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

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

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

Wrestle Dynasty 2025
Date: January 5, 2025
Location: Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan
Commentators: Walker Stewart, Chris Charlton

So it’s time for a bunch of wrestling promotions and Ring Of Honor to come together and have a big show in Japan. Why? Heck if I know and AEW basically glossed over the this this week anyway. It’s basically a big cross promotional show, which can go in all kinds of directions. Let’s get to it.

Note that I do not follow any of the international promotions involved with this show. I might know some of the wrestlers, but I apologize in advance for not knowing history or plot points.

Pre-Show: International Women’s Cup: Momo Watanabe (Stardom) vs. Willow Nightingale (AEW) vs. Persephone (CMLL) vs. Athena (ROH)

The winner receives a Women’s Title shot. Athena and Watanabe clear the ring to start until Nightingale kicks Watanabe in the head. Persephone comes in for a Matrix/spider walk but Athena takes her into the corner for a running shot. Back up and Nightingale kicks Athena in the face before suplexing the other two at the same time. The dives are on to leave Nightingale and Persephone as the only two standing, meaning Persephone hits her own running flip dive.

Back in and Athena hits a middle rope Codebreaker to Persephone and Nightingale but Nightingale is back up with a Pounce. Persephone suplexes Nightingale for two and Athena is knocked outside. Nightingale’s Death Valley Driver sends Watanabe into the corner but Athena is back up with the O Face. Cue Thekla (from Stardom) to pull the referee though, allowing Watanabe to hit Athena in the head with a club. A dragon suplex pins Athena at 11:29.

Rating: B-. So we sat through tournaments and qualifying matches and all that other jazz to hype up this match and it’s on the pre-show for some to be determined title match later? In theory this sets up Watanabe as Athena’s next challenger for something of a dream match, though it wouldn’t shock me if this is barely mentioned in Ring Of Honor. The match was fine, but it was nothing that AEW hasn’t done a dozen times in the last few months.

Ring Of Honor Tag Team Titles: Sons Of Texas vs. House Of Torture

The Sons (Dustin Rhodes/Sammy Guevara) are defending against Sho/Yoshinobu Kanemaru. Sho shakes Dustin’s hand to start but holds it in place so Kanemaru can come in to jump him from behind. That doesn’t last long as Guevara comes in to moonsault Sho, setting up Dustin’s PK for two. Sho sends Guevara outside though and Kanemaru gets in a whip to the barricade.

The turnbuckle pad is ripped off and Dustin is sent into the exposed steel and it’s back to Guevara. A Boston crab goes on and Kanemaru steps on one of the titles. An enziguri gets Guevara out of trouble and it’s back to Rhodes to clean house. Kanemaru spits some liquid into Rhodes’ face and a moonsault connects for two. Guevara is back in with a cutter and Rhodes adds his own liquid (whiskey) to the face. The Final Reckoning into Guevara’s Swanton retains the titles at 9:27.

Rating: C. This was a gold match between two teams who aren’t that interesting in the first place. The Sons of Texas haven’t been interesting since they won the titles and there is a good chance that they’ll hold the belts until All In Texas, because TEXAS. There’s nothing to see here but Ring Of Honor had o be on the because reasons.

The opening video looks at the card in order and does a great job of hyping the show up.

Casino Gauntlet Match

Non-title and it’s one fall to a finish, meaning there is no guarantee everyone will get in. Hechicero is in at #1 and Kosei Fujita is in at #2. They grapple to start and get nowhere as Soberano Jr. is in at #3 after a very short interval. A Rocking Horse/top rope Fameasser hits Fujita and it’s Master Wato in at #4.

Wato and Soberano go at it until Mascara Dorada is in at #5 as these entrances are flying. Dorada gets to clean house with takedowns and dives until Taiji Ishimori is in at #6. A Lethal Injection hits Dorada and Titan is in at #7 to keep the pace fast. Titan hits a gordbuster into a kick to the face as IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion El Desperado is in at #8 to complete the field.

Everyone runs up the ramp to go after Desperado and they carry him to the ring for the big beating. Naturally that’s broken up when someone goes for the cover, meaning it’s time for the big collection of dives. Wato hits a big running flip dive onto the pile, with Dorada doing the same thing. Somehow Desperado is back up but gets pulled into a leg trap choke, only for Ishimori to steal the pin on Desperado at 16:16.

Rating: B-. This was a bunch of spots and staggered intervals, which made for a good enough showcase. I do like them getting that many people on the show at once, even if the only thing from AEW was the concept. The bit with Desperado was smart and protects him with the loss, which is perfectly fine. Nice stuff, though more of a “get them on the card” match than anything else.

Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Katsuyori Shibata

This is a grappling match with a five minute time limit. They fight over a lockup to start until Shibata gets him to the ropes for a clean break. They chop it out with Shibata seemingly getting the better of things and telling Tanahashi to bring it. The chop exchange keeps going until time expires at 5:00. The whole match was the long lockup and chop exchanges with a few small moves in the middle.

Rating: C. This wasn’t a normal match and I’m not going to treat it overly harsh as a result. The idea here was either something of a tease or just to have the two of them in the Dome again. That’s perfectly fine and even though it wasn’t a traditional match, it wasn’t supposed to be some mat classic.

Respect is shown post match.

Rev Pro British Women’s Title/NJPW Strong Women’s Title: Mina Shirakawa vs. Mercedes Mone

Title for title. Mone takes her into the corner off a lockup to start before they both miss a few shots, allowing Mina to dance. The Statement Maker is broken up in a hurry and Mina bails to the floor, setting up a suicide dive. Mina gets smart by going after the knee but a quick Meteora gives Mone two.

The knee gets slammed into the mat to cut that off but Mone is right back with another Meteora. Mina sends the knee into the mat again and grabs a Figure Four, with Mone going straight to the ropes. Mone gets in a gutbuster, with commentary pointing out that it’s kind of stupid. Speaking of stupid, Mone’s knee is suddenly fine enough to hit Three Amigos, which she has apparently wanted to do in this building for fifteen years. To be fair, she hasn’t paid tribute to Eddie Guerrero in what, four days or so?

Mina hits a super DDT into another Figure Four but Mone is out again. The Glamorous river gets two but Mone is back with a pair of Coebreakers for two. A Gory Bomb sets up another Figure Four but Mone rolls her up for two. The Mone Maker connects out of nowhere for the pin to make Mone a triple champion at 14:06.

Rating: C-. I’m sure that Mone is happy that she gets another title and got to do something in the Tokyo Dome, but there is only so much to get out of a match built around working the knee when Mone keeps popping back up. The lack of selling was nonsense and took me completely out of the match, which didn’t have the highest drama in the first place. This felt like Mone was getting to do whatever she wanted and Mina was little more than a prop to make that happen. Big disappointment here.

David Finlay vs. Brody King

King wastes no time in kicking him in the face to start but misses a charge into the corner. A Stunner over the ropes lets Finlay get a breather and he starts in on the leg. Finlay’s slingshot dive to the floor is pulled out of the air though and King puts him against the barricade for a huge crash. Back in and a backsplash connects before King gets to say some bad words.

They forearm it out on the apron until Finlay has to break up the hanging sleeper. Finlay hits a big dive off the top but King is back with a lariat into a powerbomb. Finlay’s spear gets two, only for King to Death Valley Driver him into the corner. There’s the cannonball but Finlay sends him into the buckle. A powerbomb into the Overkill (knee to the face) finishes King at 12:35.

Rating: B-. This gets Finlay back on track after he lost the title yesterday. Finlay is someone who has some skills and I can see the potential in him, but there was something missing to get him to that next level. On the other hand you have King, who is a great monster and can work well against almost anyone. Nice power match here, with Finlay’s powerbomb looking good.

Shota Umino vs. Claudio Castagnoli

Castagnoli jumps him on the ramp to start and takes it to the ring to officially start the beating. Umino gets knocked outside before Castagnoli grabs a crossface to crank away on the neck. Umino fights up and shrugs off some shots, setting up a springboard tornado DDT. Another DDT onto the apron drops Castagnoli and he gets beaten up on the floor.

Back in and a springboard missile dropkick gets two but Castagnoli gorilla presses him off the top. A running clothesline sets up the Swing and Castagnoli grabs the Sharpshooter. That’s broken up and Castagnoli strikes away, only for Umino to hit the Death Riders elbows. Another DDT and another elbow to the head get two on Castagnoli but he blocks the Death Rider. The Riccola Bomb gives Castagnoli two but Umino is back with the Death Rider for the pin at 14:32.

Rating: C+. I’ve seen two matches from Umino now and neither has exactly made me interested. There’s just no spark to him and hearing about Jon Moxley and the Death Riders (yes I know Umino and Moxley have a history) for most of the match didn’t make it much better. Just a match with some good enough moves, but this form of Umino isn’t doing it for me.

AEW International Title/NJPW Never Openweight Title: Konosuke Takeshita vs. Tomohiro Ishii

Takeshita, with Don Callis, is defending. Ishii’s chops don’t work very well and Takeshita knocks him into the corner, where some forearms eventually have some success. Some kicks to the head wake Ishii up though and he chops away. Ishii’s shots to the face earn him a German suplex though and they’re both down. The Blue Thunder Bomb gives Takeshita two and the Raging Fire gets the same, leaving Takeshita surprised.

The kneeling Tombstone plants Ishii but he’s back with a German suplex into a release German suplex. They trade headbutts from all fours until Takeshita gets the better of a forearm off. Takeshita takes him up top, where Ishii snaps off a super hurricanrana. Takeshita’s brainbuster is shrugged off but he grabs a poisonrana. Another hard forearm into Raging Fire retains the titles at 13:30.

Rating: B-. I’m not big on the “you hit me in the head but I scream and get back up really fast” style and that’s what Ishii does rather often. That’s what they were going for here and it was another nice win for Takeshita, but it was only so entertaining. Takeshita is going to come back to AEW with multiple titles and there is a good chance he’ll hold those for a rather long time to come. That makes sense, as he really is that good most of the time.

IWGP Tag Team Titles: Young Bucks vs. United Empire vs. Los Ingobernables de Japon

The titles are vacant coming in and it’s the Great O Khan/Jeff Cobb for the Empire and Tetsuya Naito/Hiromu Takahashi for Los Ingobernables. Tornado rules as well, because having to tag might hinder the Bucks’ art. It’s a brawl to start and the Bucks clear the ring, setting up stereo dives to the floor.

Cobb fights back and is quickly cut off with a double superkick. Back in and the Bucks cut off Cobb and Naito, including a SUCK IT, though the Superkick Party is broken up. Naturally Matt can hit the double northern lights suplex but a tornado DDT into a Time Bomb 1.5 gets two. Cobb starts throwing suplexes and eventually suplexes both Bucks at once but Matt is right back up to team up with Takahashi.

A double superplex drops Cobb but Matt jumps Takahashi, because the Bucks are smart. Destino gets two on Nick with O Khan making the save. The EVP Trigger hits Naito with O Khan making another save, earning himself a superkick party. The Meltzer Driver finishes O Khan to give the Bucks the titles at 13:47.

Rating: C. Well, that was a nice tribute/love letter to the Young Bucks. The story was that they were just put into the title match because they’re rich and famous, and then they dominate/win the match. This felt like the Bucks saying they needed to show how dominant and awesome they were and that’s exactly what we got. You know, in case we haven’t seen that enough in AEW over the years.

NJPW Global Title: Jack Perry vs. Yota Tsuji

Tsuji is defending. Perry takes him into the corner to start but Tsuji takes him down with a faceplant. They’re quickly on the floor with Tsuji being sent into the barricade as Perry takes over. Back in and Perry stomps away, only to get caught with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker.

Another backbreaker gives Tsuji two but Perry ties him up in the Tree of Woe. A basement dropkick sets up a German suplex to give Perry two and they go up top. Tsuji’s super Spanish Fly gets two though and they’re both down. They forearm it out until Perry gets two off a DDT. A low blow sets up an Angle Slam for two but Tsuji hits a spear to retain at 13:12.

Rating: C+. While it’s not as bad as Shota Umino, I’m not sure I get it with Tsuji either. It doesn’t help that he’s completely average size and is using a spear, which is pretty much never a good idea. At least he won clean though and that’s a good thing. Granted I’m not sure how much value there is in beating Perry, who is showing that he isn’t the next big thing every single time he’s out there.

Gabe Kidd vs. Kenny Omega

This is Omega’s first match in over a year after dealing with diverticulitis. They grapple against the ropes to start and then strike it out until Omega knocks him into the corner. Commentary seems to call Tony Khan a “money mark” who took New Japan stars away to start AEW as Omega knocks him down and stomps away. They suplex each other out to the floor for the big crash and Omega is sent into the barricade.

Kidd takes too long setting up some tables though and gets taken own by a slingshot dive. Omega sends him into the barricade and hits a dragon suplex on the floor and Kidd is sent crashing though a table. Kidd is busted open so Omega takes him down with a dive but bangs up his own hip in the process. Some chair shots have Omega in trouble for a change and a suplex puts him through a table.

Omega is busted open as well so some chairs are thrown inside, leaving Kidd to work on the cut. Back in and Omega sends him into the chairs, only for Kidd to do the exact same thing. They trade chair shots to the head and both of them need a breather. Omega wins a strike off but Kidd blasts him with a discus lariat to leave both of them down. Back up and Omega snaps off a hurricanrana, setting up the big flip dive to the floor.

Back in and a Jay Driller gives Omega two and there’s a V Trigger against the ropes. The One Winged Angel doesn’t work though and Kidd grabs an abdominal stretch (remember Omega’s internal issues). That’s broken up so Kidd grabs a piledriver for two. Kidd is back up with a Ganso bomb into a package piledriver for two (Commentary: “GIVE ME A BREAK!” Yep.). A V Trigger into a powerbomb into another V Trigger gets one on Kidd before the One Winged Angel finishes Kidd at 31:49.

