The 39-year-old was forced into retirement last year due to osteonecrosis of the bone in his ankle stemming from a previous fracture. However, his most recent surgery appears to have been related to his neck.
On Saturday, Taylor revealed on Instagram that he recently underwent surgery, captioning his post, “Got my neck cut off.”
Taylor’s final match was a Parking Lot Brawl against longtime Best Friends teammate Trent Beretta on the April 25, 2024 episode of AEW Rampage. Since retiring, he has been working backstage as a coach and producer in AEW.
Dave Meltzer previously addressed Taylor’s ankle injury in a May 2024 edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, noting that “Superstar” Billy Graham was forced to retire due to similar issues.
“They said that even with surgery (Taylor) may not be able to (wrestle again) and more than likely won’t be able to come back. Billy Graham’s career ended due to the same issues with the death of the bone in his ankle and hip.”
Taylor’s social media post about his neck surgery is below:
WWE Bash in Berlin coverage, business, records, interest level, crossover buys with AEW and an overview of the show.
AEW All Out
NXT No Mercy coverage
The life and career of Villano V, son of one of the biggest stars in history, Ray Mendoza, his sons, formation of a promotion that became one of the hottest in the world at the time, the background of Los Villanos from a movie, his run in WCW as enhancement talent, the legend of Villanos vs. Brazos and Villano V vs Blue Panther in Mexican legacy and life after wrestling.
How Turki Alashikh is trying to change boxing on PPV, possible motives, and how AEW does on PPV is a key in analyzing this.
Kevin Kelly and the Tate Twins sue AEW, the most detailed look at the suit itself what it means, and potential outcomes
The life and times of Sonny King, wrestling all over the world, from early WWWF tag champion to Crockett headliner, when he was stabbed, his days as a manager, philosophy of wrestling, and more.
The most detailed look at the ratings for all the pro wrestling shows over the past week, demos,
segments placing and competition.
Chris Jericho talks about returning to Mexico
All kids of major events planned for Arena Mexico in upcoming weeks
Celebrity knocks company that used him and praises their opposition
Stardom Five Star Grand Prix finals
NOAH’s N-1 finals
Suzuki vs. Shibata in Japan
Honoring Yoshihiro Takayama and Don Frye talks
Three generations of superstars in one match
Nikki Bella/Garcia news coverage
Notes on movies and TV shows featuring current stars
Santo retirement tour
The Wrestling Combine
Rich Swanna going to rehab
TNA big show coverage
Lots more on All In business
Tony Khan press call
Health updates on wrestlers
Nigel McGuinness talks wrestling
Mark Henry had words regarding AEW and Tony Khan
International TV ratings
Sting’s son training for wrestling update
Highest merch sellers in WWE and AEW
UFC record gate coming
Fighter sues manager for embezzling $2 million
WWE television changes
More Janel Grant court issues
Firing of Odyssey Jones
Vince McMahon documentary
Lawsuit against WWE and Cody Rhodes
More people leaving WWE after decades with the company
This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter Back Issue
Today marks one year since Endeavor’s acquisition of WWE became official and the company TKO Group Holdings (consisting of WWE and UFC) was formed. TKO shared a video with company president Mark Shapiro giving his perspective on the past year.
Cody Rhodes wished his wife Brandi a happy 11th wedding anniversary: “Invested in the worst stock she could possibly find(me) – been the most fun ten plus years of my life trying to prove her right. Happy Anniversary @TheBrandiRhodes”
Brandi tweeted: “Happy 11 years of marriage to the love of my life. My partner, best friend, greatest love and biggest supporter. No one compares to you! 11 and a lifetime more to go”
At the premiere for the movie, Bautista told Cathy Kelley how proud he is of Drew McIntyre for his acting performance and everything he’s accomplished in pro wrestling:
He did amazing. Like, people are going to be blown away by Drew in this. He’s so funny, and he’s just so charismatic. It was perfect. And I’ve known Drew for a very long time and we’ve stayed in touch well before this. I watched Drew grow up in this business. I’m super proud of him, man. I’m proud of what he’s accomplished.
Cutler James & Shiloh Hill vs. Uriah Connors & Kale Dixon
AEW/Other Wrestling
AEW uploaded post-Dynamite promos from Will Ospreay & Kyle Fletcher, Ricochet, The Acclaimed, and Grizzled Young Veterans.
Ricochet shared a brief moment reuniting with his friend and trainer Chuck Taylor during the post-show promo. Last night’s Dynamite took place in Kentucky, where Ricochet and Taylor are both from. Taylor is working behind the scenes in AEW right now but hopes to return to the ring in the future despite dealing with a career-threatening ankle injury.
“This is nuts, man,” Taylor told Ricochet. “I’m so happy you’re here, man. It’s great to see you.”
“That’s awesome. Chuck Taylor, bro. Literally my first day of training, he was there to help me out. And he’s been there basically my whole career,” Ricochet said. “So, to answer your question, once again, it feels awesome to be here. All Elite Wrestling – where the best come to wrestle. And not only that, but I have so many friends in the back, it honestly feels like home to me. So I’m just ready for the future and what I’ve got to do here in All Elite Wrestling.”
