Now-former AEW Tag Team Champion Nicholas Jackson has been working with a separated shoulder that has been bothering him for weeks.
That news comes from Bryan Alvarez who made note of the injury in his AEW Dynamite recap for this website. He didn’t provide details on when it was suffered or how.
Nicholas and Matthew Jackson lost the titles on Wednesday’s Fright Night Dynamite to Private Party and then announced they would be “working from home” as they left the arena due to the AEW scene being too chaotic.
The brothers have been working regular dates the last few months with no long stretches of inactivity so it’s unclear when the injury was sustained.
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On last night’s Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer noted that the high-flying Bandido is ready to return at any time.
Bandido injured his wrist in June 2023 and after an initial surgery in July, the wrist didn’t heal properly and he had to undergo a second surgery in December 2023. There was hope he would return in April or May of 2024, but that hasn’t been the case.
Meltzer noted the 29-year-old was backstage in Salt Lake City, Utah, during last week’s Dynamite but wasn’t sure if he was in Cleveland for Wednesday’s show.
AEW wrestler Bandido will be out of action for a few more months after undergoing a second wrist surgery.
Bandido hasn’t wrestled since June due to his wrist injury. He had his first surgery done in July but suffered a setback in his recovery when the wrist didn’t heal properly after surgery. Bandido underwent his second surgery on December 16.
In the new edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reports that it’s expected Bandido will probably be able to return to the ring in May — but there’s hope that he’ll be back in April. Bandido was considering the option of undergoing physiotherapy instead of surgery, but that would have meant working on a messed up wrist for the remainder of his career.
Meltzer wrote:
Bandido had his second wrist surgery on 12/16. As noted previously, his left wrist didn’t heal properly from the first surgery. He had considered not having surgery but then he would be working the rest of his career on a messed up wrist. The time line for a return we were told is probably May but hopeful for April.
2nd surgery was successfull In first place a wanna say thank you to God for always keep with me! To @AEWworkers and fans!! who always support me!! and in a very special mention @TonyKhan for all the attentions that he’ve had to me and my family THANK YOU VERY MUCH
The 28-year-old Bandido most recently competed in a loss to Konosuke Takeshita on the June 16 episode of AEW Rampage.
AEW announced the signing of Bandido in November 2022. The luchador is a former ROH World Champion and PWG World Champion.
Bandido has undergone successful wrist surgery for a second time.
The AEW star wrote on X Saturday that he had undergone surgery once again for his wrist, thanking the fans and Tony Khan for his support.
“2nd surgery was successfull In first place a wanna say thank you to God for always keep with me!,” he wrote. ”To @AEW workers and fans!! who always support me!! and in a very special mention @TonyKhan for all the attentions that he’ve had to me and my family THANK YOU VERY MUCH”
Earlier in December, Bandido wrote on X that he had three options regarding his wrist, saying it was still bad, and two of those options required surgery. A third would be physiotherapy, but he needed to see how the wrist would respond to it.
“I feel very bad because I just started my new chapter in AEW and now I don’t have clean how long time it will take outside to the ring,” he wrote at the time. “I’m very sorry with the company and the fans who still supporting me in this bad time. I’m trying to do my best in this hard time of my life and I hope see you All as soon as possible thank you very much for all your love.”
Bandido has been out of action since June with the injury, having last wrestled on the June 14 edition of AEW Rampage, losing to Konosuke Takeshita.
Bandido is going to be out of action for longer than expected.
The 28-year-old suffered a triangular fibrocartilage complex injury (bones that connect the forearm to the wrist) in June during a match with Konosuke Takeshita. It is believed he had surgery to repair the injury in early July and had been on track to return in December. He was booked for a show with the Riot promotion in Mexico on December 9.
Our own Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez addressed Bandido’s status on today’s Wrestling Observer Radio, noting that his arm did not heal properly from his first surgery, requiring him to have another.
“Bad news for Bandido, by the way,” Meltzer said. “Another surgery on the wrist. It didn’t heal properly.”
“That’s not good,” Alvarez said.
“No, it’s not good at all,” Meltzer continued. “It’s really too bad because he was literally ready to come right back and the bone didn’t heal well, which is really sad. The guy’s got so much charisma.”
AEW injuries to top names such as Bryan Danielson, Adam Cole, and Jon Moxley have resulted in creative challenges for the company. Meltzer writes that the multiple injuries have had a “domino effect” on AEW’s booking plans.
“The injury situation has greatly affected the booking as so many plans are made and have to be changed and when they are changed, it’s start from scratch and develop new plans, especially since Danielson, Cole and Jon Moxley were all figured into key things and so much had to be changed which created a domino effect on all the plans,” Meltzer wrote.
Regarding the broken orbital bone Danielson suffered recently, Meltzer writes that it occurred late in his match with Andrade El Idolo on the October 21 AEW Collision.
“The spot was about a minute before the finish when Andrade went for a spinning elbow and the two men’s heads accidentally collided with Andrade’s head hitting Danielson in the eye area,” Meltzer wrote.
AEW is hopeful Danielson will be ready to return by the end of the year, but his involvement in WrestleKingdom on January 4, 2024, is in doubt.
Mercedes Mone has been out of action with a broken ankle since NJPW Resurgence in May. Meltzer writes that there are no plans for her to return to NJPW or Stardom anytime soon.
“While this can change, right now there are no dates scheduled for Mone with New Japan or Stardom or for the singles match with Giulia for the title that was created for Mone and planned for when she was ready to return,” Meltzer wrote. “Evidently, when she’s ready to return they have to decide on costs and dates.”
Mone was seen with her foot still in a full cast when she attended AEW All In on August 27. Giulia will defend the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship against Trish Adora on the January 13, 2024, NJPW show in San Jose.
