Tag: blood & guts

Fight Game: Is Kyle O’Reilly now an AEW main eventer?

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

John LaRocca and I return with a brand-new Fight Game to discuss some of the most interesting topics in pro wrestling this week.

After doing our Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down segment, we answered a listener question and then we each brought topics that we wanted to discuss to the table:

  • The end of the John Cena run
  • Kyle O’Reilly making Jon Moxley submit to win the men’s AEW Blood & Guts match
  • The chaos of the women’s Blood & Guts match
  • How long until Dominik Mysterio is a top guy?

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AEW Collision live results: Blood & Guts Advantage Battle series

Posted on by Josiah MacDonald

The Advantage Battle series ahead of this Wednesday’s AEW Blood & Guts matches concludes on tonight’s live AEW Collision from Houston, Texas.

For the men, former AEW World Champion Jon Moxley will take on Roderick Strong in match three of the series where the winner will gain the man advantage for this Wednesday’s double cage match.

For the women, it will be former AEW Women’s World Champion Jamie Hayter against Skye Blue in match two with Thekla vs. Harley Cameron in the deciding bout if necessary.

Our live coverage begins at 8 PM Eastern.

**********

FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) (w/ Stokley Hathaway) vs. The Bang Bang Gang (Juice Robinson & Austin Gunn)

Juice Robinson was very over in this match and looking more and more like his wacky self in this match, which is good news. Harwood and Robinson exchanged some arm drags and headlocks to the delight of the fans. Harwood hit a brutal chop in the corner on Robinson, and Robinson turned it around and hit some of his own, and the fans went crazy. Robinson tried to hit 10 punches in the corner, but Wheeler came into to break it up, and Robinson pivoted and hit a flying crossbody on Wheeler. That was great.

Wheeler was sent over the top rope to the floor by Austin Gunn, and he crashed into Dax Harwood. FTR managed to take the leg of Robinson and started working over his left knee. Robinson managed to hit a double DDT on FTR as Austin Gunn made the hot tag, hitting a slingblade on Harwood, and the classic Billy Gunn jabs and a little Road Dogg like dance before dropping Harwood again. Gunn countered a back body drop into a cradle for a 2-count. Wheeler low bridged Gunn as he hit the ropes, and Gunn crashed to the floor after hitting the apron hard.

Austin Gunn sent Harwood to the floor when they came back from break and hit a double crossbody with Wheeler and both men were down. Robinson tags in and bonks the heads of FTR together before hitting a cannonball and a pecado to the floor. Robinson countered a sharpshooter attempt with a cradle and then hit the Left Hand of God on Harwood before eating a powerslam from Wheeler. Austin Gunn came in and hit a crossbody that sent Wheeler to the floor. Hathaway pulled the masks of two fans in the front row and it was actually Bandido and Gravity. Hathaway ran away and was cut off by JetSpeed. Bandido superkicked Hathaway and Wheeler, and as Harwood was distracted Gunn hit a Fameasser on him letting Robinson hit a DDT for the pinfall win. The Bang Bang Gang have beaten the number one contenders!

Result: The Bang Bang Gang defeated FTR via pinfall

This was an excellent tag match with an unexpected finish. I suspect that the Bang Bang Gang will face off against the winner of Brodido and FTR after AEW Full Gear.

–Kyle Fletcher was backstage with Renee Paquette and they talked about his upcoming match against Mark Briscoe at AEW Full Gear. Fletcher said that either way, Briscoe wins – if he wins the match, he gets the TNT title, and if he loses, he gets to join the Don Callis Family, which is the greatest win he could ever achieve (according to Fletcher). Okada walked up and apologized that Takeshita wasn’t there, saying that he was there to support him instead, and after Full Gear, they would become a tag team named ProtOkada. Fletcher and Renee talked about how it was a catchy name.

Kyle Fletcher vs. Ace Austin (w/ Austin Gunn & Juice Robinson) for the TNT Championship

Fletcher and Austin started with Fletcher using his size advantage to throw Austin around the ring. Fletcher blocked an arm drag but after a series of counters was led into it, and Austin attempted a crucifix pin that got a 2-count. Fletcher rolled to the floor to slow the pace down and started arguing with the fans to regain his composure. When they got back into the ring, Fletcher immediately hit a Mafia kick on Austin.

Austin responded with a kick to the back and another pinfall attempt followed by a fast dropkick that sent Fletcher back into the corner. Austin went for springboard crossbody, but Fletcher caught him and hit a swinging backbreaker and a full nelson slam that left Austin in the middle of the ring trying to recover. Fletcher hit a hard chop, and Austin hit a few of his own, but Fletcher hit a flying forearm and continued his assault. Austin hit a knee and a Russian Leg sweep followed by a legdrop that caused Fletcher to roll to the floor again. Austin hit a Fosbury Flop and almost missed, but Fletcher saved his life on that one.

