Dynamite
Date: March 4, 2026
Location: Don Haskins Center, El Paso, Texas
Commentators: Tony Schiavone, Excalibur

We’re just over a week away from Revolution and that should make for a solid push towards the pay per view. Last week saw the announcement that MJF would defend the World Title against Hangman Page at the pay per view in a Texas Deathmatch. Other than that, we have the Women’s Title on the line as Thekla defends against Thunder Rosa. Let’s get to it.

Here is Collision if you need a recap.

We run down the card.

We look back at Collision, with Kevin Knight interrupting Hangman Page and getting himself a World Title match as a result.

AEW World Title: Kevin Knight vs. Maxwell Jacob Friedman

Knight, with Mike Bailey, is challenging. MJF shoves him during the Big Match Intros and they trade armdrags, along with explanations of what armdrags happen to be. Back up and Knight grabs some armdrags into an armbar, followed by a running shoulder for two. Another armbar is broken up and MJF hits him in the face, only to get stomped down in the corner.

It’s way too early for the UFO Splash though and MJF knocks him down again, meaning it’s time to pose. MJF starts in on the ribs and sends him hard into the corner, leaving Knight in trouble. Back up and MJF charges into a shot in the corner, allowing Knight to come back with a middle rope elbow. A dropkick into a splash gives Knight two but it’s still too early for the UFO Splash.

Instead Knight hits a big dive onto the floor and they go back inside, where MJF rolls outside again. Back in again and MJF drops the bad ribs across the top rope but Knight is fine enough to hit a quick DDT for two. They both need a breather before getting up for a pinfall reversal sequence and a series of near falls. MJF bails to the floor and gets taken down by a running dive as we take a break.

We come back with MJF whipping him into the barricade but Knight scores with a moonsault. The UFO Splash is broken up again (you might want to try something else dude) but Knight knocks him off the top. Now the UFO Splash connects, only for MJF to kick the referee so it’s a rather delayed near fall. Another UFO Splash hits raised knees and MJF grabs the Heatseeker to retain at 16:57.

Rating: B+. This match had solid action with a good story, as Knight kept trying to hit his big move but MJF was just too smart for him. That’s because Knight is still new at this level and isn’t ready for MJF’s tricks. Knight still came close to pulling it off though and that made MJF sweat, which worked well for a one off title match.

Post match MJF loads up the diamond ring but Hangman Page pops up for a distraction, allowing Bailey to kick him in the face.

Orange Cassidy/Darby Allin vs. The Dogs

Unfortunately it’s not Will Ferrara and Rhett Titus, but rather Clark Connors and Gabe Kidd, with the brawl starting fast in the aisle. The Dogs take over, with Allin being sent into the steps but fighting back with a running dropkick. A hanging choke knocks Cassidy silly, allowing Connors to run up the steps and spear him into the timekeeper’s area.

Allin and Kidd get inside for the opening bell (because the stuff before said bell was fine), with Kidd dropping him for an early break. We come back with Allin not being able to get over to the corner for the tag to Cassidy. Instead he’s sent outside and right back inside, where he strikes away at Connors from his knees.

With nothing else working, Allin whips off his belt and sweeps the legs, allowing Cassidy to come in and clean house. A top rope clothesline hits Kidd but the Beach Break is broken up. Kidd knocks Allin off the apron and clotheslines Cassidy, who is back with a Stundog Millionaire. Allin is back up with a Coffin Drop to the floor onto both of them, setting up the Orange Punch to pin Connors at 7:14.

Rating: B-. They were working rather quickly here and it was nice to have a straight tag match rather than the usual street fight or tornado rules. Cassidy and Allin are almost a dream team in AEW and having them fight off the new rather aggressive heels is a good way to go. That being said, the Dogs winning here would make more sense, especially with Cassidy being banged up before the match.

Post match David Finlay (a friend of the Dogs) debuts to attack Cassidy and Allin. A shillelagh to the head knocks Allin silly and the villains stand tall.

Bandido and Andrade El Idolo meet in the back but Andrade isn’t impressed enough for a selfie. There is no mention of this being for the Ring Of Honor World Title.

Brawling Birds vs. IInspiration

The IInspiration (Jessie McKay/Cassie Lee) are debuting (at least on television) and try to dance before the match, earning themselves a jump start from the Birds. The Birds hit stereo chops in the corner and it’s a backbreaker into a clothesline to put Jessie down. Two Birds One Stone gives us a double pin on the IInspiration for the pin at 1:28. Well that worked. I was worried that the Birds would lose here so nice surprise.

IMG Credit: All Elite Wrestling

Hangman Page vs. Marty Smith

Buckshot Lariat at 10 seconds.

Post match Page says he wants to teach MJF a lesson, but he has no conscience in Texas Death. If MJF wants to use the diamond ring on someone, come use it on him. Cue MJF to say he already has to listen to Page at the press conference but he has to do it now? Cue the Don Callis Family to jump Page from behind until Jet Speed run in with chairs for the save. This brings out Callis to say Jet Speed and Page want too many titles, so they should put the Trios Titles up tonight. Oh and he’s talked to Tony Khan and the match is already made.

Earlier today, FTR, with Stokely Hathaway, sat down with the Young Bucks, saying that they can prove that they’re the greatest team of this generation at Revolution. The Bucks want revenge for their family but they want to do it in front of their family at the pay per view. The brawl is nearly on but FTR agrees to walk away, only for Harwood to punch Brandon Cutler, who wasn’t part of the no contact agreement.

Jon Moxley vs. Hechicero

Non-title. They go to the mat to start with Hechicero dropping an elbow on the mat. Moxley slips out and dances a bit (as Hechicero had done as well) before going to a Kimura. Back up and they trade running shoulders, with Hechicero knocking him into the corner. Moxley bites the finger and hits a running clothesline, followed by sending Hechicero over for a Flair Flip. Hechicero is able to snap the arm across the top rope though and we take a break.

We come back with Hechicero slipping out of a fireman’s carry but getting caught in a Tower Of London to send him to the apron. That just lets Hechicero tie the leg up in the ropes, though the leg is fine enough to hit a superplex. Hechicero is able to reverse a choke into one of his own before getting switched into a cross armbreaker.

That’s reversed into a kneebar, which sends Moxley crawling over to the ropes. They slug it out until Hechicero hits a jumping enziguri, only to get caught with the big clothesline. Hechicero is back with a rolling cradle (with his legs wrapped around Moxley’s head) for two but gets Stomped right back down. That earns Moxley a double middle finger, so Moxley knees him in the head and hits the Death Rider to retain at 14:43.

Rating: B. This was the weekly “Moxley has a good match on his way to the big match” match and that’s not a bad thing. Moxley has been doing rather well as of late, though I’m not sure how long this Death Riders vs. Don Callis Family feud can continue if Moxley keeps running through members of the Family. At least it isn’t Callis talking though, and that makes things better.

Post match Konosuke Takeshita comes out for a staredown with Moxley.

Here is an unscheduled Brody King for a chat. He wants to prove how dangerous he is to Swerve Strickland but gets Prince Nana instead. Nana asks if King wants to do this and upon hearing a yes, Nana waves Swerve out but Swerve jumps King from behind with a chain. Swerve hangs King with the chain and agrees to the match at Revolution. Bandido makes the save.

Wheeler Yuta, with the Death Riders, shows off his quickly recovering hair and credits the team for keeping him going. Marina Shafir doesn’t like Toni Storm and Jon Moxley is ready for Konosuke Takeshita at Revolution.

IMG Credit: All Elite Wrestling

Women’s Title: Thunder Rosa vs. Thekla

Rosa is challenging and the seconds (Kris Statlander and the Sisters Of Sin) actually go to the back after showing up at the entrances. Thekla tells her to take a shot and gets slapped in the face, allowing Rosa to chop away in the corner. Rosa teases a running knee but Thekla rolls outside, where Rosa gets to chop away against the barricade. A running crossbody hits Thekla as well and a running crotch attack in the ropes makes it worse. Thekla is right back up with a big boot and a double stomp to the back as we take a break.

We come back with Rosa fighting up but getting caught in the upside choke in the ropes. A jumping Stunner gives Rosa a breather and she hits some running clotheslines in the corner. Rosa’s northern lights suplex gets two but Thekla catches her up top to trade forearms. The spider superplex drops Rosa again and the spear connects, only for Thekla to pull her up at two. A cutter gets Rosa out of trouble and a sitout Tombstone gets two more. Rosa misses a charge though and it’s a spear into a pair of stomps to retain the title at 11:08.

Rating: B. This was a nice, hard hitting match and a good way for Thekla to get to retain the title. Beating Rosa still feels like a big deal and that’s the kind of way to make her feel more important. Thekla has grown by leaps and bounds in recent weeks and I’m starting to look forward to seeing her on the shows. That’s a great sign for her, and she could get a lot better rather quickly.

Post match the Sisters come out so here is Statlander to go after them, with Thekla bailing.

We look back at last week’s main event.

Jack Perry talks about beating Ricochet for a third time so it’s going to be time to end the war soon. WHAT WAR??? He’s beaten you twice in title matches. What is the point of this continuing?

Oh and Ricochet isn’t worried. As he shouldn’t be with his record against Perry thus far.

Here is Tommaso Ciampa for a chat. He wants to get straight to the point of Kyle Fletcher, who gave the title an unapproved makeover. Fletcher knows he’ll lose the next time they face off and if that means he has to face Mark Briscoe first, so be it. Cue FTR to hug Ciampa and offer him a spot taking over the company. Ciampa says they hated each other years ago and there is no reason for that to have changed. There’s no non-contact clause here so Ciampa chops Harwood and it sounds like we have a singles match at Collision.

Toni Storm storms into the trainer’s room, where Orange Cassidy is recovering. They’re going to fight the Death Riders next week and at Revolution.

Trios Titles: Don Callis Family vs. Hangman Page/Jet Speed

The Family (Kazuchika Okada/Kyle Fletcher/Mark Davis) is challenging and Excalibur makes sure to remind us that Okada is the greatest tournament wrestler ever. I’m not sure why as this isn’t a tournament, but then again it’s a pretty stupid accolade in the first place. The champs charge in to start fast (with the bell ringing almost four minutes after the show is scheduled to go off the air) as I wonder why this match is able to start with a brawl on the floor when the Dogs vs. Cassidy/Allin wasn’t.

Bailey’s running hurricanrana takes Fletcher down to start and it’s off to Davis, who takes Bailey down in a hurry. Some knees to the chest have Bailey in trouble but he manages to small package Fletcher for two. That’s enough for the tag off to Page as everything breaks down. Back in and a triple dropkick hits Fletcher and the champs all rain down right hands in various corners. Fletcher is able to send Knight off the top, with the bad ribs landing on the barricade.

We take a break (over nine minutes into the over run) and come back with Knight hitting a jumping clothesline but getting dragged back into the corner. Bailey breaks up a cover off a dropkick and Knight manages to get over for the tag. That means Bailey can hit the big moonsault to Fletcher on the floor and kick Davis down for two.

The moonsault knees get two on Fletcher and Bailey kicks Okada in the head to break up the Rainmaker. Page and Davis come in to slug it out with the Deadeye connecting and Fletcher making the save. Bailey reverses Fletcher’s lawn dart into a poisonrana and Page drops Davis with a series of clotheslines. Cue MJF to take Page out though and the Rainmaker hits Knight. Davis’ piledriver finishes Knight for the titles at 13:47.

Rating: B. It was another good match, though my goodness it came at the end of a show that was way too long. The best thing here though was that they got the titles off the latest makeshift champions and onto a team who might actually team together on a regular basis. Hopefully that is the case for a good while, as it might actually let the titles be featured (because they absolutely have to exist).

Overall Rating: B+. Here’s the thing: this show had a lot of good wrestling and it did a nice job of setting up Revolution, but it felt like they were just stretching things out for the sake of making the show longer. Some of the matches could have had a few minutes cut out or just move a few things to either Collision or next week. Seeing that the show was going about eighteen minutes over the regular run time for the third week out of four didn’t make me excited, but rather think “here we go again”. Let the good stuff be good and trim out some of the less important stuff already, because adding in that much extra time isn’t helping.

Now, as for the good stuff on the show, you had a really solid opener, a nice performance from the Brawling Birds, another good Moxley match and the double main event. As usual, AEW does well when it focuses on the in-ring side of things, which was more the case here. Just work a bit harder on getting the timing under control (and yes I know it isn’t going to happen) and things will be even better.

Results
Maxwell Jacob Friedman b. Kevin Knight – Heatseeker
Orange Cassidy/Darby Allin b. The Dogs – Orange Punch to Connors
Brawling Birds b. IInspiration – Double pin
Hangman Page b. Marty Smith – Buckshot Lariat
Jon Moxley b. Hechicero – Death Rider
Thekla b. Thunder Rosa – Stomp
Don Callis Family b. Hangman Page/Jet Speed – Piledriver to Knight

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

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

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

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

Here is Collision if you need a recap.

Mina Shirakawa wants the TBS Title.

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

Megan Bayne says she deserves gold.

Swerve Strickland needs to beat Kenny Omega.

Omega says Strickland is in his way.

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

IMG Credit: All Elite Wrestling

Jon Moxley vs. Mark Davis

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

IMG Credit: All Elite Wrestling

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

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

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

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

Video on Grand Slam.

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

IMG Credit: All Elite Wrestling

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hook wants to bring some new members into the Opps.

IMG Credit: All Elite Wrestling

Brawling Birds vs. B3cca/Viva Van

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

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

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

Kevin Knight vs. The Beast Mortos

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

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

Video on Will Ospreay.

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

Swerve Strickland vs. Kenny Omega

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Dynamite
Date: February 4, 2026
Location: Pearl Theater At Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada
Commentators: Excalibur, Tony Schiavone

We’re out west this week and the big question now is who gets the next title shot against MJF. While we have something of a tournament for the title shot going on at the moment, this week will also feature Brody King vs. MJF in a Proving Ground match. Other than that, the Grand Slam Australia show needs to start coming together. Let’s get to it.

