Coming off his well-received challenge of IWGP U.S. Champion Will Ospreay at Sunday’s Forbidden Door, Orange Cassidy will take on Ethan Page on Wednesday’s Blood & Guts edition of AEW Dynamite.
The match came about via a Dan Lambert challenge on social media, saying Cassidy is the epitome of lazy, undersized wrestlers that AEW fans like.
Cassidy lost to Ospreay on Sunday’s pay-per-view while Page is coming off a win on Monday’s Dark: Elevation over Serpentico. He failed to get into the All-Atlantic Championship four-way on Sunday, losing to Miro in a qualifying match.
It’s only the second match announced for Wednesday as the show is headlined by the Blood & Guts cage match. A Christian Cage promo was also announced earlier Tuesday.
Here’s the current lineup from Detroit, Michigan:
Blood & Guts match: Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara, Matt Menard, Angelo Parker, Daniel Garcia & Jake Hager vs. AEW interim World Champion Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta, Santana, Ortiz & Eddie Kingston
A mixed gender tag team match involving Sammy Guevara & Tay Conti against Paige VanZant and either Ethan Page or Scorpio Sky is “internally listed” for AEW Double or Nothing.
While the match has not been officially confirmed, our own Dave Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that he’s been told it is “tentatively scheduled” for the show.
“The plan for sure was a mixed tag. I know people who presume that still is the idea,” Meltzer said.
On AEW Rampage this week, Guevara, Conti, and Frankie Kazarian took a sledgehammer to the TNT title and said they would continue to do so until they got the match they wanted.
“I was outright told over the weekend that it was ‘listed’. Until it’s announced it’s not announced, they could do it a different way,” Meltzer continued. “But, I was actually outright told that that match is tentatively scheduled for the pay-per-view and that is probably where they would do it.”
Ethan Page will be in AEW for a while longer as his contract was reportedly extended, according to Fightful.
They didn’t specify how many years the extension was for, but that it’s “for years to come,” adding that the deal was actually extended in late-2021.
After several years in Impact Wrestling and the indies, Page signed with AEW in early-2021, making his debut as a surprise in the Face of the Revolution ladder match.
Shortly after he started, Page was paired up with TNT Champion Scorpio Sky and has mainly been a tag team competitor ever since. They have yet to earn a Tag Team title match, but Page has competed for the TNT title once, losing to then-champion Cody Rhodes.
Page and Sky are currently linked with ATT owner Dan Lambert and Paige VanZant, eventually working toward some kind of match with former TNT Champion Sammy Guevara and Tay Conti.
The 32-year-old has worked select indie dates since starting with AEW and has continued to grow his popular YouTube channel.
CM Punk will make his in-ring AEW Dynamite debut on the Wednesday, October 27 episode.
CM Punk vs. Bobby Fish has been announced for the show. The match was set up on Saturday Night Dynamite after Fish defeated Anthony Greene. Following his win, Fish continued to attack Greene. Punk then ran in to make the save.
A TNT Championship match was also added to Wednesday’s Dynamite.
Sammy Guevara will defend the TNT title against Ethan Page. American Top Team’s Dan Lambert issued the challenge for Page on Dynamite. Should Guevara win, The Inner Circle will get a five-on-five match against American Top Team at the Full Gear pay-per-view on Saturday, November 13.
An eight-man tag team match has also been announced for Dynamite.
The Elite foursome of Kenny Omega, Matt Jackson, Nick Jackson and Adam Cole will take on Dark Order’s John Silver, Colt Cabana, Evil Uno and Stu Grayson in an eight-man tag.
Here is the full lineup announced for Dynamite:
AEW Dynamite, Wednesday, October 27, 8 p.m. Eastern time —
TNT Championship: Sammy Guevara vs. Ethan Page
AEW World title eliminator tournament first round: Jon Moxley vs. Preston “10” Vance
TBS Championship tournament first round: Hikaru Shida vs. Serena Deeb
CM Punk vs. Bobby Fish
The Elite (Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks & Adam Cole) vs. The Dark Order (John Silver, Colt Cabana, Evil Uno & Stu Grayson)
A six-man tag featuring former UFC star Junior dos Santos is set to take place on a special Saturday edition of AEW Dynamite next week.
The Inner Circle (Chris Jericho, Jake Hager, and Sammy Guevara) will take on The Men of the Year (Scorpio Sky and Ethan Page) and Junior dos Santos. This will be Dos Santos’ first professional wrestling match.
On tonight’s Dynamite, Guevara successfully retained his new TNT title against Bobby Fish. Dan Lambert, along with Dos Santos, Paige Van Zant, and other members of American Top Team, came out and distracted Guevara long enough for him to get laid out. Fuego Del Sol ran out, but was laid out as well. Jericho and Hager then ran in to even the odds.
Lambert said he wanted the six-man tag for next week, when they are in Miami. He also said that Jorge Masvidal would be in his team’s corner. Jericho accepted the match.
Due to NHL coverage, the next episode of Dynamite will air live on Saturday, October 16. It will take place at the James L. Knight Center in Miami, Florida. AEW Rampage will air a day prior on October 15.
Jim Ross will conduct a sit-down interview with Darby Allin and Ethan Page on this week’s Road Rager edition of AEW Dynamite.
Allin and Page are set to face each other in a coffin match in the near future. That match had originally been slated for Road Rager, but was later postponed.
Allin and Sting have been feuding with Page and Scorpio Sky’s Men of the Year tag team, including squaring off in Sting’s first match in front of live fans since 2015 at the Double or Nothing PPV in May. Page and Sky later defeated Allin in a handicap match on the Friday, June 18 edition of Dynamite. Prior to AEW, Allin and Page feuded in Evolve in 2016 and 2017.
Here is the announced lineup for Road Rager:
AEW Dynamite: Road Rager, Wednesday, July 7, 8 p.m. Eastern time —
AEW Tag Team Championship street fight: Young Bucks (c) vs. Penta El Zero Miedo & Eddie Kingston
Ethan Page and Darby Allin’s coffin match will not take place next week.
