Tag: kyle fletcher

AEW Worlds End preview & predictions: Highs & lows

Posted on by Mike DellaCamera

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

2024 has been a rollercoaster for AEW full of significant highs like another successful Wembley Stadium show, Sting’s spectacular retirement, and, most importantly for their future, a lucrative TV rights renewal.

But with those highs have come familiar lows: consistent, systemic issues that have plagued the company since its inception. Inconsistent booking decisions, the maddening inability to pull the trigger on new babyface acts, and of course, entirely too much weekly TV time to Chris Jericho. Even smaller, technical missteps, like frequent production hiccups, persist. These aren’t just bumps in the road; they are deeply rooted flaws in AEW’s foundation.

For years, fans and defenders of the company would point to attendance and strong ratings as proof that everything was fine. Critics, they claimed, were overreacting and clutching their pearls for no reason. But those indicators are lagging ones. Now, as Dynamite’s ratings continue to fall and attendance dwindles, AEW has been forced to run smaller venues in a practical decision, but one that underscores declining interest.

Fans will show up with both their eyeballs and wallets if the product is good. But no longer can AEW trade on the currency of tremendous pay-per-view shows. That is largely still true, but as good as the in-ring can be if the rest can’t keep up, the audience has proven they will not stay. 

AEW has become over-reliant on the moment and too often neglects the story, making everything feel hollow. A company that once teemed with life now comes off as flat, its vibrancy dimmed. This hits me on a personal level. As someone who watches entirely too much wrestling (apologies to my wonderful wife) and has written about nearly every major AEW show, staying fully engaged as a consumer has never been harder. There hasn’t been much, if any, learning from mistakes.

Claims to be ‘returning to who they are’ and ‘restoring the feeling’ ring hollow when they have been a constant refrain for years. By any objective measure, AEW is still a massively successful wrestling promotion, but in order to achieve lasting success, the status quo cannot be maintained. 

Will this show be good? Most likely. Will any of us remember it by the time the ball drops on New Year’s Eve? Most likely not. Nevertheless, we persist and we preview the end of the world: Saturday’s AEW Worlds End from Orlando, Florida (8 PM EST main card on PPV).

Adam Cole vs. MJF for MJF’s Dynamite diamond ring

This is the sad conclusion to an odd chapter in AEW. These two wrestled in the main event at Wembley Stadium two years ago in an actively disappointing match. At least the program had some heat to carry it through. This time, though, nothing is propelling this story forward. There is only the whisper of what was, and the crowd is (barely) reacting accordingly. The sooner it ends the better and the outcome is irrelevant. Whoever wins will be in the same position they were coming in, if not worse for it.

No matter the outcome, MJF is going to be just fine. It’s Cole who needs a good showing here. He comes across as leagues beneath MJF and miles away from anything meaningful. Nothing about that changes on Saturday. 

Prediction: MJF

Continental Classic Semifinals and finals: Kazuchika Okada vs. Ricochet & Kyle Fletcher vs. Will Ospreay

For the second year in a row, the Continental Classic is an unquestioned high point in AEW’s year. The matches inject some much-needed life into the cards. All the competitors treat it with reverence and go all out to win it. At its best, the tournament revitalized the company’s ethos, reminding fans why AEW once felt like the alternative to the mainstream of sports entertainment. It succeeds not by overloading itself with gimmicks or drama, but by focusing on what AEW has originally promised: wrestling as sport with stakes that matter and stories that unfold in the ring.

Some of my personal highlights:

  • Brody King featured on TV as there is no good reason he shouldn’t have a solo run in 2025
  • Kyle Fletcher’s continued growth as a performer
  • Shelton Benjamin showing out every single week
  • Ricochet’s much-needed character development
  • Will Ospreay struggling for the first time in AEW

The last takeaway is just Darby Allin, worthy of far more than a single bullet and who had a true no skips tournament run for this absolute madman. He’s the most bankable television wrestler in any major company, wrestling tremendous matches with every opponent. None of it was stale, none of it was repetitive. Each match was its own kind of special. There were a lot of bumps for AEW this year, but the ascension of Allin to the top of the card was not one of them.

Winning the Continental Classic should be a launching pad to individual success and treated like an even bigger deal moving forward. It’s now a proven commodity and something that AEW fans should look forward to every year. As for who wins the thing? There’s a good story to be told with either Fletcher or Ricochet winning. It puts a definitive crown on their heel turns and establishes them as featured players for 2025. 

Prediction and new Continental Champion: Kyle Fletcher

TBS Champion Mercedes Mone defends against Kris Statlander

Statlander is the most recent example of a problem that’s plagued AEW for years: the sudden flipping of a character’s alignment with no explanation. Three months ago, she was firmly a heel and aligned with Stokely Hathaway. Immediately after her street fight with Willow Nightingale at September’s All Out, her pairing with Hathaway was dropped without mention and she was suddenly ‘good.’

Months later, there has been no clear explanation for the change. No character development. She’s just different now. How is the audience expected to connect with someone like that, someone whose motivations are not just unclear and they are a mystery? It would have taken mere minutes of TV time to explain her actions. If characters are going to continue to haphazardly switch sides, it becomes nearly impossible to care about any of them and it makes meaningful turns so much less impactful. 

A positive for AEW: Mercedes Mone is fully back. One of her strengths is her feel for the moment. Few are better at navigating a big match and building to its crescendo. When these two locked up at Full Gear, it was excellent and I have high, high hopes for the sequel. What I don’t have high hopes for is a title change.

Prediction: Mone retains

AEW Women’s World Champion Mariah May defends against Thunder Rosa in a street fight

This is another title match with very little juice. The first nine months of 2024 belonged to May. Her ascent was marked by a captivating story, one that allowed her to showcase her presence and charisma. Her coronation at All In suggested the division’s next breakout star had arrived. Her matches had buzz; her presence felt like a promise. And yet, since capturing the title, something has been missing. Her reign is defined less by dominance or memorable defenses and more by an unsettling inertia as if the creative energy that fueled her rise was spent entirely in the chase. The lead-up to her crowning moment was so well done that what followed feels, by comparison, deflated. 

Making this a street fight — a stipulation designed to inject grit and urgency into an otherwise lukewarm rivalry — is another misstep. Rosa, despite her resume, has struggled to regain her footing in AEW after a prolonged absence. Her sporadic appearances and uneven booking have left her without the aura of a credible challenger. Like the men’s World title match, this seems like filler and a match designed to buy time for whatever is next rather than elevate either competitor. Being forward-thinking is important, but the present still needs to matter.

Prediction: May retains

AEW International Champion Konosuke Takeshita defends against Powerhouse Hobbs

At last, something we can sink our teeth into: two big, beautiful boys beating the crap out of each other. Takeshita’s brilliance is in his ability to move between styles, equally comfortable trading heavy blows as he is performing mind-melting feats of athleticism. Hobbs thrives by asserting dominance, becoming the kind of force AEW has so often lacked in a roster heavy on smaller, more fleet of foot athletes. Give me 8-13 minutes of these two emptying the tank and I’ll go home happy.

Takeshita is not just a student of greatness; he is its natural heir. As much as I enjoy Hobbs and as good as he is, his ceiling is not to be the best in the world. His opponent, however, possesses that ceiling and gets the win.

Prediction: Takeshita retains

AEW World Champion Jon Moxley defends against Orange Cassidy, Hangman Page and Jay White in a fatal four-way

We arrive at the end and are met with a muddled mess.

Moxley and The Death Riders started with such promise, running roughshod over AEW. But, it has become aimless and meandering. After they sent Bryan Danielson into retirement via attempted murder, the remains of the Blackpool Combat Club felt different, all-encompassing, and unbeatable. They summarily dispatched and nearly killed the greatest wrestler of all time without a care in the world.

But weeks and months went on and nothing evolved. They aren’t imposing their will over the rest of the roster. Instead, they are winning matches via distraction rollups. The group that has tried to suffocate someone and poison someone else is winning by the hairs of their chinny chin chins? Not exactly menacing. 

