NXT
Date: September 15, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Booker T., Vic Joseph

We’re still about a month and a half away from Halloween Havoc but the big story this week is crowning a new #1 contender. Last week, Mason Rook, Tony D’Angelo and Saquon Shuggars won a six man tag so this week they’re facing each other for the next title shot. That’s in addition to everything else going on around here so let’s get to it.

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

Lizzy Rain vs. Kali Armstrong

Armstrong slams her a few times to start but Rain is right back with a release fisherman’s suplex for two. Rain takes her down by the arm and gets two off a basement spinwheel kick. Back up and Armstrong misses a charge into the post and Rain dropkicks her through the ropes as we take a break.

We come back with Armstrong getting two off a spinebuster to leave both of them down. Back up and Armstrong dances a bit, only to get kicked in the face. A Stunner is blocked but Armstrong gets caught with a cutter for two instead. Thunderstruck is cut off with a slam but the Kali Connection is cut off by Rain’s flying headbutt. Another Thunderstruck misses and now the Kali Connection finishes Rain at 9:52.

Rating: C+. Armstrong getting a win is good to see as she knows how to do the powerhouse style. It worked well here and that Kali Connection is a heck of a move, just because of how forceful of an impact it has. Rain continues to be there and not doing much, though she has more than enough charisma to keep giving her a chance.

Post match LFG winner Skyler Raye runs in to jump Armstrong and they’re separated.

Sean Legacy and Dorian Van Dux are getting ready for the Tag Team Titles but Birthright comes in to say the titles are theirs.

Cruz Montana is in Robert Stone’s office to talk about last week’s six man tag. EK Prosper came in to say that loss was his fault, which Montana respects. The Vanity Project comes in and the argument is on, with Stone making the match for later tonight.

Darkstate vs. Dorian Van Dux/Sean Legacy

James suplexes Legacy to start but gets dropkicked away. A basement dropkick has James down again and Legacy gives him an armdrag. Back up and James grabs a scary reverse suplex with Legacy landing on his face. Dux comes in to strike Griffin down and a double belly to back suplex does it again. Griffin is fine enough to suplex both of them at the same time but Darkstate is sent outside. The double dives are broken up with Legacy and Dux are planted down as we take a break.

We come back with everything breaking down and Legacy cleaning house on the floor. Dux’s springboard spinning crossbody gets two on James, who is right back up with an iconoclasm. Legacy is back up with a couple of dives and Dux hits a moonsault to the floor. Cue Dion Lennox to jump Dux though, allowing James and Griffin to hit an assisted toss powerbomb for the pin at 11:36.

Rating: C+. I still do not get the appeal of Legacy and Dux as a team. Dux is a nice powerhouse but Legacy doesn’t do much for me at all. Darkstate continues to be an ok enough team but the division as a whole still doesn’t feel like it has any really good teams throughout. This match didn’t do much to change that feeling.

Post match here is Birthright to say they are tired of disrespect and start by beating on Legacy and Dux. Cue Zilla Fatu for the save, with Legacy and Dux getting back up to help clear the ring.

Mason Rook is ready to have another biggest win of his career to get the #1 contendership.

Earlier tonight, Grayson Waller started running on a treadmill and he’s still going.

Robert Stone asks Skylar Raye what that was about but here is Myles Borne, who wants to apologize to Tavion Heights.

Zaria’s arm is bruised but she’s medically cleared. Izzy Dame comes in to mock her for getting injured by Thea Hail.

Here is Myles Borne to call out Tavion Heights for a face to face apology. Heights joins him in the ring and says Borne crossed the line. Borne says he jumped the gun and acted out of fear just after he lost his two titles. He does clearly apologize but Heights says his back is still sore after he got stabbed.

Heights says he’s not sure if they can fix this but Borne brings up Heights doing something similar to him before. Then they got back together and won the Tag Team Titles. Borne wants to start over fresh and Heights finally agrees to forgive him. They hug and yes Borne does lay him out, including Pillmanizing Heights’ ankle. Nice job here, as they dragged it out before the attack.

Kendal Grey, with Wren Sinclair, goes to a medical clinic to get an update on her ear issue. She doesn’t have a concussion but she needs to rest and see a sports psychologist. This doesn’t sit well with her.

Cruz Montana/EK Prosper vs. Vanity Project

Non-title. Baylor grabs a front facelock on Prosper to start but Prosper trips him down and gets two off a dropkick. Montana comes in and shrugs off Smokes’ shoulder as everything breaks down, with the Project quickly being sent to the floor as we take a break. We come back with Montana in trouble and getting caught with a dropkick Hart Attack for two. Smokes grabs the chinlock but Montana is back up with a Death Valley Driver.

Prosper comes back in with a missile dropkick and it’s time to clean house. A top rope Blockbuster gets two on Baylor and a running knee drops Smokes. Montana pops Prosper up to the top for a hurricanrana….almost into a powerbomb from Montana, who only made a bit of contact. A pair of dives hit the Project but here is Jackson Drake to kick Montana in the face. That’s good for an ejection but Smokes uses the distraction to backslide Prosper, with Baylor assisting, for the pin at 11:52.

Rating: B-. I’m not sure what they’re doing with Montana at the moment but at least he’s getting to do something while being treated like a big star. At the same time, Prosper is already feeling like someone with all kinds of potential and that’s great to see. The Project is getting better as well, though they still feel like they are overachieving for the most part, which is kind of the point.

Saquon Shuggars is ready to win tonight but Tristan Angels comes in to mock a bunch of people, including Zilla Fatu and Shuggars himself. Shuggars doesn’t seem to care.

Here is Kelani Jordan for a chat. She doesn’t want to be a champion who just posts certain pictures of herself on Instagram or hides from title defenses. That’s why she defended her title last week and then debuted on Raw in Mexico City while Wren Sinclair got suspended. This brings out AAA Reina de Reinas Champion La Catalina, who brags about her win and is ready to bring NXT to a new level.

This brings out Zaria, who wants her name in a discussion of dominant champions. Thea Hail joins them to say she can hang with anyone in the ring and has made Zaria tap out. The brawl is on with the villains quickly being dispatched. Hail just feels like she’s begging us to believe her and that’s not good.

Tony D’Angelo is ready for the triple threat tonight and knows Saquon Shuggars from the Darkstate days and Mason Rook, who debuted by attacking him.

Grayson Waller is still running.

Shiloh Hill is studying the colors of the mists and even tests some on himself. Then raccoons start talking to him.

Robert Stone announces the return of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. The Creed Brothers come in to say they’re winning it again.

We look at Stephanie Vaquer winning the Raw Women’s Title in Chile.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Saquon Shuggars vs. Tony D’Angelo vs. Mason Rook

For a future NXT Title shot. Shuggars tries to go after the two of them but gets clotheslined out to the floor. Rook is sent outside as well, leaving Shuggars to beat up D’Angelo. Back in and Rook snaps off some slams, setting up a double backsplash. D’Angelo gets up again and rolls some German suplexes on Shuggars.

A German suplex to both of them lets D’Angelo get two on Rook, who pops up to the top. That means a Tower Of Doom and everyone is down as Grayson Waller gets off the treadmill as we take a break. We come back with Rook getting two off a splash and Shuggars being the only one standing. A slingshot legdrop gets two on Rook, with D’Angelo Jackhammering Rook for two more.

Shuggars kicks D’Angelo down, earning himself a suplex into the corner. Shuggars goes up top and gets superplexed into Rook’s sitout powerbomb for two, with D’Angelo making the save. Rook and D’Angelo slug it out but Shuggars is back up with a top rope splash to D’Angelo, with Tristan Angels running in to pull the referee out. Shuggars dives onto Angels as D’Angelo’s back gives out while trying to pick Rook up. That means a Blue Thunder Bomb and top rope splash to give Rook the pin at 14:06.

Rating: B-. I’m not sure on the result but then again I’ve yet to get the appeal of Rook. At the end of the day, he’s a fresh name getting the chance to go after the title in what should be a big time TV main event. That’s all this needed to be, though the match was pretty much just a standard triple threat.

Post match Grayson Waller runs out to stare at Rook. So was there really any point in having him on the treadmill for hours?

Overall Rating: B-. This was a show about setting things up for the future, with the tag division and NXT Title picture getting a lot of attention. There was nothing here that you really needed to see though, which is the kind of show that has to happen every so often. Then again there is a long time before Halloween Havoc so they have time to get things ready. Perfectly fine show, but the bigger stuff is coming in the next few weeks.

Results
Kali Armstrong b. Lizzy Rain – Kali Connection
Darkstate b. Sean Legacy/Dorian Van Dux – Assisted toss powerbomb to Van Dux
Varsity Project b. Cruz Montana/EK Prosper – Backslide with assist from Baylor
Mason Rook b. Tony D’Angelo and Saquon Shuggars – Top rope splash to D’Angelo

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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WWF House Show
Date: March 19, 1990
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York
Attendance: 9,500
Commentators: Lord Alfred Hayes, Gorilla Monsoon, Hillbilly Jim

We’re about two weeks away from Wrestlemania VI and that means we probably won’t be in for the biggest card here. The thing is you never know what you might see with one of these things, as house shows can go anywhere between outstanding and incredibly boring. Let’s get to it.

Commentary runs down the card.

Mike Sharpe vs. Jim Powers

This match is so important that commentary doesn’t even acknowledge it starting for a bit as they’re too busy talking about Wrestlemania. Sharpe bails to the apron to start and then hits a loud chop as we’re a minute into the match with absolutely no acknowledgment of it from commentary. Powers dropkicks him out to the floor and Monsoon FINALLY mentions the match as Sharpe staggers around ringside.

Sharpe gets pulled in and knocked outside again, which has him considering walking out. Back in and Sharpe wants a pose off and we go to a test of strength as commentary lists off locations where you can see Wrestlemania on closed circuit. Monsoon prefers pay per view because he can pick his nose in peace. Powers kicks out of the test of strength and goes after the arm but Sharpe is up with a chop. This lets commentary reference Sharpe’s obsession with taking showers before Sharpe gets a boot up in the corner.

The shoulders to the ribs in the corner allow a camera shot of A LOT of empty seats as there is no reason to sit through a match like this. Imagine paying that much attention to it. Anyway Powers’ sunset flip gets two so Sharpe kicks him in the head for the same. A crossbody gets two more, earning Powers a toss out to the floor. As Powers walks around for a bit, Monsoon talks about a sign on the ceiling of his wrestling room saying that if you can read this, you’re not doing well. Back in and Powers’ dropkick gets two, followed by the powerslam to give Powers the pin at 12:52.

Rating: C-. It’s not that it was a bad match on the technical side but it was a dull match between two people who mean nothing in the company. These two were there so there could officially be a match going on while fans were getting concessions and such. It doesn’t make for anything interesting though and that was true here, with nothing to see at all.

Black Bart vs. Hercules

Hercules shoves the bigger Bart around to start and easily powers out of a full nelson. For some reason Bart wants a test of strength, with the reason being revealed as a simple kick to the stomach. The cheating lets Bart take over with more shots to the ribs and a running crotch attack to the back. Commentary’s subject at the moment? The mixed tag at Wrestlemania.

Hercules gets sent face first into the buckle and it’s off to the choking. A swinging neckbreaker and legdrop (to the forehead) get two and we finally hit the chinlock, which you knew was coming. The closeup shows how weak of a chinlock it is, with even Hayes having to admit that it’s bad.

Bart pulls him back down into another chinlock as this is somehow dying even more despite already being dead. Hercules fights up but gets caught with a clothesline for two and my goodness it’s another chinlock as this match has to keep going. The comeback is finally on as Hercules hammers away with the snap jabs, hits the knee lift, and torture racks him for the win at 12:25.

Rating: D. It was boring and that’s all there was here. It’s a match that could have been done in about five minutes without nearly as many chinlocks. Instead, this was another match where they were sent out there to kill time. It gets annoying to sit through these things and it doesn’t make me want to see Hercules facing Earthquake at Wrestlemania.

Orient Express vs. Demolition

Mr. Fuji is here with the Express and yeah I still dig that “all Japanese wrestlers use this song” music. On the other hand, Demolition’s music is scrubbed in quite the disappointment. Smash and Tanaka lock up to start with Smash knocking him down, allowing the tag off to Ax for the chinlock. Sato comes in and gets elbowed in the face but Tanaka gets in a cheap shot from the apron.

That just earns Tanaka a rapid fire beating, with Smash getting two off a backbreaker. The armbar goes on and Ax comes back in to work on the arm as well as Tanaka takes quite the beating. Sato comes back in and gets beaten down and….something happens with Smash getting knocked down, though the camera totally misses it, leaving Monsoon with no idea what happened. Smash is taken outside for a cane shot to the back before going back inside to keep up the beating.

