AEW announced their slate of matches for Tuesday’s edition of AEW Dark on YouTube which will feature a main event of Kip Sabian vs. Colt Cabana.
On the March 18th empty arena edition of Dynamite from Jacksonville, FL, Cabana was doing an interview with Tony Schiavone when he said Penelope Ford would be better off without Sabian. The two exchanged shoves and Cabana slapped Sabian before the heel duo left for the back. Ford will be in Sabian’s corner Tuesday night.
Also announced for Dark:
Sammy Guevara will take on Shawn Dean. Guevara will be looking to rebound after his TNT Championship tourney loss to Darby Allin two weeks ago while Dean has been a regular on Dark in recent weeks in losing efforts to both Shawn Spears and Jimmy Havoc.
Number 10 of the Dark Order (w/Brodie Lee) will face Ryan Pyles. 10 is formerly Preston Vance who was repackaged on a Dynamite segment two weeks ago. Pyles is another Nightmare Factory student.
The semifinals of the TNT title tournament are now set.
The opening round of the tournament finished with Dustin Rhodes and Darby Allin picking up wins tonight over Sammy Guevara and Kip Sabian, respectively. Allin scored a win over Guevara tonight after locking in a pin maneuver called the Last Supper.
Rhodes told his brother Cody in the Road to the TNT title video that aired earlier this week that if he were to lose this tournament match, he would retire from pro wrestling. That didn’t happen, as Rhodes pinned Sabian with a Canadian destroyer after Brandi Rhodes took out Penelope Ford with a spear.
Both semifinal matches, which are set for next week, will feature Allin taking on Cody and Lance Archer facing Dustin Rhodes. The winners of these two matches will face each other in the finals at Double or Nothing on May 23. The winner will become the first AEW TNT champion.
The TNT Championship tournament continues tonight on AEW Dynamite.
In one half of the bracket, Sammy Guevara will face off with Darby Allin. The two have been feuding on and off for months. Guevara was responsible for Allin being out of action after an attack with Allin’s skateboard. They met in a singles match at AEW Revolution that saw Allin come out on top. The winner of Guevara vs. Allin will face Cody in the semifinals.
The other tournament match will see Kip Sabian take on Dustin Rhodes. Rhodes has vowed to retire if he loses the match. The winner of this bout will face Lance Archer in the other semifinal match.
Jimmy Havoc will take on Orange Cassidy in a singles bout tonight. This was set up last week when Havoc planted Cassidy with a DDT on the floor, blocking him from interfering in the Kip Sabian vs. Chuck Taylor match.
Wardlow, Brodie Lee, and Kenny Omega have been advertised for in-ring action tonight as well, but their opponents have not been named.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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The show opened with Cody starring in a video package. This was a chance for him to show off his acting chops as he sat in front of a bank of monitors as if he were Batman in the Batcave.
Cody handicapped the remaining competitors in the TNT tournament. His delivery was very good.
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Chris Jericho and Tony Schiavone previewed the rest of the show.
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A Sammy Guevara video package played. Sammy cut a strong promo. He said Darby beat him at Revolution but he’s going to beat him tonight.
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A Darby Allin video package played. This was shot in the black and white style that has been used in most of his promo packages. Allin vowed to win.
This was a very good match. Not as good as their Revolution bout, but this was hampered by two commercial breaks and an empty arena.
Guevara attacked Allin as he made his entrance. Guevara beat Allin all around ringside. He pulled a ladder from under the ring and set up a ladder bridge from the apron to the barricade, then placed Allin on the ladder.
Guevara hit a splash off the top rope through the ladder. The ladder didn’t appear to be gimmicked and it didn’t break. The ringside doctor checked on both men as they went to the first commercial break.
After the break, the opening bell rang. Guevara went to work on Allin in the ring with strikes. He teased a superplex but Allin blocked. Allin took off Guevara’s left boot and began stomping and headbutting the ankle.
Guevara hit a springboard cutter for a two count. Allin barred Guevara’s knee and used a heel hook. Guevara hit a boot to the face for a near fall. Allin was bleeding from the nose.
Allin rolled to the floor before the second commercial break of the match.
Back from break, Allin went for a suicide dive but hit the barricade instead. That’s a spectacular spot but it’s profoundly stupid.
Guevara barely connected on a 630 splash. Allin grabbed the rope and forced a break on the ensuing pin attempt.
The finish saw Allin hit a backpack stunner. Guevara tried a burning hammer GTS but Allin blocked. Allin then rolled through into the Last Supper and pinned Guevara.
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Broken Matt Hardy cut a promo. This seemed to set up Hardy vs. Guevara at the Hardy compound, with Hardy working his way through the Inner Circle until he gets to Jericho. Nothing was officially announced, though.
Hardy said that Jericho never responded to his challenge. He said maybe if Jericho doesn’t want to come to the Hardy cimpound, maybe Sammy Guevara should come face him instead.
Hardy said maybe Jericho didn’t respond to him because Broken Matt is too intense. He said maybe Jericho needs to hear from Matt’s mortal vessel.
