JNPO wrestling year in review series: AEW All In, WWE SummerSlam & a very busy August

Image: AEW

The latest entry into the Punch-Out 2024 wrestling year in review series has arrived with a stop in August.

Joining me for her yearly appearance is Fightful’s Kate Elizabeth as we go 90 minutes dissecting a very busy 31 days which included:

  • AEW All In which saw Bryan Danielson stave off retirement and win the AEW World title amid growing concerns about his physical state
  • WWE SummerSlam which saw the return of Roman Reigns, setting up the beginning of the latest chapter in the years-long Bloodline storyline
  • The beginnings of rumblings the Lucha Bros were WWE-bound
  • The passing of Sid Vicious and Kevin Sullivan
  • The big news from TNA, ROH, NXT, Japan and the rest of the world

Click here to listen

Here’s the rest of the series thus far:

Wrestling Observer Radio: The storied pro wrestling career of Kevin Sullivan

Dave Meltzer and I are back with Wrestling Observer Radio going over the big stories in the latest issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

We talked about the passing of Kevin Sullivan, which was reported right after Dave finished this week’s issue.

Then, we got into the following:

  • TKO Q2 results
  • What to take away from AEW’s Dynamite rating
  • Low ticket sales for the Grand Slam show
  • Young Bucks
  • Lucha Bros’ interest in WWE
  • Ricky Starks
  • G1 Climax 34
  • Olympic wrestling update

Click here to listen (sub needed) or watch on YouTube (video sub needed)

Fight Game: Examining the Drew, Seth & Punk triangle

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

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

  • The return of Roman Reigns
  • The Judgment Day splitting up
  • Untangling Drew McIntyre, Seth Rollins and CM Punk
  • The creative around Bryan Danielson’s run to AEW All In
  • NJPW G1 Climax 34 standings and block possibilities from Jeremy Finestone
  • How the Lucha Bros might fit in WWE

Click Here to Listen (sub needed)

AEW Dynamite live results: Moxley & Castagnoli vs. Lucha Bros vs. Best Friends

Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli will be in tag team action on this week’s AEW Dynamite. 

Coming off last week’s loss in Blood & Guts, Moxley & Castagnoli will look to rebound against Penta El Zero Miedo & Rey Fenix of The Lucha Bros, and Trent Beretta & Chuck Taylor of Best Friends in a triple threat match. 

Orange Cassidy is set to defend the AEW International Championship against AR Fox. The bout will be Fox’s sixth title shot in 25 career AEW matches. Including tag bouts, Fox’s career AEW record stands at 10-14 coming into the bout.  

Darby Allin will go one-on-one with Swerve Strickland. Allin won last week’s Royal Rampage to earn a TNT title shot at next month’s All Out pay-per-view. 

After a win over Skye Blue on last week’s Collision, Taya Valkyrie will face Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. on Dynamite. 

PAC vs. Gravity, plus a promo from MJF & Adam Cole are also set for the show. 

Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time. 

**********

AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Tony Schiavone and Taz, as they run down the card for the evening before going to a video package about the history between Darby Allin & AR Fox. The advice that Fox gave to Allin is documented, as Allin put over how Fox gave him a place to stay for free while training. Allin said if anyone deserves a shot, it’s AR Fox, as without him, there might not be a Darby Allin.

Orange Cassidy defeated AR Fox to retain the AEW International Title

(An action packed opener, with the crowd showing support for both guys throughout. The post match was very interesting, as the attack by Fox was very unexpected and led to Darby Allin questioning why his friend would do what he did after he vouched for Fox to get this title shot.)

This is Fox’s sixth title match in AEW, as he was previously unsuccessful in four Trios Title bouts and one TNT Title match against Samoa Joe last November. Meanwhile, this is Cassidy’s 27th title defense of the International Title as Excalibur runs down all the injuries Cassidy has suffered over the course of his reign. Fox tried keeping Cassidy grounded early, but Cassidy responded with the hands in pocket mind games and powdered, only to eat a quick moonsault to the floor by Fox. Back inside, Fox used his speed to hit a roll through suplex, which Cassidy countered into a Stundog Millionaire. Fox answered by kicking out of the corner with a leaping cutter and twisting brainbuster for a near fall. Fox stayed in control for a majority of the commercial break.

Cassidy fought out of a third neckbreaker by Fox before both traded big boots to the face. Each man blocked cutter attempts before hitting a double neckbreaker for the reset. Cassidy went up and over in the corner and repeatedly slammed Fox head first into the buckle. Fox sent Cassidy to the outside and hit a huge somersault dive and senton back inside for a close two. Cassidy countered Lo Mein Pain into a dive outside of his own and spinning DDT back in the ring that led to Beach Break, but Fox kicked out. Fox blocked the Orange Punch, set Cassidy up in the corner and hit Lo Mein Pain for a close near fall of his own. Cassidy rolled to the apron, but Fox was there to hit a Rolling Thunder and DDT back inside. Fox missed a top rope 450, seemed to tweak his ankle, allowing Cassidy to wrench at it and get the Mouse Trap for the victory. Post match, Cassidy put his sunglasses on Fox, who snapped them in half and attacked Cassidy as a furious Darby Allin screamed at Fox at the ramp asking him what that was about and Fox didn’t have an answer.

