Tag: tnt championship

A two-out-of-three falls match for the TNT Championship headlines AEW WrestleDream from Seattle, Washington, as Christian Cage will defend the TNT title against former champion Darby Allin.

Cage has held the title since last Saturday while Allin is a two-time former TNT title holder. 

Bryan Danielson vs. Zack Sabre Jr. in what is billed as a dream match between two of the greatest technical wrestlers of all time is also set for the show. 

Ring of Honor Tag Team Champion MJF will defend the titles in a handicap match against The Righteous after Adam Cole suffered a broken ankle while ROH World Champion & NJPW Strong Champion Eddie Kingston defends both titles against Katsuyori Shibata.

In the lone women’s match on the PPV, TBS Champion Kris Statlander defends against Julia Hart.

Highlighting the rest of the 14-match card, the Don Callis Family (Will Ospreay, Konosuke Takeshita & Sammy Guevara) will face Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi & Chris Jericho.

Zero Hour

Stokely Hathaway and The Wrestle Aunts, Renee Paquette & RJ City, welcome us to Zero Hour and run down the entire card before throwing it to multiple video packages. These were primarily the ones we saw from the Countdown show on Friday.

Lexy Nair is backstage waiting for Ricky Starks to arrive, as he called a security guard C.W. Anderson and said tonight he proves why Wheeler Yuta is the whipping boy of the Blackpool Combat Club. Starks can’t wait to tap dance all over Yuta’s face and called Nair sweet, but so dumb as we walked away.

After a few more video packages, Lexy Nair is with Eddie Kingston backstage, who said it’s weird to be holding multiple titles. Kingston talked about how high of regard Antonio Inoki had for professional wrestling when ROH Commissioner Stokely Hathaway interrupted. Hathaway called him a contrarian and that confused Kingston, who was informed by Hathaway he’ll learn what he has to say on Wednesday. Kingston asked Nair if that’s her dude and Nair denied that, saying Hathaway was Big Bill’s buddy.

A video package of the AEW talent talking about the history of Antonio Inoki is shown. Bryan Danielson said he didn’t think he’d be a professional wrestler if it wasn’t for Inoki and said this is Tony Khan’s tribute to Antonio Inoki.

Tony Khan was in the ring alongside Rocky Romero, Katsuyori Shibata and Inoki’s grandchildren and presented them with flowers and did a chant in Inoki’s honor. We did briefly get a cut away to Christian Cage smirking backstage after this happened. A music video for tonight’s card was shown before going to our opening Zero Hour contest.

Satoshi Kojima, Keith Lee, ROH Women’s Champion Athena & Billie Starkz defeated Shane Taylor, Lee Moriarty, Mercedes Martinez & Diamante

(A pretty quick match to get the crowd going, as the ladies really didn’t get to do all that much aside from Athena, who got to have a few high impact moments. The crowd was loudly behind Kojima’s team, as it makes sense for him to get a pin to start the night.)

We Want Bread chants started for Kojima and Jim Ross wanted to know what that meant, so Excalibur simply put that Kojima loves baked goods. Starkz & Athena got the early advantage over Martinez & Diamante with Athena connecting on Croyt’s Wrath before doing a double dive with Starkz to the floor. Athena wanted a shot at Taylor, but she was forced to tag out in favor of Lee. After trading shoulder blocks, Lee got just enough of a hurricanrana on Taylor, before Moriarty was pressed high in the air, allowing Taylor to get a cheap shot to take control. That was brief, as Kojima tagged in and he lit up Moriarty with machine gun chops. Moriarty tried a standing switch, but Kojima spun out into a DDT.

Diamante broke things up until Starkz popped her with a shot leading to all the women spilling to the floor once again. Taylor tried charging at Lee, but was planted with a massive spinebuster. Moriarty wiped out Lee, but posed too long, allowing Athena to catch him with the O-Face out of nowhere. Lee followed up with the Ground Zero and Kojima finished things off with a lariat to get the win.

Claudio Castagnoli (w/Jon Moxley) defeated Josh Barnett

(My goodness, if you enjoy catch wrestling, this was some really good stuff. For only knowing this match was going to happen 24 hours ago, this delivered and I do hope Barnett gets his wish and this happens again, with more time the next round. I also have no idea how long he’ll be out, but an amped up Jon Moxley on commentary is something I’d love more of on occasion.)

