A first-time ever match between two teams of siblings is set for the second AEW Dynamite of 2020.
AEW announced this afternoon that Cody & Dustin Rhodes will team up against The Lucha Bros (Pentagon Jr. & Fenix) on the January 8 episode of Dynamite. This is the first match announced for the show.
Cody and Dustin have teamed together twice in AEW thus far. They lost to The Young Bucks in the main event of Fight for the Fallen in July. On week three of AEW Dark, Cody, Dustin & The Young Bucks defeated Private Party (Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen) & Strong Hearts (CIMA & T-Hawk).
Pentagon & Fenix defeated Kenny Omega & Hangman Page on Dynamite last week. Page accidentally hit Omega with a Buckshot Lariat before the finish.
Dynamite is off this week due to Wednesday being Christmas. The show returns with a live episode at Daily’s Place Amphitheater in Jacksonville, Florida on New Year’s Day.
The January 8 episode of Dynamite is taking place at the Landers Center in Southaven, Mississippi. It’s being called the anniversary edition of the show, with it being held on the one-year anniversary of AEW’s Double or Nothing rally.
F4W NEWSLETTER: Recapping WWE TLC 2019 Joseph Currier gives his thoughts on WWE’s final PPV of the decade.
WWE’s final pay-per-view of the decade took place on Sunday night and exemplified some of the changes we’ve seen over the past 10 years.
TLC 2019 was very much a B-level PPV in the WWE Network era. Not only were the top men’s and women’s singles titles from each brand not defended, there were no singles titles on the line at all. Seth Rollins vs. Kevin Owens and AJ Styles vs. Randy Orton seemed like they were being built up as non-title matches that would help anchor the card, but they didn’t end up getting added. The show even ended with an angle instead of a match. After Asuka & Kairi Sane’s tables, ladders, and chairs match against Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair, a locker room brawl that featured Roman Reigns and Baron Corbin continued. The image that closed the show was Reigns spearing Corbin from an elevated area onto a pile of bodies. It felt like the ending of an episode of Raw or SmackDown instead of a major event.
We’ve got complete coverage of the last series of major shows held around the world in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer, as well as bios on a number of wrestlers who have passed away in recent weeks.The new issue also covers:
TLC, focusing on the behind-the-scenes of the Kairi Sane situation, who knew,when did they know, the channels where the ball was dropped and what can and needs to be learned from it. We note the business of the event, the U.S. popularity levels, plus have match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results.
Exactly how AEW was formed, including what match made Tony Khan feel opposition was viable and what conversation with what major person in television made it happen, as well as who was contacted first to be part of it. We also have the story from the market rep who got Bullet Club shirts into Hot Topic.
DVR numbers for pro wrestling shows right now as well as how meaningful they are and what it says about audiences. We also look at how and why the dynamic of how people watch wrestling on Wednesdays has changed over the past several weeks. We also look at wrestling viewership in Canada.
Big names who have signed new WWE deals and a major name who has not, a WWE overseas TV deal, how many people buy WWE video games, pro wrestling offers to Daniel Cormier, Cain Velasquez’s next WWE show, the story behind Chelsea Green and Deonna Purrazzo on Raw and what it means short and long-term, a reboot of a WWE tag team, new feuds being started in WWE, most-watched shows on the WWE Network, WWE stock value and a look at all the WWE & NXT shows held over the past week with business notes and highlights.
UFC 245, with business notes, notes about the fighters who elevated their games, the title picture, plus match-by-match coverage.
ROH as it goes into 2020, who is going, who is staying, what is unknown, what kind of deals are being offered plus Final Battle coverage, with business notes, poll results, match-by-match coverage and star ratings.
AAA Guerra de Titanes, the creation of the new top stable, the debut of Sin Cara, thoughts and problems with the new name he’s using and more.
A bio on Randy Colley, best known as Moondog Rex, including his legal issues with WWE, what happened with the fans that ruined what would have been his biggest career break, other gimmicks he had, the birth of the Moondog gimmick and his biggest matches.
NWA, its YouTube numbers, its television tapings direction for the next several weeks, its net PPV show, as well as coverage of its Into the Fire show with poll results.
2019 cable numbers for the stations that carry pro wrestling and MMA and what they mean.
Notes on the career of Alberto Munoz, who was supposed to become a legend, and what happened in 1973 that ended that dream.
Dragon Gate’s Final Gate show with coverage of the event.
A personal look at how a law that was poorly thought out will affect reporters and web sites that use people from California and how adhering to it will make it nearly impossible for anyone in the state to start out in the field, and for the vast majority who work for publications outside the state, to likely lose their jobs.
The life of Scottish Hall of Famer Andy Robin, and his protege, Hercules the Bear.
Regarding the Wednesday numbers, we’ve got full details, demos that each side won, how every segment did and what match ended up as the difference maker.
Full coverage of all the WWE and AEW television shows from the past week.
In-depth looks at the ratings of all the major shows, the key demos and quarters for AEW and WWE, what happened head-to-head and what can be learned from them.
Results of all the major pro wrestling events around the world over the past week.
ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
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If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.
SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE
We have a show that I did yesterday with Garrett Gonzalez and Patric Laprade, talking Hall of Fame, Rene Goulet, Wednesday nights and what we’ve learned from recent weeks and more. Garrett Gonzalez and I are doing a show today. One of the topics will be 2020 wrestling. If you’ve got any questions on that topic send to [email protected]
I’m doing a show and a meet and greet at Toudoukan in Tokyo at 11 a.m. on 1/4, several hours prior to the first of the two Tokyo Dome shows. I’ll just tell you this, if you are going to Japan, whether you want to see the show or not, you need to go to Touduokan’s. Ticket info is here. Jim Valley and I will also be doing a podcast from Toudoukan.
Regarding Sanada, we haven’t gotten an update from anyone past it being downplayed to us. New Japan hasn’t announced any injury or card changes yet, although Bushi beating Zack Sabre Jr. yesterday came out of nowhere and feels like a backup plan. Sanada missed yesterday’s show with what was called a head injury.
