Two new title matches have been announced for Saturday’s AEW Battle of the Belts VII, airing live from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, following Collision.
One of those will see AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm defend against Taya Valkyrie in a first time ever match. Storm came out on Friday’s Rampage to mock Valkyrie after her win and got talked into a title defense for Saturday instead.
Storm will be looking for the third defense of her second reign while Valkyrie is looking for redemption after coming up short against then-TBS Champion Jade Cargill twice.
In the other, AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy will hope to extend his lengthy reign as he defends against Lance Archer.
Archer called out Cassidy after his own win over Trent Beretta Friday. After getting physical with Cassidy, Archer and Jake Roberts stole the bag containing the International title and told Cassidy he could try to get it back Saturday.
A win over Archer will give Cassidy his 26th title defense while an Archer victory will give him his first AEW title of any kind. This will be their first ever singles match against each other.
The new additions join the previously announced TNT title match between current champion Luchasaurus and the Canadian-born Shawn Spears. Spears confronted the champion and Christian Cage backstage several weeks ago which set this in motion.
Here’s the card:
AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm defends against Taya Valkyrie
TNT Champion Luchasaurus defends against Shawn Spears
AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy defends against Lance Archer
Orange Cassidy defends the International Championship against Swerve Strickland on tonight’s AEW Dynamite.
Cassidy’s string of title defenses continues against Swerve, who defeated Big Bill and Trent in a triple threat match on last week’s episode.
A TBS title defense is also set for the show, with Kris Statlander defending against Anna Jay.
The issue between Ricky Starks and Bullet Club Gold continues, with Starks taking on Jay White in a match where both Juice Robinson and FTR are banned from ringside.
JungleHook reunites in tag team action on the show, with “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry and Hook teaming against Dralistico and Preston Vance in a tornado tag bout.
BCC’s Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, and Wheeler Yuta face Trent, Chuck Taylor, and Rocky Romero of CHAOS in trios action.
World Champion MJF will speak on tonight’s show, plus Tony Khan will also announce the main event for the June 17 debut of AEW Collision.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Tony Schiavone and Taz, as they immediately throw to our opening title match of the evening.
Orange Cassidy defeated Swerve Strickland (w/Prince Nana) to retain the AEW International Title
(A phenomenal opening contest and title defense number 24 for Cassidy, who again managed to survive by the skin of his teeth. Cassidy ultimately out swerved Swerve as we’re building to a presumed six man tag with Sting & Darby as Cassidy’s backup.)
Cassidy tried early mind games with his little kicks, but Strickland did a good job scouting by grounding the champion. Cassidy answered with a relaxed submission into a head scissors, sending Strickland to the floor. Strickland mocked the pocket pose and suckered Cassidy to the floor where he gained control, slamming the bad hand of Cassidy into the post. Back inside momentarily, Cassidy did a victory roll over the top back outside, where Strickland held on and Cassidy hit the roll into the barricade followed by a dive. They return to the ring where Cassidy got a two off a top rope cross body, until both fought up the ropes where both slammed down head first on the turnbuckle to send us to break. I should point out during commercial, an ad for Collision was shown saying it will be the second coming of CM Punk.
Strickland gained the advantage during picture in picture, as Cassidy battled out of the JML Driver; tried Beach Break, Cassidy’s back seized up, but did manage a Stundog Millionaire. Cassidy charged, but Strickland countered into a rolling Flatliner. Cassidy tried the light strikes, ultimately planting Strickland with a DDT for two. Cassidy was cut off and planted with a DVD on the apron, but scooted away before a double stomp could follow. With Strickland backed up onto the steps, Cassidy connected on a diving DDT from the apron the floor. Back inside, another diving DDT off the top for a close near fall.
Cassidy countered a pop up powerbomb into a hurricanrana pin, but couldn’t hook Strickland’s leg due to his bad hand. Prince Nana tried to run distraction, as Strickland collided with his manager into a Cassidy Orange Punch and Beach Break, but Strickland kicked out, bailing outside. Cassidy tried another DDT dive, but Strickland caught him into a brainbuster on the floor. Back in the ring, Strickland hit the House Call kick and Swerve Stomp, but Cassidy kicked out and Strickland couldn’t believe it. Cassidy rolled through a JML Driver, as both men tried roll ups with handfuls of tights, as Cassidy got the last laugh, getting the three count. Strickland cheated first, but Cassidy cheated more effectively in the end.
Mogul Embassy hit the ring to immediately beat down Cassidy when the lights went out and when they returned, Darby Allin & Sting were in the ring as everyone else had bailed to the ramp.
-A video package highlighting Switchblade Jay White & Ricky Starks is shown ahead of their match tonight. That will be the main event this evening.
Bryan Danielson makes his way to the commentary table ahead of the next match and we get a video package of Danielson challenging Kazuchika Okada during the Dominion show earlier in the week and Okada accepting the fight for Forbidden Door. When Okada steps in the ring with Danielson, he’s stepping foot in the desert and there will be no rain for the Rainmaker.
(This was an action packed six man with the CHAOS boys getting off a lot of offense in this, but in the end, it wasn’t enough to overcome Moxley, Castagnoli and Yuta, who are on a whole other level right now. I have really enjoyed how much of a killer they’ve turned Yuta into over the course of the last few weeks.)
