Amongst all the news regarding CM Punk and the new AEW Saturday night show, one thing is still true: the situation between Punk and The Elite remains unresolved.
Pat Laprade joined Dave Meltzer and Garrett Gonzales on Wrestling Observer Radio Saturday to discuss the situation between CM Punk and The Elite, who will appear to be working on two different shows starting in June.
“ [Punk] is going to be on one show, they are going to be on Dynamite, only meet on pay-per-views and I’m like, but this thing isn’t resolved yet,” Laprade said. “I mean how can you bring a guy back. It’s almost worse than Bret and Shawn from, I don’t know, 25 years ago.”
Meltzer agreed that it’s a worse situation than the issues between Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels in 1997, as he pointed out that after the two got into their backstage fight, they eventually agreed to continue to work together. Meltzer said that some in AEW backstage wonder when the next backstage drama could start up.
“I know people in the company..the mood of the people that I know there that aren’t any of the people we just mentioned…it’s kinda like, when’s the next explosion going to happen? We know it’s going to happen, we just don’t know when,” Meltzer said.
Meltzer explained that the idea seems to be that people think the backstage situation has improved, even as ratings and attendance remain soft. Punk could be the answer that AEW needs to improve business, even if it means the potential for more backstage drama.
“The thought is of course if he delivers, if Punk delivers the numbers that he did when he first came in…but we don’t know if that’s going to happen, we don’t know it’s not going to happen,” he said.
Hangman Page and AEW are reportedly working toward a new contract, according to Fightful.
Details were light other than negotiations have started recently with no timetable for a deal to be done. Page has the same representation as Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks. In March, our Dave Meltzer reported AEW was working toward signing Omega and the Bucks to new contracts before their deals expire.
Page is one of the original founding roster members of AEW and was part of the company’s kickoff press conference in January 2019.
The 31-year-old signed with AEW after notable runs in both Ring of Honor and NJPW, joining fellow Elite members Omega and the Bucks. While he was unsuccessful in becoming the inaugural AEW World Champion, Page eventually won the title at November 2021’s Full Gear in a win over Omega. He and Omega were also AEW Tag Team Champions.
Page is currently in a feud with the Blackpool Combat Club and is nearing a storyline reunion with Omega and the Bucks.
On a brand-new Wrestling Weekly, we have lots of stories about the return of CM Punk, a potential new Saturday show for AEW, and a brand split. Les Thatcher and I discuss tons of ways this whole thing could play out.
If CM Punk is to return to AEW, the working idea has been to use split crews that would tie into a rumored new Saturday night show with the former AEW World Champion as a featured star.
Dave Meltzer discussed the developments in this ever-changing situation in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Meltzer said no deal has been finalized for the show, nor the potential Turner network the show would be on. The original idea was a two-hour show “with equal the star power” of Dynamite.
As of now, there is a lone Saturday, July 8th date for a “televised event” in Regina, Canada, with a start time of 7 PM Eastern.
Meltzer noted there would be cases like pay-per-views or special one-off events like AEW All In at London’s Wembley Stadium in which the split crews wouldn’t work for obvious reasons.
News has intensified this week of a potential Punk return around the time AEW returns to Chicago in late-June for the Forbidden Door go-home edition of Dynamite.
Meltzer noted Punk’s return is considered a “tenuous situation because the dressing room issues involving him have not been settled at all at press time.”
Some of those issues came to a head in the now-infamous post-All Out brawl that included Punk, Ace Steel, Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks last September. Punk has not appeared on AEW programming since that event and has been rehabbing a torn triceps suffered that night against Jon Moxley.
According to a Friday Fightful report, Punk would like to work with The Elite (Omega and the Bucks) and has pushed for a meeting with them for some time. A meeting with Punk and Chris Jericho is also supposed to be happening at some point as well.
Plans are reportedly in place for CM Punk to return to AEW this summer.
Fightful is reporting that Punk is expected back in time for the recently announced June 21 Dynamite from Chicago, either returning on the show or leading up to it. However, the outlet noted that “nothing is set in stone, and things can change as this is an often tumultuous situation.”
Punk is said to want to work with The Elite upon his return and has pushed for a meeting with them “for quite awhile.” It is unclear if the two sides have had any contact but there is a meeting planned with Punk and Chris Jericho, who have also had various conflicts with one another.
According to the report, there is “traction” inside Warner Bros Discovery regarding a potential new Saturday AEW show and it leading to a “soft brand split” for the roster. This could involve talent who do not want to work with each other being split up onto different shows.
Our own Dave Meltzer reported last month that a reconciliation plan between Punk and AEW had been agreed upon. At the time, however, it was unclear if Punk’s Instagram comments critical of his program with Jon Moxley would impact his return.
Meltzer wrote:
The situation with C.M. Punk became a bigger story this week when he put up an instagram post where he went off on Tony Khan, Jon Moxley, myself and Chris Jericho, which he immediately took down. This came while sides were working on a reconciliation that was at least in principle agreed to, per the decision of Khan who wanted him back.
Meltzer continued:
Where things stand at this moment are unknown. There are tons of complicated issues involved and differences of opinions on the subject. But it was going to happen and then this happened and it still may end up happening.
Dax Harwood has a dream match in mind for AEW All In from Wembley Stadium.
Harwood and Cash Wheeler told Uproxx recently that if the promotion wants to sell 50,000 tickets to the show then CM Punk & FTR vs. The Elite should be on the marquee.
Wheeler said:
I love that we’re going to Wembley because even if it’s not completely to the brim full, 50-, 60-, 70,000, whatever it ends up being, that’s huge for this company. As a company that’s only a couple years into its existence, you can’t play it safe all the time. The roster right now is so deep, why not go for it?”
Harwood added:
“CM Punk and FTR versus the Elite,” he said. “That’s gotta be it, right? If you want to sell 50,000 tickets and take this company to the next level, that’s it, that’s me dreaming. That’s the dream match. That six-man tag in Wembley Stadium could help launch AEW to the next level.”