As good of a promo as Moxley is, the words have to mean something at some point. They can’t just be ominous and foreboding. Villains need to have clear motivations and fans need to know what they’re working toward. Taking back AEW and making it something different is all well and good, but what do they want to shape it into? What is the end game? All the tea leaves still point towards Darby Allin winning the title and saving AEW from Mox and crew, completing the coronation of a conquering hero and the establishment of the new top babyface.

For that babyface to exist, the group he overcomes needs to be powerful, not just similarly dressed troublemakers with vague motives and notions of the greater good.

You’ll notice that was about 200 words and none of them about the actual title match on Saturday. That, dear readers, is because this is another filler program. There is no way Hangman, White or Cassidy is leaving Worlds End as champion. None of them have been built up as reasonable threats and they certainly haven’t been treated like they are. Hopefully, the show ends with a hot closing angle (Kenny Omega returning, Darby Allin getting involved with some outrageous weapon, etc.) because as a main event, this is sorely lacking.

Prediction: Moxley retains

Continental Classic final four official for AEW Worlds End

Posted on by Josh Nason

The final four participants to determine the winner of this year’s AEW Continental Classic at this Saturday’s Worlds End are now official following Wednesday’s Christmas edition of Dynamite.

Kyle Fletcher won the Blue league by virtue of his win over TNT Champion Daniel Garcia, giving him 12 points to close things out. Reigning Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada defeated Shelton Benjamin to close out their Blue league action, giving Okada ten points and the runner-up spot. He edged out Mark Briscoe who finished with nine points.

In the Gold league, Ricochet won the league with ten points after going to a draw with Darby Allin. He edged out both Will Ospreay and Claudio Castagnoli who finished with nine points apiece after Ospreay defeated Brody King and Castagnoli lost to Komander.

However, Ospreay defeated Castagnoli earlier in the tournament, giving him a tiebreaker to officially become the runner-up.

That means this Saturday at the pay-per-view, the semifinals will feature Fletcher vs. Ospreay in a highly-anticipated rematch while Ricochet vs. Okada for the first time ever. The winners of those two bouts will then square off later that night to determine the potentially new Continental Champion.

Okada is the reigning champion, but the tournament winner will leave with the title.

Here’s the current lineup for Saturday in Orlando, Florida:

  • AEW World Champion Jon Moxley defends against Orange Cassidy, Hangman Page and Jay White in a fatal four-way
  • MJF defends the Dynamite diamond ring against Adam Cole
  • AEW Continental Classic semifinal: Kyle Fletcher vs. Will Ospreay
  • AEW Continental Classic semifinal: Ricochet vs. Kazuchika Okada
  • AEW Continental Classic final: TBD vs. TBD
  • TBS Champion Mercedes Mone defends against Kris Statlander
  • AEW Women’s World Champion Mariah May defends against Thunder Rosa in a Tijuana street fight
  • AEW International Champion Konosuke Takeshita defends against Powerhouse Hobbs

AEW Collision Winter is Coming live results: Kyle Fletcher vs. Mark Briscoe

Posted on by Suit Williams

Winter is Coming for AEW Collision.

This year’s edition will see the continuation of the Continental Classic. In Blue league matches, Kyle Fletcher will take on Mark Briscoe, and Kazuchika Okada will meet The Beast Mortos. They will look to change the trajectory of the league as Fletcher currently is far ahead with 9 points.

A Tag Team title eliminator is also set as Top Flight will face Action Andretti & Lio Rush with the winners earning a future shot against titleholders Private Party.

Willow Nightingale will take on Jamie Hayter to finalize the AEW representative in the Wrestle Dynasty International Women’s Cup.

A ten-man tag team match will see Orange Cassidy, The Outrunners, Komander and Daniel Garcia take on MxM Collection and Premier Athletes.

Other action includes Kris Statlander vs. Tootie Lynn, and Toni Storm vs. Shazza McKenzie. Storm made her return on Dynamite and wrestled on Friday’s Rampage where she defeated Harley Cameron in her first AEW match since August’s All In.

The show will begin after NBA coverage on TNT.

**********

This week’s Collision comes to us live (to tape) from the Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis, Missouri. I was in this building for the Dynasty PPV back in April. I was not in the building for this show. Anyway, Tony Schiovane & Nigel McGuinness are on the call as always.

Collision began with a recap of Will Ospreay’s defeat of Claudio Castagnoli, and Darby Allin making sure Castagnoli couldn’t continue his post-match attack. Backstage at Dynamite, Ospreay thanked Allin for his help. Allin had a bad feeling that the Death Riders were going to hurt someone else the same way they hurt Bryan Danielson and Chuck Taylor, and asked for Ospreay’s help. Ospreay said that he had to get his momentum back after losing at two straignt PPVs and was too busy to help. Allin warned that there may not be a Continental Classic when the Death Riders were done with AEW, so Ospreay promised to help Allin after the tournament if he needed someone in the foxhole with him.

We got promos from all four men in Continental Classic action tonight before the announcers ran down the card for tonight. Well, we got grunts from Mortos.

International Women’s Cup Qualifier Tournament Final Match – Willow Nightingale defeated Jamie Hayter

This was a very good match with two of AEW’s most popular women. Nightingale is a great representative for AEW at the Tokyo Dome, and her winning a big International tournament could get her back into the orbit of Mercedes Mone in the new year. Meanwhile, Hayter has a chance to bounce back quickly with Julia Hart returning. I enjoy Hayter attracting all of the long injured women on the AEW roster who seem to be upset that she got back before them.

The winner of this match will join ROH’s Athena, CMLL’s Persephone, and the yet-to-be-determined Stardom participant in the four-way International Women’s Cup final at New Japan’s Wrestle Dynasty event on January 5th.

The two traded shoulder block attempts before Nightingale won the exchange. The two traded flash pins before engaging in a chop battle. Hayter took Nightingale down with a DDT on the apron before the lights flashed off. They came back quickly, allowing Nightingale to come back with a cannonball off the apron.

After the commercial, Hayter came back with a superplex and a running knee for a nearfall. Hayter hit an ushigoroshi and a sliding lariat for a nearfall, channeling the spirit of NEVER Openweight Champions ahead of Wrestle Dynasty. The two hammered each other with lariats before taking each other down with big boots. Nightingale came back with Abyss’s old Shock Treatment move before hitting a Lionsault for a nearfall.

Nightingale went up for a moonsault, but Hayter snatched on a waistlock and hit a German suplex. Nightingale avoided a Hayterade and hit a Pounce, but Hayter slipped out of the Doctor Bomb to hit a big backbreaker. Nightingale ducked another Hayterade and hit the Babe With The Powerbomb to score the win and the Tokyo Dome spot.

The two women shook hands before Nightingale headed off. The lights went out again, and when they came up this time, Julia Hart dropped Hayter with a DDT. Tony Schiavone noted that this was the building where Hart had her last match before going away.

We got words from Brody King & Claudio Castagnoli after their Continental Classic losses on Wednesday’s Dynamite. King called Ricochet a coward for winning with the help of an exposed turnbuckle.

Continental Classic 2024 Blue League Match – Kazuchika Okada [7] defeated The Beast Mortos [0]

A very good match with two guys you wouldn’t have expected to be on the same roster page this time last year. Okada is currently in second place in the block with one match to go, so he’ll need some help to get through. Meanwhile, Beast Mortos is officially eliminated, as he cannot get to 7 points and reach second place.

Okada poked Mortos in the eyes and pulled his hair like a territory heel before Mortos came back with a shoulder block. Mortos went for a monkey flip, but Okada dumped Mortos over the top rope to the floor. Okada dumped Mortos back into the ring, but Mortos charged back with a spinning dive back to the floor. Mortos got greedy and went for a cannonball into the stairs, but Okada moved out of the way. Okada laid out Mortos with a DDT and blew a kiss to his Continental Title before we went to a commercial.

