Jon Moxley’s 18-month reign as IWGP U.S. Champion has come to an end as Lance Archer regained the title in a Texas death match at Wednesday’s AEW Fyter Fest.
After being jabbed repeatedly with a fork in the head, Moxley was thrown through a table adorned with barbed wire and was unable to make it back in the ring at the count of ten, giving Archer his second reign as champion.
Archer won’t have to wait long to defend the title as he will face New Japan’s Hikuleo on next Wednesday’s AEW Fight for the Fallen. The son of Haku, Hikuleo will go into next week’s AEW debut on a two-match win streak.
Moxley defeated Archer for the title back at Wrestle Kingdom 14 in January 2020, also in a Texas death match. He defended the title five times with defenses against Juice Robinson, Minoru Suzuki, KENTA, Yuji Nagata, and Karl Anderson. The last three defenses were either on New Japan Strong or AEW Dynamite.
The win is Archer’s sixth straight in an AEW ring. The loss is Moxley’s first in an AEW ring since March’s Revolution pay-per-view when he failed to defeat World Champion Kenny Omega in an exploding barbed wire death match.
Lance Archer has challenged IWGP United States Champion Jon Moxley to a Texas death match for night two of AEW Fyter Fest.
Archer issued the challenge on night one of Fyter Fest in a backstage segment. Following Jon Moxley’s successful IWGP US title defense against Karl Anderson in the opener, Jake Roberts and Archer proposed that Moxley put up the US title on next week’s show.
Moxley’s current reign began with a win over Archer, also in a Texas death match, at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 14 on January 4, 2020 in the Tokyo Dome.
Archer held the title from 2019 into 2020. Archer won the title after Moxley vacated it due to travel issues in October 2019. Archer beat Juice Robinson in a no DQ match to win the title at NJPW King of Pro Wrestling 2019.
Archer made one successful defense during his reign, beating David Finlay at NJPW Showdown in San Jose, California in November 2019.
Here is the announced card for night two of Fyter Fest to this point:
AEW Dynamite Fyter Fest night two, Wednesday, July 21 —
AEW Women’s World Championship: Britt Baker (c) vs. Nyla Rose
IWGP United States Championship Texas death match: Jon Moxley (c) vs. Lance Archer
Five segments have been announced for this Friday’s Dynamite.
AEW’s social media confirmed that Rhodes will meet with Tony Schiavone for an interview this Friday. The announcement comes as Rhodes lost a tag match this past week, where he teamed with Lee Johnson against QT Marshall and Anthony Ogogo. Marshall ended up pinning Rhodes after Ogogo nailed Rhodes with a punch. Rhodes and Ogogo also met at Double or Nothing last month, where Rhodes picked up the win.
A match was added following AEW Dark: Elevation. In storyline, Matt Hardy has hired Angelico to take out Christian Cage. Christian and Matt Hardy have been feuding since Christian eliminated Hardy from the Casino Battle Royal at Double or Nothing.
Darby Allin and Sting has are also set to make an announcement. This comes after Ethan Page and Scorpio Sky made a challenge to Allin, saying he could find any tag team partner of his choosing except for Sting.
Additionally, The Pinnacle is scheduled to speak following their Stadium Stampede loss at Double or Nothing last month. Lance Archer, who lost to Miro at the same event, is also scheduled for action.
In all, the current card for Dynamite this Friday includes:
Miro vs. Evil Uno of the Dark Order for the TNT title
The Young Bucks and Brandon Cutler vs. Eddie Kingston, PAC, and Penta El Zero Miedo
Hangman Page and 10 of The Dark Order vs. Brian Cage and Powerhouse Hobbs
Christian Cage vs. Angelico
Cody Rhodes to make an announcement
Darby Allin and Sting to make an announcement
The Pinnacle to speak following Stadium Stampede loss
Lance Archer in action
Don Callis also mentioned on last week’s Dynamite that he would expose a “conspiracy” between AEW World Champion Kenny Omega on the next episode of Dynamite.
A new match for the TNT title has been added to the AEW Double or Nothing pay-per-view event that will take place on May 30.
AEW’s social media announced this afternoon that Miro will defend the TNT title against Lance Archer. They showed a video of Archer saying he should be TNT Champion and his destiny will be fulfilled at Double or Nothing.
Miro won the TNT title last week in the main event of Dynamite, defeating Darby Allin who had held the title since winning it at Full Gear last November.
AEW is set to announce the full card for Double or Nothing on tonight’s episode of Dynamite. Matches announced so far include:
Kenny Omega vs. Orange Cassidy vs. PAC for the AEW World title
Hikaru Shida vs. Britt Baker for the AEW World Women’s title
Cody Rhodes vs. Anthony Ogogo
The Pinnacle vs. The Inner Circle in a Stadium Stampede match
Miro vs. Lance Archer for the TNT title
Casino Battle Royal for a future AEW World Championship match
On this coming Tuesday’s Dark, PAC, who hasn’t been seen since he and Fenix lost against the Young Bucks last month, returns to singles action, facing Serpentico. Penta El Zero Miedo and Rey Fenix will be in PAC’s corner, and Luther will be in Serpentico’s corner.
Luther will also be in action on the card, as he will face Lance Archer. Serpentico will be in Luther’s corner, and Jake Roberts will be in Archer’s. Archer in recent weeks has been clearing the ring whenever Darby Allin and Sting are attacked. Archer has also confronted Sting in recent interviews.
The Bunny, part of Matt Hardy’s Hardy Office, will take on Leila Grey. Team Taz will also be in action, as Powerhouse Hobbs and Ricky Starks will team up to take on Brick Aldridge and Aaron Frye.
Rey Fenix vs. Lance Archer for a spot in the Face of the Revolution ladder match headlines tonight’s AEW Dynamite.
Archer and Fenix have teamed in recent weeks, but find themselves on opposite sides of a singles bout tonight. The winner will earn a spot in the ladder match at the March 7 Revolution PPV.
More information on the signing of Paul Wight and the new AEW Dark: Elevation show will be delivered.
The AEW Women’s World title eliminator tournament continues this evening with a Britt Baker vs. Nyla Rose quarterfinal match. The winner will face the winner of Sunday’s Riho vs. Thunder Rosa match on March 1 on AEW’s YouTube channel.
Jon Moxley will take on “The Hollywood Hunk” Ryan Nemeth.
Hangman Page will face Isiah Kassidy. Kassidy and tag partner Marq Quen are aligned with Matt Hardy, Page’s opponent at Revolution.
A Sting appearance has been advertised. Sting took a powerbomb from Team Taz’s Brian Cage on last week’s Dynamite. Cage and Starks will also be in action against Brian Pillman Jr. and Griff Garrison.
A sit-down interview with Miro, Kip Sabian and Penelope Ford conducted by Tony Schiavone has been announced for the show.
Following up on last week’s angle where Brandon Cutler tried to save The Young Bucks from an Inner Circle attack, Cutler will face Jake Hager.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
**********
Show Recap —
Before the match, a brief Nemeth promo aired.
Jon Moxley defeated Ryan Nemeth
Moxley immediately shrugged off a grapple attempt and slapped Nemeth down. He laid in crossface strikes but fell victim to a cross chop and knees. Moxley came back with a backdrop suplex before turning his attention to Nemeth’s right hand with stomps and wrenches.