Our own Dave Meltzer reported last month that Tony Khan made the decision to bring Punk back and a plan on reconciliation was agreed upon. However, it is unknown if Punk’s Instagram comments that were critical of his program with Jon Moxley caused any changes to these plans. Punk has been out of action with a torn triceps since All Out last September.
FTR defeated Austin and Colten Gunn on Dynamite last week to win the AEW World Tag Team titles for a second time. The match carried a stipulation that had FTR lost, they would have to leave AEW. In the lead-up to the match, Harwood said that the pair’s AEW contracts were set to expire in April. With the win, it appears FTR is staying with AEW and they say their relationship with Tony Khan factored into their decision.
“I think that Tony gets Dax and Cash, FTR, better than Vince,” Harwood says. “I think he understands that we are average, everyday human beings that just caught on with the fans because they can relate to us, because we’re either family men or just regular human beings. We just enjoy physicality and we enjoy fighting, and I think that they can live their lives through us. (Vince has) a business track record that proves that he is obviously very intelligent to the business, but I think he thinks he knows what the Revival was better than we did. That’s why he came up with all those cartoon costumes he gave us. In contrast, Tony understands that no one knows who we are better than us, and no one can display our characters or show our characteristics better than we can.”
Wheeler added:
“The conversations we have with Tony, the relationship we have with Tony compared to [Triple H] or Vince, we get along well with both those guys over there. Vince, to our faces anyway, was always very respectful, respected our work. Same with Hunter. But with Tony, I feel like we can have open, honest discussions with him about how we feel, where we think we need to change something or pivot. And I know that he’s receptive to it.”
This week’s video opened up with footage of Adam Cole just before he went out through the curtain to make his in-ring return on Dynamite last week.
Rosario Grillo injury update —
The Young Bucks stand-in revealed that his super kick percentage is now up to 42%
Ryan Nemeth comedy show —
Clips of Ryan Nemeth at The Comedy Store from last week was shown.
Nemeth revealed he signed a new contract but only gets paid when he wins.
His stand-up actually sounds pretty good. He still walks kind of weird, though.
Footage from AEW Dynamite —
Footage of Bryan Danielson attacking Kenny Omega with the Blackpool Combat Club from Dynamite last week is shown.
Matt Jackson injury update —
Matt confirmed that he suffered a torn biceps.
He was shown on his way to get treatment in Los Angeles.
He said after consulting with doctors and others who have suffered similar injuries that he has decided against surgery and feels like he could be back in weeks rather than months.
Brandon Cutler at Wrestlecon —
Footage from WrestleCon is shown.
Matt Jackson showed off a work of art that a fan made of him and Nick as mermaids (or mermen). A fan also presented them with homemade dolls they made.
Brandon Cutler and Hangman Page have a chat —
Cutler and Page were shown in the back. Page asked how the Bucks are doing and Brandon said that they are doing good, considering their condition.
Page then told Cutler that he “was wrong” when he told him that the Bucks weren’t good friends to him.
Hangman also mentioned how the Bucks were there for him even when he wrestled Kenny for the title.
Cutler said Page’s problems with the Blackpool Combat Club aren’t going to go away until the four of them (Bucks, Page, and Omega) are on the same page.
Hangman said the problem isn’t Omega, it’s Don Callis.
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including an update on Smackdown tonight and Kofi Kingston’s injury, Dynamite line-up for next week, AEW and NXT ratings, tons of feedback and so much more here on FUN FRIDAY! A good time as always so check it out~!
In late-February, Meltzer reported that Omega’s contract, which was set to expire at the end of January was extended by an unknown amount of time due to the eight months he missed due to injury.
The three were suspended following last September’s post-All Out fight with CM Punk and Ace Steel. While Steel was released, Punk remains under contract as he is recovering from an torn triceps injury he suffered in his match with Jon Moxley that same night.
If the Bucks and Omega do re-sign, it would end the speculation of all three going to WWE.
From Meltzer:
“With the Bucks, while they may do well in WWE, it’s not guaranteed, and they will have a better schedule in AEW meaning more time with the family and also less matches and can do their style. With Omega, he doesn’t have kids and he would likely get a major push and would have no end to having fresh opponents. It would also close the door to Japan that he’s waited years to re-open. But he did at least consider and have talks with WWE 2018-19 and wasn’t negative about WWE at all while making his choice to go to AEW. (Tony) Khan did say he hoped Omega would be in the company for a long time to come.”
In the last year, AEW has re-signed both Jon Moxley and Chris Jericho to high-profile deals before their contracts were up.
AEW will hold their first pay-per-view of 2023 tonight with Revolution from San Francisco’s Chase Center, headlined by AEW World Champion MJF defending against Bryan Danielson in an Iron Man match.
The rivalry between Jon Moxley and Hangman Page will come to a head in a Texas Death Match.
For the first time ever, The Elite (Kenny Omega & the Young Bucks) will face the House of Black with the AEW Trios titles on the line.
AEW Women’s Champion Jamie Hayter will defend against Saraya and Ruby Soho in a three-way while TNT Champion Samoa Joe defends against Wardlow.
In a four-way for the AEW Tag Team titles, The Gunns defend against The Acclaimed, Jeff Jarrett & Jay Lethal, and Orange Cassidy & Danhausen.
In The Final Burial, “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry takes on rival Christian Cage while Chris Jericho rematches Ricky Starks. Mark Briscoe & Lucha Bros vs. Ari Daivari & Varsity Athletes is set for the pre-show.
