During his match with Moxley, Hobbs charged at his opponent in the corner but missed and came up favoring his right knee. Our own Bryan Alvarez would later confirm the injury was legitimate and Fightful Select would report shortly after that Hobbs is expected to miss significant time.
On May 5, Hobbs posted the following message to X:
Not sure what to say. Injuries happen and we deal with them. We recalibrate, we rebuild, we reinvent. The real test is the comeback. I’ve been told I’ll come back like nothing ever happened.
So, why do I feel so angry right now? Why do I feel so disappointed? It’s because that’s all bullshit. Nobody comes back the same after any injury. The only choice is to come back better.
As I sit here on this Island of Darkness, I have thousands of questions running through my mind nonstop. The doctors tell me not to worry. Just HEAL and RECOVER. They have no idea that this is nothing compared to the hell I’ve been through. Just rest assured when I come back that I’m bringing Hell with me.
AEW could be without two of its stars for an extended period.
Powerhouse Hobbs appeared to be favoring his right knee during last week’s main event of AEW Dynamite when he challenged Jon Moxley for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. Our own Bryan Alvarez later confirmed Hobbs’ injury was legit.
Fightful Select is reporting that the injury is significant and Hobbs is not expected to return anytime soon. However, further details regarding the nature of the injury were not revealed.
Also according to Fightful, the early indications are that Julia Hart will require surgery, although the nature of her injury has not been revealed either. She hurt her shoulder in a match with Leyla Hirsch on the April 10 Rampage (aired April 12) but continued working after. It’s not clear if that is the injury she may need surgery for, however.
Hart wrestled a mixed tag match with Brody King against Nightingale and Adam Copeland on April 17 and then dropped the TBS title to Nightingale in a six-minute match at AEW Dynasty. She hasn’t been on AEW programming since the pay-per-view.
Jon Moxley makes his first defense of the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship on tonight’s AEW Dynamite.
Moxley defeated Tetsuya Naito to win the IWGP title at NJPW Windy City Riot earlier this month, and defends against Powerhouse Hobbs of the Don Callis Family on tonight’s episode.
New AEW Champion Swerve Strickland will take on ROH TV Champion Kyle Fletcher tonight in a World title eliminator match.
After defeating Julia Hart for the TBS Championship at Dynasty, Willow Nightingale will have a title celebration on tonight’s show. Willow will defend the TBS title against Mercedes Mone at Double or Nothing next month.
New FTW Champion Chris Jericho will speak on tonight’s episode.
Chuck Taylor will be forced to declare whether Orange Cassidy or Trent Beretta is his best friend on tonight’s show after Beretta’s recent turn against Cassidy.
Mina Shirakawa will also be in action on tonight’s show against Anna Jay.
AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Tony Schiavone & Taz as we go to footage from earlier in the day of The Young Bucks & Kazuchika Okada arriving to the arena when another car pulls up behind them and out steps Jack Perry. Security tries to escort Perry away when The Bucks say he’s with them.
Chuck Taylor Decides Who Is His Best Friend
Orange Cassidy’s music hits, he doesn’t initially come out, but instead thrown to the stage by Trent Beretta, who continues the beating into the ring. Beretta grabs the microphone and tells Chuck Taylor that it’s time and to get out to the ring. Chuck Taylor slowly walks to the ring from the stands, as Beretta apologizes for not doing this sooner to Cassidy, spending five years hugging a narcissistic prick. Beretta said Cassidy was supposed to be their mascot, yet they ended up being his lacky’s. Cassidy doesn’t care about Taylor, he’s not his friend, but Beretta is, he cares about Taylor. Beretta tells Taylor to give the people what they want and asks for a hug, but Taylor, who took a long time to contemplate, stopped and said he always knew Beretta was a piece of sh*t. Beretta bailed, as Taylor said the doctors won’t clear him for the ring, so he wants to fight in the parking lot. Taylor checked on Cassidy, while Beretta left through the crowd. The boyhood dream has come true for Chuck Taylor, he finally got to say sh*t on Dynamite.
-Jon Moxley is backstage and said tonight people shouldn’t underestimate his opponent tonight, Powerhouse Hobbs, who looks like a truck and hits like one too. Moxley knows what’s at stake tonight, all he needs to do is make one mistake and everything he has could come crashing down. Moxley knows the Don Callis Family put a hit on his friend and knows what it takes to get the job done. Tonight will suck, he’s going to take a beating, but this is the greatest sport in the world, tonight he’ll remind everyone exactly why, they’ll know from Jacksonville to Tokyo.
AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland (w/Prince Nana) defeated ROH TV Champion Kyle Fletcher (w/Don Callis) in a Title Eliminator
(The Swerve Era as AEW World Champion has officially begun, though I wish he would’ve had more of a dominant performance following a title win instead of a very back and forth battle. This does continue the run of great singles matches Fletcher has been having. The only bad thing is he’s lost all of them, as I’m not saying he should be beating Strickland, but give Fletcher a win here and there, not just on ROH, where he’s still the TV Champion.)
Prince Nana walked on stage and told everyone to give it up for the new AEW World Champion before dancing Strickland to the ring. Callis joined commentary, he calls Fletcher a puppy with big paws and said The Family is always looking to recruit. Both men traded ground work early, with neither able to gain the upper hand, which led to a stalemate. Strickland floated over a corner charge and caught Fletcher with a leaping thrust kick and follow up diving uppercut to the back. Fletcher answered by sending Strickland to the floor, but wasted time jaw jacking with Nana, allowing Strickland to hit a back drop and pump kick off the apron.
Strickland controlled the entire break and when things returned, Fletcher escaped the arm breaker and threw a series of strikes. Strickland tried to flip out, but ate a thrust kick and Michinoku Driver. We see backstage footage of The Elite & Jack Perry walking into Tony Khan’s office, as back to the ring, Fletcher tried a half and half on the apron, but Strickland countered into a neckbreaker. Strickland delivered a Swerve Stomp on the edge of the ring, but came up clutching his ankle. Back inside, Fletcher sank in an ankle lock, but Strickland got the ropes. Both men up, trading a series of counters, as Strickland connected on an up kick, rolling Flatliner and brainbuster for a near fall. Both men traded Tombstone attempts, with Fletcher connecting on a spinning Tombstone for two.
Callis screams Melbourne from commentary, as Fletcher went to grab something under the ring, but decided not to, instead going back to the ring. Callis said he was supposed to get a table, as Fletcher hit a leaping corner kick. Strickland fought out of the corner, trapped Fletcher in the ropes and nailed a Swerve Stomp, but Fletcher kicked out once more. Strickland hit a House Call flush and got the victory.
Excalibur tells us Kenny Omega will return next week when Dynamite is in Winnipeg.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with Thunder Rosa and said she’s not going to make excuses for losing at the Pay Per View, but lists the things that went wrong for her. Deonna Purrazzo storms in and they have a shoving match, with security separating them. I should point out, the audio levels have been very low tonight and makes it really difficult to hear backstage segments, even with the TV volume turned up. I assume it’s because this is outdoors at Daily’s Place.
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-A recap of the Bryan Danielson & Will Ospreay match is shown from Dynasty in one of the greatest matches of all time. You’ve heard this many times already I’m sure, but go out of your way to watch this match if for some reason you haven’t yet.
Mina Shirakawa (w/Mariah May) defeated Anna Jay
(A lot of this took place during break, but Shirakawa looked good in her AEW in ring debut. The bigger story here was the post-match, as Storm saved her biggest fan and also found out who is next in line for her Women’s title. Which, whenever that happens, should be a good one.)
