Tag: tnt championship

The TNT Championship will be on the line as part of tonight’s AEW Dynamite from Toronto as Christian Cage defends against Adam Copeland in an I Quit match.

The AEW Continental Championship will also be on the line as Eddie Kingston defends against Kazuchika Okada. Under Continental rules, all seconds will be banned from ringside and there will be no outside interference.

New free agent signing Mercedes Mone will speak on tonight’s show after debuting for the company on last week’s Big Business edition of Dynamite. 

AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm & Mariah May will face Deonna Purrazzo & Thunder Rosa in a tag team contest. 

After teaming against the Gates of Agony at Big Business, Chris Jericho & Hook will face each other this week in a one-on-one contest. 

AEW head Tony Khan has stated that tonight’s show from the Coca-Cola Coliseum is sold out. Due to NCAA basketball coverage Friday, Dynamite will immediately be followed by a live AEW Rampage.

AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Adam Copeland & Christian Cage arriving to the arena ahead of their I Quit Match for the TNT Title. Kazuchika Okada also pulled up to the arena in a sports car, ready to challenge Eddie Kingston later tonight for the Continental Title. Excalibur welcoming us to the show and throws it right down to Tony Schiavone in the ring.

Mercedes Mone made her way to the ring to a massive ovation as Schiavone gives her the floor. Mone told Toronto to say hello to their new CEO, as she’s been on such a high since last week at Big Business, she’s missed all of this. Fans might not know, but this was all nearly taken away from her a year ago in a match against Willow Nightingale. She then threw it to a video package showcasing everything that she’s been up to over the past few years, from red carpets, runways and her run in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Footage of Mone getting injured and carried out of her match with Nightingale was shown. Mone said she was kicking butt all over the world, but then it was taken away from her. Mone said minor setbacks make for major comebacks. Mone’s mission is clear, she’s not here to lead a women’s evolution, she’s here for a global revolution and face the best in AEW and the globe. Mone brought up Julia Hart & Skye Blue attacking Nightingale last week, as they were messing with her unfinished business and anyone who does that, ends up bankrupt. There’s a price to pay when you mess with Mercedes Mone.

The lights went out and when they came back on, Julia Hart was on the ramp, with Skye Blue trying to attack from behind, but was laid out. Hart hit the ring, but was nearly taken out with the Mone Maker, only for Blue to make the save. Both ladies grabbed chairs from under the ring, but Willow Nightingale & Kris Statlander hit the ring with chairs of their own. After a staredown, the lights went out, Blue & Hart were gone and Nightingale was debating a chair shot on Mone, who turned around in time. Nightingale dropped the chair and Mone left, saying she has her eyes on Nightingale. Excalibur mentioned how Hart & Blue will face Nightingale & Statlander in a Street Fight on Rampage after Dynamite tonight.

-Alex Marvez is backstage trying to get a word with Kazuchika Okada & The Young Bucks, who approved of the respect Marvez put on Okada’s name, but next time, should do it in Japanese. Matthew talked about how handsome Okada is and if anyone rises to the occasion, it’s Okada. Under Continental Rules, they can’t be at ringside tonight, but they’ll be at the curtain giving him the best replays. Okada speaks in Japanese before telling Eddie Kingston he’s coming for his title. Matthew called Marvez a dumbass for not knowing what Okada said in Japanese and to study up so that doesn’t happen again next week.

Kazuchika Okada defeated Eddie Kingston to win the AEW Continental Title

(Quite the statement victory for Okada’s first singles match as an official AEW member, as this was a hard-hitting opening contest with the crowd doing dueling chants throughout. Kingston put up a great fight, but there was no way Okada was losing this early in his AEW run. The first challenger seems already set for Okada and one would assume that’d be happening at Dynasty.)

After an early lock up, Okada did his signature fake out strike in the ropes, but Kingston shrugged it off and lit Okada up with strikes. A clubbing lariat had Okada bail outside, with Kingston in chase, as Okada suckered him in back in the ring to take control. Both trade shoulder blocks, with Okada again going to the floor, this time dropping Kingston with a DDT. Matthew & Nicholas Jackson are shown backstage sitting next to Tony Khan, making sure to give an instant replay. Back inside, Okada is laughing and mocking Kingston, delivering a snap low dropkick, taking things to commercial.

