AEW has announced the first match for the Friday, January 7 edition of Rampage.
In a rematch from this past week’s Dynamite, Eddie Kingston, Santana and Ortiz will face Daniel Garcia and 2point0’s Matt Lee and Jeff Parker. This time, the bout will have a no DQ, no holds barred stipulation.
Garcia and 2point0 defeated Kingston, Santana and Ortiz on the Dynamite New Year’s Smash episode after Lee pinned Santana with a roll-up. The match further served as a backdrop to the beginnings of a Kingston-Chris Jericho feud, as Jericho made the save for Kingston, Santana and Ortiz after the match, clearing the ring with a baseball bat.
The January 7 Rampage will be preceded by Dynamite’s TBS debut on Wednesday, January 5, and followed by a Battle of the Belts special on TNT on Saturday, January 8. The AEW World title will be on the line on Dynamite, as Hangman Page defends against Bryan Danielson. Dr. Britt Baker will defend the AEW Women’s World title against Riho at Battle of the Belts.
The Young Bucks will put their AEW World Tag Team Championships on the line tonight, taking on Santana and Ortiz.
The Bucks had been set to defend the titles against Chris Jericho and MJF at Revolution on March 7, but The Good Brothers pointed out in a backstage segment last week that Santana and Ortiz had eliminated them from the tag team battle royale the week prior. Matt Jackson then said that they would put the titles up this week.
Jon Moxley will team with Lance Archer and Rey Fenix against Eddie Kingston, The Butcher and The Blade. Moxley and Archer also teamed on last week’s Dynamite in a losing effort against KENTA and Kenny Omega.
The AEW Women’s World title eliminator tournament will continue as Riho makes her AEW return after 11 months away due to travel restrictions. She will take on Serena Deeb in a first round match.
Hangman Page and Matt Hardy will team up again, this time against The Hybrid 2. This was originally announced as an eight-man with Hangman, Hardy and Private Party vs. TH2 and Chaos Project. Hardy managed Private Party in a losing effort at Saturday’s Impact Wrestling No Surrender event. Hardy berated Private Party after their loss and the story continued on this week’s Being The Elite, where Hardy refused to answer Private Party’s phone calls.
A segment with Sting calling out Team Taz, plus FTR vs. Matt Sydal and Mike Sydal and Orange Cassidy vs. Luther have also been announced for tonight.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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“Hangman” Adam Page & Matt Hardy defeated TH2 (Angélico & Jack Evans)
TH2 immediately took the fight to Page, but the Hangman fought them off and tagged in Hardy, who hit a neckbreaker for two. Page re-entered with a running Shooting Star Press for another two. Page and Hardy continued to dominate until Angélico made a blind tag and kicked Hardy after a BT bomb.
Evans stomped Hardy into a sidewalk slam for two. Hardy tried to make his comeback but Evans, the illegal competitor, continued to attack him.
Hardy avoided a clothesline and hit a Side Effect, buying him enough time to reach Page for the hot tag. Page flattened Angélico with a spinebuster and sent Evans to the floor with a springboard clothesline. He concluded the flurry of offense with a fallaway slam and a plancha.
Angélico blocked a clothesline, but Page was able to hit a brainbuster for two. Page hit a pop up powerbomb on Angélico, then countered an Evans dive into another powerbomb.
Page went for the Buckshot Lariat, but Hardy tagged himself in and fell victim to a TH2 double team. Evans mostly landed a Phoenix Splash for a near fall. Hardy avoided a standing 450 and both of TH2 ran into the Buckshot, allowing Hardy to hit Twist of Fate for the win.
– After the match, Hardy grabbed a mic and asked the fans to cheer Page. He said Page looked like a billion bucks, and he’s excited for Page to make a lot of money, because he will get 30% of it.
Page brought out the Jaguars’ mascot to look over the contract, hinting that he switched it out last week. The contract isn’t for talent representation, it’s for a match: Page vs. Hardy at Revolution. If Page wins, he gets all of Hardy’s earnings for Q1 2021.
Hardy proposed that if he beats Page, he gets all of Page’s earnings for the same time period. Page accepted, and they shook hands, but the mascot attacked Page and unmasked as Isiah Kassidy.
TH2 joined the beatdown of Page, but the entire Dark Order, including -1, ran out to make the save. Alan “5” Angels was left in the ring with Hardy, but Hardy dispatched him and just barely avoided a Buckshot Lariat from Page. Hardy and Kassidy retreated as Page celebrated with the Dark Order.
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Alex Marvez interviewed Santana and Ortiz, flanked by the entire Inner Circle, about getting their first tag title shot. They said that it took this long because the tag division was scared.
MJF said that Sammy Guevara crossed the line last week, despite all the evidence to the contrary. Jericho asked MJF to shut up, because everyone saw him goading Guevara into quitting the Inner Circle.
Jericho said this was all MJF’s fault, but it’s also Guevara’s fault. When you walk out on the Inner Circle, you walk out on Chris Jericho, and now Guevara is dead to him. He said that Santana and Ortiz would win the tag titles later tonight.
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It was announced that the next round of the American side of the Women’s Eliminator Tournament would be broadcast on YouTube.
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AEW Women’s Eliminator Tournament Round 1: Riho defeated Serena Deeb
This was Riho’s first AEW match since March of last year, and it was fantastic, maybe Riho’s best match as part of AEW.
They grappled at the start, with neither competitor gaining an advantage. Deeb won a test of strength, but Riho maintained a perfect bridge throughout. Deeb downed Riho with a shoulder block, but Riho bridged out of the pinfall and landed a dropkick.
Riho landed a jumping body press for two before dropping Deeb into the ropes. Deeb caught the tiger feint kick and catapulted Riho neck-first into the ropes. She maintained control throughout a commercial break.
Deeb locked on a straitjacket, but Riho broke free and hit a dragon suplex. Riho laid in corner forearms, but Deeb turned it around and hit a series of uppercuts. Riho kicked out of the corner and landed a running hurricanrana.
Riho escaped a brainbuster and downed her opponent with a dropkick before landing a diving crossbody. Deeb rolled through and targeted Riho’s left leg. Riho tried to evade the attack, but Deeb cornered her and hit a dragon screw.
Deeb hit a big swinging neckbreaker for a close near fall. Riho held onto Deeb’s leg, but dropped it and instead opted for more forearms. She sent Deeb into the ropes and hit the tiger feint kick before landing a diving foot stomp.
Riho hit a diving crossbody for two, and Deeb rolled out of the ring. Riho brought Deeb back into the ring, but Deeb caught her upon re-entry with a dragon screw. Deeb then hit a powerbomb and locked on a stretch muffler, but Riho turned it into an inside cradle for two.
A Northern Lights suplex from Riho got two, and then Riho stuffed Deeb with a diving foot stomp for a great near fall. Deeb avoided the running knee strike, Deeb went for the Deeb-tox, then they had a cradle exchange where Riho locked on a Gedo Clutch to win.
Riho will face Thunder Rosa in the next round.
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A video package showed Jade Cargill training. She’s got a real superstar look.
Luther knocked Taylor off the apron and Serpentico landed a tope suicida on Taylor before the match started. Luther then surprised Cassidy with a big powerbomb for a quick two-count. He ripped Cassidy’s shirt off and moved to the apron, where Cassidy escaped and powerbombed Luther onto the floor.
Serpentico looked like he was about to go for a dive, but Taylor surprised him with the Awful Waffle. Cassidy then hit the Orange Punch on Luther for the quick win.
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A video package played recapping the Darby Allin, Sting, and Team Taz feud.
Taz, Brian Cage, and HOOK came out to the ring. Taz ridiculed the “Sting will call out Team Taz” advertisement and said that Starks and Hobbs were out due to the weather. He challenged Sting to come out and call them out.
Sting made his entrance, bat in hand. Taz said that stepping in the ring was the worst thing Sting could’ve done, and said that without that bat, he’s done. Sting dropped the bat and took off his coat, attacking Cage.
HOOK tried to get involved, but Sting dispatched him. Cage took advantage by powerbombing Sting in the center of the ring. That wasn’t a light powerbomb, Cage absolutely planted Sting in the ring.
Team Taz celebrated as Sting recovered in the ring.
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Eddie Kingston, flanked by Butcher, Blade, and Bunny, talked about his match later tonight. He called out each of his opponents (Lance Archer, Rey Fénix, Jon Moxley) and his beef with each one. He highlighted Moxley and said that the only way he could get rid of him was through beating him.
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Alex Marvez caught up to Kenny Omega, who was speaking at a preschool. Callis sent Marvez away.
Omega started to read the Young Bucks’ “Killing the Business” book, but before he started answered some questions from the students.