WWE’s Liv Morgan has been out of action since July with a shoulder injury. Meltzer wrote in the Observer that she is expected to return soon.
Bandido is also expected to return from injury soon. He suffered a triangular fibrocartilage complex injury (bones that connect the forearm to the wrist) in a match against Konosuke Takeshita in June. Bandido has been booked for a show in December, and Meltzer writes he’s likely a few weeks away from returning.
“Bandido is booked on the 12/9 Riot promotion show in Mexico, which means he’s a few weeks away from being able to return,” he wrote.
Sammy Guevara also provided an update on his condition recently. He has been out since WrestleDream with a concussion. He noted in a post to his Instagram Stories yesterday that he still has not been cleared to return.
Three championship matches are scheduled as part of tonight’s ROH TV on HonorClub.
Athena will put her ROH Women’s World Championship on the line against Angelina Love on the show. She will be seeking her 14th successful title defense. This will be Love’s first match in ROH since Tony Khan purchased the company. She is a former Women of Honor Champion, having held the title briefly in 2019.
Katsuyori Shibata will also put the ROH Pure Championship on the line tonight. He defends the title against Nick Wayne, who will be making his ROH debut.
ROH Six Man Tag Team Champions The Mogul Embassy will defend their titles on Thursday’s show as well when they face Willie Mack and The Infantry. Brian Cage and The Gates of Agony’s title defense against The Hung Bucks will air on Friday’s episode of Rampage.
Other matches scheduled for tonight’s show include Leyla Hirsch and The Renegades taking on Willow Nightingale, Skye Blue, and Kiera Hogan, Lee Johnson vs. Lee Moriarty, Ethan Page vs. VSK, and more.
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The show started with a promo from the new Ring of Honor World Champion Eddie Kingston, who talked about not liking Claudio Castagnoli, but respecting his talents. He dedicated the title win to former ROH World Champion Xavier, who passed away in 2020.
ROH Pure Title Match – Katsuyori Shibata (c) defeated Nick Wayne
This was Shibata’s sixth title defense. The judges for this title match were Dalton Castle, Jerry Lynn, and Jimmy Jacobs.
The two jockeyed for position early on, with Shibata almost scoring with a Penalty Kick. Shibata snatched on an ankle lock soon after, with Wayne having to use his first rope break at 2:30. Wayne feigned injury to bait Shibata to the floor, but Shibata sent Wayne into the barricades anyway. Shibata held serve on Wayne until Wayne knocked Shibata down with a running forearm.
Wayne knocked Shibata into the corner before hitting Shibata’s signature shotgun dropkick on Shibata himself. Shibata woke up and drilled Wayne with a forearm before following with the shotgun dropkick on Wayne. Shibata locked on the Cobra Twist, forcing Wayne to use his second rope break at 8:00. Wayne immediately used his third rope break to escape a hold before dropping Shibata with a neckbreaker for a nearfall.
Wayne hit a pair of high kicks and went for Wayne’s World, but Shibata caught him in a sleeper hold. Shibata sat Wayne down and hit the Penalty Kick to win and retain the title.
Lexy Nair was backstage with Lee Johnson, who was quickly interrupted by Lee Moriarty & Shane Taylor. Moriarty mockingly offered a handshake before Taylor got in Johnson’s face. They broke away before things got physical.
Diamante defeated Catie Brite
This was a quick showcase for Diamante, who won with Rolling The Dice.
Lexy Nair was backstage with The Infantry & Willie Mack. Carlie Bravo said that they have become one of the hottest teams in ROH, and alongside Willie Mack, they would win the titles.
Lee Moriarty (w/Shane Taylor) defeated Lee Johnson
It’s a Lee Derby here in State College, PA. After jockeying for position, Johnson picked up the pace and sent Moriarty to the floor with a dropkick. Johnson met Moriarty on the floor and peppered him with chops. Back in the ring, Moriarty cut off Johnson with a kitchen sink knee. Moriarty hit a bridging suplex for a nearfall.
Johnson fought out of a Ground Cobra and avoided another kitchen sink knee before taking Moriarty down with a lariat. Johnson fired up, hitting a Blue Thunder Bomb for a nearfall. Moriarty yanked Johnson into the turnbuckle, but Johnson drilled Moriarty with a superkick. Johnson hit a frog splash, but Moriarty got his foot on the ropes to break the pin. Moriarty dropped Johnson on the ropes neck first before hitting a leg lariat to score the clean win.
In a pre-tape, Athena held Minion Training with Billie Starkz & Lexy Nair. Their tasks included rigorous exercise, booing Willow Nightingale, and attempting to scare the Renegade Twins. According to Athena, Lexy passed her training, but Starkz did not. This was very silly.
After the opening salvo, Adora had Martinez in a fireman’s carry before Diamante distracted her. Martinez laid Adora out with a main event spinebuster. Diamante got some shots in on Adora while the referee was distracted by Martinez. Martinez hit the Anarchist Suplex for a nearfall.
Adora caught Martinez with a bridging German suplex from her knees before following with a senton for a nearfall. Martinez hit a half-and-half suplex before hitting a running forearm. Martinez followed with a rabbit forearm before locking on the Brass City Sleeper to score the submission win.
ROH Women’s World Title Match – Athena (w/Billie Starkz) (c) defeated Angelina Love
This was Athena’s fifteenth defense of the title.
Athena is wrestling in street clothes. The two traded kip-ups before Athena dropped Love with a back heel kick and a meteora for a nearfall. Love rolled to the floor and apprehended Starkz, then sent Starkz into Athena to gain control. Back in the ring, Love hit a sidewalk slam for a nearfall.
Athena bit her way out of a chinlock before firing up with a combo that ended with a low enzuigiri. Athena hit a handspring forearm before going to the top rope, but Love cut her off. Love ducked a corner charge before hitting the Botox Injection for a nearfall. Athena came back with her double knee facebuster to win and retain.
