Scorpio Sky is the fifth confirmed entrant for the Casino Ladder Match at Double or Nothing.
Sky was announced for the ladder match today, joining Darby Allin, Colt Cabana, Orange Cassidy, and Fenix as the wrestlers who have been confirmed for it thus far. The winner will receive a future shot at the AEW World Championship.
AEW revealed the rules for the Casino Ladder Match on last night’s episode of Dynamite. Two wrestlers will begin the match, then a new entrant will enter every 90 seconds until all nine possible participants have entered. A chip will be hanging above the ring and can be grabbed at any time, so it’s an advantage to enter the match early.
Double or Nothing is taking place on Saturday, May 23. Here’s the updated card for the pay-per-view:
AEW World Champion Jon Moxley defending against Brodie Lee
TNT Championship tournament finals: Cody vs. Lance Archer (Mike Tyson will present the TNT Championship to the winner of the match)
AEW Women’s Champion Nyla Rose defending against Hikaru Shida in a no DQ, no countout match
The Elite (Kenny Omega, Hangman Page & The Young Bucks) & Matt Hardy vs. The Inner Circle (Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara, Jake Hager, Santana & Ortiz) in a Stadium Stampede match
Casino Ladder Match
Britt Baker vs. Kris Statlander
MJF vs. Jungle Boy
Tag team number one contender’s match: Private Party vs. Best Friends (pre-show)
The Inner Circle will face off against The Elite in what they are calling a Stadium Stampede match.
After quickly pinning Pineapple Pete on tonight’s episode of Dynamite, Jericho turned his attention to The Elite. He mentioned that both The Young Bucks and Hangman Page have not been around since the COVID-19 pandemic started.
It was here that Jericho, on behalf of The Inner Circle, challenged The Elite to the Stadium Stampede match. He brought up the street fight that took place last week, saying it was nothing compared to fighting inside the TIAA Bank Field, the stadium connected to Daily’s Place. He then said he would be waiting for the Elite to accept.
The segment ended with Vanguard-1 flying in, returning the Inner Circle t-shirt that it stole from Jericho several weeks ago. Jericho assumed that the drone was there to accept the match on behalf of The Elite. After asking Vanguard-1 if it had changed his mind on joining the Inner Circle, Jericho instead introduced the sixth member of the group, Floyd the baseball bat. Jericho then proceeded to destroy Vanguard-1 with Floyd until Matt Hardy came out to make the save.
Three matches were announced tonight for Double or Nothing.
The AEW Women’s championship will be on the line, as champion Nyla Rose will face number one contender Hikaru Shida. It will be a no DQ, no countout match after Rose attacked Shida with a kendo stick backstage. Shida had defeated Kris Statlander, Britt Baker, and Penelope Ford in a fatal four way match tonight to become the number one contender.
A match between Britt Baker and Kris Statlander was also made tonight, stemming from what happened during the fatal four way women’s match. Baker had Statlander on the floor with her lockjaw submission. The announcers mentioned that Baker was more intent on taking out Statlander than actually winning the match.
The Buy-In pre show match will be a tag team match, with Private Party squaring off against Best Friends. The winners of that match will become the number one contenders to the AEW Tag Team championships, which are currently held by Hangman Adam Page and Kenny Omega.
Mike Tyson will be a part of Double or Nothing later this month.
It was announced tonight that Mike Tyson will be presenting the TNT championship at AEW Double or Nothing on May 23. Tyson’s name has been mentioned in recent weeks in pro wrestling circles, but not for AEW. Court Bauer recently sent out an invite to Mike Tyson to participate in a wrestling match, with proceeds going to charities.
The finals of the TNT title tournament will take place at Double or Nothing. Cody and Lance Archer, the two finalists, confronted one another tonight on Dynamite. The feud has gotten personal over the course of the last few weeks, with Roberts putting a snake on Brandi after she was laid out by Britt Baker on last week’s Dynamite.