The Kevin Nash pulling out of the Jericho Cruise over doing a movie is legit. He got a good part in an upcoming Alec Baldwin movie. There were people questioning the reason.
Rey Fenix missing PWG over transportation issues was legit. His flight out of Mexico City to Tijuana was delayed. The hope was until late in the show that he could make it, but traffic issues on Friday night made it impossible. David Starr ended up working twice and replaced Fenix in a match with Jonathan Gresham.
Nyla Rose, on a gimmicked suspension from AEW is working for the Marvelous promotion in Japan right now.
MISCELLANEOUS
For those going to Japan who have asked, this is just some of the Tokyo schedule. It’s not everything, but it is the major groups:
December 29, Sunday
WAVE, 11:45am at Korakuen Hall
Pure J, 1:00pm at Hana Gekijyo, Asakusa, Tokyo
Dec.30, Monday
OWE, 11:30am at Korakuen Hall
Hard Hit, 6:30pm at New Pier Hall, Tokyo Bay area
Big Japan, 6:30pm at Korakuen Hall
ACT, 6:30pm at Shinkiba
Dec. 31, Tuesday
Ice Ribbon, 11:30am at Korakuen Hall
Rizin New Year’s Eve show, Saitama Super Arena 2 p.m.
New Year’s Eve show 8:00pm until next morning at Korakuen Hall
January 1, Wednesday
ZERO-1, 2:00pm at Korakuen Hall
WAVE, 6:00pm at Shinkiba
January 2, Thursday
Kyushu, 1:00pm and 3:00pm at Shinkiba
All Japan, 11:30am at Korakuen Hall
Big Japan, 6:30pm at Korakuen Hall
Stardom, 6:00pm at Shinkiba
January 3, Friday
All Japan, 11:30am at Korakuen Hall
Freedoms, 12:30pm at Shinkiba
Stardom, 6:00pm at Shinkiba
DDT, 6:30pm at Korakuen Hall
January 4, Saturday
Stardom, 12:00pm at Ryogoku KFC Hall
New Japan 4:00pm at Tokyo Dome
NOAH 6:30pm at Korakuen Hall
Tokyo Joshi 11:30am at Korakuen Hall
Big Japan, 12:00pm at Shinkiba
Ice Ribbon, 12:00pm at Yokohama Radiant Hall
January 5, Sunday
NOAH, 11:30am at Korakuen Hall
SEAdLIING, 12:00pm at Shinkiba
New Japan, 2:00pm at Tokyo Dome
Dragon Gate, Heiwajima Boat Race
Sendai Girls & OZ Academy, 12:00pm and 6:00pm at Shinjuku Face
January 6, Monday
New Japan, 6:30pm at Tokyo Ota Ward Gym
Rico Verhoeven came back from being knocked down twice to win when Badr Hari was injured in the third round while delivering a spin kick in a fight he was winning in the biggest kickboxing match of the year. The Glory heavyweight title fight drew gigantic numbers in Holland, not Super Bowl numbers but maybe NFC championship finals numbers.
The only thing that made the Google search list over the weekend from combat sports was Julio Caesar Chavez Jr.’s fight on Friday night which was No. 15 for the day with 100,000 searches. Nothing from UFC or Bellator made the list, nor from Smackdown.
Northeast Wrestling from last night in Bethany, CT: Christian Casanova won three-way over Keith Youngblood and JT Dunn to become Live champion, Brian Pillman Jr. b Mike Verna, Dan Maff b Wrecking Ball Legursky in a no DQ match, Royce Bishop & Trigga the OC b Traevon Jordan & Jaylen Brandyn, Tasha Steelz b Angel Sinclair, Chuck O’Neil b Jake Manning, Chris Battle & RJ Rude & Zane Bernardo b Brett Ryan Gosselin & Aide Aggro & Danger Kid. They announced Flip Gordon and Marty Scurll for the 1/25 show. TK O’Ryan was there and talked about his concussion issues that have kept him out of action for months. He said he suffered three concussions in 2019 but will be back and wrestling in NEW in 2020. (thanks to Nick Mahmood)
Pro Wrestling Phoenix on Wednesday night from Omaha, NE: Pat Powers b K-Dos, Lars Metzger b Logan Ocean-COR, Willy Sweet b Nick Scent, Jack Darling & Uncle Ricky b Manford Zablinski & Gideon Tenpenny, Moonshine Russell b Con Artiest, Seto Kobara & Tim Boston b Paul Daniels & Joey Daniels, Tony Cortez b Donnie Peppercricket, Arik Cannon b Duke Cornell-DQ. Next show is 1/3 at the Waiting Room Lounge in Omaha.
Ignite Wrestling on 1/11 in Vero Beach, FL at the Walking Tree Brewery with Aaron Epic, Serptentico, Kaci Lennox and more.
Dynamo Pro Wrestling on 12/28 in St. Louis at the Concordia Turners Gymnasium.
Glory Pro Wrestling from last night in Sauget, IL: Valentina Loca b Sophie King, Devon Monroe won eight-way, Mike Outlaw won four-way over Dak Draper, Paco Gonzalez and Jake Lander, Elayna Black won three-way over Seishin and Lanie Luck, Davey Vega & Mat Fitchett b Air Wolf & Angel Dorado, Hakim Zan b PB Smooth, Rickey Shane Page b Kevin Lee Davidson, Danny Adams & Barackus & Kody Lane b Steve Manders & Eddy Only & Billy Brash in a bunkhouse match, Jake Something b Matthew Justice in a no DQ match Curt Stallion b Effym, Halal Beefcake b Philly Collins & Marino Tenaglia, A.J. Gray b Mance Warner in a death match (thanks to Patrick Brandmeyer)
Hoosier Pro Wrestling on 1/4 in Columbus, IN at the 4-H Fairgrounds.
It didn’t take long for AEW to respond to NXT’s opening match announcement for this Wednesday.