Tanaka has to trip Smash up to cut off a comeback, with the camera mostly missing it as well. Smash clotheslines his way out of the corner and….I’m assuming tags Ax but the camera misses that too! Sweet goodness how hard can it be to know when the tag is coming? IT’S A TAG MATCH! Ax rams Sato into the corner a few times and a powerslam gets two. Everything breaks down and Ax gets the cane to stalk Fuji. Sato is right there with the salt though and Ax is counted out at 10:58.

Rating: C. This wasn’t a great match either but it was far better than anything in the previous two matches. I’m guessing this was designed to set up a title rematch after Wrestlemania, which is fine, and at least Demolition didn’t get pinned. Some of the action here was fine and it didn’t drag, so things are looking up a bit.

Frenchy Martin vs. Koko B. Ware

Martin misses a right hand in the corner to start and gets taken down with a quick armdrag. They fight over a top wristlock and go absolutely nowhere, which shouldn’t be much of a surprise. Martin rams him head first into the turnbuckle, which just makes Ware mad. A thumb to the throat has Ware in trouble for a change and we’re off to the nerve hold.

Back up and an elbow to the face sets up the nerve hold again as I’m having Black Bart flashbacks. Martin sends him outside for a ram into the apron as Frankie….does nothing, as he’s kind of a useless second here. The sunset flip is blocked and we’re back to the nerve hold as you can feel the lack of energy in the building.

Ware gets up and is quickly knocked right back down for two, meaning we hit the….what is this, the fourth nerve hold? Another comeback attempt is cut off with a clothesline before Ware misses a splash in the corner. Martin chokes some more and the BORING chants are getting louder and louder. AND MARTIN PUTS THE NERVE HOLD ON AGAIN! Holy sweet goodness this is pathetic. Ware fights up and hits a headbutt, followed by the Ghostbuster for the pin at 12:39.

Rating: D-. Oh sweet goodness no. This was a match where they should have been embarrassed with what they did out there, as it was just so dry with Martin not trying in the slightest for the most part. They did the same rest hold about five times in a match and the fans were rejecting the whole thing. Absolutely terrible as this show is dying in an amazing way.

Jim Duggan vs. Earthquake

Jimmy Hart is here with….well you should already know this but it’s Earthquake in case you’re new at this. Earthquake backs him into the corner to start so Duggan is back up with some running clotheslines. Hart trips him up though and Earthquake knocks Duggan outside as I admire a fan’s neon green hat.

A missed charge sends Earthquake crashing out to the floor, where he posts Duggan to cut him off again. Back in and we hit the bearhug for a good while, with Duggan biting his face to escape. Duggan slugs away to put Earthquake on his knee and does it again to put him down, where some more big right hands have Earthquake rocked. Hart offers another distraction though and it’s a splash into an elbow to pin Duggan at 6:37.

Rating: C. I’ll take this after watching that horrible Ware vs. Martin match. Duggan’s comeback was really energized and it’s where Duggan tended to shine. I was surprised that Earthquake didn’t win with the usual, but I guess they didn’t want Duggan to be crushed like that here and then be in the ring at Wrestlemania.

Post match Earthquake elbows him again, with Jim Powers and Koko B. Ware’s save attempts failing miserably. Duggan chases Earthquake off with the 2×4.

Bret Hart is ready to face Rick Martel, who is more worried about his appearance and scent than his wrestling.

Martel calls Hart jealous and knows he’s better than Hart.

Brutus Beefcake (we must be in intermission) is only worried about which way he should lay Dino Bravo for his haircut.

Mr. Perfect is not happy with Ultimate Warrior saying he’ll end Perfect’s perfect record. And Warrior is nuts anyway! Well yeah.

Rick Martel vs. Bret Hart

Fink’s reaction to the Arrogance being sprayed is great as he looks annoyed but what is he supposed to do about it? Hart gives his sunglasses to a fan who has what appears to be a bootleg Mario shirt. Eh I’d wear it. Hart backs him up against the ropes and lets him go, with Martel looking rather disgusted. It works so well that they do it again as they might as well put up a big sign saying WE’RE GOING TO A DRAW.

Hart blocks an O’Connor roll attempt and Martel flips backwards for a rather smug pose. Martel jumps over him out of the corner and gets knocked down, with a small package giving Hart two. That’s enough to send Martel bailing out to the floor before he elbows the buckle by mistake. Hart starts in on the arm with a standing armbar and then takes him down to keep the armbar going. Martel powers out but misses an elbow and the arm is banged up even worse. The armbar goes on again and Hart is looking rather bored.

Martel finally makes it over to the rope but gets pulled back into the armbar, with Hart getting to adjust his kneepad. Back up and Martel sends him crashing to the floor, meaning it is time for some jumping jacks. A suplex back in gives Martel two and he can’t believe the kickout. Hart gets whipped hard into the corner (and actually lands back first for a change) and Martel grabs the abdominal stretch to work on the ribs. The referee isn’t about to have Martel grabbing the rope so he kicks the hand away, leaving Martel to miss a charge into the post.

Oddly that doesn’t turn things around as Martel is right back with a failed Boston crab attempt. A backbreaker puts Hart down again but he gets his knees up to block a slingshot dive. Back up and they collide for a double down before Martel takes him into the corner. An atomic drop out of said corner has Martel in agony and Hart turns it on with a suplex and elbow for two. The middle rope elbow gets two more and Hart backbreakers him to the floor. Back in and Hart hits a dropkick and they go back to the floor, where they brawl to a time limit draw at 21:36.

Rating: B-. Those armbars were a bit dull but this was a mostly hard worked match between two people who can make a good impression inside the ring. Hart was getting another chance to showcase himself and Martel is one of the best options for being a good hand in the ring. It’s easy to see why Hart was being teased for the singles run but it wasn’t quite there yet, and wouldn’t be for about a year and a half.

Post match the brawl stays on with Hart clearing Martel out.

Dino Bravo vs. Brutus Beefcake

Jimmy Hart is here with Bravo and they have a bit of a history from the Dream team days, which won’t be mentioned here. Beefcake only has some small scissors with him, which is weird as the big sheers were pretty much his whole thing. Bravo powers him into the corner to start, leaving Beefcake’s lips rather puffed out for some reason. Another lockup has Beefcake up against the ropes where he comes back with some right hands, including one to the ribs.

A clothesline to the back of the head sends Bravo to the floor and the fans seem to approve. Back in and Bravo takes over with a test of strength (as the brilliant Beefcake was willing to try one), with Beefcake having to fight up and strike away. Some right hands in the corner are cut off with an atomic drop for a rather delayed two. Beefcake sends him into the buckle and tries a slam, with Bravo falling backwards onto him for two more.

The bearhug goes on as it’s hard to ignore how red Beefcake is appearing. Geez it looks like he’s covered with a sunburn. Or a weak ketchup. They even drop to a knee before Bravo gets up again and keeps the hold on. This goes on for a bad, bad while until Beefcake makes the clothesline comeback. An ax handle looks to set up the sleeper but Hart offers a distraction, allowing Earthquake to sneak in and break it up, including posting Beefcake on the floor. That’s enough for Beefcake to be counted out at 11:29.

Rating: C-. It’s amazing to see how well Beefcake could get over with the fans despite having such a limited offense. He couldn’t do much more than punch and do the sleeper but the fans got into it every time. That’s what charisma can do for you and it carried this as far as it was going to go here.

Post match Earthquake beats on him some more with referees having to make the save.

Tugboat Thomas vs. Pez Whatley

Whatley tries to go up and is quickly slammed down, which shouldn’t be a surprise. With that not working, Whatley tries a waistlock, which fails even more. Tugboat knocks him down again and grabs the bearhug, with Whatley not even being able to break it up with a thumb to the eye. Instead Tugboat drives him into the corner but misses a charge, allowing Whatley to knock him down and then dance.

The middle rope elbow gets two, with the kickout sending Whatley right back onto the rope. Another slam off the top has Whatley down again and the jumping splashes in the corner keep him in trouble. Hold on though as Whatley tries to pull out a foreign object, earning himself a choke. Another whip into the corner seems to set up a running clothesline from behind but Whatley falls down, meaning it’s just a running slap to the head. The big splash (and Tugboat does get height) finishes Whatley at 5:37.

Rating: D. Tugboat is one of the most interesting cases from this time as I was a fan when I was a kid but my goodness it’s just not there. He’s your standard big guy who can’t do anything but splashes and slams, but he was around for a long time. You need a bit more than that and his stuff really does not hold up. Whatley’s dancing was nice at least.

The Fink announces the April 30 show, with a main event of Earthquake vs. Hulk Hogan. Oh yeah the fans like that one. This brings out Earthquake and Jimmy Hart, with Earthquake promising to get rid of Hogan for good.

Ultimate Warrior vs. Mr. Perfect

I believe this is non-title but it’s not entirely clear. Warrior runs to the ring and the bell rings so they do the crisscross, with Warrior knocking him out to the floor. The chase sends Perfect outside again, followed by quite the shove into the corner. Perfect gets knocked outside again but this time Warrior drags him back inside by the hair for a faceplant. Another whip crotches Perfect against the post and Warrior knocks him down again.

A big backdrop looks to set up the Splash, which just hits raised knees. This time Warrior is knocked outside and Perfect slowly kicks at the ribs. Warrior actually tries a sunset flip for two, with Perfect starting in on the back again. We hit the reverse chinlock for a good while, with Warrior’s arm dropping twice. That means it’s time to shake the rope and start the comeback, even with a clothesline being pretty badly mistimed. The gorilla press drop and the Warrior Splash give Perfect his first televised loss at 10:11.

Rating: C. Naturally Warrior had all kinds of energy and the loss at the end felt like a big deal, but the chinlock in the middle wasn’t exactly thrilling stuff. Perfect was bumping as well as he could here but you were only getting so much here. Warrior could do better and these two did on occasion, but this was ok at best.

Overall Rating: D. What a lame show, with one good match throughout the whole thing. I’m assuming they were setting some things up for after Wrestlemania but my goodness were they trying to kill the interest on the way there? This came off like most of the people weren’t trying and it was just a show they had to do. Bad stuff here, but Wrestlemania would wind up being good enough. Watch that instead.

Results
Jim Powers b. Mike Sharpe – Powerslam
Hercules b. Black Bart – Torture rack
Orient Express b. Demolition via countout
Koko B. Ware b. Frenchy Martin – Ghostbuster
Earthquake b. Jim Duggan – Elbow drop
Bret Hart vs. Rick Martel went to a time limit draw
Dino Bravo b. Brutus Beefcake via countout
Tugboat Thomas b. Pez Whatley – Splash
Ultimate Warrior b. Mr. Perfect – Warrior Splash

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

Kurt RussellMania
Date: January 30, 2010
Location: LAX Hilton, Los Angeles, California
Attendance: 1,100
Commentators: Excalibur, Colt Cabana, Chris Hero

It’s time to head back to PWG and this one happens to be part of the Wrestle Reunion convention. Other than that it seems to be a pretty standard PWG show, meaning long matches on a card that may or may not have much in the way of backstory. These things can be a blast so let’s get to it.

Excalibur is in the ring and calls the show Jamarcus Russell Mania (referencing a major NFL bust) before being corrected to a better reception.

The ring announcer goes over the code of conduct, saying “YOU BROUGHT THIS ON YOURSELVES YOU DRUNKS!”. Well that got more serious in a hurry.

Excalibur tells us to get some merchandise but here are the Young Bucks and Brian Kendrick to interrupt. Matt says he’s tired of the Bucks being referred to as “Matt and Nick Jackson” because they are Max and Jeremy, Generation Me (their TNA names). They’ve become bigger than PWG which is why they left Los Angeles and went to the beautiful city of Orlando and get to work with people like Vince Russo, Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan.

The Nasty Boys have taken them under their wings and they love Dixie Carter. This generation belongs to them, which doesn’t sit well with Kendrick. The brawl is on and Paul London runs in for the save. London says Kendrick doesn’t seem as motivated as he has before but the offer for the tag match is made anyway. Kendrick is in, saying this guy with the mask calls the shots around here. London: “Is that Octagon?” The match seems to be on. Funny stuff here, with the Bucks knowing how to pester the fans.

Malachi Jackson/Candice LeRae/Johnny Goodtime/Jerome Robinson vs. Cutler Brothers/Ryan Taylor/Christina Von Eerie

LeRae and Goodtime dance (with an NES Power Pad because of course) a bit before the match and we’re ready to go. Goodtime chills on the Pad again and gets jumped and the villains (the ones without the Pad) jump the other team to start fast. Well kind of fast as the bell takes its sweet time ringing. The Cutlers crash out to the floor and Eerie is sent outside as well. That leaves LeRae to hurricanrana Taylor onto the Cutlers for quite the big crash. Goodtime and Robinson hit running flip dives Jackson is right there with a flip dive.

Back in and Eerie suplexes LeRae for two and we settle down to a regular match. Taylor comes in and gets caught with a Black Widow, only for Brandon to come in with a boot to the face. Brandon’s choking pushups have LeRae in more trouble but she hurricanranas Taylor, allowing Robinson to come in and fight back. An O’Connor roll is blocked so Robinson just sits on Brandon for two in a funny bit. Dustin gets in a shot to the back on the apron though, followed by an apron powerbomb for two.