Excalibur mentions for those unaware how Best Friends are members of CHAOS along with Romero, as the faction is head up by one Kazuchika Okada. Taylor & Beretta chucked chairs at Yuta & Moxley immediately, as Romero hit a dive onto Castagnoli. Beretta followed with a superplex on Yuta to start the match, as Taylor hit a snap piledriver on the man he trained for a near fall. The match broke down with brawling on the outside, as Taylor hit a somersault dive on Castagnoli leading to CHAOS giving the people what they wanted with a triple hug. Sole Food half and half suplex on Moxley led to Yuta tripping Taylor to lead to a Moxley cutter to gain control. Danielson was insulted Best Friends didn’t attempt a pin attempt before the BCC took over during picture in picture.
Taylor was worked over the entire break, eating a Yuta snap German suplex, but ultimately Taylor hit a knee to make the hot tag to Beretta who ran wild on Moxley. A blind tag to Romero, who ran wild a bit himself until Roppongi Vice hit a double jump knee on Moxley, who was hung up and hit with double team offense for two. Beretta blocked a Gotch Piledriver from Moxley, as Best Friends connected with Strong Zero for a close two. Romero sank in a cross arm breaker, as Beretta tried a moonsault to the floor on Castagnoli, who hit an incredible uppercut in mid air. Yuta clocked Taylor with a Busaiku Knee, as Moxley countered the submission from Romero into a Bulldog Choke for the victory. Yuta was relentless on his attack on Taylor post match as a smiling Danielson gave his approval on commentary.
-The Hung Bucks are backstage talking about how next week is where Dynamite began in Washington DC. The Bucks & Hangman Page issue a challenge for a six man tag next week against Moxley, Castagnoli & Yuta, which Danielson accepted on behalf of the BCC.
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-A video package of Kenny Omega & Will Ospreay is shown, highlighting their incredible match at Wrestle Kingdom earlier this year. Ospreay wants revenge for what Omega put him through and with his victory over Lance Archer at Dominion; the match is official with Omega vs. Ospreay 2 happening at Forbidden Door.
MJF Found His Worthy Competition
(After defending his AEW Title three times and saying he was out of competition, MJF had an answer to the call and it led to a pretty strong back and forth promo. While you could say this went a little long, I was happy that Cole got in his promo and this wasn’t just dominated by MJF talking the whole time. This should be a great match when it happens.)
MJF ran down the fans a bit, continuing to talk about how there’s no competition for him and says no one is on the level of the Devil. Adam Cole’s music hit, but before the crowd could say the Bay Bay line, MJF demanded the music be cut to loud boos. MJF said finally some competition, he said he’s a fan of Cole, as once CM Punk left him as a kid; he turned the channel to Ring of Honor, which he thought sucked, but was hooked on Cole’s work. MJF mentioned Cole’s time in CZW, traveling the indies, going to Florida to Shock the System as Shawn Michaels handpicked guy, which is Undisputed. MJF followed in Cole’s footsteps, going to CZW, becoming a name on the indies and signing with AEW, destined to one day feud with Cole. MJF was disappointed The Panama Playboy was gone, but The Panama Gameboy is here, more preoccupied playing video games with his balls always in Britt Baker’s purse. MJF said Cole is now so frail he makes crack whores jealous. MJF said the fans might think Cole isn’t utilized properly, but AEW has done everything they could to make Cole over, when all they have to do for MJF is ring the bell. MJF has the best Dog Collar, Iron Man, Four Way in AEW history. MJF said he heard a rumor that a certain individual in Titan Towers didn’t think Cole could make it and named Vince McMahon, who MJF is a big fan of. MJF thought the old man lost his marbles, but standing in the ring with Cole, Vince was right.
Cole asked if that was the best MJF got, as MJF is coming across like an internet troll. Cole questions MJF’s fascination on other people’s relationships and asks if that’s why his fiancé left him. Cole said MJF is world class, a world class douchebag. Cole in regards to his body of work, MJF couldn’t touch him and asked if they should go backstage, piss in cups and take tests to see who is natural and who’s not. Cole swears on his life no one backstage respects MJF, as everyone thinks he’s selfish, conceited and does bare minimum to get to where he’s at.
MJF said he’ll cry into his money and how that’s tough talk coming from Keith Lee’s manager. Cole said that’s typical MJF, creating a false narrative, calling him a coward for not wanting to fight. Cole said he’s better than MJF and the fans know it. MJF said he’d fight Cole anywhere as Cole smirked and said attaboy, champ, before hitting the Adam Cole Bay Bay pose.
-We see footage of the Buy In at Double or Nothing where The Hardys gained control of Ethan Page’s contract. Backstage, Matt, Jeff & Brother Zay introduce Page, who was ordered to apologize to Zay for injuring his neck last month. Page apologized, as Matt said he could make Page very talented. Zay moaned in Page’s ear and this storyline seems destined to go on forever.
Jack Perry & FTW Champion HOOK defeated Preston Vance & Dralistico (w/Jose the Assistant) in a Texas Tornado Match
(For a match that was only set up a week ago, this was a wild battle, as similar to the previous Texas Tornado Match, Preston Vance bled another gusher.)
