Tag: Report

WWE SmackDown live results: Cody Rhodes & Kevin Owens face-to-face

Posted on by Colin McGuire

Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens are set to go face-to-face on tonight’s WWE SmackDown. The altercation will take place two weeks after Owens hit Randy Orton with a piledriver, leading The Viper to be stretchered out of the ring and taken to an ambulance, where Rhodes joined Orton in his ride to the hospital.

Rhodes called Owens out last week and told SmackDown GM Nick Aldis that he would handle Owens, even if he won’t be allowed to do so in a WWE ring. Aldis then invited Owens to tonight’s show — and he accepted via a remote promo.

Also tonight, the women’s United States Championship tournament continues as Bianca Belair, Chelsea Green and Blair Davenport square off. Last week, Bayley defeated Candice LeRae and B-Fab to advance in the tournament to crown the first-ever champion.

The men’s United States title is scheduled to be defended tonight as Santos Escobar challenges LA Knight. Plus, Bayley & Naomi team up against Tiffany Stratton & Candice LeRae.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

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– Michael Cole welcomed everyone into the show as Salt Lake City scenery was shown. A video recapping last week’s Bloodline developments was shown. Solo Sikoa’s music hit back inside the arena and Sikoa make his entrance with his War Games team.

The Bloodline 2.0 segment

Not much to this. I wonder if there was a travel issue or something of the sort that actually did lead to Reigns not being in the building yet because this segment felt incomplete. Either way, it’s a good hook for the rest of the show to see what happens once Roman comes around.

Loud “OTC!” chants broke out. Sikoa had a microphone and told Salt Lake City to acknowledge him. The crowd instead booed. Sikoa said he and his crew are ready to dominate War Games. “OTC!” chants broke out again. Sikoa said Roman Reigns isn’t ready because he wasn’t even in the building. Sikoa said when Roman gets there, he wants Roman to meet him in the middle of the ring later to accept his terms of surrendering. Sikoa said once Roman surrenders, Roman and his crew will acknowledge him.

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Chelsea Green defeated Blair Davenport and Jade Cargill to advance in the women’s U.S. title tournament [9:50]

And so that’s how you protect Belair but give the beloved Green a welcome win in an important spot on television. Kudos to the production team because it really did look like a crime scene backstage with Cargill laid out on top of the hood of a car. I didn’t know someone in WWE cannon hated Cargill so much that they would attempt to actually kill her, but here we are. Back to the match. It was good and I was glad to see the under-used Davenport get some time to enjoy a spotlight here and there. Green going over was the right call; my only fear now is I’m not sure she actually wins the whole thing, and it’ll be quite the disappointment when she loses, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get there. For now, this was a good, action-packed 10 minutes.

Green made her way to the ring without Piper Niven. Green rolled up Davenport to start the match, but Belair rolled up Green and then Green rolled up Davenport and then Belair rolled up Green. None of the pin attempts resulted in a win. Obviously. Davenport was on the outside and Belair hit a standing moonsault on Green for a two count. Davenport reasserted herself, but it wasn’t long before Belair landed a splash on Green, who was on the outside. Davenport then landed a double stomp on Belair on the apron. The show then went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Belair had control over both wrestlers. Belair was working over Davenport, but Green broke it up and hit a Rough Rider on Belair. Davenport followed that with a double stomp on Green. Belair went for a moonsault, but Davenport got the knees up. Green then dropkicked Belair and landed on Davenport for a two count. Belair came back and landed a German Suplex on Davenport and Green at the same time. Belair got a two count out of it.

Belair ran at Green, but Green moved and Belair hit the ring post. Davenport climbed to the top, but Green cut Davenport off and landed a super-plex from the second rope. Belair hit a 450 on Davenport and went for the pin, but Green pulled Belair off Davenport. Belair returned the favor and got a good near-fall on Davenport. Video then cut in to show Jade Cargill on top of a car with a cracked windshield. Belair left ringside to tend to Cargill. Back inside the ring, Green hit her finisher after a Davenport rollup and Green got the win.

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– Belair was shown hopping in an ambulance with Cargill right before the ambulance sped away. Naomi and Bayley were also shown showing concern.

LA Knight defeated Santos Escobar to retain the United States Championship [8:13]

A fine-enough match, even if the shadow of Nakamura hung over the entire thing, between his physical presence at the end of the bout and the opening-match video. Escobar was given a ton of offense, which was a little surprising, considering Knight’s standing in the WWE food chain. I’m all for this mini reboot for Nakamura and I continue to be intrigued by his pairing with Knight. The clash in styles should be something to watch, for better or perhaps for worse. Here’s hoping this doesn’t end up being a quick three-to-four week arc for Nakamura and then he quickly gets defined down for the 59th time. I’d love to see him be a main player each week.

Before the match began, the lights went out and a Nakamura video aired. Nakamura said he had been watching LA Knight and now knows Knight better than Knight knows himself. Nakamura said Knight is insecure and consumed with fear. Nakamura said Knight’s fears are justified because this is the beginning of Knight’s end. The lights turned back on and Escobar attacked Knight, who was befuddled. Escobar hit a splash on Knight, who was on the outside. The show then went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Escobar continued to have control inside the ring, chopping Knight. Finally, Knight fought back for a few seconds, but Escobar cut Knight off and landed a Senton for a two-count on Knight. Escobar stretched Knight until Knight fought out of it. With Knight on the apron, Knight hit a slingshot shoulder tackle on Escobar. Knight punched Escobar repeatedly. Knight landed a neck-breaker for a near-fall.

Escobar came back and perched Knight on the top. Knight headbutted Escobar away and was going to try his elbow drop, but Nakamura appeared and distracted Knight. Escobar took advantage and hit a frog splash from the top. Escobar set up for his finisher, but Knight countered out of it into a BFT for the win. Nakamura immediately hit the ring and attacked Knight, throwing Knight into the ring post repeatedly. Nakamura then landed a running knee to the back of Knight’s head and left the ring.

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– Johnny Gargano was seen talking to Motor City Machine Guns backstage apologizing for Ciampa’s actions last week. Gargano wanted a tag title match, but MCMG said the next shot goes to the Street Profits. The Profits then appeared for a quick second, said a few words, and Gargano kept talking as a shot of Roman Reigns and his Bloodline walked backstage.

– Nia Jax and Nick Aldis were talking backstage. Aldis asked if Jax knew what happened to Cargill. Jax laughed and said she wants to take Cargill out at War Games. Aldis ran away to stop Cody from going to the ring. Aldis said he didn’t think Owens was in Salt Lake City and Cody said he didn’t think so because he didn’t think Owens would miss the opportunity. Cody then continued his trek to the ring as his entrance music hit.

The Cody Rhodes/Kevin Owens segment

Lots and lots and lots and lots of fire here. Cody has really showed up for this program with Owens, albeit for only a couple weeks at this point, but there is a noticeable difference in Cody’s delivery, passion, focus – all of it. The logic here is a little bit flawed, but there’s no use in being that picky. There is a reason Owens is often looked at as the only reasonable wrestler in pro wrestling with the things he says in promos, babyface or heel, and this was no exception. For years, he did take on Roman Reigns. For years, Roman Reigns was trying to kill his career. For years, he supported Cody in his fight against Roman Reigns. Then, at the drop of a dime, Cody forgives and forgets Roman Reigns in the name of a tag team match? As one of Owens’s (not so) favorite people has been known to say, tell me where Owens is telling lies. Either way, this was really inspired on both ends. Good stuff.

Turns out, Cody will be a guest on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon on Thanksgiving night next week. The crowd showered Cody with loud “Cody!” chants. Cody noted how Randy Orton wasn’t there. He also said he didn’t believe that Owens wasn’t there. Cody then begged Owens to come to the ring. Cody kept shouting and Owens’s voice could be heard as Owens walked through the crowd with a microphone.

Owens said he was summoned to be on SmackDown because “The Great Cody Rhodes wanted me here.” Owens noted how Owens was wearing his best tuxedo t-shirt while Cody didn’t even wear one of his suits. Cody yelled about Owens coming to the ring and Owens said he doesn’t get what he wants because he wants it. Cody hopped out of the ring, but officials stopped Cody from going into the crowd. Owens asked Cody what has him so upset because what’s happened to everybody has been Cody’s fault. The two yelled over each other and Owens walked to ringside.

Owens stood on the commentary table and said for four years, he fought the Bloodline and they tried to end his career. Owens said Roman Reigns tried to end Owens’s career, but Owens kept fighting and then Cody came back and Owens stood by Cody to fight the Bloodline. Owens noted how he celebrated with Cody when he beat Roman Reigns and finished his story. But then when Roman needed a partner “because he’s pissed off everyone around him,” Cody agreed to be Roman’s partner. Owens said Roman tried to take Owens’s life and yet Cody still teamed with Roman.

Cody screamed “enough!” and told Owens that if Owens wants to justify his actions because Cody teamed with Roman, that’s fine, but in reality, Owens always has to be a victim. Cody said nobody holds Kevin Owens down more than Kevin Owens. Cody said Owens’s self-sabotage is next level and Owens is obsessed with being the No. 1 guy and he doesn’t realize it’s a team effort. Cody said Owens is a Grand Slam Champion and one of the best superstars in recent memory. Cody said everyone knows that except Owens.

Cody said at Bash In Berlin, Owens didn’t pull the trigger on Cody and if he did, he could have become Universal WWE Champion. Cody said Owens eventually did pull the trigger – but not on Cody and instead on Orton. Cody said Orton didn’t deserve was Owens did to him. Cody said Owens crossed every line he possibly could. Cody said this lesson won’t happen in a promo; instead, Cody will have to beat it in Owens. Cody said wherever it is, it’s coming, and the ball is in Owens’s court.

Owens grinned and asked Cody if he wanted to fight him. Owens said Cody will get his match when Owens says it’s happening. The crowd booed and Owens said it’s definitely not happening tonight now. Owens said when it does happen, he’ll just be doing his job. Owens said he loved Randy Orton, but he hates Cody Rhodes. Owens walked back through the crowd as Cody shouted at Owens. Cody said he didn’t think Owens hates Cody and instead, Owens hates himself. Now that he knows the lengths to which Owens will go, Cody said there isn’t a single line he won’t cross, either. Cody’s music hit and that ended the segment.

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– Roman and his Bloodline were shown sitting around backstage. They were tossing around ideas for a fifth man. Someone suggested Cody, but Roman said no because Cody is old news and he’s moved on. Sami Zayn suggested Seth Rollins and Roman gave Zayn a nasty look, so that idea was out. Roman said he didn’t think they needed anyone else because if they go out there together, they’re good. And if they die, they die together, too. Jey, Jimmy and Sami agreed and Sami asked Roman what the plan would be. Roman thought about it and said, “I don’t know.”

– Cody was shown walking backstage and Carmelo Hayes it was about time someone told the truth about Cody. Cody pushed Hayes and Aldis quickly appeared to break things up. Cody told Aldis he should evaluate his first-round draft pick. Cody looked angry and the show went back to the ring for the next match.

Naomi & Bayley defeated Tiffany Stratton & Candice LeRae via DQ [7:48]

Not much to this. A standard match with the expected bickering between Stratton and LeRae. The most interesting thing to me was to see if Bayley and SKY would have a tiny reunion after the post-match attack angle, but the show didn’t stick with things long enough to see if that was a thing either way. They are doing their best in trying to heat up the women’s War Games match, but I just don’t think they can get there in time. This wasn’t a feud that needed a War Games; it’s a War Games that needed a feud, and as such, it just doesn’t feel imperative.

Naomi went after Stratton to begin the match. Naomi kept control until Stratton rolled to the outside. Naomi followed Stratton and the heels hid behind Nia Jax. The heels took advantage and attacked Naomi and Bayley. Back inside the ring, LeRae tagged in, but Naomi quickly fought off both heels. Bayley tagged in and hit a suicide dive on Stratton on the outside. Bayley hit a dropkick on LeRae between the ropes and Bayley and Naomi posed as the show went to a commercial break.

Upon return, Stratton had the upper hand on Bayley inside the ring. LeRae tagged herself in while Stratton was posing and the heels bickered. LeRae still stopped Bayley from tagging in Naomi, completely with a moonsault from the second rope. Stratton tagged herself in and hit a boot to Bayley’s face for a two-count. Naomi took out LeRae on the outside and Stratton missed a splash in the corner. When Bayley went to tag Naomi, Jax pulled Naomi off the apron to give Naomi and Bayley the win.

After the match, the heels were beating down the babyfaces, but IYO SKY’s music hit and SKY ran out for the save. SKY hit a springboard dropkick on Jax, but out of nowhere, Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez showed up and joined in the fun. Rhea Ripley’s music hit and Ripley ran to the ring with a kendo stick. Ripley took everyone out with said kendo stick.

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Montez Ford defeated Tommaso Ciampa [7:49]

These guys worked hard for the time they were given and I like the attitude that both Ciampa and Ford has developed in recent weeks (Dawkins, too, but he didn’t show up until the post-match stuff). It’s odd in that I was convinced the Profits were turning heel after last week and this week, the crowd was behind Ford and they kind of managed to keep the heel intensity while keeping the babyface ethos. How long can they successfully walk that line, only time will tell. I applaud all the teams involved in this. That tag division needed a kick in the nuts, and these three teams – MCMG, #DIY, Street Profits – are doing their best to give it just that.

Ciampa walked to the ring slowly and in an ominous way. Ciampa ran at Ford to start the match, but Ford moved and stomped Ciampa. Ford landed a nice dropkick and kicked Ciampa’s back for a quick pin attempt. Ciampa chopped Ford’s throat to get control, but it didn’t last for long because Ford clotheslined Ciampa before landing a step-up enziguri, which took Ciampa to the outside. Ford followed it up with a flip onto Ciampa, but Ciampa came right back and kneed Ford from the apron into the commentary table. The show then went to a commercial break.

Back to the action, Ford powerbombed Ciampa from the top to reset whatever happened during the break. Ford hit a back elbow, clothesline and back suplex to take control. Ford added a standing moonsault for good measure. The two traded blows until Ford kicked Ciampa’s midsection. Ciampa landed a spinning neck-breaker for a two-count. Ciampa set up for a Fairytale Ending, but Ford countered with a knee. It wasn’t long, though, before Ford ran into a knee from Ciampa. Ciampa went for his finisher again and Ford instead rolled Ciampa up for the win.

After the match, Ciampa attacked Ciampa until Dawkins ran out and took care of Dawkins. Gargano then showed up to pull Dawkins off Ciampa. Gargano and Ciampa bickered and Ciampa pushed Gargano to the mat. MCMG then joined the party and Ciampa left the ring as MCMG helped Gargano to his feet. Ciamped yelled “Whose team are you on?” at Gargano as he retreated up the entranceway.

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– Next week, Cody will take on Carmelo Hayes. The women’s U.S. title tournament will continue featuring a match between Michin, Piper Niven and a mystery third competitor, who was supposed to be Jade Cargill.

The Bloodline(s) segment

I love it. I whined last week about Seth Rollins potentially being the fifth guy and even followed that up by whining some more about it in a column and a podcast appearance for another website this week. I knew the possibility of Heyman returning to call in a favor from Punk would be on the table, but these types of things often get leaked these days and the piss is taken out of it before it’s even revealed. Not this time. And hat’s off to Punk, who somehow finds a way to consistently make impactful returns to whatever company he’s in after he goes away for a tiny bit. We know he’s around and he’s back in the wrestling business. And we also knew, going into Survivor Series, there was a chance something like this could happen. But once it finally happened, even here, it somehow felt jarring in a good way. This sets up so much coming out of Survivor Series and into next year. What a fun wrinkle.

Solo’s version of the group entered first. Roman’s music then hit and his group walked out. The teams stared at each other inside the ring and Soo had a microphone. The crowd erupted in “OTC!” chants. Solo told Roman he wasn’t there to fight him and in fact, Solo said he still loves all four of this counterparts. Solo said he wanted Roman to understand that if Roman and his team joined Solo’s team, they could run the company for decades. Solo said Roman doesn’t have a fifth man, a wise man and no choice, so Roman should surrender and join his team – or Roman and his guys will die where they stand.

Solo gave Roman the microphone. The crowd returned to its “OTC!” chant. Before Roman could speak, Paul Heyman’s voice was heard saying, “Ladies and gentlemen!” The crowd went nuts as Heyman walked to the ring. Heyman noted how he was put through a table, so perhaps his math was off, but he knew there was no way to do War Games four vs. five. Heyman said that math didn’t make sense to the wise man. So, Heyman said, it won’t be four vs. five. Instead, Heyman said it will be five vs. five and from there, CM Punk’s music hit. Punk walked to the ring with purpose and all 10 men brawled in the ring.

With everyone else down, Roman and Punk were the two left standing inside the ring. “CM Punk!” chants erupted. Punk and Roman shared a moment and Heyman hopped up on the apron. “This is awesome!” chants began. Heyman grinned as Punk and Roman stared at each other. The rest of the Bloodline hopped in the ring. Punk’s music hit and Punk pointed at Heyman, signaling he was there for him. The show just kind of ended as the Bloodline stood on one side of the ring and Punk stood on the other.

TNA Impact live results: No DQ Knockouts title match

Posted on by Matt Boone

Tonight’s TNA Impact continues the road to next Friday’s Turning Point, headlined by a no DQ title match between Knockouts Champion Masha Slamovich and Alisha Edwards.

The winner will defend the title at Turning Point, possibly against Jordynne Grace who has yet to be confirmed for the streaming special.

In a trios match, TNA Tag Team Champions The Hardys will team with Ace Austin to take on the hard-hitting trio of Trent Seven, Hammerstone & Jake Something who jumped the babyfaces last week.

In a preview of a likely Knockouts Tag Team title match next Friday, Spitfire’s Jody Threat will face Ash by Elegance.

After their skirmish last week, Frankie Kazarian will take on Rhino.

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Masha Slamovich (c) defeated Alisha Edwards in a No Disqualification match to retain the TNA Knockouts Championship

After Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt welcome us to the show in Fayetteville, North Carolina, the theme for Alisha Edwards hits and out comes The System member for her big championship opportunity. She settles in the ring and then her opponent, reigning TNA Knockouts Champion Masha Slamovich, makes her way out. The Tale of the Tape graphic flashes on the screen before things get started.

Jade Chung then handles the final formal pre-match ring introductions for the champion and the challenger. As Slamovich was introduced, Edwards sneak-attacks her to get the early offensive jump. The bell sounds and Edwards continues to work over the champ in the corner of the ring.

Edwards grabs a kendo stick to use in this No DQ bout, but Slamovich avoids the shot and takes over. Edwards uses a chair as the action spills out to the floor. She takes over control of the offense, rolls Slamovich back into the ring and brings the chair with her. She hits a DDT on the chair for a two-count.

Slamovich pulls out a trash can and throws it in the ring after she starts to take back over on offense. She sits it upside down in the ring and slams Edwards’ face into it like a turnbuckle. She then does the same with the turnbuckle and hoists her up. She climbs up after her in front of the vertically-placed trash can.

She looks for a superplex, but Edwards thumbs Slamovich in the eye to avoid it. She power bombs her on the top of the trash can while it was sitting upside down. Ouch. She goes for the cover, but only gets two. Edwards grabs a kendo stick and begins wearing out the champ with repeated shots.

Slamovich eventually blocks one of the shots, gets the kendo stick from her and blasts her with it. She follows that up with a package piledriver and goes for the cover. 1-2-3. Slamovich wins and retains the TNA Knockouts Championship.

Tasha Steelz immediately hits the ring and attacks Slamovich. Jordynne Grace’s theme hits and out comes “The Juggernaut” to run Steelz and Edwards off. It will be Slamovich vs. Grace at TNA Turning Point for the TNA Knockouts Championship. After the match, the show heads to a commercial break.

Jody Threat defeated Ash By Elegance (w/ George Iceman & Heather By Elegance)

When the show returns, The Rascalz duo of Zachary Wentz and Trey Miguel are backstage with KUSHIDA. The three talk about having eyes on The Hardys & Ace Austin’s showdown against Trent Seven, Hammerstone and Jake Something, as well as their match at TNA Turning Point.

Back inside the Impact Zone, Spitfire’s theme hits and out comes Jody Threat accompanied by Dani Luna. Luna wishes her well and heads to the back. After Threat settles in the ring, George Iceman comes out vowing to help make North Carolina great again.

He introduces Ash By Elegance, who comes out with Heather by Elegance. The bell sounds and Ash rolls out to the floor to avoid Threat. She rolls back in just in time to beat the referee’s count, and then turns and rolls right back out to the ringside area again.

When she comes back in, Threat starts to take it to her, only for her to butt-scoot and beg off. Heather gets involved from the floor and this allows Ash to take over and settle into a comfortable offensive lead.

Threat fights back into the lead, but when she goes for a top-rope spot, Heather distracts the ref and Iceman holds onto Ash. Threat crashes and burns on the mat down below, and Ash follows up with her finisher for the win. After the match, the show heads into another commercial break.

Mike Santana, Frankie Kazarian Have Sights Set On The Throne

When the show returns, Mike Santana’s theme hits and out he comes through the crowd. He settles in the ring and gets on the microphone. He talks about how everyone can relate to people doubting someone trying to achieve their wildest dreams.

He makes everyone a promise that he will sit atop the throne and become TNA World Champion. As he continues talking, he is cut off by the familiar sounds of the theme song of Frankie Kazarian. Out comes the self-proclaimed “King of TNA” taking issue with him talking about sitting in the throne.

He says the only throne he’s gonna sit on is a toilet somewhere in the Bronx. He says if anyone is gonna sit on the throne, it’s “The King of TNA” Frankie Kazarian. He says Santana beat Moose and that’s cool, but it’s only one win.

He boasts having the Call Your Shot trophy. Santana tells Kazarian he and his trophy smell like douchebags. Santana says before he was interrupted, he wanted to put Nic Nemeth on notice and let him know there is a new contender in line.

He says since Kazarian is out here, he’s got no problem cracking his skull. Kazarian tells him to put his hot Puerto Rican temper in his back-pocket. He will gladly send him back to the slums and streets he’s from, but he’s got bigger and better things to do as well.

He says he’ll be at TNA Turning Point and he’s gonna have his sights set on the Nemeth title bout. Santana says it’s funny he brings up Turning Point, because he doesn’t have a match yet. Kazarian says he doesn’t either, he’s taking the night off.

Santana says there’s no nights off in TNA, and he knows Santino Marella is in the back somewhere. He says he’s gonna find him and make this official. Santana tells Kazarian the people have spoken and tells him good luck tonight with Rhino, because there’s no more running for his ass.

Frankie Kazarian defeated Rhino

“Gore! Gore! Gore!” hits the house speakers and the theme for TNA Hall of Fame legend “The War Machine” Rhino plays. He makes his way out to the ring and immediately runs over Kazarian to get this match off to a hot start.

Fans chant “Rhino! Rhino!” as Kazarian re-groups at ringside as the show heads into a mid-match commercial break. When the show returns, we see Rhino dominating the majority of the action, eliciting “You still got it!” chants from the Fayetteville crowd.

After some more back-and-forth action, we see Kazarian pull off the win out of nowhere when he snuck his feet on the ropes during a pin attempt on the newest addition to the TNA Wrestling Hall of Fame. Fans boo like crazy as Kazarian taunts them with his trophy. He turns around and is run over by a gore from Rhino for a big pop.

Steve Maclin Mini Movie

In some weird, depressing mini-movie, we return to see Steve Maclin in a bar having a drink, lost in thought as sad music plays. He leaves and then Eric Young takes a seat at the same bar. We follow Maclin to his hotel where he takes a shower, looks at pictures and sleeps.

He then thinks about his military background and goes to some police station where someone walks in and sets a cop badge down. The camera pans up and it’s Eric Young. Someone pulls a chair up next to him and sits down. It’s Eric Young. Young asks Maclin if he knows why he’s here.

Young and Maclin talk in Sopranos-style psychiatrist-fashion. We see shots of the jail cell that Young returned to TNA in. Young starts yelling “Wake up Steve!” and then Maclin is shown waking up in his hotel to knocks at his door.

He opens the door and it’s, you guessed it, Eric Young. He smiles and the very bizarre, but high-quality, segment comes to an end.

Leon Slater & Laredo Kid defeated Moose & JDC

Back inside the Impact Zone, Leon Slater’s theme hits and out he comes for our next match of the evening. He settles in the ring and then his partner, Laredo Kid, makes his way out. The opponents for the two high-flyers, Moose and JDC of The System, make their way out next.

The entire group of The System come out showing off the new rings they all have after their lengthy ring presentation ceremony that took place last week. They all touch fists together like The Shield in their prime WWE days, and then Moose and JDC head to the ring while the others head to the back.

The bell sounds and Kid and JDC kick things off for their respective teams. Kid gets off to a fast start, but JDC takes over control of the action and tags in Moose. Moose delivers some punishment before Kid eventually makes the tag to Slater.

Slater hits the ring with a ton of energy, using his speed and quickness to blast Moose with a series of dropkicks in the corner of the ring. He hits a big high spot to a pile of bodies on the floor a few moments later for a big pop. Slater ends up catching JDC off-guard with a roll-up for the pin.

JDC immediately attacks Slater after the win. Moose joins in on the fun. He powerbombs Slater and directs traffic, ordering JDC to hit Down N’ Dirty off the top-rope. Laredo Kid comes in from behind with a steel chair and makes the save, running off The System duo. After things wrap up, we head to another break.

Joe Hendry Live

The show returns to the viral smash hit, “I Believe in Joe Hendry.” As always, “say his name, and he appears.” And he does, to the roar of the crowd in Fayetteville. He starts off talking about Thanksgiving being right around the corner.

