A Fright Night Fight for the Women’s World Championship, and more matches have been made official for this week’s AEW Collision.
After winning a four-way match on Friday’s Rampage, episode, Abadon will challenge Hikaru Shida for the Women’s World title on the Saturday, October 28 Collision in a Fright Night Fight. The stipulations for a Fright Night Fight have not been announced.
Also announced, Bullet Club Gold’s Jay White will be in action against AR Fox in singles competition.
After making their return on last week’s episode, House of Black’s Malakai Black, Brody King, and Buddy Matthews will be in trios action on Saturday’s show against unnamed opponents.
Already announced for the show is an AEW World Championship match with MJF defending against Kenny Omega.
A total of four bouts have been announced for this week’s Collision. The updated card for Saturday’s episode:
AEW World Champion MJF defends against Kenny Omega
Fright Night Fight: AEW Women’s World Champion Hikaru Shida defends against Abadon
Jay White vs. AR Fox
House of Black’s Malakai Black, Brody King & Buddy Matthews in trios action
It will be student vs. teacher on tonight’s episode of AEW Dynamite.
AEW has announced that Hikaru Shida will face her mentor Emi Sakura on Dynamite tonight. It’s a title eliminator match where, if Sakura wins, she’ll earn a future shot at Shida’s AEW Women’s World Championship.
Shida and Sakura have had two one-on-one matches against each other in AEW before this. Shida won both of those meetings.
At Dynamite Title Tuesday last week, Shida defeated Saraya to win the AEW Women’s World Championship. It’s Shida’s third reign with the title.
Sakura lost a match against Skye Blue on Rampage last Friday.
Dynamite is taking place from the Fort Bend Epicenter in Rosenberg, Texas tonight. Here’s everything that’s been announced for the episode:
Dynamite Dozen battle royal
Jay White vs. Penta El Zero Miedo
Kenny Omega vs. Kyle Fletcher
AEW Women’s World Championship eliminator match: Hikaru Shida vs. Emi Sakura
Sting addresses the fans
Adam Copeland’s Rated-R rebuttal to Christian Cage
“Timeless” Toni Storm debuts her newest blockbuster film
Jim Ross conducts a sit-down interview with Nick Wayne and his mother
Hikaru Shida is the new AEW Women’s World Champion.
Shida defeated Saraya at Dynamite Title Tuesday to become the first three-time AEW Women’s World Champion, securing the victory after Ruby Soho’s interference attempt was thwarted by “Timeless” Toni Storm.
Soho attempted to spray paint in Shida’s face early in the contest, but Shida reversed the attack. Storm then ran in and attacked Soho with shoes and the two fought off.
With the interference negated, Shida kicked out of two Knight Caps from Saraya, then avoided a third and cradled her to capture the Women’s World Championship.
Saraya’s first reign with the AEW Women’s World title ends at 45 days. She pinned Storm in a four-way match also involving Shida & Britt Baker at All In on August 27 to win the title.
With the victory, Shida establishes the record for most Women’s World title wins in company history, and will build on her record of 397 total days holding the belt.
Shida’s victory marked the second championship change at Title Tuesday, as Orange Cassidy defeated Rey Fenix to win the International Championship earlier in the evening.
Two-time AEW Women’s World Champion Hikaru Shida will get another shot at the title at Dynamite Title Tuesday.
Shida defeated Ruby Soho in a number one contender’s match on Friday’s AEW Rampage episode to earn a championship match against Saraya at Dynamite Title Tuesday on October 10.
Saraya defeated Shida at All In on August 27 at Wembley Stadium in London to win the title in a four-way match that also involved Toni Storm and Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D.
That match ended Shida’s second reign with the Women’s World title at 25 days. Saraya has since managed one successful defense of her title, defeating Storm in a one-on-one match at Dynamite Grand Slam on September 20.
Shida holds the record for both longest title reign at 372 days as Women’s World Champion, as well as most combined days as Women’s World Champion at 397. Shida and Storm remain the only two-time AEW Women’s World Champions.
Saraya defending against Shida is the only match official for Dynamite Title Tuesday to this point. Dynamite will air on Tuesday that week due to TBS coverage of the Major League Baseball playoffs.
The Grand Slam eliminator tournament continues on Friday’s AEW Rampage.
Samoa Joe will begin his quest to earn a shot at AEW World Champion MJF at this month’s Dynamite Grand Slam as he faces Jeff Hardy while Penta El Zero Miedo takes on Jay Lethal.
The winner of Joe vs. Hardy will face the winner of Penta vs. Lethal on Saturday’s Collision while Darby Allin will take on Roderick Strong in the other semifinal. The finals will take place next Wednesday.
The Young Bucks will return to tag team action as they face Matt Menard & Angelo Parker. Matt & Nick Jackson will be looking to rebound from their loss to AEW Tag Team Champions FTR at All In and win their third match in their last four.
In a trios match, former AEW Women’s Champions Hikaru Shida and Britt Baker will team with Skye Blue in trios action against Taya Valkyrie, Anna Jay & The Bunny.
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Taped in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Excalibur, Tony Schiavone & Chris Jericho were commentary.
Penta El Zero Miedo (w/ Alex Abrahantes) defeated Jey Lethal (w/ Jeff Jarrett et. al.) to advance in the World Title Eliminator Tournament (10:39)
The winner faces the winner of tonight’s Samoa Joe v. Jeff Hardy match on Collision tomorrow night. It’s wacky now that they’re booking from show to show to show, where what happens on Dynamite and Rampage now impacts what happens on Collision. But I guess that’s a lot easier when you don’t have to worry about who’s allowed in the building or not.
Penta got Lethal hung up in the corner and came off the top with a double stomp for a near fall. Jarrett tried to trip up Penta and got his hand stomped on, and Penta sent Lethal to the floor with a gamingiri. Lethal caught a superkick trying to re-enter the ring. When Penta tried to follow up with a plancha, Sahtnam Singh caught Penta and smashed him against the ring post. Karen Jarrett tied up Penta’s mask against the bottom rope. The ref caught Jarrett and his crew doing this and sent them all to the back as the show headed into a split-screen break.