Vance & Dralistico attacked Perry on the ramp during his entrance, as Jose threw in cable chords in the ring, as Vance tried to charge at HOOK ringside with a chain, but HOOK low bridged and brawled into the crowd. Perry choked Dralistico with the chord and ripped at the mask, as Vance & HOOK kept brawling into commercial.
Back from break, Dralistico hit a double stomp on Perry, who was tied up in the ropes. HOOK leapt off the barricade and popped Vance with a chain wrapped punch to bust Vance open badly. Perry tried a dive, but Vance caught him and Dralistico followed with a leap off the top to the floor. With two tables set up ringside, HOOK fought off a double choke slam and hit an overhead throw on Dralistico, whose mask is ripped apart from earlier by Perry. Vance hit a discus lariat on HOOK, wrapping the chain around the neck and went to the apron when Perry flew in with a chair shot to the head. HOOK hit a nasty T-Bone suplex off the apron through the tables as Perry spiked Dralistico with a DDT in the ring, but Jose made the save, took his shirt off and hulked up, only to be choked out by REDRUM. Perry sank in the Snare Trap on Dralistico and Jungle HOOK got the double tap to win it.
Tony Khan’s AEW Collision Announcement
Tony Khan is backstage with what has become his weekly announcement. Khan said AEW Collision starts June 17th and says the main event for the debut show will be Switchblade Jay White, Juice Robinson & Samoa Joe will battle AEW Tag Team Champions FTR & CM Punk.
(This was another week of nuclear heat for Callis & Takeshita and it’s simply wonderful.)
Takeshita charged at Ace with strikes as the fans are just letting Callis have it with boos. Ace got off one strike until Takeshita leveled him with a shot followed by a running knee strike to win it. As the entire match went on, the big screen repeatedly played Callis turning on Kenny Omega.
Callis took the microphone and said unlike last week, he will be heard. Takeshita took the mic and spoke Japanese briefly before Callis said everything Omega had in his life was because of him. Omega defeated Will Ospreay because of Callis and Omega has become a cancer in Callis’ body, so he cut it out. Callis and his family will cut The Elite from AEW for good.
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-Alex Marvez was backstage at Christian Cage’s locker room where commotion was heard. Cage came out and said he was the uncrowned TNT Champion, something Arn Anderson cost him. So Cage revealed that Luchasaurus had bloodied Arn’s son, Brock and said it was an early Father’s Day present.
Kris Statlander defeated Anna Jay A.S. (w/Matt Menard) to retain the TBS Title
(Daddy Magic in his glorious David Puddy Seinfeld jacket, seemingly interfered as frequently as Elaine & Puddy would break up. Statlander chalked up another defense with Jay looking good even in defeat. We are clearly headed for Statlander taking on Taya, who is bitter about how Statlander became TBS Champion.)
Both ladies traded offense on the ground early until Statlander hit a back suplex out of a Jay headlock. Jay took a powder, tried to start a chase, as Menard ran distraction, but Jay’s kick from the apron was blocked. A thrust kick back inside led to a missed charge by Statlander with Jay hitting a spin kick to the back.
Jay controlled the entire break, but Statlander turned it around with corner charges and powerslam. For the second week, Taya Valkyrie is shown annoyed backstage watching on, as Statlander went to the top, was distracted again by Menard to allow Jay to plant Statlander for a near fall. Jay sank in the Queen Slayer, but Statlander powered up, whipped Jay down, hit a backbreaker and a Tombstone Piledriver for the win. Valkyrie was shown furious about Statlander’s title defense.
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Jay White defeated Ricky Starks
(This was a fun main event until the finish, which kind of sucked the air out of the crowd, not because of who won, just how it happened. The ref bump looked ridiculous and people weren’t sure what to make of the interference finish. Perhaps there are two new members of BC Gold? It certainly would be a weird choice in my opinion if so.)
Starks sprinted up the ramp to attack before the bell, as both men brawled ringside until Starks hit a high back drop and searched for something under the ring. This allowed White to crawl up the ramp, where Starks tried to throw him off the ramp, but White raked the eyes. White took way too long to follow up, as Starks countered a suplex with one of his own on the floor. That advantage was short lived, as White regained and remained in control during commercial.
White lit up Starks with chops until Starks woke up and fired off strikes until White crotched him trying a Tornado DDT. White connected on a massive superplex, signaled for Blade Runner, which Starks battled out of with a leaping lariat and the Tornado DDT. A full nelson slam only got Starks two, as he tried Roshambo, which White countered into a Uranage. Both traded strikes until Starks leapt for a Spear, but White countered with a pump knee. Starks floated over a suplex and hit the Spear the second attempt, as he hit Roshambo, but referee Paul Turner got clipped by pretty much the toe of White, so he bumped. The Gunns showed up and laid out Starks with 3:10 to Yuma, as White connected with Blade Runner for the win.
Post match, Juice Robinson ran out to celebrate as commentary assumes The Gunns interfered since they have a history with FTR, who are currently feuding with Bullet Club Gold.