Hendry says he has a lot to be thankful for this year. He says his goal is clear, though, and that is to become the TNA World Champion. He says instead he’s in a Thanksgiving Turkey Bowl match at TNA Turning Point. Instead of holding the title like he should, he might be standing here in a giant turkey suit.

He says greatness is worth the chance of humiliation. If he can beat five other TNA stars he gets that much closer to becoming TNA World Champion. He says when you have a dream and a goal, you go all the way to achieve that dream. He says anything is possible when you believe. His theme hits again to end the segment.

Nic Nemeth Ready To Steal The Show At TNA Turning Point 2024

Backstage, Nic Nemeth says it sounds like everyone still believes in Joe Hendry, but he’s focused on TNA Turning Point 2024 right now. With that in mind, he’s got his sights set on Eddie Edwards.

He says he’s ready to continue to set an example of what it takes to be a fighting champion. Nemeth says at Turning Point, the Wanted Man does what he does best, he steals the show and stays your TNA World Champion.

Savannah Evans defeated Brittany Jade

Back inside the Impact Zone, the theme for Savannah Evans hits and out she comes. Already in the ring is her opponent, Brittany Jade.

The bell sounds and we’re officially off-and-running with our next match of the evening. Evans dominates from bell to bell in a squash match, ending things with a Full Nelson Slam for the easy win. The show heads to another commercial break.

Jake Something, Hammerstone & Trent Seven defeated The Hardys (Matt Hardy & Jeff Hardy) & Ace Austin

When the show returns, we see Masha Slamovich backstage with the TNA Knockouts Championship, when Jordynne Grace approaches her. The two end up deciding to settle things once and for all to find out who is the best. Their title tilt at Turning Point is now a 2 out of 3 falls match.

Back inside the Impact Zone, the ring entrances for our six-man tag-team main event of the week begin, as Jake Something makes his way out to the ring. Next out is Hammerstone and then Trent Seven, to a ton of boos. The trio settles in the ring and awaits the arrival of their opposition.

Out first for the babyface team is Ace Austin, who does a tribute for his ABC tag-team partner Chris Bey. His theme dies down and the iconic sounds of The Hardys entrance tune plays to bring out North Carolina’s own Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy.

The show heads into a quick pre-match commercial break before things get underway. When we return, the bell sounds and Matt Hardy and Hammerstone kick things off for their respective teams. The Hardys do well early on, with Jeff tagging in and picking up where Matt left off.

After the trademark Poetry in Motion double-team spot, The Hardys lose control of the action, and we see Trent Seven begin shifting the offensive momentum in his team’s favor as the show heads into another mid-match commercial break.

The show returns to wild action that is all over the place. The crowd comes to life as their hometown legends The Hardys start hitting trademark spots again. Jeff hits a Swanton, both guys hit dueling Twist of Fates on the floor. Fans chant “Hardy! Hardy!”

Back inside the ring, Ace Austin is rev’d up and ready to go like a young Dana White, when Trent Seven blasts him with a low blow that the referee doesn’t see. He follows that up with the Burning Hammer for the win. The crowd boos like crazy.

Trent continues his heel antics afterwards until The Rascalz and KUSHIDA run out to make the save. The three shake hands with their opponents for TNA Turning Point, The Hardys and Ace Austin. That’s how this week’s show goes off the air. Thanks for joining us and don’t forget to follow F4WOnline.com’s Matt Boone on Twitter/X.

Ring of Honor TV live results: NJPW stars return

Posted on by Jeff Moss

Several NJPW stars will be part of tonight’s Ring of Honor on HonorClub — a show that will also feature a men’s TV title defense.

In a non-title match, NEVER Openweight Champion Shingo Takagi will battle Ariya Daivari in Takagi’s first match for the promotion since June 2023.

NJPW men’s Strong Openweight Champion Gabe Kidd will battle Angelico in non-title action. It’s Kidd’s second ROH match and first since October’s title defense over Anthony Henry.

Tomohiro Ishii will face Mike Bennett as he looks to keep momentum going ahead of his challenge of ROH World Champion Chris Jericho Wednesday.

Kevin Knight will make his ROH debut as he faces Serpentico.

ROH men’s TV Champion Brian Cage defends against AR Fox while ROH Women’s World Champion Athena will also be in action, taking on Leila Grey in a Proving Ground match.

Shane Taylor & ROH Pure Champion Lee Moriarty will face JD Drake & Beef while The Righteous will make an appearance.

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All right, friends! You know the drill: Thursday, Ring of Honor, Honorclub. Now let’s get to the fights!

NJPW STRONG Openweight Champion Gabe Kidd defeated Angelico

KIdd brings to ROH the NJPW STRONG Openweight title, which you know is important because it has a lot of CAPITAL LETTERS. He retained that title against Anthony Henry on episode #85 of ROH on Honorclub back in October. Angelico would love to add that title to his collection, but sadly, this was a non-title match. No worries though, he’s cool.

Kidd started things off just like his title; strong. He rained down chops, shoves, kicks and stomps on Angelico. It wasn’t until Angelico managed to duck a lariat and deliver his own clotheslines that he got some offence in. Once he got moving though, Kidd seemed confused b the fluid style of Angelico. A punch to the face fixed that and brought the match back under Kidd’s control.

Kid launched himself at Angelico and managed to fold him up like an accordion. 1-2-3 and it was over, Kidd wins, and delivered a parting kick to the head for good measure.

Shane Taylor Promotions (Lee Moriarty & Shane Taylor) defeated BEEF & JD Drake

STP beat up a lot of people a couple of weeks ago. After adding The Infantry and Trish Adora to their ranks, they brawled with some nameless NPC’s in the back, and made their intentions to take the ROH tag belts away from Dustin Rhodes and Sammy Guevara vary, very clear. BEEF and Drake (which sounds like an excellent dinner special at a mid-sized pub) have been reluctantly teaming together since BEEF’s 2nd cousin and Drake’s normal tag partner Anthony Henry got hurt. 

Moriarty and Taylor are an excellent team. They both have a particular set of skills that perfectly compliment each other. Drake started off against Taylor, but tagged BEEF in fairly quickly. The crowd was chanting for BEEF, but Taylor’s experience level was too much for him and Taylor sat him down hard.

This match was interesting in that it featured a lot more yelling at each other than a normal match would. Taylor’s trash talk is legendary, but BEEF was able to get a few shots in verbally too. Moriarty tagged in and matched up with Drake, who brought the chops until Taylor made a blind tag and clotheslined Drake into next week.

Taylor and Drake stood each other up and spent about 60 seconds just hitting one another. Not wrestling, just a brawl, and it was awesome. Drake got a hot tag to BEEF who fed some right hands to Moriarty. BEEF hit a big bulldog (or BEEFdog, as they kept calling it) and drake tagged in to slam Moriarty. Drake missed a big splash from the top and Taylor tagged in got a big splash on Drake to get the pin.

After the match, Top Flight jumped in and all of STP laid a beating on Drake and BEEF. Suddenly, they were interrupted by the Undisputed Kingdom of all people! Bennett and Taven ran off STP and jawed at them as the helped BEEF and Drake to their feet.

-The Righteous cut a promo from an undisclosed location. Dutch read a poem to Dustin Rhodes, his “long-lost brother.” He talked about how Rhodes’ father Dusty had loved him like a son. Soon, the Righteous will take those tag titles, and then everyone will know who Dusty really thought of as his son.

Kevin Knight defeated Serpentico

Kevin Knight (who I discovered quickly is NOT my cousin of the same name) has been hanging out in NJPW for the last couple of years with a guy named KUSHIDA. This would be his ROH debut, and who better to go up against than the Laid-Back Luchadore, Serpentico? Last week he and his SAP partner Angelico picked up a win (and Angelico a singles loss this week) and a singles victory would be icing on the very delicious cake. 

Knight had a bit of a size adventage on Serpentico, buy you can never count Serpentico out (unless he leaves the ring for 20 seconds. But that didn’t happen). Anyway, it was a fast one off the top with Knight showing why his nickname is “the Jet” and Serpentico keeping up in a neon green blur.

Serpentico laid in a bunch of SuperPunches on Knight in the corner, but couldn’t put him away. Knight fought back and took Serpentico’s head off with a lariat. Knight hit a sky high slam followed by a running frog splash that was really impressive. Knight hit one hell of a kick (clearly inspired by Sami Zayn) and follow it up with a big clothesline to put Serpentico down for the count.

Tomohiro Ishii defeated Mike Bennett

You have to go all the way back to May of this year to find Bennett’s last singles match, which was a loss to Matt Menard. Since then, he’s been a big part of the Undisputed Kingdom stable, winning (and losing) the ROH Tag Titles and warring with The Conglomeration. Said Conglomeration features the membership of Tomohiro Ishii, so these two know each other well. Ishii has a date with Chris Jericho for the ROH title in the wings on Dynamite, so this was a heck of a warmup.

Ishii refused a code of honor from Bennett and the two locked up. Ishii had the power, but Bennett was able to match it as they two traded chops for what seemed like 45 minutes. It was actually about 5 though, as Ishii nailed Bennett with a shoulder and sent him into the corner. Bennett fought back with a lariat and knocked Ishii off his feet.

Bennett hit Ishii with a spear, but it seemed to hurt him more than Ishii. A big spinebuster followed that, but Ishii kicked out at two. Bennett tried to go up top but Ishii caught him and put him in a stalling suplex from the top rope. Ishii went for a brain buster and that was it for Bennett. Ishii nailed it and got the pin.

ROH CLASSIC MATCH: Jay Briscoe & Mark Briscoe vs. Katsuhiko Nakajima & Kensuke Sasaki (Final Battle 2008, December 27, 2008)

The attempted to give a reason for showing this match that made sense in-story, but it did not work. I’m pretty sure they showed this classic ROH match because it’s someone in production’s favourite match. That’s not a bad thing, mind you because it was a very, very good match! It deserves to be the favourite of the guy in production! Anyway, back in the here and now:

Shingo Takagi defeated Ariya Daivari

Takagi spent a lot of time in ROH between 2005-2008, but has only made a handful of appearances since then, choosing NJPW as his home where he’s done, well, just about everything. His last ROH match was in 2023 as part of a 6-man affair against pre-crisis Cage of Agony, The Mogul Embassy (Bishop Kaun, Brian Cage & Toa Liona). Daivari has been having mixed singles results lately, having lost to Tomohio Ishii, Komander and Sammy Guevara. With Mark Sterling in tow, Daivari and the Premier Athletes as a whole, needed a win here. 

Daivari’d have his work cut out for him though with the much larger Takagi standing across the ring. Trying to outpower him did not work as Takagi returned everything Daivari threw at him with gusto. Even a cheap shot from behind that sent Takagi out of the ring didn’t really seem to do much to hurt him.

Daivari relied on his technical skills to work the arm of Takagi, taking away his big lariat. Takagi fought back though, drawing his second wind from the turnbuckle. He peppered Daivari with massive elbows, both front and back. Takagi went for a pumphandle slam but Sterling caused a distraction, letting Daivari hit a hammerlock DDT.

Daivari tried a clutch, but Takagi fought out of it and delivered a DDT of his own. Daivari ascaped up the ropes and tried a frog splash, but Takagi wasn’t done. On pure instinct he hit a massive lariat and then Last of The Dragon, a truly terrifying finisher, to get the pin.

PROVING GROUND MATCH: ROH Women’s World Champion Athena defeated Leila Grey

For those just joining us, this was a Proving Ground match. If Grey could pin the champion or last to a 10-minute time limit, she would get a shot at the ROH Women’s World Championship at a later date. Athena retained her title in October against Abadon, but there are plenty of women waiting in the wings to try and dethrone the Forever Champion, including disgruntled Minion in Training, Billie Starkz.

Athena took things with her usual seriousness, playing with Grey’s hair and running around the ring like an airplane. Grey jumped on this underestimation though, and got a couple of near falls off of some hard-hitting offense, and then sending Athena to the outside.

Athena turned the tables there, sending Grey’s face into the steel steps. Athena returned to the ring and Grey followed, right into the hands of the Champion with over three minutes gone in the match. All Grey had to do was last seven more minutes and she would get her title shot.

Grey started to pick up steam, hitting a bulldog that Athena kicked out of at two-and-three-quarters. Athena then started to bring out the big guns. Handspring slams in the corner, big power slams and lariats. She went to the top rope for the O Face, but Grey beat her to it and hit a sunset bomb from the top rope!

Time was running out though and Athena resorted to raking eyes and drawing Grey into a triangle choke. Grey lasted a few seconds, but was forced to tap before time ran out, dashing her hopes of a title match.

ROH WORLD TELEVISION TITLE MATCH: Brian Cage ( c) defeated AR Fox

In the Main Event: AR Fox has actually been on something of a roll in ROH the last couple months. He’s posted wins over Jack Cartwheel and Josh Woods and was part of a few tag victories as well. This is enough to earn him a shot a Brian Cage’s ROH World TV Title. This will mark Cage’s second defense of the belt, as he retained vs Komander a few weeks ago and has been hanging out with the Don Callis Family ever since. He even brought a Lance Archer with him!

Cage, in a very subdued outfit compared to his usual gear, was the same height as Fox, but about twice as wide. In a normal situation, this would be a case of Speed vs Strength, but as anyone who’s seen him wrestle knows, Cage has just as much speed as he does strength.

Fox tried everything he could including a Shooting Star Press and then a full moonsault onto Cage on the outside. Cage was resilient though, getting to his feet every time. Fox let Cage get to close, and got his eyes raked for his trouble. Cage moved into a series of power moves and suplexes to knock Fox silly.

Cage did some bicep curls with Fox, ending his set with a slam. From there, Cage tried a simple chin lock to wear down the challenger. Fox battled back though, hanging Cage up in the ropes. Fox pulled an Elix Skipper and matrix-dodged a big lariat. Cage looked a little sluggish at this point as Fox hit a DDT.

Cage managed to catch fox and hit a blue thunder pumphandle bomb. He tried to lock in a reverse cloverleaf, but Fox was able to get to the ropes. Fox responded with a Code red, but only got the two count. Fox then hit Cage with a spiccoli driver followed by a big 450 splash. Somehow, Cage kicked out though.

Fox set Cage up on the top rope, but Cage swatted him down and hit a satellite DDT, followed by a series of powerbombs, but still, Fox kicked out. Cage hit a discus lariat and a brainbuster and that finally put Fox on his back and out of his misery. Excellent match though! Excellent show!

AEW Dynamite live results: Full Gear go-home show

Posted on by Ryan Howard

Tonight’s AEW Dynamite is the final episode before Saturday’s Full Gear pay-per-view.

Before he challenges Jon Moxley for the AEW World Championship, Orange Cassidy must go through Moxley’s Death Riders member and former friend Wheeler Yuta while another Death Rider — Claudio Castagnoli — will face Darby Allin.

An all-star eight-man tag will feature Will Ospreay, Ricochet, Powerhouse Hobbs & Mark Davis against AEW International Champion Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher, Lance Archer & Brian Cage.

Ahead of their title match on next Wednesday’s Dynamite, Ring of Honor World Champion Chris Jericho and Tomohiro Ishii will sign their contract for the bout.

Kris Statlander will take on former AEW Women’s Champion Hikaru Shida ahead of Statlander’s challeng of TBS Champion Mercedes Mone Saturday.

Big Boom AJ of the Costco Guys will appear ahead of his match with QT Marshall on Saturday’s pre-show.

CMLL’s Hechicero, Atlantis Jr. & Mascara Dorada will also be in action as the stars of the Mexican promotion return to AEW.

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AEW Dynamite comes on the air with an abbreviated version of the November Rain hype video for Full Gear that aired on Collision. This is a fantastic video package and I recommend everyone checking the full version out on YouTube or social media. Excalibur then welcomes us alongside Tony Schiavone & Daddy Magic before hyping tonight’s main event of teacher vs. student in Orange Cassidy vs. Wheeler Yuta.

The Don Callis Family (Konosuke Takeshita, Lance Archer, Brian Cage & Kyle Fletcher) defeated Ricochet, Will Ospreay, Mark Davis & Powerhouse Hobbs

(One heck of a party match to start the show with nearly everyone getting their chances to shine in this. This was the exact match you’d expect, as you got little teasers from the matches we’re getting on Saturday. I enjoyed the finish, as Takeshita picked up the pieces after the errant Hidden Blade led to the miscommunication between Ospreay & Davis, thanks to Fletcher. The Don Callis Family needed this win as a team.)

This was Davis’ first match since October 2023 WrestleDream and it’s great to see him back in action. The babyfaces wasted no time rushing up the ramp to start the brawl early, as it was chaos all over ringside. The match officially began with Takeshita & Davis in the ring with Davis using his size to overcome Takeshita, sending him outside so Ricochet could hit a dive. Cage quickly in for a chokeslam on Davis, posts Ricochet, but Ospreay ran in with a PK on the apron, teased a dive, but was knocked down by Fletcher. Hobbs slowly stalked Fletcher up the ropes, but Archer made the save, trapped Hobbs’ leg between the steps as Cage sent Ospreay into them. Medical checked on Hobbs, who limped to the back, as Ospreay tried to check on him. Ricochet countered an Archer chokeslam into a hurricanrana, but Archer was back up and cleaned house, chokeslamming Ricochet over the top onto a pile outside taking things to commercial.

Ricochet was worked over the entire break, but mounted a comeback when things returned, rolling through a Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall. Handspring back elbow created a double down as Ospreay & Fletcher both tagged in and went full speed briefly until Fletcher quickly bailed and Takeshita was back in. Davis hoisted him up into a fireman’s carry and Ospreay hit a pump knee before a double team cutter got a near fall. Cage & Archer jumped in and cleaned house as commentary put over how dominant they’ve been as a tag team. Takeshita connected on a Blue Thunder Bomb on Ospreay, who kicked out a two as the crowd got behind him.

Fletcher was finally in to pick up the pieces, as everyone was down in Ospreay’s corner. Hobbs then slowly limped back out, as Fletcher sprinted up after him, but ate a clothesline. Ospreay fought free and made the hot tag, as Hobbs, even on one leg, ran wild with corner splashes aplenty. The straps lowered, as Archer ate a snap powerslam before Davis tagged in with multiple big boots and powerful right hand on Takeshita. Davis dodged the Power Drive Knee and hit a wild gut wrench piledriver for two. Fletcher broke the count and slapped Davis in the face, who shot a double leg, only to eat a Takeshita forearm. Everyone took turns hitting high impact moves, leaving Ospreay & Fletcher to slug it out and do a crazy series of counters until Ospreay hit a standing Spanish Fly. Fletcher pulled Davis into the way of a Hidden Blade before taking out a pile outside, as Takeshita lowered the knee pad and put away Davis with the Power Drive Knee for the victory.

-We go backstage where Jon Moxley is backstage with the Death Riders calling Orange Cassidy a snake. Moxley said his job Saturday is to eliminate Cassidy, who is a sociopath, as he’s a threat to his people and will be destroyed. So much more going on behind Cassidy’s eyes, as he might make it to Full Gear with his mind intact, but he can’t say the same about his body. Claudio Castagnoli promises tonight he will end Darby Allin.

We see Allin walking backstage and said all of the Death Riders will have their day and tonight is Claudio’s day.

-Excalibur tells us the Continental Classic will kick off next week, but we still don’t know any entrant aside from Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada.

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-Renee Paquette is out in the parking lot and welcomed The Hurt Syndicate, who pulled up to the arena. MVP announced that Lashley will compete later tonight ahead of Full Gear. Swerve Strickland rushed in and popped Lashley with a chain wrapped punch before bailing as MVP & Shelton Benjamin tended to their fallen buddy.

Adam Cole Talks Missing Out on Full Gear

Cole is out to a nice reaction as it’s time for Story Time with Adam Cole Bay-Bay. Cole said MJF succeeded in doing everything in his power to keep Cole from getting his match at Full Gear. One person who was successful was Roderick Strong, who will kick MJF’s ass this Saturday. Kyle O’Reilly made his way to the ring and brought up 14 years ago in Redding, both of them had their second pro match against each other. Being associated with Cole throughout his career has had serious highs and lows, but he’s the only one who can tell him the truth, the obsession with MJF needs to stop. Friends are willing to take bullets for him, O’Reilly included, but he doesn’t have a good feeling Strong, who almost didn’t make it out last week, could get hurt against MJF. O’Reilly asked what makes Cole think MJF isn’t three steps ahead of him, so Cole needs to realize why so many are willing to go to war for him. It’s because he’s a leader and a friend who doesn’t want to see his others get hurt, at least that’s what he hopes. MJF is more of an evil bastard than Cole will ever be and that’s a good thing. O’Reilly left the ring, as Cole was left to ponder what he just heard. I got what they were going for in this segment, but it was met with dead silence to end it.

-Orange Cassidy is backstage and said he’s going to make an example out of Wheeler Yuta before doing the same thing to Jon Moxley on Saturday. He wants to do it alone, as The Conglomeration walks in and said it’s not 5 on 1, they have his back. Cassidy gets serious and screams that they don’t have to believe him, but promise they will stay away. Cassidy said to Moxley go ahead and do what he wants tonight, come Full Gear, he’ll need all the help he can get.

Kris Statlander defeated Hikaru Shida

(I like how commentary put over how Statlander herself never got pinned or submitted to lose her TBS Title, it was in a three way with Julia Hart defeating Skye Blue. At one point, when Shida hesitated on her Kitana, Excalibur told us she had confidence issues in using it after losing to Mercedes Mone a month or so ago, which I have not heard once since, so that was weird. Statlander was obviously getting the win and thankfully looked strong ahead of Full Gear, standing tall over Mone to end the segment. This was about the third week in a row Kamille has looked like a complete goof, as Mone is just feeding her to the wolves at this point. She’s losing all of her appeal as a heater as the weeks go on it seems.)

Both ladies very evenly matched out the gate, as Shida worked the arm before going to the corner with punches. Statlander slid out, swept the leg and connected on a standing moonsault for two. Snap hurricanrana from Shida, but Statlander cartwheeled out, taking Shida down. Shida battled back with a running knee lift on the edge of the ring, as dueling chants from the crowd led to commercial.

Back from break, Statlander hit running corner knee strikes before a spinning sit-out fisherman’s buster for a near fall. Shida fought off Wednesday Night Fever, threw a series of forearms, which Statlander no sold. Wrist clutch school boy got Shida two, as she held onto the wrist and hit a pump knee. Shida stalled in trying her Kitana knee, but connected on a Falcon Arrow for a close two and followed with a release German suplex. Shida wanted the Kitana, but Statlander countered into Wednesday Night Fever for the victory.

Statlander helped Shida up and shook her hand post-match, as Mercedes Mone walked to the stage with Kamille by her side, arm in a sling. Mone put over the Boston Celtics and ran down the Sixers for the cheap heat before mentioning holding the TBS Title longer than Statlander. Mone is the greatest TBS Champion of all time and will never lose the title. She was met with Shut the F Up chants, as Mone ordered Kamille to go after Statlander, despite her injured arm. Kamille stepped between Statlander & Shida and proceeded to promptly get her ass kicked as a result. They sent her outside, as Shida went out after, as Mone tried to sneak attack Statlander with a back stabber, but Statlander didn’t budge and planted Mone with a Wednesday Night Fever to stand tall with the TBS Title.

-MVP is furious backstage and whispered to the camera to come with him & Shelton Benjamin, who thought they found Swerve Strickland backstage, but it was someone else wearing Strickland’s fur coat. MVP hit him in the ribs with his cane and left with Benjamin for Lashley’s handicap match, next.

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-A video package for Switchblade Jay White vs. Hangman Adam Page is shown ahead of their match at Full Gear.

Bobby Lashley (w/MVP & Shelton Benjamin) defeated Cheeseburger & Joe Keys

The crowd chanted immediately for Cheeseburger when he was announced and that resulted in Lashley launching him over the top and to the corner. Lashley caught Keys charging and dropped both with a Flatliner/DDT combo. Keys was easily dispatched to the floor and mowed down Cheeseburger to the boos of the crowd. Dominator connected, as Keys broke the count. Lashley actually sold some brief offense before flattening Keys with a spinebuster and Spear. Hurt Lock applied, as Keys went out cold for the win.

Post match, Swerve Strickland’s music hit and Prince Nana came out with a chair. Benjamin went up after, as he chased Nana to the back. Strickland was hiding under the ring, attacked Lashley from behind, dropped MVP & a returning Benjamin before hitting a House Call & Swerve Stomp on Lashley. Strickland bailed right as Benjamin & MVP recovered and left through the crowd.

-Renee Paquette is backstage with Mariah & May & Mina Shirakawa talking about their Champagne Championship Celebration at Full Gear, but they’re going to be teaming on Rampage. May said no champion deserves a celebration more than her. She takes sh*ts and makes it shine, anytime, anywhere, you hold the AEW Women’s Title or you die. Shirakawa said she’ll give May the celebration she deserves, as everyone wanted Mina back, while she is here for Mariah. The two start dancing to end the segment.

Claudio Castagnoli defeated Darby Allin

(As soon as this match was announced, you knew Allin was going to get tossed around more than usual and Castagnoli did just that. This was almost a needed win for Castagnoli, who has become primarily a tag guy in recent months, so this can be another monster for Allin to slay on his fight to the AEW World Title. The gorilla press from the table was an incredible moment, as Allin, like usual, put his body through hell in this.)

Allin used the speed advantage to frustrate Castagnoli in the early going, as he took multiple powders until Allin tried a Coffin Drop off the top, but Castagnoli caught and flung him into the barricade. Castagnoli charged with an uppercut that sent Allin tumbling into the crowd. Castagnoli actually walked up the ring steps with Allin in a vertical suplex position and slammed him back in the ring as things went to commercial.