Cody came out in a truck to open tonight’s show, leading to a confrontation between Archer and Cody. Archer laid out Cody, but was eventually stopped by Roberts.
Tyson’s most infamous appearance in pro wrestling was back in 1998, when he appeared as a guest enforcer in the Shawn Micheals/Steve Austin WWE title match at WrestleMania XIV. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2012.
AEW has revealed the fourth participant for their Casino Ladder Match at Double or Nothing.
It was announced today that Rey Fenix will be taking part in the Casino Ladder Match. Darby Allin, Colt Cabana, and Orange Cassidy are the other wrestlers who have been confirmed for the match so far.
The winner of the Casino Ladder Match will receive an upcoming shot at the AEW World Championship.
For the first time since the March 18 episode of Dynamite, Fenix was back in action on the AEW Dark episode that premiered last night. He defeated Alan Angels.
Fenix and Pentagon Jr. are part of a stable with PAC called Death Triangle.
Double or Nothing is taking place on Saturday, May 23. Three other matches have been announced for the pay-per-view thus far. Jon Moxley will defend his AEW World Championship against Brodie Lee, Cody and Lance Archer will face off in the finals of the TNT Championship tournament, and MJF will take on Jungle Boy.
The Casino Ladder Match at AEW Double or Nothing has its third entrant.
AEW revealed this morning that Orange Cassidy will be one of the participants in the Casino Ladder Match at Double or Nothing. Darby Allin and Colt Cabana are the other wrestlers who have been confirmed for the match thus far.
AEW hasn’t revealed how many wrestlers will be in the Casino Ladder Match. The winner will receive an upcoming shot at the AEW World Championship.
This will be the second straight AEW pay-per-view that Cassidy has been in action on. At Revolution in February, he lost to PAC.
Cassidy defeated Jimmy Havoc on the April 22 episode of Dynamite.
Double or Nothing is taking place on Saturday, May 23. The Casino Ladder Match is one of four matches that have already been announced for the PPV. Jon Moxley will defend his AEW World Championship against Brodie Lee, Cody and Lance Archer will face off in the finals of AEW’s TNT Championship tournament, and Jungle Boy will take on MJF.
Two participants have now been confirmed for the Casino Ladder Match at Double or Nothing.
AEW announced today that Colt Cabana will be taking part in the Casino Ladder Match. Darby Allin is the other participant who has been confirmed for it.
The winner of the Casino Ladder Match will receive an upcoming shot at the AEW World Championship. AEW hasn’t revealed how many wrestlers will be in the ladder match.
Cabana and Allin were both entrants in AEW’s TNT Championship tournament. Cabana lost to Lance Archer in the first round, while Allin lost to Cody in the semifinals. Cody will face Archer in the tournament finals at Double or Nothing to determine the inaugural TNT Champion.
Cabana signing with AEW was officially announced after his appearance at February’s Revolution pay-per-view. He made his AEW in-ring debut on the March 4 episode of Dynamite.
Double or Nothing is taking place on Saturday, May 23. Here’s the current lineup for the pay-per-view:
AEW World Champion Jon Moxley defending against Brodie Lee
TNT Championship tournament finals: Cody vs. Lance Archer
AEW has revealed the first participant for the Casino Ladder Match at Double or Nothing.
It was announced today that Darby Allin will be taking part in the ladder match. The winner of the match will receive an upcoming shot at the AEW World Championship.
Allin was one of the entrants in AEW’s TNT Championship tournament. He defeated Sammy Guevara in the first round but lost to Cody in the semifinals. Allin hit a Coffin Drop at the end of that semifinal match, but Cody rolled into a backslide and pinned Allin to advance to the finals. Cody and Lance Archer will face off at Double or Nothing to determine the first TNT Champion.
On Dynamite this week, Taz tried to interview Allin about his loss in the TNT Championship tournament. After saying Allin pinned himself and made several mistakes, Taz offered to help Allin. Allin didn’t answer him and walked off instead.
