Tag: ricky starks

The AEW World Championship and Dynamite Diamond ring are on the line in the main event of this year’s Winter is Coming. 

In the show’s main event, AEW World Champion MJF defends both the title and his Dynamite Diamond against Ricky Starks, winner of both this year’s World title eliminator tournament, and Dynamite Diamond battle royale. 

Match four in the best-of-seven series for the AEW World Trios Championship is also set for tonight’s show, as The Elite (Matt Jackson, Nick Jackson, and Kenny Omega) face Death Triangle (PAC, Penta El Zero Miedo, and Rey Fenix). Death Triangle holds a 2-1 series lead. 

Ruby Soho will return to the ring tonight for the first time since suffering a broken nose at All Out Zero Hour in September, facing Tay Melo in a grudge match. 

House of Black in action, plus Chris Jericho in action have also been announced for the show.

Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

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AEW Dynamite opened to the sound of the newly purchased ‘Roundball Rock’ the former NBA on NBC theme as Excalibur welcomes us alongside Tony Schiavone & Taz as they run down the card.

AEW Trios Champions Death Triangle (PAC & Lucha Bros (Penta El Zero Miedo & Rey Fenix) w/Alex Abrahantes) defeated The Elite (Kenny Omega & The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) w/Don Callis, Brandon Cutler & Michael Nakazawa) to win Match 4 of the Best of 7 Series and make it 3-1

(Another excellent chapter in this series, as it’s another different story told with Nick injuring his ankle and Death Triangle again relying on the hammer. I like the potential No DQ for Match 5.)

Nick & Penta had a fast start, with Nick avoiding Fear Factor into a top rope spinning arm drag, as The Bucks made fast tags leading to a cazadora Kotaro Crusher on PAC’s injured face. Tilt a whirl back breaker into a top rope double stomp led to dives on all Death Triangle outside, as Nick held his ankle after he did his. As PAC was worked over by Omega & Matt, the doctor checked on Nick. Tight rope walk from Fenix led to a German by PAC on Matt, while Penta did a step up Sling Blade on Omega. As they went to break, Nick Jackson was taken to the back, turning this into a handicap match.

Matt was isolated the entire break, who countered a somersault DDT by Fenix into locomotion Northern Lights double pin attempt on both Lucha Bros for two. Matt made the hot tag to Omega, who ran wild to a huge reaction, connecting with You Can’t Escape on PAC for two. Snap dragons delivered to all Death Triangle, as Omega went for his Terminator dive, but was tripped up by PAC, who hit a slingshot cutter. PAC flipped out of a German suplex, but was dropped by an Omega brainbuster. As Omega was about to tag Matt, Penta laid out Matt with a Fear Factor on the apron. Fenix connected with a reverse Spanish Fly, while Penta hit Made in Penta, as Fenix got a two count off an inverted Frog Splash. PAC missed Black Arrow, as Nick Jackson limped back down to the ring and made the tag.

Nick ran wild with lariats and a mid air cutter on a springing Fenix. PAC took the ref, as Nick went for a superkick, Fenix blocked and Penta smashed the ankle with the hammer. Fenix sank on an inverted knee bar, while PAC locked up Omega from breaking up the submission, as Nick tapped out.

Post match, Omega took the mic and said a 3-1 deficit is a lot to come back from, but since Death Triangle likes to use the hammer, how about Match 5, all weapons are legal. They want the next match to be No DQ.

-Backstage Alex Marvez is with MJF, who said last week was a star making performance by Ricky Starks, while the first Dynamite, MJF was already a star. It took Starks this long to do it, as at 26 years old, MJF is a star maker. MJF ran down Starks and the fans, as he grew up with a silver spoon in his mouth. MJF isn’t under any pressure tonight, he already has it all, while Starks has everyone to let down. He’s going to turn The Pebble into dust.

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The Acclaimed were on their way to the ring, with Max Caster cutting a rap making Britney Griner & Elon Musk references until they were all attacked by Jay Lethal, Sonjay Dutt, Jeff Jarrett & Satnam Singh. Caster tried to fight back, but he was laid out by a Jarrett guitar shot. Jarrett said Scissor This, Slap Nuts.

-Tony Schiavone is backstage with the J.A.S. with Jericho referring to Claudio Castagnoli as a flash in the pan like Joe Exotic or Ricky Starks. Tonight he’ll take his frustrations out on his tune up match before getting his ROH Title match. Jericho said Daniel Garcia should never have lost the Pure Title and needs to shadow his elder, Sammy Guevara, on Rampage, which did not please Garcia.

Jungle Boy Jack Perry defeated ROH Six Man Champion Brian Cage (w/Prince Nana)

(This was a very solid match with Perry fending off another giant on his quest to, well, another giant. Only this time, he has back up in the form of a cold hearted, handsome devil.)

