Tag: Brody King

AEW wrestlers announced for CMLL appearance

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Two AEW wrestlers have been announced for a CMLL appearance next month, with another AEW vs. CMLL matchup also being teased.

Multiple AEW notes came out of Wednesday’s CMLL Informa talk show, including the official announcement that the new AEW Tag Team Champions Brodido (Brody King and Bandido) will appear in Arena Mexico for the traditional Friday night show on September 12:

Also on CMLL Informa, Persephone issued a challenge to the AEW TBS Champion and CMLL World Women’s Champion Mercedes Mone for a match in Arena Mexico.

Peresphone, who was part of the four-way for the TBS title at Forbidden Door in London last Sunday, cut a promo on Mone and challenged her to come face her in her house, Arena Mexico:

Mone was featured on Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite in a segment where she teased a one-on-one match against Alex Windsor for the TBS Championship as her next AEW program.

This week’s full CMLL episode is embedded below.

All-Star tag match added to AEW Dynamite lineup

Posted on by Joseph Currier

An All-Star tag team match is the latest addition to the card for tonight’s AEW Dynamite episode in Cincinnati.

Tony Khan has announced that TNT Champion Kyle Fletcher will be teaming up with Josh Alexander & The Young Bucks for an eight-man tag match on tonight’s show. They’ll be facing Hologram, Brody King, Tomohiro Ishii — and a mystery partner from NJPW.

Last weekend on Collision, Fletcher challenged NJPW to send their “pound-for-pound best” to challenge him for the TNT Championship at Forbidden Door on August 24. We’ll find out the identity of that challenger tonight.

Fletcher won the TNT title from Dustin Rhodes in a street fight at the end of last month and has made one successful defense so far, defeating Ishii.

Cincinnati’s Andrew J Brady Music Center is the venue for tonight’s show. Here is everything that’s been announced:

AEW Dynamite (Wednesday, August 13) —

  • Hangman Page and MJF face-to-face
  • Jon Moxley vs. Kevin Knight
  • Adam Copeland vs. Stokely Hathaway
  • Mercedes Mone, Thekla & Skye Blue vs. Willow Nightingale, Queen Aminata & Alex Windsor
  • All-Star eight-man tag match: Kyle Fletcher, Josh Alexander & The Young Bucks vs. Hologram, Brody King, Tomohiro Ishii, and a mystery NJPW wrestler

AEW All In preview & predictions: High noon in Texas

Posted on by Mike DellaCamera

The following is an opinion-based preview that reflects the views of the author and not the website.

Image: AEW

I desperately try to avoid comparisons between AEW and WWE as I don’t think they’re particularly helpful, nor do I enjoy the endless and atrocious discourse across (and between) the two fan bases.

I will, however, draw a comparison here because we’ve reached a clear inflection point in wrestling where the two major companies have never been more divergent. Only one of them has an interest in being what their name suggests: a wrestling company. Since you’re already reading this column, I’m certain that you, as smart as you are, can conclude that the company is All Elite Wrestling. We’re at the point where comparisons are less applicable than ever because the two companies are barely offering the same type of product.

AEW is back in form and offering a legitimate, alternative style of wrestling to the world. They are not consumed with celebrity appearances, social media views, imagined clout, or “telling stories” first. Instead, they are laser-focused on what matters to them — the actual wrestling — which is reflected in the quality of Saturday: the fourth All In event.

There is real motion behind their momentum, something that appeared in fits and starts for years, but now feels sustainable. This is a tremendous card, arguably one that has as much high-end talent as any in history, and the common theme is the quality of the matches and, more importantly, the performers.

The right people are in the right places. They are cooking with a balanced roster full of stars of today and tomorrow. No more chaff, no more filler. If someone is getting television time, it’s because they deserve those minutes and seconds. The bloat is gone, replaced with a group of young, talented wrestlers primed to take the next step toward the top of the card and the steadying hands of veterans that can help them get there.

The future has never been brighter for AEW and that is a great thing for the wrestling industry, regardless of what the clinically insane and chronically online detractors would like you to believe.

Let’s see how All In from Arlington, Texas (1 PM pre-show and 3 PM Eastern main card on PPV) shakes out.

Men’s & Women’s Casino Gauntlets: Winners gets a future World Championship match

At press time, we only knew a few of the many, many participants in these matches. We can assume a couple of surprises here and there to pop the crowd, but here are a handful of wrestlers that have a strong case for their participation and winning the match:

  • Brody King: In this column, we support anyone with such a strong wardrobe. He’s the type of talent tailor-made for a brief, hard-hitting program with whoever wins the main event. 
  • Ricochet: His character continues to evolve and get better. Seeing how he reacts to a title shot (and subsequent loss) would be worth watching.
  • Willow Nightingale: I will bang the drum for her until my arm falls off. She is the best pure babyface in the company, and a program between her and Mercedes Mone could heal our fractured country
  • Athena: I don’t book the shows so I won’t pretend to understand why Athena is not regularly featured, and in a top position, on proper AEW television. It’s one of life’s more puzzling mysteries.

Predictions: Brody King and Willow

AEW World Trios Champions The Opps (Samoa Joe, Powerhouse Hobbs & Katsuyori Shibata) defend against The Death Riders (Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta & Gabe Kidd)

The upgrade from Hook to Hobbs can’t be overstated. Hobbs adds a snarling menace to the group which pairs well with Shibata’s unsaid psychopathy and Samoa Joe’s everything. Having Hook in this group reminded me too much of potential unrealized, a time when “Send Hook” was a cute meme, but never became anything more. This is the grown-ups table now and the trios division is better for it. 