After the break, Lethal worked over Penta with chops in the corner. Penta came back with a pair of slingblades and hit Lethal with a tope con hilo on the floor. Back in the ring, Penta came off the top with a double stomp for a near fall. Lethal came back with the Lethal Combination for a near fall. Lethal tried to take off Penta’s mask again. Penta countered a Lethal Injection with a dropkick for a near fall. Lethal pulled off Penta’s mask, and he immediately covered up. Letha tried to grab Jarrett’s guitar, but Abrahanets grabbed and a tug of war ensued, which Abrahanes won. Meanwhile, Penta got his mask back on, and Lethal turned around into an attack from Penta. Penta used the arm breaker and the Fear Factor stuff piledriver to get the pinfall. Very good TV match.
– Sammy Guevara came out to interrupt a recap of the recent tribulations between Guevara and Chris Jericho. The crowd suggested they “hug it out!” They both agree they’re pissing each other off and would like to punch each other in the face. Even though they’re well on their way to being AEW World Tag Team Champions, Jericho and Guevara need to get over this animosity, and Jericho suggests a match between them at Grand Slam to “get all this crap out of [their] system.” Both guys shake hands and agree to the match. Very good promo segment.
– Recap of the Samoa Joe & MJF angle from Wednesday.
Hikaru Shida, Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. & Skye Blue defeated Taka Valkyrie, Anna Jay & The Bunny (w/ Penelope Ford) (6:33 aired)
Shida & Baker will be in a four way on Wednesday (along with Nyla Rose & Toni Storm) to determine the challenger for Saraya at Grand Slam. So there’s a little bit of tension between them on the entrance stage.
Blue has a lot more confidence and presence than she did a few months ago. Bunny blocked an arm drag attempt from Skye Blue, but Blue turned it into a cradle for a near fall. She got into a striking exchange with Valkyire, but Valkyrie sent her into the mat face first.
After the break, Blue finally got the tag out (she’d been in the ring the whole match) to Shida. Shida racked Anna Jay, which Valkyrie broke up with a kick. Baker got the blind tag from Shida and hit a superkick on Bunny, then suplexed Jay. Bunny sent Britt into Shida, then hit a knee for the near fall. Britt got the lockjaw on Bunny and she quickly tapped out. After the match, Shida left, frustrated with her partners.
– A recap of Hook regaining his FTW World title with no mention or even a glimpse of who he beat. Jungle Berry or something? Anyway, Hook is glad to have the FTW title back where it belongs, in New York.
The Young Bucks defeated Matt Menard & Angelo Parker (w/ Jake Hager w/out his hat) (5:03)
Matt hung up Parker with a hangman’s neckbreaker, and Nick followed up with a senton. Matt came off the top with a double stomp on Parker’s arm. Matt gave Angelo a series of Northern Lights suplexes. And Parker was having a good hair day, too! Parker and Menard got the advantage on Matt Jackson while the crowd chanted “Where’s your hat?” at Hager. Parker dropped an elbow off of Menard’s back for a near fall while Jericho and Schivone got catty with each other on commentary.
Matt got the tag to Nick, who hit a crossbody on Parker and Menard. Parker tried the springboard elbow again, but sprung right into a superkick from Matt Jackson. A superkick took out Hager, and Bucks leveled Menard with the BTE trigger to get the pinfall.
– A promo from Mike Santana, who is breaking out as a single. He’s “not here to make friends, he’s here to make money.”
– Jon Moxley v. Action Andretti for the International Title, a Kris Statlander open challenge for the TBS Title, and an 8-man tag for Bullet Club Gold have been added to Collision tomorrow night.
Samoa Joe defeated Jeff Hardy (w/ Matt Hardy) to advance in the AEW World Title Eliminator Tournament (8:30)
The crowd still really likes Jeff Hardy. And they really do not like Samoa Joe. Hardy caught Joe with a low dropkick and a lariat off the middle ropes. Joe went to Hardy’s eyes to get the advantage, then hit Hardy with some jabs and kicks.
Joe continued to dominate Hardy through the split-screen break. The crowd got behind Hardy with chants, and Joe casually avoided a flying forearm from Jeff, which sent him flying into the ropes and to the floor. When Hardy got back into the ring, Joe softened him up with jabs and body shots, then taunted the crowd by applauding Hardy.
Hardy came back with Whisper in the Wind. Hardy hit a clothesline, an elbow and a forearm. Hardy dropped an elbow for a near fall. The crowd chanted for a swanton bomb, and Hardy caught Joe with a kick. He went for the Twist of Fate, and Joe quickly countered into the Kokina Clutch. Hardy quickly tapped out.
Samoa Joe v. Penta El Zero Miedo is now official for Collision. The winner of that match will face the winner of Roderick Strong v. Darby Allin, also on Collision.
Final Thoughts:
Star power and some good matches made for the most watchable episode of Rampage in a while. Everything on tonight’s show felt important.
Tension had been teased between the two Outcasts members throughout the match. Ruby Soho ran in and attempted to get between the two, asking Storm to think of Saraya’s injured neck. Storm ended up hitting Soho, who left the ring area shortly after.
The new champion was accompanied by her family during her ring entrance. The Knight family sat in the front row throughout the match and joined Saraya to celebrate after. At one point, Storm accidentally hit Saraya’s mother, Saraya Knight, while attempting to double-team Baker on the outside.
Saraya becomes the eighth wrestler to win the title and begins the 10th reign in its lineage. Shida’s second run with the title ends after 25 days and one successful defense. Saraya has now won the NXT Women’s Championship, is a two-time WWE Divas Champion, and is the current AEW World Women’s Champion.
A match that will set the stage for All In will main event Friday’s AEW Rampage as Britt Baker & AEW Women’s Champion Hikaru Shida take on Saraya & Toni Storm.
The four participants will compete in a four-way Sunday for Shida’s championship.
