Tag: Kazuchika Okada

AEW All Out preview & predictions: Burning down the house

Posted on by Mike DellaCamera

The following is an opinion-based preview and reflects that of the author, not of the website.

Over the last six months, I have become a martini guy. Partially out of an unrealistic and romanticized idea of what the cocktail is, and partially because I can only have two drinks at a time, so I better make them count.

A good martini is alert. It makes you sit up a little straighter and open your eyes a bit wider. It is a polite nudge asking for your attention. The first sip reminds you that you are, in fact, alive. Now I ask you, my beautiful readers, if Saturday’s AEW All Out (8 PM EST on various PPV providers) asks for your attention.

More importantly, does it make you feel alive? We watch wrestling to feel something, to be moved by the indomitable physical spirit of the performers. There are a couple of matches that make me feel something and give me a real tingle in my plums. The rest? Color me intrigued. That’s all I ever ask for.

I was down on last year’s All Out and it wound up blowing me away. If All In brings the pageantry, maybe this is the show Tony Khan books for the sickos. Let’s run through some previews & predictions for Saturday’s show from the NOW Arena in Chicago.

MJF vs. Daniel Garcia

After doing a career-threatening neck injury spot, Garcia returned to a huge pop at All In. The dancing is gone and Red Death is back. Garcia is an example of someone AEW seems to have waffled on. Much like Konosuke Takeshita, he has been handed a number of frustrating starts and stops. Maybe some of that is contract-related, maybe it’s a lack of foresight. It’s likely a bit of both. Regardless, the fans remain invested in his success and now is the time to prove their faith founded. If not now, when? 

All I could do was shake my head when MJF popped up on the Dynamite after All In and was no worse for wear. While others have sold the impact of the Tiger Driver for weeks, everyone’s favorite overbearing superhero had other ideas. Armed with only kinesiology tape on his neck and conviction in his heart, MJF showed up to rip off yet another promo rather than at least pretending to sell the move. Alas, we soldier on in the hopes he does the right thing on Saturday.

I would have liked a longer build, but the All In/All Out schedule does not allow for that. Garcia goes over nonetheless

Prediction: Garcia

AEW International Champion Will Ospreay defends against PAC

I love PAC; he will go down as a big ‘what could have been.’ What if AEW existed a few years earlier? What if WWE cared more about wrestling talent than how a person looked? What if he could dodge the injury bug just a teensy bit more? In my best Bill Simmons impression, ‘You know, Russillo, there’s a real sliding doors situation with this guy PAC! People forget he beat Kenny Omega! If a few things broke right, I really think we’re talking about a pantheon level wrestler.’

Terrible impressions aside, there’s an alternate future where he’s had far more acclaim, far more time on television, and far, far more gold.

While PAC brings love out of me, Ospreay still brings some hesitation. I remain astonished at what he is physically capable of in the ring. Often, it veers too much into caricature, but, my lord, there is nothing he can’t do. He is a physical marvel. The Ospreay matches I enjoy have a grounding element or him working against something. His matches against Bryan Danielson and Lance Archer immediately come to mind. They tempered his worst instincts as a performer and gave the matches structure. Ospreay’s worst instincts are brought out when he’s in the ring with someone who can match his athletic gifts. He can lean too far into self-indulgence in an attempt to make a moment. What gives me hope, though, is that PAC does not suffer for melodrama. He does not allow for a lightness of being. Something special is in the realistic range of outcomes for this, and consider me interested.

Prediction: Ospreay retains

TBS Champion Mercedes Mone defends against Hikaru Shida

The Star vs The Ace. A match where, hopefully, Mone can show everyone in AEW what she’s truly capable of in the ring. Her match with Britt Baker at All In was disappointing. I’m loathe to use this term after just deriding Ospreay for seeking this out, but she lacks that “signature moment” in AEW. I’m not worried, I’m not shook, I’m just saying that it’s time to do something that stays in our brains for more than an hour. So far, her biggest moment has been her debut and while that is a high bar to clear, nothing in the ring has been special. These two wrestled back in August and it was perfectly fine. This weekend, I’m hoping for something that sings.

If Mercedes is looking for someone to shine with, few are better to do that with than Shida. She’s proven she can have a good match with anyone and in any type of match. Mercedes is someone who is tempted to overact: exaggerating her movements, stretching the moments like taffy. Shida is someone who can both play into that and punish it. She’ll let her wrestle the match she wants and be the perfect foil. It’s been too long since she had a big spot on a major show. It’s great to see her back, albeit certainly in a losing effort.

Prediction: Mone retains

Willow Nightingale vs. Kris Statlander (w/ Stokely Hathaway) in a Chicago street fight

This originally was set to be for Nightingale’s CMLL Women’s title, but that was changed this week.

There has been tremendous content from these three over the past few months which is unsurprising considering the individual talents involved. I’ve been waiting for years for Hathaway to get a chance to be his special brand of funny on TV. Equal parts irreverent and bitingly smart, he is such a unique performer. His previous failings were not through any fault of his own, merely the wrong circumstances. The stars are aligned now, and seeing him flourish is wonderful.

He is matched in performance by both Nightingale and Statlander. Not much more needs to be said about Willow. She’s well on her way toward being the biggest babyface on the female side of the roster. Her opportunities to grow and develop her character in meaningful programs outside of the main event will pay off in spades. Statlander is a delight in the antagonist role. Like Big Stoke, she has a brand of humor that is entirely her own and entirely weird. The pairing has allowed her to lean into that, and has brought the best out of both of them. This should continue for a long, long time.

Plunder matches are always fun and Willow especially shines in them.

Prediction: Willow wins

AEW Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks defend against Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta

Here are five quick observations about this match since it was announced late on Wednesday and I am tired:

  • The BCC has run its course.
  • The Young Bucks are still wrestling scarecrows – empty suits masquerading as something real.
  • Yuta needs a haircut.
  • Castagnoli remains a freakish force of nature even at 43 years old. His hot tag in this match could bring the house down.
  • There is little chance a title change is happening.

Prediction: Bucks retain

AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada defends against three TBD competitors

All roads are pointing towards a Konosuke Takeshita and Okada program in the (hopefully) near future. I am trying to manage my expectations around Takeshita; I refuse to have the rug pulled out from underneath me again. If that’s the direction they go and he does the deal, he would have beaten both Okada and Kenny Omega, two of the best wrestlers of this century. The list of who has done that in marquee matchups is minuscule. It’s not like they’re fighting against the crowd to get him over either. Whenever he’s been given a sustained chance, the crowd is extremely into it. 

Regardless of who winds up in the match, an Okada victory is all but assured. 

Prediction: Okada retains

AEW World Champion Bryan Danielson defends against Jack Perry

It’s sink or swim for the former Jungle Jack. If he can’t have something approaching a memorable performance with Danielson this weekend, I’m afraid it might be Joever for the “Scapegoat.” His match at All In was encouraging, though. Beating Darby Allin in his signature coffin match certainly raised my eyebrows. An easy and apt comparison for Perry is Sammy Guevara. Both have had a ton of TV time and endless opportunities, but neither of them are anywhere near the top of the card. Neither do anything at a top level. They each cap out at “pretty good.” In 20 years they’ll just be some guys we remember on occasion, not wrestlers whose work we seek out. And pretty good isn’t nearly good enough to retire the Greatest Of All Time. 

His opponent, Danielson, is someone whose work will be sought out forever. He capped off his remarkable career with an incredible main event performance at All Out. The perfect modern wrestler got to feel the confetti fall and celebrate in the middle of the ring with his family. AEW’s treatment of legends in the twilight of their career could not be better. Giving them special moments on their terms harbors more goodwill than any match booked for the sickos ever will. Unfortunately, the sickos are going to be disappointed. With so few matches left in his full-time career, this certainly is one of them.

Prediction: Danielson retains

Hangman Page vs. Swerve Strickland in an unsanctioned steel cage match

When Swerve’s pre-tape about buying his childhood home aired early in Dynamite, I was the physical embodiment of the Jack Nicholson nodding gif. When Hangman showed up sloshing gasoline around, I was kicking my feet in the air and giggling. Then he lit the whole thing on fire and poured himself a drink.

This is why we watch this silly, perfect sport. 

Clearly, this is a main event that requires no championship stakes. AEW has done an incredible job keeping this feud top of mind even when Swerve was preoccupied with something else. It never felt overbearing, but the constant reminders — delivered through the best work of Adam Page’s career — kept this feeling fresh. Page’s level of work can’t be understated. This is a performer unrecognizable from his time as the fresh-faced AEW World champion. Imbued with new dad strength and fueled by vengeance, Page has transformed everything about his character. It’s all different from the wrestling, the manner of speaking, and even how he walks.

And it should be different! He was traumatized by Swerve Strickland. Swerve broke into his house and threatened his infant son. If a man isn’t transformed by that, of what use is he as a man? If going through that didn’t bring about change, why would we ever care about him? Up until Wednesday, he was seen as the aggressor in this feud, rather than the aggrieved. That speaks more to Swerve’s likability and Q-rating more than flaws in Page’s performance. This is a layered, deeply interesting character whose future is a source of endless fascination. There are so many ways this can go, and I can’t wait to see where.

Swerve might not be the champion, but my gosh, was he strong in defeat. There’s certainly no shame in losing to Bryan Danielson in the way that he did. He put on a main event that would not have been out of place at any All In or WrestleMania, for that matter. It may be easy to assign much of the credit to Danielson, but Swerve raised his game to its apex. He wrestled that match as much for the people in the front row as the ones in the nose bleeds. He has become a no doubt main eventer — one who elevates the quality of the programs in which he is involved just by showing up.

