Daniel Garcia will finally get his shot at revenge as he takes on former AEW World Champion MJF at next month’s All Out from Chicago.
The match came together during Wednesday’s Dynamite as MJF was in the ring cutting a promo, both denouncing his allegiance to America and threatening to get revenge against Will Ospreay for defeating him for the International title at All In.
On that night, Garcia made a surprise return to help cost MJF the title by preventing the then-champion from using brass knuckles on Ospreay.
Back to Wednesday, MJF proceeded to run down Garcia before he ran in and attacked MJF, leading to a brawl. Garcia teased giving him the same second rope piledriver that MJF put him out of action with on the July 3rd Dynamite. On that night, Garcia lost to Ospreay in partial thanks to MJF who then dealt out a bloody attack to Garcia afterward.
After officials separated the two, Garcia took to the mic to challenge MJF for All Out which MJF agreed to from the entrance ramp.
The two have wrestled against each other in a singles match only once when MJF was World Champion as the champion defeated the challenger on a November 2023 Dynamite.
Here’s the current card for Chicago:
AEW International Champion Will Ospreay defends against PAC
Swerve Strickland vs. Hangman Page in a steel cage match
CMLL Women’s Champion Willow Nightingale defends against Kris Statlander in a Chicago street fight
Will Ospreay is once again the AEW International Champion, defeating blood rival MJF at Sunday’s All In from London’s Wembley Stadium, aided in part by the returning Daniel Garcia.
The beginning of the end came when MJF was preparing to punch Ospreay using some wrapped brass knuckles when a masked figure in black appeared on the apron to stop him. He then revealed himself to be Garcia which shocked MJF.
MJF then yelled at the emotionless Garcia, whom he had injured and knocked out of competition on July 3rd, before turning around into an Ospreay Hidden Blade. Ospreay then fired up and delivered a long-awaited Tiger Driver 91 to get the pin and win.
Afterward, Ospreay refused to take the MJF-renamed American title and instead motioned to Christopher Daniels to bring in the original International title he lost to MJF just over a month ago in a near-hourlong match.
It’s the second International title reign for Ospreay and ends the 39-day reign of MJF that saw him defend the gold against Templario in CMLL and Michael Oku in RevPro.
The Garcia appearance also appears to solidify that he has re-signed a contract with AEW as news broke over the last month that his deal was coming up.
A few days after word broke that Daniel Garcia had yet to re-sign a new contract with AEW, Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez gave an update on the situation on Wednesday’s Wrestling Observer Radio.
During their recap of Dynamite, Alvarez said that while nothing is official, people in AEW believe he will “most likely” re-sign. Meltzer agreed, said he had been hearing something similar while giving pause that it’s also not a done deal.
The exact date of the 25-year-old Garcia’s current contract expiration hasn’t been made public yet.
Earlier this week, Ibou of Wrestlepurists broke the news that the July 3rd injury angle on Dynamite with Garcia and MJF was done to protect AEW in case he did leave or set up a big storyline for his return if he does re-sign. He added that he had interest from other companies and that AEW was confident he would stay.
He has yet to post on social media since that angle.
After debuting in September 2020, Garcia’s signing to a full-time AEW contract was initially announced in October 2021 but the start date was never revealed.
He has never held AEW gold to this point, but did hold the Ring of Honor Pure Championship for just over three months.
The 25-year-old from Buffalo was stretchered out of the July 3 AEW Dynamite following an attack by MJF. Our own Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer addressed the angle and Garcia’s status with AEW on today’s edition of Wrestling Observer Radio.
“When they did that angle, they were aware that he may not be back and so the angle was done in case he doesn’t come back and if he does come back then they’ve got a storyline feud with MJF,” Alvarez said on the show.
“I know he had been thinking about it, or he had told people he had been thinking about what he was going to do, which he should do, check with both sides or whatever if your deal is coming up. I don’t think it’s 100 percent that he’s coming back, I will say that, but I don’t think that he has re-signed or decided to leave yet but that was one of the reasons that he was taken out in that storyline.”
Alvarez’s comments were in response to a question about the below post from Ibou of WrestlePurists.
He’s fine. The company is protecting themselves while he hopefully dots his eyes and crosses his T’s. If he stays, he’s jumping into a feud with Max. If he leaves, then he was Ricochet’d.
“He has not (re-signed), he has interest from other companies, he has not made his decision, AEW is confident he will stay and if/when that’s official, he will slot back into a feud with MJF,” he later added.
Garcia debuted for AEW in September 2020 and officially signed with the company 13 months later in October 2021. He joined the Jericho Appreciation Society in March 2022 and a few months later had a four and three-quarter star match against Bryan Danielson on the July 27, 2022 episode of Dynamite.
John LaRocca and I are back to talk about the major topics in the world of professional wrestling on this week’s Fight Game Podcast.
We kicked off the show with our Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down winners and losers of the week. Then, we went through our Top Five topics of the week which included discussions on the following:
The MJF/Will Ospreay/Daniel Garcia angle from Dynamite
Hangman Page as the wildcard and possible winner of The Owen Cup
The end of AEW Dynamite saw MJF turn on Daniel Garcia after he failed to defeat Will Ospreay for the International title in the main event of Wednesday’s Dynamite. After the match, MJF attempted to console Garcia, but instead attacked him, first giving him a low blow then striking both Garcia and Matt Menard with the Dynamite Diamond Ring.
MJF continued to attack Garcia even as security and Christopher Daniels attempted to break it up. He took Garcia to the middle rope and launched off, planting Garcia with a tombstone piledriver. He still continued his attack until Ospreay made his return. MJF dared him to enter the ring before storming out and escaping through crowd, arguing with fans as he made his exit. The end of the show saw Garcia being wheeled off on a stretcher.
Last week, MJF challenged Garcia to a match for All In at Wembley Stadium next month. Before Garcia could answer, Will Ospreay came out and said he would grant Garcia a match for this week’s Dynamite, which he accepted.
Prior to the main event, Garcia attempted to answer MJF’s challenge for All In, but MJF instead told Garcia to focus on the main event, offering to be in his corner. Garcia accepted.
With just 24 hours to go before Forbidden Door, AEW Collision airs tonight from Buffalo, New York.
One of the key matches will see Deonna Purrazzo vs. Hikaru Shida in a women’s Owen Hart Foundation tournament match. Shida is making her return to AEW after an absence while Purrazzo has momentum following a recent victory over Thunder Rosa in a no DQ match.
Saturday’s show will also see many of the stars competing at Forbidden Door in action. Hechicero will face Kevin Blackwood while Stephanie Vaquer will take on Lady Frost. Orange Cassidy & Tomohiro Ishii will team up to take on TMDK’s Robbie Eagles & Shane Haste, while El Phantasmo, Jack Perry & Konosuke Takeshita will face Mark Briscoe, Lio Rush & Dante Martin before all six square off in a ladder match to determine a new TNT Champion.
Daniel Garcia, who will face Will Ospreay for the International title on next week’s Dynamite, faces The Butcher while Serena Deeb will also be in action.
