Copeland made Christian Cage say ‘I Quit’ in the main event of Wednesday’s Dynamite in Toronto. Towards the end of the match, the rest of the Patriarchy became involved but was neutralized by Matt Menard and Daniel Garcia. Once the dust cleared, Cage was cuffed in the corner as Copeland took out his prized weapon, a barbed wire 2×4 named Spike, and hit Cage low. After he attempted to hit Cage with Spike in the head, Cage said that he quit. The end of Dynamite saw Copeland celebrate with the TNT title.
This is Copeland’s second reign with the title. At Worlds End in December, Copeland initially won the title from Cage. However, after Killswitch laid out Copeland, Cage forced Killswitch to give him the TNT title match contract Killswitch had won earlier in the night. That allowed Cage to restart the match and pin Copeland to regain the title immediately.
In the weeks since Worlds End, Copeland had been attempting to win enough matches to earn another title match. After Cage and the Patriarchy attacked Copeland during a number one contender’s match against Daniel Garcia, Copeland returned and went after Cage, who ran to the back and drove off. After that altercation, Copeland challenged Cage to the I Quit match.
The TNT Championship will be on the line as part of tonight’s AEW Dynamite from Toronto as Christian Cage defends against Adam Copeland in an I Quit match.
The AEW Continental Championship will also be on the line as Eddie Kingston defends against Kazuchika Okada. Under Continental rules, all seconds will be banned from ringside and there will be no outside interference.
New free agent signing Mercedes Mone will speak on tonight’s show after debuting for the company on last week’s Big Business edition of Dynamite.
AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm & Mariah May will face Deonna Purrazzo & Thunder Rosa in a tag team contest.
After teaming against the Gates of Agony at Big Business, Chris Jericho & Hook will face each other this week in a one-on-one contest.
AEW head Tony Khan has stated that tonight’s show from the Coca-Cola Coliseum is sold out. Due to NCAA basketball coverage Friday, Dynamite will immediately be followed by a live AEW Rampage.
AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Adam Copeland & Christian Cage arriving to the arena ahead of their I Quit Match for the TNT Title. Kazuchika Okada also pulled up to the arena in a sports car, ready to challenge Eddie Kingston later tonight for the Continental Title. Excalibur welcoming us to the show and throws it right down to Tony Schiavone in the ring.
Mercedes Mone made her way to the ring to a massive ovation as Schiavone gives her the floor. Mone told Toronto to say hello to their new CEO, as she’s been on such a high since last week at Big Business, she’s missed all of this. Fans might not know, but this was all nearly taken away from her a year ago in a match against Willow Nightingale. She then threw it to a video package showcasing everything that she’s been up to over the past few years, from red carpets, runways and her run in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Footage of Mone getting injured and carried out of her match with Nightingale was shown. Mone said she was kicking butt all over the world, but then it was taken away from her. Mone said minor setbacks make for major comebacks. Mone’s mission is clear, she’s not here to lead a women’s evolution, she’s here for a global revolution and face the best in AEW and the globe. Mone brought up Julia Hart & Skye Blue attacking Nightingale last week, as they were messing with her unfinished business and anyone who does that, ends up bankrupt. There’s a price to pay when you mess with Mercedes Mone.
The lights went out and when they came back on, Julia Hart was on the ramp, with Skye Blue trying to attack from behind, but was laid out. Hart hit the ring, but was nearly taken out with the Mone Maker, only for Blue to make the save. Both ladies grabbed chairs from under the ring, but Willow Nightingale & Kris Statlander hit the ring with chairs of their own. After a staredown, the lights went out, Blue & Hart were gone and Nightingale was debating a chair shot on Mone, who turned around in time. Nightingale dropped the chair and Mone left, saying she has her eyes on Nightingale. Excalibur mentioned how Hart & Blue will face Nightingale & Statlander in a Street Fight on Rampage after Dynamite tonight.
-Alex Marvez is backstage trying to get a word with Kazuchika Okada & The Young Bucks, who approved of the respect Marvez put on Okada’s name, but next time, should do it in Japanese. Matthew talked about how handsome Okada is and if anyone rises to the occasion, it’s Okada. Under Continental Rules, they can’t be at ringside tonight, but they’ll be at the curtain giving him the best replays. Okada speaks in Japanese before telling Eddie Kingston he’s coming for his title. Matthew called Marvez a dumbass for not knowing what Okada said in Japanese and to study up so that doesn’t happen again next week.
Kazuchika Okada defeated Eddie Kingston to win the AEW Continental Title
(Quite the statement victory for Okada’s first singles match as an official AEW member, as this was a hard-hitting opening contest with the crowd doing dueling chants throughout. Kingston put up a great fight, but there was no way Okada was losing this early in his AEW run. The first challenger seems already set for Okada and one would assume that’d be happening at Dynasty.)
After an early lock up, Okada did his signature fake out strike in the ropes, but Kingston shrugged it off and lit Okada up with strikes. A clubbing lariat had Okada bail outside, with Kingston in chase, as Okada suckered him in back in the ring to take control. Both trade shoulder blocks, with Okada again going to the floor, this time dropping Kingston with a DDT. Matthew & Nicholas Jackson are shown backstage sitting next to Tony Khan, making sure to give an instant replay. Back inside, Okada is laughing and mocking Kingston, delivering a snap low dropkick, taking things to commercial.
Kingston fired back with an overhead suplex, corner machine gun chops, which were followed up by a snap German suplex and sliding forearm for two. Kingston went for a home run shot, but Okada delivered his picture-perfect dropkick. Air Raid Crash connected, but Kingston kicked out. Okada rolled through a top rope elbow attempt, but ran right into a Kingston spinning backfist for a near fall. Both traded loud forearms and chops, with Okada trying a discus lariat, but Kingston got the hands up and both men crumbled. Kingston mowed down Okada with a clothesline, lowered the straps, but Okada took referee Paul Turner to get an eye rake in on Kingston. Turner scolded Okada, as Kingston hit an enzugiri, but missed a backfist, an Okada delivered a Landslide before a Rainmaker connected for the three. The Young Bucks celebrate backstage and Tony Khan gives a nod before big pyro hits for Okada.
The party is short lived, as PAC wasted not time walking out to the stage and making his intentions known. He stares down Okada before heading to the back.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with Swerve Strickland & Prince Nana, who said last week, his intentions to attack Samoa Joe last week were due to Joe trying to embarrass him the previous week. Strickland has the steel chain with him and said he doesn’t have a problem choking anyone out either. Strickland felt inspired by Mike Tyson training for his next fight and wants a fight of his own, so issues an Open Challenge.
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-Renee Paquette is backstage with Kris Statlander, Stokely Hathaway & Willow Nightingale, who said she’s usually all smiles, but tonight, she’ll have been in more Street Fights than any other woman in AEW. Add Statlander by her side and a weapon in hand, she’ll be a completely different Willow. Statlander said tonight, it will be the end for Julia Hart & Skye Blue. Just then, Mercedes Mone walks in and Statlander thanks her for having Nightingale’s back last week. Mone thanks Statlander for having hers tonight as well, as both shake hands and Statlander walks off. Nightingale goes to talk, but Mone cuts her off and said she’s done enough. Mone walks off before Hathaway can shake her hand, but brings up to Nightingale how she’s already broken Mone’s ankle. Nightingale leaves and Hathaway just shrugs at the camera.
FTW Champion HOOK defeated Chris Jericho
(The first half of this match was all HOOK German suplexes. Despite being in Canada, as the match went on, the crowd got more and more behind HOOK and didn’t like when Jericho escaped REDRUM. The finish, however, gave HOOK his first actual pinfall win in AEW, as every victory has come via submission.)
Bell sounded and immediately HOOK hit an overhead suplex, with Jericho being checked on by referee Bryce. Jericho said he was ok and HOOK pounced with strikes before hitting another T-Bone suplex for two. HOOK went to charge in the corner and Jericho just wound up and leveled him with a right punch. HOOK responded by hitting multiple German suplexes, the third folding Jericho right on his head. This trend continued all throughout picture in picture and when things returned, Jericho took one and turned, landing right on his shoulder.
Jericho finally countered one, trying for the Walls of Jericho, but HOOK fought out. Jericho went to the top for an axe handle, but leapt right into another HOOK suplex. HOOK went for a home run lariat, but ran into a big boot and Lionsault for two. Both men got to their feet and Jericho tried an overhead throw, but HOOK didn’t rotate enough and landed awkwardly on his face. Jericho went to the corner to deliver punches, but HOOK countered into REDRUM, dragging Jericho to the mat. The crowd booed Jericho escaping, but loved when HOOK countered the Walls of Jericho into an inside cradle for the flash pin. Taz said this was HOOK’s first pinfall victory in AEW and it was a big one. Jericho showed respect post-match and gave a fist bump to HOOK.
