AEW wrestler’s contract set to expire this summer

Lance Archer’s AEW contract is set to expire this summer.

In Friday’s edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, our own Dave Meltzer wrote that Archer’s deal is up in July.

Meltzer wrote:

“Lance Archer’s contract expires in July.”

Archer last wrestled under the AEW/ROH banner at the March 28 ROH TV tapings in Jacksonville.

Archer debuted for AEW on the March 11, 2020, edition of Dynamite from Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, Florida. Introduced as a client of Jake Roberts, he was immediately placed into a program that led to him and Cody Rhodes meeting in the finals of a tournament to determine the first-ever TNT Champion at Double or Nothing that year.

Archer is also a three-time IWGP Tag Team Champion in NJPW with Davey Boy Smith Jr. as part of the Killer Elite Squad, a 2011 G1 Tag League winner with Minoru Suzuki, and a two-time IWGP United States Champion.

He was voted “Most Improved” in the 2019 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards.

Injury caused change in plans for AEW Dynasty Tag Team title match

An injury to Brian Cage led to a change in plans for AEW’s upcoming Dynasty pay-per-view.

In the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer confirmed that Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin are scheduled to defend their AEW Tag Team titles against Big Bill & Bryan Keith at the Sunday, April 6 PPV in Philadelphia. It was originally supposed to be Cage & Lance Archer challenging for the belts, but Cage is dealing with a knee injury.

“The tag title match was a change as Brian Cage suffered a knee injury on an independent show on 3/20 in Los Angeles against Chris Masters,” Meltzer wrote. “So the originally planned but not announced Hurt Syndicate vs. Murder Machines match had to be changed and they had to pivot to new challengers, going with Bill & Keith.”

The build to Lashley & Benjamin vs. Big Bill & Keith began with a confrontation on Dynamite this week. After a challenge was issued, The Hurt Syndicate told Big Bill & Keith that they’ll need to win a match before they’ll be granted a title shot.

Big Bill & Keith vs. Top Flight is taking place on AEW Collision this Saturday.

Lashley & Benjamin were crowned the new AEW Tag Team Champions when they defeated Private Party this January. Big Bill is a former tag champ, holding the titles with Ricky Starks from October 2023 to February 2024.

A match between Cage and Rich Swann was scheduled for Future Stars of Wrestling’s Chris Bey benefit show on March 23, but Ricochet ended up facing Swann instead.

Jake Roberts completes trade with Don Callis, aligns with new faction on AEW Dynamite

Jake Roberts has some new running mates in AEW and it’s not who anyone would have expected as he is now part of LFI along with Rush, The Beast Mortos and Dralistico.

Earlier on the Title Tuesday edition of Dynamite, Roberts completed a deal with Don Callis that put Lance Archer in the Don Callis Family. Renee Paquette asked Roberts what he got in the deal and he asked her if she liked surprises.

Following Hologram’s win over Komander, Roberts came out on the stage and Rush, Mortos and Dralistico ran in and attacked both men. Afterward, they raised fists and pointed to Roberts who then followed suit.

Rush had joined the Callis Family earlier this year, but it had appeared that was quietly dropped in recent weeks.

After re-signing with AEW in March, Roberts hasn’t been on TV in quite some time. It’s unclear what this means for The Righteous who were also part of Roberts’ faction over the last year.

Archer joins Konosuke Takeshita, Powerhouse Hobbs and Kyle Fletcher in the Callis clan.

AEW Dynamite live results: Will Ospreay vs. Lance Archer

The road to AEW All In continues on tonight’s Dynamite from Greenville, South Carolina.

Will Ospreay will face Lance Archer as Ospreay prepares to challenge MJF for the American Championship next month at Wembley Stadium.

After being on the winning team for last week’s Blood & Guts match and also earning a future World title shot by winning the Royal Rampage, Darby Allin will battle Hangman Page for the first time ever.

CMLL Women’s Champion Willow Nightingale takes on Kris Statlander in a title eliminator bout.

The Conglomeration (Orange Cassidy, Kyle O’Reilly & Tomohiro Ishii) will face Roderick Strong, Rush & The Beast Mortos.

Renee Paquette will conduct a sit-down interview with Mariah May ahead of her challenge of Toni Storm for the Women’s World title at All In.

Bryan Danielson will appear live as he prepares for his challenge of Swerve Strickland for the AEW World title at All In.

TBS Champion Mercedes Mone will also speak on the show alongside Kamille after the latter’s surprise debut last week in a beatdown of Britt Baker.

