El Hijo del Vikingo may have been injured last night.
Mas Lucha is reporting that Vikingo’s match at Arena López Mateos on Saturday was stopped early after the AAA Mega Champion came down awkwardly on his right knee. He was assessed at the building and there was said to be concern he may have ruptured a tendon.
The injury was addressed by our own Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, who noted it’s a meniscus injury that will likely require surgery.
Meltzer said:
El Hijo del Vikingo injured his right knee in a match tonight, and it’s a meniscus injury as far as we know. I just got the word of a meniscus injury, that he might need surgery.
The knee was already bad. And he was probably going to need surgery at some point soon, and this may speed that up and he could be out for a pretty long length of time.
Mas Lucha says Hijo del VIkingo suffered a right knee injury in his match tonight, and it may be a serious one. https://t.co/cbw9UQx4l4
Footage of the injury was posted to YouTube by La Tijera Lucha Libre.
Vikingo has wrestled just twice on AEW programming so far in 2024. He wrestled in a four-way match won by Trent Beretta on the January 3 Dynamite and another four-way won by Komander on the January 24 Rampage taping.
Vikingo has wrestled under the ROH banner twice this year as well. He successfully defended the Mega Championship against Action Andretti at the January 10 taping and then teamed with Penta El Zero Miedo in a win against Jon Cruz and KM at the January 31 taping.
Wrestling Observer Radio with Dave Meltzer and Jim Valley filling in for Bryan Alvarez.
Dave talks about how the potential Warner Brothers-Discovery/Paramount merger might affect professional wrestling. There’s also talk on the latest on WBD and WWE, Matt Riddle’s first scheduled match in the United States since he was released from WWE, and how the Continental Classic has been an artistic and ratings success for AEW.
Plus, we run down a very good Dynamite, recap AEW Rampage Holiday Bash spoilers for this Friday, NXT, Swerve Strickland, Mark Briscoe, television ratings, and much more. Check it out.
Chris Sabin will have two challengers for his X-Division Championship at Hard to Kill.
It was announced today that Sabin will put his X-Division title on the line against KUSHIDA and El Hijo del Vikingo in a three-way match at Hard to Kill on Saturday, January 13. The pay-per-view is taking place from the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.
KUSHIDA is the newest addition to the Impact/TNA Wrestling roster. It was revealed earlier this week that he’s signed a contract with the company.
Vikingo, one of pro wrestling’s brightest young stars, is the current AAA Mega Champion and has made frequent appearances for AEW/ROH. This will be his first time wrestling for Impact/TNA in the United States since 2020.
Vikingohas also been announced for TNA’s post-Hard to Kill television tapings in Las Vegas on Sunday, January 14.
Sabin has been X-Division Champion since winning the title from Lio Rush this September. It’s Sabin’s 10th reign with the championship.
Impact Wrestling’s name change back to TNA Wrestling officially goes into effect starting at Hard to Kill. Three title bouts have now been confirmed for the PPV:
Impact World Champion Alex Shelley defends against Moose
Knockouts Champion Trinity defends against Jordynne Grace
X-Division Champion Chris Sabin defends against KUSHIDA and El Hijo del Vikingo in a three-way match
El Hijo del Vikingo is set to return to TNA Wrestling for the first time since 2020.
As revealed during Thursday’s Hidden Gems edition of Impact, the AAA Mega Champion El Hijo del Vikingo will take part in both the Hard to Kill pay-per-view and the Snake Eyes TV taping on January 13 & 14 in Nevada.
Vikingo joins a talent lineup that includes Kazuchika Okada & Will Ospreay for the Snake Eyes taping on January 14. Ospreay will face Josh Alexander in singles competition, while Okada will team with Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin of Motor City Machine Guns against Moose, Eddie Edwards, & Brian Myers.
Vikingo’s opponents for the TNA dates have yet to be revealed.
A pair of title matches are set for Hard to Kill, with Shelley defending the TNA World title against Moose, plus Trinity defending the Knockouts World title against Jordynne Grace.
Vikingo is also set for action on Friday of this week as he defends the AAA Mega title against Black Taurus at ROH Final Battle in a live match, while he will also be featured in trios action on Friday’s taped AEW Rampage episode teaming with Penta El Zero Miedo & Komander against Top Flight & Action Andretti.
The AAA Mega Championship will be on the line at Friday’s ROH Final Battle event.
It was revealed during Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite that El Hijo del Vikingo will defend his AAA Mega title against Black Taurus at Final Battle, the third title match now official for the show.
In addition to the AAA Mega title match, the vacant ROH TV title will be filled in a Survival of the Fittest six-way elimination match, plus Athena will defend the ROH Women’s World title against Billie Starkz in the main event.
Here is the updated card for Friday’s Final Battle:
ROH Final Battle, Friday, December 15, 7 p.m. Eastern time on Honor Club —
ROH Women’s World Champion Athena defends against Billie Starkz
Survival of the Fittest six-way elimination match to crown a new ROH World Television Champion: Dalton Castle vs. Komander vs. Lee Moriarty vs. Lee Johnson vs. Kyle Fletcher vs. TBD
AAA Mega Champion El Hijo del Vikingo defends against Black Taurus
Keith Lee vs. Shane Taylor
I Quit match: Ethan Page vs. Tony Nese
Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, & Bryan Danielson vs. FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) & Mark Briscoe
Tonight’s Impact Wrestling on AXS TV will feature an inter-promotional battle between the stars of both Impact and AAA, taped recently in Monterrey, Mexico.
The Motor City Machine Guns (Impact World Champion Alex Shelley & X-Division Champion Chris Sabin) will team with AAA Mega Champion El Hijo del Vikingo against Los Vipers (Latigo & Toxin) and former X-Division Champion Trey Miguel.
Sabin will double-dip as he teams with Impact Knockouts Champion Trinity against Chik Tormenta & Dinamico.
Former Impact World Champion Josh Alexander will team with Octagon Jr. to battle former Impact World Champion Moose & Toxin, also doing double duty on tonight’s show.
While their matches have not been yet announced, other stars featured on the promotional image include Jordynne Grace, Black Taurus, Eddie Edwards, Brian Myers, Tommy Dreamer, Deonna Purrazzo, and Laredo Kid.
The broadcast will be the go-home show for Saturday’s Final Resolution streaming special as the company winds down their era as Impact Wrestling ahead of January’s change to TNA.
