Collision
Date: July 26, 2025
Location: Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, Illinois
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Tony Schiavone

We are less than a month away from Forbidden Door and that means we might be getting some of the card set up this week. If nothing else, we are probably going to be seeing more of the #1 contenders tag team tournament, which means we might be finding out who is actually in the thing. Let’s get to it.

Here is Dynamite if you need a recap.

TNT Title: Dustin Rhodes vs. Lee Moriarty

Rhodes (and only Rhodes) is defending. Feeling out process to start, including an exchange of wristlocks. Moriarty grabs a quick Border City Stretch to send Rhodes bailing over to the ropes but he’s back up with a Cactus Clothesline. Back in and an armdrag sends Moriarty into an armbar, which doesn’t last very long. Moriarty is right back out and grabs a shinbreaker to send Rhodes out to the floor. That doesn’t last long as Moriarty comes back in to work on the leg.

We take a break and come back with Rhodes kicking him out to the floor. Back in and Rhodes snaps off a powerslam before hitting an atomic drop. That bangs up Rhodes’ knee, though he’s fine enough to hit a quick Cross Rhodes. Moriarty gets his foot on the ropes for the break so Rhodes plants him in the middle for two more.

A shot to Rhodes’ leg cuts him down again though and it’s an ankle lock with a grapevine. Rhodes makes the rope again and avoids a boot in the corner. Shattered Dreams doesn’t work so Moriarty hits a running boot, followed by a spinning butterfly suplex for two. An attempt at a Figure Four is reversed into a small package to retain the title at 16:35.

Rating: B. Nice match here, though I could have gone without another champion losing. Rhodes getting a win over a lower name is ok as odds are he won’t be holding the title for very long. I still have no idea why he needs to hold all three titles at once, but at least he didn’t pick up a fourth one here.

Post match here are Don Callis and Kyle Fletcher, with the latter saying he wants the TNT Title. Rhodes agrees, but he wants it next week in a Chicago Street Fights. Rhodes: “I’ll be your Huckleberry b****.”

The Bang Bang Gang is ready to face Bryan Keith and Big Bill in the tournament tonight. Yeah one of them is injured, but next man up.

Tony Schiavone pays tribute to Hulk Hogan.

Toni Storm says no one goes as deep as she does and she wants to see Alex Windsor beat Athena. Storm doesn’t think Athena has the ovaries to take the AEW Women’s Title from her.

#1 Contenders Tag Team Tournament First Round: Big Bill/Bryan Keith vs. Bang Bang Gang

Robinson and Keith start things off with Robinson working on the arm. Gunn (Austin) comes in for a neckbreaker but it’s off to Bill to easily shove him down. Bill misses an elbow though and Gunn jabs away, only to get dropped with a shot to the face. A half crab keeps Gunn in trouble and we take a break.

We come back with Gunn jumping over Keith out of the corner but his knee is in bad shape. A lariat puts Keith down but Bill is in to cut off the tag attempt. Gunn manages to fight his way out of the corner though and the big tag brings Robinson in to clean house. An atomic drop into a backsplash hits Keith and the cannonball in the corner gets two. Bill boots Robinson in the face though and Keith gets two off a suplex. Keith goes up top but Robinson hurricanranas him down. That’s reversed into a sunset flip, only for Gunn to turn it over and give Robinson the pin at 12:19.

Rating: C+. Nice enough match here, though it’s kind of a shame to see Keith and Bill go from being a good team to losing to a fairly makeshift team here. At the same time, this tournament has me worried that we’re coming up on another FTR vs. Young Bucks final, with the Bucks going on to the title match. Maybe it’s too early for that to be the case, but it seems like a real possibility.

Video on the Outrunners vs. the Young Bucks.

Don Callis interrupts a Shane Taylor interview and talks about tonight’s match for $400,000, because we have to do another match for money as that’s the hot thing at the moment.

Here is Max Caster for his next open challenge.

Max Caster vs. Anthony Bowens

Bowens takes him into the corner to start so Caster hides in the corner, with the fans cheering for Caster. Some shots to the back of the head have Caster in more trouble and Bowens yells at him, followed by the running Fameasser. The Mollywop finishes Caster at 2:07.

Post match Bowens beats on him even more but Billy Gunn breaks it up. An angry Bowens leaves on his own. So we took that long to get to a Bowens heel turn after he was upset about losing so much and he turns after winning? Am I getting that right?

AR Fox interrupts the Matriarchy and wants to face Nick Wayne. Kip Sabian thinks it’s a good idea and the match is on.

Don Callis Family/Infantry vs. Outrunners/Tomohiro Ishii/Hologram

For $400,000 and Don Callis is on commentary. Bravo’s chops in the corner just annoy Ishii, who runs him over without much trouble. Hologram comes in to wristdrag Hechicero, followed by an anklescissors into the corner. The Outrunners clean house but Floyd wants to face Archer on his own. Hologram tries a springboard hurricanrana but Archer pulls it out of the air and powerbombs him into the Outrunners (ouch).

We take a break and come back with Archer knocking some people off the apron, only for Hologram to get the tag off to Ishii anyway. Hologram comes back in with a top rope double stomp to Hechicero and everything breaks down again. Magnum drops the Infantry and Hologram adds a nice top rope hurricanrana to Hechicero. The Mega Powers Elbow hits Dean but Callis gets off commentary for a cheap shot. Cue Paragon to chase an interfering Taylor off and Total Recall finishes Dean at 11:42.

Rating: B-. Ok. What else am I supposed to think here? It was the same perfectly good eight man tag that we’ve seen a bunch of times around here, with one team winning money which changes nothing for their status in AEW. Commentary mentioned that Hologram has been around for fifty three weeks. The fact that he is undefeated and still in this spot isn’t exactly a great sign.

Video on Hangman Page vs. Jon Moxley on Dynamite.

Triangle Of Madness vs. Mazzerati/Laynie Luck/Rachael Ellering

That would be Skye Blue/Thekla/Julia Hart. We start fast with Hart hitting Old School on Luck and it’s off to Thekla for a running shot in the ropes. Hart’s standing moonsault hits raised knees though and it’s Ellering coming in for a backsplash. Everything breaks down and Thekla spears Luck on the floor. An assisted swinging Rock Bottom plants Mazzerati and Thekla hits a Stomp for the pin at 3:11.

Rating: C. I was worried that this was going to be a long match to make the jobbers look good but instead the new team smashed through them. We’ve seen all of the members of the Triangle (AEW likes that name) before so it’s nice to see them getting this kind of a win in their first match together. Not exactly a thrilling match, but it’s how this should have gone.

Post match Queen Aminata runs in with a chair but Megan Bayne takes her out.

Stokely Hathaway doesn’t think much of Cope coming after him but promises FTR will win the tournament.

Paragon interrupts Hologram and Tomohiro Ishii’s interview and the Conglomeration seems to be back together. Hologram and Ishii look…confused?

Nick Wayne/Kip Sabian vs. AR Fox/Angelico

Fox takes over on Wayne to start and drags him into the corner so Angelico can crank on his arm. A Mother Wayne distraction lets Nick get in an elbow though and we take a break. We come back with Angelico and Sabian knocking each other down, allowing Fox to come in and clean house. A slingshot dropkick in the corner sets up a rolling cutter and no one can believe the kickout. Sabian is back in with a missile dropkick to Angelico as everything breaks down. Nick Killswitches Angelico for the pin at 8:10.

Rating: C+. I continue to have no idea why Sabian is around, as he’s a completely forgettable star who was mostly just a warm body here. At the same time, it seems like we could be setting up a big Christian Cage vs. Nick Wayne match and that’s….only kind of interesting at best. Angelico being thrown in there was a bit weird but Fox was a highlight reel, as usual.

Kris Statlander goes on a heck of a rant about how Willow Nightingale hasn’t thanked her for anything. Now Statlander is going to be herself because you can’t stop Stat. She was bringing the fire here.

Ring Of Honor Women’s Title: Alex Windsor vs. Athena

Athena, with Billie Starkz, is defending. Windsor takes her into the corner to start and they go to the mat for a quick standoff. Athena hits her in the face and poses a bit, only to get armdragged into a basement dropkick. Windsor gets in a shot to the back of the head and they head to the apron for a chop off. Athena plants her onto said apron and we take a break.

We come back with Windsor getting in a shot of her own for a knockdown, followed by a running clothesline for the same. Athena bites the leg to get out of a powerbomb and rolls into a Koji Clutch. That’s reversed into a rollup to give Windsor two and she powerbombs Athena out of the corner. A faceplant on the floor has Athena in more trouble and Windsor sends Starkz into the steps. The distraction lets Athena come back with a running dropkick before knocking her off the barricade. Back in and the O Face retains the title at 12:20.

Rating: B-. Windsor was a good enough challenger for a basic televised title defense, but what matters the most here is getting Athena on the bigger stage. She has gone from a good hand to an absolute star during her Ring Of Honor title reign. I could go for seeing her winning the title from Storm, though we could be waiting a bit for that to happen.

Post match Athena and Starkz go after Windsor again but Toni Storm runs in for the brawl. The running hip attack sets up the chickenwing but Starkz makes the save. Windsor is up again and the villains are knocked to the floor to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. Well, it was a show featuring a bunch of Ring Of Honor stars and champions, with the Athena/Storm stuff being the highlight. As usual, Collision only feels somewhat important and you would probably be better off just reading a recap. Next week’s show will be back on Thursday and hopefully things pick up a bit. It’s absolutely not a bad show in any way, but it only matters so much in the grand scheme of AEW.

Results
Dustin Rhodes b. Lee Moriarty – Small package
Bang Bang Gang b. Big Bill/Bryan Keith – Rollup to Keith
Anthony Bowens b. Max Caster – Mollywop
Tomohiro Ishii/Hologram/Outrunners b. Infantry/Don Callis Family – Total Recall to Dean
Triangle Of Madness b. Mazzerati/Laynie Luck/Rachael Ellering – Stomp to Mazzerati
Nick Wayne/Kip Sabian b. Angelico/AR Fox – Killswitch to Angelico
Athena b. Alex Windsor – O Face

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

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Dynamite
Date: July 23, 2025
Location: Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, Illinois
Commentators: Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Taz

We’re rapidly approaching Forbidden Door with just over a month to go before the show. That means it is time to start getting ready for the show with some matches being announced. Other than that, we’re still dealing with some fallout from All In, which will likely continue tonight. Let’s get to it.

Here is Collision if you need a recap.

There is going to be a tournament to crown new #1 contenders for the Tag Team Titles with the title shot at Forbidden Door.

Hangman Page is willing to face Wheeler Yuta tonight but MJF comes in to tease cashing in.

Hangman Page vs. Wheeler Yuta

Non-title. Yuta jumps him during the entrance and chokes away on the floor to start fast. Page fights back and sends him into the barricade a few times, followed by a fall away slam into the corner. Yuta goes to the eyes but Page shrugs it off and finishes with the Buckshot Lariat at 3:15.

Rating: C. Well, I can always go with seeing Yuta taking a beating and this was as squashy as it could have been. At the end of the day, Page shouldn’t be breaking a sweat over the top heel stable’s job guy and this was a good way to make Page look like a killer. Nice opener here, which did exactly what it should have done.

Post match Page grabs the chain and beats on Yuta to bust him open. Page thinks twice about hanging him though. That’s going to require a name change. Maybe Fish Feeder Adam Page.

Athena, in a Shark Week fin hat, has Billie Starkz ready to take out Toni Storm.

#1 Contenders Tag Team Tournament First Round: FTR vs. Jet Speed

Stokley Hathaway, on a crutch, is with FTR. Knight gets knocked to the floor to start and Bailey is beaten down in the corner. That’s broken up and Jet Speed hit stereo dives to the floor to pick up the pace. We settle down to Harwood striking Bailey up against the ropes. That doesn’t last long either as they go outside, with back to back backdrops putting FTR down.

We take a break and come back with Jet Speed hitting stereo missile dropkicks and stereo moonsaults (one inside, one outside) for two on Wheeler. Harwood is back up to wrap Knight’s leg around the post and Wheeler goes after Bailey’s leg on the floor. Back in and Harwood Sharpshooters Knight, who breaks out and blocks the PowerPlex.

We take another break and come back with Knight hitting a springboard forearm to Harwood and Bailey sunset flipping Wheeler for two. Bailey takes both of them out with a dive and drops the moonsault knees for two more. An electric chair and (standing) dropkick combination gets two on Wheeler and Bailey dives over the barricade to take him out again. Back in and Harwood’s slingshot powerbomb is countered into a hurricanrana to give Knight two. Harwood reverses another hurricanrana and Hathaway offers the crutch for extra leverage and the pin at 17:30.

Rating: B. Good, fast paced match here with the right team going over. The problem with having such dominant champions as the Hurt Syndicate is you can only have so many teams as realistic challengers. FTR is as good of an option as we have at the moment and while Jet Speed gave them a good fight, it should have gone this way.

Post match Hathaway rants about Cope injuring him last week, calling him a cancer to AEW. Cue Cope, who is barred from getting too close to FTR. The good thing is he’s made a business deal with some people who can and they are in the business of hurting people. Cue the Hurt Syndicate for the brawl and FTR bails. Cope tries to spear Hathaway but hits a security guard by mistake.

The Matriarchy is ready to back up their words with physicality because they are now uncaged.

Jon Moxley isn’t going to make excuses for his loss but by the end of the night, we’ll find out who Hangman Page really is.

Here is Will Ospreay for a chat. Ospreay talks about the work that he put in to help get the World Title back in AEW. The problem is he had some bad discs in his neck, but he can be treated. With the right help and the hard work, he can be back for Forbidden Door. He’s still coming for the Death Riders too. Swerve Strickland comes out to show some respect.

Video on Julia Hart, Thekla and Skye Blue, who are apparently now a unit.

Willow Nightingale needs something fresh to do and could go for fighting Thekla.

We look back at the Hurt Syndicate brawling with FTR.

MJF isn’t sure what was up with that because it should be about getting the World Title. Bobby Lashley chokes him against the locker and says he wants MJF out of the team. MVP shakes his head at MJF and walks away.

Toni Storm vs. Billie Starkz

Non-title with Athena watching from the balcony. Storm grabs a headlock to start and sends her into the corner, allowing a quick pull up of the skirt. Starkz manages to knock her to the floor and hit a running Swanton off the apron. Back in and Starkz grabs a suplex and we take an early break.

We come back with Storm hitting a Thesz press and pounding away. Storm powerbombs her for two but Starkz is back with a brainbuster onto the knee. A fisherman’s suplex gives Storm two and they trade rollups for some near falls each. Storm’s hip attack sets up a failed Storm Zero attempt but she’s able to block a Swanton. The chickenwing finishes for Storm at 9:28.