Mortos made his comeback when we came back from the break. Mortos hit a pair of tilt-a-whirl backbreakers before hitting the Bane-style backbreaker for a nearfall. Okada came back with a flapjack before locking on the MONEY CLIP~! It’s the damn Money Clip! Somehow, Mortos escaped the dreaded Money Clip before laying both Okada and himself out with a headbutt.

Okada came back with the big neckbreaker before landing the big elbow drop. After the middle finger pose, Okada and Mortos ducked each other’s lariats before Mortos caught Okada with one. Mortos hit a pop-up Samoan Drop for a nearfall. Okada hit his big dropkick, but Mortos immediately sat up. Okada hit a spinning lariat before landing the Rainmaker for the win and 3 points.

We got a video package highlighting Technicolor Toni Storm’s return to Dynamite before her match tonight.

Toni Storm defeated Shazza McKenzie

My hope was that Timeless Toni was a thing of the past, but Cactus Jack seems to be lost in Cleveland. (Google it, kids.)

Storm hit the hip attack and the Storm Zero for a quick win. After the match, Storm grabbed the mic. She never thought she would see the day, but she is officially All Elite. Alrighty then.

We got a recap of Mariah May beating Mina Shirakawa to retain her Women’s Title on Dynamite. Cameras caught up with May backstage after the match. May didn’t care that Toni Storm was back and promised to bury any woman who came after her title, including telling Thunder Rosa to name a time and place.

Thunder Rosa was backstage with Tony Schiavone. Rosa knew that she was a champion in her heart before Toni Storm entered the frame. She introduced herself to both of them before leaving. Rosa got back to business, naming the time and place to Mariah May. She challenged May to a Tijuana Street Fight for the Women’s Title at Worlds End.

#1 Contender Match for AEW World Tag Team Titles – Action Andretti & Lio Rush defeated Top Flight (Dante & Darius Martin) (w/Leila Grey)

A good match with four guys I’ve been wanting to see highlighted more in the tag division, and a solid conclusion to this TV angle. Andretti and Rush are a good team of jerks, and I believe Rush has the promo ability to get the team over.

Tag Champs Private Party told these two teams to fight it out, and the winner would get a future title shot.

Dante caught Rush in a pinning predicament to start the match. Darius and Andretti tagged in and fought to a stalemate. All four men ended up in the ring before Andretti and Rush hit dual handsprings to send Top Flight to the floor.

After the break, Dante fought to his corner to make the tag to Darius. Darius ran wild on both men, vaulting his brother over both himself and Rush to hit a tornado DDT off of Dante’s chest. Rush and Andretti came back with a flurry of strikes and a double Falcon Arrow for a nearfall. They played misdirection on Dante to take him down with a lariat.

We got a dive train that ended in Rush diving into Dante and Leila Grey on the floor. Both Martins went to check on Grey, allowing Rush and Andretti to jump them. Rush hit the Final Hour frog splash, and Andretti followed up with the springboard 450 splash to score the win and the future tag team title match.

We got a recap of the promo from last week’s Dynamite between Mercedes Mone & Anna Jay ahead of their TBS Title match on this week’s Dynamite.

Kris Statlander defeated Tootie Lynn

St. Louis chanted for the hometown woman Lynn, but Statlander got the crowd on her side with a loooooong delayed vertical suplex. Statlander hammered Lynn with a lariat and hit the Staturday Night Fever for the win in her return to television.

We got a snippet of a Dustin Rhodes promo hyping the Double Bullrope match at Final Battle, where he and Sammy Guevara will defend the ROH World Tag Team Titles against The Righteous. Rhodes warned the Righteous about what would happen for saying his father’s name.

FTR narrated a video package hyping the Fight For The Fallen event on January 1st, with proceeds from the show to be donated to charity efforts in the Carolinas after the damage caused by Hurricane Helene.

The Outrunners (Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd), Daniel Garcia, Komander & Orange Cassidy (w/Alex Abrahantes) defeated The Varsity Athletes (Ari Daivari, Josh Woods & Tony Nese) & MxM Collection (Mansoor & Mason Madden) (w/Mark Sterling)

This was a ton of fun. We need more babyface armies running wild in big tag matches like this, as the crowd was red hot for the closing stretch.

Matt Menard joined commentary. Woods and Garcia, two former ROH Pure Champions, started the match. Cassidy hit a Stundog Millionaire on Nese before Komander vaulted off of his back to hit a rana on another Athlete. Madden distracted Komander on the top rope before MxM got the heat on him to take us to the commercial break.

We came back to the Athletes clearing the ring before they got dragged to the floor. Sterling cut off a Komander dive, allowing the rare quintuple-team manuever from the Athletes and MxM for a nearfall. A Pier Six brawl broke out before Cassidy and Garcia ran wild. Komander hit the rope walk dive, tagging in Cassidy on the way across. Cassidy laid out Sterling and Woods with Orange Punches for the win.

Don Callis was backstage, unhappy at the results from Rampage where Powerhouse Hobbs got the win in a tag team match and laid out Konosuke Takeshita after the match. Callis confirmed that Hobbs vs. Takeshita for the International Title was set for Worlds End and promised that Kyle Fletcher would punch his ticket to Worlds End tonight after he beat Mark Briscoe in the main event.

Continental Classic 2024 Blue League Match – Mark Briscoe [6] defeated Kyle Fletcher [9]

An excellent match, as Fletcher has separated himself from the pack as tournament MVP so far. The build to the finish was fantastic, as Briscoe survived all of the tactics Fletcher used to get his points thus far and got the win in the closing seconds of the time limit. My match of the tournament so far, and an excellent example of round-robin tournament wrestling.

This Saturday night’s main event is an important match in the Blue League, as a win here would guarantee Fletcher a spot in the playoffs at Worlds End.

Don Callis joined commentary to praise his charge Fletcher. Fletcher got in the faces of the people in the front row before dropping Briscoe with a shoulder block. Fletcher worked on Briscoe for a while until Briscoe fired up with some strikes. Briscoe pulled Fletcher to the floor before hitting a tumbleweed dive to the floor. Briscoe rolled Fletcher into the ring, where he came back with a leg lariat. They do-si-do’ed on the apron before Briscoe hit a blockbuster and a Cactus Jack elbow off the apron.

Briscoe pinballed Fletcher around ringside before Fletcher backdropped his way free of a Jay Driller attempt. Fletcher dropped Briscoe over the barricade, then cannonballed onto Briscoe over the barricade. Briscoe came back with a chop before superplexing Fletcher off the barricade to the floor.

After a commercial break, Fletcher kept Briscoe down before Briscoe came back with strikes. Briscoe hit an exploder suplex and a Fisherman Buster for a nearfall. Fletcher hit a half-and-half suplex, but Briscoe fired out with a lariat and a Death Valley Driver. Fletcher cut off the Froggy Bow, but Briscoe knocked him off the top rope. Fletcher got the knees up on the Froggy Bow, but Briscoe moved out of the way of an elbow drop.

Fletcher avoided a Jay Driller and hit a Michinoku Driver for a nearfall. Briscoe fought out of a Last Ride powerbomb but took two big boots in response. Briscoe hit a big chop and went for the Cut Throat Driver, but Fletcher clawed at Briscoe’s eyes and rolled up Briscoe with his feet on the ropes. The referee caught him, but Fletcher countered another Jay Driller attempt with a Brainbuster for a nearfall. The announcers noted that Fletcher used those methods to score two of his wins in this tournament.

Briscoe fought out of the top rope Brainbuster, and Briscoe hit the Cut Throat Driver. Briscoe couldn’t make the cover as Fletcher rolled away to the floor. Briscoe hit a Froggy Bow to the floor and followed with a Froggy Bow in the ring for a nearfall. The one-minute call was made, and both men went for flash pins. Fletcher shoved Briscoe into the referee and tried a low blow, but Briscoe caught the leg and hit the Jay Driller to score the win.

