The first-ever clash between former AEW International Champion Will Ospreay and former TNT Champion and AEW Tag Team Champion Darby Allin will take place in less than three weeks.
Announced during Saturday’s AEW Collision, the two will square off in Continental Classic Gold league action on the Holiday Bash edition of Dynamite, set for Wednesday, December 18th in Washington, DC.
The 31-year-old Ospreay was victorious in his Continental Classic debut, defeating Juice Robinson on Collision to earn his first three points in the tournament. His second Classic match will take place at the Winter is Coming edition of Dynamite on December 11th against Claudio Castagnoli.
The 31-year-old Allin was defeated by Brody King this past Wednesday in both men’s first bout.
Ospreay’s win was his first action since being defeated by Kyle Fletcher at last Saturday’s Full Gear. Allin has lost two straight, being defeated by King and then Claudio Castagnoli on the November 20th Dynamite.
Here’s the current lineup for December 18th:
Continental Classic Gold league: Will Ospreay vs. Darby Allin
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about on FUN FRIDAY! including Survivor Series, the Continental Classic, Jade Cargill, why AEW needs a brand split, your texts and phone calls and more! PLUS IT’S FREE FOR BLACK FRIDAY! Get THREE FREE DAYS on Apple Podcasts at f4wonline.com/apple, or use the promo code BLACKFRIDAY to get half off a subscription to wrestlingobserver.com! Sign up now!
Les Thatcher & I are return with a new Thanksgiving weekend edition of Wrestling Weekly!
This week’s show has our WWE Survivor Series predictions, a few thoughts on AEW Dynamite and who has the best chances of making through the Continental Classic.
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including AEW moving their Brisbane show, Ricky Starks, John Cena’s 2025, Conor McGregor, the Continental Classic, Dynamite and AEW TV reports and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Timestamps:
Start: Giant David passes away
3:42: AEW moves Grand Slam Australia
12:23: Ricky Starks pulled from GCW
17:21: John Cena advertised for Elimination Chamber, Wrestle Dynasty lineup, Scott D’Amore to open shopping center
For the sixth time, AEW will hold a Dynamite Dozen battle royal that will be one of the featured matches on next week’s edition of Dynamite.
12 men will complete in an over-the-top battle royal with the winner advancing to the following Wednesday’s Winter is Coming edition of Dynamite against MJF with the Dynamite Diamond ring on the line. The former AEW World Champion is the only man to have ever held the ring in its six-year history.
The first two entrants are Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly who both declared Wednesday after MJF revealed via video the match would take place next week.
The Continental Classic will continue as Brody King faces Claudio Castagnoli in Gold league action. Both men picked up wins in their tournament openers Wednesday to earn three points each. It will be a rematch from last year’s Classic where King picked up the win in their first-ever meeting.
In a grudge match, Jay White will face PAC who was part of a Death Riders attack on White Wednesday. that left White out cold in the middle of the ring.
Here’s the current lineup from Fishers, Indiana:
Dynamite Dozen battle royal
PAC vs. Jay White
Continental Classic Gold league: Brody King vs. Claudio Castagnoli
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including the 21st recorded MMA death, the women’s IC Title and belts in wrestling, updates on Danielson, Big Boom AJ and Jade Cargill, Saturday Night’s Main Event, the Continental Classic, the RAW report and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
Timestamps: Start: MMA fighter dies following fight 5:16: Coloso Colosetti passes away 9:53: WWE introduces Women’s Intercontinental title 16:53: AEW Continental Classic participants named, Big Boom AJ says he’s All Elite, Bryan Danielson update 23:52: Jade Cargill out of action with legit injury, Saturday Night’s Main Event update 26:01: Conor McGregor pulled from Hitman game, Jon Jones update, Bellator champions upset 32:33: WWE Raw recap 48:19: AEW Grand Slam Australia likely being moved, more mailbag questions
The second-ever AEW Continental Classic will begin in two weeks on the Wednesday, November 27th edition of Dynamite from Chicago.
No other details were announced other than the kickoff date, but reigning Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada will be participating as made clear by a video last week. That Saturday’s edition of Collision will also be taped that night, leaving it a strong possibility that tournament matches will take place on that show as well.
If the format is the same as last year, the tournament is of the round robin variety with 12 wrestlers split between two “leagues.” Each competitor will have five individual matches as they look to earn points (three for a win, one for a draw) to win their group. Like last year, the tournament winner is expected to be crowned at December’s Worlds End.