Rating: C+. Again, perfectly logical here with Starkz being out there to soften Storm up rather than really going for the win here. Athena feels like a different kind of challenger and I’m starting to expect her to win the title. This was a good way to keep things moving, even if Starkz continues to be a bit less than smooth in the ring.

Post match Starkz drops Storm with a belt shot and here is Athena to send her into the steps over and over. A contract shot to the head looks to set up the cash in but Alex Windsor breaks it up.

Swerve Strickland vs. Hechicero

Prince Nana is here with Strickland and Don Callis handles Hechicero’s entrance. Hechicero ties up the arms to start but Strickland flips out of an early choke attempt. The mat grappling goes to Hechicero until Strickland reverses into something like an abdominal stretch. That doesn’t last long either as Hechicero is back with a swinging hammerlock backbreaker. A tilt-a-whirl backbreaker puts Hechicero down again though and we take a break.

We come back with Hechicero planting Strickland, who laughs at him. A slugout goes to Strickland, setting up the elbow to the back. Strickland’s 450 gets two and a bit of frustration seems to be setting in. Back up and Hechicero pulls him into a choke, which doesn’t last long either. The rolling Downward Spiral sets up the Swerve Stomp but Lance Archer runs in for the DQ at 11:15.

Rating: B-. Well at least neither of them didn’t get pinned. There was no reason for either of them to take a fall here, with Strickland gearing up to go after Okada and Hechicero likely being next in line for Bandido. I’m not wild on the run-in DQ, but in this case it’s the best case scenario if the match was made in the first place.

Post match Bandido and Brody King run in for the save and brawl to the back with the villains. Cue Kazuchika Okada to hit Strickland with a chair but Strickland fights back, with the threat of a House Call with a chair sending Okada scampering.

Ricochet and the Gates Of Agony brag about their recent success.

Here is MJF for a chat. He knows the fans aren’t that bright but he doesn’t need Bobby Lashley to get the title back. As for Hangman Page, he’s ready to execute this contract and take his title back but here is Mark Briscoe to interrupt. After making a kosher pickle joke, Briscoe says MJF stole a win from him in the Casino Gauntlet match and wants MJF next week. MJF: “No.”

If Briscoe was supposed to win the contract, he would have done it, but when the pressure is on, Briscoe loses. The fans might love Briscoe but he’s just a joke and everyone knows it. MJF respected one man from Delaware and he would have listened to a challenge from him. Briscoe must be miserable waking up every day, knowing that he’s not as respected as his brother Jay. That’s enough for Mark to come to the ring, with MJF bailing.

Claudio Castagnoli vs. Mark Briscoe

Briscoe backs him into a corner for an exchange of strikes, eventually flipping over Castagnoli and chopping him down. Back up and Castagnoli stomps away in the corner before sending Briscoe to the apron for another chop off. A running clothesline puts Castagnoli on the floor, where he’s fine enough to swing Briscoe into the barricade.

We take a break and come back with Castagnoli dropping him again but pausing to look at Darby Allin in the crowd. Briscoe kicks him to the floor for a suicide flip dive and the fans are rather enthused. The Froggy Bow only gets two but Castagnoli is back with a middle rope slam for the same. The Neutralizer is blocked so Castagnoli hits a running uppercut for two. Back up and a small package gives Briscoe the pin at 13:19.

Rating: B. Good stuff here as Briscoe is starting to be treated as a bigger deal every week. That’s great to see, as he has been losing bigger matches far too often. I’m not sure if he’s going to beat MJF in their big showdown, but at least he’s being built up in the process. Castagnoli is pretty firmly in his spot to put people over and that’s a good use for him.

Post match Marina Shafir comes in to take out Briscoe and here is Jon Moxley. He calls out Hangman Page, who comes out to say he’ll keep getting up. Next week, they can do it for the title one more time, but under Page’s rules: everyone but a referee will be banned from ringside. Page knows Moxley will accept so he’ll see him next week. The match is made official to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. The word that keeps coming to mind here is “logical”, as most of the things that happened here made sense. There were matches set up (naturally some of them were in a tournament but that’s going to happen around here) and nothing felt insane. Throw in the absence of the Young Bucks and a limited amount of Don Callis and I can go with what we got here.

Results
Hangman Page b. Wheeler Yuta – Buckshot Lariat
FTR b. Jet Speed – Rollup with assist from Stokley Hathaway
Toni Storm b. Billie Starkz – Chickenwing
Swerve Strickland b. Hechicero via DQ when Lance Archer interfered
Mark Briscoe b. Claudio Castagnoli – Small package

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

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Supercard Of Honor 2025
Date: July 11, 2025
Location: Esports Stadium Arlington, Arlington, Texas
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

It’s time for the first major show of the year and that means we have a few big matches already set. In this case, we have Bandido defending the World Title against Konosuke Takeshita in what should be a heck of a showdown. Other than that, there are some matches being added today so some of this will be a surprise. Let’s get to it.

We run down the card.

Zero Hour: Blake Christian vs. Jay Lethal

Lee Johnson is here with Christian. Lethal goes after him to start but Christian flips to his feet for a strut. After some applauding, Lethal flips away as well and gets in a strut of his own. Lethal can’t get a Figure Four so Johnson offers a distraction, earning himself a suicide dive. Christian hits a suicide dive of his own before starting to work on the arm. Back in and Christian’s strutting Old School is broken up and the Lethal Combination brings him down.

Lethal goes for the leg and grabs a Figure Four, sending Christian straight to the ropes. The Lethal Injection is blocked and Christian is back with a running Spanish Fly. A Swanton misses and banged up the knee again, allowing Lethal to kick the leg out. Something like a reverse powerbomb plants Christian but Johnson offers another distraction. Christian’s bad leg is fine enough to run the ropes for something like a superplex into the Vanilla Choke for the tap at 8:10.

Rating: C. I guess we really are going with Christian as a thing, which isn’t exactly the most thrilling way to go. At the end of the day, Christian is one of a bunch of guys in the midcard on both rosters and that isn’t going to give me much of a reason to believe he’ll pull it off. At least they’re trying and he’s different enough though so it’s worth a try, in theory.

We recap the Dark Order vs. the Frat House, who have been feuding for a few weeks now, with the Order making them pay a big bar tap. It’s a match with an actual story and that’s better than nothing.

Zero Hour: Dark Order vs. Frat House

The Order beats up the pledges on the way to the ring and then jump the Frat House to start fast. The Frat House is knocked outside and Reynolds is backdropped onto the pile. Back in and Garrison starts to take over on Reynolds, followed by some running boots in the corner for two. Stomping in the corner and a slam get two more but Reynolds backflips out of a double belly to back suplex.

A DDT allows the tag off to Uno so house can be cleaned as everything breaks down. Uno gets spinebustered into a 450 for two but he neckbreakers his way out of trouble. The tag brings in Silver for the triple flipping slam, only for Jacked Jameson to break up the pin. Jameson is ejected but Preston Vance gets in a shot with the paddle. Cue Negative One for a distraction though, allowing the Order to fight up. Uno’s discus lariat finishes Vance off at 10:29.

Rating: C+. This is the definition of a goofy, give the fans something fun match and that’s not a bad thing on a Kickoff show. Let the annoying team lose a match, with the glorified mascot costing them the fall. It’s a fine way to go and nothing was overly bad, so call this a perfectly acceptable offering.

Taya Valkyrie, Johnny TV and the MxM Collection are here, with TV wanting the Collection to receive a welcome back from Japan. They even got Ribera jackets! They also have their own fragrance called SEED (“Let it grow inside you!”). And that’s that.

Zero Hour: Lady Frost vs. Diamante

Diamante shakes her hand to start and then hits a forearm to the face to start fast. They forearm it out and Frost flips over her a few times, only to have a cartwheel cut off. The shoulders in the corner have Frost in more trouble and Diamante stomps her down. An elbow drop gives Diamante two but Frost fights back up. A twisting high crossbody gives Frost two and she flips into a slam to plant Diamante again. Diamante is able to catch her going up though and a hanging Cross Rhodes out of the corner finishes Frost at 5:57.

Rating: C. This was another match that didn’t really need to be on the show and was added with no story. That doesn’t make for the best offering but it’s the kind of thing that Ring Of Honor tends to do. Diamante has had flashes of being impressive, but it isn’t going to matter if there is no followup. That is where Ring Of Honor tends to falter, as there is every chance that Diamante won’t be featured anytime soon.

Zero Hour: Von Erichs vs. Premiere Athletes

Nese punches away at Marshall to start, earning himself a slam and elbow drop. Ross comes in to grind away with a headlock on Daivari but Nese sneaks in for a cheap shot from behind. A suplex gets Ross out of trouble but Mark Sterling offers a distraction, meaning the referee doesn’t see the tag. Ross’ rollup gets a VERY delayed two as the referee is trying to gets Marshall back on the apron.

Marshall gets knocked off the apron again to break up another tag attempt but the Magic Carpet Splash misses. Back up and the tag goes through a few seconds later, allowing Marshall to come in and clean house. Nese’s super hurricanrana brings Marshall down so Daivari gets an actual carpet out. The Magic Carpet Splash (with CARPET) gets two, leaving Nese to walk into a pop up spinebuster for two. Ross Claws Sterling and the moonsault gives Marshall the pin on Nese at 8:40.

Rating: C. If there is some appeal to the Von Erichs, I’m not seeing it. They’re as generic of a tag team as you could get, with their only appeal seemingly being their famous relatives. They’re a perfectly mediocre team, so of course they’re approaching a year as two thirds of the Six Man Tag Team Champions. Just find someone more interesting. That shouldn’t be too difficult.

And now, the show proper.

The opening video looks at how this is the wild west, with a focus on the bigger matches.

Hechicero vs. Michael Oku

Rocky Romero and Amira are here too. They shove each other in the face to start until Oku takes him down for a headlock. That’s reversed into Hechicero’s headlock takeover but they wrestle up to another standoff. Oku hits a dropkick but Hechicero pulls him into a choke to slow Oku down again. Hechicero starts cranking on the arm, including a spinning hammerlock slam for two.

Back up and Oku slugs away, setting up a running clothesline and DDT for two. They both miss running dropkicks in the ropes though and they crash down at the same time. Hechicero is sent to the apron but he comes up choking anyway. Oku knocks him out to the floor though, followed by a frog splash high crossbody for two back inside. The half crab sends Hechicero over to the ropes and he pulls Oku into a nasty looking leglock. With that broken up, Hechicero grabs a running headscissor driver for the pin at 11:29.

Rating: B. This was the technical off that is going to be at least somewhat entertaining just about every time. Hechicero can wrestle that style as well as anyone in the world and Oku was more than hanging with him. Good opener here, and it would have been even get more than “these two are both technical wrestlers.

Atlantic Jr. vs. AR Fox vs. Adam Priest vs. Lee Johnson

The winner gets $50,000. Priest is sent outside to start fast, allowing For to give him a big dive. That leaves Fox to send Atlantis to the apron, followed by the big dive to the floor. Fox’s step up moonsault takes Priest out again but Priest cuts off another flip back inside. Johnson is back in with a basement lariat to Atlantis, who makes Johnson DDT Priest.

Back up and Priest pulls Atlantis to the floor to keep up the beating, only for Fox to be back up with a running dive. Priest DDTs Atlantis but Fox grabs a swinging neckbreaker to put Priest down. Everyone gets a breather so a bunch of them go up top. Fox gets dropped onto the turnbuckle, leaving Johnson to hit a frog splash. Priest makes the save but Fox catches him with a slingshot Canadian Destroyer for the pin at 9:15.

Rating: B-. Take four fast paced wrestlers and let them run around as fast as they can until someone gets a pin. The match isn’t likely to have any kind of long term impact but it’s a fun way to get the crowd into things. Fox specializes in this kind of match and that was the case again here, with Priest looking good in defeat.

We recap Blue Panther challenging Lee Moriarty for the Pure Wrestling Title. Panther beat him in a non-title match in Mexico so it’s time for the more important rematch.

Pure Wrestling Title: Lee Moriarty vs. Blue Panther

Panther is challenging under Pure Rules and takes Moriarty to the mat by the leg to start. They trade some arm cranking until Moriarty gets a leglock. That’s reversed into a Fujiwara armbar (how Panther beat him in Mexico), sending Moriarty to the ropes for his first break. Moriarty starts back on the arm until Panther lifts him up into an inverted Gory Stretch. That’s escaped as well and Moriarty grabs an abdominal stretch, which doesn’t last long.

Instead Moriarty pulls him into a reverse cross armbreaker, sending Panther over for his first break. Panther is right back up with a Figure Four, meaning Moriarty uses his second break. A running clothesline gives Panther two but Moriarty is back up with a springboard forearm for the same. Moriarty cranks on the arm and Panther uses his second break as well.

A pair of suicide dives drive Panther into the barricade but Moriarty isn’t interested in trying for a third. Instead he grabs the Border City Stretch, which is enough for the third rope break. Moriarty is rather pleased but Panther knocks him to the floor for a flip dive off the apron. Back in and Moriarty catches him on top for a superplex. Moriarty grabs an ankle lock and then an STF in the ropes to make Panther tap at 13:18.

Rating: B. The big deal here is that Moriarty is now the longest reigning Pure Wrestling Champion of all time, though going so long between title defenses probably made that easier. The match was rather good, especially when you consider that Panther is in his mid 60s, though the title still doesn’t feel overly important. Moriarty needs some more competition for the title, but it isn’t like there is a story to the title matches most of the time.

We recap the Tag Team Title match, with the Infantry challenging the Sons Of Texas. The Infantry earned the shot then insulted the champions so here we are.

Tag Team Titles: Infantry vs. Sons Of Texas

The Sons are defending and Trish Adora is here with the Infantry. Hold on though as we get a vignette of Sammy Guevara flying, but Dustin Rhodes wants him to be serious. Then Guevara gets him to dress like the Green Lantern and Rhodes looks like he wants to die. It’s a brawl at the bell with Rhodes and Bravo heading to the floor. All four get back inside but Adora breaks up a double Shattered Dreams.

Everything breaks down again and the champs hit running dives to the floor, setting up the double pose back inside. Back in and Guevara dropkicks Dean, allowing for some bowing. Bravo trips Guevara to the floor though as one fan in the front row insists on standing up. Guevara is put in a fireman’s carry for a face first ram into the post and it’s time to start taking turns on him in the corner.

The chinlock goes on to keep Guevara down but he’s right back up with some chops in the corner. A slingshot cutter gives Bravo two and Rhodes is knocked off the apron to avoid a quick tag. As tends to be the case, the tag goes through shortly thereafter and Rhodes gets to come in and clean house. Cross Rhodes gets two on Dean as Guevara and Bravo fight out to the floor.