He read a passage talking about how he was the main reason NJPW’s business went up. Callis interrupted and said they were short for time, and they led the children in a “Kenny” chant.
The kids wanted to play with Omega, but Callis volunteered Michael Nakazawa. The kids said they hated Nakazawa and beat him up.
This was total comedy.
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AEW World Tag Team Championships: Young Bucks (Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson) (c) defeated Santana & Ortiz (w/ Inner Circle)
This was a very good title match, although it wasn’t quite at the level of recent Bucks matches.
Santana & Ortiz came out to the Inner Circle’s theme music, not their own.
Santana out-wrestled Nick at the start. Ortiz tagged in and maintained control on Nick, but Matt was able to tag in and dispatch both opponents with hip tosses. Ortiz hit a lucha-style arm drag but walked into a dropkick, so Santana tagged in.
Omega, Callis, and the Good Brothers were shown looking on. The Bucks downed Santana with dropkicks. Santana and Ortiz came back with a big dropkick on Matt. MJF tried to get involved but was immediately sent packing by the official, who kicked out the rest of the Inner Circle for good measure.
Santana and Ortiz isolated Nick throughout the entire commercial break. Nick avoided a senton and hit a superkick, buying him enough time to reach Matt for the hot tag.
Matt hit clotheslines on both opponents before hitting a hurricanrana and laying in punches on Santana. Ortiz took advantage with a kick, but Matt dispatched Ortiz and hit a springboard stunner on Santana.
An Iconoclasm/powerbomb combination from the Bucks got two. They went for More Bang For Your Buck, but Santana had it scouted, hitting an avalance Falcon Arrow on Nick for two.
Santana and Ortiz hit a twisting neckbreaker and Ortiz applied a grounded octopus hold to Nick. Nick tried to bridge out of it, but Ortiz maintained the hold. Matt broke it up with a diving elbow drop.
Matt stopped a double superplex and put Santana in the electric chair, setting up a Doomsday Device. The Bucks hit their buckle bomb enziguiri combination followed by superkicks, but Ortiz broke up the pinfall.
The Bucks set up for the BTE Trigger, but their knees collided and Santana hit a double cutter. Santana and Ortiz then hit the Street Sweepter, but Nick broke up the count at the very last second.
Santana and Ortiz powerbombed Matt into the crowd at ringside, but upon re-entry to the ring, Nick cradled Ortiz for the three count, retaining the titles.
– The Inner Circle immediately attacked right after the match. Omega, Callis, and the Good Brothers were shown looking on. Omega wanted to out and make the save, but Callis wasn’t having it.
Brandon Cutler ran out, but he couldn’t take on the Inner Circle by himself, falling victim to Jake Hager. Jericho and MJF applied their signature submissions to the Bucks, and then the Good Brothers ran out. so Jericho and MJF escaped to the outside.
The Bucks’ parents were at ringside, and Jericho and MJF got in their face. Papa Buck shoved Jericho, who smirked as the segment ended.
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A Brandi Rhodes video played where she said she misses the fans. She’s the only one who knows their baby’s sex – not even Cody knows.
Cody and Brandi came out to the ramp, and pink pyro shot off as “It’s a girl!” showed up on the video board.
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Ahead of the next match, Cody joined commentary.
It was announced that there would be a six-way ladder match to determine the next TNT Championship challenger at Revolution. Cody, Scorpio Sky, and Penta El Cero Miedo were announced for the match.
FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) vs. Matt Sydal & Mike Sydal
No Tully Blanchard with FTR tonight. This was a really fun little sprint, with Matt Sydal in particular looking strong.
Wheeler immediately flattened Mike with a back suplex and laid in a big chop. Mike came back with a dropkick and tagged in his brother., who laid in kicks on Harwood. Wheeler made a blind tag and surprised Mike with a big German suplex ahead of the commercial break.
Back from break, Mike was able to tag in his brother and hit a hurricanrana. Matt hit kicks and knee strikes followed by the lightning spiral, sending Harwood to the floor. Mike then hit a top-rope Orihara moonsault all the way to the floor.
Matt rolled Harwood into the ring and covered for two. He rolled Harwood up, but on the kickout, ran headfirst into a Wheeler forearm. Matt tried to fight back against the double team but was met with a dragon suplex for two.
The Sydals both hit top-rope moves, but Wheeler reached the ropes on the cover. Harwood made a blind tag and FTR hit the Big Rig for the win.
– After the match, FTR took Doc Sampson’s medical kit and removed the scissors from it, setting up to cut Mike Sydal’s hair. The lights went out, and when they came back on, Jurassic Express were in the ring. Luchasaurus has a new mask
The Jurassic Express beat down FTR, as Jungle Boy put Harwood in the Snare Trap and Luchasaurus flattened Wheeler with a chokeslam.
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Next week’s Dynamite lineup:
“Hangman” Adam Page vs. Isiah Kassidy
Women’s Eliminator Tournament Semifinals (winner of Anna Jay-Britt Baker vs. Nyla Rose-Tay Conti)
Team Taz (Ricky Starks & Brian Cage) vs. Varsity Blonds
Jake Hager vs. Brandon Cutler
In two weeks:
Cody Rhodes & Red Velvet vs. Shaquille O’Neal & Jade Cargill
FTR & Tully Blanchard vs. Jurassic Express
Women’s Eliminator Tournament Finals
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Jon Moxley addressed Eddie Kingston. He said he’d whoop Kingston’s ass as many times as he needs to.
He then promoted his upcoming IWGP US Championship defense against KENTA on NJPW Strong before setting his sights on the AEW World Championship. He’ll pursue Omega as long as it takes to settle the score.
Jon Moxley, Rey Fénix, & Lance Archer (w/ Jake Roberts) defeated Eddie Kingston, The Butcher, & The Blade (w/ The Bunny)
They brawled all over early on. Blade isolated Moxley and allowed Butcher to crush him with a leg drop in the ring. Kingston and co. worked together, allowing Blade to hit Moxley with a powerslam for two.
Moxley hit a neckbreaker on Blade and tagged in Archer, who downed all three opponents, concluding with an overhead choke suplex. Archer hit a series of running elbows and a belly to belly slam. He went to the top for his arm-trap moonsault, but Butcher tried to break it up, so Fénix walked the ropes and kicked Butcher out of the way, allowing Archer to hit the moonsault.
The babyface team maintained control throughout the break until Kingston tripped up Archer. Kingston’s team isolated Archer on their side of the ring until Archer caught Kingston and Butcher, downing them both with a running crossbody.
Fénix got the hot tag and hit a springboard heel kick on Butcher before nailing a springboard armd drag on Kingston. He followed it up with a tope con hilo on Kingston and a rolling cutter on Butcher. Fénix then landed a frog splash for two.
Kingston interrupted with an exploder suplex, leading to a parade of moves. Every single competitor hit a big move, leading to everyone being down. Moxley and Kingston were the first men up, and they both tagged in.
Moxley and Kingston exchanged forearms in the center of the ring. Kingston hit an enziguiri, but Moxley avoided the spinning backfist and after his partners attacked, Moxley locked in the Bulldog Choke. After the choke was broken up, Archer chokeslammed Fénix onto Butcher and Blade and hit a running cannonball himself.
Kingston and Moxley traded more strikes. Kingston hit the spinning backfist, but Moxley no-sold and hit a lariat and the Paradigm Shift for the win.
– After the match, the Good Brothers ran out and attacked Moxley, followed by Omega and Callis. Omega said that Moxley looks pathetic, revealing that Moxley slipped a rematch clause into his championship contract.
Omega granted Moxley the rematch, proposing that it takes place in an exploding barbed wire deathmatch. Moxley headbutted Omega, busting him open, but was met with a V-Trigger and then a second one as Omega berated Moxley to end the show.
Best Friends defeated Santana & Ortiz in a brutal parking lot fight in the main event of last night’s AEW Dynamite.
After the win, Trent’s mom Sue showed up in her van to take Trent, Chuck Taylor, and Orange Cassidy home.
FTR defeated Jurassic Express in the show opener. FTR relied on an assist from manager Tully Blanchard to score the pinfall win over Jungle Boy.
Hangman Page defeated Frankie Kazarian in singles action. Kenny Omega joined the commentary desk for the match. Omega teased a singles run rather than teaming with Page again.
Dynamite featured a bunch of promos from some of the best talkers in the game as MJF, Eddie Kingston, Jake Roberts, Taz, and Jon Moxley all worked the microphone.
Taz’s clients, Brian Cage and Ricky Starks, attacked Moxley before Will Hobbs made the save.
For more of what you missed, including Private Party vs. Chris Jericho & Jake Hager, scroll down.
