Tag: taya valkyrie

AEW Battle of the Belts VII live results: Toni Storm vs. Taya Valkyrie

Posted on by Suit Williams

The seventh edition of AEW Battle of the Belts will kick off right after the conclusion of AEW Collision from Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Per usual, three title matches will make up the card — all of which are for AEW championships. Additionally, all three are first time ever matchups.

AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm will defend against Taya Valkyrie, who has been a champion in Impact, AAA and MLW among other places. Storm came out on Friday’s Rampage to ridicule Valkyrie after a victory and ended up getting talked into a title defense instead.

In another match made Friday, AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy will defend against Lance Archer. Archer picked up a victory over Trent Beretta and then called his shot for a title match against Cassidy. Cassidy came out to help his friend, leading to Archer and Roberts stealing his belt and Jansport backpack.

TNT Champion Luchasaurus will have the first defense of his title as he faces Shawn Spears.

**********The night continues with Battle of the Belts VII coming live from Calgary, Alberta, Canada as part of the Calgary Stampede. Ian Riccaboni and Nigel McGuinness are on the call.

We came back to the scene that ended Collision, with Ricky Starks winning the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament over CM Punk. Starks got out of dodge quickly, snatching the trophy out of the hands of special guest Jushin Thunder Liger and bailing. An easy payday for Liger.

AEW International Title Match – Orange Cassidy defeated Lance Archer (w/Jake Roberts) by countout to retain

This was a good opener, as Cassidy used his smarts to survive another defense against a monster of an opponent. A weak finish, but I don’t think they’ll leave this hanging here.

Archer and Cassidy got off to a jump start, with Cassidy jumping Archer during his entrance. Archer brought Cassidy to the top rope and hammered him with a forearm. Archer set up the Blackout, but Cassidy fought out. Archer hit a rising knee to Cassidy on the top rope, then went for the Blackout again. Cassidy slipped down and locked on a sleeper hold. Archer slammed Cassidy down and hit a shoulder block that forced Cassidy to the floor.

Cassidy rolled to the other side of the ring before hitting Jake Roberts with his soft kicks. It baited Archer to his side, but Archer caught Cassidy on a hurricanrana attempt and threw him into the barricade. Archer began flinging security around, allowing Cassidy to dropkick Archer into the barricade. Cassidy began flinging security guards into Archer, but Archer came back up and flung Cassidy into the barricades again. They both beat the ten count into the ring, where Archer hit a big forearm as we went to break.

Back from the break, Cassidy went for a flying DDT, but Archer caught him and flung him across the ring with a suplex. Cassidy tried to hit a Stundog Millionaire, but Archer stuffed it and hit a barge attack. Cassidy went for a satellite DDT, but Archer caught him again. Cassidy went low, hitting a chop block. He got Archer down to his knees and called for the Orange Punch. Archer caught the punch and laid Cassidy out with a Bossman Slam for a nearfall.

Cassidy ducked a lariat and bailed to the floor where Roberts set up the DDT, but Archer stopped him. Cassidy hit a basement dropkick before hitting a DDT on the floor in front of Roberts. Archer got back up on the apron and taunted Cassidy, but Cassidy punched Archer to the floor. Cassidy fell into the ring, where the referee made the ten count. Cassidy wins by countout.

– Tony Schiavone was in the ring and welcomed The Acclaimed. They accepted QTV’s challenge, saying that they would beat them in and out of the Royal Rampage. Bowens then announced that next Saturday on Collision, The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn would get a rematch for the AEW Trios Titles against the House of Black. They then scissored with Tony Schiavone as we went to break.

AEW Women’s World Title Match – Toni Storm defeated Taya Valkyrie by satellite interruption to retain

Valkyrie is the hometown babyface here. Storm charged her to start, but Valkyrie fought back and sent Storm to the floor. Valkyrie hit a knee lift to Storm before following up with running knees for a nearfall. Storm hooked Valkyrie over the top rope, forcing her to the floor where she tossed her around with hairmares. Valkyrie came back with a hairmare of her own as we went to break.

Back from break, as Valkyrie avoided a hip attack and fired up on Storm. She hit a Blue Thunder Bomb for a one count, but followed with a hip attack of her own for a nearfall. The feed seemed to go out as we abruptly went to commercial. We came back to footage from last week’s Collision, where Julia Hart took on a local competitor. I’m assuming there’s technical problems in Calgary. We cut back in to the commentators welcoming us back, noting that there was a satellite interruption due to storms in the Calgary area. They later told us that Storm retained, showing Ruby Soho interfering and allowing Storm to hit the Storm Zero to win. Well, there you go.

– Tony Schiavone welcomed out Willow Nightingale and Ricky Starks before welcoming out Dr. Martha Hart for the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament ceremony. She gave a nice speech about the history of Calgary to the Hart Family before officially presenting Nightingale and Starks with their commemorative title belts.

AEW TNT Title Match – Luchasaurus (w/Christian Cage) defeated Shawn Spears to retain

Scorpio Sky was shown watching in the back as the bell rang. Luchasaurus cut Spears off with a big punch as we went to commercial break. Spears hit the ten punches in the corner as we came back from break. He hammered Luchasaurus with short-arm clotheslines before eventually dropping him with one. Spears booted Luchasaurus on the apron before booting his head against the post. Spears chased Cage around ringside, leading to Luchasaurus chokeslamming Spears through a table at ringside.

Luchasaurus brought Spears back into the ring, where Spears reversed a chokeslam into a rollup for a nearfall. Luchasaurus kicked out and hit the chokeslam, but Spears kicked out at two. Christian set up Spears’ chair in the corner, but Luchasaurus ended up going headfirst into the chair. Spears rolled him up, but Luchasaurus kicked out. Spears set up the C4, but Christian distracted him, allowing Luchasaurus to hit the lariat to the back of the head to win and retain the title. Christian celebrated with the title as we faded out.

Toni Storm & Orange Cassidy title defenses made for AEW Battle of the Belts VII

Posted on by Josh Nason

Two new title matches have been announced for Saturday’s AEW Battle of the Belts VII, airing live from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, following Collision.

One of those will see AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm defend against Taya Valkyrie in a first time ever match. Storm came out on Friday’s Rampage to mock Valkyrie after her win and got talked into a title defense for Saturday instead.

Storm will be looking for the third defense of her second reign while Valkyrie is looking for redemption after coming up short against then-TBS Champion Jade Cargill twice.

In the other, AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy will hope to extend his lengthy reign as he defends against Lance Archer. 