Double or Nothing is taking place on Saturday, May 23. Here’s the updated card for the pay-per-view:
AEW World Champion Jon Moxley defending against Brodie Lee
TNT Championship tournament finals: Cody vs. Lance Archer
The next AEW World Championship match has been set for Double or Nothing later this month.
A match between champion Jon Moxley and Brodie Lee was established tonight. Lee and the rest of the Dark Order attacked Moxley tonight after he defeated Kazarian in a singles match.
After the assault, Lee told Moxley that he was in possession of something he wanted, and issued the challenge to Moxley who was laid out in the middle of the ring. Moxley, in response, said that all Lee needed to do was to ask. Lee then laid him out with a boot to the face.
Other matches announced for Double or Nothing include MJF taking on Jungle Boy and the finals of the TNT title tournament, where Cody will face Lance Archer. A casino ladder match was also announced on tonight’s show, with more details coming next week.
AEW Double or Nothing will take place on May 23, though it has not been announced where the show will take place.
Cody and Lance Archer have both advanced to the finals of the tournament that will crown the first AEW TNT champion. Cody was the first to advance, defeating Darby Allin in the first semifinal match that took place tonight on Dynamite. Darby connected with a coffin drop off the top rope, but Cody shifted Darby’s shoulders to the mat and pinned him to advance.
The main event featured the second semifinal match between Lance Archer and Dustin Rhodes. After a back and forth match, Archer rammed Dustin’s head into an exposed turnbuckle. QT Marshall came out to throw in the towel, but Cody stopped him before he could. Archer then finished off Dustin with the EBD claw.
Cody and Lance Archer have previously confronted one another before. Jake Roberts, who has been managing Archer, issued a challenge to Cody several weeks ago. Cody noted that Archer had success in Japan, but had not proven himself in America, eventually rejecting the offer.
AEW’s Double or Nothing event in May as scheduled, but won’t take place at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas.
The company announced on social media this afternoon that the show will be held on May 23 on pay-per-view, but not in Vegas. That decision also applies to the subsequent Dynamite that was to take place on Wednesday, May 27. The statement said that additional details regarding this year’s Double or Nothing event will be “revealed in the weeks ahead.”
There is speculation that AEW could run the event in Florida now that the governor has cleared the way for pro sports and wrestling to hold shows as they are seen as “essential businesses.”
The MGM Grand Arena event has been rescheduled for May 29, 2021. Those who have already purchased tickets for this year’s event can either get a refund from their point of purchase or have their original ticket validated for next year’s event. For the television event, people who have purchased tickets will be issued a full refund within 30 days.
The only match announced for Double or Nothing are the finals of the tournament to crown the first AEW TNT champion.
AEW announced today that they’re introducing the TNT Championship. An eight-man, single-elimination tournament to crown the first champion will begin on the Wednesday, April 8 episode of Dynamite. AEW’s press release said the finals of the tournament are scheduled for Double or Nothing in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 23.
Half of the bracket for the tournament will be revealed on AEW Dark tomorrow, while the other half will be revealed on Wednesday’s Dynamite. AEW hyped that the tournament will feature “the biggest names in AEW all vying for the inaugural TNT CHAMPIONSHIP belt.”
“It’s been a privilege working with Kevin Reilly and TNT to bring fans the best live wrestling show week after week on AEW: DYNAMITE, especially during these tumultuous times,” AEW president and CEO Tony Khan said.
“I’m glad we’re now able to announce the TNT CHAMPIONSHIP. The first ever titleholder will be determined by an unforgettable tournament that fans will not want to miss, and that our wrestlers will be desperate to win. I’m excited for the announcement of the full bracket live on Dynamite this week. And, it’s only fitting that the champion and the title belt will carry the logo of the globally-respected TNT brand, and that they’ll represent not only AEW but also the great quality programming, massive reach, and storied history in the wrestling business that are all associated with TNT.”
The introduction of the TNT title was also announced on today’s Road to Dynamite episode:
Join us on AEW Double or Nothing weekend for our annual F4W Online/Wrestling Observer Newsletter convention!