Dynamite opened with Jurassc Express in the ring for their match against FTR.
The Young Bucks entered and hit the referee with superkicks. The announcers pushed that the Bucks have a new edge to them since Hangman Page turned on them and speculated as to how much they might be fined for their actons.
The Bucks made their way to the back and threw a stack of bills at Tony Khan, paying their fine in advance.
The Bucks crossed paths with FTR as the AEW Tag champs prepared to enter for the opener. FTR mocked Matt and Nick.
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FTR (w/Tully Blanchard) defeated Jurassic Express
Excellent action in this opener and a finish straight out of a Demolition match in 1988.
Jungle Boy and Dax kicked things off and traded hip tosses. Luchasaurus and Cash entered. Cash tried to distract the referee. Luchasaurus overcame the distraction. Jurassic Express hit some tandem offense. Jungle Boy hit a senton off Luchasaurus’s back.
Cash and Jungle Boy ended up the legal men. Cash cut Jungle Boy off with a powerslam. FTR isolated Jungle Boy and worked him over.
Luchasaurus got a hot tag and ran wild with pump kicks. He connected with a standing moonsault for a near fall. Jungle Boy blind tagged in. Luchasaurus hit a tail whip on Dax and Jungle Boy covered for a two count.
FTR gave Jungle Boy about a million different near falls off a variety of cradles. Jungle Boy hit a high cross. Dax rolled through and held the tights but Jungle Boy reversed into another two count.
Jungle Boy and Dax traded strikes as Cash and Luchasaurus brawled to the floor. Jungle Boy got yet another near fall after an inside cradle.
Cash launched Luchasaurus over the barricade. Jungle Boy hit a tope suicida to Cash.
For the finish, Jungle Boy tried a sunset flip near the ropes. Cash and Blanchard flipped Dax over, reversing the cradle. Dax pinned Jungle Boy.
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Jim Ross, Tony Schiavone and Excalibur previewed the rest of the show.
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To the back —
Alex Marvez approached a fallen Matt Hardy. Hardy was laid out selling his left knee. Private Party said they were about to talk strategy for their match with Hager and Jericho when they found Matt.
Jericho and Hager entered. They mocked Hardy and Jericho was carrying Floyd the baseball bat. The clear implication was that it was Jericho who attacked Hardy.
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Kenny Omega joined the commentary desk for the next match.
Schiavone said that Omega had been offered a chance to make the match a tag match but he refused. Omega said he’s a singles competitor now.
Hangman Page defeated Frankie Kazarian
This was another good match.
They opened with a striking exchange. They had a loud chop battle. Hangman hit a springboard clothesline and a plancha. Page was firmly in control before an ad break.
Kazarian worked Page over during the commercials, including hitting his leg slice in the ropes. Kazarian fought for a fisherman’s suplex forever but Page kept blocking. Kazarian finally hit the move for a two count.
Kazarian grabbed a front facelock. They traded clotheslines. Page blocked a swing DDT and hit a fall-away slam and a standing shooting star for a near fall.
Kazarian blocked a springboard clothesline and hit a slingshot DDT for a two count. Each guy fought for a backslide. Kazarian reversed a backslide attempt into an unprettier for a two count.
Page hit a sliding lariat and a DVD for a two count. Page teased a Buckshot. Kazarian countered into a slingshot cutter for a two count.
Kazarian tried a springboard attack. Page blocked and hit a Liger bomb for a two count. Kazarian avoided another Buckshot attempt. Kazarian avoided a moonsault off the apron and hit a right hand. Page hit a clothesline on the floor.
Kazarian climbed back inside. Page was on the apron. They traded strikes. Kazarian tried another leg slice in the ropes but Page blocked, shoved Kazarian off and hit a Buckshot Lariat for the pin.
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Omega left the commentary desk without congratulating his former partner. Page drank a beer in the ring after his win.
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A video package played hyping the parking lot fight.
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MJF (w/Wardlow) defeated Shawn Dean
Dean had his left arm taped up. MJF used a thumb to the eye and a Salt of the Earth to win in seconds as Dean immediately tapped out.
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Wardlow continued beating down Dean after the match.
MJF cut a promo. He said he’s an honest man, unlike that cheater Jon Moxley. MJF demanded that Justin Roberts introduce him as the undefeated, undisputed, uncrowned champion of AEW.
MJF said to get any attention on Dynamite you have to be in a stable. He said there’s a new faction every week. He’s not wrong.
MJF said whether he picks a group to be a part of or not it doesn’t matter because he’s better than you and you know it.
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Taz broke down the offense of Ricky Starks.
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Eddie Kingston was in the ring with Penta and Fenix. Butcher and Blade paced around the ring while Kingston cut a promo.
Kingston said he never lost the Casino Battle Royale. He said his group isn’t a faction or a stable, they’re a family. He said after they fight, some families go to dinner. He said his family celebrates with violence.
Butcher and Blade pulled Griff Garrison and another jobber out of the crowd and beat them up.
Kingston told Blade it was time for him to get his house in order.
And the segment ended.
Kingston is a gifted promo. The inside baseball stuff about Blade and his wife is awful.
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Private Party entered.
The announcers used Private Party’s entrance time to announce that Jon Moxley and Lance Archer will be on opposite sides of a six-man tag next week and will be picking their partners tonight.
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Chris Jericho & Jake Hager defeated Private Party
This was more formulaic than the tag team opener but a good match. Much like the FTR match this was a case where the established veterans gave the young guys a ton before coming away with the win. Kassidy got at least two near falls on Jericho and Jericho bumped all over for him.
Quen and Kassidy hit tandem dives to start the match off hot.
Quen got cut off and worked over during a break. Hager hit some of his lumbering offense. Kassidy got a hot tag and Private Party hit Silly String on Hager for a near fall.
Jericho got a tag. Kassidy ducked a Judas Effect and hit a springboard cutter for a two count. Quen and Hager brawled to the floor after a double clothesline over the top.
Kassidy went for a senton atomico but Jericho moved out of the way. Jericho hit the Judas Effect for the pin.
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Jericho put Kassidy in the Walls after the match. Quen made the save and hit a Pele kick, sending Jericho packing.
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They announced Scorpio Sky vs. Ben Carter, Anna Jay vs. Brandi Rhodes, plus Matt Sydal vs. Shawn Spears for Late Night Dynamite, airing Tuesday after Inside the NBA on TNT.
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NWA World Women’s Championship: Thunder Rosa defeated Ivelisse to retain the title
This was a back and forth match with very little flow to it. Just move, move, move, move, move.
Rosa’s offense looked good, Ivelisse’s did not.
They showed Hikaru Shida in the crowd watching the match.
Rosa hit a jumping clothesline and a meteora in the corner. Ivelisse hit a tiger driver. Rosa used a crossface. Rosa blocked a springboard attack and hit a DVD.
Rosa used a tombstone for the pin.
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Diamante ran in after the match and attacked Rosa. Shida jumped the rail to make the save, then left the ring to Rosa to take a bow.
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Miro was bench pressing. He asked Kip Sabian to let him get in the ring and devour somebody.
Sabian said Miro has to throw him a bachelor party first. Miro promised the best bachelor party ever. Sabian and Miro fist bumped Penelope Ford.
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Jake Roberts and Lance Archer entered for a promo.
Archer pulled someone out of the crowd and beat him up.
Jake cut a creepy promo about being in bed with the Tasmanian devil.
Taz entered. Taz said he and Jake made a deal that Ricky Starks and Brian Cage will be Archer’s partners next week provided Cage gets the first shot at Archer when Archer wins Moxley’s title.
Moxley entered but got jumped by Cage and Starks. Will Hobbs made the save for Moxley with a steel chair.
Moxley put Hobbs over strongly on the mic. Moxley called on Darby Allin who he knew was watching at home to join his team next week.
Really good promo from Moxley. Hobbs looked great.
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Archer, Cage & Starks vs. Moxley, Hobbs & Allin, Mr. Brodie Lee vs. Orange Cassidy for the TNT title, Hikaru Shida & Thunder Rosa vs. Diamante & Ivelisse, plus a Chris Jericho promo were announced for next week’s Dynamite.
The main event is next.
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Parking lot fight: Best Friends defeated Santana & Ortiz
These guys beat the hell out of each other in a brutal, violent main event.
They hit each other with car hoods, a police baton, a sledgehammer, a door, a dustpan, a baseball bat, a board and a pipe.
Santana took two sentons while trapped under the hood of a car and bled. Taylor took a suplex and a splash on the roof of a car. Taylor suplexed Ortiz on a guardrail.
