Tag: toni storm

WOL: The Rock wants your soul

Posted on by Andrew Zarian

On a new Wrestling Observer Live, I talk about the big segment from Friday’s WWE SmackDown featuring The Rock, who added an interesting angle to the build-up for WrestleMania 41.

After initially appearing as Corporate Rock and announcing next year’s WrestleMania date for New Orleans, he then turned heel and expressed his desire to claim Cody Rhodes’ soul. I explore what this means leading into WrestleMania and whether it’s too much.

Additionally, I talk about the rest of SmackDown leading into the Elimination Chamber, and I highlight how the Anoa’i family officially are the main characters of the show.

I also go through the Elimination Chamber card and discuss what big swerve we might see on that show that could affect WrestleMania.

Finally, I break down AEW Collision as they build toward Revolution in two weeks and ponder the question of whether Toni Storm is the best character in wrestling right now.

Click here to listen or watch on YouTube

Toni Storm wins Women’s World title at AEW Grand Slam Australia

Posted on by Josh Nason

For the fourth time in her AEW career, Toni Storm can call herself AEW Women’s World Champion.

Storm defeated blood rival Mariah May in the main event of Saturday’s AEW Grand Slam Australia to take home the title, avenging her title loss at last August’s All In at Wembley Stadium.

After several close nearfalls, the new champion finally picked up the victory with a small package counter.

The win ends May’s 174-day run which saw her successfully defend the title seven times.

Storm, a native of New Zealand who bills herself from Australia, earned the title shot with a mid-January victory in the first-ever women’s casino gauntlet match at which point she was pretending to be an AEW rookie with case of amnesia.

During the recent Homecoming edition of Collision, May attacked Storm and laid her out in the ring, leading to Storm revealing herself as her “Timeless” character and eventually explaining her ruse.

With the win, Storm will have now held the title at least one day during each of the past four years as part of her reigns: 2022 (76 days), 2023 (66 days), and 2023-2024 (281 days).

AEW Grand Slam Australia live results: Three title matches, Kenny Omega & Will Ospreay team up

Posted on by Suit Williams

AEW makes its much-discussed Australia debut with tonight’s Grand Slam Australia from the Brisbane Entertainment Centre with a five-match show featuring three title defense and two of AEW’s top stars teaming up.

The headliner will see AEW Women’s World Champion Mariah May defending against New Zealand-born Toni Storm in a rematch from last August’s All In where Storm lost the title.

Former AEW World Champion Kenny Omega teams with Will Ospreay to take on Konosuke Takeshita and Kyle Fletcher of the Don Callis Family which will open the show.

TBS Champion Mercedes Mone looks to remain undefeated in singles action as she defends against budding star Harley Cameron who is attempting to win her first AEW title.

Native son Buddy Matthews will challenge AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada.

The show is rounded out by a Brisbane Brawl between Jon Moxley and Claudio Castagnoli against Cope and Jay White.

Things will kick off at approximately 10:30 PM Eastern following NBA All-Star Weekend coverage.

**********

Grand Slam Australia kicked off with shots of the large crowd for this show as Tony Schiavone welcomed everyone to the show. Nigel McGuinness was on the call alongside Schiavone.

Kenny Omega & Will Ospreay defeated Konosuke Takeshita & Kyle Fletcher (w/Mark Davis)

What superlatives can I give this match that I haven’t given these four men already? A PPV quality tag team match and an excellent opener to the show, especially considering the NBA All Star Saturday lead-in audience.

The ring looks smaller than usual, possibly a local ring. Fletcher and Ospreay started the match, with Fletcher dropping Ospreay with a shoulder block to big boos as the Australia crowd isn’t playing favorites with their countryman. Omega tagged in to a massive pop, taking Fletcher to the floor with a headscissors. Omega set up the Terminator dive, but Takeshita cut him off. Ospreay cleared Takeshita out, allowing for the tecnicos to hit stereo Terminator dives on opposite sides of the ring.

Fletcher isolated Omega, allowing Takeshita to hit a second rope senton on Omega’s abdomen for a nearfall. Omega fought his way to the corner and tagged in Ospreay, kicking off a move train that ended with an Ospreay Spanish Fly on Fletcher as we went to a commercial. After the break, Ospreay and Fletcher were back up and going back and forth, with Ospreay countering a powerbomb into a big DDT.

Another DDT from Ospreay led to Don Callis leaving commentary to hook Ospreay’s leg, giving Fletcher the opening for a half-and-half suplex. Omega and Takeshita tagged in, with Takeshita hammering Omega’s midsection with a forearm. Takeshita hit the King Kong clothesline on Omega before dropping Ospreay with a forearm. Takeshita got both Omega and Ospreay over on a double German suplex, but an assisted powerbomb got countered into a headscissors off the top rope by Omega.

Ospreay hit a Skytwister Press to Fletcher on the floor, allowing Omega to hit a V-Trigger for a nearfall. Takeshita avoided another V-Trigger to hit a Blue Thunder Bomb for a nearfall. Omega hit a V-Trigger to the back but flubbed a poisonrana attempt. Omega got back on his horse and hit a V-Trigger, then set up a One Winged Angel off the ropes that Ospreay turned into a cutter off the ropes.

Fletcher got involved but ate a Hidden Blade. Omega hit a V-Trigger and the babyfaces set up their finishers, but the Callis Family reversed them into their piledriver variants for a nearfall. We got a forearm exchange that ended with Fletcher and Takeshita drilling both guys with forearm/superkick combinations. Omega kicked out of the Power Drive knee, and Ospreay saved the match on a brainbuster nearfall.

Ospreay covered up Omega before fighting 2-on-1, taking Fletcher out with a Stundog Millionaire. Takeshita took Ospreay out with a big forearm, but Omega held onto a knee strike. Omega came back with a V-Trigger of his own. One Winged Angel was avoided again, with Takeshita backing Omega into the corner for a Fletcher Yakuza Kick.

Omega shoved Fletcher off the top rope on a brainbuster attempt, then dumped Takeshita onto the ring post. Ospreay dove over the post onto Fletcher, then got to the top rope as Omega set up the One Winged Angel on Takeshita. Ospreay hit a flying Hidden Blade that propelled Takeshita into the One Winged Angel for the win. Ospreay and Omega shook hands as the crowd cheered them.

AEW TBS Title Match – Mercedes Mone (c) defeated Harley Cameron

Some will consider this a mistake, but I’m not one of them. Cameron has benefited immensely from this feud already and got a good showcase in her home country. But the longer Mone holds this title, the bigger the rub will be to the person who wins it. I can see them wanting it on more of a higher-tier wrestler than Cameron, for as entertaining as she has been. Good stuff here, and an interesting direction post-match with STARDOM’s Momo Watanabe. Also, the puppet in the match was a bit much.

Unlike the dastardly Kyle Fletcher, Australia gave Cameron a big reaction on her entrance. STARDOM wrestler and International Women’s Cup winner Momo Watanabe was ringside, with the announcers noting that her International Women’s Cup victory gives her a shot at any title worldwide.

Cameron came out of the gates hot, hitting a leg sweep and a flatliner for a nearfall. Cameron avoided an early Mone Maker and went on a flurry of offense. Cameron pulled out Puppet Mone from under the ring and did the ten punch spot, but Human Mone dropped her onto the buckles and laid the boots to the puppet. What the hell am I saying? Mone hit a low Meteora for a nearfall as we went to commercial.

Back from the break, Cameron hit the Trish Stratus rebound bulldog to put Mone down. Cameron fired up, but Mone cut her off with the Three Amigos. Mone went for a Frog Splash, but Cameron got the knees up for a nearfall. Cameron hit a pumphandle side suplex for a nearfall. Mone came back with a backstabber that sent Cameron to the floor. Cameron popped up with Puppet Mone and punched Mone in the face.

