Tag: Ricochet

AEW Dynamite live results: Swerve Strickland vs. Ricochet

Posted on by Ryan Howard

Tonight’s AEW Dynamite emanates from College Park, Georgia, with a grudge match headlining as former AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland will face Ricochet, built for several weeks stemming from Ricochet attacking Strickland with scissors in a bloody, memorable angle.

The Hounds of Hell (Brody King & Buddy Matthews) are set for action against Kyle Fletcher & AEW International Champion Konosuke Takeshita of the Don Callis Family ahead of their own match against Kenny Omega & Will Ospreay next week at Grand Slam Australia.

A potential new or returning member of the Callis Family has been teased as the mystery opponent for Ospreay in a singles match tonight.

Toni Storm faces Queen Aminata in a tune-up bout ahead of rematching Mariah May for the AEW Women’s World title at Grand Slam Australia. May will be on commentary for the match.

Live appearances by MJF and Hangman Page in addition to AEW Tag Team Champions The Hurt Syndicate are also scheduled.

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AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Swerve Strickland & Ricochet seen arriving ahead of their main event tonight, as well as Timeless Toni Storm, who returns to Dynamite for the first time since her “return” on Collision a few weeks ago.

Renee Paquette is backstage with Switchblade Jay White, who is asked about his recent friendship with Cope. White said it’s a relationship being built in real time, as there’s no history between the two, but there is some between FTR & himself. White has to rely on some he might not have expected to in regards to the Death Riders. Right on cue, Jon Moxley & his crew approach White and think they have him cornered when Rated FTR walk up behind the group and an all-out brawl ensues. Marina Shafir literally picks up Paquette and carries her away from the fight, which spills out into the arena. The brawl continues around ringside until White & Moxley are left in the ring. Yuta looked to cut White off for another week, but eats a Blade Runner for his troubles. PAC interrupts, but suffers a Shatter Machine. Castagnoli pulls Harwood outside and hits a Giant Swing into the barricade, as Wheeler tried a dive, but ate an uppercut. Moxley & Castagnoli put the boots to White, as Cope wanted to take out the AEW World Champion with a Spear, but Castagnoli shoved Moxley aside and took the bullet. Cope, FTR & White stare down Death Riders, who retreated into the crowd.

Cope took the mic and said the fans are chanting one name and asks what Moxley’s answer is from his challenge on Collision last week for a World Title match at Revolution. Moxley charged back to ringside, grabbed a microphone, saying Cope deserves nothing, so his answer is no. White took the mic and said he has another offer for him, how about he breathes with the Switchblade, choking in a pool of his own blood. White issues a challenge to an anything goes Brisbane Brawl at Grand Slam, White & Cope vs. Moxley & Castagnoli. It looked like that match Moxley agreed to, as they said they’ll see them in Australia. This was a fun and chaotic start to Dynamite, pretty much setting up the main event for Grand Slam.

-Footage from Buddy Matthews again challenging Kazuchika Okada to a Continental Title match on Collision was shown. Okada laughed off the challenge initially, but Matthews called him a bitch and that’s what it took, as we learned the match is also official for Grand Slam. Okada vs. Matthews for the Continental Title.

Will Ospreay defeated Mark Davis (w/Don Callis)

(The match itself was a good, albeit short, TV battle, but the explanation on why Davis had to take this match was ridiculous. They said he was doing this match under duress, but at no point did he look reluctant to fight his friend. The post-match was fine, but didn’t really do a whole lot to further the feud with Omega/Ospreay vs. Takeshita/Fletcher. The anticipation for the match, at least for me, was the same level it was last week. I still can’t wait to see Omega & Ospreay as a tag team in Australia.)

Callis entered to a ton of boos and could barely get his announcement off, as Davis made his way out and Ospreay was left shocked. Callis called Davis “The Ospreay Killer” as the crowd chanted You Sold Out. Callis said he signed Aussie Open 2 years ago, but gave Kyle Fletcher the power of attorney while Davis was in the hospital, so Callis now owns Davis. Excalibur said this must mean Davis is doing this under duress. That explanation is beyond insane to me, as Davis has wrestled pretty much done nothing but wrestle the Don Callis Family since coming back last year and there’s been zero mention of this then.

Ospreay tried a quick start, but the size and power of Davis led to a charging sliding forearm in the corner as he followed up with chops in bunches leading to a sit-out senton. Palm strikes in the corner by Davis, who looked for a superplex, but Ospreay took out the knee and followed with Pip, Pip, Cheerio, as Davis regrouped outside, with Callis barking orders into commercial.

Ospreay controlled during break, but Davis responded when things returned with a release German and curb stomp. Davis took too long to follow-up, allowing Ospreay to hit a handspring corkscrew kick, followed by a slingshot cross body to the outside. Ospreay was able to hit a series of hook kicks and the Oscutter for a near fall, as Callis almost crawled into the ring to break it up. Osperay signaled for Hidden Blade, but Davis fired off a lariat. Ospreay no sold initially, but was trucked with a lariat and massive piledriver for two. Davis ripped off the middle turnbuckle, tried to drive Ospreay into it, but referee Rick Knox noticed it and stepped in between. The distraction allowed Ospreay to hit a charging Hidden Blade and got the victory.

Post-match, Ospreay took the mic and said it’s like a party here in Atlanta. Since Callis is a party pooper, he has a new best friend backstage who he’s teaming up with at Grand Slam and the music for Kenny Omega hit. Callis scurried away as Omega made his way to the ring, walking by a down Mark Davis in the process. Omega said man to man, Mark Davis, he has no clue what Don Callis has over him, it may be scary, but help is there and there are people he can trust. Omega said he’ll wrestle in 10 days with Ospreay, but got the itch to come out and say hello to the fans of Atlanta. Kyle Fletcher & Konosuke Takeshita look to charge out from the backstage, but Callis held them back. Omega said they can do this right here and now, but if not, hop on a jet, start training for Australia. It’s been a long time since people could feel what Omega felt in 2019-2023, but now that he’s back, everyone can feel that feeling once again. This match next week will show that the future is with Omega & Ospreay and hits his go-home line as we got an insane amount of pyro for the Goodbye and Goodnight line, which surprised even Omega.

-Recap video of the history of the Swerve Strickland & Ricochet rivalry leading us to tonight’s showdown is shown. This was an excellent highlight package.

**********

The Hurt Syndicate make their way to the ring, as Westside Gunn is shown ringside, as he helped with the theme. MVP said this is an official announcement from The Hurt Syndicate and asked the crowd to stand for the Standard of Excellence, Shelton Benjamin & The Almighty Bobby Lashley, the new AEW World Tag Team Champions. MVP said he’ll keep this short, as they have a plane to catch for the Super Bowl. He puts over Private Party, who are talented people, but were in the wrong place at the wrong time. MVP put the locker room on notice, if you’re an athlete or champion, when they choose, they will hurt you and take your title. Now, they’re open for business and if you want an opportunity, they’ll accept it.

The lights went out and the returning Austin & Colten Gunn are shown on the ramp. Lashley & Benjamin didn’t budge initially, as Austin said they mean no disrespect, they’re also businessmen and want to talk business. MVP said they aren’t dressed as such, but respects that they want to do this as men, so invites them in the ring. Austin & Colten get in and introduces themselves as former AEW Tag Team Champions, waiting 2 years for their rematch, but now they’re back. Colten congrats them on hurting people and doing their job, it’s what you’re supposed to do. MVP appreciates the courage and respects their father, which is the only reason his men haven’t choked them out. Next week, The Hurt Syndicate vs. a couple of Ass Boys. MVP & crew leave, but Austin said they’re damn right they are and hit the Gunns Up go home line. The Gunns got a real nice reaction on their return here.

