Tag: Hook

A trios match with Revolution implications takes place on AEW Dynamite. 

World Champion Samoa Joe teams with Swerve Strickland & Brian Cage against Hangman Page, Hook & Rob Van Dam in a six-man tag team bout on tonight’s episode. Joe is set to defend the World title against Strickland & Page in a three-way at the Revolution pay-per-view on Sunday, March 3. 

Blackpool Combat Club will square off with FTR in tag team action on the show as well, as BCC’s Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli face FTR’s Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler. Moxley defeated Harwood on last week’s Dynamite as a feud between the two teams heats up as they look to climb the tag team rankings.

Both participants in the Women’s World title match at Revolution will also be in singles competition on tonight’s episode. Women’s World Champion “Timeless” Toni Storm will be in action, as will her Revolution challenger Deonna Purrazzo. 

AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Tony Schiavone and Taz as they go to the entrances for the opening contest of the evening.

FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) vs. Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli went to a 20 Minute Time Limit

(To be perfectly honest, I wasn’t paying attention to the announced 20 Minute Time Limit at the start of the match, so I was caught completely by surprised when I heard Justin Roberts announce 5 minutes remaining at one point. While it might not be ideal to do another time limit draw after Swerve Strickland & Hangman Page a few weeks ago, to get this rematch to happen at Revolution, the finish made complete sense. These two beat the hell out of each other, the crowd were into it and should be even better in a few weeks.)

Quick tags from both teams in the early going, as after Moxley & Wheeler started quick, it was Wheeler who wasn’t backing down with Castagnoli during an uppercut exchange. After suffering a double team, Moxley regrouped outside and came in trading brutal head butts with Wheeler. Harwood flew off the top for a double cross body, as Castagnoli & Moxley opted to take the fight to the floor. Harwood took the bullet, shoving Wheeler out of the way from a Moxley Tope, but Wheeler retaliated, sending Moxley into the steps. Back inside, Moxley again was double teamed in the corner, as FTR heeled it up with the assisted abdominal stretch spot, getting caught immediately by the ref. After eating a double slingshot throat first under the bottom rope, Moxley exploded out of the corner with a lariat. Castagnoli ran wild briefly and delivered a double back suplex. Harwood went after Moxley on the floor, but ultimately suffered a stuff piledriver with Castagnoli leaping off the apron, taking things to picture in picture.

Harwood was controlled during the entire break, but broke free from Castagnoli’s clutches and Wheeler & Moxley made the tag, with Wheeler a house of fire. Wheeler spun out of a Paradigm Shift into a brainbuster for two as we’re given a 5 minute call from Justin Roberts. Castagnoli saved his partner from a Shatter Machine, but Moxley missed a blind tag from Harwood and was dropped with an assisted powerbomb for two. FTR wanted the Power-Plex, but Castagnoli uppercut Wheeler out of the corner. Harwood avoided a Doomsday Device, posted Castagnoli and hit his part of the Power-Plex, but Moxley got his knees up on a diving Wheeler. Castagnoli immediately did a Giant Swing on Harwood, with Moxley doing the Tyson Kidd special, dropkicking him mid revolution. Anvil elbows from Moxley, who switched to a Bulldog Choke, as Castagnoli locked a choke in on Wheeler, who just fell back onto Moxley, with everyone down with 2 minutes remaining.

Harwood & Moxley slugged it out before Harwood got the Sharpshooter locked in. Castagnoli followed suit by applying one to Wheeler, as Castagnoli & Harwood had a slap battle with both submissions applied. They both let go as Harwood planted Castagnoli with a piledriver, but Moxley nearly stole a pin off a crucifix for two. Moxley was sent off the ropes and was about to suffer Shatter Machine when the bell sounded and the time limit expired. Both teams continued to slug it out with officials, security and other wrestlers running down to break it up, having little success.

-Renee Paquette is backstage with Orange Cassidy and runs down the recent history between Best Friends and The Kingdom, along with Cassidy’s matches along the way, including last weeks Texas Death Match. She turns to the doctor, who said unfortunately or fortunately, Cassidy has met minimal medical clearance, so he’s cleared. Paquette said that’s insane, but the doctor said what can he do, Cassidy is minimally cleared. With Trent Beretta apparently not cleared, Cassidy said he’ll take his match with Mike Bennett tonight.

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-We see footage of the Rev Pro show this weekend with Orange Cassidy popping up as a surprise to defend his International Title in a 7 Way match.

-Alex Marvez is backstage with FTR, who said they were 10 more seconds away from winning that match with the BCC. Harwood was about to lay out the challenge for Revolution when Castagnoli Moxley came in, held back by officials, as they argued before anything could officially be set for the Pay Per View.

AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy defeated Mike Bennett (w/Matt Taven)

(With Cassidy taking out Taven last week, it makes sense for Bennett to be next on his revenge tour on his way to Roderick Strong at Revolution. I know Jake Hager is from Oklahoma, but I don’t know why he saved Cassidy here, as they’ve never had any friendship. We were told afterwards that Hager is wrestling Strong on Friday, so I guess that’s all the reason we need.)

Commentary talked about how the Undisputed Kingdom laid out Chuck Taylor & Rocky Romero, while Trent Beretta wasn’t cleared after the ending of the main event last week, leaving Cassidy flying solo. Cassidy charged up the ramp, ducked a Bennett belt shot attempt and leveled Taven with a Superman Punch. The match officially began in the ring, with Bennett quickly taking over on offense, but Cassidy hit a Stundog Millionaire and spinning DDT. Roderick Strong hit the ring and distracted the ref long enough for Bennett to punch Cassidy low and hit a piledriver for two.

Bennett controlled the entire commercial break and took a headset from commentary to run down Cassidy. All this did was allow Cassidy to recover and hit multiple dives. Bennett responded with a spinebuster on the apron and Death Valley Driver on the floor. Back inside, Bennett took too long to follow up, as Cassidy exploded out with a desperation Orange Punch. Bennett fought off Beach Break and hit a Gotch Style Piledriver for a close near fall. Multiple roaring elbows dropped Cassidy, who countered a third piledriver attempt into Beach Break out of nowhere for the win.

Right as the bell sounded, Matt Taven hit the ring with Roderick Strong, who was going to hit a knee when Oklahoma’s Jake Hager ran out to make the save and clear the ring. The crowd popped loud for their hometown Hager, who we’re told will face Roderick Strong this week on Rampage.

-Renee Paquette is backstage with Angelo Parker, asking him about his date tonight with Ruby Soho. Parker said he’s excited when Soho walked in wearing a dress, as Parker asked if she’s ready to go as a car pulls up and Soho asks if that’s for them. Parker said no, as they have a Lyft. They leave and we see Ric Flair getting out of the car.

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-Renee Paquette is backstage with Ric Flair and asks about Sting’s final match at Revolution. Flair said he doesn’t care who likes it, he felt upset he’s not a bigger part of things. Flair isn’t upset at Sting, but disappointed he hasn’t been around for three or four weeks, so he’s going to explore some options. Flair walks away before knocking on The Young Bucks locker room, asking if they have time to talk. They welcome him in, but close the door on the camera.

Christian Cage Makes Things Personal With Daniel Garcia

Tony Schiavone welcomes Daniel Garcia to the ring and talks about what happened last week, with Adam Copeland being unable to compete after Christian Cage’s attack. Schiavone informs Garcia that he will receive a TNT Title match against Cage at Revolution and got You Deserve It chants from the crowd. Garcia thanked the crowd and said a few months ago, he was at his lowest on his losing streak, but at the end of the Continental Classic, all he needed as three seconds and winning his final match changed his life. Every time he got down on himself, the fans picked him up and Garcia thanks them restoring his confidence. Garcia said he was about to make Copeland tap out last week and promises that wasn’t the last time they’ll see one another. Garcia has a message for Christian Cage, whose music hit immediately, as the entire Patriarchy came to the stage.

Cage said Adam Copeland will never have another shot at the TNT Title and the only reason Garcia was in harm’s way last week was because of Copeland. Cage said he doesn’t believe he should wrestle Garcia at Revolution, as Garcia isn’t ready. Cage said Garcia’s constant distractions like dancing and catering to the fans is what will keep him from being great. Cage said he knows about Garcia’s dark childhood and brings up Jackie Garcia from Buffalo, who was married to David Garcia, Daniel’s father, who is dead. Cage said it’d be a fairytale ending for Garcia to win the TNT Title in tribute to his father, but they both know his father was a piece of crap, loser alcoholic. Unlike his father, Cage doesn’t want to hurt Garcia; he wants him to realize his full potential. Cage doesn’t want to be Garcia’s opponent; he wants to be his father. Garcia said if Cage mentions his mother again and since Cage likes to bring up his father, come to the ring and he’ll put Cage in the ground right next to him.

Cage nodded to Nick Wayne, who hit the ring and was immediately put in the Dragon Tamer. Killswitch was next, who came to the ring, but was leveled from behind by a Matt Menard chair shot. Menard & Garcia stood tall in the ring with chairs, as Cage said he doesn’t want to hurt Garcia, he just wants to guide him.

