A four-way match is the featured bout on tonight’s AEW Rampage as Lio Rush, Rocky Romero, Kip Sabian and Nick Wayne will square off.
Sabian has been trailing The Patriarchy in recent weeks which has raised the ire of Christian Cage and Wayne.
In a non-title match, ROH World Champion Mark Briscoe of The Conglomeration will also be in action against Bryan Keith of Chris Jericho’s Learning Tree faction.
After being challenged to defend the AEW Trios titles at Grand Slam by his teammates Claudio Castagnoli & PAC, Wheeler Yuta will face The Butcher.
After challenging her backstage in a social media segment, former AEW Women’s World Champion Hikaru Shida will face Harley Cameron. It’s Shida’s first match since losing to TBS Champion Mercedes Mone at this month’s All Out.
Roderick Strong of The Undisputed Kingdom will team with The Beast Mortos against enhancement talents Joe Keys & Marcus Mathers. Strong and Mortos will be part of a ten-man tag team match on Saturday’s Collision.
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Taped in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
Excalibur, Ian Riccaboni and Matt Menard were on commentary.
Mark Briscoe defeated Bryan Keith (12:21)
Briscoe is ROH World champion, but this was non-title. Briscoe sent Keith to the floor, hit Keith with a dropkick through the ropes, then dropped a Cactus Jack style elbow on the floor. Back in the ring for some hard chops and redneck kung-fu. Briscoe tossed a chair in the ring to use as a springboard for a plancha, but Keith cut him off. While Aubrey Edwards got rid of the steel chair, Keith hit a low blow behind her back to take control.
When Keith was offense, it was pretty uninspired. Keith chopped away at Briscoe on the floor, then hit a snap suplex on the floor.
Aftert a split-screen break, Keith cut off a comeback from Briscoe with a boot and a headbutt. Keith went for Diamond Dust, but Briscoe countered with a face rake. Briscoe hit a top rope superplex. Kieth and Briscoe exchanged forearms mid-ring, then exchanged chops around the ring. Briscoe hit a flying forearm, but Keith came back with an enziguri. Briscoe came back with one of his own, then hit an exploder suplex. But Keith came back with an exploder suplex of his own!
Briscoe charged into a boot from Keith, but caught him with a death valley driver. Briscoe missed the froggy bow, and Keith hit a knee strike out of a tiger driver attempt for another near fall. Keith went for the Diamond Dust again, but Briscoe hit a pair of lariats to counter, then hit the Jay Driller to get the pinfall. Great opener for Rampage.
Before Briscoe could celebrate his victory, Chris Jericho ran in and attacked Briscoe with a bat. Orange Cassidy, Big Bill and Kyle O’Reilly all ran in, with Big Bill dominating O’Reilly and Cassidy.
Wheeler Yuta defeated The Butcher (4:02)
Butcher jumped a disinterested Yuta before the bell and dropped him with a backbreaker. On the floor, Butcher dropped Yuta against the ring barricade and clotheslined him against the ring apron. Back in the ring, Butcher hit a pair of short-arm lariats. Yuta tried for a German suplex, but got a back elbow. A couple of slaps woke up Yuta, who fired up with a shotgun dropkick and mauled Butcher in the corner with forearms and chops. Yuta took Butcher down with a high angle slam and rolling German suplexes. After the hammer and anvil elbows, Yuta locked in the Cattle Mutiliation and got the submission. Yuta held on the hold until well after the bell, and almost attacked the ref after the match. Yuta is playing up this new conflicted character great.
– The MXM Collection have stolen Max Caster’s “Best Wrestler Alive” jacket! And they’re planning to give it makeover.
Hikaru Shida v. Harley Cameron (w/ Saraya) (7:04 aired)
Two and half minutes of almost every women’s match on Rampage takes place during the picture in picture break, usually after the first two minutes of action. Then there’s a full commerical (no split screen) before the show starts back up again with the babyface making her comeback. The point of this is to say that off the seven minutes they gave the match, really only the last three mattered.
After the commercial, Shida hit a kneestrike for a near fall. Shida went for the Falcon Arrow, but Saraya distracted her and Cameron hit a blind side kick for a near fall. Cameron avoided an enziguri and exchanged pin attempts with Shida. Cameron went for a knee strike, but Shida blocked it and hit a question mark kick. Saraya distracted Shida again, and Cameron hit another knee strike for a near fall. Saraya grabbed Shida’s kendo stick to use as a weapon, but Jamie Hayter (still being dressed by Disco Inferno) ran out to chase Saraya away. Saraya hit the Falcon Arrow to get the pinfall.
After the match, Saraya challenged Jamie Hayter for Grand Slam in a “Saraya’s Rules” match, which Hayter accepts.
The Beast Mortos & Roderick Strong (w/ Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) defeated Joe Keys & Marcus Mathers (1:24)
Strong hit one of the Mathers with a knee strike and Mortos dropped Keys with a pop-up Samoan Drop and they got stereo pinfalls.
– Darby Allin v. Evil Uno and Mariah May v. Lady Frost has been added to tomorrow night’s Collision line up.
– Deonna Purrazzo has some wine and finds a friend in Taya Valkyrie.
Nick Wayne pinned Rockey Romero to win a four way match that also included Lio Rush (w/ Action Andretti) and Kip Sabian
Sabian tripped of Rush and hit an Arabian Press on Wayne and Romero on the floor. Rush caught Sabian with a back kick then took him out with a plancha. Rush tricked Romero into a rollup for a near fall. Sabian caught Romero with an enziguri and Rush with a knee strike. Nick Wayne then crotches Sabian on the ringpost.
Wayne hit a snap suplex on Romero and taunted the crowd. Wayne backdroped Rush and hit him with a kick while the rest of the Patriarchy looked on approvingly from the back.
Wayne dominated through the split-screen break. Rush faked Wayne out and caught him with a Spanish Fly for a near fall. Sabian sprung in with a dropkcik on Rush, then followed up with a cannonball. Romero hit a Northern Lights suplex on Sabian, then hit forever clotheslines on all his opponents in the corners. Romero hit the Sliced Bread on Rush for a near fall.
Wayne and Sabian dumped the other two the floor so they could have the ring for themselves. Wayne went for the Wayne’s World, but Sabian blocked it and hit a half-and-half suplex. Romero and Rush got back into it, and Rush went for a frog splash on Romero, but instead caught a cutter from Wayne.
Sabian went for a Burning Hammer on Wayne, but Wayne made the ropes. Sabian hit Romero with a Burning Hammer, but Wayne dumped Sabian to the floor, and then Wayne covered Romero to get the victory.
The following is an opinion-based preview and reflects that of the author, not of the website.
Over the last six months, I have become a martini guy. Partially out of an unrealistic and romanticized idea of what the cocktail is, and partially because I can only have two drinks at a time, so I better make them count.
A good martini is alert. It makes you sit up a little straighter and open your eyes a bit wider. It is a polite nudge asking for your attention. The first sip reminds you that you are, in fact, alive. Now I ask you, my beautiful readers, if Saturday’s AEW All Out (8 PM EST on various PPV providers) asks for your attention.
More importantly, does it make you feel alive? We watch wrestling to feel something, to be moved by the indomitable physical spirit of the performers. There are a couple of matches that make me feel something and give me a real tingle in my plums. The rest? Color me intrigued. That’s all I ever ask for.
I was down on last year’s All Out and it wound up blowing me away. If All In brings the pageantry, maybe this is the show Tony Khan books for the sickos. Let’s run through some previews & predictions for Saturday’s show from the NOW Arena in Chicago.
MJF vs. Daniel Garcia
After doing a career-threatening neck injury spot, Garcia returned to a huge pop at All In. The dancing is gone and Red Death is back. Garcia is an example of someone AEW seems to have waffled on. Much like Konosuke Takeshita, he has been handed a number of frustrating starts and stops. Maybe some of that is contract-related, maybe it’s a lack of foresight. It’s likely a bit of both. Regardless, the fans remain invested in his success and now is the time to prove their faith founded. If not now, when?
All I could do was shake my head when MJF popped up on the Dynamite after All In and was no worse for wear. While others have sold the impact of the Tiger Driver for weeks, everyone’s favorite overbearing superhero had other ideas. Armed with only kinesiology tape on his neck and conviction in his heart, MJF showed up to rip off yet another promo rather than at least pretending to sell the move. Alas, we soldier on in the hopes he does the right thing on Saturday.