Cameron hit a high cross, then hit a Destroyer for a nearfall. Cameron countered another Mone Maker, so Mone hit a powerbomb before landing a Meteora for a nearfall. Cameron went for a series of flash pins for nearfalls, then hit an Area Code Shot. Cameron went for a top rope senton, but Mone moved out of the way. Mone finally scored with the Mone Maker to retain. Mone got in Momo Watanabe’s face after the match before leaving.

Kenny Omega & Will Ospreay were backstage. Omega should have been happier after winning that match, but he was tired of hearing about Konosuke Takeshita beating him twice in a week. He challenged Takeshita to an International Title match at Revolution, wanting to see if Takeshita could beat him three times. Ospreay took over, surprised that the fans in Australia were cheering for “Babyface Billy” over Kyle Fletcher. He was tired of the Callis Family getting involved in their business, so he challenged Fletcher to a steel cage match at Revolution.

(The Revolution card is filling out fantastically, as both of those matches have massive potential on paper.)

Brisbane Brawl Match – Death Riders (Claudio Castagnoli & Jon Moxley) defeated Cope & Jay White

I was surprised at the finish here, with Moxley choking Cope out ahead of their title match. An average plunder match with a hot crowd, although they weren’t happy at the finish. Both of these guys have tag teams partners that they regularly team with (The Gunns & FTR, respectively), why didn’t they think to hop on the plane and help out?

In a cool moment, the people sang Cope’s song after it stopped playing. Cope and White jumped the Death Riders once they crossed the barricade, kicking off the brawl across Brisbane. Castagnoli and Cope brawled into the crowd as White and Moxley fought ringside. Moxley hit White with a bin lid (gotta use the local vernacular), as Cope dove onto Castagnoli from a perch in the crowd. Moxley set up White on a table, but Cope cut Moxley off as he climbed the ropes. Shafir hammered Cope with a kendo stick, allowing Castagnoli to put Cope through the table after dropping White with an uppercut.

After a commercial, the Death Riders were stomping on White in the corner. Cope made his re-appearance with a double clothesline, but Moxley dropped him with the Paradigm Shift and sent him into the post. White came back and ran wild with a kendo stick, but Moxley cut him off by throwing him into a chair wedged in the corner. The Death Riders went for a Doomsday Device, but White knocked Moxley off the top rope and hit Castagnoli with a Blade Runner.

Wheeler Yuta appeared to break up the pin and whip White with a belt, but that only served to annoy White as he hit Yuta with a Blade Runner. Moxley popped up to hit White with a Curb Stomp but Cope crotched Moxley on the ring post. Cope sent Castagnoli through a table with the Spear, then hit Moxley with a Spear.

Instead of going for a pin, Cope grabbed a chair wrapped in barbed wire and drilled Moxley with it. Cope went for a Con-Chair-To, but Yuta pulled the chair away. Castagnoli hit the Neutralizer for a nearfall, but Moxley locked on the Bulldog Choke as Yuta held White back. Cope tried to fight up, but Moxley kept the choke on and choked Cope out. Moxley refused to release the hold as the crowd chanted BULL***T.

AEW Continental Title Match – Kazuchika Okada (c) defeated Buddy Matthews

When Okada hit the first Rainmaker, I was ready to call this match a disappointment. But Matthews kicked out and had a good flurry at the end before Okada escaped away with the title.

Matthews offered a handshake, but Okada responded with a middle finger. The opening exchange ended with Matthews sending Okada outside with a headscissors, then cutting Okada off when he tried to slide back in the ring with a dropkick. Okada went to leave when Matthews gave him a middle finger, but Matthews called him a wanker to get him back in the ring.

Matthews went on an offensive flurry, getting a nearfall with a knee drop. Okada caught Matthews with a flatliner, then dropkicked him off of the ropes to send him to the floor. After a commercial break, Matthews fought back on a bad leg, hitting a Meteora for a nearfall. Okada rolled through a move to hit his neckbreaker. Okada hit the elbow drop and gave the crowd the finger, but Matthews grabbed the finger and held on.

Matthews countered a Rainmaker attempt and hit a Go To Sleep, but Okada avoided the stomp and hit the Rainmaker. To Okada’s shock, Matthews kicked out to a big pop. Okada grabbed his belt and went into the ring, but Matthews caught him with a roll up and a stomp for a nearfall. Matthews hit Matthew’s Law – doesn’t work as well as Murphy’s Law – for a nearfall as Okada got his foot on the ropes.

Matthews followed Okada to the floor, where Matthews got hit with a DDT. Okada sent Matthews into the ring and rose to the top rope, but Matthews caught him with a knee and took him down with a superplex. Matthews hit a Jackhammer for a nearfall, then locked on Rhea Ripley’s Prism Lock to a big pop. I wonder what that’s about. Anyway, Okada shoved Matthews towards the referee, and after a do-si-do, Okada hooked the referee as he hit a mule kick to Matthews. Okada followed up with a Rainmaker for the win.

Tony Schiavone ran down the International Championship Series that begins this week on Dynamite. This Wednesday, former International Champions face off as Orange Cassidy will take on Roderick Strong in a rematch from the 2024 Revolution show. The winner of that match will challenge Konosuke Takeshita for the International Title on the February 26th Dynamite. The champion coming out of that match will defend the title against Kenny Omega at Revolution.

(While the outcome is almost guaranteed to be Takeshita/Omega, this is an interesting way to have some matches with stakes on upcoming episodes of Dynamite.)

Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Big Bill in a street fight was announced for Wednesday’s Dynamite.

AEW Women’s World Title Match – Toni Storm defeated Mariah May (c)

While I don’t think either woman has been good enough to warrant fifteen months of the Women’s Title, they closed it pretty well here with a good match here to end this feud. There have been a lot of women in the last year that have stepped up their games, and I’m excited to see who is up next to challenge Toni. A solid main event to a nice Saturday night special event. This had the Clash of the Champions energy that people wanted out of Battle of the Belts.

May came out first. Luther The Butler was in the crowd. Storm came out donned in blue with the Australian flag on her gear. The two locked up before immediately throwing punches and getting to work. Storm dropped May with a Thesz Press and clubbered on her in the corner. May hopped out of the corner with a Slingblade and a shotgun dropkick to take control. Storm fired back with a septory – that’s seven – of German suplexes. Storm tried to suplex May off the apron, but May dumped her on the apron and dropkicked Storm into the barricade.

After a commercial, Storm fired up with clotheslines and got a nearfall with a tree slam. Storm locked on an STF, which May escaped by biting the arm. Storm slammed May’s head into the ropes and re-applied the STF. May got to the ropes and rolled to the apron, where she avoided a hip attack against the post. May hit the Mayday on the floor. May dropped Storm with a shotgun dropkick from the top rope when they both got back in the ring.

May hit the hip attack and tried to follow with the Storm Zero, but Storm hit the Mayday for a nearfall. Storm hit one, two, three hip attacks before hitting the Storm Zero for a nearfall. May played possum before hitting a back suplex and two Maydays for a nearfall. May set Storm up on the top rope, but Storm slid down and hit a powerbomb. Storm hit a Storm Zero, but May rolled to the floor.

May dragged Storm into the turnbuckles before hitting a Storm Zero, but as May went for the Mayday, Storm caught May with an inside cradle to win the title for a fourth time.

Wrestling Weekly: WWE roster cuts, AEW Grand Slam Australia preview

Posted on by Victor Sosa

Image: AEW

There is lots to discuss this week on a new Wrestling Weekly with myself and Les Thatcher.