Nemeth took some chops but fought back with a dropkick. Moxley was unfazed and hit the Paradigm Shift out of nowhere for the decisive victory.
– After the match, Moxley grabbed a chair and a mic and sat down in the middle of the ring. He said that since he lost the AEW championship, he’s known that he’ll do whatever it takes to get it back.
He asked what images come to mind when you hear the words “Exploding Barbed Wire Deathmatch.” Fire, blood, burns, torture, agony, and vintage Japanese wrestling magazines. Do they make you feel revolted and disgusted? Or do you get a sick thrill?
Moxley said he’s addicted to being in this ring and laying his soul bare each and every night. The thought of the exploding barbed wire deathmatch is too attractive, it pulls him in. Omega followed a long, sad line of guys that tried to take him out, but win, lose, or draw, everyone watching will know that Moxley gave everything he had. If it comes to an end on pay-per-view, then that’s a hell of a way to go out.
That was one of Moxley’s best promos yet in AEW, which is saying something, considering he’s the Wrestler of the Year.
**********
A video package recapped Moxley and Omega’s feud.
**********
They played last week’s video where the upcoming Archer-Fénix match was announced.
Even though they had great chemistry, Archer said that he’ll easily beat Fénix next week. Fénix shot back in Spanish, saying Archer was the worst partner he ever had, and then they brawled.
**********
The Young Bucks took a photo with their parents in front of a truck with their images on it.
**********
Taz joined commentary for this match.
Team Taz (Ricky Starks & Brian Cage) defeated Varsity Blonds (Griff Garrison & Brian Pillman Jr.)
The Blonds controlled Starks early on until a drop-down tripped Starks out of the ring. Pillman followed it up with a nice diving dropkick for two. Pillman tried to follow it up, but Starks knocked him off on a springboard attempt and then Cage powerbombed him into the ring post ahead of the break.
Team Taz controlled the action throughout the commercial, isolating Pillman on their side of the ring. Starks landed a missile dropkick for two before tagging in Cage. Starks hit a cheap shot on Garrison, but the misdirection allowed Garrison to get the hot tag.
Garrison ran wild, concluding with a great tope on Cage to the floor. Pillman landed a springboard clothesline and then the Blonds hit a doomsday dropkick for two. The Blonds were cut off with a spear from Starks and a spinebuster from Cage, who finished Pillman off with the Drill Claw.
– After the match, the lights went out and a video played of Darby Allin emerging from the body bag. Sting’s music then played, and he made his entrance with a body bag in tow. Sting opened the bag and it was HOOK inside.
Sting then pointed at the rafters, and Allin zip-lined into the ring as the two beat down Cage and Starks. We got vintage Sting, hitting the Stinger Splash and the Scorpion Death Drop. Sting and Allin stood tall as Team Taz licked their wounds.
**********
Tony Schiavone interviewed Kip Sabian, Penelope Ford, & Miro about the wedding. Sabian was mad that this interview is even taking place, because Orange Cassidy and Chuck Taylor ruined the wedding.
Miro said that he wants to wrestle Cassidy, but Chuck (Charles) is a different story. He said that Charles can come back to him and be his butler, but the interview was interrupted with a note asking if Miro and Sabian would wrestle them at Revolution. Miro said it was childish and challenged Charles to be a man before chewing up the note.
***********
Jake Hager defeated Brandon Cutler
No Inner Circle with Hager for this one. Cutler surprised Hager at the bell with some right hands, but Hager used his strength to hit a wheelbarrow German suplex. After hitting a second, Hager continued the beatdown with a big boot. The Hager bomb followed, but Hager wouldn’t cover.
Cutler landed a couple kicks to make a comeback and sent Hager to the floor. He followed it up with a tope suicida and a tope con hilo, but Hager caught him on a springboard upon re-entry with a powerslam. Hager then flattened Cutler with a running lariat for the quick victory.
– Santana, Ortiz, and Wardlow ran out after the match and beat down Cutler. The Young Bucks made the save and grabbed a mic. Matt said they didn’t have to wait until Revolution and demanded that MJF and Chris Jericho come out to the ring right here, right now.
Jericho’s music hit, but it was a ruse, as they appeared on the video board. It was revealed that they had attacked Papa Buck, who was busted open. They then threw him into the truck from earlier, smearing blood all over images of the Bucks. Jericho said they better call a doctor, and they’d see the Bucks at Revolution. The Bucks ran in to make the save and Matt nearly caught up to Jericho and MJF, but they sped away in a vehicle.
After the commercial break, they loaded Papa Buck into an ambulance.
**********
A video played hyping next week’s Cody Rhodes & Red Velvet vs. Shaquille O’Neal & Jade Cargill match.
**********
Hangman Page defeated Isiah Kassidy (w/ Matt Hardy & The Hybrid2)
This was a long match and a nice showcase for Kassidy, who looked good in a major singles contest.
Page attacked Kassidy before the bell and laid in hard shots right away. He caught a running crossbody and tossed Kassidy with a fallaway slam. Kassidy used evasive maneuvers to take advantage when Page tried to pursue, but Page regained control with a lariat.
Kassidy booted Page and went for a second-rope move, but Page returned the favor with a boot of his own. Page then landed a plancha and clotheslined Kassidy into the crowd. He set up to powerbomb Kassidy into a ringside table, but Kassidy escaped into the ring. A TH2 distraction allowed Hardy to send Page into the ring post.
John Silver and Alex Reynolds ran out to plead Page’s case, and the official ejected Hardy from ringside. Kassidy still had control, however, beating down Page in the corner. Kassidy maintained control through a commercial.
Back from break, Kassidy had been targeting Page’s right arm. Page wrenched Kassidy’s arm through the rope, but Kassidy caught him with a forearm on the Buckshot Lariat attempt. Page sprung in with a rolling elbow for two. Kassidy hit a cyclone kick, but Page came back with a Death Valley Driver.
Kassidy avoided the sliding lariat but fell victim to a brainbuster for another near fall. Kassidy caught a boot and hit a sequence of moves that concluded with a reverse hurricanrana for two. Immediately after the pin, Kassidy tried to apply an armbar, but Page reached the ropes.
Page attempted his springboard lariat, but Kassidy countered it by pulling his arm into the ropes. Kassidy then went for a springboard destroyer, but Page caught it and hit the Deadeye for the pin.
– After the match, Hardy cut a promo over the P.A. and said he’d hurt the Dark Order that Page cares so much about. He emerged from the ramp with Alan “5” Angels in tow and tossed him through a ringside table.
**********
Alex Marvez caught up to Kenny Omega and Don Callis, who were in the process of building something called a “Moxley extermination chamber.” Omega got excited about the violence and sent Marvez out of there.
This didn’t really work, because they made the baffling production decision to have deafeningly loud saws going at the same time Omega was trying to speak.
**********
They recapped Monday’s AEW Women’s Eliminator Tournament matches.
AEW Women’s Eliminator Tournament Second Round: Nyla Rose defeated Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D.
They both worked really hard but this wasn’t good. Some of the near falls at the end worked but the Rebel interference is terrible, go-away heat.
Rose overpowered Baker with body slams at the start. Baker threw a fit at ringside, knocking things over, and upon re-entering the ring, Rose crushed her with a Samoan Drop and a press slam. Baker rolled to the floor again, but was playing possum as she pulled Rose’s shoulder into the post.
