Tag: Report

UFC on ESPN+ 102 live results: Brandon Royval vs. Tatsuro Taira

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

The Octagon is back inside of the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada for UFC on ESPN+ 102.

The main event is a potential title eliminator bout in the flyweight division as former title challenger and number one ranked contender Brandon Royval takes on undefeated number five contender Tatsuro Taira. Royval is looking for his second straight win after defeating Brandon Moreno in February, while Taira is looking to keep his 16-fight win streak in tact.

Also on the main card is a middleweight bout pitting Brad Tavares against Jun Yong Park; a welterweight bout between Chidi Njokuani and Jared Gooden; a lightweight fight between Grant Dawson and Rafa Garcia; and a welterweight main card opener with Daniel Rodriguez against Alex Morono.

ESPN+ PRELIMS | 4 PM ET/1 PM PT

> Flyweights- Clayton Carpenter (7-0, 1-0 UFC) vs. Lucas Rocha (17-1, 0-0 UFC)

Carpenter lands a left hand. Rocha lands a right hand. They trade in close range as Rocha lands to the body. Carpenter lands a leg kick. Rocha with a right hand and Carpenter lands a left hook and an uppercut. Rocha lands a high kick and Carpenter lands inside the pocket. Carpenter scores a takedown. Carpenter lands from the top and Rocha is cut open from an elbow. Rocha tries to scramble out and Carpenter grabs the neck, but he ends up on top. Carpenter lands from the top. Carpenter with a big elbow. 10-9 Carpenter.

Carpenter lands a quick flurry. Carpenter trips Rocha up with a kick. Carpenter with a flurry as Rocha lands a flying knee and right hand. Carpenter scores a takedown and takes the back. Carpenter looking for an opening for a choke. He has it locked in and is squeezing. Rocha is fighting it but he falls asleep and it is all over! Great work and finish from Carpenter to pick up the win.

Official Result- Clayton Carpenter def. Lucas Rocha by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:12 of Round 2

> Bantamweights*- Dan Argueta (9-2 2 NC, 1-2 2 NC UFC) vs. Cody Haddon (7-1, 0-0 UFC)

*Argueta missed weight by 2.5 pounds

Argueta gets Haddon down early with a single-leg takedown. They scramble up. Argueta lands a right hand as Haddon lands a combination. Argueta grabs a body lock and looks for a takedown but Haddon defends. Haddon lands a combination and they are trading. Argueta looks for a takedown. They trade big punches. Haddon landing lots of punches. Haddon pushing Argueta against the fence and lands a knee. Haddon landing the jab. Argueta lands a stiff right hand and Haddon fires back. Argueta looks for a takedown against the fence and they break at the end. 10-9 Haddon.

Haddon lands a big right hand. Haddon lands and scores a takedown and is in side control. Haddon lands and jumps on the back but Argueta is able to shake him off and ends up on top. Argueta lands and Haddon is cut open. They scramble up and they separate. Haddon rocks Argueta with a big knee. Argueta looks for a takedown but Haddon defends. Haddon lands a combination. Haddon with some big punches and Argueta lands a right hand. 10-9 Haddon, 20-18 Haddon.

Haddon lands a pair of right hands. Haddon lands a combination. Both miss spinning attacks. Haddon with a jab and a left hand. They tie up and Haddon lands to the body. Argueta with some dirty boxing along the fence. Haddon lands and Argueta is wobbled. Argueta looking more tired. Argueta with a leg kick that trips Haddon up for a brief moment. Haddon with a jab. Haddon with a combination. Haddon lands a right hand. Argueta scores a takedown. They scramble up and Haddon lands. Argueta looking for late takedowns but Haddon is defending and landing. 10-9 Haddon, 30-27 Haddon.

Official Result- Cody Haddon def. Dan Argueta by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Women’s Strawweights- Julia Polastri (12-4, 0-1 UFC) vs. Cory McKenna (8-3, 3-2 UFC)

Polastri with a leg kick and lands a knee. They clinch against the fence and Polastri lands some knees. McKenna reverses and presses Polastri against the fence and they trade knees. Polastri reverses and lands an elbow then an uppercut and they separate. McKenna lands a right hand. Polastri lands a flying knee. They trade against the fence. Polastri lands to the body. Polastri with a right hand. They clinch and Polastri lands a knee. Polastri with a pair of knees then an elbow. McKenna with short uppercuts. 10-9 Polastri.

They trade to start the second. Polastri pushes it to the fence and lands a knee in the clinch. McKenna reverses and lands before Polastri reverses and lands, then they break. McKenna with a high kick and Polastri lands a left hand. Polastri drops down for a takedown and has the back. Polastri with several knees to McKenna’s leg. McKenna reverses and lands some knees against the fence before they separate. McKenna lands a combo. McKenna with a right hand. McKenna with a pair of combinations. Polastri with a left hand to the body. They trade and Polastri with a pair of knees. 10-9 Polastri, 20-18 Polastri.

They start trading inside the pocket and Polastri lands some knees. They trade left hands. Polastri pressuring and lands some solid right hands. Polastri lands a stiff left hand. They clinch against the fence and Polastri with an elbow and some knees. McKenna reverses position as Polastri pushes her head down. Polastri defending the takedown attempt with a few hammerfists. McKenna is able to score the takedown. McKenna lands from the top. Polastri tries to sweep but McKenna stays on top and continues to land. McKenna with an elbow. McKenna landing from the top as the fight ends. 10-9 McKenna, 29-28 Polastri.

Official Result- Julia Polastri def. Cory McKenna by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)

> Heavyweights- Junior Tafa (5-3, 1-3 UFC) vs. Sean Sharaf (4-0, 0-0 UFC)

Sharaf throwing big punches to start. Tafa lands a left hand and a counter right hand. Sharaf with a combo. Tafa lands a right hand. Sharaf looks for a takedown and Tafa grabs the fence big time to defend. He gets a warning. Tafa lands a jab and right hand. Sharaf gets a takedown but Tafa quickly gets up. They trade inside the pocket. Sharaf with a big flurry. Sharaf with a left hand. Sharaf with a leg kick then a left hand. Tafa lands some left hooks. Tafa with some jabs and a knee. Sharaf with a leg kick then a left hand. Tafa with a right hand and an uppercut. Sharaf lands a combo and scores a takedown. Sharaf is on top and landing punches. Sharaf with big punches and elbows but Tafa survives. 10-9 Sharaf.

They trade. Tafa with a big flurry. Tafa lands a knee and they break apart. Both look tired. Tafa with a big right hand and Sharaf is backing away. Tafa with big punches and Sharaf has nothing left. Tafa with more big shots. Tafa lands a right hand and an uppercut as Sharaf begins to stumble and it is stopped. Big finish from Tafa after nearly getting finished at the end of the first.

Official Result- Junior Tafa def. Sean Sharaf by TKO (punches) at 2:15 of Round 2

> Welterweights- Themba Gorimbo (13-4, 3-1 UFC) vs. Niko Price (16-7 2 NC, 8-7 2 NC UFC)

Gorimbo with a front kick and they trade in close range. Gorimbo lands a big right hand and Price was rocked for a moment. Gorimbo with a solid right hand. Gorimbo with a leg kick. He lands another right hand. Gorimbo lands a leg kick then scores a takedown. Gorimbo landing from the top as he passes to half-guard. Gorimbo gets the back as they stand and looks for a choke but lets go. Price tries to slam him down as they go to the mat. Gorimbo still has the back as the round ends. 10-9 Gorimbo.

Price with a leg kick and Gorimbo lands a combination. Gorimbo lands some more punches. They trade against the fence and Gorimbo gets a takedown. Gorimbo starts landing a bunch of punches and is looking for the finish. They get to their feet as Gorimbo has the back. Gorimbo gets Price back down but they quickly get up. Gorimbo trying to get it down but Price is defending. They continue to battle for underhooks before separating. Gorimbo lands an uppercut. Price lands a right hand. Gorimbo with a combo. Gorimbo scores a takedown. Gorimbo gets the back and lands before they stand. Gorimbo gets it back down late. 10-9 Gorimbo, 20-18 Gorimbo.

Price lands a combo and Gorimbo looks for a takedown. He is able to complete it. Gorimbo inside the guard of Price and is landing. Price with short punches. Gorimbo is controlling an arm and keeps landing from the top. Price has been unable to get out from the bottom. Gorimbo controlling from the half-guard. Price is able to scramble to his feet. Gorimbo still has the body and gets a takedown. Gorimbo on the back as they stand. Price lands some short punches. 10-9 Gorimbo, 30-27 Gorimbo.

Official Result- Themba Gorimbo def. Niko Price by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Featherweights- Jonathan Pearce (14-6, 5-3 UFC) vs. Pat Sabatini (18-5, 5-2 UFC)

Pearce lands a leg kick. They scramble and Sabatini jumps on the back of Pearce. Sabatini has the body triangle and is landing punches. Sabatini lets go of the body triangle and they are both on the feet as Sabatini has the back. Sabatini lands and scores a takedown. Pearce landing from the bottom. Sabatini gets the top mount and then gets the back. They stand and Sabatini jumps back up on the back. Sabatini locks in a rear-naked choke and is squeezing and Pearce taps! Sabatini with a strong performance.

Official Result- Pat Sabatini def. Jonathan Pearce by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:06 of Round 1

> Flyweights- CJ Vergara (12-5-1, 3-3 UFC) vs. Ramazon Temirov (17-2, 0-0 UFC)

Temirov lands a spin kick to the body. Temirov lands a solid combination. Temirov lands and drops Vergara with a left hand. He gets up and Temirov lands and Vergara goes down again. Vergara gets up and is running away but Temirov is catching him and landing a lot of punches. Temirov landing against the fence and lands to the body and Vergara goes down and it is over. What a performance from Temirov!

Official Result- Ramazan Temirov def. CJ Vergara by TKO (punches) at 2:50 of Round 1

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> Welterweights- Daniel Rodriguez (17-5, 7-4 UFC) vs. Alex Morono (24-10 1 NC, 13-7 1 NC UFC)

Morono with a leg kick and lands a right hand. Rodriguez lands to the body and Morono landing with more volume. Rodriguez lands a leg kick and Morono counters with a right hand. They trade high kicks. Morono lands but Rodriguez stuns him with a counter left hand. Morono with a right hand as Rodriguez lands a leg kick. Rodriguez lands a body kick as Morono fires back with a combination. Morono landing with more volume and lands a solid combination. 10-9 Morono.

They trade jabs to start the second. Morono lands a body kick. They trade in close range as Rodriguez lands a right hook. Morono lands a right hand. Rodriguez working the jab and lands a leg kick. Rodriguez lands a body kick. Morono lands a right hand. Rodriguez lands a body kick. Morono with an overhand right and Rodriguez counters with a left hand. Morono lands a right hand. Morono with another right hand followed by a leg kick. Morono with some body kicks. They both land in close. Rodriguez lands a left hand to the body then the head. Morono lands a right hand. Close round. 10-9 Rodriguez, 19-19.

Morono with a teet kick. Morono lands a right hand. Rodriguez with a combo then a front kick. Rodriguez lands a leg kick. Morono with an overhand right. Rodriguez lands a left hand and Morono stumbles a little. Morono lands a right hand. Morono lands a jab then a right hand, then Rodriguez fires back with a combination. Rodriguez lands to the body. Morono lands a right hand. Rodriguez lands a straight left hand. Rodriguez lands and they clinch against the fence. Rodriguez lands to the body and lands a knee then another. Rodriguez lands to the body as they break. Morono lands a right hand. They trade and Rodriguez grabs the body and gets a big takedown late. 10-9 Rodriguez, 29-28 Rodriguez.

Official Result- Daniel Rodriguez def. Alex Morono by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

> Lightweights- Grant Dawson (21-2-1, 9-1-1 UFC) vs. Rafa Garcia (16-3, 4-3 UFC)

Dawson lands a jab and Garcia lands a right hand. Dawson with a high kick. Dawson shoots for a takedown and Garcia is landing to defend. Dawson is able to complete the takedown. Dawson landing from inside the guard of Garcia. Dawson with some big punches from the top. Dawson continuing to control and land from the top. Dawson with some body punches. Dawson ends the round landing from the top. 10-9 Dawson.

Dawson with a right hand then a spin kick. Dawson scores a takedown and is inside the guard of Garcia. Dawson starts teeing off from the top and Garcia is busted open and bleeding everywhere. Dawson with lots and lots of punches from the top and it is stopped. Big finish from Dawson.

Official Result- Grant Dawson def. Rafa Garcia by TKO (punches) at 1:42 of Round 2

> Welterweights*- Chidi Njokuani (23-10 1 NC, 3-3 UFC) vs. Jared Gooden (23-9, 2-4 UFC)

*Gooden missed weight by 1.5 pounds

They trade early as Njokuani lands a knee to the body and Gooden gets a takedown. They start scrambling up and down before clinching against the fence. Njokuani landing lots of knees to Gooden’s body against the fence. Njokuani with more knees. Njokuani lands a slicing elbow before going back to landing knees. Njokuani continues to land a lot of knees. Gooden is able to reverse and get the back of Njokuani. They tie back up and Njokuani is landing more knees. 10-9 Njokuani.

Njokuani landing kicks to keep Gooden from coming inside. Njokuani lands a jab. Njokuani with a leg kick then lands a body kick. Gooden clinches and pushes it against the fence. Njokuani reverses and lands an elbow. Njokuani back to landing lots and lots of knees against the fence. They trade punches before Njokuani lands more knees. Njokuani lands a couple of elbows. Njokuani lands more before they separate. Gooden lands a right hand and Njokuani lands a body kick. 10-9 Njokuani, 20-18 Njokuani.

Njokuani lands a knee as they tie up and Gooden is able to score a takedown. Njokuani kicks him off and Gooden looks for a takedown against the fence. They separate. Gooden with a jab as Njokuani lands a body kick. Njokuani stuns Gooden with a knee right to the jaw. Njokuani lands a left hand then a head kick. They go to the mat and Njokuani is inside the guard of Gooden and landing. Njokuani with some punches and elbows from the top. 10-9 Njokuani, 30-27 Njokuani.

Official Result- Chidi Njokuani def. Jared Gooden by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Middleweights- Brad Tavares (20-9, 15-9 UFC) vs. Jun Yong Park (17-6, 7-3 UFC)

Tavares drops Park with a right hand and quickly gets on the back to work for a choke. They get to their feet and separate. They’re trading in close range as Tavares is landing solid right hands. Park lands an uppercut and Tavares lands a right hand. They clinch against the fence. Park gets Tavares’ back against the fence. Tavares turns but Park still has position. They separate. Tavares lands a leg kick. Park lands a jab and a leg kick. Tavares with a right hand. Park lands a leg kick. We have a timeout for an eye poke. They get back to action and each land. 10-9 Tavares.

Park lands a jab and Tavares counters with a combination. Tavares lands a body kick and Park gets him down for a second. They stand and have a frantic exchange against the fence. Tavares with a pair of right hands as Park is pressuring. They trade jabs. Park lands a combination. They break away and Park lands a pair of leg kicks. Park lands some solid punches. Tavares with an overhand right. Park with a leg kick and Tavares lands a combo. Park lands a jab and Tavares with a combo. Park works the jab and lands a right hand and a leg kick. Both are landing but Park is way ahead on volume. They trade late. 10-9 Park, 19-19.

They trade inside the pocket and Tavares lands a right hand. Park lands a right hand and they clinch against the fence. Park has the body lock against the fence but nothing is happening. Park has back control. Park scores a takedown and has the back of Tavares. Park looking for a choke. Park with some punches as they are being told to work by Herb Dean. Park still controlling from the top. He ends it landing from the top. 10-9 Park, 29-28 Park.

Official Result- Jun Yong Park def. Brad Tavares by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

> Flyweights- #1 Brandon Royval (16-7, 6-3 UFC) vs. #5 Tatsuro Taira (16-0, 6-0 UFC)

Taira lands a leg kick. Royval lands a body kick and Taira grabs the leg and pushes it to the fence. They separate quickly. Taira lands a right hand. Royval with a jab. Royval lands a body kick and Taira lands a leg kick. Royval lands a jab and a body kick. Royval lands a counter elbow. Taira with a right hand as Royval lands a combination. Royval with a straight left hand. Royval with a body kick and a spinning back fist. They trade and Taira lands some solid punches. Taira grabs the back and drags it to the mat. They scramble up. 10-9 Royval.

Taira lands a right hand. He lands a solid right hand. Taira gets a takedown and has the body triangle from the back. Taira looking for a choke but landing as well. Taira keeping back control as there is a lot of hand fighting going on. Taira looks to roll but doesn’t give up the back. Taira with some right hands from the back. Taira looking to force Royval into making a mistake. Taira scrambles as Royval escapes but Taira transitions to the back and is now in the half-guard and lands. Taira stands and they separate. 10-9 Taira, 19-19.

Taira lands. They trade in close range. Taira shoots in for a takedown but eats a knee from Royval. Royval landing to defend the takedown and they separate. Royval lands a combination. He lands another solid combo. Royval with an uppercut. Royval with a pair of left hands and Taira is retreating. Taira tries a takedown but Royval lands to defend. Royval gets a takedown. They scramble up. Royval with a flurry and Taira is covering up. Taira tries a takedown but eats a knee and Royval lands. They’re on the mat and Royval is landing from the back. Royval looking for an armbar but it allows Taira to roll to the top and Taira takes the back of Royval. He has the body triangle locked in. Taira looks for a rear-naked choke and is squeezing around the chin. Royval survives. What a crazy round! 10-9 Royval, 29-28 Royval.

They trade jabs. Taira lands a right hand. Royval lands a combination. Taira shoots for a takedown and pushes it to the fence. Taira gets it down and has the back with the body triangle locked on. Taira landing some punches. Taira puts an arm around the chin of Royval but lets go. Taira with some elbows. Taira still controlling from the back as Royval is showing good defense. 10-9 Taira, 38-38.

Both are looking for openings. Taira just misses a right hand but is then able to connect. Royval lands and circles away. Taira with a right hand and scores a takedown. Royval reverses and scrambles to the top. They stand and Royval has the back and gets a brief takedown. They stand with Royval on the back before they break apart. Royval with a combination. Royval lands another solid combination. Taira shoots for a takedown but Royval defends against the fence. They separate. Taira with a big right hand. Taira with a leg kick and Royval trips up. Taira shoots for a takedown and Royval goes for a guillotine choke and rolls to the mount then takes the back and looks for a choke. Royval with some punches from the back. Incredible fight. 10-9 Royval, 48-47 Royval.

Official Result- Brandon Royval def. Tatsuro Taira by split decision (47-48, 48-47, 48-47)

AEW Rampage live results: The Conglomeration vs. Undisputed Kingdom

Posted on by Corey Michaels

Five matches are set for tonight’s AEW Rampage from Spokane, Washington, including faction warfare between two of AEW’s key stables.

The Conglomeration’s Orange Cassidy & Kyle O’Reilly will team up against The Undisputed Kingdom’s Matt Taven & Mike Bennett in this week’s featured contest. The Conglomeration has been tied up in a feud with The Learning Tree as Mark Briscoe defends his ROH World title against Chris Jericho at Saturday’s WrestleDream.

That feud will continue on the show as Bryan Keith of The Learning Tree goes one-on-one with Rocky Romero after a staredown on Wednesday.

Ahead of his two-of-three falls match with Hologram Saturday, The Beast Mortos of the rebooted LFI will take on The Butcher.

Kris Statlander, who has got TBS Champion Mercedes Mone’s attention, and Lance Archer, now under the leadership of Don Callis, will each be in action against enhancement talent.

The show will be the final stop before Saturday’s pay-per-view.

**********

The Conglomeration (Orange Cassidy & Kyle O’Reilly) defeated The Undisputed Kingdom (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett)

Cassidy and Bennett traded offense until Cassidy’s taunting quickly enraged Bennet. Tagging himself in, Taven hoped to use the Undisputed Kingdom’s combined efforts to stop Cassidy, but that only resulted in a double clothesline to Bennett. O’Reilly tagged himself in so Cassidy could recuperate. Bennet & Taven teamed up on O’Reilly but he outsmarted them.

Cassidy attempted a double-crossbody, which was caught mid-air. O’Reilly saved him and applied a leg and arm hold on Bennett (to which Cassidy politely offered a dainty kick). The pair later kicked Bennett into the turnbuckle, with Cassidy hoping for a pin, broken by the 2-count. After clotheslining each other, Cassidy and Bennett made their tags. Taven had a hot tag, the freshest man in the match. His momentum was thwarted by a Stun-Dog Millionaire and a Rolling Elbow from Cassidy and O’Reilly respectively. Bennett tried a Rolling Elbow of his own and chopped the chest of O’Reilly.

A brawl ensued, with everyone trading their signature strikes and maneuvers. O’Reilly maintained a Guillotine Choke on Bennett while Cassidy fended off Taven. Bennett tapped out, with O’Reilly and Cassidy being the victors.

I don’t typically give The Conglomeration and The Undisputed Kingdom enough credit, but they both put in an excellent opening performance. Poor Bennett though, he got the brunt of the offense. Cassidy seems to be accepting his Conglomeration more, and I’m finally beginning to enjoy them as a team.

– Mercedes Mone and Kamille backstage segment, Mone announced Kamille would be present for Kris Statlander’s match

– The Acclaimed made their entrance but were attacked by MxM Collection, Mansoor declared MxM Collection to have a surprise in their corner and touched tips

– Kris Statlander promo vignette, rechristened herself as a born-again

– Rocky Romero and The Conglomeration promo

Kris Statlander defeated Amira

Starting the match with a vertical suplex powerslam, Statlander swiftly dispatched Amira with a Friday Night Fever and got the 3-count within mere minutes after the bell.

There’s nothing insightful to add other than that Statlander makes just as good a squash wrestler as she is a plunder match and brawler.

– Chris Jericho promo

The Beast Mortos defeated The Butcher

Roderick Strong joined the commentary booth as Mortos’s strength and agility saw him gain the upper hand against Butcher. With a flurry of strikes and dodges, Mortos followed up with a snap-mare, but Butcher managed to swing some momentum his way. Charging after Butcher, Mortos accidentally swung himself over the top rope and spilled to the outside. Slamming Mortos onto the steel steps and fighting dirty, Butcher confidently picked at Mortos in the ring.

The two brutes charged at each other, finally knocking the other down. Mortos aimed for a top rope dive on Butcher, but he evaded, attempting a Jackhammer which resulted a 2-count. Mortos found that another top rope move would be a benefit after he performed a flying headbutt on a horizontal-prone Butcher for the win.

A nice hoss match. Thankfully this wasn’t some sort of squash that would typically make Butcher look like a complete geek. He put on a great performance against Mortos and I’d love to see more between them.

– Harley Cameron promo

“The Murderhawk” Lance Archer defeated Matt Brannigan

Brannigan flexed confidently to Archer, who bravely pushed him to a nearby corner. Imploring Brannigan to hit him back, Archer delivered a lariat. Throwing himself at Brannigan back in the corner three times, Archer flipped him over to another corner in a blink-and-miss-it moment.

Clutching Brannigan from the top rope, Archer courageously sent his opponent to the mat with a Blackout and got the 3-count pin.

Yet another good squash match. Hopefully, the newly active Archer will find more dynamic and heart-stopping matches soon.

– Jake “The Snake” Roberts and Los Faccion Ingobernables promo

Bryan Keith defeated Rocky Romero

An irate Romero overwhelmed Keith, leaving him no room to find an opening. Romero, seeking a Hurricanrana on the steps, was countered by Keith with an Exploder on the floor outside the ring. Using referee Aubrey Edwards as a shield, Keith applied a hold which Romero spiritedly pushed against. Reinvigorated through adrenaline, Romero’s goals were dashed by a knee after an unsuccessful double-underhook for a 2-count.

Battling on the top rope, Romero sent himself and Keith flying onto the mat, but Keith escaped to the outside. Dragging him back in, Romero became victim to a blindsided attack by Big Bill. Keith finished the match with a Diamond Dust.

– Post-match, The Conglomeration entered the ring to fend off Bryan Keith and Big Bill as the show went off the air.

Romero made for an enthralling foil to Keith’s underhanded tactics that kept me hooked. I knew he’d lose, but that’s a testament to his tenured experience and Keith’s unique writing style—a small man fighting like a big man. Funny how Big Bill and Bryan Keith’s work outside of Chris Jericho’s 2024 presence make for an exciting experience.

WWE SmackDown live results: Two title matches, Roman Reigns speaks

Posted on by Colin McGuire

Following his return to the ring at Bad Blood, the Original Tribal Chief is set to appear on tonight’s WWE SmackDown.

Roman Reigns teamed with Cody Rhodes to defeat Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu last Saturday night. After the match, The Rock made a surprise return and stood in the entrance way, staring down both Reigns and Rhodes. We’ll see if Reigns has a message for The Rock when he speaks tonight.

Also tonight, LA Knight is set to defend his United States title against Carmelo Hayes. Hayes is coming off a win over AJ Styles last week. Hayes also recently evened his series with Andrade at three victories apiece.

The WWE Women’s Tag Team titles are being defended as well. Jade Cargill & Bianca Belair are facing off against the NXT team of Jakara Jackson & Lash Legend, who challenged the champions in a backstage segment on Tuesday.

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

**********

– Michael Cole welcomed everyone in as shots of Greenville, South Carolina, were shown. Cole then set up a video package recapping the Bad Blood main event.

– Jimmy Uso’s music hit and Jimmy walked out. It turns out, he will be wrestling Solo Sikoa later in the show.

The Roman Reigns/Jimmy Uso segment

This was weird. They clearly worked in spots where they expected the crowd to respond a lot differently than the way the crowd actually responded in real time. No real reaction to the Paul Heyman reference. A anticlimactic end to the segment. This was kind of a mess, which is very unusual for any Roman Reigns segment over the last few years. I almost blame the crowd as much as I blame the writing, but maybe the live feed just doesn’t have the crowd mic’d up all that well. Whatever it is, this was the logical next move. Jimmy was right when he said Roman is a chief without a tribe; it’s clearly time to get the band back together.

