Tag: jade cargill

Daily Update: Jade Cargill, WWE Raw, Monday Night Football

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The new issue of the Observer is out, and it’s a big one:

  • The WWE merges with UFC and transitions into TKO, the most in depth look at the changes to be expected and where changes aren’t to be expected
  • Amount of cuts expected to be made
  • What type of people are expected to be cut
  • Nick Khan’s letter to employees before the cuts
  • First major departure
  • How Saudi Arabia investing in PFL affected the stock
  • New board of directors
  • New hierarchy
  • Dana White talks merger and shoots down another exec’s goal for the new company
  • Talk on future television rights
  • Current market value and did it reach projections
  • Biggest financial concerns
  • Crossover promotion
  • Match of the week and performer of the week
  • AEW All in attendance with notes on other stadium shows including actual WrestleMania turnstile counts vs. announced and paid attendance
  • Bryan Danielson’s full-time career winds down, why, how long he’s thought about this and talks candidly about his decision
  • Long-term concerns
  • UFC 293 in Australia with one of the biggest upsets in history. Who’s house? Sean’s house.
  • Future of middleweight division
  • Business notes on the show
  • History of promotional wars, timing, how AEW vs. WWE is the same, how it differs
  • AEW and its decline in live attendance, the key reasons and what can be done, and how WCW turned it around under Zane Bresloff
  • How other companies turned it around and how the circumstances to do that aren’t there in this situation
  • A look at the next major WWE, AEW and NXT shows and early business notes
  • WWE Superstar spectacular in India coverage
  • The unique career of Brett Wayne Sawyer, top singles champion on the most-watched television show in the country at 23, and a career that fell off quickly
  • The early days of the Road Warriors
  • The booking of Ole Anderson
  • The most detailed look at the ratings, weekly and nightly standings, segment breakdowns, comparisons to one year ago in a very important and newsworthy week
  • CMLL 90th anniversary show this week
  • Legends special match coming
  • Stardom PPV notes including one of the week’s best matches
  • Performer of the week and match of the week
  • First time ever for a true rookie in match of the week
  • Major dream match this weekend with Will Ospreay
  • Updates on Jim Duggan
  • Notes on the death of former Carolinas announcer Rich Landrum
  • Notes on the Cassandro movie
  • Pro wrestling star leaves the business for one year, wins a gold medal in the Olympics–this long forgotten piece of wrestling history
  • Bandido returning
  • Impact Hall of Fame notes and notes on Mike Tenay
  • Jade Cargill update
  • Business updates on PPV from All Out, Backlash and All In
  • What percentage of WWE buyers purchased an AEW show in the last few weeks
  • Ticket sales for upcoming AEW & WWE shows
  • International TV ratings
  • Streaming numbers for WWE
  • Ortiz & Santana breakup explained
  • Paul Wight’s name in ESPN story on PED investigation
  • Georges St-Pierre into Canadian Sports Hall of Fame
  • UFC top star leaving the promotion
  • UFC Hall of Famer gets DWI
  • Bray Wyatt funeral
  • Vince McMahon’s return
  • Thoughts on Smackdown and what is the best day for the show if FX gets it
  • Drew McIntyre update
  • Roman Reigns return
  • Lots of comings and goings in WWE
  • WWE and NXT live event coverage

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter

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Monday Update

Bryan and I will be back tonight talking Raw and the rest of the day’s news with Wrestling Observer Radio. If you’ve got questions on current topics for tonight’s show you can send them to [email protected]

Jade Cargill was officially taken off the AEW roster and was reported by Mike Johnson earlier today as having been in Orlando, but flew home from there to Atlanta also today. We asked if she was at the Performance Center and one person just told us that they didn’t see her, but noted what we’ve heard the last few days that they have been making major plans for her and everyone expects her to be with WWE soon. WWE is doing tryouts for independent talent this week. Most tryouts of late have been for college athletes.

Raw tonight is in Salt Lake City with Drew McIntyre vs. Jey Uso, Cody Rhodes vs. Dominik Mysterio, New Day vs. Viking Raiders 2/3 falls and Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Ricochet. There are two NFL games tonight, a Saints vs. Panthers game at 7:15 p.m. and Browns vs. Steelers at 8:15 p.m. So the first two hours of Raw will be going against two games and the third hour against one game. Raw is coming off its lowest viewer total in its history last week, but football numbers were gigantic last week. Plus I think there will be some interest carry-over from Dwayne Johnson on Smackdown that will help tonight’s show. 

Because of the SAG-AFTRA strike it was announced that ABC will be airing football every Monday night along with ESPN. It will be the first time that Monday Night Football will regularly air on network TV since it was moved from ABC to ESPN. Most weeks it will be the same game on both stations but there are a few weeks, like tonight, where there will be two different games on the two stations.

The WWE is scheduled to announce tomorrow a show at the 61,000-set Optus Stadium in Perth, Western Australia. It’s already been reported in Perth that the show will be announced this week. The government tourist agency is bringing them in, similar to the show a few years back in Australia that was a PPV show. It will draw big because of the promotion locally that the tourist board is taking care of, and also because WWE hasn’t been to Australia in four years and it has always been a strong WWE market.

MJF was on CBS New York today promoting Wednesday’s Arthur Ashe Stadium:

For Wednesday’s show, it was noted to us that there are lower bowl tickets in camera view unsold. Most were priced this morning at $247 and obviously they need to lower those prices and there are also a lot of floor seats left, but they are also priced at $597. So they will have to lower those prices as well. They were at 7,400 tickets out this morning. 

