One of AEW’s earliest tag teams reportedly gone from the company

After barely being used over the past 18 months, The Butcher and The Blade — one of AEW’s earliest tag teams — are reportedly no longer with the company.

Fightful Select reported Thursday that the two men were not offered a contract extension after their deals recently came up, making them free agents.

Along with The Bunny, the 46-year-old Blade and the 48-year-old Butcher had been with AEW since the November 27, 2019, episode of Dynamite when they appeared from under the ring to attack Cody Rhodes. The duo feuded with the top teams at the time which included the Young Bucks, Lucha Bros., Jurassic Express and others, but never held the AEW World Tag Team titles.

With The Blade undergoing fusion back surgery that kept him out of action for two years, The Butcher then was moved to the singles ranks for the duration of his run which included some random tag team matches. He last appeared in AEW in February 2025 in a Collision loss to Gabe Kidd with The Blade’s last AEW match coming in January 2024.

The Blade returned to action this past December and has teamed with The Butcher once since coming back. They are set to compete for GCW in June.

AEW tag team announces return

The Butcher and The Blade are set to return as a tag team.

The Blade made his in-ring return last month in his hometown of Buffalo after nearly two years away. He had been out of action with a serious back injury since February 2024 and underwent spinal fusion surgery that September.

His tag team partner The Butcher has also wrestled sparingly over the past year. His last appearance on AEW programming came on the May 2, 2025, episode of AEW Collision, where he lost a singles match to Gabe Kidd.

The last time The Butcher and The Blade appeared under the AEW/ROH banner was the January 10, 2024, Ring of Honor taping from Daily’s Place, where they lost a tag match to Top Flight’s Dante and Darius Martin. It was also the last time the two wrestled as a team.

Both The Butcher and The Blade posted to Instagram on Thursday announcing the return of their tag team.

The Butcher wrote, “Butcher and Blade are back bitch. Watch your mouthes tag teams. @aew”

The Blade wrote, “The Butcher And The Blade 2026. Coming soon to professional wrestling near you #wrestling #prowrestling #aew #allelitewrestling”

AEW wrestler returns to the ring after nearly two years

The Blade recently made his in-ring return after nearly two years dealing with injuries.

He wrestled in his hometown of Buffalo on Saturday, December 13, at Blissmas 25, an event produced by the Buffalo-based metalcore band, Better Lovers.

While match results from the show are not currently available, fan photos and videos from the event appear to show The Blade teaming with his longtime partner, The Butcher. The third member of their trio, The Bunny, also returned to the ring recently after a two-year absence, wrestling for Mystery Wrestling in October.

Blissmas 25 took place at the Buffalo Riverworks. Talent advertised for the show included The Butcher, Gabby Forza, Ricky Shane Page, Jody Threat, and others.

The Blade had not wrestled since February 2024 due to a serious back injury that ultimately required surgery. He underwent spinal fusion surgery in September 2024. His last match under the AEW/ROH banner took place at an ROH TV taping on January 10, 2024, where he teamed with The Butcher in a loss to Dante and Darius Martin of Top Flight.

AEW wrestler shares update one year after spinal fusion surgery

The Blade has provided a medical update one year after undergoing spinal fusion surgery.

The 45-year-old hasn’t wrestled since early 2024 and had surgery in September of that year. During a recent appearance on the Talk’n Shop podcast with Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows, Blade said he’s getting closer to being cleared to return.

I had a back fusion, spinal fusion on September 10, of 2024 so it’s been about a year now and I’m getting close to going back to the doctors, getting cleared, the whole thing,” Blade said on the show.

“I’ve been wrestling 25 years and to not be in a ring for over a year now…But now it’s to the point where I’m excited.”

Blade also noted that AEW has supported him during his recovery, covering the cost of his surgery and physical therapy.

“I’ve had a bad back for a long time. Like AEW f—ing took care of my surgery. They took care of my physical therapy. They’ve been taking care of me for over a year now. I’m really, really grateful for that job.”

The Blade’s spouse, former AEW wrestler The Bunny, also recently returned to the ring after a lengthy absence. She teamed with Penelope Ford at a Mystery Wrestling event in Toronto the day after All Out, on Sunday, September 21. It was her first match in over two years. The third member of their trio, The Butcher, last wrestled for AEW on the February 19 episode of Collision, losing to Gabe Kidd.