Matt Hardy then appeared without the Broken gimmick and addressed Jericho. He said he’s known Jericho for 20 years. He said he’s got the back of his friends The Elite and he won’t let Jericho use AEW as a platform.
Hardy vowed to kick Guevara’s ass and kick the ass of the whole Inner Circle.
This was a good promo, particularly once he dropped the Broken character.
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Kenny Omega defeated Alan Angels
Jericho was tremendous on commentary in this match. Omega gave Angels a ton of offense. Too much, really.
Angels hit a leg kick. Angels had an answer for everything Omega tried early on. Angels hit a senton. Angels used the ring skirt to trip Omega. Angels got a two count off a springboard move.
Omega missed a V-Trigger but managed to connect with a snap dragon suplex. Omega hit a V-Trigger but Angels kicked out.
Omega connected with another V-Trigger for the pin.
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A Scorpio Sky video package played.
Sky said he wanted to be a wrestler for as long as he could remember. He said he suffered a serious back injury in 2008 or 2009 that threatened his career.
He said he doesn’t believe in miracles but one day he woke up and his back didn’t hurt. He got back into wrestling but always had bad luck as far as getting a big break.
Sky said everything changed in 2017 when SCU formed.
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They played the Road To video where Dustin Rhodes vowed to retire if he lost tonight while leaving Cody a voicemail.
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A Being The Elite commercial played, hyping episode 200.
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Orange Cassidy defeated Jimmy Havoc
I like both of these guys but this went way too long.
Havoc attacked Cassidy before the bell and dominated the match.
Havoc choked Cassidy with Cassidy’s own jacket and t-shirt. Havoc crotched Cassidy on the barricade and suplexed him on the floor.
Havoc hit a DVD and used an armbar. Havoc bit Cassidy’s hands.
Cassidy finally made a comeback. He hit a crossbody and a swing DDT. Havoc cut Cassidy off again. Cassidy came back with a splash.
The match broke down into chaos. Penelope Ford jumped on the apron. Chuck Taylor tried to pull her off. Instead, Ford did the splits on the apron. Kip Sabian flew in with a tope over the top rope to the floor, wiping out Taylor and Trent.
Back inside, Cassidy tripped Havoc and used a crucifix for the flash pin.
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Havoc immediately killed Cassidy wit a DDT after the match. Taylor and Trent jumped in to make the save. Some kind of multi-person match between Best Friends and Cassidy, Havoc, Sabian and maybe Ford seems imminent.
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MJF cut a promo from “his rat’s house” in Cape Cod.
MJF said he suffered a hangnail while gambling at his last Dynamite appearance. He said it’s become life-threatening and may require surgery. The camera pulled back to reveal MJF in a sling.
He vowed to return and win the AEW title.
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Wardlow defeated Lee Johnson
Just a quick squash here.
Johnson scored with one dropkick. Wardlow hit a series of suplexes and won with his F-10.
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A Brodie Lee video aired.
A Dark Order hopeful was shown. His girlfriend Samantha broke up with him by voicemail. He got injured in a college football game and turned to the Dark Order website.
The hopeful met with Lee who asked him how tall he was, how much he weighed and whether or not he played college football. The hopeful answered 6’2″, 240, and yes he played football.
Lee offered him success.
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Brodie Lee defeated Justin Law
Lee won a squash with a discus lariat after hitting a variety of suplexes and throws.
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Marko Stunt taunted Lee from the audience. Lee stared him down. This looks to be a match sometime soon.
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Best Friends vs. Jimmy Havoc and Kip Sabian was set up via a backstage promo with Best Friends. No official announcement was made for when this will take place.
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Brodie Lee vs. Marko Stunt was announced for next week. A double main event of both TNT tournament semifinals was also announced for next week.
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Another episode of The Bubbly Bunch aired.
Sammy lamented that they had been down lately. Jericho said that they should do Flim Flam dances to cheer themselves up. Sammy wasn’t in until Jericho promised hand sanitizer to the winner. Flim Flam was a Tik Tok spoof, in case you needed this spelled out.
Guevara won the dance contest.
I enjoyed this much more than the first episode of The Bubbly Bunch.
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A hype video played for the main event with strong promos from both Rhodes and Sabian.
Rhodes took the early part of the match. He worked on the left arm of Sabian. Sabian backed Rhodes into the corner. From there, Ford grabbed the ankle of Rhodes which allowed Sabian to take over.
Sabian hit a penalty kick for a near fall before a commercial break.
Sabian worked on the left leg. Rhodes did a nice job of selling like he was having a tough time walking and running. Rhodes used a quick crucifix for a two count.
Sabian hit a knee to the chest and used a lariat for a near fall. They traded cradles for near falls.
Rhodes made his comeback and hit a bunch of signature spots, including his powerslam.
Sabian cut Rhodes off and hit a DDT for a near fall. Sabian hit a series of punches from mount. Sabian took the referee.
With the ref distracted, Ford jumped in the ring. Brandi jumped in and hit her with a spear.
The finish saw Rhodes make it to his feet and hit a code red for the pin on Sabian.
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Rhodes celebrated in the ring after the match.
