Tag: cope

AEW Dynamite airs live from Sacramento, California — the final episode before Sunday’s Revolution pay-per-view.

After picking off the Death Riders one-by-one in recent weeks, Cope will face his final obstacle in Wheeler Yuta. The “Rated R Superstar” will challenge Death Riders leader Jon Moxley for the AEW World Championship at Revolution.

The two prospective top contenders to the AEW World title will sign a contract for their Revolution number one contender’s match with Swerve Strickland and Ricochet putting pen to paper. The winner of their match Sunday will be next in line for an World title shot. Ricochet defeated Swerve in their first meeting in an AEW ring.

After some run-ins the past month, Thunder Rosa and Kris Statlander will team up against Megan Bayne and Penelope Ford.

**********

AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Taz & Ian Riccaboni as they cut to MJF outside on the streets saying Hangman Page decided to poke at the Devil, so it’s Page to blame for what happened to Christopher Daniels. MJF will prove a point to Page’s sh*tty little mark fan club and he’s in the streets of Sacramento for Page to find him. If you want to talk about Buckshots, MJF has a bullet with Page’s name on it, saddle up partner and let’s ride. MJF screamed at the camera and left as things go to Tony Schiavone in the ring for the opening contract signing, as he introduced both competitors.

Swerve Strickland & Ricochet Revolution Contract Signing

Prince Nana danced his way to the ring with Strickland, as they get a massive ovation from the crowd. Ricochet, got the exact opposite and met with thunderous boos. Ricochet wasn’t wearing the Embassy robe and said not to worry, his robe is in good hands, some modifications ahead of Sunday. Nana had to be held back and Ricochet told Strickland to get his grandpa. Ricochet said these signings usually don’t go well for Strickland, as he should feel better knowing Ricochet is there, so his house won’t burn down this time. Strickland is lucky Ricochet is giving him a rematch, since it was Strickland who stuck his nose into his business. It was Strickland who tried to bully him, but even in the face of it all, Ricochet still beat him. Strickland repeatedly asks Ricochet to sign it, but there’s more delays. Ricochet said he’s one step closer to achieving his goal of winning the World Champion. He’s focused on Jon Moxley & Cope, he’s where he wants to be, a step away from becoming AEW World Champion before signing the contract.

Strickland snapped, calling Ricochet a self-righteous little prick and he’ll expose him for the coward that he is on Sunday. Ricochet stole the Embassy robe, stabbed Strickland in the face, but the biggest mistake is Ricochet left him breathing. Ricochet has awoken the most dangerous man in AEW and he’ll put Ricochet into the ground. The only thing Ricochet will be remembered for is Strickland briefly reviving his career and his ring announcer wife. He signed the contract, as that line got Holy Sh*t lines from the crowd, as Strickland went to leave, but Ricochet tried to stab him with scissors. Strickland grabbed his arm and stabbed Ricochet with his own pair of scissors, busting him open, as Strickland stood tall, walking to the back with Nana, as Ricochet was left writhing around.

-Excalibur throws to a video package about how AEW Revolution will be available for the first time on Prime Video. We’re reminded AEW PPVs will still be available on their usual PPV providers as well.

**********

Will Ospreay, Orange Cassidy, Mark Briscoe & Powerhouse Hobbs defeated Murder Machines (Brian Cage & Lance Archer), Mark Davis & Bryan Keith (w/Don Callis)

(Classic party match, as the fans were into this for nearly the entire thing. It was your typical chaotic 8 man, as Ospreay and crew won the battle, but the post-match attack allowed the Callis Family to stand tall before the PPV. I still wish they’d actually spend more time on Davis reluctantly being part of the Family, as before tonight, he really hadn’t shown much restraint. I’m glad he did briefly in the post-match, but they drive this home more in order for the eventual rebellion against Callis & Fletcher mean something. If that even happens.)