The Blade’s full appearance on Talk’N Shop is available below:

AEW wrestler The Blade doing ‘really well’ in recovery from back surgery

AEW wrestler The Blade is doing “really well” in his recovery from back surgery.

During a virtual signing for RDP Promotions over the weekend, Allie gave an update on her husband who is now two months removed from back fusion surgery. She said The Blade is progressing well and just started physical therapy.

“He’s hanging in,” Allie said. “He just started his PT. His back surgery went really well. I’m really proud of him. He’s doing a ton of stand-up comedy right now, and he’s really just focused on getting healthy.”

It’s now been nine months since The Blade last wrestled. He’s been out of action since February and underwent successful surgery in September.

The Blade has been with AEW since 2019, debuting as part of a trio with The Butcher and Allie (The Bunny). He wrestled under the names Pepper Parks and Braxton Sutter before joining AEW.

Allie is no longer with AEW after stepping away from the ring last year. She told RDP Promotions that she always gives the answer “never say never” when asked if she’ll ever wrestle again.

AEW wrestler The Blade undergoes successful back fusion surgery

The Blade went under the knife recently.

The 44-year-old has been out of action since February with a lower back injury. He posted to Instagram on Tuesday to say he recently had successful back fusion surgery.

“Back fusion was a success 👍 Thank you to everyone for your continued support ❤️ Means a lot to this Grizzled Vet Utility Brother.”

“Crazy you’re already walking!!” Allysin Kay responded to the post.

During a virtual autograph signing in late June, The Blade expressed hope he might be able to return to the ring “in a couple of months.”

“My back’s bad, it’s slowly but surely getting better but I’m hoping to be back in a couple of months,” he said.

His partner, The Bunny, hasn’t wrestled in over a year and was removed from the AEW roster page in November. She said during the same virtual signing that she’s currently on a hiatus from wrestling.

“I’m figure skating right now and I’m loving it. I’m acting and I’m taking a little hiatus from breaking my body weekly,” Bunny said. “19 years, I think I deserve a little break. Never say never but as of right now, I’m really enjoying my figure skating and acting. It’s very fun.”

“I have a project coming up but I can’t talk about it yet but I do have a project coming up that’s very exciting. It’s horror-related,” she added.

AEW injury updates on Mark Davis and The Blade

Injury updates are available for multiple AEW wrestlers.

Aussie Open’s Mark Davis has been out of action since suffering a broken wrist at AEW WrestleDream last October. Kyle Fletcher recently told WGN Radio that there is still no timetable for his tag team partner’s return.

“I can’t speak exactly on what’s going on right now with him. I think that’s his story to tell, I don’t want to be that person but he’s doing good. He will definitely be back at some stage, we don’t have an exact timeline but yeah, I can’t wait to get back in the ring with him,” Fletcher said.

The Blade and The Bunny updated fans on their status during a virtual signing with K&S Wrestlefest recently as well. The Blade has been out of action since February with a back injury but says he hopes to return by AEW All In.

“Just on the injured reserve right now but yes, still with the company,” Blade said.

Later during the signing, he was asked if he’ll be back in time for AEW All In.

“I’m hoping so,” Blade responded. “My back’s bad, it’s slowly but surely getting better but I’m hoping to be back in a couple of months.”

Blade also said he’ll be at AEW’s show in his hometown of Buffalo next week.

In April, Blade wrote on Instagram, “I’m currently off the road nursing a lower back injury. 2 bulging discs, L2 L3 and L4 L5. Plus two ruptured discs, L3 L4 and L5 S1. I’d like to thank @aew and @tonyrkhan for giving me this time off to heal.”

The Bunny hasn’t wrestled since September. She was removed from the AEW roster page in November and says she’s currently taking a hiatus from wrestling.

“I’m figure skating right now and I’m loving it. I’m acting and I’m taking a little hiatus from breaking my body weekly,” Bunny said. “19 years, I think I deserve a little break. Never say never but as of right now, I’m really enjoying my figure skating and acting. It’s very fun.”

“I have a project coming up but I can’t talk about it yet but I do have a project coming up that’s very exciting. It’s horror-related,” she added.

AEW’s The Blade out of action with lower back injury

The Blade revealed on Saturday that he’s been out of action with a lower back injury. 