The choking in the corner keeps Robinson in trouble but he manages a Falcon Arrow. Taylor cuts him off so Goodtime comes in without a tag, meaning it’s time to beat Robinson up in the corner even more. Robinson gets out of a chinlock and steps up out of the corner on Brandon, with a Pele hitting Dustin in a sweet counter.

Goodtime is back in to clean house and a Falcon Arrow gets two on Dustin but Taylor comes in to kick Goodtime in the head. Taylor tries to kiss LeRae but kisses Eerie by mistake so LeRae gives him a ballplex (figure it out). Eerie recovers quickly enough to Pedigree LeRae so Jackson grabs a sitout powerbomb.

A flipping Stunner sends Taylor into a sunset flip to give Robinson two and we get a double stack electric chair for a really big crash. Goodtime drops Dustin for two with Brandon making the save, earning himself an assisted Codebreaker. LeRae missile dropkicks Dustin into a low blow on Brandon but they’re right back up to give her a spike Tombstone for the pin at 11:35.

Rating: B-. It might not have been a classic but this was the kind of fun match that serves as a good opener. You had a bunch of people running around doing one spot after another and that’s all you’re looking for with something like this. The ending felt like a big moment with LeRae getting knocked silly, so points for the Cutlers to get something out of this one.

Brandon Bonham vs. Brandon Gatson

Naturally the fans chant LET’S GO BRANDON and you can make your own out of date jokes. They trade waistlocks and Gatson takes him down with an armdrag into an armbar. Gatson grabs a headlock as commentary compares the trunks and hair. Bonham is back up with a front facelock and then a jumping enziguri for two.

Cabana guarantees that a Brandon will win this match, ignoring the option of a draw. What a professional. Gatson is sent outside for a big running flip dive from Bonham and they head back inside. Bonham sends him into the ropes but gets pulled into a Tarantula (well, an upside down one in this case), followed by a Hennig necksnap for two.

A kick to the head knocks Gatson back down for two more but he’s right back up with a slingshot cutter. Bonham is stomps him in the ribs but gets kicked to the floor for a Space Flying Tiger Drop (with commentary making Fergie references for some reason). They both get back in at the same time, with Bonham kicking him in the head for two. Back up and Gatson grabs a side slam and flips him forward into a faceplant for the pin at 10:01.

Rating: C+. Yeah this was fine. It’s a match between a couple of guys who aren’t exactly well known and they got to go back and forth for a little while in front of a pretty big crowd. That’s the kind of a match you need to have on a show like this and it went well enough. Gatson has been around on a few of these and while there’s nothing that makes him stand out, I’ve seen far worse.

Excalibur is back in the ring and says Chuck Taylor isn’t here due to a bad storm. Fan: “WE WANT CHUCK!” Excalibur: “Do you own a snow removal company a******? Shut the f*** up. I’m trying to cut a promo here.” Taylor and Human Tornado were scheduled to challenge for the Tag Team Titles but that won’t happen, so Tornado will be facing Super Crazy.

Davey Richards was set to face Crazy, so he’ll be facing Kevin Steen. And yes, Paul London and Brian Kendrick will face the Young Bucks in a non-title match. Excalibur to that fan: “Don’t say I never did anything for you a******. F****** p****.” I’m going to hope that the fan said something I didn’t hear because DANG that’s an over the top reaction otherwise. Or maybe he’s a heel here.

Super Crazy vs. Human Tornado

Tornado stomps him down in the corner to start fast and a photographer gets taken out. Back in and Crazy takes over with some kicks of his own and the surfboard goes on. Crazy gets in the ten punches in the corner (Excalibur: “Cinco is Mexican for seven.”) but Tornado sends him outside for the big running flip dive.

They’re both a bit nuts so they brawl around the ring with Crazy getting the better of things but getting dropkicked back inside. A swinging DDT gets two more and we pause for some yelling at the referee, who might have messed up the count. Crazy grabs a sitout powerbomb for two and now the fans aren’t sure who they like more. Tornado is back up with a belly to back faceplant into the Cancun Tornado (twisting Swanton) for the pin at 6:20.

Rating: C+. They didn’t have much time to do anything here, which isn’t exactly normal for PWG. I’m guessing that’s due to the match being changed due to the Chuck Taylor absence, though it felt like they were just getting going when Tornado won. It’s not a bad match but more short and not given a chance to really get anywhere.

Kevin Steen vs. Davey Richards

Before the bell, Steen yells at a fan with a hat and threatens to knock him out and then “have my way with your body.” Steen goes over to the fan and, after offering a free shot, kisses him on the head. We get the Big Match Intros and Richards grabs a wristlock, earning himself a kiss to the cheek. That means a smiling Richards bails out to the floor and we pause for a bit, with Steen clearly having a good time with this.

Back in and Steen says he knows (I think) Richards is hiding behind a sign (I’m not sure I get it) so Richards kisses him right back and poses. This leads to an odd discussion on commentary, including: Excalibur: “If you yourself were drugged and raped, would you enjoy it?” We settle back down into Richards grabbing a headlock so Steen blows his nose on him. Cabana: “Technically that’s not against the rules!” Excalibur: “Kurt Russell would have it no other way.”

Steen sends him to the floor for another blow of the nose, this time earning himself a dropkick. They go outside and into the crowd, with the brawl heading near the commentary area. Richards finds a drum set and does a solo, with Steen calling him horrible. They come back to ringside where Steen hits an apron powerbomb and Excalibur pouts (his word) over Cabana beating him to a joke. A slam gives Steen one back inside and he tries a pushup to limited success.

Richards misses a dropkick but Steen misses a charge and crashes into the post. That sends Steen outside for the running flip dive from Richards, who lands in about the fourth row. A missile dropkick connects with Steen back inside and we’re off to the cross armbreaker, with Steen going right to the rope.

Back up and a suplex into the corner sets up Steen’s Cannonball for two (with commentary actually avoiding the Otto Wanz reference) and it’s time to slug it out. Steen’s brainbuster onto the knee gets two but the Swanton hits raised knees. Some running shots in the corner set up the bridging German suplex to give Richards two. Richards misses a shooting star press but settles for a cross armbreaker to make Steen tap at 15:45.

Rating: B. This was more like the PWG matches you would expect with the two of them trading big moves until one of them gave out. The stuff with the kisses at the beginning was funny and felt right at home for Steen, who can be rather amusing. Richards wasn’t doing the no selling stuff here either and that’s always appreciated.

Great Muta/Kai vs. The Dynasty

That would be Joey Ryan/Scott Lost. Muta and Lost start things off and we pause early for the green mist. Muta’s leglock takes Lost down so he gets up to his feet and realizes what he’s up against for a change. A running shoulder drops Lost, who is back up with a dropkick. That’s enough to send Muta outside and he claims a mask pull and…well are you going to argue with him?

Kai and Ryan come in with Kai cartwheeling over him but getting caught with a swinging neckbreaker. Lost says you’re about to see the best suplex in the world, which is senough for Kai to easily reverse into one of his own. It’s back to Muta for the Power Drive elbow and we’re off to the STF. The threat of a mist has Ryan scared off so commentary talks about The Mist by Stephen King. Kai comes back in for a Boston crab to Lost before it’s already back to Muta for a leglock.

Some running knees in the corner connect for Kai and he drops a middle rope double stomp for two. Lost gets in a shot of his own and Ryan comes in for some hurricanranas to take over. It’s already back to Lost for a spinning kick to the head, only for Kai to one up him with a springboard spinning kick to the head. Everything breaks down and Kai uses a caution sigh to cut Ryan off. The referee takes the same sign from Lost and that means a misting. The Shining Wizard gives Muta the pin at 12:09.

Rating: B-. Well you don’t bring Muta in to lose. He’s an all time legend and the fans were probably thrilled to have him there, which is exactly the point of something like this. The Dynasty is a pretty big deal in PWG but Muta and Kai are a bit out of their league. Granted Kai was someone who only became so big of a star, but he was in good company here.

El Generico vs. Jushin Thunder Liger

Well this works. Liger wrestles him down to start but the headlock is quickly escaped, giving us a standoff. The surfboard goes on, with Generico managing to stack him up for two. Back up and Generico spins around into an armdrag to the floor, meaning it’s the springboard into Generico’s pose. Generico even offers to help Liger back inside, where Liger snaps off a headscissors.

Liger hits a heck of a dropkick to the floor and the rolling Liger Kick connects back inside. Another surfboard goes on, with commentary listing off every Romero they can think of as a possible name. With that broken up, Liger grabs a camel clutch, followed by a seated abdominal stretch. Generico gets out and sends Liger outside for the springboard moonsault.

A high crossbody gives Generico two back inside and the Blue Thunder Bomb connects for the same. Liger’s tilt-a-whirl backbreaker gets him out of trouble but he splashes Generico’s raised knees. The Helluva Kick connects for Generico, whose brainbuster attempt is countered into a suplex. Back up and they strike it out until Generico snaps off a German suplex of his own.

Liger hits a big shotei palm strike for two as the fans are rather pleased here. They go to the corner where Liger gets tied in the Tree Of Woe, allowing Generico to go up for a top rope flipping kick (that’s way more athletic than I would have expected from him). The brainbuster gets two so Generico takes him to the corner, where Liger reverses into the Liger Bomb for two more. Liger is a bit frustrated so he grabs his own brainbuster for the pin at 12:33.

Rating: B. Liger gets a lot of praise for being flashy but dang the guy can go in the ring. He can work well with anyone and that was the case again here, as Generico was a great choice for an opponent. It’s probably the match of the night thus far and you could tell the fans knew they had something special with Liger in the ring. Good match, which shouldn’t be a surprise at all.

Brian Kendrick/Paul London vs. Generation Me

Non-title. It’s a brawl before the bell with the Bucks clearing the ring and getting to pose a bit. Kendrick is back in to fire off some kicks until we settle down to Max (Nick, partner of Jeremy, who is better known as Matt) running away from Kendrick to keep things slow. London comes in and gets backed into the corner as commentary talks about his bad case of space madness. A running dropkick puts Max down for two so it’s off to Jeremy, who is quickly taken into the corner by the arm.

Kendrick’s top rope double stomp hits the arm and we’re off to the double arm crank. Max comes back in to work on London’s arm, including wrapping it around his own leg. London suplexes his way out of trouble and it’s back to Kendrick for a kick to Max’s back. That earns Kendrick a trip right back into the wrong corner and it’s a running Blockbuster into a backbreaker for two. Jeremy’s weird right hands in the corner connect and Max flips around into a back rake to Kendrick.

The double basement dropkick has the fans saying the Bucks are doing the SAME OLD S***! Excalibur points out that the chant has been done before, so it’s the SAME OLD S*** from the fans too. Since the Bucks are Nasty Boys fans, we get a Pit Stop, though Jeremy is sent into Max instead for the sake of comedy. Kendrick kicks his way out of the corner and hands it back to London so house can be cleaned.

A springboard double stomp to the back has Jeremy in more trouble and a running flip dive doesn’t exactly work with London not getting any kind of distance. Back in and Jeremy gets facebustered into an enziguri but Max is back with a tornado DDT for two on London. It’s back to Kendrick for more kicks and running forearms but some superkicks put him down. A wheelbarrow facebuster gets two on Kendrick so Max hits the big running flip dive onto London.

That leaves Jeremy to give Kendrick a flipping middle rope Stunner, followed by Risky Business for the same, with London diving in for the save. London fights up and takes them both down for/with the dropsault, setting up a top rope knee for two. More Bang For Your Bucks is blocked and Kendrick grabs Sliced Bread out of the corner. London adds the shooting star press (and he barely got it) for the pin at 19:02.

Rating: B+. Well of course this was good and I don’t think that was ever in any serious doubt. London and Kendrick were an exceptional team in their day and it was cool to see their grown up versions working together here. The fans seemed to enjoy seeing the Bucks get beaten up and it was probably a surprise to see the champions lose. Good stuff here, with London and Kendrick clearly still having it.

Chris Hero vs. Rob Van Dam vs. Roderick Strong

They circle each other to start and Van Dam goes to the floor to let the other two do their thing. Hero takes him down by the leg and they’re already off to the grappling. Strong twists the ankle a bit, with Hero rolling away for a standoff. Hero gets knocked out to the floor and now Van Dam is willing to get involved. They fight over wrist control and trade flipping escapes before missing some strikes.

That’s broken up so Van Dam poses a bit, wit Excalibur thinking he’s involved due to the fan chants. Hero is back in to send Strong outside so we get a fresh showdown. They take turns sweeping the legs and it’s another standoff. Van Dam kicks him out to the floor and hits a quick moonsault to Hero before posting Strong as well. Van Dam hits the spinning kick to Strong’s back but Hero is right there to drop Van Dam just as fast.

