After their recent tag team clash failed to quell their rivalry, FTR will team with Daniel Garcia against the House of Black on Saturday’s AEW Collision.
On last Saturday’s show, FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) took on Malakai Black & Buddy Matthews in the evening’s main event with FTR picking up a win. Garcia came out to aid FTR and even the odds after HOB member Brody King made his presence felt.
The House of Black laid out FTR and Garcia after the match with HOB member and TBS Champion Julia Hart even giving them a ten-bell salute.
The new addition joins the previously announced Adam Copeland open challenge, Deonna Purrazzo’s in-ring debut as an AEW contracted talent, a Hangman Page appearance, and an ROH Six-Man Tag Team title match.
Here’s the current card for Norfolk, Virginia:
Adam Copeland open challenge
Deonna Purrazzo vs. Red Velvet
FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) and Daniel Garcia vs. House of Black (Malakai Black, Brody King & Buddy Matthews)
ROH Six-Man Tag Team Champions Brian Cage & The Gates of Agony (Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun) defend against Lance Archer & The Righteous (Dutch & Vincent)
A new match has been added for Wednesday’s Dynamite.
Daniel Garcia will meet Swerve Strickland on Wednesday’s show. The two were part of the recently concluded Continental Classic tournament. Swerve came out strong in the tournament before losing in the Gold League finals. Daniel Garcia was winless in the tournament until defeating Brody King on the final night. He also picked up the win for his team in an eight-man tag team match that took place at Worlds End on Saturday. Swerve also picked up a win on Saturday, defeating Dustin Rhodes.
Mariah May’s opponent for Wednesday has also been named, as she will face Queen Aminata. May had been pushing on television in recent weeks that she was close to getting her American wrestling license, and her debut was finally announced for Wednesday. Since her debut, she has been supporting Toni Storm, who emerged victorious at Worlds End by defeating Riho.
Christian Cage’s 2x TNT Championship 2024 State of the Union will also take place. Cage won the title back from Adam Copeland on Saturday at Worlds End after cashing in Killswitch’s TNT Championship match opportunity, which he won earlier in the night in a battle royal.
Here is the updated lineup for AEW Dynamite:
International Champion Orange Cassidy defends against Dante Martin
Swerve Strickland vs. Daniel Garcia
Christian Cage’s 2x TNT Championship 2024 State of the Union
The Continental Classic continues on tonight’s AEW Rampage with a Bryan Danielson vs. Daniel Garcia bout.
Wrestling two tournament bouts in 24 hours, Danielson will face Garcia on tonight’s episode prior to another Continental Classic match on Saturday’s Collision show.
Danielson is 1-0 in the Continental Classic Blue League, and has another bout on tomorrow’s Collision against Andrade El Idolo as well. Garcia is 0-2 in the tournament to this point.
The International Championship will also be on the line on tonight’s episode, as Orange Cassidy defends his title against Angelico.
In a women’s division contest, Trish Adora will take on Abadon.
The Don Callis Family will be in tag team action on the show, with Konosuke Takeshita teaming with Powerhouse Hobbs against Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal.
An appearance by Hook has also been announced for tonight’s episode.
Tonight’s show was taped Wednesday, December 6 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Spoilers from the event can be found here.
Taped in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Ian Riccaboni, Tony Schiavone and Matt Menard were on commentary.
Orange Cassidy defeated Angelico (w/ Serpentico) to retain the AEW International Title (11:46)
Hook, Danhausen, and a mini-Danhausen accompanied Cassidy to the ring. An angle on last night’s ROH Honor Club where Angelico clipped Cassidy’s leg set up this match. Serpentico and Angelico are the “SAP” and honest to goodness, I thought I heard an “SAP!” chant. But that was quickly shouted down by chants for Cassidy.
Cassidy has the most wins in a calendar year (this one) in AEW, which is something. Tremendous mat work from both guys to start. Cassidy countered out of a torture rack with a tijeras, which sent Angelico to the floor. Angelico went after Cassidy’s leg with a hard kick. It didn’t keep Cassidy from connecting on a rana, but he injured it again on a kip up. Cassidy fell to the floor selling his injured leg.
Back in the ring, Angelico worked on the leg, tying up Cassidy legs in a death lock and stretching Cassidy into a surfboard. Cassidy fought up, but Angelico countered into a desperate pin attempt for a near fall.
After a break, Cassidy countered a suplex with a Stundog Millionaire. Cassidy hit the Beach Break, but was too injured to make the cover. Cassidy tried to set up the Orange Punch, but Serpencio tripped Cassidy up, and Angelico hit a pump kick. Danhausen tripped up Angelico when he ran the ropes, dodged an attack from Serpentico, then cursed Angelico! Cassidy rolled up Angelico, but Angelico’s kick out sent Cassidy crashing into Danhausen.
Angelico tied up Cassidy’s legs in a submission, while Serpentico locked Danhausen in a chinlock on the floor. Cassidy got a ropebreak. There was some more nonsense on the floor with Serpentico and Danhausen, which ended with Danhausen low-blowing Serpentico. Cassidy caught Angelico with a rollup for another near fall, then finished off Angelico with the Orange Punch and got the pinfall.
Fun match that didn’t need the nonsense from Serpentico and Danhausen.
Abadon defeated Trish Adora (3:29)
Abadon? But it isn’t Halloween!
Abandon laughed off a hard chop from Adora, who followed up with 20 more. Adora countered a surfboard attempt with a bite to the butt. Adora’s finisher is called the “Lariat Tubman” and that’s a fantastic name for a finisher. Abandon took Adora down with a stomp in the corner, then battered Adora with forearms. Adora came back with a jawbreaker and a pump kick. Abandon popped back up, ducked the Lariat Tubman, hit a series of knees and finished off Adora with the Black Dahlia.
After the match, the lights went out. When they came back on, TBS Champion Julia Hart appeared. Hart laid the title at Abadon’s feet. They picked up the belt, and the lights went out again. When the lights came back on, but Julia Hart and the title belt were gone.
Push Hart and Abadon to the pay-per-view and see what happens.
– A video package previewed the Mercedes Martinez/Willow Nightingale match for tomorrow night’s Collision.
Konosuke Takeshita & Powerhouse Hobbs defeated Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal (w/ Don Callis) (7:32 aired)
Callis joined the commentary team, who immediately begins positioning his team as the next roadblock for the Golden Jets.
Hobbs crushed Daniels with a bodyblock, then threw him across the ring with a slam. Daniels escaped a suplex attempt from Takeshita and tagged Sydal, who flew in with a springboard dropkick. Sydal escaped a tombstone from Takeshita, but it didn’t take long for Takeshita to assert his advantage and retake control.
After a break, Sydal countered a blue thunder bomb with a rana. Hobbs and Daniels got the tags, and Daniels hit Hobbs with a rana… and then got flattened with a lariat. Takeshita took out Sydal with a boot, and Hobbs hit Daniels with a spinebuster. World’s Most Dangerous (fka Mark Henry’s World’s Strongest Slam) got Hobbs the pinfall.
– A replay of Dante Martin’s grizzly injury (and please, please stop replaying that. It’s awful.) led to Rene Paquette interviewing Top Flight and Action Andretti. Dante Martin accepted the challenge Penta made for a trios match.
Bryan Danielson (2-0-0, 6pts) defeated Daniel Garcia (0-3-0, 0pts) in a Blue League Continental Classic match (15:27)
A more serious Garcia is back to basic trunks and black towel. Garcia had a nice wrist lock on early, but Danielson escaped with a throw.
Danielson worked over Garcia’s legs with kicks. Garcia battled back with punches and stomped Danielson in the corner. Garcia hung Danielson in the ropes upside down, then dove into Danielson with a dropkick for a near fall. Danielson countered a suplex attempt with a German suplex.
After a split-screen break, Daneilson battered Garcia with kicks to the chest. Garcia battled back with chops, slaps and a backdrop suplex. Garcia went for a Gotch-style piledriver but Danielson countered that into a triangle choke. Danielson hit some elbows in the choke, then rolled on top of Garcia to pummel him with his fists. Garica managed to get a rope break, and referee Aubrey Edwards made Danielson release the hold.
Danielson went for the busaiku knee. but Garcia dropped to his stomach. Garcia was playing possum though, and surprised Danielson with a small package for two. Garcia caught Dnaielson in the sharpshooter, which he transitioned into a piledriver for two. This was a great sequence.
Garcia said, “He’s gonna get his head kicked in!” then proceeded to kick Danielson’s head in. The crowd did not like this turn of events. Garcia broke out the dance, and then ran right into the busaiku knee… for two. Daneilson then kicked Garcia’s head in. Garcia put up a fight, but after some forearms, Danielson locked in the LeBell Lock. Garcia tried to get to the ropes, so Danielson hit him with some more forearms, locked in the LeBell lock again, and Garcia passed out.
Great match.
Final Thoughts:
During the main event, it’s made official that next Friday on Honor Club, Jon Moxley, Claudio Castignolia and Bryan Danielson will take on FTR and Mark Briscoe at Final Battle. So, that’s awesome.
The main event is worth going out of your way to see.
One of our two traditional biggest issues of the year of the Observer came out this week, the 2023 Hall of Fame issue:
2023 Hall of Fame voting standings for all candidates
Hall of Fame coverage, career highlights of the seven new inductees and one major feature story on a European legend, plus who is off the ballot next year, who will be added to the ballot next year, every first ballot Hall of Famer, every person historically elected with more than 75 percent of the vote and the top 30 in each category for reporters, historians, active pros and retired pros.
Match of the week and performer of the week
A look at Full Gear and Survivor Series
UFC 295 full coverage
The end of an era with Bellator and MMA on Showtime
Coverage of DDT’s Ultimate Party with Chris Jericho, Hiromu Takahashi and a great title match on top
PWG on hiatus and its ever changing role in pro wrestling
The most complete ratings report, demo coverage, competition for the shows and segment-by-segment notes, plus comparisons with one year ago.
Notes on Flip Gordon becoming a regular in CMLL
Newcomers to watch out for including one spectacular newcomer at Arena Mexico
Stardom and All Japan tag tourneys
New Japan tag tournament notes and this week’s shows
Lone Star Shootout from New Japan
Women’s wrestling sets all-time attendance mark
Tony Khan’s Continental Classic
Lots of AEW stars in mainstream acting gigs
International TV ratings
Upcoming ticket advances for WWE & AEW
How times have changed greatly for UFC regarding Conor McGregor
Dana White gos on rampages about sponsors and critics of another sponsor
UFC’s greatest fighters of all-time
New UFC major fights
Bellator champion suspended regarding drug test failure
Fury-Ngannou PPV update
Retired star gets giant money offer to return from Middle East
Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
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Tuesday Update
WWE
Apollo Crews vs. Myles Borne and Joe Coffey vs. Von Wagner were taped for this week’s Main Event.
Barbend spoke to Natalya on her approach to training and nutrition. She mentioned that she is in her 17th year with WWE. “I’ve been wrestling since I was 18, and in January [2024], I’ll have been signed by WWE for 17 years,” Neidhart said. “Not everybody can say that when they’ve been doing something as physical as wrestling for over 20 years…After all these years, my physical and mental health are my priorities, and I’m in a really good place with both of them.”