Kingston fired back with an overhead suplex, corner machine gun chops, which were followed up by a snap German suplex and sliding forearm for two. Kingston went for a home run shot, but Okada delivered his picture-perfect dropkick. Air Raid Crash connected, but Kingston kicked out. Okada rolled through a top rope elbow attempt, but ran right into a Kingston spinning backfist for a near fall. Both traded loud forearms and chops, with Okada trying a discus lariat, but Kingston got the hands up and both men crumbled. Kingston mowed down Okada with a clothesline, lowered the straps, but Okada took referee Paul Turner to get an eye rake in on Kingston. Turner scolded Okada, as Kingston hit an enzugiri, but missed a backfist, an Okada delivered a Landslide before a Rainmaker connected for the three. The Young Bucks celebrate backstage and Tony Khan gives a nod before big pyro hits for Okada.

The party is short lived, as PAC wasted not time walking out to the stage and making his intentions known. He stares down Okada before heading to the back.

-Renee Paquette is backstage with Swerve Strickland & Prince Nana, who said last week, his intentions to attack Samoa Joe last week were due to Joe trying to embarrass him the previous week. Strickland has the steel chain with him and said he doesn’t have a problem choking anyone out either. Strickland felt inspired by Mike Tyson training for his next fight and wants a fight of his own, so issues an Open Challenge.

**********

-Renee Paquette is backstage with Kris Statlander, Stokely Hathaway & Willow Nightingale, who said she’s usually all smiles, but tonight, she’ll have been in more Street Fights than any other woman in AEW. Add Statlander by her side and a weapon in hand, she’ll be a completely different Willow. Statlander said tonight, it will be the end for Julia Hart & Skye Blue. Just then, Mercedes Mone walks in and Statlander thanks her for having Nightingale’s back last week. Mone thanks Statlander for having hers tonight as well, as both shake hands and Statlander walks off. Nightingale goes to talk, but Mone cuts her off and said she’s done enough. Mone walks off before Hathaway can shake her hand, but brings up to Nightingale how she’s already broken Mone’s ankle. Nightingale leaves and Hathaway just shrugs at the camera.

FTW Champion HOOK defeated Chris Jericho

(The first half of this match was all HOOK German suplexes. Despite being in Canada, as the match went on, the crowd got more and more behind HOOK and didn’t like when Jericho escaped REDRUM. The finish, however, gave HOOK his first actual pinfall win in AEW, as every victory has come via submission.)

Bell sounded and immediately HOOK hit an overhead suplex, with Jericho being checked on by referee Bryce. Jericho said he was ok and HOOK pounced with strikes before hitting another T-Bone suplex for two. HOOK went to charge in the corner and Jericho just wound up and leveled him with a right punch. HOOK responded by hitting multiple German suplexes, the third folding Jericho right on his head. This trend continued all throughout picture in picture and when things returned, Jericho took one and turned, landing right on his shoulder.

Jericho finally countered one, trying for the Walls of Jericho, but HOOK fought out. Jericho went to the top for an axe handle, but leapt right into another HOOK suplex. HOOK went for a home run lariat, but ran into a big boot and Lionsault for two. Both men got to their feet and Jericho tried an overhead throw, but HOOK didn’t rotate enough and landed awkwardly on his face. Jericho went to the corner to deliver punches, but HOOK countered into REDRUM, dragging Jericho to the mat. The crowd booed Jericho escaping, but loved when HOOK countered the Walls of Jericho into an inside cradle for the flash pin. Taz said this was HOOK’s first pinfall victory in AEW and it was a big one. Jericho showed respect post-match and gave a fist bump to HOOK.

-Adam Cole said he hates feeling disappointed and last week, Wardlow disappointed him in failing to defeat Samoa Joe last week. Cole corrected himself when saying he should be, no, Wardlow should be AEW World Champion, but couldn’t get the job done. So now, Wardlow’s job is to ensure the Undisputed Kingdom keeps the gold they already have and then maybe they’ll forgive him. Cole is doing this because he cares about Wardlow and wants him to reach his full potential, so don’t screw this up.

**********

-Chris Jericho is walking backstage when Renee Paquette approaching, asking if HOOK earned his respect? Jericho said HOOK lived up to what he was hoping for, as HOOK showed him that he’s a future World Champion. Jericho said next week, he has a proposition for HOOK.