-Renee Paquette is backstage outside of Mercedes Mone’s locker room when she’s joined by puppet Mercedes, as she said Harley Cameron is going to be live in concert this Saturday on Collision. Cameron slides into the camera shot and says what a great idea and knows that Mone wasn’t a dummy. Mone herself walks in from behind and interrupts all this and asks if Cameron is stupid or dumb and mockingly congratulates Cameron on her first ever win. Mone remembers how she felt winning all her titles, she’s the greatest TBS Champion of all time and Cameron is nothing but a loser and rips the puppet off her hand saying to stay off the Mone Train. Mone leaves and Cameron tries her darnedest to flip her off, despite Paquette’s best efforts for her not to. This was your weekly reminder how great Harley Cameron continues to be.

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-Renee Paquette is with Hangman Adam Page, asking why he was looking for Swerve Strickland last week and Page said it was a moment of weakness and we won’t address it again, nor should she ask. Paquette asked about the potential regret on his face when he learned Christopher Daniels’ in ring career was over. Page denied it and said that’s what happens when you take on Hangman in a Texas Death Match.

Max Caster is shown off camera and tells Paquette to wrap it up, he’s been waiting forever for his promo, as Page asked if he has a problem? Caster told Page he respects him, as he’s too busy with his Open Challenges to fight, but it’d be a shame if he put someone like Anthony Bowens in the hospital or end Billy Gunn’s career, which he should do. Page didn’t bite, so Caster thanked them for their time and went to scurry away, but Page said it’s ok, he’ll follow him. Caster again putting his foot in his mouth.

AEW International Champion Konosuke Takeshita & Kyle Fletcher (w/Don Callis) defeated Hounds of Hell (Brody King & Buddy Matthews)

(This was a hell of a tag match with everyone looking great and the fans into it throughout. I didn’t like seeing King & Matthews getting pinned this quickly off their reset as a duo a few weeks ago, but I understood why King was the one to take the pin, and it took a whole heck of a lot to put him away. They’ll be able to bounce back as a team in no time.)

Fletcher & Matthews kicked things off, which gives commentary a chance to put over both Australians ahead of Grand Slam next weekend. Both trade ground work and a series of pin attempts before Fletcher narrowly dodges a PK, as Takeshita tagged in. Series of go-behinds led to a blind tag from King, who came in and fired off hard chops to both Takeshita & Fletcher. The fight spilled outside, as the Don Callis Family are seated against the barricade and King hit a double running cross body. The crowd chanted one more time, so King stacked them both on each other and hit another one into commercial.

Takeshita & Fletcher gain the advantage during break, isolating King, who fired off some heavy shots, nearly made the hot tag, but Takeshita wiped Matthews out with a big boot. Takeshita turned around and was flattened by a lariat, but Takeshita responded with a stalling gut-wrench German suplex. King no sold, tried a Gonzo Bomb, but Takeshita slid out, both collided with a double lariat, only to pop right up and collapse simultaneously. Matthews & Fletcher tag in for a fast sequence, as Matthews hits the hip toss neckbreaker and leg lariat, as both tried draping DDT’s, but Fletcher was sent outside onto Fletcher. Matthews hit a big time somersault plancha before connecting on a Meteora off the top back inside for two. Crowd is hyped, as Matthews missed the Curb Stomp, Fletcher hit the Half and Half, but ran into a corner knee. Matthews went to end it off the top, but the sound of the coin drop played, as Kazuchika Okada’s music hit. The distraction nearly led to Fletcher attempting a Brainbuster, but Matthews slipped through with a Nandos kick. King made the tag and they hit the double cannonball/dropkick combo, only for Takeshita to fly in and break the count with a senton.

Takeshita was taken to the apron, as King locked in the sleeper, but Takeshita raked the eyes, allowing Fletcher to hit the draping DDT for two. Matthews was sent flying into the barricade, as Fletcher wanted the brainbuster on King, but Takeshita saved his partner and hit a series of strikes until an assisted brainbuster connected and Fletcher pinned King with Takeshita holding off Matthews.

-Samoa Joe & HOOK are power walking backstage, with Joe hell bent on revenge after being laid out on Collision (which we saw in a video package prior to this). HOOK had to give Joe some advice before they rushed The Patriarchy’s locker room to find only Kip Sabian & Nick Wayne. They were going to leave when Joe said they’ll send a message and laid both Sabian & Wayne out with Christian Cage & Mother Wayne peaking in from the door. Joe & HOOK left, as Cage walked in and demanded what the hell just happened, shoving away the camera man.

MJF came to the ring and immediately started in on geriatric Jeff Jarrett, who couldn’t stay out of the way of a handsome star like MJF, which is why he had to teach him a lesson. The E in AEW stands for Elite not Elderly, which popped MJF. Now that the carny schmuck is out of his way, he’s closer to regaining his Triple B because ain’t no one on the level of…Max Caster rushed to the ring and MJF berated him, as Caster tried saying he was trying to escape Hangman Page, whose music hit. Caster rushed out of the ring and arena, as Page went to the ring, briefly stared down MJF and continued stalking down Caster.

MJF said before he was interrupted by a talentless hack, ain’t no one on the level of…Dustin Rhodes’ music hits and he walks to the ring, as MJF demands his music cut off. Rhodes demands MJF shut his trap, as all he does is bad mouth everyone in the back, degrade them, even those who are no longer with us like Owen Hart. Rhodes suggests MJF keep Owen’s name out of his mouth before he kicks his teeth in. Stop talking about people’s wives or sobriety issues, which is what Rhodes has done, for the last 16 years, Rhodes crawled out of hell and kicked the Devil’s teeth in. There’s a reason he’s still here at 55 years old, hanging with everyone on this roster, it’s because he’s a survivor, he’s the last of his kind. He’s survived everything MJF could imagine, he’s been through it, boy. Rhodes wants MJF to know when he’s gone, the mold will be broken forever, he is better than MJF and his punk bitch ass knows it.

MJF called timeout and applauded Rhodes for the promo but said being a worthless drug addict must’ve turned his brain to swiss cheese to make him believe that he’s better than MJF. He said it took Rhodes 37 years to get out of his father’s shadow, but now he lives in the shadow of his little baby brother. Rhodes decked MJF, as security rushed the ring to separate them, as Rhodes broke through, got in a few more shots and MJF retreated. MJF said he’s leaving when he broke through security, hit the ring and got a low blow kick before leaving.

Christopher Daniels went to tell MJF to get to the back when MJF was about to throw a punch when he realized it was Daniels and chuckled, calling Daniels an old man before leaving. This whole Rhodes/MJF segment made me want to see that match so much more than MJF & Jarrett. I mean, the slow build to MJF/Page continues, but I really want MJF vs. Rhodes at this point.

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AEW Women’s World Champion Mariah May joins commentary for the next match saying it was ironic that the testosterone level rose when she arrived. Taz agreed with her and May said it’s nice Taz is here, as he’s the only one as miserable as she was to have to be here.

Timeless Toni Storm defeated Queen Aminata

(I enjoyed this entire segment, as Storm played May to a tee and was hilarious throughout. Aminata put up a good fight and I wouldn’t mind seeing this happen again without the comedy elements, but it was still entertaining for what it was. I thought this whole thing did a great job building to the Women’s Title match at Grand Slam.)

Justin Roberts announced “playing the role of Mariah May is Timeless Toni Storm.” May’s entrance video and theme played again, even the name graphic is shown, as Storm came out in May’s gear and played her to perfection and looked identical. May herself was unamused, mockingly saying she was flattered, demanding to know how Storm got this outfit after Excalibur reminded May that she did the same thing to Storm last year. Serena Deeb was shown watching backstage, as Aminata tripped Storm in the ropes, but missed her charging boot, allowing Storm to hit a hip attack, launching Aminata to the outside. Storm took too long mocking May’s mannerisms, allowing Aminata to hit a low tope and hit the Timeless pose, controlling the action into break.