Ortiz hit Trent with a low blow and a powerbomb on a car roof as Santana and Ortiz doubled up on Trent. Trent got launched into the back window of a car and came up with his back all cut up.
Taylor fired back with a bat before taking a backdrop on a trashcan before he was cut off.
Santana teased a pipe shot to Taylor. Orange Cassidy jumped out of a car trunk and hit an Orange Punch with a chain. Taylor hit a piledriver on the hood of a car on Santana.
Trent hit a crunchie on Ortiz through a plywood board and pinned him in the bed of a pickup truck.
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Sue showed up in her van and drove the winning team away to close the show. Sue flipped the bird as she drove off.
AEW has revealed their first set of post-All Out roster rankings.
After winning Saturday’s Casino Battle Royale, Lance Archer is officially ranked first in the men’s division. Archer will challenge Jon Moxley for the AEW World Championship at some point in the future.
Moxley retained his title against MJF in the main event of All Out. MJF is now ranked third in the men’s division.
The women’s division rankings are unchanged from last week. Hikaru Shida retained her AEW Women’s Championship against Thunder Rosa at All Out.
FTR are the new AEW Tag Team Champions after defeating Kenny Omega & Hangman Page at All Out. Omega & Page are now ranked as the top contenders in the division.
The Young Bucks defeated Jurassic Express at All Out. Santana & Ortiz have now taken Jurassic Express’ place at fifth in the tag team rankings.
Here are this week’s full rankings:
Men’s division —
Champions: AEW World Champion Jon Moxley (17-0 singles record in 2020, 23-2-1 overall record), TNT Champion Brodie Lee (6-1 singles record in 2020, 9-2 overall record)
Lance Archer (13-1 singles record in 2020, 13-1 overall record)
Brian Cage (7-1 singles record in 2020, 7-2 overall record)
MJF (8-1 singles record in 2020, 13-3 overall record)
Cody (18-2 singles record in 2020, 26-7-1 overall record)
Scorpio Sky (7-2 singles record in 2020, 25-11 overall record)
Women’s division —
Champion: Hikaru Shida (17-1 singles record in 2020, 22-7 overall record)
Nyla Rose (8-2 singles record in 2020, 15-6 overall record)
Big Swole (8-3 singles record in 2020, 10-8 overall record)
Abadon (5-1 singles record in 2020, 5-1 overall record)
Penelope Ford (7-5 singles record in 2020, 9-8 overall record)
Britt Baker (4-6 singles record in 2020, 13-10 overall record)
Tag team division —
Champions: FTR (8-0 tag team record in 2020, 8-2 overall record for Dax Harwood, 8-2 overall record for Cash Wheeler)
Kenny Omega & Hangman Page (12-1 tag team record in 2020, 30-10 overall record for Omega, 21-11 overall record for Page)
Best Friends (14-6 tag team record in 2020, 22-17 overall record for Trent Barreta, 21-15 overall record for Chuck Taylor)
The Young Bucks (7-3 tag team record in 2020, 22-12 overall record for Nick Jackson, 22-12 overall record for Matt Jackson)
The Natural Nightmares (6-2 tag team record in 2020, 16-9 overall record for Dustin Rhodes, 11-12 overall record for QT Marshall)
Santana & Ortiz (7-4 tag team record in 2020, 15-13 overall record for Santana, 15-13 overall record for Ortiz)
AEW Dynamite returns tonight from Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, Florida.
Kenny Omega and Matt Hardy vs. Santana and Ortiz highlights the announced matches. Santana and Ortiz interfered in last week’s Dynamite main event street fight. That match saw Omega and Hardy team against Chris Jericho and Sammy Guevara in a losing effort.
Mr. Brodie Lee will be in action against SCU’s Christopher Daniels. Lee laid out Daniels with a chair shot on last week’s episode to set this match up. Lee will challenge AEW World Champion Jon Moxley at Double or Nothing 2 on May 23.
A four-way match in the women’s division will take place tonight. Hikaru Shida, Kris Statlander, Penelope Ford and Dr. Britt Baker will face off. While not officially announced as a number one contender’s match, it would make sense that the winner of this match will be next in line to face AEW Women’s World Champion Nyla Rose.
Chris Jericho vs. “Pineapple Pete” Suge D, MJF returning to in-ring action against an unnamed opponent and a Jake Roberts and Lance Archer promo have also been announced for tonight’s show.
Our coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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The show opened with Jake Roberts and Lance Archer out for a promo. Archer beat up a jobber on the stage on his way to the ring.
Roberts said that he had been asked to make an apology for his actions last week. He said he’ll apologize as soon as Brandi kisses his ass.
Roberts said that when you step into the ringside area you enter Archer and Roberts’ world. You enter a book where they are the authors.
Roberts said as far as he’s concerned, women are good at home wiping baby’s butts, cleaning, cooking, and occasionally keeping him warm if it’s really cold outside. Roberts said he has a woman who comes to see him but she makes sure he watches Archer matches because they get him excited.
Roberts said Cody has run out of time and run out of people to hide behind.
An engine revved and Cody drove a truck to the arena. This was supposed to be cool and badass but the big high spot for the truck was gently knocking over a barricade.
Cody got out with his fists taped and approached the ring. Archer and Cody had a strong brawl around the ring. Archer tripped Cody on the apron and Cody took a bump. Cody choked Archer with Archer’s hair braids.
Roberts told Archer to pull back and fight another day.
This was a good segment. The truck spot was a good idea that had some issues in execution.
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The announce team previewed the card for the evening. They then threw to a video package highlighting the teams in the tag division.
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Best Friends (w/Orange Cassidy) defeated Luchasaurus & Jungle Boy (w/Marko Stunt)
This was a good opener. All action.
Taylor and Jungle Boy kicked things off and grappled to a stalemate. Trent and Luchasaurus got tags. They traded power spots. Jungle Boy tagged back in and Trent cut him off with a backdrop driver.
Taylor accidentally aided Jungle Boy in hitting a doomsday device missile dropkick on Trent. Best Friends suplexed Luchasaurus on the floor. They hugged on the floor but were wiped out by a Jungle Boy tope con giro, leading to a commercial break.
After the break, Luchasaurus was working on Trent. Trent hit a spear and both tagged out.
Taylor and Jungle Boy traded strikes. Jungle Boy dropped Taylor with a lariat. Trent took out Jungle Boy with a one-legged dropkick. Luchasaurus hit Trent with a question mark kick.
The finish was chaotic.
Orange Cassidy teased a dive from the stage to the ring. Rey Fenix entered and took out Cassidy with a kick. MJF jumped out of the crowd and posted Jungle Boy.
Taylor then hit an Awful Waffle on Jungle Boy for the pin.
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After the match, Wardlow jumped the rail and beat up Marko Stunt.
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The announcers threw it backstage to Alex Marvez who tried to get a word with Jon Moxley as he arrived at the building. Moxley ignored Marvez and pushed the camera operator aside.
Marvez said they might need some extra security backstage as he’s never seen Moxley so upset.
This had a lot of good action but was also sloppy at times.
Shida and Statlander worked in tandem at the outset. Baker teased a curb stomp on Shida in the ropes but Statlander saved. Statlander and Shida hit a double backbreaker on Baker.
Ford hit a crossbody to Shida and Statlander but they kipped up out of it. Baker tried for Lockjaw on Shida but Statlander saved. Statlander fish-hooked Baker’s nose.
Statlander and Shida hit a stacked up superplex on Baker. Ford climbed to the top rope and Statlander just powerlifted her off the top and dropped her on Baker. Shida hit a high knee on Statlander and all four were down before an ad break.
Statlander was going for a Big Bang Theory on Shida as the match resumed. Baker blocked and hit a destroyer. Ford hit a back handspring cutter on Baker for a near fall. Statlander hit a Michinoku driver.
Shida tossed Statlander and Baker outside. Ford hit a missile dropkick on Shida for a two count. Sabian jumped on the apron and made out with Ford. Shida used a sloppy cradle on Ford for a two count.
Shida hit a falcon arrow. Baker used Lockjaw on Statlander on the floor.
With Statlander and Shida on the floor, Shida hit a backbreaker and a running knee on Ford, then stacked her up for the pin.
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The announcers put over the win by Shida but emphasized that Baker was more intent on damaging Statlander than winning the match.
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A Suge D video promo aired. He said he’s spent sixteen years trying to claw his way to the top. He said Jericho has such little respect for him that he called him Pineapple Pete.
Suge said that since Jericho started calling him Pete, life has been sweet. He drank from a pineapple. Awesome.
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Nyla Rose vs. Hikaru Shida for the AEW Women’s World Championship was announced for Double or Nothing.
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Omega entered for the next match but was jumped by Santana and Ortiz as he entered.
