C4 is a younger team from DEFY Wrestling based in the Pacific Northwest who have actually squared off with WCWC in DEFY over the years. There were some nice chants going for C4 early on.
On commentary, Kevin Kelly shouted out Jim Valley of F4W, who also happens to take on announce duties at DEFY from time to time.
There was a point in this match where Isaacs, who was outside the ring, hoisted Chhun up in the air with a stalling vertical suplex and proceeded to walk with Chuun around the ring before dropping him on the floor, and in stereo with Nelson to boot. Nelson used a stalling vertical suplex of his own on Rosas and synched the slam with Isaacs’ on the floor.
Nelson lifted Chhun up into a power bomb hold and looked like he was about to pass Chhun off to Nelson, as the Wrecking Crew is known for their creative tag team offense. Instead, Chhun countered with a hurricanrana, which sent Nelson flying into Isaacs with an inadvertent spear. Chhun tagged out to Rosas, and the two hit an assisted Liger bomb on Nelson for two. Rosas got fired up and shook the ropes like Ultimate Warrior. Chhun hit a backspring cutter before diving out of the ring with a tope.
Nelson caught Chhun with a fisherman’s buster for two. Isaacs later put Chhun down with a dominator before Nelson came off the top rope and hit Chhun with a diving elbow drop. Isaacs was the legal man, so he pinned Chhun to pick up the three-count for WCWC.
KENTA defeated QT Marshall
This was good, and it sounded to be a real crowd-pleaser of a match. The crowd was loud in their support of KENTA in his debut at The Vermont Hollywood. They relished KENTA’s heelish antics, like cheap-shotting QT Marshall in the face with a slap coming off a rope break. Marshall was basically doing Heel 101 and delivered. He was perfect in giving the crowd everything they *didn’t* want from this match.
After almost five minutes of ring introductions and general jaw-jacking, the match was finally underway. It was a total “KENTA fan service” match in that he got dozens of moments to shine and do his signature spots. It was exactly the kind of match a fan should expect.
In the end, KENTA hit Go 2 Sleep on Marshall for the win. He basked in the “KENTA!” calls before heading to the back. This was a good one.
STRONG Openweight Tag Team Championship Match: Motor City Machine Guns (c) defeated Roppongi Vice
Sabin and Beretta kicked things off. After a nice exchange, Sabin offered Beretta a sportsman-like hug, then quickly turned it into a sneaky school boy cradle for two. Sabin then walked over to his corner and hugged Shelley before tagging him in. Beretta would also tag Romero into the match.
Romero and Shelley would later have a short dance-off which saw Shelley bust out a bit of the “Ravishing” Rick Rude hip swirl. It was all a ploy from Romero, though, the self-proclaimed “King of Sneaky Style”. We should have known. While in mid-swivel, Rocky tripped Shelley up and slapped on an ankle hold.
MCMG played heel to Roppongi Vice’s hometown babyface. They wrestled with a bit of an edge, more so than usual.
Beretta was able to swing the momentum back his way and trapped Sabin in the corner and began chopping him. This was right before he’d spike Sabin with a jumping piledriver for two. Beretta went for another piledriver on the apron, but Sabin back body dropped him onto the apron instead, where Beretta would ultimately crash onto the floor.
“Come on, you son of a bitch!” Shelley shouted at Romero. The two started decking each other. MCMG would later catch Beretta with a double superkick to the head while he stood on the floor. When MCMG went for a dive, Roppongi Vice blocked it with a double jumping knee. They hit Strong Zero on Sabin for two. Sabin landed a power bomb for two. He caught Beretta with a huge kick to the face in the corner. MCMG landed a power bomb/sliced bread double team maneuver from the top on Beretta but again, only for two. They did Roppongi’s Dudebuster + dropkick combo finish and *again* a count of two. The crowd was chanting “RO-PON-GI!” over and over.
The finish saw MCMG hit their finisher on Romero for the pinfall in 18:12. As one would imagine, this was a very good match. The Machine Guns retain their tag titles.
Final thoughts:
It was one more solid episode of Strong tonight, with a lot of tag team action plus a really good story match between KENTA and QT Marshall. The main event between MCMG and Roppongi Vice stole the show, though.
For Tuesday’s edition of Dark, AEW will finish airing footage from their recent taping in Newark, New Jersey, with an eight-match lineup.
Brian Cage will look to rebound from his loss to Ricky Starks in the AEW World title eliminator tournament as he faces former ROH TV Champion Tony Deppen.
ChocoPro’s Hagane Shinno will make his official AEW debut as he takes on Angelico. Shinno competed against Michael Nakazawa at the company’s Fight Forever event at September’s Tokyo Game Show. This is Angelico’s first singles match and third match overall since September.
Former AEW Women’s Champion Hikaru Shida will take on Layla Luciano.
Here’s the full lineup:
Hikaru Shida (w/ Hagane Shinno) vs. Layla Luciano
Matt Hardy & Private Party vs. The Wingmen (Peter Avalon, Cezar Bononi & Ryan Nemeth)
The Factory (Lee Johnson, QT Marshall & Cole Karter) vs. Justin Corino, Ryan Mooney & Steve Josifi
Zack Clayton vs. Chris Wylde
Angelico vs. Hagane Shinno
Brian Cage (w/ Prince Nana) vs. Tony Deppen
Jericho Appreciation Society (Matt Menard, Angelo Parker & Daniel Garcia) vs. Tracy Williams, LSG and Jack Tomlinson
AEW has announced nine matches for Dark: Elevation.