Page made the announcement after he was attacked by Allin during a segment on tonight’s Dynamite. He said that he wanted something in writing that Allin could not touch him ahead of the match, and guessed that the match could take place instead during Fyter Fest, which will be a two-week event on Dynamite later in July. The match was originally announced for next week’s Road Rager event.
Allin and Sting appeared as Page and Scorpio Sky were in the ring talking about the upcoming coffin match. Sting came out dragging a coffin onto the entranceway. Allin emerged from the coffin and attacked Page, going for his eyes.
Page and Sky have continued to feud with Allin and Sting since Double or Nothing, when the latter defeated the former in a tag match. Page and Sky, however, would later go on to defeat Allin in a handicap match. Page defeated Bear Bronson on Dynamite this past Saturday and challenged Allin to the coffin match, saying it wasn’t enough just to pin Allin.
Ethan Page has issued a challenge to Darby Allin to face him in a coffin match at AEW Road Rager on July 7.
Page made the challenge on tonight’s Saturday Night Dynamite.
After defeating Bear Bronson of Bear Country, Page cut a promo where he said that he is not done with Darby Allin. Page then repeatedly stated that he wants to be a nail in Allin’s coffin, then issued the challenge for Road Rager.
Allin and Sting have been feuding with Page and Scorpio Sky for the last several months on Dynamite. Allin and Sting defeated Page and Sky in a tag match at the Double or Nothing PPV on May 30, Sting’s first match in front of live fans since 2015. Page and Sky then defeated Allin in a handicap match on the Friday, June 18 edition of Dynamite.
Page is undefeated in singles matches since joining AEW as a surprise entrant in a ladder match at the Revolution PPV in March.
Prior to AEW, Allin and Page feuded extensively in the Evolve promotion in 2016 and 2017.
The Inner Circle will take on The Pinnacle in the second-ever Stadium Stampede match at tonight’s AEW Double or Nothing in Jacksonville, Florida.
The Inner Circle’s Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara, Jake Hager, Santana and Ortiz will face MJF, Wardlow, Dax Harwood, Cash Wheeler and Shawn Spears of The Pinnacle. If Jericho’s team loses, they must disband forever.
The show also features Sting returning to live in-ring action for the first time in over five years, teaming with Darby Allin against Scorpio Sky and Ethan Page.
Five titles will be on the line as Hikaru Shida’s reign of 373 days as Women’s Champion could come to an end as she defends the title against Dr. Britt Baker, DMD, while World Champion Kenny Omega defends the title against PAC and Orange Cassidy in a three-way.
The Young Bucks will defend the AEW Tag Team titles against Jon Moxley and Eddie Kingston while Miro will defend the TNT Championship against Lance Archer in his second title defense.
Hangman Page will be in action against Team Taz’s Brian Cage in a rematch, while Cody Rhodes will face Anthony Ogogo as the Nightmare Family vs. The Factory feud continues.
A 21-man Casino Battle Royale will be held for a future World title shot. Christian Cage, Matt Sydal, Powerhouse Hobbs, Penta El Zero Miedo, Jungle Boy, Matt Hardy, Marq Quen, Isiah Kassidy, The Blade, Evil Uno, Colt Cabana, Preston “10” Vance, Griff Garrison, Brian Pillman Jr., Max Caster, Anthony Bowens, QT Marshall, Nick Comoroto, Dustin Rhodes, Lee Johnson, plus a mystery competitor are in the match.
The Buy-In pre-show will feature an NWA Women’s title match as Serena Deeb defends her title against Riho in a rematch from the recent AEW Women’s title shot eliminator tournament.
Our live coverage begins with The Buy-In at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time.
**********
The Buy-In Pre-Show —
– Matt Hardy, flanked by Private Party, Blade, and Bunny, revealed that Blade is injuted and won’t be in the Casino Battle Royale. He will be replaced by a member of Private Party, and Hardy will cut their fees if they help him win the match.
– A Hikaru Shida vs. Britt Baker video package aired.
**********
NWA Women’s World Championship: Serena Deeb (c) defeated Riho (14:13)
In all my years watching wrestling, I can’t remember a better pre-show match than this one.
They performed some chain wrestling early, but neither wrestler could establish an advantage. Riho wanted to shake hands, but Deeb slapped her across the face. Riho returned the favor. Deeb landed a couple uppercuts, but Riho avoided the follow-up and hit a dropkick. She followed it up with a diving crossbody for two.
Riho went for a sunset flip, but Deeb countered and went for the Serenity Lock, forcing Riho to the ropes. Deeb caught a kick and turned it into a dragon screw. She beat Riho down with more uppercuts before focusing the attack on Riho’s knees. Deeb applied a guillotine choke over the ropes, establishing complete control of the match with a hanging neckbreaker for two.
Deeb used an inverted Gory Special before perching Riho up on the top rope. She went for a superplex, but Riho fought it off and landed a diving foot stop, inadvertently hurting her own knee in the process. Riho followed it up with forearms and a tijeras, concluding the flurry with a tiger feint kick for two.
Riho couldn’t follow up the attack as Deeb went for an octopus and then a jumping guillotine. Riho turned the guillotine into a Northern Lights suplex bridge for two. She draped Deeb over the ropes and went for a diving foot stomp on the apron, but Deeb moved out of the way and hit a dragon screw over the ropes. Back in the ring, Deeb hit a twisting neckbreaker for two.
They scrambled and fought, with Deeb eventually hitting a double-leg dragon screw and a stack powerbomb for two. Riho fought out of the Deeb-tox and hit a rising knee and a dragon suplex. She followed it up with a diving foot stomp to Deeb’s back. Deeb rolled through the meteora and locked on a single-leg crab, but Riho made it to the ropes.
Riho tried to fight off the attack, but Deeb hit yet another dragon screw. Riho fought out of the Deeb-tox and locked on a Japanese Clutch for a great near fall. Deeb smashed Riho’s leg repeatedly into the canvas and applied the Serenity Lock for the submission victory.
**********
Double or Nothing —
– Taz joined commentary for the opener.
Hangman Page defeated Brian Cage (12:03)
These two beat the devil out of each other, and the developments in the Cage-Team Taz discontent made sense.