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As the show was going off the air, Schiavone said that Tony Khan just told him in his ear that Kip Sabian & Jimmy Havoc vs. Best Friends in a no DQ match was signed for next week.
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I thought this show was paced pretty well but it lacked some sizzle outside of the opening match.
I would have given the main event more time and cut the Havoc/Cassidy match some.
Empty arena wrestling continues to be a tough watch but there’s great effort from the crew here.
Dustin Rhodes said that if he doesn’t beat Kip Sabian on Dynamite this Wednesday, he will retire.
AEW’s social media today shared a clip of the upcoming Road to the TNT Championship video that will drop on Monday. In the video, he is shown talking to Cody via phone about his match against Sabian this Wednesday, saying if he doesn’t win the match and advance in the tournament, he’ll retire.
The winner between Sabian and Rhodes will face Lance Archer, who defeated Colt Cabana to advance. Another tournament match that will take place Wednesday features Sammy Guevara facing Darby Allin. The winner of that match will face Cody in the semifinals.
The two semi finalists will meet at Double or Nothing on May 23 to determine the first TNT champion.
Additional matches for this week’s Dynamite will see Jimmy Havoc face Orange Cassidy. Kenny Omega and Mr. Brodie will also be in action. AEW additionally announced today that Wardlow will also be in action.
Next week’s AEW Dynamite has been rounded out with three new matches joining the final two TNT Championship tournament bouts.
Darby Allin vs. Sammy Guevara and Kip Sabian vs. Dustin Rhodes were announced for next week’s show, completing the quarterfinals. The Guevara-Allin winner will face Cody in the semifinals, while the Rhodes-Sabian winner will face Lance Archer, who defeated Colt Cabana on tonight’s show.
Allin and Guevara had a confrontation tonight after Guevara defeated Suge D. “The Spanish God” cut a promo calling Allin a face-painted weird and was about to attack Suge D again when Allin came in for the save.
The two semifinalists will compete in a match at Double or Nothing on May 23 to determine the first ever AEW TNT champion.
Also made for next week was Orange Cassidy of Best Friends returning to singles action against Jimmy Havoc. The match stems from an attack on tonight’s show when Havoc appeared from the crowd and DDT’d Cassidy, who was at ringside for the Chuck Taylor vs. Kip Sabian match.
Additionally, Brodie Lee and Kenny Omega will each be in action next week, but their opponents were not announced.
Tony Schiavone and Cody were the announce team for the opener.
Up first was QT Marshall against one of his students at the Nightmare Factory training school.
QT Marshall defeated Lee Johnson
Johnson has a nice dropkick but didn’t show much else. Marshall is technically very good but has been dealt a bad hand in the look and charisma departments.
They locked up and traded holds. Marshall took over after catching Johnson on a crossbody attempt. Marshall hit a leg drop and worked an abdominal stretch.
Johnson made a brief comeback with a dropkick and one-legged dropkick. Marshall caught Johnson off the top again and hit a uranage/flatliner combination. Marshall ended up with a cut under his right eye.
Marshall then hit a swanton bomb for the pin.
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Taz and Excalibur did the announcing for this contest.
Wardlow (w/ MJF) defeated Ryan Pyles
Wardlow took forever to take his clothes off before the match.
The match itself went seconds. Wardlow hit his F-10 finisher and pinned Pyles with a boot on the chest.
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Schiavone and Jimmy Havoc did the announcing for the main event. Havoc was especially entertaining and I would like to hear more of these two together.
Kip Sabian (w/ Penelope Ford) defeated Tony Donati
Congratulations to Kip and Penelope on their engagement.
This was the best match on this show.
They began with some fundamentals, trading side headlocks and shoulder tackles. Ford tripped Donati while Sabian took the referee. Sabian then hit a pump kick and went to work.
Sabian again took the referee while Ford choked Donati in the corner. Sabian hit a kick and a back elbow for a near fall. Sabian hit a penalty kick for another two count.
Sabian went for a Michinoku driver, but Donati blocked and hit a hammerlock brainbuster for a two count. Sabian cut Donati off as he attempted a springboard attack.
Sabian hit his draping top rope suplex, a modified GTS, then used the Cruciatus Clutch and Donati tapped out.
AEW announced their slate of matches for this week’s edition of Dark featuring various main roster talents against newcomers.
Kip Sabian (with Penelope Ford) will look to get back on the winning track against Tony Donati after suffering a loss to Darby Allin on the March 25th Dynamite. Donati will be making his promotional debut.
While he has seen recent success teaming with Dustin Rhodes, QT Marshall will be looking to earn his first AEW singles victory (0-3) as he faces the debuting Lee Johnson. Marshall lost to Brodie Lee in the latter’s AEW debut on the March 25th Dynamite.
AEW also announced that Wardlow will be in action but didn’t announce his opponent. MJF’s bodyguard has only had one match in the promotion thus far, a steel cage loss to Cody Rhodes on the February 19th Dynamite.
It’s assumed this match was taped during AEW’s appearance in Jacksonville, Florida, several weeks ago while Sabian and Marshall were both part of the recent Georgia tapings.