After Shida defeated Storm for the title, a mini-tournament was created to find participants for the four-way. Storm earned an automatic bye due to her rematch clause while Shida, Baker and Saraya all had to earn their way in.
Rampage will also feature two title matches.
AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy will look to keep his long winning streak going as he defends against Aaron Solo. With a win, Cassidy will hit 30 title defenses. Cassidy will be part of a Stadium Stampede match on Sunday.
AAA Latin American Champion QT Marshall will defend his newly-won championship for the first time on AEW TV as he takes on Gravity. Marshall will also have a sit-down interview with Jim Ross.
TNT Champion Luchasaurus will also be in non-title action against an opponent to be named. He is preparing to defend his title against Darby Allin at next month’s All Out.
Here is the lineup announced for Rampage:
Hikaru Shida & Britt Baker vs. Saraya & Toni Storm
AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy defends against Aaron Solo
AAA Latin American Champion QT Marshall defends against Gravity
Friday’s edition of AEW Rampage has several featured matches including a first time ever clash between lucha stars and a heated women’s tag team main event.
In the show’s opener, Rey Fenix will take on Komander. While they have shared the ring before, it’s the first ever singles meeting between the two high flyers.
AEW Women’s Champion Hikaru Shida will team with Skye Blue to take on The Outcasts’ Toni Storm & Ruby Soho ahead of the four-way title match at All In that features both Shida and Storm.
One of the other participants — Britt Baker — will be on hand to share some thoughts about the All In match.
Ahead of their anticipated title defense against MJF & Adam Cole at All In, ROH Tag Team Champions Aussie Open will defend the titles against Ethan Page & Brother Zay.
After coming out to defend Chris Jericho on Wednesday’s Dynamite, Sammy Guevara will take on Jon Cruz.
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Taped in Nashville, TN.
Excalibur & Tony Schiavone were on commentary.
Rey Fenix (w/ Alex Abrahantes) defeated Komander (12:57)
This is the first time meeting between these two high flying luchadors.
Both men did some matwork and exchanged cradles for pinfall attempts to start. Komander got a very close nearfall with his version of the seatbelt. Fenix sent Komander over the top with a hip toss. Komander caught Fenix with a tope on the floor, but Fenix came back with a double stomp off the top to get a near fall.
Fenix worked over Komander for most of the split-screen break. After the break, Komander fought out of a suplex attempt and chopped Fenix down. Komander took Fenix down with a tijeras, then Fenix caught him with a superkick. Fenix went for a tiger driver, but Komander countered with a rana and he drove Fenix down into the mat headfirst for a near fall. Fenix followed up with a lung blower for another near fall.
Komander got a little too cute for his own good and Fenix caught him with a rolling cutter for a near fall. Jon Moxley and Claudio Castignoli were shown watching the match backstage. Well, we think that’s what they were watching because they were standing like normal people in front of the TV, not beside it.
Fenix had Komander up in a fireman’s carry, but Fenix spiked him down with a crucifix driver for a near fall. Fenix came back with a hook kick and both guys were down and the crowd is really getting into things now.
Both men exchanged elbows and forearms as the worked their way back to their feet. Fenix climb to the top, but Komander shoved him to the mat, then came off the top with a springboard destroyer. Komander hit a ropewalk shooting star press for a near fall. Komander went for a 450 splash that missed. Fenix the hit the fire thunder driver and nearly got the pinfall in a fantastic near fall. The crowd and commentarts were shaken. Fenix finished Komander with a spinning muscle buster into a cradle and got the pinfall.
“The winner of this incredible battle, Ray Fenix.” No kidding Justin Roberts.
– Dr. Britt Baker bragged to Renee Paquette about all her accolades. Baker was at the first All In, was the first woman signed to AEW, and will win the AEW Women’s World Championship again at all in.
– Clips of QT Marshall winning matches and championships in AAA were shown. Johnny TV was then shown driving with his tiny dog, which has to be a moving violation.
Aussie Open vs. Ethan Page defeated Brother Zay to retain the ROH World Tag Team Championship (8:15 aired)
If Page and Zay win, they will move onto Zero Hour to defend the ROH Tag Team Titles at Zero Hour before All In.
Mark Davis and Kyle Fletcher jumped the challengers from behind. That’s not very honorable. Page was knocked to the floor and Zay was double-teamed in the Aussie Open corner. Zay took Fletcher down with a rana, then hit Davis with an enziguri and got the hot tag to Page. Page clotheslined Davis to the floor, and Zay hit both members of Aussie Open with a dive on the floor.
Back in the ring, Page hit Fletcher with a powerslam for a near fall. Fletcher and Davis came back by slamming Page and Zay back’s into each other. The Aussies worked over Page during the split-screen break.
After the break, Page hit Fletcher with a sheer drop brainbuster and got the tag to Zay. Zay sent Davis to the floor with a cutter, hit him with an Asai moonsault, and then sprung back into the ring with a crossbody on Fletcher for a near fall. Zay went for a Swanton bomb, but Fletcher got his knees up. Fletcher hit a superkick, then hit a cutter off the middle rope for a near fall. Page came in and ate a double-superkick for his trouble. Stereo lariants and the Coriolis finished off Zay pretty definitively.
After the match, Aussie Open cut an in-ring promo on Adam Page and MJF. Fletcher called MJF a horrible person and Cole a piece of trash. And, they’ll never hit a kangaroo kick in their lives. Ever!
– A promo for the Righteous. They’ve run roughshod over ROH and are heading to AEW.
– From the Hardy compound, Matt and Jeff challenged Aussie Open for the ROH World Tag Team Championship on Dynamite Wednesday. If they win, they’ll defend the “Ring of Hardy” tag team titles against Adam Page & MJF at Zero Hour.
Sammy Guevara defeated Jon Cruz (1:35)
Guevera is now firmly a babyface again. Guevara won a quick squash with the GTH.
– Nyla Rose would like to remind everyone that she is the Native Beast.