It seems like AEW wants this to be their forever feud. For that to happen, Page needs to get some type of a win. Swerve is bulletproof and can take the loss but if Page loses, how much further into madness can he fall?

Prediction: Page 

Four-way Continental title match set for AEW All Out

Posted on by Josh Nason

AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada won’t have too long to rest after defending his title on Dynamite as he is now scheduled for a four-way title defense at Saturday’s All Out.

Announced following his successful defense over Kyle Fletcher, Okada will face three contenders who will be decided in three singles matches on this Friday’s go-home edition of Collision:

  • Orange Cassidy vs. Bryan Keith
  • Lance Archer vs. Mark Briscoe
  • Konosuke Takeshita vs. The Beast Mortos

Okada will be looking for the fifth defense of the title he first won this past March by defeating Eddie Kingston.

Here’s the current lineup for this Saturday’s pay-per-view in Chicago:

  • AEW World Champion Bryan Danielson defends against Jack Perry
  • AEW International Champion Will Ospreay defends against PAC
  • TBS Champion Mercedes Mone defends against Hikaru Shida
  • AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada defends against three TBD competitors
  • Swerve Strickland vs. Hangman Page in a steel cage match
  • CMLL Women’s Champion Willow Nightingale defends against Kris Statlander in a Chicago street fight
  • Daniel Garcia vs. MJF

AEW Dynamite live results: Okada vs. Fletcher Continental title match

Posted on by Ryan Howard

The AEW Continental Championship will be on the line in one of two title matches set for tonight’s Dynamite from Milwaukee, Wisconsin — the go-home edition of the show ahead of this Saturday’s All Out.

Reigning champion Kazuchika Okada will defend against former Ring of Honor TV Champion Kyle Fletcher who is coming off a victory over Tomohiro Ishii on last Saturday’s Collision. Okada last defended in a time limit draw against Claudio Castagnoli on the August 21st Dynamite.

The AEW Women’s World title will also be on the line with Mariah May making her first title defense against former champion Nyla Rose. May defeated Toni Storm to win the title at All In.

A trios match will feature International Champion Will Ospreay, Orange Cassidy & Kyle O’Reilly taking on AEW Trios Champions PAC, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta in a non-title match. Ospreay is set to defend the International title against PAC on Saturday.

**********

AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us to the show alongside Tony Schiavone & Taz, as Daniel Garcia storms to the ring, demanding MJF, refusing to wait until All Out.

MJF’s voice is heard singing Danny Boy, as he’s shown in the crowd surrounded by security. MJF is up there, sipping wine, as he doesn’t want to have Garcia to have any excuses before he breaks his pencil neck at All Out. Unlike Garcia, he doesn’t attack people from behind like a coward and emaciated skinhead hooked on Ozempic. Garcia said everyone knows what MJF says is a lie and fake, from his tan, his makeup to cover his acne, to his trip to Turkey to get a hair transplant that didn’t even work. Garcia said the fakest thing about MJF is his love he claims to have for AEW. MJF doesn’t love the fans like Garcia does and can get as many fake tattoos as he wants, the crowd won’t believe him. Garcia is obsessed with ruining MJF’s life and wants to make sure his loved ones suffer too. If MJF can ever find a woman to care about him longer than a year, marry her, get a house, have a kid, but know, every time you pick up that ugly ass baby, you’ll feel a tingle in his neck to his toes and he’ll think about Garcia. MJF’s kid will ask him, were you ever a wrestler and MJF will have to say he was, but Daniel Garcia ended his career.

MJF stood up to applaud that Garcia learned how to speak, but said he has a lot more maturing to do. Garcia doesn’t realize that when MJF dumped him on his head, he was doing him a solid. The fans used to love MJF, but when he got too big, they turned on him. Garcia doesn’t want their love or to win championship gold. The more he rises in this sport, the more the fans will want him to fall. MJF will do Garcia a favor this Saturday and make sure the fans won’t hurt him the way they hurt MJF and he’ll do that by putting Garcia in a wheelchair. There’s one person Garcia can trust, his mother, who will take care of him laying in bed. That won’t be the first person she’ll have taken care of while on their back.

Garcia sprinted over the barricade, tried laying out as many security guards as possible, breaking free and the race was on, as he made it to MJF, who broke a bottle over his head. MJF sipped more wine before sitting next to an unconscious Garcia, who is bleeding. MJF said in this life every man must go through hell before reaching paradise. Garcia has woken something in MJF that’s been dormant for far too long. This Saturday, MJF will send Garcia straight to paradise and he can thank him later. MJF kissed the bloody head of Garcia and stood tall.

-Renee Paquette is backstage with The Conglomeration, sans Tomohiro Ishii, as Willow Nightingale & Kris Statlander will go face to face this week on Collision. Will Ospreay walks in, as he asks Kyle O’Reilly words of wisdom tonight, as Mark Briscoe ran down his phone call he had with him. Briscoe did his usual hype up speech, saying the word of the day is stupendous, as this trios match tonight is as stupendous as it gets. Everyone got amped up, as Orange Cassidy didn’t move a muscle.

Kazuchika Okada defeated Kyle Fletcher to retain the AEW Continental Title

(With this win, Okada will defend his Continental Title at All Out against three other challengers from qualifying matches on Collision. This was a slow start for the match, but it picked up as it went along. The crowd were loudly behind Fletcher, but did love Okada, despite him playing heel, which is usually the case wherever Okada goes. Fletcher wasted a lot of time towards the end of the match playing to the crowd and I wonder if that will come into play with Callis, who was really upset by that.)

Don Callis joined commentary, as Fletcher has his right bicep taped up quite a bit for this one. Okada backed Fletcher to the ropes and did his clean break before the pace quickened and after a series of counters, had a stalemate. Callis said he’s all about greasing the wrist, so Okada couldn’t hit the Rainmaker. Fletcher sent Okada crashing outside and followed with a dive leading to picture in picture.

When things returned, both men were slugging it out until Fletcher ran through a lariat into one of his own. Spinning sit-out slam netted Fletcher a near fall, but Okada was able to hit an Air Raid Crash neckbreaker to regain control. Top rope elbow connected, which led to the middle finger to the crowd, but Fletcher dodged the Rainmaker into a Michinoku Driver for two. Okada wisely went to the outside, but Fletcher told the ref to stop counting in order to go outside. Okada was playing possum and spiked Fletcher with a DDT before going to the apron, looking for a Tombstone, but Fletcher got free. Thrust kick into a brainbuster on the apron connected, similar to what Fletcher hit on Ishii on Collision, as both men collapsed on the floor in the next commercial.

Okada had the Money Clip applied when things returned, but Fletcher broke free and hit a thrust kick. Corner charging boot led to Okada floating over a brainbuster, dropkicking the leg out, sending Fletcher crashing outside. Okada hit a running boot, sending Fletcher over the barricade, as Okada tried a draping DDT, but Fletcher countered into a brainbuster on the barricade. Fletcher cleared the rail with a somersault dive and went to the crowd to celebrate. Callis said every second is precious, as Fletcher brought Okada back inside for an elbow drop, but played to the crowd and Callis is furious. Fletcher did the Rainmaker pose, but Okada rolled through a backslide into a Rainmaker. Keeping wrist control, Okada hit another, went for a third, but Fletcher countered. Wild series of counters led to a Fletcher half & half and jumping Tombstone for two.

With one minute remaining, Fletcher went up top, but Okada pulled referee Rick Knox in front of him. Fletcher went after Okada, who did the ripcord into the Rainmaker, but hit a low blow before the lariat and stole the win.

-Video footage of Swerve Strickland & Prince Nana outside of Strickland’s childhood home, which he was just able to buy thanks to his new contract with AEW.

**********

Jamie Hayter defeated Robyn Renegade

Renegade tried a quick start, but Hayter just mowed her down with a shoulder tackle. Saraya & Harley Cameron were shown watching backstage unimpressed, as Hayter no sold a dropkick and waffled Renegade with a violent lariat. Hayter was sent to the corner and ate double knees, but again, Hayter exploded out with a charging boot. Renegade hung up Hayter between the ropes and hit a double stomp, but Hayter countered a leaping Renegade with a snap powerslam. Multiple backbreakers led to the Hayterade for the quick victory. Commentary said Hayter won’t rest until she gets revenge on Saraya.

-Roderick Strong is backstage with Renee Paquette & Christopher Daniels as he’s pleading his case to them about how his foot was under the ropes before he tapped last week to HOOK. Daniels said the ref didn’t see it, (which correct me if I’m wrong, she stepped over the foot on the ropes,) but HOOK stormed in and said they can fight tonight for the FTW Title. Strong said he wasn’t wrestling in a dump like Milwaukee, but he’ll call his shot when he’s good and ready.

-We see Marina Shafir arriving to the arena, beating up backstage personnel, as Jon Moxley strolls in with her before approaching The Young Bucks & Jack Perry. Moxley stares down Perry and said he doesn’t care what they say, Perry’s a sweet kid. Moxley & Shafir walk off and we’ll hear from them next.

**********

Jon Moxley & Marina Shafir make their way from the crowd to Moxley’s NJPW Death Rider theme to a loud ovation. Moxley wonders if Darby Allin is somewhere in Milwaukee tonight? Moxley said a few years ago he wrestled someone no one heard of, who slept in his car, he beat the piss out of him for 20 minutes and on that night, he realized that kid was special. Darby Allin walks his own path, with reckless abandon and he respects that. That is not something he’s entitled to, as Moxley is an impatient man, he doesn’t want to apply pressure, so don’t make him, he just wants to talk. That was it, as Moxley & Shafir leave the way they came, through the fans. Taz said Moxley’s riddles have everyone confused.

