Warrior Wrestling announced today that the Kylie Rae vs. Thunder Rosa match has been delayed, but Kylie Rae will still make her return to pro wrestling on June 5.
In a press release, the company said that Thunder Rosa would not be available on June 5 due to the NWA changing its taping schedule. Warrior Wrestling said that the two companies have since worked together to move the match to August 21.
Kylie Rae, who is returning to professional wrestling for Warrior Wrestling, will still mark her return on June 5 and will defend the Warrior Wrestling Women’s title against Holidead. If Rae is still champion on August 21, she will defend the title against Rosa.
Rae announced her retirement from professional wrestling last year, saying she was unwell. She had missed a scheduled match that was set for Impact’s Bound for Glory event.
Warrior Wrestling is running three Stadium Series events this summer, taking place at Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights, Illinois starting on June 5. Another show will run on July 17, and a third will take place on August 21.
Joe Galli & May Valentine opened the show, showing a segment from last week where Nick Aldis announced that Strictly Business was recruiting. The announcers then invited Mike Parrow to the announce desk to ask him about his career.
–Parrow talked about how he wasn’t seen in the NWA since the NWA 70th Anniversary and had to go to Japan to earn his way back to the NWA. He was angry that the management sent him away, since he watched people from all across the world, but didn’t get a shot in the NWA. He said that he was going to take everyone in front of him out, and every single person there should run in fear. Excellent promo.
–A recap of Thunder Rosa beating Britt Baker on AEW Dynamite aired. Rosa then cut a promo about wanting to win the NWA Women’s title back.
–Kamille was at the announce desk and asked where her video package was. Kamille said that she made the match that Rosa was in last week better by running in and spearing Rosa. She also talked about Adonis and Thom Latimer being a good team, but she wasn’t quite sure where Nick Aldis’ head was at because she and Thom aren’t going anywhere.
She said she wasn’t upset with Nick, and recognized that he was going to do the best thing for Strictly Business. May Valentine asked if she was taking it personally, and Kamille got increasingly upset, saying that she was just straight to business.
Mims defeated Jerimiah Plunkett
This was a solid, basic match once it got started. Mims and Plunkett botched something early on, but right after that, they got on track.
Plunkett trained Mims, so there was a bit of a built-in story for the match. Plunkett got the heat for most of the match, using heel tactics, which Velvet Sky pointed out with those exact words. Not a fan of Sky saying “That’s a real heel there. Getting the heat from the crowd.” What does that mean if this is real?
Mims made a quick comeback, hitting some bodyslams and a huge belly-to-belly suplex. Mims then hit the Hook Up for a pinfall victory. Solid match.
The announcers informed us that Sal Rinauro was looking for a world-class wrestler to team with him to face Aron Stevens and Kratos.
–Nick Aldis was with May Valentine and Joe Galli and talked about the qualifications needed to challenge for the NWA World’s Heavyweight Championship. Aldis said there were several people in the running, but no one has separated from the pack yet. Aldis said that this afforded him the time to focus on advancing Strictly Business.
Aldis also called out May Valentine for her questioning of Kamille. He said that Latimer & Kamille are not a part of Strictly Business because they’re his friends, they’re members because they are elite-level athletes. As long as they remain elite, they will be members.
Galli then asked about Chris Adonis, and Aldis said again that he was not a member. He is on their radar, and he has had a good start, winning the NWA National Title, but the main thing that Aldis is looking for is consistency.
Aldis then spoke directly to the viewers who were happy NWA Power was back, and all the fans that support them, saying “You’re welcome.” Perfect heel line from Aldis here. Good promo, and a little intrigue built towards the next episode of NWA Power.
Final Thoughts:
This was a very easy 30-minute watch that featured a recap of all the events from the last few weeks of Power, and then a bonus match on top of it. It also advanced some characters in Mims and Parrow specifically. I’m not sure what the plan is going forward with Power Surge, but as a half-hour recap show with promos, it served its purpose well.
Nick Aldis opened the show, and said he wanted to discuss an affliction he has been dealing with for a long time – all he knows how to do is win. He doesn’t know how to do anything else, pointing out that he beat Aron Stevens at Back for the Attack, and how Strictly Business won last week too.
Davis asked if Adonis was joining Strictly Business, and Aldis said that they were getting ahead of themselves. As they were talking, Trevor Murdoch came out and confronted Aldis for teaming with him last week after condemning him in the opening promo. Murdoch said that he was in a hospital for a week because of Adonis, and he couldn’t collect pay for his family.