In her Mone Mag, Mercedes Mone wrote about attending the premiere for “The Killer’s Game”:
Yes, after multiple pay-per-views I was tired, but I prioritized supporting my friends, including my wrestle friends. And you know why? Because my wrestle friends have always supported me. Whether wrestling for New Japan in my first appearance post-WWE or my debut at AEW, the likes of Naomi, Bayley, Tamina, and others were there for me. It’s never easy for them with their schedules and with their own jobs but there they were – and there I’ll be!
So, when I got the invite for the premiere of The Killer’s Game starring my friend Drew McIntyre, you bet I was gonna be there to support. Ditto for Bayley, who also flew in. It’s always great to see Pam (Bayley), even in these quick spurts. Along with seeing her and Drew, I got to see another old friend, Cathy Kelley, who looked as beautiful as ever doing her thing. I hope this opportunity elevates Drew to additional outside opportunities. Regardless, he is starring in a big movie, and for that he should be so proud.
Willow Nightingale named Lee Moriarty, Bryan Danielson, and Eddie Kingston as dream opponents if she could have an intergender match in AEW.
Adam Copeland told AMNY that he and his wife Beth Phoenix are considering the idea of opening a wrestling school:
One thing we have talked about is maybe starting a type of finishing school, where, if there are people within the industry that feel like they’re just missing a little something, [well] come on down to Asheville because you got FTR, you got me, and you got Beth Phoenix. We’re debating that and then just seeing if that’s a time commitment that we even have at this stage.
Chuck Taylor has opened up regarding his injury status.
On Close Up with Renee Paquette, Taylor expressed hope that he could return to in-ring action following surgery.
“I can get surgery. And once I heal from that, I can hopefully reassess…maybe it’s me hoping. But a lot of guys and gals have come back from ‘career-ending’ injuries,” Taylor said.
At the end of the interview, Taylor admitted he hasn’t scheduled the surgery yet, wanting to take this summer to learn the production side of AEW television.
“It’s not really an emergency, they said. I can’t do anything athletic. Eventually, they said, I’ll get terrible arthritism, and then all they can do is fuse it. But that’s years down the line, so I’m hoping maybe take the summer to really feel comfortable in the job, I don’t want to learn half of it and then piss off for a while, so hopefully after the summer is my hope.”
Originally, Taylor injured his knee back in October, believing it to be a bruised talus and ligament damage that could be rehabbed. After rehab, it didn’t get better, and that is where doctors advised Taylor to undergo surgery.
Taylor was written off AEW television in April, losing to Trent Beretta in a parking lot brawl. After the match, Trent took a wrench and attacked Taylor’s foot, blaming Cassidy for what he had done. It was later said on AEW television that Taylor would never be able to wrestle again.
Chuck Taylor may have legitimately wrestled his final match.
During a promo on AEW Dynamite last week, Orange Cassidy said he’s been told that Taylor will never wrestle again. Taylor last wrestled when he lost a Parking Lot Fight against his former tag team partner Trent Beretta on the April 27 episode of Rampage. In storyline, Taylor no longer being able to compete was blamed on Beretta attacking his ankle with a wrench after their match.
Dave Meltzer reports in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Taylor’s injury issue is legitimate. Right now, the belief is Taylor will not be able to wrestle again:
On television they talked about Chuck Taylor’s career perhaps being over. In storyline they say it’s over but have also given wiggle room. From what we are told, what was said on television was accurate and the belief right now is that Taylor won’t be able to wrestle again. Excalibur on the show said that due to the nature of the fracture and the presence of necrosis of the bone (death of the bone) in fragments underneath the cartilage, the injury is likely career ending. Granted, Sting, Bryan Danielson, Katsuyori Shibata, Adam Copeland and Christian Cage all on this very roster were all told that and may have believed that and all came back and did great things so I always think there are no absolutes. They said that even with surgery he may not be able to and more than likely won’t be able to come back. Billy Graham’s career ended due to the same issues with the death of the bone in his ankle and hip.
Taylor has been part of the AEW roster since the company launched in 2019. PWG, ROH, NJPW, CHIKARA, and EVOLVE are among the promotions he’s previously wrestled for.
Taylor, Cassidy, and Beretta were a trio as Best Friends until an angle last month where Beretta turned against Cassidy. A singles match between Cassidy and Beretta took place on Dynamite this week. Cassidy got the win but was attacked by Beretta after the match.
After dissolving their longtime friendship on Dynamite, former Best Friends Trent Beretta and Chuck Taylor will do battle in a parking lot fight on tonight’s live AEW Rampage from Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, Florida.
The two were part of two parking lot fights as teammates in AEW. In September 2020, Taylor & Beretta defeated Santana & Ortiz in a match our Dave Meltzer rated five stars. In August 2023, they lost in a parking lot fight to Blackpool Combat Club’s Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli.
This match will be Taylor’s first since October 2023 after being sidelined due to injury.
After a partnership turned sour over the past few weeks, former AEW Women’s Champion Thunder Rosa and Deonna Purrazzo will do battle tonight. This will be a rematch of their July 2021 match at TNA Slammiversary for Purrazzo’s then-Knockouts title.
The show begins at approximately 10:30 PM Eastern after the conclusion of Collision.
Live from Jacksonville, Florida.
Nigel McGuinness, Tony Schiavone, and Matt Menard were on commentary.
