The latest WWE and AEW News and Results
Les Thatcher and Victor Sosa are back on Wrestling Weekly to talk another incredible pay per view for AEW with some really interesting booking decisions that bled into the follow-up Dynamite.
The guys also discuss some major twists and turns on the road to WWE WrestleMania for Randy Orton and Oba Femi and why Gunther might need to hitch a ride to Mania.
Thanks for listening and have a great weekend~!
On a new Wrestling Weekly, Les Thatcher and Vic Sosa have their eyes on AEW Revolution which should be yet another outstanding pay-per-view.
On this week’s show, we’ll give our predictions on the matches as well as our thoughts on Cody Rhodes’ recent comments and what it might mean for him moving forward.
Thanks for listening and have a great weekend~!
Kyle Fletcher is all set to defend his TNT Championship on the upcoming episode of AEW Dynamite.
On Wednesday, March 4th, episode of Dynamite, Kyle Fletcher, Mark Davis, and Kazuchika Okada defeated Hangman Adam Page, Speedball Mike Bailey, and Kevin Knight to crown themselves the new AEW World Trios Champions.
Shortly after, it was announced that next week’s Dynamite episode on March 11, Fletcher will defend his TNT title against Speedball Mike Bailey.
In addition to the TNT title match, Adam Page and MJF are also set to take part in a press conference before their Texas Deathmatch at AEW Revolution.
Next week’s AEW Dynamite is scheduled for March 11, 2026, at the San Jose Civic Center in San Jose, California.
Image: AEW
Editor’s Note: The following is an opinion-based preview and reflects that of the author and not the website.
Another year in the books, friends. All in all, it was a pretty rough one for, well, just about everyone. But we soldier on, marching slowly into the sea. As always, a sincere thank you to anyone who’s read even a single word I’ve written over the past 365 days and an extra thanks to the site editors who keep letting me do this.
Extra, extra thanks to my wonderful wife, my sounding board, who patiently listens as I explain why Diddy is somehow a talking point on “the wrestling show that’s somehow always on.” I love everyone, but love her most of all.
With all that said, let’s run down the final big AEW show of the year: tonight’s Worlds End from Chicago, Illinois (8 PM PPV start time).
If you’re like me and toil away in the white collar mines, this is also the season of end-of-year check-ins: a famously delightful and productive exercise (sic). Personally, it’s the highlight of my year, especially if you’re someone I work with and happen to be reading this (I actually like my job very much).
In that spirit, it feels like the right moment to check in on the remaining four wrestlers and where they stand now and going forward.
Predictions: Fletcher over Mox, Okada over Takeshita, Fletcher over Okada to win the CC
A match called “Mixed Nuts Mayhem” (!?!?!?!?) was added on Christmas Day. I will not be previewing it. There are limits. The sickest thing Tony Khan has ever done.
Prediction: I abstain.
The older I get, the saltier I become. That’s not exactly a profound or unique statement, but a true one. I have less and less patience for the Gabe Kidd type. The repeated insistence that he is, in fact, a madman? None of it works for me, brother.
As the year went on, it became clear that Kenny Omega made their Wrestle Kingdom match work through the sheer force of his own greatness. The man held together by tape and love dragged an incredible match out of a slightly above-average wrestler. There’s a non-zero chance that was the last ‘Kenny Omega Match’ we’re going to get. Gabe Kidd! January optimism turned December disappointment — same as it ever was.
Allin occupies a rare space in wrestling. He exists almost entirely outside of the World title scene yet constantly elevates whatever he’s involved with. He’s now the “big name” others are brought in to have big matches with. He has become a true attraction. This little freak somehow achieved a 99th-percentile outcome before his body gave out which is a remarkable talent.
Prediction: Allin
Austin Gunn has, no pun intended, a bit of the juice. He can be corny, funny, serious, and he can come out to “Many Men.” Once he figured out who he was as a performer, the in-ring work followed. Watching someone put it together in real time is always a treat, and it’s clear who the breakout star of his family is.
The Bang Bang Gang are fun, loud, and still figuring out how seriously they want to be taken. FTR has long since solved that problem. A street fight narrows the talent gap temporarily. It lets Juice Robinson’s manic charisma shine through and gives Gunn more room to lean into his natural swagger.
Eventually, this becomes what most FTR matches are: a lesson in timing, positioning, and why fundamentals still matter, even when the rules might not.
Prediction: FTR
The Babes of Wrath have become something surprisingly compelling. They’re a team built on vibes, volume, and Willow Nightingale’s undeniability. Harley Cameron certainly brings an energy, though a brand that I grow less fond of as time passes, but this act only works because Willow is a genuine star hiding inside a fun enough gimmick. At some point, that tension between her joy for life and drive for success must be resolved, or she’ll never reach the heights she deserves.
Across the ring are two wrestlers who seem like they wandered in from a more serious division. Mercedes Mone and Athena have nothing to prove. They have collectively done it all while their opponents have barely done anything. What they do need is purpose. Athena continues grinding away in largely unseen ROH. Mone floats in and out of programs, parading her collection of belts while seething about the one she can’t win. This is a transitional program, nothing more, nothing less. Even though Mercedes and Athena should never, ever lose to The Babes, somehow they will.
Prediction: Babes of Wrath retain
Jamie Hayter is trapped where Kris Statlander used to live: talented, credible, clearly capable of more, but unable to shift the energy around her. Blood and Guts was a proper spectacle, but that was a group effort. Her injury layoff didn’t just stall her momentum; it erased it. The in-ring work still hits. The strikes are still crispy. Between the bells remains vibrant, but everything surrounding it feels inert. Timing is everything in pro wrestling and Hayter’s timing has been cruel.
Statlander is no longer a what-if. She’s established. She’s bona fide. She wrestles like someone who belongs at the very top. Her reign has been about legitimacy more than spectacle. It’s solid more than spectacular. For a wrestler who spent years lost in the creative wilderness, that consistency is everything.
If you’re frustrated with Hayter’s position, Statlander is the proof of concept. This is what making it out the other side looks like. Hayter doesn’t need to win to benefit here (though it wouldn’t hurt); she needs to remind people who she is. Statlander needs to keep doing what she’s been doing: beating excellent wrestlers clean and stacking wins.
Prediction: Statlander
Strip away the noise, the borrowed outrage, the winking-at-the-camera seriousness, and what you’re left with is a ridiculous amount of star power sharing one ring. That’s the frustrating part. This didn’t need help.
Samoa Joe is gravity. He warps the match simply by standing there, turning every exchange into something consequential. Swerve is violence with intent, a main eventer who has long since crossed the moral event horizon and never looked back. Hangman remains AEW’s emotional barometer, even when his righteousness becomes something more interesting and dangerous. MJF is still the company’s great disruptor, incapable of existing in a scene without bending it toward himself, sometimes for better, often for worse.
If we could wipe away the last few weeks of Diddy-related promo work, this match would be much better served. All they needed to do was ring the bell for this to feel special. I can’t shake the feeling that we’re in for another MJF title reign, especially with Dynamite Diamond ring wearing Bandido waiting for the winner on January 14.
Prediction: MJF
Image: AEW
Editor’s Note: The following is an opinion-based preview that reflects the views of the author and not the website.
I can feel AEW’s autumn fog lifting.
They ripped off a killer Blood and Guts last week and followed it up with a mostly solid week of TV, highlighted by the announcement of this year’s Continental Classic: AEW’s reliable creative defibrillator. Every year, the tournament gives Tony Khan a stable, crowd-pleasing tentpole to book around, and I’m hoping this installment brings the same spark.
Historically, the CC has triggered a significant shift in how hot the product feels. Suddenly, the matches are crisper, the promos tighten up, and the entire show carries a renewed sense of urgency. It’s the closest thing AEW has to flipping the ‘ON’ switch.
Hopefully the switch gets hit this Saturday from scenic Newark, New Jersey. Let’s run through the matches and predictions for this Saturday’s AEW Full Gear (8 PM Eastern main card start on PPV) and see how things shake out
Hopefully, the end of Blood and Guts reawakened something inside Kyle O’Reilly and reminded him of what and who he is — the violent artist. He felt unleashed and at home in that match, capped off by the full-on moment of tapping out Jon Moxley in a bed of broken glass.
As Moxley does with everyone, he dragged the violence out of O’Reilly, and I pray he dragged it out for good. I’m sure the Conglomeration version of O’Reilly has its fans, but I am not one. That’s not an act to be taken seriously. The post-show promo after that match was a great start, and this week’s Dynamite was an incredible follow-up.
I’m excited to see what the NHB stipulation brings. If this lands, KOR is suddenly, and unexpectedly, a key player in AEW’s upper mid-card. What a wonderful development that would be. Mox has done a remarkable (and honestly shocking) amount of losing for a company ace. If he loses again, O’Reilly might be making a climb up the AEW pecking order.
And I’ll end with a question: Is this a Roderick Strong heel turn?
Prediction: Moxley wins
This is a match with two men who have no regard for the integrity of their spinal columns. Allin’s bump freak proclivities require no explanation or exposition, but PAC is right there with him when it comes to the willingness to being spiked on his head. An enthusiastic and frequent vertebrae compressor, his absence from TV allows us to forget that no one is willing to eat a DDT quite like our newly short-haired king.
This pairing is long overdue. PAC is at his best when he gets to be cruel; Darby is at his best when someone tries to kill him. Even if there was no story between these two, the pairing is one worth watching. Instead, we have something compelling: Darby’s continual antagonism of the Death Riders and PAC’s desire to bend him (and everyone really) into a pretzel.
Pencil in a few groan-inducing bumps, Darby nearly paralyzing himself, and the slow realization that AEW will absolutely let these two try to fold each other like beach chairs.
Prediction: Darby Allin
The winning team gets to pick a stipulation for their semifinal match in the Women’s World Tag Team title tournament.
A four-way like this should feel like a showcase of a thriving division and, in most cases, it does. The Babes of Wrath bring energy and personality every time they show up, even if they skew too close to a comedy act for my liking (Willow should be champion).
The Sisters of Sin know who they are and what the act should be while the Timeless Love Bombs (lol) are pure camp and charisma. Full credit to Toni Storm for effortlessly slotting down from the main event scene to lend serious weight to the tournament. Bayne and Shafir work well as two unique forces of nature thrown together by circumstance. With more time to gel and unite in storyline, the accidental pairing of monsters could realistically anchor the division through its infancy.
And that gets to the heart of it: this still feels like a collection of potential rather than a field of established contenders. There’s talent everywhere, but not enough definition. If even one or two of these teams had been given a month more build or a reason to exist beyond the bracket, this could feel like a true showcase instead of a promising sketch. This division certainly isn’t struggling; it sometimes lacks the connective tissue needed to feel cohesive.