A nice running dropkick to the side of the head gives Hero two more but he gets caught with a spinning kick in the corner. Strong is back up and finally gets in a backbreaker, followed by a rather nice dropkick. The seated abdominal stretch goes on but Van Dam powers out and hits a heck of a monkey flip. Hero comes back in to strike away at Van Dam with some Tracy Smothers style chops.

Van Dam makes the mistake of going up and gets shoved down into the barricade, leaving Strong to backbreaker Hero for two more. Back up and Hero gives Strong a neckbreaker for two, followed by a suplex for another near fall. Van Dam is back in with a chair to throw at Hero’s head and follows it up with a double Rolling Thunder. The chair gets skateboarded into Strong’s face and the split legged moonsault gets two on Hero.

Strong is back up to cut off the Five Star but Hero is right there to turn it into a Tower Of Doom for two each. Van Dam is back up with some kicks for both of them so Strong gives him a gutbuster. Hero kicks Strong in the face and faceplants him for two more. The Sick Kick gets two on Hero so Van Dam throws a chair at Strong, with Hero forearming it into his head. Van Dam takes Hero out and the Five Star finishes Strong at 18:31.

Rating: B. Van Dam is kind of perfect for a guests tar around here as he can wrestle a similar style, has indy credibility for his work in ECW and is a former WWE Champion. That’s a rare kind of talent that PWG was smart to bring in, even though he would be on his way to being a big star in TNA before too long. It might not have been a great main event but it was good enough and showcased a big name so it all made sense. Somehow though, this was Van Dam’s only PWG match ever, which is rather surprising.

Post match Hero asks for some applause for Van Dam, with the fans wanting him to come back. Hero says he didn’t win but technically he didn’t lose so he should be the #1 contender to the PWG World Title. He’s been in Japan and missed the Battle Of Los Angeles, where Kenny Omega beat Roderick Strong to win the vacant World Title. Once he gets it back, Strong can try to get it back. Hero thanks the rather large crowd and wishes they could fit this many in Reseda to wrap it up.

Overall Rating: B. It might not be a great show, but it was more than entertaining enough. The big thing here might have been the crowd, which was just ok, as the show missed something by not being in their home base. Still though, it had a nice mixture of the regular PWG stars and some big names who weren’t around as regulars. There’s nothing close to bad on here and the second half of the show is all good so call this another successful event.

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Monday Night Raw
Date: September 14, 2026
Location: Arena CDMX, Mexico City, Mexico
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Corey Graves

So we’re in Mexico for the first time in fifteen years, it’s two days before Mexican independence day, and Penta is challenging Roman Reigns for the World Title. That opens up one heck of a door and I’m curious to see what happens. Other than that, of course we have Money In The Bank qualifying matches. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a video on Penta vs. Roman Reigns.

Penta arrives on a freaking horse. Dang he might actually win this thing.

Here is Rey Mysterio, with Adam Pearce, and in a neck brace after Triplemania, to talk about how proud he is to be back here in Mexico and to be a luchador. He is proud to represent Mexico and is proud of another Latina wrestler, as Stephanie Vaquer won the Raw Women’s Title over the weekend in Santiago, Chile. Mysterio brings out Vaquer, who could not be happier to have won the title in her home country.

Cue Dominik Mysterio and Liv Morgan to interrupt, with Morgan being lived about losing the title. Dominik is booed out of the building again, with Rey asking what happened to Dominik’s title? Dominik wants a mixed tag right now but Pearce says no as Rey (who is in street clothes) isn’t medically cleared. Instead here is El Grande Americano to a ROAR, who is in for the mixed tag. Pearce: “ES OFFICIAL!” I was waiting on Americano to show up and it didn’t disappoint.

El Grande Americano/Stephanie Vaquer vs. Liv Morgan/Dominik Mysterio

We’re joined in progress with Americano kicking Mysterio in the face, so Morgan can come in. That’s fine with Vaquer, who catches her with a high crossbody and gets two off a rollup. Mysterio low bridges her to the floor and Morgan is livid enough to hammer away. Vaquer fights up and knocks her down, allowing the tag off to Americano. House is quickly cleaned, including a middle rope Blockbuster, but Mysterio gets in a shot to put Americano on the floor as we take a break.

We come back with Morgan cutting off a tag attempt but Americano is fine enough to hit an Air Raid Crash for two. Now it’s Vaquer coming back in to take over on Morgan, including a quick powerslam for two. Everything breaks down and Morgan jumps into Mysterio’s arms. That means it’s a double 619 (Rey approves) but here is Judgment Day to jump the heroes for the DQ at 12:06.

Rating: B-. This was getting rather good before the ending and it’s kind of a shame that it had to go that way. I’m not sure why you can’t have the heroes get another win here as it’s not like it would be some devastating loss for Mysterio and Morgan. At least Americano got that entrance though and it was worth the wait.

Post match Dominik goes after Rey, with Americano trying to make the save but JD McDonagh hits the big headbutt to cut him off.

Video on the Vision going after Oba Femi and taking him out last week.

Rey Fenix gives Penta a pep talk.

Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Je’Von Evans vs. Austin Theory vs. Big Cass

Maxxine Dupri is here with Theory, who jumps Evans instead of going after Cass. That earns Theory a big toss from Cass, with Evans sending him outside. Evans puts Theory into the timekeeper’s area but gets chokeslammed into it as well as we take a break. We come back with Theory hitting a pretty impressive torture rack bomb to Cass but getting frog splashed by Evans. That’s enough to send Theory outside for the big no hands dive but Cass is back in with the swinging Boss Man Slam.

The OG Cutter is blocked so Evans rolls Cass up for two instead. Back up and Cass boots Evans with Theory stealing the near fall as Cass pulls him out at two. Dupri yells at Cass so Theory hits a dive, only to be thrown down as well. Back in and Evans Sliced Breads Theory onto Cass, allowing the OG Cutter to drop Cass and give Evans the pin at 9:45.

Rating: B-. That’s a surprising result, as while Evans getting the win makes sense, I wasn’t expecting Cass, the new midcard monster, to lose so soon. He hasn’t exactly been lighting the place on fire but I wasn’t expecting him to lose already. Evans going to the ladder match is great though, as he can go do some stupid dives to the big reactions, which is why he’s involved.

We look back at Royce Keys and OTM burning the Usos’ car last week.

Jacob Fatu and the Usos say the play is to stay together, even with Roman Reigns needing protection.

Intercontinental Title: Chad Gable vs. Dragon Lee

Lee is challenging and we get a show of respect to start. They go technical, with Gable flipping him into a sunset flip for two. Back up and Lee knocks him into the corner for a running dropkick to send Gable outside. Gable is fine enough to snap off an overhead belly to belly and a northern lights suplex gets two. Lee cuts off an Ultimo Dragon headstand in the corner from Gable to send him outside. That means the big running flip dive onto the announcers’ table as we take a break.

We come back with Gable getting two off a super Angle Slam to leave them both down. Gable cuts off a flip with a sitout powerbomb for two more but the moonsault hits raised boots. Lee hits a running forearm but Operation Dragon is countered into a quickly broken ankle lock. They fight on top with Gable being knocked into a Tree Of Woe over the apron, with Lee hitting the big double stomp (with the camera looking up for a great angle).

Back in and Gable suplexes him into the corner, setting up a moonsault for two more. Gable rolls some German suplexes but Lee flips out of the third and grabs Operation Dragon for a rather near fall. The Styles Clash is countered into an ankle lock but Lee rolls over into the Styles Clash for an even nearer fall. The ankle lock goes on again and Lee FINALLY taps at 15:36.

Rating: A-. The crowd carried this one even higher, as the two of them were having an awesome match that was turned into something incredible due to the reactions. Gable is just on another planet right now and it’s great to see him getting these reactions just by being himself. It’s LONG overdue and he’s making the most of it, which is great for him. Lee had the best WWE match of his career and felt like a real threat to the title, which is more than I was expecting. Outstanding.

Post match Gable immediately lets go and checks on Lee. As Gable leaves, Lee apologizes to the fans.

Bayley talks about the beating that Lyra Valkyria gave her and how she has realized what Valkyria did to her. Valkyria has called her the doormat of the women’s locker room, which suggests that nothing she has done in fourteen years has mattered. Bayley chose her path and she’s going to show Valkyria what she is all about. This was serious Bayley and it worked.

Women’s Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Kelani Jordan vs. Lola Vice vs. Raquel Rodriguez

Jordan’s NXT Women’s Title and Rodriguez’s Women’s Intercontinental Title aren’t on the line. Jordan bails to the floor to start, leaving Vice to kick away at Rodriguez. Vice’s kicks are blocked and Rodriguez picks her up, with Jordan coming in for a dropkick. Vice and Jordan team up to knock Rodriguez to the floor, with Jordan hitting a moonsault. That leaves Vice to dive onto Jordan, only to get crushed by Rodriguez as we take a break.

We come back with Vice kicking Jordan into the corner, setting up the running hip attacks in the corner (you’ll notice a theme from Vice). Rodriguez knocks Vice to the floor and counters a top rope hurricanrana, with Jordan rolling her up for two instead. Back in and Vice gets caught with a fall away slam but pulls Jordan into a triangle choke. That’s broken up and Jordan is sent outside, leaving Vice to roll Rodriguez up for the pin at 12:12.

Rating: B-. I’m not sure why you would have two champions and a debuting star there with one of them having to take a loss but that’s modern wrestling for you. Anyway, Vice felt like a star and you can probably expect her to get a big push in the coming weeks. If nothing else, she gets to be the fresh blood in the division for a bit and that’s nice to see again.

OTM and Royce Keys do their best Shield impression and suggest that Jacob Fatu might be paranoid, but also reveal that they’re in Mexico.

We get a clip from Joe Hendry’s music video about how he should get every single belt (right now).

Stephanie Vaquer is going to leave but runs into Becky Lynch, who thinks she should get a title shot after helping Vaquer win the title (as guest referee). Lynch leaves before Vaquer can say anything.

Raw World Title: Penta vs. Roman Reigns

Penta, in a massive headdress (probably three and a half feet in all directions), is challenging and gets an absolute hero’s welcome. The bell rings and Reigns stalls a lot but Penta does the Cero Miedo, earning himself a running shoulder. Back up and Penta hits a headbutt, earning himself a glare from Reigns. Penta knocks him outside and there’s the big running flip dive as we take a break.

We come back with Reigns whipping him hard into the corner and mocking the crowd for trying to start the comeback. The big right hands in the corner have Penta in more trouble but Reigns takes too long and gets knocked away. A Backstabber out of the corner gives Penta two, as does a springboard tornado DDT. Penta Sacrifices Reigns’ arm but he’s fine enough to plant Penta with a release Rock Bottom for two as we take another break.

We come back with Reigns’ arm giving out so Penta sends him to the apron. The springboard Mexican Destroyer is countered with a backdrop though and Reigns hits a big toss powerbomb onto the announcers’ table. Back in and the Penta Driver gets two in a heck of a near fall, followed by the Superman Punch to give Reigns two more. The spear misses and Penta gets the Mexican Destroyer, only for Reigns to come back with the spear for two more as the fans die and come back to live in the span of five seconds.

Reigns gets up and hammers away again before grabbing the mic and promising to end Reigns. Another spear is countered with a superkick and the springboard Mexican Destroyer gets two in a finish I bought so hard that I have an extended warranty. The go to their knees and punch the tar out of each other with Reigns getting the better of things. Three straight superkicks cut Reigns off but he Superman Punches a springboard out of the air. Back up and another spear retains the title at 22:24.

Rating: A-. Oh sweet goodness this was awesome. You know you’re seeing something special when you actually feel the air go out of you when the fall goes down. What mattered here is that Penta went out on his shield and it was an outstanding performance, even in defeat. At the same time though, Reigns was in his glory heeling on this crowd and it made the match that much better. Absolutely a pay per view worthy match, made even better with the molten crowd. This was a moment, and that’s not something you see very often.

And for once nothing happens, as Reigns mocks the crowd to end the show.

Overall Rating: A-. Two phenomenal matches and a white hot crowd and my goodness what else could you want? This was Raw turning it up and letting its talented people tear the roof off the place. I had a great time with this show and even the weakest stuff was rather good. The fans alone bring this one up but the wrestlers were doing their job as well. Outstanding show.

Results
El Grande Americano/Stephanie Vaquer b. Dominik Mysterio/Liv Morgan via DQ when Judgment Day interfered
Je’Von Evans b. Big Cass and Austin Theory – OG Cutter to Cass
Chad Gable b. Dragon Lee – Ankle lock
Lola Vice b. Kelani Jordan and Raquel Rodriguez – Rollup to Rodriguez
Roman Reigns b. Penta – Spear

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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TripleMania XXXIV Night Two
Date: September 13, 2026
Location: Arena CDMX, Mexico City, Mexico
Commentators: John Bradshaw Layfield, Corey Graves

We’re back after taking Saturday off and the show is down in Mexico City and hopefully things pick up a bit here. The card is certainly stacked enough four title matches, including Dominik Mysterio defending the Mega Title against El Grande Americano. AAA has the potential to do something good here so let’s get to it.