Austin hit a jumping knee and a straitjacket DDT for a 2-count. Austin tried to hit a hurricanrana off the apron, but Fletcher caught him and hit a powerbomb on the apron before hitting a Last Ride sitout powerbomb for a 2-count. Austin hit a massive Mafia kick in the corner, but Austin dodged the brainbuster and sent Fletcher crashing into the corner.

Austin hit a series of lariats in the corner. Austin went for a headscissors off the top rope, but Fletcher caught him and countered into a tombstone position, but Austin countered into a headscissors for a 2-count. Austin went for the Fold but Fletcher dodged it and floated over, and after a series of counters lawndarted Austin into the middle ropes, but missed a Mafia kick, letting Austin hit a springboard kick. Austin went for The Fold, but Fletcher caught him and hit a brainbuster mid move for a 2-count. Fletcher went for another brainbuster, but Austin countered into a series of pinfall attempts until Fletcher took his head off with a lariat and another Mafia kick and the brainbuster on the top rope for the pinfall. What a match.

Result: Kyle Fletcher defeated Ace Austin to retain the TNT Championship

–A recap video aired of Megan Bayne and Marina Shafir beating people, including Bayne’s recent return to Stardom.

–Kris Statlander was backstage talking about her upcoming match with Mercedes Mone, and she said that she has two things that Mone does not have. The first is focus, as Statlander is fully focused on the AEW Women’s World Championship, and Mone’s focus is not divided, but she was going to make sure that she was focused with what she does to her at Full Gear. The second, of course, is the AEW Women’s World Championship.

–Moxley was backstage with the Death Riders and Don Callis walked up, saying that they have worked together in the past to mutual benefit, and that they have a chance to eliminate Mark Briscoe for them. PAC said that they were no longer playing around, but whatever they want to do with what is left of Mark Briscoe is fine with them. Callis offered them a favour if they do it, and Moxley walked up and got right in Callis’ face, saying “Do we look like we need a favour?” Callis shook his head quietly and the Death Riders walked away, but Claudio Castagnoli walked away staring at Kyle Fletcher and his TNT Championship. This was great.

TayJay (Anna Jay & Tay Melo) vs. Hyan & Maya World

This was a fairly quick squash match with Melo and Jay destroying Maya World first, and then Hyan, ending with a Gory Special (by Anna Jay) into a kick (by Tay Melo) for the pinfall win.

Result: TayJay defeatd Hyan & Maya World

–Athena was backstage with Lexy Nair and talked about how Harley Cameron managed to pin her to eliminate her and Mercedes Mone from the Women’s Tag Team Title tournament. Athena said that if Harley Cameron survived Blood & Guts she was going to beat her up in ROH for her own benefit, and turn Harley Cameron into a puppet.

Skye Blue vs. Jamie Hayter

Hayter went for a lariat early on, but Blue rolled to the floor and led Hayter on a chase around the ring. Blue couldn’t escape, but managed to slip out of a suplex and sent Hayter into the ring steps. When they came back into the ring Hayter countered an Irish Whip and hit ten punches in the corner, but Blue hit a flatliner into the middle turn buckle. Blue missed a cartwheel into an elbow but hit a superkick for a 2-count.

Blue hit a series of strikes in the corner and a boot choke. Hayter hit a hard forearm on the floor and a suplex on Blue after teasing it earlier. Hayter picked up Blue, but Blue no sold the suplex and countered a throw by throwing Hayter in the ring. That was weird. Blue yanked the hair of Hayter and locked on a chinlock. Hayter hit a German suplex on Blue as they came back from break and a dropkick off the middle ropes. Hayter missed the Hayterade and they exchanged a series of pinfall attempts. Hayter hit an enziguri, blocked a fireman’s carry, and exchanged forearms with Blue. Hayter eventually hit a headbutt and both women collapsed into a pinfall attempt on Blue for a 2-count.

Blue hit a Cheeky Nandos kick in the corner and powerbombed Hayter out of the corner for a 2-count. Blue went for Code Blue, but Hayter countered into a pinfall attempt, and after a quick exchange, Hayter hit a lariat for the pinfall.

Result: Jamie Hayter defeated Skye Blue

–Thekla and Julia Hart ran down and began beating on Hayter, but Willow Nightingale and Harley Cameron ran down to make the save. Security ran out to pull the wrestlers apart as they tried to get order restored for Harley Cameron and Thekla next.