Moxley joined commentary for the match, as he came to the ring through the crowd with Castagnoli to the tune of Wild Thing. Moxley said Barnett has been his secret weapon in helping him train in recent years and thinks Barnett feels Castagnoli could be better, thus why he took the match, to teach Castagnoli a thing or two. After nearly getting an opening arm bar, Barnett shot a single leg into a spinebuster. Castagnoli rolled out into an arm bar, which Barnett spun into a knee bar. Castagnoli hooked on a crucifix and Moxley screamed to elbow that son of a bitch repeatedly. Barnett escaped and connected on a quick dragon screw, targeting the knee again.

Castagnoli took out the legs and nearly got the giant swing, but a rope break put a stop to that. Barnett started firing off leg kicks, frustrating Castagnoli, who briefly lit up Barnett with uppercuts. Barnett tried an abdominal stretch, but Castagnoli escaped, leading us to a forearm battle. Barnett switched to knees in the clinch and connected on a spinning heel kick followed by a suplex. Escaping a full mount, Castagnoli got his giant swing and traded more stiff shots until connecting on a wild lariat, Neutralizer and ground Octopus Hold, which Castagnoli spun into a pinfall.

Post match, Barnett demanded the microphone and said he heard a lot about Castagnoli, who is highly regarded. Hearing about it is one thing, but being in the ring is another and they are all right. Barnett came in with no expectations, but leaves with the highest respect for Castagnoli, saying Inoki would be a fan of his. Barnett said this isn’t over though; Castagnoli owes him more time, so this will happen again. Castagnoli said anytime, anyplace and both hugged.

Luchasaurus defeated Nick Wayne

(A rather dominant performance from Luchasaurus, as Wayne had a few hope spots, but this was controlled primarily by the dinosaur. I was briefly surprised Wayne didn’t get the win, but if Luchasaurus is going to remain in the TNT Title picture, a win here was necessary.)

Wayne received a huge reaction from his hometown crowd, as he exploded out of the corner with a dropkick, which Luchasaurus no sold and dropped Wayne on his head with a release German. Repeated overhead corner chops into a spinning side slam connected as Excalibur confirms Christian Cage vs. Darby Allin is tonight’s main event. Wayne flipped out of a choke slam, followed with a thrust kick and enzugiri, but Luchasaurus quickly mowed him down with a headbutt. A violent chokeslam over the top onto the apron, as Wayne was left crawling near his mother, who was in the front row. Luchasaurus wheelbarrowed Wayne and flung him into the barricade. Back inside, Luchasaurus missed a corner charge, allowing Wayne to hit a huge moonsault for a near fall. Multiple thrust kicks led to a missed Wayne’s World, as Luchasaurus clobbered him in the back of the neck with a lariat to get the win.

The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass defeated TMDK (Shane Haste, Mikey Nicholls & Bad Dude Tito) to retain the AEW Trios Titles

(The only thing missing from this party match was the commercial break and picture in picture in the middle of the heat portion. This was your usual Acclaimed & Daddy Ass match, with TMDK getting off a few good moments, but ultimately didn’t stand a chance.)

I got a kick out of Caster getting in a Slapjack reference when talking about Haste in the opening freestyle. Caster was isolated early in the wrong corner, but easily fought out and tagged in Daddy Ass, who wouldn’t budge when Haste tried a hip toss. Tito & Nicholls were dispatched, allowing Bowens to connect with Scissor Me Timbers. A triple scissor led to ref Aubrey scolding the tag champs, as this let TMDK get a cheap shot on Bowens to take control.

Finally, a hot tag to Daddy Ass was made again and he cleaned house on TMDK until Tito avoided a Fame-Asser and hit a stalling German. Haste & Nicholls were able to briefly get the best of The Acclaimed, with Haste using his partner as a launch pad for a huge corner cannonball. Daddy Ass to the rescue again, as he dropped Tito with a Fame-Asser, Bowens hit the Arrival and Caster with the Mic Drop to retain the titles.

AEW WrestleDream

-Excalibur welcomes us alongside Nigel McGuinness & Taz as the ROH Tag Titles are on the line in our opening contest.