-Adam Cole said he hates feeling disappointed and last week, Wardlow disappointed him in failing to defeat Samoa Joe last week. Cole corrected himself when saying he should be, no, Wardlow should be AEW World Champion, but couldn’t get the job done. So now, Wardlow’s job is to ensure the Undisputed Kingdom keeps the gold they already have and then maybe they’ll forgive him. Cole is doing this because he cares about Wardlow and wants him to reach his full potential, so don’t screw this up.
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-Chris Jericho is walking backstage when Renee Paquette approaching, asking if HOOK earned his respect? Jericho said HOOK lived up to what he was hoping for, as HOOK showed him that he’s a future World Champion. Jericho said next week, he has a proposition for HOOK.
Will Ospreay Addresses Bryan Danielson
Tony Schiavone introduced Will Ospreay to a massive ovation from the Toronto crowd. Ospreay said the last time he was there, he was a little bit of a naughty boy at Forbidden Door, so he apologizes for what he did back then. Ospreay said he’s here to deliver some Elite caliber wrestling, but in return, he’d like some Canadian maple syrup. Ospreay put over Bryan Danielson vs. Katsuyori Shibata last week and said that’s what professional wrestling truly is. Ospreay brought up how he couldn’t fit in Danielson’s shoes when he was in Japan, because they were too small. What Danielson did in Japan was great, but what Ospreay did was elevate pro wrestling, winning Best of the Super Juniors twice, Junior Title three times, NEVER Openweight and IWGP championships. Ospreay said he’ll prove he can walk in Danielson’s shoes in AEW and brings up Shibata, saying long time no see. Seven years ago, Shibata beat the piss out of him, but now he’s 30 years old, with two pugs, three cats, a kid, a Mrs., a mortgage to pay and a point to prove. Next week on Dynamite, Ospreay calls out Shibata and tells Danielson to sit at home and watch how a real Billy GOAT is all about. Tony Khan made it official, Shibata vs. Ospreay will take place next Wednesday. This was another fantastic promo from Ospreay.
-A video package is shown highlighting the feud between Christian Cage & Adam Copeland.
Deonna Purrazzo & Thunder Rosa defeated AEW Women’s Champion Timeless Toni Storm & Mariah May (w/Luther)
(Most of this took place during commercial, but the story here was Rosa not only got a blind tag, she pinned the AEW Women’s Champion. The blind tag didn’t make Purrazzo very happy, so this story is just getting going and I wouldn’t be shocked if this win gets Rosa a title match at Dynasty.)
Purrazzo & Rosa attacked before the bell, as Rosa & Storm paired off on the floor and Purrazzo & May going at it in the ring. Purrazzo had an easy time dispatching of May, as Rosa launched off her partners back with a corner splash on Storm. Rosa sent Storm into the ropes before leaping a leg sweep by Luther, but it was enough for Storm to get in a cheap shot and gain control during commercial.
When things returned, Rosa fought off both May & Storm with a top rope cross body and made the hot tag to Purrazzo, who ran wild with a knee lift and leg sweep, before taking May’s head off with a big boot. Rosa made the blind tag and Purrazzo was not happy, as Storm tried to sneak in, but was dropped for her efforts. May was planted with a Rosa Death Valley Driver, as Storm hit a snap German into the corner. Storm waited for her close up and delivered Sweet Cheek Music, but Rosa countered a Storm Zero into a flash roll up for the win. Storm couldn’t believe, as Purrazzo wasn’t happy how Rosa swooped in and got the win.
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Swerve Strickland (w/Prince Nana) defeated The Butcher
After a face off, Strickland delivered a headbutt and charging big boot. A leaping uppercut out of the corner connected, but Butcher fought back by zoning in on the shoulder. Strickland seemed to get turned inside out with a lariat, but no sold and just delivered a double stomp to the head. Strickland hit the House Call before going up top for the Swerve Stomp. Strickland wasn’t done, as he slowly applied a short arm scissor and Butcher tapped out. Excalibur said he wasn’t sure, but that could be Strickland’s first submission win in AEW.
Strickland took the microphone post-match and said before he met Samoa Joe, he had nothing but respect. As he got to know Joe, he’s stopped liking him to the point where he’s almost hating him. Every day he’s thinking about wrapping a chain around Joe’s neck and choking him out, but the chain he has isn’t big enough for Joe’s thick neck. Strickland will take out everyone in his path until Joe gives him what he wants.
Samoa Joe walks out and said what to do with someone like Strickland. Logic should dictate he should ignore Strickland, who he beat at Revolution. Strickland still believes the impossible is possible and he can box with a God. The problem with that belief is that the fans will start believing they can be a champion, too. That is, until Joe shows up, smashes you in the face an takes everything you have. Joe said what to do with Strickland is to give him exactly what he wants.
Joe goes to hit the ring when Don Callis walks out on stage to huge boos in his home country. Callis brings up how Strickland & Konosuke Takeshita have the same number of wins, so maybe Takeshita should show Strickland what it’s like to lose to the Don Callis Family. AEW isn’t Swerve’s House, it’s the Don Callis Family House. Strickland said if he had more time, he’d burn the Don Callis Family tree down to a crisp. Strickland accepts and said when he’s done with Takeshita, he’s coming for Joe. We’re officially getting Takeshita vs. Strickland next week.
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Adam Copeland defeated Christian Cage in an I Quit Match to win the TNT Title
(This was the exact finish this feud needed, as you couldn’t have asked for a better ending, in Toronto, with Copeland standing tall. They added some great hockey references and finally had The Patriarchy getting theirs in the end. Cage had a great run as the deplorable heel champion, but I’m looking forward to the run Copeland has with the TNT Title.)
There are Holy Sh*t chants from the Toronto crowd before the match even began. Copeland avoided an early attack, looked for a Spear, but Cage bailed to the floor. Copeland was right after, as both spilled into the crowd and the penalty box, where Copeland ripped a Penguins jersey off a fan, put it on Cage and put a Maple Leafs jersey on himself. Both had a hockey fight, as Copeland pulled the Penguins jersey over Cage’s head and won the brawl heading to commercial.
During picture in picture, both fought to the women’s restroom briefly, but the camera didn’t go past the entrance. Both went back to the ring, as things returned from break and Copeland set a ladder bridge up and delivered a brutal sitout slam. Copeland placed an open ladder upside down in the ring and dropped Cage midsection first, as referee Bryce asked if he quit and Cage said no. Copeland set up a table against the barricade, but Cage leapfrogged a Spear, poked the eye and posted Copeland. With Copeland now busted open, Cage flew off the top rope and hit a cross body through the table. Back in the ring, Cage set a ladder up between the ropes and delivered a slingshot face first, with Copeland slowly saying he didn’t quit. Cage missed a Frog Splash, as Copeland applied a cross face, but Cage ripped at the head to break it up. Both slowly got to their feet and went for a Spear at the same time, as a double down took things to another break.
Copeland chased after Cage up the ramp, tried to deliver Snake Eyes against the entrance, but Cage put on the brakes. Right as things returned from break, Copeland slingshot Cage off of the ramp to the floor. Copeland brought out a hockey goal and draped Cage across it before scoring a goal with Cage. Stumbling down the ramp, Copeland had his back turned and Shayna Wayne appeared, hitting a low blow with a hockey stick. Cage broke the stick over Copeland’s back and continued the assault back in the ring. With the hockey stick drove in his throat, ref Bryce asked if Copeland quit but we couldn’t hear his response, so it was apparently no, as Cage let go and went for chairs, one being wrapped in barbed wire.
Cage wanted a Con-Chair-To with the barbed wire chair, but Copeland moved. Both tried a Killswitch on the chair, but spun out and Copeland got a crossface with the broken hockey stick. Copeland started to choke out Cage when Nick Wayne & Luchasaurus made the save. They held Copeland for Shayna, who slapped Copeland until Matt Menard & Daniel Garcia made the save. Copeland delivered an Impaler DDT on Luchasaurus onto the barbed wire chair, as he & Nick were sent to the floor. Copeland set up a ladder and hit a cross body from the ring to the floor, wiping out Luchasaurus & Nick, who were ultimately handcuffed to the corner. Shayna Wayne was surrounded before bailing, leaving Cage all alone with Copeland, Garcia & Copeland, who dropped Cage with a Spear.