He hasn’t wrestled since a show for Ethan Page’s Alpha-1 promotion in February. Blade hasn’t appeared on AEW or ROH programming since an ROH taping from Jacksonville on January 10, 2024. 

He posted to Instagram yesterday to reveal he’s been dealing with two bulging discs and two ruptured discs in his lower back. He thanked Tony Khan and AEW for allowing him time to recover.

The Blade wrote:

Hello Instagram My apologies, it’s been awhile. I’m currently off the road nursing a lower back injury. 2 bulging discs, L2 L3 and L4 L5. Plus two ruptured discs, L3 L4 and L5 S1. I’d like to thank @aew and @tonyrkhan for giving me this time off to heal. Plus, I’ve got the Buffalo,NY magic man pictured with me here, @anthony.albano.dpt . Time off can be a rough place for athletes mentally. Anthony’s physical therapy is helping me stay on track and I can’t sing praises high enough about the sweet science behind his training. I’m not sure where this journey I’m on is gonna lead. But, I have a lot of options and a great team around me and that’s a beautiful thing. Love ya everybody 

The Blade has been with AEW since 2019, having debuted on the ninth edition of AEW Dynamite on November 27 that year. He holds a career record of 63-58 in the promotion according to AEW’s roster page. 

Jon Moxley vs. Brody King Interim World title match set for AEW Dynamite

Brody King will be the first to challenge Jon Moxley for the Interim AEW World Championship on next week’s Dynamite. 

King won the inaugural Royal Rampage Battle Royal on Friday’s Rampage episode to earn the first shot at Moxley on the July 6 Dynamite. King last eliminated Darby Allin in the 20-man battle royal to earn the title match. 

Two more matches and a promo segment have also been added to Wednesday’s Dynamite. 

Toni Storm and AEW Women’s World Champion Thunder Rosa, branded as ThunderStorm, will team against Nyla Rose and Marina Shafir on Dynamite. Storm defeated Rose in the Rampage main event this week, a match where Shafir repeatedly interjected herself into the action. After the match, Rose and Shafir attacked Storm, but Rosa made the save to set up the tag bout.

Keith Lee and Swerve Strickland will team against The Butcher and The Blade on Dynamite. Butcher and Blade teamed up to eliminate Strickland from the Royal Rampage to set up the bout. 

Also added to Dynamite, Christian Cage and Luchasaurus will appear on the show. Managed by Cage, Luchasaurus debuted a new heelish persona on this week’s Dynamite. 

Already announced for next week, Scorpio Sky will defend the TNT Championship against Wardlow in a street fight. 

Here is the announced Dynamite lineup: 

AEW Dynamite, Wednesday, July 6 —

  • Interim AEW World Championship: Jon Moxley (c) vs. Brody King
  • TNT Championship street fight: Scorpio Sky (c) vs. Wardlow
  • Thunder Rosa & Toni Storm vs. Nyla Rose & Marina Shafir
  • Keith Lee & Swerve Strickland vs. The Butcher & The Blade
  • Christian Cage & Luchasaurus appear 

Tomohiro Ishii to make AEW debut on Dynamite

NJPW’s Tomohiro Ishii will make his AEW debut on Wednesday’s Dynamite. 

Ishii will team with Orange Cassidy against The Butcher and The Blade. The match announcement was made during Saturday’s Full Gear pay-per-view. 

Butcher and Blade interfered on Matt Hardy’s behalf as Hardy defeated Cassidy on Friday’s AEW Rampage. Cassidy and Best Friends were announced as official members of NJPW’s CHAOS stable this week. 

Also set for Dynamite, Jay Lethal will challenge Sammy Guevara for the TNT Championship. Lethal made a surprise debut at Full Gear to challenge Guevara. 

The TBS Championship tournament will continue with a quarterfinals matchup, as Hikaru Shida faces Nyla Rose. 

Also announced, Lio Rush and Dante Martin will tag against Anthony Bowens and Max Caster of The Acclaimed. 

More matches for Dynamite will be announced following Full Gear. 

Here is the lineup so far:

  • The Butcher & The Blade vs. Orange Cassidy & Tomohiro Ishii
  • TNT Championship: Sammy Guevara (c) vs. Jay Lethal
  • TBS Championship tournament quarterfinals: Hikaru Shida vs. Nyla Rose
  • Dante Martin & Lio Rush vs. The Acclaimed

AEW’s The Blade dealing with depression, anxiety issues

In an Instagram post Tuesday, AEW wrestler The Blade revealed he is dealing with anxiety, depression and confidence issues. 