**********

AEW Dynamite comes on the air with the American Champion, MJF, making his way to the ring. MJF mocked the South Carolina crowd, the trailer park capital of the World, telling them to keep their meth addicted mouths shut. MJF talked about defeating the red coat terrorist, Will Ospreay, bringing the American Title back to this great nation, promising to beat Ospreay again at All In. MJF asks the fans to rise for their American hero, but the music for Will Ospreay interrupts and he bolts to the ring and MJF high-tails it up the ramp. Ospreay said MJF better keep running, as after what MJF said about his family last week, he’ll put him through unimaginable pain. Ospreay said not a single person here would acknowledge the American Title because they don’t respect MJF after trashing the International Title last week. Ospreay said men worked hard for that title to have a legacy, men like PAC, Orange Cassidy, Jon Moxley, Rey Fenix, Roderick Strong & himself, who bust their asses week in and week out for the fans. MJF doesn’t fit the criteria, as he’s not worthy of holding the International Title. The crowd started chanting USA, but Ospreay told them MJF doesn’t represent the American spirit, but at All In, he’ll restore honor to the International Title.

MJF said the crowd are disgusting turncoats for cheering for Ospreay. At Wembley Stadium, MJF will embarrass Ospreay in front of his crooked teeth countrymen. Ospreay won’t make it to All In, as tonight, everybody dies. Lance Archer marches out for our opening contest.

Will Ospreay defeated Lance Archer

(Archer mentioned the history these two have had dating back to New Japan and this victory now puts Ospreay up 3-1 in that series for those keeping count. This was a solid opener with Archer showing his strength off and Ospreay having the big moves scouted, as the fans were really behind him from the start. They’ve done a really good job building Ospreay & MJF for Wembley so far.)

Bell sounds and immediately Archer planted Ospreay with a choke slam. Locomotion corner charges from Archer, as Ospreay fires back with a handspring Pele kick to send Archer outside. Ospreay tried a Sasuke Special, but landed into the clutches of Archer, who slammed Ospreay on the mat. Archer told the camera they have a history and tonight, he’ll even the score. Taking way too long to follow-up, Ospreay popped up with a hurricanrana into the barricade. Archer went to get back in the ring, but Ospreay was there with a springboard dropkick. Ospreay played to the crowd and was choke slammed off the top as things went to commercial.

Archer controlled during break, but when things returned, Ospreay flipped out of a choke slam, hit a hook kick, tried Oscutter, but leapt right into a Black Hole Slam from Archer for two. Massive spinebuster connected and Ospreay barely got a shoulder up for a near fall. Thrust kick from Ospreay, as Archer no sold and ran full steam, but Ospreay hit a standing Spanish Fly.  Archer violently stomped down Ospreay out of the corner, but was crotched in the ropes. Archer wanted an Avalanche Chokeslam, but Ospreay countered into a Spanish Fly and Oscutter for two. Ospreay wanted Hidden Blade, but was turned inside out with a huge lariat. Step up corner knee from Archer, who looked for Black Out, but Ospreay spun into a DDT and diving Hidden Blade, but Archer was out at one. Ospreay dropped the elbow pad and hit a proper Hidden Blade flush for the victory.

MJF attacked right after the bell with a brainbuster before placing the Dynamite Diamond Ring on. Kyle Fletcher ran out and fought MJF off, who bailed up the ramp to the back. Don Callis was in the ring with Fletcher, who said he knows Callis told him not to get involved since he’s no longer part of the Family, but Ospreay is his best friend. Fletcher called MJF a narcissistic asshole and said he’s MJF’s karma coming to bite him in the ass. Fletcher said MJF doesn’t give a damn about America, but heard what he said about foreign wrestlers last week. Fletcher dreamed about wrestling in America and he’s forever grateful for giving him his dream girl, car, life and speaks for everyone in Australia, United Kingdom that everyone is sick of MJF’s bullcrap. Fletcher called MJF to the ring and MJF acted like he was going to go to the ring, but said no.

Wannabe Will Ospreay doesn’t call the shots, he does, no one punches an American Hero in the face and gets away with it. Next week, Fletcher is on and if he thought All In was bad last year, he’s going to Kangaroo Kick his face off and leave him in a pool of his own blood like Daniel Garcia. Ospreay will be the one to blame when MJF dismantles his boy. Fletcher raised Ospreay’s hand and Callis just looked annoyed before giving a reluctant nod to Ospreay.

-A video package on AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland is shown.

**********

-We go to footage of Chris Jericho vs. Minoru Suzuki last week before going backstage to Alex Marvez, who is with The Learning Tree. Big Bill has a cake and presents Jericho a cake to celebrate 102 days as FTW Champion. Jericho said there’s never been a cake in wrestling that hasn’t been smashed in someone’s face. Not tonight, as the only thing smashed will be Katsuyori Shibata’s face after he defeated the Murder Grandpa. Jericho’s hand is taped up and said The Bad Apple will do his business for him, as Bryan Keith said next week, he’ll beat Shibata. Bill handed Marvez the cake and Keith told him to eat that cake if he respects Chris Jericho.

Kris Statlander (w/Stokely Hathaway) defeated CMLL Women’s Champion Willow Nightingale in a Title Eliminator

(With this win, Statlander receives a CMLL Women’s Title shot down the line, presumably All In if I were to bet. I enjoyed this more than their World’s End match late last year. I liked how commentary talked about how this is more about Statlander making sure Nightingale suffers as much pain as possible than the actual title itself. That might sound odd, but this feud has been going on well before Nightingale won the CMLL Women’s Title in the first place, so it makes sense.)