Lexy Nair was backstage with Maria Kanellis-Bennett, Cole Karter, & Griff Garrison. Garrison said that he felt he’s lost a step since returning from injury and that teaming with Karter seemed like a relatively good idea.
Hogan quickly got the upper hand on Robyn Renegade, hitting a hip attack and a low dropkick for a nearfall. Blue tagged in and hit a rising knee before landing a superkick for a nearfall. Charlette and Hirsch yanked Blue’s partners off the ropes before the Renegades hit a double suplex on Blue for a nearfall.
Maria Kanellis-Bennett made her way to the stage to watch.The Renegades double-teamed Blue before Hirsch tagged in. Hirsch rag-dolled Blue around with suplexes before snatching Blue’s arm in a cross armbreaker. Blue rolled her up to escape before tagging in Nightingale, who ran wild on all three opponents.
Nightingale hit a double suplex on both Renegades for a nearfall. The match broke down into a Pier Six brawl before Nightingale hit a Pounce on Hirsch. Nightingale hit a DVD on Charlette before Blue hit a Code Blue to score the win.
Lexy Nair was backstage with Mark Sterling, Tony Nese, & Spanish Announce Project. Nese was very condescending to his partners tonight.
Ethan Page defeated VSK
Page hit a powerslam and set up for Ego’s Edge, but VSK escaped and fought back. Page hit a cradle slam, similar to Rhea Ripley’s Riptide, before hitting the outside-in cutter to score the quick win.
El Hijo del Vikingo, Gravity & Metalik (w/Alex Abrahantes) vs. Spanish Announce Project (Angelico & Serpentico) & Tony Nese (w/Mark Sterling)
Metalik started off with Serpentico, quickly taking him down with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Gravity & Angelico tagged in, with Gravity sending Angelico to the floor with a lucha armdrag. Vikingo & Nese came in, with Vikingo hammering Nese with kicks before sending him to the floor with a dropkick. Vikingo hit a step-up twisting tornillo to the floor before his partners followed with dives of their own.
Metalik came in, but Sterling cut him off in the ropes and allowed Nese to take control. Angelico tagged in and tied Metalik in knots before he reached the ropes, all the while arguing with Nese. Angelico brought Metalik to the top rope, but Metalik brought him down with a sunset flip powerbomb. Gravity tagged in and ran wild, hitting a powerslam and a standing moonsault for a nearfall.
The match broke down into a Pier Five brawl – Vikingo hasn’t been around since the dive – before Nese tried to unmask Gravity. Serpentico took offense to that, leading to both SAP members bailing on the match. Metalik tagged in and hit a rope walk senton for the win.
Lexy Nair was backstage with Ethan Page. He hasn’t felt this good in a while, not since he challenged MJF for the AEW World Title in his hometown of Hamilton, Ontario. He wanted to get back to that feeling, so he’s here in ROH to keep competing.
Action Andretti & Darius Martin defeated Cole Karter & Griff Garrison (w/Maria Kanellis-Bennett)
Karter was outpaced by Martin, so he quickly tagged out to Garrison. Andretti & Martin outsmarted Garrison, fooling him with a blind tag to score with a double team. After Karter and Maria tripped up Martin, Garrison dropped him with a big boot. Karter kept control of Martin, with Maria helping on the outside to Garrison’s dismay.
Martin fought off a double team to make the tag to Andretti, who ran wild on both men. After a scramble, Karter tried getting a roll-up with his feet on the ropes. Garrison knocked his feet off the ropes, not wanting to cheat to win. Martin and Andretti took advantage, isolating Karter before Andretti hit a springboard 450 to score the win.
ROH World Six Man Tag Team Title Match – The Mogul Embassy (Bishop Kaun, Brian Cage & Toa Liona) (w/Prince Nana) (c) defeated The Infantry (Carlie Bravo & Shawn Dean) & Willie Mack (w/Trish Adora)
This was the Mogul Embassy’s tenth title defense.
Bravo & Dean isolated Kaun with a wishbone before Liona tagged in. Liona dropped Bravo with a lariat before Kaun came in with a senton. Cage tagged in to continue the offensive on Bravo. Bravo fought his way to the tag to Mack, who took Cage down multiple times.
Mack fought off all three of the Embassy before hitting a yakuza kick on Cage for a nearfall. Cage cut Mack off and hit his outside-in superplex. Bravo tagged in and dropped both Cage and Kaun before avoiding Liona’s charge. The Infantry isolated Liona, drilling him with kicks before Mack hit a Stunner. The Infantry hit a double suplex on Liona before tagging Mack. Mack hit a frog splash on Cage for a nearfall.
The match broke down into a Pier Six brawl, with the Embassy isolating Mack. Liona and Kaun hit Open The Gates on Mack to score the win and retain the titles.
Injury updates are available for several wrestlers.
Our own Dave Meltzer addressed the status of Bryan Danielson, Mercedes Mone, and Bandido in the latest edition of The Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Danielson has been out of action since Forbidden Door 2 when he suffered a broken arm in his match against Kazuchika Okada. He underwent surgery to repair the injury on July 3 and was expected to be out for three months, missing Grand Slam on September 20.
Meltzer wrote in Friday’s newsletter that Danielson has been told he will be able to return in October. It could be a “photo finish” to see if he’s cleared in time for WrestleDream in Seattle on October 1.
“It will probably need a photo finish, but Bryan Danielson was told he could return in October, and being in Seattle, that would be the place if everything goes well and if he can cross the finish line by those dates,” Meltzer wrote.
Mone’s situation is not as clear. She was shown in the stands at Wembley Stadium but Tony Khan emphasized on yesterday’s media call that Mone will not be cleared by WrestleDream. Meltzer wrote in Friday’s newsletter that her foot is still in a cast and she was using a wheelchair at the airport in London.
