Bryan Danielson’s in-ring return is set for next Saturday’s AEW Collision as he begins his run in the Continental Classic tournament.
Danielson will take on Eddie Kingston who lost to Brody King on Saturday’s Collision in the tournament. It will be a rematch from their highly-regarded October 2021 World title tournament eliminator match that Danielson won.
Danielson has been out of action since a late-October tag team match on Dynamite. After a shot from Kazuchika Okada, Danielson began favoring his eye and was being tended to by AEW medical personnel as the show went off the air.
It was later revealed that Danielson had suffered a broken orbital bone in his Collision match with Andrade El Idolo just days prior.
Prior to last Saturday’s Full Gear, AEW head Tony Khan said they were waiting on doctors to clear Danielson to fly. He appeared on TV alongside Khan to declare himself as the first entrant into the round robin tournament.
The aforementioned Andrade will also have his first bout in the tournament as he takes on Daniel Garcia. Garcia fell to Claudio Castagnoli Saturday and will be looking for his first points in the tournament. Andrade and Garcia squared off earlier this month with Andrade picking up the win.
After picking up the win, Castagnoli will take on King next Saturday as both men look for another three points. This will also be their first-ever clash.
All three matches will be in the Blue League.
Here’s the current lineup for Erie, Pennsylvania:
Continental Classic tournament match (Blue League): Bryan Danielson vs. Eddie Kingston
Continental Classic tournament match (Blue League): Andrade El Idolo vs. Daniel Garcia
Continental Classic tournament match (Blue League): Brody King vs. Claudio Castagnoli
The end of Rampage saw MJF agreeing to defend the ROH Tag Team titles with Samoa Joe at AEW Full Gear Zero Hour against The Gunns.
MJF jumped Jay White, who was giving a sit-down interview during Friday’s Rampage. Juice Robinson attacked MJF during the brawl, but was thrown into a TV by MJF. The confrontation between MJF and White eventually made its way to the ring. The Gunns jumped MJF as he gained back the AEW World title belt. White was about to attack MJF with the belt when Joe’s music hit. Bullet Club Gold bailed as Samoa Joe extended his hand to MJF. The two shook hands to end the segment.
Samoa Joe previously told MJF that he would help defend the ROH Tag Team titles against The Gunns if he would give Joe an AEW World Championship match. MJF had dismissed the idea.
A match for the ROH World Championship between champion Eddie Kingston and Jay Lethal was also made official for Saturday’s pre-show. On Friday’s Rampage, Lethal informed Kingston that he had one day left in his championship reign, accusing Kingston of ducking him. The two exchanged words before Lethal and the rest of his group walked away. Once they left, Ortiz appeared next to Kingston.
Also added to Zero Hour is a match between Claudio Castagnoli and Buddy Matthews. After Matthews defeated Wheeler Yuta on Friday’s Collision, Matthews continued to assault Yuta until Castagnoli came down for the save. Castagnoli said he was tired of the House of Black and the darkness and wanted to challenge Matthews in the light. Matthews accepted the challenge.
Here is the updated card for Saturday’s Full Gear:
AEW Full Gear, Saturday, November 18, 8 p.m. Eastern time on pay-per-view —
AEW World Champion MJF defends against Jay White
AEW Women’s World Champion Hikaru Shida defends against Toni Storm
AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy defends against Jon Moxley
AEW Tag Team Champions Ricky Starks & Big Bill defend against FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler), House of Black (Malakai Black & Brody King) and LFI (Rush & Dralistico) in a ladder match
TBS Champion Kris Statlander defends against Julia Hart & Skye Blue in a three-way
Hangman Page vs. Swerve Strickland in a Texas Death Match
Sting, Darby Allin & Adam Copeland vs. Christian Cage, Luchasaurus & Nick Wayne
The Golden Jets (Kenny Omega & Chris Jericho) vs. The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson) — Winner gets an AEW Tag Team title shot, Golden Jets disband if they lose
Zero Hour pre-show, 7 p.m. Eastern time on AEW’s YouTube & social media channels —
ROH Tag Team Champions MJF & Samoa Joe defend against The Gunns (Austin & Colten Gunn)
ROH World Championship: Eddie Kingston defends against Jay Lethal
The ROH World Championship will be defended tonight on HonorClub.
Eddie Kingston is scheduled to defend his title against former champion Dalton Castle on the show.
Tony Khan has also announced he will address the ROH TV title situation on Thursday’s episode. Samoa Joe relinquished the belt on the November 8 Dynamite to focus on winning the AEW World title.
El Hijo del Vikingo & Komander vs. Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal is scheduled for tonight as well. Sydal & Daniels are coming off a loss to The Righteous two weeks ago while Komander & Vikingo lost to FTR in the main event of AEW Rampage on Friday.
Other announced matches include Castle’s Boys against The Bollywood Boyz and Trent Beretta vs. Peter Avalon.
After weeks of teasing an uneasy alliance, Leyla Hirsch will team with Rachael Ellering tonight as well. They’ll wrestle The Renegades in tag team action.
Athena & Billie Starkz, Marina Shafir, and The Outrunners are all advertised as being “in action” on the show.
Matches for this week’s episode of ROH on HonorClub were taped on Wednesday, November 8 at The Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. Spoilers from the taping are available here.
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Trent Beretta (w/Kris Statlander & Orange Cassidy) defeated Peter Avalon
This was surprisingly good, if only for the fact that Avalon usually never gets anything resembling shine.
Beretta had the upper hand until Avalon sent Beretta into the corner post, before following up with a crossbody to the floor. Avalon got in Cassidy’s face, which allowed Beretta to hit a big back body drop on the floor. Beretta went for a spear into the barricade – the Roman Reigns Special – but Avalon moved, with Beretta crashing into the barricade. Avalon hit a high cross for a nearfall.
Avalon went to the middle rope, but Beretta yanked Avalon down into a Saito suplex. Beretta hit a pair of German suplexes before hitting a half-and-half suplex. Beretta hit the running knee for a nearfall. Avalon pushed out of a tornado DDT before hitting a superkick. Avalon followed with a springboard crossbody for a nearfall. Beretta went for a top rope hurricanrana, but Avalon rolled through for a nearfall. Avalon reversed a piledriver into a Tombstone of his own for a nearfall.
