Tag: Tony Nese

Daily Update: Melina, Tony Nese, TNA media rights deal timeline

Posted on by Joseph Currier

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

We have one of the most news and business heavy issues of the year:

*All the details of the WWE’s deal with ESPN, what is in the deal, what isn’t, who can watch for free and why that probably won’t be for long, what ESPN Needs for it t make economic sense, as well as break-even for the ESPN UFC PPV deal and when the ESPN deal with WWE starts
*Brock Lesnar returns to WWE, how it happened, why it happened, why it was inevitable because of how TKO management views things, the double talk, comments from loads of people in WWE as well as Janel Grant’s side, exactly what was in the lawsuit that regards Lesnar and other example of TKO decisions which show a pattern
*Full coverage of SummerSlam, business details, the Rollins cash-in, Netflix numbers, attendance numbers and next PPV show
*Notes on UFC and WWE business numbers, what is up and what is down
*Hulk Hogan’s funeral, Brooke Hogan’s claims of info on Hogan’s Moves never talked about before, a ton of Hogan history, Hogan’s heyday in Japan and much more.
*Update on the G-1 Climax tournament
*Forbidden Door and the surprising record it has set and other major notes regarding the show and update n the card
*The most complete look at the ratings for all the wrestling and MMA television shows of the past week, competition, demos, why ratings were up or down, as well as Netflix numbers for Unreal and Raw.
*MJF returns to Arena Mexico and coverage of Friday’s hwo
*Salvador Lutteroth talks his fan base and AEW
*TripleMania updates
*Five Star Grand Prix updates
*Hogan documentaries
*RevPro anniversary shows
*Bloodsport notes
*A change at Discovery that is major and how that affects AEW streaming as well as notes on the current streaming deal
*How much did WBD loss or gain by losing the NBA
*Lots of injury updates
*Notes on Dustin & Cody Rhodes
*Backstage stuff in AEW ande what is and isn’t real
*Who at this point isn’t at Forbidden Door
*Ticket sales for upcoming TNA, AEW and WWE shows over the next few months
*More notes on Zuffa Boxing run by Nick Khan and  Dana White
*Peacock and WWE business
*How much is Dwayne Johnson’s WWE stock worth
*Karrion Kross and Scarlett contract update
*Raw ad rates on Netflix and comparisons to AEW on TBS

This Week’s Back Issue

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Wednesday Update

WWE

  • WWE uploaded the full Nia Jax vs. Lash Legend match from NXT last night.
  • In an interview with SHAK Wrestling, Torrie Wilson named Rhea Ripley, Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill, and Tiffany Stratton as some of her favorite women’s wrestlers in WWE.
  • Wilson also praised Dominik Mysterio for how much he’s grown as a performer:
    • It’s crazy to see how far he’s come [since being a kid]. I mean, he is not only an exceptional performer, but his wrestling ability is crazy. And to think when he first came in with Rey [Mysterio], it was just like, okay, he seemed a little quiet, like, you just had no idea that this was going to come out of him. And it’s just really been fun, as I’m sure you think, watching him grow and he just really does remind me of Eddie [Guerrero] also, which people say a lot.
  • Former WWE wrestler Melina told WrestlingNewsCo that she would like to see Evolution treated as the women’s version of WrestleMania:
    • It’s a shame that it’s the second [Evolution event] – the first was a long time ago. The first Evolution was a long time ago, in my opinion. That’s a long time [2018 to now].. and now it’s a beautiful thing to finally see Evolution 2. I hope on everything, there needs to be an annual one. This is the women’s WrestleMania. It should be treated as such.
  • R-Truth spoke to Undisputed about his backstage segment with John Cena from SmackDown last Friday, where they reunited for the first time since Cena became a babyface again:
    • It was so organic. That’s why it came across that way. You could feel it.
    • The proof is in the pudding. For just over a minute promo to be one of the biggest takeaways from the show, come on, I love that.
    • John is the G.O.A.T. in my eyes. Not only is he my childhood hero, I’ve learned a lot from being in the ring with him–and I’ve learned a lot from him in the back.
  • NXT wrestler Adriana Rizzo posted a Tiktok video explaining how her torn ACL happened, saying she had a partial tear a year and a half ago but worked through it until recently having her knee “explode” while doing a drill at practice.
  • Houston Life interviewed Charlotte Flair.
  • Ten Count Media has an interview with Jacy Jayne.
  • MMA journalist Ariel Helwani was the guest on this week’s episode of Logan Paul’s Impaulsive podcast.

Other Wrestling

  • To promote tonight’s Dynamite episode in his hometown of Cincinnati, Jon Moxley made an appearance on Cincy Lifestyle.
  • Fightful reports that Tony Nese has been working as a coach/agent in AEW.
  • “Speedball” Mike Bailey uploaded a new episode of his vlog.
  • While speaking with The Takedown, TNA President Carlos Silva gave an update on the timeline for when the promotion could agree to a new media rights deal: 
    • I think Bound For Glory is a great stake in the sand in terms of us getting everything together as we look to the 2026 year and season.
    • And so, I think August will be quiet. It usually is in the media, in the media deal space, but hopefully we’ll work through a few things, move the ball forward a little bit in August, and then I think in September and October as we get to Bound For Glory, that would absolutely be the goal to try and get it done by then. Or certainly, if it’s not done, have it agreed to.