You can purchase tickets right here. You can purchase tickets for the following activities listed below. All times are local:
Friday, May 22:
Dinner at Texas De Brazil: Starts at 5:30 p.m.. All you can eat meat. Includes tea, sodas and desert. Alcohol is not included with this price. Address is 6533 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV. ($82.99, not including fees)
F4W Suite Party: This will be held at the Cosmopolitan. Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez will attend. This will start at 9 p.m.. This is also where you will pick up your Double or Nothing tickets for Saturday! (Suite party only is $29.99, Suite party with AEW Double or Nothing ticket is $179.99)
Saturday, May 23:
F4W Brunch: This will be held at The Wicked Spoon inside the Cosmopolitan at 10 a.m.. (59.99, not including fees)
AEW Double or Nothing: Time to be determined. Double or Nothing, like last year, will be at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Sunday, May 24:
Ed in San Antonio Productions presents PODER DOS~!: Will be held at the FSW Arena, located at 6035 Harrison Drive Suite 5 NV 89119. Starts at 5 p.m. ($37 for front row, $32 for second row and $27 for general admission).
AEW is staying in Las Vegas for the Double or Nothing fallout episode of Dynamite.
The promotion announced today that the Wednesday, May 27 edition of Dynamite will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The arena is also hosting this year’s Double or Nothing pay-per-view on Saturday, May 23.
Tickets to the Dynamite episode will go on sale to the general public at 3 p.m. Eastern time this Friday (February 21). Double or Nothing tickets went on sale last week and haven’t sold out yet.
Last year’s Double or Nothing PPV also took place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. It was the first show in AEW history.
This is the first Dynamite episode location that’s been revealed for May. Here’s the updated list of announced locations:
February 19: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, Georgia
February 26: Silverstein Eye Centers Arena, Independence, Missouri (go-home show for Revolution PPV)
March 4: 1STBANK Center, Broomfield, Colorado
March 11: Maverik Center, West Valley City, Utah
March 18: Blue Cross Arena, Rochester, New York
March 25: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
April 1: UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
April 8: Chaifetz Arena, St. Louis, Missouri
April 15: Agganis Arena, Boston, Massachusetts
April 22: The Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
May 27: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada (Double or Nothing fallout episode)
We’re looking for dark match reports from tonight’s Smackdown show in Vancouver to [email protected] Hulk Hogan returns tonight for his angle laying out what he’s doing on the Saudi Arabia show, plus The Miz & John Morrison vs Roman Reigns & ?, and Bayley vs. Carmella for the women’s title. Tonight is also the Otis date with Mandy Rose segment.
We’re doing a poll this weekend for NXT Takeover in Portland on Sunday so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]
Tonight at Arena Mexico in Mexico City on the CMLL YouTube page:
Electrico & Oro Jr. vs. Raziel & Cancerbero
Marcela & Tsukushi & Princesa Sugehit vs. Dalys & Amapola & Reyna Isis
Volador Jr. & Atlantis Jr. & Valiente vs. Negro Casas & Euforia & Gran Guerrero
A look at next year’s WrestleMania in Los Angeles is the lead story in the new issue of the Observer. We look at the back story, regarding why the city wanted it in 2021 and WWE wanted it in 2022 and how the compromise was made. We note deals of the new stadium, attendance, the legit all-time company attendance record, , notes from the press conference and a look back at the previous WrestleMania in Los Angeles.
Also covered in the new issue:
2019 WWE business rundown in every category, what was up, what was down, how much the new television deals added in this year’s fourth quarter, why there is uncertainty about stock analysts about the company, and TV deals late in renewing,. We look at how badly the value of the company has dropped of late, what analysts are saying right now and what they are has to be done to get the company value back up.
Roster expansion, why production costs are so much higher, the decline over the past year in both network and PPV revenue, the arena business, the NXT house show business, merchandise, licensing, as well as a look at the company’s revenue and profits annually dating back to 1994.