Prediction: Bayne & Shafir
This feels like it only exists to keep The Elite on the treadmill while AEW tries to figure out where the hell to point Kenny Omega next.
On Josh Nason’s podcast, we ended up talking about the diminishing supply of “true Kenny Omega matches” left, and he said something that stuck with me: every Omega match should feel like an event. Given the miles on his body, there’s no room for throwaways.
That’s why this match worries me. It doesn’t feel like it’s building to a spectacle; it just feels like a placeholder. Kenny doesn’t need elaborate stories or six weeks of promos. You can have him point at Josh Alexander, Kevin Knight, or Takeshita and say, “Let’s go” and boom, you’ve got something meaningful. Instead, we’re back in Elite-adjacent territory and the last time AEW went down that road, the returns were…uneven, to be kind.
Jurassic Express is here because AEW still thinks that brand has juice (they don’t) and think Alexander is excellent at professional wrestling (he is!). The Bucks seem like they won’t be joining the Don Callis family, and that’s what will cost them the match.
Prediction: Kenny Omega and Jurassic Express
My favorite part of writing these columns is the moment I hit “Submit Draft.” My second favorite part is coming up with the titles. And ironically, this column’s title was the only time I enjoyed referencing AEW’s ballooning championship collection (For my PTA heads, my other working title was ‘A Few Small Championships’).
Between AEW and the specter of ROH, there are simply too many belts for any of them to carry weight. Scarcity gives championships meaning and hierarchy gives a roster shape. AEW keeps adding gold like it has a hidden quota to hit, and every new belt chips away at the value of the others. The pecking order gets muddied as we inch toward a future where anyone even moderately competent has hardware. That’s not prestige, that’s clutter.
Prediction: I don’t know, probably Bobby Lashley? Don’t make me do this one.
If Briscoe loses, he will be forced to join the Don Callis Family.
Even though this feud still has a little juice left, it’s past its expiration date. This is their third PPV meeting of the year and while the first two matches ranged from good to genuinely great depending on your taste, the rivalry has been stretched thin. The heat just isn’t there anymore. If AEW wanted this to truly matter, the moment to put the TNT title on Briscoe was WrestleDream. That was the peak. Everything since has been diminishing returns.
The TNT Championship isn’t a title that benefits from a year-long saga and in this case, it’s been secondary to the feud the entire time. We’d celebrate a Briscoe triumph even without a belt attached. What people want is simple: Briscoe finally giving the smug prince of the Callis family his long-overdue comeuppance.
But stretching this any further won’t add meaning and continues to dilute what once could have landed with weight. Imagine if Briscoe had won the title months ago? That would have been ideal. Nevertheless, his time is now.
Prediction: Mark Briscoe
This match rules on paper: compatible styles, clearly evident chemistry, and, most importantly, the existence of Bandido. The man is a pro wrestling treasure with so much physical charisma, it’s sickening. Everything he does is must-see (he pinned Okada for god’s sake!). If that doesn’t tell you what AEW thinks of his future, nothing will.
FTR has been in an almost endless holding pattern, and, at long last, it seems like they have real forward momentum. Brodido, meanwhile, is still fresh and fun. The problem with fresh and fun is that it has a finite shelf life. History tells us that thrown-together tag teams rarely sustain momentum forever, no matter how good they are. AEW also loves the quick-hit shock run to give the unexpected team a little pop, then slide the belts back to the long-term pillars when it’s time to resume the Serious Stories™.
Here’s the twist, though: Brodido is too fun and too popular to cut off this early…which is exactly why FTR needs to win. A heel FTR paired with Stokely Hathaway has infinitely more long-term juice as champions than as chasers and beating such a popular team cements them as heels. Brodido can stay hot without the belts; FTR needs them.
Prediction: FTR
This is the biggest test of Kris Statlander’s career. Can she go 15+ minutes with the women’s division’s version of the Best Bout Machine? Statlander has always been at her best when she’s pushed. When the moment demands something more, she finds it.
Winning the title was a genuine shock; the Toni Storm match at WrestleDream validated that surprise. But this? This is the one that seals the deal. A win over Mone establishes Statlander not just as champion, but as a made woman on top of the card for as long as she wants it.
As for the endless and agonising online whining about Mone collecting belts, please. Breathe some fresh air. Many of the titles she’s holding come from companies so small they barely have websites, let alone Wikipedia pages. The idea that putting their belts on a legitimate global star is “bad for their business” is galaxy-brained nonsense. If anything, she’s giving these titles oxygen and relevance they couldn’t dream of on their own.
More importantly, those complaints miss the entire point of the character. She’s collecting belts precisely because she can’t win the one that matters: the AEW Women’s World Championship. The overcompensating, the theatricality, the bravado are all armor covering the fact that she feels incomplete without that title. She’s chasing validation she can’t quite grasp, and she knows it. If you can’t see that this is interesting character work, try activating your frontal lobe.
Prediction: Kris Statlander
Samoa Joe brings a gravity that few on the roster can. The second he steps into a segment, the air gets heavy and the stakes rise. A steel cage is the perfect setting for him. When you wrestle Joe, there is no escape.
There’s a slight problem in this case: Page has his own propensities towards violence and a bloodlust all his own. He’s not afraid to be trapped in a cage with Joe, just like he wasn’t afraid to have a Texas Death Match with Jon Moxley. Sure, he’s the babyface champion now, but the other side of his coin is stained in blood.
Hangman’s reign has been good. Characterising it as boring might be a little short-sighted. No reign could ever match the catharsis of his ascent, capped by pulling the World title out from the briefcase and into the light. We’ll always remember that, but we need something to remember what happened after.
It would be a remarkable surprise for Hangman to lose on Saturday, but there’s too much meat on the bone. He’s never better than when he leans into his brutal side, and the cage allows for that. Page’s run at the top continues.
Prediction: Hangman Adam Page
‘Hangman’ Adam Page has been announced for a big trios match.
Next week on the November 5th edition of Dynamite, World Champion Adam Page will team up with HOOK and Eddie Kingston to take on The Opps (Samoa Joe, Katsuyori Shibata, & Powerhouse Hobbs).
While the Opps are the reigning Trios Champions, the titles will not be on the line during next week’s highly anticipated six-man showdown. The bout will act as a stepping stone in Joe’s pursuit of the World title against Hangman Page at Full Gear.
A former World Champion himself, the Samoan Submission Machine earned his rematch against Page by defeating HOOK, Bobby Lashley, and Ricochet at Fright Night Dynamite.
Earlier tonight, All Elite Wrestling also announced a women’s tag-team championship tournament first round match between Mercedes Mone & Athena against the Babes of Wrath (Harley Cameron & Willow Nightingale).
Tonight’s episode of Fright Night Collision featured a few official announcements for next week’s edition of Dynamite. Here is the advertised lineup for the November 5th episode of the Wednesday-night show:
The AEW World Champion and the top contender to his title will go face-to-face on tonight’s Dynamite.
AEW Champion Hangman Adam Page and number one contender MJF will have a face-to-face confrontation on tonight’s show in Cincinnati. The two almost came to blows at the conclusion of last Wednesday’s show after MJF defeated Mark Briscoe, then continued to brutalize him after the match. Page ran in for the save, but MJF begged off.
By virtue of winning the Casino Gauntlet match last month, MJF holds a contract for a guaranteed AEW World title shot.
Hometown boy Jon Moxley will be in action on tonight’s episode, facing Kevin Knight. Moxley defeated Knight’s tag partner Mike Bailey in the opener on last week’s show.
Adam Copeland will return to the ring for the first time in four months on tonight’s show against FTR’s manager Stokely Hathaway.
Kyle Fletcher will have his Forbidden Door challenger for the TNT Championship revealed on tonight’s episode as well, and the two will also go face-to-face.
**********
The horror that is the Big Bang Theory has come to a close and it’s time for another healthy serving of AEW Dynamite!
-The show kicked off with the Most Hated Man In Wrestling, MJF striding to the ring mic in hand. AEW World Champion Hangman Page, came down next. The two brawled last week but were under threat of “MASSIVE” fine should they throw hands tonight.
MJF ran down the crowd and then told Page that he knows he’s at his most vulnerable when he’s angry. MJF promised to make Page very, very angry. Page took the bait and called MJF an edgelord and dumbass. Page said that MJF isn’t going to goad him into a title shot, he’s going to have to earn it or cash in his Casino Gauntlet Contract.
MJF said that “good” and “bad” is a matter of perspective and he’s not the problem, Page is. MJF then took a shot at God (?) saying he can’t be all good and neither is Page. Page isn’t a God, he’s a little boy and MJF would rather be seen as the Devil than a False Idol like Page.
MJF said getting the title back isn’t all he wants. He has a point to prove and that is to show the world what a fraud Page is. At Forbidden Door, MJF promised to crucify Page.
Page said that he owns up to his faults and doesn’t run from them. Page reminded him that he doesn’t have a match at Forbidden Door. Just a contract. Any time, any where. Page said that MJF won’t take his shot because he’s afraid and knows he doesn’t have what it takes to hold the AEW Title.
A frustrated MJF took the bait this time and said that he was going to cash in his Casino Gauntlet Contract at Forbidden Door. At least that’s what I assume he said, the mic cut out.
Page called him a dumbass one more time and then left so MJF could kick the ropes and stomp around the ring
Kinda wild that the promo began with Page saying MJF wouldn’t goad him into a title match and then turned it around and goaded MJF into one.
-Footage was shown from last week of Darby Allin kidnapping Wheeler Yuta last week to staple a note to his forehead challenging Jon Moxley for Forbidden door. Mox joined us live to say that wasn’t happening, then strode to the ring.
Knight stepped in last week to help his JetSpeed partner Speedball Bailey against Mox, setting up tonight’s confrontation.
Knight charged Mox off the top, kicking him into the corner and stomping a proverbial mudhole. As soon as he backed up though, Moxley took control and threw some hard strikes. The chops began with Moxley coming out on top when he started throwing elbows.
Moxley dodged a dropkick and tried for a Texas Cloverleaf, but Knight pushed him out of the ring. They battled at the barricade, with Moxley punching and wrenching Knight’s head, eventually hitting it off the announce table. Baliey arrived to urge on Knight while Mox broke the count in the ring.
Knight sent Moxley into the ring steps and as Mox staggered up, Knight hit a dropkick from the ring apron (the droppiest part of the ring!).
The fight moved back into the ring and up the entrance ramp with Knight raining punches down on Moxley. Knight dove off the entrance ramp, but Mox dodged it and Knight flew into the barricade.