AEW wrestler Tony Nese and wife welcome birth of twin boys

Posted on by Joseph Currier

AEW/ROH wrestler Tony Nese and his wife Liz have welcomed two new children into the world.

Nese made a social media post today announcing that his new twin boys — named Bryce & Benjamin — were born on Monday. He’s now a father of four with the couple also having one daughter and one other son.

“Welcome to the world Bryce and Benjamin Nese,” he wrote on Instagram. “They came in 35 weeks with both weighing 6 lbs 1oz each. Our hearts will forever be full. @liz_nese”

The 39-year-old Nese has been with AEW since debuting for the promotion in 2021. He’s a member of the Premier Athletes, a faction that also consists of Ariya Daivari & Josh Woods and is managed by Mark Sterling. They were in action on the episode of AEW Collision that aired this past Saturday, losing to Daniel Garcia & Private Party in a trios match.

Nese spent five years with WWE from 2016-2021 and is a former WWE Cruiserweight Champion.

Pure title defense announced for Ring of Honor TV

Posted on by Josh Nason

Ring of Honor Pure Champion Katsuyori Shibata will put his title on this line this Thursday against Trent Beretta as part of ROH TV on HonorClub.

Shibata will be looking for the seventh defense of the title he won at March’s Supercard of Honor while Beretta is looking for his first ROH title of any kind. This will be their first-ever match against each other.

Shibata rolls into Thursday with a 7-1 mark this year while Beretta is just 2-6. He is coming off a loss to TNT Champion Christian Cage on last Friday’s AEW Rampage while this is Shibata’s first match since a loss to Eddie Kingston at October’s AEW WrestleDream.

Also announced for Thursday’s show was a rematch between Tony Nese and Ethan Page. Nese recently pinned Page with his feet on the ropes to set up the rematch.

Here’s the current card with more expected to be announced soon:

  • ROH Pure Champion Katsuyori Shibata defends against Trent Beretta
  • Tony Nese vs. Ethan Page

Ethan Page vs. Tony Nese set for next week’s ROH TV

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Ethan Page will take on Tony Nese next week.

A match was made between the two following a segment that took place on Thursday’s ROH show. Page was gloating about costing Nese a match recently when Mark Sterling came in and said Nese’s loss against Serptentico would be thrown out. Page argued that if Nese’s loss coud be thrown out, then his recent losses against Nese and Woods should be thrown out as well. The two argued until Page dared Nese to face in a match on next week’s show. Nese agreed to the match.

Page has spent most of the fall wrestling on ROH television. Last month, Nese defeated Page in a match, then lost to Woods. Nese has been looking for a rematch against Nese, but Nese has avoided facing Page again. On last week’s ROH on Honor Club, Nese lost to Serptentico after Page got involved in the match.

Here is the lineup for next week’s ROH on Honor Club:

  • Ethan Page vs. Tony Nese

Jimmy Jacobs ROH return set for Ring of Honor TV

Posted on by Ian Carey

Ring of Honor has announced several matches set to air on HonorClub this week. 

Thursday’s episode was taped at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan before and after AEW Collision on Saturday.

Jimmy Jacobs will return to the promotion for the first time since 2015 when he faces Shane Taylor on Thursday’s show. Jacobs was hired to work on the AEW creative team in June. 

Ian Riccaboni commented on Jacobs’ return to the promotion, although he is not confident Jacobs stands much of a chance against Taylor.

“I’ve been with @ringofhonor for nearly 10 years now. I have never called a Jimmy Jacobs match. We were like two ships in the night. Excited to see what Jimmy can do against… *Checks notes*… oh no. Jimmy Watch @shane216taylor’s right. And his left. And his lariat. And..” Riccaboni wrote. 

The Iron Savages vs. Gates of Agony is also booked for the show. Billie Starkz vs. Lady Frost and Scorpio Sky vs. Tony Nese are advertised as well. 

ROH on HonorClub September 28, 2023, lineup:

  • The Iron Savages (Boulder & Bronson) vs. The Gates of Agony (Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun)
  • Billie Starkz vs. Lady Frost
  • Shane Taylor vs. Jimmy Jacobs
  • Scorpio Sky vs. Tony Nese
  • Josh Woods w/Mark Sterling vs. TBA
  • Leyla Hirsch vs. Layne Luck

Spoilers for the show are available here. 

Women’s title match announced for Ring of Honor TV lineup

Posted on by Colin McGuire

The Ring of Honor Women’s Championship will be on the line when Athena defends against Diamante on Thursday’s ROH on HonorClub.

Athena defeated Christina Marie in a Proving Ground match last week before cutting a promo backstage where she told Lexy Nair that she wants the women in the ROH locker room to step up because she’s getting bored.

On a two-match winning streak, Diamante last appeared on ROH TV in June when she beat Vanessa Kraven.