More on the firing of Michelle Wilson and George Barrios from WWE, return of John Cena, Three more new members of WWE Hall of Fame, Becky Lynch talks pay, what wrestler looks to be leaving, future of MVP in WWE, UK ratings, most-watched shows on WWE Network and details of the weekend main roster and NXT arena events with business notes, results and highlights.
New Japan’s next show in Madison Square Garden, who are the key players and more dates for this year’s G-1 tournament.
Full coverage of New Beginning in Osaka, with business and creative notes, notes on all the upcoming title matches around the world, the latest angles, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.
XFL’s first week of television, the good, the bad, the TV deals and what it needs to stay at to be successful, plus live attendance and why the chances of survival are very different from the first time.
WWE Super Showdown, and Elimination Chamber shows.
Full coverage of UFC 247, with the background on the show, business notes, match-by-match coverage and poll results.
Regarding the Wednesday numbers, we’ve got full details, demos that each side won, how every segment did and what match ended up as the difference maker.
Full coverage of all the WWE and AEW television shows from the past week.
In-depth looks at the ratings of all the major shows, the key demos and quarters for AEW and WWE, what happened head-to-head and what can be learned from them.
Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.
ORDERING INFO: 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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If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.
FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE
AEW tickets for Boston, Philadelphia and the Memorial Day PPV in Las Vegas went on sale today. None are sold out at this point, with Las Vegas, as expected, doing the best of the three with about 6,000 tickets sold as of earlier today, probably more by now.
Court Bauer noted in regard to Konnan trying to get AAA talent under contract to U.S. groups like AEW, MLW and Impact, that they are not interested in signing AAA talent. He said they tried to do that in 2019 and the relationship fell apart. They will use AAA talent and spotlight them but their attitude is if they use someone and they get signed elsewhere, that’s fine. He did say they have signed Septimo Dragon, who is not an AAA wrestler, and will be building a lot around him.
The Rice University Media Center in Houston has an exhibit with rare photos and films called “Friday Night at the Coliseum” celebrating Houston Wrestling. There will be a reception on 2/22 from 6-8 p.m. and the exhibit will be open through 3/20. Rice Professor Geoff Winnningham, who wrote a book about Houston Wrestling, will have over 200 contemporary and historical photos as well as 16 mm black and white film from early 70s Houston Wrestling. This is timed to promote the re-release of Winningham’s 1971 book, “Friday Night at the Coliseum.” (thanks to Richard Lowery)
Tonight’s show was close to sold out. It will be the largest crowd for a WWE television taping, or for that matter any show other than the Royal Rumble in North America, since at least October, if not sooner.
Randy Orton vs. Matt Hardy has been added to Monday’s Raw in Everett, WA. Originally Monday’s angle was to be Hardy’s farewell, but it did so well in the ratings, plus there are several injuries and talent unavailable that even though it looked like a long-term injury angle which was the plan,they’ve changed plans. Also due to injuries, Big Show will be back on Monday.
Odds from www.BetOnline.ag for WWE Super Showdown
Bray Wyatt -850 vs. Bill Goldberg +450
Brock Lesnar -2000 vs. Ricochet +650
Roman Reigns -450 vs. King Corbin +275
John Morrison & The Miz -250 vs. New Day +175
For Takeover:
Adam Cole -110 vs. Tommaso Ciampa =110
Rhea Ripley -850 vs. Bianca Belair +450
Matt Riddle & Pete Dunne -150 vs. Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly +110
Finn Balor -160 vs. Johnny Gargano +120
Dakota Kai -200 vs. Tegan Nox +150
Adam Brooks will be debuting with ROH on the 3/13 PPV show from Las Vegas.
Evolve on 2/29 in Queens, NY has AR Fox & Leon Ruff vs. Adrian Alanis & Liam Gray with the winning team getting a tag title shot at the Besties in the World on 3/15 in Chicago, plus Joe Gacy vs. Colby Corino. On 3/1 in Melrose, MA it’s JD Drake vs. Curt Stallion and Joe Gacy v. Anthony Gutierrez.