-Renee Paquette is backstage with The Learning Tree, as Chris Jericho brought up his $7,000 jacket that Orange Cassidy ruined four years ago. We see footage of orange juice being poured on The Inner Circle and Jericho said he never forgets, so Bryan Keith will get revenge for him. Cassidy walks in and says he’ll make it easy, if Keith beats him on Collision, he’ll give Jericho his $7,000 in cash and strolls off.

Mariah May defeated Nyla Rose to retain the AEW Women’s Title

(Slow start, but the crowd ultimately got into this, as both ladies had fan during the second half of the match. May gets her first successful title defense, as they never gave any inclination as to who her next challenger would be and whether she’d be wrestling at All Out.)

May slapped Rose right in the face to start and showed no fear, as Rose launched her to the corner. May avoided a Beast Bomb and kept slapping Rose in the face before Rose flattened her with a charging cross body. Bodyslam into a leg drop kept Rose in control, but May hung her up throat first on the ropes and connected with a missile dropkick into break.

May dodged a corner charge and hit a shotgun dropkick for one. Both ladies got to their feet and went for headbutts at the same time and both collapsed for the reset. Each took turns with charges in the ropes before a German suplex stacked up May. Corner splash connected, as a lariat flattened May for two. May escaped Beast Bomb again, tried a cross body, but Rose rolled through into a powerslam, only May rolled outside. Referee Aubrey went out to May, but it was a ruse, as she swept the leg of Rose out on the steps and hit a running knee. May demanded the count be put on Rose, who broke it at 9. May connected on a charging knee and Storm Zero right as Rose returned to the ring and got the victory. May rolled around the ring with her Women’s Title in celebration.

-A Deonna Purrazzo video package was shown saying the Texas Bullrope Match against Thunder Rosa was supposed to be her magnum opus. It wasn’t, but it doesn’t mean she’s done making art, she’s only just begun. Purrazzo will face Hikaru Shida this Friday on Collision.

**********

TBS Champion Mercedes Mone & Kamille make their way to the ring, as there were highlights shown of Mone defending her New Japan Strong Women’s Title against Momo Wantanabe at NJPW Capital Collision last week. Taz seemed to be the only one to chant along with C.E.O. as Mone ran down Hikaru Shida, asking how can she be The Ace, when she’s not the face of TBS? Crowd chanted “Holy Shida” as Mone said she’s the face of the whole damn company. Mone hit her signature line before Shida was shown on the big screen. Shida said in their last match, Mone was one Kitana away from losing, thanks to her watch dog. Mone knows she can’t beat The Ace. Christopher Daniels walks in and said Kamille is a great competitor, but when ringside, she’s a nuisance and is banned from ringside at All Out. Shida said she knows Mone knows some Japanese, sayonara, bitch.

-The Elite are backstage and Jack Perry said three years ago, All Out 2021 in Chicago, he was in the ring the very moment Bryan Danielson arrived in AEW. Perry promised himself one day he’d stand in the same ring with the American Dragon. Fast forward earlier this year, he was sitting at home and heard Danielson’s career was coming to an end. Perry didn’t give up, changed who he was, went to Japan and did it by himself. Danielson could’ve helped someone like Perry (I assume being part of the disciplinary committee following All In last year), but he didn’t, as Danielson only cares about his fairytale ending. Saturday at All Out, it’s not going to have a happy ending. Matthew Jackson said they’ll do anything to make sure the AEW World Title comes back to where it belongs, The Elite.

Bryan Danielson walks out to a loud ovation and will join commentary for the main event, which is up next.

**********

AEW Trios Champions PAC, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta defeated AEW International Champion Will Ospreay, Kyle O’Reilly & Orange Cassidy

Danielson said it was motivating to hear The Elite said they will try anything to get the AEW Title from him, as he wants to have the best AEW Title reign ever. While Perry has some friends, Danielson has some friends as well and they’re in the ring right now. O’Reilly & Yuta was a fast technical start, as O’Reilly quickly snapped on an arm breaker, but Yuta escaped and Cassidy made the tag. Fast paced double team from O’Reilly & Cassidy, who let Yuta, his former protégé up, before a slugfest ensued. Angle Slam from Yuta, as PAC came in and chucked Cassidy to Ospreay, which is who he wants. Crowd was hyped up, as a lighting quick series of counters took place until Ospreay dodged a leg sweep, hit a snap dropkick and we had a 6 man face-off leading to commercial.

Back from break, Cassidy fought out of the clutches of Yuta, who hit rolling Germans before Cassidy ultimately escaped, only for Castagnoli to make the tag and clean house first. PAC quickly tagged in and wanted an avalanche brainbuster, but Cassidy broke free. He dove for a DDT, but PAC caught him with an overhead throw into the Brutalizer. Ospreay broke the hold up, but got popped by Castagnoli, who viciously sent him to the barricade. Fastball Special hit by Yuta & Castagnoli, but O’Reilly broke the pin. O’Reilly paid for it, as Castagnoli demolished him with uppercuts. After being isolated for an extended time, Cassidy finally broke free and dove for the Ospreay hot tag. PAC bailed out, as Yuta & Castagnoli took the punishment, as Ospreay hit the corkscrew kick on Yuta, allowing PAC to have a face-off. O’Reilly charged in for a shot on PAC and things went to break before PAC & Ospreay could go at it again.

Things return to a This Is Awesome chant, as Castagnoli is wearing out Cassidy with anvil elbows. Cassidy answered with a Déjà vu that sent Castagnoli to the floor, where Cassidy hit a dive, but Yuta was soon after with one of his own. O’Reilly flew off the apron with a knee, as PAC hit a somersault dive, but Ospreay was there with a slingshot forearm. PAC& Ospreay fought up the ramp, but Yuta cut them off, eating a hook kick in the process. Ospreay wanted Hidden Blade, but PAC tried to sneak in a Poison Rana, only this time, Ospreay sent him off the stage and followed with a somersault dive, continuing to brawl to the back. Back in the ring, Cassidy hit a top rope DDT on Castagnoli, who ducked Orange Punch, dodged Déjà Vu, but ate a Stundog Millionaire and Beach Break for a close two. Cassidy & O’Reilly delivered Yes Kicks, as Castagnoli collapsed. Yuta put a stop to the High/Low, was sent outside, as O’Reilly locked in a guillotine and refused to let go. Castagnoli faded, but ultimately powered up into an uppercut. Giant Swing for 10 revolutions, as Yuta flew in with a dropkick and got the victory.

Bryan Danielson came to the ring and celebrated with Yuta & Castagnoli before The Elite attacked them all from behind, as The Bucks & Okada put the boots to Danielson, while Perry grabbed a chair. Castagnoli & Yuta made the save, leading to Danielson say it’s time for Perry to get his f’n head kicked in, but The Bucks & Okada pulled him to safety. Castagnoli took the mic and said The Elite just made the biggest mistake of their lives. Lately he’s been in the mood for collecting gold and challenges The Bucks to a Tag Team Title match at All Out. Excalibur said The Bucks weren’t eager to accept, even though Nicholas was literally saying ok repeatedly. Danielson said everyone is sick of Jack Perry and his crap, he promises at All Out, he’s going to get his f’n head kicked it.

PAC & Ospreay are shown continuing their brawl backstage, as PAC hit a brainbuster on the equipment cases.

Swerve Strickland & Hangman Page Cage Match Contract Signing

With a table and contract set up ready to go, Tony Schiavone welcomes Swerve Strickland & Prince Nana to the ring to a loud ovation. Schiavone thanked Strickland for agreeing to no physicality before welcoming Hangman Page, who didn’t show up. They tried the intro once more, but again, no Page.

We see on the big screen Hangman Page at the childhood home of Strickland, knocking on the front door, asking “whose house?” Page wouldn’t give Strickland the satisfaction of signing a contract to a match they know is going to happen. Strickland slipped up, he showed the world & Page something important to him, his childhood home. Page can envision Strickland’s mom walking on the dirty floors, while his father tells him to shut the hell up so he can hear the television. Knowing the man Strickland turned out to be, Page bets Strickland’s father didn’t love him at all and regrets having him. What a wonderful world it would’ve been if Strickland was never born. Page starts soaking the house in gasoline and said Strickland already knows. Much like Strickland sitting outside his home and watching Page take his pregnant wife to the hospital that Page must make a choice between hate and success, vengeance and peace, but for Page, it’s not much of a choice. They are all one in the same. Page told Strickland for months that there’s nothing he wanted more in life than to burn Strickland’s world to the ground.

If Page couldn’t have been the one to take the World Championship from Strickland, he’s glad to help have it slip through his fingers. This Saturday, he’ll take Strickland’s pride, dignity, begging for Page’s mercy and forgiveness, which he won’t give to him. The night is long and time to say goodbye, not from Page, but for Strickland. Say goodbye to any chance of holding the AEW World Title again. Say goodbye to your health, career, joy and happiness, while tonight, he gets some practice. Tonight, Strickland can say goodbye to Swerve’s House. Page lights the house on fire and it goes up in flames as he has a beer with flames behind him. Strickland collapses in the ring and is in tears, as Taz said there will be hell to pay come Saturday. I think the crowd chanted “This Is Arson” as the show went off the air.