Blade (Jesse Guilmette) hasn’t appeared for the company since October 6th when he was part of a Dark: Elevation taping prior to that night’s Dynamite.

In his statement, seen below, he said he noticed an “extreme spike” of those emotions during the pandemic and had another spike recently which forced him to talk to executives at AEW, admitting that “getting the courage to speak up to them was more difficult than it sounds…”

Blade and tag team partner The Butcher (Andy Williams) have been a fixture in AEW since December 2019. Butcher returned to singles action on the last set of AEW Dark tapings in Orlando, Florida. Blade has been married to AEW’s The Bunny (Laura Dennis) since September 2013.

“It feels good to tell you this and to take off my mask. It helps to talk about my struggles instead of holding them inside, and I’m feeling more confident and comfortable around people. Thank you for listening. I’m sorry if I’ve been distant lately. I love you and I can’t wait to see you soon,” he wrote.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Blade (@thebladeofbuffalo)

NWA Women’s title eliminator match announced for AEW Homecoming

Two new matches have been added to next week’s AEW Dynamite: Homecoming event at the Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, Florida. 

The Bunny will face “Legit” Leyla Hirsch in a NWA Women’s Championship eliminator match. Kamille is the current champion and will face the winner of this bout.

After attacking him with brass knuckles after his six man tag match against the Hardy Family Office on tonight’s show, Christian Cage will face The Blade. Cage has been at odds with with HFO since Double or Nothing.

Matches already announced for Homecoming include Miro defending the TNT Championship against Lee Johnson. Johnson has won six out of his last seven singles matches. Also announced is Cody Rhodes facing Malakai Black after Black attacked him in his debut for the promotion on the July 8th edition of Dynamite.

Additionally, Chris Jericho will face Juventud Guerrera in his third Labour of Jericho match. Jericho must win with a top rope move.

You can see the matches currently announced below:

  • Miro vs. Lee Johnson – TNT Championship match
  • The Blade vs. Christian Cage
  • “Legit” Leyla Hirsch vs The Bunny in a NWA Women’s title eliminator match
  • Cody Rhodes vs Malakai Black
  • Labour of Jericho match #3: Chris Jericho vs. Juventud Guerrera

AEW Dynamite video highlights: Moxley-Omega contract signing

Jon Moxley made his World title defense against Kenny Omega official on last night’s AEW Dynamite. 

After Omega signed the contract last week for their match at December 2nd’s Winter is Coming, Moxley put pen to paper on this week’s Dynamite. Before signing, Moxley laid Omega out with a Paradigm Shift. 

Hikaru Shida defeated Anna Jay to retain the AEW Women’s World Championship on Dynamite. After the match, Abadon entered and left a blood stain on Shida’s title belt. 

In the Dynamite opener, Hangman Page defeated The Dark Order’s John Silver. Dark Order’s Evil Uno made a recruiting pitch to Page after the match. 

A week before Cody Rhodes and Darby Allin face Team Taz’s Powerhouse Hobbs and Ricky Starks, Taz choked out Rhodes with a Tazmission. 

Chris Jericho and Jake Hager of The Inner Circle defeated SCU’s Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian after MJF hit Daniels with his Dynamite Diamond ring. Scorpio Sky saved Kazarian and Daniels from a post-match attack from the entire Inner Circle. 

In the show’s final match, Butcher and Blade beat Death Triangle members PAC and Rey Fenix after an assist from Eddie Kingston. Kingston and his family assaulted Death Triangle after the match, but Lance Archer ran in to make the save and attacked Kingston. 

For more of what you missed, including TH2 vs. Top Flight and Powerhouse Hobbs in action, scroll down. 

More coverage from last night —

AEW Dynamite video highlights —

Hangman Page vs. John Silver, Hangman is invited to join Dark Order

Kenny Omega promo on Jon Moxley

Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Lee Johnson

Taz & Cody Rhodes confrontation

TH2 vs. Top Flight

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKTq7W9E5Qs

Chris Jericho & Jake Hager vs. SCU (Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian)

Jon Moxley/Kenny Omega contract signing

AEW Women’s World Championship match: Hikaru Shida vs. Anna Jay

PAC & Rey Fenix vs. The Butcher & The Blade

AEW Dynamite live results: Full Gear fallout, PAC returns

AEW Dynamite airs live tonight from Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, Florida. 