The show was filmed Wednesday, October 26 from the Chartway Arena in Norfolk, Virginia.
Notable matches scheduled to air include Danhausen vs. QT Marshall, TBS Champion Jade Cargill vs. Trish Adora, and Diamante vs. Madison Rayne. Other matches include Athena vs. Janai Kai, Kiera Hogan vs. Skye Blue, and Dante Martin vs. Brandon Cutler.
Matches featuring Frankie Kazarian, Orange Cassidy & The Best Friends, and Eddie Kingston & Ortiz will air on the show as well.
AEW Dark: Elevation airs Monday at 7 p.m Eastern time on YouTube. The advertised lineup for the card is as follows:
Frankie Kazarian vs. Rhett Titus
Athena vs. Janai Kai
Diamante vs. Madison Rayne
Kiera Hogan vs. Skye Blue
Dante Martin vs. Brandon Cutler
AEW All-Atlantic Champion Orange Cassidy and The Best Friends vs Anthony Young, Victor Andrews, & Patton
Eddie Kingston and Ortiz vs Breaux Keller & Myles Hawkins
Here are spoilers from tonight’s NJPW Strong: Strong Style Evolved tapings in St. Petersburg, Florida at the St. Petersburg Coliseum.
The DKC defeated Kevin Knight
Hikuleo defeated Andy Brown
Buddy Matthews defeated Yuya Uemura
JR Kratos and Black Tiger defeated Wheeler Yuta and Rocky Romero. After the match, Kratos badmouthed Alex Coughlin. This brought Coughlin out and the two brawled.
Big Damo defeated John Skyler
Finjuice (David Finlay and Juice Robinson) defeated JONAH and Shane Haste of TDMK by disqualification after Haste used a steel chair. Finjuice were able to recover and ran TDMK off. Finjuice then issued a challenge to TDMK for a six man tag match (Finlay, Brogan Finlay, and Robinson vs. JONAH, Haste, and Bad Dude Tito) at Windy City Riot on April 16.
Filthy Tom Lawlor defeated Clark Connors to retain the Strong Openweight Championship. After the match, Lawlor announced that he’s going to take a vacation since he gets to choose who he faces for the championship. Fred Rosser came out and said he was the next challenger. Lawlor told him no.
Mascara Dorada defeated TJP
Josh Alexander defeated Karl Fredericks. AEW’s QT Marshall, Aaron Solo, and Nick Comoroto came out in an attempt to recruit Fredericks. After Fredericks turned them down, the group attacked Fredericks until Connors and Uemura ran down to make the save. Fredericks challenged Marshall to a match in Chicago.
Swerve Strickland defeated Blake Christian
Jay Lethal defeated Ren Narita
Fred Rosser and Eddie Kingston defeated Fred Yehi and Daniel Garcia. Kingston kept trying to attack Garcia, continuing their AEW storyline.
Jay White defeated Chris Sabin. White won with the bladerunner. After the match, White talked about the Bullet Club situation, with the Guerrillas of Destiny and Jado recently being kicked out of the group. White invited Hikuelo to stay in the group. Hikuleo said he was still in the Bullet Club, but didn’t want to be associated with White. The show ended with the two parting ways.
NJPW will next hold Strong tapings on April 1 with their Lonestar Shootout event at the Fairmont Hotel in Dallas, Texas.
A segment involving Hook and QT Marshall has been announced for next week’s AEW Rampage.
In a backstage promo on this week’s Rampage episode, Marshall stated that he would be presenting Hook with the inaugural QT Marhasll Certificate of Accomplishment on next week’s episode.
Marshall said that people are still buzzing about his match against Hook at The Buy-In pre-show prior to the AEW Revolution pay-per-view on March 6, a match that Hook won.
Marshall also bragged about graduating from the same high school as “The Boss” Bruce Springsteen. Aaron Solo noted the Boss reference.
Marshall said that he is not ashamed that Hook beat him, but rather proud that his top student put forth such a great showing, and he plans to reward Hook with the certificate.
No other matches or segments were announced for Rampage. The show will be taped on Wednesday, March 23 at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park in Texas.
Two matches have been announced for the AEW Revolution Buy-In prior to Sunday’s pay-per-view.
Tonight on Dynamite it was announced that Kris Statlander will face Leyla Hirsch, while Hook will face QT Marshall.
Statlander and Hirsch have been feuding since Hirsch turned on Statlander and Red Velvet. In a recent promo, Statlander said she didn’t blame Hirsch’s parents for giving her up if this was her attitude when she was a kid. The two exchanged words on tonight’s Dynamite, with Statlander saying Hirsch would see a new Kris Statlander that no one’s seen before.
Marshall has taken offense to Hook’s rise in recent weeks, seeing Hook’s actions against him a sign of disrespect. On last week’s Rampage, Marshall sent his students to attack Hook, but Hook quickly took them out.
Here is the main card for AEW Revolution, which takes place on March 6 in Orlando, Florida:
AEW World Championship: Hangman Adam Page (c) vs. Adam Cole
AEW Women’s World Championship: Britt Baker (c) vs. Thunder Rosa
AEW World Tag Team Championship: Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus (c) vs. reDRagon vs. The Young Bucks
AEW TBS Championship: Jade Cargill (c) vs. Tay Conti
Dog collar match: CM Punk vs. MJF
Jon Moxley vs. Bryan Danielson
Face of the Revolution ladder match for a TNT title shot: Wardlow vs. Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Keith Lee vs. Ricky Starks vs. Orange Cassidy vs. TBD
Tornado trios match: Matt Hardy, Andrade El Idolo & Isiah Kassidy vs. Sting, Darby Allin & Sammy Guevara
AEW Dynamite airs live tonight from a sold out Wintrust Arena in Chicago.
