Even More Incredible Battle Royals
Commentators: Booker T., Josh Matthews, Michael Cole, Gorilla Monsoon, Gene Okerlund, Lord Alfred Hayes, Ron Trongard, Vince McMahon, Rob Bartlett, Randy Savage, Lee Marshall, Bill DeMott, Nigel Sherrod

Oddly enough, I’ve had a lot of fun with the previous two entries in this series, as they’re just fun to watch. The best part is that a lot of these haven’t been seen in a long time, so they’re not exactly famous. That leaves you with some surprise entries and winners, which hopefully is the case again here. Let’s get to it.

From Smackdown, July 3, 2012.

Battle Royal

Alberto Del Rio, Kane, Jack Swagger, John Cena, Tensai, Damien Sandow, Daniel Bryan, Heath Slater, CM Punk, Dolph Ziggler, Kofi Kingston, Brodus Clay, Great Khali, Big Show, Ezekiel Jackson, Zack Ryder, Christian, Santino Marella, Justin Gabriel, Cody Rhodes

Teddy Long introduces this one, as the winner will be GM next week and that is a stacked lineup. Gabriel is out in a hurry and Show dumps Clay out as well. Tensai gets rid of Jackson and a bunch of people get rid of Khali to clear out a lot of the ring. There goes Sandow and Marella is out as well. Show shoves out Rhodes and Kingston at the same time and we take a break.

We come back with Slater and Swagger put out during the break before Punk’s crossbody gets rid of Bryan…and himself as well. Kane starts wrecking people, including a chokeslam to Show but he doesn’t bother getting rid of anyone. A bunch of heels go after Cena, who fights back and gets rid of Del Rio. Tensai goes after Cena but gets tossed, with Show throwing Cena out instead.

Ryder goes after Show for some dumb reason and gets hit with a spear. Kane tosses Show and Ziggler at the same time, leaving us with Ryder vs. Kane, which fits as Kane ruined Ryder’s life late last year. Ryder slips off the shoulder but gets kicked in the face, only to come back with the Broski Boot. The Rough Ryder is cut off but Ryder low bridges him out for the win at 10:49.

Rating: C+. They had some star power here and that helped a lot, but it was nice to see Ryder actually winning something for a change. The good thing is that Ryder only had to pull the rope down to get some revenge but that’s better than nothing. The bigger names were pretty much cleared out without much of a second thought, but that’s one of the perks of a match like this. Nice enough job here.

From Madison Square Garden, October 20, 1986.

$50,000 Tag Team Battle Royal

Moondogs (Rex/Spot), Rougeau Brothers (Jacques Rougeau/Raymond Rougeau), Dream Team (Brutus Beefcake/Greg Valentine), The Indians (Steve Gatorwolf/Chief Jay Strongbow), Hart Foundation (Bret Hart/Jim Neidhart), Mike Rotundo/SD Jones, Islanders (Haku/Tama), Nikolai Volkoff/Iron Sheik, Killer Bees (Jim Brunzell/Brian Blair), Machines (Super Machine/Big Machine), British Bulldogs (Davey Boy Smith/Dynamite Kid), King Kong Bundy/Big John Studd

If one member of a team is eliminated, their partner is out as well. The Moondogs are out in about ten seconds and it’s already time to slow down for the weak elimination attempts. Sheik has to save himself from a fireman’s carry and Beefcake is sent to the apron but not out. Studd is almost out but Bundy cuts that off in a hurry.

Rotundo and Jones are out, as are the Indians (and yes, that’s what their graphic said) to clear the ring a bit. Sheik is backdropped out and the Harts/Bulldogs go out, naturally brawling on the floor as they leave. The Machines are almost out, though the Bees are entirely out as things are managing to slow down even more.

Studd backdrops Jacques out and Beefcake follows him, leaving us with the Machines, the Islanders and Bundy/Studd. Bundy and Studd get rid of the Machines though and we’re down to two. Well four but whatever. Tama gets crushed by the Avalanche, which leaves Haku fighting two monsters on his own (I feel sorry for them). Haku slugs away at Studd but Bundy misses a charge and hits his own partner to knock Studd out, giving the Islanders the win at 10:33.

Rating: C-. So the action here was the usual drek, but DANG it was nice to see some actual tag teams for a change. The 80s was just loaded with tag teams and some of these would go on to be among the best of their era. This would have been even better like a year later, but this was a fun one for the names alone. Not a good match for the most part save for the hot ending, but fine for a house show special attraction.

From the AWA. There’s no date given but this would likely be late 1982 (it’s definitely after October 9, 1982 as Otto Wanz is billed as a former World Champion).

$50,000 Battle Royal

Jerry Blackwell, Ken Patera, Buck Zumhoffe, Greg Gagne, Hulk Hogan, Andre The Giant, Baron von Raschke, Bobby Heenan, Kevin Johnson, Tom Lintz, Jim Brunzell, Jacques Goulet, Brad Rheingans, Rick Martel, Bobby Heenan, Adnan Al-Kaissie, Ray Stevens, Adrian Adonis, Bobby Duncum, Otto Wanz, Nick Bockwinkel

Hogan is listed at 335lbs, which is huge for him. Also, since everyone got an individual entrance, I had time to think about something. This is billed as a $50,000 battle royal, with 18 entrants. Commentary said that the participants had put up money for the big prize. But then there was a surprise, as it was now a twenty person battle royal. Now at 18 entrants, $50k breaks down to about $2,777 each. So did the last two entrants have to pay as well and the prize was really about $55k? Or did they get in free? Or did the AWA just pocket the extra entry fees? No wonder they didn’t last.

Commentary says the battle royal is underway, then a few seconds later the bell rings, then a few seconds later the ring announcer says it’s begun. Geez people we can see the concept. Hogan is in early trouble as Andre beats on Patera, who is on the floor but I don’t believe out. There are multiple people on the floor but commentary is not exactly great at telling us who is out.

We get the five minutes in call at less than four minutes as this company can’t get anything right. Adonis hits Andre in the back for some annoyance as we’re told everyone is still officially in. Stevens is finally the first one out and Lintz is out, though Heenan manages to save himself. Patera dumps Johnson as we’re told it’s ten minutes in before it’s even nine. Goulet is out and Adonis goes up top to forearm Raschke, which is quite the odd pairing. Raschke is out soon after and Zumhoffe joins him (good) as Gagne and Adonis fight on the floor without being eliminated.

Rheingans is out and Adonis goes up top again for some reason, with Andre slamming him down. Wanz is out, as is Adonis (billed as the Golden Boy, which is so bizarre given what he would become) and we get a bunch of people almost going out on the same rope before getting back in. Martel is out and things slow down again. We settle down to Heenan and company against the good guys, with Hogan and Andre picking up Gagne and Brunzell to kick various villains away (that’s a visual).

We’re told it’s fifteen minutes in (no) as Brunzell is tossed by Blackwell and Duncum. There goes Gagne and the villains split off to triple team Hogan and Andre in different corners. Hogan is sent through the ropes to the floor, where the beating continues. Andre fights out and gets rid of Blackwell and Al-Kaissie, plus Duncum.

Heenan comes off the top with an ax handle to save Bockwinkel and eliminates himself to avoid Andre… who goes over the top to eliminate himself as well. That leaves Patera and Bockwinkel to double team Hogan, who sends them into each other. Hogan backdrops both of them out to win (and jump up and down in celebration) at 19:52.

Rating: C. I’m not a big AWA guy for the most part, but they have a certain charm about them that was on display here. If nothing else, having Heenan running around trying to run things and then eliminating himself with quite the athletic jump was a great bonus. This had the usual share of standing around, but it’s fun to see such a different version of this kind of match from a promotion that doesn’t get a lot of attention.

From Monday Night Raw, February 15, 1993 (this was on the Invasion Of The Bodyslammers Coliseum Video, albeit with different commentary, so I’ve seen it far too many times).

Battle Royal

Owen Hart, Koko B. Ware, Kamala, Kim Chee, Shawn Michaels, Iron Mike Sharpe, Bob Backlund, Typhoon, Razor Ramon, Damien Demento, Berzerker, Terry Taylor, Skinner, Tito Santana, Tatanka

It’s a big brawl to start and for some reason almost everyone is on one side of the ring. Michaels backdrops Ware out (in a great bump) as commentary talks about Tatanka beating Michaels on Superstars (which I actually watched earlier tonight). Typhoon gets rid of Skinner and Demento is out as well as this is not exactly flying thus far. Berzerker gets rid of Hart but is tossed out by Backlund.

Chee helps Typhoon eliminate Kamala, which just seems like a bad idea. Indeed as Kamala goes back inside to chop Chee and chase him through the crowd and into the concourse as we take a break. We come back (it’s kind awesome that we get to see the stuff in the break on the Coliseum Video) with Kamala chasing Chee through the balcony. Back in the ring, Typhoon gets backdropped over the corner for the elimination and we’re down to Michaels, Ramon, Santana and Tatanka, which breaks down into one heck of a tag match.

Michaels unloads on Tatanka in the corner and Ramon seems to knee Santana low. Santana is back up with the flying forearm and Michaels hits Tatanka with a dropkick. Michaels is sent onto the corner and the good guys kick him out at the same time to get us down to three. And here’s the Giant Gonzalez to knock Ramon through the ropes and throw the other two over before leaving. Ramon climbs back in and wins at 13:32.

Rating: D+. I love the tape and I’ve seen it quite a few times, but yeah this isn’t very good. It’s a few stars with a bunch of filler names and then Gonzalez coming in to wreck everyone at the end. The Kamala chase was funny, but that’s about the only entertaining part. It’s not a terrible match, but it’s pretty boring (until the final four) and that’s worse.

From the AWA, Saint Paul, Minnesota, February 7, 1989.

