The TBS Championship is on the line on tonight’s AEW Dynamite from Huntsville, Alabama, as Mercedes Mone defends the title against Yuka Sakazaki.
Making her return to AEW for the first time since last September, Sakazaki was the winner of a four-way number one contender’s match on last Saturday’s Collision.
In a match with World title implications, Jeff Jarrett will face Claudio Castagnoli of the Death Riders. If Jarrett wins, he earns a future World title shot against Jon Moxley.
Wheeler Yuta of the Death Riders will also be in action as he takes on Jay White.
Will Ospreay will take on Brian Cage of the Don Callis Family after both men were involved in a show-opening brawl last Wednesday.
Former AEW World Champion MJF has also been announced for tonight’s show. He has been engaged in a war of words with Jarrett lately with a feud with Hangman Page feud also teased last week.
**********
AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Tony Schiavone & Taz as the music for Will Ospreay hits and we’re ready for the opening contest of the evening. They promote Ospreay teaming with Kenny Omega at Grand Slam Australia, but only told us it was Saturday February 15th, no start time or any other info, at least not yet on TV.
Will Ospreay defeated Brian Cage (w/Don Callis & Lance Archer)
(Good opener here, as Ospreay won the battle, but the Don Callis Family got the last laugh tonight and revenge for last week. While I wish Cage would have more wins, he’s the perfect guy to have competitive matches with big stars, making them look good in the process.)
Right as the bell sounded, Callis took the microphone and told Ospreay to look at the big screen, as we see Kenny Omega had been attacked and tended to by doctors and referees. Callis laughed maniacally, as Cage attacked, but Ospreay responded with a hurricanrana to the floor. Trying a follow-up dive, Cage side stepped and leveled Ospreay with a lariat. Ospreay managed to post Cage, sprung to the guard rail, but leapt into the clutches of Cage, who walked around ringside with a stalling suplex. Cage took the ref, allowing Archer & Callis to get in some cheap shots for good measure. Cage controlled the action back inside with multiple tilt-a-whirl back breakers for two. Good old fashioned bearhug worked over the lower back, as Ospreay fought free with a handspring corkscrew kick for the reset.
Ospreay couldn’t get the back suplex, but trapped Cage in the corner with Cheeky Nandos followed by Pip, Pip, Cheerio for a near fall. Cage tried a German, but Ospreay floated over, booted Cage to the outside, where he was met with the Sasuke Special. Archer ran distraction long enough for Cage to recover and hit the superplex from the outside in for two. Ospreay slipped out of a powerbomb with multiple hook kicks, tried the Oscutter, but Cage caught him with multiple lariats and Liger Bomb for a close two. Cage managed an Avalanche F5, Ospreay got his foot on the ropes, but Archer shoved it off, getting caught by referee Rick Knox in the process. Knox did nothing but scold Archer, as the delay allowed Ospreay to counter a powerbomb into a hurricanrana that collided Cage into Archer. Ospreay somehow managed a Styles Clash and got the victory.
Post-match, Archer attacked immediately with Cage joining in. Kenny Omega’s music hit and he ran out with a chair, which he chucked at both Murder Machines. Ospreay & Omega’s attention was turned to Cage & Archer, allowing Konosuke Takeshita & Kyle Fletcher to hit the ring to make it 4 on 2. Takeshita hit a Bastard Driver on Omega, while Fletcher delivered a Tombstone on Ospreay, as Callis joined his Family and they stood tall, leaving Omega clutching his ribs, as Ospreay covered him from taking any more punishment.
-Renee Paquette is outside Swerve Strickland’s locker room, when Hangman Adam Page stormed by, looking inside, but not finding Strickland, saying it wasn’t Paquette’s business what he was doing. Page shouldered past MJF after a brief stare down, as Max mocked how Page is acting like he’s king sh*t and called him hypocritical. MJF kept talking to himself before Paquette cut him off, he apologized saying it was the ADD. MJF said Jeff Jarrett will learn tonight that he should’ve taken his deal with the Devil, but he’ll be beaten by a horse in Claudio Castagnoli. MJF said tonight is The Last Outlaw’s Last Ride, Ain’t I Great?
**********
-We go to pre-recorded comments from Powerhouse Hobbs, who said unfortunately he wasn’t cleared to travel to Dynamite tonight. When he is cleared, he’s going to show Big Bill that the hell they went through on Collision (both crashing off the stage through tables), is only the beginning. Commentary told us Bill hit Hobbs with a brick, thus why Hobbs wasn’t cleared to travel. I do like that they showed the brawl from Collision, also Hobbs getting the win in the multi-man tag a few weeks ago.