The crowd chanted “Uso!” before Jimmy spoke. Jimmy then welcomed everyone into SmackDown. Jimmy said he had been out of action for six months because he put on the shelf by Solo Sikoa. Jimmy noted how Solo jumped him from behind. Jimmy said tonight will be about big bro vs. little bro and he plans on kicking Sikoa’s a … Jimmy was interrupted by Roman Reigns’s music. Reigns walked out.

The crowd chanted “OTC!” Once in the ring, Reigns put up his finger and the crowd followed suit. Jimmy gave Roman his microphone. Roman walked around the ring and the crowd cheered for him before offering up more “OTC!” chants. Roman said tonight he was going to change things up a little bit and told Greenville to join him in acknowledging Jimmy. The crowd cheered. Reigns asked them again to acknowledge “Big Jim.” The crowd cheered louder.

Jimmy grabbed a microphone of his own and Roman said he understood where Roman was coming from. Roman said he’s not an older brother, so he doesn’t understand revenge. Roman also said he’s not a wise man, paused, and it weirdly got little to no reaction. Roman said he is a Tribal Chief and that means he takes what is his. Roman said they had it all – the money, power and respect – not that long ago. Roman recalled how he once told Jimmy to buy all the houses. Roman said he doesn’t like where they are at right now – being out of position, being out of control. Roman said he is the greatest of all time and he wants everyone to know that when they step foot in the ring, “The GOATs are here.” Roman said they were “the ones.”

Jimmy chimed in and said they aren’t, though. The crowd chanted “Yes, you are.” Jimmy said he sees a chief with no tribe when he sees Roman now. Jimmy said he came back because Roman needed him. Jimmy said he and Roman need help and the crowd chanted “Yeet!” Jimmy said he knows one person they can get help from and the crowd continued its “Yeet! chant. Roman said “No yeet,” and it was funny. Jimmy said Roman will forever be his Tribal Chief, but Jimmy is the only one in the family who still acknowledges Roman. Jimmy then left the ring while Roman looked dejected in the center of the ring. That was the end of the segment and it fell flat.

**********

– Cole touted the WWE legends in the crowd at Bad Blood.

LA Knight defeated Carmelo Hayes [9:01]

This was fine for what it was, albeit predictable. With Hayes and Andrade tied at 3 victories apiece in their series, there was no way Melo was going to get the win – especially after Andrade already took a loss to Knight. But Hayes and Knight worked hard and Hayes continues to feel more and more like a lasting fit on the main roster with each passing week. Does this lead to a triple threat for the U.S. title? Or does this lead to the ultimate series-ended between Hayes and Andrade?

Knight had the upper hand early, complete with a clothesline over the top rope. With Hayes on the outside, Andrade showed up at ringside and Hayes argued with Andrade. Knight took advantage with a dropkick through the ropes. The two battled on the outside as the show went to a commercial break. The show returned and Hayes was working a headlock inside the ring until Knight suplexed Hayes to even things out.

Knight hit an inverted atomic drop followed by a clothesline, a pop-up powerslam and an elbow for a two-count. Knight stomped on Hayes, but Knight then ran into a super-kick from Hayes. Even so, Knight backdropped Hayes and the two traded pin attempts before Knight landed a neck-breaker. Knight went to the second rope and jumped to the top to then hit an elbow from the top for a nice near-fall. Knight went for a BFT, but Hayes countered with an axe kick and a pop-up cutter for a near-fall.

Hayes went to the top rope and briefly hesitated while looking at Andrade, but he still went for Nothing But Net. It didn’t matter because Knight moved and the two traded move attempts. Ultimately, the sequence ended with a BFT from Knight and that was good enough to get the win. After the match, Andrade said something to Hayes before leaving ringside.

**********

– Jimmy Uso and Cody Rhodes ran into each other backstage. Cody thanked Jimmy for last Saturday. Jimmy said he respected Cody for handling business on his own and walked away.

– A video package for Jakara Jackson and Lash Legend aired.

– Jackson and Legend tried to make their entrance, but Kevin Owens, complete in a Dusty Rhodes shirt, ran out from the crowd and grabbed a microphone, trying to tell the crowd that Cody turned on Owens and not the other way around. They cut off Owens’s mic so Owens went to a broadcast headset, but they cut that, too. Cody then walked with purpose to the ring. Officials ran out to separate everyone and included in that was Randy Orton. Orton got inside the ring, where Owens was, and Owens shoved Orton. Orton then hit Owens and the two looked unhappy with each other. Cody, meanwhile, was still in the entranceway. Owens left through the crowd.

– The show went to a commercial break, but luckily for Jackson and Legend, they were still in the ring and the women’s tag title match was still on. Trick Williams, meanwhile, was shown in the crowd. Chelsea Green and Piper Niven were also shown, just sort of hanging out at ringside.

Jade Cargill & Bianca Belair defeated Jakara Jackson & Lash Legend [2:11]

I have to think this had time cut from it (probably because of the opening segment running long – great to have you back, Roman!) because they sure did pack a lot into this in a short amount of time. So much so, in fact, that it was quite impressive. Set up the Meta Girls and Green/Niven. Give the Meta Girls some shine, hitting all their biggest and best moves on the champs. Offense looked great from the Meta Girls. Ultimately, tag champs retain. A very good showing for Jackson and Legend and I hope they stick around, if only because they deserve more than the two minutes they got here. Good stuff, even if it was laughably short.

Legend and Jackson jumpstarted the match and Legend worked over Belair for a pin attempt. From there, Jackson flipped off Legend’s shoulders onto Belair for a two-count. Jackson then hit a running neck-breaker on Belair for a two-count. Cargill and Legend had a brief moment, but Cargill was disposed to the outside. The rest of the action spilled outside and Legend kicked Green over the commentary table. Belair got a hot tag to Cargill after this and the champs hit their finish on Jackson for the win.

**********

– Cody was shown by his bus with Nick Aldis and Orton. Orton told Cody to leave because he was going to talk to Kevin and everyone needed to calm down. Aldis talked about how he needed Cody to beat Gunther at Crown Jewel. Orton said he’ll fix it as Cody got on his bus. Aldis said, “Randy Orton, voice of reason. Who would have thought?”

The Nia Jax/Naomi segment

Jax opened the segment by saying Bayley put up one hell of a fight at Bad Blood. Jax got the “What?” treatment from the crowd as she said nobody on the planet could beat her – especially Liv Morgan. Jax called Morgan a “little girl.” Jax said she will annihilate Morgan at Crown Jewel and become the first-ever Crown Jewel Champion. Jax said after all that, Tiffany Stratton, who was out there with Jax, will be able to cash in on Liv Morgan. Naomi’s music hit and Naomi made her entrance. Naomi said they all know the only reason Jax is still the champion is because the “Brokedown Barbie” helped, referring to Stratton.

Naomi entered the ring and Jax said it took two to pin Jax the last time, referring to her match with Naomi and Bayley. Naomi said she doesn’t need anybody to help her beat Jax. Jax said she was sick of Naomi’s face. Naomi said she could beat Jax right here, right now. Jax asked for a referee and it appeared as though a match was on the horizon. A referee ran out … but Liv Morgan’s music hit and Morgan walked out with Raquel and Dirty Dom. Morgan said they came to make an example out of Jax, but instead, they are going to watch along as Jax loses to Naomi – just like Jax will lose to Morgan at Crown Jewel. Jax pushed Naomi and the show went to a commercial break.

Naomi defeated Nia Jax in a non-title match [9:49 of TV time]

Good for Naomi. That was fun. Once Cole noted heavily that it wasn’t a title match, it felt like Naomi was going over, but no matter the shenanigans, it’s still a big win for Naomi. My opinions on brand interactions change by the minute, but I kind of like the surprise of Morgan, her crew and Ripley showing up on SmackDown. Since we’re combining brands for Crown Jewel anyway, why not have fun with that in the walkup to the event? Naomi now has wins over Stratton and Jax – and both matches were very good, to boot. You love to see it. As for the LDF/Aldis segment … this means Shelley and Sabin are showing up next week, right?

The match was shown in progress and Naomi was kind of toying with Jax until Jax overpowered her and worked Naomi’s back. Jax ran Naomi into the ring post and posed on the apron before running Naomi’s head into the ring post. Jax then worked a chin-lock. Naomi worked out of it and planted Jax, but Jax rolled under the bottom rope, where Naomi hit her split-leg-drop. Jax walked on the outside of the ring and Naomi dropkicked Jax into the ring post. Naomi hopped onto the barricade, but Jax caught her and hit a Samoan Drop on Naomi on the outside. Jax then told Morgan and Dom they were nasty and the show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Jax had control until she missed a Senton. Naomi followed up with a series of kicks and a running bulldog into the second turnbuckle. Naomi then landed a cross-body from the top for a good near-fall. Naomi hit a springboard kick to the head and then landed a corkscrew plancha on Jax, who was on the outside of the ring. Stratton tried to attack Naomi, but Raquel stopped Stratton and Naomi kicked Stratton. Naomi went to the top, but Jax cut her off and set up for her finisher. Raquel distracted the referee and Morgan hit Jax with the MITB briefcase. From there, Naomi hit a running powerbomb on Jax and got the win.

After the match, Rhea Ripley’s music hit and Ripley attacked Raquel. Morgan retreated into the ring, where Jax grabbed Morgan. Ripley took out Jax and Morgan and Dom and the heels retreated back up the entranceway.

**********

– Carmelo Hayes was walking backstage with an ice pack and ran into Aldis. Melo said Andrade screwed Melo out of the U.S. title. Aldis brought up Game 7 between Andrade and Hayes with the winner getting a U.S. title shot. Legado Del Fantasma showed up. Santos Escobar told Aldis that Melo and Andrade seem to have a permanent spot in his title lineup. Aldis said Escobar came up short in his shot at the U.S. title. Aldis said next week, Los Garza will face a special team and if Los Garza win, they will receive a tag title shot.

– Solo Sikoa was shown in a dark room and said Jimmy might be big brother, but tonight, Sikoa is his Tribal Chief and Jimmy will acknowledge him.

– Cole reminded everyone that in two weeks, WreslteMania tickets will go on sale.

– A video package highlighting last week’s tag-team triple threat match aired.

– The Street Profits and #DIY were shown talking to Aldis backstage. Aldis said a new team will be in next week and all the members of the teams yelled. Out of nowhere, Aldis looked concerned and Aldis ran over to Kevin Owens, who was stomping on Randy Orton outside of the venue. Officials ultimately broke things up, but Orton sold the attack.

– Cole mistakenly called Kevin Owens Kevin Dunn while talking from the desk. So, there’s that. Cole then set up a video recap of the Punk/McIntyre Hell In A Cell match from Bad Blood.

– A recap of Sikoa turning on Jimmy from April aired before the main event.

Solo Sikoa defeated Jimmy Uso [13:57]

Well, in terms of Uso brothers matches in the year 2024, this was certainly a step up from Jimmy vs. Jey at WrestleMania. It was good to see Jimmy back and it looked like he didn’t have too much rust – especially for someone who hasn’t wrestled in six months. They told a very good story with Jimmy being unsettled at how outnumbered he was and the Bloodline ultimately getting the best of the situation because of it. Who do we think is the person Jimmy is talking about? Jey? Sami? Maybe even Heyman? It should be fun to see how it plays out. Meanwhile, what, exactly, is up with The Rock?

The bell rang and Jimmy looked to the outside of the ring, where Sikoa’s Bloodline stood. Jimmy looked concerned and Sikoa told Jimmy he is his Tribal Chief. Jimmy looked flustered. Jimmy teased acknowledging Sikoa and instead attacked Sikoa. It wasn’t long before Sikoa ran at Jimmy, but Jimmy moved and Sikoa went to the outside. From there, Jimmy hit a suicide dive through the ropes and the crowd chanted “Uso!”

Back in the ring, Jimmy came off the top, but Sikoa countered with somewhat of a spike to Jimmy’s throat. Jacob Fatu hit Jimmy, who was draped over the bottom rope. Sikoa toyed with Jimmy until Jimmy ran Sikoa’s head into a series of turnbuckles. Jimmy went for a suplex, but Sikoa blocked it and clotheslined Jimmy on the apron. Sikoa then punched Jimmy off the apron and Fatu attacked Jimmy again on the outside. Sikoa put his finger in the air and the show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Sikoa landed a hip attack on Jimmy. Jimmy smacked Sikoa and fired up, but it didn’t really matter because Sikoa came back with a spinning heel kick. For the third time, Fatu hit Jimmy while the referee wasn’t looking. Sikoa lifted Jimmy, but Jimmy got out of it and landed a DDT to even things out. Jimmy chopped the hell out of Sikoa, but Sikoa came back with a Spinning Solo for a good near-fall.

Sikoa hit another hip attack and posed for the crowd, who booed him. Sikoa went for yet another hip attack, but he ran into a super-kick from Jimmy. After a few failed attempts, Jimmy landed a urinage and went to the top to hit a cross-body for a two-count. Fatu and the rest of the Bloodline hopped on the apron and Jimmy fought them off. Jimmy then hit a Samoan Drop on Sikoa for a two-count. Jimmy went to the top, but Tama Tonga distracted the referee and Fatu pushed Jimmy off the top. Sikoa then hit the Samoan Spike and got the pin as a result of it.

Roman’s music hit and it took him a minute, but Roman walked/ran to the ring and took everyone out with a bunch of Superman Punches. Roman was left alone with Sikoa. “OTC!” chants broke out. Roman and Solo exchanged punches, but Fatu attacked Roman. Jimmy tried to help, but Fatu took Jimmy out, complete with a moonsault. Sikoa hit a Samoan Spike on Reigns and Reigns sold the hell out of it. Sikoa and his Bloodline left the ring as his music played. Jimmy mouthed to Roman, “We need him, we need help,” off mic as they both sold pain in the ring. The show closed with Sikoa and his Bloodline standing tall and Roman and Jimmy selling the effects of their attack.

TNA Impact live results: WWE NXT’s Sol Ruca & Wendy Choo in trios action

Posted on by Matt Boone

The NXTNA relationship continues on tonight’s TNA Impact as Sol Ruca and Wendy Choo will once again be in action.

Ruca will join Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace and Masha Slamovich against Choo, Rosemary and Tasha Steelz.

In a three-way number one contender’s match for the X-Division title, it will be Leon Slater vs. Laredo Kid vs. Jason Hotch. The winner faces reigning champion “Speedball” Mike Bailey next Thursday.

TNA World Champion Nic Nemeth will give his thoughts as his title defense against Joe Hendry at this month’s Bound for Glory looms large.

In a clash of former TNA World Champions and fellow Canadians, Josh Alexander will take on Eric Young.

In a matchup of two teams vying for a Tag Team title shot, former champions ABC will take on Matt & Jeff Hardy.

Mike Santana will also be on the show after his recent street fight with the former Dirty Dango and his ongoing issues with The System.

**********
Jordynne Grace, Sol Ruca & Masha Slamovich defeated Wendy Choo, Rosemary & Tasha Steelz (w/ Alisha Edwards)

We see a shot of the city of Nashville, TN. as Tom Hannifan and Matthew Rehwoldt welcome us to the show. We shoot inside Skyway Studios and WWE NXT Superstar Wendy Choo and Rosemary make their way out to the ring for opening action. Tasha Steelz comes out next, accompanied by Alisha Edwards.

Masha Slamovich is out first for the opposition. After she settles inside the squared circle, WWE NXT Superstar Sol Ruca makes her way out to a big crowd reaction. Finally, “The Juggernaut” TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace heads to the ring and the first match of this week’s return episode is underway.

Kicking things off for their respective teams are Grace and Choo. Grace hits a side slam off the ropes and splashes onto Choo in the corner. She hits a world’s strongest slam and then a Vader bomb out of the corner for a two-count. The heel trio starts to take over.

Rosemary locks up Ruca in a submission through the ring ropes, but eventually releases the hold and tags in Steelz. Steelz picks up where Rosemary left off, taking it to Ruca, hitting a splash off the middle rope for a two-count. She locks her in a modified camel clutch as fans rally behind the WWE NXT Superstar.

Choo tags in and puts her boots on each side of Ruca’s head for a neck-snap. She slaps a front face-lock on her and squeezes away as a “Let’s go Ruca!” chant breaks out. Ruca fights her way free and crawls for the tag, but Rosemary tags in and she and Choo stop her.

They go for a double suplex, but Ruca floats over into a double-neckbreaker of her own. Rosemary runs into a big boot and back elbow from Ruca in the corner, who follows up with the death-defying Sol-Snatcher for a big crowd pop.

She finally makes the much-needed tag. Slamovich and Steelz come in and Slamovich takes over. Slamovich has it won, but Grace tags in and hits a Juggernaut Driver for the win. Slamovich didn’t seem happy.

Gia Miller Interviews Josh Alexander

Backstage, we see Josh Alexander talking with Sinner & Saint when in comes Gia Miller. Alexander says you can’t get a moments peace anywhere in this place. Miller brings up what Alexander did to Eric Young. He says it sounds more like a statement than a question, and tells her she’s supposed to be a reporter.

He then sends a message to Young ahead of their match tonight. He tells everyone to pull up a chair and watch a masterclass in him wiping the floor with a “TNA legend.” He tells Miller to hit the bricks and resumes his conversation with Sinner & Saint. The show heads into a commercial break.

Nic Nemeth, Joe Hendry & First Class Talk TNA Bound For Glory 2024

When the show returns, we hear the creepy sounds of Nic Nemeth’s theme music. The TNA World Heavyweight Champion heads to the ring with a “Wanted Man” white jacket on and a smile on his face. He talks about being in a good mood because he’s the champ.

Nemeth says we know the main event for TNA Bound For Glory, because Joe Hendry beat Frankie Kazarian to earn his shot at the title. Fans chant “We believe!” and then we hear the epic sounds of Joe Hendry’s viral entrance tune.

Hendry comes out in a sport coat and a giant cheesy smile of his own on his face. He does the full entrance routine, including the wave, and then addresses the “We believe!” movement after talking about Nemeth being a champion everywhere he goes.

Nemeth says it sounds like a lot of people believe in Joe Hendry. He says they do, and Hendry is a good kid. He says he hopes there’s mutual respect. He says even Shawn Michaels believes in Joe Hendry. A small HBK chant starts and quickly dies down.

Hendry says he appreciates the kind words. He says there’s a lot of legends who believe in Joe Hendry, but there’s one who believes in Nemeth. He asks about John Layfield and whether or not the former JBL will get involved in their match. Nemeth cuts him off and says he doesn’t have to worry about that, only the man who steals the show every night for the past 20 years.

He says he doesn’t plan on losing this title anytime soon. As they stare each other down intensely, the theme for First Class hits and out comes AJ Francis and KC Navarro. Francis is confused at them claiming to be the main event of Bound For Glory, because First Class is the main event.

They’re nothing but money, money, money. He says they’re currently reporting live from Trashville, TN. (Think that’n was taken recently.) He brings up the country bumpkins in attendance and claims credit for making Joe Hendry. He says before he showed up he was a C+ player working the pre-show.

Fans chant “We believe!” and Francis responds, “And ya’ll believe BBQ sauce is toothpaste.” He says they didn’t care about Hendry until he began singing songs about him. Mr. T-N-AJ Francis. Hendry says he forgets which ones he’s talking about.

He sings “Can you please get fired!” And “You-are, you-are, banned from diving!” He asks which one was it. Francis says he came out to talk to Nemeth. He says he had respect for him, but the perpetual main event is always First Class. Nemeth teases a tag match right now, if only, he could find someone to be his partner.

Fans chant “We believe!” and then the mighty theme song for TNA’s Director of Authority plays and out comes Santino Marella. “Boys, boys boys …take it E-C!” Santino announces Nemeth and Hendry against clish-clash in the main event. Francis corrects him and says First Class. We head to another commercial break.

Ash By Elegance Gives Heather Reckless A Makeover

We return from the break to the back of Heather Reckless’ head in a chair in Ash by Elegance’s dressing room. She and George Iceman, and some other makeup people off-camera, go step-by-step insulting Heather’s looks and dress style while talking about ideas for ways to change her and make her over.

Josh Alexander defeated Eric Young

Back inside the Impact Zone, Josh Alexander’s theme hits and “The Walking Weapon” emerges alongside Sinner & Saint, collectively known now as The Northern Armory. They head to the back as Alexander heads to the ring. Eric Young’s cool entrance goes down next and it’s time for our next match of the evening.

Young gets off to a hot start. The action spills to the floor where Young chops the hell out of Alexander. As the action resumes in the ring, Alexander starts to take over. As he does, we head into a mid-match break. When we return, the commentators inform us it has been all Alexander in control of the action.

As the match continues, Young starts to slowly fight his way back into competitive form, until Sinner & Saint hit the ring, which leads to Alexander picking up the win. After the match, Alexander, Sinner & Saint all attack Young. They put his leg in a steel chair and crunch it with a top rope stomp. They leave Young laying as fans boo and Hannifan says, “That’s the REAL Walking Weapon.”

Jordynne Grace Looks For Masha Slamovich, Finds Something Else

Backstage, we see Jordynne Grace cleaned up, showered, and hair braided, looking for Masha Slamovich in various rooms. Gia Miller walks up and Jordynne asks if she’s seen her. They check another room and it looks like a dark room. Dark red lighting and tons of pictures all over the wall like a psycho stalker. Grace sees this and says, “Oh my god.” She walks off and we head to another commercial break.

Mike Santana Calls Out Moose

When the show returns, Mike Santana makes his way to the ring through the crowd. He gets on the mic and says this is the second time he’s talked to a camera to send a message to Moose. He tells him to prove he’s the man he says he is and come out here.

Moose’s theme hits and out he comes. He talks about buying the best security money can buy. He says Santana thinks he’s a tough guy because he comes from the streets. He says he’s just a dumb ass. Santana points out Moose’s security and says all it does is prove he’s nothing more than a “baby-boy-b*tch!” You can guess what chant followed.

Santana says he can smell the fear from all the way up in the ring. He says at one point in life, Moose was his. He says they’ve lived through the same struggles. They both had to create something from nothing. The only difference is, Santana still walks the same blocks he put in work on.

He walks side-by-side with the same people he came up with. He dares Moose to step through his top-flight security and prove he is the face of the franchise. Moose questions Santana’s claims that he forgot where he came from. He says he did forget where he came from, because he’s made himself a three-time champion. He did it by himself. Without any fans or anyone else. Just by trusting The System.

He says he can come down there and beat the hell out of him, like he’s done in the past. He says he’s learned when you’re good at doing something, you never do it for free. He says he’s a prize fighter and a box office attraction. He says the difference between them is he’s the face of the franchise, whereas Santana is nothing but a poor Puerto Rican kid from the projects.

Santana tries to rush him, but stops short when he sees all the security. The rest of The System attack him from behind. They have traded their U.S.A. colors for dark gray attire. Moose joins them in the ring as they continue to stomp out Santana. ABC’s theme hits and the duo of Chris Bey and Ace Austin hit the ring and brawl with The System.

Moose’s security hits the ring, and then The Hardys iconic entrance tune plays. Matt and Jeff Hardy hit the ring and fight off the security and help with The System brawl. The theme for TNA’s Director of Authority hits and out once again comes Santino Marella. Santino says it will be Moose vs. Mike Santana at Bound For Glory.

The Hardys (Jeff & Matt Hardy) and ABC (Chris Bey & Ace Austin) fight to a No Contest after The System (Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers) interferes

Santino also tells Brian Myers and Eddie Edwards of The System to keep an eye on The Hardys vs. ABC because it may have title implications for TNA Bound For Glory. He asks the crowd if they want to see The Hardys vs. ABC now. It’s coming up next. We head to a pre-match commercial break.

When we return, we see the action in progress. The Hardys take the early offensive lead, but Bey eventually fights his way back into competitive form. He hits a big splash and missile dropkick off the ropes to Jeff Hardy for a close two-count.

Matt tags in and things get competitive briefly before the two collide head-first. Both guys are down and each make the tag to their respective partner. Jeff Hardy is the one who comes in hot, hitting Austin with everything in his arsenal, including the split-leg-drop and seated dropkick.

The Hardys hit the Plot-Twist on Bey, which is a Twist of Fate and neck-breaker combo. The System hit the ring afterwards and attack, giving the referee no choice but to call for the bell.

Santino comes out and says despite their efforts, by the power “invested in him,” Edwards and Myers will face The Hardys and ABC in a Full Metal Mayhem match for the tag titles at Bound For Glory. After the match, we head to another commercial break.

Leon Slater defeated Laredo Kid and Jason Hotch (w/ John Skyler) to earn a shot at the TNA X-Division Championship

When the show returns, Laredo Kid makes his way to the ring for an X-Division Championship No. 1 Contender Three-Way bout. He settles in the ring and then Jason Hotch comes out with John Skyler cutting a promo as they walk to the ring. Leon Slater comes out last.

On special guest commentary for this one is the reigning TNA X-Division Champion and the man the winner of this match will face in a title tilt on next week’s show, “Speedball” Mike Bailey. As soon as the bell sounds, Laredo, Hotch and Slater are all over the place.

Laredo Kid hits a big splash to the floor for a big “TNA! TNA!” chant. Back in the ring, he hits a top-rope frog-splash on Slater for a close two-count. Hotch hits the ring and comes off the ropes with a leaping double stomp onto Slater and Kid for a two-count on each.

Slater fights into the lead and hits a wild 450 senton off the ropes and covers Hotch for the win. With the win, Slater earns a shot at Bailey’s X-Division title next Thursday night. The commentators hype the match and thank Bailey for joining them on the call. We head to another break before our main event.