If Hobbs is the welcome upgrade to his trios, Gabe Kidd is the equivalent downgrade in his. Equal parts overexposed and annoying — he’s a madman, you know — Kidd’s presence only reminds me of how much I miss PAC whose AEW tenure continues to be plagued by consistent and unfortunate absences.

Prediction: The Opps retain

AEW World Tag Team Champions The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin) defend against JetSpeed (Kevin Knight & Mike Bailey) and The Patriarchy (Christian Cage & Nick Wayne) in a three-way

This has been one of the silliest, clumsiest builds I can remember but it might not matter once the bell rings. Few have a more impressive resume working large-scale multi-man tag matches than Cage. His bona fides do not need repeating. Knight and Bailey have done wonderful work since being paired together with Bailey in particular being a revelation as I did not think his act would translate as well as it has on a weekly basis.

The Hurt Syndicate remains the all-powerful goliaths at the top of the tag team mountain. They have been so dominant that losing the titles should happen in a significant moment, not some haphazardly created three-way dance. The looming spectre of whatever is going to happen with MJF can’t be ignored, but it’s too soon for him to turn one way or the other. The status quo will hold deep in the heart of Texas. 

Prediction: The Hurt Syndicate retain

TNT Champion Adam Cole defends against Kyle Fletcher

Sometimes the future that’s promised never comes. Sometimes promise is only that. There are no guarantees in wrestling (or life!), especially in 2025. This here is a pairing of a future not fully recognized with one incandescent with potential. 

Fletcher should hold the World title in 2026, and this is hopefully the first stop on the express train. He improves with every match and every second spent on the microphone. This was the year everything came together for him. It was a delight watching him grow to become a main event-level talent. Most ascents to the top have a longer runway with the performer being eased into the biggest spots. Even though this was comparatively sudden, it feels completely right. Fletcher excelled with whatever was thrown his way, proving himself beyond ready for more and more still. His journey to the main event is close, but his ceiling is still tantalizingly far away.

Cole was once in Fletcher’s shoes — someone seen as a no-doubt main eventer in any major promotion; a true can’t miss talent. He reached the top in Ring of Honor, NXT, and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla. Technically, he made it to the top of AEW when he main evented the first All In at Wembley Stadium in a forgettable match with MJF. That was as good as it got for Cole.

Unfortunately, his circumstance is an all-too-painful reminder of how fleeting success can be. The window of opportunity is perilously small and can be snapped shut at a moment’s notice. Whether through injury, luck, or just the passing of time, Cole’s window is closed. Fletcher locks it shut at All In.

Prediction: Kyle Fletcher wins the title

Will Ospreay & Swerve Strickland vs. The Young Bucks 

The stip here: the Bucks put up their EVP status against a year of World title shots for Strickland and Ospreay.

The evil authority figure is a familiar and tired wrestling trope — a lazy escape hatch relied on to explain a lack of foresight and reaffirm poor booking. The decision to add a stipulation here is a clever and necessary one. It provides a simple storyline-based way to move the Young Bucks out from their positions of televised power and properly slot them as “regular” wrestlers.

I’m glad Ospreay and Swerve had to offer up something of substance, too. This particular stipulation adds so much intrigue to the match. Is Ospreay really going to go another year without challenging for the top title when he’s already a top babyface? Will Swerve be able to exist in a world where he can’t come after Hangman’s title? My inclination is to say neither of those things will happen. There is too much money in a Swerve/Hangman title program, and Ospreay needs the creative direction of driving towards the title. 

A moment, before the formal prediction, for an important conversation:

Since their return, Matthew and Nicholas Jackson have been doing some of the best work of their careers. Their multi-person tag matches have been full of creativity and innovation. While we are consumed with answering the question of who is the best ever, it’s never a fulfilling conversation, especially so in wrestling, where things are entirely subjective.

Whenever I’m reluctantly pulled into that conversation, I try to think about whether the performer(s) in question were the best at their particular style. The best technical wrestler is wholly different than the best brawler, the best flyer, etc. And for their specific brand of wrestling, the Young Bucks are the second to none. The Jacksons might not be your personal GOATs, but they are the most important and influential tag team of this century.  

If recent form holds, this is likely the best match of the night with Swerve and Ospreay freeing AEW from the kayfabe clutches of the Jacksons.

Prediction: Will Ospreay and Swerve Strickland

AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada vs. AEW International Champion Kenny Omega for the new Unified Championship

This is the defining pro wrestling rivalry of the past 15 years. No series of matches did more for the growth of wrestling in the modern era. Omega and Okada opened new eyes and awakened long-dormant passions in fans. Saying AEW wouldn’t exist without this rivalry is not hyperbole; it’s fact. People wanted matches like this so badly that an entirely new wrestling company started. 

Rarely are two performers so perfectly made for each other. Omega was a unique mover, all tightly coiled explosion and suddenness. His violently snapping off the ground for a V-Trigger frequently required multiple rewinds. How could he cover so much distance, so fast? His in-your-face athleticism was matched by Okada’s grace. Okada was sublime; he was effortless. A star by any definition. It’s easy to get lost in grandeur, but we will be hard pressed to have another rivalry this meaningful and this good in our lifetimes. Two generational performers entered each other’s orbits at the perfect time, and we were lucky to be along for the ride.