Here is Night One if you need a recap.

The opening video looks at how everything came together on the first night, with the two countries coming together. But now they’re back home and we get to see what happens next. Tonight, they take over Mexico City and show the world where lucha libre comes from.

La Copa Bardahl

This is basically a Royal Rumble (intervals unclear) with pins, submissions or over the top for eliminations. Mr. Iguana is in at #1 and Abismo Negro Jr. is in at #2 with Iguana escaping a gorilla press and spinning around into a hurricanrana. The cross armbar has Abismo in trouble and Histeria (Abismo’s stablemate) is in at #3 (meaning intervals are at about 1:10, at least to start). Iguana gets beaten down and can only crawl so far away until Mascarita Sagrada is in at #4.

Sagrada hits a quick faceplant on Abismo and Iguana is up to whip people with Yesica. That doesn’t last long though as Taurus (also part of Los Vipers, along with Abismo and Histeria) is in at #5. The double teaming is on and a double powerbomb plants Iguana, with Abismo adding a top rope double stomp, which looked a bit low. Sagrada tries to go after all of Los Vipers and it goes as well as expected until El Fiscal is in at #6. Fiscal clotheslines Abismo out for the first elimination but Abismo comes back in to toss him out as well. The two of them brawl off and Laredo Kid is in at #7.

Kid gets to quickly clean house, including drivering Sagrada. Iguana slugs it out with Kid until Mecha Wolf is in at #8. That means Wolf gets to clean house, including planting Sagrada onto Iguana for two as the ring is getting full. La Parka is in at #9 and Bone Breakers Hysteria out before staring at Iguana. El Mesias is in at #10 and you can tell things are getting serious. Mesias gets to throw people around, including Sagrada (which JBL finds hilarious) before getting into a staredown with Wolf.

Dinamico is in at #11 and mostly misses a running knee to Parka before not being able to get the cover either. A springboard cutter hits Wolf, who sprays Dinamico with the mist so Mesias can hit a spear for the pin. Texano Jr. is in at #12 and powers people around before slugging it out with his old rival Mesias. They go towards the ropes but Omos is in at #13, with JBL suggesting that a bunch of people eliminate themselves like Mil Mascaras did at the 1996 Royal Rumble. I’d recommend that JBL brush up on his Royal Rumble history as it was 1997 but instead we get Sagrada going after Omos.

With that not working, Omos throws out Kid, Texano and Mesias before chokeslamming Wolf for a pin. Parka is thrown out as well and Omos does Parka’s dance as he waits on anyone to come after him. Chris Carter is in at #14 and, after taking forever to get inside, is quickly eliminated by Omos. Nino Hamburguesa is in at #15 and gets in a few splashes before being knocked down. Iguana is tossed but Sagrada actually jumps onto Omos’ back to send him to the apron. That’s it though as Omos gets up, tosses Sagrada and then Hamburguesa for the win (Omos’ second in a row of this match) at 22:40.

Rating: C. This was pretty mediocre stuff and really nothing more than a way to get people on the card. That’s perfectly fine, but they would have been better off by just having this as a regular battle royal and cutting off some of the time. Omos winning as a monster is the right choice, as he can get some mileage out of winning the main event of Night One and the opener of Night Two. Everyone else was fine, but this was all about Omos.

We recap La Catalina challenging Flammer for the Reina de Reinas title. Catalina is a newcomer and has been a success elsewhere, but Flammer has been champion for years, making it rather difficult to take the title from her.

Reina de Reinas Title: Flammer vs. La Catalina

Flammer is defending and they shove each other a bit to start. Catalina runs her over with a shoulder but it’s Flammer coming back to take over rather quickly. A double arm crank has Catalina in trouble but she powers out of a front facelock. Catalina…mostly misses a running hip attack to knock Flammer outside, where a spear has better effect. Back in and Catalina knocks Flammer down for two more as frustration is already setting in.

Flammer fights back up with a spinning Angel’s Wings for two of her own, meaning the frustration is mutual. A big boot and sitout powerbomb out of the corner give Flammer two but she misses a Swanton. Catalina hits a top rope splash for two, even with Flammer only partially getting her knees up. Back up and Flammer sends her into the ropes for a running dropkick, sending Catalina crashing to the floor. They get back inside and Flammer looks back for La Hiedra, allowing Catalina to knock her off the top. The running hip attack and running knee give Catalina the pin and the title at 10:23.

Rating: C-. This wasn’t very good, with a bunch of stuff missing and Catalina just coming back to win in the end. Flammer looking for La Hiedra but getting no one is an interesting way to go, but the match to get there wasn’t the best. The women’s division has been a weak spot for AAA since WWE took things over and that doesn’t seem to be getting much better. They just seem to need more polish, which isn’t going to happen without more reps.

We recap El Carnicero vs. Psycho Clown. Carnicero has been attacking the Psycho Circus (at least we think) for several months and finally revealed himself. Now Clown is fighting for his team’s honor in a street fight.

El Carnicero vs. Psycho Clown

Street fight but as Clown makes his entrance, Carnicero beats up some of the production team. Clown goes after him for the save but gets booted in the face for his effort. They get inside with Carnicero busting out some weapons, only to get booted out to the floor. Clown’s dive is cut off with a trashcan to the head, meaning Carnicero can chair Clown down. Clown is right back up with some chair shots of his own and of course it’s time for a table.

That earns Clown a right hand to knock the chair out of his hand but Carnicero misses a charge into the chair in the corner. A top rope splash puts Carnicero through the table for a rather delayed two so they slug it out from their knees. Clown rips his face off and gets a trashcan booted into his jaw for his efforts. Carnicero knocks him into the ropes with Clown’s arms getting tied up so it’s time for a toolbox. Cue the returning Pagano, who turns on Clown, which isn’t overly surprising from someone named The Proud Sinner. Anyway Carnicero hits Clown in the head with the toolbox for the pin at 8:16.

Rating: B-. It was a fun brawl and having Pagano being the one seemingly behind the whole thing makes sense. If nothing else, the Circus can fight against these two for months. Carnicero is a freaky looking guy and felt like some kind of a swamp monster so he’s a great choice for the one who might take the team apart. It was a nice enough brawl, but the big ending reveal was the important part.

El Ojo is ready for the main event and Dominik Mysterio doesn’t care where his father is. Dorian Roldan is ready to induct his mother into the Hall Of Fame and is glad that things are going to go so badly for El Grande Americano.

We recap Rey Fenix defending the Cruiserweight Title against three challengers. They all impressed Fenix so they’re all getting a shot.

Octagon Jr. is here, thankfully walking after his horrible neck injury.

Cruiserweight Title: Jack Cartwheel vs. Mini Vikingo vs. Nathan Frazer vs. Rey Fenix

Fenix is defending. They trade the rapid fire rollups for two each to start and Cartwheel grabs a flipping neckbreaker. The spinning hilo gives Cartwheel two on Frazer and the two of them fight to the floor. Vikingo flips over Fenix into a sunset bomb for two, followed by the corkscrew dive to the floor. Back in and Fenix hits a double cutter on Cartwheel and Frazer before kicking the fire out of Vikingo.

A top rope moonsault press gets two on Frazer, who runs the corner for a super Spanish Fly to Fenix. Frazer goes up again and gets German superplexed down by Fenix, who charges into a superkick for two more. Cartwheel is back up to tie Frazer up for two and pulls Fenix off the top. Vikingo is back up with a super crucifix driver to Fenix and Cartwheel’s top rope corkscrew moonsault gets two on Frazer to leave everyone down. They all get up, strike each other a bit, and then all get knocked down again.

Fenix is up with a Mexican MuscleBuster to Cartwheel but Vikingo shooting stars in for the save. Fenix loads up a super Mexican MuscleBuster on Vikingo, which is turned into a Tower Of Doom. Frazer drops the phoenix splash for two on Fenix and everyone is down. Cartwheel is back up with a Sasuke Special to Vikingo and Jack’s Arrow hits Frazer for two. Fenix takes Cartwheel out and Vikingo sends Fenix to the floor before diving onto Cartwheel. Back in and Fenix hits a quick Mexican MuscleBuster to pin Vikingo and retain at 14:14.

Rating: A-. This was the crazy spot fest that you knew it would be and it worked as well as you probably expected. The idea here is to just go nuts with all of the flips and dives and great timing imaginable and it worked like a charm. These guys know what they’re doing and it’s pure adrenaline and energy all match. Just have one or so of these a show and it’s going to keep working.

Post match here are Los Perros del Mal (with their original music) to take out all four of them. The fans are VERY happy with this and cheer them on rather enthusiastically.

Tag Team Titles: War Raiders vs. ???

Open challenge with the Raiders defending against….the Wagner Brothers. Wagner jumps over Erik to start and knocks him down before enziguring Ivar. Back up and Wagner is sent outside and knocked down by Ivar, followed by a heck of a knee for two back inside. A throw gets Wagner out of trouble and it’s off to Galeno for the clotheslines in the corner. Ivar knocks him right back down for the Doomsault and a near fall but Galeno is up with more clotheslines. Wagner is back in as everything breaks down, with Galeno hitting a dive. The Wagner Driver and a top rope splash from Galeno gives us new champions at 5:51.

Rating: C+. They didn’t have much time here but this felt like a “the home team wins something on the big night” match. That’s perfectly fine as the Raiders never felt like much more than monsters to be vanquished anyway. The Brothers are a big enough deal in AAA so let them see what they can do as champions.

Stephanie Vaquer won the Raw Women’s Title at a house show in Chile over the weekend.

We recap Dominik Mysterio defending the Mega Title against El Grande Americano. Mysterio has been champion for over a year and Americano has taken the promotion by storm, especially with his mask vs. mask match against the Original El Grande Americano. They teamed together for a bit and Mysterio turned on him to make it even more personal. Now it’s time for Americano to take everything as the top star in the promotion, or at least try.

AAA Mega Title: Dominik Mysterio vs. El Grande Americano

Mysterio, with El Ojo, is defending and it’s No DQ, while Americano is coming in with bad ribs. Americano dropkicks him in the corner to start before knocking Mysterio outside. The dive connects but Mysterio rakes the eyes and they go into the crowd. Americano gets sent into something made of metal and they go back to ringside with Mysterio starting in on the ribs. Some chair shots to the back have Americano in more trouble and Dorian Roldan hands in a belt for some whipping.

Americano grabs the belt though and gets in a hard whip of his own for two to take over. La Cabernaria goes on but Roldan offers a distraction, allowing JD McDonagh to sneak in for a headbutt. Mysterio only gets two and already getting more complicated. Cue Los Americanos to go after McDonagh, with Bravo diving off the stage onto security. Americano’s Air Raid Crash gets two so Los Americanos come back to ringside…and here is Omos.

All three Americanos are taken out but Americano goes to the eye to escape a chokeslam. A low blow slows Omos down and Americano fires off some chair shots, leaving Omos to charge through the barricade. Back in and the running headbutt gets two on Mysterio, who catches Americano going up top. Americano knocks him down but here is Liv Morgan to crotch Americano on top.

The frog splash gets two (with JBL thinking that would have been a new champion) and Americano is back up, with a running headbutt taking him down. Mysterio hits a belt shot but misses the frog splash, allowing Americano to hit the running headbutt. Cue Rey Mysterio, in a neck brace, to count the pin at 17:38.

Rating: B+. It was rather good and they got the big moment at the end, but it wasn’t quite up there with the mask vs. mask match. Americano kind of had to win here, just for the sake of avoiding a riot. Dominik had gotten his big run as champion and is ready to move on anyway so having Rey cost him the title made it even better. Very solid main event with the right result and that’s all you could ask for here.

Americano gets a musical tribute to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This show started slowly but it did get better with the four way and the main event both hitting hard. Carnicero vs. Clown was good enough and the Tag Team Title match wasn’t that bad. I wasn’t thrilled with the show overall and that’s probably due to having so much AAA this weekend. The appeal of the weekly show is how quick it is and that makes for a bit more of a test with this much. Overall good, but merging the two shows into one and cutting some stuff would have done wonders.

Results
Omos won La Copa Bardahl last eliminating Nino Hamburguesa
La Catalina b. Flammer – Running knee
El Carnicero b. Psycho Clown – Toolbox to the head
Rey Fenix b. Jack Cartwheel, Mini Vikingo and Nathan Frazer – Mexican MuscleBuster to Vikingo
Wagner Brothers b. War Raiders – Top rope splash to Ivar

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

The House Always Wins
Date: April 9, 2021
Location: Daily’s Place, Jacksonville, Florida
Attendance: 1,300
Commentators: Tony Schiavone, Eddie Kingston

So this is a show that has been known about for a long time but never shown until now as far as I can remember. The idea here is rather simple, as it’s a rather rare AEW house show but we’re seeing it because it features both the Butcher who passed away earlier this month and Rebel, who is battling ALS. It’s a shame that it took such a bad reason to see it but it’s a rather interesting subject from almost forever ago in AEW. Let’s get to it.