AEW Rampage 6/9/23
· The Lucha Bros & Bandido take on Ethan Page, Big Bill & Lee Moriarty
· Powerhouse Hobbs in action
· The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass vs. Spanish Announce Project (Serpentico, Luther & Angelico)
· Dr. Britt Baker vs. Skye Blue vs. Mercedes Martinez vs. Nyla Rose with the winner getting an AEW Women’s Title match on Dynamite next week
AEW Dynamite 6/14/23
· MJF vs. Adam Cole in an AEW World Title Eliminator Match
· Toni Storm defends the AEW Women’s Title against the winner of the Rampage 4 Way
· Mogul Embassy (Swerve Strickland, Brian Cage & The Gates of Agony) take on Orange Cassidy, Darby Allin, Sting & Keith Lee
· The Young Bucks & Hangman Page take on Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta
AEW Collision 6/17/23
· CM Punk & AEW Tag Team Champions FTR vs. Switchblade Jay White, Juice Robinson & ROH TV Champion Samoa Joe
An International title bout is one of two matches announced for the June 7 AEW Dynamite.
As revealed during this week’s episode, Orange Cassidy will defend the AEW International Championship against Swerve Strickland on next week’s Dynamite.
Cassidy is coming off a successful title defense in a Blackjack Battle Royale at Double or Nothing, plus a tag team victory on this week’s Dynamite. Strickland also picked up a win on Dynamite, defeating Big Bill and Trent Beretta in a triple threat match.
A grudge match has also been announced for next week’s Dynamite.
Ricky Starks will face Jay White on the June 7 Dynamite, with the added stipulation of FTR and Juice Robinson being banned from ringside.
White and Robinson called out FTR during an in-ring promo on this week’s show, then attacked the duo. Starks made the save, continuing the weeks-long feud between Starks, White, and Robinson.
Next week’s announced lineup:
AEW Dynamite, Wednesday, June 7 —
AEW International Championship: Orange Cassidy defends against Swerve Strickland
Jay White vs. Ricky Starks [Juice Robinson & FTR banned from ringside]
AEW has announced three more matches for Dynamite.
Just days after returning and defeating Jade Cargill for the TBS Championship at Double or Nothing, Kris Statlander will be in action on Wednesday’s show. She will defend her newly won title against former AEW Women’s Champion, Nyla Rose.
Darby Allin & Orange Cassidy vs. The Gates of Agony has also been added to tonight’s lineup. It will be Allin and Cassidy’s fifth time teaming together in AEW. They are 5-0 with three of those wins coming on house shows.
A three way match pitting Swerve Strickland vs. Big Bill vs. Trent Beretta has also been added to tonight’s show. Strickland and Bill were two of the three final wrestlers left in the Blackjack Battle Royal on Sunday along with Beretta’s stablemate Orange Cassidy.
“After the Blackjack Battle Royal saw Swerve’s close call + his betrayal of Big Bill, + Trent taking a bullet for his friend, Swerve, Big Bill & Trent fight in a 3 way TONIGHT!” Tony Khan wrote about the match.
TONIGHT, Wednesday 5/31 San Diego, CA Wednesday Night #AEWDynamite Live on TBS at 8pm ET/7pm CT
The new TBS Champion Kris Statlander will make her first ever title defense vs former World Champion Nyla Rose on Dynamite TONIGHT! pic.twitter.com/Pyx4IWWLB7
While there were two title changes at AEW Double or Nothing in Las Vegas, the rest of the titleholders retained their championships in a near-clean sweep including AEW World Champion MJF.
In a match between the “Four Pillars” that had been built up for months, MJF picked up his third successful title defense with a side headlock takeover pin on Darby Allin. Unbeknownst to Allin, he coffin dropped onto the title that MJF laid on “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry, hitting the back of his head and knocking him out. Sammy Guevara was also in the match.
The match aired in the co-main event spot as the Anarchy in the Arena brawl took top billing.
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FTR’s second reign as AEW Tag Team Champions continued with their victory over Jeff Jarrett & Jay Lethal.
In a match with a lot of things happening, including Karen Jarrett knocking out referee Aubrey Edwards, the champions picked up the win after special referee Mark Briscoe slapped Jarrett who turned around into the Shatter Machine for the pin and win. This marked FTR’s first title defense since defeating The Gunns in April.
In the latest Trios title defense, the House of Black (Malakai Black, Brody King & Buddy Matthews) successfully defeated The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn who officially answered the House’s open challenge. Black got the pin on Gunn after landing his spinning kick for their fifth title defense.
Wardlow defended the TNT title in a ladder match against Christian Cage that saw the champion take out Luchasaurus with a swanton off a ladder on the outside of the ring. Another notable spot saw Arn Anderson bite Luchasaurus’ thumb, covering Anderson’s mouth and face with blood.
In the opening match of the main card, AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy’s reign continued with his 23rd title defense as he stood victorious in the 21-man Blackjack battle royal, last eliminating Swerve Strickland.
The most important stretch in AEW’s history kicks off this Sunday.
The next few months will see the debut of the new Collision show, the imminent return of CM Punk, Forbidden Door II, and the biggest show they’ve ever run with All In at Wembley Stadium. The little promotion that could is suddenly the massive promotion that did.
