The Ring of Honor World title will be on the line as part of tonight’s ROH TV on HonorClub.
Reigning titleholder Claudio Castagnoli will defend against Rocky Romero in hopes of gaining his 10th defense of the gold.
Ethan Page will make his first ROH appearance since 2014 as he takes on Griff Garrison.
Former NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Willow Nightingale will face off with Lady Frost.
After failing to defeat AEW International Champion Jon Moxley recently, AR Fox will go one-on-one with Tony Nese. In a similar situation, Shane Taylor will look to rebound from his loss to ROH TV Champion Samoa Joe at All Out when he wrestles Lee Johnson.
The Gates of Agony (Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun) will be in tag team action against GCW regular Cole Radrick & Matt Brannigan.
Former ROH Women’s Champion Mercedes Martinez will be in action as will former ROH Pure Champion Josh Woods.
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ROH World Title Match – Claudio Castagnoli (c) defeated Rocky Romero
This was Castagnoli’s tenth title defense.
The announcers talked about how Romero could throw a spanner in both Castagnoli and Eddie Kingston’s plans, as Romero would defend the title against Kingston at Dynamite: Grand Slam if he won here. Romero sent Castagnoli to the floor with a headscissors. Romero hit a pair of dives before Castagnoli cut off a third dive with an uppercut. Castagnoli sent Romero into the top turnbuckle with a Gorilla Press before dropping him with a big boot for a nearfall.
Romero tried fighting back with a rewind kick, but Castagnoli caught him in the Giant Swing for ten revolutions. Romero sent Castagnoli to the floor with another headscissors before sending Castagnoli over the vacant Collision announce desk with a dive. Romero hit a dropkick to Castagnoli while he was tied up in the ropes. Romero hit a tornado DDT for a nearfall.
Romero hit the rewind kick before landing a 619 and a Standing Sliced Bread for a nearfall. Romero went to the top rope, but Castagnoli cut him off with an uppercut. Romero knocked Castagnoli down and went for a crossbody, but Castagnoli caught him and hit a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for a nearfall. Castagnoli clubbered Romero in the corner before hitting a short-arm lariat for a nearfall. Romero caught Castagnoli with a couple of flash pins, but Castagnoli cut off a Tornado DDT. He hit Swiss Death before landing another heavy European Uppercut for the win.
The Infantry (Carlie Bravo & Shawn Dean) & Willie Mack defeated The Outrunners (Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd) & Kevin Ku
The Infantry and Mack held firm control, with Dean hitting a dive onto all three of his opponents. The Outrunners cut him off while he was getting in the ring, allowing their team to take control of him. The Outrunners and Ku took time to pose, allowing Bravo to tag in and run wild. Mack tagged in and traded elbows with Ku. Ku landed a heavy kick, but Mack came back with a pop-up forearm and a Stunner before the Infantry hit their move for the win.
Lexy Nair was backstage with Ethan Page. Page said that he’s let his ego take control of his career, chasing the money and losing his competitive edge. He doesn’t know who he is anymore, but he knows who he wants to be. He’s here in Ring of Honor to prove it to the people and to himself.
Mercedes Martinez defeated Zoey Lynn
This match was dominated by Martinez. Lynn made a short comeback that got cut off with a main event spinebuster. Martinez had the win but pulled Lynn up to hit a rabbit forearm. Martinez locked on the Brass City Stretch to win by submission.
Gates Of Agony (Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona) (w/Prince Nana) defeated Cole Radrick & Matt Brannigan
Kaun quickly hammered Brannigan before menacing Radrick off of the apron. Radrick tried running away, but Liona pounced him into the barricade. Liona and Kaun quickly ended things after flapjacking Radrick into Brannigan.
We got a video package recapping the history between Athena & Billie Starkz. After that, we got Lexy Nair in the back with Starkz. Nair gave Starkz a to-do list from Athena to be done before Athena came back in two weeks. Starkz initially balked, but after Nair reminded her that Athena would take it out on the both of them, Starkz decided to get it done. This story is very silly.
Darius Martin defeated Christopher Daniels
The two went back and forth to start before Daniels dumped Martin on his head with a back suplex. Daniels cut off a Martin springboard before leg dropping him off of the ropes for a nearfall. Daniels spun Martin around with a lariat. Daniels went for the uranage, but Martin turned it into an armdrag.
Martin fired up, but Daniels cut him off again, catching him in a Koji Clutch. Martin backdropped his way free of the Angel’s Wings, and after a pinning predicament, Martin held Daniels for a three count for the win.
Shane Taylor defeated Lee Johnson
Johnson tried bouncing around to gain advantage on Taylor before Taylor dropped him with a punch. Taylor flung Johnson across the ring multiple times before sending him into the barricade. Taylor hit an apron legdrop for a one count, then leveled Johnson with a lariat for a nearfall. Johnson tried fighting back, but Taylor headbutted him. A pull-up uranage followed by a splash only got a two count for Taylor.
Johnson came back, dropping Taylor to a knee after a pop-up dropkick. Taylor hit a pendulum DDT for a nearfall. Johnson went to the top rope before Lee Moriarty appeared at ringside to distract him. Taylor hit the Marcus Garvey Driver for the hometown win. Taylor shook hands with Moriarty before they left together.
Willow Nightingale defeated Lady Frost
Nightingale held serve until Frost ducked an enzuigiri. Frost cartwheeled off of Nightingale’s back before hitting a big kick for a nearfall. Frost kept control before running into a Pounce from Nightingale. Nightingale rocked Frost with short-arm lariats before landing an enzuigiri for a nearfall. Frost hit a hurricane kick before going for the Frostbite moonsault for a nearfall. Nightingale cut off Frost with a main event spinebuster before hitting the Babe With The Powerbomb for the win.
Lexy Nair was backstage with Shane Taylor & Lee Moriarty. Taylor said that he and Shane Taylor Promotions have carried Ring of Honor for years, and now it’s time for him to start making history. He officially introduced Moriarty as the newest member of Shane Taylor Promotions. I’m interested in this pairing.
Josh Woods (w/Mark Sterling) defeated Dominic Garrini
This wasn’t a Pure Rules match, but this still had a technical flair to it with both men having similar styles. They traded gutwrenches and wristlocks before Woods sent Garrini flying with suplexes. Woods hit the Anarchist Suplex for the quick win.
Ethan Page defeated Griff Garrison
Garrison hit a big splash in the corner while Maria Kanellis-Bennett & Cole Karter watched from the stage. Page hit a stalling suplex for a nearfall. Garrison hit a big boot and a knee drop to take control. Page cut off Garrison on the top rope and hit a powerslam for a nearfall. Garrison slipped out of the Ego’s Edge and hit a rolling elbow for a nearfall. Page came back with an outside-in cutter to score the win.
The WorkHorsemen (Anthony Henry & JD Drake) defeated The Boys (Brandon & Brent)
The Workhorsemen got a jump start on the match, but the Boys were able to evade corner attacks and isolate Henry for a moment. Drake got a blind tag in before Henry baited Brandon into a forearm. Drake hit a twisting Vader Bomb for a nearfall.
Henry and Drake worked over Brandon for a while before Brent eventually tagged in. They teamed up to take down Henry, but Drake proved to be too much to handle. A strike combination took out Brandon before a Henry double stomp took out Brent for the win.
Lexy Nair was backstage with Griff Garrison. He was quickly interrupted by Maria Kanellis-Bennett & Cole Karter. Bennett told Garrison that he had potential but needed to surround himself with like-minded people. There was then some humor about Maria’s pearl necklace.
AR Fox defeated Tony Nese (w/Mark Sterling)
You’ll never guess, but Tony Nese wanted to do group training. AR Fox interrupted, thus giving us our match. A quick back-and-forth exchange ended with Nese almost scoring the win with a roll-up with the tights for a nearfall. Fox caught Nese with a series of kicks before mockingly jumping jacks. Sterling tried to cut off Fox, but Fox kept control and hit a skin the cat dropkick in the corner for a nearfall.
Nese choked Fox in the ropes before hooking him over the top rope. Sterling got a few shots in while Nese distracted the referee. Nese brought Fox to the top rope and hit a rolling uppercut. Fox held onto the ropes on a hurricanrana attempt, but Nese came back with the spinning heel kick for a nearfall. Fox came back with a pendulum DDT in the ropes.
Fox fired up, hitting his walkthrough cutter for a nearfall. Nese countered another cutter with a German suplex for a nearfall. Nese went for the Running Nese, but Fox moved. Fox got Nese to the top rope and hit Lo Mein Pain for the win.
Blackpool Combat Club’s Bryan Danielson & Claudio Castagnoli will be in tag team action on Saturday’s AEW Collision episode.
In a match added to Saturday’s lineup during this week’s Dynamite, Danielson & Castagnoli will take on Ricky Starks & Big Bill.
Starks and Danielson faced off in a strap match at All Out earlier this month, then issues between the BCC and Starks & Bill escalated on last week’s Collision. Starks & Bill left the BCC laying, then Bill challenged Jon Moxley for the International title on this week’s Dynamite.
Danielson, Castagnoli, and Starks all got involved in the Dynamite title match to set up Saturday’s tag team bout.
Already announced for Collision is an AEW World Tag Team Championship match, with FTR defending their titles against Iron Savages.
While not officially announced for the show to this point, Pennsylvania’s own Britt Baker has been featured in local advertising for Saturday’s Collision as well.
The updated card for the Saturday, September 16 Collision in State College, Pennsylvania:
Bryan Danielson & Claudio Castagnoli vs. Ricky Starks & Big Bill
AEW World Tag Team Championship:·FTR defend against The Iron Savages
AEW hasn’t clarified whether Claudio Castagnoli vs. Eddie Kingston will be on Dynamite Grand Slam or Rampage Grand Slam. A social media reference to the match being on Dynamite Grand Slam was changed to just Grand Slam.
Dynamite Grand Slam is airing live on Wednesday, September 20. Rampage Grand Slam is being taped that night and will air on Friday, September 22.
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In his hometown of New York, Eddie Kingston will have a high-stakes clash with Claudio Castagnoli.