AWA World Title: Battle Royal

Sgt. Slaughter, Larry Zbyszko, Tom Zenk, Ken Patera, Steve Ray, Greg Gagne, Colonel DeBeers, Ricky Rice, Wayne Bloom, Wahoo McDaniel, Pat Tanaka, Mike Enos, Manny Fernandez, Akio Sato, Derrick Dukes, Mike George, Paul Diamond, Tommy Jammer

For the vacant title. It’s the usual start and there are no entrances here so good luck figuring out who all is in this. This means a lot of choking and brawling near the ropes, with the only interesting note being Diamond Dallas Page on the floor as a manager for apparently three or four people. Jammer is out and Enos (with his very 80s jeans) is as well, followed by I believe George (commentary is useless).

Fernandez is knocked out and a running clothesline gets rid of….someone commentary doesn’t bother to name. Patera is out and Fernandez is back in, as commentary apparently doesn’t get the difference between IN and OUT. DeBeers can’t get rid of Slaughter but someone can get rid of Sato. Fernandez is actually out and a bunch of people are tossed at once. We’re down to Zbyszko, Zenk, Gagne, Tatanka, DeBeers and Slaughter, with Gagne going up top like a moron and missing a top rope stomp.

Gagne is thrown out shortly thereafter and Zenk is on the floor but not out. Slaughter gets rid of Tanaka and DeBeers but gets tossed by Zbyszko. So we’re down two Zenk and Zbyszko as DeBeers brawls with Slaughter. And apparently this is now a regular match, as Zenk hits an atomic drop for two. Zbyszko slams him for two but gets sent hard into the corner. The referee gets bumped (oh sweet goodness) and Zenk hits his dropkick for an incredibly delayed two. A suplex gets two more but Zenk’s crossbody is thrown over the top rope to give Zbyszko the title at 15:38.

Rating: D-. This was a perfect illustration of why the AWA was dying. You had a bunch of people who didn’t feel like stars having an awful battle royal with the ending not really making sense. There was nothing to see here and it was a total mess, which explains the AWA in a nutshell: yeah it existed, but why would you want to watch it?

From the Global Wrestling Federation (early 90s promotion in Dallas), sometime in 1992.

$2000 Bunkhouse Battle Royal

Alex Porteau, Stevie Ray, Booker T, Chaz, Johnny Mantel, Gary Young, Black Bart, Shawn Summers, Rod Price, Scott Putski, Steven Dane, Tug Taylor, Maniac, Dewey, Terry Sill

You can win by over the top or pinfall and….my goodness this place does not have the best looking roster. Price is thrown out and pulls Young with him to get us down to thirteen. Chaz and Dane are both out and Booker beats up Tug Taylor as the Maniac (he’s a bit off) eliminates himself. Booker pins Dewey (I think?) before Summers, Taylor and Putski are all out. Mantel chokes Ray in the corner until Booker makes the save as Bart eliminates Sill. Porteau is out and we’re down to four as we take a break.

We come back with Booker and Ray in stereo chinlocks (in a BATTLE ROYAL) but they fight up…and get pulled back down into the chinlocks. Those are broken up so Ray grabs his own chinlock as I’m amazed at how bad these people are at this stuff. Bart fights up and ties Ray in the ropes while Booker skins the cat to save himself. Ray is back up and tosses Bart and Mantel…meaning Ray and Booker both win at 10:14.

Rating: F. Chinlocks. Multiple chinlocks. In a battle royal. I have no idea how this is the best way they could go, but it offers a good illustration of why this promotion is not exactly remembered positively. This was absolutely nothing and I don’t even get the ending, which wasn’t explained in any way and made a bad match even worse.

From Deep South Wrestling, the disaster of a developmental territory which did produce some good WWE talent, likely in 2005.

Battle Royal

Mike Mizanin, Mike Knox, Mike Shane, Todd Shane, Freakin Deacon, Palmer Cannon, Eric Perez, Nick Mitchell, Roughhouse O’Reilly, Antonio Banks, Mack Johnson, Derek Neikirk, Damien Steele, Kid Kash, Ryan Reeves, Mike Taylor, Joe Slaughter, Johnny Slaughter, Ray Gordy, Tony Santarelli, ???

For a bye in the first round of the Deep South Title tournament and one of the twenty one entrants are never named. Everyone goes after the Regulators (Shane and Shane) to start as commentary is rather hard to understand. One Shane saves the other from a group elimination and Roughhouse O’Reilly (Konnor of the Ascension) has to save himself. Todd Shane is thrown out and Mike Shane follows him as we’re now able to focus on anything else.

The Deacon (Luke Gallows) gets in front of Cannon as everyone tries to charge, with the Deacon eliminating four people in a row. Cannon bails to the floor so Deacon dives onto a bunch of people at once. A bunch of people get rid of Deacon as Cannon is now hiding underneath the ring.

We take a break and come back with Cannon hiding on the floor again as the brawl continues inside. A man in green gets enziguried out but chases Cannon back inside rather than leaving like he should. Well no wonder Cannon ran from that rulebreaker. Everyone looks at Cannon, who dives over the top to eliminate/save himself. Banks (the future MVP) is out and we get down to a bunch of brawling on the ropes. Johnson and Mitchell are eliminated and we take another break.

We come back with nine entrants remaining and the fans behind Reeves (the future Ryback) as someone not important enough to name is tossed. Steele sends Kash to the apron, only for Kash to dump him out. Neikirk has to save himself from being very close to an elimination and O’Reilly is put on the apron. Neikirk and Kash get together to eliminate Reeves and O’Reilly and we’re down to five as we take another break.

We come back with Miz and Taylor staring down with Team Elite (Neikirk, Kash and Knox). Miz gets double teamed in the corner but Kash turns on Knox with a hurricanrana. That earns him a boot to the face from Knox, allowing Taylor and Miz to…not eliminate him. Knox is back up with one heck of a chop to Miz in the corner and they pair off again. Taylor’s hurricanrana takes Kash to the apron but not out, leaving Miz to DDT the other two at the same time.

Taylor and Kash hit a double clothesline and everyone is down. Miz and Taylor are back up to take over on the villains but Taylor misses a charge and gets booted out. That leaves Miz on his own against the three villains, who quickly sends him to the apron to start. Miz manages to pull Kash halfway down though and the other two toss Kash out to get us down to three. Kash grabs at Miz from the floor so here is Taylor to go after him as well. Knox and Neikirk double team Miz but he skins the cat and headscissors Neikirk out. Knox pump kicks Miz in the face for the win at 40:30.

Rating: B. Well DANG that came out of nowhere. I was expecting absolutely nothing here and they wound up having one heck of a match in the end. The last ten minutes or so with Miz and Taylor fighting against the monsters worked great and I wanted to see how they were getting out of it. The time made it work well too, as this had no reason to go this long but they made it work and did something rather good. Nice job here and FAR better than I was expecting.

Overall Rating: D+. Well the winning streak ends at two, as the Deep South match wasn’t enough to make this work. That stretch of the 1993 match, the AWA mess and the horrible Global match dragged this WAY down. There wasn’t much to see here, with the opener and finale being good but not worth your watch. Go and check out the other two entries in the series as they’re a good bit better.

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

AAA On Fox
Date: February 21, 2026
Location: Auditorio José María Arteaga, Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico
Commentators: Corey Graves, John Bradshaw Layfield, Rey Mysterio

We’re getting closer to Rey de Reyes and the show’s namesake match is starting to come together. At the same time, we are getting ready for the Mega Title match as Dominik Mysterio will defend against El Hijo de Vikingo. That could wind up getting a lot more interesting rather soon so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

The opening recap looks at Dominik Mysterio vs. El Hijo de Vikingo, setting up their title match at Rey de Reyes.

Opening sequence.

Here is Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr., (in purple, likely a shot at Santos Escobar) who says there is someone who wants his Latin American Title. He gets right to the point in challenging them to come out here and see him face to face (even though you can’t see his face but I think you get the point).

Latin American Title: Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. vs. Belcegor

Belcegor is challenging and starts fast with a dropkick and clothesline. A hanging swinging neckbreaker drops Wagner again but he’s right back up with a headbutt. The running kick in the corner sets up a Death Valley Driver to give Wagner two and a spinning powerbomb gives him three at 2:35.

Post match Wagner calls out Santos Escobar for a fight right now. Escobar pops up on screen, saying it’s going to happen when he wants and on his terms.

We look back at TJ Perkins becoming #1 contender for the Cruiserweight Title.

Cruiserweight Title: TJ Perkins vs. Laredo Kid

Kid is defending and they fight over wrist control to start. Perkins spins out of a headscissors and they pop up to their feet for a staredown. A headscissors sends Perkins outside, where he drops Kid face first onto the apron. Back in and Kid gets dropkicked out of the air, followed by some boot scrapes in the corner.

The chinlock goes on for a bit, followed by a dropkick to send Perkins outside. There’s the expected dive before Kid throws him back inside for a running forearm in the corner. Perkins tries a rollup while grabbing the ropes but gets caught, allowing Kid to reverse a victory roll into a cradle to retain at 5:23 (even though it seemed Kid was pulling the tights and Perkins had the rope in time).

Rating: C+. They didn’t have the time to go very far here and that hurt things a bit, as it was more about the last few moments than anything else. The title only feels so important, partially as it seems Kid is such a dominant champion. Perkins was a fine choice for a challenger, but the ending suggests that this is far from over.

Post match Perkins jumps Kid and sends him into the steps. Perkins hammers him onto those steps and adds a running belt shot, followed by a curb stomp.

Video on Abismo Negro Jr. vs. El Fiscal. These two hate each other and Fiscal is the son of the original Abismo Negro, while Negro has no blood relation. Violence has ensued and it’s time to fight.

Abismo Negro Jr. vs. El Fiscal

They slug it out to start and head outside, with both of them being whipped into the steps. Back up and Fiscal hammers away against the announcers’ table, which is apparently enough for the DQ at 2:33.