The ROH Pure Title will also be on the line this week as Katsuyori Shibata will put his belt on the line against Josh Woods in a Pure Rules match in a previously announced match. Woods defeated Eli Isom last week while Shibata is coming off a successful title defense against Daniel Garcia at Death Before Dishonor. 

Thursday will also see two ROH TV Title Eliminator Tournament matches. The first will be between Gravity and Tony Nese. Gravity looks to get back on the winning side of things after he lost to ROH TV Champion Samoa Joe Saturday on AEW Collision.

The second will feature Christopher Daniels and Shane Taylor squaring off. Taylor earned his spot in the semifinal by beating Serpentico last week while Daniels got there by defeating JD Drake.  

Leyla Hirsch will also be in action.

Here’s the current card for Thursday’s ROH TV on HonorClub:

  • ROH Women’s Champion Athena defends against Diamante
  • ROH Pure Champion Katsuyori Shibata defends against Josh Woods
  • Gravity vs. Tony Nese in an ROH TV Title Eliminator Tournament match
  • Shane Taylor vs. Christopher Daniels in an ROH TV Title Eliminator Tournament match
  • Dalton Castle vs. Zack Clayton
  • Komander & El Hijo Del Vikingo vs. The WorkHorsemen (JD Drake & Anthony Henry)
  • The Gates of Agony (Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun) vs. The Boys (Brent & Brandon)
  • Leyla Hirsch in action
  • Robyn Renegade in action

AEW Dark results: Emi Sakura vs. Billie Starkz

Posted on by Skylar Russell

This week’s AEW Dark matches were taped recently at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, and was headlined by Trent Beretta vs. Tony Nese.

It also saw the AEW debut of the former Bodhi Hayward in WWE NXT.

Matt Sydal defeated Slim J (w/ Sonny Kiss & Jeeves Kay)

Sydal and Slim J started out with a shoving match. Slim J then bailed from the ring in frustration, but Kiss and Kay calmed him down before he got back in the ring.

Sydal and Slim J began to trade counters, but Sydal eventually caught him with a kick on the jaw. Later, Kiss and Kay proceeded to distract Sydal, allowing Slim J to take him to the mat and lock in a leg scissor submission.

Slim J would go on to further hurt Sydal, planting him with an impressive springboard reverse DDT. Sydal would respond moments later with a great roundhouse kick which went Slim J crashing to the canvas.

Sydal had momentum at this point, laying in a few more kicks. After nailing Slim J with two more roundhouse kicks, Sydal planted his opponent with a lightning spiral and picked up the win shortly after.

After the bout, The Trustbusters tried to further injure Sydal, but Top Flight and AR Fox made the save.

Julia Hart defeated Devlyn Macabre

Macabre was able to sneak in a forearm early on, which only sent Hart to a dark place. After stomping Macabre into the mat, Hart rained down about fifteen stiff elbow strikes into her chest and neck area. Macabre tried to regain her footing, but Hart tripped her and proceeded to submit her with her signature Heartless submission for her 18th straight win.

The WorkHorsemen (JD Drake & Anthony Henry) defeated Oliver Sawyer & Jay Malachi 

Sawyer and Henry started out. After getting in a few licks on Sawyer, Henry tagged out to Drake, who did the same. The WorkHorsemen continued to work in tandem, tagging in and out frequently as they worked down Sawyer, who had got in no offense at this point.

Sawyer found some life as he moved out of the way of a Drake headbutt. Malachi, who came in off the hot tag, splashed Drake in the corner. Moments later, Drake sent Malachi over his head with a German suplex. Drake and Henry hit a double flatliner on him to get the win.

The Renegades (Robyn & Charlette Renegade) defeated Lizzy & Peyton Blair

The Renegades jumped The Blairs as the bell rang. Robyn and Charlette exchanged tags as they beat down Peyton. Lizzy came in off the hot tag, but was immediately met with an assisted spinebuster combo from The Renegades for the pin and win.

Preston Vance (w/ Jose The Assistant) defeated Blanco Loco

Vance had control of this bout from the get-go as he squashed Loco in the corner with a number of running splashes. Loco was subject to a spinebuster moments, giving Vance the win.

Tony Deppen defeated Caleb Konley

Deppen laid in a few kicks and knee drops in the early going. Konley tried to fight back with a few chops, but Deppen gouged his eyes and shoved his head into the turnbuckle. 

Konley would eventually find his footing, allowing him to plant Deppen with a fantastic fisherman’s buster. Deppen responded with a half and half suplex, which was followed up by a running knee strike and a pin for Deppen.

Iron Savages (Bronson & Boulder) defeated Chris Sandson & Terry Kid

Early on, Kid tried to jump on the back of Boulder, but he was thrown off by being cannonballed onto Sandson, who was taken down with a big boot. Seconds later, Boulder tagged Bronson in and assisted him with a splash onto both men, giving the Savages the win.

Brady Booker defeated Dak Draper

This was the debut for the former Bodhi Hayward in WWE NXT. Draper had control early on, hitting a nice cartwheel into a knee drop to punctuate things. He continued with his hard-hitting offense until Booker hit a powerslam counter to regain control. He eventually got the tapout after getting Draper in a torture rack.