AEW Grand Slam matches so far:

TBS on Wednesday is MJF vs. Samoa Joe for the AEW title, Claudio Castagnoli vs. Eddie Kingston for the ROH & New Japan strong titles, Saraya vs. Toni Storm for the AEW women’s title, Jon Moxley vs. Rey Fenix for the International title and Sammy Gueveara vs. Chris Jericho. For the two-hour Rampage on Friday it’s Christian & Luchasaurus vs. Sting & Darby Allin, Mogul Embassy vs. Young Bucks for the ROH trios titles, Hook & Orange Cassidy & Kris Statlander vs. Matt Menard & Angelo Parker & Anna Jay and Acclaimed & Billy Gunn defend the AEW trios titles against Evil Uno & John Silver & Alex Reynolds.

Congratulations to NWA President Billy Corgan who was married over the weekend in Highland Park, IL to girlfriend Chloe Mendel. The two have been a couple for 11 years and have two children. He invited a number of the NWA wrestlers to the wedding.

Minoru Suzuki did his match on the Bullet train from Tokyo to Nagoya with Sanshiro Takagi. They fought for 37 minutes in front of customers who paid a lot to sit up close in the train and watch this unique match. A light was a cameo from Kenta Kobashi who ended up on the train and chopped Suzuki hard.

Impact returns to the U.K. with shows on 10/26 at the O2 Academy in Glasgow, Scotland, 10/27 in Newcastle at the Walker Activity Dome, and 10/28 in and 10/29 Coventry at the HMV Empire. Those announced for the tour are Alex Shelley, Josh Alexander, Deonna Purrazzo, Eric Young, Jordynne Grace, Brian Myers, Moose, Grado, Joe Hendry, Rich Swan, Chris Sabin, Frankie Kazarian, Mark Anderws, Flash Morgan Webster plus guest appearances by Gail Kim. Will Ospreay will be on the 10/27 Turning Point show which will be an Impact + special plus all shows will be taped for Impact and several weeks worth of episodes are being taped on the tour.

Former WWE performer Barbara Blank, better known as Kelly Kelly, delivered twins on Sunday, Brooklyn Marie Coba and Jaxon Matthew Coba. Congratulations to the family.

Ovince Saint Preux of UFC was suspended for six months due to a banned substance found in a test. It was only six months because he supplied a supplement that he was using which USADA tested and found it contained androsteindione, which he popped for, but androsteindioine was not on the label of ingredients.

Eve Wrestling on Wednesday at Yard Theater in Hackney, Wick in London with Allie Katch, B3CCA as well as their regulars like Alex Windsor, Nina Samuels, Chantal Jordan and Skye Smitson. 

We don’t have details yet and it’s only a few days away, but Thursday’s debut of the new Sukeban women’s promotion in New York is supposed to have a link to watch it live.

Minoru Szuuki will be wrestling on 10/13 for House of Glory Wrestling, making his debut with the group at the NYC Arena.

Defy on 9/23 at Washington Hall in Seattle has Eddie Kingston vs. Rocky Romero for the new Japan Strong title, provided Kingston retains that title in New York on Dynamite Wednesday. You must be 16 to attend. Christopher Daniels, The Bollywood Boys and Amira from the U.K. are booked on the show.

WAR Wrestling on 10/7 in Lima, OH at the Bradfield Community Center.

Wrestling Observer Live: AEW attendance, Jade Cargill, CM Punk, WWE layoffs, more

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive is back with tons to talk about including AEW’s issues drawing of late and what needs to be done to remedy it, Jade Cargill to WWE and whether or not Punk might show up there at Survivor Series, WWE layoffs, and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!

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Report: Jade Cargill expected at WWE Performance Center this week

Posted on by Ian Carey

Jade Cargill is expected in WWE shortly. 

According to a report from PWInsider, Cargill’s AEW contract has expired and she’s scheduled to report to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando this week. 

Cargill’s AEW departure was addressed in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter by our own Dave Meltzer. 

Meltzer wrote:

Those in WWE believed she was coming and that it would be on the main roster rather than developmental, but I could see that going either way. Another person in WWE described it to us as that her name was being talked about a lot, but the deal was not completed at press time. The money it would take to get her would have been far more than they pay those in developmental, but while she has a star look and is a great athlete, her skill set and experience level is not at WWE main roster woman levels. But good workers are there to make the less experienced and more marketable workers look better than they are. One person in WWE described this as coming out of the blue, but that they do expect her to be coming in.

The 31-year-old finished up with AEW last Wednesday at the Rampage tapings in Cincinnati, where her husband Brandon Phillips played most of his MLB career. Mark Sterling held up a Cincinnati Reds jersey with Phillips’ name and number on the back as Cargill made her ring entrance on the show. Phillips was in attendance as well. 

Cargill spent most of her AEW career undefeated, having won her first 60 matches with the promotion. However, after dropping her final two match to Kris Statlander, she finished her run with a 60-2 record. 

Cargill held the TBS Championship for 508 days after becoming the inaugural title-holder by beating Ruby Soho in the finals of a tournament on January 5, 2022. She defended it successfully 25 times before losing to Statlander in an impromptu match at Double or Nothing on May 28, 2023. 