Last year’s tournament winner took home the inaugural Continental Crown: a triple crown of the then-new AEW Continental title, the NJPW men’s Strong title and the ROH World title. Eddie Kingston won the tournament, but the crown aspect was disbanded shortly after the tournament wrapped as Kingston defended and lost all the titles individually.
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In a non-tournament match announced Wednesday, Ring of Honor World Champion Chris Jericho will defend against Tomohiro Ishii.
Ishii pinned Jericho in a Fight Without Honor trios match on last Wednesday’s Dynamite, gaining a measure of revenge for Jericho and the Learning Tree faction taking him out of action weeks prior.
It will be the first defense in Jericho’s second reign with the gold while Ishii is looking for his first ROH championship since winning the TV title for a short run in 2016. It will be a rematch from their 2022 Thanksgiving eve battle in Chicago that Jericho won.
Here’s the current lineup for Chicago:
Continental Classic kickoff matches
ROH World Champion Chris Jericho defends against Tomohiro Ishii
The life of Joe Koff and how his influence on the current wrestling scene is so underplayed. From being a childhood fan of Bruno Sammartino, heading the production on the original Battle of the Belts series, saving ROH at least twice, and providing a place where many of today’s biggest stars were able to make a living while building resumes that led them to the top in WWE and essentially the building blocks of the formation of AEW, and the success of All In. We look at his life and career both in and out of the wrestling business.
Bryan Danielson retires from full-time wrestling, his future and how this played out on WrestleDream.
A look at WrestleDream, the business of the show, the rundown and polls.
More details on the AEW television deal, what it does and doesn’t cover, prospects for other deals, the economics, attempting to rebuild attendance at shows, the Mexico deal, international prospects going forward and more.
Zack Sabre Jr. wins IWGP title while Hiroshi Tanahahashi provides a retirement countdown. Plus a look at the future NJPW lineups, Tokyo Dome prospects and King of Pro Wrestling coverage.
The Gegard Mousasi lawsuit and the latest attempt to get a court to rule on the independent contractor vs. employee status.
The most detailed look at the ratings of all the wrestling shows, placings for the night and week, competition, year-by-year comparisons and more.
When did star ratings for wrestling matches begin? The answer will surprise you.
Santo draws the biggest indie crowd of the year.
Jimmy Jacobs leaves AEW.
Bob Ryder and the birth of TNA.
International TV ratings.
Ticket sales for upcoming WWE & AEW shows.
Fighters depositions in Cung Le lawsuit.
UFC TV rights news.
Major UFC stars say they want to come out of retirement.
How much WWE & UFC are expected to produce this year in revenue.
New WWE project with Netflix.
Update on Netflix ratings for the two wrestling shows.
This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter Back Issue
Joining the “cornball wave” of making “a song to promote a fist fight,” Ethan Page released a diss track on Trick Williams ahead of their NXT Championship match at Halloween Havoc.
Rhodes said he’s been “blown away” by NXT’s run on The CW Network so far:
As a talent in the current main roster as we might say, NXT can be kind of intimidating, because it’s not really a developmental anymore. It’s almost a grooming ground for these monsters who are going to come up and eventually stand across the ring from you – and they’ve been trained by Shawn Michaels. We’re definitely preparing the next generation of superstars and wrestlers. And their run on The CW with NXT, I’ve been blown away. Really special stuff.
David Bixenspan has a story for Rolling Stone covering the new lawsuit filed against WWE, Vince McMahon & Linda McMahon concerning the 1980s “Ring Boy” scandal.
thirty-seven years old.. this past year, i struggled to even look at myself in the mirror, not recognizing the woman staring back. sleepless nights, hormones all over the place, keeping a tiny human alive and thriving.. so much has changed. there have been good days, bad days, and so many blurry days in between. a once confident woman, now completely lost. who am i? why don’t i recognize myself? will i ever get back to who i was? the truth is, no. i won’t. because i’m a different person now. i’m a mother. we don’t talk enough about the struggles new moms face, because we have no choice but to show up and keep going. i’ve put myself last, putting everyone else’s needs first, but i’m realizing that’s no good for anyone. lately, i’ve been making it a priority to take care of myself so i can show up as the best mom, wife, and woman i can be. for the first time in over a year, i’m starting to emerge from the fog and step into this new version of me. i’m proud of who i am and the sacrifices i’ve made for my family. i’m not the person i was before i had my son, but i’m an even better version of myself—and i’m learning to love her. to all the moms out there in the postpartum fog, take a moment to recognize how far you’ve come. you’re a superwoman. give yourself grace during this time of transformation, and trust that you’ll find yourself again.