**********
Tom Hannifan started the show hyping up the blend of Impact and AAA talent we’ll see before a shot of an Antonio Pena tribute was shown. He says this will be an ultra clash between AAA and Impact. The AAA talent in the opener didn’t get an introduction while Sabin got a full intro and Trinity came out with not only a lucha mask to pay homage to lucha libre, but black and white gear to match with Sabin.
The Glow Guns (Chris Sabin and Trinity) defeated Dinamico and Chik Tormenta
Trinity dances to the annoyance of Tormenta, who takes her down to dance on her own terms before being sent to the floor off a flying headscissors. Dinamico comes in to bring Sabin into the fray where he engages in some fast action with Dinamico. They go back and forth with armdrags after a gator roll by Dinamico. Tormenta lands a codebreaker before a double stomp by Dinamico gets 2. The Glow Guns run wild with tandem offense in the form of a Sabin dropkick and Trinity moonsault. Tormenta works with Sabin and misses a double stomp before a Trinity full nelson bomb and cradle end it.
– Backstage, Josh Alexander says that ever since returning, everyone has called him champ but he lost when given the chance at Bound For Glory. Thus, Alex Shelley is the undisputed champion and his son was disappointed when he lost which was a teaching moment for himself because he realized he needed to become the standard of this company again and he’s coming to Toronto for Saturday’s Final Resolution to face the Motor City Machine Guns with his new partner: Zack Sabre Jr.
Myzteziz Jr. defeated Eddie Edwards and Latigo in a triple threat
Edwards works heel here being cocky before getting thrown into the ropes and coming back with a series of chops. Myzteziz leaps off the second rope to deliver an armdrag to Latigo and use Latigo as a launching pad to do one on Edwards as well. Edwards lands a stinger splash in the corner on Myzteziz before Latigo lands a buzzsaw kick for 2.
Hannifan hypes up the announcement of the TNA Plus app tomorrow before Myzteziz lands a springboard rana to Latigo. Myzteziz lands a run-up flipping armdrag to Edwards before doing a few flips around Latigo to create separation before landing a springboard tornillo to Latigo. Latigo lands a frog splash to Edwards that only gets 2 due to Myzteziz before Latigo lands a second rope Destroyer to the floor on Myzteziz, and eats a brainbuster on the floor by Edwards.
Edwards lands a stacking Tiger driver for 2.5 on Latigo before Myzteziz comes back in thanks to the fans’ applause. Myzteziz wants a rana, but eats a power bomb and Myzteziz stops the count by grabbing the ref’s hand. Latigo traps Myzteziz in a tree of woe and lands a rapid-fire crossbody before a suplex gets 2 thanks to an Edwards save. Myzteziz Jr. takes Edwards down and lands a shooting star press to win an impressive outing on the show.
– Trey Miguel sang a Christmas song about kicking Mike Bailey’s ass and says he’s going to get Bailey a boot, then get himself one to break off in his ass before smoking whatever he’s got handy.
– The Motor City Machine Guns talked about closing out the Impact Wrestling era as the winners of the dream tag team match against ZSJ and Josh Alexander because they’re simply the two best wrestlers in the world.
Sexy Star II & Jordynne Grace defeated Deonna Purrazzo and Maravilla
The heels (Maravilla and Purrazzo) hug the ref. Grace and Purrazzo start off with fast grappling before a schoolboy gets 1 for Purrazzo. Hannifan says that we’ll find out who Ospreay faces at the Snake Eyes TNA Impact tapings on Saturday’s Final Resolution Impact Plus event. Maravilla and Sexy Star come in and we get some arm work from Maravilla before she just twirls Star’s hair around a bit for some comedy.
Purrazzo and Maravilla work over Star’s leg in the corner before Maravilla sends her down with a big boot. Star gets a lariat, but goes down to a yakuza kick from Maravilla that Purrazzo gets 2 on. Star lands a superkick on Maravilla and tags in Grace. Grace hits a sliding lariat for a low 1 count thanks to the referee’s bias. Sexy Star hits a V trigger in the corner before a One Winged Angel gets 2. Sexy Star lands a suicide dive to Purrazzo and Grace hits a Juggernaut Driver on Maravilla to win.
– Scott D’Amore recaps all of the events that led to the AAA/Impact event coming together before Shelley talks about how exciting it is to see Impact and AAA together while Jordynne Grace says that she’s back here after a decade and Brian Myers says it’s a dream to wrestle in Mexico after AAA When Worlds Collide changed his wrestling fandom forever.
Laredo Kid and Tommy Dreamer defeated Brian Myers and Black Taurus
Myers sends Kid down with a shoulder tackle before egging on the crowd with sardonic clapping and shows why he’s a perfect player/coach in the modern era. He gets mocked by the fans and tags in Black Taurus while Tommy Dreamer comes in and Hannifan talks about Dreamer being back in Mexico for the first time since 2020 and before that, his last time was with the ECW Originals against the New Breed.
Dreamer holds Taurus for a Kid double axehandle. Taurus charges into the corner and misses before being sent to the floor. Dreamer teases a dive and is only stopped by a cheapshot by Brian Myers and nothing else. Taurus lands a giant headbutt and stomps away at Dreamer. Is there anyone Taurus doesn’t work well with? Dreamer is incredibly limited and he’s making him look as good as possible here.
Myers slows Dreamer down with a chinlock before a DDT gets 2. Myers gets a Russian legsweep and goes for the Roster Cut, but Dreamer avoids it and lands a counter cutter. Laredo Kid and Taurus come in for some fast action as Kid takes Taurus down twice with armdrags and a third time with a poison rana that gets 2.5. Myers teases a dive and Dreamer stops it with a cookie sheet. Dreamer gets a table and Reihwolt says that he has to wonder if Dreamer hugged the ref before the match. Laredo Kid hits a sunset bomb on Taurus for the win. This was a lot of fun and a good mix of modern action, ECW homages and comedy before Dreamer hits a Spicoli driver through the table to Black Taurus after the match.
– Trinity talks about facing Jordynne Grace at Hard to Kill as the final Impact Knockouts Champion and Grace comes in and says that they’ll do what they can to succeed at Final Resolution on Saturday.
Moose and Toxin defeated Josh Alexander and Octagon Jr
Alexander starts off quickly with an ankle lock on Toxin that gets turned into a back and forth cradle between the two for 2. Moose and Octagon Jr. come in and Moose misses a corner charge before Octagon Jr. sends him down. Moose catches him for a fallaway slam and slams him again to assert more dominance. Toxin comes in for a chinlock as Hannifan talks about Toxin also being in the main event, so he needs to be careful here due to the fast turnaround – that’s a nice little touch.