Rating: A-. They didn’t bother trying for a match here but rather had a fight, which made the match that much more emotional. Ignoring some of the “…really?” kickouts near the end and I had a great time with this. Kidd felt like a monster who had to be beaten and Omega did everything he could. This is the Omega that feels like a star and while he can only do it for so much longer, it worked here. Best match of the weekend so far.

IWGP World Heavyweight Title: Ricochet vs. Zack Sabre Jr.

Sabre is defending and gets taken out by a dive before the bell. Ricochet hits another dive and a 450 gets two. Sabre ties him up in the ropes though and kicks him in the back so the fight can head outside. A flip dive is caught in a cravate (nice) and Sabre twists the neck. Back in and Sabre starts in on the leg but Ricochet hits a handspring elbow. A springboard clothesline into a moonsault gives Ricochet two but he has to break up Sabre’s choke.

Ricochet Death Valley Drivers him for two, only for Sabre to grab a dragon suplex for the same. Ricochet rolls some suplexes onto the apron and then the floor (that was different) for a double knockdown. Back in and they slap it out from their knees and then their feet. They fight up top until a super Zack Driver gets two, with Ricochet having to bail to the ropes to get out of an armbar.

Ricochet’s Vertigo connects for two and a shooting star press gets the same. A kick to the head sets up another Vertigo for another two but the 630 misses. The Zack Driver gets two so Sabre knocks him down again without much trouble. Sabre ties up the arms and Ricochet gives up at 21:06.

Rating: B+. I liked this a good deal, as it was a clash between a technical master and a high flier, which often works well. Sabre is quite good at what he does and some of the holds he pulls out are insane. Ricochet didn’t feel like the most serious challenger but he more than held up his own in a rather good match.

Post match Sabre puts over Ricochet and says the future of New Japan is the orange of TMDK. Posing ends the show.

Overall Rating: B. I had a better time with this one than Wrestle Kingdom, though that might be due to recognizing more of the names. The Omega vs. Kidd match is the best part of the weekend and the main event was better than last night’s. It’s not a concept that needs to be a regular thing but I’m sure it will be, even if some of the promotions were more or less tacked on (ROH not making it out of the pre-show was funny). Overall, a good show, but after two straight days of long shows, it’s a bit much to take in all at once.

Results
Momo Watanabe b. Willow Nightingale, Persephone and Athena – Dragon suplex to Athena
Sons Of Texas b. House Of Torture – Swanton to Sho
Taiji Ishimori won the Casino Gauntlet Match – Rollup to Desperado
Katsuyori Shibata vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi went to a time limit draw
Mercedes Mone b. Mina Shirakawa – Mone Maker
David Finlay b. Brody King – Overkill
Shota Umino b. Claudio Castagnoli – Death Rider
Konosuke Takeshita b. Tomohiro Ishii – Raging Fire
Young Bucks b. Los Ingobernables de Japon and United Empire – Meltzer Driver to O Khan
Yota Tsuji b. Jack Perry – Spear
Kenny Omega b. Gabe Kidd – One Winged Angel
Zack Sabre Jr. b. Ricochet – Double armbar

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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AND

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Ring Of Honor
Date: October 17, 2024
Location: Spokane Arena, Spokane, Washington
Commentators: Ian Riccaboni, Caprice Coleman

We’re in something of a new era around here as we are now seeing a classic match every week, which is a nice change of pace but also extends shows which are already running long. As usual there is very little going on around here when it comes to long form storytelling so it’s hard to guess what we’ll be seeing here. Let’s get to it.

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

In Memory Of Joe Koff, former company executive.

Opening sequence.

We run down the card.

We look at Mark Briscoe beating Chris Jericho at WrestleDream, but a ladder rematch is set for next week on Dynamite.

Briscoe promises to beat up Jericho anywhere he likes, even throwing in some Green Eggs And Hams style rhyming.

Spanish Announce Project vs. Ren Jones/Derek Dillinger

Angelico and Jones start things off with the former craning on a hammerlock. Jones reverses into one of his own but gets reversed just as fast. Back up and Jones works on the arm again, which is broken up again as well. Serpentico comes in to take Jones down, setting up a running hurricanrana out of the corner.

Jones hits a quick backbreaker so the fairly large Dillinger can come in for chops and a sidewalk slam for two. A jumping Downward Spiral gets Serpentico out of trouble and he avoids a moonsault to make things worse for Dillinger. It’s back to Angelico to pick things up, with an ankle lock making Jones tap at 7:19.

Rating: C. There was a lot of arm work in this to start and that wasn’t exactly making up for the fact that the Project took over seven minutes to beat these two. The Project hasn’t felt important around here for a long time and this didn’t do them any good, but I’m sure we’re seeing them get closer to the Tag Team Titles. Like every other team who ever wins a match.

Rachael Ellering wants a title but Harley Cameron interrupts and remembers where they are. Cameron took a long look in the mirror and realized she was very attractive. She wants a hug and Ellering seems confused by everything that just happened.

Yuka Sakazaki vs. Viva Van

Van actually takes her down to start and gives herself some applause, only for Sakazaki to grab a spinning rollup for two. Back up and Van slips off a springboard attempt, allowing Sakazaki to hit a running knee in the corner. A missile dropkick gets two on Van and a Blockbuster gets the same, with Van bridging up to escape. Van’s running spinwheel kick gets two and she grabs a rocking horse hold. Sakazaki is back with an arm trap spinning faceplant, setting up the Magic Girl Splash for the pin at 5:48.

Rating: C+. This was another Sakazki match and it’s about the same as everything you’ve sen from her before. In other words, she did her stuff well enough but odds are it’s going to be a few weeks before she’s back again, if not longer. It’s hard to get interested in her when she’s around so infrequently and when the only thing we hear about her is a list of titles she’s won in Japan, but that’s all she’s gotten for her time in AEW/ROH.

New TV Champion Brian Cage says this is long overdue and it is the push he needed to start the Age Of Cage.

Nick Wayne vs. Brian Cook

Wayne strikes away in the corner to start but Cook is back with some armdrags. Wayne takes him down and stomps on the arm before sending it hard into the corner. A dropkick cuts Cook off again but he makes a quick clothesline comeback. The bad arm goes into the corner again and Wayne’s World finishes at 4:56.

Rating: C-. This was a longer than necessary squash with Wayne running through him and working on the arm for the better part of five minutes. Wayne hasn’t done anything significant for a good while so he needed this kind of a win, though it could have been shorter for the same point. Now just have Wayne do something on AEW TV if he’s important enough for this kind of a match.

MxM Collection vs. Midnight Heat

Heat is Eddie Pearl and Ricky Gibson. Normally I wouldn’t list them but that would be the same Ricky who made an appearance on Smackdown a few weeks back as Kevin Owens’ short term partner. Mansoor works on Ricky’s arm to start as the fans certainly seem to know the latter. A dropkick lets Mansoor flip up to his feet and it’s off to Mason for a headbutt to Pearl. Mansoor walks into a hot shot though and a combination backbreaker drops him again. Mason comes back in and cleans house, including a sitout chokeslam to Ricky. The Centerfold finishes Pearl at 3:51.

Rating: C. The Collection is getting better in the ring but they’re still best known for what they do on the mic. You can tell Midnight Heat was doing well enough and you can tell they have a good bit of experience together. It made their time on offense look better and that boosted up the Collection’s win.

Jack Cartwheel vs. AR Fox

They trade flips to start and nip up for a staredown before Cartwheel is sent to the apron. A legsweep misses and Fox sends him outside, setting up the big dive. Back up and Cartwheel hits a kick, setting up a cartwheel flip dive. Fox is right back with a neckbreaker for two but Cartwheel’s crucifix driver gets the same. A jumping enziguri drops Cartwheel for two more, followed by a snap superplex (that looked cool). Fox drops a 450 for the pin at 6:43.

Rating: C+. If you like the rather choreographed looking style and two people who are incredibly athletic trading their flips and kicks, this was the perfect match. Fox has long since been a guy who is great for fun matches but he isn’t going anywhere. Cartwheel is as gimmicky as you can get and in this case, that’s perfectly fine.

Atlantis Jr. vs. Jon Cruz

Atlantis knees him down for an early two and a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker gets the same. Back up and Cruz hammers away with right hands, followed by a sliding chinlock for a bit of flare. Atlantis fights up, hits a rolling cutter, and nails a frog splash for the pin at 3:50.

Rating: C. I’ve been watching Atlantis Jr. for about six months now and I have no idea what the appeal is supposed to be. He’s perfectly fine but there is nothing about him that makes him stand out in any meaningful way. I’m sure it’s something about keeping the ties with CMLL but there has to be someone who is a bit more exciting.

Willie Mack vs. Komander

For a TV Title shot. Mack runs him over to start and adds a running kick to the head. A double nipple twist has Komander in more trouble and he loses a battle of the chops. Komander pops up with a running hurricanrana to send him outside, setting up the running dive. Back in and Mack knocks him down but misses the frog splash, allowing Komander to come back with Cielito Lindo for the pin at 6:32.

Rating: C. The match was perfectly fine, but this is a good example of why Ring Of Honor isn’t worth watching. Coming into this match, Mack has had one singles match in Ring Of Honor this year while Komander has been treated as nothing but a jobber in AEW. Why are these two having a match for a title shot? There are several people who have been racking up wins around here and aren’t getting title chances. That’s Ring Of Honor’s title situation in a nutshell and it’s not getting any better.

We look at Chris Jericho and Mark Briscoe’s promo exchange on Dynamite, setting up their ladder match next week.

From Final Battle 2018 (and from a previous review):

Tag Team Titles: Briscoes vs. Young Bucks vs. SCU

SCU (Scorpio Sky and Frankie Kazarian) are defending here. The Briscoes head outside and start throwing chairs inside, leaving the Bucks to slug it out with the champs. The Bucks get the better of it and start superkicking until Kazarian slingshots out into a hurricanrana on Mark, sending him into a spear on Jay. Everyone heads outside with Sky being put on a table but the Briscoes chair Matt down.

Jay hits a double stomp to put Sky through the table and the Briscoes take over with various metal shots. Kazarian is busted open and Mark puts the ladder around his neck to slam into people’s faces. Some superkicks break that up and Coleman thinks we might see some more later. Jay gets kicked to the floor and a wheelbarrow faceplant drops Sky. The Bucks hit a double dropkick on Sky before stopping for a Too Sweet.

The first ladder is set up but the champs take over on the Bucks, complete with some loud swearing from Sky. It’s too early for the titles though and the fight over getting to climb is on. Nick and Kazarian shove the ladder back and forth at each other until stereo superkicks put the champs down. The Briscoes come back in with some chairs to clean house though until Kazarian hits a chair shot to Jay’s back. Another shot takes out Kazarian’s ankle though and the Briscoes take over again.

Mark gets kicked out to the floor for a flip dive from Sky and it’s time to unleash the series of dives until Matt is suplexed through a table. The bloody Jay finds a staple gun but Kazarian breaks it up with a slingshot cutter through the table at ringside. And now, a sledgehammer from Matt has Jay begging him to swing. Since that’s a bad idea, we get another ladder instead.

After catapulting it into Sky’s face, Matt goes up but gets pulled back down into a backbreaker onto the open chair because the back injury is his thing. Nick hits the slingshot X Factor to send Jay into a chair but the also bloody Mark brings in another ladder. A springboard spear knocks Sky off the ladder so it’s time for the Meltzer Driver, with Mark diving off the ladder with a cutter for the save.

There’s a Jay Driller to Matt and everyone is down for a few seconds. Jay loads up yet another ladder and then bridges a second between the standing version and the corner. Kazarian is back in with a Styles Clash to drive Jay crotch first into a chair. That’s enough to get a hand on a belt with Nick going up for the save but being tossed WAY down and through a table on the floor. Jay climbs up as well and Mark pelts a chair up at Kazarian to knock him through another table, leaving Jay to pull down the titles for the win at 22:40.

Rating: A. Well that was great. This was the exact same idea that worked for the original TLC matches: take six guys and let them go completely insane with one spot after another until one team finally puts the others away after a big move. It was entertaining and nothing was going to follow it so this was the right call for the main event. Great stuff with the blood making it seem more intense, which is exactly what it should have been.

Lady Frost vs. Athena

Non-title Proving Ground match, meaning if Frost wins or lasts the ten minute time limit, she gets a future title shot and Lexi Nair is here with Athena. Frost grabs some armdrags to start and they trade dropkick attempts for a standoff. A headscissors drops Athena to the floor and Frost hits a flip dive off the apron. Nair uses a chain (the one she’s been tied to Athena with for protection from Abadon) to trip Frost down though and Athena takes over on the floor.

Back in and Athena chokes in the corner before slamming Frost head first onto the mat as things slow down. Frost scores with a kick to the head but a wheelbarrow slam plants her right back down. Back up and a flip into a Cannonball connects for Frost in the corner, setting up a cartwheel into something close to an Air Raid Crash for two. Frost’s super hurricanrana is countered into a superbomb though and a crossface makes frost tap at 8:32.

Rating: C+. When she’s been champion for this long, there is only so much interest to be had in anything she does. It seems like we’re on the way to the Billie Starkz getting a shot at Athena, likely at Final Battle, and that’s the match that has been cooking for a few months now. That leaves things like this and a showdown with Abadon (it is October after all) feeling less than interesting, but what are you expecting when Athena has been champion for the better part of ever?

Post match Athena loads up the ram into the title but Abadon’s music scares her off to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. That’s as quintessential Ring Of Honor as you can get these days: the women have the only thing close to a developed story, there’s a match where you remember how things used to be great, and a title shot is thrown out to the winner of a random match while a bunch of people not important enough to be involved in something in AEW have short matches. There’s nothing impressive here other than whatever Athena is doing and the classic match, because the rest is just filler until they get to a pay per view where they’ll bring in bigger names for a few weeks. Skip this show, as usual.