It was all Castagnoli during break, as he launched Allin to the floor violently before doing the same into the barricade. Allin was gorilla pressed back inside, but he swept out the leg using the ring apron, hitting a follow-up series of dives, nearly flying into the front row in the process. Back inside, Allin wanted a Coffin Drop, but Castagnoli crotched him and hit an Avalanche Gut-Wrench Suplex for two. After sort of missing the mark the first try, the power of Castagnoli was so crazy that Allin held on and they tried again with Allin successfully popping off a Code Red for a close near fall. Castagnoli fought back with a series of uppercuts and punches to the ribs, as Allin collapsed.

Big boot sent Allin outside, as Castagnoli went out and hit a wild Giant Swing into the steel steps before chucking Allin right over the announce table. Castagnoli cleared off the table, climbed up with Allin, gorilla pressed him clear over his head and launched him onto the ring attendant’s table in an absolute insane spot. Castagnoli ordered referee Paul Turner to put the count on him, as Allin crawled and just broke the count at 9. Running charge turned Allin inside out and Castagnoli got the victory.

-Renee Paquette is backstage with Private Party and asks them about their 4-way title match at Full Gear. Zay & Quen said the odds are stacked against them, but they’ve always been that way, even when they fought The Young Bucks. Big Boom AJ & Big Justice walked in and they did their schtick saying they have an announcement next.

-MJF pulled up to a beat down building, as a homeless guy asked for change and MJF said sure, throwing change down the street and said fetch. MJF brings up Roderick Strong’s alcoholic parents and his mother shooting his father in front of them and how traumatizing that must’ve felt. Trauma is an overwhelming sense of powerlessness, while healing is a sense of powered and supported. That’s why Strong does anything for Adam Cole is he makes him feel all the things he lacks. Just like he did to MJF, Cole was a mirage, a fraud, liar, but he feels deep down that in his deep feeble frame, Cole cares about Strong. He’s happy Strong won, as he’s going to force Cole to watch him suffer. Strong’s white trash upbringing is where MJF will send him, right back where he belongs, the trailer park. After MJF is done with him, Strong will wish his mother didn’t shoot his father, but instead, shot him.

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-Renee Paquette is with Big Boom AJ & Big Justice saying his match with QT Marshall is 20 years in the making. AJ did his chocolate cookie thing and the Boom saying as Big Justice said there’s only one guy they want ringing the bell when he pins QT Marshall at Full Gear, that’s The Rizzler. I know this has an audience and they even appeared on Jimmy Fallon to promote this, which is good publicity, but this whole thing isn’t for me, I don’t get it.

-Tony Schiavone welcomed Roderick Strong & The Kingdom to the stage and Strong said he hasn’t slept a wink since last Wednesday. He feels like a kid on Christmas that he finally gets his hands on Max. Is Strong supposed to be ashamed of his childhood and his parents? Max made him feel like he was in elementary school again and said he shouldn’t feel sorry for Strong. If you want to break the cycle, you have to earn it, which he’s done since he was a little kid, while Max has been spoon-fed everything. When things don’t go MJF’s way, he throws a tantrum until he gets it. Strong wants MJF to look in the mirror and realize at Full Gear, he’ll pay for all those sins, every chop, punch, elbow and backbreaker. Strong will sleep well knowing he broke MJF’s back and made MJF humble.

-Footage of last Saturday on Collision of Jack Perry attacking Daddy Magic during Daniel Garcia’s match with Johnny TV is shown. Garcia & Menard got their revenge by tying Perry to the hood of his Scapegoat Bus and driving off. Menard then threw it to what happened after Collision, as we saw Perry tied to a chair, as Garcia dumped water on him to wake up. Perry said he knew Garcia was just like him, as Garcia said all he wanted to do was wrestle, but there were savages who tried to attack Menard and they have to pay. Perry brought up everyone having to make sacrifices, as Garcia promises he’ll never go where Perry has went. Perry spat in his face and started laughing, telling Menard, who was holding the camera, to get out of his face. Garcia came back with a crowbar and smashed the Scapegoat Bus for a few shots and Perry just laughed asking if that was it? Garcia just stormed off, as Menard said Perry had a horsehoe up his ass before going after Garcia. So I guess Perry is just still tied up in a warehouse somewhere? We have no idea if he was able to get free or not, as Garcia looked sort of like a dork just walking away from this. The whole segment was a really weird final segment before their PPV match.

Chris Jericho & Tomohiro Ishii ROH World Title Contract Signing

Renee Paquette is sitting backstage in the locker room with both Champion and Challenger, as Jericho refused to sign the contract without his legal team checking it out. Jericho took the contract and walked off, standing in front of a giant Collision banner with his face on it. Ishii started stalking him with Jericho putting objects and people in front of him, as Ishii tossed everything aside. It wasn’t a chase so much as a power walk, as they walked through the stands to the ring, as Jericho said he doesn’t have a pen. Ishii pulled out a pen of his own, handed it to Jericho, who signed and stalled until Bryan Keith & Big Bill hit the ring and attacked Ishii to crickets from the crowd. Jericho was going to stab Ishii with the pen until Mark Briscoe & Rocky Romero made the save. Ishii sent Bill to the floor, as Romero flew out with a dive. Keith was dropped with a Jay Driller, while Jericho planted with a sheer drop brainbuster. Ishii signed the contract and the match is official for next week.

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-Renee Paquette is backstage with Jamie Hayter, who said she was baffled Julia Hart’s vignette interrupted her last week, as she’s never spoken nor wrestled her. Hayter said she moves to the beat of her own drum, just like Hart does, but if she wants to have a chat…

The camera cuts to another video package saying it’s time to come home, The House is her foundation and Julia Hart’s rebirth is complete, it’s time to rebuild. Hart, more determined and dangerous than ever, is shown shooting arrows and we see the cheerleader version of Hart laid out on the football field like last week. The voice of Brody King said she’s the Princess of the Black Throne, keeper of secrets, she’s Julia Hart and her heart grows harder. An arrow hits a bullseye as Hart can be heard screaming before it cuts to black.

Orange Cassidy defeated Wheeler Yuta

(The battle between teacher and student was a very good main event, the Yuta references to Bryan Danielson being a nice touch, but I enjoyed the post-match even more. Cassidy was fully aware he was going to get his ass kicked, but ultimately, he was able to stand tall, on is own after taking said ass kicking. Cassidy knows it’s going to take a lot to win the AEW World Championship, while Jon Moxley is aware it’s going to require a ton more to kill the spirit of Orange Cassidy.)

Yuta fired off a shotgun dropkick right before the bell, as Cassidy floated over in the corner and got a series of near falls. Yuta wrenched at the ear, but Cassidy quickly got the seatbelt pin attempt for another close two. They fought to the outside where Yuta managed a brainbuster on the floor. Yuta exposed the metal portion of the turnbuckle and drove Cassidy’s face into it before hitting a DDT on the apron, taking control into commercial break.

Back from break, both men slugged it out with forearms until Yuta bit Cassidy’s forehead. Cassidy battled back with a PK and stiff brainbuster for a near fall. Cassidy wanted an Orange Punch, but Yuta countered into a snap German and Angle Slam. Anvil elbows from Yuta, but Cassidy put a stop to it, wrenching the fingers, snapping them repeatedly. Shoutout to Chuck Taylor, as Cassidy hit Sole Food and a Michinoku Driver for two. Yuta again dodged an Orange Punch, as Cassidy got an O’Connor Roll for two, tried a tilt a whirl, but Yuta countered into a leg trapped Tombstone for a close near fall. Anvil elbows again poured down from Yuta, as he locked in Cattle Mutilation, but Cassidy got his feet on the ropes. Yuta stormed to the floor and got a chair, but Cassidy ducked a shot, got the quick roll-up with the legs trapped for the flash pin.

Yuta couldn’t believe it, as Cassidy shoved Bryce out of the way, but PAC appeared and dropped him with a pump kick. Claudio Castagnoli, Marina Shafir & Jon Moxley all came out with Shafir handing duct tape to PAC. Castagnoli put Cassidy’s hands in his pockets, as PAC taped his arms. All of the Death Riders pie faced Cassidy around until Moxley dropped him with a series of punches and slaps. Cassidy then started his little kicks, but Moxley starched him with a forearm. Commentary talked about Cassidy living and dying by his words and wanting to go at this alone. They all left Cassidy laying and left through the crowd, as The Conglomeration came to the ring and freed him from the tape. Cassidy got to his feet on his own accord, as he realizes the struggle it will be come Full Gear. Cassidy slowly put his sunglasses on and hands back in his pockets, as even Moxley knows what they threw at him tonight wasn’t enough to keep Cassidy’s spirit down. Excalibur really pushed how whoever wins on Saturday will have control of All Elite Wrestling.

AEW Rampage (11/22/24)

  • Mariah May & Mina Shirakawa in Tag Team action

AEW Full Gear (11/23/24)

  • Jon Moxley vs. Orange Cassidy for the AEW World Title
  • Will Ospreay vs. Kyle Fletcher
  • Swerve Strickland vs. Bobby Lashley
  • Hangman Adam Page vs. Switchblade Jay White
  • Jack Perry vs. Daniel Garcia for the TNT Title
  • Mercedes Mone vs. Kris Statlander for the TBS Title
  • Private Party vs. The Outrunners vs. The Acclaimed vs. Kings of the Black Throne for the AEW Tag Team Titles
  • MJF vs. Roderick Strong
  • Zero Hour: Big Boom AJ vs. QT Marshall

WWE NXT live results: Fate of Chase U on the line

Posted on by Chris Aiken

Tonight on NXT, the fate of Chase University is on the line.

Andre Chase and his former student Ridge Holland will do battle on tonight’s episode. The winner becomes the number one contender to NXT Champion Trick Williams. And there is also the stipulation that, if Chase loses tonight, he will have to close Chase U forever.

A few Iron Survivor Challenge qualifying matches are on tap as the road to Deadline continues. Zaria vs. Wren Sinclair and Stephanie Vaquer vs. Jaida Parker are set on the women’s side. A men’s qualifying match between Nathan Frazer and Eddy Thorpe is also taking place.

Tony D’Angelo vs. Brooks Jensen has been announced for tonight as well. Plus, Karmen Petrovic & Ashante Adonis take on Brinley Reece & Dion Lennox in mixed tag team action.

An appearance by Fatal Influence is also scheduled after Fallon Henley retained her Women’s North American Championship against Kelani Jordan last week.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

**********

Vic Joseph and Booker T do a stand-up intro at ringside welcoming viewers to the show from a sound stage at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando. Opening the show is a qualifier for the Iron Survivor.

Lots of Chase U shirts among the live studio audience. Also among the audience are several tag teams watching the match. More appear as the opener progresses. Some are even at ringside.

Before his match tonight, Nathan Frazier is with NXT Tag Team Championship co-holder Axiom. Frazier is pumped for the qualifier. Axiom not so much. Gallus is seen behind them. A tag team stalking the scene is foreshadowing what unfolds during the opener.

Nathan Frazier (with Axiom) defeated Eddy Thorpe in an Iron Survivor qualifying match

Frazier pinned Thorpe after a Phoenix Splash. They had a good match, but it was a backdrop to all the tag team drama. All the teams from the NXT roster come down to ringside. They are all apparently scouting the tag champs, including when one of the champs is in a singles match. With all of them out there, a brawl breaks out just before Frazier and Thorpe go home.

All of the tag teams start closing in on the ringside area as the match cuts to a commercial break. When the show returns from the break, the teams are all around ringside as if it was a lumberjack match. A huge brawl erupts at ringside. Frazier does a dive on to a pile of bodies on the floor. Back in the ring, Frazier counters Thorpe. Frazier then climbs the turnbuckles and leaps off the top with a Phoenix Splash. Frazier then scores a three count.

The teams brawling continues as security pours out for a pull-apart.

Great vignette with Andre Chase giving an impassioned speech as clips highlight the success of Chase U.

Another video package has Giulia delivering a promo with her using the “Beautiful Madness” moniker.

In a backstage skit, Kelani Jordan asks Robert Stone or Stevie Turner to get her an Iron Survivor qualifying match against Giulia.

Stephanie Vaquer defeated Jaida Parker in an Iron Survivor qualifying match

Vaquer pinned Parker after Vaquer’s package neckbreaker combo finisher. Lola Vice comes down to ringside just before the finish, and Vice is carrying a brick. That is a call back to a previous match. Parker had Vaquer set for the hip attack finisher, but Parker is distracted by Vice being at ringside. Vaquer capitalizes and executes her finisher on Parker. Vaquer then scores a three count.

They had a good match, and they were given time. The match goes through a commercial break. Parker got a near fall just before they went home, getting a two count after a Falcon Arrow. Soon thereafter, out comes Vice. Parker and Vice seem likely to clash again soon, while Vaquer moves on to the Iron Survivor Challenge.

Brinley Reece and Dion Lennox are in the locker room dressed in Oregon State gear. This was cross-promotion with CW to hype a college football game on Saturday, which is part of CW’s Pac 12 football package. Lennox and Reece deliver some bad lines ahead of their mixed tag team match.

Later in the show, another locker room skit has Karmen Petrovic and Ashante “Thee” Adonis dressed in Washington State merch. That school is plays Oregon State on CW this weekend. Adonis and Petrovic deliver their lines decent enough, and then they compliment each other’s appearance.

NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez was cutting a promo on the beach in video uploaded to social media. Sol Ruca photos bombs Perez and confronts her on the beach, much to the chagrin of Perez.

Tony D’Angelo (with Adrianna Rizzo) defeated Brooks Jensen (with Shawn Spears)

D’Angelo pinned Jensen after a spinebuster. “The Don” teases hurting his knee in the match, which played into a post-match angle. Jensen got his heat back by chop blocking D’Angelo in the injured knee. Spears had offered a handshake to D’Angelo, which set up the sneak attack by Jensen.

Karmen Petrovic & Ashante “Thee” Adonis defeated Brinley Reece & Dio Lennox in a mixed tag team match

Petrovic pinned Reece to win the match. Adonis wanted a kiss on the cheek, but Reece slaps him instead. However, that distraction allowed Petrovic to land a roundhouse kick on Reece. Petrovic then covers Reece for the three count. This was more gaga than anything else so far.

Lots more plugs for the Pac 12 football games on CW, and even more to come.

Ridge Holland cuts a promo ahead of his match tonight against Andrea Chase, who Holland vows to defeat. Holland says Chase U will be lost without their leader.

Zaria defeated Wren Sinclair in an Iron Survivor qualifying match

Zaria pinned Sinclair after a F-5. Zaria is still getting a monster push, but Sinclair did get some counters and near falls. Charlie Dempsey was also in her corner. Zaria still got to win in mostly decisive fashion, and she is in the Iron Survivor Challenge.

In a skit from the trainer’s room, Tony D’Angelo is angry. NXT GM Ava sees the anger, and she makes a match next week against Shawn Spears. That is, if D’Angelo is cleared to wrestle (in storyline).

Eddy Thorpe throws a tantrum with Ava. Thorpe is such a good character, but he is booked to look like such a jerk.

Fatal Influence are headed to the ring to deliver a promo. After a commercial break, they are in the ring. Jacy Jayne, Jazmyn Nyz and NXT Women’s North American Champion Fallon Henley get to cut promos. Henley announces an open challenge for her title next week, and out comes Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson to interrupt the promo. They want to accept the open challenge. Out comes Nikkita Lyons, and she too wants to challenge Henley. More women enter the scene. Adrianna Rizzo jumps Lyons, and a hug brawl erupts at ringside with seemingly everyone involved.

As the smoke clears, Tatum Paxley is in the ring with Henley. Paxley executes her finisher on Henley, and Paxley poses with the North American title belt. This sets up Henley defending the title against Paxley next Tueday on NXT.

Karmen Petrovic and Ashante Adonis are chatting backstage and there is a spark between them. Nikkita Lyons interrupts to ask Adonis to text her back. Petrovic is upset by this, and she storms off.

A really good video package hypes the Iron Survivor Challenge.

Ethan Page vows to regain the NXT Championship in a backstage promo, and that begins with qualifying for the Iron Survivor.

In a separate (but related) locker room skit, Axiom tells Nathan Frazier that Axiom is booked against Page in a qualifying match. This plays on what sometimes seems like the only tag team subplot in WWE, which the partners are not on the same page.

Chase U is featured in another vignette with Andre Chase. This was great like the other hype video earlier in the show.

NXT Champion Trick Williams gets a full entrance as he comes out in street clothes. Trick will provide guest commentary for the main event.

Ridge Holland defeated Andre Chase in a number one contender’s match

Holland pinned Chase after the Redeemer finisher. Chase kicked out on a lot of near falls, until he could kick out no longer. With that, Andre Chase must leave Chase U.

The Chase U Crew is watching on monitors backstage. Before the show cuts to its final commercial break, Holland pulls up the floor mats to expose the bare concrete. Chase fights back with a somersault senton off the apron. Chase poses with the crowd as the show cuts to the break.

Chase was doing well for himself when Holland went to fetch a metal folding chair. Holland went to use the chair as a weapon, but the referee took it from him. The ref turns him back to get rid of the chair, and Holland kicks Chase in the groin with a low blow. Holland then delivers an implant DDT for a near fall. Duke Hudson, who along with Thea Hail, came to ringside during the match, and he pulled the referee out of the ring to stop the count. Somehow, this was not a disqualification.

Hudson and Riley Osborne would both get involved as the match progresses. Hudson is rammed through a wall on a gimmicked section of the set. Osborne flew in on a flip dive that wipes out Holland and Hail. Holland counters Osborne, and Holland picks up Osborne with a military press. Holland then tosses Osborne over the ropes to the floor like the Ultimate Warrior might have done to some jobber in ’89.

In the closing moments, Holland faces off with Chase in a slugfest. Comeback by Chase as he runs wild. Chase powerbombs Holland off the middle rope for a close three count. That would be the final near fall, as Holland soon cuts off Chase.

Chase jumps off the top rope with a high cross, but Holland hangs on with the roll through. Holland then executes his Redeemer (implant DDT) finisher. Holland then hooks a leg for the deciding pinfall.

Post-mathch, Chase is nearly in tears as he locks at his fallen students, all in some way were laid out at the hands of Holland. This was seemingly supposed to be a serious moment, but some people in the studio audience begin singing the “Hey hey hey, goodbye” song. That somewhat killed the mood, but I chuckled nonetheless.

WWE Raw live results: Seth Rollins vs. Bronson Reed grudge match

Posted on by Steve Khan

Air Date: November 18, 2024 (Taped Nov 11)
Location: Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, MI

**********

Show Recap — 

Various wrestlers were shown arriving at this taped edition of Raw (along with fake crowd noise). 

Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez entered. Liv welcomed us to Monday Night Morgan. She knew Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill were in the house and weren’t alone, so she didn’t come alone either. That brought out Nia Jax, Tiffany Stratton and Candice LeRae. 

Jax told Morgan and Rodriguez that she didn’t care about them but couldn’t stop thinking about Belair, Cargill and Naomi. Those three women entered right on cue (to more fake crowd noise). Belair said they didn’t come alone either, which brought out Iyo Sky. 

Morgan noted that they were still outnumbered 5-to-4. Morgan called herself “really, really, really smart” because she knew what was about to happen and asked who would throw out the first punch. 

Rhea Ripley entered (to a big reaction) wearing a protective face mask. (The announcers reminded us of her broken orbital bone.) She yelled, “War Games!” and headbutted Morgan. Morgan escaped through the crowd as Sky wiped out everyone with a moonsault outside the ring. The babyfaces stood tall. 

(It often feels so phony when wrestlers parade out like this and it felt especially so here, at least until Ripley returned.) 

******** 

There was a replay of Bronson Reed joining the new Bloodline on Smackdown. 

They showed a tale of the tape for Seth Rollins vs. Reed tonight. 

They announced Raw at Intuit Dome for the Netflix debut on January 6th. 

******** 

Mixed tag team match: Rey Mysterio & Zelina Vega defeated Chad Gable & Ivy Nile (10:00) 

Nile smacked Vega before the match began. They brawled to the outside and the referee started the match with Rey and Gable in the ring. A Nile distraction allowed Gable to take over on Rey. Gable and Nile put the boots to Rey as the ref held back Vega. 

Rey tagged in Vega who hit Nile with double knees in the corner for two but Nile blocked a suplex and clobbered her with a clothesline. Nile was in control through a break until Vega hit a tornado DDT. 

Vega went for a tag but Gable grabbed her by the leg and the crowd booed. Vega hit an enziguri and tagged in Rey who hit a seated senton and rollup for two. Gable caught Rey out of mid-air and hit a cliffhanger DDT for two. 

With Gable seated on the top rope, Rey catapulted Vega toward Gable and she brought him down with a hurricanrana. Vega dropped the top rope as Nile charged at her but Nile couldn’t make it over the top so she just sent herself out of the ring over the middle rope. 

Rey followed with a springboard moonsault for a nearfall before hitting a 619 and springboard splash for the pinfall win. The crowd was happy. 

— The Creed Brothers helped Gable to his feet but he pushed them away. He screamed at them that he wasn’t a loser and they shouldn’t accept this. Gable slapped Julius Creed twice to motivate him. Julius and Brutus began shoving each other to psych each other up and all four members of American Made stood tall together. 

********

Finn Bálor saw Morgan was clearly stressed out so he offered to take the wheel for Judgment Day tonight and she accepted. Bálor hyped up Dominik and Carlito for their match against the War Raiders. 

Bálor offered advice but Dom didn’t seem interested. Bálor said he was the great Dominik Mysterio and he would figure it out either way. After Dom and Carlito left, JD McDonagh pulled Bálor aside to chat. (They added fake booing in different spots here and it felt completely out of place.) 

********

There was a video promo with The Miz and Final Testament. Miz had a cut on his eyelid. He said he deserved an Oscar for his performance last week, convincing the Wyatt Sicks that they could change him. 

Karrion Kross said they exposed the Wyatts as wounded people using others to make themselves feel better. They were not invincible. Miz randomly started wondering who would direct his next film. Kross said he dealt the cards and the Wyatts would continue to play the game he controls. 

*******

Gunther approached Ludwig Kaiser. Kaiser wasn’t happy about what happened last week (when Kaiser tried sticking up for Gunther but Gunther shut him down) but Gunther told him to start making a name for himself. Gunther wanted Kaiser to speak for himself and be his own man. 

Before Kaiser left, Gunther asked him, “Look into my eyes, what do you see?” (A reference to Cult of Personality/CM Punk, perhaps.) Gunther asked Kaiser if he still saw the old ring general inside of him. Kaiser said, “Of course.” Gunther was happy to hear it. 

Damian Priest happened to be nearby signing autographs and Gunther tried to blindside him but Priest fought him off and knocked him down. Priest told Gunther he might be a general in the ring, but on the streets, Priest was king. 

********

Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker defeated Sheamus via disqualification (13:33) 

They were even for the first two minutes until Bron hit a leaping clothesline off the apron over the announce table. 

[SECOND HOUR] 

After a break, Bron knocked Sheamus down with a dive off the top to the outside. Sheamus fired up in the ring and hit a powerslam, clothesline, lifting knee, and ten beats of the Bodhrán. Sheamus followed with a diving knee drop for two. (Bron seemed out of place but because it was taped they were able to use a camera angle that didn’t quite show it.) 

Bron came back with a backstabber for two. Sheamus followed with an avalanche White Noise for a nearfall. The crowd chanted, “This is awesome.” Sheamus went back to the top but Bron brought him down with a Frankensteiner. Bron went for a spear but Sheamus nailed a knee strike for a nearfall. 

The crowd got up as Sheamus set up for a Brogue kick but Bron cut him off with a spear. Sheamus rolled out of the ring before he could go for a cover. 

Bron went for a sprinting spear around the ring but Kaiser nailed him with a clothesline for the DQ. Kaiser also kicked Sheamus into the steel steps. The crowd booed Kaiser as he stood tall on the steps. 

(This was really good until the end and the crowd was very into it.) 

********

Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso and Sami Zayn approached Seth Rollins. Jey wanted them all, just this one time, to put their differences aside. Zayn noted that Rollins previously put their differences aside last year to team with him, Jey and even Cody Rhodes. Zayn wanted to do it one more time. 

Rollins said he would stand side-by-side with Jey, Jimmy and Sami but never with Roman Reigns. It wasn’t worth Reigns being on top again. He planned on solving their Bronson Reed problem tonight and whatever happened after War Games was on them. “So good luck, but I’m out.” 

********

There was a Dakota Kai video package. 

Women’s War Games was made official for Survivor Series: Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill, Rhea Ripley, Iyo Sky and Naomi vs. Liv Morgan, Nia Jax, Tiffany Stratton, Raquel Rodriguez and Candice LeRae. 

Next week on Raw, Belair faces Jax with the winner earning the War Games advantage for their team. 

********

The War Raiders defeated Carlito & Dominik Mysterio (9:30) 

Judgment Day cheated to take advantage ahead of a break. Ivar made a hot tag after the break, led the crowd in a “War” chant and hit Dom with a cannonball for two. Ivar suplexed Dom into Carlito and an apple fell out of Carlito like this was WrestleMania: The Arcade Game. They hit Carlito with War Machine for the pinfall win. 

— Bálor and McDonagh attacked Erik and Ivar post-match. They specifically targeted Erik’s previously injured neck and Bálor laid him out with Coup de Grace. Judgment Day stood tall. 

********

Bo Dallas had a message for the Miz via VHS tape: 

“The trust of the innocent is a liar’s most useful tool. We offered you salvation. Freedom from the pit. I tried to warn you. But you’ve damned yourself. I’m sorry for what happens next. You chose this. Hands will forever be blood-stained crimson scarlet red because of your actions. And you will lose what matters most. I never wanted this.” 

********

There was a Lyra Valkyria video package. 

New Day segment 

Otis, Akira Tozawa and Maxxine Dupri ran into Kofi Kingston backstage. Dupri was excited about New Day’s 10-year anniversary but she wondered how things were between him and Xavier Woods. Kingston wasn’t sure. Woods showed up at that exact moment. 

Woods was worried. They had 10 years of no serious arguments but they’ve been yelling at each other for weeks. He couldn’t stop thinking about something Karrion Kross said — that New Day was dead but they were the only ones who didn’t know it. 

Kingston said they weren’t dead, they just had to remember what New Day was about. Woods seemed to take that personally but Otis stepped in before they could start arguing again. 

Woods didn’t want to hear from Otis and said there was a reason Gable left their asses. Woods challenged them to a match next week and a win over them could get New Day back to where they wanted to be. 

******** 

Bronson Reed defeated Seth Rollins (17:27) 

The new Bloodline, minus Solo Sikoa, showed up at ringside as soon as the match started. The Usos and Sami Zayn ran out (to Jey’s music) to take them out. The crowd popped big and kept singing Jey’s music even though they cut it off early. 

Zayn and Jimmy easily got rid of Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa. It took three simultaneous superkicks by the Usos to knock Jacob Fatu over the barricade. The good guys followed the Bloodline to the back and with ringside clear, Rollins hit Reed with a suicide dive. 

Rollins hit chops following a break but Reed knocked him down with a body block. Reed hit a shoulder tackle off the apron and shoved Rollins into the steel steps. Rollins avoided a charge and Reed collided with the steps. 

Rollins repeatedly bounced Reed’s head against the steps. Rollins tried a stomp on the steps but Reed avoided it and entered the ring. Rollins hit a springboard knee and boot but Reed remained on his feet. Reed came back with a sit-out powerbomb for two. 

After a break, with Reed standing on the middle rope, Rollins slipped underneath and hit a powerbomb followed by a springboard moonsault for just a one count. Rollins hit a springboard senton, also for just a one count. Rollins superkicked him in the back of the head and hit a frog splash for two. 

Reed responded with a clothesline and brainbuster for two. Reed went up for Tsunami but Rollins rolled out of the way. Reed missed a senton and Rollins followed with a superkick and Pedigree for two. 

Rollins hit a curb stomp but didn’t go for a cover. He went to the top for a super stomp but stopped what he was doing upon seeing Solo Sikoa standing on the announce desk. Reed hit Rollins with a DVD, consecutive sentons and a Tsunami for the pinfall win. 

Sikoa raised Reed’s hand as the show ended.

NJPW x Stardom Historic X-Over II live results: Sabre & Maika vs. Desperado & Starlight Kid

Posted on by Corey Michaels

NJPW and Stardom present Historic X-Over II from Osaka featuring a mixed tag team main event.

IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Zack Sabre Jr. teams with Stardom 5 Star Grand Prix winner Maika against El Desperado and Starlight Kid in the main event.

In the semi-main, IWGP Women’s Champion Mayu Iwatani defends against Momo Watanabe.

Taichi and Natsupoi team against Clark Connors and Thekla in another mixed tag bout on the card.

In an intergender KOPW 2024 hardcore match, current KOPW holder Great-O-Khan defends against Suzu Suzuki.

An eight-person mixed tag features Hiroshi Tanahashi, Ryusuke Taguchi, Hanan, and Saya Iida vs. Gabe Kidd, Drilla Moloney, Saya Kamitani, and Natsuko Toura.

Oleg Boltin, Tiger Mask, and Toru Yano take on Jeff Cobb, Callum Newman, and Francesco Akira in trios action.

AZM, Miyu Amasaki, and Mei Seira face Konami, Ruaka, and Rina.

Tam Nakano and Saori Anou take on Syuri and Tomoka Inaba in the main card opener.

**********

Pre-show

Hanako and Aya Sakura defeated Ranna Yagami and Sayaka Kurara

Kurara and Sakura began the night’s affairs, with the larger Hanako being tagged in to be the difference-maker. Yagami cleared some momentum for her team with leg strikes and drop kicks, withstanding Sakura’s own offense. Kurara on her own struggled to find any leeway, but with a combined dropkick with Yagami, she almost found her way. With anothre assist from Yagami, Kurara nearly earned a Jackknife pin on Hanako, had it not been for Sakura breaking it up. Hanako plummeted Kurara with an Argentine Backbreaker for a pinfall victory.

Initially, the Liv Morgan/Raquel Rodriguez dynamic of Hanako/Sakura made for an incredible dynamic, but I found myself enamored with Kurara’s undying spirit despite being short of where Yagami and her opponents were. Furthermore, Yagami’s efforts to carry the load and help her partner gave the story an interesting trajectory.

Main card

Cosmic Angels (Tam Nakano and Saori Anou) defeated God’s Eye (Syuri and Tomoka Inaba)

Stardom veterans Nakano and Syuri locked up, with the former’s explosive flashiness being little match against the latter’s grounded matwork. Anou, however, kept pace with both Inaba and Syuri simultaneously. The collisions between Syuri and Anou epically clashed, with neither maintainging control for long.

Nakano found herself ensnared by Inaba’s fiery force, with little leeway found. Inaba nearly squeaked out a victory with a Michinoku Driver, but Nakano kicked out. Keeping Syuri from the ring, Anou played interference while Nakano quarterbacked her way to victory after a Screwdriver silenced the young Inaba once and for all.

This was my first time seeing Inaba in a while, and I believe I am a fan. Nakano was fun as always, but Syuri and Anou stole the show as far as this match was concerned. I want to live in that moment when they were the legal competitors forever.

Neo Genesis (Mei Seira, AZM and Miyu Amasaki) defeated H.A.T.E. (Konami, Rina and Ruaka)

H.A.T.E. gave no time for Neo Genesis to gather any breath. Konami and Rina in particular put Amasaki through her woes. Ruaka was equally as forgiving to the isolated Amasaki. The legal Seira faced the same struggles, but her agility halted the brutish force of Ruaka. AZM’s high-speed prowess gave her the best luck out of her team, but only so far as to leave Rina dependent on H.A.T.E.

The swiftness of AZM and Rina was tested further as their partners brawled on the outside; a series of reversal pins proved unsuccessful, with AZM the closest. Stealing from their opponents’ playbook, Neo Genesis played the number’s game with a 3-Way Connection. To add finality to the match, AZM soared with a Flying Leg Drop on Rina, ending the match in a pinfall.

The underdog story of Neo Genesis against the dirty-tactics of H.A.T.E. kept me glued to my screen. Rina and AZM’s chemistry is undeniable in particular.

United Empire (Jeff Cobb, Callum Newman and Francesco Akira) defeated Toru Yano, Tiger Mask IV and Boltin Oleg

Beef collided as Cobb and Oleg bounced off one another and exchanged forearms like a violent Christmas. The younger Oleg dominated United Empire’s heavy, but the legendary Tiger Mask didn’t have the same effect. Surprisingly, neither did Yano, a Cs obb flipped onto his back. Akira and Newman worked in tandem to squash the prone Yano. Cobb followed suit. An enraged Yano unleashed a fire that was but an ember as he quickly tagged in Oleg.

Clearing house, Oleg nauseated Akira with the Boltin Shake, but for all his power, he was not as quick as the speedy Newman. Tiger Mask, however, used his experience to reign in Akira with a hold. A Double-Underhook Tiger Bomb almost put Akira away, as did a Crucifix Pin. Akira’s agility and youthful resilience kept him afloat, however, as he dropped a Fire Bomb ’99 on the legend for a pinfall.

Oleg needs a singles title sometime soon. But I will say Akira’s developed well since I’ve first seen him. I love matches like these where Cobb’s basically playing stepfather to the younger UE members, and I grinned at his clash with Oleg.

H.A.T.E. (Natsuko Tora and Saya Kamitani) and Bullet Club War Dogs (Drilla Moloney and Gabe Kidd) defeated wing☆gori (Hanan and Saya Iida) and Hiroshi Tanahashi and Ryusuke Taguchi

After some comedic back-and-forth between Tanahashi and Taguchi with H.A.T.E., Kamitani and Hanan rushed around the ring. Moloney swiftly dispatched Taguchi, but Iida chopped with all her might on the War Dog’s chest until he finally fired back. A brawl ensued on the outside, with Kamitani throwing Taguchi into the seats.

Back in the ring, Tora slammed and throttled Iida. She made her comeback after fending off the bigger opponent and launched herself off the turnbuckle to grant Tanahashi a tag. His hot tag started with a Dragon Screw Leg Whip to Tora and a Senton to Moloney. Hanan demanded a tag, to which she hoped to tackle Moloney but instead fell victim to a Backbreaker stiff strikes from Tora. After a Backdrop to Tora, Hanan tagged in Taguchi while Kidd finally entered the fray. Taguchi, agonizing over several comedic assaults, stared up at the lights when Kidd slammed him with a Piledriver for the pinfall.

The glee and comedy in intergender warfare was both uncomfortable and hilarious. Despite Taguchi being the consistently funny one, I got a chuckle at Hanan demanding to be tagged in just to be trounced by Moloney and Tora.

Great-O-Khan (c) defeated Suzu Suzuki for the KOPW Championship

The corners were stacked with steel chairs, which Suzuki planned to use, but Khan decided otherwise. The imposing Khan ignored her strikes and planted her with elbows. Making handy use of his size, he stomped, ragdolled, and slammed her across the ring; her echoes reverberated into the Osaka night. Suzuki at last gained an edge, using it to spank Khan with a chair and shove plastic forks in his mouth. Much to Khan’s terror, she stapled a picture of Khan’s signature question mark to her cheek. She then ripped it off of herself and stapling it to Khan’s forehead.

Placing a garbage can over his body, Suzuki smacked him with a chair before unleashing further torment on the entrance ramp. Regaining his initial momentum with physical strikes, he incurred great agony when Suzuki stapled his nether regions. Aiming to suplex Khan off a ladder onto a table spiked with forks, he instead pushed her into it and nearly won. An Eliminator dropped her onto a garbage can atop a horizontal-prone ladder, with Khan earning a pinfall victory.

This match had no right to be this exhilarating. Deeply unsettling while telling a great story of a woman who would stop at nothing to take gold from a beast. Khan’s endurance amid carnage and weaponry made him the perfect foil.

Taichi and Natsupoi defeated Clark Connors and Thekla

H.A.T.E. immediately jumped Taichi and Natsupoi, with the Cosmic Angels coming to the latter’s defense. With that chaos out of the way, each team and their partner took on their respective sexes. Weary of Thekla’s teasing of Taichi, Natsupoi stood her ground amid the underhanded tactics of the Toxic Spider. Carnage erupted on the outside, leading to Thekla to bully her former Donna Del Mondo stablemate. Wrenching open Natsupoi’s mouth, Thekla cranked her neck far enough to draw screams.

Taichi bounced back against Connors was in the middle of stretching out Connors when Thekla almost got in the way. Connors gained control, but Taichi snatched it back with a Dangerous Backdrop. Using her core strength and arm cast, Thekla’s aspirations for victory were dashed upon Natsupoi clenching her foe’s damaged limb in an armbar. An enraged Thekla was halted by Taichi, and she struck him with her cast. Connors struck Natsupoi across the face after an accidental Gore to Thekla. Natsupoi launched off the tope rope with a Fairial Gift to Thekla for the win.

As a Donna Del Mondo fan, seeing continuation of Natsupoi and Thekla’s past friendship was nice to see. The anger and emotions felt real. Taichi’s own frustrations with SANADA betraying Just 5 Guys for Bullet Club felt real. The alliance between Connors and Thekla features a lot of chemistry. This was the best-built match on this card and these things paid off.

Mayu Iwatani (c) defeated Momo Watanabe for the IWGP Women’s Championship

Scouting Watanabe’s every move and using her agility to work around it, it seemed Iwatani was off to a hot start. The predictable H.A.T.E. interfered, however, leading Stardom’s Ace to fall prey to an outside beatdown. Due to this, Watanabe stayed fully in control, battering the champion with cruel glee. After Ruaka accidentally struck Watanabe, Iwatani took full advantage, reeling back after any fight Watanabe had in her.

Following a spill to the outside, the women returned and fired off with consecutive strikes, as Iwatani followed with a High-Fly Flow. With the champion in control, Iwatani opted for a series of finishers, with a Moonsault putting her inches before victory, stolen away by interfering H.A.T.E. members. Watanabe teased using her baseball bat to secure a dirty yet easy win but tossed it aside. For an extended period, Watanabe remained in control, but no matter what, she couldn’t land a 3-count pin. With a new breath of life, Iwatani rose to deliver a Dragon Suplex that incapacitated Watanabe long enough for the pinfall.

— Post-match – Iwatani announced she would defend the IWGP Women’s Championship at Wrestle Kingdom on January 4. AZM appeared, challenging Iwatani for that date.

Match of the night. Iwatani proves once again that she remains among the best joshi wrestling talent in the world, let alone Stardom. Watanabe throwing that bat away made for a gripping finish—Roddy Piper/Bret Hart vibes.

Main event

Zack Sabre Jr. and Maika defeated El Desperado and Starlight Kid

Desperado grappled with the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion to a stalemate, leading to Starlight Kid and Maika to lock up. The former’s petite and aerodynamic flow contrasted with the larger power in the latter. Desperado and Sabre returned to action, with Sabre being more rounded in his approach. Desperado flattened Sabre with a Spinebuster but met with the same fate with a Penalty Kick.

A Moonsault to Maika by a hopeful Starlight Kid gave no quarter, as the red-haired wrestler used her height to withstand Starlight Kid. Pulling Maika in for a deathly hold, Starlight Kid’s grappling ended courtesy of Sabre rolling himself and Desperado on top of them. Starlight Kid struck Sabre in the face, but he dropped her over his shoulders as Maika hit Desperado with a Rolling Lariat. She later earned the win for herself and Sabre after a Michinoku Driver on Starlight kid for the pinfall.

An entertaining bout, but perhaps one that would’ve been better on the upper-midcard or the penultimate match. Everything was executed nicely, engaging the whole way through. But there were other matches that could have been in its place. However, this represents the best of NJPW and Stardom right now. Overall, a good match.

While it doesn’t carry the same feeling as the 2022 Historic X-Over, this year’s iteration hits high notes, refreshing fans on storylines from both companies. Storylines weren’t necessarily advanced, aside from the IWGP Women’s Championship and Thekla’s tumultuous past with Natupoi after the latter’s betrayal of Donna Del Mondo and the departure of Giulia. That said, I hope Historic X-Over stays a consistent fixture of both companies going forward.

AEW Collision live results: Mariah May vs. Anna Jay no DQ title match

Posted on by Suit Williams

Anna Jay will get one last shot at the AEW Women’s World Championship on tonight’s AEW Collision from Albany, New York.

Mariah May has agreed to one last match for the title under no disqualification rules. At the last Battle of the Belts, Jay defeated May to earn a title shot. Jay failed to win the title in that bout and if she loses here, she can’t challenge May for the title again.

May’s friend Mina Shirakawa will face off against Harley Cameron. Shirakawa is making her in-ring return after appearing on Wednesday’s Dynamite. Former AEW Tag Team Champion The Acclaimed will face LFI’s Rush & The Beast Mortos in a Full Gear Tag Team title qualifier where the winners will be the final team to enter next Saturday’s four-way.

Other matches will see Johnny TV take on Daniel Garcia, Shelton Benjamin squaring off against Komander, and Powerhouse Hobbs taking on Bear Bronson. We’ll also hear from FTR and AEW World Champion Jon Moxley.

**********

Collision began with Anna Jay & Mariah May walking into the building ahead of their no-disqualification Title match in tonight’s main event. Tony Schiavone & Nigel McGuinness were on the call as always.

Mina Shirakawa defeated Harley Cameron

A fun opener to get Shirakawa back in the mix in AEW.

There was a lot of shimmying to start before Shirakawa went to work on Cameron’s legs. Cameron got Shirakawa to the ropes before smothering her with her bosom. Is this Collision or Battle of the Boobs? Shirakawa got back on offense and scored a nearfall with a misdirection head kick. Shirakawa went back to the legs before locking on the Figure Four. Cameron fought to the ropes before scoring with a backstabber.

Cameron’s knee betrayed her on a fireman’s carry, and Shirakawa laid in boots to the knee. Cameron caught Shirakawa with a pumphandle back suplex for a nearfall. Cameron tried to flash pin Shirakawa with her legs on the ropes, but the referee caught her and didn’t count the pin. Shirakawa hit a Disaster Kick before hitting a diving Slingblade for a nearfall. Shirakawa hit a backfist before scoring with the Glamorous Driver Mina to get the win.

TNT Champion Jack Perry drove to the building in his Scapegoat bus ahead of the next match.

Daniel Garcia defeated Johnny TV (w/Mansoor & Mason Madden)

What is it about the TV titles in this company that inspire ideas of vehicular assault? On a different note, Johnny and MxM will make a fine enhancement trio.

Matt Menard joined commentary, as usual for Garcia matches. Johnny dropped Garcia with a pair of shoulder blocks before Garcia scored with one of his own. MxM got involved, with Mansoor distracting the referee as Madden chokeslammed Garcia from the apron. After a commercial, Johnny sent Garcia to the floor before following with a twisting tornillo.

As Garcia and Johnny were on the floor, Jack Perry attacked Menard on commentary and dragged him through the crowd. Garcia, unaware of what happened, hit a back suplex in the ring as the match continued. Garcia fired up on Johnny, hitting a Twist and Shout neckbreaker for a nearfall. Johnny dumped Garcia to the floor so MxM could lay the boots to him, but Garcia sent them both into the post.

Johnny caught Garcia on his way back in the ring with a Chuck Kick before hitting the Moonlight Drive. Garcia avoided the End of the World and locked on a Cobra Clutch to get Johnny to submit. After the match, Garcia asked the commentators where Menard went before the jumbotron showed Perry continuing his attack on Menard backstage. Garcia ran backstage to find them.

After the announcers reset things, we cut to Perry and Menard outside near Perry’s bus. Perry grabbed a chain with a GIANT HOOK from the bus. This might have been the chain that Kane had in See No Evil. He set the hook up to the back of the bus and wrapped Menard up in the chain, but Garcia caught up to Perry and threw him into the side of the bus. Garcia and Menard had an idea, and Menard grabbed the camera before we went to a commercial.

Lio Rush was backstage. He was frustrated with his lot in AEW, and he wasn’t sure where he stood with his friends in AEW. He wanted gold, and he hoped his friends were on his side to take it with him.

We cut back to Daniel Garcia & Matt Menard as they had Jack Perry chained to the front of his bus. Garcia and Menard got on the bus and drove it as Perry had to dodge the barricades that Garcia drove through.

Shelton Benjamin (w/MVP) defeated Komander (w/Alex Abrahantes)

Another impressive showcase for Benjamin, who has completely outperformed my expectations for him.

I need MVP to get his hands on Alex. They are in the MVP Arena after all, he can get away with it. Benjamin hoofed Komander around the ring for a while. Komander dodged Benjamin in the corner before getting a flurry of offense. Benjamin cut him off on a headscissors attempt and backdropped him.

After a commercial, Komander dodged a rising knee and scored with a springboard dropkick. Komander scored with a triple rotation headscissors before hitting his ropewalk dive to a big pop. Komander hit a 619 before going for the ropewalk Shooting Star Press, but Benjamin moved and sent Komander flying with a pair of German suplexes. A rising knee and a big superkick led to the T-Bone Suplex and a win for Benjamin.

After the match, MVP told Benjamin to take Komander’s mask off. Abrahantes tried to stop him, and MVP handed Benjamin his cane before laying out Abrahantes with a clothesline. My prayers have been answered.

Kris Statlander was backstage with Renee Paquette. She said that Mercedes Mone was backed into a corner, which is why she tried to take her out a few weeks ago. Mone wasn’t going to be able to get out of the match at Full Gear, and Statlander would take the TBS Title. Hikaru Shida entered the frame and wished Statlander luck before making it clear that she wanted to challenge Statlander for the title after the PPV. Statlander made a counter offer, challenging Shida to a match on Dynamite this week.

The Acclaimed were backstage with Lexy Nair. When asked about Billy Gunn’s whereabouts, Caster blew off the question before putting the team over. Bowens said that Gunn would be there for them before MVP & Shelton Benjamin entered the frame. MVP offered The Acclaimed good luck and gave Caster some advice before telling him not to blow this big opportunity for the tag team titles.

Powerhouse Hobbs defeated Bulk Bronson (w/Beefcake Boulder & Jacked Jameson)

Jameson cut his usual promo that I never care to listen to. Hobbs handled all three of the Savages with ease, as Jameson and Boulder tried to interfere to no avail. Hobbs won with the Human Torture Rack, scoring his 100th AEW win.

During this match, it was announced that the stars of CMLL will be in AEW over the next few weeks. Mascara Dorada, Atlantis Jr, and Hechicero will be at Dynamite this Wednesday, and Mistico will be at Dynamite on November 27th.

Roderick Strong & The Kingdom were backstage with Lexy Nair, who congratulated him on earning the match with MJF at Full Gear. Strong said that he would have more to say on Dynamite, but warned him that next week at Full Gear, he would prove to MJF that he was better than him.

AEW World Tag Team Champions Private Party came out to watch the following match.

Full Gear Four Way Contenders Series Tag Team Match – The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens & Max Caster) (w/ Billy Gunn) defeated La Faccion Ingobernable (Rush & The Beast Mortos) (w/ Jake Roberts)

If you’ve read my reviews, you’ll know that I’m well over the Acclaimed. But with the MVP/Hurt Syndicate angle to think about and the PPV taking place in the Tri-State area for the PPV, I don’t take much issue with them in the title match at Full Gear.

The winner of this match will challenge Private Party at Full Gear alongside the House of Black and the Outrunners.

Mortos and Bowens started off, with Mortos blowing through Bowens with a shoulder block. Caster tagged himself in, with Bowens not exactly ready to get tagged out. Caster fought off Rush’s cord attack, but Rush was able to rip him off the apron to the floor as we went to a commercial. After the break, Bowens got a hot tag and ran wild before diving onto Mortos on the floor. The match broke down into a Pier Six brawl before all four men were laid out.

Rush and Bowens traded strikes, with Rush laying Bowens out with a powerslam. Bowens dodged a senton and tagged in Caster, who hit a top-rope splash for a nearfall. Mortos hit a double stomp onto Caster for a nearfall and another brawl broke out. Caster dodged a cannonball, and the Acclaimed hit their finishing moves to score the win. Private Party defend the tag team titles at Full Gear against the House of Black, the Outrunners, and the Acclaimed.

During this match, it was announced that I have a week off next week. Collision will return in two weeks due to Full Gear being next Saturday night.

Mina Shirakawa was backstage with Lexy Nair. She was excited for Mariah May’s match and blew off a question about a future title shot by dancing.

There was a wacky MxM Collection commercial for ShopAEW.

The Continental Classic starts in two weeks on the Thanksgiving Eve Dynamite, with Tony Schiavone noting that all of the participants will be announced after Full Gear. Mark Briscoe, Tomohiro Ishii, & Rocky Romero of the Conglomeration were backstage with Lexy Nair, who asked Ishii about his ROH World Title match against Chris Jericho at the Thanksgiving Eve Dynamite. Ishii silently stared at the camera before Briscoe told Lexy that Ishii would kick Jericho’s ass.After a rundown of the Full Gear card, FTR was with Lexy Nair. Cash Wheeler didn’t know where they stood, as it has been a year since they’ve been AEW World Tag Team Champions. Dax Harwood said that they would rebuild before wishing the Outrunners luck at the PPV. We cut to a VHS-quality highlight video of The Outrunners winning their match last week to get in Full Gear title match.

AEW Women’s World Title No Disqualification Match – Mariah May (c) defeated Anna Jay

This was a solid plunder match, and the best of their three matches. This was a fine TV feud for Mariah to kill time with before Mina Shirakawa came back.

If Anna Jay loses, she cannot challenge Mariah May for the title again. Here’s hoping, as these matches have been very tough for me to review. It’s like when Orange Cassidy and Isiah Kassidy had a match I had to review, their names are too close together.

Both women came out with plunder. May threw a trash can at Jay, but Jay ducked it and booted May off of the apron. Deonna Purrazzo and Taya Valkyrie were watching backstage for some reason. Jay pinballed May around ringside, with May falling into Tony Schiavone’s lap at one point. May cut Jay off with a drop toe hold into a chair. May stuffed Jay into a trash can before hitting her with a missile dropkick. May brought a ladder into the ring before Jay caught the champion in the Queenslayer choke. May broke the hold by running Jay into the ladder back-first.

After a commercial, May was in control as she dropped Jay with a slam onto a chair for a nearfall. Jay came back with a Gory Bomb into the ladder for a nearfall. Jay set a table halfway up across from the corner buckles and went for a superplex but May countered with a sunset flip powerbomb through the table for a nearfall. May set up a barricade bridge but Jay cut her off with a backstabber. May scored with a headbutt and laid Jay across the barricade, but Jay cut May off on the top rope and hit a superplex. That looked like it sucked, as the barricade didn’t budge an inch.

Jay rolled to the floor and pulled out a length of barbed wire. She wrapped the barbed wire around her arm and put on the Queenslayer choke but May pulled out a spray bottle and sprayed Jay in the face to break the hold. Jay hit a Storm Zero on a chair to win and retain the title. Mina Shirakawa came out and celebrated with May. May booted Jay while she was down before Shirakawa convinced her to leave.

Schiavone announced that May and Shirakawa would have a Champagne Celebration at Full Gear. He also announced during the match that Big Boom AJ would be at Dynamite ahead of his Zero Hour match against QT Marshall.

Jon Moxley & Marina Shafir were outside. He was surprised by Orange Cassidy’s reaction to his attack on Chuck Taylor. He believed that Cassidy would either crumble in emotion or lash out in rage, but Cassidy remained composed. Moxley called Cassidy a snake, cold-blooded and unnerved. The test would come on Wednesday as Cassidy took on his former friend Wheeler Yuta, who he claimed to still care about. Would Cassidy strike with venomous rage, or would he keep it clean?

Moxley said that he wished that he could be uncaring, but he felt the weight of everyone’s mistakes over the last five years. He said that he would smear Cassidy’s blood on their flag, and plant it so deep into the ground that it would never get moved. Moxley said that his AEW moved every day to grab pro wrestling by the balls, and if you weren’t willing to die for the cause, you needed to get out of the way.

(Moxley continues to be a very interesting character as World Champion. He still cares about AEW, but he has become this manipulative monster convinced that the only way forward is to violently remove anybody who doesn’t follow his path. Now he’s trying to twist the narrative to make Orange Cassidy an uncaring snake that doesn’t care for Yuta. A solid Moxley promo to end the show.)

Collision ended with a video package for all of the big Full Gear matches set to November Rain by Guns N’ Roses. For the uninitiated, this was something that ECW used to do to promote their November To Remember events. Tony Khan was a big ECW fan, and AEW has been using the November To Remember tagline for their events this month.

UFC 309 live results: Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

The Octagon is back inside the “World’s Most Famous Arena,” marking the return of arguably the greatest fighter in UFC history with UFC 309 from New York City’s Madison Square Garden.

UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones makes his long-awaited return as he defends against former champion Stipe Miocic in a fight that has been years in the making. Originally scheduled for last year’s event at MSG, it was called off after Jones suffered a torn pectoral muscle and subsequent surgery that has kept him out of action since then.

Jones won the title with a win over Ciryl Gane in March 2023. Miocic, often regarded as the best heavyweight in UFC history, has not fought since losing the title to Francis Ngannou in March 2021. It is possible this will be the last fight for both men while interim champion Tom Aspinall is waiting in the wings for the winner in the event that isn’t the case.

The co-main event will be a five-round rematch of a May 2021 fight as former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira takes on Michael Chandler in a no. 1 contender’s match. Oliveira scored a second-round TKO over Chandler at UFC 262 to win the vacant title.

Also on the main card is a middleweight bout between undefeated prospect Bo Nickal and Paul Craig; a women’s flyweight fight pitting Viviane Araujo against Karine Silva; and a catchweight fight between highly-touted prospect Mauricio Ruffy and James Llontop.

Among the fighters competing on the preliminary card are former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman as well as Jim Miller who is the all-time leader in UFC wins and fights.

*BREAKING- Chris Weidman vs. Eryk Anders has been scratched from the card due to an illness for Anders, who wasn’t medically cleared to compete.

ESPN+ PRELIMS | 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT

> Women’s Flyweights- Veronica Hardy (9-4-1, 4-4 UFC) vs. Eduarda Moura (10-1, 1-1 UFC)

Moura connects with a solid right hand. Hardy connects to the body. They trade in close range. Hardy with a body kick and Moura counters with a combination. Hardy lands a body kick. There’s not a ton of action going on. Moura lands a big right hand. Hardy lands a left hand. Hardy with a right hand followed by a body kick. Hardy lands a left hand and a high kick but Moura is able to score a takedown. 10-9 Moura.

Hardy lands a left hand and a body kick. Moura scores a takedown and has the back as they stand. Hardy with some back elbows. Moura has Hardy back on the mat and with back control but not doing anything as Hardy lands elbows. Moura gets inside the guard of Hardy and lands some as Hardy still lands some elbows from the bottom. Moura ends the round on top as both land. 10-9 Moura, 20-18 Moura.

Hardy lands a body kick. Both still looking for openings. Moura lands a right hand as Hardy comes in. Moura lands a right hand. Hardy with a left hand. The action is lacking here. Moura lands a leg kick. Hardy with a hard leg kick. Hardy lands a body kick. Hardy with a couple more leg kicks. Hardy lands a left hand and they trade late. 10-9 Hardy, 29-28 Moura.

Official Result- Eduarda Moura def. Veronica Hardy by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

> Welterweights- Bassil Hafez (9-4-1, 1-1 UFC) vs. Oban Elliott (11-2, 2-0 UFC)

Elliott with some kicks to Hafez’ lead leg. They clinch as both look for a takedown. Hafez lands an elbow as they break. Elliott with a pair of jabs. Elliott with a body kick. Hafez lands a left hand. Hafez missing when he throws. Elliott with a body kick. Hafez lands a big kick. Hafez with a body kick. Elliott continues to land with more volume. Elliott with a series of leg kicks. 10-9 Elliott.

Hafez works the jab. Hafez lands a left hand and Elliott counters with a calf kick. Elliott lands some more leg kicks. Elliott with a body kick and they both connect with a right hand. They trade in close range. Elliott with a leg kick then he lands a body kick. Elliott with another leg kick. They trade. Hafez lands a straight left hand. Elliott with a high kick then a leg kick. Elliott lands a combination. Hafez with a left hand. Elliott lands a high kick. Elliott with a body kick. 10-9 Elliott, 20-18 Elliott.

Hafez lands a left hand. Hafez pressuring and lands some short leg kicks. Elliott drops Hafez with a right hand and starts landing from the top and it is all over! Big finish from Elliott to pick up the win.

Official Result- Oban Elliott def. Bassil Hafez by knockout (punches) at :40 of Round 3

> Welterweights- Mickey Gall (7-6, 6-6 UFC) vs. Ramiz Brahimaj (10-5, 2-3 UFC)

Brahimaj with a pair of leg kicks as they trade punches. Gall lands a right hand to the body. They trade jabs. They clinch and Brahimaj with some uppercuts before he slips and they separate. Gall lands a right hand. He lands another. Brahimaj with a head kick. Brahimaj starting to land more and he drops Gall with a massive right hand and it is all over! What a finish from Brahimaj!

Official Result- Ramiz Brahimaj def. Mickey Gall by knockout (punch) at 2:55 of Round 1

ESPN NEWS PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT

> Heavyweights- #9 Marcin Tybura (25-9, 12-8 UFC) vs. Jhonata Diniz (8-0, 2-0 UFC)

Tybura tries a kick but Diniz grabs it and lets go. Diniz with a high kick and then stuns Tybura with a left hand as they go to the mat. Diniz with some elbows from the top. Tybura rolls for a leg as Diniz lands some hammerfists. Tybura ends up on top. Tybura lands and is looking to set up a choke. Tybura with some short elbows and punches as he moves to the mount. Tybura landing from the top. Tybura with an elbow. 10-9 Tybura.

Tybura with a body kick. Diniz lands a right hand. Tybura lands a left hand. He lands another. Tybura lands a jab as Diniz barely lands a right hand. Tybura scores a takedown. Tybura controlling from the top. Tybura gets the mount and is landing punches. Tybura with short right hands and lands a big elbow. Tybura lands some big elbows and Diniz has a big cut opened up. Tybura reigning down with elbows and Diniz is bleeding everywhere. It is close to being stopped as Tybura continues to land but time runs out. 10-8 Tybura, 20-17 Tybura.

The fight is stopped by the doctor after he checked on Diniz. Diniz was stumbling after the round and he was protesting, but this feels like a good stoppage.

Official Result- Marcin Tybura def. Jhonata Diniz by TKO (doctor stoppage) at 5:00 of Round 2

> Lightweights- David Onama (12-2, 4-2 UFC) vs. Roberto Romero (8-3-1, 0-0 UFC)

Romero lands a right hand and a leg kick. He lands another. Romero with some more leg kicks. Onama lands a pair of leg kicks. They continue to trade and Romero drops Onama with a right hand. Romero jumps on the back and looks for a choke. Onama gets out and they clinch against the fence. They trade knees to the body. Onama grabs the neck and looks for a choke. Romero looking for a takedown but Onama defends and they separate. Romero with a leg kick and lands a right hand. Onama rocks Romero with a left hand. Onama with a big flurry and Romero goes to the mat and Onama lands to end the round. 10-9 Romero.

They’re trading big shots to start the second. Onama landing the jab. They trade leg kicks and both land a jab. Onama lands a heavy jab. Onama with a big combination. Onama with a jab. Onama lands a right hand. Romero is gassing out. Onama lands and Romero goes to the mat and Onama gets into the guard and starts landing from the top. Onama with some big shots from the top. 10-9 Onama, 19-19.

Onama lands a left hand. Onama working the jab. Romero with a pair of body kicks. Onama lands a left hand. Romero with an overhand right. Onama lands a series of jabs followed by a knee. Onama with some left hands and jabs but Romero trips him up with a leg kick. Romero with a high kick and Onama catches it and dumps Romero to the mat. Onama gets into the mount. Onama controlling and landing a lot from the top. Onama stands and lands to the body then gets back on top and lands a flurry as the fight ends. 10-9 Onama, 29-28 Onama.

Official Result- David Onama def. Roberto Romero by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Lightweights- Jim Miller (37-18 1 NC, 26-17 1 NC UFC) vs. Damon Jackson (23-7-1 1 NC, 6-5-1 1 NC UFC)

They come out trading as Jackson lands a body kick and a combination. Miller lands a left hand. Jackson with a body kick. They briefly clinch then break apart. Jackson lands a right hand. Miller lands an elbow. Jackson with a right hand and a front kick. Miller lands a left hand. Jackson looks for a takedown but Miller locks in a guillotine choke. It is in tight and Jackson taps! Miller gets the submission win and adds to his all-time UFC wins record.

Official Result- Jim Miller def. Damon Jackson by submission (guillotine choke) at 2:44 of Round 1

> Bantamweights- #13 Jonathan Martinez (19-5, 10-4 UFC) vs. Marcus McGhee (9-1, 3-0 UFC)

They trade kicks as both land hard leg kicks. McGhee lands a combination. McGhee lands a leg kick. He lands another. McGhee with a right hand and a high kick. McGhee with another leg kick and a left hand. McGhee with a body kick and a combination. Martinez getting nothing going as McGhee is constantly pressing forward and landing. Martinez with a leg kick. He lands another. McGhee lands a combo. Martinez with a leg kick. McGhee lands a leg kick followed by a combo then a stiff jab. 10-9 McGhee.

McGhee lands a combination with a high kick. Martinez lands a leg kick. Martinez lands a right hand as McGhee came in and landed. McGhee with a leg kick. McGhee with a series of jabs. Martinez lands a right hand. McGhee with a stiff jab. He lands two more. McGhee with a quick combo ending with a knee then back to the jab. Martinez with a heavy leg kick. McGhee lands a combination. McGhee landing with more volume. Martinez lands a left hand. Martinez with a jab. Martinez with a step-in elbow. McGhee lands a leg kick. They trade leg kicks. They trade at the end. 10-9 McGhee, 20-18 McGhee.

McGhee lands a few right hands. They trade leg kicks. Martinez lands as McGhee comes in. They trade leg kicks. McGhee with some uppercuts to the body. They trade jabs. Martinez hurts McGhee with a leg kick and lands two more. McGhee with a right hand. They tie up against the fence. They separate and McGhee is having trouble on his feet. Martinez with a leg kick. McGhee lands a right hand and then another. McGhee lands and Martinez with a leg kick and then lands a right hand. Martinez with another leg kick. 10-9 Martinez, 29-28 McGhee.

Official Result- Marcus McGhee def. Jonathan Martinez by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

ESPN+ PPV MAIN CARD | 10 PM ET/7 PM PT

> 165-pound Catchweights*- Mauricio Ruffy (10-1, 1-0 UFC) vs. James Llontop (14-4, 0-2 UFC)

*Llontop missed weight by 1.2 pounds

Ruffy lands a right hand. Ruffy with a leg kick. Ruffy with a jab. Llontop lands a leg kick. Ruffy lands a leg kick. Llontop lands a leg kick. Llontop connects with a right hand. Ruffy lands a jab. Ruffy with a hard leg kick. Ruffy with a counter left hand. Ruffy rocks Llontop with a hard right hand but then tried a crazy kick that missed and allowed Llontop to recover. Ruffy with a spin kick to the body. 10-9 Ruffy.

Ruffy lands a leg kick. Llontop lands a body kick then a leg kick. Ruffy with a jab. Ruffy drops Llontop with a left hand and starts landing from the top. Llontop is able to survive and gets back to his feet as they clinch against the fence. They separate. Ruffy with a wheel kick and follows with a right hand. Llontop lands a body kick then a leg kick. Ruffy with a pair of jabs. He rocks Llontop with a big right hand. Llontop lands a left hand. Ruffy with some right hands. 10-9 Ruffy, 20-18 Ruffy.

Llontop with a leg kick then a body kick. Llontop pushes it against the fence but they separate. Ruffy lands a right hand. Ruffy is slowing down and Llontop pushes it against the fence. Ruffy lands a right hand as they separate. Ruffy lands a left hook. Llontop lands to the body. Llontop with a pair of leg kicks. Llontop lands a right hand. Llontop with a body kick. They clinch against the fence. Llontop lands a combination as they separate. Llontop with a body kick and a combo. Ruffy lands a big left hand. 10-9 Llontop, 29-28 Ruffy.

Official Result- Mauricio Ruffy def. James Llontop by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Women’s Flyweights- #9 Viviane Araujo (12-6, 6-5 UFC) vs. #11 Karine Silva (18-4, 4-0 UFC)

Silva lands a leg kick. Silva with a body kick. Araujo lands a right hand. Araujo lands a right hand. Araujo lands an uppercut. They trade kicks. Silva lands a high kick and Araujo counters with a right hand. Araujo lands a left hand then a leg kick. Silva lands a leg kick. Silva clips Araujo with a left hand then a right hand. Silva lands a left hand as Araujo was retreating. Araujo lands a right hand. 10-9 Silva.

Araujo lands a combination then lands to the body. Araujo with a leg kick. Silva shoots for a takedown and pushes it against the fence. They separate. Araujo with a right hand. Silva lands a kick up the middle and then two big right hands. Silva kind of scores a takedown as they quickly get up. Araujo grabbed the fence multiple times. Silva gets the takedown. Araujo looks for an armbar. She almost had it but Silva was able to transition to side control. Both women are bleeding. Silva looks for a D’Arce choke. Araujo is able to escape. Araujo with some punches from the top. 10-9 Silva, 20-18 Silva.

Silva lands a body kick. Silva grabs the body lock and gets it down but Araujo ends up on top. They get to their feet. Silva with a body kick. Araujo lands a leg kick. Silva tries a body kick and Araujo grabs the leg and Silva falls right to the mat. Araujo lands leg kicks standing before Silva is ordered up. Both women are tired. Araujo with a body kick and lands an uppercut. Araujo lands a stiff right hand. Silva falls to the mat and Araujo with some standing leg kicks before Silva is ordered up. Araujo with a body kick and a right hand. Silva lands a right hand. She falls to the mat after missing a punch but is ordered up. They clinch and Silva lands a knee. Araujo gets a takedown. 10-9 Araujo, 29-28 Silva.

Official Result- Viviane Araujo def. Karine Silva by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Middleweights- Bo Nickal (6-0, 3-0 UFC) vs. Paul Craig (17-7-1, 9-7-1 UFC)

Nickal with a leg kick. Nickal with a pair of leg kicks. Craig lands a leg kick. Craig lands another leg kick. Nickal with an inside leg kick. Nickal lands a left hand. Craig lands a leg kick. Craig works the jab. Nickal with a leg kick. Craig lands a right hand. Craig with a high kick. Nickal lands a left hand. Craig lands a body kick. 10-9 Craig.

Craig lands a body kick. Craig with a high kick. Nickal lands a left hand. Craig with a short leg kick. Nickal connects with a left hand. Craig with a high kick. Nickal lands a left hand. Nickal lands a solid right hand then a leg kick. Nickal with a left hand to the body. Nickal lands a left hand. Craig with two body kicks. Craig lands a left hand. Craig with another kick to the arms of Nickal. Nickal lands a left hand. Nickal lands a left hand. 10-9 Nickal, 19-19.

Nickal lands a right hand. Craig lands a body kick. Craig with a body kick. They aren’t doing much. Nickal with a leg kick. Craig lands a body kick. Nickal connects with a left hand. Nickal with a leg kick. Nickal lands to the body. Nickal with a leg kick. Nickal lands a left hand. 10-9 Nickal, 29-28 Nickal.

Official Result- Bo Nickal def. Paul Craig by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Lightweights- #2 Charles Oliveira (34-10 1 NC, 22-10 1 NC UFC) vs. #7 Michael Chandler (23-8, 2-3 UFC)

Oliveira with a front kick. Oliveira with a right hand. Chandler lands a jab. Oliveira lands a body kick. Chandler with a right hand to the body. Oliveira looks for a takedown and is able to get Chandler to the mat. Oliveira has control of a leg as he is on top. Oliveira trying to clear his leg. Chandler with some punches from the bottom. Oliveira ends the round on top. 10-9 Oliveira.

Oliveira lands a leg kick. Chandler lands to the body. Oliveira with a combo and Chandler slips to the mat. Oliveira lands a big right hand and Chandler runs away. Oliveira lands another right hand. Chandler lands a leg kick. Oliveira with a high kick. Oliveira lands a big knee. Chandler loading up and landed a left hand. Oliveira gets a takedown right into full mount. Oliveira with an elbow from the top. Oliveira with more elbows. Oliveira lands some more big elbows. Oliveira with some 12-6 elbows. 10-9 Oliveira, 20-18 Oliveira.

Chandler lands a jab. Oliveira lands a left hand. Chandler with a leg kick. Oliveira lands an uppercut then a right hand. Chandler lands a jab. Oliveira lands an uppercut. Oliveira with a knee. They trade right hands. Oliveira mixes everything against the fence. Oliveira gets the back and scores a takedown. Oliveira working for a choke and lands some elbows. Oliveira lands to the body. Oliveira almost gets the choke but Chandler slips out. 10-9 Oliveira, 30-27 Oliveira.

Oliveira with a pair of body kicks. Chandler with a left hand and a leg kick. Chandler lands a left hand. Oliveira lands and lands a flying knee. Oliveira gets it down and is on Chandler’s back. Oliveira looking for a choke. Chandler tries to escape. Oliveira gets the choke under the chin but Chandler fights it off. Oliveira holds on. 10-9 Oliveira, 40-36 Oliveira.

Chandler lands a left to the body. Oliveira with a body kick. Oliveira shoots for a takedown but Chandler defends. Oliveira lands a right hand. Chandler lands a right hand and hurts Oliveira with some punches. Oliveira looks for a takedown and Chandler starts landing punches, most to the back of the head. Chandler with some elbows. Oliveira is able to get to his feet. Chandler lands a left hand. Oliveira gets the back and drags it down. Chandler gets to his feet with Oliveira on his back and slams backwards. He does it again. 10-9 Chandler, 49-46 Oliveira.

Official Result- Charles Oliveira def. Michael Chandler by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-45)

> UFC Heavyweight Championship- C Jon Jones (27-1 1 NC, 21-1 1 NC UFC) vs. #8 Stipe Miocic (20-4, 14-4 UFC)

Jones lands a left hand and Miocic counters with a right hand. Jones with a body kick. Jones with an inside leg kick. Jones gets a big trip takedown and lands a big elbow. Jones with an elbow from the top. Jones with more big elbows. Jones landing tons of elbows and has Miocic in trouble. Miocic gets Jones into his guard. Jones gets to side control. Jones with more big elbows. 10-8 Jones.

Miocic lands a jab. He lands a left hand. Jones with a jab and Miocic lands an uppercut. Jones lands a body kick. Jones with an elbow and lands a body kick. Jones with an inside leg kick and lands a knee to the body. Jones lands a jab. Miocic lands a right hand. Jones with a high body kick. Jones with a series of kicks. Miocic barely lands and Jones circles away. Jones with a spin kick to the body. 10-9 Jones, 20-17 Jones.

Miocic lands a right hand. Jones with a series of jabs. Miocic with an uppercut and a right hand. Jones with a body kick then a leg kick. Jones lands an elbow then a right hand. Jones rocks Miocic with a right hand. Jones with a head kick. Jones with more kicks. Jones lands a jab. Miocic lands a right hand. Jones with a side kick to the body. Jones lands a left hand. Jones drops Miocic with a spin kick to the body and finishes it off with punches from the top. A completely dominant showing from Jones as he retains the championship and adds to his legacy.

Official Result- Jon Jones def. Stipe Miocic by TKO (strikes) at 4:29 of Round 3 to retain the UFC Heavyweight Championship

AEW Rampage live results: Ricochet vs. Dante Martin

Posted on by Joseph Collins

Two high-flying standouts square off in the featured match on this week’s AEW Rampage.

Ricochet will face Dante Martin on tonight’s show as he continues to climb the ranks on his way to an International title shot at Konosuke Takeshita. Dante and brother Darius were unsuccessful as a tag team as part of the four-way Full Gear contender’s series, losing to The Outrunners their last time out as a duo.

Former ROH Champion Mark Briscoe will face Ari Daivari in singles competition on the program, while Komander will take on Rocky Romero in another one-on-one contest.

Former AEW Women’s World Champion Hikaru Shida will take on Top Flight’s Flight Attendant Leila Grey.

LFI’s Rush & The Beast Mortos will team up against former MLW regular Richard Holliday and Alec Price in the show’s lone tag team matchup.

Tonight’s AEW Rampage episode was taped Wednesday night, November 13 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Spoilers from the show are available here.

**********

Taped in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Matt Menard, Tony Schiavone & Excalibur were on commentary.

Hikaru Shida defeated Leila Grey

Shida got a near fall after a dropkick off the middle rope. Grey blocked a kicked and rolled up Shida for a near fall. Shida hit the Falcon Arrow and got the pinfall.

– Renee Paquette interviewed Harley Cameron, who played a guitar and sang a song about a little girl, “not a child because that would be weird, but someone who is small in stature” until she ran out of time. Honestly the whole show should be just Paquette interviewing Cameron until it gets cancelled. The ratings would improve.

Mark Briscoe vs. Ari Daivari (w/ Mark Sterling)

Briscoe hit a suplex for a near fall. He followed up with some redneck kung fu. On the floor, Briscoe tossed Daivari into the ringside barricade and the brawled around ringside. Sterling broke up Briscoe’s attempt at using a chair for a springboard, and this distracted giave Daivari the opportunity to take control.

Sterling distracted Briscoe when he went to the top, and Daivari caught Briscoe with a sleeper. A short-arm lariat followed up with a hammerlock DDT got Daivari a near fall. Briscoe mounted his comeback with more redneck kung fu and a series of forearms. Briscoe hit a fisherman’s buster for two. Daivari blocked a Jay Driller and hit a superkick. Daivari charged into a Death Valley Driver and Briscoe went to the top, but Daivari crotched him. Daivari then tried for a Jay Driller, but Briscoe escaped. Sterling distracted Briscoe, so Rocky Romero ran interference and took out Sterling. Romero tossed Briscoe the chair, and Briscoe hit his launchpad plancha onto Sterling and Daivari, then dropped the Froggy Bow for the pinfall. This went far too long for what it was, but was fine.

Komander (w/ Alex Abrahantes) v. Rocky Romero

MVP was shown watching the match in the back. After some even lucha exchanges, Romero started to overpower Komander. Romero delivered a superplex and both guys were down.

Komander hit a walking-the-ropes springboard moonsault coming out of a commerical. After a series of reversals and counters, Komander hit a springboard dropkick off the middle rope. Romero kicked Komander in the face when he went for a moonsault. Romero hit a running sliced bread for a near fall. Komander rammed Romero in the corner with a running powerslam. Komander walked the top rope and hit a shooting star press for the pinfall. I thought Rocky was winning this, but then remembered that Komander has a bigger match tomorrow night on Collision with Shelton Benjamin.

– Lexi Nair’s interview with Anna Jay was interruped by Taya Valkyrie. Valkyrie offered Jay some insurnace for her no-dq Women’s World Title match, but Jay would have none of it.

Rush & The Beast Mortos (w/ Dralistico) defeated Richard Holliday & Alec Price

Mortos destroyed Price with a powerslam and a pop-up Samoan Drop. Rush tagged in and Holiday held his own with Rush for about 12 seconds. Rush tossed him to the floor and bounced his head off the ring barricade. Rush brutalized the poor job guy. Back in the ring, Rush hit the running shotgun dropkick in the corner and got the pinfall.

– Lexi Nair asked MVP if he was scouting talent in AEW. MVP thinks some talent in AEW needs motivation and better management, while others are arrognat talent that needs to be beaten down. Guess what kind of talent Swerve Strickland is? MVP also had kind things to say about Komander and Ricochet.

– Hype package for Anna Jay v. Mariah May for Collision tomorrow night.

Ricochet defeated Dante Martin

Richochet kept Martin from getting to the rope to break a wrist lock, so Dante countered by flipping out of it. Dante went for a sunset flip, but Ricochet countered it somehow with his own sunset flip. Ricochet snapped off a mean looking dropkick. The fight went to the floor, where both guys avoided moonsaults. Back in the ring, more creative avoidance of each other’s offense ended with Ricochet hitting a gamengiri and a springboard clothesline.

