AEW Rampage 100 spoilers: Young Bucks & Hangman Page vs. Dark Order

The following are spoilers for this Friday’s 100th episode of AEW Rampage, taped at the Rogers Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, after Dynamite.

Before the show, Nyla Rose defeated Liza Hall in the only pre-show dark match followed by Tony Khan telling the crowd they had something special in store for Rampage.

These come courtesy of PWInsider:

  • Dark Order (Alex Reynolds, John Silver & Evil Uno) defeated Hangman Page & The Young Bucks after Konosuke Takeshita distracted the referee, leading to Claudio Castagnoli attacking Page who then got pinned by Uno
  • Sammy Guevara & Daniel Garcia defeated Jeff Jarrett & Matt Hardy to advance to the Blind Eliminator tag team tournament semifinals
  • Brian Cage & Big Bill defeated Matt Sydal & Trent Beretta to advance to the Blind Eliminator tag team tournament semifinals
  • Hikaru Shida defeated Marina Shafir

Notes:

  • The semifinals will take place on the next Dynamite from Saskatoon. Guevara & Garcia will face Orange Cassidy & Darby Allin while Cage & Bill will take on MJF & Adam Cole.
  • Jarrett & Hardy have teamed once before: in 2011 for then-TNA as part of a house show in France.
  • Shida is now 2-0 against Shafir.

Young Bucks & Hangman Page trios match part of 100th AEW Rampage

The 100th episode of AEW Rampage will feature a heated trios rematch.

The Young Bucks will team with Hangman Page against Dark Order’s John Silver, Alex Reynolds & Evil Uno. The two teams squared off last week’s Dynamite with The Elite members picking up the win. When the Bucks and Page got attacked by the Blackpool Combat Club afterward, Dark Order chose not to help their former friend in Page and walked away.

The show will feature two matches in the eight-team blind eliminator tag team tournament.

In one, Jeff Jarrett will team with Matt Hardy against Sammy Guevara & Daniel Garcia of the Jericho Appreciation Society. Jarrett and Hardy have teamed once before on a 2011 TNA house show in France.

The other will feature Big Bill teaming with Brian Cage against Matt Sydal & Trent Beretta.

Hikaru Shida will look to win her sixth straight as she takes on Marina Shafir. The two have met in singles action once with Shida picking up the win in October 2022.

Here’s the lineup that is being taped in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Wednesday:

  • Hangman Page & The Young Bucks vs. Dark Order (Alex Reynolds, John Silver & Evil Uno)
  • Blind eliminator tag team tournament quarterfinal: Jeff Jarrett & Matt Hardy vs. Sammy Guevara & Daniel Garcia
  • Blind eliminator tag team tournament quarterfinal: Brian Cage & Big Bill vs. Matt Sydal & Trent Beretta
  • Hikaru Shida vs. Marina Shafir

Daily Update: Forbidden Door, Vince McMahon, FTR

Daily Update

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter:

In this issue:

  • The Punk interview and 1 Bill Phil
  • Tony Khan talks about the 1 Bill Phil comment
  • The business of AEW and profit/loss
  • The different ways this all could go in detail
  • Positives and negatives about working for AEW and WWE
  • The Collision announce team
  • The most detailed look at Collision ratings and what category was it tops among sports during the week
  • What TNT was doing in the time slot, what should be expected and what would be considered good
  • How each segment did
  • The Marc Raimondi ESPN piece
  • Punk talks Adam Page
  • Contradictory stories
  • Original idea for Collision that changed
  • Full rundown of both Chicago shows with business notes
  • Preview of Forbidden Door and what business mark for AEW may be set and where it ranks all-time among Canadian gates
  • Notes on Danielson vs. Okada and Omega vs. Ospreay
  • Notes on PPV
  • The rest of the card
  • The Owen Hart tournament
  • Update on Wembley Stadium
  • Rickson Gracie battles Parkinson’s and a look back at a fighting legend in the underground days as well as his battles with a famous pro wrestler in Brazil
  • Money in the Bank update
  • Notes on Saturday’s UFC show
  • Tons of new major matches announced by UFC for the summer and fall
  • The most detailed look at the ratings for all the wrestling and MMA shows over the past week, how they do with different age groups, segment-by-segment and what WWE stars moved numbers big this past week
  • First wrestling company in history to hit 90 years consecutively in business
  • Multiple cities doing a 40th anniversary celebration for a Hall of Famer
  • Konnan talks heavily about Bandido and Rush
  • An issue with women’s wrestling fans in Japan
  • How the women’s wrestling fan base in Japan has changed multiple times
  • What happened to the key young Dragon Gate talent that was let go
  • Two wrestlers who started together, became big stars in different companies, have a dream match that sold out instantly
  • N-1 tournament including surprise entrants
  • New Japan Strong shows in Japan
  • A bill introduced in New York regarding regulating pro wrestling
  • Lots of injury updates
  • More on the MLW lawsuit against WWE
  • Impact stars on major television show in Canada
  • More on B.J. Whitmer case
  • Tony Khan talks working with Gedo and where AEW stands among start-ups in the sports brand space
  • Tony Khan talks Bill Goldberg
  • Update on Bandido
  • International TV ratings and streaming numbers for WWE and AEW
  • Ticket sale updates for all the major shows for WWE & AEW
  • Talks regarding the sale of Bellator, rumors about Tony Khan being interested and he shoots them down
  • Tons of drug suspensions handed out this week
  • Gable Steveson debuts on TV and what his goals for 2024 are

This Week’s Retro Observer Newsletter:

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Sunday Update

Bryan and I will be up tonight after Forbidden Door covering the show along with the rest of the weekend news. We also have a week in review show with Garrett and I up on the site.

Just to clear something up regarding the situation in AEW and people kept apart, as tonight is the first time the Elite and C.M. Punk will be on the same show, is that FTR is not part of this equation. FTR actually went out of their way of late to clear the air and have no working issues with each other. Most involved have confirmed that all is good between them and the hope was that other discussions would happen soon.

On the loud but mixed reaction C.M. Punk got last night in Toronto, those there said Punk was fine with it and even told the crowd it’s okay to boo him if you want to. He cut a total face promo, blamed himself for the loss since he was the captain and said like the Toronto Maple Leafs, he’ll come back stronger. Dax Harwood did a promo talking about the 2/3 fall match with Chad Gable & Jason Jordan. He didn’t mention Gable & Jordan by name but mentioned the 2/3 fall match in the building. He said that match was one of the matches that helped get them where they are now. As we’ve noted, it really doesn’t matter if Punk is cheered, booed, or the reaction is in between. The key is if he helps grow business. He could be cheered and if there’s no business growth, that means far less than if he’s booed like crazy and business grows. People were vociferous both for and against him. Live in the building the crowd cheered FTR, Starks, Jay White and Juice Robinson while Punk got heavily cheered and heavily booed. Right now it feels like the company has momentum, but it’s also in its early stages. Last night’s show moved a lot of tickets in the last week so that’s a positive sign.

Regarding Friday’s Smackdown and the Bayley vs. Shotzi match with the MITB shot at stake, the LA Knight vs. Santos Escobar vs. Butch match and the Cameron Grimes vs. Baron Corbin match that were all advertised, this was Vince McMahon making heavy last minute changes to the show. There was a pattern before Vince got back involved that almost all the advertised matches would take place, and before when Vince was in control, things were changed at the last minute all the time. But there was a lot of unhappiness that this much had changed.

Forbidden Door is tonight at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. They put a lot of new tickets on sale yesterday and were at 13,419 this morning. There were actually 13,870 available at that time. So even though this was an instant sellout, there were and probably still are some tickets available now. This looks to be a nearly five hour show:

First hour pre show matches:

  • Stu Grayson vs. El Phantasmo
  • Trent Baretta & El Desperado & Rocky Romero vs. Brian Cage & Bishop Kuan & Toa Liona
  • Jeff Cobb & Kyle Fletcher & TJP vs. Hiromu Takahashi & Shingo Takagi & Bushi
  • Athena vs. Billie Starkz in an Owen Hart Foundation tournament match

Main card:

  • MJF vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for AEW title
  • Sting & Darby Allin & Tetsuya Naito vs. Chris Jericho & Sammy Guevara & Minoru Suzuki
  • Toni Storm vs. Willow Nightingale fr AEW title
  • Orange Cassidy vs. Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Katsuyori Shibata vs. Daniel Garcia for the International title
  • C.M. Punk vs. Satoshi Kojima for the Owen Hart Foundation tournament
  • Jon Moxley & Wheeler Yuta & Claudio Castagnoli & Konosuke Takeshita & Shota Umino vs. Young Bucks & Adam Page & Eddie Kingston & Tomohiro Ishii
  • Sanada vs. Jack Perry for IWGP title
  • Kenny Omega vs. Will Ospreay for U.S. title
  • Kazuchika Okada vs. Bryan Danielson

We’re looking for your thoughts on Forbidden Door so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]

We’re looking for reports on these shows:

  • NXT on Friday night in Fort Pierce, FL
  • NXT last night in Citrus Springs, FL
  • WWE house show tonight in Mobile, AL

We’re looking for results, finishes and highlights to [email protected]

Chris Samsa noted that Kazuchika Okada made his debut on August 29, 2004, in Mexico City, in a Toryumon match and Bryan Danielson was on that card.