The announcers had noted that on Dynamite, FTR had challenged the Death Riders to face them tonight on Collision. Both teams had been in the building all night, and it was here where we cut to the Death Riders in the back with a camera. Wheeler Yuta manned the camera as Moxley, Castagnoli, and PAC jumped FTR as they were leaving the building. Well, they stuck bags over their heads and dragged them outside before we heard sounds of guys getting beat up.

(This felt completely divorced from the show, and the tone of it felt off for the World Championship act. I get that they’re building to the Death Riders vs. FTR in some form for the January 1st show, but these past few weeks have been an odd way to get there.)

AEW Collision live results: Kazuchika Okada vs. Kyle Fletcher Continental Classic match

Posted on by Suit Williams

Reigning AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada will face Kyle Fletcher as part of the Continental Classic on tonight’s AEW Collision from the GalaxyCon convention in Columbus, Ohio.

Okada comes into the Blue league match with four points while Fletcher is leading the pack with six. This will be their first match since Okada bested Fletcher in September.

In another Blue league match, reigning TNT Champion Daniel Garcia will take on Mark Briscoe for the first time ever. Garcia has four points while Briscoe has yet to score a single point.

The show will also feature Gold league action as Darby Allin and Komander meet for the first time ever with both in search of their first point.

In a semifinal of the AEW qualifier portion of the Wrestle Dynasty International Women’s Cup, Willow Nightingale will face Serena Deeb.

Mina Shirakawa will prepare for her challenge of AEW Women’s World Champion Mariah May this Wednesday as she takes on Emi Sakura.

**********

This week’s Collision comes from Columbus, Ohio as part of the GalaxyCon convention. The show started with announcers Tony Schiavone & Nigel McGuinness running down the card before throwing to a video package of the past week’s Continental Classic action.

Continental Classic Gold League Match – Darby Allin [3 points, 1-1 record] defeated Komander [0, 0-3]

This match intrigued me on paper and was a stellar match in execution. Allin using mat work to both allow Komander to shine in the air and catch him with a flash pin to win was a smart format for the match. More matches should end with flash pins to keep the fans on their toes, so I have no issue with the finish. Komander is essentially done as far as advancement, but I hope he gets a win to prove his worth to the fans.

This is essentially an elimination match for Komander, as it will be hard to finish in the top two of the Gold League with a maximum of six or seven points. The two started out fast, with Allin working to keep the match on the mat. Allin hooked on a Scorpion Death Lock to force Komander into the ropes. Komander had a ropewalk armdrag countered into a flash pin but came back with a springboard moonsault to the floor. Back in the ring, Komander hit a step-up Phoenix Splash for a nearfall.

Komander took Allin to the floor and hit a step-up forearm off of the turnbuckle. Allin dumped Komander into the ring steps and sat him on a chair, but Komander ducked the ensuing suicide dive and sent Allin into the chair with a disgusting crunch. After the commercial, Komander evaded a Coffin Splash into the barricade and hit Allin with a side kick for a nearfall. After a meeting of the minds, Allin came back with strikes and a Code Red for a nearfall.

Allin went to the top rope, but Komander followed him up and caught him with a little Spanish Fly for a nearfall. Allin cut off a Komander springboard and hung him over the ropes for a Coffin Drop. Allin hit a suicide dive, but Komander came back in the ring with a poisonrana. Komander hit a monkey flip on the apron before following with a dive of his own. Komander dumped Allin back in the ring and went for the ropewalk Shooting Star Press, but Allin moved and caught Komander with a version of the Last Supper flash pin to score the win.

International Champion Konosuke Takeshita & Don Callis were backstage with Renee Paquette. He began to brag about the Callis Family’s recent success when Powerhouse Hobbs entered the scene. Hobbs was angry that Callis never talked to him after he got hurt in the summer and challenged Takeshita for the International Championship. Callis noted that Hobbs did deserve better, but that Takeshita had multiple international bookings as champion and hurried him away.

International Women’s Cup Qualifier Tournament Semi Final Match – Willow Nightingale defeated Serena Deeb

This was a solid match. Hayter vs. Willow is a pretty big match in the women’s division, and it’s got some stakes with the spot at the Tokyo Dome on the line.

That prefix is a mouthful, so to put it simply: the winner of this match wrestles Jamie Hayter next week on Collision. The winner of that match will be AEW’s representative in the International Women’s Cup on January 5th at New Japan’s Wrestle Dynasty event.

Deeb came out with a shirt that said “Nobody Cares,” playing off of Britt Baker’s recent comments about her. I’m not sure how many of those will sell. The two went back and forth to start, countering each other’s finishers before Nightingale hit a Perfect Plex for a nearfall. Deeb came back with a neckbreaker in the ropes before dumping Nightingale to the floor.

After a commercial break, Nightingale made her comeback, scoring a nearfall with a Main Event Spinebuster. Deeb held onto Nightingale’s leg to counter the powerbomb before hammering Nightingale with multiple lariats. Deeb hit a hammerlock lariat for a nearfall. Nightingale countered the Detox into an Oklahoma Stampede for a nearfall. Deeb evaded a cannonball and hit the Detox for a nearfall. Nightingale came back with a Pounce before hitting the Babe With The Powerbomb for the win.

Next week on Collision, Nightingale will wrestle Jamie Hayter, with the winner going to Wrestle Dynasty on January 5th as AEW’s representative in the International Women’s Cup.

Thunder Rosa was backstage with Renee Paquette. Rosa noted that she had beaten both Mariah May and Mina Shirakawa the last time she faced both women and made her intentions on challenging the winner of Wednesday’s Women’s Title match clear.

We got a recap of Wednesday’s angle involving the Death Riders, Jay White, Hangman Page, & PAC.

Death Riders Town Hall

AEW World Champion Jon Moxley, Marina Shafir, PAC, & Wheeler Yuta came to the ring. Moxley said that nobody in the building wanted to be the AEW World Champion, even if they thought otherwise. They weren’t ready to make the sacrifices necessary to be champion, and they weren’t worthy of even looking at the title. Moxley ran down all three of the men that fought him off on Wednesday, calling Jay White a child and calling Hangman Page self-destructive. He said that Cassidy proved that he wasn’t the man his peers believed him to be, which drew “bullsh*t” chants from the crowd. He regretted allowing Cassidy to leave Full Gear with his skull intact, and told Cassidy that he would eliminate him if he kept getting in his business.

Orange Cassidy promptly came out and rolled into the ring unafraid of the Death Riders. Cassidy said that while he could live with never being AEW World Champion, he couldn’t live with Moxley as AEW World Champion. He promised not to stop until Moxley wasn’t the champion anymore, with the only way to stop him being to kill him. Cassidy threw his gear at the Death Riders and dared them to fight him.

Shafir hit Cassidy from behind with the briefcase containing the World Title before the Death Riders laid the boots to him. PAC and Yuta carried Cassidy to the back before the commercial break.

FTR was backstage. Cash Wheeler talked about the devastation to the Carolinas and the upcoming Fight For The Fallen event when they were interrupted by the Death Riders continuing their beatdown on Orange Cassidy. They were about to pour another bottle of chemical cleaner down his throat when FTR stepped up to break things up. They stared down the Death Riders as they backed out of the building.

Continental Classic Blue League Match – Kyle Fletcher [9, 3-0] defeated Kazuchika Okada [4, 1-1-1]

A stunning result here, and a real message that Fletcher is to be taken as seriously as possible as a threat now that he’s bought into the Callis Family. This result all but assures that Fletcher will be one of the two top point-getters in the Blue League. I didn’t like how quickly they went to a commercial for All In after the match, not giving the result a longer chance to set in.

The winner of this match will have the outright lead in the Blue League with two matches to go.