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Zero Hour
Renee Paquette welcomes us to Zero Hour and throws it briefly backstage to RJ City who will be covering the red carpet backstage. Paquette runs down the Revolution card before RJ interviews Danhausen & Orange Cassidy as Danhausen starts cursing a bunch of random celebrities while Cassidy walks off. Paquette interviews Don Callis about his thoughts on Page & Moxley as well as the Trios Titles before throwing it to commentary for our opening Zero Hour contest.
ROH Tag Team Champion Mark Briscoe & Lucha Bros (Penta El Zero Miedo & Rey Fenix w/Alex Abrahantes) defeated Varsity Athletes (Tony Nese & Josh Woods) & Ari Davari (w/Mark Sterling)
(A really fun party match to get the crowd going right off the bat. I wouldn’t be surprised if Dem Lucha Boys get a future Trios Title shot down the line, as this trio has looked awfully impressive in back to back nights.)
Huge ovation for Dem Lucha Boys before Sterling introduced his team like it was a basketball game. Things broke down after a triple face off early with Nese suffering a triple team before Fenix & Briscoe wiped out Woods & Daivari on the floor. Made in Penta connected on Nese, as he narrowly escaped at two. Sterling ran distraction long enough for his team to gain control on Penta, who was isolated for an extended period until Penta did a cazadora on Woods into a double DDT on Nese & Daivari.
A Sling Blade led to a Fenix hot tag, who ran wild as only he could. A fast series of superkicks on Woods led to a Tornillo off the top, but Woods hit a pump knee in mid air. A gnarly spinning brainbuster into the corner from Woods allowed him to tag in Nese. Fenix fought out of a fireman’s carry on the second rope and turned it into a hurricanrana narrowly avoiding disaster. Briscoe unleashed his Redneck Kung-Fu and wiped everyone out before Daivari was planted with a neckbreaker. Briscoe launched himself off a chair, clearing the top rope and took out all of the opposition before a Froggy Bow attempt was cut off by Nese.
Briscoe was repeatedly cut off in the corner before a Tower of Doom spot led to a Nese 450 splash for a close near fall. Everyone took turns wiping each other out until Briscoe teased Jay Driller. Sterling took the ref and Daivari smacked Briscoe with Sterling’s clipboard. The 1RM hit by Nese & Woods, but Briscoe kicked out at two. Lucha Bros cleared house with kicks, as Nese & Daivari were dropped with an assisted double Fear Factor. Briscoe connected with the Froggy Bow on Daivari for the win. Post match, Abrahantes tossed Sterling into the ring where he ate a Fear Factor for good measure.
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-A video package on All Out weekend is shown, as Wednesday May 24, Friday May 26 and Sunday May 28 they will be in Vegas for Dynamite, Rampage and Double or Nothing.
-RJ City & Paquette took turns alternating interviews with the Jericho Appreciation Society, Toni Storm, Britt Baker, Powerhouse Hobbs, Sonjay Dutt & Adam Cole. RJ was spray painted by Storm, who did thank him for naming her hip attack Sweet Cheek Music. RJ also had a hilarious back and forth with Hobbs as I love that AEW is using him more than just his delightful Hey! (EW).
-Tony Schiavone was standing by a casket and grave that’s near the entrance ramp, as he talked about the Final Burial between Christian Cage & Jungle Boy Jack Perry.
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AEW Revolution
Excalibur welcomes us alongside Taz & Jim Ross and talks about the loaded card on tap tonight.
Ricky Starks defeated Chris Jericho with the Jericho Appreciation Society banned from ringside
(A strong opener, the crowd hot for most of it, with Starks getting a rare accomplishment of beating Chris Jericho twice in AEW, as Jericho’s plan blew up in his face.)
Starks’ ribs are taped up from the attack on Dynamite, as both men slugged it out immediately. Jericho was sent outside, which allowed Starks to do his pose before connecting with a Tope. Back inside, Jericho gave Starks a hard buckle to take control, but narrowly missed a Lionsault. Starks was hung up on the top ribs first and sent crashing into the guard rail. Jericho zoned in on the ribs, as Starks attempted a comeback, only to eat a springboard dropkick to the outside.
Starks was back in the ring and mowed Jericho down with a clothesline and step up DDT off the ropes. Jericho cut off Starks in the corner, looked for a superplex, but Starks planted Jericho face first to the mat. Starks leapt, but Jericho hit a knee square to the ribs and DVD for two. Starks countered a Code Breaker into a powerbomb to regain control, tried Roshambo and a Spear, only for Jericho to hit a Code Breaker in mid air for a close near fall. Jericho looked for a top rope dive, as Starks hit the Spear for a close two of his own.
Another slugfest ensued, as Starks tried a leap off the top, but tweaked his leg to allow Jericho to sink in the Walls of Jericho, which Starks countered into a single leg crab. Sammy Guevara strutted to the ring and was floored by Action Andretti, which turned referee Aubrey’s attention. Jericho was able to grab Floyd the bat and hit Starks in the ribs. Starks blocked a Judas Effect and connected with Roshambo for the victory.
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‘Jungle Boy’ Jack Perry defeated Christian Cage in a Final Burial Match
(Cage & Perry did a great job keeping the crowd captivated for this. One of the biggest wins in Perry’s career, as he can now firmly put this Cage feud behind him as he goes after singles gold in 2023.)
After a quick start, Perry attempted a dive, but Cage bailed deep into the crowd, with Perry chucking a drink at him. Cage tried to head up the ramp, but saw the casket and got spooked, allowing Perry to attack again. In the ring, Perry tried ten corner punches, but Cage slid through and slammed Perry down. Cage stared down Perry’s family ringside as he stood on the hair, pulling Perry’s arms up the wrong way. Cage tried his slingshot right hand in the ropes, but Perry avoided and nailed a Tope.
Perry attempted to stomp on the right arm like he did previously in this feud on the steps, but Cage swept out the legs and Perry landed hard. Cage is bleeding from a headbutt, as he took Perry’s belt off and violently whipped him in front of Perry’s family. Cage lifted the casket and inside were two chairs, as Perry fought back with both men trading control until Cage backdropped Perry on the stage. Cage tried a Killswitch on a set up chair, but was sent flying off the stage, as Perry hit a somersault dive.