“We do know from people who saw her this weekend that her foot was in a full cast still and when she was at the airport in London, she had someone wheeling her around in a wheelchair,” Meltzer wrote.
Bandido suffered a triangular fibrocartilage complex injury (bones that connect the forearm to the wrist) in his match against Konosuke Takeshita on the June 14 AEW Rampage taping. It is believed he had surgery to repair the injury in early July and is on track to return sometime this month.
“Bandido has the cast off his wrist so he should be back soon. He got the pin taken out two weeks ago and September was originally when he was expected to return,” Meltzer wrote.
The former ROH World Champion suffered an injury to his wrist during a match against Konosuke Takeshita on the 6/14 AEW Rampage taping. On 6/17, Bandido posted to Facebook that doctors diagnosed it as a triangular fibrocartilage complex injury that would require immediate surgery. However, Bandido said he would seek a second opinion.
On July 6, he posted a photo of himself in a hospital bed.
There is no timetable for Bandido’s return to the ring. However, according to one online medical resource, recovery time after surgery for a triangular fibrocartilage complex injury can be up to six months.
The injury comes at a time when Bandido and AAA have come into conflict regarding Bandido working the 6/2 show in Tijuana for The Crash. Konnan would say on his podcast that Flamita is done with AAA for the same reasons.
The debut of Collision, AEW’s ratings decline and reasons and what the return of Punk will tell us
The problems Collision will have from the get go
Why the success of Collision is so important financially to AEW
The reaction as far as cheering and booing for Punk outside of Chicago and what is far more important than booing or cheering
Oversaturation of television in the marketplace
Ticket sales for Collision and all AEW & WWE events this summer
Update on WWE negotiations
Value of WWE to a new station with interest
The situation with WBD and potentially getting WWE
How many homes the key stations that could carry WWE & AEW are in right now
Conor McGregor sexual assault charge
Lawyer Eric Anderson breaks down the judges ruling to continue the MLW lawsuit against WWE, WWE’s arguments on antitrust, the judges reaction and what comes next
B.J. Whitmer fired
Full details on G-1 Climax tournament, the blocks, the favorites, the key matches and some storylines to look for going in
Update on the Forbidden Door show and business and key things to learn from about the business results
UFC 289 coverage including the retirement of Amanda Nunes, why, what about the titles she retires and other storyline notes from the most recent show and business notes as well
Updates on WWE Money in the Bank
Full coverage of All Together Now, the Japanese show with New Japan, All Japan and NOAH’s top talent and how it went down
Coverage of Final X
The most detailed look at the ratings of the wrestling and MMA shows this past week, with key breakdowns, segment-by-segment, who watches, rankings in sports and entertainment for the week
An attempt to make a superstar with a new character later this month
Update on Rush in AAA and TripleMania
New Japan Strong goes to Japan
More on the longest world title reigns in wrestling history
Movie on wrestling star to be released in September
Against All Odds results and Slammiversary notes
New AEW hires
What was Brock Lesnar’s biggest-ever one night payoff?
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Sunday Update
Bryan and I did our weekend show last night after Collision and will be back tomorrow night after Raw. Garrett and I also did our weekly show covering the news of the week.
We talked extensively about Collision on last night’s show. Collision was the No. 10 most searched topic on Google yesterday, although the number was listed was 20,000. That would seem to indicate a good rating. I expected a good number with the debut of a new show that has been promoted for a month and C.M. Punk’s return being heavily promoted as well. It’s more about the staying power past the novelty but all indications I had was interest in this show was high. I don’t know the cost, but getting Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting as the theme was cool as hell.
Regarding Punk’s interview, the key comment was the saying David Zaslov calling him “1 bill Phil” and the reference to the counterfeit Bucks, that line was approved by management. The 1 bill Phil line was taken by many as a reference to the supposed $1 billion deal that AEW was supposedly getting in a new five-year contract with WBD (Zaslov is the head of WBD). AEW and Tony Khan have been quiet on that story and all negotiation stories which is why I was surprised on television they would have a reference to that. It was ambiguous enough that you could just say it was a line in a promo.
The Young Bucks made a reference on Twitter just saying that if this was the old days there would already be a Counterfeit Bucks T-shirt at Pro Wrestling Tees.
No update on Jim Ross past him writing that he was going to take time away to heal.
Regarding the Bandido injury, which took place in the match with Konosuke Takeshita that aired on Rampage, it was described as a freak injury as he planed his hand to break his fall and his wrist broke. Whether he has surgery or not, which he said is likely to be determined tomorrow, he will be out of action for a while.
AEW has to release the entire undercard for Forbidden Door next week and also hard sell. The New Japan members haven’t been announced but their tour is over so everyone from New Japan on Forbidden Door would be available for Wednesday in Chicago as well as Saturday night in Toronto. None have been announced yet and if they do an angle with Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay in Chicago the reaction will be probably not be favorable to Omega while in Toronto it would likely be extremely favorable, but Toronto is Collision which is the show Omega normally wouldn’t work. It will be a very interesting week of match announcements and fan reactions.
For the week in Google searches, the only thing besides Collision from boxing or MMA or wrestling on the list was Conor McGregor at No. 5 on Thursday for the sexual assault allegation story.
TMZ had a video here that showed McGregor and the accuser at a club after the basketball game and after the claim he sexually assaulted her.
Local Ch. 10 has a report on this including some messages from the alleged victim, an interview with the attorney who made claims about how the police reacted and the basic insinuation from the police that the story wasn’t correct.
Smackdown on Friday in Lexington at Rupp Arena drew the largest gate in the history of pro wrestling in Kentucky. It was not close to the largest audience but still an all-time gate record is still notable.