AEW Dark debuts on YouTube Tuesdays at 7 PM Eastern.
Amid a constant drumbeat of gloom and doom in the world due to the coronavirus pandemic, there is still some positive news that breaks through the clouds from time to time as Kip Sabian and Penelope Ford announced their engagement Saturday.
The 27-year-old England native posted the video on Instagram, noting it was their anniversary and he tricked her into believing they were taking a photo for his parents as they went for a walk at their favorite spot with their dog.
The 27-year-old Ford (real name Olivia Hasler) is from Phoenix, AZ. Both are members of the AEW roster with Sabian (real name Simon Kippin) set to face Dustin Rhodes in the next few weeks on Dynamite in the TNT title tournament. Ford was last in a four-way match on the March 18th Dynamite and will likely be in action over the next few weeks on both Dynamite and Dark.
The Big News: Death Triangle ran in after the main event to lay a beating on five babyfaces. It took three more, in the form of Best Friends and Orange Cassidy, to run them off.
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When looking up this episode on YouTube I couldn’t help but notice the large number of episodes (including this one) where the thumbnail is of the Jurassic Express.
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Jurassic Express (with Marko Stunt) defeated Kip Sabian & Peter Avalon (with Penelope Ford & Leva Bates)
Speaking of the Jurassic Express, they are here to kick off Dark this week. Avalon, who comes into this match at 0-10, took forever to start his promo. He got as far as saying we were in Denver before the Express’ music began. This doesn’t seem right, but the graphic indicates this is only the second time Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus are teaming together in a two-on-two tag match.
Jungle Boy ran wild on both heels and was going for some sort of slingshot maneuver, but Penelope tripped him up and Sabian took over. Sabian and Avalon worked well together. Avalon missed a beautiful moonsault, giving Jungle Boy room to crawl for a tag. However. Ford grabbed one of Leva’s books and threw it into the ring to distract the referee, so the heels kept control.
Unfortunately for Sabian and Avalon, their ladies could not get along. Bates and Ford began arguing with one another, which distracted the team long enough for Luchasaurus to get the tag. He had it almost had it won with a moonsault to Avalon, but Sabian bum-rushed into the pile, breaking up the cover. Luchasaurus gave Sabian the tail whip, allowing Jungle Boy to pin Avalon following an assisted cutter.
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Tony Schiavone and Dasha Gonzalez previewed the rest of the show. Dasha wanted to know why Tony was wearing a Nightmare Family shirt. Turns out 20% of the proceeds of that shirt up until March 14 will be donated to Planned Pethood.
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Jimmy Havoc defeated Severino Corrente
I believe “Severino Corrente” loosely translates to “lamb being led to slaughter.”
Corrente had his fingers yanked back. Most people would be like “I’m done”. Instead Corrente punched Havoc to no avail. Jimmy used a discus elbow to the face and went for some sort of fireman’s carry, but Corrente raked the eyes.
Corrente started to build momentum, but then he ran chest-first into Jimmy’s feet. He did duck an Acid Rainmaker and used a German suplex into the corner turnbuckles. He tried to fishhook Havoc, but instead Jimmy bit his fingers. A series of impact moves followed, including a leg hook DDT and finished off Corrente with an Acid Rainmaker for the pin.
Havoc beckoned to the back, daring Luther and Mel to come out. Unfortunately, you get what you ask for, as Luther flew down the ramp and attacked Havoc from behind, eventually laying out Havoc with a DDT on the ramp.
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Hikaru Shida defeated Abadon
Abadon is one of the most unique looking wrestlers on the roster. She has done her face paint to look like blood is seeping from her forehead into her eye and down her cheek. She is certainly a sight to behold. By comparison, Hikaru Shida does not look like she has blood coming out of her eye.
Some of the crowd chanted for Abadon to “eat her soul” despite being the heel and Shida being very well liked. Abadon tried to eat Shida’s hand, which threw off the number one ranked contender. Abadon looked really good here and I really hope she’s not one and done. Abadon had her tied in the ropes and licked Shida’s face. Shida was not happy about this, possibly for more than one reason.
Abadon didn’t sell for much, but she definitely felt it when Shida used a running knee in the corner and a missile dropkick. Shida nailed a knee to the back of the head, but Abadon almost won with the Edge-a-matic. Shida finally managed to hit a Shining Wizard for the win.
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Backstage, Dasha asked Jimmy Havoc for an update on his injuries. Havoc thanked Luther for doing it, so being the nice guy Luther is, he attacked Havoc again and had to be dragged away.
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The Librarians were telling us about the newest book of the month, which is Written In The Stars. They came upon Colt Cabana, who was listening to a podcast instead of reading a book. Avalon kept recommending authors, so Colt recommended podcasts. This led to a challenge for a match.
Leva went back and told Colt she loves his podcast.
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Private Party defeated Sonny Kiss & Brandon Cutler
A few weeks ago, Cutler almost beat Private Party by himself when his partner, Shawn Spears walked out. So how will things be when he has a loyal partner? Either way, Cutler is dueling it out with Peter Avalon for the worst record in AEW at 0-9.