Cage begged off and hit a desperation low blow kick, as he closed the casket and drove Perry repeatedly face first against it. Perry was placed in the casket, fought out; Cage threw dirt into his eyes and connected with a Killswitch. Cage tried a Con-Chair-To, but missed and Perry swung a shovel to knock the chair out of Cage’s hands. Cage desperately raked at the eyes, missed a shovel shot and Perry locked in the Snare Trap. Cage seemed to pass out, as Perry set things up, looked up to the heavens and hit a Con-Chair-To. Cage was rolled into the casket, as Perry gave one final glance before slamming the door as the casket fell into the ground.
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The House of Black (Malakai Black, Brody King & Buddy Matthews w/Julia Hart) defeated The Elite (Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) w/Brandon Cutler & Michael Nakazawa) to win the AEW Trios Titles
(To the surprise of no one, this was action packed and loaded with intensity throughout. The crowd were back and forth during a lot of this, as it was a phenomenal contest.)
As much as I enjoy Carry on Wayward Son for The Elite, the House of Black’s entrance blew them out of the water tonight. Don Callis joined commentary as Omega & Matthews started things out, showing their athleticism with kip ups and reversals aplenty. Black tagged in and immediately got This Is Awesome chants before even locking up with Omega. Black countered the speed into a takedown, but both traded their home run shots, with each escaping narrowly. Matt tagged in and demanded King, realized his mistake and tried to tag in Nick, who wanted no part of it. King overpowered everyone, as the House of Black were about to do dives until The Elite jumped back in for a face off and slug fest.
Nick hit a nasty slingshot face buster on Matthews and moonsault to Black outside, as Matt took out both on the floor as well. Omega sent King to the floor with a hurricanrana and connected on the Terminator Dive onto all House of Black. Nick hit a 450 Splash on King, who kicked out at one, steamrolling The Elite to follow. House of Black cleaned house on the floor, as Nick remained isolated until Omega got the hot tag to run wild. The Bucks connected on dueling superkicks to Black & Matthews, as King was laid out by an Omega V-Trigger to the back for two.
Omega tried a Snap Dragon on King, who countered into a violent lariat. The Bucks cut off a triple team attempt, but Black fired off a nasty pump knee and leg submission on Omega. Matt broke it up with a dive, as everyone took turns hitting high impact moves until finally Omega & Black stood tall. After a forearm and knee battle, both men crumbled for the reset. Julia Hart distracted Nick long enough to get trapped in a sleeper on the apron by King, until Matt broke it up and Omega clobbered him with a V-Trigger. Multiple Snap Dragons on Black by Omega, as Hart again rose to the apron. Omega tried a One Winged Angel; Black wiggled free, as Omega fired off a V-Trigger and took out Hart.
Black connected on his home run spin kick, but Omega was bailed out by Nick at two. Dante’s Inferno connected on Omega, but again The Bucks broke it up. King wiped out The Bucks outside, as Matt was launched into the front row. House of Black surrounded Omega, but took too long, as The Bucks broke it up with a Superkick Party. BTE Trigger connected on Black, but Matthews broke things up. The Bucks tried a Meltzer Driver, only for Matthews to hit Nick in the air mid flip. Nick was planted with Dante’s Inferno and House of Black win the titles in a thriller.
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Jamie Hayter (w/Dr. Britt Baker) defeated Saraya (w/Toni Storm) & Ruby Soho to retain the AEW Women’s Title
(The match itself had its moments of being pretty good stuff, but the post match took me out of it. I know Soho, despite being an over babyface, was inevitably going to join up with Storm & Saraya, since she’s not an “AEW Original”, but to have it happen after a hard hitting triple threat was an odd choice to me.)
Saraya took Hayter to the floor early until Soho hit a charging dropkick, landing smack on her back. The match spilled into the crowd, as Soho leapt off the railing for a double cross body. Soho was draped over the railing, as we got a singles match briefly between Saraya & Hayter as it was Hayter who hit a Rock Bottom on the apron. Soho flew back in off the top and took out Hayter with a leg sweep. With Soho on her back, Hayter was able to fight off Saraya and hit a double headlock suplex on both ladies.
Hayter connected on double Swing Low, Sweet Lariats on both before the match started breaking down with Saraya hitting the Knight Cap on Hayter, Soho with a Saito Suplex on Saraya and Hayter laid out Soho with a Hayt-Breaker. All three ladies slugged it out, as Saraya slapped both and called for them to stop oddly. She promptly got beat up, as Soho got a two on Hayter with a snap hurricanrana. We got a Tower of Doom spot with Saraya the one standing tall, as she applied the PTO on Soho before being clobbered by a Hayter lariat. Storm & Baker jumped up on the apron and ate shots, as Saraya hit a Ram-Paige, Soho hit No Future and Hayter rolled up Soho for the flash pin.
Post match, Toni Storm laid out Britt Baker and attacked Jamie Hayter with Saraya. Baker broke things up, as Soho was sitting in the corner watching this happen. She launched Saraya & Storm to the floor, saying they don’t run this place. She held up Hayter’s hand, only to lay both her & Baker out with No Future. Soho took the spray paint sprayed a L on Baker and Hayter, as she officially aligned herself with Storm & Saraya.
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Hangman Adam Page defeated Jon Moxley in a Texas Death Match
(To say this was a war would not do this justice. The crowd reaction during this made this even better as well. Excalibur compared these two to Bruiser Brody & Stan Hansen, as this was violent, bloody, creative, everything you’d want in a culmination of a feud and Texas Death Match. Bravo to both men involved, as so much was put into this classic.)