–Dean Malenko narrated the video hyping Blood & Guts, and it was great.

Harley Cameron vs. Thekla

The crowd went nuts as soon as they came back from break as these two immediately started throwing punches. That was great. Cameron hit a dropkick that sent Thekla to the floor. Thekla suplexed Cameron on the floor several times, leaving her in pain. Thekla choked Cameron on the ropes, hit a snapmare, and a superkick to Cameron for a 2-count. Cameron hit some forearms in the corner, but Thekla turned it around and hit a chop that dropped Cameron.

Thekla locked on the Rings of Saturn, but decided to rake the face of Cameron while in the move, which led to the referee breaking it. Thekla choked Cameron in the ropes with her headscissors, a tarantula type move, breaking before 5. Tony Schiavone said that he didn’t know if it was a good idea for Thekla to toy with Harley Cameron, and Thekla responded with “Yes it is,” though her response could have been to a chant, but it was great timing either way.

Regardless, she was wrong, and Cameron fired up and hit some running attacks in the corner and a slingblade for a 2-count. Cameron hit a kick over the top rope after dodging Thekla, but Thekla caught Cameron on the ropes and exchanged forearms. Cameron went for a sunset flip powerbomb but Thekla stayed hooked to the turnbuckle, so Cameron put her in the Tree of Woe and hit a dropick for a 2-count. Cameron missed a Swanton bomb, and Thekla did her spider pose and hit a spear for the win.

Result: Thekla defeated Harley Cameron

The heels have the advantage going into the Women’s Blood & Guts match, and I suspect the Death Riders will too in the next match.

–JetSpeed was backstage with Lexy Nair and said that they would be entering the Casino Gauntlet match at AEW Full Gear for a chance to win the AEW National Championship, as they wanted to stay busy until they have a chance to face Brodido or FTR sometime after Full Gear.

–Max Caster and Anthony Bowens were backstage with Lexy Nair and they talked about how the Acclaimed is ultimately done, and despite their respect for Jerry Lynn, it wasn’t working. Bowens said he had a match for the Tailgate Brawl, and Caster also revealed he had one, and both of them were confused. Lexy Nair informed them of data Tony Khan gave her, saying their ratings, merch, and pay were higher together, so they should figure it out. Bowens and Caster threatened to quit, while Caster said he was loved enough alone, and Bowens did all the media events alone, somewhat putting him over, before saying Caster was the better wrestler. They both left in a huff. This is not a good storyline.

Jon Moxley (w/ Marina Shafir) vs. Roderick Strong

This match was tailor made for me, as Strong and Moxley exchanged some great technical wrestling in at the start. Moxley and Strong grapple for several minutes, exchanging submission attempts, and Moxley flees the ring as soon as they break apart and Strong shoves him away. Moxley stomped down on the elbow of Strong, looking to stop Strong’s chopping ability. Moxley hit some strikes to the ribs and hit a shoulder block to the stomach of Strong. Moxley stopped Strong from hitting some forearms by trying to dislocate his fingers, but Strong whipped Moxley into the steps and hit a back suplex on the guardrail. Strong did the same on another one, and then glanced at his real life wife, Marina Shafir, which let Moxley slam Strong into the steps to break the offence.

Moxley kicked the stairs in frustration, and Moxley locked a full nelson on while they were on the floor before sending Strong face first into the steps. Moxley continued the assault in the ring after Shafir spit on Strong, which popped the crowd. Moxley locked on the figure four, and Strong sat up and hit some forearms forcing Mox to break it. Moxley locked a half crab on Strong and leaned back, planting his foot in the back of Strong’s knee and pulling back, forcing Strong to escape to the ropes.

Moxley hit a double arm suplex off the middle ropes, and Strong kicked out. Strong hit a kick as Moxley charged him and Strong then hit a big protoplex for a 2-count and a tiger driver for a 2-count. Strong turned it into a Stronghold in the middle of the ring as Moxley kicked out, but Moxley pulled Strong into a cradle for a 2-count. Both men exchanged forearms in the ring before Strong hit a big dropkick to drop Moxley.

Strong hit a big superplex on Moxley to the delight of the fans. Marina Shafir got involved and distracted the referee, allowing Wheeler Yuta to run down to the ring and try to hit Strong with a chair, but the referee caught him. As the referee ejected Shafir and Yuta, PAC jumped the guardrail and hit Strong with a pump kick, leaving Strong on the mat. Strong comes in before the 10-count, but walks right into a curb stomp that he kicks out of. Moxley hits some ground and pound and tries for an armbar, but Strong fights it off until he gets his feet in the ropes to break the submission.