Earlier this morning, WWE revealed that Adam Cole and Finn Balor’s NXT Championship match would open this week’s NXT episode and would be commercial free. AEW then announced their opening match for Wednesday, with Kenny Omega & Hangman Page teaming against The Lucha Bros (Pentagon Jr. & Fenix).
Omega & Page vs. The Lucha Bros will also be commercial-free.
AEW tweeted: “Kicking off #AEW Dynamite this Wednesday, it’s a dream tag team match as #TheLuchaBrothers face Kenny Omega & Hangman Adam Page, and as always – it will be commercial-free! Watch #AEWDynamite on @TNTDrama 8e/7c or get your tickets for Corpus Christi at AEWTIX.com”
Omega & Page have previously teamed together on Dynamite three times. They defeated Kip Sabian & Shawn Spears last week, with Page blind-tagging himself in and pinning Sabian after hitting the Buckshot Lariat.
Wednesday’s Dynamite is taking place at the American Bank Center Arena in Corpus Christi, Texas. Here’s what’s been announced for the show:
AEW World Champion Chris Jericho vs. Jungle Boy in a non-title match with a 10-minute time limit
AEW Tag Team Champions SCU (Scorpio Sky & Frankie Kazarian) defending against The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson)
Britt Baker vs. Kris Statlander (winner becomes number one contender to Riho’s AEW Women’s Championship)
Cody Rhodes & Darby Allin vs. The Butcher & The Blade
Two matches have been confirmed for next week’s edition of Dynamite.
Fenix vs. Trent was announced following the events of a match between Best Friends and Lucha Bros.. Pentagon & Fenix attacked Best Friends before the bell rang and had an early advantage, but the Best Friends cut them off, with Trent pinning Fenix to score the win for his team.
A six-man tag team match was also signed for next week, with Dustin Rhodes teaming with the Young Bucks to take on Sammy Guevara and Santana & Ortiz. This stems from a confrontation that took place on tonight’s show when Santana, Ortiz & Sammy Guevara came into the ring and jumped Dustin Rhodes as he was giving an interview. The Young Bucks came out for the save, including a returning Matt Jackson who was noticeably limping.
Joey Janela meanwhile announced at a GCW event tonight that he would accept a challenge from Jon Moxley for next week. That has yet to be confirmed by AEW.
Dynamite next week will be at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois.
AEW Dynamite airs live tonight from the Indiana Farmers Coliseum in Indianapolis, Indiana.
After Darby Allin responded to an open challenge from Jon Moxley on last week’s episode, Moxley and Allin will face off this evening. Allin is currently ranked fifth in AEW’s rankings, with Moxley one spot above him. Allin has a 4-2-1 singles record, while Moxley has an official 2-0-1 record in sanctioned singles bouts.
It was pushed on social media this week that AEW World Champion Chris Jericho will make a “huge announcement” tonight.
Tonight’s show will also see Rey Fenix taking on Nick Jackson in a singles match, Proud & Powerful (Santana & Ortiz) vs. Private Party, and Britt Baker vs. Hikaru Shida.
The AEW Dynamite Dozen battle royal was also announced for the show. The match will feature 12 competitors. The final two will face off in a singles match next week with the winner receiving a “beautiful diamond ring.”
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
**********
REY FENIX DEFEATED NICK JACKSON
These two had a great opener. Shocking, I know.
They got a standing ovation before they even locked up. They opened with a hot sequence of teases and reversals on the floor, ending with both missing a dropkick in the ring.
Fenix hit a pair of springboard headbutts, then his rope-walk armdrag. Nick missed a dive to the floor, and Fenix hit a cutter on the outside. Fenix connected on a senton atomico for a near fall.
Fenix missed a rope-walk kick. Nick hit a series of kicks and used a knee strike for a two count. They hit simultaneous superkicks. Nick hit a springboard Frankensteiner for a near fall.
They traded superkicks and both went down. Fenix hit a rope-walk flying headscissors to the floor. Nick hit a kick. Fenix responded with a cutter for a near fall.
They exchanged strikes and kicks on the apron. Nick hit a German suplex on the apron, then a springboard facebuster on the inside. Nick then hit a springboard destroyer for a two count.
Nick used a sharpshooter, but Fenix reached the ropes for a break. Nick tried a tombstone, but Fenix pulled him into a cradle for a two count.
The finish saw Fenix hit a crazy springboard roundhouse kick in the corner, then use a muscle buster for the pin.
Nick offered a handshake after the match, but Fenix refused.
**********
HIKARU SHIDA DEFEATED BRITT BAKER
A surprising result here. They worked hard and had an above-average match.
They traded shoulder tackles and leg sweep takedowns. Baker went for Lockjaw, but Shida was able to avoid it and reach the ropes.
Baker hit a clothesline, then used a vertical suplex for a two count. Baker used a chinlock. Baker ended up bleeding from the nose.
Shida hit some strikes in the corner. Baker rolled outside, where Shida used a chair as a launch pad for a knee strike. Baker came back right away with a springboard armdrag, a slingblade, then a facebuster. Baker covered for a two count.
Shida missed a running knee strike in the corner. Baker hit a draping DDT for a near fall. Shida hit another jumping knee strike in the center of the ring.
They traded strikes. Shida used a judo throw and hit a backbreaker for a two count. Shida hit a running knee and made a cover. Baker turned her over into a Lockjaw attempt. Shida reached the ropes.
Baker hit a swinging neckbreaker, but Shida kicked out at two. Shida blocked a thrust kick, then used a thumb to the eye. Shida used an inside cradle and a falcon arrow for a pair of near falls, then hit another running knee for the pin.
**********
The announcers threw to a hype video for the Dark Order. This was a recruitment video to join the Dark Order. The presenter invited the viewers to stop losing, cut through life’s chaos, and join the Dark Order.
**********
MJF & HANGMAN PAGE WON THE DYNAMITE DOZEN BATTLE ROYAL
Your participants were Billy Gunn, Pentagon, Jimmy Havoc, Joey Janela, Kip Sabian, MJF, Sonny Kiss, Hangman Page, Chuck Taylor, Orange Cassidy, Jungle Boy, Marko Stunt.