Here is Collision if you need a recap.

The venue looks small but in a good way, with some cool balconies and a closer feel.

MJF, Brody King, Kenny Omega, Don Callis, the Babes Of Wrath, Penelope Ford and Megan Bayne are all ready to fight tonight. Well Callis says his goons are at least.

Death Riders vs. Don Callis Family

Garcia takes Alexander down by the leg to start and then drops him with a running shoulder. That means it’s off to Pac vs. Clon, with the former grabbing a headlock takeover but Clon breaks it up without much trouble. Takeshita and Moxley come in for the exchange of forearms and everything breaks down in a hurry.

We settle down to Takeshita being sent into the corner so the Riders can take turns striking away. A backdrop sends Pac outside though and Takeshita suplexes Moxley into the corner. That’s enough for the tag off to Clon, who is German suplexed by Pac. Everything breaks down again and we take a break.

We come back with Alexander’s northern lights suplex dropping Pac for two, followed by a Regal Roll. Pac avoids a middle rope knee though and the diving tag brings in Moxley to forearm it out with Takeshita. Moxley gets the better of things and cutters a diving Clon out of the air. Garcia Dragontamers Takeshita but it’s broken up, meaning it’s time for a dive from each team. Takeshita Blue Thunder Bombs Garcia for two and a wheelbarrow slam drops him again. Raging Fire finishes Garcia at 13:18.

Rating: B. This was the kind of wild brawl that AEW tends to do rather well and that was the situation again here. In theory this continues the road to Takeshita vs. Moxley, which is certainly a big time match. That would make for a fine main event at Grand Slam and given the timing, that very well may be where it’s going.

Swerve Strickland doesn’t want to talk about his loss last week but Prince Nana with an Embassy towel, says they aren’t going anywhere.

We run down the card.

Video on Will Ospreay, who is working to come back.

Orange Cassidy/Toni Storm vs. Jordan Oasis/Brittnie Brooks

Oasis was formerly a regular on WWE Evolve and Storm is in denim ala Cassidy. Speaking of Cassidy, he puts his hands in his pockets to start and takes over on Oasis with a flying mare. Brooks comes in and shouts a lot but gets caught with a German suplex. Everything breaks down and, after some dancing from Cassidy and Storm, it’s a tornado DDT to plant Brooks. The running hip attack hits Oasis and the Orange Punch finishes Oasis at 2:52. Total squash for the sake of showcasing the entertaining Cassidy/Storm pair.

Post match Cassidy and Storm aren’t sure if it was a good idea to accept the hair vs. hair match because they both like their hair. But it’s ok, and either Cassidy is giving Yuta a makeover or Marina Shafir will look like Mox.

Darby Allin skateboarded into the show (of course) but was attacked by the War Dogs (Clark Connors/Gabe Kidd). This involved throwing him in the trunk of a car and driving away.

Hangman Page vs. Mark Davis

Page jumps him to start but Davis fires off some chops. A missed charge sends Davis crashing over the top though and Page rams him into the announcers’ table. Page is crushed against the barricade though and we take a break. We come back with Davis blocking a sunset bomb but getting pulled off the ropes for two instead. Some triangle clotheslines don’t knock Davis off the apron and he sits on Page’s chest to block a sunset bomb.

Davis misses a charge into the barricade, allowing Page to hit a moonsault for two back inside. Davis’ Razor’s Edge is countered into a hurricanrana for two but he’s right back with a heck of a clothesline. An exchange of clotheslines goes to Davis but Page grabs the Deadeye for two more. The Buckshot Lariat is blocked so Page Tombstones him on the ramp and now the Buckshot can finish Davis at 11:24.

Rating: B-. Well, it’s kind of a shame but it seems that Davis’ run is over due to Doyle’s injury. After becoming part of a nice power team, Davis is right back to doing what he was doing before. I’m not sure what is next for him, but right now his future isn’t looking so bright. Page is on his way to Australia to fight for a title shot, which is about where he should be right now.

Post match Page says he hopes to face Kenny Omega, but he’s coming for MJF and the World Title at Revolution.

Video on Kevin Knight.

Kenny Omega vs. Andrade El Idolo

The winner faces Hangman Page in Australia for the Revolution title shot and Don Callis/Lance Archer are here with Andrade. They chop it out to start until a knee sends Andrade outside. A One Winged Angel on the floor is blocked though and Andrade suplexes him out there instead. Back in and Andrade takes his shirt off but gets caught on top for some headbutts.

Omega’s superplex gets two and the You Can’t Escape moonsault connects for the same. Andrade is right back with Three Amigos, with the third connecting on the floor. A springboard corkscrew dive to the floor drops Omega again and Andrade poses with some attractive fans as we take a break.

We come back with Andrade grabbing a Figure Four, which is turned over so the rope is grabbed for the break. They slug it out from their knees until Omega snaps off a snapdragon, followed by the V Trigger in the corner. A super One Winged Angel is countered as well and a hammerlock DDT gives Andrade two.

The running knees in the corner crush Omega for another two and it’s time to chop it out again. A quick V Trigger drops Andrade but he scores with the discus elbow. The screwdriver is thrown in but Swerve Strickland runs out to take it away. The distraction lets Andrade hit Omega low and the DM gives Andrade the pin at 16:33.

Rating: B. At first I wasn’t wild on having to see another Andrade match, but that might be more about not wanting to hear from Callis until Australia is done. I’m good with the idea of Andrade getting built up to face Page for the title shot, as there are far worse ideas. At the same time, this could set up Omega vs. Swerve, which sounds pretty intriguing. Just don’t let Callis talk as much maybe?

Post match Omega and Swerve have to be held apart, which makes sense.

Video on Brody King.

Kris Statlander gets to pick the stipulation for her rematch with Thekla next week…but she’ll tell us on Collision. That fits well as Collision’s main story tends to be “announcing things for Dynamite”.

Babes Of Wrath vs. Penelope Ford/Megan Bayne

Non-title but if Ford and Bayne win, they get a future title shot. Ford and Cameron start things off but they both tag rather than do anything. Bayne takes over until Nightingale whips the villains into each other, with Cameron being dropped onto Ford for two. It’s back to Bayne to take over on Nightingale and a super hurricanrana sends her to the floor. Bayne’s big dive connects and we take a break.

We come back with Nightingale Pouncing Bayne, allowing the tag to Cameron. House is cleaned for a big, only for Ford to knock her down again. Cameron catches Bayne up top and a double superplex brings her crashing right back down. Ford hits a double running Blockbuster and all four of them are down. Nightingale’s spinebuster gets two on Bayne, who throws Ford at Nightingale for a cutter. The Doomsday Device finishes Cameron at 9:35.

Rating: C+. I’m still not wild on seeing the champions lose, especially without cheating, but at least we have a title match set up. Ford and Bayne don’t feel like the next big bad team and I’m still not sure why Bayne isn’t going after a singles title. At least the double champion didn’t get pinned here, but that’s only so much better.

Video on Tommaso Ciampa winning the TNT Title from Mark Briscoe in a heck of a match.

Ciampa issues an open challenge for Collision and has dubbed his title Silvie.

Here’s what’s coming on Collision.

IMG Credit: All Elite Wrestling

National Title: Ricochet vs. Jack Perry

Ricochet, actually without the Gates Of Agony, is defending. Perry jumps him on the ramp before the bell and knocks him to the floor to start fast. They get inside with Perry hammering away but Ricochet is back with a shot of his own to take over. Some right hands wake Perry up a bit and he knocks Ricochet outside, where he drops Perry onto the announcers’ table.

We take a break and come back with Perry knocking him outside again for a running flip dive. Back in and Ricochet suplexes him on the mat, then onto the apron, and then adds a Death Valley Driver on the floor. The belt is thrown inside so the referee takes it away, only for Ricochet’s low blow to be blocked.

A poisonrana and cutter give Perry two and it’s off to the Snare Trap. Perry has to let it go when Ricochet gets too close to the ropes but here are the Gates Of Agony to pull Ricochet to said rope. Cue the Young Bucks to cut them off, only for Perry to be sent into the belt. Vertigo retains the title at 13:26.

Rating: B-. That makes two losses in title matches to Ricochet, who got pinned to set those matches up. Unfortunately that’s dipping into the old WWE style of setting up title shots and that’s less than great. Ricochet cheating to win is a fine way to go for him, but don’t have him lose so much on the way there. It just makes him look weak, which doesn’t need to happen so often.

The War Dogs have taken over the production truck and make us watch them dragging Darby Allin behind their car in the desert. Yeah Allin gets beaten up and hurt in some wacky stunt. I absolutely do not care anymore.

Maxwell Jacob Friedman vs. Brody King

Non-title but if King wins, he gets a title shot in Australia. They stare at each other to start, Hangman Page shows up, King chokes MJF out and the Cannonball into the Ganso Bomb finishes MJF at 1:19. That’s the whole match. It’s certainly different and I do like it, though having two champions lose to set up title matches on the same show is a bit much.

Post match Andrade El Idolo comes in to drop King but Page takes Andrade out. MJF kicks Page low but walks into another Ganso Bomb to end the show. They pretty much didn’t need to include any of this post match stuff.

Overall Rating: B. It definitely wasn’t boring and it set up the main core of the Grand Slam card. That’s the most important thing they can do at the moment and they did it well enough. The show is feeling like a mini PPV and having MJF defend against King feels like a good In Your House level main event. I liked this well enough, though I’m completely over Allin’s shtick anymore. Good show which did its job.

Results
Don Callis Family b. Death Riders – Raging Fire to Garcia
Orange Cassidy/Toni Storm b. Jordan Oasis/Brittnie Brooks – Orange Punch to Oasis
Hangman Page b. Mark Davis – Buckshot Lariat
Andrade El Idolo b. Kenny Omega – DM
Penelope Ford/Megan Bayne b. Babes Of Wrath – Doomsday Device to Cameron
Ricochet b. Jack Perry – Vertigo
Brody King b. Maxwell Jacob Friedman – Ganso Bomb

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

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Collision
Date: June 21, 2025
Location: ShoWare Center, Kent, Washington
Commentators: Tony Schiavone, Nigel McGuinness

We’re back stateside after a pretty fun show down in Mexico City. Things are starting to shape up for All In and there is a good chance that tonight will be focused on that show as well. Then again Collision is not often the show that gets the build for the pay per views so it might be a case of waiting until Dynamite. Let’s get to it.

Here is Dynamite if you need a recap.

Stokely Hathaway says his men are ready for their eight man tag tonight.

Jon Moxley vs. AR Fox

Non-title and Wheeler Yuta is here with Moxley. Fox ducks a clothesline to start and hits a quick jumping enziguri but Moxley drops him with a right hand. They go outside with Moxley getting in another shot, only to get caught with a running hanging DDT back inside. Fox knocks him outside for a running moonsault but Moxley gets in a crotching on top.

Moxley rakes the back and bites the ear, setting up a reverse Rings of Saturn to send Fox to the ropes. Back up and Fox kicks him to the floor for the big dive, followed by a pair of cutters back inside. Moxley isn’t having that and hits a heck of a clothesline into a Gotch style piledriver. Some big shots into the rear naked choke finishes for Moxley at 5:46.

Rating: B-. Fox has grown on me at a rapid pace in the last few months and that was on full display again here. There is something fun about watching Fox do his flips and dives as he is unique enough to make them stand out. Of course he wasn’t going to beat the champion, but at least he had a good time getting there.

Post match Moxley gives him a Death Rider before grabbing a mic. Moxley says he’s been watching Hangman Page waste his chances and his talents for years. He doesn’t have the same patience that these people have and promises to run Page out of the sport at All In. This business is not for Page. Moxley kept it short here and that’s better for everyone.

Various people talk about how special/important it was to be in Arena Mexico. It certainly seemed to be a great night so well done on having such a success.

Adam Cole and company are ready for their eight man tag.

Don Callis Family/FTR vs. Bandido/Daniel Garcia/Paragon

Bandido and Harwood start things off but Takeshita grabs Bandido from the apron. That doesn’t seem to bother Bandido who hits a quick dropkick and hands it off to Strong. Takeshita comes in to take him into the corner and chop away before it’s Fletcher gets to hammer Strong down. Strong is fine enough to get over for the tag to Garcia, who is caught in the wrong corner as well. Harwood’s chinlock doesn’t last long and the needed tag brings in Bandido to clean house. FTR cuts off a dive though and sends Bandido face first into the announcers’ table as we take a break.

Back with Bandido hitting a top rope corkscrew crossbody to Harwood and it’s back to Cole to pick the pace up again. A Backstabber gets two on Fletcher and everything breaks down with a string of knockdowns. Back to back top rope splashes set up an exchange of shots to the face. Cole brainbusters Fletcher onto the knee and they all get up for the big slugout. The Shatter Machine is broken up but so is Chasing The Dragon. Fletcher superkicks Strong into the Shatter Machine for the pin at 11:58.

Rating: B-. This was another fast paced tag match from teams who know how to wrestle that style. Everyone got to do a little something, though I was expecting more involving Bandido. It isn’t that what he did was bad, but we have less than three weeks before Supercard Of Honor and he doesn’t even an opponent yet.

Post match the winners beat them down again but the Outrunners make the save.

Thunder Rosa and company are ready for the eight women’s tag.

Athena tells her partners to get it together for tonight.

Mercedes Mone, now with six belts, tells Toni Storm to bring it because Storm’s time is ticking.

Swerve Strickland vs. Shane Taylor

Prince Nana and the rest of Shane Taylor Promotions are here too. Strickland starts fast by knocking him out to the floor but tries to get into a slugout. This goes rather badly as the much bigger Taylor drops him to the apron without much effort. Strickland slips out of a Death Valley Driver but takes too long trying a powerbomb, earning himself a splash on the apron.