AEW Rampage live results: Kris Statlander vs. Jade Cargill TBS title match

Posted on by Ryan Howard

In a rematch from May’s Double or Nothing, TBS Champion Kris Statlander will defend her title against the returning Jade Cargill as part of tonight’s AEW Rampage from Cincinnati, Ohio.

Cargill made her surprise return last week to help Statlander fend off the Renegade Twins, only to lay out Statlander afterward. Statlander ended Cargill’s undefeated streak and title run at Double or Nothing in an impromptu match and will be looking for her tenth successful defense.

The show will also feature an eight-man tag team match as the Lucha Brothers (Penta El Zero Miedo & Rey Fenix) will join Matt & Jeff Hardy against Jeff Jarrett, Jay Lethal, The Butcher & The Blade. 

AEW Trios Champions The Acclaimed (Max Caster & Anthony Bowens) and Billy Gunn will be in non-title action.

In a clash of former Ring of Honor Tag Team Champions, The Kingdom (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) will battle with Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal.

**********

AEW Rampage is underway with Excalibur, Tony Schiavone & Chris Jericho on the call as the participants for the opening contest are already in the ring.

The Hardys (Matt & Jeff Hardy w/Isiah Kassidy) and The Lucha Bros (Rey Fenix & Penta El Zero Miedo w/Alex Abrahantes) defeated The Butcher, The Blade, Jeff Jarrett & Jay Lethal (w/Karen Jarrett, Satnam Singh, Sonjay Dutt, Kip Sabian, The Bunny & Penelope Ford)

(Did you catch all those names? This was practically a Lumberjack Match, as there were as many people outside the ring as there were in the actual match. A usual party match with a whole lot of spots leading to the most logical man getting the pin, that being Fenix, who is next in line for Jon Moxley, so he stood tall. Interesting events post match, as it looks like The Righteous & Hardys might be starting a program.)

We had quite the contrast of styles to begin, as Jarrett drove Penta into the ropes before doing a Fargo Strut. Fast tags made, as Fenix unleashed corner chops to Butcher before the Hardys took turns dishing out their offense. Blade was dropped with a double suplex, while Lethal suffered a springing corner splash. As Matt wanted a Twist of Fate, Jarrett attacked from behind to allow Butcher to take over. Lethal mocked the Penta strut, which allowed Dutt & Sabian to get in cheap shots ringside, as Matt was isolated during commercial.

The heels tried attacking the faces to cut off Matt’s hot tag, but Fenix dodged the Butcher attack and made the tag, running wild. With Jarrett & Lethal placed over the top rope, Fenix did his rope walk kick to both until Penta hit a somersault dive onto a pile outside. Fenix went to follow, but Blade pulled him to the floor. Alex Abrahantes was seemingly about to do a dive, but was cut off by Dutt, who ate a punch. Sabian did the same, but Abrahantes poked him in the eyes and leapt to the floor, right into the clutches of Singh, who rag dolled him. Fenix hit a thrust kick and twisting dive onto a pile of bodies before dropping Blade with a sit out driver to get the pin. The Hardys were brawling with Jarrett & Lethal up the ramp before Singh laid them both out, unbeknownst to the Lucha Bros. The Righteous, Dutch & Vincent walked out on the stage and stood over the bodies of The Hardys.

-Renee Paquette is backstage to ask what is next for Dr. Britt Baker after losing the four way on Dynamite. Baker said things haven’t gone as planned, as she should be a two time Women’s champion by now. She’s going to do what she does best, make history, this time becoming the first woman to hold the Women’s & TBS Title. It’s criminal she’s never had a TBS Title match. Therefore, Baker issues a challenge for the winner of Statlander vs. Cargill later tonight to face her in the main event of Collision tomorrow.

**********

-There’s a QTV segment with Johnny TV taking the place of QT Marshall, who is off wrestling in Mexico. Aaron Solo asks if Marshall is coming back and Johnny said of course, then did a ridiculous handshake. There was a masked luchador standing by named El Hijo del Harvey, someone Johnny brought in to show solidarity while Marshall was gone. Johnny laid him out, as he & Solo had to restrain Harley Cameron from stabbing the poor guy with scissors.

Matt Taven & Mike Bennett defeated Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal

(While Daniels & Sydal got in some offense, this was a solid win for The Kingdom, who are after the ROH Tag Titles going forward. It certainly makes sense from a storyline perspective for them to presumably win the titles; I just wonder if they’ll have that match on TV or at Wrestle Dream. I’m hoping it happens on Dynamite to be perfectly honest.)

Bennett got the first takedown on Daniels with a shoulder tackle, but Daniels fired off the arm drag, hip toss and drop toe hold before tagging Sydal, who crashed down with a mariposa. Taven made the tag, but was lit up with a series of strikes, while Bennett ate a spin kick to the outside. Daniels was knocked to the floor, as Bennett met him with a bounced back forearm strike that led to commercial.

Taven tried for a springing moonsault, which Daniels dodged, as Sydal & Daniels hit a sort of awkward assisted back suplex. Bennett avoided a Sydal high kick and flattened him with a running Death Valley Driver, while Taven hit a corner splash on Daniels. The Proton Pack connected and Taven got the win.

Post match, Taven said they didn’t have a lot of time, as they need to rush to the hospital to check on Roderick Strong. Taven doesn’t blame Samoa Joe for what happened, he blames Adam Cole. The Kingdom wants to take back what is rightfully theirs, the ROH Tag Team Titles. Bennett said its Neck Health Awareness Month and shows their red bracelets. For those who don’t believe in such a thing, you ball up for fist, punch them in the weiner and lay them out with a piledriver. Neck Health Awareness matters, as the Kingdom are coming home to Roddy. This was hilariously delivered by Bennett & Taven.