Before the match began, MJF cut his music and said someone went into his locker room and stole his devil mask, denying that he was responsible for laying out tofu Jay White. MJF called The Righteous a bunch of Devil’s Rejects dickheads and said he’s going to bodyslam Dutch and tie Vincent’s dreadlocks up in a bow and shove them up Dutch’s ass.

AEW World Champion MJF defeated The Righteous (Vincent & Dutch) to retain the ROH Tag Team Titles

(While this was a fun opener and MJF does a great job getting the crowd into it, I’m kind of over MJF being placed in the opening contest of PPV’s. He’s the AEW World Champion and should be utilized as such. The Righteous got a few weeks build as challengers, but ultimately were comedy fodder at the end of this.)

Dutch allowed MJF to try a bodyslam to start, but failed, as MJF bailed to the floor and got massaged by a few fans. MJF wanted sportsmanship and adhered to the Code of Honor, shaking Dutch’s hand before poking him in the eye and Fargo Strut. MJF slingshot Vincent in and almost made good on his pre-match promise, but Dutch hit a lariat followed by a ripcord variety. After a sliding flatliner, MJF got more eye pokes and instinctually wanted to make a tag, but no one was there. MJF turned around and nearly got a bodyslam, but Dutch collapsed on top for two. A powerbomb, swanton bomb and Boss Man Slam series led to another near fall. The Righteous hit their signature spinning Acid Drop, but once more MJF kicked out and they couldn’t believe it.

Dutch took the ref, as Vincent tried to shatter MJF’s ankles with a chair, but MJF grabbed the groin of Vincent, letting it go right as referee Bryce turned to notice the chair. Vincent ultimately missed a second swanton as MJF turned into a house of fire, finally getting his bodyslam on Dutch. MJF proceeded to in fact drive Vincen’t head first into the ass of Dutch and hit the Kangaroo Kick, before connecting with the Heat Seeker on Dutch to get the win, feet on the ropes for good measure.

Eddie Kingston defeated Katsuyori Shibata to retain the ROH World & NJPW Strong Titles

(This was a battle from the get go, as I liked how Excalibur mentioned if this was for Shibata’s ROH Pure Title, Kingston would’ve been out of rope breaks with the amount of times he was relying on them to get out of submissions. The back and forth striking exchanges in this match was very good and Kingston giving the ring to Shibata to take a bow post match was super class act.)

Both men welcomed the strikes from the other early and Kingston lowered the straps about 30 seconds into the match. Shibata applied a short arm scissor, transitioning into an ankle lock with a grapevine, switching once more into a figure four. A rope break from Kingston allowed Shibata to briefly get a bow and arrow before Kingston escaped a head lock with a high angle back drop driver. Machine gun corner chops dropped Shibata, who reversed a corner whip into a charging boot and signature stalling dropkick. A float over suplex got a near fall, as Shibata tried Kawada kicks, which just woke up Kingston. Both men traded boots and lariats, neither going down until finally both started to crumble. Kingston hit an Exploder, but Shibata fired up with a STO into the double down.

With the wrist controlled, Shibata hit a ripcord chop into the Cobra Twist. Shibata switched to the Octopus Hold and Kingston collapsed, nearly fading, but got to the ropes in time. Both traded a succession of spinning back fists until Shibata charged with a PK into another reset. A striking battle ensued until Kingston hit a backfist, which Shibata kicked out at one. Northern Lights Bomb connected, as did another backfist and a high stack powerbomb to get the Kingston victory. Shibata raised the hand of Kingston post match and Kingston signaled to the back to play Shibata’s music, as he gave Shibata to the ring to take a bow.

Kris Statlander defeated Julia Hart (w/Brody King) to retain the TBS Title

(The crowd really got into this match towards the end and we got a This Is Awesome chant after Hart hit her finisher. Hart held her own in her PPV singles debut and you can see just how much she’s improved in the time she’s been in AEW.)