Moxley distracted the referee by threatening him but the referee sees PAC pull a table out from under the ring and sets it up. The referee warns PAC, but lets him do it. As Moxley tried to hit Strong with a piledriver off the apron through the table, Kyle O’Reilly comes out and takes out PAC. Strong then is attacked by Daniel Garcia, but Strong hits a uranage that sends Garcia through the table. Moxley knocks Strong off the apron, but Strong hits a full nelson slam on the ring steps on Moxley, leaving him laid out on the floor. Moxley tried to get back in the ring, but a hand grabbed his foot from under the ring and tripped Moxley, letting Strong win by countout.

Result: Roderick Strong defeats Jon Moxley by countout

–Darby Allin was clearly the one under the ring, and PAC faced being tased by him as he reached under the ring. Allin came out and posed with the taser as the show went off the air, and his team have the advantage over the Death Riders.

Not a usual stipulation with a War Games type match, but the babyfaces having the advantage over the Death Riders was kind of predictable at this point. I am not sure I like it, as the heels having the advantage is the easiest way to do these matches, but we shall see what Tony Khan comes up with for Dynamite next week.

Final Thoughts

Excellent episode of AEW Collision this week with a ton of good wrestling, a hot crowd, and some good promos. This was definitely more eventful than the usual Collision, and I hope with the matches announced beforehand more will watch it, as it was a very good show.

AEW Blood & Guts – November 12, 2025

  • Falls Count Anywhere: Hangman Adam Page vs. Powerhouse Hobbs
  • Blood & Guts: The Death Riders vs. The Conglomeration & Darby Allin
  • Blood & Guts: Team Statlander vs. Team Mone

AEW Full Gear Tailgate Brawl – November 22, 2025

  • Boom & Doom vs. Roppongi Vice

AEW Full Gear Card – November 22, 2025

  • AEW World Championship: Hangman Adam Page (c) vs. Samoa Joe
  • AEW Women’s World Championship: Kris Statlander (c) vs. Mercedes Mone
  • AEW World Tag Team Championship: Brodido (c) vs. FTR
  • TNT Championship: Kyle Fletcher (c) vs. Mark Briscoe
  • $1,000,000 Money Match: The Jurassic Express & Kenny Omega vs. The Young Bucks & Josh Alexander
  • AEW National Title in a Casino Gauntlet Match

Fight Game: Is AEW Dynamite still must-watch TV?

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

John LaRocca and I return with a brand-new Fight Game to discuss some of the most interesting topics in pro wrestling this week.

After doing our Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down segment, we each brought topics that we wanted to discuss to the table:

  • Thoughts on the new AEW National title
  • Whether or not Blood & Guts matches should’ve been on Full Gear
  • If AEW Dynamite is still must-watch
  • What Triple H was talking about with his new landscape comment

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Click Here to Listen (sub needed)

Challenge issued for men’s AEW Blood & Guts match

Posted on by Josh Nason

As AEW head Tony Khan teased earlier in the month, a men’s Blood & Guts match is on the way in just two weeks time.

Following Jon Moxley and Kyle O’Reilly’s rematch on Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite that ended in a double countout, both The Conglomeration and the Death Riders came out to get into a brawl that also included recently Moxley rival Darby Allin.

After things settled down, Mark Briscoe grabbed the microphone and said his group had an idea to settle the rivalry between the two factions. He then handed the mic to Orange Cassidy who eventually said “Blood & Guts.”

Earlier in the night, Allin and Cassidy defeated Yuta and Garcia in a tornado tag team match.

It appears it will be Allin, Briscoe, O’Reilly, Cassidy and Roderick Strong against Moxley, Daniel Garcia, Wheeler Yuta, Claudio Castagnoli and PAC in the double cage as part of the Wednesday, November 12 special edition of Dynamite.

It will be the third-such match for Moxley, Castagnoli and Yuta while it’s the second for Garcia, PAC, Briscoe and Allin.

The match will join the first-ever women’s Blood & Guts match the same night that is expected to feature Jamie Hayter, Queen Aminata and two others against the Triangle of Madness (Julia Hart, Skye Blue & Thekla) and two others.

Tony Khan AEW media call notes: Andrade contract, Blood & Guts, ratings, injury updates

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: AEW

During a Thursday media call, AEW head Tony Khan talked about the contract situation with Andrade El Idolo (somewhat) in addition to the new ratings system, injury updates to two stars, potentially two Blood & Guts matches, and more.