Battle Royal

Stu Grayson, Evil Uno, Alan Angels, 10, Alex Reynolds, Colt Cabana, Butcher, Blade, Colten Gunn, Austin Gunn, Ethan Page, Scorpio Sky, Lance Archer, Ricky Starks, Powerhouse Hobbs

For a TNT Title shot against Darby Allin in the main event. I don’t think we had an opening bell so we’ll hope for the best on the time. Colten tries the Shake Rattle and Roll on Archer and actually stays alive, which even has commentary surprised. Grayson almost loses his trunks as he stays inside and it’s time for the Dark Order to face the Gunn Club. It’s not overly interesting but it does in fact happen.

The Gunns actually take over and Austin gets in that still awesome Quick Draw on Grayson. Colten gets thrown out and Angels makes the mistake of trying a springboard earning an elimination of his own. Austin is tossed and Archer gets rid of Reynolds without much trouble. There goes Grayson and Saints goes after Archer, which goes as well as you would expect with Archer eliminating him as well.

Uno is tossed over the top and Page sends him from the apron to the ramp and he’s out as well. Then Uno pulls Page out and Cabana is tossed as well as the ring is rapidly clearing out. 10 gets rid of Sky and there goes Blade, leaving 10, Archer, Hobbs and Butcher. Hobbs eliminates 10 and Hobbs gives Butcher a spinebuster. Butcher bails to the floor without being eliminated as Archer gets rid of Hobbs. The distracted Archer is almost thrown out by Butcher but Bunny offers a distraction, allowing Butcher to really put him out for the win at 8:40.

Rating: C+. The match wasn’t much to see but it was fascinating to look at all the names who have left AEW and gone on to WWE. Having a battle royal for a title shot later in the show has been done for years in wrestling and there is nothing wrong with following a trend that has worked. Butcher getting the win is not exactly something expected, which makes it more fun than doing the norm in something like this.

Post match Matt Hardy (manager of the Hardy Family Office, including Butcher and Blade) says this guarantees a TNT Title win because Butcher will either win the title and give it to him (in exchange for monetary value) or Hardy will beat up a destroyed Allin to win the title. Butcher does not seem pleased.

Pinnacle vs. Christopher Daniels/Luchasaurus/Jungle Boy/Dante Martin

In case you don’t remember, the Pinnacle is MJF, FTR and Shawn Spears, with Wardlow and Tully Blanchard. Before the match, MJF promises to take out the Inner Circle at Blood & Guts on May 5 before insulting the women in the audience. Harwood brags about the team some more so the fans cheer for Chris Jericho, who Harwood insists isn’t here. Daniels and Wheeler start things off with Daniels quickly taking him down, meaning it’s off to the already laughing MJF.

That means Daniels has to escape a wristlock and score with an armdrag, sending a frustrated MJF out to the floor. Jungle Boy comes in and gets to face Spears, who has some taped up ribs. A rather springboardy armdrag takes Spears down and Jungle Boy gets smart by going to the ribs. Martin comes in and goes after the ribs as well so we’ll try Luchasaurus vs…well hang on as Harwood goes to the floor to grab a microphone and tell the fans to STOP CHANTING FOR LUCHASAURUS.

That’s fine with Luchasaurus, who beats up FTR and MJF (must not like letters) but Harwood gives Martin a brainbuster to take over. As Kingston won’t say what he did at 20 years old, the villains take turns beating on Martin in the corner. Martin goes between the legs though and it’s off to Jungle Boy to pick up the pace.

The German suplexes about until Harwood takes Jungle Boy down. That’s broken up and Daniels comes back in for the STO as everything breaks down. Martin hits a heck of a dive onto Spears and Daniels gets Angel’s Wings, with a save having to be made. MJF is right back with the Salt Of The Earth to make Daniels tap at 14:26.

Rating: B-. This worked, with the Pinnacle being out there to get a win against a makeshift team of villains. The Pinnacle was a good team while they lasted, but there were so many evil teams floating around at this point that it was hard to get them to stand out. The talent was certainly there though, with MJF rapidly climbing the ladder to becoming one of the biggest stars around.

Jade Cargill vs. Reke Tehaka

Tehaka busts out the Haka to start and is quickly knocked down. Cargill talks some trash but gets caught by the arm, only to break up Old School. A belly to back suplex drops Tehaka again and Cargill hits a pump kick but stops for some pushups. Tehaka gets in some shots of her own and a middle rope ax handle connects for two. Cargill has had it though and grabs the yet to be named Jaded for the pin at 3:24.

Rating: C. Cargill was showing some inexperience here, but you could see the raw power and athleticism shining through. AEW would have been nuts to not try something with someone who looked like her and they were smart to keep it short. This definitely wasn’t a squash, but Cargill wasn’t about to lose to anyone anytime soon.

Here is Britt Baker for a chat, but first she would like the fans to cheer for her. She’s not happy with the lack of volume but she’s hopeful that this is the last time they have a show in Jacksonville. Title shots should be based on merchandise sales, TV demographic ratings and the length of the meet and greet lines. Tonight, it’s time for the women ranked higher than her to get a taste of the Doctor.

Cody Rhodes vs. Aaron Solo

Street fight and the chase is on at the bell, with Solo trying to get away, which Kingston refers to as “head games”. Back in and Rhodes hammers away, setting up a rather delayed gordbuster. The Cactus Clothesline puts them on the floor again and it’s time to go into the crowd (which is sparse, partially due to Covid), where Solo takes a drink to the face.

A fan gets to hold Solo so Rhodes can punch him and it’s time for the weapons, with Rhodes needing a few attempts to get the trashcan into the ring. Solo is dropped onto the trashcan but cuts off a suicide dive with a trashcan lid. Back in and some chair shots have Rhodes in more trouble, with Solo wedging the chair into the corner.

Believe it or not, Rhodes actually goes into the chair to leave it dented, which doesn’t seem to do much damage. They hit stereo crossbodies and here is QT Marshall with a kendo stick. Billy Gunn runs in to take care of Marshall so Rhodes kicks Solo low. Some kendo stick shots have Solo in more trouble and it’s time for a dog collar on a chain, with fans chanting for Brodie Lee.

Solo gets rocked again and Rhodes his a pair of Cross Rhodes…but stops the count at two. Instead Rhodes busts out a table, but Solo gets in a few kendo stick shots to cut him off. Solo goes up and takes WAY too long, meaning it’s a reverse superplex through the table to give Rhodes the pin at 15:46.

Rating: C+. This went rather long but the idea was just to get Rhodes out there. That’s all it needed to be as it’s not like Solo was a big star here. This was part of the Rhodes vs. the Factory feud and…well there’s a reason that’s not exactly on his highlight reel. When your big star is QT Marshall, how great do you think your stable is going to be?

Post match Anthony Ogogo comes in to drop Rhodes with a single shot to the ribs.

Ricky Starks and Colt Cabana replace Eddie Kingston on commentary.

Orange Cassidy/Chuck Taylor/Trent vs. Max Caster/Hybrid 2

Caster’s rap is about wanting to get Trent’s mom in the back of a fan. Kris Statlander and Anthony Bowens are here too and it’s Trent knocking Caster down to start. Taylor comes in for a double elbow but gets taken into the corner, which doesn’t last long either. Caster accidentally hits Evans so the Hybrid 2 take Caster out. With that out of the way, it’s time for the big six or so man chain submission, with Cassidy breaking it up.

Hold on though as Evans wants a dance off with Cassidy. Before Cassidy can go, Bowens says no one wants to see this so let’s have Caster and Cassidy in a battle rap. Caster raps about Cassidy being rather stoic so Cassidy kicks him in the legs, with the Hybrid 2 jumping Cassidy and taking him into the corner.

Cassidy gets in an exchange of standing switches with Angelico and escapes to get over to Taylor for the tag. Everything breaks down and Evans gets a flipping jackknife rollup for two, followed by a 450 for the same. Cassidy is back in with the falling splash but the referee actually points out that he isn’t legal. Statlander boops Caster and Cassidy fires off the Orange Punches before Strong Zero can finish Evans at 10:45.

Rating: B-. This was the fun match that it needed to be as the fans loved Cassidy and he was still more goofy than anything resembling serious. Evans was one of those people who could get on anyone’s nerves at any time and he was a good choice for a foil here. The fans were into this and that’s why it was put out there, as AEW knew what they had with these guys.

Post match the winners and Statlander all hug.

Eddie Kingston vs. Cezar Bononi

Kingston is coming in with a bad leg/ankle. Kingston grinds away on a headlock to start but gets kicked in the chest. That lets Bononi choke on the rope a bit and get two off a slam as the fans are right behind Kingston. Bononi’s running powerslam gets two and he grabs the chinlock, which has Kingston in even more trouble.

Kingston fights back and tries the exploder but the ankle is too banged up. Instead Bononi gets in a pumphandle suplex and a sitout powerbomb for two but Kingston says bring it. Back up and Bononi tries a torture rack but gets enziguried for his efforts. The Stretch Plumb gives Kingston the win at 9:20.

Rating: C. There wasn’t much to this one as it was mainly Bononi beating Kingston up until the fast comeback at the end. That being said, Kingston has never one to focus on what he was doing in the ring. He was going to get over just by talking and having personal issues with someone and that is the focus of his ankle issue. Kingston being on the card is fine though, as the fans love him.

Post match Kingston talks about how bad things were a year ago but then he ran his mouth at an independent show. That got him a match on Dynamite and he got beat up by Cody Rhodes. He started watching AEW and was so glad to have something back for the wrestlers. This gives them a place to be themselves so please support the young guys and the stars in this company. As usual, Kingston can play the emotions like few others.

Vickie Guerrero cuts off Justin Roberts’ introduction…but then lets him do it.

The Bunny/Rebel/Britt Baker/Nyla Rose vs. Hikaru Shida/Red Velvet/Tay Conti/Ryo Mizumani

Velvet spins out of a wristlock to start but Baker takes her down into a hammerlock. Back up and Velvet faceplants Baker but mostly misses a standing moonsault. Conti (Melo) comes in to fire off the kicks to Bunny but charges into the corner. Shida comes in to go after Rebel, who fakes a knee injury to kick Shida in the head (even Rebel was surprised she pulled that off).

Rose runs Mizumani over but she’s right back with a spear, sending Cabana and Starks into an argument over spearing ability. Mizumani can’t get in a suplex so let’s have the rest of her partners come in for a quadrupleplex instead. Everything breaks down and we get a Shida vs. Rebel kendo stick vs. crutch match. Back in and Bunny knees Velvet to the mat and rubs Velvet’s face into it, allowing Baker to cheap shot Velvet.

A hair faceplant gives Velvet a breather and it’s back to Shida as everything breaks down into a quadruple submission. Those are all broken up and Rose backsplashes Shida for two. Shida reverses Baker’s suplex attempt into a Falcon Arrow for two and Mizumani uses Shida as a launchpad for a legdrop. Conti and Rebel get the double tag with Conti going after the leg and the DDTay finishes at 13:57.

Rating: C+. The early days of the women’s division were a bit messy for AEW but you could see some of the talent starting to come together. If nothing else, it’s kind of fascinating that Velvet has been around this long. Some of the better names were starting to come together and you could see Baker turning into a star right before your eyes. Throw in Shida as her solid self and the base was there.

Death Triangle/Matt Sydal/Mike Sydal vs. Kenny Omega/Konosuke Takeshita/Michael Nakazawa/Young Bucks

Nick and Fenix start things off with Fenix flipping away early. Pac and Matt come in as well so all four can block a superkick. Pac stays in and gets caught in the wrong corner but flips away from Takeshita. It’s off to Matt, who beats on Nakazawa (in his polo and khakis), allowing the Triangle to come in for a triple dropkick. Nakazawa grabs Mike’s nipples and the Bucks come in, only to get kicked to the floor.

That means the Lucha Bros can get in their own dives but Omega (reigning World Champion) gets to take over on Mike. This includes a backbreaker over the knee and Nakamura gets to come in for some offense of his own. Takeshita (who looks very young here) comes in for a chinlock and the Bucks get to send Mike into FOUR boots in the corner. Omega wants EIGHT boots up in the corner, which of course goes badly for him, allowing Matt to get the tag.

Everything breaks down and the Bros get to wheelbarrow splash Omega for two. Fenix gets caught in the wrong corner for the rapid fire clotheslines though, with Takeshita’s being one too many. Instead Fenix is back with a cutter for two but Pac’s Black Arrow is broken up. We hit the parade of strikes to the face and Takeshita’s Blue Thunder Bomb gets two.

Matt is held in the ropes for a Swanton from Nick and a double Meltzer Driver gets two as Penta makes a save. Omega gets to fire off some snapdragons…but tags in Nakazawa. With Omega not there for the save, it’s a suplex into the spike package piledriver and the Brutalizer makes Nakazawa tap at 17:22.