Beretta sent Avalon to the apron. Avalon went over the top for a sunset flip, but Beretta caught him in with the Strong Zero for the win. It was announced that next week, Beretta will challenge ROH Pure Champion Katsuyori Shibata for the title next week.
Dalton Castle was backstage with Lexy Nair. He was confident heading into his ROH World Title match against Eddie Kingston because he was better than Kingston. Castle said that Kingston’s only chance at winning would be to score a knockout.
The Outrunners (Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd) defeated Jacoby Watts & Sebastian Wolfe
Watts took the microphone to introduce himself and his partner before the Outrunners jumped them from behind. They worked on Wolfe for a few minutes before Wolfe got the tag out to Watts. Watts ran wild before the Outrunners sent him to the floor. The Outrunners hit Wolfe with a double-team powerslam for the win.
Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal were backstage with Lexy Nair. They knew that their tenure didn’t mean anything when going against their opponents El Hijo Del Vikingo & Komander, but they were ready for the challenge.
Emi Sakura defeated Kel
The taller Kel teasingly called for a test of strength, but Sakura punched her in the gut and locked her in a surfboard stretch. Kel came back with a bicycle kick for a nearfall, but Sakura avoided a corner kick and repeatedly chopped Kel. Sakura hit a crossbody in the corner before hitting a butterfly backbreaker for the win.
The Outrunners were backstage with Lexy Nair. They hyped themselves up as the best team in ROH.
The Boys (Brandon & Brent) defeated The Bollywood Boyz (Gurv Sihra & Harv Sihra)
The Boys wrestled with modified peacock masks on. The Bollywood Boys hit a tag team combination in their corner, ending with a middle-rope bulldog from Harv for a nearfall. Brandon got the tag out to Brent, who ran wild. He hit a dive onto Harv before double-stomping Gurv for a nearfall. The Bollywood Boys hit a Demolition Decapitation for a nearfall that was broken up by Brandon. Brent hit Sole Food before hitting a pendulum slam for the win.
Ring of Honor Television Title Announcement
The logical decision was to crown a new champion at Final Battle. The qualifying matches will add some juice to the television shows for the next few weeks.
Tony Khan was backstage, where he announced that a new ROH Television Champion would be crowned at Final Battle in a six-way Survival of the Fittest match. Qualifying matches would be happening in the next few weeks to determine the competitors in that match.
Charlette & Robyn Renegade were backstage with Lexy Nair. They talked up their chemistry as sisters and as a team as opposed to their opponents, Leyla Hirsch & Rachel Ellering. Maria Kanellis entered the scene, asking to have a word with the Renegades off-screen.
Athena feigned a handshake before punching Robbie in the face. Robbie outpaced Athena on the apron, but Athena countered a sunset flip into a powerbomb. Robbie hit Starkz with a jawbreaker before tagging Havok, who hit a wacky bodyscissors into a DDT for a nearfall. Athena cut off Havok with a knee to the back, allowing Starkz to forearm Havok. Starkz menaced the referee, much like Athena usually does. Athena tagged in and hit the Despicable Knee for the win.
After the match, Starkz put Robbie in a crossface before Athena put Havok in one as well. Athena looked impressed with her minion.
Ethan Page was backstage with Lexy Nair. He was happy with costing Tony Nese his match last week before Nese and Mark Sterling entered the scene. Sterling and Nese complained before reminding Page that Nese had already beaten him. Page challenged Nese to a rematch as he did weeks ago, this time with Nese accepting the challenge.
Hirsch handled the Renegades by herself, hitting the pendulum dropkick in the corner for a nearfall. Ellering tagged in, hitting a double shoulder block with Hirsch. Charlette covered Hirsch’s eyes with her headband before tagging in Robyn, who hit a high crossbody for a nearfall. The Renegades double-teamed Ellering, hitting a double suplex for a nearfall.
Ellering fought her way to the corner and tagged in Hirsch, who ran wild on the Renegades. She hit a gutwrench suplex on one Renegade onto the other before hitting a running knee for a nearfall. Hirsch set up Ellering for a running uppercut for a nearfall. The Renegades tried to double team Ellering, but Ellering sent them into each other and got the win with a sunset flip. Hirsch was on the floor tending to her braced knee, when Maria Kanellis came out to check on her. Hirsch got helped from ringside.
Athena & Billie Starkz were backstage with Lexy Nair. Athena was mildly impressed with Starkz, then told Starkz and Nair that they would either step up as minions or Athena wouldn’t be happy.
Marina Shafir defeated Amira
Shoutout to Rich Latta on the track for Marina Shafir. Shafir controlled the match early until Amira fought her off and made a small comeback. Shafir booted – well, footed – Amira in the face before hitting a judo slam. Shafir locked on a Darce Choke and got the stoppage.
El Hijo del Vikingo & Komander (w/Alex Abrahantes) defeated Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal
An awesome tag match here. I love ROH hosting these lucha showcases every week, as they have the talent in AEW to keep up with the AAA stars.
Sydal and Vikingo got into a pinning predicament before reversing each other’s armdrags. Daniels and Komander tagged in, with Komander entering the ring with a flourish. Daniels got double-teamed by Vikingo and Komander, with Vikingo vaulting off of Komander’s back to hit a dropkick. They hit a double 619 before Komander hit a standing moonsault for a nearfall. Sydal held onto Daniels on an Irish Whip, allowing Daniels to drop Komander on the ropes and tag out.
Daniels and Sydal worked on Komander, with Sydal hitting a corkscrew senton for a nearfall. Daniels hit a pair of bodyslams before clubbing him with a lariat. Sydal hit a vaulting Meteora for a nearfall before tying Komander up into a bow and arrow submission. Sydal caught Komander with a back kick, leading to a Daniels STO for a nearfall. Komander fought his way to the corner and tagged in Vikingo, who ran wild on both men. Vikingo hit a double-jump Crucifix Bomb for a nearfall broken up by Daniels. We got a Pier Six brawl that ended with a Daniels STO.