Fantastica Mania takes place in Puebla tomorrow night with Averno & Mephisto & El Satanico vs Tiger Mask & Desperado & Atlantis, plus Bushi & Tetsuya Naito & Rocky Romero & Titan vs. Magia Blanca & Magnus & Rugido & Volador Jr.

For Google trends this past week, the only things that cracked the top 20 were Maycee Barber for yesterday’s ABC TV fight with Amanda Ribas, which had 20,000 searches and on Thursday the talk of an Elon Musk vs. Mark Zuckerberg got 100,000 searches and was No. 7 for the day. People were raving about the Barber win over Ribas as something to go out of your way to see.

Another match, this time from pro wrestling, getting a lot of praise was the Utami Hayashishita & Saya Kamitani & AZM & Hinda & Lady C & Miyu Amasaki cage match win over Natsuoko Tora & Saki Kashima & Momo Watanabe & Starlight Kid & Ruaka & Rina match at today’s Stardom PPV show at Yoyogi Gym. Hayashishita was busted open and bled heavily after being hit with a lead pipe to the face by Tora when she was trying to escape. Oedo Tai turned on Kashima for being the last one left in the cage and losing the match for them and the winning Queen’s Quest team made the save. But Kashima did not join Queen’s Quest today. One reader said it was similar to some of the biggest Dragon Gate Dead or Alive cage matches and how the storytelling and usage of weapons came across so well.

Mariah May & Mina Shirakawa won the Goddess of Stardom tag titles from Mirai & Ami Sohrei on the show. Giulia also issued a challenge to Willow Nightingale for the New Japan Strong women’s title. This looks to take place either 7/4 or 7/5 at Korakuen Hall.

Matt Cardona will be on the DDT 7/23 Peter Pan show at Sumo Hall, facing Tetsuya Endo for their Universal title. Yuji Hino vs. Chris Brookes is the main event for the KO-D title. Konosuke Takeshita returns to face Yuki Ueno on the show.

WWE’s Most Wanted Treasures at 9 p.m. Eastern tonight on A&E will be about Kurt Angle. Stone Cold Takes on America airs at 10 p.m.

WWE house show from last night in Monroe, LA:

  • Charlotte Flair b Bayley with the figure eight
  • Omos b Rick Boogs with a tree slam
  • Santos Escobar b LA Knight by holding the tights. Knight was very popular and he cut a promo before the match on winning Money in the Bank and fans weren’t happy Escobar came out to interrupt the promo. They didn’t boo Escobar but started giving him the what statement.
  • Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler kept the women’s tag titles over Raquel Rodriguez & Liv Morgan. Rousey & Baszler came out with both sets of belts.
  • Bobby Lashley b Baron Corbin
  • Asuka b Shotzi with the Asuka lock to keep the WWE women’s title
  • Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn won four-way to keep the tag titles over Street Profits, Pretty Deadly and Sheamus & Butch when Zayn pinned Elton Prince.

The WWE opens its tour of the U.K. on Wednesday in Liverpool for a house show with this card:

  • Raquel Rodriguez vs. Piper Niven
  • Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Bronson Reed
  • Ricochet vs. Dominik Mysterio
  • Becky Lynch vs. Zoey Stark
  • Matt Riddle & New Day (Kofi Kingston advertised as back in the ring after his recent injury) vs. Emporium
  • Natalya vs. Rhea Ripley for women’s world title
  • Cody Rhodes vs. Finn Balor street fight
  • Seth Rollins vs. Damien Priest for world title

There was huge controversy regarding Friday night’s PFL show in Atlanta, which drew a reported sellout. In a battle of former lightweight season champions, Natan Schulte vs. Raush Manfio, Shulte won a decision 30-27, 30-27 and 29-28 to advance to the final four in the division. Schulte took third in the standings. But later, the PFL announced that Shulte and Manfio did not give their best efforts (the two, who are very close friends, had what was described as a sparring session) and the promotion pulled Schulte from the final four and replaced him with fifth place Shane Burgos. The statement said both fighters have been suspended because the match “did not meet the standards which all PFL fighters agree to uphold in competition.” They took away Schulte’s points. Schulte is the Godfather of Manfio’s daughter and Manfio had noted that Schulte had lent him money to allow him to not lose his house and had said he was his best friend. A lot of reporters were very critical of the PFL for this, noting that this type of decision should have come from the athletic commission, basically overturning a win, and not the promotion.

Georges St-Pierre called himself a big fan of Elon Musk, said he’d like to help train Musk for a fight with Mark Zuckerberg. Earlier Jon Jones said he’d like to train Zuckerberg for such a fight.

Xavier Woods and Kenny Omega have gone back-and-forth in the video game world trading barbs. They’ve been working their own feud for five years or more. If you recall, many years ago both the New Day and Elite worked to put together a six-man tag but political issues kept it from happening.

OTHER NOTES

A horse named Cactus Jack won the second race at Monmouth in New Jersey yesterday and paid $19 (thanks to Barry Werner)

Pro Wrestling Eve runs on 7/2 at The Dome in Tufnell Park in London. They announced Billie Starkz on the show against Nina Samuels along with Miyu Yamashita vs. Emersyn Jayne.

Choco Pro, a women’s promotion in Japan will be running 8/26, All In weekend, at The Yard Theater in Hackney Wick, London at 2 p.m. You must be over the age of 18 to attend.

AEW Double or Nothing live results: Four Pillars World title match, Anarchy in the Arena

AEW returns to the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, for Double or Nothing.

AEW World Champion MJF defends against Sammy Guevara, Darby Allin and “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry in the first-ever meeting between all “Four Pillars.”

The reformed Elite (Kenny Omega, Young Bucks & Hangman Page) face the Blackpool Combat Club (Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson, Wheeler Yuta & Claudio Castagnoli) in an Anarchy in the Arena match.

Injured AEW Women’s Champion Jamie Hayter defends against former champion Toni Storm while TBS Champion Jade Cargill defends against Taya Valkyrie in a rematch.

AEW Tag Team Champions FTR defend against Jeff Jarrett & Jay Lethal with Mark Briscoe as the conflicted special guest referee.

Adam Cole and Chris Jericho will battle in an unsanctioned match as TNT Champion Wardlow defends against Christian Cage in a ladder match.

The card also features title defenses by AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy and AEW Trios Tag Team Champions the House of Black.

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Buy In

Renee Paquette, Kazeem Famuyide, Paul Wight & Stokely Hathaway welcome us to the Buy In and they throw it right to the back to RJ City talking about upcoming events for AEW. Paquette and company then run down the entire Double or Nothing card this evening, leading to a video package highlighting Anarchy in the Arena.

Footage of Jim Ross sitting down with Don Callis is shown, who said he did the hardest thing a parent or family member could do. It was a cancer eating away at Callis, so he cut it out, but tells Omega that he hasn’t even started cutting yet.

Video packages for the AEW Women’s Title, Non Sanctioned Match and Tag Team Title Match are shown before Jim Ross makes his way to ringside where Excalibur & Taz are seated, which is where the commentary team will be this evening.

The Hardys (Matt & Jeff) & FTW Champion HOOK (w/Brother Zay) defeated Ethan Page & The Gunns (Austin & Colten)

(A fun opening party match that went much longer than I thought it would. As a result, Matt Hardy now owns the contract of Ethan Page.)

This is Jeff Hardy’s first official match in about 11 months. HOOK & Austin start us off with Austin getting a shoulder block, but posed too long with HOOK locking in a leg lock. Matt & Jeff took turns tagging in and going after the arm before HOOK his overhead throws on everyone in sight. The Gunns & Page were triple clotheslined to the floor where the regrouped and in doing so Austin tripped up HOOK and followed with a bulldog. HOOK remained isolated until Page was dropped with the El Camino and Matt made the hot tag.

The Gunns & Page were all planted with Side Effects before a second rope elbow to Colten got a near fall. Austin & Page attacked Brother Zay on the floor, ripping his neck brace off, as that was enough distraction for Colten to pop Matt with a dropkick. It was Matt’s turn to be isolated with Page mocking delete chants, until both Gunns were launched outside. Jeff & HOOK reached for the hot tag, but were both pulled away by Colten & Page before Matt could get there. Finally, Matt hit a DDT on Page to allow Jeff to make the hot tag and run wild with his greatest hits offense.

A stalling splash off the second by Jeff led to a Twist of Fate attempt, but Jeff’s knee twisted up and as he went for Whisper in the Wind, the legs went out. Taz talked about ring rust playing a part, as Jeff hit a corkscrew kick on Page and HOOK tagged in with a fisherman’s suplex. HOOK & Page had a nice back and forth before sank in a cross arm breaker, but Colten made the save. Matt made a blind tag, as The Hardys hit an assisted splash in the corner, but as Jeff went up top, Austin crotched him. 3:10 to Yuma connected on Matt, but Jeff broke up the pin with a Swanton Bomb on both Gunns. Page clobbered HOOK with a big boot, but HOOK avoided Ego’s Edge, as the match broke down with the Hardys hitting double Twist of Fates on the Gunns. Page was left alone, as he ate two Twist of Fates and the REDRUM for the submission.