Actor Ken Jeong commented on the Netflix series Wrestlers, telling Al Snow on X “I absolutely loved your ‘Wrestlers’ documentary. So unexpectedly emotional & moving. @BlueMeanieBWO recommended it to me, and now I see why Brian loves you so much. Much love & respect for you & everyone at #OVW.”
PWInsider is reporting that Kamille’s contract with the NWA expires at the end of 2023.
This week’s special Friday edition of Collision will feature Miro taking on Daniel Garcia. On last week’s show, Garcia danced in front of CJ Perry, which Miro didn’t like seeing backstage. Perry was out there to manage Andrade El Idolo, who has accepted Perry’s offer to manage him.
Also in action will be AEW Women’s Champion Hikaru Shida and TBS Champion Kris Statlander teaming together to take on Saraya and Ruby Soho. Shida will defend her title against Toni Storm at Full Gear, while Statlander will defend her title in a three-way match against Julia Hart and Skye Blue.
Two of the participants in Full Gear’s Tag Team title match will also face off. Dax Harwood of FTR will challenge LFI’s Rush. FTR and LFI (Rush & Dralistico) will face champions Big Bill & Ricky Starks and Kings of the Black Throne (Malakai Black and Brody King).
Live coverage of Collision starts at 8 pm ET.
*****
There were no pre-show promos tonight, as Sir Elton John introduced this week’s Collision, live from The Forum in Los Angeles, California. Kevin Kelly and Nigel McGuinness were on commentary, throwing it to Tony Schiavone in the ring to kick off the show.
Christian Cage Speaks
Schiavone welcomed out the TNT Champion Christian Cage, who came to the ring alongside Luchasaurus & Nick Wayne. Cage said that Full Gear wouldn’t only be Sting’s last match in Los Angeles, it would be the last match of his career. Cage told Darby Allin that if he ever needed guidance once Sting retired, he knew who to come to. Cage told Ric Flair that if he got involved in Cage’s business, it would be a literal come to Jesus moment.
Cage said that Adam Copeland only came to AEW to steal the spotlight. While Copeland was coddled and protected, Cage fought for everything he got in his career. Cage told Copeland’s wife to keep his kids awake, because Cage was going to break Copeland’s neck. As far as tonight was concerned, he knew that the powers that be wanted him on television as much as possible. He believed he could beat all four men at once, so he wasn’t worried. Cage shouted out Los Angeles Clippers star James Harden, saying that he himself didn’t work within a system, he was the system.
AEW World Tag Team Champions Ricky Starks & Big Bill were backstage with Lexy Nair. Starks spoke to Tony Khan, complaining that it was unfair to be in a match where they didn’t have to be pinned to lose the titles. Khan allowed Starks to pick a stipulation for the Full Gear title match, and Starks chose to make it a ladder match, as Big Bill wouldn’t have very far to climb.
(This match was random enough, why not throw some ladders in?)
Miro defeated Daniel Garcia
A hard-hitting opener. Garcia’s technique and Miro’s brute force made for an interesting style clash and a good match. As for the Garcia & Menard story, it’s time to get to the next phase of it.
Miro sent Garcia up and over with a gut-wrench throw before clubbering Garcia in the corner. Garcia threw some leg kicks, but Miro continued his offense unphased. Miro teased doing Garcia’s dance, but Garcia fired up with chops and punches. Miro caught Garcia on a charge before hitting a tilt-a-whirl uranage as we went to commercial.
Back from the commercial, Garcia fought his way out of a headlock before chopping Miro down by the knee. Garcia forced Miro into the corner with punches before hitting a pair of running knees. Garcia hit a trio of Bryan Danielson-esque running knees, but Miro came back with a jumping side kick. Miro called for Game Over, but Garcia grabbed Miro’s foot and got to his feet.
Garcia slapped Miro before hitting a back suplex. Garcia went to do the dance, but Matt Menard came out to tell him to focus. Miro went for a charge, but Garcia ran him into Menard and rolled him up for a nearfall. Garcia locked on a crossface, and when Miro fought out of it, Garcia transitioned into the Dragon Slayer. Garcia leaned back on the hold, which allowed Miro to grab Garcia’s head and repeatedly slam it into the mat. Miro locked on Game Over and scored the referee stoppage.
Andrade El Idolo & CJ Perry were backstage with Lexy Nair. Andrade was happy with Perry’s management. Perry announced that she had entered Andrade into the Continental Classic, an announcement that caught Andrade off-guard. After some whispered words, Andrade shook Perry’s hand and said that he trusted her.
(Andrade has been great since his return. His addition to this tournament is a welcome announcement. His apprehension toward being in the tournament was an odd way to present it, as this should be seen as a big opportunity.)
Kings of the Black Throne (Brody King & Malachi Black) defeated The Boys (Brandon & Brent)
King and Black scored a quick win with Dante’s Inferno.
We had a promo for the TBS Title match, with words from Kris Statlander, Julia Hart, & Skye Blue.
TNT Title #1 Contender’s Match – Trent Beretta defeated Penta El Zero Miedo, Brian Cage (w/ Prince Nana), & Komander
This was exactly what you would expect from these four men. Fast-paced, high-flying, and a lot of fun. Beretta has made himself a highlight of Friday nights lately. I’m happy that Brian Cage didn’t win, as a Cage vs. Cage title match would make the Rampage review hell on Joseph Collins.
The winner of this match will challenge Christian Cage for the TNT Championship later tonight on Rampage. Cage took all three men down to start before the group teamed up to send him to the floor. Penta launched Komander into a corkscrew dive onto Cage before running into a back elbow from Beretta. Beretta sent Penta to the floor with a half-and-half suplex before Komander booted him to the outside.
Komander went for a ropewalk dive, but Cage shook the ropes to knock him down. Cage took Komander from the ring to the floor with a superplex onto Beretta and Penta. Cage threw his opponents around as we went to a commercial. Cage was still in control after the break, tossing Beretta around with throws. Penta and Komander worked together to take Cage down, with Komander sending Penta into Cage with a throw.
Beretta took control with German suplexes on both Penta and Komander. Cage fought out of Beretta’s suplex, but Beretta hit a poisonrana. Cage came right back with a spinning lariat. Cage stuffed a Komander rana for a nearfall that Penta broke up. Penta ran wild, hitting everyone with offense before landing Made In Japan on Beretta for a nearfall.
Penta used Komander as a stepstool to hit a dive onto Cage, but Komander followed Penta to the floor with a tope. Komander went for the ropewalk Shooting Star Press on Beretta, but Beretta moved and hit Strong Zero for the win.
We got a recap of Powerhouse Hobbs’ massive slam on Paul Wight from the Like A Dragon Street Fight on Dynamite. Don Callis & Hobbs were backstage with Lexy Nair, where Callis said that Hobbs broke Wight with that slam. Hobbs bragged about taking out the giant, noting that he was big, black, and jacked. He told Wight to stay away because anyone could get it.
Wardlow defeated Evan Daniels
Wardlow hit a powerbomb, a swanton bomb, and a Last Ride powerbomb to get the referee stoppage.
Rush (w/ La Faccion Ingobernable) vs. Dax Harwood ended in a no-contest
What a fight this was. A gritty, nasty brawl between these two, ending in a brawl that sold me on the ladder match at Full Gear. A great piece of business.
Ricky Starks & Big Bill joined commentary, with Starks doing the talking. Dax was announced as Dax The Axe, which is new to me. Rush took Harwood down with a shoulder block, but Harwood came back with a flying forearm that sent Rush to the floor. Harwood went for a powerbomb on the floor, but Rush backdropped his way out of it. Rush ran Harwood into all four barricades as Starks humorously mocked Harwood on commentary.
Rush and Harwood traded chops, with Harwood’s chest bleeding from the chops. Rush sent Harwood into the corner post, then feigned the Bull’s Horns before booting Harwood in the face. After a commercial, Rush landed the third of Three Amigos for a nearfall. Harwood hit a pair of German suplexes before Rush turned him around for more chops. Rush took Harwood to the top rope, but Harwood chopped him down.
Rush crotched Harwood, then hit a superplex for a nearfall. More overhand chops turned into slaps before both men knocked each other down. Both men charged at each other with lariats before Rush hit a back suplex for a nearfall. After a series of transitions, Harwood caught Rush with a piledriver for a nearfall. Both men rolled to the floor, where Rush sent Harwood into the post.
Rush got in Starks’ face, shoving him and spitting on him before getting back in the ring and setting up the Bull’s Horns. Rush went for it, but Starks speared him to end the match. Big Bill attacked Harwood as Schiavone announced this match as a no-contest. All of the participants in the ladder match came out and brawled, with Big Bill and Brody King staring each other down. They pulled out a ladder, but Dralistico and Wheeler cut them off. Security and referees came down to break things up.
Action Andretti was backstage with Lexy Nair, who went to give a medical update on Darius Martin after the Kingdom attack on him last week. The Kingdom & Roderick Strong entered the scene, mocking Martin. Strong said that ACTION would be his next victim.
Buddy Matthews defeated Wheeler Yuta
Another damn good match here. Two fresh talents having a chance to showcase themselves on the big stage. This is what made AEW so exciting at the start, and it worked again in this match. Matthews vs. Castagnoli is a welcome addition to the Full Gear card.
During Matthews’ entrance, the commentary noted that the Continental Classic would have no outside interference or managers at ringside. After the opening exchange, Yuta got cocky and fed Matthews his leg. Matthews took the bait, with Yuta escaping and dropkicking Matthews to the floor. Matthews got his hands on Yuta on the floor and flung him into the barricade. Yuta fought back, pulling Matthews to the apron alongside him. Matthews took Yuta and flung him into the announce desk as we went to commercial.
Back from the commercial, Matthews hit Yuta with a flurry of offense before Yuta came back with a heavy forearm. Yuta came back with more strikes before Matthews cut him off with a kitchen sink knee. The two traded big strikes before Yuta came back with a German suplex for a nearfall. Yuta landed a superkick before hitting a dive to Matthews on the floor.
Yuta hit the Right Angle Slam for a nearfall. Both men went to the apron, where Matthews sent Yuta into the post and suplexed him onto the top turnbuckle. Yuta booted Matthews repeatedly before splashing Matthews through the ropes for a nearfall. Yuta went for the stomps, but Matthews kicked his way free. Matthews hit a pair of head-trap superkicks before hitting a powerbomb and a curb stomp to score the win.
After the match, Matthews grabbed a chair to attack Yuta, but Claudio Castagnoli ran him off. Castagnoli said that if Matthews wanted the attention of the Blackpool Combat Club, he didn’t have to hide in his spooky room to do it. Castagnoli challenged Matthews to a match at Full Gear unless Matthews had to ask Malachi Black for permission first.
We got words from both Jon Moxley and Orange Cassidy ahead of their International Title rematch tomorrow.