Haste demanded to know what was in Cassidy’s pockets before the match, but I don’t think he ever got an answer. Cassidy and Eagles had a good sequence where they exchanged arm drags back and forth. Cassidy booted Haste off the apron and sent Eagles headfirst into the buckles. Haste dropped Cassidy back-first on the ring apron, and Eagles followed out with a tope con hilo to regain control.
Cassidy took a beating during a split-screen break, then made the tag to Ishii. Ishii ran through Eagles, then dropped Haste with a Saito-style back suplex for a near fall. Haste was double teamed in the babyface corner. A suplex from Ishii set up Haste for a top rope elbow from Cassidy for a near fall.
Haste countered an Orange Punch attempt from Cassidy with a falcon arrow. Eagles got the tag and got a Slumdog Millionaire from Cassidy. Eagles dodged the Orange Punch and caught Cassidy with a rollup. Cassidy caught Eagles with the Beach Break out of nowhere and got the pinfall.
House of Black v. Private Party v. Roderick Strong & Gabe Kidd v. Tomohiro Ishii & Kyle O’Reilly was announced for the Zero Hour pre-show during this match.
– A teaser video aired for the return of Hangman Adam Page. He’s apparently been drinking in his kid’s room since he’s been suspended. Don’t worry, he moved the kid out first. And it looks like he’s still after Swerve Strickland.
– Chris Jericho and the Learning Tree gave advice to the trainer about how to tape a wrist. Did you know that every time you visit the trainer, if you take a roll of tape with you, you won’t have to pay for it later? Follow the Learning Tree for more money saving tips!
Stephanie Vaquer defeated Lady Frost (7:08 aired)
Vaquer holds the CMLL World Women’s Championship and the New Japan Strong Women’s Championship. Mercedes Mone came down to ringside to watch the match
Vaquer took Frost down with a body scissor, then locked in a STF. Vaquer locked eyes with Mone while Frost crawled to the ropes. Frot sent Vaquer to the floor with a kick, and Frost and Vaquer fought right in front of Mone. Frost looked pretty good until she tried a handstand on the apron, and Vaquer hit her with a superkick and it looked like her face collapsed.
After the break, Frost escaped a package piledriver and hit a flying clothesline. Frost hit a gamigiri in the corner, then followed up with a cartwheel cannonball. The crowd was chanting for Frost, who hit a tornio for a near fall. Frost came back with a superkick and a spinning DDT for a near fall. Vanquer hit a series of headbutts in the corner and a dragon screw leg whip. Vaquer used a package piledriver into a backbreaker to finish off Frost. Lady Frost continues to impress in these losses.
After the match, Mone took the ring and held up her belt. Vaquer left, but Zeuxis ran in and attacked Mone. Zeuxis and Vaqueer laid Mone out.
– Lexi Nair interviewed The Lucha Bros. Himormu Takahashi & Titan showed up to challenge the Lucha Bros to the six man, Los Ingobernables v. Death Triangle. PAC is focused on the Owen Hart tournament, so Parka counters with Luncha Bros & Mistico. It felt like they shot an angle for a match we’ve known about for a few days now.
Serena Deeb defeated Kelly Madan (1:14)
Deeb won with the Deebtox.
After the match, Deeb got on the mic and demanded an opponent more on her level. Riho came from the back dressed in street clothes to accept the challenge. Crowd was happy to see Riho back, who must have had lifts in her shoes to stand eye to eye with Deeb.
– More in the back with the Learning Tree, who made sure everyone washes their hands after using the bathroom. “Germs spread really easily this time of year!”
–Chris Jericho wanted to double-check with the Zamboni crew to make sure it was properly maintained, but found Samoa Joe’s crew in the back instead. The fight spilled into the arena (Bryan Keith was holding up pretty well even though his arm was in a sling). Eventually they got to the ring, and Jeff Cobb ran in to help the heels. Cobb and Joe had a huge stand-off in the ring, and Cobb planted Joe with a spinebuster. Jeff Cobb is officially Jericho and Bill’s partner for Forbidden Door.
– A video package hyped up Zach Sabre, Jr. for his match with Orange Cassidy. Afterwards, Lexi Nair interviewed Cassidy about the match, this was interrupted by Sable, who told Cassidy he knew all of his tricks and would beat him Sunday.
Hechicero defeated Kevin Blackwood (2:21)
Blackwood had a cheering section in the crowd, being a local of Buffalo. It didn’t help. Hechicero mauled Blackwood from the opening bell. Hechicero flattened him with a flapjack, then took him down with a spinning hammerlock into a backbreaker. Hechicero tied up Blackwood’s arms and got the tap out.
– Lexi Nair interviewed the Patriarchy. The Bang Bang Gang interrupted and talked a lot of trash about Christian Cage and his group. Oddly, Cage offered no response.
Daniel Garcia vs. The Butcher in the Battle of Buffalo (8:59)
The fight went to the floor early. Garica propped Butcher up in a chair and hit him with a shotgun dropkick. Garcia tried a second time, but Butcher caught him and dropped him back first on the steel barricade.
After a long split-screen break, Butcher hit a backbreaker and a clothesline for a near fall. Garcia came back with a series of boots. Garcia countered a suplex attempt with a Twist and Shout neckbreaker. Garcia resorted to biting in the corner. Garcia tried for a pair of clotheslines that barely moved the big man. Garica caught him running with a third clothesline that knocked the Butcher down. Garcia then dropped Butcher with a piledriver and got the pinfall.
This looked good, but most of the match happened during the split screen commercials.
After the match, Garica held up Butcher’s hand in a sign of respect and the Buffalo natives walked to the back together.
– Lexi Nair interviewed Will Ospreay, and they were interrupted by the Don Callis family. Ospreay again reiterated that he wanted to win the World Title on his own, but did ask Kyle Fletcher to come out with him for the weigh-in later tonight. After Fletcher and Ospreay left, Rush entered the picture to talk to Callis.
– Lexi Nair interviewed Jack Perry about tonight’s six man tag featuring all the opponents from the ladder match. Perry never agreed to the match. Christopher Daniels interrupted to make sure that Perry knew if he skipped out on the six man tag, he was also out of the ladder match at Forbidden Door.
Hikaru Shida defeated Deonna Purrazzo in a Quarterfinal Match in the Owen Hart Women’s Tournament (8:08)
Shida dropped Purrazzo with an enziguri. Shida tossed Purrazzo to the floor, then came off the middle rope with a crossbody to the floor. Purrazzo caught Shida with a stomp to the arm and a pump kick to take control.
After another long split-screen break, Shida was in control. Shida hit a pair of knee strikes for a near fall. Purrazzo countered a falcon arrow attempt with a leg sweep. Shida swung wildly and Purrazzo caught her with an armbar. Shida escaped by getting to the bottom rope. Shida came off the top with a kick and hit a Falcon Arrow. She went for a cover, but Purrazzo countered with a cradle. Shida reversed the cradle for her own near fall, then hit Purrazzo with a Katana kick for the pinfall.
Purrazzo jumped Shida after the match ended, but was saved from a beating with the kendo stick from Thunder Rosa.