Statlander attacked before the bell and hit a top rope dropkick, as the match officially began, as Statlander unloaded corner strikes. Nightingale dodged a charge and returned the favor with chops of her own. Nightingale wanted a spinebuster, but Statlander rolled through, only to be dropped with a Fisherman’s Suplex for two. Both ladies took turns sending the other into the barricade, with Statlander in control heading into picture in picture.

Back from break, Nightingale battled back with a series of short arm clotheslines and a spinebuster for two. Statlander avoids the Doctor Bomb, cut Nightingale off with a face plant off an electric chair into a scissors kick. Both ladies fought to the apron, where Nightingale hit a Death Valley Driver on the edge of the ring, as the crowd went wild. Nightingale grabbed Hathaway, but wasted way too much time and was decked by Statlander. Back inside, Statlander wanted another missile dropkick, but Nightingale turned it into a huge powerbomb followed by a DDT for two. Statlander knocked Nightingale to the mat out of the corner and hit a 450 Splash for a close near fall. Hathaway passed Statlander a chain before distracting ref Aubrey. Statlander hit a discus lariat and really didn’t even use the actual chain, but it was enough to get the pin.

Post match, Hathaway gave Statlander a chair, as she wore out Nightingale with it before security intervened. Statlander put down the chair, but beat the hell out of all the security until Hathaway called her off.

-Footage of Bryan Danielson’s interview with Renee Paquette last week was shown with Jeff Jarrett interrupting.

**********

Bryan Danielson Addresses Swerve Strickland and All In

Danielson put over the crowd and said it wasn’t just a cheap pop, as his wife and him got their engagement photos taken in Greensville and Taz hilariously asked “why?” The crowd chanted for Brie and Excalibur said they’re fans of cheese. Danielson said looking at those photos, you don’t realize the good old days until they’re almost gone. Danielson is here to talk about presence and promises, bringing up how he was present in the good old days, as he thought he was retired, but these last 3 years have been the most fun in his career. While the fans were chanting Yes, he was backstage being present and showed goosebumps on his arm. The crowd chanted Thank You Bryan and he said he was thankful to be present for this moment.

Danielson said now it’s time to talk about promises and how he promised his daughter he’d stop wrestling full time when she turned 7 and his family this would be the last contract he signs in his career and that contract expires tomorrow. He came to AEW to kick people’s heads in and to win the AEW World Title. He’s kicked a lot of people’s heads in, but hasn’t won the AEW World Title…yet. Danielson knows this is his last shot, at the biggest show of the year and knows doctors and his family don’t want him to wrestle, but promises the fans to be present and promises them he’ll give 110%. At All In, with mind, body and soul, he will go All In.

Swerve Strickland & Prince Nana make their way to the ring and we get dueling Yes & Swerve’s House chants. Strickland said he respects the hell out of Danielson for what he’s done for young wrestlers in the industry. He’d want Danielson to have his moment at any other time, but this is Swerve’s time. Danielson is the greatest of his generation, but Strickland is one of a kind. Strickland said Danielson wanted to kick everyone’s head in, but couldn’t handle it when people started kicking back. Strickland said the AEW World Title isn’t an Achievement Award, it proves you’re the best in the world and that’s what Strickland is. Strickland put over Danielson vs. Ospreay, but he lost and got hurt. Danielson lost against The Elite in Anarchy in the Arena, while Strickland led Team AEW to a win at Blood & Guts. While Strickland competed at All In last year, Danielson’s body was so broke down he couldn’t even travel there on a plane. Strickland promises Danielson he’s the most dangerous man in AEW and promises Danielson won’t be walking out of All In as champion, maybe not walking ever again.

Danielson stops Strickland & Nana from leaving, saying he has one more promise. If he doesn’t win the AEW World Championship, he will never wrestle again. Title vs. Career at All In, as Danielson offers a handshake and Strickland accepts, saying it’s very noble, but don’t keep that promise to him, keep it with Danielson’s family. This was an excellent segment to really kick off the All In main event story.

-Renee Paquette is backstage and approaches Danielson, who is met by Jay Lethal, Sonjay Dutt, Jeff & Karen Jarrett, applauding what they just saw. Jarrett said that’s how you go All In and Danielson slapped his hand out of the way and challenged Jarrett to a match next week before walking off. Jarrett’s crew was left confused.

Roderick Strong, Rush & Beast Mortos defeated The Conglomeration (ROH World Champion Mark Briscoe, Orange Cassidy & Tomohiro Ishii)

(The party match of the evening gave us the biggest win in Mortos’ AEW career and I wouldn’t be shocked in a future ROH World Title shot is in his future. Even in defeat, The Conglomeration continue to be one of the most random and entertaining factions in wrestling.)