After all that, Cassidy was trying to recover when Jon Moxley ran through the crowd and laid out Cassidy with the Death Rider, as Excalibur talked about Cassidy getting involved at the end of Claudio Castagnoli’s match in ROH Death Before Dishonor.

-Renee Paquette is backstage with Chris Jericho & Don Callis, who talked about fans wanting Jericho to becoming part of Callis’ family. Callis said for Jericho to imagine a dream team with Konosuke Takeshita and Jericho said he’s willing to give it a try. Callis said their opponents will be Daniel Garcia & Sammy Guevara as Callis said that Jericho wanted them to spread their wings, as Jericho reluctantly accepted. Callis commissioned a work of art of their 1995 promo with Bad News Allen and there’s a painting shown of Bad News in the sky looking over Callis & Jericho.

**********

A brief video of HOOK walking and taking a seat at the subway is shown before the subway speeds past and HOOK was gone.

Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta cut a PSA backstage telling kids not to play with fire or mess with the Blackpool Combat Club. Castagnoli said the beating PAC suffered at Death Before Dishonor is nothing compared to what he’d get when they cross paths again. Jon Moxley walked in and gave a warning to Lucha Bros & Best Friends, who will pay tonight for PAC’s mistake.

Jack Perry addresses HOOK & the FTW Title

Tony Schiavone introduced the new FTW Champion, who walked out with his Beethoven’s 5th Symphony playing and new I Beat HOOK shirt. Schiavone got the crowd to start really booing Perry, who said after one loss, HOOK realized he can’t hang with the big boys, so he’s now on the train to nowhere. The FTW Title wasn’t what Perry was talking about when he said he wanted to win gold in 2023 in AEW and said as soon as he put his hands on the title, it became the real deal. Perry said he is the best wrestler ever to hold the title and ran down Taz and his friends.

This brought out Jerry Lynn, who said in ECW, they paved the way for the current generation. Without ECW, there never would have been a Jungle Boy and told Perry to keep running his mouth; it will get his ass kicked. Lynn squared up, but Perry said he’s not dressed to fight, instead challenging Lynn to show up next week. next week before leaving. So I guess we’re getting Jack Perry against Jerry Lynn? Who had that on their 2023 Wrestling Bingo card? I certainly wasn’t expecting that.

-Renee Paquette is backstage with Britt Baker, asking her reaction to Taya Valkyrie’s comments on Collision. Baker thanked Valkyrie and said she’s excited for their first time meeting, but will drag Valkyrie to the deep end and remind everyone that TBS is The Britt Show.

PAC submitted Gravity

(While most of this happened during commercial, the internet did get it’s reference to the irony of this match being booked in the first place. And as a bonus, we got Taz singing a little John Mayer. This was pretty much a dominating showing needed to put PAC back in the win column in AEW.)

During his entrance, Gravity actually acted like he was walking on the moon. PAC brilliantly tried to reintroduce himself to Gravity, as he was previously known as The Man That Gravity forgot. Taz meanwhile, shoe horned and briefly serenaded us with John Mayer’s ‘Gravity’. Gravity used his speed to send PAC to the floor early and tried to play mind games, only to eat a dropkick through the ropes by PAC, who stayed in control the entire picture in picture.

Back from commercial we saw the Blackpool Combat Club watching from their locker room. Gravity fought out of the corner with a leaping cross body, but PAC responded with a series of kicks. Both men went to the top and PAC connected with an avalanche brainbuster and quickly got the submission using the Brutalizer.

-We see post match comments from Renee Paquette with the Blind Eliminator Tournament winners MJF & Adam Cole. When Cole was about to start the promo, MJF cut him off and trash talked both members of FTR, mocking Dax Harwood constantly cutting the same promos and MJF will punch him so hard in the face he’ll spit out CM Punk’s jockstrap. The only initials that matter aren’t FTR, it’s MJF. Cole said never in a million years did he expect to be friends with MJF and said he has nothing to worry about with touching the AEW World Title post match. Cole said MJF is becoming one of his best friends and MJF said win, lose or draw, he wants Cole to know he’s getting a rematch for the World Title. Roderick Strong stormed in and shoved MJF, saying Cole shouldn’t trust him. Cole told MJF to leave as he said he loves Strong, but he’s pushing Cole away because he’s showing he doesn’t trust him.

**********

-Comments from FTR last week are shown with Renee Paquette as Wheeler said he’s excited about Collision on Saturday, but feels bad Adam Cole has been dragged into this. They respect Cole, but they hate MJF, calling him a generational ass kisser. Everyone who has been with MJF, including his fiancé, once they get to know him, they leave him. Harwood said he won’t get gimmicked up like MJF, since this is real to him. At Collision, MJF won’t make a mockery of professional wrestling and he’ll beat the sh*t out of Max on Saturday. Harwood apologizes to Cole, but says they are beating them at Collision.

Swerve Strickland (w/Prince Nana) defeated Darby Allin (w/Nick Wayne)

(These two continue to add to their great series of matches, as this was just as wild as you’d expect. The Death Valley Driver spot was unreal and I question how Allin’s spine wasn’t broken, which, that’s not the only time I’ve questioned that in his matches. The finish you could really see coming after the opener tonight and it’s a way to actually do something with AR Fox, who, up to this point, had been just another guy on the roster. Aligning with Strickland hopefully allows him to break out a little bit going forward.)