Perry used his speed early to counter a fireman’s carry into a hurricanrana into a dropkick, as Perry was still feeling the apron powerbomb from Big Bill last week. Cage finally swatted Perry away in the corner and hit his superplex from the apron back into the ring. Bicep curls with Perry led to a fall away slam as Cage was in full control during the commercial break.

Perry battle back with a comeback lariat, which Cage absorbed, looked for a powerbomb, but Perry turned it into a DDT. Cage hit an overhead German suplex and spinning full nelson driver, but Perry kicked out at two. Cage wanted Drill Claw, but Perry got a roll up for a close near fall. Perry was turned inside out with a lariat, but Perry countered a F-5 into a Destroyer. Snare Trap was applied, as Cage tapped, but the ref was arguing with Prince Nana. Cage tried a ripcord lariat, but Perry ducked, sent Cage into Nana and rolled up Cage for the win.

Post match, Perry said at Full Gear, he beat Luchasaurus, tonight he beat Brian Cage, so he calls out the biggest bitch of them all and calls out Big Bill. Stokely Hathaway came out and said Perry constantly pisses him off, runs him down and Perry goes after him until Lee Moriarty & Big Bill showed up and beat Perry down. The beating continued until HOOK walked to the ring, The Firm bailed and HOOK helped Perry up.

-Blackpool Combat Club cut a promo backstage with Moxley recapping their last week, with Castagnoli winning the ROH Title, Yuta winning the Pure Title and Moxley choking out Takeshita on Rampage. Castagnoli said they’ll show up everywhere, Yuta said if anyone wants a shot, they can have it. Moxley said he’ll stomp Sammy Guevara’s face into a bloody mess on Rampage. Moxley also told Hangman Page he knows where to find him and told him to bring his Dark Order buddies if he wants.

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-Swerve Strickland video is shown with his actions at Final Battle and says next week he & Keith Lee will have their face off on Dynamite.

The House of Black (Malakai Black, Brody King & Buddy Matthews w/Julia Hart) defeated The Factory (Aaron Solo, Cole Karter & Nick Comoroto w/QT Marshall & Lee Johnson)

(This was a statement victory for the House of Black in their return to the ring.)

Comoroto threw his lollipop at Julia Hart, who responded with the mist to the face. The Factory was demolished outside by King & Matthews. The bell rang and it was immediately 3 on 1, with Marshall needing a miracle. Black Mass wiped out Marshall and Black got the quick pin.

-Jamie Hayter & Hikaru Shida had a video package running each other down prior to their AEW Women’s Title match next week on Dynamite.

-Renee Paquette is backstage with Britt Baker & Rebel, as Baker said it’s not going to be a big thing for Hayter to beat Shida, Baker beat her with a broken nose. Skye Blue interrupted and challenged her for Rampage, Baker was insulted, but accepted.

Action Andretti defeated Chris Jericho

(Jericho wanted a tune up and it blew up in his face. This was a lot of fun and Andretti was more than up for the task tonight. Jericho was Razor Ramon and Andretti was the Lightning Kid.)

Jericho kept pie facing Andretti, who tried to return the favor, but Jericho stomped him down in the corner. Let’s Go Jobber chant broke out, as Andretti mounted a comeback to a huge reaction, but was booted down. Repeated corner clotheslines, as Jericho hit a few chops until Andretti got a head scissors into a spinning tornillo. Jericho popped up before even a one count, hit a DVD and Code Breaker, but Andretti kicked out to shock everyone, as Excalibur was baffled he could throw it to break with Andretti still alive.

Jericho controlled the entire break and we come back from picture in picture to even louder Let’s Go Jobber chants. Andretti fired back with chops, but an eye poke put Jericho in control again. Andretti got off a flying forearm, clothesline and back breaker into the neckbreaker. Andretti went for a split legged moonsault, but Jericho got the knees up. Jericho missed Judas Effect and Andretti hit a springboard kick that sent Jericho outside, where Andretti hit a springboard moonsault.

Back inside, Andretti went for antoher springboard, but Jericho teased the Walls of Jericho, but got rolled up. Andretti tried a tilt a whirl into a DDT and got a running standing shooting star press to pin Chris Jericho clean. The crowd exploded, as Andretti leapt into the crowd, while Jericho couldn’t believe what just happened.

-Ricky Starks is backstage and said he woke up this morning knowing tonight will be his night. It’s been a long for him in AEW, not knowing if he’d make it to this moment after suffering a broken neck. MJF is all about ratings, but no one cares, Starks has a lot riding on tonight when he becomes the next AEW World Champion.