Cage was also cuffed to the corner, as Copeland went for Spike. Copeland repeatedly kicked Cage low, as Copeland brought the spiked 2×4 and hit Cage low again (the camera briefly went black and picked back up, as Rampage officially began). Cage refused to quit until Copeland looked for a final shot to the forehead, but Cage quit before it happened. Garcia handed Copeland the TNT Title and confetti poured in the ring. Copeland flipped off Cage one final time as the fans sang his theme song to officially end the Dynamite portion of tonight.
AEW Rampage 3/20/24
· Kris Statlander & Willow Nightingale vs. TBS Champion Julia Hart & Skye Blue in a Street Fight
· Orange Cassidy & Trent Beretta vs. Powerhouse Hobbs & Kyle Fletcher in an AEW Tag Team Title Tournament Wild Card
· Konosuke Takeshita vs. Rocky Romero
· Katsuyori Shibata In Action
AEW Dynamite 3/27/24
· Will Ospreay vs. Katsuyori Shibata
· Swerve Strickland vs. Konosuke Takeshita
· The Young Bucks vs. Private Party in a Tag Team Title Tournament Quarter Final
Adam Copeland and Christian Cage are meeting once more for the TNT Championship.
The Patriarchy were heading up the ramp after assaulting Daniel Garcia and Matt Menard on Dynamite when Copeland arrived with a chair to clean house. Cage escaped through the crowd and exited the arena with a stolen car. Copeland then turned to the camera and challenged Cage to an I Quit match for the March 20 edition of Dynamite in Toronto, saying that he wanted to face Cage one more time.
Immediately after the segment ended, Tony Khan made the TNT Championship match official.
Back at AEW Worlds End in December, Copeland defeated Cage to win the TNT Championship. However, after Killswitch attacked Copeland after the match, Cage then forced Killswitch to give him the TNT contract Killswitch had earned earlier in the night, allowing Cage to immediately regain the TNT title.
After Worlds End, Copeland started to rack up wins in an attempt to get another shot at Christian Cage. He wrestled Daniel Garcia in a number one contenders match, but the Patriarchy interrupted the bout, eventually laying out Copeland with a conchairto.
A TNT title match has been added to AEW Revolution.
It was announced on Dynamite that Christian Cage will defend the title against Daniel Garcia on March 3. Garcia and Adam Copeland ended up wrestling to a no contest on last week’s Dynamite after Cage and the rest of the Patriarchy attacked both men, including laying out Copeland with a conchairto.
Garcia was in the ring cutting a promo on Wednesday when Cage came out and targeted Garcia’s family, calling his late father a drunk. Garcia dared Cage to fight him. Cage sent Nick Wayne and Killswitch in for the attack, but Garcia was able to send both packing with the help of Matt Menard.
It was also announced that Wardlow will be competing in what is being called a ‘meat madness’ match. AEW did not explain what the rules of the match would be, but after the announcement Powerhouse Hobbs expressed interest in participating.
After they wrestled to a time limit draw in the open of Wednesday’s show, FTR and Claudio Castagnoli & Jon Moxley continued to fight, leading to a pull-apart. Backstage, FTR confronted the Blackpool Combat Club members and challenged them to a match for Revolution. However, nothing was made official.
Here is the updated lineup for Revolution:
Sting’s retirement match: Sting & Darby Allin vs. The Young Bucks
AEW World Championship: Samoa Joe defends against Hangman Page and Swerve Strickland
AEW International Championship: Orange Cassidy defends against Roderick Strong
AEW Women’s Championship: Toni Storm vs. Deonna Purrazzo
AEW Continental Crown Championship: Eddie Kingston defends against Bryan Danielson
TNT Championship: Christian Cage defends against Daniel Garcia
For the first time ever, Bryan Danielson will take on CMLL star Hechicero as part of tonight’s AEW Collision from Edinburg, Texas.
The CMLL foursome of Hechicero, Volador Jr., Mistico and Mascara Dorada made their AEW presence felt this week, attacking Danielson’s Blackpool Combat Club partner Jon Moxley on Wednesday’s Dynamite.
After last week’s victory over the House of Black in an Escape the Cage match, FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) will again team with Daniel Garcia as they face TNT Champion Christian Cage and The Patriarchy (Killswitch & Nick Wayne).
AEW Continental Crown Champion Eddie Kingston will be in non-title action as he takes on Bryan Keith.
Serena Deeb will look to get a win streak going following her recent return to AEW after a lengthy absence as she faces Queen Aminata who is still in search of her first-ever AEW victory.
Mark Briscoe will also be heard from on the show.
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After a week off, Sir Elton John welcomed us to Collision. Tony Schiavone, Kevin Kelly, & Nigel McGuinness were on the call.
Proving Ground Match – AEW Continental Champion Eddie Kingston defeated Bryan Keith
This was an excellent back-and-forth fight, as these two battered each other for the better part of fifteen minutes. The match really picked up after the commercial, and the nearfalls got more believable for both men as time went on. Keith getting the official graphic after this match was well-earned, as he has had several good showings since coming onto AEW’s radar.
After a lockup, Keith tagged Kingston with a palm strike. Kingston blocked another palm strike before knocking Keith down with a chop. Kingston chopped Keith a couple times before dumping him with an overhead suplex. Keith came back, trading headbutts with Kingston before Kingston caught him with more chops.
Keith refused to fall to more chops, firing back at Kingston with elbows before dropping him with a low dropkick and a running boot. Keith hit a crescent kick, but Keith only got a one count. Keith hit a jumping knee that sent Kingston to the floor, then sent Kingston into the barricade with an Irish whip. Keith laid in elbow strikes but ran into a belly-to-belly suplex as we went to commercial.
After a commercial, Kingston fought off a charging Keith in the corner. He went to the top rope, but Keith hit a headbutt that sent Kingston to the floor. Kingston tried to fight back into the ring, but Keith booted him to the floor and hit a cannonball to the floor. Keith hit a Yakuza kick and hit a Northern Lights Bomb for a nearfall. Keith couldn’t hook up the Tiger Driver, instead getting hit with an Exploder suplex. Keith came back with an Exploder of his own before hitting the Tiger Driver for a big nearfall.
Kingston reversed an Irish Whip with a backfist. Keith caught Kingston with a rising knee, but Kingston hit a Saito suplex for a nearfall. Kingston hit the machine gun chops in the corner, but Keith exploded out with an enzuigiri. Kingston caught Keith in a sleeper hold, then drilled Keith with a DDT for a nearfall. Keith came back with palm strikes, but Kingston put him down with a second backfist to score the win.
After the match, Tony Schiavone got in the ring and complimented Kingston on his match. Kingston put over Schiavone’s wife Lois, then told him to talk to Keith. Schiavone announced that Keith was officially All Elite, with the graphic appearing on the big screen. His home state cheered him as Kingston congratulated him, but Bryan Danielson’s music hit. Danielson, whose match was next, brushed past Kingston to raise Keith’s hand. Kingston was annoyed and left.
We got a recap of the CMLL luchadores attacking Jon Moxley on Dynamite. We cut to a video of Moxley from after Dynamite, where he said that the fight reminded him of a night in the drunk tank in Laredo. He said that the BCC had no reason to disrespect the CMLL wrestlers, but they came into his house and disrespected him. If the CMLL wrestlers thought they were lazy American wrestlers like “the guys on the other channel,” they were wrong. Moxley said that they better hope the BCC don’t show up to their house.
Bryan Danielson defeated Hechicero
An incredible showing from Hechicero, as his transitions and submission holds were dazzling. The announcers hyped him up as one of Mexico’s greatest technical wrestlers, and he lived up to the billing here. Despite this being a clean win for him, it felt like Danielson stole away with this win. The CMLL vs. BCC feud is a winner so far.
The announcers put over Hechicero’s technical ability, calling him the best technical wrestler out of Mexico in the last 20 years. The two got into matching leg locks before Hechicero caught Danielson in a pin for a nearfall. Danielson locked on a Romero Special, but Hechicero quickly escaped and locked one on before rolling through several times. The crowd chanted for Hechicero as McGuinness praised him. Danielson turned to strikes, clubbering Hechicero in the corner with kicks. Danielson went for a top rope Frankensteiner, but Hechicero turned it into a sunset flip for a nearfall. Hechicero hit a wild guillotine legdrop tijeras before spinning Danielson into a choke that forced Danielson to the ropes.
