Tag: britt baker

WOR: TNA Genesis, RAW report, GCW, Britt, more!

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including thoughts on the TNA Genesis PPV on Sunday, PCO and what happened at this weekend’s GCW event, Britt Baker, ratings, RAW report, upcoming show line-ups and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!

Timestamps:
Start: TNA Genesis fallout
12:16: Allie Katch injury, Dave’s thoughts on Chris Bey/TNA/GoFundMe
22:07: PCO’s issues with TNA
26:52: Britt Baker’s status with AEW, other AEW talent issues
44:57: Ratings
46:49: WWE Raw recap, lineups for the week

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Britt Baker rumors ‘blown way out of proportion,’ according to multiple people in AEW

Posted on by Ian Carey

Reports that Britt Baker might be done with AEW appear to be “blown way out of proportion,” says our own Bryan Alvarez. 

Baker’s status with the company drew headlines on Monday following reports that she is “wildly unpopular” in the AEW women’s locker room and that Tony Khan may no longer be booking her for TV due to being “fed up” with her. 

Alvarez wrote to his subscribers on X:

“From talking to multiple people within AEW, the Britt Baker stories all over the Internet today appear to be blown way out of proportion. She’s not being used and there don’t appear to be any imminent plans, but there’s nothing to her being finished with the company.”

Baker’s last match was a win over Penelope Ford on the November 13, 2024, edition of AEW Dynamite. Following the bout, Serena Deeb walked out on stage, and it appeared an angle was building between the two. Baker was heard saying, “Nobody cares,” as the segment came to an end, and Deeb wore a t-shirt with “Nobody Cares” written on it to the ring for her match on the December 7 AEW Collision. However, neither Deeb nor Baker have wrestled in AEW since then. 

Britt Baker says she’s ‘exhausted’ by social media critics: ‘I’m done being polite’

Posted on by Ian Carey

Britt Baker says she’s done being polite.

In a new interview with US Magazine, the former AEW Women’s World Champion spoke about her up-and-down year in 2024, which saw her deal with injuries and issues in her personal life but also land a role on Netflix’s Cobra Kai series. 

“I’m exhausted. I’m not going to be polite anymore. Leave me alone. Politeness is 2024. Everyone needs to be real and authentic, and the world will be a better place,” Baker said during the interview. 

When asked about her “roller coaster” of 2024, Baker responded:

“Roller coaster is a good word but I also don’t think it’s appropriate, because with a roller coaster there’s a start and an end point. I can’t really say where the roller coaster started, and I definitely don’t know where it’s going to end.”

Baker says she’s had to “mentally dig deep” this year not to be affected by her online critics.

“You can’t ever believe what you read about yourself, whether it’s really good or really bad, or you’re going to end up medicated and sedated potentially,” Baker continued. “It’s tough because we live in a world where social media is so prominent. Social media fuels what we do, essentially.”

“We rely on it. But man, is it toxic. It’s brutal. There’s a whole population of people on social media who just want to make you feel bad about yourself. It’s crazy we live in a world where that’s their mission. ‘I’m going to wake up today, tweet 10 mean tweets to Britt. I’m gonna take a lunch break. And then maybe I’ll do 10 more.’ It’s bizarre.”

Baker, a longtime fan of Cobra Kai, the Netflix series spawned by The Karate Kid film franchise, plays a sensei in season six of the show. She says she landed the role after meeting one of the show’s writers and continuing to bug him about it. 

“I met one of the writers, Hayden (Schlossberg), and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m Britt,'” she recalled. “He recognized me from social media. I kind of joked, but not joking, ‘If you ever need anything, I’m a huge fan and would love to be involved.'”

“Eventually, he called me and said, ‘You really have the Cobra Kai never say die attitude. If you’re interested, we have a role for you in mind and this is what it is,'” Baker continued.

The show’s sixth season has been split into three parts. The final part of season six airs in February. While Baker appears in part two of season six, which is already on the streaming service, she says she’s waiting until the whole season is released before watching it. 

“I have to be honest, I haven’t even watched it yet,” she admitted. “I want to wait for all of it to come out so I can watch it all!”