Jordynne Grace’s Challenge Accepted By Masha Slamovich

When the show returns, as the commentators are setting the stage for our tag-team main event, they are caught off-guard by Jordynne Grace’s theme song. The TNA Knockouts Champion gets on the mic and says she can’t find Masha Slamovich backstage. She asks her to come here for one second.

Masha’s theme hits and out she comes. Grace brings up seeing Masha’s “Kill Wall” going back up and how she saw her face in a picture on it. Slamovich says Grace knew she had to keep her close. She says she was the only one who knew she spoke English. She says she kept it to herself so she could be the center of attention.

Slamovich accepts her challenge and says she’s going to become the Knockouts Champion at Bound For Glory and teach Grace what it’s like to live in her shadow. Masha hands her an envelope and walks off. Grace pulls out her picture which is marked. We head to another break.

Nic Nemeth & Joe Hendry defeated First Class (AJ Francis & KC Navarro)

It’s main event time!

When we return, we see the First Class duo of AJ Francis and KC Navarro already in the ring, in the middle of cutting a promo talking trash about Nashville. Joe Hendry’s theme hits to cut them off and out he comes to a monster crowd reaction for the second time this evening.

Hendry gets on the mic and starts cutting a pre-match promo, but before he can say anything, Francis and Navarro attack him. After we hear the necessary unzipping that precedes the arrival of the champion every week, Nic Nemeth hits the ring to make the save.

We head to a pre-match commercial break. When we return, we see the match already in progress, with Nemeth working over Navarro from the start. Francis grabs Nemeth’s hair and Navarro hits him with a Sling Blade to shift the momentum in the favor of First Class.

Francis tags in and picks up where Navarro left off, taking it to the TNA Champion. We see Francis dominate the action for a few minutes until finally Nemeth gets in some offense, which buys him enough time to make the much-needed tag to Hendry.

Hendry hits the ring to a ton of fan support, as loud “We believe!” chants break out. Hendry hoists Francis up, after struggling briefly, and Donkey Kong’s him onto the mat. Hendry hits Nemeth’s own Danger Zone move on Francis and tags in Nemeth. Nemeth hits a super kick but then Navarro makes a blind tag that he doesn’t see.

Navarro hits a missile dropkick on Nemeth. He goes for the Blessing in Disguise, but Nemeth counters with a super kick. Nemeth thought about Danger Zone, but instead used Hendry’s Standing Ovation finisher to take out Navarro. Nemeth follows up with a Fame-Asser for the win. Nemeth and Hendry celebrate their win. As Nemeth raises the title up, Hendry is seen taking a close look at it. That’s how this week’s show goes off the air. Thanks for joining us and don’t forget to follow me on Twitter/X.

Next Week:
* “Speedball” Mike Bailey (c) vs. Leon Slater (X-Division Title)
* Pick Your Poison: PCO vs. Rhino
* Nic Nemeth vs. Matt Cardona

Ring of Honor TV live results: Red Velvet & Gabe Kidd title defenses

Posted on by Jeff Moss

ROH Women’s TV Champion Red Velvet will put her title on the line against Diamante in the featured bout of this week’s ROH on HonorClub.

It will be Velvet’s first title defense while her opponent is still looking for her first ROH or AEW gold.

ROH World Champion Mark Briscoe will be in non-title action as he faces former Pure Champion Josh Woods. If Woods can beat or take the champion to a draw, he earns a future title shot.

NJPW Strong Champion Gabe Kidd will make a special appearance and has issued an open challenge for his title.

New Don Callis Family member Lance Archer will be in action as will former Women’s TV Champion Billie Starkz.

Shane Taylor Promotions’ namesake and Pure Champion Lee Moriarty will take on The Infantry in tag team action.

**********

As a certain Big Poppa Pump once said “I legally can punch someone in the face and not get arrested for it, which most human beings can’t do.” Flying in the face of that though is ROH on Honorclub episode 85 which hit the airwaves (streamwaves?) running with Lexy Nair and Billie Starkz!

The pair were setting up a big party for Athena who happened to arrive mid conversation. Athena handcuffed herself to Lexy in order to “keep her safe” from Abadon because she’s too important. Starkz took issue with this and Athena assured her that she can take care of herself, but Lexy can’t. This is for her protection only. With that, Starkz stormed out., and Lady Frost stormed in.

Athena said that Frost was afraid of her and Frost countered with a match challenge for next week! Athena had no choice but to accept, and the show kicked off proper with a NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship match!

NJPW STRONG Openweight Title Match: Gabe Kidd (c) defeated Anthony Henry (w/Beef)

It was a surprise to see a NJPW Title defense on ROH, but it was a welcome addition to the card. Gabe Kidd has held the NJPW STRONG Openweight Champion for 151 days since defeating Eddie Kingston at NJPW STRONG RESURGENCE 2024.  That was a No Rope Last Man Standing match and it put Kingston on the shelf for the better part of a year. Kidd laid out an Open Challenge that was answered by none other than Beef’s second cousin, Anthony Henry! With his Workhorsemen partner JD Drake’s return imminent, this was a great chance for Henry to have some new gold to show off when he arrived. 

Henry came out with guns blazing, sending Kidd to the outside and driving him into the barricades with high knees. Kidd recovered though and brought the fight back into the ring. Henry kept up the speed, with seemed to throw Kidd off guard. Henry didn’t count on Kidd’s strength though, and Kidd picked him up and tossed him out of the ring. Literally. He threw him.

Kidd grabbed a mic and started running down the American crowd, mid-match. That fired up Henry and the two traded chops. Kidd went to the outside to grab a weapon and this offended Beef. He stepped up to Kidd, who knocked him out allowing Henry to get an opening for a suicide dive.

Henry went to the top rope, but Kidd joined him up there and hit a second rope suplex. Kidd hit a massive piledriver and managed to get the pin to retain his title. We know now that Henry was injured in this match, but he did an amazing job carrying through to make it a really good opening bout.

Katsuyori Shibata defeated Brandon Cutler

Cutler came out to no music, raving about the excellence of the AEW EVPS, the Young Bucks. He issued an open challenge for “any former ROH champion” in the back. The challenge was answered by former ROH PURE Champion Katsuyori Shibata!

Shibata is having a hell of a year. He has had an 80% win rate across AEW, ROH and Japan.  In ROH specifically, he’s won every match (singles and multi-person) since May. Cutler on the other hand has lost to Preston Vance, Colt Cabana and even Jacoby Watts. 

The match began with chops. Lots and lots of chops, with Cutler on the losing end of most of them. A back elbow got the momentum back on Cutler’s side, and he worked Shibata in the corner. Shibata fought back though, and delivered a big dropkick in the corner. A snap suplex followed and Shibata locked Cutler in a sleeper hold to soften him up for a shining wizard and the pin.

-Brian Cage cut a promo from the back. If you didn’t know, he’s a machine. One that’s been programmed to become the best wrestler on the planet. He wants Atlantis Jr’s ROH Television Title, and he will take it from him at Wrestledream. This continues the strange thing that ROH does where people cut promos about matches that are not happening on their show.

Billie Starkz defeated Ella Elizabeth

As we saw off the top, Starkz has been in a nasty mood ever since Athena demoted her to Minion-In-Training. Starkz and the Forever Champion haven’t been getting along recently, with Starkz’; work to help Athena being over looked and credited to Lexy Nair. Starkz would be looking to take out some of that aggression on Ella Elizabeth, a product of Al Snow’s OVW, making her ROH debut.

Starkz seemed to cheer up a bit while kocking Elizabeth around the ring. But her mind definitely wasn’t on the match, letting Elizabeth get a few flurries of offense in. Starkz got cocky and almost got caught in a suplex by Elizabeth. That got Starkz’ focus back, but she moved to end the match quickly.

Elizabeth screamed in Starkz’ face, and Billie returned the favour, followed by a swan dive headbutt. She pinned Elizabeth and got the win, but seemed distracted and “over it” as she left.

Shane Taylor Promotions (Lee Moriarty & Shane Taylor) defeated The Infantry (Carlie Bravo & Shawn Dean)

This was a renewing of a long-standing rivalry dating all the way back to before ROH on Honorclub Episode 33. Having lost to The Outrunners last week, Dean and Bravo looked to finally get a win over STP in this match. Taylor and Moriarty are 5-0 in tag team matches, with three of those victories coming over the Infantry!

Taylor and Bravo started things off and circled each other like two men who know the other very well. Taylors powerful style was a great matchup for Bravo’s faster and more agile moves. Of course, you know what happens when an agile wrestler runs into Shane Taylor? Same thing that happens to everyone else, causing Dean to jump in for a double team.

Taylor socked Dean right in the kisser, dazing him and allowing Moriarty to tag in. On the outside, Bravo and Taylor continued getting in each other’s faces until it was broken up by Trish Adora. Dean got isolated in the STP corner and Taylor and Moriarty worked him over. Dean managed a hot tag to Bravo who took Moriarty to the cleaners.

Dean went to the top rope, but Morairty shoved Bravo into him, knocking him down. off of that, Moriarty rolled up Bravo and got the 1-2-3.

-Backstage, the Iron Savages said a lot of words, some of which made sense. The Dark Order was there too, and the Savages and Jameson challenged them to a trios match. I think they accepted? It was hard to tell with all the slogans.

ROH Women’s World Television Title Match: Red Velvet (c) defeated Diamante by DQ

Even though they have some pretty hard feelings about one another, Velvet and Diamante haven’t actually faced off since 2021 on an episode of AEW Dark. In spite of that, the ROH Women’s World TV Championship would be on the line in this match. Surprisingly, this would be Red Velvet’s first defense of the title since defeating Billie Starkz for it at DEATH BEFORE DISHONOR 2024. 

Velvet had control off the top, keeping Diamante off her feet with an arm scissor. Velvet hit a “leg lariat” (aka a kick) and knocked Diamante back down. Diamante wouldn’t quit though, slamming Velvet’s face into each turnbuckle in succession, like so many strap matches.

Diamante was confident throughout the match, laying in lots of big slams and whips. At one point, she raked Velvet’s eye along the ropes in a particularly nasty move. It looked like Diamante had the match and title won a few times, but Velvet wouldn’t let Diamante put her down. Velvet kicked out of everything thrown at her, but took a beating in the process. Every time Velvet managed a reversal or kickout, Diamante answered back with more violence.

Diamante lost control though, and despite repeated warnings from the Ref, she smashed Velvet in the face with the ROH Women’s TV Title. The Ref called for the bell, and Velvet was awarded the win (and title retention) via DQ. Diamante realized that she had just cost herself the title, and stomped out of the arena.

Lance Archer defeated Sam Beale

Lance Archer is not only a brutally hard-hitting monster in the ring and new member of the Don Callis Family, he’s also best friends with The Righteous. That doesn’t mean much in this match, but I think it’s nice to mention. Beale on the other hand, has 3000+ X followers and was making his ROH debut.

Archer offered his hand to Beale for the Code of Honor, but Beale saw betrayal coming and actually hit Archer in the face. That upset the Murderhawk, and he proceeded to beat the ever loving life out of hometown hero Beale. Suplexes, stomps,big punches. It was a textbook squash. The match ended with a big Blackout and that was that.

-Backstage, the Infantry broke down their match against STP…. who just happened to wander in and tell them that they are the most impressive team in ROH. Taylor told them to stop trying to prove they can wrestle, and learn how to rumble. Also, Taylor and Adora seemed to have a side thing going on, which weirded out the Infantry.

ROH Classic Match: Bryan Danielson vs KENTA (Sept 16, 2006, NYC)

Last week, ROH aired the classic match between Samoa Joe and Kenta Kobashi from 2005. They heard that I really liked that, so this week they showed another classic match. This time it was the ROH Champion Bryan Danielson taking on the one and only KENTA.

It was an amazing match, which should come as no surprise. If you thought the 2010’s KENTA and Danielson were amazing, you should see them in 2006. Tons of hard hitting, amazing slams and splashes, and a ton of down-to-the-second submission attempts. I won’t spoil who wins, but you should check out this match as soon as you can. Hey, you can even watch it, and just about all of ROH on Honorclub.

This was another great move by ROH, I love seeing these classic matches in amongst the current stuff.

ROH World Title Proving Groud Match: Mark Briscoe (c) defeated Josh Woods (w/ The Premier Athletes)

Mark Briscoe’s dance card is pretty full these days, especially with an upcoming match against Chris Jericho at Wrestledream. That wouldn’t stop him from mixing it up with the Premier Athlete’s Josh Woods though, as the two competed in a Proving ground match. If Woods was able to pin Briscoe or last to the 10-minute time limit, he’d get a shot at whoever the ROH Champion might be after the aforementioned Wrestledream.

Mark Sterling ran down the hometown crowd (and pretty much everyone in ROH and AEW). Briscoe entered to a hero’s ovation and the match was on. Woods jumped Briscoe right off the bat, knocking him to the outside. Briscoe’s chaotic style was definitely at odds with Woods’ more technical and brawling style, but Red Neck Kung Fu was a pretty good counter.

Briscoe introduced a chair to the proceedings and used it as a launching point for a big flip onto Woods on the outside. Briscoe resorted to wrestling moves, hitting Woods with suplexes and rolling drivers. Woods for his part wasn’t going down easily, catching Briscoe’s Froggy Bow with an armbar. Sterling got involved off of a Ref distraction, but Biscoe is the will-not-lay-downiest of all wrestlers, and he would not lay down.

Briscoe went for a Jay Driller, buy his shoulder wouldn’t co-operate and Woods got a chance to get him on the top rope. Briscoe bit Woods and delivered some big head butts before launching himself with a Froggy Bow. Woods was out of it this time, and Briscoe landed it to get the pin and the win. Bring on Jericho!

AEW Dynamite Title Tuesday live results: Danielson & Yuta vs. Castagnoli & PAC

Posted on by Ryan Howard

AEW Dynamite Title Tuesday airs tonight with a match-up featuring both the AEW World Champion and the Trios Champions.

Bryan Danielson teams with Wheeler Yuta against Claudio Castagnoli and PAC. The remaining remnants of what was the Blackpool Combat Club fractured last month when Jon Moxley, PAC, and Castagnoli turned on Danielson. Yuta has remained conflicted as demonstrated by his teaming with Danielson.

A double title match is also set as NJPW Strong Women’s Champion and TBS Champion Mercedes Mone puts both belts on the line against Emi Sakura.

A shot at Mariah May’s AEW Women’s World Championship is on the line as Britt Baker faces Willow Nightingale with the winner facing May for the title as part of this Saturday’s WrestleDream pay-per-view.

Hologram makes his Dynamite debut tonight against Komander in what is billed as a special attraction while Hook will call out whoever attacked Taz last week. Additionally, Jay White will appear following his return to action last Wednesday.

Tonight’s WrestleDream go-home show kicks off at 9 PM Eastern.

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AEW Dynamite Title Tuesday comes on the air with Jon Moxley saying no one wants the blood of the legendary Bryan Danielson on their hands, despite Danielson trying to kamikaze himself. The way things have worked out, it has to be Moxley who gives a wakeup call to AEW. You don’t get to pick the day, everyone living in their fake world, Saturday night, they’ll see the truth. Moxley brings up the dark side of Danielson, which is a beautiful thing, as you back the Dragon into a corner, it becomes something truly terrifying. Danielson has never been comfortable with that part of himself, but as his world closes in around him, he will embrace his dark side. Moxley will be ready, he doesn’t have a choice. There aren’t enough people in the state of Washington to stop him on Saturday. What Moxley stands for is too powerful, whom shall we fear? Moxley will run into the mouth of war, so run while you have a chance, as he only hopes one day Danielson will understand. It has to be this way; the stakes are too high.

We then go to Bryan Danielson backstage earlier today bringing up Claudio Castagnoli telling Sports Illustrated earlier today that tonight is his last Dynamite. Danielson said he & Yuta will run through Castagnoli & PAC tonight. He’s been a supporter of Castagnoli in every company they’ve worked in, but tonight, there will be no support, as in Spokane, he will kick his F’n head in.

Darby Allin & Brody King Face to Face

Excalibur welcomes us alongside Tony Schiavone & Jeff Jarrett as Darby Allin makes his way to the ring. Allin called out Brody King to get his ass to the ring after King answered Allin’s challenge for WrestleDream. King walks out and we get highlights of the history between both men. Allin said he was so excited King answered his challenge, but he could’ve asked nicely. Allin brought up working the indies with King, staying in crackhead motels and how King didn’t know how his career would end up with a kid on the way. He recalls King being under a ROH contract at the time, prior to Tony Khan buying it and it was Allin who got King into AEW. Thanks to AEW, both of them helped their fathers retire, but the issue is, King wants Allin’s spot and Allin is the face of AEW, despite not expecting to make it.

Allin said he’s the one who does promotional work, the talk shows, but King interrupted and said he was right. King said what happens when Allin climbs Mount Everest? His dad will have to get a job again, but ultimately Allin needs someone to save him from himself. Allin screamed and sat in the corner, begging to start the fight now and King to hit the cannonball, but King told him to get up. Allin stood up and slapped King in the face and was promptly laid out. King went for a choke, but Allin had a rock in his jacket and blasted King in the face with it, busting King opened. Security ran down and stepped between, as King was the first to retreat.

-Renee Paquette is backstage with Lance Archer & Jake Roberts, as she brings up Don Callis wanting to recruit Archer, as Callis walks in, saying it’s an exciting day in AEW, as he & Roberts have done the first talent exchange. Lance Archer is officially part of the Don Callis family, as Archer shook hands with Callis, who refused to answer Paquette’s question about Will Ospreay, walking off with Archer, who gave one last handshake to Roberts before leaving. Paquette asks who Roberts got in return and he asked if she likes surprises, because so does he.

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Daniel Garcia walks into the arena backstage and is approached by Renee Paquette, asking about his whereabouts since this was the first time being seen since All Out. Garcia said he wants to give her an answer, but owes it to the fans to give an explanation.

Hologram defeated Komander

(The crowd was really into this match from the start and gave it multiple This Is Awesome chants. Despite some spots being off, these two adjusted very quickly and got back on track to have a really flashy high-flying battle. I hope we eventually get a Hologram title shot down the line for any champion, as he has one of, it not the, longest winning streak in AEW at the moment.)

Commentary really put over the 13-0 winning streak that Hologram has compiled mainly on Collision, as this is his Dynamite debut. Quick series of takedowns in the early going, as both trade arm drags and monkey flips landing on their feet before a stalemate that had the crowd going. Test of strength led to a pop-up back flip off the chest of Komander, as a déjà vu sent Komander outside, where Hologram darted himself, connecting on a tope. Back inside, a flapjack and high kick got a quick two, as both trade submission counters before Hologram turned things into a snap suplex to get control into commercial.

When things returned, Komander flipped out of a drop down, did a wild somersault springboard series into a hurricanrana that sent Hologram outside. Komander sprung over the top with a dive before going back inside, trying another springboard, but Hologram met him in the corner with a reverse Spanish Fly for the reset. Hologram went for a 450, but Komander got the knees up. With Hologram back outside, Komander tried his rope walk dive, but Hologram sprung up, tried a mid-air hurricanrana, only for Komander to counter into a powerbomb. Both men slowly up and slugging it out, as it turns to kicks before Hologram tried a backflip into a slam, only for Komander to spike him into a Poison Rana. Komander wanted a follow up, but Hologram popped up with a Poison Rana of his own. Komander tried a springboard Poison Rana, but Hologram caught him into a wild airplane spin into a sit-out slam for the victory.

Jake Roberts walked to the stage post-match as Rush, Beast Mortos & Dralistico ran in and attacked Holorgam & Komander, tossing them to the outside. They gave the Los Faccion Ingobernables pose, as Mortos was reluctant at first, but did it, as did Roberts on stage. So, I guess Roberts is the manager of LFI, which is something I legit never saw coming.

-Lexy Nair is backstage with Mark Briscoe, who said last week, Chris Jericho didn’t have to take it where he did. At WrestleDream, it doesn’t even have to be about the ROH Title, he’s going to hurt Jericho.

Daniel Garcia Remains All Elite

Garcia comes to the ring and said it’s great to feel the energy of the crowd, as he’s missed this after sitting at home for a while. Garcia thanks Tony Khan for giving him this time, as when you’re sitting at home, you question what’s best for your life, despite it not being the easiest or best answer. Garcia never wanted to be a guy who didn’t follow through on his word, but felt it was important to look everyone in the eye to let them know what he’s going to do. Garcia came to the conclusion he can do whatever he wants, as he’s one of the best wrestlers in the world. Because he’s one of the best, it’s only right that he stays where the best wrestle, AEW.

The Daniel Garcia staying in AEW isn’t the same as before, he’s no longer the little bro who complains after every loss, he’s the one who you can build a foundation on and puts gold around his waist. The champions of AEW are no longer safe, the feeling is restored.

-Footage of Swerve Strickland training with EJ Nduka is shown, as it’s cut with footage of MVP calling out Strickland’s recent failures on his management, telling Prince Nana he’s ready whenever Strickland wants to talk business. We then see MVP & Shelton Benjamin backstage watching, as we’re told Swerve Strickland will be at WrestleDream.

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-Renee Paquette tried her best to introduce Mercedes Mone in the way Mone does, but she’s annoyed. Mone brings up everyone having an issue with her on Twitter and takes a shot at Kris Statlander. Mone mentions Emi Sakura wrestling longer than Mone has been alive and says money changes everything.

-Daniel Garcia is walking backstage and is congratulated by Isiah Kassidy, Anna Jay, Kyle O’Reilly, Orange Cassidy & Colt Cabana when Katsuyori Shibata walks up and through his phone tells Garcia he’ll be the next TNT Champion. They both shake hands and Shibata pretty much granted Garcia a title shot if he wins.

Willow Nightingale defeated Saraya (w/Harley Cameron), Nyla Rose & Jamie Hayter to earn an AEW Women’s Title shot at WrestleDream

(This was a chaotic match, as Nightingale made the most sense to take this match after her prior interactions with the AEW Women’s Champion. While there were a few other big spots, I think the return of Penelope Ford was almost an afterthought unfortunately, as her moment was quickly overshadowed by the table spot to end the match. It does appear The Outcasts have a new member and someone else for Jamie Hayter to fight prior to getting back into the title picture, whether it be for the Women’s or TBS gold.)

Mariah May joins commentary for this one, as we’re told Dr. Britt Baker fell ill and wasn’t able to travel. May asks if Baker fell on a tongue scraper or gave herself a root canal? Bell sounds and Saraya immediately bails, as Rose showed off her power, slamming Nightingale, as Hayter quickly took the fight to Rose. After attempting a superplex on Hayter, Nightingale almost cut off Rose with a powerbomb, but Rose countered into a hurricanrana. Hayter & Nightingale was about to face-off, when Cameron & Saraya attacked from behind, as there’s no DQ’s with it being a 4-way. The brawl went outside, where Rose flew in out of frame to wipe everyone out. At one point Cameron punched Hayter right in the face, which got a big reaction from Tony Schiavone and May asked if he needed a mint or Blue Chew, which was hysterical.

Back from break, Hayter avoided a Doctor Bomb from Nightingale and hit a Hayt-Breaker, as Saraya ran in with a thrust kick, but was mowed down by a Rose clothesline. Nightingale was up and flattened Rose with a spinebuster, as everyone is down. Commentary brings up a table set up ringside, as May said she wants her celebration at WrestleDream with Mina Shirakawa, something she was robbed of. She’s been following Shirakawa and said Timeless Toni Storm is dead. Hayter somehow hit a double suplex onto Rose & Nightingale at the same time, as Saraya tried a chair shot, but was cut off and clocked with the chair by Hayter instead. Cameron tried to intervene again, but was dispatched by Hayter. Penelope Ford ran out with a chair and smacked Hayter in the back, as the chance was on to the back.

The crowd chanted for tables as Rose hit a neckbreaker on Saraya before going up top, only for Cameron to shove her off and Rose went splat on the edge of the ring. Cameron had a heck of a time trying to slide the table into the ring, as Saraya hit Nightingale with the Good Knight before finally the table was set up in the corner. Miscommunication from Saraya & Cameron, who was hit with a Nightingale Doctor Bomb, while Saraya was driven through the table with a DVD, as Nightingale stacked both Outcasts and got the pin.

Nightingale celebrated up the ramp where May was waiting and tried a slap, but Nightingale caught her. May fired off a headbutt before whipping Nightingale with the AEW Women’s Title, standing tall.

-The Learning Tree are backstage as Big Bill said the people who need help the most are ones that want them the least. They all approach Rocky Romero, as Jericho said it’s time for learning and for Romero to learn his self-worth. Jericho brings up The Conglomeration inviting Romero to join them months after they were already a group, just to take care of Smart Mark Sterling, which Jericho said is the lowest spot possible in AEW. Jericho questions if Romero wants to be a lacky his whole career and Romero said he’s no man’s lacky. Jericho said he’ll become ROH Champion this Saturday and thanks Romero for his time. Keith told Romero to listen to Jericho, or else.

Switchblade Jay White (w/Juice Robinson) defeated Cody Chhun

White’s first match since July, as he fired off chops on Chhun early, driving shoulders to the midsection. Chhun managed a Manhattan Drop and leg lariat, as he hit a float over into a DDT for one. White responded with a wild lariat and corner strikes before a half suplex sent Chhun to the corner. A huge Uranage spiked Chhun, which led to a Blade Runner for the win.

Post match, White to the microphone and told Hangman Adam Page he’s one of two men who knocked him off his path to the AEW World Championship. Meaning Page is one of two wrongs that White must right and asks what Page is going to do about it? White imagines that Page will come around guns blazing, veins popping out of his head, as it’s perfect, it’s what White wants, he wants Hangman vs. Switchblade once more. When White wins, he’ll move onto correcting wrong number two and move onto the gold. White said it’s funny the same voices who booed and despised him are the same voices who will Switchblade Jay White, AEW World Champion, as it all starts with Hangman this Saturday at WrestleDream.