The full audio from the call can be found below.

Andrade

Asked about the Andrade contract situation, Khan didn’t directly answer the question, even when offered the chance to do so on a follow-up. Khan said he has a ton of respect for him, calling him an amazing wrestler and said he would echo his statements at Worlds End in December 2023. He felt he left on a high note then and still feels that way. He’s excited to see what’s next for him and that was all he could say about it.

Nielsen ratings changes

Khan was asked about the new “Big Data + Panel” ratings methodology by Nielsen & how it’s affected wrestling. He said it will be interesting to look at and thinks they are overall having a really good year and “some of the best results of anybody.” Khan said he’s a part of different sports leagues and is aware of the differences & trying to learn from them. They need to adapt to the changing environment, but they are still trying to figure everything out.

Two Blood & Guts matches

Asked about whether there will be two Blood & Guts matches this year, he thinks they are heading toward both the men and women doing just that. He didn’t directly say the Greensboro, North Carolina, show in November will host two such matches, but he certainly seemed to hint at it.

Kota Ibushi & Swerve Strickland

Asked about Ibushi following his injury last week, Khan said the injury was “devastating for many reasons.” He was planned for the WrestleDream card and they had to make changes accordingly. He is looking forward to having him back if & when he is able. He added that sitting with Kenny Omega and Ibushi together at the Daily’s Place office last week was a “dream come true.”

On Strickland, Khan says he hopes he can come back “relatively soon” and based on conversations he had as recently as today, “he’s on a good pace and sooner than later.”

WrestleDream card updates

Khan said he has “undeniably” changed things for Saturday, but expects WrestleDream to be “an excellent, excellent show.” He is making changes and “going to try some things.” Ibushi was one of the things that necessitated a change.

Future AEW training/developmental facility?

Asked about interest in an AEW developmental/training facility, Khan said he’s interested in that, but was surprised at yesterday’s Fightful report about Asheville, North Carolina, saying there was some truth but was only part of the story. He played it off as kayfabe, saying he would be interested if FTR, Adam Copeland and Christian Cage could all make amends. He confirmed there were talks about such a place, but those issues would need to be figured out first.

Other Notes:

  • He also mentioned the wife of Lou Thesz is expected to be at WrestleDream as he wants to honor the spirit of wrestling in St. Louis. He said he would honor Antonio Inoki (for whom the event was initially done in tribute to) but didn’t specify how.

Click here to listen (no sub needed)

AEW All Out media scrum notes: Tony Khan on more afternoon shows, Blood & Guts, Athena

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Notes following AEW All Out.

The Demand, Kris Statlander, Brodido, Hangman Page, and Tony Khan all took questions from the media following Saturday’s All Out in Toronto, Canada. Here are the highlights:

Ricochet and The Gates of Agony

  • The Demand noted they were going after the Trios titles next.
  • Ricochet said his laugh was not inspired by Jadakiss, instead saying it was from a family member who does that laugh when he’s embarrassed.

Kris Statlander

  • Winning the title was an up and down journey for her. So many opportunities to prove that early on but was derailed by knee injuries. Disheartning that something out of her control stopped her. The first to win both the TBS and Women’s titles feels rewarding. She’s worked unbelievably hard to get where she’s at.
  • Statlander pointed out that others have used the seatbelt in the past, including Orange Cassidy, and wasn’t nessecarily inspired by Wheeler Yuta’s recent advice.
  • She wants to face Toni Storm next as they’ve never had a singles match yet she has had two victories over her.
  • When asked if she wants to face the Conglomeration, she says she wants to give people their space, noting her only ally is Harley Cameron.

Bandido and Brody King

  • When asked about AEW stars being allowed to wear messages on t-shirts, Brody King said he would not wear anything that would damage the reputation of the company or Tony. Khan said he supported wrestlers being themselves, and the messages they wear don’t nessecarily represent AEW.

Hangman Page

  • He was asked if Fletcher was ready. Page thought that Fletcher was more ready than he expected. 
  • John Pollock asked about We’re focused on what we’re doing here, over 13,000 people today. That’s what we’re focused on. That’s the honest truth, we’re so committed to putting on the best effort that we can.
  • Khan noted the energy backstage was all focused on having a great show and the vibe after was so positive.
  • Page pointed out Fletcher is only 26 and will hold the title one day.