Moose works on the mask of Octagon Jr. much to the chagrin of Alexander and the fans. Moose clubs away at Octagon Jr. before Alexander comes in to run wild. Alexander avoids the sky high from Moose with a big German suplex. Octagon Jr. hits a 619 to the spine before landing a sliced bread on the apron. The faces hit stereo crossbody blocks on the ropes. A 450 hits for Octagon before Moose breaks it up. Moose’s massive dropkick gets 2 on Alexander.
Moose misses a corner charge kick and eats an Octagon gamenguri before a tornillo splash gets 2 for Octagon. Alexander comes in and charges away at Toxin in two corners before Toxin gets a straight-jacket German into the buckle! Toxin lands a crazy dive on the floor to Alexander , leaving Moose with Octagon. Moose lands a big chop, but eats a massive cutter for 2. Moose’s spear hits and Moose wins it.
Backstage, Tommy Dreamer talks about being in the last Impact Wrestling show ever and he calls Deaner an underrated wrestler. 2023 was the worst year of his life until he won this title – and that gave him his love for pro wrestling back. His final resolution is to take this title into the first TNA show of the new era.
Speaking of the new era, Kazuchika Okada is returning to TNA at the Snake Eyes tapings in Las Vegas on January 14th.
El Hijo del Vikingo & Motor City Machine Guns (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) defeated Trey Miguel & Los Vipers (Toxin & Latigo)
Toxin and Latigo are back in action here with Trey Miguel, who starts things off with Shelley. Miguel and Shelley engage in a lot of matwork and Rehwoldt talks about wanting to see this match again in singles form for the World title. Sabin works for a bit with Latigo, who heels it up nicely with the crowd before Sabin fakes him out and lands an elbow drop. Toxin works over Shelley with a grounded octopus stretch before Sabin runs in for a save and more fast action.
Latigo locks on a wacky standing figure four on Sabin before Vikingo comes in to chop Latigo to end that. Miguel works over Sabin from the apron before landing a slingshot double stomp for 2. Vikingo hits Latigo with a crazy headscissors takedown and then a springboard frog splash gets 2. Shelley locks Toxin in a crossface before Latigo saves, only to be locked in an STF alongside Toxin from both Machine Guns.
Vikingo lands a crazy dive onto Miguel before he sends Toxin down with a springboard dropkick. Vikingo aims to cave Miguel’s chest in with a “VIVA MEXICO!” overhand chop, leading to a quick chop exchange and then a variety of back and forth enziguris. Miguel flies, but is caught by Vikingo in a backbreaker-setup GTS. Vikingo’s second-rope phoenix splash ends a very fun episode of Impact.
The main event and the triple threat were both well-worth going out of your way to watch.
Fresh off a defeat to former AEW Tag Team Champions FTR on AEW Rampage, El Hijo del Vikingo & Komander will team up again to try to get back on track.
The duo will take on former Ring of Honor Tag Team Champions Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal as part of this Thursday’s ROH on HonorClub.
Vikingo and Komander have teamed three times before, defeating The WorkHorsemen in July, losing to then-ROH Tag Team Champions Aussie Open in August, and then losing the aforementioned FTR bout.
Daniels and Sydal haven’t had much luck in sparse AEW matches since reuniting this year which has also carried over to ROH where they are 0-3 dating back to May.
In another new bout announced for Thursday, the Bollywood Boyz will return to ROH after getting squashed in 40 seconds by The Gunns on AEW Dynamite as they face The Boys in a battle of brothers.
Trent Beretta will look to get back in the winner’s circle as he faces Peter Avalon.
Here’s the current announced lineup for Thursday:
ROH World Champion Eddie Kingston defends against Dalton Castle.
The Boys (Brandon & Brent Tate) vs. The Bollywood Boyz (Harv & Gurv Shira)
El Hijo del Vikingo & Komander vs. Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal
Trent Beretta vs. Peter Avalon
The Outrunners in action
Marina Shafir in action
Leyla Hirsch & Rachael Ellering vs. The Renegades (Charlette & Robyn)
AEW Rampage airs live tonight from Oakland, California with a tag team match set to headline.
FTR’s Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler will face AAA Mega Champion El Hijo del Vikingo & AAA Cruiserweight Champion Komander in tag team action on tonight’s episode.
Komander & Vikingo wrestled on last week’s Rampage in a Lucha del Dia de los Muertos triple threat match won by Penta El Zero Miedo.
Harwood & Wheeler are coming off a victory in an eight-man tag match on last week’s Collision where they teamed with Preston Vance & Rush of La Faccion Ingobernable against the AEW World Tag Team Champions Big Bill & Ricky Starks, and Mogul Embassy’s Gates of Agony Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun.
FTR is aiming to get back into the Tag Team title picture after dropping the belts to Starks & Big Bill on the October 7 Collision episode and ending their second reign as AEW Tag Team Champions.
**********
Rampage is live for the first time in forever from Oakland, California, with Tony Schiavone and Nigel McGuinness on commentary.
Ricky Starks (w/ Big Bill) defeated Preston Vance (w/ Jose the Assistant) (7:13)
Big Bill joined the commentary team. Vance battered Starks in the corner to start. Starks made a brief comeback, but Vance knocked him for a loop with a pump kick. The fight went to the floor, where Vance whipped Starks into the ring barricades. Starks sent Vance into the ringpost head first, then stopped to do commentary on his own match. The fight continued on the floor, with Starks suplexing Vance on the entrance ramp.
Starks continued his dominance through the break, and got a near fall after a legdrop on the ring apron. Vance hit a back elbow, a shoulder block off the middle rope and a series of clotheslines. Vance hit his spinebuster (which is his second best move) to no reaction. Starks reversed a discus lariat into a spinning DDT for a near fall. Vance hit a sit-out death valley driver for another near fall. Vance was getting better reactions during the empty-arena Dark tapings in 2021.
Vance went for a full nelson, but Starks dropped out and into a cradle for two. Vance hit another sit-out death valley driver. Vance was setting up another attempt at the discus lariat, but Bill left commentary and nailed Vance from behind. Starks hit Vance with a spear for a pinfall.
After the match, the tag chaps took some cheap shots on Vance, but Rush and Drulistico came out to make the save.
– Chris Jericho cut a promo with Rene Paquette for his match on Sunday in DDT with Takeshita. After the promo, Schiavone said the match was taking place in the Tokyo Dome, but that can’t be right.
– Lexy Nair wasin the back with Don Callis and Prince Nana, who looked to be negotiating. Callis announced that Brian Cage will be the fourth man in the “Like a Dragon” Street Fight on Wednesday (replacing the presumed to be particiaping Sammy Guevara, who is still out with an injury).