Shattered Dreams hits Dean but Shane Taylor pops up for a belt shot to Rhodes. A very delayed cover gets two and the bloody Rhodes is back up for a Canadian Destroyer. Guevara hits a huge springboard moonsault to the floor to take Taylor out, followed by the Final Reckoning to Bravo. Guevara adds the Swanton to retain the titles at 15:03.

Rating: B-. As usual, the match was fine but it’s not like there is any reason to get interested in the Sons Of Texas. They’re coming up on a year as champions and while I’m sure that’s supposed to be interesting, it continues to be Rhodes getting a rather insane push all things considered. Just give us more of a division and more interesting champions. That shouldn’t be asking too much.

Post match the Infantry jumps the champs, with Anthony Ogogo coming in to…not hit Rhodes, as the Von Erichs run in for the save. Rhodes issues the challenge for an eight man tag tomorrow at All In. Note that the Six Man Champions, who have been champions since last July with three title defenses and have not defended their belts since April, will be in action together, but not in a title match.

We recap Nick Wayne vs. Titan for the TV Title. Titan went to a draw in their Proving Ground match so it’s time for the title to be on the line.

TV Title: Titan vs. Nick Wayne

Nick, with Mother Wayne, is defending. Titan jumps him with a running dropkick in the corner but Wayne is right back with a dragon screw legwhip over the ropes to slow him down. They go to the floor for another dragon screw legwhip and Titan is in early trouble. A leglock sends Titan over to the ropes but he’s able to keep his mask on in the corner. The figure four sends Titan to the ropes again as the fans sound like they’re chanting HAPPY BIRTHDAY (apparently Wayne’s birthday was yesterday, so the fans are nice but a bit tardy).

Titan is able to get back up with a running dropkick to send Wayne outside, where a dive takes him down again. They get back to the apron and chop it out, with Titan knocking him down and hitting a top rope double stomp. The knee is too banged up though and they need a breather on the ramp. Back in and the Figure Four has Titan in trouble again, only for him to make the ropes again. Titan gets up and rapid fire strikes away to leave them both down.

A springboard tornado DDT plants Wayne again and he bails to the floor. The bad knee is enough for Titan to hit a running flip dive, followed by a top rope double stomp back inside. Mother Wayne puts the foot on the rope but gets caught, which is enough for the ejection. Titan grabs something like a Muta Lock, sending Wayne over to the ropes for a change. Wayne catches him on top but gets shoved off. Cue Kip Sabian to crotch Titan on top, setting up Wayne’s World for two. The brainbuster retains the title at 16:12.

Rating: B. This was good enough, with Wayne and Titan having good chemistry together. What matters here is that they set the match up and then delivered it well enough. Wayne already has enough going on and he really doesn’t need to be the champion, but at least his matches are going well. Just find a bit more developed story for him.

Post match Christian Cage comes out to hug Wayne and the Patriarchy poses together.

Red Velvet is frustrated about her injury, but she’ll be back to show that she is the real champion when she beats the interim champion. Note that she hasn’t defended the title since April, which was her first defense since January. But we absolutely need an interim champion.

Interim Women’s TV Title: Mina Shirakawa vs. Yuka Sakazaki vs. Persephone vs. Miyu Yamashita

For the vacant title and Red Velvet is at ringside. Persephone bails to the floor to start, leaving the other three to trade headlocks. Back in and Persephone shoulders Sakazaki but has to kick away from Shirakawa’s leglock attempt. Shirakawa’s dancing is broken up as well, with Yamashita taking her place. Yamashita gets kicked out to the floor though and Shirakawa hits a dive, only for Persephone to dive onto both of them.

Sakazaki is back up with a dive of her own, followed by a missile dropkick to Persephone back inside. The Upside Down has Yamashita in trouble before she trades kicks to the head with Sakazaki. Shirakawa is back in with some kicks of her own, followed by a quick dance. Persephone breaks that up and gives Shirakawa a fall away slam for two. A top rope Sling Blade gives Shirakawa two more but Persephone floats over to hammer on Shirakawa.

Yamashita breaks that up with a kick to the face so Persephone grabs her in a bridging backslide for two more. Yamashita slips out of a Razor’s Edge and grabs a quickly broken choke, followed by some hard kicks to the head. An AA gets two with Shirakawa making the save, only to be knocked outside again. Back in and the figure four has Persephone in more trouble, so it’s Sakazaki breaking it up with the Magical Girl Splash. Sakazaki and Persephone knock each other to the floor, leaving Shirakawa to figure four Yamashita for the tap and the title at 13:45.

Rating: B-. The problem here is the match was thrown together earlier in the day, so there is only so much you can get. At the end of the day, it’s four women with no story thrown together for the sake of setting up basically the #1 contender to Red Velvet at some point in the future. It’s nice to see Shirakawa win a title, though I’m not sure if it could feel more minor.

Post match Red Velvet comes in for the staredown.

Syuri is coming. That’s a big one.

We recap Athena defending the Women’s Title against Thunder Rosa. Athena has been champion for the better part of ever and Rosa wants the title. End of build.

Women’s Title: Athena vs. Thunder Rosa

Athena, with Billie Starkz, is defending. They fight over a lockup to start and get nowhere so it’s time to fight over wrist control instead. Rosa grabs the arm and runs the corner to snap it over the top. A springboard dropkick lets Rosa crank on the arm again, which is reverses with a ram into the post. They go outside where Athena Rock Bottoms her onto the barricade to start in on the back.

A double arm crank with a knee between the shoulders has Rosa in more trouble but Athena can’t believe it when Rosa kicks out. Athena ties her up in the ropes and cranks on the neck, followed by a backsplash for a quick two. Back up and they kick it out until Rosa sends her hard into the corner. Rosa is up with a big boot and the running elbow in the corner, followed by a running basement dropkick.

A northern lights suplex gives Rosa two and they’re both down for a bit. Athena gets in a shot of her own but Rosa hurricanranas her out to the floor. That means a dive to take Athena out again and a top rope double stomp gets two back inside. Athena is ready to walk out so Billie Starkz can get in a cheap shot.

This goes rather terribly, but the distraction lets Athena powerbomb Rosa off the ramp through a table. We pause to make sure that Rosa can continue, followed by Athena hitting a backbreaker for two. Rosa catches her on top and gets a triangle choke in the corner, only for Athena to come back with a superbomb. A bow and arrow finally makes Rosa tap at 18:52.

Rating: B. That belt is going to be in Athena’s coffin at this point. There is pretty much no one left to give her a real run for her money for the title, hence bringing in people from AEW. It’s a good match, but Athena has gone so far as the champion that there might be too much pressure on whomever beats her for the title. That being said, Rosa was a good choice for the challenger, though it’s still hard to imagine Athena actually losing the thing.

All In rundown.

We recap Bandido vs. Konosuke Takeshita. Bandido is World Champion, Takeshita wanted a title shot, the show needed a main event.

Ring Of Honor World Title: Bandido vs. Konosuke Takeshita

Bandido is defending and comes out wearing an Aztec headdress, which is very clearly barely hanging on. Bandido’s wristlock doesn’t get him anywhere but the fans are rather pleased either way. They fight over wrist control and an exchange of legsweeps go to a standoff. An exchange of teased dives gives us a double gun pose before Bandido knocks him down. Bandido anklescissors him down, with even Callis having to appreciate it. Takeshita gets rolled down for a double stomp to the ribs but Bandido misses a charge into the post.

Bandido gets posted on the floor as well and Takeshita starts in on the arm. The Fujiwara armbar goes on, sending Bandido straight to the ropes. Back up and Bandido flips over him, setting up a quick dragon screw legwhip. A spinning sunset flip gives Bandido two more but Takeshita hits a Helluva Kick into a Blue Thunder Bomb for the Sami Zayn inspired inspired two. Bandido kicks him in the face but the 21 Plex is blocked, allowing Takeshita to go after the mask.

Callis comes to ringside for a distraction, meaning Bandido’s dive can hit a raised chair. The mask is partially torn and Bandido is bleeding, so Takeshita gives him a brainbuster onto the stage. Even commentary isn’t sure why Takeshita leaves him on the stage, as a countout means no title change. Bandido beats the count so Takeshita bites the cut before slapping on a chinlock. That’s only good for two arm drops though and Bandido muscles him over for a suplex.

A poisonrana sends Takeshita to the floor, meaning Bandido is right there with the running flip dive. Back in and a frog splash gives Bandido two more and they seem to mistime something, though Bandido makes a nifty save with a rollup for two. Angel’s Wings gets two and Bandido grabs Cattle Mutilation. Takeshita gets out and it’s an exchange of clotheslines for a double knockdown.

Back up and Bandido wins a slugout but the 21 Plex is blocked again. Instead it’s the X Knee into the 21 Plex for two and they’re both down for a needed breather. The super fall away slam gives Bandido two more but a shooting star press hits raised knees. Back up and Bandido hits a running superkick before taking the knee pad down. Another X Knee connects but Takeshita is back up with a kneeling tombstone. The running knee gives Takeshita two but Raging Fire is countered into a small package to retain Bandido’s title at 29:23.

Rating: A-. That lived up to the expectations, as this was the “here’s a match that is going to be great no matter what” and then they went out and nailed the whole thing. It was an awesome main event and the time didn’t feel long. Bandido gets a heck of a win under his belt and that is exactly what they were going for here. Great match and one of the best in Ring Of Honor in a long time.

Post match Hechicero comes out and seems to be the next challenger.

Overall Rating: A-. As usual, the Ring Of Honor specials are really good because they know how to do the in-ring stuff. This was built around the idea of focusing on the in-ring stuff and if you ignore the lack of build to some of these matches on the weekly show, it’s awesome stuff. The in-ring side has never been a weak spot for something from Tony Khan and that was the case again here. Awesome show and worth a look, though you can easily skip the Zero Hour as there is nothing worth the extra time on there.

Results
Blake Christian b. Jay Lethal – Vanilla Choke
Dark Order b. Frat House – Discus lariat to Vance
Diamante b. Lady Frost – Hanging Cross Rhodes
Von Erichs b. Premiere Athletes – Moonsault to Nese
Hechicero b. Michael Oku – Headscissor driver
AR Fox b. Adam Priest, Atlantis Jr. and Lee Johnson – Slingshot Canadian Destroyer to Priest
Lee Moriarty b. Blue Panther – STF in the ropes
Sons Of Texas b. Infantry – Swanton to Bravo
Nick Wayne b. Titan – Brainbuster
Mina Shirakawa b. Yuka Sakazaki, Persephone and Miyu Yamashita – Figure four to Yamashita
Athena b. Thunder Rosa – Bow and arrow
Bandido b. Konosuke Takeshita – Small package

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Ring Of Honor
Date: May 23, 2025
Location: Masonic Temple Theater, Detroit, Michigan
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

It’s another Friday show due to Collision airing on Thursday due to Double Or Nothing weekend. On paper that means we should be in for something a bit more special than usual but Ring Of Honor does not tend to follow logic. Hopefully it works out here with an entertaining outing but you never can tell. Let’s get to it.

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

Athena (haven’t seen her in a bit) isn’t happy enough to make jokes at the moment so she’s getting to the point: Billie Starkz is entering the Women’s Pure Title tournament. No one can interfere to help her so for once, do your job and come home with some gold.

Opening sequence.

We run down the card.

Marina Shafir vs. Laynie Luck

Shafir goes for the arm off the handshake to start and goes for an early cross armbreaker. Luck manages to get to the apron and goes for the legs but Shafir pulls her into a triangle choke. Some hard shots to the head set up a running knee in the corner for some near falls as the destruction is on. Luck pulls a sunset flip into an STF out of nowhere (the fans are VERY happy) but Shafir is back out. An enziguri rocks Shafir but she pulls Luck into Mother’s Milk for the fast win at 4:10.

Rating: C. This was more or less a squash until Luck got in a bit of offense, only to get smashed again. That’s what you expect from a Shafir match and thankfully the fans are enough behind Luck that they cared what they were seeing. Shafir can be fun to watch when she gets to smash through some people and that’s what we saw here.

Gringo Loco vs. Blake Christian

Lee Johnson is here with Christian, who jumps Loco to start and stomps away in the corner. The fans are behind Loco, who gets taken down with an anklescissors, but comes back with a knockdown of his own. A top rope spinning split legged moonsault gets two on Christian and they both go up.

Something like a DDT onto the top turnbuckle sends Loco outside and a diving DDT over the bottom rope takes him down again. Back in and Christian hits a flipping splash and drops a leg to keep Loco in trouble. The taunting takes too long though and Loco pulls him into a pumphandle swinging Downward Spiral.

Loco goes up and gets caught in a super hurricanrana, setting up a 450 double stomp to give Christian two. They both go up again, with Loco hitting a super Spanish Fly for his own near fall as the fans are WAY into this. A pumphandle piledriver is broken up and Christian hits a 619 to the ribs. Christian hits a poisonrana and the Vanilla Choke Zero finishes Loco at 8:39.

Rating: B. WHERE THE HECK DID THAT COME FROM? I was expecting nothing more than a generic, basic match here and they went out and came this close to tearing the house down. This was a heck of an entertaining match with one high spot after another. Rather good stuff here and I’ll absolutely take this as a huge surprise.

We look at Billie Starkz winning the Women’s TV Title tournament.

Queen Aminata vs. Allysin Kay

Pure Rules. Aminata pulls her down for a full nelson with the legs and Kay uses her first rope break less than a minute in. The Rings Of Saturn send Kay straight over to the ropes again and she comes up with a right hand for the first warning. Kay gives her a fall away slam to send Aminata outside, where Kay bites her finger. Back in and they trade strikes to the face, with Kay’s big kick getting two. Aminata headbutts her down and ties up…well almost everything for the tap at 6:07.

Rating: C. If there is a point to this division, title or tournament, it is completely eluding me. The men’s division barely exists and now we are getting a third women’s title for no apparent reason. It’s not like there was anything special to the match in the first place and it just came and went, with a tournament of them coming in the next few weeks. Why that is supposed to be interesting is beyond me but here we are.

Serena Deeb is tired of coming here and never winning anything in years. Now she has heard about the Pure Rules Title and knows that is tailor made for her. She’s done waiting and being patient and is going to win because this is hers.

Double Or Nothing rundown.

Barbaro Cavernario/Hechicero/Volador Jr. vs. Atlantis Jr./Neon/Fuego

Fuego and Volador start things off with Fuego taking over, meaning it’s time for some dancing. Cavernario comes in and gets taken down, with Hechicero getting the same treatment. Back in and some triple teaming takes Atlantis down but he fights out without much effort. Neon comes in for a springboard armdrag out of the corner but Hechicero grabs him from the apron. A double powerbomb plants Neon and it’s back to Fuego, who gets taken down as well.