Back in the ring, Moxley hit a big suplex and dragged Knight around the ring. Bailey tried to get involed, but Marina Schafir and Wheeler Yuta cut him off, allowing Moxley to toss Knight outside and into the stairs. Mox pulled him back into the ring and locked in a stretch hold.
The two started trading punches again but this time it was Knight that got the upper hand. Then Moxley bit that upper hand. Knight responded with a dropkick and a little biting of his own. Knight started throwing lariats and a big scoop slam on Moxley, followed by a splash.
The both climbed to the top rope and Moxley twisted Knights finger before poking him in the eye. Knight sprang back up though and nailed a top rope superplex for a two count.
Moxley hit a cutter out of nowhere and went for a piledriver, but Kight reversed it and sent Moxley into the ropes for a powerbomb and two count. Moxley bailed from the ring, but Knight dove over the turnbuckle right onto him. Yuta tried to get involved, but Knight kicked him off.
Knight hit a DDT and a UFO splash, but Moxley got the knees up and a sleeper locked in. Knight tried his best to wriggle out, but had to tap out.
Match Result: Jon Moxley defeated Kevin Knight
After the match, Baliey tried to help out Knight, but Yuta took him down, peppering him with elbows and sending him out of the ring for Shafir to finish off. Darby Allin’s music hit and Allin dragged a body bag and a skateboard down the entrance ramp.
Allin’s arrival allowed Knight to dropkick Moxley to the floor. Allin jumped Yuta and zipped him into the body bag. He went up top for a Coffin Drop, but Claudio Castignoli arrived and took out Allin, releasing Yuta from the body bag.
Claudio gut-wrenched Allin into his own body bag and zipped him up. He then put Allin on his shoulders for a big spin and threw him to the mat, still in the bag. Then Yuta grabbed a chair and pulled Allin out of the bag to put a chair around his neck. Before the damage could be done, Will Osprey arrived and took out Yuta and Castignoli.
Moxley grabbed Yuta a tried to bold, but Osprey grabbed a mic and said that he was going to snap Moxley’s neck. Osprey suggested that Moxley bring his friends to London and he’ll get his friends and they can have a lights out steel cage match.
Boy that was a lot. The after-match shenanigans were almost longer than the match. However, the match was great. Mox and Knight have such conflicting styles, it made for a really good back and forth match.
Thekla and Blue of the Triangle of Madness have been making life difficult for Aminata and Nightengale (who I’m calling the Rhombus of Sanity). Windsor will be part of the 4-Way match for Mone’s TBS title at Forbidden Door.
Suddenly, the match got Timeless as Toni Storm appeared on the baclony. As well, ROH Women’s world Champion Athena appeared on the other side of the balcony. At home, a single proud tear rolled down Sting’s cheek.
Windsor and Blue kicked it off with a quick exchange with Windsor taking control with a big shoulder block. Nightingale tagged in and pounded Blue in the corner. Blue managed to get a tag to Mone as Aminata came in. The TBS champion got picked up and slammed by Aminata who laid in some “chocolate kisses.” Google it.
Aminata isolated Mone in her team’s corner and Windsor tagged in for some side slams. Julia HArt tried to grab Windsor from the outside and Money used that distraction for a chinbreaker. Storm and Athena watched approvingly from their respective balconies.
Back from a break, Nightingale flattened Thekla and Blue jumped in to get some revenge. Nightingale caught her with a Death Valley Driver though and Windsor took out Blue. Thekla, Blue and Money got stacked up in the corner to take punishment from all three of their opponents, ending with a cannonball from Nightingale.
Aminata slammed Thekla and Hart tried to get involved again, but Thekla took advantage and hit Aminata from behind, hanging her up in the ropes. Thekla tagged in Mone and Aminata brought in Windsor who side-russian-legswept Mone to the mat.
Windsor locked in a Scorpion Sharp Lock Shooter, but Mone was able to get a tag to Blue, but NIghtingale hit her, then Blue hit Nightengale and all hell broke loose. Everyone brawled leaving only Blue and Windsor standing. Blue put the Scorpion Death Lock on Blue who was forced to tap right the heck out.
Match Result: Alex Windsor, Queen Aminata & Willow Nightingale defeated Mercedes Moné, Thekla & Skye Blue
After the match, Athena and Storm started brawling on the balcony and Mone laid a beating onto Windsor in the ring. Taking a page from Sheamus/Rusev a coup,e RAWs ago, Athena and Storm battled down to the entrance ramp with Storm beating Athena down. Windsor took out Mone in the ring and Storm grabbed a mic. Storm said that they were going to “bareback [Athena and Mone] all over scotland.”
That means they will be in a tag match, Windsor & Storm vs Mone & Athena on Dynamite in Scotland.
I hope.
Another fun match in the ring with absolute chaos out of it. Exhausting, but fun.
-Backstage Will Osprey joined Rene Paquette and said that Osprey, Darby Allin and Hiroshi Tamahashi will be a team (with a “couple” others) in their Lights Out match at Forbidden Door. He also asked Rene to ask her husband if they could have a chat in Scotland next week.
So, if FTR interferes in this match it means the restraining order they have against Cope becomes null and void. Now, I don’t know much, but I have seen like 20 seasons of Law & Order and this seems perfectly legit.
A reluctant Stokely was dragged to the ring by AEW Security and tossed through the ropes. Stokely tried to spear Cope off the top, but Cope barely felt it. He offered Stokely a free shot and then casual stepped aside, drawing a “holy shit” chant from the crowd that may not have been entirely sincere.
Stokely tried to be friends with Cope, offering him a fist bump. So Copeland punched him in the face about it and grabbed a mic. He then asked audience members what they thought of Stokley. They concurred that he had no Ho’s.
Copeland dragged Stokely back to to the ring while the commentary team pretended to not know what a ho was. Cope speared Stokely in the ring and FTR arrived on the entrance ramp. They begged Copeland to stop, but instead he speared Stokely again.
FTR couldn’t take it anymore and ran to the ring, negating their restraining order. Copeland took out Wheeler and Cash and went for a third spear on Stokely, but Stokely threw powder at Copeland’s face, causing the ref to call off the match and rendering him vulnerable to attack from FTR. They slammed his head with a mic and Wheeler held Copeland so Stokely could punch him.
Match Result: Adam Copeland vs Stokely went to a no contest
FTR went to finish off Copeland when a wild Christian Cage appeared with Spike in hand. Then Nick Wayne showed up. Then Kip Sabian with a chair. Cope speared Sabian and the heels backed off leaving Christian and Copeland in the ring standing tall, with the crowd begging for them to “hug it out,” which they did to great ovation.
I think that was a fun segment, with the ultimate goal being the reunion of Copeland and Christian, which is awesome. But jeez, there have been three matches and all have ended with multi-person run-ins. I’m not saying that isn’t exciting, it’s just a lot. I barely saw Wayne in that schmozz.
Don Callis asked New Japan Pro Wrestling to send their best to face Kyle Fletcher and now we find out who they landed on in this 8-man match. Drum roll please:
HIROMU TAKAHASHI
Yeah, that was worth the wait!
Fletcher and Takahashi kicked it off with a great exchange until the Young Bucks interfered. Hologram and King sent the Bucks to the outside as a brawl broke out. the Bucks Superkicked King and then the ring announcer Justin Roberts for not announcing them the way they wanted. Hologram then dove over the ropes and took out everyone.
After it settled down, King and Hologram double teamed Fletcher in the ring. They isolated him in the corner and King, Takahashi and Ishii took turns beating Fletcher up. King charged him in the corner, but Fletcher got a foot up and Alexander came in to get beat up by King.
It was also announced that Tony Khan had fined the Young Bucks $10,000 each for superkicking Justin Roberts.
Back in the ring, King was laid prone by Alexander as Fletcher tagged in for some stomps. Fletcher took a shot at Takahashi which opened him up for a shot from King, who tagged in Ishii. Ishii threw Fletcher around the ring, looking for a brainbuster. Fletcher reversed it and Takahashi kicked Fletcher’s legs out from under him.
Ishii set Fletcher up for a shot and a 450 from Hologram, but Fletcher got the knees up. The Bucks ran in and started spamming superkicks. Alexander grabbed Takahashi and slammed him on the ring apron while everyone brawled again.
Fletcher got King up for a Young-buck assisted spiked piledriver on the ring apron. Back in the ring, Hologram was at the mercy of all four of his opponents who took turns hitting big moves on him. He reversed a Nicholas Jackson hurricanrana and got a hot tag to Takahasi who used Nicholas as a weapon on Kyle Fletcher.
Takahashi flew around the ring, stacking up Fletcher and Alexander for a lariat in the corner. He went up top but wasnt fast enough and caught a Fletcher kick to the head. The Bucks jumped in and laid him out with kicks and then Fletcher hit a leaping tombstone, but Takahashi kicked out at two.
Alexander tagged in but Takahashi reversed his attack into a flatliner. King then rejoined the match after that piledriver and took out Fletcher. Hologram jumped on a bunch of people, the bucks were there, all hell broke loose and Alexander and Takahashi were the only ones left standing and presumeably legal.
Takahashi planted Alexander with a huge driver and got the pin to pick up the win.
Match Result: Tomohiro Ishii, Hologram, Brody King & Hiromu Takahashi defeated Young Bucks, Kyle Fletcher & Josh Alexander
After the match, it was made official: Kyle Fletcher will defend his TNT Title against Hiromu Takahashi at Forbidden Door.
Whew, what a frantic match! There was so much happening so fast I could barely keep up. Killer moments for everyone though and a great way to end the sho– Holy crap, it’s not over! This is great, AEW never fails to pack in the action in a 2-hour show!
-Swerve Strickland joined Rene Paquette next, but there were some mic issues causing Taz and Excalibur to exclaim “bangers!” over and over to kill time. Once those issues were resolved, Rene asked if Swerve was medically cleared for Forbidden Door. Swerve said that he doesn’t care if he is or isn’t, his only priority is Unified Champion Okada at Forbidden Door.
Okada took that as a good time to come on out and stare down Strickland. Okada said that Swerve has “no chance” thanks to his knee injury. Okada said he might as well give up now, but Swerve still questioned who’s house it might be. The crowd confirmed it was Swerve’s.
Okada then called him a bitch and security came out to pull the brawlers apart.
-Backstage, Jon Moxley was asked if he had chosen his teammates for Forbidden Door. He was somewhat excited at Osprey’s partner Hiroshi Tamahashi, but then walked into the “Extra’s” locker room where the Young Bucks were sitting. Mox closed the door and the segment ended.
Back from commercial, Honorary Ring Announcer Tony Schiavone made two big match announcements for Forbidden Door:
Adam Copeland & Christian Cage vs Kip Sabian & Nick Wayne
The Death Riders and The Young Bucks vs Will Osprey, Darby Allin, Hiroshi Tamahashi, Kota Ibushi and Kenny Omega in a Lights Out Steel Cage Match!