-Renee Paquette is backstage with Hangman Adam Page, Rob Van Dam & HOOK and asks about the main event tonight. Page said tonight is full of opportunities, as HOOK can get revenge on Brian Cage and RVD can get revenge on Swerve Strickland, who had he beaten a few weeks ago, we wouldn’t have been in the situation they’re in to begin with. RVD said he wasn’t happy about it and asked if Prince Nana was even there, as he heard Nana might have something he’s interested in (implying weed, which Page said months ago he’d beat Nana up and take). A frustrated Page cut him off and stormed out.

AEW Women’s Champion Timeless Toni Storm (w/Luther & Mariah May) defeated Sydni Winnell

Storm is now being introduced as hailing from Stage 7 at Warner Studios, as she rushed Winnell at the bell. Winnell got off a few strikes, but Storm met her with a Thesz Press and punches in bunches. Storm connected on a corner splash and running bulldog, as Sweet Cheek Music and Storm Zero followed. Storm applied the ankle lock she called Break a Leg before applying a Venus De Milo for the submission, taking a page out of Deonna Purrazzo’s playbook.

As Storm was helped out of the ring by Luther, Purrazzo’s entrance hit and it’s time for her match, stealing the spotlight from Storm, who just ran to the back, I think to get out of the camera shot before Madison Rayne’s entrance. Taz covered this up by saying Storm was visibly upset.

Deonna Purrazzo defeated Madison Rayne

(This was Rayne’s first match in AEW in little over a year, as commentary talked about how she was Purrazzo’s mentor. This was the match that mostly took place during commercial, but what we did see felt very slow. I really hope Rayne is ok after taking such a scary bump on her head, a bump, for some reason, was replayed as part of a Turbo Tax sponsorship post match.)

Some early mat wrestling to start things off, with Rayne the first to start throwing punches after hitting a leg trip. Purrazzo did a misdirect leg sweep, sending Rayne to the floor, where she met her with a baseball slide that took us to commercial. Rayne took control during break, but a double clothesline led to the reset. Purrazzo fired up with a series of offense, hitting a Side Russian Leg Sweep until a slow forearm exchange led to Purrazzo trying a Flatliner, but Rayne rotated and landed right on her head violently. The ref checked on Rayne, as the doctor was right there ringside, but Paul Turner said she was ok and Purrazzo quickly put on Toni Storm’s ankle lock, Break a Leg, to get the quick tap. Toni Storm hit the ring post match with a shoe, but ate a pump kick by Purazzo. Luther ran distraction long enough for Storm to attack from behind and clamp on the Break a Leg. Storm let the hold go and applied a crazy amount of lipstick before staring down with Purrazzo. The black and white and color they used for the same shot between both ladies was pretty cool visually.

-We hear comments from Darby Allin & Sting, as Allin said material objects we chase we think define us, don’t mean a thing. Allin shows some photos of Sting’s sons with their dad at the same age The Young Bucks children are right now. Allin said the only thing that matters in the end, is family. Sting walked into the shot and agreed, saying in all his years in wrestling, no one has ever messed with his family until The Bucks. Sting said a lot has been going on over the last week for his family, including losing his father, which makes him think about his own mortality. Sting used to think he was invincible, but time catches up to everyone, catching up with himself for sure. Sting realizes he’s not invincible, but realizes everything he has left in him, he’s bringing to Revolution. The Bucks have a fight on their hands, the fight of their lives. This was a brief but fantastic promo by the Stinger.

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-Tony Schiavone introduces Wardlow to the ring, as he walks out pissed off and told Schiavone to get out of the ring before he knocks him on his old ass again. Wardlow said two years ago, thousands of people were chanting his name in a matter that hasn’t been heard or seen in decades. Apparently the rocket strapped to his back was put on upside down, as he’s been screwed time after time again. Wardlow said you’d think the one home grown mega start would’ve been champion a long time ago, but he’s never received a World Title shot, something people in the back should be thrown in jail for. Wardlow brought up the “Best in the World” and “Real World Champion” whose body is still falling apart because of him. Wardlow brought up how he squashed MJF like no one else has. Finally, Wardlow mentions choking Samoa Joe out and how suits and shiny titles look better on him than Joe. Wardlow said he’s the uncrowned king of AEW and it’s time he starts eating like one, as he’s everything a World Champion is supposed to be. If anyone wants to get in his way, this is no longer wrestling, this…is…War.