After defeating Chris Jericho at Full Gear, MJF will be inducted into The Inner Circle tonight. MJF faked being hit by a baseball bat at Full Gear to create an issue between Jericho and referee Aubrey Edwards, allowing MJF to roll Jericho up and pin him while holding the tights. 

Natural Nightmares vs. The Butcher and The Blade (w/The Bunny) has been announced. This feud began on AEW Dark where it was revealed that The Bunny had been seducing QT Marshall only to financially ruin him before she returned to her Bunny persona and her real-life husband, The Blade. 

An appearance by new number one contender to Jon Moxley’s AEW World Championship Kenny Omega was announced earlier today. 

A Cody Rhodes promo has also been advertised. Rhodes lost the TNT Championship to Darby Allin at Full Gear. 

Penta El Zero M vs. Rey Fenix will take place. The tag partners faced off in the first round of the World title eliminator tournament. Fenix came away with the win, but Penta took his place in the second round against Kenny Omega after Fenix was injured. 

Shawn Spears (w/Tully Blanchard) will take on Scorpio Sky. This bout was originally slated for last week, but Sky was pulled from the show due to COVID contact tracing. 

Brian Cage vs. Matt Sydal and Tay Conti vs. Red Velvet have also been announced for the show. 

Tony Khan has also promised that “the balance of power in wrestling will shift tonight.”

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

**********

Dynamite has a fresh presentation package, including a new intro and revised graphics.

Taz opened the show with a promo ahead of Brian Cage’s match against Matt Sydal. He addressed Darby Allin, who was sitting high up in the audience. Taz told Allin not to interfere in the match, and to tell Cody Rhodes the same thing. Taz put over Sydal, and notably said that Sydal has a win over Chris Jericho, which was either a mistake where Taz meant to say “Christopher Daniels” or a reference to their WWE days.

Brian Cage (w/ Taz & Ricky Starks) defeated Matt Sydal

Taz joined commentary. Sydal surprised Cage with a couple kicks. Cage popped up and beat him down with power moves and strikes. Sydal would occasionally hit some hopeful offense, but Cage’s power was too much. Cage taunted Sydal by curling him.

Cage got cocky and attempted a hurricanrana, which Sydal turned into a hurricanrana before hitting a brutal meteora on the ramp. Sydal hit kicks and a standing corkscrew moonsault for two. Cage went for the Drill Claw, but Sydal fought out. Sydal hit a roundhouse kick but was leveled with a lariat before countering out of the Drill Claw into a cradle for a close near fall.

Sydal attempted a top-rope blockbuster, but Cage caught him out of midair right into the Drill Claw for the win.

After the match, Starks cut a promo, emphasizing how he and Cage are both now on the men’s singles rankings. “The revolution will be televised.”

**********

Cody Rhodes made his full entrance and congratulated Darby Allin on his championship victory. Cody will not be seeking a rematch, and instead wants a match with MJF. Some tall bodybuilder woman entered the ring, took the microphone, and accused Cody of lying.

Her name is Jade Cargill, and she called herself the “total package”. She’s been sitting on the sidelines studying her competition. Cargill said that Cody wants to topple giants, but there’s nothing giant about Cody.

Cargill told Cody to keep his thoughts to himself, and told him to watch his back, before sarcastically congratulating him on his name. Cargill said that Cody was too scared to go by just one name, and said that the giant she’s representing was Shaq (Shaquille O’Neal). 

Brandi Rhodes came out and tore into Cargill, but Cargill was unfazed. Cargill gave Brandi a lovetap on the way out before Jerry Lynn came out to prevent the fight.

With Cody distracted, Cage re-entered the ring and laid him out. He and Starks attacked Cody, but Allin’s music played, and he made the save. Cody’s music played as Will Hobbs made his way out to even the odds.

**********

Alex Marvez interviewed Jon Moxley. When Moxley came to AEW he wasn’t interested in championships, but now, the world title represents every single one of the fans. He has a big challenge ahead with Kenny Omega. He’s beaten Omega once, but beating him twice is another story.