– Lexi Nair interviewed Jeff Jarrett’s crew in the locker room as the parade of interviews continued. Jay Lethal’s promo was interrupted by Ortiz. Lethal and Karen Jarrett warned Ortiz to walk away before he got “jumped,” but Ortiz started swinging anyway and wound up chokeslammed on a production crate.
Red Velvet defeated Ruby Soho (9:04)
Saraya briefly came out with Soho, but went to the back and left Soho to fight alone. Velvet caught Soho with a leg lariat, then worked her over with jabs in the corner. Velvet went for a casadora, but Soho sent her into the ropes, knocking the wind out of Red Velvet.
After a long commercial, Velvet made her comeback. She hit the casadora and a standing moonsault for a near fall. Soho hit pair of backdrop suplexes. Soho sent Velvet headfirst into the middle turnbuckle. Then a production assistant delivered flowers to Soho in the middle of the match. “Apparently she’s got a secret admirer.” Apparently Schivone isn’t watching the TV shows either if he doesn’t’ know who Soho’s admirer is. Velvet got a cradle off the distraction from the flowers, then hit a spinning kick to get the upset victory.
During this match, Willow Nightingale vs. Julia Hart was announced for Collision.
“No neck November is in full effect, baby!” Roderick Strong dedicated the next match to his best friend, Adam Cole.
The Kingdom (Mike Bennett & Matt Taven) defeated Danny Rose & Ricky Gee (0:48)
Bennett and Taven finished off Rose with the “neck check” which is a jumping neckbreaker out of a power bomb. After the match, Strong sprung from his wheelchair to hit Rose with a backstabber and immediately jumped back into his wheelchair.
– Danny Garcia –with Matt Menard and Angelo Parker– challenged Andrade El Idolo for Collision. Saraya and Ruby Soho interrupted the interview to confront Parker about the mid-match flower delivery. Well, Saraya was more confrontational than Soho, who seemed enamored with the flowers and Parker. Saraya and Menard sent the love birds away in opposite directions, then agreed they “had a problem.” What do they have against love?
Garcia v. Andrade was made official for Collision later in the show.
– In the back, Darius Martin & Action Andretti confronted Roderick Strong & the Kingdom. Strong decided that “DARIUS!” would be his first victim.
FTR defeated Komander & El Hijo Del Vikingo (w/ Alex Abrahantes) (11:42)
Dax Harwood and Komander started the match, and after a brief feeling out period they were off to the races. Komader got a one cout after a dropkick. Komader tagged in Vikingo, and the crowd was solidly behind Vikingo. Vikingo caught Cash Wheeler with a hook kick and an enziguri, then hit a springboard inverted rana. Vikingo went for a high speed plancha, but Wheeler moved and he went headfirst right into the commentary table. The show almost instantly went to a split screen break.
The ring doctor checked on Vikingo during the break, but soon the match was back in the ring. Vikingo did a few spots during the split screen break, and eventually got the tag to Komander. Vikingo and Komander hit a pair of crazy dives coming out of the break.
Harwood rolled through on a top rope crossbody for a near fall. Vikingo hit a top rope dropkick on Harwood, who fell into a cradle from Komader for another near fall. Harwood crotched VIkingo on the top rope. FTR went for the Powerplex, but the Luchadors countered (Komader caught Wheeler with a rana on the top rope, while Vikingo shifted his weight when Harwood went for the superplex into a crossbody). Komader and VIkingo then hit stereo 450s on FTR for another near fall.
Komader did a handspring into a Gory special from Wheeler. Vikingo almost broke his neck again on a Lionsault, but Harwood caught him and hit a tombstone for a near fall. Vikingo countered the slingshot powerbomb into a sunset flip for a near fall, then countered a second attempt at the slingshot powerbomb into a rana and cradle for a near fall.
Harwood hit the slingshot powerbomb on Vikingo on the third try, but Komader had gotten the tag. He cradled Harwood for a near fall. Komander ducked a charg from Harwood, who hit the turnbuckle headfirst. Komader walked the ropes for a shooting star press, but Harwood got out of the way. Komader landed on his feet, but FTR caught him with the Big Rig/Shatter Machine. Wheeler got the pinfall on Komander.
Both teams showed each other respect after the match. This match was absolutely insane. Even though the outcome was never in doubt. it was still the best thing on the show by a country mile.
Just as Schiavone was closing the show, the lights went out, and The House of Black appeared on screen to applaud FTR.
Final Thoughts:
I’m going to be shocked if Vikingo doesn’t wind up out for a bit with a concussion. This show was all about setting up Collision, but check out that main event if you can.
A tag team match has been announced for the Friday, November 10 edition of AEW Rampage.
As revealed during Wednesday’s Dynamite, FTR’s Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler will team against El Hijo del Vikingo & Komander on Friday’s Rampage.
FTR is coming off a victory in an eight-man tag on last Saturday’s Collision show where they teamed with La Faccion Ingobernable’s Rush & Preston Vance in a winning effort against AEW Tag Team Champions Ricky Starks & Big Bill & Gates of Agony’s Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona.
Both Vikingo & Komander were in action on last week’s Rampage in a triple threat match featuring Penta El Zero Miedo where Penta came away with the win. That match was Vikingo’s first on AEW TV since the September 1 Rampage episode where Vikingo & Nick Wayne defeated Kip Sabian & Gringo Loco.
This is the first match announced for this week’s live Rampage episode in Oakland, California airing at 10 p.m. Eastern time.
This Saturday’s Collision show will also be taped Friday in Oakland.
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.
“Not only have I told him, I had Rey Mysterio tell him,” Konnan said. “He already needs a knee operation and Rey has had 14, so I told him to talk to Rey and Rey’s giving him very good advice because I want that guy to last. He’s talented and he’s a good kid.”
Mysterio confirmed to ESPN that the conversation with Vikingo happened. Mysterio said he hopes Vikingo takes the advice and is able to avoid suffering from injuries in the way that Mysterio did.
Mysterio told Vikingo that he can still be incredible if he picks his spots and slows things down a couple of beats:
He’s actually very, very good. I believe he was going through an injury at the time, and I kind of connected him with people to see if he can get his knee taken care of. But overall, I said, ‘It happened to me. A lot of people would tell me to slow down. And I, with all due respect, I would always say thank you, yes, I will. And it would almost come in through one ear and out the other and I wouldn’t pay attention. Obviously until you start going through injuries and surgeries — you’re not slowing down because they’re telling you, you’re slowing down because now you need to because you can’t risk your body anymore as you did.’