I would have liked a longer build, but the All In/All Out schedule does not allow for that. Garcia goes over nonetheless
Prediction: Garcia
AEW International Champion Will Ospreay defends against PAC
I love PAC; he will go down as a big ‘what could have been.’ What if AEW existed a few years earlier? What if WWE cared more about wrestling talent than how a person looked? What if he could dodge the injury bug just a teensy bit more? In my best Bill Simmons impression, ‘You know, Russillo, there’s a real sliding doors situation with this guy PAC! People forget he beat Kenny Omega! If a few things broke right, I really think we’re talking about a pantheon level wrestler.’
Terrible impressions aside, there’s an alternate future where he’s had far more acclaim, far more time on television, and far, far more gold.
While PAC brings love out of me, Ospreay still brings some hesitation. I remain astonished at what he is physically capable of in the ring. Often, it veers too much into caricature, but, my lord, there is nothing he can’t do. He is a physical marvel. The Ospreay matches I enjoy have a grounding element or him working against something. His matches against Bryan Danielson and Lance Archer immediately come to mind. They tempered his worst instincts as a performer and gave the matches structure. Ospreay’s worst instincts are brought out when he’s in the ring with someone who can match his athletic gifts. He can lean too far into self-indulgence in an attempt to make a moment. What gives me hope, though, is that PAC does not suffer for melodrama. He does not allow for a lightness of being. Something special is in the realistic range of outcomes for this, and consider me interested.
Prediction: Ospreay retains
TBS Champion Mercedes Mone defends against Hikaru Shida
The Star vs The Ace. A match where, hopefully, Mone can show everyone in AEW what she’s truly capable of in the ring. Her match with Britt Baker at All In was disappointing. I’m loathe to use this term after just deriding Ospreay for seeking this out, but she lacks that “signature moment” in AEW. I’m not worried, I’m not shook, I’m just saying that it’s time to do something that stays in our brains for more than an hour. So far, her biggest moment has been her debut and while that is a high bar to clear, nothing in the ring has been special. These two wrestled back in August and it was perfectly fine. This weekend, I’m hoping for something that sings.
If Mercedes is looking for someone to shine with, few are better to do that with than Shida. She’s proven she can have a good match with anyone and in any type of match. Mercedes is someone who is tempted to overact: exaggerating her movements, stretching the moments like taffy. Shida is someone who can both play into that and punish it. She’ll let her wrestle the match she wants and be the perfect foil. It’s been too long since she had a big spot on a major show. It’s great to see her back, albeit certainly in a losing effort.
Prediction: Mone retains
Willow Nightingale vs. Kris Statlander (w/ Stokely Hathaway) in a Chicago street fight
This originally was set to be for Nightingale’s CMLL Women’s title, but that was changed this week.
There has been tremendous content from these three over the past few months which is unsurprising considering the individual talents involved. I’ve been waiting for years for Hathaway to get a chance to be his special brand of funny on TV. Equal parts irreverent and bitingly smart, he is such a unique performer. His previous failings were not through any fault of his own, merely the wrong circumstances. The stars are aligned now, and seeing him flourish is wonderful.
He is matched in performance by both Nightingale and Statlander. Not much more needs to be said about Willow. She’s well on her way toward being the biggest babyface on the female side of the roster. Her opportunities to grow and develop her character in meaningful programs outside of the main event will pay off in spades. Statlander is a delight in the antagonist role. Like Big Stoke, she has a brand of humor that is entirely her own and entirely weird. The pairing has allowed her to lean into that, and has brought the best out of both of them. This should continue for a long, long time.
Plunder matches are always fun and Willow especially shines in them.
Prediction: Willow wins
AEW Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks defend against Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta
Here are five quick observations about this match since it was announced late on Wednesday and I am tired:
The BCC has run its course.
The Young Bucks are still wrestling scarecrows – empty suits masquerading as something real.
Yuta needs a haircut.
Castagnoli remains a freakish force of nature even at 43 years old. His hot tag in this match could bring the house down.
There is little chance a title change is happening.
Prediction: Bucks retain
AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada defends against three TBD competitors
All roads are pointing towards a Konosuke Takeshita and Okada program in the (hopefully) near future. I am trying to manage my expectations around Takeshita; I refuse to have the rug pulled out from underneath me again. If that’s the direction they go and he does the deal, he would have beaten both Okada and Kenny Omega, two of the best wrestlers of this century. The list of who has done that in marquee matchups is minuscule. It’s not like they’re fighting against the crowd to get him over either. Whenever he’s been given a sustained chance, the crowd is extremely into it.
Regardless of who winds up in the match, an Okada victory is all but assured.
Prediction: Okada retains
AEW World Champion Bryan Danielson defends against Jack Perry
It’s sink or swim for the former Jungle Jack. If he can’t have something approaching a memorable performance with Danielson this weekend, I’m afraid it might be Joever for the “Scapegoat.” His match at All In was encouraging, though. Beating Darby Allin in his signature coffin match certainly raised my eyebrows. An easy and apt comparison for Perry is Sammy Guevara. Both have had a ton of TV time and endless opportunities, but neither of them are anywhere near the top of the card. Neither do anything at a top level. They each cap out at “pretty good.” In 20 years they’ll just be some guys we remember on occasion, not wrestlers whose work we seek out. And pretty good isn’t nearly good enough to retire the Greatest Of All Time.
His opponent, Danielson, is someone whose work will be sought out forever. He capped off his remarkable career with an incredible main event performance at All Out. The perfect modern wrestler got to feel the confetti fall and celebrate in the middle of the ring with his family. AEW’s treatment of legends in the twilight of their career could not be better. Giving them special moments on their terms harbors more goodwill than any match booked for the sickos ever will. Unfortunately, the sickos are going to be disappointed. With so few matches left in his full-time career, this certainly is one of them.
Prediction: Danielson retains
Hangman Page vs. Swerve Strickland in an unsanctioned steel cage match
When Swerve’s pre-tape about buying his childhood home aired early in Dynamite, I was the physical embodiment of the Jack Nicholson nodding gif. When Hangman showed up sloshing gasoline around, I was kicking my feet in the air and giggling. Then he lit the whole thing on fire and poured himself a drink.
This is why we watch this silly, perfect sport.
Clearly, this is a main event that requires no championship stakes. AEW has done an incredible job keeping this feud top of mind even when Swerve was preoccupied with something else. It never felt overbearing, but the constant reminders — delivered through the best work of Adam Page’s career — kept this feeling fresh. Page’s level of work can’t be understated. This is a performer unrecognizable from his time as the fresh-faced AEW World champion. Imbued with new dad strength and fueled by vengeance, Page has transformed everything about his character. It’s all different from the wrestling, the manner of speaking, and even how he walks.
And it should be different! He was traumatized by Swerve Strickland. Swerve broke into his house and threatened his infant son. If a man isn’t transformed by that, of what use is he as a man? If going through that didn’t bring about change, why would we ever care about him? Up until Wednesday, he was seen as the aggressor in this feud, rather than the aggrieved. That speaks more to Swerve’s likability and Q-rating more than flaws in Page’s performance. This is a layered, deeply interesting character whose future is a source of endless fascination. There are so many ways this can go, and I can’t wait to see where.
Swerve might not be the champion, but my gosh, was he strong in defeat. There’s certainly no shame in losing to Bryan Danielson in the way that he did. He put on a main event that would not have been out of place at any All In or WrestleMania, for that matter. It may be easy to assign much of the credit to Danielson, but Swerve raised his game to its apex. He wrestled that match as much for the people in the front row as the ones in the nose bleeds. He has become a no doubt main eventer — one who elevates the quality of the programs in which he is involved just by showing up.
It seems like AEW wants this to be their forever feud. For that to happen, Page needs to get some type of a win. Swerve is bulletproof and can take the loss but if Page loses, how much further into madness can he fall?
This Friday’s special edition of AEW Collision will be headlined by an all star eight-man tag team match featuring The Elite, AEW World Champion Bryan Danielson, and others.
The All Out go-home show will air on a different day due to Saturday’s pay-per-view and will go head-to-head with WWE SmackDown.
Made after the events of Wednesday’s Dynamite, AEW Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks, AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada & TNT Champion Jack Perry will face Danielson & AEW Trios Champions Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta and PAC.
Following the night’s main event that featured Castagnoli and Yuta in non-title trios action, Danielson joined them in the ring to celebrate their win when The Elite jumped them from behind. The babyfaces eventually got the upper hand which was followed by Castagnoli challenging the Bucks for their tag titles at Saturday’s All Out which was later confirmed.