Ishii & Rush and Strong & Briscoe paired off, as Cassidy used his jacket like he was El Matador to bullfight Mortos. After flying around multiple revolutions, Mortos was sent to the mat by Cassidy, but Mortos fought back and paired off with Ishii, who hit a big time brainbuster on Mortos. Ishii & Rush had an intense face-off before trading shoulder tackles, neither budging until finally Ishii wins the battle. Ishii no sold a spine kick and we get a forearm and chop battle. Ishii was sent outside, leaving Briscoe & Rush to trade shots. Rush briefly played to the crowd, but ultimately was sent outside, as Briscoe wanted a dive, but Strong met him with a pump knee. Briscoe battled back with a Blockbuster off the apron to the floor on Strong and a launch off a chair onto Mortos & Rush into commercial.

Back from break, Rush & Mortos had taken control over Cassidy, who used his speed to fight them off, with a Stundog Millionaire on Mortos and dove for a Briscoe hot tag. Briscoe fired up until Ishii made a blind tag and he started absorbing Strong’s forearms before hitting everyone with German suplexes. Strong spun out of a piledriver, but Cassidy appeared with a spinning DDT and Briscoe with the Froggy Bow and Ishii with the Sliding D, but Mortos & Rush broke up the count. Mortos wiped out Briscoe with a dive and caught a diving Cassidy, allowing Rush to hit a plancha onto the whole pile. Strong hit an Angle Slam on Ishii and Tiger Driver to follow for a near fall. Ishii spun out of End of Heartache with a headbutt, as Briscoe & Mortos both tagged in, while the match broke down with high impact moves until Rush cut off a Jay Driller, allowing Mortos to hit a spinning sitout reverse piledriver (think Awful Waffle) for the win.

-The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass are backstage and put over how they’re coming to Collision and are looking for FTR in their own home terrirtory, but they’re nowhere to be found. FTR are scarred of the Blood & Guts MVPs, but want to be welcomed by the guys who said The Acclaimed weren’t serious wrestlers. Caster said FTR aren’t serious, as they didn’t show up in their hometown to get their asses kicked by The Acclaimed. Bowens said they’ll come to FTR on Saturday night on Collision. Bowens said it’s time to nut up or shut up.

**********

Renee Paquette Interviews Mariah May

Earlier in the day, Paquette is seated backstage with May, who asked what more does she have to explain, as it’s been very clear since day one. May wanted to be just like Toni Storm and gained her trust, only to slice her open and wear her skin. Paquette asked what Toni Storm did to May and she said nothing, she gave May everything she wanted. May was told the business would eat her alive, so she guessed it was time for her to eat back. May said she’s not answering anymore questions and Paquette just got up and left.

Timeless Toni Storm came charging out to the stage, crying, saying that May said she loved her and Storm loved her to. They said to find what you love and let it kill you. At All In, it’s going to be the romance of a bloody lifetime. Storm held up her bloody shoe and AEW Women’s Title before storming off. This was all super quick and I assume they’re behind on time.

-Footage of Mercedes Mone & Britt Baker being separated at Comic-Con was shown and Tony Khan making the TBS Title match official for All In.

Kamille (w/Mercedes Mone) defeated Brittany Jade

Commentary talked about the size of Kamille, despite Mone wearing massive heels again to look almost just as tall as her heater. Anyways, Mone took a seat on the steps as Kamille rushed Jade at the bell with Mone laughing. Kamille spun Jade out of the corner by her neck before hitting a leaping leg lariat and sit out Dominator for the win.

Mone stepped on Jade with her heel as Kamille raised her hand. Mone told the fans to welcome the newest member of Mone Corporation, “The Brickhouse” Kamille. For weeks, Mone has been victimized by Britt Baker, despite trying to be diplomatic, as Baker is obsessed with her. Mone said Baker’s actions at Comic Con got her suspended by her EVPs. Mone said AEW is her house now and she’s going to turn this place into a mansion. Even losing to Mone will be the greatest thing to happen in Baker’s career, because Mone is everything. The crowd was really quiet for this promo.

**********

Darby Allin defeated Hangman Adam Page

(Excellent main event and first televised meeting between these two AEW originals. Like most Allin matches, he took some insane bumps in this one. Page’s motive of being out for revenge for what Strickland did to his family and willing to take it out on any and everyone cost him the match, as the slow attack allowed Allin to get the victory. I think it’s safe to assume this won’t be the last meeting between these two and can’t wait for when it happens again, whenever that might be.)

Allin used his speed in the early going to send Page to the floor, as he wanted a Coffin Drop, but Page caught him and hit a release German suplex. Allin crawled up the ramp, as Page stalked him down with a chair, but argued with referee Bryce long enough for Allin to fly in with an over-the-top stunner. Allin climbed the set and hit a Coffin Drop off the entrance tunnel as things went to break.