Baker continued to target Rose’s arm during the break. She also pulled off the turnbuckle pad. Once back, Rose hit a superplex, but Baker countered the follow-up with a suplex into the corner. Baker laid in forearms but was downed with strikes from Rose. Rose climbed the ropes, but was distracted by Rebel, so Rose flattened her with a uranage.
The distraction wasn’t enough for Baker to take advantage as Rose hit a neckbreaker for two. Baker booted Rose and got the surgical glove from Rebel, but ran into a chokeslam. Rebel entered the ring and fell victim to a cannonball, but Baker took advantage and attempted to apply the Lockjaw. After a long fight, Rose powered out with a slam for two.
Rose messed with the turnbuckle pad, and the distractoin allowed Baker to roll Rose up for two. Baker then laid in thrust kicks and hit a crucifix bomb for a close two. Rose fought her way out of the Lockjaw again and starched Baker with a right hand before hitting the Beast Bomb, but Baker kicked out.
Baker missed a superkick and Rose hit a second Beast Bomb for the win. She will face the winner of Riho vs. Thunder Rosa this Sunday.
**********
Next week on Dynamite:
Cody Rhodes & Red Velvet vs. Shaquille O’Neal & Jade Cargill
FTR & Tully Blanchard vs. Jurassic Express
AEW Women’s Eliminator Tournament Finals
Paul Wight will speak
Dark Order (Evil Uno, Stu Grayson, John Silver, Alex Reynolds, & Alan Angels) vs. Matt Hardy, Private Party, & The Hybrid2
Preston “10” Vance vs. Max Caster for a spot in the Revolution ladder match
Revolution card:
Hikaru Shida (c) vs. Women’s tournament winner
Hangman Page vs. Matt Hardy
Team Taz vs. Sting & Darby Allin
Casino Tag Team Royale
Miro & Kip Sabian vs. Orange Cassidy & Chuck Taylor
Young Bucks (c) vs. MJF & Chris Jericho
Kenny Omega (c) vs. Jon Moxley in an Exploding Barbed Wire Deathmatch
***********
Lance Archer (w/ Jake Roberts) defeated Rey Fénix
This was a disappointing match. It wasn’t bad, and in fact was spectacular at times, but it felt more like a collection of athletic moves than a cohesive wrestling match.
The winner of this match receives a spot in the Revolution ladder match for a TNT Championship shot.
They had a mildly awkward choreographed exchange at the bell before Fénix downed Archer with a tijeras. Archer countered a handspring kick and just slapped Fénix down. Fénix sent Archer to the floor and hit his crazy tope suicida, landing in the crowd.
Fénix tried to follow it up, but Roberrts knocked Fénix off the top rope as the official checked on Archer. Fénix then barely made it to Archer on a dive off the stage. He tried to lay in strikes on the floor, but Archer overpowered him with big chops.
During the break, Fénix avoided a charging move from Archer, who went headfirst into the post. Archer regained control by battering the luchador with strong right hands. Fénix tried to fight back with chops, but Archer shrugged them off and powerslammed Fénix on the apron.
Archer continued the beatdown on the floor with a flipping senton into the barricade. Back in the ring, Archer flattened Fénix with a release vertical suplex. Fénix fought out of Blackout and hit a tiger feint kick to Archer’s abdomen, following it up with a diving foot stomp, which sent Archer to the mat.
Fénix couldn’t capitalize, so Archer crushed him with a release German. He followed it up with his spectacular rope-walk moonsault for two. Fénix tried to fight back with chops but was speared into the corner by Archer. Archer walked into a boot and took a gamenguiri before Fénix walked the ropes and landed a kick for two.
Archer avoided a moonsault but Fénix seamlessly transitioned into a cutter for two. Archer popped up and hit a fisherman’s buster for two. He tried for a top-rope chokeslam, but Fénix countered it into a Spanish Fly for a close near fall. Fénix laid in strikes but ran right into a pounce. Archer chokeslammed Fénix for a close near fall as we ran up against television time.
As we neared the time-limit draw, Archer hit Blackout to win and advance to Revolution.
A new six-man tag team match has been added to Wednesday’s Dynamite.
Jon Moxley, Lance Archer, and Rey Fenix will team up to take on Eddie Kingston, The Butcher, and The Blade.
AEW confirmed the match this evening on social media, saying it was at the request of Kingston. Fenix has a history with Butcher, Blade, and Kingston. The trio attacked Pentagon and put him out of action several weeks ago. Archer and Kingston most recently met in a lumberjack match on the Beach Break edition of Dynamite on February 3, with Archer scoring the win.
Moxley and Archer teamed up on this week’s edition of Dynamite, losing to Kenny Omega and KENTA in a falls count anywhere match.
Here is the lineup so far for next Wednesday’s Dynamite:
The Young Bucks vs. Santana and Ortiz
Riho vs. Serena Deeb in the Women’s title eliminator tournament
FTR vs. Matt and Mike Sydal
Matt Hardy, Hangman Page, and Private Party vs. Hybrid2 and Chaos Project
KENTA made his in-ring AEW debut on last night’s Dynamite, teaming with Kenny Omega to defeat Jon Moxley and Lance Archer.
The unsanctioned, falls count anywhere, no DQ, anything goes match featured both teams brawling throughout Daily’s Place, including through a kitchen. Potatoes, chairs, a barbed wire bat and a trashcan were among the weapons used in Omega and KENTA’s victory.
Earlier in the show, Moxley cut a promo on KENTA, his challenger for the IWGP United States Championship on the February 26 edition of NJPW Strong.
In a video posted to social media and YouTube after the show, Omega, Don Callis and The Good Brothers addressed some of the verbal jabs that have been flying between members of NJPW’s Bullet Club, his crew and The Young Bucks. It seems as though the foundation is being built for a feud between the sides.
Sammy Guevara left The Inner Circle on last night’s show after weeks of dissension building between him and MJF. Guevara delivered the news after MJF had attempted to trick him into saying he hated Chris Jericho early in the show. Meanwhile, Jericho and MJF beat The Acclaimed in tag team action.
Tony Schiavone was conducting an interview with Sting, when they were interrupted by Team Taz dragging Darby Allin behind a car in a body bag on the video wall. Allin and Sting will team against Ricky Starks and Brian Cage from Team Taz in a street fight at the March 7 Revolution PPV.
In the show opener, Darby Allin beat Joey Janela to retain the TNT Championship.
KENTA makes his in-ring AEW debut on tonight’s Dynamite, teaming with Kenny Omega against Jon Moxley and Lance Archer in a falls count anywhere, anything goes match.
KENTA debuted last week, attacking Moxley in the main event segment after Moxley, Archer, PAC and Rey Fenix brawled with Omega and The Good Brothers.
Darby Allin will make his second defense of the TNT Championship this evening, taking on Joey Janela.
A week after they became number one contenders for The Young Bucks’ AEW Tag Team titles, Chris Jericho and MJF will face The Acclaimed.
The AEW Women’s World Championship eliminator tournament will kick off with Leyla Hirsch taking on Thunder Rosa.