After an early back and forth, we nearly saw an identical ending to the Royal Rampage on Friday with Allin on the apron this time, with Strickland diving to the outside, only to eat a Code Red as a result. Allin chucked Strickland into the steps, repositioned them, but Strickland reversed a whip, Allin cleared the steps, as Strickland launched off the steps with a massive House Call kick. Strickland controlled the entire break, working over Allin’s wrist and taunting Wayne in the process.

Strickland connected on a roll through Flatliner and huge suplex before both men traded a series of roll ups ending with Strickland kicking out of the Last Supper. Strickland rolled to the apron and Allin speared him through the ropes and landed right on his head on the outside in the process. Back inside, Strickland rolled out to the floor again and this time caught a charging Allin with a knee lift in mid air. Back inside again, Strickland hit a Swerve Stomp, but Allin kicked out. Both men went up to the top and Allin managed an avalanche over the top stunner sending Strickland to the apron. Allin wanted a Coffin Drop, but Strickland pulled out the feet and hit an unreal and violent looking Death Valley Driver off the second rope onto the edge of the ring.

The referee was distracted by Nana & Wayne, as Allin was about to roll back into the ring, but a hooded ring attendant shoved him into the ring post and put back into the ring. Strickland connected with the JML Driver to get the win. The masked man was AR Fox, who attacked Allin & Nick Wayne post match, trying a move with Allin’s skateboard and failing miserably. Prince Nana presented a Mogul Embassy shirt to Fox, who proudly put it on.

-Renee Paquette is backstage with Matt Menard, Angelo Parker, Anna Jay & Tay Conti as Chris Jericho walked up and told them all to come into his dressing room. The painting Don Callis presented Jericho earlier is hung up and Jericho said forget about that, asking how the baby is to Tay Conti, who said the baby is fine, but asks what is going on with Jericho? Parker was about to give back his comb to Jericho, but said not quite yet. Anna Jay said Jericho is being selfish and said like Hager said; they can’t give Jericho their 100%. Everyone but Menard left, who told Jericho to figure things out, fast, before leaving himself.

**********

Britt Baker submitted Taya Valkyrie

(Sometimes things just don’t gel right and this was one of those times. Both ladies tried hard, but that messed up spot early turned the crowd. While they did get them back with the forearm exchange, it just seemed things were off. Regardless, this was a needed win for Baker, who continues to get back on the winning track following an early elimination in the Owen Hart Tournament.)

Baker worked an early headlock, but Valkyrie used her power to gain control with her running corner knees. With the wrist trapped, Valkyrie fired off stiff chops and short arm lariat, but Baker tried a misdirect, only to sort of fall to Road to Valhalla. The crowd booed, as the whole spot looked really clunky, so I’m not sure whether or not Valkyrie was supposed to hit a proper one. Regardless, Baker’s didn’t get up enough, so Valkyrie just mounted and dished out strikes heading into break.

When they returned, the crowd still was booing, as Valkyrie was trapped in a Baker cravat and ate knee strikes. Valkyrie was sent into the corner, stumbled out and Baker hit a rip cord strike, only for Valkyrie to kick out at one. A forearm battle commenced as both ladies traded kicks and Valkyrie just dove for a lariat. Baker wanted Panama Sunrise, Valkyrie countered into a Northern Lights, but Baker got back in control, tried again and got the Panama Sunrise for two. Baker took too long putting on her glove and Valkyrie hit a Spear, wanted Road to Valhalla, but Baker spun out into Lock Jaw for the win.

**********

The Lucha Bros (Rey Fenix & Penta El Zero Miedo w/Alex Abrahantes) defeated Claudio Castagnoli & Jon Moxley and Best Friends (Chuck Taylor & Trent Beretta)

(A pretty jam packed main event, with the story playing a lot into what happened after the ROH Title match at Death Before Dishonor. That is where the bad blood started, as Castagnoli & Moxley once again found themselves on the losing end to close Dynamite, an unfamiliar territory for them as commentary said. I wouldn’t have minded Best Friends getting a win here, but if the story plays eventually more into PAC bailing on the BCC, it makes sense his Death Triangle buddies got the win here.)

Lucha Bros & Best Friends started fighting before The BCC even got to the ring, as the brawl was on with everyone. Taylor & Moxley brawled up the ramp before everyone else joined on the floor and Taylor hit a somersault dive off the stage onto the pile. Back to the ring, Fenix & Castagnoli had a nice exchange with Fenix doing a massive springboard arm drag, only to eat a Sexy Chuckie Knee from Beretta. Moxley jumped in with a cutter and Castagnoli cleaned house on everyone else with uppercuts. Fenix fell back into a tag from Beretta, who tackled Fenix for revenge of getting whacked in the face with a chair at Death Before Dishonor last Friday. Beretta missed a knee on Castagnoli, but did hit a Saito Suplex before trying a dive, only to eat an uppercut before takeoff. Moxley tagged in and destroyed Beretta with a King Kong Lariat into commercial break.