We take a break and come back with Strickland hitting a springboard dropkick to the leg. Taylor is fine enough to hit a hard knee but goes up for some reason, allowing Strickland to super Angle Slam him back down. The Swerve Stomp to the apron connects but Strickland has to dive onto the Promotions to save Nana. Back in and the House Call finishes for Strickland at 9:10.

Rating: C+. I’ve said it many times now, but there comes a point where there is nothing left to get out of Taylor if he is used this way over and over. He gets these short term runs where he says it’s time to take him seriously or whatever and then he loses, starting the process over again. Why should I take him seriously if no one else does?

We look at Toni Storm stalking Mercedes Mone at Grand Slam.

Storm, looking rather Carmen Sandiegoish, was told that the match between herself and Mone would be huge, but Mone has done nothing but eat steak and try to kiss her. This doesn’t work for Storm, because if Mone makes one wrong move, she’ll eat Mone alive. She knew that Mone was special but Storm is a “manic, neurotic, erotic, sexually questionable, consistently sweating, bottom heavy trans-Atlantic w****.”

She makes magic happen when the title is in her bosom and unless Mone can pull a rabbit from her censored, Mone is going to have to kill her. You know what you’re getting from the match at this point and I’m worried about them burning out the interest by the time we get to All In.

Conglomeration vs. MxM Collection/Taya Valkyrie

That would be Mark Briscoe/Willow Nightingale/Hologram. The women start things off with Valkyrie getting to strut a bit but Nightingale knocks her down. Hologram and Madden come in with the former hitting a dropkick into the corner. A springboard missile dropkick sends Mason outside and it’s off to Mansoor. Hologram is sent outside though, where Mason gets in a spinning Boss Man Slam as we take a break.

Back with Hologram grabbing a satellite DDT, allowing the tag off to Briscoe. Everything breaks down and Hologram gives Mansoor the spinning torture rack powerbomb. Stereo dives take out the other two and Briscoe drops the Froggy Bow for the pin on Mansoor at 8:30.

Rating: C+. This has been the latest “Hologram gets another win which changes absolutely nothing about what he is doing around here because that is what he does” (patent pending) match. It’s the same (entertaining) stuff time after time and after all these months, it would be nice for AEW to do SOMETHING with him. Otherwise, it makes me wonder why so many others are getting a chance before him, as the internal logic is questionable at times.

Kris Statlander is frustrated about not being in the eight woman tag match. Wheeler Yuta comes in to mock her but she tells him to get out. Jon Moxley comes in and Statlander gets scared, but Moxley says never let anyone tell you what you’re worth.

Here is Don Callis with his Family for a chat. Callis gets straight to the point: Kazuchika Okada has joined the Family. We look at their beatdown of Kenny Omega last week, with Tony Schiavone being rather sick at the whole thing. Callis mocks Schiavone and calls out Omega, who is against the wall and all alone at All In.

Cue Mark Briscoe to interrupt, saying he’s Omega’s friend. He’s not the only friend though, and Kota Ibushi is back. Ibushi gets in the ring and kicks Josh Alexander in the head before slugging it out with Okada. Ibushi easily clears the ring and is at least a bit more enthusiastic than he was before. Again though: why does Omega vs. Okada need anything extra? It sells itself, and having all this other stuff around sounds like an unnecessary addition.

We come back from a break with Big Bill/Bryan Keith brawling with the Workhorsemen on the floor. Bill and Keith get the better of things, including a chokeslam onto four open chairs. Cue Christian Cage and the Patriarchy, saying he doesn’t like this kind of a brawl taking up his television time. Cage is proud of Nick Wayne, and thinks it’s time for he and his son to become Tag Team Champions. Bill mocks Mother Wayne’s promiscuity and wants to fight right now. Cage suggests that Bill is drunk and hits his catchphrase.

Anthony Bowens yells at Billy Gunn for his recent losses. Things don’t seem to be going well.

Jet Speed vs. Gates Of Agony

Ricochet is on commentary. Bailey and Kaun start things off with Bailey’s dropkick sending him into the ropes. Liona comes in for a headlock and quickly hands it back to Kaun so Knight comes in with some armdrags. The rolling spinning splash only hits Kaun’s raised knees though and Liona sends Knight into the barricade. Ricochet certainly seems to improve as we take a break.

Back with Knight getting over for the tag to Bailey, who misses a running shooting star press. Liona is back up with a fall away slam/Samoan drop combination but Knight breaks up Open The Gates. Knight hits a double DDT, which brings Ricochet to his feet. Bailey hits a big dive out to the floor, only for Kaun to grab his fireman’s carry gutbuster for two back inside. Bailey is right back with his tornado kick though, setting up the spinning top rope splash to give Knight the pin on Kaun at 10:00.

Rating: C+. The Gates Of Agony are pretty much the tag team version of Shane Taylor and I don’t really mean that in the best way. They’re a fine monster team, but when that monster team hasn’t won anything in a good while and often lose against any level of competition, it’s not going to help their prospects. Bailey and Knight are fine as a midcard tag team and thankfully that’s about all they seem to be at the moment.

Thekla/Athena/Megan Bayne/Penelope Ford vs. Queen Aminata/Anna Jay/Tay Melo/Thunder Rosa

It’s a brawl to start until Aminata and Ford are quickly left in the ring. We get the parade of knockdowns until Rosa and Athena wind up on the apron. With everyone else on the floor, Aminata and Ford hit stereo dives as we take a break. Back with Athena and Bayne having a staredown (despite being partners) so Thekla goes Upside Down on Aminata. Melo and Jay come in to double team Bayne, who suplexes both of them without much trouble.

Rosa and Athena slug it out until Athena scores with an enziguri. A parade of secondary finishes sees Thekla DDT Bayne for two. Thekla hits a spear on Bayne and Athena piledrives Aminata but Rosa is up with a spinning Death Valley Driver. Billie Starkz gets on the apron for a distraction though and ROH TV Champion Red Velvet runs out to give Athena her title. Athena decks Rosa with the belt for the pin at 10:40.

Rating: C+. Much like Bandido, Athena still doesn’t have anything set up for Supercard Of Honor, though at least it seems like Rosa is going to be coming after her at the show. There is a good chance this sets up Billie Starkz coming after the Women’s TV Title to avenge her leader, though it would be great to have those matches actually announced. Other than that, it was nice to tie the tag team feud in with the ROH stuff to give the latter some more exposure, as they need all the help they can get at the moment.

The winners pose to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. While it was nice to see some bigger names in action, this felt like so many Collisions, in that it didn’t come off like a need to see show. Collision continues to be in that weird place where it feels like the quality is there but not the importance and that makes things a bit tough to get through at times. It’s certainly not a bad show, but it’s not a show that is required viewing if you want to keep up with what is going on in AEW. That is such a contract to Dynamite, where it feels like you’re behind if you miss five minutes. AEW might want to work on balancing that out a bit.

Results
Jon Moxley b. AR Fox – Rear naked choke
Don Callis/FTR b. Bandido/Daniel Garcia/Paragon – Shatter Machine to Strong
Swerve Strickland b. Shane Taylor – House Call
Conglomeration b. MxM Collection/Taya Valkyrie – Froggy Bow to Mansoor
Jet Speed b. Gates Of Agony – Spinning frog splash to Kaun
Thekla/Athena/Megan Bayne/Penelope Ford b. Queen Aminata/Anna Jay/Tay Melo/Thunder Rosa – Belt shot to Rosa

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: June 11, 2025
Location: Theater Of The Clouds At Moda Center, Portland, Oregon
Commentators: Nigel McGuinness, Tony Schiavone

It’s the second half of the four hour block and that means we could be in for an interesting show. You never quite know what you’re going to get with something like this and last week’s show did not feel like the strongest effort. Hopefully they can do a bit better this time around so let’s get to it.

Here is Dynamite if you need a recap.

We pick up where Dynamite left off, with Kenny Omega being loaded onto a stretcher but Kazuchika Okada, now a member of the Don Callis Family, gives him a top rope elbow. Then Okada drops another elbow off the apron to make Omega spit up blood. Callis and Omega jump into a waiting car to get away.

Kyle Fletcher vs. Anthony Bowens

Billy Gunn and Lance Archer are here too with Adam Cole on commentary. Fletcher poses to start and throws a crotch chop at Gunn so Bowens drives him into the corner and poses back. Bowens kicks him in the face and hits a running faceplant but gets knocked out to the floor. We take a break and come back with Bowens hitting the running Fameasser for two. They go outside where Bowens flips out of a powerbomb and drops him face first onto the apron.

Back in and a running clothesline gets two, followed by a DDT for the same. Fletcher superkicks him into a sitout Last Ride for two but Bowens’ twisting Side Effect gets the same. Fletcher needs a breather on the floor and Bowens hits a big dive, allowing Archer to take Gunn out. The distraction lets Fletcher hit a Helluva Kick into a brainbuster for the pin at 10:23.

Rating: C+. So Bowens gets built up for a bit and then loses every following match. I get that you need some fresh jobbers to the stars but Bowens felt like he was actually getting somewhere before this losing streak started. He has something to him and it would be nice to see that expand, but it isn’t exactly happening.

Video on MJF being the amazing American before his match next week in Mexico City against Mistico.

Spanish announcer Carlos Cabrera brings out Atlantis and Atlantis Jr. for a chat but FTR cuts them off. Stokely Hathaway runs down the two of them, plus everyone that has come after FTR. They’re ready to wrestle in Arena Mexico but don’t have a match yet. Dax Harwood makes fun of Atlantis for being old and the brawl is on, with a bunch of people running in. Atlantis rips Harwood’s shirt off and chases him away. I still do not get the appeal of Atlantis Jr.

Big Bill and Bryan Keith want fresh competition so here are the Workhorsemen of all people to take them up on it.

Julia Hart vs. Toni Storm

Non-title and Mercedes Mone is eating at ringside. Skye Blue is here with Hart and jumps Storm before the bell, earning an ejection. Storm gets in and says ring the bell so Hart trips her down and mostly hits the moonsault for two. Storm fights back and knocks her outside as we take a break. Back with Storm rolling the German suplexes, followed by a fisherman’s suplex for two. A chokebomb gives Storm two but Hart STO’s her down. Another moonsault misses though and Storm grabs the small package for the pin at 7:56.

Rating: C. This was a quick way for Storm to get a win before her showdown with Mone, which feels like Mone’s to win. Otherwise, it’s another loss for Hart, who isn’t quite sinking as low as Bowens from earlier but neither has the brightest future at the moment. Storm is rolling well enough though and that should make the big showdown that much better.

Post match Mone gets in the ring and whispers something in Storm’s ear before beating her down. Mina Shirakawa makes the save but gets taken down so Mone can hold up the title.

Ricochet is still looking for his perfect team. Blake Christian and Lee Johnson come in to offer their services. Ricochet isn’t overly impressed though and says they’re still missing something.

Mark Briscoe/Tomohiro Ishii/Willow Nightingale vs. MxM Collection/Taya Valkyrie

Johnny TV is here with the villains. Mansoor hurts himself chopping away Ishii to start so it’s off to Taya, who gets taken down by Nightingale. The basement crossbody has Valkyrie down so it’s off to Madden for a standing legdrop to Briscoe. The running hip attack hits Briscoe as everything breaks down.

Nightingale drops Valkyrie and she hits a middle rope dropkick to send Valkyrie outside. Back in and the men exchange some shots to the face until Briscoe escapes a Doomsday Device. Nightingale and Ishii double superplex Madden into Briscoe’s Froggy Bow. The Babe With The Powerbomb gives Nightingale the pin on Valkyrie at 5:15.

Rating: C+. Another short and to the point match here with Briscoe and company getting a win. None of them have much of note going on at the moment save for Nightingale possibly getting to face Kris Statlander again, but that’s only so big of a match. In other words, this felt right at home on Collision.

Kris Statlander is done with Willow Nightingale but Wheeler Yuta of all people comes off to offer advice. Statlander isn’t interested but gets in a staredown with Marina Shafir.

Bandido vs. The Beast Mortos

Non-title. Bandido runs the ropes to start but his hurricanrana is blocked. Instead Bandido sends him outside for the running dive but a frog splash misses back inside. Mortos starts ripping at the mask and Bandido is sent outside for a big spinning dive. We take a break and come back with Mortos missing a charge into the corner.

A rather spinning headscissors takes Mortos down and Bandido gets in his gorilla press. Now the frog splash connects for two but Mortos hits the pop up Samoan drop for two of his own. Back up and Bandido hits something like a GTS but Mortos catches him on top. The super flipping World’s Strongest Slam gives Bandido the pin at 11:50.

Rating: C+. It’s better than a loss but Bandido, again, has pretty much nothing going on at the moment. He doesn’t have a big feud for the Ring Of Honor World Title and that isn’t likely to change until just before their pay per view next month. Fun enough match, but nothing that stands out.

Mercedes Mone wants the CMLL Women’s World Title so champion Zeuxis comes in to accept, decking Mone in the process.

Hangman Page is interrupted by the Young Bucks, who suggest that they are all in on a big plan. Page wants nothing to do with that and tells them to stay out of everyone, including Will Ospreay and Swerve Strickland’s, business. Prince Nana and Swerve Strickland overhear everything. That might be your big plot point.

Thekla vs. Queen Aminata

Thekla moves around like a spider to start before getting faceplanted. A slap to the face annoys Aminata, who fires off some hair mares. Back up and Thekla snaps off a running headscissors as we take a break. We come back with Thekla grabbing a choke over the ropes but Aminata fires off some clotheslines.

A DDT/suplex plants Thekla again and Off With Her Head gives Aminata two. One heck of a headbutt drops Thekla again and a top rope double stomp connects to give Aminata two more. Back up and Thekla does her spider walk into a spear, setting up the Death Trap for the pin on Aminata at 11:28.