Matt Hardy entered in his Damascus persona and made the save. Hardy bit Santana and brawled with him around ringside.
Matt Hardy & Kenny Omega defeated Santana & Ortiz
As the match began, Omega countered some Ortiz offense. Ortiz hit his tiger style move and JR crapped on it.
Omega hit a double Kotaro Krusher on Santana and Ortiz. Hardy got a tag and hit a side effect and a legdrop on Santana for a near fall.
Santana took the referee and Ortiz tripped Omega on the apron to get the heat before a commercial break.
After the break, Santana used a crab, a thumb to the eye and an abdominal stretch on Omega. Santana and Ortiz hit a double northern lights suplex on Omega. Ortiz used the move for a two count.
Omega and Ortiz traded strikes. Omega hit a snap dragon suplex and made a hot tag to Hardy.
Hardy used another side effect on Santana for a two count. Hardy got whipped over the top rope and took a nasty hit on the apron on his way to the floor. Those bumps don’t look like the worst but similar bumps ended Rick Rude’s career and sent Shawn Michaels to retirement for four years.
The match broke down. Omega hit a plancha to Ortiz. Hardy hit Santana with a Twist of Fate but Ortiz broke up the pin.
Santana used Ortiz as a launch pad and hit a cannonball on Omega for a near fall. Omega countered out of a Street Sweeper.
Hardy got a tag and used a hanging guillotine on Ortiz. Sammy Guevara limped to the ring in a neck brace, holding a steel chair. Guevara got in the ring but ate a Twist of Fate on a chair.
Hardy teased a superplex on Ortiz. Ortiz blocked but Omega hit him with a v-trigger as he sat on the turnbuckle. Hardy then hit a Twist of Fate off the buckle and got the pin.
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Taz spoke with Darby Allin backstage. Taz said Cody beat Allin with a basic amateur wrestling move. He said he can offer Allin some tips.
Allin said he knows how Cody beat him. Allin said he placed third in the state of Idaho in amateur wrestling one year and walked off.
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Lexy Nair interviewed Shida. Shida’s English has improved tremendously in a short amount of time.
Shida said she’s excited and the best thing she can do is win the championship.
Nyla Rose appeared and said she was there to give Shida something she’s been missing. Rose pulled out a kendo stick and left Shida laying with it.
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Orange Cassidy vs. Rey Fenix was announced for next week.
Private Party vs. Best Friends for the number one tag team contendership was announced for the Double or Nothing Buy-In.
Britt Baker vs. Kris Statlander was announced for Double or Nothing.
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MJF defeated Lee Johnson
MJF won a squash by submission after hitting a clothesline, strikes, a powerbomb on the apron, a shoulder breaker and using his fujiwara armbar.
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MJF cut a promo. He said he’s looking forward to facing Jungle Boy. He said he needs a tune-up match and noticed that Marko Stunt has an open match contract.
MJF said he and Stunt will have some fun and that he’s better than us and we know it.
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Chris Jericho (w/The Inner Circle) defeated Pineapple Pete
Jericho wrestled in a Pineapple Pete shirt.
Jericho slapped Pete. Pete fired back with a flurry of strikes and two back elbows in the corner.
Pete went for a third back elbow but Jericho cut him off with a Judas Effect and covered for a three count.
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Jericho cut a promo. He said now that the Pineapple Pete threat has been done away with it’s time to turn to The Elite.
He said The Elite are licking their wounds and pouting. He said Hangman Page has been living in the woods. The Bucks have been off feeling sorry for themselves.
Jericho said The Inner Circle challenges The Elite to a Stadium Stampede match at Double or Nothing. He said if you thought the street fight last week was something, wait until you see a Stadium Stampede. He said he’ll be there waiting for The Elite to accept.
Vanguard One flew in. Vanguard returned the tiny Inner Circle shirt he took from Jericho weeks ago.
Jericho said it’s a good thing because he had warrants out for grand larceny in seven states against Vanguard.
Jericho said that Vanguard must be there to accept the challenge on behalf of The Elite and the answer must be yes.
Jericho then asked Vanguard if he had given any more thought to his offer to join The Inner Circle.
Jericho then said that the offer has been rescinded, as Inner Circle has its sixth member, Floyd the baseball bat.
Inner Circle proceeded to destroy Vanguard with the bat. Hardy ran in for the save but was too late. Inner Circle bailed and Hardy looked at Vanguard sadly.
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The announcers informed us that Shida vs. Rose at Double or Nothing will be a no countout, no disqualification match.
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The announcers recapped Brodie Lee attacking Moxley last week and taking his title belt.
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MJF vs. Marko Stunt, a face to face interview between Arn Anderson and Jake Roberts, Rey Fenix vs. Orange Cassidy, Jon Moxley vs. 10, Sammy Guevara vs. Matt Hardy were announced for next week.
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Mike Tyson presenting the TNT Championship to the winner was announced for Double or Nothing.
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Mr. Brodie Lee came to the ring for the main event with Moxley’s title belt. He demanded to be announced as the self-proclaimed AEW Champion.
Mr. Brodie Lee defeated Christopher Daniels
Lee gave Daniels quite a bit and Daniels was protected in losing.
Lee used a variety of power moves in dominating the first segment of the match. Daniels hit one tope but it was all Lee aside from that. Lee would occasionally ominously stare at the other members of SCU as they sat in the crowd.
After the break, Lee hit a slingshot senton for a near fall. Daniels came back with a DDT and a frankensteiner.
10 jumped on the apron. SCU jumped the rail and went after 10. The referee paid attention to the skirmish on the floor. Lee brought a chair into the ring.
Lee tried to use the chair on Daniels. Daniels kicked the chair into Lee’s face. Lee got his hands up on a chair shot to the head. Daniels hit a flatliner.
Daniels applied a Koji clutch. Three members of the Dark Order jumped in the ring to break it up. Colt Cabana and SCU jumped in the ring to dispatch of Dark Order.
Daniels escaped a chokeslam and hit an Angel’s Wings. Lee kicked out at one.
Daniels went for another Angel’s Wings but it was blocked. Daniels hit a BME for a two count.
Daniels went for a flying headscissors off the top but Lee dropped him with something resembling a powerbomb.
Lee then hit the discus lariat for the pin.
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Moxley entered through the stands, attacking members of Dark Order on his way to the ring. Lee threw a member of Dark Order at Moxley. Moxley nailed the masked man with a Paradigm Shift.
Lee and 10 left the arena with the title.
Moxley cut a promo. He said he doesn’t suffer disrespect or fools. He said Lee made a foolish mistake and will pay for it with interest.
Moxley said the championship is more than a piece of metal. He promised a hailstorm of violence at Double or Nothing.
He said Lee might find out that his AEW career is over before it started at Double or Nothing.
Moxley destroyed the ringside area as the show ended.
Several of AEW’s top stars will get back into action on next Wednesday’s Dynamite from Salt Lake City, Utah’s Maverik Center.
Following his loss to rival MJF at Revolution, Cody Rhodes will take on Ortiz of the Inner Circle. During a skirmish following Jake Hager’s submission Wednesday over QT Marshall, Ortiz hit Rhodes with a chair to the back.
Also announced was the debut match of Death Triangle, the new trio of PAC, Pentagon Jr., and Ray Fenix. Following PAC’s Wednesday win over Chuck Taylor, the Lucha Bros ran out to jump Orange Cassidy and Trent as they were confronting PAC and the three heels did a promo announcing their union. Their opponents weren’t announced.
Another six-man tag team match will feature MJF teaming with The Butcher & The Blade to take on all three members of Jurassic Express. MJF is coming off the aforementioned win over Cody and did a promo on the Wednesday show saying his goal is to become the no. 1 contender for the AEW title.
Finally, the rules for the “Blood & Guts” edition of Dynamite on March 25th in Newark, NJ, will be announced. The concept was announced during Revolution and is expected to be a War Games-style match.
Three matches have been set for next week’s edition of Dynamite in Hunstville, Alabama.
Jon Moxley will take on Ortiz in a singles match. Moxley had laid out Ortiz with the paradigm shift DDT to open tonight’s show, which ended in a brawl between Moxley and members of the Inner Circle.
An eight man tag match has also been signed. The Young Bucks, Kenny Omega and Hangman Page will team to face The Butcher, The Blade and The Lucha Bros. The Bucks defeated Butcher and Blade on tonight’s show, but Butcher and Blade attacked them after the match. Page and Omega came out for the save.
Britt Baker will also be in action, facing Yuka Sakazaki, who is making her Dynamite debut. Sakazaki previously participated in a six woman tag team match at Double or Nothing and faced Riho and Nyla Rose in a triple threat match at Fyter Fest last year.