It would be unfair to expect this match to measure up to the unreasonably high bar of their previous ones, especially considering they’re both in far different stages of their career. Okada is, generously, mailing in half of his matches, something he has earned the right to do. Sadly, Omega is rapidly breaking down. He’s only wrestled nine times this year and is still badly beaten up. We should all appreciate his big matches now because there are fewer of them left than any of us probably realizes. Even in his diminished physical state, he remains a special wrestling mind, one that should be able to capture a different type of magic in a different style of match, especially with his wrestling soulmate. 

If this is Omega’s last big run, he should get the win here. He means as much to AEW and wrestling as anyone. Give him the spotlight one more time.

Prediction: Kenny Omega

AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm defends against Mercedes Mone

This is the biggest women’s match they could book and it’s the biggest women’s match in either of the two major wrestling companies. Storm has been in the “Timeless” character for so long that it’s easy to overlook just how impressive she is. This character should be eliciting groans at this point but instead, it’s kept her at the top of the women’s division for almost two years. In the hands of any other performer, it would be relegated to backstage segments and enhancement matches. Storm has turned something laughable into something lasting. So much of the world is forgetful. “Timeless” Toni Storm is anything but.

Mone has a legitimate case to be wrestler of the year. But she isn’t just chasing 12-month accolades — she’s authoring a legacy. Saturday could be another an unforgettable chapter in a year already rich with highlights. If her current trajectory holds, we may soon be forced to talk about her not just as one of the greats right now, but one of the greatest ever.

The star-making turn of being the person to beat Mone is not something Storm needs or would likely appreciate.  The whole point of a run like the one she’s been on is not just about her, but it’s also about the person who beats inevitably beats her. The countless young, hungry, and talented women on the roster would better fit that bill.  

Prediction: Mercedes Mone wins the title

AEW World Champion Jon Moxley defends against Hangman Page in a Texas Death Match

It was always Hangman Page. No misguided notions about Darby Allin, no hoping for Samoa Joe to recapture the magic, it was always the cowboy. In a sea of stars and superstars, he remains the true north of AEW. Nothing speaks to the importance of his presence like his absence. The shows lacked a tight direction when he wasn’t around or was a background player. It was covered up by a focus on Bryan Danielson’s journey to the World title and subsequent retirement from full-time wrestling, but there was still a gap. It’s not a coincidence that AEW found its footing when the focus was back on Page.

Look no further than the Death Riders for proof of Hangman’s impact. For so long, both in this column and everywhere else on the internet, we bemoaned the overarching and overwhelming excess of the Death Riders. It was always the same. The matches, the finishes, the promos, whatever. Now there’s life. Is this results-based thinking? Perhaps. But for the first time since October, I find myself interested when their intro guitar riff introducing them hits the speakers. 

Moxley’s next chapter will be an interesting one. He’s approaching 40 with a lot of hard miles on his body. There is almost nothing left for him to accomplish in professional wrestling. He’s won every major title in every major company and has likely earned enough money for multiple lifetimes. He can start to take his foot off the gas or press it all the way down. With someone as unpredictable as Mox, any and everything is on the table. 

This always had to be a Texas Death Match. This was always going to be rife with run-ins and interference, so why not just put the whole world on the table? The possibilities for massive crowd reactions are endless. Here are just a few, ranked in order of how much they would move me:

  • Christopher Daniels runs in
  • Darby Allin returns
  • Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi run off the Young Bucks
  • Willow Nightingale single-handedly fights off The Death Riders 
  • Swerve directly helps Page win the title
  • Danielson returns

Regardless of how many people get involved, there will only be two left at the end and only one can get their hand raised. When the confetti falls and the show closes, the cowboy from Halifax, Virginia, stands tall on top of the company he was always meant to carry.

Prediction: Hangman Adam Page wins the title

Several new additions announced for men’s Casino Gauntlet at AEW All In

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: AEW

Even if the match doesn’t last long enough to get them in, three new additions were announced Wednesday for the men’s Casino Gauntlet match at Saturday’s AEW All In.

Reigning Ring of Honor World Champion Bandido, Ricochet and Brody King were all confirmed during their respective matches on Wednesday’s go-home edition of Dynamite. They join Mark Briscoe (first entrant), MJF (second entrant) and Mistico as the other entrants.

The winner of the bout, decided by the first pin or submission, gets an anytime, anywhere World title shot.

AEW All In Texas card | Saturday, July 12 | Arlington, Texas

  • AEW World Champion Jon Moxley defends against Hangman Page in a Texas Death Match
  • AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm defends against Mercedes Mone
  • Winner-take-all match for AEW Unified Championship: Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada vs. International Champion Kenny Omega
  • AEW Tag Team Champions The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin) defend against JetSpeed (Mike Bailey & Kevin Knight) and Christian Cage & Nick Wayne
  • TNT Champion Adam Cole defends against Kyle Fletcher
  • Swerve Strickland & Will Ospreay vs. Young Bucks (Matthew & Nicholas Jackson): EVP titles vs. one year of Ospreay/Strickland each challenging for World title
  • Men’s Casino Gauntlet match
  • Women’s Casino Gauntlet match

Brody King advances to AEW Fyter Fest International title match

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Brody King will be part of the four-way International title bout at AEW Fyter Fest.

King defeated Josh Alexander in the first qualifying match for next week’s Fyter Fest on Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite, punching his ticker to the four-way for the International Championship set for next week’s four-hour broadcast.

King joins International Champion Kenny Omega in qualifying for the contest.