Rating: C+. Thekla has a little something with the spider deal but you’re only going to get so far in a match like this. Aminata is someone who has lost so many matches that it is a bit difficult to get invested in what she is doing. Also, again, Thekla is on in the fourth hour of a four hour block and that doesn’t make her seem overly interesting.

Nick Wayne receives a present from (the non-present) Christian Cage: a highlight package of his run in the Best Of The Super Juniors tournament. Kip Sabian says he doesn’t know where Wayne would be without Cage, which has Wayne confused.

We look back at Kenny Omega being attacked earlier in the night.

Daniel Garcia/Paragon vs. Hechicero/Don Callis Family

Hechicero takes Garcia down to start so Garcia dances at him and gets a quick two. Back up and Hechicero hits a running knee in the corner before it’s off to Cole to hammer on Takeshita. Paragon starts with the fast tags to work over Takeshita, who manages to get over to Archer. Everything breaks down and Archer cleans house as we take a break.

Back with O’Reilly knocking Alexander down, allowing the tag off to Garcia. A running clothesline hits Takeshita in the corner and Garcia hammers away. The fisherman’s neckbreaker gets two on Takeshita and we hit the Sharpshooter. That’s broken up and Strong comes in to clean a good bit of the house. The good guys all get submission holds but Archer breaks them up. O’Reilly low bridges Archer to the floor but Takeshita knocks Strong into a German suplex to give Alexander the pin at 11:59.

Rating: B-. Another technically fine match but neither of these teams feel overly exciting. It seems that we’re coming up on Cole defending the TNT Title against someone in the Don Callis Family and there certainly are options, but egads it would be nice to find a more interesting way to get there. The Paragon has felt like they have been spinning their wheels for months now and that isn’t a great sign.

Overall Rating: C+. Well, it wasn’t as dull as last week, but it still wasn’t overly interesting. This was another show that felt like it was just a bunch of stuff happening without much having that great of an impact. The wrestling wasn’t bad, but it’s not a show you really need to see for the most part. That makes for a tedious two hours, though it was a step up from last time.

Results
Kyle Fletcher b. Anthony Bowens – Brainbuster
Toni Storm b. Julia Hart – Small package
Mark Briscoe/Tomohiro Ishii/Willow Nightingale b. MxM Collection/Taya Valkyrie – Babe With The Powerbomb to Valkyrie
Thekla b. Queen Aminata – Death Trap
Hechicero/Don Callis Family b. Daniel Garcia/Paragon – German suplex to Strong

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: June 11, 2025
Location: Theater Of The Clouds At Moda Center, Portland, Oregon
Commentators: Excalibur, Ian Riccaboni, Taz

We’re back with another four hour block of AEW this week with Dynamite and Collision airing back to back under the name of Summer Blockbuster. Last week’s double length block ram out of steam in the end and hopefully they have paced it better this time. The big deal this week is Swerve Strickland vs. Will Ospreay so let’s get to it.

Here is Collision if you need a recap.

Christopher Daniels tells Hangman Page that he can’t fight the Death Riders on his own. Daniels says he has some friends who can help Page if he’ll make some amends, with Page seemingly thinking about it. The Death Riders follow Page.

Opening sequence.

There is a cool setup here with the commentary desk opposite the hard camera.

Will Ospreay vs. Swerve Strickland

Prince Nana is here with Strickland. The fans HOLY S*** the intro and Strickland offers a handshake, with Ospreay eventually agreeing. They actually fight over the handshake until Ospreay starts flipping around and grabbing an armdrag. Strickland misses a legsweep and we get an early standoff. Strickland gets in a shot to the face to bust Ospreay’s nose so he comes back with a running hurricanrana.

Ospreay grabs the hand and fires off some chops so Strickland knocks him down with a single shot to show things are a bit more serious. Back up and Ospreay sends him to the floor but Strickland sticks the landing. That sets up a missed slingshot dive and Strickland grabs a suplex for two back inside. The armbar goes on but Ospreay strikes his way out. The Phenomenal Forearm sends Strickland outside again and this time the Sasuke Special connects as we take a break.

Back with Ospreay knocking him down again but the Oscutter is countered with a neckbreaker (that was great). Another neckbreaker is broken up so Strickland superkicks him out to the floor. Back in and Ospreay is draped over the top rope for the double stomp to the back and two. A running knee and the Hidden Blade both miss so Strickland tries to pull him into a suplex. That’s reversed into the Stundog Millionaire and Strickland slaps on the short armscissors.

Ospreay powers out of that as well and the Cheeky Nandos Kick sets up the poisonrana. Now the Oscutter can connect for two and they both need a breather. Strickland heads outside so Ospreay Hidden Blades him through the ropes (ouch) and we take another break. Back again with Ospreay’s kicks to the head getting on Strickland’s nerves. They go up with Ospreay pulling him down by the arm before grabbing a triangle choke.

That’s reversed into a failed Styles Clash attempt so Strickland hits a (Hangman Page) Deadeye for two. A quick Hidden Blade gives Ospreay a near fall of his own but he can’t follow up. They get to their knees and slug it out, with Ospreay laughing and doing the British version of Hulking Up.

Strickland strikes him back down though and hits the Swerve Stomp for two but Ospreay gets in a shot to the face. The Stormbreaker gets two so Ospreay teases the Tiger Driver 91, which is countered into a Vertebreaker. Strickland kicks him out to the apron and loads up the Swerve Stomp to the apron…and the time limit expires at 30:00.

Rating: B+. Oh of course this was really good. These are two of the most talented stars in all of AEW and they had time to do a long match together. It was one of those things that was all but guaranteed to be awesome and they made it work very well. Odds are these two are going to team up sooner or later and this might have been the catalyst to make that happen.

Post match Strickland says he is in so much pain and he wants to finish the match. Strickland wants sudden death but here are the Death Riders instead (Ospreay didn’t get to answer Strickland’s challenge). They surround the ring but here are the Young Bucks to jump Strickland instead. The Bucks handcuff Strickland to the ropes and start firing off the superkick. The thumbtacks shoes are loaded up but Ospreay runs in and takes the bullet, allowing the Bucks to leave. And there is the moment that will get them together.

Kazuchika Okada…is cut off by Don Callis, who thinks some of his guys should be facing Kenny Omega. The Family comes in and Okada calls Callis b****. This story REALLY does not need Callis.

MVP shows us the Hurt Syndicate attacking Komander and taking his mask.

Mistico vs. Blake Christian

Lee Johnson is here as well. Christian flips him off to start and grabs an anklescissors. Mistico grabs the hand and goes up but gets pulled back down in a heap. Christian stomps away until Mistico comes back with a handspring elbow. A dive to the floor takes Christian out again, followed by a springboard high crossbody back inside. Johnson offers a distraction though and Christian kicks him down. Christian goes up top and gets caught with a super Spanish Fly to give Mistico the pin at 4:12.

Rating: C+. This was a weird way to go as Christian controlled most of the match and Mistico didn’t get to do much that made him stand out. I know he’s going to be getting the big moment next week in his home arena and he absolutely should, but this was the definition of “it was ok”. Mistico didn’t show anything special here and I’m not sure why they booked it this way.

Post match the Hurt Syndicate comes out so MJF can say he’ll face Mistico. For one night only, MJF is dusting off the red, white and blue because he is a patriot. The big American flag (with MJF faces instead of stars) and streamers fall but Mistico says he’ll see him next week in Arena Mexico. Mistico says something in Spanish, so MJF calls him Sloppy Sin Cara. The brawl is on so the Hurt Syndicate comes in, with Jet Speed (Mike Bailey/Kevin Knight) and Mascara Dorado coming in for the save.

Hurt Syndicate vs. Mascara Dorado/Jet Speed

MVP is on commentary and this was a scheduled match. The Syndicate jumps them to start and MJF punches Dorado down. Dorado gets in a shot of his own and hands it off to Bailey to fire off the kicks. A low bridge sends Dorado outside though and we take a break. Back with Dorado diving over for the needed tag off to Knight.

A spinning splash gives Knight two and we get a showdown with Jet Speed against the champs. Bailey is quickly planted with a spinebuster and it’s off to MJF, who spikes Bailey for two. Bailey fights up and brings in Dorado, who gets speared down by Lashley. Everything breaks down and Jet Speed clears the ring, setting up big dives to the floor. MVP gets in a cane shot to Bailey though and MJF’s lifting hammerlock DDT finishes at 11:24.

Rating: B-. I’m not sure about this Hurt Syndicate stuff with MJF, as after the “will they/won’t they” part was done, a lot of the intrigue was gone. Maybe they have a nice twist coming up, but there was only so much you could get out of this. Granted I’m always a sucker for seeing Bailey get beaten up.

Post match the Syndicate beats them down again and MJF takes Dorado’s mask. Cue Mistico to make MJF tap to La Mistica.

Here is Hangman Page for a chat…but the Death Riders jump him in the entrance. They beat him down and tape up his mouth (come on, he’s not that bad of a promo) before taking him to the ring. Jon Moxley apologizes for this in advance but wants a real conversation. This is Page’s time and All In is everything for him.

Moxley doesn’t like the millennial cowboy and Page has been searching for something for a long time. In four weeks, Page needs to step up and become what he is supposed to be or he can get out. Page lunches at him and gets beaten down so the Opps run in for the save. Page says he has come too far to just fall, and swears vengeance tonight. Well at least that should be something for Collision.

Megan Bayne/Penelope Ford vs. Tay Melo/Anna Jay

Jay wants and receives Bayne to start but then hands it off to Melo. Not that it matters as everything breaks down anyway and Ford pulls Melo to the floor. Melo gets sent into the steps, leaving Bayne to splash Jay in the corner. Jay slugs away at Ford to get out of trouble but gets booted down by Bayne as we take a break.

Back with Melo coming in to clean house, including a running knee for two on Ford. Melo fires off three running boots to Bayne and sends her outside, where Jay nails a middle rope dive. Back in and Jay chokes Bayne, leaving Melo to hit the TayKO (I think that’s what it was called at least) for the pin on Ford at 10:22.

Rating: C+. Remember like two months ago when Bayne was this brand new unstoppable force and looked like a can’t miss prospect? Well now she’s just the big strong woman in a tag match to get Melo over again after two years away. That’s not the best way to use her, but it happens to a lot of people in AEW. Hopefully this is just a short term thing though, because it feels like quite the waste of a great prospect.

We take a long look at Kenny Omega vs. Kazuchika Okada, focusing on their time in Japan. Eh if it’s all you’ve got.

Tony Schiavone is in the ring for the contract signing between Omega and Okada. With both champions present, we see the (rather nice) new unified title. Okada signs with no issue but Omega has something to say. Omega talks about how it is almost seven years since their last match and he barely recognizes himself in that video package. He wants them both to leave it all in the ring at All In and signs.

They shake hands and say some things that we can’t hear….and here is Don Callis. He wants one of his guys in the match but Omega says he’s beaten the Family and if they want a title shot, get back in line. This is Omega vs. Okada….and Okada hits Omega with the belt because he’s part of the Family. Okada hits him in the ribs with a rod and Omega does a stretcher job to end the show. Let me put this simply: No. No no. No no no, no no. No and may I add, NO. THIS DOES NOT NEED DON CALLIS. He doesn’t need to be involved in every thing that AEW does. Drop this as soon as possible because Okada vs. Omega doesn’t need him.

Overall Rating: B. The opener is more than good enough to carry this show as a fourth of the entire thing is on an awesome match. The six man was fine enough and the main event segment worked until Callis got in there. This was a good show overall, and while I don’t really want to see the second half of the night, at least they’re getting ready for All In and that’s what the focus needs to be on for a good while.

Results
Swerve Strickland vs. Will Ospreay went to a time limit draw
Mistico b. Blake Christian – Super Spanish Fly
Hurt Syndicate b. Mascara Dorado/Jet Speed – Lifting hammerlock DDT to Bailey
Anna Jay/Tay Melo b. Megan Bayne/Penelope Ford – TayKO to Ford

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: May 21, 2025
Location: Rio Ranchos Events Center, Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Commentators: Excalibur, Taz, Ian Riccaboni

It’s the last Dynamite before Double Or Nothing and that means it is time to put most of the final touches on the pay per view. Odds are that means something getting us ready for Anarchy In The Arena, plus a bunch of build towards the Owen Hart Cup finals. That should be more than enough to get us through the night so let’s get to it.

Here is Collision if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Tony Schiavone is in the ring and brings out Will Ospreay and Hangman Page for a chat. They agree to get physical and Ospreay has the security go to the back, though he does promise they’ll get paid (nice guy). He asks if Page still drinks and apologizes for the shot to the face last week. Ospreay has some beers brought in but puts his down and says he has an official request for Tony Khan: the two of them should be in the main event at Double Or Nothing.

That is a lot of pressure, but the winner goes on to All In and the winner has the responsibility of taking the World Title back. Ospreay flies around all the time and is jet lagged every Tuesday but puts on his crime fighting pants and says ring the bell. That’s what he wants more than anything else. He wants to be the World Champion at Forbidden Door in London, thirty minutes from his house.

More than that though, he wants his six year old to look at him as the World Champion. Ospreay knows Page wants it, but he wants it that much more. Page says that’s the difference between them. Ospreay wants it bad and Page has had that feeling before. There is no greater prize than being the World Champion, but for Ospreay, it could be a professional accomplishment.

It’s just that though: professional. Page calls it personal for him though because he doesn’t want it, but rather needs it. Page has not won anything in two years and those moments have killed him more every day. He needs his son to look at him and see his father and for his wife to look at him and see her husband. What he needs is for Ospreay to be wrong when he said it was “too little, too late” for Page.

Ospreay asks what Page is going to do about it. Wrap a chair around his skull? On Sunday, he is showing up and doing his best, which hasn’t been enough before. Yes he has lost but he has never given less than everything. Page asks if that is enough to beat Jon Moxley and the Death Riders but Ospreay doesn’t know. Ospreay asks if what Page is now is enough either.