They announced that Moxley will the AEW World Championship against Omega in three weeks, on the December 2 episode of Dynamite. It was billed as the “biggest match in Dynamite history.”

**********

Natural Nightmares (Dustin Rhodes & QT Marshall) defeated The Butcher & The Blade (w/ Allie) in a Bunkhouse Match

This was tons of fun.

There are no disqualifications or countouts in a Bunkhouse match. Everyone in the match was wearing jeans and there were props next to the stage. 

Marshall attacked before the bell and the Natural Nightmares worked over their opponents on the floor. Dustin hit the Final Reckoning on Blade through a chair. Bunny distracted them, and Blade smashed a guitar over Marshall’s head as Dustin grabbed a bullrope. Dustin set up to use the rope but was leveled with a chair shot from Butcher.

The camera cut to Marshall, who was bloodied. Bunny handcuffed Dustin to the ropes. It was all Butcher and Blade during the commercial break as Dustin was helpless and Marshall was incapacitated.

A ladder and a kendo stick were introduced during the break. Dustin grabbed the kendo stick, so Blade tackled him, but in the process, Dustin was set free from the cuffs. He made a one-man comeback after flipping off his opponents.

Dustin and Butcher fought with weapons abnd brawled over to a staging area. Marshall blinded Butcher with a fire extinguisher, allowing Dustin to bulldog him through a plywood structure.

Back in the ring, Blade had been opened up badly. Marshall and Blade’s relationship with Allie/Bunny was the focus of this feud, so they brawled in the ring before Marshall cracked him with a trashcan. Marshall climbed a ladder and hit an elbow drop from the top, but Blade got his shoulder up at two. 

Butcher and Dustin made their way back into the fight as the latter hit signature offense before they whiffed on a Code Red. Butcher and Blade hit the Full Death through chairs, but Marshall broke up the pin. Marshall hit a chain-assisted Diamond Cutter on Butcher and Blade into Bunny, which sent her through a table. Dustin nailed Blade with a cowbell and Marshall hit the cutter for the win.

**********

Matt Hardy cut a promo from his compound. He said that Sammy Guevara earned his respect through all the violence and that Guevara will be a big star.

**********

MJF’s Inner Circle Induction Ceremony

There was a podium set up in the ring. Chris Jericho came out, addressed the crowd, and invited out the original Inner Circle first. Hager, Santana, and Ortiz came out without Guevara, but Jericho brushed it off.

Next were MJF and Wardlow, both of whom are being inducted into the Inner Circle. MJF took the podium and acted all emotional, saying he overcame the adversity of a one million dollar loan and handled the burden of being the ratings champion. He then read a prepared poem, but he was just plagiarazing the rapper Drake’s song “All Me”.

Santana and Ortiz got heated, but Jericho calmed everyone down and said the Inner Circle would be stronger than ever, imploring everyone to make it work. 

MJF said they weren’t just here to celebrate his induction, they were also celebrating Jericho’s birthday as confetti and balloons rained down. He announced that the Inner Circle was headed to Las Vegas next week, and the trip was on him, before singing “Happy Birthday” to close the segment.

**********

Alex Marvez interviewed the Young Bucks. In a funny moment, he flinched when their dressing room opened, expecting to be superkicked. The Bucks called the tag championships the biggest achievement of their career.

Matt mentioned that they received a message from Top Flight, the high-flying team of brothers that’s appeared on Dark, and then Matt granted them a tag team championship opportunity next week. 

**********

Shawn Spears (w/ Tully Blanchard) defeated Scorpio Sky

This was the culmination of a feud. They traded big moves early on. Ahead of the commercial, Sky went for a dive, but Spears sprung up and suplexed him.

Back from break, Sky fought out of C4 and hit a plancha and a slingshot cutter. Spears had set up stairs on the outside. Sky attempted a diving clothesline off of them, but Spears kicked him out of the air before dropping Sky with a sidewalk slam onto the stairs. 

Spears went for the TKO, but Spears turned it into a sharpshooter. Tully dropped Spears’ Kevlar slug gimmick in the corner and distracted the referee and Sky. Spears crushed Sky with a steel slug inserted into his left glove, and that was enough to get the three count.

**********

During the previous match, Cody Rhodes & Darby Allin vs. Brian Cage & Ricky Starks of Team Taz was announced for next week’s Dynamite.