Samoa Joe returns from injury here to back up his fellow Champions, Hobbs and Shibata.
Hobbs and Mortos kicked things off making my hoss-loving heart sing. Hobbs tagged in Joe to take on Dralistico and he looked like he hadn’t missed a step. Shibata tagged in and set Dralistico down to kick Rush in the head. That brought all six into the match for a quick brawl.
Things settled down and Dralistico locked a strech onto Shibata. He dragged him to his team’s corner and tagged in Mortos who laid him out with a stretch, preventing Shibata from making a tag. Mortos, Rush and Dralistico took turns tagging in and out to beat down an isolated Shibata.
Rush taunted Joe, trying to drag him into the match, but Joe was cut off by the ref while Rush wrenched Shibata in a chinlock. Dralistico and Mortos worked Shibata’s leg over and over, preventing tag after tag attempt. Rush tagged in to taunt some more as Shibata tried to get to his feet.
Shibata began no-selling chops from Rush and landing a high knee. Rush turned the tables though and stomped him in the corner. Grabbing Shibata by the throat, Rush left himself open to some chops and Shibata hit a leg sweep slam to give himself a chance to get the hot tag to Hobbs.
Mortos tagged in and Hobbs took out Mortos and Dralistico, stacking them up in the corner and hitting a big spinebuster on Mortos. Rush broke up the pin though. Joe tagged in to take on Dralistico who tried a springboard, but got caught in a coquina clutch! Hobbs kept the other team at bay while Dralistico was forced to tap out.
Match Result: The Opps (Samoa Joe, Katsuyori Shibata and Powerhouse Hobbs) defeated LFI (RUSH, Dralístico and The Beast Mortos)
Great way to really end the show. I love me a big match with big dudes hitting each other bigly and this delivered that. With Forbidden Door shaping up and big matches planned for Dynamite in Scotland, Dynamite was absolutely packed from opening to close tonight!
Oh but wait! One more interview in the parking garage with Hangman Page! MJF jumped Page before he could say anything and bounced his head off of a series of cars. MJF reiterated his promise to break Page and left the Champ slumped against a car.
The AEW World Championship is on the line as part of tonight’s Dynamite lineup.
In an All In rematch, Hangman Adam Page defends the AEW World title against Jon Moxley in a match where everyone is banned from ringside. Page defeated Moxley for the World title at All In in a Texas Death match earlier this month.
The AEW Tag Team title eliminator tournament continues tonight with a quarterfinals matchup pitting The Young Bucks against The Outrunners.
Coming off his appearance in Netflix’s Happy Gilmore 2 movie released last week, MJF will speak on tonight’s show. Bobby Lashley made it clear last week that he wants MJF out of The Hurt Syndicate, a fact MJF will likely address tonight.
A women’s division tag team match is also set for the show, with AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm teaming with Alex Windsor against ROH Women’s World Champion Athena and Billie Starkz. Athena is next in line to challenge Storm for the AEW title after winning the Casino Gauntlet match at All In.
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AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur running down tonight’s full card before going to a highlight package on the incredible war at All In between Hangman Page & Jon Moxley for their Texas Death Match, as well as Death Riders continuing to wreak havoc on Page’s friends in recent weeks. This was an excellent video package hyping tonight’s main event.
(A very fun opening contest, as I love the way they’re treating The Bucks, but I didn’t really think the “local talent” should’ve won this match. Especially if all signs point to FTR being the ones to win this tournament. The crowd were loudly pissed off at the result of this, even though The Outrunners and Swerve Strickland stood tall in the post-match. I hope they run this match back down the line and Floyd & Magnum, who looked great in this (of course, they were in their with The Bucks), get their revenge and a win over Matt & Nick.)
The Outrunners cut an inset promo about win, lose or draw, they’re rich, having won $200,000 on Collision last week. The Bucks were already in the ring without an entrance and treated as enhancement talent with their graphic reading “Talent Name” and “Social Media” for their X & Instagram links. The Bucks inset promo was them heavily insulted, as this is no way to treat your founding fathers.
Magnum & Nick have a fast-opening sequence with Nick getting ping ponged between both Outrunners, who fired off a double big boot and huge back drop on both Bucks. Double corner punches in bunches delivered, but The Bucks battled back with dueling dives before hitting their pose for the crowd. Floyd was able to fight off a double back drop and dive for the hot tag to Magnum, who was a house of fire. Matt blocked a double boot in the corner, swung Magnum’s legs around, hung up and Nick hit a Swanton. Superkick laid out Floyd, as Nick followed with a Escalera, before getting into Tony Schiavone’s face, demanding who the superstar is? Excalibur was insulted he was interrupted trying to throw to commercial.
Back from break, Matt spat in the face of Floyd, who nearly got the hot tag, but Nick swept the legs as Magnum dove. Nick ran wild with a series of superkicks until Matt hit a somersault cutter off the apron to the floor on Floyd. Nick connected on a slingshot face buster on Magnum for two before hitting Risky Business with Matt for two. Magnum escaped More Bang for Your Buck and finally got the Floyd hot tag, resulting in the fans going nuts. Huge bodyslams and charging corner elbows as a Northern Lights Bomb on Matt led to a Son of a B*tch elbow attempt, which Nick superkicked away from. Running bulldog/clothesline combo from Floyd, as they tried Total Recall, but Matt made the save with a superkick, as a Superkick Party ramped up until Floyd no sold and turned both inside out with lariats. Son of a B*tch double elbow connects for two, as Nick made the save and hit a moonsault to the floor before an assisted Sliced Bread and running knee for a near fall.
Nick almost collided with referee Rick Knox, but managed a low blow mule kick on Magnum. Nick shoved Knox, who shoved him back, as Magnum got a roll-up for two. The Bucks accidentally superkicked each other, allowing Total Recall to connect on Matt, but Nick dove to make the save. This Is Awesome chants, as Total Recall was avoided a second time, with Matt getting a school boy with the tights for two. The Bucks managed a TK Driver, as Nick held off Floyd and Matt got the pin. The fans were pretty furious about the result.
Post-match, Kazuchika Okada came down to celebrate with The Bucks, as The Outrunners were both trying to get up in the middle of the ring, but were beat down. Swerve Strickland’s music hit and Okada turned his attention to the stage, not realizing The Outrunners made a comeback, leaving him being pinballed between Strickland, Magnum & Floyd. Huge backdrop by Floyd led to Strickland wanting House Call, but The Bucks pulled Okada to safety. Or so they thought, as Strickland dove onto the pile with a Swerve Stomp.
Match Result: The Young Bucks defeated The Outrunners when Matt pinned Magnum
-Renee Paquette is backstage with Mark Briscoe and brings up his issues with MJF before Ricochet walks in with G.O.A. as he said if Briscoe isn’t careful, Ricochet will bounce Briscoe out of town in a pool of his own blood like he did at Revolution. Briscoe said he’s on a war path and tonight, he’ll kick Ricochet’s ass, but that’s nothing compared to what he does to MJF. Ricochet snapped his fingers to get Briscoe’s attention, as he said tonight, he’s beating Briscoe again and called him a loser before doing his cackle.
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-Back from break, Excalibur & Taz mention MJF being in Happy Gilmore 2, as well as having a World Title contract any time he wishes, but brings up The Hurt Syndicate, especially Bobby Lashley, being sick and tired of MJF last week.
MJF is in the back and talks about being in the biggest movie in the world Happy Gilmore 2, but said he’s here to get The Hurt Syndicate back on track. He knocks on The Hurt Syndicate locker room, but only Shelton Benjamin walks out, as Lashley & MVP aren’t there.
MJF said from the bottom of his heart, he’s sorry for Bob’s actions last week, but wants to strategize to get his AEW World Title back, but was cut off. Benjamin said MVP isn’t there because he’s pretty disgusted with MJF. Benjamin asked what time it was and brings up the watch MJF gave him. Benjamin said it’s the nicest watch he’s seen from Temu and knows a cheap knockoff when he sees it. The only reason MJF didn’t get his ass kicked long ago was MVP stuck his neck out for him. He said MJF can get to stepping with his fake watch and if he doesn’t, he’ll leave in a pool of his own piss. Benjamin tossed down the fake watch and gave MJF a thumbs down before slamming the door in his face. MJF screamed for the camera to get out of his face.
Tony Schiavone welcomes Cage to the ring for the first time since All In. “My name is Christian Cage and I’m an A**hole.” Cage said he’s the type that’s numb to the world and everything in it, as he doesn’t care who is in his way or hurt, he was focused on winning the AEW World Title, fulfilling his destiny. Cage brought up Revolution, hitting a Spear, nearly winning the Title, but took a split second to look down and seeing his past. That hesitation cost him his future and didn’t realize that Kip Sabian & Nick Wayne’s nuts dropped and could stand up to him, despite not earning the right to do so. When it comes to this business, he’s spent more money on rental cars than they’ve spent combined in their career. Cage didn’t stick to the plan because he didn’t think The Patriarchy were capable of pulling off the plan. Nick, Kip & Shayna doesn’t know what it’s like to live the life of luxury and there’s probably a long line of people ready to destroy Cage for what he’s done.
As for Adam Copeland, he heard what was said a few weeks ago, talking about snapping Copeland’s neck and taking care of his wife when it was all said and done. Cage asks if what he said was all that bad, as Copeland understands the game within the game, as he himself was an Ultimate Opportunist, as he can see that in his accomplishments over his career. Maybe Cage did or maybe he didn’t find himself, they’re so different, but they’re also much of the same. The Patriarchy embarrassed Cage at All In, deciding they didn’t need a Patriarch any longer. Cage said Shayna was right, it was hard getting up that night, but he’s gotten out of large, gaping holes before, he’s always clawed his way out. Maybe they had issue with Cage ruling with an iron fist, but it came from the scars of his past. Cage asked Nick how it’s going to go when he has to show up and fight? Cage has always answered the bell for the things that he’s done and said. Cage said Nick is The Prodigy and has more talent than Cage, but he has the audacity to call himself the New Face of AEW, only he’ll have to go through Christian Cage to get that claim. Nick already has one dead father, but now he has a father that’s dead to him. From this moment, Christian Cage disowns them.
As Cage walked up the ramp, Shayne Wayne walked out and tried to slap him, but was blocked. Cage turned and caught Kip Sabian trying to sneak attack, but turned and was cracked with the ROH TV Title by Nick Wayne. Sabian & Nick both had chairs and hit a standing Con-Chair-To on Cage, who collapsed in a heap. Nick screamed that he disowned Cage. I thought the promo itself went pretty long, but the post-promo was good stuff and keeps The Matriarchy looking strong.
