Several new matches were announced for Saturday’s AEW Collision — the go-home for Sunday’s All In.
Keith Lee returns to action for the first time since the August 2nd Rampage. He last was seen teaming with The Hardys vs. The Butcher, The Blade & Kip Sabian.
Big Bill will also be in action, managed by Ricky Starks.
Willow Nightingale will take on Robyn Renegade while Dark Order’s Alex Reynolds & John Silver face Darius Martin & Action Andretti.
The additions joins the previously announced all star eight-man tag team match featuring CM Punk, Sting, Darby Allin and a mystery partner vs. Swerve Strickland, Brian Cage, Jay White & Luchasaurus, and a trios match with Orange Cassidy, Eddie Kingston & Penta El Zero Miedo teaming up.
Here’s the updated card for Saturday which was taped after Dynamite this past Wednesday:
Sting, Darby Allin, CM Punk & a mystery partner vs. Swerve Strickland, Brian Cage, Luchasaurus & Jay White
Willow Nightingale vs. Robyn Renegade
Dark Order (Alex Reynolds & John Silver) vs. Darius Martin & Action Andretti
Eddie Kingston, Penta El Zero Miedo & Orange Cassidy vs. Kip Sabian, The Butcher & The Blade
Kip Sabian and The Dark Order have all recently signed new multi-year contracts with AEW.
In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer confirmed that Kip Sabian and Dark Order members Evil Uno, John Silver & Alex Reynolds have signed new AEW deals. They’ve each signed three-year contracts.
Evil Uno and Sabian first revealed the news of the new contracts on social media earlier this week.
Sabian and the three Dark Order members all made their AEW debuts in 2019, the first year the promotion was in existence.
Sabian will be in action on tonight’s episode of Rampage. He’s teaming with The Butcher & The Blade against Keith Lee & The Hardys.
On last Friday’s Rampage, Sabian lost a singles match to Komander.
Evil Uno, Silver & Reynolds defeated Stu Grayson, Vincent & Dutch in a Fight Without Honor at ROH’s Death Before Dishonor pay-per-view last month. The Dark Order were also recently victorious against Hangman Page & The Young Bucks on the 100th episode of Rampage.
It was announced this Wednesday that Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks, and Page have all signed new multi-year AEW deals.
Scorpio Sky was pulled from AEW Rampage at the last minute Wednesday night despite previously being announced for a match against Kip Sabian.
According to reports from fans in attendance, Tony Khan revealed Sky was injured during the Rampage tapings, which took place after Dynamite went off the air in Albany, New York.
Sky was replaced by Komander against Sabian. AEW later posted to social media that Sky has not been cleared to compete.
Sky returned to an AEW ring after nearly a year to the day when he defeated Action Andretti on the July 8th AEW Collision. Prior to that, his most recent match came on July 6, 2022, when he lost the TNT Championship to Wardlow on Dynamite.
The updated card for Friday’s Rampage is:
Hikaru Shida vs. Nyla Rose
Tag team battle royal for an AEW Tag Team title shot: Matt & Jeff Hardy, Matt Menard & Angelo Parker, The Butcher & The Blade, Brian Cage & Big Bill, Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal, Serpentico & Luther, Ethan Page & Brother Zay, and Jay Lethal & Satnam Singh
AEW’s Penelope Ford and Kip Sabian have posted a video addressing the miscarriage that the couple suffered last year.
In a video posted to their YouTube channel, the couple detailed their pregnancy from 2022, and ultimately the miscarriage, and physical and mental health complications that arose from their suffering.
Ford and Sabian said that while they have always wanted to have children, that their 2022 pregnancy was unexpected, and that they were nervous to tell AEW owner Tony Khan about it. They said that their trepidation and anxiety went away when telling Khan, who gave them “the biggest hug.”
Ford said:
“When we told out boss, Tony Khan, that we were expecting, he had this stack of papers in his hands, and as soon as he heard the news, he just threw them and they went all over the room.”
Sabian said:
“If you’ve ever seen on the stage when a new person has debuted and smashed it out of the park and he gives them that jumping hug, that’s the hug that we got.”
The couple went on to detail the fact that they made an ultrasound appointment for the 11-week mark of the pregnancy, but that Ford suffered bleeding at around the 10-week mark that required an emergency room visit.
There the couple discovered that Ford was also suffering from a fibroid “the size of a cantaloupe.”
Ultimately, Ford lost the pregnancy, and later required surgery to remove the fibroid.