Taz tagged out and Tony Schiavone joined the booth for this one as Statlander used the power advantage early, nearly hitting the corner charge, with Hart regrouping. Statlander connected on multiple shoulder blocks until Hart hit a thrust kick and hurricanrana. Countering a monkey flip, Statlander hit a suplex, but Hart dragged Statlander to the floor. In a fireman’s carry, Statlander carried Hart up the steps to the apron, as Hart escaped and swept the leg, driving Statlander into the barricade. Back inside, Hart worked over the back, trying for a step up senton, but slipped off Statlander’s back, not getting all of it.

An abdominal stretch with a neck crank was briefly applied until Statlander escaped with a snap powerslam. The second try, Statlander got her corner charge knee and followed with a Blue Thunder Bomb for two. Hart escaped Sunday Night Fever, as Statlander stumbled into the ropes, with King trash talking. This led to Hart trying to mist Statlander, who slapped the mist out of Hart’s mouth and hit a spinning fisherman’s buster for two. A dead lift German led to Statlander going to the ropes, but Hart cut her off with the overhead belly to belly. Hart connected on her moonsault to a huge pop from the crowd, but got a near fall. Hart locked in Hartless, but the strength of Statlander allowed her to get to her feet and hit a Tombstone followed by Sunday Night Fever to retain.

The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson) defeated The Gunns (Austin & Colten), The Lucha Bros (Penta El Zero Miedo & AEW International Champion Rey Fenix w/Alex Abrahantes) & Orange Cassidy & FTW Champion HOOK to earn a future AEW Tag Team Title shot

(The Bucks get the future Tag Title shot, but perhaps a bigger story is Rey Fenix was taken out of this match after about a minutes worth of action. His shoulder had been heavily taped and we never saw him again, leaving Penta to go at it alone. As for the match, this should surprise no one, this was action packed and nearly everyone got in their moments. Similar to the 4 way on Dynamite last week, this match felt like it could end at any time.)

Heading into the International Title match this Wednesday, Nick & Fenix start things off with a mirrored opening sequence of strikes and superkicks, with Fenix clutching his shoulder, until Cassidy made the tag. Fenix ducked an Orange Punch, tried a fireman’s carry, but the taped up shoulder gave out and Penta was forced to make the tag. The Gunns did a number on Fenix outside and one on Penta as well, as Colten made the tag and hit a perfect dropkick on Cassidy. The Gunns stood tall and tried to pin each other to win the match, but the ref wouldn’t allow it. That’s a spot their father had done with the New Age Outlaws back in the day, which didn’t fly here, but I loved the callback.

The Bucks sent The Gunns tumbling outside, as Cassidy gave a long stare to HOOK before making the tag and having a faceoff with Matt Jackson. HOOK lit up Matt with midsection punches before both men took turns trading a series of Northern Lights suplexes until hit an overhead throw. Cassidy & HOOK connected on a double suplex on The Gunns, as Cassidy hit a dive on both Bucks. We’re told the doctor took out Fenix, as commentary questions if we’d see him again. Penta tried Fear Factor on Austin, but Colten made the save and The Gunns took over on HOOK, who finally fought free and made the desperation tag to Penta, who ran wild.

Colten was dropped with Made in Penta, but Austin saved his brother by hitting a Quick Draw. The match broke down, as Nick hit his slingshot face buster on Austin and moonsault to the floor on Cassidy. HOOK made a blind tag on Penta, who wiped out a stack of guys on the floor, as HOOK had REDRUM locked on Austin, but Nick made the blind tag before Austin tapped. Nick hit a 450 on both men for two. Penta hit a dueling Widows Peak/Fear Factor with an assist from Nick doing a double stomp, as Penta was ultimately dropped with a BTE Trigger to give The Bucks the victory.

Swerve Strickland (w/Prince Nana) defeated Hangman Page

(This was match of the night thus far as both men knocked it out of the park. The roles were reversed here, as Page worked heel great and there was no way Swerve was going to be booed in his house. Despite those roles reversed, Strickland is still a heel after all, so the finish had to come with at least a little shenanigans, despite not being the actual finish. With this win, I hope Strickland continues to climb the ranks and becomes a contender for the World Title soon.)