Daniels and Sydal hit a powerbomb/meteora combination for a nearfall. Komander hit a plancha on Sydal as Vikingo hit a springboard crossbody on Daniels. Vikingo hit running knees in the corner, then set him up for Komander’s ropewalk 450 splash. Komander dove onto Sydal as Vikingo hit a frog splash for the win.
ROH World Title Match – Eddie Kingston defeated Dalton Castle (w/Brandon & Brent) to retain
This was a gritty fight between these two, which while against character for Castle, was a great battle between the two.
Castle stalled for a while before taking Kingston to the mat with a single-leg takedown. Kingston chopped Castle away, but Castle caught Kingston with a back elbow. Castle hit repeated splashes to the stomach before Kingston got his knees up. Castle hit another back elbow to take Kingston down again. Kingston fought off another Castle takedown, kneeing Castle in the gut before hitting a double stomp to the gut for a nearfall.
Castle caught Kingston in the corner with running knees before hitting a Slingblade bulldog for a nearfall. Kingston caught Castle with a boot on a corner charge, but Castle booted Kingston to the apron before Castle kneed him to the floor. Kingston hit a lariat to cut Castle down. Kingston hit the machine gun chops in the corner before sending Castle flying with a T-Bone suplex. Castle feigned going down before hitting a pair of suplexes of his own.
Castle laid in strikes before going for Bangarang, but Kingston hit the Backfist for a nearfall. Kingston pulled Castle up and hit a second Backfist. Castle tried to fire up, but Kingston hit a half-and-half suplex before hitting a third Backfist to score the win. After the match, Kingston said that this match was for Mr. Brodie Lee, whom both men were close to.
After replays, Eddie Kingston was backstage with Lexy Nair. Kingston was tired, not because of his schedule as champion, but because he saw other World Champions not doing their job. They would get six or seven segments a show, while not raising the tides of the company that they worked for. Guys like him, Orange Cassidy, and Moxley were the tide, and he would be a true champion for the fans of Ring of Honor. I would call that a veiled shot at MJF, but a veil provides some kind of cover.
Eddie Kingston vs. Dalton Castle for the ROH World Championship will air on the Thursday, November 16 Ring of Honor TV episode.
Following Kingston successful title defense against Angelico in the main event of this week’s show, Castle cut a promo in a backstage segment challenging Kingston for his World title. A graphic made the bout official for next week’s episode.
The Kingston vs. Castle title bout was announced by AEW on Wednesday this week prior to the Dynamite taping in Portland, Oregon, and the match was taped following Dynamite’s airing on Wednesday night.
Kingston defeated Claudio Castagnoli to win the ROH title at Dynamite Grand Slam on September 20 at Arthur Ashe Stadium. He has since successfully defended the title against Katsuyori Shibata at WrestleDream, Komander on Collision, Minoru Suzuki on Dynamite, and Angelico on Ring of Honor TV.
Our full report from Thursday’s Ring of Honor TV episode can be found here.
The ROH World Championship will be defended on HonorClub tonight.
Eddie Kingston will defend his title against Angelico on the show. It will be his fourth time defending the belt since winning it from Claudio Castagnoli at Grand Slam in September. His previous title defenses have been over Katsuyori Shibata, Komander, and Minoru Suzuki.
The ROH Women’s World Champion Athena is also advertised for this week’s episode. She’ll wrestle Heidi Howitzer in a Proving Ground match in what will be Howitzer’s ROH debut.
Billie Starkz vs. Rachael Ellering is also scheduled for tonight. Ellering comes in on a two-match winning streak after defeating Robyn Renegade and LMK on previous episodes.
Other matches scheduled to air tonight include Leyla Hirsch vs. Charlette Renegade, The Iron Savages vs. Cole Karter & Griff Garrison, Kyle Fletcher vs. Lee Johnson, and Tony Nese vs. Serpentico.
This week’s episode was taped on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at the Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas. Spoilers for the show are available here.
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This week’s ROH began with a recap of last week’s Women’s World Title match between Athena and Mercedes Martinez. We cut to video from after last week’s show, where Lexy Nair and Billie Starkz waited for Athena. Athena said that she would do whatever she needed to do to for Starkz to get more violent. Athena made it clear that Starkz was on her good side for now.
Serpentico defeated Tony Nese (w/Mark Sterling)
Sterling came out bragging about his charges scoring two straight wins over “that fat slob” Ethan Page. Nese dumped on Wichita before Serpentico came out for the scheduled match. Nese used his power to keep Serpentico off of his feet. Nese put Serpentico in the Tree of Woe before dropping into the crunch kicks.
Serpentico came back with a hurricanrana and a flatliner for a nearfall. Nese came right back with a spinning heel kick and set up the pumphandle slam, but Ethan Page came out with a microphone. He was ready for group training, which distracted Nese long enough to get rolled up by Serpentico. Page said that instead of group training, he would celebrate with Serpentico.
Action Andretti & Darius Martin were backstage with Lexy Nair. They spoke on their issues with Shane Taylor Promotions before bringing in their partners for tonight’s eight-man tag match, The Infantry. They hyped themselves up for the match.
Athena (w/Billie Starkz) defeated Heidi Howitzer
Howitzer took Athena down with a shoulder block and a big boot, sending Athena out of the ring. Athena slid out of the way of a baseball slide before dropping Howitzer with a rolling slam on the floor. Athena clubbered on Howitzer in the ring before tossing her with a German Suplex.
Howitzer tried coming back with hard Irish whips, but Athena hopped to the second rope and hit a Codebreaker. Athena hit the knockout forearm to score the win. After the match, Athena drilled Howitzer with a superkick before throwing her into the belt.
Kyle Fletcher defeated Lee Johnson
Fletcher yanked Johnson off of the turnbuckles during his entrance. Shane Taylor Promotions was seen watching backstage. Fletcher played keep-away from Johnson until Johnson caught him with a dropkick that sent him to the floor. Johnson chased Fletcher around the ring until Fletcher caught him with a superkick and dropped him on the apron with a back suplex.