**********

Owen Hart Cup Opening Ceremonies

Renee Paquette welcomes Dr. Martha Hart to the stage where both trophies and titles for the Owen Hart Cup are set up. Paquette talks about the tournament kicking off at Forbidden Door as Hart said it’s great to be back in Vegas and AEW. Tony Khan walks out wearing a fedora with the Owen Hart Foundation logo on it as Hart talks about the schedule of the Owen Hart Cup and it’s wrapping up at the Calgary Stampede.

**********

The entrants for the Blackjack Battle Royal for the International Title are taking place, which will kick off the show this evening.

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AEW Double or Nothing

Orange Cassidy won the Blackjack Battle Royal to retain the AEW International Title

(I thought this was one of the better battle royals that AEW has put on, as we got some fun interactions, continuations of current feuds, some surprise eliminations and a really great finish. Lots of matches could come out of this one, as the amazing title reign of Cassidy continues.)

(Participants included Chuck Taylor, Trent Beretta, Bandido, Ari Daivari, Tony Nese, Lee Moriarty, Big Bill, Komander, The Butcher, The Blade, Kip Sabian, Jay White, Juice Robinson, Dustin Rhodes, Keith Lee, Ricky Starks, Penta el Zero Miedo, Rey Fenix, Swerve Strickland, Brian Cage & Orange Cassidy)

Sabian immediately tried to toss Cassidy as we barely caught Beretta doing a moonsault to the floor as there are still people brawling around ringside. Komander did his breathtaking rope walk dive onto Bill & Moriarty as Strickland & Cage are shown watching on the ramp. Excalibur said they’re waiting for the field to thin and I’m not sure how that’s even legal. Bandido, Komander & The Lucha Bros all teamed up as Bandido hit a stalling suplex on Nese, who was eliminated. Daivari was brought to the apron and punted in the face by Fenix, who did a rope walk to get rid of both Varsity Athletes. Cage started laying out all he luchadores before Bandido nearly pressed Cage over his head. Cage ate multiple thrust kicks as the Lucha Bros and Bullet Club Gold went at it before Komander tried another rope walk, but White shoved him to the floor.

Sabian ate a triple choke slam by Best Friends & Cassidy, who tossed him and gave the people what they wanted. Taylor was dumped by Bill, as Cassidy low bridged in the process unintentionally to eliminate his buddy. The Blade was eliminated by Lee, who was attacked from behind by Strickland, finally getting into the match. Butcher ate double Lucha Bros thrust kicks to be eliminated. Moriarty was able to get rid of Bandido, as Moriarty & Beretta battled to the apron where Beretta hit a half and half suplex to eliminate Moriarty. Cassidy was about to be eliminated by Big Bill, but Beretta took the bullet and ate a kick to get eliminated. Lee was so preoccupied on getting rid of Strickland; Cage snuck up from behind and dumped Lee to loud boos. Rhodes laid out Cage with Cross Rhodes, but Strickland made the save.

Robinson & White sent Penta into Fenix to eliminate him, as Starks dumped Robinson in the process. White laid out Starks which led to a faceoff with White & Penta ending in a Blade Runner from White, who turned around and ate a Starks Spear. White was eliminated by Starks, as Robinson pulled Starks to the outside and laid out by White. Starks went under the bottom rope, so it’s down to him, Bill, Strickland, Cage, Penta, Rhodes & Cassidy. A surprising elimination came when Bill clocked Starks with a big boot and got loud boos from the crowd. Cage was dumped by Rhodes, who was immediately caught with a kick by Strickland to eliminate him.

The remaining four men had a sprint with high impact offense until Penta tried chopping down Bill, who hit another big boot to eliminated Penta. Bill is eliminating some huge fan favorites tonight, as he laid out Cassidy with a Boss Man Slam. Bill went to press slam Cassidy over the top, but Strickland dumped him out. Cassidy & Strickland took turns trying to dump each other until a countered DDT into Stundog Millionaire led to a Strickland no sell into the Kill Shot for the double down. Prince Nana tripped up Cassidy to allow Strickland to hit a Swerve Stomp. Cassidy battled back with multiple DDTs and Orange Punch that send Strickland to the apron. Strickland blocked another one, brought Cassidy to the apron, as Nana ran distraction again enough for Strickland to try one more double stomp. Cassidy got the feet up and just lightly kicked Strickland’s hand from the ropes to win the match.

**********

Adam Cole (w/Roderick Strong) defeated Chris Jericho (w/the Jericho Appreciation Society) in an Unsanctioned Match with Sabu as the Special Enforcer

(I enjoyed almost everything about this match but the finish. I know what they were going for with Cole wanting to bash Jericho’s head in for his actions, but it felt flat and the crowd didn’t really know what to make of it. They were happy Cole won, it was just an unexpected way to finish it. This does technically give Jericho an out, as he never quit or was pinned, he can blame Aubrey for the loss.)

Sabu & Strong chucked chairs at Matt Menard & Angelo Parker immediately, as Sabu & Jericho had a face off in the ring with chairs, swinging them at one another. Sabu won that battle, as Cole set up a table ringside and Sabu jumped off the top to put Menard & Parker through it. Strong & Hager and Garcia & Sabu battled to the back to leave Cole & Jericho in the ring one on one. That was it for the guys not actually involved in this match. Jericho was sent outside and landed really awkwardly in the process. Cole wanted a Panama Sunrise on the apron, but Jericho countered into a suplex to the floor. Jericho controlled the action, cutting off Cole whenever he attempted to battle back. With a chair set up in the corner, Jericho charged, but ran head first into it. Jericho recovered long enough to try a Lionsault, but Cole hit a superkick mid move. Cole again missed Panama Sunrise, this time countered into a Walls of Jericho. Excalibur said since it’s an Unsanctioned Match that there are no rope breaks.

Cole reached down under the ropes and grabbed a fire extinguisher, where he sprayed Jericho to release the hold. Cole decked Jericho with the extinguisher, but only got a two count. Cole went to drop The Boom, but ran right into a Code Breaker for two, as Jericho returned the favor by spraying Cole with the extinguisher. Jericho got a kendo stick, but took way too long as Dr. Britt Baker ran to the ring with a stick of her own and lit up Jericho with strikes. Saraya hit the ring and was clobbered as well as both ladies ran backstage. Cole chokes Jericho with the kendo stick and got a backstabber for two.

Cole climbed to the top, but took too long, as Jericho chucked a chair at his face and Cole fell through a table outside, right on cue with fans chanting they wanted tables. Jericho pulled out a chain and handcuffs, which Jericho locked on Cole’s hand, but in return, Cole got the advantage and cuffed Jericho as well, so a Chain Match this has turned into. Cole hit a Panama Sunrise, but missed The Boom, as Jericho started whipping away with the chain. Jericho tried to choke Cole out, but Cole scaled the ropes and hit a superkick. Cole finally lowered The Boom, then wrapped the chain around his knee to hit another Boom before mounting Jericho and punched away to the point referee Aubrey stopped the match. The crowd was quiet for this finish.

**********

FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) defeated Jay Lethal & Jeff Jarrett (w/Sonjay Dutt, Satnam Singh & Karen Jarrett) to retain the AEW Tag Team Titles with Mark Briscoe as Guest Referee

(I’ve loved everything about this over the top feud. So many bells and whistles, which, by all accounts, should take away from the match, but it only added to it. Everyone played their role great in this feud, job well done to all involved.)

Lethal & Harwood started things off with a nice opening sequence of mat wrestling which led to a chop battle. FTR hit double dropkicks and atomic drops ending in attempted double Sharpshooters, but Lethal & Jarrett bailed to regroup. Lethal tried to have Jarrett jump in without making a legal tag, but Briscoe caught them and shoved Jarrett down. Lethal was backdropped over the top to the floor onto his partner. Back inside, Briscoe’s attention was turned as Wheeler was low bridged by Jarrett, who at first was going to use a chair, was scolded, so he opted to just ram Wheeler into the barricade repeatedly. I love how Jim Ross compared Sonjay Dutt’s screeching ringside to a rooster. Jarrett took Briscoe to allow Karen to choke Wheeler briefly, as Jarrett did a Garvin Stomp and Fargo Strut. Jarrett locked on a Figure Four, as Harwood had seen enough and did a diving headbutt to break it up.

Wheeler finally leapfrogged Lethal to make the hot tag to Harwood, who turned Lethal inside out with a short arm lariat. Really nice rolling Germans by Harwood until a series of switches led to a Harwood brainbsuter for two. Lethal battled back with Lethal Combination as the match broke down with Dutt grabbing Wheeler’s foot on the apron long enough for Jarrett to post him. Lethal & Harwood fought in the ropes where Lethal took way too long for his elbow, as Harwood crotched him. A superplex led to a Doomsday Powerbomb by FTR as Wheeler hit a dive on Jarrett, but Dutt pulled Harwood to the floor to break the count. Briscoe saw enough and ejected Dutt & Singh, but Jarrett snuck in from behind with a guitar. Harwood moved and Briscoe ate the guitar shot.