Storm mounted a comeback, as May grabbed her chest, asking Tony Schiavone what two things Storm is missing to truly be May, but Schiavone refused to answer. Storm hit a head scissors out of the corner, as she went for May Day, but Aminata swept the legs for a jackknife pin near fall. Both ladies got to their feet and traded super stiff strikes until Aminata hit a snap German and sliding shin to the face as Storm’s hair extensions are falling out. Aminata wanted an Air Raid Crash, but Storm escaped with a snap DDT, charging knee and Sweet Cheek Music that led to May Day for the victory.

May looked on furious on commentary as Renee Paquette came in to congratulate Storm on her win. Storm said to call her Mariah May, the woman from hell, there’s not a woman alive who can touch her. May herself left commentary and got on the apron, as Storm wanted a hug, but May grabbed the AEW Women’s Title and bailed with Storm posing like May in the ring.

-Backstage, Dustin Rhodes said for 37 years, people have tried to put him in the ground, as he’s the last of his kind, around for a reason. Next Tuesday night, his backyard in Austin, Texas, he’s going to beat MJF’s ass. Dynamite will be taped on Tuesday next week.

-A video package of the bad blood between Big Bill & Powerhouse Hobbs is shown and their brawl at Daily’s Place a few weeks ago. Last week on Collision, we see Bandido’s return to help The Outrunners from a Learning Tree attack. This leads us to a New York Minute, as The Learning Tree are on stage for the first ever live edition of their show. Jericho said they’re coming from Georgia, the big ALT, which Bryan Keith said stands for Appreciate Learning Tree. Jericho said he doesn’t know how Bandido is “The Most Wanted Man” as no one wants him here. Jericho holds up the paper saying there’s a $100,000 bounty on Bandido’s head, so since he’s with The Bounty Hunter, he’ll double the money, so Bryan Keith can cash in and do to Bandido what Bill has done to Powerhouse Hobbs.

Right as Bill went to speak, Hobbs’ music hits and the fight is on. It’s 3 on 1, as Hobbs is helped out by The Outrunners, who sprint out from the back and it’s a six way brawl until security (really earning their money tonight) separate them. Bill & Hobbs both have their hands on security and each demolish them with brutal choke slams, as they slowly rise and get in the ring to the chants of Meat. They brawl briefly in the ring and spill back outside until Hobbs tackles Bill over the commentary table. Even the camera man takes a bump, as the fight continues as things go to commercial.

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-Chaos backstage, as security is escorting The Learning Tree from the building with Powerhouse Hobbs & The Outrunners being held back in the process.

Ricochet defeated Swerve Strickland (w/Prince Nana)

(This felt like an appetizer for what’s to come in this feud. The finish is going to seem like Ricochet lucked his way into it, but a heel hitting a low blow only fooled the official. Stealing the Embassy robe in the post-match is only going to lead to this continuing and getting more personal. This was a good Round 1 from these two to end the show.)

Strickland is wearing the Embassy robe he wears for big matches, but he was waffled with a chair shot to the back by Ricochet during his entrance. This was shot great, as you never saw Ricochet coming, as more chair shots were delivered before Strickland was tossed into the ring. Strickland slapped Ricochet in the face and demanded the match begin, as the bell sounded, Ricochet charged with a pump knee and hit Vertigo for a close two. Ricochet stayed in control, as Strickland tried a leap frog, but was dropkicked out of mid-air to the outside, where Ricochet followed with a low tope. They fight up onto the barricade, where Ricochet wanted a snap hurricanrana, but Strickland held on and powerbombed him violently onto the barricade. Strickland stayed in control throughout commercial.

When things returned, Ricochet kicked out Strickland’s legs in the corner and hit a lungblower for a near fall. Both men slug it out, as Ricochet fired off a combo until Strickland cut him off, wall walk from Ricochet, who hit a pump knee and stood tall. Both trade powerbombs, until Strickland was able to hit his floating powerbomb into the powerslam for two. Ricochet grabbed the official, tried a mule kick, but Strickland blocked it and hit a release German into a rolling Flatliner and House Call flush in a great looking combo. Strickland hit the Swerve Stomp, but Ricochet escaped at two.

They go the apron, as Ricochet floated over a DVD, whipped Strickland’s neck back on the ropes, missed a hop over hurricanrana, so settled for a release German on the apron. Quickly recovered, Ricochet threw Strickland back in for a springboard 450 for a near fall. Ricochet up top for a Shooting Star to the back, but Strickland kicked out. Ricochet went for the Spirit Gun, but Strickland hit a House Call in mid-air and tried another Swerve Stomp, but Ricochet got hit fists up for a blatant low blow, which the ref just allowed. Ricochet connected with The Spirit Gun and got the win.

Post-match, Nana tried to come in the ring to tend to Strickland with the Embassy robe, but Ricochet pie-faced Nana and took the robe, putting it on and celebrated up the ramp to the close the show.

AEW Collision 2/8/25

  • Kyle Fletcher vs. Mark Briscoe
  • Harley Cameron In Concert
  • Bandido vs. Bryan Keith

AEW Dynamite 2/12/25 (taped 2/11)

  • MJF vs. Dustin Rhodes

Swerve Strickland vs. Ricochet booked for AEW Dynamite next month

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Swerve Strickland and Ricochet will lock horns in Georgia on AEW Dynamite next month.

Strickland, the former AEW World Champion, will face Ricochet in singles competition on the Wednesday, February 5 Dynamite in College Park, Georgia.

The bout stems from an attack on the January 1 Dynamite where Ricochet stabbed Strickland with a pair of golden scissors.

The match was officially announced for February 5 during this week’s Maximum Carnage special episode of Dynamite. On this week’s show, Ricochet came to the ring for a promo to explain his attack on Strickland, but was attacked from behind y Strickland’s manager Prince Nana, who laid Ricochet out with a chair.

Strickland then made his way into the arena to finish Ricochet off, but Ricochet bailed.

Ricochet and Strickland have met twice before in singles competition, both times in 2017 — once at a WrestleMania weekend Wrestling Revolver indie show, and the other in an October MLW bout at One-Shot.

The February 5 AEW Dynamite lineup to this point:

  • Swerve Strickland vs. Ricochet

Ricochet segment set for AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Ian Carey

Ricochet will be on AEW Dynamite this week.

On Monday, Tony Khan announced that fans “will hear from” Ricochet on Wednesday’s show. He wrote, “We’ll Hear From @KingRicochet Live! At the aptly named Maximum Carnage Dynamite Wednesday, we hear from the man who savagely sliced up @swerveconfident with scissors! Ricochet this Wednesday!”

Ricochet is coming off having competed in the men’s Casino Gauntlet match on last week’s edition of AEW Dynamite in Clarksville, TN. The week before, he came out of the crowd to attack Swerve Strickland with scissors as Swerve was in a three-way bout against Jay White and Roderick Strong. 

AEW Dynamite: Maximum Carnage lineup for Wednesday, January 15, 2025:

  • Hurt Syndicate (MVP, Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin) vs. Mark Briscoe and AEW Tag Team Champion Private Party (Quen & Zay)
  • AEW World Champion Jon Moxley defends against Powerhouse Hobbs
  • Casino women’s gauntlet match for Women’s World title shot at February’s Grand Slam Australia
  • Kenny Omega vs. Brian Cage
  • Christian Cage vs. Hook
  • We’ll hear from Ricochet

Wrestling Weekly: AEW sets their 2025 table, previewing WWE Raw’s Netflix debut

Posted on by Victor Sosa

Image: WWE

In the first Wrestling Weekly episode of the new year, Les Thatcher and I look at how AEW set their 2025 table on this week’s Dynamite. We also look ahead to WWE Raw’s Netflix debut which will include Roman Reigns vs. Solo Sikoa.