Saturday will see Danielson defend against Perry, PAC vs. Will Ospreay for the International title, and Okada defending his title in a four-way against three challengers to be determined.
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Ahead of her challenge of TBS Champion Mercedes Mone at Saturday’s All Out, former AEW Women’s champion Hikaru Shida will take on Deonna Purrazzo.
Shida is coming off a win in a four-way on last Saturday’s Collision that earned her the shot at Mone. Purrazzo was last seen taking a loss to Thunder Rosa in a Texas bullrope match on the August 10th Collision.
The two met in this year’s Owen Hart Foundation tournament with Shida picking up the victory in a quarterfinal.
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Three qualifying matches are on tap with the winners moving on to face AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada in the aforementioned four-way at All Out.
The bouts will see former AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy vs. Bryan Keith, reigning Ring of Honor World Champion Mark Briscoe against Lance Archer, and Konosuke Takeshita against The Beast Mortos.
Collision kicks off a three-hour block of live programming as this week’s Rampage will also be live.
Here’s the current lineup for Chicago’s NOW Arena:
The Young Bucks (Nicholas & Matthew Jackson), Kazuchika Okada & Jack Perry vs. Bryan Danielson, Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta & PAC
All Out AEW Continental title match qualifier: Orange Cassidy vs. Bryan Keith
All Out AEW Continental title match qualifier: Lance Archer vs. Mark Briscoe
All Out AEW Continental title match qualifier: Konosuke Takeshita vs. The Beast Mortos
Hikaru Shida is “really happy” that women’s main events have become more common in AEW.
This past Saturday, Shida headlined AEW Collision by defeating Queen Aminata, Serena Deeb, and Thunder Rosa in a four-way number one contender’s match. The victory confirmed that Shida will challenge Mercedes Mone for the TBS Championship at All Out this Saturday (September 7).
Shida said during a gaming stream last night that main eventing an AEW television show was once her dream. She’s happy to see that women’s main events have become normalized. Shida has now headlined Dynamite, Rampage, and Collision multiple times each.
“I won the four-way match, and it announced the title match on AEW All Out next week,” Shida said. “I also feel so happy that the women’s match got the main event [of Collision]. Actually, a few years ago my dream was doing the main event on a TV show, but these days it’s getting [to be] normal, right? I’m really happy about that.”
Main eventing a pay-per-view for the first time is a milestone that’s still left for the AEW women’s division to accomplish. In ROH, Athena has headlined PPVs against Willow Nightingale and Billie Starkz.
Shida is a three-time AEW Women’s World Champion. She’s looking to win her first TBS title against Mone.
Two title matches have been made official for All Out.
The AEW World Heavyweight title match between Bryan Danielson and Jack Perry has been made official for next Saturday’s show in Chicago. Additionally, Mercedes Mone will defend the TBS Championship against Hikaru Shida.
Wednesday’s Dynamite ended with Bryan Danielson announcing that he would officially end his full-time career after losing the AEW World Championship, which he won at All In, and challenged anyone in the back to face him at All Out. Jack Perry appeared on the video screen to accept his challenge, but it was soon revealed to be a ruse as Perry jumped Danielson from behind. The show ended with Perry holding both the AEW World Championship and the TNT Championship he currently holds.
Shida became the number one contender for the TBS title after defeating Serena Deeb, Queen Aminata, and Thunder Rosa in the main event of Saturday’s Collision.
Here is the updated lineup for next weekend’s All Out:
AEW World Champion Bryan Danielson defends against Jack Perry
AEW International Champion Will Ospreay defends against PAC
TBS Champion Mercedes Mone defends against Hikaru Shida
Swerve Strickland vs. Hangman Page in a steel cage match
CMLL Women’s Champion Willow Nightingale defends against Kris Statlander in a Chicago street fight
After earning their title shot two months ago, The Acclaimed will finally get their opportunity to challenge current AEW Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks on this Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite.
The match was announced on Saturday’s Collision after FTR, a team that has also been pursuing the Bucks, picked up a win. Max Caster and Anthony Bowens held the titles for nearly five months from 2022 through 2023 while the Bucks have yet to defend the titles they won in April.
The Acclaimed earned their shot by defeating the Bucks in a title eliminator.
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A first time ever match between TBS Champion Mercedes Mone and former AEW Women’s Champion Hikaru Shida is officially on tap for Wednesday.
The match was announced by Tony Khan on X on Saturday following Shida’s victory over Aleah James which was then followed by Shida issuing a challenge to Mone.
The winner will then move on to defend the title against Britt Baker at this month’s All In. Shida has never challenged for the TBS title before.
Shida is 5-2 in limited AEW singles action in 2024 while Mone is undefeated in her brief AEW run with four title defenses to her credit.
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Another new match will see a three-way between Orange Cassidy, Roderick Strong and Kyle O’Reilly for the no. 1 spot in the Casino gauntlet match at All In. The winner of the gauntlet earns a future AEW World title match.
On social media, it was announced that a film by Mariah May will also air this coming Wednesday.
Here’s the current lineup for Norfolk, Virginia:
AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland vs. Wheeler Yuta in a non-title match
AEW Tag Team Champions Young Bucks (Matthew & Nicholas Jackson) defend against The Acclaimed (Max Caster & Anthony Bowens)
TBS Champion Mercedes Mone defends against Hikaru Shida
Hangman Page vs. Jay Lethal
Britt Baker appearance
Claudio Castagnoli and Kazuchika Okada face-to-face
Orange Cassidy vs. Roderick Strong vs. Kyle O’Reilly with the winner earning the no. 1 spot in the All In Casino gauntlet match
AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland will prepare for his non-title match against Wheeler Yuta on Wednesday’s Dynamite with a title eliminator match on Saturday’s AEW Collision.
The news was revealed during Friday’s Rampage and the match is of the open challenge variety with an opponent yet to be named.
After stepping in for Mark Briscoe and Tomohiro Ishii on this past Wednesday’s Dynamite, former AEW Tag Team Champions FTR will take on The Outrunners. FTR and The Acclaimed came face-to-face on Wednesday as both try to position themselves for a shot at current champions The Young Bucks.
In an unusual pairing, Darby Allin will team with Hologram to take on The Varsity Athletes’ Josh Woods & Tony Nese. The Athletes were unable to defeat Hologram & Mistico last week.
In a battle of former LFI stablemates, Rush will go one-on-one with Preston Vance. It’s Vance’s first match anywhere since January.
Former AEW Women’s Champion Hikaru Shida will be in action.
Here’s the current card for Saturday’s live show in Arlington, Texas:
AEW World title eliminator: Swerve Strickland vs. TBA
FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) vs. The Outrunners (Turbo Floyd & Truth Magnum)
Darby Allin & Hologram vs. Varsity Athletes (Josh Woods & Tony Nese)
AEW Trios title eliminator: House of Black (Malakai Black, Brody King & Buddy Matthews) vs. Bang Bang Gang (Juice Robinson & The Gunns) with Christian Cage as special guest referee
Hikaru Shida vs. TBA
Rush vs. Preston Vance
Deonna Purrazzo vs. Thunder Rose in a Texas bullrope match
A new match has been added to AEW Dynamite Blood & Guts.
It was announced on Collision that Hikaru Shida would face Britt Baker. After Shida won her match against Skye Blue due to referee stoppage, Shida said she still wanted to fight, and challenged Baker to a match. She said that she had broken Baker’s nose once before, and would do it again on Wednesday.
Baker’s match against Shida will mark her return to the ring for the first time since last fall, when she was sidelined with a number of injuries including an injured hip labrum, two herniated discs, and a mini-stroke. She returned at Forbidden Door last month and confronted Mercedes Mone, who has thus far refused the idea of defending her title against Baker at All In.
The updated AEW Dynamite Blood & Guts card for Wednesday, July 24:
Blood & Guts match: The Elite (Matt & Nick Jackson, Jack Perry, Kazuchika Okada and Hangman Page) vs. Team AEW (Swerve Strickland, Anthony Bowens, Max Caster, Darby Allin & Mark Briscoe)
FTW Champion Chris Jericho defends against Minoru Suzuki with The Learning Tree banned from ringside
Hikaru Shida has advanced in the women’s Owen Hart Foundation tournament.
Shida defeated Deonna Purrazzo to advance, pinning her following a katana kick. After the match, Purrazzo jumped Shida and continued the assault until Thunder Rosa ran in for the save.