– Another heartfelt Jeff Jarrett promo about the Owen Hart tournament, this time with words of encouragement from the rest of his crew.
Jack Perry, El Phantasmo & Konsuke Takeshita defeated Mark Briscoe, Dante Martin & Lio Rush
It looked like Perry would start out, but immediately tagged out to Takeshita. Lio Rush caught Takeshita with a cradle, and then ate a huge boot that put him down. Takeshita aggressively tagged in Phantasmo, who caught a dropkick from Rush. Tags were made on the babyface side, and they all hit Phantasmo with avalanche clotheslines. Phantasmo got triple teamed in the babyface corner.
Phantasmo took a beating from the babyfaces.. They did a great job cutting him off from his corner, not that it really mattered since neither of his partners were really waiting for a tag. When he finally did get to his corner to get a tag from Perry, Perry dropped to the floor. Marik Briscoe dove at Perry and caught him with a dropkick on the floor.
The heels were having a hard time working together, and Dante Martin took both Phantasmo and Takeshita down with a hurricanrana. Briscoe got the tag and took it to Takeshita and ELP. Birscoe knocked ELP out of the ring with an enziguri. Briscoe hit a fisherman’s buster for a near fall, broken up by Jack Perry.
Briscoe set up ELP for the Jay Driller, but Phantasmo escaped and hit a superkick. Lio Rush got the tag and took Takeshita out with a dive to the floor. Phantasmo took Rush out with a dive, and Dante Martin took Phantasmo out with a dive.
Back in the ring, Rush and Martin hit Phantasmo with frog splashes for a near fall, again broken up by Perry. Brischo went for a cannonball on Perry, who ducked. Takeshita suplexed Rush over his head. He tried the same with Dante Martin, who landed on his feet. Marin tried for a top rope rana, and got it after Takeshita initially blocked the move. Martin went to the top, but Perry pushed him down. Martin took Perry out with a kick, but Takeshita hit Martin with a blue thunder bomb and a running knee to get the pinfall.
After the match, Perry ran in and hit Takeshita with the TNT belt. Phantasmo hit Perry with a superkick, and Rush hit Phantasmo with a stunner. Rush and Martin engaged in a brief tug of war with the TNT belt. Brischo leveled his own partners with a ladder, then took everyone out with a sommersault dive off the top of the ladder to the floor.
World Championship Weigh-In for the Forbidden Door Main Event.
Prince Nana welcomed us to the weigh-in, brought to us by Prince Nana Coffee, which is a real thing. Ospreay came out first with Fletcher. Ospreay’s official weight is 220 pounds. Swerve then came out with five guys, including “Buffallo hip-hop royalty” Westside Gun. You could tell how important this is because Nana doesn’t dance when Swerve’s music played. Swerve weighed in a 230 pounds. Nana directs both guys to stand off for the official fight photos for tomorrow night, and of course they get in each other’s face and start jawing. Then, they pose for photographs. Ospreay tells Swerve he’s got 24 hours before he knocks the grill out of his mouth. Strickland responded that he’s a businessman, and suggested he’d offer his wife a contract. That’s all it took for Ospreay to shove Strickland. Both crews were able to keep them separated for a bit, but the Ospreay killed Strickland with a Hidden Blade out of nowhere. Strickland sold the move like a million bucks.
This was a great show-closing angle and a tremendous hard sell for the main event tomorrow night.
Overall the show-closing angle and the Adam Page teaser made for a pretty noteworthy Collision.
This Saturday’s show in Buffalo, which serves as the go-home show for Forbidden Door, has hometown hero Daniel Garcia taking on The Butcher. Garcia has been picking up wins over the last few weeks and has made it known that he wants a future International Championship match against Will Ospreay.
This Saturday, 6/29 on TNT LIVE tomorrow in Buffalo Saturday Night #AEWCollision 8pm ET/7pm on @tntdrama this Sat
Stephanie Vaquer, the New Japan Strong Women’s Champion, will make her in-ring debut for the company, taking on Lady Frost. After defending the title against Catalina at CMLL’s Fantasticamania event last Friday, Vaquer was confronted by TBS Champion Mercedes Mone, as the two will meet in a title-for-title match at Forbidden Door this Sunday. The two ended up brawling and had to be pulled apart.
A new segment has been announced for AEW Dynamite.
AEW revealed on Tuesday that “we’ll hear from” Daniel Garcia on this week’s show, which takes place in his hometown of Buffalo, New York.
“With a keen eye kept on the AEW International Title match last week, Daniel Garcia comes home to Buffalo and we will hear from him LIVE on AEW Dynamite!”
With a keen eye kept on the #AEW International Title match last week, Daniel Garcia (@GarciaWrestling) comes home to Buffalo and we will hear from him LIVE on #AEW Dynamite!
Garcia defeated Rhett Titus on Dynamite last week. After the match, Cage of Agony and Hechicero attacked Garcia and Daddy Magic. MJF came out to make the save but was eventually outnumbered. Then Will Ospreay ran in and he and MJF cleared the ring. After Ospreay and MJF had a staredown, Ospreay helped Garcia to his feet and raised his hand before the segment came to an end.
AEW Dynamite announced lineup for June 26, 2024 —
AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland & AEW International Champion Will Ospreay vs. Gates of Agony (Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun)
Men’s Owen Hart Foundation tournament quarterfinal: Jay White vs. Rey Fenix
Saraya, Harley Cameron & Anna Jay vs. AEW World Women’s Champion Toni Storm, Mariah May & Mina Shirakawa
A TNT title match has been added to AEW Revolution.
It was announced on Dynamite that Christian Cage will defend the title against Daniel Garcia on March 3. Garcia and Adam Copeland ended up wrestling to a no contest on last week’s Dynamite after Cage and the rest of the Patriarchy attacked both men, including laying out Copeland with a conchairto.
Garcia was in the ring cutting a promo on Wednesday when Cage came out and targeted Garcia’s family, calling his late father a drunk. Garcia dared Cage to fight him. Cage sent Nick Wayne and Killswitch in for the attack, but Garcia was able to send both packing with the help of Matt Menard.
It was also announced that Wardlow will be competing in what is being called a ‘meat madness’ match. AEW did not explain what the rules of the match would be, but after the announcement Powerhouse Hobbs expressed interest in participating.
After they wrestled to a time limit draw in the open of Wednesday’s show, FTR and Claudio Castagnoli & Jon Moxley continued to fight, leading to a pull-apart. Backstage, FTR confronted the Blackpool Combat Club members and challenged them to a match for Revolution. However, nothing was made official.
Here is the updated lineup for Revolution:
Sting’s retirement match: Sting & Darby Allin vs. The Young Bucks
AEW World Championship: Samoa Joe defends against Hangman Page and Swerve Strickland
AEW International Championship: Orange Cassidy defends against Roderick Strong
AEW Women’s Championship: Toni Storm vs. Deonna Purrazzo
AEW Continental Crown Championship: Eddie Kingston defends against Bryan Danielson
TNT Championship: Christian Cage defends against Daniel Garcia
Adam Copeland faces Daniel Garcia on tonight’s AEW Dynamite.