Britt Baker in-ring return added to AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Britt Baker returns this Wednesday.

AEW’s social media confirmed that Baker would be returning to the ring this Wednesday against an unnamed opponent. It would be her first match in over a month.

“After one month away, Dr. @realBrittBaker D.M.D returns to #AEW, looking to climb the ranks of the Women’s Division once again! Don’t miss the return of the D.M.D in Bridgeport CT!,” they wrote.

Baker made her return to AEW at Forbidden Door after being gone for most of the year following two herniated discs, a torn labrum, and a transient ischemic attack. She ended up confronting Mercedes Mone and the two had a match at All In, where Mone won. Her most recent match was a victory over Serene Deeb at AEW Dynamite Title Tuesday.

The card for next week’s Dynamite:

  • Konosuke Takeshita vs. Adam Cole – if Cole wins, he earns a match against MJF at Full Gear
  • Hangman Page & Christian Cage vs. Jay White and Juice Robinson
  • Britt Baker to compete
  • Mina Shirakawa returns

Adam Cole confirms relationship with Britt Baker has ended

Posted on by Ian Carey

Adam Cole and Britt Baker are no longer together.

The former couple had been in a relationship for seven years after meeting on Bumble in 2017. However, during an interview with SI.com, Cole stated that they have gone their separate ways but remain friends.

“We are no longer a couple,” Cole said. “But when I say that we both still love each other and are still friends and still so supportive of each other, that could not be more true.”

While it’s not clear when the couple’s relationship ended, Cole sparked rumors of it this summer when he mentioned on a video game stream that he would be moving back to his home state of Pennsylvania alone.

“I think the world of Britt,” Cole continued. “I want her to be as happy and successful as humanly possible, and I know she feels the exact same way about me. We did decide to go our separate ways, but that doesn’t mean that she will not be an incredibly important part of my life. Britt is absolutely one of my best friends. She’s someone that I love dearly and will always love dearly, and there is no ill will between me and her whatsoever.”

Cole and Baker’s relationship was featured in AEW: All Access, the company’s backstage reality series that aired last year.

“I don’t want anyone to ever think that me and Britt dislike each other. I think it is possible, in situations, for people who are in relationships to kind of go their separate ways, but still care about one another. The last thing I would want is fans to pick sides or anything like that.” 

SI.com’s full interview with Adam Cole will be released on Wednesday morning.

Britt Baker says she is doing ok after missing AEW Dynamite due to strep throat

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: AEW

Former AEW Women’s Champion Britt Baker said in a new video on X that despite what she sounds like, she is doing ok after recently coming down with strep throat.

Baker thanked those who have reached out after she was forced to miss her Women’s title eliminator match against Willow Nightingale this past Wednesday on Dynamite. After getting the diagnosis at urgent care, she has taken antibiotics, an IV, and a shot to help her recover. She gave no indication when she might return.

AEW head Tony Khan mentioned on the pre-WrestleDream media call Wednesday that he saw Baker at the wedding of former AEW VP Megha Parekh and that she got the illness after that.

She also said she is having issues with getting supplies like gas and water due to the potential threat of hurricanes in Florida recently. She figured she was going to be in Washington State this week and didn’t have to worry about them, but her now being stuck in Orlando has her wishing she stocked up.

She also had a message for those who might be doubting she was sick.

“To all the weirdos with your conspiracy theories, f**k off,” she said.

Britt Baker to miss AEW Dynamite due to illness

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Britt Baker is off Title Tuesday.

Tony Khan announced on TikTok that Baker is unable to travel and is “very, very sick.” As a result, she will be out of Tuesday’s special edition of Dynamite. She was scheduled to face Willow Nightingale in a match where the winner would challenge Mariah May for the AEW Women’s Championship at WrestleDream this coming weekend. Khan announced that a four-way will now take place on Tuesday, where the winner between Nightingale, Saraya, Jamie Hayter, and Nyla Rose will become the new number one contender.