AEW Collision & Rampage 9/6/24

  • Bryan Danielson, PAC, Wheeler Yuta & Claudio Castagnoli vs. The Elite (Matthew & Nicholas Jackson, Kazuchika Okada & Jack Perry)
  • Orange Cassidy vs. Bryan Keith (Continental Contenders Challenge)
  • Mark Briscoe vs. Lance Archer (Continental Contenders Challenge)
  • Konosuke Takeshita vs. The Beast Mortos (Continental Contenders Challenge)
  • Hikaru Shida vs. Deonna Purrazzo
  • House of Black (Brody King & Buddy Matthews) vs. MxM Collection (Mansoor & Mason Madden)

AEW All Out 9/7/24

  • Bryan Danielson vs. Jack Perry for the AEW World Title
  • Swerve Strickland vs. Hangman Page in a Steel Cage Match
  • MJF vs. Daniel Garcia
  • Will Ospreay vs. PAC for the AEW International Title
  • Mercedes Mone vs. Hikaru Shida for the TBS Title
  • Willow Nightingale vs. Kris Statlander in a Chicago Street Fight
  • Kazuchika Okada vs. Takeshita/Mortos vs. Briscoe/Archer vs. Cassidy/Keith for the Continental Title
  • The Young Bucks (Matthew & Nicholas Jackson) vs. Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta for the AEW Tag Team Titles

Kazuchika Okada vs. Kyle Fletcher Continental title match set for AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Ian Carey

The AEW Continental Championship will be defended on Dynamite tomorrow night.

Kazuchika Okada defending his title against Kyle Fletcher is now scheduled for the show. Tony Khan announced the news on Tuesday, writing that Fletcher is receiving the title shot due to his win over Tomohiro Ishii on Collision.

“After winning an instant classic vs Tomohiro Ishii on #AEWCollision, @KyleFletcherPro challenges AEW Continental Champion @rainmakerXokada TOMORROW!”

Khan has not been shy about booking Fletcher in big matches of late. He’s already had televised bouts against MJF, Ricochet, Tomohiro Ishii, and Brian Cage this month.

As for Okada, he’s defended the Continental Championship three times since winning it from Eddie Kingston on the March 20 Dynamite in Toronto. He’s defeated PAC, Dax Harwood, and went to a 20-minute time-limit draw against Claudio Castagnoli.

AEW Dynamite announced lineup for Wednesday, September 4, 2024 —

  • AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada defends against Kyle Fletcher
  • AEW Women’s Champion Mariah May defends against Nyla Rose
  • Will Ospreay, Orange Cassidy & Kyle O’Reilly vs. AEW Trios Champions PAC, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta in a non-title bout

Nigel McGuinness in-ring return one of AEW All In Casino gauntlet surprises

Posted on by Josh Nason

AEW broadcaster Nigel McGuinness made his surprise return to in-ring action at Sunday’s All In from Wembley Stadium as part of the Casino gauntlet match.

McGuinness, a native of London, entered third to a raucous ovation, standing toe-to-toe with current AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada before the two exchanged offense.

The 48-year-old hadn’t been in the ring since December 2011 and had previously retired due to medical issues. Over the last year, there had been some rumors that McGuinness was training for an in-ring return and might be tabbed for a singles match with Bryan Danielson for AEW’s return to Wembley.

McGuinness, the former ROH World and Pure Champion, got his chance to mix it up with fellow Englishman Zack Sabre Jr. which the fans also responded to with a standing ovation.

At one point, it appeared McGuinness was going to win after hitting an assisted Tower of London on Kyle O’Reilly before the pin was broken up. He then hit a Teeter Totter on O’Reilly and was about to go for a pin but was taken out by a Christian Cage spear.

After being released in October 2022 by WWE after six years, McGuinness made his surprise return to Ring of Honor at April 2023’s Supercard of Honor, joining the commentary team and eventually making his way to the broadcast desks of AEW.

**********

Other surprises in the match include former WWE star Ricochet, NJPW G1 winner Zack Sabre Jr., reigning AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada, Jeff Jarrett, and Patriarchy teammates Luchasaurus (announced as such) and the aforementioned Christian Cage nearly two hours after they lost the AEW Trios titles.

Luchasaurus/Killswitch teased a split with Cage based on the aforementioned title loss, but instead choke slammed O’Reilly and pulled Cage’s body on top of him for the win which gives Cage a future AEW World title shot.

Claudio Castagnoli challenges Kazuchika Okada for 8/21 AEW Dynamite in Cardiff

Posted on by Josh Nason

After earning a title shot at reigning AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada on last Saturday’s Collision, Claudio Castagnoli has called his shot for the match: the first-ever Dynamite in Cardiff, Wales.

Castagnoli issued the challenge during this Saturday’s Collision in a backstage segment, saying he wanted to win the title before this year’s Continental Classic and had the perfect place: the first-ever Dynamite in Europe on Wednesday, August 21st.

Okada will get the chance to respond on this Wednesday’s Dynamite when he and Castagnoli come face-to-face. When they do square off, it will be their first-ever singles match.

Castagnoli bested Tomohiro Ishii and Ring of Honor Pure Champion Lee Moriarty in a three-way to earn the opportunity. While he has held the ROH World title in the Tony Khan era, AEW gold has eluded him during his multi-year run in the company.

For Okada, it will be just the third defense of the title he won back in March from Eddie Kingston and his first since mid-May.

Swerve Strickland vs. Wheeler Yuta, Britt Baker in-person return set for next AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Josh Nason

After Bryan Danielson was successful in defeating Jeff Jarrett in the main event of Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite, Swerve Strickland said he wanted his own tune-up for next Wednesday ahead of their title vs. career clash at All In.

After Danielson’s win, the AEW World Champion came out unannounced to give the impending challenger his props and then offer up a challenge to Danielson’s Blackpool Combat Club teammate Wheeler Yuta who was standing next to him.

Strickland said he wants Danielson at ringside as well so he can see why he is the most dangerous man in AEW.

After making her on-screen return on Wednesday following a suspension, Britt Baker promised Mercedes Mone she will be in Norfolk, Virginia, and has seven days to figure out how she will get her hands on her.

The other announcement was that AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada and no. 1 contender Claudio Castagnoli will come face-to-face. Castagnoli won a three-way on Collision to earn a shot at Okada with the date yet to be announced.

Here’s the current lineup for Norfolk:

  • AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland vs. Wheeler Yuta in a non-title match
  • Britt Baker appearance
  • Claudio Castagnoli and Kazuchika Okada face-to-face

Claudio Castagnoli earns title shot against AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: AEW

The next challenger for Kazuchika Okada’s AEW Continental title is set after Claudio Castagnoli won a three-way on Saturday’s Collision in a title eliminator.

Castagnoli defeated both Tomohiro Ishii and ROH Pure Champion Lee Moriarty in a three-way to earn the right to challenge Okada. Castagnoli got the pin after pulling Ishii out of the ring following a sliding clothesline to Moriarty followed by him then landing a sliding forearm strike on Moriarty for the win.

The date and location for the title match has yet to be announced with this month’s All In at London’s Wembley Stadium potentially a candidate.

The victory helped turn Castagnoli’s recent fortunes around as he was eliminated in the first round of this year’s Owen Hart Foundation tournament, was unsuccessful in a four-way International title eliminator bout, and was unable to unseat AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland this past April.

While Castagnoli has held the Ring of Honor World title, AEW gold has eluded him during his multi-year run in the company.

For Okada, it will be just the third defense of the title he won back in March from Eddie Kingston and his first since mid-May.

Young Bucks ‘couldn’t be prouder’ of versatility Okada has shown in AEW

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The Young Bucks couldn’t be prouder of the work that Kazuchika Okada is doing in AEW.

After signing with the promotion, Okada arrived in AEW this March and was introduced as the newest member of The Elite. He was the top star in NJPW before making the decision to take on a new journey and come to the United States. Since then, Okada has shown his versatility in a new environment.

That includes Okada taking part in Blood & Guts on AEW Dynamite this past Wednesday. In an interview with Sports Illustrated after the match, The Young Bucks expressed how proud they are of Okada for stepping out of his comfort zone.

“Okada has come to AEW and completely stepped out of his comfort zone,” Matt Jackson said. “I couldn’t be prouder to see him trying new things and learning a new style. He’s a movie star with perfect timing, an unbelievable sense of humor, and he just so happens to be the greatest wrestler alive. I can tell you while he doesn’t exactly prefer being in these types of matches, he’s certainly having a damn good time. It would’ve been so easy to just come here and rely on the things he’s already known for. I’m so proud of him and his versatility.”

“Okada is the best,” Nick Jackson added. “He is performing so great and adapting to new matches he’s never been in as well as I’ve seen anyone be able to do it on the fly. It’s been so much fun working with him these last several months. There’s no one better.”

Team AEW (Swerve Strickland, Mark Briscoe, The Acclaimed & Darby Allin) defeated Team Elite (The Young Bucks, Okada, Jack Perry & Hangman Page) in Blood & Guts. The match is AEW’s version of WarGames.

Okada is the current AEW Continental Champion.

The Elite vs. The Acclaimed & Hiroshi Tanahashi added to AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Two new matches have been added to Forbidden Door.

Hiroshi Tanahashi will team with The Acclaimed to take on The Elite (The Young Bucks & Kazuchika Okada). After The Elite challenged The Acclaimed to a trios match, Billy Gunn said while he’d like to team up with The Acclaimed, he happened to know a president. That is when Tanahashi appeared on the video screen and announced he’d team with Max Caster & Anthony Bowens this Sunday.

This would be the first time Okada and Tanahashi have faced off since Okada’s departure from NJPW earlier this year.

Willow Nightingale and Tam Nakano will team up on Sunday, taking on Kris Statlander and Momo Watanabe. In a video, Statlander challenged Nightingale to a warm up match ahead of their Owen Hart Foundation tournament bout on next Wednesday’s Dynamite. The match was later confirmed for Forbidden Door’s Zero Hour pre-show.