After a confrontation on Saturday’s Collision, Copeland & Garcia will go one-on-one to determine the next challenger for Christian Cage’s TNT Championship on this week’s Dynamite.
After a defeat at the hands of The Undisputed Kingdom on last week’s Rampage, Orange Cassidy will look for revenge against Undisputed Kingdom’s Matt Taven in a Texas Death match on tonight’s episode.
AEW World Champion Samoa Joe, and his Revolution title challengers Swerve Strickland & Hangman Page will speak tonight.
Blackpool Combat Club’s Jon Moxley will take on FTR’s Dax Harwood in singles competition.
AEW Women’s World Champion “Timeless” Toni Strom will debut her newest film “Wet Ink” on the show.
The Young Bucks (Matthew & Nicholas Jackson) will face Top Flight (Darius & Dante Martin) in a tag team contest.
Skye Blue will take on Willow Nightingale in a women’s division battle on tonight’s episode.
AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Tony Schiavone and Taz as we go to the entrances of our opening contest.
Jon Moxley defeated Dax Harwood
(This was Dax’s first match on Dynamite since April of last year, when he lost to Jeff Jarrett. If you expected a hard hitting back and forth that nearly went the time limit, then you were correct, as that’s what both these two delivered. I could watch these two beat the hell out of each other over and over, as the crowd were into it the whole way through. I can’t wait for this tag match between the BCC & FTR to happen, presumably at Revolution.)
Excalibur mentioned on March 29, the Blackpool Combat Club will travel to Arena Mexico to take on Mistico, Volador Jr, Blue Panther & Ultimo Guerrero in CMLL. The crowd was even for both men, who took turns flipping one another off, as well as mind games by planting smooches on each other, since it’s Valentine’s Day after all. That led to both slugging it out with punches and chops, with Harwood getting the better of that exchange. Moxley switched to kicks, leading to a bulldog choke, which Harwood escaped, only to get clotheslined to the floor. The brawl continued outside, where Moxley delivered a slingshot into the post. Back inside, Moxley went for ten corner punches, but Harwood countered into a Liger Bomb. Slow to their feet, both spilled over the top, crashing outside as things went to picture in picture.
After working ground submissions during break, when things returned, both continued throwing chops and forearms. Both connected with home run shots and collapsed at the same time, leading to the reset. Moxley raked the back while both where in the corner, but ultimately couldn’t capitalize, as Harwood stayed strong and hit the superplex. While both rolled to their knees, we got some unprotected headbutts before Harwood threw two lariats, but Moxley ducked the third, hit one of his own, which Harwood absorbed and completed his trifecta. We get a 5 minute time call from Justin Roberts as Moxley escaped a Sharpshooter into an armbar, which Harwood got a stack for one. Harwood faked a high shot, as Moxley ducked right into a piledriver for a Harwood two. Moxley bailed to the outside and got Harwood to chase after, which was a ploy to get a low blow by kicking the ropes back inside, crotching Harwood. Moxley connected on a Cutter and Curb Stomp, but only managed two. Both traded counters of signature moves before Harwood hit a brainbuster, but missed a top rope headbutt, diving right into a Rear Naked Choke from Moxley, Harwood fought, but ultimately tapped out.
Moxley refused to let go and Cash Wheeler hit the ring to beat down Moxley. Claudio Castagnoli evened the odds and dropped Wheeler with a Neutralizer as Moxley reapplied the choke on Harwood before standing tall with Castagnoli.
-Backstage Renee Paquette is with Don Callis, Konosuke Takeshita & Powerhouse Hobbs and asks what is next for the Family after recent success? Callis said they’re a victim of their own success, as no one wants to face them. Callis said they need to look within the Family to result in the best match possible, so Will Ospreay vs. Konosuke Takeshita is announced for Revolution. After the PPV, fans won’t be talking about Sting’s retirement; they’ll be talking about the Match of the Decade between two Don Callis Family members.
Wardlow defeated Barrett Brown
Wardlow has a big brace on his right knee, as Adam Cole is on commentary for this slaughter. Wardlow immediately hit the hanging knee strike out of the corner and posed before hitting a Last Ride powerbomb for the win. Cole, who never said a word, finally said it was a pleasure talking to them.
-Footage of a private jet landing earlier today, with Matthew & Nicholas Jackson arriving, still wearing their bloody suits from last week. They get into a Hummer limo before heading to the arena.
**********
Adam Copeland vs. Daniel Garcia ended in a No Contest
(I thought these two had really good chemistry with one another, as it resulted in a fun battle. As much as I’ve really enjoyed this Cope-Open, I was hoping Garcia wasn’t going to be just another casualty. I was also hoping Copeland wouldn’t be pinned here either, so in that sense, I was totally fine with the No Contest. Perhaps the post match was a way to write off Copeland for a few weeks to give Garcia the title shot, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we’re getting another three way for a title at Revolution.)
Copeland used his height and power advantage early by delivering corner strikes and an arm drag that drove Garcia down. Garcia countered an arm bar into an ankle lock and Copeland bailed to the ropes. After a forearm exchange, Copeland dodged a drop down by Garcia into a splash, but when trying the sequence again, Garcia had it scouted to gain control. Garcia tried a cross body out of the corner, but Copeland caught him into a shoulder breaker, which was the body part Copeland worked over during commercial.
Copeland really heeled it up during break, mocking a fan ringside, snapping his sunglasses in the process. Copeland was cut off in the ropes, but fell back to the floor, hanging up Garcia by the injured arm. Once again, Copeland took too long to capitalize, got crotched in the corner and Garcia hit a Dragon Screw off the second rope. Garcia turned into a house of fire with strikes and running boot in the corner, but Copeland fought out of a Saito Suplex. Garcia connected on another Dragon Screw, as both tried submissions attempts until Garcia sank in a STF.
This time Copeland cut off Garcia in the corner and delivered an Avalanche Impaler, dropping Garcia on the injured arm. Copeland charged for a Spear, but Garcia got a punt kick into a jackknife pin attempt for two. Right as Copeland locked in the Grind House, Nick Wayne & Killswitch hit the ring for the beat down and No Contest. Christian Cage sauntered to ringside and got a couple chairs from under the ring, which Matt Menard, who was on commentary, put a stop to, only to be decked by Killswitch. The Patriarchy went to deliver a Con-Chair-To to Garcia, but Copeland returned and cleaned house with a chair of his own. As Cage cowered in the corner, Shayna Wayne appeared and delivered a low blow on Copeland, as Nick delivered Wayne’s World and Killswitch hit the Extinction lariat. Cage then delivered a Con-Chair-To to Copeland before holding up the TNT Title with his boot on his former friend. Cage and crew left smiling, as Garcia stared down the TNT Champion.
**********
-Excalibur told us during break, Adam Copeland was helped to the back by doctors and Daniel Garcia and he’s being evaluated backstage.