This is a company with a tremendous reach and a big financial commitment from its television partners. Come June, there will be at least seven hours of AEW programming every week. That doesn’t even count Ring of Honor, AEW All Access, or anything else that makes its way to television. Now that they’re enormous — something a company that could wind up nearly filling Wembley Stadium certainly is — the expectations increase exponentially. It’s up to them to build on this momentum and use the extra resources to take the company to the next level. The roster is ready. There’s enough talent to make all of this work and do something historic. The future of AEW has never been brighter.
The future is limitless, but this card is just…fine? It’s probably the most skippable AEW show in recent memory. It’s a card designed to bridge the gap until the next big thing — the debut of Collision — before AEW fully opens up the engines leading into a summer full of tentpole events. I doubt this will reach the heights of some previous shows (though AEW has shocked me before), but I don’t think anyone is going to be asking for their money back either.
Let’s preview Sunday’s Double or Nothing (7:30 PM Eastern pre-show/8 PM Eastern main card on PPV) and see what shakes out.
Pre-show: The Firm (Ethan Page & The Gunns) vs. Hook & The Hardys for the rights to Page’s contract
There are two wolves in every man. The one that knows a nine-match PPV on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend is a bad idea, and the one that books this card anyway. Wasn’t there just a cinematic match with all these people? Don’t those usually mean the end of feuds? I am confused and I am tired.
I do love some of the individual pieces here. Austin & Colten Gunn had the hardest entrance ever in AEW when they came out to 50 Cent’s “Many Men” Page has been entertaining and under-appreciated for almost as long as I’ve watched wrestling. And now Hook has been sent to replace the injured Isiah Kassidy/Brother Zay. He is very entertaining and is a future star, but Hook is Hook and the people sure do love El Diablo Guapo.
Let’s keep this one short: Hook comes out, gets his stuff in, the Hardys fire up the nostalgia machine, and the crowd gets sent home happy.
Prediction: Hook & the Hardys
Adam Cole vs. Chris Jericho in an unsanctioned match
This is a great way for Cole to make his return to pay-per-view, and the usual criticism of Jericho inserting himself to steal someone’s shine is misguided here. The number one bay bay is coming back from a frighteningly serious series of concussions, and someone like Jericho who doesn’t wrestle the standard AEW super indie style is as safe and stable as an opponent gets.
An unsanctioned match might seem scary for someone coming off of brain injury, but these types of matches are typically so well choreographed and planned that there should be significantly less risk.
Babyface Adam Cole sure is something. The crowd has always loved him, and now they get to show him just how deep that love is. If he’s next up for MJF, count me as excited. Two of the best talkers in the company getting a chance to build a program should be something else. MJF really needs someone who can hang with him on the mic after his Herculean efforts carrying the wet paper bag that is the four pillars feud by his lonesome. Can’t wait.
Prediction: Adam Cole
The Elite (The Young Bucks, Kenny Omega & Hangman Page) vs. Blackpool Combat Club (Wheeler Yuta, Claudio Castagnoli, Jon Moxley & Bryan Danielson) in an Anarchy in the Arena match
“Higher levels, bigger devils.”
Yet another all-time line from the god Jon Moxley and an appropriately biblical one for what promises to be a divine affair. The first Anarchy in the Arena bout was one of the best matches in AEW history as the visuals and moments will be used in video packages long after the current generation of AEW has hung up their boots. This, along with Blood and Guts, are their signature matches — their versions of Hell In A Cell and TLC.
These are matches that get busted out for the big stars with the big stakes, and come with appropriately massive expectations. If there was ever a group that can live up to those expectations, it’s these eight cats.
Your mileage may vary on the winding, exhausting tale of The Elite and their will they/won’t they friendship (relationship? lovership?). And I get it. It’s a lot! It’s overwrought and hackneyed at times, but man does the live crowd want it. They just eat it up. The building came apart when Page’s music hit a couple of weeks ago. The reunion of four of the people responsible for the existence of the company is objectively a big deal, regardless of whether or not it’s a bit tiresome.
At times, and perhaps too often, The Elite are meta caricatures of wrestling. The Blackpool Combat Club is the other side of that. Gritty, real-ass wrestlers. No wink-wink behind the curtain stuff. Just four dudes that are going to wallop you, stretch you, and make you regret stepping in the ring with them. All of them have their roles and play them perfectly, none more so than Danielson who remains a flawless pro wrestler. This is him at his best. He’s a blessing every second he’s on-screen, a beacon that lights the edges of the world.
Prediction: Blackpool Combat Club
Orange Cassidy defends the AEW International title in a 21-man Blackjack battle royal
Cassidy’s run with the International Championship is the best title reign in AEW history. Week after week, he’s had good to great matches with every type of wrestler you can imagine. Play the underdog against Big Bill? Done. Match Bandido move for move and spot for spot? No problem. Cassidy is so far beyond the “just a gimmick” moniker that he never deserved. He made this title matter and made it the workhorse title that it desperately needed to be.
Having mid-card titles like this are so important. They, obviously, add needed stakes to both one-off matches and feuds, but also serve to elevate the World title. The big prize should not be defended on TV regularly and should be saved for moments that truly deserve the highest stakes. When it is defended, it should feel like the proper spectacle it is.
As good as Cassidy has been, this feels like a safe way to take the title off him. Since winning the title in early October, Cassidy has wrestled in over 40 matches with most of them incredibly physical. It’s easy to think that his gimmick means he’s taking it easy, but he absolutely is not. Even standard AEW matches are taxing and grueling. Doing that weekly for seven months takes a huge toll. It’s time for a much-deserved break for the hardest-working man in AEW.