@tonyrkhan

TITLE TUESDAY TONIGHT on TBS! Important #AEWDynamite Title Tuesday Announcement ahead of this huge show at 9pm ET/8pm CT, Tonight! #aew @AEWonTV @All Elite Wrestling @TBS Network

♬ original sound – Tony Khan

Nightingale and May have confronted one another in recent weeks, including on the most recent episode of Collision. After Nightingale defeated Trish Adora, the two attacked one another with May escaping following a powerbomb attempt by Nightingale.

The updated card for AEW Dynamite Title Tuesday:

  • Bryan Danielson & Wheeler Yuta vs. Claudio Castagnoli & PAC
  • NJPW Strong Women’s Champion & TBS Champion Mercedes Mone defends both belts against Emi Sakura
  • Winner faces Mariah May at WrestleDream for the AEW Women’s World Championship: Willow Nightingale vs. Saraya vs. Jamie Hayter vs. Nyla Rose
  • Hologram vs. Komander
  • Hook calls out the person who attacked Taz last week
  • Jay White appears live

Women’s World title eliminator, Mercedes Mone double title defense signed for AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: AEW

After the events of the last few weeks, the AEW Women’s World title scene will get clarified on next week’s Title Tuesday edition of AEW Dynamite.

Former AEW Women’s Champion Britt Baker will take on former CMLL Women’s Champion Willow Nightingale in a title eliminator match. The winner will challenge reigning champion Mariah May at next Saturday’s AEW WrestleDream pay-per-view.

Nightingale got into a scrap with May both this past Wednesday and on Saturday’s Collision after the former defeated Trish Adora. That was preceded by a Baker vignette in which she called out May for a shot following her win over Serena Deeb Wednesday.

TBS & NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Mercedes Mone will put both of her titles on the line against the returning Emi Sakura.

Mone, who has a feud with Kris Statlander in her sights, has defended the TBS title seven times and the Strong title just once. Sakura hasn’t competed in AEW since April and has never held an AEW title.

In another new development, Hook called out whoever took out Taz prior to Dynamite to confront him face-to-face. Taz was written off in storyline due to having knee replacement surgery.

After being attacked by Brody King on Collision and getting his WrestleDream open challenge accepted, Darby Allin has requested a face-to-face confrontation with the big man.

Here’s the current lineup for Tuesday in Spokane, Washington, with a special start time of 9 PM Eastern:

  • Bryan Danielson & Wheeler Yuta vs. Claudio Castagnoli & PAC
  • TBS & NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Mercedes Mone defends both titles against Emi Sakura
  • Willow Nightingale vs. Britt Baker in an AEW Women’s World title eliminator
  • Hook calls out Taz’s attackers
  • Darby Allin and Brody King face-to-face confrontation

Britt Baker: Mercedes Mone ‘is absolutely one of my role models’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Britt Baker is grateful that she got to share the ring with one of her dream opponents at AEW All In.

After nearly a year away due to health issues, Baker returned to AEW programming this summer for a feud with Mercedes Mone. They faced off for the first time ever when Baker unsuccessfully challenged Mone for the TBS Championship at Wembley Stadium in August.

While speaking with TV Insider ahead of AEW Dynamite’s fifth anniversary episode, Baker reflected on how much facing the former Sasha Banks meant to her.

“Mercedes is absolutely one of my role models. Someone I always dreamed of wrestling in the ring. I can’t lie. My experience working with her was awesome. She was so cool to me. She always treated me like her equal,” Baker said. “Mercedes is iconic. She has done it all, wrestled everywhere. Her WWE matches I will study until the end of time. Ones I will always show to people getting into wrestling. The Bayley and Sasha Banks [NXT] Takeover match, at one point I think I memorized the match from start to finish. I look at it as I got to share the ring with one of my idols. I hope it’s not the last time either. I’m thankful for the experience because a lot of people don’t get those opportunities. You get asked what your dream match [is] all the time, but do you ever get to have it? A lot of people can’t say they have.”

Mone said that she had a really good time facing Baker at All In. In response to the mixed reaction the match received from fans, Mone admitted that she felt like there was some audience fatigue with the match going on third-to-last at the pay-per-view.