The couple said that they went into such detail as part of their grieving and recovery, and to raise awareness.
Sabian said:
“We wanted to get this video out for our healing process, and to know that it’s okay to talk about this kind of thing.”
An All-Atlantic title match has been announced for AEW Battle of the Belts V.
Orange Cassidy will defend the All-Atlantic title against Kip Sabian, which will take place on January 6. The two have been feuding in recent weeks, with Sabian expressing interest in obtaining a title match.
On Wednesday’s Dynamite, Sabian said that since he eliminated Orange Cassidy from the trios battle royal on last week’s Rampage, he should be next in line for an All-Atlantic title match. Instead, Cassidy chose Best Friends teammate Trent Beretta as the next challenger. The two had their match on Friday, with Cassidy retaining the title.
After the match, Kip Sabian emerged from commentary to defeat Atiba. At one point in the match, Penelope Ford gave Sabian Cassidy’s elbow pad that he had discarded in the previous match. Sabian then won after hitting an Orange Punch.
Battle of the Belts V will air immediately after next Friday’s live edition of Rampage.
Two new matches have been announced for AEW Revolution on Sunday, March 7th.
A Casino Tag Team Royale for a future Tag Team title shot will take place with seven teams announced. Bear County, Alex Reynolds and John Silver, Evil Uno and Stu Grayson, Ortiz & Santana, The Butcher and The Blade, Private Party and Top Flight were shown as participants during the announcement with more teams expected to be announced prior to Revolution.
Additionally, a new tag team match was announced as Orange Cassidy and Chuck Taylor taking on Kip Sabian and Miro. During a sitdown interview on Wednesday’s Dynamite, Miro was given a yes/no/maybe note from Taylor and Cassidy asking if they wanted a match. Miro dismissed the note, calling it childish, but the match was made regardless.
Here is the current card for the Revolution pay-per-view:
World Champion Kenny Omega vs. Jon Moxley in an Exploding Barbed Wire Deathmatch
Women’s Champion Hikaru Shida vs. the title eliminator tournament winner
Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks vs. MJF & Chris Jericho
Hangman Page vs. Matt Hardy for the loser’s Q1 2021 earnings
Team Taz (Brian Cage & Ricky Starks) vs. Sting & Darby Allin in a street fight
Casino Tag Team Royale for a future Tag Team title shot
Miro & Kip Sabian vs. Orange Cassidy & Chuck Taylor
A look at the career of 80s star Hacksaw Butch Reed, who passed away this past week, is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
We look at all of his titles won, sports career before wrestling, what was and wasn’t exaggerated about him, how he got started in wrestling, how fast it was that he was moved to star status, including main eventing at the key wrestling arenas in the country very early, the role Dory Funk Jr, made in his career, how he was booked, a super tag team with Skip Young that few outside of Florida ever saw, feuding with the biggest names on top, his matches with Ric Flair up and down the state of Florida, his sellout with Flair in St. Louis, runs in Georgia and his move to Mid South, his Mid South runs, the high point of his career, his feud with JYD, his Superdome main events, his face and heel turns, his biggest angles, his fight with John Nord and his departure from Mid South, his meeting with Slick, heading to WWF as The Natural Butch Reed, and his WCW run as part of the tag team of Doom with Ron Simmons, life after wrestling and his feelings on Will Hobbs.
Also in this issue:
Nick Khan’s talk about things WWE is doing to try and get new fans, a look at the aging of the sports audience and how wrestling fits in, update on Braun Strowman, update on John Cena TV series, son of 90s star starting in WWE camp, WWE star talks having a stroke, WWE star gets stalked, experience of being in the Thunderdome and what they look for, how WWE & AEW did compared to sports this past week, international rtings news, more on COVID’s effect onWWE, big matches coming on upcoming shows, WWE market value and most-watched shows on the WWE Network this past week.
Bellator’s new broadcast deals in the U.S. and the U.K., as well as main events for the first shows in April, and look at the light heavyweight tournament.
New Beginning in Hiroshima and the Castle Attack cards for New Japan.
Most-watched televised pro wrestling matches in history, including Hogan vs. Andre and Rikidozan vs. Destroyer.
Preview the next two WWE major shows.
Saturday’s UFC event with the potential knockout of the year.
Gina Carano losing her job in “The Mandalorian” on the anniversary of her landmark fight with Julie Kedzie.
A feature looking at the best matches of top wrestlers of 2020.
Television ratings of the past week, including segment-by-segment numbers for the past two weeks on Wednesday, who was watching in different age groups, how different segments did on Raw & Smackdown and more.
ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.
In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.
For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.
FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE
We have a big weekend. Garrett Gonzalez and I have a show today with David Meltzer for the first time. That’s the other David Meltzer, talking about media changes, WWE on Peacock and a few other things that will surprise some people. Bryan and I will be back tomorrow night covering UFC and Sunday covering NXT Takeover Vengeance.
Smackdown tonight has no matches announced but they will likely set up several matches for Elimination Chamber including the title matches.
Tomorrow UFC weigh-ins:
Prelims on ESPN+ at 7 p.m. Eastern
Gillian Robertson (125.5) vs. Miranda Maverick (125.5)
Gabe Green (169.5) vs. Phil Rowe (171)
Prelims on ESPN at 8 p.m. Eastern
Andre Ewell (138.5) vs. Chris Gutierrez (140)
Polyana Viana (116) vs. Mallory Martin (115.5)
Belal Muhammad (169.5) vs. Dhiego Lima (171)
Rodolfo Vieira (186) vs. Anthony Hernandez (186)
PPV at 10 p.m. Eastern
Maki Pitolo (185) vs. Julian Marquez (185)
Ricky Simon (145.5) vs. Brian Kelleher (145.5)
Kelvin Gastelum (186) vs. Ian Heinisch (185.5)
Maycee Barber (126) vs. Alexa Grasso (125.5)
Kamaru Usman (170) vs. Gilbert Burns (170) for the welterweight title
One of the big matches scheduled for the show, Jim Miller vs. Bobby Green, is off. Green collapsed after weighing in, likely due to dehydration, and was hospitalized.
The New York Times ran a story today about the Kip Sabian/Penelope Ford wedding, both the actual wedding and the television version.
New Japan starts its new tour on Sunday with a 4 a.m. Eastern time show at Korakuen Hall. It will have four straight days at Korakuen Hall at 4 a.m., all airing on New Japan World.
Impact has an Impact+ show tomorrow night with Rich Swann vs. Tommy Dreamer for the Impact title on Dreamer’s 50th birthday.
AXS will be airing the 2010 Lockdown show at 3 p.m. on Tuesday headlined by A.J. Styles vs. The Pope, a Lethal Lockdown match with Sting & Bobby Roode & James Storm & Desmond Wolfe (Nigel McGuinness) vs. Jeff Jarrett & Abyss & Rob Van Dam & Jeff Hardy, Kurt Angle vs. Ken Anderson and more. The station will air the 2011 Destination X show at 3 p.m. on 3/23 with Styles vs. Christopher Daniels, Van Dam vs. Jerry Lynn, Samoa Joe vs. Frankie Kazarian and more.
WWE
Anthony Joshua spoke yesterday about wanting to do WWE after he retires from boxing, since Muhammad Ali did that. Well, he actually didn’t past being an outside the ring ref and doing one angle.
The Dominick Reyes vs. Jiri Prochazka fight that was scheduled on 2/27 has been moved to 5/1 due to an injury to Reyes.
UFC Chronicles on Kamaru Usman is available now on Fight Pass.
Ryan Benoit vs. Zarrukh Adashev has been added to the 5/8 UFC show.
OTHER NOTES
The 17th annual Quebec pro wrestling award winners
Best Male Wrestler – Mike Bailey
Best Female Wrestler – LuFisto
Best Tag Tam – Mathieu St. Jacques & Thomas Dubois (TDT)
Match of the Year – Mike Bailey vs Matt Angel in IWS
Best Promotion – NSPW
Most Influential – Kevin Owens
News of the year – The death of Pat Patterson
SportsBetting.ag has these odds for Bellator’s light heavyweight tournament
Vadim Nemkov +185
Yoel Romero +400
Ryan Bader +550
Anthony Johnson +700
Corey Anderson +1000
Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov +1000
Phil David +1600
Lyoto Machida +3000
SWE Fury TV Show Results from this week’s Episode(Recorded in Greenville TX before 500 fans):
Charlie Haas defeated Christian Nox via submission
Niles Plonk defeated Frank Stone to Retain the SWE Fury TV Title via Pinfall
The Magnificent Maliko & Adman Asher vs The Paragon Michael Shafter & Max
Christi Janes defeated Vertvixen to become the #1 Contender for the Women’s Title
Lance Archer was disqualified in his title match SWE Fury Hwt Champion Tim Storm due to Charlie Haas Interference.The Full SWE Fury TV show is available on YouTube.