Samoa Joe, Hangman Adam Page & Swerve Strickland Face Off
Joe came to the ring first to a loud ovation from the crowd, as he stands proudly their AEW World Champion. Joe said the ranking system was to ensure only the best victims would allow him to continue his title reign. Things were going so well until the time limit draw last week. Joe said booking took a page out of the Texas playbook and made his main event bigger and dumber. A crime against Joe has been committed, so there must be repercussions, as Page & Strickland may walk into Revolution, but they’ll limp out. Joe is the AEW World Champion and there’s nothing anyone can do about it.
Swerve Strickland came to the ring with Prince Nana dancing by his side and said the more Joe runs his mouth, the more personal it becomes. Strickland said Joe said hunger defines the greats and Strickland is on his way to becoming the greatest of all time. Strickland told Joe to check his resume and put respect on it. Strickland said folks said maybe one day he’ll go down as one of the greats, maybe, but he’s ready to make that a reality. At Revolution, the fans will continue to chant Whose House, but he’ll also be leaving as AEW World Champion.
Hangman Adam Page stormed out from the back to boos and said last week, he wasn’t mad and when you read the weekly Dynamite report, everyone knows last week was horse sh*t. Page said the winner of the match last week became number one contender, which is something Strickland didn’t do. Page told Joe if it were up to him, the match would be between two men who value the AEW World Title. Page told Strickland after everything he’s done to Page, he doesn’t deserve a second of his time. Strickland didn’t deserve 5 more minutes last week because he couldn’t get the job done and Strickland doesn’t deserve to be in the World Title match. Joe interrupted and said both believe they’re pinning each other, but he’s Samoa Joe and he’s whipping both of their asses before leaving the ring. The crowd were loudly behind Joe for the go home line.
Timeless Toni Storm Presents: Wet Ink
Storm talks about her tattoo, which reminds her of a girl she befriended because she felt sorry for her. Storm said Deonna Purrazzo was her young girl, who she helped get into Japan and Purrazzo was nurtured on her bosom of brilliance and suckled on the teat of talent. Storm said Purrazzo bit the tit that fed her, as somewhere along the way, Purrazzo forgot she was just an extra. Storm asked what do you do when you can’t change the past, you kill it. This all took place at a tattoo parlor, as Storm had her matching bird tattoo she shared with Purrazzo changed to a dagger going through it.
Renee Paquette was backstage with Deonna Purrazzo and asked her thoughts on what they just witnessed. Purrazzo said Storm talks too much and simply said she’s going to break her arm and called Storm a bitch.
The Young Bucks (Matthew & Nicholas Jackson) defeated Top Flight (Dante & Darius Martin)
(I should point out that The Bucks have matching soul patches to go with their suits and they look absolutely ridiculous, so mission accomplished in that regard. The match itself was solid, but the high flying was kept primarily to Top Flight, as The Bucks were more about working their EVP heel characters. The tag match we all thought would happen at Revolution was made official in the post match.)
Nicholas is wrestling with his Kangol hat on, which lasted a few seconds before Dante got the upper hand, the hat went flying and a frustrated Nichols regrouped. Back inside, a cazadora arm drag from Dante led to Matthew trying to calm his brother down and offering a fist bump to Dante, who just decked him. Quick tags from Dante & Darius, who wanted dueling dives, but Matthew & Nicholas bailed before it could happen. Matthew & Nicholas gained the upper hand briefly on the floor, but Dante & Darius fought back, hitting double slingshot dives. Back inside, Nicholas & Matthew once again gained the advantage and this time, stayed in control during picture in picture.
Darius finally fought free with a step up corner guillotine kick on Matthew, as Dante made the hot tag and ran wild, catching Matthew with a huge cross body for two. Stereo sunset flips by The Martins on The Jacksons got dueling two counts until Matthew faked a superkick and hit Dante with a DDT before telling the camera that these guys are good. Dante again fought back and hit an assisted DDT from his brother for two on Matthew. Dante took out Nicholas with a Tope, while Darius hit a Spanish Fly on Matthew. Nicholas managed to take out Dante on the floor, as Matthew tried a feet on the ropes pin, which Rick Knox caught. Nicholas argued, allowing Matthew to hit a pop up punt kick low and the EVP Trigger to get the win.
Post match, Tony Schiavone came into the ring to conduct an interview, as Matthew said they’re undefeated this year and said that makes them the top unbeatable tag team in AEW. Matthew mockingly put over how great Top Flight were and said they’re the number 1 contenders now, even getting their own graphic. Schiavone said Sting is not there due to their heinous act, as Matthew cut him off and said that’s a breach of contract, publicly disparaging the EVPs. Nicholas said it’s a $1,000 fine and asked if Schiavone has a problem with that before shoving him down. Matthew calmed his brother down and went to help Schiavone up, teasing an EVP Trigger before Darby Allin sprinted to the ring with a baseball bat.
Allin reminded The Bucks what the original Mission Statement of AEW was, that’s to Change the World. Allin said he once begged The Bucks to get hired, but they saw nothing in him, instead hiring their sh*t California crew friends. Allin said thank God there was an EVP around with a sense of brains and he’s not talking about Kenny Omega, which got a Cody chant. Allin said The Bucks did an interview last year saying they re-signed to AEW due to the easier schedule, which in turn makes their original Mission Statement dead. The debut episode of AEW didn’t have Darby Allin, instead it had guys like Brandon Cutler. Allin said The Bucks don’t know what they’re getting themselves into, as Sting has nothing left to lose, as come Revolution, it’s showtime.
**********
-Renee Paquette is backstage in the Bang Bang Scissor Gang Lounge with the Bullet Club Gold & The Acclaimed. Switchblade Jay White said they have new merch, gold, but have yet to test out their cohesiveness as a group. Daddy Ass & Austin Gunn took turns interrupting each other suggesting a 12 Man Tag on Rampage. Everyone did their signature lines until Taz called them all very annoying people.
Willow Nightingale defeated Skye Blue
(I’ve enjoyed the story of Hathaway being forced to accept Nightingale as a friend on his quest to woo Kris Statlander as a client. He saw a chance to help Nightingale when she was in trouble tonight and took it.)
Stokely Hathaway joined commentary for this one and argued about shirt colors with Taz before the match began. Nightingale cartwheeled out of an Irish Whip and hit a scoop slam for a quick two. Blue responded with a float over into a Dragon Sleeper, which Nightingale easily escaped, unloading corner shots before Blue bailed outside. Nightingale chased after and connected a Pounce back inside.
Back from break, both ladies slugged it out until Blue hit a thrust kick and Nightingale answered with a series of clotheslines. Nightingale connected on a corner hip attack and big boot before delivering a nice spinebuster for two. Blue avoided a Doctor Bomb and hit a DDT for a near fall. Blue sank in the Dragon Sleeper once more, but Nightingale backed her into the corner and onto the apron. Blue missed a kick and was launched with another Pounce, as back inside, Nightingale went up the ropes, but Blue slid through and hit a Cheeky Nandos kick and corner powerbomb for two. Blue hit the Code Blue for the visual pin, but Hathaway distracted ref Aubrey long enough for Nightingale to recover and hit the Doctor Bomb for the victory.