Will Ospreay Addresses Bryan Danielson

Tony Schiavone introduced Will Ospreay to a massive ovation from the Toronto crowd. Ospreay said the last time he was there, he was a little bit of a naughty boy at Forbidden Door, so he apologizes for what he did back then. Ospreay said he’s here to deliver some Elite caliber wrestling, but in return, he’d like some Canadian maple syrup. Ospreay put over Bryan Danielson vs. Katsuyori Shibata last week and said that’s what professional wrestling truly is. Ospreay brought up how he couldn’t fit in Danielson’s shoes when he was in Japan, because they were too small. What Danielson did in Japan was great, but what Ospreay did was elevate pro wrestling, winning Best of the Super Juniors twice, Junior Title three times, NEVER Openweight and IWGP championships. Ospreay said he’ll prove he can walk in Danielson’s shoes in AEW and brings up Shibata, saying long time no see. Seven years ago, Shibata beat the piss out of him, but now he’s 30 years old, with two pugs, three cats, a kid, a Mrs., a mortgage to pay and a point to prove. Next week on Dynamite, Ospreay calls out Shibata and tells Danielson to sit at home and watch how a real Billy GOAT is all about. Tony Khan made it official, Shibata vs. Ospreay will take place next Wednesday. This was another fantastic promo from Ospreay.

-A video package is shown highlighting the feud between Christian Cage & Adam Copeland.

Deonna Purrazzo & Thunder Rosa defeated AEW Women’s Champion Timeless Toni Storm & Mariah May (w/Luther)

(Most of this took place during commercial, but the story here was Rosa not only got a blind tag, she pinned the AEW Women’s Champion. The blind tag didn’t make Purrazzo very happy, so this story is just getting going and I wouldn’t be shocked if this win gets Rosa a title match at Dynasty.)

Purrazzo & Rosa attacked before the bell, as Rosa & Storm paired off on the floor and Purrazzo & May going at it in the ring. Purrazzo had an easy time dispatching of May, as Rosa launched off her partners back with a corner splash on Storm. Rosa sent Storm into the ropes before leaping a leg sweep by Luther, but it was enough for Storm to get in a cheap shot and gain control during commercial.

When things returned, Rosa fought off both May & Storm with a top rope cross body and made the hot tag to Purrazzo, who ran wild with a knee lift and leg sweep, before taking May’s head off with a big boot. Rosa made the blind tag and Purrazzo was not happy, as Storm tried to sneak in, but was dropped for her efforts. May was planted with a Rosa Death Valley Driver, as Storm hit a snap German into the corner. Storm waited for her close up and delivered Sweet Cheek Music, but Rosa countered a Storm Zero into a flash roll up for the win. Storm couldn’t believe, as Purrazzo wasn’t happy how Rosa swooped in and got the win.

**********

Swerve Strickland (w/Prince Nana) defeated The Butcher

After a face off, Strickland delivered a headbutt and charging big boot. A leaping uppercut out of the corner connected, but Butcher fought back by zoning in on the shoulder. Strickland seemed to get turned inside out with a lariat, but no sold and just delivered a double stomp to the head. Strickland hit the House Call before going up top for the Swerve Stomp. Strickland wasn’t done, as he slowly applied a short arm scissor and Butcher tapped out. Excalibur said he wasn’t sure, but that could be Strickland’s first submission win in AEW.

Strickland took the microphone post-match and said before he met Samoa Joe, he had nothing but respect. As he got to know Joe, he’s stopped liking him to the point where he’s almost hating him. Every day he’s thinking about wrapping a chain around Joe’s neck and choking him out, but the chain he has isn’t big enough for Joe’s thick neck. Strickland will take out everyone in his path until Joe gives him what he wants.

Samoa Joe walks out and said what to do with someone like Strickland. Logic should dictate he should ignore Strickland, who he beat at Revolution. Strickland still believes the impossible is possible and he can box with a God. The problem with that belief is that the fans will start believing they can be a champion, too. That is, until Joe shows up, smashes you in the face an takes everything you have. Joe said what to do with Strickland is to give him exactly what he wants.

Joe goes to hit the ring when Don Callis walks out on stage to huge boos in his home country. Callis brings up how Strickland & Konosuke Takeshita have the same number of wins, so maybe Takeshita should show Strickland what it’s like to lose to the Don Callis Family. AEW isn’t Swerve’s House, it’s the Don Callis Family House. Strickland said if he had more time, he’d burn the Don Callis Family tree down to a crisp. Strickland accepts and said when he’s done with Takeshita, he’s coming for Joe. We’re officially getting Takeshita vs. Strickland next week.