Hometown hero CM Punk will be in singles action on the show, facing The Factory’s QT Marshall. Marshall issued a challenge to Punk in a backstage segment on last week’s Rampage. Later in the same show, Punk accepted.
Another local legend, Colt Cabana, will take on the top contender to the AEW World Championship, Bryan Danielson. Danielson became the number one contender to Hangman Adam Page’s AEW World title by winning the title eliminator tournament at the Full Gear pay-per-view on November 13, defeating Miro in the finals.
The TBS Championship tournament will continue with a quarterfinals matchup. Thunder Rosa will face Jamie Hayter.
In an eight-man tag, Cody Rhodes, PAC and the AEW World Tag Team Champions Penta El Zero Miedo and Rey Fenix will face Malakai Black, Andrade El Idolo and FTR’s Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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Show Report —
CM Punk made his entrance for the opener, but MJF interrupted it. He walked to the ring, mic in hand, and started to speak, but was drowned out by chants. MJF said Punk ignored his handshake request last week like a “little b*tch.” He said that Punk’s famous “pipe bomb” promo was his best moment, but every moment is MJF’s best moment. MJF said that Punk looks like a meth addict and called him ugly.
When Punk was asked all the young talents he wanted to wrestle in AEW, he’d mention seemingly everyone — except MJF. That’s because he doesn’t want any of MJF. MJF said he’d finish Punk quicker than his UFC career. Punk can drop pipe bombs all he wants, because he’s MJF, and he drops nukes.
Punk said he was disappointed in MJF. He thought this whole time, MJF stood for “my jealous fan.” Punk didn’t bring up MJF in interviews because he didn’t want to feed into his ego. He’s in MJF’s head, probably because he’s got a poster of Punk on the wall. Last week, he shut MJF up without saying a word. MJF thinks he’s revolutionary, but in reality, he’s “just a less famous Miz.” Ouch.
MJF started to speak again, but was interrupted by “Miz” chants. He said that Punk is just nostalgia, and that he’s been kissing ass since he came to AEW. MJF accused Punk of getting soft, saying he may as well come out here and preach “hustle, loyalty, and respect.” He said that Punk wouldn’t come back because he was terrified. Deep down, Punk knows he’s only ever been second-best, no matter whether it was Cena or Triple H. “I’m better than you, and you know it.”
Punk said he’s been doing this a long time. He sold out Madison Square Garden when MJF was marking out for Rosie O’Donnell. MJF will make the New York Times again, but “it’ll be for the obituaries” this time. Punk said it pisses MJF off that he went after Darby Allin over him. MJF is too worried about the Four Pillars without realizing he’s been replaced by Britt Baker. Punk’s fine with being no. 2, because Chicago’s the Second City. MJF will only ever be #1 if we wait around long enough for Tony Khan to have a daughter for him to marry. He’s gonna punch MJF in his “needle d*ck” right now.
MJF removed his jacket and scarf and teased a fight, but rolled up the ramp.
CM Punk defeated QT Marshall (w/ Nick Comoroto & Aaron Solo)
Punk easily out-wrestled Marshall early on, including not falling for a distraction. Comoroto and Solo were sent to the back. Marshall got control after driving Punk’s midsection into the corner, but Punk very quickly made a comeback and clotheslined Marshall to the floor, where he landed a diving clothesline ahead of a commercial.
Once back, Marshall hit a Liger Bomb for two. He taunted Punk, who came back with a high kick. Punk landed the top-rope elbow drop and called for the GTS, nailing it for the win.
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Christian Cage and Jurassic Express were backstage. Christian said they have all the momentum in the world, and their confidence is sky-high. Jurassic Express are the top-ranked tag team in AEW, and Christian’s going to make sure they win the championships.
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Eddie Kingston was eating backstage and shouted out Jon Moxley. He was interrupted by Daniel Garcia and 2point0. They said that Kingston isn’t hungry anymore and offered their help, because “you couldn’t help your friend Moxley.” Kingston exploded and a dozen people had to hold him back.
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The Gunn Club (Billy Gunn & Colten Gunn) (w/ Austin Gunn) vs. Bear Country (Bear Boulder & Bear Bronson)
Gunn Club attacked before the bell, but Bear Country took control with Boulder hitting a big press slam. The fight moved to the outside, where Gunn Club sent Bear Country into barricades and stairs. Colten hit the Colt .45 out of nowhere for the win.
– After the match, Darby Allin’s music played and Sting came out. Austin charged up the ramp at Sting but was cut off with a huge tackle from Allin. Allin and Sting chased off the Gunn Club and stood tall.
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AEW Battle of the Belts was announced for Saturday, January 8 2022 in Charlotte.
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Adam Cole and Bobby Fish were backstage. Cole’s heated. He said he and Fish were like “best friends,” and then the real Best Friends walked up. Cole ran down the team one by one and offered up a match between him and Fish and Cassidy and YUTA.
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Team Taz and Lio Rush & Dante Martin were about to sign a deal, but Taz got impatient and Rush tried to end it. Dante, however, stopped Rush and signed the deal. Team Taz celebrated.