With her win, Shida now moves on to the semifinals, where she will take on the winner between Mariah May and Saraya that will be held at Sunday’s Forbidden Door Zero Hour pre-show. The other side of the bracket has Willow Nightingale taking on Kris Statlander in a semifinal match on next week’s Beach Break episode of Dynamite. Before their match, Nightingale will team with Tam Nakano to take on Momo Watanabe and Statlander, also on the Forbidden Door Zero Hour.
The winner of the Owen Hart Foundation tournament will receive a Women’s title match that will take place at All In on August 25 at Wembley Stadium.
Purrazzo and Rosa have spent the last several months feuding with one another. The two had a match on the June 15 edition of Collision, with Purrazzo picking up the win.
With just 24 hours to go before Forbidden Door, AEW Collision airs tonight from Buffalo, New York.
One of the key matches will see Deonna Purrazzo vs. Hikaru Shida in a women’s Owen Hart Foundation tournament match. Shida is making her return to AEW after an absence while Purrazzo has momentum following a recent victory over Thunder Rosa in a no DQ match.
Saturday’s show will also see many of the stars competing at Forbidden Door in action. Hechicero will face Kevin Blackwood while Stephanie Vaquer will take on Lady Frost. Orange Cassidy & Tomohiro Ishii will team up to take on TMDK’s Robbie Eagles & Shane Haste, while El Phantasmo, Jack Perry & Konosuke Takeshita will face Mark Briscoe, Lio Rush & Dante Martin before all six square off in a ladder match to determine a new TNT Champion.
Daniel Garcia, who will face Will Ospreay for the International title on next week’s Dynamite, faces The Butcher while Serena Deeb will also be in action.
Haste demanded to know what was in Cassidy’s pockets before the match, but I don’t think he ever got an answer. Cassidy and Eagles had a good sequence where they exchanged arm drags back and forth. Cassidy booted Haste off the apron and sent Eagles headfirst into the buckles. Haste dropped Cassidy back-first on the ring apron, and Eagles followed out with a tope con hilo to regain control.
Cassidy took a beating during a split-screen break, then made the tag to Ishii. Ishii ran through Eagles, then dropped Haste with a Saito-style back suplex for a near fall. Haste was double teamed in the babyface corner. A suplex from Ishii set up Haste for a top rope elbow from Cassidy for a near fall.
Haste countered an Orange Punch attempt from Cassidy with a falcon arrow. Eagles got the tag and got a Slumdog Millionaire from Cassidy. Eagles dodged the Orange Punch and caught Cassidy with a rollup. Cassidy caught Eagles with the Beach Break out of nowhere and got the pinfall.
House of Black v. Private Party v. Roderick Strong & Gabe Kidd v. Tomohiro Ishii & Kyle O’Reilly was announced for the Zero Hour pre-show during this match.
– A teaser video aired for the return of Hangman Adam Page. He’s apparently been drinking in his kid’s room since he’s been suspended. Don’t worry, he moved the kid out first. And it looks like he’s still after Swerve Strickland.
– Chris Jericho and the Learning Tree gave advice to the trainer about how to tape a wrist. Did you know that every time you visit the trainer, if you take a roll of tape with you, you won’t have to pay for it later? Follow the Learning Tree for more money saving tips!
Stephanie Vaquer defeated Lady Frost (7:08 aired)
Vaquer holds the CMLL World Women’s Championship and the New Japan Strong Women’s Championship. Mercedes Mone came down to ringside to watch the match
Vaquer took Frost down with a body scissor, then locked in a STF. Vaquer locked eyes with Mone while Frost crawled to the ropes. Frot sent Vaquer to the floor with a kick, and Frost and Vaquer fought right in front of Mone. Frost looked pretty good until she tried a handstand on the apron, and Vaquer hit her with a superkick and it looked like her face collapsed.
After the break, Frost escaped a package piledriver and hit a flying clothesline. Frost hit a gamigiri in the corner, then followed up with a cartwheel cannonball. The crowd was chanting for Frost, who hit a tornio for a near fall. Frost came back with a superkick and a spinning DDT for a near fall. Vanquer hit a series of headbutts in the corner and a dragon screw leg whip. Vaquer used a package piledriver into a backbreaker to finish off Frost. Lady Frost continues to impress in these losses.
After the match, Mone took the ring and held up her belt. Vaquer left, but Zeuxis ran in and attacked Mone. Zeuxis and Vaqueer laid Mone out.
– Lexi Nair interviewed The Lucha Bros. Himormu Takahashi & Titan showed up to challenge the Lucha Bros to the six man, Los Ingobernables v. Death Triangle. PAC is focused on the Owen Hart tournament, so Parka counters with Luncha Bros & Mistico. It felt like they shot an angle for a match we’ve known about for a few days now.
Serena Deeb defeated Kelly Madan (1:14)
Deeb won with the Deebtox.
After the match, Deeb got on the mic and demanded an opponent more on her level. Riho came from the back dressed in street clothes to accept the challenge. Crowd was happy to see Riho back, who must have had lifts in her shoes to stand eye to eye with Deeb.
– More in the back with the Learning Tree, who made sure everyone washes their hands after using the bathroom. “Germs spread really easily this time of year!”
–Chris Jericho wanted to double-check with the Zamboni crew to make sure it was properly maintained, but found Samoa Joe’s crew in the back instead. The fight spilled into the arena (Bryan Keith was holding up pretty well even though his arm was in a sling). Eventually they got to the ring, and Jeff Cobb ran in to help the heels. Cobb and Joe had a huge stand-off in the ring, and Cobb planted Joe with a spinebuster. Jeff Cobb is officially Jericho and Bill’s partner for Forbidden Door.
– A video package hyped up Zach Sabre, Jr. for his match with Orange Cassidy. Afterwards, Lexi Nair interviewed Cassidy about the match, this was interrupted by Sable, who told Cassidy he knew all of his tricks and would beat him Sunday.
Hechicero defeated Kevin Blackwood (2:21)
Blackwood had a cheering section in the crowd, being a local of Buffalo. It didn’t help. Hechicero mauled Blackwood from the opening bell. Hechicero flattened him with a flapjack, then took him down with a spinning hammerlock into a backbreaker. Hechicero tied up Blackwood’s arms and got the tap out.
– Lexi Nair interviewed the Patriarchy. The Bang Bang Gang interrupted and talked a lot of trash about Christian Cage and his group. Oddly, Cage offered no response.
Daniel Garcia vs. The Butcher in the Battle of Buffalo (8:59)
The fight went to the floor early. Garica propped Butcher up in a chair and hit him with a shotgun dropkick. Garcia tried a second time, but Butcher caught him and dropped him back first on the steel barricade.
After a long split-screen break, Butcher hit a backbreaker and a clothesline for a near fall. Garcia came back with a series of boots. Garcia countered a suplex attempt with a Twist and Shout neckbreaker. Garcia resorted to biting in the corner. Garcia tried for a pair of clotheslines that barely moved the big man. Garica caught him running with a third clothesline that knocked the Butcher down. Garcia then dropped Butcher with a piledriver and got the pinfall.
This looked good, but most of the match happened during the split screen commercials.
After the match, Garica held up Butcher’s hand in a sign of respect and the Buffalo natives walked to the back together.
– Lexi Nair interviewed Will Ospreay, and they were interrupted by the Don Callis family. Ospreay again reiterated that he wanted to win the World Title on his own, but did ask Kyle Fletcher to come out with him for the weigh-in later tonight. After Fletcher and Ospreay left, Rush entered the picture to talk to Callis.
– Lexi Nair interviewed Jack Perry about tonight’s six man tag featuring all the opponents from the ladder match. Perry never agreed to the match. Christopher Daniels interrupted to make sure that Perry knew if he skipped out on the six man tag, he was also out of the ladder match at Forbidden Door.
Hikaru Shida defeated Deonna Purrazzo in a Quarterfinal Match in the Owen Hart Women’s Tournament (8:08)
Shida dropped Purrazzo with an enziguri. Shida tossed Purrazzo to the floor, then came off the middle rope with a crossbody to the floor. Purrazzo caught Shida with a stomp to the arm and a pump kick to take control.
After another long split-screen break, Shida was in control. Shida hit a pair of knee strikes for a near fall. Purrazzo countered a falcon arrow attempt with a leg sweep. Shida swung wildly and Purrazzo caught her with an armbar. Shida escaped by getting to the bottom rope. Shida came off the top with a kick and hit a Falcon Arrow. She went for a cover, but Purrazzo countered with a cradle. Shida reversed the cradle for her own near fall, then hit Purrazzo with a Katana kick for the pinfall.
Purrazzo jumped Shida after the match ended, but was saved from a beating with the kendo stick from Thunder Rosa.