The two remaining qualifying contests will take place on this Saturday’s AEW Collision episode, with Claudio Castagnoli and Komander facing off in one match, and CMLL’s Hechicero taking on Mascara Dorada in the other.

The four-hour Fyter Fest will air on TBS and Max on Wednesday, June 4 from 8 p.m. to midnight Eastern time.

The Fyter Fest card:

AEW Fyter Fest, Wednesday, June 4, 8 p.m. Eastern time on TBS and Max —

  • AEW International Champion Kenny Omega defends against Brody King, Claudio Castagnoli or Komander, and Hechicero or Mascara Dorada in a four-way

AEW Collision live results: FTR vs. Paragon two-out-of-three falls

Posted on by Marc Quill

The rivalry between the newly-turned FTR and Paragon’s Kyle O’Reilly & Roderick Strong continues on tonight’s live AEW Collision as the two teams battle in a two out of three falls match.

Tonight’s show airs on TBS due to NBA playoff coverage on TNT.

In a $100,000 “high speed collision” four-way, it will be Rush vs. Kevin Knight vs. AR Fox vs. ROH Tag Team Champion Sammy Guevara.

AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm takes on Lady Frost in a title eliminator bout while Megan Bayne goes one-on-one with Harley Cameron.

In a highly-anticipated singles match, Josh Alexander looks for his first AEW singles win as he battles Brody King.

**********

– It’s Saturday and you know what that means. Time for Collision on “The Mothership” for Saturday night wrestling, just like old times. Adam Cole made his entrance as he walked to commentary to join Tony Schiavone and Nigel McGuinness on the call.

Women’s World Championship Eliminator: “Timeless” Toni Storm versus Lady Frost

Frost looked impressive early as she had Storm on the ropes outside with a dive to the outside. In the ring, Storm bounced back with a Lou Thesz Press on Frost. After a rollup attempt, Frost caught Storm with a shoulder charge, followed by a cannonball in the corner.

Frost headed up top and dropped Storm with a cross-body for the two. Storm answered with a sitdown powerbomb for the near fall. She tried for the hip drop, but Frost intercepted and caught her for the Chiller Driller for another near-fall. Storm recovered and managed to connect with the hip drop in the corner. Storm eventually prevailed with the TCM Chickenwing submission, as Frost passed out.

“Timeless” Toni Storm def. Lady Frost via submission

After the match, Storm got on the mic and addressed that while everyone’s coming for her, Storm said that she’s be coming for them instead. She headed out the ring and all around the crowd, and outside the arena in the Atlantic City boardwalk. She said that she’d be here, queer and always timeless as she wrapped her promo.

A solid enough opener and Frost did get her shots in, so really can’t complain. Storm’s post-match promo was entertaining as usual, and her remarks about being here and queer are very much welcomed, especially in the current climate of our world today.

**********

– We got backstage remarks from Jon Moxley ahead of his steel cage match against Samoa Joe for the AEW Title at Beach Break on May 14th. Moxley said that his affairs were in order, and that if we subscribe to the notion that he’s scared, Joe should think things through better.

$100,000 High-Speed Collision: Rush versus Sammy Guevara versus Kevin Knight versus A.R. Fox

Things started off with the four men facing off before we were left with Knight and Rush mixing it up in the ring. The two men traded chops and strikes before Rush got the edge on Knight with a fierce headbutt. Knight recovered to deliver a scoop slam on Rush as we then got a stalemate of armdrags and dropkicks from the two. Guevara and Fox soon re-entered the match and had their turn of the action as they dispatched of Knight and Rush.

Guevara flipped over Fox as he then floored his foe with a dropkick. Fox reversed Guevara in the corner and hit a splash on the apron. As Knight and Rush re-entered the ring, things quickened right as Knight missed on a running corner attack after Rush dodged at the last second. We went to break at this point.

We returned to Collision with Hologram keeping an eye on the match from the crowd as Fox and Knight exchanged pleasantries. From the apron, Fox soared with a springboard inverted moonsault on Knight. Guevara soon took down both Knight and Fox with a shooting star press. Rush aggressively reasserted himself as he threw everyone into the barricade. Knight fought out of an attempted suplex on the steps by Rush, as he blasted him with a stairs-assisted leaping dropkick. As Knight tried to run at Rush, he got thrown right onto the ramp back first, which made for a rough landing. Rush and Knight then brawled their way up the stage as Guevara and Fox were left in the ring.

Fox countered Guevara’s GTH as he then caught him with a Spanish Fly, followed by a splash for the close near fall. Fox left a prone Guevara in the middle of the ring and looked to hit a senton. Fox again countered out of a GTH attempt, but he couldn’t avoid the knee from one half of the ROH Tag Champions. Third time’s the charm for Guevara as he finished off Fox with the GTH to earn the $100,000.

After the match, Guevara pointed towards Adam Cole, making it clear he wanted a shot at Cole’s TNT Championship.

Sammy Guevara def. A.R. Fox, Kevin Knight, and Rush via pinfall (Guevara pinned Fox)

Just a fun four-way match, something that AEW has really excelled in as of late with four high-flying stars. Lots to like here.

**********

– We got a pretape promo from Samoa Joe ahead of his Steel Cage match against Jon Moxley at Beach Break. Joe said that while he understands that Moxley has the ruthless streak to go after him, and that he had to put this match in the cage because he felt that the the Jon Moxley he sees today doesn’t have the courage to face him like a man.