-Renee Paquette is backstage with Mogul Embassy, as Brian Cage said The Young Bucks were lucky Cage was exhausted after his match with Hangman Page, otherwise he would’ve laid them out on Dynamite. Swerve Strickland said The Bucks were friendly when they were on his podcasts, but now they’re back to putting on their EVP hats. Strickland issued a challenge for Grand Slam for Cage & The Gates of Agony vs. Page & The Bucks.

The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass defeated Peter Avalon & The Outrunners (Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd)

(A quick win for the Trios Champions, as I’m just disappointed we were robbed of hearing Avalon’s saxophone entrance theme. As for tomorrow night, it looks like the next contender for the Trios Titles are about to be set.)

Floyd was able to chop down Gunn with boots to the hamstring early, as Avalon chop blocked the leg, but opted to pose, allowing Gunn to hit a massive upper cut. Bowens made the tag, but Avalon hit a dropkick flush, with Bowens responding with a thrust kick. The match broke down, as Magnum & Floyd were sent packing, as Avalon was hit with Scissor Me Timbers. Gunn hit the Fame-Asser, while Caster connected with the Mic Drop for the easy win.

Post match, Dark Order interrupted the celebration, as John Silver said they’re the good guys and want a shot at the Trios Titles. Bowens asks why they deserve a title shot, which Evil Uno said the last four years of grinding to get to where they are is why. Uno is tired of good things happening to bad people and issues a challenge for tomorrow night, a singles match to show them they deserve a title show. Gunn said they’ll decide it with Rock, Paper, Scissors, but it was scissors every time. Bowens finally just accepted and said whoever it is, they’ll spank their ass purple.

**********

Aussie Open (Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis) defeated Damian Chambers & Lord Crewe

Davis & Fletcher wasted no time attacking right at the bell and violently drove Chambers & Crewe into one another. The sandwich double lariat led to both Chambers & Crewe being dropped with the Coriolis for the easy win.

Kris Statlander defeated Jade Cargill (w/Mark Sterling) to retain the TBS Title

(Chris Jericho said on commentary this was Cargill’s best match of her career and I would have to agree. I was initially worried we would be robbed of a lot of action with the commercial break in the middle, but this was an excellent battle. The amount of counters throughout showed how each woman was evenly matched and while the rumors are out there about Cargill’s future, if this was indeed her last match in AEW, it was a great one to go out on. I do hope she sticks around though.)

Both ladies showed off their power with collar elbow tie ups before trading lariats, with neither women budging. Both traded catching the other with a cross body attempt, as Statlander missed a pump kick, but Cargill was sent outside. Statlander tried a cross body off the apron, but Cargill caught and slammed her on the apron. During commercial, Cargill continued to show off her strength, doing pushups in between her onslaught of offense.

After going back and forth with attempts, it was Cargill who hit a stalling vertical suplex. Cargill held on for another, but Statlander countered into a spinning sit out fisherman’s buster. Both ladies kipped up at the same time and started slugging it out. Statlander won the battle, delivering a charging corner knee and Blue Thunder Bomb for two. Statlander was distracted by Sterling, who Cargill nearly ran into, but he shoved her out of the way and took the bullet eating a Statlander forearm. Cargill hit the pump kick and nearly hit Jaded, which Statlander got a roll up for two. Cargill popped up and hit a nice choke slam for a near fall of her own. Statlander avoided Jaded again, hitting a discus lariat, scissors kick and Friday Night Fever for the victory. Post match, Cargill shook Statlander’s hand, hugged her and gave her the ring as Statlander stood tall to end the show.

AEW Collision 9/16/23

· Bryan Danielson & Claudio Castagnoli vs. Ricky Starks & Big Bill

· FTR defend the AEW Tag Team Titles against The Iron Savages (Bronson & Boulder)

· Kris Statlander defends the TBS Title against Dr. Britt Baker

· Evil Uno vs. Anthony Bowens

· The Hardys vs. The Righteous (Vincent & Dutch)

· Andrade El Idolo vs. Scorpio Sky

AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam 9/20/23

· MJF defends the AEW World Title against Samoa Joe

· Jon Moxley defends the AEW International Title against Rey Fenix

· Chris Jericho vs. Sammy Guevara

· ROH World Champion Claudio Castagnoli vs. NJPW Strong Openweight Champion Eddie Kingston in a Title vs. Title Match

· Saraya defends the AEW Women’s Title against Toni Storm

AEW Rampage: Grand Slam 9/22/23

· Darby Allin & Sting vs. Christian Cage & Luchasaurus

Fight Game: Will it be a love TKO for WWE & UFC?

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

John LaRocca and I are back with a brand new Fight Game Podcast.

Our first topic was about the possible synergy between UFC and WWE that everyone is talking about. Will it work or are the audiences too different these days?

Some of the other things we talked about included:

  • The Jade Cargill rumors
  • Becky Lynch vs. Tiffany Stratton

  • Ilja Dragunov and his fit on the WWE main roster

  • AEW’s Grand Slam and this week’s AEW Dynamite

  • New Japan Pro Wrestling’s new app for NJPW World

Click Here to Listen (sub needed)

Wrestling Observer Live: Jade Cargill, All In turnstile count, Becky ratings, Dynamite

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Filthy Tom Lawlor is back with tons to talk about including AEW Dynamite from Wednesday with an amazing last few minutes, to the point Bryan accidentally drops an F-bomb, Jade Cargill, Big Time Becks Ratings Queen, the Wembley turnstile count, and more. A fun show as always so check it out~!