AEW has revealed that Castagnoli and Kingston will face off in a title vs. title match at Grand Slam on Wednesday, September 20. Castagnoli’s ROH World Championship and Kingston’s NJPW Strong Openweight Championship will both be up for grabs.
The match was made during a sit-down interview that Tony Schiavone conducted with Castagnoli and Kingston on Saturday’s episode of Collision. The sit-down was focused on Castagnoli and Kingston’s history with each other and how their friendship turned into a rivalry.
NJPW Strong Openweight Champ Eddie Kingston just challenged #ROH World Champion Claudio Castognoli for a match at #AEWGrandSlam
Kingston wanted a shot at the ROH World Championship and stated that he would defend his Strong Openweight title too. Castagnoli then brought up a time Kingston wouldn’t shake his hand 15 years ago. Castagnoli’s condition of agreeing to the match was that Kingston would have to shake his hand after Castagnoli defeats him at Grand Slam.
This March, Castagnoli retained the ROH World Championship against Kingston at Supercard of Honor.
Kingston’s team was victorious over Castagnoli’s in a Stadium Stampede match at All In this August. Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta then defeated Kingston & Katsuyori Shibata at All Out.
Grand Slam is a special edition of Dynamite/Rampage that’s held annually at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York City.
Thursday’s Ring of Honor on HonorClub will feature one title defense and two Proving Ground matches.
ROH Women’s Champion Athena will look for the 14th defense of the title as she takes on Allysin Kay. This will be their fifth singles meeting and first since 2015.
ROH World Champion Claudio Castagnoli will take on Lee Johnson in one Proving Group match while ROH Six-Man Tag Team Champions The Mogul Embassy (Brian Cage, Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun) vs. Griff Garrison, Metalik & Gravity.
After their disappointing loss at All Out, Eddie Kingston & Katsuyori Shibata will look to rebound as they face Gringo Loco & Blake Christian.
Willow Nightingale will once again team with Skye Blue as they face Charlette & Robyn Renegade.
Best Friends will team with Darius Martin & Action Andretti against The Outrunners & The WorkHorsemen.
Leyla Hirsch will go one-on-one with Lady Frost while both Willie Mack & The Infantry and Angelico & Serpentico will be in tag team action.
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The show started with a video from Sunday’s Zero Hour, where Athena yelled at Billie Starkz for not sticking to the plan during Athena’s trios match. Allysin Kay entered the scene, not liking how Athena was treating Starkz. After some cajoling, Athena accepted Kay’s challenge for the title.
Ian Riccaboni and Caprice Coleman were on the call in action taped last Saturday from the United Center in Chicago, Illinois.
ROH Women’s World Title Match – Athena (c) (w/Billie Starkz) defeated Allysin Kay
Kay used her size advantage to put Athena on the back foot. Athena baited Kay to the outside, where she sent Kay into the barricade. Athena distracted the referee, but Starkz refused to physically intervene. Athena kept the advantage, clubbering on Kay and mocking her all the while.
Kay fired up with a lariat and a Sky High for a nearfall. Kay hit a spinout facebuster before locking on an ankle lock. After asking Starkz to push the rope closer to no avail, Athena forced her way up and dropped Kay with a forearm. Kay cut off an O-Face attempt, but Athena shoved Kay down and hit the O-Face to win and retain.
After the match, Athena wanted Starkz to throw Kay into the belt. Starkz refused, so Athena did it herself.
We got a recap of the confrontation from Dynamite with ROH World Tag Team Champion MJF and ROH World Television Champion Samoa Joe.
Tony Nese (w/Mark Sterling) defeated Silas Young
After Young interrupted Nese’s group training, Nese took the early advantage by sending him into the buckles. Young came back with chops before sending him off the apron with a step-up lariat. Nese sent Young into the post before sending his hammerlocked arm into the apron.
Sterling helped Nese with the attack on the arm before Nese hit a dropkick to the arm. After Nese tore at the arm, Young fired back with a lariat. Young necked Nese on the rope before hitting an over-the-top stomp and a senton for a nearfall. Young rolled Nese up, but Nese kicked out, sending Young into the ring post. Nese hit the running knees for the win.
Lexy Nair was backstage with a perturbed Dalton Castle. He entertainingly complained about his problems with Samoa Joe & Stokely Hathaway, chugging a bottle of water before leaving.
SAP took care of Priest, but Schaff was able to use his size to get control of Serpentico. Angelico tagged in and quickly took care of Schaff, tapping him out with a knee bar.
Lexy Nair was backstage with Kiera Hogan. She said that she thought she didn’t have any lingering issues with former partner Leila Grey, but she would give her the work anyway.
Blue & Nightingale had control early, but Robyn blind-tagged in and cut off Blue. Charlette hit a Fisherman’s Suplex on Blue for a nearfall. The Renegades clubbered on Blue until she was able to get a tag to Nightingale. Nightingale ran wild, hitting one Renegade with a Pounce before hitting a main event spinebuster on the other one for a nearfall.
The Renegades came back with dual rolling elbows for a nearfall, but Blue cut off the pin. Blue quickly tagged in and scored the win with Code Blue.
ROH World Six Man Tag Team Title Proving Ground Match – The Mogul Embassy (Bishop Kaun, Brian Cage & Toa Liona) (w/Prince Nana) defeated Gravity, Griff Garrison & Metalik
The Embassy clubbered on Garrison to start, sending him down with a double flapjack. Garrison fought out for a tag to Gravity, who got a pair of roll-ups on Cage before getting shut down. Metalik tagged in, hitting a reverse Slingblade and a rope-walk dropkick on Cage. Metalik hit a rope-walk senton for a nearfall before the match broke down into a Pier Six brawl. The Embassy finished off Metalik with an elevated splash from Liona.
Kiera Hogan defeated Leila Grey
Hogan hit a step-up legdrop for a nearfall. Grey came back with a dropkick in the corner before choking Hogan on the ropes. Grey hit a back elbow and a Death Valley Driver for a nearfall. Hogan came back with a shotgun dropkick and a hip attack before a basement dropkick scored her a nearfall.
Grey came back with a spear. The spear only got a nearfall, so Grey went to hit Hogan with her money fan. Hogan superkicked the fan out of Grey’s hand – and into the referee’s hands – before hitting her twisting neckbreaker for the win.
Lexy Nair was backstage with Maria Kanellis-Bennett. She spoke of an opportunity for Griff Garrison before Cole Karter brought Garrison into the frame. Maria told Garrison that she saw potential in him and that he needed to surround himself with the right people to reach that potential.
The Infantry (Carlie Bravo & Shawn Dean) & Willie Mack (w/Trish Adora) defeated August Matthews, Davey Bang & Jah-C
This was a quick affair that saw Dean score the win after a boot into a Russian legsweep.
Lexy Nair was backstage with Lee Johnson, who has a Proving Ground match against Claudio Castagnoli tonight. Johnson said he was going to win because all he needed was one shot.
Leyla Hirsch defeated Lady Frost
Hirsch focused on Frost’s arm as Maria Kanellis-Bennett and Cole Karter watched from the stage. Hirsch hit a pendulum dropkick in the corner for a nearfall. Frost made a comeback, hitting a handspring cannonball for a nearfall. Hirsch avoided (?) a hurricane kick before hitting a suplex into the corner. Hirsch locked on an armbar to win.
After the match, Maria offered Hirsch a handshake. Hirsch blew her off and left on her own.
Eddie Kingston & Katsuyori Shibata defeated Blake Christian & Gringo Loco
Kingston and Shibata hammered Christian before Christian hit an enzuigiri on Kingston. Loco tagged in and hit Kingston with chops and a moonsault before landing a senton for a nearfall. Loco hit a moonsault before Christian hit a springboard 450 for a nearfall. Christian went for a frog splash, but Kingston put his knees up.
Shibata tagged in and hit his hesitation dropkick on Christian before Loco sent him to the floor with a chop. Kingston dropped Loco with a backfist. Christian sent Kingston to the floor before hitting a Fosbury Flop. Shibata moved out of the way on a 450 before slapping on a choke. Shibata hit the Penalty Kick to score the win.
Lexy Nair was backstage with Josh Woods & Smart Mark Sterling. Sterling said that Woods should be getting a Pure Title match soon.
ROH World Title Proving Ground Match – Claudio Castagnoli (w/Wheeler Yuta) defeated Lee Johnson
Castagnoli forced Johnson into the corner before pummeling him with uppercuts. Johnson fought to his feet, but Castagnoli caught him on a moonsault attempt. Johnson spun him around into a satellite DDT for a nearfall. Johnson hit a superkick for a nearfall. Castagnoli dropped Johnson with an uppercut for a nearfall.
Castagnoli went for another uppercut, but Johnson turned it into a rollup for a nearfall. Castagnoli hit a big lariat for a nearfall. Castagnoli hit the hammer-and-anvil elbows, then stopped the referee from stopping the match. Castagnoli hit the Swiss Death uppercut for the win.
Iron Savages (Boulder & Bronson) (w/Jacked Jameson) defeated Ren Jones & Caleb Konley
The Iron Savages quickly won this match with their elevator drop splash.
Lexy Nair was backstage with Athena & Billie Starkz. Athena wasn’t happy with Starkz, noting that she gave Starkz more grace than she gave her own mother. Athena decided that Starkz needed some training to get up to speed.
Best Friends (Chuck Taylor & Trent Beretta), Action Andretti & Darius Martin defeated The Outrunners (Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd) & The WorkHorsemen (Anthony Henry & JD Drake)
The Outrunners and the Workhorsemen kicked the match off with a jumpstart, quickly turning this match into a Pier Six brawl. They isolated Beretta, with Henry hitting a double stomp at the end of a flurry of offense for a nearfall. Beretta made the tag into Martin, who ran wild before getting cut off by Drake. The match broke down into a flurry that ended with a Strong Zero from Best Friends for the win.
NJPW TV Champion Zack Sabre Jr. will defend his title against former Ring of Honor World Champion Christopher Daniels on tonight’s ROH on HonorClub.