Fuego gets tossed into the air for a missile dropkick and it’s back to Atlantis, who gets kicked in the chest. A reverse monkey flip into a double knee to the face gets two on Atlantis, who fights up to knock Cavernario…into the Worm? Everything breaks down and Fuego and Neon hit stereo dives but Cavernario drops Atlantis. A running springboard splash hits raised knees though and a Canadian Destroyer plants Cavernario. The frog splash gives Atlantis the pin at 8:06.

Rating: B-. It was the usual fun match but “the usual” is the problem. Ring Of Honor has been running these matches for a few months now and while they’re quick fun, there’s nothing here that really stands out. Atlantis continues to be one of the least interesting stars I’ve seen in a long time and that was on full display here. Fuego and Neon are fun, but these matches might as well be on a loop because nothing about them is unique in the slightest.

Overall Rating: C+. Thank goodness for Blake Christian here, as he and Loco stole this otherwise completely forgettable show. I have no idea what was supposed to be special about this episode, but that is pretty par for the course for Ring Of Honor. The wrestlers work hard, but there is nothing about this show that feels important, special, memorable or engaging in the slightest most weeks. In other words, this was as Ring Of Honor as you could get.

Results
Marina Shafir b. Laynie Luck – Mother’s Milk
Blake Christian b. Gringo Loco – Vanilla Choke Zero
Queen Aminata b. Allysin Kay – Seated Octopus
Atlantis Jr./Neon/Fuego b. Babaro Cavernario/Hechicero/Volador Jr. – Frog splash to Cavernario

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

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Collision
Date: April 12, 2025
Location: MassMutual Center, Springfield, Massachusetts
Commentators: Tony Schiavone, Nigel McGuinness

We are done with Dynasty and the long road to Double Or Nothing has begun. That could go in a few different ways but for right now, AEW has taken its foot off the gas, at least for the time being. It made for an enjoyable Dynamite and it would be nice to see the same thing happen again here. Let’s get to it.

Here is Dynamite if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Commentary tells us that Pac is injured and therefore Jon Moxley is taking his place as an interim Trios Champion. That’s about the only option they had so there is nothing wrong with that move.

Here is FTR to explain turning on Cope at Dynasty. Wheeler talks about how the more he listened to Harwood talk about Cope, the more sense it made. The reality was that Cope only cared about himself so at Dynasty, everything clicked. Cope saw Wheeler as a helpless kid but the reality is FTR are living legends and they should be treated as such. Harwood has been realizing he needed to change and the people will understand that he is right.

After waiting for four months, the only thing they were allowed to be was Cope’s new Edgeheads. Just like every wrestler in Cope’s place, he was too selfish because he wanted them to help him win another World Title. That brings Harwood to Tony Schiavone, who wasn’t pleased with them on Dynamite. Against Nigel’s advice, Schiavone gets in the ring and says FTR was wrong.

Harwood cuts him off and brings up Schiavone talking about Harwood’s daughter. Ever the genius, Schiavone brings it up AGAIN and gets loaded into a spike piledriver. That’s enough for Nigel to get up (FTR lets Schiavone go) and step between them, which draws out Daniel Garcia. FTR shoves him down (not clear if they knew who it was) before immediately apologizing and helping him up. FTR leaves in peace. Nigel getting involved is interesting, though I’m not sure I can imagine him having a match out of this.

Toni Storm is ready for the winner of the Owen Hart Tournament and has some thoughts on the competitors:

Mercedes Mone: She’ll drain her 401k and leave her having to drink Storm’s bath water.
Kris Statlander: What a woman.
Jamie Hayter: No one has ever made a dime in wrestling pretending to be from another era.

Anyway, she’s ready for anyone.

Women’s Owen Hart Tournament First Round: Jamie Hayter vs. Billie Starkz

They take turns missing shots to the face to start so Starkz suckers her in with a handshake. Starkz sends her to the apron for a basement superkick to the floor but gets sent hard into the barricade. That’s broken up and Starkz hits a Swanton off the apron to the back for a big crash. Back in and Hayter hits a spinebuster for two before sending Starkz outside as we take a break.

We come back with Hayter working on a half crab but Starkz fights up for a kick out of the corner. Starkz slugs back but gets caught in a fireman’s carry into the knee for two. Some forearms rock Starkz, who gets two off a backslide. Starkz drops her again and the Swanton connects for two more. They go to the apron where Hayter gets in a headbutt and suplexes her out to the floor. Back in and they slug it out until the Hayterade finishes for Hayter at 13:56.

Rating: C+. Starkz is trying in these chances she’s getting but at the same time, you’re only going to get so much out of someone who has never won anything of note on the main roster. Other than the women’s midcard title in Ring Of Honor, there isn’t much of a resume there, certainly not compared to Hayter. I’m not sure how far Hayter is going to go, but at least she got a win here.

The Death Riders are ready to keep fighting without Pac, with Jon Moxley taking Pac’s place as a Trios Champion. Moxley isn’t sure what the Opps are teaching Hook, but chicks dig scars.

Gates Of Agony vs. ???/???

Kaun hits a running suplex to start and it’s off to Liona for the corner clotheslines. It’s back to Kaun for Open The Gates for a double pin at 1:06. Total destruction.

FTR goes to leave but Matt Menard and Angelo Parker cut them off and yell at them a lot. A match seems to be made for later.

Blake Christian vs. Anthony Bowens

Billy Gunn is here with Bowens, who takes Christian down into a front facelock to start. A rollup gives Bowens two but Christian avoids a charge and hits a quick springboard dropkick to the back. Bowens fights up without much trouble and we take a break. Back with Bowens kicking away and hitting a running Fameasser from behind. Christian gets hung up in the ropes for a spinning DDT and a near fall. Back up and a Spanish Fly gives Christian two and a 630 connects for the same. A Stunner drops Bowens again but he’s right back up with a superkick. The spinning forearm finishes for Bowens at 9:11.

Rating: C+. This was another nice win for Bowens, who is on the way to his own singles run after the Acclaimed broken up. That has me at least somewhat interesting as Bowens is feeling like he could be a star if given the chance. You have to start somewhere and beating Christian in a first (non-squash) singles match is a good way to get things going.

Post match Bowens says this is a long time coming and he is the five tool player. He doesn’t need some document to prove he is the best, so who is the best to get a beating?

Megan Bayne vs. LMK/Kelly Madan

Penelope Ford is here with Bayne, who drives Madan into the corner with the shoulders to start. LMK gets tossed aside and they’re both splashed in the corner. Fate’s Descent sends Maddan onto LMK for the double pin at 1:28. Another total squash.

We look at the Men’s Owen Hart Tournament.

Kevin Knight vs. AR Fox

They trade rollups to start and Knight hits a spinning splash for two. Knight’s springboard is cut off with an enziguri and Fox sends him outside as we take a break. Back with Knight hitting a nice dropkick and unloading in the corner. A Sky High gives Knight two but Fox kicks him down and hits a 450 for two of his own. Knight hits another dropkick but gets kicked in the face, only to come back with a springboard clothesline for the pin at 8:07.

Rating: B-. This was the “let them do their thing” for awhile match and that’s what it should have been. Fox can make almost anyone look entertaining and Knight does a lot of good on his own. Knight seems like someone who is going to be a player around here and giving him a few wins here and there will only be a good thing for him.

The Gates Of Agony want the Hurt Syndicate.

FTR vs. Matt Menard/Angelo Parker

Daniel Garcia comes out to watch as FTR jumps them to start fast. Wheeler beats on Parker on the floor as Harwood drops Menard inside. Menard is already busted open (and it’s a gusher) so Harwood hammers away even more. Menard comes back with some right hands but Wheeler cuts him off. The Shatter Machine hits Parker and a spike piledriver drops Menard. Another spike piledriver connects so Garcia begs them to start…which is actually enough to get Wheeler to cover for the pin at 3:29.

Rating: C. This wasn’t about the match of course but rather about FTR looking like killers out there. Beating up Menard and Parker is a fine way to go as they’re mainly around to take punishment. The blade job from Menard was a good one and made FTR seem that much more devastating. Good angle here, though Garcia being involved isn’t the most appealing thing.

Post match Garcia yells at FTR and checks on Menard, only to get beaten down as well. The spike piledriver plants Garcia again so security has to save him from another one. The Paragon makes the real save (ignore Nigel calling them the Undisputed Kingdom).

Women’s Owen Hart Tournament First Round: Athena vs. Harley Cameron

Athena’s Ring Of Honor Women’s Title isn’t on the line. Athena backs her into the corner to start so Cameron grabs a headlock. A rollup gives Athena two and they go to a staredown, which has Athena a bit surprised. Cameron is sent to the apron for a kick to the head but Athena sends her head first into the buckle. A wheelbarrow suplex on the floor drops Cameron hard and we take a break.

Back with Athena working on a bow and arrow, which is quickly escaped. Athena strikes away for two and puts Cameron in the Tree Of Woe for some kicks to the back. A swinging neckbreaker gives Cameron two and she strikes away in the ropes. Athena rolls through a high crossbody but gets hurricanranaed back down. Cameron forearms her out of the air and gets two off a belly to back suplex. Her Finishing Move is broken up but Cameron grabs a rollup for two. Athena knocks her back down though and hits the O Face for the pin at 10:28.

Rating: B-. It’s nice to see Cameron getting to put up a fight here and she only got so far. The good thing is that Cameron now has a finishing move (Her Finishing Move) to serve as something of a threat. That’s one of the keys she has been missing and if she can string together some wins, it could get that much better. Athena needs to move on in the tournament though, even if she’s facing Mercedes Mone next and that might be it for her.

Mercedes Mone is ready to face Athena in her own hometown of Boston.

Men’s Owen Hart Tournament First Round: Brody King vs. Konosuke Takeshita

King powers him into the corner to start but gets caught in a quickly broken headlock. A belly to back suplex drops Takeshita and King chops away in the corner. The running backsplash misses though and Takeshita drops a middle rope backsplash to take over. They’re quickly on the apron, where King hits a Death Valley Driver to knock Takeshita silly. The running crossbody against the barricade is cut off by a jumping knee though and we take a break.

Back with King hitting a cannonball for two, meaning it’s time to trade forearms. Takeshita muscles him up for the Blue Thunder Bomb before King wins an exchange of clotheslines. Dante’s Inferno gets two but Takeshita hits a kneeling piledriver into a wheelbarrow suplex. One heck of a lariat gives Takeshita two and two running knees get the same. Another pair of running knees finish King at 12:19.

Rating: B. This was a match where the result was only so much in doubt given King’s recent record in singles matches. That’s not a bad thing though, as giving Takeshita a dragon to slay is something that works rather well. Takeshita continues to feel like he could be an outstanding hero if given the chance, and there is a good chance that’s coming one day.

Overall Rating: B-. This show was mainly focused on the tournaments and FTR and that’s not a bad thing. The show might not have been the most important in the world, but it was the kind of show that got a lot of things done in a single night. Sometimes that’s the show you need to see and it worked well enough. Maybe not a show you need to watch, but a useful one.

Results
Jamie Hayter b. Billie Starkz – Hayterade
Gates Of Agony b. ???/??? – Double pin
Anthony Bowens b. Blake Christian – Discus forearm
Megan Bayne b. LMK/Kelly Madan – Double pin
Kevin Knight b. AR Fox – Springboard clothesline
FTR b. Matt Menard/Angelo Parker – Spike piledriver to Menard
Athena b. Harley Cameron – O Face
Konosuke Takeshita b. Brody King – Running knee

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Collision
Date: April 5, 2025
Location: Peoria Civic Center, Peoria, Illinois
Commentators: Tony Schiavone, Don Callis

It’s the night before Dynasty and the card seems to be completely set. That means we are likely going to be seeing some final pushes towards the show, which should be at least somewhat interesting. If nothing else, maybe we can get a few matches added to the Kickoff Show, which tends to be the case at the last minute. Let’s get to it.

Here is Dynamite if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Don Callis Family vs. Powerhouse Hobbs/Tomohiro Ishii

Callis is not pleased with Ishii as the partner. Ishii and Takeshita trade shoulders to start and then forearm it out. Even Callis thinks that might not be a good idea for Takeshita, who gets dropped with a running shoulder. They knock each other down and it’s off to Hobbs vs. Fletcher, with the latter powering Hobbs into the corner.

Hobbs does the exact same thing as Callis goes on about how horrible Hobbs happens to be. Fletcher’s DDT doesn’t work as Hobbs stands his ground and then sends Fletcher hard into the corner. Everything breaks down and Ishii gets double forearmed as we take a break. Back with Fletcher punching Hobbs off the apron and getting in a Suck It for good measure. Ishii suplexes Takeshita and the diving tag brings Hobbs in to clean house. A Rock Bottom sends Fletcher outside and a spinebuster hits Takeshita, only for Hobbs to seem shaken up.

Ishii comes back in for a German suplex to Fletcher but the villains are back up for a double running boot in the corner. Hobbs is back in for a powerslam on Takeshita and Ishii’s lariat gets two. Fletcher hits a brainbuster for the same, followed by a Tombstone to drop Ishii. Another brainbuster gives Fletcher the pin at 13:44.

Rating: B. This was a good, hard hitting match between the four of them and Ishii taking the fall was the right call. Hobbs is someone who has lost far more often than he should and the other two are going to be protected for their runs in the Owen Hart Tournament. I’m not sure if either of them will be winning, but they seem primed for something good going forward.

We look at the mixed tag from Dynamite, with Jon Moxley attacking Willow Nightingale after the match. This led to Swerve Strickland swearing revenge but being taken out anyway to end the show.

Cru is ready for Top Flight but go up to Nick Wayne. They ask him to help with AR Fox, but he might be too valuable to help them. Cru mocks him for needing Christian Cage’s permission, so Wayne will help with Fox. But for himself.

Here is Max Caster for another open challenge.

Max Caster vs. Mark Briscoe

Red Neck Kung Fu sends Caster outside for a running flip dive, followed by the Jay Driller to give Briscoe the pin at 1:30.

Video on Will Ospreay vs. Kevin Knight.

Jay White is annoyed at being out of the Owen Hart Tournament but reminds Knight that he’s only getting the spot because of an injury. As for Ospreay, he’s getting to avoid White for another day. White isn’t happy with the Death Riders for his broken hand and he’ll be planning his revenge.

Cru vs. Top Flight

Leila Grey offers a distraction and Top Flight jumps Cru from behind to start fast. Top Flight rain down right hands in the corner and we settle down to Darius dropkicking Rush. Andretti comes in for a superkick and Arabian moonsault though, allowing Rush to hit a dive as we take a break.

Back with Darius and Andretti hitting stereo clotheslines, allowing a double tag to bring in Dante and Rush. A cheap shot from Andretti cuts Dante off and he tags himself in for a springboard clothesline. Everything breaks down again and we get a four way slugout until Dante and Rush are knocked outside. Andretti Falcon Arrows Darius but Dante comes in with a cradle for the pin at 8:01.