The only successful Outcast this week was Andre 3000. The Soho/Parker thing is fine undercard fodder, but save it for the post-match.
During the entrances, the commentary noted that the Claudio Castagnoli vs. Buddy Matthews match was signed for the Full Gear Zero Hour. Shida and Soho started, with Shida sending Soho into the corner with a dropkick. Shida dropped Soho with a slam before tagging Statlander, who hit a double leg drop for a nearfall.
Soho tagged in Saraya, but Statlander took Saraya down with a shoulder block. Saraya hit a running knee on Statlander at Julia Hart watched on from backstage. Statlander took down both Outcasts with Northern Lights Suplexes before Shida hit a crossbody on both of them. Skye Blue watched on from another monitor backstage. Shida hit the ten punches in the corner before Soho yanked Shida down as we went to commercial.
Back from the commercial, Angelo Parker watched on as Soho yanked Statlander off of the apron. Shida hit an enzuigiri to Saraya before tagging in Statlander, who ran wild on the Outcasts. Statlander hit a spinning suplex for a nearfall. Soho sent Statlander into the barricade, where she noticed Parker wearing her merch. Soho hit a poisonrana on Statlander before Shida hit her with a missile dropkick. Shida and Saraya collided with dual cross bodies.
Shida hit a knee on Soho to send her off of the apron before hitting Saraya with a running knee. Parker helped Soho on the floor while Saraya hit the cradle DDT for a nearfall. Saraya went for a tag, but Soho was focused on Parker, who himself got taken out with a lariat from Statlander. Shida hit Saraya with the Kitana for the win.
Collision ended with AEW World Champion MJF sitting down with Tony Schiavone in a pre-taped interview. When asked why he continues to defend the ROH Tag Team Titles by himself, MJF said that he made Adam Cole a promise that he would keep the titles until Cole came back. When asked about Jay White stealing the World Title, he said that White reminded him of the bad parts of himself. MJF said that White took the title to convince himself that he was good enough to be World Champion.
Schiavone asked MJF about his success as World Champion, having the longest reign and the most title defenses if he was successful at Full Gear. MJF said that the odds were against him for a long time, and he would beat the odds at Full Gear.
Miro vs. Daniel Garcia, plus two more matches have been announced for this Friday’s AEW Collision.
After Garcia danced in front of Miro’s wife CJ Perry on last week’s Collision, Miro responded with a promo on Garcia on Wednesday’s Dynamite and announced the singles match between the two set for this week’s episode. Garcia lost to Andrade El Idolo on last week’s Collision.
Also announced for the show, Women’s World Champion Hikaru Shida & TBS Champion Kris Statlander against Saraya & Ruby Soho. Shida will defend her title against Toni Storm at Saturday’s Full Gear pay-per-view, while Statlander will defend against Skye Blue & Julia Hart in a triple threat match at the PPV.
Two participants in Saturday’s AEW Tag Team title match will square off in singles competition on Collision as Dax Harwood of FTR faces Rush of LFI.
This week’s Collision will air live at 8 p.m. Eastern time on Friday, November 17 on TNT, head-to-head with WWE SmackDown on Fox.
The announced card:
Miro vs. Daniel Garcia
Hikaru Shida & Kris Statlander vs. Saraya & Ruby Soho
MJF will defend the AEW World Championship on tonight’s Dynamite.
After Daniel Garcia issued a challenge on last Friday’s Rampage, MJF quickly answered the callout and puts the World title on the line against Garcia on tonight’s episode in Portland, Oregon.
ROH World Television Champion Samoa Joe will defend his title against Keith Lee after a backstage confrontation between the two on Saturday’s AEW Collision episode.
Before he challenges for the AEW World title on next Saturday’s Full Gear pay-per-view, Jay White will battle Mark Briscoe tonight.
Sting & Darby Allin will be in tag team action on tonight’s episode against The Outrunners.
Red Velvet will make her return to the ring for the first time since February on tonight’s episode as she takes on Julia Hart of the House of Black.
Prior to facing Hangman Page at Full Gear, Swerve Strickland will step into the ring with Penta El Zero Miedo on Dynamite.
Full Gear opponents Hikaru Shida & Toni Storm will have a sit-down interview with Tony Schiavone on tonight’s episode. Shida defends the Women’s World title against Storm next Saturday at the pay-per-view.
**********
AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Tony Schiavone backstage introducing World Champion MJF, asking him about Jay White pinning him last week. MJF said it’s not going to happen again when he gets a video chat from Adam Cole, who is shown on the TV screen. Cole said he’s worried about Max at Full Gear and if he wants to win against The Gunns, he needs to take Joe up on his offer. MJF refuses and said he has a plan, but has to handle Daniel Garcia first. Garcia, Matt Menard & Angelo Parker enter and MJF said it’s talent over tenure and questions whether he’s getting the professional wrestler or sports entertainer? Garcia said he’s getting the professional wrestler before walking off. Roderick Strong screams and rolls in with The Kingdom and tries to get MJF to make him his partner, but MJF refuses and storms off, much like last week. Cole cuts off his video, while Strong said it’s time to remind everyone who the hell he is.
Excalibur welcomes us alongside Tony Schiavone and Taz as we go right to the intros to our opening AEW World Title match.
MJF defeated Daniel Garcia (w/Matt Menard & Angelo Parker) to retain the AEW World Title
(While I wish this match would’ve gone longer, there’s quite a few matches on the card tonight, so this was a solid back and forth match for the time given. I really hope this is the start of a singles push for Garcia, which is weird saying that coming off a loss, but he’s been just a guy for a while now, he’s one of the best wrestlers they have, time for him to be pushed.)
MJF almost locked in an early submission, but a rope break by Garcia allowed MJF to mock the dance. Garcia out wrestled MJF and nearly did the dance, but Menard cut him off. MJF applauds the scrap and offers a hand, but gets the signature eye poke instead, leading to a hammerlock slam. MJF continued to work over the arm heading into commercial.
Garcia mounted a comeback with a release German suplex that sent MJF bouncing to the corner, allowing Garcia to do a one arm dance before planting MJF with a brainbuster. Garcia got a series of near falls before a piledriver couldn’t hit due to the injured arm, so Garcia settled for a Saito suplex. Garcia charged in the corner, but MJF escaped and hit a double stomp to the elbow and under hook shoulder breaker. A violent hammerlock cradle DDT got two, as Garcia scrambled out of Salt of the Earth and Heat Seeker. MJF hit the corner superkick, but missed a Panama Sunrise, leading to Garcia chopping out the legs of the champion. Garcia planted MJF with a one arm piledriver and got a close two before sinking in the Dragon Tamer. Garcia fell back and danced a bit allowing MJF to pull back on the injured arm and get Salt of the Earth locked in for the submission.
Post match, MJF offered a handshake, but as Garcia went for it, Menard & Parker pulled him back. MJF asked if Garcia will keep following them and got the crowd to chant for Garcia, but Menard & Parker stopped it again.
**********
Sting & Darby Allin defeated The Outrunners (Turbo Floyd & Truth Magnum)
(A Sting squash match in 2023 was quite the sight to see, as this is a rare two match week for the Stinger, who now goes on to Collision for a six man tag with Allin & Adam Copeland against Lance Archer & The Righteous.)
Tony Schiavone let us know Jim Valley told him this was the first time Sting has wrestled in Oregon since 1989. Floyd & Magnum got the upper hand on Allin in the early going, with loud chants of We Want Sting from the crowd. Floyd took too long to deliver a suplex, as Allin tagged Sting while upside down and Sting saved his partner. Magnum pulled Allin to the floor, as Sting no sold a double back elbow as The Outrunners posed. Dueling Stinger & Coffin Splashes connected before Sting sank in the Scorpion Death Lock on Floyd for the submission.
-Tony Schiavone was backstage earlier today with Hikaru Shida & Toni Storm with the screen black and white, as Schiavone said not to adjust our TV screens. Shida questioned what happened to Storm, who said she’s still upset about what happened at All In and will become the first 3 time Women’s champion and Shida will never have the spotlight. Storm signed the contract, as did Shida, who said what will happen is what will always happen, she’ll beat Storm at Full Gear. Storm said chin up, tits out and watch for the shoe, which Shida smacked out of her hand.
Swerve Strickland (w/Prince Nana) defeated Penta El Zero Miedo (w/Alex Abrahantes)
(The match itself was absolutely fantastic, these two have great chemistry with one another and the crowd was into the match from the start. I still can’t believe it took this long for Hangman to get his hands on Strickland, but at least he did this week.)
Excalibur informed us that due to Strickland & Nana breaking into Hangman Adam Page’s home two weeks ago, Page is banned from ringside during this match. I have zero idea how that makes any sense at all, while Strickland never got punished by his breaking and entering, but here we are. Both Strickland & Penta showed their athleticism early in a back and forth, which Strickland got the upper hand on with a head scissors and leaping uppercut to the back. Penta started a chop exchange, so Strickland stomped on the hand to put a stop to that. Penta fought back with a backstabber that sent Strickland outside, but cut off a diving Penta. After side stepping Strickland, Penta hit a thrust kick and finally connected on a somersault dive into commercial.
We return to a slugfest until both men countered Made in Penta & the JML Driver respectively before colliding with one another with a double clothesline. After a series of misdirects, Penta hit multiple Sling Blades before hitting his new fireman’s carry Jackhammer for two. Strickland was sent crashing outside, as Penta followed with a spectacular springboard Destroyer from the ring to the apron. Penta connected on a top rope double stomp, but Strickland kicked out at two.
Penta tried going for a float over in the corner and Strickland flipped the legs on the top buckle, crashing Penta down on his head. While hung up in the ropes, Strickland hit a slingshot double stomp to the floor before missing a 450 Splash back in the ring, with Penta trapping and snapping the arm back. Made in Japan connected for the closest two of the match, as both men missed home run shots before Penta punted the bad arm. Strickland countered Fear Factor again, this time into a powerbomb Death Valley Driver before getting payback by snapping the arm of Penta. Swerve Stomp connected and Strickland got the pinfall.
Post match, Strickland was about to take off Penta’s mask when Hangman Adam Page appeared with a chair and swung wildly. Strickland & Nana tried to bail, but only Nana got away, as Strickland was laid out with the chair, as were multiple security guards. Page connected on a Dead Eye off the stage through a table, screaming that Strickland is a dead man. Excalibur said Page had to be careful hitting security with a chair; it might cost him, which, again, I have to remind everyone, Strickland broke into a man’s home and wasn’t punished.
-Alex Marvez is backstage with Bullet Club Gold, who are back from their vacation. Jay White cut a promo and ran down MJF saying no matter what MJF does, White will always be better than he is.
-A video package for next week’s Street Fight is shown with Kenny Omega, Chris Jericho, Kota Ibushi & Paul Wight vs. The Don Callis Family while video game footage of Like A Dragon was inserted into the history of the feud.