Excalibur tells us Davis is still an unwilling participant in the Don Callis Family, despite showing him nodding along in agreement with Callis as they walked to the ring. Cage showed his power game early by hitting a curling World’s Strongest Slam on Ospreay before delivering repeated corner clotheslines. Ospreay flipped out of a powerbomb into a pop-up hurricanrana and snap back suplex before tagging Briscoe for stiff chops. Redneck Kung-Fu from Briscoe, who flipped out of a back drop into an enzugiri. Locomotion 10 corner punches from Team Briscoe, ending in a very nonchalant 1 punch to cap it by Cassidy. Cage mowed down Cassidy, who floated over in the corner, tried a slingshot, but landed right in the grasp on Cage, who hit a Jackhammer. Archer tagged in, hit a few forearms, but Cassidy went to the pockets, only to put on the brakes as he was distracted by Davis. Cassidy turned around into a Black Hole Slam, as Archer and crew kept Cassidy isolated during break.

Things returned with Callis leaving commentary and putting boots to Cassidy on the outside (he had to get oxygen after such energy spent), as the crowd and especially Ospreay are furious with the ref’s attention turned. Cage, Archer & Davis took turns passing Cassidy off in the vertical suplex position before Cassidy finally hit a Stundog on Davis before tagging Hobbs, who slugged it out and ran over Davis. Hobbs collided repeatedly with Cage & Archer until he ducked a double team and hit a double clothesline. Exploder on Davis, as Hobbs launched his teammates into the corner for splashes on Davis, including backpacking Cassidy for one.

Dives from Ospreay & Briscoe outside led to Cassidy leaping off Hobbs’ shoulders for a splash on Davis, but Keith broke the count. Hobbs no sold Keith’s chops, so a throat chop led to Davis reappearing for a powerbomb on Hobbs. Keith wanted an Exploder, but Hobbs didn’t budge, turning Keith inside out with a lariat. Pip, Pip, Cheerio from Ospreay, as a handspring corkscrew kick connected on Cage. Cheeky Nandos on Keith for two, as Davis clocked him from behind, only to run into a Hobbs spinebuster. Cage hit a Rock Bottom, as Cassidy flew in off the top with a spinning DDT and Tope Tornado DDT to follow. Back inside, Keith cut off Cassidy in the ropes with an avalanche Exploder before slugging it out with Briscoe. Match continued to break down until Archer brought a chair in the ring, chased the referee away, but ran into a punch by Briscoe, who hit a springboard dive onto the Murder Machines. Ospreay laid out Keith with an Oscutter and Hidden Blade to win it.

Post-match, Cassidy & Briscoe were driven onto the edge of the apron, as Davis sank in a Sleeper on Ospreay. The steps were re-positioned as Cage & Archer hit a chokebomb on Hobbs, leaving Ospreay alone with the Don Callis Family. Kyle Fletcher’s music hit and he sauntered to the ring with Cage & Archer holding Ospreay to be lit up with punches and boots. After all of this, Davis decided to pull Fletcher off of Ospreay and was scolded for doing so. Fletcher ordered Davis to use the chair and Davis obliged with a chair shot to Ospreay’s back before being ordered to the back. Fletcher then hit a brainbuster on the set-up chair, as he posed over Ospreay.

-Video package for Konosuke Takeshita vs. Kenny Omega at Revolution is shown with footage of a young Takeshita vs. Omega in DDT, as well as Don Callis turning on Omega and siding with Takeshita.

**********

Cope defeated Wheeler Yuta

(After all the violence Cope has dished out to the Death Riders in recent weeks, I was not expecting an even back and forth battle. I really enjoyed the post-match, as Cope wanted to show Yuta this can be about respect and I liked the argument with Yuta & Moxley. I sure hope this isn’t just a one week little swerve for Yuta to just help Moxley on Sunday and this actually plants seeds for Yuta standing up for himself more often.)