Notes on a new book, “Independent Road: A Wrestler’s Journey by Ehren Schaffter. The book follows the life of talents such as LuFisto, Effy, Facade, Billie Starkz, Alex Gracia, Molly Spartan, Tyson Dux and more. The book can be purchased here.
Pro Wrestling Phoenix runs tonight at the Waiting Room Lounge in Omaha, NE.
Low Ki vs. King Mo has been announced for the Filthy Island TV show that MLW is doing this coming Wednesday. Also on Wednesday’s show is Mil Muertes vs. Savio Vega in a Jungle Fight.
Ken Shamrock is now available for wrestling events, signings and virtual signings through Bill Behrens a [email protected] and www.sbibookings.com
A movie called Luchadoras, about three women wrestlers in Ciudad Juarez has its world premiere in the Global Cinema section of SXSW Online 2020 from 3/15 to 3/20. The movie will be accessible starting 3/16
Toyhlo at the Metroplex Expo Center in Girard, OH will have a signing with Bran Myers tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Autographs or photos are $20 or $30 for both.
Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling has a tag team tournament that starts on 2/20 at the Narimasu Act Hall in Tokyo, with the second round in the same building on 2/21 and the finals are 3/6 at the Nerima Cocoeri Hall in Tokyo. They will all be streamed on Wrestle Universe. The teams are:
Yuki Aino & Nodoka Tenma
Rika Tatsumi & Miu Watanabe
Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh
Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki
Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao
Raku & Marika Kobashi
Yuki Kamifuku & Mahiro Kiryu
Hikari Noa & Sena Shiorio
Pom Harajuku & Haruna Neko
Mirai Maiumi & Suzume
Moka Miyamoto & Arisu Endo
Sakisama & Mei Saint-Michel
KSW announced Antun Racic (25-8-1) defending his bantamweight title against Sebastiasn Przybysz (7-2) in the co-main event of its 3/20 show. Mariusz Pudzianowski’s return will be the main event.
The most in-depth look at the WWE’s new deal with the Peacock Network is the lead story in the new double-issue of the Observer.
We look at who the deal was put together, the finances behind it, is it a good deal for all parties, what goals there are for each side, how this affects the TV landscape and Smackdown in particular, how much money WWE was getting before and after from the Network, television vs. streaming when it comes to homes in the U.S., comparisons to UFC’s deal with ESPN, quotes from the key parties, the financial viability of NBC purchasing WWE, the stock price, network subscriber numbers, money in modern PPVs, WWE projected profitability, why the method wrestlers are paid makes no sense in today’s game, and notes fromall ke parties.
Also in this issue:
NBC shutting down NBC Sports Network affects both the USA Network and how it could impact WWE.
Amanda Huber’s timeline of the death of Brodie Lee from her interview with Tony Schaivone and Aubrey Edwards this week, his symptoms, treatments, and what the doctors thought.
UFC 257, including an update on the business of the show and television viewership, plus full coverage of what could end up as the biggest show of the year, and was one of the biggest PPV events in history.
2021 Royal Rumble, people rumored to be in that won’t be, others that could be, and thoughts on the build and the matches.
WrestleMania, Young Rock, Daniel Bryan talks his future, WWE talent listed among the most marketable in sports and losses in ad revenue to performs in social media accounts, Undertaker says current wrestles are soft and Bill Goldberg, Mick Foley and Drew McIntyre respond, Nick Khan talks future of rights fees, where AEW stands, NXT India, Teases of Japanese star signing, International TV ratings, most-watched shows on the WWE Network and strongest athletes in WWE developmental.
New Japan’s show at Ota Ward Gym this past week with its parody main event plus the big shows upcoming this week.
WWE’s TV special for India and look at the talent from that country that the company wants to build a promotion around.
A huge story on Hank Aaron, Civil Rights, Bill Watts and how they all intersected in the early 90s.
Comparison piece on the greatest MMA fighters of all-time, looking at their wins, losses, bouts with major names and where they stand in relation to each other.
The death of El Hijo de Anibal and the legacy of the mask created by his father, one of the biggest stars of the 1970s, including the match that was the first big title match to give the UWA credibility.
Television ratings of the past week, including segment-by-segment numbers for the past two weeks on Wednesday, who was watching in different age groups, how different segments did on Raw & Smackdown and more.
ORDERING INFO: Order the print Wrestling Observer right now and get it delivered via mail, by sending your name, address, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to [email protected] or by going to www.paypal.com directing funds to [email protected].