Trent Beretta defeated Chuck Taylor in a Parking Lot Brawl (10:10)
Beretta and Taylor were bumping into cars and the concrete a minute into the match. McGuinness suggested someone should get into one of the cars and just run over their opponent. Taylor was bleeding very early on when he powerbombed Beretta onto the hood of a car. Beretta and Taylor fought onto the roof of a pickup, and Taylor went through some drywall that had been set up in the truck bed. Beretta jumped from the roof of one car onto another to drop an elbow on Taylor for a near fall.
After a split-screen break, Taylor dodged a flying flatscreen TV, then suplexed Beretta through a door. Taylor broke more drywall on Beretta’s back and hit him with a trash can. Taylor beat on Beretta with a metal dustpan and a trash can. Beretta came back by press-slamming Taylor through some lighting tubes. At some point, Beretta got busted open, too. Taylor sent Beretta through the windshield of a car with a crucifix powerbomb.
Bloodied, both guys fought their way to the roof of a car. They exchanged forearms until. Beretta hit Taylor with a lowblow Beretta dropped him with a piledriver then locked in a gogoplata on the roof of the car. Taylor could not defend himself, and the ref ended the match.
After the match, Orange Cassidy and Kris Statlander came out to check on Taylor, but not before Beretta hit Taylor in his ankle with a plumber’s wrench. Cassidy chased off Beretta while Taylor was tended to. In the back, Don Callis was shown watching and nodding approvingly.
This match did nothing for me, but Beretta with Callis could be interesting.
– Kyle O’Reilly cut an endearing promo about wrestling for AEW on May 11th in his hometown of Vancouver.
Thunder Rosa defeated Deonna Purrazzo (11:05)
Rosa leveled Purrazzo with a forearm. Purrazzo came back with an armbar takedown and started working on the arm. Purrazzo tied up Rosa in the bottom rope and hit her with a sliding dropkick. It looked like Rosa slipped off the middle ropes going for a dropkick, and Purrazzo quickly covered by putting Rosa in a Boston Crab. Purrazzo dropped to the floor while the ref checked on Rosa. The fight went to the floor, where Purrazzo caught Rosa with a pump kick.
After a commercial, the fight was back in the ring where Rosa caught Purrazzo with a dropkick off the middle rope. Purrazzo went for a german suplex, but Rosa rolled through and caught her with a stomp for a near fall. Rosa came off the top, but Purrazzo caught her with an armbar. Rosa transitioned into a choke. Purrazzo used her size advanatge to break the hold.
Purrazzo went for a piledriver, but Rosa countered that with a cradle, which lead to series of near falls off of cradle attempts. Purrazzo went back to the armbar, but Rosa countered that with a cradle and got the pinfall.
After the match, Purrazzo attacked Rosa and sent her into the steel barricade. Rosa and Purrazzo battled into the crowd until security separated them.
– The Righteous wished Tony Khan a speedy recovery (since they are experts at neck health), and Roderick Strong said Will Ospreay fall to him at Double or Nothing.
Big Bill defeated Trevor Blackwell (1:37)
Bill spent the whole match talking to Chirs Jericho (through the TV cameras) while destorying the poor kid, hitting him with a black hole slam, an short-arm clothesline and a chokeslam before pinning him under one foot.
Chris Jericho was shown watching from the back, clearly impressed.
Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia defeated Shane Taylor & Lee Moriarty (14:56)
Anthony Ogogo joined the commetary team for the main event.
Garcia & Shibata wrestled in matching tights. The fight started out on the floor. It settled in the ring with Taylor and Shibata. Taylor dropped Shibata with a right hand. Garcia got a tag and hit Moriarty with the twist and shout. Taylor tripped up Garica as he was running the ropes and planted him with a hanging DDT on the floor.
Back in the ring, Garcia tried to make a comeback but Taylor floored him with a forearm. Taylor dropped Garcia with a uranage, then followed up with a big splash for a near fall.
After a spliot-screen break, Taylor missed a splash off the middle ropes on Garcia. Moriarty got the tag and worked on Garcia’s arm. Tony: “He could have broken his hand!” Nigel: “I guess he’ll have to use the other hand tonight.” I’m sure Nighel meant for the hot tag… which he soon got to Shibata. Shibata worked over Taylor in a corner and dropped Moriarty with a forearm.
Shibata and Garcia hit diving dropkicks in the corner. Shibata hit a running boot on Taylor in the corner. Shibata beat on Taylor in the corner with chops and jabs, while Garcia danced to the rhythm of the beating.
Garcia and Shibata then combined to suplex Talyor. Taylor then countered a second at a double suplex attmpt by suplexing them both. Moriarty tried to work over Shibata in the croner with chops and jabs, but Shibata no sold it. Taylor interfered, and Moriarty hit a facelock suplex for a near fall.
Moriarty locked Shibata in a full nelson for a right hand from Taylor, but Shibata escaped and he and Garcia locked both their opponents in sleeperholds. Talyor tried to back Garcia into the corner to escape, but Shibata caught Taylor with a kick, and Garica backdropped suplexed Taylor. Shiabata hit the PK on Morarity and got the pinfall. Fun tag match! I want more of this Shibata/Garcia tag team.
On Dyanmite Wednesday:
Kenny Omega returns!
We’ll learn the main event of Double or Nothing
Mariah May will take on Serena Deeb
Adam Copeland will take on a member of the House of Black (who is almost definitely Buddy Matthews)
Chris Jericho defends the FTW title against Shibata.