That list includes WWE roster cuts, Ricky Starks (if that is in fact his name) arriving in NXT, and a preview of AEW Grand Slam Australia.

Thanks for listening and have a great weekend~!

Click here to listen (sub needed)

Daily Update: Raw, George Kittle & Penta, Toni Storm

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

  • The most detailed look at the updated Janel Grant lawsuit against Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis and WWE. We look at the new claims, the arguments in favor of the case not going to arbitration as McMahon, Laurinaitis and WWE have argued, who is the most in jeopardy, lots of notes on the legal strategy from both sides, more text messages released as well.
  • Tons of records set at the 2025 Royal Rumble, the direction going into WrestleMania, the fake record John Cena may break and who has always been planned to break it later, Dwayne Johnson, Jey Uso, Alexa Bliss, business records including a very noteworthy record set by the show. We have an apples-to-apples comparison between Rumble viewers on Netflix and Raw viewers which is very interesting.
  • The ringboys lawsuit goes forward against Vince & Linda McMahon and WWE, details of what the issues that put it on hold were as well as a very important note about the suit that hasn’t gotten much talk.
  • The most detailed look at TV ratings and streaming numbers for pro wrestling programming in the U.S., including segment-by-segment numbers, what countries Raw is strongest in, competition and more.
  • Unique tournament this month in Mexico City
  • A look at major international matches over the past week
  • Stardom PPV notes
  • Tag champ brothers release a new album and music video.
  • New Beginning in Osaka and Fantastica Mania upcoming shows.
  • Young Bucks talk their return to Japan
  • Why Hiroshi Tanahashi was in tears after Kenny Omega vs. Gabe Kidd
  • Hall of Famer says his son has recently got a WWE offer
  • Ed Wiskowski’s time in Australia.
  • Lots of news on Grand Slam Australia.
  • International TV numbers and streaming numbers
  • Ticket sales to all the major upcoming WWE & AEW shows including WrestleMania, Elimination Chamber, Revolution and All In.
  • Jericho Cruise notes
  • Merch sale leaders from WWE & AEW
  • Story on the retirement of Dominick Cruz and his legacy in UFC
  • One of the key people in the pro wrestling business and the most important person in the MMA business are rumored to be working together to start a new sports franchise
  • How is ESPN+ doing
  • Another world champion wants release from his promotion.
  • All the craziness of the Canelo negotiations
  • TKO stock reaching record highs
  • Lots of news on Mania week
  • More on cancellation of Cena TV show
  • More on new Evolve TV show
  • Another lawsuit with Nick Khan’s name in it
  • How much WWE stock does Dwayne Johnson now own?
  • Lots of contract news
  • WWE & AEW injury stats – which company, on average, has more serious injuries.

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter Back Issue

Tuesday Update

WWE

AEW & Other Wrestling

  • Toni Storm has filed trademarks for the names ‘Timeless’ and ‘Toni Storm’.
  • Lance Archer on social media wrote that his SUV was stolen on Monday.
  • CJ Perry responded to news of Miro’s release from AEW: “A very happy Miro Day !!!” 
  • Matt Cardona has been announced for WrestleCon weekend.
  • Will Ospreay congratulated Hirooki Goto on his IWGP World title win.
  • Elektra Lopez responded to her WWE release: “Heard any good news lately? No? Well, make it quick—I’ve got a packed schedule for the next 90 days.”
  • Karl Anderson released a tease on social media.
  • Paul Ellering on X: “@WWE I am tired of the talking heads. Akam and Rezar can, without a doubt beat any Tag Team in the business today. Pedigree check. LOD 2.O.”
  • Marisela Pena announced that Triplemania XXXIII is set for August 16 in Mexico City.
  • The NWA announced that Barry Windham will appear for a special autograph signing on March 22 at their Hard Times V event.

Wrestling Weekly: The Road to WrestleMania has begun

Posted on by Victor Sosa

The Royal Rumble revealed a couple of challengers for WrestleMania. And today on Wrestling Weekly, we discuss Jey Uso and Charlotte Flair’s wins as well as the reception they got on Raw. We’ll also discuss a couple of potential matches that might have been set up this week, and we take a look at the latest edition of AEW Dynamite.

Thanks for listening and have a great weekend~! Click Here to Listen (sub needed)

New matches official for AEW Dynamite, next Collision

Posted on by Josh Nason

Both this Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite and next Saturday’s AEW Collision have some updated lineups which will see a new Don Callis Family member revealed and former AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm in action.

Dynamite additions

On this Wednesday’s Dynamite from Atlanta, Georgia, former AEW International Champion Will Ospreay will take on the new mystery member of the Don Callis Family. Callis hinted last week that their ranks had grown and the new member will reveal themselves in just a few days.

The aforementioned Storm will take on Queen Aminata who is coming off a loss in a TBS title four-way eliminator bout on last week’s Collision. They two squared off a year ago with Storm picking up the win. Current AEW Women’s World Champion Mariah May will be on commentary ahead of her defense against Storm at this month’s AEW Grand Slam Australia.

After scoring their first win as the Hounds of Hell, Brody King & Buddy Matthews will take on Kyle Fletcher and International Champion Konosuke Takeshita. The Don Callis Family members will face Kenny Omega and Ospreay at this month’s Grand Slam Australia.

The new additions join the previously announced Swerve Strickland vs. Ricochet match.

Here’s the updated lineup:

  • Will Ospreay vs. Don Callis Family mystery member
  • Ricochet vs. Swerve Strickland
  • Kyle Fletcher & Konosuke Takeshita vs. Buddy Matthews & Brody King
  • Queen Aminata vs. Toni Storm

Collision lineup

The first three bouts are official for next Saturday’s Collision from Houston, Texas.

In a rematch from last year’s Continental Classic, Kyle Fletcher will take on former ROH World Champion Mark Briscoe. Fletcher said he wants to right the wrong from the tournament where Briscoe picked up the upset victory.

After challenging her to a match last Saturday, Penelope Ford will get her wish and will face former AEW Women’s World Champion Thunder Rosa.

In a three-way trios match, The Undisputed Kingdom’s Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly & Roderick Strong will take on Shane Taylor & The Infantry and Daniel Garcia, Matt Menard & Angelo Parker. This was announced following the aftermatch of Garcia’s successful TNT title defense against Lee Moriarty and O’Reilly.

Here’s the updated lineup:

  • Kyle Fletcher vs. Mark Briscoe
  • Thunder Rosa vs. Penelope Ford
  • Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly & Roderick Strong vs. Shane Taylor & The Infantry (Carlie Bravo and Shawn Dean) vs. Daniel Garcia, Matt Menard & Angelo Parker

AEW Collision live results: Mid-South street fight, TNT title defense

Posted on by Suit Williams

Tonight’s AEW Collision from Huntsville, Alabama, will feature a Mid-South street fight, a three-way TNT title defense, and more.

Former AEW Tag Team Champions FTR will take on AEW World Champion Jon Moxley & Wheeler Yuta in a Mid-South street fight.

After the events of the last few weeks, TNT Champion Daniel Garcia will defend his title against Kyle O’Reilly and ROH Pure Champion Lee Moriarty in a three-way.

The AEW women’s division will be represented as Megan Bayne will compete in an AEW singles match for the first time since February 2022 while Harley Cameron goes one-on-one with Taya Valkyrie.

Former AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm will be on hand to share some thoughts about reigning titleholder Mariah May.

In a pair of tag matches, Samoa Joe & Hook will face Nick Wayne & Kip Sabian while Chris Jericho & Bryan Keith will face The Outrunners.