The two men started slowly, backing each other into the ropes before Okada hammered Fletcher with a forearm. Fletcher responded with a big scoop slam before posing to big boos. Okada came back with a low dropkick that sent Fletcher to the floor before dropping him with a DDT on the floor. Okada hammered Fletcher with uppercuts on the floor before Fletcher caught him with a draping DDT in the ring.

After a commercial break, Fletcher cut off an attempted Okada comeback with a leg lariat. Okada came back with a flurry, ending with a DDT for a nearfall. Okada locked on the Money Clip, but Fletcher fought out with a half-and-half suplex. Okada came back with a flapjack before setting up his big moves. Fletcher ducked the Rainmaker but ran right into the dropkick before rolling to the floor.

Okada followed Fletcher to the floor and went for his signature Tombstone on the outside, but Fletcher caught him with a half-and-half suplex on the floor. Okada beat the ten count, then kicked out of the Everest Powerbomb for a nearfall to AEW chants. Okada caught Fletcher with the spinning lariat, but Fletcher ducked the Rainmaker again. The two traded strikes before Okada incidentally sent Fletcher into the referee. Fletcher hit Okada with a low blow, then hit the Brainbuster to score the win. The announcers sold this result as a very big deal, as they should have. The only other person to pin Okada since he’s come into AEW was Bryan Danielson.

We got a video package hyping the big matches on the Winter Is Coming Dynamite this Wednesday.

The Beast Mortos defeated Aaron Solo

Mortos is in the Continental Classic, but he’s wrestling a non-tournament match here. Mortos killed this poor guy with the Bane-style backbreaker and the powerbomb over the knee before putting him away with the spinning lariat.

After the match, it was announced that Mortos would be wrestling Kazuchika Okada on next week’s Collision in Continental Classic action.

Top Flight, Lio Rush, & Action Andretti were backstage with Renee Paquette, who asked what happened between the four men in the Dynamite Dozen Royale with Cheese when Rush and Andretti dumped the Martins. Rush and Andretti were tired of the Martins losing every opportunity they had gotten, and wanted to go for the tag team titles themselves. The four agreed to a match somewhere down the line.

Mina Shirakawa defeated Emi Sakura

I’ve said it several times, but Sakura is a quality enhancement talent that I hope gets used more often. A solid enhancement match to set Shirakawa up for her title match at Winter Is Coming.

Thunder Rosa was in the crowd watching this match. Sakura whipped Shirakawa with her entrance jacket to get a jump start, but Shirakawa came back with kicks. Sakura clawed at Shirakawa’s arm to counter an Irish whip, something I’ve never seen before, then chopped Shirakawa repeatedly. Shirakawa laid in more kicks before Sakura caught her leg and bit it to cut her off.

After a commercial, Shirakawa came back with a pair of rebound kicks, with Sakura pulling Shirakawa’s hair to break the pin. Sakura hit a spinning neckbreaker before hitting a stalling butterfly backbreaker for a nearfall. The two traded strikes before Shirakawa hit a second-rope Slingblade for a nearfall. Sakura tried to pull the referee in the way, but Shirakawa vaulted over the referee to hit a spinning splash. Shirakawa hit another second-rope Slingblade for the win.

We got a Renee Paquette-narrated video package hyping the Mariah May vs. Mina Shirakawa title match at Winter Is Coming.

We got footage from Daniel Garcia & Mark Briscoe with Renee Paquette last night ahead of their Continental Classic match next. Briscoe noted that he had a terrible track record in the Continental Classic but would always pick himself back up. Garcia said that he was the same kind of guy and promised to bring the fight to Briscoe. They shook hands to end the interview.

Continental Classic Blue League Match – Mark Briscoe [3, 1-2] defeated Daniel Garcia [4, 1-1-1]

A good main event with two babyfaces looking to redeem themselves after last year’s Continental Classic. This result leaves Kyle Fletcher five points clear of everyone else in the Blue League, all but assuredly putting him in the playoffs at Worlds End.

A loss here would essentially eliminate Briscoe from contention.

Corbin Bernson of Major League and Psych was in the front row. Garcia went for a few flash pins to start, then got aggressive by piefacing Briscoe in the corner. Briscoe came back with loud chops before sending Garcia to the floor. Briscoe followed Garcia to the floor with a cannonball dive before planting Garcia on the apron with a backbreaker. Briscoe teased the Cactus Jack elbow to the floor, but Garcia slid in the ring and knocked Briscoe to the floor with a running knee. The two traded strikes on the floor, with Garcia hitting Briscoe with a shotgun dropkick on the floor.

After a commercial, Briscoe was in control, setting up a superplex. The two swung on each other before falling to the apron and the floor. They both got back in the ring and traded strikes before Garcia laid out Briscoe with a lariat. Briscoe came back before dragging Garcia to the floor and hitting the Cactus Jack elbow.

Briscoe hit a big lariat in the ring and strung some offense together, scoring a nearfall with a fisherman’s buster. Briscoe hit a Death Valley Driver to set up the Froggy Bow, but Garcia cut him off. Garcia hit a superplex and a piledriver for a nearfall. Garcia set Briscoe up for the top-rope piledriver, but Briscoe knocked him down and hit the Froggy Bow for a nearfall.

Garcia countered the Jay Driller with the jackknife pin for a nearfall. Briscoe fired up after a Saito Suplex. He cut off another suplex and pulled out the old Cut Throat Driver, an early finisher of his, to score the win and his first three points in the tournament.

Wrestling Weekly: Drew McIntyre returns to WWE, AEW Continental Classic update

Posted on by Victor Sosa

Image: WWE

On a new Wrestling Weekly, we talk about where WWE is headed after a newsworthy Survivor Series and the return of Drew McIntyre. We also look at AEW’s Continental Classic and some good matches happening on Rampage and Collision.

Thanks for listening and have a great weekend~!

Click here to listen (sub needed)

Third Continental Classic match announced for AEW Collision

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: AEW

The onslaught of AEW Continental Classic tournament matches this weekend will continue on Saturday’s AEW Collision as Kazuchika Okada will take on Kyle Fletcher in Blue league action.

Thus far in the tournament, Okada (seen above) went to a draw with Daniel Garcia and will face former Ring of Honor World Champion Mark Briscoe on Friday’s Rampage (being taped Wednesday). Conversely, Fletcher is coming off last Saturday’s win over The Beast Mortos and Wednesday’s victory over Shelton Benjamin.

It will be their second-ever singles meeting following their first: a September 2024 Dynamite bout where Okada successfully defended the Continental title.

The new addition joins the previously announced Classic bouts that include Garcia vs. Briscoe in the Blue league, and Darby Allin vs. Komander in Gold league action.

Here’s the current lineup for Saturday in Columbus, Ohio:

  • Continental Classic Blue league: Kazuchika Okada vs. Kyle Fletcher
  • Continental Classic Gold league: Komander vs. Darby Allin
  • Continental Classic Blue league: Daniel Garcia vs. Mark Briscoe
  • International Women’s Cup qualifier: Willow Nightingale vs. Serena Deeb
  • Mina Shirakawa vs. Emi Sakura

Two new matches added to next AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Two new matches are set for this Wednesday.

Kyle Fletcher will take on Shelton Benjamin in a Continental Classic Blue League match. On Collision, Fletcher started the tournament off on a positive note, defeating The Beast Mortos to earn his first three points. Benjamin has also started off strong, defeating Mark Briscoe on the last episode of Dynamite to earn three points.

In another match, Max Caster will take on Swerve Strickland. The two crossed paths on the last Dynamite, with Caster bringing up Swerve’s childhood home burning down. Swerve ended up jumping Caster as a result. On Collision, Caster said that Swerve didn’t deserve the opportunities he’s gotten in AEW. He also mentioned that he hasn’t talked to the rest of the Acclaimed since Anthony Bowens lost their match at Full Gear and told the rest of the Acclaimed to take the week off.