-HOOK is backstage with a camera crew and said he’s tired of chasing whoever attacked his father. Kip Sabian stumbled into HOOK and said it wasn’t him before walking off. Christian Cage, Nick & Mother Wayne approached and said they’re both family men. Cage said he lost Killswitch to a serious medical situation and gives HOOK condolences on the injury to his father. Cage and company walk off with HOOK fuming.

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-Renee Paquette is with Mariah May backstage when Willow Nightingale charged in with a Pounce, sending May flying. Nightingale said she’ll keep this brief, she defeated three former Women’s Champions tonight and come Saturday, she’ll beat another and win the AEW Women’s Title.

Mercedes Mone (w/Kamille) defeated Emi Sakura to retain the TBS & NJPW Strong Women’s Titles

(This was Sakura’s first match in AEW since April, so it took a little bit for the crowd to get behind her, but when she took out both Mone & Kamille outside with a dive, she won them over. I wish the match itself went longer, but it felt like this was the weekly match that suffered from commercial. It just felt like it was getting going before Mone got the submission, which I hope is her permanent finisher going forward and the Mone Maker is shelved for a bit.)

Both ladies took turns backing the other into the corner and firing off chops, as it was Sakura who connected on the machine gun variety. Sakura looked to go for a cover, but Mone kicked out even before one. Both up and collide until Mone scales the corner with an arm drag, only to run into a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker by Sakura. Mone side stepped a corner charge, swept the leg out to the outside, where she hit a Meteora off the steps taking things to commercial.

Back from break, Sakura fired back with chops, but ate a backstabber out of the corner for two. Mone hit the first double knees, tried again, but Sakura moved and Mone flew out to the floor. Sakura zoned in on the legs and hit a splash onto the hung up Mone on the railing. Kamille was driven into the rail as well before splashing both ladies with a charging cross body. Back inside, stalling butterfly backbreaker connected, but Mone rolled to the ropes, clutching to the apron. The ref became distracted placing back the apron, as this allowed Kamille to trip up Sakura, as Mone applied the Statement Maker (former Banks Statement) and got the submission.

Post match, Mone held Sakura for Kamille to attack when Kris Statlander ran out and booted Kamille to the outside as Mone bailed and had to hold back her heater.

-Renee Paquette is backstage with Private Party, as she also brings in Stokely Hathaway, who said he’s been watching the past few weeks and every time they get an opportunity, they knock it out of the park. Hathaway brings up taking out the most loveable person in AEW at All In and imagine what Private Party could do? Hathaway offers a hand, but Quen said it’s another person who jumped on the bandwagon after two weeks and questions where he was at the last five years? They turn Hathaway down, who said he doesn’t believe it’s the right call, but walks away. Quen said they don’t need anyone in their corner, they want this, they need this, they’ll take the Tag Team Titles away from The Young Bucks and then, it’ll be a party everyone is invited to.

Will Ospreay Demands Answers From Don Callis

Tony Schiavone welcomed International Champion Will Ospreay to the ring to a loud ovation and brings up last week with Konosuke Takeshita interfering in his match with Ricochet. Schiavone said this has Don Callis’ fingerprints all over it and Ospreay agrees. Ospreay puts over Ricochet before saying Takeshita doesn’t do anything without Callis giving him the go ahead, so he wants answers from Callis right now.

Don Callis walks out, tries a hug, but Ospreay pushes him off. Callis said he has something important to say to Ospreay, last week was difficult for him emotionally, as he hates to see Ospreay unhappy. Callis brings up when both he & Ospreay beat Kenny Omega or when they beat Chris Jericho. Ospreay said they’re here to talk about last week not last year and wants to know if Callis sent Takeshita. Callis kept dodging the questions before finally giving in saying he made the call out of frustration, as Ospreay wouldn’t listen. Callis had to shown him who made decisions in the Family. Callis brings up two weeks ago for being this close to winning the Tag Titles because Ospreay was mentally weak. Ospreay said he brought Callis the International Title, but if Callis didn’t stick his nose in his business, he would’ve been the AEW World Champion as well.

Ospreay tells Callis he doesn’t know shit. Callis said he had the best wrestler in the world (Kenny Omega), but threw him in the garbage for Ospreay, so maybe he should throw the best in the trash one more time? Ospreay said Callis is everything everyone warned him about, he’s utter scum, they’re done. Callis slapped Ospreay and Ospreay threw down Callis before Takeshita hit the ring and the fight was on. Kyle Fletcher hit the ring, trying to talk sense into Ospreay, but the distraction allowed Takeshita to hit a release German suplex. Callis handed Fletcher the screwdriver, but Fletcher refused. Takeshita tried to talk sense into Fletcher, who stormed off and Ospreay continued to fight with Takeshita until Callis pulled his hair back, holding him long enough for Takeshita to hit a big forearm. Takeshita went for the belt shot when Ricochet ran out with a springboard forearm, as Takeshita & Callis bailed. Ricochet held up the International Title before handing it to Ospreay.

-Top Flight & Action Andretti are backstage, pissed off that they lost on Collision this past week, not wrestling The Young Bucks on Saturday. Andretti tried to scold Top Flight when Leila Grey said it’s all Andretti’s fault, as his actions screwed them. Dante told Darius it’s those things that are going to continue to cost them and left with Leila, leaving Darius conflicted.

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-Jack Perry is sitting in the back and said Katsuyori Shibata is considered a legend, the embodiment of fighting spirit who has a turkey leg in his trunks. Perry said Shibata lets his phone do the talking, but wants to speak Shibata’s old language, fighting in the ring. Shibata might deserve to be TNT Champion, but it’s not about what you deserve, it’s what you’re willing to take. This TNT Title means that Perry is the best and for Shibata to come take it from him.

AEW World Champion Bryan Danielson & AEW Trios Champion Wheeler Yuta defeated AEW Trios Champions Claudio Castagnoli & PAC

(Real good main event with the crowd fully behind Danielson & Yuta. The story of Castagnoli holding back as long as he could from striking Yuta, only to finally give in post-match was a nice touch and proved a point that Yuta should’ve joined them to begin with. Danielson getting to stand tall to close the show could be the final time he does so, as commentary really put over the possibility of his career ending on Saturday.)

The Final Countdown played for Danielson & Yuta, as commentary questions the significance, as this could be the last time Danielson wrestles on Dynamite. Danielson took out Castagnoli on the apron with a running knee, as he backflipped out of the corner to avoid PAC, hit a suicide dive on Castagnoli before Yuta flew in with a top rope dropkick on PAC. Both Danielson & Yuta hit double dives before back inside, Danielson applied a surfboard, as fast tags from he & Yuta kept PAC in the corner. PAC went for the eyes, as this allowed Castagnoli to make the tag and go after Danielson, isolating him. Yuta managed a tag and ran wild, as a snap German on PAC got a near fall, but Yuta held on into Cattle Mutilation. Castagnoli broke the hold, pulling Yuta up, as Yuta slapped him, but Castagnoli held back from throwing a punch. Danielson ran in with an attack, tried another dive, but Castagnoli caught him in mid-air and hit a Neutralizer as PAC fired a thrust kick on Yuta to take over during commercial.

Back from break, Castagnoli tried his best to keep Yuta grounded without throwing strikes, as Yuta tried a tag, but Danielson was still down outside, allowing Castagnoli to hit a release German on Yuta. PAC made sure Danielson was still down at the ramp, but the delay allowed Yuta to hit a thrust kick off a springboard for the reset. A frustrated Castagnoli didn’t want to make the hot tag, but knew he had to. Yuta tried to fight off, biting Castagnoli’s hands and hitting a Tornado DDT before Danielson recovered enough as Yuta stumbled to his corner for the hot tag.

Danielson flew off the top with a missile dropkick followed by corner charging dropkicks, kicks and chops. Corner hurricanrana attempt was blocked, as Castagnoli tried an Avalanche Ricola Bomb, but Danielson countered into the hurricanrana. Yes Kicks connect, as Danielson calls to kick Castanoli’s head in, as he stomps down repeatedly until PAC broke it up, looked for a brainbsuter, but Danielson slammed him down by the shoulder. Uppercut to the neck by Castagnoli, who tried another, but Danielson got a backslide for two. Danielson wanted the finish until he spotted Jon Moxley & Marina Shafir ringside, which allowed Castagnoli to hit an uppercut and 450 Splash by PAC for two. Shafir took the ref, as PAC quickly went for the ring attendant hammer, but Yuta disarmed him. Danielson was up and locked PAC in the LeBell Lock and PAC submitted.

Post match, Danielson immediately hit a dive onto Moxley and brawled up the ramp. Castagnoli & Yuta argued on the apron, as PAC kicked Yuta to the floor, where Shafir beat him up. Backstage, the fight continued with Danielson & Moxley, as Danielson threw Moxley into the garage door. Castagnoli, with the hammer in his hand, told Shafir & PAC to hold up Yuta, who he hit in the gut with the hammer repeatedly. Danielson & Moxley brawled back to the ring, as PAC was sent flying and Castagnoli ate the Busiaku Knee, with Moxley sent tumbling up the ramp to Shafir as Danielson stood tall before tending to Yuta, helping him up to end the show right as The Final Countdown was playing.

AEW WrestleDream 10/12/24

  • Bryan Danielson vs. Jon Moxley for the AEW World Title
  • Hangman Adam Page vs. Switchblade Jay White
  • Darby Allin vs. Brody King
  • Will Ospreay vs. Ricochet vs. Konosuke Takeshita for the AEW International Title
  • Mariah May vs. Willow Nightingale for the AEW Women’s Title
  • The Young Bucks vs. Private Party for the AEW Tag Team Titles
  • Jack Perry vs. Katsuyori Shibata for the TNT Title
  • Mark Briscoe vs. Chris Jericho for the ROH World Title
  • Zero Hour: Atlantis Jr. vs. Brian Cage for the ROH TV Title

WWE NXT live results: Randy Orton vs. Je’Von Evans

Posted on by Chris Aiken

WWE NXT heads to Missouri tonight for its second episode live on The CW Network.

After winning the title on last week’s CW premiere, new NXT Champion Trick Williams will appear tonight. We’ll also hear from NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez, after the returning Cora Jade helped her retain against Giulia last week.

One of WWE’s biggest stars will be in the building tonight as Randy Orton takes on rising NXT prospect Je’Von Evans.

Intercontinental Champion Jey Uso, Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill, Grayson Waller, and Austin Theory are set to appear as well. Belair & Cargill are teaming with Kelani Jordan to take on Fatal Influence. Waller & Theory have a title match against NXT Tag Team Champions Nathan Frazer & Axiom.

Another title match will see NXT North American Champion Oba Femi put his gold on the line against Tony D’Angelo. Plus, there will be a special performance by Missouri native Sexyy Red.

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

**********

NXT is on the air from The Factory at The District in Chesterfield, Missouri. Opening the show is the new NXT Champion.

Trick Williams enters for a monologue. Williams gave himself a new nickname, “Tricky Two Times”. Say it two times because he is a two-time champion. Williams is soon interrupted by Wes Lee, who is in the crowd to cut a promo on Williams.

Lee says Trick is not “it”, and Lee vows to take the title from Williams. Interrupting Lee is the sudden entrance of Jey Uso. Big pop from the live crowd for Uso, as he looks like a superstar. He gets the microphone to saying he is in your city. Trick thanks him for being there. The crowd yeets with Uso, and they “yeet” along with Williams. Dueling chants from the crowd: “Whoop that trick…Yeet!”

They go from the previous segment right into introductions for the first match, which is a six-woman tag. The WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions team with the NXT Women’s North American Champion for the opening match.

Kelani Jordan, Jade Cargill & Bianca Belair defeated Fatal Influence (Fallon Henley, Jacy Jayne & Jaxmyn Nyx)

Jordan pinned Nyz to win the match. The story going into this trios match is Fatal Influence are upset over NIL athletes in NXT, and here they face wrestlers that were all athletes in prior sports.

Henley and Jordan started the match against each other. The heel trio makes quick tags, and Jordan is seemingly soon in trouble. She counters and fires up. Cargill & Belair come in to help clean house, and the babyface trio looks strong.

Henley hanging in the ring with a main roster talent like Belair just reinforces the belief she is ready for a call up. Meanwhile, she and the other heels do a distraction spot. Low bridge on Jordan, and she takes a bump on the floor as the show cuts to its first commercial break.

Hot tag when the show returns from the break, and Bianca Belair runs wild. She gets to shine before tagging out. Belair & Cargill with tandem offense on Nyz, and Jordan follows up with a split-legged moonsault. Jordan then covers Nyz for a pinfall.

NXT Tag Team Champions Nathan Frazier & Axiom interact with Randy Orton in a locker room skit. Orton asks them just how fast is Je’Von Evans, and Axiom remarks he might be the fastest in NXT. Frazier takes exception to that, and the champs begin to bicker. Frazier apologies for losing his temper, but Orton says sometime you need find that place. Orton wishes luck to the champs.

Sarah Schreiber is interviewing Giulia backstage when an “old friend” enters the room off camera. That ends the interview, as the show cuts to commercials. This would lead to the live debut of Stephanie Vaquer in the next segment in an angle that would seem to set up a tag program.

NXT Champion Roxanne Perez enters the ring for a monologue promo. She boasts and brags about retaining her title against Giulia. Perez then introduces her old friend, Cora Jade. Last week, Jade returned to NXT and helped Perez retain the title.

Jade was wearing her knee brace, so I figured the segment would turn physical, but not before Jade cuts a promo. Jade claims that not even Perez knew that Jade would be interfering in the match last Tuesday. Jade is back, and the Jade you used to know was a girl trying to make it in NXT, but now she is the woman that will make NXT.

Jade does says that Perez deserves to be champion. Jade also puts over Perez’s heel persona, and Jade says that is why they should be friends again. That is bad for the rest of the roster. Perez said she should have listened to Jade a while ago, but Perez finally learned her lesson.

Interrupting Perez and Jade is the entrance of Giulia. She stops in the aisle to wait for back up, and it comes in the form of her “old friend” from earlier. Stephanie Vaquer enters to stand alongside Giulia. They rush into the ring, and they brawl with Jade and Perez. The babyface duo clear the ring, and the heels flee the ring. This would seemingly set up a tag match, although a backstage skit that followed could set up a singles match for Vaquer’s in-ring debut in NXT.

Wren Sinclair is with the No Quarter Catch Crew talking about taking on Giulia. Charlie Dempsey is impressed by Sinclair, as she wants to challenge Vaquer to a match. The skit continues with Dempsey and crew meeting up with Lexis King, who wanted some idea for a gimmick match with Oro Mensah. Dempsey suggested some ideas with rounds. King and Dempsey talk it over.

Tony D’ Angelo defeated NXT North American Champion Oba Femi to win the title

D’Angelo pinned Femi to win the championship after countering a powerbomb with a sunset flip. D’Angelo fought from underneath, and he ultimately prevails. The title change was quite a surprise for me, and the live crowd also popped accordingly. The match was also pretty good.

Femi looks strong at the outset, while “The Don” looks to outsmart the champ. Turns out Femi outsmarts him, as Femi chokeslams D’Angelo on the edge of the ring apron just before a commercial break. D’Angelo is being worked over when he show returns from the break.

A crowbar is slid into the ring for D’Angelo to use, but he tosses it out of the ring instead. Close near fall for “The Done”, after D’Angelo powerbombs Femi through the announce desk. Femi first teases putting D’Angelo through the desk, but “The Don” counters him. That foreshadows the finish.

For the finish, Femi goes for a powerbomb, but D’Angelo counters with a sunset flip and a roll up. D’Angelo holds Femi down for a three count, and D’Angelo wins the title. And new…

Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson run into Jade Cargill & Bianca Belair, where the women’s tag champs are challenged to a title match. Cargill accepts on behalf of her and Belair, saying they do not back down from a challenge. However, the champs want the match on Smackdown instead of NXT. The match is agreed to and set up for Friday night.

A skit sets up Lola Vice against Nikkita Lyons in a singles match for next week. Vice is in NXT GM Ava’s office, and Vice wants a match with Jaida Parker. Instead, in walks Lyons. She bickers with Vice, setting up a match between the two.

NXT Tag Team Champions Nathan Frazier & Axiom defeated Austin Theory & Grayson Waller

Frazier pinned Thoery to win the match and retain the tag titles. This was a really good match.

The match goes through a commercial break. Despite flying high early on, the babyface champs are in peril as the show heads into the break. Axiom is trying to rally when the show returns from the break, but a hot tag is broken up. A-Town Down Under continue to isolate Axiom. He eventually shoves Theory off the ropes, and Axiom lands with a splash. Hot tag to Frazier, and he runs wild with high spots galore. That guy is so dang good.

Thoery cuts off Axiom, and he gets a few near falls. Axiom tags back in, and the champs are soon in control with tandem offense. The match really heats up from here, and the pace soon quickens. There is a cool spot with double submission being broken up. Axiom caught Waller in a rear naked choke, and Frazier then catches with a guillotine choke on Theory. He counters Frazier, and Theory suplexes Frazier on Axiom to break up the other submission.

The finish was the champs tandem finisher. Spanish Fly by Axiom, followed by a Phoenix Splash from Frazier, and Frazier covers Theory for a pinfall. The champs retain their titles.

A video package recaps the story with Ridge Holland against Chase U. Holland is then interviewed backstage, where he is ambushed by Riley Osborne. They have a pull-apart brawl. A singles match between the two is clearly in the works.

Next up is a musical performance in the middle of a wrestling show, which rarely works well outside of a WrestleMania. Even then, an argument can be made it is still out of place. This was no exception. Sexxy Red is performing a rap song in the ring when she is (thankfully) cut short.

Ethan Page interrupts the Sexxy Red concert, and he gets in the ring to cut a promo. Red is looking on as Page rants and raves. Page says this is his ring, and he is not leaving until he gets a title rematch with Williams.

The entrance of Je’Von Evans interrupts Page. Evans confronts Page in the ring. Page tries to sucker punch Evans, but Evans blocks it. Evans punches Page several times, and Page is clotheslined out of the ring. Evans dances in the ring with Red as the show goes into a commercial break.

After the break, a video package hypes the arrival of DELTA (although she is not named in the vignette). The vignette portrays her as a kaiju monster wreaking havoc on a city.

In other news, “Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal” returns next week. However, it is being rebranded as “The Halloween Havoc Wheel.” For a WCW marl like me,

Randy Orton defeated Je’Von Evans

Ortin pinned Evans after the RKO. This was good, and it was a much different kind of match than Evans usually has on NXT. The pacing was more deliberate and not so frantic. When Evans would explode into a flurry of offense, it stood out more against a ring general like Orton.

Evans went for a dive, but Orton blocks it. Orton then drops Evans on the announce desk. Orton drops Evans several more times on the desk, but it does not implode. Orton keeps trying, and keeps dropping Evans on the desk.

Evans flew into a comeback, but Orton cuts him off. Orton delivers a draping DDT, and Orton teases the RKO. Evans counters with superkick, and he springboard into a flying cutter for a close near fall. Evans goes for another flying cutter, but Orton blocks the second attempt. RKO by Orton, and he covers Evans for a pinfall. Orton helps Evans to his feet after the match, and Orton raises Evans’ hand.

Wes Lee and Ethan Page are in Ava’s office, where she announces a number one contender’s match between Lee and Page. Ava was also impressed with Evans in the main event, and she adds Evans to make the match a triple threat number one contender’s match. That is set up for next Tuesday on NXT.

Overall, this was a good show. It was very wrestling heavy, with only a few silly skits. The title change was a surprise, and the matches all delivered.

WWE Raw live results: Gunther vs. Sami Zayn World title match

Posted on by Steve Khan

Date: October 7, 2024
Location: Enterprise Center in St. Louis, MO

**********

Show Recap — 

Sami Zayn was shown signing autographs before the show. Gunther, Pete Dunne, Sheamus, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods, and Jey Uso arrived at the arena. 

St. Louis’ own Sexxy Red was in the ring and she welcomed us to Raw. She didn’t get much screen time before they aired a Bad Blood video package. These recaps often focus on the matches from the brand it’s been shown on. They sort of did that here but they made sure to include the Bloodline tag match. That means the only thing excluded was the Nia Jax/Bayley match. 

CM Punk promo

CM Punk entered. He walked out gingerly and remained on the stage. His face had multiple bandages and his right arm was taped up. 

Instead of saying it felt great to be in St. Louis on a Monday night, he asked if it felt good to be not dead. He said he was in no condition to even be here which is why he stayed on the stage instead of walking to the ring. It hurt to smile but he wanted to see the fans. 

“I’m alive but I don’t feel like it. I’m a winner but it doesn’t feel like I won.” The way the Hell in a Cell match made him feel just left him with a lot of questions. He’s banged up worse than ever. He loved the fans but, “I just don’t know.” 

He wanted to thank three groups of people, all of whom have more in common than they would like to admit. The first was his fans. They chanted his name for seven years and waited three more years for him to come home. The second was his peers. Those in front of and behind the camera. He was privileged to walk the hallways with them. 

The third group were the people who didn’t like him at all. There was a thin line between love and hate and he turned their hate into cash. “I don’t know why you keep doubting me, but keep doubting me.” 

Punk was headed home to see his wife for the first time in five weeks and he had a lot of flowers to buy. He wasn’t sure when he’d see the fans again but he thanked them. 

Seth Rollins entered. Rollins faced off with Punk. Rollins gave him a fake smile before walking off and bumping his shoulder. 

Seth Rollins promo

Rollins entered the ring and told Punk to get well soon—because the sooner he did the sooner Rollins could kick his ass and retire him for good. 

Rollins said things have been crazy around here while he was gone. The Rock returned at Bad Blood (Rock was booed) and hell must have frozen over because Cody Rhodes teamed with Roman Reigns. 

Rollins was back to destroy Bronson Reed. Reed wasn’t here tonight but Rollins had a message and he delivered it to the camera. Rollins finally knew Reed’s name after six Tsunamis. Rollins offered him a singles match anytime he wanted. 

Jey Uso entered. They faced off for a moment before Rollins left. Jey’s match is up next. 

(Boy, was there a stark contrast in promo quality going from Punk to Rollins. And Punk’s promo wasn’t even anything special.) 

********

Jey Uso defeated Xavier Woods (w/Kofi Kingston) to retain the Intercontinental Championship (6:34) 

They went to break 80 seconds into the match after Woods gave Jey an Attitude Adjustment outside the ring. Woods blocked Jey’s comeback attempt and tried a springboard elbow drop but Jey caught him with a mid-air superkick. Jey followed with an Uso splash for the pinfall win. 

This was nothing. More of the match happened during commercials than on TV, although it probably didn’t matter. 

— Kingston checked on Woods after the match. Jey embraced Kingston and offered his hand to Woods. Woods walked off without shaking his hand. Kingston left with Woods and Woods asked why he shook his hand. 

Bron Breakker suddenly speared Jey Uso in the ring. Kingston jumped in to assist despite Woods’ protest. Breakker speared Kingston and speared Woods outside the ring. Breakker speared Jey once more. 

********

There was a Rhea Ripley pre-taped promo. She said she should have seen it coming at Bad Blood. Liv Morgan couldn’t beat her on her own. She needed Raquel Rodriguez. Now Ripley would just need to go through both of them. 

********

They showed the logo we assume is for the Viking Raiders. 

Jackie Redmond tried interviewing Bron Breakker but he blew her off. 

******** 

The announcers discussed the “incident” involving Kevin Owens and Cody Rhodes. However, they wouldn’t specifically mention either guy or tell us what happened. (Rollins referenced it earlier but also said he wasn’t supposed to talk about it.) They did show Triple H’s statement. 

Cody Rhodes was shown backstage but the video cut out. 

(It seemed like they were having technical difficulties here.) 

********

Karrion Kross spoke to the Miz. Miz made it clear that his actions (turning on R-Truth) were his own and he was not in the Final Testament. (There was another screen glitch here but this time it was the Wyatt Sicks logo.) 

Truth appeared. There was a brief moment of comedy until Miz made it clear to him that they were done. Truth wondered how Miz could do this to him. Their kids play together. Truth was still confused so Miz challenged him to a match next week. Kross was happy. 

This first hour has been kind of a dud so far. 

********

Donnybrook match: Sheamus defeated Pete Dunne (12:55) 

Ringside was decorated with whisky barrels, shillelaghs, cricket bats, and a wooden mobile bar with bar stools. Dunne leaped off the bar but Sheamus caught him and slammed onto the announce table ahead of a break. 

[SECOND HOUR] 

Dunne climbed atop two sets of whisky barrels for a dive attempt but Sheamus cut him off again, this time hitting him with a shillelagh. Sheamus climbed atop the barrels and gave Dunne a White Noise through some tables. The crowd popped and chanted, “This is awesome.” Sheamus hit a knee strike and Razor’s Edge in the ring for a nearfall. 

Dunne snapped Sheamus’ fingers and smashed him on the back with a cricket bat for two. Dunne grabbed a wooden drawer from the bar and cracked him on the back with it. This was a real wood drawer so Sheamus’ back was all bruised up immediately. Dunne zip-tied Sheamus’ hands behind his back and hit a knee strike but Sheamus still managed to kick out. 

Dunne tried using the bat but Sheamus nailed a knee strike and Brogue Kick (with his hands still tied) for the pinfall win. This was good.

*******

Cathy Kelley interviewed Cody Rhodes in the back and asked about Bad Blood. Rhodes wasn’t here to speculate on what happened at Bad Blood and said we’d find out more on Smackdown. Rhodes was simply here to find out what it takes to become the first-ever Crown Jewel Champion. 

Rhodes bumped into Sami Zayn. Zayn said he would be the one Rhodes was facing at Crown Jewel. Zayn offered to talk to him about what happened at Bad Blood. Rhodes cut him off and said he was here to watch the world title match. Rhodes said Zayn shocked the world by beating Gunther at WrestleMania and wanted to see him do it again. Rhodes wished him luck. 