Lethal tried Lethal Injection, but FTR countered into Shatter Machine for the visible pin, but no referee. Referee Aubrey sprinted to the ring, but Dutt stepped in front of her. Karen Jarrett wiped Aubrey out with a guitar shot to a huge reaction, as Lethal hit a double Lethal Injection on FTR with everyone down. Karen threw a title belt to Lethal, as Jarrett held Harwood, who fought free and laid out Lethal with a piledriver. Jarrett caught Harwood with a belt shot and The Stroke, as Dutt woke up Briscoe to make a close two count. A furious Jarrett started pie facing Briscoe, slapping him until Briscoe slapped Jarrett, who turned around into Shatter Machine for the victory.

-Alex Marvez is backstage with Ricky Starks, who was asked about Bullet Club Gold and right on cue, they pounced on Starks. FTR came running into the shot, as Starks might’ve finally found backup for his feud with Jay White & Juice Robinson.

-Chris Jericho & Saraya are furious backstage, demanding Tony Khan give them a mix tag team match against Britt Baker & Adam Cole this Wednesday. One random security guard showed up to tell them to calm down and suffered a fireball to the face by the Wizard as a result.

**********

Wardlow (w/Arn Anderson) defeated Christian Cage (w/Luchasaurus) in a Ladder Match to retain the TNT Title

(This was a pretty wild ladder match with some pretty big spots, most notably Wardlow channeling Jeff Hardy from Wrestlemania 2000 with an unreal Swanton through tables. I thought this stipulation was pretty rushed, but Wardlow definitely got a huge reaction as a result, so mission accomplished.)

Cage told Luchasaurus to go to the back during his entrance, as Anderson did the same for Wardlow. It was a game of power vs. speed early, as Wardlow ran through Cage with a shoulder tackle and powered out of a Killswitch attempt. Wardlow tried bringing in a ladder, but Cage hit a baseball slide, tried a slingshot dive, only to eat a ladder shot by Wardlow. With Cage down, Wardlow set up multiple tables and was going to try for a massive Swanton through them, but Cage bailed. With a ladder bridge set up and both men standing on it, Cage was able to crotch Wardlow and slingshot him into a ladder back in the ring. Cage started to climb the ladder, but Wardlow shoved him off to the mat. Wardlow wanted a powerbomb, Cage wiggled free, climbed the ladder, but was caught into a slam. Wardlow delivered a pretty great looking spinning gorilla press slam as Cage rolled to the floor.

Wardlow went to climb, but Luchasaurus hit ringside, shoving Cage back in the ring who delivered a reverse DDT off the ladder. Cage tried a charge, but Wardlow caught him into a slam on the ladder. Wardlow placed Cage on the ladder, went for a Swanton Bomb, but crashed and burned. Cage climbed the ladder as Arn Anderson helped Wardlow up, who leapt off the top onto the ladder and it collapsed. Wardlow is limping badly, as he tried to climb the broken ladder and it collapsed again. A better ladder is brought in the ring, but Luchasaurus chokeslammed Wardlow twice. Anderson made the save, nearly got chokeslammed himself, but bit the thumb of Luchasaurus to draw blood. Wardlow took out Luchasaurus with a chair and set him up on the tables. Wardlow climbed to the top of a super tall ladder and hit an incredible Swanton Bomb off it putting Luchasaurus through the tables.

Cage slowly climbed the ladder, but Anderson & Wardlow got in the ring, as Anderson swung Cage’s legs off the ladder and Wardlow caught him with a super powerbomb. Wardlow climbed and grabbed the title to retain. Wardlow held the title high with Anderson, whose mouth was covered in blood from biting Luchasaurus’ thumb.

**********

Toni Storm defeated Jamie Hayter to win the AEW Women’s Title

(Well, I guess there really was truth to the story of Hayter legitimately being injured, as this was very quick and while Hayter did get off a little offense, this was nothing like their other battles. There was a lot of interference and this is unfortunately what they had to do if Hayter is going to be out a little bit. Credit to Hayter for toughing it out, but congratulations goes to Toni Storm, who really has been crushing it lately on her win streak. She deserved another run with the title in my opinion.)

Hayter didn’t come out when her music first hit, but the second time Saraya & Ruby Soho tossed a beaten up Hayter down the ramp. Storm repeatedly slammed Hayter into the ring steps, the same way she injured Hayter’s arm last month. Both ladies are in the ring, as referee Paul Turner asks if Hayter can go, as she says yes and the match begins. Saraya immediately untied a corner turnbuckle pad and the referee just watched her do it. Britt Baker ran out to brawl with Saraya as Hayter tossed Storm into the corner where Turner was with Soho. Hayter got a near fall on Storm, who took the ref to allow Soho to spray paint Hayter in the eyes and Storm hit Sweet Cheek Music for two. Hikaru Shida hit the ring with her kendo stick as she & Soho brawled ringside.

Hayter sent Storm into the exposed buckle and hit Hayter-ade, but it was with the bad arm, so Hayter couldn’t follow up immediately, thus getting a two count. Hayter tried another one, but was sent super awkwardly into the exposed buckle herself and Storm hit Storm Zero to win the title.

**********

House of Black (Malakai Black, Brody King & Buddy Matthews w/Julia Hart) defeated The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens & Max Caster) & Daddy Ass to retain the AEW Trios Titles in an Open House Match

(This was another strong title defense by the House of Black, who really kept Bowens isolated for a long stretch of this match. The Acclaimed & Daddy Ass put up a good fight, but the House of Black is on a whole other level right now.)

Caster’s rap compared King to someone on RuPaul’s Drag Race and also said Matthews was being cucked by a kid named Dominick, which was a great line. Caster said they didn’t need a Dealer’s Choice option for this match, so I guess that stip is out the window. An evenly matched opening sequence led to Bowens & Black both sitting criss cross until Matthews made the tag and went after the arm. Caster was able to get the tag and hit a back suplex on the side of the apron for two. Caster & Black collided as King made the tag and leveled Caster with a lariat. The Acclaimed were able to fight off Black in their corner and tried Scissor Me Timbers, which Black countered into a leg lock.

Caster & Gunn were beaten up on the floor, as King hit a charging cross body against the barricade on Gunn. Bowens tried fighting back with a fireman’s carry into a neckbreaker on the knee, but it was the bad wheel and Bowens collapsed. With Caster & Gunn down, there was no one to tag, as Black locked in another leg lock, tagged Matthews, who hit a Meteora. King connected with a senton and Taz said it was like a bathtub falling on you in a perfect description. Bowens was isolated for quite a long time until he fought off Dante’s Inferno, low bridged King, sent Matthews & Black outside, finally hitting Matthews with a thrust kick to make the Gunn hot tag.

Gunn ran wild with splashes; tilt a whirl slam and the old One and Only finisher on Black before dropping King on his head with a Fame Asser. Matthews ate a Fame Asser through the ropes, but as Gunn turned around, Black hit his Black Mass spin kick to win it.

**********

Jade Cargill (w/Leila Grey & Mark Sterling) defeated Taya Valkyrie to retain the TBS Title

(The champ remains undefeated for the time being and I thought this match blew their first one out of the water, mainly because there wasn’t a silly stipulation added to it.)

Cargill danced to the ring with members of Alpha Kappa Alpha, her sorority as we saw Jade’s partner Brandon Phillips ringside, who got mentioned by commentary. Valkyrie and Cargill had an early face off with Valkyrie getting the upper hand with a sliding lariat. Cargill tried to regroup with Mark Sterling, but he was flattened by a diving Valkyrie off the top. That allowed Cargill to clock Valkyrie with a pump kick to gain control. Valkyrie battled back momentarily with a sliding German suplex through the ropes, but Cargill responded with a suplex on the floor. Back inside, Cargill planted Valkyrie with a nice spinebuster for a near fall and draped Valkyrie throat first over the barricade outside.

Valkyrie battled back with a series of lariats in the ring, but Cargill did the same with short arm lariats of her own. Cargill went for a sleeper, but Valkyrie quickly countered into a Blue Thunder Bomb. Cargill attempted a springboard attack, but Valkyrie hit a double knee right to the sternum, almost a lungblower variation. Valkyrie tied up Cargill’s legs and hit a nasty Curb Stomp for two as Grey jumped on the apron and immediately kicked to the floor. Valkyrie connected with a Spear and Road to Valhalla, but Cargill managed a kick out, which really shocked the fans. Valkyrie went for another attack, but Cargill kicked her in the face and hit Jaded to get the win and go 60-0.

Post match, Mark Sterling said Cargill will defend the title anytime, anywhere, but there is no one left. Kris Statlander made her return to a huge reaction, as this is apparently an official match.