After Collision went off the air, Dax Harwood said he gets a lot of crap for what he says and blamed it on being Punk’s best friend. He said it’s not Dynamite vs. Collision and it’s all AEW. CM Punk spoke up in support of LGBTQ and said that the ice cream bars he gave out from two years ago was to support trans youth and didn’t get ice cream bars this time because he thought everyone hated him. (thanks to Eric Krol)
WWE in Cincinnati with a rare Roman Reigns house show:
Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn b Finn Balor & Dominik Mysterio to keep the tag titles when Zayn pinned Mysterio
Austin Theory b Sheamus to keep the U.S. title
Bobby Lashley b Karrion Kross
Becky Lynch & Michin & Zelina Vega & Shotzi b Bayley & Iyo Sky & Chelsea Green & Zoe Stark when Lynch used the disarmer on on Green
Seth Rollins b Damien Priest to keep the world title
Chad Gable & Otis b Viking Raiders
Gunther won a three-way over Shinsuke Nakamura and Matt Riddle to keep the IC title beating Nakamura
Roman Reigns b Rey Mysterio to keep the Universal title. There was interference by Sikoa, Usos and Dominik Mysterio and Rey took out Dominik and got in the ring and Reigns speared him. (thanks to Shannon Walsh)
Two matches from Japan yesterday I was told to try and watch were Kento Miyahara & Yuma Aoyagi vs. Atsuki Aoyagi & Rising Hayato for the All Japan world tag titles and the Jake Lee vs. Takashi Sugiura match for the GHC title in NOAH.
The 6/30 Rampage will air on TSN 2 at 10 p.m. Rampage almost never airs on television in Canada. (thanks to Jeff Zinger)
Other Notes
MCW runs Saturday night at the RJ Meyer Arena in Joppa, MD.
ICW No Holds Barred from Friday night in Berwyn, IL: Tommy Vendetta b Nate Webb, Dr. Redacted b Satu Jinn, Bobby Beverly b Eric Ryan, Shazza McKenzie b Danny Demanto, John Wayne Murdoch & Reed Bentley b LuFisto & Mickie Knuckles, Hoodfoot won over Abdullah Kobayashi, Krule and Tank (Thanks to Leonard Brand)
Insane Wrestling Revolution from Thursday night in Monroe, MI: Jason Hotch b KJ Reynolds, Zack Thomas & Damien Chambers b Saint Brother & Aaron Arion & Tommy Vendetta, Madman Fulton b Jackson Stone, Tanner Nix & Nikki Ratu b Sam Beale & Benjamin Boone, Trey Miguel & Myron Reed b Solomon Tupu & Conan, Buckeye Sam b Gia Miller,Sami Callihan b Ryan Matthias, Ace Austin b Dread King Logan to keep the U.S. title, N8 Mattson & Aren Daniel Norman & Ace Evans b DBA & Kenny Urban Rod Lee, Thomas Latimer b Big Kon. Next show is 8/2 with Rhino, The Rascalz and Latimer (thanks to Leonard Brand)
House of Glory sold out Friday night in New York: Nolo Kitano b Mike Bailey, Encore & Ken Broadway b Smoothe Blackmon & Michael Fain and Eden & Osedo, Ultra Violette b Kamar to keep the women’s title, Alex Shelley b Mighty Mante, Joey Silver won over Raheem Royal, Darren Richards and Ben Ruten, El Hijo del Vikingo b Charles Mason via DQ so Mason retained the Crown Jewel title, Matt Cardona b Carlito-DQ to retain the HOG title. Next sho w is 8/18 with Mason vs Eddie Kingston in a no holds barred match for the Crown Jewel title and a cage match with Amazing Red & BXL defending the tag tile against Midas Black & Jay Lyon, The Mane Event. (thanks to Samuel Rosenthal)
UWC on 6/24 in New Egypt, NJ at the American Legion for the company’s 200th event
Stardom from today in Tokyo: Mina Shirakawa & Xena b Natsuko Tora & Momo Watanabe, Syuri & Mirai & Ami Sohrei b Utami Hayashishita & Saya Kamitani & AZM, Suzu Suzuki b Starlight Kid, Giulia & Mika vs. Mayu Iwatani & Hazuki vs. Tam Nakano & Natsupoi was a 15:00 draw, Mariah May won a Rumble match to qualify for the Five Star Grand Prix over Aya Sakura, Lafy C, Waka Tsukiyama, Yuna Mizumori, Hanako, Miyu Amasaki, Saya Iida, Ruaka, Thekla, Koguma, Momo Kohgo, Fukigen Death, Rina, Mei Seira and Mai Sakurai
Bandido did not come out of this week’s AEW Rampage loss to Konosuke Takeshita unscathed.
The young star took to Facebook Saturday to say he suffered an injury to his left wrist during his Wednesday match that aired Friday. He said the first diagnosis was a triangular fibrocartilage complex injury that would require immediate surgery. However, he is going to get a second opinion on Monday.
According to one online medical resource, post-surgery recovery time can be up to three months that includes up to six weeks of wearing a stability brace while non-surgical recovery can also be up to three months depending on the severity of the tear.
Bandido posted on FB that he broke his wrist against Takeshita on Rampage. He needs surgery ASAP on Monday he's going for a second opinion. @luchablogpic.twitter.com/f2PhZ6IK5I
After officially signing with AEW last November, Bandido returned to action for the promotion in April after several months off due to visa issues. He has mainly been working in trios matches with the Takeshita bout just his second singles match since returning.
Despite the visa problems, the 28-year-old remained active during his AEW absence, appearing in Australia, Mexico, and Belgium for several international promotions.
On the eve of the debut of AEW Collision, AEW will begin their weekly run of two straight nights of action on TNT with Rampage.