– Another heartfelt Jeff Jarrett promo about the Owen Hart tournament, this time with words of encouragement from the rest of his crew.
Jack Perry, El Phantasmo & Konsuke Takeshita defeated Mark Briscoe, Dante Martin & Lio Rush
It looked like Perry would start out, but immediately tagged out to Takeshita. Lio Rush caught Takeshita with a cradle, and then ate a huge boot that put him down. Takeshita aggressively tagged in Phantasmo, who caught a dropkick from Rush. Tags were made on the babyface side, and they all hit Phantasmo with avalanche clotheslines. Phantasmo got triple teamed in the babyface corner.
Phantasmo took a beating from the babyfaces.. They did a great job cutting him off from his corner, not that it really mattered since neither of his partners were really waiting for a tag. When he finally did get to his corner to get a tag from Perry, Perry dropped to the floor. Marik Briscoe dove at Perry and caught him with a dropkick on the floor.
The heels were having a hard time working together, and Dante Martin took both Phantasmo and Takeshita down with a hurricanrana. Briscoe got the tag and took it to Takeshita and ELP. Birscoe knocked ELP out of the ring with an enziguri. Briscoe hit a fisherman’s buster for a near fall, broken up by Jack Perry.
Briscoe set up ELP for the Jay Driller, but Phantasmo escaped and hit a superkick. Lio Rush got the tag and took Takeshita out with a dive to the floor. Phantasmo took Rush out with a dive, and Dante Martin took Phantasmo out with a dive.
Back in the ring, Rush and Martin hit Phantasmo with frog splashes for a near fall, again broken up by Perry. Brischo went for a cannonball on Perry, who ducked. Takeshita suplexed Rush over his head. He tried the same with Dante Martin, who landed on his feet. Marin tried for a top rope rana, and got it after Takeshita initially blocked the move. Martin went to the top, but Perry pushed him down. Martin took Perry out with a kick, but Takeshita hit Martin with a blue thunder bomb and a running knee to get the pinfall.
After the match, Perry ran in and hit Takeshita with the TNT belt. Phantasmo hit Perry with a superkick, and Rush hit Phantasmo with a stunner. Rush and Martin engaged in a brief tug of war with the TNT belt. Brischo leveled his own partners with a ladder, then took everyone out with a sommersault dive off the top of the ladder to the floor.
World Championship Weigh-In for the Forbidden Door Main Event.
Prince Nana welcomed us to the weigh-in, brought to us by Prince Nana Coffee, which is a real thing. Ospreay came out first with Fletcher. Ospreay’s official weight is 220 pounds. Swerve then came out with five guys, including “Buffallo hip-hop royalty” Westside Gun. You could tell how important this is because Nana doesn’t dance when Swerve’s music played. Swerve weighed in a 230 pounds. Nana directs both guys to stand off for the official fight photos for tomorrow night, and of course they get in each other’s face and start jawing. Then, they pose for photographs. Ospreay tells Swerve he’s got 24 hours before he knocks the grill out of his mouth. Strickland responded that he’s a businessman, and suggested he’d offer his wife a contract. That’s all it took for Ospreay to shove Strickland. Both crews were able to keep them separated for a bit, but the Ospreay killed Strickland with a Hidden Blade out of nowhere. Strickland sold the move like a million bucks.
This was a great show-closing angle and a tremendous hard sell for the main event tomorrow night.
Overall the show-closing angle and the Adam Page teaser made for a pretty noteworthy Collision.
A match in the women’s Owen Hart Foundation tournament is set for the next AEW Collision.
Next week’s show in Buffalo, New York will see Deonna Purrazo face Hikaru Shida in a quarterfinal match. This would mark Shida’s return to AEW/ROH since losing to Athena at Supercard of Honor during WrestleMania 40 weekend. Purrazzo, however, is coming off a big win after defeating Thunder Rosa in a no disqualification match earlier this month.
So far in the tournament, Willow Nightingale has defeated Serena Deeb and Kris Stantlander defeated Nyla Rose to advance to the semifinals, where they will meet.
Coming off the loss, Deeb has issued a challenge for next week’s Collision. In a promo, she talked about suffering three big losses as of late and promised to start picking up wins in order to prove to everyone, including herself, just who exactly she is.
Here is the card for next week’s Collision:
Owen Hart Foundation tournament opening round: Deonna Purrazzo vs. Hikaru Shida
The legal games involving the Janel Grant lawsuit against Vince McMahon. The arguments for arbitration, McMahon’s side goes after Janel Grant’s character, why Vince can’t produce the text messages, and WWE and McMahon file new arguments.
AEW going to tape Collisions & ROH leading up to All In, all in Arlington, TX. We look at the good and the bad as well as the significance to this move
The crazy competition the first AEW show in the building wll face
Update on King and Queen of the Ring as well as AEW Double or Nothing. What to look for on both shows.
Full detailed rundown of New Japan Resurgence
The death of inDemand, a company that was a huge part of the wrestling and boxing business for decades
Huge historical feature on the life of Bob Bruggers, as well as the 1972 Verne Gagne training camp that produced five Hall of Fame candidates of its six trainees and background of Ken Patera, Ric Flair, Greg Gagne, Jim Brunzell and Iron Sheik
The most detailed look at the ratings of all the pro wrestling and MMA TV shows this past week
The biggest trouble spot AEW faces
The weekly rankings for wrestling, quarter hours, competition for the shows and more
Arena Mexico big show update
AAA doing a feuding authority figure angle
NWA deal with All Japan
Behind the new executive who will be in charge of three different pro wrestling companies at the same time
New Japan Super Juniors coverage
One of the biggest drawing cards of the last 40 years to announce his retirement details this week
Another of the biggest stars of the last 40 years enters sports Hall of Fame
Billy Corgan talks TV deal for NWA
Homicide talks injuries
Death of wrestler and horror stories about warring with Eddie Graham
MLW breaks records and gets its most mainstream media ever
New AEW licensing deals
Konosuke Takeshita talks frustrations in AEW
Advance ticket sales for AEW & WWE shows
More on Dwayne Johnson’s next movie
Details of the most expensive sports ticket I’ve ever heard of
Dana White talks WWE PPVs on Sundays and update
What Las Vegas is expecting as far as tourism for WrestleMania
More behind the departures of two more WWE executives
Jade Cargill lost to Nia Jax by disqualification in their Queen of the Ring quarterfinal match on last night’s SmackDown. Aside from the Royal Rumble, this is Cargill’s first loss in WWE. She got disqualified for hitting Jax with a steel chair after Jax tried to use it first. There had been a spot earlier in the match where Jax taunted Cargill’s daughter at ringside. After the DQ, Cargill and Jax brawled until officials broke it up. Jax is facing Cargill’s tag team partner Bianca Belair in a Queen of the Ring semifinal match on SmackDown next Friday.
An interaction between LA Knight and Logan Paul took place on SmackDown, potentially teasing a future match between the two.
With Ivar dealing with a serious injury, Erik posted a tweet supporting his Viking Raiders tag team partner: “Love you @Ivar_WWE. Neither of us were ever supposed to make it this far. You’ll beat this one too. And the Raid will return with a brand new bad. Viking Strong!!”
On his Six Feet Under podcast, The Undertaker said he thinks the idea of a WWE comedy roast would be huge:
This just hit me, because they just did last week, they did the Tom Brady Roast on Netflix. I wonder what a — I don’t want to say, instead of doing the Hall of Fame, because the Hall of Fame is very important. But maybe some kind of restructure of it. But a roast… I think it would be huge.
Undertaker said he wouldn’t want to be the person roasted:
I wasn’t volunteering myself to be roasted. I mean there’s a lot of guys that come before I did that need to be roasted. Hulk Hogan… Flair would be good, but he’s affiliated with the wrong — he’s in the wrong branch.
WWE filed a trademark for “WWE Vault” on May 17. The trademark is listed as being for a show about professional wrestling:
Entertainment services, namely, a show about professional wrestling; entertainment services, namely, the production and exhibition of professional wrestling events rendered through broadcast media including television and distributed via various platforms across multiple forms of transmission media; providing wrestling news and information through broadcast media including television and distributed via various platforms across multiple forms of transmission media; providing information in the fields of sports and entertainment through broadcast media including television and distributed via various platforms across multiple forms of transmission media; providing a website in the field of sports entertainment information
Our hearts hurt. We lost 2Pawz today. He’s been so strong and brave battling cancer and I’m so proud of him for how hard he fought. I’ve never had a cat as unique as him. Pawz and I had the most special connection. He was just exceptional, loving, loyal, sweet and so full of personality. I’m going to miss him so much. He’ll have a safe place in my heart forever and there will never be another like him.