The best of Ospreay has beaten a lot of people because he is the best in the world. Anything can happen when that bell rings and if Page wins and needs someone to have his back at All In, Ospreay has his back. He hopes Page will do the same if Ospreay wins, so meet him in the desert. They both drink the beers and stare hard at one another. They go up the aisle and get to the entrance at the same time for quite the staredown. This was GREAT, with both of them laying out why they want to win. I’m not sure who is going to win, but I’m almost more curious to see what happens when one of them loses.

Jon Moxley and Marina Shafir arrive, with Moxley saying the spoils will go to those who embrace the anarchy.

Jon Moxley/Young Bucks vs. Powerhouse Hobbs/Samoa Joe/Swerve Strickland

Marina Shafir and Prince Nana are here too. Joe and Moxley slug it out to start with Joe having to be held back. Hobbs and Matt come in with Hobbs running him over but not being able to hit the powerslam. Swerve comes in to backbreaker Nick and hits a neckbreaker as everything breaks down. Moxley’s dive is cut off by Hobbs so he dives onto Hobbs instead. The Bucks superkick Joe down but Swerve plants Matt and hits a dive to take him out as well. Now Joe can hit his suicide elbow as we take a break.

Back with Moxley hammering on Hobbs in the corner before going after the knee. For some reason Nick decides to slap Hobbs in the back, earning himself a World’s Strongest Slam. Swerve comes in to plant Nick, who avoids a running shot, allowing Matt to superkick Swerve down. Back in and an assisted Sliced Bread plants Swerve, who gets his knees up to cut off a Swanton. That’s still not enough for the tag though as Moxley is back in for a Crash Landing on Swerve.

Matt dives onto Joe and Hobbs, followed by Risky Business for two more. The hanging Swanton gets two on Swerve with Hobbs having to make the save this time. We take another break and come back again with Moxley’s piledriver (with a middle finger to the fans) getting two more. Something like the Rings Of Saturn bring the fans back to cheer Swerve so Moxley grabs a full nelson.

A headbutt drops Moxley and it’s Joe coming in to clean house, followed by Hobbs’ frog splash for two. Everything breaks down and the Bucks head fake Hobbs into a double DDT. Joe drops them with a double clothesline but Moxley is back in to take Joe down. Swerve gives Moxley the House call and adds a Swerve Stomp off the apron onto the Bucks. Back in and Hobbs busts out some spinebusters to clean house but Moxley is there to send him into Swerve. A double superkick puts Joe down but Swerve rolls Matt up for the pin at 21:17.

Rating: B. The length helped here, as the match had the time to build up rather than having to hurry through everything. As good as that part was though, it was another example of why the Bucks can be so annoying. Just like always, they got in all of their stuff, beat up just about everyone, and then lose on a fluke rollup. I’m sure they’ll get some kind of heat back later, because the Bucks just have to be part of everything no matter what.

Post match the Death Riders run in to beat the winners down but Katsuyori Shibata returns for the save. Marina Shafir cuts Shibata off with a low blow though so here is Willow Nightingale to Pounce Shafir. Kenny Omega runs in for the real save. A table is set up and Matt has to be saved from a One Winged Angel. The villains leave but Joe says they’re coming after them tonight.

The Hurt Syndicate says MJF should be the excited one tonight and he has a new suit for the occasion.

Here is the Hurt Syndicate to officially induct MJF into the team. MJF comes out and says his mom told him that the most important day of his life is the day you marry the love of your life. MJF: “It’s clear that that b**** never joined the Hurt Syndicate!” MJF and MVP take turns mocking the fans who boo a lot and everyone but Bobby Lashley signs. Lashley seems unsure but ultimately signs, and yes there is a commemorative hat.

Cue the Sons Of Texas, with Dustin Rhodes telling MJF to shut up. Rhodes and MVP have a long history of respect but Rhodes thinks he shouldn’t trust MJF. We hear about how they changed the business and now they want more gold. If they like to hurt people, jump on Rhodes and try to hurt him. They have been beaten up and hurt by bigger people and now they’re ready to fight with heart. He would bet on the Day One guys. As usual, Sammy Guevara is the guy just standing there nodding as Rhodes does everything.

Kazuchika Okada isn’t letting Mike Bailey call him out for Double Or Nothing….because he’s calling Bailey out instead. And no catchphrase!

Ricochet vs. Anthony Bowens

Billy Gunn is here with Bowens and this is to crown the true Scissor King. Bowens jumps over him in the corner to start and hits a clothesline to the floor. Ricochet stops to glare at Gunn, earning himself another shot from Bowens. They go back in where Bowens hits a quick knee, only to get sent hard into the post.

We take a break and come back with Bowens hitting the running Fameasser into something like a reverse Angle Slam. They trade forearms until Bowens hits a superkick for a quick two. The Arrival sets up the Mollywop but Ricochet is knocked outside. The referee goes after Gunn, allowing Ricochet to pull out a pair of scissors to stab Bowens. Stabbing a man in the head is of course a setup for the Spirit Gun to give Ricochet the pin at 9:26.

Rating: C+. I really don’t know if Bowens should be losing so soon into his singles run, but at least it was to a bigger name and through some cheating. That being said, I still have no idea why Ricochet uses scissors. It’s such a random weapon with no real connection for him, but that’s what he gets to do. On top of that, he’s in for kind of a weird gimmick match on Sunday, though at least he’s on the show.

Post match Mark Briscoe brings out a stretcher and beats up Ricochet.

Double Or Nothing rundown.

Stokley Hathaway, with FTR, wants to sign the contract for the Double Or Nothing tag match face to face. Nigel McGuinness and Daniel Garcia can even bring Matt Menard.

Renee Paquette brings out Jamie Hayter and Mercedes Mone for their own face to face interview (with chairs). Hayter says so be it if she is seen as the underdog because she is used to being there. She will fight back every single time because that is who she is. Hayter doesn’t have people running around here doing her dirty work and yes she is rough around the edges.

This means more to Hayter and they both know that, because it’s about not being forgotten. If she doesn’t win, what does it mean for her? Mone laughs it off and calls herself the Beyonce of wrestling. She’s going to All In to win the Women’s Title because she is the greatest TBS Champion of all time.

Mone hasn’t gotten here through luck because it’s about leaving her legacy. Hayter’s chapter finally ends at Double Or Nothing. Hayter points out Mone losing the NJPW Strong Women’s Title and that is going to be her destiny. Mone jumps her but gets dropped with Hayterade. Cue Toni Storm, who will be on commentary for the main event. It’s hard to believe that Mone is in any danger, and my goodness she gets less and less interesting every week.

Mina Shirakawa vs. Julia Hart

Toni Storm is on commentary. Hart grabs a wristlock to start and hits Old School but Shirakawa does something similar, albeit with some hip shaking. Shirakawa goes outside to mock Storm, allowing Hart to take her down as we go to a break. Back with Shirakawa hitting a running knee, followed by some clotheslines.

Hart grabs something like a Tarantula but Shirakawa hits a spinning backfist. A not great top rope crucifix bomb gets two on Hart but she’s back up with a knockdown of her own. The moonsault misses though and Shirakawa goes after the knee. The spinning backflst looks to set up the Glamorous Driver but Hart rolls out. That’s reversed into a cradle to give Shirakawa the pin at 9:30.

Rating: C+. This was a bit of a weird choice for the main event, but there is only so much you can do on a three match show. Shirakawa is in a good place where she’s not new but she’s still fresh, so she doesn’t have to really be built up that much for the title shot at Storm. I can’t imagine she wins the title, but having her lose so soon in a high profile match would be a fairly odd way to go.

Post match Hart goes after Shirakawa, who ties up Hart’s bad leg. Skye Blue comes in to deck Shirakawa so Storm makes the save. Shirakawa and Storm get in a tug of war over the belt and Shirakawa goes after Storm’s knee, tying it around the post with the Figure Four.

The Young Bucks try to leave but Powerhouse Hobbs and Samoa Joe jump them. Cue the rest of the people in Anarchy In The Arena for the weapons filled brawl. The fight goes into the arena where the Bucks beat up Kenny Omega, who fights back as this is anarchy in the arena to set up the Anarchy In The Arena. Gabe Kidd runs in and helps the villains with the beatdown and the Bucks hit stereo dives to put Omega and Swerve through tables to end the show. This was a good example of a week that didn’t need an overrun as this was just a long brawl to set up the already announced long brawl at the pay per view.

Overall Rating: B. Double Or Nothing is going to be quite the booking challenge, as so many people are in one match. That leaves the two tournament finals to carry the thing and thankfully the men’s match got an incredible go home segment that really elevated things. Those are by far the two biggest things on the show, and it should be interesting to see if the rest of the card can live up to that hype. I’ll take a two match show, but they are in for a challenge if one of those matches doesn’t deliver.

Results
Samoa Joe/Powerhouse Hobbs/Swerve Strickland b. Young Bucks/Jon Moxley – Rollup to Matt
Ricochet b. Anthony Bowens – Spirit Gun
Mina Shirakawa b. Julia Hart – Cradle

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 26, 2025
Location: Lakefront Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana
Commentators: Tony Schiavone, Nigel McGuinness

We are about a month away from Double Or Nothing and in this case it means we have a lot of things to set up for the show. There is a chance some of those will come together here, but odds are this is going to be more of a wrestling based show. That’s what Collision tends to do better so let’s get to it.

Here is Dynamite if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Here is Swerve Strickland, with Prince Nana, to get things going. Hold on though as here are the Young Bucks, who say Swerve’s match is….now, despite him being in street clothes.

Swerve Strickland vs. Blake Christian

The Bucks are watching from the aisle as Christian stomps away to start. A springboard kick puts Strickland down again and a dropkick sends him to the floor. There’s a running flip dive and a ram into the steps to keep Strickland in trouble. Back in and Christian neckbreakers him down but gets caught with the House Call. The JML Driver finishes for Strickland at 4:24.

Rating: C. So the Bucks can control the show and the best they have for Swerve is mildly inconveniencing him against a jobber? That’s not the best punishment, but then again they’re not exactly the best bosses. I’m sure this feud will keep going for weeks with a likely tag match of some sort at Double Or Nothing, because the Bucks have to be a thing in this company.

Post match Lee Johnson runs in to go after Swerve and gets cleared out. That brings in the Young Bucks to beat Swerve down. Kenny Omega runs in for the save.

Samoa Joe thinks Jon Moxley has simple motivations because he benefits from the chaos he causes. Joe is not a problem who is disturbed by chaos and he is coming for the title.

Toni Storm vs. Queen Aminata

Non-title. Storm takes her down a few times to start and pulls her into a headlock off a handshake. Aminata drops her with a shoulder as we talk about Kenny Omega and Kazuchika Okada being in a tag match on Dynamite. A snap suplex drops Storm against the ropes but she avoids the running hip attack. They go to the apron where Aminata gets in a running boot and we take a break.

Back with a double headbutt putting both of them down before Storm pulls her into an STF. The rope is grabbed so Aminata is back up with a running boot to the face. They go to the floor with Aminata avoiding the running hip attack against the barricade. Instead Aminata hits a Beach Break of all things for two back inside. A pop up powerbomb gives Storm two more and she snaps off a German suplex. The running hip attack sets up the Storm Zero to pin Aminata at 11:38.

Rating: C+. Aminata is firmly in the area of “she has nothing to do but she’s good enough in the ring to keep her around”. That doesn’t make for bad matches, but it does make matches like this, where she has next to no chance of winning, feel pretty long. Storm is just killing time until she gets to the winner of the Owen Hart Cup, but that’s going to take a good while.

Respect is shown post match.

Jeff Jarrett and company yell at Sonjay Dutt for being late so Jay Lethal is ready to be the new idea man.

Here is Max Caster for his chant and open challenge.

Max Caster vs. Hologram

Hologram runs the ropes to start and snaps off a running hurricanrana. Caster’s chop in the corner only hits buckle and a Spanish Fly cuts him off. They go outside with Hologram hitting a running headbutt, setting up the Portal Bomb for the pin at 1:54. As usual, commentary hypes up Hologram’s undefeated streak and I continue to wonder when he’s going to do anything important.

We look at the opening of Dynamite, with Master P coming out, triggering a brawl between the Opps and the Death Riders.

Cru vs. Top Flight

Texas Tornado tag and Leila Grey is here with Top Flight. It’s a brawl to start and Cru whip out some kendo sticks as commentary recaps the feud. Rather than use the sticks, Cru goes back inside and gets beaten down, with a double belly to back suplex getting two on Andretti. Cru goes after Grey though and the distraction lets them take over with a pair of dives. Darius gets cracked with a trashcan and we take a break.

Back with Dante fighting back with a trashcan lid before a bag of Mardi Grab beads is poured out. The spinning half nelson slam onto the beats has Rush in trouble but a dropkick slows Darius down. A double suplex through the chair gets two on Darius but Grey grabs a chain shot. Grey gets knocked off the apron and it’s a springboard 450 to finish Darius at 11:05.

Rating: C+. If you can find a reason for this feud to need to keep going this long, you’re smarter than I am. I’m not sure why this is supposed to be interesting but it feels like they have been feuding for months now. Cru seems to only exist to annoy Top Flight and since Top Flight hasn’t mattered in forever, it’s hard to get that into the feud.

Anna Jay vs. Taylor Gainey

This is Jay’s first match in about four months and she wins with the Gory Bomb in 55 seconds.

Post match Penelope Ford comes in for the brawl with Jay and Megan Bayne comes in to lay Jay out.

Mercedes Mone is ready for Jamie Hayter.

Ring Of Honor World Title: Bandido vs. Dralistico

Bandido is defending. We get a pose off to start and Dralistico bails to the floor before coming back in for a lockup. Bandido takes him down but misses a slingshot splash, allowing Dralistico to come back with a slingshot hurricanrana. They chop it out on the apron as commentary continues to hype up Omega and Okada in a tag match on Dynamite.