**********
Orange Cassidy defeated Matt Taven in a Texas Death Match
(I didn’t think they’d have enough time to do the amount they did, but this turned into a war. I do have a feeling when all is said and done, Trent will either turn heel, costing Cassidy the title or he’ll be the one who wins the title himself. Without taking the bullet for his friend tonight, Cassidy would’ve been in serious trouble. All these people are getting International title shots, except Beretta, so I wouldn’t be surprised if this was the case. I liked the Valentine’s Day touches they had to the weapons here, as the table bump Taven took was absolutely wild.)
This match can only be won by knockout or submission, as Taven faked Cassidy out like he was looking up the ramp for his buddies, which allowed a cheap shot to start. An enzugiri and Blue Thunder Bomb caused Cassidy to roll to the floor, but Taven stopped the ref from putting a 10 count and slammed Cassidy into the barricade. Taven tried another whip, but Cassidy hurdled the barricade and both men brawled into the crowd during picture in picture.
When things returned, Taven hit an elbow drop off the stage onto Cassidy, who was set up on a table, which didn’t break fully. Taven set the table up against the stage and hit a suplex to officially break it, but Cassidy broke the count. Taven connected on a running knee down the ramp, as Cassidy is officially busted open. Back inside, Taven spiked Cassidy with a DDT and went outside to grab another table, setting it up against the announce booth. Taking too long, Cassidy hit a Tope, but Taven responded with an enzugiri and baseball slide, as Cassidy put on the brakes in front of the table. Taven tried a massive dive, clearing the top rope, as Cassidy moved and Taven crashed through the table, almost taking out the commentary table in the process.
Commentary’s monitors were wiped out by the impact of that spot, as Taven broke the 10 count. Cassidy went under the ring and found a heart shaped box that read “To: OC, From Chuckie T XOXO”. Cassidy dumped out thumbtacks and went for a superplex on Taven, who also is bleeding now, fought out and sent Cassidy crashing onto the tacks. Taven wanted a Frog Splash, but Cassidy moved and Taven landed on the tacks himself. Cassidy followed with a round the World DDT onto the tacks, as Cassidy got a chain from under the ring, but Mike Bennett showed up and smashed what I believe was a wooden heart shaped box over Cassidy.
Bennett threw a bunch of chairs into the ring as Trent Beretta came to the save with a box of roses, which contained a pipe. Beretta smacked Bennett’s chair into his face with the pipe before Taven chucked a chair at Beretta. With a chair set up, Taven hit a Bulldog Driver onto it, but Cassidy was there to hit an Orange Punch and Beach Break onto the stack of chairs and tacks. Cassidy wrapped his hand in the chain and hit the Orange Punch, as Roderick Strong ran out and tried to hit a running knee, but Beretta took the bullet, as Cassidy sent Strong packing. Taven never made the 10 count and Cassidy was declared the winner. Commentary really put over how Cassidy is lucky to have a friend like Beretta.
AEW Rampage 2/16/24
· Jeff Hardy vs. Sammy Guevara in a No DQ Match
· Queen Aminata vs. Anna Jay
· Bullet Club Gold, The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass compete in a 12 Man Tag
AEW Dynamite 2/21/24
· Samoa Joe, Swerve Strickland & Brian Cage vs. Hangman Adam Page, HOOK & Rob Van Dam
New matches and segments have been announced for Wednesday’s Dynamite.
Adam Copeland will meet Daniel Garcia to determine the next challenger for Christian Cage’s TNT Championship. After Copeland told Tony Schiavone he was eyeing getting the TNT title back, Garcia came out. He reminded Copeland that it was him that pinned the Patriarchy on last week’s Collision, and wanted his own shot at the title. The two shook hands, but Copeland told Garcia that he was now taking food off his table, and he didn’t like it.
Willow Nightingale will also go one on one with Skye Blue. Nightingale mentioned in a promo on Saturday that they used to be friends, and they’ve never fought before. Both were misted by Julia Hart, but only one, Blue, ultimately joined forces with her.
Appearances by Hangman Page, Samoa Joe, and Swerve Strickland were also advertised for Wednesday, ahead of their World Championship match at Revolution on March 3. The world premiere of Toni Storm’s latest film, ‘Wet Ink’, will also take place.
AEW Dynamite, Wednesday, February 14 —
The Young Bucks (Matthew & Nicholas Jackson) vs. Top Flight (Darius & Dante Martin)
Adam Copeland vs. Daniel Garcia
Skye Blue vs. Willow Nightingale
We’ll hear from Hangman Page, Samoa Joe, and Swerve Strickland
Tony Khan has booked a new addition to the card for this week’s episode of AEW Collision.
On Collision this Saturday night, Christian Cage & The Patriarchy (Killswitch & Nick Wayne) will face off against FTR & Daniel Garcia in a trios match. It’s taking place one week after FTR & Garcia prevailed against House of Black in an escape the cage elimination match.
Khan wrote that FTR & Garcia are starting a new chapter following last week’s win.
When the new AEW rankings were released this week, FTR & Garcia were ranked fourth in the trios division, trailing Bullet Club Gold, The Hardys & Mark Briscoe, and The Dark Order. The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn currently hold the AEW Trios titles.
Christian Cage is the current TNT Champion.
Collision is being held at Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburg, Texas on Saturday (February 4). There have now been three matches confirmed for the episode:
Bryan Danielson vs. Hechicero
Eddie Kingston vs. Bryan Keith
Christian Cage & The Patriarchy (Killswitch & Nick Wayne) vs. FTR & Daniel Garcia
FTR & Daniel Garcia look to end their feud with the House of Black on Saturday’s Collision.
The six men will be trapped inside a steel cage, where escape the cage elimination rules will be in play. FTR has spent most of 2023 feuding with House of Black, with Daniel Garcia joining the feud after he scored a win over Brody King in a Continental Classic match last month.
Other action will see Eddie Kingston take on Willie Mack in a non-title match. Bryan Danielson will also be in action, taking on Yuji Nagata of NJPW. His Blackpool Combat Club associates Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli will take on Shane Taylor & Lee Moriarty. Orange Cassidy will defend the International title against Komander after he won a four-way on AEW Rampage.
For the first time since 2022, Serena Deeb will return to in-ring competition. Mariah May will also be in action, taking on Lady Frost.
Join us for live coverage starting at 8 pm ET.
*****
Sir Elton John was on assignment this week, as instead, Wild Thing brought the Blackpool Combat Club to the ring for our opening match.
Blackpool Combat Club (Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli) defeated Shane Taylor Promotions (Shane Taylor & Lee Moriarty)
These two teams matched up well style-wise, making for a hard-hitting battle to open the show.
During the BCC entrance, we saw Taylor and Moriarty’s attack on Moxley last night on Rampage. All four men brawled to start, with Moxley diving onto Taylor on the floor. After a few minutes of brawling, Taylor took Moxley down with a punch. Taylor clubbered on Moxley until Moxley avoided a corner charge to tag in Castagnoli.