Archer called out Cassidy after his own win over Trent Beretta Friday. After getting physical with Cassidy, Archer and Jake Roberts stole the bag containing the International title and told Cassidy he could try to get it back Saturday.

A win over Archer will give Cassidy his 26th title defense while an Archer victory will give him his first AEW title of any kind. This will be their first ever singles match against each other.

The new additions join the previously announced TNT title match between current champion Luchasaurus and the Canadian-born Shawn Spears. Spears confronted the champion and Christian Cage backstage several weeks ago which set this in motion.

Here’s the card:

  • AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm defends against Taya Valkyrie
  • TNT Champion Luchasaurus defends against Shawn Spears
  • AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy defends against Lance Archer

MLW Fusion results: The fallout from Never Say Never

Posted on by Iain Oliver

This week’s MLW Fusion was taped in Philadelphia and New York earlier this year as part of the promotion’s Battle Riot and War Chamber tapings earlier. Matt Striker and Joe Dombrowski were on commentary.

The episode also included recaps and the fallout from Saturday’s Never Say Never show, including Alex Kane defeating Alex Hammerstone to win the MLW Heavyweight title, and the shocking revelation of Don King being the financial backer of Kane and the Bomaye Fight Club.

We started with a post-match press conference from the event with Kane and Mr. Thomas. A sweaty and passionate new champion called out his doubters and naysayers before listing his accomplishments and what he had to overcome, both exaggerated and true, before winning the title. He then said Hammerstone still hasn’t earned his respect and he will beat him again if he comes because this is Alex Kane’s house, kingdom, and empire.

Taya Valkyrie then told Women’s Featherweight Champion Delmi Exo she is going to prove why she is “the craziest bitch” tonight as she attempts to regain her title. Valkyrie portrays the crazy multi-persona/serial killer character really well as she cheerfully and happily mentioned that she intends on ripping Exo limb from limb tonight.

Delmi Exo defeated Taya Valkyrie (w/John Hennigan) to retain the MLW Women’s Featherweight title

During the ring entrances, highlights were shown of Valkyrie attacking Exo two weeks ago, and curb stomping her onto the title. Valkyrie was fined and given a one week suspension for her actions. 

The match started hot and escalated when Valkyrie took control by using the ring post and dropping Exo face-first onto the apron. Valkyrie hit Sheamus’ 10 Beats of the Bodhran and even added in his mannerisms as she flaunted in front of Exo, but she took too much time showing off and let the champion back into the match.

The champion hit Valkyrie with a fisherman’s suplex, a low dropkick, and a dropkick from the middle rope for a near fall. It was not long before the challenger came back and hit a pair of curb stomps with the second one going into the bottom buckle.

Exo rolled through the Road to Valhalla and elbowed her way out of a second attempt before going for her Delmi Driver, but a distraction from Hennigan stopped her. Hennigan got up on the apron and, similar to the previous title match, Valkyrie collided with him. Exo then tried a roll-up but Valkyrie kicked out.

Valkyrie tried to take advantage of the distraction but Exo hit a tilt-a-whirl head scissors takedown into a Fujiwara armbar, getting the tapout and successful title defense.

– We saw another recap of Never Say Never where Mister Saint Laurent announced the drafting of Matt Cardona, who will be the newest member of MSL’s group, joining Davey Boy Smith Jr. who turned heel by attacking Microman on last week’s Fusion.

– Another recap showed the revelation of Don King as the Bomaye Fight Club financial benefactor which was followed by interviewer Sam Leterna trying to get a word with Court Bauer who only told her to never do business with the “crook” Don King.

– O’Shay Edwards joined Kevin Blackwood and Matt Cardona as the latest draft picks. Edwards will be officially coming to MLW soon to join the Bomaye Fight Club while we have already seen Edwards in MLW this year in the Battle Riot.

Ken Broadway defeated TJ Crawford

This was really good and brought the crowd into it, especially toward the end during the nearfalls.

The “Silver Sniper” Crawford got the early advantage with a big boot and dropped Broadway hard with a suplex. The bigger Broadway came back with a strong lariat that turned Crawford inside out.

Broadway got a close near fall after a power bomb and a face-first swinging Bossman slam to the shock of the commentary team. Crawford then got a near fall after some strikes, a middle rope dropkick, and a double underhook driver. As the match started heading toward the finish, you could hear the crowd getting more into it the longer it went on.

Crawford then hit a great standing spin kick to the jaw and a springboard stunner, which normally sets up his brain buster finisher. Broadway fought out of it and hit a penalty kick and a pop-up bridging German suplex that he calls the Travis Plex (in honor of Matt Travis) to get the pin and win.

– Another Never Say Never recap showed Ricky Shane Page and AKIRA from The Calling winning the MLW Tag Team titles, making AKIRA a double champion as he also holds the Middleweight title.

– We saw the brackets for the 2023 Opera Cup which begins next week. Davey Boy Smith Jr. will face Calvin Tankman in one semifinal while Tracy Williams and Tony Deppen face off in the other.

Willie Mack defeated John Hennigan (w/ Sam Adonis) and Lio Rush in a triple threat match to become the no. 1 contender to the MLW Championship

This was a great match and a great way to end a good episode.

This was great and fast-paced throughout. You can imagine the spots Rush and Hennigan were able to do as well as having the size, power, and impressive explosive agility of Mack. They all combined brilliantly.

Mance Warner was drinking light beers on commentary. Warner was out there to continue his feud with Adonis who accompanied Hennigan to the ring. Rush was also announced as representing New Japan’s CHAOS faction.

Hennigan and Rush distracted Mack by forming an alliance on the outside, but the main reason was to let Adonis distract Mack, which let both heels jump him at the onset.

Their alliance lasted all of 30 seconds as Rush tried a sneaky roll-up once Mack was disposed of. Rush and Hennigan then had a parkour-tinged minute of dodges, feints, and reversals. Mack re-joined the action, but promptly ate a springboard kick to the face from Hennigan. Mack then hit a Samoan drop to slow the frantic opening minutes down.

Rush hit a great poisonrana after reversing a gorilla press by Mack, but Mack came back with a pop-up forearm to the jaw. Later on, Rush hit his low dive combo through opposite sides of the ring, nearly sliding and ramming Mack into the front row in the process.

The finishing sequence saw Mack send Rush out after a missed frog splash and a stunner. Hennigan then reversed a Mack stunner. Adonis got involved and grabbed Mack’s leg from the outside, but Hennigan hit Adonis by accident, giving Mack the opportunity to roll up Hennigan for the win. 