Pretty cool shot of Yuta walking into the front of the building and into the arena as we see highlights of Cope (and Willow Nightingale) taking out PAC, Claudio Castagnoli & Marina Shafir in recent weeks. Cope started with clean lock ups and leg sweeps before Yuta returned the favor, adding a dragon screw. Misdirect lariat from Cope, as Yuta tried to pick up the pace, but both traded arm drags until Yuta kipped up and played to the crowd. The brief delay allowed Cope to sweep the legs out on the apron and was in control into commercial.

Yuta had gained the upper hand during break, keeping Cope grounded with a high Angle Slam. Wasting too much time, though, Cope cut Yuta off in the corner ropes with clubbing blows. Yuta fought off a superplex and hit a diving splash for two. Cattle Mutilation attempted, but Cope slipped right out into the Grindhouse crossface. Yuta spun into a pin for two, as both were up and Cope hit the Impaler. Cope wanted a Spear but ran into a Busiaku Knee for a near fall. Cattle Mutilation applied, but Cope powered up into a Glam Slam (no mention of it being his wife’s finisher) for a double down. Yuta tried a comeback lariat, but spun right into a Spear for a cool finish to a very solid match.

Post-match, Cope took the mic and helped Yuta up, shaking his hand saying this is what respect feels like before leaving the ring. Yuta was left to ponder what he was told, as Jon Moxley marched in from the crowd, screaming and yelling at Yuta paint brushing him repeatedly. Crowd chanted for Yuta, who shoved Moxley in the face and walked off on his own with Moxley barking after him. They head through the back as Moxley said congratulations Cope, you did it, he’ll be all alone at Revolution. If Cope thinks he can pick him off that easily, he wins, Cope got to him, he brought out the worst in Moxley. Cope got what he wanted, but he’ll do nothing to Moxley on Sunday, as Moxley said this business isn’t about respect, he’s the only one who gets this. You get respect one way, it’s when you’re willing to pull the trigger, something he has to do on Sunday, once.

-A hilariously awesome music video on The Outrunners training for their AEW Tag Team Title match at Revolution is shown. This needs to be released on VHS, immediately.

-MJF is still outside on the streets on Sacramento when Renee Paquette asks what the end game is? MJF said he knew Hangman Page would never show, he’s a gutless coward, he’s going to show Page he’s not the main character on Sunday, MJF is. Page drives in hot in his truck, as Paquette & MJF have to run away from getting hit, as Page gets out and marches after MJF. Page thought he got his hands on MJF in the back, but his back was turned, as Page brought him through the entrance, only to find out it was someone dressed as MJF, screaming “he made me do it”.

The real MJF ran out and attacked Page from behind, tried a Heatseeker in the ring, but Page avoided it, looked for a Buckshot, but MJF got a punt kick low. MJF hit the Heatseeker before ripping his dress shirt off to reveal a shirt that said MJF Did Nothing Wrong. Security tried to put a stop to this, but MJF wiped them all out before putting on the Dynamite Diamond Ring. He went for a punch, but Page shot a double leg, scrambled to their feet and MJF hit a right-hand flush. MJF took the mic and said fans love it when their precious Hangman burns things, let’s see how they feel when he does it. MJF grabbed a can of lighter fluid and sprayed it all over Page before pulling out a lighter. Finally, referees and more security bolted in and had to carry MJF out of the ring as he screamed “let me prove my point!”

**********

-Commentary said they don’t condone MJF’s actions before the break and will not show what he attempted to do.

-Lexy Nair is backstage with the writer & director of Queen of the Ring, Ash Avildsen, who tells us about the movie, Jim Ross being Executive Producer and talks about Mildred Burke until he brings in one of the stars, Timeless Toni Storm. She joked it was a real stretch playing a curvaceous vixen, but was disappointed her gratuitous nude scene was deleted (this got audible boos from the crowd), as Avildsen said they want families to come to see the movie, as it’s PG-13, but that scene is in his collection on Mullholland Drive. Storm said chin up, tits out and watch Queen of the Ring, out March 7^th. The upcoming tag match is presented by Queen of the Ring.