Chuck Taylor dumped Pentagon as he was distracted by Chris Daniels.
Sonny Kiss and Billy Gunn had a twerk-off.
MJF threw out Kiss. They did a roar spot with Billy Gunn. Gunn tossed Jimmy Havoc and MJF. Havoc ran back in with a staple gun and attacked everyone with it.
During a break, Shawn Spears hit Janela with a chair and eliminated him.
Cassidy and Gunn faced off. OC hit some kicks, but MJF tossed him out. Gunn and MJF had a staredown. Gunn hit a Fame-asser. Page hit a Buckshot Lariat on Gunn, who was distracted by Wardlow. Page tossed Gunn.
Sabian eliminated Taylor with an assist from Penelope Ford. Jungle Boy threw out Sabian.
It looked as though the final two were Page and Jungle Boy, but MJF was hiding on the floor. He eliminated Jungle Boy, so your winners were Page and MJF.
Page and MJF had a pull-apart after.
**********
Jericho and Jake Hager were shown walking backstage before a commercial. They talked to the Librarians. Le Champion’s big announcement is next.
**********
CHRIS JERICHO’S ANNOUNCEMENT
Jericho told the crowd to sit down and shut up. He then apologized for his conduct after his temper tantrum last week. He said he was fined and had to pay for all the damage he did.
Jericho couldn’t say “sorry”, so he had Hager say it for him.
Jericho said he’s getting his long-awaited thank you next week in Chicago. He promised a celebration, an aquarium, games, clowns, and the biggest celebration in pro wrestling history.
He said he was glad it was happening in a city with a hockey team and two baseball teams like Chicago, not a dump like Indianapolis.
Jericho and Hager went to leave, but were interrupted by SCU’s music. All three members of SCU came to the ring.
Scorpio Sky said Jericho was a paragon of virtue for his apology. But Sky said that Jericho neglected to mention why he had to apologize. It was because Sky pinned him and gave him his first loss last week.
Sky said his DMs have been blowing up all week, and his high school crush found him and they’re going out as a result. He said he was sorry for embarrassing Jericho.
Jericho said he wasn’t embarrassed and that Sky’s crush has gained a lot of weight since high school. Sky said he likes big butts and he cannot lie.
Jericho said he wants Sky one-on-one. Daniels said Sky would need at least a month to prepare. Jericho said he only has a week. Sky said he doesn’t deserve a title match. Jericho said too bad, because they’re wrestling for the title next week.
sky said he’s waited fifteen years for this chance, and next week he’s making Le Champion his Le Bitch.
The two sides started brawling. The rest of the Inner Circle ran down to make this a 5-on-3. Brandon Cutler and Michael Nakazawa ran down to try to even things up, but never made it into the ring.
Jericho laid Sky out with the Judas Effect, then posed over him with the title.
Jungle Boy and Marko Stunt ran in and were dealt with. Luchasaurus entered and faced off with Hager as Jericho bailed. Hager begged off, and the Inner Circle retreated.
This was a great segment.
**********
LUCHASAURUS DEFEATED PETER AVALON
Luchasaurus won in seconds after hitting one kick and an Extinction.
**********
PRIVATE PARTY DEFEATED PROUD & POWERFUL
Santana and Kassidy began. They traded shoulder tackles. During a commerical break, Kassidy hit a hip toss and Santana rolled outside.
Back from break, Quen and Ortiz were in the ring. Santana hit an avalanche Russian leg sweep. Ortiz hit a DDT. Santana got a tag and hit a bridging German for a two count, as Kassidy saved for Quen.
Santana and Ortiz passed Quen back and forth in a vertical suplex position for like 90 seconds. They went through a second commercial break with Proud and Powerful working over Quen.
Back from another break, Kassidy got a hot tag. He hit a springboard moonsault to the floor, then used a destroyer on Ortiz. He covered. The ref held up his count becuase either Ortiz was supposed to kick out and he didn’t, or Santana was supposed to pull the ref out of the ring. This was a bad botch and the second screwed up match in as many weeks.
Quen hit a flip dive on Santana. Private Party tried a Silly String, but Quen’s back gave out. P&P hit a superkick/powerbomb combo for a two count. Santana hit Kassidy with a cutter for a near fall.
Ortiz took the referee. Santana grabbed his blackjack. Nick Jackson ran in for the save. Private Party hit the Gin and Juice and got the pin.
Sammy Guevara ran down to attack Jackson after the match. Dustin Rhodes ran in for the save, hitting P&P and Guevara with his cast.
These guys were in a tough spot having two commercial breaks in their match, and the bad botch didn’t help things.
**********
They ran down next week’s show. PAC vs. Kenny Omega, Cody Returns, MJF vs. Hangman Page, and Chris Jericho vs. Scorpio Sky for the AEW title are on next week’s Dynamite.
**********
Kenny Omega cut a pre-recorded promo from a gym. He said he lost his marbles and lost his way when PAC beat him at All Out. He said he’s glad for the chance to redeem himself next week.
The main event is up next.
**********
JON MOXLEY DEFEATED DARBY ALLIN
Allin entered in a body bag. Moxley entered through the crowd. As soon as he stepped over the barricade, Allin hit a dive. They brawled into the crowd. Allin hit a Thesz press over the barricade into the crowd.
Moxley posted Allin, then hit a suplex on the floor. They finally made it into the ring and the bell rang.
Allin hit a Woo dropkick. He tried a crossbody off the top, but Moxley no-sold it. Moxley hit his own shotgun dropkick. Moxley hit a couple of beals, then used a uranage backbreaker for a near fall.
Moxley continued working on Allin through a commercial. Back from break, Moxley had a cloverleaf applied, then transitioned to an STF, but Allin reached the ropes for a break.
Moxley got caught in the ropes and Allin hit a crossbody. Allin flew over the top to the floor, while Moxley didn’t go over with him.
Allin took control on the outside. Moxley tried to climb back in, but Allin hit a dropkick. They fought on the top rope. Moxley got his hand caught up in the ropes and might have dislocated a finger.