Thanks for listening and have a great weekend~!

Click here to listen (sub needed)

AEW Worlds End preview & predictions: Highs & lows

Posted on by Mike DellaCamera

Editor’s note: The following is an opinion-based preview and reflects that of the author, not our website.

2024 has been a rollercoaster for AEW full of significant highs like another successful Wembley Stadium show, Sting’s spectacular retirement, and, most importantly for their future, a lucrative TV rights renewal.

But with those highs have come familiar lows: consistent, systemic issues that have plagued the company since its inception. Inconsistent booking decisions, the maddening inability to pull the trigger on new babyface acts, and of course, entirely too much weekly TV time to Chris Jericho. Even smaller, technical missteps, like frequent production hiccups, persist. These aren’t just bumps in the road; they are deeply rooted flaws in AEW’s foundation.

For years, fans and defenders of the company would point to attendance and strong ratings as proof that everything was fine. Critics, they claimed, were overreacting and clutching their pearls for no reason. But those indicators are lagging ones. Now, as Dynamite’s ratings continue to fall and attendance dwindles, AEW has been forced to run smaller venues in a practical decision, but one that underscores declining interest.

Fans will show up with both their eyeballs and wallets if the product is good. But no longer can AEW trade on the currency of tremendous pay-per-view shows. That is largely still true, but as good as the in-ring can be if the rest can’t keep up, the audience has proven they will not stay. 

AEW has become over-reliant on the moment and too often neglects the story, making everything feel hollow. A company that once teemed with life now comes off as flat, its vibrancy dimmed. This hits me on a personal level. As someone who watches entirely too much wrestling (apologies to my wonderful wife) and has written about nearly every major AEW show, staying fully engaged as a consumer has never been harder. There hasn’t been much, if any, learning from mistakes.

Claims to be ‘returning to who they are’ and ‘restoring the feeling’ ring hollow when they have been a constant refrain for years. By any objective measure, AEW is still a massively successful wrestling promotion, but in order to achieve lasting success, the status quo cannot be maintained. 

Will this show be good? Most likely. Will any of us remember it by the time the ball drops on New Year’s Eve? Most likely not. Nevertheless, we persist and we preview the end of the world: Saturday’s AEW Worlds End from Orlando, Florida (8 PM EST main card on PPV).

Adam Cole vs. MJF for MJF’s Dynamite diamond ring

This is the sad conclusion to an odd chapter in AEW. These two wrestled in the main event at Wembley Stadium two years ago in an actively disappointing match. At least the program had some heat to carry it through. This time, though, nothing is propelling this story forward. There is only the whisper of what was, and the crowd is (barely) reacting accordingly. The sooner it ends the better and the outcome is irrelevant. Whoever wins will be in the same position they were coming in, if not worse for it.

No matter the outcome, MJF is going to be just fine. It’s Cole who needs a good showing here. He comes across as leagues beneath MJF and miles away from anything meaningful. Nothing about that changes on Saturday. 

Prediction: MJF

Continental Classic Semifinals and finals: Kazuchika Okada vs. Ricochet & Kyle Fletcher vs. Will Ospreay

For the second year in a row, the Continental Classic is an unquestioned high point in AEW’s year. The matches inject some much-needed life into the cards. All the competitors treat it with reverence and go all out to win it. At its best, the tournament revitalized the company’s ethos, reminding fans why AEW once felt like the alternative to the mainstream of sports entertainment. It succeeds not by overloading itself with gimmicks or drama, but by focusing on what AEW has originally promised: wrestling as sport with stakes that matter and stories that unfold in the ring.

Some of my personal highlights:

  • Brody King featured on TV as there is no good reason he shouldn’t have a solo run in 2025
  • Kyle Fletcher’s continued growth as a performer
  • Shelton Benjamin showing out every single week
  • Ricochet’s much-needed character development
  • Will Ospreay struggling for the first time in AEW

The last takeaway is just Darby Allin, worthy of far more than a single bullet and who had a true no skips tournament run for this absolute madman. He’s the most bankable television wrestler in any major company, wrestling tremendous matches with every opponent. None of it was stale, none of it was repetitive. Each match was its own kind of special. There were a lot of bumps for AEW this year, but the ascension of Allin to the top of the card was not one of them.

Winning the Continental Classic should be a launching pad to individual success and treated like an even bigger deal moving forward. It’s now a proven commodity and something that AEW fans should look forward to every year. As for who wins the thing? There’s a good story to be told with either Fletcher or Ricochet winning. It puts a definitive crown on their heel turns and establishes them as featured players for 2025. 

Prediction and new Continental Champion: Kyle Fletcher

TBS Champion Mercedes Mone defends against Kris Statlander

Statlander is the most recent example of a problem that’s plagued AEW for years: the sudden flipping of a character’s alignment with no explanation. Three months ago, she was firmly a heel and aligned with Stokely Hathaway. Immediately after her street fight with Willow Nightingale at September’s All Out, her pairing with Hathaway was dropped without mention and she was suddenly ‘good.’

Months later, there has been no clear explanation for the change. No character development. She’s just different now. How is the audience expected to connect with someone like that, someone whose motivations are not just unclear and they are a mystery? It would have taken mere minutes of TV time to explain her actions. If characters are going to continue to haphazardly switch sides, it becomes nearly impossible to care about any of them and it makes meaningful turns so much less impactful. 

A positive for AEW: Mercedes Mone is fully back. One of her strengths is her feel for the moment. Few are better at navigating a big match and building to its crescendo. When these two locked up at Full Gear, it was excellent and I have high, high hopes for the sequel. What I don’t have high hopes for is a title change.

Prediction: Mone retains

AEW Women’s World Champion Mariah May defends against Thunder Rosa in a street fight

This is another title match with very little juice. The first nine months of 2024 belonged to May. Her ascent was marked by a captivating story, one that allowed her to showcase her presence and charisma. Her coronation at All In suggested the division’s next breakout star had arrived. Her matches had buzz; her presence felt like a promise. And yet, since capturing the title, something has been missing. Her reign is defined less by dominance or memorable defenses and more by an unsettling inertia as if the creative energy that fueled her rise was spent entirely in the chase. The lead-up to her crowning moment was so well done that what followed feels, by comparison, deflated. 

Making this a street fight — a stipulation designed to inject grit and urgency into an otherwise lukewarm rivalry — is another misstep. Rosa, despite her resume, has struggled to regain her footing in AEW after a prolonged absence. Her sporadic appearances and uneven booking have left her without the aura of a credible challenger. Like the men’s World title match, this seems like filler and a match designed to buy time for whatever is next rather than elevate either competitor. Being forward-thinking is important, but the present still needs to matter.

Prediction: May retains

AEW International Champion Konosuke Takeshita defends against Powerhouse Hobbs

At last, something we can sink our teeth into: two big, beautiful boys beating the crap out of each other. Takeshita’s brilliance is in his ability to move between styles, equally comfortable trading heavy blows as he is performing mind-melting feats of athleticism. Hobbs thrives by asserting dominance, becoming the kind of force AEW has so often lacked in a roster heavy on smaller, more fleet of foot athletes. Give me 8-13 minutes of these two emptying the tank and I’ll go home happy.

Takeshita is not just a student of greatness; he is its natural heir. As much as I enjoy Hobbs and as good as he is, his ceiling is not to be the best in the world. His opponent, however, possesses that ceiling and gets the win.

Prediction: Takeshita retains

AEW World Champion Jon Moxley defends against Orange Cassidy, Hangman Page and Jay White in a fatal four-way

We arrive at the end and are met with a muddled mess.