Megan Bayne & Penelope Ford defeated Thunder Rosa & Kris Statlander

Statlander used her power in the early going, as she did a handstand out of a head scissors into a snap dropkick before making quick tags with Rosa, who fired off chops. Ford was able to recover and hit a dropkick in the ropes as she tried to lick Rosa, who wasn’t having that and hit a stalling dropkick of her own. Slingshot elbow from Statlander, but Bayne came in with a pump kick and caught Rosa in mid-air before launching her to the floor onto Statlander. Bayne looked at Ford and just chucked her over the top onto the pile as well, as she stood tall into commercial.

Back from break, Rosa managed an enzugiri to drop Bayne and make the hot tag to Statlander, who flew in with a missile dropkick. Ford tried a handspring corner elbow, but accidentally hit her own partner, as Statlander clobbered her with a running boot and spinning Michinoku Driver. Rosa launched herself off Statlander’s back to hit a corner dropkick on Ford, as a double team scissors kick finally took Bayne off her feet. Rosa hit a dropkick through the ropes to the outside, as Ford tripped up Statlander on the top rope and sent her crashing outside. Ford posed and it allowed Rosa to drag her in the ring, lick her face and deck her with a stiff lariat. Ford backed Rosa into her own corner, as Bayne tagged back in, but ran into a corner boot. Rosa tried fighting off both women, hit a Stunner on Bayne, but Ford escaped, sent Rosa into Bayne’s clutches and she hit the F-5 for the win.

-Renee Paquette introduces Mercedes Mone backstage and she brings up beating Momo Watanabe before, but she’s legit and beaten some of the best to get another shot. Mone had Paquette say there’s no stopping the Mone Train, as we’re told Watanabe is facing Serena Deeb on Collision and Mone will be watching Deeb break Watanabe for her. Paquette said the wrong tag line and was scolded by Mone, who said the right one to end the segment.

Max Caster Open Challenge

We’re told this is a standby match, as Caster is out with his Best Wrestler Alive trademark and the crowd really doesn’t care all that much. Caster said he’s the most talked about wrestler in AEW and said the Maximaniacs are talking saying things, but tonight wants everyone to get on the same page. Caster channels Chuck Taylor from back in the day in trying to get a ridiculously long “Let’s Go Platinum Max, You’re the Best Wrestler Alive” chant going, but they didn’t do it, so Caster called them a bunch of ball bags. This whole thing was so interesting that Excalibur & Riccaboni are making Wayne’s World 2 references saying If You Book It, They Will Come and name drops Wayne-stock. Underrated comedy, so I prefer them talking about that over Caster’s Open Challenge again.

Switchblade Jay White defeated Max Caster

Caster tried again for the chant, but walked right into a Blade Runner for the win. This match was long enough for Taz to laugh at Riccaboni bringing up the Riccabone-zone. I have zero idea what the end game is for these Open Challenges. But good for Caster getting probably a pretty good pay day to work these matches that go less than a minute each week.

White took the mic in the post-match and said at World’s End, Cope joined the fight against the Death Riders and have had White’s back and he’s had Cope’s. Now, Moxley is all alone and he’ll be there to see in the new AEW World Champion, Cope. This was quick, but it really makes you think White is turning on Cope, which I’d be more than fine with, as White is a far better heel.

Renee Paquette Sit-Down Interview with Timeless Toni Storm & Mariah May

Paquette thanks both ladies for sitting down and agreeing to no physicality. May immediately spat in Storm’s face and Storm didn’t budge. May said Storm loved her, but Storm started this and Paquette yelled at May that she was the one responsible for all this. May said Storm survived her in Australia, but there’s no surviving Revolution, as she’ll be the sickest bitch you’ve ever seen. Deep inside, Storm knows that Mariah did it better. May said this is what Storm always wanted, a trilogy with her favorite co-star. They can have their Hollywood Ending they’ve always dreamed of.