********

Earlier today, Raquel Rodriguez arrived with Liv Morgan and Dominik Mysterio. Morgan acknowledged Ripley’s win via DQ but Morgan still had the title as well as Dom and Rodriguez. That means she was the only person in WWE who won even when she lost. 

Redmond asked Rodriguez if she was officially in Judgment Day. Dom wanted to leave and Morgan agreed. Redmond told them the show hadn’t even started yet. Redmond tried to get something out of Rodriguez again but Rodriguez ignored her. They left. 

********

Ava met with Adam Pearce in the back. Ethan Page entered and introduced himself to Pearce. Page complained about Punk costing him the NXT title match and wanted him to do something about it. Pearce told him Ava was the one who appointed Punk as the referee. Page didn’t want to deal with Ava and she told him she was off the clock anyway. 

Sexxy Red showed up. Page was about to shake her hand until she mentioned that Trick Williams whipped his ass. Page left. 

********

Pure Fusion Collective do the gun-pointing gesture in their entrance. I’m pretty sure this is something they discouraged for years but now seems to be acceptable. 

Ten-woman tag match: Lyra Valkyria, Natalya, Zelina Vega, Kayden Carter & Katana Chance defeated Sonya Deville, Shayna Baszler, Zoey Stark, Isla Dawn & Alba Fyre (7:12) 

There were a bunch of dives leading to break 80 seconds into the match. Natalya set up for a dive too but Deville yanked her out of the ring and shoved her into the steel steps. 

Vega hit a moonsault but covered Stark who wasn’t legal. Deville hit a knee strike but her cover was broken up and everyone traded moves. Valkyria hit a diving leg drop on a hunched-over Deville for the pinfall win. 

This was skippable. 

********

(There was a poster that leaked showing Gunther vs. Cody Rhodes and Liv Morgan vs. Nia Jax as the matches at Crown Jewel. They acknowledged it here and said the card could change.) 

Zayn entered for the main event at 9:32 pm. 

There was a promo by Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill on Damage CTRL. They offered them a tag title match next week. 

********

Next week on Raw: 

  • Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill vs. Iyo Sky & Kairi Sane for the tag titles 
  • Kofi Kingston vs. Bron Breakker 

******* 

Gunther entered for the main event at 9:40 pm. 

Gunther defeated Sami Zayn to retain the World Heavyweight Championship (16:43)  

Zayn feigned a dive and they went to break 70 seconds into this world title match. Gunther countered a crossbody and ran his boot into Zayn’s face. Gunther hit chops and boots. Zayn tried Blue Thunder Bomb multiple times but Gunther blocked it. Gunther applied a sleeper but Zayn countered into the Blue Thunder Bomb for two. They went to break for the second time in less than nine minutes. 

Zayn gave Gunther a back body drop outside the ring, an exploder suplex, and a Helluva Kick into the barricade. Zayn struggled to get Gunther to his feet so he had to break the referee’s ten count. Zayn hoisted Gunther on his shoulders and placed him in the ring. 

Zayn hit a Helluva Kick to the back of Gunther’s head and went for another one but Gunther levelled him with a clothesline for two. Gunther tried a powerbomb but Zayn reversed into a small package for a nearfall. 

Gunther hit a dropkick and powerbomb for another nearfall. The crowd chanted for Sami. Gunther followed with another clothesline and powerbomb but Zayn kicked out at one (which got a pop). 

Gunther applied a sleeper and Zayn was trapped. The ref checked Zayn’s hand to see if it would drop but Zayn raised it and tried grabbing the bottom rope. However, Zayn faded and finally passed out. Gunther retained. 

— Rhodes entered to face off with Gunther as the show ended.

(The final portion of this match after the last commercial break was really good. But this was an otherwise skippable Raw show despite only being two hours. This was the first half of a double-taping, so this show was likely paced a bit differently than it will be in future weeks.) 

AEW Collision live results: Tag Team title number one contender’s match

Posted on by Suit Williams

A three-way match on tonight’s AEW Collision will determine who faces the Young Bucks at WrestleDream.

Top Flight, Malakai Black & Buddy Matthews of the House of Black, and Private Party will duke it out in a three-way with the winners getting a shot at the AEW Tag Team titles at this month’s pay-per-view.

Private Party made it clear they want the next shot following their Wednesday win over the Iron Savages.

Darby Allin, who is looking for someone to face at WrestleDream, will take on Johnny TV. The Conglomeration’s Orange Cassidy & Kyle O’Reilly, who have been busy with The Learning Tree, will take on the Premier Athletes. Former CMLL Women’s Champion Willow Nightingale will challenge Trish Adora.

Other matches will see Wheeler Yuta take on BEEF, the Grizzled Young Veterans vs. The Outrunners, and a four-way match between Nick Wayne, Komander, Hologram, and Action Andretti.

Kris Statlander will also be in action.

**********

Collision came to us live (to tape) from Toledo, Ohio. Darby Allin made his way to the ring for the opening match. Tony Schiavone & Nigel McGuinness were on the call.

Darby Allin defeated Johnny TV

Johnny has had some rough showings lately but came together with Allin to have a fun opener here. Darby is one of the best television wrestlers in the world, finding a way to have cool, unique matches with anybody. Darby’s WrestleDream match is an enticing one, revisiting one of his best rivalries.

Allin controlled the early stage of the match until Johnny caught him with a poke to the eye. Johnny tied Allin in the ropes and hit a sliding German suplex for a nearfall. Johnny held control until Allin caught a climbing Johnny with a slap to the face. Allin brought Johnny down with a superplex, but Johnny followed up with a Side Russian Leg Sweep off the apron to the floor.

Johnny hit a rising knee to Allin on the steps, sending him to the floor. Johnny tried to hit a corkscrew splash off the steps to the floor, but Allin evaded it and hit a Coffin Splash to the floor. Johnny swept Allin’s legs from under him on a Coffin Drop attempt and hit a corkscrew kick to Allin in the ropes.

Allin evaded the Starship Pain, but Johnny caught him on a Coffin Splash attempt and hit a uranage out of the Razor’s Edge position. Johnny went for Starship Pain, but Allin evaded it and hit a Code Red for a nearfall. Allin hit the Coffin Drop to a standing Johnny to score the win.

After the match, Allin took the mic and challenged anybody to answer his open challenge. No one did, even after Allin challenged them to not let an opportunity to make their name pass them by. The challenge seemed to go unanswered, so Allin went to leave until Brody King bumrushed him down the ramp. King powerbombed Allin on the apron before pinning him to the post. He accepted his challenge and promised violence at WrestleDream.

We got an Outrunners video, this time with FTR training with them. Dax Harwood bleached his mustache, and they donned the Outrunners shades to complete the training.

The Outrunners (Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd) defeated Grizzled Young Veterans (James Drake & Zack Gibson)

Look, I get that the Outrunners are hot right now. They’re selling merch, people are into the act, alright. Is there ANY other team they could’ve fed them other than the new guys who are actually a really good team? I don’t get why they even bothered bringing the Vets in if they’re never going to give Gibson time to talk and get them over, especially if they’re just going to do jobs all the time. It’s a confusing use of a really good team when the tag division is dry as a bone right now, but I guess I can’t kill them if they run with the Outrunners.

Magnum and Drake started, with Magnum scoring with an armdrag. Floyd tagged in and worked his way up from the mat on a lock-up and posed to a pop. The Veterans got control on an Irish Whip block, but another attempt got reversed by Floyd. The Outrunners ran wild with double team moves as we went to a commercial break. There was a commercial for something called a TrumpyTrout, a singing fish that impersonates the former president. Not sure who that’s for, but alrighty then.

The Veterans were working on Magnum after the break, with Magnum fighting for the tag and getting it. Floyd ran wild, pinballing the Veterans with bodyslams. They hit the Predator double elbow drop, but Gibson shoved Magnum off the top and isolated him. Floyd shoved Drake off the top rope on a Doomsday Device attempt, and Magnum caught Gibson in a victory roll for the win.

We got a video package for Britt Baker. Baker noted that she hadn’t had a one-on-one World Title match since she lost the title back in 2022. Baker challenged Mariah May to a Women’s World Title match at the Title Tuesday Dynamite.

The Conglomeration was in the back with Lexy Nair. Willow Nightingale said that Britt Baker needed to wait in line because she wanted Mariah May first. Mark Briscoe cut his wacky promo. The word of the day is diversification, and also sophistication.

Willow Nightingale defeated Trish Adora

Nightingale losing up to the Women’s Title is odd, as Mariah May noted on Dynamite. But if AEW feels the need to pull the plug on May’s lukewarm reign, Willow is a great hand to have up their sleeve. We’ll see how Britt Baker plays into all of this.

Mariah May was at ringside. Code of Honor adhered to before Nightingale hit her low crossbody for a quick nearfall. Adora scored with a kick, then split on top of Nightingale in an arm lock. Nightingale pounced Adora into a commercial break.

Adora had Nightingale twisted into a pretzel coming back from the break, before dropping her with a neckbreaker. Nightingale made her comeback, but Adora cut her off with a crossbody. Adora got a nearfall with a pair of suplexes, standard and German, for respective nearfalls. Nightingale booted away a clothesline and snatched Adora up in the Babe With The Powerbomb for the win.

After the match, May shoved the belt in Nightingale’s face and went to slap her, but Nightingale blocked the slap and bounced her around ringside. May escaped the powerbomb and bailed up the ramp.

Wheeler Yuta was backstage with Alicia Atout. PAC, Claudio Castagnoli, & Marina Shafir entered the frame, with PAC growling that he wasn’t Yuta’s partner. Castagnoli cleared the room and allowed Yuta to get his anger out. Yuta was upset about being left in the dark and the group turning on Bryan, asking how he could trust Castagnoli again. Castagnoli cooly responded by asking if he had ever steered Yuta wrong. He handed Yuta his Trios Title and said that he would always have Yuta’s best interests in mind.

(The Yuta substory of the Moxley/Danielson story is incredibly interesting, and more of the type of storytelling that I want out of this promotion. Yuta is Danielson’s protégé, but he and Claudio ended up being the tag team of the group, with Claudio getting Yuta his first AEW Title. It’s a logical dilemma, especially with Castagnoli and Moxley playing mind games.)

Mariah May was backstage with Lexy Nair. She was upset at everyone for coming after her and her title. Vice Principal Christopher Daniels entered the frame and booked Britt Baker vs. Willow Nightingale for Title Tuesday, with a title shot on the line against May at WrestleDream. I guess it’s title adjacent.

(This was May’s best promo since she turned on Toni Storm. There was actual emotion behind her words, instead of the cold femme fatale deal that just wasn’t working.)

Wheeler Yuta defeated Beef (w/Anthony Henry)

For the uninitiated, Beef is Workhorsemen Anthony Henry’s second cousin, tagging with Henry during JD Drake’s recovery period. Yuta came out hot, scoring with a Right Angle Slam as Jon Moxley & the Blackpool Combat Club watched from the crowd. Yuta dropkicked Henry off the apron, then laid in the hammer and anvil elbows before locking on the Cattle Mutilation for the quick win.

The Conglomeration (Kyle O’Reilly & Orange Cassidy) (w/ Rocky Romero) defeated The Premier Athletes (Ariya Daivari & Tony Nese) (w/ Mark Sterling & Josh Woods)

While this combination has been pretty repetitive, this was a very fun tag match. When the Conglomeration began teaming up, I wanted O’Reilly and Cassidy to end up being the regular team of the group. This match has only made me want that more, as they work very well together. I can see them as a highly useful team in the tag division.

The Athletes got off to a jump start, but O’Reilly & Cassidy quickly got on the good foot and ran wild. We got a dive train before we went to a commercial. After the break, Cassidy crawled through the legs of Daivari to get the hot tag to O’Reilly. O’Reilly ran wild until he got necked on the ropes by Nese, leading to a quick flurry from the Athletes before a 450 splash scored a nearfall.

Cassidy got the tag back in, taking both Athletes down until Daivari caught him with a lariat. O’Reilly got caught with Greetings From Asbury Park from Nese, but Cassidy countered it with a DDT. Sterling distracted the ref for Woods to pull Cassidy out of the ring.

Romero and Woods got into it before Sterling caught Romero with a low blow. Mark Briscoe came out to clear Woods out, and Cassidy punched Sterling out. Cassidy caught Nese with the Orange Punch, and as O’Reilly choked out Daivari, Cassidy got the win with the Beach Break.

Lance Archer was killing geeks again when Don Callis walked up to him. He asked if Archer was still being managed by Jake Roberts, and after killing another geek, Archer said yes.

(At least Archer in the Callis Family keeps him on TV regularly.)

Mercedes Mone & Kamille were with Lexy Nair. She put herself and Kamille over, calling Kamille “more than a woman.” Kris Statlander walked in, taking umbrage with them using her nickname. She said that “born-again Kristen” had a match tonight and told them to watch.

Hologram defeated Komander, Nick Wayne, Action Andretti

Hologram continues to win in this showcase of the depth of AEW’s roster. This was an incredibly fun four-way match with these great young athletes. Komander in particular was phenomenal in this match, but all four accounted for themselves very well here.

Oh boy. Wayne and Andretti cleared the ring before Andretti caught Wayne with a dropkick and a springboard tornillo press for a nearfall. Hologram sent Andretti to the floor, leading to Hologram and Komander doing good lucha things. Wayne cut off a Hologram dive before Andretti hit a handspring to Komander. Andretti hit a Rolling Thunder off the apron and a 619 to Wayne before a split-legged moonsault to the floor sent us to a commercial break.

Hologram was running wild as we came back, dropping Wayne and Andretti with a dual suplex/DDT combination. After a massive dive to Komander, a 450 splash to Wayne scored a nearfall. Komander hit a springboard headscissors to both Hologram and Wayne before sending Hologram to the floor. Andretti caught Komander with a Spanish Fly for a nearfall. Hologram caught Wayne with a powerslam before Komander caught Hologram with a Canadian Destroyer to reset everything.

Komander hit a sick twisting poisonrana off the ropes, then hit the ropewalk shooting star press. Wayne cut Komander off and hit Wayne’s World on him. Andretti took Wayne out before Hologram cut off a handspring with an enzuigiri. Hologram hit a Blue Thunder Bomb on Andretti for the win.

The Beast Mortos was backstage with Lexy Nair. The Undisputed Kingdom walked in, upset that Mortos seemed to be lined up with La Faccion Ingobernable instead of them. They told him to reconsider, as Mortos growled.

Kris Statlander defeated Zoey Lynn

(Statlander is a babyface now, I guess. Mone vs. Statlander will be a good match, but it’s just a sudden switch. I think someone thought of the “born again Kristen” line and worked backward from there.)

Lynn jumped Statlander to no avail, as Statlander beat her quickly with Saturday Night Fever. Staturday Night Fever? After the match, Mercedes Mone & Kamille came out. Mone said that while she was impressed, Statlander needed to show her respect. She sicced Kamille on Statlander, who booted her down and dropped her with the Road To Damascus.

Darby Allin was in the back, where he challenged Brody King to meet him face-to-face on Dynamite. He noted that while he had beaten King in the past, he had never pinned him. He only beat him in a coffin match, but that wasn’t enough. He noted that he went to Tony Khan to get King a job, but if King wanted what Allin had, he’d have to work a lot harder.

We got a video package on Emi Sakura scoring a win in Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling. It was announced that Sakura would get a title match against Mercedes Mone, for both Mone’s TBS and NJPW STRONG Women’s Championships. Hey, a title match on Title Tuesday!

AEW World Tag Team Title #1 Contendership Three Way Match – Private Party (Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen) defeated Top Flight (Dante Martin & Darius Martin) & House Of Black (Buddy Matthews & Malakai Black)

(The crowd was pretty light for this one. I don’t know if it was because they were tired, or if it’s because they didn’t really buy any of these teams beating the Young Bucks. If Private Party were going to get this title shot, I wouldn’t have spent the last month having Jon Moxley and his crew murder them. It’s about now or never for those guys, so we’ll see if they can recapture the magic against the Bucks next week.)

Dante & Kassidy started off, matching evenly before tagging in their partners for a stand-off. Private Party scored with double dropkicks before scoring with dives, but the House of Black followed them out with forearms. Quen went for a dive but got kneed out of the air. Kassidy followed and took a double powerbomb on the apron.

Dante Martin was running wild as we came back from the break, scoring a nearfall with a frog splash. Quen took Dante down with a Pele Kick before they respectively tagged their partners. Darius and Kassidy evaded each other until Kassidy scored with a stunner over the ropes. Darius came back with a flatliner, but Private Party caught him with Silly String.

Black and Matthews tagged in and ran wild with strikes until Dante took them both down. All aboard the move train! The final stop was a Gin & Juice attempt foiled by Black holding onto his partner’s foot. Matthews hit Kassidy with a Jackhammer before Black followed with a double stomp for a nearfall.

Action Andretti came out and threw another bottle of water at the House of Black, with Dante getting a tag in the process. Kassidy hit a step-up dive to the crowd on the floor, then followed up with Gin & Juice to score the win and the title shot at WrestleDream.

UFC 307 live results: Alex Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree Jr.

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

The UFC returns to Salt Lake City, Utah, for the third straight year, this time bringing two title fights as UFC 307 takes place at the Delta Center.

In the main event, UFC light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira makes his third title defense in six months when he meets challenger Khalil Rountree Jr. in a battle of former kickboxers. Pereira has scored wins over Jamahal Hill and Jiri Prochazka this year. Rountree Jr. has won five straight fights and is coming off a December win over Anthony Smith.

In the co-main event, UFC women’s bantamweight champion Raquel Pennington defends for the first time against former champion Julianna Pena. Pennington defeated Mayra Bueno Silva in January for the vacant title while Pena fights for the first time in over two years. Her last time out, she lost the title to Amanda Nunes in July 2022.

The main card features a bantamweight bout between UFC Hall of Famer Jose Aldo and Mario Bautista; a middleweight bout pitting Roman Dolidze against Kevin Holland; and a title eliminator bout in the women’s bantamweight division between Ketlen Vieira and Kayla Harrison.

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

> Welterweights- Court McGee (21-13, 10-12 UFC) vs. Tim Means (33-16-1 1 NC, 15-13 1 NC UFC)

They come out both throwing and McGee lands a leg kick. They clinch and McGee pushes it to the fence. McGee lands a pair of right hands before they separate. Means lands to the body as they clinch but they quickly break. McGee lands a flurry. They trade inside the pocket and McGee gets a takedown. He looks for the back. McGee looks for the neck but then attacks an arm. McGee looks for a choke but doesn’t quite have it in. McGee is squeezing and Means taps! McGee picks up the finish in his home state.

Official Result- Court McGee def. Tim Means by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:19 of Round 1

> Women’s Strawweights- Carla Esparza (19-7, 10-5 UFC) vs. Tecia Pennington (13-7, 9-7 UFC)

Pennington is pressing forward and throwing to start. She lands a right hand. She lands another as Esparza lands a right hand. Pennington with some more right hands. Both land leg kicks. They trade inside the pocket. Pennington lands a right hand. Esparza is able to score a takedown and they scramble. Pennington lands a pair of upkicks. Esparza gets into side control. Esparza landing as she’s controlling an arm and ankle of Pennington. Esparza with more punches and elbows as the round ends. 10-9 Esparza.

They trade at a distance to start the second as both are being patient. Pennington with a leg kick. Pennington with a pair of leg kicks. Esparza is looking for takedown openings but Pennington is landing as she is telegraphing them. Pennington with an inside leg kick. Pennington lands a quick flurry. Esparza lands a right hand. Pennington with more leg kicks. They trade and Pennington lands a big left hand. Esparza gets a takedown but they scramble up. Esparza has the back and gets it back down but they stand at the fence. Pennington lands a left hand as they break. Close round. 10-9 Pennington, 19-19.

Pennington with an inside leg kick. Esparza lands as Pennington lands a leg kick. Pennington with a pair of leg kicks. Pennington with more leg kicks. Esparza lands a leg kick then Pennington goes higher with a kick. Pennington with a leg kick. She lands more kicks as Esparza isn’t doing much. Esparza then lands a combination. Pennington with more leg kicks. They trade in close range. They trade in a quick exchange. Pennington lands a combo. Esparza lands a right hand. Pennington with a hard leg kick. Esparza gets a late takedown and lands a right hand and Pennington lands an upkick. Esparza with a big elbow late. Close fight. 10-9 Pennington, 29-28 Pennington.

Official Result- Tecia Pennington def. Carla Esparza by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

> Light Heavyweights- Ryan Spann (21-10, 7-5 UFC) vs. Ovince Saint Preux (27-17, 15-12 UFC)

They trade leg kicks. Spann with a body kick. Saint Preux with a leg kick. Spann lands a right hand and Saint Preux with an inside leg kick. Spann lands a left hand. Saint Preux lands a left hand and Spann lands a right hand. Spann rocks Saint Preux with a right hand then grabs the neck and locks in a guillotine choke on the feet. They go to the mat and it is in deep and Saint Preux taps! Spann with the first-round submission win.

Official Result- Ryan Spann def. Ovince Saint Preux by submission (guillotine choke) at 1:35 of Round 1

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> Middleweights- Cesar Almeida (5-1, 1-1 UFC) vs. Ihor Potieria (21-6, 2-4 UFC)

They trade leg kicks. Almeida lands a right hand. Potieria with a body shot then a high kick. They trade kicks. They clinch against the fence but break before anything happens. Almeida lands a big right hand. Potieria shoots for a takedown but Almeida defends. Potieria lands a left hand. Potieria with a body kick. Almeida lands to the body. Almeida with a leg kick then a body kick. Almeida lands a leg kick then a right hand. Potieria is able to get a takedown but they get right back up. They break and Almeida with a leg kick before Potieria lands a combo. 10-9 Almeida.

Almeida with a body kick. They trade quick jabs and kicks. Potieria looks to have been poked in the eye but no timeout is called, but then Almeida punches him in the groin so now we have a timeout. They get back to action and Almeida lands another eye poke on Potieria, and timeout is called this time. They get back to action. Almeida with a body kick and appears to land another eye poke. Almeida with a high kick. Potieria gets a takedown. They get to their feet and Potieria has the back but they break apart. Almeida grabs the neck and drops down for a guillotine choke. He has it locked in from mount position. Potieria is able to get out but Almeida is in the mount position. He lands an elbow. Almeida lands from the top. Almeida with more big shots from the top and Potieria gives up his back. Almeida gets back to the mount and lands some elbows. 10-9 Almeida, 20-18 Almeida.

Potieria pressing forward and lands a body kick and a combination. Potieria gets poked in the eye again but the referee doesn’t call a timeout. Almeida hurts Potieria with a pair of right hands. They clinch against the fence but are quickly separated by the referee. Potieria lands a left hand. Almeida lands a right hand. They trade and clinch and are separated after just a few seconds as both were working. Horrendous referee job in this fight. Potieria lands and they tie up against the fence. Potieria lands a knee. They are separated quickly again. Potieria looks for a single leg and pushes it to the fence but lets go. Almeida lands a right hand. Almeida tries a takedown but ends up on his back. 10-9 Almeida, 30-27 Almeida.

Official Result- Cesar Almeida def. Ihor Potieria by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Lightweights- Austin Hubbard (16-7, 4-5 UFC) vs. Alexander Hernandez (14-8, 6-7 UFC)

Hernandez lands a body kick. Hubbard with a front kick. Hernandez lands as he defends a takedown attempt from Hubbard. They land body kicks at the same time. They both land left hooks and Hernandez was stunned for a moment. Hernandez lands a solid right hand. Hernandez lands a left hand. Hubbard with a solid body kick. Hernandez lands a body kick. They trade and Hernandez wobbles Hubbard with a left hand. Hernandez lands a combination. 10-9 Hernandez.

Both come out swinging but missing. They trade kicks. Hubbard lands a left hand. They trade as Hernandez defends a Hubbard takedown attempt. Hubbard with a short leg kick. Hubbard looks to get it down and has the back but Hernandez escapes. They trade kicks. Hernandez lands a left hand. Hubbard lands a knee up the middle. Hernandez connects with a left hand. Hernandez looks for a takedown and pushes it against the fence. Hubbard lands a left hand on the break. They trade inside the pocket. Hernandez with a big left hand. Close round. 10-9 Hernandez, 20-18 Hernandez.

Hernandez presses forward and lands a pair of right hands. Hernandez lands again and defends a takedown attempt from Hubbard. Hubbard lands a solid combination and a body kick. Hubbard with a stiff jab as Hernandez was coming in. Hernandez lands a leg kick. Hubbard with a left hand. Hubbard with a front kick to the body. Hubbard with another front kick and Hernandez lands a left hand. Hubbard shoots for a takedown but Hernandez defends and has body control against the fence. Hernandez lands an elbow as they break then a right hand. Hubbard with a knee. Hubbard with a leg kick then hurts Hernandez with a combo. Hubbard with a pair of front kicks and has Hernandez hurt. They both land right hands. Hubbard with a spin kick. They trade late. 10-9 Hubbard, 29-28 Hernandez.

Official Result- Alexander Hernandez def. Austin Hubbard by split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)

> Women’s Strawweights- #6 Marina Rodriguez (17-4-2, 7-4-2 UFC) vs. #14 Iasmin Lucindo (16-5, 3-1 UFC)

Lucindo with a leg kick. Rodriguez lands a jab. Lucindo with a spin kick. Rodriguez lands a right hand. Rodriguez with a left hand. Lucindo lands as Rodriguez tries to clinch. Rodriguez with a big right hand. Rodriguez lands in close range as Lucindo misses. Lucindo lands a leg kick. Lucindo with a spin kick to the body. Rodriguez rocks Lucindo with a right hand. Rodriguez with a jumping knee. Lucindo scores a takedown. Rodriguez landing from the bottom. Lucindo gets side control and lands. 10-9 Rodriguez.