Next week:

  • 2023 Opera Cup semifinal match: Davey Boy Smith Jr vs. Calvin Tankman

AEW Rampage live results: Claudio Castagnoli vs. Komander ROH title match

Posted on by Joseph Collins

Claudio Castagnoli will defend the Ring of Honor World title against Komander on tonight’s AEW Rampage from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Castagnoli will be looking for his sixth successful title defense while this is Komander’s first opportunity at a Ring of Honor title.

Past TBS title challenger Taya Valkyrie will look to get things back on track as she faces former AEW Women’s Champion Hikaru Shida for the first time ever.

Johnny TV (John Hennigan) will make his return to AEW TV for the first time since last June when he teams with QT Marshall against Matt Hardy and Brother Zay.

Native son Shawn Spears will attempt to pick up a win in front of his countrymen when he goes one-on-one with The Blade. This is his first televised match in AEW since April.

**********

Taped in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. .

Excalibur and Tony Schiavone were on commentary. The rare two-man commentary team from AEW. 

Claudio Castagnoli defeated Komander (w/ Alex Abrahantes) via ref stoppage to retain the ROH World Championship (13:43)

Castagnoli tossed Komander like nothing to start. Komader countered a suplex attempt by sliding behind Castagnoli and then up his shoulders, but Castagnoli just dumped him to the mat hard for a near fall. Castagnoli gave Komader a giant swing and went for the Ricola Bomb, but Komader escaped and sent Castagnoli to the floor.

Komader came off the ropes with a moonsault that he turned into an arm drag on the floor. Castagnoli responded by booting Komader into the crowd. Castagnoli tried to press Komader into the ring through the ropes, but he wound up throwing him into the ropes instead. Castagnoli hit a DDT for a near fall.

After a split-screen break, Castagnoli dropped a leg for a near fall. Claudio set up a super-powerbomb, but Komander countered with a hurricanrana. Komander sent Castagnoli to the floor with a tijeras after about seven rotations. Komarder followed him out with a twisting moonsault. Castagnoli went for a boot against the ring barricade, but Komader ducked and Castagnoli got hung up on the barricade. Komader then hit a shooting star press off the ring barricade onto Castagnoli in an impressive spot.

Back in the ring, Komader came off the top with a twisting rana for a near fall. Claudio came back and leveled Komader with a forearm for a near fall. A short-arm clothesline got another near fall. Castagnoli missed an uppercut in the corner and Komader sprung off of Catagnoli’s shoulders, onto the top rope, and then into a spinning DDT on Claudio for a near fall. Komader tied up Claudio with a La Magistral’s cradle for a near fall. Komader then hit a double jump phoenix splash for a near fall.

Komader walked the ropes for a shooting star press, but Claudio got out of the way. Komader leapt off the top for a moonsault, but Castagnoli floored him with an uppercut. This knocked Komader out, and the ref stopped the match. Excellent bout that will sadly be forgotten about by the end of the weekend. 

“The Perfect 10” Shawn Spears defeated The Blade (w/ the Butcher) (4:00)

Spears is leaning into the Perfect 10 gimmick again, which makes sense because that was the most he was ever over. Spears dominated the match on the floor until the Butcher grabbed him from behind and gave him a clothesline. Back in the ring, Blade gave Spears a face-first suplex. Balade squandered his advantage and Spears came back with a Thesz Press and 10 punches. Spears finished off The Blade with a C-4 to get the pinfall. This was fun. 

QT Marshall & Johnny TV (w/ Harley Cameron) defeated Matt Hardy and Brother Zay (w/ Ethan Page) (10:12 aired)

Harley sang the entrance music for the QTV crew. I thought she might have been deliberately bad in that segment last week to make sure Bowens got a pop… but she might just be that terrible. Johnny TV, of course, is John Hennigan (Johnny Nitro/John Morrison).

Johnny hit a nice spot where he gave Hardy a fallaway slam, then sprung up to his feet for a standing shooting star press… but missed the shooting star press. Brother Zay allowed himself to be distracted by Cameron, and Johnny TV hit him with a dive onto the floor. The QTV crew stopped for a mid-match selfie and the show went to a split-screen break.

After the break, Brother Zay caught Johnny TV with a gamingiri, then took out Page with a rana and got the hot tag to Hardy. Hardy sent Johnny TV headfirst into the turnbuckles and gave Marshall the side effect. Hardy caught Johnny TV with a sit-out powerbomb for a near fall. Johnny TV blocked a Twist of Fate attempt, so Hardy gave him a DDT instead for a near fall. Marshall caught Hardy with a pop-up uppercut, and TV came off the ropes with a gamingiri for a near fall.

Johny TV missed an awful dive off the top. Brother Zay launched off of Matt Hardy’s back onto Johnny TV and Marshall on the floor. Back in the ring, Brother Zay got distracted by Harley Cameron, and Marshall crotched Zay on the ropes. Johnny TV hit the move formerly known as Starship Pain and got the pinfall.

After the match, Ethan Page tried to help Hardy back to his feet and was attacked by Johnny TV and Marshall. Page standing up for Hardy got a face pop from the crowd (he is Canadian), and Anthony Bowens and Billy Gunn ran in to chase off the QTV crew. 

– New for Dynamite Wednesday: We will hear from Jon Moxley, and MJF and Adam Cole will be in action as part of the Blind Eliminator Tournament. Wheeler Yuta also promised to “end” Kenny Omega on Dynamite.

Hikaru Shida defeated Taya Valkyrie (10:26 aired)

Shida sent Valkyrie to the floor with a step up rana. Back in the ring, Valkyrie slowed Shida down with a forearm, and wrapped her legs around the ringpost, injuring Shida’s knee as the show went to its last split-screen break.

After the break, Valkyrie fought her way out of a suplex and hit Shdia with a forearm. Shida came back with a series of forearms and a jumping knee for a near fall. Shida climb the ropes, but Valkyrie knocked her to the floor. On the floor, Shida gave Valkyrie a suplex, then came off the apron with a meteora. This aggravated Shida’s injured knees.

Back in the ring, Shida hit a running elbow strike for a near fall. Valkyrie blocked a spinning kick, then tossed Shida into the turnbuckles knee first. Valkyrie tried to tie up Shida’s legs, but it was almost like she didn’t know what to do with Shida. Finally, Valkyrie went for the Road to Valhalla, but Shdia countered that with a rollup to get the pinfall. 

Final Thoughts: 

The ROH title match is worth going out of your way to see. 

MLW Fusion results: John Hennigan vs. Willie Mack National Openweight title match

Posted on by Iain Oliver

This week’s MLW Fusion was taped in Philadelphia as part of the SuperFight and Battle Riot tapings earlier this year.