The card is rounded out by the first Max Caster open challenge and The Beast Mortos in action.

**********

Collision comes to us live (to tape!) from Huntsville, Alabama. Tony Schiavone & Nigel McGuinness were on the call.

Hook & Samoa Joe defeated The Patriarchy (Kip Sabian & Nick Wayne) (w/Christian Cage)

A lifeless, paint-by-numbers opener here. Joe injected some life into this Christian/Hook feud when he returned, but it’s time to get off the pot and get the trios match or the Christian/Hook blowoff.

Hook and Wayne started off, with Hook catching Wayne with a crotch-lift suplex. Tags on both sides led to Joe walking away from a Sabian dive. After interference from Wayne on the floor, Hook was your Street Tough-In-Peril. After a few minutes, Hook caught Wayne with a T-Bone suplex and got the hot tag to Joe.

Joe ran wild on Sabian and hit the Muscle Buster for the win. After the bell, Christian attacked Joe and Hook with his non-union equivalent Money In The Bank briefcase and left them laying.

Cope was backstage. He wondered if Jon Moxley even knew what his goal was, as nobody else seemed to know what it was. Cope called Moxley a malcontent, unaware that he may be the problem with AEW. Cope said that even when he was a young gun, he respected the veterans that made it better for his generations. He paid it back by helping make the business better for people in Moxley’s generation, but Moxley was entitled and didn’t respect that. He hated how Moxley hid the AEW World Championship away and was going to beat Moxley up to take it. The challenge was made for Revolution: Cope vs. Mox for the AEW World Championship.

(This was the big promo to set up the Revolution World Title match, and much like the Cope/Mox feud, it was very unfocused. Instead of the feud being about having pride in AEW or getting revenge for the weeks of attacks up and down the roster, Cope made it about respecting your elders? A messy set-up for the PPV match.)

The Beast Mortos defeated Adam Priest

Mortos killed Priest quickly, finishing with Chuck Taylor’s Awful Waffle – now renamed the Destination Hellhole.

Max Caster came to the ring to interrupt Mortos’ celebration. He congratulated Mortos but said that he wouldn’t stand a chance against the Best Wrestler Alive. Caster kicked off the first of his Open Challenge Series.

Max Caster Open Challenge Match – Rush (w/Dralistico & The Beast Mortos) defeated Max Caster

Rush killed Caster quickly, finishing with The Bull’s Horns for the win. After the match, Rush took the microphone and reminded Mortos that LFI was a family.

(Rush is back, and he’s good as usual. We’ll see how long it lasts.)

The Outrunners were backstage with Lexy Nair, and they cut their promo on The Learning Tree.

The Learning Tree (Bryan Keith & Chris Jericho) (w/Big Bill) defeated The Outrunners (Truth Magnum & Turbo Floyd)

(I was ready to complain about another heel beatdown on AEW TV this week, but Bandido came back to make the save and get some shine here. I think the world of Bandido, as I think he has high-level star potential for AEW. I’m glad to see him back here.)

Jericho & Magnum started, and the Outrunners soon ran wild with atomic drops. They dumped Jericho & Keith to the floor, but a Big Boot from Big Bill took Magnum down on the floor.

After a commercial break, Floyd tagged in and ran wild with bodyslams. Keith cut off the Predator handshake, and Jericho got Floyd in the Walls of Jericho. Floyd got out of the hold and we got a Pier Six brawl, ending with the Predator elbow drop. Big Bill interfered again to break up Total Recall, and Keith got a small package to win the match. After the match, Big Bill laid out both Outrunners as Keith pulled out a table.

Big Bill had a double chokeslam set up when Bandido came out to make the save. Bandido ran wild on the Learning Tree, putting Keith through the table with a press slam to a big pop.

Kyle Fletcher & Mark Briscoe cut promos on each other ahead of their Continental Classic rematch next week on Collision. Fletcher was upset that Briscoe spoiled his perfect record in the tournament and wanted to get his win back before Grand Slam Australia, while Briscoe said he was going to prove his win wasn’t a fluke.

(Fletcher/Briscoe was on the short-list of the best matches of the tournament, and I’m glad we’re getting the rematch.)

Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada was backstage with Lexy Nair and was immediately interrupted by Buddy Matthews laughing at him. Matthews laughed at Okada calling himself a champion, and Okada laughed off another Matthews challenge. Matthews called Okada a b*tch and left.

Harley Cameron defeated Taya Valkyrie

Cameron was the most over babyface on the show to this point, and she finally got her first win in AEW. I was wondering if they would save it for Grand Slam Australia, but it looks like she may be Mercedes Mone’s opponent for the show.

Valkyrie jumped Cameron at the bell and landed double knees in the corner for a nearfall. After a commercial break, Cameron hit a Shining Wizard for a nearfall. The crowd chanted Feel The Wrath as Cameron brought Valkyrie to the top rope, but Valkyrie took Cameron out of the corner with a powerbomb for a nearfall. Cameron came back with a Canadian Destroyer for a nearfall.

Cameron went for a senton off the top rope, but Valkyrie moved and hit a spear. Cameron kicked out at two, then rolled up Valkyrie with a crucifix pin to score the pin and her first win in AEW. Deonna Purrazzo was shown upset at her partner dropping the fall here.

During this match, Hounds of Hell vs. Konosuke Takeshita & Kyle Fletcher & Will Ospreay vs. A Mystery Member of the Don Callis Family was announced for Dynamite.

Ricochet Sit-Down Interview

A damn good piece of business to build the Dynamite match between Ricochet and Swerve Strickland. Strickland found a way to cut Ricochet’s early work down without cutting Ricochet himself down, and Ricochet found a way to hit a nerve on Swerve by bringing up Hangman Page.

Ricochet had a sit-down interview with Renee Paquette backstage. He listened to the fans that told him he belonged in AEW, and watched from afar as his peers did amazing things in AEW. But when he got there, the fans turned their backs on him and showered him with toilet paper. Swerve Strickland joined in with the mockery, and when Ricochet stabbed Strickland in the head with the scissors, he was doing it to curse at the fans as well.

Swerve Strickland entered the scene calmly, choosing to save the fight for the people in Atlanta. He shooed Paquette away and sat with Ricochet to talk. He talked about how they never saw eye-to-eye in their encounters, and how he didn’t want Ricochet in AEW to begin with. Ricochet pretended to be a superhero, and the fans rejected him for it. Meanwhile, Strickland accepted his role as the villain, and he got all the respect in the world for it. Strickland promised to show Ricochet that there was levels to this, and that Ricochet wasn’t on his.

Ricochet agreed that he wasn’t good at pretending and admitted that he never cared about the people. Ricochet said that ever since Hangman Page punked Strickland out, he hasn’t felt threatened by Strickland at all. Strickland responded by snatching the scissors out of Ricochet’s suit pocket and holding them to his throat. Strickland said that he would see Ricochet on Dynamite and left without incident.

Timeless Toni Storm Town Hall

A good promo from Toni here. I’ve…not been the target audience for this feud, but the crowd does seem to be into it, and the Grand Slam Australia match feels hot.

Timeless Toni Storm appeared on stage, announcing that she had spent the last six weeks playing the role of Toni Storm. She knows no one caught on because she was a good actress, but everyone bore witness to her metamorphosis. She didn’t do it for the fans, she did it for herself. She was embarrassed and ashamed when Mariah May stabbed her in the back and ran away from herself. She rebuilt herself from the ground up to look May in the eye, and she saw everything she needed to see. She cursed May and said that it doesn’t get realer than her. She promised that May’s time was over.