This will be his fourth defense of the title on ROH TV while Daniels is looking for his second TV title run and first since 2011. This will be their first ever singles match.
ROH World Champion Claudio Castagnoli will be a non-title Proving Ground match against Ryan Nemeth. This will Nemeth’s first-ever ROH singles match and also his first with Castagnoli.
GCW Champion Blake Christian will take on Brandon Cutler while Matt Sydal battles Serpentico one-on-one.
In a trios bout, Dark Order (Evil Uno, Alex Reynolds & John Silver) will continue their run with a new attitude as they face former ROH Six-Man Tag Team Champions Dalton Castle & The Boys.
In two women’s matches, Leyla Hirsch will wrestle Leila Grey while Kiera Hogan matches up with Lady Frost.
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Ian Riccaboni and Caprice Coleman were on the call for this week’s Ring of Honor TV, with matches from the AEW Dynamite taping in Nashville, TN, and the AEW Collision taping in Lexington, KY.
The Dark Order (Alex Reynolds, Evil Uno & John Silver) defeated Dalton Castle & The Boys (Brandon & Brent)
Silver started this match by requesting a Boy, then gorilla pressing said Boy into the ropes. The Boys ganged up on Silver and Reynolds before Uno cut off Boy Brent from the outside. Dark Order singled out Brent as the commentators talked about the out-of-character underhanded tactics the Dark Order used.
Brent eventually got the tag into Castle, who flung the Dark Order about with suplexes before throwing Boys at them. Brent tagged in, but Uno sent Castle into him before Silver and Reynolds took out Castle on the floor. Silver and Reynolds cut off dives from the Boys, sending Brandon into the barricade. Dark Order then hit Brent with the Ragnarok to score the win.
Backstage, Lexy Nair was with Athena & Billie Starkz. Athena asked for this time to settle the tension she, and only she, saw between Lexy and Starkz. She made them friendship shirts before letting Starkz know that they would be teaming up to take on the Renegade Twins tonight.
Kiera Hogan defeated Lady Frost
Hogan challenged Frost to this match last week. They traded kicks before Frost sent Hogan to the floor with handspring boots. Hogan cut off Frost’s handstands by sweeping her down on the apron. Hogan hit an offensive combination that ended with a superkick for a nearfall. Frost avoided a corner charge and hit a high kick, then followed up with a cartwheel cannonball for a nearfall. Hogan then caught her with a twisting fisherman’s buster for the win.
Matt Sydal defeated Serpentico
Sydal quickly took Serpentico down and hit a twisting senton for a nearfall. Serpentico got his feet up on a corner charge and hit a headscissors, followed by a flatliner for a nearfall. Serpentico then hit a superkick before landing a DDT for a nearfall. Serpentico went to the top rope, but Sydal moved out of the way and hit a jumping back kick.
Sydal fired up and hit a fisherman’s buster for a nearfall. Sydal used a pair of flash pins for a nearfall before taking Serpentico off the top rope with a rana. Sydal hit the Lightning Spiral to score the win.
Backstage, Lexy Nair was with a slinged Stokely Hathaway. He talked about his tag team victory with Samoa Joe last week before noting his respect for Samoa Joe. Nair then told Hathaway that nobody respected him before leaving.
Leyla Hirsch defeated Leila Grey
These two clubbered on each other for a while before Maria Kanellis made her way to the stage. Hirsch held control until Grey fired up, hitting a rising knee and a Death Valley Driver for a nearfall. Hirsch hit a rough back suplex before locking on an armbar for the win.
Backstage, Lexy Nair was with Prince Nana & the Mogul Embassy. They’re defending the titles next week against Action Andretti, Darius Martin, and Lee Johnson next week. They all said that they were going to win.
Blake Christian defeated Brandon Cutler (w/Colt Cabana)
Christian kept Cutler off balance with his speed before catching him with a spinning headscissors. Cutler cut Christian off on the apron and shoved him into the post, but Christian spun around the post and hit a springboard dropkick that sent him to the floor. Christian followed it with a Fosbury Flop, but Cutler moved out of the way of a springboard 450 and hit a Michinoku Driver for a nearfall.
Cutler hit a trio of elbows before hitting an Airplane Spin on Christian. He made himself dizzy in the process, allowing Christian to hit a shoulder block to take him down. They traded kicks before Christian hit a Spanish Fly. Christian hit a Death Valley Driver and followed it with a superkick for a nearfall. Cutler hit a pumphandle slam before ripping off his track jacket and going for a Superman pin for a nearfall. Christian fired up and hit a handspring kick before hitting the springboard 450 for the win.
Lexy Nair was backstage with Tony Nese & Smart Mark Sterling. They complained about Jerry Lynn forcing Nese to wrestle instead of doing group training before chastising a nearby worker for drinking a soda.
Athena & Billie Starkz defeated The Renegades (Charlette & Robyn)
Starkz and Athena ducked an attack during the Code of Honor. Starkz got caught on a dive by both twins, with Athena hitting a cannonball onto the pile. The Renegades then isolated Starkz, hitting a double Fisherman’s Suplex for a nearfall. A lot of those on this show tonight.
The Renegades clubbered on Starkz for a while until she fought her way to a tag to Athena. Athena threw Starkz into a Renegade before powerbombing Starkz into both of them. Athena hit a reverse Alabama Slam on Starkz onto Charlette for a nearfall. The Renegades took Athena out of the ring before hitting a scary-looking double team on Starkz for a nearfall. They hit a double main event spinebuster on Athena for a nearfall.
Athena hit the knockout forearm before going up for the O-Face. Starkz tagged in as Athena jumped, then hit the Swanton Bomb on a Renegade to score the win in her hometown. Athena wasn’t happy and grabbed a retreating Renegade. She wanted Starkz to throw her into the title belt, but the other Renegade grabbed her sister and retreated.
ROH World Title Proving Ground Match – Claudio Castagnoli defeated Ryan Nemeth
Nemeth announced that tonight was Hunk Appreciation Night, leading the crowd in Thank You Hunk chants. He called out for anyone to fight, with Castagnoli making his way to the ring. Nemeth quickly tried to bail, noting that he didn’t think Castagnoli was there. But Castagnoli instead hit the Giant Swing – while still wearing the title belt around his waist – before hitting a big uppercut for the quick victory.
Before the main event, it was announced that Metalik would face the winner of tonight’s main event next week for the NJPW World TV Title.
NJPW World Television Title Match – Zack Sabre Jr. (c) defeated Christopher Daniels
This was Sabre’s 11th title defense.
Daniels had Sabre in a headlock, but Sabre escaped and hit a bicep stomp. He twisted the other arm before Daniels fought back with a pair of swinging neckbreakers. Daniels locked on a cravate before snapping the neck of Sabre. Daniels held control until Sabre locked on a guillotine, then quickly transitioned to an arm wringer.
Sabre hammerlocked Daniels’ arm before stomping on the arm, then worked on Daniels’ leg. Daniels got a big back suplex in after Sabre took a second to tend to his neck. Daniels fired up, hitting a Death Valley Driver for a nearfall. Sabre took Daniels down with a drop toe hold before going back to the arm with a bicep stomp.
Sabre went for a submission finish that Daniels fought off, hitting an STO for a nearfall. Daniels immediately transitioned into a Koji Clutch, but Sabre escaped by picking the bad ankle. Daniels cut off a submission attempt with a rollup, but Sabre was able to lock in a Rings of Saturn-style submission to win and retain the title.
Bryan Danielson believes the Blackpool Combat Club should never break up.
The faction formed at Revolution 2022 when William Regal made his AEW debut. Following Moxley’s defeat of Danielson on the show, Regal broke up a post-match brawl between the two. Wheeler Yuta was added to the group the following month and Claudio Castagnoli joined that June. Since then, the BCC have played a major role in AEW storylines, including a lengthy program with The Elite.
Danielson recently told Sports Illustrated that there is a real connection within the group, and he feels they make each other better performers.
“Our connection as a group feels real,” says Danielson. “That’s because it is. The story is we train together and we make each other better. The reality is that wrestling together, we do make each other better.”
“Even when Regal left, we didn’t break. And he’s still on our BCC group chat.”
Danielson continued to say he doesn’t want the BCC to ever break up.
“I love this group,” says Danielson. “This should be a group that never breaks up. Mox and I have wrestled since the BCC started, we wrestled in the championship tournament [last fall]. That didn’t cause any disturbances in the BCC. That’s the story of the BCC. When the BCC loses, we’ll shake hands and go back to training the next day.”
Danielson is currently out of action with a broken arm suffered during his match with Kazuchika Okada at Forbidden Door. Our own Dave Meltzer reported in last week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Danielson is expected back in October but could potentially return in time for AEW Grand Slam in September.
BCC members Moxley and Castagnoli will be in action on tonight’s Dynamite from Columbus. They’ll face The Lucha Bros in tag action. Moxley and Castagnoli are coming off a defeat of The Best Friends in a Parking Lot Brawl on Friday’s Rampage.
The card for this Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite was rounded out Friday with the Young Bucks vs. Jeff & Matt Hardy as the featured new attraction.
In a backstage promo on Rampage, Matt & Nick Jackson said they were going to get back into the tag team division when they invited the Hardys to join them on-screen. Matt Hardy then suggested if they were getting back into the deep end, they should face them right from the start and the match was made.
The two teams have squared off several times throughout the years, but just once in AEW when the Hardys defeated the Bucks at 2022’s Double or Nothing.
In another tag team match, the Blackpool Combat Club’s Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli will take on the Lucha Brothers following Moxley & Castagnoli’s victory over Best Friends Friday in their parking lot fight.
After their rematch for the AEW World title was made Wednesday for this month’s All In at London’s Wembley Stadium, champion MJF and Adam Cole will be on the show.
The additions join the previously announced FTW title match between champion Jack Perry and Rob Van Dam.
Here’s the current lineup:
The Hardys (Matt & Jeff Hardy) vs. The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson)
MJF & Adam Cole appearance
Blackpool Combat Club (Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli) vs. Lucha Brothers (Penta El Zero Miedo & Rey Fenix)
FTW Champion Jack Perry defends against Rob Van Dam
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.