A Hangman Page speaks segment and a Sting interview with Tony Schiavone have been announced for the show. Page teamed with Matt Hardy in a win over Luther and Serpentico on last week’s Dynamite, while Sting is set to team with Allin against Team Taz in a street fight on the March 7 Revolution PPV.
Cody Rhodes and Lee Johnson vs. Peter Avalon and former NXT talent Cezar Bononi, plus PAC vs. Ryan Nemeth have also been announced for this evening.
These two have met in spectacular matches at PWG and EVOLVE. This wasn’t quite as death-defying but it was a very enjoyable opener.
They performed chain wrestling at the start until Allin took control with an arm drag and a dropkick. They fought on the apron, where Janela dropped Allin over the side of the ring with a release suplex. Janela followed it up with a tope suicida and rolled Allin back in for two.
Janela tried to maintain control with corner forearms, but Allin fired up. He tried to whip Janela into the corner but Janela countered it into a strong Irish whip of his own for two.
Allin tried to make his comeback a few times but Janela would cut him off with his power. Janela landed a diving axe handle and taunted, but Allin pulled him off the top rope on the follow-up. Janela maintained control with a knee strike before Allin sent him into the corner with a running dropkick.
Janela’s arm was the target of Allin’s attack, and Allin followed it up with a low tope that looked great for two. Allin applied the Fujiwara armbar and Janela had to fight to make it to the ropes.
Allin went for the Coffin Drop but Janela turned it into a nice German suplex and followed it up with a thrust kick for two. Janela took too long on the follow-up so Allin sent him to the mat with an arm-wringer.
They exchanged forearms in the center of the ring until Janela downed Allin with a lariat. Allin countered into a stunner and a jackknife pin for two. Allin applied more cradles until Janela hit a spike piledriver for a close near fall.
Janela set Allin up on the top rope and starched him with a slap, but Allin turned it into a top-rope Code Red for two. An arm-trap STO set Allin up perfectly to land the Coffin Drop to retain the title.
**********
Jon Moxley addressed KENTA and his attack last week. What he thinks happened is KENTA realized the time for talk is over, and on February 26, they are going to stand toe to toe in a war of attrition.
That’s a sanctioned match for the IWGP US Championship, but tonight’s match is unsanctioned. Tonight is just for tun.
Moxley did not mention NJPW or Strong by name, but did mention the IWGP US title.
**********
Sammy Guevara entered the Inner Circle locker room and sent everyone but MJF packing. He said he watched the show last week and knows exactly what he’s doing: trying to take over the Inner Circle.
MJF thought that this was just jealousy at first, because MJF is the new favorite. But now MJF thinks Guevara hates Chris Jericho and wants to take over the Inner Circle.
Guevara got defensive and said “What, you want me to say I hate Chris Jericho?” MJF said that that was exactly what he wanted to hear, and revealed that he had been recording on his phone. Guevara took the phone, chucked it against the wall, and laid out MJF.
The segment came across well but if the cameraman was recording the whole segment, why would Guevara care about MJF recording his voice?
**********
Cody Rhodes & Lee Johnson defeated “Pretty” Peter Avalon & Cezar Bononi
Cody easily took control over Avalon right away. Johnson tagged in and Bononi made a blind tag and laid out Johnson. Avalon tagged back in, where he was sent to the mat with a dropkick. Johnson reared back for a right hand, but Avalon fled to Bononi for the tag.
A jawbreaker allowed Johnson to tag in Cody, who landed clotheslines on Bononi. Bononi came back with a fallaway slam ahead of the commercial break.
Cody caught an Avalon springboard out of the break and used a backbreaker to escape to Johnson for the hot tag. Johnson hit a series of strikes and a neckbreaker before sending Bononi to the floor, where he landed a great Fosbury flop.
Avalon avoided a springboard but ran into a thrust kick and a neckbreaker for two. Cody tried to dispatch Bononi but the big man was too strong, and he dropped Johnson down hard. Avalon went for the Marti-Knees, but Johsnon avoided them and rolled Avalon up for his first AEW victory.
After the match, Tony Schiavone interviewed Johnson with the whole Nightmare Family looking on. Johnson said he wish he had a lot of words but he doesn’t. He started 0-29, but his trainers showed him that hard work pays off. The Rhodes Family is his family, and they did this for him.
**********
The Young Bucks were interviewed by Dasha about how they were eliminated so early last week. The Good Brothers showed up and were all hyped and excited about ratings, but the Bucks were angry about them showing up and messing things up.
The Good Brothers pointed out that the Bucks’ real beef is with the Inner Circle, who eliminated them and taunted them. Matt suggested that the Bucks defend their championships against Santana and Ortiz next week. The Good Brothers wanted to Too Sweet, but the Bucks were embarrassed about it because Sting’s with the company now.
**********
Hangman Page was interviewed by Dasha about a potential tag team with Matt Hardy. Hardy showed up and said that they’re undeniably special together before inviting him to an all-you-can-drink bar. Page accepted the invitation, but as he went to walk away, he ran into the entire Dark Order, which led to an awkward encounter.
**********
PAC (w/ Rey Fénix) defeated Ryan Nemeth
PAC immediately sent Nemeth to the mat with knee strikes and followed it up with a ridiculously rapid snap suplex. A corner lariat was followed by a missile dropkick, with PAC methodically picking apart Nemeth.
Nemeth tried to fight back with a forearm but PAC laid him out with more kicks. He got a hope spot with a counter DDT but PAC rolled to the floor and sent Nemeth into the barricade.
Back in the ring, PAC beat Nemeth down with more stomps and landed the Black Arrow before transitioning into the Brutalizer for the decisive victory. PAC wouldn’t let go after the match.
**********
A video played recapping last week’s Kip Sabian & Penelope Ford wedding. Miro cut a promo over it, calling out Orange Cassidy.
**********
Chris Jericho and the Inner Circle were interviewed ahead of their match, but MJF, Guevara, Santana, and Ortiz weren’t there. MJF arrived with his ribs all taped up, complaining about Guevara’s attack, but it was time for the match.
Guevara was the only Inner Circle member not out with Jericho & MJF.
The Acclaimed did their usual rapping schtick.
Before the match, a video played with MJF cutting a promo on the Acclaimed.
Chris Jericho & MJF (w/ Inner Circle) defeated The Acclaimed (Max Caster & Anthony Bowens)
MJF rolled to the floor right away, selling his ribs. Jericho tagged in but was met with a shoulder block from Caster, who tagged in Bowens with an enziguiri and an elbow drop. MJF tagged in but was immediately met with a suplex for two.
The Acclaimed targeted MJF’s ribs until MJF forced Caster into the corner, allowing Jericho to make a tag. MJF and Jericho beat Caster down with frequent tags and taunts leading into a commercial break.
Caster and MJF had an abdominal stretch battle coming back from break, and a hip tos bought Caster enough time to reach Bowens. Bowens ran wild on both opponents and dropped Ortiz, who tried to interfere.
Jericho went for the Lionsault, but Caster smacked him with the boombox for a close near fall. The Acclaimed set up for Acclaim to Fame, but Jake Hager knocked Caster off the top rope and Jericho landed the Judas Effect for the win.
– After the match, Sammy Guevara’s music played and he walked to the ring. Jericho asked him what his problem is, and Guevara said that months ago, he gave Jericho the ultimatum about one more thing happening with MJF being the breaking point. He’s done with the Inner Circle — he quits.