**********
-Renee Paquette is backstage with The Golden Jets, Kenny Omega & Chris Jericho saying next week is the final Boss Battle. Once Jericho started talking he was immediately cut off by The Young Bucks. Matt Jackson makes fun of the Golden Jets name and brings up another name, The Elite. Jericho said The Bucks are supposed to be friends with Omega, but weren’t there when Powerhouse Hobbs beat him up. Jericho said if he recalls, it was all four of them who started AEW, but Matt said it was typical Jericho, taking credit and cashing a big check. Jericho reminded Matt who he’s talking to and said he still thinks Jericho & Omega could beat The Bucks. Matt & Nick issue a challenge for Full Gear, but Jericho said once they win at the PPV, the guaranteed Tag Team Title shot The Bucks have goes to Jericho & Omega. Matt said once The Bucks win, this Golden Jets thing is no more. Omega said he doesn’t want to wrestle The Bucks, but he’s done it before and won before with Ibushi & Hangman. Omega said if this is what has to be done to make the Bucks grown up and stop being spoiled, whiny, bitchy children, he’ll see them at Full Gear. Jericho said he’ll be glad to take The Bucks to the woodshed and beat their spoiled asses.
Samoa Joe defeated Keith Lee to retain the ROH TV Title
(Joe’s historic TV Title reign continued for a little longer, but while I was ready for a potential rematch since Lee didn’t officially tap, Joe gave up the title and has his eyes set on a much bigger prize, the AEW Title. While you could certainly say it’s a little weak for Joe to drop the title without losing, he shouldn’t be beaten if he’s going to be a World Title challenger, so I understand it.)
Both took turns colliding on shoulder tackles, with Joe getting an eye poke to lead to his, while Lee got a full head of steam to flatten Joe. Clubbing blows and overhand double chop by Lee, who wrenched away at the face of Joe in the rope as Meat Forever chants echo from the crowd. Joe turned the tide and lit up Lee with punches, but a leap frog, drop down and massive cross body by Lee sent Joe to the floor into commercial.
Back from break, Lee unleashed corner strikes, but Joe responded with a massive sit out knee breaker. Lee tried fighting back, but a dragon screw quickly floored him, allowing Joe to zone in. Joe’s combo of the Manhattan Drop and big boot connected, but Lee was ready to counter the senton and hit a release German suplex. Both men slugged it out before Lee planted a charging Joe with a pop up powerbomb for a close two. Lee wanted the Ground Zero, but Joe got free, locked in the Coquina Clutch as Lee passed out and the referee stopped the match.
Post match, Joe said he didn’t come to Oregon just to be the ROH TV Champion, he’s hungrier than that, so he relinquishes the title and said the next title that will be on his shoulder is the AEW World Championship, whether MJF likes it or not.
-Backstage Orange Cassidy & HOOK are standing by, as Cassidy said Jon Moxley is the only person he’s thought about ever since Moxley left him in a pool of his own blood at All Out. Cassidy apologizes for picking up the piece not of Rey Fenix, but of the International Title that Moxley dropped. Cassidy needs to beat Moxley in order to be the International Champion he knows he can be and will do just that at Full Gear.
The Gunns (w/Juice Robinson) defeated The Bollywood Boyz
Austin & Colten wasted zero time attacking at the bell and connected on 3:10 to Yuma in seconds to get the win.
The Gunns post match called MJF a liar who has been lying to fans for years, which isn’t something a generational talent does, as they ran down their resume and called themselves generational talents. Austin called MJF an embarrassment and said at Full Gear, the ROH Tag Titles go into the hands of a real tag team before hitting the Gunns Up line. MJF is shown watching backstage and Samoa Joe was standing behind him, smirking, as MJF stormed off.
-Jon Moxley & Wheeler Yuta are backstage and Moxley said he’d been getting calls to let Orange Cassidy off the hook, as Cassidy didn’t know what he was doing when he won back the International Title. Moxley questions the example he’d be setting for Yuta if he doesn’t beat the piss out of Cassidy? Moxley issues a challenge next week for himself & Yuta against Cassidy & HOOK. Yuta said HOOK has messed with the wrong crew and said he’ll see HOOK in Cali, so expect that match to be official soon, if not already, for Full Gear.
**********
-A video package of Wardlow training is shown, saying the first three years in his AEW career, a foot was constantly on his back, holding him down, making him feel worthless. MJF won’t know where or when, but when MJF realizes it, it’ll be too late, as the days of the Devil ruling over AEW are coming to an end.
Julia Hart defeated Red Velvet
(Hart celebrates her 22nd birthday by ruining Velvet’s return to the ring in almost a year. The strange storyline of is she heel/isn’t she heel continues post match with Skye Blue. I assume she turns heel eventually and we get our next TBS Title match for Kris Statlander.)
Velvet fired off a series of arm drags and worked the arm of Hart to start, but Hart rolled through and both ladies did the splits into the stalemate. Hart tripped up Velvet, who quickly turned the tables with corner strikes and doing splits into a choke. Hart escaped corner punches, pulling the legs of Velvet out and crashing hard, allowing Hart to control during commercial.
Velvet mounted a comeback with a leg lariat followed by a wheelbarrow bulldog. A charging double knees to the back connected with Hart trapped in the ropes, as Velvet followed with a standing moonsault for two. Velvet ran into a corner back elbow, but flattened Hart with a variation of the Iconoclasm to get another near fall. Velvet was slow to follow up, allowing Hart to hit a thrust kick and massive moonsault for the victory.
Post match, Hart locked on Hartless before Skye Blue hit the ring and had a faceoff with Hart until Kris Statlander & Willow Nightingale joined. Nightingale helped out Velvet, while Statlander stared down Hart, who just left.
-RJ City is backstage and said we may have heard rumblings and they’re true, he’s honored to introduce AEW’s newest signing, Mariah May, who walks in and said she’s so excited to be in AEW. RJ asks her plans and goals, as May said she’s a big fan of RJ City’s work with Toni Storm. May said Storm is the reason she’s in AEW, as RJ lets her know Storm just left, but next week, he’ll introduce her. May was ecstatic, kissed RJ and thanked him. I wish this would’ve been a much bigger introduction for May, but I refuse to be disappointed by more RJ City on my TV.
**********
Switchblade Jay White (w/Bullet Club Gold) defeated Mark Briscoe
(In no way did I expect Briscoe to win here and get White’s main event spot at Full Gear after all this build, but the crowd absolutely bit for the false finishes and near falls Briscoe got during this really good battle. The allies MJF potentially had, while few already to begin with, appear to be dwindling even more and he might be forced to take Samoa Joe up on his offer after The Devil’s henchmen laid out The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass. It should be noted the masked men this time were much bigger in stature than the time we saw them beat up Jay White.)
A fast start by Briscoe, as White was forced to regroup outside with his buddies. White tried working a headlock, but Briscoe easily escaped and fired off chops, sending White outside again, where Briscoe hit a diving elbow off the apron. Robinsonn took the referee long enough for Colten to trip up Briscoe, allowing White to connect on a DDT. White faked a leg injury to let BC Gold swarm for the attack into picture in picture.
Back from break, Briscoe fought off a superplex and scored on a middle rope dropkick with the crowd loudly behind him. A stiff striking exchange took place with Briscoe wiping off the chops from White and unloading a series of his own. Briscoe was a house of fire as he planted White with a neckbreaker for two. Briscoe countered a uranage into a fisherman’s buster for another close near fall. White raked the eyes while on the apron and hit a dragon screw to go after the previously injured knee. Briscoe wasn’t behind for long, as a rolling Death Valley Driver and huge Froggy Bow connected for two. Briscoe went for a Jay Driller, but White spun out into a uranage into the double down.
Robinson screamed for and was blessed with a Kiwi Crusher, as White followed up chop blocking the leg out from Briscoe. White wanted a Blade Runner, but Briscoe spun out and hit an Exploder and massive lariat. Briscoe called for the finish, but White backdropped out of a Jay Driller and connected on a Sleeper Suplex followed by a brainbuster. Briscoe chopped his way out of Blade Runner, but couldn’t dodge another Sleeper Suplex, Straightjacket Brainbuster and Blade Runner that put Briscoe away.
Post match, MJF’s music hit, as BC Gold looked up to the ramp, but MJF appeared from behind them. Wearing the Dynamite Diamond Ring, MJF KO’d The Gunns & Robinson before squaring off with White, who bailed quickly. MJF said play time is almost over with Jay White dressing up as a top guy. MJF said he’ll go down the greatest AEW World Champion of all time, as White will have to kill him to beat him. For the first time in his life, MJF is fighting for everyone on the journey with him since day one. MJF isn’t just a scumbag, he’s the fans scumbag. Will White be the first man to pull the trigger at Full Gear?
The lights went out and we saw The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass being beaten up by four masked men backstage. Anthony Bowens was launched through a glass window before the camera cut to The Devil, then back to the ring, as MJF sprinted to the back, frustrated. Samoa Joe walked up and said it looks like the champ is running out of friends before laughing and walking off to end the show.
AEW Rampage 11/10/23
· FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) take on El Hijo del Vikingo & Komander
AEW Collision 11/11/23
· Rush & Dralistico vs. The Workhorsemen (JD Drake & Anthony Henry)
· Sting, Darby Allin & Adam Copeland vs. Lance Archer, Vincent & Dutch (w/Jake Roberts)
AEW Dynamite 11/15/23
· Kenny Omega, Chris Jericho, Kota Ibushi & Paul Wight vs. The Don Callis Family in a Street Fight
· Orange Cassidy & HOOK take on Jon Moxley & Wheeler Yuta
MJF will defend his World Championship on the Wednesday, November 8 AEW Dynamite.
Daniel Garcia issued a challenge to MJF following a main event victory over Trent Beretta on Friday’s Rampage episode. MJF responded to the challenge in a social media post, and AEW’s Tony Khan made the match official for Wednesday in a follow-up post.
MJF posted:
This company was built on the backs of young men who chose to be ELITE. Well Danny. You want a brush with greatness. I just got off the phone with our boss. This Wednesday night. The present will defend his title against the future. You’re on.
Khan posted:
This Wednesday, 11/8 Portland, OR @ModaCenter #AEWDynamite TBS, 8pm ET/7pm CT
@AEW World Title Match @The_MJF vs @GarciaWrestling
After his #AEWRampage main event win tonight, Daniel Garcia called out MJF, and the champ has accepted his challenge for this Wednesday in Portland!
The World title match is the only item announced thus far for Wednesday’s Dynamite at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon.
MJF vs. Jay White for the AEW World Championship is currently scheduled for the Saturday, November 18 Full Gear pay-per-view.
This company was built on the backs of young men who chose to be ELITE.
Well Danny. You want a brush with greatness.
I just got off the phone with our boss.
This Wednesday night.
The present will defend his title against the future.
After his #AEWRampage main event win tonight, Daniel Garcia called out MJF, and the champ has accepted his challenge for this Wednesday in Portland! pic.twitter.com/fIj09JxQU6
A triple threat Lucha del Dia de los Muertos match is the featured bout on tonight’s AEW Rampage as Penta El Zero Miedo will face AAA Mega Champion El Hijo del Vikingo and AAA Cruiserweight Champion Komander in a non-title match.