Cage came out alone. Page was unbelievably popular. There was no feeling-out process as they went after each other right at the bell. Cage went for a suplex, but Page flipped out into a sliding lariat followed by his springboard clothesline. Cage had the follow-up scouted, but Page turned it into a tope suicida. He went for a plancha, but Cage caught Page out of midair and tossed him into the ring post.
Back in the ring, Cage beat Page down with strikes and throws. He picked Page up and curled him effortlessly, but Page turned it into a crucifix bomb for two. They exchanged clotheslines until Page clotheslined them both over the ropes to the floor. Page landed a top-rope Orihara moonsault to the floor.
They fought on the top rope and Page went for a Frankensteiner. Cage caught it and went for a powerbomb, but Page adjusted and hit the Frankensteiner for a near fall. Cage landed a thrust kick and tried to bring Page into the ring the hard way, but Page escaped and hit a discus forearm for two.
Cage fought out of Deadeye and hit a ripcord elbow. They had a counter exchange before Cage hit a one-arm neckbreaker for two. Cage hit another strike sequence and a throw that dropped Page over the ropes. Cage then suplexed Page over the ropes onto the ramp. He brought Page to the top rope with an avalanche F5, but Page kicked out.
It looked like Cage was about to steal Page’s Buckshot Lariat, but Page had it scouted and hit an F5 for two. Cage avoided the Buckshot and turned it into a German, a powerbomb, and a buckle bomb. Page jackknifed Cage for a great near fall, but Cage came back with a discus lariat and a spinning Liger bomb for a close near fall,
Ricky Starks and HOOK came out and distracted the referee. Starks passed the FTW Championship to Cage, but Cage tossed it out of the ring and argued with HOOK. Page took advantage with the Buckshot Lariat for the win.
– After the match, Cage and Starks got in each other’s face. Cage shoved Starks and walked off.
**********
– Don Callis joined commentary for this match. The crowd was loud singing “Wild Thing” for Moxley and Kingston’s entrance. Nick Jackson has some hilariously dyed hair.
AEW World Tag Team Championships: The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson) (c) (w/ Brandon Cutler) defeated Jon Moxley & Eddie Kingston (21:07)
This was absolutely fantastic, just a notch below the Bucks’ classics with Page/Omega and FTR.
Moxley and Kingston attacked during the Bucks’ entrance. They paired off and brawled on the floor. Moxley moved to the stands and chugged a fan’s beer. Cutler tried to spray cold spray on Nick, so Moxley and Kingston killed him with their half-and-half clothesline tag finisher, called the Violent Crown.
The match was finally underway as Kingston beat down Nick with knees. They double-teamed Nick and Kingston hit an STO for two. Nick fought out of Kobashi chops with a thumb to the eye, allowing the Bucks to take advantage with a series of double teams on Kingston.
The Bucks show-boated until Kingston flapjacked Nick over the top rope. Matt tagged in and kicked out Kingston’s leg before sending Moxley into the barricade on the floor. Matt referenced Super Dragon with a fake babyface hot tag, complete with repeated clotheslines and a ten-count of right hands.
Moxley tripped Matt up and clotheslined him on the floor. Nick tagged in, but Kingston caught him and hit an exploder, allowing him to tag in Moxley. Moxley exploded out with a shotgun dropkick before flattening both Bucks with release suplexes. A sit-out piledriver was next for two. As Matt kicked out, Moxley locked on the Bulldog Choke, but Nick broke it up. Moxley hit a double DDT on both Bucks.
Karl Anderson walked out. Doc Gallows tried to surprise Kingston, but Kingston took him out with a running splash. Frankie Kazarian then ran out and took out Anderson. With the official distracted, Matt sprayed cold spray in Moxley’s eyes, but Moxley kicked out. Moxley was busted open on his forehead.
The Young Bucks killed Moxley with an Indytaker on the ramp. They decided to retain by count-out, but Moxley rolled into the ring. Matt worked over Moxley’s cut forehead before tagging in Nick, who hit a draping senton for two. The Bucks beat down Moxley with repeated kicks and tags, isolating him in their corner.
The Bucks went for Roman Reigns’ spear, “oooh-ahhh” included, but Moxley fought out and crushed Nick with a backdrop suplex, allowing him to tag in Kingston. Kingston dropped both Bucks with right hands before a belly-to-belly on Nick and a Taue-esque enziguiri DDT on Matt. He locked on the Kawada stretch plum and shrugged off Nick’s attempts to break it up. Machine gun chops followed, but Nick landed a thrust kick on Kingston’s knee.
The Bucks regained control with an assisted Sliced Bread for two. Nick went for a senton bomb, but Kingston got his knees up and tagged in Moxley, who immediately ran into stereo superkicks. They went for More Bang For Your Buck, but Moxley fought out and locked on a rear naked choke. Nick rolled out of the choke and Matt landed a 450 splash for two.
Kingston pulled Nick off the apron on a Meltzer Driver attempt, but Nick tripped up Moxley on the Violent Crown attempt. Moxley intercepted the Meltzer Driver again and used one of the Bucks’ Dior Jordans as a distraction, allowing he and Kingston to hit a shoe-assisted Doomsday Device for a great near fall as Nick broke it up.
Moxley caught a superkick but Nick flipped out of a Paradigm Shift and locked on a Sharpshooter. After a long fight, Kingston broke it up and we got a parade of big moves, including a backdrop driver. Moxley hit the Paradigm Shift on Nick, but Matt broke up the pin.
Nick kicked out Kingston’s leg, but Moxley locked on a sleeper. Matt came in and the Bucks crushed Moxley with superkicks, but Moxley came back with a double clothesline. The numbers advantage was too much as the Bucks hit repeated superkicks until Moxley kicked out at one.
Moxley fired up with blood on his face and wild eyes but was met with double superkicks. Kingston tried to get involved, but the Bucks kicked out his leg and then superkicked him. The Bucks hit the BTE Trigger, but Moxley shrugged it off. They then hit four more BTE Triggers, pinning Moxley for the win.
**********
– Two injury replacements were announced for the Casino Battle Royale: The Blade is being replaced by Serpentico and QT Marshall is being replaced by Aaron Solow.
– Paul Wight joined commentary for the Casino Battle Royale.