Results
Spanish Announce Project b. Ren Jones/Derek Dillinger – Ankle lock to Jones
Yuka Sakazaki b. Viva Van – Magic Girl Splash
Nick Wayne b. Brian Cook – Wayne’s World
MxM Collection b. Midnight Heat – Centerfold to Pearl
AR Fox b. Jack Cartwheel – 450
Atlantis Jr. b. Jon Cruz – Frog splash
Willie Mack b. Komander – Cielito Lindo

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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AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.

Dynamite
Date: October 16, 2024
Location: SAP Center, San Jose, California
Commentators: Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Nigel McGuinness

We’re done with WrestleDream and the big story is Jon Moxley is the new World Champion, having kind of retired Bryan Danielson. It seems we are going to need some saviors to fight for the company and maybe we find that out tonight. Other than that, Adam Cole and MJF are both back and don’t like each other. Let’s get to it.

Here is WrestleDream if you need a recap.

The opening video features Jon Moxley and friends in the back of a truck with Moxley talking about how there are so many wrestlers on the roster who get paid and then do nothing. He hates what AEW has become because there is no need for all of the dancing and partying. He’ll burn down the forest and do what has to be done because they can see a better future.

If you want to come with them you can, but otherwise, run while you can. The new paradigm is you work for him now. Wheeler Yuta looks off into the darkness. This included shots of wrestlers being upset at what happened to Bryan Danielson, meaning we probably have some people ready to fight back. That being said, “Wah, they’re making too much money and are too soft but we’re all tough” isn’t exactly a thrilling story.

Here is Adam Cole for a chat. He loves his friends but he has to do this on his own. Cole wants to talk about the worst person in this company, MJF. After years of seeing him be this way, the only thing that Cole can say is that MJF is fake. Just look at his hair: it took two surgeries but that fake hair is on his head. MJF will act all tough and stoic on social media when fans insult him but then he’ll cry in his hotel room.

This place has the best talent roster in the world and there are a lot of hungry people who are ready to go around someone like MJF. He’ll act like he’s something special but the reality is everyone, including Cole, hates him. Cole hates everything about him, including his stupid face, so get out here for the fight they’re going to have right now.

MJF’s music plays but he pops up on screen to say he’s a multi millionaire at 28, but he knows what it’s like to be alone. Cole tried to be his friend but then MJF took it away, but now Cole is never going to get his revenge. MJF will always dangle the carrot of revenge and Cole can thank him for everything later. Cole swears vengeance anyway. This only worked to an extent, as the feud felt like it was over and Cole didn’t have much to say other than “I really hate you”.

Chris Jericho feels vindicated after his loss to Mark Briscoe because Briscoe cheated. Jericho wants a rematch to become the two time Ring Of Honor World Champion, just like Jay Briscoe.

Mark Briscoe doesn’t like Jericho bringing up his brother’s name again, so of course they can have a rematch. Next week. In a ladder war. Tonight though, FTR is going to take out Jericho’s Learning Tree. I appreciate the logic of Briscoe wanting to avenge his brother’s memory being tarnished, but if this is continuing, Briscoe shouldn’t have beaten Jericho clean on Saturday.

FTR vs. Learning Tree

Harwood takes over on Keith to start and hammers away before handing it off to Wheeler. Keith gets in a slam and a knee drop but Wheeler fights up. Bill comes in off a surprise though and it’s a Boss Man Slam to send us to a break. Back with Harwood hitting a clothesline on Keith but getting dropped by the same thing from Bill. The Shatter Machine is broken up and Wheeler takes Bill to the floor for a tornado DDT. Back in and Keith walks into the Shatter Machine for the pin at 8:20.

Rating: C+. As usual, there is only so much that can be done with a match that only gets eight minutes and includes a commercial break. Bill continues to look like a monster and it wouldn’t surprise me to see him do something better in the future. For now though, he’s part of a tag team where Keith is taking the fall, so at least Bill is being protected. At the same time, dang FTR feels like they’ve fallen a very, very long way in the last few months.

Post match the Outrunners come out to post with FTR.

Acclaimed and Billy Gunn are ready to head to the gym, with Billy going to get the car ready. They’re ready for more, but MVP and Shelton Benjamin come in. MVP offers a business card, with Bowens saying they don’t need anything from them. Caster slips the card into his pocket.

TBS Title: Mercedes Mone vs. Queen Aminata

Mone, with Kamille, is defending. Mone tries to take her down but gets some swiveling hips to the face for her efforts. A victory roll gives Mone two but Aminata gives her a fall away slam to the floor. Kamille offers a quick distraction and Mone gets in a whip to the steps as we take a break. Back with Aminata hitting an Air Raid Crash for two and they both need a breather. A sunset flip gives Aminata one and a neckbreaker gets two, followed by a snap suplex to send Mone into the corner. Mone fights her way out of said corner and hits the Statement Maker for the pin at 8:41.

Rating: C+. Same problem with the match being cut off by the break as the previous one, which is quite the recurring issue in modern wrestling. Mone continues to be good in the ring but other than Britt Baker, she hasn’t had much in the way of competition. Aminata and Emi Sakura haven’t exactly done much in AEW but have gotten recent title shots. Find someone a bit more elevated to get the shot at her.

Private Party talks to the Young Bucks and wants another title shot. The Bucks admit that Private Party took them to the limit but that was their last shot. The Bucks are gone so Stokely Hathaway comes in to say the team has been here since the Obama administration and never gotten anywhere. If they lose next time, they should split up, because Kassidy is the singles star anyway. Not that that’s any of Hathaway’s business of course. I would certainly hope that’s it for the Bucks vs. Private Party, as it wasn’t exactly a big match in the first place.

The Elite talk about how important today is to the history of AEW. Today is Kenny Omega’s birthday and even though he’s had a bunch of his intestines taken out, they have a cake for him. Then they pour a bunch of fake intestines on it. Jack Perry: “Get well soon Kenny. Or die.” Kazuchika Okada throws in a b****. Teasing Omega’s return, even if it’s a bit off in the distance, is a good thing.

Elite vs. Conglomeration

Nick gets taken own by Cassidy to start and O’Reilly strikes away before they do the same to Matt. Romero comes in for a running hurricanrana to Okada and we take a break. Back with O’Reilly making Nick clothesline Matt but Okada comes back in for the save. The Rainmaker is broken up but Matt hits an elbow to give Okada two. Romero is back up with the Forever Clotheslines, only for Okada to break it up with the tombstone. The Bucks spend their time pumping up their shoes and Cassidy starts cleaning house….but Wheeler Yuta runs in to jump O’Reilly for the DQ at 9:21.

Rating: B-. Well at least they had a way to avoid either team losing here. The Conglomeration would be fine enough as the first people to stand up to the Club and some of that was already started at WrestleDream. There’s a good chance the Elite are the real ones to fight the villains of though and….egads that is going to take some incredible efforts. Or they’ll just make the Elite good again and forget everything about what has happened in the last six months with no major repercussions.

Post match the rest of Moxley’s friends, including Moxley, come in for the beatdown, with commentary calling Cassidy “the leader of AEW” which….no. Top Flight comes in for the failed save so the Dark Order runs in, passing by the Elite on the way and asking them to help. The Order is beaten down as well (including Pac beating people up with a briefcase, which may contain the World Title) and the violence continues as Moxley says this is just the cost of doing business. Excalibur: “There’s no rhyme or reason to what these people are doing here.”

Commentary is aghast.

The Elite, minus Okada, says that wasn’t their business but Daniel Garcia and Private Party come in. Perry and Garcia….kind of nuzzle a bit before the Elite leave.

We look at Swerve Strickland picking Prince Nana at WrestleDream.

Shelton Benjamin vs. Lio Rush

MVP and Leila Grey are here too. Rush dodges around to start and can’t get anywhere, so Benjamin drops him with a hard shot. Back up and Benjamin is sent outside, where he jumps up to the apron for a knee (MVP approves) and we take a break. We come back with Benjamin knocking him down again but Rush hits his springboard Stunner.

A cutter catches Benjamin again, followed by a rather spinning tornado DDT for two. Rush goes up top so Benjamin runs the corner for a belly to belly superplex. A release German suplex sends Rush flying and another one does it again. Benjamin superkicks the heck out of him and hits the exploder for the pin at 11:01.

Rating: C+. Benjamin looked great in his first feature match in a long time, but there was no reason or this to be eleven minutes. People know who Benjamin is and he has a long resume. There was no reason for Rush to get in this much offense, as Rush on his best day is nowhere near what Benjamin has done. This should have been WAY shorter, but that’s not how AEW works.

Post match MVP says he wants to keep this going with Swerve Strickland (MVP: “HOW CAN THIS BE SWERVE’s HOUSE WHEN SWERVE’S HOUSE WAS BURNED TO THE GROUND???”) because this is Strickland’s future.

Darby Allin isn’t here tonight, but we do see him talking about Tony Hawk….who isn’t with him. They are however selling signed photos of the two of them together for charity. Sure.

Swerve Strickland is ready for Shelton Benjamin and is ready for him anytime. Benjamin set a lot of records, which have been broken, but Strickland breaks bones.

Here is Don Callis, flanked by Lance Archer and Brian Cage, for a press conference. Since there is no press in wrestling though, he’ll answer the questions himself. First up, he wants the Tag Team Titles back, so these two are going to get them. With that out of the way, Callis brings out Konosuke Takeshita and Kyle Fletcher.

Callis says Takeshita is defending the title all around the world, with Takeshita saying come take it. Fletcher is given the chance to explain why he turned on Will Ospreay….but he’s not going to say anything because the fans keep chanting for Ospreay. This could have been summed up as “Brian Cage is now on the team”.

Mariah May wants competition so here is Anna Jay to charge at her. Christopher Daniels tries to break it up and Jay hits him in the face. Nigel McGuinness is thrilled.

Ricochet is ready to show that he is the best in the world and doesn’t need the lackeys to do it for him like Konosuke Takeshita. The open challenge is on for Collision.

Jon Moxley and company are still beating up the Dark Order and Top Flight. The villains leave and Evil Uno rants about how Moxley and company are taking food off their plates. Darius Martin issues the challenge for Collision. If I’m supposed to care about the Dark Order and Top Flight as AEW’s saviors, AEW has a lot more work today.

Christian Cage vs. Jay White

A bunch of their friends are here too. They start slowly until White sends him into the corner a few times. White grabs something like an Indian deathlock as commentary does their inside jokes. Nick Wayne makes the referee believe the Bang Bang Gang used a chair so they’re ejected, but Wayne gets beaten up first. We take a break and come back with White fighting out of a chinlock.

White pulls the turtleneck over Cage’s face and hammering away in the corner, followed by the chops to the exposed chest (Nigel: “You sadist!”). Cage fights back and hits a reverse DDT onto the apron but cue Kip Sabian (because of course) for a distraction. White gets a rollup for two as Hangman Page is hiding on the floor (he might have shown up too early). Cage’s Killswitch gets two but Sabian offers another distraction, allowing Page to come in with the Buckshot Lariat so Cage can get the pin at 16:03.

Rating: B-. Oh someone botched the heck out of that interference, as Sabian and Page did the exact same thing twice about five minutes apart. That feels like it’s something the producer screwed up as the wrestlers were probably given the cue early. Other than that, it was a long main event with a bit of a story behind it (Cage put White out earlier this year) and it keeps White vs. Page going, which does fit after they had a quick one off match.

Overall Rating: C+. I’m not sure what to make of this show. While it wasn’t bad, it absolutely did not feel like something coming off of what was supposedly a huge ending to a pay per view. Moxley and company are still all violent and beating people up, but now they’re beating up some of the lowest of the low around here. After everyone was so devastated by Bryan Danielson being taken out, you would think there would be bigger names than Dante Marin and Evil Uno ready to fight back.

Other than that, there was a lot of stuff that seems like it will be continuing from WrestleDream, which only felt so important coming in. That’s the theme of this show: stuff happened, but it didn’t feel like it matters that much. The big story is what people will focus on though and that’s….well it’s going to be a bit before we get to the meat of the matter. Until then, we have Battle Of The Belts, which had its first (and so far only) match announced with ten seconds left on the show: a non-title match between Anna Jay and Mariah May. That show, much like a lot of other things around here, is going to need some work.

Results
FTR b. Learning Tree – Shatter Machine to Keith
Mercedes Mone b. Queen Aminata – Statement Maker
Conglomeration b. Elite via DQ when the Blackpool Combat Club interfered
Shelton Benjamin b. Lio Rush – Exploder
Christian Cage b. Jay White – Buckshot Lariat

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

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

AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.

WrestleDream 2024
Date: October 12, 2024
Location: Tacoma Dome, Tacoma, Washington
Commentators: Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Nigel McGuinness

We’re back on pay per view and that should make for a solid show. The card has only looked so good during the build, but that does not always translate to what you see in action. The main event is Jon Moxley challenging Bryan Danielson for the World Title so let’s get to it.

Zero Hour: Ring Of Honor TV Title: Brian Cage vs. Atlantis Jr.

Atlantis is defending and has a bad neck coming in. Cage strikes away to start and hits a spinebuster to put him down again. After some posing, a hard whip into the corner has Atlantis in more trouble. Cage is confident enough that he gets to lounge on the ropes for a bit as commentary talks about Taz. The slow beating continues with Cage shouting at the crowd and cutting off Atlantis’ comeback attempt.

Atlantis scores with a crossbody to send him outside, setting up the suicide dive. Back in and Atlantis gets two, only to be planted with a pumphandle slam for two more. Atlantis superkicks him down and hits a frog splash for another near fall. Cage is right back with a discus lariat into the Drill Claw for the pin and the title at 10:55.

Rating: C+. Well, Cage did win something and it gets the title off of Atlantis, who was doing a grand total of nothing with it, but it’s still one of the lower titles on the minor league show. The match had nothing significant built up about it and the title just changes hands. It’s going in the right direction, but dang this isn’t overly interesting, or exactly a great way to fire up the crowd.