Rating: B-. This was something of a main event level match, with the World Champion and the Bucks involved, though the Sydals and Nakazawa being involved was a bit odd. Then again, that’s the point of having Nakazawa, with those snappy khakis, there to take the fall. Fenix and Penta were awesome out there and Pac looked like he could have beaten up a concrete wall. The match was big and the good guys won so that’s a logical inclusion here.

Post match Pac says the Death Triangle is coming for Omega and the Bucks. Omega teases a brawl here but then run from a fight.

TNT Title: Darby Allin vs. The Butcher

Butcher is challenging and has the Hardy Family Office with him. Allin starts fast with a dropkick to the floor and a suicide dive. Matt Hardy offers a distraction though and Butcher takes over on the floor, with a snap suplex getting two. Allin’s comeback is cut off with a boot to the face and a powerbomb gives Butcher two more.

For some reason Allin slaps him in the face and is slapped right back down for his efforts. Some slaps actually work for Allin and he dropkicks Butcher into the corner, earning himself a Texas Cloverleaf. That’s broken up and they head outside with Butcher chopping the post by mistake, allowing Allin to send the bad arm into the barricade. Back in and Butcher knocks him into the corner but Allin fights off the top. A Code Red sets up a quick Coffin Drop to retain the title at 8:15.

Rating: C+. This felt like they were running out of time, even though the title was obviously never in anything close to danger. The good thing is that Allin, the popular star, got out there to close the show and send the fans home happy. It’s another tried and true ending to a house show and it’s hard to complain much here, even if the match was just ok.

Post match the Hardy Family Office jumps in to go after Butcher but Colt Cabana, after decking Ricky Starks, leads the Dark Order in for the save. Matt Hardy promises to win the TNT Title and begin the reign of Big Money Matt, which of course didn’t happen. Allin is ready and seems to challenge for a falls count anywhere match. As a bonus, he gives a fan his skateboard, a kid who gets to come up and get it in a nice touch. More celebrating ends the show.

Overall Rating: B-. Well it’s a house show, featuring the stars of AEW in some perfectly acceptable matches. Is it some kind of hidden gem? Not really no, but it’s a fun look back at a different era of AEW and a nice tribute to the Butcher in a rare moment of him wrestling on his own. The point of this was to give the fans a good time and AEW made that happen. If you’re an AEW fan, you’ll have a good time with this and there are far worse ways to spend an afternoon/evening.

Results
The Butcher won a battle royal last eliminating Lance Archer
The Pinnacle b. Dante Martin/Jungle Boy/Luchasaurus/Christopher Daniels – Salt Of The Earth to Daniels
Jade Cargill b. Reke Tehaka – Jaded
Orange Cassidy/Trent/Chuck Taylor b. Max Caster/Hybrid 2 – Strong Zero to Evans
Eddie Kingston b. Cezar Bononi – Stretch Plumb
Hikaru Shida/Red Velvet/Tay Conti/Ryo Mizumani b. The Bunny/Rebel/Britt Baker/Nyla Rose – DDTay to Rebel
Death Triangle/Matt Sydal/Mike Sydal b. Kenny Omega/Young Bucks/Michael Nakazawa/Konosuke Takeshita – Brutalizer to Nakazawa
Darby Allin b. The Butcher – Coffin Drop

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

One of the most confusing shows you’ll ever see.

https://411mania.com/wrestling/halls-wcw-starrcade-1992-review/

Collision
Date: September 12, 2026
Location: MassMutual Center, Springfield, Massachusetts
Commentators: Paul Wight, Nigel McGuinness, Tony Schiavone

So this is a different kind of show as the whole thing is a tribute to the Butcher, who passed away earlier this month at the far too early age of 48. While Butcher hadn’t wrestled here in a bit, he was certainly a part of the AEW family and deserves such an honor. I’m not sure what this is going to be but it should be emotional, so let’s get to it.

Here is Dynamite if you need a recap.

In Memory Of Andy Williams.

There is a wreath and guitar in the ring. Tony Schiavone has the fans stand for a ten bell salute.

Various wrestlers and AEW personalities, including Brody King, Colt Cabana, Justin Roberts, Penelope Ford, Jeff Jarrett and Kip Sabian pay tribute to Butcher.

Commentary pays tribute as well and runs down the card.

Jon Moxley vs. Mike Bailey

Non-title Eliminator Match. They go with the grappling to start and it’s an early standoff. Bailey trips him down into a front facelock so Moxley gets in a takedown of his own to work on the arm. Bailey gets up and snaps off a hurricanrana to the floor, with Moxley already looking frustrated.

Back in and Moxley easily takes him down for a reverse chinlock and it’s time to work on Bailey’s fingers. That earns Moxley a missile dropkick but he sends Bailey flying out to the floor. Bailey is fine enough to start in on the leg, with some kicks setting up a dragon screw legwhip. A corkscrew Asai moonsault drops Moxley and we take a break.

We come back with Moxley getting in a butterfly superplex but Bailey scores with another kick. The standing moonsault knees give Bailey two and he sends Moxley to the apron to do it again. Back in and the Ultimate Weapon misses so Bailey kicks away, only for Moxley to pop up with a cutter. Moxley misses a boot in the corner and gets kicked in the back, with a shooting star giving Bailey two. Bailey gets a kneebar, with Moxley escaping and hitting a Stomp. The Death Rider finishes Bailey at 18:09.

Rating: B. This was your usual Moxley match, as he popped up after everything Bailey threw at him and survived in the end, which is hardly a surprise. At the same time, it was hard to believe that Bailey had much of a chance here as even the time limit almost expiring didn’t really build up much drama. Other than that, Paul Wight praising the continental wrestling with its lack of interference and weapons made me shake my head, as I remember that just being called a wrestling match.

Nick Wayne says youth is what matters and Chris Jericho is worried about him. If Jericho is so sure about himself, come prove it on Dynamite.

Rascalz vs. Aaron Solo/Griff Garrison/Nick Comoroto

Reed throws Garrison down to start and a double slingshot belly to back suplex does it again. Comoroto comes in and gets triple teamed to the floor and Reed cutters Solo. Reed hits a dive and the Hot Fire Flame finishes Solo at 2:01. Total squash.

Daniel Garcia, Willow Nightingale and Pac pay tribute to the Butcher.

Mina Shirakawa vs. Queen Aminata

Mercedes Mone is on commentary. Aminata grabs a quickly broken headlock to start and is taken down, allowing Shirakawa to dance. Back up and Aminata gets in a running shoulder block and we get the required Chocolate Kisses. Shirakawa knocks her down for the slingshot corkscrew dive and the big dive to the floor as we take a break. We come back with Aminata knocking her down and grabbing a snap suplex. Shirakawa grabs a quick Glamorous Driver for two so she puts on the Figure Four, with Aminata having to roll to the rope. A quick small package gives Aminata the pin at 10:19.

Rating: C+. So I guess Aminata is going to be the next victim for Mone and that’s perfectly fine for a quick Collision main event in a few weeks. That’s a weird way to go as Thekla and Willow Nightingale are already likely to come after the title, probably even at All Out. Other than that, Shirakawa loses again, because that’s all she does most of the time.

Post match respect is shown.

Pac says tonight is business as usual for the Death Riders but here are the Dogs to complain about the team stopping them from attacking Will Ospreay. Jon Moxley threatens them because he doesn’t do any favors for anyone. Tonight, the Dogs better go take care of the Bang Bang Gang.

Jay White vs. Adam Priest

They grapple to a standoff to start and White takes him down into a headlock. That’s broken up so Priest strikes away until White drops him again. A Muta Lock sends Priest over to the rope and he’s right back up with a dragon screw legwhip. Priest’s swinging neckbreaker gets two but an attempt at the half crab is reversed into the Blade Runner to give White the pin at 5:19.

Rating: C+. I was expecting this to get more time and it was nice to see White take him down with his finisher instead of going too long. White is someone who can be rather smooth in the ring and look good out there when he is given the chance. Now just let him win some matches that actually matter.

Post match White says the Bang Bang Gang is ready for the Death Riders.

Dogs/Pac vs. Bang Bang Gang

Jay White and Jon Moxley are on commentary. It’s a big brawl to start and the Gang is cleared out with Austin getting caught in the wrong corner for the running clotheslines. The Gang is right back in to do the same to Finlay and Austin loads him up in the fireman’s carry for the squats. We take a break and come back with Robinson fighting out of trouble with a side kick to Pac.

The Gunns come in to clean house with Austin’s full nelson slam getting two on Connors. Austin is in with a double missile dropkick and we get the parade of knockdowns. A German suplex/clothesline combination puts Austin down and Moxley approves. Everyone gets back up and slug it out until Austin hits a big flip dive to the floor. 3:10 To Yuma drops Connors with Finlay diving in for the save (Moxley is thrilled). Pac trips Austin and Connors hits a spear for the pin at 10:51.

Rating: B-. Gah I was getting into this and hoping to see the Gang get a bigger win but why do that when you can have the freaking Dogs get a win? For the life of me I do not get the Dogs and they just keep going with one push after another. They do nothing for me and Kidd is the weakest of them all, so of course he gets the most attention.

Chuck Taylor, Darius Martin, Roderick Strong, Christopher Daniels, Lee Moriarty and Kyle O’Reilly pay tribute to the Butcher.

The Blade has sent in a statement on Butcher’s passing.

Tommaso Ciampa wants a title and is coming to All Out.

Lethal Twist vs. Conglomeration

New Level is on commentary and the Twist’s ROH Six Man Tag Team Titles aren’t on the line. Lethal and Cassidy start things off with Williams taking him up against the rope for a quick finger spin. Cassidy backs him to the floor where Lethal argues with New Level, earning himself a chop from Strong. Everything breaks down, including a barrage of chops, plus a backbreaker/middle rope knee combination to Lethal.

We take a break and come back with Cassidy fighting out of trouble and getting in a Stundog Millionaire. O’Reilly comes in to clean house and Strong throws Cassidy around as a weapon. Strong gets caught in a reverse DDT/high crossbody combination for two and Cassidy gets superkicked. He doesn’t actually fall down though as Strong shoves him back, with a double clothesline dropping the villains. O’Reilly and Cassidy hit a dive apiece, leaving Strong to hit the Sick Kick into the End Of Heartache to pin Lethal at 9:54.

Rating: B-. Yep, you knew how the match was going to go as soon as Ring Of Honor champions were involved. They were there to make the AEW stars look good and somehow this just keeps happening. I have no idea why that’s the case but for some reason Ring Of Honor is just used for jobbing. Just find someone else for this spot. It can’t be that hard with this roster.

Post match Conglomeration and New Level have a staredown.

Lena Kross and Megan Bayne are ticked off and promise to hurt the Brawling Birds.

All Out rundown.

Butcher Battle Royal

Lance Archer, Eddie Kingston, Ortiz, Claudio Castagnoli, Josh Alexander, Daniel Garcia, The Beast Mortos, Jake Doyle, Dante Martin, Darius Martin, AR Fox, Wheeler Yuta

For $100,000 to be donated to the charity of the winner’s choice in Butcher’s name. The brawl starts on the floor and the bell rings with no one actually in the ring. The Martins and Doyle come in to brawl, with Fox coming in to join the festivities. Ortiz gets tossed into a cutter and Mortos is back in to wreck various people.

Fox tries a tornado DDT but gets sent outside for the first elimination. The Death Riders get inside and Kingston and Ortiz are back in to take them out. Well down, not out, as in an elimination. A series of clotheslines against the ropes gets rid of Ortiz but Kingston backdrops Garcia out. The Martins backdrop Mortos out and we take a break.

We come back with the Martins cleaning house again and clotheslining Doyle out. Dante gets knocked out as well and Archer gets rid of Darius. Archer and Castagnoli trade clotheslines until Archer hits a crossbody. Castagnoli escapes the chokeslam and Swings Archer, setting up a clothesline for the elimination. Kingston and Castagnoli chop it out until Kingston gets the Swing as well.

Back up and Kingston is fine enough to spinning backfist Castagnoli out but gets dumped by Alexander. So I think that leaves Alexander and Garcia, with Garcia hitting a bunch of clotheslines but not being able to knock him out. A package piledriver plants Garcia, who holds onto the top rope for the save. Garcia pulls him over the top rope to the apron and gets back inside for a running dropkick and the win at 16:23.

Rating: B-. The quality of the match means absolutely nothing here as this was all about the special feelings. Garcia winning is fine as the actual result is pretty unimportant. It was a bunch of people who were friends with Butcher having a special match. Nothing wrong with that and it was nice to see.

Post match Garcia gets to hold up a Butcher sign and the guitar. The Death Riders have one more big hug.

We get a special tribute video to the Butcher and as usual, this was incredibly well done.

The roster comes to the stage/ramp for one more tribute to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This was a show where the wrestling itself was just kind of background noise. Instead it was about paying tribute to someone who seemed to be pretty awesome and passed away way too young. The show was perfectly fine and the opener was good, but this was all about the Butcher and that is perfectly fine. Good, emotional show here and something that needed to happen.