It was also announced on Dynamite that Bryan Keith will not be wrestling at Forbidden Door after suffering an injury. Jericho attempted to recruit Minoru Suzuki into being part of his trios team, but Suzuki rejected the offer and instead challenged Jericho to an FTW title match. It was explained on social media that the trios match between The Learning Tree and Hook, Katsuyori Shibata, and Samoa Joe at Forbidden Door is still on, but Jericho needs to find a new partner.

Here is the updated lineup for Forbidden Door:

  • AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland defends against Will Ospreay
  • Ladder match for the vacant TNT Championship: Konosuke Takeshita vs. Mark Briscoe vs. Jack Perry vs. Lio Rush vs. Dante Martin vs. TBA
  • Title for title: TBS Champion Mercedes Mone vs. NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer
  • AEW Women’s Championship: Toni Storm defends against Mina Shirakawa
  • IWGP World Heavyweight title: Jon Moxley defends against Tetsuya Naito
  • Owen Hart Foundation men’s quarterfinal match: Bryan Danielson vs. Shingo Takagi
  • MJF vs. Hechicero
  • Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Orange Cassidy
  • The Elite (Kazuchika Okada & The Young Bucks) vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi & The Acclaimed
  • The Learning Tree (Chris Jericho, Big Bill, and TBA) vs. Samoa Joe, Hook, and Katsuyori Shibata
  • Zero Hour: Kris Statlander & Momo Watanabe vs. Willow Nightingale & Tam Nakano

Wrestling Weekly: The Bloodline gets stronger, Drew McIntyre didn’t quit & that Dynamite number

Posted on by Victor Sosa

Image: WWE

On a Sunday edition of Wrestling Weekly, we cap off a very newsworthy week talking about the arrival of Jacob Fatu on Friday’s WWE SmackDown, the issues between CM Punk and Drew McIntyre reaching a new level, and, yes, that Dynamite rating.

Thanks for listening and have a great week~!

Click here to listen (sub needed)

AEW Collision live results: Kazuchika Okada vs. Ultimo Guerrero

Posted on by Suit Williams

A big interpromotional match is set for tonight’s AEW Collision as AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada will meet Ultimo Guerrero in a title eliminator match.

This will mark the AEW debut of the CMLL legend as stars from both CMLL and NJPW continue to make appearances ahead of next Sunday’s Forbidden Door.

A second CMLL star, Hechicero, will also be in action taking on Matt Menard.

Will Ospreay will defend the AEW International title against Brian Cage. Ospreay made the save for MJF after he was jumped by the Gates of Agony on Wednesday and after a backstage confrontation, Ospreay accepted a title challenge for tonight.

The rest of the card will see Samoa Joe, Hook & Katsuyori Shibata vs. The Premier Athletes; Chris Jericho & Big Bill taking on Private Party; and The Patriarchy taking on The Iron Savages. Toni Storm & Mariah May be in action against Leyla Hirsch & Lady Frost while The Kings of the Black Throne (Malakai Black & Brody King) will compete.

**********

Sir Elton John took the week off as this week’s Collision comes live – to tape – from Allentown, PA. Tony Schiavone & Nigel McGuinness were on the call.

Hook, Katsuyori Shibata & Samoa Joe defeated The Premier Athletes (Ari Daivari, Josh Woods & Tony Nese) (w/Mark Sterling)

This is what I want AEW’s trios division to look like. Some established groups, but more groups of singles guys coming together for a common cause. Whether it be to win Trios gold, or menace the Premier Athletes as Hook, Shibata, & Joe have come together to do. This was nothing special, but a useful enhancement match.

The Athletes got their hands on Hook to get a moment of control, but Hook was able to fight his way to the corner for a tag to Shibata. Shibata and Woods got after it on the mat as both are former ROH Pure Champions, but Nese broke it up with a stomp. Shibata took a page out of Samoa Joe’s playbook by walking out of the way of a Nese moonsault.

A distraction and a double shoulder tackle scored the Athletes a one count on Joe, but Joe swept Daivari’s leg and got the tag to Hook. Hook ran wild until Woods sent him flying into the corner with a German suplex. Shibata came in and ran wild before getting Nese to submit to a cross-arm breaker.

Bullet Club Gold was backstage, sans Jay White. They complained that AEW refuses to recognize Juice Robinson as a Trios Champion, while they have the House of Black & Death Triangle breathing down their necks for title matches. They warned PAC to look out for Jay White in the Owen Hart Memorial Tournament, because he’d hurt him.

The Learning Tree (Big Bill & Chris Jericho) (w/Bryan Keith) defeated Private Party (Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen)

This was far more competitive than you would think. Private Party looked fine, but they’re not over and feel like a relic from AEW’s past.

Big Bill has Tony Schiavone’s quote about him being “Too much man” across his tights, with Schiavone noting that this is the first time he’s seen his name across another man’s backside. Bill dominated Quen to start the match. Kassidy tagged in and went after Jericho with a flurry of offense. Kassidy hit Silly String for a nearfall before Keith cut off Quen with a trip on the floor.

After a commercial, Quen hit a high cross to Jericho to get the tag to Kassidy. Kassidy ran wild on both Jericho & Bill, getting a nearfall with a sunset flip. Jericho went for a Lionsault on Quen, but Quen got his knees up and held Jericho in place for a Kassidy dive to Bill on the floor. Private Party hit a pair of top rope moves, with Jericho kicking out of a 450. Kassidy springboarded into a big boot from Big Bill for a nearfall.

Jericho caught Kassidy’s hurricanrana attempt into the Walls of Jericho, but Kassidy got to the ropes. Big Bill tagged in and got a nearfall with a double-rotation Bossman Slam. Bill chokeslammed Quen onto Kassidy for another nearfall. Private Party knocked Bill into Jericho on the top rope, allowing them to hit a modified Gin & Juice for a nearfall. Big Bill distracted the referee, allowing Keith to hit Kassidy with a set of brass knuckles to help Jericho score the win.

The Learning Tree put the boots to Private Party before Samoa Joe, Katsuyori Shibata, & Hook made the save. Joe made the challenge for a trios match between the teams at Forbidden Door.

AEW Continental Title Eliminator Match – Kazuchika Okada defeated Ultimo Guerrero

I wondered why Guerrero wrestled with his mask on here, but remasking Guerrero so Okada could get heat for unmasking him was a good call for a one-off TV match in Forbidden Door season. The match was clunky, as the two didn’t have the smoothness you’re used to seeing in AEW. They pulled it together by the end to have a good enough TV match.

The normally unmasked Guerrero controlled things early on as Schiavone ran down his credentials as a long-time star in CMLL. Guerrero clubbered on Okada in the corner before an attempt at a submission got Okada to the ropes. Guerrero fought off the neckbreaker out of the corner, but a second attempt scored for Okada as we went to commercial.

Both men went down with clotheslines as we came back from the break. Guerrero knocked Okada to the apron, then baseball slid him to the floor. Guerrero threw Okada back in the ring but got caught with a dropkick. Okada went for the mask, but Guerrero pulled him out of the corner to hit a powerbomb for a nearfall. Guerrero went for a reverse superplex, but Okada clawed at the mask to escape. Guerrero ducked a Rainmaker attempt, but after snatching the mask off, Okada hit a Rainmaker to win.

Top Flight were backstage with Lexy Nair. Dante Martin reminded everyone that he broke his leg in the last ladder match he was in. He had to be a little crazy to get in another ladder match, but it’ll take a little crazy to get the TNT Title. Lio Rush – who earned a spot in the ladder match with a win over Action Andretti last night – told Dante that he had his back last week, but he wants the TNT Title just like Dante does. They had a tense staredown.

We got a video package on The Patriarchy’s focus on the Trios Titles, and their attack on Buddy Matthews last week.

The Patriarchy (Christian Cage, Killswitch & Nick Wayne) (w/Mother Wayne) defeated Iron Savages (Boulder, Bronson & Jacked Jameson)

Less Iron Savages on my TV, please.

Christian sent his guys to the ring before joining Schiavone & a fawning McGuinness on commentary. The Savages did their sauce bit before Killswitch headbutted Bronson. Wayne preened, allowing Bronson to do the dumb bit with Boulder’s chest. Killswitch beat these dorks up, chokeslamming Jameson onto Boulder on the floor. Killswitch hit a chokeslam on Bronson, then tagged in Wayne to hit Wayne’s World. Christian then went to the ring to hit the Killswitch – the move, not the wrestler – for the win.

We got a video recapping Mercedes Mone’s surprise appearance in Arena Mexico to confront her Forbidden Door opponent, Stephanie Vaquer. The two got into a scrap ending with Mone holding both titles high.

Mariah May & Toni Storm (w/Luther) defeated Lady Frost & Leyla Hirsch

Storm and May got in a little trouble in this match, with Storm having to cover May up as Frost hit the Frostbite. Storm got the win after dual hip attacks and a Storm Zero to Hirsch.

Serena Deeb was backstage. She started the year on a hot streak, but then suffered three of the toughest losses of her career. She will fight to turn the tide, and she challenged anyone to come to Buffalo next week for Collision.

House Of Black (Brody King & Malakai Black) defeated LSG & MSG

This was a swift death for the locals, as the House of Black got a quick win with Dante’s Inferno. After the match, Ian Riccaboni asked how it felt to be out there without the injured Matthews. King said that revenge was never a straight line, and that they felt nothing. Alright.