Murdoch demanded another match with Adonis that is no DQ, no countout, and he’ll put the NWA National title on the line. Aldis was offended that Murdoch cut him off, and said the last thing he wants to do if he is worried about missing work is to cross him.
Aldis then reminded him of the number one rule that Harley Race taught them both – never turn your back on your opponent. Chris Adonis came out and attacked Murdoch and beat him down, while Aldis looked on with joy. Referees came out to break it up, and a doctor came out to check on Murdoch.
Fantastic opening segment. Murdoch was able to walk out, but he was clearly hurt again, making this feud even more personal.
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Aron Stevens and Kratos were backstage with May Valentine. Stevens talked about Joseph Hudson again, and how he changed his life. Sal Rinauro came onto the screen and asked for a World Tag Team title shot, and Stevens agreed, but said that he better be prepared, as this is the NWA.
Sliced Boogie defeated Jeremiah Plunkett
Good squash match here that further got Sliced Boogie over.
Boogie kept control for most of the match, except for a brief moment with a heat segment from Plunkett. Boogie hit a nice springboard back elbow, but missed a middle rope elbow that allowed Plunkett to get the heat. Plunkett hit a spinebuster for a two count, and then locked in a sleeper on Boogie.
Boogie got out with a back suplex, and nailed Plunkett with a clothesline and a Gotch piledriver (the Deadass Driver) for the pinfall.
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Tyrus (with Austin Idol) defeated Matthew Mims
The wrong guy won this match, as Tyrus worked over Mims with his horrible offense.
Tyrus caught Mims on a crossbody and slammed him before hitting an elbow and locking on the classic NERVE HOLD~! Mims got out and hit a few headbutts to shake Tyrus. Tyrus hit an exploder and a terrible chokeslam for the pinfall.
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Fred Rosser and Pope were at the podium. Rosser talked about how Pope was not ready for him because he was taking the TV title. Pope said that he knew Rosser for a long time, and remembered Rosser asking him for advice backstage at shows, which Rosser said off mic that “that was then, this is now”. They formally announced the match as the main event for next week. Great stuff.
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Thunder Rosa & Alex Gracia defeated Skye Blue and Jennacide by disqualification
This match was billed as a “Ladies Celebration Match” as Rosa brought in some young talent to the NWA to give them a chance. Blue, Jennacide, and Gracia were all green, but Rosa went out of her way to try and make them all look good.
Skye Blue started the match with Rosa. Blue was clearly green, but there is something there. Rosa rolled with her for some submissions back and forth, staying on top the whole time. Rosa tagged Gracia in, who hit a weak chop on Blue, but Rosa tagged back in and hit one of her own that was brutal.
Rosa and Gracia exchanged quick tags back and forth to keep the advantage. Jennacide was extremely green, but has a unique look and was the biggest woman in the match. She did power moves, including doing some squats while holding Gracia up for a slam. Rosa got the hot tag, but ate a spear from Kamille who ran out for the DQ.
Melina, who was on commentary, came over the ring and started yelling at Kamille. Rosa pulled her away, and as Kamille turned around she came face to face with Jennacide. Both of them were the same size.
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Nick Aldis was on commentary for the main event. Joe Galli wanted to address something before the match: would Tim Storm wrestle again? The answer was yes, as Storm is not done yet, but he didn’t want to take away from Aldis as champion and made no excuses – Aldis beat him for the title, even if he doesn’t like how Aldis acts.
Aldis gave a warning to Storm, saying that he was glad that he hadn’t retired, but that he needed to watch his mouth about him and Strictly Business. Looks like we might be getting Aldis and Storm one more time down the line, which I am perfectly fine with.
No DQ: Chris Adonis defeated Trevor Murdoch to win the NWA National title
The story of the match was that Murdoch had an injured neck, so while he was tough, he had little chance against the uninjured Adonis. It was a fast match, but told a great story.
Murdoch came out wearing a neck brace, which Aldis asked if it were wise for him to wrestle with that on. Adonis slammed Murdoch on the floor, as Aldis talked about how Murdoch shouldn’t be out there due to the injury, even though he played a role in it happening.
Adonis worked over the neck for the next few minutes, locked on the Masterlock and hit a full nelson slam. Adonis then picked him up and locked on the Masterlock again, and Murdoch passed out, becoming the new champion via ref stoppage.