Results
Jon Moxley b. Mike Bailey – Death Rider
Rascalz b. Aaron Solo/Griff Garrison/Nick Comoroto – Hot Fire Flame to Solo
Queen Aminata b. Mina Shirakawa – Small package
Jay White b. Adam Priest – Blade Runner
Dogs/Pac b. Bang Bang Gang – Spear to Austin
Conglomeration b. Lethal Twist – End Of Heartache to Lethal
Daniel Garcia won the Butcher Battle Royal last eliminating Josh Alexander

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

A colleague of mine has put together a review of SuperBrawl IV (1994) and it’s worth a look if you have time.

https://www.smarkdownsblog.com/wcw-superbrawl-1994-review

TripleMania XXXIV Night One
Date: September 11, 2026
Location: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada
Commentators: Corey Graves, John Bradshaw Layfield

It’s the first TripleMania under the WWE banner and the card is big enough that it’s split up into two parts. There are multiple title matches tonight, though there is a good chance that Rey Mysterio vs. Omos for the latter’s future in AAA will be headlining. We also have the chance that someone could be coming in as a surprise so let’s get go it.

The opening video, as narrated by Rey Mysterio, talks about the risks you have to take in Las Vegas and how it is time for AAA to deal their first hand. The deck of cards theme has me rather intrigued, as they would look great on the wrestling shelf of my card collection (Owning nearly 2,700 decks of playing cards is perfectly normal right?).

Adelicious/Mascarita Sagrada/Mini Vikingo vs. Lady Shani/Mini Abismo Negro/Jack Cartwheel

Shani and Adelicious trade rollups to start and Adelicions cartwheels away…and we pause as Shani falls down without being touched (she might have taken a shot off the cartwheel but if she did, it looked to be a quick grazing). The camera stays on Adelicious as the medics are down to check on Shani (who appears to be conscious) and Adelicious tags in Sagrada for a springboard armdrag to Abismo.

A slingshot hilo gives Sagrada two and it’s off to Cartwheel to face Vikingo. The trade flips of their own for a staredown, with JBL being rather pleased. Cartwheel takes over and Abismo takes over with a slam as JBL rants about Abismo not being mini at all. Vikingo gets in a pop up hurricanrana for a breather but Abismo bites Vikingo’s foot.

The tag brings in Sagrada for a middle rope crossbody and Cartwheel’s saving splash hits Abismo by mistake. Cartwheel monkey flips Sagrada into a hurricanrana to Abismo, allowing Sagrada to actually suplex Cartwheel. Adelicious comes in and dives onto Cartwheel and Abismo, leaving Vikingo to add his own running flip dive. Back in and Vikingo’s shooting star press finishes Abismo at 9:07.

Rating: B-. This was the kind of fun match you would have expected and they were flying all over the place. Vikingo is still one of the smoothest fliers around and it’s cool to see getting a chance to shine as a bigger deal. More importantly though, hopefully Shani just got shaken up and is ok, as that was a scary moment.

LWO vs. Tokyo Bad Boys vs. Fraxiom vs. Los Americanos

Elimination rules. Bravo cleans house to start, including a pop up knee to Wilde. Everything breaks down and we get a Fraxiom vs. Los Americanos staredown. Bravo knocks del Toro outside again and it’s time for the rapid fire suicide dives. Back in and del Toro takes over on Frazer but Wilde is busy applying hairspray. A knee to the face drops Frazer and he gets caught in the Tree Of Woe, with del Toro hitting a heck of a Coast To Coast. The Bad Boys pull Axiom to the floor and pound him down but Wilde hairsprays del Toro by mistake. That lets Fraxiom double kick del Toro down for the elimination at 5:55.

Frazer dropkicks Bravo but Takuma tags himself in to take over. Back up and Takuma hits a heck of a springboard flip dive to hit Axiom and Rayo on the floor but a moonsault lands on raised knees back inside. It’s back to Bravo for an airplane spin and giant swing to both Bad Boys at once, with Takuma being dropped onto Kento. Takuma rakes Bravo’s eyes to escape and it’s a pair of stereo top rope high/lows to get rid of the Boys at 9:51.

So we’re down to Los Americanos vs. Fraxiom, with Rayo splashing Frazer for a fast two. Frazer is fine enough to run the corner for a superplex into a Falcon Arrow and they’re both down again. Bravo comes back in to powerbomb Axiom, with Frazer having to make a save. Back up and Axiom grabs a springboard moonsault DDT for two, with Graves pointing out that it was the same move from the Rey Mysterio/Eddie Guerrero Halloween Havoc match in the same building.

Axiom missile dropkicks Fraxiom by mistake and Rayo gives Axiom the Bitter End. A super hurricanrana into a top rope splash gets two on Frazer in a heck of a false finish. Axiom is back up with a super Spanish Fly into the Phoenix splash from Frazer for a rather near fall, with Bravo making the save again. Frazer grabs both Americanos but gets his fingers snapped to put him in trouble again. A Russian legsweep/springboard headbutt combination finishes Frazer to give Los Americanos the win at 17:42.

Rating: B. This was the insane collection of flying spots and everyone going nuts and that’s all it should have been. It’s a showcase that works every time and it more than worked here. They did drag it out a bit too long in the end, but those false finishes when it was down to two teams boosted it back up. Rather entertaining match.

Marisela Pena is going into the Hall Of Fame at Heroes Immortales.

Video on the four way for the Reina de Reinas title shot at Worlds Collide.

Nattie vs. Roxanne Perez vs. Faby Apache vs. La Hiedra

For a shot at Flammer at Worlds Collide, with Flammer on commentary. It’s a brawl to start with Perez sending Apache into the steps but getting cut off by Hiedra. Nattie is back in to slug it out with Hiedra and hurricanrana her into the corner. Apache comes back too and it’s a pair of stereo surfboards to Perez and Hiedra. With that broken up, Nattie hammers Apache but gets knocked back into the corner.

La Mistica gives Perez two on Apache but Nattie’s Sharpshooter is broken up. Apache’s reverse Figure Four is broken up and Perez gets in the crossface, with Hiedra making the save. Nattie is back in with the Sharpshooter to Perez until Apache makes the save. Hiedra is back up with a Michinoku Driver for two on Perez, which brings in Flammer with the belt. The big swing misses Perez and almost hits Hiedra by mistake. Perez sends Hiedra into Flammer for a crash to the floor before Pop Rox gives Perez the pin at 9:04.

Rating: B-. So it seems like we’re coming up on Hiedra and Flammer splitting, which could certainly be a way to finally end Flammer’s title reign. Perez getting the win was one of two ways to go here, as Apache and Nattie winning just wasn’t that interesting. At the very least, it’s some fresh blood in the title picture and that’s a good idea.

Post match Flammer and Hiedra do not seem pleased with each other.

Some men give Rey Mysterio luck for the night when El Grande Americano comes in. Americano is grateful for everything Mysterio has done for everyone and hopes that Mysterio wins tonight. That would mean Americano can win the Mega Title, but he’ll always be by Mysterio’s side. Mysterio says he was at the first TripleMania but he’s up against a giant. He has the heart that Omos doesn’t have and he’s faced giants before so he’ll end this tonight.

We recap the Latin American Title match. La Parka won the title a few weeks ago and now Mr. Iguana wants a shot, even if he and Parka are friends. Laredo Kid is involved too.

Latin American Title: La Parka vs. Laredo Kid vs. Mr. Iguana

Parka is defending. They trade superkicks to start and Kid takes over before knocking Iguana outside. Kid slaps Parka for a middle rope Vader Bomb, followed by a middle rope moonsault for two. Iguana is back up and gets armdragged down onto Kid for quite the odd landing. Parka moonsaults off the ropes onto the two of them and a rolling cutter gets two on Kid back inside.

A crucifix driver gives Iguana two so Kid pounds him on the mat. Iguana’s Shining Wizard gets two but Kid sends him outside for a suicide dive. Parka gets sent into the barricade, leaving Kid to bust out the big flip dive. Back in and Kid’s 450 gets two on Iguana, with Parka’s great dropkick getting the same on Kid. Parka dives onto Kid, and then goes back up top and super Spanish Flys both of them for the triple down.

Kid’s poisonrana gets two on Parka and Iguana is back in with a top rope headbutt to put Kid down. A spinning bulldog gets two with Parka pulling Iguana to the floor. That and a Doomsday Device have Iguana down again, with the friendship not seeming to matter at the moment. Back in and Parka Bone Breakers Kid for the pin at 12:52.

Rating: B-. Maybe it’s having so many multi-person matches on the show but I couldn’t quite get into this one. It felt more like just a bunch of moves until Parka hit his finisher to win. That’s not the most interesting concept in the world and while I guess we’re coming up on Iguana vs. Parka, this was only so much of a good way to get there.

Trios Titles: Psycho Circus vs. Los Perros del Mal

The Clowns are defending (for the first time in over a year, with Psycho replacing Panic) and Karmen Petrovic is here with Los Perros. Berto gets taken into the ropes to start with the Clowns triple teaming him, including a running splash from Psycho. Daga trips Dave down though and it’s time for a beating on the floor. Dave’s leg is wrapped around the post and Daga hammers away. Dave finally fights out and brings in Murder for a double Samoan drop to Daga and Angel.

Murder goes up for a big dive to the floor but cue El Carnicero to attack Dave, with Psycho giving him a heck of a running right hand. Psycho and Carnicero brawl into the crowd and it’s down to 3-2. Daga suplexes Murder for two and a huge superplex leaves them both down. Petrovic gets up for a distraction though and Berto crashes into Dave over the barricade. That leaves Murder to get caught with a top rope double stomp to give Gaga the pin at 10:36.

Rating: B. This was a better match than most of the show and it might just be due to there being a more coherent story. Carnicero is there to go after the Clowns for whatever reason and they couldn’t overcome the numbers advantage from another good team. It’s not like the titles mean anything but Los Perros desperately needed a win after the last few weeks.

We recap Omos vs. Rey Mysterio. Omos attacked Mysterio (General Manager) and got suspended. Omos came back anyway and the match was set up, with the suspension being lifted if he wins but his AAA career being over if he loses.

Rey Mysterio vs. Omos

El Grande Americano, Dorian Roldan and Dominik Mysterio are here too. Rey is in gear inspired by his Halloween Havoc 1997 attire, which makes perfect sense. We get the bizarre looking staredown before Rey tries to frustrate Omos with the speed. Some kicks to the leg don’t do much to Omos, who sends Rey into the corner (and not exactly gracefully). Back up and Rey tries rolling to the floor, with Omos catching him but then getting dropped onto the barricade.

Omos, in front of Rey’s wife, gorilla presses him back inside as Rey is in big trouble. Some right hands don’t do Rey any good as Omos grabs the bearhug. That’s broken up and it’s right back to the bearhug, with Americano looking more and more desperate on the floor. Rey finally crawls out and knocks him into the ropes, with Omos’ arms getting tied up. Dominik pulls Rey to the floor but here is Americano making a diving save (like a superhero) and knocking Dominik over the announcers’ table.

Rey gets in a chair shot and hurricanranas Omos into the buckle. There’s a pair of 619s and JBL freaks out, as you would expect him to when Rey has success. Another 619 to the knee sets up a regular one to the face and a top rope splash gets two. Dominik is back up to chair Americano, including ramming it into his throat. Back up and Omos hits a big boot into a chokeslam for the pin at 12:36.

Rating: B. This was a perfectly nice story, with Rey trying everything he could to chop the giant down but not being able to get there. That should be the case with a giant like Omos, who is best used as a special attraction like this. Don’t have him out there every week and ruin his special appeal. It worked well here and I had a good time with the whole thing, even if it dragged a bit at the beginning.

Post match Omos drops a bunch of elbows on Rey, who is taken out on a stretcher. Well almost as he’s attached to the stretcher but Omos comes back to take Rey’s neck brace off. The announcers’ table is loaded up and Omos chokeslams Rey (still attached to the back board) through the table to end the show. That’s a heck of a bump and JBL not worrying about Rey at all is always funny.

Overall Rating: B-. The last two matches helped this a lot but this did have some weak points, with the multi-person matches getting tiresome after a bit. Things did get better with the main event and the Trios Titles match, but they really needed to mix things up a bit at first. Overall, good enough show though and the second half should work well, hopefully with a hotter crowd in Mexico.

Results
Adelicious/Mini Vikingo/Mascarita Sagrada b. Mini Abismo Negro/Jack Cartwheel/Lady Shani – Shooting star press to Abismo
Los Americanos b. LWO, Tokyo Bad Boys and Fraxiom last eliminating Fraxiom
Roxanne Perez b. Faby Apache, Nattie and La Hiedra – Pop Rox to Hiedra
La Parka b. Laredo Kid and Mr. Iguana – Bone Breaker to Kid
Los Perros del Mal b. Psycho Circus – Top rope double stomp to Murder
Omos b. Rey Mysterio – Chokeslam

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