Beretta fought out of the corner with a missile dropkick on Castagnoli, tagging Taylor, who dropped Moxley with Sole Food. Moxley tried turning the tables, but ate a jump knee and German suplex by Taylor. Penta made the blind tag on Moxley and fired off Sling Blade and back stabber on Taylor. All six men started slugging it out in the ring until Best Friends just decided to hug and give the people what they wanted. Moxley & Castagnoli were sent outside and Lucha Bros were planted with dueling piledrivers from Taylor & Beretta.

Lucha Bros gained control with superkicks and submission attempts, as Penta snapped back on the arm of Beretta before hitting Made in Penta. Castagnoli & Moxley broke things up, beating down Best Friends with anvil elbows, stomps and powerbomb by Castagnoli on Taylor. Castagnoli wanted a Ricola Bomb, but Orange Cassidy’s music hit and he laid out Wheeler Yuta on the ramp. Cassidy slugged it out with Moxley as Beretta dropped Castagnoli with a Crunchie, but was told Castagnoli wasn’t the legal man, how in the world with all this chaos did Paul Turner keep track of that? The Lucha Bros jumped in and laid out Beretta with Fear Factor and Penta got the win.

Post match, commentary talked about how The BCC are in unfamiliar territory losing multiple matches, as Best Friends & Cassidy kept brawling with The BCC before Lucha Bros kind of made Moxley back off, as he bailed all while everyone else brawled. Excalibur informed us Moxley vs. Beretta vs. Penta next week in an Anything Goes three way on the 200th episode of Dynamite.

AEW Rampage 7/28/23

· Hikaru Shida vs. Nyla Rose

· Tag Team Battle Royale featuring Jay Lethal & Satnam Singh, Big Bill & Brian Cage, Ethan Page & Brother Zay, The Hardy Boys, Butcher & The Blade, Matt Menard & Angelo Parker, Luther & Serpentico and Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal with the winners receiving an AEW Tag Team Title match

· Scorpio Sky vs. Kip Sabian

· The Kingdom (Mike Bennett & Matt Taven) Will Be In Action

AEW Collision 7/29/23

· FTR defend the AEW Tag Team Titles against AEW World Champion MJF & Adam Cole

· Andrade El Idolo vs. Buddy Matthews in a Ladder Match for Idolo’s Mask

· El Hijo del Vikingo, Action Andretti & Darius Martin vs. Juice Robinson & The Gunns

AEW Dynamite 8/2/23

· Jack Perry face to face with Jerry Lynn

· Chris Jericho & Konosuke Takeshita vs. Sammy Guevara & Daniel Garcia

· Jon Moxley vs. Trent Beretta vs. Penta el zero Miedo in an Anything Goes Match

BCC vs. Lucha Bros vs. Best Friends added to AEW Dynamite

BCC vs. Lucha Bros vs. Best Friends in a triple threat tag is one of three new bouts added to the July 26 AEW Dynamite.

As announced during Friday’s ROH Death Before Dishonor pay-per-view, Blackpool Combat Club’s Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli will team against Penta El Zero Miedo & Rey Fenix of The Lucha Bros, and Trent Beretta & Chuck Taylor of Best Friends in a three-way tag match on Wednesday’s Dynamite. 

Also added to the Dynamite lineup, PAC will take on Gravity. PAC challenged Castagnoli for the ROH World title at Death Before Dishonor in a losing effort, while Gravity, the brother of Bandido, defeated Komander in the pay-per-view opener. 

Darby Allin vs. Swerve Strickland in singles competition is the third new match announced for Dynamite. 

A promo segment with Blind Eliminator Tournament winners MJF & Adam Cole has also been added to Wednesday’s lineup. 

Already announced for the show is an International Championship match, with Orange Cassidy defending against AR Fox. 

The updated lineup for the July 26 Dynamite in Albany, New York:

  • AEW International Championship: Orange Cassidy defends against AR Fox
  • Blackpool Combat Club (Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli) vs. Lucha Bros (Penta El Zero Miedo) vs. Best Friends (Trent Beretta & Chuck Taylor)
  • PAC vs. Gravity
  • Darby Allin vs. Swerve Strickland
  • MJF & Adam Cole promo

Trios match announced for AEW Dynamite

AEW has announced a trios match for Dynamite. 

The Blackpool Combat Club’s Jon Moxley, Wheeler Yuta, and Claudio Castagnoli will face Bandido & The Lucha Bros on the show. The match comes after The Lucha Bros successfully retained their ROH tag titles against Castagnoli & Yuta in the main event of Dynamite last week. 

“BCC have revenge in mind as they fight the Lucha Bros + their amigo Bandido on Dynamite, TONIGHT!,” Tony Khan wrote on Twitter

Tonight’s edition of AEW Dynamite will take place from the Viejas Arena on the campus of San Diego State University. Adam Cole & Britt Baker vs. Chris Jericho & Saraya is the only other match announced thus far. 

AEW Dynamite 5/31 lineup:

  • Adam Cole & Britt Baker vs. Chris Jericho & Saraya
  • Blackpool Combat Club (Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta) vs. Bandido & The Lucha Bros (Penta El Zero Miedo & Rey Fenix) 
  • Don Callis & Konosuke Takeshita promo segment
  • Tony Khan announcement about AEW Collision debut

Mark Briscoe & Lucha Bros to team on AEW Revolution Zero Hour pre-show

A trios match has been announced for Sunday’s AEW Revolution: Zero Hour pre-show. 