In an interview with Foundation Radio, Mark Briscoe said he’s hoping to be an entrant in the 2024 Continental Classic. Briscoe noted that the tournament will begin next month:
Season is coming up. Thanksgiving Eve, that’s the start of the Continental Classic. And, you know, with [Kazuchika] Okada being the current Continental Champion, he’s the focal point. He’s the target, you know what I mean? But I feel like the Continental Classic last year, in a way, in my singles career – it was almost like a coming out party. I got the chance to wrestle four guys in my block. And it was just like, I don’t think anybody knew what I could do in singles competition. And I didn’t really make out too well in the wins and the losses, but I learned.
Adam Cole spoke to TV Insider about the passing of former ROH Chief Operating Officer Joe Koff:
I’m thankful I got to attend Joe Koff’s service, which just happened. Joe Koff was incredibly important to me. He was an unbelievable man, an unbelievable businessman. He was one of the first people to really support me and have my back and he gave me quite a bit of confidence when it came to wrestling. Having a belief in myself. Joe was so unbelievable to so many of us at Ring of Honor. He helped so many talents and so many different people. This was either from the business mindset or just bringing encouragement. He was awesome to the talent. Joe Koff was someone who, even when I didn’t work for Ring of Honor for years, would still text me congratulations. Whether it was my debut in NXT or debut in AEW or being part of the first [AEW] All In with MJF. Joe Koff went out of his way to reach out and say how proud he was of me. That meant the world. I think the world of him and grateful I could have been even a small part of that man’s life.
Cole was asked about Dynamite & NXT going head-to-head on November 6 (with NXT being moved to Wednesday that week due to election coverage):
I think it’s very exciting. I feel any time there is any kind of competition within pro wrestling, it has been nothing but a positive. When there is only one show in town, it can only do so much. I think when there are situations where people can challenge each other or go up against each other, it brings out the best in both places. It’s nothing but a good thing. It’s good for the wrestlers and fans alike.
MLW announced that Bad Dude Tito will defend his National Openweight Championship against Matthew Justice in a Falls Count Anywhere match at Lucha Apocalypto in Cicero, Illinois on Saturday, November 9.
A three-way match will determine the Continental Classic Gold League winner.
With Jay White’s win over Jon Moxley on Wednesday’s Dynamite, the two along with Strickland all ended up with 12 points, forming a three-way tie. The three will now wrestle one another on next week’s AEW Dynamite to determine the Gold League winner. The winner of the match will face the Blue League winner, which will also be determined next Wednesday, at AEW Worlds End on December 30.
Strickland defeated Rush on Wednesday’s show to earn 3 more points, getting him to 12. The other Gold League match on the show had Mark Briscoe defeating Jay Lethal to earn his only three points of the tournament. Lethal ended the Gold League with zero points.
Saturday’s Collision will have the final matches of the Blue League take place. Everyone in the league, with the exception of Daniel Garcia, is still alive. Bryan Danielson is set to face Claudio Castagnoli, Andrade El Idolo will face Eddie Kingston, and Brody King will face Garcia.
More Blue League action took place on Saturday’s Collision.
In the opening match, Claudio Castagnoli defeated Andrade El Idolo, marking Idolo’s first loss in the tournament. Eddie Kingston defeated Daniel Garcia, who remains winless, and in the main event Bryan Danielson defeated Brody King.
Following Danielson’s win, he now ties Andrade El Idolo for first place in the Blue League. However, most of the League is still open with King, Castagnoli, and Kingston all at 6 points. With zero points, Garcia has no chance of advancing to the Blue League finals.
Next week’s Collision will have Andrade El Idolo vs. Eddie Kingston, Claudio Castagnoli vs. Bryan Danielson, and Brody King vs. Daniel Garcia. The winners of these matches will determine the top two finalists, which advance to the Blue League finals on the December 27 edition of Dynamite along with the Gold League finals.