The crowd was loudly behind Strickland as we got Swerve’s House and Hangman Sucks chants. Page played into the heel role well for this, as he taunted the crowd after grounding Strickland early. Strickland managed a fast head scissors and diving uppercut off the second to soak in the cheers. Page countered a tilt a whirl into a fall away slam, as he kipped up to boos, following up with his corner lariat to the floor, where he hit an apron bomb into a powerbomb on the barricade. The moonsault off the top to the floor connected, as did a pop up powerbomb back inside for two. A tope was what hit next for Page, as he zoned in on the hand he stabbed with the pen during the contract signing on Dynamite.

Page hit a top rope clothesline, but after a forearm exchange, Strickland strung together a Flatliner and Brainbuster sequence. Strickland took too long on the top and was cut off by Page, who wanted an avalanche fall away slam, but Strickland fought free and hit a Swerve Stomp on a hung up Hangman. House Call hit flush, but a double stomp off the top on the apron did not, as Page wanted a Dead Eye, but Strickland tossed him face first into the metal of the turnbuckle. Strickland looked for a piledriver off the steps, but Page countered into Dead Eye on them insead. Back inside, Strickland fought off the Buckshot until Page bit at the injured hand, as a Buckshot was countered into Strickland stomping back on a twisted up Page arm.

The doctors attended to Page on the apron, as Strickland came flying in with a Swerve Stomp off the top while Prince Nana danced all around ringside. Strickland followed with a 450 on the injured arm for a near fall. Page escaped a cross arm breaker with a rope break, as Page rolled through a JML Driver and turned Strickland inside out with a lariat. Both men reset and Strickland hit a snap German, went for another stomp, but Page avoided and hit the Buckshot with the injured arm, not allowing a follow up in time. Nana was caught putting the foot on the rope for a break and ejected by the ref, as the arguing allowed Strickland to grab Nana’s jeweled crown and deck Page for a close near fall. Two more House Calls connected again for Strickland, who followed with the JML Driver to give Strickland the biggest win in his AEW career.

-Seattle Supersonics great Shawn Kemp is shown front row enjoying the action.

Ricky Starks (w/Big Bill) defeated Wheeler Yuta

(These two had the tough task of following Strickland & Page and did a good job in the position they were in. This felt like a Collision match, but both guys had a hard hitting back and forth match with Starks getting a much needed PPV singles win after his loss to Bryan Danielson in the Texas Death Match.)

Jon Moxley & Jim Ross rejoin the commentary table, as Moxley wanted to be there for Yuta’s first solo excursion on an AEW PPV. Moxley apologized for his language on Zero Hour and immediately yelled at Yuta to make Starks “pay for that sh*t”, as Excalibur brought up a swear jar. After an opening chain wrestling back and forth, it turned to slaps and chops, with Starks winning that battle. Starks did his rope walk strike and overhead throw with Moxley continuing to yell for Yuta to get back into this, dropping more swears, but it wouldn’t be Moxley if he didn’t. Yuta hit an Angle Slam and Moxley gave a shoutout to the late Justice Pain, as Big Bill made his way to ringside.

The appearance of Bill was long enough to distract Yuta and let Starks hit his signature spinning DDT. Yuta avoided Roshambo, but Starks hit a pop up powerbomb with so much intensity Starks himself almost did a somersault in the process. Starks mocked the anvil elbows, which just pissed off Yuta, who hulked up, only to be leveled with a Starks lariat. Yuta avoided another DDT and chucked Starks onto Bill, who nearly chokeslammed Yuta, who floated over and posted Bill. Back inside, anvil elbows by Yuta led to a seatbelt pin for two. Yuta tried to skin the cat on the bottom rope, but Starks met him with a huge Spear and Roshambo to win it.

Bryan Danielson defeated Zack Sabre Jr.

(This was an absolute wrestling clinic, one that delivered exactly what you would’ve hoped for and more. I really enjoyed Moxley on commentary, as he sounded like a dude who loves wrestling getting to watch the two best technical wrestlers in the world ten feet away from him. You can also really tell seeds are at least hopefully being planted for something to happen between Danielson & Nigel McGuinness, as Nigel has really been talking more and more about wanting to see Danielson lose. I hope we get a match in the future. I also hope another Sabre & Danielson battle happens down the line.)