Moxley and The Death Riders started with such promise, running roughshod over AEW. But, it has become aimless and meandering. After they sent Bryan Danielson into retirement via attempted murder, the remains of the Blackpool Combat Club felt different, all-encompassing, and unbeatable. They summarily dispatched and nearly killed the greatest wrestler of all time without a care in the world.

But weeks and months went on and nothing evolved. They aren’t imposing their will over the rest of the roster. Instead, they are winning matches via distraction rollups. The group that has tried to suffocate someone and poison someone else is winning by the hairs of their chinny chin chins? Not exactly menacing. 

As good of a promo as Moxley is, the words have to mean something at some point. They can’t just be ominous and foreboding. Villains need to have clear motivations and fans need to know what they’re working toward. Taking back AEW and making it something different is all well and good, but what do they want to shape it into? What is the end game? All the tea leaves still point towards Darby Allin winning the title and saving AEW from Mox and crew, completing the coronation of a conquering hero and the establishment of the new top babyface.

For that babyface to exist, the group he overcomes needs to be powerful, not just similarly dressed troublemakers with vague motives and notions of the greater good.

You’ll notice that was about 200 words and none of them about the actual title match on Saturday. That, dear readers, is because this is another filler program. There is no way Hangman, White or Cassidy is leaving Worlds End as champion. None of them have been built up as reasonable threats and they certainly haven’t been treated like they are. Hopefully, the show ends with a hot closing angle (Kenny Omega returning, Darby Allin getting involved with some outrageous weapon, etc.) because as a main event, this is sorely lacking.

Prediction: Moxley retains

Wrestling Weekly: WWE & AEW year in review, Worlds End predictions

Posted on by Victor Sosa

Image: WWE

As the year draws to a close, Les Thatcher & I look back on 2024 in both WWE and AEW as well as our predictions for AEW’s Worlds End PPV this Saturday.

Thanks for listening and Happy New Year~!

Click here to listen (sub needed)

Continental Classic final four official for AEW Worlds End

Posted on by Josh Nason

The final four participants to determine the winner of this year’s AEW Continental Classic at this Saturday’s Worlds End are now official following Wednesday’s Christmas edition of Dynamite.

Kyle Fletcher won the Blue league by virtue of his win over TNT Champion Daniel Garcia, giving him 12 points to close things out. Reigning Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada defeated Shelton Benjamin to close out their Blue league action, giving Okada ten points and the runner-up spot. He edged out Mark Briscoe who finished with nine points.

In the Gold league, Ricochet won the league with ten points after going to a draw with Darby Allin. He edged out both Will Ospreay and Claudio Castagnoli who finished with nine points apiece after Ospreay defeated Brody King and Castagnoli lost to Komander.

However, Ospreay defeated Castagnoli earlier in the tournament, giving him a tiebreaker to officially become the runner-up.

That means this Saturday at the pay-per-view, the semifinals will feature Fletcher vs. Ospreay in a highly-anticipated rematch while Ricochet vs. Okada for the first time ever. The winners of those two bouts will then square off later that night to determine the potentially new Continental Champion.

Okada is the reigning champion, but the tournament winner will leave with the title.

Here’s the current lineup for Saturday in Orlando, Florida:

  • AEW World Champion Jon Moxley defends against Orange Cassidy, Hangman Page and Jay White in a fatal four-way
  • MJF defends the Dynamite diamond ring against Adam Cole
  • AEW Continental Classic semifinal: Kyle Fletcher vs. Will Ospreay
  • AEW Continental Classic semifinal: Ricochet vs. Kazuchika Okada
  • AEW Continental Classic final: TBD vs. TBD
  • TBS Champion Mercedes Mone defends against Kris Statlander
  • AEW Women’s World Champion Mariah May defends against Thunder Rosa in a Tijuana street fight
  • AEW International Champion Konosuke Takeshita defends against Powerhouse Hobbs

AEW Continental Classic results & updated standings

Posted on by Josh Nason

Four matches down, five left to go in this year’s AEW Continental Classic as the possibilities for the top four advancing to next Saturday’s Worlds End pay-per-view are still wide open.

Ricochet put himself in prime position by virtue of his somewhat checkered Gold league win over Will Ospreay that opened up Saturday’s Collision, giving him nine points. He will face Darby Allin this Wednesday who can only hope for a tie at this point.

Claudio Castagnoli also had a controversial win Saturday, knocking Allin out with brass knuckles to score the pin and also hit the nine point mark. He takes on Komander Wednesday who can only play spoiler as he has no points.

With some help, Ospreay remains alive for a potential tie if he can defeat Brody King this Wednesday. With a win, King could also potentially grab a tie for first as he defeated Komander on Friday’s Rampage.

In the Blue league, TNT Champion Daniel Garcia picked up a huge Blue league win Saturday in pinning Shelton Benjamin. Garcia now moves into a tie for second place with Kazuchika Okada at seven points a piece. On Wednesday, Garcia will face league co-leader Kyle Fletcher while Okada will take on Benjamin who is still alive for a tie with six points but will need some help.

Fletcher has a friend at the top in Mark Briscoe who defeated the winless Beast Mortos to earn three points and hit the nine point mark himself. Briscoe’s tournament is done, but he could earn a tie if Fletcher loses (he defeated Fletcher for the tiebreaker) and if both Okada and Garcia lose. Mortos’ tournament is also done.

Both Mortos and Komander are eliminated from either winning or finishing runner-up in their respective leagues.

The winner of the Gold league will face the Blue league runner-up and vice versa at Worlds End with those winners moving onto the tournament final that same night.

This Wednesday’s Dynamite:

  • Gold league: Will Ospreay (six points) vs. Brody King (six points)
  • Gold league: Darby Allin vs. Ricochet (nine points)
  • Gold league: Claudio Castagnoli vs. Komander (zero points)
  • Blue league: Kazuchika Okada (seven points) vs. Shelton Benjamin (six points)
  • Blue league: Daniel Garcia (seven points) vs. Kyle Fletcher (nine points)

Updated standings & potential outcomes:

AEW Christmas Collision live results: Will Ospreay vs. Ricochet

Posted on by Suit Williams

AEW will make their Hammerstein Ballroom debut tonight with a live Christmas Collision episode featuring the latest chapter in a rivalry that goes back years.

In the Continental Classic Gold league, Will Ospreay will take on Ricochet. Both men are in a five-way tie with six points as the tournament enters its final week. They went to a no contest in their first AEW clash back in October.

In another Gold league match, Darby Allin and Claudio Castagnoli (six points each) will meet in a rematch from November.

In two Classic Blue league bouts, TNT Champion Daniel Garcia will face Shelton Benjamin for the first time while Mark Briscoe takes on The Beast Mortos.

Adam Cole and MJF will have a face-to-face confrontation ahead of their Worlds End match while TBS Champion Mercedes Mone will also be on hand to share some thoughts.

The card is rounded out by former TBS Champion Kris Statlander vs. Penelope Ford.

**********

The final Collision of 2024 comes to us live from Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. Ian Riccaboni, Big Boom AJ, and Big Justice started the show in the ring, running down tonight’s card before Will Ospreay made his entrance for the opening match. Tony Schiavone & Nigel McGuinness were on the call.

The final Collision of 2024 comes to us live from Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. Ian Riccaboni, Big Boom AJ, and Big Justice started the show in the ring, running down tonight’s card before Will Ospreay made his entrance for the opening match. Tony Schiavone & Nigel McGuinness were on the call.

Continental Classic 2024 Gold League Match – Ricochet [9] def. Will Ospreay [6]

Ricochet is in the driver’s seat in the Gold League, getting to 9 points with some underhanded tactics. Ricochet has been getting real heat over the last few weeks with this try-hard character he’s been rolling out. Meanwhile, Ospreay is on the back foot, as with one match left, he’ll need a lot of help to advance to the Continental Classic playoffs.