TV Rundown:
Collision: Willow Nightingale will take on Diamante. Powerhouse Hobbs will “be in action” (wrestle a squash), Miro, Ricky Starks, and FTR will have interview segments, and Christian Cage will face Darby Allin. Wow that’s not much of a line up. I guess it’s hard to put together a show when you’re not sure who’s allowed in the building.
Dynamite (which is also Fyter Fest): Jon Moxley vs. Ray Fenix, Aussie Open v. The Hardys for the ROH Tag Team Titles. The Elite will face Juice Robinson & The Gunns. Jack Perry will retire the FTW Title. Also announced: Swerve Strickland & AR Fox vs. Darby Allin & Nick Wayne, Skye Blue v. Ruby Soho, and interviews with Adam Cole, MJF, The Young Bucks and FTR. And they’ll be a contract signing with Chris Jericho and Will Osprey. Wow that’s pretty loaded.
AEW Women’s Champion Hikaru Shida & Skye Blue vs. Toni Storm & Ruby Soho (w/ Saraya)
The Outcasts jumped the babyfaces to start, and it settled down to Blue and Soho in the ring. Blue went to the top, but Storm distracted her and Soho took her down. The heels took turns working over Blue in the corner. Referee Bryce Remsburg kept chastising the Outcasts for their constant rule-breaking, prompting Saraya to shout “stop yelling at them, Bryce!” That was funny. Storm hit the hip attack to send Blue crashing to the floor.
The heels worked over Blue during the split-screen break because that’s always what the heels do during the split screen break. And then just as the break ended, Blue got the hot tag to Shida. Shida hit Storm with a forearm and Soho with an enziguri. Shida picked up Soho in a torture rack and dropped her face first to the mat. Shida kicked Soho in the head, Storm suplexed Shida, Blue caught Storm with an enziguri, Soho suplexed Storm and everybody was down.
Shida hit Soho with a knee strike and Blue hit the Code Blue for a near fall. Saraya slid the Soho the spray paint, and Blue caught a facefull of spray paint. Storm hit the hip attack for another near fall, broken up by Shida. Shida and Storm exchanged forearms in the ring, Saraya tripped up Shida, allowing Storm to hit a high kick. The Outcasts went for a double team powerbomb, but Blue took out Storm with a kick. Soho went for No Future, but Shida countered with a cradle and got the pinfall.
After the match, the Outcasts jumped Shida and Blue. Dr. Britt Baker came out to even the odds, and all six women were braling in and around the ring. The gaggle of officials struggled to separate everyone as the show ended.
Final Thoughts:
You can probably figure on a Shida/Blue/Baker v. Outcast match sometime next week before All In.
The opener was great and the Aussie Open tag was pretty fun too. There was nothing wrong with this hour of wrestling.
Dr. Britt Baker is set to speak on this Friday’s AEW Rampage.
Baker defeated The Bunny on Dynamite to earn the final spot in the AEW Women’s Championship four-way match at All In against AEW Women’s Champion Hikaru Shida, Toni Storm and Saraya.
Shida and Storm will be on opposite sides of the ring on Friday as they compete against one another in a tag team match. Shida will team with Skye Blue while Storm will be joined by Outcasts’ teammate Ruby Soho.
The Ring of Honor Tag Team titles will be on the line as Aussie Open (Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis) defend against Ethan Page & Brother Zay. Aussie Open won the titles at ROH’s Death Before Dishonor in a four-way match.
Komander and Rey Fenix will square off for the first time ever on Friday’s show. Komander is coming off his first AEW win when he beat Kip Sabian on the July 26 edition of Rampage.
Sammy Guevara vs. Jon Cruz was also taped as part of the action Wednesday, but that match has not officially been announced as of this writing.
Here’s the updated lineup:
Toni Storm & Ruby Soho vs. AEW Women’s Champion Hikaru Shida & Skye Blue
Komander vs. Rey Fenix
Aussie Open (Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis) vs. Ethan Page & Brother Zay
The following are spoilers for this Friday’s edition of AEW Rampage which was filmed in Nashville, Tennessee, following Wednesday’s edition of Dynamite.
In a rarity, no matches were announced or the show while Dynamite was on the air.
Additionally, Ring of Honor matches were taped after Rampage which is also a rarity. Matches featured several wrestlers that were in the news this week including Ryan Nemeth and Christopher Daniels.
AEW Rampage:
Rey Fenix defeated Komander
ROH Tag Team Champions Aussie Open (Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis) defeated Ethan Page & Brother Zay to retain the titles
Sammy Guevara defeated Jon Cruz
AEW Women’s Champion Hikaru Shida & Skye Blue defeated Ruby Soho & Toni Storm. After the match, the heels attacked Shida which brought out Britt Baker which led to a pull-apart brawl between the four women in the title match at All In.
Ring of Honor:
ROH World Champion Claudio Castagnoli defeated Ryan Nemeth
Nemeth came out with a mic in hand, welcoming everyone to “Hunk Appreciation Night.” He said he would fight anyone, even a world champion.
Castagnoli came out and Nemeth wasn’t interested. The match happened anyway and after 30+ giant swings and an uppercut, Castagnoli got the pin. Afterward, he said to the camera, “Careful what you wish for. Just because you don’t see me, doesn’t mean I’m not there.”
Dark Order (John Silver, Evil Uno & Alex Reynolds) defeated Dalton Castle and The Boys
Emi Sakura defeated Alice Crowley
Blake Christian defeated Brandon Cutler (w/ Colt Cabana)
Marina Shafir defeated Angelica Risk
NJPW TV Champion Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Christopher Daniels to retain the title
Notes:
The Fenix vs. Komander match was the first time they have ever had a singles match. They have been on the same side of two eight-man tag team matches before. Several fans in attendance raved about the match on Twitter.
In the lone dark match before Dynamite, Matt Sydal defeated Serpentico.
As was the case Wednesday, Friday’s show will also be a Fight for the Fallen edition in an effort to benefit the Maui (Hawaii) Food Bank.