After Christian Cole called the Super Series the last two weeks, Matt Striker returned to join the ever-present Joe Dombrowski at the announcers’ table.

The Azteca Lucha faction (John Hennigan, Sam Adonis and Taya Valkyrie) cut a backstage promo. Adonis called out Mance Warner after he eliminated him from the Battle Riot match while Valkyrie laughed at the thought of Delmi Exo coming for her and her Featherweight title. They will face off next week.

Delmi Exo defeated B3CCA

Ahead of the title match next week, B3CCA must have read the writing on the wall as she came out of the blocks early with a combination of dropkicks, strikes and extravagant taunting. She even went as far as to cartwheel handspring into a simple slap which only seemed to fire Exo up.

She kicked B3CCA in the head and dropped her headfirst with a sit-out fisherman’s buster. B3CCA hit a springboard stunner for a close two count and got her in the Muta Lock and a single crab.

However, the number one contender used her smarts to roll and cause B3CCA to miss a top rope moonsault. This gave Exo the opening she needed for her Delmi Driver package piledriver to pick up the win before her big title shot next week. 

This was a good short match and another nice showcase for the women’s division.

– The Mane Event (Jay Lyon & Midas Black) cut a heartfelt, feel-good interview where they spoke out of character about their inspirations (House of Glory and Amazing Red) while we saw true backstage moments from their MLW debut. This felt different and was a very nice package to give the impression they will be in for a strong push soon.

– Sam Leterna interviewed Willie Mack who wasn’t willing to give up any secrets ahead of his Openweight title shot against John Hennigan.

1 Called Manders defeated Yoscifer El

El is an interesting character. Billed from “three to five thousand years ago,” he is a berzerker crossed with a White Walker crossed with Bruiser Brody crossed with a Genghis Khan character. Manders’ character is a bit more straightforward: a country-tough man of the Midwest.

This was a great big hoss fight filled with hard shots and slams with both men using their bodies to ram into each other. As good as it was, it was short-lived as Manders hit El with a big lariat to get the win.

– Ahead of his MLW title match with Alex Hammerstone at Never Say Never on July 8th, Alex Kane was eager to explain of all the injustices he has suffered: being number one in the Battle Riot, his National Openweight championship loss, and being left out of the Opera Cup tournament. He turned it on Court Bauer and told him the Bomaye Fight Club is for the people and he will bring a revolution to wrestling.

At the end of the show, the cameras caught up with Hammerstone who said Kane is talking like he is looking for an excuse and an easy escape for their title match. He thinks Kane is looking for either a cheap cash in or an injury to grant him the win because there is no way he will be a man and step up to a fair one-on-one contest.

– Taya Valkyrie again laughed off Delmi Exo’s chances of beating her next week, making fun of her name and saying she has beaten people all over USA and Mexico and it will be the same next week.

– Timothy Thatcher vs. Tracy Williams was announced for Never Say Never.

MLW National Openweight Champion John Hennigan (w/ Taya Valkyrie) defeated Willie Mack to retain the title

Mack got his shot after he disclosed that he may know the whereabouts of Cesar Duran, blackmailing his way into the match.

Mack put a stop to Hennigan’s early efforts with a massive pounce. Hennigan had to get dirty to get the real advantage where he could then use his array of kicks and strikes to slow Mack down.

After a slap to the face and trying to use Valkyrie as a human shield, Hennigan was on the end of a rampaging Mack who chopped his way into an advantage. But the resourceful Hennigan hit a desperation jawbreaker and a springboard kick to get right back into the match.

Hennigan hit his swinging neckbreaker Moonlight Drive for a close two count as Sam Adonis (at the announcers’ table) speculated that Duran will return in no time and make everything great again in MLW.

Hennigan went to the top rope, but took too long which allowed Mack to crotch him. Mack then joined Hennigan, but the crafty Hennigan was again able to trip him and make him crash to the mat.

The confidence was growing in Hennigan but that came crashing down as well when Mack dodged Starship Pain. Mack then exploded into a comeback with strikes and a red-hot pendulum slam. He then hoisted Hennigan up with ease for a Samoan drop, a kip-up and a standing moonsault for a crowd erupting close two count.

Hennigan slipped behind and struck him with a forearm to the back of the head, but Mack came back with a big pop-up forearm of his own.

Mack had a visual three count after his running step-up kick, but Valkyrie distracted the referee. Hennigan then accidentally kicked Valkyrie off the apron, distracting the referee again. It looked like Adonis was going to interfere and knock Mack out with the belt, but the challenger thwarted the heels’ antics and stunnered Adonis out of the ring.

Mack then hit a pop-up sit-out power bomb for a close two count that got a “this is awesome” chant from the crowd.

The heels still had one trick left up their sleeve. Hennigan kept his title belt in the ring and after a sunset flip, he made the referee get rid of it. As the referee’s back was turned, Valkyrie hit Mack in the back of his head with her title belt to give her man the tainted win and successful title defense.

Next week:

  • MLW Featherweight Champion Taya Valkyrie defends against Delmi Exo
  • MLW Middleweight Champion Lince Dorado defends against AKIRA and Lio Rush in a three-way
  • An update on Jacob Fatu’s injury status and news on his return

MLW Fusion results: Taya Valkyrie defends two championships

Posted on by Iain Oliver

MLW has returned with a new season of Fusion on beIN Sports, following the recent Underground season that concluded on Reelz.

To catch you up, Alex Kane won the 2023 Battle Riot match to earn an MLW title shot against Alex Hammerstone at July’s Never Say Never streaming special on FITE.tv. The season also included the debut of new heel faction The Calling who most recently attacked and injured the ever popular former champion Jacob Fatu.

This week’s show was taped in Tijuana, Mexico, as part of the MLW and AAA Super Series tapings with Joe Dombrowski and Christian Cole on the call.

The episode opened with highlights of Kane’s Battle Riot victory where he went the distance to win from the no. 1 spot before we were treated to a new opening video and music package for the new season.

Juicy Finau defeated Crazy Frank and Damian 666 in a triple threat Tijuana street fight

With the size and abilities of each competitor, this was a slow-moving but hard-hitting weapons match that saw the MLW Tag Team champion get the victory.

They listed off Damian’s previous deathmatch/hardcore opponents and it is quite an impressive list: the original Sheik, Onita, Sabu, Masato Tanaka and Mike Awesome among others.

Damian stapled some pesos to Finau’s shoulder before he and Frank sent him over the barrier with some cookie sheet shots. Frank used a cheese grater on Finau, followed by Damian driving skewers into Frank’s forehead. Finau then set Frank on a chair, placed an HD plasma TV on his lap, and crushed both man and TV into the barrier.