**********

Dasha Gonzalez had been sitting with Kenny Omega for an interview, but Omega left in a hurry. They cut to Alex Marvez, who had caught up to Omega outside. Marvez asked for Omega’s thoughts on being the next world championship challenger.

Omega said that he needs the championship to live up to the standards of the Kenny Omega we saw in New Japan. He’s ready to assume the responsibility of being world champion, and noted that despite their previous encounter, this is the first official match between him and Moxley. He closed the interview with an intriguing cliffanger: Omega has a flight to catch.

**********

Tay Conti (w/ Anna Jay) defeated Red Velvet (w/ Brandi Rhodes)

Conti took control with judo throws before a commercial break. Velvet came back with clotheslines and a cazadora bulldog before following it up with double knees and a stunner for two.

They downed each other with double roundhouse kicks. Jay slipped a chair to Conti, but Conti didn’t want to cheat, and she kicked it out of the ring. Velvet surprised her with a leg lariat for a near fall, but missed a dropkick. Conti followed with a pump kick and a Gory Special transitioned into a knee strike for the victory.

**********

Alex Marvez interviewed Jericho, MJF, and the rest of the Inner Circle. They celebrated with their tickets to Las Vegas. Sammy Guevara approached. Guevara missed the induction ceremony because he didn’t get a follow-up email about where it would take place, but MJF was adamant he sent it.

**********

They replayed the Best Friends/Sabian & Miro angle from Full Gear and announced Kip Sabian vs. Orange Cassidy for next week.

**********

Eddie Kingston cut a promo. Even though he said “I quit,” he will never stop wrestling and will become world champion. Penta vs. Fénix is next, and all Kingston can say to the fans is “you’re welcome.”

Penta El Zero Miedo defeated Rey Fénix

This was a very good match but it wasn’t quite as great as their previous encounter.

Kingston joined commentary and they teased dissension as Kingston clearly favors Penta. The Lucha Bros traded kicks right away. They traded cradles before Fénix sent Penta outside with a hurricanrana. Fénix set up for a dive, but Penta backdropped him to the floor. Penta tore at his brother’s mask and flattened him with a thrust kick. 

A lot of Fénix’s face was exposed during and after Penta’s attack on his mask. Schiavone accused Kingston of breaking up a great tag team. They brawled outside during the break and Penta maintained control of the match.

Penta set up for the package piledriver but Fénix turned it into a cradle. Fénix hit a handspring cutter before returning the favor and ripping his brother’s mask. We just about saw Penta’s entire face. They traded headbutts and Penta hit a flipping DDT for two.

A tijeras sent Penta outside before Fénix laid him out with a tornillo dive. Fénix hit a senton atomico for two. They fought on the apron as Penta hit the package piledriver right on the ring frame. On the floor, Penta hit a destroyer. 

Back in the ring, Penta hit a second package piledriver for the win.

**********

Kingston immediately grabbed a microphone and congratulated Penta before pushing Fénix out of the ring. He said that Penta doesn’t need that dead weight. 

He was interrupted by the returning PAC, who said that the Bastard is back and that Kingston made a bad mistake. Officials came out to prevent the brawl.

It was announced that PAC will make his in-ring return on next week’s Dynamite, facing The Blade.

Bunkhouse match, Red Velvet vs. Tay Conti set for AEW Dynamite

Three matches have been announced for this Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite. 

Already announced on this week’s episode, Natural Nightmares (Dustin Rhodes & QT Marshall) vs. The Butcher and The Blade will now be a bunkhouse match. No further details as to what that stipulation represents were announced. In storyline, The Bunny, formerly Allie, pretended to be romantically interested in Marshall. After maxing out Marshall’s credit cards, Allie supposedly returned to her real-life husband, The Blade. 

In women’s division action, Tay Conti will take on Red Velvet. Velvet, who is coming off a loss to Nyla Rose on this week’s Dynamite, will have Brandi Rhodes in her corner. 

The Lucha Bros will also face off in a singles match as Rey Fenix faces Penta El Zero M. The two met in the first round of the AEW World title eliminator tournament on October 21. Fenix was victorious but was also injured in the match. As a result, Penta took his place in the tournament semifinals against Kenny Omega. 

AEW Dynamite airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. Eastern time on TNT.