**********
Alex Marvez caught up to Guevara about leaving the Inner Circle, and Guevara said that he needs time to focus and get away from this place.
**********
Page and Hardy were getting along at the bar. Hardy made a quick toast but secretly dumped out his drink, implying Page was the only one drunk. He pulled out a contract for Page to sign, and while Page signed it, he talked to the cameraman about ensuring that this is documented.
**********
Tony Schiavone brought out Sting and asked what was on his mind ahead of his street fight. Taz and Powerhouse Hobbs interrupted on the video board, and the camera panned to the back of their vehicle, where Ricky Starks and Brian Cage had put Darby Allin in a bodybag. The vehicle drove away with Allin in the bodybag attached to the back.
**********
Alex Marvez caught up to Kenny Omega at the golf course. Omega was flabbergasted but told Marvez to watch his shot, which he chunked way over the green.
Marvez asked if Omega should maybe be preparing for tonight’s match instead of golfing, but Omega said he’s already mastered professional wrestling, and golfing allows him to prepare spiritually. He said he wasn’t gonna lose today or tonight, and looked up to the green, where Don Callis had put the ball in the cup.
**********
Before the match, a video played where Rosa said that her three goals were to win the tournament, win back the NWA Women’s Championship, and beat Britt Baker.
Women’s World Championship Eliminator Tournament Round 1: Thunder Rosa defeated Leyla Hirsch
They performed some good technical wrestling to start. Neither competitor could gain an advantage until Rosa hit a slam and a senton. Hirsch came back with an escalera hurricanrana and a tope suicida.
Back in the ring, Hirsch tried to lock on a cross armbreaker, but Rosa escaped and hit a rope-hang neckbreaker into the break. Rosa maintained control throughout.
Rosa hit corner knees and a dropkick for two. Hirsch fought back with a series of German suplexes, but Rosa fought out of the third. Hirsch landed a diving crossbody for two.
Hirsch went to the top, but Rosa got her knees up on the moonsault. She followed it up with bicycle knees but missed a step-up moonsault. Rosa went for the Fire Thunder Driver but Hirsch transitioned into the cross armbreaker. Rosa was forced to power out and hit the Fire Thunder Driver to win and advance.
**********
It was announced that the Japanese side of the Women’s Eliminator Tournament would air on YouTube on Monday at 7pm Eastern.
**********
Tony Schiavone talked to Jungle Boy about FTR kidnapping Marko Stunt. Schiavone said that Stunt is okay, but didn’t elaborate. Jungle Boy addressed Dax Harwood and said he had never been in a fight like that, but he came out on top a different man. Jungle Boy didn’t want FTR suspended, but when he sees Harwood again, he’s gonna make him his “bitch.”
**********
Next week’s Dynamite lineup:
FTR vs. Matt Sydal & Mike Sydal
Hangman Page, Matt Hardy, & Private Party vs. The Hybrid2 & Chaos Project
Sting calls out Team Taz
Women’s Eliminator Tournament: Riho vs. Serena Deeb
AEW World Tag Team Championships: Young Bucks (c) vs. Santana & Ortiz
**********
KENTA came out to his NJPW music and graphics holding the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship briefcase, and Moxley came out with the belt itself.
This match was must-see television, a complete spectacle of professional wrestling and one of the best matches in Dynamite history.
KENTA cracked Moxley with the briefcase right away, while Archer attacked Omega. KENTA hit Archer with the briefcase, but Archer no-sold it, and Omega chop-blocked him from behind. Omega hit the Kotaro Crusher on Archer and he and KENTA took turns beating down Moxley, but they weren’t on the same page.
Whatever their issue was, they resolved it, and traded strikes on Moxley. Archer pounced Omega across the ring, and he and Moxley hit runnign clotheslines on their opponents. Archer went for a powerbomb, but Omega hit a hurricanrana out of it and the two went to the floor.
In the ring, Moxley and KENTA exchanged forearms. KENTA went for the GTS, Moxley went for the Paradigm Shift, but Omega interrupted with a trash can shot on Moxley. You Can’t Escape followed, using a trashcan for assistance on the moonsault. KENTA hit the corner dropkick through the trash can for two.
Archer introduced a ladder into the mix and ran over both Omega and KENTA. Moxley landed a tope suicida on KENTA and Archer suplexed Omega head-first into the ladder, which looked terrible.
This was a commercial break you don’t wanna tune out for — lots of brawling and weapon shots. KENTA and Moxley fought over a chair while Omega and Archer brawled at the ringside area.
Back from break, KENTA attacked Pretty Peter Avalon for some reason with a GTS. Archer attacked KENTA, but Omega went for a springboard. Archer caught him out of midair and chokeslammed him through Avalon’s bed setup at ringside.
Moxley entered the fray and sent KENTA into the barricade. He set KENTA up on a chair and landed a mid kick for two. Moxley brought KENTA up into the stands, where they brawled up the stairs.
The camera cut to the kitchen area, reminiscent of the Young Bucks and the Butcher & Blade’s great Falls Count Anywhere match. Moxley and KENTA took turns tossing each other into all the equipment. They fought on top of a table, where KENTA hit a DDT and locked on Game Over.
Archer broke up the submission with a box of potatoes, but Omega beat him down with a trash can. The announcers recapped the action so far and cut back outside, where Omega and Moxley brawled towards the ring. Moxley attacked with a chair and a kendo stick.
Moxley went for a diving kendo stick shot, but Omega hit a V-Trigger out of midair. KENTA and Archer appeared out of the tunnel as Omega hit another V-Trigger on the floor, setting Moxley up on the table. Archer sent the announcers away and tried to powerbomb KENTA through the table, but KENTA fought out and jumped off the stage with a diving foot stomp through Moxley.
Omega tried to defend himself against Archer with a kendo stick, but Archer caught it and snapped it over his knee. Archer hit a chokeslam and his rope-walk moonsault for a close near fall.
Archer set up for Blackout, but the Good Brothers ran out, allowing KENTA to attack with the distraction. KENTA hit two spinning backfists, but Archer no-sold them. Anderson hit a Gun Stun on Archer, but Jake Roberts came into the ring and dispatched Anderson with a short-arm clothelsine.
Gallows took down Roberts with a right hand and Omega set up for a V-Trigger. Moxley cut him off with a barbed wire bat, running wild on everyone. KENTA hit the GTS on Moxley, Archer went for a double chokeslam, but Omega and KENTA both hit low blows. The Good Brothers hit the Magic Killer and Omega hit the V-Trigger and an assisted One-Winged Angel on Archer to end it.
KENTA’s AEW in-ring debut is officially set for next week’s Dynamite.
AEW has announced that AEW World Champion Kenny Omega & KENTA will face IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion Jon Moxley & Lance Archer in a falls count anywhere, anything goes match on Dynamite next Wednesday. KENTA made a surprise appearance at the end of last night’s Beach Break episode of Dynamite, attacking Moxley after the main event.
In a post-show video after last night’s Dynamite, Omega & KENTA vs. Moxley & Archer was teased for next week. Omega tried to welcome KENTA (who is a member of Bullet Club in NJPW) to the “American Club,” but KENTA told him to “shut the f*ck up” and said Omega isn’t his friend. KENTA said he was there to beat Moxley. When KENTA walked away, Omega said that works for him. Omega then challenged Moxley & Archer to face him and KENTA in an unsanctioned falls count anywhere match next week.