Here is the updated lineup for Dynamite:

  • Dynamite Dozen battle royal
  • AEW Continental Classic Gold League: Claudio Castagnoli vs. Brody King
  • AEW Continental Classic Blue League: Kyle Fletcher vs. Shelton Benjamin
  • PAC vs. Jay White
  • Swerve Strickland vs. Max Caster

Will Ospreay vs. Kyle Fletcher announced for AEW Full Gear

Posted on by Josh Nason

Two former partners and friends will go head-to-head at next Saturday’s AEW Full Gear as former International Champion Will Ospreay will take on Kyle Fletcher.

The match for the Saturday, November 23rd pay-per-view was made on Wednesday’s Dynamite during an in-ring promo between Ospreay and Fletcher — one week after Ospreay made his surprise return. It was his first appearance since October’s WrestleDream when Fletcher turned on him, costing his friend the title in a three-way with Konosuke Takeshita and Ricochet.

After the two argued about the past and what brought them to this spot, they agreed on a match for Full Gear and then Brian Cage & Lance Archer came out to back Fletcher. Ospreay had it scouted and brought out both Mark Davis and Powerhouse Hobbs. The six men then brawled throughout the arena.

It’s the first singles match between the two since a March 2024 encounter done under much friendlier circumstances that Ospreay won.

Here’s the current card for Saturday, November 23rd in Newark, New Jersey:

  • AEW World Champion Jon Moxley defends against Orange Cassidy
  • TBS Champion Mercedes Mone defends against Kris Statlander
  • TNT Champion Jack Perry defends against Daniel Garcia
  • Will Ospreay vs. Kyle Fletcher
  • Jay White vs. Hangman Page
  • Bobby Lashley vs. Swerve Strickland
  • MJF vs. Roderick Strong
  • Four-way match for AEW Tag Team titles: Private Party defends against The Outrunners, TBD, and TBD
  • Zero Hour: Costco Guy AJ vs. QT Marshall

Hurt Syndicate appearance, new tag team match set for AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Bryan Rose

The Hurt Syndicate will be live this Wednesday on Dynamite.

It was announced on Saturday’s Collision that MVP, Shelton Benjamin, and Bobby Lashley would be at Dynamite this Wednesday in Manchester, New Hampshire. Tony Schiavone noted on commentary that Lashley has not signed a contract with AEW yet, and Tony Khan has been looking to finalize the deal.

MVP and Shelton Benjamin made their debut at WrestleDream last month, first confronting Prince Nana and later came face to face with Swerve Strickland, who rejected MVP’s suggestion to join the group. Swerve met Benjamin in a match this past week on Dynamite. Strickland emerged victorious but was met by a debuting Lashley. All three members of the Hurt Syndicate ended up attacking Strickland and Nana, establishing their presence in AEW.

A tag team match will also take place pitting the Don Callis family’s Kyle Fletcher and Konosuke Takeshita taking on Ricochet and a mystery partner. Fletcher and Takeshita cut a promo on Ricochet during Collision, issuing the challenge with Fletcher telling Ricochet to literally pick anyone on the roster to tag with him.

The lineup for the Wednesday, November 6 AEW Dynamite:

  • Adam Cole vs. Malakai Black
  • Fight Without Honor: Chris Jericho, Big Bill & Bryan Keith vs. Mark Briscoe, Kyle O’Reilly & Tomohiro Ishii
  • Darby Allin & Orange Cassidy vs. Claudio Castagnoli & PAC
  • The Patriarchy confronts Hook
  • Penelope Ford vs. Jamie Hayter
  • Konosuke Takeshita & Kyle Fletcher vs. Ricochet & TBA
  • The Hurt Syndicate will appear

AEW Collision live results: Mariah May vs. Anna Jay Women’s title match

Posted on by Suit Williams

AEW Women’s World Champion Mariah May will defend her title against Anna Jay on tonight’s live AEW Collision from Philadelphia.

Two weeks ago at Battle of the Belts XII, Jay pinned May in an upset to earn the shot. Jay has been looking to prove herself since returning from Japan, saying she has improved tremendously. May will be looking for her fourth title defense.

AEW World Champion Jon Moxley will also be making an appearance. He and the rest of the Blackpool Combat Club have been going after everyone who stands in their way. On Dynamite, Orange Cassidy threw out the challenge to Moxley for Full Gear after Moxley took out Chuck Taylor.

The reborn Kyle Fletcher will take on Komander, who scored an upset win over Lio Rush on Friday’s Rampage.

After feuding for the last several weeks, Thunder Rosa will meet Harley Cameron in what is being billed as a Day of the Dead match.

**********

Private Party Town Hall

This was a nice follow-up to Dynamite, giving Private Party some focus after their big tag team title win. This wasn’t Hard Times or anything, but it was a fine little segment.

Collision began with a collection of wrestlers in the ring and on the stage. Tony Schiavone welcomed out the new AEW World Tag Team Champions Private Party. They thanked the Young Bucks for pushing them to be their absolute best before letting the assorted tag teams around ringside know they were willing to defend their titles against anybody. They got in FTR’s faces and a little shoving commenced, but The Outrunners broke it up and reminded everyone that this was a celebration. They started an AEW chant before Kassidy closed things out.

Separately, Mariah May & Anna Jay walked into the building ahead of their Women’s Title match tonight. Jay cut a short promo saying there would be a new champion tonight.

The Acclaimed were backstage with Renee Paquette. When asked about the changing of the guard in the tag team division, Anthony Bowens congratulated Private Party but noted that they were coming back for the titles. Max Caster interrupted Bowens’ catchphrase to brag about their popularity, with fans giving them money and friendship bracelets. (Don’t let CM Punk see!) To Bowens’ surprise, Caster also pulled out one of MVP’s business cards, noting that Private Party hadn’t gotten an offer from MVP like the Acclaimed had. Bowens cut Caster off to hit his catchphrase and end this enlightening interview.

(I love MVP casting a wide net to see how many people he can get into the Hurt Syndicate. I also enjoy some friction with the Acclaimed, as I’ve grown tired of their act.)

Day Of The Dead Match – Thunder Rosa defeated Harley Cameron

This was a fun little bit of plunder to kick off the wrestling on this show.

This was a no-disqualification match, with Day of the Dead-themed weapons around ringside. Both came out with face paint, Cameron’s more resembling a day at the fair than Dia De Los Muertos. Rosa came out with a picture of Cameron that she sat in a Dia De Los Muertos tribute at ringside. She also had skeleton paint on her body, giving me an excuse to bring up La Parka. Rosa hit Cameron with some plunder around ringside before Cameron cut off a barricade walk. Rosa came right back by throwing Cameron through a big board with a sugar skull skeleton on it.

The two traded clotheslines as we came back from a commercial before they took each other down with hairmares. Rosa hit a lungblower for a nearfall before setting up a chair contraption. She took too long, allowing Cameron to hit her with a SHOOT PINATA before putting her through the contraption for a nearfall. I think there were M&M’s or Skittles in there. God forbid they were Reese’s Pieces. Cameron went for a shining wizard to a seated Rosa, but Rosa moved, and Cameron kicked the chair.

Rosa stuffed Cameron in a trash can and kicked her into the corner. Rosa then set up a table as a ramp before launching with a hesitation dropkick to a binned Cameron for the win.

A freshly shaven Roderick Strong & The Kingdom were backstage with Lexy Nair, with Strong warning SHANE Taylor that he was just an obstacle on his path to MJF. Strong put over his group’s accomplishments, with the Kingdom winning a three-way tag match on last week’s Rampage and Adam Cole coming back better than ever. Brian Cage & Lance Archer walked in to talk trash and tell them to stay out of their way.

Kyle Fletcher defeated Komander (w/ Alex Abrahantes)

This was a must-see match with two stellar young talents in AEW. The crowd being so against Fletcher made it easy for Komander’s normally impressive moveset to get an even bigger reaction. Fletcher has been great in these big spots on TV, and the turn is giving him great momentum into the eventual Will Ospreay match. The Mark Davis diversion is a great call, as he can be a road block match on the way to Ospreay. Just excellent stuff all around.