Back from commercial, Page was in control and hit a spinning sleeper before just punting Allin. Dueling chants from the crowd, as Allin fought back, floating over a suplex and springboard splash for two. The lights in the arena went out briefly and commentary were confused, as they came back on and Allin was sent into the ring steps. Taz talked about how maybe a fuse blew backstage. Page set up the ring steps, whipped Allin in, but Allin vaulted over, leapt off and was caught by Page, who repeatedly powerbombed him on the edge of the ring before a violent fall away slam onto the edge of the steps. Bryce checked on Allin as things went to picture in picture.

Allin beat the count and Page controlled the entire commercial, as things returned to an avalanche fall away slam. Allin rolled to the apron and again Page looked to the set-up steps, wanting another fall away slam, but Allin escaped, sweeping Page’s legs out onto the steps. Page sat up and Allin flew through the ropes for a dive off the steps in a great camera shot. Back in the ring, Allin took his belt off and whipped the hell out of Page before a Code Red got two. Allin wanted a Coffin Drop, but Page caught him into a sleeper, only for Allin to roll into a pin attempt for two. Allin tried a Buckshot, but Page turned him inside out with a lariat for a close near fall.

Page hit a powerbomb before following it up with a Deadeye, only to hold on and hit another one. Page kept staring daggers through Allin as commentary it’s the look of the face of a man who is not well. They said Page kept looking at kids in the crowd and maybe it reminds him of what Swerve Strickland put his child and family through, thus making him more violent, seeking revenge. Page wanted a Buckshot, but Allin collapsed. Page took too long to follow up and pull Allin up, who cradled Page for the flash pin. Page was furious and chucked chairs into the ring, as Allin was helped up the ramp by ref, with Allin flipping Page off to end the show.

AEW Collision 8/3/24

  • Darby Allin, Mark Briscoe & FTR vs. Roderick Strong, Mike Bennett, Matt Taven & Beast Mortos

AEW Dynamite 8/7/24

  • MJF vs. Kyle Fletcher
  • Katsuyori Shibata vs. Bryan Keith
  • Bryan Danielson vs. Jeff Jarrett

Will Ospreay vs. Lance Archer, Mariah May segment announced for AEW Dynamite

Will Ospreay is in action on the next Dynamite.

It was announced on Saturday that Ospreay will face Lance Archer. During Collision, footage was shown of Archer wrestling Ospreay last year in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Archer was then shown destroying extras backstage. That led to a match where Archer took one of the extras into the ringside area, threw him into the ring, then pinned him quickly to score a win ahead of Wednesday.

Also announced is a Mariah May sit-down interview with Renee Paquette. May made her debut as “The Glamour” Mariah May, quickly winning a match on the most recent episode of Dynamite. However, after the bout she was attacked by Toni Storm, who was seeking revenge after May brutally attacked her after winning the Owen Hart Foundation tournament earlier in the month.

The updated lineup for the Wednesday, July 31 AEW Dynamite:

  • Will Ospreay vs. Lance Archer
  • Bryan Danielson speaks live
  • CMLL Women’s title eliminator: Willow Nightingale vs. Kris Statlander
  • Mercedes Mone & Kamille appear
  • Mariah May sit-down interview with Renee Paquette

Jeff Cobb vs. Lance Archer TV title match added to NJPW Resurgence

Lance Archer is coming for the NJPW World Television title.

The company released a video on Saturday showing the AEW star issuing a challenge to new champion Jeff Cobb for their upcoming Resurgence event on May 11 in Ontario, California. In the video, Archer congratulated Cobb but also took a shot at the United Empire, asking who the leader was. He said he’d go a little old school and go American Psycho to become the new television champion.

Cobb won the title from Zack Sabre Jr. on May 3 at Wrestling Dontaku. After the title victory, Cobb challenged anyone to challenge him for the title.

The lineup for the Saturday, May 11 Resurgence show is below. The event will air as a pay-per-view on NJPW World at 9:30 p.m. Eastern time.

  • IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Jon Moxley (or Ren Narita) defends against Shota Umino
  • NJPW Strong Openweight Champion Eddie Kingston defends against Gabe Kidd in a No Ropes Last Man Standing match
  • NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer defends against Alex Windsor
  • NJPW World Television title: Jeff Cobb defends against Lance Archer
  • Tetsuya Naito & Yota Tsuji vs. KENTA & David Finlay
  • Tom Lawlor & Fred Rosser vs. Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaacs
  • Matt Vandagriff vs. Adrian Quest

Bryan Danielson vs. Lance Archer, Adam Copeland promo set for AEW Dynamite

For the first time ever in their long careers, Bryan Danielson will face Lance Archer in a singles match as part of tonight’s AEW Dynamite.

The two were on opposite ends of a trios match on this past Saturday’s Collision that saw Danielson, Claudio Castagnoli and Katsuyori Shibata defeat Archer and The Righteous.

Danielson is looking to extend his two-match win streak heading into this month’s Dynasty match against Will Ospreay. Archer is coming off a singles loss to Castagnoli last month.