Jungle Boy won the Casino Battle Royale for a shot at the AEW World Championship (23:29)
The crowd loves Jungle Boy, and if Lio Rush has signed, he’s a great pickup.
The first suit was Clubs, which included Christian Cage, Matt Sydal, Powerhouse Hobbs, Dustin Rhodes, and Max Caster, who rapped as usual. Caster eliminated Sydal within the first two minutes, but then Christian eliminated Caster as the crowd counted down for the next suit.
Next was Diamonds, which included Matt Hardy, Isiah Kassidy, Preston “10” Vance, Nick Comoroto, and Serpentico. Hardy and Kassidy attacked 10 during the entrance, but 10 fought them off, powerbombing Kassidy on the ramp. Luther came out with Serpentico and tossed him into the ring. 10 immediately killed Serpentico with a rebound German and eliminated him.
10 and Comoroto faced off in the middle of the ring. 10 hit repeated clotheslines, but Comoroto cut him off with a spear. Comoroto tried to eliminate 10, but Dustin showed up and eliminated them both. Comoroto then crushed Dustin with a cowbell bullrope, allowing Hobbs to eliminate Dustin. Christian hit the Killswitch on Hobbs, but didn’t eliminate him. Hardy and Christian faced off, but Kassidy attacked Christian from behind.
Next was Hearts: the Varsity Blonds, Colt Cabana, Anthony Bowens, and Penta El Zero Miedo. Penta had a special Joker costume. The Blonds immediately attacked Hardy and Kassidy, as did Cabana. Bowens hit a big DDT. Penta ran wild on everyone and led the crowd in a “Cero Miedo” chant. Kassidy eliminated Cabana from behind, saving Hardy. The Blonds hit a Hart attack and eliminated Bowens. Hardy eliminated Griff Garrison, but the cameras missed it. The fans performed a loud “Brian Pillman” chant.
Last was Spades: Jungle Boy, Marq Quen, Aaron Solow, Evil Uno, and Lee Johnson. Jungle Boy faced off With Penta, who took him down with Sling Blades and a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Private Party eliminated Pillman after Gin ‘n’ Juice. Johnson eliminated Solow, and Hardy eliminated Johnson. Penta eliminated Uno after a front face kick, but then Jungle boy eliminated Penta with a running hurricanrana in a great spot.
Hobbs re-entered the fray and ran wild on everyone, including a big spinebuster on Kassidy, who let out a nice scream. Christian avoided a corner splash and eliminated Hobbs. Hardy and both members of Private Party were left, as was Christian and Jungle Boy.
The Joker was Lio Rush, who entered with a crossbody on Kassidy and a reverse hurricanrana on Quen. Rush hit a Spanish Fly on Kassidy but was cut off by Hardy. He was able to kind of hit a stunner on Hardy after rebounding off the ropes. Rush was about to eliminate Private Party, but Hardy ran in and eliminated Rush.
Hardy hit the Side Effect on Jungle Boy, but Jungle Boy came back with a rebound lariat. Jungle Boy eliminated Kassidy and then Hardy inadvertently eliminated Quen when going for a dropkick on Jungle Boy. Hardy pleaded with Christian to work together, but Christian dumped him over the top for the elimation.
Christian and Jungle Boy were the final two. Christian tried to eliminate Jungle Boy, who fought him off, so Christian came back with a diving clothesline. Christian avoided the rebound lariat and hit an inverted DDT. Jungle Boy countered the follow-up and nearly eliminated Christian, who was getting booed at this point. They fought on the apron, where Christian went for the Killswitch. He pushed Jungle Boy into the ring post, but Jungle Boy rotated around and backdropped Christian to the floor to win.
– After the match, Luchasaurus and Marko Stunt came out to celebrate. Christian told Jungle Boy to make the most of the opportunity and pumped him up.
**********
– AEW roster member Shawn Dean as well as members of a military service animal organization were recognized. A video packaged played thanking veterans on Memorial Day weekend.
“The American Dream” Cody Rhodes (w/ Arn Anderson) defeated Anthony Ogogo (w/ QT Marshall) (11:02)
You could tell this was Ogogo’s PPV debut, but he held his own out there. The crowd never fully bought into the match or story.
Ogogo threw a right hand but Cody caught it and forced him into the ropes. Cody hit the Rhodes drop-down right hand but was met with a body shot and an Olympic slam from Ogogo for two. Cody came back with a snap powerslam, but Ogogo stomped on Cody’s midsection.
Cody avoided a punch and took Ogogo down into Cattle Mutilation before his bridge broke and he had to let it go. Ogogo rolled to the floor and intercepted a tope with a right hand. Back in the ring, Ogogo hit a German suplex and continued the attack on Cody’s midsection. Ogogo distracted the referee, allowing QT to smack Cody with a cheap shot, which baited Arn.
It looked as if Cody briefly regained control, but Ogogo turned it into a fireman’s carry slam for two. Cody hit a knee strike, leading to both men re-grouping with their corner men. Ogogo sold his eye and was cut on his forehead. Cody cut off some wild swings by Ogogo and took him down with a bulldog. The Cody Cutter followed.
Cody placed Ogogo on the top rope, but Ogogo landed a right jab, sending Cody to the mat. Ogogo went back to the top rope and hit a picture-perfect frog splash for two. Cody came back with a dropkick and locked on the Figure Four. Ogogo tried to punch out of it with a left jab, getting a two count and allowing Ogogo to reverse the pressure.
A beaten-down Cody surprised Ogogo by going for Cross Rhodes, but Ogogo landed another body shot. He went for a cover, but Cody was under the ropes. A shoulder hang neckbreaker got two. Ogogo went for Guv’nor’s Hammer, but Cody turned it into the Vertebreaker for the win.
**********
– Video was shown of Miro attacking Jake Roberts during the Shida/Baker weigh-in yesterday. Roberts didn’t come out with Archer.
This was like an Archer G1 match: a quick sprint with some hot action.
Archer attacked before the match with a flying crossbody. They collided with clotheslines, but Archer downed Miro with a boot. Archer walked the ropes and hit a moonsault, but Miro kicked out at one and rolled to the floor. Archer chokeslammed Miro through a table at ringside. Miro rolled to the floor. Archer tried to pounce him, but Miro caught the attack and sent him over the barricade into fans in the front row.