The winners of these two finals will advance to the tournament finals at AEW Worlds End on December 30. The winner of the tournament will become the first Triple Crown Champion in AEW, which will consist of the ROH World Championship, the New Japan Strong Openweight title, and the new AEW Continental Championship.
Here are the updated standings for the Continental Classic tournament:
Bryan Danielson “really wanted” to have Kenny Omega in AEW’s Continental Classic.
The round-robin tournament kicked off on AEW Dynamite two weeks ago and features 12 participants divided across two leagues. But despite his past success in NJPW’s G1 Climax, Omega isn’t part of this tournament with a similar format.
The Daily Mail asked Danielson about Omega not being in the Continental Classic. Danielson noted that he wanted Omega in the tournament. The idea was brought up to Omega, but Danielson doesn’t know why he isn’t in it. Danielson speculated that, with Omega & Chris Jericho being the number one contenders to the AEW Tag Team titles, Omega could have been left out of the Continental Classic so that the two storylines wouldn’t be confused.
Danielson said:
I really wanted Kenny Omega in it and I don’t know. People think I do a lot more than I do.
I don’t know what happened or why Kenny Omega’s not in the tournament. I know it was at least brought up to him and I don’t know if he didn’t want to do it or I know that he and Chris Jericho are the number one contenders for the tag team championship. So maybe that’s why, you know.
And sometimes, you know, with American TV wrestling, you don’t want to confuse stories, and maybe that’s why.
Danielson is part of the Blue League in the Continental Classic. He’s facing Daniel Garcia on Rampage tonight and Andrade El Idolo on Collision this Saturday. Both of those are tournament matches.
Brody King is the current Blue League leader. Jon Moxley and Swerve Strickland are tied at the top of the Gold League.
The winner of the Continental Classic will become a Triple Crown Champion, holding the ROH World Championship, NJPW Strong Openweight Championship, and a new AEW Continental Championship. The finals of the tournament are taking place at AEW’s Worlds End pay-per-view on Saturday, December 30.
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including AEW Dynamite from Wednesday night, line-ups for Rampage and Collision, a look at the rating from this past week and more on how Punk boosted numbers, feedback and more. A fun show as always so check it out~!
The AEW Continental Classic kicks off on tonight’s Dynamite with three Gold League matches.
Coming off a win over Hangman Page at Full Gear, Swerve Strickland will take on Jay Lethal in a Continental Classic tournament bout.
After his defeat to Orange Cassidy at Full Gear, Jon Moxley’s Continental Classic will begin with a match against Mark Briscoe.
Jay White’s tournament will kick off with a battle against Rush in the third Continental Classic match of the evening.
In trios competition, ROH Pure Champion Katsuyori Shibata will team with Hook & AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy against Jake Hager, Matt Menard, & Angelo Parker.
The Outcasts’ Ruby Soho will face Skye Blue & Anna Jay in a triple threat match.
TNT Champion Christian Cage will have a rechristening for Luchasaurus & Nick Wayne on the program.
New AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm will deliver her championship acceptance speech tonight as well.
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AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Tony Schiavone and Taz as we go over the rules and Leagues of the Continental Classic. There are giant Woooo Energy Drink signs on the Titantron screen, as well as cans of the drink on the announce table.
Swerve Strickland defeated Jay Lethal in the Continental Classic Gold League
(The first points in the inaugural Continental Classic go to Strickland, as these two put on a solid back and forth to kick things off in the Gold League. I’m all for zero interference in this tournament, but this means Strickland will be without Prince Nana and his dancing, which is simply unfortunate.)
The crowd is loudly behind Strickland following his performance in the Texas Death Match at Full Gear this past weekend, as his shoulder is taped up. Quick head scissors sent Lethal to the floor, as Lethal was clotheslined into the ring from the apron, landed on his feet and wrenched onto the bad arm before hitting a tope. Lethal faked a Fargo Strut and flipped off the crowd before Strickland did a misdirect basement dropkick, targeting the leg. Lethal managed to reverse a whip and slam Strickland down onto the shoulder to take control. There’s a slug fest, but both men are striking the others injured body part before a series of reversals led to a snap German from Strickland, only for Lethal to respond with a shoulder breaker into the double down to commercial.