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Britt Baker said that Hayter would win the match and the tournament.
TBS Championship Tournament: Thunder Rosa defeated Jamie Hayter
They had a long collar-and-elbow tie-up to start. Hayter sent Rosa to the floor but was thrown into the barricade. Upon re-entry, Hayter cut Rosa off with stomps. Rosa came back with strikes and sent Hayter into the barricade once more before landing a running dropkick and a suplex on the floor. She went for a crossbody, but Hayter caught it and sent Rosa into the ring post ahead of a break.
Upon return, Rosa countered a superplex attempt and landed a missile dropkick for two. Hayter hit a big backbreaker for a two-count of her own. They traded forearms in the center of the ring until Rosa escaped a suplex and hit a Russian leg sweep. Rosa locked on the Peruvian Necktie, but Rebel distracted the official and Baker broke up the hold.
Rosa avoided a Baker superkick, who inadvertently hit Hayter. Rosa then dispatched Rebel and rolled Hayter up for the win. Rosa will face Jade Cargill in the semifinals of the tournament.
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Chris Jericho was asked backstage about what’s next. 2point0 and Garcia interrupted all happy about throwing coffee in Kingston’s face. Jericho advised them to cool it and made fun of one of 2point0’s heads, leading to a “square head” chant. He said if they ever interrupted again, he’d knock their teeth down their throat.
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Britt Baker, Rebel, and Tony Schiavone were having Friendsgiving backstage. Baker said that it started off poorly because Thunder Rosa won, but it’s okay, because she’s still champion. Schiavone went to the video screen, reminding that Riho was never eliminated from the Casino Battle Royale at All Out. If Riho beats Baker on Friday, she earns a title shot.
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Bryan Danielson defeated Colt Cabana
They had a really nice technical exchange to open things up. Danielson laid in some hard strikes. Cabana came back with chops, jabs, and the bionic elbow. He wanted the Flying Apple, but Danielson reversed it into a release German suplex and followed it up with the corner dropkick. Danielson wanted a top-rope back suplex, but Cabana fought off and landed a moonsault for two.
Danielson came back and laid in his repeated curb stomps. He rolled over into the LeBell Lock, posed, and locked it on for the submission. Looked like he knocked out Cabana’s tooth in the process.
– After a commercial break, Danielson was interviewed by Schiavone in the ring. Danielson pointed out that when he debuted at All Out, he got a much different reaction. He called the fans “fickle.” He didn’t just kick Cabana’s head in, he kicked his teeth out. Danielson offered to kick any of the Dark Order’s heads in. He turned his attention to Hangman Page, and right on cue, Page’s music played and he walked out.
Page said Cabana would be the last one to get his head kicked in. He offered to defend the AEW World Championship “right here, right now,” but Danielson accused Page of being cowardly by picking a fight after he already wrestled. Page still wanted a fight and offered Danielson the first shot. Danielson slapped him and they brawled. Page went for the Buckshot Lariat, but Danielson escaped up the ramp.
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A hype video aired for Ruby Soho vs. Kris Statlander.
AEW Rampage (11/26) lineup:
Eddie Kingston vs. Daniel Garcia
Britt Baker vs. Riho
Adam Cole & Bobby Fish vs. Orange Cassidy & Wheeler YUTA
AEW Dynamite (12/1) lineup:
TBS Championship Tournament: Ruby Soho vs. Kris Statlander
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Malakai Black, Andrade El Idolo, & FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) (w/ Tully Blanchard) defeated Cody Rhodes & Death Triangle (PAC, Penta El Zero M & Rey Fénix) (w/ Arn Anderson)
This was an awesome main event. Just ridiculously fun.
Cody received a massively negative reaction, and he and Dax started off. He hit the drop-down right hand and then a powerslam before tossing his weight belt into the audience. The audience threw it back. PAC tagged in and he and Dax traded strikes. A back suplex allowed Dax to tag in Cash. PAC regained control and he set Penta up for the diving stomp to the posterior for two.
Penta landed a thrust kick but was flattened with a lariat before Andrade tagged in. Penta escaped to Fénix, who hit a flurry of offense. Death Triangle hit triple buzzsaw kicks and dropkicks on Andrade for two. Cody tagged himself in and was immediately overwhelmed by the heels, who got a big babyface reaction for their actions.
Fénix tagged back in and hit his springboard double cutter. He hit an escalera into a hurricanrana on Andrade and then a flurry of kicks on Black. Tully distracted Fénix, allowing Black to take him down with an STO ahead of the commercial. Once back, Fénix reached Penta for the hot tag, who came in with a diving crossbody. He hit a double DDT on FTR and a backstabber on Andrade for two.
PAC tagged in and landed a missile dropkick follwed by a Fosbury Flop onto the pile on the outside. Wheeler cut off PAC’s flurry with a backbreaker, leading to a parade of big moves. Cody went for a thrust kick on Andrade, but Cody inadvertently kicked PAC. Everyone was down until Tully and Arn faced off in the ring. Classic Thanksgiving wrestling.
Andrade’s associate José entered the ring, and Tully and Arn both struck him down. FTR cornered Arn, but Fénix took them out with a crossbody and Penta hit Sling Blades. Penta hit a tope con giro and Fénix landed a top-rope crossbody to the outside. Black blinded PAC with the mist and Andrade hit the hammerlock DDT for the win.
AEW’s Anthony Ogogo has returned to the United States after undergoing eye surgery, according to QT Marshall.