Back in the ring, Miro continued the beatdown until Archer exploded out with a running crossbody. Miro came back with a spinning heel kick. He used Archer’s hair to land ripcord mid kicks until Archer caught one and hit a ripcord lack hole slam for two. Archer climbed the ropes and went for a moonsault, but Miro avoided it and hit a Samoan drop for two.
Miro hyped himself up in the corner, but Jake Roberts came out with his bag, implying the snake was in it. Miro effortlessly beat Roberts down and tossed the bag up the ramp. He went to continue the attack on Roberts but was cut off with a chokeslam from Archer for two.
Archer perched Miro on the top rope, where they exchanged slaps. Miro fought out of Blackout and kicked out Archer’s legs, but Archer surprised Miro with a pounce. Upon re-entering the ring, Miro kicked the rope so it hit Archer low before crushing him with a suplex and a thrust kick. Miro locked on Game Over, laid in knee strikes to Archer’s spine, and locked it on again for the referee stoppage.
**********
– The return to Chicago for AEW All Out was announced.
AEW Women’s World Championship: Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. (w/ Rebel) defeated Hikaru Shida (c) (18:18)
This wasn’t very good. Baker’s had a couple nice performances but she’s still not all the way there.
They exchanged strikes right away. Shida laid in knee strikes, but Baker immediately went for the Lockjaw. Shida came back with a Tamashii attempt, but Baker rolled out of the way. A cradle exchange got a series of two counts. Baker avoided a dropkick and rolled out of the ring to regroup with Rebel. She baited Shida into following her and surprised Shida with a kick upon re-entry.
Baker tried to maintain control, but Shida hit a tijeras and sent Baker to the floor where she tossed Shida into the barricade. Shida set up a chair and went for her rising knee before turning around into a crossbody on both Baker and Rebel. Baker regained control with a kick and brought Shida back into the ring.
Back in the ring, Baker hit a curb stomp. She put on the glove for the Lockjaw, but Shida rolled out of the way. Baker hit a butterfly suplex for two. Shida avoided a corner attack but was sent face-first into the corner with a facebuster for two. Shida shrugged off some right hands and came back with a Thesz press.
Shida landed repeated knee strikes in the corner before a vertical suplex got two. A knee strike to the back of Baker’s head got two more. They traded strikes and kicks until Baker hit a fisherman’s neckbreaker for two. Shida avoided a curb stomp and went for the stretch muffler, but Baker made it to the ropes.
Baker came back with a thrust kick and the sling blade. An air raid crash followed for two. She fought to apply the Lockjaw, but Shida fought for the ropes, so Baker transitioned to a crossface. Shida rolled through and Baker was forced to relinquish the hold. Shida hit a hard German suplex and a running elbow for two.
They fought on the top rope, where Baker escaped momentarily. Baker then brought Shida in the hard way with a suplex for two. Baker came back with a roll-up for two, but Shida kicked out and locked on the stretch muffler. Rebel distrated Shida but inadvertently whacked Baker with the crutch for two. Shida followed it up with a falcon arrow for a good near fall before the official ejected Rebel.
Baker used the distraction to hit Shida with the belt and hit the curb stomp for a great near fall. Baker went for the Lockjaw, but Shida rolled Baker up to escape. Shida came back with a jumping knee and hit the Tamashii for yet another close near fall. Baker rolled Shida up with a crucifix for two before finally locking on the Lockjaw to win the championship.
– After the match, Schiavone entered the ring to join Baker’s celebration.
**********
– Before the match, a video played of Sting and Darby Allin driving in a convertible. Sting said “it’s show time.” This is Sting’s first live match in six years.
This was a ton of fun. Sting looked to be in fantastic shape –– this wasn’t Allin working 90% of the match by himself, as Sting more than held his own.
Allin took out Page with a tope suicida before the bell. Sky suplexed Sting on the ramp, but Sting popped back up and tossed Sky off the ramp onto Page before landing a diving crossbody on both opponents. That was awesome.
The bell finally rang with Allin and Sky in the ring. Allin and Sting worked together as Sting used Allin as a battering ram before Sting hit a running bulldog. They isolated Sky with frequent tags until Allin locked on a Fujiwara armbar. He went for a rope-walk arm drag, but Page swept out Allin’s age, allowing Sky and Page to take control.
Sky and Page beat down Allin, tossing him all over the place. They targeted Allin’s midsection and taunted Sting. Allin finally escaped a double team and tagged in Sting, but the official didn’t see the tag. Page press slammed Allin right onto Allin’s family at ringside in an insane spot. After a long recovery, Page went for the Ego’s Edge, but Allin locked on a sleeper and hit the over-the-top stunner, allowing him to reach Sting for the tag.
Sting ran wild on Sky with clotheslines before hitting a Stinger Splash on both opponents. He dispatched Sky and hit a Code Red on Page for two. Loud “you still got it” chants. Allin went to the top rope, but Sky took him down and Page attacked Sting from behind. Page then hit an inverted Ego’s Edge on Allin onto Sting, but Allin fought out of the follow-up and Sting locked on the Scorpion Deathlock. Sting wasn’t the legal man, so Allin applied the Fujiwara Armbar.
Sky entered the fray and slapped on the heel hook on Allin. Page and Allin, the two men locked in submissions, slapped and gouged at each other’s eyes until everyone let go of the holds. Sting and Sky tagged in and exchanged right hands until Sky tried to chop down Sting. Sting fired up, but Sky avoided the Stinger Splash. Sky went for the slingshot cutter, but Sting countered it and hit the Scorpion Death Drop for the win.
This was unbelievable for 90% of its duration. Your mileage may vary on the over-booking at the finish.
PAC went after Omega right away, but Omega escaped to the ropes. Omega surprised Orange with a running forearm as he and PAC faced off in the ring. Omega downed PAC with a shoulder block, but PAC came back with a kip-up and a bicycle kick. They both went for running crossbodies as Orange was the lone man standing early on.