Strickland cut off Lethal in the corner with a huge superplex followed by a rolling Flatliner and brainbuster for two. Lethal countered a Figure Four into an inside cradle before delivering a reverse suplex and top rope elbow for a near fall of his own. Strickland countered the Lethal Injection and applied a Stretch Muffler, but Lethal managed counter into a Crossface. Lethal wanted Lethal Injection, but Strickland dropkicked the leg out, hit House Call and Swerve Stomp for the victory.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with Orange Cassidy, HOOK & Katsuyori Shibata. Cassidy asked for this time to make an announcement, which was immediately cut off by Wheeler Yuta, who said it took 17 Orange Punches and exposed buckle to defeat Jon Moxley. Yuta said it makes him sick that Shibata still has ROH Pure Title. Yuta told Shibata to watch his match on ROH this week and left, as Cassidy said he had an announcement, but Paquette said they’re out of time.
MJF & Adam Cole come to the ring with Cole on his crutches and MJF with a cane. MJF said his voice is hoarse because he was pounding beers last night and wants to go deep with the ladies in Chicago and he’s not talking about pizza. MJF put over Jay White as being one of the toughest challengers for his AEW Title and ran down his own resume as AEW Champion before calling himself humble. MJF said none of this would be possible without his brochacho, as its Story Time with Adam Cole Bay-Bay with Cole saying its good news that they’re still ROH Tag Team champions, but with good news, comes bad news. Cole said he’s not even close to being cleared yet as he can’t even really walk yet. That makes the decision for Full Gear to put him in the main event for a few hours leading up even more insane to me.
Cole brings up all the challengers ahead for MJF, but MJF cuts him off and mentions whoever stole his Devil mask and said the hell he’s going to bring to them will feel like heaven. The lights went out and The Devil appeared briefly on screen and laughed before disappearing until Samoa Joe’s music hit and he came to the ring. Joe said MJF stands here still AEW Champion, but also remains ROH Tag Team Champion with the price of giving Joe an AEW Title shot. MJF thought about their deal and his response was simple, “bl*w me” as Joe lunged at MJF and Cole said that’s what the old MJF would say, the new MJF is a man of his word. Cole said he’s been choked out by Joe more times than he can count, but the fans love MJF because when he says something will happen, it happens. Cole told MJF to be a man on his word and give Joe a title shot. MJF said Joe wouldn’t be the first ROH Champion he’s beaten in Chicago and wants to do it tonight, but Joe said absolutely not.
Joe doesn’t want a hurt MJF; he wants the fully healthy and said by Worlds End, MJF should be ready. MJF accepts and shakes Joe’s hand as Joe said he’s good at picking fights too, but all this worrying Max is doing about The Devil should be gone, because MJF is Joe’s property. Joe’s going to make sure he has MJF’s back so he has the best MJF possible before taking the thing he holds dear the most in front of his family and friends on Long Island.
(The biggest story is the return of Danhausen and also Hager’s beloved purple hat. Heading into the day I was not expecting to see Shibata & Hager beating the hell out of each other tonight, but I’m sure glad it happened, as it was the highlight of this match.)
Before the match, Cassidy said he had a Thanksgiving surprise, as the big screen played the Danhausen video we’ve seen over the past month. Danhausen made his entrance as the match officially began with HOOK launching Menard & Parker before Hager attacked from behind. Hager Bomb out of the corner connected and we immediately went to picture in picture.
HOOK was isolated the entire break before finally hitting an overhead throw on Parker and made the hot tag to Cassidy, who ran wild until Hager caught him with a takedown. Cassidy fought back with a Stundog Millionaire and tagged Shibata, who slugged it out with Hager. Shibata fired off a pump kick, but Hager mowed him down with a knee lift, only to miss a corner splash. Shibata loudly lit Hager up with chops leading to the stalling dropkick. Parker & Menard made the save, as Parker officially made the tag, wanted a triple powerbomb, but Danhausen appeared with Hager’s purple hat we haven’t seen in months. Danhausen put the hat on, cursed Hager, as Cassidy hit a dive with HOOK & Shibata slapping on dueling REDRUM and rear naked chokes, switching at first because they realized Parker & Shibata were legal. Everyone tapped out as Shibata, HOOK, Cassidy & Danhausen stood tall.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with Adam Cole and said they can’t wait to see Cole back healthy until Roderick Strong yells his way into the shot with The Kingdom. Strong asked where Cole was last week when Action Andretti dropped him on his head? Cole screamed at Strong to shut up and get it through his head they aren’t best friends anymore and stormed off. Strong looked heartbroken and told The Kingdom he didn’t mean that.