The number one contenders for the ROH Tag Team titles will be in action as Austin Gunn & Colten Gunn of Bullet Club Gold face former ROH Tag Team Champions Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal.
Skye Blue will take on Marina Shafir. Blue is coming off a loss in a four-way AEW Women’s World title number one contender’s match on last week’s Rampage while Shafir is looking for her first AEW singles win since March. Blue re-aligned with Willow Nightingale on Wednesday’s Dynamite after blowing blue mist in Julia Hart’s face.
Daniel Garcia will face Trent Beretta of Best Friends. This is Garcia’s first singles match in AEW since a June house show and first televised singles match since a May loss to Roderick Strong.
**********
Taped in Louisville, Kentucky.
Excalibur, Tony Schiavone and Paul Wight were on commentary.
Penta El Zero Miedo defeated. El Hijo Del Vikingo & Komander in a Lucha del Dia de los Muertos match (12:35)
Penta hit a Made in Japan on Kommader about 15 seconds into the match. Kommander hit a dive on Penta to the floor, and Vikingo followed him out with his own dive. On the floor, Vikingo hit a rana off the guardrail on Kommander, and Penta hit them both with a pair of sling blades. Vikingo hit a Phoenix Splash in the ring on Kommander for a near fall. This was all the first two minutes of the match (and I probably missed a half-dozen moves).
Penta took both his opponents out with a tope con hilo. In the back, AAA Latin American Champion QT Marshall and the rest of the QTV crew watched Penta dominate the match in the ring. Penta hit Kommader with an open hand chop, then worked over Vikingo in the corner.
After the split-screen break, Penta hit Vikingo with a gamingiri in the corner. Vikingo came back and tried to come off the top with a dropkick on Penta, but Kommander caught him with a sitout powerbomb. Komannder came off the top with a shooting star press, but Penta caught him with a lung blower. Vikingo then dove off the top with a Canadian destroyer on Penta.
On the ring apron, Kommander went to the top, but Vikingo shoved him too the floor. Vikingo went to the top. Penta caught him in an electric chair position, but Vikingo reversed that into a poisioned rana. Vikingo dove into a thrust kick from Penta, and Penta caught both his opponents at once with a package pildriver and a Gory Special. Again, all of this happened on the ring apron.
Back in the ring with Vikingo and Penta exchanging forearms. Penta hit a twisting powerbomb out of a fireman’s carry for a near fall. Vikingo caught the much larger Penta off a dive into a spinning uranage for two. Vikingo hit the 630 senton on Penta for a near fall, broken up by Kommander. Kommander hit Vikingo with a gut buster out of a torture rack. Kommander then came off the top with a Implosion Phoenix Splash for a near fall broken up by Penta. Penta then dropped Kommander with a Fear Factor onto Vikingo, and got the pinfall.
Go watch this.
– Alex Marvez interviewed Jeff Jarrett’s crew about the potential recruitment of Ortiz to the group, but Karen Jarrett doesn’t think they need anyone else. Jeff Jarrett is sure that Jay Lethal will be the next Ring of Honor Champion. After they left, Ortiz enters the scene and promised to take care of them next week.
The Gunns Club (w/ Jay White & Juice Robinson) defeated Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal (4:28)
Austin Gunn pulled Cardblade from underneath the ring, who has an AEW Championship Belt taped on his hand. Daniels was double-teamed for most of the match, but avoided the 310 to Yuma and caught Austin with a german suplex. Sydal got the tag and hit a meteora for a near fall. Austin dumped Daniels to the floor, and the Gunns hit the 3:10 to Yuma on Sydal to get the pinfall. This was 2 minutes too long.
– RJ City announced the return of Danhausen, who announced his return will actually be next week.
– Alex Marvez interviewed Saraya and Ruby Soho. Saraya condesendingly called Soho “baby girl” and talked down to her. Jeff Parker showed up to comb Soho’s hair, and Matt Menard yelled at Parker for costing them the match on Wednesday.
Skye Blue defeated Marina Shafir (w/ Nyla Rose) (7:11)
The fight went to the floor early, and Shaifr missed a kick and hit the ring apron. Blue still wrestled more like a heel or a tweener, trying to stomp on Shafir’s bare feet and DDTing her on the ring apron.
Back in the ring, Shafir swept Bule’s leg and worked her over with kicks. Blue hit a shotgun dropkick, and followed up with a sliding enziguri. Shafir tried for the submission with a guillotine, but Blue countered by biting Shafir’s stomach. Blue rolled up Shafir for a near fall, then hit a pair of thrust kicks. Blue hit the Code Blue to get the pinfall. This was a pretty fun, competitive match after the break.
– Preview of the Darby Allin and Lance Archer match for Collision tomorrow night.
Daniel Garcia defeated Trent Beretta (13:20)
Beretta was out there alone because all his friends are either injured (Chuck), beat up (Orange) or banned from the building Hook). At the onset of the match, Excalibur ran down the card for Collision. With no new matches added it looks like someone forgot to book a main event for that show.
Garcia resisted the urge to dance early on, and paid for it with a clothesline. The fight went to the floor, and Beretta dropped Garcia with a brainbuster.
During the split-screen break, Beretta dominated the match. It looked like Garcia nearly lost by countout. It seems like Garcia is distracted by his lack of dance.
After the break, Beretta delivered a top rope superplex that left both guys in bad shape for a minute, but Beretta still got a near fall. Beretta hit a pair of short-arm lariats, but Garica countered a third with a back suplex. Garcia hit a knee strike in the corner and a brainbuster for a near fall. It seems like Garcia is resisting the urge to dance, but he should dance if he wants to.
Beretta came back with a half and half suplex and a death valley driver for a near fall. Betta hit a series of German suplexes, but Garcia dropped down and countered with a series of suplexes of his own. Garcia hit a boot, Beretta came back with a high knee, and both guys exchanged clotheslines and forearms. Garcia caught Beretta with another German suplex. Beretta came back with a running knee and a piledriver for a near fall.
Garcia countered a spinning DDT attempt, slapped Beretta and then he did the dance. Garcia stuffed Beretta with a piledriver, then slapped on the crossface and got Beretta to tap out.
After the match, Garcia said that was his first singles match in six months in AEW, then called out MJF and demanded a title shot. Why not? There’s only a dozen guys challenging MJF. Garcia still fancies himself a sports entertainer.
Final Thoughts:
Surprisingly solid show. The opener is must-watch, and the main event was very good.
A tag match pitting members of the Jericho Appreciation Society is set for next week’s AEW Dynamite.
Chris Jericho will team with Konosuke Takeshita to take on Sammy Guevara and Daniel Garcia. In a backstage promo on Wednesday’s show, Don Callis suggested to Jericho that he and Takeshita form a dream team to take on Guevara and Garcia. Jericho seemed reluctant, but agreed when Callis said it would be a good way for the two to spread their wings, something Jericho suggested weeks ago.
Jack Perry will also have a ‘face to face’ with Jerry Lynn. Perry dismissed the FTW Championship, running down ECW and Taz. Lynn came to the ring and defended ECW, saying if it wasn’t for that promotion there would have never been a Jungle Boy. Lynn prepared to fight Perry, but Perry said he wasn’t ready this week and instead suggested the two meet next week.
An Anything Goes match is also set, with Trent Beretta taking on Jon Moxley and Penta El 0 M in a three-way match. Best Friends, Blackpool Combat Club, and the Lucha Brothers met in a three-way match this week, ending with the Lucha Brothers getting the win. Despite that, everyone continued to fight after the bell.
More matches will be announced on this Friday’s AEW Rampage.
Here is the lineup for next week’s Dynamite:
Chris Jericho & Konosuke Takeshita vs. Sammy Guevara & Daniel Garcia
Jack Perry face-to-face with Jerry Lynn
Anything goes: Jon Moxley vs. Penta El 0 M vs. Trent Beretta
After nearly coming to blows while on the same AEW Blood & Guts team, Ring of Honor World Champion Claudio Castagnoli will defend the title against PAC at tonight’s ROH Death Before Dishonor in Trenton, New Jersey.
ROH Women’s Champion Athena will look to avenge her loss in the Owen Hart Foundation tournament semifinals when she defends against tournament winner Willow Nightingale.
ROH Tag Team Champions The Lucha Brothers will defend in a four-way against Aussie Open, The Kingdom and Best Friends.
ROH Pure Champion Katsuyori Shibata will defend the title against former champion Daniel Garcia while ROH TV Champion Samoa Joe defends against former champion Dalton Castle.
The Mogul Embassy will defend the ROH Six-Man Tag Team titles against Ryusuke Taguchi, Master Wato & Leon Ruffin.
Dark Order faces The Righteous in a six-man Fight Without Honor while Komander takes on Gravity to round out the main card. Four matches are set for the Zero Hour pre-show.
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*****ZERO HOUR*****
Pure Rules Match – Josh Woods (w/ the Varsity Athletes) defeated Tracy Williams
The judges for this match were Christopher Daniels, Jimmy Jacobs, & Jerry Lynn.
After an early exchange, Woods rolled Williams into a double wristlock to force Williams to use his first rope break. Williams accidentally grabbed the ropes while Woods had his arm, thus exhausting his second rope break. Woods hung Williams on the ropes and hit a gutwrench suplex off the ropes for a nearfall.
After catching Woods in a rollup, Williams hit a high-angle suplex. Williams fired up, hitting a half-hatch suplex into the turnbuckles for a nearfall. Woods won a forearm exchange, but Williams caught his wrist and hit a fisherman’s suplex for a nearfall. Williams shrugged off a boot and hit a pump kick, following it with a piledriver. Woods used his first rope break to stop the pinfall.
Williams couldn’t hit a brainbuster due to the arm work Woods did earlier, allowing Woods to hit a gutwrench suplex and lock on the Gorilla Lock. Williams used his third rope break to escape, exhausting all of his rope breaks. They both ended up on the apron, where Woods hit a German suplex. Woods caught Williams in a guillotine submission in the ropes, forcing Williams to tap out with his foot.
Action Andretti & Darius Martin defeated The WorkHorsemen (Anthony Henry & JD Drake)
An awesome match for the free hour. Both of these teams have been highlights of the weekly show, and they took advantage of their time here and really impressed.
Henry and Drake got a jump start on Andretti and Martin, but Martin and Andretti quickly cleared the ring. After more back-and-forth, Henry caught Martin with a double stomp to cut him off, while Drake forearmed Andretti out of the sky. The Workhorsemen worked over Martin in the corner, pummeling him with double-team moves.
Martin fought to make the tag to Andretti, who ran wild on both Workhorsemen. He backflipped off of Drake’s back before hitting a double bulldog. Andretti hit a shooting star on both men for a nearfall. Andretti couldn’t finish Drake on his own, so he tagged in Martin to assist on a DDT for a nearfall that Henry broke up. Henry hit a diving stomp on Martin, with Drake following up with a moonsault. But Andretti dropped Henry with a DVD onto the pile to break up the cover. Andretti got Drake up onto his shoulders, allowing Martin to help hit an assisted neckbreaker for the win.