Inside the ring, we had a run-in from Frank’s stablemates who suplexed Damian from the top rope onto a car hood. However, they were soon on the end of an avalanche splash by Finau and kendo stick shots from Damian.

The action stumbled to the stage where Finau threw Damian off the stage and through a table. Frank joined them with another cookie sheet and dragged Finau back to ringside and sent him through the TV.

Inside the ring, Frank’s stablemates set up some plexiglass using chairs but ended up going through them via a double chokeslam. Finau then hit a Samoan drop and a middle rope moonsault onto Frank to pick up the pinfall victory. 

– They announced that Jacob Fatu will be out due to injury for three weeks while he recovers from his attack from The Calling. However, his MLW Openweight title shot against John Hennigan that he did not get due to the attack was still valid and he will get it in the future.

– MLW Champion Alex Hammerstone said Danny Limelight (his next opponent) and Alex Kane will suffer the same fate, and that The Calling will get theirs soon enough as well.

– Delmi Exo told Taya Valkyrie that her time is up as MLW Featherweight Champion, firmly supplanting herself as her next challenger if she can retain tonight.

– Sam Leterna interviewed Willie Mack who said he has gold on his mind and Hennigan in his sights.

– Mister Saint Laurent was backstage on his cellphone setting up a deal with “the best wrestler to come out of your country” when he bumped into Mance Warner, 1 Called Manders and Matthew Justice having a beer. MSL warned them to stay away from his “meal ticket” Microman but after MSL left, Microman was happy to receive and share a post-bathroom beer. 

– In a press conference, Alex Kane answered a string of questions:

  • Mr. Thomas is in Tijuana training for his next big fight.
  • Kane will not cash in his title shot during the Super Series.
  • He will have another Prize Fight before his title shot.
  • We will find out who is behind the Bomaye Fight Club, a group he said is the lifeblood of MLW and that he will be the next MLW Champion.

    Taya Valkyrie defeated La Hiedra, Dalys and Sexy Star in a four-way match to retain both the MLW Women’s Featherweight and AAA’s Reina de Reinas titles

    Hiedra got ganged up on in the early going, but this quickly broke down into a series of one-on-one mini matches as all four took turns in the ring as the other two rested on the outside.

    Star came close with a lungblower but Valkyrie returned with a suplex, only to be interrupted by Dalys who hit a big suplex on the double champion.

    All four were knocked down, but Dalys and Hiedra got to their feet and exchanged strikes. The two both ended up on the wrong end of a double roll-up from Star and Taya before they then were left alone in the ring to renew their rivalry.

    Valkyrie and Star exchanged strikes and near falls after Star hit a German and Valkyrie hit a hard clothesline.

    Star impressively powered the champion up onto her shoulders and dropped her with a driver for another close two count. But after another strike exchange, Valkyrie hit her Road to Valhalla to pick up the victory and retain both titles.

    As Fusion was going off the air, a vignette aired for The Calling who said Jacob Fatu will be the first victim.

    Next week:

    • Sam Adonis, John Hennigan & Gringo Loco vs. El Hijo del Vikingo, Psycho Clown & Rey Horus in a no DQ trios match

    Two title matches, Chris Jericho & Adam Cole contract signing set for AEW Dynamite

    Posted on by Josh Nason

    Two titles will be on the line for the Double or Nothing go-home edition of AEW Dynamite.

    After a few weeks of build following Kyle Fletcher laying out Orange Cassidy backstage, Fletcher will get his AEW International title match against Cassidy this Wednesday. The winner will defend in the Blackjack battle royal set for the pay-per-view.

    AEW Trios Champions The House of Black (Malakai Black, Brody King & Buddy Matthews) will defend against AR Fox, Metalik & Blake Christian under their new “House rules” stipulation.

    After agreeing to an unsanctioned match at Double or Nothing, Adam Cole and Chris Jericho will sign their contracts.

    Ahead of her challenge of TBS Champion Jade Cargill at the PPV, Taya Valkyrie will take on Lady Frost, making her Dynamite debut.

    The show will also feature promo segments by all Four Pillars (AEW World Champion MJF, Jungle Boy, Darby Allin and Sammy Guevara), AEW Tag Team Champions FTR, and Ricky Starks.

    The new additions join the previously announced ROH Tag Team title match and Tony Khan announcement about the first location of Collision.

    Here’s the current lineup for the MGM Grand in Las Vegas:

    • Adam Cole & Chris Jericho Double or Nothing contract signing
    • AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy defends against Kyle Fletcher
    • AEW Trios Champions House of Black defend against Blake Christian, AR Fox & Metalik
    • FTR promo
    • Ricky Starks promo
    • Four Pillars promos
    • Taya Valkyrie vs. Lady Frost
    • ROH Tag Team Champions Lucha Brothers (Rey Fenix & Penta El Zero Miedo) defend against Blackpool Combat Club’s Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta
    • Tony Khan will announce the first location of AEW Collision

    TBS title rematch, trios match announced for AEW Double or Nothing

    Posted on by Josh Nason

    The TBS title will be on the line at next weekend’s AEW Double or Nothing as Jade Cargill defends against Taya Valkyrie in a rematch. 

    After Cargill defeated two indie wrestlers with ease on Friday’s Rampage, another came out to challenge but was held off by Valkyrie who returned after a storyline suspension. The two confronted each other with Valkyrie hitting Cargill with Road To Valhalla which is the same move as Cargill’s Jaded. Valkyrie then said she would see the champion at Double or Nothing.

    Weeks after Valkyrie debuted for AEW and first confronted Cargill, the two squared off for the first time but Valkyrie was unable to use her finisher. Cargill picked up the victory, but the finish was done in a way to open things up for a rematch.

    Cargill is the inaugural TBS Champion and has yet to taste defeat in her young career.

    In another new match made Friday, Jeff & Matt Hardy will team with Brother Zay against Ethan Page and The Gunns. If the Hardy team wins, Hard gets control of Page’s contract. Page and the Gunns laid out the Hardys and Zay Friday.

    The AEW International Championship blackjack battle royal began to take shape as QT Marshall revealed he has entered his group into the match.

    The other new bout made after a big brawl Friday was Adam Cole vs. Chris Jericho in an unsanctioned match.