Claudio Castagnoli defeated Jeff Jarrett
(I thought the match was fine, as I was somewhat thankful Castagnoli didn’t take the loss here, shenanigans or not (it’s what the House of Moxley does all the time at this point). I respect the story they’re trying to tell with Jarrett wanting a World Title shot, but I think his road to that match could go through potentially the Owen Hart Cup and just have the title shot happen on TV instead of All In like last year. We’re clearly getting MJF vs. Jarrett soon, another match that should probably happen on TV, as they keep teasing MJF & Hangman, a feud that should obviously be highlighted on PPV.)
Quick hip tosses and arm drags from Jarrett in the early going, as he followed up with corner punches, which Castagnoli easily escaped from into a lariat. Jarrett avoided a Neutralizer and locked on the Figure Four, but Castagnoli quickly got the ropes. Wheeler Yuta strolled out from the crowd and began arguing with Jarrett, which is all that happened to take us to break.
When things returned, Castagnoli had taken control, keeping Jarrett grounded with a double stomp for two. Castagnoli fired off uppercuts, but Jarrett responded with his picture-perfect right hands. Jarrett really zoned in on the leg, but missed an enzugiri, resulting in Castagnoli doing the Giant Swing. Castagnoli started selling his leg, but still applied the Sharpshooter. Jarrett somehow reversed the hold into a Sharpshooter of his own, until Yuta slid a chair in the ring. After eating a right hand from Jarrett, Yuta held onto the ref, as Castagnoli went for a chair shot, missed, as Jarrett was about to hit The Stroke, when Jon Moxley appeared and laid out Jarrett with a Paradigm Shift. Castagnoli followed with multiple Neutralizer’s and got the pin. Moxley, Yuta & Marina Shafir are all watching, as Castagnoli joined them and stormed out through the crowd.
Post match, Jarrett slowly recovered as the crowd chanted for him until MJF’s music hit. Taz said it was smart for MJF to pick his spot like this as he strutted to the ring with a smile on his face. MJF was about to talk when he just ran through Jarrett with a right hand using the Dynamite Diamond Ring. MJF knelt down next to him saying he respects his elders, so he’s not going to say he told him so. MJF walked to the back with Jarrett left unconscious in the ring.
**********
-Renee Paquette is backstage with Ricochet, who she informs that Tony Khan told her that if Swerve Strickland interferes in any capacity tonight, then his match against Ricochet next week will be called off. Ricochet said is happy to hear that and he’ll tell her his thoughts on Collision this Saturday, so it’s time to go take care of business. Commentary mentioned how Ricochet interfered in Strickland’s match last week, so it makes no sense for the no interference rule to apply only to Strickland this week.
Ricochet defeated AR Fox
(I had thought things were going to be a lot worse for Fox after that no interference rule for Strickland. Thankfully we got a nice match between the former Lucha Underground rivals and the post-match was a nice little final build to Ricochet & Strickland’s showdown finally taking place next week.)
Fox worked an early headlock, as he kicked Ricochet away in the corner and hit a jumping stunner followed by a corkscrew brainbuster that sent Ricochet outside. Fox cleared the top rope for a dive, as Taz said he flew like a rocket ship, Rocket Ship Jones. Fox wanted a DVD on the apron, but Ricochet floated into the ring and hit a hip toss onto the apron, which was unique. Ricochet teased a dive, but put on the brakes to jaw jack with the fans heading to break.
When things returned, Ricochet remained in control, hitting the People’s Moonsault for a near fall. Both men got a full head of steam, ducked an attack and collided while both trying cross body blocks for the reset. Fox hit an enzugiri and leg captured DDT for two of his own. Iconoclasm into a pulling cutter led to a picture perfect 450 Splash for a close near fall, as Fox couldn’t believe it. Ricochet crawled to the apron, but held onto the ref as Fox pulled him back in. The brief hesitation allowed Ricochet to hit the Code Breaker for two, as he loaded up and hit The Spirit Gun followed by Vertigo for the win.