Kris Statlander defeated Jade Cargill to win the TBS Title

Cargill missed a pump kick, as Statlander hit a roundhouse kick, corner charge with a knee lift and attempted a stalling vertical suplex, which Cargill escaped. Cargill hit a pump kick, tried Jaded, but Statlander reversed into Night Fever to win the title, as the crowd is going insane as confetti pours down. Statlander signed that mama is home as this was quite the return for Statlander, who has battled so many injuries to finally get to this moment.

**********

The AEW Title 4 Way is next and during Sammy Guevara’s entrance, he brought out cue cards along with Tay Melo and we learn Tay is pregnant, so congratulations to the Guevara’s as Tay kissed her husband before he went to the ring.

Darby Allin’s entrance was Allin interrupting a wedding ceremony put on by an Elvis impersonator. Allin beat up someone with a MJF mask on as Allin & The King taped up the guy, as Allin rode into the arena wearing an Elvis jumpsuit, which is half skeleton painted. This is quite the visual and I certainly wasn’t expecting to type that line tonight, even in Vegas.

MJF was lowered on a throne and welcomed by harem of women lined up down the ramp. This repulsed Tony Schiavone.

Meanwhile, Jungle Boy Jack got his standard entrance first and I feel bad there wasn’t any crazy over the top stuff for him.

MJF defeated Jungle Boy Jack Perry, Darby Allin & Sammy Guevara to retain the AEW World Title

(I’m fully aware I wrote a lot about this match, that’s because a whole hell of a lot went into this four way. Many of us correctly assumed who would win, but the false finishes and huge moments in this match were fantastic. All four of these men knocked it out of the park and the crowd was really into it. I thought this was phenomenal.)

MJF took an early powder saying this was on his time, but was quickly beaten up to the floor as Guevara, Perry & Allin all went at it, kipping up at the same time. Perry did a double springboard arm drag to send Allin & Guevara to the outside, but MJF turned Perry inside out with a lariat. MJF teased a dive, but opted for a Fargo Strut and Rick Rude hip swivel. Allin hit a dive on MJF on the floor, as Perry followed up with three dives in succession of his own. This left Guevara, who hit his wild Shooting Star Press to the floor. Tower of Doom spot led to everyone just mowing down MJF. Perry got a two count off a Poison Rana on Guevara, while Allin hit full steam corner charges on Perry & MJF, who hit a float over stunner and side headlock on MJF for two to follow up that story.

Guevara flipped off the apron to the floor, landed on his feet, caught Perry with a thrust kick and laid out Allin with a cutter mid dive. Guevara laid out MJF with a standing Spanish Fly and top rope Frog Splash, but MJF kicked out to chants for Sammy from the crowd. MJF stacked Guevara with a powerbomb and nearly got a side headlock on Allin, followed by dropping Allin right on his head with a driver for two. MJF spat on Allin as all four men started hitting high impact moves leading to a quadruple down. Allin, Guevara & Perry all hit moves by their mentors, a Scorpion Death Drop, Code Breaker & Killswitch leading to MJF hitting Cross Rhodes for a two count on Perry.

MJF took the microphone and said he saw the cue cards, Guevara needs the money. Guevara said he’ll lie down and take the money, as he laid down, only to roll up MJF for two. MJF blocked the GTH, tried Salt of the Earth, but Guevara countered into Walls of Jericho. Perry went to break it up, but Allin sank in a Scorpion Death Drop. MJF was going to tap, but Perry stopped him. All four pillars had submissions applied at the same time before MJF broke things up first. This led to three Destroyers in a row, as Perry used Guevara & Allin’s backs as launch pads to hit a perfect Destroyer on MJF for two. Perry hit a Tiger Driver on Guevara, but Allin launched Perry into the barricade, got a head start and tackled both Perry & MJF into the crowd.

Guevara cut off Allin climbing the ropes and hit a Spanish Fly onto MJF & Perry on the floor to loud Holy Sh*t chants. With everyone back inside, all four men slugged it out with chops and forearms until MJF eye poked all three. Guevara answered with his springboard cutter, Allin with a Code Red and Perry charging forearm on MJF as all three took turns trying to get the pin. A crazy series of innovative near falls brought the fans to their feet until Guevara spiked Perry with an Implant DDT, Allin hit another Code Red, went for a Coffin Drop, but MJF crotched him. MJF hit a perfect Blonde Bombshell powerbomb off the top as tribute to Chris Candido, but Allin kicked out.

Guevara connected with a Cutter off the ropes on Perry, who rolled to the floor, as MJF hit a low blow on Guevara and pulled out the Diamond Ring. Allin smacked MJF in the back with a skateboard and demolished him with a Coffin Drop, applied a side headlock, but Perry broke up the pin. Perry & Allin collided in the middle, as MJF tried to hit Perry with the AEW Title, as Guevara tackled MJF to the outside. Perry was left holding the title, debated hitting Allin with it and threw it away to boos from the crowd and nearly got rolled up as a result. Guevara hit GTH on Perry, but was launched outside by Allin, who hit a Coffin Drop, only for MJF to put the title on Perry prior to it happening. MJF rolled up Allin with a side headlock to get the win.

**********

The Blackpool Combat Club (Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta) defeated The Elite (Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks & Hangman Adam Page) in Anarchy in the Arena

(This was wild, chaotic, insane, quite fittingly, pure anarchy. With the way the finish was set up and the turn that happened, it’s no surprise this went on last. It looks like The Elite are outnumbered once again and I don’t know if this is who will help them, but it certainly would be great if Omega turned to a Golden Lover to help even the odds. No matter who they get to help them, a lot of matches are still left to be had in this feud.)

Violent Idols sang Wild Thing on the stage as The Elite met the BCC in stands while the band kept playing. Nick & Yuta, Matt & Castagnoli, Page & Danielson and Omega & Moxley are all paired off as Don Callis has joined the broadcast table. Referee Rick Knox was clobbered ringside and is the first person to bleed in this match. Page laid out Danielson with a Buckshot Lariat and took off the eye patch, throwing it to Danielson and stalked him down with a screwdriver before Yuta chop blocked him. Page was beaten down 4 on 1 until The Bucks & Omega made the save and The Elite poured down punches in all four corners followed by superkicks. Quadruple Tope Suicidas by The Elite as Moxley is bleeding now, which, of course he is, it’d be weird if he didn’t.

The match spilled up the ramp, as The Bucks laid out the lead singer of Violent Idols to stop the music. The Bucks both dove off the ramp onto Castagnoli & Yuta while back in the ring Omega & Moxley beat each other up with parts of the announce table. Matt Jackson hit rolling Northern Lights suplexes on Yuta down the ramp before Nick leapt both of them onto Castagnoli. Yuta was powerbombed on the edge of the ring while Moxley was beaten up by Omega & Page until Page accidentally booted Omega. Castanoli & Matt fought into the stands, as Moxley launched Omega into a giant poker chip, which was a cool call back to the first Double or Nothing. There’s a poker chip covered in barbed wire, and Moxley hit a snap suplex on Omega into it.

On one side of the screen Moxley was stabbing Omega with a fork, while the other side Castagnoli was doing a Giant Swing in the concessions area on Matt. Moxley had a sleeper on Omega, who fell back onto the barbed wire. Nick Jackson & Page are also bleeding now as The BCC are taking turns picking apart Page while Castagnoli & Matt fought outside of the building. Moxley hit a brainbuster on a chair on Nick, while Danielson somehow found a leaf blower to bring in the ring. Page was able to hit Dead Eye on Moxley on the apron, as Omega, wearing Captain America trunks, started wielding a trash can lid like a shield before Castagnoli stopped him.

Nick made a comeback until Moxley hit a King Kong lariat and piledriver for two. Nick was locked in a Boston Crab and Crossface by Moxley & Yuta until Matt limped to the ring after being piledrove in a bed of a pickup truck. Matt hit an exploding superkick on Moxley, you read that right, as Page hit a Buckshot on Yuta. Matt had his shoe taken off, as Moxley brought in thumbtacks and dropped Matt barefoot onto them before hitting a Death Rider. Nick tried to save his brother, but was hit with a Cutter into the tacks. Castagnoli tried a Ricola Bomb on Omega, who floated through with a V-Trigger. Danielson charged in with Busiaku Knees on both Omega and Page before The BCC hit stereo anvil elbows on The Elite.

Matt had tacks placed in his mouth and Castagnoli uppercut them right out, as Yuta hit a German suplex for two. Omega & Page rose up, realized they are outnumbered, but fought off the challengers until Page hit Danielson with Dead Eye and Omega with One Winged Angel, but Yuta made the save. Omega & Page hit rolling offense on Yuta, as Page & Omega wanted double Buckshots, but Callis handed Yuta a screwdriver and Page was hit. Callis was about to be laid out by Omega when a masked man laid him out with a flying knee. It was revealed to be Konosuke Takeshita as Yuta got the seatbelt pin on Omega to win it.