You win this match by making your opponent submit or not answer the ten count. Page came out to a cool video package and (Ghost) Riders in the Sky by The Outlaws. Page sprinted at Moxley during his entrance and brawled through the crowd. Barbed wire boards were brought out, as Page used a strand of barbed wire right across the head of Moxley, who, you guessed it, was busted open. Page wrapped the barbed wire around his book and tried to stomp down, but Moxley turned the tide biting Page. Moxley clobbered Page with barbed wire for payback a few weeks ago on Dynamite, as Page is bleeding now as well.
Moxley pulled out a fork, as Page shot a double leg, but Moxley sank in a triangle, stabbing Page repeatedly. Moxley searched for and finally found a barbed wire wrapped chair, setting it up in the corner. Page tried to charge, but was sent face first into the chair, leaving a bloody imprint. A half crab over the barbed wire chair by Moxley got audible gasps, as did a brutal chair shot to the back. Moxley set up chairs back to back, covered in the wire, but as he dished out ten corner punches, Page hit a powerbomb through a chair, thankfully avoiding it flush.
Page wrapped his torso up in barbed wire, cutting himself in the process, hitting a huge moonsault to the floor in an incredibly violent moment. Page took too long to set up a chair ringside with a barbed wire board, which Moxley hit a Cutter back inside. Moxley rolled outside and got two bricks and a chain, as he placed Page’s hand between the bricks and stomped on it. A picture perfect piledriver on the chain landed flush, as Page got up around seven. Moxley hog tied Page, but Page bit at the hand, flipped Moxley off and hit a palm strike. Page hit a back drop suplex and lariat to create some distance.
Page wrapped his right arm in barbed wire and hit rolling elbow strikes before hitting a fall away slam onto the barbed wire chair. Page followed up with a nasty Dead Eye onto the chair, as Moxley rolled to the floor at nine. Page hit a slingshot dive and sent Moxley into the set up barbed wire board, as Moxley was laughing. Page was crotched in the ropes, as Moxley pulled a strand of barbed wire and raked it across the back, as Page raked it across the face. Moxley jolted up off a chair and tossed Page to the floor through another set up barbed wire board. Page just beat the count, as he rolled into a King Kong lariat, but fired up and traded more lariats.
Page tried the Buckshot, but Moxley countered into Death Rider and Curb Stomp onto the brick. Moxley & Page slowly rose as Page threw everything behind a lariat. Page stacked the bricks on their sides, looked for Dead Eye, but sank in a rear naked choke. Moxley hit a mule kick low blow, but as he charged, Page clobbered him with a brick. With the chain wrapped around his neck, Page hit Moxley with a Buckshot Lariat and hung him over the top rope, as Moxley tapped out.
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Wardlow defeated Samoa Joe to win the TNT Title
(These two had the task to follow that Texas Death Match, as the crowd was exhausted being just put through the ringer. Also as intense as this feud was supposed to be, this felt like just a match, with the finish catching literally everyone off guard.)
Wardlow tried a fast start, but Joe hung him up throat first on the ropes and delivered an elbow suicida. Joe lit up Wardlow inside the ring with jabs, but Wardlow quickly turned the tide, scaling the ropes with a Whisper in the Wind. Wardlow kept Joe grounded, as we saw Powerhouse Hobbs watching from the stands. Joe clipped the leg with a sweep to regain control, as Hobbs was smiling at what he’s seeing. Joe continued to work the leg, crumbling Wardlow.
Wardlow fought back with a spinebuster and F-10, as he hit a perfect senton atomico off the top for two. Joe ducked a lariat and got the Kokina Clutch, but Wardlow got the ropes. Joe kept pouring it on until Wardlow hit a powerbomb out of the corner. Wardlow tried another, but Joe popped up with a lariat. Joe tried his own Powerbomb Symphony, but Wardlow escaped into a headbutt and Kokina Clutch of his own. Joe’s arm dropped three times and Wardlow won the title really out of nowhere. Wardlow had a stare down with Hobbs from the stands, who held his giant gold ring up ahead of his TNT Title match this Wednesday.
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The Gunns (Austin & Colten) defeated The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens & Max Caster w/Billy Gunn), Jay Lethal & Jeff Jarrett (w/Sonjay Dutt & Satnam Singh) and AEW All-Atlantic Champion Orange Cassidy & Danhausen to retain the AEW Tag Team Titles
(A majority of this felt like an 8 man tag until they crammed a crazy amount of stuff into the second half. I’m baffled Taz mentioned potential DQs, as literally everyone outside got involved right in front of the referee. Post match got a huge reaction, as FTR being back in the picture hopefully sets them up to regain the AEW Tag Team Titles.)
Jarrett & Cassidy started with Fargo Struts and hands in pockets galore. Cassidy hit a series of backdrops before locomotion clotheslines by Danhausen led to a hurricanrana on Lethal, but Colten tagged in and beat up the man who coined the term Ass Boys. Cassidy ran wild with a Satellite DDT, Tope, but Austin bailed before he ate an Orange Punch. Lethal planted Cassidy with Lethal Combination, but Cassidy fought back with Stundog Millionaire.
The Acclaimed saw their first action, as they laid out Sonjay Dutt with Scissor Me Timbers, scissored for the crowd, but were laid out by the Gunns. Bowens was isolated as The Gunns, Jarrett & Lethal all did a quadruple Fargo Strut. Finally Caster got the hot tag and cleaned house, pulled the imaginary straps down and dropped Lethal with an Angle Slam. The Gunns finally turned on Lethal & Jarrett as Satnam Singh got in the ring and threw The Gunns outside. Danhausen tried to curse Singh, but Dutt shoved him away. Danhausen broke the pencil, booted Dutt, as Cassidy hit an Orange Punch, low blow by Danhausen and Fame Asser by Daddy Ass on Singh.