Dynamite’s fifth anniversary episode is taking place from Baker’s hometown of Pittsburgh tonight. Baker vs. Serena Deeb is set for the show. It’s the first time Baker has wrestled since All In.

TV Insider asked Baker to explain her post-All In absence.

“I guess in a lot of ways I can’t other than I lost, so back of the line,” she responded. “I can’t think of how many times I’ve said that to girls in my promos when I was champion. Back of the line. It’s a harsh reality when you’re in that position.”


Britt Baker to make in-ring return on fifth anniversary edition of AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Britt Baker is making her return soon.

On Collision, a short video revealed Baker’s return date: October 2, the fifth anniversary of AEW Dynamite. Tony Schiavone later confirmed that Baker would be wrestling on the show. Towards the end of Collision, Serena Deeb called out Baker, saying she would wait to hear her response.

Baker was last seen at All In back in August, failing to defeat Mercedes Mone for the TBS Championship. Following All Out two weeks later, Tony Khan was asked about Baker’s status. Khan told people to stay tuned to hear what Baker’s plans were.

After being gone for most of 2024, Baker resurfaced at Forbidden Door earlier this summer, challenging Mone. During the build to their match, Baker was briefly suspended and fined by AEW following an argument with MJF.

Following her victory over Baker, Mone went on to successfully defend the TBS Championship at All Out, defeating Hikaru Shida. However, she has also not been seen on television since that match.

Here is the updated card for the October 2 edition of AEW Dynamite:

  • AEW International title: Will Ospreay to defend against Ricochet
  • Britt Baker in action

Mercedes Mone ‘did sense some audience fatigue’ during Britt Baker match at AEW All In

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Mercedes Mone has opened up about her AEW All Ij match with Britt Baker, noting that she “did sense some audience fatigue” during the encounter.

Writing in the latest issue of her Mone Mag digital magazine, Mone noted the challenges of working for an audience reaction in a stadium, plus the length of the show perhaps causing some crowd fatigue.

Mone wrote:

“I’ve performed in stadium shows before, so I was expecting to hear mixed things from the crowd. In a stadium ring, it takes a while to hear crowd reactions. You have to wait for the sound to rise all the way up and then come back down. You have to take this into consideration to mentally prepare and adjust but it’s definitely a factor.“

Mone continued, noting the balance between a tired crowd and giving fans their money’s worth:

“I’ve heard a lot of mixed reactions to my All In match with Britt. I had a really good time out there with her. I did sense some audience fatigue. It’s only natural being third to last, as the crowd had already seen over 10 matches before ours. They arrived at 5:30, and by the time we came out, it was around 9:00. That’s a long time but, at the same time, amazing because AEW really gave them their money’s worth. I could hear some DMD and CEO chants but again it’s harder in a stadium. Britt told me later, that on video you can hear crowd reactions much better and that there were more crowd reactions than we felt.”

Mone also discussed her All In entrance attire, noting that she spent $10,000 of her own money on her gear, the most in her career:

“My robe, which was so beautiful, grand, and regal, was also my most expensive in my 14 years of wrestling. The whole outfit, in total, cost me over $10,000, All In (no pun intended).”

“As far as wrestlers investing so much money into their attire, it really depends on where they’re at in their career. If you’re not there salary wise, you try to find cheaper ways to look your best and it’s for sure possible. I did. When it comes to the biggest events, you invest all that you can. These stages are huge and these moments last forever so you want to put your best foot forward. It doesn’t always come down to money. It comes down to investing the time, being creative and resourceful. Doing so elevates standards and elevates your character. I feel it’s all worth it, and in the end, it does pay off. I hope to teach this sentiment to some of the younger girls on our roster.”

You can subscribe to Mone Mag here.

Will Ospreay says MJF-Britt Baker AEW incident was ‘completely blown out of proportion’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

According to Will Ospreay, the recent AEW backstage incident between MJF and Britt Baker wasn’t as big of a deal as it’s been made out to be.

Echoing similar comments by MJF, Ospreay told the New York Post that the incident was “the most completely blown out of proportion thing I ever seen in my entire life.” Ospreay did not want to get into specifics due to not knowing exactly what had been reported.