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-Excalibur brings up Will Ospreay officially becoming All Elite at Full Gear, as Tony Schiavone mentions this coming Monday tickets go on pre-sale for All In next year at Wembley.
Christian Cage comes to the ring with Luchasaurus & Nick Wayne and said things didn’t go their way at Full Gear, but in all honesty, he didn’t lose that match, nor did Wayne. Cage turned to Luchasaurus and said he lost the match, which is unacceptable. Cage said both of their lives benefitted from being associated with Cage and since they’re his children, it’s time to re-create them in his image. Luchasaurus reluctantly took a knee after Cage called him a moron and said the name Luchasaurus will be associated with a loser, so he came up with a name of strength, toughness and never means defeat, he’s a finisher. This Saturday on Collision, he’ll be now known as Killswitch. Wayne immediately took a knee, but Cage told him never to do such a thing and called him special, his golden boy, so he’ll always be known as “The Prodigy” Nick Wayne.
Just then we see Nick’s mother, Shayna come to the ring and plead with her son, as Cage called her a terrible mother. Loving her child unconditionally isn’t enough for Wayne, making $40,000 a year waitressing isn’t enough for a Prodigy. It’s a good thing her husband is dead, as Nick would’ve disowned him not being as good of a wrestler as Cage is, nor was he the man or husband that Cage is. Cage said had Shayna played her cards right, things would’ve been different and told her to go punch her card at Denny’s. Killswitch stepped between Cage & Shayna, refusing to move, as Cage slapped him saying they can do things the easy way or the hard way. Cage shoved Killswitch into Shayna, who collapsed as Cage demanded Nick get a chair. Cage was about to give a Con-Chair-To to Shayna when he gave the chair to Killswitch, who pondered doing it until Adam Copeland sprinted to the ring and laid out Nick with a Spear. Killswitch pulled Cage to safety, so Copeland Speared Nick again before delivering an Impaler. Shayna recovered long enough to watch Copeland give a Con-Chair-To to her son with Cage & Killswitch watching at the ramp. I thought this whole segment was really well done.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with Angelo Parker, Matt Menard & Jake Hager, who are screaming about what just happened out there during their match before Anna Jay cuts them all off. Jay said she’s tired of the fighting and losing, she just wants to wrestle and doesn’t know if they’re here to help or hurt her? Parker’s phone rings and we see it’s from Ruby Soho as Jay storms off.
Switchblade Jay White defeated Rush in the Continental Classic Gold League
(If you like chops, have I got the match for you, as this match was dominated with loud chop exchanges throughout. Whenever he’d compete in the G1, White would always find a way to cheat to win and I think this Continental Classic will be no different as it worked for him tonight. I of course see this blowing up in his face when it’s all said and done.)
White came to the ring with The Gunns and they all acted shocked when learning there’s no one allowed ringside. Rush hit an early shoulder block and dropkick with White on the ropes early, being forced to regroup on the outside. White bailed on a dive, but Rush completely starched him with a chop, launching him into the railing. Rush wanted to choke White with cable chords, but referee Paul Turner put a stop as it would’ve led to a DQ. A chop battle back inside led to Rush winning the exchange and hit the pump fake kick before shooting a LIJ pose into commercial.
White took control during break, but it was short lived, as Rush hit a flying forearm and Three Amigos for the near fall. Rush took a very long time to follow up and missed a top rope senton leading to a White brainbuster for two of his own. White mocked Rush by doing a bullfighter pose, which led to another slugfest before White targeted the eyes. Rush hit a pump knee, but ran right into a Uranage for two. Rush chopped his way out of Blade Runner and hit a snap German, only for White to catch a kick into a dragon screw. White ran into an overhead corner throw, as Rush hit a Superman elbow, wanted Bulls Horns, but White fired out, looked for Blade Runner, only to nearly collide with the referee. This allowed White to hit a low blow on Rush and hit a Blade Runner for the victory.
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-Footage of Ricky Starks & Big Bill attacking Chris Jericho after the Full Gear media scrum is shown, slamming a crate into the injured arm of Jericho.