Rates in the United States are $14.50 for 4 issues, $35.50 for 12, $70 for 24, $116 for 40 and $149.50 for 52.
In Canada and Mexico, the rates are $16 for 4, $27 for 8, $38.50 for 12, $76 for 24, $126 for 40 and $162.50 for 52.
For the rest of the world, rates are $18 for 4, $48.50 for 12, $93 for 24, $155 for 40 and $201.50 for 52.
If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order to P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228, you can get $1 off in every price range.
WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE
WWE
Rey Mysterio confirmed in a Sports Illustrated interview that he has re-signed with WWE. “We never made the signing of my new deal public, but there is definitely going to be more time to see Rey Mysterio in WWE,” Mysterio said. “I’m going to keep wrestling, at least until Father Time catches up and says, ‘It’s time to go.’ ”
PWInsider reported that Bad Bunny was training at the WWE Performance Center yesterday.
Stone Cold Steve Austin, Bianca Belair, Carlito, Torrie Wilson, and Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard were guests on today’s episode of The Bump.
Kip Sabian and Penelope Ford spoke to TVInsider regarding tonight’s Beach Break wedding. Sabian said that they are legitimately getting married on the show. “I obviously wanted my parents to be there, but they understand the situation,” he said. They’ll be able to watch from home. We could get married in our house and be just as happy. We’re people who just want to be married. Down the line, once COVID is hopefully eradicated and things are OK, we’ll have a celebration, party, housewarming combined where all our families can be there.”
The wedding of Penelope Ford and Kip Sabian will take place on February 3, a special edition of Dynamite called Beach Break.
On tonight’s episode of Dynamite, titled Holiday Bash, Miro, Sabian, and Ford came out to announce the wedding date. When they first threw it to the video screen for the announcement, Best Friends’ music played. The trio acted shocked at first, but then laughed, as it was all a ruse. They threw it to footage of Trent being stretchered out after being attacked backstage. Chuck Taylor and Orange Cassidy boarded the ambulance, which then left the arena.
Sabian then announced the date for the wedding, which Tony Khan confirmed on Twitter.
“It’s official, Beach Break on #AEWDynamite on February 3 on @tntdrama, a huge card with great matches + we’re all invited by @ToBeMiro to the wedding of @thePenelopeFord & @TheKipSabian Live at Beach Break! Thank you everyone joining us tonight on TNT for our @AEW Holiday Bash!” Khan wrote.
AEW’s next special televised event will be New Year’s Bash, which will take place over the next two weeks. Kenny Omega vs. Fenix will headline next week’s card.
A positive COVID-19 test result has resulted in a major change to tonight’s AEW Dynamite.
Mr. Brodie Lee vs. Orange Cassidy for the TNT Championship was set to headline the show, while Jon Moxley, Will Hobbs & Darby Allin were going to face Lance Archer, Brian Cage & Ricky Starks in a six-man tag. Archer revealed a positive COVID-19 test, so now Moxley will defend his AEW World title against Eddie Kingston.
Kingston was technically never eliminated from the Casino Battle Royale at All Out and has been mentioning that fact in his promos ever since. So tonight, he gets the World title shot he’s been clamoring for.
Lee will be making his second defense of the title since winning it from Cody on August 22. Lee brings an AEW career singles mark of 7-1 into the contest. Cassidy is 8-4 in AEW singles matches in 2020 and is coming off wins over Chris Jericho and Angelico.
Miro and Kip Sabian will team against Joey Janela and Sonny Kiss in Miro’s AEW in-ring debut.
AEW Women’s World Champion Hikaru Shida and NWA World Women’s Champion Thunder Rosa will team against Ivelisse and Diamante. Rosa defeated Ivelisse on last week’s Dynamite. Diamante and Ivelisse attacked Rosa after her win and Shida made the save.
An appearance by Chris Jericho and an appearance by Matt Hardy and Private Party have also been advertised.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
**********
Jim Ross, Excalibur and Tony Schiavone were the broadcast team.
This was a mixed bag. I thought they used Miro smartly and he played to his strengths, mostly tagging in for a few power spots.
I thought that any talk of Miro having a new physique was overblown last week but I was wrong. He’s gigantic.
Janela and Kiss got some shine on Sabian early. Sabian and Miro cut Kiss off and worked him over. This was formulaic but the work was very good at this stage.
Janela got a hot tag and things got sloppy. Miro, Janela and Sabian brawled to the floor. Miro sold his ankle and was limping for a bit.