The Gunns low blowed their father, as The Acclaimed picked them both apart. The Arrival and Mic Drop on Austin, but Colten made the save. Bowens was sent into the crowd, as Lethal tossed Jarrett a guitar, but Caster avoided, tried for a guitar shot of his own, but referee Aubrey stopped him. Lethal smacked Caster with the Golden Globe and Jarrett hit The Stroke for two. Aubrey & Jarrett had a shoving contest, as Taz mentioned a potential DQ, which, after everything we’ve just seen? Really? Danhausen missed a pump kick on Colten, as The Gunns wiped him out with 3:10 to Yuma to retain the titles.
Post match, Renee Paquette interviewed The Gunns, who claim to be the best tag team in the world until FTR’s music hit to a huge ovation. Dax & Cash walked out and slugged it out with The Gunns, planting Colten with a spike piledriver and Austin with Shatter Machine. Dax was busted open in the brief brawl, as FTR held up the tag team titles.
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MJF defeated Bryan Danielson in a 60 Minute Iron Man Match 4 falls to 3 in Sudden Death to retain the AEW World Title
(So much happened in this match and both Danielson & MJF made sure the crowd peaked at the right time. When we got to the Sudden Death, the crowd was molten hot and couldn’t believe how this ended. MJF showed the world he could hold his own with Danielson, as these two men both put on a spectacular main event to a really fun PPV.)
Excalibur noted there are no rest periods between falls. Danielson got his standard entrance, while MJF had violin players in masks playing his theme, as MJF walked out wearing his devil mask from Full Gear. MJF stalled for the first minute, then tried to out grapple Danielson, only to draw a smirk. Both men matched each other move for move , as it was a flat out back and forth early on before both kipped up into the stalemate. MJF jumped into the crowd, dumped a trashcan at a fan and threw a drink on a child. MJF popped Taz, as he looked into the crowd asking Dave if this will cost him a star and the Bryan Danielson Award. More reversals back inside before Danielson lit up MJF with kicks, only for MJF to drive Danielson face first into the corner and control the action.
After multiple back body drops, Danielson gave a Jushin Liger pose, but MJF drove him shoulder first into the corner and got a water break. MJF burned too much time messing with the fans, as Danielson hit a baseball slide, but during his Tope, MJF threw Danielson’s shoulder into the railing and a DDT spike back inside. Danielson hit a sunset flip powerbomb out of the corner 15 minutes into the match, as kicks and charging corner dropkicks followed. A corner hurricanrana got Danielson two, but MJF answered with a double stomp to the bad arm and powerbomb onto his knee. Danielson tried to skin the cat, but MJF hit a superkick and HBK pose.
MJF tried a springboard moonsault to the floor, tweaked his knee and Danielson hit his Tope. Danielson nearly dove into the Salt of the Earth, as MJF hit a Made in Japan to spike Danielson for two. An extended series of nearfalls of nearly every variety led to both men trading lariats into the double down. Danielson kipped up first and hit a Busaiku Knee to take go up 1-0 at the 26 minute mark. MJF hit a low blow to fall behind 2-0 via disqualification, but pinned Danielson immediately after twice to even things up 2-2.
Danielson blocked the Heat Seeker, responded with a missile dropkick, but each man ran into lariats from the other outside. Danielson hit a sprinting dropkick at the 30 minute mark and locked on the Figure Four inside, but a rope break got MJF free. Both traded piledriver attempts on the apron before Danielson chopped MJF down with kicks. While set up in the corner, MJF sent Danielson to the floor and wiggled free the camera set up on the ring post. MJF cleared the ring attendant table, set up Danielson and hit a massive top rope elbow through the table. Danielson broke the count at nine, but MJF made him pay, as he hit a Tombstone through the remnants of the table, clutching his bad knee, as Danielson is busted open.
Heat Seeker connected flush and MJF went up 3-2 with 19 minutes remaining. Now comes the MJF trash talk, as he looks at the camera mentioning Danielson’s children and telling him he F’ng sucks. With 15 minutes left, Danielson has nothing behind his punches as MJF blew a snot rocket at him. The action spilled outside and Danielson launched MJF into the railing and hit a diving knee off the apron. Danielson connected with a high cross body off the top to the floor, as MJF was crotched back inside in the corner. A superplex led to a diving headbutt that busted MJF opened badly, as he’s bleeding a gusher that would make Jon Moxley proud. Busaiku Knee led to a Regal Stretch to pay homage to William Regal, as MJF tapped with 10 minutes left to even things 3-3.
Danielson wasted too much time and MJF quickly sank in Salt of the Earth, as Danielson countered to the LeBell Lock, but the blood allowed MJF to wiggle free and get the arm bar back on. After trapping nearly every limb, Danielson got his toe on the rope. Headbutt and forearm exchange led to both collapsing with Danielson smiling and MJF crying at the 5 minute mark. Danielson hit a home run forearm, but MJF answered with another Heat Seeker for two. MJF connected with an Avalanche Tombstone, but MJF took too long to make the cover and Danielson got a single leg crab with a minute left. MJF tapped right after the bell sounded. Justin Roberts announced the match as a Draw and the crowd was furious.
Tony Schiavone said he got word from Tony Khan backstage and made his way to the ring, as MJF was being administered oxygen by doctors. Sudden Death Rules announced as Danielson nearly got a school boy, as MJF got a low blow and school boy of his own for two. MJF tried to use the belt, as referee Bryce said go ahead and get DQ’d, as MJF got Diamond Ring, missed and Danielson hit a Poison Rana and Busiaku Knee, but MJF kicked out. Danielson locked in the half crab, as Bryce noticed the ring and took it from MJF. A rope break by MJF, but he tapped at the same time, as Danielson thought he won. MJF grabbed the oxygen tank left ringside for some reason and I can’t believe Bryce never saw this. MJF applied the LeBell Lock to an unconscious Danielson, but the arm wouldn’t drop for three. Danielson started to fade and shocked everyone when he tapped and MJF retained the title.