Aldis said that this made Adonis an associate of Strictly Business, and that he wanted to celebrate the success of Adonis. Tim Storm looked on in disgust as the show closed.
Final Thoughts:
Really solid episode of NWA Power here, with lots of storylines being hinted at for the future. The one that compels me the most is the real tension we can see between Tim Storm and Nick Aldis. It’s clear Storm is disgusted by the heelish actions of Aldis, but it hasn’t gotten to the point of where he is willing to fight.
I think this is a classic slow burn, where we will see Tim Storm leave the announce desk to take on Strictly Business eventually, possibly ending with Nick Aldis and Tim Storm wrestling for the NWA World’s Heavyweight Championship one last time. I loved this.
I also loved how they’re positioning Thunder Rosa as someone that wants to give new talent a shot on every show. She’s a wonderful babyface, in contrast to Kamille, who selfishly wants all the attention on her.
Lots of good stuff on this episode with future feuds being developed. I’m excited for what the NWA has in store for us down the line.
Thunder Rosa defeated Britt Baker in what turned out to be a brutal, bloody Lights Out match tonight on Dynamite.
In a match filled with blood, tables, ladders, and thumbtacks, Rosa pinned Baker in tonight’s Dynamite main event after a fire thunder driver through a table on the outside of the ring. In a video posted on AEW’s social media after the match, Tony Khan and others backstage could be seen congratulating both Baker and Rosa on their performance. You can see the video below:
Tony Schiavone conducted an interview with Thunder Rosa after the match, where she said she was proud of the moment and thanked her fans. The video ended with Baker being checked on by doctors, removing the thumbtacks out of her body. She also hoped that Dave Meltzer would think highly of the match, mentioning five stars.
“The bad news is… you forgot to kill me,” Baker wrote on Twitter after the match. “Face of the women’s division. #AEWDynamite”
“You can be the face of a Division,” Rosa replied. “My goal is to be the Face of Wrestling period!”
Rosa and Baker have been feuding for most of the year. They first faced off at Beach Break back on February 3rd, where Baker defeated Rosa. The two also faced off in a tag team match at the Revolution Buy-In event, where Baker and her tag team partner Maki Itoh were able to defeat Rosa and Riho.
Britt Baker vs. Thunder Rosa in a Lights Out match headlines tonight’s AEW Dynamite St. Patrick’s Day Slam.
Rosa teamed with AEW Women’s World Champion Hikaru Shida and Ryo Mizunami to defeat Baker, Maki Itoh and Nyla Rose on last week’s Dynamite, but Baker and Itoh beat Rosa and Riho at Revolution on March 7. Baker also beat Rosa in singles competition on the Beach Break edition of Dynamite on February 3.
Jon Moxley and Eddie Kingston will tag against Impact Wrestling’s Good Brothers (Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson).
Gallows and Anderson interfered in Moxley’s exploding barbed wire deathmatch against Kenny Omega for the AEW World title at Revolution. Kingston and Moxley then brawled with Omega, Gallows and Anderson on last week’s Dynamite.
Cody Rhodes will take on Penta El Zero Miedo in singles competition.
Rhodes and Penta were both participants in the Face of the Revolution ladder match at the PPV, then had a pull-apart on last week’s Dynamite after Penta threatened to injure Cody so badly that he would not be able to hold his unborn daughter.
Promos from Christian Cage and Sting have been advertised.
It is also expected that MJF’s new group with Wardlow, FTR, Shawn Spears and Tully Blanchard will officially be introduced tonight after making their debut last week.
Matt Hardy, Isiah Kassidy, Marq Quen, Butcher and Blade will face Jungle Boy, Luchasaurus, Marko Stunt, Bear Boulder and Bear Bronson in a ten-man tag.
Rey Fenix will also take on Angelico, plus Jade Cargill will be in action.
Our coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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Ahead of the match, Penta and his translator Alex Abrihantes cut a short video promo.
Cody Rhodes (w/ Arn Anderson) defeated Penta El Zero Miedo
This was a very good opener with lots of high spots, even if the psychology of the match didn’t make much sense.
Penta took Cody out with a dive before the bell. They brawled on the floor, where Penta sent Cody into the ring post and Cody tossed Penta into the barricade. Back in the ring, Penta laid in hard overhand chops, but Cody fired up with a release suplex. Penta came back with a sling blade for two. Cody went for Cross Rhodes, but Penta powered out and hit a backstabber for another two.