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-FTR are backstage with Stokely Hathaway, who said they’re one step closer to taking back their AEW Tag Team Titles. Adam Copeland deserves to be banned from ringside tomorrow night, what The Hurt Syndicate did last week was cowardice and The Bang Bang Gang are good, but they aren’t FTR. The Young Bucks walk in and FTR said they’re happy The Bucks won tonight as they put the past in the past and hope to see them in the Finals. They both shake hands as Hathaway stops and said The Bucks aren’t in charge anymore, right? The Bucks agreed, as Hathaway motioned like he was going to back hand them before hobbling away with his crutch. Matt screams that everyone in this company is so fickle! Hathaway was hilarious here.
(PPV main event caliber match here in to start the second hour, as this crowd was on fire and ready to see Page stand tall over Moxley. They were rewarded that’s for sure, as these two, as usual, beat the living hell out of one another and it was incredibly refreshing to see it done without so much interference. Sure, it happened briefly towards the finish, but what got Death Riders so many wins over the last year, has continued to blow up in their face, as Moxley remains spooked by the ghosts from his past, this being Darby Allin. It would’ve been such a missed opportunity if this hole time at the Aragon Ballroom Darby didn’t dive off a balcony, which thankfully occurred tonight.)
Extra security is beefed up around ringside, as Tony Schiavone said they know there’s more matches planned for tonight, but they are going to stick with this until there’s a winner. Page wasted no time pouring on the forearms in the opening moments, as that switched to a stiff chop battle, until Moxley opted to bite the forehead. Page got a boot up in the corner and hanging Rear Naked Choke, but Moxley rolled to the outside, where Page decked him over the time keepers table. Back inside, a sliding lariat got Page a near fall, but Moxley recovered with a release German before dishing out punches in bunches in the corner. More release Germans from Moxley, but Page cut him off at the pass, backflipping onto his feet and clocked Moxley with a discus forearm. Fall Away Slam sent Moxley to the apron, as Page kipped up, tried his springboard lariat, missed, but hit the comebacker and slingshot cross body. Death Valley Driver back inside for a near fall, but Moxley answers with a kimura. Page got the ropes, Moxley tried a charge, but ran into a pop-up powerbomb for two. Moxley went outside, where he drove Page into the steps before bringing him up for a piledriver onto the steel as things went to break.
It was all Moxley during the break, as he lit up Page with kicks, only firing Page up in the process. Rolling elbow led to a loud forearm exchange until a misdirect big boot and back drop suplex resulted in a home run lariat from Page for the reset. Page wanted Buckshot, but Moxley exploded with a shotgun dropkick to the floor, as he frantically cleaned off the entire announce table. Moxley wanted a piledriver through it, but Page countered into Dead Eye, only the desk didn’t break. Another lariat back inside by Page, but Moxley kicked out, saying it’ll take a lot more than that. Incredibly impressive moonsault out of the corner by Page, who landed in a Tombstone position and connected for a close two.
Moxey desperately picked the ankle and got the Bulldog Choke, but Gator Rolled into a front face lock. Page managed to reverse into a Crossface, but Moxley just got the ropes. Page wanted a Dead Eye on the apron, but Moxley raked the back and hit a huge piledriver before delivering a Gotch Style version back inside for two. Moxley wanted Death Rider, but Page spun out for a left hook, which only amused Moxley, who had a smile. Forearms from Moxley only woke up Page, who booted Moxley outside before hitting an Orihara Moonsault. Page tried a Buckshot, but Moxley countered, tried Death Rider, Page countered into Dead Eye, only Moxley’s leg clipped referee Paul Turner, we’re told inadvertently.
Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta try coming in from the crowd, but are held off by security, as Marina Shafir threw the AEW Title into Moxley, decking Page, who was trying a Buckshot. Moxley nearly stole it, but Page kicked out to a huge reaction. Turner saw Shafir and booted her from ringside, as security and Castagnoli had to pull her away, as Shafir kept apologizing to Moxley. The pile started to leave, but Darby Allin appeared on the balcony and hit a dive on everyone. Moxley couldn’t believe it, as Page hit a big boot and Buckshot, but Moxley escaped Dead Eye, tried another piledriver, but Page hit Dead Eye. Another Buckshot was the final nail in the coffin and got Page the pin.
Match Result: Hangman Adam Page defeated Jon Moxley to retain the AEW World Title
-Video package for Dustin Rhodes vs. Kyle Fletcher tomorrow night for the TNT Title in a Chicago Street Fight was shown
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(Solid tag match with Windsor getting a lot of ring time in her Dynamite debut and the finish making the most sense to further the Athena & Storm feud.)
Windsor & Athena picked up where they left off on Collision last week, but Athena posed for Starkz, not realizing Storm tagged in. Once she did, they both put their dukes up and Athena quickly tagged Starkz, who faked a handshake and got a cheap shot. Storm answered with a misdirect snap dropkick and back breaker before Windsor tagged back in for locomotion corner splashes. Both danced their way to the corner for a double big boot and wiped-out Athena for good measure, until Starkz was planted with a hanging DDT through the ropes for two. Chase was on after Athena broke up the count, as Starkz decked Storm with a cheap shot. While celebrating, Windsor hit a somersault dive from the apron to take control of Starkz back inside. Starkz fought back, shooting a double leg and slingshot into the waiting Athena for a spinebuster.
Back from break, Windsor continued being worked over with an assisted hanging double stomp by Starkz until Windsor threw a desperation headbutt. Athena jumped in, but missed a senton, as Windsor nearly got the tag, but Starkz pulled out Storm’s legs. Windsor had to fight back with a series of lariats leading to the double down. Liger Bomb spiked Athena, but Starkz broke the count and ate a charging boot from Storm for her efforts. Discus lariat from Windsor on Athena, but Starkz flew in with a Senton Atomico. Tags made to Starkz & Storm, who ran wild with dropkicks and hip attacks. Mongolian Chops from Storm led to a Thesz Press on Starkz, who ate Sweet Cheek Music, but Athena made a blind tag as it happened. Athena flew in with an O-Face and pinned the AEW Women’s Champion as a result.
Post-match, Starkz slammed Windsor into the barricade, as Athena held her contract over Storm saying it’s only a matter of time and her time is forever.
Match Result: Athena & Billie Starkz defeated Timeless Toni Storm & Alex Windsor when Athena pinned Storm
-Renee Paquette is backstage with Hangman Page, who is being tended to by doctors. MJF struts in and congratulates Seabiscuit on retaining his title. Last time MJF checked, heroes don’t stab people in the head with forks, as he views Page as a coward in this scenario and tries to goad Page into giving him a World Title match and not using his contract. Page said MJF is going to have to earn a title shot if he doesn’t want to use his contract, as he’s going to have to beat someone he’s known for almost 10 years in Mark Briscoe if he wants him to consider giving him a title shot. MJF said the hicks from the sticks always stick together, but Page said there’s no Hurt Syndicate around, there’s nothing holding him back from kicking his ass. MJF furiously stormed out.
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-Alicia Atout is backstage with Willow Nightingale and talks about her challenge last week to Thekla going unanswered, but Thekla still formed a new group in the Triangle of Madness. Nightingale said she can have a shape nickname too, calling herself The Trapezoid of Grappezoid and said she talked to Tony Khan about having a match with Thekla on Collision. She said Khan said “damn girl, you wanna get crazy Chi-Style?” and he gave her the match, as Nightingale said that’s how matches are made around here. Nightingale said she’s going to rip off Thekla’s eight legs tomorrow night. Excalibur said that was a shockingly accurate Tony Khan impression by Nightingale.
(For the second week in a row, Briscoe gets a main event slot and win, as he’s being built as a legit contender in the World Title scene. I’d honestly love for Briscoe to ultimately win and get the unexpected title shot against Page, something no one would see coming, but it does seem this is a way for MJF to earn a title shot without using his contract. The crowd loves Briscoe and he’s been on an incredibly entertaining run this past month, I’m happy for him, he deserves it.)
Wall walk pump kick from Ricochet early, but Briscoe responded with an enzugiri and forearms in the corner. Briscoe remained in control, as he no sold the forearms Ricochet threw and gave him a hard corner buckle as a result. Briscoe missed a corner charge, but fired off a thrust chop to send Ricochet crashing outside. Gates of Agony make their way ringside and onto the apron, as the distraction was enough for Ricochet to attack from behind and hit a follow-up dive to stand tall with Liona & Kaun heading to commercial.
Back from break, Briscoe hulked up and fired back with strikes until he blocked a pump kick and sent Ricochet flipping over face first. Briscoe paint brushed Ricochet, who took referee Bryce, allowing Liona to pull Briscoe out to the floor, where Ricochet hit a corkscrew dive. Back inside springboard lariat connected flush, which led to a standing Shooting Star for two. Spirit Gun blocked, as Briscoe wanted Jay Driller, but opted to clothesline Ricochet outside instead. Kaun took the bullet, shoving Ricochet out of the way and eating a baseball slide from Briscoe. Setting up a chair in the ring, Briscoe launched off it to the outside onto Kaun & Ricochet as the crowd popped big.
Back inside, Jay Driller was blocked, but not the lariat, which turned Ricochet inside out. Briscoe wanted a Froggy Bow, but Kaun took the ref and Liona sent Briscoe crashing to the mat. Ricochet hit Vertigo, but Briscoe kicked out at two. Liona & Kaun went to get in the ring, but Brody King & Bandido made the save and fight the team they’ll be facing tomorrow on Collision. They all brawl to the back, as Ricochet was left alone, as Briscoe spun him around with a cradle for two. Ricochet up with multiple thrust kicks, but Briscoe turned him inside out again with a lariat before finally hitting a Jay Driller for the win.
Post-match, Briscoe took the mic and said they’re just getting started as he called out MJF. One time you bring up his brother’s name, shame on you, two times, shame on me for not obliterating his ass. Briscoe has never felt like this before, he needs help, he knows his brother is chilling in the mansion in heaven. If Briscoe kills MJF in cold blood and doesn’t repent, he’s worried he’ll never see his brother again, so MJF needs to make his day and get out there right now.
MJF’s music hit, but he never came out, he was on the big screen. MJF said he’s not an idiot and sensed Mascot Mark dropped the comedy routine, but it doesn’t mean MJF has to take him seriously. MJF has zero interest in a match, but now has to entertain it, since Seabiscuit told him he has to if he wants a shot at the AEW World Title. MJF talked to that mark Tony Khan and next week they’ll have their match, if Briscoe makes it. The video cuts and MJF is behind Briscoe, giving him a low blow before beating down Briscoe while wearing a MJF Did Nothing Wrong shirt. MJF told Hangman Page to watch, as he put on his Dynamite Diamond Ring, but Page’s music hit and he power walked to the ring. Page booted MJF, teased a Buckshot, but MJF spun back to Briscoe, who almost hit a Jay Driller, only MJF escaped and literally ran for his life up the ramp.