Fletcher clubbered on Johnson until Johnson caught him with a back elbow. Johnson picked up the pace with clotheslines and a neckbreaker. Johnson hit a Blue Thunder Bomb for a nearfall. Johnson hit Fletcher with a pair of elbows in the corner, but Fletcher avoided a corner charge and hit a tight Michinoku Driver for a nearfall.
Fletcher talked trash before catching a kick to the face. Johnson got Fletcher onto the top rope before hitting a superplex. Johnson followed it with a frog splash for a nearfall. Fletcher popped Johnson with a dropkick before hitting the leg lariat to the back. Fletcher hit the Tombstone for the win.
Charlette sent Hirsch into the ropes, where Robyn popped her with a forearm for a nearfall. Charlette kept the advantage on offense, hitting a Northern Lights Suplex for a nearfall. Hirsch hit a German suplex before hitting the pendulum dropkick in the corner for a nearfall. Hirsch hit a Saito suplex as Robyn sat a chair on the apron.
Robyn distracted the referee to allow Charlette to grab the chair, but Rachel Ellering took Robyn out with a forearm. The ref caught Charlette with the chair and took it away, allowing Hirsch to lock in a cross-arm breaker to score the submission win.
Athena and Billie Starkz were backstage with Lexy Nair. After scolding Nair for being friendly to Willow Nightingale, Athena told Starkz to show her violent streak against Rachel Ellering tonight. Athena noted that Final Battle was in her hometown and that she couldn’t wait to see which porcelain hussy she would beat.
Bronson caught Garrison with a bodyslam. Garrison avoided being sent into Boulder’s chest, but Karter wasn’t so lucky. Karter took Boulder down, but Boulder kept pressing his way out of the cover. Boulder hit them with a double flapjack before sending Bronson to the floor. Maria distracted Bronson before sending him into a Karter back body drop on the ramp.
Karter and Garrison worked over Bronson until he fought to make the tag to Boulder. Boulder ran wild, hitting both men with a powerbomb/World’s Strongest Slam combination for a nearfall. Karter rolled out of the way of a Boulder step-up moonsault, allowing Garrison to hit a rolling elbow to the back of the head. Karter hit a 450 splash for a nearfall that was broken up by Bronson.
Karter sent Bronson to the floor, but Boulder crashed into both Karter and Garrison with a crossbody. The Savages hit the Transformer Splash for the win.
We got a video package recapping Samoa Joe’s successful title defense and subsequent vacating of the ROH World Television Title. Tony Khan will make an announcement regarding the Television Title next week.
Starkz caught Ellering with a sunset flip, then kicked Ellering in the head for a nearfall. Starkz celebrated her small accomplishment, allowing Ellering to come back with a senton for a nearfall. Ellering hit a gutwrench suplex to take Starkz down before chopping Starkz in the corner. Ellering hit a running uppercut and a cross-leg Michinoku Driver for a nearfall.
Starkz avoided the Bosswoman Slam before Ellering clubbed Starkz with a clothesline and a forearm. Starkz ducked a clothesline and hit a spin kick, but Ellering followed up with a lariat. Starkz caught Ellering with a kick to the head before hitting a trio of German suplexes for a nearfall. Ellering cut off Starkz on the top rope, pulling her into a TKO for a nearfall.
Starkz eventually sent Ellering to the floor, following her out with a tope. Starkz sent Ellering into the barricade. Starks sent Ellering into the ring, where she hit a Swanton Bomb for the win.
Athena jumped Ellering after the bell, with Starkz joining in after a second. Leyla Hirsch ran them off, returning the favor for Ellering helping her out earlier.
Josh Woods defeated SK Bishop
Woods was dominant here. Bishop got a boot up on a corner charge, but Woods kneed him out of a high cross attempt. Woods hit Chaos Theory for the win.
Action Andretti, Darius Martin & The Infantry defeated Shane Taylor Promotions & The Wingmen
The match started with a Pier Six Brawl. The good guys sent the rudos to the floor before hitting planchas onto all of them. Unfortunately for Martin, Taylor caught him and flung him into the barricade. Bravo got caught by Taylor in the ring, who dropped him face-first on an up-and-over in the corner. Taylor sent Bravo into the corner buckle with a kick for a nearfall.
Bravo got worked on for a while before fighting his way to a tag out to Andretti. Andretti ran wild on the Wingmen, taking them down with a handspring elbow. Avalon accidentally punched Taylor, leading to Taylor and Moriarty knocking out Avalon and Nemeth and leaving. The Infantry hit Boot Camp on Avalon to score the win.
Rachel Ellering was backstage with Lexy Nair. Ellering felt like she was breaking through with Leyla Hirsch, but Hirsch came in to clarify. Hirsch said that she didn’t like owing anyone, so now she and Ellering are even. Maria Kanellis came in, mocking their teamwork to Hirsch’s chagrin. Kanellis told Hirsch to team with Ellering, and afterward, she would let Hirsch know about their future.
Dralistico (w/ Jose The Assistant) defeated Gravity
The announcers noted that these two are the brothers of former ROH World Champions. Gravity is Bandido’s younger brother, while Dralistico is the younger brother of Rush. Dralistico sent Gravity to the floor before following him with a big dive. Dralistico held control on Gravity until Gravity sent him to the floor. Gravity hit a step-up dive to the floor. Gravity fired up in the ring, hitting a headstand splash out of the corner for a nearfall.
Dralistico superkicked Gravity before hitting a powerbomb for a nearfall. They traded chops and running forearms before Gravity snatched Dralistico up in a powerslam. Gravity hung up Dralistico in the ropes before hitting a splash onto him for a nearfall. Dralistico tied up Gravity in the ropes before ripping off a springboard hurricanrana for a nearfall. Dralistico hit a corkscrew Destroyer to score the win.
ROH World Title Match – Eddie Kingston defeated Angelico to retain
A fine main event. There was never that close nearfall that made me think Angelico could win, but they had a solid back-and-forth here.