    Here’s the updated card for next Sunday’s pay-per-view from Las Vegas, Nevada:

    • AEW World Champion MJF defends against Sammy Guevara, “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry and Darby Allin in a four-way
    • AEW Tag Team Champions FTR defend against Jeff Jarrett & Jay Lethal
    • AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy defends the title in a 21-man Blackjack battle royal
    • TNT Champion Wardlow defends against Christian Cage in a ladder match
    • AEW Women’s Champion Jamie Hayter defends against Toni Storm
    • TBS Champion Jade Cargill defends against Taya Valkyrie
    • Anarchy in the Arena match: The Elite (Kenny Omega, Young Bucks & Hangman Page) vs. Blackpool Combat Club (Bryan Danielson, Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta)
    • Chris Jericho vs. Adam Cole in an unsanctioned match
    • The Gunns (Colten and Austin) & Ethan Page vs. Jeff & Matt Hardy and Brother Zay with Page’s contractual status on the line

    Fight Game: Did Triple H make a big mistake?

    Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

    John LaRocca and I are back with a brand new Fight Game Podcast.

    We kicked off the show with our thumbs up/thumbs down segment which led to a bigger discussion around WWE bringing in a third World title. Is this Triple H’s biggest mistake so far being lead of WWE creative?

    We then moved on to our big picture look at AEW Dynamite:

    • Orange Cassidy being the best booked babyface in AEW
    • Wardlow and Arn Anderson
    • The backward booking of the Four Pillars
    • Roderick Strong’s AEW introduction
    • Taya Valkyrie not being booked like a proper babyface when the entire storyline was set for her to be one
    • The insanity that is The Elite vs. the Blackpool Combat Club

    You can subscribe to The Fight Game Podcast on Apple Podcasts and follow us on Spotify or click below to listen.

    Click Here to Listen for free

    Jade Cargill vs. Taya Valkyrie TBS title match set for next AEW Dynamite

    Posted on by Josh Nason

    More than a month after she made her AEW debut and set Jade Cargill in her sights, Taya Valkyrie will get her shot at the TBS Champion on next Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite.

    Valkyrie is 4-0 in her early run with one of those wins coming over Cargill’s running mate Leila Grey. Cargill is undefeated in her career and another win next week will give her 22 title defenses and nearly 480 days as champion.

    Valkyrie is in her fourth reign as AAA Reina de Reinas Champion and is both a former Impact Knockouts Champion and MLW Featherweight Champion.

    The show will also feature Sammy Guevara vs. Darby Allin with the winner moving on to face AEW World Champion MJF at May’s Double or Nothing.

    Guevara defeated “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry Wednesday in the newly-announced Four Pillars tournament, advancing to the finals against Allin who earned a bye by virtue of his name being drawn out of a hat by MJF.

    Here’s the current lineup for Sunrise, Florida, with more assumed to be announced on Saturday’s AEW Rampage:

    • TBS Champion Jade Cargill defends against Taya Valkyrie
    • Sammy Guevara vs. Darby Allin in the Four Pillars tournament final

    AEW Rampage live results: Sammy Guevara vs. Konosuke Takeshita

    Posted on by Joseph Collins

    AEW will have their entry into a busy Friday night with a new edition of Rampage, headlined by Sammy Guevara taking on Konosuke Takeshita.

    Guevara is trying to position himself for an AEW World title match with MJF along with the other “pillars” that includes “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry and Darby Allin. Perry picked up a victory Wednesday over Matt Hardy.

    Takeshita is looking for his fifth straight win in his first singles meeting with Guevara since 2018.

    Malakai Black and Brody King (The Kings of the Black Throne) will take a break from trios competition as they face Best Friends.

    Taya Valkyrie will look to go 3-0 in AEW as she takes on Marina Shafir in hopes of a future TBS title match with Jade Cargill.

    Juice Robinson will strive for his sixth straight AEW win as he faces Action Andretti ahead of his clash with Ricky Starks this Wednesday.

    **********

    Taped from St. Louis, Missouri.

    Jim Ross, Excalibur, Chris Jericho and Tony Schiavone were on commentary.

    Sammy Guevara (w/ Tay Melo) defeated Konosuke Takeshita (9:44)

    “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry and Dabry Allin were shown watching the match from the back. Takeshita hit his flying lariat and mocked Guevara’s pose. Guevara countered a suplex attempt with a knee to the head, then hung Takeshita up in the ropes and hit a senton. Takeshita tried to set up Guevara for an avalanche German superplex, but Geuvara escaped and dropkicked Takeshita, who was hanging in the ropes.

    After a commercial, Takeshita dropped Guevara with a brainbuster. Guevara countered a running knee strike. Takeshita gave Guevara a release German suplex while on his knees. Guevara flipped out of a deadlift German suplex and caught Takeshita with a Spanish fly for a near fall. Guevara missed a shooting star press, but hit a Canadian destoryer for a near fall. Takeshita hit a blue thunder bomb for a near fall.

    Both guys fought up to the top rope. Takeshita hit an avalanche German suplex form the top, then followed up with a lariat for a near fall. Melo grabbed Takeshita’s leg to distract Takeshita, and Guevara ran in with a knee strike. Guevara then hit the GTH on Takeshita to get the pinfall. Guevara needed to win, but Takehsita really didn’t need another loss.

    – QTV segment. This was cringeworthy. They mocked Wardlow again. Marshall is using a suplex into a sitout powerbomb as his new finisher; footage of this from Dark was shown. Let’s get to the point where Wardlow destroys these guys already. 

    – Earlier today, Ethan Page signed the contract for a match with Hook next Wednesday in Long Island. Matt Hardy drew up the paperwork (since Stokley Hathaway is MIA), and Page has no idea how any of that works. Matt winks to the camera while Page signs, so I’m sure there’s no shenanigans there. 

    Brody King & Malakai Black (w/ Julia Hart) went to a no contest with The Best Friends (8:15 aired)

    Trent Beretta and Black started out, and Beretta hit a nice standing meteora. Chuck Taylor got the tag and Black destroyed him with knee strikes. Brody King got the tag and floored Taylor with a clothesline. The fight went to the floor to usher in a split-screen break.

    Beretta got the hot tag after the commercial. He suplexed Black and hit King with a spinning DDT. Beretta took out King with a tope con hilo, then came off the top with a shotgun dropkick on Black for a near fall. Black hit Beretta with a knee, but the Best Friends hit the half-and-half/soul food combination. They tried to give the people what they want, but King charged in to break that up. King caught Beretta going for a plancha and chokeslammed him against the ring apron. King powerbombed Taylor through a ringside table. Beretta hit King with a chair, and Black hit Beretta with a chair, and the referee called for a bell. With no winner declared, I beleive the match was thrown out.