Fletcher now has Taichi-style tearaway pants, ripping them off and throwing them in Komander’s face to sneak a big boot in. Fletcher caught Komander on a reverse crossbody, but Komander got him into a crucifix hold for a nearfall before running wild on offense. Komander went for a fancy lucha armdrag, but Fletcher shoved Komander off the top rope to the floor. Fletcher followed with a powerbomb on the apron as we went to a commercial break.

After the commercial, Fletcher had Komander in the tree of woe, but Komander somehow caught Fletcher to hit an Avalanche Sliced Bread off the top rope. Fletcher juked Komander on a dive attempt and hit a dive of his own before booting Abrahantes in the face. Komander came back with a step-up moonsault to the floor to a big pop. Back in the ring, Komander scored with a Spanish Fly for a nearfall.

Komander went for a moonsault, but Fletcher countered by booting Komander in the face. Fletcher hit a Last Ride powerbomb for a nearfall. Fletcher teased the Tiger Driver, but Komander countered with a hurricanrana for a nearfall. Fletcher caught Komander on his shoulders on a poisonrana attempt, but Komander pulled Fletcher to the outside and hit the poisonrana on the floor.

Komander hit a Destino on the apron, then followed up with a top rope moonsault for a nearfall. Fletcher scored with a lariat before following with a running boot. Komander slipped out of a top rope Brainbuster attempt before sending Fletcher to the outside with a step-up Destroyer. Komander hit his Spaceman dive to the outside, but when he tried his ropewalk Shooting Star Press, Fletcher booted the rope to knock him down. Fletcher hit a running boot and the top rope Brainbuster for the win.

After the match, Fletcher laid more punches on Komander before Mark Davis came out to stop him. They barked at each other before Fletcher bailed out.

TNT Champion Jack Perry was backstage. He was cutting one of his grumpy promos with his back to the camera when Daniel Garcia walked in. Garcia wanted to put Perry against the wall again like he did on Dynamite but wanted to try a different approach to get through to him. Garcia wanted Perry to know that he’s dealt with pretentious people like Perry all of his life and that Perry didn’t know anything about him. Perry said that he knew Garcia because he was Garcia, having walked the path that Garcia walked. He gave everything to AEW because he loved it, but AEW turned his back on him all the same. He said that Garcia saw who succeeded around here, and that Garcia was afraid to be the person he needed to be to succeed. Perry told Garcia that his unwillingness to sacrifice was why he wasn’t ready.

(This was an excellent bit of business here. Perry has made the dynamic between these two clear and compelling. These are two sides of the same coin, with Perry as the burnt-out, bitter counterpart to Garcia’s ascending, rah-rah babyface.)

Lance Archer & Brian Cage defeated Shaun Smith & Joe Keys

This was a murder, with Smith getting pinned after a chokebomb. They murdered these poor goons some more after the match. They murdered these poor goons some more after the match, leading to The Undisputed Kingdom running them off. Kyle O’Reilly was in the back looking on. Shane Taylor was also watching as Strong was his opponent later tonight.

AR Fox was in the back with Lexy Nair. He was about to talk about what was next for him when Nick Wayne & The Patriarchy walked in. Wayne told Fox that his father – Christian Cage, of course – taught him to always hold a grudge. Wayne reminded Fox that the biggest mistake of his life was jumping Wayne at his training school last year. Fox cut Wayne off to challenge him to a match for next week’s Collision.

We got a recap of Kris Statlander’s win over Kamille on Dynamite, with Mercedes Mone attacking her after the match. Statlander was backstage, noting that she was pissed after the attack. She said that if Mone was the star she believed herself to be, then facing Statlander at Full Gear wouldn’t be an issue.

Jon Moxley Town Hall

Jon Moxley, Wheeler Yuta, & Marina Shafir came out. Moxley spoke amongst the people, noting that he would face Philadelphia’s own Orange Cassidy at Full Gear. Moxley warned Cassidy that the games didn’t begin at Full Gear, they had already begun. Moxley said that it was a question of if Cassidy would make it. He said that Philadelphia built tough, hard-nosed people like Wheeler Yuta. Yuta understood what it meant to sacrifice, and he understood what it meant to be a Philadelphia hero.

Action Andretti came out to the ring. He was tired of Yuta claiming to be a hometown hero because he didn’t represent Philadelphia like Andretti did. Andretti challenged any one of them to a fight right now, leading to PAC jumping him from behind. Moxley and crew made their way to ringside, and Bryce Remsburg came into the ring to start the match.

PAC (w/ Jon Moxley, Wheeler Yuta, & Marina Shafir) defeated Action Andretti

(The match was an enhancement match for PAC, but the segment was a good bit of build for the World Title match. Wheeler Yuta continues to be the most interesting aspect of this story, as he continues to waver in his allegiance to Moxley.)

PAC stomped out Andretti through the commercial break. Andretti came back with a handspring elbow, then followed up with a dive to the floor. Andretti had a flurry of offense that ended with a Falcon Arrow for a nearfall. Yuta distracted the referee as Shafir hit Andretti in the ankle with the briefcase. PAC brought Andretti down with a superplex before snatching on the Brutalizer for the win.

PAC held onto the hold after the bell as the BCC surrounded Andretti. Orange Cassidy appeared in the crowd. He reminded Yuta of their past, living in his and Chuck Taylor’s house when he fell on hard times. The old Wheeler Yuta wouldn’t have allowed the attack on Taylor, and the old Yuta would have realized that Moxley was only using him. He said that he would bring back the old Yuta and stop Moxley’s madness by winning the title at Full Gear.

Moxley told Yuta to go get Cassidy. When Yuta hesitated, Moxley smacked him in the face and told him to go again. Yuta went after Cassidy but hesitated when they came face to face. Cassidy pulled the chair away, then hit the Orange Punch when Yuta went to attack. Moxley was furious and went after Cassidy, but he left through the stands.

Malakai Black was in the House of Black’s rumpus room. He said that when people have sat dormant for too long, they become worse versions of themselves. Black had sat dormant for too long, which is why he stepped up to Adam Cole. He said that he saw people like himself and Cole becoming relics in a rapidly changing AEW, and challenged Cole to fight off the darkness that had already consumed Black.

Konosuke Takeshita & Kyle Fletcher were backstage with Lexy Nair. Fletcher was tired of dealing with the past and was looking toward the future alongside Takeshita. He reminded Private Party that Takeshita & Fletcher beat them earlier in the year, and wanted to move toward a tag team title match. They challenged Ricochet to find a partner to take them on for Dynamite.

Lio Rush defeated Ariya Daivari

Daivari jumped Rush at the bell, but Rush quickly came back with a headscissors. Rush clubbered on Daivari in the corner to the point where the referee had to pull him off, allowing Daivari to clothesline Daivari. Rush outmanuevered Daivari for a flash pin, but Daivari came back with a reverse DDT for a nearfall. Rush came back with a lariat and a Falcon Arrow for a nearfall.

Rush went for a dive, but Daivari threw Woods in the way. Another dive attempt took out Mark Sterling before Rush caught Daivari with a headscissors. Daivari caught Rush with a DDT, but Rush came back with Rush Hour and a frog splash to score the win.

MxM Collection & Johnny TV were backstage with Lexy Nair. Johnny said that MxM had “it,” and offered them a collab any time. Collab is short for collaboration, for those unaware.

Roderick Strong (w/ The Kingdom) defeated Shane Taylor (w/ Lee Moriarty & The Infantry)

(A solid TV win for Strong as he tries to get his hands on MJF as well.)