Moxley remains on commentary super hyped for this one, as he’s dissecting the mindset of both men, as Danielson got two early takedowns and showed Sabre he was up two. Danielson wanted a hip toss, but Sabre countered right into a Cobra Twist, which Danielson countered into a roll up. Sabre escaped into an arm breaker, which Danielson countered into an Indian Death Lock. With their legs intertwined, both men did headstands until a stalemate occurred. Moxley brought up how Danielson is into weird stuff, tantric stuff and Excalibur hilariously changed the topic to Billy Robinson & Antonio Inoki. Sabre locked on a Romero Special, but Danielson literally just powered up and walked out of it, locking on one of his own. Moxley said this is a Johnson swinging contest. Sabre wanted a bow and arrow, but Danielson exploded out into another reset.

Sabre finally zoned in on the right arm, wrapping it up and twisting before snapping away at the fingers. Danielson moonsaulted out of the corner and hit a rolling single leg crab almost ala Lance Storm. Sabre got the ropes, as Danielson punted away with kicks to the left leg followed by the most violent dragon screw. Danielson went for another, but Sabre countered, twisting his feet around the neck. Sabre went to the corner and Danielson followed with boots and anvil elbows. Sabre snapped the arm and applied a kimura until headbutts to the midsection got Danielson free with an Avalanche Butterfly Superplex. Danielson really fought for the submission used to submit Okada at Forbidden Door, but Sabre got the ropes.

Yes Kicks connected, as Danielson said it was time for Sabre to get his f’n head kicked in and Moxley said the swear could be added to his tab. Sabre avoided Busaiku Knee into a series of close nearfalls led to a European Clutch for two, as Moxley and the crowd are on their feet. Sabre avoided a corner charge, tried a Clutch again, but Danielson countered into Cattle Mutilation and we got another wild series of counters until Sabre cranked away at the wrist and fingers. With both men wrapped up like pretzels, Danielson spat in the face of Sabre as slaps and kicks to the face were back and forth aplenty. Uppercuts to the arm by Sabre, as Danielson kept kicking at the hamstring. Both men wanted a backslide and threw stiff back elbows to get it.

Sabre hit a PK to the bad arm and connected with a Zack Driver before slapping on a submission. Nigel McGuinness is on his feet, screaming to see Danielson submit, as a rope break led to him calling Danielson a coward. Yes Kicks by Sabre led to a cross arm breaker once more, which Danielson escaped into a Regal Plex and Busaiku Knee for two. With the crowd on their feet, Danielson hit another Busaiku Knee, this time getting the win. Moxley put it perfectly when he said Holy Sh*t. Post match, Sabre didn’t shake the hand, as Danielson gave a hug to referee Aubrey in a pretty cool full circle moment for her dating back to Danielson retiring years ago and Aubrey being the girl in the crowd crying at the time.

Konosuke Takeshita, Sammy Guevara & Will Ospreay (w/Don Callis) defeated Chris Jericho & The Golden Lovers (Kenny Omega & Kota Ibushi)

(This was an action packed party match, with of course Callis interjecting in the finish. I almost thought this went longer than needed, but the moment I thought that, the crowd were on their feet and really into it, so I admit being wrong on that one. This was a needed win to establish the Don Callis Family as threats and especially Guevara in his feud with Jericho.)

The tron for the Don Callis Family is a shot of The Last Supper with Callis in the middle, which is hysterical. Omega & Ospreay start things off to a huge ovation from the crowd and have a lighting quick opening sequence into a stalemate. Guevara tagged in to annoy the entire crowd and proceeded to hit his leapfrog backflip dropkick. Jericho tagged in and lit up Guevara with chops before Guevara bailed, flipping Jericho off and Ospreay was left eating chops. Guevara jumped on commentary briefly and talked about how Omega & Jericho hitting a double suplex is illegal and how referee Aubrey sucks. A six way face off ensues and a hockey fight sent Callis’ Family to the floor. Jericho, Omega & Ibushi gave a chant to Antonio Inoki before hitting a trifecta of slingshot dives.