In an interview with Daily DDT, Marshall revealed that Ogogo had recently returned to the country after leaving to undergo surgery on his eye, the tenth total eye operation that Ogogo has had.
“He just came back. He was overseas getting everything taken care of, so we’ll see,” Marshall said.
Marshall indicated that there are no immediate creative plans for Ogogo to return to the active AEW roster. “I think it’s about right place, right time and trying to figure out the right story as well,” said Marshall. “But in the meantime, he’s been training and working out and doing what he does. He’ll be ready when that call comes.”
“I try to explain that to Anthony and everyone’s itching to get back,” he added. “Right now, we have a huge roster of huge stars, so it’s just one of those things of going back to the drawing board and figuring it out.”
Ogogo scored two singles wins in AEW in April and May of this year, then dropped a decision to Cody Rhodes at the Double or Nothing pay-per-view on May 30. He teamed with Marshall to defeat Rhodes and Lee Johnson on a Friday edition of Dynamite in June, but has been out of action since.
Paul Wight will return to in-ring action at All Out next month.
Wight made the announcement on tonight’s Dynamite, where QT Marshall confronted him as he was being interviewed by Tony Schiavone. QT said he knew why Wight returned to wrestling as an announcer and not a wrestler, showing x-rays and pictures of Wight’s surgically repaired hip. Wight said he wasn’t embarrassed by QT showing those pictures. He then revealed he had talked to Tony Khan and a match between himself and QT had been set.
The rivalry between Wight and QT began last week when QT and the rest of The Factory (Aaron Solow and Nick Comoroto) targeted Schiavone’s son, attacking him in the ring in front of Schiavone. Wight then came out for the save, driving them away.
All Out will take place on September 5 in Chicago. Already announced for the show is Kenny Omega vs. Christian Cage for the AEW World title, PAC vs. Andrade el Idolo, and a women’s Casino Battle Royale.
The feud between The Nightmare Family and The Factory is continuing with a Cody Rhodes vs. QT Marshall South Beach strap match on July 7 in Miami at AEW Road Rager.
Marshall challenged Rhodes to the strap match on tonight’s AEW Friday Night Dynamite. AEW general manager Tony Khan made the match official later on AEW’s social media accounts.
To punctuate the challenge, Marshall attacked Arn Anderson with a strap on tonight’s episode of Dynamite. Additionally, Rhodes will team with Arn Anderson’s son Brock against Marshall and Aaron Solow on next week’s Dynamite. The match will be Brock Anderson’s in-ring debut.
The issue between Rhodes’s Nightmare Family stable and Marshall’s Factory unit has stretched for three months. Their angle kicked off in earnest on the March 31 edition of Dynamite, with an exhibition match between Rhodes and Marshall. Marshall turned on Anderson and Rhodes and established The Factory on that show.
Marshall pinned Rhodes in a tag match on last week’s Dynamite. Marshall teamed with Anthony Ogogo in the win, while Rhodes partnered with Lee Johnson. A week earlier at the Double or Nothing PPV on May 30, Rhodes defeated Ogogo.
A match between Billy Gunn and QT Marshall has been added to this week’s Dynamite.
The match was made based on an interview uploaded on AEW’s social media. Austin Gunn, after defeating Aaron Solow on AEW Dark: Elevation, got flustered when asked if the Gunn Club’s feud with The Factory was over. Billy Gunn came in and finished the question for Austin, saying that it wasn’t over. Marshall then showed up and told Billy that it was nothing personal. Gunn said he took it too far by attacking Cody and the rest of the Nightmare Family. Marshall punched out Gunn, asked if that was too far, then walked away.
Marshall attacked Cody and the rest of the Nightmare Family last month, with Aaron Solow, Nick Comoroto, and Anthony Ogogo joining him to form a new group called The Factory.
The lineup for the rest of this week’s Dynamite includes:
Darby Allin vs. Jungle Boy for the TNT title
Hikaru Shida vs. Tay Conti for the AEW Women’s World title
Two championships will be on the line tonight on Dynamite.
Kenny Omega and Hangman Page will defend their AEW World Tag Team Championships against The Natural Nightmares, QT Marshall and Dustin Rhodes. Rhodes and Marshall carry a 5-0 record as a team in 2020 into the contest, while Omega and Page clock in at 7-0 in 2020.
The next challengers for the tag titles will be decided tonight as well.
Best Friends, Chuck Taylor and Trent, won a number one contenders match at Double or Nothing to earn a title shot at Fyter Fest in July. After Chris Jericho and The Inner Circle attacked their friend Orange Cassidy on Dynamite last week, Trent and Taylor demanded a match with Jericho and Sammy Guevara on tonight’s episode. As explained by Tony Khan on Twitter, Jericho and Guevara would only agree to the match if Best Friends put their title shot on the line tonight.
Cody is set to make his third defense of the AEW TNT Championship tonight. No opponent has been named for his open challenge.
The Young Bucks will also be in action against Jimmy Havoc and Kip Sabian.
MJF vs. Billy, plus Anna Jay in action have also been announced for the show.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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AEW World Tag Team Championship match: Kenny Omega & Hangman Page defeated Dustin Rhodes & QT Marshall (w/Brandi Rhodes) to retain the titles
There were some issues here. Good wrestling in this match but way too much nonsense went on around the wrestling.
First, by not having Allie out there from the beginning you telegraphed that there wouldn’t be a finish until Allie showed up.