Rohit Raju & Jora Johl defeated Dale Springs & Bryce Cannon

Raju and Cannon started out, but Johl came in shortly after and ripped both of Cannon’s shirts off after planting him with a delayed suplex. Raju came back in the match, which gave Cannon the time to tag out to Springs. The former Impact X-Division Champion nailed Springs with a running knee strike, followed by Johl hitting him with his signature pump kick to score the win.

Then, this spot for the mysterious Q TV aired:

Emi Sakura defeated Billie Starkz

This was great as Starkz and Sakura made the most out of their time here.

Starkz quickly slammed Sakura into the mat after a lock-up. Sakura popped back up rather quickly and began to beat on Starkz after shoving her in the corner. Starkz responded with some heavy shots of her own, but Sakura doubled the intensity and responded with even heavier shots.

Starkz drilled Sakura with a pump kick which got a two count. Starks then tried to lift her up, but it was countered into a dragon sleeper from Sakura. After nearly passing out, Starkz popped up and planted Sakura into the mat with a tombstone piledriver which got another near fall. Starkz then landed on Sakura with a diving senton for yet another near fall.

Starkz lost her momentum when she tried to do another diving senton on Sakura on the apron after Sakura moved. After delivering a sliding knee strike to Starkz on the arena floor, Sakura got her back in and drilled her into the mat with a butterfly piledriver. Sakura ended the match after hitting Starkz with a moonsault.

The Wingmen (Peter Avalon, Cezar Bononi & Ryan Nemeth) defeated Jay Marte, Jarett Diaz & Rich Adonis

Avalon and Adonis started out, but The Wingmen quickly entered the ring and jumped all three of their opponents.

Bononi went to work on Adonis as he beat him down with various strikes. Nemeth came in and did more showboating than anything, which allowed Adonis to tag out to Diaz. Bononi came back in and slammed Diaz into the mat. 

Seconds later, Nemeth and Bononi hit an assisted fireman’s carry driver on Diaz. Avalon came off the top rope with a splash on Diaz for the win.

Jeff Jarrett & Satnam Singh defeated The Boys (Brandon & Brent)

Jarrett and Brandon started out. After trapping him in the ropes and hitting his signature strut, Jarrett allowed Brandon to tag out to Brent. Singh came in and practically tackled Brent with a crossbody. Singh would proceed to chokeslam both Boys and double pin them to score the victory.

Trent Beretta defeated Tony Nese (w/ Mark Sterling)

This match lagged early, but once it got going, it was pretty good.

Beretta and Nese locked up at the bell, but Nese gained control after backing Beretta in the corner with ease. The match quickly spilled to the outside where Beretta beat down Nese with a few chops. After he was distracted by Sterling for a split second, Beretta had his face covered by Nese with the ring apron.

Nese took back control and with Beretta favoring his knee, Nese had a clear target. The tides turned for Beretta after Nese missed a springboard moonsault. Beretta would then launch Nese over his head with a suplex, but Nese responded by throwing Beretta stomach-first into the top rope. That was followed by Nese successfully hitting the springboard moonsault that he had tried earlier.

Nese tried to go to the top rope, but Beretta met him up there. After some back and forth, Beretta sent him crashing to the mat with a fantastic superplex. Beretta then hit Nese with his signature corner DDT, but Nese kicked out of the pinfall attempt at the last second.

In the final stages, Nese tried to hit put away Beretta with a frog splash, but the referee’s count came up short once again. Nese then tried to hit Beretta with a 450 splash, but he crashed and burned. Beretta put Nese away seconds later with the Dudebuster.

AEW Rampage & Dark Elevation spoilers from Duluth, Georgia

Posted on by Skylar Russell

The following are spoilers from Wednesday’s pre-Dynamite Dark: Elevation taping and post-Dynamite Rampage taping in Duluth, Georgia.

AEW Rampage for July 22:

  • Hangman Adam Page & John Silver def. The Butcher & The Blade. Page pinned the Butcher with a buckshot lariat for the win.
  • Claudio Castagnoli cut a promo and thanked AEW fans for making him feel welcome. Castagnoli went on to promote his upcoming ROH World Title Match against Jonathan Gresham. Castagnoli said that Gresham’s foundation is about to crack because he tugged on Superman’s cape.
  • Lee Moriarty def. Dante Martin after pinning him with a handful of tights.
  • Britt Baker & Jamie Hayter def. Skye Blue & Ashley D’Amboise. This was a pretty short match where nothing of substance really happened. Baker submitted D’Amboise to score the victory.
  • Max Caster and Austin Gunn’s rap battle. Gunn touched on Caster being one of Bobby Lashley’s sisters, stealing John Cena’s gimmick, and more. Meanwhile, Caster had lines about Zach Wilson, Pokémon, and more. The guest DJ awarded Caster with the win, which prompted a brawl between The Acclaimed and The Gunn Club. The segment ended with Austin Gunn hitting Caster with a trash can.
  • Jay Lethal def. Christopher Daniels via Lethal Injection. This featured some interference from Sonjay Dutt and Satnam Singh. After the bout, the trio beat up Daniels at ringside to end the show.