Post match, Callis took his belt off and choked out Omega with The BCC & Takeshita standing tall as Castagnoli raised Yuta on his shoulders with Moxley & Danielson posing in the corners to end the show. Excalibur questions if Takeshita & Callis are members of the BCC and Taz said it certainly looks like it.

VIDEO: Being the Elite – ‘Heart, Soul, Spirit’

Video —

On this week’s episode, we find out that Kenny Omega already knew about the little nod Matt Jackson gave to Hangman Page at Full Gear 2021. Omega wasn’t upset about it at all. Also, everyone sang the Chilli’s theme song. 

Opening —

  • Hangman Page was back with the Elite in their locker room. He asked what they do after shows these days and they said they go to Wendy’s. Page was upset by this and it led to them singing the Chilli’s theme song. 
  • Following this, a travel montage and clips from the Young Bucks at an autograph signing were shown. 

Iron Savages Workout Segment

  • A montage featuring the members of The Iron Savages working out was shown. 

Ryan Nemeth attends Writer’s Guild Strike

  • Ryan Nemeth attended the Writer’s Guild Strike again this week and asked striking writers who their favorite wrestlers are.
  • Almost all writers seemed to say that Nemeth is their favorite wrestler. 

Clips from Dynamite air

  • A montage of clips from last week’s AEW Dynamite is shown.
  • Some clips from after the show went off the air were shown as well. 

Kenny Omega knows about Full Gear 2021 —

  • The Dark Order decided they were going to tell Omega about what happened when he lost the title to Hangman but when they walked into The Elite locker room, everyone was singing the Chilli’s theme song. Sad music played and they left. 
  • In a post-credit scene, Omega wondered aloud if Page will ever be able to fully forgive him for the things he did while he was a bad guy. Page and Omega said that they are willing to work through it. 
  • The Dark Order then came in and revealed to Omega what happened at Full Gear 2021. 
  • Omega seemed angry at first but in the end, he admitted he already knew about it and wasn’t upset at the Bucks or Page. 

Young Bucks return on AEW Dynamite

The Young Bucks are back in AEW.

After three weeks away, Matt & Nick Jackson returned on Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite to back up Kenny Omega and take out the Blackpool Combat Club.

Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli and Wheeler Yuta were continuing their attack on Elite members Michael Nakazawa and Brandon Cutler following Moxley and Castagnoli’s win over them. Omega’s music hit and he distracted the group while the Bucks snuck in from behind, leading to a six-man brawl.

The Bucks and Omega were eventually left alone with Moxley who escaped as Omega charged at him with a screwdriver.

The Bucks were taken away in an ambulance at the start of the March 22nd Dynamite due to an off-screen attack by the Blackpool Combat Club. That was done to write the team off for a few weeks as Matt Jackson is dealing with a partially torn biceps that is hoped to be healed by May’s Double or Nothing.

VIDEO: Being the Elite – ‘I Was Wrong’

Video —

Opening —

  • This week’s video opened up with footage of Adam Cole just before he went out through the curtain to make his in-ring return on Dynamite last week. 

Rosario Grillo injury update —

  • The Young Bucks stand-in revealed that his super kick percentage is now up to 42%

Ryan Nemeth comedy show —

  • Clips of Ryan Nemeth at The Comedy Store from last week was shown. 
  • Nemeth revealed he signed a new contract but only gets paid when he wins. 
  • His stand-up actually sounds pretty good. He still walks kind of weird, though. 

Footage from AEW Dynamite —

  • Footage of Bryan Danielson attacking Kenny Omega with the Blackpool Combat Club from Dynamite last week is shown.

Matt Jackson injury update —

  • Matt confirmed that he suffered a torn biceps.
  • He was shown on his way to get treatment in Los Angeles. 
  • He said after consulting with doctors and others who have suffered similar injuries that he has decided against surgery and feels like he could be back in weeks rather than months. 

Brandon Cutler at Wrestlecon —

  • Footage from WrestleCon is shown. 
  • Matt Jackson showed off a work of art that a fan made of him and Nick as mermaids (or mermen). A fan also presented them with homemade dolls they made. 

Brandon Cutler and Hangman Page have a chat —

  • Cutler and Page were shown in the back. Page asked how the Bucks are doing and Brandon said that they are doing good, considering their condition. 
  • Page then told Cutler that he “was wrong” when he told him that the Bucks weren’t good friends to him. 
  • Hangman also mentioned how the Bucks were there for him even when he wrestled Kenny for the title. 
  • Cutler said Page’s problems with the Blackpool Combat Club aren’t going to go away until the four of them (Bucks, Page, and Omega) are on the same page. 
  • Hangman said the problem isn’t Omega, it’s Don Callis.

Matt Jackson hopeful to return from injury by AEW Double or Nothing

Matt Jackson of the Young Bucks is hopeful to return to in-ring action by the time AEW Double or Nothing comes around.

Dave Meltzer said on Wrestling Observer Radio that Jackson is getting therapy for a partially torn biceps injury he suffered in Winnipeg during the AEW Trios title match on Dynamite.

Meltzer said the timeframe he was given for Jackson’s recovery is six-to-eight weeks that would put him back in time for the Sunday, May 28th pay-per-view. It’s not a guarantee that Jackson will be ready by then, but it’s a “strong hope” that he will be good to go by then or very soon after if not.

Both Matt & Nick Jackson were written off in storyline by an off-screen attack by the Blackpool Combat Club two weeks ago that saw the former AEW Tag Team Champions taken away in an ambulance.

He has worked through/missed time due to several injuries over the last few years including a partially torn MCL and ACL tear in 2020 and a stinger in 2022.

VIDEO: Being the Elite – ‘Old Dusty Photo’

Video —

Backstage in Sacramento —

  • The Young Bucks, Kenny Omega, and Brandon Cutler are backstage. Nick Jackson spoke about being upset that they lost the Trios Championships to House of Black. 
  • Nick and Brandon apparently spent all night gambling and Nick showed off a big wad of cash that he then used to slap his brother with. 

Trent Beretta breaks some more rules —

  • For the second week in a row, we saw Trent Beretta do something he shouldn’t. This week, Ryan Nemeth dared him to pull some wires out from an electronic board. 

Community bowling day —

  • AEW held a bowling event recently and footage was shown of Leva Bates being particularly bad at it. Several of her gutter balls were shown during this week’s episode. Peter Avalon did much better. 
  • Bates eventually bowled a strike.

Ryan Nemeth promotes Gotham Knights to Orange Cassidy —

  • Nemeth spoke with Orange Cassidy in the back. 
  • He noted that his girlfriend, Anna Lore, plays the role of Stephanie Brown in the upcoming Gotham Knights TV series. 
  • Nemeth encouraged Cassidy to watch the show and Orange responded with his usual level of enthusiasm. 

Brandon Cutler gets an independent booking —

  • Brandon Cutler was shown with Maria and Mike Bennett at an indie show. 

Hangman Page agrees to trios match —

  • Page is shown speaking with Evil Uno on the phone (actually a banana) and agreeing to team with the Dark Order in a six-man tag match on Wednesday’s Dynamite. 
  • Despite him talking into a banana the whole time, I think we are to believe that this phone call did, in fact, take place. 

Wrestling Observer Radio: Madusa interview, plus the news

Dave Meltzer and I are back for a new Wrestling Observer Radio going over all the news in the latest issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter before bringing on Madusa to talk about her new book, “The Woman Who Would Be King.”

Dave and I talked about the following:

  • AEW business and the Dynamite rating
  • Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks
  • WWE and Fox
  • John Cena’s availability

Then, Madusa joined us to talk about her book. Some of the things we discussed:

  • Being a pioneer for women’s wrestling
  • Going to Japan and missing it
  • The culture shock of coming back to America
  • Being one of the boys and that possibly not being a good thing
  • How writing felt like peeling back an onion
  • The strategy involved in writing her story
  • Being let go by WWE and broken promises in WCW
  • Ronda Rousey’s rise in MMA and pro wrestling
  • Not doing interviews during #MeToo

The video version of this show is available for paid video subscribers at video.f4wonline.com.

Click Here To Listen

AEW working on signing The Elite to new long-term contracts

AEW is working on signing The Elite (Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks) to new long-term contracts before they hit free agency.

Dave Meltzer reported the news in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

All three men are founding members of AEW and also hold executive vice president roles.

In January, Meltzer said that AEW was interested in re-signing Matt & Nick Jackson to new deals but that process had yet to begin. 

In late-February, Meltzer reported that Omega’s contract, which was set to expire at the end of January was extended by an unknown amount of time due to the eight months he missed due to injury. 

The three were suspended following last September’s post-All Out fight with CM Punk and Ace Steel. While Steel was released, Punk remains under contract as he is recovering from an torn triceps injury he suffered in his match with Jon Moxley that same night.

If the Bucks and Omega do re-sign, it would end the speculation of all three going to WWE.

From Meltzer:

“With the Bucks, while they may do well in WWE, it’s not guaranteed, and they will have a better schedule in AEW meaning more time with the family and also less matches and can do their style. With Omega, he doesn’t have kids and he would likely get a major push and would have no end to having fresh opponents. It would also close the door to Japan that he’s waited years to re-open. But he did at least consider and have talks with WWE 2018-19 and wasn’t negative about WWE at all while making his choice to go to AEW. (Tony) Khan did say he hoped Omega would be in the company for a long time to come.”