In another new addition, TNT Champion Adam Copeland will be on hand to share some thoughts following his successful title defense over Matt Cardona last Saturday.

Here’s the current card for tonight’s event from the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts, that will also feature a post-Dynamite taping for Collision this Saturday:

  • Contract signing for Samoa Joe and Swerve Strickland’s AEW World Championship match at Dynasty
  • AEW Tag Team title tournament semifinal match: The Young Bucks (Matthew & Nicholas Jackson) vs. Best Friends (Orange Cassidy & Trent Beretta)
  • AEW Women’s Championship number one contender’s match: Mariah May vs. Thunder Rosa
  • Bryan Danielson vs. Lance Archer
  • Will Ospreay vs. Powerhouse Hobbs
  • Billy Gunn vs. Jay White
  • Chris Jericho to call out Hook
  • Adam Copeland promo

Kyle Fletcher, Lance Archer & Dalton Castle set for ROH TV

Several matches have been announced for ROH TV this week. 

New ROH TV Champion Kyle Fletcher defends against Willie Mack on the show. The match was set up last week when Mack answered Fletcher’s open challenge. 

Fletcher won the vacant title at ROH Final Battle 2023 in the Survival of the Fittest Six-Way match.  

Other matches advertised for Thursday’s show include Leyla Hirsch & Rachael Ellering vs. Diamante & Mercedes Martinez, and Dalton Castle vs. Peter Avalon.

This week’s ROH TV was taped at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas on December 23. Spoilers from the taping are available here

ROH TV lineup for January 4, 2024:

  • ROH TV Champion Kyle Fletcher defends against Willie Mack
  • Leyla Hirsch & Rachael Ellering vs. Diamante & Mercedes Martinez
  • Griff Garrison vs. Serpentico
  • Lance Archer vs. TBA
  • Dalton Castle vs. Peter Avalon
  • Queen Aminata vs. TBA
  • Red Velvet vs. Alex Garcia
  • The Infantry (Shawn Dean & Carlie Bravo) vs. The Boys (Brent & Brandon Tate) vs. Shane Taylor Promotions (Shane Taylor & Lee Moriarty)
  • El Hijo del Vikingo, Komander & Lee Johnson vs. The Workhorsemen (JD Drake & Anthony Henry) & Gringo Loco

Sting trios match announced for AEW Collision

On AEW Collision this week, Sting is set to compete in trios action.

AEW has announced that a trios match with Sting, Darby Allin & Adam Copeland facing Lance Archer & The Righteous (Vincent & Dutch) will air on Collision this Saturday night. The show is being taped in Oakland, California on Friday along with a live episode of AEW Rampage.

Allin defeated Archer in a singles match on Collision this past Saturday, Following the match, it was revealed that The Righteous have aligned with Archer and Jake Roberts. The angle led to Archer laying out Allin with the Blackout.

Sting, Allin & Copeland are also scheduled to team up at AEW Full Gear on Saturday, November 18. They’re facing Christian Cage, Luchasaurus & Nick Wayne at the pay-per-view.

Sting is currently on a retirement tour that will conclude with him having his final match at AEW Revolution 2024. Last month, Ric Flair was brought into AEW to be part of Sting’s final run. Flair has signed a multi-year contract with AEW.

Oakland Arena is hosting Friday’s live Rampage episode/Collision tapings. Both shows are airing in their regular time slots.

This is the first match that’s been announced for Collision.

Darby Allin vs. Lance Archer announced for AEW Collision

Darby Allin will be in action this Saturday.

Allin will face Lance Archer on this Saturday’s Collision. It will be the first match Allin has wrestled since WrestleDream last month, where he failed to defeat Christian Cage for the TNT Championship. He has since been recovering from an arm injury, and will compete at AEW Full Gear on November 18, teaming with Sting and Adam Copeland against Cage, Nick Wayne, and Luchasaurus.

Swerve Strickland will also be in action, taking on AR Fox. Strickland kicked Fox out of Mogul Embassy after just a month following a loss to Nick Wayne. On Wednesday’s Dynamite, Strickland distracted Hangman Page long enough to put him out of the ROH Six-Man Tag Team title match, allowing Brian Cage and The Gates of Agony to regain the titles over The Elite.

Already announced for the show is The Acclaimed 69-day celebration of becoming the AEW Trios Champions.

Here is the lineup for Saturday’s Collision:

  • Darby Allin vs. Lance Archer
  • Swerve Strickland vs. AR Fox
  • The Acclaimed’s National 69 Day Celebration

AEW Battle of the Belts VII live results: Toni Storm vs. Taya Valkyrie

The seventh edition of AEW Battle of the Belts will kick off right after the conclusion of AEW Collision from Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Per usual, three title matches will make up the card — all of which are for AEW championships. Additionally, all three are first time ever matchups.

AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm will defend against Taya Valkyrie, who has been a champion in Impact, AAA and MLW among other places. Storm came out on Friday’s Rampage to ridicule Valkyrie after a victory and ended up getting talked into a title defense instead.