After a commercial, Hechicero forced Danielson into the corner with strikes. The announcers put over how Hechicero was out-wrestling Danielson. Danielson vaulted over Hechicero to start his comeback, but Hechicero caught him with a step-up dropkick and a rising knee. Hechicero went to the top rope with Danielson, but Danielson knocked him down with a headbutt. Danielson went for the diving headbutt, but Hechicero caught him in an armbar that he transitioned into a pin for a nearfall.
Hechicero caught Danielson with a choke over the ropes before sending Danielson to the floor. Hechicero followed Danielson to the floor with a Superman dive. Hechicero went for a springboard dive into the ring, but Danielson caught him with a double underhook transition into the LeBell Lock. Hechicero got out of the hold and transitioned into a wild submission that tied Danielson up like a pretzel.
Danielson got to the ropes, then took Hechicero down with kicks. Danielson hit the middle kicks, but Hechicero caught the head kick and turned it into a spinning hammerlock backbreaker. Danielson ducked the rising knee and took Hechicero down with a Dragon Screw. Danielson went for the Busaiku Knee, but Hechicero reversed it into a pin for a nearfall. Hechicero locked on a submission, but Danielson turned it into a pin cover to score the win.
After the match, Hechicero jumped Danielson and laid in the boots, but Claudio Castagnoli ran him off.
FTR & Daniel Garcia were backstage with Lexy Nair, who asked if this trio would continue after their cage match win last week. Garcia said that no one saw this coming, but the best things in life are things you don’t see coming. FTR said that while they didn’t make the rankings as a tag team, they did make it as a trio with Garcia. They closed a chapter last week against the House of Black and planned on starting a new one against Christian Cage & The Patriarchy tonight.
Hook defeated The Outrunners (Turbo Floyd & Truth Magnum)
During the last match, the announcers said that Hook had arrived and asked for a fight, which was granted. During Hook’s entrance, they show his and Brian Cage’s involvement in the street fight main event from Dynamite. Hook sent Floyd flying with throws to start. The Outrunners used the numbers advantage for a while, but Hook popped up after a double suplex and ran wild with suplexes. Hook caught Floyd with Redrum and scored the submission win.
Tony Schiavone welcomed Mark Briscoe to the ring. Briscoe said he and his brother used to watch Schiavone interview the best talkers in the business, so it felt good to be there now. Briscoe talked about how he came to help FTR last week, but the House of Black took him out before he could get into the fight. He came back to help, and it was his team that got the win. He talked about how hard this past year has been for him, but he would always keep fighting. The lights went down, and the House of Black appeared on the screen. Malachi Black talked about liking magic tricks where the magician made someone disappear. They would make Briscoe disappear all the same. The lights went out again, but it was a ruse, as Black said that they were already in Briscoe’s head.
We got a video package highlighting Adam Copeland and his wins in the Cope Open. We’ll hear from Copeland next week on Collision.
Serena Deeb defeated Queen Aminata
Deeb showcased her expertise early on, locking on a grounded surfboard stretch before getting a nearfall with the Gedo Clutch. Deeb took a shoulder block, but quickly locked on a half crab that Aminata escaped. Aminata sent Deeb into the turnbuckle before hitting a vertical suplex for a nearfall.
After a commercial, Deeb hit a series of strikes and a rolling forearm before baiting Aminata into a neckbreaker over the ropes. Deeb hit a swinging neckbreaker for a nearfall. Aminata reversed out of the Detox, but Deeb spun Aminata around before getting a nearfall with a crucifix. Aminata came back with a headbutt and a hip attack, but Deeb avoided a facewash and locked on a Figure Four around the ring post. Aminata fought out of the Detox again, but Deeb hit another neckbreaker before locking on the Serenity Lock for the win.
After a commercial, Tony Schiavone welcomed out #1 ranked Swerve Strickland & Prince Nana. Schiavone asked about Strickland’s match against #2 ranked Hangman Page this Wednesday, with an AEW Title match at Revolution against Samoa Joe. Swerve talked about it being Black History Month and the people who paved the way for him like Ron Simmons, and friends who have made it possible for him like Kofi Kingston & ROH Women’s World Champion Athena. Swerve said he would add his name to that list of World Champions. He has done some terrible things but doesn’t apologize for any of them.
When asked about Hangman’s claim that he can’t beat him without the Mogul Embassy, Strickland moved Nana to the side to remind everyone that he’s beaten Page twice. He said he would move on from Page and become Black History by winning the AEW World Title. Nana said that they would be at Strickland’s side, but Strickland made it clear that he wanted no interference to make sure Hangman didn’t have any more excuses.
We cut to a video from after Dynamite with AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm, Mariah May, and Luther. Storm blew off May’s match from last week’s Collision before threatening to eat Deonna Purrazzo again. Storm told Luther to get her a public workout to show everyone how technical she could be. Storm is booked to wrestle Red Velvet on Dynamite.
Red Velvet defeated Vertvixen
Velvet caught Vertvixen with a leg lariat for a nearfall. Velvet hit a wheelbarrow bulldog before laying in the punches in the corner. Vertvixen caught another wheelbarrow and hit a Blue Thunder Bomb for a nearfall. Vertvixen hit a running boot into the corner, but Velvet shifted her weight on a bodyslam to score a nearfall. Velvet hit running knees to the back before hitting In The Mix to score the win.
FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood) & Daniel Garcia defeated The Patriarchy (TNT Champion Christian Cage, Killswitch, Nick Wayne) (w/ Shayna Wayne)
FTR and Garcia deciding to make a go of it as a trio is fine by me, considering they continue to have fun Collision main events. The closing stretch between Garcia and Wayne is a sneak peek at AEW’s future, as they are two of several bright stars in AEW under the age of 30. Garcia and Christian staring each other down in the post-match is an interesting path to go down for a future title match.
Matt Menard joined commentary in support of Garcia. Wayne and Harwood started, with Harwood chopping Wayne into his corner. Cage tagged in, but Harwood caught him with a trio of quick pins for a trio on nearfalls. Wayne tagged back in and slapped Harwood, but Harwood chose to tag Garcia, who took him down with shoulder blocks. Wayne and Garcia had a fast-paced back-and-forth in a look at two of AEW’s future stars. Garcia sent Wayne and Cage to the floor before FTR made sure Killswitch didn’t jump him from behind.
After a commercial, The Patriarchy isolated Garcia in their corner. Cage cut off a charge to the corner, but Garcia moved out of the way of a diving headbutt. Wayne and Wheeler tagged in, with Wheeler running wild. The announcers noted how Killswitch hadn’t been tagged in at any point, as Wheeler pinballed Wayne around. FTR went for a spike piledriver, but Killswitch interfered. They took down Killswitch with a high-low combo, but Wayne came back with a sunset flip and a Code Red for nearfalls.
Harwood cut off Wayne on the top rope and hit a super back suplex for a nearfall that Killswitch broke up. Christian hooked Harwood’s neck to set up a Killswitch chokeslam for a nearfall. After a commercial, Harwood sent Christian up and over with a back body drop. Wayne tagged in and got Harwood back in their corner, scoring a nearfall with a vertical suplex. Harwood came back with a back suplex, but Cage sent Harwood to the floor. Harwood ducked a charge from Luchasaurus on the floor before bumping heads with Christian.
Harwood got the tag out to Garcia and ran wild on Wayne. Wheeler cut off an interfering Christian before hitting dual ten punches. Garcia shot Wheeler off into a suicide dive onto Killswitch, then hit a brainbuster on Wayne for a nearfall. Wayne raked Garcia’s eyes before hitting a Perfect-Plex for a nearfall. Wayne taunted Garcia, who caught him with an inside cradle for a nearfall. Garcia hit a swinging neckbreaker for a nearfall.
Cage cut off Garcia on the top rope, but Harwood took Cage down with punches. Garcia went to the top rope, but Cage shoved him off the top into a cutter from Wayne for a nearfall. We got a move train that included a spear to Garcia and Wayne’s World to Harwood. Garcia side-stepped a spear and Wayne’s World before catching Wayne with a jackknife pin to score the win. After the match, Garcia stared daggers at Christian Cage and the TNT Title.
In a new interview with Sports Illustrated, Adam Copeland explained what makes Christian Cage such a great heel.
Lifelong best friends Copeland and Christian have been feuding since right after Copeland arrived in AEW. Copeland told Sports Illustrated that Christian’s commitment is what makes him a great heel. While some heels become cooler than the babyface, Copeland says Christian has done everything possible to make himself uncool.