A hurricanrana sends Bandido crashing to the floor and we take a break with the medics checking on Dralistico. Back with Bandido dropkicking him to the floor for the running flip dive. Bandido’s frog splash gets two but so does Dralistico’s enziguri. A crucifix bomb drops Bandido but he pops back up with a PK for the double down. Dralistico stops to yell at the referee and gets caught with the 21 Plex to retain the title at 11:24.

Rating: B-. For those of you keeping track, Dralistico has not won a singles match in either AEW or ROH since 2023. Therefore it is a bit much to believe that he is worthy of a World Title shot, but that’s how Ring Of Honor and its titles work. It’s one of those things that keeps happening and it isn’t going to change, which is hardly a surprise at all.

Big Bill and Bryan Keith want to win matches and hurt people.. Therefore, they want the Gates Of Agony.

Rush vs. AR Fox

Rush starts fast by knocking him to the floor for some rams into the barricade. Back in and Rush kicks him in the face, setting up the tranquilo pose. Fox rolls him up for a fast two and an enziguri sends Rush outside. The big dive connects and a rather long Swanton gives Fox two more. That’s enough for Rush, who knocks him into the corner for the Bull’s Horns and the pin at 3:06.

Rating: C. This has been the latest “Rush beats someone up and then (probably) doesn’t do anything for months on end” match. Fox is firmly in the spot of being there to make someone else look good and he did so well enough here. As is the case with so many others around here though, it’s hard to buy that Rush is going anywhere given his track record.

Roppongi Vice is back together and beat up the Outrunners.

Video on Kyle Fletcher vs. Hangman Page.

FTR vs. Paragon

Stokely Hathaway is here with FTR. Strong and Harwood start things off with Harwood hitting a running shoulder. Everything breaks down and FTR bail to the floor, where it’s time to threaten Schiavone. Back in and Harwood is knocked outside so a backbreaker/middle rope knee combination can hit Wheeler.

We take a break and come back with O’Reilly coming back in, only to get dropped with a clothesline. Strong’s leg gets crushed in the steps and O’Reilly is whipped into them as well. In case you didn’t get it the first two times, we hear about Omega vs. Okada in the Dynamite tag match again. Back in and Wheeler’s clothesline sets up Harwood’s slingshot suplex for two. Strong gets knocked off the apron again to make his knee even worse, meaning there is no one for O’Reilly to tag.

O’Reilly kicks away at FTR and a collision with Harwood leaves both of them down. Strong tries to get up and gets dropped knee first onto the steps again. Back in and O’Reilly’s guillotine choke is cut off with a top rope ax handle and we take another breaker. We come back again with O’Reilly Angle Slamming Harwood but getting knocked outside. O’Reilly gets back in and finally brings Strong in to (gingerly) clean house.

The fireman’s carry gutbuster gets two on Harwood and a half nelson backbreaker hits Wheeler, banging up the knee all over again. Harwood puts on the Hartbreaker around the post and Wheeler grabs a Figure Four back inside. O’Reilly is back in to take Wheeler outside and Strong ankle locks Harwood. Wheeler makes the save though and the spike piledriver finishes Strong at 20:45.

Rating: B. This got time and had a story built in with the knee, along with FTR being a lot more aggressive after their recent turn. Hathaway alone makes them feel more evil as he’s quite the squirrely manager. I’m not sure where FTR is going as they aren’t likely to go after the Hurt Syndicate, but this is a breath of fresh air for a team that needed it.

Post match the beatdown stays on but Adam Cole and Daniel Garcia, the latter with a crowbar, make the save to end the show. Garcia says FTR didn’t stick the knife deep enough so revenge is coming.

Overall Rating: C+. This show had quite a bit of wrestling, which thankfully included some shorter matches to keep things moving. At the same time, it also had a bunch of stuff that really didn’t feel important but rather came from the lower levels of the card to fill in this show. As usual, it’s not a bad show at all, but not quite a show that feels like necessary viewing.

Results
Swerve Strickland b. Blake Christian – JML Driver
Toni Storm b. Queen Aminata – Storm Zero
Hologram b. Max Caster – Portal Bomb
Cru b. Top Flight – Springboard 450 to Darius
Anna Jay b. Taylor Gainey – Gory Bomb
Bandido b. Dralistico – 21 Plex
Rush b. AR Fox – Bull’s Horns
FTR b. Paragon – Spike piledriver to Strong

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Dynamite
Date: April 9, 2025
Location: Baltimore And Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena, Baltimore, Maryland
Commentators: Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Taz

We’re done with Dynasty and that means both Double Or Nothing and All In are on the horizon. Well the distant horizon but the horizon nonetheless. Jon Moxley is still the World Champion and will need a new challenger, which we should get closer to finding if the Owen Hart Cup continues tonight. Let’s get to it.

Here is Dynasty if you need a recap.

Jon Moxley, with the Death Riders, talks about how the roster might be talented but no one can get together to take him out. The Young Bucks have returned and Moxley sees it as a power play. He doesn’t recognize the Bucks anymore and he hasn’t in a long time. They better think before they make a move.

Jon Moxley vs. Katsuyori Shibata

Non-title and Marina Shafir is here with Moxley. They go with the grappling to start and Shibata gets on a quickly broken headscissors. Back up and they fight over a lockup until Shibata hits a rather loud chop. Shibata then stands still so Moxley can chop him, with the exchange of chops going to Shibata as Moxley staggers. An Octopus goes on but Moxley slips out and grabs a piledriver…with Shibata not even going down and kicking Moxley in the chest. Moxley goes to the eye though and gets a rear naked choke for the win at 5:39.

Rating: C+. There wasn’t much to see here as this was more about seeing Moxley get a win over someone talented. Yes Moxley cheated to get the win, but this didn’t exactly make me think much of Shibata as a result. Moxley being in the ring is slightly better than him talking, but that’s not much of a bar to clear.

Post match the Young Bucks come out, with Moxley saying something we can’t hear and leaves with Shafir. The Bucks talk about costing Swerve Strickland the World Title, which was a favor to Hangman Page, who is still their friend. As for helping the Death Riders, consider it a peace offering. The Bucks and the Death Riders have a lot in common, as they both want the locker room to rise up and make AEW better so they can change the world. They couldn’t even get the World Title so what about the Death Riders and the Elite together?

Cue Kenny Omega to say the Bucks didn’t seem to remember him as part of the Elite. The last time he saw them, they were shoving Omega off a stretcher during the height of his diverticulitis. When Omega was in high school, he had a friend with two dogs who were kind of annoying. The dogs kept relieving themselves and it became a bit hard to take, so Omega suggested that they move it to his house instead.

That’s how AEW was without Omega around to clean up after the Bucks. The last time we saw the Bucks, they were shredding documents, which was to cover up various expenses they had billed to AEW. Omega didn’t like the Bucks trying to kill the company he gave his life to so let’s just fight.

Cue Kazuchika Okada but Swerve Strickland comes through the crowd with a chair (Omega looks surprised) to chase the Elite off. Omega shows some respect/thanks to Strickland before leaving in peace. Strickland says it is time to go Buck hunting and he’s ready to blast them. The Bucks just couldn’t leave well enough alone…and here is Pac from behind to jump Strickland before their scheduled match. The more I see the Elite talking about their backstage stuff, the more it feels like a less interesting McMahons saga.

Pac vs. Swerve Strickland

We come back for the opening bell, with Swerve hitting a Snake Eyes into a running big boot. Swerve knocks him outside but Pac flips over him, only to get buckle bombed for his efforts. Pac gets sent outside…and he grabs his ankle and goes down. The referee holds Swerve back as Pac gets up and rolls back inside. Swerve hits a superkick and the Swerve Stomp finishes Pac off at 4:16.

Rating: N/A. I’m not going to rate the match, which was only getting going before Pac seemingly got injured. Assuming that’s a legitimate injury (and it seems to be given how fast they went home), we’ll just have to hope for the best. Swerve was probably going to win anyway, but they just stopped cold out there and that’s never a good sign.

Ricochet, Cru and the Beast Mortos are ready for an eight man tag for $400,000. The other three aren’t happy about the idea of Ricochet being the captain.

Mark Briscoe, Will Ospreay, Mike Bailey and Kevin Knight talk about what they might use their winnings on. Bailey wants shoes, Knight wants to go to Atlantic City, Ospreay wants to go to Disney World and Briscoe…wants to diversity his portfolio.

Commentary recaps the evening so far.

We look back at the first round of the Women’s Owen Hart Tournament, including the matches still to come.

Renee Paquette talks to Hangman Page, who doesn’t know what to say because he’s facing a wild card in the Owen Hart Cup. He storms into Swerve Strickland’s locker room but only finds Prince Nana. Page was NOT trying to help Swerve at Dynasty and if Swerve gets involved in his tournament matches, he’ll pick up where he left off. Nana goes to say something to Page, who cuts him off and storms out.

Ricochet/Cru/The Beast Mortos vs. Mark Briscoe/Will Ospreay/Mike Bailey/Kevin Knight

The winning team gets $400,000. Ricochet starts with Bailey but immediately tags out to Mortos instead. Bailey is fine with kicking away before scaring Ricochet outside again. Ospreay comes in and gets taken down in the corner, where Cru gets to stomp him down. Everyone comes in and Ricochet runs his mouth enough that he gets pummeled. The villains are sent into the corners for right hands to the head, followed by a toss to the floor.

A string of dives, capped off by Bailey’s moonsault, drops everyone again. Ricochet tries a dive but has to land on his feet, earning a quadruple shot to the head in a funny bit. We take a break and come back with Bailey kicking away at Mortos, who catches him with a Backstabber. Ricochet comes in but misses Bailey, instead settling for knocking Bailey’s partners to the floor.

Bailey does the same to Ricochet’s partners but gets caught with a jumping double stomp. Everything breaks down and we hit the parade of knockdowns, including Ospreay hitting a double backflip kick to drop Cru. Ricochet Death Valley Drivers Bailey, who comes back up with some crane kicks to Mortos. The Oscutter hits Mortos and Knight hits his spinning frog splash for two with a big save (they got me on that one). The Hidden Blade finishes Mortos at 12:00.

Rating: B. This was a lot of fun and I can go for the occasional adding in of a prize that isn’t a traditional title. The money means nothing going forward (in theory, as I could go for more of Briscoe’s stock tips) but it did make the match feel a bit more interesting. They had talented people doing their stuff, with that look on Ricochet’s face after he landed on his feet being great. Just a fun match here and I can always go for something like that.

We look back at FTR turning on Cope and laying him out at Dynasty. Cope is out indefinitely and Tony Schiavone goes OFF on FTR, calling it the worst thing he has ever seen in wrestling. Dax Harwood’s daughter is probably disappointed in her father too.

Here is the Hurt Syndicate to celebrate their successful title defense, albeit with an unexpected assist from MJF. They bust out the champagne for a toast but here is MJF to interrupt. MJF stands next to the team and is happy to be with them, because it means he can skip the line and get his World Title back sooner than later. He helped them retain the Tag Team Titles and now they can help him win the World Title. So what is the initiation process?

Bobby Lashley tells MJF to shut up because they didn’t need MJF’s help. The Syndicate does not need him and Lashley gets into an argument with MJF (who insults Lashley’s new glasses). MVP and Shelton Benjamin break that up and MVP says it’s time to vote, with MJF needing three thumbs up to get in. MVP is a yes and Benjamin is in the middle….but says no. That’s enough for the Syndicate to leave and MVP just shrugs at MJF. This is going to keep on and I’m curious to see how MJF tries to change the team’s minds.

Megan Bayne and Penelope Ford are ready to move forward, with Bayne being at Collision.

Women’s Owen Hart Tournament First Round: Kris Statlander vs. Thunder Rosa

Toni Storm is on commentary, having stolen one of the commentators’ cars and returning their keys, albeit apologizing for the tobacco juice she left in there. Statlander runs her over with a shoulder to start but Rosa grabs an armbar. Back up and Statlander hits a running dropkick but misses a slingshot elbow. The running dropkick in the ropes knocks Statlander to the floor, setting up a seated senton off the apron. Back up and Statlander knocks her to the floor as well and we take a break.

We come back with Rosa grabbing a springboard hurricanrana into a northern lights suplex for two. Statlander gets a Blue Thunder Bomb, with Storm admiring her “juicy muscles”. A Canadian Destroyer gives Rosa two but Statlander powers up and hits Staturday Night Fever for the pin at 9:46.

Rating: B-. This was a strong showing from Statlander and that’s kind of weird to see when she is in there against Rosa. While Rosa didn’t get squashed here, it was more about Statlander looking dominant. Statlander might be a long shot to win the whole thing, but she’s already on a nice start.

Don Callis is ready for Kyle Fletcher and Konosuke Takeshita to win the Owen Hart Cup. The team has injuries though and now it’s time to recruit some new members.

Adam Cole is happy to have gotten his moment but Kyle O’Reilly and Roderick Strong want their own moment. Cole says they’re back and seems to dub the team the Paragon.

Here is an angry Chris Jericho for TV Time. Jericho is no longer the Ring Of Honor World Champion as he lost his match, his tooth and his title. He gives credit where credit is due to Bandido, who won the match, albeit with help from his brother and his STOOGE of a mother. Bandido has his family but so does Jericho, who brings out Big Bill and Bryan Keith.

Jericho gets on them for losing at Dynasty but Bill cuts him off. He joined up with the Learning Tree because Jericho is one of the best ever, but he is not here to be a punching bag when things go wrong. If all Jericho is going to do is berate him, then let him know now and it’s over.