In a match announced on Friday’s Rampage, Mark Briscoe will team with Penta El Zero Miedo and Rey Fenix of the Lucha Bros against Ari Daivari, and Josh Woods and Tony Nese of Varsity Athletes. 

Briscoe set up the match with a promo on Rampage, paying tribute to his late brother, Jay. Briscoe said that while Jay is “with the Lord,” there are two brothers that he can team with. He then introduced Penta and Fenix. 

The trios bout is the only match announced for Sunday’s pre-show to this point. 

AEW Revolution: Zero Hour will air Sunday, March 5 at 7 p.m. Eastern time on AEW’s YouTube channel and social media channels. 

Here is the updated lineup for Sunday’s PPV and pre-show:

AEW Revolution, Sunday, March 5, 8 p.m. Eastern time on pay-per-view —

  • 60-minute iron man match for the AEW World Championship: MJF (c) vs. Bryan Danielson
  • AEW Women’s World Championship: Jamie Hayter (c) vs. Ruby Soho vs. Saraya
  • TNT Championship: Samoa Joe (c) vs. Wardlow
  • AEW World Tag Team Championship: The Gunns (c) vs. The Acclaimed vs. Jeff Jarrett & Jay Lethal vs. Orange Cassidy & Danhausen
  • AEW World Trios Championship: The Elite (c) vs. The House of Black
  • Chris Jericho vs. Ricky Starks — JAS banned from ringside
  • Texas Death match: Jon Moxley vs. Hangman Page
  • Final Burial match: Christian Cage vs. Jungle Boy

AEW Revolution: Zero Hour, Sunday, March 5, 7 p.m. Eastern time on AEW’s YouTube channel & social media channels —

  • Mark Briscoe & The Lucha Bros (Penta El Zero Miedo & Rey Fenix) vs. Ari Daivari & Varsity Athletes (Josh Woods & Tony Nese)

AEW announces six matches for Dark: Elevation

AEW has announced six matches for Dark: Elevation. 

The show was filmed on Wednesday, August 3 from the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio. 

Athena will be in action on the show. She will take on Queen Aminata in singles competition. Ruby Soho will also team up with Skye Blue to take on Megan Myers & Nikki Victory. 

Kiera Hogan will team with the “interim baddie” Leila Grey in a tag team contest against Freya States & Alice Crowley. 

The Lucha Bros will also be on Dark: Elevation this week. They will take on the Wingmen’s Peter Avalon & Ryan Nemeth. 

AEW Dark: Elevation airs Monday at 7 p.m Eastern Time on YouTube. The announced lineup for the show is as follows: 

  • Athena vs. Queen Aminata
  • John Silver & Alex Reynolds vs. T.U.G Cooper & Lord Crewe
  • Kiera Hogan & Leila Grey vs. Freya States & Alice Crowley
  • Ruby Soho & Skye Blue vs. Megan Myers & Nikki Victory
  • Parker Boudreaux w/ Ari Daivari vs. Casey Carrington
  • The Lucha Bros (Penta Oscuro & Rey Fenix) w/ Alex Abrahantes vs. The Wingmen (Peter Avalon & Ryan Nemeth)

Andrade, Lucha Bros not appearing at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door

Due to the partnership between NJPW and CMLL, AAA contracted wrestlers Andrade El Idolo, Penta Oscuro and Rey Fenix will not appear at this month’s AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door pay-per-view.

LuchaBlog first reported the news Monday, saying Andrade was booked at one point and then removed from the show. Bryan Alvarez noted that with Penta and Fenix, it’s been known they wouldn’t be able to work the show “for a long time.”

AAA and CMLL are rival promotions in Mexico. Luchablog insinuated on Twitter that it was CMLL who forced NJPW’s hand:

Earlier Monday, Andrade tweeted the following:

https://twitter.com/AndradeElIdolo/status/1536220228291645443

As of this writing, neither Fenix nor Penta have tweeted anything about the situation

LuchaBlog also noted that there are apparently issues between Andrade and AAA over a canceled booking that wasn’t communicated properly that cost him an opportunity (and money) to work somewhere else. Andrade deleted a tweet replying to Konnan who tweeted the following:

At this point, the issue won’t affect FTR who are the current AAA Tag Team Champions. The creative direction appears to be a three-way with Roppongi Vice and new IWGP Tag Team Champions Great-O-Khan and Jeff Cobb at the Sunday, June 26th PPV. The AAA titles haven’t been mentioned in the buildup.

FTR & Lucha Brothers scheduled for AAA Tag Team title rematch

FTR and The Lucha Brothers are scheduled to square off again for the AAA World Tag Team Championship. 

FTR’s Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler will defend the AAA titles against AEW World Tag Team Champions Penta El Zero Miedo and Rey Fenix. In a since-deleted tweet, Sam Adonis posted a promotional poster for a January 30, 2022 event with the title match listing. The match has since been confirmed by luchablog (thecubsfan) on Twitter as taking place on January 30 in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico at a AAA TV taping.

The rival teams are engaged in a lengthy series of matches revolving around both the AEW and AAA World Tag Team Championships, as FTR captured the AAA Tag titles from the Lucha Bros on the October 16 episode of AEW Dynamite. FTR successfully defended the titles against Penta and Fenix at Triplemania Regia in a ladder match on December 4. Penta and Fenix have twice defended the AEW Tag belts against FTR, with a victory at Full Gear in November, then a win on the December 10 Rampage, taped December 8. 