“He does this so well because he wants to be one,” Copeland said. “Somewhere along the way, that’s got lost. Heels became cooler than the babyface. That’s not how it should be. That’s not how he sees it, either. I mean, the man wears a cut-off turtleneck. There’s nothing cool about what he’s doing.
“He’s fully committed to it. He’s a Bond villain and loving it. It’s fun to be involved with.”
Copeland won the TNT Championship from Christian at last month’s Worlds End pay-per-view, but Christian immediately regained the title by cashing in a title shot that Killswitch (Luchasaurus) had earned earlier in the show.
Christian is the leader of The Patriarchy in AEW, a faction that includes Killswitch, Nick Wayne, and Mother Wayne.
Copeland defeated Minoru Suzuki in the main event of Dynamite last week. The match was part of Copeland’s “Cope Open” open challenge series. Following the match, Copeland got on the microphone and declared that he’s still coming after Christian.
“The goal is to bring everyone up,” Copeland told Sports Illustrated about the Cope Open. “I always enjoy seeing new characters and seeing lightbulbs go off. That’s what I’ve loved about coming in so far. What I’m doing, it’s involved so many different people. Now there can be even more with the Cope Open.”
Christian Cage is now a two-time TNT Champion following the events of Saturday’s Worlds End.
After sending Nick Wayne through a flaming table, Copeland pinned Christian Cage with the killswitch to win the TNT Championship for the first time. However, Killswitch came to the ring after the match and attacked Copeland, chokeslamming him through a chair. He then took the TNT title match contract he won earlier in the night and wanted to cash in. Christian Cage told Killswitch he wanted to cash it in instead. Killswitch refused until Cage whispered something in Killswitch’s ear. He then gave the contract to Cage, allowing Cage to cash in the contract and pin Copeland with a spear.
The former friends first met in a one-on-one match in AEW back in early December, when Cage retained the title thanks to interference from Nick Wayne’s mother, Shayna. Copeland then issued the challenge for the no disqualification match for Worlds End, which Cage accepted.
Killswitch has teased dissension between himself and Cage in recent weeks, as he was reluctant to accept Cage’s new name for himself.
The following is an opinion-based preview and reflects the views of the author.
AEW’s gift to us this holiday season was a wonderful wrestling tournament that got us through the winter doldrums and into the always promising new year.
By any objective measure, the Continental Classic was/is a tremendous success — a reminder and throwback to the foundation that AEW was built on which is an incredible in-ring product. Building a series of shows around high-quality matches has breathed much-needed life into AEW as it feels exciting again and reinvigorated.
The best Dynamite of the past few months was the December 13th episode. No skips, no filler, just good in-ring action with some necessary story exposition. Folks, that’s all it takes. The Devil storyline took a deserved backseat — the sooner this is and the rest of MJF’s version of As The World Turns is over the better — and the focus was almost entirely between the ropes. The sun AEW should revolve around is whatever happens between the bells, not who is under a Party City mask.
Everything falls neatly into place when the shows have something to revolve around rather than just someone. Anchoring the show around one main character can be burdensome to the viewer. How many 20-minute MJF solo promos can we take? This is not a reflection of his talent, which remains generational, but it’s not working as well as it should. For over a year, MJF has been the linchpin of the show, for better or for worse. Giving so much focus to the Continental Classic gave him space to breathe and gave him time to rest. And let’s face it, the last few months in the MJF-verse haven’t been good. When he first won the title, he talked about going on a HHH-esque reign of terror. If only we knew how accurate that would turn out to be.
Saturday’s Worlds End looks strong on paper and with AEW never missing at pay-per-views, I have high hopes for the last big show of 2023. Let’s run through the matches and give some predictions.
Andrade El Idolo vs. Miro
Andrade was one of the breakout performers in the Continental Classic. It might seem strange to refer to someone who has been wrestling since the early 2000s as a breakout, but this was by far his best work — not just in AEW, but since he’s been a regular in a major US wrestling promotion. The dude had his working boots on for every match and fully opened up the engines. When engaged and motivated, there is nothing he can’t do in the ring. Being reminded of that these past few weeks was wonderful. Let’s hope he carries the momentum into 2024.
It would have been easy to do something corny about Miro and CJ Perry’s IRL marriage. Instead, AEW decided to tell a story with nuance and layers which are things not typically associated with wrestling storylines. CJ wants to get back to what she was great at; managing and elevating talent. She’s upset that her husband wants to wrestle on his own, but she’s soldiering on doing what she wants. Miro, now no longer feuding with God, just wants to focus on wrestling.
It’s not going to win any awards or breathlessly be described as cinema, but this is a program that means something without any gold attached to it. This should be a good one!
Prediction: Andrade El Idolo
Keith Lee vs. Swerve Strickland
For whatever reason(s), Keith Lee in AEW hasn’t worked out like most (I am most) thought. The AEW Tag Team title run with Strickland was excellent, but other than that, nothing has been memorable. He has, somehow, become an afterthought. Or perhaps he’s been surpassed by others with greater gifts than his own. Maybe even a bit of both. There was a time when he was looked at as a no-doubt future World champion. Does that ceiling still exist? I hope it does. Wrestling is more fun when Keith Lee is regularly hossing people around the ring and making everyone roll their eyes when he’s doing a backstage promo.
This is going to be good, but it’s not hot. I’ll give AEW some grace on this one, though. Too often they are pumping the card full of last-minute matches, but with the C2 running until this week, they had no choice here. This does feel like a step down for Strickland who remains on a months-long heater. He might not have won the C2, but he maintained his momentum coming out of it and is positioned for a massive year in 2024 – one that should include an AEW World Championship reign. Anything less would be uncivilized.
Prediction: Swerve Strickland
Big Bill, Ricky Starks, Powerhouse Hobbs & Kyle Fletcher vs. Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara, Sting & Darby Allin
I continue to love the Bill/Starks pairing. It’s self-aware and smart enough to work. They aren’t friends and there is no ‘can they co-exist’ storyline. This is just two dudes who recognized each other’s immense talents and thought ‘Yeah, this should work.’ Wrestling is better when it’s not all brothers and best friends tag teams. Homogeneity is boring. There’s a reason Baskin Robbins has 31 flavors.
Guevara continues, unceasing, ebbing and flowing, between character alignments like tides that lick the coast of the Atlantic. He turned on Jericho in October, went on paternity, and came back to his waiting arms. Sure, whatever. Why was he so upset about the painting of his daughter? A young queen with five kings supporting her? Seems good to me! But alas, here we are yet again, closing 2023 with another Guevara/Jericho pairing that no one asked for and even fewer wanted.
Prediction: Jericho, Guevara, Sting & Allin
Jon Moxley vs. Eddie Kingston in the Continental Classic finals
The Continental Classic was destined to come down to this. The King of The Bums vs. the man who has done everything in pro wrestling. It took Kingston into his 40s to achieve what Moxley was doing in his late 20s. Bound together since the early years of AEW, the two men who know each other best go to war on Saturday. It’s going to be messy, it’s going to be brutal, and it’s going to be beautiful. Sometimes wrestling is just two dudes hitting each other really hard and is the most perfect thing in the world.
This year checked a lot of boxes for Kingston. The absolute madman won the Ring of Honor World title from his forever rival, wrestled in the G1, and is now in the finals of the C2. He is primed to win the American Triple Crown and follow in the footsteps of all his heroes. Getting to do it in his home state is the cherry of all cherries to cap off a hell of a 2023.
There are certainly people who don’t love or believe in him, but those are the exceptions that prove the rule. Those who love him do so loud and love him fiercely. They will be out in full force for his coronation on Long Island.
Prediction: Eddie Kingston
TBS Champion Julia Hart defends against Abadon
Hart just won the TBS Championship and is going to stay winning. She continues to grow in the ring and adds to her overall presentation on what seems like a weekly basis. She is AEW’s biggest homegrown success and her future is bright…or dark…or however she prefers it, really.
Abadon’s look and presentation are just incredible. Even the most ardent of haters have to admit that her character just works. In a sea of similar gimmicks and aesthetics, she stands out. She’s just not going to win the TBS title. Too much time was invested in building Hart into what she is now for her to lose the title less than two months after she won it.