It was announced after the match that Andretti and Martin would take on Bullet Club Gold on Collision tomorrow night.
Leyla Hirsch defeated Trish Adora
Both women went after their opponent’s arm to start. Adora went for a submission, forcing Hirsch to bail out of the ring. Hirsch tried to rope-a-dope Adora in the ring, but it didn’t work, with both women ending in a standoff. Hirsch stood on Adora’s foot in the corner and took her knee out to get control. Hirsch went back to the arm, booting it before going for a cross-armbreaker. Adora powerbombed her way free.
Adora fired up, hitting a big boot and a crossbody for a nearfall. Adora hit a kneeling German suplex for a nearfall. Adora hit a pump kick, but Hirsch avoided a corner charge and hit a hesitation dropkick. Adora hit a backbreaker for a nearfall. Adora went for the Lariat Tubman, but Hirscch avoided it. After a scramble on the mat, Hirsch got the cross armbreaker in and got the quick tapout.
After the match, Hirsch feigned going for the Code of Honor before pulling Adora back into the armbreaker. Skye Blue ran her off, as it was announced that Blue would be wrestling Taya Valkyrie on Collision.
AR Fox defeated Shane Taylor
Another quality match on the Zero Hour. Taylor has earned a higher profile role in ROH with his performances lately, while Fox goes into his AEW International Title match on Dynamite with a great showing here.
Taylor dropped Fox early on with heavy strikes, but Fox used his agility to spread out his shots and sent Taylor to the floor. Fox followed him to the floor, first with a spaceman dive, then a no-touch senton. Taylor pulled Fox off the ropes, dropping him with an End of Days style move for a nearfall.
Taylor clubbered on Fox in the corner, hammering him with loud strikes before beeling him across the ring. Fox and Taylor ended up on the floor, with Fox getting on the apron and hitting an inside-out springboard senton. Back in the ring, Fox rocked Taylor with a stunner before hitting a kip-up enzuigiri. Taylor cut him off with a headbutt, followed by a uranage and a big splash for a nearfall.
Taylor sat Fox on the apron, but Fox avoided a legdrop. Fox hit a codebreaker and a DDT while Taylor was tied up in the ropes, but it only got a two-count. Fox hit a flurry of offense, but Taylor cut off a stunner and hit Welcome to the Land, but Fox got the ropes. This Is Awesome chants from the crowd as Taylor brought Fox to the top rope for a Marcus Garvey Driver. Fox fought out, walking Taylor to the middle of the ring to hit a Death Valley Driver. Fox followed with the 450 to score the win.
*****MAIN CARD*****
Gravity defeated Komander (w/ Alex Abrahantes)
This was a stellar opener to the card. Gravity impressed in the biggest spot of his career, and Komander continued to dazzle with his high-flying prowess. These two used to be a group in the Mexican independent scene alongside Bandido, and I would have no problem with AEW or ROH putting them back together.
Gravity is the younger brother of former ROH World Champion Bandido. The announcers noted that Komander looked up to Rey Fenix as a young wrestler, which is why Alex Abrahantes has joined him in recent weeks. Both men worked on the mat trying to score quick wins but ended in a stalemate. On commentary, Riccaboni let us know that these two used to be a regular team on the lucha scene, so they should know each other well.
Komander hit a dive to the floor, then followed it with a Shooting Star Press in the ring for a nearfall. Gravity sent Komander to the floor, then rolled to the top rope and hit a dive to the floor. Back in the ring, Gravity held onto an armdrag and rolled into a pin for a nearfall. Gravity ran right into a pair of boots from Komander, but Komander moonsaulted into a pair of boots himself. Gravity hit a powerbomb for a nearfall.
They traded strikes mid-ring before Gravity hit a one-armed powerbomb for a nearfall. Komander hit a misdirection kick to knock Gravity to the floor, then followed him with a multi-jump corkscrew dive to the floor. Gravity cut off another dive in the ring, hitting a falling wristlock takeover for a nearfall. Both men ended up on the apron, with Komander hanging Gravity over the turnbuckle and hitting a kick. Komander hit a rope walk moonsault for a nearfall, then followed it with a top rope rana. Gravity then caught Komander with a rollup to score the win.
After the match, it was announced that Gravity would wrestle PAC this Wednesday on Dynamite. If PAC wins tonight, it will be for the ROH World Title as well. Yes, Gravity will wrestle The Man That Gravity Forgot. I chuckled at that.
This was slow building, but the crowd got behind Castle late with his feats of strength. The finish has had some build to it, with Joe menacing Hathaway in backstage segments over the past few weeks. This pairing of Joe and Hathaway has some potential, and a rematch with Castle would be welcomed.
This is Samoa Joe’s 13th defense of the title.
ROH Board Member Stokely Hathaway joined the booth, sounding fearful of Joe. After some ringside shenanigans to start, Castle caught Joe with an elbow before hitting a pair of splashes to Joe’s back. Joe fought back with chops before hitting a big boot and a senton. Castle fought back, but Joe ran through him with a back elbow and resumed with the offense.
Joe sent Castle into the corner, hitting the back splash and the enzuigiri. Joe clubbered on Castle for a few minutes here, choking him on the ropes in front of the Boys. Joe sent Castle to the floor, but the Boys threw Castle back in the ring as Joe came to the floor. Castle got some shots in, but Joe shut him down again with a powerslam. Castle avoided a back splash, with Joe hooking Castle on the ropes. But the Boys pushed him back on the apron, allowing him to low bridge Joe to the floor.
The Boys caught Castle on a dive that Joe walked away from, allowing him to hit a rana to the floor. Castle hit another dive, after which the Boys helped bring Joe into the ring. Castle hit an overhead suplex to a big reaction. Castle fired up, hitting another German suplex to send Joe to the floor. Joe crawled to Hathaway on commentary, yelling at him to fix this. Hathaway forced the referee to eject the Boys from ringside. Joe hit a low blow while the referee was dealing with Hathaway. Joe locked in the Coquina Clutch to score the win. Joe shook hands with Hathaway and patted him on the head, which was very disrespectful.
This was fun chaos in the tag team division. The Lucha Brothers and Best Friends got more aggressive as the match went on, teasing a rekindling of their feud. Aussie Open getting a spotlight as ROH Tag Team Champions is a great call, winning the titles in their first tag match as contracted members of the company.
This is the Lucha Brothers’ 3rd defense of the titles.
The Kingdom held control of the Best Friends early on before Beretta tagged out to Fenix. Taven tagged in Fletcher, who engaged in a forearm battle with Fenix before hitting a massive bodyslam and tagging in Davis. Fenix avoided the squisher clotheslines, using Davis as a stool to hit a cutter on Fletcher. Penta tagged in, with both teams trading strikes until the Kingdom knocked the Lucha Brothers out of the ring. Bennett and Beretta tagged in, with the Best Friends running wild until Aussie Open sent them to the floor.
Aussie Open ran around the ring with the Best Friends, crashing them into each other. That started a dive train that ended with Beretta superplexing Bennett from the top rope to the pile on the floor. Taven hit a frog splash on Beretta, giving Bennett a nearfall. The Kingdom isolated Beretta while the other teams were down, scoring several nearfalls. Beretta hit a tornado DDT on Bennett, with no choice but to tag in Penta. The Lucha Bros ran wild on Taven, with Penta hitting Made In Japan on Taven for a nearfall.
Taven avoided the Package Piledriver but walked into a tag from Fletcher. Aussie Open ran wild, taking all the other teams out. They hit the Whirly Bird on Penta for a nearfall broken up by Taven. The Kingdom hit Rockstar Supernova on Fletcher for a nearfall broken up by Taylor. Taylor cut off a Taven dive, allowing Fletcher to tag out to Beretta. Best Friends hit an assisted superplex for a nearfall, then ran wild on Bennett.
We got a train of piledrivers that ended when the Lucha Brothers hit a double superkick on Davis and their double stomp package piledriver for a nearfall. The Kingdom hit a Hail Mary on Penta, but Penta kicked out at one. The Kingdom set up the Proton Pack, but Penta escaped. Beretta tagged in, and the Best Friends hit their double-team move. The Lucha Brothers pulled the referee out of the ring, and Penta hit Beretta with a chair. In the mayhem, Fletcher tagged in and helped Davis hit Coreolis on Beretta to score the win and the titles.
This was a fun six-man. The result was never in doubt, but the challengers worked well together, and it’s always nice to see the Forbidden Door opened.
This is the Mogul Embassy’s 5th defense of the titles.
Wato and Taguchi have held the IWGP Jr. Tag Team Titles in the past, with Wato going on to win this year’s Best of the Super Juniors tournament in New Japan. Taguchi and Cage started, with Wato coming in and hitting some double-team offense on the Embassy. Cage dodged everyone and hit a double German suplex on Wato and Taguchi. Ruffin evaded everyone but ran into a Liona pounce. Liona suplexed Ruffin into the Embassy corner, allowing Prince Nana to get some shots in. The Embassy clubbered on Ruffin as Big Bill watched backstage.
After hitting a DDT to Kaun, Ruffin tagged out to Wato. Watomania ran wild, as Wato took down all three members of the Embassy. Wato locked both Kaun and Cage in submissions, but Liona broke it up. Taguchi tagged in and hit hip attacks on all three opponents. Taguchi avoided a charge from all three, then caught Kaun in an ankle lock. Liona broke it up, leading to an offensive flurry that included 619’s from both Cage and Taguchi. Nana distracted the referee, allowing Kaun to hit a low blow. But Taguchi caught Kaun low on the way down, getting a rollup for a nearfall.
Ruffin tagged in, taking down Cage with a cutter. He tried to hit the same cutter on Liona, but Liona cut it off and turned it into a backbreaker. The Embassy then won by throwing Ruffin in the air, letting gravity do the damage. No, gravity the concept, not the wrestler from earlier.
This was stellar. Garcia told the story of defiantly being an entertainer in the eyes of THE Wrestler so well. Garcia is reaching the level of pro wrestling prodigy at age 25 which makes you excited to watch his future.
This is Shibata’s 4th defense of the title. The judges for this match were Christopher Daniels, Jimmy Jacobs, & Jerry Lynn.
After a scramble for position, Shibata stopped Garcia from dancing and stomped on his hands. Shibata then locked on an inside Figure Four that forced Garcia to use his first rope break. Garcia went to the floor, baiting Shibata to the outside where he sent him into the barricade. Garcia mocked Shibata in the ring, sending Shibata after him. Shibata sent Garcia into the barricades repeatedly before booting him into the crowd.
Shibata went to bring Garcia over the barricade, but Garcia hooked Shibata’s arm over the barricade. Garcia sent Shibata into the post before slamming his arm into the apron. Garcia posed with the title before going to work on Shibata’s arm in the ring.
Shibata fired up, asking for more shots to the arm. Shibata rocked Garcia with a forearm, but Garcia sent Shibata into the mat shoulder-first. Garcia did his dance in Shibata’s face, but Shibata sat down. Garcia went to dance again, but Shibata slapped him and fired up. Shibata hit the shotgun dropkick and a suplex for a nearfall.