After a staredown, Castagnoli backed Taylor into the corner with European uppercuts. Castagnoli teased the Giant Swing, but Moriarty ran distraction and allowed Taylor to hit a big knee to Castagnoli. Moxley took Moriarty to the floor, but Taylor sent Moxley into the stairs. Castagnoli got sent over the barricade as STP took control. Taylor dropped a big leg on Castagnoli on the apron as STP isolated Castagnoli in their corner.
Castagnoli heaved Taylor up with a vertical suplex before getting the tag to Moxley. Moriarty tagged in, but Moxley ran wild, taking down Moriarty with an X-Plex. Moriarty tried to take advantage of a momentary Taylor distraction, but Castagnoli took him down and spun him with a Giant Swing. Taylor and Castagnoli traded clotheslines before Castagnoli sent Taylor to the floor.
Moriarty reversed a choke into a European Clutch for a close nearfall, but Moxley kicked out and hit a cutter. Moxley went for the Death Rider, but Moriarty torqued his bad arm and tagged out to Taylor. Taylor went for his big right hand, but Castagnoli stopped him and helped Moxley hit a Hart Attack for a nearfall. Moxley locked on a Rear Naked Choke, and despite Taylor falling to his back, Moxley held on to get the submission win.
Roderick Strong, The Kingdom, & Komander were backstage with Lexy Nair. Strong offered the idea of a five-week International Title reign for Komander – as Strong would win the title at Revolution – and offered his and the Kingdom’s help tonight. Strong forcibly shook Komander’s hand as Komander looked confused.
A good lucha-style match here that got the crowd more invested as time went on. The story here is that Strong is trying to get the title off of Cassidy for an easier title match at Revolution, but his interference backfired here.
These two started the match off with handshakes before trading quick pin attempts. The two traded Gory Specials, with Cassidy escaping by putting his hands in his pockets. Cassidy took Komander to the floor with a headscissors, but Komander beat Cassidy back into the ring. Cassidy hit a Stundog Millionaire and a tornado DDT to send Komander to the floor before Roderick Strong & The Kingdom made their way to ringside.
After a commercial, Komander hit a reverse springboard crossbody for a nearfall. Kevin Kelly brought up the wrestling history of Shreveport, the area where Collision is tonight, referencing Cowboy Bill Watts and Junkyard Dog. Komander hit a tornado DDT, but Cassidy sent Komander into the corner with a thrust kick. Cassidy fired up with kicks as the announcers wondered if Strong was hoping for Cassidy to lose to avoid having to wrestle him.
Komander feigned a reverse crossbody, then hit a Canadian Destroyer. Komander hit a splash for a nearfall. Komander locked on a standing submission, then hit a pair of running boots when Cassidy fought out. Komander went for another Destroyer, but Cassidy dropped Komander with a Beach Break for a nearfall. Cassidy went to the top rope, but Komander cut him off. The announcers promoted Komander’s ropewalking proficiency, just in time for Komander to hit a step-up hurricanrana off the top rope for a nearfall.
Komander went to the top rope, but Cassidy rolled to the floor. Strong distracted the referee as Komander went for his ropewalk splash, but Komander landed on the Kingdom instead. Komander rolled back into the ring, where Cassidy hit the Orange Punch to retain the title. After the match, Strong held the International Title up to Cassidy but dropped it at his feet instead of handing it to him.
We cut to the back, where Matt Menard called for help for Daniel Garcia, who was writhing on the ground.
In a video from after Wednesday’s Dynamite, Timeless Toni Storm was upset at Deonna Purrazzo’s attack on her butler. Mariah May asked Storm to watch her match on Collision. Storm agreed until she found out that Collision was in Bossier City. Apparently, Storm had some issues with racehorses that left her with a bad reputation.
Mariah May defeated Lady Frost
Both women were impressive here. Frost’s athleticism jumps off the screen, while May has an impact to her work that stands out in this division.
May mocked Frost’s height, leading to the two trading forearms and chops. Frost caught May with a neckbreaker for a nearfall but May took Frost down by the hair before landing a shotgun dropkick. After a commercial, the two traded high-angle German suplexes. Is this Bossier City or the Budokan? Frost cartwheeled into an Air Raid Crash – named the Killer Chill – for a nearfall.
May necked Frost on the ropes before hitting a missile dropkick. Frost avoided a corner charge, landing a kick before cartwheeling into a cannonball. Frost went to the top rope for Frostbite, but May pulled Frost down and hit May Day to score the win.
Swerve Strickland was backstage in a pre-tape. Strickland made his decision for Hangman Page’s opponent for Dynamite, picking his Mogul Embassy teammate Toa Liona. Strickland hyped that Liona had never been pinned in his run in AEW, which I can confirm having watched every ROH episode to date.
After a commercial, Hangman Page was ready for Toa Liona on Wednesday. He didn’t tell Swerve who he would be facing, saying that he would have to wait “the whole f’n show” to find out. Hmm, isn’t that Rob Van Dam’s nickname?
Proving Ground Match – Eddie Kingston defeated Willie Mack
Mack flew at Kingston with a Yakuza Kick at the bell, getting a nearfall with a brainbuster. Mack sent Kingston into the corner before landing a cannonball and a standing moonsault for a nearfall. Mack went for a stunner, but Kingston clawed his way out and laid in strikes to a sitting Mack. Mack came back with a leaping Shining Wizard but favored his knee.
Mack went for a standing Shooting Star Press but didn’t get over at all, landing head-first on Kingston. Everyone was ok, as Kingston avoided a cannonball and landed a suplex for a nearfall. Kingston went for a backdrop driver, but Mack reversed it into a powerbomb for a nearfall. The two traded chops, with Mack cutting it off with a punch. Mack hit an enzuigiri, but Kingston got his knees up on the Six Star Frog Splash. Kingston hit the Uraken backfist for the win.
Bryan Danielson defeated Yuji Nagata
An excellent piece of business here, with a great match that advanced the Danielson/Kingston storyline. Danielson scored a win over a former All Japan Triple Crown Champion and shakes his hand, while simultaneously disrespecting American Triple Crown winner Kingston. It’s another chapter in Kingston’s eternal battle for respect against the Blackpool Combat Club. Kingston was excellent at commentary here, selling his feud with Danielson while giving great color commentary. The match was excellent, as Nagata can still go at the highest of levels.
Danielson made his entrance as Kingston was leaving and made a point to not look at him while walking down the ramp. Kingston joined the commentary desk, calling Danielson’s move “cute.” The crowd was hyped during the opening exchanges. McGuinness put over Nagata’s MMA training while noting that the closest Danielson’s ever been to MMA fighting is getting his hair braided. The two men traded strikes in the corner before Danielson scored a nearfall with a suplex.
Nagata blocked an armbar before rolling to the ropes to break the hold. The crowd chanted for both men as they entered a Greco-Roman Knuckle Lock. Nagata drove Danielson to the ropes before wrenching Danielson’s arm as we went to commercial. Danielson dropped Nagata with a low dropkick before peppering his legs with kicks in the corner. On commentary, Kingston noted that Danielson was just trying to get him angry with his antics these past two weeks.