In the featured match, United Empire (Will Ospreay, Jeff Cobb & Kyle Fletcher) will take on CHOAS (Chuck Taylor, Rocky Romero & Trent Beretta). Ospreay made his surprise return at the end of Dynamite to take out Forbidden Door opponent Kenny Omega.
In an unusual trios match, Mark Briscoe, his father, and referee Aubrey Edwards will face Jeff Jarrett, his wife Karen, and Jay Lethal. This will mark the AEW in-ring debuts for Briscoe’s father, Edwards, and Karen Jarrett.
Konosuke Takeshita will look to continue his run in his new mindset and Don Callis direction as he battles Bandido for the first time ever.
Another wrestler with a different mindset — Taya Valkyrie — will compete for the first time since losing to then-TBS Champion Jade Cargill at Double or Nothing. Valkyrie will go one-on-one with Trish Adora.
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AEW Rampage is underway with Jim Ross, Excalibur, Tony Schiavone & Chris Jericho on the call as the competitors of the opening contest are already in the ring.
United Empire (Will Ospreay, Jeff Cobb & Kyle Fletcher) defeated CHAOS (Rocky Romero, Chuck Taylor & Trent Beretta)
(A super fast paced opener that showcased what everyone is capable of with the most logical man getting the pinfall. This was a very fun party match.)
Beretta connected early with a standing Meteora on Fletcher, as Ospreay & Romero tagged in with Ospreay getting a loud ovation. Romero connected with a pop up hurricanrana, looked for a dive, but ran into the clutches of Cobb, who was mowed down by Taylor & Beretta. CHAOS took turns hitting dives to the floor as Romero did a double high five to Best Friends. Back inside, Ospreay was worked over until wiping out Taylor with a corkscrew kick to gain control into commercial.
Taylor tried to bodyslam Cobb and that wasn’t happening, so he settled for Sole Food as Beretta & Flethcer tagged in, slugging it out. Beretta connected with stalling rolling German suplexes into a Saito suplex, but Fletcher countered a Tornado DDT into a brainbuster. Roppongi Vice did their double team offense until Cobb deadlifted Beretta with a German suplex. Cobb no sold a few leaping double knees and finally was slammed by Taylor, as Best Friends hit the Sole Food half & half suplex before giving the people what they want with a triple hug. Cobb broke up the celebration by double suplexing Taylor & Beretta and countering a Romero hurricanrana into an overhead throw. Ospreay hit a diving forearm off the top, but Romero countered Hidden Blade into a backslide. Everyone started getting wiped out ending in Ospreay getting saved by Fletcher from a Sliced Bread by Romero, as Fletcher hit a Tombstone and Ospreay with Hidden Blade for the win.
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Taya Valkyrie defeated Trish Adora
(This was a relatively quick match to showcase the new attitude for Valkyrie. I’m not exactly sure why she is bitter at Kris Statlander, as she lost to Jade Cargill at Double or Nothing, so it’s not like Statlander stole her thunder. Regardless, I assume we’re getting Statlander vs. Valkyrie soon, so that should be very good.)
Valkyrie connected with early strikes, heeling it up for the crowd before connecting with charging corner double knees. Valkyrie started pie facing Adora, who got a forearm in the corner, but at Valkyrie kicks that Jim Ross called Idaho-esque. Valkyrie hit a sliding German suplex in the ropes, but wasted too much time, allowing Adora to battle back with strikes of her own. Adora missed a lariat and Valkyrie hit the Spear and violent stomp down to the head to get the victory.
-Lexy Nair is backstage asking The Hardys about the challenge from The Gunns on Dynamite. Matt officially accepted their challenge for next Wednesday night. The Gunns will be their stepping stone to becoming AEW Tag Team Champions. Jeff said they’ll do what The Gunns father has failed to do, make them famous.
Mark & Papa Briscoe and Aubrey Edwards defeated Jeff & Karen Jarrett and Jay Lethal (w/Sonjay Dutt & Satnam Singh)
(This match accomplished exactly what it set out to do as they saved the Karen & Aubrey interaction for the end. Papa Briscoe got in a few spots and had the crowd cheering, while Jeff & Lethal bumped all over.)
Excalibur thankfully made us aware that this is the first time Mark & Papa Briscoe are teaming with Edwards. Mark & Lethal briefly started before Jeff tagged in and did enough to do a little Fargo Strut. Mark battled back with hip tosses until Jeff bailed to tag his wife. Karen & Edwards squared off and Karen wasn’t having it, so she tagged Lethal, who got beat up by Mark & Papa Briscoe with a double suplex. Dutt distracted Mark long enough for Lethal to take control into commercial.
Right when we returned from break, Mark hit a double clothesline on Lethal & Jeff, as Papa Briscoe made the tag, as Lethal & Jeff neither wanted any, but got beat up anyways. Papa Briscoe turned Lethal inside out with a lariat, dropped Dutt with one on the apron and laid out Jeff with a spear. Edwards & Karen tagged in and started a cat fight before Edwards hit a few hair mares. Karen raked the eyes, went for a guitar shot, but Edwards took the guitar away, only for Lethal to distract long enough to stop it. Satnam Singh jumped on the apron, as referee Paul Turner took forever to notice the 7 footer and it allowed Edwards to smash the guitar over Lethal. Karen tried The Stroke on Edwards, who countered into the Figure Four Leg Lock for the submission win.
-Lexy Nair is backstage with Taya Valkyrie who said the crowd couldn’t get enough of her tonight. Valkyrie said we’ve heard enough of Kris Statlander, who walked into the shot. Valkyrie said she did all the work to soften up Cargill and is bitter that Statlander took her spotlight. Statlander said the open challenge is out there, but Valkyrie never officially accepted.