A new World Trios Championship match has been added to Revolution.
On Friday’s Rampage, it was announced that The Elite will take on The House of Black in a match for the titles on March 5 in San Francisco. Earlier in the show, The Young Bucks were wrestling Aussie Open when the lights momentarily went out. After The Young Bucks won the match, the lights went out again, this time with The House of Black appearing on the apron when the lights came back up. But just as quickly as they appeared, they then disappeared.
The House of Black have been targeting The Elite in recent weeks. On last week’s Rampage, The Elite defeated AR Fox and Top Flight to retain the Trios titles. After the match, The House of Black appeared on the stage, then left, similar to what they did on this week’s show.
Here is the updated lineup for next Sunday’s Revolution card in San Jose:
AEW Revolution, Sunday, March 5 —
60-minute iron man match for the AEW World Championship: MJF (c) vs. Bryan Danielson
AEW Women’s World Championship: Jamie Hayter (c) vs. Ruby Soho vs. Saraya
TNT Championship: Samoa Joe (c) vs. Wardlow
AEW World Tag Team Championship: The Gunns (c) vs. The Acclaimed vs. Jeff Jarrett & Jay Lethal vs. TBD
AEW World Trios Championship: The Elite (c) vs. The House of Black
Chris Jericho vs. Ricky Starks — everyone banned from ringside
The AEW Trios titles will be on the line in a rematch on a special early edition of AEW Rampage.
Reigning champions Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks will defend against Top Flight & AR Fox after they challenged the champions to a second match during Wednesday’s Dynamite.
This week’s show will start at 7 PM Eastern due to the Slam Dunk competition as part of NBA All-Star Weekend.
TBS Champion Jade Cargill will look to keep both her undefeated streak and title reign going as she defends against VertVixen. This is a rematch from a December title eliminator match.
After Daniel Garcia ended last week’s gauntlet match that would have given Ricky Starks another match with Chris Jericho, Starks and Garcia will have a one-on-one matchup.
In a grudge match that has built for weeks, Swerve Strickland will take on Dustin Rhodes. Strickland and his crew laid out Rhodes recently and have targeted the second generation star.
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Taped in Laredo, Texas, it’s AEW Rampage Slam Dunk!
Jim Ross, Tony Schiavone, Chris Jericho and Excalibur were on commentary.
Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks (w/ Brandon Cutler and Michael Nakazawa) defeated Top Flight & AR Fox to retain the AEW World Trios Championship (10:23)
Everyone wore NBA All Star 2023 T-Shirts because corporate synergy is a good thing. Except for JR. Well he’s more of a football guy anyway. The Elite did their entire elaborate entrance and the crowd sang along with their music.
Don Callis joined the commentary team for this match. The opening sequence involved a jump ball into an atomic drop, and Nick beaning his own brother in the head with a basketball. AR Fox did a pair of over the rope dives on the Bucks and Omega, then repeated the dive on the Bucks with a basketball. It’s a 3 pointer! Because basketball!
The silliness with the basketball continued with the Elite passing the ball around AR Fox, then tossing it up in the air to Fox. When Fox went up to grab the ball, the Bucks superkicked him.
After a commercial, Nick took Fox down with a bulldog. Fox came back with an iconoclasm on Nick into a cutter, and got the tag to Dante Martin. Martin flew all over the ring on Omega, getting a near fall with a crossbody block. Dante flipped out of a snap dragon suplex and hit an enziguri. Darius Martin got the tag and hit a Spanish Fly on Matt. Darius came off the top with a double stomp (while throwing the basketball at the Elite), and Fox hit a 450 splash for a near fall.
Matt Jackson came back to powerbomb Fox in the corner while his brother and Omega connected with kicks. Nick hit a senton on Fox and Darius while they were hung up in the ropes by Omega and Matt Jackson. Omega set up Darius for the V-trigger, but Dante flew in with a springboard clothesline. AR Fox hit a double cutter on Nick and Omega (out of a kip up, because he’s insane). Matt caught Fox in the corner and beat him down. Fox tried a moonsault, but the Elite wiped him out with a triple superkick. Nick hit Top Flight with an escalera on the floor, and Omega hit Fox with the One Winged Angel for the pinfall. It felt like the packed 25 minutes of action into this.
After the match, the lights went out, and members of the House of Black appeared on the stage. Then the lights went out, and they were gone. This was interprted as a challenge from the House of Black for the World Trios titles. Yes, please.
– Lexi Nair interviewed the Gunn Club. They’re trying to make “welcome to the Gunn show!” a thing. I don’t think it’s working.
– Mark Henry tried to interview Orange Cassidy about his 18 match winning streak, but they were interrupted by ROH Pure Champion Wheeler Yuta. Yuta was salty about the treatment he received when he was with the Best Friends. They didn’t teach him anything and treated Yuta like a clown. Then they replaced him with a clown! Yuta challenged Cassdiy for his All Atlantic Title. Cassidy didn’t want to be Yuta’s teacher, but his friend. Cassidy accepts Yuta’s challenge. This match was made official for Dynamite later in the show.
Ricky Starks defeated Daniel Garcia (8:38 aired)
Starks did the Undertaker’s rope walk on Garcia, which Jericho noted was “quite the undertaking.” Garcia caught Starks with a dragon screw leg whip in the ropes, then sent him to the floor with a shoulder block.
During the split-screen break, Garcia delivered a really nice float-over suplex and worked over Starks’ leg. After the break, Starks went for the spear but he collapsed because of his bad leg. Starks caught Garcia charging in with a clothesline. Starks hit an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Starks hit a blue thunder bomb for another near fall. Starks blocked Garica’s attempt at a dragon screw legwhip, but Garcia hit a uranage for near fall. Garcia locked Starks in the Dragon Tamer (aka Scorpion Deathlock or Sharpshooter). Starks tried to make the ropes but Sammy Guevara came out to pull the ropes away. Action Andretti ran in to attack Guevara and they brawled to the back.