Omega & The Good Brothers (Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows) defeated Moxley, PAC & Rey Fenix in the main event of last night’s Dynamite.
KENTA is challenging for Moxley’s IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship on the Friday, February 26 New Beginning USA edition of NJPW Strong. Moxley hasn’t been able to wrestle for NJPW since last February due to the COVID-19 pandemic. KENTA became the number one contender to his title by winning the 2020 New Japan Cup USA tournament and has since successfully defended his title shot briefcase against Jeff Cobb, Hiroshi Tanahashi, David Finlay, Brody King, and Satoshi Kojima.
Here’s the updated card for next week’s Dynamite:
Falls count anywhere, anything goes match: Kenny Omega & KENTA vs. Jon Moxley & Lance Archer
TNT Champion Darby Allin defends against Joey Janela
Chris Jericho & MJF vs. The Acclaimed
Cody Rhodes & Lee Johnson vs. Peter Avalon & Cezar Bononi
Kenny Omega has proposed a lights out tag team match for next week, with him and NJPW star KENTA taking on Jon Moxley and Lance Archer.
A video that was posted on social media following tonight’s Dynamite had Omega issuing a challenge to Lance Archer and Jon Moxley. He said he would talk to KENTA to team up with him to challenge the two to a lights out match, where pinfalls would count anywhere.
The start of the video had Omega catch up with KENTA backstage, greeting him warmly and saying that “brother Switchblade” never told him to expect a guest. Omega went for the “too sweet” hand gesture, but KENTA blew him off, saying that he was not his friend and was here to beat Moxley. KENTA then walked away as Omega issued the challenge.
Tonight’s episode of Dynamite closed with KENTA making a surprise appearance, laying out Moxley with the GTS. Moxley is scheduled to defend the IWGP United States title against KENTA on the February 26th episode of NJPW Strong.
Following their first clash on Dynamite Wednesday, AEW announced a rematch between Eddie Kingston and Lance Archer for this Wednesday’s Beach Break but with a lumberjack stipulation.
Kingston pinned Archer after hitting him with a loaded fist, handed to him by The Bunny while Butcher and the Blade distracted Archer and the referee with a beaten up Jake Roberts, hence why the stipulation was made.
The full card for next week’s live show from Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, Florida:
AEW Champion Kenny Omega and Impact Tag Team Champions The Good Brothers vs. Jon Moxley, Fenix and PAC
A ten team battle royal for an AEW Tag Team Title shot at Revolution featuring champions the Young Bucks, Top Flight, Private Party, Jurassic Express (Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus), FTR, Chris Jericho & MJF, The Acclaimed, Sammy Guevara & Jake Hager, Santana & Ortiz, and Dark Order (Stu Grayson & Evil Uno)
Jon Moxley made his World title defense against Kenny Omega official on last night’s AEW Dynamite.
After Omega signed the contract last week for their match at December 2nd’s Winter is Coming, Moxley put pen to paper on this week’s Dynamite. Before signing, Moxley laid Omega out with a Paradigm Shift.
Hikaru Shida defeated Anna Jay to retain the AEW Women’s World Championship on Dynamite. After the match, Abadon entered and left a blood stain on Shida’s title belt.
In the Dynamite opener, Hangman Page defeated The Dark Order’s John Silver. Dark Order’s Evil Uno made a recruiting pitch to Page after the match.
A week before Cody Rhodes and Darby Allin face Team Taz’s Powerhouse Hobbs and Ricky Starks, Taz choked out Rhodes with a Tazmission.
Chris Jericho and Jake Hager of The Inner Circle defeated SCU’s Christopher Daniels and Frankie Kazarian after MJF hit Daniels with his Dynamite Diamond ring. Scorpio Sky saved Kazarian and Daniels from a post-match attack from the entire Inner Circle.
In the show’s final match, Butcher and Blade beat Death Triangle members PAC and Rey Fenix after an assist from Eddie Kingston. Kingston and his family assaulted Death Triangle after the match, but Lance Archer ran in to make the save and attacked Kingston.
For more of what you missed, including TH2 vs. Top Flight and Powerhouse Hobbs in action, scroll down.
AEW celebrates the first anniversary of Dynamite tonight with four title matches.
AEW World Champion Jon Moxley will defend his title against Lance Archer. Archer won a Casino Battle Royale at All Out to earn the title shot. Moxley is 19-0 in AEW singles matches in 2020, while Archer is 13-1.
AEW Women’s World Champion Hikaru Shida will put her title up against Big Swole. Swole is on a seven-match winning streak heading into the contest.
FTR will defend the AEW World Tag Team Championships against Best Friends.
A week after regaining the TNT Championship, Cody will put that title on the line against Orange Cassidy. Cassidy answered an open challenge from Cody on last week’s Dynamite. Cassidy has challenged for the TNT title once before, in a losing effort against Mr. Brodie Lee.
Miro & Kip Sabian in action and “a huge announcement” from MJF have also been advertised for tonight’s show.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
**********
The show opened with the introductions for the Tag title match.
Jim Ross, Excalibur and Tony Schiavone were the broadcast team.
**********
AEW World Tag Team Championship match: FTR defeated Best Friends to retain the titles
Trent and Chuck got some shine early. Dax cut Trent off after refusing to break cleanly in the corner and FTR took over.
Trent got his knees up on a Cash elbow drop and managed a hot tag to Chuck. Chuck hit a tope con giro. He followed with a falcon arrow on Dax for a near fall.
Tully interfered from the floor, sweeping Chuck’s leg on a suplex attempt. Chuck made his own comeback and tagged out.
Chuck and Trent hit their sole food/half-and-half combo for a two count. Trent hit a one-legged dropkick to Cash for another two. Cash cut Trent off with a lariat.
The match broke down and all four jumped in. Chuck and Trent hit Strong Zero on Dax for a great near fall as Cash made the save.
Trent and Cash brawled outside. Cash dodged a spear and Trent ran into Kip Sabian’s arcade game. Sabian was mad and sent Penelope Ford to the back to fetch Miro. This did not lead to the finish.
Trent hit a swing DDT and tagged out. Chuck ducked a belt shot from Dax.
Dax then took the referee. Cash hit Chuck with a title belt and Dax rolled him up to retain the titles.
This was below the level of most AEW tag matches. There were some sloppy spots and FTR continue to struggle to mesh with the AEW tag roster.
**********
Post-match, Penelope and Miro ran in. Miro destroyed Chuck and Trent with throws and cleared the ring.
**********
After a commercial break, the show was rejoined live with Miro’s ring intro for the next match.
Miro & Kip Sabian (w/Penelope Ford) defeated Lee Johnson & Sean Maluta
Miro and Sabian won a quick squash. Miro used the camel clutch to submit Maluta.
**********
Sabian and Miro cut quick promos after the match. Sabian said that the arcade game was his most prized possession. Miro called Best Friends “Good Friends” and said if you break his sh*t, it’s game over.
**********
The broadcast team immediately threw it to the back where Lance Archer was beating up Jon Moxley.
**********
The annoucers then previewed the AEW World Title Eliminator Tournament which begins next week.