Cutler did a great job countering Isiah Kassidy and Marq Quen, much like he did the last time they met. This time Sonny got involved and it ended up in a standoff. Excalibur wondered if Quen and Sonny got their hair done at the same place, which led Taz to say he thinks they go to the same “Dye-ist”. While this conversation was going on, Kiss went down to a combo Rude Awakening/Double Foot Stomp, giving Private Party the advantage.
Private Party mimicked Kiss while getting the heat on him. Cutler got the hot tag and used a beautiful springboard double clothesline. Cutler looked good, laying a beating on both men. We did have a contrived spot where Kassidy was laying on the middle rope and had to stay hanging there while Cutler did moves to Quen first.
Get out the hammer and nails, because this team of Cutler and Kiss are BUILDING MOMENTUM! Kiss went for a boot on Quen, but Marq moved and Kiss ended up in the splits. Quen went for what turned into a Moonsault with double knees. Cutler got in and started doing moves without getting a tag. The referee kept telling him he’s not legal, but Cutler ignored him and hit the TPK on both members of Private Party. Kiss went to the middle rope, but Kassidy prevented him from leaping off. Quen tagged in as Private Party nailed Kiss with the Gin and Juice for the win.
Suddenly, from out of nowhere (or just off the camera), Death Triangle ran in to attack Private Party! PAC, Pentagon and Fenix ended up laying out not only them, but also Cutler and Kiss, who tried to make the save.
PAC took the mic and told all of AEW that if they continue to disrespect athletes of their caliber, they’ll get exactly what they asked for. Joey Janela tried to run in for the save, but was also laid out. Best Friends and Orange Cassidy then hit the ring to send the Death Triangle reeling as the show closed
The Big News: QT Marshall is no longer winless after teaming with Dustin Rhodes against Shawn Spears & Peter Avalon in this week’s main event. Joey Janela also defeated Kip Sabian in their falls count anywhere match.
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There was a cold open this week as Excalibur and Taz started the show and ran down the matches before we got going.
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Jimmy Havoc defeated Marko Stunt (w/ Luchasaurus and Jungle Boy)
The fans popped for Stunt. Taz said he’ll never make fun of anyone for being small. Stunt hit two suicide dives at the start. Instead of doing a third, he hit a tornado DDT onto the pretty black mats. Havoc caught Stunt on a hurricanrana attempt and hit a buckle bomb to take over. Dr. Luther and Mel came out to the ramp to stare down Havoc.
Havoc slapped on a crossface, but Stunt was able to get a foot on the ropes. Onto the apron, Havoc yanked Stunt by the hair, causing Stunt to smack the back of his head on the ring post.
Stunt fought out of a Rude Awakening and began making a brief comeback. He also ducked an Acid Rainmaker. Stunt hit an enzuigiri and a running knee strike, so Havoc rolled to the outside. Stunt went for a suicide dive, but Havoc stepped out of the way. Back in the ring, Havoc hit an Acid Rainmaker for the win.
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We were magically whisked away to Tony Schiavone and the returning Dasha Gonzalez high above the arena to introduce the rest of the show.
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The Dark Order (Evil Uno & Stu Grayson w/ John Silver and Alex Reynolds) defeated Strong Hearts (CIMA & T-Hawk)
Strong Hearts took part in the tag team battle royal on Dynamite last week and also did battle with The Dark Order on AEW Dark. Not sure how the winless Silver & Reynolds were in a top contender’s match while Evil Uno & Grayson weren’t, but that’s for The Exalted One to figure out.
I’ve complained about this before, but The Dark Order is supposed to be this super serious group and at times they will just randomly do Three Stooges comedy. Evil Uno ordered CIMA to put the brakes on while coming off the ropes, so CIMA chopped him. He went for a chop seconds later, but Uno got an eye poke. All that was missing was for this to be in black and white.
T-Hawk chased Uno around the ring and Grayson cut him off with a uranage. The heat on T-Hawk lasted just long enough for it to mean something when he made the hot tag to CIMA.
CIMA sent his foes packing and he and T-Hawk did stereo suicide dives onto all four Dark Order members. The Dark Order hit a pair of unique moves, including Grayson doing a springboard over the top rope giving CIMA a DDT on the ring apron, which is the hardest part of the ring. Finally, Uno pinned T-Hawk with Fatality.
Janela ran out and low blowed Sabian on the ramp and probably would have won with the ensuing roll-up, but Ford broke it up. Speaking of Ford, Sabian gave Janela an airplane spin and Janela’s legs hit Ford in the head. Sabian and Janela fought down the ramp and onto the floor in front of the stage, so Ford recovered and gave her ex a crossbody.
The match slowed down as they wrestled into the ringside area. Sabian crawled down the front row, for some reason, and as soon as he crossed the barricade Janela gave him a running strike and put him back into the audience.
Sabian finally stopped Janela by swinging a chair like a baseball bat at him. The advantage didn’t last long and Janela used a fan’s prosthetic leg to kick Sabian in the head. Do I really have nothing better to do on Tuesday nights?