Harley Cameron was backstage with Renee Paquette outside of Mercedes Mone’s locker room. Paquette noted that Mone wasn’t there, but Cameron corrected her as Mercedes Mone entered the frame. She looked like a puppet and was connected to Cameron’s hand, but that may have just been the picture quality on my TV. Mone agreed to wrestle Cameron in Australia, and Cameron shook her hand to make it official.

Wait a minute, Mercedes Mone then walked into frame? Two Mercedes Mones? Is this a Dave Hebner situation? Saturday Night’s Main Event is back, after all. The actual Mone called Cameron a loser and said that losers don’t ride the Mone Train.

We got promos from all three competitors in the TNT Title match.

AEW TNT Title Match – Daniel Garcia (c) (w/Matt Menard) defeated Kyle O’Reilly, Lee Moriarty (w/Shane Taylor)

A solid TV defense here for Garcia, as they kept up the energy and didn’t fall into typical three-way issues. They worked hard to make sure everyone felt involved, and the result was a good match.

All three men locked up to start and broke up each other’s submissions with other submissions. O’Reilly caught Moriarty with a knee lift to send him out of the ring. Moriarty sent O’Reilly and Garcia to the floor before hitting a tope to both men as we went to a commercial.

After the break, Moriarty caught Garcia with a crossbody for a nearfall, then transitioned to a double wristlock. Moriarty hit a facebuster on O’Reilly while hitting an Eat Defeat on Garcia for a nearfall on both men. O’Reilly and Garcia teamed up to hammer Moriarty with strikes before turning on each other when Moriarty fell out of the ring.

Moriarty got back in the ring and all three men traded strikes before taking each other down with boots. Garcia took both men down with ten punches in the corner and a double clothesline. Moriarty hit a neckbreaker on Garcia for a nearfall. Garcia locked Moriarty in the Dragon Tamer, but O’Reilly caught Garcia in an armbar. O’Reilly transitioned to a triangle choke and caught Moriarty in an ankle lock.

Moriarty knocked O’Reilly loose and sent him out of the ring. Moriarty sent O’Reilly to the floor, then sent Garcia into the ropes for Taylor to punch. Moriarty locked Garcia in the Border City Stretch as Taylor held O’Reilly back. Garcia turned the hold into a jackknife pin for the win as O’Reilly was dealing with Taylor.

After the match, The Infantry came out to surround O’Reilly and Garcia. Angelo Parker joined Matt Menard to even up the numbers, and Adam Cole & Roderick Strong came out to make sure Shane Taylor Promotions left the scene. It was announced here that a three-way trios match was booked for next week’s Collision, as it would be Shane Taylor Promotions vs. The Undisputed Kingdom vs. Daniel Garcia & 2.0.

We got a video package for Penelope Ford vs. Thunder Rosa next week.

We got a video of Hologram walking the streets in street clothes. He had lightning in his fingers.

Megan Bayne defeated Hyena Hera

Bayne got a quick showcase win here with an F5.

Lio Rush & Action Andretti were outside earlier today. They weren’t in the building last week, and they weren’t there this week, so Top Flight would have to wait. Rush said that when they came back, he might take up Darius Martin on his challenge for a match.

We got a video package for Queen Aminata vs. Toni Storm on Dynamite, with Mariah May on commentary.

Kris Statlander & Willow Nightingale were backstage with Lexy Nair. Statlander asked for this interview to apologize to Nightingale, but Nightingale wasn’t interested. Statlander pulled out her friendship bracelet and said that she never broke it.

(After the CM Punk/Drew McIntyre feud, I don’t want to ever see a friendship bracelet on a wrestling show again.)

Mid-South Street Fight – FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood) defeated Death Riders (Jon Moxley & Wheeler Yuta)

This was a very good main event, as the babyfaces finally got their act together and stood together to take a chunk out of the Death Riders. The crowd was at their hottest here as well, making for a fun close to Collision.

FTR jumped the Death Riders as they came out. We got plunder and crowd brawling with ladders and trash cans. Moxley got the first nearfall on the floor by booting Harwood out of a chair. Harwood got beaten down in the ring with a chair, but Wheeler came back with a high cross and ran wild. Marina Shafir came out to send Wheeler into the post, and we went to the commercial break with Moxley clawing at Harwood’s nose with pliers. That’ll clear your sinuses.

After the commercial, Moxley laid out thumbtacks. Unfortunately, the Rule of Abyss came to be here as Moxley went into the weapon he set up. Wheeler powerbombed Moxley into the tacks and took Yuta out with a dive, but Moxley came back with a Death Rider on the floor. Harwood was by himself and fought hard, taking Yuta out with a brainbuster.

Moxley re-emerged with a giant hook – I guess he had a run-in with Captain Hook – but Harwood took it from him and crotched him with it. Shafir hit Harwood with a low blow and tried to choke him out, but Harwood backed her through a table. Harwood hit a piledriver on Moxley for a nearfall and locked on a Sharpshooter, but Claudio Castagnoli came out to cut him off. Harwood sent Castagnoli to the floor, but Moxley caught him with a cutter and hit a curb stomp onto a chair for a nearfall.

It was 3-on-2 on FTR before Jay White & Cope came out to help FTR. The fight spilled to the outside, and FTR hit Yuta with a spike piledriver through the announce table to get the win. The fight continued, with White hitting Castagnoli with the Blade Runner. Moxley was surrounded by the babyfaces and got hit with a Shatter Machine and a Spear. The babyfaces set up Moxley for a Con-Chair-To, but Castagnoli dragged Moxley to safety.

WOL: Should ‘Timeless’ have returned to AEW at a different time?

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: AEW

With Andrew Zarian away for the week, I return for another Sunday episode of Wrestling Observer Live to recap another busy Saturday night.

A few topics on the show:

  • The curious online debate of whether the “Timeless” Toni Storm character should have returned on AEW Dynamite instead of Collision
  • A non-newsworthy WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event and the tough part of having to serve multiple TV rights masters
  • What’s up with JBL?
  • A full rundown of Collision and a look at the full wrestling week ahead
  • Why this Dave Meltzer tweet made me so sad and what it tells us about today’s wrestling discourse…and more.

Click here to listen

‘Timeless’ Toni Storm character returns on AEW Collision

Posted on by Matt Boone

“Timeless” Toni Storm is back.

The popular Golden Age Hollywood actress character for the women’s wrestling star re-emerged from the skin of the star-struck, clueless rookie during her advertised face-to-face segment with AEW Women’s World Champion Mariah May on Saturday’s Collision.

The segment was done to promote their title match at next month’s Grand Slam Australia.

Storm stood in the ring with May and continued her happy-to-be-here, aw shucks persona while “The Glamour” verbally lambasted her on the microphone.

To respond to May’s verbal lashing, Storm simply informed her that she was her biggest fan and saw everything she had ever done, finishing by resting her head on her chest.

May reverted back to fashion, patting Storm on the head in an embrace before shocking Storm and the crowd inside Daily’s Place by viciously slapping Storm repeatedly. She followed up by whipping Storm with her title belt as referees as other various AEW personnel attempted to break things up.

After it seemed May was content, she threw her hands in the air and began heading to the back.

And then it happened.

“What makes you think that I’ve forgotten?” Storm said into the microphone, still on the ground from the beating she just received from May, while her lipstick was shown smeared on her face.

“What makes you think our dance is done? Each scar, every drop of blood — I will feel forever! But now, it’s my moment in the sun,” she continued, while taking her shirt off. “They say the hardest role you will ever play is yourself,” she said while removing her shoes and pants. “But what you just witnessed is the performance of a lifetime.”