The WrestleAunts, RJ City & Renee Paquette are on the stage with an envelope in hand to announce the winner of the AEW Women’s Title, Timeless Toni Storm, who was in the crowd with Luther like it was an award show. Mariah May brought out the title to Storm, who put on her reading glasses before reading her speech. Storm thanked Anthony Khan, Jack Warner, whoever trained her, the women in the locker room, the little Toni Storm’s who want to be her, as this is her spotlight and they will not take it. Storm tells them to stay in school before Standing Ovation flashes on the big screen. I loved how right when Storm started her speech, she was played off, but told them to cut the music. Skye Blue’s music interrupted, as she made her way to the ring for our upcoming match, with Storm looking insulted.
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Skye Blue defeated Ruby Soho (w/Saraya) and Anna Jay (w/Matt Menard & Angelo Parker)
(Taz said whenever there’s love, there’s issues and that’s what happened with Soho & Parker and their continuing flirtatious storyline. Menard & Saraya tried to reel them in, but to no avail, as Blue was able to pick up the pieces and get the win in her hometown.)
All ladies tried pinfalls before Soho was sent into the ropes face to face with Parker. Soho was launched outside, as Jay & Blue had a back and forth before Soho reasserted herself in the action with a Saito suplex on Blue. Parker tripped up Blue, allowing Jay to hit a wheel kick and post Blue in the process. Jay demanded Parker focus and stop making eyes at Soho before the match went to commercial.
We returned to a powerbomb superplex tower of doom with Jay scurrying to get the pin, but only managed two. Soho & Jay were sent outside, as Blue missed a baseball slide and was tossed into the barricade by Soho. Parker walked in and made eyes at Soho before both were pulled away by Menard & Saraya. This led to Jay clocking Soho with a pump kick before back inside, Blue hit a cross body on both ladies. Blue tried Code Blue, but Jay countered into a slam for two. Menard tripped up Soho and it led to Saraya & Menard arguing. Meanwhile, a pump kick sent Soho into the arms of Parker, as Saraya & Menard scolded them both. Blue escaped Queenslayer and hit a pretty sloppy TKO to get the win.
-Renee Paquette approaches Wardlow working out backstage for his thoughts on the Worlds End main event. Paquette asks what he is waiting for with MJF and Wardlow said the downfall of the devil will happen on his time. AR Fox walks up and said Wardlow is putting the blame on everyone else and he did the same thing with Darby Allin, but Wardlow said he doesn’t need advice from anyone and dropped Fox.
Jon Moxley defeated Mark Briscoe in the Continental Classic Gold League
(Even with the slight overrun, I still wish this match would’ve gone longer, as these two beat the crap out of one another. The crowd was loudly behind Briscoe, but was more than fine with Moxley coming out the winner in this very fun main event.)
These two wasted no time going back and forth immediately, with Briscoe firing off some Redneck Kung Fu leading to a dropkick through the ropes outside followed with a Blockbuster off the apron. Moxley avoided a Froggy Bow and started a forearm exchange, ultimately booting Briscoe off the apron to the floor going to picture in picture.
During the break, Moxley busted Briscoe open as crossface punches led to a piledriver for a near fall. Briscoe battled back with an enzugiri and thrust chop before firing up, running wild. Moxley exploded out of the corner, but ran into an overhead Briscoe throw. Moxley countered a neckbereaker into a choke, transitioning into an arm breaker, but Briscoe got the ropes. Moxley cut off Briscoe in the ropes, as Briscoe bit Moxley, but dove right into the Paradigm Shift, which Briscoe no sold into a dropkick for the double down. Briscoe connected on a rolling Death Valley Driver and the Froggy Bow for two.
Briscoe decked a charging Moxley with a lariat, wanted a Jay Driller, but Moxley hit a King Kong Lariat of his own before hitting Death Rider, but Briscoe kicked out. The crowd went wild for Briscoe, who kicked off the ropes in a choke for a near fall. Moxley hit a half and half, but Briscoe rolled to his feet into a forearm battle. Moxley cut off the momentum with a kitchen sink, Curb Stomp and another Death Rider to get the victory in a hard hitting main event. Moxley showed respect after and shook hands with Briscoe, standing tall to end the show.
Continental Classic Gold League Standings
· 3 Points: Swerve Strickland, Switchblade Jay White, Jon Moxley
· 0 Points: Jay Lethal, Rush, Mark Briscoe
AEW Rampage &Collision 11/25/23
· Daniel Garcia vs. Claudio Castagnoli in the Continental Classic Blue League
· Eddie Kingston vs. Brody King in the Continental Classic Blue League