AEW Dark: Elevation for July 25:

  • AFO’s Angelico & Private Party defeated AR Fox*, Adrian Alanis & Liam Grey. This marked Fox’s debut in the promotion. He is a longtime indie veteran having worked for GCW, CZW, EVOLVE, and others.
  • Nyla Rose & Marina Shafir defeated Angelica Risk & Shalonce Royal
  • Toni Storm defeated Emi Sakura
  • Kris Statlander defeated Brittany
  • Hikaru Shida defeated Robyn Renegade
  • Dark Order’s Evil Uno & 10 defeated The Factory’s Aaron Solo & Nick Comoroto
  • Baron Black defeated Brandon Cutler
  • Konosuke Takeshita defeated JD Drake

Hook & Danhausen vs. Nese & Sterling set for AEW Double or Nothing Buy-In

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Hook and Danhausen will team for the first time at the Double or Nothing Buy-In.

The new team will face Tony Nese and ‘Smart’ Mark Sterling prior to Double or Nothing on May 29 in Las Vegas. This stems from tonight’s Dynamite, where Hook saved Danhausen from Nese.

Danhausen faced Nese in a singles match on tonight’s show, with Nese scoring the win in under a minute after Sterling distracted Danhausen. After the match, Sterling instructed Nese to hit Danhausen with another running knee to the corner. Nese was about to oblige when Hook came out, driving Nese and Sterling away. Hook and Danhausen then met face-to-face, with Danhausen extending his hand. Both shook hands to end the segment.

In recent weeks, Danhausen has been looking to befriend Hook after he failed to curse Hook in their initial meeting. On last week’s Rampage, Danhausen asked Hook to be in his corner for the Nese match, offering him some potato chips. Hook ignored Danhausen and walked away.

Here is the current lineup for Double or Nothing on May 29:

  • Hangman Adam Page vs. CM Punk for the AEW World Championship
  • Thunder Rosa vs. Serena Deeb for the AEW Women’s World Championship
  • Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament final
  • Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament final
  • Buy-In: Hook and Danhausen vs. Tony Nese and ‘Smart’ Mark Sterling

Danhausen set for AEW in-ring debut against Tony Nese on Dynamite

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Danhausen will make his AEW in-ring debut on this week’s Dynamite. 

AEW president Tony Khan announced on Twitter that Danhausen will face Tony Nese in his first match for the promotion on Wednesday’s show. 

The bout was set up on last week’s AEW programming, with Nese calling out Danhausen in a backstage promo, then followed up with an in-ring segment where Danhausen asked Hook to be in his corner for the match, but Hook declined.

Six matches and two other segments have now been announced for Wednesday’s show in Long Island, New York. 

The lineup: 

AEW Dynamite, Wednesday, May 11, 8 p.m. Eastern time —

  • Owen Hart Foundation Men’s Tournament quarterfinal: Darby Allin vs. Jeff Hardy
  • Owen Hart Foundation Men’s Tournament quarterfinal: Adam Cole vs. Dax Harwood
  • Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament quarterfinal: Toni Storm vs. Jamie Hayter
  • CM Punk vs. John Silver
  • FTW Championship: Ricky Starks(c) vs. Jungle Boy
  • Danhausen vs. Tony Nese
  • MJF/Wardlow contract signing & stipulation reveal
  • Jericho Appreciation Society victory speech

Cheeseburger, Rhett Titus AEW debuts part of eight-match Dark: Elevation lineup

Posted on by Ian Carey

The AEW debuts of Rhett Titus and Cheeseburger are set for Dark: Elevation. 

The promotion announced eight matches scheduled to air tonight at 7 p.m Eastern on YouTube. The show was filmed Wednesday, April 27 from the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

Titus will face DDT’s Konosuke Takeshita while Cheeseburger will take on Tony Nese. Other matches booked for the show include Julia Hart vs. Abby Jane and Willow Nightingale vs. Gia Scott. 

The full lineup for Monday’s edition of AEW Dark: Elevation is as follows: 

  • The Dark Orders’ Evil Uno, Stu Grayson, John Silver, Alex Reynolds, Alan “5” Angels, & 10 vs. Anthony Bennett, Kori Meshaw, Mike Law, Jaden Valo, Eli Isom, & Brett Waters
  • Julia Hart vs. Abby Jane
  • Konosuke Takeshita vs. Rhett Titus
  • Willow Nightingale vs. Gia Scott
  • Anthony Ogogo vs. Goldy
  • Kris Statlander & Anna Jay vs. Emi Sakura & Nyla Rose w/ Vickie Guerrero
  • Max Caster vs. Zack Clayton
  • Tony Nese w/ “Smart” Mark Sterling vs. Cheeseburger

AEW Rampage live results: Guevara vs. Nese TNT title match

Posted on by Joseph Collins

Friday’s AEW Rampage will feature TNT Champion Sammy Guevara defending the gold against Tony Nese.

Since debuting in AEW in November, Nese has been undefeated and got the shot via Guevara’s open challenge policy. Nese laid out Guevara in a backstage segment nearly two weeks ago, saying the only reason he had the belt was because guys like him weren’t available yet.