They traded submissions and suplexes before both falling down from exhaustion. They traded forearms and strikes until they collapsed again. Shibata booted Garcia, but Garcia caught a slap and locked on the Dragon Tamer. Garcia leaned too far back though, allowing Shibata to catch him in a choke. More slaps were traded before Shibata locked on a sleeper hold. Garcia defiantly danced until he faded out, with Shibata hitting the Penalty Kick to score the win.
– Backstage, Lexy Nair was with Aussie Open. They bragged about their victory and said that they would run the world.
Fight Without Honor – The Dark Order (Alex Reynolds, Evil Uno & John Silver) defeated The Righteous (Dutch & Vincent) & Stu Grayson
This exceeded my expectations, as these guys went all out here. This was vicious and violent, peaking with some wild high spots.
My feed froze during the Dark Order’s entrance. I came back in time to see Grayson spear Uno off the apron through a table. Dutch and Silver faced off with dueling 2×4’s, Dutch’s wrapped in barbed wire. Silver dropkicked the barbed wire board into Dutch’s face, lacerating him. After Vincent and Reynolds fought, Dutch dropped Reynolds face first into the 2×4. Vincent grinded the wire into Reynolds’ eyes.
Silver fought off Dutch and Vincent, introducing thumbtacks to proceedings. Grayson cut off Silver, walking him into a Bossman Slam from Dutch into the tacks. Uno laid into Grayson with a chair until Vincent shoved Grayson out of the way to take a shot. Uno set the chair up in the corner, but Vincent reversed Uno into the chair. Vincent tore Uno’s mask as Dutch and Grayson set up tables on the floor. Grayson punched a bloody Uno before Silver got involved. The Righteous set up Silver for a powerbomb through the tables, but Reynolds hit Dutch with a chair.
Reynolds and Silver hit their tag team combo on Dutch for a nearfall. Uno drilled Grayson and Dutch with the barbed wire board before dumping a bag of Legos into the ring. Dutch powerbombed Uno into the tacks and Lego, while Vincent and Grayson hit dives onto Silver that put him through a table. Dutch hit another powerbomb for a nearfall. Dutch and Grayson pulled out a table covered in barbed wire. Grayson got Reynolds on his shoulders, but Reynolds hit a DDT on the stage. Dutch came to help Grayson, but Reynolds sent Dutch through a table.
Silver came up with a tack-studded kickpad, landing Kawada kicks on Vincent who asked for more. Grayson took out Silver and laid Uno across the two tables. Grayson pulled out a massive ladder and set it up in the ring. Uno recovered, tipping the ladder and sending Grayson through the tables on the floor. The Dark Order isolated Grayson in the ring. They hit Grayson with the Ragnarok into the tacks to score the win.
This was a fantastic battle for the World Title. Both men being shades of grey muddied the waters as far as the babyface/heel divide went, but the work overcame that. This was hard-hitting and smartly worked, as you would expect from these two high-level wrestlers. Go out of your way to see this one.
This is Castagnoli’s 9th defense of the title.
Castagnoli charged PAC to start, hitting an uppercut and Swiss Death for a nearfall. PAC bailed out before a Neutralizer attempt. Castagnoli caught a PAC moonsault off the apron, dropping PAC into the barricade. PAC tried to bail out, but Castagnoli caught him on the stage and hit the Giant Swing. At the crowd’s request, Castagnoli hit another Giant Swing before attempting a Neutralizer on the ramp. PAC backdropped Castagnoli onto the stage, jamming Castagnoli’s knee. PAC then hit his apron moonsault to Castagnoli on the floor.
PAC set up a table on the floor, but Castagnoli uppercut PAC up and over the table before sending him into the barricade. Castagnoli charged PAC, but PAC moved, and Castagnoli jammed his knee again. PAC hit a shotgun dropkick for a nearfall. PAC brought Castagnoli to the top and brought him down with an avalanche brainbuster for a nearfall.
PAC taunted Castagnoli, but Castagnoli gorilla pressed PAC out of the ring through the table on the floor. Castagnoli went to the top rope and hit an elbow drop for a nearfall. Castagnoli dropped the hammer and anvil elbows before setting up the Neutralizer, but PAC hit an enzuigiri. PAC went for a springboard, but Castagnoli caught him and hit an Alley Oop before finally hitting the Neutralizer. It only scored a nearfall.
Castagnoli taunted PAC before drilling him with forearms. PAC came back and engaged in a strike exchange that Castagnoli got the better of with a lariat. Both men got to their feet, where PAC dropped Castagnoli with a pair of superkicks. PAC hit a stalling German suplex for a nearfall. PAC went to the top rope, but Castagnoli knocked him down with an uppercut. Castagnoli went for the outside-in deadlift superplex, but PAC cut him off and went for a super hurricanrana. Castagnoli stuffed it and went for the Ricola Bomb, but PAC ripped off the rana.
PAC went to the top rope but missed the Black Arrow. Castagnoli hit a lariat and went for the Ricola Bomb, but PAC locked on the Brutalizer. Castagnoli tried to slam his way out of it, but PAC clutched it back on. Castagnoli lifted PAC up again, this time onto the ropes, and hit an Air Raid Crash to escape the hold. After both men recovered, PAC went to take the turnbuckle pad off when Wheeler Yuta stopped him. Castagnoli then hit an uppercut before hitting the Ricola Bomb for the win.
After the match, the Lucha Brothers came out to help their Death Triangle partner. They beat down Castagnoli and Yuta until Best Friends made the save. Orange Cassidy came out to help the Best Friends. He went to hit an Orange Punch on Yuta, but Yuta ducked, and Castagnoli took the shot. The Best Friends stood tall to end the scene here.
– The announcers ran down the Collision card, noting that we will hear from FTR, Ricky Starks, and CM Punk. They ran down the Dynamite card, which will feature a three-way tag team match between Best Friends, the Lucha Brothers, and the BCC team of Castagnoli and Jon Moxley.
They billed the two World Title matches as a double main event. I went in believing this was just marketing, but this match lived up to the billing. These two put on one of the best World Title matches of the year, up there with Castagnoli and PAC, and rivaling Flair/Ripley from Wrestlemania as a Women’s Match of the Year. This was dramatic, had shoutouts to the women that built Women of Honor, and had the crowd rocking by the end. A fantastic main event to a show that out-delivered any reasonable expectations. I gave the ROH brass a lot of grief for their lack of build to this show. While I stand by my criticisms, I knew that the talent would still be put in positions to deliver. They delivered in spades, making this one of Ring of Honor’s best PPV events ever.
This is Athena’s 12th defense of the title.
Nightingale’s family is in the front row. Nightingale controlled early, hitting an enzuigiri. Athena went for quick pinfalls, but Nightingale kept kicking out. Both women ended up on the apron, with Athena dropping Nightingale on the apron with a back suplex. Athena clubbered on Nightingale in the corner and avoided a senton when Nightingale tried fighting back. Athena menaced the referee, which allowed Nightingale to surprise her with a Pounce.
Nightingale fired up, hitting a main event spinebuster – this time in the actual main event – for a nearfall. They traded strikes until Athena hit a strong forearm. Athena followed up with a side kick and her lungblower variant for a nearfall. Athena pulled Nightingale to the apron, but Nightingale elbowed her down. Nightingale hit a crossbody off the apron, then powerbombed her onto the apron. Athena fought off of Nightingale’s shoulders and dropkicked her.
Athena went for the double knees into the steps, but Nightingale moved. Nightingale then hit a cannonball into the stairs, getting Athena back into the ring for a nearfall. Athena hit a Shining Wizard and a standing moonsault, but Nightingale rolled up to her feet and hit Smash Mouth – ROH regular Sumie Sakai’s finisher – for a nearfall. Athena hit a rana, but Nightingale popped back up and hit the Royal Butterfly – Sara Del Ray’s old finisher – for a nearfall.
Nightingale went for the Babe With The Powerbomb, but Athena countered it with a Heart Punch and a Snapmare Driver – Daizee Haze’s old finisher – for a nearfall. Shoutouts to the women of ROH’s past in this first-time PPV main event. Nightingale hit a spinning DDT – Mickie James’ finisher she used in ROH – for a nearfall. Athena avoided a cannonball and hit an Obliterator – MsChif’s old finisher – and followed it up with a powerbomb for a nearfall.
Athena brought Nightingale to the top rope, but Nightingale hit a top rope DVD for a nearfall. My browser crashed for a moment but came back just in time to see Athena send Nightingale into the stairs. Athena hit the O-Face, but Nightingale kicked out to a massive reaction. Athena menaced the referee again, but that allowed Nightingale to roll Athena into the Babe With The Powerbomb. Athena kicked out at two. Nightingale brought Athena to the top rope, but Athena knocked her down and hit the O-Face again. Athena locked Nightingale in a crossface. Nightingale fought until she couldn’t fight anymore, passing out in the hold. Athena retained by referee stoppage.
With Death Before Dishonor just 24 hours away, Ring of Honor will present their weekly HonorClub TV show in the final stop before the pay-per-view.
In the finals of the four-man TV title eliminator tournament, Dalton Castle will take on Shane Taylor. The winner will move on to challenge ROH TV Champion Samoa Joe tomorrow.
Former Stardom titleholder Utami Hayashishita will make her promotional debut as she takes on Trish Adora.
Ahead of his challenge of ROH Pure Champion Katsuyori Shibata tomorrow, former champion Daniel Garcia will face Jason Geiger in a Pure rules match.
ROH Women’s Champion Athena will face Nikita in a non-title Proving Ground match. Athena will defend against Willow Nightingale tomorrow.
The Kingdom face The Bollywood Boyz, The WorkHorsemen, and Action Andretti & Darius Martin in a four-way ahead of their inclusion in a four-way tomorrow for the ROH Tag Team titles.
The Righteous (Vincent & Dutch) face The Boys (Brandon & Brent Tate).
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This week’s ROH emanated from Calgary, Alberta, Canada in the Saddledome as part of last Saturday’s AEW Collision tapings. Ian Riccaboni and Caprice Coleman were on commentary.
We start with a video package hyping the Pure Title match between Daniel Garcia and Katsuyori Shibata at Death Before Dishonor. Since last week, we’ve had five title matches set for the PPV, including an ROH World Title match against Claudio Castagnoli and PAC.
Pure Rules Match – Daniel Garcia defeated Jason Geiger
This was a good opener, although I do wonder why Garcia gave so much offense to a local yokel before a PPV Title match.
The judges for this match were Matt Taven, Christopher Daniels, and Jerry Lynn.
The announcers hyped Geiger’s jiu-jitsu prowess, noting his high ranks in both Canada and the US. Garcia knocked down Geiger with a shoulder block but waved off his dance to boos. He changed his mind after escaping a headscissors, dancing in Geiger’s face. Geiger got some shots in on Garcia and mocked his dance before catching Garcia in an armbar. That forced Garcia to use his first rope break.