Back inside, Ospreay quickly turned the table with his backflip kick on Omega, as Takeshita saw his first official action, connecting with a Takeshtia-line. Ospreay made the tag and nearly ate You Can’t Escape, but got the knees up on the Omega moonsault, applying an abdominal stretch with help from all his partners and Callis. Aubrey caught them and kicked the hand free, but Omega remained isolated and planted with a Takeshita Blue Thunder Bomb. Guevara hit a Senton Atomico, but Ibushi saved his partner to break the count. Omega fought out of the corner with three face palm dunks and Jericho made the hot tag, getting an abdominal stretch on Guevara, getting help from Omega & Ibushi to return the favor.

Ibushi finally tags in and does the Le Sex Gods pose with Jericho before dropping Guevara with a moonsault press. The Golden Lovers break out their signature offense ending in a Kotaro Crusher from Omega, as both Omega & Ibushi hit stereo moonsaults to the floor, as Jericho hit a Lionsault on Guevara for two. A powerbomb into a German connected, but Takeshita hit three German suplexes, with the ones Omega & Ibushi suffered landing high on their neck. Ospreay & Takeshita both went for Hidden Blade and the Power Drive Knee, but Jericho ducked and both men collided. Omega hit the Terminator Dive on Ospreay & Takeshita, as Guevara hit the Spanish Fly on Jericho for two and wild Shooting Star on the floor onto Omega.

We missed Jericho hitting a Code Breaker on Guevara, as Omega & Ospreay had another back and forth ending in a Snap Dragon. Guevara flew in with a top rope cutter and got just enough to stun Omega. Ospreay hit Ibushi with a high powerbomb, as Takeshita hit Omega with a Power Drive Knee. Jericho hulked up, but the numbers were too much, leaving Ibushi the last man standing against three. Ibushi no sold and starched Ospreay & Guevara and had a wild sequence trading lariats with Takeshita into the double down. The match broke down with home run shots from everyone until Ospreay countered One Winged Angel to the floor and followed with a Sky Twister Press on the Golden Lovers.

Ospreay took the bullet and ate a Judas Effect, shoving Guevara out of the way, as referee Aubrey was tending to him long enough to miss Jericho’s visual pin on Guevara off a corner hurricanrana. Jericho tried the Walls of Jericho, as Don Callis got a bat shot in, as Guevara crawled over to steal the win, as Ospreay held off Ibushi & Omega.

FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) defeated Aussie Open (Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis) to retain the AEW Tag Team Titles

(While the crowd did do dueling chants, it seemed like they were tired following the last two matches. These two teams put on a damn fine wrestling match with some really close near falls for the challengers. I have no idea is Mark Davis actually broke his wrist, but he was really clutching at it the second half of this one. Credit to toughing it out, also Kyle Fletcher was awesome as well. With FTR’s win here, we’re going to get FTR vs. Young Bucks 4 down the line.)

Harwood & Wheeler worked over Fletcher in the early going with fast tags made until Davis tagged in and had a loud chop battle with Harwood. Davis hit a bodyslam and standing senton before a chop lariat combo connected high near Harwood’s throat. More chops led to Fletcher & Davis avoiding ten corner punches by running Harwood & Wheeler into each other and it was followed up by one on the floor as well. Wheeler spent time isolated and was flattened with a back suplex powerbomb combo for a near fall. In the process of knocking Harwood off the apron, Fletcher was hung up in the corner, as Wheeler connected on a back suplex off the top for the double down.

Wheeler finally managed to break free and make the hot tag to Harwood, who ran wild with strikes and lariats. Despite Fletcher being flattened by a lariat, Davis didn’t budge initially, so Harwood wound up for a home run lariat. Rolling Germans on Fletcher by Harwood, who went up top, missing a diving headbutt. The Aussie Arrow connected for two, as Wheeler & Davis fought to the floor while Harwood hit his signature slingshot powerbomb on Fletcher. Harwood was sent to the floor, as Wheeler was set up in a Doomsday Device and Davis absolutely clocked Wheeler with a jump kick off the top.

Fletcher & Davis wanted a Power Plex, but Wheeler & Harwood fought off and hit one of their own. Wheeler tried for a cover, but a diving Fletcher onto Harwood dropped them onto the cover. Davis is clutching his left wrist, as he & Fletcher hit a double lariat on Wheeler, wanted Coriolis, but Harwood made the save. Fletcher & Davis managed to hit Shatter Machine and Coriolis, but again Harwood broke things up. Wheeler was about to suffer a Spike Piledriver on the apron, but Harwood cut it off and it was Davis who was dropped instead. While set up in the corner, Fletcher ate a Super Shatter Machine and FTR retained.