In another match made Friday, AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy will defend against Lance Archer. Archer picked up a victory over Trent Beretta and then called his shot for a title match against Cassidy. Cassidy came out to help his friend, leading to Archer and Roberts stealing his belt and Jansport backpack.

TNT Champion Luchasaurus will have the first defense of his title as he faces Shawn Spears.

**********The night continues with Battle of the Belts VII coming live from Calgary, Alberta, Canada as part of the Calgary Stampede. Ian Riccaboni and Nigel McGuinness are on the call.

We came back to the scene that ended Collision, with Ricky Starks winning the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament over CM Punk. Starks got out of dodge quickly, snatching the trophy out of the hands of special guest Jushin Thunder Liger and bailing. An easy payday for Liger.

AEW International Title Match – Orange Cassidy defeated Lance Archer (w/Jake Roberts) by countout to retain

This was a good opener, as Cassidy used his smarts to survive another defense against a monster of an opponent. A weak finish, but I don’t think they’ll leave this hanging here.

Archer and Cassidy got off to a jump start, with Cassidy jumping Archer during his entrance. Archer brought Cassidy to the top rope and hammered him with a forearm. Archer set up the Blackout, but Cassidy fought out. Archer hit a rising knee to Cassidy on the top rope, then went for the Blackout again. Cassidy slipped down and locked on a sleeper hold. Archer slammed Cassidy down and hit a shoulder block that forced Cassidy to the floor.

Cassidy rolled to the other side of the ring before hitting Jake Roberts with his soft kicks. It baited Archer to his side, but Archer caught Cassidy on a hurricanrana attempt and threw him into the barricade. Archer began flinging security around, allowing Cassidy to dropkick Archer into the barricade. Cassidy began flinging security guards into Archer, but Archer came back up and flung Cassidy into the barricades again. They both beat the ten count into the ring, where Archer hit a big forearm as we went to break.

Back from the break, Cassidy went for a flying DDT, but Archer caught him and flung him across the ring with a suplex. Cassidy tried to hit a Stundog Millionaire, but Archer stuffed it and hit a barge attack. Cassidy went for a satellite DDT, but Archer caught him again. Cassidy went low, hitting a chop block. He got Archer down to his knees and called for the Orange Punch. Archer caught the punch and laid Cassidy out with a Bossman Slam for a nearfall.

Cassidy ducked a lariat and bailed to the floor where Roberts set up the DDT, but Archer stopped him. Cassidy hit a basement dropkick before hitting a DDT on the floor in front of Roberts. Archer got back up on the apron and taunted Cassidy, but Cassidy punched Archer to the floor. Cassidy fell into the ring, where the referee made the ten count. Cassidy wins by countout.

– Tony Schiavone was in the ring and welcomed The Acclaimed. They accepted QTV’s challenge, saying that they would beat them in and out of the Royal Rampage. Bowens then announced that next Saturday on Collision, The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn would get a rematch for the AEW Trios Titles against the House of Black. They then scissored with Tony Schiavone as we went to break.

AEW Women’s World Title Match – Toni Storm defeated Taya Valkyrie by satellite interruption to retain

Valkyrie is the hometown babyface here. Storm charged her to start, but Valkyrie fought back and sent Storm to the floor. Valkyrie hit a knee lift to Storm before following up with running knees for a nearfall. Storm hooked Valkyrie over the top rope, forcing her to the floor where she tossed her around with hairmares. Valkyrie came back with a hairmare of her own as we went to break.

Back from break, as Valkyrie avoided a hip attack and fired up on Storm. She hit a Blue Thunder Bomb for a one count, but followed with a hip attack of her own for a nearfall. The feed seemed to go out as we abruptly went to commercial. We came back to footage from last week’s Collision, where Julia Hart took on a local competitor. I’m assuming there’s technical problems in Calgary. We cut back in to the commentators welcoming us back, noting that there was a satellite interruption due to storms in the Calgary area. They later told us that Storm retained, showing Ruby Soho interfering and allowing Storm to hit the Storm Zero to win. Well, there you go.

– Tony Schiavone welcomed out Willow Nightingale and Ricky Starks before welcoming out Dr. Martha Hart for the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament ceremony. She gave a nice speech about the history of Calgary to the Hart Family before officially presenting Nightingale and Starks with their commemorative title belts.

AEW TNT Title Match – Luchasaurus (w/Christian Cage) defeated Shawn Spears to retain

Scorpio Sky was shown watching in the back as the bell rang. Luchasaurus cut Spears off with a big punch as we went to commercial break. Spears hit the ten punches in the corner as we came back from break. He hammered Luchasaurus with short-arm clotheslines before eventually dropping him with one. Spears booted Luchasaurus on the apron before booting his head against the post. Spears chased Cage around ringside, leading to Luchasaurus chokeslamming Spears through a table at ringside.