Post-match, Ricochet grabbed his gold scissors from behind a turnbuckle and was about to use it when Swerve Strickland appeared, dragged Ricochet to the outside and sent him crashing into the barricade and steps. The attack was allowed, as Strickland didn’t show up during the match. Strickland wanted a Swerve Stomp, but Ricochet grabbed the downed Fox and used him as a shield with the gold scissors to his throat. Ricochet tossed Fox aside and bailed, as Strickland stared him down saying there’s nowhere to run in 1 week.
-We see footage from Renee Paquette’s Closeup series with the Death Riders. Paquette asks why her husband is holding the AEW World Title hostage in a briefcase? Moxley said do people want to take a picture with it, is it a petting zoo? People don’t understand what it takes to be a champion, as Moxley is the living definition of World Champion, take a look, it’s right here. It’s not something you win, hold, show off or take a picture with, it’s in your heart, cultivated, grown in the white-hot fires of combat. Moxley is building an army of Jon Moxley’s behind him and he’s backfilling them behind him, putting them through what he’s gone through and worse.
-30 second AEW merchandise commercial with Daddy Magic is shown. This reminded me of old WCW merch ads with Public Enemy back in 1997.
**********
-A commercial for Chris Jericho’s new movie Dark Match is shown on Shudder this weekend. This leads to another New York Minute, as Jericho said it’s nice to be in the land of the Crimson Toad. Jericho said his new movie is violent and speaking of violent, Big Bill took out Powerhouse Hobbs last week. Bill said he put Jericho’s words into action and feels stronger because of it. Jericho said that makes him proud of himself for being such a great mentor, but he didn’t take out Hobbs permanently, so he has more to learn. Jericho said he & Bryan Keith will take on The Outrunners this week on Collision. Jericho has never seen The Outrunners anywhere else but AEW TV and Keith yelled it was The Mandela Effect. Jericho waved goodbye, but his smirk slowly faded to disgust. Taz pointed out that the New York Minute is much longer than a minute.
Switchblade Jay White defeated Wheeler Yuta
(I really enjoyed this match, as White finally got his revenge on the thorn in his side the past month or so. The crowd was loudly behind White throughout and also booed Yuta quite a bit.)
Yuta tried attack before the bell and nearly suffered a Blade Runner for his troubles, but he scrambled outside. Bell sounded and again Yuta took a powder, but when he got back in, White grabbed him by the goatee and fired off chops. Guns up back drop from White, as Yuta was crotched on the ropes and ate another chop that sent him crashing outside. White continued to have his way until Yuta dropkicked out the leg and hit a drop toe hold onto the edge of the ring. The ankle was trapped in the framing of the ring, allowing Yuta to stomp down on the knee. Back inside, fisherman’s suplex got a near fall, as Yuta stayed in control during break. Excalibur threw it to picture in picture, but it took a while to actually cut to commercial.
When things returned, White tried to mount a comeback, but Yuta again went after the leg. Yuta wanted a back superplex, but White fought out with a dragon screw. White shook out the leg and finally hit a massive superplex for two. More chops to Yuta, who rolled through a Uranage and chop blocked White leading to a single leg Boston Crab. White got the ropes, but Yuta hit an arm trapped Angle Slam for two. Anvil elbows delivered, as White started firing up with a huge Uranage. White wanted Blade Runner again, but Yuta rolled through into a school boy, hit a comeback German for another close near fall. Yuta looked for a splash, rolled through, wanted the Busiaku Knee, but ran right into a Blade Runner for the cool finish.
Post-match, Death Riders hit the ring and attacked White, but Rated FTR quickly made the save before things got out of hand. Cope shook White’s hand, as Dax Harwood took the mic and said he doesn’t hate how Death Riders operate, but hates how they tried to end a 67 year old hero of his, Ricky Morton, last week. Hardwood said Dennis Condrey is there tonight and on his name, on Collision, they’ll see the Death Riders in a Mid-South Street Fight. Crowd popped for this, but Moxley didn’t look amused as his crew retreat.
-Video package of Mariah May & Toni Storm’s interaction on Collision last week was shown and the performance of a lifetime and the return of Timeless Toni Storm. I’m glad they showed this tonight, as this was one of the best segments on Collision in quite some time.
We go to Renee Paquette, who welcomes Mariah May to the stage. Tony Schiavone calls May a typical Mean Girl, as May said it’s great to be in Huntsville, but said maybe they should change the first letter to a C. May said they’re not playing this game, Toni Storm is not real, as she got into Paquette’s face, causing her to bail. May said Toni wants to play the role of Toni Storm? Why doesn’t she play the role of the woman who used her for her gold? Play the Toni Storm whose most memorable moment was bleeding and crying in May’s hands or the one who walked out of AEW, Japan & Mexico because she couldn’t touch May. Play whatever version you want, the ending is still the same, when you’re this good, you don’t change a thing. May is the woman from hell and she always will be, something she’ll remind Storm for the rest of her life. Look now and never forget, for this is your AEW Women’s World Champion. May held up the title, as there was no appearance from Storm herself tonight.