Tony Khan

  • Khan first talked about the success of Forbidden Door and noted the ratings increases for Dynamite and Collision in the UK. He said that Dynamite was up 40 percent year over year, while Collision was 100 percent up over Ramapge in the same time slot from last year.
  • When asked if early start times a permanent move, Khan said it was definitely something to consider, nothing they’ve had great buyrate results from previous shows with early start times and it’s something to think about.
  • Khan was asked about the status of Chris Jericho and Britt Baker, but focused on surprises we’ve seen like Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus, or are about to see, like the upcoming return of Orange Cassidy without saying his name. He did say he’s keeping a door open for their return.
  • He reaffirmed he does not have Max numbers.
  • Khan was asked if they’ll have a Blood and Guts match this year. Khan said there’s a good chance, it’s a matter of which building they run it in.
  • Khan mentioned that the president of TBS and TNT was watching in the crowd and noted the pressure that comes with that, but felt everyone knocked it out of the park.
  • Someone asked if its possible AEW shows could be all under one streaming or cable outlet, like UFC with its new Paramount Plus deal. Khan pointed out everything AEW is now under one package between TNT, TBS, and HBO Max. 
  • When asked about officially naming the AEW World title the Men’s World title, Khan said it’s gotten great traction and it’s something to consider. It’s something that’s important to Hangman and something that he believes in, so that is something he supports. It works great both ways. 
  • Tony Khan said he was turned down on using Blake Christian’s theme on the independents, ‘Loving on Me’ by Jack Harlow. He credits Mikey Rucuks for the work he’s done over the years with AEW’s music.
  • On a potential AEW Dark return, Khan said potentially but also pointed to why those shows ended, as the company has extended to new content like AEW Collision. While he does have an interest in bringing Dark back, he’s enjoying what he’s doing now.
  • He talked about Ring of Honor for a while, saying he will get his money back from Brightcove for the technical errors from Death Before Dishonor.
  • Khan also mentioned that Athena was banged up but will be back soon.

Fight Game: Drew McIntyre is on fire

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

John LaRocca and I are back to talk about the major topics in the world of professional wrestling on this week’s Fight Game Podcast.

We kicked off the show with our Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down winners and losers of the week before going through our Top Five topics of the week which included:

  • Why MJF vs. Will Ospreay is AEW’s hottest program
  • Thoughts on last Wednesday’s Blood & Guts match
  • The Rhea Ripley/Dom Mysterio/Liv Morgan love triangle
  • Adding Seth Rollins to the scalding hot Drew McIntyre & CM Punk program
  • Who we’re keeping our eyes on during the NJPW G1 tournament

Click Here to Listen (sub needed)

Darby Allin & The Acclaimed join Team AEW for Blood & Guts match

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: AEW

And just like that, the roster for Team AEW has been filled out for next Wednesday’s Blood & Guts double cage match from Nashville, Tennessee.

After weeks of chasing after the Young Bucks, former AEW Tag Team Champions and Trios Champions The Acclaimed will get their shot against the Jackson brothers while Darby Allin will get his opportunity to take out his revenge on Jack Perry as part of Team AEW.

All three additions will be making their Blood & Guts match debut.

Made during a backstage segment on Wednesday’s Dynamite, Max Caster & Anthony Bowens made their pitch to Ring of Honor World Champion Mark Briscoe for why they should join the match. Briscoe agreed, but said it wasn’t up to just him. AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland then walked into the frame and after saying he had been to battle with both men before, he agreed to have them join Team AEW.

At the conclusion of Wednesday’s show when a brawl broke out between The Elite (Matt & Nick Jackson, Perry, Hangman Page & Kazuchika Okada) and Strickland, Briscoe, Caster and Bowens, Allin came down from the ceiling ala Sting to join the fray and officially join the squad.

The July tradition will emanate this year from Nashville, Tennessee.

Tony Khan: It’d be great to have women’s AEW Blood & Guts match at some point

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Though we haven’t gotten a women’s Blood & Guts match yet, Tony Khan is open to making it happen in the future.

Khan told the Battleground Podcast that it would be great to have the women’s division compete in Blood & Guts at some point. He thinks the best time for it to happen would be when AEW has enough healthy women’s stars and they’re intertwined in the right story. Right now, Khan believes the division is stronger than it has ever been.

“At some point, it would be great to have a women’s Blood & Guts match. I think you need a lot of people tied in on [the] story, and a lot of healthy people,” Khan said. “We have a great roster that we’re building up, and I think our women’s roster is stronger than it’s ever been right now today. And I’m really excited about that. So if we ever get to the point where we’ve got enough people tied together and the story makes sense, I think it would be great.”

Willow Nightingale and Skye Blue are among the wrestlers who have voiced their support for a women’s Blood & Guts match. Blue told WGN Radio last month that Blood & Guts is her favorite Dynamite episode and she wants to be in that cage “so badly.”