Match Result: Mark Briscoe defeated Ricochet
AEW Collision 7/31/25
AEW Dynamite 8/6/25
The new AEW World Champion will be in action on tonight’s live Dynamite from Chicago.
In a non-title affair, AEW World Champion Hangman Adam Page will face Wheeler Yuta of The Death Riders in a one-on-one contest on tonight’s episode.
Page defeated Yuta’s Death Riders comrade Jon Moxley for the World title at All In two weeks ago, but the rivalry between Page and the group has not cooled off since. A team captained by Page defeated a team captained by Moxley on last Wednesday’s Dynamite, then The Death Riders retaliated by attacking Page’s friend Colt Cabana as he sat in on commentary on last week’s AEW Collision episode.
A Women’s World title eliminator bout is also on tap for tonight’s show.
AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm will face Billie Starkz in a title eliminator bout. Starks in aligned with ROH Women’s World Champion Athena, who holds the right to challenge Storm for the AEW title by way of winning the women’s Casino Gauntlet match at All In.
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AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur telling us Breaking News, as a Tag Team Title Eliminator Tournament is set to start this evening, culminating at Forbidden Door in London on August 24th. The only teams we know so far will be competing tonight, as FTR takes on JetSpeed.
Renee Paquette approached Hangman Adam Page backstage, asking why he took this match with Wheeler Yuta tonight, despite not being in the best condition after the past few weeks. Page brought up Death Riders attacking his friend Colt Cabana on Collision and wants revenge tonight. MJF walks in and tells Seabiscuit that he will beat Page for the AEW World Title not by using his contract he won at All In. Page said MJF is a child, façade and gutless coward, as he walks off for his match, as MJF looks back angrily.
Yuta attacked Page during his entrance and hit a dive before Page quickly gained control as the match officially begin, hitting his springboard lariat to the floor, chucking Yuta into the barricade. Back inside, Page lit Yuta up with chops and a Death Valley Driver for a near fall. Yuta raked the eyes, went to charge, but ran into a huge lariat and Buckshot to give Page the quick and dominating win.
Post match, Page grabbed the chain he used at All In to win the World Title and cracked Yuta with it, delivering punches in bunches, busting Yuta open in the process. Page faked like he was going to hang Yuta after wrapping the chain around his throat, but screamed to Yuta that no one is coming to save him. “He Deserves It” chants from the fans in the Aragon Ballroom, as Page slowly walked off with the chain and AEW Title in tow.
Match Result: Hangman Adam Page defeated Wheeler Yuta
-ROH Women’s Champion Athena is backstage with Billie Starkz, who rattles off her Overlord’s nicknames and said AEW stands for Athena Elite Wrestling. Starkz said she’s going to beat Toni Storm tonight, but Athena corrected her, saying she must take Storm out. Athena holds the pen with all the power and tonight, she could cash in on Storm if she so chooses.
(An excellent TV tag match, as the crowd hated FTR & especially Stokely a whole lot and were fully behind JetSpeed. So, the end result only added heat from the fans, until Cope made an appearance and apparently bought the services of The Hurt Syndicate. While we have zero clue as of this writing the other teams in this tournament, I think it’s safe to assume an FTR vs. Hurt Syndicate title match come Forbidden Door is in the cards.)
Stokely came out on crutches, selling the Spear he took from Adam Copeland last week. FTR tried Shatter Machine on Bailey early, but Knight made the save and Bailey nearly got a school boy for two. Thrust Kick/German Suplex combo on Harwood, who still hasn’t taken his ring jacket off, as JetSpeed hit dueling dives, as Bailey came up limping in the process (we got multiple replays). Knife edge chops from Harwood back inside on Bailey, as Taz said it’s a good way to lose an areola and you could hear that chop in Champagne. Harwood wanted a piledriver on the floor, but Bailey hit a backdrop on both FTR members as Bailey leapt for a tag to Knight as things went to commercial.
Back from break, Knight fought off the Power-Plex, as Bailey laid out Wheeler with a top rope hurricanrana. Dueling missile dropkicks from JetSpeed led to a pendulum DDT by Knight on Harwood for two. Knight with a splash on Harwood, at the same time Bailey hit a springboard moonsault outside on Wheeler. Harwood responded with a Dragon Screw in the ropes, zoning in on the leg back inside. Harwood tried to get a fan to high five him, instead flipped them off before sinking in a Figure Four around the post. Problem was, Harwood left himself open for Bailey to light him up with kicks, until Wheeler took out Bailey’s bad leg. More Dragon Screws back inside to Knight as Harwood sank in the Sharpshooter, while Wheeler locked one in on Bailey ringside, but Knight got the ropes. First part of the Power-Plex connected, but Knight got his knees up for a diving Wheeler, allowing Bailey to hit a Shooting Star Press for two.
Things returned from the second break with Bailey hitting a wild corkscrew springboard moonsault right in front of the commentary table. Bailey rolled through a Shooting Star Press attempt back inside, but fired a punt kick to Harwood, followed by a standing Shooting Star Double Knees for a near fall. Machine gun kicks ramped up, as Knight made the tag to hit the Doomsday Elevated Dropkick, but Wheeler broke the count. Wheeler was backdropped clear over the ring attendant’s tables, as Bailey leapt over it onto Wheeler. Back inside, Knight tried the UFO Splash, but Harwood got the knees up, inside cradle, only for Knight to kick out at two. Harwood tried a bounce back powerbomb, but Knight got a roll-up for a near fall. Bailey tried to fly in with a hurricanrana, but Harwood was successful with a bounce back powerbomb. Knight & Harwood traded pin attempts, as Stokley held in his crutch for Harwood to hold on and steal the pin.
Post-match, Tony Schiavone reluctantly came into the ring for an interview about what Adam Copeland did last week. Stokely (who is getting booed out of the building) said Copeland belongs in prison and had no business putting his hands on him last week. Copeland is a loser, a horrible human being and cancer to AEW. Copeland’s music hit and he was going to come to the ring with a mic in hand, but Stokely told him to stop right there and cut his music.
Stokely said last week he made it clear; Copeland is not allowed to be in the vicinity of FTR. Copeland forgot, but said he made a business deal with some gentlemen whose business, is hurting people. The Hurt Syndicate come out and Copeland shook MVP’s hand as Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin hit the ring and the fight is on. Referees hit the ring soon after to try and separate the four, to little success. The Hurt Syndicate stand tall on the ramp, as Copeland tried to hit another Spear on Hathaway, who pulled a security guard in his way to take the bullet. Copeland stared down FTR from the ring, as they slowly retreated
Match Result: FTR defeated JetSpeed to advance when Harwood pinned Knight
-The Patriarchy are backstage saying at All In, they took a big risk, with Nick Wayne said last week, they verbally explained themselves, so on Collision, they’ll prove it physically. They will prove what they are capable of doing when they don’t have to answer to a Patriarch nor being Un-Caged.
**********
-Jon Moxley is backstage with Marina Shafir and said Hangman Page fought the fight of his life at All In, digging deep down to find something he never knew was there. Moxley said it was good, get up and do it again tomorrow and the next day. Moxley admits he lost, but no reason to be a bitch about it, so why avoid a rematch, as the credits don’t role, the cowboy won’t ride off into the sunset. Moxley asks a lot from the people around him, but even more of himself. A mistake was made, but it’s nothing that can’t be fixed. By the end of tonight, we will find out who the Hangman Page was who rode out of All In.
Tony Schiavone introduced Ospreay to the ring and brought up All In and hit incredible tag team match, but also what the Death Riders did to him in the main event. Ospreay said Tony Khan had no idea he was showing up today, as he flew himself over from London and asked for 5 minutes. Ospreay said he’s been struggling with his neck for 10 months and said he never told medical, as he wanted to make sure AEW got over the finish line at All In. Ospreay made promises to Swerve Strickland, to the fans, he would do his part in bringing back the AEW World Championship and is proud to say it happened. Ospreay said what the Death Riders did to him at All In, he was rushed to the hospital and learned there’s herniated disks that went into his spinal column, but it is treatable. With therapy and treatment, fingers crossed, he should be back by Forbidden Door. Ospreay thanks Swerve Strickland for everything he’s done for him, as it was a honor fighting by his side. The moment he’s feeling healthy, it’s an eye for an eye in regards to the Death Riders. As Ospreay made his way up the ramp, Swerve Strickland met him with a hug.
-Video package of the new trio in the AEW Women’s Division of Thekla, Julia Hart & Skye Blue. It’s only a sin to resist, they aren’t friends or sisters, they have one bond and you’ll feel it’s effects. They have one goal, to infect the entire women’s division. The Hart Always Wins and the last thing you see will be us three.
Renee Paquette is backstage with Willow Nightingale, who said she’s spent so much time feuding with Death Riders & Kris Statlander, but there’s a lot of good going on in AEW, like a New AEW World Champion and lots of new girls on the roster, like Thekla. Nightingale said spidey can find her in the ring.
**********
-Renee Paquette is back in the locker room with The Hurt Syndicate, asking how that partnership with Cope came about? MJF walks in, demanding to know what is going on, as he could’ve used them earlier in his run in with Hangman Page and said it took him forever to get into The Hurt Syndicate and Cope can just walk in? MVP told him they’re in the business of hurting people.
MJF said that’s cute, but how about getting in the business of getting his damn title back? MVP asked Paquette to leave, as Lashley slammed MJF against the lockers by the throat saying they don’t owe him sh*t, as they are not his lackeys. Lashley gave a thumbs down, saying he doesn’t want him in the group and walks off, as Benjamin shakes his head and walks off with MVP, leaving MJF furious and alone.
(Very solid back and forth battle, as the few times we’ve gotten a chance to see Starkz on Dynamite, she’s delivered. I’d love her for her & Athena to be featured more on AEW TV and especially Dynamite if I’m being biased. The concept of Athena teasing cash-ins has been done by almost everyone, but it’ll be interesting to see how Storm can continue to dodge them, as this time she was lucky for the assist from Alex Windsor, as I wouldn’t be surprised if a tag match happens in the future.)
Athena was watching from the balcony, as her minion fired off forearms in bunches to start, looking to Athena for approval. The brief distraction allowed Storm to get a series of near falls before both traded side headlocks until a misdirection snap dropkick by Storm leading to a back breaker. The first monkey flip worked, but the second saw Starkz put on the brakes and get a few chops in before sweeping the leg on the apron and hitting a low Tope. Running senton on the spine, as Starkz stayed in control back inside heading into commercial.