The first episode of AEW Meal and a Match premiered on TBS’ YouTube channel yesterday. The show is hosted by Renee Paquette and RJ City. They were joined by Eddie Kingston as their first guest.
AEW’s Hikaru Shida will face Moka Miyamoto at Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling’s show at Korakuen Hall on Sunday, June 9. It’s Shida’s first match for TJPW since 2022.
As part of a busy WrestleMania weekend in Philadelphia, Tony Khan’s Ring of Honor holds Supercard of Honor tonight from the Liacouras Center — home of AEW shows in the past.
ROH World Champion Eddie Kingston defends his title against Mark Briscoe in a first-time-ever match. The champion is looking for his 12th title defense while Briscoe is trying to win his first singles World title.
Currently on an extensive winning streak in the promotion, ROH Women’s World Champion Athena will defend against former multi-time AEW Women’s Champion Hikaru Shida.
The inaugural ROH Women’s TV Champion will be crowned as Queen Aminata faces Billie Starkz while men’s TV Champion Kyle Fletcher defends against Lee Johnson.
The Undisputed Kingdom (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) will defend the ROH Tag Team titles against The Infantry (Shawn Dean & Carlie Bravo).
The show will also feature Dalton Castle vs. Johnny TV in a Fight Without Honor, a six-woman Stardom showcase bout, and more.
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It all comes down to tonight! Titles! Showcases! Boys! It’s all (mostly) happening on Supercard of Honor, Live. But first, we count things down with the Zero Hour Pre-show.
Zero Hour – The Premiere Athletes (Josh Woods, Tony Nese and Ari Daivari) Defeated Tony Deppen, Rhett Titus and Adam Priest.
A surprise addition to the Zero Hour card, this six-man was an excellent kickoff match. Each participant got a chance to shine, with Nese’s athleticism on display in this technical clinic. Lots of chain moves and fast paced exchanges. In the end though, a dominant Nese scored the pin for his team The Premier Athletes.
Zero Hour – Beast Mortos defeated Blake Christian
It was Heart vs a literal Beast-man and Mortos had not only the size advantage on Christian, but also strength and Cool mask advantages. What was surprising though was Mortos’ ability to keep up with Christian when he began some high-flying offense. Mortos responded with a series of powerslams, dazing Christian and allowing the bigger man to take control. Christian fought back though, and tried to pick up the pace, but Mortos was having none of it and ground him down to the mat. Christian hit a spear on Mortos on the ring apron (the hardest part of the ring) and threw him back into the ring. After a battle up the ramp and back, Mortos hit a pump handle piledriver and put Christian away for the win, in a hard-hitting affair.
-After the match Komander appeared at the top of the ramp to salute Mortos. It was unclear if this was a challenge, or a friendly wave.
Zero Hour – Cole Karter and Griff Garrison (with Maria) defeated Spanish Announce Project (Angélico and Serpentico)
Karter and Garrision were tricked into this match on ROH TV by Serpentico, who asked them to sign a paper without reading it. Maria wasn’t around to advise them, so they did and find themselves facing off on Zero Hour.
Maria had Serpentico’s stolen green mask with her as she escorted her boys to the ring. Serpentico wore his backup black mask to the ring, and the bout got underway as Garrision and Karter jumped the SAP as soon as they got to the ring. Angelico and Serpentico fought back quickly though and the match settled into a back and forth affair, both inside and outside the ring. Maria taunted Serpentico with his mask, and Angelico suffered what appeared to be a knee injury leaving Serpentico to get double teamed by Garrison and Karter.
The two isolated Serpentico and tore up his black mask, adding insult to, well, mask-tearing. Serpentico made a hot tag to the revitalized Angelico who cleared house in the ring. Maria tried to introduce a chair, but was stopped by the Ref who ejected her from ringside. Maria was not happy, but the threat of a DQ convinced her to leave, leaving Serpentico’s mask on the ramp for some reason. In the ring, Karter grabbed a handful of tights and pinned Serpentico, ripping off his mask. Maria came back and retrieved the green mask.
Zero Hour – Mariah May defeated Momo Kohgo
Another surprise addition to the Zero Hour show, these were two women were rekindling a feud started in Stardom. May spent the opening minutes mocking her opponent. That did not pay off as it lit a fire under Kohgo who showed up with some high-flying moves to get May off her feet. May fought back, utilizing her size to keep Kohgo on the mat.
Kohgo’s speed was the difference maker in this match though and May was often on her back before she even realized she was hit. Kohgo tried to out-strike May, but May’s strength was not to be trifled with. May delivered an insane suplex and a hard knee strike and was able to pin Kohgo, right in the middle of the ring.
-With the Zero Hour behind us, Supercard of Honor officially began and kicked off with the Television Title Match! But before that, Nigel McGuinness made his ROH return to join the commentary team.
Kyle Fletcher defeated Lee Johnson to retain the ROH World Television Championship
Johnson has been on a hot streak in ROH, winning his last 8 matches in dominant fashion. Fletcher has been in AEW. I’m sure he did some great things there, but tonight was all about his ROH World Television Championship and the fact that he had never lost in ROH. One man was going home with the title, the other very disappointed.
Strictly speaking of ROH matches, Johnson had the edge here as Fletcher’s been spending most of his time with the Callis Family in AEW. That said, Fletcher wasn’t going to go out easily, and the two battled pretty evenly off the top.
Johnson’s hard chops echoed throughout Philly as he tried to out-power Fletcher. Fletcher battled back though, planting Johnson with a swinging side slam and few chops of his own. Determination flooded Fletcher’s face as he outpowered Johnson.
On the outside, Fletcher suplexed Johnson onto the barricade, leaving him writhing in the crowd. As he staggered to his feet, Fletcher met Johnson with a big senton over the barricade, driving Johnson into the concrete before dragging him back to the ring.
Johnson made the first mistake as Fletcher reversed an attack on the top rope into a devastating super falcon arrow. Fletcher went for his signature pile drive, but Johnson flipped it into a hurricanrana for a quick two count.
Fletcher then took it to Johnson, who kicked out of piledrivers, suplexes, big kicks and a massive powerbomb. Fletcher, growing frustrated, resorted to heavy kicks to the chest, trying to put Johnson down, but the challenger refused. Johnson reversed a piledriver attempt into a Big Shot Drop onto the ring apron (the hardest part of the ring). Both men lay dazed outside the ring.
This match was fantastic, with lots of near falls and both men making a great case as to why they deserve the title. In the end though, a twisting brainbuster from Fletcher ended Johnson’s win streak, and kept The Television Title around Fletcher’s waist.
Mei Seira, Mina Shirakawa, and Maika defeated Tam Nakano, Saya Kamitani, and AZM (Stardom Showcase)
A surprise addition to Supercard of Honor, this trios match showcased some of the best that the Japanese Stardom promotion has to offer. Stardom is a massive women’s wrestling organization and anyone who’s anyone has made a stop or two there in their careers.
Seira, Shirakawa and Maika all held Stardom Championships, and their opponents did not. The match kicked off with AZM and Seira. True to Stardom, they put on a fast-paced exchange of moves, ending in a double kip up. Nakano was tagged in, and isolated Seira for a triple team in the corner. Seira battled back for a hot tag to bring in the heavy-hitting Maika, who hit an impressive double suplex on Nakano and AZM.
AZM climbed to the top rope, but missed a dive onto Shirakawa. Maika and AZM were the legal competitors and managed to knock each other silly while their teams regrouped. Hot tags put Shirakawa and Kamitani in the ring together, and they bounced around the ring taking shots at each other until Shirakawa landed a big shin breaker.
Shirakawa locked a figure four onto Kamatani while the other four battled outside. AZM managed to break up the hold and double superkicks put Maika and Seira down. Nakano launched herself off the top rope and laid out all five of the wrestlers in the match. Things settled down a bit after that and the bushido fighting spirit was on full display as Shirakawa laid out Kamitani to get the win for her team.
This was a really impressive match, showcasing just how good Stardom matches can be. High flying, hard hitting and fast paced with great back and forth action. More Stardom in ROH, please!
-At the end of the match, Mariah May stomped down to the ring to try and intimidate her former Stardom compatriots…but then they all gave each other big hugs! The winning trio and May toasted each other with champagne in the ring.