Prediction: Not Orange Cassidy
AEW Women’s Champion Jamie Hayter defends against Toni Storm
Since January, Hayter has wrestled in three singles matches which seems low for the top woman in the company. Sure, there were some visa issues that complicated things, but only three matches for a woman this good and that the crowd can’t get enough of is far, far too few.
Too often, she’s been getting second or even third billing as the champion. Too often, she’s standing beside Britt Baker during promos without saying much. Too often, the story of The Outcasts doing nothing of substance gets more TV time than the woman who should be the face of the division. And that’s just it: Jamie Hayter has never been presented as the true face of the division. She’s an afterthought in everyone else’s stories and doesn’t have her own. A star this bright should never be dimmed this much.
Hayter’s injury makes this whole situation murkier. If she’s going to miss time, it makes all the sense in the world to put the title on Storm. It gives The Outcasts something to do outside of just spray painting everyone and loving green. It would give time for Hayter rest up for a huge return at All In later this summer.
Prediction: Toni Storm wins the title
TNT Champion Wardlow defends against Christian Cage in a ladder match
What a difference a year makes. Coming out of last year’s Double or Nothing, Wardlow was it, baby. No one was hotter than the War Daddy. Now? He’s a dryer on the fluff setting. Lukewarm would be giving him too much credit. As is often the case, it’s through no fault of his own. The inconsistent booking and constant devaluing of the TNT title have created this perfect cocktail of mediocrity and mild reactions.
Cage is probably the best pure, old-school heel in AEW. (Yes, this includes MJF because people want to like him.) No one wants to like Cage and no one even wants to tolerate him. He knows exactly how to get the reactions he wants. Like an expert harpist, he plucks the right strings at the exact right times. He knows which notes will resonate the most, and plays them at just the right tempo. From his words to his expertly curated selection of turtlenecks and jackets, he’s exactly the right person to start helping Wardlow get his momentum back and become someone who matters in AEW.
Prediction: Wardlow retains
TBS Champion Jade Cargill defends against Taya Valkyrie
A question that’s been rolling around in my ever-smoothing brain: is Cargill’s undefeated streak losing its luster? She still feels unstoppable, but it’s starting to feel routine. Never in my life could I imagine a world where a spectacle like Cargill feels like a regular wrestler. She hasn’t done anything meaningful since her program with Red Velvet in January. Prior to that, there was a bit of something with Willow Nightingale and Athena, but that was a year ago.
Two meaningful programs in a calendar year aren’t enough. A winning streak alone isn’t enough to be compelling, especially if the audience doesn’t believe she can actually lose. The presentation is still top shelf, but everything else is not. Sooner or later, there needs to be something for the audience to invest in or else it’s just empty calories.
There is no reason for squash matches this far into an undefeated streak. If this holding pattern is a result of waiting for Kris Stalander to come back healthy, that is just as inexcusable. AEW has never struck me as a place allergic to creative risks, so why not take the chance to make someone in one night? Whoever breaks Jade’s streak is made. Are there really no other in-house options to do just that?
If you squint, you can convince yourself there’s a story here, but certainly not enough to warrant the end of a winning streak. Their first match was nothing special, or even good, but it at least planted the seeds for an actual program with backstory. No shade meant to Valkyrie but her being the one to end the winning streak would be a fantastic disappointment.
Prediction: Jade Cargill retains
AEW Tag Team Champions FTR defend against Jeff Jarrett & Jay Lethal with Mark Briscoe as guest referee
Once again, and as always, god bless Jeff Jarrett. This 55-year-old carnie still has the best facials in all of wrestling. Whenever he hits a big move or gets away with something, he looks like a four-year-old that found a really cool bug at the park that they can’t wait to show you. And, of course, he found a way to work his wife (Karen Jarrett) into this angle. He’s been playing the same hits for years, and they still sound as good as ever. He’s so close to assembling the Jeff Jarrett set of infinity rings. Never change, Jeff. Never grow old.
This match probably won’t be a classic like we’ve come to expect from big FTR matches, but it should be a beautiful, overwrought mess. Ref bumps, interference galore, maybe a missed three count or two, you name it. But there will not be a title change. At least not as part of a program that is best suited for the 9:00 hour of Dynamite, not a pay-per-view.
Prediction: FTR retains
AEW World Champion MJF defends against Sammy Guevara, “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry and Darby Allin in a four-way
By orders of magnitude, this is the weakest main event in AEW PPV history. MJF has done everything he could to create something compelling here, but ultimately the other three “pillars” just aren’t up to the task. The more we put the pillars under a microscope, the more they wilt. The only one that has truly flourished and become exactly what he claims to be is MJF. The generational talent label has never been more apt or more deserved. He’s the only true top of the card talent. The rest are just lost in his gravity — completely overshadowed and outclassed by someone who is superior in every way.
The worst thing for Sammy, Darby, and Jungle Jack was the pillars moniker. It came out of nowhere and was immediately met with mockery. These guys are the future foundation of the company? These are the guys being spoken of in the same breath as the four pillars of Heaven? It was a bold statement that did nothing for any of them, much like this feud hasn’t. It’s only served as a reminder of what they aren’t.