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Jade Cargill believed to be leaving AEW, going to WWE

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Note: This article contains spoilers for Friday’s episode of AEW Rampage.

An AEW star could be on her way out of the company.

Fightful reported overnight that Jade Cargill is believed to be finishing up with AEW. Sources within both AEW and WWE told Fightful that they believe Cargill is on her way to WWE.

After being away from AEW for nearly four months, Cargill returned to television on Collision last Saturday. That set up a TBS Championship match between Kris Statlander and Cargill that was taped on Wednesday night and will air on this Friday’s episode of Rampage.

At the Rampage tapings, Cargill lost clean to Statlander. Dave Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that fans who attended the tapings felt like Cargill was saying her farewell to AEW. Cargill “waved to the crowd like she was leaving” and she and Statlander hugged.

It was confirmed on Wrestling Observer Radio that the belief is Cargill is going to WWE.

“The belief by the end of the night was that she’s probably done with AEW and likely going to WWE,” Bryan Alvarez said. “But, you know, there’s a possibility. Until she’s signed with WWE, I suppose there’s still a chance she could come back to AEW. But certainly everyone has this idea that she’s gone.”

Cargill made her in-ring debut in 2021 by teaming with NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal on an episode of AEW Dynamite. They defeated Cody Rhodes & Red Velvet.

Cargill became AEW’s inaugural TBS Champion in 2022. She held the title for more than 500 days until losing it to Statlander at Double or Nothing this May.

During a recent interview with Women’s Wrestling Talk, Cargill praised Tony Khan as a “phenomenal boss” and said there’s no other place she’d want to be than AEW.

Wrestling Observer Radio: WWE TKO, Jade Cargill, Wembley turnstile numbers, AEW and NXT

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including the WWE/TKO deal, the future of Jade Cargill and Bryan Danielson, Edge, the Wembley turnstile numbers, ratings, AEW and NXT TV reviews, Rampage spoilers and more. A fun show as always so check it out~!

Timestamps:

Start: WWE merger finalized

16:05: AEW All In turnsite numbers

23:25: Bryan Danielson clarifies Collision promo

29:59: Jade Cargill’s status in AEW (features Rampage spoilers)

35:45: Ratings

49:56: AEW Dynamite recap

1:09:10: WWE NXT recap

1:17:49: AEW Rampage spoilers

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Jade Cargill vs. Kris Statlander TBS title match set for AEW Rampage

Posted on by Josh Nason

Less than a week after making her surprise return on AEW Collision, Jade Cargill will challenge TBS Champion Kris Statlander in a rematch on this Friday’s AEW Rampage.

It will be Cargill’s first match since May’s Double or Nothing when she lost the title to the returning Statlander minutes after defending it against Taya Valkyrie. It was Cargill’s first career defeat.

Statlander, the second TBS titleholder in company history, will be looking for the tenth defense of the championship.

In an eight-man tag team match, The Lucha Brothers will team with the Hardys against Jeff Jarrett, Jay Lethal and The Butcher & The Blade.

AEW Trios Champions The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn will be in non-title action against opponents to be named while The Kingdom will take on Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal.

Here’s the lineup being taped after Wednesday’s Dynamite in Cincinnati, Ohio:

  • TBS Champion Kris Statlander defends against Jade Cargill
  • AEW Trios Champions The Acclaimed (Max Caster and Anthony Bowens) & Billy Gunn vs. TBD in non-title action
  • The Kingdom (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) vs. Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal
  • Lucha Brothers (Penta El Zero Miedo & Rey Fenix) and Matt & Jeff Hardy vs. Jeff Jarrett, Jay Lethal, The Butcher & The Blade

Jade Cargill makes AEW return on Collision

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Jade Cargill is back, and wants her title back.

Cargill returned Saturday at Collision while The Renegades were beating down TBS Champion Kris Statlander. The Renegades held up Statlander as if Cargill was going to help them, but instead Cargill took out both Renegades and helped up Statlander. However, it was a trap as Cargill laid her out with Jaded as Mark Sterling came to the ring. Cargill then held the TBS title in the air before dropping it on Statlander’s chest.

It was Statlander who made a surprise return at AEW Double or Nothing back in May after Cargill had successfully defended the TBS Championship against Taya Valkyrie. Statlander immediately challenged Cargill to a match, and she agreed. However, Statlander managed to pin Cargill, marking her first loss in pro wrestling and losing the TBS title after over 500 days as champion. Cargill has been off television since then.

In the months that followed, Statlander has repeatedly defended the TBS Championship, including Saturday where she defeated Robyn Renegade.

Jade Cargill: There’s ‘no other place I’d want to be’ than AEW

Posted on by Ian Carey

Jade Cargill recently praised her relationship with AEW and Tony Khan. 

Cargill told Women’s Wrestling Talk recently that despite having been away from the company since Double or Nothing, she has remained in regular contact with Khan. The former TBS Champion continued to praise AEW, saying “there’s no other place” she’d want to be. 