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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.
A parking lot fight is set for this Friday’s AEW Rampage as Blackpool Combat Club’s Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli will take on Best Friends (Chuck Taylor & Trent Beretta).
The match came to be after Wednesday’s anything goes three-way on Dynamite between Moxley, Beretta and Penta El Zero Miedo. After Beretta won, Castagnoli and Wheeler Yuta were shown fighting with Taylor and Orange Cassidy in the crowd. After things settled down, Taylor took to the microphone afterward to make the challenge.
The match will not be held in Tampa, Florida, after Dynamite but rather at Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, Florida. It’s assumed to be filmed Thursday which is why Moxley was pulled from his scheduled match with Wrestling Revolver in Ohio.
Taylor and Beretta had a famous parking lot fight with Santana and Ortiz in September 2020 during the pandemic era at Daily’s Place.
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After they attacked and bloodied up Nick Wayne in his home ring where his father taught him how to wrestle, Swerve Strickland & AR Fox will be in tag team action.
With all the turmoil surrounding the Jericho Appreciation Society, the group’s Anna Jay will take on Skye Blue.
In trios action, Keith Lee will team with The Hardys against Kip Sabian and The Butcher & The Blade.
Here’s the full card for Friday:
Blackpool Combat Club (Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli) vs. Best Friends (Chuck Taylor & Trent Beretta) in a parking lot fight
Anna Jay vs. Skye Blue
Swerve Strickland & AR Fox vs. TBA
Keith Lee, Jeff Hardy & Matt Hardy vs. The Butcher & The Blade and Kip Sabian
Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli will be in tag team action on this week’s AEW Dynamite.
Coming off last week’s loss in Blood & Guts, Moxley & Castagnoli will look to rebound against Penta El Zero Miedo & Rey Fenix of The Lucha Bros, and Trent Beretta & Chuck Taylor of Best Friends in a triple threat match.
Orange Cassidy is set to defend the AEW International Championship against AR Fox. The bout will be Fox’s sixth title shot in 25 career AEW matches. Including tag bouts, Fox’s career AEW record stands at 10-14 coming into the bout.
Darby Allin will go one-on-one with Swerve Strickland. Allin won last week’s Royal Rampage to earn a TNT title shot at next month’s All Out pay-per-view.
After a win over Skye Blue on last week’s Collision, Taya Valkyrie will face Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. on Dynamite.
PAC vs. Gravity, plus a promo from MJF & Adam Cole are also set for the show.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Tony Schiavone and Taz, as they run down the card for the evening before going to a video package about the history between Darby Allin & AR Fox. The advice that Fox gave to Allin is documented, as Allin put over how Fox gave him a place to stay for free while training. Allin said if anyone deserves a shot, it’s AR Fox, as without him, there might not be a Darby Allin.
Orange Cassidy defeated AR Fox to retain the AEW International Title
(An action packed opener, with the crowd showing support for both guys throughout. The post match was very interesting, as the attack by Fox was very unexpected and led to Darby Allin questioning why his friend would do what he did after he vouched for Fox to get this title shot.)
This is Fox’s sixth title match in AEW, as he was previously unsuccessful in four Trios Title bouts and one TNT Title match against Samoa Joe last November. Meanwhile, this is Cassidy’s 27th title defense of the International Title as Excalibur runs down all the injuries Cassidy has suffered over the course of his reign. Fox tried keeping Cassidy grounded early, but Cassidy responded with the hands in pocket mind games and powdered, only to eat a quick moonsault to the floor by Fox. Back inside, Fox used his speed to hit a roll through suplex, which Cassidy countered into a Stundog Millionaire. Fox answered by kicking out of the corner with a leaping cutter and twisting brainbuster for a near fall. Fox stayed in control for a majority of the commercial break.
Cassidy fought out of a third neckbreaker by Fox before both traded big boots to the face. Each man blocked cutter attempts before hitting a double neckbreaker for the reset. Cassidy went up and over in the corner and repeatedly slammed Fox head first into the buckle. Fox sent Cassidy to the outside and hit a huge somersault dive and senton back inside for a close two. Cassidy countered Lo Mein Pain into a dive outside of his own and spinning DDT back in the ring that led to Beach Break, but Fox kicked out. Fox blocked the Orange Punch, set Cassidy up in the corner and hit Lo Mein Pain for a close near fall of his own. Cassidy rolled to the apron, but Fox was there to hit a Rolling Thunder and DDT back inside. Fox missed a top rope 450, seemed to tweak his ankle, allowing Cassidy to wrench at it and get the Mouse Trap for the victory. Post match, Cassidy put his sunglasses on Fox, who snapped them in half and attacked Cassidy as a furious Darby Allin screamed at Fox at the ramp asking him what that was about and Fox didn’t have an answer.
After all that, Cassidy was trying to recover when Jon Moxley ran through the crowd and laid out Cassidy with the Death Rider, as Excalibur talked about Cassidy getting involved at the end of Claudio Castagnoli’s match in ROH Death Before Dishonor.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with Chris Jericho & Don Callis, who talked about fans wanting Jericho to becoming part of Callis’ family. Callis said for Jericho to imagine a dream team with Konosuke Takeshita and Jericho said he’s willing to give it a try. Callis said their opponents will be Daniel Garcia & Sammy Guevara as Callis said that Jericho wanted them to spread their wings, as Jericho reluctantly accepted. Callis commissioned a work of art of their 1995 promo with Bad News Allen and there’s a painting shown of Bad News in the sky looking over Callis & Jericho.
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A brief video of HOOK walking and taking a seat at the subway is shown before the subway speeds past and HOOK was gone.
Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta cut a PSA backstage telling kids not to play with fire or mess with the Blackpool Combat Club. Castagnoli said the beating PAC suffered at Death Before Dishonor is nothing compared to what he’d get when they cross paths again. Jon Moxley walked in and gave a warning to Lucha Bros & Best Friends, who will pay tonight for PAC’s mistake.
Jack Perry addresses HOOK & the FTW Title
Tony Schiavone introduced the new FTW Champion, who walked out with his Beethoven’s 5th Symphony playing and new I Beat HOOK shirt. Schiavone got the crowd to start really booing Perry, who said after one loss, HOOK realized he can’t hang with the big boys, so he’s now on the train to nowhere. The FTW Title wasn’t what Perry was talking about when he said he wanted to win gold in 2023 in AEW and said as soon as he put his hands on the title, it became the real deal. Perry said he is the best wrestler ever to hold the title and ran down Taz and his friends.
This brought out Jerry Lynn, who said in ECW, they paved the way for the current generation. Without ECW, there never would have been a Jungle Boy and told Perry to keep running his mouth; it will get his ass kicked. Lynn squared up, but Perry said he’s not dressed to fight, instead challenging Lynn to show up next week. next week before leaving. So I guess we’re getting Jack Perry against Jerry Lynn? Who had that on their 2023 Wrestling Bingo card? I certainly wasn’t expecting that.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with Britt Baker, asking her reaction to Taya Valkyrie’s comments on Collision. Baker thanked Valkyrie and said she’s excited for their first time meeting, but will drag Valkyrie to the deep end and remind everyone that TBS is The Britt Show.
PAC submitted Gravity
(While most of this happened during commercial, the internet did get it’s reference to the irony of this match being booked in the first place. And as a bonus, we got Taz singing a little John Mayer. This was pretty much a dominating showing needed to put PAC back in the win column in AEW.)
During his entrance, Gravity actually acted like he was walking on the moon. PAC brilliantly tried to reintroduce himself to Gravity, as he was previously known as The Man That Gravity forgot. Taz meanwhile, shoe horned and briefly serenaded us with John Mayer’s ‘Gravity’. Gravity used his speed to send PAC to the floor early and tried to play mind games, only to eat a dropkick through the ropes by PAC, who stayed in control the entire picture in picture.
Back from commercial we saw the Blackpool Combat Club watching from their locker room. Gravity fought out of the corner with a leaping cross body, but PAC responded with a series of kicks. Both men went to the top and PAC connected with an avalanche brainbuster and quickly got the submission using the Brutalizer.
-We see post match comments from Renee Paquette with the Blind Eliminator Tournament winners MJF & Adam Cole. When Cole was about to start the promo, MJF cut him off and trash talked both members of FTR, mocking Dax Harwood constantly cutting the same promos and MJF will punch him so hard in the face he’ll spit out CM Punk’s jockstrap. The only initials that matter aren’t FTR, it’s MJF. Cole said never in a million years did he expect to be friends with MJF and said he has nothing to worry about with touching the AEW World Title post match. Cole said MJF is becoming one of his best friends and MJF said win, lose or draw, he wants Cole to know he’s getting a rematch for the World Title. Roderick Strong stormed in and shoved MJF, saying Cole shouldn’t trust him. Cole told MJF to leave as he said he loves Strong, but he’s pushing Cole away because he’s showing he doesn’t trust him.
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-Comments from FTR last week are shown with Renee Paquette as Wheeler said he’s excited about Collision on Saturday, but feels bad Adam Cole has been dragged into this. They respect Cole, but they hate MJF, calling him a generational ass kisser. Everyone who has been with MJF, including his fiancé, once they get to know him, they leave him. Harwood said he won’t get gimmicked up like MJF, since this is real to him. At Collision, MJF won’t make a mockery of professional wrestling and he’ll beat the sh*t out of Max on Saturday. Harwood apologizes to Cole, but says they are beating them at Collision.
(These two continue to add to their great series of matches, as this was just as wild as you’d expect. The Death Valley Driver spot was unreal and I question how Allin’s spine wasn’t broken, which, that’s not the only time I’ve questioned that in his matches. The finish you could really see coming after the opener tonight and it’s a way to actually do something with AR Fox, who, up to this point, had been just another guy on the roster. Aligning with Strickland hopefully allows him to break out a little bit going forward.)