The first round matches:
Rey Fenix vs. Penta El Zero M, Joey Janela vs. Kenny Omega
Colt Cabana vs. Hangman Page, Wardlow vs. Jungle Boy
**********
MJF entered for a promo. He called out Chris Jericho.
They did a lengthy back and forth promo. MJF gifted Sammy Guevara an oversized jacket. Jericho said he hated Animal Planet.
MJF said he might want to join The Inner Circle and challenged Jericho to…
a steak dinner on nextweek’s Dynamite.
This went way too long and the slow burn for the match between these two has fizzled out.
**********
A Britt Baker Role/Roll Model video package aired. Britt and Schiavone were at a spa. Britt and Reba freaked out because they thought Tony was naked.
Tony got his chest waxed while Britt cut a promo about the next step in her comeback happening next week.
This was funny.
**********
They randomly announced in the middle of the next match that Darby Allin would be getting a TNT Championship match at Full Gear.
**********
TNT Championship match: Cody & Orange Cassidy went to a time limit draw, Cody retained
Cody indeed made Orange lock up as he promised. Cody went to taunt Orange with a pockets spot but Orange escaped. Cassidy hit a superkick and a tope suicida.
Cody hit a top rope springboard cutter, a disaster kick and a superplex. He went to work on Cassidy’s left leg, including wrenching it around the post.
Cassidy came back with a swing DDT off the top rope and Beach Break on the apron. They did a countout tease but both made it back in.
Cassidy hit a second Beach Break. They traded cradles. Cody used a crucifix. The pinning combinations were coming fast and furious as the time limit neared.
Cassidy used a mousetrap cradle. Hehad Cody pinned but before the ref could count to three, the time limit expired.
**********
Alex Marvez was backstage with Lance Archer and Jake Roberts. Marvez said the World title match was in jeopardy after Archer attacked Moxley earlier.
Moxley ran in and had a pull-apart with Archer.
**********
Tony Schiavone interviewed Matt Hardy in the crowd. Matt said he’s healthy and cleared to return to the ring.
A Sammy Guevara video interrupted. Guevara took responibility for the attack on Hardy’s knee that was the storyline reason for his not being cleared. Sammy said this will never be over between them.
Matt said Sammy is his first order of business.
This feud is cursed and they should never go back to it but this segment was effective.
**********
Tony Schiavone was in the ring with Tully, FTR, referees and a lottery tumbler.
A 4-way for the number one contendership to the AEW Tag titles was announced for next week. The refs drew names.
Private Party, Butcher & Blade, Alex Reynolds & John Silver and Young Bucks were drawn.
Young Bucks shook hands with FTR and they teased a confrontation. Instead, Matt and Nick laid out Private Party, Butcher and Blade with superkicks.
**********
They announced that the main event is now a no-DQ match.
***********
AEW Women’s World Championship match: Hikaru Shida defeated Big Swole to retain the title
This was Swole’s best outing since the match that got her signed.
It’s unfortunate for these ladies that again the only women’s match on the show was put in the 9:30 spot and had a commercial in the middle of it.
They shook hands before locking up. They traded quick cradles for two counts. Shida hit a series of strikes to establish the advantage.
Shida hit her drive-by knee lift on the apron. Swole came back and shoved Shida into the camera operator before a break.
During the commercials, Shida sent Swole over the barricade, then suplexed her back over to the floor. Back inside, Swole tried a crucifix bomb. Shida blocked.
Swole went for a sunset bomb off the top rope but slipped. They recovered well after the botched spot.
Swole hit a cutter to the ramp and a cutter in the ring for a two count.
Shida hit a straightjacket German for a two count. Shida hit a knee strike and a falcon arrow for a near fall.
Swole hit Dirty Dancing but Shida kicked out. Swole went for a second Dirty Dancing but Shida blocked.
Shida hit a running knee to the back of thehead, then hit a shining wizard to pin Swole and retain.
They showed Nyla Rose in the front row after the match, so Shida and Rose still looks to be a direction at some point.
**********
MJF and Jericho’s “Dinner Debonair” was announced for next week.
Cody vs. Orange Cassidy in a TNT title rematch was announced for two weeks from tonight.
**********
Eddie Kingston, Penta and Fenix came to the announce desk.
The announcers then threw to a Shawn Spears video.
Spears said he isn’t stalking Scorpio Sky.
That’s exactly what someone who is stalking Scorpio Sky would say.
Spears reminded us that Sky saved Matt Sydal when Spears was beating him down on Late Night Dynamite and so Spears has an ax to grind wth Sky.
**********
Kingston told the announcers that he’s there to watch the main event, which is up next.
**********
AEW World Championship no-DQ match: Jon Moxley defeated Lance Archer (w/Jake Roberts) to retain the title
They didn’t have the time to build a real epic but this was an entertaining brawl.
Archer charged through the entrance, tossing an extra through glass on his way to the stage.
Moxley hit a kick to the gut and a Paradigm Shift right away for an immediate two count.
Archer took control of the fight before a commercial break. Archer hit a chokeslam through two chairs.
Moxley made a comeback after the break and used a kneebar and an ankle lock. Moxley hit a Paradigm Shift off the apron through two tables.
Moxley hit another Paradigm Shift in the ring. Archer kicked out. Moxley transitioned to a bulldog choke but Archer forced a break.
Archer hit a DDT and a Blackout but Moxley rolled through on the Blackout and used a crucifix to pin Archer.
**********
Archer attacked after the match. Kingston ordered Penta and Fenix to the ring to make the save.
Kingston cut a babyface promo. He said he and Moxley have been friends forever. He said they had a good fight for the World title a couple of weeks back, even though Kingston never tapped.
Kingston said Moxley has carried the company for a year and deserves respect. He ordered Penta and Fenix to raise Mox’s hands.
Kingston then hit Mox with a spinning backfist. Kingston used a rear naked choke. Penta and Fenix ran interference on the apron to keep officials from breaking this up.
Kingston choked Moxley out. He said he never tapped and he’s going to get Jon.
A positive COVID-19 test result has resulted in a major change to tonight’s AEW Dynamite.
Mr. Brodie Lee vs. Orange Cassidy for the TNT Championship was set to headline the show, while Jon Moxley, Will Hobbs & Darby Allin were going to face Lance Archer, Brian Cage & Ricky Starks in a six-man tag. Archer revealed a positive COVID-19 test, so now Moxley will defend his AEW World title against Eddie Kingston.
Kingston was technically never eliminated from the Casino Battle Royale at All Out and has been mentioning that fact in his promos ever since. So tonight, he gets the World title shot he’s been clamoring for.
Lee will be making his second defense of the title since winning it from Cody on August 22. Lee brings an AEW career singles mark of 7-1 into the contest. Cassidy is 8-4 in AEW singles matches in 2020 and is coming off wins over Chris Jericho and Angelico.
Miro and Kip Sabian will team against Joey Janela and Sonny Kiss in Miro’s AEW in-ring debut.
AEW Women’s World Champion Hikaru Shida and NWA World Women’s Champion Thunder Rosa will team against Ivelisse and Diamante. Rosa defeated Ivelisse on last week’s Dynamite. Diamante and Ivelisse attacked Rosa after her win and Shida made the save.