Excalibur brought up the history that May & Shirakawa have dating back to their Stardom days as part of Club Venus and teaming as Rose Gold, Taz said they were awfully close as tag partners. Jay tried a quick start, but Shirakawa targeted the knees, avoided a Jay corner charge and popped her with a comeback kick. A tilt a whirl leg sweep connected before again going after the right leg. Jay quickly scurried to the ropes to break a Figure Four and raked the eyes while on the apron before hitting a neckbreaker through the ropes to control the action during commercial.
Back from break, both ladies are slugging it out before Shirakawa connected on a discus forearm. Jay avoided a corner charge, but Shirakawa was there with a diving knee drop to the chest. Jay battled back with the Dangerous Jay Kick and Gory Bomb, but Shirakawa kicked out. Shirakawa managed to hit a dragon screw and again with the Figure Four, but Jay once more got the ropes. Shirakawa fired off a missile dropkick and enzugiri, but Jay floated over the Glamour Driver into the Queenslayer. Jay was too distracted by May ringside, allowing Shirakawa to escape into the Glamour Connection pin attempt and got the flash pin.
Post match, May came in the ring with champagne to celebrate when Jay attacked from behind and applied the Queenslayer. Timeless Toni Storm ran to the ring, as Jay bailed with Storm clutching the fallen May. Serena Deeb then walks out to the stage, tosses aside Storm’s shoes and instead grabs the AEW Women’s Title. Deeb said the next time she touches the title; it will belong to her. So Deeb called her shot as the next challenger for Storm’s title.
The Willow Nightingale TBS Title Celebration
Fresh off their party at Chuck E Cheese, which Stokely Hathaway promised at Dynasty, Hathaway compared one of his best friends winning the TBS Title at Dynasty to Bill Withers song Lovely Day. Kris Statlander recited a poem about Nightingale, which Hathaway described as two packs of ass, as both of them introduce Nightingale to the ring. Caprice Coleman joined commentary to sing along Nightingale’s entrance.
Hathaway said he initially didn’t like Nightingale (she admitted the feeling was mutual) when they first met and compared her to a fungus, but ultimately said she grew on him and he’s proud of her. Nightingale talked about a few years ago she had her All Elite graphic on the big screen and tonight, it says Congrats Willow and she’s the face of TBS.
Mercedes Mone once again interrupts and steals Nightingale’s spotlight and walks to the ring. Mone told the fans to say hello to their CEO. Nightingale said this is about the fourth time she’s interrupted her and if she has something to say, say it. Mone said she just wants to congratulate her and in 32 days, you’re looking at the next TBS Champion. Mone brings up Nightingale possibly attacking her last week, Statlander said it couldn’t have been her and questions if Mone was even actually attacked. Hathaway said it obviously was Julia Hart. Nightingale asks if Mone believes she intentionally hurt her in their match last year and Statlander had to hold back Hathaway for saying obviously she does.
Mone said Nightingale doesn’t want the truth, she just wants to make herself feel better for what happened. Nightingale said she genuinely felt awful, looked at the title in her hotel room and questioned if she could actually beat Mone? She feels like there should be an asterisk next to that title win, but not next to her TBS Title win. Nightingale will show Mone why she’s the TBS Champion. Mone said enjoy it while she can, as she knows deep down, she can’t beat her. Statlander grabbed the arm of Mone, who turned back and slapped Nightingale, thinking it was her. Statlander held back Nightingale with Hathaway, as referee Bryce had to escort Mone out of the ring.
-Alex Marvez is outside of Tony Khan’s office and tries asking The Elite & Jack Perry if Perry is reinstated, but all of them brush him off, except Matthew Jackson, who said Tony Khan just agreed to meet Jack Perry in the ring, tonight. We saw footage of NJPW Battle in the Valley when Jack Perry ripped up his AEW contract.
Will Ospreay Won The Casino Gauntlet for the International Title shot at Double or Nothing
(I have zero clue why this match wasn’t announced prior to the show, as this had some pretty heavy hitters involved, you would think you’d want to promote this, especially being a newer concept match. We’re not even going to try to figure out what the intervals were for entrants in this, as it was all over the place. This was chaotic fun, as it was big move after big move in the finish, as the match is official for Double or Nothing, Will Ospreay challenges for his first singles title as a member of the AEW roster.)
Switchblade Jay White & Dante Martin began, as commentary said they don’t know how many competitors will be in this, it’s Sudden Death, as whoever gets a pinfall or submission at any point, wins the match. So they said if White or Martin get either right away, the match is over. Martin had a lightning quick start, showing off his speed with a dropkick, as White side stepped a dive, but Martin landed on his feet and hit a pump knee. Back inside, a Uranage launched Martin over the top to the outside, as Penta El Zero Miedo was the next to enter, with a cross body off the top as things went to commercial.
Kyle O’Reilly was next to enter after break, going right after everyone’s arms. O’Reilly tried an arm bar on Martin, but switched to a heel hook on White. Will Ospreay is the fifth entrant and immediately slugs it out with O’Reilly, as the crowd is going wild for Ospreay, who quickly hit Pip, Pip, Cheerio. Martin & Penta tried to double team Ospreay, who met them with a double handspring Pele Kick. White attempted to attack, but instead we got a face off, as a lot of history between he & Ospreay. White faked a handshake and instead traded chops with White, who wisely bailed, as Ospreay hit a Standing Spanish Fly on Martin for two. Lance Archer storms to the ring next and lays out everyone with big time shots, including chokeslamming Martin onto White. Penta was mowed down, as O’Reilly countered a choke slam into a guillotine, but he launched O’Reilly to the floor. Archer grabbed Ospreay and hit a Black Out over the top onto a pile of guys leading to another commercial break. This allowed Archer to set up tables ringside.
Komander was out next and did a top rope walk on Archer, who almost got a powerbomb off the apron, but turned it into a hurricanrana through the tables. Komander & Ospreay went a mile a minute back in the ring, as Ospreay hit a wall walk enzugiri, but Komander was right there with a Déjà Vu head scissors. White tried to pick up the pieces, but Ospreay flipped out of Blade Runner into a Liger Bomb for two. Ospreay signaled for Hidden Blade when Jay Lethal’s music hit and he got distracted. Lethal ran wild, dropping Penta with Lethal Injection, but White was there for a Sleeper Suplex. Everyone took turns hitting the ring with home run shots, as Ospreay & O’Reilly had a wild sequence of counters, as Ospreay avoided a Nigel Lariat into Hidden Blade. Ospreay was looking for Tiger Driver 91, when he stopped, as he promised not to use it after hurting Bryan Danielson at Dynasty. O’Reilly applied the cross-arm breaker, as Komander flew in with the rope walk Shooting Star, allowing Ospreay to fire a Hidden Blade to pin Komander. Tony Schiavone right before the finish mentioned 21 men could’ve been possible to enter this match.
Ospreay will challenge Roderick Strong for the International Title at Double or Nothing, as Strong made his way to the stage with all of The Undisputed Kingdom. Strong & Ospreay had a face off in the ring, as Strong held up his International Title.
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Chris Jericho walked to the ring with the FTW Title and is officially nicknamed The Learning Tree. Taz said HOOK is not cleared to travel due to the injuries he sustained at Dynasty, as Jericho gloats about winning the FTW Title. Jericho said the letters FTW now mean For The World, as it’s for all the fans, they won this together. Jericho is doing God’s work, the God of pro wrestling, Terry Funk, taking youngsters to the next level. Jericho gives it up to HOOK, who just need to get rid of the dead weight that surrounds him like Taz & Tony Schiavone. HOOK forced Jericho to hit him with a baseball bat, as he should’ve stayed down. Jericho talks about people entering the Jericho Vortex and coming out better on the other side.