On the 200th episode of AEW Dynamite, Hikaru Shida became a two-time AEW Women’s World Champion after defeating Toni Storm in the main event. Shida found herself in the main event spot once again this week on Dynamite after she successfully defended her championship against Anna Jay, securing her spot in the upcoming four-way match for the AEW Women’s Championship at AEW All In from London’s Wembley Stadium.
Shida is now headed into what AEW is billing as “The Biggest Event in Wrestling History” as their Women’s World Champion.
We talked recently about going into the massive event as champion, her emotions following her second title victory, working on her promos, and more.
The two-time champ
Shida believed her win over Storm “was the greatest moment in my life.”
The first time Shida became champion was back in 2020 during the pandemic as she defeated Nyla Rose in a no DQ, no countout match at Double or Nothing. That year, the pay-per-view was held in Jacksonville, Florida’s Daily’s Place with no audience.
Shida explained that winning a second time was great because she was able to share that moment with the fans.
“I was so happy I could hear the cheer of the fans. That moment was the best, I felt like it was a dream,” she explained.
The other major difference between her first title reign and the second is that the first time around, she wasn’t able to do a lot of things due to her not being able to speak English fluently.
Therefore, her becoming champion once again came as a surprise to her and was one she didn’t expect.
“Of course, I always wanted to. The first time I became champion, it had only been six months since I moved here. So there were a lot of things I couldn’t do. For example, the interviews, I did not feel comfortable because I worried about my English. Now I am feeling much much better, I can relax and I can talk what I want to. So I always felt there were a lot of things I couldn’t do as champion. I really didn’t expect it happening, especially right before our biggest show. So I was so surprised, but I did it.”
Shida shared that she does feel pressure holding the title and being the face of the division, but sees that as a positive attribute.
“Yeah, there are a lot of pressures. But I had the pressure before though in the last (title reign). But I know the pressure made me more stronger and better. I really think pressure is good, feeling pressure is good, and this pressure makes me more stronger and a much better wrestler so, yeah, I am ok with that.”
In this reign, Shida has two goals. The first is she wants to do an in-ring promo in English and the second is she wants to wrestle many women in AEW and build more rivalries.
“What I want to do in this second reign is what I couldn’t do before. The interviews is one of those and I really want to do a promo in the ring. That’s what I couldn’t before because I worried about my English. Now I feel I can do that. Of course, I want to wrestle many girls in AEW. I want to build more rivalries. In Japan, we have many matches before the title match and we build the storylines, I’d be happy if I can do that in this reign too.”
Shida shared her thoughts on how she feels about the women’s division.
“We’re getting so good now. In the division, we have so many talented wrestlers and I did get to main event Dynamite for two weeks. I think it’s a big change and it’s gonna be better and better.”
All In
Shida explained that the most difficult thing for her is imagining how big Wembley Stadium is going to be. She also added that all her time in AEW and all the experiences she has had in the company have mentally prepared her for wrestling in front of 80,000 fans.
“I think I am ready, I don’t feel anxiety or uncomfortable things, I am just excited,” she said.
While on the topic of the four-way title match, Shida made sure to mention that she hopes to see Britt Baker in the match if she qualifies Wednesday with a win over The Bunny.
“I really hope Britt Baker is going to be there. Because like I said, this is the biggest show in our history and me and Britt Baker were members from the very beginning, so we’re original. We are not like friends (laughs). but I feel something special connecting with Britt Baker and I know how she would feel standing at Wembley Stadium. She wrestled from the very first pay-per-view and this is a big moment for us, for AEW. I know the feeling, so I hope she is there.”
What would it mean to her to retain the AEW Women’s Championship at All In?
“Always, since I was a child, I always wanted to do something and to do something in history. I wanted my name to be in history. I didn’t know how, but I really want it and I really feel that moment is coming.”
A week after regaining the AEW Women’s title, Hikaru Shida will defend the championship against Anna Jay on Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite.
Shida defeated Toni Storm this past Wednesday on Dynamite to kick off her second reign with the title. Shida and Jay first wrestled back at the pandemic tapings in Norcross, Georgia, in April 2020. When Shida was champion later that year, she successfully defended the title against Jay.
After Matt Menard demanded it Wednesday, the Jericho Appreciation Society will officially have a mandatory meeting. Chris Jericho & Konosuke Takeshita defeated Sammy Guevara & Daniel Garcia Wednesday after Don Callis hit Garcia with a bat, leading to a Jericho pin. Because of that, the group will meet in an attempt to air out their issues.
Here’s the current card that is set for Columbus, Ohio:
AEW Women’s Champion Hikaru Shida defends against Anna Jay
Jericho Appreciation Society mandatory meeting
The Hardys (Matt & Jeff Hardy) vs. The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson)
MJF & Adam Cole appearance
Blackpool Combat Club (Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli) vs. Lucha Brothers (Penta El Zero Miedo & Rey Fenix)
FTW Champion Jack Perry defends against Rob Van Dam
Hikaru Shida is once again the AEW Women’s World Champion.
Shida defeated Toni Storm at Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite 200 to capture the Women’s World title for the second time.
After kicking out of Toni Storm’s Storm Zero finisher, Shida avoided a second Storm Zero attempt with a backdrop, then stacked Storm for the pin to kick off he second title reign on the 200th episode of Dynamite.
Shida is the longest-reigning AEW Women’s World Champion, as her 372-day title reign from May 2020 to May 2021 in Dynamite’s pandemic era remains the longest in company history. Those 372 days with the title are also the most combined days in the four-year history of the belt.
Storm’s second reign with the AEW Women’s World Championship ends after 67 days after she defeated Jamie Hayter to win the title for the second time at May’s Double or Nothing pay-per-view. Prior to Wednesday’s defeat, Storm had successfully defended the title three times during her second reign with wins over Skye Blue, Willow Nightingale, and Taya Valkyrie.
Shida’s title victory capped the 200th episode of Dynamite in Tampa, Florida. Our full report from the show can be found here.