This was the most fun Rampage I’ve seen in awhile.
For the second time in three days, Jon Moxley and Trent Beretta will be in a violent brawl as part of Friday’s AEW Rampage.
Moxley and Blackpool Combat Club teammate Claudio Castagnoli will take on Beretta and Best Friends teammate Chuck Taylor in a parking lot fight that was made after Wednesday’s anything goes three-way with Moxley, Beretta and Penta El Zero Miedo.
The match will take place at Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, Florida.
With the turmoil surrounding the Jericho Appreciation Society, Anna Jay will try to turn things around in her match against Skye Blue.
After their violent attack on Nick Wayne Wednesday that left the young prospect bloodied up in his own ring. Swerve Strickland & AR Fox will be in tag team action against local competitors.
In a trios bout, Keith Lee will team with Jeff & Matt Hardy against Kip Sabian, The Butcher & The Blade.
**********
Taped in Tampa & Jacksonville, Florida.
Tony Schiavone, Excalibur and Chris Jericho were on commentary.
The Hardy Boys & Keith Lee (w/ Ethan Page & Brother Zay) defeated The Butcher, The Blade & Kip Sabian (w/ Penelope Ford) (8:54)
Matt & Jeff combined for “poetry in motion,” but it was more like “awkward stilted prose in motion.” Matt Hardy got a near fall on the Blade after a side effect. That mustache that Butcher is growing could get its own zip code. Matt sent Butcher headfirst all the way down to the bottom turnbuckle pad. Jeff Hardy went flying into the heel corner, taking a shot at Sabaian and the Butcher. Blade sent Jeff to the floor, and Sabian hit a moonsault on Jeff and Ethan Page.
The heels worked over Jeff during the split screen break. After the break, Butcher dropped Jeff with a backbreaker out of a half-nelson. Hardy caught Butcher with a jawbreaker and got the hot tag to Keith Lee, whoe entered the match for the first time. Sabian tried to slow Lee down with a sleeper, but Lee avalanched both Butcher and Blade in the corner, then tossed Blade out of the corner, all while Sabain was still on his back!
Lee went for a powerbomb on Sabian, but he flipped out and hit a kick. Lee then dropped Sabian with a powerslam for a near fall. Matt Hardy hit the Twist of Fate on both the Butcher and the Blade. Lee gave Sabian a one handed powerbomb, and Jeff hit the Swanton Bomb for a pinfall. Pretty standard trios match.
– Footage from Ring of Honor explained the history between Adam Cole and the Kingdom. They used to be close –Adam Cole even went to Mike Bennett’s wedding– but then Cole abandoned them.
– The Young Bucks declared they’d like to be back in the tag team division, and the Hardy Boys stepped in to challenge them. Pencil that in for Dynamite on Wednesday.
Anna Jay (w/ Angelo Parker and Matt Menard) defeated Skye Blue (7:08 aired)
Two minutes of the match took place during the split-screen break. After the break, Blue fought out of a surfboard, but Jay buried a knee in her midsection. Blue hit a back elbow and a cross body. Blue hit a knee strike and a low kick for a near fall. Jay hit a back kick and a flatliner for a near fall. Blue countered a Queen Slayer attempt into a rollup for a near fall. Parker jumped up on the apron looking for a kiss from Blue, but she slapped him instead. But this distraction allowed Jay to lock in the Queen Slayer and get the tap out.
– Kris Statlander is doing squats with Rene Paquette on her back. Statlander gave Mercedes Martinez a list of chores to do before tomorrow night, when “mama is coming home.”
– Tony Schiavone & Paul Wight gave an update from the site of the Parking Lot Brawl: PAC is injured, but the Death Triangle still wants to face the winners of tonight’s main event on Wednesday.
Swerve Strickland & AR Fox (w/ Prince Nana) defeated Logan Cruz & Tyshaun Perez
AR Fox wore a tank top stained with Nick Wayne’s blood from that heavy angle on Dynamite Wednesday.
Fox hit a top rope dropkick on both his opponents, then followed them to the floor with a top rope dive. Fox tossed Perez into a sitout powerbomb from Strickland. Fox hit Cruz with a cutter, Strickland dropped him with a brainbuster, and Fox hit a 450 to get the pinfall. Total squash, totally awesome. This better be the start of Strickland’s push to the moon.
– A QTV Segment: Johnny TV issues a challenge to anyone that’s been on television.
– Prince Nana, Big Bill and Brian Cage cut a promo on FTR in advance of their match tomorrow night for the tag titles. Everyone was great here.
Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli defeated Trent Beretta & Chuck Taylor in a Parking Lot Brawl (18:00 aired)
They’re in a parking lot surrounded by cars, and the match can be won by “pinfall, submission or surrender.” Moxley and Claudio were checking all the cars before the bell to make sure Orange Cassidy wasn’t hiding in any of them. The parking area was also surrounded by fans.
Not even 30 seconds into the match, Beretta is bleeding from the forehead and Moxley is driving a fork into the cut. Beretta came off the top of a car with a crossbody on Moxley. Castagnoli beat on both Beretta and Taylor with a spoiler he ripped off of one of the cars. Moxley was also busted open less than two minutes into the match. The Best Friends flapjacked Castagnoli into an open minivan door.