Sabian used a half-and-half suplex on the ring apron and then hit a twisting neckbreaker/suplex off the apron and through a table. Sabian and Ford set up two tables side by side. Janela started making a comeback, so Ford gave him a diving hurricanrana. She went for a flying crossbody, but Janela caught her, threw her into Sabian, and they fell backwards. Sabian somehow bounced off the tables and they had a nasty bump to the floor.
Janela finally pinned Sabian with a kendo stick to the side of the face.
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Backstage, Dustin Rhodes & QT Marshall were interviewed about their main event match against Shawn Spears & Peter Avalon. Dustin promised to have a secret weapon.
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Dustin Rhodes & QT Marshall (w/ Brandi Rhodes) defeated Shawn Spears & Peter Avalon (w/ Tully Blanchard and Leva Bates)
Literally last week I wrote “Speaking of tag teams, where is Shawn Spears? Has he stopped looking for a partner?” Spears was back this week and maybe he’s found his second half with The Librarian? Brandi Rhodes, of all people, was in the babyface’s corner. Tully Blanchard made a motion to attack Dustin before the bell, but got caught and backed away.
Marshall and Avalon teamed last week and were not terribly successful in any way, so I am sure Marshall felt good when he hit Avalon with an uppercut. Spears did the cartwheel he used to do in WWE and was so tempted to do the 10 hand sign, but had to fight the desire to do it. A few fans started chanting 10, but most didn’t care
They did care when Dustin used the 10 punches of doom. Bates eventually grabbed Marshall’s boot to get his attention, which allowed Avalon to get the advantage.
Spears took a water break just so he could spit it in Marshall’s face. That ended up being a bad idea as Marshall hit an enzuigiri and made the hot tag. A four-way broke out and Spears backdropped Marshall over the top rope, but Dustin gave him a Code Red for a near fall.
Spears hit Dustin with a book and hit a very nice frog splash for a super near fall. Avalon blind tagged himself in, which pissed off Spears. Spears punched Avalon and then walked out. Someone give him a heads up that Brandi speared Bates and Dustin pinned Avalon with a double-team maneuver. It was a combo Dominator/Diamond Cutter.
The streak is over! QT Marshall picked up his first win in AEW!
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That does it for tonight. You might recall that before Full Gear they aired Dark on the Friday before the PPV. So I’ll either be back Friday or next week. Either way, have a great week!
Here are spoilers for next week’s episode of AEW Dark, which were taped during tonight’s AEW Dynamite taping in Atlanta, Georgia:
Jimmy Havoc defeated Marko Stunt
– This match was taped prior to Dynamite.
After the television portion of the taping concluded, Cody cut a short promo talking about his father and told a story about Dusty and Sting. AEW posted footage of the speech that you can listen to below:
Following the promo, the final three matches of the tapings were held:
Joey Janela defeated Kip Sabian in a Falls Count Anywhere match
The Dark Order (Evil Uno and Stu Grayson) defeated CIMA and T-Hawk
Dustin Rhodes and QT Marshall (with Brandi Rhodes) defeated Peter Avalon and Shawn Spears (with Leva Bates and Tully Blanchard)
Dynamite next week will take place at the Silverstein Eye Centers Arena in Independence, Missouri. Already announced is a 30 minute iron man match between PAC and Kenny Omega. The Butcher and the Blade will also take on Best Friends in a tag team match.
Another segment will take place on the show, featuring a weigh-in between Jon Moxley and Chris Jericho ahead of their title match at Revolution on February 29.
Tony Schiavone welcomed us to Cleveland for the start of this week’s Dark. He talked about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, then threw it to Taz and Excalibur.
JUNGLE BOY & MARKO STUNT DEFEATED SONNY KISS & BRANDON CUTLER
Cutler has undergone a gimmick makeover since I last saw him on Dynamite. He’s painted his face, changed up his gear, and rolls a Dungeons and Dragons dice during his entrance.
Stunt and Cutler began. Stunt did a couple of comedy spots. Jungle Boy tagged in and used a springboard arm drag. Kiss tagged in and hit a triple back handspring into a back elbow in the corner, then a handspring into an axe kick. Very impressive.
Jungle Boy made a comeback, again hitting springboard arm drags. Stunt tagged in and got cut off by Cutler. Cutler hit a black hole slam for a near fall. Kiss tagged in. Stunt used a tijeras. Kiss sat down into a cradle for a two count.
Jungle Boy got a hot tag. Cutler tagged in as well. Jungle Boy used a standing Muta lock. Kiss interfered, but got tossed over the top rope. Stunt tagged in, hit a flipping stunner off the top, then pinned Cutler.
The finish was a little clunky, but this was alright.
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Brandi Rhodes visited a therapist. I think I know this therapist. Hi, Teil!
The therapist talked Brandi through her issues with the Nightmare Collective. She encouraged her to let go of the Collective, to let go of all the criticism of her on Twitter. Brandi was hallucinating, seeing subliminal messages from the therapist. Brandi left, passing a stuffed animal on the couch where the therapist had been sitting.
I think Brandi might be hallucinating and talking to a stuffed animal? I’m not sure. We’ll have to see how this plays out.