Tag Team, TNT title matches set for AEW Rampage

TNT Champion Sammy Guevara will defend against Tony Nese while AEW Tag Team Champions The Lucha Brothers will defend against FTR in a 2-out-of-3 falls match on next Friday’s AEW Rampage.

In a backstage promo, the undefeated Nese took advantage of Guevara’s open challenge policy and as he was running him down, Guevara accepted the challenge. As the two shook hands, Nese laid in a elbow to drop the champion, driving his knee into his side while saying that the only reason Guevara has the title was that guys like him weren’t available yet.

Guevara will be looking for the fourth defense of his title against his fourth different opponent.

Rampage will also feature the latest battle in the rivalry between champions Rey Fenix & Penta El Zero Miedo and Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood. The latter challenged the Lucha Bros to the 2-out-of-3 falls match in a backstage promo, citing their recent success.

Wheeler and Harwood defeated Fenix and Penta for the AAA Tag Team titles in October, but were unable to regain the AEW titles from them at this month’s Full Gear. Fenix and Penta will be looking for the fifth defense of the titles they won at September’s All Out.

Next Friday’s matches will be taped after Wednesday’s Dynamite in Duluth, Georgia:

  • TNT Champion Sammy Guevara vs. Tony Nese title match
  • AEW Tag Team Champions Lucha Bros vs. FTR 2-out-of-3 falls title match

Young Bucks vs. Lucha Bros cage match set for AEW All Out

The Lucha Bros won the AEW World Tag title eliminator tournament on Rampage to earn a shot at The Young Bucks at the All Out PPV.

Penta El Zero Miedo and Rey Fenix defeated Jurassic Express in the Rampage opener, earning an AEW World Tag Team title shot in a steel cage at All Out. Penta and Fenix beat Private Party and Jurassic Express in the four-team tournament to punch their ticket to All Out. 

The bout will be a rematch of the Escalera De La Muerte ladder match for the AAA Tag titles from All Out 2019, a match that Penta and Fenix won. 

Ten matches are now official for All Out. Here is the lineup: 

AEW All Out, Sunday, September 5 —

  • AEW World Championship: Kenny Omega (c) vs. Christian Cage
  • AEW World Tag Team Championship steel cage match: The Young Bucks (c) vs. Lucha Bros
  • AEW Women’s World Championship: Britt Baker (c) vs. Kris Statlander
  • CM Punk vs. Darby Allin
  • TNT Championship: Miro (c) vs. Eddie Kingston
  • Chris Jericho vs. MJF, if Jericho loses he must retire
  • PAC vs. Andrade El Idolo
  • Jon Moxley vs. Satoshi Kojima
  • Paul Wight vs. QT Marshall
  • Women’s Casino Battle Royale

Tag Team title eliminator finals set for AEW Rampage

The finals are set for the World Tag Team title eliminator tournament on this Friday’s AEW Rampage. 

Penta El Zero Miedo and Rey Fenix, the Lucha Bros, advanced to Friday’s finals with a win over Brian Pillman Jr. and Griff Garrison of Varsity Blonds on tonight’s AEW Dynamite. 

Already set for the finals are Jurassic Express. Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus advanced on last week’s Rampage with a win over Marq Quen and Isiah Kassidy of Private Party. 

The tournament winners will go on to face The Young Bucks for the AEW World Tag Team Championship in a steel cage match at the All Out PPV on Sunday, September 5.

Also announced for Rampage, AEW World Champion Kenny Omega and Brandon Cutler will take on Christian Cage and Frankie Kazarian. Cage challenges Omega for the AEW title at All Out. 

The Bunny vs. Tay Conti is also set for Rampage. This match was set up in a backstage segment on Dynamite. Bunny and Conti will both be participants in the Casino Battle Royale at All Out.

Here is the lineup for Rampage: 

AEW Rampage, Friday, August 27, 10 p.m. Eastern time —

  • AEW Tag Team title eliminator tournament final: Jurassic Express vs. Lucha Bros
  • Kenny Omega & Brandon Cutler vs. Christian Cage & Frankie Kazarian
  • The Bunny vs. Tay Conti

Here is the lineup for All Out: 

AEW All Out, Sunday, September 5 on PPV —

  • AEW World Championship: Kenny Omega (c) vs. Christian Cage
  • CM Punk vs. Darby Allin
  • AEW Women’s World Championship: Britt Baker (c) vs. Kris Statlander
  • AEW World Tag Team Championship steel cage match: The Young Bucks (c) vs. Jurassic Express or Lucha Bros 
  • Chris Jericho vs. MJF
  • PAC vs. Andrade El Idolo
  • Jon Moxley vs. Satoshi Kojima
  • Paul Wight vs. QT Marshall
  • Women’s Casino Battle Royale

AEW Dark results: Lucha Bros vs. Joey Janela & Sonny Kiss

This week’s edition of AEW Dark was headlined by Lucha Bros vs. Joey Janela and Sonny Kiss in the main event.

The Big Takeaways:

Eddie Kingston isn’t done with AEW Champion Jon Moxley quite yet as he issued another challenge while his associates (the Lucha Bros) picked up a big win in the main event. 