The incident happened backstage at the July 17 episode of Dynamite, where MJF defeated Ospreay in a nearly hour-long match to become the new AEW American Champion. Reportedly, MJF confronted Baker after AEW interviewer Alicia Atout (who is dating MJF) told him that Baker was speaking negatively about him. It’s believed that Ospreay also spoke with Baker at one point.

MJF was not suspended over what happened. Baker was fined and briefly suspended.

In an interview with Cultaholic this month, MJF denied some of what had been reported about the incident.

“Tell me if this passes the smell test. I barge into a woman’s locker room. I scream in the face of an 110-pound woman, and then I physically threaten her by punching a wall in her vicinity…and I don’t get suspended,” MJF said. “Does that pass the smell test to you? Almost everything that was written didn’t happen.”

MJF vs. Ospreay for the American Championship is taking place at AEW All In this Sunday. Mercedes Mone vs. Baker for the TBS Championship is also set for the pay-per-view.

Ospreay told the New York Post that, while some people may not like each other, it’s important that AEW operates as a team.

“I am just trying to bring people together as a team,” he said. “That’s all I can say. I’m fully aware people don’t like each other backstage. I know there are people backstage that I don’t like. My whole thing is that going forward we all need to be a team. We all need to look after one another.”

Mercedes Mone vs. Britt Baker contract signing set for AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Ian Carey

A new segment has been added to the lineup for AEW Dynamite.

A contract signing featuring Britt Baker and TBS Champion Mercedes Mone is now scheduled for the show. Baker will challenge Mone for the TBS Championship on Sunday at AEW All In.

“Time to make it Official! TBS Champion @MercedesVarnado and Dr. @RealBrittBaker, D.M.D. meet to sign the contract for their TBS Championship match, THIS SUNDAY at #AEWAllInLondon!”

Sunday will be just Baker’s third match of the year. Since returning from injury this summer, Baker has defeated Harley Cameron and Hikaru Shida in singles competition. The updated lineup for today’s Dynamite is below.

AEW Dynamite (Wednesday, August 21) —

  • “Final Showdown” between Swerve Strickland and Bryan Danielson
  • AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada defends against Claudio Castagnoli
  • AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm defends against Saraya
  • MJF & Will Ospreay face-to-face
  • Chris Jericho vs. Tommy Billington
  • Hook vs. Big Bill
  • FTR & Darby Allin vs. The Young Bucks & Jack Perry
  • TBS Championship match contract signing with Britt Baker and TBS Champion Mercedes Mone

AEW Collision live results: FTR vs. The Acclaimed, Eddie Kingston appearance

Posted on by Suit Williams

The challengers for the AEW Tag Team title at this month’s All In will decided on tonight’s AEW Collision from Arlington, Texas.

The match will see rivals and former champions FTR and The Acclaimed battling it out with the winners set to face The Young Bucks for the titles in London. The match happened after FTR interfered in Wednesday’s title match, causing a DQ loss for The Acclaimed.

In a surprise announcement Friday, Eddie Kingston will make an appearance on tonight’s show as he has All In on his mind. The former ROH World Champion has been out of action since May after tearing his ACL, meniscus, and fracturing his leg in a match against Gabe Kidd at NJPW Resurgence.

Tonight’s show will also feature ROH Tag Team Champions The Undisputed Kingdom (Mike Bennett & Matt Taven) defend against Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara, Britt Baker vs. Harley Cameron, and TNT Champion Jack Perry in action. Toni Storm is also set to debut a new film.

**********

The final Collision from the eSportatorium started with Britt Baker making her entrance for the opening match. Tony Schiavone & Nigel McGuinness were on the call.

Dr. Britt Baker DMD defeated Harley Cameron

Decent build for the TBS Title match at Wembley.

We got footage of Baker’s attack on Mercedes Mone from Dynamite. The two went back and forth as the announcers ran down the card for tonight. Baker fired up with forearms before running wild, scoring a nearfall with the Twist and Shout neckbreaker. Baker pulled out the glove, but Cameron showed her no love by hitting her with Sole Food and a Shining Wizard for a nearfall.