I pretty much gave him that advice and told him that he can still be incredible if he just toned it down two beats more, sometimes three beats more. Pick the moments on where you want to do your things to impact. You don’t have to do it every night because they already know who you are. And I hope that he takes the advice and not have to suffer what I did, which learned the hard way.
Vikingo is the current Lucha Libre AAA Mega Champion. He’s also wrestled several matches for AEW, including a bout against Kenny Omega on Dynamite this March. Vikingo lost that match but later defeated Omega when they faced off in AAA.
A United States Championship match with Mysterio defending against Logan Paul looks to be in the works for WWE Crown Jewel. Mysterio and Paul will both be on SmackDown this Friday night for a face-to-face segment.
ESPN’s full interview with Mysterio can be watched below:
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].
Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.
In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.
For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.
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.
Sunday Update
Bryan Alvarez and I will be back tonight talking all the news of the past several days and there has been a ton of it. The weekend WOR with Garrett Gonzales talking the business news and the past week’s Observer are up on the site now for subscribers.
I did an episode of Talk is Jericho after the death of Terry Funk that is now available.
The Los Angeles Times had a front page story yesterday on Vince McMahon, some of which was covered in this week’s WON.
We have four new books released early for the Christmas season that are available on Amazon. There are two on the year 1989 with the WONs that are not available on the site due to the fact they were done on a typewriter. Additionally, we have books on 2000 which includes the full Observers for that year as well as a yearbook with all the major news stories of the year written as the year was going on.
El Hijo del Vikingo didn’t wrestle at last night’s AAA show in Mexico City. He was to defend the AAA Mega title against Komander but instead, they had a match for the AAA Cruiserweight title that Rey Fenix vacated some time back as he couldn’t go to Mexico for a long time to establish residency in the U.S. Komander won a multi-person match to win that championship.
Nothing from WWE this past week, nor the cuts of talent or any of the news from SmackDown rights, cracked the top 20 in Google searches for this week. Yesterday’s UFC show didn’t either. The only related thing that did was Hulk Hogan was No. 20 today due to getting married.
WWE
On Saturday, WWE had its third biggest U.S. house show of 2023 as far as attendance for a sold-out show in Palm Desert, CA. After no sellouts since June, there have been sold-out shows on the West Coast the past two weekends. Here’s the results, courtesy of Shannon Walsh:
Becky Lynch defeated Tiffany Stratton to retain the NXT Women’s title with the Manhandle slam; Gunther defeated Chad Gable to retain the WWE Intercontinental title after a power bomb; MVP and Omos came out for a VIP Lounge segment with Cody Rhodes as a guest. Dominik Mysterio came out and this led to a street fight; Cody Rhodes defeated Dominik Mysterio with the Cross Rhodes. MVP and Omos both interfered. Omos went to spear Rhodes and crashed into a table and then Rhodes used the Cross Rhodes on Dominik; Bronson Reed defeated Otis with the Tsunami; IYO SKY retained the WWE Women’s title in a three-way over Asuka and Charlotte Flair; Seth Rollins defeated The Miz after a curb stomp to retain the WWE World Heavyweight title
LA Knight was off the Saturday show due to COVID-19 after missing Friday’s SmackDown. It was notable that WWE announced ahead of the doors open that Knight was off the show and offered refunds. Normally, WWE will only announce a no show if it’s a Roman Reigns or Seth Rollins-level wrestler which tells you how highly they consider Knight. WWE also told media outlets Friday night about Knight and I can’t recall that being done in the past either. I don’t know if this is a new policy with the new owners because obviously in any other form of entertainment you would tell the fans and media in advance about a star not appearing. (Thanks to Jose Gonzalez)
Tiffany Stratton is expected to be on Raw tomorrow night to hype her rematch with Lynch that takes place on 9/30 at the No Mercy show in Bakersfield, CA. Lynch is supposed to be back at NXT this week after drawing big ratings for the show the past two weeks.
Also on Tuesday’s NXT show: a contract signing for No Mercy with Carmelo Hayes and Ilja Dragunov, a strap match with Dijak vs. Eddy Thorpe, Josh Briggs vs. Baron Corbin, Butch vs. Joe Coffey with the winner facing Noam Dar for the Global Heritage Cup at No Mercy, Joe Gacy vs. Trick Williams, Gigi Dolin vs. Blair Davenport, and Hank Walker & Tank Ledger vs Lucien Price & Bronco Nima.
Rick Boogs claimed that he was let go “due to a backstage political power play” and would release the details when the time is right. I wouldn’t expect him to say anything for at least 90 days as far as what he believed to be the details.
Undertaker is bringing his 1 deadMAN show to Perth, Australia, on the weekend of the Elimination Chamber show in late-February.
After Friday’s SmackDown sellout in Glendale, AZ, they announced a 3/1 SmackDown at the Desert Diamond Arena. It’s very smart when you have a sellout crowd, announce the next show at the event and then start selling tickets immediately after the show.
Japan
The overseas matches we have heard raves about this past week are today’s Will Ospreay vs. Yota Tsuji match from New Japan’s Destruction in Kobe as well as today’s DDT match with Konosuke Takeshita vs. Mao. As you’ve probably seen, Don Callis was in Japan with Takeshita and cut a promo about Takeshita being “the Alpha” followed by Chris Jericho appearing via video to challenge Takeshita to a singles match on 11/12 at Sumo Hall. Jericho working DDT is a surprise since he had been working for New Japan. Also a surprise is that singles match taking place in Japan and not on an AEW major show, although they can always rematch it in the U.S. Another match heavily praised was the Yuma Aoyagi vs. Ryuki Honda Triple Crown title match on yesterday’s All Japan show at Korakuen Hall.
The Stardom Five Star Grand Prix finals are on PPV on 9/30.
Other Wrestling
wXw Femme Fatales from yesterday in Oberhausen, Germany: Hayn b Rina Yamashita by DQ, Nicole Matthews b Calypso, Baby Allison b Michelle Green, Anita Vaughn b Ivy Kovasky, Regina Rodendahl b Julia, Ava Everett b Devlyn Macrabe to win the German Wrestling Federation title in a wXw vs. GWF title vs. title match, Nicole Matthews b Hyan to win the tournament and a shot at Everett.
Here’s the debut show for the Sukeban promotion, an all-Japanese women’s group that debuted in New York on Thursday. The show aired live on TikTok.
Jerry Lawler did his first major public appearance since his stroke at the Memphis Comic Expo today. He now has a full mustache and a grey beard.