Christian Cage defeated Darby Allin to retain the TNT Title in a 2 out of 3 Falls match

(What a story this was, Cage is such an incredible heel and I was about to talk about how good Allin’s selling is, but let’s face it, it’s not selling. How he’s able to take the bumps he does is beyond me. The turn of Nick Wayne was only the beginning of what was to come and we in fact had the anticipated debut of Adam Copeland, who I was thrilled still had his familiar theme music from WWE. It’s going to be really fun and interesting to see where things go from here, as the visual of Copeland standing with Sting & Allin was quite the sight to see.)

I certainly did not expect trading wrist locks and headlocks to start this match, but it did. Taz pointed out this was Allin showing Cage that he could indeed outwrestle the TNT Champion. Coffin Splash attempt nearly countered into a Killswitch, but Allin pulled Cage’s shirt over his head and got a flash jackknife roll up to steal the first fall.

Cage regrouped and stared down Nick Wayne’s mother ringside and got a cheap shot on Allin to take control, standing on Allin’s back, choking him in the ropes. Slow and methodical on his attack, Cage went for a top rope splash and missed, allowing Allin to hit a Code Red for a super close two. O’Connor Roll into a springboard cross body from Allin, who was eventually chucked outside to allow Cage to catch a breather before launching Allin into the barricade. Cage slowly walked up to Nick Wayne’s mother, who had a smile on her face, but suckered Cage in, throwing a drink in his face. Allin flew in with a low tope and Coffin Drop to the floor before trying a proper one in the ring, with Cage getting his knees up. Cage sent Allin flying off the apron face first into the commentary table. Cage repositioned the ring steps, as he fought on the apron with Allin, who tried a charge, but ate an eye poke. Cage suplexed Allin to the floor, bodyslammed him onto the steps and finally a bodyslam off the apron onto the edge of the steps in a violent spot that ended in a countout win to let Cage even it up at 1-1.

Referee Bryce and the doctor checked on Allin, as Cage started untying the canvas from the frame of the ring. The stretcher was brought down and quiet in the arena as we keep seeing replays of that violent bodyslam on the edge of the steps. During all of this, Cage kept ripping the ring up and exposing the wooden paneling before going to the top and hitting a wild Frog Splash onto the stretcher Allin was on. Cage rolled Allin into the ring, as after all of that, referee Bryce asked if Allin still wanted to go and Allin said yes. Cage connected with a Killswitch onto the wood, but Allin kicked out.

Allin side stepped a Spear, but Cage locked in a Scorpion Death Lock with Allin ultimately getting the ropes. Allin gouged at the eyes and managed a desperation Scorpion Death Drop before hitting a Coffin Drop, as Cage kicked out. Allin wanted another one, but Cage cut him off with a sunset flip powerbomb onto the wood. Cage wanted a Spear, but Allin side stepped and Cage wiped out referee Bryce. Cage got a low blow, grabbed his TNT Title and wanted to use it until Nick Wayne appeared, taking away the title. The chase was on until Allin told Wayne to use the title and Wayne said he’s doing this for his mom, dad & himself before blasting Allin with the title. Cage revived the ref and got the pin.

Cage gave Wayne a kiss on the head and hugged him post match, standing tall over Allin. Wayne slapped Allin and beat him down until Sting appeared and made his way to the ring. Sting attacked Wayne & Cage, as Luchasaurus appeared and the numbers were too much. Cage wanted a Con-Chair-To but the lights went out and video saying Our Feature Presentation is shown and video of an unknown figure is driving the streets of Seattle.

That unknown figure is revealed to be Adam Copeland, who is using his Metalingus theme song fans are familiar with. Copeland took the chair from Cage and Wayne set up Sting, but Copeland waffled Wayne in the back and laid out both he & Luchasaurus with Spears as Cage bailed with his TNT Title. The show ends with Copeland & Cage have a stare down with the Rated R Superstar arriving in AEW standing tall with Sting & Darby Allin, who extended his hand and Copeland shook it, Sting’s as well.