Cody will also receive his ten lashes at the hands of MJF. He had agreed to the stipulation several weeks ago in order to get a match against MJF at Revolution.
Jungle Boy and Chris Jericho will meet once again on Dynamite in two weeks.
A six-man tag team match has been announced for Chris Jericho’s Rock ‘n’ Rager at Sea: Part Deux cruise that will air on AEW Dynamite on January 22. The Jurassic Express (Luchasarus, Jungle Boy and Marko Stunt) will take on Chris Jericho, Santana & Ortiz.
Jericho and Jungle Boy have had some previous history together. They faced off back on December 18 with the stipulation being Jungle Boy would have to survive ten minutes against Chris Jericho. Despite being put in the liontamer for a long period of time, Jungle Boy was able to beat the clock.
The Jurassic Express were victorious tonight in defeating Best Friends and Orange Cassidy.
Jericho’s Rock ‘n’ Rager At Sea, which will depart from Miami to the Bahamas, runs from January 20 through January 24. Most of AEW’s roster is scheduled to be on the tour including the rest of the Inner Circle, Hangman Adam Page, The Young Bucks, Kenny Omega and more.
AEW Dynamite airs live tonight from the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois.
Dustin Rhodes and The Young Bucks will take on Santana, Ortiz & Sammy Guevara in trios action following their in-ring confrontation on last week’s show. These three members of the Inner Circle enter the contest with a 1-0 record in trios matches, The Bucks each carry 2-1 trios records, while Rhodes will wrestle in his first AEW six-man.
Jon Moxley (3-0-1 singles record) will face Joey Janela (1-3 singles) in singles competition. Moxley holds a victory over Janela in an unsanctioned match which took place at Fyter Fest in June.
Trent (1-1 singles) will take on Fenix (1-0 singles) in singles action after Trent and partner Chuck Taylor defeated Fenix and Pentagon Jr. in a tag match last week.
In the women’s division, Kris Statlander will take on Hikaru Shida. Shida is currently ranked as the top challenger to AEW Women’s World Champion Riho.
Rounding out the card is Christopher Daniels vs. Pentagon. Both men enter the contest with 0-1 records in singles matches.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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DUSTIN RHODES & THE YOUNG BUCKS DEFEATED SANTANA, ORTIZ & SAMMY GUEVARA
The Bucks and Dustin ran wild at the outset. All three hit a triple superkick. Matt hit a high cross off the post to the floor onto all three opposing team members. Nick hit a corkscrew dive while Dustin hit a simultaneous flip dive off the apron.
Matt tried a double northern lights suplex sequence and got cut off. Matt blocked a delayed vertical suplex from Guevara and made a hot tag to Dustin. Dustin hit three powerslams and a crossbody, then hit Santana with a destroyer for a near fall.
Dustin got cut off after a shot with the loaded sock from Proud and Powerful. Guevara hit a 630 senton for a near fall. Guevara hit a double stomp off the top onto Matt for a near fall.
Guevara grabbed his phone and started live streaming. He jumped off the top into a double superkick. Nick hit a missile dropkick into a double piledriver combo and Matt pinned Guevara.
A fun opener. There are always audio issues on Dynamite, but even by their standards, there were significant technical difficulties during this match.
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REY FENIX DEFEATED TRENT
A good match, lots of good action, but not much heat for this. Kind of the story of Trent’s career in a nutshell.
I think there’s far more upside in the Lucha Bros than in the Best Friends at this stage of the game. I hope last week’s Best Friends win was an aberration.
Fenix hit a dropkick. He teased a muscle buster, but Trent blocked. Trent teased a Dudebuster, but Fenix blocked. Fenix missed a 619, but hit one to Trent’s legs on the second attempt. Fenix grabbed the right arm and worked it over as the show went to its first commercial break.
During the break, Fenix used his springboard rope-walk spot, and hit a drive-by dropkick which led to a near fall.
After the ad break, Fenix tried a tornillo. Trent blocked with a dropkick, then hit a half-and-half suplex. They brawled to the floor. Fenix sent Trent into the barricade. Trent came back with a spear on the floor.
Back in the ring, Trent hit a tornado DDT for a two count. Trent tried a monkey flip. Fenix blocked and hit a powerbomb for a two count. Fenix hooked Trent’s legs in the ropes. Fenix ran the top rope connected with a kick. Trent answered with a lariat.
They traded chops on the apron. Fenix hit a springboard double stomp to the floor. Fenix then tried a springboard attack off the top. Trent got his knees up, then hit a stuff piledriver for a two count.
Fenix hit a pop-up cutter, a rolling kick, then connected with a muscle buster and got the pin.
Trent and Fenix continued fighting after the bell as the show went to commercial break. The announcers never called attention to this. If you’re going to do stuff during commercials, it has to count.
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CODY SPEAKS
Cody entered for a promo. There was a lot of good stuff here but it was also disjointed.
Cody mentioned the attack by Butcher, Blade and Bunny last week. He mentioned his wife cutting the hair of people in the women’s division. He said what’s really on his mind is MJF.He said he saw something in MJF when no one else did. He made a snide reference to MJF botching the Cross Rhodes and how it’s now being botched on two channels, a shot at WWE. He said he knew MJF was a bad guy, but he was HIS bad guy.
He said MJF says he’ll never fight him. Cody proceeded to offer his truck, his watch, his shoes, and more than $50,000 to MJF for a match. Cody told him to name his price.
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Alex Marvez was backstage with Joey Janela. Marvez wanted to know why Janela wanted to face Moxley again. Janela said this time if Moxley wants to beat him, he’ll have to kill him. Moxley walked in, said “Kids,” then walked off.
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Another Dark Order hype video was shown. This was good.
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Nyla Rose entered for a match with Leva Bates. During her entrance, they showed a video of Rose attacking Shanna at a pre-show meet and greet.
NYLA ROSE DEFEATED LEVA BATES
Rose won with the Beast Bomb in a quick squash. The other librarian Peter Avalon tried to interfere, but Rose hit both with a double chokeslam.
Shanna ran down after the match and got powerslammed for her trouble.
During a commercial break, Rose set up a table in the ring, then powerbombed referee Rick Knox and Shanna through the table. Britt Baker was shown at ringside, distraught. The announcers referred to her as Adam Cole’s girlfriend. The “Inside Baseball” stuff is counter-productive. Again, the announcers did not address the angle during the break on the TV broadcast.
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LEXICON OF LE CHAMPION
Jericho entered for a promo. He ran down Champaign. He said AEW is forcing him to wrestle one more time this year on December 18.
Jericho introduced a list of people he would not face. The crowd popped at the mention of the list, so Jericho told them to get out of 2016. He introduced the Lexicon of Le Champion, a list of people he would not agree to face. Moxley was on the list several times.
Luchasaurus, Jungle Boy and Marko Stunt entered. Luchasaurus did some dinosaur humor. Jericho said children and dinosaurs were next on his list, in reference to Stunt and Luchasaurus.
Jungle Boy stepped forward. Jericho said he knows everyone is pulling for the son of Hollywood royalty, everyone loves the Jungle Boy. Jericho said that’s not the case. Jericho said Jungle Boy is “a piece of shit” who couldn’t last ten minutes with him.
Jungle Boy said he knows he can last ten minutes with Jericho and said he’s going to kick Jericho’s ass. Jungle Boy slapped Jericho. Jericho, Jungle Boy, Luchasaurus, Jake Hager and Marko Stunt had a pull-apart.
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KRIS STATLANDER DEFEATED HIKARU SHIDA
Statlander did a bunch of cartwheels. Shida responded with a chop. They traded heavy chops. Shida tried her springboard knee attack off a chair on the floor, but Statlander caught her coming in, tossed her inside, then proceeded to work Shida over. The bulk of this happened during a commercial.
Shida hit an enziguri on the apron, then connected with a running knee off the apron to the floor. Shida hit a missile dropkick for a near fall.
Cody and QT Marshall vs. The Butcher and The Blade was randomly announced in the middle of this match.
Statlander rolled to the apron. Shida superplexed her back inside for a two count. Shida tried a running knee, but Statlander blocked. They traded enziguris. Statlander hit an electric chair drop, then a scissors kick for a near fall.
Shida picked up two quick near falls off a cradle and a knee strike. Statlander hit a falcon arrow for a two count. Statlander hit a package tombstone and pinned Shida for the upset. This was a good match.
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After the bell, Brandi Rhodes and Awesome Kong entered. Brandi introduced herself and Kong as the Nightmare Collective, an extension of the Nightmare Family.