The Best Friends sandwiched Castagnoli under a car hood. Moxley and Claudio came back and powerbombed Beretta onto a car hood for a near fall. Castagnoli gave Beretta the Giant Swing, and Moxley slid a garbage can into Beretta’s head. Taylor saved his partner with a street sign, backdropped Castagnoli into a car, and attacked Moxley with a fork. Taylor set up a safety rail, on which Moxley suplexed Taylor.
After a split screen break, Claudio and the Best Friends were brawling on top of a car. Moxley ran in and hit Taylor with a Paradigm Shift on the roof of the car. Beretta went for a cannonball, but the BCC moved out of the way and Beretta crashed into a car. Castagnoli press-slammed Beretta onto the roof of the car. Claudio went for the Ricola Bomb on the roof of a car, but Beretta countered it into a DudeBuster.
Back on the roof of another car, Beretta and Moxley were alternating between brawling and counter chain-wrestling spots. Moxley finally knocked Beretta to the ground, but Beretta popped right back up and brawled with Moxley again. Moxley gave Beretta a Death Rider through the windshield of the car.
Meanwhile, Taylor siphoned gas out of one of the cars to light a 2×4 wrapped in barbed wire on fire. Wheeler Yuta popped out of a minivan and distracted Taylor, allowing Moxley to get the 2×4 and nail Taylor. Yuta worked over Taylor with a screwdriver, but Sue(!!!) drove in with Orange Cassidy on top of her minivan. Cassidy came with a steel chain to help even the odds.
Yuta dropped Cassidy with a Paradigm Shift on Sue’s minivan. The BCC chased Sue away, and I guess the match is now a trios brawl. Castagnoli ripped off one of the doors to the fan while Yuta and Moxley smashed up the windows with crowbars. Moxley curbstomped Beretta through a windshield, and Castagnoli covered Beretta for the pinfall.
Well, that was suitably wild. The Blackpool Combat Club came across as very dominant at the end.
After the match, Moxley continued to destroy Sue’s fan, to the jeers of the crowd.
Final Thoughts:
Seek out the parking lot brawl. Completely wild stuff. Outside of that, this was a pretty pedestrian Rampage.
Taylor most recently wrestled on an episode of AEW Dark: Elevation that aired on March 8, defeating Olumide and Starboy Charlie.
Cassidy wrestled Jeff Jarrett on Wednesday’s Dynamite in a match that was for the AEW International Championship, which has recently been ‘leveled up’ as a result of a Shazam: Fury of the Gods movie tie-in. Towards the end of the match Jay Lethal, Satnam Singh, and Sonjay Dutt all got involved in an attempt to help Jarrett win the championship. Trent Baretta came out for the save at one point, helping to get Singh and Dutt sent to the back. After an attempt to cheat by Lethal failed, Cassidy picked up the win after the Orange punch.
Orange Cassidy & Chuck Taylor will take on Ryan Nemeth & JD Drake on this Monday’s episode of AEW Dark: Elevation with the match set to be taped before tonight’s Dynamite, according to Tony Khan.
Khan also tweeted that Cassidy will debut new entrance music for the match:
“For the fans attending tonight’s LIVE #AEWDynamite here in Jacksonville at @dailysplace, we’ll tape one of the top matches for next week’s #AEWDark: Elevation, Chuckie T/@orangecassidy v. Nemeth/Drake! Also 1st time anyone’s heard the new Orange Cassidy theme; I promise it’s dope”
Khan clarified that his new theme will not be “Jane” by Jefferson Starship. Khan tweeted that he had tried to buy the rights to that song, but had not heard back.
“It’s not Jane. I’d tried to get it for a year & a half, they never even answered my emails, so I decided to take a huge swing & it came through. It’s a new theme. The fans attending #AEWDynamite tonight in Jacksonville will be the first to ever hear it before we go Live on TNT!”
As fans tweeted, the song is “Where Is My Mind?” by The Pixies.
Drake is a veteran indie wrestler who has made four appearances on AEW Dark this year, most recently defeating Fuego Del Sol Tuesday. On Monday, after Cassidy beat Nemeth, Drake ran out to help Nemeth after Taylor prevented a post-match attack.
Just as Dynamite started, Khan tweeted that Jon Moxley also wrestled a match for Elevation.
Two new matches have been announced for AEW Revolution on Sunday, March 7th.
A Casino Tag Team Royale for a future Tag Team title shot will take place with seven teams announced. Bear County, Alex Reynolds and John Silver, Evil Uno and Stu Grayson, Ortiz & Santana, The Butcher and The Blade, Private Party and Top Flight were shown as participants during the announcement with more teams expected to be announced prior to Revolution.
Additionally, a new tag team match was announced as Orange Cassidy and Chuck Taylor taking on Kip Sabian and Miro. During a sitdown interview on Wednesday’s Dynamite, Miro was given a yes/no/maybe note from Taylor and Cassidy asking if they wanted a match. Miro dismissed the note, calling it childish, but the match was made regardless.