The two jockeyed for position before Baker scored with a question mark kick. The two traded kicks before Baker hit a Slingblade and a curb stomp for the win. After the match, Mercedes Mone & Kamille came out. Mone sent Kamiile to the ring, with Baker responding by fishing a kendo stick from under the ring. Kamille took the kendo stick and broke it over her knee before booting Baker in the face. Kamille carried Baker into the ring before dumping her with the Dominator. Mone & Kamille stood tall over Baker to end the segment.

We got footage of the press conference announcing All In: Texas for July 12, 2025. Arlington mayor Jim Ross – not that one – was shown in the front row for tonight’s Collision.

We got a recap of Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara’s recent history on Ring of Honor television, with them getting laid out by the Undisputed Kingdom on Thursday’s episode of ROH.

ROH World Tag Team Title Match – Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara defeated The Undisputed Kingdom (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) (c) to win the titles

This was a load of fun, as the eSportatorium got behind the Texas boys winning the titles here. Dustin Rhodes is a double champion in Ring of Honor, as we all predicted back in 2002.

Bennett & Rhodes started the match off, with Rhodes working hard to eventually catch both men with the sliding uppercut. Guevara tagged in and ran wild with dives, with him and Rhodes posing to big cheers. The Kingdom got the advantage on Guevara by chucking him into the stairs as we went to a commercial break.

The champions continued to beat on Guevara as we came back from the commercial. Rhodes provided a distraction to Taven while he was on the top rope, allowing Guevara to race up the ropes and hit a little Spanish Fly. Rhodes got the hot tag and ran wild, dropping Taven with the Canadian Destroyer. Rhodes set up for Shattered Dreams, then sent Bennett into Taven’s crotch before hitting the move behind the referee’s back.

Rhodes hit Taven with the Cross Rhodes for a nearfall. A move train broke out before Rhodes and Taven were left alone again. Roderick Strong & The Beast Mortos came out, with Mortos providing distraction as Strong hit a Sick Kick. Rhodes kicked out, and the Von Erichs came out to lock on them both in the Claw.

A battle royal broke out at ringside, with Cage of Agony & The Conglomeration joining the fray on the floor. Back in the ring, Guevara cut off the Hail Mary with a springboard cutter to Taven. Rhodes hit the Curtain Call on Bennett before Guevara scored the win with a senton.

We got a video package of the roster making predictions on the Swerve Strickland/Bryan Danielson AEW World Title match at All In: Wembley, set to Machinehead by Bush.

FTW Champion Chris Jericho was with Renee Paquette backstage, who noted that Jericho would be facing Tommy Billington on Dynamite in Wales. Jericho called his All In opponent, Hook, stupid for fighting him blind. He told Hook that he would be banned from the Jericho Vortex after All In and said that he wanted a warm-up against one of the UK’s top prospects. He said that Billington’s uncle wouldn’t have liked Billington as he hadn’t worked enough to earn his opportunities. Jericho called himself a modern-day Stu Hart and said that the Dynamite Kid would be Dynamite done.

Hologram defeated Angelico

The announcers made sure to note that Hologram used his mat skills to beat the technician, spotlighting the diversity of Hologram’s work. I wonder how Hologram’s push will translate to the bigger buildings, with this being the last show in the eSportatorium for now. And yes, I am shoehorning eSportatorium into this review as much as possible.

The two worked on the mat, with Hologram spinning on his head to take Angelico down with his legs. They fought to a stalemate before Hologram armdragged Angelico with his feet to send him to the outside. Hologram hit a massive suicida as we went to a commercial break.

After the commercial, Hologram evaded Angelico in the corner before hitting a high kick and a ropewalk hurricanrana. Angelico caught Hologram in the corner, but Hologram turned it into a DDT for a nearfall. Hologram went for a 450 splash, but Angelico moved out of the way and hit a rising enzuigiri for a nearfall. Hologram stood on Angelico’s back, then vaulted up into a rana for a nearfall.

We got a pinning predicament before Hologram stuffed a La Magistral cradle for a nearfall. Hologram caught Angelico with a leg-trap crucifix pin to win.