Back from break, Mongolian Chops from Storm led to a Thesz Press got the crowd amped up for Storm’s comeback. Starkz threw an enzugiri, but ran into a huge sit-out choke bomb for two. Starkz avoided the TCM Chicken Wing, got a face buster and neckbreaker over the knee for a near fall of her own. Storm tried a backslide, but turned it into a Fisherman’s Suplex for two, but Starkz was up first to fire off a pump kick. Storm rolled through a Sugoi Driver attempt and connected with Sweet Cheek Music, looked for Storm Zero, but Starkz got a roll-up for two. Rebound enzugiri from Starkz, who wanted her Swanton Bomb, but Storm got the knees up and sank in the TCM Chicken Wing for the submission.
Post-match, Storm posed for the crowd, not realizing Starkz was behind her to clock her with the AEW Women’s Title. Starkz yelled to Athena to come to the ring to cash in her contract, as referee Aubrey got into it with Starkz, leading to Starkz tossing Aubrey from the ring. Athena came in and decked Storm with the contract case, hit a double knees against the steps before another case shot back inside. Starkz threw Aubrey into the ring and was about to sign the contract when Alex Windsor hit the ring and made the save. Windsor took out Athena with a headbutt and discus lariat to Starkz, as both the Overlord and her Minion retreated.
Match Result: Timeless Toni Storm defeated Billie Starkz
**********
(I was curious when this match was announced earlier today how both would be kept looking strong, as neither should be taking losses, especially if Strickland is targeting the Unified Title and Hechicero the ROH Title. They got around it after a very good match, as having Callis on commentary only adds to Hechicero’s presentation, as he’s the perfect loud mouthed manager who thinks he’s speaking the right Spanish, but is completely off when doing so.)
Callis cut off Justin Roberts from introducing his client so that he can do it himself, saying Hechicero is the greatest luchador in the great country of Mexico. “Better than El Santo, Mil Mascaras & Bandido, Yo Soy Hechicero!” Excalibur then informed us Calls just said “I Am, Hechicero” as Taz was bummed Callis didn’t lose blood pressure in his head after that introduction. Callis joined commentary and called himself Bilingual Jones, which popped Taz. Callis said Hechicero is a killer who’s not worried about social media followers like Strickland is.
Hechicero picked the leg of Strickland and had a scramble, which led to an early stalemate. Strickland sank in an abdominal stretch, but Hechicero got a rope break. Chop battle led to a series of reversal until Hechicero hit the Mad Scientist Bomb before Strickland responded with a tilt a whirl back breaker and rolling suplex as things went to picture in picture.
Back from break, a slugfest ensued until Hechciero hit a step-up pump knee and slam for a one count, as Strickland popped right up, daring Hechicero to keep it up. Headbutt cracked Hechicero, as Strickland connected on his corner uppercut before hitting the Griddy and mocking Hechicero’s magician pose. High roundhouse kick connected, as Strickland went up top and hit a 450 Splash for two. Hechicero rolled through a suplex and popped up Strickland into a cross-arm breaker into a La Magistral (Callis called it a Magic Strall) for another near fall. Strickland kicked free and managed a rolling Flatliner, as he went up top again, but Lance Archer hit the ring with Josh Alexander to shove Strickland off the top rope, leading to the disqualification.
Brody King & Bandido hit the ring to make the save in the post-match, as they brawled to the back with Archer & Hechicero. Kazuchika Okada appeared and waffled Strickland with a chair from behind with a big smile on his face while Callis cackled. Okada wanted a Tombstone on the chair, but Strickland escaped and fired off an uppercut headbutt. Strickland wanted to Pillmanize Okada’s neck using a House Call, but Okada escaped just in time with Callis & Alexander.
Match Result: Swerve Strickland defeated Hechicero via disqualification
-Footage of Collision last weekend of Ricochet beating AR Fox and The Gates of Agony winning the $200,000 four-way tag match. Alicia Atout is then backstage with Ricochet and G.O.A. as Ricochet said maybe people are listening now. Ricochet they are taking their $200,000 and investing it in their futures. You will respect us or fear us, that’s not a request, that’s a demand. Ricochet did his cackle before being amazed at how good he looks.
**********
Coming to the ring with his World Title contract case in hand, MJF said he doesn’t need Bobby Lashley to get back his World Championship, he doesn’t need, Bob. As far as Hangman Page goes, he’s a hypocrite, as MJF will beat Page in the ring fair and square, as he doesn’t need the contract, that World Title will be back around his waist. (I should point out; there was zero mention of MJF being in Happy Gilmore 2 as Adam Sandler’s son. Feels like a big missed opportunity there to promote that.)
Mark Briscoe’s music hit and he walked out with mic in hand. Briscoe said much like MJF’s kosher pickle, he’ll keep this short. Briscoe said MJF stole that Casino Gauntlet win from him at All In, as he wants him in the ring next week in Chicago. MJF simply said, no, as he mocked Briscoe saying if he was supposed to win the Gauntlet, he would’ve but he always chokes when the pressure is on. MJF is a generational talent, the most complete pro wrestler in the world today and from the bottom of his heart, Briscoe sucks as does everyone from the M-M-Mid-West. MJF isn’t stupid, he knows everyone loves Mark Briscoe and knows why, Briscoe has a missing tooth, wonky eye, Southern accent that makes everyone warm and fuzzy. But not even Briscoe’s biggest fans think he’s a top guy or anywhere near MJF’s level. MJF said Briscoe is the circus clown they parade around for cheap laughs and pops. The fans don’t respect him and knew a guy from Delaware that the fans did appreciate, that guy would’ve been worth his time. How depressing it must be for Briscoe to wake up every morning looking his family and friends in the eye knowing they respected his brother Jay more. Briscoe hit the ring and MJF ran for his life before going to the back.
Claudio Castagnoli’s music hit and he had a visually impressive entrance as he rose up from the stairway of the Aragon Ballroom before walking through the crowd to the ring.
(Just a hard-hitting main event with both competitors beating the living crap out of one another, so, exactly what you’d expect in a match involving these two. Briscoe gets a main event victory on Dynamite and I’m glad they’re giving him wins, especially with his feud with MJF being far from over. The post-match sets the stage for yet another round with Page & Moxley, only thing different this time, it’s Moxley as challenger and fighting to win back his title.)
Stiff chop/uppercut battle right as the bell sounded, as Briscoe won the exchange briefly before Castagnoli responded with a boots in the corner. Briscoe blocked a corner charge, as they traded overhand chops on the apron until Briscoe went for the eyes and pulled Castagnoli to the floor. Castagnoli avoided the baseball slide, catching an incoming Briscoe with a Giant Swing into the barricade as things went to commercial.
(As Excalibur went over the card for Collision, he mentioned Colten Gunn injuring his leg last week during the 4-way tag match and they won’t be in the Tag Title Eliminator Tournament. You have to feel for Colten, as the Bang Bang Gang continue to be bitten big time by the injury bug over the last year.)
Back from break, both men were fighting on the top rope, as Briscoe hit a wildly loud chop, but as he dove off the top, Castagnoli met him with a huge uppercut. We then see Darby Allin slowly emerge in the crowd, momentarily distracting Castagnoli, as Briscoe took the chance to fire up. Enzugiri staggered Castagnoli, allowing a Briscoe Exploder for two. Castagnoli was booted outsider, where Briscoe followed with a somersault Tope and Cactus Elbow off the announce table. Running Blockbuster off the barricade by Briscoe, as Castagnoli rolled back inside, where Briscoe met him with a Froggy Bow for two. Briscoe wanted a Jay Driller, but Castagnoli backed him up in the corner, only for Briscoe to fire off an uppercut chop. Castagnoli raked the eyes and crotched Briscoe on the top before delivering an Avalanche Bodyslam for two. Anvil elbows led to a Neutralizer attempt, but Briscoe avoided, only ref Bryce stepped between the two, with Castagnoli getting an eye poke and charging uppercut for two. Neutralizer second attempt was countered into an inside cradle, as Briscoe got the flash pin.
Post-match, Marina Shafir hit the ring for a chop block, as Jon Moxley joined with Wheeler Yuta. Castagnoli slammed Briscoe midsection first on a set-up chair, as Moxley said Page isn’t World Champion yet, as they just want to make sure everyone isn’t getting too comfortable. Hangman Page power walked to the ring and said when Moxley said Page didn’t want Texas Death, they both know that wasn’t true. When Moxley said Page wouldn’t do it again and again, he might believe that, so Page will prove it to him. Next week, Hangman vs. Mox for the World Championship, but this time, Moxley is the challenger, so he’ll play by Page’s rules. Everyone but a referee banned from ringside. Page already knows Moxley’s answer is yes, so he’ll see you next week, dumbass. Page power walked back to the stage, as the graphic is shown, it’s official for next week.
Match Result: Mark Briscoe defeated Claudio Castagnoli
AEW Collision 7/26/25
AEW Dynamite 7/30/25
Image: AEW
AEW and WWE are coming off very busy weekends and on a new Wrestling Weekly with Les Thatcher and Vic Sosa, the guys look at the incredibly successful All In and what WWE is doing as we head towards SummerSlam at MetLife Stadium.
Thanks for listening and have a great weekend!
Image: AEW
WWE’s counterprogramming has resulted in a huge weekend of wrestling to enjoy.
On a new Wrestling Weekly, Les Thatcher and Vic Sosa look at it all which includes WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, WWE Evolution, and AEW All In.
Thanks for listening and have a great weekend~!
The following is an opinion-based preview that reflects the views of the author and not the website.
Image: AEW
I desperately try to avoid comparisons between AEW and WWE as I don’t think they’re particularly helpful, nor do I enjoy the endless and atrocious discourse across (and between) the two fan bases.
I will, however, draw a comparison here because we’ve reached a clear inflection point in wrestling where the two major companies have never been more divergent. Only one of them has an interest in being what their name suggests: a wrestling company. Since you’re already reading this column, I’m certain that you, as smart as you are, can conclude that the company is All Elite Wrestling. We’re at the point where comparisons are less applicable than ever because the two companies are barely offering the same type of product.
AEW is back in form and offering a legitimate, alternative style of wrestling to the world. They are not consumed with celebrity appearances, social media views, imagined clout, or “telling stories” first. Instead, they are laser-focused on what matters to them — the actual wrestling — which is reflected in the quality of Saturday: the fourth All In event.
There is real motion behind their momentum, something that appeared in fits and starts for years, but now feels sustainable. This is a tremendous card, arguably one that has as much high-end talent as any in history, and the common theme is the quality of the matches and, more importantly, the performers.