Here is the current card for the Revolution pay-per-view:
World Champion Kenny Omega vs. Jon Moxley in an Exploding Barbed Wire Deathmatch
Women’s Champion Hikaru Shida vs. the title eliminator tournament winner
Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks vs. MJF & Chris Jericho
Hangman Page vs. Matt Hardy for the loser’s Q1 2021 earnings
Team Taz (Brian Cage & Ricky Starks) vs. Sting & Darby Allin in a street fight
Casino Tag Team Royale for a future Tag Team title shot
Miro & Kip Sabian vs. Orange Cassidy & Chuck Taylor
Orange Cassidy’s teammate will attempt to get revenge against PAC on his behalf as Chuck Taylor will face “The Bastard” on tonight’s edition of AEW Dynamite from Denver, CO.
PAC will be looking for his second straight win after submitting Cassidy on last Saturday’s Revolution pay-per-view. The win snapped a two-match losing streak (Kenny Omega IronMan match, Jon Moxley no. 1 contender’s match).
This will be the first singles action for “The Kentucky Gentleman” since signing with AEW and his first singles match since a January 4th three-way for F1RST Wrestling in Minneapolis, MN. He was last in action teaming with Best Friends partner Trent in a winning effort over The Butcher & The Blade on last week’s Dynamite.
AEW also announced that Big Swole will face Leva Bates in women’s action. Swole is coming off a loss in a four-way on last week’s Dynamite while Bates has been out of action since the December 4th Dynamite when she lost to Nyla Rose in 96 seconds.
Tonight’s Dynamite will also feature a tag team match between new AEW World Champion Moxley and Darby Allin vs. former champion Chris Jericho and the promotional debut of Lance Archer against a yet-to-be named opponent.
AEW has revealed The Young Bucks’ opponents for this Wednesday’s episode of Dynamite.
Matt & Nick Jackson will face Best Friends (Trent Barreta & Chuck Taylor) on the show. It’s taking place at the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The Young Bucks and Best Friends were both eliminated in the first round of the AEW Tag Team title tournament. The Young Bucks lost to Private Party (Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy), while Best Friends lost to SoCal Uncensored (Scorpio Sky & Frankie Kazarian).
Both semifinal matches in the Tag Team title tournament are set for this Wednesday’s Dynamite. The Lucha Bros (Pentagon Jr. & Fenix) will face Private Party, while The Dark Order (Evil Uno & Stu Grayson) will take on SCU.
The finals of the Tag Team title tournament will be held on Dynamite next week (Wednesday, October 30).
Jon Moxley vs. PAC has been announced for this Wednesday’s Dynamite. Britt Baker will also be in action in her hometown of Pittsburgh, though her opponent has yet to be revealed.
With the show now under two weeks away, AEW has added a couple of matches to the card for Double or Nothing.
During this week’s episode of Being the Elite, two tag matches were announced for Double or Nothing. Best Friends (Trent Barreta & Chuck Taylor) will face Angelico & Jack Evans, while Aja Kong, Yuka Sakazaki & Emi Sakura will team against Hikaru Shida, Riho & Ryo Mizunami in a six-woman tag match.
Angelico & Evans joining AEW was revealed last week. Best Friends had been involved in a storyline where they were refusing to be in the battle royal at Double or Nothing and demanding to be in a different match.
Dave Meltzer reported in the most recent edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Riho has signed a five-show deal with AEW and wants to see how she likes working in the United States before she commits to a longer deal. Aja Kong and Sakazaki were announced for Double or Nothing at February’s ticket announcement party, while Shida signing with AEW was confirmed in April.
Double or Nothing is taking place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 25. Here’s the updated card:
Kenny Omega vs. Chris Jericho
AAA Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks defending against The Lucha Bros (Pentagon Jr. & Fenix)
Cody vs. Dustin Rhodes
Hangman Page vs. PAC
Dr. Britt Baker vs. Nyla Rose vs. Kylie Rae
SoCal Uncensored (Christopher Daniels, Frankie Kazarian & Scorpio Sky) vs. Strong Hearts (CIMA, T-Hawk & El Lindaman)
Aja Kong, Yuka Sakazaki & Emi Sakura vs. Hikaru Shida, Riho & Ryo Mizunami
Best Friends (Trent Barreta & Chuck Taylor) vs. Angelico & Jack Evans
Casino Battle Royale (pre-show, winner gets a title shot against the AEW World Champion)
Ian Riccaboni, Colt Cabana, and Caprice Coleman called the action from Center Stage in Atlanta, Georgia.
Shane Taylor defeated Rhett Titus, Luchasaurus, Kenny King, Chris Sabin, and Flip Gordon in a six-man mayhem match
Starting off in the ring were Sabin and Luchasaurus. They battled briefly, and King and Titus were in next. King and Titus had an even exchange. For a moment, the two men then re-formed their tag team of the All Night Xpress to work together to take out Luchasaurus and Taylor.
That didn’t last long as King and Titus began verbally attacking each other, which allowed Gordon to take over. A melee ensued with each man connecting with a move. It ended with Gordon landing a Pele kick on King. All the competitors were down as the show went to break.
After the commercial, King had managed to get control until Luchasaurus kicked him off the apron. Taylor booted Luchasaurus. Taylor then hit a bowling ball flip dive off the apron to the floor on King and Titus. This allowed Luchasaurus time to regroup and hit a running springboard flip dive over the top rope to the floor.
Not to be outdone, Gordon then ascended a balcony near ringside and hit a flip dive onto all four men. He tossed Taylor in and hit a 450, but King pulled him off the cover. The referee decided that his actions were illegal — so he had King disqualified and sent to the back.