    Orange Cassidy tried to run to help his Best Friends, but Buddy Murphry cut him off. Cassidy tried for the Orange Punch on Murphy, but Murphy blocked it with his title belt, injuring Cassidy’s hand. King and Black delivered Dante’s Inferno on Taylor. The crowd chanted for the House of Black as they left. 

    Later in the show, it is annoucned The House of Black will defend the World Trios titles against Orange Cassidy & The Best Friends on Dynamite Wednesday. 

    – Keith Lee and Swerve Strickland exchanged pre-recorded barbs at each other. Swerve thinks he’s a mogul, but if Lee puts Swerve six feet under, will that just make him an underground rapper? That was a good line from Lee. 

    Taya Valkyrie defeated Marina Shafir (2:37)

    The ring announcer said “we have a problem” when Marina Shafir came out. Jade Cargill and her crew came out to watch the match while Valkyrie and Shafir struggled over an armlock. Shafir and Valkyrie didn’t feel like they were on the same page here. After a long two minutes, Valkyrie hit the Road to Valhalla to get the pinfall.

    After the match, Mark Sterling sent his legal processor down to give Valkyrie a restraining order to keep her from using the move. Of course, Valkyrie gave the process server the Road to Valhalla too. Cargill actually sold here and tried to charge at Valkyrie, but Sterling and Leila Grey held her back.

    – Anna Jay cut a promo on Julia Hart and promised to choke her out. 

    Juice Robinson defeated Action Andretti (9:05)

    Last week, Robinson cut a promo where he said he didn’t want to wrestle in Missouri. And tonight, he wrestled in Missouri. Andretti caught Robinson with a tornio for a near fall before the commercial.

    After a break, Robinson gave Andretti a stomach breaker, then buried a knee into his midsection. Robinson continued to call Andretti “Ricky” throughout the match because he’s so focused on Ricky Starks next Wednesday. Andretti came back with a forearm and elbow and a flurry of kicks that sent Robinson to the floor. Andretti followed him out with a tope. Andretti hit an Arabian Press on the floor, then a springboard lariat in the ring. Andretti hit a spinning DDT for a near fall. Juice caught Andretti with a leg lariat, then hit his forward DDT (The Juice is Loose) for the pinfall.

    After the match, Robinson set up Andretti for the roshambeaux, but Ricky Starks ran him off to end the show. 

    Final Thoughts: 

    This was the very definition of a throwaway show. There’s a million hours of wrestling on this weekend; you don’t need to carve any time out of your schedule to watch this. 

    Impact notes: Mickie James injured, Taya Valkyrie written off

    Posted on by Josh Nason

    In a surprise announcement following Thursday’s Impact on AXS TV, Knockouts Champion Mickie James will miss Friday’s Sacrifice due to an undisclosed injury.

    The promotion announced the news on Twitter, saying they would give an update and address the situation during the streaming special from London, Ontario, Canada.

    James was set to face former champion Jordynne Grace in a rematch from January’s Hard to Kill.

    On Thursday, James teamed with Tommy Dreamer against Bully Ray and Masha Slamovich and James was accidentally hit by a Grace spear post-match. It’s unknown if they will use that as a storyline reason for the injury.

    As of this writing, James hasn’t commented on social media about the situation.

    **********

    As expected following last Thursday’s Knockouts Tag Team title loss, Taya Valkyrie was written off TV Thursday in a most unusual fashion.

    In a backstage segment, Valkyrie was trying to distract Jessicka away from a casket she found in the back searching for The Coven who won the titles last week from Valkyrie and Rosemary.

    A hand then reached out from the casket and dragged the screaming Valkyrie inside. As Jessicka ran away for help, the casket closed and that was that.

    Valkyrie signed a deal with AEW and debuted last week on Dynamite in Winnipeg. She took to social media Thursday to thank the fans and Impact:

    It’s the second time Valkyrie has been written off as prior to her signing with WWE and heading to NXT, she was sent to jail for shooting John E. Bravo in another memorable storyline.

    **********

    Impact provided more details about their live show next Thursday on AXS TV that will act as a preview for their co-promoted PPV with NJPW called Multiverse United.

    In addition to the previously announced Josh Alexander vs. KENTA match, it was revealed next week’s show will also feature the Impact debut of Miyu Yamashita and a never-before seen match between Will Ospreay and Homicide.

    Ospreay was pulled from next Friday’s PPV due to a shoulder injury and was replaced by Hiroshi Tanahashi in his match with Mike Bailey.

    MLW Underground results: Hammerstone vs. Jacob Fatu title match

    Posted on by Iain Oliver

    This week’s MLW Underground was from action taped in February and saw both the MLW title and Featherweight titles on the line. Joe Dombrowski and Matt Striker were on the call.

    MLW Champion Alex Hammerstone defeated Jacob Fatu to retain the title

    This match has been building ever since Fatu won last year’s Battle Riot and it did not disappoint. Early on, the commentators planted the seeds as they revealed Hammerstone has never been able to hit his finisher on the mighty Fatu. Not only did Hammerstone hit it, but had to hit it twice to put the resilient “Samoan Werewolf” away.

    Fatu out strong, but it was the champion who ended up hitting a plancha to the floor and then dropping Fatu headfirst on the apron. Fatu was the clear fan favorite as they cheered on his comeback and booed the champion’s advances.

    Hammerstone had “RH” on his wrist tape in a message to past rival/teammate Richard Holliday who is out of action fighting non-Hodgkin lymphoma. After a break, the champion hit Fatu with an exploder suplex into the corner to start his hulking-up comeback.

    Hammerstone hit a running kick, a belly-to-belly release suplex and a Northern Lights suplex for a two count but moments later, he was knocked over the top rope to the floor after a suplex.

    Fatu then had a burst of high-flying moves as he hit a headfirst dive through the ropes, a moonsault from the middle rope to the floor, and then a top rope senton bomb inside the ring.

    https://twitter.com/MLW/status/1638364692019118080

    The pace quickened and the moves intensified. Hammerstone hit a big running clothesline and a death valley driver on the ring apron. Inside the ring, he entered by jumping three-quarters of the way across with a huge jumping dropkick and a TKO in a callback to their last match where Hammerstone used that move to win the title. However, Fatu kicked out at the last minute.

    Fatu hit his pop-up Samoan drop and his springboard top rope moonsault, but the champion also kicked out at the last minute.

    The referee was letting things slide a bit as the commentators told us there had to be a winner. A chair was brought in by Fatu, but it ended up in the hands of the champion who teased using it, but it took too much time and ate another superkick.