Show Recap:

It looks like Ricky Starks is now a regular member of the Dark commentary desk as this marked his fourth appearance at the desk, although he did leave about halfway through. He joined regulars Excalibur and Taz.

Brandi Rhodes (w/ Dustin Rhodes) defeated Kenzie Paige

This was pretty rough. It was very back-and-forth for the most part and not as much of a squash as you might expect. Brandi used lots of Dustin’s signature offense including his bulldog and the dropdown right hand. Brandi got the win with what was ostensibly a knee strike, but it came nowhere near landing like it should have.

Post-match, Anna Jay attacked Brandi, but Red Velvet ran out to make the save — the inverse of what happened last week. 

Jurassic Express (Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus) (w/ Marko Stunt) defeated Ray Rosas & Eric Watts

This was Watts’ debut. He’s really tall, easily Luchasaurus’s height, and most recently made a national appearance on a UWN Primetime show. This was clearly meant to be a showcase for him as he got tons of offense in on one of AEW’s most established teams.

Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus dominated at the bell. The dinosaur no sold Rosas’ strikes as Jungle Boy hit an assisted senton for a quick near fall. Watts took advantage with a fallaway slam, but after an inside cradle, Jungle Boy escaped for the hot tag.

Watts and Luchasaurus faced off in the center of the ring and exchanged power strikes. Luchasaurus booted Watts out of the ring and Jurassic Express set up for a combination move, but Watts pulled Luchasaurus out of the ring and posted him instead. Rosas then rolled up Jungle Boy for a surprisingly good near fall.

Watts tagged in and hit a sit out chokeslam for two. Rosas tagged in, but Luchasaurus hit the Tail Whip, Jungle Boy hit a dive, and Jurassic Express hit their assisted cutter for the win.

Chaos Project (Serpentico & Luther) defeated Lee Johnson & Anthony Bowens

Luther has been a focal point of Wednesday’s Chris Jericho 30th anniversary celebration as he and Serpentico will face Jericho and Jake Hager. Johnson had an excellent match against Ben Carter on Dark a couple weeks ago.

Johnson and Bowens isolated Serpentico early on, but a short thrust kick allowed Chaos Project to take advantage. Johnson attempted a comeback after a sunset flip, but a clothesline from Luther cut him off. Chaos Project displayed some of their unique offense which frequently involves Luther literally using Serpentico as a weapon.

Johnson eventually escaped for the hot tag. Bowens hit clotheslines and kicks as well as a floatover DDT. Luther sent Johnson outside and Chaos Project overwhelmed with their numbers advantage, hitting a doomsday meteora for three to remain undefeated as a team.

Will Hobbs defeated RYZIN

Hobbs hit power moves early on, including multiple suplex variations. RYZIN attempted to land strikes and a clothesline, but Hobbs mostly no sold them and leveled RYZIN with a shoulder tackle. He caught a RYZIN crossbody and hit a powerslam, followed by the Last Will and Testament (a basic spinebuster) for the squash win.

– Starks left commentary following this match.

– Eddie Kingston cut an excellent yet simple promo. He called out Janela and Kiss, saying they were talented but that they don’t live up to their potential by treating everything like a joke. He finished by saying the Lucha Bros don’t put up with that bullsh*t.

John Silver (w/ Evil Uno) defeated QT Marshall (w/ Dustin Rhodes)

This was pretty good as it got plenty of time and wasn’t one sided at all. AEW can’t seem to decide whether they want to refer to Dark Order members by their names or their numbers. This week, he was simply “John Silver” with no mention of the number 4. He also wrestled without a mask.

Silver attempted a dive early, but Marshall caught him and turned it into a suplex. Uno grabbed Marshall’s leg with the official distracted, allowing Silver to take advantage. Silver drove Marshall into the staging area and the barricades.

Back inside, a corner lariat from Silver got two. Marshall attempted a comeback, but Silver turned it into a crossface before Marshall reached the ropes. Both men fought up top until Marshall hit a superplex for the comeback.

Marshall hit an inverted atomic drop, a scoop slam, and a diving uppercut. Uno distracted Marshall as Silver attempted a clothesline, but Marshall turned it into a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Silver hit an enzuigiri and a backcracker for a near fall.

Uno distracted the official yet again, but Rhodes evened the odds. Alan Angels and Preston Vance, both of whom were masked, ran in and interfered but both were foiled by Marshall. However, the distraction was enough for Silver to hit a rolling elbow and an inverted F5 for the upset win.

Brian Pillman Jr. & Griff Garrison defeated Cezar Bononi & David Ali

Bononi, a former WWE NXT trainee, debuted on Dark last week. Pillman and Garrison had never won as a team before.

Ali and Bononi got the heat after Bononi hit a big spinebuster. They took turns beating down Pillman with frequent tags. Pillman escaped out the back of a powerslam attempt and reached Garrison for the hot tag.

Garrison dispatched both of his opponents with strikes, finishing the sequence by essentially lawn darting Ali into Bononi for a spear. He and Pillman then hit a springboard clothesline powerbomb combination for their first AEW victory.

Big Swole defeated Skyler Moore

Swole is the no. 2-ranked wrestler in AEW’s women’s division. They talked trash at the bell before trading strikes. Swole fought out of a suplex and hit one of her own, followed by a series of running strikes. Moore sent her to the apron, but Swole hit a slingshot cutter and Dirty Dancing for the quick win.