After an early back and forth, we nearly saw an identical ending to the Royal Rampage on Friday with Allin on the apron this time, with Strickland diving to the outside, only to eat a Code Red as a result. Allin chucked Strickland into the steps, repositioned them, but Strickland reversed a whip, Allin cleared the steps, as Strickland launched off the steps with a massive House Call kick. Strickland controlled the entire break, working over Allin’s wrist and taunting Wayne in the process.
Strickland connected on a roll through Flatliner and huge suplex before both men traded a series of roll ups ending with Strickland kicking out of the Last Supper. Strickland rolled to the apron and Allin speared him through the ropes and landed right on his head on the outside in the process. Back inside, Strickland rolled out to the floor again and this time caught a charging Allin with a knee lift in mid air. Back inside again, Strickland hit a Swerve Stomp, but Allin kicked out. Both men went up to the top and Allin managed an avalanche over the top stunner sending Strickland to the apron. Allin wanted a Coffin Drop, but Strickland pulled out the feet and hit an unreal and violent looking Death Valley Driver off the second rope onto the edge of the ring.
The referee was distracted by Nana & Wayne, as Allin was about to roll back into the ring, but a hooded ring attendant shoved him into the ring post and put back into the ring. Strickland connected with the JML Driver to get the win. The masked man was AR Fox, who attacked Allin & Nick Wayne post match, trying a move with Allin’s skateboard and failing miserably. Prince Nana presented a Mogul Embassy shirt to Fox, who proudly put it on.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with Matt Menard, Angelo Parker, Anna Jay & Tay Conti as Chris Jericho walked up and told them all to come into his dressing room. The painting Don Callis presented Jericho earlier is hung up and Jericho said forget about that, asking how the baby is to Tay Conti, who said the baby is fine, but asks what is going on with Jericho? Parker was about to give back his comb to Jericho, but said not quite yet. Anna Jay said Jericho is being selfish and said like Hager said; they can’t give Jericho their 100%. Everyone but Menard left, who told Jericho to figure things out, fast, before leaving himself.
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Britt Baker submitted Taya Valkyrie
(Sometimes things just don’t gel right and this was one of those times. Both ladies tried hard, but that messed up spot early turned the crowd. While they did get them back with the forearm exchange, it just seemed things were off. Regardless, this was a needed win for Baker, who continues to get back on the winning track following an early elimination in the Owen Hart Tournament.)
Baker worked an early headlock, but Valkyrie used her power to gain control with her running corner knees. With the wrist trapped, Valkyrie fired off stiff chops and short arm lariat, but Baker tried a misdirect, only to sort of fall to Road to Valhalla. The crowd booed, as the whole spot looked really clunky, so I’m not sure whether or not Valkyrie was supposed to hit a proper one. Regardless, Baker’s didn’t get up enough, so Valkyrie just mounted and dished out strikes heading into break.
When they returned, the crowd still was booing, as Valkyrie was trapped in a Baker cravat and ate knee strikes. Valkyrie was sent into the corner, stumbled out and Baker hit a rip cord strike, only for Valkyrie to kick out at one. A forearm battle commenced as both ladies traded kicks and Valkyrie just dove for a lariat. Baker wanted Panama Sunrise, Valkyrie countered into a Northern Lights, but Baker got back in control, tried again and got the Panama Sunrise for two. Baker took too long putting on her glove and Valkyrie hit a Spear, wanted Road to Valhalla, but Baker spun out into Lock Jaw for the win.
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The Lucha Bros (Rey Fenix & Penta El Zero Miedo w/Alex Abrahantes) defeated Claudio Castagnoli & Jon Moxley and Best Friends (Chuck Taylor & Trent Beretta)
(A pretty jam packed main event, with the story playing a lot into what happened after the ROH Title match at Death Before Dishonor. That is where the bad blood started, as Castagnoli & Moxley once again found themselves on the losing end to close Dynamite, an unfamiliar territory for them as commentary said. I wouldn’t have minded Best Friends getting a win here, but if the story plays eventually more into PAC bailing on the BCC, it makes sense his Death Triangle buddies got the win here.)
Lucha Bros & Best Friends started fighting before The BCC even got to the ring, as the brawl was on with everyone. Taylor & Moxley brawled up the ramp before everyone else joined on the floor and Taylor hit a somersault dive off the stage onto the pile. Back to the ring, Fenix & Castagnoli had a nice exchange with Fenix doing a massive springboard arm drag, only to eat a Sexy Chuckie Knee from Beretta. Moxley jumped in with a cutter and Castagnoli cleaned house on everyone else with uppercuts. Fenix fell back into a tag from Beretta, who tackled Fenix for revenge of getting whacked in the face with a chair at Death Before Dishonor last Friday. Beretta missed a knee on Castagnoli, but did hit a Saito Suplex before trying a dive, only to eat an uppercut before takeoff. Moxley tagged in and destroyed Beretta with a King Kong Lariat into commercial break.
Beretta fought out of the corner with a missile dropkick on Castagnoli, tagging Taylor, who dropped Moxley with Sole Food. Moxley tried turning the tables, but ate a jump knee and German suplex by Taylor. Penta made the blind tag on Moxley and fired off Sling Blade and back stabber on Taylor. All six men started slugging it out in the ring until Best Friends just decided to hug and give the people what they wanted. Moxley & Castagnoli were sent outside and Lucha Bros were planted with dueling piledrivers from Taylor & Beretta.
Lucha Bros gained control with superkicks and submission attempts, as Penta snapped back on the arm of Beretta before hitting Made in Penta. Castagnoli & Moxley broke things up, beating down Best Friends with anvil elbows, stomps and powerbomb by Castagnoli on Taylor. Castagnoli wanted a Ricola Bomb, but Orange Cassidy’s music hit and he laid out Wheeler Yuta on the ramp. Cassidy slugged it out with Moxley as Beretta dropped Castagnoli with a Crunchie, but was told Castagnoli wasn’t the legal man, how in the world with all this chaos did Paul Turner keep track of that? The Lucha Bros jumped in and laid out Beretta with Fear Factor and Penta got the win.
Post match, commentary talked about how The BCC are in unfamiliar territory losing multiple matches, as Best Friends & Cassidy kept brawling with The BCC before Lucha Bros kind of made Moxley back off, as he bailed all while everyone else brawled. Excalibur informed us Moxley vs. Beretta vs. Penta next week in an Anything Goes three way on the 200th episode of Dynamite.
AEW Rampage 7/28/23
· Hikaru Shida vs. Nyla Rose
· Tag Team Battle Royale featuring Jay Lethal & Satnam Singh, Big Bill & Brian Cage, Ethan Page & Brother Zay, The Hardy Boys, Butcher & The Blade, Matt Menard & Angelo Parker, Luther & Serpentico and Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal with the winners receiving an AEW Tag Team Title match
· Scorpio Sky vs. Kip Sabian
· The Kingdom (Mike Bennett & Matt Taven) Will Be In Action
AEW Collision 7/29/23
· FTR defend the AEW Tag Team Titles against AEW World Champion MJF & Adam Cole
· Andrade El Idolo vs. Buddy Matthews in a Ladder Match for Idolo’s Mask
· El Hijo del Vikingo, Action Andretti & Darius Martin vs. Juice Robinson & The Gunns
AEW Dynamite 8/2/23
· Jack Perry face to face with Jerry Lynn
· Chris Jericho & Konosuke Takeshita vs. Sammy Guevara & Daniel Garcia
· Jon Moxley vs. Trent Beretta vs. Penta el zero Miedo in an Anything Goes Match
After nearly coming to blows while on the same AEW Blood & Guts team, Ring of Honor World Champion Claudio Castagnoli will defend the title against PAC at tonight’s ROH Death Before Dishonor in Trenton, New Jersey.
ROH Women’s Champion Athena will look to avenge her loss in the Owen Hart Foundation tournament semifinals when she defends against tournament winner Willow Nightingale.
ROH Tag Team Champions The Lucha Brothers will defend in a four-way against Aussie Open, The Kingdom and Best Friends.
ROH Pure Champion Katsuyori Shibata will defend the title against former champion Daniel Garcia while ROH TV Champion Samoa Joe defends against former champion Dalton Castle.
The Mogul Embassy will defend the ROH Six-Man Tag Team titles against Ryusuke Taguchi, Master Wato & Leon Ruffin.
Dark Order faces The Righteous in a six-man Fight Without Honor while Komander takes on Gravity to round out the main card. Four matches are set for the Zero Hour pre-show.
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*****ZERO HOUR*****
Pure Rules Match – Josh Woods (w/ the Varsity Athletes) defeated Tracy Williams
The judges for this match were Christopher Daniels, Jimmy Jacobs, & Jerry Lynn.
After an early exchange, Woods rolled Williams into a double wristlock to force Williams to use his first rope break. Williams accidentally grabbed the ropes while Woods had his arm, thus exhausting his second rope break. Woods hung Williams on the ropes and hit a gutwrench suplex off the ropes for a nearfall.
After catching Woods in a rollup, Williams hit a high-angle suplex. Williams fired up, hitting a half-hatch suplex into the turnbuckles for a nearfall. Woods won a forearm exchange, but Williams caught his wrist and hit a fisherman’s suplex for a nearfall. Williams shrugged off a boot and hit a pump kick, following it with a piledriver. Woods used his first rope break to stop the pinfall.
Williams couldn’t hit a brainbuster due to the arm work Woods did earlier, allowing Woods to hit a gutwrench suplex and lock on the Gorilla Lock. Williams used his third rope break to escape, exhausting all of his rope breaks. They both ended up on the apron, where Woods hit a German suplex. Woods caught Williams in a guillotine submission in the ropes, forcing Williams to tap out with his foot.
Action Andretti & Darius Martin defeated The WorkHorsemen (Anthony Henry & JD Drake)
An awesome match for the free hour. Both of these teams have been highlights of the weekly show, and they took advantage of their time here and really impressed.
Henry and Drake got a jump start on Andretti and Martin, but Martin and Andretti quickly cleared the ring. After more back-and-forth, Henry caught Martin with a double stomp to cut him off, while Drake forearmed Andretti out of the sky. The Workhorsemen worked over Martin in the corner, pummeling him with double-team moves.