Zero Hour: Anna Jay vs. Harley Cameron

Cameron takes her down without much trouble to start and Jay is looking moderately annoyed. A shot to Jay’s back just fires her up and she hits a hip shot to the face. Jay hammers away in the corner and sends her to the apron for a choke. With that broken up, a running dropkick sends Cameron outside, where she gets in some choking and rams Jay onto the floor.

Back in and some knees to the ribs set up a Russian legsweep for two on Cameron but Jay hits a running spinwheel kick in the corner. A running flipping neckbreaker gives Jay two but she gets taken into the wrong corner. Jay kicks her leg out though and hits a nasty Gory Bomb for the pin at 8:18.

Rating: C. So the idea is what Anna Jay is back from Japan and all tough and such. Well then maybe it’s not the best idea to have her take eight minutes to beat a comedy star. Cameron has improved in the ring in recent months but she still isn’t someone who should be treated as a serious threat. If Jay has undergone this big improvement and learned a bunch of new stuff, she didn’t get to show much of it here.

Zero Hour: MxM Collection vs. Acclaimed

The Collection brings out Rico (yes THAT Rico) of all people to counteract Billy Gunn. Mansoor kicks Bowens down to start, earning himself a flip onto his face. Mason comes in and sends Caster to the apron but the posing lets Caster hit a quick shoulder block. The slow beating continues with Caster getting chopped in the corner, setting up an old Smoking Gunns’ Sidewinder for two.

Caster fights up and hands it off to Bowens to clean house. That’s broken up as well and a belly to back suplex/chokeslam combination puts Bowens down. Caster makes the save but has to break up the Collection’s Scissor Me Timbers. Bowens hits a big dive to take out Mason on the floor, which brings Rico in for an attempted save. Billy Gunn cuts that off and gives him a Fameasser to a big reaction, leaving the Arrival into the Mic Drop to pin Mansoor at 11:24.

Rating: C. I liked the Rico stuff a lot here as he’s kind of the perfect choice for such a spot. Between the fashion deal and his history with Gunn, it was about as perfect of a choice as you could have had. I can’t imagine he’s a full time addition to the team, but for a one off bit of nostalgia and a great choice for the spot, it couldn’t have been much better. The match was…well it was exactly what you would expect from these teams.

Mercedes Mone and Kamille complain about things not being ready for them when Queen Aminata comes in. She’s not impressed, but Mercedes doesn’t have time for them.

Here is Tony Khan to bring out Antonio Inoki’s family for the big tribute. Khan wants the fans to do the Inoki chant…..and the fans sit there in silence, with Tony Schiavone having to tell the fans the words. That was hysterical.

Zero Hour: Conglomeration/Outrunners vs. Dark Order/Premiere Athletes

Nese kicks Magnum in the head to start and grabs a headlock before it’s off to O’Reilly vs. Reynolds. O’Reilly easily chokes him down so Cassidy can add some falling headbutts. Reynolds gets sent into the corner for some right hands from various opponents. Cassidy is knocked out to the floor to cut that off though and the big stomping ensues.

Back in and Silver hammers on Cassidy before stopping to pose, allowing Cassidy to get in a backdrop. The tornado DDT is enough for the tag to Magnum as commentary is cracking up. Nese kicks Magnum down and Daivari hammers away, but it’s time to Hulk Up, which has the fans all over this. Cassidy is back in with the Orange Punch but Mark Sterling makes the save. Cassidy’s top rope trust fall takes out the Dark Order and Total Recall finishes Daivari at 11:30.

Rating: C+. This is where AEW tends to lose me a bit. What did the Conglomeration add here? They had a tag match last night on Rampage, so why did they need to be in action again here when the Outrunners are one of the hottest acts in the company? Let them have their own match rather than running the Conglomeration out there and cut down on some of the people clogging up the show.

And now, the show proper, with no opening video but some pyro.

Hangman Page vs. Jay White

Juice Robinson is here with White, who slugs away to start. Page hammers him down in the corner without much trouble but misses a charge into the corner. White starts in on the leg before sending White throat first into the ropes. Back up and White charges into a boot in the corner so Page can fire off some right hands.

A fall away slam into the corner gives Page two but his sleeper is quickly broken up. It’s too early for the Buckshot Lariat though and White gets in a knockdown of his own. White grabs a DDT for two and a bridging German suplex gets the same. Page is sat on top and chopped down, with his leg getting tied in the ropes for some extra pain. Said leg is fine enough for Page to grab a Death Valley Driver onto the apron and a powerbomb onto the steps keeps White in trouble.

Page stops to argue with the referee though, allowing White to drop Page knee first onto the ramp for a nasty crash. Back in and they slug it out until White manages a swinging Rock Bottom for two. The Bladerunner is countered into the Deadeye though and Page heads to the apron. The Buckshot Lariat is loaded up but the knee gives out, allowing White to grab the Bladerunner for the pin at 16:25.

Rating: B. Well it was a good opener, though that’s certainly a surprising result. White getting a win is a nice thing to see, but Page losing clean just after he went all evil and over the top to beat Swerve Strickland is not what I was expecting. We’ll have to see where it goes, but dang that result was a shock.

Women’s Title: Willow Nightingale vs. Mariah May

Nightingale is challenging after winning a four way on Dynamite. May’s early slap in the corner is blocked so she jumps over Nightingale and takes her down. That just earns her a heck of a Pounce but May knocks her back into the corner to keep up the stomping. Nightingale powers out of a chinlock and strikes away, including a superkick for a big knockdown.

A spinebuster gives Nightingale two but May is right back with a release German suplex. Nightingale shrugs that off and grabs something like an Indian Deathlock before ramming May’s face into the knee for a bonus. May’s leg is fine enough to hit a quick dropkick into May Day for two and the shock is rather strong.

The Babe With The Powerbomb is blocked so they trade rollups until Nightingale can kick her in the face. The Death Valley Driver into the corner gives Nightingale two so she takes May up top. May is right back with a super hurricanrana for a great counter though, setting up the running knee and Storm Zero to retain at 10:48.

Rating: B. Back to back strong matches to start here as May felt like she earned the win rather than stealing it. May needed a win like this as she hasn’t looked like the strongest champion at times. On the other hand you have Nightingale, who loses another title match and leaves fans wanting to see her win again. That needs to happen at some point, and this time maybe it could be for her rather than to give Mercedes Mone a big moment.

We recap Jack Perry vs. Katsuyori Shibata for Perry’s TNT Title. Perry attacked Shibata’s friend Minoru Suzuki and gave Shibata a title shot when he was mad.

TNT Title: Jack Perry vs. Katsuyori Shibata

Perry is defending and bails to the floor when Shibata tries too much wrestling. Back in and the threat of a cross armbreaker has Perry on the floor again. Perry comes back inside and fires off the kicks, followed by the driving shoulders in the corner. Shibata easily wins a battle of the chops though, with the fans seemingly pleased with Perry being in pain. A suplex puts Perry down but Shibata sits down or the free kicks to the back.

Perry’s kicks just seem to annoy Shibata, who takes him outside for a suplex against the apron. Back in and another suplex gives Shibata two but Perry pulls him into the Snare Trap. A hanging DDT onto the floor knocks Shibata silly again for two but he’s fine enough to counter the running knee into a Death Valley Driver. Shibata gets the sleeper and drops back, only for Perry to stack him up for the pin to retain at 9:20.

Rating: C+. Well points for a surprise finish if nothing else, as Perry outsmarted Shibata to get the pin. This match was completely fine, but it was dealing with the issue of having very little in the way of drama. Shibata was pretty clearly not winning the title as Perry is probably going to hold it for a long time, but they did have a good ending and that helped a lot.

Post match Perry loads up a belt shot but Daniel Garcia comes in for the save. The staredown is on but here is MJF to interrupt. The distraction lets Perry drop Garcia and MJF brags about his movie career before hammering on Garcia again. MJF mocks the idea of a bidding war over Perry and, after forgetting that we’re in Tacoma instead of Seattle, pulls out the Dynamite Diamond Ring again. That’s loaded up but Adam Cole makes his return and MJF gets to panic a bit. Cole chases him off without much trouble and helps Garcia up.

We recap Will Ospreay defending the International Title against Ricochet and Konosuke Takeshita. Ricochet was getting a title shot when Takeshita interfered (on Don Callis’ behalf), setting up the three way.

International Title: Konosuke Takeshita vs. Ricochet vs. Will Ospreay

Ospreay is defending and Don Callis is on commentary. Takeshita gets kicked down to start before the other two can do their flip into the double pose. Back up and Takeshita takes Ospreay outside for a DDT and it’s already time for a table. Said table is sat up on the floor but Ricochet kicks Takeshita down. A Sasuke Special is pulled out of the air so Takeshita can hold him up, only for Ospreay to Sasuke Special down onto both of them (that was sweet).

Back in and more double teaming has Takeshita staggered until Ricochet drops Ospreay for two. Ricochet can’t Blue Thunder Bomb Takeshita so Ospreay kicks both of them down at the same time. All three head to the apron, where Ricochet has to block an Oscutter. Instead it’s a Death Valley Driver to Takeshita, setting up Ricochet’s middle rope Meteora. Takeshita is laid on the table but Ospreay catches Ricochet with a running Spanish Fly for two back inside.

Ricochet hits a backslide bomb but misses a 450, allowing Osprey to hit a Styles Clash with Takeshita making the save. Ricochet’s handspring is countered into the Blue Thunder Bomb for two and everyone is down again. Takeshita shrugs off shots from both of them and puts them down with a single shot each. Some double teaming puts Takeshita down for a second but he BLASTS THEM with a forearm each to take over again. Ospreay is back up with a springboard forearm to Takeshita, only for Ricochet to come off the top with a 450 for two in a great sequence.

An exchange of poisonranas lets Takeshita German suplex both of them at once, with Callis (and the fans) being rather appreciative. With the other two on the floor, Takeshita hits a big flip dive for two on Ricochet back inside. Ospreay is back in with a hurricanrana to send Ricochet flying into Takeshita before stealing the near fall himself. Ricochet hits a quick shooting star press on Ospreay but Takeshita makes the save and gets two of his own.

Takeshita and Ricochet head to the apron, where Takeshita hits a kneeling Tombstone through the table to a BIG reaction. Back in and the Hidden Blade connects but Callis pulls the referee like a good heel manager should. Ospreay loads up the Stormbreaker on Callis but Kyle Fletcher runs in to deck Ospreay for the save. Takeshita’s running knee finishes Ospreay for the pin and the title at 20:42.

Rating: A-. They got a little too much weight the Fletcher turn (which really wasn’t that shocking) but this was ALL action and Takeshita absolutely had to win the title after that kind of a performance. As great as Ospreay is, he was out shined on this one as Takeshita was in a class by himself and deserved the win. Awesome match which lived up to the hype it had coming in.

Post match Fletcher gives Ospreay the Tiger Driver 91. Geez what a dastardly villain. That might cause Ospreay some mild discomfort for a week or two!

Jerry Lynn talks to Orange Cassidy and says he’s never seen anyone like him. If Cassidy were to try, he could be something special. Hook comes in and seems to agree.

Here is Prince Nana, who plugs his coffee company and brings out Swerve Strickland for a chat. Swerve is happy to be back and thanks the fans for the hometown reception. His neck is still tingling a bit but he is medically cleared. Swerve is here to talk about his future but here are MVP and Shelton Benjamin to interrupt. MVP wants to talk about Swerve’s future as well but he hasn’t heard back from Swerve at all.

The reality is MVP was the one who saw greatness in Swerve years ago and YES this is Swerve’s house. MVP brags about his own resume and wants to talk business. Swerve talks about a match they had in Defy Wrestling (MVP and the fans both approve) and yeah MVP has done some great things for a lot of people. It’s true that things have been going badly for Swerve under Nana’s leadership, but he wouldn’t have had it in the first place without Nana.

Swerve has been hearing things about Nana selling weed to high school students in parking lots, but the reality is Nana is family. That’s something Swerve won’t turn his back on, and MVP can forget his business card. Benjamin doesn’t accept that and takes his jacket off but referees break it up. This really didn’t need to be a long PPV segment as it could have easily been on Dynamite without missing a beat.

Hologram vs. The Beast Mortos

2/3 falls and Hologram’s PPV debut. They trade mostly ineffective springboards to start until Hologram is flipped into a pose. Hologram is up with some superkicks and a backdrop to the floor, setting up a big suicide dive. Back in and Mortos hits a quick bulldog, followed by a pop up Samoan drop for two. The super gorilla press is reversed though and Hologram hits a high crossbody into a crucifix for the first fall at 3:44.

Back up and Mortos runs him over with a Pounce to the floor, setting up a heck of a dive. A running gorilla press plants Hologram onto the ramp and they head back inside, where Hologram is tied in the Tree of Woe. That means a running spear to cut Hologram in half, but he pops up to the top rope for a dive to drop Mortos again. Back in and a heck of a poisonrana plants Mortos but he grabs a backbreaker to cut Hologram off again. A powerbomb backbreaker and a discus lariat ties things up at 8:49 total.

Mortos is smart enough to wait for Hologram to get up before running him over. They go up top, where Hologram spins out of a backbreaker and grabs a headscissors for a needed breather. Mortos rolls outside and that means a big rope walk flip dive to take him out again. Back in and a top rope double stomp hits Mortos but a 450 hits raised knees.

Now the super gorilla press can plant Hologram for two, followed by another powerbomb backbreaker and discus lariat for a rather near fall. Hologram is back up with a rope rope crucifix bomb for two of his own, setting up the torture rack helicopter bomb to finish Mortos at 16:42.

Rating: B. Another rather entertaining match with Hologram looking good, though it’s another case where he’s just kind of put in a spot to entertain the crowd and little more. He needs to have an actual feud or story, and that’s not what we got here. Instead we got a bunch of enjoyable spots with Mortos being a great monster against Hologram’s superhero. Nice stuff here, even if it felt like a Collision main event.