Shine runs on 2/29 in Queens, NY with Ivelisse vs Lindsay Snow for the Shine title, Natalia Markova vs. Brandi.Lauren for the Nova title and Jayme Jameson & Marti Belle vs. Avery Taylor & Brittany Blake for the tag titles.
AAW on 2/21 at the Logan Square Auditorium in Chicago has The Besties in the World defending the AAW tag titles against AR Fox & Myron Reed, Kris Statlander defending the women’s title again–Hst Jody Threat, Josh Briggs vs. Hakim Zena vs. Fred Yehi vs. Jordan Oliver with the winner getting an AAW title shot, ACH vs. TJP, Matt Justice vs. Nick Gage, Paco vs. Zicky Dice and more.
ONE has set up its complete 2020 schedule. Shows over the next few months are 2/28 in Singapore, 3/20 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 4/10 in Jakarta, Indonesia, 4/17 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 5/29 in Malina, The Philippines, 6/5 in Jakarta, 6/20 in Shanghai, China and 7/3 in Singapore.
The next KSW show is 3/21 from the Atlas Arena in Lodz, Poland.
GWN Championship Wrestling on 3/8 in Hamilton, ONT at the Germania Club for a show where the doors open at 1 p.m.
LFA on 4/3 at the 1st Bank Center in Broomfield, CO headlined by featherweight champion Justin Gonzalez (10-0) vs. Steve Garcia Jr. (11-3). The show airs live on UFC Fight Pass.
Canadian Wrestling Elite announced that D-Lo Brown is off their 2/27 to 3/1 shows and will be replaced by Nick Dinsmore. This will be for shows on 2/27 in Roseau R vier First Nations, Manitoba, 2/28 in Winnipeg, 2/29 in Regina, Saskatchewan and 3/1 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
Combate America announced changes in its 2/28 show in Fresno, CA that airs on Univision and AXS TV. Alejandro Martinez (4-4) replaces an injured Pablo Sabori in the main event against Adrian Guzman (6-1) in a lightweight fight. The Zoila Frausto vs. Karla Benitez fight has been changed and it will instead be Zoila’s sister, Stephanie Frausto (7-6) vs. Charisa Sigala (4-1).
Combate Americas also runs 3/13 in Tucson at the Arena with Juan Puerta (18-6) vs. Ivan Lopez (14-4-1) at flyweight and German Orineda Ponce (0-0) vs. Federico Flores (1-1). Ponce is an undefeated kickboxer with Juan
559 Fights on 3/13 in Visalia, CA at the Convention Center with Larry Gonzales (4-0) putting up his heavyweight title against Jordan Pankey (4-2).
Qatar Pro Wrestling SuperSlam 2 on 2/21 in Doha, Qatar at the Lusail Sports Arena has Alberto El Patron vs. Rob Van Dam vs. Chris Raaber Alofa, Apolo & Apolo Jr. vs. Carlito & Chris Masters vs. Jody Fleich & Jonny Storm, Brian Cage vs. Michael Elgin, nZo vs. Brian Pillman Jr, plus Eric Bischoff, Kevin Nash, Mark Henry, Road Warrior Animal, Great Khali, Matt Sydal, Davey Boy Smith Jr., PJ Black, Caprice Coleman, Mil Muertes, Dos Caras, Matt Cross, Michael Kovac, Tristan Archer and White Eagle appearing.
Wrestling Travel has announced ManiaCrawl 7 on 4/5 in Tampa. The event is a cosplay competition with drink discounts on the way to Raymond James Stadium for WrestleMania as a fundraiser for Connor’s Cure
Homicide vs. Brody King has been added to the ROH Past vs. Present show on 3/14 in Las Vegas at Sam’s Town Live.
A story on Blake Lawler, the grandson of Jerry Lawler and son of Brian Lawler, who is wrestling in high school (thanks to Mike Kuzmuk)