Out on the floor, Penta grabbed a table and propped it up against the barricade. Cody stopped whatever Penta was planning and hit a top-rope hurricanrana in the ring. Penta focused his attack on Cody’s injured shoulder with kicks. Cody tried to press slam Penta out to the foor through the table, but Penta fought out, eventually falling victim to the Disaster Kick. Cody followed it up with a tope suicida into the table, which didn’t break.
Back in the ring, Penta laid in more chops but ran into a thrust kick and a destroyer. Cody then hit the Cody Cutter for a near fall. He followed it up with the Cross Rhodes, but Penta kicked out for a great near fall. Cody set Penta up for Din’s Fire and hit it, but Penta kicked out once again. Penta landed a hard slap but Cody slammed Penta’s leg into the ring post. He followed it up by locking on the figure four.
Eventually, Penta reached the ropes to break the hold. He hit his signature arm break spot but was rolled up by Cody for three.
– After the match, Penta attacked Cody’s shoulder but was chased off by Dustin Rhodes and the Gunn Club. As Penta walked out, QT Marshall appeared, but he was too late to make an impact.
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The Young Bucks were interviewed by Alex Marvez. Matt said that even though Rey Fénix has beaten both of them in singles competition, they’re the better tag team.
Don Callis showed up and taunted the Bucks, admitting that they never attacked him. He said there’s nothing more for the Bucks in AEW. The Bucks said that Callis’s influence changed Kenny Omega, and Callis said that’s because Omega is now God. He asked the Bucks to reflect on whether they’re the same team he saw in NJPW.
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Jade Cargill defeated Dani Jordyn
Jordyn hit an elbow after a standing switch but ran face-first into a boot. Cargill just tossed Jordyn with a German suplex before hitting Jaded, a wheelbarrow facebuster, for the win.
– After the match, Cargill taunted Red Velvet at ringside, who took a swing.
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MJF introduces his new stable
My recap won’t do this segment justice. Tully and especially MJF were outstanding.
MJF and his new group walked out, including FTR, Wardlow, Shawn Spears, & Tully Blanchard. Tully spoke first and said it’s great to be in here with this group, because they took out the greatest stable in AEW last week. He said they’re the baddest group in the company and at the pinnacle of the sport. Tully started his career with the greatest group in wrestling, and he’s gonna finish his career with the greatest group in wrestling.
Tully handed the mic to MJF, who said it wasn’t easy to take a backseat to Chris Jericho, but it worked. His perceived takeover of the Inner Circle was just a ruse, because he wanted to defeat the strongest faction in AEW and build one even stronger in its remains.
Their group name is The Pinnacle, and MJF then went down the line in their group, highlighting all their accompishments. MJF said that when all is said and done, he’ll be the greatest of all time, and the Pinnacle will be the backbone of AEW for years to come. They will take what they want. MJF concluded by addressing Jericho, saying “I’m better than you, and you know it.”
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Matt Hardy, Private Party (Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen), and The Butcher & The Blade (w/ The Bunny) defeated Jurassic Express (Jungle Boy, Luchasaurus & Marko Stunt) and Bear Country (Bear Boulder & Bear Bronson)
This match’s story was that Jurassic Express and Bear Country couldn’t work together while Hardy’s unit worked like a well-oiled machine.
Stunt started off taunting Hardy, who just kneed him. Stunt escaped a powerbomb and laid in a slap before tagging in Jungle Boy. The match broke down into a free-for-all, after which the babyface team stood tall. Bear Country tossed Stunt over the top rope onto the pile, nearly killing him. Boulder tried to take Quen down with a body slam, but he inadvertently took out Jungle Boy in the process.
With the match reset, Hardy and his team beat down Jungle Boy through a commercial break, where even the Bunny got involved. Back from break, Luchasaurus got the hot tag, where he took out every single opponent. He concluded his flurry with a chokeslam moonsault combination on Kassidy, but Butcher broke up the pin. Butcher took a headbutt and fired back with a lariat but was met by a dive from Stunt.
Boulder tagged in and hit an exploder suplex on Kassidy. Jurassic Express and Bear Country couldn’t work together, so Stunt tagged himself back in, where he was overwhelmed by Private Party. Stunt got a brief hope spot but was attacked by Hardy, allowing Private Party to hit Gin ‘n’ Juice. Hardy tagged in and hit the Twist of Fate for the win.
