff shots in the middle of the ring. Kong gave Riho and Mizunami a double suplex. Sakazaki hit a huge crossbody to the floor, taking them both out. Sakura hit a moonsault on Shida for a very close near fall. The bell rang, but the referee said it was only a two count. The fans booed, but the match continued. On the replay, it was only a two count.
Kong missed a back fist on Shida and hit Sakura. The finish came when Shida hit the shining wizard for the win.
Cody (w/Brandi Rhodes) defeated Dustin Rhodes
Before the match, a throne with skulls appeared. It looked similar to something Triple H would use for an entrance. Cody and Brandi entered and looked at the throne but walked to the ring.
Cody pulled out a sledgehammer from under the ring. The fans popped huge for this. Cody walked back to the throne and destroyed it with the sledgehammer to an even bigger pop. The fans erupted into a huge “Cody” chant.
This was a great match. The heat for this match was intense. Dustin had half his face painted red. The fans broke into a “Dusty” chant before the bell rang. The fans then broke into a “This is Awesome’ chant before they touched. Cody had the early advantage and did his old Stardust pose. The fans erupted for this.
Cody caught Dustin with a suicide dive. Dustin fought back and hit a flipping senton off the apron to the floor. The fans broke into a “You Still Got It” chant. Dustin was firmly in control when Cody slipped out the ring. He went into the crowd and drank from a bottle of water. He gave the bottle to Brandi.
Cody distracted referee Earl Hebner, and Brandi hit Dustin with the bottle. Cody took over and slowed the pace down. He caught Dustin with a power slam for a near fall. Dustin fired up and fought back. Cody missed a charge in the corner. He set Cody up for Shattered Dreams, but Cody pulled off the turnbuckle pad. Dustin threw the pad into the crowd.
Cody regained control by sending Dustin into the exposed turnbuckle. Brandi then speared Dustin on the floor. Henber saw and sent Brandi to the back. The fans popped big for her being thrown out. She didn’t want to go back, so Diamond Dallas Page came out and carried her to the back.
Dustin was busted open and bleeding all over the place. Cody hit a standing dropkick for a two count. Cody took the blood and spread it across his chest. Blood covers Dustin’s entire face. Dustin missed a power slam and Cody hit a curb stomp for a near fall.
Dustin is bleeding like crazy. There are pools of blood all over the ring. The story is that Dustin can’t see because of the blood. Dustin fought back and hit a power slam for a close near fall. Cody regained control and locked on the figure four leg lock. Dustin reversed the hold, but they fell into the ropes.
Cody took off his belt, but Dustin sent him into the corner. He pulled down Cody’s tights and beat him with the belt. Dustin hit the Canadian Destroyer for a near fall. The fans broke into a loud “AEW” chant. Dustin hit a superplex and Cross Rhodes for a very close near fall. The fans popped big.
Dustin set up for Cross Rhodes, but Cody used a low blow and hit the Cross Rhodes for a two count. Dustin made a comeback and hit a second Cross Rhodes for a close near fall. They collided in the middle of the ring. The finish came when Cody hit the Cross Rhodes on Dustin for the win.
After the match, the fans chanted “Thank You, Dustin.” Cody grabbed the mic and told Dustin he couldn’t retire tonight. Cody needs a favor. He put his name down for a match in Jacksonville, and he needs a partner against The Young Bucks. Cody said he doesn’t need a partner or friend. He needs his older brother. The fans gave this a gigantic pop. This was a very emotional moment. The fans chanted “Dusty.” Cody and Dustin walked to the back together.
AEW World Championship Presentation
Bret Hart came out for the presentation with the belt. He got a big reaction from the fans. He said he’s grateful to be there tonight. He introduced Hangman Adam Page and said he’d face either Chris Jericho or Kenny Omega next month. He quickly corrected himself and said it would be in a few months.
Before he could speak, MJF interrupted. He mocked Hart for being attacked by a fan at the Hall of Fame. He said the fans are jealous that he’s the future of AEW. He feels that Page got a fluke victory earlier and should give him the title shot. MJF mocked Hart’s catchphrase.
MJF started to leave when Jungle Boy came out. MJF said he didn’t have time for Jungle Boy and started to walk away. Suddenly, Jimmy Havoc came out. The three faces surrounded MJF. Page threw MJF into the crowd. Havoc and Jungle Boy followed him into the crowd.
In the ring, Hart held up the AEW Championship, which got a big pop. The fans broke into an “AEW” chant.
AAA World Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) defeated The Lucha Bros. (Pentagon Jr. & Fénix) To Retain The Titles
This was a great match. The fans gave both teams huge reactions when they entered. Nick and Fénix had and an awesome exchange on the floor. The Lucha Bros rocked Matt with a double superkick to the head. Pentagon and Fenix hit a splash for a near fall. Matt press slammed Fénix and hit a spear on Pentagon. Nick accidentally hit Matt in the back.