Pro Wrestling EVE will have a SHE-1 tournament on 10/8 with 16 women. Announced so far as Maya Yukihi, Charlie Morgan, Jetta, Alex Windsor, Kasey, Safire Reed, Nina Samuels, Chantal Jordan, Millie McKenzie, Emersyn Jayne and Aleah James.
Freelance Wrestling on Friday night in Chicago had Tokyo Joshi Pro star Shoko Nakajima beat Shazza McKenzie in the main event of what we were told was an excellent match using a diving senton. The crowd gave the two a standing ovation.
UFC/MMA
While nothing will come of it, Bellator middleweight champion Johnny Eblen knocked out Fabian Edwards in Dublin last night and then continued to yell at him afterward. Leon Edwards, the UFC welterweight champion and Fabian’s brother, then started yelling at Eblen and security got between them. Eblen did eventually shake hands with both Edwards brothers before leaving the cage.
Ian Machado Garry vs. Vicente Luque was announced for the 12/16 UFC PPV in Las Vegas. Also announced for that show is Tony Ferguson vs. Paddy Pimblett and Stephen Thompson vs Shavkat Rakhmonov. Ferguson is on a long losing streak while Pimblett has a potential star personality but the reality thus far is that he has not come across like he’s going to be able to be a championship contending level fighter. The hope here is to get him a win over a totally faded big name.
Kelvin Gastelum returns to welterweight on the 12/2 UFC event against Sean Brady who is 15-1 and a ranked fighter.
Three championship matches are scheduled as part of tonight’s ROH TV on HonorClub.
Athena will put her ROH Women’s World Championship on the line against Angelina Love on the show. She will be seeking her 14th successful title defense. This will be Love’s first match in ROH since Tony Khan purchased the company. She is a former Women of Honor Champion, having held the title briefly in 2019.
Katsuyori Shibata will also put the ROH Pure Championship on the line tonight. He defends the title against Nick Wayne, who will be making his ROH debut.
ROH Six Man Tag Team Champions The Mogul Embassy will defend their titles on Thursday’s show as well when they face Willie Mack and The Infantry. Brian Cage and The Gates of Agony’s title defense against The Hung Bucks will air on Friday’s episode of Rampage.
Other matches scheduled for tonight’s show include Leyla Hirsch and The Renegades taking on Willow Nightingale, Skye Blue, and Kiera Hogan, Lee Johnson vs. Lee Moriarty, Ethan Page vs. VSK, and more.
**********
The show started with a promo from the new Ring of Honor World Champion Eddie Kingston, who talked about not liking Claudio Castagnoli, but respecting his talents. He dedicated the title win to former ROH World Champion Xavier, who passed away in 2020.
ROH Pure Title Match – Katsuyori Shibata (c) defeated Nick Wayne
This was Shibata’s sixth title defense. The judges for this title match were Dalton Castle, Jerry Lynn, and Jimmy Jacobs.
The two jockeyed for position early on, with Shibata almost scoring with a Penalty Kick. Shibata snatched on an ankle lock soon after, with Wayne having to use his first rope break at 2:30. Wayne feigned injury to bait Shibata to the floor, but Shibata sent Wayne into the barricades anyway. Shibata held serve on Wayne until Wayne knocked Shibata down with a running forearm.
Wayne knocked Shibata into the corner before hitting Shibata’s signature shotgun dropkick on Shibata himself. Shibata woke up and drilled Wayne with a forearm before following with the shotgun dropkick on Wayne. Shibata locked on the Cobra Twist, forcing Wayne to use his second rope break at 8:00. Wayne immediately used his third rope break to escape a hold before dropping Shibata with a neckbreaker for a nearfall.
Wayne hit a pair of high kicks and went for Wayne’s World, but Shibata caught him in a sleeper hold. Shibata sat Wayne down and hit the Penalty Kick to win and retain the title.
Lexy Nair was backstage with Lee Johnson, who was quickly interrupted by Lee Moriarty & Shane Taylor. Moriarty mockingly offered a handshake before Taylor got in Johnson’s face. They broke away before things got physical.
Diamante defeated Catie Brite
This was a quick showcase for Diamante, who won with Rolling The Dice.
Lexy Nair was backstage with The Infantry & Willie Mack. Carlie Bravo said that they have become one of the hottest teams in ROH, and alongside Willie Mack, they would win the titles.
Lee Moriarty (w/Shane Taylor) defeated Lee Johnson
It’s a Lee Derby here in State College, PA. After jockeying for position, Johnson picked up the pace and sent Moriarty to the floor with a dropkick. Johnson met Moriarty on the floor and peppered him with chops. Back in the ring, Moriarty cut off Johnson with a kitchen sink knee. Moriarty hit a bridging suplex for a nearfall.
Johnson fought out of a Ground Cobra and avoided another kitchen sink knee before taking Moriarty down with a lariat. Johnson fired up, hitting a Blue Thunder Bomb for a nearfall. Moriarty yanked Johnson into the turnbuckle, but Johnson drilled Moriarty with a superkick. Johnson hit a frog splash, but Moriarty got his foot on the ropes to break the pin. Moriarty dropped Johnson on the ropes neck first before hitting a leg lariat to score the clean win.
In a pre-tape, Athena held Minion Training with Billie Starkz & Lexy Nair. Their tasks included rigorous exercise, booing Willow Nightingale, and attempting to scare the Renegade Twins. According to Athena, Lexy passed her training, but Starkz did not. This was very silly.
After the opening salvo, Adora had Martinez in a fireman’s carry before Diamante distracted her. Martinez laid Adora out with a main event spinebuster. Diamante got some shots in on Adora while the referee was distracted by Martinez. Martinez hit the Anarchist Suplex for a nearfall.
Adora caught Martinez with a bridging German suplex from her knees before following with a senton for a nearfall. Martinez hit a half-and-half suplex before hitting a running forearm. Martinez followed with a rabbit forearm before locking on the Brass City Sleeper to score the submission win.
ROH Women’s World Title Match – Athena (w/Billie Starkz) (c) defeated Angelina Love
This was Athena’s fifteenth defense of the title.
Athena is wrestling in street clothes. The two traded kip-ups before Athena dropped Love with a back heel kick and a meteora for a nearfall. Love rolled to the floor and apprehended Starkz, then sent Starkz into Athena to gain control. Back in the ring, Love hit a sidewalk slam for a nearfall.