Miro tried to launch Sabian over the barricade to Janela. Janela was supposed to hit something mid-air but the camera crew didn’t get a good shot of it and it looked like they botched it anyway.
Miro used the former Accolade, now possibly called Game Over, for the submission win on Kiss.
**********
Eddie Kingston entered and demanded the hard camera be focused on him. He said he and Mox used to be cut from the same cloth but then Mox sold out and became a sports entertainer, selling his soul to the devil.
He demanded that Moxley face him. Moxley entered and faced off with Kingston. A security team kept them apart.
This was an excellent segment. Give me a Kingston promo every week.
**********
The announcers previewed the card. Kenny Omega joined the commentary desk for the next match.
**********
Hangman Page defeated Evil Uno (w/Dark Order)
This was exactly the same thing they did last week, there was no storyline advancement with Omega and Page. Omega was better on commentary this week than last week but still managed to talk under Page’s ring introduction.
JR tried to help Omega get over the storyline here and asked if he was going to help Page out. Omega said he was staying put because he’s a singles guy now.
Page is still getting his legs under him as a singles guy and his matches aren’t clicking on all cylinders yet.
They had a back and forth brawl before an ad break. Uno worked Page over in a picture-in-picture ad break.
Page made a comeback. Uno tossed him to the stage. Uno asked Dark Order to go to the back rather than interfere.
Page made another comeback and hit a standing shooting star for a two count. Uno hit a senton atomico for a two count.
Page hit a powerbomb with a stack cover for a near fall, then followed with a Buckshot Lariat for the pin.
**********
Schiavone interviewed Matt Jackson backstage. Matt said fans may have noticed that he and Nick have been acting out of character lately.
He broke Tony’s phone and continued to act like a jerk.
**********
TNT Championship match: Mr. Brodie Lee defeated Orange Cassidy to retain the title
Not much to the match here but it was more a backdrop for the post-match angle.
Cassidy did his comedy kicks and pockets spot.
Cassidy tried a suicide dive but the Dark Order lackies caught him and allowed Lee to take over. Lee beat on Cassidy through an ad break.
Cassidy made a comeback and ran wild with suicide dives. JR went on his weekly crusade to undermine talent by ripping on dives. Cassidy hit a pair of tornado DDTs for near falls.
John Silver jumped in. Cassidy hit him with an Orange Punch. Lee used the distraction to hit a powerbomb and a discus lariat for the pin.
**********
After the match, Cody’s music hit.
Cody entered. He has dark hair now.
Cody beat up some Dark Order lackies while Lee escaped.
**********
After a commercial, Lee cut a promo. He asked what kind of man Cody was for sending Dustin and Brandi to do his work for him while he was in a bubble somewhere.
Lee asked what kind of man Cody was that his wife was posting thirst traps and calling Lee “Daddy.”
Lee pulled out a dog collar and challenged Cody to a dog collar match. He gave Cody a week to respond.
This was another strong promo. The high point of this show tonight is the promos by a wide margin.
**********
Matt Hardy and Private Party made their way to the ring. Hardy said it was his birthday.
Hardy said he was attacked from behind last week. He used a lot of words to say that someone with a mask attacked him with a pipe or bat and noted that right after he was laid out, Jericho and Hager entered with a bat.
Hardy said he has a lot of enemies but was pointing the finger at Jericho.
Jericho and The Inner Circle entered. Sammy Guevara is back. Jericho said he didn’t attack Hardy. Jericho was carrying a baseball bat.
Hardy wanted to fight the whole Inner Circle. Quen and Kassidy talked sense to him and reminded him he’s not cleared yet.
Quen said he is cleared and laid out Jericho last week. Kassidy said he’s ready to make Le Champion his bitch next week.
**********
FTR and Tully Blanchard came to the ring for a promo. Tully said that Tag title matches on TV will now have a 20 minute time limit and he and FTR get to pick the opponents.
FTR are branding this as a weekly “brush with greatness.” They mentioned Best Friends as potential opponents.
Best Friends entered. FTR acted like they were ready to defend the titles right away. A referee came out and was about to ring the bell when Dax stopped him.
Cash said it wouldn’t be fair to Best Friends if they wrestled tonight and advised them to take a couple weeks to heal up and then maybe call Tully and they’ll set something up.
This was an effective segment.
**********
Thunder Rosa & Hikaru Shida defeated Ivelisse & Diamante
Rosa is great, Shida is great, this match was laid out really well, there’s just only so much Ivelisse and Diamante are capable of.