Rating: C+. They did what they could in the limited time they had here due to the break but it what you would expect from these guys. It’s a good example of taking people and putting them in the ring for the fast paced match, even if the feud has dragged on too long. I still want to see Top Flight move up but that doesn’t seem to be taking place anytime soon.

Post match the brawl is on but AR Fox makes the save. Nick Wayne runs in to take him out and a six man is announced for Zero Hour.

Jamie Hayter is impressed by Billie Starkz but warns her to be wary of Athena. Starkz says she’ll prove herself in the tournament.

We get a face to face sitdown with Adam Cole and Daniel Garcia (with their respective friends). Cole talks about how they first faced each other about two years later and Garcia hasn’t changed much. Back in the day he was confused and that’s what Garcia still is today. All Cole needed was a few more seconds to win the title and that’s what he’ll do on Sunday, which is his wrestling anniversary.

Garcia talks about the chances that Cole has had over his career but this is his last chance. Cole asks everyone else to leave and tells Garcia that he respects him…but Garcia isn’t ready. The reality is Cole has been the guy longer than Garcia has been wrestling and he’ll prove that go Garcia this Sunday. Good enough stuff here, but this feud still isn’t doing anything for me.

Pac vs. Cash Wheeler

They grapple into the corner to start until Pac pulls him down with a headlock. It works so well that he does it again before sending Wheeler into the buckle a few times. Wheeler comes back with a boot to send him outside, where Pac grabs a breather. Back in and Wheeler gets caught up top but breaks up a superplex attempt. Pac crotches him anyway and a big forearm sends Wheeler off the apron and into the camera for a unique crash. A moonsault takes Wheeler down again and we take a break.

Back with Pac grabbing a headlock and glaring at the camera in a rather menacing way. Wheeler fights up and strikes away, including a running clothesline. A powerslam gives Wheeler two but he misses a top rope splash for the big crash landing. Pac takes too long loading up the Black Arrow though and gets superplexed down for two.

Back up and Pac snaps off the rebound German suplex for two but misses the Black Arrow. Wheeler’s piledriver gets another near fall and it’s Claudio Castagnoli time. Cope cuts him off so here is Wheeler Yuta, who is cut off by Dax Harwood. That doesn’t go well as Yuta hits Harwood in the head with a hammer (as you do) but gets piledriven. The melee is enough for Pac to cradle Wheeler for the pin at 15:08.

Rating: B. Wheeler, as well as Harwood, are both talented stars but they aren’t exactly the most successful singles wrestlers. That’s what made for a problem here, as I didn’t believe that Wheeler was going to win here, because he never does. If he is going to be in singles matches over and over, he needs to win something occasionally to make him feel like a threat. If the Death Riders are retaining tomorrow, Pac losing to a rollup isn’t going to hurt him that badly.

Post match Cope and FTR are all ok before their title match.

Video on the International Title match at Dynasty.

Shane Taylor Promotions is sick of people talking about battlefields and warfare around here. They don’t seem to like the Opps. Other than battlefields and warfare, I’m sick of AEW/ROH pretending like Taylor and company are going to get anything resembling a serious push. It just isn’t going to happen at this point and these promos aren’t changing my mind.

Mike Bailey vs. Dralistico

Ricochet is on commentary and The Beast Mortos is here with Dralistico. Hold on as Dralistico bails to the floor at the bell before coming back inside to get hurricanranaed. They trade bows until Dralistico flips him off, only to get kicked down. Bailey sends him outside, where a Mortos distraction lets Dralistico take him down.

We take a break and come back with Bailey hitting a middle rope dropkick before kicking Dralistico down. The running shooting star gives Bailey two and sends Dralistico outside, where a moonsault hits him again. Back in and Dralistico’s springboard Codebreaker gets two but Bailey hits the Tornado Kick for the pin at 8:19.

Rating: C+. This is about all you can expect from Bailey, who is going to do his flips and dives and kicks and that’s about it. You know what you’re getting with him and he does fit in perfectly with the video game style matches around here. Odds are the triple threat title match at Dynasty will be a crazy spot fest, and that is tailor made for Bailey.

Post match Ricochet kicks Bailey low and hits the Spirit Gun to leave him laying.

Thunder Rosa and Kris Statlander are excited to face each other in the Women’s Owen Hart Tournament. They’re friends, but this is a serious fight and Statlander grabs her by the throat, saying she’ll see her tomorrow.

Dynasty rundown.

Harley Cameron and Mercedes Mone argue over which one of them has this in their tag match.

Video on Toni Storm vs. Megan Bayne.

Mercedes Mone/Harley Cameron vs. Julia Hart/Athena

Yes Cameron has the puppet and yes Mone still hates it. Athena and Mone start things off and this could be interesting. They shove each other a bit before Mone bails over to Cameron rather quickly. Athena wrestles her down without much effort and it’s off to Hart to work on the arm. Cameron kicks her way out of trouble and hits an enziguri, allowing Athena to come back in.

Hart gets tied in the Tree Of Woe but pulls herself up to annoy Mone before flipping over her. The Octopus goes on so Cameron…throws in the puppet, which is enough of a distraction for Mone to grab a gutbuster. We take a break and come back with Cameron charging into a boot in the corner, allowing Hart to roll over and bring Athena back in.

A Samoan drop/fall away slam send Mone and Cameron flying at the same time but Cameron is back up to plant Athena on the floor. Everyone winds up down on the outside, leaving Hart to miss her moonsault back inside. Mone Backstabbers Hart, who gets caught with Cameron’s pumphandle suplex. Her Finishing Move is blocked though and Hart gets the Octopus for the tap at 12:12.

Rating: B-. This was a bit of a surprise as Hart felt like the person in there to take the fall, but I’ll take it over Athena getting beaten. While I don’t buy her as being likely to win the tournament, just having her around on the bigger show is nice to see. The match was basically a big preview of the women’s Owen Hart Cup and there are worse ideas out there.

Overall Rating: B-. Good enough show this week, especially considering the pay per view is pretty much set. This show added to the Kickoff Show and that’s about it, which isn’t a bad way to go. I don’t believe that the Kickoff Show will only have two matches, but I’ll take this over having a bunch of things being added at the last second. Nice stuff here, with the opener and Pac vs. Wheeler being pretty good.

Results
Don Callis Family b. Powerhouse Hobbs/Tomohiro Ishii – Brainbuster to Ishii
Mark Briscoe b. Max Caster – Jay Driller
Top Flight b. Cru – Cradle to Andretti
Pac b. Cash Wheeler – Cradle
Mike Bailey b. Dralistico – Tornado Kick
Julia Hart/Athena b. Mercedes Mone/Harley Cameron – Octopus to Cameron

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Ring Of Honor
Date: March 27, 2025
Location: The Theater At Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

We’ve actually got a major show set as Supercard Of Honor will be taking place in early May. That gives us something to look forward to, but in addition we are likely going to have Chris Jericho defending the World Title against Bandido at Dynasty, title vs. mask. We should get some more build towards that this week so let’s get to it.

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

Athena tells Diamante that she isn’t sure about Diamante joining the Minions because she doesn’t let just anyone in. Billie Starkz comes up to tap Athena on the shoulder, with Athena suggesting that it’s time for someone new in the Minions.

Opening sequence.

We run down the card.

Okumura vs. Dark Panther

Okumura clotheslines him down to start and they’re quickly on the floor. Panther gets whipped into the barricade for two back inside but he’s right back up with a running dropkick. A slightly modified 619 gives Panther two but Okumura grabs an Iconoclasm and a running cutter for a breather. Panther’s Fujiwara armbar is cut off and they trade kicks to the back. Okumura is sent outside for a suicide dive into the barricade, followed by another dive to do it again. Back in and Panther misses a dropkick but grabs a small package for the fast pin at 6:10.

Rating: C+. This was the signature AEW/ROH win to get someone back on track after their big loss. Panther is at least becoming more of a regular character on the show, but we still only know so much about him. That’s more than can be said about Okumura, who is apparently “a guy who has been here before”, end of biography.

Post match Okumura won’t shake hands.

We see a clip of a video on Komander from AEW’s Youtube page.

We look at the MxM Collection stealing the Tag Team Title which has since been recovered.

Sons Of Texas/Willie Mack vs. MxM Collection/Johnny TV

Mack and TV start things off and we actually get a handshake. TV picks up the pace a bit and slips through Mack’s legs but gets dropped with a hard shot to the face. Guevara comes in and hits a dropkick but TV forearms him down without much trouble. It’s off to Mansoor, who gets taken down as well with a springboard moonsault. Rhodes comes in and gets dropped with a clothesline from the apron to cut him down.

Madden’s hip attack drops Rhodes and an old Sidewinder gets two. The chinlock doesn’t last long as Rhodes fights up and grabs the snap powerslam, allowing the tag off to Guevara. A big dive takes out TV on the floor and another drops Mansoor as Guevara gets to clean house. Everything breaks down and Mack Stuns Mansoor, leaving Rhodes to hit the Canadian Destroyer. Shattered Dreams hits Mansoor and Guevara drops Madden with a middle rope cutter. The GTH to TV gives Guevara the pin at 8:34.

Rating: C+. Another perfectly fine match, even if the Collection vs. the Sons should have been wrapped up a good while ago. Mack is kind of a random person to team with them but I do like getting to see him do something of note after being little more than a jobber for so long. Sidenote: the fact that this was Rhodes in a six man tag and his Six Man Tag Team Champion partners were never named isn’t a good sign.

Post match the villains beat down the winners and steal one of the titles AGAIN.

Lady Frost and Taya Valkyrie didn’t win the CMLL Women’s Tag Team Titles.

Athena/Diamante vs. Mazzerati/Jordan Blu

Diamante and Mazzerati start things off as commentary tries to figure out why Diamante wants to be a Minion. Mazzerati quickly hands it off to Blu, who is quickly beaten down as well. It’s back to Mazzerati, so Diamante gives her a German suplex. Blu gets knocked to the floor and Athena comes in with the forearm to finish Mazzerati at 2:50. Total squash.

We look at Chris Jericho challenging Bandido to a title vs. mask match at Dynasty.

Premiere Athletes vs. Dark Order

The Frat House is watching from the crowd as the Athletes get in a cheap shot to start fast. It’s a brawl to start but the Order clears the villains out to get things going for good. Reynolds gets caught with a running clothesline to the floor and the Athletes hammer away on him in the corner. A hard whip into the corner drops Reynolds again but he’s able to grab a backdrop.

Uno gets pulled off the apron though and Reynolds is pulled back so Daivari can start in on his leg. Reynolds fights out of that without much trouble and it’s Uno coming in for a double DDT. Nese comes back in to clean house but gets taken down by Reynolds. The Frat House throws a drink on Reynolds and Preston Vance comes in to give him a spinebuster. Daivari’s Magic Carpet Splash is good for the pin at 8:02.

Rating: C. This was a fairly dull six man, with the Frat House stuff not exactly making it that much better. The problem is these teams all feel as low on the ladder as you can get and that doesn’t make for the most thrilling matches. Throw in how many times we’ve probably seen them fight and it somehow gets even worse.

Post match the Athletes and the Frat House pose together.

QT Marshall has annoyed actor Paul Walter Hauser by throwing alcohol on him.

Hauser wants revenge.

Marshall says Hauser is a fan and Marshall tried to make him look good in a recent match. Hauser owes him an apology, but if he wants a match, come ask for one like a man.

Viva Van vs. Queen Aminata

Aminata slips out of a wristlock to start as a few people are cheering for Van. An early cross armbreaker sends Aminata over to the ropes and she’s right back with a running kick to the chest for two. Back up and Van hits a nice spinwheel kick for two before ramming Aminata’s head into the mat. They trade some rather loud chops until Aminata knocks her into the ropes for Off With Her Head and the pin at 4:48.

Rating: C. I’m not sure how many times I can say something to the effect of “cool, now do something” about a match like this. Aminata is another person who gets a mini push every so often and then loses again. It’s hard to get any real momentum going, even if she wins a match like this. Van had some good stuff in there, with that spinwheel kick standing out.

The Premiere Athletes are very happy with their win and they want the Tag Team Titles.

Los Titantes del Aire are happy with how things went in CMLL.

Rugido/Volador Jr./Barbaro Cavernario vs. Atlantis Jr./Titan/Fuego

They start fast and it’s Cavernario vs. Fuego to officially get things going. The rapid fire tags/switches are on, with Atlantis getting to clean house. Titan comes in but gets beaten down with some triple teaming. With Titan being pulled off the top for the crash, Cavernario hits a running basement dropkick before it’s time to go after the mask (as is custom).

Fuego and Atlantis both come in and are both knocked down without much trouble. Cavernario’s powerslam gets two on Fuego and we hit a seated abdominal stretch to slow things down a bit. With that broken up, it’s time to go after Atlantis’ mask before Volador settles for just choking in the corner. Titan comes back in for a springboard double dropkick and Atlantis is back up to fight back.

Everything breaks down again and an exchange of strikes leaves everyone down. Volador and Titan strike it out until Titan hurricanranas him to the floor for a suicide dive. Atlantis and Cavernario get to strike it out this time, with Atlantis’ big boot…causing Cavernario to do the Worm. Cavernario takes way too long setting up some kind of a splash and lands on a raised boot. A Canadian Destroyer into the frog splash gives Atlantis the pin at 12:04.

Rating: B-. Yeah it was fun, but it was fun watching these seemingly random six man tags for the last month and a half or so. They’re just kind of a feature on the shows now and while they’re good, you could swap them in and out for just about any other show with nothing changing. As usual, find something for these people to do. I’m well aware that it’s part of their international deal with CMLL, but that doesn’t mean it makes for interesting viewing week after week.

Overall Rating: C. This almost felt like a rerun, as so many of the things could have been swapped in from previous weeks. You have the CMLL main event, the Collection stealing one of the title belts, and something with Aminata and the Athletes/Order. There isn’t much that is worth seeing here and it wasn’t overly interesting when I’ve seen such similar things for the last few weeks. Supercard Of Honor could help, but dang I’m worried about how random the card might be.

Results
Dark Panther b. Okumura – Small package
Sons Of Texas/Willie Mack b. MxM Collection/Johnny TV – GTH to TV
Athena/Diamante b. Mazzerati/Jordan Blu – Forearm to Mazzerati
Premiere Athletes b. Dark Order – Magic Carpet Splash to Reynolds
Queen Aminata b. Viva Van – Off With Her Head
Atlantis Jr./Titan/Fuego b. Rugido/Volador Jr./Barbaro Cavernario – Frog splash to Cavernario

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Dynamite
Date: March 19, 2025
Location: Liberty First Credit Union Arena, Omaha, Nebraska
Commentators: Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Taz

We’re closing in on Dynasty and that means the card needs to start coming together. Believe it or not we have a tournament going on around here, with the winner getting an International Title shot against Kenny Omega at the pay per view. As for tonight though, the World Title is on the line with Cope challenging Jon Moxley in a street fight. Let’s get to it.