The two men started this match with technique, with Kingston breaking first and laying in a chop. Angelico caught a second chop and turned it into a cravat before kicking Kingston in the back of the head. The men traded strikes, with Angelico going after the knee. Kingston chopped Angelico into the corner before hitting the machine gun chops and a face wash.
Angelico countered a suplex attempt with a front facelock that he transitioned into a double wristlock that forced Kingston to the ropes. Kingston cut off Angelico with a kitchen sink knee and clubbered on him. Kingston dropped Angelico with more chops, but Angelico rolled through a uranage attempt and hit a kick that sent Kingston to the floor. Angelico followed with a dive onto Kingston.
Kingston tried to make some space, but Angelico hit a diving clothesline off of the apron. Angelico hit a high crossbody for a nearfall. Angelico got a nearfall with a jackknife pin, then tried a flash pin for a nearfall. Angelico kicked Kingston in the head before locking on La Casita for a nearfall. Kingston popped up with a Backfist, but Angelico kicked out. Kingston landed another Backfist before hitting the Northern Lights Driver to win and retain the title.
Backstage, Dalton Castle was frustrated that he couldn’t give people the show that they deserved. He didn’t want people like Eddie Kingston muddying the airwaves, saying that Kingston was throwing away his opportunities as champion. He said that Kingston was ordinary and that he wanted to give the people a World Champion that they could sink their teeth into. Eddie Kingston vs. Dalton Castle for the ROH World Title was made official for next week.
Ring of Honor World Champion Eddie Kingston will put his title on the line against Dalton Castle from Portland, Oregon, tonight.
However, it wasn’t specified whether the match will air live on AEW Dynamite or if it will be taped afterward as neither the graphic above, nor the announcement tweet, mentioned Dynamite. Both Rampage and Collision are live on Friday so it’s possible it will be taped for an ROH episode after the live Dynamite.
Kingston is celebrating his 50th day as ROH Champion and will be looking for the fourth defense of his title. He is also scheduled to defend against Angelico on Thursday’s ROH on HonorClub.
Castle is a former ROH World Champion, holding the gold from December 2017 through June 2018. He was last seen with The Boys, unsuccessfully wresting the AEW Trios titles from The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn on last Saturday’s Collision.
This will also be a first time ever matchup.
Here’s the current lineup for AEW Dynamite:
AEW World Champion MJF defends against Daniel Garcia
ROH TV Champion Samoa Joe defends against Keith Lee
Sting & Darby Allin vs. The Outrunners
Jay White vs. Mark Briscoe
Tony Schiavone sits down with Hikaru Shida and Timeless Toni Storm
Swerve Strickland vs. Penta El Zero Miedo
Red Velvet vs. Julia Hart
Chris Jericho and Kenny Omega promo
Also announced for tonight:
ROH World Champion Eddie Kingston defends against Dalton Castle
Eddie Kingston wishes things worked out differently between CM Punk and AEW.
While being interviewed by Adrian Hernandez over the weekend, Kingston was asked if it bothers him when the fan conversation about AEW is focused on locker room drama instead of what the wrestlers are doing in the ring.
Kingston responded:
Nah. It don’t bother me because I don’t care. Like, I have a job to do, and my job is to make the people talk about us. And if I didn’t do a good enough job where they want to talk about backstage stuff, then that’s on me. I’ll just do better next time, you know what I mean? Like I said in an interview before, there was no locker room divide like it was reported. Because I don’t really hang out with a lot of people. I have like four or five people I chill with in the locker room. Those four or five people didn’t give a sh*t what was going on. We were in our own world because we had to go to work. And that’s it.
People are going to talk about the drama because people love drama, man. That’s why we have those kind of movies and all that, you know what I mean? They love it. But it’s our job to go out there and produce. To make them forget that. And I think we are. But if people still want to talk about it, that’s on them. Not on me, you know?
Kingston and Punk worked a program in AEW that included a pay-per-view match at Full Gear 2021. During their rivalry, Kingston cut a promo saying that no one in the locker room wanted Punk in AEW.
Adrian Hernandez asked Kingston if he feels bad that people online brought up that promo after Punk was fired by AEW:
No, I’m doing my job. That’s how I felt. I didn’t know what anyone else in the locker room felt. I didn’t care, is how I felt. I didn’t want him there. Me and Punk don’t like each other. And that’s fine. You’re not going to like everybody you work with. Do I wish he was still in AEW and I wish it worked out differently? Yeah, because he helped the company. But other than that, I don’t give a f*ck what he does, you know what I mean? Because me and him never got along anyway. We don’t have to be best friends to fight each other — it makes it better when we’re not best friends. I don’t wish him bad, but I don’t wish him good either, because I don’t give a f*ck.
Following a backstage incident with Jack Perry at All In, Punk’s AEW contract was terminated with cause on September 2.
Kingston is the current ROH World Champion and NJPW Strong Openweight Champion. He retained the latter title against Henare at NJPW Fighting Spirit Unleashed last weekend.
Kingston vs. Satoshi Kojima for the Strong Openweight Championship will take place at NJPW Lonestar Shootout in Texas on Friday, November 10.
Jay Lethal will get an ROH title match thanks to Jeff Jarrett’s win on AEW Collision.
Jarrett defeated ROH World Champion Eddie Kingston in a Memphis street fight on Saturday’s show. After Kingston initially kicked out of the stroke, all of Jarrett’s crew (Karen Jarrett, Satnam Singh, Lethal, and Sonjay Dutt) attacked Kingston, with Singh giving Kingston a chokeslam and Lethal hitting the lethal injection. Jarrett then hit another stroke for the win. With the win, Lethal will now get a future ROH title match.
In a later segment on Collision, Kingston cut a promo on Jay Lethal, referring to him under his real name, Jamar. Kingston said that Lethal used to love wrestling but then aligned himself with “that carny son-of-a-b****” Jarrett. He told Lethal not to bring his family to their match as Lethal’s mother would cry over the beating he would give Lethal not because she was sad about her son, but because she knew her son had it coming.
Kingston won the title last month at AEW Dynamite Grand Slam, defeating Claudio Castagnoli. After Lethal continued to make motions towards the ROH title, Kingston agreed to a title match only if Jarrett could defeat him in a Memphis street fight.