-We hear post match comments from the Bang Bang Scissor Gang following their 12 Man Tag victory on Rampage last week. Daddy Ass apologizes running into Switchblade Jay White during the match, as White said it’s fine and suggest he, Austin Gunn & Daddy Ass are the Collision Cowboys this Saturday. Anthony Bowens said it doesn’t matter the combo, everyone loves The Acclaimed, Bang Bang.

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-Renee Paquette is backstage with the Don Callis Family, asking Callis if he’s given any more thoughts on how the match between Will Ospreay & Konosuke Takeshita will affect the Family after Revolution. Callis said it’ll help them big time, as win or lose, the best wrestlers in the world will still be part of the Family. Callis is on his way to the UK to pick up Ospreay himself to bring him to Revolution. Callis called Sammy Guevara a fly in the ointment and a little cuck who Meat Madness Powerhouse Hobbs and himself will deal with on Rampage.

AEW World Champion Samoa Joe, Swerve Strickland & Brian Cage (w/Prince Nana) defeated Hangman Adam Page, FTW Champion HOOK & Rob Van Dam

(This was quite the party match main event, with multiple commercial breaks and a whole heck of a lot of chaotic action throughout. With RVD involved, you knew if anyone was eating a pin or submission, it’d be him, as Joe standing tall when all was said and done made the most sense. Despite playing the heel in recent weeks, Page was cheered here quite a bit.)

HOOK wanted to start against Joe, who slammed HOOK down multiple times, bringing a smile to Joe as a result. HOOK switched to body shots and a flying clothesline that took Joe down, as Joe turned the table in the corner with body strikes of his own before tagging in Cage. HOOK escaped and made a tag to RVD, who had a quick sequence with Cage, who showed off his strength, leading to a double team with Strickland. After a series of switches, Page made the blind tag and came face to face with Strickland after RVD side stepped a Flatliner attempt. Before things got physical, HOOK & Cage pulled their teammates back for some reason, as Cage & Page remained during commercial.

Back from break, it was HOOK held up in a Cage delayed vertical suplex for two. Cage wanted a Death Valley Driver, but HOOK countered enough into a DDT, leading to a RVD hot tag, angering Page that he didn’t get it. RVD ran wild, hitting Rolling Thunder on Strickland and Five Star Frog Splash on Cage for two. Joe argued with referee Aubrey, as Strickland blindsided Page on the apron with a running boot. Fast tags made by Joe’s team, as they head to another commercial.

RVD was isolated the entire break before Joe missed a charge and RVD hit a spin kick into the double down. Page & Cage made the double tag, as Page sprinted right at Strickland to get his revenge before dropping Cage with a hurricanrana. Strickland side stepped a slingshot dive, but Page hit a pump kick to counter a Strickland rolling Flatliner. Back inside, Page dropped Cage with a Death Valley Driver, but Joe was there to clobber him with a running boot. The match broke down with everyone hitting a high impact move leaving Page to choose between a Buckshot on Cage or Moonsault on Strickland and he chose Strickland, as Cage cut him off before the move could happen. HOOK was there and we got a Tower of Doom spot. HOOK sank in REDRUM on Cage, who made a blind tag to Joe. HOOK ate a pop up powerbomb by Cage and a brutal House Call from Strickland, as Page flew in with a Buckshot on Cage.

Joe, Strickland & Page were left alone in the ring, as the Revolution graphic showed at the bottom of the screen. Strickland & Joe took out Page, who rolled to the floor and Joe hit a Tope. Strickland went for a pump kick off the apron, but missed Page and took out Joe. Page then powerbombed Strickland off the apron through the announce table. Joe ducked a Buckshot back inside and hit a snap powerslam for two, as RVD took out Cage with a slingshot splash and made the tag. Joe was waiting, but didn’t see HOOK waiting and ate an Exploder. RVD went up for the Five Star, but Cage shoved him off and wiped out HOOK with a discus lariat. Joe sank on the Coquina Clutch, as RVD faded and passed out.

Joe held up the AEW Title, as Strickland looked on with Nana, while Page kept telling the camera man not to shoot him, as he was holding his ankle. Hopefully Page isn’t legit injured.

AEW Rampage 2/23/24

· Matthew & Nicholas Jackson will be In Action

· Roderick Strong battles Jake Hager

· Private Party & Matt Sydal vs. Top Flight & Action Andretti vs. Penta El Zero Miedo, Komander & Bryan Keith

· Mariah May takes on Anna Jay

· We hear from Sammy Guevara

AEW Collision 2/24/24

· Bryan Danielson vs. Jun Akiyama

· Switchblade Jay White, Austin Gunn & Daddy Ass in Trios Action