Here is Collision if you need a recap.

There was a really bad snowstorm in Omaha so the crowd and roster might be a bit limited.

Orange Cassidy vs. Mike Bailey vs. Ricochet vs. Mark Davis

For the International Title shot at Dynasty and Don Callis is on commentary. Cassidy rolls around to start before they hit fast forward to pick up the speed in a hurry. Davis is knocked outside and Ricochet does the same to Cassidy, leaving Bailey to kick away at Ricochet. Bailey and Cassidy tease a showdown but Ricochet breaks it up, earning himself a dive.

Davis pulls Bailey out of the air for a powerbomb onto the apron though and then chases Ricochet off. Back in and Bailey’s chops just annoy Davis, who chops him down with ease. Ricochet even jumps on commentary to call Schiavone stupid as the fans are all over Callis. Davis gets distracted by Bailey and Ricochet covers Cassidy for two. That doesn’t work for Davis, who tosses Davis without much trouble. Bailey is back up to kick away at Davis and the running shooting star press connects. Ricochet tosses Bailey outside before all four get back inside.

Some triple teaming has Davis in trouble but he fights all three of them off as we take a break. Back with Cassidy cleaning house and hitting a Stundog Millionaire on Ricochet (though Cassidy seems to be favoring his arm). Cassidy is fine enough to hurricanrana Bailey out of the corner for two but Bailey Falcon Arrows him down. The shooting star press connects but Davis pulls Bailey out at two.

Ricochet’s shooting star press gets two more on Cassidy and a Death Valley Driver gets the same on Bailey. Cassidy is back up with the Beach Break on Ricochet and the Orange Punch for two on Davis. Back up and Davis hits some running clotheslines before planting all three of the others. Davis pulls Cassidy into a piledriver for two with Bailey making the save. Bailey is back up to kick Davis in the face and grabs a backslide, with Ricochet grabbing a rollup on Davis (with feet on the ropes) for the double pin at 17:58.

Rating: B. It was a bunch of insanity with all four going nuts for most of the match. I’m not wild on setting up a triple threat title match, but it seems like a way to get Bailey into the title shot without having him lose. Davis looked like a monster here in perhaps his best showing yet, which hopefully is something for him. Otherwise, I’m not sure I see the point in keeping him around so prominently.

Post match the triple threat is indeed announced for Dynasty.

Video on the Hurt Syndicate.

TBS Title: Mercedes Mone vs. Billie Starkz

Starkz is challenging and offers a left handed handshake to start (must be a fan of the Genius), earning a slap to the face. Mone kicks her into the corner and then pulls her out for two, only to get DDTed out of another corner for two. It’s too early for Starkz’s Swanton so Mone bails to the floor, where back to back dives take her out. Back in and the Swanton gets two on Mone, who is right back with a Backstabber as we take a break.

We come back with Mone hitting a gutbuster for two and stopping to stare around a bit. Mone hammers away in the corner and hits a superplex, only to get brainbustered onto the knee. A bridging German suplex gives Starkz two but gets sent face first into the middle buckle. They trade strikes for a double down before trading rollups for two each.

Starkz Alabama Slams her into the corner (OUCH) and then tries something like a One Winged Angel, nearly dropping Mone on her head, with Mone getting her foot on the ropes for two. Starkz misses a flip dive onto the apron and gets pulled into the Bank Statement for the tap at 12:53.

Rating: B-. Well other than Mone nearly dying a few times, this was about what you would expect, with Starkz getting in some offense before falling to Mone. I know I could go for Mone losing the title already, but this wasn’t the place as Starkz hasn’t done much in AEW. Mone is going to need a new challenger for Dynasty now, and that could be more than a few different people.

The Outrunners wish the University of Omaha’s basketball team luck in the NCAA Tournament and showed up at their practice. Nothing wrong with that.

We look back at MVP offering MJF a business card last week.

MJF talks about the various people who might be coming after the World Title and laughs them off. Maybe he needs some friends to help him deal with Jon Moxley’s crew, but he’ll have an answer for MVP next week.

AEW World Title: Cope vs. Jon Moxley

Moxley is defending in a street fight and gets jumped outside by Cope. They fight into an equipment truck (there have to be some Easter eggs in there) and then come into the arena, where Moxley gets in a briefcase shot to the head. The brawl goes into the arena with Cope hitting him in the face with a microphone. A suplex on the floor drops Moxley but he’s back with a neck crank.

Moxley hits him in the back with a kendo stick and then chokes with the same stick before the brawl goes back into the crowd. Moxley spends a lot of time yelling at the crowd and gets hit in the face as we go back to ringside. The Paradigm Shift onto the announcers’ table rocks Cope again and we take a break.

Back with Moxley chairing him down and choking with the chair, meaning we get a middle finger to the crowd. Cope breaks up a Pillmanizing and hits a top rope superplex for a double down. They slug it out until Cope hits a string of clotheslines. It’s time for the spiked 2×4 but Moxley grabs a jumping cutter. Naturally, with the big spiked board and a chair available, Moxley pulls out a table instead. Cope gets in some shots with the spiked board, plus a suplexes onto the board, which gets stuck in Moxley’s back.

Cue Wheeler Yuta to drop Cope but he can’t pull the board out of Moxley. Cope puts Yuta through a table and here are Claudio Castagnoli and Pac to put Cope down. FTR run in for the save and Cope spears Moxley through the table in the corner. Cue Marina Shafir for the save so Willow Nightingale takes her out. Now it’s Nick Wayne running in to take Cope out, allowing Moxley to grab the bulldog choke to take out Cope and retain at 21:22.

Rating: B-. WAY better than the pay per view title match here but it was another Moxley Stands Tall result, which isn’t the best thing to see. They got more interesting with the violence, even though some of the stuff with the spiked board was more silly than anything else. This should be absolutely it for Cope though, as it’s time for Swerve Strickland to get his chance.

Post match the villains leave and Dax Harwood storms off, seemingly angry at Cope. Cash Wheeler seems cool with Cope but goes after Harwood. Cope gets the big moment and leaves with the board.

We look back at Chris Jericho taking Gravity’s mask.

Bandido talks about being used to the danger of wrestling but Jericho made things personal. Johnny TV comes in and challenges Bandido for Collision and the match is on.

Will Ospreay vs. AR Fox

They fight over wrist control to start and Ospreay blocks a cutter with a handstand. Fox sends him to the apron for a running flipping stomp. Ospreay, favoring his hip, is right back up with a Stundog Millionaire before sending Fox outside for a dive. We take a break and come back with Fox kicking him in the corner, setting up Lo Mein Pain for two. Fox misses the 450 though and the Hidden Blade finishes him off at 7:40.

Rating: B-. They got in some flips and dives here, which is where Ospreay tends to shine. It was nice to see him get a relatively easier win as he’s likely on his way to something bigger. That being said, it might not have been the best idea to have Fox lose here the day before he’s in a #1 contenders match on Ring Of Honor, though that would imply anyone paying attention to/caring about Ring Of Honor, which has not seemed to be the case.

Video on Swerve Strickland vs. Jon Moxley at Dynasty.

Hangman Page wants the World Title back and is entering the Owen Hart Tournament.

Video on Julia Hart vs. Queen Aminata.

Mercedes Mone was impressed by Billie Starkz but she needed a better trainer to get after the title.

Kris Statlander vs. Megan Bayne

Toni Storm is on commentary and Penelope Ford is here with Bayne. Statlander fires off forearms to start but gets clotheslined out to the floor. Back up and Statlander hits a moonsault off the apron before hammering away back inside. A middle rope back elbow drops Bayne again as Storm thinks Bayne is the goddess of silence. Bayne hits a quick suplex into the corner as Storm thinks the two of them have thighs made for squashing watermelons. Bayne belly to back suplexes her from the apron and back inside as we take a break.

We take a break and come back with Bayne hitting a powerbomb but not being able to get Fate’s Descent. They sit down and slap it out until Statlander kicks her in the head. Ford tries to get in a cheap shot and is ejected as a result. Statlander plants her for two and grabs some German suplexes, only to be sent outside. Bayne hits a dive to the floor, followed by a Falcon Arrow for two back inside. Back up and Statlander sends her outside for a dive off the apron, only to be sent into Storm at ringside. Fate’s Descent drops Statlander on the floor and another one inside gives Bayne the pin at 12:47.

Rating: B. This is the kind of win that Bayne needed as she’s not just a monster but she’s someone who can fly around and hang with someone who has a resume of her own. They aren’t hiding that Bayne is going to be challenging Storm for the title soon, likely at Dynasty, so this win was needed. As usual, Storm was rather funny here, thankfully with a new target.

Post match Storm tapes up her hand and goes inside for the brawl with Bayne. A clothesline puts Bayne on the floor and Storm issues the challenge for Dynasty.

Overall Rating: B+. For a show that seemed to be heavily impacted by the storm, you wouldn’t have known it from what we got here. They set up some things for Dynasty and covered quite a few stories, including some that needed to be wrapped up. It’s a rather good show and back to the recent norm for AEW. Hopefully they can keep it going at Dynasty, which is quite the fast turnaround for them compared to their regular stuff.

Results
Ricochet and Mike Bailey b. Mark Davis and Orange Cassidy – Double pin
Mercedes Mone b. Billie Starkz – Bank Statement
Jon Moxley b. Cope – Bulldog choke
Will Ospreay b. AR Fox – Hidden Blade
Megan Bayne b. Kris Statlander – Fate’s Descent

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

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Dynamite
Date: March 12, 2025
Location: Save Mart Center, Fresno, California
Commentators: Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Taz

We’re done with Revolution and Jon Moxley is still the World Champion, having defeated both Cope and Christian Cage, the latter of whom cashed in his contract for a title shot. Other than that, Kenny Omega is the new International Champion, having finally defeated Konosuke Takeshita. Let’s get to it.

Here is Revolution if you need a recap.

Here is Kenny Omega, fresh off winning the International Title. Omega can’t believe he’s back here after the health issues he was having, and now he has a singles title again. He thanks Konosuke Takeshita for the match and is looking forward to the start of the tournament to crown a new #1 contender to his title. Omega hits the catchphrase and is out in a hurry. As Omega is leaving, the Opps come out for their match and have a bit of a staredown with Omega (as Katsuyori Shibata is in the tournament), but everything is ok.

Opps vs. Vinny Pacifico/Eli Theseus/Gabriel Aeros

Joe hammers on Pacifico to start and it’s to Theseus, who gets clotheslined in the corner by Hook. Shibata comes in to strike away at Aeros in the corner, setting up the sleeper. The PK finishes at 2:16. Another squash.

Ricochet is ready to win the tournament and offers Shibata the chance to quit before their match at Collision.

Long recap of Revolution.

Swerve Strickland is ready to challenge for the World Title at Dynasty. Cope comes in to say that either he’s going to win the title before Dynasty, or if Swerve wins at Dynasty, Cope is coming for it. Works for Swerve.

Jon Moxley is annoyed at himself for not putting Cope away earlier and he admires the toughness. Next week, they’ll have a street fight for the title, which is fine with Moxley because he won’t make the same mistake twice.

Hologram/Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Brian Cage/Dralistico

Harleygram is here with the good guys while the other team has the Beast Mortos. Cage and Hobbs brawl on the floor to start before Dralistco and Hologram trade armdrags. Dralistico teases taking off the mask but hands it off to Cage instead. Hologram slips out of a press slam but Cage pulls a dive out of the air for a suplex (that was impressive). We take a break and come back with Mortos stomping away on Hologram.

Cue Harleygram to swivel a bit, which gets Mortos’ attention. Back in and Hologram takes Dralistico down, allowing Hobbs to come in and clean house. Cage gets to trade the clotheslines with Hobbs before the apron superplex connects. Dralistico hits…something from the top for two but Hobbs is back up with a spinebuster to Cage on the apron. Hologram uses Hobbs’ chest as a launch pad before Hobbs spinebusters Dralistico out of the air for the pin at 10:38.

Rating: B-. This was good enough with a nice mixture of some people you don’t often see together. Hologram is more than ready to do something else, as he has won everything he’s done and needs to have some kind of a bigger story. Hobbs getting a pin is good as well, as he still feels like someone who is ready to become one of the breakout stars in AEW very soon.

Post match Mark Davis and Lance Archer come out to yell at Cage.

The Hurt Syndicate is happy with their win and MVP wants them to have some fun in southern California. They’ll be at the gym instead.

We look at Toni Storm defeating Mariah May in the Hollywood Ending match. It was bloody and violent and I can get why it was a bit too much in some eyes, but I had fun with the whole wacky thing.

Here is Toni Storm, saying she has staples in her head and glass in her a**, this tramp is still the champ. The title makes it all worth it though and now it is time to find new challengers. Fighting with her is like going to the zoo, because she will bleed like a pig, lick you like a giraffe and eat you like a lion. No one swings like her so it’s time to get messy and sweaty. Cue Megan Bayne to jump Storm from behind and pose.

International Title #1 Contenders Tournament First Round: The Beast Mortos vs. ???

The surprise opponent is….the debuting Speedball Mike Bailey. Ever the high flier and striker, Bailey flips away to start and kicks Mortos down, with Mortos bailing out to the floor. A running shoulder takes Bailey down but he’s back with some chops. The big running flip dive drops Mortos again and we take a break.

Back with Bailey hitting a running shooting star press for two but the tornado kick misses. Bailey kicks him to the floor and hits a triangle moonsault, followed by a powerbomb out of the corner for two back inside. Mortos’ pop up Samoan drop gets two and the super gorilla press gets the same. Bailey grabs a hurricanrana for two and some moonsault knees set up a spinning kick to the face to pin Mortos at 10:55.

Rating: B-. I’m not a big Bailey fan but he’s tailor made for AEW. Between the flying and the strikes and the kind of awkward charisma, he is someone who will fit in perfectly well around here. As usual, Mortos is the perfect choice to make someone look good and that is exactly what he did here.

Christian Cage is annoyed at Renee Paquette asking about what happened at Revolution because he is NOT talking to anyone related to Jon Moxley. Cage declares himself still the undisputed next World Champion and he was just relegating his breathing before reversing the hold. Nick Wayne says Cage is lying to himself and the team and owes them an apology. Cage goes for Nick but Mother Wayne gets in the way. Cage threatens to have her back at Waffle House before yelling at Nick, telling him to keep riding his coattails or the next time they have this conversation will be the last.

MJF did not want to talk after Revolution.