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A Jon Moxley and Eddie Kingston video played. Moxley said he wanted to take the week off, but he’s gotta fight the Good Brothers. He mocked Talkin’ Shop-a-Mania and their appearances. Kingston got serious and said that AEW is their yard. He quoted 50 Cent and 2Pac before the video ended.
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Christian Cage was interviewed by Dasha about why he joined AEW. Christian said he’s not just a workhorse, he’s *the* workhorse in wrestling, just in case anyone forgot. The only spot in the roster he’s interested is the AEW World Championship. He said that Kenny Omega’s on borrowed time as champion, and his mission in AEW is to cement his legacy and outwork everyone.
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Jon Moxley & Eddie Kingston defeated The Good Brothers (Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows)
The Good Brothers attacked Kingston during his entrance, and the two teams brawled all over before the match. The Brothers took out Moxley with a Magic Killer before the match finally got underway.
With the fight now two on one, the Good Brothers took turns beating down Kingston in the ring. Kingston fired up just as Moxley made his way back to the match, but Gallows sent Moxley to the floor with a boot and the Good Brothers continued their beatdown through a commercial break.
An exploder suplex from Kingston finally allowed him enough time to tag in Moxley for the hot tag. Moxley sent Anderson into the corner with a shotgun dropkick and fought off Gallows, who tried to get involved. He flattened Anderson with a lariat and followed it up with a piledriver for two. Moxley then took out Gallows with a tope suicida.
Anderson surprised Moxley with a spinebuster upon re-entry. The Good Brothers then hit double teams on both opponents, but Moxley kicked out at two. They set up for the Magic Killer, but Kingston broke it up as he and Gallows fought on the floor. Moxley then rolled Anderson up with an inside cradle for the win.
– Immediately after the match, the Good Brothers attacked and Kenny Omega’s music played. Omega and Callis emerged with the former carrying a chair. Kingston tried to save Moxley but was overwhelmed by the Good Brothers, who hit him with a Magic Killer.
They wrapped Kingston’s left leg in the chair and Pillmanized it with a stomp. They then tried to do the same to Moxley’s head, but the Young Bucks ran out to stop it. After some heated words, the Bucks refused a Too Sweet, and Moxley grabbed a chair to chase everyone away.
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Sting and Darby Allin interview
Tony Schiavone welcomed the two out, then asked Allin about the TNT Championship. Allin said he needs to defend the title more, and paid tribute to Brodie Lee by offering an open challenge to any member of the Dark Order.
Lance Archer and Jake Roberts interrupted, calling Allin an “indie-riffic joke.” Archer said he’d put Allin in a coffin. Roberts said the winds of change are coming and warned Sting not to play with fire.
Team Taz then interrupted, but Brian Cage took the mic and said he respects Sting and he’s still the Icon. Team Taz argued with Cage as they walked off.
Sting didn’t say a word that entire segment.
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A Scorpio Sky video package aired. He tried to be the exception to “nice guys finish last,” but he failed, so now he has to make his own moments.
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Rey Fénix (w/ PAC) defeated Angélico
They performed chain wrestling early on into a commercial break. Fénix made his comeback with a somersault cutter, but Angélico spun into the Navarro Death Roll, forcing Fénix to grab the ropes. Fénix rolled through with a wheelbarrow cradle, then the two exchanged high kicks. Fénix hit a crucifix bomb and the Fire Thunder Driver for the win.
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Miro was interviewed by Alex Marvez about the match challenge from Chuck Taylor and Kip Sabian. Miro said he’s moved on, but Kip Sabian walked up and said that he hasn’t moved on. Sabian brought up Miro inadvertently hurting Penelope, but Miro told him to stop letting her distract him. Sabian then accepted the challenge on behalf of them both.
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Alex Marvez interviewed the Dark Order about who would accept the open challenge. -1 wanted to try, but they eventually settled on John Silver.
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Next week on Dynamite:
Nyla Rose vs. Tay Conti
The Pinnacle (FTR & Shawn Spears) vs. Varsity Blonds & Dante Martin
TNT Championship: Darby Allin (c) vs. John Silver
Kenny Omega vs. Matt Sydal – if Sydal wins, he gets an AEW World Championship match
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MJF and the Pinnacle took over the Inner Circle’s locker room.
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Justin Roberts went over the rules for the main event: anything goes, falls count anywhere.
Unsanctioned Lights Out match: Thunder Rosa defeated Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. (w/ Rebel)
This was the best women’s match in AEW history and the best career match for both of these women. Must-see.