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HIKARU SHIDA DEFEATED MEL
Mel was accompanied by Dr. Luther and Kong.
Mel attacked Shida at the opening bell. Kong used a kendo stick shot on Shida from the floor while Mel took the referee.
Mel continued the attack on Shida in the corner. Shida low-bridged Mel to the floor. Shida pulled a chair from under the ring to use as a launch pad for a knee strike. Luther jumped in Shida’s path and took the knee strike for Mel, allowing Mel to regain the edge over Shida.
Back in the ring, Mel hit a slam. Shida escaped a vertical suplex attempt and hit an enzuigiri. Shida then hit a vertical suplex. Shida hit a missile dropkick for a near fall. Mel came back with a black hole slam, then hit a standing leg drop for a two count.
Mel tried a chokeslam, but Shida used a victory roll for a near fall. Mel then used a crucifix for a two count. Shida used a judo hip toss for a takedown, then hit a running knee for a two count.
Luther jumped on the apron and took the ref. Kong tried for a kendo stick shot. Shida ducked, and Kong hit Mel. Shida then used the kendo stick on Kong.
Mel dead-weighted Shida on a falcon arrow, but Shida got a two count off of it. Shida then hit a running knee strike for the pin.
After the match, Kong and Luther were brow beating Mel for losing. Kong slapped Mel in the back of the head. Luther then grabbed Kong. Mel hit Kong with strikes, then whipped Kong through a section of the barricade.
Mel sent Kong into the steps. Mel hit a leg drop off the apron to Kong on the steps and they both crashed to the floor. Luther and Mel left with their arms raised.
Shida was good in this match. Mel is green, but she has size and moves well. She just needs more ring time.
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Schiavone previewed the upcoming schedule, then threw it to the intergender match from the Jericho Cruise.
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KENNY OMEGA & RIHO DEFEATED KIP SABIAN & PENELOPE FORD
This was a great match, and I’m sure it was even better live. The production values here hurt the presentation, as a shaky handheld camera on the floor provided the only footage. This is the best I’ve ever seen Ford look in the ring.
Sabian and Omega began. Ford demanded a tag immediately. She slapped Omega. Omega teased tagging out but decided to face Ford instead.
They locked up. They traded left arm holds. Ford used a side headlock takeover. Omega used a headscissors takeover. Ford used a handstand escape and tagged out. Sabian ducked under an attempt to lock up and called for Riho, so Omega tagged out.
Riho began to get the best of a chain wrestling sequence, so Sabian hit a strike. Riho came back with arm drags and teased a slam. Sabian countered with a slam. Riho slipped out of another slam attempt, then tagged out.
Omega hit Sabian with chops, then used a running powerslam for a near fall. Omega hit a suplex. Riho tagged in for a double stomp, then used a single-leg crab. Sabian forced a rope break. Omega tagged back in. Omega and Riho did some double team spots. Omega hit a Kotaro Krusher for a near fall.
Riho tagged in and hit a series of chops. Sabian raked her eyes and tagged out. Ford hit Riho with chops, then stomped her down in the corner. Sabian got a tag and hit a back suplex, then used a camel clutch. Omega broke up the hold. Ford jumped in and dragged Riho back to the Superbad corner.
Sabian tagged in and Riho hit a tijeras. Riho rolled through and hit a double stomp, then tagged Omega. Omega hit you can’t escape, then hit a brainbuster for a near fall. Riho got a tag. Omega hit a snap rana. Riho hit a top rope headscissors, then hit a high cross off the top for a two count.
Omega tagged in. Sabian avoided a buckle bomb and hit an enzuigiri. Ford tagged in for a handspring back elbow and a high kick. Sabian tagged in for a missile dropkick . Ford hit a codebreaker into a leg drop from Sabian.
Omega blocked a tornado DDT from Sabian, then hit a V-Trigger. Riho and Ford tagged in. Ford hit a stunner for a near fall. Ford missed a handspring attack. Riho hit a knee strike and a Northern Lights suplex for a near fall.
Ford avoided a double stomp off the top. Both tagged out. Omega hit a snap dragon suplex. He went for a V-Trigger. Sabian pulled the referee in his path. Omega held up. Ford jumped in and hit a low blow to Omega.
The match broke down and all four jumped in. Riho hit a snap dragon on Sabian. Omega blocked a stunner from Ford, then hit her with a snap dragon. Riho used a crucifix hold on Sabian, allowing Omega to hit a V-Trigger. Omega hit another V-Trigger, then used the One Winged Angel for the pin.
Omega cut a promo after the match. He said wrestling has been around forever, there have been Royal Rumbles, Survivor Series, and a ton of different matches. He said what you’ve just seen is the latest evolution.
Omega said that it wasn’t that long ago that it was said there would be no mixed tag matches in AEW. But today, you’ve just seen that the world is expanding and anything is possible. He put over Riho, then Ford and Sabian, then bid us goodbye and good night, bang.
**********
Lexy interviewed Dr. Samson who was examining Kong. He said Kong suffered a herniated disc in the attack by Mel and will be out indefinitely.