Lucindo lands a knee up the middle. Rodriguez lands a combo. Rodriguez lands and pushes it to the fence. They separate. Lucindo lands a jab. Lucindo lands a right hand. Rodriguez lands a combo before a brief clinch, and Rodriguez lands a body kick on the break. Lucindo scores a takedown. Lucindo landing from the top. They are ordered to their feet. They trade as both land. 10-9 Lucindo, 19-19.

Lucindo lands a right hand. They have a clash of heads that cuts Rodriguez open. They clinch as both battle for the takedown. Lucindo is able to get a takedown. Lucindo was landing with her head so Marc Goddard stood it up and gave a warning. They trade and Rodriguez lands a right hand. Rodriguez with a quick flurry and a high kick. They trade in close range. Rodriguez with a step-in elbow then a right hand. Rodriguez with a right hand then a knee. Rodriguez gets a takedown and Lucindo looks for a heel hook. Rodriguez lands from the top. Lucindo is able to spin to the top late and ends it on top. Close fight. 10-9 Rodriguez, 29-28 Rodriguez.

Official Result- Iasmin Lucindo def. Marina Rodriguez by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

> Welterweights- #9 Stephen Thompson (17-7-1, 12-7-1 UFC) vs. #11 Joaquin Buckley (19-6, 9-4 UFC)

Buckley lands and scores a takedown. They get to their feet and clinch before breaking. Thompson lands a right hand. Thompson lands a high kick. Thompson lands a counter right hand and a body kick as Buckley counters with a right hand. Thompson lands a right hand. Buckley shoots for a takedown against the fence. They separate. Thompson lands a right hand. Buckley with a right hand as Thompson lands but Buckley scores a takedown. They get up. They separate. Thompson lands a right hand. Thompson with a head kick. Buckley tries a takedown but Thompson defends. 10-9 Thompson.

Thompson lands a jab. Thompson lands a right hand. Buckley lands a left hand. Thompson lands a right hand as Buckley shoots for a takedown. Thompson defending with some elbows. Buckley briefly gets it down but they stand at the fence. Thompson with a combination on the break. They both land solid right hands. Thompson pressing forward. Thompson with a right hand. Buckley lands a left hand. Buckley rushes forward and looks for a takedown and is able to get it down. They get right back to their feet. Timeout is called for a groin strike. They get back going. Thompson lands a right hand. 10-9 Buckley, 19-19.

Buckley is throwing wild punches and Thompson lands a right hand. Thompson with a pair of kicks. They clinch but break quickly. Thompson with a body kick. Thompson lands a body kick and a right hand. Buckley rushes in and both are throwing and Buckley connects with a right hand that drops Thompson to the mat and it is all over! Buckley with a finish out of nowhere.

Official Result- Joaquin Buckley def. Stephen Thompson by knockout (punch) at 2:17 of Round 3

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

> Women’s Bantamweights- #2 Ketlen Vieira (14-3, 8-3 UFC) vs. #3 Kayla Harrison (17-1, 1-0 UFC)

Vieira with a leg kick. She lands another. Harrison rushes in but misses. Harrison with a high kick and they clinch. Vieira with some body shots. Harrison with a pair of knees. Harrison with more knees as she has control. Harrison lands a knee and they separate. Vieira with a leg kick. Harrison lands a body kick. Harrison lands a left hand and scores a takedown. Harrison in the half-guard. Harrison gets the back and lands a big elbow. Harrison with some punches and lands another elbow. Harrison lands some more. 10-9 Harrison.

Harrison with a leg kick. Harrison with a left hand and trips Vieira up with an inside leg kick. Vieira lands a right hand. Harrison with a left hand. Harrison lands another left hand. Harrison lands and Vieira lands a counter right hand. Harrison lands a leg kick. Vieira with a right hand. They clinch against the fence. Vieira lands a big elbow but Harrison remains in control against the fence and lands. They are separated and both land. 10-9 Harrison, 20-18 Harrison.

Harrison trips Vieira with a leg kick and they clinch but quickly break apart. Harrison lands a left hand. Vieira with a jab. Harrison trips Vieira up again with a kick. Harrison looks for a takedown as she pushes it to the fence, and is then able to complete it. Harrison lands from the top inside the guard of Vieira. Harrison smothering from the top and lands some left hands. Harrison with some big elbows. Harrison gets to the mount and is landing punches and an elbow. Vieira gives up her back. Harrison has head control but lets go and works in the half-guard and lands to end it. 10-9 Harrison, 30-27 Harrison.

Official Result- Kayla Harrison def. Ketlen Vieira by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Middleweights- #10 Roman Dolidze (13-3, 7-3 UFC) vs. #15 WW Kevin Holland (26-11 1 NC, 13-8 1 NC UFC)

Holland with a leg kick. He lands a few more. He lands a couple more and Dolidze lands a right hand. Holland back attacking with leg kicks. Holland lands a right hand. Holland with a jab and a leg kick. Dolidze scores a takedown. Dolidze is controlling from the top and Holland looks for an arm. They scramble and Holland is hurt so Dolidze starts unloading with punches. Holland is blocking a lot of them but Dolidze keeps landing big punches and elbows. Holland survives but is very clearly injured. 10-9 Dolidze.

The fight is stopped after the first round as Holland says his rib is broken and his coach decides to call it off.

Official Result- Roman Dolidze def. Kevin Holland by TKO (injury) at 5:00 of Round 1

> Bantamweights- #10 Jose Aldo (32-8, 14-7 UFC) vs. #11 Mario Bautista (14-2, 8-2 UFC)

Bautista with a quick leg kick. They trade kicks. Aldo with a hard leg kick. They clinch and Bautista lands some knees. They separate and Aldo lands a knee as Bautista lands a leg kick. Bautista with a left hand and a high kick before shooting for a takedown. They separate. Aldo lands a combo. Bautista lands to the body. Bautista with a nice right hand. Aldo lands a right hand. Bautista with a body kick. Aldo with a solid right hand ending a combination. 10-9 Bautista.

Aldo lands some leg kicks. Aldo starts landing the jab and Bautista looks cut open. Aldo with a left hand and Bautista shoots for a takedown but Aldo defends. Bautista pressing forward and lands but Aldo lands a jab then a right hand. Bautista lands a jab. Bautista shoots for a takedown but Aldo defends against the fence. Bautista with a shoulder strike. Aldo is able to cause separation and lands a knee. Bautista with a combo and Aldo lands a right hand. Bautista with a pair of jabs and Aldo returns fire with a stiff jab. Bautista shoots for a takedown against the fence as Aldo defends. They separate and Aldo lands a combo. Aldo lands. Bautista misses a late takedown. 10-9 Aldo, 19-19.

Aldo working the jab. They trade in close range. Aldo lands a combo. Bautista shoots for a takedown but Aldo defends against the fence. Bautista not doing much but pressing Aldo against the fence. They are separated by the referee and Bautista immediately goes back for the takedown but Aldo continues to defend. Aldo breaks free. Aldo lands a combo. Bautista goes right back for the takedown but Aldo defends. Aldo lands as they break and lands late. Close fight. 10-9 Aldo, 29-28 Aldo.

Official Result- Mario Bautista def. Jose Aldo by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

> UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship- C Raquel Pennington (16-8, 13-5 UFC) vs. #1 Julianna Pena (10-5, 7-3 UFC)

Pena lands the jab early. Pennington looking to land but is being out-struck by Pena. Pena still working the jab and lands a right hand. Pennington with a short uppercut. Pennington pushes Pena back to the fence and looks to land. Pennington starting to pick up the volume as the round goes on. Pennington lands a leg kick. Pena lands an overhand right. Pennington with a body kick. 10-9 Pennington.

Pennington working the jab to start the second. Pena lands a right hand. They trade in close range and Pennington lands a left hook. Pena lands a right hand. They clinch and Pennington lands some knees but Pena is able to score a takedown. Pena is in side control but not much action is going on. Pena with some knees to the body. They scramble up and Pena is on the back. Pennington with some rabbit punches as Pena is holding on. 10-9 Pena, 19-19.

Pena lands a hard right hand. Pena lands a jab. Pena working the jab. They trade in the pocket as Pennington lands a left hook. Pennington with a body kick. Pena scores a takedown. Pena is in side control and then takes the back. Pena looking for a rear-naked choke and almost had it locked in. Pennington is able to escape and Pena keeps the back. 10-9 Pena, 29-28 Pena.

Pennington hurts Pena with a head kick. She then lands a calf kick. Pennington lands an uppercut. They trade in close range. Pennington with a calf kick. Pena lands a jab. Pennington lands a jab. Pennington with a left hook. Pennington lands to the body. They trade jabs. Pena lands a right hand. Pennington with a stiff right hand. They trade jabs. Pennington drops Pena with a right hand. Pennington gets on top and is looking for a guillotine choke but they scramble up. They separate. Pena lands a right hand. Pennington lands a jab. Pennington lands late. 10-9 Pennington, 38-38.

They’re trading jabs to start the fifth. They’re both landing in close range. They clinch but quickly break. Pennington lands a right hand. Pennington with a jab and lands a right hand. Pena lands a right hand. Pennington initiates a clinch but they break. Pena lands a jab. Pennington lands a right hand and Pena is backing up. Pennington lands a jab then a left hook and Pena is circling away. Pennington lands a right hand. Pennington with a combination. Pennington pressing forward and lands. Pena lands a right hand then a jab. Pennington with a right hand. Pena with a jab. Pennington with a left hook. 10-9 Pennington, 48-47 Pennington.

Official Result- Julianna Pena def. Raquel Pennington by split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47) to win the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship

> UFC Light Heavyweight Championship- C Alex Pereira (11-2, 8-1 UFC) vs. #8 Khalil Rountree Jr. (13-5 1 NC, 9-5 1 NC UFC)

Pereira with a leg kick. He lands a high kick. Rountree lands a left hand. Pereira with a leg kick. Rountree lands a left hand. Pereira lands a big right hand. Pereira with a leg kick. Pereira with a high kick. Pereira lands a jab then a high kick and a switch calf kick. They trade as Rountree lands a right hand. Pereira lands a high kick. Rountree with a right hand. Rountree connects. 10-9 Pereira.

Pereira with a leg kick. Rountree lands a left hand. Pereira with a high kick. Rountree lands a right hook. They trade and Pereira lands a right hand then a left hook. Pereira lands a jab then a high kick. Rountree with a quick combo but nothing connects. Pereira with a leg kick. Rountree with a right hand. Pereira lands a stiff jab. Rountree connects with a solid right hand but Pereira recovers. Rountree lands a combination. Rountree with a head kick late. 10-9 Rountree, 19-19.

Pereira lands a right hand. Rountree lands a left hand then a body kick. Pereira with a jab and Rountree lands to the body. Rountree with a high kick. Pereira with a head kick followed by a left hand. Pereira lands a right hand and follows it with a jab. He lands another jab then Rountree lands a left hand. Pereira with a calf kick and then another. Rountree lands a left hand. Pereira working the jab. Rountree lands a left hand. Pereira with a body kick. Pereira lands the jab and Rountree is backing up. Pereira lands a right hand then a high kick. 10-9 Pereira, 29-28 Pereira.

Pereira with a leg kick then a body kick and a right hand. Rountree lands. Pereira lands a hard jab. He lands another. He lands one again. Pereira lands a combination and Rountree is backing up. Pereira lands a big right hand. Pereira with a combination then lands a knee and a jab. Rountree’s eye is destroyed and Pereira is landing tons of punches. Pereira with big punches and Rountree is in serious trouble. Rountree connects but then eats big punches from Pereira. Pereira lands a knee and then another and then a flurry but Rountree is firing back. Pereira lands a combination to the body and Rountree goes down and it is all over! What an incredible finish from Pereira.

Official Result- Alex Pereira def. Khalil Rountree Jr. by TKO (punches) at 4:32 of Round 4 to retain the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship

WWE Bad Blood live results: Cody Rhodes & Roman Reigns team up

Posted on by Steve Khan

Date: October 5, 2024
Location: State Farm Arena in Atlanta, GA 

**********

Show Recap — 

PRE-SHOW 

Megan Morant and Sam Roberts hosted the preshow from a studio, not live in Atlanta. 

There was a time-lapse video of the crew putting together the Hell in a Cell cage. CM Punk was shown greeting fans, Drew McIntyre was shown checking out the cage, and the Bloodline arrived. 

Peter Rosenberg, Jackie Redmond and Cathy Kelley were live at State Farm Arena. Rosenberg spoke to some fans while Redmond and Kelley ran down the HIAC match.

Rhea Ripley and Damian Priest (wearing a Killswitch Engage t-shirt) and Judgment Day arrived at the building. 

There was a video about Larry. CM Punk’s dog. 

Tonight’s “hosts” Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill and Naomi arrived. 

There was a pre-taped interview with Liv Morgan and Dominik Mysterio.  

There was also a pre-taped interview with Nia Jax. She spoke sincerely and came across like a babyface. She talked about her time in NXT and said her time away from WWE was the best thing that could have happened to her. She also put over Bayley but looked forward to not having to deal with her for a while after tonight.

There was a video of the top five HIAC moments. Edge, Sasha Banks, and Chris Jericho were all included. 

There was a video package for the Bloodline/Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns. Big E, Redmond and Rosenberg spoke about the match. 

I’m glad it was only an hour but this was still an even more pointless pre-show than usual. 

********** 

(The Sportsnet stream in Canada has been choppy the entire pre-show and it’s continued into the main show.) 

BAD BLOOD 2024 MAIN CARD

Samantha Irvin sang God Bless America. 

Triple H walked through the back. Michael Cole said he has a historic announcement. 

Cody Rhodes arrived at the arena with Metro Boomin in an old Crown Victoria. 

Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill and Naomi welcomed us to Bad Blood. They wore matching red outfits. 

Cole and Corey Graves are tonight’s announcers. 

Bill Goldberg (and his son Gage) and Killer Mike sat ringside. 

********

The opening match started at 6:16 pm ET. 

Hell in a Cell match: CM Punk defeated Drew McIntyre (31:16)  

This was terrific. 

McIntyre sent Punk into the cage and the crowd chanted for tables two minutes into the match. Punk grabbed a table and a chair but McIntyre used the chair on Punk. McIntyre used his boot to smush Punk’s face into the steel steps. 

McIntyre grabbed a wrench out of a tool box but Punk ducked it and stabbed McIntyre’s head with it. (The crowd reacted like it was a fork.) 

McIntyre ripped the legs off the table and tried to use it as a weapon but Punk ducked it again and choked McIntyre with it. He also slammed McIntyre onto the upside-down table—flat onto the metal legs. Punk tried stabbing McIntyre with the legs but McIntyre escaped. 

Punk went after McIntyre outside the ring but McIntyre dropped him with a Claymore Kick. McIntyre lawn-darted Punk into the side of the cage, which didn’t look fun for Punk. 

In fact, Punk came up bleeding quickly. There was a somewhat significant amount of blood on Punk’s face and body and on the mats. McIntyre smashed his face with the steel steps and stomped his head onto the top step. 

McIntyre told Punk he would end his career and his wife would leave him. McIntyre stabbed Punk’s wound with the wrench. 

The crowd rallied behind Punk who fought back but McIntyre cut him off with an overhead suplex. McIntyre set up for Claymore but Punk slipped out of the ring. McIntyre went after Punk but Punk bonked him on the head with the toolbox (which made a great noise). 

Blood streamed from McIntyre’s face. Punk repeatedly hit McIntyre on the head with the toolbox. Punk hit a bulldog and GTS but McIntyre fell out of the ring before he could make a cover. 

Punk got McIntyre back in the ring but McIntyre nailed him with a Claymore Kick for a nearfall. 

McIntyre, whose face is covered in blood, missed a Claymore and Punk put him in a Sharpshooter. McIntyre hit Punk with the wrench until he let go. 

Their sweat had wiped some of it away but both men still had blood on their faces as they exchanged strikes. (McIntyre has tons of blood in his hair.) They collapsed and the crowd chanted “This is awesome.” 

McIntyre gave Punk a vertical suplex off the apron through a table and the crowd popped big. 

McIntyre grabbed the larger section of steel steps and placed it in the ring. He sold his back as he struggled to get them in. Before McIntyre could use the steps, Punk nailed him with GTS for a nearfall. 

McIntyre gave Punk a White Noise onto the steel steps for a two count. Punk caught McIntyre in an Anaconda Vice. McIntyre wanted to use the wrench to escape but Punk grabbed it and hit him with it instead. 

McIntyre, bleeding even more from the top of his head, got on his knees and pleaded with Punk. Punk, as he said in his promo, wanted McIntyre to beg but McIntyre gave him a low blow. 

McIntyre grabbed a bag, presumably with thumbtacks, and emptied the contents onto Punk. It wasn’t thumbtacks, but dozens of beads from a bracelet. 

McIntyre went for Claymore but Punk ducked and McIntyre landed ass-first into the edge of the steel steps. That looked pretty brutal.

Punk wrapped a chain around his knee, shoved beads down McIntyre’s mouth, and hit a GTS for the pinfall win. 

— Punk celebrated but collapsed as he walked up the aisle. Adam Pearce and medics ran out to tend to him. Punk got to his feet but eventually allowed medics to tend to him. They gave him oxygen but he removed it and walked on his own. Punk posed on the stage.

Not only was this really great, but Punk will benefit from a standout performance like this. 

********

(I don’t know if this was only on Sportsnet, but about halfway through the match, there was a long period here where we could hear both the English commentators and commentators in another language simultaneously. They eventually fixed it and it seems like the previous stream issues were resolved as well.) 

********

Jacqueline, Lilian Garcia and Booker T were shown in the crowd. 

Kelley interviewed Belair, Cargill and Naomi in a suite. (Belair, Cargill and Naomi switched from red to blue outfits.) There was a party in the suite with fans and a few active and former wrestlers. Jey Uso, DDP and X-Pac were among them. 

Naomi gave Jey a shout-out and wished Bayley luck in her match. Belair sarcastically wished Bayley luck as well. 

******** 

Nia Jax defeated Bayley to retain the WWE Women’s Championship (14:12) 

Jax dominated for the first few minutes. She set up for her finisher but Bayley got underneath and set up for a powerbomb. Jax countered into a “hurricanrana.” It was a bad idea and didn’t look good, not that I fault Jax for it. 

Bayley hit a sunset flip powerbomb into the corner and a diving elbow drop for two. Jax charged at Bayley outside the ring but she moved and Jax crashed into the steel steps. Bayley hit an elbow drop off the steps. 

Jax softly powerbombed Bayley onto the top of the steel steps and not-so-softly chucked her into the barricade. Jax followed with a Samoan drop for two. Bayley followed with her own Samoan drop for two. 

Referee Jessika Carr wound up prone between them and Jax fell on top of her. 

With everyone down, Tiffany Stratton ran down with her briefcase. Stratton woke up the referee as Jax sat up like the Undertaker. Jax confronted Stratton who tried reasoning with her. Bayley used the distraction to apply a rollup for a nearfall. 

Bayley went to the top but Stratton chucked the briefcase at her. Bayley threw it back but the distraction allowed Jax to give her a middle rope Samoan drop. Jax followed with Annihilator for the pinfall win. 

(They worked hard and tried to go at a faster pace but that resulted in some odd spots. It certainly wasn’t boring.) 

********

There was a video with Bianca Belair and Cardi B plugging next year’s two-night SummerSlam. 

There was an Xavier Woods video plugging a new Dragon Ball video game. 

X-Pac, Tully Blanchard and Arn Anderson were shown in the crowd. 

Quavo, Lil Baby, and Metro Boomin were also in the crowd. 

******** 

Cole reminded us that Triple H has an announcement coming. 

Damian Priest defeated Tag Team Champion Finn Bálor (12:50) 

Bálor entered wearing a mask and had his “F” logo painted under his left eye. 

There was a good spot early on where Priest caught Bálor with a right hand as he came off the top. Bálor sold it great and Priest sold it like he hurt his hand, and the announcers sold it big too. 

Bálor took control anyway but Priest fought back with strikes and a falcon arrow for two. Priest avoided a slingblade and hit a clothesline for two. Priest used kicks but Bálor responded with a Pelé Kick. Priest followed with a Razor’s Edge for two. 

Bálor escaped the ring so Priest shoved him over the announce table. Priest gave Bálor a Razor’s Edge onto the ring apron. (This didn’t get a big reaction because the fans probably wanted the table.) 

Carlito ran out to distract the ref while JD McDonagh attacked Priest. Bálor hit a dropkick and Coup de Grace for a nearfall. The crowd chanted “Yeet.” 

Bálor tried to use a chair but Priest kicked it into his face. Priest also wiped out Carlito and McDonagh. Bálor hit Priest with a headlock elbow drop. Bálor hit a Coup de Grace twice on a hunched-over Priest. 

Bálor tried one more Coup de Grace but Priest avoided it and hit a chokeslam for the pinfall win. 

This was good enough but could’ve been a TV match. 

********

Triple H was shown working in Gorilla position. (It’s weird to me that they show the booker working on the fake wrestling show.) 

They plugged Raw and thanked Metro Boomin for tonight’s theme song. 

Triple H announcement 

Paul “Triple H” Levesque entered. Hunter said it’s hard to believe it was 30 years ago that he was living up the road while “terrorizing” WCW. He announced a sellout crowd of 16,092. He also called this the largest arena gate in history. 

Hunter plugged Crown Jewel, which actually got some boos. (It’s rare any announcement they make gets booed these days.) 

Hunter said the event would feature the WWE Champion facing the World Champion — both for the women and the men. The titles would not be on the line but there would be a definitive winner. 

The winner would be crowned as Crown Jewel champion with a new belt (that will likely be temporary). He unveiled a very large title belt which has “50 carats of diamonds.” (He only unveiled one belt even though there should be one for men and one for women.) 

Gunther interrupted. He said Bad Blood should have its world champion. (Yes, his match against Zayn should have been on this show instead of Raw.) 

Gunther wanted to talk about the legends in the crowd. The crowd chanted for Goldberg and, in fact, that’s who Gunther wanted to talk about. 

Gunther mentioned his comment to Bret Hart that Goldberg was his childhood hero. That was a lie. The best wrestler on earth couldn’t be impressed by a one-trick pony like Goldberg. Gunther told Gage that Goldberg must be a better father than wrestler. 

That pissed off Goldberg who jumped the barricade. A dozen security guards and Pearce stopped him from getting in the ring. 

Sami Zayn ran out to attack Gunther but officials and security got between them. Gunther bailed and the crowd chanted for Zayn. 

Hunter raised Goldberg’s hand and he posed for the crowd. 

******** 

DDP, Mickie James and Scott Steiner were in the crowd. 

There was a stupid segment back in the suite. Metro Boomin was with Belair, Cargill and Naomi. Kelley was about to interview him but they were all grossed out by the smell of Chelsea Green. She didn’t understand why they were grossed out. Belair told her she stinks. Green was about to leave with Piper Niven but Niven said she was staying. 

******** 

Morgan and Dom entered in their lowrider. 

Women’s World Championship: Rhea Ripley defeated Liv Morgan via disqualification — Liv Morgan retains [Dominik Mysterio suspended in a shark cage] (14:33) 

The shark cage was suspended over the aisle, not the ring. Ripley was amused because not only was Dom claustrophobic, but he was afraid of heights too. 

Ripley was in control until Morgan targeted her leg. Morgan legitimately missed a chop-block and Ripley made sure not to sell it. Morgan tackled her by the leg and stomped it in response. Ripley fought back and hit a Northern Lights suplex for two. 

Morgan went back after Ripley’s leg and slammed it against the post. Morgan shoved Ripley into the barricade and hit her with a sunset flip powerbomb into the barricade. Morgan followed with a Codebreaker off the ropes for two. 

Morgan went for Oblivion but Ripley countered by rolling through. Ripley tried a Rip-tide but her leg gave out and Morgan hit a crucifix bomb for two. 

Morgan did Eddie Guerrero’s shuffle and tried three amigos but Ripley blocked the third suplex and hit a Razor’s Edge. 

Former prison inmate Dom picked the cage door lock and opened the door. Ripley went to the top and noticed the door was open. She brushed it off knowing he had nowhere to go (because the cage was elevated). She Yeeted and hit a frog splash for two. 

They fought outside near Dom and Ripley gave Morgan a Rip-tide. 

Dom was concerned and it seemed like he would jump for it but he somehow got caught upside down because his leg was wrapped in a chain. (It was a good-looking spot because it seemed like Dom was doomed.) 

Dom was hanging upside down and helpless so Ripley killed him with a kendo stick. 

Raquel Rodriguez attacked Ripley from behind for the DQ. Rodriguez planted Ripley with a Tejana bomb. She actually placed Morgan over Ripley for a cover but the match was already called off. 

(This all fell flat. The match itself was good but it felt like the crowd was waiting for something to happen with Dom at the finish. They only lightly booed when it was Rodriguez who interfered.) 

******** 

The University of Arkansas marching band played Cody Rhodes to the ring. Cole called this the biggest match of Rhodes’ life, which is a lie. 

The Georgia Philharmonic played Roman Reigns to the ring.

Roman Reigns & Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes defeated Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu (25:50) 

Roman Reigns is back and they had themselves a Roman Reigns match. 

Rhodes started against Fatu. Rhodes quickly hit some big offence but Fatu no-sold it and Sikoa entered (without a tag). Reigns entered to even the odds and the crowd chanted, “OTC.” The crowd chanted, “F-ck you, Solo.” 

Sikoa tagged in. Reigns tagged in. The crowd cheered. Sikoa had the edge but Fatu entered as soon as Reigns got some offence. Fatu hadn’t tagged in but the distraction allowed Sikoa to deck Reigns from behind. 