Matches for this week’s show were taped from the Maverick Center in Salt Lake City, Utah on Saturday, October 7. Spoilers from the show are available here.
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The show started with Dasha backstage with Serpentico. He said that he didn’t have to beat Eddie Kingston tonight, he just had to survive the ten-minute time limit to get a future title match.
Proving Ground Match – Eddie Kingston defeated Serpentico (w/Angelico)
Serpentico chopped at Kingston to start, hitting his own machine gun chops in the corner. Serpentico caught Kingston with a hurricanrana and a facebuster for a nearfall. Serpentico went to the top rope, but Kingston caught him with a T-Bone suplex. Kingston hit a Saito suplex for a nearfall, then locked on the Stretch Plum for the quick win.
After the match, Angelico wouldn’t let Kingston shake his downed partner’s hand. Kingston got in his face, asking if Angelico would stab him in the back. Angelico said that when it came to hold-for-hold wrestling, no one scared him. They agreed to a future ROH World Title match.
Gates Of Agony (Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona) (w/Prince Nana) defeated Lights Camera Faction (Fresco & Watson)
This was an absolute slaughter, with the Gates of Agony scoring the win with a double clothesline to Fresco.
Dasha was backstage with the debuting Daga, who will be challenging QT Marshall for the AAA Latin American Championship. Daga said that he was a former champion and he wanted the title back.
Proving Ground Match – Athena (w/Billie Starkz) defeated Mazzerati
This was a five-star squash match. Athena killed this woman dead.
Mazzerati got the better of an opening exchange before Athena leveled her with a dropkick. Athena avoided a low bridge to the outside before dropping Mazzerati to the floor with a gourdbuster. Mazzerati kicked Athena’s feet out on the apron and went for a hurricanrana, but Athena hit her with a thudding powerbomb on the floor.
Athena flung Mazzerati into the barricade before working on her in the ring. Mazzerati caught Athena with a back kick, but Athena cartwheeled out of a headscissors and drilled her with a forearm for a nearfall. Athena locked Mazzerati in the Tree of Woe, then drilled her with boots to the back. Mazzerati avoided a corner charge and fought back, but Athena booted her out of the air on a springboard. Athena locked on an armbar, forcing Mazzerati to tap out with her boot.
After the match, Starkz waited for Athena to turn her back before hiding Mazzerati under the ring to save her from a further beatdown.
Lexy was backstage with Lee Johnson, who was immediately interrupted by Shane Taylor Promotions. They offered him a spot in the group, with that sounding better than the “moral victories” Johnson had been racking up.
AAA Latin American Title Match – QT Marshall (c) defeated Daga
I wasn’t excited to watch this one, but these two had a solid match here.
Before the match, Marshall introduced himself to Daga before calling himself the greatest luchador of all time. Marshall said that lucha crowds would chant “culero” at him, and asked Daga to translate that for him. Daga told him they were calling him an “a**hole” before decking him with a punch. Daga hit a rolling lariat, but Marshall sent Daga to the apron and punched him to the floor.
Marshall clubbered on Daga, dropping him with a dropkick before posing to boos. Daga fired up, hitting Marshall with a pop-up German suplex. Dropkicks in the corner before a brainbuster got a nearfall for Daga. Daga cut off a Marshall springboard, hitting a backstabber with Marshall tied in the ropes for a nearfall. Marshall hit a satellite DDT, then put his feet on the ropes for the cover. Referee Aubrey Edwards caught him and stopped her count.
Daga caught Marshall with a pair of flash pins before hitting a thrust kick and a gutwrench powerbomb for a nearfall. Daga went to the top rope, but Marshall caught him with a Diamond Cutter. Marshall hit the Dirt Sheet Driver before slowly applying the La Casita pinfall for the win.
We got a Dalton Castle video package.
Shane Taylor Promotions (Lee Moriarty & Shane Taylor) defeated The Infantry (Carlie Bravo & Shawn Dean)
The Infantry got the early advantage, hitting double teams on both Moriarty and Taylor. Moriarty cut off Dean and tagged Taylor. Dean got beat down before slipping out of the way of a corner charge and tagging Bravo. Bravo ran wild on both guys, hitting a slingshot facebuster on Moriarty for a nearfall.
They went for the Boot Camp on Moriarty, but Taylor cut off Bravo from the floor. Taylor broke Dean’s cover off of a backbreaker. Bravo hit the Bravo Crossover, but Taylor caught Bravo with a big punch for the win.
Lexy was backstage with Billie Starkz, who was quickly interrupted by Mercedes Martinez & Diamante. They told her that Athena would turn on her before taking her fanny pack.
Angelico defeated Marty Casaus
Casaus was Marty “The Moth” Martinez in Lucha Underground. After some dancing shenanigans, Angelico sent Casaus into the buckles. Casaus wasn’t impressed, so he sent his own head into the buckles before Angelico rolled him up for a nearfall. Casaus hit a half-and-half slam for a nearfall.
Casaus hit a Northern Lights Suplex for a nearfall. Angelico hit a capoeira kick for a nearfall. He trapped Casaus in a leg lock before tapping Casaus out with an ankle lock.
Mercedes Martinez (w/Diamante) defeated Lady Frost
Martinez quickly took down Frost and laid in stomps and forearms. Frost came back with a forearm of her own before Martinez booted Frost on a handspring headscissors attempt. Martinez clubbered Frost in the corner, with Diamante sneaking in a shot behind the referee’s back. Frost came back, cartwheeling over Martinez’s back and hit a backstabber.
Martinez ducked a charge and took control of Frost again, but Frost came back with a back kick. Frost hit tackles in the corner before hitting a rising kick. Frost hit a tornado Vader Bomb for a nearfall. Frost went to the top again, but Diamante distracted her and the referee. Martinez took Frost off the top and hit a Razor’s Edge Dominator for the win.
Mark Sterling was backstage with Josh Woods. Sterling decided to give Woods a new coach in Pat Buck. Woods believed that he was beyond a coach, and an insulted Buck decided to challenge Woods for a match next week.