Martin fought to make the tag to Andretti, who ran wild on both Workhorsemen. He backflipped off of Drake’s back before hitting a double bulldog. Andretti hit a shooting star on both men for a nearfall. Andretti couldn’t finish Drake on his own, so he tagged in Martin to assist on a DDT for a nearfall that Henry broke up. Henry hit a diving stomp on Martin, with Drake following up with a moonsault. But Andretti dropped Henry with a DVD onto the pile to break up the cover. Andretti got Drake up onto his shoulders, allowing Martin to help hit an assisted neckbreaker for the win.
It was announced after the match that Andretti and Martin would take on Bullet Club Gold on Collision tomorrow night.
Leyla Hirsch defeated Trish Adora
Both women went after their opponent’s arm to start. Adora went for a submission, forcing Hirsch to bail out of the ring. Hirsch tried to rope-a-dope Adora in the ring, but it didn’t work, with both women ending in a standoff. Hirsch stood on Adora’s foot in the corner and took her knee out to get control. Hirsch went back to the arm, booting it before going for a cross-armbreaker. Adora powerbombed her way free.
Adora fired up, hitting a big boot and a crossbody for a nearfall. Adora hit a kneeling German suplex for a nearfall. Adora hit a pump kick, but Hirsch avoided a corner charge and hit a hesitation dropkick. Adora hit a backbreaker for a nearfall. Adora went for the Lariat Tubman, but Hirscch avoided it. After a scramble on the mat, Hirsch got the cross armbreaker in and got the quick tapout.
After the match, Hirsch feigned going for the Code of Honor before pulling Adora back into the armbreaker. Skye Blue ran her off, as it was announced that Blue would be wrestling Taya Valkyrie on Collision.
AR Fox defeated Shane Taylor
Another quality match on the Zero Hour. Taylor has earned a higher profile role in ROH with his performances lately, while Fox goes into his AEW International Title match on Dynamite with a great showing here.
Taylor dropped Fox early on with heavy strikes, but Fox used his agility to spread out his shots and sent Taylor to the floor. Fox followed him to the floor, first with a spaceman dive, then a no-touch senton. Taylor pulled Fox off the ropes, dropping him with an End of Days style move for a nearfall.
Taylor clubbered on Fox in the corner, hammering him with loud strikes before beeling him across the ring. Fox and Taylor ended up on the floor, with Fox getting on the apron and hitting an inside-out springboard senton. Back in the ring, Fox rocked Taylor with a stunner before hitting a kip-up enzuigiri. Taylor cut him off with a headbutt, followed by a uranage and a big splash for a nearfall.
Taylor sat Fox on the apron, but Fox avoided a legdrop. Fox hit a codebreaker and a DDT while Taylor was tied up in the ropes, but it only got a two-count. Fox hit a flurry of offense, but Taylor cut off a stunner and hit Welcome to the Land, but Fox got the ropes. This Is Awesome chants from the crowd as Taylor brought Fox to the top rope for a Marcus Garvey Driver. Fox fought out, walking Taylor to the middle of the ring to hit a Death Valley Driver. Fox followed with the 450 to score the win.
*****MAIN CARD*****
Gravity defeated Komander (w/ Alex Abrahantes)
This was a stellar opener to the card. Gravity impressed in the biggest spot of his career, and Komander continued to dazzle with his high-flying prowess. These two used to be a group in the Mexican independent scene alongside Bandido, and I would have no problem with AEW or ROH putting them back together.
Gravity is the younger brother of former ROH World Champion Bandido. The announcers noted that Komander looked up to Rey Fenix as a young wrestler, which is why Alex Abrahantes has joined him in recent weeks. Both men worked on the mat trying to score quick wins but ended in a stalemate. On commentary, Riccaboni let us know that these two used to be a regular team on the lucha scene, so they should know each other well.
Komander hit a dive to the floor, then followed it with a Shooting Star Press in the ring for a nearfall. Gravity sent Komander to the floor, then rolled to the top rope and hit a dive to the floor. Back in the ring, Gravity held onto an armdrag and rolled into a pin for a nearfall. Gravity ran right into a pair of boots from Komander, but Komander moonsaulted into a pair of boots himself. Gravity hit a powerbomb for a nearfall.
They traded strikes mid-ring before Gravity hit a one-armed powerbomb for a nearfall. Komander hit a misdirection kick to knock Gravity to the floor, then followed him with a multi-jump corkscrew dive to the floor. Gravity cut off another dive in the ring, hitting a falling wristlock takeover for a nearfall. Both men ended up on the apron, with Komander hanging Gravity over the turnbuckle and hitting a kick. Komander hit a rope walk moonsault for a nearfall, then followed it with a top rope rana. Gravity then caught Komander with a rollup to score the win.
After the match, it was announced that Gravity would wrestle PAC this Wednesday on Dynamite. If PAC wins tonight, it will be for the ROH World Title as well. Yes, Gravity will wrestle The Man That Gravity Forgot. I chuckled at that.
This was slow building, but the crowd got behind Castle late with his feats of strength. The finish has had some build to it, with Joe menacing Hathaway in backstage segments over the past few weeks. This pairing of Joe and Hathaway has some potential, and a rematch with Castle would be welcomed.
This is Samoa Joe’s 13th defense of the title.
ROH Board Member Stokely Hathaway joined the booth, sounding fearful of Joe. After some ringside shenanigans to start, Castle caught Joe with an elbow before hitting a pair of splashes to Joe’s back. Joe fought back with chops before hitting a big boot and a senton. Castle fought back, but Joe ran through him with a back elbow and resumed with the offense.
Joe sent Castle into the corner, hitting the back splash and the enzuigiri. Joe clubbered on Castle for a few minutes here, choking him on the ropes in front of the Boys. Joe sent Castle to the floor, but the Boys threw Castle back in the ring as Joe came to the floor. Castle got some shots in, but Joe shut him down again with a powerslam. Castle avoided a back splash, with Joe hooking Castle on the ropes. But the Boys pushed him back on the apron, allowing him to low bridge Joe to the floor.
The Boys caught Castle on a dive that Joe walked away from, allowing him to hit a rana to the floor. Castle hit another dive, after which the Boys helped bring Joe into the ring. Castle hit an overhead suplex to a big reaction. Castle fired up, hitting another German suplex to send Joe to the floor. Joe crawled to Hathaway on commentary, yelling at him to fix this. Hathaway forced the referee to eject the Boys from ringside. Joe hit a low blow while the referee was dealing with Hathaway. Joe locked in the Coquina Clutch to score the win. Joe shook hands with Hathaway and patted him on the head, which was very disrespectful.
This was fun chaos in the tag team division. The Lucha Brothers and Best Friends got more aggressive as the match went on, teasing a rekindling of their feud. Aussie Open getting a spotlight as ROH Tag Team Champions is a great call, winning the titles in their first tag match as contracted members of the company.
This is the Lucha Brothers’ 3rd defense of the titles.
The Kingdom held control of the Best Friends early on before Beretta tagged out to Fenix. Taven tagged in Fletcher, who engaged in a forearm battle with Fenix before hitting a massive bodyslam and tagging in Davis. Fenix avoided the squisher clotheslines, using Davis as a stool to hit a cutter on Fletcher. Penta tagged in, with both teams trading strikes until the Kingdom knocked the Lucha Brothers out of the ring. Bennett and Beretta tagged in, with the Best Friends running wild until Aussie Open sent them to the floor.
Aussie Open ran around the ring with the Best Friends, crashing them into each other. That started a dive train that ended with Beretta superplexing Bennett from the top rope to the pile on the floor. Taven hit a frog splash on Beretta, giving Bennett a nearfall. The Kingdom isolated Beretta while the other teams were down, scoring several nearfalls. Beretta hit a tornado DDT on Bennett, with no choice but to tag in Penta. The Lucha Bros ran wild on Taven, with Penta hitting Made In Japan on Taven for a nearfall.
Taven avoided the Package Piledriver but walked into a tag from Fletcher. Aussie Open ran wild, taking all the other teams out. They hit the Whirly Bird on Penta for a nearfall broken up by Taven. The Kingdom hit Rockstar Supernova on Fletcher for a nearfall broken up by Taylor. Taylor cut off a Taven dive, allowing Fletcher to tag out to Beretta. Best Friends hit an assisted superplex for a nearfall, then ran wild on Bennett.
We got a train of piledrivers that ended when the Lucha Brothers hit a double superkick on Davis and their double stomp package piledriver for a nearfall. The Kingdom hit a Hail Mary on Penta, but Penta kicked out at one. The Kingdom set up the Proton Pack, but Penta escaped. Beretta tagged in, and the Best Friends hit their double-team move. The Lucha Brothers pulled the referee out of the ring, and Penta hit Beretta with a chair. In the mayhem, Fletcher tagged in and helped Davis hit Coreolis on Beretta to score the win and the titles.
This was a fun six-man. The result was never in doubt, but the challengers worked well together, and it’s always nice to see the Forbidden Door opened.
This is the Mogul Embassy’s 5th defense of the titles.
Wato and Taguchi have held the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Titles in the past, with Wato going on to win this year’s Best of the Super Juniors tournament in New Japan. Taguchi and Cage started, with Wato coming in and hitting some double-team offense on the Embassy. Cage dodged everyone and hit a double German suplex on Wato and Taguchi. Ruffin evaded everyone but ran into a Liona pounce. Liona suplexed Ruffin into the Embassy corner, allowing Prince Nana to get some shots in. The Embassy clubbered on Ruffin as Big Bill watched backstage.
After hitting a DDT to Kaun, Ruffin tagged out to Wato. Watomania ran wild, as Wato took down all three members of the Embassy. Wato locked both Kaun and Cage in submissions, but Liona broke it up. Taguchi tagged in and hit hip attacks on all three opponents. Taguchi avoided a charge from all three, then caught Kaun in an ankle lock. Liona broke it up, leading to an offensive flurry that included 619’s from both Cage and Taguchi. Nana distracted the referee, allowing Kaun to hit a low blow. But Taguchi caught Kaun low on the way down, getting a rollup for a nearfall.