Sikoa hit Reigns with a running hip attack. Fatu tagged in and hit a much more intense-looking hip attack. Fatu missed a Stinger splash and went face-first into the ring post. 

Reigns made a hot tag to Rhodes who hit Fatu with a powerslam, jabs, bionic elbow and Cody cutter. A Sikoa distraction allowed Fatu to hit a pop-up Samoan drop. The match slowed to a crawl as the Bloodline worked over Rhodes. 

Rhodes fought them off and tried a hot tag but Fatu yanked Reigns off the apron. (This was shot well because for a moment it seemed like Reigns dropped down on purpose.) 

Fatu went for a senton bomb but Rhodes got his knees up and finally made the hot tag to Reigns who hit Sikoa with clotheslines and a big boot. 

Sikoa blocked a Superman punch and went for the Samoan spike but Reigns countered into a crucifix pin for two. Reigns hit a Superman punch for two. 

Reigns set up for a spear but Fatu superkicked him. Fatu and Sikoa superkicked Reigns. Fatu hit Reigns with a moonsault and Sikoa followed with an Uso splash but Rhodes broke up the cover. 

Rhodes cleared the announce table and sidestepped Fatu who crashed through the barricade. Fatu got up quickly and started chucking chairs at Rhodes. Rhodes hit him with a Cross Rhodes but he wouldn’t stay down. 

Rhodes hit consecutive superkicks, knocking Fatu on the announce table. Rhodes went to the top and splashed him through the table. The crowd chanted “This is awesome.” 

Reigns and Sikoa exchanged right hands in the ring until Reigns hit a Superman punch. 

Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa appeared and the distraction allowed Sikoa to hit a spear for a nearfall. The crowd chanted “Yeet.” 

Another man in a hoodie showed up at ringside. He superkicked Tonga and Loa. It was Jimmy Uso. The crowd erupted. 

Reigns speared Sikoa for the pinfall win. 

— Roman Reigns and Jimmy Uso hugged after the match. 

Rhodes got to his feet with his belt and had a staredown with Reigns until Reigns left with Jimmy. 

The Bloodline attacked Rhodes as Reigns and Jimmy were leaving. Jimmy encouraged Reigns to help Rhodes, so they did. Jimmy superkicked Loa and Sikoa. Reigns gave Sikoa a Superman punch. The Bloodline bailed. 

Reigns picked up the WWE title belt and looked at it longingly before handing it to Rhodes. 

The Rock entered. 

Rock had his own title belt. He remained on the stage as Reigns, Rhodes and Jimmy watched from the ring. Rock raised his eyebrow and raised his finger in the air. 

Rock did a throat-slit gesture before leaving to the back.

AEW Rampage live results: The Elite vs. Private Party & Katsuyori Shibata

Posted on by Joseph Collins

A six-man tag team bout featuring the TNT Champion and the Tag Team Champions headlines this week’s AEW Rampage.

TNT Champion Jack Perry and AEW Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks of The Elite face off against Private Party and Katsuyori Shibata. Shibata will challenge Perry for the TNT title at WrestleDream next week, while Private Party look to be next in line for a shot at the Tag titles.

The feud between The Learning Tree stable and The Conglomeration continues tonight with Learning Tree’s Big Bill and Bryan Keith versus Orange Cassidy and Kyle O’Reilly of The Conglomeration. Chris Jericho will be on commentary for the bout.

Kamille will be in action against an enhancement talent on the show. TBS Champion Mercedes Mone will be in Kamille’s corner.

Queen Aminata versus Harley Cameron in another women’s division bout rounds out Friday’s card.

Tonight’s episode was taped Wednesday night in Pittsburgh. Spoilers are available here.

**********

Taped from Pittsburgh, PA.

Excalibur, Tony Schiavone & Matt Menard were on commentary.

Katsuyori Shibata & Private Party defeated The Young Bucks & Jack Perry (15:00) 

Shibata and Perry started things out. Nothing like loading up a show with star power after it’s been canceled. Shibata got Perry down on the mat and went for a juji gatame, but Perry quickly got to the ropes. Nick Jackson blindsided Shibata and both he and Perry took advantage. Marq Quen got a tag and took Nick down with a step-up rana, then both members of Private Party double-teamed both of the Young Bucks. Shibata ran in and booted Perry to the floor, and Private Party hit stereo planchas on the Bucks on the floor. Soon all six guys were fighting on the floor. Perry whipped Shibata into the ring barricade. 

Back in the ring, Nick hit one member of Private Party with a senton while Perry dropped the other with a hanging DDT on the floor. 

After the split-screen break, Zay took both the Bucks down with a hiptoss, backdropped Perry to the floor, and avoided a dive from Matt Jackson. He dove for the tag to Shibata, but Perry pulled Shibata to the floor. The Bucks hit Zay with an assisted Sliced Bread and a sliding knee for a near fall. Perry set Zay up for a powerbomb in the corner, but Zay countered with a rana (that sent Perry into a double kick from The Bucks). Zay finally got the tag to Quen, who caught Matt with a powerslam and took both Bucks down with a rana. The Bucks dropped to the floor, and Quen followed them out with a springboard dive. Back in the ring, Quen hit a springboard crossbody on Matt for a near fall. 

Quen went to the top, but Perry crotched him. Matt sent Quen crashing down with a top rope Falcon Arrow for a near fall. Shibata got the tag to square off with Perry. Perry hit Shibata with a dropkcik but Shibata came back with forearms. Private Party and Shibata triple teamed Perry, and Shibata got a near fall after a boot. Shibata hit the PK kick for a near fall, but Matthew Jackson broke the pin attempt up. 

Shibata worked over Perry in the corner with forearms. The Bucks caught Shibata and Zay with a pair of superkicks, and Perry joined them to give Quen a tripe superkick. The Bucks got a near fall on Quen with a slingshot sitdown powerbomb. Perry set Quen up for something, but Zay used his partner as a springboard for a Canadian Destroyer. Private Party hit the Gin and Juice on Perry for a near fall. 

Matt blocked the Silly String with a Northern Lights suplex. The Bucks wiped out Zay with the EVP Trigger. They set up Quen for the Meltzer Driver, but Zay tripped up Nick and Quen rolled up Zay to get the pinfall! I didn’t see that one coming. Fun party match.

Top Flight v. House of Black v. Private Party for the title shot at WrestleDream will happen on Collision tomorrow night. 

– Renee Paquette interviewed Kris Statlander, who called herself a “born again Kristin.” She started to put herself over, but was interrupted by Kamille, who shoulder-checked her on the way to her match.  

Kamille (w/ Mercedes Mone) defeated Zoey Lynn (0:16)

Kamille hit a spear as soon as the bell rang, then hit an inverted neckbreaker/Cross Rhodes to get the win. 

– Deonna Purrazzo and Taya Valkyrie cut a weird promo about their partnership.

Queen Aminata defeated Harley Cameron (6:57)

Aminata worked the arm early on, but Cameron countered with a pop up enziguri. Aminata hit a sliding knee, then a sliding kick in the corner. 

After a long commercial break, Cameron hit a sliding knee on Aminata for a near fall. Cameron sent Aminata to the floor with an axe kick. Back in the ring, Aminata hit a snap suplex and a lariat for a near fall. Cameron avoided a second sliding kick in the corner. Cameron countered an air raid crash with a cradle, but Aminata came back with a tilt-a-whirl neckbreaker, then hit the Queen’s Crown (a headbutt) for the pinfall. 

After the match, Serena Deeb jumped Aminata from behind, but Britt Baker (in a “Brittsburgh” football jersey) ran in with a chair to save Aminata. 

– Rene Paquette interviewed the Acclaimed, who threw out threats to the MXM Collection.

Orange Cassidy & Kyle O’Reilly defeated Big Bill & Bryan Keith (w/ Chris Jericho) (12:24)

Jericho joined the commentary team. 

Lots of stalling and psychology back and forth between Bill and Cassidy. O’Reilly got in on the act, and they both avoided contact, frustrating Bill. “Too Much Man” is on Bill’s tights, and I hope that is sticking as a secondary nickname for Bill. 

Keith tagged in to square off with O’Reilly. The match started to break down, with O’Reilly chasing Keith around the ring. Bill and Keith were stacked up against the ring barricade, and both O’Reilly and Cassidy mauled them with kicks going into the break. 

After the break, O’Reilly went for an ankle lock, but Keith escaped and got a german suplex on O’Reilly. Bill got the tag and squashed both Cassidy and O’Reilly with avalanches. Bill hit  a spinning Boss Man Slam on Cassidy. Keith hit a knee strike on Cassidy for a near fall. Keith went for the Diamond Dust in the corner, but Cassidy escaped. Cassidy went for a spinning DDT on Bill, but needed help from O’Reilly to finish the move. Cassidy hit a spinning DDT on Keith to get a near fall. 

Keith hit Cassidy with an avalanche exploder, then exchanged forearms with O’Reilly. O’Reilly got the ankle lock again, and this brought Jericho to ringside to distract referee Aubrey Edwards. Rocky Romero ran in and sent Jericho into the steps, and Big Bill cut down Romero with a big boot. Cassidy hit Bill with a tope suicida. Back in the ring O’Reilly and Cassidy hit Keith with a high/lo combination leg sweep and Orange punch, and O’Reilly got the pinfall.



WWE SmackDown live results: Tag title ladder match, AJ Styles returns, more

Posted on by Colin McGuire

On the eve of Bad Blood, WWE SmackDown takes place from Nashville tonight.

The WWE Tag Team titles will be on the line in a triple threat ladder match. Champions The Bloodline (Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa) are defending their belts against The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) and DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommasso Ciampa).

The Bloodline have held the titles since August 2, when they defeated DIY for the championship.

Another stipulation is set for tonight with Michin and Chelsea Green facing off in the first-ever women’s dumpster match.

Naomi vs. Tiffany Stratton has also been announced, and AJ Styles will make his return to WWE programming.

Plus, in advance of Cody Rhodes & Roman Reigns teaming together against Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu in the main event of Bad Blood, SmackDown will feature a “special look” at how the match came to be.

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

**********
– Michael Cole welcomed everyone into the show as shots of Nashville aired. Scenes of The Bloodline, #DIY and The Street Profits entering the building from earlier in the day also aired.

– Country singer Hardy was then introduced and he was already in the ring. Hardy then introduced “The Phenomenal Forearm” (his words, not mine) AJ Styles.

The AJ Styles/Carmelo Hayes/LA Knight segment

I get a kick out of turns like this. “Hey, everybody. The last time you saw me, I was feuded with the beloved World Champion and I even lied about retiring just to get a match with him. But, shoot. I went away for a couple months and I’m sorry, so bring out the bad guys!” I tend to like AJ Styles, so I didn’t mind this all that much, but that doesn’t mean it’s not all so silly. Anyway, it’s good to have Styles back and I’m curious if he’ll be worked into the U.S. title picture after this. You have to think he doesn’t have a lot more towns left in him.

Styles received somewhat of a babyface response from the live crowd. Styles was also wearing his ring gear. Styles soaked in cheers after his music cut off. The crowd thanked him with “AJ!” chants. “Welcome back” and “AJ Styles!” chants followed that initial chant. Styles said he had “missed you guys so much” and talked about how it was fitting that they were in Nashville because that’s where it all started for him. Styles said he’s done a lot of things he regrets over the last few months, but he was there to rebuild the legacy of AJ Styles. Styles said it is still “The House That AJ Styles Built.” On cue, Carmelo Hayes’s music hit and Hayes walked out.

Hayes said he wasn’t surprised that there weren’t a lot of guys in line to welcome him back. Hayes stepped into the ring and introduced himself to Styles and said he’s been holding it down on SmackDown while Styles has been gone. Hayes called Styles an old-timer and said Styles was probably out there to announce a legends contract. Melo said a guy like Melo, who deserves to be the U.S. Champion … and then Styles interrupted Melo to say that LA Knight is relentless, “yeah!” Styles recalled how Knight went to Styles’s house and how Styles and Knight had a match at WrestleMania.

Melo chimed back in and said he didn’t need advice from Styles because Hayes doesn’t take advice from quitters. Styles said if Melo was actually “him,” he would be the U.S. Champion. Melo said if Styles actually phenomenal, Styles would be world champion. Styles challenged Hayes to a match on the spot. Hayes said, “Nah, I’m good,” and tried to walk away, but LA Knight’s music hit and Knight walked out to a good pop. The crowd broke into “LA Knight!” chants. Knight said, “Let me talk to ya!” Knight mocked Hayes and noted how Styles had misled the entire world when he said he was going to retire a few months ago. Knight said Hayes will get stomped out and there are two options – one is that Knight could punch Hayes and walk down to Broadway to have a good night. The second choice is that if Melo can beat Styles, Melo could have a shot at the U.S. title. Without Melo saying anything, the match was made and the segment ended.

**********
Carmelo Hayes defeated AJ Styles via ref stoppage [8:34]

Welp. I was wondering how they’d get out of Styles losing in his return, considering the pop-up stipulation that Knight added, and I guess this was the best way? Maybe? Probably? I don’t know. The match was fine while it lasted, but the truth is that I’d like to see these two get five more minutes and no commercials. We got what we got. I’ll reiterate perhaps the biggest question coming out of the first half-hour of this show: Where does Styles go from here? I’m genuinely curious.

Knight sat at ringside for the match. Hayes took Styles down early and then Styles returned the favor. Hayes kept control early, led by some chops. Styles fought back with chops of his own and a nice-looking standing dropkick. Hayes rolled to the outside and hopped back on the apron before hopping back off the apron. Hayes stalled, which incited boos from the crowd. Hayes finally stepped back into the ring and had the edge, complete with a springboard clothesline and two-count. Hayes threw Styles to the outside and joined Styles outside the ring, where Melo threw Styles into the commentary table. The show then went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Melo was working a half-crab inside the ring. Styles made it to the ropes for a break. Styles then fired up and landed a fury of strikes, taking Hayes down. Styles then hit a pop-up neck-breaker, but after Melo came down on Styles’s leg, the ref called the match off due to an injury that Styles suffered to his leg earlier in the match. As Melo was announced the winner of the match, Knight stepped into the ring and hit a BFT on Hayes.

**********

– A dumpster was rolled to ringside for the next match.

Michin defeated Chelsea Green in a Dumpster Match [10:25]

This was a blast. Plus, it’s a great example of a very good mid-card program that built over a series of weeks in a low-key way and then ultimately had a payoff that worked in all of the ways. A good WWE-style brawl that incorporated comedy – and in this instance, actually warranted comedy – while offering up a way to get both wrestlers involved to the next level. It worked. Kudos to Michin, who continues to build her bad-ass-ery, and kudos to Green, who has no shame (in the best way) and has no problem being a ham in the name of entertainment. This was as perfect as it could be.

Both women had kendo sticks to start the match and that led to Michin hitting a suicide dive on Green on the outside. Michin then grabbed a chair and a trashcan from under the ring. Michin also found a table. Green ran at Michin, which meant Green ran into a baking sheet shot from Michin. Michin went to the top and landed a dropkick from the top rope. The two went outside and Green slammed Michin into the dumpster. The show then went to a break.

The show returned and Green and Michin were battling on the apron. Michin got inside the ring and landed a Tornado DDT and a German Suplex. Michin went for Eat Defeat, but Green countered and hit a Canadian Destroyer. Green then threw Michin into the dumpster, but Michin stopped Green from closing the lid. Michin then beat Green with a bunch of garbage bags. Back in the ring, Michin finally hit Eat Defeat and put Green into a trashcan and hit a splash onto Green with Green in the can. Michin then grabbed another table and draped it across the dumpster.

Out of nowhere, Piper Niven showed up and attacked Michin. Niven then ran at Michin, but Michin moved and Niven hit the dumpster. With the two on the apron, Green tried to suplex Michin, but Michin blocked it and power-bombed Green through the table into the dumpster. Michin then closed the lid on the dumpster and won the match. Green popped out of the dumpster out of the match and had garbage all over her.

**********

– AJ Styles was shown in the trainer’s room in the back. Corey Graves said Styles was transported to a hospital.

– Naomi was shown in the back and Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill walked up to her. Naomi menitoned how Belair and Cargill won their tag titles. As it goes, Naomi will now also be a host, along with Belair and Cargill, at Bad Blood. Bayley walked into the scene and reassured Naomi that they are friends, which means Naomi will be the No. 1 contender should Bayley win the women’s title at Bad Blood.

The Bayley/Nia Jax segment

Bayley showed good fire here. Or, well, at least more than she has in recent weeks. The Stratton/Jax stuff continues to be fun in a weird novel WWE way. And I only say that because I was dreading the will she/won’t she dynamic that the Jax/Stratton story was obviously going to have from the jump. Instead, the creative minds have done a great job keeping things fresh between those two. As a result, this should be a fun segment when it comes to the PLE. Everyone involved has stepped up enormously in the walk up to all this.

Bayley said she wasn’t going to waste anyone’s time and she called out Nia Jax right away. Jax’s music hit and Jax walked out with Tiffany Stratton. Jax said if Bayley had something to say, she should say it to Jax’s face. Bayley said Jax never understood the importance of the women’s championship. Bayley referenced a lot of WWE women’s legends and said they made the title seem larger than life. Bayley said Jax doesn’t do that for the title. Bayley said even so, none of them have had the dominant championship run that Jax is on right now.

Bayley noted that she plans to take the title off Jax’s shoulders. The only other person who wants to take Jax’s title is Tiffany Stratton. Bayley said Stratton will cash her briefcase in on Jax … and then Stratton chimed in because Bayley said Stratton isn’t good enough. Stratton said she didn’t need the briefcase to beat Jax. Jax said, “Excuse me.” Stratton was flustered and called Bayley “Pam,” which was kind of fun, and told Bayley to bow down to Jax. Bayley said at least she could respect Jax’s dominance, but meanwhile, Stratton is a “stupid bi%!” From there, Stratton tried to hit Bayley with the briefcase, but Bayley moved and Bayley took out both Jax and Stratton. The segment ended with Bayley holding the title and draping it over Jax.

But it didn’t. Because Stratton creeped her way over to Jax sith the briefcase in hand and a referee appeared. The crowd chanted “Cash it in!” But Jax left the ring and Naomi’s music hit for the next match.

**********

– Niven and Green were walking backstage and they ran into Pretty Deadly, who sold how bad Green smelled. Ditto for Grayson Waller and Austin Theory. Again for Berto and Angel. And finally, Nick Aldis, who apologized and used a bunch of puns. Melo walked up to Aldis and said he wanted his U.S. title match. Aldis said they’d talk next week about it because Aldis has to see how Styles is doing.

Naomi defeated Tiffany Stratton [10:01]

This result only makes me believe more and more that Stratton gets a successful cash-in this weekend. Look at all the opponents they have set up for her at this point. Naomi, for her part, pretty much has a promised title match against Stratton or Bayley, no matter how this weekend shakes out. As for this match, it was pretty good. Two professionals working a professional wrestling match. Nice stuff.

Naomi had control early, complete with a running clothesline and a running head-lock. Stratton fought back and went for a clothesline, but Naomi ducked it and kicked Stratton before hitting a knee to the face. Naomi face-planted Stratton for a two-count and then set up for a draping DDT, but Stratton got out of it. Still, Naomi hit a suplex for a two-count. Stratton found herself on the apron and that resulted in a springboard double-knees onto Naomi for a two-count. The action spilled to the outside, where Naomi hit a split leg-drop onto Stratton on the apron. The show then went to a commercial break.

Back from the break, Naomi was on the defensive until she took back control and the two then traded blows. Naomi ended that exchange with a series of kicks and a spinning bulldog. Naomi landed a sliding slap and got a two-count out of it. Stratton came back with a counter face-plant into a shotgun dropkick. Naomi was on the top rope and hit a cross-body, but Stratton rolled through and picked Naomi up, but Naomi worked out of it and went for a split-legged moonsault, but Stratton moved and tried the Prettiest Moonsault Ever, but missed that. The two traded roll-up attempts, but Naomi was the one to get the best of it for the win.

**********

– The Bloodline were walking backstage and Jacob Fatu yelled into the camera, calling out everyone, including Roman Reigns. Fatu went on and on about worshipping his Tribal Chief. It concluded with Fatu saying Solo Sikoa is the true Tribal Chief. The faction then made their entrance.

– Stratton was walking backstage and Jax showed up. Jax brought up Stratton teasing cashing in her briefcase and suggested Stratton cashes in on Liv Morgan at Bad Blood. The other option for Stratton, Jax said, was that Stratton promises she will never cash in on Jax. Stratton said she would never do that to Jax.

– The commentary team ran down the Bad Blood card for Saturday.

The Bloodline (Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa) defeated #DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommasso Ciampa) and The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) to retain the WWE Tag Team Titles. [19:56]

The best part of this was the idea that Tonga and Loa could have actually lost because it was an easy way to get the belts off them without actually taking a loss … and then they didn’t lose. I like it. In the meantime, everyone looked great, especially the two babyface teams, who both feel like they are on the verge of breaking through to the next level in their own ways – mostly as a result of this match. The point here is that everyone won, really. Coming away from it, it was a net positive for all the wrestlers involved. Really good stuff and most definitely main event worthy for a WWE TV show (and no, I don’t say those last five words patronizingly).

The match started with everyone brawling, the four babyfaces attacking the two heels. The two babyface teams were alone in the ring, but all that meant was the four kept working over the two. The show went to a commercial break. The show returned and the teams were battling on ladders. Things were broken up and Tonga and Loa hit everyone with a ladder. Dawkins was suplexed onto a lader and the Bloodline duo stood tall for a moment as the crowd booed. Loa and Tonga worked over Ciampa on the outside of the ring until Dawkins took out Loa and Tonga … until Gargano took everyone out with a suicide dive … until Ford took out everyone with a dive. “This is awesome!” chants began.

B-Fab told Ford to get a table from under the ring. Ford obliged to the delight of the live crowd. The show then went to a commercial break. Back from the break, Tonga was a victim of a Shatter Machine from #DIY. Loa found himself with his head in the middle of a ladder and a #DIY hit him with a Meet In The Middle. Gargano set up a ladder and climbed a bit, but Dawkins cut him off. Gargano came back with a spear and Ciampa hit a knee on Dawkins. Ciampa tried to climb the ladder, but Dawkins cut Ciampa off. Ford then hit a Blockbuster over a ladder on Ciampa, who was held by Dawkins, and things reset.

“This is awesome!” chants broke out. Dawkins climbed a ladder, but Tonga pushed the ladder over. The Bloodline pushed a ladder into Dawkins’s head. B-Fab grabbed a chair from Tonga’s hands and as a result, Gargano and Ciampa hit The Bloodline with chairs. Gargano and Ciampa worked over The Bloodline with the chairs and put Loa on a table. Ford went to the top rope and hit a Frog Splash on Loa through said table. Gargano and Ciampa cleared the commentary table and with Dawkins hit a triple power-bomb on Tonga.

#DIY took out Dawkins after that and pushed another ladder into the ring. Ciampa climbed the ladder, but Ford jumped onto it. The four babyfaces fought on the ladder. Loa appeared and pushed the babyfaces onto other ladders. The crowd booed loudly. Tonga held the ladder and Loa climbed to the top to get the belts and win the match.

Ring of Honor TV live results: Mark Briscoe vs. Matt Taven World title match

Posted on by Jeff Moss

Ring of Honor World Champion Mark Briscoe will defend the title once again as he faces former World Champion Matt Taven on tonight’s HonorClub show.

Briscoe will be looking for the fifth defense of the gold he first won at April’s Supercard of Honor while Taven will be gunning for his second run with the top prize and his first since his 174-day run in 2019.

In an unusual ROH Six-Man Tag Team title Proving Ground match, Dustin Rhodes & The Von Erichs will face the Premier Athletes (Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari) and manager Mark Sterling. If the challengers beat or draw the champions, they earn a future title shot.

One of the most popular tag teams in the Khan companies — The Outrunners — will look to pick up a big win as they face The Infantry.

Anthony Henry & Beef will be in tag team action as will be former AEW Women’s World Champion Nyla Rose.

**********

After a brief delay, I mean, “Special Start Time,” Ring of Honor on Honorclub episode 84 slammed onto the air like so many Hogans dropping Andres! The show kicked off with as many people as they could fit into the ring!

ROH World Six Man Tag Team Title Proving Ground Match: Dustin Rhodes & The Von Erichs (Marshall von Erich & Ross von Erich) [c] defeated The Premier Athletes (Ariya Daivari, Mark Sterling & Tony Nese)

ROH made a mistake leaving the Ref’s name out of the “title” of this match. It would definitely put it over the top to win all the “Longest Match Title Including All Participants” awards. Any way, lots of wrestlers notwithstanding, this was a Proving Ground match which meant that the Premier Athletes simply had to pin the champs or last to the 10 minute time limit. If they were successful, they’d get a shot at those six-man belts.

So, for some reason, Mark Sterling was the third member of the Premier Athletes team. Before the match, he claimed that he’d been assured that no one would touch him. So already, it was 3 on 2. Marshall and Daivari started things off with a healthy dose of jawing and technical moves. Sterling entered the match and actually body slammed Ross, but bolted pretty quickly afterwards.

The match was pretty straightforward. The von Erichs did a lot of the heavy lifting and Rhodes played his greatest hits. Sterling for his part injected some dastardly humor to the match, even fninding himself facing off with Rhodes at one point. But no one really explained why he was there instead of Josh Woods. Regardless, everyone in the match worked well.

Sterling tried to pay off Rhodes to avoid a beating with about three minutes left in the match. The Von Erichs weren’t having it though and neutralized Nese and Daivari with dual Claws while Rhodes delivered Shattered Dreams to Sterling. Rhodes got the pin off of that to win the match.

-A graphic showed us that Mark Briscoe will face Chris Jericho for the ROH World Title and it was announced that Brian Cage would face Atlantis Jr for the ROH TV Title at AEW WrestleDream!