After a long split-screen break, Martin went for a double-jump springboard moonsault but it was more like a carthwheel into a a knee to Ricochet’s head. Martin hit a springboard frog splash for a near fall. Ricochet hit a Northern Lights suplex and rolled right out of that and into a brainbuster. A standing shooting star press got Ricochet a near fall. Martin tried a springboard into a bulldog, but Ricochet turned that into a Blue Thunder Bomb for another near fall.

Martin countered a Vertigo attempt with a cradle, but Ricochet dropped him with a backdrop suplex. Ricochet hit a sliding elbow strike and got the pinfall.

After the match, Ricochet helped Martin to his feet and they showed each other respect after a good match.

WWE SmackDown live results: Two championship matches

Posted on by Colin McGuire

After picking up a series of high-profile wins in recent weeks, Naomi will get her shot at Nia Jax’s WWE Women’s Championship on tonight’s SmackDown from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Naomi defeated Jax on the October 11 edition of SmackDown and also picked up a win over Tiffany Stratton the week prior.

In other championship action, WWE Tag Team Champions Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) will defend their belts against The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins). This will be the first time the two teams have ever faced each other.

Also slated for tonight is the beginning of the inaugural Women’s United States title tournament. First up will be a triple threat between Bayley, Candice LeRae, and B-Fab.

Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes is slated to kick off the episode. He was last seen riding in an ambulance with Randy Orton last week after Kevin Owens landed a much-discussed piledriver on Orton.

**********

– Michael Cole welcomed everyone into the show as footage of Nia Jax, Naomi, the Motor City Machine Guns and the Street Profits entering the building from earlier in the day aired. The show went to the ring, where Cody’s music hit.

The Cody Rhodes segment

Cody showed good fire here and it was nice to see Aldis get some significant live television time in front of the crowd. Because Code-Man (I still can’t believe Cody referenced Orton calling him Code-Man out loud here) appeared in fighting clothes, I sort of thought we’d either get a match or a brawl of some sort, but maybe he’s already on his way to Georgia for College Gameday by the time these words even hit the internet. Either way, it was good logic for why he’s so fired up about Owens doing what he did to Orton and I still commend everyone involved, including the company, for selling the piledriver’s danger as a move. This wasn’t special, but it moved the story forward and sometimes, that’s all you need.

Cody made his entrance not in a suit, and instead in sweat pants and a t-shirt. Cody looked angry and focused as footage from last week’s piledriver angle was shown. Cody said, “Kevin Owens, you have crossed quite the line,” and then called for Owens to come to the ring. Nothing happened, so Cody yelled for Owens to appear. Nick Aldis, instead, walked to the ring with a microphone. Aldis said he knew Cody was angry and Aldis noted how Orton has severe cervical trauma.

Aldis explained how and why the piledriver has been banned in WWE for so many years. Aldis said Owens crossed a line last week and until things are figured out, Aldis cannot have Owens at the shows. Cody said Aldis was giving Owens what he wanted and instead, Aldis should let Cody handle things. Cody kept going on and Aldis stopped Cody from talking. Aldis asked Cody if he thought it was about money because he knew it wasn’t about money. Aldis said if he gives the roster an inch, they take a mile. Aldis said Owens cannot be at the shows until the situation is resolved internally.

Cody questioned “internally?” Cody asked Aldis to “be real,” and said he knows Aldis is a wrestler and a good man. Cody asked Aldis if he was the one in the ambulance with Orton and how Aldis would react. Cody referenced his celebration at WrestleMania 40 and how Orton told Cody he was proud of him and it was a moment he’d cherish forever. Cody noted how it bothers him Owens is saying Orton’s injury is because of Cody, so Cody said if he can’t handle his business in a WWE ring, he wondered what Aldis expected Cody to do. Cody told Aldis the ball is in Aldis’s court and Cody won’t be waiting long. Cody dropped the mic and Cody’s music hit to end the segment.

**********

– Backstage, Jimmy Uso was walking and ran into Jey Uso and Sami Zayn. Jimmy said Roman Reigns was on the way and he wants everyone to meet in the same room together later. Zayn said there was someone he could ask when it came to who the fifth member of their team could be at War Games. Zayn told the Usos he’d catch them later.

Bayley defeated Candice LeRae & B-Fab to advance in the Women’s United States Championship tournament [9:54]

This was clearly designed to get B-Fab over as a wrestler – as opposed to her usual gig as a manager – and it mostly worked. B-Fab, for her part, did a great job showing up when she was called upon and LeRae and Bayley seemed more than happy to give her the spotlight as much as they could. As such, good work all around. I had my guard up for a LeRae upset because she seems to be getting a mini-push, but there’s only one first women’s U.S. champion, so Bayley going far in this tournament – and potentially winning it – would make sense if that’s what the creative minds choose to do. On the way, though, both Bayley and LeRae were able to elevate B-Fab, and that was a good thing.

LeRae dropkicked Bayley’s knee and that took Bayley outside. B-Fab then slammed and clotheslined LeRae for a two-count. B-Fab kicked LeRae and Bayley got back into the mix. B-Fab then double-clotheslined Bayley and LeRae right before the show went to a commercial break. The show returned and Bayley was working over B-Fab, complete with an elbow to the back of B-Fab’s neck from the second rope. That was good enough to get Bayley a two-count, but LeRae broke up the pin attempt.

The women traded blows as they fought on their knees. B-Fab and Bayley teamed up on LeRae until LeRae clotheslined the babyfaces and the match reset. LeRae went to the top and B-Fab cut her off. LeRae fought B-Fab off, but Bayley was able to get the upper hand on LeRae. B-Fab got up and involved and the sequence ended with LeRae hitting a cross-body on Bayley for a two-count. B-Fab slammed LeRae for a two-count and Bayley returned to the mix, where she ran into an inverted neck-breaker from B-Fab, which earned B-Fab a two-count.

Bayley came back with a Bayley-To-Belly on B-Fab, but LeRae reappeared and almost stole a win. LeRae went for a moonsault, but B-Fab moved. Before long, B-Fab slammed Bayley and kicked LeRae to the outside. B-Fab went for another kick on Bayley, but Bayley rolled B-Fab up and got the win.

**********

– Sami Zayn was shown talking to LA Knight backstage, but we couldn’t hear what they were saying. Knight then walked to the ring for his U.S. title open challenge.

– Footage of The Rock on The Tonight Show from earlier this week aired. Turns out, The Rock is GW’s Entertainer Of The Year.

– B-Fab was shown backstage and Chelsea Green and Piper Niven walked up to her. Green said when her and Niven because the first-ever U.S. women’s champion, maybe they’d let B-Fab hold it someday. B-Fab said the two of them couldn’t hold the title at the same time and Michin walked into the frame with a kendo stick. Green and Niven left quickly.

– LA Knight made his entrance and had a microphone. The crowd cheered “LA Knight!” Knight said “Let me talk to ya!” and the crowd loved it. Knight said everyone is looking for his U.S. title. Knight said Zayn asked him to join the Bloodline Civil War. Knight said it wasn’t his fight and he doesn’t need it or want it. Knight said if the Bloodline just destroyed each other, he’d be fine with that. Knight said he wasn’t going to defend his belt two times a year like Logan Paul did, and instead called to action the U.S. Championship open challenge. Santos Escobar walked out flanked by the rest of Legado Del Fantasma.

Escobar grabbed a microphone and asked Knight why he couldn’t say something cool and interesting. Escobar told the crowd it sounded like they were from a different planet. Escobar said it should be, “Es. Co. Bar. Si!” Escobar said it’s time for someone to shut Knight up. Escobar since Elektra Lopez is going to bring the women’s U.S. title to LDF, Escobar wants to do the same for the men. Knight said he already beat Escobar, so he could give Berto a shot. Berto attacked Knight and the show went to break, so it looks like we’ll join the match in progress soon.

LA Knight defeated Berto to retain the United States Championship [4:00 of TV time]

The match was fine for what it was, but, man I liked the post-match stuff with a retooled Nakamura. That was great. First, it’s good to see him back, and second, it’s even better to see him with a new, more ominous coat of paint. I’m very, very interested to see how Knight and Nakamura work together moving forward. Here I was, wondering if Knight was going to keep spinning his wheels as a champion with no real challengers, but Nakamura changed that instantly. Good stuff.

The show returned and Berto had control over Knight. Knight went for his leap-to-the-top rope spot and in a rare turn of events, hit it. The development didn’t matter, though, because Berto pushed Knight off the top and eventually worked an abdominal stretch. Knight fought his way out of it and clotheslined Berto over the top and to the floor. Knight repeatedly slammed Berto off the commentary table. Knight rolled Berto back into the ring and landed a DDT for a two-count.

Berto came back with a roll-up and a kick and dragged Knight to a corner. Berto went for a moonsault, but Knight got a leg up. Knight followed up with a pop-up slammed, but Berto moved when Knight went for an elbow. Berto perched Knight on the top rope and set up for a super-plex, but Knight fought Berto off and landed the top rope elbow drop. Knight hit the BFT after that and got the win.

After the match, Nakamura appeared out of nowhere, wearing facepaint and looking kind of cooler than he’s looked in a long time in WWE. Nakamura laid Knight out and walked away.

**********

– The Usos were talking backstage and Zayn approached them saying it wasn’t looking good for finding a partner. The three then walked into Roman Reigns’s dressing room and the show went to a break.

– A video hyping the Royal Rumble in Indianapolis aired.

– The Usos and Zayn were standing in Reigns’s locker room and Reigns finally walked in. Zayn said they had been to Raw and SmackDown and there is nobody who wants to work with the Bloodline. Jey asked Roman if he “made that call.” Solo Sikoa’s music hit and Sikoa and his Bloodline made their entrance ringside. Roman stood up and left his dressing room. Zayn and the Usos followed him.

The Bloodline segment

I’m still not a fan of Seth Rollins being the fifth man for Roman’s team – there’s just too much history to ignore for this viewer and to shoehorn Rollins in based solely on the idea that he hates Bronson Reed with the passion of a thousand red hot suns doesn’t do it for me for more reasons than I have the space to type tonight. Still, this was a good brawl segment and a good beatdown from the heels. WWE has done good by Reed since he came back over from New Japan and this furthered that winning streak. Michael Cole sounded like he wondered if this meant Reed would join Solo’s Bloodline for good after all this resolves itself at War Games, but that won’t be the case … right?

Solo told Milwaukee to acknowledge him. The crowd booed heavily. Roman’s music hit instantly and Reigns walked out with Jimmy, Jey and Sami. The teams stared each other down as Roman’s group hopped onto the apron. The teams brawled and Jey hit a dive onto most of Solo’s Bloodline. Fatu took back control for the heels and Sikoa set up for a Samoan Spike on Zayn, but Roman speared Sikoa. Zayn then landed a dive onto everyone except Fatu. Alone in the ring were Fatu and Roman and boy, the crowd was there for it.

Fatu distracted Roman and Bronson Reed showed up to take down Roman. Reed and Fatu stared at each other and Reed landed a splash on Roman. Fatu followed that up with a hip attack on Roman. Jey, Jimmy and Zayn tried to fight back against Reed and Fatu, but the heels were too much. Fatu landed a moonsault on Zayn and Reed hit a Tsunami on Jimmy. Roman, on the outside of the ring, took out Tonga Loa. Reigns hit a series of Superman Punches on everyone … until Sikoa hit a Samoan Spike on Reigns … and Fatu followed that up with a moonsault … and Reed followed that up with a Tsunami. Finally, WWE officials ran out to break things up. The heels stood tall to end the segment.

**********
– Kevin Owens posted a video on social media and Michael Cole threw to it. Owens said he got to the arena, but he was turned away for what he did to Orton last week. Owens said it was messed up because all he did was show up when Orton told him to show up. Owens said he got a call from Aldis asking Owens to be at next week’s SmackDown in Salt Lake City. Owens said he shouldn’t show up, but he will and he will do so for himself. Owens said when he shows up, he will just be doing his job.

Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) defeated The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) via DQ [7:58]

Lots of (misguided?) male aggression in the SmackDown tag team division these days. The Profits are pissed. Ciampa is looking to murder people. The Machine Guns, meanwhile, are simply just the peaceful new guys. They didn’t ask for any of this. Anyway, I’m not a fan of these types of finishes, but I actually prefer this over the Profits taking another loss. Both teams looked good and I like the chippiness of Montez Ford these days. MCMG continue to struggle to elicit a meaningful response from the live crowds and that’s concerning, but maybe a program like this, where everyone around them is just angry as hell (and aren’t going to take it anymore), can help get the champs some reactionary momentum.

Ford and Sabin started the match. Ford looked series and worked kind of/sort of like a heel. Sabin hit a pair of arm-drags and Shelley tagged in. The two hit a series of double-team moves, but they were good enough for only a couple one-counts. Ford fired up and hit a strong clothesline. Shelley rolled to the outside and Dawkins shoulder-blocked Shelley over the commentary table as the show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Shelley continued to receive punishment. Quickly, Sabin received the hot tag, however, and Sabin took out both Profits. The action spilled outside and MCMG tried their damndest to get the crowd fired up. Back inside the ring, Shelley planted Ford after Sabin dropkicked Ford in the back of the head. Sabin tagged in, but before long, the Profits regained control and set up for their finisher. With Ford on the top rope, Ciampa showed up and attacked the Profits. Gargano showed up late and tried to pull Ciampa away from everyone. Ciampa then shoved Gargano to the ground and left the ring.

After all the commotion, MCMG tried to shake hands with the Profits and Dawkins leveled Shelley. The Profits angrily left the ring to end things.

**********

– Naomi was shown in the back and Bayley showed up. Naomi congratulated Bayley on her win earlier in the night. Bayley told Naomi she can’t trust IYO SKY and Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair walked in. Bianca is still unhappy with Bayley after all these months and she made it a point to remind everyone of that. Cargill told Naomi that if anyone interferes, Cargill and Belair have Naomi’s back.

– Next week, Bianca Belair, Chelsea Green and Blair Davenport will wrestle as part of the women’s U.S. title tournament. Plus, Kevin Owens and Cody Rhodes will go face-to-face.

Nia Jax defeated Naomi to retain the WWE Women’s Championship [12:08]

This was very good – especially the last five minutes. It was one of those cases where you start the match knowing there is no chance of a title change and by the time you get to the end, you are convinced the title should have changed hands a couple times over. Those women worked super hard to get it there and boy, did it pay off. Whatever it was Naomi pulled off as a counter from the top near the end of the match was quite the visual. Even better, Naomi was kind of/sort of protected in the loss and they could run this back, no problem. The end of the show with Roman calling the Wise Man was a lot of fun. Here’s hoping we see Heyman soon. His presence in the Bloodline saga has been noticeably missed since Roman came back. This was a strong final 20 minutes of the program, so if you only have 20 minutes to spare, use the fast-forward button accordingly.

Jax had control early and sort of just toyed with Naomi, swinging her around and landing a splash in a corner. Jax went for an elbow, but Naomi moved and followed that up with a kick to the head. Naomi then hit her split leg drop. Jax clotheslined Naomi and threw Naomi to the outside. Naomi executed a sunset flip, but Jax came right back with a clothesline and a one-coun. Jax worked a chin-lock. Jax missed a strike and Naomi briefly tried to come back, but Naomi ran into an elbow from Jax, who then pounded Naomi’s head into the mat. Jax, in a wild move, lifted Naomi and hit what appeared to be a very stiff headbutt. Naomi popped up and got Jax to the outside, where Naomi hit a suicide dive. The show then went to its final commercial break of the night.

The show returned and Jax took down Naomi for a two-count. Jax landed a headbutt to Naomi’s back. Jax then worked a single-leg crab. Jax went for a powerbomb, but Naomi kind of turned it into a Destroyer for a two-count. Naomi then kicked Jax in the head and hit a cross-body from the second rope. Naomi followed that up with an enziguri. Naomi hit the Rear View out of nowhere, but it resulted on only a near-fall. Naomi ran at Jax, but that meant she ran into a pop-up Samoan Drop from Jax.

Jax set Naomi up for her finisher, but Naomi stood up and dumped Jax to the floor. Naomi then hit a cross-body block on Jax on the outside. Backstage, Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez were shown attacking Cargill and Belair. Back in the ring, Tiffany Stratton attacked Naomi while the referee was checking on Jax. Jax went to the second rope, but Naomi cut Jax off. It didn’t matter because Jax went for a body-slam from the top, but Naomi countered it into … something … and that earned her a near-fall.

Bayley ran out and attacked Stratton and Naomi rolled up Jax for a good near-fall. Naomi ran Jax into a ring post and hit a split-legged moonsault on Jax for a very good near-fall. Naomi went to the top and Candice LeRae attacked Bayley at ringside. As a result, Jax hit a Samoan Drop from the top and followed that up with her finisher for the win.

After the match, Stratton, LeRae and Jax stood tall in the ring. The show cut to Reigns in his dressing room. Reigns had his cellphone and said “Call … the wise man.” A response said “the number you have reached is not in service; this is a recording.” Roman dropped his phone as a dial tone rang and Roman looked all types of upset as the show went off air.





TNA Impact live results: Nic Nemeth vs. Brian Myers, Joe Hendry in action

Posted on by Matt Boone

The match toward this month’s Turning Point continues on tonight’s TNA Impact.

TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth will be in non-title action as he takes on Brian Myers of The System ahead of defending against Myers’ tag team partner Eddie Edwards at Turning Point.

After recently running afoul of Nemeth in his push for the World title, Joe Hendry will take on Nic’s brother Ryan Nemeth.

In a high-profile trios bout, The Northern Armory (Josh Alexander, Judas Icarus & Travis Williams) will battle Eric Young, Steve Maclin & Jonathan Gresham as their recent feud continues.

Mike Santana takes on KC Navarro in singles action while Rosemary will be in action following the wrap of her recent feud with NXT’s Wendy Choo.

The televised card is rounded out by former Tag Team Champions The Rascalz (Zachary Wentz & Trey Miguel) against Alan Angels & Jake Crist.

**********
Mike Santana defeated KC Navarro

Mike Santana makes his way down to the ring to kick off this week’s show. Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt welcome us to the program as Santana settles inside the squared circle. His opponent, KC Navarro, comes out next accompanied by AJ Francis.

The bell sounds and the opening contest for this week’s show gets underway. Santana jumps into an early offensive lead. Navarro gets in a couple of shots in the corner, but when he attempts a follow-up move, Santana blocks it and takes back over.

Navarro lands a dropkick to the back of Santana while he was in the corner. Navarro decided to hop out of the ring and gloat about this along with Francis. Santana, meanwhile, hits the ropes to build up a full head of steam and then launches through the ropes on the other side, taking out Navarro on the floor.

Back in the ring, Santana hits a seated Navarro with a chop that elicits gasps from the fans in the Impact Zone, and hysteric laughter from Hannifan, who took great pleasure in this on commentary. Moments later, Navarro hits a big dive to Santana on the floor.

Upon returning to the ring, Santana cuts off Navarro in the corner and blasts him with a stiff open-handed slap in the mouth. Regardless, Navarro brushes it off and begins to put together his first prolonged sequence of offense since the opening bell.

Navarro hits a big 305 dropkick through the ropes to Santana. He follows that up with a top-rope high spot for a close two-count. Navarro goes for a middle rope splash, but is caught by Santana. Santana hits a modified Styles Clash and then a sit-out powerbomb for a close two-count.

Seconds later, Santana connects with his Spin The Block finisher. After the STB, he quickly follows up with the cover and gets the pinfall victory in a fun opening match to set the tone for the evening.

Gia Miller Interviews Nic & Ryan Nemeth

Backstage, Gia Miller is standing by with Ryan Nemeth and the reigning TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth for a brief interview segment. She brings up Ryan’s bout with Joe Hendry tonight, and Nic’s against Brian Myers.

Nic says he’s going to do what he does best tonight, steal the show. Ryan tells Nic he’s going to have Nic’s back if The System try anything. Ryan then talks about his own business at-hand, noting the video Hendry shared has been ruining his life.

The Nemeth brothers wish each other luck and head off in opposite directions as the backstage segment comes to a close, and the show heads into a commercial break.

Hammerstone, Jake Something & Trent Seven Attack The Hardys & Ace Austin

When the show returns from the break, footage is shown of the chilling conclusion to last week’s show, which saw Trent Seven viciously attack his former friend and Speedball Mountain partner, “Speedball” Mike Bailey, immediately after Bailey lost the TNA X-Division Championship to Moose.

After the footage wraps up, The Hardys and Ace Austin are shown backstage talking to Seven about his actions, making it clear that they do not approve. As the talk continues, Hammerstone and Jake Something enter the picture and along with Seven, attack all three.

Santino Marella hits the scene with security and demands the heel trio leave. He calls for doctors to come check on the attacked trio as the brief backstage segment comes to an end.

The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz) defeated Alan Angels & Jake Crist

Back inside the Impact Zone, the team of Alan Angels and Jake Crist make their way to the ring, as do their opponents, The Rascalz duo of Trey Miguel and Zachary Wentz. The bell sounds and Wentz and Crist kick things off for their respective teams.

Wentz takes the early offensive lead and tags in Miguel. The two hit some double-team action and then do a quick tribute to WWE Tag-Team Champions The Motor City Machine Guns, and the commentators talk about The Rascalz Rebound Season following their return to The Treehouse last week.

After Angels tags in and takes over, he hits Miguel with a low blow that allows him to shift the offensive momentum into his team’s favor. He taunts the crowd and then muscles Miguel up for a fisherman’s suplex for a two-count.

Fans chant “Angels sucks! Angels sucks!” Moments later, The Rascalz pick up the win. Following the bout, a quick backstage segment is shown with Spitfire duo Jody Threat and Dani Luna, and then the show heads into another commercial break.

Josh Alexander, Judas Icarus & Travis Williams defeated Steve Maclin, Eric Young & Jonathan Gresham

When the show returns, the team of Josh Alexander and The Northern Armory of Judas Icarus and Travis Williams make their way to the ring for scheduled six-man tag-team action. Their opponents, Steve Maclin, Jonathan Gresham and Eric Young make their respective ring walks as well.

The bell sounds to get things started, and very quickly we see Maclin is eager to get his hands on “The Walking Weapon,” but just as clear to see is that Alexander is going to avoid sharing the ring with him at all costs.

After some good back-and-forth action, which featured a mid-match commercial break, the six-man tag-team bout comes to an end. Maclin gets too focused on finally getting the opportunity to beat down Alexander.

Young is accidentally bounced off the apron by Maclin, who turns around into a C4 Spike for the pin. Alexander and The Northern Armory pick up the win and quickly head to the back to a chorus of boos from the crowd. Meanwhile, inside the ring we see Young and Maclin aren’t happy with each other.

When the show returns from the break, Maclin is shown backstage, and he’s still fired up from what just went down. He comes across Santino Marella and tells him that things between he and Alexander are far from over. He tells him to do something about it, or he will.

He storms off and sees Young, who tells him he needs to start trusting him. Gresham shows up and makes it clear that as long as they have his back, he’s got theirs. Young reiterates his point to Maclin that he needs to start trusting him. “This is on you, not me.” Maclin storms off again.

Joe Hendry defeated Ryan Nemeth

In a brief backstage segment, Frankie Kazarian gloats about having the TNA Call Your Shot trophy and beating Rhino in his hometown on the night he was inducted into the TNA Hall Of Fame. Rhino walks up and threatens to beat his ass. Kazarian yells to anyone that can hear that Rhino just used profanity.

Inside the Impact Zone, “The Hollywood Hunk” Ryan Nemeth makes his way out and heads to the ring for scheduled one-on-one action. His opponent, the wildly popular Joe Hendry, heads out next and does his full entrance routine, complete with the crowd wave and dramatic soap opera head turn-finish.

Hendry then gets on the microphone for a trademark pre-match live promo. He brings up “The Ryan Nemeth Story” video that he premiered last week. “He’s Nic Nemeth’s brother … the end.” Yeah, that one.

He brings up leaving some stuff out. He had editors scour the internet and collect all of the achievements, which they have compiled in a longform video, which he calls the “Director’s Cut.” The same video from last week plays. “He’s Nic Nemeth’s brother … the end.”

Hendry says it sounds like fans want to see it one more time. He reacts to a loud “One more time! One more time!” chant, and is then ambushed and attacked from behind by Nemeth.

This starts the match off hot, but a few minutes later, Hendry takes over and finishes things off with the Standing Ovation for the easy win. Once the match wraps up, the show heads into another commercial break.

Rosemary defeated Jada Stone

When the show returns, the upcoming TNA Turning Point 2024 special event as part of WrestleCade on November 29 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina is shown and pushed by Hannifan and Rehwoldt.

Back inside the Impact Zone, the lights go out and when they come back on, Rosemary makes her way to the ring for the next match of the evening against Jada Stone.

The bell sounds, Rosemary dominates for about three or four minutes, and then hits her finisher to pick up an easy showcase victory. She does her post-match “kiss goodbye” ritual over her fallen opponent, and then the show heads into another commercial break.

Alisha Edwards, Masha Slamovich Set For No DQ Knockouts Title Showdown

When the show returns, Hannifan and Rehwoldt introduce a digital exclusive segment that showed The System celebrating backstage after last week’s show. They now have special rings that they all wear, which signifies that they run things.

After the package wraps up, we hear the unbelievably annoying, “Do you wanna know something?” catchphrase by Alisha Edwards over-and-over-and-over again, as she comes out for a quick time-killer promo.

She says a whole lot of nothing, essentially pointing out that The System have rings now, gloating that Eddie Edwards is going to beat Nic Nemeth for the TNA World Championship at TNA Turning Point 2024, and that she doesn’t like Masha Slamovich.