Willow Nightingale defeated Leyla Hirsch
Nightingale overpowered Hirsch to start. Nightingale clubbered on Hirsch in the corner before Hirsch slipped into a choke. Nightingale went to the top rope, but Hirsch ripped her out and bounced Nightingale’s head off the buckles. Hirsch countered a uranage with an armdrag before locking on a double wristlock.
Nightingale fought out of the submission with a suplex. Nightingale fired up, hitting a big spinebuster for a nearfall. Hirsch came back with a German suplex and a lariat for a nearfall. Nightingale hit a uranage for a nearfall. Hirsch ducked out of the way of a cannonball, but Nightingale booted Hirsch on the triangle dropkick. Nightingale hit a Pounce and the Babe With The Powerbomb for the win.
After the match, Hirsch jumped Nightingale before Skye Blue ran her off.
Action Andretti defeated Gringo Loco
This was a standout match on ROH. Loco works so well with the fast-paced, lucha-influenced guys on the roster.
Loco and Andretti had a fast-paced opening, trading arm drags and flash pins. Loco cartwheeled out of a hurricanrana attempt before they had a standoff. Loco caught Andretti with a pop-up flapjack for a nearfall. Loco locked on a submission before posing on Andretti. Andretti got out, but Loco poked him in the eye and hit a wacky slam on him for a nearfall.
Andretti fired up, hitting a pop-up dropkick before poking Loco in the eye. Andretti sent Loco to the floor before hitting a springboard moonsault to the floor. Loco moved out of the way of a springboard 450 but walked into a Spanish Fly for a nearfall. Loco shoved Andretti away and hit a step-up cutter for a nearfall. Loco went to the top rope but Andretti kicked him and hit a super frankensteiner. Andretti hit a shotgun dropkick and a split-legged moonsault for the win.
Dasha was backstage with Ethan Page. He said he would show respect to Christopher Daniels tonight, but would do what he needed to do to get in line for a title shot against Eddie Kingston.
Starkz got a quick win with the Star-10 and the crossface. After the match, Starkz and Athena were laid out by Mercedez Martinez and Diamante.
Kip Sabian (w/Penelope Ford) defeated Anthony Henry (w/JD Drake)
These two traded positioning on a knuckle lock until Henry caught Sabian in an armbar that forced Sabian to the ropes. Sabian sent Henry to the floor, but Drake took the bullet on a moonsault to the floor. Henry hit an around-the-world kick to Sabian on the outside, but Sabian hit a shotgun dropkick in the ring. Sabian hit a cannonball for a nearfall.
Sabian hit a double stomp for a nearfall. Sabian locked on an octopus hold that forced Henry to the ropes. Henry hit a series of kicks before flooring Sabian with a Penalty Kick. Henry hit a twisting Michinoku Driver for a nearfall. Ford distracted Henry on the double stomp attempt, allowing Sabian to hit the Deathly Hallows for the win.
Dasha was backstage with Griff Garrison, who was worried about things not working out for him. Cole Karter & Maria Kanellis-Bennett walked in, telling Garrison that he should have followed their lead. Bennett told them that they have a common goal and that they need to work out their problems. They agreed to give the team another shot.
Ethan Page defeated Christopher Daniels
Daniels dropped Page with some shots to the gut to take control. Daniels sent Page into the turnbuckles sternum-first before hitting a running knee to the chest. Daniels caught Page in an Octopus Hold, then dropped Page with an STO. Page dropped Daniels with a big boot before firing up. Page hit a big powerslam for a nearfall.
They got into a pinning predicament before Daniels low-bridged Page to the apron. Page went for the Headshot, but Daniels caught him in a backslide for a nearfall. Page fought out of the Angel’s Wings and hit the Ego’s Edge to score the win.
After the match, Mark Sterling & Tony Nese interrupted Page’s celebration. Sterling offered Page a spot in the Premier Athlete Brand, noting that Page couldn’t quit on this as he had quit on everything else. Page polled the crowd before rejecting the offer. Nese said that Page didn’t deserve a spot in the Premier Athlete Brand, nor did he belong in a ring. Page rejected the offer to join Nese for group training, then challenged him to a match for next week.
Scorpio Sky defeated Darius Martin
After an opening exchange, Sky picked Martin’s ankle to take him down and take control. Sky hit a back suplex for a nearfall. Sky clubbered on Martin until Martin countered a rising knee with a dropkick. Martin hit a bulldog into the ropes before hitting a slingshot facebuster for a nearfall.
Martin caught Sky with a German suplex, but Sky came back with a Sky High for a nearfall. Martin slipped to the apron and hit a high kick, but Sky got his knees up on a splash attempt. Sky hit the TKO for the win.
Eddie Kingston’s next Ring of Honor World Championship challenger is set following this week’s ROH TV.
After a Proving Ground match on this week’s episode where Kingston defeated Serpentico, Angelico stepped forward to challenge Kingston to a future title match. Kingston accepted the challenge, and the match is set for a date yet to be announced.
Kingston defeated Claudio Castagnoli in a double title match where Kingston’s NJPW Strong Openweight Championship was also on the line at Dynamite Grand Slam on September 20. He has since successfully defended the ROH title against Katsuyori Shibata, Komander, and Minoru Suzuki.
Angelico has a 1-3 record in singles matches in AEW & ROH this year, with his first singles victory coming on Thursday’s ROH TV episode against Marty Casaus. As a part of the Spanish Announce Project tag team, Angelico has a 3-9 record in tag and trios bouts in ROH & AEW this year.
Elsewhere in ROH, a singles match between Tony Nese and Ethan Page is official for the Thursday, October 19 episode after the events of this week’s show. Mark Sterling offered Page a spot in Nese’s Premier Athlete brand, but Page declined and challenged Nese to a match instead.
Sterling’s client Josh Woods will also be in action on next week’s show in a Pure Rules match against Pat Buck.
Tony Khan isn’t done making announcements for Tuesday’s AEW Dynamite.