The right people are in the right places. They are cooking with a balanced roster full of stars of today and tomorrow. No more chaff, no more filler. If someone is getting television time, it’s because they deserve those minutes and seconds. The bloat is gone, replaced with a group of young, talented wrestlers primed to take the next step toward the top of the card and the steadying hands of veterans that can help them get there.
The future has never been brighter for AEW and that is a great thing for the wrestling industry, regardless of what the clinically insane and chronically online detractors would like you to believe.
Let’s see how All In from Arlington, Texas (1 PM pre-show and 3 PM Eastern main card on PPV) shakes out.
At press time, we only knew a few of the many, many participants in these matches. We can assume a couple of surprises here and there to pop the crowd, but here are a handful of wrestlers that have a strong case for their participation and winning the match:
Predictions: Brody King and Willow
The upgrade from Hook to Hobbs can’t be overstated. Hobbs adds a snarling menace to the group which pairs well with Shibata’s unsaid psychopathy and Samoa Joe’s everything. Having Hook in this group reminded me too much of potential unrealized, a time when “Send Hook” was a cute meme, but never became anything more. This is the grown-ups table now and the trios division is better for it.
If Hobbs is the welcome upgrade to his trios, Gabe Kidd is the equivalent downgrade in his. Equal parts overexposed and annoying — he’s a madman, you know — Kidd’s presence only reminds me of how much I miss PAC whose AEW tenure continues to be plagued by consistent and unfortunate absences.
Prediction: The Opps retain
This has been one of the silliest, clumsiest builds I can remember but it might not matter once the bell rings. Few have a more impressive resume working large-scale multi-man tag matches than Cage. His bona fides do not need repeating. Knight and Bailey have done wonderful work since being paired together with Bailey in particular being a revelation as I did not think his act would translate as well as it has on a weekly basis.
The Hurt Syndicate remains the all-powerful goliaths at the top of the tag team mountain. They have been so dominant that losing the titles should happen in a significant moment, not some haphazardly created three-way dance. The looming spectre of whatever is going to happen with MJF can’t be ignored, but it’s too soon for him to turn one way or the other. The status quo will hold deep in the heart of Texas.
Prediction: The Hurt Syndicate retain
Sometimes the future that’s promised never comes. Sometimes promise is only that. There are no guarantees in wrestling (or life!), especially in 2025. This here is a pairing of a future not fully recognized with one incandescent with potential.
Fletcher should hold the World title in 2026, and this is hopefully the first stop on the express train. He improves with every match and every second spent on the microphone. This was the year everything came together for him. It was a delight watching him grow to become a main event-level talent. Most ascents to the top have a longer runway with the performer being eased into the biggest spots. Even though this was comparatively sudden, it feels completely right. Fletcher excelled with whatever was thrown his way, proving himself beyond ready for more and more still. His journey to the main event is close, but his ceiling is still tantalizingly far away.
Cole was once in Fletcher’s shoes — someone seen as a no-doubt main eventer in any major promotion; a true can’t miss talent. He reached the top in Ring of Honor, NXT, and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla. Technically, he made it to the top of AEW when he main evented the first All In at Wembley Stadium in a forgettable match with MJF. That was as good as it got for Cole.
Unfortunately, his circumstance is an all-too-painful reminder of how fleeting success can be. The window of opportunity is perilously small and can be snapped shut at a moment’s notice. Whether through injury, luck, or just the passing of time, Cole’s window is closed. Fletcher locks it shut at All In.
Prediction: Kyle Fletcher wins the title
The stip here: the Bucks put up their EVP status against a year of World title shots for Strickland and Ospreay.
The evil authority figure is a familiar and tired wrestling trope — a lazy escape hatch relied on to explain a lack of foresight and reaffirm poor booking. The decision to add a stipulation here is a clever and necessary one. It provides a simple storyline-based way to move the Young Bucks out from their positions of televised power and properly slot them as “regular” wrestlers.
I’m glad Ospreay and Swerve had to offer up something of substance, too. This particular stipulation adds so much intrigue to the match. Is Ospreay really going to go another year without challenging for the top title when he’s already a top babyface? Will Swerve be able to exist in a world where he can’t come after Hangman’s title? My inclination is to say neither of those things will happen. There is too much money in a Swerve/Hangman title program, and Ospreay needs the creative direction of driving towards the title.
A moment, before the formal prediction, for an important conversation:
Since their return, Matthew and Nicholas Jackson have been doing some of the best work of their careers. Their multi-person tag matches have been full of creativity and innovation. While we are consumed with answering the question of who is the best ever, it’s never a fulfilling conversation, especially so in wrestling, where things are entirely subjective.
Whenever I’m reluctantly pulled into that conversation, I try to think about whether the performer(s) in question were the best at their particular style. The best technical wrestler is wholly different than the best brawler, the best flyer, etc. And for their specific brand of wrestling, the Young Bucks are the second to none. The Jacksons might not be your personal GOATs, but they are the most important and influential tag team of this century.
If recent form holds, this is likely the best match of the night with Swerve and Ospreay freeing AEW from the kayfabe clutches of the Jacksons.
Prediction: Will Ospreay and Swerve Strickland
This is the defining pro wrestling rivalry of the past 15 years. No series of matches did more for the growth of wrestling in the modern era. Omega and Okada opened new eyes and awakened long-dormant passions in fans. Saying AEW wouldn’t exist without this rivalry is not hyperbole; it’s fact. People wanted matches like this so badly that an entirely new wrestling company started.
Rarely are two performers so perfectly made for each other. Omega was a unique mover, all tightly coiled explosion and suddenness. His violently snapping off the ground for a V-Trigger frequently required multiple rewinds. How could he cover so much distance, so fast? His in-your-face athleticism was matched by Okada’s grace. Okada was sublime; he was effortless. A star by any definition. It’s easy to get lost in grandeur, but we will be hard pressed to have another rivalry this meaningful and this good in our lifetimes. Two generational performers entered each other’s orbits at the perfect time, and we were lucky to be along for the ride.
It would be unfair to expect this match to measure up to the unreasonably high bar of their previous ones, especially considering they’re both in far different stages of their career. Okada is, generously, mailing in half of his matches, something he has earned the right to do. Sadly, Omega is rapidly breaking down. He’s only wrestled nine times this year and is still badly beaten up. We should all appreciate his big matches now because there are fewer of them left than any of us probably realizes. Even in his diminished physical state, he remains a special wrestling mind, one that should be able to capture a different type of magic in a different style of match, especially with his wrestling soulmate.
If this is Omega’s last big run, he should get the win here. He means as much to AEW and wrestling as anyone. Give him the spotlight one more time.
Prediction: Kenny Omega
This is the biggest women’s match they could book and it’s the biggest women’s match in either of the two major wrestling companies. Storm has been in the “Timeless” character for so long that it’s easy to overlook just how impressive she is. This character should be eliciting groans at this point but instead, it’s kept her at the top of the women’s division for almost two years. In the hands of any other performer, it would be relegated to backstage segments and enhancement matches. Storm has turned something laughable into something lasting. So much of the world is forgetful. “Timeless” Toni Storm is anything but.
Mone has a legitimate case to be wrestler of the year. But she isn’t just chasing 12-month accolades — she’s authoring a legacy. Saturday could be another an unforgettable chapter in a year already rich with highlights. If her current trajectory holds, we may soon be forced to talk about her not just as one of the greats right now, but one of the greatest ever.
The star-making turn of being the person to beat Mone is not something Storm needs or would likely appreciate. The whole point of a run like the one she’s been on is not just about her, but it’s also about the person who beats inevitably beats her. The countless young, hungry, and talented women on the roster would better fit that bill.
Prediction: Mercedes Mone wins the title
It was always Hangman Page. No misguided notions about Darby Allin, no hoping for Samoa Joe to recapture the magic, it was always the cowboy. In a sea of stars and superstars, he remains the true north of AEW. Nothing speaks to the importance of his presence like his absence. The shows lacked a tight direction when he wasn’t around or was a background player. It was covered up by a focus on Bryan Danielson’s journey to the World title and subsequent retirement from full-time wrestling, but there was still a gap. It’s not a coincidence that AEW found its footing when the focus was back on Page.
Look no further than the Death Riders for proof of Hangman’s impact. For so long, both in this column and everywhere else on the internet, we bemoaned the overarching and overwhelming excess of the Death Riders. It was always the same. The matches, the finishes, the promos, whatever. Now there’s life. Is this results-based thinking? Perhaps. But for the first time since October, I find myself interested when their intro guitar riff introducing them hits the speakers.
Moxley’s next chapter will be an interesting one. He’s approaching 40 with a lot of hard miles on his body. There is almost nothing left for him to accomplish in professional wrestling. He’s won every major title in every major company and has likely earned enough money for multiple lifetimes. He can start to take his foot off the gas or press it all the way down. With someone as unpredictable as Mox, any and everything is on the table.
This always had to be a Texas Death Match. This was always going to be rife with run-ins and interference, so why not just put the whole world on the table? The possibilities for massive crowd reactions are endless. Here are just a few, ranked in order of how much they would move me:
Regardless of how many people get involved, there will only be two left at the end and only one can get their hand raised. When the confetti falls and the show closes, the cowboy from Halifax, Virginia, stands tall on top of the company he was always meant to carry.
Prediction: Hangman Adam Page wins the title
Matches and segments have been announced for the next episode of AEW Dynamite.
An All-Star 8 man tag will take place just days before next weekend’s All In. Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, and The Young Bucks will take on Hangman Page, Will Ospreay, Katsuyori Shibata, and Powerhouse Hobbs. It will be the last time Moxley and Page meet before their Texas Death match at All In.
A four-way match will determine the number two spot in the Women’s Casino Gauntlet match. Thekla, Queen Aminata, Tay Melo, and Megan Bayne will compete to see who faces number one pick Kris Statlander next Saturday.
Additionally, MJF and Mark Briscoe will have a “talky-talk” as they prepare to face each other in the men’s Casino Battle Royal. Mercedes Mone and Toni Storm will have one final face-to-face before their Women’s title match. And Samoa Joe will face Wheeler Yuta as Joe and The Opps continue to set their sights on the Death Riders.
Here is the updated card for AEW Dynamite:
It’s Wrestling Weekly with Les Thatcher and Vic Sosa.
AEW took their talents to the iconic Arena Mexico for a very noteworthy show and WWE has some fascinating semifinal matchups in their King and Queen of the Ring tournaments.
We’ll discuss AEW’s trip to Mexico as well as how we think those tournament matches in WWE are going to shake out.
Thanks for listening and have a great weekend~!
Image: AEW
It’s another big wrestling weekend with WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event and AEW Double or Nothing and on a new Wrestling Weekly, Vic Sosa and Les Thatcher have all their predictions for both shows.
Thanks for listening and have a great weekend~!