Orange went to put his hands in his pockets but hit a hurricanrana on both opponents. He followed it up with a tope suicida on PAC and a swinging DDT on Omega for two. Orange went for the Orange Punch, but Omega countered it and PAC took Orange down with a hurricanrana. An Asai moonsault from PAC followed.
PAC climbed the ropes and leveled Orange with a missile dropkick. He did the same to Omega before a diving dropkick with one leg hitting each opponent. Omega countered a corner attack and hit You Can’t Escape on PAC, making sure to land a backstabber on Orange in the process. A back suplex to PAC only got one.
Omega laid in chops on PAC, but PAC came back, leading to a forearm exchange. Omega booted PAC into the corner, but a cazadora cradle from Orange surprised Omega for two. Omega cut Orange off with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. A second backbreaker from Omega got two. Omega tried to beat Orange down with forearms to the back, but PAC pulled Orange to the floor, where Omega hit a baseball slide on both opponents. Omega then hit the Terminator dive on both opponents.
Back in the ring, Orange countered a suplex into a stunner. A cradle exchange got multiple near falls until PAC came in with a 450 splash on both opponents. Omega crushed PAC with a snap dragon suplex before doing two more to Orange. Omega called for V-Triggers and hit one on Orange, but PAC avoided it and flattened Omega with a German. Omega used Orange to run interference as PAC hit a thrust kick on Orange and Omega downed PAC with a lariat.
Omega hit a V-Trigger on Orange before looking for an avalanche dragon suplex. Orange powered out of it by putting his hands in his pockets, blocking the suplex. PAC popped up and landed an avalanche release German on Omega. Orange hit a diving hands-in-pockets senton on PAC on the floor and kipped up in the ring. Omega booted Orange and hit the Jay Driller for two.
PAC went for a springboard, but Omega cut it off into One-Winged Angel position. PAC tried to fight out, but Omega turned it into a German suplex bridge for two. Omega toyed with Orange and just starched him with a series of short knees. Orange put his hands up and into his pockets, but just collapsed from exhaustion.
Omega tried to pin Orange, but PAC entered the fray, leading to a strike exchange. Orange came in with a Michinoku driver on Omega but PAC hit Orange with a brainbuster for two. PAC perched Orange on the top rope and went for a superplex, but Omega interrupted it and put PAC in the electric chair. Omega climbed the ropes, looking for an avalanch One-Winged Angel, but PAC turned it into a sunset bomb and hit an avalanche falcon arrow. Orange ran in to steal the pin, but Omega kicked out for a fantastic near fall.
PAC and Orange faced off in the center of the ring, with PAC incensed that Orange tried to steal his pin. Orange hit his weak kicks, so PAC low-blowed him. Apparently there are no DQs in AEW three-ways. PAC landed a Fosbury Flop on Omega and the Black Arrow on Orange, but Omega broke up the pin at the last second.
Omega avoided a Black Arrow and set PAC up for the One-Winged Angel, but PAC locked on the Brutalizer. Orange came in with the Orange Punch on PAC and the Beach Break on Omega for another awesome near fall. Orange caught another low blow attempt from PAC and fought out of a powerbomb, landing the Orange Punch on both opponents.
Callis cursed and left the commentary table. Orange hit the Beach Break on PAC, but Callis pulled the official out of the ring. Orange went to the top rope and fought off Omega, but PAC caught the diving DDT and locked on the Brutalizer. Omega tried to break up the hold, but PAC wouldn’t let go, so Omega attacked the official and laid out PAC with his belts.
Orange popped up and took out Omega with an Orange Punch. Aubrey Edwards ran out to count the pin, but Omega kicked out at two and locked on a crucifix pin for three to win and retain the title.
**********
– AEW Full Gear was announced for Saturday, November 6 in St. Louis.
– Tony Schiavone introduced Mark Henry as the newest analyst for AEW Rampage, the company’s new TNT show.
Announced for Dynamite this week:
Dustin Rhodes vs. Nick Comoroto in a Bullrope match
Young Bucks vs. PAC & Penta El Zero Miedo
Cody Rhodes & Lee Johnson vs. QT Marshall & Anthony Ogogo
Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D. Championship Celebration
In two weeks:
AEW World Championship: Kenny Omega (c) vs. Jungle Boy
**********
– Inner Circle rappelled down from an advertisement board with “Judas” playing for their entrance.
Stadium Stampede: The Inner Circle (Chris Jericho, Jake Hager, Santana, Ortiz, & Sammy Guevara) defeated The Pinnacle (MJF, Wardlow, Dax Harwood, Cash Wheeler, and Shawn Spears) (31:31)
This didn’t touch the one-of-a-kind magic of last year’s Stampede, but it was still a very fun spectacle from start to finish. It was really all about Jericho, MJF, Guevara, and Spears.
If the Inner Circle lose, they have to disband.
MJF was alone at the football field as he escaped into his limousine. Inner Circle tried to pursue, but it was a trap, as the Pinnacle rolled up in an ATV.
There was a ring in the middle of the football field. Guevara and Spears wrestled around, with Guevara missing a shooting star press and running into a Blue Thunder bomb from Spears. MJF finally emerged from the limousine, but Jericho was there as they teed off on one another. Notably, Jericho had his cast and arm brace on. MJF escaped using a fire extinguisher, but Jericho was in hot pursuit.
Jericho and MJF brawled in some offices, with Jericho stuffing MJF into a trash can. MJF threw hot coffee in Jericho’s face and attacked him with a telephone. Jericho screamed in MJF’s face with a megaphone and hit him with sheet pans.
They brawled into another office, which contained Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer and assistant head coach Charlie Strong. Meyer handed Jericho a laptop, which Jericho summarily smashed over MJF. He then pushed MJF over some stairs through a table. “Holy s**t,” was the quote from Meyer. MJF crawled up the film room as Jericho pushed him outside.
The cameras cut to Hager and Wardlow, the two hosses. They brawled back stage as Wardlow tried to lock Hager in a walk-in freezer. Wardlow smashed plastic containers over Hager’s head as they brawled into the freezer. Hager gained the advantage by locking on a head-and-arm choke. Wardlow avoided an attack and drove Hager repeatedly into a cabinet. Hager threw up defiant double birds, so Wardlow tackled him through a wall.