– A hype video from The Paragon’s Kyle O’Reilly and Roderick Strong, and FTR for their 2/3 Falls Match was shown before our next match.

Megan Bayne versus Harley Cameron

Cameron caught Bayne flatfooted as the bell rang with a charge into the corner, which gave her the early advantage. Cameron battered Bayne from the corner as she continued to set the tone early on, at least until Bayne turned the tide with an overhead throw. This gave Bayne the opportunity to take over with repeated attacks in the corner, followed by a suplex right on the AEW logo in the middle of the ring. Bayne maintained command with a butterfly suplex, followed by a spear from the corner as we headed to a break in the action.

Collision returned with Cameron having made a brief comeback as she fought off Bayne up the top rope with a bite. When Penelope Ford tried to get involved, she got dropped by Cameron for her troubles. A spinning tornado DDT from Cameron nearly had the match won for her, but Bayne kicked out. Bayne blocked a Cameron suplex attempt before she delivered a Falcon Arrow for the two-count. Cameron escaped a Fate’s Descent attempt, but that couldn’t translate to anything substantial as Bayne dropped her with a sit-out powerbomb. That only got a near-fall, however.

Cameron blasted Bayne with a running knee, but her attempt at a dive was caught by Bayne, who then propped her up for Fate’s Descent and the victory.

Following the match, Cameron and Ford put in the beatdown on Cameron, up until Anna Jay ran in and hit Bayne with the two-by-four to no effect. Jay goaded Bayne to attack her, but that sent her flying out of the ring.

Megan Bayne def. Harley Cameron via pinfall

Quite the impressive showing for Harley Cameron, even in defeat. She continues to be a great talent that just gets better and better every time I see her in action. As for Megan Bayne, what else can be said? She is a dominant force and booked accordingly by AEW.

**********

Jon Moxley speaks again

The AEW World Champion and Marina Shafir stormed the ring from the crowd, as Moxley took the mic. He asked just what exactly it was according to Samoa Joe that he didn’t understand, and wondered what it was that Joe was going to do inside the steel cage. Moxley said that he had faced the baddest competitors on the planet — all of whom were saying the same things that Joe were saying — and that they all ended up the same way.

Moxley said that Joe should look at his parntners and realize that they’ve been in a real firefight this whole time.

– After a recap of Roppongi Vice assaulting The Outrunners last week, we got remarks from The Youngest Men Alive backstage. Truth Magnum and Turbo Floyd issued a challenge to Rocky Romero and Trent Beretta for a match.

**********

Brody King versus Josh Alexander

Lock-up in the middle of the ring to start as King held the advantage early on to start. Alexander eventually tried to keep pace, but found himself hit hard with a King chop. In the corner, King teed off on Alexander with repeated strikes before referee Bryce Remsburg told him to back off. King placed Alexander across the top turnbuckle and chopped him hard.

On the apron, Alexander thought he had King stun, but he was caught with a Death Valley Driver onto the floor outside the ring. King threw Alexander over the barricade before he threw him for the suplex right on the floor. King had Alexander stunned as he sat him onto a chair against the barricade. He looked for a running charge, but Alexander wisely dropped to the floor, as he then kicked King’s leg against the steel steps. Alexander trapped King on the apron with a leg tied on the bottom rope as he followed that with a neckbreaker right onto the apron.

Collision returned to live action with King looking to deliver a high-risk maneuver from the top rope, but Alexander fought out of it. The Canadian had King lifted up, but couldn’t get anything as King escaped a grisly fate. A battle of chops saw King get the best of Alexander in the ensuing duel. Alexander put the straps down and had King rocked with repeated running boots to the head. Alexander again hoisted King and dropped him with an Argentine Powerbomb for the two count.

A big back body drop by King allowed for the big man to follow that up with a Black Hole Slam on Alexander for the near-fall. Alexander shoved King onto the ropes for a follow-up snap German suplex, but he got absolutely crushed by King’s lariat afterwards. With Alexander prone in the corner, King barreled onto his foe with a cannonball, but that only got a two-count once more.

With Alexander on the apron, King lifted him onto the top rope for an attempt at a titanic superplex that he got all of with maximum force. As both King and Alexander got up, we got a warning that one minute was left on this match. Alexander targeted King’s leg as he applied the ankle lock. King got on his feet somehow and hit a German suplex, followed by the lariat. King connected with the Ganso Bomb, but Alexander rolled out of the ring as time expired on the match.

After the match, as Lance Archer tended to Alexander, King flew onto the two with a dive. King placed Archer onto a chair, as well as some security men for the running dive against the barricade. Alexander clipped King’s leg, which allowed Archer to recover and lay out King.

Brody King vs. Josh Alexander ended in a Time-Limit Draw

Hell of a match and you can never go wrong with big meaty men slapping meat, and it was certainly on the menu in Atlantic City. Just nothing but hard-hitting action. What more can you ask for? The post-match with Lance Archer certainly guarantees we’ll be in for more meaty action in the near future.

**********

Max Caster’s Best Wrestler Alive Challenge

Max Caster, the so-called Best Wrestler Alive, was in the ring as he asked for a five-minute timer to be up, so he can prove that nobody can survive five minutes in the ring with him. He then asked for the fans to do his chant correctly.

Daniel Garcia appeared to answer Caster’s challenge.

As the bell rang, Garcia had the early advantage as he dropped Caster with a swinging neckbreaker. He did his signature dance, followed by the shotgun dropkick and the piledriver for the quick win in under a minute.