We got a video package highlighting the danger of the Tiger Driver ’91, with Will Ospreay talking about how there is no way for the man taking the move to protect himself. We got footage of Mitsuharu Misawa using the move in Ring of Honor as Excalibur talked about the origins of the move. After Misawa’s death in 2009, the move was effectively retired until Ospreay used it at Forbidden Door 2023 against Kenny Omega. Ospreay regretted using it on Bryan Danielson because of his neck issues and walked out of the interview.

(Mitsuharu Misawa footage on Collision. This really is the People’s A-Show.)

Non-Title Match: TNT Champion Jack Perry defeated Danny Orion

I was expecting Perry’s personalized TNT Title to be made of glass. I don’t know how that would have worked, but it would’ve been something.

Orion was billed from “Dallas Singles dot com.” Perry quickly drilled Orion with a rebound lariat. Perry hit the Glass Jaw knee to score the win.

After the match, Perry grabbed a can of spray paint and a body bag. He painted half of Orion’s face white and stuffed him and the TNT Title in the body bag, which was branded with Darby Allin’s name. He pulled out another bag which held a personalized TNT Title, spraypainted black with veiny leather. Is there a better way of describing the look of the leather? It looked veiny.

We got a video package of the recent events surrounding the AEW Trios Titles. The House of Black and the Bang Bang Gang cut separate promos about Christian Cage screwed them both over. It ended with Brody King asking Cage if he felt nostalgic. Vice Principal Christopher Daniels then announced that The Patriarchy would defend the AEW Trios Titles at All In: Wembley in a “London Ladders Match.” Their opponents would be The House of Black, The Bang Bang Gang, and a third team to be determined in a Wild Card match on Collision from Wales next Saturday.

Claudio Castagnoli defeated Lio Rush

This match was everything I wanted it to be, with Rush less challenging Castagnoli and more being a gnat that Claudio eventually caught.

Castagnoli is warming up for his Continental Championship match on Dynamite against Kazuchika Okada by facing his former CHAOS stablemate Lio Rush. Yeah, Lio Rush was in CHAOS for a minute last year, remember that? Rush manuevered around Castagnoli to find an opening and hit a stunner for a one count before getting booted. After a commercial, Castagnoli caught Rush on a poisonrana attempt, then stuffed a regular rana attempt before Rush baited him over the top to the apron. Rush hit a pair of handspring boots before going for a suicida, but Castagnoli caught him and tossed him on the apron.

Rush hit a kick and a rana off the apron, but Castagnoli vaulted him over the barricade and sent him tumbling among the humanoids. Rush beat the count into the ring, then evaded several strikes before hitting a low enzuigiri. Rush went for the frog splash, but Castagnoli moved before hitting the Swiss Death uppercut for the win.

Kris Statlander & Stokely Hathaway were in the back complaining about Willow Nightingale & Tomohiro Ishii. Statlander talked about how scary Ishii was, with Hathaway becoming more visibly afraid. Hathaway said that whoever won at Wembley would earn the right to pick the stipulation for Nightingale & Statlander’s singles rematch at All Out in Chicago on September 7th. Hathaway then feebly threatened Ishii, claiming that he was the Stone Pitbull around here and failing to bark with any bass in his voice.

Eddie Kingston, with a bushy Mick Foley beard, was at his home. He wasn’t here to give an injury update, as he still had a long road to recovery. He talked to Bryan Danielson, asking what version of Danielson this was. He called this version of Danielson disrespectful to the sport, and a man that would get beaten by Swerve Strickland at All In. This version of Danielson didn’t have the fire anymore. Kingston asked Danielson if he would find that fire and step up, or just go to Wembley and lose.

(In case you were wondering, Eddie Kingston can cut a money promo about a match he isn’t in while nursing a bum leg.)

Mariah May defeated London Dior

May jumped her opponent with a shotgun dropkick as she entered the ring. May hit a hip attack and a Storm Zero for the quick win, as Tony Schiavone barely spit out Dior’s name before the match was over.