We recap Brody King vs. Darby Allin, which is the result of King, an old rival of Allin, accepting an open challenge. Then Allin hit him in the face with a rock, like any good hero would do.

Darby Allin vs. Brody King

Allin gets a special skateboard themed entrance, complete with video of him, uh skateboarding. King misses a charge into the corner but throws Allin outside without much effort. After picking Allin up with one hand, King loads up the steps and chops the heck out of Allin. A dive over the steps doesn’t work for Allin, only for King to knock him out of the air. King puts the steps onto Allin and climbs onto them, followed by one heck of a chop back inside.

A Cannonball misses though and Allin hits some hard dives. The Coffin Drop to the floor has King rocked and a Code Red gives Allin two. A sleeper goes on but King drops him down onto the apron for the break. King snaps off a German suplex, followed by a release German superplex, because Allin is kind of dumb. It works so well that King does it AGAIN, only to load up another superplex to the floor. This time Allin shoves him onto the steps, setting up a top rope Coffin Drop onto King onto the steps to leave them both down again. Back in and another Coffin Drop finishes King off at 12:25.

Rating: B. Your taste in this match is going to depend on how much you enjoy Allin doing stupid things and taking very painful bumps. As usual, he’s an incredible pinball and can take a great beating, it feels like the same kind of thing he’s done over and over. They were hyping up the idea that Allin had never beaten King so points for tying up a loose end that a handful of people might have remembered coming in.

We recap Private Party challenging the Young Bucks for the Tag Team Titles. Private Party beat then five years ago and, having done pretty much nothing important since, are getting a title shot here.

Tag Team Titles: Private Party vs. Young Bucks

The Bucks are defending and Private Party gets a mini training video before their entrance. Hold on though as the Bucks point out that Private Party beat them five years ago and then beat up Kassidy on the stage. Quen climbs the set and dives onto everyone else before they go inside to officially start. Private Party double teams Matt on the floor for two, with Nick making a save back inside.

The Bucks superkick Kassidy down but the posing takes too long, allowing Kassidy to fight back. The slingshot X Factor is blocked and Kassidy kicks Nick in the head for two. Silly String is broken up though and Nick hits a big step up flip dive to the floor. A poisonrana, Canadian Destroyer and 450 on the floor leave everyone down for a breather. Back in and Kassidy takes Nick up, where Nick grabs a super cutter for a near fall.

The TK Driver is broken up and everyone is taken down again. McGuinness thinks the Bucks are trying to expunge their loss from five years ago. You can’t buy this kind of in-depth analysis people. More Bang For Your Buck is broken up and Gin & Juice gets two on Nick. Private Party hits their own More Bang For Your Buck for two with Matt having to make a save. The EVP Trigger gets two but the second hits knees, allowing Kassidy to get two off a small package. Back up and a quick TK Driver finishes Quen to retain the titles at 15:49.

Rating: B-. This is a fine example of a match where the wrestlers were trying but they were running uphill with an anchor. Private Party were not pay per view level challengers and there was no way around it. The Bucks were getting their win back from five years ago and get to hold onto the titles which lose more and more value every single day. There was no reason to believe Private Party was getting the belts here and they weren’t getting around that reality. This did not need to be on pay per view.

Private Party are left in the ring for the big ovation and get some polite applause.

We recap Chris Jericho challenging Mark Briscoe for the Ring Of Honor World Title. Jericho beat him in a tag match and has made it personal by mentioning Mark’s brother Jay. Those are major fighting words.

Ring Of Honor World Title: Mark Briscoe vs. Chris Jericho

Jericho, with Big Bill, is challenging. Briscoe stomps away in the corner to start and knocks him outside for some more shots to the face. The elbow off the apron connects and Briscoe loads up the chair, only to hit a big running flip dive to take out Jericho and Bill. There’s the Blockbuster off the apron to take Jericho down again but Bill tries to get involved.

Cue Orange Cassidy to fight Bill to the back, leaving it one on one. A Death Valley Driver has Jericho rolling out to the apron, where he knocks Briscoe out to the floor. Back in and Jericho takes him up top but gets sent crashing back down, allowing Briscoe to strike away. A fisherman’s buster gives Briscoe two but Jericho is right back with the Walls.

That’s broken up so here is Bryan Keith, with Rocky Romero running out to fight him to the back. Back up and Briscoe sends him outside for the big step up flip dive through a well placed table. The Jay Driller is countered and Jericho hits a Judas Effect, setting up his own Jay Driller for two. They slug it out from their knees, which fires Briscoe up as he knocks Jericho down again. The Froggy Bow sets up the Jay Driller to retain the title at 15:19.

Rating: B-. Again, a perfectly good match which did have some drama to it as there is always the chance that Jericho will get a big win. Other than that, it’s probably the biggest singles win of Briscoe’s career and he had a nice moment by avenging his brother’s memory. At the same time though, it’s just another Jericho match and that’s kind of hard to get fired up about again.

We recap Bryan Danielson vs. Jon Moxley for the former’s World Title. Danielson has said he’s done the next time he loses, but Moxley has gone all evil and talking about how he has to do this to Danielson, suggesting some kind of a higher power. Danielson is fighting for himself and the company.

AEW World Title: Bryan Danielson vs. Jon Moxley

Danielson is defending and Marina Shafir is here with Moxley. They start the fight on the floor with Danielson hitting a running dropkick but getting choked with a camera cable. Shafir’s cheating is enough for Moxley to hit a clothesline and they go inside for the opening bell and the YES chants are on. Danielson suplexes his way out of a choke and hits the running knee for an early two. Moxley is sent outside for a big dive but he’s right back with a piledriver onto the announcers’ table.

More choking ensues and Moxley yells at the referee, because he’s all tough and mean and such. Shafir gets in a few shots of her own so Moxley can get two, followed by various strikes around the ropes. Moxley stomps away and snaps the fingers before Shafir peels back the floor mats. A piledriver onto the exposed concrete is countered with a backdrop but Moxley is able to catch Danielson on top. They take turns raking each others’ skin until Danielson ties him in the Tree of Woe.

A spider German superplex plants Moxley but the Swan Dive misses, allowing Moxley to hit his own Stomp. The bulldog choke goes on but Danielson rolls out and grabs a piledriver. They slowly pull themselves up and slug it out (BOO/YES) until Danielson hits a running clothesline. Shafir breaks up the running knee so Moxley can hit a cutter, but that’s enough for an ejection.

Now the running knee can connect to give Danielson two and the LeBell Lock goes on. The rope is reached for the break and Moxley heads outside, where he counters a suicide dive into a Death Rider on the exposed concrete. Back in and Moxley grabs a choke, with Danielson climbing the corner and crashing down for the break. Another running knee gets another two but Moxley hits some lariats. The Death Rider gives Moxley one so Moxley piledrivers him into another choke and Danielson is out at 26:52.

Rating: B. Yeah the big bad Moxley wins after kicking out of a bunch of finishers. That’s what you have to expect with Moxley because his whole deal is “I’m really tough and awesome and don’t care and violence and blood and such”. That doesn’t make for the most compelling character, but it’s likely going to be the focal point of the company for another good while.

The bigger story here is Danielson’s in-ring career (at least the full time version) coming to an end and…are you really surprised he went out with someone beating him in what passes for clean in a main event match around here? He’ll be back at some point, but that’s the kind of loss that should put him on the shelf for a long time to come.

Post match Moxley’s crew comes out and whip out the plastic bag but here is Darby Allin to make the save. Wheeler Yuta runs in and takes Allin out (shocking I know) before putting the bag over Danielson’s face. Private Party and Jeff Jarrett run in but get fended off as well, with Castagnoli Pillmanizing Danielson’s neck. A bunch of guys finally run in for the save. Everyone gets all somber and Excalibur is crying as Danielson does a stretcher job to end the show.

Overall Rating: B+. So that’s another pay per view and it’s rather dark times for AEW. Right now, all eleven (yes eleven) champions are heels, leaving a grand total of nothing happy at the moment, at least when it comes to gold. It feels like we’re going to be seeing Moxley and company on top for a bit, and unless the Elite turns good (oh geez), it could be a dark time for a long while.

As for the show, it was your usual AEW fare, with nothing bad, one very good match, and a bunch of solid enough material filling in the gaps. At the same time, as usual, I’m exhausted after watching this show and could use a break from AEW, which is how it feels every time they have one of these four hour pay per views with an hour plus Kickoff Show out in front. The show was good and I did enjoy most of it, but there were times where I needed a breather because there is so much on here. You could have easily cut out an hour and a half of this show and made it an easier sit, but that’s not how AEW works.

Overall, it’s a good but not great show, which needs some things cut out. I’m not overly thrilled with AEW at the moment and as usual, the good in-ring action is all that’s carrying it. Hopefully they find something that can be a bit more fun for a change, because seeing the villains dominate and the two big heel groups and Jericho on almost every show is a bit much to take week in and week out. Just find something for me to get happy over and it’s a lot better. That really shouldn’t be such a rare thing.

Results
Brian Cage b. Atlantis Jr. – Drill Claw
Anna Jay b. Harley Cameron – Gory Bomb
Acclaimed b. MxM Collection – Mic Drop to Mansoor
Conglomeration/Outrunners b. Dark Order/Premiere Athletes – Total Recall to Daivari
Jay White b. Hangman Page – Bladerunner
Mariah May b. Willow Nightingale – Storm Zero
Jack Perry b. Katsuyori Shibata – Rollup
Konosuke Takeshita b. Will Ospreay and Ricochet – Running knee to Ospreay
Hologram b. The Beast Mortos 2-1
Darby Allin b. Brody King – Coffin Drop
Young Bucks b. Private Party – TK Driver to Quen
Mark Briscoe b. Chris Jericho – Jay Driller
Jon Moxley b. Bryan Danielson – Choke

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We’re back on pay per view and that could make for a good show, as AEW has a pretty good record on these things. At the same time though, this show hasn’t exactly looked the strongest on paper and that isn’t instilling me with hope. It would be nice to see this show exceed expectations, but there are only a few matches on the top that are feeling important. Let’s get to it.

Zero Hour: Ring Of Honor TV Title: Atlantis Jr.(c) vs. Brian Cage

This was announced a few weeks ago on ROH’s weekly show and it has been barely been mentioned since, with Cage throwing in a quick promo this week and that’s about it. In this case we have Atlantis Jr. having been champion for a few months now and not exactly feeling important. That still puts him ahead of Cage, who hasn’t done anything significant in the better part of ever.

I’ll go with Atlantis Jr. retaining here, as there is just no reason to believe that Cage is going to win anything on his own. I’m not sure why Atlantis Jr. is still holding the title, but for some reason he’s coming up on four months as champion without doing anything important. This should be a fine enough way to warm things up, even if it is the least hyped title match I’ve seen since last week’s Ring Of Honor.

Zero Hour: MxM Collection vs. The Acclaimed

Here we at least have something from the regular AEW TV shows and in that case we could be seeing something interesting as the Collection has said they are going to have someone in their corner. That could go in a variety of ways as they are going to be counteracting Billy Gunn, which is no easy task. Or it could be a complete disappointment, ala the whole Max Caster jacket reveal.

I’ll go with the Collection winning thanks to the person they have in their corner, as they need a win far more than the Acclaimed, who have nothing going on at the moment. This is pretty much entirely built around who might be in the Collection’s corner, as there is just nothing else going on that would make this match work. It would be nice to keep it short and to the point, which is where the Zero Hour show detail gives me some hope.

Zero Hour: Anna Jay vs. Harley Cameron

So Jay is back after her sojourn in Japan and is supposed to be all extra skilled and deadly now. While she has done a few different things, she hasn’t shown herself to be anything that much better than her previous time in the company. She needs to be consistently pushed if AEW wants to turn her into something serious, and facing Cameron is not going to help that in any way.

Of course I’ll take Jay here, as Cameron is just there for the sake of making her look good. That should work well, but it’s not likely to be the match that takes Jay up to the next level. It’s nice to see her getting a win on a bigger show, but Jay is firmly in a place where she needs to be pushed harder or it is going to wind up being in the exact same problem she has had for years.

Ring Of Honor World Title: Mark Briscoe(c) vs. Chris Jericho

Yes Jericho is still getting another title shot and no you should not be surprised by that in the slightest. This is what happens with Jericho over and over and he is doing it again here, with a title he already won a few years ago. Jericho has invoked the name of Mark’s brother Jay to really make this serious and thankfully Mark has been able to carry things a bit further from here.

While Briscoe has done absolutely nothing in his six months as champion, there is no reason to put the title on Jericho. If nothing else, AEW needs to get away from Jericho, who has been around and near titles so frequently that it is little more than a running joke. That being said, yeah I think he’ll win it here, because it’s just kind of what Jericho does. Even if he doesn’t win, it’s hard to believe he’ll take a step back, so just go with Jericho winning here as it cuts out all of the middle nonsense.

Darby Allin vs. Brody King

This is the third match in a feud that has been going on for over a year and while it is kind of good, it feels like a major step down for Allin. After he was stupid enough to put his completely earned World Title match on the line, he then loses to Jon Moxley and is left facing one third of a trio rather than in some kind of a big match. Sure he’ll get a big reaction because he’s Allin and he’s near his hometown, but there is still something missing.

I’ll take Allin to win here, as there is absolutely no reason for King to win. This should be Allin throwing himself around like a pinball against the monster King and that should work out rather well. After this though, Allin needs to do something significant, as otherwise he is running the risk of dropping way too far down the ladder. Beating King won’t fix things, but it will at least give him a win.

TNT Title: Jack Perry(c) vs. Katsuyori Shibata

We’ll get this one out of the way as it might be the most obvious result on the entire show. AEW has made it clear that they are going to do whatever they need to do to make Perry into the most amazing, toughest star in wrestling today and beating Shibata is the next way to go. Shibata feels like someone who is thrown out there to make Perry look better and that is what we’re looking at here.