Storm added, “Mariah May, you may be the woman from hell, but you came from my womb and I will shove you back up there and spit you out. I am Timeless, Timeless, Timeless Toni Storm, and I’m gonna rip your t*ts off.”

Storm’s “Timeless” character began in August 2023 when she came up short at AEW Dynamite 200 in an attempt to dethrone then-AEW Women’s Champion Hikaru Shida. She began transitioning to the on-screen persona of a demanding Golden Age of Hollywood actress, who is deranged and delusional.

She would continue to chase the title held by Shida, ultimately capturing it at Dynamite in October of 2023. The reign continued under her “Timeless” persona for nearly a year before she lost the title to May at All In last August.

Along with the title, Storm would shed her “Timeless” character, reverting back to her backward baseball cap-look and adopting a wide-eyed rookie persona to go with it when she made her return at December’s Winter is Coming edition of Dynamite.

AEW Collision Homecoming live results: Takeshita vs. Shibata International title match

Posted on by Suit Williams

Tonight’s Homecoming edition of AEW Collision from Jacksonville, Florida, will feature several champions in competition.

AEW International Champion Konosuke Takeshita will put his title on the line against Katsuyori Shibata in a first-time-ever meeting.

AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada will face ROH men’s TV Champion Komander in a champion vs. champion bout.

AEW TNT Champion Daniel Garcia teams with Matt Menard and the returning Angelo Parker against the Undisputed Kingdom’s Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly & Roderick Strong.

The next contender for the TBS title will be made in a four-way between Yuka Sakazaki, Queen Aminata, Deonna Purrazzo and Serena Deeb.

AEW Women’s World Champion Mariah May and Toni Storm will have a face-to-face session ahead of their February match at Grand Slam Australia.

Samoa Joe returns for the first time since last July as he takes on Nick Wayne while Powerhouse Hobbs squares off with Big Bill.

The show is rounded out by Buddy Matthews & Brody King vs. Gates of Agony.

**********

We got pre-roll promos from The Patriarchy, Toni Storm, Mariah May, & Samoa Joe. Tony Schaivone & Nigel McGuinness were joined by Jim Ross for this week’s show.

Samoa Joe (w/ Hook & Katsuyori Shibata) defeated Nick Wayne (w/The Patriarchy)

Good to see Joe back in a fun opener to continue the Patriarchy/Hook & Friends feud.

This match was originally scheduled for Dynamite, but Samoa Joe had travel issues due to winter weather.

The Patriarchy surrounded Joe before Hook & Shibata came out to ward them off. Joe took the fight to Wayne to start, peppering him with jabs in the corner. Joe had Wayne up for the Muscle Buster, but Wayne raked the eyes to escape. Wayne worked over Joe’s legs, hitting a moonsault to Joe on the outside.

Joe came back with the uranage in the corner, but Wayne clawed at Joe’s eyes to avoid another Muscle Buster attempt. Wayne hit a rolling Code Red for a nearfall. A Wayne’s World attempt got ducked, and Joe laid out Wayne with a sick lariat before scoring with the Muscle Buster for the win.

We got a recap of the angle from Dynamite with Will Ospreay, Kenny Omega, & The Callis Family.

Champion vs. Champion Non-Title Match – AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada defeated ROH TV Champion Komander

This was a good clash of styles, with Komander having another good showing against a top-line star in Okada.

Komander refused to shake Okada’s hand and used his pace to keep Okada off balance to start the match. Komander hit a tope to the floor before Okada dropped him with a boot. Komander came back with a step-up armdrag to the floor but got caught on a headscissors attempt on the floor and dropped with a DDT.

After a commercial break, Okada tried to catch another headscissors attempt, but Komander caught him with an X-Factor. A wheelbarrow bulldog got Komander a nearfall, but Okada cut off a springboard and hit the neckbreaker over the knee. Okada hit the elbow drop and gave the big middle finger, but Komander ducked the Rainmaker and hit a step-up headscissors. Komander hit a springboard destroyer and hit a ropewalk moonsault to the floor. Okada caught Komander on a springboard and hit the Rainmaker for the win.

After the match, Okada finally got his handshake before jumping Komander from behind and cackling to the back.

We got a recap of last week’s run in that led to the trios match tonight between Daniel Garcia & 2.0 & The Undisputed Kingdom.

Powerhouse Hobbs was waiting in the parking lot for Big Bill. Bill arrived, chucking a brick at Hobbs’ head and pinballing him around. Bill laid him out with a big boot, but Hobbs ripped a fence door off and hit Bill with it before security separated them.

Big Boom AJ & Big Justice were backstage with Lexy Nair, who were interrupted by The Undisputed Kingdom. Adam Cole came in and did the Boom with them.

The Undisputed Kingdom (Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly & Roderick Strong) defeated Daniel Garcia, Angelo Parker, & Matt Menard

This is the best way to rehab the Undisputed Kingdom after the MJF feud, by having them earn back their cache in-ring. A solid match here to build a few issues in the midcard.

Shane Taylor Promotions were ringside. Cole & Garcia started off, with both teams getting quick tags in before Garcia laid out O’Reilly on the floor for a commercial break. After the break, the former Jericho Appreciation Society members were laying into O’Reilly in the corner before O’Reilly fought to his corner.

Cole got the hot tag and traded shots with Garcia, dropping him with a neckbreaker over the knee. Strong and Parker tagged in, with Strong running wild with backbreakers. O’Reilly and Strong laid out Menard with double forearms before pinning Parker with a Total Elimination. Both teams shook hands after the match as Shane Taylor Promotions glowered at the scene at ringside.

Max Caster was backstage, upset that his partner and his mentor turned their backs on him last week. He called himself a survivor and announced an Open Challenge Series, daring people to step up to the Best Wrestler Alive.

(I gotta tell you, I don’t like Caster’s chances.)

There was a blink-and-you’ll-miss it tease for Hologram, who has been out on paternity leave recently.

Top Flight was backstage with Lexy Nair. Dante was upset that Lio Rush & Action Andretti weren’t in the building, but Darius wasn’t surprised. He went off on Dante, noting that he never wanted Rush in the group to begin with. Andretti had helped them out while Dante was hurt, but Rush bailed on Dante when Darius got hurt prior to that. Darius challenged Rush to a match and promised to send him packing again.

(I’m intrigued by this lower-card feud, as it continues to evolve in a logical way and continues to keep these four talented guys on screen.)

Mariah May & Toni Storm’s Face-To-Face

I’ve been critical of this story, and I still don’t really understand why Storm pretended to not remember anything. But she got a big pop for the Timeless reveal and cut a good promo, so I guess all’s well that ends well.

Tony Schiavone was in the ring to moderate the face-to-face between Toni Storm & Mariah May. May entered first, ready to get this s**t over with in her own words. May ran Storm down, calling her a joke and a meme before promising to humiliate Storm in her hometown. Storm said that she was May’s biggest fan, having followed her career from the UK to Japan to AEW. Storm said that she wanted to be just like May and gave her a hug. May reciprocated before slapping her in the face and laying her out with the title belt.

May went to leave, but Storm took the mic and asked why May thought she’d forgotten everything. Storm got back into her Timeless Toni voice and disrobed out of her rocker clothes, revealing that she was playing the role of herself and had given the performance of a lifetime. Storm fired up and said that she would rip May apart in Australia as the crowd went crazy.

We got a preview of a long form interview with Jon Moxley and Claudio Castagnoli with Renee Paquette.

Hounds of Hell (Brody King & Buddy Matthews) (w/ Julia Hart) defeated Gates Of Agony (Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona)

The House of Black is officially dead, and the Hounds of Hell are in their place. King and Matthews can be a cornerstone team in a rebuilt tag division, and can be a credible threat to the Hurt Syndicate moving forward.