Garcia dropped Geiger over the ropes with a hotshot to regain control. Garcia locked on a front facelock, spun Geiger around, then dropped into a guillotine submission. Geiger got back to his feet and pulled Garcia over into a suplex.
A strike exchange ended with Geiger getting the upper hand, hitting a suplex for a nearfall. Geiger went for a submission, but Garcia peppered him with strikes before laying him out with a lariat. Garcia locked Geiger into a Boston Crab, but Geiger reversed it into a triangle choke. Garcia escaped and locked on the Dragon Tamer sharpshooter – to massive boos in Calgary – to get the win.
After the match, Pure Champion Katsuyori Shibata came to the ring to face off with his challenger for tomorrow night.
Utami Hayashishita defeated Trish Adora
This started slowly, but it built up well and the crowd got behind it. Hayashishita looked good, and Adora hung in there with her acclaimed opponent.
No entrance for Hayashishita, as the former World of Stardom Champion makes her ROH debut here. Adora held onto Hayashishita’s arm early on, sneaking in a La Magistral cradle for a nearfall. Adora twisted Hayashishita in a submission hold, but she escaped and hit a sliding lariat for a nearfall. Hayashishita struggled with a bodyslam attempt due to the arm work but got it for a nearfall.
Adora landed body shots, but Hayashishita scored with forearms to the face that knocked Adora down. They traded waist locks until Adora snatched the arm and hit an overhead kick to it. Adora went for the Lariat Tubman, but Hayashishita ducked and hit a set of German Suplexes for a nearfall. Hayashishita went for an Air Raid Crash, but Adora locked on a wrist lock that forced Hayashishita to the ropes.
Adora fired up, landing a pump kick and a senton for a nearfall. Adora hit the kneeling German suplex for a nearfall. Hayashishita followed Adora off the ropes and hit a lariat. Hayashishita hit a twisting Torture Rack bomb for a nearfall, then hit a spinning Razor’s Edge to score the win.
ROH World Television Title Eliminator Tournament Final Match – Shane Taylor defeated Dalton Castle
Castle’s feats of strength energized the crowd, peaking with the impressive Bangarang on Taylor. To his credit, Taylor worked very well here too. Hopefully, he can play a more meaningful role on ROH television moving forward.
Castle tried to get Taylor with a single-leg takedown, but Taylor kept warding him off. Castle caught Taylor with a flurry that ended with a DDT that sent Taylor to the floor. Taylor caught Castle by the feet and dropped him to the floor with the Tower of London. Castle got back in the ring but quickly got taken down with a sidewalk slam for a nearfall.
Taylor worked on Castle’s back before dropping him with a headbutt. Taylor followed up with a pull-up uranage and a big splash for a nearfall. Taylor locked in a sleeper hold, but Castle escaped it with a roll-up attempt before low-bridging Taylor to the floor. Castle caught Taylor with a hurricanrana on the floor. Castle avoided a corner charge and fought back with strikes, but Taylor caught Castle with a body shot that took him down.
Castle caught Taylor with an overhead suplex that surprised the crowd. Castle hit a bulldog for a nearfall. Taylor used a rope break to land a cheap shot punch, but Taylor came back with a stalling German suplex. Castle then got Taylor up for a massive Bangarang to score the win and the TV Title shot against Samoa Joe.
Pure Rules Match –Josh Woods (w/The Varsity Athletes) defeated James Stone
The judges for this match were a fresh Dalton Castle, Christopher Daniels, and Jerry Lynn.
Woods controlled the early portion of this match, forcing Stone to use his first rope break early on. Woods locked on the Gorilla Lock to force Stone to use his second rope break within the first two minutes. Woods hit a knee then landed an ugly Anarchist Suplex for the win. Hopefully Stone is okay, he landed high on his neck.
In a video from last week, Tony Khan announced the Women’s Title match for Death Before Dishonor. It will be Athena defending the title against Owen Hart Foundation Tournament winner Willow Nightingale, who beat her on last week’s Rampage. Nightingale noted that she’s got experience with big title matches at this point and that she’s going to win this title as well.
In a video from earlier today, Athena complained to the Board of Directors, but Tony Khan made it clear that the title match was on.
ROH Women’s World Title Proving Ground Match – Athena defeated Nikita
Athena came out in her street clothes, with Coleman noting that she was wearing the same clothes at the airport. Athena was upset in the corner and sat in the corner as the bell rang. Nikita piefaced her to get the match started. The match then ended with Athena hitting a knockout forearm for the win.
Athena then beat down Nikita after the match, booting her across the ring and sending her into the barricades. Willow Nightingale came out to face off with her.
The Righteous (Dutch & Vincent) (w/Stu Grayson) defeated The Boys (Brandon & Brent)
Dutch blindsided the Boys to start the match. Vincent and Dutch double-teamed Brandon until slipping out to make a tag to Brent. Brent tried to knock down Dutch, but Dutch hit a body block to cut him off. Vincent tagged in, hitting the Autumn Sunshine for the win. Vincent talked to the camera to send a message to the Dark Order, but Evil Uno came out with a chair. Grayson was fired up, hitting a backbreaker on Brent as Uno watched on.
Leyla Hirsch defeated Nicole Matthews
Hirsch and Matthews worked on each other on the mat. Matthews got the upper hand, with Hirsch quickly forcing her into the corner to cut her off. Hirsch took Matthews down before hitting elbows to the back of the neck. Matthews hit a neckbreaker and fired up with forearms, but Hirsch brought Matthews down and hit a knee strike for the win.
We got a rundown of the Death Before Dishonor card. Matches announced for the Zero Hour include:
· Action Andretti & Darius Martin vs. The WorkHorsemen
· Josh Woods vs. Tracy Williams
· Leyla Hirsch vs. Trish Adora
· AR Fox vs. Shane Taylor
Matches added to the main card include:
· The Dark Order vs. The Righteous and Stu Grayson in a Fight Without Honor
· Master Wato, Ryusuke Taguchi, and Leon Ruffin vs. The Mogul Embassy for the ROH Six-Man Tag Team Titles
· Komander vs. Gravity in a lucha showcase
We then got video packages for the four-way ROH Tag Team Title match and the ROH World Title match between Claudio Castagnoli and PAC.
The Kingdom (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) (w/Maria Kanellis-Bennett) defeated The Bollywood Boyz (Gurv Sihra & Harv Sihra), The WorkHorsemen (Anthony Henry & JD Drake), & Action Andretti & Darius Martin
Drake and Bennett started with a chop exchange. Bennett went low with a dropkick, leading to a tag exchange that ended with Andretti and Martin running wild on the Workhorsemen. Drake and Henry hit an assisted powerbomb on Martin for a nearfall before isolating Martin. Bennett tagged in, leading to a tag team flurry from the Kingdom on Martin. Taven hit Just The Tip on Martin for a nearfall that Drake broke up.
Martin hit a tornado DDT/death drop combo to escape the Kingdom, but Henry hit a high kick on Martin to cut him off. Henry locked Martin in the corner, hitting a combo that scored a nearfall that Taven broke up. The Kingdom and the Workhorsemen fought each other, with Andretti hitting a dive on both teams.
Martin tagged in Gurv Sihra, who ran wild on Bennett. The Bollywood Boys ran wild, landing superkicks on everyone. They hit the Demolition Decapitation on Bennett for a nearfall that Andretti broke up with a Shooting Star Press. The match devolved into a Pier Eight Brawl, ending with the Kingdom hitting the Proton Pack to score the win.
Ring of Honor has officially announced the first match for Friday’s Death Before Dishonor pay-per-view.
In a bout first announced on social media early Sunday morning Eastern time, Katsuyori Shibata is set to defend the ROH Pure Championship against former title holder Daniel Garcia o the Friday, July 21 Death Before Dishonor PPV.
ROW owner and storyline chairman of the board of directors of ROH Tony Khan announced the match in a kayfabe press conference video in the social media announcement.
Garcia picked up a pinfall victory over Shibata in a tag team match on the June 21 episode of AEW Dynamite, and Garcia and Shibata have teased the match repeatedly on Ring of Honor TV over the past couple of months.
Also set for Death Before Dishonor but not yet officially announced, the winner of Thursday’s Ring of Honor TV title eliminator match between Dalton Castle & Shane Taylor will challenge Samoa Joe for the TV title at Death Before Dishonor. That match was taped at Saturday night’s AEW Collision taping.
Additionally, the ROH World Championship will presumably be on the line, with Claudio Castagnoli defending against an unnamed opponent. Khan promised to address the World title situation after Wednesday’s Blood & Guts match on Dynamite where Castagnoli will compete. Castagnoli had been set to defend against Mark Briscoe, but a knee injury forced Briscoe out of the match.
The lineup to this point:
ROH Death Before Dishonor, Friday, July 21, 8 p.m. Eastern time on pay-per-view —
ROH World Championship: Claudio Castagnoli defends against TBA
ROH World Television Championship: Samoa Joe defends against Dalton Castle or Shane Taylor
ROH Pure Championship: Katusyori Shibata defends against Daniel Garcia
The AEW Blind Eliminator tournament finals are set.
MJF & Adam Cole will meet Sammy Guevara & Daniel Garcia on the July 19 edition of AEW Dynamite. The winner of that match will face the AEW Tag Team Champions in a title match on the July 29 edition of Collision, which will take place in Hartford, Connecticut.
MJF & Cole advanced by defeating Big Bill and Brian Cage in a tournament semifinal. Cole has been questioning MJF’s motives ever since MJF insisted on bonding with him, but it was shown on Wednesday’s Dynamite that Cole had been warming up to him. After they defeated Bill and Cage, the two cut a promo and finished by saying their respective catchphrases.
Guevara and Garcia defeated Darby Allin and Orange Cassidy earlier in the show to advance. The finish had Prince Nana and Swerve Strickland becoming involved, attacking Darby Allin before escaping into the crowd. Guevara didn’t see the interference and hit the GTH on Allin for the win.
After two matches on AEW Rampage, the semifinals are now confirmed in the Blind Eliminator tag team tournament and will take place on this Wednesday’s Dynamite from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
In one, AEW World Champion MJF & Adam Cole will take on Big Bill & Brian Cage. Bill & Cage defeated Matt Sydal & Trent Beretta Friday to advance while MJF & Cole defeated The Butcher & Matt Menard on Wednesday’s Dynamite.
In the other, AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy & Darby Allin will face Sammy Guevara & Daniel Garcia of the Jericho Appreciation Society. Guevara & Garcia advanced Friday with their win over Jeff Jarrett & Matt Hardy while Cassidy & Allin edged out Keith Lee & Swerve Strickland on Wednesday’s Dynamite.
The eventual tournament winners will earn a future AEW Tag Team title shot.
Here’s the current lineup for Wednesday:
Chris Jericho vs. Komander
Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament semifinal: Ruby Soho vs. Skye Blue
Blind Eliminator Tournament semifinal: MJF & Adam Cole vs. Big Bill & Brian Cage
Blind Eliminator Tournament semifinal: Orange Cassidy & Darby Allin vs. Sammy Guevara & Daniel Garcia