Here is MJF for a chat. He’s sore from Revolution and the truth is he had that match won until Hangman Page gave him a cheap shot (commentary remembers it differently). MJF isn’t upset anymore, because he is 10x smarter than Page and all of the fans. This thing with Page isn’t over…and here is MVP to interrupt. They stare each other down and then have a big hug.

MVP met him eight years ago and was impressed because MJF once volunteered to take him on a long drive for the price of getting to pick his brain in the car. MVP is proud of him for all of MJF’s accomplishments, but he isn’t impressed with what happened to MJF on Sunday. Why isn’t MJF out here hurting people? He has lost his edge and people in the back don’t fear them.

They do fear the Hurt Syndicate so maybe MVP can help him again. MVP offers him the business card but MJF declines it, saying he’s not the young kid that he was eight years ago. MJF doesn’t want or need MVP’s help, but MVP brings up that MJF WAS the World Champion. Now MJF takes the card and seems to be thinking about something.

Here is Max Caster for another open challenge.

Max Caster vs. Konosuke Takeshita

Caster thinks Takeshita is here to invite him into the Don Callis Family. Takeshita knocks him silly, picks him up, and hits Raging Fire for the pin at 1:29.

We look back at Chris Jericho attacking and unmasking Gravity at Revolution.

Jericho holds up Gravity’s mask and says gravity has been added to his feud with Bandido. Their family was terrified at Revolution and now it is time that people stop taking advantage of Jericho. This was serious Jericho again and it’s a nice relief after the goofiness has been going on for so long.

Penelope Ford vs. Willow Nightingale

Nightingale slams her down to start and they take turns sending the other into the corner. A suplex gets two on Ford but she sends Nightingale throat first into the ropes. We take a break and come back with Nightingale making the clothesline comeback. A spinebuster gives Nightingale two and the Gory Special goes on, with Ford biting her way out. They trade kicks to the face and Ford hits a Stunner, only to get Pounced for the pin at 8:39.

Rating: C+. I want to be able to buy into Ford but it isn’t going to matter if she never wins anything important. That has been the case for a long time and this is the latest loss in a long series of them. That being said, it is nice to see Nightingale get a win, which doesn’t happen often enough either. She needs something to do, and I’m not sure what that is going to be at the moment.

Post match Ford chairs Nightingale down so here is Kris Statlander for the save. Then Megan Bayne takes both of them down.

Mercedes Mone’s throat is messed up so Renee Paquette has to do Mone’s catchphrase. Billie Starkz comes in to say she wants a TBS Title shot. Mone laughs it off but gives her the match for next week.

Here is Will Ospreay for a chat. He’s banged up but happy to have gotten out of the cage match with Kyle Fletcher alive. Ospreay is in a bit of trouble with his wife because he lied to her, saying he wouldn’t do anything stupid off the cage. Then he forgot there was a guy in a green shirt filming him and after the match there were fifteen missed calls from the wife.

They finally talked and she was livid…but she made him a nice dinner anyway. Now Ospreay wants some gold around his waist in the form of the World Title. Ospreay looks at the All In Texas banner, so he’s in the Owen Hart Tournament. He’s ready to face Cope, Swerve or Moxley, whomever is waiting for him at All In. Simple and to the point here and the story about his wife was funny.

Jay White would love to face Will Ospreay again but he gets asked about hitting Cope with the briefcase. White to Renee Paquette: “Are you asking or accusing?” White goes on a rant about the Death Riders and says he wants to be the #1 contender.

Hangman Page runs into MJF and says he doesn’t believe MJF was going to light him on fire. MJF says they’re now 1-1 and MJF is going to go on to become a two time World Champion, while Page will fall on his face as he always does. The people will get tired of Page failing to win the big one (ignoring the one he’s already won I guess) while MJF will be World Champion over and over. So he’s admitting he’ll lose a lot?

International Title #1 Contenders Tournament First Round: Hechicero vs. Orange Cassidy

Hechicero blocks the hands from going into the pockets but Cassidy walks the rope and gets his hand into his pocket. Then Hechicero just pulls him down, showing it was quite the waste of time. Cassidy slowly runs the ropes and falls to the mat before nipping up as we take a break.

Back with Hechicero choking over the ropes and then tying the leg up in the same ropes. Cassidy’s leg is fine enough to come back with a high crossbody but gets caught in a swinging hammerlock backbreaker for two. The Stundog Millionaire and the spinning DDT get Cassidy out of trouble but his knee is banged up. Cassidy’s lazy top rope elbow is almost countered into a cross armbreaker before Hechicero grabs the Rings Of Saturn. Cassidy makes the ropes and grabs the Mousetrap for the pin at 10:07.

Rating: B-. This felt like Hechicero was far in advance but got caught at the end for the sake of putting Cassidy in the four way final. Hechicero continues to be someone who can do some rather awesome things in the ring, but at the same time it doesn’t matter as much if he keeps losing in bigger matches. Either way, nice main event here, even if it only has so much in the way of stakes.

Mike Bailey comes out for the staredown with Cassidy to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. They definitely took their foot off the gas a bit here and that’s not a bad thing. Revolution was such a big show that it is time to let things breathe a bit here. They did set some things up for Dynasty, which is coming up rather quickly. It wasn’t a bad show, but it did feel less important than some of what they have been doing lately. That has to be the case at some point though and this was still a good show.

Results
Opps b. Vinny Pacifico/Eli Theseus/Gabriel Aeros – PK to Aeros
Hologram/Powerhouse Hobbs b. Brian Cage/Dralistico – Spinebuster to Dralistico
Mike Bailey b. The Beast Mortos – Crescent Kick
Konosuke Takeshita b. Max Caster – Raging Fire
Willow Nightingale b. Penelope Ford – Pounce
Orange Cassidy b. Hechicero – Mousetrap

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

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Revolution 2025
Date: March 9, 2025
Location: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California
Commentators: Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Nigel McGuinness

It’s time for another major pay per view and in this case, the card is looking rather stacked. The card is very strong with a bunch of title and grudge matches, which should make for quite the nice show. The main event is likely going to be Cope challenging Jon Moxley for the World Title so let’s get to it.

Zero Hour: Komander/Hologram vs. Lee Johnson/Blake Christian

It’s not a good sign for EJ Nduka, Johnson’s usual partner, that he isn’t getting this spot. Johnson and Christian jump them before the bell to start fast but Christian accidentally elbows Johnson in the face. Komander hurricanranas Christian to the floor and stereo dives take the villains out. Back in and stereo running strikes get two on Johnson as we settle down a bit. Commentary talks about royalties of Tony Schiavone appearing on Arliss, Komander gets double clotheslined for two and Christian chokes away on the ropes.

Christian’s springboard is dropkicked down and the diving tag brings in Hologram to pick up the pace. Hologram takes Christian up top but gets shoved down, allowing Johnson to hit a dive. Back in and Christian’s middle rope 450 sets up Johnson’s frog splash for two more. They go to the apron and Hologram can’t quite poisonrana Christian (that looked nasty) so it’s a dive onto Komander to leave all four down onto the floor. Back in and a slingshot cutter sets up a Last Chancery with Hologram making the save. Komander’s top rope Canadian Destroyer sets up Hologram’s 450 to pin Christian at 9:54.

Rating: B. This was a good choice for an opener as there is always room for a fast paced match to let the fans get interested to start things off. They didn’t waste time here and just did a bunch of big spots. It doesn’t mean much as far as any kind of storyline as Hologram doesn’t really have any and the other three are mainly in ROH, but this was a fun way to start the night.

Zero Hour: Daniel Garcia/Undisputed Era vs. Shane Taylor Promotions

Strong grabs a hammerlock on Bravo to start and it’s quickly off to O’Reilly to go for an armbar. Cole gets in the right hands in the corner as commentary goes into the comedy routines. Garcia comes in with a swinging neckbreaker on Moriarty before a dancing double leg stomp keeps Moriarty down. Taylor has had it with the waiting around and runs people over on the floor as we see the Opps watching.

We settle down to Garcia trying to suplex Taylor but the rest of the Promotions come in for the beatdown. Moriarty stomps away in the corner and let’s look at the Opps again. Taylor adds an apron legdrop but Garcia is back up with the belly to back suplex. That’s enough to bring Cole in to clean house but Garcia tags himself back in, despite Cole loading up the Panama Sunrise. The Dragontamer makes Moriarty tap at 9:37.

Rating: C. On Collision, Moriarty, the Ring Of Honor Pure Champion, was pinned in a singles match. The following night, Moriarty, still champion, tapped out in a match where he had three partners. I know Ring Of Honor doesn’t mean much, but could we stop going out of the way to make it feel worthless and beneath everything else?

Zero Hour: Ring Of Honor World Title: Chris Jericho vs. Gravity

Jericho is defending…or he would be if he didn’t hit Gravity with the baseball bat before the bell. The Learning Tree comes in to beat Gravity down and Bandido’s save attempt is cut off as well. No match. Also no mask as Jericho unmasks Gravity and gives him the Judas Effect. Bandido and Gravity’s family comes in to cover him. So yes, the feud will continue.

Zero Hour: Johnny TV/MxM Collection vs. Big Boom AJ/Conglomeration

The Rizzler, cosplaying as Orange Cassidy, and Big Justice are here with the non-villains, while Taya Valkyrie is here to cancel them out. TV dances away from Cassidy to start so Cassidy puts his hands in his pockets for the dropkick. Briscoe comes in for a double shoulder before hammering away in the corner. AJ does the same so it’s off to Madden, allowing Mansoor to cheap shot Cassidy.

The Collection strikes a pose and Mansoor steals the cookies from the Rizzler and Big Justice. Valkyrie cuts Cassidy off the top and kisses TV, who stretched Cassidy’s abdominals. Cassidy gets out and brings in Briscoe, who is quickly chokeslammed off the top. Briscoe is right back with a missile dropkick to TV and it’s AJ coming in to clean house.

Madden’s chokeslam is countered into a powerslam for two but TV is back in to kick AJ down. More kissing ensues but here is Harley Cameron to cut Valkyrie off. The Powerboom puts TV down, only for Mansoor to superkick AJ. Mansoor hammers on AJ in the corner….and Big Justice powerbombs him down for the save. Justice gets saved and a triple Powerboom finishes Madden at 12:56.

Rating: C+. As was the case last time, AJ being a former wrestler makes this far easier to watch. We’re not sitting around for five minutes to wait on him to do three moves and then let everyone else do their thing. If it draws in some extra eyes to the product and nothing of note is lost (I love the Collection but they don’t exactly mean much), it’s a perfectly fine way to go.

Post match the Murder Machines run in for the beatdown but Powerhouse Hobbs makes the save. Two actors from the Righteous Gemstones come in and help with a chokeslam so posing can ensue.

And now, the main show.

Hangman Page vs. Maxwell Jacob Friedman

The hype package was on the Kickoff Show, showing the two of them arguing until things got more and more violent. This led to MJF attempting to light Page on fire, as you do in wrestling. MJF teases coming out to Page’s music for some pre-match mind games. They slug it out at the bell and Page hits a running boot in the corner. MJF gets smart by pulling the referee in the way and using the distraction to get in an eye rake.

The chinlock doesn’t last long and MJF has to get out of a sleeper. MJF mocks the cowboy side of Page before catching him with a powerbomb backbreaker for two. The trash talk makes Page hammer away but MJF takes him down and says this is HIS company. Page gets in a knockdown of his own and nips up (which the camera mostly misses) before kicking him off the apron. The moonsault to the floor drops MJF again (it feels like forever since Page busted that out) but he catches Page with an upside down superkick into an Alabama Slam for two.

A lifting hammerlock DDT gives MJF two and they’re both down for a bit. Back up and the Deadeye gets two, followed by the Buckshot Lariat for the same, with MJF putting a foot on the ropes. MJF bails out to the floor and avoids a charge to send Page shoulder first into the steps. The Salt Of The Earth goes on before MJF switches over to a reverse cross armbreaker.

That’s broken up as well and they go outside for a fight over a Tombstone, with MJF hitting a jumping version onto an open chair. Page is on his feet to beat the count 1:26 later and MJF starts crying, shouting WHY NOT ME. The Heatseeker is countered into a Deadeye and the Angel’s Wings drops MJF on his head (GEEZ). The Buckshot Lariat finishes for Page at 19:04.

Rating: B. This was good and hard hitting, but what matters the most is that Page is starting to move up the ranks again. It would not surprise me to see him getting closer to the World Title scene and beating MJF is a good step in that direction. Ignoring the jumping Tombstone onto the chair, it felt like a fight between two people who wanted to beat each other up and it made for a good opener to the main show.

We recap Mercedes Mone defending the TBS Title against Momo Watanabe. Back at Wrestle Dynasty, Watanabe won a #1 contenders match and then showed up again a few weeks ago to announce she was challenging Mone. One decent match against Serena Deeb later and here we are.

TBS Title: Momo Watanabe vs. Mercedes Mone

Mone is defending. They fight over arm control to start until Watanabe takes her down. The threat of a kick to the back has Mone cringing and her armdrag is countered into a crossface chickenwing. They trade rollups for two each before Mone counters a Meteora into a Bank Statement.

Back up and a Meteora connects to Watanabe in the ropes but Mone can’t hit a piledriver on the apron. Instead it’s a powerbomb onto the floor to drop Watanabe hard. Back in and Mone grabs an armbar but Watanabe reverses into something like a Deadeye for two. Both of their Three Amigos are blocked, but Watanabe ties her in the Tree of Woe for some kicks to the ribs. A running dropkick rocks Mone again and Watanabe mocks Mone’s dance.

The crossface chickenwing is cut off and Mone hits a quick Backstabber for a breather. Watanabe kicks away out of the corner and hits a middle rope Meteora to the apron for two more. The Mone Maker is blocked so Mone settles for a powerbomb for two of their own. They go up top where Watanabe belly to belly superplexes her for another near fall, followed by some hard kicks to the face for the same. Mone is back with a high crossbody for two, setting up the Mone Maker into the Bank Statement for the tap at 18:18.

Rating: B. These two beat the heck out of each other and it was another rather good match from Mone, which isn’t a surprise. Her ability in the ring has never been the issue and that was on display again here. When you take away everything outside of the ring from Money, it’s easy to see why she is presented as a star. Just find something a bit better to set up the title matches and maybe have Mone be a bit less hard to watch outside of the ring.

Billie Starkz is watching from the crowd.

We recap Swerve Strickland vs. Ricochet for the #1 contendership. Ricochet has been driving Strickland crazy and has gotten rather violent, including stealing Prince Nana’s robe. Nana wants the old Strickland back and has basically threatened to leave if Strickland doesn’t win.

Swerve Strickland vs. Ricochet

Strickland has Prince Nana with him and gets live drummed to the ring for a bit of a special entrance. They both miss early shots to start until Strickland hits a shoulder to send Ricochet outside. Back in and the flip around a bit more until Strickland hits a backbreaker to take over again. Ricochet is able to send him face first into the middle buckle, only to be sent outside for a beating against the barricade.