King & Matthews came out with a new presentation and a new name as the Hounds of Hell. Matthews and Liona started off before King and Liona traded big shots. Kaun tagged in and helped Liona clubber on King in the corner. Matthews tagged in and took the Gates to the floor before hitting a big dive into the commercial break.

The Gates were running wild as we came back, dumping King over the timekeeper’s table before hitting a double tree slam on Matthews for a nearfall in the ring. King made his way back to the corner and got the tag, running wild on both Gates and hitting a DVD on Liona for a nearfall. Matthews cut off another tree slam, kicking off a move train. Liona no-sold a piledriver, but Matthews hit a Meteora to take him out. Matthews and King hit a corner cannonball/dropkick combination on Kaun for the win.

Big Boom AJ & Big Justice were backstage with Lexy Nair & Harley Cameron. Cameron didn’t know any of their gimmicks, and Deonna Purrazzo & Taya Valkyrie interrupted them all to talk trash to Cameron.

Penelope Ford & Thunder Rosa were backstage with Lexy Nair. Ford challenged Rosa to a match, and they talked trash to each other.

AEW TBS Title #1 Contendership Four Way Match – Yuka Sakazaki defeated Serena Deeb, Deonna Purrazzo (w/ Taya Valkyrie), Queen Aminata

The action came quickly, with all four women going for flash pins. No one had a clear advantage, with all the women laying in big shots. Sakazaki hit a big dive to the floor as we went to commercial. After the commercial, Purrazzo hit La Mistica on Aminata to lock on a Fujiwara Armbar, but Aminata fought out and they dropped each other with clotheslines.

Sakazaki hit a high cross on Deeb for a nearfall. Deeb came back with a flurry of suplexes and a short-arm lariat to Aminata for a nearfall. Deeb and Aminata brawled to the back, as Valkyrie got in the ring to help Purrazzo. Harley Cameron came out to take Valkyrie out of the match, and Sakazaki caught Purrazzo with a flash pin to win the title shot on Wednesday’s Dynamite.

The Hounds of Hell were in the back with Lexy Nair, with Buddy Matthews saying they barked as one. Kazuchika Okada was laughing at them off to the side, saying that they barked like bitches. Matthews challenged Okada to a title match, with Okada giving him a middle finger in denial. Matthews said that made Okada the bitch and walked off.

Big Bill was in the ring, calling out Powerhouse Hobbs again. Hobbs came out and bumped a bunch of security guards to get to the ring. Bill went after Hobbs’ knee and hit him with a backpack that contained a brick, Hobbs’ knee brace, and a set of handcuffs. Bill punched Hobbs with the handcuffs and bloodied him up as they made their way to the announce table. Bill drilled Hobbs with a chair. Hobbs came back and took Bill off the stage with a belly-to-belly off the stage through a table.

We got a pre-tape of the Don Callis Family meeting in Callis’ palatial estate. Callis noted that this was a different Kenny Omega, one that was bloodthirsty and ready to spill Callis’ blood. Cage brought up how they had the numbers advantage as it was five-on-two, but Callis reminded him that a barely focused Omega won three World Titles with Callis by his side. Callis said that Cage was wrong that there were only five of them, with the camera focusing on a sixth plate at the table.

AEW International Title Match – Konosuke Takeshita (c) defeated Katsuyori Shibata

An awesome main event here, as Shibata took Takeshita to the brink with Daily’s Place red-hot for it. Takeshita looked strong going into the big-time Grand Slam Australia tag match.

The two grappled to start the match, with Shibata almost scoring with the Penalty Kick. Shibata cornered Takeshita, but Takeshita fired out of the corner with a lariat. Takeshita took Shibata over the barricade and went for a running boot, but Shibata caught him with a boot and knocked him over a chair as we went to commercial.

Shibata hammered Takeshita in the corner as we came back from the break, landing the hesitation dropkick and the half-hatch suplex for a nearfall. Shibata teed off with kicks, but Takeshita came back with strikes of his own. Takeshita landed a big forearm, but Shibata came back with an STO. The two traded forearms before Shibata snatched on a sleeper hold. Takeshita tried to fall back, but Shibata held on to the hold.

Takeshita transitioned out of the sleeper into a Bastard Driver and a German suplex, but Shibata hammered Takeshita with a Penalty Kick as the fans chanted AEW. Shibata locked in the Cobra Twist as Don Callis went to ringside from the announce booth. The two men traded suplexes before Shibata got the sleeper hold on again. Callis cut off the Penalty Kick, allowing Takeshita to counter the sleeper with a Blue Thunder Bomb for a one count.

Takeshita ran through Shibata with a lariat and the Powerdrive Knee before landing Raging Fire for the win.

Toni Storm & Mariah May segment, six-man tag set for AEW Collision Homecoming

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Toni Storm wants to meet Mariah May.

On Saturday’s Collision, Toni Storm came out and talked about her big win on Dynamite where she became the new number one contender to the AEW Women’s Championship, officially setting up her match against Mariah MAy for Grand Slam Australia. She said she was excited to wrestle in the building where she saw her first wrestling match, and wanted to introduce herself to the champion and thought of no better place than on next week’s Collision Homecoming in Jacksonville. Tony Schiavone attempted to remind Storm of her previous encounters with May, but cut him off and said it was Toni Time.

After their loss to the Undisputed Kingdom, Shane Taylor Promotions jumped, the trio until Daniel Garcia came out for the save. Backstage, Adam Cole, Roderick Strong, and Kyle O’Reilly thanked Garcia but were disappointed Garcia and Matt Menard didn’t have a third partner so they could have a match next week. Menard said he would call Angelo Parker, setting up the trios match for Homecoming.

The Gates of Agony will also face off against Buddy Matthews and Brody King, cutting a promo on this week’s show to issue a challenge for any team to face them.

Here is the current card for AEW Collision Homecoming:

  • Mariah May & Toni Storm meet face-to-face
  • Daniel Garcia, Matt Menard, and Angelo Parker vs. Undisputed Kingdom (Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly, and Roderick Strong)
  • Buddy Matthews & Brody King vs. The Gates of Agony

Daily Update: Bob Uecker, John Cena Roku series, Toni Storm

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The highlights of the issue:

  • The WrestleMania direction
  • First WWE show on Netflix
  • John Cena, The Rock, Undertaker and more and what things on the show garnered the most interest
  • Businessnotes on the show
  • Positives, negatives and goals of the show
  • How the show did on Netflix and deciphering what the different numbers mean
  • How advertising works comparing television vs. streaming
  • Hulk Hogan reaction
  • Changes on the show
  • Run time change
  • TKO looking at getting into the boxing business with Saudi Arabia
  • Kenny Omega returns for the Tokyo Dome show
  • In depth on New Japan business concerns and Bushiroad CEO Takaaki Kidani speaks on a number of issues
  • The business of the two Dome shows
  • Takaaki Kidani talks about his thoughts about a future WrestleDynasty show
  • Zack Sabre Jr. does something unprecedented and a list of all  non-Japanese who have won an NJPW Tokyo Dome main event
  • The Chris Charlton story in depth
  • Did the injury to  Douki change the finish?
  • Where do Young Bucks rank among most world tag team title reigns in history
  • A look at the career of the late Rick  “Hangman” Harris/Black Bart
  • Who had the most four star matches of 2024 and the most in history
  • Who has the most of the top 250 matches of all-time on Cagematch
  • Explaining how ratings are changing and how to reevaulate numbers
  • How many homes have access to the different services
  • Quality of watching on MAX vs. TBS
  • Tourist board putting on a major international show
  • Another big business week for CMLL
  • New Year’s Dash notes
  • Notes on the next major New Japan shows
  • New Japan bodybuilding contest
  • The death of Gilbert Cesca, one of the best technical wrestlers that you never heard of
  • Germany has a prime time major celebrity wrestling show featuring Claudio Castagnoli
  • Malakai Black news
  • Ticket advances for WWE & AEW shows
  • Streaming numbers and International TV ratings
  • How did TNA debut on SportsNet in Canada
  • GFL announces lots of women stars’
  • Paul Levesque talks planning WrestleMania and The Rock
  • Update on Bill Goldberg
  • Nick Khan and Dwayne Johnson stock transactions this week
  • How much does WWE help the USA Network