They have been running the same promos for a month now. I need this, I love this, I gave up everything for this, etc. If that’s all there is to say, there really isn’t anything to say. Rinse and repeat babyface promos aren’t enough. Generic ‘this is all I’ve dreamed about’ promos aren’t enough. This has been so flat that I can’t help but wonder if there’s a post-match angle planned, maybe something big to close the show and propel AEW full speed ahead towards Collision.
AEW has revealed all 21 participants who will be competing in the Blackjack Battle Royale at Double or Nothing this Sunday.
Orange Cassidy’s AEW International Championship will be on line in battle royal. The following challengers will be joining him in the match:
Jay White
Juice Robinson
Ricky Starks
Brian Cage
Swerve Strickland
Keith Lee
Dustin Rhodes
Penta El Zero Miedo
Rey Fenix
Kip Sabian
Trent Beretta
Chuck Taylor
Tony Nese
Ari Daivari
Big Bill
Lee Moriarty
Komander
Bandido
The Butcher
The Blade
Cassidy became AEW All-Atlantic Champion in October 2022. Earlier this year, the name of the title was changed to the International Championship. Cassidy has made 22 successful title defenses in total.
Double or Nothing takes place from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas this Sunday. The updated card for the pay-per-view is listed below:
Four-way match: AEW World Champion MJF defends against Darby Allin, Sammy Guevara, and Jungle Boy” Jack Perry
AEW Women’s World Champion Jamie Hayter defends against Toni Storm
21-man Blackjack Battle Royale for the AEW International Championship
Ladder match: TNT Champion Wardlow defends against Christian Cage
TBS Champion Jade Cargill defends against Taya Valkyrie
AEW Tag Team Champions FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) defend against Jeff Jarrett & Jay Lethal (Mark Briscoe will be the special guest referee)
Unsanctioned match: Adam Cole vs. Chris Jericho (Sabu will be the special enforcer)
Anarchy in the Arena match: Blackpool Combat Club (Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta) vs. The Elite (Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks & Hangman Page)
Ethan Page, Austin Gunn & Colten Gunn vs. Matt Hardy, Jeff Hardy & Isiah Kassidy (if the Hardys team wins, Matt Hardy will own the rights to Ethan Page’s contract)
Two titles will be on the line for the Double or Nothing go-home edition of AEW Dynamite.
After a few weeks of build following Kyle Fletcher laying out Orange Cassidy backstage, Fletcher will get his AEW International title match against Cassidy this Wednesday. The winner will defend in the Blackjack battle royal set for the pay-per-view.
AEW Trios Champions The House of Black (Malakai Black, Brody King & Buddy Matthews) will defend against AR Fox, Metalik & Blake Christian under their new “House rules” stipulation.
After agreeing to an unsanctioned match at Double or Nothing, Adam Cole and Chris Jericho will sign their contracts.
Ahead of her challenge of TBS Champion Jade Cargill at the PPV, Taya Valkyrie will take on Lady Frost, making her Dynamite debut.
The show will also feature promo segments by all Four Pillars (AEW World Champion MJF, Jungle Boy, Darby Allin and Sammy Guevara), AEW Tag Team Champions FTR, and Ricky Starks.
The new additions join the previously announced ROH Tag Team title match and Tony Khan announcement about the first location of Collision.
Here’s the current lineup for the MGM Grand in Las Vegas:
Adam Cole & Chris Jericho Double or Nothing contract signing
AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy defends against Kyle Fletcher
AEW Trios Champions House of Black defend against Blake Christian, AR Fox & Metalik
FTR promo
Ricky Starks promo
Four Pillars promos
Taya Valkyrie vs. Lady Frost
ROH Tag Team Champions Lucha Brothers (Rey Fenix & Penta El Zero Miedo) defend against Blackpool Combat Club’s Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta
Tony Khan will announce the first location of AEW Collision
Three new title matches have been added to AEW Double or Nothing.
Orange Cassidy will defend the AEW International title in a 21 person Blackjack Battle Royal in Las Vegas on May 28. Cassidy was interviewed on Wednesday’s Dynamite by Renee Paquette, who said that at least 20 people had answered Cassidy’s challenge earlier in the show. Cassidy said he’d defend the title against them all.
The match between Wardlow and Christian Cage for the TNT title was also made official. Wardlow opened the show, daring Cage to spit in his face as he had dared to do last week. Cage came out with Luchasaurus. It soon turned into a brawl with Wardlow initially gaining the upper hand, but Cage ended up getting control after a low blow. Cage then attacked Wardlow with a ladder.
Toni Storm will again challenge Jamie Hayter for the Women’s Championship in Las Vegas. After Storm picked up a victory on Dynamite, she called out Hayter for a title match, saying she was an entirely different animal.