Hechicero (w/Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona) defeated Matt Menard

Hechicero caught Menard on a leapfrog and dropped him on his head. He followed up with a rising knee in the corner and a back body drop. Menard avoided another rising knee, hitting ten punches in the corner before hitting a Diamond Cutter for a nearfall. Hechicero came back with a choke over the ropes and a twisting dive into the ring. Hechicero got the win with the twisting leg drop and a Rings of Saturn variant.

We got a Jeff Jarrett video package. Jarrett spoke candidly and emotionally about his memories with Owen Hart. He said that the Owen Hart Memorial Tournament meant more to him than anything in his career, and it meant the world to him to get the chance to win the tournament in Owen’s hometown.

(This was a stellar video package, with earnest and genuine emotion from Jarrett talking about his late friend. It gave his entry into the Owen a real emotional hook.)

We got a rundown of next week’s Dynamite before getting a look at next week’s Collision card, which will feature Deonna Purrazzo vs. Hikaru Shida in a Hart Foundation Tournament match.

AEW International Title Match – Will Ospreay defeated Brian Cage to retain

A strong defense for Ospreay, and a strong main event for a largely uneventful Collision. Ospreay allowed Cage to muscle him around, including that wild powerslam off the ropes. Ospreay got another good win leading up to the Forbidden Door main event against Swerve.

These two got after it at the bell, with Cage jumping Ospreay to start and tossing him away on a headscissor attempt. Ospreay low-bridged Cage before hitting a house show dive as we went to a commercial break.

After the break, Ospreay fought out of a bear hug and hit an enzuigiri. Daniel Garcia looked on as Ospreay hit a Phenomenal Forearm for a nearfall. Ospreay got back body dropped out of a Stormbreaker attempt, leading to Cage dumping Ospreay with a German suplex. Cage hit an apron superplex for a nearfall. Ospreay reversed a powerbomb into a hurricanrana into the corner. Ospreay hit a forearm off the top rope, but after a series of reversals, Cage dropkicked Ospreay out of the sky on an Oscutter attempt.

Cage went for a discus lariat, but Ospreay flipped through and hit a powerbomb as the match reset. Cage eventually caught Ospreay with an F-5 for a nearfall. After a commercial, Ospreay fired up and caught Cage with a pair of Scorpion Kicks, but Cage laid him out with a lariat. Cage hit a pair of powerbombs for a nearfall. Ospreay maneuvered out of another powerbomb and hit a DDT. Cage caught Ospreay on a handspring for a German suplex, but Ospreay rolled to his feet and hit a Hidden Blade for a nearfall.

Cage powered Ospreay to the corner, then caught Ospreay with a gamengiri. Ospreay stuck Cage’s head in the corner and hit a Cheeky Nandos kick. Cage cut off a hurricanrana and hit a sick powerslam off the ropes for a nearfall. Cage hit a lariat that sent Ospreay up-and-over to the top rope, but Ospreay hit the hurricanrana he was looking for. Ospreay got caught with a forearm but came back with a Stundog Millionaire and a poisonrana. Ospreay only got a nearfall with the OsCutter, but the Hidden Blade put Cage down for the count as Ospreay retained the International Title.

Kazuchika Okada vs. Ultimo Guerrero booked for AEW Collision

Posted on by Ethan Renner

A matchup of Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Famers is set for this week’s AEW Collision.

AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada will face Ultimo Guerrero in a title eliminator bout on this week’s Collision set to air on Saturday, June 22.

Okada was inducted into the WON Hall of Fame in the Class of 2021, while Guerrero was inducted in the Class of 2019.

An International title bout is also set for Saturday’s episode.

Will Ospreay will defend the International Championship against Brian Cage on Collision in a match made official on Wednesday’s Dynamite.

Also added to the Collision lineup, Samoa Joe, Hook & Katsuyori Shibata will take on Tony Nese, Ari Daivari & Josh Woods of Premier Athletes on the show.

Already announced for Collision, Chris Jericho & Big Bill will face Private Party in tag team action.

The Saturday, June 22 Collision is being taped Thursday night, June 20.

The updated card for the show:

  • Kazuchika Okada vs. Ultimo Guerrero in a Continental title eliminator
  • Will Ospreay defends the International Championship against Brian Cage
  • Samoa Joe, Hook & Katsuyori Shibata vs. Tony Nese, Ari Daivari & Josh Woods
  • Chris Jericho & Big Bill vs. Private Party

Daily Update: Ricochet, WWE NXT Battleground, Omega/Okada anniversary

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered in this issue:

  • Update on what Mexican talent can work on the same shows as other Mexican talent, the recent changes and how they’ve gone down and the current political situation leading into Forbidden Door
  • Looking at WWE Clash at the Castle and NXT Battleground
  • Update on Forbidden Door, ticket demand and AEW’s top programs
  • Conor McGregor and UFC 303
  • Full report on UFC 302, business and match-by-match coverage
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi’s 10-point plan to strengthen New Japan Pro Wrestling. We look at where the company stands and its obstacles as Tanahashi hits the six-month mark as President
  • Death of El Signo and the heyday of Los Misionero de la Muerte
  • A look at episode one of Who Killed WCW?
  • The most detailed look at the ratings for all pro wrestling and MMA television shows over the past week including competition, key demos, segment-by-segment, analysis, standing and how it compares with one year ago.
  • New promotion gets weekly television on a top 20 station starting in one week, as well as being on the verge of a second deal
  • Celebration of 20 years of Mistico shows
  • Arena Mexico continues big crowds
  • Dream Gate title change
  • A look at the Dominion show this week
  • Update on next week’s show featuring talent from a number of major promotions including a rematch of one of this year’s best matches
  • More on the B Block finals and semifinals of the Best of the Super Juniors tournament
  • Gable Steveson tries the NFL and how this very much differs from other former top level wrestlers who have had NFL success
  • Missy Hyatt talks Vince McMahon and details her own experience with him
  • Wrestling book writers Hall of Fame
  • AEW star challenges for British title
  • Notes on MLW Battle Riot
  • GCW has a major weekend
  • Update on TNA office cuts and changes
  • Mike Santana talks about battling drinking issue
  • Notes on people whose contracts are expiring and updates
  • Chuck Taylor and his hopes of returning to the ring
  • More details on AEW doing a residency in Arlington, TX and the economics behind it
  • Kevin Kelly talks his AEW departure and issues with Ian Riccaboni
  • Story behind the Collision rating report
  • International TV ratings
  • Why certain wrestlers haven’t been on AEW TV of late
  • Another AEW star comes out publicly
  • More on the Cung Le antitrust lawsuit settlement
  • Just how much Saudi Arabia is paying for these big events
  • How UFC & WWE are doing record grosses
  • Mark Shapiro talks about how Dana White reacted to the merger and talks about White’s previous problems with Vince McMahon
  • How McMahon first saved UFC and then became a powerful enemy
  • Former WWE stars talk about how talent is paid now, why not getting booked is better for your paycheck and how easily it is to get around WWE drug testing
  • Updated King of the Ring and Double or Nothing PPV notes
  • Reports on WWE weekend house shows

This week’s Wresting Observer Newsletter back issue

Sunday Update

Ricochet
Image: WWE

– Bryan and I will be back tonight covering NXT Battleground, New Japan Dominion and the rest of the weekend news with Wrestling Observer Radio.

– An update on Ricochet.  As first reported by Mike Johnson, it appears Ricochet is leaving WWE.  Johnson reported he had given notice. We were told by someone very close to the situation that he had not given notice. But he had not signed a new deal (his contract is coming due shortly) and the decision of what he was doing next was up in the air. But obviously with Andrade winning the Speed title on Friday with the match seemingly moved up since Andrade had also won the tournament final Friday, it would indicate WWE expected him to be gone soon. A few hours ago we were told he had made up his mind regarding his decision. The confirmation of what the decision was not told to us directly but the signs would indicate leaving, but as noted the only thing confirmed to us this afternoon is a decision has since been made.

– Roy Warnack, who fans of 80s and 90s wrestling may remember as either Larry Santo or Larry Santana, a TV enhancement wrestler from 1984 to 1997, mostly for WCW but also worked Mid South, WWE, Memphis, Georgia and Smoky Mountain Wrestling, passed away last Sunday. He was 63. Bob Cook noted the good times he had with him and former TNA wrestler David Young noted that Larry Santo was his trainer. He was well respected as far as inside the ring goes.

– NXT Battleground starts at 8 p.m. Eastern tonight from the UFC Apex Arena in Las Vegas.  It’s a small venue set up for less than 700 with about 300 tickets put on sale to the public and about 250 were sold at high prices as of today.

  • Sol Ruca vs. Fallon Henley vs. Lash Legend vs. Jaida Parker vs. Kelani Jordan vs. Michin in a ladder match to crown for the first NXT North American women’s champion. There are some really outstanding athletes in this match. It’s probably the first ladder match for almost all of them so I expect a few spectacular stunts and a very practiced match.
  • Shayna Baszler vs.  Lola Vice in an NXT Underground match, no ropes and worked to look more realistic than usual pro wrestling. Baszler of course had a long MMA career including in the UFC and Vice was in Bellator before signing with WWE. They have high hopes for Vice which is why she’s been working with main roster wrestlers like Baszler and Natayla of late.
  • Oba Femi vs. Joe Coffey vs. Wes Lee for the North American title. Match should be Femi doing lots of power moves and Lee providing acrobatics. I don’t see Femi losing the title but there’s always the out in a three-way to not have him involved in the fall.
  • Nathan Frazer  & Axiom vs. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson for the NXT tag titles. The story is that Frazer & Axiom are going in hurt from the TV attack by Gallows & Anderson. I had figured when Gallows & Anderson started going regularly to NXT that they were going to have a run with the tag titles so we’ll see.
  • Roxanne Perez vs. Jordynne Grace for the NXT women’s title. This is the most interesting match on the show and has a shot at being the best as well. Grace is the TNA champion and one would think if you’re starting up a storyline with TNA that Grace should win here. Plus they’ve announced Bayley will be at ringside. In theory, TNA shouldn’t be fine with their champion losing on this specific show unless Perez is doing dates for them.
  • Trick Williams vs. Ethan Page for the NXT title. Page cheating to win would make sense, but they may have given him a storyline out.