Danielson pulled Nagata to the ringpost and drove his knee into the post. Danielson went to the top rope and hit a shotgun dropkick for a nearfall. Danielson hit the hammer-and-anvil elbows, but Nagata caught the arm and hit an Exploder Suplex. The two men traded uppercuts until Nagata caught Danielson in the Nagata Lock. Danielson reached for Nagata’s leg and locked on a kneebar. Nagata kicked his way free before hitting a Justice Boot in the corner.
Nagata took Danielson to the top rope and fought through Danielson headbutts to hit a superplex for a nearfall. Nagata locked on the Nagata Lock, then transitioned to a Fujiwara armbar. Nagata rolled his eyes to the back of his head, but Danielson got to the ropes. Danielson fought out of the backdrop driver and hit a Dragon Screw Leg Whip. The two men traded kicks until Danielson feigned low and went high. Danielson led the YES chants before hitting the Busaiku Knee for the win.
After the match, Danielson shook Nagata’s hand as the announcers noted that Danielson beat a former All Japan Triple Crown Champion. When he got to the top of the ramp, Danielson flipped Kingston the bird to laughter from the Continental Crown Champion.
FTR was at the trainer’s room with Lexy Nair. They didn’t have any update on Daniel Garcia‘s status but would fight at a handicap if necessary. Mark Briscoe walked up and offered his partnership if Garcia couldn’t go. FTR left the decision up to the doctors and Garcia, but let Briscoe know that he was in if Garcia was out.
Brian Cage was backstage with Renee Paquette. Cage was upset at losing both of his Trios Title matches and was annoyed at everyone talking about the FTW Champion Hook. Cage said that he put the FTW Title on the map and said that Hook was the size of his smaller leg. Hook entered the scene and offered Cage a title shot whenever he wanted.
Serena Deeb defeated Robyn Renegade
Deeb showed no signs of rust here, as the video packages did a successful job of re-introducing her to the AEW audience.
The crowd chanted Welcome Back to Deeb as the two locked up. Deeb took Renegade down to the mat and locked on a single-leg crab that forced Renegade to the ropes. Renegade got a Full Nelson on, but Deeb escaped and tagged Renegade with a slap. Deeb hit a neckbreaker in the ropes, then followed with one in the ring. Deeb hit the Detox before locking on the Serenity Lock for the win.
After the match, Deeb got on the mic and said that it felt damn good to be back in the ring. She came back to elevate the division, put the wrestling back in All Elite Wrestling, and to become a champion. She put the locker room on notice that The Professor was back.
We got a video package hyping CMLL stars Volador Jr, Mistico, Mascara Dorada, & Hechicero, as they would be in action next Friday on Rampage.
FTR made their entrance for the main event. Mark Briscoe came out to be their partner, but the lights cut out. When they came up, the House of Black was attacking Briscoe. King threw Briscoe off the stage into a table. FTR charged up the ramp and brawled with the House of Black as the bell rang.
Escape The Cage Elimination Match – Daniel Garcia & FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood) defeated The House Of Black (Brody King, Buddy Matthews & Malakai Black)
A fantastic main event. The drama and tension built throughout the match, as the babyface team fought together and rallied to get the win. The story throughout this feud was FTR and Garcia winning when the odds were even, but always left lying when the full House of Black was in tow. The odds were made even here, as the interference of Hart was offset by Mark Briscoe coming back in the nick of time. The escape the cage element made me scratch my head when it was announced, but it allowed Daniel Garcia to be the one to clinch the win in a great touch. A stellar episode of Collision.
All five men brawled on the outside, with weapons coming out and referees getting knocked down. Both Wheeler and Harwood got sent into the cage, with King crushing Wheeler against the barricade. Black was going to hit Harwood with a chair, but Daniel Garcia came out with a chair. Garcia laid into all three men with a chair, but Black back body dropped Garcia on the ramp. The House brought Garcia and Harwood into the ring and stomped on both men, but Wheeler dove off the cage into the ring onto the House as we went to a commercial.
After the match, all six men brawled in the ring. Harwood hit Black with a main event spinebuster. Wheeler ran into a Black Hole Slam from King. Matthews and Black sent Garcia into the cage before sending him into a forearm from King. They did the same thing to Harwood before rising up the cage. Garcia and FTR pulled them back down.
They pinballed all three members into the cage. FTR went to leave, but Garcia said that they weren’t done with them yet. Garcia locked Matthews in the Dragon Slayer as FTR hit Black with the Shatter Machine. King took both men down with a double clothesline before FTR repeatedly sent him into the cage. We got a move train that ended with Harwood hitting a brainbuster on Black. Harwood went to make the climb, but King fought up. King went to climb, but Harwood took him down with a modified back suplex. Harwood went to leave through the door as the announcers noted that leaving the cage meant that you could not re-enter the ring. King speared the door into Harwood before both men fell to the floor. The match continued, as it is the first team with all three men out of the cage that wins the match.
After a commercial, we got a Powerplex from Garcia and Wheeler on Black. Matthews hit a Meteora on Garcia that sent him into the other two. Matthews and Wheeler climbed to the top rope, where Matthews dropped Wheeler crotch-first onto the ropes. Matthews climbed up, but Wheeler followed. Both men climbed to the outside, where Matthews drove Wheeler’s head into the cage until Wheeler fell through a table at ringside.
Black told Matthews to climb back into the ring to leave Garcia for dead, but Garcia sent Black into the cage, which sent Matthews to the floor through another table. Black and Garcia were the last men in the ring, and after stopping each other from escaping, Garcia locked Black in an ankle lock. Black sent Garcia into the cage with a boot, but Garcia came back with a lariat. Garcia climbed up, but Julia Hart climbed the cage and spat the mist in Garcia’s face.
Black nonchalantly went to leave, but Garcia told Black to finish the job. Black kicked the chair away from Garcia and went to hit the Black Mass, but Garcia ducked it and hit a piledriver on the chair. Garcia went to climb out as Black crawled to the door. Black was almost out of the door when Mark Briscoe slammed the door in his face. Garcia made it to the floor to score the win for his team.
A steel cage elimination match is set for next week’s AEW Collision.
After the two trios teams brawled yet again on Saturday, Dax Harwood on behalf of Cash Harwood and Daniel Garcia challenged The House of Black to a steel cage elimination match for next week’s show, saying he wanted to finish this once and for all.
This week’s Collision saw Garcia defeat the House of Black’s Buddy Matthews. However, the rest of the House of Black immediately entered the ring after the match and went on the attack. FTR, who were at ringside to watch Garcia’s back, entered the ring as the two teams fought.
FTR has spent much of 2023 feuding with The House of Black, with their rivalry picking up steam in recent weeks. After Garcia pinned Brody King to score his one win in the Continental Classic, he too became part of The House of Black’s and FTR’s feud. While FTR scored a win over Matthews & Malakai Black two weeks ago on Collision, The House of Black defeated FTR & Daniel Garcia the following week.
The lineup for next week’s AEW Collision:
Steel cage elimination match: FTR & Daniel Garcia vs. House of Black