For some reason Nana tries to call Strickland off and gets knocked down for some reason. That’s enough for Nana to leave as Ricochet hits a Lionsault for two. A running cutter drops Strickland again but has to stop yelling at actress Leslie Jones at ringside. Strickland fights out of a chinlock and gets two off a brainbuster.

They go to the top and Strickland is knocked down, setting up a West Coast Pop for two. A hurricanrana takes Strickland outside and they go to the announcers’ table. Strickland grabs a Vertebreaker onto the table, which doesn’t break, setting up a Swerve Stomp for two. Ricochet is right back up with a low blow into a brainbuster, followed by the 630 for two more.

Cue Prince Nana again to steal the robe back but Ricochet cuts him off and steals it back again. Strickland’s dive is cut off with a Death Valley Driver onto the floor for the scary crash. Back in and Vertigo gets two but Nana grabs the robe again. Nana gets in and gets crushed in the corner, leaving Ricochet to grab a rollup for two. A pair of House Calls gives Ricochet two and Big Pressure finishes him off at 18:10.

Rating: B-. This was where the near falls went a bit too far, with both guys getting up from things that should have knocked them out a lot faster. What matters the most here is that Swerve won, as he has needed to move back up the ladder for a few months now. Beating Ricochet and (in theory) getting the robe back is a good way to go. Not a bad match at all, but some of the instances of these two getting up was a lot to take.

Post match Strickland gives Nana the robe back in a nice moment.

We recap Brody King challenging Kazuchika Okada for the Continental Title. Okada beat King’s partner Buddy Murphy so now King is getting a title shot of his own.

Continental Title: Brody King vs. Kazuchika Okada

Okada is defending and tries a slam to start for some reason. King sends him outside but gets hammered on the way back inside to slow him down again. A forearm puts Okada on the floor again though and King hammers away, only to miss a charge. Back in and Okada slams him down but the top rope elbow is broken up. A top rope superplex drops Okada and a backdrop does it again.

King hits a suicide dive, setting up the big crash against the barricade. Back in and Okada misses a dropkick but scores with a neckbreaker. Now the top rope elbow can connect but the Rainmaker is countered into a Death Valley Driver into the corner. They go back to the floor where Okada hits a dropkick into the barricade. Back in and Okada grabs something made of metal, which is a distraction so a belt shot can hit King for two. Another Rainmaker is blocked but Okada knocks him back and now the Rainmaker can retain the title at 10:57.

Rating: C+. Yeah this didn’t work nearly as well as anything else on the show so far as it was basically a cold match with no reason to believe that King was going to win the title. Okada was trying well enough here but he wasn’t exactly burning up the mat. It wasn’t a match that needed to be on the pay per view and the fans seemed to realize that.

We recap the Hurt Syndicate defending the Tag Team Titles against the Outrunners. The Syndicate are the dominant champions and the Outrunners earned a title shot. This is looking like a one sided title defense on paper, which might be the point.

Tag Team Titles: Hurt Syndicate vs. Outrunners

The Outrunners are challenging. Benjamin suplexes and slams Magnum to start and it’s quickly off to Floyd. The Outrunners actually clear the ring and MVP needs to fire the champions up a bit. Back in and Benjamin takes over on Magnum in the corner, where Lashley fires off some shoulders to the ribs.

Benjamin snaps off a German suplex and a running powerslam gets two. Magnum manages to get in something of a running bulldog and there’s the tag off to Floyd. The Mega Powers Elbow hits Benjamin and it’s time for Floyd to Hulk Up. A rope walk armdrag seems to annoy Benjamin, who kicks Floyd in the head. Lashley is back in with a spear, followed by another to let Benjamin get the retaining pin at 8:01.

Rating: C. Remember the previous match not feeling like it belonged on the pay per view? This was that same case here but cranked up to about a fifteen out of ten. There was no reason to believe that the Outrunners were going to win the titles here and then they just lost clean. That’s how it should have gone, but it should have been on Collision at best.

We recap Toni Storm vs. Mariah May in the Hollywood Ending match. May beat Storm for the title, then Storm faked amnesia and won the title back in Australia last month. Now it’s time for the big blowoff in a violent fashion.

Women’s Title: Toni Storm vs. Mariah May

Storm is defending and anything goes with falls counting anywhere. The brawl starts on the stage with May getting the better of things and planting her down for an early two. May whips out a taser so Luther takes it away, earning himself a low blow. Storm is back up with a chokebomb off the stage and through a table for two on the floor. They go to ringside where May is dropped onto the barricade for a hanging DDT, only for Storm to miss a running hip attack.

Storm Zero onto the steps knocks Storm silly but May grabs a chain instead of covering. Storm, who is rather busted open, is tied in the Tree Of Woe for May’s running hip attack. A quick German suplex gives Storm a breather…and it’s time for both of them to tape broken glass to their hands. May gets punched out to the floor and the broken glass is poured out. May’s head is busted open but she’s fine enough to get in a super hurricanrana onto the glass.

Back up and May Day onto the glass gets two, as does Storm’s Storm Zero. With nothing else working, Storm goes outside and grabs the shoe, which gets a nice gasp from the fans. Storm whips her with the title but gets caught with a May Day onto the stage for two. That’s shrugged off and Storm hits her with the shoe a bunch of times, setting up the Storm Zero through a table (with the Hollywood sign) to retain the title at 12:54.

Rating: B+. Sweet goodness this was wild and it felt like the kind of blowoff to a violent feud that they needed. Yes it was a bit silly with the shoe and overdone drama, but that was kind of the point of the whole thing. It’s a big time blowoff and the way to end the war, though I could also see how it went a bit too far with the blood. I’m not sure what is next for Storm, but dang it’s going to be hard to top this one.

Post match May is DONE and Storm holds her, with both of them covered in blood.

We recap Konosuke Takeshita defending the International Title against Kenny Omega. Takeshita beat him twice in a week at one point and then Omega missed a year due to diverticulitis. Now it’s time for Omega to see if he still has it and can beat an old rival.

International Title: Konosuke Takeshita vs. Kenny Omega

Takeshita, with Don Callis, is defending. They collide to start and trade some forearms, with Takeshita getting the better of things. The fight goes outside with Omega driving Takeshita back first into the apron. Takeshita fights back and they head back inside for a DDT. Callis gets in a few shots on the floor and we hit the chinlock back inside. Takeshita switches up to the recently repaired abdomen with a knee to the ribs, followed by the shoulders to the ribs in the corner.

A table (of course) is loaded up at ringside but Omega is back with some hard chops. You Can’t Escape is broken up as Omega is shoved off the barricade for a ribs first crash to put him down again. We hit the bodyscissors back inside but Omega fights up and hits a spinning middle rope crossbody. Omega strikes away and now You Can’t Escape connects for two. Callis grabs Omega’s leg to cut that off though and a Cactus Clothesline sends them both outside.

Takeshita’s release German suplex drops Omega again and Callis joins commentary because we’re just that lucky. Omega fights up again and turns the table over, only to get dropped ribs first onto the underside of the table. Another drop onto the side of the table sets up a backsplash back inside as the ribs are crushed even more. Takeshita misses a Swanton to give Omega a breather and he grabs a dragon suplex.

The V Trigger into a powerbomb sets up another V Trigger for two on Takeshita and they’re both down. The Blue Thunder Bomb gives Takeshita two but Omega catches him on top and hits a springboard sunset bomb. Another V Trigger connects but the ribs give out on a One Winged Angel attempt.

Back to back piledrivers give Takeshita two and a pair of running knees give Takeshita two and one each. Omega is back up with a Texas piledriver for two of his own and they’re both down again. Another V Trigger is blocked so Omega goes with a poisonrana instead. Now the V Trigger connects so Callis tries to intervene, only for Omega to grab a crucifix for the pin and the title at 28:32.

Rating: B+. This is how it should have gone with Omega getting to show that he is still able to do it at the highest level. They told a good story here with Omega’s ribs being banged up and slowing him down but he caught Takeshita with a rollup at the moment. It was a heck of a match and a good sign that Omega is still able to be one of the top stars around here.

Omega gets a bunch of pyro as he slowly pulls himself up to leave.

We recap Will Ospreay vs. Kyle Fletcher. They were friends in Japan but Don Callis got in Fletcher’s ear, setting off a months long feud. Fletcher beat him, then Ospreay beat him, so now it’s time to do it in a cage to see the two of them face off one on one.

Will Ospreay vs. Kyle Fletcher

In a cage with pin/submission only and Don Callis is on commentary. They go straight to the slugout to start with Fletcher getting the better of things. Neither of them can send the other into the cage so Fletcher goes with a hard clothesline. The Stundog Millionaire gives Ospreay a breather but Fletcher sends him into the cage. Ospreay is already busted open and Fletcher licks the blood off the cage, as you do.

Back up and Ospreay sends him into the cage a few times before nailing a standing moonsault for two. Fletcher snaps off a half and half suplex for a needed breather and it’s time to take the turnbuckle pad off. Ospreay gets sent into the buckle for a running kick to the head but is right back with a Cheeky Nandos Kick. They both go up and Fletcher is rammed into the cage a few times, setting up a twisting moonsault for two.

Fletcher is back up with a running boot to the face to send Ospreay into the cage again, setting up a sitout powerbomb for two. Fletcher is busted open as well so a rather pleased Ospreay fires off the Kawada kicks. They trade kicks to the head until Fletcher nails a brainbuster for two. Cue Mark Davis to send in a bag of weapons but Ospreay takes it away and beats on Fletcher with a barbed wire baseball bat.

Fletcher throws up the United Empire hand sign for a distraction, allowing him to hit a low blow. A Hidden Blade into the Stormbreaker gets two as Davis comes in to make the save. Osprey fights up again and knocks Davis outside so the cage door can be locked again. An Oscutter off the cage gives Ospreay two so Fletcher climbs up, where he finds the fabled screwdriver. A stab to the head hits Ospreay, but a second misses, allowing Ospreay to try the Styles Clash (37 seconds after he was STABBED IN THE HEAD with a screwdriver).

That’s broken up as well and Fletcher hits a brainbuster, followed by another onto an open chair for two. Now we get the bag of thumbtacks but Ospreay reverses a suplex (1:23 after the brainbuster onto the steel chair) into a hurricanrana. The Styles Clash onto the tacks gives Ospreay two and they fight to the top of the cage. This time Ospreay stabs Fletcher with the screwdriver and it’s a super Spanish Fly off the cage to drive Fletcher into the tacks. Fletcher is up to yell about how much he hates Ospreay so it’s the Hidden Blade into the Tiger Driver 91 to give Ospreay the pin at 28:59.

Rating: B-. Yeah they lost me here more than a few times and it wasn’t the showdown that it needed to be. Some of the things that they were doing was a bit too much and it should have been cut down by a few minutes. Ospreay winning here is a great sign for him though, and hopefully this wraps up everything he is doing with Callis, because it’s going to be hard to top something like this.

Some of the cast of Queen Of The Ring is here and want you to see the movie.

We recap Cope challenging Jon Moxley for the AEW World Title. Moxley is holding the title hostage and being all evil so Cope is trying to get it away. Cope has been smart enough to take out the Death Riders, though he left Wheeler Yuta standing. That never sounds like a good idea.

AEW World Title: Cope vs. Jon Moxley

Cope is challenging and the fans sing his song in a nice moment. They slug it out to start, both from their feet and then from their knees before going back to their feet. Cope knocks him outside for a dive from the top, setting up the clothesline off the apron. Moxley fights back and sends him into the barricade over and over, setting up a neckbreaker onto the apron for two. Some crossface shots keep Cope in trouble and Moxley knocks him down again…as we see the Opps watching.

Cope gets back up with a quick Impaler for a breather and the clothesline comeback is on. The top rope superplex gives Cope two and the Grindhouse goes on (to SILENCE from the crowd). That’s broken up and Cope spears him through the ropes to the floor, only for Moxley to whip him into the steps. The floor mats are peeled back but the piledriver is cut off. Instead Moxley hits a stomp onto the concrete, followed by a piledriver for two back inside.

The bulldog choke has Cope in more trouble but he eventually makes it over to the rope for the break. The referee has to take the chair away and Cope gets kicked into him, meaning there is no one to count after the Paradigm Shift. Moxley tries a Conchairto but Cope kicks one of the chairs into his face for a breather.

Cue Wheeler Yuta to knee Cope down (of course) so here is Jay White to even things out a bit. White steals the briefcase from Moxley but accidentally knocks Cope out, giving Moxley a rather close two. Back up and the spear gives Cope two so he hits a few more spears….and Christian Cage pulls the referee out. Cage knocks Cope silly with the contract, which he then signs to make this a three way title match.

AEW World Title: Cope vs. Jon Moxley vs. Christian Cage

Moxley is still defending and Cage hits a spear for two on Cope. The Killswitch hits Cope but Moxley is back in to grab the bulldog choke on Cage. That’s enough for Cage to go out and Moxley retains at 26:34.

Rating: C. Oh this didn’t work and the fans were letting them know about it until the cash-in woke them up for a bit. This was about Moxley beating the fire out of Cope and then Cope hitting a bunch of spears to not much success. In other words, Moxley wins again and does so against a fresh Cage because Moxley continues to be the most dominant person ever while everyone else is stupid. Not a good main event, but it wasn’t exactly feeling great in the weeks building up to it either.

Moxley goes to leave the arena but runs into Prince Nana. Swerve Strickland dives out of the crowd to take him down and end the show.

Overall Rating: B+. There were weak points on this show but the stuff that worked did work very well. I had a good time with the show and it felt like the kind of pay per view that built up AEW’s reputation in the first place. Other than maybe the main event, there was pretty much nothing weak with some matches that you might have liked even more. It was a very good show with one solid match after another and that’s what a show like this should be. AEW is on a roll right now and this was another step in that pretty great run.

Results
Komander/Hologram b. Lee Johnson/Blake Christian – 450 to Christian
Daniel Garcia/Undisputed Era b. Shane Taylor Promotions – Dragontamer to Moriarty
Big Boom AJ/Conglomeration b. Johnny TV/MxM Collection – Triple Powerboom to Madden
Hangman Page b. Maxwell Jacob Friedman – Buckshot Lariat
Mercedes Mone b. Momo Watanabe – Bank Statement
Swerve Strickland b. Ricochet – Big Pressure
Kazuchika Okada b. Brody King – Rainmaker
Hurt Syndicate b. Outrunners – Spear to Magnum
Toni Storm b. Mariah May – Storm Zero through a table
Kenny Omega b. Konosuke Takeshita – Crucifix
Will Ospreay b. Kyle Fletcher – Tiger Driver 91
Jon Moxley b. Christian Cage and Cope – Bulldog choke to Cage

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