After the match, Garcia said he just handled his business and told FTR to handle their business so he can talk to them afterwards.

Daniel Garcia def. Max Caster

Caster’s act is getting over quite well, to the point that he seemed to be struggling to hide his laughter as the crowd was doing his “Best Wrestler Alive” chant with him, so that’s nice to see.

**********

– Backstage, Lexy Nair interviewed Anthony Bowens before Blake Christian rudely interrupted the interview. Christian claimed that while Bowens won when they faced, the people were talking about how Christian outshined Bowens in that encounter. Bowens challenged Christian and Lee Johnson to step up to him anytime, anywhere.

The Gates of Agony (Bishop Kaun and Toa Liona) versus Ray Jazz and Goldy

Kaun held the advantage early on Jazz with a pair of suplexes before he tagged in Liona to get his pound of flesh. Goldy got sent to the outside with a fierce pounce from Liona. The Gates of Agony then put Jazz away in short order with a double slam.

After the match, the Cru were in the crowd and tried to get in, before Big Bill and Bryan Keith challenged Kaun and Liona to meet them in the parking lot for a fight.

The Gates of Agony def. Ray Jazz and Goldy (Toa Liona pinned Jazz)

Short and sweet squash, not much else to say.

**********

This Week on Dynamite:

  • Swerve Strickland/Speedball Mike Bailey/Mark Briscoe vs. The Young Bucks & Ricochet
  • Jamie Hayter sits down with Renee Paquette
  • Samoa Joe vs. Claudio Castagnoli

– In the parking lot, Big Bill and Bryan Keith brawled it out with the Gates of Agony, as a hapless local competitor found himself in the crossfiire of Toa Liona and Big Bill’s brawl. The action cut away as the brawl seemed like it was far from over.

2/3 Falls Match: FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler) vs. Paragon (Kyle O’Reilly and Roderick Strong)

O’Reilly and Wheeler started things off for their two teams as the latter escaped an omoplata attempt from the former. O’Reilly countered Wheeler into an armbar as Harwood entered the match for his team. In the corner, Strong was the legal man as he chopped Harwood with vicious force. This led to a skirmish of chops and strikes between Harwood and Strong, which ended with a dropkick by Strong and the tag to O’Reilly.

Wheeler tagged back in as FTR looked to have the upper hand on O’Reilly, but not for long. O’Reilly had Wheeler and Harwood dead to rights with a series of kicks to each men. FTR attempted the Shatter Machine on O’Reilly, but Strong broke it up. Strong took out Wheeler with a dropkick to the outside as O’Reilly locked in an ankle lock on Harwood. On Stokely Hathaway’s instruction, Wheeler tapped out to give Paragon the 1-0 lead, and a breather for FTR.

Paragon scores the first fall via submission (K. O’Reilly via submission on D. Harwood)

The action returned after a quick break with O’Reilly getting floored by a double clothesline from FTR. The diving elbow by Wheeler kept O’Reilly grounded as FTR held control of the match at this juncture. O’Reilly tried to create space by escaping Wheeler’s chinlock, and then avoiding a dropkick in the corner. Hot tag to Strong gave the Messiah of the Backbreaker a surge of momentum on both Wheeler and Harwood, which naturally made Adam Cole proud on commentary.

Outside the ring, both teams were fighting it out as Strong stacked Wheeler and Harwood onto a chair — which broke the chair — as O’Reilly then took flight with a Canadian missile dropkick onto both FTR members from the apron. The brawl entered into the crowd as Harwood threw O’Reilly onto the apron, which left Strong alone in the ring with FTR as we had our final commercial break of the evening at this point.

Our main event returned with O’Reilly having made it back to his corner and the tag being made. Like a blaze of fire, O’Reilly went on the attack against both Harwood and Wheeler. Ankle lock applied on Wheeler, but Harwood broke the hold. WIth Harwood tagged in, O’Reilly and Strong appeared to have him trapped for a double team move, but Wheeler stepped in at the last minute to shove O’Reilly away. This allowed FTR to deliver Shatter Machine on Strong for the 1, 2, 3, and the match tied.

FTR scores the second fall via pinfall (D. Harwood pinned R. Strong)

With the action now in sudden death overtime, FTR attempted to hit the Shatter Machine again, but O’Reilly and Strong hit High and Low on Harwood. The cover was made, but Stokely put Harwood’s foot on the rope as things broke down. By match’s end, FTR would get the final fall with a rake to the eye of O’Reilly and the Shatter Machine.

After the match, Daniel Garcia walked down the ramp, armed with a crowbar and a microphone, to confront FTR as promised. Garcia said that there’s nothing more that he’d like to do but hit the three of them with a crowbar, but he has too much love for FTR to do that. He said that after what FTR did to Cope, Daddy Magic, and Garcia himself, he was looking for answers. Garcia challenged either one of Wheeler or Harwood to meet him in the ring next week, and that it didn’t matter if there was ten of them, fifteen of them, fifty of them, or one hundred of them, He was going to beat the answers out of them next week.

FTR def. Paragon via pinfall (2-1)

A very fun 2/3 Falls main event match to cap off another solid edition of Collision, which maintains its streak of being a breeze to watch from start to finish. The absolute war that was King vs. Alexander and this main event were the standouts of a great show that I enjoyed.

Two matches announced for AEW Collision

Posted on by Josh Nason

AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm will be in action on this Saturday’s live AEW Collision as one of two matches announced for the show.