Post match the beatdown stays on until security breaks it up. Abismo gets in a cheap shot to take Fiscal down so Fiscal goes after security as well. The fight is on again before eventually being broken up. This was good, with the video making it feel like a personal issue between two people who want to fight.

El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. is leaving when Santos Escobar jumps him and rides off on his motorcycle.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Here are El Hijo del Vikingo (with Dorian Roldan and Omos) and Dominik Mysterio to sign the Rey de Reyes contract. Roldan asks Mysterio for his proposal but Mysterio says he’s going to be champion for a long time, even breaking Vikingo’s record. The rule is that if Mysterio wins, Vikingo cannot challenge for the title again, period. Vikingo says that he’s only going to need one match and if he wins, Mysterio leaves Mexico forever. And it’s going to be No DQ.

Vikingo signs and Mysterio (who is actually left handed) signs as well, with Vikingo calling him an idiot. We see a video of Vikingo in a hospital (impersonating a doctor) and going in to see Mini Vikingo. The regular Vikingo pulls out Mini’s IV and turns his bed over, saying that’s going to be Mysterio at Rey de Reyes. Back in the ring, Mysterio isn’t impressed and wants to fight, but Omos gets in his way. Cue El Grande Americano with a chair to Omos’ back, which doesn’t do anything. Mysterio and Americano leave but here is the Original El Grande Americano to jump Americano. Mysterio watches the beatdown go on to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. There was very little in the way of wrestling this week, but the show ran less than fifty minutes and it covered quite a bit of stuff. The best thing I can say about this series thus far is that while I don’t know who a lot of these people are or how we got here, I haven’t been confused about anything. They’re telling the stories well and I want to see where a lot of this stuff goes. This is an easy watch and different enough from the usual WWE stuff, which is more than enough to keep it around.

Results
Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. b. Belcegor – Spinning powerbomb
Laredo Kid b. TJ Perkins – Rollup while holding tights
Abismo Negro Jr. b. El Fiscal via DQ when Fiscal attacked him on the floor

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Collision
Date: February 21, 2026
Location: Frontwave Arena, Oceanside, California
Commentators: Tony Schiavone, Excalibur

We’re inching closer to Revolution and things are starting to pick up, with a few matches officially set. That doesn’t include the World Title match, which has a few stipulations which may or may not be added in. There is a good chance we hear something about that match this week so let’s get to it.

Here is Dynamite if you need a recap.

IMG Credit: All Elite Wrestling

Trios Titles: Hangman Page/Jet Speed vs. The Demand

Page/Jet Speed are defending and my goodness they’re actually on screen together. The Demand takes over to start but Page backdrops Ricochet to the floor. Jet Speed dropkicks the Gates out to the floor and we settle down to Kaun chopping at Knight. That doesn’t last long as it’s off to bailey for the rapid fire kicks. Everything breaks down and Liona does a Braun Strowman run around the ring series of tackles. The Demand gets to pose on the apron as we take a break.

We come back with Bailey kicking away at Liona, who misses a backsplash. Bailey dropkicks Liona down and it’s off to Ricochet vs. Page. Everything breaks down again with Page being knocked down so Ricochet can hit a springboard 450. Jet Speed start firing off superkicks but Liona fall away slams both of them at once.

We get a parade of knockdowns until Page Tombstones Ricochet, leaving everyone down. Liona gets Deadeyed onto the apron but Ricochet pulls the referee in the way to stop the Buckshot Lariat. Vertigo gets two but here is Jack Perry for a distraction (My goodness that feud is STILL going?), allowing Page to hit the Buckshot Lariat to retain at 14:29.

Rating: B. Why? Why would you keep the titles on Page and Jet Speed? They had teamed together once before winning the titles and then barely associate with each other after winning them. Also, Ricochet has beaten Perry twice and there is no reason to keep this feud going. Let someone else come after that useless title already instead of just doing the same thing over and over. As usual, these titles have pretty much no reason to exist whatsoever.

The Rascalz are in a smoky room when FTR come in to complain about the smoke. They’ll have a match tonight.

Young Bucks vs. The Swirl

The Bucks’ family is in the front row and Jay Lethal is here with the Swirl. He even dubs the team the Lethal Swirl because EVERYONE HAS TO HAVE A STUPID NAME THESE DAYS. Matt gets double stomped down to start and everything breaks down, with Christian and the Bucks doing a string of standing switches. The Bucks are sent outside for a running flip dive through the ropes from Christian but come back inside for more superkicks. The top rope elbow/splash connect for the Bucks as we take an early break.

We come back with Nick being kicked outside, leaving Matt to be caught in the Tree Of Woe for a 619. Matt northern lights suplexes both of them and brings Nick back in to clean house. Everything breaks down and the Bucks’ top rope stomp flips Christian into a sitout powerbomb for two. Matt hits a super hurricanrana to Christian and the Doomsday Device knocks Johnson onto Christian with a moonsault. The BTE Trigger finishes Christian at 10:00.

Rating: B-. This was indeed a Young Bucks match, where they did all of their impressive athletic stuff, posed a lot and followed the clearly defined step by step instructions for the match. Naturally they’re back in the title picture because they have to be every so often and hey look it’s against FTR. Again. Because this is a thing that has to happen.

We look back at the MJF vs. Hangman Page showdown from Dynamite.

MJF was at an indy show last night, where according to Schiavone, he defended the Ring Of Honor World Title. Naturally he retained, despite interference from Andrade El Idolo.

After the match, MJF went after Andrade, who said he wanted the title. MJF makes it clear that he’s going to beat Hangman Page, then he’ll deal with Andrade.

IMG Credit: All Elite Wrestling

CMLL World Title: Claudio Castagnoli vs. Josh Alexander

Castagnoli is defending and gets jumped to start fast, including a slam to put him down. A clothesline puts Alexander on the floor and a running uppercut knocks him down again. Back in and they chop it out with Castagnoli easily getting the better of things. They head back outside where Castagnoli is sent knees first into the steps.

We take a break and come back with Alexander slowly hammering away even more. Castagnoli manages a quick gutwrench suplex and uppercuts away in the corner to stagger Alexander. A jumping double stomp puts Alexander down again and the pop up uppercut gets two. Alexander is right back with the ankle lock but Castagnoli muscles him up into a suplex for two more. The Swing and Neutralizer retain the title at 13:46.

Rating: B-. It’s another hard hitting fight between two big men which wasn’t enhanced whatsoever by having a foreign title involved. Granted that’s the case with a lot of the titles around here and odds are it isn’t going to change anytime soon. Castagnoli is in pretty much the same place he’s been for years and Alexander has been beaten so many times that wins over him mean nothing, but it was a title match so that makes it interesting.

Megan Bayne vs. B3cca

Bayne throws her around to start and sends her into some buckles. The Mega Bomb finishes for Bayne at 1:32.

Tommaso Ciampa would love to face Mark Briscoe again, but he also wants the TNT Title back because he isn’t done with Kyle Fletcher.

Death Riders vs. Don Callis Family

Takeshita and the hatted Yuta start things off with Takeshita kicking him down. Clon comes in and exchanges flips with Pac. A monkey flip is cut off though and Pac gets sent into the corner, where Davis comes in to choke him down. Pac gets over for the tag off to Moxley, who comes in to hammer away on Davis. The Riders take turns firing off running shots in the corner until Moxley grabs the bulldog choke.

We take a break and come back with Moxley fighting out of a chinlock and sending Takeshita outside. Davis German suplexes Moxley, who pops up with a clothesline and brings Pac back in to pick up the pace. Pac’s big moonsault to the floor takes the Family out as everything breaks down.

Moxley’s double DDT only half works as Clon flips away and trades stereo kicks with Pac. Marina Shafir takes a chair away from Davis, who gets Cactus clotheslined out to the floor. Takeshita charges into a superkick and the Fastball Special gets two. Back up and Takeshita starts clearing the ring with kicks to the face. That leaves Yuta to get Raging Fired for the pin at 14:33.

Rating: B. Good stuff here, with a push towards the Moxley vs. Takeshita rematch, which should be a heck of a fight. At the same time you have more of the same feud between these two teams that has been going on for a few matches now. I’m not sure where that leads, but Blood & Guts seems like a realistic option.

Post match Moxley gives Takeshita a Paradigm Shift.

The Babes Of Wrath aren’t worried about Megan Bayne and Penelope Ford.

IMG Credit: All Elite Wrestling

Thunder Rosa vs. Julia Hart

This is Rosa’s first match in months and she snaps off some armdrags to start in a hurry. Hart rakes the eyes to cut her off and grabs a neckbreaker over the rope as we take a break. We come back with Rosa hitting a running clothesline in the corner, followed by a running dropkick against the ropes. Hart pulls her into a quick Tarantula and then a Black Widow to keep up the theme. A leg trip sets up the moonsault but Rosa gets her feet up for a painful looking block. The package piledriver slam finishes for Rosa at 9:11.

Rating: C+. It’s a nice comeback for Rosa, but she feels like a relic of the past after being gone for so long. That’s not her fault, but it’s her second really long layoff in just a few years. She’s basically starting from scratch for the time being and while she has the talent to make it work, that’s going to be tricky. At least she’s back though and that’s what matters.

Post match Thekla pops up to insult Rosa, who is apparently rather stupid. AEW is now toxic and Hart tries to jump Rosa, only for Kris Statlander to make the save.

Private Party is having a party and glad to be back.

Gabe Kidd and Clark Connors pop up to say they want to get rid of Darby Allin. Oh and Orange Cassidy is going to take a beating as well.

Rascalz vs. FTR

Non-title eliminator match, Myron Reed is here with the Rascalz and Stokely Hathaway is here with FTR. Harwood slaps Wentz in the face to start so Wentz flips around and hits him in the jaw. Back up and Harwood strikes away in the corner, allowing Xavier to hit a twisting splash for two. A cutter and rollup give Xavier two on Wheeler but Harwood low bridges him to the floor as we take a break.