Luchasaurus brought Spears back into the ring, where Spears reversed a chokeslam into a rollup for a nearfall. Luchasaurus kicked out and hit the chokeslam, but Spears kicked out at two. Christian set up Spears’ chair in the corner, but Luchasaurus ended up going headfirst into the chair. Spears rolled him up, but Luchasaurus kicked out. Spears set up the C4, but Christian distracted him, allowing Luchasaurus to hit the lariat to the back of the head to win and retain the title. Christian celebrated with the title as we faded out.

Toni Storm & Orange Cassidy title defenses made for AEW Battle of the Belts VII

Two new title matches have been announced for Saturday’s AEW Battle of the Belts VII, airing live from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, following Collision.

One of those will see AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm defend against Taya Valkyrie in a first time ever match. Storm came out on Friday’s Rampage to mock Valkyrie after her win and got talked into a title defense for Saturday instead.

Storm will be looking for the third defense of her second reign while Valkyrie is looking for redemption after coming up short against then-TBS Champion Jade Cargill twice.

In the other, AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy will hope to extend his lengthy reign as he defends against Lance Archer. 

Archer called out Cassidy after his own win over Trent Beretta Friday. After getting physical with Cassidy, Archer and Jake Roberts stole the bag containing the International title and told Cassidy he could try to get it back Saturday.

A win over Archer will give Cassidy his 26th title defense while an Archer victory will give him his first AEW title of any kind. This will be their first ever singles match against each other.

The new additions join the previously announced TNT title match between current champion Luchasaurus and the Canadian-born Shawn Spears. Spears confronted the champion and Christian Cage backstage several weeks ago which set this in motion.

Here’s the card:

  • AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm defends against Taya Valkyrie
  • TNT Champion Luchasaurus defends against Shawn Spears
  • AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy defends against Lance Archer

Konosuke Takeshita part of four-match AEW Rampage lineup

Kenny Omega antagonist Konosuke Takeshita will be in action on this Friday’s AEW Rampage from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.

It will be Takeshita’s final stop before his involvement in this Wednesday’s Blood & Guts match on Dynamite. His opponent was not named.

Lance Archer will make his return to AEW TV for the first time since February when he takes on Trent Beretta.

Naturally Limitless (Dustin Rhodes & Keith Lee) will team up once again as they face Matt Menard & Angelo Parker of the Jericho Appreciation Society.

The show will also feature separate promos from the Dark Order and AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm. 

The new additions join the previously announced Athena vs. Willow Nightingale semifinal match in the women’s Owen Hart Foundation tournament.

Here’s the full card:

  • Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament semifinal: Athena vs. Willow Nightingale
  • Dark Order promo
  • Toni Storm promo
  • Lance Archer vs. Trent Beretta
  • Konosuke Takeshita vs. TBA
  • Naturally Limitless (Dustin Rhodes & Keith Lee) vs. Matt Menard & Angelo Parker

Lance Archer reveals he’s been dealing with torn triceps

Lance Archer says he hasn’t wrestled as much in 2023 due to a torn triceps. 

Following his loss to Will Ospreay at NJPW Dominion on Sunday, Archer revealed the news in his post-match backstage promo. 

Archer said:

There is a reason I haven’t been wrestling a lot and it has nothing to do with bad booking you dumbs**ts. What everybody doesn’t even realize is that I’ve been battling a torn triceps and I’ve kept it quiet, I didn’t tell anybody, because I don’t need your sympathy, I don’t need your get well wishes, I don’t need anything. I just needed time and now I’m back.

Prior to his match with Ospreay on Sunday, Archer hadn’t wrestled since a 1PW show on April 22. He also didn’t wrestle for a two-month period between a Road to the Tokyo Dome show on December 23, 2022, and an episode of AEW Rampage on February 22, 2023. Following that, he only wrestled squash matches for another two months until facing Fred Rosser at NJPW Collision in Philadelphia on April 16. 

Archer was not among the names NJPW announced for the G1 Climax 33 this summer. He finished with six points in last year’s tournament. It was the sixth G1 (2011-14, 2019, & 2022) of his career. 

Number one contender for IWGP US title determined at NJPW Dominion

Will Ospreay and Kenny Omega will meet again.

Ospreay defeated Lance Archer in the opening match of Sunday’s NJPW Dominion event. Despite Archer jumping Ospreay as he was making his entrance, Ospreay still managed to pick up the win, pinning Archer in around eight minutes with the stormchaser.

After the match, Ospreay called out Omega, saying he should have killed him when he had the chance because he is coming for revenge. He said he will talk into his territory, enter Canada, and take back with him the IWGP United States Championship. Forbidden Door, the joint event between AEW and NJPW, will take place in Toronto later this month on June 25.

Ospreay and Omega first faced off at Wrestle Kingdom 17 on January 4. On that day, Ospreay lost the IWGP United States title to Omega. Back in April, a mini-tournament began to determine Omega’s next challenger. Ospreay defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi to advance, while Lance Archer defeated Fred Rosser.