Rebel attacked Rosa with the crutch as the match started. Baker speared Rosa onto the ramp and hit an air raid crash, but the cover only got one. Hikaru Shida was shown looking on. Baker missed a chair shot and Rosa turned the tables with hard chair shots of her own.
Rosa sent Baker over the barricade into the ringside area. She propped Baker up on a chair, but Baker moved out of the way on a senton and Rosa went crashing through it. Baker tossed Rosa into some staging before she and Rebel set up a table. Rosa tried to regroup, but Baker stomped on her head on the steel steps. Baker started tossing chairs into the ring, then turned her attack back to Rosa, who had been busted open. Baker continued her beatdown into the commercial.
During the break, Rosa came back and tried to suplex Baker into a propped-up chair in the corner, but mostly missed. They fought on the top rope, where Baker hit a superplex onto a pile of chairs. Rebel pulled out a ladder, but she and Baker took too long, allowing Rosa to bulldog Baker’s face into the ladder for two.
Rosa landed double knees in the corner before trapping her opponent in the corner with the ladder. She dropkicked the ladder into Baker’s face before rolling to the floor and grabbing a table. Baker was busted open badly. Rosa bit at Baker’s face but ate a thrust kick and a flatliner into the ladder. They fought up top again, where Rosa hit a Death Valley driver onto the ladder for a near fall.
They traded strikes before Baker hit a DDT onto a chair. She followed it up with a curb stomp onto the chair for a near fall. Baker applied the glove, but before going for the Lockjaw, Rebel produced a bag of thumbtacks, which Baker proceeded to pour out in the center of the ring. Baker went for the swinging neckbreaker, but Rosa fought out and avoided a crutch shot from Rebel. She then cracked Rebel with the crutch and dropkicked her through a ringside table.
Rosa escaped a DVD attempt and powerbombed Baker onto the tacks for a great near fall. When Baker kicked out, she had tons of tacks in her back, which was a great visual. Baker locked on the Lockjaw, but Rosa rolled into the tacks, forcing Baker to break. Baker hit another thrust kick and brought Rosa onto the apron, where Rosa countered and hit a Fire Thunder Driver through the table for the win.
The NWA’s return to action will include a new number one contender to the NWA World Women’s Championship being crowned.
Thunder Rosa vs. Kamille has been added to the lineup for the NWA’s Back For The Attack pay-per-view. The winner will become the number one contender to Serena Deeb’s NWA World Women’s Championship.
Thunder Rosa previously held the NWA World Women’s Championship from January to October of last year. She lost the title to Deeb on an edition of UWN Primetime Live in October.
Back For The Attack will air live on Fite TV and PPV at 4 p.m. Eastern time this Sunday (March 21). Following the PPV, NWA Power will make its return on Tuesday, March 23. NWA Power will air weekly on Tuesdays at 6:05 p.m. Eastern time and will be available on Fite TV “via a low-cost subscription bundle.”
Here’s the updated card for Back For The Attack:
NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion Nick Aldis defends against Aron Stevens
Number one contender’s match: Thunder Rosa vs. Kamille
Four-way match: Jax Dane vs. Slice Boogie vs. Jordan Clearwater vs. Crimson
There has been a change to the six-woman tag team match set for AEW Dynamite.
A video posted this afternoon on social media showed Britt Baker telling Tony Schiavone that Rebel would be unable to be cleared by both herself and the Jaguars team doctor for their match on Dynamite. She then introduced her new partner, Nyla Rose. It will now be Rose, Baker, and Maki Itoh against Hikaru Shida, Ryo Mizunami, and Thunder Rosa.
Itoh appeared on last night’s Revolution Buy-In pre-show, replacing Rebel in a match where she and Baker defeated Thunder Rosa and Riho. Later on pay-per-view, Rose, Rebel, Itoh, and Baker attacked Shida and Mizunami after Shida successfully defened the AEW Women’s title against Mizunami. Rosa then came for the save.
Also announced for this Wednesday is TNT Champion Darby Allin vs. Scorpio Sky for the title, Matt Jackson vs. Rey Fenix, and a Inner Circle war council meeting following MJF and Jericho’s loss at Revolution.
Maki Itoh appeared on tonight’s AEW Buy-In pre-show, replacing Rebel as Britt Baker’s tag team partner.