– Matt Sydal talked about his All Out battle royal appearance, and how he slipped on the ropes and “almost died.” On Being The Elite, it was established that it was Michael Nakazawa’s fault due to something dealing with his body oil. Sydal’s not just trying to win the upcoming match, but is trying to end Nakazawa’s career.

Matt Sydal defeated Michael Nakazawa

This was Sydal’s Dark debut. He immediately leveled Nakazawa with kicks and went for the shooting star press, but Nakazawa had oiled the ropes again. Sydal went to wipe them off, but Nakazawa sprayed oil in his eyes and hit an Olympic slam for two.

Nakazawa removed his underwear and went for the claw, but Sydal turned it into a cradle. Nakazawa locked in the claw but Sydal reversed it into a cobra clutch, using the underwear as leverage, forcing Nakazawa to tap.

Eddie Kingston defeated M’Badu

This was a squash showcase for Kingston. He hit loud chops at the start, but M’Badu reversed a whip and nailed a huge corner splash and a powerslam for two. Kingston hit the Kitchen Sink and a spinning backfist for what would have been the win, but he picked M’Badu up before the three count. Kingston then locked on a kimura, forcing M’Badu to tap out.

Post-match, Kingston grabbed a mic and said that the kimura was a message to Jon Moxley. He mentioned Moxley is wrestling on Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport this weekend. He wants another shot at Moxley, and when that happens, he will lock on the kimura and make him scream “I quit.” This was an even better promo than the pre-recorded one he cut earlier.

– Janela and Kiss cut a promo backstage. Janela said that he embodies “no fear” just as much as the Lucha Bros and they want a spot on the AEW tag team rankings.

Angelico defeated Shawn Dean

Angelico and Jack Evans have a tag title shot on Dynamite this week and the goal here was putting over Angelico’s unique Mexican llave submission style.

Angelico took Dean down with a kick to his hamstring and locked on an inverted figure four. Dean reached the ropes, but Angelico applied another unorthodox hold, but the referee forced a break.

Dean dropped Angelico with a forearm and clotheslines, concluding the sequence with a German suplex. He went for an underhook suplex, but Angelico escaped with kicks, locking on another inverted figure four for the submission victory.

Lucha Bros (Penta El Zero M & Rey Fenix) (w/ Eddie Kingston) defeated Joey Janela & Sonny Kiss

This was far and away the best match on the show. Janela and Kiss hit stereo suicide dives before the bell. Fenix escaped and hit a tope con hilo on everyone. Back inside, the bell rang and El Zero hit a diving dropkick to Janela’s rear end. Janela fought his way out and reached Kiss, who took control with a springboard dropkick.

Lucha Bros hit their cazadora-assisted splash for the heat on Janela. El Zero beat him down with kicks and chops. Eventually, Janela escaped to Kiss for the hot tag.

Kiss hit a backflip dropkick and an exploder suplex followed by a corner dropkick. He hit a 450 splash, but Fenix broke up the pin. We got the parade of moves, concluding with Kiss hitting a lariat on El Zero.

Janela tagged in, but ran straight into a Fenix cutter. Penta superkicked both of his opponents, and the Lucha Bros hit their foot stomp/package piledriver combo for three.

Final Thoughts:

This week’s AEW Dark was a middling show. There wasn’t much overtly bad (aside from parts of the Brandi match), but the main event and Kingston’s promos were the only things that felt like can’t miss programming. The show remains far, far too long; most weeks, it’s nearly as long as Dynamite.

Lucha Bros to face Jurassic Express on AEW Dynamite

AEW has made a new match announcement for this Wednesday’s post-All Out episode of Dynamite.

The Lucha Bros (Penta El Zero M & Rey Fenix w/ Eddie Kingston) will face off with Jurassic Express (Luchasaurus & Jungle Boy) on Dynamite this Wednesday. This will be the first time Luchasaurus & Jungle Boy have faced The Lucha Bros in a two-on-two match. They were originally supposed to face each other in the first round of AEW’s Tag Team title tournament last year, but Marko Stunt replaced Luchasaurus in the match due to Luchasaurus being injured.

“This match was supposed to be our tv debut. I’m glad we’re finally getting back to it,” Jungle Boy tweeted today.

The Young Bucks defeated Jurassic Express at All Out. That match was set up by The Young Bucks & Jurassic Express teaming together to defeat SCU & Private Party in an eight-man tag match on Dynamite last week. The stipulation was that the two teams on the winning side would face each other at All Out.

At Saturday’s pay-per-view, Penta El Zero M and Fenix were both entrants in the Casino Battle Royale. Lance Archer won the battle royal and will challenge for Jon Moxley’s AEW World Championship at some point in the future.

Here’s he updated lineup for this week’s Dynamite:

  • TNT Champion Brodie Lee defends against Dustin Rhodes
  • Chris Jericho & Jake Hager vs. Joey Janela & Sonny Kiss in a no DQ match
  • The Lucha Bros vs. Jurassic Express
  • AEW World Champion Jon Moxley speaks after retaining his title against MJF at All Out
  • Matt Hardy will appear following the injury he suffered at All Out
  • Kip Sabian will reveal his best man for his wedding with Penelope Ford