After successfully besting Miyu Yamashita in a title eliminator on Dynamite, Storm will host another eliminator this Saturday when she takes on Lady Frost. The two have squared off before with Storm defeating her in a June 2024 Collision match.

The other match will see former AEW Trios Champion Brody King battle promotional newcomer Josh Alexander for the first time ever in a singles match. The two were on opposite ends of a tag match on last week’s Dynamite that Alexander and Konosuke Takeshita won.

Alexander will be looking for his first AEW win after losing in his debut to Hangman Page earlier this month.

Here’s the current lineup for this Saturday’s show from Atlantic City, New Jersey:

  • AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm vs. Lady Frost in a title eliminator
  • Brody King vs. Josh Alexander

Revolution showcase match announced for AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Josh Nason

A tag team match featuring four combatants at this Sunday’s AEW Revolution was announced for tonight’s AEW Dynamite from Sacramento, California.

Former AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland will team with Brody King to take on reigning Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada and Ricochet.

Strickland and Ricochet will also sign the contract tonight for their no. 1 contender’s clash at Revolution while Okada vs. King for the Continental title for the pay-per-view was announced this afternoon.

Strickland and King have never teamed before, but competed against each other in various indie matches dating back to 2017. Okada and Ricochet have never teamed before, but did square off in the Continental Classic semifinals at last December’s Worlds End.

Here’s the current lineup for tonight’s go-home show:

  • Cope vs. Wheeler Yuta
  • Swerve Strickland & Ricochet AEW Revolution contract signing
  • Swerve Strickland & Brody King vs. Ricochet & Kazuchika Okada
  • Megan Bayne & Penelope Ford vs. Kris Statlander & Thunder Rosa

Kazuchika Okada vs. Brody King Continental title match set for AEW Revolution

Posted on by Ian Carey

A new match has been added to the lineup for AEW Revolution.

Kazuchika Okada will defend his AEW Continental Championship against Brody King on the pay-per-view. Tony Khan revealed the news ahead of AEW Dynamite on Wednesday, writing, “After a series of altercations, Kazuchika Okada will defend the AEW Continental Title vs Brody King at Revolution THIS SUNDAY!”

Their rivalry escalated last Saturday when Okada attacked King on AEW Collision. As King was checking on Julia Hart after her match against Queen Aminata, Okada struck him with the Continental title belt.

AEW Revolution lineup for Sunday, March 9, 2025:

  • AEW World Champion Jon Moxley defends against Cope
  • AEW International Champion Konosuke Takeshita defends against Kenny Omega
  • The Hollywood Ending: AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm defends against Mariah May
  • AEW Tag Team Champions The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin) defend against The Outrunners (Turbo Floyd & Truth Magnum)
  • TBS Champion Mercedes Mone defends against Momo Watanabe
  • AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada defends against Brody King
  • AEW World title number one contender’s match: Swerve Strickland vs. Ricochet
  • MJF vs. Hangman Page
  • Steel cage match: Will Ospreay vs. Kyle Fletcher
  • Zero Hour: Big Boom AJ, Mark Briscoe & Orange Cassidy vs. Johnny TV, Mansoor & Mason Madden

Brody King files for ‘Hounds of Hell’ trademark

Posted on by Joseph Currier

With Malakai Black unlikely to appear for AEW again, his former faction may be getting a new name.

Brody King filed a trademark for the term “Hounds of Hell” on January 15, potentially hinting at a new AEW faction or tag team name. King was a member of the House of Black — but that faction has lost its leader. Malakai Black is believed to be gone from AEW and is rumored to be returning to WWE when he is contractually able to.

The trademark application was made by King using his real name (Nathan Blauvelt) and is listed as covering goods and services related to merchandise and professional wrestling performances:

  • For: Shirts and short-sleeved shirts; Hooded sweatshirts; Shirts; Bandanas; Socks; Sweatshirts; Hats
  • For: Providing online interviews featuring professional wrestlers in the field of professional wresting and sports entertainment for entertainment purposes; Providing wrestling news and information via a global computer network; Entertainment services, namely, live appearances by a professional wrestler and sports entertainer; Entertainment services, namely, televised appearances by a professional wrestler and sports entertainer; Entertainment services, namely, personal appearances by a professional wrestler and sports entertainer; Entertainment in the nature of wrestling contests; Entertainment services, namely, wrestling exhibits and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer

Buddy Matthews and Julia Hart have also been part of House of Black. Recently on AEW television, Adam Copeland and Will Ospreay have offered praise and encouragement for the three remaining House of Black members.

Hart accompanied King on Collision last Saturday for his dominant victory over Trevor Blackwell.

Brody King answering Wrestle Dynasty open challenge

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Brody King is coming to the Tokyo Dome on January 5 for a match against David Finlay.

At NJPW’s World Tag League show on Thursday, a video aired where King announced that he is answering Finlay’s Wrestle Dynasty open challenge. The House of Black member issued a warning to Finlay and the Bullet Club War Dogs.

“You have cemented yourself as one of the most dangerous men in New Japan Pro Wrestling. From the carcass, you took the discarded pieces and you built a dynasty,” King said. “On January 5, at Wrestle Dynasty, I will take your dynasty and turn it back into a carcass. David Finlay, your War Dogs are all bark. This dog bites.”

Finlay is defending his IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship against Yota Tsuji at Wrestle Kingdom 19 on January 4. Last month, he issued an open invitation for Wrestle Dynasty — challenging anyone from any promotion to face him. Finlay said he would retain against Tsuji at Wrestle Kingdom and then needed a challenger for January 5.