We come back with Wentz hitting a middle rope moonsault to the floor, leaving Xavier to get two off a sunset flip. Harwood drops Xavier with a clothesline as commentary reveals Swerve Strickland was fined $100,000 for his attack on Kenny Omega on Dynamite. A tiger driver gives Harwood two on Wentz and everyone but the illegal Wheeler is down.

Wentz is back up for a handspring spinning kick to Harwood’s head but Harwood pops up with a brainbuster for two. Wheeler drives Reed into the steps and loads up his glasses but here are the Young Bucks to distract him. That’s enough for the Hot Fire Flame to pin Harwood at 10:55.

Rating: B-. It was a nice win and thank goodness if this results in the Tag Team Title match being something other than the Bucks vs. FTR, but the Rascalz aren’t exactly standing out. They’re just another team who can do a bunch of cool looking flips and dives, which is already covered around here. It’s not that they’re a bad team, but other than the smoke jokes, what makes them stand out?

Post match the Gates Of Agony run in to jump the Rascalz and FTR jumps the Bucks’ family. The big beatdown is on, including a spike piledriver to the Bucks’ brother, and the villains stand tall to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. This was back to normal for Collision, as there was pretty much nothing going on that made the show feel important. The Trios Titles haven’t meant anything in the better part of ever and the CMLL World Title means even less. I do like having Thunder Rosa back and the Rascalz winning gives me a bit of hope, but this show being cut down to an hour would do it wonders. While there is no chance of that happening anytime soon, all I can do is keep waiting for the big stuff on Dynamite.

Results
Hangman Page/Jet Speed b. The Demand – Buckshot Lariat to Ricochet
Young Bucks b. The Swirl – BTE Trigger to Christian
Claudio Castagnoli b. Josh Alexander – Neutralizer
Megan Bayne b. B3cca – Mega Bomb
Don Callis Family b. Death Riders – Raging Fire to Yuta
Thunder Rosa b. Julia Hart – Package piledriver slam
Rascalz b. FTR – Hot Fire Flame to Harwood

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

From the Golden Era and inside a cage.

https://411mania.com/wrestling/halls-wwe-saturday-nights-main-event-ix-review/

Superstars
Date: February 13, 1993
Location: San Jose State Event Center, San Jose, California
Attendance: 5,000
Commentators: Vince McMahon, Randy Savage, Jerry Lawler

So this show has taken a bit of a hit as a thing called Monday Night Raw debuted about a month ago. Superstars is still a big enough deal though and it should be interesting to see how things go in its new era. We’re also done with the Royal Rumble and it’s all about that Yokozuna train. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Commentary hypes up the main event of Tatanka vs. Shawn Michaels and the rest of the show.

Shawn Michaels vs. Tatanka

Michaels’ Intercontinental Title isn’t on the line and he debuts the self sung version of Sexy Boy to make this historic. Feeling out process to start as Lawler complains about how much Vince and Savage talk, saying if talent was measured by how much you talk, they would both be World Champions. Oddly true, though Vince pointing out that Savage is a two time WWF Champion is kind of a perfect comeback.

Tatanka chops away and hits a clothesline to send Michaels outside early on. Back in and Michaels gets in a few shots to take over, only to charge into an atomic drop (and yes Michaels even flips off of that). Michaels is able to throw him over the top though and it’s time to hammer away back inside. Some elbows connect and Tatanka is in trouble as we take a break.

We come back with Tatanka fighting out of a chinlock but getting dropkicked right in the face. Another chinlock is broken up as well so Michaels rams him into the buckle, meaning it’s time for the War Dance. Michaels gets smart by raking the eyes but the superkick misses, as does the teardrop suplex. Instead, Tatanka hits the End Of The Trail for the pin at 10:05.

Rating: C+. And there’s your Wrestlemania title match. This was a simple way to show that Tatanka can beat Michaels and that means the title is in jeopardy. At the same time Tatanka remains undefeated, which is going to make things all the better when they get to the title match. Smart booking here, even with the champion losing.

We look at Jim Duggan knocking Yokozuna down but getting wrecked as a result. Yokozuna even sat on the American flag, with Duggan underneath him.

Mr. Fuji is rather proud of Yokozuna’s squashification.

Commentary talks about Duggan’s injuries, with Lawler saying Duggan disgraced America.

Steiner Brothers vs. Alan Burke/Larry Sampson

Scott throws Sampson down without much effort to start and then does it again. Eh let’s make it a third time, with this one off a pumphandle slam. Rick comes in to take over on Burke’s arm, followed by a butterfly powerbomb from Scott. The Steiner Bulldog finishes at 2:21.

It’s off to the Event Center, with the Berzerker saying he’s never cared too much about titles, but now he cares about titles. Like say the WWF Title and the Intercontinental Title and wrestlers who don’t have titles in the first place. Elsewhere, Slick is very happy over the success he has had with Kamala. There is still evil standing in their way though, like Kim Chee and Harvey Wippleman.

Lex Luger vs. Larry Ludden

This is Luger’s in-ring debut. Naturally we get the mirror treatment, with Vince wanting him to get to the wrestling (after signing him to do bodybuilding). The bell rings and Luger poses even more…and the bell rings again. Anyway Luger shoves him down to start, followed by a suplex with a bit of a nasty landing. The powerslam and forearm finish Ludden at 1:27. And yeah Luger still doesn’t have much outside of the muscles, which sums up his time in the WWF.

Wrestlemania IX Report, featuring two new matches: Undertaker vs. Giant Gonzalez (with the graphic doing a great job of having Gonzalez look that much bigger) and Crush vs. Doink (with the graphic having Crush almost in the middle and Doink looking like he’s being shoved out).

Crush vs. White Shadow

This is Crush’s return after being injured by Doink. Crush wastes no time in gorilla pressing Shadow, who is knocked outside with ease. Back in and a belly to belly suplex sets up the head vice to give Crush the win at 1:31. Standard decimation.

We get a sitdown interview with Brutus Beefcake, who lost all kinds of things before his parasailing accident, including his mother to cancer. Vince McMahon recaps the accident and how bad things got and the two things that kept Beefcake going: God and Hulk Hogan (I knew that line was coming and it was still terrible). Beefcake is getting back in the ring this week on Raw against Ted DiBiase, who isn’t worried about the match at all, with Money Inc. being ready to injure Beefcake again. Beefcake isn’t worried because he has Hogan on his side. Oh and that God guy too.

Giant Gonzalez vs. Louis Spicolli/Scott Bazo/Dan Farren

Harvey Wippleman is here too. The three of them try to find a way out of this on the floor until Gonzalez grabs Spicolli from the floor and pulls him over the top. The chokeslam (with more choke than slam) plants Spicolli and the other two run, leaving Spicolli to roll outside. That’s enough to give Gonzalez the countout win 1:20.

We go back to the Event Center, with Tito Santana talking about being given the advice to stay in the ball game. I’m not a matador expert, but I don’t think it involves playing ball. Elsewhere, Papa Shango is creepy and talks to his skull about pain. Finally Bob Backlund, already sounding like Mr. Backlund, wants to stand up for children.

Earthquake and Bam Bam Bigelow have a quick argument to set up their match next week.

Overall Rating: C. The opening match was decent enough but this was a show helped to set up one of the weakest Wrestlemanias on record. Yokozuna as the unstoppable monster is good, but having him crush America and having the Canadian WWF Champion be the big target is a bit odd. Not a bad show, but you could see the lack of star power and it was going to take time to overcome that issue.

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Smackdown
Date: February 20, 2026
Location: Amerant Bank Arena, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We’re just over a week away from Elimination Chamber and that means it’s time for another week of qualifying matches. That has been the case for the last few weeks and we are rapidly running out of spots. The good thing is the matches wind up being pretty good most of the time and it would be nice to see that continue here. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a recap of last week’s main event with Cody Rhodes qualifying for the Elimination Chamber, despite Drew McIntyre’s interference.

Here is Rhodes to get things going. He hits the catchphrase but here is Jacob Fatu to cut him off. Fatu says Rhodes wouldn’t be out here without him and Rhodes knows it. Right now though, Fatu is concerned about Drew McIntyre and he wants McIntyre out here. Instead he gets Nick Aldis, who has given McIntyre the night off. Aldis suggests they go talk about Fatu come to his office and they can talk about Fatu getting his hands on McIntyre.

Cue McIntyre in a suite, which he says he bought to watch the show. McIntyre accuses Fatu of being all bark and no bite so Fatu charges, with Aldis and security cutting him off. Aldis somehow talks Fatu down and they leave, with McIntyre saying everyone is jealous of him. Rhodes: “The whole world is after you because you’re a censored.” Please go with the triple threat at Wrestlemania instead of Rhodes vs. McIntyre again. It’s right there.

We look back at Solo Sikoa and the MFT’s winning a ten man tag last week and having a staredown with the Wyatt Sicks. Ignore an Arby’s ad popping up for a second at the end.

Carmelo Hayes is warming up when Ilja Dragunov comes up to give him a pep talk. Hayes seems appreciative and tells Dragunov to use that intensity for his match. Dragunov says he’s coming for the title.

Nick Aldis tells Jacob Fatu that he has to be patient and he’ll get Drew McIntyre. Fatu agrees, but he won’t wait much longer.

IMG Credit: WWE

Ilja Dragunov vs. Tama Tonga

The MFT’s are here too. Dragunov fires off the chops in the corner to start but Tonga knocks him into the corner. That earns Tonga a German suplex and he rolls outside as we take an early break. We come back with the two of them hitting a double clothesline. Back up and Dragunov escapes a reverse DDT and rolls some German suplexes. Dragunov slams him down again, followed by the top rope backsplash. Tonga Loa offers a distraction though and the Cutthroat finishes Dragunov at 9:38.