Itoh appeared as Baker’s partner, taking on Thunder Rosa and Riho. Britt Baker told Tony Schiavone in a video posted on social media that Rebel would not be able to compete due to being injured at the hands of Nyla Rose. Baker then came out before the match, saying that Rebel got a doctor’s note from a Jacksonville Jaguars doctor after Tony Khan rejected her original doctor’s note. She then introduced her tag team partner, who ended up being Itoh.
Itoh and Baker won their tag match, with Rebel hitting Rosa with her crutch. Baker then covered Rosa for the win.
Regularly appearing for Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling, Itoh was a part of the Women’s title eliminator tournament, taking part in the Japan bracket. She lost to the eventual winner of the tournament, Ryo Mizunami, in the first round that aired on February 15.
The final three competitors have been decided in the AEW Women’s World title eliminator tournament following Sunday’s special on Bleacher Report.
Ryo Mizunami defeated Yuka Sakazaki to win the Japan side of the bracket while in the second U.S. semifinal, Thunder Rosa defeated Riho to advance to Monday’s final against Nyla Rose. That match will air on AEW’s Youtube channel at 7 PM Eastern.
The winner of Rose vs. Rosa will go on to face Mizunami on Wednesday’s live AEW Dynamite in the tournament final. The winner of that match will go on to challenge AEW Women’s Champion Hikaru Shida for the title at Sunday’s Revolution pay-per-view.
Mizunami punched her ticket to the tournament final by submitting Maki Itoh and defeating Aja Kong by countout in the first two rounds before pinning Sakazaki on Sunday. Rosa claimed her spot in the U.S. final with pinfall wins over Leyla Hirsch and Riho.
The Thunder Rosa vs. Riho quarterfinal in the AEW Women’s World title eliminator tournament will air for free on Bleacher Report on Sunday, February 28.
“The #AEW Women’s World Championship Eliminator Tournament USA semifinal bout featuring former AEW Women’s World Champion Riho vs. former NWA Women’s World Champion Thunder Rosa streams on Bleacher Report on February 28th on a free Sunday Special, one week before Revolution PPV!”
This will be the second AEW event to air on Bleacher Report this year, the first being the AEW Awards on January 27. That show aired exclusively on the Bleacher Report app. Khan did not make clear in his announcement whether the match would air on Bleacher Report’s website, or if it would also be exclusive to the app.
In the tournament, Tay Conti vs. Nyla Rose, plus Britt Baker vs. Anna Jay are the remaining first round matches and will air on the February 24 Dynamite.
Yuka Sakazaki, Emi Sakura, Ryo Mizunami and Aja Kong are the final four on the Japanese side of the bracket. Sakazaki vs. Sakura and Mizunami vs. Kong will air on AEW’s YouTube channel on Monday, February 22.
“This will be free worldwide for all fans on Bleacher Report, not BR Live for this show, back on BR Live domestic/FITE a week later for Revolution. It’s huge to get exposure on Bleacher Report available to millions of fans worldwide + a reminder Revolution is Sunday 3/7, not on Saturday.”
“With Bleacher Report’s 9.4M Twitter + 14.8M Instagram followers, it’s a huge opportunity to introduce AEW & our great wrestlers to new fans by streaming such a high stakes bout between 2 of the best as part of a free Sunday Special. Thank you Bleacher Report for teaming with us.”
The AEW Women’s title eliminator tournament will kickoff on this Wednesday’s Dynamite.
In the opening round of the U.S. side of the bracket, former NWA Women’s champion Thunder Rosa will face Leyla Hirsch. Rosa is coming off a controversial loss to Britt Baker at last week’s Beach Break while Hirsch last was seen defeating Katalina Perez on Dark.
The full brackets for the 16-woman tournament taking place in both the U.S. and Japan have yet to be revealed.
In another new match announced Monday, PAC will face Ryan Nemeth. PAC will also be on Tuesday’s Dark against VSK and assuming he picks up a win there, he will head into Wednesday with six straight singles wins. Nemeth will also be in action on Dark against Marko Stunt.
Those matches join the following:
AEW World Champion Kenny Omega & KENTA vs. Jon Moxley & Lance Archer in a falls count anywhere, anything goes lights out match
TNT Champion Darby Allin vs. Joey Janela
Chris Jericho & MJF vs. The Acclaimed
Cody Rhodes & Lee Johnson vs. Peter Avalon & Cezar Bononi
Thunder Rosa will take on Britt Baker at the AEW Dynamite special Beach Break on February 3.