AEW Dynamite’s 200th episode airs live tonight from Tampa, Florida, and includes a Women’s World Championship match.
Toni Storm defends the AEW Women’s World title against Hikaru Shida, a former Women’s World Champion whose 372-day reign remains the longest in the title’s history.
The Ring of Honor Tag Team Championship will also be on the line, with Aussie Open’s Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis defending against El Hijo del Vikingo & Komander.
The Elite will return to the ring for the first time since Blood & Guts, with Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks facing Jeff Jarrett, Jay Lethal, & Satnam Singh in trios action.
AEW World Champion MJF is scheduled for a promo on the show.
FTW Champion Jack Perry will have a face-to-face segment with AEW coach Jerry Lynn.
Chris Jericho will team with Konosuke Takeshita against Sammy Guevara & Daniel Garcia.
Jon Moxley vs. Trent Beretta vs. Penta El Zero Miedo in an anything goes triple threat match is also set for tonight’s show.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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The 200th episode of AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Tony Schiavone and Taz, as Judas hits and Chris Jericho & Konosuke Takeshita make their way out along with Don Callis, who nearly got caught with pyro on the ramp.
Chris Jericho & Konosuke Takeshita (w/Don Callis) defeated Sammy Guevara & Daniel Garcia
(I enjoyed the story told here in the opener, as Jericho somewhat reluctantly made his choice between the J.A.S. and Don Callis’ Family. The situation forced Jericho to make a decision, whether he wanted to or not. While he didn’t see the interference, he accepted it and got the win as a result.)
Guevara & Jericho traded chops early until a misdirect jumping knee from Guevara led to a Le Sex Gods pose from he & Garcia. When Garcia tagged in, he thrusted at Jericho and demanded Takeshita make the tag. Takeshita put on the boosters early and hit a leaping clothesline before mocking the thrusting by Garcia. With Garcia down, Jericho tagged in and slapped Garcia, only waking him up. Callis tripped the leg and Garcia ran right into a big boot with Jericho unaware of the trip heading into commercial.
After being isolated the entire break, Garcia got the knees up on a Lionsaut which allowed Guevara to make the hot tag and meet Takeshita with a huge cross body. Both Takeshita & Jericho were tossed to the floor and Guevara hit back to back dives leading to a huge Frog Splash back inside for two. Jericho & Guevera had a scrap before Garcia bolted in with a tackle on Jericho while Takeshita hit Guevara with a Blue Thunder Bomb. After Guevara avoided the Walls of Takeshtia, he caught an incoming Jericho with a Spanish Fly. Guevara got the tag to Garcia, who ran right into a Code Breaker for two.
Garcia was sent to the corner and exploded out with a flying knee, as Takeshita was sent outside again by Guevara, who hit a massive Shooting Star to the floor and his elbow popped Takeshita right in the face. Back inside, Garcia tried for the Dragon Slayer, while referee Aubrey for some reason turned her attention to the floor. This allowed Don Callis to crack Garcia with the baseball bat and Jericho was visibly displeased at first, but decided to get the cover and the win.
-Backstage Tony Khan thanks the fans for watching the 200th episode of Dynamite on the road to All In at Wembley Stadium in London. We weren’t told how fans will be able to watch All In, but instead threw it to a video package highlighting the history of Dynamite thus far.
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-Renee Paquette tried to get a word with Chris Jericho backstage when a furious Daddy Magic Matt Menard stormed up and said next week is a mandatory J.A.S. meeting.
Jack Perry & Jerry Lynn Face to Face
Tony Schiavone introduced Perry to the ring and he was booed loudly as he ripped the microphone away and demanded Jerry Lynn come out and get his ass kicked. Lynn came to the stage and said as much as he’d like to make an example of Perry, it’d be child abuse. Lynn said he doesn’t run the show, but no doctor would clear him to get in that ring. Instead, Lynn called a good friend from ECW who still does wrestle, which got huge RVD chants. The sounds of Pantera’s ‘Walk’ hit and Rob Van Dam made his way to the ring to his old ECW entrance music. RVD & Perry had a face off, but Perry retreated as RVD & Jerry Lynn posed in the ring. Perry tried a sneak attack with a chair, which RVD nearly hit a Van Daminator, but Perry dodged and bailed again through the crowd, literally hiding behind a child.
-A video package on the upcoming AEW Women’s Title match is shown between Toni Storm & Hikaru Shida.
Trent Beretta defeated Jon Moxley & Penta El Zero Miedo (w/Alex Abrahantes) in an Anything Goes Match
(Well, if you didn’t like the violence from Blood & Guts a few weeks ago, this probably wasn’t the match for you. If you did, this match delivered huge, as this was violent, brutal and set up the next chapter in the new rivalry with The BCC & Best Friends as a bloody Beretta got easily the biggest singles win in his AEW career so far. I was hoping for a Sue cameo, but with what is set up for Rampage, perhaps she’ll show up then.)
Beretta immediately took out Moxley with a dive and Penta quickly followed with one of his own to kick things off. Weapons are placed all over ringside as Penta waffled a charging Moxley with a trash can shot and Beretta as well. Penta posed too long and ran into a Cutter by Moxley, who grabbed a barbed wire 2×4 under the ring. Before he could use it, Penta hit a backstabber, but Beretta broke it up. Moxley took Beretta down and used the barbed wire 2×4, hitting a piledriver onto it, landing more on his own back instead. Beretta fought back with a back suplex onto the barbed wire as Penta & Abrahantes set up tables ringside. Beretta, bleeding now, was set up on the tables, but Penta was cut off in the ropes by Moxley and his barbed wire. Beretta joined and hit a massive superplex on Moxley through the tables as they went to commercial.