Back in the ring, Starks hit Garcia with the spear, then delivered the roshambeaux to get the pinfall.
After the match, Guevara came back out the commentary area and demanded a match with Action Andretti. This match was made official for next week’s Rampage later in the show.
– A promo on Evil Uno aired to attmped to make him a credible competitor against Jon Moxley.
Jade Cargill (w/ Leila Grey) defeated VertVixen to retain the TBS Championship (1:09)
Cargill already beat VertVixen in an eliminator match in December. Has Cargill really squashed the entire women’s roster that we have to reuse non-challengers?
Cargill did some push-ups, hit a pump kick and delivered the Jaded Slam for the pinfall. Jade is now 53-0.
Mark Henry got his split-screen interview segment back after missing it the last few weeks. “Trench” was missing, and Strickland thought Rhodes was responsible. I thought for sure this meant “Trench” (which has to be the worst name in wrestling) was going to appear but he did not.
Boudreaux tried to attack Rhodes in the aisle, but Rhodes hit him with a turnbuckle. Rhodes and Strickland brawled around ringside. Back in the ring, Rhodes hammered Strickland in the corner with right hands. Strickland cut off Rhodes’ attempt at the bionic elbow with a right. Rhodes took Strickland down with a “release” german suplex. I can’t recall Rhodes ever doing that move. Strickland caught Rhodes with a kick in the corner, then came off the apron with a pump kick onto the floor. Rhodes was slouched against the steel barricade, and Strickland dove in with a dropkick. Rhodes came up bleeding, and Strickland worked over the cut into a split-screen break.
After the break, Rhodes was sporting the crimson mask, and Swerve caught him with a kick. Rhodes bounced up, no sold punches from Strickland, and hit a spinning powerslam. Rhodes hit a pair of lariats and the drop-down uppercut. Rhodes hit a code red for a near fall.
Swerve and Rhodes exchanged kicks, and then collided in mid ring when they both went for cross body-blocks. Rhodes and Strickland brawled to the ring apron. Swerve hit a death valley driver on the ring apron, but only got a two count when they rolled back into the ring. Swerve went to the top but Rhodes caught him and superplexed him down. Then Rhodes followed up with a piledriver and Swerve kicked out.
Rhodes hit Swerve with the CrossRhodes, then hit his Final Reckoning. He went for the pin, but Boudreaux pulled Rhodes out of the ring and sent him into the ring steps. Referee Aubrey Edwards called for the disqualification.
Swerve and Boudreaux worked over Rhodes in the ring. A gaggle of security goons came out, but Boudreaux dispatched them easily. Boudreaux then pulled out a cinder block from under the ring. Boudreaux set Rhodes’ head on the cinder block, but Keith Lee’s music played! Boudreaux and Swerve looked to the stage for Lee, but he snuck up behind them. Boudreaux ate a discus forearm from Lee and the heels ran off. Lee helped Rhodes up to his feet while Strickland looked like he’d seen a ghost.
Final Comments:
Swerve Strickland is a fantastic heel and the main event was great. The opener was also great and set up a new program for the Elite for Revolution.
During the main event, other matches and segments announced for Dynamite were The Acclaimed v. Big Bill & Lee Moriarty, Saraya v. Skye Blue, interviews with Christian Cage and Bryan Danielson and a major annoucement from Tony Khan. Also, Aussie Open and Top Flight were added to the tag team battle royal.
A rematch between AEW Trios Champions The Elite and Top Flight & AR Fox will headline Friday’s AEW Rampage.
The show will air at 7 PM Eastern instead of 10 PM due to the Slam Dunk competition as part of NBA All-Star Weekend.
Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks first defeated Fox & the Martin brothers on the February 8th Rampage. The challengers confronted the champions backstage Wednesday and Omega accepted the challenge despite Don Callis’ objections.
In a grudge match weeks in the making, Swerve Strickland will face Dustin Rhodes. This began with Strickland and his crew interrupting Rhodes and disrespecting him in a backstage promo, followed up by the three leaving Rhodes laying last week.
TBS Champion Jade Cargill will defend her title in an open challenge match against VertVixen. The two squared off in a December title eliminator match on Rampage that Cargill won in five minutes.
As Ricky Starks looks to fight his way back to Chris Jericho, he will face JAS member Daniel Garcia. Garcia defeated Starks in last Wednesday’s gauntlet match to prevent him from getting the match he wants.
Here’s the current lineup that is being taped after Dynamite in Laredo, Texas:
Daniel Garcia vs. Ricky Starks
AEW Trios Champions The Elite defend against Top Flight & AR Fox
TBS Champion Jade Cargill defends against VertVixen
The Elite will look for their second straight AEW Trios title defense on this Wednesday’s Dynamite as they face Top Flight & AR Fox.
Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks accepted the challenge this past Wednesday, but were then confronted by The Firm’s Ethan Page, Matt Hardy & Isiah Kassidy. After defeating them to retain the titles on Friday’s Rampage, their next title match was made official.
Top Flight & Fox felt they earned an opportunity after winning the recent $300,000 Three Kings Christmas Casino trios royale and challenged The Elite two weeks ago.
Here’s the current lineup for this Wednesday:
AEW World Champion MJF vs. Konosuke Takeshita in a title eliminator match
AEW Women’s Champion Jamie Hayter vs. The Bunny in a title eliminator match
AEW Trios Champions The Elite defend against AR Fox & Top Flight
AEW Tag Team Champions The Acclaimed defend against The Gunns
Bryan Danielson vs. Rush
Garcia/Guevara gauntlet match: Ricky Starks vs. Angelo Parker, Ricky Starks vs. Matt Menard, Ricky Starks vs. Daniel Garcia or Sammy Guevara