Ospreay got streamers on his entrance, while Ricochet got toilet paper thrown at him to Ospreay’s delight. Ricochet bailed from the ring after the first exchange to big boos. Another exchange ended with Ricochet dumping Ospreay onto the top rope before following him to the floor with a Fosbury Flop.

After a commercial break, Ospreay got on offense, hitting a Phenomenal Forearm for a nearfall. Ricochet fought out of a Styles Clash, hitting an Angel’s Wings for a nearfall. Ricochet had an uncharacteristic stumble on a Best Moonsault Ever attempt, allowing Ospreay to move out of the way. Ospreay caught a cartwheeling Ricochet on his shoulders before transitioning into a Styles Clash for a nearfall.

Ricochet rolled to the apron when the Hidden Blade was teased, leading Ospreay to follow. Ricochet popped Ospreay onto his shoulders and hit a Death Valley Driver on the apron. Ricochet followed with a Shooting Star Press off the apron to the floor, followed by a springboard 450 in the ring for a nearfall. Ricochet hit a head kick and a lifting reverse DDT for another nearfall in this offensive flurry.

The crowd was firmly behind Ospreay as Ricochet loaded up the Spirit Gun. Ospreay ducked, and a series of counters ended with Ricochet catching Ospreay with a cutter on an Oscutter attempt. Ricochet hit another Death Valley Driver, but Ospreay countered the Spirit Gun with a Hidden Blade to put both men down. They both agreed to stand up and trade forearms, with Ospreay winning the exchange.

Ospreay went for the Stormbreaker, but Ricochet forced Ospreay into the referee. Ospreay hit the Stormbreaker, but the referee was out. Ospreay went to the top rope, but Ricochet booted the referee into the ropes and knocked Ospreay down. Ricochet drilled a recovering Ospreay with the Spirit Gun to score the win to big boos.

MJF & Adam Cole Summit

This is the closest this feud has felt to having any juice in a long time, so I’ll call it a success. I’m still not personally invested in it at all, but the crowd here did seem to at least play along with the promo.

Adam Cole & MJF came to the ring, with MJF coming out with security. MJF started by reminding Cole that he turned on MJF first. MJF took some pot shots, including saying that his dentist isn’t seeing him anymore. He said that Cole had several shots at the World Title before MJF won it but blew it like he blew out his ankle. MJF said that Cole used to be Adam Cole Bay Bay, but now he looks like a crack bay-bay.

Cole asked if MJF was done before starting on his own. He could talk about MJF’s hair replacement surgeries or his politicking to get his girlfriend a job, but he wouldn’t go in depth on it. He had some regrets, but he didn’t regret turning on MJF. MJF made friends and stabbed them in the back all the time, Cole just did it better than him and he knew it. Cole got in MJF’s face and said that he knew MJF would have turned on him anyway, and MJF admitted to it.

MJF said that last year at Worlds End, he was going to turn on Cole. He didn’t care about Cole when their team started, but he started to once they became friends. But then Cole got hurt and became a liability. Cole wasn’t the Devil, he just beat the Devil to it. He promised to end Cole’s world at Worlds End. Cole said that he would end this face-to-face and punched MJF in the face. MJF’s security got involved, and Cole bumped all of them before MJF kicked him low. He went to punch Adam Cole with the Diamond Ring before the Undisputed Kingdom ran him off.

We got a recap of Mercedes Mone defending both of her titles this past week.

Kris Statlander was backstage with Lexy Nair, who asked her about her attempted reconciliation with Willow Nightingale. Statlander said that the conversation between her and Nightingale was between them for now and promised to handle Penelope Ford tonight. Statlander turned her attention to Mercedes Mone, saying that her downward spiral this year began when Mone entered the company. She believed that getting the TBS Title back would lead her to getting back some of what she lost and challenged Mone to round two at Worlds End.

Orange Cassidy was backstage with Lexy Nair. He said that he couldn’t have a conversation with Hangman Page or Jay White, so he just asked them to listen. Jon Moxley couldn’t escape the three of them at Worlds End, and they all knew Moxley had to be removed as champion. He asked for a temporary alliance to take Moxley out of the picture, then the three of them could work out the title between themselves.

Kris Statlander defeated Penelope Ford

I’ll take another Statlander/Mone match. With Statlander getting back into Willow Nightingale’s orbit, I can see all of this leading to a big three-way for the title down the line no matter who wins at Worlds End.

Statlander went for a stalling vertical suplex, but Ford transitioned to a sleeper hold. Statlander maneuvered Ford back into the suplex before completing it for a nearfall. Statlander got Ford onto her shoulders and went to the second rope, but Ford knocked Statlander to the mat and hit a blockbuster for a nearfall. Ford hit double knees to Statlander on the apron as we went to a commercial.

After a commercial, Ford missed the double knees before Statlander dropkicked her off of the apron. Statlander hit a spinning Fisherman buster for a nearfall. Ford ducked a corner boot and hit a Perfect-Plex for a nearfall. Statlander caught Ford on a handspring elbow, and a series of counters ended with a Ford springboard poisonrana for a nearfall. Statlander came back with a pair of German suplexes before landing Staturday Night Fever for the win.

Mercedes Mone came out after the match. She was planning to take the PPV off but decided to grant Statlander another beating. She accepted Statlander’s challenge for Worlds End.

Big Boom AJ, Chris Jericho, Anthony Bowens Summit

Not sure why the Costco Guys are still here, unless it’s just because they’re local. It is interesting to see Bowens by himself cutting a promo with the ROH World Champion. He was fine on his own here, and maybe a short Jericho program could be a test-run for a singles run after the teased Acclaimed split goes down.

After a commercial break, Big Boom AJ & Big Justice were hyping the crowd up when The Learning Tree interrupted them. Chris Jericho asked if they had a permit to be there from Mayor De Blasio, and Big Justice called him a jackass. Jericho said that he spoke for all New Yorkers when he said that they didn’t want Big Boom AJ there. They didn’t even have Costcos in New York, they had bodegas. Jericho said that New York wasn’t about silly gimmicks like Boom, or guys in bandit masks – referring to Bandido after his run-in at Final Battle – or people who scissor.

This brought out Anthony Bowens by himself, who told Jericho to shut the hell up. Big Bill said that people who asked for silence were afraid of the truth, and his hometown crowd chanted his name. Bowens challenged Jericho to fight him now, but The Learning Tree bailed. AJ went to hit his line, but Bowens interrupted him and scissored with them instead.

Deonna Purrazzo & Taya Valkyrie were backstage with Lexy Nair when Technicolor Toni Storm stumbled into the frame to introduce herself to them. Purrazzo didn’t feel like dealing with Storm, so she challenged Storm to take on Valkyrie on Dynamite.

Continental Classic 2024 Blue League Match – Daniel Garcia [7] defeated Shelton Benjamin [6]

Garcia stays alive with a win over Benjamin. The finish played into Benjamin’s weakness of “playing with his food” as MVP often calls it, as Garcia survived Benjamin’s onslaught to get the win with his now-trademark jackknife flash pin. Both men are still alive for the playoffs going into Dynamite, with win-and-in scenarios against Kyle Fletcher and Kazuchika Okada respectively. The post-match was great, as it both worked as a Heyman Special for the next match and a reminder of the Swerve/Lashley feud.

With a loss or a draw, Garcia would be eliminated from playoff contention. Matt Menard joined commentary for Garcia’s match, as always.

Garcia jumped Benjamin at the bell after the Hurt Syndicate’s attack on Dynamite. Benjamin dumped Garcia over his head and pinballed him to the floor and around the ringside area. Benjamin controlled Garcia as the crowd chanted We Hurt People. Garcia tried to come back with chops before Benjamin chopped him down and hit a back body drop as we went to commercial.

After the break, Garcia took Benjamin down with a dropkick, but Benjamin came back with a pair of German suplexes. Garcia blocked a German suplex off of the apron, but Benjamin caught Garcia on the floor and dumped him with a belly-to-belly suplex. Garcia dropped Benjamin with a drop toe hold onto a chair and laid in the ten punches, but Benjamin dropped him with a lariat. The crowd helped Garcia back to his feet, and Garcia hit a Dragon Screw Leg Whip on Benjamin.

Benjamin came back with another German Suplex, but Garcia dodged the knee lift in the corner and locked on the Dragon Tamer. Benjamin transitioned into an STF variant and forced Garcia to the ropes. Garcia caught Benjamin in a small package for a nearfall, but Benjamin kicked out and hit a superkick for a long nearfall. Justified This Is Awesome chants rang out as Garcia caught Benjamin with the jackknife pin to steal the win and stay alive in the tournament.

With this result, Mark Briscoe is officially eliminated. That didn’t stop Briscoe from coming out to make the save as the Hurt Syndicate went to attack Garcia after the match. Swerve Strickland joined the fray, jumping off of the top rope and Swerve Stomping all of the security. Strickland took the mic and reminded everyone of his promise to get his hands on Bobby Lashley by the end of the year.

Continental Classic 2024 Blue League Match – Mark Briscoe [9] defeated The Beast Mortos [0]

Another energetic, fun match on this Collision. Briscoe technically leads the block right now, but he needs some help on Dynamite to advance to the final. Briscoe needs Benjamin/Okada to go to a time-limit draw. In that case, he will advance to the playoff in second place behind either Daniel Garcia or Kyle Fletcher. It’s unlikely, but it’s not impossible.

This is the final match of the tournament for both Briscoe and Mortos. A win would keep Briscoe ever-so-slightly alive, as he would need some help on Dynamite to advance to the playoffs.

The two traded strikes to start before transitioning to flash pin attempts. Mortos dropped Briscoe with a shoulder block before Briscoe vaulted Mortos to the floor. Mortos cut off a Briscoe dive attempt with a spear as we went to a commercial. Mortos was in control after the break before Briscoe ducked a rising knee in the corner and sent Mortos to the floor. Briscoe hit a baseball slide, then followed it with a tope con hilo.

Mortos cut off the tope chair hilo, but Briscoe dumped Mortos on the apron with a German suplex. Briscoe hit a skytwister press from the top rope to the floor before hitting the tope chair hilo. Justified This Is Awesome chants rang out as Briscoe went for the Froggy Bow, but Mortos got his knees up and hit the Banebreaker and a powerbomb over the knees. Mortos hit a pop-up Samoan Drop for a big nearfall.

Mortos fought out of the Jay Driller, but a Death Valley Driver and a Froggy Bow scored Briscoe a nearfall. A second Froggy Bow landed, and a Jay Driller scored the win for Briscoe to keep his faint tournament hopes alive.

Continental Classic 2024 Gold League Match – Claudio Castagnoli [9] defeated Darby Allin [6]

A solid main event featuring Castagnoli pinballing Allin around some more. Castagnoli’s frustration at not being able to put Allin down was the key point of the finish, resorting to brass knuckles to beat him. I expect Allin to get his win back over Castagnoli at some point in the new year as the Death Rider feud continues. As far as the tournament goes, Ricochet and Castagnoli control their own destiny as the outright block leaders and will clinch playoff spots if they win their matches. An upset will open the door for the winner of the Brody King/Will Ospreay to sneak in.

Allin dove onto Castagnoli to start the match. Allin fought Castagnoli to the top of the ramp before climbing to the top of the entrance structure and diving onto him. The two crawled to the ring so the bell could ring, and Castagnoli immediately caught Allin with the Swiss Death uppercut for a nearfall. Castagnoli got Allin in the Giant Swing for nearly a minute before tossing him to the floor.

After the commercial, Allin sent Castagnoli to the floor before diving into him. Allin hit another suicida before hitting a Coffin Drop to the floor. Castagnoli dove onto Allin’s back in a sleeper hold, but Castagnoli dumped Allin through the ringside table to escape the hold. Allin beat the count and ducked the big lariat, scoring with several flash pins before Castagnoli double stomped his chest to shut him down.

Castagnoli deadlifted Allin up and bodyslammed him from the ring to the apron. He then drove Allin into the ringpost back first before swinging him into the ring stairs. Castagnoli hit a big lariat for a nearfall. Allin countered the Ricola Bomb into a Sunset Bomb for a nearfall. Castagnoli set Allin on the top rope and went for a superplex, but Allin reversed it into an Avalanche Scorpion Death Drop. A Coffin Drop met Castagnoli’s knees, but a Ricola Bomb only scored a two-count.

Another Ricola Bomb got another nearfall. Castagnoli went outside and got a chair. The referee took the chair away, but that allowed Castagnoli to pull out brass knuckles and knock out Allin. Castagnoli scored the pin and went to do more damage after the match but Will Ospreay returned the favor to Allin from last week’s Dynamite and ran Castagnoli off.

Collision will return on January 4th, 2025, so I will take this time to wish you all a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, a Krazy Kwanzaa, a Festivus for the rest of us, and a Happy New Year!

Five Continental Classic matches set for Christmas night AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Josh Nason

The final Continental Classic tournament bouts before next Saturday’s Worlds End are set for next Wednesday’s Christmas night edition of AEW Dynamite.

Five matches are on tap that will be taped this Sunday afternoon at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City.

In the Gold league, Will Ospreay will face Brody King for the first time ever. Ospreay (pictured above) is part of a four-way tie that he hopes to break this Saturday on Collision against Ricochet while King has just three points.

Ricochet will face Darby Allin for the first time ever in Gold league action. Ricochet and Allin are also part of the aforementioned tie. Allin will be in action Saturday as well ahead of this match.

Claudio Castagnoli vs. Komander will round out the night’s Gold league matches. Castagnoli is part of the four-man tie while Komander has zero points.

In the Blue league, Kazuchika Okada will take on Shelton Benjamin for the first time ever. As of Wednesday, Okada (seven points) has a one point advantage over Benjamin (one).

In what could be a dark horse for the tournament’s best match, TNT Champion Daniel Garcia will take on Kyle Fletcher in Blue league action for the first time ever.

Here’s the current lineup:

  • Continental Classic Gold league: Will Ospreay vs. Brody King
  • Continental Classic Gold league: Darby Allin vs. Ricochet
  • Continental Classic Gold league: Claudio Castagnoli vs. Komander
  • Continental Classic Blue league: Kazuchika Okada vs. Shelton Benjamin
  • Continental Classic Blue league: Daniel Garcia vs. Kyle Fletcher