The Infantry joined Shane Taylor Promotions on a recent episode of Ring of Honor television. Taylor snuck a body shot in as they were against the ropes. MJF was seen watching on, somehow having a live camera in his house. Taylor and Strong hammered each other with chops as their respective units barked at each other on the floor. Strong went to the floor, but it was to bait Taylor for a baseball slide. Taylor caught Strong with a forearm, then hung him over the ropes before dropping him with a stunner.

After a commercial break, Taylor was still in control as the crowd chanted Strong’s name. Strong evaded an apron leg drop and dropkicked Taylor to the floor. Strong hit a set of flying forearms before taking Taylor down with a lariat for a one-count. Taylor was too big for an Olympic Slam, but a Sick Kick softened him up for a successful second attempt and a nearfall. Taylor evaded a knockout knee, then yanked Strong up into a uranage. A splash from Taylor got a nearfall, but Strong slipped out of the package piledriver and scored the win with a knockout knee. An unimpressed MJF watched on.

We got footage of Bobby Lashley’s debut on Wednesday with the Hurt Syndicate. The Hurt Syndicate was announced for an appearance on Dynamite.

It was announced that Private Party would defend their tag team titles in a four-way match at Full Gear. The teams will be determined in a series of qualifying matches. Those matches will be The Outrunners vs. Top Flight on next week’s Collision, FTR vs. The House of Black on the November 13th Dynamite, and La Faccion Ingobernable vs. The Acclaimed on the November 16th Collision.

Konosuke Takeshita & Kyle Fletcher vs. Ricochet & a mystery partner was made official for Wednesday’s Dynamite.

We got a Mina Shirakawa video package, noting that Mina Is Coming. Good for her.

AEW Women’s World Title Match – Mariah May defeated Anna Jay to retain

(This was what you would expect it to be. The crowd got into Jay well enough, and the Queenslayer nearfall did get interesting after a point. A solid TV defense for May.)

They paint-brushed each other in the corner before locking up. Jay hit a Dangerous Jay kick in the corner before May came back with a back suplex into the corner. Jay fired up with strikes after a commercial break. A shotgun dropkick sent May into the corner, and after a pinning predicament, Jay hit a lungblower and a backstabber for a nearfall.

Jay hit another pair of kicks in the corner but May caught Jay with a choke on the top rope. May hammered Jay with a shotgun dropkick off the top rope. May hit a high-angle back suplex for a nearfall. May caught Jay with a headbutt and a running knee for a nearfall. Jay went for the same flash pin that earned her this title match but May fought out of it.

Jay caught May with a neckbreaker in the ropes, then followed up with a blockbuster for a nearfall. Jay snatched on the Queenslayer choke, and after some fight, May grabbed the referee’s shirt to escape the hold. May dropped Jay neck-first onto the ropes, then caught Jay with a flash pin of her own to score the win and retain the title. May offered a handshake but pulled her hand away to celebrate on the stage.

Mark Davis returns on AEW Fright Night Dynamite, confronts Kyle Fletcher

Posted on by Josh Nason

After a year’s absence, Mark Davis made his return on AEW Fright Night Dynamite to confront his former Aussie Open partner and friend, Kyle Fletcher.

Fletcher was surprised to see him but when he went in for a hug, Davis rejected him. Davis called him out for his recent treatment of Will Ospreay, turning on him at October’s WrestleDream and costing him the AEW International title.

Fletcher then fired back and said Don Callis has shown him the truth. He said while Ospreay has forgot about Fletcher, he never did and he made sure Davis had a spot in the Don Callis Family. Davis had no interest and walked away, but Fletcher made a point to say there would come a day when he had to make a hard decision and that he’s shown he has no problem in cutting the past loose.

The 34-year-old Davis broke his wrist at last year’s WrestleDream when he and Fletcher lost to then-AEW Tag Team Champions FTR.

Fight Game: Can Kyle Fletcher be a bigger star than Will Ospreay in AEW?

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

John LaRocca and I are back to talk about the major topics in the world of wrestling on this week’s Fight Game Podcast.

We kicked off with our Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down winners and losers of the week before going through our Top Five topics which included:

  • Kyle Fletcher’s star rising
  • The BCC vs. the AEW B Team
  • Jey Uso losing his WWE Intercontinental title to Bron Breakker and what it means for the Bloodline story
  • Kamille vs. Queen Aminata
  • MJF and Adam Cole at it again
  • NXT Halloween Havoc preview

Click Here to Listen (sub needed)

Sammy Guevara vs. Shelton Benjamin, Kyle Fletcher promo set for AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Bryan Rose

New matches and segments have been added to Dynamite.

Sammy Guevara will be in action this Wednesday, taking on Shelton Benjamin. Guevara said that he wanted to face one of the best, and one of the best had an impressive debut on last week’s Dynamite. He said he had watched Benjamin since he was a kid and asked Tony Khan to book the match between himself and Benjamin.

After defeating Atlantis Jr., Kyle Fletcher on Collision said he would break his silence on Wednesday’s Dynamite regarding what he did to Will Ospreay at last weekend’s WrestleDream. Fletcher turned on his longtime friend by attacking him with a screwdriver, ultimately costing Ospreay the International title.

The House of Black will also be in action. The trio has been building momentum recently, defeating local talent on this week’s episode of Collision.

Here is the updated lineup for Dynamite:

  • ROH World Champion Mark Briscoe defends against Chris Jericho in a Ladder War match
  • The Elite (Young Bucks and Jack Perry) vs. Daniel Garcia & Private Party (Marq Quen and Isiah Kassidy)
  • Sammy Guevara vs. Shelton Benjamin
  • House of Black in action
  • Hook confronts Taz’s attacker(s)
  • We’ll hear from Kyle Fletcher

Konosuke Takeshita wins International title at AEW WrestleDream after Kyle Fletcher interferes

Posted on by Josh Nason

Konosuke Takeshita is the new AEW International Champion and he has an unexpected ally to thank.

Takeshita won the title during Saturday’s WrestleDream after Kyle Fletcher made a surprise appearance and stabbed then-champion Will Ospreay in the back of the head with a screwdriver. As Ospreay looked on in disbelief at Fletcher, Takeshita pulled down his kneepad, hit a running knee, and got the pin.

Afterward, Fletcher hit Ospreay with a Tiger Driver 91 to seal his turn.

The bout was a three-way that also included Ricochet.

Fletcher and Ospreay were friends, tag team partners, and faction mates in United Empire for years. The two had been part of the Don Callis Family until Ospreay and Callis parted ways. On this past week’s Title Tuesday edition of Dynamite, Ospreay called out Callis who then admitted he told Takeshita to attack both Ospreay and Ricochet after their recent title match.

The win gives Takeshita his first AEW singles title and ends Ospreay’s 49-day second run with the International title.

Will Ospreay & Kyle Fletcher to challenge for Tag Team titles at AEW Grand Slam

Posted on by Ethan Renner

AEW International Champion Will Ospreay and Kyle Fletcher are the new top contenders for the AEW Tag Team Championship after winning a Casino gauntlet match on Wednesday’s Dynamite.

They now move on to challenge for The Young Bucks’ World Tag Team titles at Grand Slam on Wednesday, September 25th from Queens, New York.

Ospreay and Fletcher outlasted FTR, The Outrunners, The Righteous, Top Flight, The Undisputed Kingdom, The Acclaimed, MxM Collection, and Grizzled Young Veterans in the gauntlet.

Fletcher pinned Dante Martin of Top Flight after an Ospreay Hidden Blade to win after Grizzled Young Veterans and FTR brawled to the back to clear the deck for the eventual new number one contenders. FTR vs. GYV in tag team action is set for this week’s AEW Collision episode.

The Bucks are coming off a successful title defense at All Out when they defeated Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta.

Here’s the current lineup for Arthur Ashe Stadium:

  • AEW World Champion Bryan Danielson vs. Nigel McGuinness in a non-title match
  • Jon Moxley vs. Darby Allin for Allin’s AEW World title shot
  • AEW Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks (Matthew & Nicholas Jackson) defend against Will Ospreay & Kyle Fletcher