Second, the commentators were all over the place. Excalibur was busy trying to explain the Dustin/Brandi/Allie/QT story for those who don’t watch AEW Dark. Tony Schavone was reading messages that Britt Baker was passing him. Britt is great and she and Tony are great together but somebody has to call the action.
Omega and Dustin began. They did a spot where Dustin took an accidental headbutt in the corner. That laid the foundation for the story of the match. Dustin sold like he was woozy and forced QT to work much of the match.
Omega hit a springboard double sledge to QT. Page hit a sliding lariat on QT for a near fall. Omega hit a kotaro krusher. The story was that QT was taking a beating but surviving.
QT made a hot tag to Dustin. The Natural Nightmares logo on Dustin’s bodysuit began peeling off. That’s a perfect metaphor for this team. Dustin was great here delivering his destroyer and flip dive off the apron plus a powerslam. QT hit a QT Special, which Excalibur accurately referred to as ugly.
Allie came to the stage to try to fire QT up. QT hit a diamond cutter. QT got cut off and Page hit him with a rolling elbow for a two count. Omega hit a v-trigger for a near fall.
The finish saw Omega and Page hit the Last Call. Omega covered QT for the pin.
Allie’s appearance led to nothing.
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The announcers previewed the rest of the card. They revealed that Cody would be defending against someone from outside of AEW tonight.
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We got an Anna Jay promo package. She said she’s signed to AEW and is still figuring out the entertainment side of wrestling.
Abadon defeated Anna Jay
Abadon has a horror movie gimmick. Abadon squashed Jay and pinned her with a hurricanrana.
After the match, Dark Order entered with Jay still down in the middle of the ring. Evil Uno presented Colt Cabana an envelope. Mr. Brodie Lee nodded at Cabana.
5 and 10 helped Jay out of the ring and to the back.
Jay has a world of potential, she just needs ring time and consistency. We’ll see how her story with Dark Order plays out.
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MJF (w/Wardlow) defeated Billy (w/Austin & Colten Gunn)
They had to pay this off with a match after they shot the angle last week but I’m still not sure why they shot the angle.
Billy hit a big boot and a thumb to the eye. MJF teased walking out but Billy followed him up the tunnel and carried him back to the ring.
Billy went for a fameasser but MJF avoided it, hit a chop block and took control of the match before an ad break. MJF and Wardlow posted Billy and worked over his legs during the break.
Billy made a comeback after the break. MJF jawed with the referee. MJF went for a fameasser but Gunn blocked and hit a fameasser. Wardlow jumped on the apron and took the ref. Wardlow passed MJF his diamond ring.
Wardlow went after Austin and Colten on the floor. Gunn went after Wardlow and sent him into the barricade. Gunn climbed back inside and MJF nailed him with the ring.
MJF immediately covered for the pin.
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After the match, Wardlow, MJF, Jungle Boy, Luchasaurus and Marko Stunt had a pull-apart at ringside.
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Alex Marvez interviewed Jericho and Guevara backstage. Jericho said Marvez has a fat head.
Jericho and Guevara promised to beat Best Friends to a pulp tonight. Jericho said he and Guevara are more than friends, they’re blood brothers and blood is thicker than orange juice.
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Tony interviewed Britt Baker. He started the interview by announcing Penelope Ford vs. Hikaru Shida for the AEW Women’s World title at Fyter Fest.
Baker said that Ford is only getting the shot because she’s hurt. Baker then got pissed at Tony and said they’re on a friendship timeout and TNT will be pissed at Tony for losing an interview with her.
Baker called for Reba to roll her away but Big Swole was revealed to be driving Baker’s cart. Swole drove off.
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Cody entered for the open challenge.
He cut a promo. He said the air is thin and it’s lonely at the top. He said when Jake Hager beat him down last week he noticed that there were no members of The Elite or Nightmare Family that came to his aid.
Cody wondered if he was still in The Elite or if The Nightmare Family was still a family. This was the most overt tease for a heel turn in the series of teases for a heel turn that Cody has been doing.
Arn Anderson cut a promo. He said that timing is everything and the timing for the match with Hager at Fyter Fest just isn’t right.
Nonetheless, Arn said, he had an opponent for Cody tonight, someone who would be a good test.
A Ricky Starks video package then played. Starks put himself over as the hottest free agent in wrestling.
Starks then entered for the TNT title match.
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AEW TNT Championship match: Cody defeated Ricky Starks to retain the title
Cody gave Starks a ton and they had a very good TV match. They worked it more as a back and forth athletic contest than your traditional heel vs. babyface battle.
The repeatedly cut to Hager backstage as he watched the match on TV.
They locked up and traded hammerlocks. Cody missed a charge into the ropes and sold his ribs. Starks set Cody up in the ropes but Arn pulled Cody out of the way before Starks could connect. That was a total heel move, nothing subtle about it. Starks hit a big DDT and a top rope superplex.
Cody hit a suicide dive. JR couldn’t help but seize the opportunity to shit on suicide dives.
The finishing sequence saw Cody miss a disaster kick which led to a series of cradles for near falls. Cody then hit Cross Rhodes for the pin.
Cody and Starks shook hands after the match.
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The Young Bucks defeated Superbad Squad (w/Penelope Ford)
Good action in this match but way too much going on, as is the theme of tonight’s show.
Referee Rick Knox took a pair of pliers away from Havoc before the opening bell.
Havoc went right after Matt’s heavily taped ribs. Nick tagged in and The Bucks hit some tandem offense and stereo planchas. Butcher and Blade jawed with the Bucks from the audience.