Big Bill walks out from the back and has only one thing to say, he needs the guidance of The Learning Tree, the Socrates of Pro Wrestling, always willing to take a less established guy and bring him right up to the top with him. Jericho knows deep down that Bill is the very best fit for The Learning Tree. Jericho said he’s been a fan of Bill’s for years and reason why he’s in AEW, so he’ll keep an eye on him. Bill said for Jericho to watch him, as he leaves and Jericho waves to the fans, showing off a sticker with his name on it on the FTW Title.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with Will Ospreay, Kyle Fletcher & Don Callis, who called Ospreay the Golden Goose, but questioned why he didn’t use the Tiger Driver on Kyle O’Reilly? Ospreay said he’s hurt people with it and doesn’t need to do it any longer. Callis doesn’t like the sound of that, as he cuts off Fletcher from trying to interject, saying he has no room to talk after losing tonight. Callis said Roderick Strong has had neck issues in the past and wants there to be more when Ospreay wins the International Title. Callis leaves to go manage Powerhouse Hobbs, as Fletcher is left looking at Ospreay, dejected.
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Jon Moxley defeated Powerhouse Hobbs (w/Don Callis) to retain the IWGP World Title
Callis joins commentary again, which bums everyone out, as Moxley tried an early choke, but Hobbs used his power to avoid that. Moxley floated over a fall away slam, hit a German suplex, but Hobbs no sold and launched Moxley with a Taz-plex to the outside. Hobbs tried to attack on the floor, but Moxley sent him over the barricade with a big boot. They brawl in the fans, as Excalibur reminds us it’s a 20 count due to being for the IWGP Title, as both beat the count at 18. With no heads up, the show just cuts to picture in picture, where Hobbs controlled the action the entire time, with World’s Strongest Slams on the edge of the ring.
Back from break, Moxley tried mounting a comeback with a Cutter, but was Pounced in mid air. Hobbs missed a corner charge and landed on the floor, as Moxley met him with a Tope, as Hobbs was grabbing his right knee. Commentary asks if Callis wanted to check on Hobbs, but Callis said there are doctors for that. Back inside, Hobbs couldn’t put weight on the leg, as Moxley dished out corner punches in bunches before a Paradigm Shift hit for two. Moxley slapped on the Rear Naked Choke and Hobbs slowly faded, giving Moxley the victory. Doctors immediately jumped in to check on Hobbs, as he legit hurt his leg it seems. Callis said injuries happen, but he’s more concerned about the loss. Moxley looked in the camera and told Ren Narita he’s a dead man before we see Konosuke Takeshita staring Moxley down at the stage, motioning for the IWGP Title.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with Katsuyori Shibata, who held his phone up and challenged Chris Jericho to a FTW Title match under FTW Rules in Winnipeg and he’ll chop down The Learning Tree. Shibata tells Paquette the rhinestones on her top make a heart, that’s fun, Paquette agreed.
Tony Khan In Ring Meeting with Jack Perry
Tony Schiavone introduced Perry to the ring with no music of video. Cry Me A River chants rang out through Daily’s Place and Perry smirked. Perry said he’s had some of the best nights in his life in Jacksonville, but tonight, he has business to handle, face to face with Tony Khan. “He’s Our Scapegoat” chants are heard, as Khan makes his way to the ring. Perry said it’s been a long road, as almost 5 years ago it was the first Double or Nothing and AEW has since changed the world. Perry said it’s no secret he & Khan haven’t always seen eye to eye, but promises the only thing he’s ever wanted was what’s best for AEW. Perry asks Khan to shake his hand an reinstate him, so they can change the world together. Khan smiled and shook Perry’s hand before hugging him, as Perry smirked at the camera. Perry raised Khan’s hand before punching him in the stomach with the microphones.
The Elite run to the ring and told Perry this wasn’t what was supposed to happen. The Bucks go to help up Khan, but the fans know what’s coming, as Okada steps between them. Okada signals up, as Matthew picks up Khan and Nicholas leaps off the top for a Tony Khan Driver, as Perry drags the body of Khan in front of their feet. Perry goes to the corner and flips off the crowd, as Matthew thanks the crowd for coming out, as referees and doctors check on Khan. The Bucks, Okada & Perry leave together and all raise their hands at the top of the stage, saying it’s time to Change the World. After The Elite bailed, wrestlers and even Shad Khan came out from the back to check on Tony to end the show. This was a major angle to end Dynamite.
AEW Collision & Rampage 4/27/24
· Bullet Club Gold defend the Trios Titles against Top Flight & Action Andretti
· Timeless Toni Storm vs. Anna Jay
· Thunder Rosa vs. Deonna Purrazzo
· Trent Beretta vs. Chuck Taylor in a Parking Lot Fight
AEW Dynamite 5/1/24
· We Learn Who Will Challenge Swerve Strickland at Double or Nothing
· Kenny Omega Returns
· Chris Jericho vs. Katsuyori Shibata for the FTW Title
New IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Jon Moxley will wrestle his first AEW match since Revolution on next week’s Dynamite.
AEW announced during this week’s show that Moxley will go one-on-one with Powerhouse Hobbs on the Wednesday, April 24 Dynamite.
Moxley called out Hobbs in a promo that opened Wednesday’s episode, and the two were involved in a brawl following a Will Ospreay vs. Claudio Castagnoli match later in the show with Moxley & Castagnoli representing the Blackpool Combat Club, and Hobbs, Kyle Fletcher, Konosuke Takeshita, and Ospreay on the side of the Don Callis Family.
Moxley defeated Tetsuya Naito to win the IWGP World Heavyweight title in the main event of last Friday’s NJPW Windy City Riot show in Chicago. His first title defense is set for NJPW Wrestling Dontaku on May 4 against Ren Narita.
Although he has been active in NJPW and CMLL over the last month, Moxley’s match on Dynamite next week will be his first AEW bout since the Revolution pay-per-view on March 3.
Moxley vs. Hobbs is the only contest announced to this point for next week’s Dynamite, which will also feature the fallout from Sunday’s Dynasty pay-per-view.
With Bryan stranded somewhere in the California skies, it’s Vinny and Craig reviewing gobs and gobs of AEW television.
First it’s Rampage from Friday night, with Orange Cassidy vs. Alex Reynolds and the next chapter in the Best Friends divorce. Then it’s Collision from Saturday, with Kyle Fletcher & Powerhouse Hobbs facing Bryan Danielson & Claudio Castagnoli with major ramifications for the Dynasty PPV main event.
Finally we close with Battle of the Belt (singular) where the only official title match sees Athena defend the ROH women’s title against Red Velvet. That’s a lot of TV to cover, so there’s no time to waste—start listening right away!
A Battle of Wills takes place on this week’s AEW Dynamite.
Literally.
Will Ospreay vs. Will “Powerhouse” Hobbs is the headline bout on tonight’s Dynamite. Both are aligned with The Don Callis Family, although Ospreay has been positioned as more of a lone wolf since officially joining the AEW roster full-time. Callis will be on commentary for the match.
AEW World Champion Samoa Joe & his next challenger Swerve Strickland will have a contract signing tonight for their Dynasty title bout set for April 21.