    Fatu tried to capitalize with another top rope moonsault, but Hammerstone got his knees up and hit his Nightmare Pendulum, but Fatu kicked out to the shock of everyone in the arena.

    https://twitter.com/MLW/status/1638366588624592898

    More weapons made their way into the ring as Hammerstone set up a wooden board in the corner of the ring. A quick exchange followed, but Fatu ended up getting thrown headfirst through the board with an overhead release German suplex.

    Hammerstone then hit a second and final Nightmare Pendulum to pick up the win in a great match.

    Afterward, there was a nice showing of respect between the two as Fatu raised the champion’s hand as the Philadelphia crowd did eventually come around to cheer the champion.

    As Hammerstone started to celebrate, it was short-lived as the lights went out and Raven’s calling card attackers, known now as The Hive, circled the champion and beat him down. AKIRA and Ricky Shane Page got their shots in as six other masked men duct taped the champion to the ropes so they could get their shots in.

    https://twitter.com/MLW/status/1638376910131548161

    – Sam Laterna welcomed Mance Warner to the stage, who quickly welcomed his friends the Second Gear Crew: 1 Called Manders and Matthew Justice. Justice said they are there to take the Underground to a new level, but were interrupted by The Hive via the video wall. Warner said they were going to drink light beers and beat people up.

    – This year’s Battle Riot will be shown on Reelz as that situation continues to develop.

    – Laterna then interviewed Mister Saint Laurent who issued a challenge to Real1 on behalf of Microman in an attempt to get revenge for Real1’s bullying.

    – There was a recap of Cesar Duran being kidnapped by his own henchmen last week. This week, Taya Valkyrie and John Hennigan tried to get answers from MLW management, but were told they would be breaching their contract if she didn’t get to the ring for her match.

    MLW Featherweight Champion Taya Valkyrie (w/ Sam Adonis and John Hennigan) defeated Billie Starkz to retain the title

    Valkyrie looked to be taking Starkz lightly early on, but soon changed her tune as the challenger took she and Hennigan out with three consecutive dives to the floor. But Valkyrie was right back on top as Hennigan pushed Starkz off the top rope behind the referee’s back.

    https://twitter.com/MLW/status/1638373477844484096

    Valkyrie sent Starkz headfirst into the ring post before taking control and landing knees first on Starkz’s face in the corner. The commentators talked up Starkz being the youngest person to headline Korakuen Hall as she fired up with a spinning kick and a German suplex.

    Starkz kicked Valkyrie before dropping her with a Gory bomb. Hennigan got on the apron again and distracted Starkz briefly before being kicked off by the smarter challenger.

    Valkyrie then came close with a curb stomp but when she attempted her Road to Valhalla finisher, Starkz rolled through and got a close two count of her own. Starkz continued with another spin kick but was quickly caught and dropped with a successful Road to Valhalla, giving Valkyrie the win.

    https://twitter.com/MLW/status/1638374797963829250

    After the match, Laterna asked Valkyrie where Duran was but Valkyrie just pleaded for the fans to call their number (1-900-Lucha) “and bring my Jefe home.”

    https://twitter.com/MLW/status/1638375762834214919

    Next week:

    • Real1 vs. Microman

    NWA Power results: Taya Valkyrie vs. Max The Impaler

    Posted on by Josiah MacDonald

    This week’s very short edition of NWA Power featured what could be the final appearance in the NWA for newly-signed AEW wrestler Taya Valkyrie.

    Outside a replay of a match from the Nuff Said pay-per-view, this show was largely missable, but nothing was absolutely terrible outside of an EC3 promo.

    Thrillbilly Silas defeated Brady Pierce

    Pierce was squashed fairly quickly here, losing after every member of The Spectaculars were hit with a Thrillride.

    Daisy Kill & Talos defeated Trevor Murdoch via DQ

    Kill, a new character, played the ukulele singing a song about how he was going to beat up Murdoch. Apparently, Kill is the one sending big men after the former NWA World Champion.

    Talos and Kill attacked Murdoch and Mike Knox ran out and made the save, leading to the DQ. Murdoch was selling a foot injury, so he was outnumbered and hurt in the process. Knox and Murdoch shook hands after, so it seems that Murdoch finally has some backup and an ally.

    – Kevin Kiley Jr. (the former Alex Riley in WWE) was with May Valentine and talked about how excited he was being back in wrestling with the NWA. He admitted he was rusty, but he was the one telling his story and EC3 wasn’t going to control anything.

    – Speaking of EC3, he and BLK Jeez were backstage with Valentine and talked about the partnership of their stables. This seems like the third or fourth time we have seen this promo, yet the story hasn’t gone anywhere. EC3 called Tyrus the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Not the champion, mind you — the championship.

    – In an encore presentation, they aired the NWA Women’s title match between the champion Kamille and Angelina Love from Nuff Said.

    Max The Impaler defeated Taya Valkyrie

    In a pre-match promo about Valkyrie and Max, Valkyrie made reference to the Sinister Minister’s recent appearances in Impact Wrestling.

    Max attacked as Valkyrie entered the ringside area. Valkyrie used a chair to sit Max on and hit a crossbody, but Max was up soon thereafter, throwing her into the apron. Valkyrie recovered after about 90 seconds of heat from Max. Every time Max would get back up, Valkyrie would hit hard, but as time went on, it was clear the strength of Max was wearing Valkyrie down. Max picked up the win after hitting a short-arm lariat to finally finish Valkyrie off.

    AEW Rampage viewership, 18-49 demo up from last week

    Posted on by Paul Fontaine

    Despite a much later start and with a great lead-in, this past Friday’s AEW Rampage averaged 474,000 viewers on TNT, up six percent from the previous week — the show’s highest audience since January 13th. 

    Rampage finished 26th on the cable charts with a 0.18 rating in the 18-49 demo. That’s up 20% from last week and matches the highest rating in that category since April 15, 2022.

    The show didn’t start until after midnight on the East Coast but benefited from the lead-in of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament which averaged 2.38 million viewers and finished second on the charts with a 0.82 rating in the 18-49 demo.

    19 of the top 20 spots on the charts were related to the tournament with the World Baseball Classic taking the other spot. Rampage finished fifth for the day outside live sports. 

    As compared to the same week in 2022, Rampage was up 19% in overall viewers and 38.5% in 18-49. Rampage aired in a similar time slot last year due to the tournament, but the lead-in was only a 0.69 in 18-49 and 2.2 million viewers. 

    The biggest increase from last week was with males 18-49, up 15%. They also had a 10% decline with females 12-34 which somewhat offset that. 

    The following are the last 11 weeks of overall viewership and 18-49 demo ratings for AEW Rampage on TNT. This week’s show was up 10.1% in overall viewers and 50% in 18-49 as compared to recent averages.