Prediction: Julia Hart
TNT Champion Christian Cage defends against Adam Copeland in a no DQ match
It’s likely that you, the intelligent wrestling consumer that you are, have already decided if you’re going to like this match. This is the Copeland special. These are the matches he loves to have with plunder and weapons galore. It will likely be too long. It will likely have a few missed pinfalls and submissions. It will likely be a bit overwrought. It can be all of those things and still be good because as always, this is subjective. If that is your type of match, I have some good news. You’ll probably get an excellent version of it on Saturday night. If this is your preferred brand of vodka, get ready for top shelf. If not? You can probably squeeze in a 40-minute nap during the match.
Recently, AEW has shied away from doing trilogies. The Orange Cassidy vs. Jon Moxley and Swerve Strickland vs. Hangman Page programs wrapped up (for now) after two matches. I can’t help but feel that will be the case at Worlds End, too. Christian has done yeoman’s work making the TNT title important again — important enough that Copeland winning it will feel like a big deal.
Prediction: Adam Copeland
AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm defends against Riho
Your opinion on Storm is a telling character decoder. Do you think she’s the funniest thing you’ve ever seen? Perhaps broaden your comedic horizons. Do you think it’s terrible and an embarrassment to this business? I would encourage you to allow a little light and levity into your life. The highs are high and the lows are cause for shaking your head, not changing the channel. The truth is this probably skews more towards good than a transcendent character, but Storm is the singular focus of the women’s division.
There is too much juice left in the Storm orange to change the title here. AEW is invested in her current character and future program with Mariah May. Taking the title from her here makes no sense.
Prediction: Toni Storm
AEW World Champion MJF defends against Samoa Joe
There is no good reveal for the Devil. It’s low floor, low ceiling storytelling and the type of storytelling that AEW should do well to avoid. What is a good reveal here? It’s a rhetorical question, but is there anyone on the roster that would make this amount of TV time worth it and make some storyline sense?
Even if it leads to a returning Kyle O’Reilly, would an Adam Cole reveal really move the needle? The best they could do in that situation would be if the entire injury was a work, leading to him costing MJF the title. Even if that’s the case, we’re still in for another long MJF melodrama program — the same type of program Cody Rhodes would get killed for if he was still in AEW, by the way — and something has to change. After Wednesday night’s show-closing angle, something has to change immediately. Put this to bed and never talk of it again.
Regardless of anything else that happens at Worlds End, Samoa Joe should walk out with a World title on his shoulder. Even at 44, he remains a singular force of nature in wrestling. His presence and menacing delivery on the microphone scream monster. He can be that final boss. He can be the person everyone is terrified of. Let him run roughshod over AEW for a few months while the next big babyface (Swerve Strickland) gets primed for a run on top.
It should be a big deal when MJF drops his belt as he is the longest reigning champion in company history, after all. But the reign has been lackluster ever since Cole became his best friend and why am I still writing about a friendship storyline in December?
If Joe doesn’t win here, I don’t know what’s left to do. MJF is hurt and carrying 1.5 lame-duck storylines by himself. Let him heal up and give Joe the one thing he’s never had and the one thing he deserves: a World title in a major company.
An appearance by Christian Cage has been announced for Saturday’s Collision.
On Wednesday’s Dynamite, Tony Schiavone announced that Cage had sent a letter saying he would be at this Saturday’s show to respond to Adam Copeland’s challenge to a no disqualification match for Worlds End. Copeland issued the challenge on last week’s Collision, saying he wanted gold, and wouldn’t be satisfied until he beat Cage to win the TNT Championship.
Keith Lee will also take on Brian Cage. After Cage defeated a local competitor last week, Lee walked up to Cage & his manager Prince Nana and told Cage to tell “him” that his patience was running out.
Here is the lineup for next Saturday’s Collision:
AEW Trios titles: The Acclaimed defend against Top Flight & Action Andretti
Thunder Rosa & Abadon vs. Julia Hart & Skye Blue
We’ll hear from Christian Cage
Keith Lee vs. Brian Cage
AEW Continental Classic Blue League: Claudio Castagnoli vs. Bryan Danielson
AEW Continental Classic Blue League: Brody King vs. Daniel Garcia
AEW Continental Classic Blue League: Andrade El Idolo vs. Eddie Kingston
On Saturday’s Dynamite, Copeland said he has no excuses for losing his match to Christian Cage on Dynamite, saying he should have been prepared for every possible situation. He said that he realizes he misses carrying gold and wants to add to his championship pedigree. He challenged Cage to a no disqualification match at AEW Worlds End on December 30, promising to become the new TNT Champion.
Adam Copeland lays out a challenge to Christian Cage for the #AEW TNT Championship at #AEWWorldsEnd in a No Disqualification Match!
The two previously met on the December 6 edition of AEW Dynamite in Montreal. The finish of the match had Shayna Wayne, Nick Wayne’s mother, attack Copeland with the TNT Championship, allowing Cage to cover him for the win. Copeland had given Nick Wayne a conchairto in front of his mother on the November 22 edition of Dynamite.
Copeland’s newfound rivalry with Cage dates back to when Cage rejected Copeland’s offer to reunite their tag team, telling Copeland to “go f*** yourself”. This led to Copeland eventually agreeing to team with Darby Allin and Sting at AEW Full Gear last month, defeating Cage, Wayne, and the former Luchasaurus, now named Killswitch.
John LaRocca and I are back with a brand new Fight Game Podcast. We started off the show talking about our newest project which will be on this podcast feed for anyone that is interested.
We then got to our Top 5 which included:
NJPW star Kazuchika Okada and the latest news surrounding his contract status
How WWE could actually book Okada if they did sign him
The latest standings for the AEW Continental Classic and our thoughts on last Wednesday’s matches on Dynamite
Last Wednesday’s match between Adam Copeland and Christian Cage, and our thoughts on the finish and main angle at the end
How we’re losing interest who whoever “The Devil” is supposed to be
Shayna Wayne cost Adam Copeland a chance to win the TNT Championship on AEW Dynamite.
Nick Wayne’s mom hit Copeland with the TNT title belt as the referee was knocked out in Wednesday’s Dynamite main event, costing Copeland the match and a chance t defeat Christian Cage for the Championship.
With referee Bryce Remsburg down after eating a spear and a punt from Cage, Shayna Wayne made her way to the ring and grabbed the belt. After teasing hitting Cage, she clocked Copeland with the belt. Cage then hit Copeland with a Killswitch and a stomp on the title belt as Remsburg was revived, and Cage scored the pinfall victory to retain the title and extend his reign.
Copeland hit Nick Wayne with a con-chair-to on the November 22 Dynamite as Shayna looked on, providing the impetus for Shayna’s actions on Dynamite. It remains unclear if Shayna will now be a part of the Cage-Nick Wayne-Luchasaurus/Killswitch group going forward, or if her actions were simply in retaliation against Copeland.
It also remains unclear whether or not Cage’s stomp to Copeland on the title belt was meant as an injury angle to write Copeland off for a period of time, or simply as a finish to the match. All of these angles will continue to play out on AEW programming.
Our full Dynamite report from this week’s episode is here.
Christian Cage defends the TNT Championship against Adam Copeland on tonight’s AEW Dynamite.
The lifelong friends and former tag team partners-turned bitter enemies will settle their feud with a TNT title bout on tonight’s episode in Montreal.
“Timeless” Toni Storm is also set to defend the AEW Women’s World title tonight against Skye Blue. Ben Mankiewicz of Turner Classic Movies will introduce the Champion prior to the bout.
The Continental Classic also continues tonight with three Gold League bouts.
The undefeated Swerve Strickland (6 points) faces the winless Mark Briscoe (0 points), undefeated Jon Moxley (6 points) faces Rush (3 points), and Jay White (3 points) takes on the winless Jay Lethal (0 points) in the night’s Continental Classic tournament bouts.
AEW World Champion MJF and his Worlds End title challenger Samoa Joe will be in tag team action on tonight’s episode as they team against two of The Devil’s masked men.
AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Tony Schiavone and Taz as we get a recap of the Continental Classic rules and standings before going to our opening contest of the evening.
Jon Moxley [9] defeated Rush [3] in the Continental Classic Gold League
(Moxley is the first to 9 in the Gold League and it came after an excellent, hard hitting battle. Rush put up one hell of a fight, working heel throughout, but ultimately Moxley had him scouted in the end. I really loved Moxley’s match with Briscoe, but I would say this was Rush’s best tournament match so far.)