Nick caught Pentagon with a hurricanrana and caught Fénix with a superkick. Pentagon sent Matt into the corner. Nick missed a dropkick and hit Matt in the back again. In a crazy spot, Fenix dropped Nick on the top rope. He ran up the ropes using Matt and caught Nick with a hurricanrana for a near fall. He followed up with a cutter for a near fall.
Matt fought back and hit a flipping stunner. Matt hit three rolling Northern Lights Suplexes. He set up for the sharpshooter, but Pentagon broke it up. Nick caught Fénix with a slingshot facebuster and nailed a moonsault off the apron on Pentagon on the floor.
Nick hit a running bulldog/clothesline combo on the Lucha Bros. Matt and Nick both locked on sharpshooters on the Lucha Bros, but they made it to the ropes. The Bucks hit the running powerbomb/enziguri combo. They followed up with a powerbomb/sliced bread combo for a near fall. Pentagon rocked the Bucks with chops. Matt and Pentagon fought on the apron. Nick sent Fénix to the apron. Pentagon them leaped off of Fénix’s back and caught Matt with a Canadian Destroyer on the apron.
Fénix then hit Canadian Destroyer on Nick into the ring. In another crazy spot, Fénix hit a dive off of Pentagon to the floor. Fénix hit a Swanton bomb on Nick for a near fall. Fénix leaped off the top, but the Bucks caught him with double superkicks. In a crazy spot, Matt gave Fénix a brainbuster on the top turnbuckle.
The Bucks hit More Bang For Your Buck for a close two count. The Bucks hit the assisted package piledriver for a near fall. They attempted the Meltzer Driver, but Fénix broke it up. Pentagon snapped Matt’s arm and hit the Pentagon Driver for a near fall. Fénix charged at Matt but caught him in the tombstone. Matt held him up with one arm. They hit the Meltzer Driver for the win.
Chris Jericho defeated Kenny Omega
Chris Jericho got a special entrance. They had someone dressed up as Jericho from different times in his career including, the Lion Heart, The List, and the light up jacket.
This was another great match with a major surprise at the end with the debut of Jon Moxley (Dean Ambrose). Jericho had the early advantage. Omega attempted a hurricanrana, but Jericho countered with the Walls of Jericho. Jericho caught Omega with a sliding dropkick. Omega fought back and jumped on the guardrail. Jericho shoved him into the crowd. Jericho grabbed the camera and started filming Omega. Omega spit water into the camera and Jericho’s face. Omega broke his nose and is bleeding.
Omega sent Jericho to the floor. Jericho pulled out a table and tried to block Omega. Omega hit a sliding dropkick into the table. Omega then hit a dive onto the table, which landed on Jericho. Ross noted that Jericho stood there because he didn’t think Omega would hit the dive.
Omega hit a huge double foot stomp from the top rope to the floor onto the table covering Jericho. Omega hit a V-Trigger to the back of the head. Omega hit a back suplex off the top. Omega went for the V-Trigger, but Jericho fought back. Jericho attempted the lionsault, but Omega got his knees up.
Omega attempted the One-Winged Angel, but Jericho slipped out the back. Jericho hit two lion saults for a near fall. Omega attempted a powerbomb, but Jericho backdropped Omega through a table on the floor.
Jericho caught Omega with a springboard dropkick. Omega flipped over and landed on top of his head on the apron. Omega jumped off the top, but Jericho caught him with the Codebreaker for a near fall. Omega fought back and hit a snapdragon suplex.
Jericho attempted the Walls, but Omega fought out. Omega went for the V-Trigger, but Jericho caught him in the Walls. Omega almost made the ropes, but Jericho pulled him to the middle. Omega fought out and hit the V-Trigger.
Jericho went for the lion sault, but Omega caught him in the One-Winged Angel. Jericho countered into a DDT. They went for this spot earlier but pulled it off this time. The finish came when Jericho hit the Judas Effect for the win. Jericho takes on Hangman Page for the AEW World Championship in the future.
After the match, Jericho grabbed the mic and said he doesn’t care what the fans think. He called the fans Marks. He said he knows it’s his time now. He told the fans to shut up. He said Chris Jericho is AEW. He said this isn’t a company for the fans. It’s a company for him.
Jericho said he’s the reason for selling out and the TV deal. He demands a thank you from the fans and AEW.
Suddenly, Jon Moxley walked through the crowd and into the ring. The fans went crazy and popped big Moxley. He hit the double under hook DDT on Jericho and the referee. The fans broke into a “Moxley” chant. Moxley waved at Omega and helped him up. He tried to DDT Omega, but Omega pushed him to the floor. They landed on the broken table.
Omega and Moxley fought through the crowd. The fans broke into a massive “AEW” chant. They fought on top of the giant poker chips that are part of the entrance. Moxley gave Omega the DDT on the poker chips. Moxley then threw Omega off the top onto the stage. This was a great way to end an excellent PPV