**********
Tully Blanchard and Shawn Spears entered. Tully cut a promo. He said he and Spears are still looking for a tag team partner for Spears. They found one who looks good on paper, but the work in the ring is the real test. Tully introduced Colin Delaney.
BEST FRIENDS DEFEATED SHAWN SPEARS & COLIN DELANEY
Orange Cassidy accompanied Best Friends.
Spears and Trent began. They locked up. Trent hit the ropes, then landed with double knees on Spears. Spears rolled outside, then both tagged out.
Chuck Taylor and Delaney did a series of teases and counters. Delaney hit a boot to the gut. Spears and Delaney had some miscommunication on a couple of spots. Best Friends hit stereo planchas. They teased hugging. Spears and Delaney cut them off. Delaney then wanted to hug Spears, but Spears turned him down. Spears hugged Tully instead.
Delaney and Spears worked Taylor over in the corner. Spears hit a neckbreaker for a two count. Taylor finally managed a tag to Trent. Delaney tried a misdirection spot but ran into a lariat from Trent. Trent hit a swing DDT on Spears, then hit a tope con giro to Delaney.
Trent hit Delaney with a top rope crossbody for a near fall. Delaney managed a DDT on Trent for his own near fall. Spears tagged in and did some crowd work. The crowd chanted for his old perfect ten gimmick.
Taylor got a tag. Spears blocked a sole food. Taylor hit a sole food to Delaney into a half-and-half suplex by Trent. Taylor covered for a two count. Trent got a tag but got crotched on the top rope. Spears saved for Delaney, then tagged in.
Spears teased a superplex on Trent. Trent fought it off, but got hit by a stunner from an interfering Delaney. Spears hit a C4 on Trent for a near fall.
Things broke down. Trent, Taylor and Delaney got sent outside. Spears teased a dive. Cassidy jumped in the ring and distracted Spears. Trent pulled Spears outside, leaving Cassidy in the ring. Tully jumped in to square off with Cassidy.
Tully and Cassidy both did the pockets spot. Cassidy hit his slow kicks to Tully. Spears jumped back in and sent Cassidy outside.
Back to action, Delaney used a cradle on Trent for a near fall. Taylor hit a knee strike. The Best Friends hugged. Tully pulled Spears off the apron as he was going to climb in to help Delaney. Tully and Spears left, leaving Delaney to take the loss.
Trent and Taylor hit Delaney with Strong Zero for the pin. Delaney joined Cassidy and Best Friends for a group hug after the match.
Tuesday’s edition of AEW Dark will feature the company’s first-ever mixed tag team match featuring Kenny Omega and women’s champion Riho against Kip Sabian and Penelope Ford.
The match was filmed on the recent Chris Jericho cruise, but it was unclear whether it would be made available for fans not on the cruise to see.
While the match is billed as a mixed tag, Dave Meltzer, who saw the match live on the ship, said it featured plenty of intergender wrestling between Sabian and Riho and Omega and Ford.
The tag was announced on Twitter in a skit where Sabian and Ford approached the Young Bucks and Omega asking for the match, giving a rationale that it was on international waters. This past summer following Fyter Fest, Tony Khan showed hesitancy in intergender wrestling in AEW when asked about it.
Dark will also feature Jurassic Express (Jungle Boy/Marko Stunt) vs. Sonny Kiss and Brandon Cutler, Hikaru Shida vs. Mel (Nightmare Collective), and Best Friends vs. Shawn Spears and Colin Delaney, who was making his promotional debut.
AEW released their latest Road to show, focusing on their Dynamite event in Cleveland this Wednesday. You can watch the video below:
The first segment focused on Kip Sabian explaining why he and Penelope Ford have been attacking Joey Janela. He also talked about his upcoming match against Cody this Wednesday, saying that he knows Arn Anderson’s expertise, but he can’t wrestle the match for Cody.
The next segment focused on Private Party. They talked about growing up in Brooklyn, avoiding peer pressure and how they connected with one another as a team. They will be teaming up with Darby Allin to take on Chris Jericho, Santana and Ortiz.
The final segment focused on Brandi Rhodes speaking to a therapist about her recent change in attitude. She also talked about the other members of the Nightmare Collective, including Awesome Kong, Mel and Luther.
Also announced for Wednesday is Jon Moxley, who will be in attendance and will speak out after becoming the number one contender to the AEW title last week.
The Butcher & The Blade will also team up to take on The Young Bucks.
This year’s Chris Jericho cruise will see history made for AEW as they will hold their first-ever intergender tag team match.
Made in a BTE-style video posted on AEW’s Twitter account earlier this morning, Kenny Omega and AEW women’s champion Riho will face Kip Sabian and Penelope Ford.
In the clip seen below, Sabian and Ford come into Omega’s locker room where he’s hanging out with the Young Bucks. After putting down Riho, he pitches the match with an angle that the cruise is in international waters but it’s still for AEW. The Bucks give their vote and the match was made:
However, two things are unclear as of this writing. One is when the match is going to happen and the other is whether fans not on the cruise are going to be able to watch the match on AEW Dark, YouTube, or even a Dynamite segment.