The AEW Tag Team title tournament will continue with a semifinals match between The Young Bucks (Matthew & Nicholas Jackson) and Best Friends (Orange Cassidy & Trent Beretta) on tonight’s show. The winners will earn a spot in the tournament finals set for Dynasty where new Tag Team Champions will be crowned.
Jay White will go one-on-one with Billy Gunn as the feud between The Bang Bang Gang and The Acclaimed continues.
The top two contenders in the women’s division will square off with a shot at Toni Storm’s Women’s World title hanging in the balance, as Thunder Rosa takes on Mariah May.
Chris Jericho will also call out Hook on tonight’s episode.
AEW Dynamite comes on the air with the TNT Champion Adam Copeland making his way to the ring, as Excalibur welcomes us alongside Tony Schiavone & Taz.
Copeland gets a loud ovation from the crowd as he has issues with the microphone and said he’s not out here as the TNT Champion for a Cope Open, but instead wants to talk to the crowd as Adam. It’s a great time to be a fan of pro wrestling right now. Copeland talked about growing up watching WWF, NWA, Stampede and others because he loves it all. This was torn away from him nine years ago, so when it came back to him, he realized that AEW is where he needs to end his career. Copeland looked at the roster, a murderer’s row of talent, which he’d put up against anybody. In AEW, Copeland could face Will Ospreay, Kenny Omega, Hangman, Claudio, Swerve, Joe, Moxley, Darby, FTR, The Young Bucks, The House of Black, all of which are first time ever matches, which happens in AEW.
Copeland said he’s having a blast in AEW and isn’t knocking anywhere else, but this is the most fun he’s ever had in his career. Copeland celebrates AEW and the men who started it, The Bucks, Kenny, Cody and Tony Khan, all who should be celebrated because we love wrestling. AEW has pushed the industry into a better place and given more people to do this for a living, which should be celebrated. AEW makes pro wrestling better, fun and it’s where the best wrestle.
Copeland apologized for getting fired up, but now AEW is walking into the future, there’s a reason Okada, Mone & Ospreay came here. Copeland introduces someone who will lead AEW going forward and introduces Will Ospreay to the crowd. Ospreay comes out and shakes Copeland’s hand before the opening contest. This was a home run opening promo from Copeland.
Will Ospreay defeated Powerhouse Hobbs
(Great clash of styles here, as Hobbs showed off some great power moves , but no way was Ospreay, who was put over huge by Adam Copelan pre-match, was losing this one. There are no more Don Callis Family members left for Ospreay to defeat, so I wonder just how long he’ll remain in the Family, doesn’t feel like very long.)
Don Callis joined commentary as Hobbs pounced Ospreay right at the bell and landed a series of corner strikes. Hobbs tried a pop-up strike, but Ospreay hit a dropkick in mid-air. Ospreay realized it was foolish to try a striking battle, so used his speed to send Hobbs to the floor and follow with a slingshot forearm. Callis applauds his Don Callis Family member, who drove Hobbs into the steps. Hobbs blocked a whip, as Ospreay cleared the barricade, only to be caught by Hobbs with a vertical suplex onto the steps. A World’s Most Dangerous Slam repeatedly onto the apron led to Hobbs hitting a fall away slam over the commentary table, which took things to commercial.
When things returned, Ospreay fought back with a handspring wheel kick followed up by Pip, Pip, Cheerio for a near fall. Ospreay tried to fire off chops, which had no effect, so a slap to the face followed and Ospreay knew he messed up. Hobbs grabbed Ospreay by the throat and delivered an overhead throw. Hobbs blocked a Tornado DDT, but Ospreay managed to hit a Stundog Millionaire. Hobbs soon countered with a wild lariat to the back and powerslam for two. Hobbs went up top, but missed a Frog Splash, as after a failed first attempt, Ospreay hit an Oscutter flush for two of his own. Ospreay wanted Hidden Blade, but Hobbs countered into a Worlds Most Dangerous Slam, which Ospreay countered into a cradle for two. Ospreay charged, but was turned inside out into the double down.
Hobbs hit a twisting Avalanche Powerslam out of the corner, but Ospreay kicked out at two. Hobbs lowered the straps, wanted a spinebuster, but Ospreay spiked him with a DDT, followed by the Leap of Faith and Hidden Blade for the victory. Post match, Callis tried to check on both his clients, but Hobbs was furious. Callis whispered something to Hobbs to calm him down, as Ospreay left on his own and Callis with Hobbs. Before Ospreay could celebrate too much, the music for Bryan Danielson hit and walks past Ospreay, applauding, before his match next.
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Bryan Danielson defeated Lance Archer
(Similar to the opening contest, Danielson had to fight off the size and power disadvantage, chopping Archer down to size with chops and kicks after Archer controlled a majority of this match. Archer put up one hell of a fight here, as this was one of his best singles matches in AEW in my opinion.)
We’re told this is the first ever singles match between these two, as Archer steamrolls Danielson at the bell. Archer delivered chops and clubbing blows before a hard buckle led to a throwing suplex. Archer hit a series of corner splashes until the third missed and Danielson zoned in on the leg with some dragon screws. Danielson kept going for the leg with kicks and corner dropkick, so Archer just swatted him to the floor. Danielson used his speed to try a dive, but was caught in mid-air and chokeslammed on the apron. Archer grabbed a ring attendant and bodyslammed him onto Danielson, taking things to picture in picture.
It was all Archer during break, as Danielson finally started to fight back with chops and leg kicks once again. Danielson flipped out of the corner, tried a running charge, but Archer ran through him with a cross body. Archer tried his rope walk, but Danielson pulled the leg out, crotching Archer in the process. Danielson fired up with corner dropkicks, before the third was countered into a bearhug, which Danielson himself countered into a LeBell Lock. Archer used his size to get a foot on the rope, roll to the floor, as Danielson met him with a charging knee off the apron. Back inside, Danielson connected on his dropkick off the top, as Yes Kicks followed, but Archer blocked the head kick into a choke slam for two.
Danielson fought off Black Out using anvil elbows in the corner, but Archer hit the step-up knee. Black Out attempt countered into a rear naked choke, only this time, Archer shrugged Danielson off, who got to his feet and hit one Busaiku Knee. Archer blocked the other, so Danielson hit a series of head kicks and a home run Busaiku Knee for the win.
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Renee Paquette welcomed Lionheart Chris Jericho to the stage, as it should be noted Jericho walked out of the usual heel side of the ramp. Paquette asks Jericho about his offer to be a mentor to HOOK last week and Jericho said HOOK referred to something last week that’s been sticking with him, so he called out HOOK, who came out. Jericho said HOOK said he knows who Jericho is last week and Jericho realizes it’s like the song says, everyone I’ve ever loved, I’ve pushed them all away. Jericho said he’s not asking HOOK to trust him, but to believe in him as much as he believes in HOOK. The crowd is booing Jericho, as HOOK said he believes in Jericho so much that he got them a match on Collision, as he’ll be keeping an eye on him. Jericho said he’s learning already and the two fist bump. HOOK just left, so did Paquette and that was it.
-Shane Taylor & Lee Moriarty are backstage and they are going to be the ones to knock out The Ocho and HOOK. On Collision, they get their asses beat courtesy of Shane Taylor Promotions.
Billy Gunn defeated Switchblade Jay White via disqualification
(I thought this match was pretty ridiculous if I’m being honest. Not only did they tease a countout early on, which led to crowd brawling, Gunn took 95% of a match that went through commercial, only to lead to a DQ finish. Add to that, you showed The Acclaimed laid out and they just ran out like nothing had happened post-match. I can’t wait for all parties to be done with this feud and just move on.)