After the match, we got a Toni Storm film entitled “My Final Gift.” Storm, in a black wig, told a story about the doctor recommending her to see a clown called Pagliacci. She said that Pagliacci should pay to see her. She threatened May, saying that the River Thames would run red with her blood. I think the River Thames is red anyway from the pollution, but that’s neither here nor there. Storm said that May would regret the day she met the woman who loved her. Wembley was waiting, so they would give them a show.

Back in the ring, May was seething. She beat the poor dead jobber with the shoe before leaving.

For an AEW World Tag Team Title Match at All In: Wembley – FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood) vs. The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens & Max Caster) ended in a time limit draw, both teams will challenge for the titles at All In

I looked at the clock when this match started and had a feeling it would go the time limit. The live crowd was very into the match, but I can’t say I agree. It was a solid effort, but there were some sloppy moments as well as some stretching to fill the time. This was also basically the same thing they did with the trios titles, both ending in a multi-team match at Wembley. They’re both undercard matches, so I’m not terribly upset about it, but it isn’t the most inspired booking here.

We got some video packages on both teams throughout the show to hype the match. Bowens and Harwood started as the crowd was firmly behind FTR. We got some Acclaimed chants as Caster and Wheeler tagged in. The teams worked slowly to start before the Acclaimed sent FTR to the floor. FTR baited Caster to the floor, where Harwood led him into a Wheeler lariat as we went to a commercial.

After the break, the crowd was hot as Caster fought his way to the corner for a tag to Bowens. Bowens ran wild until Harwood caught him with a series of German suplexes. Both Caster and Wheeler blind-tagged their partners, leading to a bit of confusion from FTR before Caster fought out of a Harwood powerbomb. The Acclaimed took control, hitting a suplex/high cross combo for a nearfall.

FTR came back, with Wheeler catching Caster with a sunset flip before getting him with a lariat. Caster went for a victory roll, but Wheeler backed into the corner to tag Harwood, who hit the Steiner Super Bulldog for a nearfall. After a commercial, Harwood and Bowens were trading shots in the ring. Harwood dropped Bowens with a DDT before both men made the tag. Wheeler ran wild on the Acclaimed, hitting Caster with a Gory Special for a nearfall.

Caster hit a powerbomb, but Wheeler rolled through the pin for a nearfall of his own. Harwood pulled Bowens in the ring for a spike piledriver, but Caster knocked Wheeler to the floor. The Acclaimed ran wild, but Wheeler cut off a tag move and allowed Harwood to score a nearfall with a small package. Harwood caught both men in separate Sharpshooters, but Bowens hit a jumping leg drop for a close nearfall.

Harwood and Bowens fought for positioning before Harwood sat Bowens on the top rope. The announcer gave the five-minute call as twenty-five minutes had passed. Harwood slipped on the Powerplex but still pulled Bowens up and over. Wheeler hit the splash and dove onto a sitting Caster on the floor. FTR went for the Shatter Machine, but Caster broke it up and hit the Shatter Machine with Bowens for the nearfall. The Acclaimed hit the Mic Drop, but Wheeler threw Caster into the pile to break up the pin.

The four men swung at each other before FTR hit the Shatter Machine on Bowens for a nearfall broken up by Caster. The one-minute call came as Caster tagged in, with he and Harwood trading flash pins before dropping each other with punches. Harwood sent Caster into the ropes and bonked heads with Caster, falling into the cover for a nearfall. The time limit expired, with the match ending in a draw.

The crowd chanted Five More Minutes as the four men got to their feet. Billy Gunn tried to settle things down, but Harwood punched him in the face and kicked off a brawl that got security out. Tony Schiavone announced on commentary that, since neither team lost, both teams would get the World Tag Team Title match at All In. It will be the Young Bucks vs. The Acclaimed vs. FTR for the AEW Tag Team Titles next Sunday, as the two teams continued to brawl to end the show.

Wrestling Observer Live: AEW PPV bundles, MJF, Smackdown, Collision, weekend news

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including AEW offering PPV bundles for this fall, MJF talks the Britt Baker situation and what all sides agree upon, Bryan Danielson playing 4D chess regarding his future, Smackdown, Collision, tons more! A fun show as always so check it out~!

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