Moxley hit an x-plex. Allin hit a tope suicida. Allin brought the body bag into the ring. Moxley hit a lariat, then put Allin in the body bag. Moxley stomped on the bag, but the ref let Allin out.
Allin made a brief comeback with a stunner. Moxley hit a black hole slam. Moxley tried a Paradigm Shift, but Allin reversed into a schoolboy for a near fall.
Allin hit a destroyer for a two count. Allin went to the top for a Coffin Drop. Moxley caught him coming in and locked in a choke. Allin rolled through into a pinning combination for a near fall.
They climbed the ropes. They bit each other’s hands. Moxley hit a second rope Paradigm Shift for the pin. The show ended with Moxley celebrating.
**********
This was a strong show, much better than last week’s.
A singles match between Nick Jackson and Fenix is set for Dynamite.
The announcement was made tonight on AEW’s social media. A video was posted of Nick saying that there was supposed to be a tag team match set for this week between The Young Bucks and The Lucha Bros., but Matt Jackson was not medically cleared for action. This comes following the events of last week’s show where Santana put Matt through a platform on the stage.
Nick went on to say in the video that he would do something he hasn’t done in four in a half years: enter a singles match against Fenix. This would be Nick Jackson’s first singles match since 2015, when he lost to Rocky Romero in the undercard of that year’s NJPW Best of the Super Junior finals.
Other matches set for next week’s Dynamite include Jon Moxley vs. Darby Allin, Private Party vs. Santana & Ortiz and a Dynamite Dozen battle royal where the two finalists will square off the following week for a diamond ring.
Next week’s Dynamite will take place at Indiana Farmers Coliseum in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The finals of the AEW Tag Team title tournament are now set for next week, with the final two teams advancing.
SoCal Uncensored (Scorpio Sky and Frankie Kazarian) will face the Lucha Bros. (Pentagon Jr. and Fenix) next week for the AEW Tag Team titles. Both teams advanced tonight on Dynamite, beating The Dark Order and Private Party respectively.
This plays into an angle that took place last week on Dynamite. Originally, Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian were to be the team representing SCU in the tournament. However the Lucha Bros. jumped them as they were making their way to the ring, with Pentagon Jr. giving Daniels a package piledriver on the rampway.
Scorpio Sky came out in street clothes and joined Kazarian instead, defeating Best Friends. Commentary tonight gave an update on Daniels, saying that he was resting at home.
Dynamite will take place week in Charleston, West Virginia at the Charleston Coliseum.
At AAA Heroes Inmortales tonight, Omega defeated Fenix to win the title. Fenix’s nose was busted open at one point in the match. He was pinned after Omega hit the One Winged Angel.
Fenix offered Omega a handshake after, but Omega instead posed and held up his title belt.
Omega vs. Fenix was set up by a challenge that Omega issued at Triplemania XXVII in August. Fenix, Pentagon Jr. & Laredo Kid defeated Omega & The Young Bucks at that show.
AEW and AAA announced a working relationship between the promotions this February.
This is Omega’s first title win since losing the IWGP Heavyweight Championship to Hiroshi Tanahashi at Wrestle Kingdom 13 this January. Omega signed with AEW and lost to Chris Jericho at Double or Nothing, with Jericho going on to defeat Hangman Page to become the inaugural AEW World Champion.
Omega is currently involved in a storyline with Jon Moxley. They’ll face off at AEW’s Full Gear pay-per-view on Saturday, November 9.
The thirteenth edition of Heroes Inmortales, one of the bigger events of AAA’s fall, takes place tonight in Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico.
A four team steel cage match headlines the card. It is a revelos incredibles match, meaning it involves unusual tag teams, usually rivals being paired together. Psycho Clown & Rey Escorpion will faces Averno & Dr. Wagner Jr., Pentagon Jr. & Texano Jr. and Chessman & Pagano.
In the co-main event, Fenix will defend the AAA Mega Championship against AEW’s Kenny Omega. Omega issued the challenge back at Triplemania, which Fenix accepted.
Two other title matches will take place tonight. Drago will defend the Latin American title against Daga. A three way tag match for the AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championship will also take place. Champions Villano III Jr. & Lady Maravilla will defend against Niño Hamburguesa & Big Mami as well as Chik Tormenta & Latigo.
Join us for live coverage starting at 9 p.m. ET
**********
After introductions, Fenix came out for a promo and talked about his match against Kenny Omega later tonight, bringing up their history.
There is a big memorial in the ring for Antonio Peña, who died in October of 2006. This show has been held every year since his death. They had a video showing highlights of his career, then had technicos in the ring as Arturo Rivera spoke.
La Parka came out for a promo, saying that Orizaba was his home. Konnan came out with his crew, which included La Parka Negra. Konnan said no one cared about him or remembers Antonio Peña. La Parka Negra says that he is the one that rules this place. La Parka laid everyone out but Dave the Clown then snuck into the ring attacked him from behind.
Vampiro then came out as he laid out Dave with a chokeslam then very slowly did ten punches to Konnan in the corner. Konnan fouled him as the rudos walked away unscathed.
Lady Shani, Pimpinela Escarlata, Octagoncito and Draztik Boy defeated Australian Suicide, Demus, Mamba, Vanilla and Michael Nakazawa
I guess this was the match, anyway.
Demus and Octagoncito started things off. Mamba came in but got taken out by a hurricanrana. Australian Suicide comes in but was also taken out. Lady Shani and Vanilla came in, then Mamba and Pimpinela. This did not sit well with Nakazawa, who came in and oiled himself when grappling with Pimpi. The English announcers had zero idea who Nakazawa was.
Rudos got the advantage as Nakazawa rubbed the oil all over Octagoncito. I guess he is in this match as he’s doing spots and the referee doesn’t seem to care. Draztik Boy dumped people out of the ring and did a crazy suicide dive to the floor, laying out Demus. This was followed by other big spots to the floor Octagoncito (big tope con hilo that looked nasty), Australian Suicide (shooting star press) and Vanilla (corkscrew).