In a bit of a change, Penta El Zero Miedo and PAC will take on FTR. This was originally set to be a 2-out-of-3 falls AEW Tag Team title match between the Lucha Bros and FTR but Rey Fenix couldn’t make the show due to visa issues, hence PAC’s inclusion.

Jade Cargill will look to remain undefeated as she goes one-on-one with Janai Kai, a student of Thunder Rosa. Rosa will also be on commentary and is Cargill’s opponent in the next round of the TBS title tournament.

This week’s matches were taped Wednesday in Duluth, Georgia.

**********

Your hosts are Excalibur, Taz and Ricky Starks. Chris Jericho was out with an injury, suffered on Wednesday in an attck from 2point0. I heard he had to seek treatment in Europe.

Sammy Guevara defeated Tony Nese in a match for the TNT Championship (12:53)

Guevara still had his DDP tribute rib injury. 

Guevara nailed a perfect twisting tope suicida through the ropes on Nese, and threw him about the ring steps and barricade around ringside. Even though he was on offense, Guevara was selling injured ribs. Nese caught Guevara with an elevated stomach buster for a near fall. Nese snapped Guevara’s neck across the top rope, then followed up with a springboard moonsault from the middle rope for a near fall. Nese worked over Guevara with a body scissors and the show went to its first picture-in-picture break. 

Back from the break, Nese grabbed a single-leg boston crab and drove a knee into Guevara’s ribs while applying the hold. Guevara came back with a series of clotheslines and a double jump springboard cutter for a near fall. Nese countered a GTH attempt into another single crab, but Guevara maneuvered that into a small package for a near fall. Another series of counters ended with Guevara hitting a Spanish Fly for a near fall.  

Guevara hit a top rope springboard moonsault on Nese to the floor. Nese came back with his own twisting tope suicida on the floor and a 450 splash in the ring for a near fall. Nese powerbomed Guevara into the corner, but Guevara came back with a leaping pump kick and the GTH to get the pin. 

– Christian Cage cut a promo for Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus. They are scouting the tag champions tonight. Cage’s promo was practically screaming “heel turn on Jungle Boy” and I can’t wait. 

Jade Cargill (w/ “Smart” Mark Sterling) defeated “The Kick Demon” Janai Kai (0:31)

Thunder Rosa joined the commentary team for this match. Cargill gave Rosa the old side-eye on the way to the ring. 

Cargill offered Kai a free attempt at a side headlock, and then immediately threw her off. Pump kick and Jaded Slam finished off Kai. 

After the match, Cargill jumped Kai, and Rosa ran in from commentary to make the save. A bunch of referees broke up the fight, and Rosa looked to be getting the better of Cargill. 

– Adam Cole and The Young Bucks cut a promo on Orange Cassidy and the Best Friends. Notable was Don Callis randomly walking through the background of the promo. The Young Bucks will come back on Wednesday to face two members of the Best Friends. 

– Recap of the Chris Jericho/Eddie Kingston/2point0 angle from last week. Kingston in a backstage segment promised he didn’t care about Jericho, but still wanted to get his hands on 2point0. 

– Preview of Bryan Danielson vs. John Silver. Danielson got an awesome low-key dig on Silver: “You become the five people you spend the most time with. Does John Silver spend his time with elite people?” 

– Newly announced for Dynamite: Young Bucks v. Chuck Taylor & Rocky Romero. 

Main Event Promo: Mark Henry asked PAC how he can wrestle with one eye. This quickly devolved into a shouting match, and Henry had to shut them up with, “It’s time for the main event!” Is that a t-shirt for him yet? If it’s not, it should be. 

FTR (w/ Tully Blanchard) defeated Penta El Zero Miedo and PAC (w/ Alex Abrahantes) (18:19)

Rey Fenix is “injured,” diagnosed with “travel difficulticulitis.” PAC is wearing an eye patch after being “blinded” by Malakai Black’s mist from last week on Dynamite. 

Penta and Cash Wheeler started out with some pretty good mat work. PAC and Penta combined to nail a double basement dropkick on Wheeler. Harwood got the tag and PAC hip tossed and body slammed Harwood. PAC with a high back body drop. Penta came in with the double stomp off  the top to Harwood tailbone for a near fall. Wheeler broke up the pin attempt and FTR double teamed Penta to get the advantage.

Penta was in trouble for a bit in the FTR corner, but got the tag and PAC devastated Harwood with kicks. Everything PAC did was so crisp and intense… until he went for a springboard and tripped over his feet, into a forearm from Harwood. FTR took the advantage and the show went to its final picture-in-picture break.

Back from the break, Wheeler has PAC locked in a Cobra Clutch. PAC fought out of it and sent Wheeler to the floor, but Harwood threw his partner back in the ring so he could get the tag. PAC got Harwood with an enziguri and went to tag Penta, but Wheeler pulled Penta to the floor. FTP hit the Demolition Decapitation elbow for a near fall, but referee Rick Knox stopped the count because the illegal member of FTR was making the pin! Harwood took PAC to the top for a superplex, but PAC fought out of it, shoved Harwood to the mat and hit a shotgun dropkick. 