-Video package for The Gunns is shown, as they are looking at past highlights from their career in AEW, while training for their return. Jay White’s voice is heard throughout, as they hit the Guns Up line to end it.
-We’re told Daniel Garcia will defend the TNT Title against Kyle O’Reilly & Lee Moriarty in a 3-way on Collision and see highlights from the past few weeks and the run-ins between the three
-Highlights of The Hurt Syndicate winning the AEW Tag Team Titles last week was shown. MVP recognizes Private Party for fighting hard, but wasn’t their fault for running into a dominant tandem in Lashley & Shelton Benjamin, who will hold the titles as long as they choose. Name the time and the place, they’re the Hurt Syndicate and they hurt people.
**********
-Video package for International Champion Konosuke Takeshita is shown and his recent success winning the NEVER Openweight Title and defending it.
-Backstage, Taya Valkyrie & Deonna Purazzo say moments from now, they’ll see Mercedes Mone defend her title against Yuka. Purrazzo said it should’ve been her in this match, but Valkyrie said Harley Cameron stuck her balloons where they don’t belong. Now, Cameron belongs to The Vendetta and on Collision, they’re coming to collect.
Mercedes Mone defeated Yuka Sakazaki to retain the TBS Title
(I thought this turned into a good main event and Sakazaki put up quite the fight with the crowd supporting her, but there was no way Mone was losing here. I wish Mone would scrap the Mone Maker, as the rarity it hits flush, it doesn’t seem like that much of an impact for a finisher and it doesn’t get that big of a reaction. The Statement Maker submission is more than fine.)
Big intros from Justin Roberts before the start of the match, as the crowd is loudly behind Sakazaki, as both ladies trade wrist and headlocks. Mone hit a shoulder tackle and did her dance, but Sakazaki kipped up, fast sequence, hit a shoulder block of her own and mocked the dance. Mone whiffed on an arm drag, as Sakazaki got a rolling high stack for two. Mone dodged a sliding lariat into a roll-up for two of her won, as both ladies were up and Mone hit a springing arm drag. Taz said some people despise Mone, but it could be jealousy. Sakazaki blocked a baseball slide, mocked Mone, who she hit with a spinning kick on the apron. Sakazaki went to the top for a dive, but Mone wisely bailed. Sakazaki tried the boot from the apron, but Mone swept out the leg and hit a diving Meteora, taking control into break.
Mone remained in the driver’s seat when things returned, but Sakazaki countered a powerbomb into a hurricanrana. Mone missed a corner Meteora, as Sakazaki missed the first springboard attempt, but worked for it and hit the second attempt dropkick for two. Brainbuster and sliding lariat connected for a near fall, as Mone responded by floating over a suplex into the Three Amigos. Mone took way too much time going up top, as she was cut off with a step-up forearm and superplex.
Sakazaki wanted the Merry-Go-Round, but Mone spun out, tried the Mone Maker, only for Sakazaki to land on her feet and hit a thrust kick. Merry-Go-Round hammerlock slam connected for the closest near fall of the match. Mone avoided a charge with a head scissors into the corner, leading to the backstabber into the Statement Maker. Sakazaki rolled into a pin attempt for two, hit the rolling elbow and pin attempt for a near fall. Mone was trapped in the corner, where Sakazaki hit a snap German, as she went for the Magical Girl Splash, but Mone got the knees up. Pump knee, powerbomb and Mone Maker connect for the win.
AEW Collision 2/1/25
- FTR vs. Jon Moxley & Wheeler Yuta in a Mid-South Street Fight
- Daniel Garcia defends the TNT Title against both Kyle O’Reilly & Lee Moriarty
- Chris Jericho & Bryan Keith vs. The Outrunners
- Ricochet Addresses Swerve Strickland
- HOOK & Samoa Joe vs. Kip Sabian & Nick Wayne
- We’ll hear from Timeless Toni Storm
- The Vendetta Look to Collect on Harley Cameron
AEW Dynamite 2/5/25
- Swerve Strickland vs. Ricochet