Guevara was looking for Spears, who was in a giant room filled with chairs. They fought with chairs until Guevara landed a Superman punch. Spears came back with a seated knee lift. In a nice spot, Guevara backflipped out of an attack using the wall for help before hitting a thrust kick from the top of a forklift. Spears caught a crossbody and lawn darted Guevara into a garage door.
Spears looked at a selection of weapons, opting for a chair (of course), but Guevara surprised him and drove him into a scissor lift. They both went for electric cords, with Guevara getting the advantage and choking out Spears. Guevara climbed some shelves and looked for a big dive, but Spears moved and caught him with a ladder. Spears pulled out handcuffs and cuffed Guevara to some shelving. Spears fled, but Guevara found bolt cutters.
Santana and Ortiz entered a club or bar, where FTR and Tully were hanging out. A bar brawl broke out, with Santana and Ortiz breaking bottles over people’s heads. They all toasted a drink and looked at the DJ, Konnan, who changed the music. Once the music hit, the two teams began to brawl. A trash can lid shot from Santana on Harwood got two. Tully was about to attack Santana with a pool cue, but Konnan intervened.
The two teams brawled once again. Ortiz beat down Harwood but was interrupted by Wheeler, who pelted him with bottles. Santana entered the fray and pushed Wheeler into an elevator, where they brawled as the door closed.
Back to Wardlow and Hager, Wardlow had control. Hager used a tackling dummy to surprise Wardlow, but Wardlow hopped on the top of an ATV and brought Hager up with him. Hager hit a low blow up top and chokeslammed Wardlow through some shelves.
Jericho and MJF continued to brawl in the officies. MJF accidentally punched a cardboard cutout of Shad Khan, but sold it like death as Jericho used it as a weapon. MJF hid in some offices and was able to attack Jericho’s injured arm. Jericho grabbed a stapler and stapled a “Thank you” message on MJF’s forehead. MJF came back with a right hand and hit a piledriver on Jericho on a legit table, but Jericho kicked out.
MJF picked up a hammer and was about to whack Jericho’s injured arm with it, but Jericho surprised him with a trash can shot. Jericho grabbed Floyd the bat from a cabinet and smacked MJF with it before tossing him through a glass door.
Spears was happy with his handiwork but was chased off by the Inner Circle motorcycle club.
Back to live action, Jericho pulled MJF through the live crowd. MJF had been busted open on his forehead. Jericho then dropped MJF groin-first on top of a railing. MJF came back and was about to dump Jericho off a high railing, but Jericho hit him with a spotlight. He then powerbombed MJF through a structure as the crowd came alive.
Guevara pursued Spears in a golf cart as the tables were turned from last year. He hit Spears flush back into the ringside area, which was a great moment. They brawled to the ring, where Spears cut off a springboard attempt with a chair shot. Spears told Guevara “you should’ve stayed down,” but Guevara gave him a middle finger. Spears crushed Guevara with a chair shot for a good near fall.
Spears stuck a chair in the corner, but Guevara hit the GTH. He then curb stomped Spears into the chair. Guevara climbed to the top rope and hit a 630 senton for the win.
– The Inner Circle celebrated with “Judas” playing to end the show.
Sting will return to live in-ring action for the first time in nearly six years at Double or Nothing.
Darby Allin will team with Sting as they take on the team of Scorpio Sky and Ethan Page. The two teams had a confrontation tonight, which ended up with Page being ejected out of the ring while Sting put Scorpio Sky in the scorpion deathlock. The Double or Nothing match, which will take place on May 30, was announced later in the show.
Sky and Page, since debuting as a team, have set their sights on Allin and Sting in recent weeks. After Allin confronted them during a promo, Sky and Page attacked Allin, throwing him down a flight of stairs.
Sting hasn’t wrestled live since Night of Champions 2015, when he lost to Seth Rollins. He suffered a neck injury during that match, leading to him announcing his retirement in 2016. However, since appearing on AEW, Sting has been physical, including working a cinematic street fight that took place on March 7 at AEW Revolution.
Four matches have been announced for this week’s AEW Dark: Elevation.
Chuck Taylor will face Rey Fenix in one of the marquee bouts. Best Friends and The Lucha Brothers have been feuding in recent weeks, with Penta El Zero Miedo picking up a win over Trent this past Wednesday on Dynamite.
Scorpio Sky and Ethan Page, who have teamed together in recent weeks, will take on Alex Reynolds and Allan “Five” Angels of The Dark Order. Sky and Page were also involved in the show closing angle on Dynamite, where they attacked Darby Allin after he successfully defended the TNT title against Jungle Boy.
Additionally, Matt Sydal will face Joey Janela. Sydal will team with his brother Mike this Wednesday against The Young Bucks in a AEW World Tag Team title eliminator. Big Swole and Red Velvet, meanwhile, will team up to take on Nyla Rose and Madi Wrenkowski.
AEW Dark: Elevation is streamed every Monday starting at 7 pm Eastern.
Two matches were announced for next Monday’s AEW Dark: Elevation.
A video segment aired during tonight’s Dynamite with Scorpio Sky and Ethan Page both talking about how they would no longer be overlooked, and would no longer wait for their opportunity. Page cut a similar promo on this week’s Elevation. This coming Monday they will team together to take on Matt and Mike Sydal.
Later, Alex Marvez conducted an interview with Britt Baker, who ran down Thunder Rosa, mentioning that Rosa would be in action on Monday. She said that was good, as since their Lights Out Match two weeks ago was unsanctioned, Rosa’s win over her didn’t count and wouldn’t be a part of her record. Rosa also appeared on Elevation this past Monday, defeating Alex Gracia.
This week’s AEW Dark: Elevation card was headlined by Scorpio Sky defeating Matt Sydal. Jon Moxley also appeared on the show, defeating Bill Collier.
We’ve got the most detailed analysis of AEW Revolution as the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
We look at the fallout of the errant explosion, the business numbers, what drew and what was the reason for so many new purchasers and will they be back, lessons from the show, the signing of Christian Cage, a look back at different signings and how they’ve turned out, Christian’s road to returning to wrestling, usage of Christian Cage, differences with AEW and Impact, Ethan Page, plus match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.