Rosa’s facepaint was a tribute to Road Warrior Animal.
Shida and Rosa were attacked during Shida’s intro.
Diamante and Ivelisse cut Rosa off. It’s kind of like when Sasha Banks and Alexa Bliss are in together when Rosa and Ivelisse are in there at the same time in that it feels like a fight could break out at any time.
Shida got a hot tag during a commercial break. The match broke down.
Shida pinned Diamante after a falcon arrow and a shining wizard.
**********
Dasha Gonzalez was backstage with Chris Jericho.
Jericho said Isiah Kassidy is going to be a big star one day but not next week. He said next week he’s going down when he faces Le Champion.
MJF entered. Jericho and MJF continued to do their mutual appreciation society gimmick. It was very good.
**********
Jericho vs. Kassidy, Britt Baker in action, Ricky Starks vs. Darby Allin, FTR vs. SCU and a Jon Moxley appearance were advertised for next week’s Dynamite.
A 30 years of Jericho celebration was announced for the October 7 Dynamite.
The main event is next.
**********
AEW World Championship match: Jon Moxley defeated Eddie Kingston to retain the title
Kingston is 38 and has worked a hard style for a long time. He’s at the top of his game as a promo and a character and that makes up for whatever physical limitations he has.
They had a brawl. It was intense and very good.
They traded a couple of cursory holds right awy but things quickly became the brawl that you would expect. They lit each other up with chops and strikes.
Kingston was in control before a commercial break and beat Moxley around ringside.
Moxley made a comeback with a tope and a piledriver for a near fall. Kingston hit a powerbomb for a two count. Kingston sold like he might have a stinger.
Moxley avoided two backfists and used a bulldog choke for the submission win.
A key point in the finish here is that Kingston never tapped, the referee called for the bell after Kingston appeared to be out.
**********
After the bell, Penta El Zero M and Rey Fenix ran in to attack Moxley.
Will Hobbs ran in for the save. Penta and Fenix recovered and laid out Hobbs.
Darby Allin ran in to join the brawl. Allin sent Fenix and Penta outside wth skateboard shots.
Ricky Starks ran in and attacked Allin. Starks hit a big spear and hit Allin with the skateboard.
Miro and Kip Sabian will appear this Wednesday on Dynamite.
AEW confirmed the new segment this afternoon. This follows what happened last week, when Sabian introduced the former Rusev as his best man for his upcoming wedding with Penelope Ford.
After Sabian teased a couple of other people as a potential best man, including Brian Pillman Jr., he introduced Miro who came out and cut a promo talking about another company’s imaginary brass ring. He reinforced that he was not just Sabian’s best man, he was THE best man.
This was Miro’s first pro wrestling appearance since being released from WWE in April of this year as part of wide-ranging WWE cutbacks.
Also announced for this week’s Dynamite include Best Friends vs. Santana and Ortiz in a parking lot fight, Chris Jericho and Jake Hager vs. Private Party, Hangman Page vs. Frankie Kazarian, and MJF will be in singles action.
Additionally, Thunder Rosa will return to AEW to face Ivelisse, and FTR will face Jurassic Express in a non-title match. If Jurassic Express win, they will get a future title match.
Kip Sabian will announce his ‘best man’ for his upcoming wedding on this week’s Dynamite, while a TNT title match has also been announced.
Sabian and Penelope Ford were shown on tonight’s All In event, with Sabian announcing that they were getting married, and it will take place live on AEW Dynamite. Sabian mentioned that with every wedding, there is a bachelor party, and the best man is usually the person who sets up the bachelor party.
Interviewer Alex Marvez asked Sabian who his best man was. Sabian said he would introduce him on Dynamite this week.
Dustin Rhodes, meanwhile, will get a TNT title match against Brodie Lee this Wednesday. Rhodes got the shot after his team defeated the Dark Order tonight at All Out, with Dustin pinning Cabana.
After the match, Tony Schiavone made the announcement to Rhodes. Dustin, shocked, said this was the first time in a while he’s had a shot at the gold and promised to bring hell to Brodie Lee.
The next two shots at the AEW tag team titles have been spoken for.
On Wednesday’s Dynamite, Kip Sabian and Jimmy Havoc defeated SCU, earning themselves a shot at champions Kenny Omega and Hangman Page on next week’s show. The duo (3-1 since they started teaming up) won when they hit their combination Michinoku driver/dropkick combo on Scorpio Sky.