The idea is that Page is going in hurt because of an attack by Oro Mensah. WWE sent out footage of Mensah attacking Page at the hotel earlier today. So we’ve got two title bouts with basically the same storyline.

– We’re looking for your thoughts on the show and for New Japan Dominion for our polls.  You can vote a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match for each show to [email protected]

– We’re also looking for reports on the weekend NXT shows in Davenport, FL and Sebring, Fl and for the matches at the AEW show last night in Council Bluffs, IA that weren’t on TV such as ROH matches and notes from those matches to [email protected]

– They announced they are going back to prior years in G-1 this year. It’s back to 20 wrestlers in two blocks instead of 24 in four blocks.  That’s harder on the talent as they will  have nine tournament matches rather than five before the finals.  Also, the bouts will be back to a 30:00 time limit rathan than 20:00.  The tournament starts on 7/20.

– In Google trends this week, the UFC show yesterday did not crack the top 20. Nothing in pro wrestling did either. The only thing related to combat sports that did was boxer Ryan Garcia’s arrest was No. 6 yesterday with 50,000 searches.

– Garcia was arrested yesterday and charged with felony vandalism after being accused of causing more than $15,000 in damages at the Waldorf Astoria in Beverly Hills in a story written by Mike Coppinger of ESPN. He may also face a charge of public intoxication and was transferred to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for evaluation and treatment. Garcia ref Darin Chavez said this was a challenging time for Garcia as he received devastating news regarding his mother’s health and noted Garcia has been open about his struggles with mental health.  Garcia had written days ago that his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Garcia also had admitted he was drinking every day before his win over Devin Haney in April, where he missed weight and thus didn’t win the WBC junior welterweight title that was supposed to be up for grabs in that fight.

– Logan Paul legit wasn’t at Smackdown because he was competing in the World Tetris championships. That’s what was said on television and was accurate. 

– Today is the anniversary of two of the greatest matches of all-time.  One of the best tag matches ever, Toshiaki Kawada & Akira Taue vs. Mitsuharu Misawa & Kenta Kobashi took place on this date in 1995. On this date in 2018 was the 2/3 falls Kenny Omega vs Kazuchika Okada IWGP title match. The former is one of the best tag matches of all-time and the latter I’d rate as the best match I’ve ever seen. Cage match has Omega-Okada as the the fourth best match of all-time and has the tag match as the sixth best, but the tag match is listed as the best tag match of all-time.

– Boxing champion Savannah  Marshall made her MMA debut last night in Newcastle, England on the PFL Europe show.  Marshall beat Mirla Vargas in 4:27 via ref stoppage.  The plan seems to be to build Marshall vs.  Claressa Shields in MMA.  Shields beat Marshall in 2022 in a boxing match with a number of world titles at stake.  Marshall is the undisputed women’s super middleweight boxing champion.

There was a big match on today’s NOAH show where Kaito Kiyomiya & Kenoh of NOAH went to a double count out with Gabe Kidd & Jake Lee. This sets up Kiyomiya vs Kidd for the GHC title on 6/16 in Yokohama.

A really sad story regarding longtime Chicago independent wrestler Tony Rubalcava who was shot to death apparently protecting his daughter. (thanks to Comic Collectors Guide)

– In a follow up on the story all week on what Mexican wrestlers can work on the same show as CMLL talent, there was a show last night in Saltillo, Mexico, a CMLL event promoted by Rodrigo Barba Promotions, a former AAA promoter. Atlantis Jr. vs. Mascara Dorada vs. local wrestler Promoeteo was the scheduled main event. Atlantis Jr., was hurt on Tuesday and had to pull out. CMLL went to send Esfinge, but Barba wanted a bigger star and requested Beast Mortos, (the former Black Taurus). Taurus was a long-time AAA star, but did quit the promotion and has signed with AEW. Normally CMLL would not have allowed him in this match, but they did and he worked with one of CMLL’s biggest stars, not only on the same show but in the same match.  This would indicate that AEW would be allowed to at least have him work on shows with CMLL talent, if not even work with them.

– Another note from last night’s AEW tapings in Council  Bluffs, IA. Kosha Irby, the COO of AEW, did a tweet after the show saying, “Council Bluffs is home to fantastic fans, a charming city and a subpar venue partner.”  That last line had people questioning if he meant to write it that way, until he responded, “I said what I said!”  We’ve asked but haven’t heard what led to that tweet, but no COO in a company is going to be writing about a venue they were in last night unless something very major happened. One fan wrote on X in response that the fans were great and the matches were great  but the venue was hot, no airflow, the sound wasn’t great, the doors were open late and security was non-existent.

– Jordynne Grace will be facing Chihiro Hashimoto on 7/15 at Korakuen Hall for the Sendai Girls promotion.

– If you remember the strange deal in the Howie Mandel podcast a few months back where Mandel praised White like crazy, and then White just got up, said he hated doing podcasts, and left. White admitted this week that it was all Mandel’s idea of working his audience but because White fans had chanted F*** Howie Mandel at one of his public appearances, he decided to tell people it was all planned in advance. MMA Fighting has the story here.

– Rizin featherweight champion Chihiro Suzuki was announced at today’s show to be facing Manny Pacquiao in a three-round boxing exhibition on the 7/28 Rizin show at the Saitama Super Arena .  Suzuki was already scheduled for a 6/23 boxing match with former Pride legend Takanori Gomi.

– Last night at the Mexico City Arena Coliseo show, Fugaz was taking off his T-shirt and his mask came right off, so people could see his face.

– The wife of wrestler Jax Dane won a bodybuilding/fitness competition last night. Congratulations to her on that.

– Scotty Riggs was the replacement for injured Buff Bagwell on Memphis TV in a tag team title match. John Dalton, who held the title with Bagwell, teamed with Riggs, but lost to Sir Matthew & Lord Gaston for the Memphis Wrestling promotion on yesterday’s TV show.

– House of  Glory from last night in Jamaica, NY at the NYC Arena: Pedro Dones won over Corey Mac, Chris Cage, Elijah Eden, Jarrett Diaz and Mat Awesome, Mercedes Martinez won over Tasha Steelz and Diamond Virago, Charles Mason b Dan Maff, The Main Event b Primo & Epico Colon to keep the tag titles, La Sombra (not Andrade) b Homicide to keep the Crown Jewel title, Mike Santana b Amazing Red to keep the HOG title. Lots of raves about the main event on the show. 

– Also, we got two recommendations for Luke Jacobs vs. Zozoya from the RevPro show today.

AEW Double or Nothing preview & predictions: The road to All In begins

Posted on by Mike DellaCamera

Editor’s Note: The following is an opinion based preview that reflects the views of the author and not our website.

AEW celebrates its fifth anniversary this weekend: five years since the little company that could ran the first Double or Nothing in Las Vegas.

A lot has changed in AEW since then, but our very own Bryan Alvarez raised an interesting question about change, or the lack of it, in AEW. He said if you take the belts away, everyone is exactly where they were a year ago. It’s an interesting idea, but one that I don’t necessarily agree with. You can’t just remove the belts because they are foundational to pro wrestling. What is wrestling without them? Exhibitions are fun, but an audience needs stakes to get invested. Titles are something to reach for. They represent growth, progress, triumphs — they make everything matter.

But how much growth has happened over the past year? Bryan Danielson is still losing every big match while remaining the best wrestler alive. He is who he’s always been. In his case, that’s more than enough, but what about others? How much different are performers like Toni Storm, Hook, House of Black, etc? Are they in better places now? Have they developed their characters? I’m not saying I agree with Bryan, but it’s an interesting thought exercise for a number of the wrestlers.

It does seem like change is coming for AEW as a whole. Whether it’s soon-to-be returning stars like MJF and Adam Cole, a new media rights deal, or even the expiration of wrestler contracts, AEW will be much different come the fall. 

Sunday’s Double or Nothing (8 PM Eastern on PPV) also kicks off the road to All In. This card largely looks fine which usually means AEW is in for something special. The more milquetoast the card appears, the better the wrestling usually is.  With two big matches — the in-ring debut of Mercedes Mone and the symphonic violence of Anarchy In The Arena — there is enough to capture the audience’s attention. It does feel a lot like the Roadblock cards WWE used to run leading up to WrestleMania which were fine cards, but designed to get us to the big show, not create anything truly memorable.

Sunday will wrap up some of the smaller stories and set up the major storylines that lead into what is AEW’s version of WrestleMania. Let’s preview the card with an eye toward where some of the bigger players may wind up at All In.

Please note these are all as of Saturday prior to Collision.

FTW Champion Chris Jericho defends against Hook and Katsuyori Shibata in a three-way

Do not delude yourself, dear readers, into thinking Jericho has done it again. Do not gaslight yourself into saying, “Lol, wow he really got another gimmick over.” This is simply a carnie continuing to carnie in the hopes that people forget, well, everything. I will begrudgingly admit to cracking a smirk at times, but this man is either on TV or has segments dedicated to his storyline multiple times a week. And to what end? The FTW title carries no weight and means nothing in the ecosystem of AEW. It means even less around the waist of Jericho.