As she starts talking trash about Slamovich, she is cut off by the familiar sounds of the theme song for the reigning TNA Knockouts Champion. Slamovich says if Edwards really thinks her win was a fluke, how about she face her next week in a No DQ match for the TNA Knockouts Championship.

Before Edwards says anything, out comes Tasha Steelz. The two glare at Slamovich and try to intimidate her with the numbers advantage, the catchy-ass entrance tune for Jordynne Grace hits and out comes “The Juggernaut.”

Grace insists she knows who’s going to win the Slamovich-Edwards title tilt next week, and when Slamovich does, Grace says she’ll be ready for her immediate title rematch to become a four-time champion.

Nic Nemeth defeated Brian Myers

It’s main event time!

But first, the camera shot switches to the backstage area, where Ryan Nemeth is shown laid out. Nic Nemeth walks by in his ring gear ready to walk to the ring for the main event. He stops and asks Santino Marella to make sure someone helps him.

Nemeth continues walking but is stopped by Frankie Kazarian. The self-proclaimed “King of TNA” apologizes for what happened to Nic’s “jobber brother” and then wishes him good luck in his match. Nemeth keeps walking and makes his way out to the ring.

The System’s Brian Myers heads to the ring next, accompanied by Alisha Edwards and Eddie Edwards. They settle at ringside but before the match can get started, the theme for Joe Hendry hits and the crowd roars inside the Impact Zone.

Out comes the director of the smash hits, “The Ryan Nemeth Story” and “The Ryan Nemeth Story: Director’s Cut” to the ringside area with a giant ear-to-ear smile on his face. Hendry joins Hannifan and Rehwoldt on special guest commentary for the final match of the evening.

After Hendry is welcomed by the Impact play-by-play man and color-commentator, the show heads into a quick pre-match commercial break. When the show returns, we see the match in progress. Hendry mentions on commentary that he will be part of the Thanksgiving Turkey Bowl match at TNA Turning Point 2024.

Nemeth controls the offense for a minute or so, but then Myers begins to shift the offensive momentum in his favor. After Eddie Edwards gets involved at ringside, the referee makes the decision to eject him from ringside.

Regardless, Myers still gets an assist from Alisha Edwards, who is still at ringside. As Nemeth is down and out on the floor at ringside, the show heads into the final commercial break of the evening as the match continues.

When the show returns, once again Alisha Edwards is shown getting physically involved at ringside behind the referee’s back. This helps Myers maintain control of the action. Myers brings Nemeth back into the ring, but Nemeth starts to fire up for a comeback.

Myers cuts it short and gets Nemeth down throat-first over the bottom rope. He stands on the back of his neck to make matters worse. Myers hits a sidewalk slam for a two-count. Nemeth finally does start to string together some offense, but again Alisha gets involved in match-shifting fashion.

This time, Hendry stands up from his seat at the commentary desk and says he’s seen enough. He hoists Alisha up and carries her to the back to a big pop. Literally seconds later, Nemeth connects with a big super kick and his Danger Zone finisher for the win.

As soon as the match is over, Eddie Edwards, who was ejected from ringside during the match, runs back out to attack Nemeth. Myers joins in on the post-match beatdown. Hendry runs back out to make the save with a kendo stick.

As he’s cleaning house, he almost accidentally blasts Nemeth once again. He stops short, however, and gestures that he was clearly not trying to hit him. Fans chant “Hug it out! Hug it out!” as the two stare at each other.

Steve Maclin: “To Be Continued …”

The TNA iMPACT logo flashes on the screen again to end the show, but then footage is shown of Steve Maclin leaving the building. Maclin gets in a car and plays some sad music and drives off as the camera stays on a tight shot of his face.

“To be continued …” flashes on the screen and the show then officially comes to an end. That’s how this week’s show ends. Thanks for joining us and don’t forget to follow F4WOnline.com’s Matt Boone on Twitter/X.

Next Week:
* Ash By Elegance vs. Jody Threat
* Frankie Kazarian vs. Rhino
* Masha Slamovich (c) vs. Alisha Edwards (Knockouts Title No DQ)
* Trent Seven, Hammerstone & Jake Something vs. The Hardys (Matt & Jeff Hardy) & Ace Austin

Ring of Honor TV live results: Red Velvet vs. Diamante street fight

Posted on by Jeff Moss

This week’s Ring of Honor on HonorClub will be highlighted by a street fight for the ROH Women’s TV title as Red Velvet defends against Diamante.

This will be a rematch of their early-October clash that Velvet won by DQ in the champion’s first title defense.

ROH Tag Team Champions Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara will be in action as will future challengers The Righteous.

ROH Women’s World Champion Athena will hold another emergency meeting with Billie Starkz and Lexy Nair. Abadon, whom Athena defended the title against last month, will return to action against Viva Van.

After defeating The Butcher last week, former ROH Pure Champion Katsuyori Shibata will take on Aaron Solo.

Komander will look to rebound from losses to Kyle Fletcher and Lio Rush as he challenges former Pure Champion Josh Woods.

Griff Garrison & Preston Vance will team up for the first time against Northeast U.S. indie regulars Waves ‘n’ Curls.

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ROH on Honorclub episode 90 hit the airwaves (streamwaves?) with such force that it knocked not one, not two, but FOUR tag teams into the ring!

Four Way Tag Team Match: The Undisputed Kingdom (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) defeated Gates Of Agony (Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona) and Grizzled Young Veterans (James Drake & Zack Gibson) and The Dark Order (Alex Reynolds & John Silver)

So, there was a lot of people in this match. A lot. Lets bring you up to speed: 

The Undisputed Kingdom wanted to prove they’ve still got it after losing the titles back in September. Gates of Agony really wanted to hurt people. Grizzled Young Veterans appeared to be making their ROH on Honorclub debut, and The Dark Order, well, they just usually want to pose and cause as much chaos as possible. One thing that every team wanted though was to move up a notch to get into contention for the ROH Tag Team Titles.

Taven and Kaun kicked things off which was pretty fun. They are both big guys who can move really well. Eventually, Silver and Gibson locked up and it’s always fun to see Silver in the ring because even though he’s a Short King, he has the strength and agility of a much bigger man. The Veterans really shone here too, keeping everyone on their toes.

The Gates were the first to start the double teaming, but were dragged to the outside by the Kingdom and Veterans respectively. That left Silver in the ring to face Taven who dodged a big splash that set up Bennett to grab Silver for a spiked piledriver. As one can imagine, that got them the pin and the victory.

After the match, Taven and Bennett approached Gates of Agony and shared a tentative but respectful handshake. Odd behaviour between heels, but an interesting match up for a later day.

Tag Team Champions Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara defeated Love Doug & TJ Crawford

Now going by “The Sons of Texas”, The ROH Tag champions have been holding firmly onto those belts the last few weeks while the Righteous stalk them from every corner. Rhodes and Guevara got one up on Vincent and Dutch last week, jumping them on the ramp before their alleged match took place. Doug and Crawford have been teaming on the indies since 2021 with questionable team names like “Love In The City” and their current name “Shot Through The Heart.” No matter what they call themselves, this would be their ROH debut. 

As imagined, Doug was in way over his head when he started the match opposite Rhodes. I mean that literally, he was a good foot shorter than Rhodes. What he did have was speed though and that caught Rhodes unawares. Crawford tagged in just in time to take a big splash from Guevara. Doug wanted a piece of that action, and jumped in to take a Sammy Superkick for his troubles.

Crawford was a better matchup against the champions, but Rhodes and Guevara have been firing on all cylinders and landed dual GTH’s on both of their opponents to get the win.

Immediately, The Righteous arrived and blindsided Rhodes to give a double team to Guevara. Dutch hit a side slam on Rhodes, and Vincent held him while Dutch smashed a large cowbell into his face. The RIghteous snapped their way out of the ring, leaving the champs lying.

-ROH World Champion Chris Jericho and The Learning Tree cut a promo in the back. Big Bill said that they are up to any challenge. Jericho talked about how he’s known Tomohiro Ishii for thirty years, when he was a “Young Boy” in Japan. Jericho accepted Ishii’s challenge to defend the ROH title against him in two weeks, in Chicago. Thanks guys!!

Griff Garrison & Preston Vance defeated Waves And Curls (Jaylen Brandyn & Traevon Jordan)

The tremendously named Waves and Curls have been together on the indies since 2020. They’ve done some grunt work in AEW, but as far as I can tell this was their ROH debut and they got a big hometown pop. Vance and Garrison would be teaming together for the first time, while Garrison’s usual partner, Cole Karter recovers from injury. Vance, for his part, is sitting at a 4-5 singles record in 2024, including a loss to Sammy Guevara last week, so maybe tag teaming is a better fit.

Garrison and Vance (who I am calling Team Purple Pants) seemed pretty cohesive for two guys who;ve never teamed together. Vance started things off against Jordan who made a mistake by dancing mid-move. That gave Vance an opening to crush him with a lariat.

Brandyn tagged in a looked like a literal child against Vance. Vance threw him around for a while and then tagged in Garrison. Garrison attempted to mock his opponent by, yep, dancing. It worked out ok for him though since Brandyn weighed about 75lbs and was easy to slam, even mid-dance.

Vance tagged in and hit a stalling (20 second) suplex on Brandyn. Garrison tagged in and Vance ran around to take out Jordan on the outside. Brandyn tried a suicide dive onto Vance on the outside, but Vance caught him with one hand and dragged him back into the ring. Vance and Garrison hit dual rolling elbows and got the pin, 1-2-3. Team Purple Pants looked good here, but they really weren’t up against tough opponents.

Katsuyori Shibata defeated Aaron Solo

Solo is a wrestler, but Shibata is THE Wrestler. Shibata has not lost a singles match in ROH in 2024, and holds wins over Brandon Cutler, The Butcher and 2/3rds of the Premier Athletes in just the last few months. Solo on the other hand, has not won a singles match in ROH since April. He’s also probably still hearing bells after the beating that Tomohio Ishii laid on him last week. 

Solo jumped Shibata as soon as he got in the ring, beating him up and tossing him out of the ring. Solo’s strategy seemed to be to take away the “wrestler” skills from Shibata and force him to brawl on the outside. He threw Shibata into barricades, stairs, chairs, whatever he could find. But he got cocky and Shibata showed him that he knows a thing or two about brawling as well. He beat up Solo and tossed him back into the ring.

Shibata laid some hard chops into Solo in the corner and then stomped him in the center of the ring. Solo hit a surprise exploder suplex to even things out. Shibata came back with a Cobra Twist into a Octopus hold and that was it for Solo. He tapped and Shibata’s win streak continued.

Komander defeated Josh Woods

Komander is a fun, high-flying luchador and Woods is a large, technical and brutal brawler. Having defeated Woods’ stablemate Ariya Daivari in October, Komander would love to add Wood’s name to is beaten list. Woods for his part has suffered losses to Tomohiro Ishii, AR Fox (of all people) and then-ROH Champion Mark Briscoe. Despite this, Mark Sterling declared that the Premier Athletes are “winners!”

For some reason here during Komander’s entrance, they showed two people in the crowd cosplaying as Meg and Peter Griffin from Family Guy. No one acknowledged it, but it was weird enough I thought I should mention it.

Woods immediately went to his amateur background, trying to keep Komander on the mat and take away his speed. Komander was able to take advantage of what little space he had though and bring the momentum firmly into his corner.

Woods then realized that he is bigger than Komander, so he picked him up and threw him outside the ring where Sterling delivered a few stomps for good luck. Back in the ring, Woods started feeding elbows to Komander. He made a mistake though and gave Komander some space which the luchadore jumped on, literally and figuratively.

Komander used the ropes for a springboard splash on to Woods. He tried it again, but Woods got his knee up, surprising Komander. Komander tried setting up for a big dive, but Sterling tripped him up. Komander’s Hype Man jumped in and delivered a spear to Sterling. Komander then hit a rope-walk head butt on a prone Woods and got the win.

Abadon defeated Viva Van

Abadon failed to win the ROH Women’s title from Athena a couple of weeks ago in a “Ring of Horror Match” and as such, was in an awesome mood. They screamed, grunted and smashed everything Viva Van-shaped in the ring. Van attempted a few soft flurries of offense, but Abadon, a literal zombie, wasn’t really having any of it.

Van resorted to a hair-lock(?) on Abadon, trying anything she could to put Abadon away. It didn’t work though and Abadon no-sold it with screams and hit a surprise cutter on Van. They followed that up with a Black Dahlia and got the win, squash complete.

-Backstage an emergency MeM broke out with Lexy Nair demanding that Billie Starkz apologize to Athena. Athena was unimpressed with Starkz’ outfit and blew her off. Suddenly, Leila Grey appeared to let everyone know that Top Flight was the best. That was literally what she showed up to say. Athena laughed and said she could have a Proving Ground match next week.

ROH Classic Match: Hyan vs ROH Women’s Champion Athena (Orlando 26.02.2023)

The Classic ROH Content this week was Athena’s first Proving Ground match as champion against Hyan, who was all over the indies at the time. It was a decent match (guess who won!) that we all enjoyed and then moved on.

The Righteous (Dutch & Vincent) defeated Jimmy Diaz & Matt Raven

Diaz and Raven had no chance here. Vincent and Dutch are a team that doesn’t care about pesky things like rules and such. They are into violence and lately, the ROH Tag Team Championships around the waists of Dustin Rhodes and Sammy Guevara. The champs were jumped by the Righteous earlier in the show, so it was easy to see that they were in a good mood, which is even scarier when talking about the Righteous. They were looking to take it out on Diaz and Raven, who according to my research, are not only making their ROH debut, but possibly having their first match ever. Hell of a way to start. 

Vincent started things off against whichever one was in Blue tights (Raven, as it turns out. Though he had “magnum” on his tights). Vincent toyed with him and then tagged in Dutch for a Side Effect and dual dropkicks. Diaz tagged in and didn’t fare any better, taking an Orange Sunshine and then a big double team similar to what took out Sammy Guevara earlier. Vincent pinned him and it was all over but the shouting.

By shouting, I mean the dulcet tones of Vincent as he grabbed a mic for a promo. He said that the Righteous are forcing their way into the tag title picture. He said they should have been champions a long time ago and Sammy and Dustin will not have those belts for long. Dutch agreed and mocked Rhodes with the cowbell he hit him with earlier. It was Rhodes’ childhood cow bell (which is a thing in Texas I presume). Dutch talked about Dusty Rhodes, saying that Dusty wanted him to be his son instead of Dustin. That’s why Dutch got the cow bell.

ROH Women’s World Television Title Street Fight: Red Velvet (c) defeated Diamante

Diamante is at her craziest when there are no rules and Red Velvet has been up to whatever challenge comes across her plate while holding the ROH Women’s TV Title. Velvet has been spending a lot of time in CMLL in the last month or so, which means it’s possible she had a few tricks up her sleeve that Diamante wouldn’t see coming. Diamante survived the Texas Death Match against Leyla Hirsch at Death Before Dishonor, so she knows how to handle herself when the rules are out the window. 

Diamante brought a trash can full of weapons to the ring and got the jump on Velvet off the top. She tried to set up a shot with the belt, but Velvet reversed it and followed up with a trash can shot to Diamante. Diamante responded by putting Velvet in the trash can and drop kicking it. She then sent Velvet’s face into a steel chair several times. Next, she tried to choke Velvet with a big ol’ chain.

Velvet managed to get a sneaky stunner on Diamante to turn the tide. She bulldogged Diamante onto that chair and threw her into the garbage can face-first. Velvet pulled a ladder from under the ring and introduced it to Diamante via hip-toss. Propping the ladder against the ropes, Velvet laid out Diamante on top of it. Velvet went for a top rope leg drop, but Diamante rolled off the ladder.

The two brawled around the ladder, with Velvet ending up on it this time. Diamante climbed the ropes and hit a big splash through Velvet and the ladder. Diamante then brought at table into the ring. She set it up in the corner, but Velvet got her with a chair before she could use it. Velvet put Diamante on the table and went to the top rope. Diamante slid off though, knocking Velvet off balance. She gabbed Velvet and superplexed her through the table from the top rope.

Velvet got to her feet first and hit a Mama’s Kitchen on Diamante, driving her head into the TV Title belt. That did it and Velvet picked up the win, retaining her title. Super fun matchm and a great way to end the show!

AEW Dynamite live results: Konosuke Takeshita vs. Adam Cole

Posted on by Ryan Howard

Bridgeport, Connecticut, hosts tonight’s AEW Dynamite with several high-profile matches and appearances.

AEW International Champion Konosuke Takeshita will face Adam Cole in a non-title match as Cole continues his quest to rack up three victories before Roderick Strong does for a shot at MJF at Full Gear. Strong will also look to go 3-0 as he battles Lance Archer in a falls count anywhere match.

After returning last week, Will Ospreay will make an appearance tonight as will AEW World Champion Jon Moxley as “Mox seizes the Superstation.”

The Full Gear four-way contender’s series continues as FTR face House of Black’s Brody King & Malakai Black.

Hangman Page & Christian Cage team up against Jay White & Juice Robinson while former AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland will go one-on-one with Lio Rush. Strickland’s Full Gear opponent Bobby Lashley will also appear tonight.

Britt Baker will return to the ring against Penelope Ford while Jamie Hayter is scheduled for an appearance.

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AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Nigel McGuinness & Tony Schiavone as The Patriarchy makes their entrance ahead of the opening contest.

Hangman Adam Page & Christian Cage (w/The Patriarchy) defeated Switchblade Jay White & Juice Robinson

(You almost had a feeling Robinson was taking the pin here, as he’s not really feuding with anyone Page or Cage. The numbers game were simply too much for the Bang Bang Gang in this one (even with HOOK running off Nick Wayne), as despite being unlikely teammates, Page & Cage were able to work well enough to squeak out the win. They kept the interaction between White & Page pretty even, as it made you want to see their rematch come Full Gear.)

Evenly paced back and forth from Page & White to start, until Cage made a blind tag right as Page got the upper hand. Cage immediately ate a hard buckle, allowing Robinson to tag in, as he fired off snap jabs until Page got the attention away, allowing Cage to hit a reverse neckbreaker. Robinson sent outside to The Patriarchy, as Nick Wayne got in a shot with the ref distracted. Back inside, Robinson lit up by corner strikes, as he was continuously isolated before being dumped to the floor again. Wayne sized Robinson up again, but HOOK appeared in the front row, pulled Wayne over the railing and brawled to the back, as a confused Cage looked on, allowing Robinson to hit a neckbreaker of his own on the floor.

Robinson made the hot tag to White, who fired off a series of chops and punches until trying a back suplex, which Page floated over onto his bad knee. It allowed a White dragon screw, as he spiked Page with a DDT, tried on Cage, who countered into a Killswitch, which White spun out of into a DDT of his own. Front chancery throw in the corner onto Page, as Robinson, who hit a corner charge and cannonball. Knee breaker and brainbuster from White to Page, as Robinson got a near fall. Cage pulled Robinson outside, but ate a Right Hand of God for his troubles. Page clobbered White with a springboard lariat, as Robinson, who was crotched in the corner, hit an Avalanche Fall Away Slam.

White cut off a Buckshot with a Flatliner, but Cage was there wanting a Killswitch. Another Hand of God from Robinson, as Page was dropped with a Sleeper Suplex. Blade Runner into the barricade on Cage, as Robinson fired off jabs to Page, looked for Juice is Loose, but Robinson rolled through into a roll-up. Mother Wayne distracted the ref long enough for there to be a two, as Kip Sabian brained Robinson with the World Title contract case, allowing Page to hit Dead Eye for the victory. Commentary correctly pointed out it took four people to defeat White & Robinson tonight.

-Renee Paquette is outside Mercedes Mone’s locker room and asks about her match at Full Gear against Kris Statlander. Mone scolds Paquette from even asking a question before she gets her catchphrase in. Mone also scolded Kamille for dropping her $20,000 coat and told her to go put it away. She said last week happened because Kamille can’t drive, as once she left, Statlander appeared in the background. Mone saw her and called for her bodyguard, but Kamille was chucked into the wall. Statlander & Mone brawled briefly before Statlander tackled Kamille through the door as Mone scurried away.

**********

Will Ospreay Calls Out Kyle Fletcher

Tony Schiavone is in the ring and welcomes Ospreay to the ring to a huge ovation. Ospreay said there’s a lot of questions he needs answers to and politely asks Schiavone to leave, as he wants to talk with Kyle Fletcher. His wish is granted, as Fletcher walks out and said Don Callis begged him not to come out by himself, but brought up how Ospreay opted to stay home and lick his wounds a few weeks ago when Fletcher called him out. If he lays a finger on Fletcher, The Family will make sure he’s out longer than three weeks. Ospreay said he’s been in those Family meetings and knows Fletcher isn’t alone, so get whatever else he has planned, as Fletcher pulls out the screwdriver and tossed it to Ospreay, who chucked it from the ring.

Ospreay brought up Fletcher living in his home during the pandemic and joining the United Empire with Mark Davis. Fletcher knows Ospreay better than anyone, knowing where he lives, where he works out, even picking his son up from school. Fletcher said Ospreay wants to take credit for someone else’s success, while Don Callis opened his eyes to the truth, as Ospreay did all those things for himself, like always. Fletcher isn’t a Will Ospreay clone and called Ospreay selfish and a hypocrite, doing exactly what Ospreay would’ve done in his position. Ospreay told Fletcher to pick a lane, either he’s nothing like him or he’s an Ospreay clone. Sure, he stabbed Okada & Kenny Omega in the back, but before that, he was a 3-time Junior Heavyweight Champ, 2 time Best of Super Juniors winner. What has Fletcher done that’s not Aussie Open related, he’s done nothing on his own.

Fletcher said it’s about what he’s going to do, as he wants a match with Ospreay at Full Gear. Ospreay said this is what it’s all about, his 5 minutes of fame on PPV. Since Ospreay has been here, there’s been 4 World Champions and none of them can hold a candle to what he can do. Ospreay accepts the match and brings up watching Fletcher shave his head with his 6 year old by his side at home. His hand was numb from the Tiger Driver he suffered and promised to be the one to take this all away from Fletcher at Full Gear. Fletcher said if Ospreay thought before was bad, it’s nothing compared to Full Gear.

Brian Cage & Lance Archer came to the ring, as Ospreay laughed and said he’s also got some backup. Mark Davis & Powerhouse Hobbs came in and the brawl was on until Davis & Fletcher had a stare down. That was brief, as Ospreay took the fight to Fletcher and hit a dive. Everyone but Archer brawled away, as Roderick Strong’s music hit and he charged out with a kendo stick and they fought to the back, as the next match begins immediately.

Roderick Strong defeated Lance Archer in a Falls Count Anywhere Match

(A far quicker match than I expected, as despite not getting in a ton of offense, he got off enough to win the match. I wish this went longer, as it was a fun brawl in the crowd the entire time. The win sees Strong advance to Full Gear and for the time being it’s a singles match with MJF, who again, we saw watching from his home for about 5 seconds, which has been the case the last few weeks.)

It’s almost completely dark, but apparently Excalibur knows that Archer slammed Strong through a table and got a two count before things went right to commercial. Back from break, Strong momentarily gained the upper hand until Brian Cage showed up again, wanted a chokeslam/powerbomb with Archer, but Matt Taven & Mike Bennett made the save. Bennett & Cage brawled away as Archer waffled Taven with a big boot, both stood on top of the guard rail, chokeslamming Taven onto two security guards. Archer wanted to do the same to Strong, who crotched Archer and hit forearms before a chair was tossed into the face. Strong leapt over the barricade with a jumping knee and got the a pretty quick pin.

We saw MJF watching from his home smiling, as Strong took the mic in the ring and screamed that at Full Gear, this all ends and he’ll finish his ass. Konosuke Takeshita appeared from behind and continued to beat down Strong until Adam Cole charged out and they slugged it out until the referee ran to the ring and started their match.

AEW International Champion Konosuke Takeshita defeated Adam Cole

(I thought this was a really good match and really wasn’t that surprised by the finish, considering Don Callis was presented with MJF’s ring last week. Having MJF vs. Strong at the PPV gives them more time to build up to when Cole finally gets his one on one match against MJF, presumably at World’s End. If they’re going to do the match, you’d want MJF to be on TV to build it up, so once his movie is done shooting, he can come back and they’ll be off to the races. I also appreciated that Takeshita didn’t take a pin two weeks in a row, after losing the tag match last week.)

Cole’s music continued to play as he clotheslined Takeshita over the top to the outside, allowing Cole to do his Adam Cole Bay-Bay pose for the crowd. Cole wanted Panama Sunrise, but Takeshita leveled him with a wild elbow strike in mid-air as things went to picture in picture. Back from break, Cole hit his neckbreaker onto the knee for a near fall, as he tried a superkick follow-up, but Takeshita really had to work for, but successfully turned it into a Blue Thunder Bomb for two. Ref checked on Cole, who foolishly tried a forearm battle, as Takeshita no sold a few before scored with a big time shot. Cole responded with a pump kick and enzugiri, tried to lower The Boom, but Takeshita ducked and hit a rolling elbow. Takeshita wanted a brainbuster, but Cole quickly countered into one on the knee for a close two.

Cole wanted Panama Sunrise once more, but Takeshita countered, swung Cole around into the Bastard Driver, power German and massive lariat that turned Cole inside out, but kicked out at two. Takeshtia missed the big knee, leapt for a Takeshita-line, but Cole hit a superkick in mid-air followed by the Panama Sunrise. Cole dropped the knee pad, wanted The Boom, but Takeshita rolled outside and placed the Dynamite Diamond ring on unbeknownst to Cole & the ref. Takeshtia decked Cole with the loaded shot, KO’d him and got the victory. MJF was shown laughing maniacally, as Takeshita showed off the diamond ring before hiding the evidence.