Gunn attacked White on stage during his entrance and repeatedly sent White crashing into the barricade. The match officially begins in the ring, as Gunn no sells a White chop and sticks him with a right hand, as The Acclaimed are showing approval backstage, while The Gunns look annoyed watching as well. I found it funny how Gunn broke the count, only to then brawl into the crowd with White and referee Aubrey just followed them. Gunn stayed in control outside for what felt like at least 5 minutes, with White getting in the ring for a split second, only to be clotheslined back to the floor, which sent things to commercial. During break, Gunn tried slamming White into a chair set up next to the steps, but Aubrey wouldn’t allow it, placing the chair under the ring. Which begs the question, why wouldn’t Gunn just slam White into the steel steps?
Back from break, White finally side stepped a corner splash and got his first offense of the match off, dropkicking out the leg. White wanted a Fame Asser, but ran into a tilt a whirl slam. White rolled to the floor and we saw The Acclaimed laid out backstage on the big screen. White posted Gunn, tried a Blade Runner back inside, but Gunn countered into the One and Only for the double down. Gunn hit two Fame Assers, signaled for a third, but went for a chair. Austin & Colten Gunn hit the ring and pleaded with their father to not do it, as Gunn tossed aside Austin and White hit a low blow for the DQ. White grabbed the chair and was about to go for a chair shot when The Acclaimed ran down from the back to clean house. They brawled with The Gunns before Daddy Ass decked White. The Acclaimed cleaned off the commentary table and wanted to suplex White through it, but The Gunns made the save and bailed through the crowd.
-We see footage of The Young Bucks arriving earlier today and also Best Friends as well, with Chuck Taylor & Sue in tow to hopefully see her son Trent & Orange Cassidy victorious.
-Renee Paquette introduces Willow Nightingale to the stage to a big ovation. Kris Statlander & Stokely Hathaway are by her side, as Nightingale said she feels mother fluffin great after her win last week. Nightingale she’s busted her butt around this town and wrestle in the White Eagle, which got a massive pop from the crowd. Nightingale called this a home away from home and learned who Willow Nightingale is. Every time she questions if she belongs in wrestling, the crowds cheers reassured her and helped her blossom into who she is today. She said she’s going to be smiling face of TBS. Hathaway said Nightingale had last week what the kids call, a banger. Week after week, she impresses not only Hathaway, but the entire world.
Just then, Mercedes Mone’s music hits and out walks to a loud reaction, telling the crowd to say hello to their CEO. Mone said she whoever is the TBS Champion after Dynasty, she gets next, because in Vegas, Mone changes everything. So Mone will be getting the TBS Title shot at Double or Nothing. I know Mone is a mega star, but with Rankings being a thing again in AEW, how does she just get a title shot? Unless it was written in her contract, which should’ve been mentioned.
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The Young Bucks (Matthew & Nicholas Jackson) defeated Orange Cassidy & Trent Beretta (w/Chuck Taylor & Sue) to advance in the AEW Tag Team Title Tournament
(This match picked up into a crazy pace right at the end, as it was big move after big move until The Bucks stole it. While The Bucks advance to the Finals, the post match is the bigger story here, as Beretta, having failed to win the big one with Cassidy, turned on his Best Friends buddy and seemingly turned heel. As much as I love this group, this felt like a long time coming and I’m genuinely anxious to see what they do with everyone in this faction going forward. Hopefully big things are in store, as it seems like Chuck Taylor is left to decide who he wants to side with.)
During The Bucks entrance, Matthew winked at the camera and said “Hey Scapegoat, I love your work.” I liked how Excalibur mentioned how if this match goes the 20-minute time limit, then FTR vs. Top Flight on Collision would be for the vacant AEW Tag Team Titles. Beretta & Cassidy with fast tags early against Matthew, but Nicholas tripped up Beretta in the ropes and Matthew mockingly checked on him until rolling Northern Lights connected. Beretta fought back and countered one into a Tornado DDT, as a leaping double stomp on Nichoals sent The Bucks to the floor, where they swept the leg of Beretta on the edge of the apron. This was followed by powerbombs on both Cassidy & Beretta on the apron as well. Matthew then put on a headset and threw things to picture in picture, scolding Excalibur for doing his line.
A double down brought us back from break, as Matthew pulled off the turnbuckle pad unbeknownst to referee Rick Knox. Beretta made the hot tag to Cassidy, who ran wild with a top rope cross body and clothesline before being ultimately planted with a DDT by Matthew. A lariat turned Cassidy inside out, as The Bucks mocked the little kicks before signaling for a EVP Trigger, but Cassidy ducked and The Bucks smacked their knees together. Cassidy hit multiple spinning DDTs before a top rope DDT spiked Nicholas for two. Beretta made the tag and put Matthew into a Tombstone position, as Cassidy hit a spike off the top for almost a TK Driver variation. Beretta pulled a page out of Taylor’s playbook with Sole Food, but Matthew responded with a superkick into a Code Blue. Matthew went to the floor and took out Taylor with a superkick, but pulled back when it came to Sue. Matthew said he wasn’t going to do it, as Sue slapped Matthew, who was taken out by Cassidy.
Back inside, Beretta hit his running knee, as a top rope double stomp Strong Zero connected, but Nicholas broke the count, only to be wiped out by a Cassidy dive. Sue cheered on her son to fight back, as Beretta charged at Matthew, who hit a sling shot on Beretta into the exposed buckle and got a school boy for the win.
Post match, a visibly upset Beretta slowly got to his feet, as Sue cheered on a group hug. Beretta, Taylor & Cassidy were about to give the people what they wanted, when Beretta charged and hit Cassidy with a knee. Taylor looked stunned, as Beretta stormed out of the ring and passed his mother up the ramp.
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Thunder Rosa defeated Mariah May
(While a lot of this took place during commercial, this was super hard hitting for what we saw. I’ve really enjoyed May in the ring since her debut and while there was no way she was winning this, I thought she put up a good fight. Rosa did something no other challenger has done, stun Timeless Toni Storm into silence, as post-match, Storm just sat there, realizing who her next opponent is for her Women’s Title.)
Timeless Toni Storm joined commentary for this one, as Rosa wasted no time attacking at the bell. Storm tells Schiavone she’s sorry he lost his dog, but thankfully, they get to watch Thunder Rosa. May came back with strikes, followed with Sweet Cheek Music and shotgun dropkick for two. Rosa countered a side slam into a head scissors before sending May to the apron with a charging dropkick. Rosa wanted a Death Valley Driver on the apron, but May slid out, tried a sunset flip bomb, only for Rosa to counter into a hurricanrana. Rosa hit a diving cross body against the barricade, as things went to commercial, where May took control.
The crowd was very quiet when things returned, but picked up when both ladies started throwing forearms and chops. Storm said May reminded her of a young Toni Storm, while Rosa reminds her of an older Thunder Rosa. May connected on a Backdrop Driver, but Rosa avoided a corner charge. May tried a head scissors, but Rosa again fought off, only to roll through a top rope double stomp attempt. May was there for a charging knee, wanted a follow up May Day, but Rosa reversed into roll up for two. May fired off a wild head butt, wanted May Day again, this time, Rosa hitting a back stabber and Tijuana Bomb for the win. Storm looked stunned on commentary, as Rosa said she wants her match right now, but it’ll be happening at Dynasty.
-Penta el Zero Miedo is backstage with Alex Abrahantes, who said Penta is for the people and they’ve been asking for Penta to carry gold. Penta challenged Adam Copeland for the TNT Title next week on Dynamite, as what the people want is a champion with Zero Miedo.