In the last year, AEW has re-signed both Jon Moxley and Chris Jericho to high-profile deals before their contracts were up.

AEW Revolution preview & predictions: Heat checks

Editor’s Note: The following is an opinion-based preview and reflects the opinion of the author

The start of 2023 has been a mixed bag for AEW. The in-ring product has been an undeniable high. They have been giving away pay-per-view caliber matches on free TV on what feels like a weekly basis. The January 11th card alone had Hangman Page vs. Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson vs. Konosuke Takeshita, and The Elite vs. Death Triangle. Is that a good show? Because it seems like a good show.

From bell to bell, the product has been largely spectacular. The problem? A lot of pro wrestling happens outside the ropes. Purely relying on good matches to carry a show leaves almost no room for error. If there happens to be a dud of a card, it shows up in the ratings.

Even with their outstanding in-ring, AEW still feels like an 18-wheeler driving down an icy road. When the road is straight, it’s smooth sailing. The matches are great, the promos are on point, and the storylines are cohesive. But sometimes Tony Khan gets a little wild behind the wheel, the road turns, and the truck starts to wobble.

Three years into their existence, they are still consistently cooling off new, hot acts in strange deference to more established talent. Jamie Hayter getting second or third billing to whatever this Toni Storm/Saraya thing is has to be one of the more confusing things in recent memory. Ricky Starks is mired in an exhaustive, months-long program with Chris Jericho. Jeff Jarrett is still getting weekly segments.

These kinds of self-inflicted skids have been popping up since the company started. So far, they have done a good job steering themselves out of them, but you can only drive on two wheels for so long.

There’s been a lot of ups and downs, a lot of hot and cold. Some of the current feuds work really well while some need to be immediately thrown in the bin. Let’s take a look at the Revolution card, and do a heat check to see how hot or not the matches and feuds are.

Jon Moxley vs. Hangman Page in a Texas Deathmatch

Heat check: Hotter than a Middle Eastern climate

The most compelling match on the card doesn’t have a title attached to it. We, as wrestling fans, have had our worm-addled brains conditioned to believe that the only things that matter are championships. Part of that is because the deplorable ‘rings culture’ has bled over from traditional sports. If reaching the apex, the absolute pinnacle, is the only measure of success, then 99% of us are consistently failing.

This story has no championship implications, it guarantees zero future success. It is simply two dudes with a history that love to fight and it’s the best thing going in AEW.

Hangman and Moxley are the two most real characters in AEW. Most wrestling is built on caricature and largess. Real, actual human beings with actual feelings and actual emotions are not exactly commonplace in wrestling. Since the beginning of AEW, Page has been the most layered and emotionally deep performer in pro wrestling while everything Moxley says or does feels gritty and authentic. His promo on Dynamite this week was excellent and some of the best AEW mic work in months. Both of these guys are special. In a space where authenticity is not always prevalent, or even present, Page and Moxley serve as a refreshing reminder that wrestling can be more than just a spectacle: it can be a platform for genuine human expression.

It’s been a while since Page has been at the top of the card. Whether it was his parental leave or injury-related, he’s been missing from the marquee. It’s time for him to move back up.

Prediction: Hangman Page

Ricky Starks vs. Chris Jericho

Heat check: The steak you grilled but forgot about. It was hot for a while, but you should have eaten it as soon as you could.

Jericho feuds are like Christopher Nolan movies. There’s a great movie (or film, if you’re nasty) in there, but you just have to give up an entire weekend to see it to the end. At their worst, Nolan’s movies are overly long and self-indulgent. They feel bloated and meandering. If they were 20% shorter, the would be so much more enjoyable.

Jericho’s feuds are the same way. They feel like a big deal because he still has the star power that comes with a resume like his. But my god, do they go on forever. The audience might still sing “Judas” every time he comes to the ring, but a sing-a-long is all it is. It’s just muscle memory — a Pavlovian response without real engagement. Sometimes If Jericho did less, he would feel more like the big deal he still is, and the legend he will be remembered as.

In this house, we are never going to complain about Starks regularly being on TV and cashing that PPV check. He’s a few degrees cooler than he was a few months ago, but the crowd is still behind him. His unique charisma really connects and man, the people want this dude to succeed. They want an absolute championship reign. Starks is the total package, the only things stopping him have been outside his control. But it’s all there, and always has been. If not now, when?

Prediction: Ricky Starks

Christian Cage vs. “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry in The Final Burial

Heat check: a low simmer

Cage is a big deal and is presented as a big deal. That’s not a mistake. The clothes and the promos are dripping with polish — the kind that comes with being on TV for the better part of 25 years. He’s been on TV almost as long as Jack from the Jungle has been alive, and the experience difference is stark. 

Jungle Boy is 80% of a really, really good thing, but he’s still finding his voice and character. Experience and reps are all he’s missing. He’s got a natural connection with the fans, the in-ring, and the overall presentation is coming along. If the rough edges get smoothed out, it’s much easier to see the future AEW envisions for him.

This started as a standard no holds barred match but got changed to ‘The Final Burial’ on Rampage. I’m assuming someone realized that no holds barred was too close to a Texas Deathmatch and they made the switch. It’s a welcome one, because the line Jungle Boy delivered about his dad was the best thing he’s done in AEW. This went from being fairly by-the-book to something much more intriguing. This program ends dramatically on Sunday, and could serve as a launching pad for a full-on Jack Perry singles run

Prediction: Jungle Boy

AEW Trios Champions The Elite defend against the House of Black

Heat check: San Diego in May. Just what I want it to be.

The trios titles were made for The Elite. There was a good amount of eye rolling when the titles were announced, assuming they were just another opportunity for Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks to put themselves over. And sure, they’re the champs, but all they’ve done is make people look incredible along the way. The series of matches with Death Triangle was a spectacle (though admittedly a bit too long). They have made Top Flight look like legitimate stars. And none of this is new. For as much crap as The Elite get for patting themselves on the back and being general goobers, they will be remembered as three of the best to ever do it.

Malakai Black can come out every week and say, “As I gazed into the darkness of the desolate mansion, I felt a presence watching me from within, a reminder that some secrets are best left undiscovered” and I’ll vigorously nod yes and want more. But I am not everyone, and sooner or later, the House of Black needs to do something. This qualifies as something. Winning the trios titles qualifies as a big something. A win would establish them as a credible threat and not just three guys with immaculate, spooky vibes.

Prediction: House of Black

AEW Tag Team Champions The Gunns defend against The Acclaimed, Jeff Jarrett & Jay Lethal, and Danhausen & Orange Cassidy in a four-way

Heat Check: Spring in New England. It’s a little all over the place, but surely better things are ahead, right?

There is a fun podcast called ‘Is This Good?’ where they predictably talk about whether or not things are good. One of the first episodes was about whether or not vanity plates are good (they are not). It was fun, it was light, I enjoyed myself. So now I ask, are The Gunns good? My answer? Not really. Austin Gunn is, begrudgingly, very funny. He’s got good facial reactions, comedic timing, and kind of just gets it. His brother does not have any of those things, but he does have a weird tattoo. 

I understand why they won the titles. A shocking win, instant heat, etc, etc, etc. It was a huge risk having the hottest homegrown act in the company lose their titles to a team so unproven and unliked, but color me…intrigued? Interested? I’m not sure what I am, but at least I’m not apathetic. I at least want to see what The Acclaimed are like trying to get back what they lost.

There was a time where the AEW tag division was the best part of the company. The Lucha Bros, The Young Bucks, FTR, Kenny Omega & Adam Page, and Swerve in Our Glory were all champions. If someone said there would be a four-way match for the titles and not only were none of those teams involved, but Jarrett & Lethal were the top contenders, your brain would be scrambled eggs. From historically good tag teams to Jarrett & Lethal getting a title shot at a PPV, life really does come at you fast, I guess. Shout out to Jeff though. The ultimate carnie has found himself at the pay window yet again.

Not everything is doom and gloom, however. The Acclaimed rise to the occasion every time their number is called. Cassidy is wildly popular and a proven big match performer. And my personal biases aside, the people love Danhausen. They simply adore the little demon man. I rolled my eyes at the inclusion of good ol’ Double J, but the dude is a Hall of Fame heat magnet who knows how to work a crowd. I can’t help but think this will wind up being better than the sum of its parts, I just have no idea who wins. And hey, maybe FTR shows up.

Prediction: Gunns

AEW Women’s Champion Jamie Hayter defends against Saraya and Ruby Soho in a three-way

Heat check: Room temperature water. Hayter is the only thing preventing this from being an ice floe adrift at sea.

What, exactly, is this Saraya/Toni Storm pairing supposed to do? I mean, I know what it’s supposed to do, but what is the point? It took a Herculean effort to make Storm uninteresting and take away screen time from the most popular woman on the roster, but Saraya pulled it off. The women’s roster is littered with talent but the A1 story, and really the only story, involves two wrestlers spray painting the letter L on people. When this is the only spotlight the women get, the whole world can see how frigid this is.