Butcher and Blade jumped on the apron and took the ref. Havoc hit Matt with a wet floor sign and the Squad worked Matt over through a commercial break.
FTR came to ringside to watch the match.
Matt made his own comeback then made a hot tag to Nick. Nick ran absolutely crazy on the hot tag. He hit a springboard attack to the stage on Havoc.
Nick used a sharpshooter on Sabian. Havoc grabbed a hammer and took the ref. Ford jumped in and hit Nick with the wet floor sign. Havoc hit an implant DDT for a near fall. Sabian tagged in and hit an assisted DDT for a near fall. Sabian missed a double stomp off the top.
Havoc and Matt tagged in and bedlam ensued.
Matt hit northern lights suplexes. Matt and Nick hit risky business. Sabian hit a top rope double stomp. Pin falls were broken up. Sabian was bleeding from the neck for some reason.
The match broke down. Matt and Nick made Sabian assist them in hitting an Indytaker on Havoc. The Bucks hit stereo superkicks.
The finish saw Matt and Nick hit stereo kamigoye knee strikes to Sabian for the pin.
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Butcher and Blade jumped the Bucks immediately after the bell. FTR jumped in and hit Butcher and Blade with Goodnight Express.
The Bucks hit Blade with an Indytaker. FTR hit Havoc with a spike piledriver at the same time.
The segment ended with FTR and The Bucks facing off in the ring.
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The announcers threw to a Taz and Brian Cage video.
Taz explained the scene last week where Moxley and Cage went at it. Taz said Moxley is stealing his gimmick that he came up with decades ago.
Cage interrupted Taz and said he can’t wait for Fyter Fest to rip Mox’s head off and take his title.
Cage said nobody better than Cage.
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Moxley cut a pre-taped promo. He said he has bad demons that only beating people up in the ring can keep at bay.
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Sammy Guevara vs. Matt Hardy, Mr. Brodie Lee & Colt Cabana vs. Joey Janela & Sonny Kiss, Wardlow vs. Luchasaurus in a lumberjack match, FTR vs. Natural Nightmares and Jon Moxley in action with Taz on commentary were announced for next week’s Dynamite.
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JR asked Tony for an update on Big Swole abducting Baker. Oh yeah, I forgot about that.
Reba used an app to track Britt’s phone and she found Baker in a dumpster. Baker chewed her out.
Baker promised to sue Big Swole and beat her if it’s the last thing she does.
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“Unkillable” Matt Hardy joined the commentary desk for the main event.
Guevara entered singing Jericho’s entrance song.
The main event is next.
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Best Friends defeated Chris Jericho & Sammy Guevara to retain their tag title shot at Fyter Fest
Hardy didn’t say much on commentary. He wasn’t bad but he didn’t add a lot in this role either.
Taylor and Trent opened aggressively, doing a good job selling that they were upset with Jericho for hurting their friend Orange. Taylor choked Jericho with a shirt. Trent speared Guevara on the floor.
Jericho and Guevara cut Taylor off. Guevara used Jericho’s old cocky pin attempt. Jericho hit some stomps. Jericho missed a lionsault enabling Taylor to tag Trent. Jericho tagged out as well.
Trent hit a big suplex on Geuvara. Jericho hit Trent with Floyd the baseball bat from the floor to turn the tide again before an ad break. Trent sold through the entire break, including taking his flip into the buckle.
Taylor got a tag and hit a falcon arrow and Liger bomb on Guevara for a pair of near falls. Best Friends hit their sole food/half and half combo. Jericho broke up the rainmaker hug spot. Trent hit a knee strike to Jericho.
Jericho locked Trent in the Walls while Guevara hit a flip dive over the top to Taylor. Trent forced a rope break. Jericho ran into a lariat and tagged out.
Trent crotched Guevara on the top rope. Best Friends hit an assisted superplex. Trent hit a lariat and Guevara took a flip bump. Jericho broke up a pin. Guevara rolled up Trent with a handful of tights for a two count.
Taylor and Jericho brawled on the floor. Taylor grabbed a chair. Jericho threw Taylor over the barricade. Guevara hit Trent with the baseball bat and hit a shooting star press for a two count.
The finish saw Guevara go for a GTH. Trent fought out of it and sent Guevara into the ropes. A camera operator tripped Guevara. Trent then hit his version of Strong Zero for the pin.
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After the match, the camera man revealed himself to be Orange Cassidy.
Cassidy took Jericho down twice and hit a series of punches. Cassidy sent Jericho rolling out of the ring with a superman punch. This angle was well done.
Jericho and Cassidy was officially announced for Fyter Fest.
The show closed with Best Friends and Cassidy doing the rainmaker hug spot.
Excalibur and Taz welcomed us to the show and previewed the card.
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Billy (w/ Austin Gunn) defeated John Skyler
Austin Gunn was on the outside being as obnoxious as humanly possible. Skyler went out after Gunn on the floor. Billy intervened.
Skyler got a little bit of offense as Billy climbed back inside, hitting a chop and a spear through the ropes.
Billy came back with a spinebuster and hit the Fameasser for the pin.
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Alex Marvez was in the parking lot interviewing Dustin Rhodes and Brandi Rhodes. Marvez noted that QT Marshall was nowhere to be found.
Dustin and Brandi assured Marvez that Marshall was on his way. Marvez put over Brandi’s role in leading the Natural Nightmares to the number two ranking in the tag division.