AEW World Title Contract Signing for Dynasty
Tony Schiavone welcomed Swerve Strickland and Prince Nana to the ring, followed by AEW Champion Samoa Joe, as a table is set up in the ring. Schiavone thanks them for coming, as Joe signed the contract first, but told Schiavone to shut up when trying to give Strickland the contract. Joe said he wants to give Strickland advice before signing, as he understands where Strickland is coming from. Joe talks about the blood feud with Hangman Page and multiple championship opportunities, as everyone is ready for a new champion to be crowned. Joe said that’s the bad information Strickland has been given, as signing this contract is a career defining mistake, so puts it in terms a rapper would understand, he’s going to beat Strickland so bad, it’ll leave him scarred like he left Diddy’s party too late. That got a huge reaction from the crowd, as Joe told Strickland to do the right thing.
Strickland said before he signs this contract, Joe should know he’s wanted this moment his whole life. It’s been filled with many roadblocks, but it’s taken to AEW Dynasty. It’s exactly what’s being built, a Dynasty, with signings like Okada, Mone & Ospreay. This actually led to MJF chants from the crowd, as Strickland waited for them to calm down and said Joe is the definition of a killer, but so is he. At Dynasty, Strickland shows Joe’s he’s every bit of that man and he grabs the keys to the Dynasty to show whose house.
Strickland slugs Joe and wraps the chain around Joe’s throat, but Joe didn’t phase and popped Strickland. Joe wrapped the chain around his fist and relentlessly beat down Strickland, who is bleeding badly. Joe was going to walk to the back as referees hit the ring, as Strickland took the microphone, laughing. Strickland said he loves this sh*t and if that’s all Joe’s got, he’s taking his championship from him. Strickland wiped the pen in his blood and signed the contract as Joe hit the ring and Strickland welcomed the punishment, as Joe slammed Strickland through the table with a Uranage. Joe held up the AEW Title with his boot on Strickland to end the show.
AEW Rampage 4/5/24
· Malakai Black vs. Christopher Daniels
· Roderick Strong vs. London Lightning
· Serena Deeb vs. Trish Adora
· Daniel Garcia vs. Komander vs. Bryan Keith vs. Action Andretti
AEW Collision 4/6/24
· FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) vs. Top Flight (Dante & Darius Martin) in the Semifinals of the AEW Tag Team Title Tournament
· Penta el Zero Miedo vs. Komander
AEW Dynamite 4/10/24
· Adam Copeland defends the TNT Title against Penta El Zero Miedo
Tony Khan is billing Ospreay vs. Hobbs as “A Battle of Wills.”
This will be the third time that Ospreay has wrestled one of his Don Callis Family stablemates in AEW. He’s already defeated Konosuke Takeshita and Kyle Fletcher over the last few weeks.
With victories over Takeshita, Fletcher, and Katsuyori Shibata, Ospreay has a 3-0 record since starting full-time with AEW.
AEW is building toward a dream match between Ospreay and Bryan Danielson. It will take place at AEW’s Dynasty pay-per-view in St. Louis on Sunday, April 21.
Hobbs & Fletcher lost to Best Friends (Trent Beretta & Orange Cassidy) in an AEW Tag Team title tournament wildcard round match on Rampage last Friday.
Next Wednesday’s Dynamite is being held at the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts. Here’s what’s been announced for the episode so far:
Contract signing for Samoa Joe and Swerve Strickland’s AEW World Championship match at Dynasty
AEW Tag Team title tournament semifinal match: The Young Bucks (Matthew & Nicholas Jackson) vs. Best Friends (Orange Cassidy & Trent Beretta)
A no DQ match has been added to Saturday’s AEW Collision card.
Following an angle on Friday’s Rampage where Powerhouse Hobbs laid out Sammy Guevara, AEW’s Tony Khan announced in a social media post that Hobbs vs. Guevara in a no DQ match with The Don Callis Family & Chris Jericho banned from the building is set for the Saturday, February 24 Rampage.
@GSBArena Springfield, MO Saturday Night #AEWCollision TNT, 8pm ET/7pm CT
No DQ @TrueWillieHobbs vs @sammyguevara
@TheDonCallis Family + @IAmJericho will be banned from the building + there must be a winner when Hobbs collides vs Sammy on TNT in a No DQ Match TOMORROW
Collision is in Springfield, Missouri at Great Southern Bank Arena this Saturday. The updated card for the show:
AEW Collision (Saturday, February 24) —
Bryan Danielson vs. Jun Akiyama
No DQ: Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Sammy Guevara (Don Callis Family & Chris Jericho banned from the building)
FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) vs. Shane Taylor & Lee Moriarty
Malakai Black vs. Bryan Keith
Serena Deeb in action
Thunder Rosa in action
The Bang Bang Scissor Gang’s Jay White, Billy Gunn & Austin Gunn in trios action
Powerhouse Hobbs is the newest member of The Don Callis Family.
Hobbs was introduced as the most recent addition to the Callis stable at Wednesday’s Dynamite Anniversary show as he decimated Kenny Omega and Chris Jericho in a post-match attack.
After Omega and Jericho defeated Kyle Fletcher (subbing for Sammy Guevara) and Konosuke Takeshita in tag team action on Dynamite, Hobbs hit the ring and attacked Omega and Jericho at the direction of Callis.
Hobbs sent Omega over the ringside barricade and into the crowd, then continued his attack on Omega in the ring as Callis and Takeshita used duct tape to restrain Omega. Hobbs used a chair to attack Jericho, then allowed Callis to hit Omega with an unprotected chair shot to the head as the angle culminated.
Following the angle, Jericho vs. Hobbs was one of four new matches announced for next week’s AEW Dynamite Title Tuesday.
Hobbs had been a featured player on Collision since that show’s debut in June, feuding with Miro. Their issue came to a close at All Out last month where Miro came away with a victory and branched off into an angle with his wife CJ Perry. Since losing at the pay-per-view, Hobbs has wrestled twice in dark matches at Collision tapings.
It was confirmed on Saturday’s Rampage that Miro and Hobbs will meet at All Out on September 3 at the United Center in Chicago. After Hobbs defeated Kevin Ku on Saturday, Miro addressed Hobbs. He told Hobbs that they have more in common than just their muscles, for example, he believed in a book too once. He said that now he walks alone, and would get redemption at All Out.
The two started their feud after Hobbs issued the challenge on last week’s Collision. Miro came out, but was then jumped by members of QTV, who distracted Miro long enough for Hobbs to lay him out with a spinebuster.
This is the second match announced for All Out, which takes place just one week after AEW All In in Wembley Stadium. Darby Allin will face Luchasaurus after winning the Royal Rampage match last month. Allin defeated Christian Cage on Saturday’s Rampage, but was laid out after by Luchasaurus.
Here is the updated lineup for All Out:
TNT Championship: Luchasaurus defends against Darby Allin
While the focus of AEW has been on this month’s All In at London’s Wembley Stadium, there are some new developments for the following Sunday’s All Out in Chicago, Illinois.
On Saturday’s AEW Collision, Powerhouse Hobbs had an in-ring promo where he called out Miro for a match at the Sunday, September 3rd pay-per-view.
Hobbs said he had been distracted lately and went home to read from the Book of Hobbs with the next chapter being called Redemption. He said after losing the TNT title and losing in the Owen Hart Foundation tournament, he had to call out “The Redeemer” for a fight.