Inside, Titus managed to put down Luchasaurus and then powered up, hoisted Taylor up on his shoulders, and hit a Samoan drop. That only got a two count. Titus then did his best Lex Luger imitation, but Taylor blasted him with a knee and landed Greetings from the 216 on Titus for the win.
The Bouncers (Beer City Bruiser & Brian Milonas) defeated Master & Machine (Marcus Kross & Griff Garrison)
Milonas launched both opponents, then put them both down with a double clothesline. He tagged in Bruiser — who missed a senton. A big elbow off the top barely phased the Bruiser. He caught Kross on his shoulders and planted the young man.
Kross used a double thrust palm strike to get some clearance and tag in Garrison. Garrison ran wild, but not for very long. He ran into a huge slam from Milonas, but Kross broke up the pin. Milonas put Kross up top and the Bouncers landed Closing Time on Garrison to get the win.
ROH Tag Team Champions The Briscoes defeated Chuckie T & Colt Cabana to retain their titles
Chuckie T came to the ring alone with a microphone. He announced that his best friend had a family emergency so his partner was…Colt Cabana. Cabana got undressed right at the announcers table. He joined Chuckie — and they attacked The Briscoes right away.
Chuckie and Cabana got the early edge, but The Briscoes quickly cut off the newly formed tag team. The Briscoes put a hurting on Chuckie early, but he used a dropkick out of the corner to get the tag to Cabana — who came in and landed a nice moonsault and a Flying Apple to each Briscoe.
Chuckie tagged himself back in and went to work on Jay Briscoe with Soul Food and a standing Sliced Bread. He stalked The Briscoes, but they fought back on the outside. Jay suplexed Chuckie on the floor. Both Briscoes set up Cabana in a chair and Mark Briscoe hit a running blockbuster off the apron to Cabana.
After the break, Jay was looking for the Jay Driller — but Chuckie evaded it. However, Chuckie ended up on Jay’s shoulders and nearly found himself on the wrong end of the Doomsday Device, but he scrambled out and got a roll-up for only a two count.
Chuckie then walked into a Jay Driller. That allowed Jay to get the pin as The Briscoes retained the ROH Tag Team titles.
The Briscoes weren’t finished and continued to beat up Chuckie. With Cabana dispatched of, they got a table out from under the ring and set it up on the outside. Mark nailed a Froggy Elbow onto Chuckie through the table.
– A recap of Bully Ray leading the charge to lay out The Elite and SoCal Uncensored aired. This was immediately followed by a recap of Juice Robinson’s formation of the LifeBlood faction.
– Riccaboni was in the ring and brought out Jay Lethal. Lethal said there was a lot of pressure on him besides just being the champion as he watched the company that he loved deteriorate.
Lethal mentioned Matt Taven walking around with a fake belt. Just then, he was interrupted by LifeBlood. Robinson came out with the other members in tow.
Lethal said that he assumed LifeBlood felt the same way, but he didn’t want to join a group like LifeBlood. Robinson said that with all due respect, there wasn’t an invitation for Lethal to join.
Lethal then addressed each member of LifeBlood individually and complimented them on their past performances. He called each of them one of the best wrestlers in the world. He said he believes they can get ROH back on track. Lethal went to leave — but Robinson stopped him.
Robinson said that they should stop talking about it, and be about it. Robinson told Lethal to get four other like-minded guys in the back to compete against his team of five. In order to restore honor to ROH, Lethal accepted the challenge, so next week it will be LifeBlood vs. Lethal’s team.
Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman, and BJ Whitmer called the action from Las Vegas.
A recap aired of the finish of the ROH World Championship match between Jay Lethal and Will Ospreay from Death Before Dishonor, which ended with Lethal retaining. Lethal’s celebration was cut short as The Kingdom, featuring Matt Taven’s new haircut, laid him out.
The Kingdom came to the ring with what they were claiming to be the real ROH World Championship belt. Taven stood stoically, sporting an amazing sparkly purple robe and a crown.
TK O’Ryan screamed at Bobby Cruise and Todd Sinclair to stand still while he spoke. O’Ryan made Cruise read a list of all of Taven’s accomplishments, including a declaration that Taven was the real ROH World Champion.
Before the first match, a video package of Jeff Cobb’s reign of terror so far in ROH aired to hype up him challenging Punishment Martinez for the ROH Television Championship on next week’s show.
Kenny King defeated Chase Owens
The announcers reminded us that King has been on a winning streak, but lately has chosen to use nefarious means to get his wins. King greeted Owens with some technical offense — ending with a fancy Japanese arm drag and a few kip ups.
After the break, Owens was in control and was working over the neck of King. That didn’t last long as King managed to get the advantage by landing a spinning dive onto Owens. He followed that up with a high crossbody block off the top turnbuckle.
Owens regained the upper hand with a Shining Wizard knee. A unique neckbreaker earned Owens a two count. He then went for a package piledriver, but King fought out. Owens went for a slingshot belly-to-back suplex, but King landed on his feet and appeared to have injured his knee. However, it was a ploy to get Owens to lower his guard, which allowed King to roll him up for the win.
Backstage, Coast 2 Coast were talking about being undefeated in 2018. They looked forward to their ROH Tag Team Championship match against The Briscoes next week.