“He’s a phenomenal boss,” Cargill said of Khan. “I can literally hit him up now, he’ll probably hit me back up in three minutes and this is a man who has four companies, a professional soccer team, Jacksonville Jaguars, he’s busy, he literally comes to every show. He’s so passionate. He loves our company. There’s no other place I would want to be. He doesn’t look at me as a number, he looks at me like a human being. He knows my journey and he understands my purpose in the wrestling community and what I want to achieve. And I don’t think you can beat that. You can’t beat this in a very interesting sport.” 

Khan was asked about Cargill’s status at the All Out post-event media scrum on Sunday. The AEW president responded that he is a big fan of hers and hopes to have her back soon. 

Cargill and her husband, former MLB star Brandon Phillips, made headlines this week after the Women’s Professional Fastpitch softball team they own won the championship in its first season. The couple purchased the Texas Smoke last November. 

“How many people can really say that I was co-owner with my queen?” Phillips said. “And we won a championship.”

Richard Lapchick, director of The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport (TIDES) praised the couple’s accomplishments. 

“That’s a statement by itself and can be a signal to other potential Black owners — that they don’t have to have an ownership in an NBA team or an NFL team,” Lapchick said. “They can get ownership in a different sport where the buy-in is going to be something I can afford, yet I can still have an impact.”

AEW notes: Bryan Danielson vs. Kenny Omega, Jade Cargill return, more

Posted on by Ian Carey

Our own Dave Meltzer wrote about several news items regarding AEW in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. 

Among other stories covered in this week’s issue, Meltzer is reporting that Bryan Danielson vs. Kenny Omega was the likely plan for All In had Danielson not broken his arm at Forbidden Door 2. Danielson underwent surgery for the injury last month and is expected to return in October, or possibly a week or two earlier.  

“The story that had Bryan Danielson not been injured his most likely match at Wembley Stadium would have been a singles match with Kenny Omega has been pretty much confirmed. It was never a sure thing, but it was the working idea before the injury,” Meltzer wrote.  

Danielson and Omega went to a 30-minute time limit draw at Grand Slam 2021 in their only AEW singles match thus far. The only other time they wrestled a singles match was at a PWG show in 2009 when Danielson beat Omega in just over 22 minutes. 

Omega is scheduled to team with Kota Ibushi and Hangman Page at All In against Konosuke Takeshita, Jay White, and Juice Robinson.

Meltzer is also reporting there has been talk backstage regarding Jade Cargill potentially returning soon. She has been gone since Double or Nothing and dropping the TBS Championship to Kris Statlander. Fightful Select recently reported that Cargill was backstage at the August 9 Dynamite in Columbus as well. 

Thunder Rosa has mentioned on her vlog recently that she is nearing a return to the ring. It’s still not clear when Rosa will be cleared but Meltzer writes that she is planned to challenge for the AEW Women’s World title once she does. 

“Thunder Rosa was planned to challenge for the women’s title very quickly after she was cleared given she never lost it in the ring,” Meltzer wrote. “When she is cleared is still not confirmed. Her back issues ended up being far worse than originally expected.”

AEW head physician Doc Sampson told Rosa on a recent vlog that being cleared in three weeks is a realistic goal for her. 

The top story in this week’s Observer covers the ongoing drama backstage in AEW involving CM Punk, The Elite, and others. It includes several versions of what happened between Punk and Ryan Nemeth at the June 21 Dynamite in Chicago as well as multiple perspectives regarding an altercation Punk had with Jack Perry recently. Ace Steel’s return to the company is also covered. The full issue is available for subscribers here.  

Kris Statlander returns, wins TBS title at AEW Double or Nothing

Posted on by Ian Carey

Kris Statlander is the new TBS Champion. 

Statlander returned to AEW and defeated Jade Cargill in an impromptu match to win the title at Double or Nothing. 

Following Cargill’s victory over Taya Valkyrie earlier on the show, Mark Sterling cut a promo saying she would take on anyone, anywhere at any time. Statlander’s music hit and the championship bout began once she hit the ring. Moments later, Statlander countered Jaded and hit a tombstone piledriver for the win. 

Jade Cargill’s undefeated streak ends after 60 straight victories. Her TBS title reign ends after 509 days and 25 successful defenses.  

Statlander had been out of action since last August after suffering a torn ACL. She underwent surgery to repair the injury in September. 

This is Statlander’s first championship in AEW. Other titles she’s held elsewhere include the WSU World Championship and the AAW Women’s Championship. The 27-year-old made her professional debut in 2016 and was trained by Pat Buck and Brian Myers at Create A Pro Wrestler. 

TBS title rematch, trios match announced for AEW Double or Nothing

Posted on by Josh Nason

The TBS title will be on the line at next weekend’s AEW Double or Nothing as Jade Cargill defends against Taya Valkyrie in a rematch. 

After Cargill defeated two indie wrestlers with ease on Friday’s Rampage, another came out to challenge but was held off by Valkyrie who returned after a storyline suspension. The two confronted each other with Valkyrie hitting Cargill with Road To Valhalla which is the same move as Cargill’s Jaded. Valkyrie then said she would see the champion at Double or Nothing.

Weeks after Valkyrie debuted for AEW and first confronted Cargill, the two squared off for the first time but Valkyrie was unable to use her finisher. Cargill picked up the victory, but the finish was done in a way to open things up for a rematch.

Cargill is the inaugural TBS Champion and has yet to taste defeat in her young career.

In another new match made Friday, Jeff & Matt Hardy will team with Brother Zay against Ethan Page and The Gunns. If the Hardy team wins, Hard gets control of Page’s contract. Page and the Gunns laid out the Hardys and Zay Friday.