Wheeler tried to cut off PAC from getting the tag, but PAC backdropped him and got the tag to Penta. Slingblade and chops for both members of FTR. Penta hit a cazadora on Wheeler into a DDT on Harwood. Penta was flying all over the places, taking out both members of FTR with ease. Penta hit the backstabber on Wheeler for another near fall. 

Wheeler countered Penta’s attempt at a package piledriver.  Wheeler held up Penta in a wheelbarrow and Harwood flew off the top with a legdrop (a Midnight Express tribute) for another near fall. Penta hit a corkscrew code red on Harwood for another near fall. PAC got the tag and went for a crossbody, but Harwood rolled through and got a near fall. Hardwood with a picture-perfect tiger driver for another near fall. Blanchard got on the apron to argue the last near fall, and PAC and Blanchard collided. In the confusion, PAC got a near fall with a roll up and bridge. 

On the floor, Wheeler hit a DDT on Penta. PAC clotheslined Harwood to the floor, and PAC came off the top with a moonsault to the floor. PAC is about to finish off Harwood on the apron, but Malakai Black came out of nowhere to spit mist in PAC’s good eye. Harwood rolled up a now completely blind PAC for the pinfall. Excellent match. 

After the match, FTR tore the mask off of Penta. And Black attacked PAC, gouging his eye out. Black held up his hand with PAC’s blood on it to close the show. 

Final Thoughts: 

That was a very heel-heat heavy ending, with PAC now completely blind and Penta unmasked. But it’s setting up PAC vs. Black and another  FTR v. Lucha Bros match. 

Pretty good show this week. 

Tag Team, TNT title matches set for AEW Rampage

Posted on by Josh Nason

TNT Champion Sammy Guevara will defend against Tony Nese while AEW Tag Team Champions The Lucha Brothers will defend against FTR in a 2-out-of-3 falls match on next Friday’s AEW Rampage.

In a backstage promo, the undefeated Nese took advantage of Guevara’s open challenge policy and as he was running him down, Guevara accepted the challenge. As the two shook hands, Nese laid in a elbow to drop the champion, driving his knee into his side while saying that the only reason Guevara has the title was that guys like him weren’t available yet.

Guevara will be looking for the fourth defense of his title against his fourth different opponent.

Rampage will also feature the latest battle in the rivalry between champions Rey Fenix & Penta El Zero Miedo and Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood. The latter challenged the Lucha Bros to the 2-out-of-3 falls match in a backstage promo, citing their recent success.

Wheeler and Harwood defeated Fenix and Penta for the AAA Tag Team titles in October, but were unable to regain the AEW titles from them at this month’s Full Gear. Fenix and Penta will be looking for the fifth defense of the titles they won at September’s All Out.

Next Friday’s matches will be taped after Wednesday’s Dynamite in Duluth, Georgia:

  • TNT Champion Sammy Guevara vs. Tony Nese title match
  • AEW Tag Team Champions Lucha Bros vs. FTR 2-out-of-3 falls title match

AEW Dark results: Tony Nese vs. Fuego Del Sol, PAC vs. Tiger Ruas

Posted on by Joseph Collins

It’s Tuesday and you know what that means. This week’s AEW Dark matches were taped in Orlando, Florida, at the Elite Zone with Excalibur and Taz on commentary. 

But first, we got an FTR interview from the Harwood residence. They issued a challenge to any luchadors who think they can take the AAA World tag team titles from them….except the Lucha Bros. This was an exceptional promo and adds a match to a noticeably light Dynamite card.

Santana & Ortiz defeated Joe Coleman & Idris Abraham (2:48) 

Outside of an enziguri form Coleman, this was all Santana and Ortiz. Oritz pinned Abraham with one foot to end the slaughter. 

Nyla Rose (w/ Vickie Guerrero) defeated Viva Van (1:31) 

Guerrero talked a lot before the match. This was another quick squash. Van got a little bit of offense in, but nothing notable. Rose hit the beast bomb for the pin and Guerrero draped a Rose t-shirt over Van’s body after the match. 

Lee Johnson & Brock Anderson (w/ Arn Anderson) defeated Eli Knight & Malik Bosede (2:06) 

Anderson hit a really nice looking spinebuster on Knight and Johnson followed up with a frog splash. Brock then got the pin. 

Daniel Garcia (w/ 2point0) defeated RSP (3:55) 

RSP went for a chokeslam, but Garcia countered into a guillotine. RSP turned that into a vertical suplex throw and followed up with an avalanche in the corner and a bodyslam for a near fall. Garcia went back to the guillotine, but this time when RSP tried the vertical suplex, Garcia slid behind him and locked in a rear naked choke for the tapout. Garcia is on fire. 

Dark Order’s John Silver & Alex Reynolds (w/ -1) defeated Sean Carr & Marcus Kross (3:12)

Reynolds and Silver combined to hit the Dark Destroyer double DDT on Kross to get the win. 

The Acclaimed defeated Ishmael Vaughn & Dontae Smiley (2:27) 

Since it would take magic for Vaughn and Smiley to get the win, Max Caster advised them in his entrance rap to check out the Harry Potter ride.

Smiley looked pretty impressive for a brief spell, but it didn’t last long. Bowens backdropped Vaughn into Smiley and then dropped Smiley with the uranage. A Mic Drop from Caster finished off Vaughn. 

The Bunny (w/ the Butcher) defeated Santana Garrett (2:33)

Garrett missed a handspring moonsault and Bunny finished her off with the Down the Rabbit Hole. Garrett hasn’t looked very good since her AEW debut and Bunny needed a win in advance of her Friday Rampage match in the TBS title tournament against Red Velvet.

— There was another commercial for Jon Moxley’s book. I read a few pages in the doctor’s office today and it feels like a fun read. Also I have to mention the great interview Dave Meltzer and Garrett Gonzales did with Moxley this weekend. If you’re saving an hour by skimming this Dark recap and don’t know what to do with it, go listen to that right now. 

2point0 (w/ Daniel Garcia) defeated Bison XL & Toa Liona (4:01)

Props to Bison XL for making the most dramatic, diving hot tag I have seen all week. Liona looked like a monster out there. 2point0 engineered a collision between the two and got the double hotshot on Liona for the victory. 

Red Velvet defeated Sholance Royal (3:15) 

Royal sang a note after her introduction and again after a failed lock-up. That got super annoying super quick. Velvet got a two after a standing moonsault and finished her off with the Final Slice. After the match, Bunny snuck in behind Velvet and hit her with the brass knuckles to knock her out. 

Bobby Fish defeated Ryzin (2:27) 

After swimming with sharks last week on Dynamite, Fish returned to calm waters on Dark and got a win. Fish hit a slingshot senton for a near fall. He followed that up with an exploder suplex into the ropes, later battered his opponent with kicks. After a rear naked choke, Fish finished off Ryzin with a hook kick for the pinfall. 

Tony Nese defeated Fuego Del Sol (5:47) 

The Long Island native Nese got a win in his AEW debut. 

Fuego looked impressive in the early going, but Nese cut him off with a clothesline and a vertical suplex to take control. Nese hit an impressive springboard moonsault from outside the ring for a near fall and worked over Del Sol with a body scissors. Del Sol came back with an enziguri and caught Nese with a flying forearm. Del Sol hit a springboard moonsault from the middle rope to the floor and got a near fall with a double foot stomp to the back of the head. 

Del Sol went for the tornado DDT,  but Nese countered into a roll-up. From the roll-up, Nese deadlifted Del Sol into a power bomb position and then threw him into the turnbuckles. Nese then charged in with a running knee to get the pinfall to finish a solid match. 

PAC defeated Tiger Ruas (8:44)

Ruas had a tougher go of it here than he did last week. 

PAC controlled Ruas with a side headlock. Ruas came back with a snap suplex and a double leg takedown that sent PAC to the floor to regroup. Ruas followed and PAC easily won the brawl on the floor when he sent Ruas into the guardrails around the ring. 

Back in the ring, PAC controlled Ruas with a chinlock, but Ruas came back with a series of strikes. He worked over PAC in the corner with body blows and then hit a teardrop suplex for a near fall. Ruas went for a cross armbreaker, but PAC was able to counter into a pinning combination. PAC then powered up Ruas and power bombed him to the mat. 

PAC took control with a series of kicks and then a German suplex. From there, he locked in the Brutalizer and got Ruas to tap out. 

Final Thoughts: 

This was just a bunch of squashes this week. Check out the FTR interview and maybe the PAC match. Unless you like squash matches, skip the rest of this week’s Dark.

Tony Nese in-ring debut, PAC vs. Tiger Ruas set for AEW Dark

Posted on by Josh Nason

Tony Nese will make his in-ring debut in his new home as part of Tuesday’s 12-match AEW Dark.

Nese will take on Fuego Del Sol. The former WWE Cruiserweight Champion recently signed with AEW, but it has yet to be announced. Released earlier this year by WWE, Nese recently appeared on AEW Dynamite watching the action from the stands.

Tuesday’s show will also feature PAC taking on another released WWE talent in Tiger Ruas. This will be the former Arturo Ruas’ third outing in an AEW ring while PAC is coming off his win over Andrade El Idolo in their rematch.

Bobby Fish will look to get back on the winning track after last Wednesday’s loss to CM Punk as he faces Ryzin.

Several tag teams will be in action as 2point0, The Acclaimed, Santana & Ortiz, Dark Order’s Alex Reynolds & John Silver, and Lee Johnson & Brock Anderson will be on the show in different matches.

Here’s the full 12-match lineup for YouTube, taped nearly two weeks ago at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida:

  • Tony Nese vs. Fuego Del Sol
  • Santana Garrett vs. The Bunny
  • Ryzin vs. Bobby Fish
  • 2point0 vs. Bison XL & Toa Liona
  • PAC vs. Tiger Ruas
  • The Acclaimed vs. Ishmael Vaughn & Dontae Smiley
  • Daniel Garcia vs. RSP
  • Santana & Ortiz vs. Joe Coleman & Idris Abraham
  • Red Velvet vs. Sholance Royal
  • Dark Order’s John Silver & Alex Reynolds vs. Sean Carr & Marcus Kross
  • Nyla Rose vs. Viva Van
  • Lee Johnson and Brock Anderson vs. Eli Knight & Malik Bosede