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter Back Issue

Thursday Update

WWE

  • WWE posted a tribute to baseball legend Bob Uecker following his death today at 90 years old: “WWE is saddened to learn that legendary baseball play-by-play announcer and WWE Hall of Famer Robert George ‘Bob’ Uecker has passed away. WWE extends its condolences to Uecker’s family, friends and fans.”
  • Paul “Triple H” Levesque tweeted about Uecker’s passing: “One of the most entertaining voices ever…and an even better person. Rest in peace to a @WWE Legend, Hall of Famer, and great friend.”
  • Levesque also commented on the official multi-year partnership that WWE & TNA Wrestling announced today: “Massive news for everyone. @WWE, @ThisIsTNA, and, most importantly, fans around the world. This valuable partnership will help prepare both companies for the next generation of this industry.”
  • Becky Lynch & Seth Rollins were in attendance at last night’s Los Angeles Lakers vs. Miami Heat NBA game in LA.
  • The Roku Channel uploaded the trailer for John Cena’s new “What Drives You” series. Logan Paul and The Miz are each set to appear as guests on the show, which premieres on Tuesday, January 21. Here is the description: “John Cena fuels his two biggest passions, cars and connecting with people, by spending time with today’s most successful celebrities and talking about what drives them—on the road and in their hearts.”
  • Kevin Owens is featured on a new episode of the WWE digital series Tattooed.

AEW/Other Wrestling

  • The Takedown has an in-character interview with Toni Storm following her Casino Gauntlet Match victory on Dynamite last night. Storm, whose storyline is that she has amnesia and believes she’s a rookie, spoke about the support she has received from the AEW fans:
    • I’m amazed with how fast everything’s happened. I’ve only been here just over a month and everyone’s been so welcoming. People just keep treating me so well, and the applause, I can’t get over it. It’s like they’ve known me my whole life. It just blows my mind. I can’t believe the support of AEW fans and the people backstage.
  • Storm and AEW Women’s World Champion Mariah May are set to face off in a rematch for the title next month at Grand Slam Australia. Storm said about May:
    • Best in the business today. She’s the real deal. I’m not gonna lie, I’m super intimidated.
    • I hope I get an opportunity to show some respect. I hope she doesn’t think I’m rude for not coming and saying hello. I’ve never really met a star so big before and I’m just such a huge fan of her work. I’ve seen stuff she’s done since Stardom. I mean, it’s just insane. I just wanna be like her. I wanna follow in her footsteps.
  • AEW shared separate videos of Storm (2024 Woman of the Year) and May (2024 Most Improved Wrestler of the Year) accepting awards from Pro Wrestling Illustrated. Staying in character, Storm was confused why she won despite only having a couple of matches.
  • PWInsider reports that Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling boss Scott D’Amore was backstage at Dynamite last night in Cincinnati.
  • MVP tweeted after having his first AEW match on Dynamite: “Thank you! To all of you sending me positive messages regarding my match last night. I had a blast and felt really good. To those of you with the negative comments, have a mediocre day!”
  • Maki Itoh has been added to the multi-person DLC (Doors, Ladders & Chairs) match that’s taking place at GCW’s Hammerstein Ballroom event this Sunday. It is now for both the vacant GCW Ultraviolent Championship and Itoh’s Extreme Championship. Itoh, Rina Yamashita, Matt Tremont, Brandon Kirk, Matthew Justice, Drew Parker, John Wayne Murdoch, and Dr. Redacted are the participants.
  • MLW announced Donovan Dijak vs. Tom Lawlor for SuperFight 2025, which is being held at Center Stage in Atlanta on Saturday, February 8.
  • CJ Perry (the former Lana) posted that she underwent surgery yesterday: “Made it out of surgery. Thank you all.” Earlier in the week, Perry wrote that she was safe in Los Angeles amid the wildfires and had been volunteering for the past three days. Perry said she could not leave the city because she was in the middle of a very important medical procedure.
  • Paul Walter Hauser will face Steve Maclin in a street fight for Wrestling Revolver in Indianapolis on Friday, January 31.
  • The Battleground Podcast interviewed Tessa Blanchard.

Mariah May vs. Toni Storm Women’s title rematch set for AEW Grand Slam Australia

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: AEW

In a rematch from last August’s All In, AEW Women’s World Champion Mariah May will take on rival and former champion Toni Storm at this February’s Grand Slam Australia.

Storm earned the opportunity with her victory in a Casino women’s gauntlet on Wednesday’s Dynamite after she pinned Julia Hart with a small package to get the victory.

The show is set for Saturday, February 15th in Brisbane, Australia, in the company’s debut show in the country.

May has seven title defenses to date. She defeated Storm at All In as part of a story that saw May surprisingly turn on Storm following her victory in last year’s Owen Hart Foundation tournament that gave her the title shot.

Storm disappeared after the loss and re-appeared at last December’s Winter is Coming as someone who has completely forgotten the past due to some kind of amnesia.

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Former TBS Champion Kris Statlander entered the gauntlet first by virtue of her win in a three-way last week, followed by former AEW Women’s World Champion Jamie Hayter. Megan Bayne was third, notable as it was her first appearance for the promotion since June 2023.

Former TBS Champion Hart was fourth. Former TBS Champion Willow Nightingale was next and both partnered up and went to battle with Statlander, followed by Storm and then Harley Cameron.

The match is the first made for next month’s show which has yet to find an officially announced broadcast home.

Two title matches, Toni Storm vs. Deonna Purrazzo set for AEW Collision

Posted on by Josh Nason

The first three matches for the first-ever AEW Collision simulcast on TNT and Max are now official following Saturday’s Worlds End.

After a challenge was issued by former ROH World Champion Mark Briscoe, TNT Champion Daniel Garcia will put his title on the line against Briscoe. The two, who have teamed in the past, recently squared off in the Continental Classic that saw Briscoe score a mild upset victory.

It will be Garcia’s first title defense since winning the belt at November’s Full Gear.

AEW Tag Team Champions Private Party will put their titles on the line for the second time as they defend against Action Andretti & Lio Rush. The challengers earned the right with their recent title eliminator win over Top Flight.

The third match will see former AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm against Deonna Purrazzo in a rematch from this past March’s Revolution.

The two agreed to the match backstage after Storm picked up a victory over Leila Grey. Storm, still continuing with her character that is acting like she is an AEW rookie, was interrupted by Purrazzo who issued a challenge for the January 4th show from Charlotte, North Carolina.

Storm has won five straight since returning this month while Purrazzo is 2-4 since July. She recently aligned with Taya Valkyrie who Storm defeated as part of her new streak.

Here’s the current lineup for January 4th:

  • AEW TNT Champion Daniel Garcia defends against Mark Briscoe
  • AEW Tag Team Champions Private Party (Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy) defend against Action Andretti & Lio Rush
  • Toni Storm vs. Deonna Purrazzo