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-Mark Henry is about to introduce the main event when Don Callis interrupts with Konosuke Takeshita. Much like Kenny Omega, Takeshita only wrestles top level talent and he’s better than El Santo, Perro Aguayo & Ultimo Dragon. Omega has beaten a lot of great Mexican wrestlers, but he hasn’t beaten El Hijo del Don Callis, who calls Takeshita the new God of pro wrestling. Henry was absolutely baffled by Callis’ claims.
(The first half of this match was a little slow, with Takeshita taking time to show off his aggressive streak, but my goodness did this turn into one hell of a main event. The crowd was behind Bandido from the jump, certainly making this a close battle, but in the end, Takeshita wasn’t going to be denied.)
There’s an incredible image of Takeshita as a centaur with Callis riding him on the big screen during their entrance, as Callis joins commentary for our main event. Bandido tried a 21-Plex early, but Takeshita blocked and hit a slingshot dive to the floor. A running boot sent Bandido into the front row where they brawled briefly until back inside, Bandido countered a suplex into one of his own. The crowd chanted one more time, as Bandido obliged, holding Takeshita up with one arm for the suplex. Takeshita was stunned with a kick on the apron, allowing Bandido to hit a hurricanrana off the top on the apron to the floor. Callis had seen enough and made his way ringside while Takeshita caught a springboarding Bandido into a slam to take over into commercial.
Bandido tried to fight back, but Takeshita turned him inside out with a lariat. Takeshita took too long to capitalize, allowing Bandido to hit a spectacular tilt a whirl DDT followed by a massive moonsault to the floor. Back in the ring, Takeshita avoided another springboard and connected on a Blue Thunder Bomb for two. Takeshita went for a home run shot, but ran into the Bandido gorilla press and frog splash for a near fall. The crowd is solidly behind Bandido, who went to the corner with Takeshita, who opted for biting Bandido and hitting an avalanche lariat off the top. Takeshita missed the running knee, as Bandido hit the torture rack GTS, but as he tried 21-Plex, Takeshita landed on his feet. Takeshita tried a rolling German, but Bandido landed on his feet as well. Takeshita wanted a huge powerbomb, but Bandido countered into a Code Red for two. Bandido absolutely spiked Takeshita with a driver until both threw lariats until Takeshita hit his jumping knee, blindside forearm and Power Drive Knee for the victory.
AEW Collision 6/17/23
· CM Punk & AEW Tag Team Champions FTR vs. Switchblade Jay White, Juice Robinson & ROH TV Champion Samoa Joe
· Wardlow defends the TNT Title against Luchasaurus
· Miro returns to action
· We hear from The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass
· Skye Blue & Willow Nightingale face Toni Storm & Ruby Soho
· Buddy Matthews vs. Andrade El Idolo
AEW Dynamite 6/21/23
· AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy & ROH Pure Champion Katsuyori Shibata battle IWGP TV Champion Zack Sabre Jr. & Daniel Garcia
· The Hardys (Matt & Jeff) battle The Gunns (Austin & Colten)
Four women will vie for an AEW Women’s title shot on Friday’s Rampage on TNT from Colorado Springs, Colorado.
In a four-way former champions Britt Baker and Nyla Rose will face Skye Blue and former Ring of Honor Women’s Champion Mercedes Martinez. The winner will challenge current titleholder Toni Storm on this Wednesday’s Dynamite.
The plot will continue to thicken in the AEW trios division with two matches.
In one, ROH Tag Team Champions The Lucha Brothers (Penta & Rey Fenix) will unite with Bandido against former Firm teammates Ethan Page, Lee Moriarty & Big Bill. In the other bout, former AEW Tag Team Champions The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens & Max Caster) and Billy Gunn battle the Spanish Announce Project (Serpentico, Angelico & Luther).
Powerhouse Hobbs will return to action ahead of an anticipated move to the impending Collision show on Saturdays.
Our coverage begins at 10 PM Eastern.
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Taped in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Jim Ross, Excalibur, and Tony Schiavone were on commentary.
Bandido & The Lucha Brothers vs. Big Bill, Lee Moriarty, and Ethan Page
Ethan Page was teaming with his former partners in The Firm, even though his contract is now under the control of Matt Hardy. Because this match was signed before Hardy got control of the contract, you see. Page hit a nice-looking rana on Rey Fenix before tags were made to Bandido and Moriarty. Bandido hit Moriarty with a tornio and then a tijeras, before tags were made to Big Bill and Penta. Penta showed no fear facing Bill. Bill kept going for a choke on Penta, who kept breaking free with kicks. Pent tried for a tope through the ropes on Bill, who cut him off with a right hand. Bill whipped Penta into the barricade, and soon everyone was brawling around the ring.
After a split screen break, Bill overpowered Bandido in the corner. Bill hit Bandido with a boot, and Page hoisted Bandido from the mat into a powerslam for a near fall. Bandido slipped out of a powerbomb attempt and hit an enziguri, then got the tag to Ray Fenix. Fenix sent Page to the floor with a superkick, then the Lucha Bros took out Bill with a series of double team superkicks. Penta catapulted Bandio over the ropes into a torino onto their opponents on the floor. Back in the ring, Page took a beat from the Lucha Bros. Bill ate some more superkicks, and Moriarty caught a cutter from Fenix.
The Lucha Bros hit the Fear Factor on the ring apron on Moriarty. Page got his knees up when Bandido went for a splash. Page set up the Ego’s Edge, but the Hardys came out to chastise Page for not wearing the special arm sleeves that Jeff Hardy gifted Page. Page pulled his brand new arm sleeves up, but this distraction allowed Bandido to hit the 21-plex and get the pinfall.
– A QTV segment. They can’t think of an edgy idea for Collision that hasn’t already been done, so they agree to send Powerhouse Hobbs out to beat someone up.