Athena bit her way out of a chinlock before firing up with a combo that ended with a low enzuigiri. Athena hit a handspring forearm before going to the top rope, but Love cut her off. Love ducked a corner charge before hitting the Botox Injection for a nearfall. Athena came back with her double knee facebuster to win and retain.
Lexy Nair was backstage with Maria Kanellis-Bennett, Cole Karter, & Griff Garrison. Garrison said that he felt he’s lost a step since returning from injury and that teaming with Karter seemed like a relatively good idea.
Hogan quickly got the upper hand on Robyn Renegade, hitting a hip attack and a low dropkick for a nearfall. Blue tagged in and hit a rising knee before landing a superkick for a nearfall. Charlette and Hirsch yanked Blue’s partners off the ropes before the Renegades hit a double suplex on Blue for a nearfall.
Maria Kanellis-Bennett made her way to the stage to watch.The Renegades double-teamed Blue before Hirsch tagged in. Hirsch rag-dolled Blue around with suplexes before snatching Blue’s arm in a cross armbreaker. Blue rolled her up to escape before tagging in Nightingale, who ran wild on all three opponents.
Nightingale hit a double suplex on both Renegades for a nearfall. The match broke down into a Pier Six brawl before Nightingale hit a Pounce on Hirsch. Nightingale hit a DVD on Charlette before Blue hit a Code Blue to score the win.
Lexy Nair was backstage with Mark Sterling, Tony Nese, & Spanish Announce Project. Nese was very condescending to his partners tonight.
Ethan Page defeated VSK
Page hit a powerslam and set up for Ego’s Edge, but VSK escaped and fought back. Page hit a cradle slam, similar to Rhea Ripley’s Riptide, before hitting the outside-in cutter to score the quick win.
El Hijo del Vikingo, Gravity & Metalik (w/Alex Abrahantes) vs. Spanish Announce Project (Angelico & Serpentico) & Tony Nese (w/Mark Sterling)
Metalik started off with Serpentico, quickly taking him down with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Gravity & Angelico tagged in, with Gravity sending Angelico to the floor with a lucha armdrag. Vikingo & Nese came in, with Vikingo hammering Nese with kicks before sending him to the floor with a dropkick. Vikingo hit a step-up twisting tornillo to the floor before his partners followed with dives of their own.
Metalik came in, but Sterling cut him off in the ropes and allowed Nese to take control. Angelico tagged in and tied Metalik in knots before he reached the ropes, all the while arguing with Nese. Angelico brought Metalik to the top rope, but Metalik brought him down with a sunset flip powerbomb. Gravity tagged in and ran wild, hitting a powerslam and a standing moonsault for a nearfall.
The match broke down into a Pier Five brawl – Vikingo hasn’t been around since the dive – before Nese tried to unmask Gravity. Serpentico took offense to that, leading to both SAP members bailing on the match. Metalik tagged in and hit a rope walk senton for the win.
Lexy Nair was backstage with Ethan Page. He hasn’t felt this good in a while, not since he challenged MJF for the AEW World Title in his hometown of Hamilton, Ontario. He wanted to get back to that feeling, so he’s here in ROH to keep competing.
Action Andretti & Darius Martin defeated Cole Karter & Griff Garrison (w/Maria Kanellis-Bennett)
Karter was outpaced by Martin, so he quickly tagged out to Garrison. Andretti & Martin outsmarted Garrison, fooling him with a blind tag to score with a double team. After Karter and Maria tripped up Martin, Garrison dropped him with a big boot. Karter kept control of Martin, with Maria helping on the outside to Garrison’s dismay.
Martin fought off a double team to make the tag to Andretti, who ran wild on both men. After a scramble, Karter tried getting a roll-up with his feet on the ropes. Garrison knocked his feet off the ropes, not wanting to cheat to win. Martin and Andretti took advantage, isolating Karter before Andretti hit a springboard 450 to score the win.
ROH World Six Man Tag Team Title Match – The Mogul Embassy (Bishop Kaun, Brian Cage & Toa Liona) (w/Prince Nana) (c) defeated The Infantry (Carlie Bravo & Shawn Dean) & Willie Mack (w/Trish Adora)
This was the Mogul Embassy’s tenth title defense.
Bravo & Dean isolated Kaun with a wishbone before Liona tagged in. Liona dropped Bravo with a lariat before Kaun came in with a senton. Cage tagged in to continue the offensive on Bravo. Bravo fought his way to the tag to Mack, who took Cage down multiple times.
Mack fought off all three of the Embassy before hitting a yakuza kick on Cage for a nearfall. Cage cut Mack off and hit his outside-in superplex. Bravo tagged in and dropped both Cage and Kaun before avoiding Liona’s charge. The Infantry isolated Liona, drilling him with kicks before Mack hit a Stunner. The Infantry hit a double suplex on Liona before tagging Mack. Mack hit a frog splash on Cage for a nearfall.
The match broke down into a Pier Six brawl, with the Embassy isolating Mack. Liona and Kaun hit Open The Gates on Mack to score the win and retain the titles.
With just a few days to go before AEW All Out, one of the final pieces will be put into place on tonight’s AEW Rampage from Chicago.
20 men representing ten teams will compete in an over the top battle royal with the winners advancing to a Ring of Honor Tag Team title match at All Out against new titleholders MJF & Adam Cole.
Teams include Aussie Open, Best Friends, Action Andretti & Darius Martin, Ryan Nemeth & Peter Avalon, The Righteous, Dark Order’s Alex Reynolds & John Silver, Matt & Jeff Hardy, Gates of Agony’s Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona, The Butcher & The Blade, and The Outrunners.
For the first time since May, former AEW World Champion Hangman Page will be in singles action as he takes on indie standout Bryan Keith.
Two of the top young talents in the game — El Hijo del Vikingo & Nick Wayne — will team up in AEW for the first time as they take on Kip Sabian & Gringo Loco.
Willow Nightingale & Skye Blue will face Anna Jay & Taya Valkyrie.
**********
Taped in Chicago, Illinois.
John Silver & Alex Reynolds of The Dark Order won a Tag Team Battle Royal for a Shot at the ROH World Tag Team Titles (11:38).
“We love battle royals here on Rampage!” Yeah Jericho, no kidding.
The Outrunners were the first team eliminated; both members of the team were eliminated consecutively. Aussie Open hung out on the floor at the start of the battle royal and pulled Bishop Kaun ofThe Gates of Agony through the bottom rope. Chuck Taylor ofThe Best Friends dumped Ryan Nemeth, and Peter Avolon was abused by The Hardy Boys, then dumped by Trent Beretta. The Best Friends and The Hardys had a stand off in the middle of the ring, until the rest of the men in the battle royal attacked then. Lots of action in and out of the ring. Mark Davis of Aussie Open dumped Bishop Kaun. Toa Leona dumped the Blade from the ring apron. The Blade held onto Leona’s foot, and Kyle Fletcher of Aussie Open dropkicked him to the floor to eliminate him.