Ruffin tagged in, taking down Cage with a cutter. He tried to hit the same cutter on Liona, but Liona cut it off and turned it into a backbreaker. The Embassy then won by throwing Ruffin in the air, letting gravity do the damage. No, gravity the concept, not the wrestler from earlier.
This was stellar. Garcia told the story of defiantly being an entertainer in the eyes of THE Wrestler so well. Garcia is reaching the level of pro wrestling prodigy at age 25 which makes you excited to watch his future.
This is Shibata’s 4th defense of the title. The judges for this match were Christopher Daniels, Jimmy Jacobs, & Jerry Lynn.
After a scramble for position, Shibata stopped Garcia from dancing and stomped on his hands. Shibata then locked on an inside Figure Four that forced Garcia to use his first rope break. Garcia went to the floor, baiting Shibata to the outside where he sent him into the barricade. Garcia mocked Shibata in the ring, sending Shibata after him. Shibata sent Garcia into the barricades repeatedly before booting him into the crowd.
Shibata went to bring Garcia over the barricade, but Garcia hooked Shibata’s arm over the barricade. Garcia sent Shibata into the post before slamming his arm into the apron. Garcia posed with the title before going to work on Shibata’s arm in the ring.
Shibata fired up, asking for more shots to the arm. Shibata rocked Garcia with a forearm, but Garcia sent Shibata into the mat shoulder-first. Garcia did his dance in Shibata’s face, but Shibata sat down. Garcia went to dance again, but Shibata slapped him and fired up. Shibata hit the shotgun dropkick and a suplex for a nearfall.
They traded submissions and suplexes before both falling down from exhaustion. They traded forearms and strikes until they collapsed again. Shibata booted Garcia, but Garcia caught a slap and locked on the Dragon Tamer. Garcia leaned too far back though, allowing Shibata to catch him in a choke. More slaps were traded before Shibata locked on a sleeper hold. Garcia defiantly danced until he faded out, with Shibata hitting the Penalty Kick to score the win.
– Backstage, Lexy Nair was with Aussie Open. They bragged about their victory and said that they would run the world.
Fight Without Honor – The Dark Order (Alex Reynolds, Evil Uno & John Silver) defeated The Righteous (Dutch & Vincent) & Stu Grayson
This exceeded my expectations, as these guys went all out here. This was vicious and violent, peaking with some wild high spots.
My feed froze during the Dark Order’s entrance. I came back in time to see Grayson spear Uno off the apron through a table. Dutch and Silver faced off with dueling 2×4’s, Dutch’s wrapped in barbed wire. Silver dropkicked the barbed wire board into Dutch’s face, lacerating him. After Vincent and Reynolds fought, Dutch dropped Reynolds face first into the 2×4. Vincent grinded the wire into Reynolds’ eyes.
Silver fought off Dutch and Vincent, introducing thumbtacks to proceedings. Grayson cut off Silver, walking him into a Bossman Slam from Dutch into the tacks. Uno laid into Grayson with a chair until Vincent shoved Grayson out of the way to take a shot. Uno set the chair up in the corner, but Vincent reversed Uno into the chair. Vincent tore Uno’s mask as Dutch and Grayson set up tables on the floor. Grayson punched a bloody Uno before Silver got involved. The Righteous set up Silver for a powerbomb through the tables, but Reynolds hit Dutch with a chair.
Reynolds and Silver hit their tag team combo on Dutch for a nearfall. Uno drilled Grayson and Dutch with the barbed wire board before dumping a bag of Legos into the ring. Dutch powerbombed Uno into the tacks and Lego, while Vincent and Grayson hit dives onto Silver that put him through a table. Dutch hit another powerbomb for a nearfall. Dutch and Grayson pulled out a table covered in barbed wire. Grayson got Reynolds on his shoulders, but Reynolds hit a DDT on the stage. Dutch came to help Grayson, but Reynolds sent Dutch through a table.
Silver came up with a tack-studded kickpad, landing Kawada kicks on Vincent who asked for more. Grayson took out Silver and laid Uno across the two tables. Grayson pulled out a massive ladder and set it up in the ring. Uno recovered, tipping the ladder and sending Grayson through the tables on the floor. The Dark Order isolated Grayson in the ring. They hit Grayson with the Ragnarok into the tacks to score the win.
This was a fantastic battle for the World Title. Both men being shades of grey muddied the waters as far as the babyface/heel divide went, but the work overcame that. This was hard-hitting and smartly worked, as you would expect from these two high-level wrestlers. Go out of your way to see this one.
This is Castagnoli’s 9th defense of the title.
Castagnoli charged PAC to start, hitting an uppercut and Swiss Death for a nearfall. PAC bailed out before a Neutralizer attempt. Castagnoli caught a PAC moonsault off the apron, dropping PAC into the barricade. PAC tried to bail out, but Castagnoli caught him on the stage and hit the Giant Swing. At the crowd’s request, Castagnoli hit another Giant Swing before attempting a Neutralizer on the ramp. PAC backdropped Castagnoli onto the stage, jamming Castagnoli’s knee. PAC then hit his apron moonsault to Castagnoli on the floor.
PAC set up a table on the floor, but Castagnoli uppercut PAC up and over the table before sending him into the barricade. Castagnoli charged PAC, but PAC moved, and Castagnoli jammed his knee again. PAC hit a shotgun dropkick for a nearfall. PAC brought Castagnoli to the top and brought him down with an avalanche brainbuster for a nearfall.
PAC taunted Castagnoli, but Castagnoli gorilla pressed PAC out of the ring through the table on the floor. Castagnoli went to the top rope and hit an elbow drop for a nearfall. Castagnoli dropped the hammer and anvil elbows before setting up the Neutralizer, but PAC hit an enzuigiri. PAC went for a springboard, but Castagnoli caught him and hit an Alley Oop before finally hitting the Neutralizer. It only scored a nearfall.
Castagnoli taunted PAC before drilling him with forearms. PAC came back and engaged in a strike exchange that Castagnoli got the better of with a lariat. Both men got to their feet, where PAC dropped Castagnoli with a pair of superkicks. PAC hit a stalling German suplex for a nearfall. PAC went to the top rope, but Castagnoli knocked him down with an uppercut. Castagnoli went for the outside-in deadlift superplex, but PAC cut him off and went for a super hurricanrana. Castagnoli stuffed it and went for the Ricola Bomb, but PAC ripped off the rana.
PAC went to the top rope but missed the Black Arrow. Castagnoli hit a lariat and went for the Ricola Bomb, but PAC locked on the Brutalizer. Castagnoli tried to slam his way out of it, but PAC clutched it back on. Castagnoli lifted PAC up again, this time onto the ropes, and hit an Air Raid Crash to escape the hold. After both men recovered, PAC went to take the turnbuckle pad off when Wheeler Yuta stopped him. Castagnoli then hit an uppercut before hitting the Ricola Bomb for the win.
After the match, the Lucha Brothers came out to help their Death Triangle partner. They beat down Castagnoli and Yuta until Best Friends made the save. Orange Cassidy came out to help the Best Friends. He went to hit an Orange Punch on Yuta, but Yuta ducked, and Castagnoli took the shot. The Best Friends stood tall to end the scene here.
– The announcers ran down the Collision card, noting that we will hear from FTR, Ricky Starks, and CM Punk. They ran down the Dynamite card, which will feature a three-way tag team match between Best Friends, the Lucha Brothers, and the BCC team of Castagnoli and Jon Moxley.
They billed the two World Title matches as a double main event. I went in believing this was just marketing, but this match lived up to the billing. These two put on one of the best World Title matches of the year, up there with Castagnoli and PAC, and rivaling Flair/Ripley from Wrestlemania as a Women’s Match of the Year. This was dramatic, had shoutouts to the women that built Women of Honor, and had the crowd rocking by the end. A fantastic main event to a show that out-delivered any reasonable expectations. I gave the ROH brass a lot of grief for their lack of build to this show. While I stand by my criticisms, I knew that the talent would still be put in positions to deliver. They delivered in spades, making this one of Ring of Honor’s best PPV events ever.
This is Athena’s 12th defense of the title.
Nightingale’s family is in the front row. Nightingale controlled early, hitting an enzuigiri. Athena went for quick pinfalls, but Nightingale kept kicking out. Both women ended up on the apron, with Athena dropping Nightingale on the apron with a back suplex. Athena clubbered on Nightingale in the corner and avoided a senton when Nightingale tried fighting back. Athena menaced the referee, which allowed Nightingale to surprise her with a Pounce.
Nightingale fired up, hitting a main event spinebuster – this time in the actual main event – for a nearfall. They traded strikes until Athena hit a strong forearm. Athena followed up with a side kick and her lungblower variant for a nearfall. Athena pulled Nightingale to the apron, but Nightingale elbowed her down. Nightingale hit a crossbody off the apron, then powerbombed her onto the apron. Athena fought off of Nightingale’s shoulders and dropkicked her.
Athena went for the double knees into the steps, but Nightingale moved. Nightingale then hit a cannonball into the stairs, getting Athena back into the ring for a nearfall. Athena hit a Shining Wizard and a standing moonsault, but Nightingale rolled up to her feet and hit Smash Mouth – ROH regular Sumie Sakai’s finisher – for a nearfall. Athena hit a rana, but Nightingale popped back up and hit the Royal Butterfly – Sara Del Ray’s old finisher – for a nearfall.
Nightingale went for the Babe With The Powerbomb, but Athena countered it with a Heart Punch and a Snapmare Driver – Daizee Haze’s old finisher – for a nearfall. Shoutouts to the women of ROH’s past in this first-time PPV main event. Nightingale hit a spinning DDT – Mickie James’ finisher she used in ROH – for a nearfall. Athena avoided a cannonball and hit an Obliterator – MsChif’s old finisher – and followed it up with a powerbomb for a nearfall.