Crush is from Colorado Springs, which is probably convenient for him since he’ll know where the hospital is. Hobbs destroyed this poor kid. Crush caught Hobbs with an enziguri. Hobbs bodyblocked him into the ropes and put him through the mat with a spinebuster to get the pinfall.
– Rene Paquette interviewed Arn Anderson and Wardlow about the beating Brock Anderson took at the hands of Christian Cage and Luchasaurus. Wardlow promised to make Cage and Luchasuarus pay, and talked about an open challenge he has next Wednesday with Jake Hager for the TNT title.
The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn defeated Serpentico, Angelico, and Luther
Collectively, Serpentico, Angelico and Luther are known as SAP, and in his rap Max Caster revealed what that really stood for.
The first four minutes of this match were just goofiness around scissoring spots before they went to a split-screen break.
After the break, Billy Gunn got the hot tag. Angelico caught Gunn with an enziguri and Luther got a near fall. Bowens got the tag and hit Luther with the Arrival, and Caster dropped the big elbow to get the pin. As a match, this was nothing but the crowd was happy.
– A Dynamite recap.
– Rene Paquette brought out Jeff Jarrett’s crew for an interview. Karen Jarrett grabbed the mic and demanded Aubrey Edwards come out. Edwards came out with Mark Briscoe. AEW won’t sanction a one-on-one match between Edwards and Karen (because Aubrey is a referee and Karen “sure as hell isn’t a wrestler.”). But Mark announced that they will sanction a mixed trios match, The Jarretts & Jay Lethal against Aubrey Edwards, Mark Briscoe… and Papa Briscoe.
Skye Blue defeated Nyla Rose (w/ Marina Shafir), Britt Baker (w/ Hikaru Shida) and Mercedes Martinez in a four-way match to become the No. 1 contender for the AEW World Women’s Championship.
Toni Storm and Ruby Soho were shown watching the match in the back.
Shafir interfered and tried to choke out Martinez, and Shida chased her to the back with a kendo stick.
After the split-screen break, Rose had Martinez hung up in the ropes for her guillotine legdrop, but Baker pushed her off the ropes to the floor. Baker hit Martinez with a slingblade for a one count. Blue and Baker exchanged forearms in the middle of the ring, and Blue got a near fall after an enziguri. Baker went for the lockjaw on Martinez, and Blue added a half crab, but Rose broke the submission attempt up.
Blue and Barker hit a double superkick on Rose. Rose chokeslammed Baker and went for the pin, which Martinez broke up with a running knee. Baker gave Rose a stomp, and Martinez dumped Baker to the floor. Baker pulled Martinez out. Blue then snuck back in the ring and hit Rose with the Code Blue and got the surprise pinfall. Blue teared up after getting the surprise win.
As a result, Sky Blue will face Toni Storm for the AEW World Women’s championship on Dynamite Wednesday. Toni Storm reacted to the win by spray painting a green “L” on the monitor in the back.
The following are spoilers for Friday’s AEW Rampage and future episodes of Ring of Honor, taped Wednesday in Colorado Springs, Colorado. AEW Rampage spoilers are courtesy of PWInsider.
AEW Rampage:
Jeff Jarrett and his group came out, calling out Aubrey Edwards. Mark Briscoe came out and announced he got a six-person tag team match signed, with Jarrett, Karen Jarrett, and Jay Lethal vs. Edwards, Briscoe, and Papa Briscoe.
Bandido and The Lucha Brothers defeated Big Bill, Lee Moriarty, and Ethan Page. The finish had The Hardys come out and inadvertently distract Page, allowing Bandido to score the win. After the match, The Hardys celebrated with The Lucha Brothers and made Page dance with the Hardys and Isiah Kassidy.
Skye Blue won a four-way match, pinning Nyla Rose in a match that also had Britt Baker and Mercedes Martinez. As a result, she will face Toni Storm next Wednesday on Dynamite for the AEW Women’s Championship.
Powerhouse Hobbs defeated Caleb Crush with a spinebuster
The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn defeated Serpentico, Angelico, and Luther
The next challenger for AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm will be made on this Friday’s AEW Rampage.
Former champions Britt Baker and Nyla Rose will face former Ring of Honor Women’s Champion Mercedes Martinez and Skye Blue in a four-way no. 1 contender’s match. The winner will move on to face Storm on next Wednesday’s Dynamite.
The show will feature two trios matches. One will feature ROH Tag Team Champions The Lucha Brothers teaming with Bandido against Ethan Page, Lee Moriarty & Big Bill while The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn battle the Spanish Announce Project.
Here’s the full lineup that is being taped in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Wednesday:
Lucha Brothers & Bandido vs. Ethan Page, Lee Moriarty & Big Bill
Powerhouse Hobbs in action
The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn vs. Spanish Announce Project (Serpentico, Luther & Angelico)
Britt Baker vs. Skye Blue vs. Mercedes Martinez vs. Nyla Rose in a four-way no. 1 contender’s match for an AEW Women’s title shot
The Blackpool Combat Club’s Jon Moxley, Wheeler Yuta, and Claudio Castagnoli will face Bandido & The Lucha Bros on the show. The match comes after The Lucha Bros successfully retained their ROH tag titles against Castagnoli & Yuta in the main event of Dynamite last week.
“BCC have revenge in mind as they fight the Lucha Bros + their amigo Bandido on Dynamite, TONIGHT!,” Tony Khan wrote on Twitter.
Tonight’s edition of AEW Dynamite will take place from the Viejas Arena on the campus of San Diego State University. Adam Cole & Britt Baker vs. Chris Jericho & Saraya is the only other match announced thus far.
AEW Dynamite 5/31 lineup:
Adam Cole & Britt Baker vs. Chris Jericho & Saraya
Blackpool Combat Club (Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta) vs. Bandido & The Lucha Bros (Penta El Zero Miedo & Rey Fenix)