Rating: B-. They didn’t have much time here with the break in the middle, but Dragunov needing help to fight off the MFT’s is a story that writes itself. If nothing else, Tonga has been teasing coming after the US Title for a long time now so this is a good way to get the title feud off the ground. They had a short but intense match here, which is pretty standard for Dragunov no matter how long the match goes.

Post match Solo Sikoa says he and his family are coming for everything so Dragunov jumps him, earning a big beatdown. Matt Cardona and Apollo Crews’ attempts at saves are easily thwarted but Uncle Howdy pops up on screen to say it’s time for Sikoa to show he can stand on his own. He wants Sikoa one on one, but will Sikoa show up?

Nick Aldis blames Drew McIntyre for causing chaos around here and threatens him if he does anything else. McIntyre leaves.

Randy Orton talks about Cody Rhodes but is interrupted by Zelina and Aleister Black. They talk about how there was a time when no one could get this close to Orton because he would lay them out. What happened to that man? Orton says he’ll get a match with Black made for tonight.

Lash Legend and Nia Jax dub themselves the Irresistible Forces and are ready to go to the Chamber, as well as win the Women’s Tag Team Titles next week.

Here is Jade Cargill for a chat. She defends her title on her own time, which is what she did last week against Jordynne Grace. Cargill knows that Liv Morgan is making her Wrestlemania decision on Raw in Atlanta and that’s where Cargill resides, so she’ll be there in person. Whether it’s Liv or anyone in the Chamber, she’s still coming out of Wrestlemania with the title because she’s that b****.

IMG Credit: WWE

Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Charlotte vs. Kiana James vs. Nia Jax

Charlotte comes out as Cargill is leaving and we get the big staredown. Jax and Charlotte ignore James to start and then hit her in the face. James suggests an alliance with Jax and that’s not happening so Jax headbutts both of them down. The running hip attacks connect in the corner but Jax’s running shoulder hits the post.

We take a break and come back with Charlotte high crossbodying James and chopping away at both of them. A flipping clothesline (Buckshot Lariat without the ropes) puts James down again but Jax sends Charlotte to the apron. James is there to superkick Charlotte but she’s back up to drop both of them. The double moonsault gets two so Jax gives Charlotte a pop up Samoan drop. James Samoan drops Jax (and makes it look WAY too easy) for two before going up, where Charlotte catches her with a super Spanish Fly.

Jax breaks up the cover and posts Charlotte but misses a charge into the steps. Back in and James charges into a powerbomb but Jax is there to break up the Figure Eight. The Annihilator hits James so Charlotte makes the save this time and, after the camera cut for the wardrobe issue, Jax misses a charge into the corner. Charlotte is there with a sunset bomb out of the corner and the Figure Eight, only for James to run in with a rollup to pin Charlotte at 12:30.

Rating: B. That was a surprising result and it was nice to see James win over one of the two most likely results. James isn’t likely to win the Chamber, but much like Je’Von Evans in the men’s version, you have to do something with these people to get them out there. They’re the future (even the future of the midcard) and at some point they have to pick up some wins, just like this one.

Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky are ready to win tonight, at Raw, next week, and at Elimination Chamber. That’s a busy schedule.

Oba Femi vs. Kit Wilson

The bell rings so Wilson grabs the mic and wants to read Femi a poem. Femi looks intrigued at the Ode To Oba Femi, which praises him as dominant, but thinks he looks like a teddy bear. Femi wants another one, but Wilson only has one. Femi: “READ!” Wilson reads Nine Things He Hates About Men, including how they strut every time they get in the ring. The last thing he hates is Femi himself. Clotheslines, a toss slam, Fall From Grace (pop up sitout powerbomb) finishes Wilson at 3:50. Wilson was 31.

Rating: C. This was barely a match, as the wrestling aspect of it lasted about thirty seconds, which is how it should have gone. The poem stuff before the match was fine, and I like that they added in a little something other than Femi comes in and crushes him. Of course that’s how the match should have gone, but they spiced it up a bit. That’s always appreciated.

R-Truth comes up to Nick Aldis, who is standing in front of the mystery crate, and thinks it’s a prestigious award. Aldis says send it back to Raw and leaves. Question: does that mean it’s going back to the same arena Raw was in on Monday? Or does Raw just exist as some strange omnipresent entity in WWE lore? Anyway Damian Priest comes up and R-Truth says only one of them can go to Wrestlemania. Aldis explains that Priest is the only one in the qualifying match and R-Truth complains about the usage of his balls again.

Tiffany Stratton vs. Alba Fyre

The wheelchair bound Chelsea Green is here with Fyre and throws out her newspapers on the way to the ring. Stratton grabs a headlock to start and walks the ropes to take Fyre over. A basement dropkick puts Fyre down again but she’s back up with a tornado DDT of her own as we take a break.

We come back with Stratton making the clothesline comeback, followed by the handspring elbow in the corner. Stratton brainbusters her into a Falcon Arrow for two but Fyre is back with a Gory Bomb for two. An Alabama slam plants Fyre but the Prettiest Moonsault Ever is broken up. Green’s distraction lets Fyre take over, only for her Swanton to hit raised knees. The Prettiest Moonsault Ever finishes for Stratton at 9:50.

Rating: C+. This was fine as a way for Stratton to get some momentum built before the Chamber. Green in a wheelchair, whether or not she needs it, is ripe with potential and you know she’s going to be right there with whatever she thinks of for the idea. Fyre…geez it’s a shame after seeing her be so good as Kay Lee Ray.

Cody Rhodes runs into Sami Zayn, who isn’t doing great. Rhodes tries to give him a pep talk for having nothing to be ashamed of, but Zayn says Rhodes should be ashamed. He says Rhodes took advantage of things last week. Rhodes says he did because you have to and that’s why Zayn has never been WWE Champion.

That hits a nerve with Zayn, who talks about how everything always works out for Rhodes. Speaking of nerves being touches, Rhodes asks where Zayn was in Germany when Jacob Fatu cost Rhodes the title. The only thing in Zayn’s way is Zayn himself and Rhodes leaves. Zayn is ticked but Trick Williams comes in (to a BIG reaction) to say he’s going to take care of things tonight, which Zayn couldn’t do last week.

Zayn runs up to Rhodes and apologizes for what he said (the fans don’t approve). He knows Rhodes will be WWE Champion again, but don’t forget that he had some help on the way there (pointing at himself). Rhodes says he won’t forget and everything seems mostly ok. The Zayn stuff feels like they’re setting up something big and it has the chance to be a heck of a moment.

Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Carmelo Hayes vs. Trick Williams vs. Damian Priest

Non-title. Williams is knocked outside to start and Priest hammers on Hayes in the corner as we hear about Hayes and Williams’ partnership in NXT. Priest cleans house and the lifting Downward Spiral drops Williams. A bulldog driver gets two on Hayes but Williams flips out of a chokeslam attempt. Hayes gives Williams a springboard crossbody but gets dropped by Priest for two as we take a break.

We come back with Hayes hitting a running flip dive to Priest, followed by a running dropkick to Williams. A frog splash gives Hayes two on Priest but Williams kicks Hayes in the face. Back up and Hayes chops at Williams to cut off his trash talk before they all go outside. Williams drops Priest onto the announcers’ table and the Trick Kick gets two.

Priest is back up with a Razor’s Edge to Williams but Hayes hits Nothing But Net, with Williams making the save. Hayes and Priest get together to knock Priest down, only to argue over who gets the cover. The First 48 drops Williams but Priest loads up a Razor’s Edge on Hayes. That’s broken up with a Trick Shot each to give Williams the pin on Priest at 12:34.

Rating: B. Williams is this close to getting a rocket attached to his back, though I’m not sure how long the fans are going to be asked to boo him. It’s easy to see why too, as he has the look, the skill and the attitude. You don’t often find people main roster ready with pretty much no changes from NXT and it’s working here.

The tag division is around the crate, with Johnny Gargano on top of it. Candice LeRae wants Nick Aldis to fix this but Jordynne Grace comes in. LeRae doesn’t want her to interrupt so Aldis makes a match between them for next week.

B Fab and Michin interrupt a Jade Cargill photo shoot and threaten her. Good grief these two could not feel like bigger losers.

Giulia vs. Rhea Ripley

Non-title. Ripley powers her against the ropes to start so Giulia spins around into a choke. That’s broken up and Ripley reverses a tornado DDT into a suplex for two. Giulia is back up with a missile dropkick into the corner and Ripley misses a charge into the post (for a sickening thud) as we take a break. We come back with Ripley kicking her in the face to leave both of them down. Ripley catches her on top for a faceplant but Riptide is blocked. The big knee gives Giulia two so Ripley tries Riptide again, only for Lash Legend to run in for the DQ at 9:11.

Rating: B-. That’s the way this needed to end as you don’t want Ripley to lose but you also don’t want her to beat a champion. Instead they moved her further towards the Women’s Tag Team Title match next week. That’s what you should have done here and it come after a pretty good match. If nothing else, it’s nice to see Giulia getting a chance to show what she can do on her own, which isn’t something you often see.

Post match Legend and Nia Jax jump Ripley until Iyo Sky makes the save.

Oba Femi runs into the Miz, who offers to show Femi the ropes inside and outside. That works for Femi, who will go talk to Nick Aldis about it for next week. Miz is happy, until he realizes what that means.

Charlotte tries to keep herself calm about her loss but Alexa Bliss says it’s ok to be upset. Giulia and Kiana James come in to mock them but Bliss seems to issue a challenge. This results in Giulia screaming and having to be dragged off.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Solo Sikoa is ready for Uncle Howdy next week and praises Tama Tonga on his win. For now though, the team needs to focus on the Wyatt Sicks. Sikoa leaves and Shinsuke Nakamura comes in to say that Sikoa is holding Tonga back. A rematch seems to be teased.