The match was set tonight during Dynamite. After a confrontation between Jade Cargill and Red Velvet on her talk show The Waiting Room, Baker showed footage of her attacking Thunder Rosa backstage several weeks ago. A new video of Thunder Rosa then played. She told Baker that their match needed a bigger platform, and after talking to Tony Khan, the match was now set for Beach Break. Baker then ended the talk show, saying that the match wasn’t happening.
Rosa vs. Baker was set to take place on tonight’s episode of Dynamite. However, Thunder Rosa stayed at home during last week’s tapings after coming into contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. An NWA Women’s title match between champion Serena Deeb and Tay Conti took place instead.
The wedding between Penelope Ford and Kip Sabian is also set for Beach Break.
In this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that Britt Baker vs. Thunder Rosa was pulled from night two of the AEW New Year’s Smash editions of Dynamite.
The reason is that Rosa came into contact with someone positive with COVID-19, so AEW took precautionary measures. The match will still happen at some point.
That is also why the NWA women’s title match between Serena Deeb and Tay Conti was announced Wednesday in addition to the Dynamite debut of Baker’s Waiting Room interview segment with Cody Rhodes.
Night two was taped on Thursday at Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, Florida.
The full card for Wednesday as of now:
TNT Champion Darby Allin vs. Brian Cage
PAC vs. Eddie Kingston
The Elite in action against TBA
NWA Women’s Champion Serena Deeb vs. Tay Conti
Dr. Britt Baker’s Waiting Room with Cody Rhodes
Chuck Taylor vs. Miro where if Taylor loses, he becomes Miro’s “young boy” until Beach Break when Kip Sabian and Penelope Ford get married
Jurassic Express (Jungle Boy and Marko Stunt) vs. FTR
The Inner Circle will reveal their New Year’s resolutions
Thunder Rosa is getting her rematch for the NWA Women’s Championship.
AEW announced tonight that NWA Women’s Champion Serena Deeb will defend her title against Thunder Rosa on Wednesday’s episode of Dynamite: “#BreakingNews – #AEW’s @TonyKhan & the @nwa’s @billy have agreed that this Wed, 11/18 Live on #AEWDynamite, @SerenaDeeb will defend the NWA Women’s World Championship against former champ @thunderrosa22 in the much anticipated rematch!”
Deeb defeated Thunder Rosa for the NWA Women’s Championship on the October 27 edition of UWN Primetime Live. At AEW’s Full Gear pay-per-view earlier this month, Deeb retained her title against Allysin Kay on the pre-show but was confronted by Thunder Rosa after. They went face-to-face and Thunder Rosa motioned that she wants the NWA Women’s title back.
Deeb’s match against Kay at Full Gear was her second defense of the title. Deeb also retained against Leyla Hirsch on the October 28 episode of Dynamite.
Here’s the updated lineup for Wednesday’s Dynamite:
PAC vs. The Blade
TNT Champion Darby Allin & Cody vs. Brian Cage & Ricky Starks
AEW Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks vs. Top Flight in a non-title match
Orange Cassidy vs. Kip Sabian
NWA Women’s Champion Serena Deeb defends against Thunder Rosa
Thunder Rosa is still under contract with Billy Corgan’s NWA, but has drawn interest from both WWE and AEW, according to Dave Meltzer.
Rosa dropped the NWA Women’s title to Serena Deeb on Tuesday’s UWN live pay-per-view, raising speculation that she was on her way out. On Wednesday’s Wrestling Observer Radio, Meltzer said he was initially told that happened because Rosa was looking to go to WWE.
However, she is still under contract to the NWA for “a ways to go” according to Meltzer, so her status is the same as of this point unless that changes. Rosa has leaned into the discussion on social media, sharing a picture with the letters of all three organizations with question marks written on her hip.
Corgan said on Instagram that Rosa is under contract through 2021 “and there’s a reason for that (it’s called excellence and faith).”
Meltzer said that AEW likes Rosa and wants to use her more, and is under the assumption she will do more with them in the future. She started working with the company in September and unsuccessfully challenged Hikaru Shida for the AEW women’s title at All Out as part of four dates.
The NWA has yet to resume their weekly YouTube show, but has been lending some of their champions for matches on the weekly UWN PPVs starting in September.
Deeb, an AEW roster member, defended the title on Wednesday’s Dynamite against Leyla Hirsch in a match that taped a week ago. (You can see Rosa’s picture on the belt as the UWN match hadn’t happened yet.) Meltzer said he thought the switch was interesting and was curious why they would do it if Rosa wasn’t leaving.