Hayter has been put on the back burner and Jade Cargill is relegated to Rampage squash matches, all in service of Saraya getting a chance to move 50% slower than everyone else. The hate she has been getting certainly is way too much, but it’s clear she’s still shaking off a significant amount of expected ring rust. This whole thing has been muddled at best and disastrous at worst. If you squint hard enough you can kind of, sort of, maybe see a world where Storm and Saraya make something good out of this somehow, but I just don’t think there’s any blood in that stone, unfortunately.

Hopefully, Saraya can keep up with Hayter and Soho because they can both fly around the ring. This smells like a schmoz-filled title change, but I can’t bring myself to make that prediction. Jamie Hayter forever.

Prediction: Hayter retains

TNT Champion Samoa Joe defends against Wardlow

Heat check: A tea kettle desperately trying to reach full boil

Joe is an unquestioned legend and AEW certainly does not exist without him. He’s one of the wrestlers who led the independent wrestling boom of the early 2000s and his match with Kenta Kobashi is still the best I have ever seen. It opened my eyes to a different style of wrestling. To that point I was a sweet summer child, thinking that WWE was the father, son, and holy spirit of pro wrestling. But then I watched those two Mad Max war rigs beat the hell out of each other and things changed. My eyes were starting to open. I didn’t know a match could even be wrestled that way, let alone make me feel the way it did. You can watch the match with your eyes closed and still feel everything that’s happening. The crowd provides the play-by-play. It’s a beautiful and perfect spectacle of pro wrestling.

Joe was doing this 20 years ago and is still at the top of the game. The King of Television character is incredible and he should never stop doing it. And try as he might, Wardlow isn’t on his level right now. He’s just lost in Joe’s gravity. AEW has tried to have their own Build Back Better plan with him, but it isn’t happening. He was surface of the sun levels of hot after squashing MJF at last year’s Double or Nothing, but since then, our man has been taking an extended cold plunge. He was in trouble the second he went after the TNT title and not the top prize; a decision that didn’t make sense then and makes less sense now. Someone having natural momentum and heat like that is rare — it’s lightning in a bottle. There was something special at some point, but is it still there? AEW is still trying to figure that out, and figure out a way to put that lightning back in the bottle. It just might take finding Mjollnir to actually make it happen.

Joe is firing on all cylinders right now. Even though the TNT title can play hot potato, this is no time to take it off of him. All hail the King of Television, long may he reign.

Prediction: Samoa Joe

AEW World Champion MJF defends against Bryan Danielson in a 60-minute Iron Man match

Heat Check: Hot

Picasso said “Others have seen what is and asked why. I have seen what could be and asked why not.” Why can’t the best wrestler in the world be 5’10″? Why can’t technical wrestling be wildly exciting? There are other short guys good at wrestling. The independents are flooded with them. But with Bryan, we’re seeing something special. We’re seeing a blizzard in the Sahara, the Sun orbit the Earth. MJF may call himself a generational talent, but Bryan Danielson is once in a lifetime.

Compare him to the “other” best technical wrestler of the current generation, Zack Sabre Jr. ZSJ is a fantastic wrestler and performer, but, as always, there are levels to this, and Danielson has that extra something that you can’t be taught. He wrestles matches in front of 15,000 people in a sold-out arena like he’s in front of 200 in a local auditorium. He makes us feel like he’s wrestling just for us. Each match and each move individually catered. John Cena makes everyone feel the same thing. Danielson makes everyone feel something different. That’s why he’s the greatest of all time.

MJF is everything he says he is: a snake, the devil, a generational talent, all of it. He is undeniably great. MJF, sometimes, cuts some questionable promos. Both things can be true at the same time. I missed seeing the car crash promo live, but wrestling Twitter was buzzing that MJF had dropped another classic. When I finally watched, I thought there had to be another promo on the show that I missed. That was it? That was what the buzz was about? An edgelord adjacent promo was being hailed as something special. Has time really passed me by? Dear readers, it has not. Just because someone is transcendentally talented, does not mean everything they do is transcendent. Steph Curry has duds, too.

This will be the biggest test of Maxwell’s young career and a huge ask of the audience. AEW PPVs are never short affairs and this match might bleed into early-Monday morning. All the East Coast dads are weeping with me. But if anyone can keep a crowd hot for an hour, it’s these two. Danielson has already done an hour with Hangman Page which is on the short list for the best matches in AEW history. 

MJF’s matches are more about the story rather than the moves, so this might be the perfect vehicle for him, too. As much as I would love AEW Champion Bryan Danielson, I just don’t see a way MJF loses his first big title defense.

Prediction: MJF

AEW Rampage & Dark Elevation spoilers from Phoenix

The following are spoilers from this Friday’s AEW Rampage and this Monday’s AEW Dark: Elevation, taped in Phoenix, Arizona Wednesday.

AEW Rampage

  • The Young Bucks defeated Aussie Open. After the match, the lights went out and The House of Black surrounded the ring. However, the lights went out again and when they came on again, they were gone.
  • Toni Storm defeated Willow Nightingale. Ruby Soho made the save after the match before Saray and Storm could use their spraypaint on her. Jamie Hayter entered the ring and attacked Saraya.
  • Lance Archer defeated Bryce Saturn. Jake Roberts was with Archer.
  • Sammy Guevara defeated Action Andretti

AEW Dark: Elevation

  • Emi Sakura defeated Rachelle Riveter
  • The Kingdom (Mike Bennett & Matt Taven) defeated EJ Sparks and Aguila
  • Marina Shafir, Diamante & Nyla Rose defeated Mazzerati, Miss Anna May & Brittnie Brooks
  • Powerhouse Hobbs defeated Evan Daniels
  • The Firm (Ethan Page, Matt Hardy & Isiah Kassidy) defeated Watson, Action Braxton & Ice Williams
  • ROH Women’s Champion Athena defeated Danielle Kamela
  • Konosuke Takeshita defeated Lee Johnson

Young Bucks vs. Aussie Open set for AEW Rampage

After returning to AEW during a battle royal on Wednesday, Aussie Open has their next assignment: former AEW Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks.

Kyle Fletcher and Mark Davis were eliminated midway through the aforementioned match with the Bucks’ match announced shortly thereafter.

While they have squared off in trios action, this will be their first-ever tag team match against each other.

In a related note, the House of Black have said they will go face-to-face with The Elite on Friday ahead of what is assumed to be a future Trios title match at Revolution.

Friday’s show will also feature former AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm against Willow Nightingale. 

After going public with his frustration about not being used, Lance Archer will return to action against an opponent to be named.

After the events of last week’s Rampage, Keith Lee & Dustin Rhodes will share some thoughts. Lee returned to aid Rhodes after he was being beat down by Swerve Strickland and Parker Boudreaux.

The new additions join the previously announced Sammy Guevara vs. Action Andretti match.

Here’s the current lineup for Friday that is being taped after Wednesday’s Rampage:

  • Young Bucks vs. Aussie Open
  • Sammy Guevara vs. Action Andretti
  • Toni Storm vs. Willow Nightingale
  • Lance Archer in action
  • Dustin Rhodes & Keith Lee promo

**********

In the only new addition to next Wednesday’s Dynamite, FTW Champion Hook has been reinstated and will return to action against a member of The Firm chosen by Stokely Hathaway.

It joins the previously announced Casino tag team battle royale for the final slot in the Tag Team title four-way at March’s Revolution pay-per-view.

VIDEO: Being the Elite – ‘What’s Your Order?’

Video —

The Young Bucks gift unboxing —

  • The Bucks were given gifts by fans at the El Paso airport. They opened an In-N-Out Burger hat, a Starbucks gift card, new earrings, and several other items. 
  • Later they were shown in the back talking about their match that night against AR Fox and Top Flight. 

RGNN Breaking News —

  • Young Bucks stand-in Rosario Grillo gave a news update on how he is recovering from injury. He said his leg is now at 9% Superkick capability and he hopes to be back to his stand-in duties shortly. 

Ryan Nemeth talks to his dog about his wrestling and acting careers —

  • Nemeth talked to his dog about a recent audition as well as his match on Rampage last week. His agent then called him and said the audition was going well until they noticed how weird he walks and thought he was making fun of a producer who has a limp. 

Footage from AEW Rampage —

  • Footage of The Elite vs. AR Fox and Top Flight from AEW Dynamite was shown.

The Dark Order continue their recruitment efforts —

  • John Silver, Evil Uno, and Alex Reynolds attempted to recruit Wardlow.
  • They offered him a spot in the group but Wardlow told them he “walks alone.” This led to several references to Batista. 

Highlights of the Impractical Jokers —

  • Footage of the JAS power bombing the Impractical Jokers through a table was shown. The comedians were later seen yelling at Brandon for filming them. 

The Elite goes to Wendys —

  • The show closed with The Elite at a Wendys following the Dynamite/Rampage from El Paso.