Athena brought Nightingale to the top rope, but Nightingale hit a top rope DVD for a nearfall. My browser crashed for a moment but came back just in time to see Athena send Nightingale into the stairs. Athena hit the O-Face, but Nightingale kicked out to a massive reaction. Athena menaced the referee again, but that allowed Nightingale to roll Athena into the Babe With The Powerbomb. Athena kicked out at two. Nightingale brought Athena to the top rope, but Athena knocked her down and hit the O-Face again. Athena locked Nightingale in a crossface. Nightingale fought until she couldn’t fight anymore, passing out in the hold. Athena retained by referee stoppage.
On AEW Dynamite earlier this week, the rivalry between The Elite and Blackpool Combat Club came to a close in Blood & Guts.
The Elite & Kota Ibushi prevailed in the match, defeating Blackpool Combat Club inside of the two-ring cage. Blackpool Combat Club lost the match after their two partners, PAC and Konosuke Takeshita, walked out on them.
After the show went off the air, there was a moment where The Elite and Blackpool Combat Club were able to at least momentarily put their issues aside. The two factions shook hands, expressing their mutual respect for each other.
In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Castagnoli discussed the post-show moment, saying that it’s something he thinks probably should have aired on television.
Castagnoli also said that, despite losing the match, he thinks Blackpool Combat Club accomplished something by making The Elite play by their rules.
“That’s what we wanted to come across. We lost that battle but we won the war. Thanks to the Blackpool Combat Club, now The Elite is better than ever. We brought them to a place they’ve never been,” Castagnoli said.
“The post-match between the BCC and The Elite, with Kenny talking and we all shook hands, that probably should have been on television, but it shows that there is nothing like being there in-person. There is nothing like being there live.”
Castagnoli told Sports Illustrated that he thinks the Blood & Guts match delivered on its high expectations.
“It was the spectacle of blood and guts that people expected, and even exceeded that,” Castagnoli said. “We had modifications from last year with the separate entrances, which helped. There’s only been two other of these matches in AEW, but I thought it delivered.”
The dissension between Castagnoli and PAC in Blood & Guts leads to the main event of tonight’s ROH Death Before Dishonor pay-per-view. Castagnoli is defending his ROH World Championship against PAC at the PPV.
Claudio Castagnoli has a new opponent for Friday’s ROH Death Before Dishonor pay-per-view.
Following their confrontation during Wednesday’s Blood and Guts match that led to PAC exiting the match, Castagnoli cut a promo backstage asking where he was. He said he didn’t want to wait another day, he wanted PAC and challenged him to a match on Friday, telling him to step up.
Briscoe was originally set to face Castagnoli in the main event of Friday’s show. However, he was pulled from the match due to a knee injury. Tony Khan had said an opponent for Castagnoli would be decided after Blood and Guts.
Here is the updated lineup for Death Before Dishonor:
ROH World Championship: Claudio Castagnoli defends against PAC
ROH Television Championship: Samoa Joe defends against either Dalton Castle or Shane Taylor
ROH Pure Championship: Katsuyori Shibata defends against Daniel Garcia
ROH Women’s Championship: Athena defends against Willow Nightingale
ROH Tag Team titles: Lucha Bros. defend against Best Friends, The Kingdom, and Aussie Open
Mark Briscoe has been pulled from his challenge of Ring of Honor World Champion Claudio Castagnoli at next Friday’s Death Before Dishonor.
ROH head Tony Khan tweeted Thursday that Briscoe “cannot be cleared” for the match. Fightful later reported Briscoe suffered “a serious knee injury that will likely require surgery.”
According to Khan, they “will address Claudio’s ppv title challenger next week, following the highly anticipated Blood and Guts event on TBS.”
Briscoe last appeared in a late-June ROH on HonorClub three-way, picking up a win over JD Drake and Tony Nese in three-way from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He had won seven straight heading into next Friday.
The pay-per-view is set for Trenton, New Jersey, at the CURE Insurance Arena. As of this writing, no other matches were officially announced for the PPV other than a Samoa Joe TV title defense that was revealed during their Thursday HonorClub show.
Castagnoli will be looking for his ninth successful defense.
Claudio Castagnoli will defend the Ring of Honor World title against Komander on tonight’s AEW Rampage from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Castagnoli will be looking for his sixth successful title defense while this is Komander’s first opportunity at a Ring of Honor title.
Past TBS title challenger Taya Valkyrie will look to get things back on track as she faces former AEW Women’s Champion Hikaru Shida for the first time ever.
Johnny TV (John Hennigan) will make his return to AEW TV for the first time since last June when he teams with QT Marshall against Matt Hardy and Brother Zay.
Native son Shawn Spears will attempt to pick up a win in front of his countrymen when he goes one-on-one with The Blade. This is his first televised match in AEW since April.
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Taped in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. .
Excalibur and Tony Schiavone were on commentary. The rare two-man commentary team from AEW.
Claudio Castagnoli defeated Komander (w/ Alex Abrahantes) via ref stoppage to retain the ROH World Championship (13:43)
Castagnoli tossed Komander like nothing to start. Komader countered a suplex attempt by sliding behind Castagnoli and then up his shoulders, but Castagnoli just dumped him to the mat hard for a near fall. Castagnoli gave Komader a giant swing and went for the Ricola Bomb, but Komader escaped and sent Castagnoli to the floor.
Komader came off the ropes with a moonsault that he turned into an arm drag on the floor. Castagnoli responded by booting Komader into the crowd. Castagnoli tried to press Komader into the ring through the ropes, but he wound up throwing him into the ropes instead. Castagnoli hit a DDT for a near fall.
After a split-screen break, Castagnoli dropped a leg for a near fall. Claudio set up a super-powerbomb, but Komander countered with a hurricanrana. Komander sent Castagnoli to the floor with a tijeras after about seven rotations. Komarder followed him out with a twisting moonsault. Castagnoli went for a boot against the ring barricade, but Komader ducked and Castagnoli got hung up on the barricade. Komader then hit a shooting star press off the ring barricade onto Castagnoli in an impressive spot.
Back in the ring, Komader came off the top with a twisting rana for a near fall. Claudio came back and leveled Komader with a forearm for a near fall. A short-arm clothesline got another near fall. Castagnoli missed an uppercut in the corner and Komader sprung off of Catagnoli’s shoulders, onto the top rope, and then into a spinning DDT on Claudio for a near fall. Komader tied up Claudio with a La Magistral’s cradle for a near fall. Komader then hit a double jump phoenix splash for a near fall.
Komader walked the ropes for a shooting star press, but Claudio got out of the way. Komader leapt off the top for a moonsault, but Castagnoli floored him with an uppercut. This knocked Komader out, and the ref stopped the match. Excellent bout that will sadly be forgotten about by the end of the weekend.
“The Perfect 10” Shawn Spears defeated The Blade (w/ the Butcher) (4:00)
Spears is leaning into the Perfect 10 gimmick again, which makes sense because that was the most he was ever over. Spears dominated the match on the floor until the Butcher grabbed him from behind and gave him a clothesline. Back in the ring, Blade gave Spears a face-first suplex. Balade squandered his advantage and Spears came back with a Thesz Press and 10 punches. Spears finished off The Blade with a C-4 to get the pinfall. This was fun.
QT Marshall & Johnny TV (w/ Harley Cameron) defeated Matt Hardy and Brother Zay (w/ Ethan Page) (10:12 aired)
Harley sang the entrance music for the QTV crew. I thought she might have been deliberately bad in that segment last week to make sure Bowens got a pop… but she might just be that terrible. Johnny TV, of course, is John Hennigan (Johnny Nitro/John Morrison).
Johnny hit a nice spot where he gave Hardy a fallaway slam, then sprung up to his feet for a standing shooting star press… but missed the shooting star press. Brother Zay allowed himself to be distracted by Cameron, and Johnny TV hit him with a dive onto the floor. The QTV crew stopped for a mid-match selfie and the show went to a split-screen break.
After the break, Brother Zay caught Johnny TV with a gamingiri, then took out Page with a rana and got the hot tag to Hardy. Hardy sent Johnny TV headfirst into the turnbuckles and gave Marshall the side effect. Hardy caught Johnny TV with a sit-out powerbomb for a near fall. Johnny TV blocked a Twist of Fate attempt, so Hardy gave him a DDT instead for a near fall. Marshall caught Hardy with a pop-up uppercut, and TV came off the ropes with a gamingiri for a near fall.
Johny TV missed an awful dive off the top. Brother Zay launched off of Matt Hardy’s back onto Johnny TV and Marshall on the floor. Back in the ring, Brother Zay got distracted by Harley Cameron, and Marshall crotched Zay on the ropes. Johnny TV hit the move formerly known as Starship Pain and got the pinfall.
After the match, Ethan Page tried to help Hardy back to his feet and was attacked by Johnny TV and Marshall. Page standing up for Hardy got a face pop from the crowd (he is Canadian), and Anthony Bowens and Billy Gunn ran in to chase off the QTV crew.
– New for Dynamite Wednesday: We will hear from Jon Moxley, and MJF and Adam Cole will be in action as part of the Blind Eliminator Tournament. Wheeler Yuta also promised to “end” Kenny Omega on Dynamite.
Hikaru Shida defeated Taya Valkyrie (10:26 aired)
Shida sent Valkyrie to the floor with a step up rana. Back in the ring, Valkyrie slowed Shida down with a forearm, and wrapped her legs around the ringpost, injuring Shida’s knee as the show went to its last split-screen break.
After the break, Valkyrie fought her way out of a suplex and hit Shdia with a forearm. Shida came back with a series of forearms and a jumping knee for a near fall. Shida climb the ropes, but Valkyrie knocked her to the floor. On the floor, Shida gave Valkyrie a suplex, then came off the apron with a meteora. This aggravated Shida’s injured knees.
Back in the ring, Shida hit a running elbow strike for a near fall. Valkyrie blocked a spinning kick, then tossed Shida into the turnbuckles knee first. Valkyrie tried to tie up Shida’s legs, but it was almost like she didn’t know what to do with Shida. Finally, Valkyrie went for the Road to Valhalla, but Shdia countered that with a rollup to get the pinfall.
Final Thoughts:
The ROH title match is worth going out of your way to see.