**********

Adam Copeland defeated Christian Cage in an I Quit Match to win the TNT Title

(This was the exact finish this feud needed, as you couldn’t have asked for a better ending, in Toronto, with Copeland standing tall. They added some great hockey references and finally had The Patriarchy getting theirs in the end. Cage had a great run as the deplorable heel champion, but I’m looking forward to the run Copeland has with the TNT Title.)

There are Holy Sh*t chants from the Toronto crowd before the match even began. Copeland avoided an early attack, looked for a Spear, but Cage bailed to the floor. Copeland was right after, as both spilled into the crowd and the penalty box, where Copeland ripped a Penguins jersey off a fan, put it on Cage and put a Maple Leafs jersey on himself. Both had a hockey fight, as Copeland pulled the Penguins jersey over Cage’s head and won the brawl heading to commercial.

During picture in picture, both fought to the women’s restroom briefly, but the camera didn’t go past the entrance. Both went back to the ring, as things returned from break and Copeland set a ladder bridge up and delivered a brutal sitout slam. Copeland placed an open ladder upside down in the ring and dropped Cage midsection first, as referee Bryce asked if he quit and Cage said no. Copeland set up a table against the barricade, but Cage leapfrogged a Spear, poked the eye and posted Copeland. With Copeland now busted open, Cage flew off the top rope and hit a cross body through the table. Back in the ring, Cage set a ladder up between the ropes and delivered a slingshot face first, with Copeland slowly saying he didn’t quit. Cage missed a Frog Splash, as Copeland applied a cross face, but Cage ripped at the head to break it up. Both slowly got to their feet and went for a Spear at the same time, as a double down took things to another break.

Copeland chased after Cage up the ramp, tried to deliver Snake Eyes against the entrance, but Cage put on the brakes. Right as things returned from break, Copeland slingshot Cage off of the ramp to the floor. Copeland brought out a hockey goal and draped Cage across it before scoring a goal with Cage. Stumbling down the ramp, Copeland had his back turned and Shayna Wayne appeared, hitting a low blow with a hockey stick. Cage broke the stick over Copeland’s back and continued the assault back in the ring. With the hockey stick drove in his throat, ref Bryce asked if Copeland quit but we couldn’t hear his response, so it was apparently no, as Cage let go and went for chairs, one being wrapped in barbed wire.

Cage wanted a Con-Chair-To with the barbed wire chair, but Copeland moved. Both tried a Killswitch on the chair, but spun out and Copeland got a crossface with the broken hockey stick. Copeland started to choke out Cage when Nick Wayne & Luchasaurus made the save. They held Copeland for Shayna, who slapped Copeland until Matt Menard & Daniel Garcia made the save. Copeland delivered an Impaler DDT on Luchasaurus onto the barbed wire chair, as he & Nick were sent to the floor. Copeland set up a ladder and hit a cross body from the ring to the floor, wiping out Luchasaurus & Nick, who were ultimately handcuffed to the corner. Shayna Wayne was surrounded before bailing, leaving Cage all alone with Copeland, Garcia & Copeland, who dropped Cage with a Spear.

Cage was also cuffed to the corner, as Copeland went for Spike. Copeland repeatedly kicked Cage low, as Copeland brought the spiked 2×4 and hit Cage low again (the camera briefly went black and picked back up, as Rampage officially began). Cage refused to quit until Copeland looked for a final shot to the forehead, but Cage quit before it happened. Garcia handed Copeland the TNT Title and confetti poured in the ring. Copeland flipped off Cage one final time as the fans sang his theme song to officially end the Dynamite portion of tonight.

AEW Rampage 3/20/24

· Kris Statlander & Willow Nightingale vs. TBS Champion Julia Hart & Skye Blue in a Street Fight

· Orange Cassidy & Trent Beretta vs. Powerhouse Hobbs & Kyle Fletcher in an AEW Tag Team Title Tournament Wild Card

· Konosuke Takeshita vs. Rocky Romero

· Katsuyori Shibata In Action

AEW Dynamite 3/27/24

· Will Ospreay vs. Katsuyori Shibata

· Swerve Strickland vs. Konosuke Takeshita

· The Young Bucks vs. Private Party in a Tag Team Title Tournament Quarter Final