An appearance by Chris Jericho and an appearance by Matt Hardy and Private Party have also been advertised.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
**********
Jim Ross, Excalibur and Tony Schiavone were the broadcast team.
This was a mixed bag. I thought they used Miro smartly and he played to his strengths, mostly tagging in for a few power spots.
I thought that any talk of Miro having a new physique was overblown last week but I was wrong. He’s gigantic.
Janela and Kiss got some shine on Sabian early. Sabian and Miro cut Kiss off and worked him over. This was formulaic but the work was very good at this stage.
Janela got a hot tag and things got sloppy. Miro, Janela and Sabian brawled to the floor. Miro sold his ankle and was limping for a bit.
Miro tried to launch Sabian over the barricade to Janela. Janela was supposed to hit something mid-air but the camera crew didn’t get a good shot of it and it looked like they botched it anyway.
Miro used the former Accolade, now possibly called Game Over, for the submission win on Kiss.
**********
Eddie Kingston entered and demanded the hard camera be focused on him. He said he and Mox used to be cut from the same cloth but then Mox sold out and became a sports entertainer, selling his soul to the devil.
He demanded that Moxley face him. Moxley entered and faced off with Kingston. A security team kept them apart.
This was an excellent segment. Give me a Kingston promo every week.
**********
The announcers previewed the card. Kenny Omega joined the commentary desk for the next match.
**********
Hangman Page defeated Evil Uno (w/Dark Order)
This was exactly the same thing they did last week, there was no storyline advancement with Omega and Page. Omega was better on commentary this week than last week but still managed to talk under Page’s ring introduction.
JR tried to help Omega get over the storyline here and asked if he was going to help Page out. Omega said he was staying put because he’s a singles guy now.
Page is still getting his legs under him as a singles guy and his matches aren’t clicking on all cylinders yet.
They had a back and forth brawl before an ad break. Uno worked Page over in a picture-in-picture ad break.
Page made a comeback. Uno tossed him to the stage. Uno asked Dark Order to go to the back rather than interfere.
Page made another comeback and hit a standing shooting star for a two count. Uno hit a senton atomico for a two count.
Page hit a powerbomb with a stack cover for a near fall, then followed with a Buckshot Lariat for the pin.
**********
Schiavone interviewed Matt Jackson backstage. Matt said fans may have noticed that he and Nick have been acting out of character lately.
He broke Tony’s phone and continued to act like a jerk.
**********
TNT Championship match: Mr. Brodie Lee defeated Orange Cassidy to retain the title
Not much to the match here but it was more a backdrop for the post-match angle.
Cassidy did his comedy kicks and pockets spot.
Cassidy tried a suicide dive but the Dark Order lackies caught him and allowed Lee to take over. Lee beat on Cassidy through an ad break.
Cassidy made a comeback and ran wild with suicide dives. JR went on his weekly crusade to undermine talent by ripping on dives. Cassidy hit a pair of tornado DDTs for near falls.
John Silver jumped in. Cassidy hit him with an Orange Punch. Lee used the distraction to hit a powerbomb and a discus lariat for the pin.
**********
After the match, Cody’s music hit.
Cody entered. He has dark hair now.
Cody beat up some Dark Order lackies while Lee escaped.
**********
After a commercial, Lee cut a promo. He asked what kind of man Cody was for sending Dustin and Brandi to do his work for him while he was in a bubble somewhere.
Lee asked what kind of man Cody was that his wife was posting thirst traps and calling Lee “Daddy.”
Lee pulled out a dog collar and challenged Cody to a dog collar match. He gave Cody a week to respond.
This was another strong promo. The high point of this show tonight is the promos by a wide margin.
**********
Matt Hardy and Private Party made their way to the ring. Hardy said it was his birthday.
Hardy said he was attacked from behind last week. He used a lot of words to say that someone with a mask attacked him with a pipe or bat and noted that right after he was laid out, Jericho and Hager entered with a bat.
Hardy said he has a lot of enemies but was pointing the finger at Jericho.
Jericho and The Inner Circle entered. Sammy Guevara is back. Jericho said he didn’t attack Hardy. Jericho was carrying a baseball bat.
Hardy wanted to fight the whole Inner Circle. Quen and Kassidy talked sense to him and reminded him he’s not cleared yet.
Quen said he is cleared and laid out Jericho last week. Kassidy said he’s ready to make Le Champion his bitch next week.
**********
FTR and Tully Blanchard came to the ring for a promo. Tully said that Tag title matches on TV will now have a 20 minute time limit and he and FTR get to pick the opponents.
FTR are branding this as a weekly “brush with greatness.” They mentioned Best Friends as potential opponents.
Best Friends entered. FTR acted like they were ready to defend the titles right away. A referee came out and was about to ring the bell when Dax stopped him.
Cash said it wouldn’t be fair to Best Friends if they wrestled tonight and advised them to take a couple weeks to heal up and then maybe call Tully and they’ll set something up.
This was an effective segment.
**********
Thunder Rosa & Hikaru Shida defeated Ivelisse & Diamante
Rosa is great, Shida is great, this match was laid out really well, there’s just only so much Ivelisse and Diamante are capable of.
Rosa’s facepaint was a tribute to Road Warrior Animal.
Shida and Rosa were attacked during Shida’s intro.
Diamante and Ivelisse cut Rosa off. It’s kind of like when Sasha Banks and Alexa Bliss are in together when Rosa and Ivelisse are in there at the same time in that it feels like a fight could break out at any time.
Shida got a hot tag during a commercial break. The match broke down.
Shida pinned Diamante after a falcon arrow and a shining wizard.
**********
Dasha Gonzalez was backstage with Chris Jericho.
Jericho said Isiah Kassidy is going to be a big star one day but not next week. He said next week he’s going down when he faces Le Champion.
MJF entered. Jericho and MJF continued to do their mutual appreciation society gimmick. It was very good.
**********
Jericho vs. Kassidy, Britt Baker in action, Ricky Starks vs. Darby Allin, FTR vs. SCU and a Jon Moxley appearance were advertised for next week’s Dynamite.
A 30 years of Jericho celebration was announced for the October 7 Dynamite.
The main event is next.
**********
AEW World Championship match: Jon Moxley defeated Eddie Kingston to retain the title
Kingston is 38 and has worked a hard style for a long time. He’s at the top of his game as a promo and a character and that makes up for whatever physical limitations he has.
They had a brawl. It was intense and very good.
They traded a couple of cursory holds right awy but things quickly became the brawl that you would expect. They lit each other up with chops and strikes.
Kingston was in control before a commercial break and beat Moxley around ringside.
Moxley made a comeback with a tope and a piledriver for a near fall. Kingston hit a powerbomb for a two count. Kingston sold like he might have a stinger.
Moxley avoided two backfists and used a bulldog choke for the submission win.
A key point in the finish here is that Kingston never tapped, the referee called for the bell after Kingston appeared to be out.
**********
After the bell, Penta El Zero M and Rey Fenix ran in to attack Moxley.
Will Hobbs ran in for the save. Penta and Fenix recovered and laid out Hobbs.
Darby Allin ran in to join the brawl. Allin sent Fenix and Penta outside wth skateboard shots.
Ricky Starks ran in and attacked Allin. Starks hit a big spear and hit Allin with the skateboard.