In AEW, King is participating in the Continental Classic and has a 1-1 record in his first Gold League matches. He’s defeated Darby Allin and lost to Claudio Castagnoli.

Wrestle Dynasty is set to include competitors from NJPW, AEW, Stardom, CMLL, and ROH. Among the matches already set are Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Ricochet, Kenny Omega vs. Gabe Kidd, and an IWGP Tag Team title bout between Great-O-Khan & HENARE and The Young Bucks.

Two Continental Classic matches official for AEW Dynamite Winter is Coming

Posted on by Josh Nason

A pair of high-profile Continental Classic matches are official for the Winter is Coming edition of AEW Dynamite, set for Wednesday, December 11th in Kansas City, Missouri.

After defeating Juice Robinson in his Classic debut Saturday on Collision, Will Ospreay will return for his second tournament match against Claudio Castagnoli in Gold league action. It will be their second-ever singles encounter with the first coming this past April which Ospreay won.

Castagnoli is coming off a Classic win over Ricochet this past Wednesday and is set to take on King this Wednesday as both men look to go 2-0.

The other Gold league match will see the aforementioned King take on Ricochet for the first time ever. The high flyer is not scheduled for this Wednesday or Saturday as of now.

The new additions joins the already announced AEW Women’s World title match between champion Mariah May and challenger Mina Shirakawa in addition to MJF vs. the Dynamite Diamond battle royal winner.

Here’s the current lineup for December 11th:

  • Continental Classic Gold league: Will Ospreay vs. Claudio Castagnoli
  • Continental Classic Gold league: Brody King vs. Ricochet
  • AEW Women’s World Champion Mariah May defends against Mina Shirakawa
  • MJF vs. Dynamite Diamond battle royal winner

Continental Classic matches announced for AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Bryan Rose

The first matches for the Continental Classic are now set.

Tony Khan on social media announced the first three matches of the tournament. In the Gold League, Darby Allin will take on Brody King while Ricochet will face Claudio Castagnoli. Meanwhile in the Blue League, Shelton Benjamin will face Mark Briscoe.

The twelve participants for the tournament were announced during a selection special that aired on Sunday. The wrestlers have been split up into two groups, the Blue League and the Gold League. The winners of each league will face off in the finals of the tournament at Worlds End, which takes place on December 30 in Uniondale, New York. Whoever wins the tournament will become Continental Champion, a title currently held by Kazuchika Okada.

Here is the updated card for Dynamite:

  • ROH World Champion Chris Jericho defends against Tomohiro Ishii
  • AEW Continental Classic Gold League: Darby Allin vs. Brody King
  • AEW Continental Classic Gold League: Claudio Castagnoli vs. Ricochet
  • AEW Continental Classic Blue League: Shelton Benjamin vs. Mark Briscoe

AEW reveals full list of participants for Continental Classic tournament

Posted on by Bryan Rose

The full list of participants for this year’s Continental Classic tournament have been revealed.

AEW gave details of the tournament on a Selection Special stream that aired on Sunday. It will kick off this Wednesday on Dynamite and will conclude at AEW’s next pay-per-view, Worlds End, on December 28 in Orlando. Similar to last year, the twelve wrestlers will be divided into two groups, the Blue League and the Gold League. The winners of both leagues will meet at Worlds End.

This year’s entrants include:

Blue League

  • AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada
  • Kyle Fletcher
  • TNT Champion Daniel Garcia
  • The Beast Mortos
  • Mark Briscoe
  • Shelton Benjamin

Gold League

  • Will Ospreay
  • Juice Robinson
  • Brody King
  • Ricochet
  • AEW Trios Champion Claudio Castagnoli
  • Darby Allin

Each match in the Continental Classic will be held under a 20-minute time limit, with everyone banned from ringside. A win is three points, a draw will earn both wrestlers one point, and a loss is zero points.

Eddie Kingston won the inaugural Continental Classic last year, defeating Bryan Danielson in the finals. His win briefly unified the AEW Continental, ROH World, and New Japan Strong titles.

House of Black advances to AEW Full Gear four-way Tag Team title match

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: AEW

The Kings of the Black Throne portion of House of Black will now be part of a four-way for the AEW Tag Team titles at next Saturday’s Full Gear.

Malakai Black & Brody King earned their spot on Wednesday’s Dynamite after defeating FTR when King put Dax Harwood out with a sleeper. While the two have held the AEW Trios titles, neither Black or King have been an AEW Tag Team champion.

It’s FTR’s first loss in a traditional tag team match since this past April’s Dynasty — a streak of eight bouts.

The two join reigning champions Private Party and The Outrunners in the match. The Acclaimed and LFI’s Rush & The Beast Mortos will clash this Saturday to determine the fourth entrant.

Here’s the current card for Saturday, November 23rd in Newark, New Jersey:

  • AEW World Champion Jon Moxley defends against Orange Cassidy
  • TBS Champion Mercedes Mone defends against Kris Statlander
  • TNT Champion Jack Perry defends against Daniel Garcia
  • Will Ospreay vs. Kyle Fletcher
  • Jay White vs. Hangman Page
  • Bobby Lashley vs. Swerve Strickland
  • MJF vs. Roderick Strong
  • Four-way match for AEW Tag Team titles: Private Party (Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen) defends against The Outrunners (Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd), House of Black (Malakai Black & Brody King) and TBD
  • Zero Hour: Costco Guy AJ vs. QT Marshall