Brandi told Statlander to join her collective and they’ll take care of her and protect her. Statlander hesitated. A plant from the crowd demanded to pledge to the collective. She climbed over the rail and had her head shaved DURING A COMMERCIAL BREAK, the theme of this show so far.
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PENTAGON JR. DEFEATED CHRISTOPHER DANIELS
Pentagon used a variety of kicks and enziguris to establish control in the early-going. There was another lengthy commercial brea during this match.
They fought to the ramp. Pentagon teased a destroyer on the ramp, but Daniels blocked it. Daniels tried for a springboard facebuster but slipped on the ropes. They rolled back inside where Daniels made a comeback. Daniels hit a right hand and an Angel’s Wings for a near fall.
The finish saw Fenix run down with Daniels’ mic stand. Both Daniels and Pentagon teased using it as a weapon, but ultimately neither did. Fenix took the referee, Pentagon hit a low blow, then used a package piledriver on Daniels for the pin.
This had its moments, but has to be considered an in-ring disappointment given the talent of both guys.
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A Butcher/Blade/Bunny video package played. Allie said that they’re sick of seeing Cody’s face everywhere and they’re in his house to cut the head off the snake.
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JON MOXLEY DEFEATED JOEY JANELA
They began with some actual wrestling holds. Moxley used a waistlock takedown. Janela hit a double sledge off the top to the ramp. Moxely used a surfboard, then an STF. They brawled to the floor during the show’s last ad break.
Back inside, Moxley hit an x-plex for a two count. Moxley teased a Paradigm Shift on the ramp. Janela blocked, then hit a tornado DDT on the ramp. Janela hit a tope suicida.
Moxley teased a Paradigm Shift off the second rope, but Janela countered into a crucifix bomb. They traded strikes and lariats. Janela suplexed Moxley into the bottom turnbuckle.
Moxley rolled outside. Janela hit a senton off the post to the floor, which the cameras missed. Janela tossed Moxley inside and hit a top rope elbow for a two count.
Moxley responded with a top rope Paradigm Shift. He then hit a second Paradigm Shift for the pin. This was a good brawl.
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After the bell, Jericho’s music played. Jericho and the Inner Circle entered through the crowd. Jericho sated Moxley down, as Moxley did to him last week. They are on a collision course.
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I think this was the weakest Dynamite so far. They can’t all be winners, but there are some fundamental things like not shooting angles during commercial breaks that need to be addressed.
There is a way to achieve a sense of chaos and unpredictability, which I think they’re going for, that doesn’t require sensory overload or cramming so much into two hours that you have to shoot angles during commercials.
Two matches have been confirmed for next week’s edition of Dynamite.
Fenix vs. Trent was announced following the events of a match between Best Friends and Lucha Bros.. Pentagon & Fenix attacked Best Friends before the bell rang and had an early advantage, but the Best Friends cut them off, with Trent pinning Fenix to score the win for his team.
A six-man tag team match was also signed for next week, with Dustin Rhodes teaming with the Young Bucks to take on Sammy Guevara and Santana & Ortiz. This stems from a confrontation that took place on tonight’s show when Santana, Ortiz & Sammy Guevara came into the ring and jumped Dustin Rhodes as he was giving an interview. The Young Bucks came out for the save, including a returning Matt Jackson who was noticeably limping.
Joey Janela meanwhile announced at a GCW event tonight that he would accept a challenge from Jon Moxley for next week. That has yet to be confirmed by AEW.
Dynamite next week will be at the State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois.
Three matches were made for next week’s edition of AEW Dynamite.
Jon Moxley opened the show issuing a challenge to anyone in the back. Later in the show, Darby Allin defeated Peter Avalon and Shawn Spears in a triple threat match and accepted Moxely’s challenge.
Private Party vs. Santana & Ortiz was also set for next week. This happened towards the end of the show when Santana & Ortiz laid out the Young Bucks on the AEW stage following a brawl in the back. The duo had stopped attacking and were about to leave, but then went on the attack again. It was only when Private Party arrived that Santana & Ortiz retreated.
A 12-man Dynamite Dozen battle royal was also announced. The two finalists of this match will face off on November 27 in Chicago with the winner receiving a diamond ring.
Dynamite will take place next week Indiana Farmers Coliseum in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Chris Jericho has revealed the name of his new stable that was formed last week on Dynamite.
There was an in-ring segment where Jericho formally introduced the stable as “The Inner Circle” on tonight’s Dynamite episode. He introduced each member of the group one by one: Jake Hager, Santana & Ortiz (formerly LAX), and Sammy Guevara.
During his promo, Jericho said he hates Cody Rhodes and his family. Jericho said that — at Full Gear on November 9 — he would celebrate his victory in the streets of Baltimore with a little bit of the bubbly.
Later on in the show, Jericho & Guevara teamed up in the main event to take on Hangman Page & Dustin Rhodes. Hager seconded Jericho and got involved in the match, taking out Page with a lariat. He then took out Dustin Rhodes in the ring with a forearm. Jericho used this to his advantage, hitting Dustin with the Judas Effect for the win.
A wild brawl broke out after the match. Page and Hager brawled to the back while Cody, MJF, The Young Bucks, and Darby Allin all came out to even the odds against The Inner Circle, with Cody’s side standing tall.
Chris Jericho has his partners for tomorrow’s AEW Dynamite premiere.
As had come to be expected, Jericho will team with Santana & Ortiz to face Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks in their six-man tag match tomorrow night (October 2). The six-man tag was first announced in July, with it being teased that Jericho would have two mystery partners.
Santana & Ortiz held the Impact Tag Team titles four times as LAX. They bid farewell to Impact in August and made their AEW debuts at All Out, attacking The Young Bucks and The Lucha Bros after they had faced each other in a ladder match.
The announcement of Santana & Ortiz being Jericho’s partners was made on the Countdown to Dynamite special that aired on TNT tonight. There was a scene where Santana & Ortiz congratulated and thanked Jericho backstage after he became the inaugural AEW World Champion at All Out.
The Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. is hosting tomorrow’s AEW Dynamite premiere. It will air from 8-10 p.m. Eastern time and go head-to-head with NXT.
Here’s what’s been announced for the Dynamite premiere:
Chris Jericho, Santana & Ortiz vs. Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks
Nyla Rose vs. Riho to determine the inaugural AEW Women’s Champion
Impact returned from Fronton Mexico in Mexico City as the Road to Bound for Glory continued. Tonight’s episode was being billed as LAX appreciation night, as this was their final show for Impact.
The opening video was a retroactive look at LAX’s time in Impact Wrestling, their beginning, their feuds, and the legacy they leave behind. Tonight, LAX have their final match for Impact.
This week’s Twitch stream was hosted by Melissa Santos, who ran down the show and hyped the Bound for Glory card.
Tessa Blanchard, Rob Van Dam, Tommy Dreamer & Rhino defeated oVe (Sami Callihan, X-Division Champion Jake Crist, Dave Crist & Madman Fulton) in a street fight
Impact opened the show with a strong match — a main event any other night. The match started with the babyfaces getting face-to-face with oVe for a four-on-four face-off that came to blows and strikes.
Callihan and RVD stayed in the ring as the rest brawled to the outside. RVD had the upper hand early with his usual kick arsenal. He hit Rolling Thunder before rolling out and giving the ring to Blanchard and Dave Crist. Blanchard hit the corner Magnum and followed with a dive to the outside.
Dreamer and Jake Crist were now in the ring, with Dreamer hitting a fallaway slam. Then it was Rhino and Fulton trading strikes in the middle of the ring until Fulton took out Rhino. Dreamer went to fight Fulton, landing a cutter on the big man, but Fulton still took him out.
Fulton assisted Jake Crist by tossing him to the floor on everyone, Dreamer hit a top rope plancha to the outside, and RVD was next with a big dive to the outside.
Back in the ring, it was now Blanchard and Callihan by themselves. They started brawling and Blanchard quickly dropped Callihan with a cutter, sending him to the outside. Blanchard went for the top rope, but Dave Crist cut her off and hit a suplex onto the pile of bodies on the floor.
Back in the ring, everyone started taking turns taking out an opponent until Blanchard and Fulton were alone in the ring. Blanchard hit a tilt-a-whirl DDT to shake down Fulton. Jake Crist interrupted her Magnum attempt and landed a huge cutter for a two count when RVD broke up the pin.
RVD and Dreamer took out Jake and Fulton with a kendo stick. Rhino brought in a table, but before they used it, Callihan hit a double low blow. Rhino recovered and hit Jake with a Gore through the table, followed by a Five Star Frog Splash by RVD. Finally, it was Blanchard with a crossface tapping out the X-Division Champion. Blanchard had a bloody nose at the end.