Naturally I’ll take Perry to win here, as he is clearly the next big project for AEW and he is going to get another win here over someone of Shibata’s status. Perry can win here and move on to his next victim before we hopefully get to someone to take the title off of him. That isn’t going to be Shibata, who is only there to make Perry look like a star, because that is what AEW wants to do.

Tag Team Titles: Young Bucks(c) vs. Private Party

Ok so when I said the TNT Title match might be the most obvious result, I had completely forgotten about this one. This is a match that is being built around the memory of Private Party beating the Bucks in a total fluke FIVE YEARS AGO. The fact that Private Party has done absolutely nothing important since then should tell you everything that you need to know about this match.

Of course it’s going to be the Bucks winning here, giving the fans the most obvious result imaginable. There has never been a reason to believe Private Party was going to win here and while they’ll likely put in a hard fight, the Bucks aren’t going to lose their big, epic reign here. I’m not sure who is going to the titles from the Bucks, but it isn’t going to be a team who has been as nothing as Private Party for so long.

International Title: Will Ospreay(c) vs. Ricochet vs. Konosuke Takeshita

NOW we’re getting somewhere as this could go in all three different directions. Ospreay has issues with both challengers, Ricochet is brand new and could use the win and Takeshita is LONG overdue to win something. When you factor in that Ospreay has lost more than a few times, there is a real chance that he loses here again. That makes things a lot more intriguing and I’m not sure who to pick.

I guess I’ll take Ospreay to win, but my goodness I could go for Takeshita getting the title here. The best thing here is that any of the three are viable options to win the whole thing and that is not something you often see. There is a very good chance that this match steals the show and I’m rather looking forward to what is going to happen. That isn’t something that is going to happen very often on this show and I like what’s going on with this one.

Women’s Title: Mariah May(c) vs. Willow Nightingale

So here we have the latest attempt to have Nightingale win a title (and keep it for any significant time). Nightingale is one of the most lovable stars in all of wrestling and there is almost nothing to dislike about her. At the same time though, it is hard to imagine May losing to anyone not named Toni Storm, or at least not losing until Storm is back. Nightingale is a star, but I’m not sure she’s ready for this spot.

As much as I’d love to see Nightingale pull this off, it is hard to fathom that she gets the title here, which is why I’ll take May. That isn’t the worst idea, but dang Nightingale getting so close and having her one title reign be used to make Mercedes Mone a champion was rough. May wins here and gets to keep her title reign going while hope continues to spring eternal for Nightingale.

Hangman Page vs. Jay White

So White made his return recently and wanted revenge on Page, but that might not be enough here. Page is coming off winning a pay per view main event match over a former World Champion. While White is a former World Champion in his own right, he’s not feeling anywhere near Page’s level at the moment. That should make for a pretty clear result and that is what I think we’ll be seeing.

I’ll go with Page here, as while I like White, there is no reason to believe he has any kind of a chance against Page. Ultimately, Page very well could be the next big thing in the main event scene, though facing White after last month’s war against Swerve Strickland does feel like a downgrade. For now though, Page will be getting another win over a name and that should tide him over until Full Gear.

Hologram vs. The Beast Mortos

This is 2/3 falls, in theory so that Hologram can get credit for two wins or some other such nonsense. Hologram is yet another project for AEW and while he has won a bunch of matches, he hasn’t really done anything significant, it does make sense to put him on pay per view. It doesn’t make sense to have him face someone like Mortos, who was put into a bigger story on Dynamite with Jake Roberts coming on board.

Roberts or no Roberts though, there is no way that Hologram is going to lose his first match in this spot. I’m not even sure I can imagine him losing a fall, at least by pin or submission. This should go to Hologram, but after this, can we please move him on to something a bit more interesting? He has enough wins under his feet to move on but he has to beat Mortos first, which he will here.

AEW World Title: Bryan Danielson(c) vs. Jon Moxley

Believe it or not, Moxley is back in the World Title scene and is talking about how awesome and tough and violent he really is. It’s something we’ve seen time after time and there is nothing that makes this one stand out, to the point where he already has a lot of the same backup this time around. Apparently he has a secret leader this time though, and it wouldn’t shock me to see the big reveal here.

As annoying as it is, I’ll go with Moxley to win here, as it feels like the biggest story in AEW at the moment. Give us the big reveal, let Moxley have his title reign (again) and do whatever he’s talking about this time. Danielson will likely come back later on in some way, but for now, Moxley seems to be the big focal point and we’ll get to hear him talk about how tough and intense he is for months to come.

Overall Thoughts

There are matches on this show that have me interested, but it would be so much better as a seven or eight match card rather than almost twice that long. There is stuff on here which just does not belong on pay per view and matches like that are going to make for a very long show when this thing is pushing four hours. I’m interested in some matches on this show, but it isn’t the strongest pay per view card, which is something I’m saying more and more regularly on the things.

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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AND

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Dynamite
Date: October 8, 2024
Location: Spokane Arena, Spokane, Washington
Commentators: Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Jeff Jarrett

It’s Title Tuesday, this year featuring a grand total of one title match. Other than that, it’s also the last Dynamite before this weekend’s WrestleDream, which isn’t exactly looking great. The show could use a nice boost this week and the likely tag team main event will aim to do just that. Let’s get to it.

Here is Collision if you need a recap.

Jon Moxley talks about how no one wants to take Bryan Danielson out, so Moxley will have to do it himself. You have all of these people playing with their toys and living in a fantasy world. In the real world, Danielson being backed into a corner is a terrifying thing. With his world closing in around him, Danielson will accept his inner darkness but Moxley isn’t scared of anything. He hopes Danielson understands one day but for right now, the stakes are too high.

Danielson says tonight isn’t his last match on Dynamite and tonight he’s going to kick Claudio Castagnoli’s head in.

Here is Darby Allin for a chat and he wastes no time in calling out Brody King. Cue King, with Allin saying King could have accepted the challenge a bit more nicely. Allin goes on about how he got King a job here and King has done a lot of the same things he has done. They’ve both bought houses and let their fathers retire, but Allin is the face of the company. King snaps and rants about how Allin is too risky so Allin tells him to finish him off. The fight is on and Allin hits him in the face with a rock (yes a rock) and King is busted open before they’re separated.

Jake Roberts (hey he still works here) is in the back with Lance Archer when Don Callis comes in. Callis says he and Roberts have complete a talent exchange, with Archer now being part of the Don Callis Family. This seems to be cool with Archer, though Roberts won’t say who he got in exchange.

Daniel Garcia is back and will give us an update on his future in the ring.

Hologram vs. Komander

They fight over wrist control to start and trade armdrags and then come up to a standoff. Hologram sends him outside and hits a heck of a suicide dive for a drive into the barricade. Back in and Hologram kicks him down for two as commentary talks about Taz undergoing knee replacement surgery. A Muta lock is broken up and Hologram gets two off a snap suplex as we take a break.

Back with Komander hitting a rather springboardy hurricanrana, setting up a big running step up flip dive to the floor. They get back in with Hologram hitting a middle rope reverse Spanish Fly to leave them both down again. Hologram’s 450 hits knees so Komander tries the rope walk but has to reverse a hurricanrana into a powerbomb (that didn’t look great but they did a nice job with the save). Back up and Hologram grabs a poisonrana, followed by the torture rack helicopter bomb for the pin at 11:57.

Rating: B. This is pretty much what you get from Hologram most of the time but moving him over to Dynamite is a change of pace. It was an entertaining match and he has been undefeated for a few months now, but it is time for some kind of a feud to start up. You can only get so much out of this kind of match and he is pretty much at the end of the rope for what he has been doing.

Post match Jake Roberts is on the stage as Rush, Dralistico and The Beast Mortos come in to beat down Komander and Hologram. The trio raise a fist and Roberts does the same. So that’s the trade and…yeah Roberts got the much better end of the deal.

Mark Briscoe, being much more serious than usual, says Chris Jericho has gone too far. It’s not about the title at WrestleDream, because Briscoe is going to hurt him.

Here is Daniel Garcia for his big announcement. Garcia thanks Tony Khan for giving him the chance and now he is going to be sticking around on a new contract. This is the start of a new Garcia, which starts with him picking up some gold.

Video on Swerve Strickland, with MVP and Prince Nana fighting over getting to be his manager. Swerve will be back at WrestleDream, with MVP and Shelton Benjamin shown watching in the back.

Mercedes Mone and Kamille aren’t worried about Emi Sakura tonight.

Daniel Garcia celebrates with some people, including Katsuyori Shibata, who seems interested in giving Garcia a title shot after he wins the TNT Title.

Willow Nightingale vs. Saraya vs. Nyla Rose vs. Jamie Hayter

For a Women’s Title shot against Mariah May, on commentary, at WrestleDream, Harley Cameron is here with Saraya and Rose is replacing an ill Britt Baker. Saraya gets chased out to the floor to start, leaving Hayter to take out the other two inside. Rose is back up to wreck them for a bit, only to have Cameron and Saraya come back in to clear the ring. Rose goes up and dives onto everyone for the big crash as we take a break.

Back with Hayter hitting a backbreaker on Rose but Saraya breaks it up. It’s Hayter up first to slug away and suplexes the non-Sarayas at the same time. Saraya grabs a chair but Hayter takes it away and unloads on her. Cue the returning Penelope Ford to take the chair away as well and lure Hayter to the back (May: “Aww shucks.”). Rose goes up but Cameron shoves her down and it’s table time. Saraya Nightcaps Nightingale for two but Nightingale Death Valley Drivers her through a table for the pin at 11:25.

Rating: C+. It was going to be Nightingale or Baker in the first place so this is a logical way to go. That being said, there was WAY too much going on here with interference and a table and all that jazz and it hurt things a bit. At the same time, I was disappointed with May, who was sounding bored on commentary here. Compare it to her awesome time calling a match on Collision a week or so ago and it’s a night and day difference.

Post match May headbutts Nightingale down and beats on her with the belt.

The Learning Tree talks to Rocky Romero and suggest that he is just a lackey to the Conglomeration.

Jay White vs. Cody Chhun

Juice Robinson is here with White, who shoulders Chhun down but walks into a dropkick. A DDT gives Chhun two but White is back up with a hard clothesline. White suplexes him into the corner and hits a swinging Rock Bottom, followed by the Bladerunner for the fast pin at 2:52.

Post match White says Hangman Page is the first of two wrongs he needs to correct. After that, it’s time for the World Title, but he wants Page at WrestleDream.

Hook wants to know who attacked his father and runs into the Patriarchy. Christian Cage says they’re both family men and while Cage has lost Luchasaurus to a medical condition, he feels sorry for Hook losing his father.

Willow Nightingale jumps Mariah May and promises to win the Women’s Title on Saturday.

TBS Title/NJPW Women’s Strong Title: Mercedes Mone vs. Emi Sakura

Mone is defending and has Kamille in her corner. Mone takes her down to start and does her dance but gets thrown into the corner. Sakura gets sent into the corner as well but fires back with some rapid fire chops. A quick knockdown to the floor lets Mone hit some knees off the apron though and we take a break.

Back with Mone’s Backstabber connecting for two, followed by the running knees in the corner. Another Meteora off the apron misses though and Sakura hits a running splash against the barricade. Sakura crossbodies Mone and Kamille against the barricade, followed by a butterfly backbreaker back inside but Mone rolls to the apron. That’s enough for Kamille to get in a cheap shot, setting up the Statement Maker (as in the Bank Statement, which is FAR better than the Mone Maker) for the tap at 10:12.

Rating: C+. I’m well aware that Sakura is a legend (commentary made sure to tell us that over and over) but she’s never meant much of anything in AEW. She hasn’t wrestled a match here in almost six months and hasn’t won anything televised in about a year and a half. If you want her to be in this match and for her to feel like a serious challenger, you might try something more than “she won a match in Japan a week or so ago to get this shot”.

Post match the beatdown is on but Kris Statlander runs in for the save.

Stokely Hathaway offers his services to Private Party, who turn him down because they are on their own for the first time in five years. They’re ready for the Young Bucks too.

Tony Schiavone brings in Will Ospreay for a chat. Ospreay thinks Don Callis was behind Konosuke Takeshita interrupting his title match last week and wants a chat (his words). Cue Callis for a hug but Ospreay isn’t having that. Callis says last week was difficult for him emotionally and brings up some of their history together. Ospreay doesn’t want to hear that and point blank asks if Callis sent Takeshita to attack him. Callis: “You don’t need to know that!”

Eventually Callis admits that he sent Ospreay out to learn who is really in charge of the Family. Ospreay talks about how Callis keeps messing things up because he won’t leave people alone. Maybe Callis needs to throw Ospreay out of the Family (Wasn’t he out of the Family months ago?).

Ospreay says they’re done and goes after Callis but Takeshita and Kyle Fletcher run in for the save. Fletcher tries to talk Ospreay down and Takeshita grabs a suplex on Ospreay. Callis pulls out the screwdriver but Fletcher won’t do it. Instead Takeshita drops Ospreay again but here is Ricochet for the save. It’s good to make Callis a clear cut heel again, though I’m still not sure how you can throw someone off a team twice.

Top Flight is ticked off at not getting the Tag Team Title shot but Action Andretti yells at them for not being fired up enough. Leila Grey yells at Andretti, who says they don’t get it and walks away.

Jack Perry wants Katsuyori to be violent, so bring it at WrestleDream.

Bryan Danielson/Wheeler Yuta vs. Claudio Castagnoli/Pac

Danielson starts with Pac but kicks Castagnoli off the apron. Everything breaks down and the good guys hit stereo dives to the floor. Back in and Danielson holds Pac in place for a running dropkick from Yuta. Pac sends Danielson into the corner though and Castagnoli comes in to stomp away. That’s broken up and Danielson flips away, allowing Yuta to come in for a German suplex to Pac. Cattle Mutilation is broken up and the villains take over as we take a break.