As the match closed, Excalibur announced that whoever comes out of next week’s match as champions will defend against Best Friends at Fyter Fest. The show doesn’t have a date as of this writing, but already has AEW World Champion Jon Moxley vs. Brian Cage headlining.
Chuck Taylor and Trent are on a six-match winning streak dating back to early April and earned the shot with a win over Private Party at Double or Nothing.
Since defeating SCU for the titles on the Jericho Cruise in January, Page and Omega are 3-0 but haven’t defended the titles since beating the Young Bucks at February’s Revolution pay-per-view due to the pandemic.
Two wrestlers will start the Casino Ladder Match. A new participant will then enter every 90 seconds until everyone has entered. The chip that’s hanging above the ring can be grabbed at any time, meaning it’s an advantage to enter the match early. The winner will get a future shot at the AEW World Championship.
Double or Nothing is taking place on Saturday, May 23. Here’s what’s been announced for the pay-per-view:
AEW World Champion Jon Moxley defending against Brodie Lee
TNT Championship tournament finals: Cody vs. Lance Archer (Mike Tyson will present the TNT Championship to the winner of the match)
AEW Women’s Champion Nyla Rose defending against Hikaru Shida in a no DQ, no countout match
The Elite (Kenny Omega, Hangman Page & The Young Bucks) & Matt Hardy vs. The Inner Circle (Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara, Jake Hager, Santana & Ortiz) in a Stadium Stampede match
Casino Ladder Match
Britt Baker vs. Kris Statlander
MJF vs. Jungle Boy
Tag team number one contender’s match: Private Party vs. Best Friends (pre-show)
Tony Schiavone and Cody welcomed us to the show. Schiavone promised three matches this week. He did the same last week and only two matches aired. This week, he was a man of his word.
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10 (w/ Mr. Brodie Lee) defeated Ryan Pyles
10 has a great physique but looks silly with a slash mark tattoo on each pectoral.
Lee came to ringside with a chair and slammed the chair into the post when Pyles would hit a move.
Pyles scored two or three bits of offense during the match. He hit an open-hand chop that left a hand print on 10’s chest. Aside from that, this was a squash.
10’s offense included a European uppercut, a pump kick, and a release German.
10 hit a spinebuster for the finish.
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A Double or Nothing commercial aired.
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Sammy Guevara defeated Shawn Dean
This was a bit more competitive than a squash match.
Chris Harrington made a cameo here as an audience member.
Sammy demanded that referee Paul Turner remove his ring jacket and hat while he vlogged. Guevara continued to record with his phone and Dean rolled him up for a quick near fall. Guevara responded with a deep squat into a fireman’s carry slam.
Guevara went for a vertical suplex. Dean reversed, hit a delayed vertical suplex, then hit a forward roll into a knee drop for a near fall.
Guevara hit a stomp and used a chinlock. He flipped over while maintaining the hold and bridged, then flipped back to a rear chinlock. Dean fired up with strikes and broke the hold.
Dean hit a clothesline. Guevara whipped Dean into the ropes. Dean floated over and hit a DDT.
Dean missed a knee strike and jammed his knee in the corner. Guevara then hit a Burning GTS for the pin.
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Another Double or Nothing commercial aired.
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They replayed the angle from the March 18 Dynamite where Colt Cabana pie-faced Kip Sabian.
This was a solid match. They worked it like it was the first match of a longer program.
Sabian slapped Cabana. Cabana hit a shoulder tackle. They did a series of drop downs and leapfrogs. Cabana slapped Sabian across the face.
Sabian rolled outside. Cabana followed him out and tickled Ford from behind. Sabian tried a springboard kick but Cabana stepped out of the way.
Cabana used a modified bow and arrow, a side headlock and a shoulder tackle. Cabana went to the apron. Ford distracted him and Sabian hit a springboard enzuigiri. Sabian went for a kiss from Ford but Ford declined. Sabian sold like he was confused.
Sabian hit a penalty kick for a two count. Sabian choked Cabana with the middle rope. Sabian hit a springboard dropkick for a near fall. Cabana pulled Sabian into a backslide for his own near fall.
Sabian went for a springboard move but Cabana nailed him with an up-kick. Cabana made a comeback with a flip, flop, and fly and scored two quick near falls.
Cabana hit a flying apple. He went to the second rope. Ford jumped into the ring and distracted Cabana. Ford took the referee.
With the ref distracted, Sabian hit a low blow and rolled Cabana up for the pin.
Ford and Sabian made out after the match.
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Cody and Schiavone previewed tomorrow’s Dynamite to end the show.