Shani met Mamba on the top rope and hit an iconoclasm then hit a fisherman’s buster suplex for the win. Fun opener even though we may never know if Nakazawa was in the match or not.
Villano III Jr. & Lady Maravilla defeated Keyra & Latigo and Nino Hamburguesa & Big Mami to retain the AAA World Mixed Tag Team titles
Lady Maravilla tells Nino Hamburguesa she doesn’t know why he still trusts Big Mami. Mami responds by attacking Maravilla, starting the match. Keyra and Latigo wipe everyone out early on, but Villano III spears Keyra to the floor. Mami takes a baking sheet and attacks Maravilla with it.
Big Mami and Hamburgeresa lay out Latigo and Keyra with splashes, but Villano and Maravilla attack them with baking sheets. Mami immediately came back with a black hole slam on Keyra. Hamburgeresa did a somersault suicide dive to the outside, and Mami followed with a crossbody off the apron.
Latigo takes Hamburgeresa to the top rope as everyone comes in for the tower of doom spot, laying out Hamburgeresa. Latigo then takes Maravilla to the outside and hits a suplex on the apron. Villano then hit a spanish fly on Latigo on the concrete floor.
Big Mami hit a gory bomb on Maravilla, but Maravilla fell to the floor in pain. Nino Hamburgeresa, who has a transparent crush on Maravilla, wasn’t sure what to do. This gave the opening for Villano III to attack, hitting a cutter through the table that looked ugly. Maravilla then threw a chair full force into Mami’s head and pinned her to retain the titles.
Maravilla told Hamburgeresa to come to the ring. She said she got what he wanted and called him some words and slapped him. Big Mami said she has been disappointed by him again. She can’t stand this anymore. Essentially, she dumped him. She said is now looking for vengeance against Lady Maravilla.
Daga defeated Drago to win the AAA Latin America championship
The new Abismo Negro Jr. was seconding Daga, while Lady Shani cornered Drago.
After some grappling, they take it to the floor. After Drago exchanges words with Abismo, the action is taken back to the ring where it’s pretty even until Daga took control. He took Drago to the outside and smashed his face into the announcer’s table, then throws him into the post.
Drago came back with a roll-up but Daga kicked out at two. Daga hit a series of kicks, a double foot stomp then a superkick. He followed that with a sitout powerbomb then a springboard cutter. Drago planted Daga with a tornado DDT. He started his comeback, but Daga cut him off with a headbutt. Both fell, with Daga covering Drago for a two count.
Daga cut off Drago and hit a superplex. Drago fires back by sending Daga to the floor and landed a big sommersault suicide dive to the floor. When they were back in the ring, Abismo misted Drago, which eventually led to the finish where Daga fouled Drago then pinned him. This was good enough but nothing particularly special.
Puma King, Octagon Jr and Dinastia defeated, Abismo Negro Jr., Arez & Super Fly
Arez and Dinastia start things off, but Superfly kicks Dinastia in the back as the rudos quickly gained control. Arez goes after the mask of Puma King as he attacks him with a baking sheet. Puma King fell out of the ring and was whipped by the lumberjacks with straps.
Octagon Jr. tagged in as Super Fly fell to the floor and started to get whipped. Triple tope con hilo to the floor by the technicos. At this point the lumberjacks go after one another. Puma King at one point had Super Fly down but heel referee Hijo de Tirantes didn’t bother making the three count. Pump King then dumped him to the floor as everyone beat him up.
Octagon Jr. then hit a corkscrew to the floor as the lumberjacks just kind of stopped doing what they were doing earlier. Everyone did dives. Back in the ring, Octagon Jr. hit Abismo Negro Jr. with a driver then landed a 450 splash for the win. Another fun, solid match.
El Hijo del Vikingo won the Antonio Pena Copa
La Parka Negra and Hijo del Vikingo started things off. Tritton, making his debut, followed next, then Taurus, who wiped everyone out with power offense. Iron Kid was next. He did some offense but was taken out by Taurus and Tritton. Faby Apache follows, making her the first woman to enter this tournament.
Hiedra was next as she exchanged offense with Iron Kid. He’s the first eliminated following a destroyer by Hiedra. Fabi Apache eliminated La Parka Negro as Aerostar came out next. Tritton was then eliminated.
Monsther Clown comes out and goes after Aerostar, ripping his mask. Aerostar hits a back cracker and goes after his own mask. Dave the Clown followed as he suplexed Faby Apache and speared Hijo del Vikingo. Faby Apache dumped Hiedra. Aerostar got eliminated too.
Murder Clown was next as Monsther Clown was quickly eliminated. Murder Clown threw Vikingo into the turnbuckle then hit Taurus and Dave with a 619. Dave the Clown is eliminated next as its Monster, Faby Apache, Vikingo and Taurus are left.
Murder is the first eliminated by Taurus after Faby dropkicked Taurus into him. Taurus then threw Faby into Murder Clown, eliminating her. Taurus dominates Vikingo but he then came alive with a foot stomp for a near fall.
Vikingo hit a destroyer then a poison rana followed by a springboard 450 splash for a two count. Taurus cut him off with a rodeo driver on the apron The two wound up on the top rope and hit what I can only call an inverted stunner off the top rope for another two count.
Vikingo then laid out Taurus with an amazing code red on the apron then followed with an inverted 450 splash for the win. These last few minutes between Taurus and Vikingo were great, with people throwing money into the ring after the match.
Kenny Omega defeated Fenix to win the AAA Mega Championship
They go to the floor early, with Omega landing on the floor rough. Fenix took advantage then hit a big dive on Omega on the side side of the ring. Fenix then hit what looked like an inverted code red for a nearfall.
Omega came back after sending Fenix back first into the barricade. He took it back to the ring and hit a backbreaker, then applied a sharpshooter. Omega kept taking down Fenix with chops as Lady Shani, for whatever reason, came to the ring.
Fenix regains control and hits a springboard crossbody. Omega intercepts Fenix with a dropkick off a springboard. Omega went for the Rise of the Terminator but Fenix hit a superkick. Omega hit a v-trigger, but Fenix jumped over the turnbuckle, floated over Omega and hit a German suplex in a real cool spot.