Also in this issue:
WrestleMania ticket sales, as well as the planned show.
We’ve got our first annual Shad Gaspard/Jon Huber Memorial Award winners for 2020 and the reasons why.
WWE Network migration to Peacock, a look at the seven year history of the WWE Network and what was and wasn’t a success financially regarding it, what has happened to PPVs in general. We look at projections and how they fell short, but what ended up saving the company from the projections falling short.
John Laurinaitis being put back n his old position, and his story, and what happens to Mark Carrano, matches for the next Takeover shows, update on Fast Lane, new and departing WWE writers, new television location, WWE reaction to thigh slapping, where wrestling shows rank among sports shows in the U.S. this past week, foreign television ratings, Gable Steveson goes for NCAA title, Jim Johnstone talks WWE music today, Pat McAfee talks WrestleMania, WWE current market value, and the surprising most-watched thing this past week on the WWE Network.
Life of Buddy Colt and the plane crash that ended his career.
UFC 259, with scoring notes, business notes, poll results, where the champions go next, plus match-by-match coverage.
NHL deal affects pro wrestling and what it means for WWE and AEW, how ESPN is using it and where things stand with NBCU.
WWE over WrestleMania weekend, and the Hall of Fame ceremony.
Dwayne Johnson’s attempt to revive the XFL.
New Japan Cup and the anniversary show with match-by-match coverage and star ratings for the matches over the past week, and a look at where things stand for the rest of the tournament.
More into detail on the ratings than any other source, we have how every segment on NXT and AEW did as well as how it did with different age groups, genders and more, plus a look at all other wrestling shows of the past week.
Results of the major pro wrestling events of the past week.
ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
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.
WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
WWE has sent emails to WWE Network subscribers that their subscription will expire at the end of the next billing cycle and encouraged subscribers to sign up for Peacock. Subscribers will receive prorated refunds after April 4, when the Network is fully integrated to Peacock and is no longer accessible.
Drew McIntyre talked to Bleacher Report about having a large amount of fans at WrestleMania: “It means the world. Last year, I’m so proud of what we did, bringing the world an escape with WrestleMania, brought a lot of smiles on a lot of faces during a difficult time…but we’ve all been buzzing for the idea of the fans coming back. The fans are unreal, so passionate in general. They’ve been starved of WWE for a long time, and they’re ready to make some noise, and it’s so cool the first time they’re gonna be there is at WrestleMania. I’m just gonna try to not get overwhelmed. That’s gonna be the biggest challenge for me, walking out for the first time in a stadium with that many people at WrestleMania trying to compose myself. I can’t wait.”
Guests on The Bump today included Kevin Owens, Alundra Blayze, and Savio Vega.
Eric Bischoff will be the guest on Corey Graves’ After the Bell podcast this week.
Last night’s episode of Young Rock on NBC scored 2,955,000 viewers.
ACTION Wrestling announced that new Impact World Tag Team Champions David Finlay and Juice Robinson will face Dominic Garrini and Kevin Ku on their April 9th show in Tampa, Florida.
Last night’s Dark Side of the Ring Confidential scored 81.000 viewers, up from last week’s 79,000.
In an interview with the Hamilton Spectator, Ethan Page revealed that he has signed a three-year deal with AEW.
Sporting News talked to Tony Khan on the growth of AEW’s women’s division and the feud between Britt Baker and Thunder Rosa.
WrestleCon tickets have now gone on sale. The newest name added to the event is NJPW’s Jay White.
Effy spoke to Wrestling Inc on on his upcoming Big Gay Brunch event and working with Cassandro.
Doug Williams, who has recently announced his return to wrestling, told Wrestle Zone that he still has eight months left in his contract with Ring of Honor.
Sean Waltman spoke to Sports Illustrated on his new podcast, Pro Wrestling 4 Life. He expressed interest in returning to the ring, saying “I watch the product now and I think, if I had both knees under me, I could keep up with a lot of these guys. If people want me, I’ll do it, but I am also mindful of being an older guy taking up too much oxygen. That’s not what I want. If there is some room for me to have a few matches, that’s all I want.”
The film Cagefighter, which stars Jon Moxley, Chuck Lidell, and Gina Gershon, will premiere on Crackle on April 1.
Jeannine Mjoseth, who wrestled for the WWE as Mad Maxine briefly in the late 1980s, has a story in The Washington Post about her upcoming autobiographical novel.
The latest Aces High article looks at Tanahashi’s career at the end of 2005.
Upset at losing in his AEW debut, Ethan Page demanded a singles match for Wednesday’s Dynamite on social media and got his wish as he will face Lee Johnson of the Nightmare Family.
After his multi-year run in Impact came to an end, Page debuted Sunday at Revolution as the surprise sixth man in the six-way ladder match for a TNT title shot, ultimately won by Scorpio Sky.
Johnson will be flanked by QT Marshall who turned his back on his partner and fellow Nightmare Family stablemate Dustin Rhodes Sunday in the Casino Tag Team Royale. He’ll go into Wednesday on a two-match winning streak.
Wednesday’s live show from Jacksonville, Florida, will also feature:
An appearance by Christian Cage after signing a multi-year contract
TNT Champion Darby Allin vs. Scorpio Sky
Women’s Champion Hikaru Shida, Ryo Mizunami and Thunder Rosa vs. Nyla Rose, Britt Baker and Maki Itoh
Ethan Page was the surprise entrant in the Face of the Revolution ladder match, and has signed with AEW.
Page was the unannounced sixth entrant in the ladder match that took place at tonight’s Revolution event. He did not win the match; Scorpio Sky laid out Cody and grabbed the brass ring to win, earning a future TNT title match against current champion Darby Allin that will take place this Wednesday.
On commentary, the announcers pushed that he was a former Impact and PWG Tag Team champion with his former tag team partner, Josh Alexander. In Impact, the duo were known as The North. Alexander has remained with Impact.
AEW’s social media later confirmed that he had signed with the company.
Page left Impact Wrestling at the end of last year after his contract expired. He was last seen facing off against his alter ego The Karate Man in a cinematic match that ended after Karate Man ripped Page’s heart out.