Randy Orton vs. Aleister Black

Zelina is here with Black. They circle each other a bit to start until Orton drops him with a shoulder and poses. Some right hands in the corner have Black in trouble and another puts him on the floor as we take a break. We come back with Orton doing the circle stomp so Vega gets on the apron for a distraction.

That allows Black to hit a jumping knee to the back and a running knee to the back connects as well. The chinlock goes on for a bit, followed by a running forearm to drop Orton again for two. The chinlock goes on again but this time Orton fights up, only to get kicked down again. We hit the third chinlock (in less than nine minutes) so this time Orton, who is well experienced in this spot this time, suplexes his way to freedom.

The hanging DDT plants Black but he gets outside to avoid the RKO. Orton follows him and gets kicked in the face, only to come back with a poke to the eye. The hanging DDT drops Black onto the floor but here is Drew McIntyre to hit Orton with the belt (as the referee is with Black). Cody Rhodes runs in to chase McIntyre through the crowd and Black Mass finishes for Black at 13:09.

Rating: B-. It’s nice to see Black getting a win like this, as beating Orton in any fashion means something. Black has at least been doing something here and there since his return, with the devil on your shoulder being a nice place for him. I’m not sure what is next for him, but this is still one of the biggest wins he’s ever had in WWE.

Rhodes runs back in to check on Orton to end the show.

The show is dedicated to Kerwin Silfies to really wrap things up.

Overall Rating: B-. There were some good parts on this show, but it felt every bit of its three hours. That’s the kind of thing that can hurt any show, as the good action felt stretched out over a long time. The good thing is we’re pretty much done with the qualifying matches (at least on Fridays) and can move on to the more important stuff. That should help, as you can see some interesting things being set up, including from some of the newer stars.

Results
Tama Tonga b. Ilja Dragunov – Cutthroat
Kiana James b. Charlotte and Nia Jax – Rollup to Charlotte
Oba Femi b. Kit Wilson – Fall From Grace
Tiffany Stratton b. Alba Fyre – Prettiest Moonsault Ever
Trick Williams b. Damian Priest and Carmelo Hayes – Trick Shot to Priest
Rhea Ripley b. Giulia via DQ when Lash Legend interfered
Aleister Black b. Randy Orton – Black Mass

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Impact Wrestling
Date: February 19, 2026
Location: The Pinnacle, Nashville, Tennessee
Commentators: Tom Hannifan, Matthew Rehwoldt

We’re done with No Surrender, where only so much of note happened but the show itself was pretty good. Now it’s on to…whatever their next big show is, which hopefully has a better main event. The idea right now is a bunch of people could be coming for the World Title so Mike Santana has to have his head on a swivel. We also have a guitar case casket match, which is apparently a thing. Let’s get to it.

Here is No Surrender if you need a recap.

We open with a long No Surrender recap.

Opening sequence.

Indi Hartwell vs. Heather By Elegance

The rest of the Elegance Brand is here too. Hartwell wastes no time in wrestling her down to start and a side slam gets an early two. Heather sends her outside without much trouble and avoids a charge into the corner. The chinlock goes on to keep Hartwell down with Heather switching into a sleeper to make it worse.

Hartwell fights up with a spinebuster and the rest of the Brand gets up for a distraction. The referee is too smart (work with me here) for that though and they’re all tossed (save for Ash, who was on commentary). A top rope elbow to the back gets two on Heather, followed by a Hurts Donut for the pin at 7:15.

Rating: C. I still don’t think I see it with Hartwell, as the fans like her quite a bit but there’s a certain spark missing from her. The size difference was a problem here as well as Heather is downright tiny and Hartwell is one of the taller women in the company. Not a bad match at all though, and Hartwell and Xia Brookside might still be coming for the titles.

Earlier today, Steve Maclin was stopped from getting in the arena by Tom Hannifan. Maclin told him to find a way for him to get in next week, with Hannifan saying he’ll do it.

Hannifan says TNA management hasn’t responded yet.

Here is Mike Santana for a chat. He gets to the point, saying that if Steve Maclin keeps knocking on death’s door, sooner or later, it’s going to answer. With that out of the way, Santana would like Leon Slater to come out here. This brings out Slater, with Santana welcoming him back. Santana was worried about someone cashing in on him at No Surrender but Slater had his back.

In addition, Santana wants to apologize for leaving him on his own, and they shake hands. Slater pinned a former World Champion in Nic Nemeth though, which brings out the Nemeth Brothers, but Santana tells Ryan to shut up with the catchphrase. Nic calls the win luck, but Santana says it was skill. The challenge for the tag match is issued, which brings out Daria Rae. The match isn’t happening right now, but maybe next week. For now, get out of the ring.

The System warns Moose to move on because they dropped him for being dead weight. They have titles to win.

Frankie Kazarian wants to be on commentary for the Nemeths vs. Slater/Santana next week. Works for Daria Rae.

IMG Credit: TNA Wrestling

International Title: Stacks vs. Trey Miguel

Stacks, with Arianna Grace, is challenging. Before the match, Grace talks about how great things went at No Surrender, where he won the Knockouts Title. Yes her daddy got her the match and yes she played him like a fiddle. Miguel now has a customized (bright green) title and starts fast by ducking away from a charging Stacks. An arm snap over the top puts Stacks on the floor and we take a break.

We come back with Miguel catching him with a springboard moonsault before rolling a northern lights suplex into a Kimura. With that broken up, Miguel flips over him and stomps Stacks in the back, only for Stacks to pop back up to put him down. Miguel ties him in the corner for a Cheeky Nandos Kick and a 619, only for Grace to slide in the Knockouts Title. The distraction lets Stacks hit a running boot to the back of the head for two but Miguel is right back with the Lightning Spiral to retain at 9:49.

Rating: C+. I can go for Miguel retaining and getting a title defense underneath his belt, as he needs to rebuild his status as a singles star. Beating Stacks again is a good thing to see, if nothing else as it’s nice to see the TNA wrestlers beating the NXT names for a change. Nice enough match here, and it should be fun to see Grace yelling at Stacks again.

Eric Young and his unseen fans are ready to cleanse this place, starting with Leon Slater. Good for him. Now stop talking.

IMG Credit: TNA Wrestling

Tessa Blanchard vs. Jody Threat

They go to the mat to start, with Blanchard cranking on the arm early on. That’s broken up and Threat fires off some clotheslines in the corner, only to get knocked down again. Blanchard’s slingshot splash gets two and she grabs an abdominal stretch to hammer on the ribs. Threat fights up and grabs a fireman’s carry, which draws in Victoria Crawford for the DQ at 4:44.

Rating: C. They didn’t have much time here and having Threat get beaten up on her way to the Knockouts Title shot is a bit of a questionable move. At least she didn’t lose here, but this didn’t make her look like much. Hopefully she gets a better win down the line, preferably over Blanchard, as that would make her feel like a much better threat to get the title.

Post match Blanchard and company stay on Threat and her bad ribs until Harley Hudson and Myla Rose come in for the save.

BDE/Rich Swann vs. Sinner And Saint

Swann headscissors Williams to start fast and it’s off to BDE, who gets chopped down in a hurry. Icarus takes BDE into the corner, where he almost fights his way out. Instead he has to flip his way to freedom, allowing the tag to Swann. That means the pace can pick up, with Icarus being knocked outside as BDE comes back in.

The springboard cutter is blocked though and a backsplash into a brainbuster gets two, with Swann making the save. BDE is back up with a springboard cutter, followed by a handspring cutter from Swann for two, with Williams making the save. Swann is knocked outside, leaving BDE to get kicked in the head in the corner. Total Elimination finishes for Icarus at 5:37.

Rating: C+. Sinner And Saint have grown on me a bit, which is probably due to getting them away from being lackeys and making them their own thing. TNA has a history of building some some nice teams and maybe they can do it again here as well. It’s not like there are a ton of great teams around here so why not see what they have here? As usual, BDE is a unique case and he’s not going to be hurt by losing match after match.

Post match respect is shown.

Mance Warner and Steph de Lander swear vengeance on AJ Francis…and then go into his locker room where the fight is on. It’s also quickly broken up.

The Hardys are ready for the System, who come in to interrupt them. The Righteous come in and the System bails. With them gone, the Righteous say they’re still going to try to gain the Hardys’ trust. Shockingly, the Hardys don’t seem convinced.

Here is Elayna Black, who is not happy with Mara Sade for eliminating her from the #1 contenders battle royal. She wants an explanation from Sade, who comes out to the stage to say they both came from the same place. They’re in the same place again, but Black says Sade has been handed everything before. Sade says Black hates her for being a go getter and the challenge is on.

Here’s what’s coming next week, including an interview with Steve Maclin.

Elijah vs. Mustafa Ali

Guitar case casket match and Order 4 is barred from ringside. Ali charges into a boot to the face to start and they head outside, where Ali chairs him in the back. A bunch of chairs are set up on the floor but Elijah is back up with a ukulele shot. They fight to the ramp, where Elijah backdrops him onto the open chairs.

We take a break and come back with Ali putting him on a table at ringside, setting up a 450 from the top. Cue the barred Order 4, with Agent Zero putting Elijah in the casket…where Elijah comes out throwing powder. Elijah fights out and grabs Tasha Steelz for the Highwayman’s Farewell.

Ali grabs the guitar but Elijah is smart enough to turn around so Steelz gets hit in the back with the guitar instead. After Ali realizes that didn’t go well, it’s a Highwayman’s Farewell to put him down but Ali manages a low blow. Ali loads up the casket, which seems to have a door laid over the hole. Another 450 misses though and Elijah guitars him in the head. A chokeslam through the door into the casket gives Elijah the win at 11:56.

Rating: B-. There were some good spots here, but Elijah was reaching near superhero levels as he beat the entire team on his own. I’m still not sure why Ali can’t win anything big, but this does at least seem to be the end of their feud. Now get Ali on to something he can win and Elijah on to…whatever he’s going to do now.