Here is the updated lineup for Double or Nothing:
AEW World Championship: MJF defends against Sammy Guevara, Jungle Boy Jack Perry, and Darby Allin
AEW Tag Team titles: FTR vs. Jeff Jarrett and Jay Lethal
AEW International title: Orange Cassidy defends in a 21-man Blackjack Battle Royal
TNT title: Wardlow defends against Christian Cage in a ladder match
AEW Women’s title: Jamie Hayter defends against Toni Storm
Anarchy in the Arena match: The Elite (Kenny Omega, Young Bucks, and Hangman Page) vs. The Blackpool Combat Club (Bryan Danielson, Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, and Wheeler Yuta)
Tony Khan revealed that Orange Cassidy and Darby Allin will team up to take on The Firm’s Big Bill & Lee Moriarty on tonight’s show. The tag team bout is a rematch from AEW’s house show in Corbin, Kentucky on Friday.
Red hot co-#1 ranked Darby Allin teams with International Champion Orange Cassidy to fight Moriarty & Big Bill in a #AEWHouseRules rematch TONIGHT! pic.twitter.com/B4PuURFsFF
Allin and Cassidy are 4-0 when teaming together. Their first match as a team was a win over The Butcher and The Blade on the March 18 house show from Troy, Ohio. They then joined up with Sting to defeat The Butcher, The Blade, and Kip Sabian on Dynamite just four days later.
Allin and Cassidy teamed twice together on AEW’s house shows this weekend as well. They defeated Bill & Moriarty on Friday and then beat QT Marshall and Powerhouse Hobbs on Saturday in Salem, Virginia.
Tonight’s show takes place from the Moody Center in Austin, Texas.
AEW Dynamite, Wednesday, May 17 lineup —
Falls count anywhere, JAS & Adam Cole banned from the building: Chris Jericho vs. Roderick Strong
The Outcasts (Saraya, Toni Storm & Ruby Soho) vs. Britt Baker, Jamie Hayter & Hikaru Shida
Ricky Starks vs. Jay White
International Champion Orange Cassidy and Darby Allin vs. The Firm (Big Bill & Lee Moriarty)
AEW held the first of two weekend House Rules live events Friday, kicking off the action in Corbin, Kentucky, at the Corbin Arena.
Tony Khan was in attendance and came out to do a promo during the event.
FTW Champion Hook defeated Ethan Page to retain
Christopher Daniels & Shawn Spears defeated The Boys (Brent & Brandon)
Toni Storm defeated Billie Starkz
Darby Allin & AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy defeated Big Bill & Lee Moriarty
Powerhouse Hobbs defeated Pat Buck
ROH World Champion Claudio Castagnoli defeated Brian Pillman Jr. in a Proving Ground match
AEW Tag Team Champions FTR defeated The Gunns to retain
AEW will stay on the road Saturday for another House Rules event in Salem, Virginia, that will mark the in-ring return of Hangman Page after the former AEW World Champion was taken out recently by the Blackpool Combat Club.
Here’s the announced lineup for tomorrow:
Hangman Page vs. Big Bill
TNT Champion Wardlow defends against Lee Moriarty
Toni Storm vs. Skye Blue
Darby Allin & AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy vs. Powerhouse Hobbs & QT Marshall
AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy will look to keep his impressive title streak going when he defends against Daniel Garcia on next Wednesday’s Dynamite.
The two were on opposite ends of an eight-man tag team match that kicked off Wednesday’s show.
Cassidy will try to earn his 21st title defense since defeating PAC for the championship last October while Garcia is still looking for his first taste of AEW gold. This will be their first ever match.
AEW Tag Team Champions FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) will also be on hand to share some thoughts after Jay Lethal challenged them to defend the titles at Double or Nothing against himself and Jeff Jarrett given their recent singles success over them.
The new additions join the previously announced Kenny Omega vs. Jon Moxley cage match.
Here’s the current card for Detroit with more expected to be announced Friday:
AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy defends against Daniel Garcia
John LaRocca and I are back with a brand new Fight Game Podcast.
We kicked off the show with our thumbs up/thumbs down segment which led to a bigger discussion around WWE bringing in a third World title. Is this Triple H’s biggest mistake so far being lead of WWE creative?
We then moved on to our big picture look at AEW Dynamite:
Orange Cassidy being the best booked babyface in AEW
Wardlow and Arn Anderson
The backward booking of the Four Pillars
Roderick Strong’s AEW introduction
Taya Valkyrie not being booked like a proper babyface when the entire storyline was set for her to be one
The insanity that is The Elite vs. the Blackpool Combat Club
You can subscribe to The Fight Game Podcast on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Spotify or click below to listen.
Tony Khan on Twitter confirmed Saturday that Bandido will challenge Orange Cassidy for the International Championship on this coming Wednesday’s Dynamite in Sunrise, Florida.
“This Wednesday, 4/26 Wednesday Night #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS at 8pm ET/7pm CT AEW International Title @orangecassidy vs. @bandidowrestler Orange Cassidy has won 19 straight title defenses, but standing in the way of 20 is the highly anticipated return of Bandido THIS WEDNESDAY!,” Khan wrote.
Bandido has been out of action for months due to visa issues, with his last AEW appearance being on the January 4 edition of AEW Dark Elevation, defeating Christopher Daniels. Orange Cassidy has been constantly defending the International Championship, most recently on the April 12 edition of Dynamite where he defeated Buddy Matthews.
Here is the updated lineup for Wednesday’s Dynamite:
AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy defends against Bandido
TBS Champion Jade Cargill defends against Taya Valkyrie
Sammy Guevara vs. Darby Allin in the Four Pillars tournament final