Roderick Strong sprinted out and tried to attack Takeshita, who quickly hit a punt kick low. Takeshita put the ring back on and wanted to KO him as well, but Kyle O’Reilly ran out with a chair, as Takeshita bailed. Takeshita celebrated up the ramp, but didn’t see Ricochet behind him, who hit a superkick, causing Takeshita to scurry away. Ricochet held up the International Title, as back in the ring, O’Reilly helped up Strong as Cole offered a handshake to him, but O’Reilly walked away, staring them down from the stage.

-We see a black truck back up into the arena, as the Death Riders have arrived to “take over the Superstation.”

**********

-Renee Paquette welcomes The Hurt Syndicate backstage and asks Bobby Lashley about his match at Full Gear with Swerve Strickland. MVP cut Paquette off before she could ask if Lashley is prepared, as he put over Lashley and asks how it feels to potentially end a young man’s career at Full Gear. Lashley said he will make an example out of Strickland and will hurt him. MVP said they’ll be watching Strickland’s match later tonight.

We see JD Drake stumble out from the back, as he’s being worn out with a steel chair by Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta, as we’re told Drake was supposed to be competing later tonight. Jon Moxley & Marina Shafir storm out, as Shafir forces a cameraman into the ring.

Jon Moxley Seizes the Superstation

Moxley took a mic and said he’s been thinking of Orange Cassidy the past few days and how Chuck Taylor is drinking his food through a straw because Cassidy wasn’t able to save him. Wheeler Yuta belongs to Moxley because Cassidy wasn’t able to save him. The pressure is building for Full Gear, but Cassidy is cool as a cucumber with his hands in his pockets. Moxley will make an example of him at Full Gear, brutalizing him, stomping his face into hamburger meat, so badly his own mother won’t recognize him. Everyone who calls themselves a contender will run and hide, as they will do whatever the hell they want because they have the power.

Orange Cassidy’s music hits and he calmly walks out before being joined by Rocky Romero & Mark Briscoe. Cassidy says hello, he agrees with Moxley, it’s all because of what’s in the briefcase, the symbol of AEW, it represents all of us, everything pro wrestling can be, the AEW World Championship. They can fight all over the place, but the only way to win the title is by wrestling, as despite not liking to do anything, he’s wrestled the most out of anyone in AEW and reminds Moxley how he beat him before and he’ll do it again. Cassidy said Moxley brings up playing chess and brings up removing pawns before he can take the king, so next week, he’s wrestling Wheeler Yuta.

Moxley said we’ll see if Cassidy has the guts to pull the trigger on Yuta next week. Come Full Gear, Moxley has one message to anyone who wants what he’s got, abandon all hope. The Death Riders were going to retreat, but we see someone leap off the balcony onto Moxley, Castagnoli & Yuta, as it’s Darby Allin in a Sting mask. Cassidy, Romero & Briscoe ran and kept brawling as Moxley & Shaffir bailed to the back and went to leave in their truck, minus Wheeler Yuta, when Allin leapt into the bed on the truck. Castagnoli got out and tackled Allin into the garage door and did a huge Giant Swing on him into it. Castagnoli got back in the truck, as Yuta leapt into the bed and The Death Riders drove off with The Conglomeration checking on Allin, screaming for Castagnoli to come back and fight.

-Renee Paquette is backstage with The Learning Tree, as she asks if Chris Jericho accepts Tomohiro Ishii’s challenge for the ROH Title in 2 weeks in Chicago on Dynamite. Jericho said he has a soft spot for Ishii, as they’ve known each other for nearly 30 years, while Ishii was a young boy who carried his bags and washed his back in the shower. Jericho brought up their match 2 years ago in Chicago on Dynamite, one of his favorite matches, accepting the challenge. Jericho said he’s gone onto bigger and better things, The Nueve and ROH Champion, mentions Jay Briscoe as a former ROH Champion before Bryan Keith said Jericho will blow Ishii’s dumbass away.

-Excalibur tells us the Continental Classic will kick off in 2 weeks on Dynamite.

Dr. Britt Baker defeated Penelope Ford

(Baker’s first match since her illness last month, as the finish was a fun way to show that she can apply the Lockjaw out of nowhere. Baker’s last match prior to her absence last month was against Serena Deeb and it looks like that’s where we’re going from here once more.)

Both ladies trade wrist locks until Baker fired off a series of forearms. Charging neckbreaker connects, as Ford takes a powder, opting to play cat and mouse. Ford swept out the legs and popped Baker in the face with a forearm before a springboard double knee put her in control during commercial.

Ford tried a handspring forearm, but Baker blocked it into a flatliner in the corner. Baker got some head of steam with a Sling Blade, but as she went for corner punches, Ford slid out and dropped Baker face first into the buckle. Handspring forearm hit, as did the charging boot, but as she got a fireman’s carry, Baker slid out, tried a ripcord lariat, but Ford hit a Matrix Cutter for two. Ford went for a moonsault, but Baker moved, hit a thrust kick and spinning neckbreaker. Baker took way too long to put on the glove for Lockjaw, as Ford dropkicked her from behind and applied the Muta Lock. While in the hold, Baker was able to get the Lockjaw and the counter led to the submission win.

Post match, Serena Deeb came to the stage and trash talked, with Baker looking at the camera saying no one cared.

-Renee Paquette is backstage with the returning Mina Shirakawa, who said she’s missed Mariah May so much and can’t wait for the champagne celebration with her when she defeats Anna Jay on Collision. Harley Cameron walks in and pounds the glass of champagne saying some say Shirakawa is the Harley Cameron of Japan. She challenges Shirakawa to a match on Collision, tit for tit, may the best woman win. Both women start shimmying, as Paquette tried putting a stop to it. Excalibur said now Paquette knows how he feels sitting between Schiavone & McGuinness on commentary. This segment was hysterical and Cameron is one of the funniest characters on the roster.

Swerve Strickland (w/Prince Nana) defeated Lio Rush

Both men trade corkscrew counters in the ropes, as Rush tried a springboard, Strickland dodged, Rush backflipped to the floor, but Strickland was right there to flip right into a stare down. Rush raked the eyes, but Strickled targeted the midsection before going back inside. Strickland wanted a Swerve Stomp, but Rush did a handspring into the ropes, crotching Strickland sending him outside as they went to commercial.

Back from break, both men fought to the apron where Strickland hit a big boot before rolling back into the ring with a suplex. Strickland measured Rush with a diving uppercut to the back. Rush managed a misdirect Spanish Fly for two, as he tried a leaping hurricanrana off the announce table, but Strickland looked for a powerbomb, only for Rush to leap out onto the steps and hit a Poison Rana. Diving low dive, as back inside, Rush hit the Frog Splash for a close two. Bounce back Stunner countered from Strickland, who wanted Big Pressure, as Rush rolled through into a pin, held the ropes and Nana pointed it out. Enzugiri connected, as he wanted another Poison Rana, only this time, Strickland powered him into Big Pressure for the win.

Post match, Strickland took the mic and said now that he’s back, everyone wants to use his equity and accolades to make a statement. Rush tried tonight, Shelton Benjamin tried a few weeks ago, but he’s going to have to keep reminding people whose house it is. While their match is at Full Gear, he wants to fight here tonight in Stamford (they’re in Bridgeport) and calls out Lashley.

The Hurt Syndicate’s music hits and out walked MVP & Lashley to the stage. MVP said if he wanted a fight with a Syndicate member, all he had to do was ask. The crowd is chanting “This is Bridgeport” to correct Strickland, as Lashley took his jacket off, as MVP said there’s strength in numbers. Shelton Benjamin attacked Strickland from behind before tossing him to the feet of Lashley outside, who launched Strickland repeatedly into the barricade. Lashley went into the ring after Prince Nana and launched him into the corner before crumbling outside.

-Renee Paquette is backstage with Jamie Hayter and asks what is next? Hayter said it’s a good question, as she’s come back to right the wrongs, she’s corrected some of them, but now, she’s thinking of one thing. The camera went dark and we get another Julia Hart vignette, as she awakens from her bed after being shot in the heart with an arrow in the last vignette on Collision. Brody King had called her saying it’s time to come home. Hart walks to the mirror and screams as she puts on her black hat and steps out the window.

**********

The AEW Tag Team Champions, Private Party, made their way to the stage to watch the upcoming main event match.

Kings of the Black Throne (Malakai Black & Brody King) defeated FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) in a Full Gear Contenders Series

(This was a hell of a main event with This is Awesome and Fight Forever chants rightfully given by the crowd. I was pleasantly surprised by the finish of this, as I think I was with many in thinking FTR was going to win. House of Black needed a win after taking a series of singles losses to Adam Cole the past two weeks, so this was a reminder to those of just how great they are. I hope this continues after Full Gear and they remain contenders, as they certainly deserve to be.)

FTR took a sip of Private Party’s drinks before heading to the ring, as it was Harwood & King to start things off briefly, with King standing tall after a chop exchange. Wheeler made a quick tag, picked up the pace, but King hit a big-time back drop and double hand chop before tagging Black. Snap hurricanrana and deep arm drag, as Harwood tagged back in and suffered an arm drag as well. Nice back and forth sequence, as Harwood blocked a PK, some Muay Thai kicks from Black, who ultimately takes a seat, daring Harwood to fight. Wheeler made a blind tag, as Harwood suckered Black into a chase, allowing Wheeler to level him with a lariat as FTR mocked the seated pose with things going to commercial.

FTR kept Black isolated almost the entire break before King was finally able to make the hot tag. King wasted no time running wild with chops and shoulder tackles, punishing Wheeler & Harwood with corner clotheslines and splashes. Overhead throw on Wheeler, as Harwood was sent into his partner in the corner and King hit the Cannonball for two. King wanted a superplex on Wheeler, but Harwood saved his partner, allowing Wheeler to try a sunset flip, with Harwood hitting a diving clothesline into the powerbomb for two. Black pulled Wheeler outside and sent him into the steps, as Harwood ate the pop-up knee lift from Black, who followed with a moonsault to the floor on Wheeler, as Harwood was flattened with a King powerbomb for a close near fall.

The match broke down, as Black was sent back outside and King sent to the corner. FTR wanted the Power-Plex, King took the superplex, but got the knees up on Wheeler with Black flying off the top with a double stomp on Harwood for two. Dante’s Inferno attempt blocked, as Wheeler saved his partner, sent King into Black and connected with Shatter Machine, but Black pulled Harwood outside. Black was pulled to the apron by Wheeler, as Harwood recovered and they hit a spike piledriver on Black, but King was there to fly with a dive onto both Harwood & Wheeler. King Kong lariat leveled Harwood multiple times and got multiple near falls, as King couldn’t believe it. King dragged a rubber legged Harwood to his feet, applied the rear naked choke and Harwood went out cold, giving King the win.

Post match, King nodded to Black, as they helped Harwood & Wheeler up, shaking their hands, showing respect as Private Party watched on as things went off the air.

AEW Collision (11/16/24)

  • Mariah May vs. Anna Jay in a No DQ Match for the AEW Women’s Title (if Jay loses, she no longer can compete for the AEW Women’s Title as long as May is champion)
  • The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens & Max Caster) vs. Los Faccion Ingobernables (Rush & Beast Mortos) in a Full Gear Contenders Series
  • Mina Shirakawa vs. Harley Cameron
  • Daniel Garcia vs. Johnny TV

AEW Dynamite (11/20/24)

  • Orange Cassidy vs. Wheeler Yuta
  • Darby Allin vs. Claudio Castagnoli

WWE NXT live results: Iron Survivor Challenge qualifiers begin

Posted on by Marc Quill

The build to Deadline kicks into gear with Iron Survivor Challenge qualifying matches beginning on NXT tonight.

On the men’s side, Je’Von Evans vs. Lexis King and Wes Lee vs. Cedric Alexander will take place. A women’s qualifier has been announced as well with Cora Jade facing off against Sol Ruca. The winners will become the first participants to advance to the Iron Survivor Challenge matches at NXT Deadline, which will determine new number one contenders to the NXT Championship and NXT Women’s Championship.

Deadline is being held in Minneapolis on December 7.

A title bout is scheduled for tonight with Kelani Jordan getting her NXT Women’s North American Championship rematch against Fallon Henley. We’ll also hear from NXT Champion Trick Williams as he addresses what’s next for him.

Plus, Giulia & Stephanie Vaquer team up against Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson, Nikkita Lyons meets Adriana Rizzo in singles action, and more.

**********

– Following the WWE “Then, Now, Forever” signature, we went straight to a live shot of the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, FL. Vic Joseph and Booker T welcomed us to the show and tossed to a recap of last week’s NXT from the 2300 Arena, the home of ECW.

Stephanie Vaquer & Giulia defeated Jakara Jackson & Lash Legend

Before the match, we got an inset promo from Jackson and Legend where they trashtalked Vaquer and Giulia ahead of this opening contest.

Giulia and Legend started off for their teams, with the latter taking down Giulia with a big boot. The tag to Jackson led to the Meta Four duo maintaining control of the action. Jackson struck Giulia down with a missile dropkick and continued control until Vaquer tagged herself in. Giulia and Vaquer got a fantastic tag team maneuver on Jackson.

Vaquer landed the legdrop on Jackson before she squeezed her head with the legs and slammed it down repeatedly on the mat. Legend re-entered the match and used her awesome strength to lift both Giulia and Vaquer at the same time to shake both all about. She then had Jackson go up on her shoulders for a dive to the outside onto Vaquer and Giulia, which sent us to our first break of the evening.

NXT returned with Legend having Vaquer held in a stalling suplex that she connected on. Jackson was tagged back in as she held Vaquer in a submission, which kept her at bay mometarily. Vaquer escaped and she got the tag to Giulia.

Giulia was a house of fire, as she hit Legend and Jackson with impressive moves, including a flip powerbomb on the massive Legend. Vaquer made her way back to the match and hit a double back suplex with Giulia on Jackson for the two count.

On the outside, Giulia took down Legend with a dropkick to the outside. With Giulia the legal woman in the match, Jackson was at the mercy of the international superstars, who hit a tandem knee strike for the victory.

– After the match, both Giulia and Vaquer were asked what would happen if both made it into Iron Survivor at NXT Deadline. Giulia said that she knew this day would come, while Vaquer simply told her friend, “see you at Deadline”.

– A video package that explained Iron Survivor’s rules was shown, handy for those who were just tuning in to NXT on The CW.

(Fun little opener where all competitors looked good. Legend and Jackson proved themselves worthy on the main roster during their short excursion, and they looked fantastic standing across the ring and keeping up with the international sensations Giulia and Stephanie Vaquer.)

**********

– A promo for The CW’s Trivial Pursuit, featuring several NXT stars as guests, was shown.

Women’s Iron Survivor Qualifier: Sol Ruca defeated Cora Jade

The match started off with Jade taunting Ruca while sat on the top turnbuckle. She then avoided a superkick attempt from Ruca, who then sat on the opposite turnbuckle before she slammed Jade face first. Ruca then pretended to use Jade as a surfboard before her foe regained the advantage with knees to the back.

Jade trapped Ruca against the middle rope and ran into her with a running forearm strike that only got a two-count. An exchange of strikes ended with Ruca regaining the momentum for a moment. Jade stopped the attack tried for her DDT, but Ruca fought out of it. Jade went for a running knee, but Ruca dodged at the last second and went up for her Sol Snatcher for the shocking victory.

(The match went by quickly, though we got a bit of an upset with Ruca pulling off the win. With how involved Cora Jade has been in the NXT Women’s Title picture, it seemed like her qualifying for Iron Survivor was a given, so this is a bit of a surprise.)

**********

– Backstage, Je’von Evans and Cedric Alexander were hyping each other up for their Iron Survivor Qualifier matches before the scene shifted to Karmen Petrovic and Dion Lennox chatting about how Ashante “Thee’ Adonis is seemingly flirting with Petrovic. Brinley Reece and Adonis himself then appeared as Lennox suggested Petrovic and Adonis team up next week in a mixed tag match.

Ava’s State of the NXT Tag Team Division

– Backstage, NXT GM Ava was with several NXT teams, including Gallus, OTM, Hank and Tank, among others. She challenged these teams to prove themselves worthy of facing Fraxiom for the NXT Tag Team Championships. As the teams argued with one another, Ava said this was the energy that she needed to see, and that she wanted to see these teams back it up in the ring.

Men’s Iron Survivor Qualifier: Wes Lee defeated Cedric Alexander

As the bell rang, Lee and Alexander locked horns in the ring briefly before the former backed off for a bit, much to Alexander’s frustration. Alexander trapped Lee in a headlock for a good while before his opponent forced him to the ropes to break the hold.

Lee countered out of another Alexander headlock as things began to pick up a bit with both men using their agility. On the apron, Lee got caught in the middle ropes and got kicked repeatedly by Alexander, which sent him outside. With a full head of speed, Alexander soared to the outside with a suicide dive onto Lee, which led us to break in the action.

We returned to the action with Alexander attempting a comeback, but to no avail. Lee attempted for a Kardiac Kick, but Alexander intercepted him with a dropkick to the head as both men struggled to get themselves to a vertical base. Alexander went on the attack with repeated chops to Lee’s chest, followed by a Kitchen Sink knee strike.

Alexander and Lee faced off on the apron, as Lee got slammed on the hardest part of the ring. Back inside, Alexander caught Lee with a rollthrough DDT for a near-fall. Lee recovered and struck Alexander in the gut before he connected with the Kardiac Kick. 1, 2…. KICKOUT~!

Alexander flattened Lee with a clothesline, which sent his opponent to the corner. Lee pulled out the middle turnbuckle pad and threw it at Alexander, which allowed him to use it as a distraction so he could hit Alexander with a cheap shot. Lee sent Alexander into the exposed middle turnbuckle before he put an end to things with the running Meteora.

(A good match that showcased Wes Lee’s willingness to play dirty as part of his heel character and Alexander as the cagey veteran wanting to put the cocky youngster in his place. I enjoyed it.)

**********

– Tony D’Angelo was enjoying dinner as Shawn Spears and Brooks Jensen paid the North American Champion a visit. Spears said that D’Angelo built a hell of a Family since he won the North American Championship, before he told D’Angelo that he wanted Jensen challenge him for the NA Championship. Spears said that the only thing that will satisfy his “appetite” is D’Angelo’s championship before he left.

Outside, Spears and Jensen went in their car and spoke with a bearded man (Niko Vance from NXT Level Up), saying that what they did with D’Angelo was apparently how to “deal with the Don”.

**********

– Backstage, Kelani Jordan was interviewed about her Women’s North American Championship rematch later tonight. She said that it’d be on sight with Fallon Henley as Jazmyn Nyx & Jacy Jayne appeared to taunt Jordan about her chances tonight.

Trick Williams speaks

The NXT Champion entered to a massive ovation from the Performance Center crowd. Williams talked about how he was an Iron Survivor success story, but that wasn’t what he wanted to focus on. He wanted to talk about Ridge Holland pinning him last week in Philadelphia, and how it won’t end like that. Williams tried to call out Holland, but was interrupted by Andre Chase.

Chase said that he wasn’t done with Holland, as Williams praised him for his ability to bounce back and for doing everything on NXT… other than be NXT Champion. Before Williams could issue a challenge, Holland cut him off and got a chorus of boos.

Holland asked why Williams dared to call himself a champion for “ducking” him in favor of a guy he beat already. He bragged about making the ECW Arena fall silent last week when he pinned Williams as Chase challenged Holland for one more match. Holland rejected it, even when Chase put up his university up for grabs.

Williams says that he could see where this was going as he told Chase and Holland that he was going to go see Ava to have a match made for next week: Andre Chase vs. Ridge Holland with a NXT Championship match at Deadline on the line. Holland interjected by saying that he wanted Mr. Chase’s relationships with Thea Hail, Riley Osborne, and Duke Hudson gone if he won last night. Chase accepted thus wager and promised to give Holland a “Chase University-sized ass kicking”. Holland struck Chase with a cheapshot as Williams responded with an attack of his own on Holland.

Chase and Williams stomped on Holland for a bit, which sent him for a retreat.

**********

– We got remarks from Jaida Parker, who congratulated Sol Ruca for qualifying for Women’s Iron Survivor. She promised that she’d be the winner of that match at Deadline.

– Backstage, Josh Briggs was with Pro Wrestling NOAH’s Yoshiki Inamura and GM Ava. Eddy Thorpe walked right in and was informed that Ava placed him in an Iron Survivor qualifier match against an unknown opponent.

Nikkita Lyons defeated Adriana Rizzo

As the bell rung, Rizzo and Lyons went right at one another with an exchange of strikes. Rizzo had Lyons staggered in the corner with a dropkick as she went up top for a dive attempt. Lyons avoided it and caught Rizzo in a Master Lock submission before she slammed her down ot the mat. She maintained control of the match with another Master Lock on Rizzo, who struggled to eventually escape the hold. Rizzo roared back with repeated running elbows before she tried a suplex to no avail. Rizzo eventually took down Lyons with a running press for the near-fall.

Rizzo went up the middle turnbuckle and went for a diving splash, but Lyons caught her and hit her karate kick before she finished Rizzo off with the body press from the top rope.

After the match, Rizzo struck Lyons with the tire iron to the back.

(While this match wasn’t necessarily anything to write home about, I do appreciate NXT having women’s feuds that aren’t centered on championships, something that it holds over Raw and SmackDown in that regard.)

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– Backstage, Andre Chase was confronted by his students, who didn’t like the wager that was made earlier. Chase responded by saying that his University was built on risks and that next week would be the highest of highs for Chase U. Riley Osborne, Duke Hudson, and Thea Hail didn’t seem too hopeful for Chase’s chances next week.

– The “NXT Focus” showed a vignette on Zaria, who talked about how she was a destructive force and how she thrived on inciting chaos. She said that at Deadline, there would be no more mystery as to who she was.

Men’s Iron Survivor Qualifier: Je’von Evans defeated Lexis King

Things started off fast with Evans and King going back and forth with arm drags and acrobatic dodges. Evans leapt over King with a dodge as he went for a roll-up pin that was unsuccessful. Lots of pinfall attempts traded between Evans and King in this early stage of the match.

Evans leapt on the top rope for a springboard hurricanrana on King, which forced him into a retreat. That was followed up by a dive over the top ropes to the outside. Back in the ring, Evans tried to leap over King, but got hit with an inadvertent low blow by King’s noggin, which took us to another break in the action.

Back on NXT with King locking in a single leg crab on Evans for an all-too brief moment. Evans eventually bounced back figuratively with a kip-up cutter on King, as he followed that with a springboard splash for the incredibly-close two-count.

High-risk move by Evans was missed, which opened him for a superkick from King. Both men now in the middle of the ring as they traded strikes. Evans caught King with an impressive kick before once again heading up top for the frog splash. King kicked out and responded with a Michinoku Driver for another two-count.

King ran into a superkick from Evans, which led to his springboard spinning splash and the one, two, three to qualify for Iron Survivor.

After the match, King shook Evans’ hand in a show of sportsmanship.

(I quite enjoyed this match and how fast-paced it was. Je’von Evans in Iron Survivor could be one hell of a showcase for him and he’s already thrived in the spotlight given to him so far.)

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– NXT Tag Team Champions’ Nathan Frazer and Axiom were chatting backstage. Frazer revealed to his partner that he signed for an Iron Survivor Qualifier match of his own, seemingly without Axiom’s approval. After Frazer walked off, OTM and The D’Angelo Family faced off with one another as Axiom was frustrated at his partner striking out on his own.

– Dion Lennox & Ashante “Thee” Adonis chatted amongst themselves as Lexis King entered the locker room, frustrated about losing another match. Hank & Tank and Dante Chen gave King encouragement for his sportsmanship as Gallus rolled up and began bickering with Hank & Tank.

Women’s North American Championship: Fallon Henley (w/ Fatal Influence’s Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx) defeated Kelani Jordan

The match kicked off with Jordan and Henley caught in an extended lockup sequence that the referee eventually broke up. Jordan took down Henley with a springboard armdrag, but she missed with the dropkick, wich allowed Henley to take control of the match.

Jordan bounced back with a dropkick that sent Henley scurrying to the ringside area. The fight spilled in front of the commentary table as Jordan leapt on top of the commentary table and hit a standing moonsault on Henley, which led to the final commercial break of the evening with about 8 minutes of show left.

We returned to the main event as both Jordan and Henley took each other down with stereo armdrags to one another. A picture-in-picture popup briefly showed a couple of NXT tag teams brawling backstage with referees scurrying to break things up.

Jordan tried for her split-legged moonsault, but Henley blocked it and got a flip DDT on the challenger instead. Jordan trapped Henley on the top rope and ascended for an avalanche Spanish Fly. 1, 2…. NO~! Henley avoided a Phoenix Splash from Jordan and rolelder up for the close two-count.

Jordan caught Henley with a standing backdrop, as she then hit her split-legged moonsault. Jacy Jayne put Henley’s foot on the bottom rope as Jazmym Nyx attempted to run interference. The chaos broke out as Jayne caught Jordan with a cheapshot, which led to the Fame-asser from Henley and a successful Women’s North American Championship defence.

OTM rolled up to talk trash which led to the Family attacking them, with Gallus and Hank & Tank joining in for the wild brawl at ringside. Referees and security poured in to try and break up the fighting, but we end the night on the fight as the producer credits for Triple H, Lee Fitting, and Shawn Michaels close out the show.

(A fine enough main event that seemed to be hampered a bit by time constraints, but I still found it enjoyable. In fact, this show was a breeze to watch from start to finish and the build towards Deadline is looking quite fine.)