Back with Yuta superkicking Pac out of the air to leave both of them down. Castagnoli cuts Yuta off and tries to yell at him, only to get his finger bitten as a result. Danielson comes in and strikes away in the corner before snapping off a super hurricanrana. Pac comes back in and gets taken down as well, with Danielson stomping away. A big kick to the head drops Castagnoli but cue Jon Moxley and Marina Shafir for a distraction. Castagnoli hits Swiss Death to set up Pac’s 450 for two. Yuta takes a hammer from Pac, allowing Danielson to pull him into the LeBell Lock for the tap at 15:19.

Rating: B. Other than Danielson looking a bit superheroish near the end, this was a solid main event tag match and Danielson gets a boost on the way to the title match. I’m not sure what this means for the Trios Titles, but points for not going with what felt like an obvious Yuta turn. As for Yuta, he still feels in over his head, but he does at least tie into this story.

Post match Moxley and Danielson fight to the back as the other three beat down Yuta. Castagnoli hits Yuta in the ribs with the hammer until Danielson beats Moxley into the ring. Danielson saves Yuta and poses to end the show. So Danielson just beat up Pac, Castagnoli and (a fresh) Moxley singlehandedly but he’s supposed to be in any kind of danger on Saturday?

Overall Rating: B. Lack of a focus on titles on a show called TITLE TUESDAY aside (there has been one Dynamite since the beginning of September with no title matches so it’s not even that special of a concept), this show did a nice job of boosting up WrestleDream. I’m still not wild on a lot of what they’re offering on Saturday, but they did focus on that show here, even adding some more stuff to the card. That’s a good way to go for this Dynamite and it was a pretty easy watch throughout. It’s not a show that you needed to watch, but it’s a show that WrestleDream needed and that’s more important.

Results
Hologram b. Komander – Torture rack helicopter bomb
Willow Nightingale b. Saraya, Nyla Rose and Jamie Hayter – Death Valley Driver to Saraya through a table
Jay White b. Cody Chhun – Bladerunner
Mercedes Mone b. Emi Sakura – Statement Maker
Bryan Danielson/Wheeler Yuta b. Pac/Claudio Castagnoli – LeBell Lock to Pac

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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AND

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Rampage
Date: October 4, 2024
Location: Petersen Events Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Matt Menard

We’re closing in on WrestleDream and there are still some spots on the card that need to be filled in. Some of those spots could be filled in tonight, as there are some things to cover coming off of a pretty big Dynamite. Odds are the action should be good here as well so let’s get to it.

Here is Dynamite if you need a recap.

Opening sequence.

Young Bucks/Jack Perry vs. Private Party/Katsuyori Shibata

Shibata and Perry start things off with Shibata easily taking him down for two. Back up and Perry runs away from him, which is enough to bring in Matt for a cheap shot. Shibata forearms Nick in the face and Private Party comes in for an atomic drop into an enziguri. Perry tries to interfere and gets kicked in the face for his efforts before Kassidy gets to hammer on Nick. Matt pulls him to the floor though and everything breaks down, with Shibata being sent into the barricade.

We take a break and come back with Kassidy fighting out of a chinlock but Perry pulls Shibata off the apron to block a tag. The assisted Sliced Bread gets two on Kassidy but he fights out of trouble again and hands it back to Quen. A big Swanton takes out the villains on the floor and a high crossbody gets two on Matt back inside. Matt grabs a Falcon Arrow for two before it’s back to Perry for a dropkick on Shibata.

Poetry In Motion staggers Perry and Shibata kicks him in the face for two, followed by the PK for the same. The double superkick drops Shibata though and another one puts Quen down, only for Kassidy to break up Perry’s running knee. Gin & Juice gets two on Perry with the Bucks making the save. Shibata gets knocked to the floor and Matt blocks the Silly String. The TK Driver is broken up though and a victory roll pins Nick at 15:08.

Rating: B-. They are actually running Private Party and Shibata as pay per view challengers aren’t they? Shibata feels like they’re just trying to give Perry another win over an established name, but Private Party is based on a match they won FIVE YEARS AGO. They’ve done pretty much nothing since but they’re being heated up here, as apparently there are no better options available. That says a heck of a lot about the tag division.

Kris Statlander says the street fight against Willow Nightingale was the end of an era for her and now she’s on her own again. She’s the tallest and the strongest…but Kamille and Mercedes Mone come in to disagree.

Harley Cameron says Saraya is incapacitated after her match against Jamie Hayter and no more questions. Queen Aminata is in trouble tonight.

Kamille vs. Zoey Lynn

Mercedes Mone is here with Kamille. A spear and something like a reverse Cross Rhodes finish for Kamille at 19 seconds.

Anna Jay has been working hard and Will Ospreay seems to agree. If you don’t think she’s gotten better, come try her.

Deonna Purrazzo and Taya Valkyrie talk about their code. Valkyrie had an early misstep but she understands she still has a lot to learn.

Harley Cameron vs. Queen Aminata

Aminata grabs a waistlock to start and we get an early standoff. Cameron is back up with an enziguri, only to get taken down for a PK. We take an early break and come back with Cameron hitting a running knee for two. Cameron kicks her to the floor, where Aminata manages a drive into the apron. Back in and Cameron fires off some shoulders in the corner before a rollup gets two. A backbreaker and the Queen’s Crown (headbutt) finish for Aminata at 8:01.

Rating: C. Cameron is still much better on the microphone with her rather wacky style but she’s gotten better in the ring. She did well enough here, but Aminata is pretty clearly a project for AEW. She isn’t bad at all, but I got a bit burned out on her with how many times she was featured when she showed up and that’s taking time to get over.

Post match Serena Deeb jumps Aminata as payback for Dynamite but Britt Baker makes the save.

The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn can’t believe the MxM Collection got fooled on Dynamite and aren’t done with them.

Conglomeration vs. Learning Tree

Chris Jericho is on commentary. Cassidy and Bill start things off with Cassidy putting his hands in the pockets and running the ropes before going out to the floor. Back in and another slide to the floor allows O’Reilly to come in as Bill is getting frustrated. Keith comes in and is quickly wrestled to the mat before they go outside as well. A running knee off the apron takes Keith down and Cassidy dives onto Bill as we take a break.

Back with Keith suplexing Cassidy and Bill coming in for some alternating splashes in the corners. Diamond Dust is broken up though and an assisted tornado DDT takes Bill down. Keith cuts off Cassidy on the top and slugs it out with O’Reilly. The ankle lock has Keith in trouble so Jericho comes to the ring for a distraction, which is broken up as well. Cassidy dives onto Bill and a high/low finishes Keith at 12:30.

Rating: B-. Pretty nice main event here with the feud continuing, even though Jericho and Mark Briscoe are the focal point at WrestleDream. The fans are always going to react to Cassidy and Bill looks more and more like a star every time he’s in the ring. Perfectly good main event here, even if it didn’t feel that important.

Overall Rating: B-. The matches were good enough and while it didn’t really add anything to WrestleDream, it kept my interest for an hour and never dragged at all. That’s a nice way to go for a show like this and has become the norm for Rampage most of the time. WrestleDream still needs some work, but that can come on Dynamite and Collision.

Results
Private Party/Katsuyori Shibata b. Young Bucks/Jack Perry – Victory roll to Nick
Kamille b. Zoey Lynn – Twisting neckbreaker
Queen Aminata b. Harley Cameron – Queen’s Crown
Conglomeration b. Learning Tree – High/low to Keith

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: September 25, 2024
Location: Arthur Ashe Stadium, New York City, New York
Commentators: Jim Ross, Excalibur, Taz, Tony Schiavone

It’s the big show with grand Slam as we are at a tennis stadium in New York and we have a double main event. This show will see Bryan Danielson (probably) face Nigel McGuinness rather than the man who tried to murder him last month. Instead, the attempted murderer is getting a #1 contenders match because he wants the title of the champion he tried to smother. Let’s get to it.

Here is Collision if you need a recap.

Nigel McGuinness vs. Bryan Danielson

Non-title and after two weeks of “will Danielson be able to wrestle”, he comes out with no real drama. They go technical to start before striking it out and fighting over wrist control. Danielson fires off a kick which might have been low before taking McGuinness to the mat. Danielson wins a fight over the LeBell Lock but McGuinness makes the rope. They head outside with McGuinness sending him into the steps and then ramming the arm into the post.

Back in and the London Dungeon (a seated armbar) stays on the arm but McGuinness takes him into the corner. That’s cut off with the running knee but McGuinness is back with his handstand in the corner. A flip away lets McGuinness hit a standing clothesline for two but Danielson moonsaults over him out of the corner, only for McGuinness to hit the rebound lariat for one.

Back up and a hammerlock lariat gives McGuinness two but Danielson kicks out of the London Dungeon. Instead it’s the Tower Of London (hanging Stunner out of the corner) for two and the London Dungeon goes back on. That’s broken up as well and they’re both down. Back up and McGuinness hits a heck of a clothesline for two, but his arm is down in the LeBell Lock. Danielson cranks back and, after a THANK YOU, McGuinness taps at 20:41.

Rating: B. It was a good fight though it never reached a top level. Granted there was only so much you could expect when McGuinness hasn’t been an active wrestler in well over ten years. I’m glad the match took place as they had set it up for so long on commentary but they made it such a mess with the Moxley stuff that it was a bit of a distraction. Still though, McGuinness looked good in what very well could be his last match so points for getting to do this.

Post match Christian Cage teases cashing in but Kip Sabian steals his pen. Cage runs off but gets stopped by Claudio Castagnoli and Pac.

FTW Title: Roderick Strong vs. Hook

Hook is defending and the Kingdom is here with Strong. They fight outside to start with Strong grabbing a kendo stick, which Hook takes away and uses on all three villains. A Russian legsweep with the stick sends Strong into the barricade but a Kingdom distraction lets Strong send him flying into the post as we take an early break.

Back with Hook throwing him around with suplexes, including a northern lights version out of the corner for two. Strong gets in a shot of his own and wedges a chair in the corner. Hook goes head first and a swinging belly to back faceplant gives Strong two. Strong gets sent through some chairs but he’s right back up with a gutbuster onto the open chair. Then Hook pulls him into Redrum for the win at 9:02.

Rating: C+. This was Hook in a hardcore match and that’s most of what we’ve seen from him for a long time now. Strong walking Hook through a twelve minute match could do a lot of good for Hook but instead it’s more of the same weapons stuff over and over. I get the idea of putting Hook on the show in New York but there was nothing special to see here.

Post match Strong and the Kingdom actually show respect. With the villains gone, Hook talk to Tony Schiavone and thanks the fans who have supported the FTW Title. Hook officially retires the title and hands it to Taz, who sheds a few tears. Thank goodness as there was no reason for the title to exist. Take away some of the clutter.

Tag Team Titles: Kyle Fletcher/Will Ospreay vs. Young Bucks

The Bucks are defending. Matt takes over on Ospreay to start but it’s off to Fletcher to kick Matt down. Ospreay uses Fletcher as a step up for a moonsault, setting up stereo moonsaults to take the champs out on the floor as we take a break. Back with Ospreay coming in with the Phenomenal Forearm to Matt, setting up the double Pele Kick. A standing skytwister press gets two on Matt but Ospreay gets caught in the flipping splash into the sitout powerbomb for two.

The EVP Trigger is countered into a double Oscutter for a rather delayed two before Matt is back up with an X Factor to Ospreay. Fletcher 450 Matt but Nick drops Fletcher for the quadruple down and a big reaction from the crowd. The Bucks are back up first with the TK Driver onto the apron but Fletcher beats the count back in. We take another break and come back again with Ospreay cutting off another TK Driver, setting up stereo Styles Clashes for two.

The Stormbreaker gets two on Matt with Nick making the save so Fletcher gets up and cleans house. A Tombstone is cut off by a superkick but another TK Driver is cut off with an Oscutter. A TK Driver hits Matt for two and Coriolis gets the same, followed by a super brainbuster with Nick making the save.

Fletcher sends Matt outside for a suicide dive int o the steps, so Don Callis gives Fletcher the screwdriver. Fletcher loads it up but Ospreay takes it away and hands it off to the referee. Ospreay yells at Callis and then Fletcher, allowing Matt to get in a belt shot. Another shot from Nick knocks Fletcher into a rollup for two. The EVP Trigger retains the titles at 19:30.

Rating: B+. This was the popcorn match of the night, with the Bucks getting in their usual ridiculous kickouts and getting to do their flips before retaining the titles again. The tag division is in a shambles these days and the Bucks are probably going to get to hold onto the titles for a good while. That’s how the division tends to go, as the Bucks get to keep padding their stats.

The Conglomeration welcomes Rocky Romero to the team and are ready for the Learning Tree on Collision. The word of the day is vociferous, which is what the crowd will be tonight and on Collision.

Here is Prince Nana, who says that Swerve Strickland is fighting hard to come back but isn’t cleared just yet. Cue MVP, who interrupts to say that Swerve is the most phenomenal talent to ever set foot in an AEW ring. MVP lists off the people Swerve has defeated and was rather impressed. Then he saw Swerve lose to Bryan Danielson and Hangman Page, so why are they allowed to walk around smiling? MVP blames Swerve’s management for that and gives Nana his card to give to Swerve, saying he’s ready to talk business.  That’s a big one and MVP is already one of the best talkers in the promotion.

Jack Perry is driving to the stadium for Collision.

Women’s Title: Mariah May vs. Yuka Sakazaki

Sakazaki is challenging and dives onto May during her entrance. A 619 on the apron has May down on the floor and they head inside with the bell ringing and Sakazaki getting two. May sends her outside for a running dropkick, followed by a spinning side slam back inside. Sakazaki manages a choke in the corner, followed by some spinning rollups for two each. The Merry Go Round is broken up though and May hits a nasty German suplex for two of her own. Sakazaki is back with the northern lights bomb but the Magical Girl Splash hits raised knees. The running knee into Storm Zero retains the title at 6:11.