The Undisputed Kingdom (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) defeated The Infantry (Shawn Dean & Carlie Bravo) to retain the ROH Tag Team titles.
The Infantry took the Kingdom to a 10–minute draw in a Proving Ground match on the last episode of ROH TV to earn a shot at the ROH Tag Team Champions.
The Kingdom jumped the Infantry right off the bat, before the bell had even rung. They beat them from pillar to post to set the challengers on their heels to start the match. The bell rung, and the Kingdom was looking to make a statement with Taven manhandling Dean. Dean fought back though, trading dozens of hard chops with Bennett.
Shades of the Briscoes, Dean and Bravo took Bennett and Taven to the outside, brawling their way around and up onto the ramp. A big dive from Taven took out all four men, and Taven dropped Bravo hip-first onto the barricade, while Dean reversed a piledriver on the ramp from Bennett.
Bennett told Taven to “kill him”, and the two nailed a spiked piledriver on Bravo on the rampway. Back in the ring, the double team continued as Taven and Bennett absolutely clobbered him in the corner. The crowd was not amused, as they did not like the Champions, who they may not have recognized because the ROH Tag Titles have been rarely defended on ROH TV.
A hot tag brought in Dean, but Bravo disappeared and Dean had to take on Bennett and Taven by himself. Finally, Bravo returned and they double teamed Bennett after disposing of Taven on the outside. All four men got in the ring and some brawling ensued until they were all laid out in the ring. Bravo went for a cover on Taven, but Dean missed the block on Bennett who dove in to break up the pin.
Earlier in the match, Taven had set up a table next to the rampway. This came back to bite him as Bravo put him through it with a leap off the rampway. IN the ring, Dean hit a salute splash on Bennett for the 1-2-3-4-5… the ref didn’t see! The Ref also missed Wardlow sneaking into the ring to deliver a huge slam to Dean, knocking him out. Bennett crawled over him for the pin to retain the ROH Tag Titles for The Kingdom.
Billie Starkz defeated Queen Aminata to become the inaugural ROH Women’s World Television Champion
This was the culmination of a 16-woman tournament that saw Aminata and Starkz battle through the best ROH has to offer. The winner tonight would be crowned the inaugural ROH Women’s World Television Champion and both these women have earned the right to wear that title.
This match took place during Ramadan and Aminata, a devout muslim, had been fasting in accordance with the time of year. The commentary team wondered if this would be a factor in the match. It didn’t seem like it during the start of the match, where Aminata held her own against the spunky Stakz. The two women felt each other out in a slow start, but Aminata eventually landed a really crisp snap suplex. She followed that up with an absolutely deadly knee to Starkz’ face.
Aminata went the submission route, locking Starkz into a series of holds and locks, but Starkz was able to escape to the corner. Starkz tried to pick up some offense with whips and a big lariat, but Aminata wasn’t going down easy. She grabbed Starkz in a German suplex that left the younger competitor staring up at the lights.
Aminata began toying with Starkz, who did not take it well. Starkz hit a twisting ushigaroshi, seemingly damaging the neck of Aminata. Aminata wasn’t all out, as she hit a rolling dice counter to a facelock attempt by Starkz. Dueling chants erupted from the crowd as the two women staggered to their feet to exchange hard forearms.
Starks climbed to the top rope to try a swanton onto Amimata on the ring apron (the hardest part of the ring) but Aminata managed to dodge, and Starks did more damage to herself than anyone else. Aminata threw Starkz around outside until she was practically limp. Putting her back in the ring, Aminata climbed to the top rope and hit a swanton of her own, but Starkz kicked out at two.
Aminata seemingly had the match won, but Starkz, who looked dazed and out of it, managed to kick out time and time again. After multiple decimating strikes in the corner, Starkz could barely see straight. Starkz missed a second swanton when Aminata put up her knees to block. Starkz landed hard and refs and doctors dove into the ring.
Starkz wailed in pain in the ring and was attended to by doctors. Aminata and the crowd held their breath. The medical staff wrapped Starkz’ neck in a brace and she was able to stand. Everyone waited to hear if the match would continue, but as Starkz was about to be taken from the ring, Starkz slapped in a sleeper hold on Aminata! She was playing Possum!
Aminata Passed out, and Starks tore her not-needed brace off to celebrate as the inaugural ROH Women’s World Television Champion! Wow, what a psyche-out in a great, great match!
-Backstage, Lexi Nair had a chat with Top Flight. On Collision, Top Flight will face FTR in the AEW Tag Team Title Tournament. Top Flight said that they will overcome because that’s what they do. They will win the match, and head to Dynasty for the Finals.
-Next up, The ROH 6-Man Champtions the Bang Bang Gang arrived in the ring. Jay White grabbed a mic while the Gunns danced in support. White announced that they would be defending their titles RIGHT NOW!
The Bang Bang Gang (Jay White, Austin and Colton Gunn) defeated Monster Sauce (Alex Zayne and Lance Archer) and Minoru Suzuki to retain the ROH 6-Man Tag Titles
To say that the Bang Bang Gang were surprised to see Suzuki would be an understatement. This impromptu match immediately became more important with the addition of Suzuki.
The dream pair of Suzuki and White started things off and the crowd was hyped for this unannounced match. Suzuki called White a “young boy” and slapped on several really painful looking finger holds. He immediately put White in the sleeper, and the Gunns broke things up to save their friend. The Bang Bang Gang regrouped behind the announce table, seemingly very afraid of Suzuki.
Austin Gunn took the next shot at Suzuki who called him “Ass boy.” Hopefully a reference to Gunn’s father, Mr Ass Billy Gunn. Suzuki seemed unstoppable though, and folded Austin in half, leading him to tag in Colton. Archer jumped in though and the two exchanged holds.
Archer tagged in Zayne and he drove Colton into the corner. Austin tagged in and stomped a proverbial mudhole in Zayne. The Bang Bang Gang proceeded to lead the match both in terms of hitting devastating moves, as well as body glitter that was pretty much everywhere.
Zayne tagged in Archer, who ran through all three members of the Bang Bang Gang. Archer Choke-flipped (you read that right) Zayne onto Austin, but Austin recovered and bulldogged Archer to the mat. Hot tags brought in White and Suzuki much to the crowd’s delight.
Suzuki beat up White, then Austin, then Colton and stood tall in the ring as the crowd chanted his name. White thumbed Suzuki’s eye, but Suzuki countered into a sleeper. Zayne tagged himself in and leveled White with a lariat. White battled back though, and hit a bladerunner on Zayne to get the win and retain the ROH 6-man Titles.
This match was a great balance of veteran dominance by Suzuik and entertaining, innovative moves from the Bang Bang Gang. Super fun and fun to watch!
-White grabbed a mic and re-iterated that The Bang Bang Gang were the best. Suddenly the Acclaimed arrived and a massive brawl broke out. The Bang Bang Gang escaped leaving Billy and The Acclaimed in the ring.
Dalton Castle defeated Johnny TV (Fight Without Honor)
OK, follow me here: Dalton Castle and Johnny TV hate each other. Castle wants to smash TV’s face, and TV hates Castle’s face because it will “never be TV ready.” The two had a match that resulted in TV and his wife, Taya Valkyrie, gaining custody of Castle’s Boys. Sadly, TV and Valykrie then lost The Boys during a mountain outing where they were doing manly things (there was a bear involved). This enraged Castle, and now the two will meet in only the 15th ever Fight Without Honor match.
Castle entered with a new jumpsuit and a baker’s dozen of brand new Boys to try and soften the loss of his original Boys. The crowd was clearly behind Castle, chanting his name as the bell rang.
Castle seemed to have TV’s number, knocking him to the outside repeatedly. TV Taunted Castle and Castle chased him around the ring, until TV stomped on his hand on the rampway. With no countouts to worry about, the two battled on the outside until TV dragged Castle back into the ring. Castle bumped into Valkyrie, which caused TV to become enraged and hammer him with some hard strikes.
TV searched under the ring and pulled out a table. He and Valkyrie set it up while Castle writhed in the ring. Valkyrie handed TV a kendo stick and the couple wailed on Castle with them. The ring filled with debris, as TV hit Castle again and again with the Kendo stick. Castle finally caught some offense, hitting TV with a big Olympic-slam style suplex. Castle then considered the weapons he could use on TV, ultimately choosing the kendo stick. Before he could do much though, TV sprayed some powder in Castle’s eyes, and Valkyrie attacked him with a leaf blower. TV then powerbombed Castle through the table and tossed him back in the ring.