After a split-screen break, Dutch of The Righteous eliminated The Butcher. Jeff Hardy clotheslined Vincent of The Righteous to the floor. The Hardy Boys were eliminated separately by the Dark Order, and Action Andretti eliminated Dutch. Andretti got a bit of shine against the Aussie Open before he took a man-sized bump over the top rope and into the railing. Darius Martin eliminated Alex Reynolds, (ostensibly injuring his knee) and John Silver eliminated Martin.
The match got down to Aussie Open, the Best Friends, and John Silver. Aussie Open dumped Taylor. Silver feigned an alliance with Aussie Open to eliminate Baretta, but then ducked away and let Aussie Open do all the work. Beretta ducked a charge from Fletcher and he flew over the top rope. Davis knocked Silver to the floor, but Alex Reynolds (who was still at ringside being tended to because of his “injury”) caught him to keep him from hitting the floor. Davis and Beretta fought in the ring, with Beretta using a front facelock to eliminate Davis. Once Andews dropped to the floor, Sliver ran in to dump Beretta and win the match for his team.
Yeah, AEW has too many battle royals, but they’re usually pretty decent and this was no exception.
The Dark Order v. Better Than You, Bay-Bay for the ROH World Tag Team Titles is official for All Out.
After a commercial break, Aussie Open came out to the announcer’s desk to attack Chris Jericho. Sammy Guevara came out with Floyd the Bat to make the save. Feels like we’re gonna get a match between these teams soon.
Mike Santana took us back to the beginning. Four months after his debut, his dad passed away. This brought out a lot of negative thoughts that he’d tried to keep buried. And then he destroyed his knee in the Blood and Guts match. Now, he has a story to tell.
El Hijo Del Vikingo & Nick Wayne defeated Kip Sabian & Gringo Loco (w/ Penelope Ford) (7:20 aired)
This feels very random. Wayne hit a step up hurricanrana on Sabian. Ford jumped up on the apron to distract Wayne. Well the kid is 18. This led to Wayne getting dumped on the floor and double-teamed into the commercial break.
Gringo Loco tried a springboard moonsault on Wayne, but Wayne got his knees up and got the tag to Vikingo. He took out Sabian with a corkscrew kick, then caught Loco with an enziguri. Vikingo hit a springboard dropkick while Loco was hung up in the ropes for a near fall. Vikingo and Loco took way too long to set up a top rope poison rana (where they were both standing up on the top rope). Wayne hit Wayne’s World on Sabian, then followed him to the floor with a tope con hilo. Vikingo hit the 630 senton on Loco to get the pinfall.
– The QTV crew set up some footage of QT Marshall defending his AAA Championship. Johnny TV is apparently in charge of QTV, and he dumped his coffee on Harley Cameron.
“Hangman” Adam Page defeated “The Bounty Hunter” Bryan Keith (3:29)
Someone put a bounty on Adam Page in Chicago? Bryan Keith actually got an inset promo to explain his motivation.
Crowd chanted for Page at the start of the match. Page hit a stiff lariat on Keith. Keith came back with an exploder and some weak looking clotheslines. Page caught Keith with a fallaway slam. Page set up the Buckshot Lariat, but goofed around with the crowd too much and Keith mounted a brief comeback. Page caught Keith with a boot, then hit the Buckshot Lariat to get the pin.
– Danny Garcia, Matt Menard & Angelo Parker got some interview time with Rene Paquette to plug their Trios Title shot on Collision.
– Rene Paquette has a sit-down interview with Roderick Strong. Strong refused to answer Paquette’s questions and left. That felt pointless.
– Ricky Starks will challenge Ricky Steamboat to a strap match tomorrow night at Collision.
– Orange Cassidy v. Jon Moxley was confirmed as the main event for All Out. Also added was Eddie Kingston & Shibata v. Claudio Castignoli & Wheeler Yuta.
Skye Blue & Willow Nightingale defeated. Taya Valkyrie & Ann Jay (8:27)
Nightingale countered a suplex attempt with a small package for a near fall. Blue (who was over with her hometown crowd) came in with a cartwheel into an elbow strike on Valkyrie. Jay caught Nightingale with a kick from the outside, and Valkyrie followed up with a backstabber to take control.
After a long split-screen break, Nightingale hit Valkyrie with an enziguri. Tags were made on both sides, and Blue dominated Jay with a shotgun dropkick, a knee strike and an enziguri. Blue hit a crossbody for a near fall. Blue hit another knee strike for a near fall. Valkyrie ran into break up the pin, and Nightingale hit her with a spinebuster. Nightingale hit Valkyrie with a Pounce. Nightingale held Valkyrie up in an Electric Chair for Blue to come in off the top, but Jay pushed her to the mat. Valkyrie held Blue open for a superkick, but Blue ducked and Jay superkicked her partner to the floor. Blue hit her own superkick on Jay, then hit the Code Blue for the win.
After the match, Valkyrie hit Blue with a cheap shot. Nightingale made the save and celebrated with Blue to end the show.
Final Thoughts:
Of all the hours (and hours) of wrestling on this weekend, this was definitely one of them.
The following are spoilers for Friday’s AEW Rampage, taped after Wednesday’s Dynamite in Chicago, Illinois.
The show was highlighted by a 20-man battle royal comprised of ten teams competing for a shot at Ring of Honor Tag Team Champions MJF & Adam Cole at Sunday’s All Out.
These come courtesy of PWInsider:
Dark Order’s John Silver & Alex Reynolds won a battle royal to earn a ROH Tag Team Title shot at AEW All Out. Teams included Aussie Open, Best Friends, Action Andretti & Darius Martin, Ryan Nemeth & Peter Avalon, The Righteous, Matt & Jeff Hardy, Gates of Agony’s Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona, The Butcher & The Blade, and The Outrunners.
Afterward, Aussie Open got into a fight with Chris Jericho as he was at the announcers’ desk with Sammy Guevara coming to Jericho’s aid.
El Hijo del Vikingo & Nick Wayne defeated Kip Sabian & Gringo Loco
Hangman Page defeated Bryan Keith
Willow Nightingale & Skye Blue defeated Anna Jay and Taya Valkyrie. Blue pinned Jay with the code blue.