Overall Rating: C+. I do like how things are going on the way to Sacrifice, but it only feels like so much of an event. That was the problem going into No Surrender and that doesn’t make for the best back to back schedule of shows. The show was good enough and Santana and whatever he is doing continue to be interesting, but there’s quite the step down from there and that needs to change.

Results
Indi Hartwell b. Heather By Elegance – Hurts Donut
Trey Miguel b. Stacks – Lightning Spiral
Jody Threat b. Tessa Blanchard via DQ when Victoria Crawford interfered
Sinner And Saint b. BDE/Rich Swann – Total Elimination to BDE
Elijah b. Mustafa Ali – Elijah shut Ali in the casket

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Ring Of Honor
Date: February 19, 2026
Location: Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, Australia
Commentators: Caprice Coleman, Ian Riccaboni

We’re down in Australia for at least some of this show, which means the crowd should be hotter than usual for a change. In theory that could be having a title match tonight, as that isn’t the case with this show most of the time. If nothing else, it does seem like we’re on the way towards Bandido defending the World Title against Blake Christian. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Zayda Steel vs. Johnnie Robbie

Christopher Daniels is here with Steel. Robbie kicks her hand away on the handshake and gets headscissored into the corner for her efforts. A kick to the ribs slows Steel down so she grabs a Stunner to put Robbie on the floor. Robbie trips her down and takes away in the corner, followed by the camel clutch. That’s broken up as well and Steel hits a rolling kick to the face for the pin at 2:40. The kick looked good, but Steel is starting at the bottom of a long climb after losing so many matches to start her run around here.

Video on Skyflight vs. TMDK.

Skyflight vs. TMDK

TMDK (Che Cabrera/Bad Dude Tito/Shane Haste) are from New Japan. Darius clears Haste out to start and it’s quickly off to Sky. That’s fine with TMDK, who send him outside for the double stomping. Haste’s cannonball gets two and he grabs a chinlock to keep Sky down. Sky is right back up to bring in Dante for the springboard high crossbody on Haste. Everything breaks down and Cabrera gets caught in the wrong corner, where a tornado DDT plants him for two. Top Flight hit stereo dives to the floor and Sky’s TKO finishes Cabrera at 5:13.

Rating: C+. It’s nice to see Skyflight actually winning something for a change, as they tend to lose almost everything they do. The team could easily be put into a title hunt, or even win some belts here and there, but for some reason they tend to be jobbers to the stars most of the time. This isn’t some game changing win, but it’s better than nothing.

Mark Davis vs. The Tuckman

Tuckman ducks some right hands to start and actually grabs a headlock. That’s broken up though and Davis starts firing off the chops. Tuckman’s attempt at a slam doesn’t work and Davis sends him into the corner for a running forearm. An armdrag sends Davis to the apron though and Tuckman dropkicks him outside for a dive. Back in and the slam sets up a cutter for two on Davis, who has had it with this. That means Thunderstruck finishes Tuckman at 5:07.

Rating: C+. Bad name aside, Tuckman got to showcase himself a bit here and that was nice to see. This was a case of Davis trying to catch Tuckman, who ran around and got in a bit of offense here and there before finally getting caught. It’s not exactly a novel idea but they did the formula well.

Sisters Of Sin vs. Frankie B./Aysha

Blue backs B up against the ropes to start but B takes her down for a basement clothesline. Aysha comes in and gives Hart a Shining Wizard for two and B comes back in. This time Blue trips her from the floor though and Hart hammers away. A DDT gives Hart two but B manages to knock Blue down, allowing the double tags to Aysha and Hart. Everything breaks down and Hart sends the two of them into each other, setting up a double superkick for two on B. Aysha makes a save and B drops Hart with a spear. A superkick puts Aysha down though and the assisted swinging Side Effect finishes for Blue at 7:19.

Rating: C+. Aysha made a good fired up comeback in there and B had some nice offense as well. The Sisters are at least an established team and can work well together so this was a nice way to let the unknown team show off a bit. Nice enough match here and better than I was expecting.

Dalton Castle/Outrunners vs. Will Kiedis/Sam Osborne/Jack Osborne

Castle says he encountered a whole tree full of cockatoos. Kiedis and Magnum start things off with Kiedis posing at him. That earns him an arm crank and it’s off to Floyd for a running knee. Sam comes in for a running shoulder in the corner as the villains start taking over on Floyd. Kiedis even trips him from the floor but Floyd avoids a charge in the corner.

The needed tag brings in Magnum to clean house and it’s a bulldog/running clothesline combination. The Mega Powers Elbow is broken up though and a toss cutter gets two on Floyd. A clothesline/backbreaker combination puts him down again but he’s right back up with a knockdown of his own. Castle comes in for the suplexes but gets triple teamed down. Castle and the Outrunners hit triple slams and NOW the Mega Powers Elbow connects for the pin on Jack at 7:22.

Rating: B-. Another fun tag match here, which shouldn’t be a surprise given that Castle and the Outrunners were involved. They’ve become a good team in recent weeks and, as usual, I could go for seeing them getting to do more. That could be as simple as “hey, these guys have won a bunch of six man matches and they should get a title shot”, but that seems more complicated than it should be for whatever reason.

Charli Evans vs. Mina Shirakawa

Evans works on the arm to start and sends Shirakawa into the corner for a running boot. Shirakawa is back up with some rapid fire kicks and sweeps the leg for a slingshot corkscrew dive. Evans blocks the Figure Four attempt and grabs a very bridging fisherman’s suplex for two. The Shining Wizard is blocked but Evans turns the Figure Four over. Shirakawa is right back with a missile dropkick into the top rope Sling Blade for two. Shirakawa strikes her down and the Glamorous Driver finishes Evans at 8:31.

Rating: B-. This was another case where Evans was giving it all she had in her big chance and that was cool to see. Shirakawa needed a win after her long stretch of losing and that is going to need to change on the main roster. I’m not sure what she could do, as it’s not like there are a bunch of titles she could be going after at the moment.

Robbie Eagles vs. Shawn Dean

Eagles double wristdrags him down to start and then sends Dean into the corner for some…horn mockery? Dean bails out to the floor and avoids the dive, only to come back in for a running shoulder. Eagles gets hammered down into the corner and a Bronco Buster (dubbed the BBC, which has Riccaboni confused) gives Dean two. A running elbow in the corner drops Eagles but another Bronco Buster misses. Eagles’ running kick to the chest gets two and he kicks away at the leg. A 619 to the leg puts Dean down again and a 450 onto the leg sets up the Ron Miller Special (reverse Figure Four) for the win at 7:32.

Rating: C+. Eagles is an established name from Australia and it makes sense to put him out there as the feature attraction. There is pretty much no reason to have him beat a champion, but at least it was a singles match instead of a six man. This was at least a fast paced match with Eagles taking apart the leg to win so it went well as a main event.

Overall Rating: B-. That was a Ring Of Honor show all right, with little in the way of stories advancing, but with some good action. Having the guest stars here helped a lot, but there is only so much you can do with one random match after another. That has been a problem for years around here, and now we’re going to be over eighty days since six titles have been defended (or over 200 in the TV Title’s case). What are they supposed to do if the titles they have floating around mean nothing? Anyway, good action here, as the Australian wrestlers were working hard in their chance.

Results
Zayda Steel b. Johnny Robbie – Spinning kick to the face
Skyflight b. TMDK – TKO to Cabrera
Mark Davis b. The Tuckman – Thunderstruck
Sisters Of Sin b. Frankie B/Aysha – Assisted swinging Side Effect to Aysha
Dalton Castle/Outrunners b. Sam Osborne/Jack Osborne/Will Kiedis – Mega Powers Elbow to Jack
Mina Shirakawa b. Charli Evans – Glamorous Driver
Robbie Eagles b. Shawn Dean – Ron Miller Special

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

This is from a colleague of mine who is trying his hand at reviewing so if you could give it a look.

https://www.smarkdownsblog.com/wwf-royal-rumble-1994-review

Dynamite
Date: February 18, 2026
Location: Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California
Commentators: Tony Schiavone, Excalibur, Bryan Danielson

We’ve got a big match this week, as Kenny Omega will be facing Swerve Strickland. That is the kind of match that could easily be on the upcoming Revolution card but instead we have it this week. At the same time, we are getting ready for the pay per view, meaning MJF and Hangman Page need to go face to face this week. Let’s get to it.

Here is Collision if you need a recap.

Mina Shirakawa wants the TBS Title.

Willow Nightingale knows that it’s tough to be a double champ but may the best woman win.

Megan Bayne says she deserves gold.

Swerve Strickland needs to beat Kenny Omega.

Omega says Strickland is in his way.

Orange Cassidy has a replacement partner for Roderick Strong: Tomohiro Ishii.

IMG Credit: All Elite Wrestling

Jon Moxley vs. Mark Davis

Non-title. Feeling out process to start with Davis grabbing a waistlock to little avail. Instead Davis tries some chops, which have Moxley chopping right back. A sunset flip is broken up with a sitdown splash and a sliding forearm in the corner knocks Moxley silly again. They go outside where Davis hits some rather loud chops but Moxley ducks one of them, which hits the post instead.

The suicide dive connects and Davis’ hand is bleeding (that’s a rare one) as the fans are way behind Moxley. Naturally Moxley bites and stomps on the cut as we take a break. We come back with Moxley biting the cut again and superplexing Davis down. A PK gives Moxley one and they strike it out, with Davis using the bad hand.

Davis gets smart by using an enziguri but the clothesline is countered with a jumping cutter. Back up and Davis manages to hit the clothesline, followed by a gutwrench piledriver of all things for two. Moxley shakes a lot and escapes a choke, allowing him to avoid a running enziguri. The stomp doesn’t leave Davis down for very long so they’re back up to trade clotheslines. Moxley pulls him into the bulldog choke for the win at 14:00.