Penta set up more tables during break and we had a three way slugfest when we returned. Beretta wanted a superplex on Penta through the table, but Penta countered into a wild Avalanche Destroyer through the table. Moxley pulled Penta up and tackled him through the other table set up. Moxley grabbed a bag under the ring and dumped out thumbtacks before ripping off Penta’s shirt. Moxley & Penta traded finisher attempts until Moxley hit a piledriver onto the tacks for two. A flipping suplex onto the tacks followed, as Moxley sacrificed himself to hit a Cutter on Beretta on the tacks. Beretta countered a piledriver and laid out Moxley with a Crunchie onto the tacks, but Penta chucked a trash can at Beretta to break the pin. Another three way slugfest ensued before Beretta ate a King Kong Lariat into the tacks leaving Moxley & Penta to duke it out. Moxley hit a Paradigm Shift on Penta, but Beretta flew in with a flying knee and picked the scraps, pinning Penta.
Post match, Moxley trapped Beretta in the rear naked choke as Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta made their way through the crowd but were met by Orange Cassidy & Chuck Taylor. The BCC were beating down Cassidy & Taylor ringside before Beretta came flying off the top to wipe them all out. The BCC retreated, but not before Cassidy popped Moxley with an Orange Punch. Taylor said this all didn’t accomplish anything, so Best Friends challenge Moxley & Castagnoli to a Parking Lot fight on Rampage. This would be the second Parking Lot fight in AEW, with the first being Best Friends classic against LAX a few years back.
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-Renee Paquette is backstage with Rob Van Dam, who said he’s in AEW because he heard Jack Perry run his mouth. Next week, RVD challenges Perry for the FTW Title. When RVD wins the title, he’ll retire the title as he doesn’t see it getting bigger than with Rob…Van…Dam.
MJF & Adam Cole’s All In Announcement
MJF came out to a loud ovation from the crowd and said pardon him, as he’s getting a little emotional. MJF said he had A.D.D. and Rejection Sensitive Disorder, meaning his brain is structured different and can’t regulate rejection based emotions or behaviors making life sometimes difficult. MJF said there is a lot about his past the fans don’t know and a lot of it he’s blacked out, but a memory he held was when he was bullied as a child. He thought the only way to protect himself was to attack people before they could attack them. MJF realized being a scumbag is easy, but not the way to go as he did it because he was scared. He’s not scared anymore because of the fans, who showed they cared about Max and had sympathy for the Devil. MJF said he’s still a scumbag, but he’s ready to be the fans scumbag. This got “He’s Our Scumbag” chants from the crowd. One person taught him he could trust, be vulnerable and deserves a friend, as he introduced Adam Cole, his best friend.
Adam Cole walked out with no entrance music and said he appreciated MJF sharing his story and the man he’s become, saying he’s not alone. For years Cole was a jerk because he was scared, but put over MJF becoming the man he’s destined to be, as deep down there’s a good guy in there. Cole and the fans are proud of him, as MJF thanks Cole for performing verbal fellatio on him, but he’s still a scumbag. MJF brings up how he promised Cole a World Title match last week, but he thought about it and Cole doesn’t deserve a match, he deserves THE match, at All In. MJF has a contract and said there’s no one else he’d want to make history with than Cole. Without reading it, Cole signed the contract, as both men hugged, we get a graphic on the big screen and each posed in corners. We see Roderick Strong backstage going nuts, throwing everything when Matt Taven & Mike Bennett walked up saying Cole always forgets about his true friends before walking off. Cole, of course, has history in ROH being members of The Kingdom.
With the main event of All In seemingly set, Excalibur told us All In will be on traditional PPV, Bleacher Report, cable & satellite providers, international Fite TV and more.
Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) defeated Jeff Jarrett, Jay Lethal & Satnam Singh (w/Sonjay Dutt & Karen Jarrett)
(This match was crammed with a whole lot of bells and whistles the second half, but we were robbed of the probably impossible visual of Omega doing a One Winged Angel on Singh. Post match, I got a kick out of the little smirk Omega gave when they mentioned Collision.)
Never thought I’d say this in 2023, but Jeff Jarrett & Kenny Omega started things off with Jarrett hitting an early bodyslam and Fargo Strut. Lethal tagged in and was quickly taken down, allowing The Bucks to make fast tags. A pop up hurricanrana and double dropkick led to Singh making a tag and a fired up Matt quickly realized his mistake, so he tagged in Nick. The Bucks hit multiple dropkicks until Singh just hit a cross body that wiped out both Jackson’s. Singh, Lethal & Jarrett all mocked The Elite pose as they went to break isolating Nick.
Nick managed to get the hot tag to Omega after commercial, dropping Lethal with You Can’t Escape, but Lethal got the knees up on the moonsault with Singh running distraction. Lethal Injection avoided by The Bucks, who dropped Lethal & Jarrett with superkicks and chopped down Singh with superkicks until Omega popped the big man with a V-Trigger. Omega signaled for One Winged Angel until Karen Jarrett took the ref, allowing Sonjay Dutt to cut off Omega. Lethal Combination connected on Omega as Brandon Cutler sprayed the cold spray into the face of Karen. Matt & Jeff Hardy ran to ringside and dispatched of Dutt, while Jarrett was about to guitar shot Omega, but Hangman Page appeared and hit a Buckshot Lariat. Lethal tried a guitar shot of his own, but ate a V-Trigger and One Winged Angel by Omega for the pin. The Elite stood tall as Nick wailed on the guitar when their music played.
Post match, Omega handed Page a microphone, who said for those unaware The Elite had resigned with AEW. Omega said whether it be Dynamite, ROH, Rampage or even Collision, you’ll be seeing more of them in AEW and did his Goodbye & Goodnight line.
-Mogul Embassy is backstage and AR Fox said if Darby Allin and he were so close, why didn’t Allin get him into AEW in the first place and not talk to him for five years. Swerve Strickland told the cameras to cut to a movie they made, as we saw Strickland & Fox showing up at the Buddy Wayne Academy where Nick Wayne was training. Strickland asked what does the Fox say, as Fox chucked a skateboard at a trainee while Wayne, who put up a brief fight, was blasted with a bottle. Strickland showed the camera a photo of Wayne with his father and laid it down as a busted open Wayne crawled to his phone. Strickland made Wayne call Allin, who picked up and asked why Allin didn’t get Fox signed years ago when he could’ve. The ghosts of Allin’s past are here to haunt him, as this is just the beginning. Wayne was left in a pool of blood as they left. This was wild stuff to say the least.