They replayed the angle with Riccaboni getting involved to assist Colt Cabana in an attempt to silence Bully Ray.
Shane Taylor vs. Flip Gordon didn’t happen
Before this could get started, Gordon grabbed a microphone and addressed Bully Ray putting Cabana through a table at Death Before Dishonor. Gordon explained that Ray cheated during their match and that he should have been declared the winner.
Ray came out to trash talk, and during the exchange, Silas Young slid into the ring and delivered a low blow to Gordon. Taylor then blasted Gordon with a chair. For good measure, Young landed Misery on Gordon.
The Young Bucks defeated Los Ingobernobles de Japon (EVIL & SANADA), Best Friends (Beretta & Chuckie T), and SoCal Uncensored (Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian) in a four corners tag match
This started off as a melee. The match had not yet even begun and The Young Bucks were already hitting dives. Nearly everyone hit a crazy dive in a sequence that ended with Nick Jackson wiping everyone out from the top rope to the floor. After that, Best Friends recovered and finally had time to hug each other before they hit stereo cannonball dives. Then, the bell finally rang.
SANADA and Daniels officially started the match. SANADA used the Paradise Lock on both members of SoCal Uncensored and tagged in EVIL. He went to work on the rear end of Daniels, which included EVIL catching a boot from Daniels and handing it off to the referee. That allowed EVIL to superkick Daniels in the bum. Daniels eventually fought out of it and returned the favor — doing the same thing back to EVIL.
Best Friends decided that they needed to strut around while wearing their sunglasses. They both got in and found themselves on the wrong end of a Nick Jackson lucha head scissors maneuver and a reverse Code Red.
After the break, EVIL continued to use the referee to assist him with the Magic Killer as SANADA had been indisposed at the moment. A parade of kicks and strikes left the Best Friends standing alone again. They landed a spike Dudebuster on Matt Jackson, but Nick broke it up with a Swanton.
An exchange of finishers created total chaos until the Bucks hosted a superkick party that laid waste to everyone. They isolated Beretta and landed the Five Star Meltzer Driver on him for the win.
Ian Riccaboni, Colt Cabana, and Mandy Leon called the action for the first match.
Women of Honor Champion Sumie Sakai defeated Madison Rayne to retain her title
They exchanged a rolling pin sequence to start it off. Sakai landed seven chops and followed that with some stiff forearms.
After the break, Sakai hit a missile dropkick off the top but missed a moonsault, which allowed Rayne to land a tornado DDT. Sakai kicked out at two and landed a fisherman’s suplex, but Rayne kicked out.
Rayne hit a cutter out of nowhere and almost got the win, but it was not enough to keep Sakai down. Rayne then ran into Sakai’s Smash Mouth finisher and Sakai retained with the win.
A video recap of the feud between Josh Woods and Shane Taylor aired.
Shane Taylor defeated Josh Woods
Woods started it off with a running knee. He declared that Taylor had a loaded glove, as Taylor was suspiciously wearing MMA gloves on this evening. Woods used some jiu-jitsu to attack the ankle of Taylor. A huge forearm sent Woods to the floor and the brawl continued outside the ring.
Back inside, Taylor landed a big splash but only got a one count. Woods fought back, landed a strong kick to the head of Taylor, and both went down. Woods landed a spinning back elbow, a running knee, and an exploder suplex that earned him a two count.
After the break, Woods applied an armbar and took off Taylor’s glove to reveal that, in fact, Taylor had loaded his glove. He pleaded with the referee not to throw out the match, but that allowed Taylor to recover and connect with his Greetings from the 216 piledriver for the finish.
SoCal Uncensored cut a promo on The Briscoes saying that Sandy Fork, Delaware was the worst town they’d ever been to.
They replayed the Jay Lethal vs. Jonathan Gresham video package that has been on the last few episodes hyping the upcoming 30-minute Iron Man match for the ROH World Championship that will air next week.
Caprice Coleman joined the announcers for the next match.
Marcus Kross and Charles Zanders went to a no contest in a Top Prospect Tournament first round match
A nice sequence of counters and kicks ensued, but this match didn’t last too long as Jeff Cobb made his way to the ring and destroyed both with monstrous suplexes.
Eli Isom came out and landed about 10 forearms to Cobb that had zero effect. Cobb manhandled Isom with an insane reverse powerslam as well.
Best Friends (Trent Barreta & Chuck Taylor) defeated Bully Ray & Silas Young
Ray talked trash to Cabana before the match. Coleman calmed down Cabana.
Ray slammed Barreta and went after his recently repaired arm. Barreta fought back and tagged in Taylor, but Ray squished him with a Thesz press. Young tagged in, then the Best Friends landed some friendly offense until Ray used a distraction of the referee to rack Barreta around the ring post.
After the break, Young went back to work on the arm of Barreta. Some cheap double team moves by Ray and Young kept Barreta isolated. Finally, Barreta landed a tornado DDT, flipped off Ray, and made the tag to Taylor. He landed the Falcon Arrow, but Young kicked out. The Best Friends landed a lawndart cutter and then gave each other a hug, but that allowed Ray to blindside them.
Ray screamed at Young to tag him. But as he went for the tag, Ray jumped off the apron and bailed on the match to teach him a lesson. The Best Friends landed the Dudebuster on Young for the win.