Storm said May doesn’t deserve the dignity of death, she sentences her to a lifetime of mediocrity. Her career will continue, it’ll be good but never great, people will like, but never love May. Her star will dwindle, be replaced and forgotten. Some will ask what ever happened to Mariah May, but they’ll learn she found out what happens, when you try to kill God. May threw the chair away, as Paquette said she seriously prays that neither get hurt. Both May & Storm simultaneously say “pray for her” as the segment ends. This was a fantastic go-home interview between both champion and challenger. I wish the word Fin would’ve scrolled on the screen after this.

**********

Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada & Ricochet defeated Swerve Strickland (w/Prince Nana) & Brody King

(Nice preview match of what’s to come on Sunday, as everyone got their offense in and they all looked strong. King looked like a monster, Ricochet constantly tried to duck Strickland, but in the end, did what he could to steal yet another W. I don’t know if that bodes well for him come Revolution, but it’s nice that they bookmarked the night with each getting in their last second shots on each other.)

Okada backed Strickland to his corner to start, but Ricochet didn’t try any cheap shots and Okada did his standard mocking clean break. Ricochet made the tag, but distracted Strickland enough for Okada to blindside him and put the boots to Strickland, as King had enough and brawled with Okada outside as Strickland fired up on Ricochet, tossing him to the floor like it was nothing. King launched Strickland into Ricochet against the barricade, as Okada tried to make the save, kicked his partner, as Strickland set both up and King flattened each with a cross body. King picked up Okada & Ricochet on his shoulders and Strickland hit a double Swerve Stomp off the apron in a really cool spot. Back inside, Ricochet was squashed with a King senton and Strickland diving uppercut off the ropes. Strickland tried a rolling Flatliner, but Ricochet hit a Code Breaker in mid-air to gain the upper hand heading into the final commercial break.

Strickland mounted a comeback right as things returned and made the hot tag to King, who cleaned house and threw Ricochet around like he was a feather. King hit a chop right to the bald head of Ricochet before stacking Okada on top of him and hitting a senton stack. Okada ducked a charge, as an enzugiri on the apron from Ricochet led to a Frog Splash for two. Okada went up top for his elbow, but King got to his feet and mowed him down with a lariat for the double down. Taz said that was like getting hit by a telephone pole.

Ricochet & Strickland tag in, but when Ricochet realized it, he tried to run for his life, but Okada wasn’t there, so he proceeded to get his ass kicked. Both escaped powerbomb attempts, as Ricochet floated over one into a snap DDT for a nice near fall. Spirit Gun and Vertigo countered by Strickland, who couldn’t hit Big Pressure, so Ricochet got a roll-up for two. Strickland hit his rolling Flatliner and a House Call flush, but after he hit the Swerve Stomp, Okada flew off the top with his elbow drop to break the pin. Okada & King slugged it out with forearms and chops until King dodged a Rainmaker, tried a corner cannonball, but Okada avoided it. Okada grabbed the Contiental Title belt, but Strickland flew in with a House Call before he could use it. King & Okada tumbled to the floor, as the ref’s attention was turned and Ricochet decked Strickland with the title and stole the pin.

AEW Collision 3/7/25

• Momo Watanabe vs. Serena Deeb
• Harley Cameron in action
• Daniel Garcia vs. Lee Moriarty for the TNT Title

AEW Revolution 3/8/25

• Jon Moxley vs. Cope for the AEW World Title
• Konosuke Takeshita vs. Kenny Omega for the AEW International Title
• Will Ospreay vs. Kyle Fletcher in a Steel Cage Match
• Swerve Strickland vs. Ricochet for the #1 Contenders Match for the AEW World Title
• MJF vs. Hangman Adam Page
• Timeless Toni Storm vs. Mariah May for the AEW Women’s Title
• Mercedes Mone vs. Momo Watanabe for the TBS Title
• Kazuchika Okada vs. Brody King for the AEW Continental Title
• The Hurt Syndicate vs. The Outrunners for the AEW World Tag Team Titles
• Zero Hour: Big Boom AJ, Orange Cassidy & Mark Briscoe vs. Johnny TV & MxM Collection