The AEW International Championship blackjack battle royal began to take shape as QT Marshall revealed he has entered his group into the match.

The other new bout made after a big brawl Friday was Adam Cole vs. Chris Jericho in an unsanctioned match.

Here’s the updated card for next Sunday’s pay-per-view from Las Vegas, Nevada:

  • AEW World Champion MJF defends against Sammy Guevara, “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry and Darby Allin in a four-way
  • AEW Tag Team Champions FTR defend against Jeff Jarrett & Jay Lethal
  • AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy defends the title in a 21-man Blackjack battle royal
  • TNT Champion Wardlow defends against Christian Cage in a ladder match
  • AEW Women’s Champion Jamie Hayter defends against Toni Storm
  • TBS Champion Jade Cargill defends against Taya Valkyrie
  • Anarchy in the Arena match: The Elite (Kenny Omega, Young Bucks & Hangman Page) vs. Blackpool Combat Club (Bryan Danielson, Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta)
  • Chris Jericho vs. Adam Cole in an unsanctioned match
  • The Gunns (Colten and Austin) & Ethan Page vs. Jeff & Matt Hardy and Brother Zay with Page’s contractual status on the line

AEW Rampage live results: Blackpool Combat Club vs. Best Friends & Bandido

Posted on by Ryan Howard

Tonight’s AEW Rampage will be another early edition due to the NBA playoffs on TNT.

In trios action, the Blackpool Combat Club (Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta) will take on Best Amigos (Chuck Taylor and Trent Beretta) & Bandido). The BCC learned on Wednesday they will battle The Elite in an Anarchy in the Arena match at Double or Nothing.

Undefeated inaugural TBS Champion Jade Cargill will continue her quest to find challenges as she defends against Danni Bee.

In a trios match, former AEW Tag Team Champions The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens & Max Caster) and Billy Gunn will take on the Varsity Athletes (Tony Nese, Josh Woods & Ari Daivari).

ROH Six-Man Tag Team Champion Bishop Kaun of the Mogul Embassy will face Dustin Rhodes.

Matt & Jeff Hardy and Brother Zay will also make an appearance on the show as they want to make a run at the AEW Tag Team titles.

**********

Blackpool Combat Club (Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta) (w/ Bryan Danielson) defeated Best Amigos (Chuck Taylor and Trent Beretta) & Bandido)

This was a fun, action packed party match of an opener with everyone getting their time to shine. I liked the history they played off of between Taylor & Yuta as it was fitting the trainee pinned his trainer. The BCC look more than ready for Anarchy in the Arena in a little over a week.

Moxley tried an early attack on Bandido, who used his speed to overcome the onslaught as Yuta & Beretta tagged in. Beretta blocked a skin the cat and sent Yuta to the floor where Taylor slammed his former protégé into the barricade. Castagnoli distracted Taylor long enough for Yuta to hit a chop block as the BCC isolated Taylor in their corner.

Taylor fought out of the corner and tagged Beretta, who took the fight to Moxley with a series of German suplexes. With the BCC collected on the floor, Best Amigos hit a trio of dives. Back inside, Castagnoli shoved Moxley out of the way from danger and caught Beretta in mid air with an uppercut to take control during commercial. There was supposed to be picture in picture, but we only saw commercials and no action.

Beretta avoided a charging Moxley and connected with a Tornado DDT into the double down. Castagnoli & Bandido made tags with Bandido hitting a tornillo out of the corner followed by a springboard hurricanrana pin attempt for two. A strike exchange led to Bandido trying a delayed vertical suplex, but Yuta made the save, only to be caught by Bandido as Best Friends made the blind tag with a Soul Food and half & half combo.

Best Amigos gave the people what they wanted with a hug before Taylor spiked Yuta with a snap piledriver. Taylor tried Yuta’s seatbelt pin, as Moxley broke it up by dropkicking his own partner. The match broke down with everyone hitting big moves until Taylor went for Awful Waffle, but was cut off by a Moxley Death Rider and Rocket Launcher by Castagnoli & Yuta to get the pin.

– Kyle Fletcher cut a promo about why he attacked Orange Cassidy last week. Since Fletcher was born and raised in Australia, made a name for himself in England, won titles in Japan & the USA, no one is more fitting to be AEW International Champion than he is.

TBS Champion Jade Cargill (w/ Leila Grey & Mark Sterling) defeated Danni Bee to retain

Excalibur talked about Taya Valkyrie failing last month to win the TBS Title and subsequently losing her cool on referee Aubrey Edwards, getting suspended in the process. We learned that suspension has since been lifted. Bee has wrestled twice on Elevation in losing efforts to Abadon & Emi Sakura. Cargill smoked Bee with a forearm immediately and followed with a fallaway slam. A violent pump kick got Cargill the win and put her at 58-0. Sterling ran his mouth post-match asking if that’s the best Texas had to offer and brought out another challenger.

TBS Champion Jade Cargill (w/ Leila Grey & Mark Sterling) defeated Genesis to retain

We learned Genesis is a trainee of the Dustin Rhodes Wrestling Academy and Jericho explained she had a massive stroke, was paralyzed and had to learn how to walk and speak again before deciding to get into pro wrestling. Cargill violently whipped Genesis into the ropes, hit a spear and Jaded to go to 59-0.