Omega and Fenix wind up on the top rope when Fenix lands a spanish fly to the floor. Omega fires back with two dragon suplexes. Fenix catches Omega on the apron and hits a neckbreaker, but Omega cut him off again and hit a v-trigger. A buckle bomb follows, then a sitout spinebuster.
Fenix was busted open at this point, possibly through the nose. He escaped from the One Winged Angel then hit a sitout piledriver for a two count. Fenix then takes Omega to te top rope, but ended up on the apron.
Fenix went for a super rana off the top rope, but Omega powerbombed him instead, the piledrove him. Fenix kicked out, but Omega finished him off with the One Winged Angel for the win. Excellent match with great heat. The crowd way into Kenny Omega, more than you would think.
Omega acted like he was going to shake Fenix’s hand after the match, but then dismissed him and waved the title in his face.
Pentagon Jr. & Texano Jr. defeated Chessman & Pagano, Psycho Clown & Rey Escorpion and Dr. Wagner Jr. and Averno in a relevos increibles cage match
Everybody’s beating each other up to start things off. This kind of went off the rails quickly. Lots of brawling. Easy to lose track of who is teaming with who, and the rudos and technicos are beating each other up either way so it’s kind of a moot point.
Dr. Wagner is the first to leave, then Texano, as everyone else is taken down with a tower of doom spot. Pagano is completely busted open at this point, I think from a steel chair shot to the head. They haven’t gotten the memo about that down here. Pentagon, Escorpon, Psycho Clown and Averno fight on top of the cage. Everyone gets off back inside the cage except Psycho Clown, who wipes everyone out with a crossbody. Pagano manages to use this opportunity by escaping the cage.
Psycho Clown spears Chessman, who is also bloodied, into a table as he escapes. It’s down to Chessman and Averno against Pentagon, who is being worked over with tons of weapons. He mounts a comeback, Chessman manages to escape, leaving it with Pentagon Jr. and Rey Escorpion.
Pentagon sets up a bunch of chairs. Escorpion cuts him off but Pentagon manages to hit a package piledriver on top of a bunch of chairs (ow???) and starts climbing out, escaping for the win.
Immediately after the match the rest of the Mercenarios jump Pentagon and take him back inside the ring. Fenix and Psycho Clown hit the ring to make the save. They pose in the ring to close out of the show.
Like any AAA show, there was a ton of crazy things and lots of stuff I did not completely understand. But the co-main event was excellent, and everything else was at least fun. Not much to complain about here.
Two of the Muñoz family members will clash in November against Fenix and Pentagon Jr.
The Crash announced during this evening’s show that Rush & Dragon Lee will meet Pentagon Jr. and Fenix on their 8th anniversary event in Tijuana on November 1. However, Rush later said that it could be any Muñoz family members, meaning father Bestia del Ring could be part of the match.
Dragon Lee is part of the NJPW Super Junior Tag Tournament that takes place later this month and has not been cancelled from that tour.
Rush and Dragon Lee were released from CMLL just hours after the 86th anniversary event took place last weekend, with CMLL claiming it was due to the two not living up to the standards of the organization. There is ongoing turmoil behind the scenes which had led to younger wrestler’s guarantees being cut.
There is also a power struggle ongoing that has led to Sofia Alonso, who was put in charge of the promotion following Paco Alonso’s death, being demoted.
Jonathan Gresham and CIMA were also announced for the anniversary show.
PWG’s Battle of Los Angeles traditionally is the highest quality weekend-long singles tournament of the year in pro wrestling, but the first night ended up being stolen by tag teams.
With fans from all over the world present, Thursday featured a lot of newcomers in an era where the type of talent that in another generation would be PWG fixtures now have contracts as WWE continues to stockpile talent.
BOLA Round 1: A-Kid defeated Lucky Kid
A-Kid from Spain beat Lucky Kid from Germany with an armbar in a hard hitting bout which saw Lucky Kid suffer some small cuts. Both guys had welts on their chests due to hard slaps that, at times, sounded like a shotgun going off.
BOLA Round 1: Brody King pinned Caveman Ugg
King defeated the Australian after a ganso bomb in a battle between two agile big guys. King has gotten much bigger since the last time I saw him live and looks to be close to 300 pounds. But, he still did a lot of acrobatic stuff.
BOLA Round 1: Dragon Lee pinned Rey Horus after a running knee. This was very good as expected.
Joey Janela & Alex Zayne beat Blake Christian & Tony Deppan
Zayne pinned Deppan after a somersault to end an insane match that tore the house down. Fans threw money in the ring when it was over, which happens often after a great Lucha match but this was the first time I’ve seen it for non-Lucha wrestlers. Zayne, in particular, showed a world of potential and has a good look, good physique, and great athletics. Fans were chanting “GCW” since they all came from there. You’ll be hearing a lot in the next year from Zayne, Christian and Deppan. All four of these guys have insane creativity.
BOLA Round 1: Darby Allin pinned Black Taurus
This was an excellent match. The finish, a leg cradle, came out of nowhere. To show how much of an impression Taurus made, Allin is very popular and worked like crazy, but the fans booed his win because they wanted Taurus to continue. Taurus came across like a great worker and a real star.
BOLA Round 1: Jonathan Gresham defeated Artemis Spencer
Gresham won after a lateral guillotine combined with ground and pound. Spencer did good moves, but the match never fully captured the crowd. Gresham is a great mat wrestler while Spencer is a guy who does a lot of big moves, so the styles didn’t mesh.
BOLA Round 1: Jeff Cobb pinned Daisuke Sekimoto
Cobb won after hitting Tour of the Islands in an excellent match. This was a very hard hitting battle between two powerhouses. Sekimoto’s selling is strong.
Pentagon Jr. & Fenix defeated Flamita & Bandido
The finish saw Flamita kick out of the package piledriver after a double foot stomp off the top rope by Fenix. So, Pentagon & Fenix did the combo move again on the apron, and Pentagon pinned Flamita while Fenix used a rope with the Mexican flag on Bandido.