“To be the first woman to have a Blood & Guts match — I would cry,” Blue said.

Blood & Guts is AEW’s version of WarGames. It’s taken place as a special episode of Dynamite every year since 2021. This year, Blood & Guts will be held in Nashville on Wednesday, July 24 and will pit Team AEW against The Elite.

The Battleground Podcast’s full interview with Khan can be watched below:

AEW Blood & Guts match ran long, post-match promo was to air live

Posted on by Ian Carey

The Blood & Guts match on last week’s Dynamite ran long and a post-match segment didn’t air as planned. 

According to a report from SI.com’s Justin Barrasso, the plan was for the match to end 10-minutes before Dynamite went off the air, allowing time for a promo from Kenny Omega to close the show. However, the performers ran low of time near the end and a spot involving Hangman Page had to be scrapped in addition to Omega’s post-match comments. 

“A big moment for Page was scratched because of the lack of time, but all of the other key points were hit, with the notable exception being the postmatch interview from Omega,” Barrasso wrote. 

While it didn’t air on television, footage of Omega’s post-match comments and the handshake between The Elite and BCC have been shared on social media. 

“If you guys want, I’ll shorten my career, I’ll shorten my life to keep this fight alive. But I’m willing to stick my hand out and shake yours if you guys will let bygones be bygones,” Omega said.

“If you guys want to keep doing it, so help me God, I’ll keep doing it. But I’m gonna do it with a newfound respect for each and every one of you. I’m gonna stick my hand out, just this once, just this once, as a sign of respect because I respect the hell out of you guys,” he continued.

Claudio Castagnoli spoke to Sports Illustrated following the match and stated that the handshake between The Elite and BCC “probably should have been on television.” 

“We lost that battle, but we won the war. Thanks to the Blackpool Combat Club, now The Elite is better than ever. We brought them to a place they’ve never been, Castagnoli said. 

“The postmatch between the BCC and The Elite, with Kenny talking and we all shook hands, that probably should have been on television, but it shows that there is nothing like being there in person. There is nothing like being there live.”

Our own Dave Meltzer rated this year’s Blood & Guts match four and three-quarter stars in the July 24, 2023 edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. 

Wheeler Yuta also wrestled the double-cage match with a partially torn hamstring that he suffered on the 7/5 Dynamite in a match against Omega. It was also noted that Jon Moxley pitched the idea of using a bed of nails in the match. 

Kota Ibushi addresses critics of AEW Blood & Guts performance

Posted on by Ian Carey

Kota Ibushi has revealed why he was “moving like an old man” during the Blood & Guts match on Dynamite last week. 

The double-cage match was just Ibushi’s third match since 2021, after having wrestled two matches for GCW over WrestleMania weekend this year. Some have been critical of his performance in his AEW debut, stating the 41-year-old was moving a little sluggish during the match. 

Ibushi noted in a social media post on Tuesday that the thumbtacks scattered across the mat during Blood & Guts ended up negatively impacting his performance. 

A translation of Ibushi’s Tweet reads:

I’m home It’s my fault that I didn’t know thumbtacks and glass after all this time. I have thin wrestling shoes, so it penetrated and it was just painful from the middle, and I ended up moving like an old man. I’m sorry! Far from being unable to kick, both ankles were stiff

Life with a cane for the first time in my life No, I’ll be cured tomorrow! That is Kota Ibushi!

https://twitter.com/ibushi_kota/status/1684016925943435265

Ibushi was voted to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame Class of 2022. His Wrestle Kingdom match against Shinsuke Nakamura won Match of the Year in 2015. Ibushi was also voted the Best Flying Wrestler in 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2013.

Wrestling Observer Radio: Is there a tipping point for wrestling television hours?

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

Dave Meltzer and I are back with Wrestling Observer Radio going over all the news in the latest issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Dave and I discussed the following:

  • The story that Disney is looking into strategic partners for ESPN
  • How much pro wrestling there is to watch these days
  • Blood & Guts thoughts
  • If there’s a tipping point when expected consumption is going up and TV viewing is going down
  • Nick Khan’s NXT strategy for increasing ratings
  • ROH’s Death Before Dishonor
  • SummerSlam’s live ticket sales and card so far
  • The Rick Steiner situation with WrestleCon
  • The formation of the NWA

Click here to listen or watch on YouTube (with video subscription).

Claudio Castagnoli: AEW Blood & Guts handshake probably should have aired on TV

Posted on by Joseph Currier

On AEW Dynamite earlier this week, the rivalry between The Elite and Blackpool Combat Club came to a close in Blood & Guts.