Jericho says that’s not why he brought them out here, but rather so he can yell at them for not helping him retain the Ring Of Honor World Title. But that’s not what Jericho believes at all, because he isn’t angry. He’s just disappointed. Then he hits his TV monitor with a baseball bat, shouting about how he is disappointed…..in Bill. Jericho wants Bill to fix this and leaves. I really could have gone with no Jericho for a bit but that’s just not going to happen.

We look at Anthony Bowens returning to take out Max Caster.

Here’s what’s coming on various shows.

The Hurt Syndicate is in the back and Lashley says they don’t need or trust MJF. Benjamin thinks MJF is kind of funny and Lashley walks off, with Benjamin going to talk to him. MJF comes in to yell about how badly the rest of the Syndicate is treating him. MJF: “I’M MJF!” MVP: “That’s the problem.” He suggests that MJF find out what the rest of the team wants and give it to them.

Chris Jericho goes to leave and bashes more things with his bat.

Death Riders vs. Opps

Yuta’s waistlock doesn’t work on Joe to start and a forearm just annoys Joe even more. Castagnoli comes in for a strike off, with Joe sending him into the corner for a jumping enziguri. Hook comes in and gets slammed by Castagnoli but sidesteps Yuta’s dive in a nice tribute. Some rolling German suplexes have Yuta in trouble but he sends Hook to the apron for a double stomp from Castagnoli.

We take a break and come back with Yuta hitting an Angle Slam on Hook. A suplex gets Hook out of trouble but Yuta knocks Joe off the apron. That means a powerbomb/top rope clothesline combination (that looked good) for two on Hook, leaving Joe to go after Castagnoli. Hook goes for Redrum but here is Jon Moxley to offer a distraction. Cue Katsuyori Shibata to choke Moxley and Redrum has Yuta down for the tap at 11:40.

Rating: B-. It was a nice enough main event tag match and I can go for seeing the Death Riders lose. While it seems like we are coming up on the Opps getting a Trios Title shot and Pac is injured, Moxley could be swapped in to defend the titles if necessary. That might be what the ending was setting up, but for now, it’s nice to see the Opps getting somewhere.

Post match Marina Shafir comes in with a chair to take down the Opps. Castagnoli gives Hook a Neutralizer onto an open chair so Joe comes in to chase them off. Joe says the Opps are coming for the Trios Titles to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. The wrestling was good here but the storytelling wasn’t holding up as well. The Young Bucks, the Death Riders and Jericho got a lot of focus here and that didn’t help the show. There was a lot of doubling down on stars who have not seemed to be getting the best reception in recent months and that’s quite the way to go. Hopefully we get more of the fun stuff that AEW has been doing and less of the annoying stories, because AEW can be very entertaining when they don’t go in the wrong directions.

Results
Jon Moxley b. Katsuyori Shibata – Rear naked choke
Swerve Strickland b. Pac – Swerve Stomp
Mark Briscoe/Will Ospreay/Mike Bailey/Kevin Knight b. Ricochet/Cru/The Beast Mortos – Hidden Blade to Mortos
Kris Statlander b. Thunder Rosa – Staturday Night Fever
Opps b. Death Riders – Redrum to Yuta

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Dynasty 2025
Date: April 6, 2025
Location: Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Tony Schiavone, Jim Ross, Excalibur

We’re back on pay per view, though this doesn’t feel like the biggest card. In this case, we have a main event of Jon Moxley defending the AEW World Title against Swerve Strickland. Other than that, we have a variety of title matches, plus three matches in the Owen Hart Tournaments, which get started tonight. Let’s get to it.

Zero Hour: Nick Wayne/Cru vs. Top Flight/AR Fox

Cru bails to the floor to start so it’s Fox taking them out with a big dive. Back in and Cru neckbreakers Darius down for two but Dante sneaks in for a clothesline. Rush gets bulldogged throat first onto the middle rope but Wayne cuts Darius off and poses on the barricade. They get back inside where Rush front facelocks Darius before Andretti kicks him in the ribs.

Rush’s hard kick to the back keeps Darius down and we hit the reverse chinlock. Darius fights up and hits a dropkick, allowing the tag off to Dante. House is cleaned but Rush grabs his chain for a tug of war. Andretti comes in for a double team but Darius makes a save. Dante and Rush knock each other down, allowing the tags off to Fox and Wayne. Fox gets to clean house, including a rolling cutter to Rush, meaning it’s time for the string of running flip dives.

Back in and Fox’s Swanton hits Wayne’s raised knees, leaving Andretti to hit a handspring elbow on Darius. Rush’s springboard Stunner hits Dante but Fox hits Wayne with Lo Mein Pain. Kip Sabian and Leila Grey get in an argument on the floor though, with the distraction letting Mother Wayne shove Fox off the top. Wayne’s World finishes Fox at 11:13.

Rating: B. Totally wild match and that’s all it needed to be. Everyone was flying around and getting their stuff in, which is how you should get a show started. It made for a hot opener and there was enough of a story that the match didn’t feel completely thrown together. Rather nice choice, with the collection of high spots being exactly what this should have been.

Here is Max Caster to do his chant but the fans actually do it with him, earning some less than glowing reviews from Caster. He takes off his jacket to reveal a Ben Simmons (former Philadelphia basketball player) and says they’re just not as good as New York (and now they hate him).

Zero Hour: Max Caster vs. ???

This is another open challenge and it’s….Anthony Bowens, with Billy Gunn. They shove each other to start and Bowens hits a big rolling elbow for the win at 40 seconds.

And now, the show proper.

Men’s Owen Hart Tournament First Round: Will Ospreay vs. Kevin Knight

Knight is replacing the injured Jay White. They shake hands to start and fight over wrist control with Knight throwing in a flip to escape. A basement clothesline gives Knight two but Ospreay sends him outside for a slingshot dive. Back in and a Phenomenal Forearm drops Knight for two and the abdominal stretch keeps him in trouble. That’s broken up and Knight fires off some clotheslines, setting up a spinning splash for two.

The Stundog Millionaire into a spinning kick to the face gives Ospreay two of his own, followed by a running Spanish Fly. They lock hands and Knight pulls himself up for an exchange of strikes, naturally with the two of them holding hands. Knight hits a dropkick (no hands held) into a middle rope hurricanrana. Ospreay is sent outside for a dive but Knight has to counter a Styles Clash into a DDT.

A springboard dive takes Ospreay down again and another DDT gets two back inside. Ospreay kicks him in the face but the Oscutter is dropkicked out of the air in a nice counter. The top rope spinning splash gives Knight two but another springboard is countered into the Oscutter. Now the Styles Clash can connect for two, followed by another Oscutter for the same. The Hidden Blade finishes Knight at 13:47.

Rating: B-. It was a fun enough spectacle, but it didn’t exactly get to a pay per view quality level. It didn’t help that Knight was mainly there for the sake of filling for White, but he did at least have a solid performance. This was a good enough opener for the show and given the circumstances they were under, it could have been far worse.

Respect is shown post match.

We recap the Learning Tree challenging the Hurt Syndicate for the Tag Team Titles. Chris Jericho wants the Learning Tree to prove themselves so they’ve gone on a mini winning streak to get this show.

Tag Team Titles: Learning Tree vs. Hurt Syndicate

The Syndicate, with MVP, is defending. Lashley backs Keith into the corner to start so it’s off to Bill for the hoss off. Bill gets backed into the corner for the tag to Benjamin, only for Bill to clean house and knock the champs to the floor. Back in and Benjamin takes over on Bill but he can’t manage a German suplex. Lashley comes back in for a clothesline on Keith and Benjamin rams him into the barricade to really take over.

Back in again and Lashley does the delayed vertical suplex but misses a charge into the corner. The diving tag brings in Bill to clean house again, as he tends to do. Benjamin knocks him down but Bill Hulks Up (sure) into a swinging Boss Man Slam for two. Everything breaks down again and Bill hits Lashley with a Snake Eyes into a clothesline to the floor. Bill follows him but MJF (in the crowd) gets in a cheap shot so Lashley can hit the spear. The Syndicate doesn’t seem pleased but Lashley hits the spear on Knight so Benjamin can get the pin to retain at 10:29.

Rating: C+. As usual, this was Bill looking great, Keith looking fine, and the Syndicate looking like monsters. The Syndicate didn’t need MJF to retain here but that’s the big story for them going forward. I’m not sure who is next for the Syndicate, but their stuff with MJF is interesting enough for a different way to go. The Learning Tree winning the match here didn’t feel like it was in the cards, though I’ll take the Syndicate getting to beat someone up.

We recap Mercedes Mone vs. Julia Hart in the Women’s Owen Hart Tournament. There isn’t much of a story here, but Mone wants to win the tournament and get another title.

Women’s Owen Hart Tournament First Round: Mercedes Mone vs. Julia Hart

Non-title. Hart starts fast and knocks her into the corner as Harley Cameron (with the puppet) is watching in the back. Mone cuts her off and puts Hart in the Tree of Woe, only to get rolled up for two. A spinning wristdrag takes Hart down but she avoids a charge and hits some running elbows in the corner. Something close to Old School sets up a running elbow to the back to give Hart two and they head outside.

Mone rams her into the barricade, followed by the running Meteora for two back inside. The chinlock goes on to keep Hart in trouble and Mone’s dropkick gets two. Hart gets in a takedown of her own but a standing moonsault hits knees to cut her off again. Mone puts her in the Tree of Woe and does a Malakai Black sitdown. A situp lets Hart avoids a charge though and Hart hits a dive to the floor. Back in and Hart’s DDT gets two but Mone is fine enough to grab another Codebreaker.

A Tarantula sets up an Octopus on Mone, who walks it across the ring for the break, rather than stepping two feet in the other direction. Mone hits a pair of Backstabbers but Hart is back with a crucifix bomb for two. Mone’s Statement Maker is countered into a reverse Rings of Saturn, with the fans rather approving. That’s broken up as well, with the Statement Maker going on again. Somehow Hart escapes and grabs a rollup for two, only for Mone to get her own rollup for the pin at 13:02.

Rating: B-. Another nice match here with only so much drama, as Mone wasn’t likely to lose her first match in the first round of the tournament. Hart has gotten better in the ring and getting away from some of the weird evil stuff has helped her a bit. She’s not on Mone’s level, but she did well enough here to have a good match, which should be a solid sign for her future.

We recap the Trios Titles match. FTR and Cope have been having issues lately but want to show that they can still be a great team. It’s not like there are many other options to go after the Death Riders’ titles anyway.

Trios Titles: Rated FTR vs. Death Riders

The Death Riders are defending, but first we need to have the fans sing Cope’s theme song to him again. Harwood and Pac start things off and they grapple into the corner for a clean break. Pac shoulders him into a rollup for two but it’s way too early for the Brutalizer. Cope comes in and gets his arm cranked before it’s off to to Yuta, who gets booed out of the building.

Yuta gets taken into the corner and everything breaks down, with Castagnoli getting taken up top for a super powerslam. Some clotheslines put Yuta and Pac on the floor but Pac is back in to take over on Cash. Yuta grabs the chinlock but gets caught in a powerslam, only for Pac to be right there to cut off the tag attempt. Not that it matters as Harwood gets the tag a few seconds later but Castagnoli blocks the Sharpshooter attempt.

Instead, Castagnoli and Harwood grab their own Sharpshooter and scream at each other, only to let them go and slug it out. Castagnoli’s swing into Yuta’s dropkick gets two on Harwood as the fans are all over Yuta. Back to back Fastball Specials give the champs two, with Cash having to make the save.

Cope grabs the Impaler for two on Pac before a superplex into a top rope splash into a Swan Dive gets two, with Castagnoli making the save. Yuta missile dropkicks Cope, leaving Pac to Brutalizer Harwood. Cash brings Yuta over for the save and a bunch of people are down. The Shatter Machine and spear hit Yuta with Castagnoli making another save. Cash and Pac crash out to the floor off a suplex and Yuta sends Cope into Harwood. The running knee to Harwood retains the titles at 14:45.

Rating: B. As usual, the Death Riders get to retain the titles as they almost never lose anything. In this case though, that’s not the biggest surprise as Rated FTR have been falling apart more and more every week. Hopefully they move on to something else, which might result in an FTR heel turn. It’s not like they have anything else going on, though they can still work well in a match like this. Good stuff here, even if the Trios Titles aren’t the most thrilling things going on.

Post match the champs leave so Rated FTR pose together. Then Harwood piledrives Cope and grabs some chairs, but Cash won’t do the Conchairto. Instead he shoves Harwood down…and it’s a Shatter Machine to Cope, followed by a spike piledriver on the chair. Now Cash is willing to do the Conchairto, with Cope’s head being crushed. Cash even puts on a neck brace to mock Cope even more. Cope does a stretcher job.

We recap Toni Storm defending the Women’s Title against Megan Bayne. Storm retained the title over Mariah May to end their feud but Bayne came in and laid her out. Bayne also pinned her in a tag match, meaning it’s time for Storm to defend against a monster.

Women’s Title: Megan Bayne vs. Toni Storm

Storm, with Luther, is defending and Penelope Ford is here with Bayne. After Storm’s Rocky style training montage, we’re ready to go (with Storm in a boxing robe to really hammer home the idea). Bayne powers her away without much trouble to start and then does it again for a bonus. Storm comes back with a spinning middle rope crossbody but Bayne kicks her right back down. There’s a fall away slam to drop Storm again but Bayne’s suicide dive hits Luther by mistake.

Back in and Storm hits a high crossbody for two so Ford offers a distraction. That’s enough for Bayne to hit a pump kick as Storm can’t do much to get around the power here. Bayne chokes her on the ropes and Ford gets in some posing, followed by some choking of her own, as a villain should do. Some overhead belly to belly suplexes drop Storm for two more and Ford gets up again, only for Luther to pull her away.

Storm comes back with a tornado DDT and a twisting STF to put Bayne in trouble for a change. Bayne powers out and hits a bottom rope belly to back suplex, only for Storm to catch her with a SCARY belly to back superplex (as Bayne looked to land on her head). They get back up to slug it out, with Storm getting the better of it, setting up a German suplex.