As Miro came out to the ring to answer, Hobbs’ old QTV friends Aaron Solo & Nick Comoroto attacked Miro. After Miro fought them off, Hobbs connected on a spinebuster and then laid his Book of Hobbs on Miro before leaving.
This would be the first ever meeting between them.
As of now, only one match is official for All Out as Darby Allin will get a shot at the TNT title which is current held by Luchasaurus.
A pair of promo segments have been added to the lineup for the Saturday, August 12 AEW Collision episode.
Coming off his attack on Ricky Steamboat after losing in a match to CM Punk on last week’s show, Ricky Starks will speak on this week’s Collision.
After losing a “Real World’s Championship” match to Punk, Starks attacked special outside referee Steamboat, whipping the legend with his own belt. Starks will follow up on that with a promo this week.
Also added to Collision, Powerhouse Hobbs will speak on the show.
Hobbs is involved in a storyline with QTV’s QT Marshall, where Marshall cost Hobbs a match in the Owen Hart Foundation Men’s Tournament, and has since been attempting to make it up to Hobbs as Hobbs teases dissension within the QTV group.
The updated lineup for the August 12 Collision in Greensboro, North Carolina:
AEW Trios Champions House of Black (Malakai Black, Brody King & Buddy Matthews) defend against CMFTR (CM Punk, Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler)
The quarterfinal round of the men’s Owen Hart Foundation tournament will conclude on tonight’s AEW Rampage from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
In the main event, Samoa Joe will resume his Ring of Honor rivalry with Roderick Strong for the opportunity to move on and face CM Punk in the semifinals. Punk will be on commentary for the match.
On the other side of the bracket, Ricky Starks will take on Juice Robinson and Dustin Rhodes will face Powerhouse Hobbs with the winners clashing in the semifinals.
For the first time, AEW World Champion MJF will make his Collision in-ring debut against an opponent to be named.
After returning on the debut episode of Collision, Miro will be in action once again against an opponent to be named.
TBS Champion Kris Statlander will look to continue her early run as titleholder as she defends against Lady Frost.
Our live coverage begins at 8 PM Eastern.
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Taped in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
I hear Saturday nights are alright for fighting.
Backstage promos from Powerhouse Hobbs, Roderick Strong, and Samoa Joe were the cold open for the show.
Kevin Kelly and Nigel McGuinness were ringside for commentary.
AEW World Champion MJF defeated Kip Morris in a non-title match (0:28)
MJF jumped Ontario native Kip Morris before the bell, hit the Heat Seeker, and then tapped him out with a crossface. MJF was dressed in red, white, and blue to agitate the Canadian crowd.
After the match, MJF got the mic and started running down everyone from Canada, and offered to defend the title against anyone from Hamilton. A rather large journeyman performer slowly made his way to the ring, but was outpaced by Hamilton native Ethan Page. Page slapped the mic out of MJF’s hand and ran down his family’s history in Hamilton. Page cut a great babyface promo and accepted the challenge from Friedman, a “bare minimum b*tch.”
MJF defeated Ethan Page to retain the AEW World Championship (10:58)
Page went for the crucifix powerbomb early, but MJF escaped and clipped Page’s knee. Friedman worked over Page’s knee and ankle. Page fought his way out of a leg lace and shocked Page with a jawbreaker. MJF caught Page coming out of the corner with an Alabama Slam, then slapped on a half-crab to continue to work over Page’s bad wheel. Page tried several different means of escape, but MJF was able to counter them and keep the hold on until Page finally made the bottom rope. On breaking the hold, MJF sold his own exhaustion for the effort it took to keep Page in the hold which was a great little touch.
Back from a split screen break, Page caught MJF with a cutter. MJF tried to kick Page’s knee to cut off his comeback, but Page fought through the pain and hit a series of clotheslines and a rana to maintain control. Page hit an Iconoclasm into a vertical powerslam to get a near fall. Page went for the Ego’s Edge, but MJF escaped and walked right into a Twist of Fate.
Page went to the top, but Page was unsteady, and MJF crotched him. MJF set up a superplex, but Page fought out and powerslammed MJF from the middle rope for another near fall. Page went for the Ego’s Edge a third time, but Page’s legs gave out under the weight of MJF. MJF caught Page with a dragon screw leg whip in the ropes, then dropped Page with the Heat Seeker to get the pinfall. Tremendous psychology throughout this one, and I hope this was a permanent face-turn for Ethan Page.
Powerhouse Hobbs (w/ QT Marshall and Harley Cameron) defeated Dustin Rhodes in a Quarter Final match to advance in the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament (10:06 aired)
Sadly, Marshall and Cameron were still hanging around with Hobbs for this match.
Rhodes escaped a press-slam attempt from Hobbs, but Marshall tripped up Rhodes. This distraction allowed Hobbs to send Rhodes to the floor with a body block. On the floor, Marshall ran Rhodes headfirst into the ringpost while Hobbs distracted referee Aubrey Edwards. As a result, Rhodes was busted open, and Hobbs worked on the cut into a split-screen break.
Back from the break, Hobbs got a near fall. Rhodes started to fight back with right hands and a pair of lariats. Hobbs blocked a spinning powerslam from Rhodes, but Rhodes blocked whatever Hobbs was going for and turned it into a Cross Rhodes! Rhodes followed up with a piledriver for a near fall.
Rhodes hit a sloppy Code Red for another near fall (he couldn’t get his legs under Hobbs shoulders). Marshall tried to interfere and got waylaid with an uppercut, but it was still enough of a distraction for Hobbs to hit an avalanche and a spinebuster… for a one count. Rhodes hit the spinning powerslam for a near fall. Rhodes went for a figure-four, but Hobbs kicked out of it and sent Rhodes into a right hand from Marshall. Hobbs then hit the spinebuster and got the pinfall to advance to the semi-final. His opponent for the next round will be determined later in the show. This was a very good match.
Miro defeated Anthony Henry (3:09)
Miro has taken another step up the jobber ladder with the Workhorsmen’s Anthony Henry, who isn’t quite a no-name, although he’s more of a tag team competitor with JD Drake.
Henry actually caught Miro charging with a boot and came off the top with a stomp. Henry hit an enziguri and a series of forearms. Miro body blocked Henry against the ropes, then slammed him to the mat with an enziguri. A big machka kick and the Game Over got the submission victory for Miro.
– Tony Schiavone interviewed The Bullet Club Gold members, which now include the Gunn Club. For a crowd that didn’t seem to react to much on Wednesday, Jay White and the Bullet Club got a good amount of heat. The Gunns joined up with the Bullet Club because White and Robinson have experience all over the world. The Gunns started running down all the people they’ve beaten recently, including CM Punk, which actually got a bit of a “CM Punk!” chant from the crowd. Schiavone then announced that all the other members of the Bullet Club would be barred from the ring during Robinson’s tournament match later. White took the mic and barred Schinvone from talking for the rest of the interview, and called out Punk for bringing his red bag out a few weeks ago. He didn’t seem too interested in Punk’s bag, but White did challenge FTR for the AEW Tag Team Titles (with Juice Robinson as his partner).
This led to a promo from Punk’s crew in the back. Punk called MJF’s belt a replica from ShopAEW.com, and FTR accepted Jay White’s challenge. This whole segment ran a little long, but Jay White was great. A feud with Punk should establish Jay White as a top-tier player.
Ricky Starks defeated Juice Robinson in a Quarter Final match to advance in the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament (15:19)
Dueling chants for Starks and Robinson to start, while they exchanged arm-ringers, headlocks, and hip-tosses. Robinson tripped up Starks on a drop-down, and Starks flopped awkwardly face-first on the middle rope. Robinson worked over Starks’s leg and slammedStarks into the ropes legs-first.