Daily Update: Will Ospreay, Darby Allin, WWE Vault additions

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Latest Audio

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

  • The notes of just how much of the young audience AEW has lost
  • All In at Globe Life Field both realities and perception
  • History of famous promotional wars and how they turned out and why
  • Why the few incumbents that lost did
  • The rise and fall of WCW
  • The finances of AEW
  • The issue with all non-Raw and Smackdown shows in the U.S. market right now not involving AEW
  • History of Saturday Night’s Main Event
  • High water marks for the show in the 80s
  • The Hogan vs. Andre match
  • Why SNME went away and its return and why that didn’t work as well
  • Preview of tomorrow’s show and betting odds
  • AEW Worlds End notes and WWE’s head-to-head show in Orlando
  • Full coverage of NXT Deadline
  • Full coverage of UFC 310
  • Tokyo Sports Awards, including unique things Zack Sabre Jr. has done and the history of all 51 MVP winners since 1974
  • More on the new Global Fight League, which features tons of post-40 UFC champions and major stars, to be debuting soon
  • For those outside the U.S. where the WWE Network moves to Netflix, what non-live shows will Netflix be airing and how little it is as compared to the WWE Network
  • Preview of both Tokyo Dome shows in January
  • The death of Karloff Lagarde Jr.
  • The most detailed look at the ratings of all the U.S. TV shows, comparisons to one year ago, segment-by-segment and rankings for the night and week.
  • What CMLL star trained with the Olympic team only a few years ago
  • Pentagon Jr. update
  • Tag team tournament finals in Japan
  • Top star in Japanese group gets suspended
  • Another top star cutting down his schedule
  • International TV ratings
  • Ticket sales for upcoming WWE & AEW shows
  • Tag team getting a non-wrestling national television show
  • Wrestling legend getting a non-wrestling TV show
  • Notes on the new season of Dark Side of the Ring
  • Willie Mack situation in GCW
  • What wrestler was GCW hoping to get for the Hammerstein Ballroom
  • Tessa Blanchard update
  • Lots of notes about the AEW on sale in Texas
  • Update on Rey Fenix situation
  • Most viewed streaming segments of AEW & WWE this past month
  • Steroids in BJJ
  • MMA Awards
  • Mark Shapiro talks future in WWE, UFC and even boxing ideas*WWE injury updates
  • Lots of notes about WWE shows on A&E in 2025
  • Son of sports legend makes quiet WWE debut
  • Janel Grant case updates
  • Dwayne Johnson movie updates

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter Back Issue

Tuesday Update

WWE

AEW/Other Wrestling

  • Ahead of his match against Ricochet at AEW Collision this weekend, Will Ospreay wrote on X: “Gentlemen’s agreement. If there is one minute before the time elapses. You & me stand in the middle of the ring and throw bombs till one of us drops. Holloway style. Stand & Bang. I ain’t drawing with you again.”
  • Darby Allin did an elbow drop through a table at a Nitro Circus event on Monday.
  • Backstage comments featuring Jack Perry and The Young Bucks following NJPW Fighting Spirit Unleashed.
  • Our own Tom Lawlor is set to take on Minoru Suzuki as part of the beIN Sports taping portion of MLW Kings of Colosseum on January 11.
  • Suwama and Shuji Ishikawa are establishing a new promotion called Pro Wrestling Evolution. Their first show will take place on January 29 at Shinjuku FACE.
  • TNA has released a new Chris Bey shirt, with all proceeds going to Bey.
  • Mance Warner will defend the GCW World title against Super Crazy at their January 11 event.

Will Ospreay vs. Ricochet set for AEW Christmas Collision

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Two Continental Classic matches are set for this weekend.

Tony Khan confirmed on Monday that Will Ospreay will meet Ricochet at the Hammerstein Ballroom for Christmas Collision this Saturday.

This will be the second time that Ospreay and Ricochet have met in AEW. In their first match back in October, The match restarted after both men pinned one another at the same time. However, Konosuke Takeshita interfered in the match soon after, causing it to be thrown out. The three ended up facing off in a triple threat match at Worlds End, with Takeshita walking away with the AEW International title.

It was also annonuced on Monday that Daniel Garcia would face Shelton Benjamin on Collision.

Ospreay and Ricochet are currently tied in the Gold League with six points along with Claudio Castagnoli. The Blue League has Garcia at 4 points and Benjamin at 3 points.

The updated lineup for this Saturday’s Collision:

  • Continental Classic Gold League: Will Ospreay vs. Ricochet
  • Continental Classic Blue League: Daniel Garcia vs. Shelton Benjamin

Updated AEW Continental Classic results & standings

Posted on by Josh Nason

As the second-ever AEW Continental Classic hits the midway point, leaders are starting to emerge with the close of the tournament at Worlds End getting closer every day.

On Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite, Will Ospreay earned three points with a win over Claudio Castagnoli in the Gold league, good for three points. It was a key win for Ospreay who now shares the top of the leaderboard with Castagnoli and Ricochet.

Ospreay now looks ahead to his first-time ever clash with Darby Allin this Wednesday and still has King and Ricochet to face. Castagnoli still has matches against Allin and Komander remaining.

The aforementioned Ricochet hit the six point mark by virtue of his pinfall win over Brody King who remains stalled at three points. Ricochet has matches against Ospreay and Allin remaining while King still must take on Ospreay and Komander.

There was no Blue league action Wednesday, but it will resume on Saturday with two bouts on Collision. Kyle Fletcher has a dominant lead with nine points.

Upcoming matches:

Collision (Saturday, December 14)

  • Blue league: Kazuchika Okada vs. The Beast Mortos
  • Blue league: Kyle Fletcher vs. Mark Briscoe

Dynamite (Wednesday, December 18)

  • Gold league: Will Ospreay vs. Darby Allin

Ricochet: Japan has been ‘like a second home’ to me for a long time

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Ricochet is looking forward to returning to Japan for Wrestle Dynasty.

The January 5 event is being held at the Tokyo Dome and will feature wrestlers from NJPW, AEW, Stardom, CMLL, and ROH. Among the matches announced is Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Ricochet. If Sabre is still champion following his defense against Shota Umino at Wrestle Kingdom, the IWGP World Heavyweight title will be on the line.

Sabre vs. Ricochet was set up when Ricochet made a surprise appearance at NJPW Power Struggle in November. NJPW uploaded an interview today with Ricochet reflecting on that moment and looking ahead to his return at Wrestle Dynasty.

“Just to be back in a New Japan Pro Wrestling wrestling ring, it felt great. To hear the fans when they saw me jump into the ring was awesome too. Just in general, to be back here in New Japan is awesome,” Ricochet said.

“Japan has been like a second home to me for a long, long time, and New Japan’s always been one of the biggest and best promotions out there. And it’s just so good to finally be back and to finally do what I love — and to hear the people be so excited and hear the people enjoy that I’m back was awesome. So it just felt good, man. There’s nothing like being in that New Japan Pro Wrestling ring. Nothing like it.”

Ricochet spent much of his formative years in pro wrestling competing in Japan for Dragon Gate. He later joined NJPW, last competing for the promotion in 2017. Ricochet is now with AEW following his departure from WWE. He has a 1-1 record in the ongoing AEW Continental Classic tournament.

In October of this year, Ricochet did return to Japan for a tag team match in GLEAT alongside his mentor CIMA. They defeated El Hijo del Vikingo & Soma Watanabe.

NJPW’s interview with Ricochet can be seen below:

Updated AEW Continental Classic results & standings

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Nine points were handed out during Friday’s Continental Classic matches on Rampage.

The opening bout saw Kazuchika Okada defeating Mark Briscoe with the rainmaker. Following his draw against Daniel Garcia, Okada has earned three more points and now has four altogether.

Daniel Garcia defeat The Beast Mortos meanwhile to score three points of his own, winning with a jacknife cradle. The win puts both Okada and Garcia tied for second in the Blue League, only behind Kyle Fletcher who leads with six points.

In the main event, Ricochet defeated Komander to earn his first three points. That puts him in a three-way tie for second in the Gold League along with Brody King and Will Ospreay. Claudio Castagnoli currently leads with six points.

Upcoming matches:

Collision (Saturday)

  • Continental Classic Blue league: Kazuchika Okada vs. Kyle Fletcher
  • Continental Classic Gold league: Komander vs. Darby Allin
  • Continental Classic Blue league: Daniel Garcia vs. Mark Briscoe

Dynamite (Wednesday, December 11)

  • Continental Classic Gold league: Will Ospreay vs. Claudio Castagnoli
  • Continental Classic Gold league: Brody King vs. Ricochet

Dynamite (Wednesday, December 18)

  • Continental Classic Gold league: Will Ospreay vs. Darby Allin