The hip attack is cut off though and Bayne muscles her up with a German suplex of her own. Storm knocks her into the corner for three straight hip attacks, followed by Storm Zero for one. Another Storm Zero is broken up and Bayne hits a sitout powerbomb. Fate’s Descent is loaded up but Storm reverses into the small package to retain at 15:24.

Rating: B-. This got a bit better once Luther and Ford left, as they were making the match a bit too busy. I’m kind of surprised that Storm won clean, but there is a chance that this isn’t going to be it between them. Bayne has felt like a top star for her brief run and there is a case to be made that Storm escaped with the title rather than really beating Bayne. I’m not sure if that is where they need to go, but Bayne is too big and too talented to be left by the wayside.

We recap Kyle Fletcher vs. Mark Brisco in the Men’s Owen Hart Tournament. There isn’t much of a story here but Fletcher is coming off a loss to Will Ospreay and Briscoe tends to exist to put people over.

Men’s Owen Hart Tournament First Round: Kyle Fletcher vs. Mark Briscoe

Don Callis is here with Fletcher, who dives on Briscoe at the bell to start fast. They get inside where Briscoe counters a suplex into a small package for a quick two. The fight heads outside where Briscoe grabs a quick neckbreaker, followed by a running dropkick through the ropes for two. The Bang Bang Elbow connects and Briscoe throws a bunch of chairs inside. Fletcher is fast enough to dive back inside though and suplexes Briscoe onto an open chair.

Briscoe gets hammered down in the corner and then taken outside for an apron powerbomb. Another powerbomb sends Briscoe into the barricade to hurt his back even worse. Back in and Fletcher hits a Helluva Kick but gets shoved off the top so Briscoe can nail a missile dropkick. A double clothesline gives us a double down and they trade the big forearms. Briscoe grabs a fisherman’s buster for two but a Death Valley Driver is countered into a lawn dart into the corner. Fletcher wins a strike off on the apron and hits a brainbuster (with Briscoe grabbing the rope for a bit of a break).

Another brainbuster gets two back inside and Callis is not happy on the floor. Briscoe is able to catch him on top but the cutthroat driver is broken up. Instead a basement clothesline sets up the Froggy Bow for two and Briscoe can’t believe the kickout. Now the cutthroat driver can connect for two and Fletcher goes outside, only to get caught with another Froggy Bow. Back in and Fletcher hits a running shot in the corner and the turnbuckle brainbuster gives Fletcher the pin at 16:05.

Rating: B+. This started off good and then got better, with Fletcher mostly dominating for a long portion until Briscoe fought back. Briscoe is someone who is easy to get behind and there was always the chance that he could pull off the big upset. It made for the best match of the night so far and I had a good time with it, as Briscoe continues to be able to work well with anyone.

We recap Chris Jericho defending the Ring Of Honor World Title against Bandido in a title vs. mask match. Jericho has beaten him twice but also stole the mask of Bandido’s brother Gravity, scaring their family in the process. Now it’s both about the title and the personal issue to make it bigger.

Ring Of Honor World Title: Chris Jericho vs. Bandido

Jericho is defending in a title vs. mask match. The Codebreaker at the bell gives Jericho two and he adds the Lionsault for the same. Bandido avoids a running boot though and sends Jericho outside for the dive. Jericho gets sent into the barricade, allowing Bandido to give his sister a kiss on the head. Back in and Bandido’s INCREDIBLY delayed one armed suplex (he held him up for about a minute) gets two so Jericho rolls to the apron, where Bandido hits a running boot.

Jericho is back up with a powerbomb onto the floor and he gets in his “steal the camera” deal. Back in and they slap it out with Jericho getting the better of things, including a dropkick to put him down. Some yelling at Bandido’s family has the fans less happy with Jericho and his super hurricanrana makes things even worse. Bandido is fine enough to hit a one armed gorilla press into a frog splash for two, only for a corkscrew crossbody to be Codebreakered out of the air in a nice looking counter.

Back up and they set up the ten paces deal but Jericho rolls him up for two instead. Bandido is back up but can’t quite get the 21 Plex, allowing Jericho to get the Walls. The rope is grabbed in a hurry and Bandido kicks him in the head. Cue Bryan Keith so Gravity cuts him off, allowing Jericho to hit Bandido in the head with a baseball bat for a delayed pin at 15:45.

Hold on though as cue Audrey Edwards to bring Bandido’s family over the barricade to say what happened (sure). That’s enough for the original referee to restart the match so Jericho goes after Bandido’s sister. Bandido is back up with the X Knee into the 21 Plex for the pin and the title at 18:01.

Rating: B-. They were rolling here and then they just had to do that stupid baseball bat thing. This felt like it was a way for Jericho to save face while losing the title, possibly even to set up one more match between them. Bandido getting the title back is a good thing, but it would have been nice to see it be a bit less messy. At least Jericho isn’t the champion for the time being though, and that is long, long overdue.

We recap Daniel Garcia defending the TNT Title against Adam Cole. They wrestled before and Cole had him beat when the time limit ran out. Therefore, it’s now no time limit and no interference, with the latter being something that should be understood but that’s not how AEW rolls.

TNT Title: Adam Cole vs. Daniel Garcia

Garcia is defending. They shove each other to start until Garcia hits a running boot to the face. Garcia wraps the arms around the ropes and hammers away but gets shoved to the floor. A Panama Sunrise off the apron doesn’t work and Cole seems to be favoring his leg. Back in and the limping Cole gets his leg kicked out as Garcia has a target. A running dropkick to the leg connects in the corner and a stomp to the leg (complete with dancing) has Cole down again.

Garcia gets in some nasty cranks on the leg before snapping off a neckbreaker. Cole manages a quick fireman’s carry neckbreaker onto the bad knee, allowing Garcia to come back with a clothesline. Back up and they trade strikes to the face until Cole’s superkick staggers Garcia, who falls on a collapsing Cole for two in a nice false finish. Garcia counters a superkick into an ankle lock, complete with a grapevine.

Cole makes the rope so they go outside, with Garcia sending him knee first into the steps. They climb onto the steps and Cole…I think suplexes him into the post. A Panama Sunrise off the steps drops Garcia on the floor and he collapses inside before Cole can hit the Boom. Garcia is back up with his own Panama Sunrise into the Boom for two more. With nothing else working, Garcia loads up a super piledriver but Cole shoves him off and hits another Panama Sunrise. Another Panama Sunrise sets up the Boom to make Cole champion at 15:35.

Rating: B-. This got a bit goofy with the Panama Sunrises being spammed to a pretty ridiculous degree but Cole winning isn’t a bad idea. Garcia got a lot out of being champion but Cole needed to win something after being around for so long without really accomplishing much. It wasn’t a classic or anything, but it was an entertaining back and forth match with the right finish. I think.

Respect is shown post match.

We recap the International Title match. Kenny Omega won the title last month and Ricochet and Mike Bailey co-won a tournament to get the shot. That works for Omega, who wants to face the best competition imaginable. This is designed to be three people doing a bunch of crazy spots and that’s not a bad idea.

International Title: Kenny Omega vs. Ricochet vs. Mike Bailey

Omega is defending. Ricochet drops to the floor to start and the other two take a bit of time before locking up. That doesn’t get very far as Ricochet comes back in, only to have to duck a kick from Bailey. Omega is back up with a high crossbody for two on Bailey before grabbing a cross armbreaker on Ricochet. That means a quick rope break so Bailey hits some bouncing kicks to put Omega down.

Bailey’s running hurricanrana through the ropes drops Omega again but the two of them get together to knock Ricochet down. Bailey escapes You Can’t Escape but Ricochet AA’s Bailey onto Omega on the barricade. Back in and Ricochet chokes Bailey on the ropes before putting him down with a side slam. A neckbreaker/snapdragon combination leaves Ricochet as the only one standing so he goes outside to do some commentary.

Bailey cuts that off and comes back in to kick away at Omega, who misses a quick moonsault attempt. They all get back in and trade some triple near falls (those are some new ones) for two each and the fans applaud. We get a three way slugout from their knees until Ricochet is sent outside, leaving Omega to punch Bailey. That’s broken up and Bailey hits a springboard moonsault to the floor to drop Ricochet again.

Omega dives onto both of them before they go back inside, where Ricochet winds up on top of Omega, with Bailey hitting a moonsault knees onto both of them. Bailey slugs Ricochet out to the floor but seems to injure his leg. That lets Ricochet hit a chop block, which takes out both Bailey and the referee. The referee pops back up and they all go up top, with Bailey taking Ricochet down. Omega saves himself though and hits a snapdragon each on both of them. Then he snapdragons both of them at once, just to make sure everything is even.

A bridging German suplex gives Omega two on Ricochet but Bailey is back up so both challengers can roll Omega up for two at the same time. Ricochet gets sent to the floor, leaving Bailey to miss the Ultimate Weapon on Omega. That bangs up Bailey’s knee so Omega grabs a kneebar (makes sense), which is broken up by Ricochet. Omega sends Ricochet outside again but misses a charge, allowing Bailey to kick him in the face.

Ricochet is back in with a shooting star press for two on Omega but Bailey gets the knees up to cut Ricochet off. Bailey’s strikes are cut off by Ricochet going after the knee so Bailey goes Karate Kid with a crane kick. Now the Ultimate Weapon can connect for two, with Omega using a V Trigger to break it up. Ricochet puts Bailey on top but Omega catches Ricochet in a super One Winged Angel (ow) to retain at 30:56.

Rating: A-. It was a bunch of incredibly athletic stuff and that’s what it was advertised as being. While a title change was a long shot so soon after Omega won, it was more about giving him a big showcase after his title win. The match felt incredibly choreographed, but that doesn’t make it any less entertaining. Definitely a fun match with some very athletic work, which is what you probably wanted coming into this one.

Post match Kazuchika Okada comes out for the staredown as they keep teasing the All In match. Omega leaves without anything happening.

We recap Swerve Strickland challenging Jon Moxley for the World Title. Strickland won the title shot last month and wants to get back to the top of the company. Moxley said a bunch of stuff about violence, as is his custom.

AEW World Title: Swerve Strickland vs. Jon Moxley

Moxley, with Marina Shafir, is defending and Strickland, with Prince Nana, is dressed like superhero Static Shock. After the Big Match Intros and some circling, Strickland goes after the leg for a takedown. A Fujiwara armbar has Moxley in trouble but he slips out for an early staredown. Strickland takes him down again but has to go to the ropes to escape a Kimura. Moxley fires off some chops but gets sent to the floor for a running boot from the apron.

Back in and Moxley knocks him off the top, with Shafir getting in a cheap shot on the floor. Strickland gets thrown over the announcers’ table and Moxley loads up the steps. After dropping Strickland on the steps, Moxley goes back inside to yell a bit before hitting a piledriver for two. Moxley rips at Strickland’s bleeding face and grabs a headscissors/leg crank. That’s broken up so they trade forearms until Moxley goes for the arm again. The cross armbreaker is broken up so he grabs a triangle choke, with Strickland powerbombing him to freedom.

Strickland rolls some suplexes for two and hits a backbreaker, only to roll into a cutter. A Vertebreaker doesn’t work for Strickland as Moxley slips out and grabs the bulldog choke. That’s broken up as well and Strickland hits the House Call. Another House Call is cut off with a clothesline but Strickland pops up for another House Call. Shafir comes in with the briefcase so Nana gets in her face…and is promptly shoved out of it.

Moxley cutters Shafir by mistake and Strickland hits his own Death Rider for two. Strickland goes up but gets shoved down….and we have a ladder. They climb said ladder and fight on top, with Strickland hitting a Swerve Stomp to send Moxley crashing through the announcers’ table. Back in and they strike it out until Shafir hands Moxley a chair. Said chair is pelted at the referee’s head, leaving Strickland to hit the Vertebreaker.

Cue Hangman Page to tease a Buckshot Lariat (target unclear) but the Death Riders run in to take Page out. Page fights up and takes out the Riders so here are the Opps to brawl with them to the back. Strickland throws the chair at Moxley and hits the Swerve Stomp but there is still no referee. Instead the lights go out….and the Young Bucks are back for the EVP Trigger to Strickland. Moxley retains the title at 31:29.

Rating: B. It was the usual wild match in the main event but that ending is not going to be well received. The fans felt ready for Swerve to win the match but it didn’t happen, instead for a rather controversial tag team to come back. At the end of the day, Moxley isn’t the most thrilling champion in the world to put it mildly and this was the usual thing from him: a bunch of submissions and violence with him escaping with the title again. It’s been done to death and that ending is going to leave another sour taste in a lot of mouths.

The Bucks leave through the crowd and Strickland and Page are frustrated to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. I did like the show as there were quite a few solid matches throughout with nothing bad, but the biggest problem here is that it really didn’t feel overly important. So much of the show was spent on first round tournament matches which weren’t overly dramatic. That was the case with far too many matches on this show, as the matches just kind of came and went as we are on the way to All In. It’s certainly not a bad show, but it felt like something they had to do and they didn’t have enough to warrant a pay per view card.

Results
Nick Wayne/Cru b. Top Flight/AR Fox – Wayne’s World to Fox
Anthony Bowens b. Max Caster – Rolling elbow
Will Ospreay b. Kevin Knight – Hidden Blade
Hurt Syndicate b. Learning Tree – Spear to Keith
Mercedes Mone b. Julia Hart – Rollup
Death Riders b. Rated FTR – Running knee to Harwood
Toni Storm b. Megan Bayne – Small package
Kyle Fletcher b. Mark Briscoe – Brainbuster onto the turnbuckle
Bandido b. Chris Jericho – 21 Plex
Adam Cole b. Daniel Garcia – Boom
Kenny Omega b. Mike Bailey and Ricochet – Super One Winged Angel to Ricochet
Jon Moxley b. Swerve Strickland – EVP Trigger

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