The Elite & Kota Ibushi prevailed in the match, defeating Blackpool Combat Club inside of the two-ring cage. Blackpool Combat Club lost the match after their two partners, PAC and Konosuke Takeshita, walked out on them.

After the show went off the air, there was a moment where The Elite and Blackpool Combat Club were able to at least momentarily put their issues aside. The two factions shook hands, expressing their mutual respect for each other.

In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Castagnoli discussed the post-show moment, saying that it’s something he thinks probably should have aired on television. 

Castagnoli also said that, despite losing the match, he thinks Blackpool Combat Club accomplished something by making The Elite play by their rules. 

“That’s what we wanted to come across. We lost that battle but we won the war. Thanks to the Blackpool Combat Club, now The Elite is better than ever. We brought them to a place they’ve never been,” Castagnoli said.

“The post-match between the BCC and The Elite, with Kenny talking and we all shook hands, that probably should have been on television, but it shows that there is nothing like being there in-person. There is nothing like being there live.”

Castagnoli told Sports Illustrated that he thinks the Blood & Guts match delivered on its high expectations.

“It was the spectacle of blood and guts that people expected, and even exceeded that,” Castagnoli said. “We had modifications from last year with the separate entrances, which helped. There’s only been two other of these matches in AEW, but I thought it delivered.”

The dissension between Castagnoli and PAC in Blood & Guts leads to the main event of tonight’s ROH Death Before Dishonor pay-per-view. Castagnoli is defending his ROH World Championship against PAC at the PPV.

The Golden Elite win Blood & Guts match on AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Ethan Renner

The Golden Elite claimed victory in the annual Blood & Guts match on Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite in Boston. 

The Golden Elite squad of The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson), Kenny Omega, Hangman Page, and the debuting Kota Ibushi defeated the Blackpool Combat Club side featuring Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, Konosuke Takeshita, and PAC via submission when Yuta passed out while being choked with a chain by Page. It appeared at first that the call was a referee stoppage, but commentary pushed that Moxley submitted with Yuta unable to respond while being choked out.

The finish came after PAC and Takeshita walked out on the match, The Young Bucks kept Castagnoli at bay, and Moxley was handcuffed to the ring ropes. PAC walked out after a series of miscommunication spots with Castagnoli, while Takeshita bailed on the match at the behest of Don Callis as it became clear that The Golden Elite had the upper hand. 

The wild brawl included Matt Jackson hitting a series of northern lights suplexes on Yuta on the top of the cage, glass, thumbtacks, a table, a chair, a bed of nails, as well as the aforementioned chain and handcuffs. 

The Pinnacle (MJF, Wardlow, FTR & Shawn Spears) defeated The Inner Circle (Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara, Jake Hager, Santana & Ortiz) in the first Blood & Guts match on the May 5, 2021 Dynamite. 

In last year’s edition, Blackpool Combat Club (Moxley, Castagnoli & Yuta) and Eddie Kingston, Santana & Ortiz defeated The Jericho Appreciation Society (Jericho, Guevara, Hager, Daniel Garcia, Matt Menard & Angelo Parker) on the June 29, 2022 Dynamite.

Our full report from Dynamite can be found here.

Final Blood & Guts team members to be revealed on AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Bryan Rose

The fifth members of the upcoming Blood & Guts match will be revealed this Wednesday.

Tony Khan on Twitter Monday afternoon revealed that the Blackpool Combat Club and The Elite will choose their fifth members on Wednesday’s Dynamite.

“With #BloodAndGuts in Boston only 1 week away, Blackpool Combat Club and The Elite will each reveal the 5th man joining their teams this week on Wednesday Night #AEWDynamite,” Khan wrote.

Next week’s show in Boston will have The Elite (Hangman Page, The Young Bucks, and Kenny Omega) take on Konosuke Takeshita and the Blackpool Combat Club (Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, and Jon Moxley). It has been pushed that due to Eddie Kingston competing in NJPW’s G1 Climax tournament and Bryan Danielson currently out due to injury, both teams need one more member.

Here’s the current lineup for Wednesday:

  • Chris Jericho vs. Komander
  • Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament semifinal: Ruby Soho vs. Skye Blue
  • Blind Eliminator Tournament semifinal: MJF & Adam Cole vs. Big Bill & Brian Cage
  • Blind Eliminator Tournament semifinal: Orange Cassidy & Darby Allin vs. Sammy Guevara & Daniel Garcia
  • Nick Wayne vs. Swerve Strickland
  • Fifth members revealed for Blood & Guts team