Sterling said Cargill was about to go to 60-0 as an unnamed challenger came out to the ramp to accept the challenge until Valkyrie made an entrance and laid out the woman. Valkyrie stormed to the ring, took out Grey and laid out Cargill with a clothesline and Road to Valhalla. 

Valkyrie got the microphone and asked Cargill “Who’s that b*tch,” saying she’ll see her at Double or Nothing. Excalibur said Tony Khan made their title rematch official and this time, Valkyrie can use her finisher unlike in their first meeting.

The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens & Max Caster) and Billy Gunn defeated Varsity Athletes (Tony Nese, Josh Woods & Ari Daivari)

Gunn had early face-offs with each member of the Athletes until Nese tried a posedown. Gunn played to the crowd before taking his shirt off and planted Nese with a side suplex. Scissor Me Timbers by Bowens connected as The Acclaimed & Gunn scissored for the crowd. Caster posed too long and found himself isolated during the commercial break, but made his comeback when they returned. A double clothesline by Caster & Woods allowed Bowens to make the hot tag.

While this was all happening, Gunn beat down Daivari ringside. Bowens ran wild with an over the top leg drop on Nese as Gunn tossed Woods to the outside. Nese initially avoided the Arrival with a spin kick to the face, but as he went for a combo, Bowens hit The Arrival and Caster with The Mic Drop to pick up the win.

-This week’s QTV started with QT Marshall asking Aaron Solo if he hacked Matt Hardy, which Solo denied. Marshall said he has them all entered in the Blackjack Battle Royal for the International Title at Double or Nothing. Marshall talks about Powerhouse Hobbs being on the poster for AEW Collision and mentions Miro while Solo & Harley Cameron name drop Buff Bagwell, Blue Meanie and Tatanka. Marshall said it doesn’t matter because on June 17th, the real story begins.

The Hardys and Brother Zay

Tony Schiavone was in the ring and introduced Matt and Jeff Hardy & Brother Zay. Matt said it’s official for Double or Nothing with the three of them against The Gunns & Ethan Page where the stipulation being if Team Hardy wins, then Matt Hardy gets control of Ethan Page’s contract.

Jeff put over the Texas crowd briefly before Page came to the stage alone. Page said he and Matt have been feuding for too long and that Zay can trust Page and he and Zay were going to become The Moan Event until he turned his back on Page. 

This was all a ruse as The Gunns showed up from behind with chair shots to the Hardys and Zay. A chair was placed over Zay’s neck as Page stomped down onto it. I’m sure this match will be fun at Double or Nothing, but I agree with what Page said earlier: it feels like this story with Page & Matt Hardy has went on forever.

Chris Jericho and Adam Cole brawl

After highlights of Wednesday’s falls count anywhere match between Chris Jericho and Roderick Strong. Jericho called Adam Cole a coward and said if Cole was there, he’d beat his ass. Cole appeared on screen, saying every week he’d show up and beat Jericho’s ass. Jericho said he has lifted the legal agreement of Cole being banned from the building, challenging Cole to an unsanctioned match at Double or Nothing. Cole thanked Jericho and immediately entered the building for his search of Jericho.

After the break, Cole walked down from the crowd, sprinted up the ramp and the brawl was on between he and Jericho as security tried to separate them. Both men broke free at different points during the fight.

Dustin Rhodes defeated Bishop Kaun (w/Prince Nana)

It wouldn’t be a match in Texas without a Rhodes family member bleeding. Rhodes did an amazing job getting the crowd behind him as he continues to put on very good matches against everyone he competes against. The post match was a continuation of the Swerve Strickland and Keith Lee story which needs to be settled soon as both need to go on to other stories sooner than later.

Kaun attacked just as Rhodes stepped through the ropes, but Rhodes quickly clotheslined him to the outside. Back inside, Kaun reversed a whip to the corner and Rhodes ran right into the camera, spilling to the floor, busting himself open in the process. Kaun connected with a neckbreaker off the apron onto the floor and controlled him during the entire commercial break.

Rhodes tried his snap powerslam, but Kaun nailed an air raid crash for a one count as Rhodes hulked up into a slugfest. A series of clotheslines, dropdown uppercut and snap powerslam got Rhodes in control as he delivered corner punches, but got his legs pulled from under him.

Rhodes fought back with a nice Code Red and piledriver for near falls. Kaun hit a shotgun dropkick, but missed a corner charge, which allowed Rhodes to connect on a bulldog and Final Reckoning for the win.

Post match, Brian Cage attacked and power bombed Rhodes as Swerve Strickland sauntered into the ring, smiling at the beatdown. Keith Lee then walked out from the back as Cage and Kaun went to cut him off on the ramp. Lee took them both out and stared down Strickland. Lee took way too long to get his hands on Strickland, which allowed Cage & Kaun to attack from behind with a chair. 

Cage powered Lee up on his shoulders and hit an F5 onto the chair. Lee was placed seated on the chair as Strickland hit a Swerve Stomp as Rhodes was forced to watch by Cage.

This Wednesday:

  • Tony Khan will announce the location of the debut episode of AEW Collision
  • All Four Pillars (MJF, Darby Allin, Jungle Boy and Sammy Guevara) will be heard from
  • AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy defends against Kyle Fletcher
  • ROH Tag Team Champions Lucha Brothers defend against Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta
  • AEW Trios Champions House of Black defend against AR Fox, Blake Christian & Metalik
  • Taya Valkyrie vs. Lady Frost
  • FTR promo
  • Adam Cole & Chris Jericho contract signing