After a split-screen break, Robinson hit a cannonball in the corner for a near fall. Robinson has been so dominant through the break that McGuinness started channeling Bobby Heenan on commentary and insisted Robinson just be given the victory. And almost on cue, Starks mounted a comeback. Starks hit a DDT, but couldn’t quite land a kip up. Starks with the Snake Eyes and a tornado DDT for another near fall. Robinson countered a hanging DDT with a hot shot, then hit a leg lariat for a near fall.
Robinson locked on the Texas Cloverleaf. Starks got out of the hold with a rope break. Robinson almost got the pin with a rollup and a handful of tights. Starks hit a high-angle back suplex for a near fall. After not reacting for much of the match, the crowd started a weak chant for Starks.
Robinson went for a hurricanrana off the top, but Starks blocked it by holding onto the ropes. Starks missed a dive off the top and Robinson hit a spear for a near fall. Robinson went for his inverted DDT finish, but Starks countered and hit a spear. Starks tried for the roshambeaux, and while Robinson escaped, Starks rolled him up with a jackknife cover for the pin. This match felt about five minutes too long.
After the match, the rest of the Bulle Club surrounded the ring to attack Starks, but CM Punk and FTR ran in (to jeers for Punk, as noted by McGuinness) to chase them off.
– Lexi Nair’s interview with Christian Cage is interrupted by Shawn Spears, who wants a shot at the TNT Champion, Luchasaurus.
Kris Statlander defeated Lady Frost to retain the AEW TBS Championship (6:40 aired)
Lady Frost’s grandfather was a tag team partner of Bruno Sammartino. Frost did a lot of pointless flipping around throughout the match. She flipped into a forearm from Statlander and got suplexed out of a casadora attempt.
After a break, Frost ducked a kick from Statlander and got a German suplex. She countered a tombstone attempt with a spinning DDT for a near fall. Frost tried some more flippy stuff, which almost immediately backfired and Statlander floored her with a clothesline. Statlander finished off Frost with the Saturday Night Fever and got the pinfall. This wasn’t a great match.
– Lexi Nair interviewed Andrade El Idolo. Last week, The House of Black stole Andrade’s mask and he wants it back. The House of Black appeared on the monitor backstage and Malakai Black promised to give the mast back all in good time. El Idolo didn’t react like he was planning on being very patient.
For Collision next week: FTR will face Juice Robinson & Jay White in a title eliminator. Athena and Willow Nightingale square off in the Owen Hart Women’s Tournament semi-final match. Both of the men’s semi-final matches will also take place next week, Ricky Starks versus Powerhouse Hobbs and CM Punk versus the winner of the next match.
Samoa Joe defeated Roderick Strong via ref stoppage in a Quarter Final match to advance in the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament (13:27)
CM Punk came out to a fairly mixed reaction to join the commentary team. This reaction became more favorable as the match went on.
Roddy gave Joe four of five shots, but it only took one forearm from Joe to put Strong down. Strong leveraged Joe out to the floor and hit him with a dropkick. On the floor, it was more of the same where Joe took three or four shots from Strong, then leveled him with one hard forearm.
Back in the ring, Strong got Joe down and worked a chinlock. Joe escaped the chilock and dropped Strong with a back elbow. Strong charged at Joe in the corner, but got caught with a uranage for a near fall.
Joe dominated for most of the split-screen break, but Strong hit a high knee for a near fall coming out of the commercial. Strong went for a side backbreaker, but Joe forearmed his way out of that. Joe hit a reverse atomic drop, running boot and a senton for a near fall. On commentary, Punk called the fans of Collision “Colliders,” and apparently the Colliders want to see Punk fight Samoa Joe.
Joe wore down Strong with a neck vice, but missed a second senton. Strong started to make a comeback while the crowd chanted for CM Punk. Strong hit three flying clotheslines that didn’t take Joe off his feet. Finally, a dropkick knocked Joe down. Strong caught Joe running and gave him a side backbreaker, then hit a running boot for a near fall.
Strong came off the middle ropes with a dropkick for a near fall, then followed up with an Olympic Slam for a near fall. Strong caught Joe with a jumping knee. Strong went for a suplex, but Joe countered into the Coquina Clutch and choked Strong out. Joe won via ref stoppage.
This sets up CM Punk v. Samoa Joe in the other semi-final for the Owen Hart tournament. On commentary, McGuinness pointed out that Punk has never beat Joe in a one-on-one match.
After the match, Punk and Joe exchanged dirty looks. Joe grabbed a chair , and a gaggle of referees and security were out to keep Punk and Joe separated. Joe slid back in the ring and dropped Strong on the chair. Adam Cole ran out to check on Strong, and the medical team put a cervical collar on Strong and loaded him onto a backboard. The medical staff helped Strong onto a stretcher and took him to the back as the show ended.
Final Thoughts:
Kevin Kelly and Nigel McGuinness were fantastic on commentary. The crowd seemed more enthusiastic for parts of this show than Dynamite on Wednesday, even though it was essentially the same crowd. Punk/Joe and Starks/Hobbs should both be very good matches next week. It seems at least on this show some of the heat on Punk died down a little bit.
A Miro promo, plus Powerhouse Hobbs in action have been added to the lineup for the Saturday, June 24 AEW Collision.
As announced during Friday’s Rampage, Miro will speak on this week’s Collision. Miro returned to the ring after nine months out of action on last week’s Collision show, defeating Tony Nese.
Also announced during Rampage, Powerhouse Hobbs will make his Collision in-ring debut on this week’s episode. Hobbs last wrestled on the June 9 Rampage show, defeating Caleb Crush.
Already announced for Saturday’s Collision are an eight-man tag match with CM Punk, FTR & Ricky Starks vs. Jay White, Juice Robinson & The Gunns, Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Swerve Strickland, Brody King vs. Andrade El Idolo, plus Willow Nightingale vs. Nyla Rose in an Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament match.
Christian Cage addressing the TNT title situation, plus Sting and Darby Allin revealing their mystery partner for Forbidden Door are also set for Saturday’s show.
This week’s Collision lineup:
CM Punk, FTR & Ricky Starks vs. Jay White, Juice Robinson & The Gunns
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Swerve Strickland
Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament match: Willow Nightingale vs. Nyla Rose
Brody King vs. Andrade El Idolo
Powerhouse Hobbs in action
Sting & Darby Allin reveal their mystery partner for Forbidden Door
With the second AEW Owen Hart Foundation tournament set to begin this month, the men’s field has its first two official entrants.
On the debut edition of AEW Collision Saturday, former TNT Champion Powerhouse Hobbs and former FTW Champion Ricky Starks said they are both entering the tournament which kicks off this month on AEW TV as continues at the Forbidden Door pay-per-view.
The Face of TNT #PowerhouseHobbs just entered himself into the Owen Hart Tournament!
AEW head Tony Khan has said the tournament will end on Saturday, July 15th in AEW’s Calgary, Alberta, Canada debut as part of a live episode of Collision. The official start date has yet to be announced.
Neither Hobbs or Starks were in last year’s men’s tournament.
It has not been announced if last year’s tournament format will remain the same which includes qualifying matches to whittle down to eight participants.
Last year featured one bye and and seven qualifying matches. Cole defeated Samoa Joe and Britt Baker beat Ruby Soho at Double or Nothing to become the men’s and women’s tournament winners, respectively.