Marshall pulled up in a new blue Corvette with Allie in the passenger seat. Brandi and Dustin wanted to know what was up with the car. Marshall said Allie told him someone of his magnitude should have a real car.
Brandi and Dustin said they’re all family and they’re looking out for QT and worried about him. Brandi asked QT if he really thought Allie was into him. QT said with his new hair and new car, what’s not to be into?
QT said he would be back later after he and Allie grab a bite to eat.
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The Butcher & The Blade defeated Jon Cruz & Joe Alonzo
This was a complete squash.
Butcher hit Cruz with a leg drop and three gutbusters. Blade had Alonzo pinned after a tandem F5 with Butcher but pulled him up at the two count to deliver more punishment.
Butcher suplexed Cruz onto Blade’s knees and followed up with a cover for the pin.
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The unnamed interviewer was backstage with Peter Avalon, Brandon Cutler, and Leva Bates. She brought up Avalon and Cutler losing in the battle royal on last week’s Dynamite. Avalon and Cutler began to argue over who was worse. The interviewer was disgusted by these geeks and left.
Bates took the mic and said that two negatives equal a positive and Cutler and Avalon should team up with her in their corner.
Cutler agreed but only if Bates and Avalon agreed not to cheat.
This promo was a waste of time and resources.
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Christi Jaynes defeated KiLynn King
Jaynes has something. Obviously she has a great look but she’s a good athlete as well.
Jaynes and King traded shoulder tackles and taunts. Jaynes used some heel tactics to take control of the match. She hit some illegal strikes and pulled King’s hair in the corner.
King hit a diving cutter and rolled Jaynes up for a two count.
Jaynes reversed into a cradle and pinned King with a handful of tights.
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Santana & Ortiz defeated Big Game Leroy & EJ Lewis
As a showcase for Santana and Ortiz this was effective.
Big Game Leroy came to the ring playing a Nintendo Switch. Leroy refused to drop the Switch once the opening bell rang and Santana kicked it out of his hands.
Lewis tagged in and Ortiz worked him over. Ortiz hit a Gory Bomb. Santana tagged back in and hit hard chops and strikes.
Ortiz hit a Michinoku Driver. Santana hit a quebrada. Santana dared Leroy to tag back in.
Leroy tagged back in and got destroyed. Santana hit a cannonball in the corner.
Santana and Ortiz hit the Street Sweeper and simultaneously pinned Leroy.
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The Natural Nightmares (Dustin Rhodes & QT Marshall w/ Brandi Rhodes) defeated Brandon Cutler & Peter Avalon (w/ Leva Bates)
Marshall and Dustin entered. QT called out Allie and walked her to the commentary desk where she joined the broadcast team for the match. Allie acted like QT was the hottest man in the world.
Allie said she’s encouraged QT to go vegan and he now eats smoothie bowls. She said there’s just something about a man and an apple. Excalibur asked what happened with her and Butcher and Blade and she completely ignored the question.
Taz said QT looked like a boy who just had his first kiss in the forest.
QT slapped the book out of Bates’ hands on the floor. Avalon was upset and hit a tope suicida. Cutler and Avalon began working over Marshall. Cutler hit a springboard forearm for a near fall. Avalon used a back rake and hit a leg lariat for a two count.
Allie said that if she was at ringside instead of Brandi her man wouldn’t be losing. She said she’s turning over a new leaf and Brandi should too. Cutler hit a senton and made a cover. Dustin broke up the pin.
Dustin and Avalon got tags. Dustin hit an inverted atomic drop, a bulldog, and a powerslam for a two count.
Cutler got a blind tag and hit a springboard elbow. Marshall broke up the pin attempt. Allie said QT is named QT because he’s such a cutie.
Bates jumped in. Brandi entered and hit her with a stunner. Avalon hit Bates with a spear by mistake.
Dustin hit Cutler with a destroyer. QT followed with a QT Cutter for the pin.
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Allie said that she renamed QT’s finish the Red Delicious.
Marshall posed on the buckle and made eyes at Allie. Allie blew him a kiss. Dustin and Brandi tried to get QT to celebrate with them.
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Marvez interviewed Dustin, Brandi, and Marshall to close the show.
Marvez said Dustin couldn’t have won without Brandi. Dustin agreed.
QT said he couldn’t have done it without her, then turned to look at Allie. He said Allie is the apple of his eye. He handed Brandi a chewed up apple and said he and Allie were off to celebrate.
Brandi and Dustin looked confused and disgusted. Me too, guys. Me too.
Lance Archer will look to continue his run through the Nightmare Family as he will face QT Marshall on Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite.
The match was teased during this week’s “Road To Double Or Nothing” video and officially announced in AEW’s Dynamite preview on their website Tuesday.
Archer (pictured) earned a spot in the TNT Championship finals against Cody at Double Or Nothing following his semifinal win over Dustin Rhodes on last week’s show. Since making his in-ring debut on the April 1st Dynamite, Archer is 4-0.
While Marshall has seen success in the tag team division, he is just 1-3 in AEW singles competition but is coming off a win over Lee Johnson on the April 7th Dark.
The live edition of Dynamite from Jacksonville, Florida, will also feature AEW World Champion Jon Moxley vs. Frankie Kazarian in a non-title match, Cody vs. Joey Janela, the return of MJF, and Kenny Omega teaming with Matt Hardy against Chris Jericho and Sammy Guevara in a street fight. This will be Hardy’s AEW in-ring debut.