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-Recap of the incredible Dog Collar Match between FTR & The Briscoes is recapped. FTR bring up Gunn Club, who is desperate for attention with daddy issues. They have nothing FTR want, but if building a legacy means going through them, then so be it.

-Chris Jericho is shown having a temper tantrum backstage following his loss.

-Ricky Starks is shown warming up in the back, while MJF is getting massaged, looking at his phone.

Ruby Soho defeated Tay Melo (w/Sammy Guevara)

(These two ladies really laid in the strikes on each other, as Soho is back in the win column and figures to have her next opponent lined up in Anna Jay A.S.)

Melo made out with her husband so much at the entrance that Taz questioned if they shared their lunch. Taz also briefly sang along to Soho’s theme, which is always a highlight. The two ladies brawled ringside before the match officially began. Melo drove Soho into the railing and ring steps as both got in the ring, ref Bryce asked Soho if she’s good and the match started. Melo ran right into multiple Soho back suplexes, but the No Future kick was blocked, as Melo bailed. Soho cut her off, looked for Destination Unknown, but Melo hit the DD-Tay on the ramp.

Melo controlled most of the break, ripping up a Ruby Soho sign in the process. Soho relentlessly fought her way back, driving Melo’s face repeatedly in the corner. Soho leapt off the top, rolled through, as Melo popped up and hit a pump kick. Both ladies traded stiff strikes until Melo hit a throw and Gotch style piledriver for two. Soho blocked Tay-KO, got a knee to the face and planted Melo with Destination Unknown for the win. Anna Jay immediately attacked Soho post match and laid her out with a Gory Bomb.

-Backstage Alex Marvez is trying to talk to Hangman Adam Page, who is being checked by a doctor with Evil Uno by his side. Page said the update was when he was unconscious for 60 seconds last month, he came to and learned he had a hundred text messages. When he unlocked his phone, saw his son’s photo, he couldn’t remember his name at first. Page said if Moxley wants to send him to hell, then he’s taking Moxley with him.

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-We are informed that next week Match 5 in the Best of Seven Series between Death Triangle & The Elite will in fact be No Disqualification. In the graphic it was also said Match 6 (if necessary) would be Falls Count Anywhere, while Match 7 (if necessary) would be Escalara de la Muerte.

MJF defeated Ricky Starks to defend the AEW World Title & Dynamite Diamond Ring

(This was a solid main event, with the crowd loudly behind Starks. Was there any other way MJF was going to win this besides cheating? Danielson wanted his revenge and appears to be next in line for the champion.)

Early mocking of Starks’ pose and a Fargo Strut led to Starks mowing MJF down with a shoulder tackle to the floor. MJF bailed into the crowd, threw a fans popcorn and another’s hat before heading back to the ring where Starks got a few near falls. MJF got an eye poke and worked the previously injured ribs of Starks, who was hung up over the top and sent to the floor heading to the final break of the night.

It was all MJF working over the ribs of Starks during commercial, as MJF worked an abdominal stretch, using the ropes long enough before eventually getting caught. Starks got a hip toss and fired off a lariat as he tried to string offense together. Tornado spinning flatliner connected, as MJF tried to flip out of Roshambo, but Starks blocked it and hit a sit out powerbomb for a close two. Starks was driven into the corner, as MJF hit a double stomp to the arm to soften it up. Both traded roll ups, but MJF got two with the tights.

MJF hit a powerbomb on his knee and folded up Starks, who just managed to kick out. MJF slowly toyed with Starks, which led to an all out slug fest before MJF again went to the eyes. Discus forearm from MJF sent Starks bouncing into the ropes and hit a desperation Spear for the double down. Starks got a cover, but MJF suckered him into Salt of the Earth then really wrapped Starks up like a pretzel, as a desperation rope break broke the hold. MJF tried a bridge, looked for a powerbomb, Starks flipped out, tried Roshambo, but MJF hid behind referee Paul Turner. Starks shoved the ref away, MJF hit a low kick and rolled up Starks to steal it.

Post match, MJF went up the ramp to leave, but Bryan Danielson’s music hit and the chase was on, as MJF scurried through the crowd with Danielson staring a hole through him. Danielson helped Starks up and held his hand in the air as the show went off the air.

AEW Rampage 12/16/22

· Jon Moxley takes on Sammy Guevara (w/Daniel Garcia)

· Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D. vs. Skye Blue

· Wardlow will be in action

· AEW All-Atlantic Champion Orange Cassidy, Chuck Taylor, Trent Beretta & Dustin Rhodes take on The Butcher, The Blade, Kip Sabian & Trent Seven

AEW Dynamite 12/21/22

· Match Five in the Best of Seven Series between Death Triangle (3) and The Elite (1) under No Disqualification Rules

· Jamie Hayter defends her AEW Women’s Title against Hikaru Shida

· FTR take on Gunn Club