Both men wasted no time throwing chops before Moxley was dropped on his head with an overhead belly to belly. To the floor they went, as both spilled into the crowd with Moxley’s chest already beat red. The referee was lenient with the count as Rush smacked Moxley in the face with a fans drink before going back to the ring, as Rush is heeling it up early. The stalling boot by Rush connected before posing, as Moxley flipped him off to respond. A snap powerslam put Rush in control, but played too long to the crowd and Moxley fired up with a cutter. Moxley got a near fall off a superplex, as both threw forearms to the apron where Moxley blocked an overhead belly to belly, only to suffer one on the floor against the barricade.
After Rush controlled the entire break, Moxley answered with a DDT to regain control briefly, but was stuck by a Rush piledriver for two. Rush returned the favor from earlier, hitting a superplex off the top, but Moxley escaped a DDT, sent Rush to the floor and connected on a Tope. Both men barely beat the count, which led to another intense striking exchange, with Moxley ultimately taking Rush’s head off to cut off Bulls Horns and hit the Death Rider, but Rush kicked out. Moxley slapped on the rear naked choke and Rush passed out. Rush woke up and he was furious since he didn’t tap out, as the referee had to tell him he lost consciousness.
-A video package for the upcoming Jay White & Jay Lethal match is shown, with White saying he looked up to Lethal when he was younger in ROH, but tonight, he’s getting the 3 points in the Gold League. Lethal realizes his back is against the wall and it’s a must win for him.
-Renee Paquette announces Roderick Strong & The Kingdom to the stage. Strong said it’s obvious tonight MJF will stab his best friend by proxy, SAMOA…Joe, in the back. Paquette asks what if Max isn’t The Devil like Strong assumes? Strong called her crazy and said he’s in the wheelchair because of decisions he’s made. Strong rose up from his wheelchair and said he’ll no longer be held back, throwing the wheelchair off the stage, saying it’s held him back for far too long. Taven & Bennett celebrated this resurrection of Strong like it was some sort of miracle.
**********
-Renee Paquette was standing outside MJF’s locker room, wanting to get a word on his upcoming tag match when Hangman Adam Page walked into her shot. Paquette asked how he was feeling since it was the first time seeing him since Full Gear? Page said he’d felt better, brought up the lengths Swerve Strickland went to in their feud, recognizes when he’s lost, but took something from Strickland he’ll never get back. Their feud is not over and realizes what Strickland wants the most in life and he’ll make sure Strickland never gets it.
MJF walks out and says hello to Seabiscuit, saying it was impressive watching a match where both men saw how many STD’s they could get. Page said he didn’t have 30 minutes to have MJF talk to him and MJF said the reason he talks for 30 minutes is to wake the crowd up after Page putting them to sleep. Page asks if this is what he wants to do? MJF said he does and brings up verbally bending over Page in front of Bret Hart at Double or Nothing a few years ago. MJF brought up beating Page for the Dynamite Diamond Ring, as Page said he consoled himself by becoming AEW Champion. MJF said it was only 6 months, while Max’s has been over a year. Page said when he’s 70 years old Max can tell his 9th cat about his one year title reign. MJF accused Page of being The Devil and Page was caught off guard, denying it, telling MJF to be honest and admit he’s the one behind the mask. Samoa Joe showed up and stepped between them, making sure MJF stayed healthy like he had promised. This was a fun backstage exchange, perhaps planting the seeds for a future program.
Swerve Strickland [9] defeated Mark Briscoe [0] in the Continental Classic Gold League
(I feel bad that Briscoe is mathematically eliminated from the Continental Classic now, as he’s been having the best matches of the tournament so far. Now he can play spoiler going forward, as I’m sure his remaining matches will be just as great as the previous ones. Strickland continues to ride the momentum he’s had since Full Gear, as I really hope he goes far in this tournament. The promise from Hangman Page earlier tonight makes me now believe he’s not winning this, however.)
For being a win or get eliminated match for Briscoe, I’m surprised the match started with ground work, trading headlocks. Taz brought up it as more strategic by both men, as Briscoe was the first to fire off chops. Tony Schiavone said there are guys in WCW that love to play spoiler and Taz corrected him that this is AEW. Strickland turned the tables on Briscoe and connected on a uppercut to the back off the second rope. Delayed neckbreaker from Strickland netted a two count, but Briscoe reversed a whip and hit a diving dropkick through the ropes to the floor. Both went to the apron, where strikes were traded until Strickland sent Briscoe into the front row. While standing on the barricade, Strickland hit a superplex back to the floor heading to commercial.
It was all Strickland during the break, but Briscoe escaped an arm bar with some Redneck Kung-Fu. Briscoe started to run wild with a charging boot in the corner followed up by a Fisherman’s Buster for two. Strickland fought back with a beautiful step over gut wrench German, rolling Flatliner and Buzzsaw Kick for a close near fall. Briscoe cut off Strickland in the ropes, sending him to the floor, where a dive followed. Briscoe hit a home run lariat, but Strickland kicked out. Strickland rolled through a Jay Driller into a House Call, but Briscoe got the knees up on a 450 Splash attempt, nearly getting a roll up for two. A rolling DVD from Briscoe, who wanted a Froggy Bow, but Strickland got the knees up. With 5 minutes left, both men went to he apron, where Strickland fought off a Jay Driller into a DVD. Strickland connected with the Swerve Stomp back inside to get the victory, eliminating Briscoe from the Continental Classic.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with Mariah May and asks about her meeting last week with Tony Khan. May said it went well, he’s a fan of her time in Stardom in Japan, saying she’s bringing some much needed glamour to AEW, saying her in ring debut is not Paquette’s business, as tonight is about Timeless Toni Storm.
AEW World Champion MJF & Samoa Joe vs. The Devil’s Henchmen never happened
Samoa Joe made his way to the ring, but before MJF made his, the lights went out and Joe was surrounded by The Devil’s Henchmen ringside. The lights went out again, this time, all of the folks were gone and The Devil appeared on the big screen before it cut to MJF backstage unconscious and laid out. Excalibur said they need to take a look at this, which, yeah, of course. Joe ran to the back and I guess that’s the match we were supposed to get.
**********
Jon Moxley is backstage and said he’s expected to be 3-0 and to win the Continental Classic because b*tch, he’s the Ace of the World. Swerve Strickland walked in with Prince Nana and said he’s not the only one undefeated in this thing, saying he’ll do whatever it takes to win. Moxley said that’s good, he’s the same way and they’ll see each other in Texas next week at Winter in Coming.
-We go to Turner Classic Movie’s host Ben Mankiewicz (who is also the grand-nephew of Joseph Mankiewicz, the writer and director of All About Eve, which the Toni Storm & Mariah May storyline has been based off of) in the TCM studio saying every generation a performer comes along that redefines what it means to be human. To some it could be Garbo, Brando or Groucho, but could also be Toni Storm. Every slam or piledriver paints a picture and lists off the silent films Storm has starred in before saying chin up, chest out and watch for the shoe, introducing the AEW Women’s Champion ahead of her title match. The fact that they got Mankiewicz to do this is kind of perfect and must make RJ City so proud. If he had anything to do with this, Tony Khan needs to finally give RJ his All Elite graphic.
Timeless Toni Storm (w/Luther & Mariah May) defeated Skye Blue to retain the AEW Women’s Title
(I will say this was the best Blue has looked in a singles match, as she more than held her own against the AEW Women’s Champion. She had some close near falls throughout, but there was no way Storm was losing this one. Post match, we got a set up for what will assumingly be Storm’s next challenger and a welcome return for sure.)
After an early back and forth sequence into a stalemate, Storm just charged and decked Blue with a forearm until Blue answered with a tilt a whirl head scissors. Storm went outside to regroup and cut off a Blue dive, with Luther placing Storm on his shoulders and hit an assisted suplex off the apron as the camera went black and white as Storm posed. With Blue set up against the barricade, Storm connected with a Sweet Cheek Music that took us to commercial. Unfortunately, Storm didn’t throw it to break like she’s done in the past.
Storm wound up for a right hand, but Blue ducked into a dropkick and step up knee in the ropes. A spinning kick to the head led to a cross body off the top for a near fall. Storm avoided Skye Fall and hit a release German sending Blue to the corner. Blue avoided a hip attack and hit a Sweet Cheek Music of her own, with a charging boot to follow. The Code Blue connected for the closest near fall of the match for Blue. Storm cut off Blue in the corner and hit a superplex, with Storm posing for the camera, hit another Sweet Cheek Music, but Blue briefly got a flash roll up, only for Storm to counter into one of her own for the win.
Storm celebrated post match until Riho made her return to a huge ovation. Riho pointed to the Women’s Title before dropkicking Storm to the floor. She teased a dive, but Luther made the save, with Storm repeatedly saying “how dare you!” with Riho patting the Women’s Title left in the ring.
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-Excalibur ran down AEW’s next tour of Canada in 2024 with shows on April 10 in Winnipeg, May 8 in Edmonton, May 11 in Vancouver and July 10 in Calgary. Tickets go on sale December 15 for those shows.
-A video package highlighting the long history between Christian Cage & Adam Copeland is shown ahead of their main event tonight.
Switchblade Jay White [6] defeated Jay Lethal [0] in the Continental Classic Gold League
(A very back and forth match here, with both trying to break out heel tactics to gain the advantage over the course of this. It was even for a majority of this, as White needed the victory to keep up with the leaders and this resulted in Lethal being eliminated from contention. Much like Mark Briscoe, Lethal can play spoiler in his final two matches.)
After firing off early chops, White traded hip toss attempts, with Lethal getting the upper hand, as he did a quick Fargo Strut, something White mocked previously. Both men took turns escaping a fireman’s carry with an eye rake before White wrenched at both legs before throwing more chops. We got a great series of counters until White snapped off a DDT to take control into picture in picture.
Lethal battled back when things returned with a Lethal Combination into a Torture Rack and hit almost a reverse You Can’t Escape, only capped off with a top rope elbow instead of a moonsault. White managed to kick out, as Lethal wanted Lethal Injection, but fired off a combo of kicks instead. White answered with a knee breaker and suplex into the corner before a brainbuster got two. A chop exchange led to both trying for eye rakes and blindly throwing shots until White hit a sleeper suplex. Both men traded finisher attempts until White chop blocked the leg out of a Lethal Injection attempt. After trading pin attempts, White got the high stack and the win with Lethal trying his best to kick out.
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Christian Cage defeated Adam Copeland to retain the TNT Title
(It wouldn’t be a Cage match without at least some shenanigans and you knew it was going to happen, just didn’t know when. If you think about it, it does make total sense for Shayna Wayne to make the decision she did after Copeland delivered a Con-Chair-To to her son two weeks ago right in front of her. The match itself was excellent, as it was the first singles match these two have had since May of 2010 on an episode of RAW. With this finish, it certainly won’t be the last time these two wrestle in AEW. I can’t wait for what’s next in this story.)
After a stare down, Copeland slapped Cage and applied a choke, leaving Cage to scatter to the ropes. Sheamus-like sledgehammer shots to the Cage on the apron before Copeland charged and launched Cage into the barricade. Copeland repeatedly smashed Cage into the announce table until back inside, Cage wanted a low blow for the DQ, only for Copeland to block it and step on Cage’s hand. Back to the floor, Copeland punted Cage in the face against the barricade, posting him to follow up. Cage finally got in a cheap shot and pulled Copeland’s arm to drive him throat first into the steel, tossing Copeland into the front row heading into commercial.
Cage continued his assault during break, as Copeland tried to mount a comeback, but was floored with a back elbow. Cage wanted corner punches, but Copeland bit at the bad hand and followed with a leg sweep off the second rope. Cage side stepped a Spear through the ropes, wanted a pendulum kick, but Copeland countered and hit a diving clothesline off the second. Cage answered with a drop toe hold into the steps as back inside, Cage hit a Frog Splash for two. Cage wanted a Spear, but Copeland countered into an Impaler DDT for a two of his own.
Cage cut off Copeland in the corner, but Copeland wrenched at the bad hand, slid through and connected on a running Liger Bomb for two. Copeland avoided the Killswitch off an eye poke into an inside cradle for two. Cage went for it again, but this time Copeland hit a sit out slam before applying a crossface. Cage got the rope break, as Copeland mounted and repeatedly hammered forearms before signaling for the Spear. Cage leapfrogged and hit the Killswitch, but Copeland kicked out. Cage charged for a Spear, but Copeland side step, accidentally running into referee Bryce in the process. Cage realized what happened and punted Bryce before getting the TNT Title. Cage charged with the title, but both he & Copeland collided for the double down.
Shayna Wayne then walked to the ring and grabbed the TNT Title. She gave a long look at Cage before decking Copeland with the title. She walked off, as Cage connected with another Killswitch and placed Copeland’s head under the title, stomping on it right as Bryce recovered long enough to make the pin. Post match, Cage stopped the doctor from checking on Copeland as he trash talked him before the show went off the air.
Continental Classic Gold League Standings
9 Points: Jon Moxley, Swerve Strickland
6 Points: Switchblade Jay White
3 Points: Rush
0 Points: Jay Lethal, Mark Briscoe
Continental Classic Blue League Standings
6 Points: Brody King
3 Points: Claudio Castagnoli, Andrade El Idolo, Bryan Danielson
0 Points: Daniel Garcia, Eddie Kingston
AEW Rampage 12/8/23
· Konosuke Takeshita & Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Matt Sydal & Christopher Daniels
· Abadon vs. Trish Adora
· Orange Cassidy & Danhausen will appear
· Bryan Danielson vs. Daniel Garcia in the Continental Classic Blue League
AEW Collision 12/9/23
· Kenny Omega vs. Ethan Page
· Bryan Danielson vs. Andrade El Idolo in the Continental Classic Blue League
· Claudio Castagnoli vs. Eddie Kingston in the Continental Classic Blue League
· Willow Nightingale vs. Mercedes Martinez
· Wardlow vs. Willie Mack
· Penta El Zero Miedo & Komander vs. Angelo Parker & Matt Menard
AEW Dynamite: Winter Is Coming 12/13/23
· Jon Moxley vs. Swerve Strickland in the Continental Classic Gold League
· Switchblade Jay White vs. Mark Briscoe in the Continental Classic Gold League
· Rush vs. Jay Lethal in the Continental Classic Gold League
It’s a brand new We’re Live, Pal with Andrew Zarian and I, also available for free on YouTube by clicking above.
We opened up the show talking about Randy Orton’s big boost to WWE SmackDown which led us to a discussion on Andrew’s current diet and workout regimen.
We also discussed:
WWE and AEW’s usage of older stars on top
Drew McIntyre’s current storyline
The interest in Kazuchika Okada from both AEW & WWE
Adam Copeland vs. Christian Cage headlining AEW Dynamite
The AEW Continental Classic so far and finals predictions
To Adam Copeland, his TNT Championship match against Christian Cage had to take place in Canada.
Copeland is challenging Christian for the TNT title on this Wednesday’s episode of AEW Dynamite from Montreal. It’s the first time the two best friends and iconic tag team partners have faced each other one-on-one since 2010. Copeland made his AEW debut this October and has been feuding with Christian since.
In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Copeland addressed why the match is taking place on Dynamite instead of this month’s AEW Worlds End pay-per-view. Copeland said that, to him, the match had to happen in Canada. Copeland said facing Christian for a title in Montreal is what he’s dreamed of.
I’ve heard, ‘Why isn’t this at the pay-per-view?’ To me, where is more important than when. We get to do it in Montreal. There’s no other choice for us but to have it here. My family is coming for this one, cousins and relatives who’ve known [Christian] for years.
There’s something special about doing it in Canada. I am really, really amped up to do this one. I truly think there’s not another story like ours, with this real story. Two friends from Orangeville, Ontario, who made it where we made it because of each other. I’m hoping this is a rabid crowd. This is what I dreamed of–working that guy in Montreal for a championship.
Though they’re currently on-screen rivals, Copeland has plenty of praise for the work Christian is doing in AEW.
This is [Christian] without any constraints. He’s discovering and sometimes accidentally stumbling on things that garner a reaction. He’s the type of performer whose ears are always open. If he pushes a button, then just wait, he’ll do it again and even better. And he’s helping bring others up, too.
Christian has been TNT Champion since September. He’s the leader of The Patriarchy in AEW, a faction that also includes Killswitch (Luchasaurus) and Nick Wayne. Copeland teamed with Sting & Darby Allin to defeat Christian, Killswitch & Wayne at Full Gear last month.
Copeland told Sports Illustrated that this story with Christian, and helping give others a boost, is everything that he wants to do.
We were both told we’d never wrestle again. Then we were [in] different companies, so the possibility for us to wrestle each other wasn’t even there. Now we’re here. And we’re at a point where, in terms of being able to tell a layered story, we’ve never been better. And we’re bringing different talent into the story and giving them a boost. It’s everything I want to do.
Wednesday’s Dynamite is being held at the Bell Centre in Montreal. The venue is also hosting an AEW Collision taping tonight (December 5). Collision will air in its normal time slot this Saturday.