A saving grace is the potential future pairing of Hook and Shibata. If they want to present Hook as a shoot-tough guy, who better for him to be paired with than Shibata? They even teased something with Samoa Joe a week ago and the trio of Joe, Hook, and Shibata is something that would have my attention.

Prediction: Jericho retains, sadly

AEW Trios Champions The Bang Bang Gang (Jay White & The Gunns) defend against Death Triangle (Pac, Rey Fenix & Penta El Zero Miedo)

As much as I love the pieces of Death Triangle together and as individuals, it’s important to remain objective. Putting the belts on them presents a real risk. Whenever they are healthy, they are as good as anyone on the roster. But the only consistent thing about them is they are consistently injured. PAC has spent more time off-screen than on and Fenix is always somewhere between banged up and fully on the shelf. It’s a shame since both are top in-ring performers deserving of spots around the upper mid-card.

The Bang Bang Gang remains entertaining. A motivated Jay White can be a force. I have no idea what to think about the Gunns, other than they make me smile and sometimes, that’s more than enough. They just unified these titles, losing them so soon would be silly.

Prediction: Gunns up

Orange Cassidy vs. Trent Beretta

I like that this is going against the traditional booking beats and is a straight wrestling match as opposed to something with a wild stipulation. This is a deeply personal feud that has already seen a shady finish. Typical logic would call for a stipulation like no DQ or falls count anywhere. That might still be where this winds up, but for now, a straight wrestling match between these two should be worth watching. Beretta seems invigorated as a heel and Cassidy under the big lights never disappoints.

I don’t think this sets up anything meaningful for All In as this feud is too close to the finish line for that. Look for Don Callis to get involved and cost Cassidy, positioning them to finish a trilogy of matches at Forbidden Door.

Prediction: Beretta

IWGP World Champion Jon Moxley vs. Konosuke Takeshita in a non-title match

Now this is the good stuff as the true ace of AEW is going up against someone who should be in that category. A little over a year ago, Takeshita beat Kenny Omega in what should have been the official launching of the SS Konosuke on its maiden voyage to the moon. Instead, it’s been nothing but frustration. The inconsistent booking that plagues so much of AEW is exemplified in him. Wrestlers like him are rare. This is an explosive, all-world athlete with size right out of central casting who wrestles a gorgeous style.

So what on Earth are they waiting for? What am I missing here and why do I ask this question every few months? Maybe this is the match where they realize what they have. You can get shown the light in the strangest of places. All you have to do is look at it right. 

This could very easily be the match of the night. Moxley continues to be the most bankable thing in pro wrestling. Pair him with a freak talent like Takeshita and we could see a hard-hitting firework fest. Give these two a tight 15 and let them pull out all the stops. 

Prediction: Moxley

AEW International Champion Roderick Strong defends against Will Ospreay

This is going to be big and this is going to be brutal. The backstage confrontation two weeks ago was the best of both men. Ospreay toned down the manic shouting and bruv-ing and spoke with determined conviction. Strong completely cut out the jokes and played the arrogant bully. This is exactly how both should be used: two killers in the ring that aren’t tasked with cutting long, meandering promos. Moderation is what I’m saying. Moderation, though, is not what this match will contain. This will be a match of largess with two guys who work in all caps.

Bombs will be thrown, backs will be broken, and the crowd will wince. Neither wrestler has much regard for bodies, either their own or their opponents. Strong has never shied away from brutalizing whoever he’s in the ring with. That, combined with Ospreay’s evolution from a flippy little dude to a heavy-handed monster means this will be physical. Anarchy in the Arena will have more spots and the match people remember, but this match will leave its own mark. In search of critical acclaim, Ospreay tends to be far too giving in his matches. Everyone leaves looking strong even at the expense of our belief and his well-being. Strong doesn’t need help looking strong, but if Ospreay is going to give, rest assured he will take.

Ospreay is already the number one babyface in the company. He’s taking the International title and pointing his eyes directly at Swerve Strickland and the main event of Wembley Stadium.

Prediction: Will Ospreay wins the title

TNT Champion Adam Copeland defends against Malakai Black in a barbed wire steel cage match

God bless Copeland, a pure madman, for being able to do the work he’s always wanted to do so late in his career. He’s putting everything he has into everything he does and it’s beautiful to see. Stars like this should not disappear tinily. Too often, they blink out of existence rather than departing with the bombast and fanfare they deserve; just look at the end of Kurt Angle’s in-ring career. As long as Cope stays away from what didn’t work with his WWE matches and keeps lacing up his working boots, I’m going to keep being entertained.

The eternal question will finally be answered this weekend: will Big Mal Black eat a solo pin? Do you know the last time he lost a singles match was in October of 2021? 2021! To Cody Rhodes! Look, I don’t care if the rumors of him being unwilling to lose are true or not. Conjecture is fun! On one hand, there’s Bryan Danielson who seems to relish losing. On the other, there’s a midcard act refusing to do what the best wrestler in the world does time and time again. I have no choice but to respect both it and his commitment to the bit. 

Prediction: Cope retains

AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm defends Serena Deeb

There’s a great scene in the most recent season of Curb Your Enthusiasm where Larry David gets coffee that’s cold. To prove his point, he sticks his nose into the coffee. The coffee is, in fact, cold. David could stick his nose into the coffee cup of this match and it would come out frozen. There is nothing here as it’s as empty as a bird’s nest in December.

Deeb will come out, wave her flag, try to fire up the crowd, and will be met with tepid, polite applause. People will briefly look up from their phones. This is through no fault of her own. She’s going against her natural alignment; a babyface, she is certainly not. She never should be. She doesn’t have the presence for it, and deciding to cast her in that role baffles me. When she cut the sadly familiar promo one cuts when they back from a career-threatening injury, she was met with silence. The people popped more to Storm saying a mild curse than someone talking about getting their livelihood back.

What makes this even more confusing is that the people cheer for Storm. As exhausting as this gimmick is, it’s still something the audience is behind. Why not lean into that? Why force Deeb as a babyface when you already have one? Alignments change at the drop of a hat in wrestling, so there’s no reason we need to keep Storm a heel for the long-rumored program with Mariah May to start. That feud isn’t dependent on alignment anyway; it depends on the performers who both seem up for it.

“Timeless” Toni wins easily on Sunday and positions herself for something big at All In, either with May or hopefully, a returning Jamie Hayter.

Prediction: It’s still Toni Time

TBS Champion Willow Nightingale defends against Mercedes Mone

You’d think Nightingale is the clear star here if you knew nothing about these two. From moment one, she has outclassed Mone on the microphone. It wasn’t until the last few weeks when Mone started leaning into her natural heel persona that things began to click. She’s so much more magnetic and natural when she’s being a smarmy, self-absorbed star instead of someone just happy to be wrestling. She desperately needs a good performance on Sunday to remind people that she is in the top echelon of bell-to-bell wrestlers, regardless of gender.

The brave move would be to have Nightingale win clean and emphatically, immediately making a new top star. The more realistic outcome is anything but that. I can see Kris Statlander and Stokely Hathaway getting involved to cost her the title and give her something natural to move to next. It’s too bad she’ll lose her title so soon, but unfortunately, that’s showbiz.

Prediction: Mercedes wins the title

The Elite (Matthew and Nicholas Jackson, Kazuchika Okada & Jack Perry) vs. FTR, Bryan Danielson & Darby Allin in an Anarchy in the Arena match

Please don’t die Darby Allin and please don’t paralyze yourself Bryan Danielson.

Allin has always been a certifiable maniac, but this is a whole ‘nother level. While recovering from a broken foot – one that has likely not fully healed – everyone’s favorite crash test dummy got hit by a bus and broke his nose. The only thing one can do in this situation is wrestle in a massive gimmick match that is always full of blood and bumps. Allin and I are not the same and I prefer it that way.

Anarchy in The Arena, Blood and Guts, and Stadium Stampede matches always deliver. They are as sure as things get. AEW prioritizes these spectacle matches to leave lasting moments and memories, and this won’t be any different. The individual talents in this match are staggering: the two best tag teams of the modern era, the best big match performer of the modern era, the greatest wrestler of all time, and the most maniacal bumper of the last few years. This is about to be all sorts of fun. 

The Elite story is just getting going, so a loss to a thrown-together group of wrestlers just isn’t going to cut it. There’s a longer game at play here, one that likely includes the return of Hangman Page. They need to keep the momentum going.

Prediction: The Elite

AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland defends against Christian Cage

This is a perfect first feud for the champion version of Strickland as no one gets quick heat like Cage. He can dial a program up to eleven in one promo, one backstage segment, or even one off-handed comment. The dude is that good. The level he is operating on as a heel is unparalleled in the current wrestling climate. No one is doing the level of work he is with the number of people he is working with. Other signings have received more fanfare and acclaim, but since he debuted in AEW two years ago, no one has been better than Christian, aka the real MVP of AEW.

It’s been refreshing to see that Strickland hasn’t changed who he is since winning the title. What got him to the top should be close to what keeps him there. He didn’t rise up by being a cookie-cutter wrestling character. He rose because of his unique gifts and presentation. He’s embraced the shades of gray that make him interesting. A pure babyface promo from Strickland would ring hollow, full of empty words and sentiment. He’s at his best when he is a seething force unique unto himself. 

This program has been solid with nothing groundbreaking and nothing we’re probably going to remember in a few weeks. That does not make it any less necessary. Strickland beating an established legend like Cage in his first real title defense adds weight to his reign. He’ll need that weight because if Ospreay is coming for the gold at All In, the champion needs as many reps as he can get against greatness.

Prediction: Swerve retains