The spot of the match saw Fenix standing upright while standing on Pentagon’s shoulders and Bandido was standing on Flamita’s shoulders. From that position, Fenix used a Spanish fly on Bandido.
The match featured incredible spots galore. At times, it felt unfocused at certain points but was still a highly spectacular match. Fenix is amazing and Bandido has the charisma.
After the match was set up at Triplemania XXVII, Lucha Libre AAA has set a date for Fenix vs. Kenny Omega.
Fenix will defend his AAA Mega Championship against Omega at AAA Heroes Inmortales on Saturday, October 19. The show is taking place at Coliseo La Concordia in Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico and will air live on Twitch. English and Spanish commentary will both be available.
Pentagon Jr., Fenix & Laredo Kid defeated Omega & The Young Bucks at Triplemania last month. After the match, Omega issued a challenge to Fenix and said he wanted Fenix’s Mega title. After Fenix accepted, Omega said he’ll prove why AEW is better than AAA.
A partnership between AEW and AAA was announced this February.
Omega and Fenix have had one singles match against each other before, with Omega defeating Fenix at a show for Northeast Wrestling in 2018.
Here’s the full card for this year’s Heroes Inmortales event:
Psycho Clown & Rey Escorpion vs. Dr. Wagner Jr. & Averno vs. Pentagon Jr. & Texano Jr. vs. Pagano & Chessman in a cage match
AAA Mega Champion Fenix defending against Kenny Omega
Copa Antonio Pena (Aerostar, Laredo Kid, Murder Clown, Myzteziz Jr., Dragon Bane, Dave the Clown, Monsther Clown, La Hiedra, Faby Apache, and La Parka Negra. There will also be at least one mystery entrant.)
Octagon Jr., Puma King & Dinastia vs. Abismo Negro Jr., Arez & Super Fly
AAA Latin American Champion Drago defending against Daga
AAA Mixed Tag Team Champions Lady Maravilla & Villano III Jr. defending against Chik Tormenta & Latigo and Big Mami & Nino Hamburguesa in a triple threat match
Lady Shani, Octagoncito, Argenis & Pimpinela Escarlata vs. Vanilla, Demus, Mamba & Australian Suicide
Big Time Wrestling on Facebook announced that Fenix would be wrestling on their show in Enfield, CT tonight.
Original story —
Yet another key match for AEW’s All Out PPV could potentially be in jeopardy as Fenix was injured in a match in Pawtucket, Rhode Island on Friday night.
Fenix & Pentagon Jr. were facing Juventud Guerrera & Teddy Hart for Big Time Wrestling when the injury happened.
Fenix superkicked Hart and then picked up Guerrera, and collapsed and grabbed his leg. He rolled out of the ring and waved for help from the back. Fenix was brought to the back. In the ring, in what was clearly an audible, Guerrera immediately pinned Pentagon, who rushed to the back to check on his brother.
Early reports that he was seriously injured and may have broken his leg were premature. He was walking on the leg, but it was weak. He was hopeful it was only a sprain and was saying that he thought he would be able to do his ladder match at All Out in Chicago.
We will update when he has it examined.
We are only eight days away from All Out, where Pentagon & Fenix are scheduled to defend their AAA Tag Team titles in a ladder match against The Young Bucks. Fenix is also scheduled for AAW in Chicago prior to AEW.
The Lucha Bros and The Young Bucks are officially set to face off in a ladder match at All Out.
At the end of this week’s Being the Elite episode, Matt & Nick Jackson accepted Pentagon Jr. & Fenix’s challenge for the ladder match. Pentagon & Fenix’s AAA Tag Team titles will be on the line.
The ladder match was set up when The Lucha Bros issued their challenge to The Young Bucks at Fight for the Fallen earlier this month. It’s being billed as “escalera de la muerte.”
The Lucha Bros and The Young Bucks have traded the AAA Tag Team titles over the last few months. Pentagon & Fenix’s current reign began when they defeated The Young Bucks at AAA Verano de Escandalo in June.
The Young Bucks defeated The Lucha Bros at Double or Nothing, then teamed with Kenny Omega to defeat Laredo Kid, Pentagon & Fenix at Fyter Fest. The Young Bucks defeated Cody & Dustin Rhodes at Fight for the Fallen, while The Lucha Bros defeated Scorpio Sky & Frankie Kazarian.
All Out is taking place at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois on Saturday, August 31. Chris Jericho will face Hangman Page to determine the first AEW World Champion. Omega vs. Jon Moxley is official, along with The Dark Order (Evil Uno & Stu Grayson) vs. Best Friends (Trent Barreta & Chuck Taylor). Cody Rhodes vs. Shawn Spears has also been set up for the show.
The team that wins the Dark Order vs. Best Friends match will get a first-round bye in AEW’s Tag Team title tournament.
One half of the Lucha Bros has been confirmed for this year’s Battle of Los Angeles.
PWG has announced Fenix as the latest entrant for this year’s tournament. He’s the 11th wrestler to be confirmed for BOLA.
Fenix made his PWG debut in the 2015 Battle of Los Angeles and was also an entrant in the 2016 and 2017 editions of the tournament. He held the PWG Tag Team titles with Pentagon Jr. from March 2017 to October of that year.
Pentagon & Fenix defeated SoCal Uncensored (Scorpio Sky & Frankie Kazarian) at AEW Fight for the Fallen this past weekend and then challenged The Young Bucks to a ladder match at All Out on August 31.
A-Kid, Jonathan Gresham, Artemis Spencer, Darby Allin, Mick Moretti, Orange Cassidy, Bandido, Caveman Ugg, Jake Atlas, Tony Deppen, and Fenix are the participants that have been confirmed for BOLA thus far. It’s a 24-wrestler tournament, and the winner will get a future shot at the PWG World Championship.
BOLA is being held at the Globe Theatre in Los Angeles on Thursday, September 19, Friday, September 20, and Sunday, September 22.