Rating: B-. They did a nice job of beating each other up as Moxley is always going to be in for a big brawl. Davis still feels a lot better as a tag guy but it’s not his fault his partner got hurt. I can go with having him around for something like this, but he’s going to be better off with someone helping him out.

After winning on Collision, Hangman Page praised Andrade El Idolo but says he’s coming for MJF and the World Title at Revolution.

Here are FTR and Stokely Hathaway to complain about the Young Bucks. The Bucks coined the phrase FTR but now they’re the second best team in AEW’s history. Hathaway is sick of doing the same things over and over and they hate everyone around here. He insults the Bucks over and over…and here they are to superkick FTR. Hathaway (still in his wheelchair) gets superkicked as well and the Bucks want their title shot at Revolution.

After losing at Collision, Brody King says getting so close to winning the World Title and losing makes him want it that much more. On February 25, he’s getting back in the title hunt. I’ll avoid making a joke about the bag of ice on his knee.

IMG Credit: All Elite Wrestling

TBS Title: Marina Shafir vs. Megan Bayne vs. Mina Shirakawa vs. Willow Nightingale

Nightingale is defending and Penelope Ford is here with Bayne. Shirakawa is sent outside to start, leaving Bayne and Shafir to double team Nightingale. That’s broken up as Nightingale sends them outside for the cannonball off the apron, only for Shirakawa to hit a dive of her own. Back in and Nightingale gives the villains a double Codebreaker but Bayne is able to snap off a super hurricanrana. Shirakawa is sent crashing out to the floor and we take a break.

We come back with Shirakawa striking away and Bayne accidentally hitting Shafir. Nightingale fires back with three straight spinebusters before she and Bayne drop each other with a double clothesline. Bayne clears the ring and hits a big dive to the floor but Shafir breaks up the pin attempt. A powerbomb puts Shafir down on the floor but Nightingale puts Bayne down back inside. Shirakawa is right there with a missile dropkick and kick to the head for Nightingale. That lets her load up the Figure Four, which Nightingale reverses into a small package to retain at 11:15.

Rating: B. They got rolling here and it turned into quite the spectacle for all four. Nightingale gets to retain again and that’s always nice to see, even if it still feels like she has no need to be a double champion. At the same time, Shirakawa’s fall continues, as she loses the match not long after losing some of her hair. That’s just a bad run, unlike this good match.

Video on Grand Slam.

Commentary pays tribute to WWE director Kerwin Silfies, who passed away at 75. That’s rather touching.

IMG Credit: All Elite Wrestling

Here are Hangman Page and MJF for their face to face showdown. MJF says he isn’t going to cut some cutesy wrestling promo to sell Revolution. The truth is that he hates everything about Page, from his attitude to his wrestling, and he hates the fact that the fans think Page is the main character of AEW. What makes it even worse though is that MJF has lost to Page twice.

Page is just a lucky shot and on March 15, MJF’s birthday, MJF is going to prove it. Page talks about how the fans carried him to two World Titles and says MJF basically stole the belt. The reality is Page hates MJF far worse than MJF hates him, because they’re so much alike. MJF’s desperation for love and acceptance feels just like Page and they have both always needed the fans’ reception. He wants to end this at Revolution for good so it needs to be something different.

MJF can think of a stipulation because Page already has his own, and the people can pick. MJF thinks he hears Texas Death but SHUT UP because this is going to be a regular match. Page is willing to sweeten the pot a bit: if he loses, he never challenges for the World Title again. MJF says that’s a deal, but he wants a week to think about his stipulation. That’s fine with Page, who wants Texas Death. They definitely raised the stakes, but hopefully they have a good stipulation because otherwise it could be quite the mess.

The Death Riders still hate the Don Callis Family and a challenge is issued for Collision. As for Revolution, Jon Moxley wants Konosuke Takeshita, no time limit. That’s not exactly under Continental Rules there Mox.

Orange Cassidy/Tomohiro Ishii vs. Gabe Kidd/Clark Connors

Cassidy has to duck a big swing from Kidd to start and immediately hands it off to Ishii. Kidd wastes no time in taking Ishii into the corner and it’s off to Connors, who dares to try chopping. That just ticks Ishii off and Connors gets double chopped in the corner (Ishii is a bit more into it than Cassidy) before everything breaks down. Cassidy gets chopped down and Ishii is sent into the announcers’ table as we take a break.

We come back with Ishii and Kidd chopping it out until Kidd bites the head. Something like a Pounce puts Kidd down and they slap each other in the face over and over. Kidd hits a hard running lariat to put Ishii down and it’s back to Connors, who drops Ishii again. Ishii, who is favoring either his back or hamstring, manages a belly to back suplex and brings Cassidy back in. Everything breaks down and Kidd is sent outside, where Darby Allin kidnaps him into the crowd. Ishii grabs the brainbuster (really a suplex but it’s understandable as he seems injured) to pin Connors at 9:53.

Rating: C+. This was kind of a messy match, though that might be due to Ishii getting hurt. They kind of had to go to the ending in a hurry, though they got the big deal with Allin in and that’s all that matters. It’s certainly better than having Allin get beaten up all the time, as he has a reason for revenge here and is actually taking it for a change.

The Don Callis Family beat up a bunch of people in the back and accept the Death Riders’ challenges, both for Collision and Revolution. Kazuchika Okada comes in to say he’s here because he’s a champion while Konosuke Takeshita couldn’t even show up. Andrade El Idolo comes in to say he wants the World Title. Don Callis wants the CMLL World Title for the Family.

Hook wants to bring some new members into the Opps.

IMG Credit: All Elite Wrestling

Brawling Birds vs. B3cca/Viva Van

Windsor hammers on Van in the corner to start and quickly powers out of a headlock. A sunset flip takes Van down and Hayter comes in for a running boot to the face. The Birds chop away in the corner but Van slips out of a double suplex. B3cca comes in and gets catapulted into an Irish Curse. A Hart Attack finishes for Windsor at 3:58.

Rating: C. Total squash here and that’s a nice start for the Birds. They’re pretty much two women with nothing else to do being thrown together and that’s a tried and true way to build a tag division. It was just a small sample size but it was a good way to start, so maybe they have something here.

Renee Young brings in Kris Statlander, who wants the Women’s Title back, and Thunder Rosa, who is back and cleared to return. That’s good to hear.

Kevin Knight vs. The Beast Mortos

Mike Bailey is here with Knight, who avoids a charge to start and sends Mortos crashing out to the floor. Knight slingshots over the post and takes Mortos down as we take a break. We come back with Mortos sending him outside for a running flip dive, which is quite the sight. Back in and the pop up Samoan drop gives Mortos two but Knight hits a great looking dropkick. A jumping clothesline drops Mortos again and Knight even manages a slam. The running splash gets two and Knight plants him with a running DDT. The UFO Splash gives Knight the pin at 8:36.

Rating: B-. They did some good stuff here, which shouldn’t be a surprise, and they didn’t waste any time. Knight continues to feel like a star in the making, with some outstanding athleticism. At the same time, I have absolutely no idea why Page/Jetspeed are the Trios Champions, as I don’t remember the last time they were even together on TV.

Video on Will Ospreay.

The Demand wants the Trios Titles. Say on Collision. They go to their dressing room, where they find a knife in the door. Eh must be nothing.

Swerve Strickland vs. Kenny Omega

Prince Nana is here with Swerve. They fight over a lockup to start with Swerve knocks him down. Omega is back with a running shoulder so Swerve slaps him in the face. Swerve is knocked outside but it’s way too early for the Terminator dive. They head outside with Omega chopping away and moonsaulting off the barricade as we take a break. We come back with Omega grabbing a suplex to put them both down.

You Can’t Escape gives Omega two and he drops Swerve face first onto the top turnbuckle. The snapdragon drops Swerve for two more but he manages to send Omega into the buckle right back. The Vertebreaker is countered though and Omega grabs a snapdragon on the apron for the big knockdown. Swerve is able to escape a snapdragon from the apron to the floor but then has to flip out of a German suplex to the floor.

That lets Swerve grab a suplex on the floor as they’re both starting to feel this. Back in and a 450 in the general vicinity to Omega’s back gets two but Omega is able to hit a running knee in the corner. The snapdragon superplex plants Swerve for two but he pulls the referee into the V Trigger (though it might have been due to her checking on Swerve’s banged up shoulder).

The One Winged Angel is countered into the House Call but there is no one to count. Instead it’s a Swerve Stomp to the apron before Swerve catapults him throat first into the exposed turnbuckle. Another Swerve Stomp gets two from another referee but Omega grabs another snapdragon. The poisonrana looks to set up the One Winged Angel but Swerve escapes for the House Call. Big Pressure finishes Omega at 20:10.

Rating: A-. These two had a pay per view quality match and I’m still not sure why it wasn’t on the pay per view. Swerve was definitely going more violent here, though I’m not sure how easily he would be able to turn heel. Either way, it was a heck of a match and definitely worth a look, as Swerve gets to show how good he can be in a huge match.

Post match Swerve beats Omega down even more and even hangs him over the top rope with the chain. A Vertebreaker through the announcers’ table ends the show.

Overall Rating: B. The main event is great and the TBS Title match was worth a look, but the rest of the show wasn’t quite as awesome. The good thing is that they’re setting up Revolution, which has the potential to be quite the show. They still have some time to add a few things in and I’m curious about what is next for Swerve. For now though, the excellent main event more than carries the show.

Results
Jon Moxley b. Mark Davis – Bulldog choke
Willow Nightingale b. Marina Shafir, Megan Bayne and Mina Shirakawa – Small package to Shirakawa
Brawling Birds b. B3cca/Viva Van – Hart Attack to B3cca
Kevin Knight b. The Beast Mortos – UFO Splash
Swerve Strickland b. Kenny Omega – Big Pressure

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6