Nyla Rose defeated Katie Arquette

Rose’s last televised ROH match was way back in May of this year, but she’s been keeping herself busy on Dynamite and Collision. When she left, there was some unfinished business with ROH Women’s Champion Athena, so there’s a definite possibility that Rose is going to be looking to get involved in that title scene, which hopefully will pit her against Abadon at some point. 

Arquette did her best to survive in this match, but Rose tossed her around like a rag doll. Rose hit her with a big cannonball, followed by a senton and a Beast Bomb. That was it. Rose got the win.

-Backstage Lexy Nair interviewed ROH Women’s World Champion Athena. The Minions are planning a celebration to honor Athena’s status as the longest reigning champion in ROH history. Starkz was cranky though and Athena called her out. Starkz snapped and yelled at Athena, saying she left her high and dry last week. Athena uninvited Starkz to the celebration and she sulked off. Suddenly, Abadon appeared behind Athena. She reached out, but the champ didn’t notice her. I think it was supposed to be creepy.

Anthony Henry & BEEF defeated Anthony Catena and Wes Barkley

Henry is still annoyed by his overly enthusiastic cousin, Beef. Henry’s Workhorsemen partner , JD Drake, might be coming back to their team soon, so it makes one wonder if there will be a clash between Beef and Drake with Henry caught in the middle. 

Barkley and Henry started things off and it was fine, but the crowd really woke up when BEEF entered the ring. He faced off against Catena and no-sold the bigger man, screaming at him while Henry took over and ate a neckbreaker from Catena. Barkley, a local hero, found himself alone with Henry. BEEF jumped in and took on both opponents to “save” his cousin.

BEEF hit a “sloppy steak” (kind of a Suicide 619) and Henry got a big double stomp on the legal man to win the match. BEEF and Henry are still undefeated in ROH.

The Outrunners (Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd) defeat The Infantry (Carlie Bravo & Shawn Dean)

Last week the Iron Savages and Jacked Jameson expressed their displeasure with the Outrunners, calling them “meat riders.” So, do with that what you will. Across the ring, The Infantry, who failed to win the ROH Tag titles back in July, but picked up a win over Spanish Announce Project two weeks ago. These two teams have a common enemy in the Savages and seem to have become friends.

This match was great. Two babyface teams that the crowd loved doing the stuff they do best. The Outrunners posed and mugged for the crowd and the Infantry’s athletic style was awesome to watch against the beefier Outrunners.

Floyd kept up with the speed of the Infantry, rolling Dean into a really cool looking armbar. Bravo and Magnum weren’t to be left out though, with the two countering each other though a good stretch. Bravo started to get a little frustrated and became more aggressive than usual, delivering some deadly chops to Magnum.

A hot tag to Floyd got a big cheer from the crowd as he cleared the ring with Body Slams. He got a little carried away though and the Infantry tried to set up Boot Camp. Magnum grabbed Bravo though, and the Outrunners managed to land Totall Recall to get the win.

After the match, there was a respectful Code of Honor, but the Infantry left a little abruptly, suggesting all might not be well with these two teams.

-BEEF and Anthony Henry cut a promo in the back. BEEF was excited to film a Tag Team Promo, but Henry assured him that they were not a tag team. JD Drake is Henry’s tag team partner, and that’s it. BEEF begged to meet Drake and Henry shut him down.

ROH Classic Match: Kenta Kobashi vs Samoa Joe (Jan 10, 2005. NYC)

Next, something different happened. They showed one of the proclaimed greatest matches in ROH history, Kenta Kobashi vs Samoa Joe from Jan 10th, 2005 in New York City. Ian Riccaboni and Caprice Coleman did new commentary over the classic footage which was really fun and made it feel like it was happening live.

I don’t really know how else to recap this match. It’s amazing. It’s a fantastic match that you should go and check out as soon as you can. I won’t even tell you who wins. Just know that Joe is in his prime here and Kobashi is an absolute beast. These two beat the hell out of each other in front of a red hot crowd and it was awesome. I would not hate it if they did this kind of thing more often.

Back in ROH proper though, we still had a main event to get to!

ROH World Title Match: Mark Briscoe (c) defeated Matt Taven (w/Mike Bennett)

This was the fifth defense of the ROH World Title for Briscoe, against one half of the former ROH Tag Champions in Taven. Taven and his partner Bennett lost those titles to Dustin Rhodes and Sammy Guevara in an absolutely brutal Bunkhouse Brawl match on Collision. To be honest, I had no idea WHY this match was happening but I was darn sure glad that it did. 

The Match started off fast with Taven going right for a fistfull of tights right off of the bell. It was only a two count, but it riled up Briscoe something fierce. He rained down with some Redneck Kung Fu and tried to be respectful of his opponent, but Taven took advantage of that niceness every time.

Bennett tried to get involved, distracting the ref to try and give Taven an upper hand. Briscoe had it scouted though and responded with a big Blockbuster off the ring apron (the hardest part of the ring). Briscoe set Taven up for a Froggy Bow, but Taven dodged and took control. Briscoe fought back with more Redneck Kung Fu, but ate a huge superkick from Taven out of the corner.

Taven managed a Just The Tip knee strike, but Briscoe kicked out at two. Briscoe also kicked out of the follow up Aurora Borealis. Taven went up for a second one, but Briscoe got the knees up, knocking the wind out of Taven. From there he tried a Froggy, but Taven got HIS knees up, leaving both men on their backs in the ring.

The two staggered up and after a quick back and forth, Briscoe called for the Jay Driller and executed it perfectly, putting Taven down clean.

AEW Dynamite fifth anniversary live results: Danielson vs. Okada, Ospreay vs. Ricochet

Posted on by Ryan Howard

A stacked lineup is set for the show as AEW celebrates five years of Dynamite with tonight’s episode.

AEW World Champion Bryan Danielson will face AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada in a match where Danielson’s title is on the line for the entire 60-minute time limit, but Okada’s is only on the line for the first 20 minutes per Continental title rules.

AEW International Champion Will Ospreay defends his title against Ricochet as two wrestlers whose styles helped define a generation of in-ring action renew their rivalry.

Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. returns to action tonight for the first time since All In in August, facing Serena Deeb in Baker’s hometown of Pittsburgh.

After hostilities between the two broke out during the lumberjack strap match at Collision Grand Slam, Hangman Page and Juice Robinson go one-on-one in the ring tonight.

A “significant overrun” is scheduled for tonight’s special fifth anniversary episode.

**********

The 5th Anniversary of AEW Dynamite comes on the air with words from the BCC, as PAC said he knows Wheeler Yuta is not a zoo creature, someone to be paraded around, a fluffy cute animal, you’re a lion, stop acting like you haven’t chosen. Claudio Castagnoli asks what the problem is, he’s the same guy, so is Mox. This is still Yuta’s home; they have big plans for him. Marina Shafir spoke Russian before Moxley said he prayed every night Bryan Danielson didn’t win the AEW World Title, but here we are. Mox will win that title one way or another. There will be casualties, but he’s giving Danielson a chance to go out on his shield, on his home soil, buried in his back yard, beautifully. Fate is not going to put a better offer on the table than that. At WrestleDream, he officially sends daddy home and relieving him of his duty, for good.

Excalibur welcomes us alongside Tony Schiavone & Nigel McGuinness, who is filling in for Taz, which we will be notified about momentarily we’re told. Kyle Fletcher is helping Will Ospereay preparing for the opening match, but Don Callis & Konosuke Takeshita approaches, wanting to talk about last week. Ospreay said he has a match to have, as Callis said they’ll talk later, as he & Fletcher have a flight to catch. Ospreay seemed surprised by this, as Callis & Fletcher left with Takeshita smirking as Ospreay, who went off to make his entrance.

Will Ospreay defeated Ricochet by disqualification to retain the AEW International Title

(Exactly the high flying and incredibly athletic match you’d expect, as the crowd was with them the entire time. We’re obviously getting this match again eventually, but this was a nice preview of what these two are capable of in an AEW ring for those uninitiated to their past incredible matches. Takeshita’s appearance at the end was questioned by commentary to maybe be at the request of Don Callis, who has an excuse that he wasn’t even there for this.)

Holy Sh*t & This Is Awesome chants right at the bell, as a fast series of takedowns, kip ups and pin attempts lead to a wild sequence of counters similar to their Best of Super Juniors stalemate, ending in a double Spiderman pose. Both trade chops until Ricochet caught a leap frog into a twisting back breaker, sending Ospreay outside where he met him with a tope. Ospreay leapt over the barricade, tried to leap off it, but Ricochet sprung up and hit a hurricanrana to the floor. Stalling senton back inside from Ricochet, but Ospreay fought back with a hand spring corkscrew kick. Pip, Pip, Cheerio connects for a near fall, as Ricochet fired back with a series of wild lariats for two of his own. Both exchanged wall walk enzugiris, but it was a standing Spanish Fly from Ospreay to get a two count. An Oscutter attempt sent Ospreay to the apron, but after Ricochet followed him out, a hook kick from Ospreay led to an Oscutter out of the corner, with both crashing outside going into commercial.

Back from break, both men fought up on the ropes, where Ricochet tried a super hurricanrana, but Ospreay stuck the landing. Ricochet responded with an Oscutter of his own as Ospreay flipped off Ricochet, who fired off a thrust kick, but rolled through a 450. Hidden Blade countered into a Ricochet backslide bomb and nasty twisting piledriver for two. Ricochet wanted Vertigo, but opted for a Northern Lights locomotion, only for Ospreay to counter into a Stundog Millionaire. Hidden Blade countered into a snap hurricanrana pin, but Ospreay rolled through, held on and hit a Styles Clash for a close two. Ospreay back up and finally hit an Oscutter, but Ricochet kicked out.

Ricochet ducked Hidden Blade and connected with one of his own before going up top and hit the Shooting Star Press for a super close near fall. Pump kick spiked Ospreay, who floated over Vertigo into a Poison Rana, one that Ricochet answered with one of his own. Ospreay desperately fired off a Hidden Blade and collapsed onto Ricochet with both men’s shoulders down and Rick Knox counted them both out. Justin Roberts got the word from Knox and we’re told it’s a draw.

Both men get their bearings and want to keep going, as Roberts was informed by Tony Khan that it will continue. Bell sounds and both slug it out with forearms and high kicks. Ospreay hit a Hidden Blade, but as he went for the pin, Konosuke Takeshita hit the ring and caused the DQ. Takeshita took out Ospreay with the Power Drive Knee and Ricochet with a roaring elbow and Falcon Arrow. Takeshita took the International Title, held it high before placing it between Ricochet & Ospreay.

-Renee Paquette is backstage with Mercedes Mone & Kamille, who didn’t get that big of a reaction from the crowd when she did her CEO line. Mone said she had the truck put together a highlight package of Dynamite’s best moments. It was, in fact, all Mone moments as when they go back, Mone said it’s all about her. AEW’s future is so bright because Mone changes everything. MVP walked in and agreed, giving Mone his card before walking off.

**********

-Renee Paquette is with Austin & Colten Gunn backstage and were about to give their thoughts on Juice Robinson’s match tonight when they were attacked from behind by Hangman Adam Page with a steel chair.

TV Time with The Learning Tree

Big Bill said it’s not about the destination, it’s about who we become as people along the way. In the past 1,825 days, they’ve all become better people due to Chris Jericho, who made his entrance with Bryan Keith. Jericho congratulated fans for 5 years of Dynamite and the new deal AEW signed, making “experts” look like real idiots. There wouldn’t be an AEW if there wasn’t Chris Jericho. Keith got the crowd to chant Thank You Chris, as Jericho said this is also the 34th Anniversary of his pro wrestling debut. He’s taken so many into his Jericho Vortex and brings up beating Mark Briscoe last week on Collision. A new era is upon us, The Ocho is gone and it’s time for Nueve, so he’s challenging Briscoe to a ROH World Title match at WrestleDream.

Briscoe walks out with The Conglomeration and tells them to stand down, as does Jericho with Bill & Keith. Briscoe said Papa Briscoe taught him to be a man who doesn’t make excuses. He could do that after last week, having Jericho beat like fried chicken, but only because of Bill chokeslamming him through a table, allowed Jericho to roll on top to get the pin. Briscoe won’t make that excuse, it was a Tornado Tag, it was legal. Briscoe puts over Jericho on his 34th Anniversary, calling him one of the finest wrestlers on the planet. Briscoe would love to put that notch on his belt, as the Word of the Day is “Consequential” and consequentially speaking, he’ll put his head on his wall.

Jericho cut him off and said Mark can’t beat him, maybe his brother could, though. Everybody knows, Mark will never be as good as Jay, was. Mark waffled Jericho in the face and asked if Jericho wanted to go there, telling Jericho to get his brother’s name out of his mouth. Briscoe accepts the challenge, telling him that punch right there, was consequential.

-We see video of Darby Allin sitting at the hood of a car saying he was 19 years old, used to riding a bus, daydreaming, but one night was hit in the head with something and guys were laughing at him. Allin realized those guys were taking turns spitting at him, and after doing nothing, he finally went to do something when one of the guys pulled a switchblade asking what he was going to do about it? Allin said it looked like he’s getting stabbed tonight and started fighting. He viewed Jon Moxley as one of those guys, as last week, you live by the sword, you die by the sword. WrestleDream was supposed to be Allin vs. Bryan Danielson, but it wasn’t meant to be. People say he’s the future of this company, but he’s losing faith in himself. Allin will be at the Tacoma Dome and issues an Open Challenge. Anyone wants to build their name off Allin, bring it, as he’s got nothing left to lose.

Hangman Adam Page defeated Juice Robinson

(A fairly even back and forth brawl this was, as Robinson put up a good fight, but heel Hangman’s Revenge Tour continues to roll on for any and all in his way. The bigger story here is the return of Switchblade Jay White, as this has to be Page’s next opponent, assuming it’s at the PPV. It’s good to see White back, as I’m hopeful this will be more of a singles run for White, as that Bang Bang Gang vs. The Acclaimed storyline really did a number on him (and everyone involved).)

Page sprinted up the ramp and took the fight to Robinson, who battled back and whipped Page with a leather strap, channeling back to Collision Grand Slam, which set this match up. Robinson tried an axe handle off the stage, but Page threw a punch and told referee Aubrey to shut her ass up as he whipped away at Robinson. Page set up a table, tried a piledriver, but Robinson hit a back drop and brawled with Page into the crowd. Robinson smacked Page in the face with a fans beer and popcorn before heading to the ring where the match officially begins. Page gained control right as things went to commercial, but before then,

Excalibur informs us that Taz was attacked by unknown assailants in the parking lot earlier in the day and was in rough shape after receiving medical attention at the hospital. He headed back home to New York, as we’re told whoever the attacker was, destroyed his leg.

Back from break, Page was crotched in the corner, as Robinson started firing up with a series of jabs wishing Page a happy 5 years, trying a corner cannonball, but Page moved. To the floor again they go, as Page dropped Robinson face first to the apron, but took too long to charge and Robinson hit enough of a spinebuster on the edge of the apron. Violent cannonball against the barricade that saw Robinson fly into the crowd and squash Page. Back inside, Robinson hit a top rope cross body, but Page caught him, rolled through and hit a fall away slam into the turnbuckle. Tony Schiavone compared Robinson to Macho Man Randy Savage & Bruiser Brody, as Page wanted an Avalanche Dead Eye, but Robinson got free with a stack powerbomb for two. Both trade Juice is Loose & Dead Eye counters as Page held onto ref Aubrey for leverage, kicked back for a low blow and hit a Buckshot Lariat for the win.

Post match, Page told Aubrey to get lost before taking his belt off, wrapped it around the throat and tried to hang Robinson when a returning Switchblade Jay White’s music hit. Page turned his attention to the stage, when White appeared from behind, shot a takedown and fired off strikes. Page tried escaping through the crowd when White was in pursuit, went for the eyes and eventually speared Page through the table he had set up earlier in the match. White helped Robinson to the back before hitting a Guns Up for the crowd.

-Renee Paquette is backstage awaiting the Scapegoat Bus to pull up, as Jack Perry got out and was met by Katsuyori Shibata, who played a message on his phone challenging him to a TNT Title match at WrestleDream. Perry said he’d think about it before walking away momentarily. Perry flew back in and attacked, slamming Shibata into the bus before accepting the challenge.

**********

-Bryan Danielson cut an intense backstage promo about saying one sentence ran through his head, F Jon Moxley. Then he realized, this isn’t about Moxley’s World Title, it’s not even Danielson’s championship, it’s AEW’s World Championship. This is where the best wrestle, which is why he challenged Kazuchika Okada, who broke his arm and orbital bone in their previous matches, but never broke his spirit. If Okada beats him tonight, Danielson’s full-time career is over, as he wouldn’t want it any other way, AEW, this is for you.

Dr. Britt Baker defeated Serena Deeb

(This was Baker’s first match since All In and prior to that, she had only had two matches since being out for nearly a year, so she just needs more time to knock the rust off, which you can tell is there. Hopefully ring time will help with that, as having Mariah May in the crowd would lead one to believe we’re getting a match down the line.)

Baker entered through the hometown crowd, as Brittsburgh gave Baker a strong ovation. Deeb worked a wrist lock early, Baker escaped into Lockjaw, but Deeb got the ropes. We see AEW Women’s Champion, Mariah May, sitting ringside, which perked Nigel McGuinness right up, as Excalibur tells up Timeless Toni Storm appeared in Japan this past weekend, teaming with Mina Shirakawa. Deeb worked a half crab, but Baker to the ropes this time. Misdirect from Baker, who connected with a neckbreaker, but misdirect from Deeb, who fired off a chop block and wrist clutch lariat that took things to commercial.

Baker fought back with a ripcord elbow when things returned, as a Sling Blade led to a swinging Fisherman’s Suplex for two. Baker put on the glove, but took too long, as Deeb trapped the bad leg in the corner and hit a Dragon Screw. Stack powerbomb led to a Stretch Muffler from Deeb, but Baker rolled into a cradle for two. Deeb avoided another ripcord elbow into a snap German, as both ladies traded lariats. Deeb wanted Deeb-tox, but Baker countered into an Air Raid Crash. Each escaped submission attempts until Deeb went up top, was cut off and Baker hit an Avalanche Air Raid Crash for a close two. Baker searched for and finally got Lockjaw, with Deeb tapping immediately.

Post match, Deeb attacked and sank in a half crab before Queen Aminata hit the ring and took down Deeb with forearms. Deeb escaped as Aminata checked on Baker, who looked a little surprised by the assist.

-Renee Paquette is backstage with HOOK and asks him any word on his father after being attacked earlier in the day? HOOK had to restrain himself initially from cursing, but then just said you start sh*t with his family, he’ll finish it.

They cut to Christian Cage in the back and tells the crowd to sit down and shut up. If the fans were in awe in the first 5 years of what he did, he’s the face of TBS and he’s the future AEW World Champion, he’s The Patriarch, he’s the Father Figure. Soon enough, he’ll have it all, hook, line and sinker. So having these two segments back-to-back leads one to believe that Cage probably was behind the Taz attack.

**********

-Renee Paquette is backstage with Mariah May, bringing up the recent challengers potentially, as May said Willow Nightingale is failing up and somehow gets a title shot after losing over and over. Nightingale walks in and calls May a shady bitch, as both start arguing until May pie-faces her. Security steps in with Christopher Daniels, who holds Nightingale back saying not to do things here.

Private Party (Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen) defeated Iron Savages (Bronson & Boulder w/Jacked Jameson)

Quick start by Kassidy & Quen with early dropkicks and enzugiri’s until Boulder was low bridged outside and taken out with a dive. Stokely Hathaway was shown applauding backstage, as Tony Schiavone calls him the shadiest character of all time. A botched Gin n’ Juice was delivered to Bronson and that was the entire match. After getting slaughtered by the BCC the past few weeks, they needed a strong win, but this was just there. Nigel McGuinness said this will go a long way to get a tag title shot. Which, is that all it takes now?

Kassidy took the mic and said at the beginning of the year he said new year, new champs and doesn’t care about his hand, Quen doesn’t care, either. They will be the next AEW World Tag Team Champions and calls The Young Bucks out for right here and now.

Matthew & Nicholas Jackson rise from the stage and said you can’t have a 5 year anniversary without your EVPs. Matthew said they have a substantial overrun tonight and said how about they put the titles on the line right here and now? The Bucks power walk to the ring, but put on the brakes, due to their limited dates, they’re not going to waste one in Pittsburgh. Jack Perry attacked Kassidy & Quen from behind, as The Bucks joined until Katsuyori Shibata ran down to make the save, as The Elite retreated with Private Party & Shibata standing tall. Christopher Daniels appeared on stage and said Private Party have been thorns in The Bucks sides since the start of AEW, so made a 6 man tag for Rampage.

-Renee Paquette welcomed MVP backstage, as he informs Paquette he has an announcement when Prince Nana interrupted. Nana said MVP spoke real spicy about Swerve Strickland & himself and reminds MVP he used to wrestle and can lace his boots up anytime. MVP said that’s a problem for the complaint department. Nana turns around to Shelton Benjamin standing by to a huge reaction. Benjamin took a sip of Nana’s coffee and said it was pretty good before walking off with MVP.

**********

Bryan Danielson defeated AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada to retain the AEW World Title

(This was really good storytelling until the finish, in my opinion. Okada was working like a New Japan 10-man tag match for the first 20 minutes, but kicked things into the gear everyone knows and loves when his title was no longer on the line. I’m not sure if we’ll ever get this match again in AEW, but I hope we do. The distraction finish ultimately doing Okada in felt very anticlimactic after such a period of time and being Okada’s first loss, but maybe they want his first distraction free loss to mean more when it happens?)

Okada’s Continental Title was only on the line in the first 20 minutes, as per the standard ruling for title matches on TV. Crowd got hyped off a stare down, as after some early ground work, Okada missed a dropkick, Danielson whiffed on a high kick and a series of takedowns and arm drags led to a stalemate that took thing to commercial. When they returned, commentary talked about how slowly Okada is going, as it’s a tactic to retain his Continental Title. Once he runs out the clock long enough and his title is no longer on the line, then he can kick things into gear.

Danielson fired up with forearms, but Okada met him with a flapjack to regain control, as he followed with a neckbreaker for two. Okada slowly continued his offense, but Danielson battled back, attempting a top rope headbutt, only to crash and burn. Money Clip applied, but Danielson escaped, only to be spiked with a DDT for two. Okada, showing literally no urgency, just walks over to Danielson in the corner and hit a dropkick to the floor. Okada repeatedly slammed Danielson into the barricade before breaking the count and booting Danielson into the crowd. Danielson avoided the draping DDT, broke the count himself and slammed Okada into the barricade before heading back inside for a top rope dropkick, which only sent Okada back outside. Tope connects by Danielson, who followed up with another top rope dropkick and yes kicks at the 16-minute mark. The two trade pin attempts and uppercuts, as an intense stare down led to slaps until Danielson back flipped out of the corner, only to run into an Okada picture perfect dropkick. Okada hit his top rope elbow, as Danielson clutched his arm similar to their first encounter, which delighted Nigel McGuinness on commentary.

Okada did his rainmaker pose flip off to the crowd, went for a Rainmaker, but Danielson countered into a triangle transition into the LeBell Lock. Okada was about to tap when we’re told 19 minutes have gone by. Okada used his legs to break the submission, as Danielson hits a Busaiku Knee, only for Okada to fall outside at the 20-minute mark. Okada’s Continental Title is officially safe and the duration of the match is for the AEW World Title. Danielson flew off the top with a dive, tried a charge, but Okada caught him with a Tombstone onto a chair ringside as things went to break.

They return to an Avalanche Back Suplex from Danielson, as he fires off corner strikes, dropping Okada with a German, but took too long to follow up, allowing a desperation dropkick from Okada. Danielson avoids a Rainmaker, as both trade wrist control, with Danielson ultimately stomping down repeatedly. Danielson wants the home run shot, but Okada countered a Busaiku Knee into a Rainmaker that turned Danielson inside out. Both throw forearms while on their knees and feet, as Danielson collapsed, but instead started firing up. Danielson flipped out of a German suplex, as both traded Busiaku Knees for a close two. They traded Rainmaker attempts, with Danielson hitting his for another close near fall. Anvil elbows from Danielson, who powers up into a spinning Future Shock, gets the wrist clutch and short arm lariat until we see Claudio Castagnoli showing up in the front row, as is PAC. Okada made eye contact with Castagnoli and that distraction was enough for Danielson to duck a lariat and hit a backslide for the pin, as Okada was shocked, while Castagnoli smirked.

Post match, Okada hit a Rainmaker on Danielson before flipping off Castagnoli & PAC before storming out with his Continental Title. PAC & Castagnoli get in the ring and pull Danielson to his knees, as Jon Moxley appears with Marina Shafir. Mox told Danielson to get this through his blueberry picking brain, as everything he’s doing is because he has to. If this was anyone else, he would’ve put him out of his misery years ago. Wheeler Yuta sprinted out with a hammer, as Moxley and company bailed, but Moxley got right back in the ring and stared down Yuta, daring him to use it. Yuta pondered what to do, but Danielson charged at Moxley while Castagnoli went to hold off Yuta. Danielson & PAC and Castagnoli & Yuta fought, with Castagnoli never throwing a strike. The BCC bailed, as Yuta took the mic and said he’s tired of being treated like a child by Castagnoli and others. He can make his own decision and fight his own fights. Next week, Title Tuesday, if Castagnoli & PAC want to get to Danielson, they’ll have to go through Yuta, too. Danielson announced the match and Tony Khan made it official for next week.

AEW Rampage 10/4/24

  • Big Bill & Bryan Keith vs. Kyle O’Reilly & Orange Cassidy
  • The Young Bucks & Jack Perry vs. Private Party & Katsuyori Shibata

AEW Dynamite: Title Tuesday 10/9/24

  • Bryan Danielson & Wheeler Yuta vs. Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta