Hook has agreed to face Wheeler Yuta under FTW rules.
Yuta confronted the FTW champion backstage while he was being interviewed by Renee Paquette on AEW Collision last night.
“Hook, you’re a paper champion, you’re an amateur,” Yuta said to Hook. “Renee, you shouldn’t be wasting your time with guys like this when you could be interviewing honorable champions, just like myself.”
“Yeah, real honorable. You kicked Shibata in the balls,” Hook responded.
“Hook, I pinned Shibata in the middle of the ring to become a record-setting three-time Ring of Honor Pure Wrestling Champion,” Yuta continued. I can do it under Pure Rules but I can do it under your rules too. I am tired of dealing with you because you are the one who started this. You stuck your nose in my business and I can make your life a living hell for as long as I want but I’m ready to put you out. Let’s do it under FTW rules.”
#ROH Pure Champion Wheeler Yuta has challenged #FTW Champion HOOK under FTW RULES!
Wheeler Yuta has regained the ROH Pure Championship.
Yuta won the title by defeating Katsuyori Shibata on AEW Rampage, which aired on Saturday due to NHL coverage. The finish of the match had Yuta shove Shibata into the referee, giving him a low blow during the confusion then pinning Shibata to win the title for the third time.
After the match, Yuta pretended like he was going to shake Shibata’s hand but attacked him instead, dropping Shibata with a DDT. Hook came down to the ring to make the save as announcers speculated that Shibata wasn’t alright, noting his previous injuries to the head.
Shibata had held the ROH Pure Championship for over 240 days. He won the title at ROH Supercard of Honor back in April, defeating Yuta.
Tony Khan had made the match on Friday, noting that both had won Pure Rules matches on this week’s ROH television. Shibata defeated Trent Beretta to retain the ROH Pure title while Yuta defeated Lee Moriarty.
A Ring of Honor Pure Championship match headlines tonight’s live AEW Rampage episode.
Pure Champion Katsuyori Shibata will defend against former title holder Wheeler Yuta in a rematch from Supercard of Honor in March of this year.
Shibata defeated Yuta to win the Pure title at Supercard of Honor on March 31, kicking off his title reign. Yuta never received a rematch, but has since scored one tag team victory over Shibata in a Yuta & Claudio Castagnoli vs. Shibata & Eddie Kingston bout at the All Out pay-per-view on September 3.
Yuta defeated Daniel Garcia for the Pure title at last December’s Final Battle pay-per-view and defended the title four times before dropping it to Shibata.
Shibata has made seven successful title defenses, with his most recent coming against Trent Beretta in a match that aired on this week’s Ring of Honor TV episode.
Rampage tonight kicks off a three-hour block of AEW programming from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as Collision airs in its regular time slot immediately following Rampage.
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Tony Schiavone, Kevin Kelly, & Nigel McGuinness were on the call this week as FTW Champion Hook made his entrance.
Hook defeated Rocky Romero
According to Cagematch, Hook has only had 43 matches in his career. Getting reps like this will be essential for his growth as a wrestler. You could see him and Romero working through the match as it was happening, but things like that will go away as Hook becomes more comfortable in-ring. Meanwhile, it’s always good to see Rocky Romero.
This match was announced on social media after Romero made a challenge for AEW to give him their youngest and brightest stars. After an opening exchange, Romero chopped Hook to escape a series of arm wringers. The men traded chops until Hook hit an El Camero suplex. They crossed each other until Hook dropped Romero with a lariat. Hook hit a German suplex that sent Romero rolling to the apron.
Hook went for a suplex on the apron, but Romero hit a rising knee before landing a suplex of his own on the apron. Romero hit a double stomp to Hook on the floor as we went to commercial. Romero hit the Forever Clotheslines as we came back from the break, but Hook caught Romero and threw him into the corner with an Exploder suplex.
Hook fired up until Romero sent Hook onto the apron, where Romero hit a springboard dropkick for a nearfall. Romero hit a running Sliced Bread for a nearfall as the crowd chanted for Hook. Hook hit an STO to take Romero down. Romero recovered and went for a traditional Sliced Bread, but Hook countered it into the Redrum to score the win.
We got a video package for the Katsuyori Shibata vs. Wheeler Yuta Rampage main event tonight.
Kris Statlander defeated Diamante
After an opening exchange, Diamante took down Statlander with a headscissors. Statlander countered a corner charge into a powerslam for a nearfall. Mercedes Martinez, Diamante’s tag team partner, made her way to the stage. Statlander hit a running knee into the corner as Martinez came closer to the ring.
Diamante hit a charging Statlander with an overhead suplex as we came back from a break. Diamante hit a facebuster for a nearfall. Statlander pulled Diamante into position for Saturday Night Fever, but Diamante rolled it into a flash pin for a nearfall. After a pinning predicament, Diamante hit an Asai DDT for a nearfall. Statlander hit a charging Diamante with a rolling lariat for the win, but she was jumped after the bell by Martinez. Willow Nightingale made the save for Statlander.
Daniel Garcia spoke earlier in the night to AEW cameras. He was happy to drive into the show tonight, a drive he made multiple times during his time on the independent scene. He admitted his confidence was low after several high-profile losses, but he was ready to prove that he wasn’t a loser.
The Kingdom defeated Duke Davis & Danny Jones
Mike Bennett spoke on their entrance about Roderick Strong getting hurt by Action Andretti last week on Rampage, but his being Neck Strong kept him from being more hurt. Taven talked trash on MJF before saying that they wanted their ROH Tag Team Titles back. This was a quick match, as Bennett took out Davis on the ramp with a piledriver. In the ring, Taven hit the Climax before hitting the Aurora Borealis frog splash for the win.
ROH Pure Title Match – Wheeler Yuta defeated Katsuyori Shibata to win the title
A solid match, on the better end of Shibata’s output after his return. It’s interesting that they chose this time to change the title with Final Battle coming up soon, but the Hook/Yuta issue has been simmering for a while now. Yuta as a sneering bully is a good direction for him, and the Hook match will get some interest for, I assume, Final Battle.
The judges for this match were Christopher Daniels, Jimmy Jacobs, and Jerry Lynn.
After the opening exchanges, Shibata held onto the ropes on an Irish whip and caught Yuta in a bow-and-arrow hold. He held onto Yuta’s legs and locked on a deathlock before returning to the bow-and-arrow. Yuta flipped into a pin cover to escape, but Shibata transitioned into a kneebar to force Yuta to the ropes for his first rope break. Yuta punched Shibata in the face, earning a warning from the referee.
Yuta chopped Shibata going into and coming out of the break, but Shibata fired up and rocked Yuta with elbows and chops. Shibata drove Yuta down in the corner with chops before hitting a hesitation dropkick. Shibata hit a half-hatch suplex for a nearfall. Shibata caught Yuta in an ankle lock, before transitioning into an STF, reminiscent of Masahiro Chono. Yuta used his second rope break to escape.
Shibata locked on the sleeper hold, but Yuta forced Shibata to the floor and hit a dive to the floor. Yuta sent Shibata into the barricade, but Shibata fired out and booted Yuta against the guardrail. Yuta avoided the Penalty Kick and rolled Shibata up for a nearfall. Yuta rolled up Shibata and put his feet on the ropes for a nearfall. Yuta shoved Shibata into the referee before hitting Shibata with a low blow. Yuta dropped Shibata with a DDT before locking on the Seatbelt pin to score the win and the title.
After the match, Yuta mockingly offered his hand for the Code of Honor, but kicked Shibata low again and dropped him with a DDT. Hook made his way to the ring to run off Yuta.
After both earned Pure Rules wins yesterday on ROH, Shibata will fight former champ Yuta on a special SATURDAY Rampage before Collision TOMORROW! pic.twitter.com/T7hJqhYdnu
No other matches or segments have been announced for the show thus far.
This will be the second singles match and third overall match between Shibata and Yuta. Shibata defeated Yuta for the Pure Championship at Supercard of Honor back in March. However, Yuta and Claudio Castagnoli defeated Shibata and Eddie Kingston at All Out on September 3.
AEW Rampage will air at 7 p.m. Eastern time tomorrow on TNT rather than in its usual Friday at 10 p.m. timeslot. This is due to TNT’s NHL coverage tomorrow night.
Both Rampage and Collision will take place from the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, PA. Collision will air at its normal timeslot at 8 p.m. immediately following Rampage.
AEW Rampage on November 25 announced lineup:
ROH Pure Champion Katsuyori Shibata defends against Wheeler Yuta
AEW Collision on November 25 announced lineup:
Continental Classic Blue League match: Daniel Garcia vs. Claudio Castagnoli
Continental Classic Blue League match: Eddie Kingston vs. Brody King
Prior to their International title match at Full Gear, Jon Moxley & Orange Cassidy will square off in a tag match on AEW Dynamite.
It was announced during this week’s episode that Moxley & Wheeler Yuta of the Blackpool Combat Club will face Orange Cassidy & Hook on the Wednesday, November 15 AEW Dynamite show.
Both teams delivered promos on Wednesday’s episode to hype up the November 15 tag match.
Cassidy will defend the International Championship against Moxley at the Full Gear pay-per-view on Saturday, November 18 in a rematch of the main event of All Out from September 3. Moxley ended Cassidy’s first International title reign that night, then later lost the belt to Rey Fenix at Dynamite Grand Slam on September 20 in a match where Moxley suffered a concussion. Cassidy then regained the International title from Fenix on the October 10 Dynamite.
An eight-man street fight has already been announced for next week, with Chris Jericho, Paul Wight, Kenny Omega, and Kota Ibushi taking on members of the DOn Callis Family.
The lineup for the Wednesday, November 15 Dynamite:
Street fight: Kenny Omega, Chris Jericho, Paul Wight & Kota Ibushi vs. The Don Callis Family (Konosuke Takeshita, Powerhouse Hobbs & Kyle Fletcher)
Blackpool Combat Club (Jon Moxley & Wheeler Yuta) vs. Orange Cassidy & Hook
Claudio Castagnoli and Wheeler Yuta will be in action on next Friday’s Rampage.
The Gates of Agony attacked Bryan Danielson on Collision Saturday after he defeated Aussie Open’s Kyle Fletcher. Fellow Blackpool Combat Club members Castagnoli and Yuta then ran in to make the save. Later on Collision, it was announced that the two teams will face off on Friday.
Danielson is set to face Swerve Strickland on Tuesday’s Dynamite to determine the next contender for Christian Cage’s TNT title. Both are coming off of major wins: Danielson defeated Zack Sabre Jr. in what was billed as a dream match at WrestleDream, while Strickland defeated Hangman Page, also at WrestleDream in Strickland’s hometown of Seattle.
The Gates of Agony, along with Brian Cage, most recently lost the ROH Six-Man Tag team titles at AEW Rampage Grand Slam to The Young Bucks and Page.
Here is the updated lineup for AEW Rampage:
Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta vs. The Gates of Agony
A new eight-man tag team match has been added to Saturday’s Collision.
The go-home show for WrestleDream will have Bryan Danielson, Wheeler Yuta, and FTR square off against Ricky Starks, Big Bill, and Aussie Open in an all star eight-man tag team match. Zack Sabre Jr., who will face Danielson on Sunday, will be on commentary.
Danielson and Yuta have been feuding with Starks and Bill for the last several weeks. Danielson defeated Starks in a Texas Death match on last week’s Collision, with Big Bill and Yuta getting into a confrontation after checking on their men. On this week’s Dynamite, Yuta confronted Starks, challenging him to a match for WrestleDream.
FTR and Aussie Open will be in the same ring just 24 hours before their AEW Tag Team title match at WrestleDream. It will mark exactly one year since the two teams first met at NJPW’s Royal Quest II in England.
Here is the updated lineup for Saturday:
All star eight-man tag: Bryan Danielson, Wheeler Yuta, and FTR vs. Ricky Starks, Big Bill, and Aussie Open
Lehigh Valley Apparel Creations announced yesterday that Yuta has not been medically cleared to perform on their show this Saturday in Bethlehem, PA. However, the Blackpool Combat Club member will still participate in a pre-show meet and greet.
The nature and severity of Yuta’s injury has not been disclosed.
Unfortunately, @wheeleryuta has suffered an injury and is unable to compete this Sat @ STEELSTACKS SMACKDOWN II. We have, however, confirmed his participation in the pre-show Meet & Greet! Get an autograph and photo op with one of the hottest rising stars of televised wrestling! pic.twitter.com/K4MZEBNmWb
Other wrestlers booked for Saturday’s Steelstacks SmackDown II from the Musikfest Cafe on Saturday include Delirious, Delmi Exo, Veda Scott, Tracy Williams, B3CCA, Mike Bailey, Max the Impaler, and Cheeseburger. WWE Hall of Famer The Godfather will also be on hand for the pre-show meet and greet. The voice of Ring of Honor, Ian Riccaboni, will call the show. It will also stream live exclusively on IWTV.live.
Yuta hasn’t wrestled since AEW All Out on September 3. He teamed with Claudio Castagnoli to defeat Eddie Kingston and Katsuyori Shibata on the show. Yuta also took part in the Stadium Stampede match the week before at All In.
AEW head Tony Khan took to Twitter less than an hour before Dynamite was set to go live to say he “changed some plans” for tonight’s show.
Khan said the reasons for the unspecified changes were due to both “minor illnesses to big talent traveling this week” in addition to Hurricane Idalia (currently affecting the southeast United States) causing issues with flights.
Khan tweeted several new matches for the show from Chicago’s NOW Arena for the final Dynamite before Sunday’s All Out:
NJPW Strong Champion Eddie Kingston defends against Wheeler Yuta: Both men were part of the Stadium Stampede match at Sunday’s All In
Jon Moxley vs. Komander: Komander will be trying to get revenge on behalf of Rey Fenix who Moxley “injured” last Wednesday, taking him out of Sunday’s All In Stadium Stampede match in storyline.
TBS Champion Kris Statlander, Hikaru Shida & Britt Baker vs. Nyla Rose, Emi Sakura & Marina Shafir: Shida lost her AEW Women’s title in the four-way match at All In while Statlander defends against Ruby Soho this Sunday.
The previously announced Adam Cole promo segment and AEW International title defense featuring champion Orange Cassidy vs. Penta El Zero Miedo are still on.
Due to minor illnesses to big talent traveling this week, + Hurricane Idalia affecting flights, I've changed some plans for #AEWDynamite TONIGHT!
Coming off All In, @AEW's greatest night + the most tickets sold for any wrestling show ever, expect a great Dynamite TONIGHT on TBS!
In a most unusual match, Jeff Jarrett will take on Jeff Hardy in a Texas Chain Saw Massacre death match on this Wednesday’s Fight for the Fallen edition of AEW Dynamite.
The match is a sponsorship for the new video game that is aligned with the famous movie. It will be their first singles match since a December 2011 cage match at TNA Final Resolution.
Jarrett told Hardy they should both bring their crews, so there will be plenty of people involved.
In another new bout, AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy will defend against former partner Wheeler Yuta. Cassidy defeated Johnny TV on Friday’s Rampage to score his 28th title defense while Yuta is still looking for his first run with AEW gold.
Here’s the current card for this Wednesday in Nashville, Tennessee:
AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy defends against Wheeler Yuta
Jeff Jarrett vs. Jeff Hardy death match
MJF & Adam Cole talk about All In
Darby Allin & Nick Wayne vs. Gates of Agony (Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona)
Winner advances to AEW All In Women’s title four-way: Britt Baker vs. The Bunny
Bryan Danielson believes the Blackpool Combat Club should never break up.
The faction formed at Revolution 2022 when William Regal made his AEW debut. Following Moxley’s defeat of Danielson on the show, Regal broke up a post-match brawl between the two. Wheeler Yuta was added to the group the following month and Claudio Castagnoli joined that June. Since then, the BCC have played a major role in AEW storylines, including a lengthy program with The Elite.
Danielson recently told Sports Illustrated that there is a real connection within the group, and he feels they make each other better performers.
“Our connection as a group feels real,” says Danielson. “That’s because it is. The story is we train together and we make each other better. The reality is that wrestling together, we do make each other better.”
“Even when Regal left, we didn’t break. And he’s still on our BCC group chat.”
Danielson continued to say he doesn’t want the BCC to ever break up.
“I love this group,” says Danielson. “This should be a group that never breaks up. Mox and I have wrestled since the BCC started, we wrestled in the championship tournament [last fall]. That didn’t cause any disturbances in the BCC. That’s the story of the BCC. When the BCC loses, we’ll shake hands and go back to training the next day.”
Danielson is currently out of action with a broken arm suffered during his match with Kazuchika Okada at Forbidden Door. Our own Dave Meltzer reported in last week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Danielson is expected back in October but could potentially return in time for AEW Grand Slam in September.
BCC members Moxley and Castagnoli will be in action on tonight’s Dynamite from Columbus. They’ll face The Lucha Bros in tag action. Moxley and Castagnoli are coming off a defeat of The Best Friends in a Parking Lot Brawl on Friday’s Rampage.
Wheeler Yuta suffered an injury on AEW Dynamite this Wednesday — but it’s not currently expected to keep him out of Blood & Guts.
In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that Yuta suffered a hamstring injury during his match against Kenny Omega on Wednesday’s Dynamite. Meltzer wrote that the belief is it’s not a full hamstring tear and Yuta will be able to return in time for Blood & Guts.
Wheeler Yuta suffered a hamstring injury in the match with Omega on 7/5. Right now the belief is that it’s not a full tear and that he will be able to return on 7/19 for Blood & Guts in Boston.
The Blood & Guts edition of Dynamite is being held at Boston’s TD Garden. The match will pit Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Yuta, Konosuke Takeshita, and a mystery partner against Omega, The Young Bucks, Hangman Page, and a mystery partner.
Omega defeated Yuta in their match on Dynamite. After the episode went off the air, Omega appeared to tease that Kota Ibushi would be The Elite’s mystery partner for Blood & Guts.
AEW Dynamite airs live tonight from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, with Kenny Omega’s first match since Forbidden Door set to headline.
Omega will face Wheeler Yuta on tonight’s show. Yuta pinned Omega at May’s Double or Nothing pay-per-view in the main event Anarchy in the Arena match.
Matches from two different tournaments will also be held on tonight’s show.
In a match rescheduled from last week after Britt Baker was pulled from the show due to illness, Baker faces Ruby Soho in an Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament quarterfinal match.
The Blind Eliminator Tournament for a future Tag Team title match kicks off tonight, with Orange Cassidy & Darby Allin taking on Keith Lee & Swerve Strickland in the quarterfinals, plus MJF & Adam Cole in action in another quarterfinal bout.
Promos from Chris Jericho of the Jericho Appreciation Society, and Jon Moxley of the Blackpool Combat Club are also set for the show.
Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Tony Schiavone and Taz, as they throw it to backstage moments ago where Renee Paquette is with Darby Allin & Keith Lee, both on opposite teams tonight. Allin said if Lee feels lost in the shuffle since losing the Tag Titles, then do something about it and pull his head out of his ass instead of pouting on the apron. Allin walked away and Lee smirked, saying that was both ballsy and stupid. Taz on commentary said Allin shouldn’t poke the bear.
AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy & Darby Allin defeated Keith Lee & Swerve Strickland (w/Prince Nana) in a Blind Eliminator Quarterfinal
(If there was one word to describe this opener, it would be fun. Allin & Cassidy were tossed around quite a bit by Lee and it looked like their injuries would finally be their downfall, but ultimately the miscommunication set the stage for Swerve in Our Glory to fall.)
Allin immediately slapped Lee to start and as a result was hit with one of the biggest beals I’ve ever seen. Allin escaped a Supernova, tagged Cassidy, who tried his light offense until Lee double chopped him to the mat. Excalibur said he had never seen someone’s soul leave their body. Cassidy put his hands in his pockets, but suffered another chop, as Allin & Cassidy took turns hitting multiple Coffin Splashes and Orange Punches. Strickland made the tag and had a nice fast sequence with his former rival Strickland, who avoided a float over stunner and hit a leaping uppercut to the back. Allin appeared to tweak his knee in the process. Strickland was isolated briefly until the tables were turned on Allin, who found himself picked apart by the former Tag Team Champions.
Strickland tried a superplex on Allin, but Lee added a little more to it, by turning it into a Tower of Doom, powerbombing his partner in the process. Cassidy made the tag, as Allin had the ring steps dropped on his ribs outside by Strickland. Cassidy locked on a sleeper on Lee ringside, but Lee walked up the steps with Allin still trapped under them. Back inside, Lee blocked the DDT and Stundog Millionaire multiple times until finally Cassidy hit it and Allin followed with Code Red for two as Strickland broke it up by hitting a 450 on his partner, which made him smile. Lee & Strickland both tried for home run shots and collided with one another, as Cassidy hit a top rope DDT on Strickland and a diving one to the floor on Lee. This allowed Allin to wrap up Strickland with the Last Supper for the win. Lee gave a fist bump to Cassidy post match.
-We see footage of the Buddy Wayne academy and Darby Allin talking about young Nick Wayne running around while they were training as an 8 year old. Allin talked about Buddy passing away and the anger he had when receiving the news. Allin made a pact with himself to watch over Nick Wayne and make sure he gets everything he ever wanted in life. Allin recommended Tony Khan watching Nick’s matches and how at 17, was offered an AEW contract, but now he’s 18 and his time in an AEW ring is coming soon.
-Tony Schiavone is backstage waiting for Jungle Boy Jack Perry to arrive. Perry said he’s not a thug like HOOK; they need to fight in the ring like professionals, so he’s going to Tony Khan’s office to demand a FTW Title match. HOOK came bursting into the shot and got in a few shots before Perry took off in his car for the second week in a row.
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-Footage of the bonding time between MJF & Adam Cole is shown as they are training at the gym. MJF is doing reps on the bench, but Cole is preoccupied on his phone to spot him. MJF was making fun of another person when Cole told him that wasn’t cool, but they both said he reminded them of Tony Schiavone. Cole then did a crazy amount of reps and baffled MJF as the segment ended.
The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens & Max Caster) & Daddy Ass defeated The Blade & The Bollywood Boyz (Harv & Gurv Shira)
(Well, there’s not much to say about the actual match, since we barely saw any of it. Instead, it looks like The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass are continuing their QTV feud.)
After an early shoulder block, Billy Gunn was going to moon the crowd, I guess, but referee Aubrey stopped him. Caster made the tag and ran wild with bodyslams and backdrops aplenty leading to Scissor Me Timbers. The Acclaimed & Gunn triple scissored into commercial where Caster was attacked from behind and isolated.
Bowens made the hot tag and hit a huge Fame-Asser before Gunn jumped in and hit the One and Only on Harv Shira. Caster capped things off with a Mic Drop for the win that took place about 30 seconds after they returned from commercial.
Harley Cameron interrupted on the big screen, upset The Acclaimed & Gunn ruined her singing a few weeks ago on Rampage. Cameron said she’s money on the mic and said next week she’ll have a video for them. Gunn took the mic and said he had two words for Cameron, suck it.
-Highlights of Eddie Kingston winning the New Japan Strong Openweight Title against KENTA, achieving his dream of winning a title in Japan is shown. We then cut to a video of Jon Moxley talking about his history with Kingston. Through good times and bad, both of them made it out, as he questioned why Kingston walks around so angry? They should make every day count instead of complaining about the new generation having no respect. Moxley said Kingston should let the past be the past and told Kingston to answer his phone. We see a graphic of the upcoming Blood & Guts and how both the BCC & Elite have one empty slot they each have to fill in the coming weeks.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with RJ City and Matt Hardy, who is waiting to find out his partner in the Blind Eliminator tournament on Rampage. RJ told him it’s Jeff, but not Hardy, instead Jarrett.
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Don Callis Makes Chris Jericho An Intriguing Offer
Chris Jericho came to the ring to a massive ovation from the Edmonton crowd. Jericho said over the last few months, things haven’t gone the way he would’ve liked with the amount of losses he’s suffered. Jericho talked about how traveling in Alberta has invigorated him and potentially be the best Chris Jericho ever. Jericho is interrupted by Don Callis, whose entrance music sounded like just buzzing. Callis was booed out of the building when he said Jericho needed change. Six years ago Callis suggested Jericho main event the Tokyo Dome with Kenny Omega. Meanwhile, Jericho said he was the one who helped Callis get back into the wrestling business and into AEW. Callis said he’s had to build a new family since Kenny Omega destroyed his old one, a family built on trust. Callis said when he thinks about trust, he thinks of his best friend, Chris Jericho. If Jericho is ready to change history one more time, will he join the Don Callis Family? Jericho said he doesn’t join factions, he creates them, but his answer is, maybe.
-Video packages on the men’s Owen Hart Semi Finals this week on Collision is shown as CM Punk & Samoa Joe reignite their almost 20 year rivalry, while Ricky Starks & Powerhouse Hobbs start up their feud once more.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with Doc Sampson and Roderick Strong, who is in a neck brace. Sampson said they need to be careful with Strong’s injury history, but Strong said he feels fine. Adam Cole walks in and tells Strong to be careful, as Strong questions the friendship between Cole & MJF. Cole just then got a text from MJF and said he needed to go, but he’d check in with Strong later.
AEW World Champion MJF & Adam Cole defeated Matt Menard & The Butcher in a Blind Eliminator Tournament Quarterfinal
(First off, Happy Birthday to Adam Cole! Now, if you like abdominal stretches, have I got the match for you. We all know it’s not if, but when or who will turn on each other first? This match was about the new “friendship” between MJF & Cole, as they are one step closer to winning this tournament. They could get a few more weeks out of this pairing before the wheels fall off.)
MJF did the Cole poses during the entrance, as Butcher & Menard attacked from behind, putting boots to the unlikely allies. Menard fires off forearms, but MJF starts no selling, slaps Menard in the face before getting an abdominal stretch. MJF wanted Cole’s assistant and reluctantly it worked briefly before Menard got a hip toss escape. MJF was isolated the whole commercial, including Menard & Butcher getting their own assisted abdominal stretch, which MJF got a low blow escape. MJF finally made the tag to Cole, who ran wild with a pump kick and neckbreaker over the knee on Menard. MJF yelled for a double clothesline, as Butcher & Menard both ate superkicks. Instead of granting MJF his wish, Cole lowered The Boom on Menard to win it.
Post match, MJF took the mic and asked the crowd if there were any Devil worshipers here tonight? He also asked if there were fans of a guy with a super over name and told Cole to do the name thing. Cole obliged, as MJF said they should have another bro session this weekend. The crowd chanted Yes, as Cole again obliged and MJF wished Cole Happy Birthday as streamers fell. Backstage workers came out with party hats and cake, as MJF put a hat on Cole. MJF started serenading Cole with Happy Birthday, as Cole stops him and said he appreciates it, but he’s done enough. MJF chanted with the crowd to make a wish, as MJF looked to the camera and said he’s going to shove Cole’s face in the cake. Cole turned the tables and MJF went into the cake. Cole thanked MJF for celebrating his birthday and went to the back, smirking.
-Renee Paquette is backstage with Britt Baker, asking her thoughts on Ruby Soho’s comments last week. Baker doesn’t care about what people think about her, but Soho lied when saying she’s taken everything Baker has cared about. Baker will always have her pride, something Soho can’t say she has. Baker shows the Owen Hart Foundation belt she won last year, against Soho.
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-Renee Paquette is again backstage with Chris Jericho, Daniel Garcia & Sammy Guevara. Paquette asked about his maybe to Don Callis earlier tonight. Garcia said they need Jericho, but it’s Jericho who said both Garcia & Guevara need room to grow. Paquette informs them that Garcia & Guevara have been selected as partners in the Blind Eliminator Tournament. I wish we actually got more names picked out of a tumbler and said who they are instead of just “hey, you two are teaming.” As someone who was a big fan of the Battlebowl concept, just seems like a missed opportunity, especially when you have folks like Paquette & RJ City who could make the announcements entertaining.
Ruby Soho (w/Toni Storm & Saraya) defeated Dr. Britt Baker in an Owen Hart Tournament Match
(I thought this match came nowhere close to their Double or Nothing match last year for their Owen Hart tournament final. I understand how The Outcasts constantly interfere, but it really hampers the match at times and also makes the officials look real dumb as well. I’m happy Soho advanced, it’s something different, but this match could’ve been so much more.)
Both ladies worked early hammerlocks, but Baker hit a misdirect Sling Blade, which sent Soho to the floor to regroup. Baker went out to follow and was just standing around staring at Saraya & Storm before Soho hit a leg sweep into commercial, which saw Soho remain in control, as Saraya & Storm continued to interfere.
Baker fought back with forearms and clotheslines, which led to a swinging fisherman’s neckbreaker for a near fall. Baker wanted Lock Jaw, took way too long, as Soho tried No Future, but Baker countered. Storm tripped up Baker, allowing Soho to hit a Saito Suplex for two of her own. Soho missed a top rope dive, as Baker got a backslide into Lock Jaw, but yet again, Saraya interfered. Soho sent Baker face first into the Owen Hart title belt held by Storm, as Soho hit No Future for two. Soho tried Lock Jaw, but Baker kicked off the ropes and tried Lock Jaw, as The Outcasts pulled Soho to safety. Baker finally took out Storm & Saraya with superkicks, but as they went to repeat the spot that ended their Finals last year, Soho had the victory roll countered and held onto Storm during the roll up to steal it. Saraya & Storm went to the back, as Skye Blue walked out on stage to have a faceoff with Soho ahead of their semi final match.
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Kenny Omega defeated Wheeler Yuta
(A very fun main event that saw Yuta really controlled a majority, with Omega selling his injuries. The plan of Don Callis backfired at the end, as Yuta couldn’t put away Omega again. Post match felt insanely rushed, even for Dynamite, as it we barely saw Dark Order get in the ring before going off the air.)
With this being his first action since Forbidden Door, Omega’s right shoulder & neck are taped up and Yuta attacked right at the bell. Both men traded chops until Omega unleashed a corner attack, high back drop and big back breaker. Omega connected with a Kotaro Crusher, but as he went for You Can’t Escape, Omega really hesitated and Yuta got his knees up on the moonsault. A dropkick sent Omega outside, where Yuta followed with a great looking tope. Omega tried fighting back on the apron, but Yuta zoned in on the taped up neck. It was all Yuta during commercial, until Omega mounted his comeback.
Omega hit the running palm strike to bounce Yuta like a basketball and violent fisherman’s buster for two. Yuta dodged a V-Trigger and countered into an Angle Slam for a near fall of his own. Yuta went to the top, but took too long, as Omega quickly followed to hit a massive leg trapped superplex. Both men traded forearm shivers before Yuta planted Omega with a nice bridging German for two. This led to rolling German attempts by Yuta, as Omega fought free and popped Yuta in the back with a V-Trigger and two Snap Dragons. Yuta nearly got a roll up, but Omega charged with another V-Trigger.
Yuta countered One Winged Angel into the Seatbelt pin, but Omega was up first with a powerbomb and V-Trigger. As Omega went for the home run shot, Don Callis came out and was held back by security. This allowed Konosuke Takeshita lay out Omega with a Blue Thunder Bomb, as Yuta followed up with a massive splash, but got two. Yuta went to climb the ropes, but Omega punched through the legs to the face and hit One Winged Angel to win a fun main event. Post match, Claudio Castagnoli hit the ring with Takeshita to put the boots to Omega until The Young Bucks & Hangman Adam Page hit the ring with chairs to even the odds. Castagnoli ate a BTE Trigger, but as Page went for a chair shot, Dark Order ran in to take the chair away at the last second of the show.
AEW Rampage 7/7/23
· Matt Hardy & Jeff Jarrett vs. Daniel Garcia & Sammy Guevara in a Blind Eliminator Quarterfinal
· Big Bill & Brian Cage vs. Trent Beretta & Matt Sydal in a Blind Eliminator Quarterfinal
· Hikaru Shida battles Marina Shafir
· Hangman Adam Page & The Young Bucks take on Evil Uno, John Silver & Alex Reynolds
AEW Collision 7/8/23
· CM Punk vs. Samoa Joe in an Owen Hart Tournament Semi Final
· Ricky Starks vs. Powerhouse Hobbs in an Owen Hart Tournament Semi Final
· FTR vs. Switchblade Jay White & Juice Robinson in a Tag Title Eliminator Match
· Athena vs. Willow Nightingale in an Owen Hart Tournament Semi Final
AEW Dynamite 7/12/23
· Darby Allin & Orange Cassidy face the winner of Jarrett & Hardy vs. Garcia & Guevara in a Blind Tournament Semi Final
· MJF & Adam Cole face the winner of Bill & Cage vs. Beretta & Sydal in a Blind Tournament Semi Final
· Ruby Soho vs. Skye Blue in an Owen Hart Tournament Semi Final
· Nick Wayne makes his AEW in ring debut against Swerve Strickland
Kenny Omega will return to action on the Wednesday, July 5 episode of AEW Dynamite.
As announced by Tony Khan on Twitter on Thursday, Omega will face Wheeler Yuta in Omega’s first match since losing the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship to Will Ospreay at last Sunday’s Forbidden Door pay-per-view.
After an all-time classic match at #ForbiddenDoor, Kenny Omega returns to the ring to fight the man who pinned him in Anarchy in the Arena, BCC's Wheeler Yuta! pic.twitter.com/eUR7S8HBvj
As Khan noted, Yuta pinned Kenny Omega in the Blackpool Combat Club vs. The Elite Anarchy in the Arena match that closed last month’s Double or Nothing pay-per-view in Las Vegas.
The feud between The Elite and The BCC will continue into July, as the two sides are set to square off in a Blood & Guts match on the July 19 Dynamite in Boston.
Three matches are now official for the July 5 Dynamite. The announced lineup:
Blind Eliminator Tournament quarterfinals: Keith Lee & Swerve Strickland vs. Orange Cassidy & Darby Allin
Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament quarterfinals: Britt Baker vs. Ruby Soho