Setting up a chair, TV locked Castle’s shoulder and arm in the legs. He then spammed the chair shut, crushing Castle’s arm. TV placed two kendo sticks and three chairs on Castle’s body and went for a Starship Pain. Castle came to life though and nailed TV with the kendo stick.
In the ring, Castle screamed “Bring me a boy!” and one of his boys ran out to the ring. Castle threw the Boy onto TV, and a second boy came out! Castle threw that boy onto TV too, and then it was just a stream of Boys running out and being tossed onto TV on the outside.
Suddenly, a very familiar looking Boy CARTWHEELED his way to the ring and right into TV. Another boy walked to the ring in street clothes and an ROH t-shirt. This new Boy laid out on the ropes and watched. The Mystery Boy then hit a Sky High and we realized it was Paul Walter Hauser!
The Boys on the outside then kidnapped Valkyrie and dragged her to the back! TV was left alone with Castle and Hauser as they spread thumbtacks all over the ring. Castle hit a Bangarang on TV, driving him face first into the tacks and getting the pin to win the match.
Athena (c) defeated Hikaru Shida to retain the ROH Women’s World Championship
This match came to be because Athena, riding a 49-match win streak and 400+ days as chamption, felt like the ROH Women’s Division was lacking in real competition. She ran through them all, and was bored, darn it! That request caught the attention of former AEW Women’s Champion, Shida. She arrived with determination and violence and this match promised a hearty helping of both.
Athena (decked out in red, not a red outfit mind you, just painted red for some reason) started the match by ducking out of the ring. After pumping herself up a bit she jumped in and the match actually began.
The pace began to pick up with neither woman really gaining an advantage, but the wheels were definitely in motion in both of their minds. Athena went the mind games route, trying to lure Shida in for a Code of Honor handshake. Shida saw through the ruse though and hit Athena with a series of lariats into a backbreaker.
After a few twists and turns, Athena began working Shida’s knee, wrapping it in the rope and stomping it, trying to tear ligaments. After an Alabama slam, Athena put Shida in an ankle lock, wrenching Shida’s knee even more. Shida fought back though, catching Athena in a big backbreaker.
The pace of the match slowed significantly, with both women taking turns hitting kicks and corner slams, trying to gain the advantage. Athena managed get Shida in another ankle lock, twisting her damaged knee. Shida crawled to the ropes, but the Champion took her time in breaking the hold.
Shida got Athena up and piledrove her into the rampway outside the ring. Shida threw her into the ring and landed a meteora from the top rope. “This is awesome” chants were aplenty.
Athena began spamming powerbombs, trying to throw Shida over the top rope. Shida managed to reverse into a hurricanrana to the outside, but almost simultaneously, Athena reversed and powerbombed her onto the concrete. Athena put Shida back in the ring and bullseye Shida with a top rope neckbreaker, but Shida kicked out.
Shida tried a flurry of moves ending in a Katana, but Athena kicked out. Shida tried another Katana, but Athena caught her knee. The two pounded on one another until Athena was able to get to the top rope and hit an O Face to put Shida down and get her 50th win, continuing her reign as ROH Women’s Champion.
This match was really fun, but suffered by being near the end of the show. Supercard entered it’s 4th hour (including Zero Hour) during this match and the crowd was beginning to show some fatigue.
Mark Briscoe defeated Eddie Kingston to become the ROH World Champion
The only word to describe this matchup was “emotional.” Kingston, fresh off of losing his Continental Title, was near the end of his rope and questioned whether he could hold onto his sanity and even sobriety should he lose. Briscoe had just as much on the line, looking to honor his late brother Jay 11 years to the day that Jay won the ROH World Championship. Both men promised each other they’d be bringing their best and the stakes were high.
As was expected, this was a hard-hitting match. The arena seemed to shake with every slam and strike. Kingston had control in the beginning, but Briscoe used some of his redneck kung fu to keep himself in the running.
One the outside, Briscoe hit a cannonball to plant Kingston against the barricade. Briscoe introduced a chair to the ring, making it legal for Kingston to chokeslam Briscoe right through it. Kingston pounded Briscoe’s head against the announce table, busting him open. Blood poured from Briscoe’s face as Kingston waited for him in the ring. Briscoe jumped right back in and the two exchanged punches and chops.
The ref checked on Briscoe, making sure he could continue while bleeding. Kingston took advantage and raked the open wound on Briscoe’s head. A series of strikes from Kingston left him covered in Briscoe’s blood. On the outside, Briscoe took a big bite of Kingston’s head and set him up in a chair to drive him into the corner barricade. Briscoe then dropped a Cactus Jack elbow on the champion from the ring apron.
Blood absolutely poured from Briscoe’s head as the ref checked on him for the fourth time. He checked again after Kingston nailed Briscoe in the face with a baseball slide.
Briscoe began to fight back, taking Kingston’s chops and laying out a few of his own. Briscoe’s face looked like hamburger meat but he refused to go down. Some more Redneck Kung Fu gave Briscoe an opening and he began to take it to Kingston. These two were in a war, not a wrestling match.
Briscoe hit a Froggy-bow from the top rope, but Kingston kicked out at two. The men began trading suplexes and powerbombs trying to find an opening to come out on top. Eventually though, both men were down, in pools of Briscoe’s blood.
Kingston hit a t-bone suplex from the ring apron (the hardest part of the ring) onto the concrete below leaving Briscoe dazed as the crowd chanted “man up” at the competitors. Both men escaped the 20-count by sliding back into the ring, Briscoe managing to do it at 19 and a half.
Bloodied and beaten, both men swung at each other from their knees. Rising to their feet Briscoe got a big clothesline and began to gain momentum over the sluggish Kingston. Kingston fired back though, and tried a pin which Briscoe kicked out of at 2.
Briscoe reached deep into his bag of tricks, pulling out a cutthroat driver. Signaling to the his brother in the sky, Briscoe droppe Kingston on his head with a massive driver and pinned him for the 1-2-3! Mark Briscoe is your new ROH World Champion, 11 years to the day his brother won the same title!
The ring filled up with Briscoe’s family and ROH wrestlers hugging and congratulating Briscoe on his well deserved victory, and Kingston on his hard fought loss. The two men embraced into the ring as the confetti and streamers rained down. What an incredibly emotional and hard-hitting match. A perfect way to end Supercard of Honor 2024.
ROH has announced several matches for Thursday’s show on HonorClub.
With a title shot against Athena at Supercard of Honor just weeks away, Hikaru Shida will be in action on this week’s episode. She’ll wrestle Rachael Ellering in singles competition. Athena will also wrestle on Thursday, although her opponent has yet to be announced.
The tournament to determine the first-ever women’s TV Champion will continue as well. Semifinal matches Queen Aminata vs. Red Velvet and Mercedes Martinez vs. Billie Starkz will take place on the show.
Stardom’s Mina Shirakawa also makes her ROH debut on Thursday. She’ll wrestle Anna Jay, who will be making her ROH debut as well.
Matches for this week’s episode were taped at The Canadian Tire Center in Ottawa on Saturday and also at TD Garden in Boston last Wednesday. Spoilers from the Ottawa show are available here, and spoilers from Boston are available here.
ROH TV announced lineup for Thursday, March 21, 2024 —
Hikaru Shida vs. Rachael Ellering
ROH Women’s World TV Championship Tournament semifinal: Billie Starkz vs. Mercedes Martinez
ROH Women’s World TV Championship Tournament semifinal: Queen Aminata vs. Red Velvet
A Women’s Championship match has been added to AEW Dynamite.
Tony Khan announced the match on Tuesday afternoon.
“After retaining in the Fright Night Fight, the Champion Shida will defend her title vs 2023 Owen Hart Women’s Cup Winner Willow Wednesday!” he wrote on X.
Since winning the title at AEW Dynamite Title Tuesday earlier this month, Shida has consistently defended the title, defeating the likes of Ruby Soho and Emi Sakura. She most recently defended it this past Saturday on Collision, defeating Abadon in a Fright Night Fight match.
Willow Nightingale has recently been involved in a storyline where both she and Skye Blue have been misted by Julia Hart. Nightingale has resisted being turned by Hart’s mist, but Blue has seemed to embrace the change, changing her appearance.
Here’s the updated card for Wednesday’s Dynamite:
AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy defends against Claudio Castagnoli
AEW Women’s Champion Hikaru Shida defends against Willow Nightingale
MJF and three partners vs. Bullet Club Gold (Jay White, Juice Robinson & The Gunns)
Kenny Omega & Chris Jericho vs. Matt Menard & Angelo Parker