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Aussie Open (Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis) defeated El Hijo del Vikingo & Komander (w/Alex Abrahantes) to retain the ROH Tag Team Titles
(My goodness was this match action packed and the crowd was on fire for it. I did think we were getting a title change towards the end there, but Fletcher & Davis were too much for the high flyers. This was an excellent tag team battle.)
A lighting quick start from Vikingo, who sent Fletcher to the floor as Komander walked off Vikingo’s shoulders onto a hurricanrana on Davis, who regrouped outside with Fletcher. Back inside, Komander was caught with a fireman’s carry punt kick, but couldn’t isolate him long, as Komander lowered the top rope and sent Fletcher again to the floor. Komander wall walked Davis, who was sent to the outside by a springing Vikingo. Fletcher found himself hung up in the ropes and Vikingo hit a guillotine legdrop. Both tried double dives, but were caught by Davis & Fletcher, who ran around ringside and colliding both together.
Komander was isolated during break, as Vikingo made a hot tag, but was quickly flattened with a double superkick in mid air. A running up and over slam from Davis & Fletcher got only two, as Vikingo was sandwiched with a double forearm shot. While Vikingo was in a fireman’s carry, Komander came flying in off the back and hit a leaping Destroyer on Fletcher while Vikingo hit a Crucifix Bomb on Davis. Aussie Open was sent to the floor, as Vikingo & Komander both did a rope walk into moonsaults outside. With Davis down inside, Vikingo & Komander hit a double 450 splash, but Fletcher broke it up. Fletcher & Vikingo spilled outside, as Komander tried his rope walk Shooting Star, but missed, as Davis & Fletcher connected with Coriolis to retain the titles.
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Hikaru Shida defated Toni Storm (w/Saraya & Ruby Soho) to win the AEW Women’s Title
(It was only a matter of time before all the interference blew up in The Outcasts faces and tonight was that night. The crowd was very much behind Shida and it paid off huge, as a new champion was crowned in what turned into a fun main event. Commentary really put over how Shida was champion when fans weren’t there and now in her second title reign, will get to fulfill that dream.)
Both ladies traded forearms to start before Storm regrouped with The Outcasts. Back inside, Shida drapped Storm on the edge of the apron and hit a running knee before sending Storm into the guard rail. Shida tried for punches, but Storm slipped out and dropped Shida head first on the railing. In the ring, Storm was suplexed into the corner and then suplexed proper as Shida tried to regroup, but was still dazed by running into the railing. Storm got control and hit a running hip attack to send Shida out to get briefly beat up by Ruby Soho & Saraya, who is extra loud tonight with her screaming. Storm stayed in control during the final picture in picture of the night.
Shida avoided Sweet Cheek Music in the corner and hit a release German to follow. An enzugiri sent Storm to the corner and Shida hit multiple running knee strikes before finally getting her ten corner punches. Shida hit a missile dropkick for a two count, as Shida connected with a Meteora for a close near fall. Shida wanted a superplex, but Saraya took the ref, Soho tripped up Shida and Storm connected with a Tornado DDT. Storm connected with a violent Sweet Cheek Music and DDT, but Shida still had fight.
Both ladies had a battle of chops and forearms until Shida popped Storm with a pumping knee and Falcon Arrow for two. Saraya tossed the kendo stick in the ring right in front of the ref, as Storm dared Shida to hit her with it to get disqualified. Shida instead smacked Soho on the apron with it. As the ref turned to take the kendo stick away, Storm blinded Shida with the spray paint, hit Storm Zero, but Shida kicked out to a loud ovation. Storm wanted another Storm Zero, but Shida was able to backdrop out and get a high stack for the flash pin and the title. Confetti rained, as Shida, who carried the women’s division during the pandemic era, gets the opportunity to do so now in front of fans.
AEW Rampage 8/4/23
· Chuck Taylor & Trent Beretta vs. Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli in a Parking Lot Fight
· Anna Jay vs. Skye Blue
· Swerve Strickland & AR Fox in action
· Keith Lee & The Hardys vs. Kip Sabian, The Butcher & The Blade
AEW Collision 8/5/23
· CM Punk defends the Real World Title against Ricky Starks with Guest Referee Ricky Steamboat
· FTR defend their AEW Tag Team Titles against Big Bill & Brian Cage
· Kris Statlander defends the TBS Title against Mercedes Martinez
· We hear from The Acclaimed
AEW Dynamite 8/9/23
· Jack Perry defends the FTW Title against Rob Van Dam under FTW Rules
Two title matches were announced Friday for this Wednesday’s 200th edition of AEW Dynamite.
After the events of Rampage, AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm will defend against Hikaru Shida. Shida defeated former champion Nyla Rose in the main event and called her shot after the match. That brought out Storm, Saraya and Ruby Soho on the stage and the match was then made official.
Shida will be looking for her second run with the title and first since May 2021. The two have clashed over Storm’s title before with the champion retaining on an October 2022 edition of Dynamite.
The other new title match will see new Ring of Honor Tag Team Champions Aussie Open defend against El Hijo del Vikingo & Komander. Komander picked up a singles win on Rampage over Kip Sabian while Vikingo will be in action on Saturday’s Collision in a trios match with Action Andretti & Darius Martin against Bullet Club Gold’s Juice Robinson & The Gunns.
Here’s the current lineup for the 200th AEW Dynamite from Tampa, Florida:
AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm defends against Hikaru Shida
ROH Tag Team Champions Aussie Open (Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis) defend against El Hijo del Vikingo & Komander
Chris Jericho & Konosuke Takeshita vs. Sammy Guevara & Daniel Garcia
Jack Perry face-to-face with Jerry Lynn
Jon Moxley vs. Penta El Zero Miedo vs. Trent Beretta in an anything goes match