The match was good for what it was — a sprint, given the amount of people in the ring and the time given.
Backstage, Ace Austin was in a wheelchair all injured after last week’s match with Eddie Edwards. Alisha Edwards was checking in on Austin. Austin said that it’s all because of her husband, but that he’ll be there for Alisha if she needs him. At this point, we have to assume he’s faking it all.
We got the first LAX Flashback Moment of the Night. It was LAX winning the Tag Team titles against Decay and Laredo Kid & Hector Garza Jr.
Backstage, Jimmy Jacobs interviewed The North, who were celebrating that LAX are leaving Impact Wrestling. The North were wearing ridiculous party hats and mocking LAX. Ethan Page said they’re going to look for people and have themselves a fiesta.
Knockouts Champion Taya Valkyrie (w/ John E. Bravo) defeated Alisha Edwards in a non-title match.
They talked trash to start the match before Alisha tried to get the better of Taya from behind. Taya easily took her down.
Suddenly, Ace Austin got rolled down the ramp and left at ringside. Meanwhile in the ring, Taya just beat up Alisha with strikes and tossed her around by the hair. Taya hit a Super Dragon-style curb stomp for a two count.
Alisha had a hope spot when she hit a running dropkick to a cornered Taya and a short distance clothesline. Alisha hit a flatliner for a two count when John E. Bravo pulled her out of the ring. This provoked Austin to get up from the wheelchair and take out Bravo while neither woman looked.
Taya still caught Alisha getting back to the ring and hit the Road to Valhalla for the win. So much for Austin’s assist, but at least we all confirmed he’s perfectly okay.
After the match, Austin pretended to be injured again and made himself a victim for Alisha to care for.
The North were backstage recruiting people for their party. They bullied some people until they reached RVD and Rhino. RVD was down to party, but Rhino got tired of Page and destroyed their pinata.
Mahabali Shera (w/ Gama Singh and The Desi Hit Squad) defeated Cody Deaner (w/ Cousin Jake)
Shera going heel and being managed by Gama is the best thing that could happen to him and us — no more Shera Shake for now and maybe it will give the team a push.
Shera destroyed Deaner from the start. He immediately tackled Deaner to the corner, tossed him around to the other, and dropped him. Deaner tried to make a comeback, but Shera hit a big front-facing suplex.
Deaner hoped for another comeback, hitting a dive on the rest of the Desi Hit Squad. He went for a move from the top rope, but Shera caught him with a big chokeslam, followed by a Mark Henry-style powerslam for the win. Shera looked impressive size-wise. This concept has potential.
It was time for LAX Flashback number two. It was the LAX vs. OGz gang brawl in the streets of NYC. This was the Final Deletion-style climax to the LAX-OGz feud.
The Rascalz (Zachary Wentz, Dezmond Xavier & Trey Miguel) defeated Australian Suicide, Arez & Toxin
The Rascalz started the match with a triple moonsault on all their opponents, followed by a triple dive to the outside.
Australian Suicide and Miguel were the first in the ring, with Miguel getting the better of the match with a couple of ranas and arm drags. Arez came in and had a fast-paced sequence that ended with a brainbuster on Miguel to take him out.
Xavier came in and hit a kick combo and senton to remove Arez from the match. Toxin came in and hit a backbreaker to send Xavier out. Wentz took out Toxin with a plancha, and finally, it was Australian Suicide back in the ring taking out Wentz. They proceeded to take turns hitting dives outside, with Australian Suicide hitting a Shooting Star Press for a big pop.
Back in the ring, Miguel hit Toxin with Cheeky Nandos. Xavier and Wentz hit a Hot Fire Flame on Australian Suicide for the win. This was really short but super action packed — it was hard keeping up with the action.
Moose was walking around Mexico City cutting a promo on Ken Shamrock. He was out there trying to pick a fight to prove that he’s tougher than Shamrock. Moose beat up some people hanging out on a corner.
We got footage from Dreamer, Rich Swann, and Brian Cage talking about Cage’s bachelor party.
Tenille Dashwood had a sit-down interview with Jimmy Jacobs. She said that she came to Impact because she wanted to face off against the Knockouts, who she hadn’t fought before. Dashwood said that she wanted to fight Madison Rayne and Tessa Blanchard, but her primary focus was Taya and the Knockouts Championship.
Dashwood brought up that she was Taya’s first ever match and that she recognized that Taya has grown a lot — but she has too. Good stuff.
Havok defeated Su Yung in a no DQ match
Havok came down to the ring wielding a staple gun. She jumped Yung during her entrance and started to work her over outside the ring. Havok went for the stapler, but Yung bit her hand and took her down with a series of kicks and running knees.
Outside the ring, Yung rammed Havok to the ring post to get an opening. Yung set up a chair and used a drop toe hold to send Havok face-first into it. Yung did the Old School spot on the barricade, but Havok brought her down the hard way.
Back in the ring, Havok brought in a ladder that Yung dropkicked into her. Yung hit a draping Pedigree on Havok, only getting two out of it. Havok ran into a chair, but when Yung failed to schoolboy her, Yung took the stapler and used it between Havok’s legs. Yes, exactly.
This made Havok head to the floor, where Yung stapled her again on the breast. Yung followed with a running cannonball from the apron.
Back in the ring, Yung went for the Mandible Claw, but Havok came back with some kicks. Havok hit a Tombstone piledriver and pinned Yung for the win. This was an okay weapons match — nothing special aside from that staple that made me cringe.
After the match, Yung came back and locked in the Mandible Claw. Yung brought another chair into the ring and tossed it at Havok, sending her to the floor. They fought up the ramp and then traded forearms and started making their way to the back, brawling in the halls and stairways. Eventually, Havok tied a rope around Yung’s neck and straight up hung her from the stairs. I think the Undead Bride is deader now.
Next week, we’re getting the wedding of Cage and Santos.
We got footage from Santos’ bachelorette party. A lot of champagne, but no bubbly jokes. Taya made a toast to herself for being the longest reigning Knockouts Champion ever. Suddenly, cop stripper Joey Ryan entered. Between the banter of the attendees and Ryan, this was great.
On Cage’s party however, Cage was cheating — but on his diet, eating a ton of pastries. Swann and Dreamer left out of boredom and disappointment.
Barbwire Massacre III was the third installment of LAX’s farewell Flashback Moment of the Night.
We got another vignette for Johnny Swinger. He debuts next week.
We got a commercial for Ken Shamrock’s Valor Bare Knuckle event.
Santana and Swann started the match. They chained wrestled for a bit before going for a sequence of counters and reversals, ending with a stalemate.
Swann got driven to the corner the hard way — and the friendly play was over. Ortiz tagged in and hit a combo for a two count as they started working over Swann, but not long after, Ortiz started playing to the crowd enough to give Swann the time to recover and tag in Mack.
Mack came in strong and took down Ortiz, but thanks to the assistance of Santana, LAX regained control and managed to cut the ring in half on Mack. Santana and Ortiz traded quick tags, but Mack used his size to take out Santana with a superkick and get the blind tag to Swann and turn the match around.
Mack hit a big shoulder tackle on Ortiz, followed by the Samoan drop and moonsault for a two count.
Back from commercial, Mack was still in control of the match over Ortiz, working him with chops. Swann came in and traded strikes with Ortiz, who at the end managed to land a desperation clothesline for some space, but he failed to tag in Santana before Mack cut him off again.
Ortiz hit another desperation DDT on Mack. This time he got to tag in Santana, who came in with a huge kick on Mack. Swann tried to cut him off, but he took a double-team backbreaker by LAX, earning a two count. Santana went for a moonsault on Mack, but he got caught in mid-air, getting hit with a top rope neckbreaker by Swann.
All four men started trading moves in the middle of the ring until they were all down. Swann and LAX were up, with LAX hitting a powerbomb into Ortiz’s knees for a two count when Mack broke it up. LAX went for the Street Sweeper, but Swann broke out and hit a standing rana, setting up the Six Star Frog Splash by Mack for a two count.
The finishing sequence saw Santana make a stand against both Swann and Mack, but they ended up delivering tandem superkicks to both LAX members. Finally, a stunner, Phoenix Splash, and frog splash on Santana sealed the win for Swann & Mack. Great match.
After the match, the fans tossed money into the ring. The locker room emptied out to pay their respects to LAX and give them their goodbyes.
The episode closed with an update on Su Yung in the emergency room. She flatlined and the medics failed to bring her back, but then she came back to life, or undead life, whatever that means.
Final Thoughts —
Good and fun show for Impact. It felt like a big deal with the build to LAX’s farewell match, but it didn’t take away from the rest that was good inside the ring.