After announcing that the first 30 minutes of AEW Dynamite Title Tuesday will air commercial free on Monday, Khan followed shortly after with the announcement that there will be a 30-minute Buy In prior to Dynamite, with a match announced between Eddie Kingston and Minoru Suzuki for both the NJPW Strong and ROH World titles.
Before a HUGE timeshifted Tuesday Night #AEWDynamite is live TOMORROW Title Tuesday, with the first 30 minutes Commercial Free on @TBSNetwork starting at 8pm ET/7pm CT:
The Buy In 7:30pm ET/6:30pm CT ROH World + NJPW Strong Openweight Title Match
WWE and AEW have been stacking their cards for this week’s NXT and Dynamite, with Dynamite airing on a special night due to MLB coverage this Wednesday on TBS. NXT is set to feature appearances by John Cena, Cody Rhodes, Asuka, and Paul Heyman. It will also be commercial-free for the first 30 minutes.
Here is the current lineup for AEW Dynamite Title Tuesday:
Adam Copeland vs. Luchasaurus
Christian Cage will explain his recent actions toward Adam Copeland
TNT Championship number one contender’s match: Bryan Danielson vs. Swerve Strickland
AEW Women’s World Champion Saraya defends against Hikaru Shida
AEW International Champion Rey Fenix defends against Jon Moxley
Jay White vs. Hangman Page
Chris Jericho vs. Powerhouse Hobbs
MJF will appear
‘Timeless’ Toni Storm is ready for her close-up
Buy-In: Eddie Kingston defends the NJPW Strong Openweight and ROH World titles against Minoru Suzuki
Eddie Kingston’s Strong Openweight Championship will be on the line in Las Vegas later this month.
NJPW has announced that Kingston will defend his Strong Openweight title against Henare at Fighting Spirit Unleashed on Saturday, October 28. The show is taking place from Sam’s Town Live in Las Vegas and will be available to watch live as a pay-per-view on Fite TV.
Issues between Kingston and Henare date back to this summer’s G1 Climax. Kingston defeated Henare in a tournament match. Henare then attacked Kingston later in the tour. Kingston responded by brawling with Henare the next day.
Kingston is currently a double champion, holding both the NJPW Strong Openweight Championship and ROH World Championship. Only the Strong Openweight title will be up for grabs in his match against Henare.
Kingston became ROH World Champion by defeating Claudio Castagnoli in a title vs. title match at Dynamite Grand Slam last month.
NJPW has also confirmed that Giulia will defend the Strong Women’s Championship against Hyan at Fighting Spirit Unleashed. Hyan challenged Giulia to the match this past weekend.
Here’s everything that’s been announced for Fighting Spirit Unleashed so far:
Strong Openweight Champion Eddie Kingston defends against Henare
Strong Women’s Champion Giulia defends against Hyan
Stephanie Vaquer & Zeuxis vs. Lluvia & Johnnie Robbie
Atlantis, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Mistico & Atlantis Jr. vs. Rocky Romero, Tiger Mask, Soberano Jr. & Adrian Quest
Eddie Kingston says he’s signed a new deal with AEW.
The 41-year-old was interviewed by AdFreeShows.com recently and revealed that he and AEW have reached an agreement that will keep him in the company for four more years.
“If you notice, you haven’t heard anything about me with contracts because I did my s**t on the low. My thing was coming up, I got four more years, so I’m straight. No one needs to know how much, no one needs to know how long, I got my s**t and I’m going to be there for a minute because there’s nowhere else I want to be,” Kingston said on the show.
Kingston first debuted for the promotion on July 16, 2020, at Daily’s Place in Jacksonville when he challenged Cody Rhodes for the TNT Championship. AEW announced two weeks later that Kingston had signed with the promotion.
Kingston is scheduled to defend both his ROH World title and the NJPW Strong Openweight title against Katsuyori Shibata at AEW WrestleDream on October 1. He’s also scheduled to team with Michael Oku and Hiroshi Tanahashi to face The United Empire’s Jeff Cobb, HENARE, and TJP at Royal Quest III on October 14.
Kingston pulled out of upcoming independent bookings recently, citing a back injury and wanting to be healthy for upcoming AEW and NJPW shows as his reason. He was scheduled to defend his NJPW Strong Openweight title against Rocky Romero for DEFY on Saturday. Romero responded to the news on X, asking fans to support Kingston.
Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including WWE roster cuts, SmackDown returning to USA next year, Eddie Kingston announcing he is done with indies for a while, updates on Adam Cole and Jon Moxley, tons of New Japan notes, Jericho to DDT, reviews of Rampage, Collision and SmackDown, and more.
A fun show as always so check it out~!
Timestamps:
Start: Matt Riddle among other WWE releases
7:33: SmackDown to USA Network
13:11: Notes on Jon Moxley, Adam Cole, Eddie Kingston pulling out of indies, Mariah May
19:13: Yota Tsuji vs. Will Ospreay at NJPW Destruction
25:37: Hulk Hogan married for the third time, story on Andre the Giant vs. Akira Maeda
AEW wrestler Eddie Kingston is making a change to his work schedule.
Now a champion in both ROH and NJPW, Kingston has decided to stop doing independent wrestling dates. Kingston noted that, when his responsibilities as an ROH and NJPW champion are over, he hopes to be able to do indie dates again.
Kingston apologized to fans but said he needs to focus and his body needs to be ready for AEW, ROH, and NJPW shows. He’s currently dealing with a lower back injury.
Due to being NJPW Strong Openweight And ROH Champion I have to come to the hard decision that I will have to stop doing Independents. Dealing with a lower back injury right now that I need to get fixed (and will) so I can be ready for all NJPW strong shows and all three AEW shows. When my responsibilities as NJPW and ROH champion is over I will hopefully be able to do Independents again. I apologize to all but I just need to focus and my body needs to be ready for those shows.
Kingston won the ROH World Championship by defeating Claudio Castagnoli at Dynamite Grand Slam this past Wednesday. It was a title vs. title match where Kingston’s NJPW Strong Openweight Championship was also on the line.
Kingston defeated KENTA for the NJPW Strong Openweight Championship this July.