Rating: B-. Sakazaki never felt like a big time challenger to May, though for now there isn’t much of anyone to be that challenger. I know Mina Shirakawa is probably next up for her at Wrestledream, but that’s not exactly a top AEW name. Other than that though, it might just be waiting around for Toni Storm again.

Post match May loads up the belt but Willow Nightingale runs in for the save. Mina Shirakawa comes out and distracts Nightingale so May can get in a belt shot, which doesn’t seem to have been Shirakawa’s intention.

Darby Allin vs. Jon Moxley

For the Wrestledream World Title shot and Marina Shafir is here with Moxley. Feeling out process to start until Moxley hits him in the face. Allin is busted open early on and gets whipped hard out to the floor for a nasty crash (going through the middle ropes). Allin rakes the back on the floor though and hits a running dropkick, only to get planted back onto the floor. They get back to the apron where Allin ties the arm into the post (which has a hole on top) until Shafir makes the save.

Allin hits a big Coffin Drop off the top to the floor, setting up the big flipping suicide dive. A chair is set up but Shafir gets in Allin’s way and adds in a cheap shot. Moxley ties the arm around the post and we take a break. Back with Moxley elbowing away but Allin fights back up. Moxley heads to the floor and has a seat in the chair, with Allin dropkicking him out in a big crash. Back up and Moxley knocks him hard to the floor again. Shafir does as Moxley says and rips off the floor mats, revealing a rather hard surface.

Moxley can’t hit the Death Rider on the floor but he can avoid a dive to send Allin into the floor. A suplex drop onto the steps gives Moxley a nine count, where Allin gets a quick rollup for two. The Coffin Drop goes flying into Moxley’s rear naked choke but Allin fights up, foams at the mouth, and makes the rope. Moxley takes him up top but Allin strikes away and bites the head. Shafir gets on the apron for a distraction though and super Death Driver gives Moxley the title shot at 18:45.

Rating: B. This was one of those matches where the result was kind of obvious, as losing the title shot he didn’t have to defend is a rather Allin thing to do. The match itself was the usual AEW brawl, with a bunch of stuff happening and the referee just sort of going with it. It was still a total mess to get here, but Moxley is clearly the bigger deal right now and Allin can have his title shot later.

Post match Bryan Danielson runs in with a neck tie to choke Moxley. Shafir runs in for the save but here are Claudio Castagnoli and Pac to pull Danielson off instead. Private Party and Komander make the save. Moxley is pulled away from the running knee so Danielson threatens a hard head kicking at Wrestledream to end the show. If your backup is Private Party and Komander, just give Moxley the title now.

Overall Rating: B+. The big matches worked well and set up the right match for Wrestledream and thankfully the ending got to the point it should have been at a long time ago. For a free television show, this did feel big, and that’s the best thing that can be said about a show like this. The middle part of the show wasn’t as strong, but the opener and main event were good enough to carry this show rather far.

Results
Bryan Danielson b. Nigel McGuinness – LeBell Lock
Hook b. Roderick Strong – Redrum
Young Bucks b. Will Ospreay/Kyle Fletcher – EVP Trigger to Fletcher
Mariah May b. Yuka Sakazaki – Storm Zero
Jon Moxley b. Darby Allin – Super Death Rider

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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AND

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Dynamite
Date: September 11, 2024
Location: Rupp Arena, Lexington, Kentucky
Commentators: Excalibur, Tony Schiavone, Taz

We are rapidly approaching Grand Slam in New York but it is also the All out fallout show. The big stories were the attempted murders of Bryan Danielson and Swerve Strickland at the hands of Jon Moxley and Hangman Page respectively. Neither of them should be here this week but strange things have happened. Let’s get to it.

I was in attendance for this show, sitting in the upper deck with the video screen slightly to my right. The attendance was very bad, with probably around 2,500 people, though the arena holds over 20,000. Seeing the amount of seats tarped off and empty made me say “wow” when I first walked in.

We open with a clip from All Out, with Jon Moxley explaining that he does not like Bryan Danielson’s ego and attacked him because it is Moxley’s nature. That’s a good enough explanation.

Tony Schiavone is in the ring and brings out the Patriarchy for a chat. Christian Cage has been told that he has “infinite aura” and now that he has the contract for a World Title match, he knows it is undeniable. When he saw Killswitch grab him by the throat, he knew that he had the perfect monster under his control. The fans chant LUCHASAURUS as Cage talks about how he’s coming for Bryan Danielson. The beating he’ll give Danielson will make his wife Brie wish she was the one with CTE. Cage makes it clear that he is the UNDISPUTED next World Champion.

Don Callis cashes in his favor with Will Ospreay to team with Kyle Fletcher for tonight’s Casino Tag Team Gauntlet Match. Fletcher talks Ospreay into doing it, saying there is no one he would rather team with t do this. As Mark Davis continues to become less and less important.

TNT Title: Jack Perry vs. Lio Rush

Perry is defending and comes to the ring in his Scapegoatmobile while Rush just has Action Andretti. Perry jumps him to start and the beatdown is on in the corner but Rush fights up with a dropkick to the floor. Rush tries a moonsault to the floor but gets dropped onto the apron for the crash as we take a break.

Back with Rush fighting out of a chinlock but getting dropped, which is enough for Andretti to come after him. That’s enough for an ejection but Rush fights up and hits a running Spanish Fly for two. Perry lawn darts him into the buckle though and a snapdragon puts Rush down again. Rush is right back with a poisonrana for a breather but Perry breaks up the springboard Stunner. The running knee finishes for Perry at 8:39.

Rating: C+. This was the way to give Perry some momentum back after his loss on Saturday and could have been a lot worse. Perry is far more tolerable when he stays around this level, which unfortunately does not happen very often. I’m not sure why Rush got this show but there were worse options to come after the title.

Perry goes to leave, saying people like him are crucified in this life so they can be glorified in the next.

We look at Hangman Page beating Swerve Strickland at a rather horrible level at All Out.

Page talks about how he has gone this far to beat Strickland and he would have spent an eternity in pain for a chance to hurt Strickland. Now if anyone stood in the way of him and his revenge, he is coming for them too. Page walks over and glares at Top Flight/Action Andretti before seeing the Dark Order, who don’t know him anymore. Then he runs into Jeff Jarrett, who says Page went too far when he put his hands on Jeff’s wife. The fight is on and has to be broken up.

Private Party and Komander come out for a match….and get jumped by the Blackpool Combat Club. Pac talks about how this company is broken and diplomacy has failed.

The Learning Tree arrives in a Bentley with a HI GUYS license plate. They’re going to show what they found in Orange Cassidy’s backpack tonight.

Ricochet vs. Sammy Guevara

They trade strikes to start until Ricochet sends him outside for the big running flip dive. The fight heads to the stage with Ricochet being sent into part of the set, allowing Guevara t moonsault off the tunnel as we take a break (note that they have been on the floor for 1:13 before the break and the ten count has not even started).

Back with Ricochet being sent to the floor (Fan: “Sorry.”) and into the barricade. Ricochet fights up and hits a jumping flip dive off the barricade) that was great) for two back inside. The Benydriller is countered into a Canadian Destroyer and Guevara hits a top rope cutter for two more. Guevara’s GTH misses and Ricochet kicks him in the head, setting up an ax kick stomp (egads) into Vertigo for the pin at 10:54.

Rating: B. This was definitely a better showing from Ricochet, who got to do his usual stuff and beat someone with some stature. It’s good to have Guevara back, but he has definitely lost a lot of his status in his hiatus. The flips were good and that ax kick stomp was awesome, making this a good match with Ricochet looking like a star.

Post match the Beast Mortos runs in to spar Ricochet, with Guevara making the save.

We look back at Kris Statlander beating Willow Nightingale in the Chicago street fight.

Kazuchika Okada mocks his title defense on Saturday when Konosuke Takeshita and Don Callis come in and want the Continental Title shot. Okada seems interested, complete with the b****.

Here is Darby Allin (to the reaction of the night, with people rising to their feet) for a chat. He gets right to the point and calls out Jon Moxley, who comes to the ring with Marina Shafir. Moxley talks about how nothing has changed between them but Allin cuts him off. Allin talks about how he was a homeless dishwasher and everything he owned fit in the trunk of his car. That’s why he wrestles the way he does and he loved what he saw in Moxley, who wouldn’t change for anyone.

They first wrestled in a high school gym and Allin was so nervous. Then he saw what Allin did to Bryan Danielson, which Allin could never do to someone like Sting. So what does Moxley want? It turns out Moxley wants Allin’s World Title shot at Grand Slam, because Danielson is going to be out of commission. Allin: “What are you stupid? You get dropped on your head? You been drinking again?”

After that gasp from the crowd, the fans hear Allin say Moxley has to earn it, with Moxley offering to earn it in New York. Allin accepts the challenge for Grand Slam, presumably with the title shot on the line. That’s quite the bait and switch for Grand Slam, which sold tickets based off the idea of the title match.

Nigel McGuinness interrupts Christopher Daniels and wants to talk to Tony Khan.

Commentary talks about September 11, which is a nice touch that would be nicer if it was going to a break instead of crammed between matches.

Mariah May vs. Queen Aminata

Non-title. They both miss some kicks to start and trade rollups for two each. An exchange of strikes to the face goes to Aminata but May ties her in the ropes and hammers away. We take a break and come back with May hitting a missile dropkick into the corner. Aminata kicks her away again and snaps off some suplexes. The running boot against the ropes gives Aminata two but May is back with a hanging DDT for two of her own. May’s running knee into Storm Zero finishes at 8:26.

Rating: C+. Not bad here with May getting a win, but she’s still missing a little something since she won the title. She’s still a good heel and is good at talking down to people but it’s not quite clicking. At the same time, Aminata seemed a bit shaky here and it wouldn’t surprise me if she was banged up somewhere in there.

Post match May lays on the mat with the belt and says she needs to have her championship celebration, but she wants Mina Shirakawa back too.

The Young Bucks mock the fans who say they want a new team to come after them. That’s why they have booked the tag team gauntlet match for tonight.

Learning Tree vs. Jacked Jameson/Iron Savages

Boulder knocks Jericho into the corner to start so it’s off to Bill for the big forearms. Everything breaks down and Jameson is booted in the face. Keith adds Diamond Dust and Jericho’s arrogant cover gets the pin at 2:27.

Post match Jericho goes on a rant about how he wants his $7000 back from Orange Cassidy, which is why he took the backpack. Inside the backpack is a picture of Cassidy and the former Best Friends. Cassidy pops up on screen and says he has the money. Cue Mark Briscoe driving a big machine full of coins, which he pours into Jericho’s fancy car. Cassidy adds some cash and that should be it. Fans: “KEEP THE CHANGE!” Pouring a bunch of coins into a car seems more mildly inconvenient than anything else.

Here is Nigel McGuinness for a chat. There is not going to be a World Title match at Grand Slam, which must be a breath of air for Bryan Danielson. Like when he let go of choking Justin Roberts with his tie. The World Champion should be in action at Grand Slam, which brings him to the contract he has in his hand. The success that he has should be his and Tony Khan has made the match. At Grand Slam, it’s Danielson vs. McGuinness. So if he can have that match, why can’t he have the Allin match?

Hook wants Roderick Strong for the FTW Title.

Here are the Young Bucks, in AEW office chairs, to watch the main event.

Tag Team Casino Gauntlet

First fall wins and there is no guarantee that all of the teams get in. FTR is in at #1 and Kyle Fletcher/Will Ospreay are in at #2. Ospreay snaps off a hurricanrana to Wheeler to start but a sitout powerbomb gives Harwood two. Fletcher is knocked outside and the PowerPlex gets two. The Righteous are in at #3 and a Boss Man Slam into a Swanton gets two on Wheeler. Fletcher is back in to clean some of the house until the Kingdom is in at #4.

Fletcher gets knocked down to start and a running knee gets two on Ospreay as we take a break. Back with the Acclaimed coming in at #5 (the fans approve) and cleaning house. An AA gets two on Dutch and a pair of Fameassers put Harwood down. The MxM Collection is in at #6 to a big reaction of their own. Everyone brawls until the good guys manage a triple suplex. We take another break and come back with everyone brawling on the floor again with Top Flight coming in at #7.

This time they get to clear the ring until Ospreay kicks Dante in the head. The Shatter Machine hits Bowens but everyone makes the save. The Outrunners are in at #8 and the fans are way into them as well. This time they clean house as well, including the Paisan elbow to Vincent. The Grizzled Young Veterans are in at #8 as Floyd superplexes Mansoor onto the pile at ringside. We hit the parade of secondary finishers inside until Dante’s top rope splash hits raised knees. Ospreay hits the Hidden Blade on Dante to give Fletcher the pin at 22:14.

Rating: C+. This was the weakest of these matches so far as the strength of the matches comes from the surprises and we didn’t have any here. The Outrunners and the Collection got big reactions but it was the makeshift tam winning to continue the “Ospreay is really good at these things” deal. It wasn’t a bad match, but it felt long and was just a bunch of people doing stuff at times.

Overall Rating: C. This was not great by any means and was one of the weaker Dynamites in a good while. There was nothing worth going out of your way to see and the whole Danielson/Nigel/Allin/Moxley stuff is feeling very much like a bait and switch. This show did not feel like fallout from All Out, which was going to be hard to do with so many people missing. It wasn’t a terrible show, but you didn’t need to see it and that’s not a good way to go in this spot.

Results
Jack Perry b. Lio Rush – Running knee
Ricochet b. Sammy Guevara – Vertigo
Mariah May b. Queen Aminata – Storm Zero
Learning Tree b. Jacked Jameson/Iron Savages – Diamond Dust to Jameson
Will Ospreay/Kyle Fletcher won the Tag Team Casino Gauntlet Match

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

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

AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.