The Forbidden Door card isn’t set in stone, but it is covered in gold! Will Ospreay and Mercedes Mone each defend their AEW titles, but will they keep them?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- AEW TNT Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Dustin Rhodes VS Jack Perry; Jack wins and advances to Forbidden Door.
- Rush VS Deonn Rusman; Rush wins.
- Six Man Tag: Orange Cassidy, Kyle O’Reilly & Mark Briscoe VS Roderick Strong, Kyle Fletcher & Konosuke Takesh*ta; Roddy, Fletcher & Konosuke win.
- Samoa Joe & Hook w/ Katsuyori Shibata VS The Premier Athletes w/ Mark Sterling; Joe & Hook win.
- AEW TBS Championship: Mercedes Mone VS Zeuxis; Mone wins and retains the title.
- Daniel Garcia VS Nick Comoroto w/ Jacoby Watts; Garcia wins.
- AEW International Championship: Will Ospreay VS Rey Fenix; Ospreay wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Swerve Strickland is here!
The fans fire up as the AEW World Champion and Prince Nana make their way down to the ring. Nana gets a mic for Swerve, and Swerve asks Des Moines, Iowa if they’re ready for Dynamite tonight. Better yet, are they ready for Forbidden Door in a couple weeks? The fans cheer and Swerve says they should be. Because in one corner, it is The Billy Goat, the International Champion, Will Ospreay! And in the other, THE AEW World Champion, The Mogul, the history maker, Whose House? “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” And it is for Swerve’s AEW World Championship. Two absolute bona fide stars, the best of this generation, collide for the gold. Two absolute killers-
Well. More like one killer, because Swerve told Ospreay about 10 years ago that once Ospreay develops that killer instinct, there’s nobody in this industry that can stop him. That has been true. Let’s go back to Forbidden Door last year. Ospreay VS Omega, and Swerve saw a killer,an assassin, get the job done. Fast forward to Revolution 2024, Ospreay VS Takesh*ta, and again, the Assassin got the job done. Then Dynasty in April, Ospreay VS Danielson, The Assassin got the job done. Double or Nothing? Hmm, not quite. Didn’t really see The Assassin. Because when it comes to Swerve, he is not a target you want to hesitate on.
Swerve got the nickname “Killshot” for a reason. If you don’t pull the trigger, she sure as hell will. But that doesn’t mean Swerve doesn’t respect Ospreay. No, no, Ospreay is International Champion, defending night in, night out. Hell, he’s defending ittonight, against Rey Fenix! That’s a fighting champion, unlike some EVPs that have yet to defend those belts ever since winning them. But then someone comes out here to stop Swerve. It’s Kazuchika Okada! The Rainmaker tells Swerve to stop as he, said EVPs, and The Scapegoat all walk out on stage. And Okada mockingly asks, “Whose house?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!”
Okada says no, it’shis house, B*TCH! Nicholas tells Okada to relax, and he apologizes to Swerve. Okada gets very defensive of his friends. But The Elite is here to address some business that Swerve is part of, but that’s in a minute. Nick wants to talk about how DOMINANT The Elite has been! They took out Kenny Omega! They broke Eddie Kingston’s leg! And at Anarchy in the Arena, they DESTROYED “Team AEW!” Half this roster is gone because of THEM! And it feels pretty damn good. All the trolls and the bots online doubt them. Even the wrestlers in the back don’t think they’re violent enough!
WELL GUESS WHAT! The EVPs challenge AEW’s best in the most violent match in AEW: BLOOD & GUTS!! And Matthew says this is where Swerve comes into the picture. The Elite step to the ring, and they tell him that they don’t exactly love what he’s said about them, and admittedly, they didn’t get off on the right foot. But The Elite digs Swerve, they dig his style, he is cool. Swerve is young and a champion, just like all of them. So The Elite is here to ask him a question: Does he wanna stand side-by-side with winners? Side-by-side with champions? Matt wants to ask if Swerve wants to #ChangeTheWorld.
Swerve, traditionally, Blood & Guts is 5v5, and there’s only four of The Elite. So will he be their fifth man? The fans say no but Matt says to make it official, he’s always wanted to see Swerve in their sneakers. Matt offers his own pair of Young Bucks Reeboks to Swerve. Swerve says first off, he doesn’t wear size nines. Second, pear necklaces? Matt, no one wears those anymore. Third of all, he’s a businessman, he does his own stuff. Fourth of all, he’s also a philanthropist, so Nana, if you would. Nana TOSSES the Reeboks to the crowd! Free size nines for someone! The fans cheer the charity but Matt has The Elite calm down.
But see? What’s that buzzing around? Oh, it’s an injury bug. And it just landed on the champ! The Elite and Swerve all get ready to fight, but here comes THE ACCLAIMED! Max Caster, Anthony Bowens & Billy Gunn look just as ready to fight! The Elite bails out, and then Christopher Daniels hurries out here, too! The Fallen Angel turned Interim EVP says normally, he’d let a brawl like this go on all night long, but tonight is a full show of wrestling! Tonight, there’s TWO big title matches, and our opening contest is a qualifier for the TNT Championship Ladder Match! That means everyone out of that ring and to the back right this minute!
Well, except for Jack Perry. Because he’s having his matchright now, against this man! DUSTIN RHODES! The fans cheer as The Scapegoat no longer has all the time in the world to prepare! Will it only benatural that Dustin Rhodes makes Jack Perry choke on that silver spoon of his?
AEW TNT Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Dustin Rhodes VS Jack Perry!
The bell rings and Dustin fires hands on Jack! Dustin CHOPS Jack in a corner, stalks him to another, but Jack CLAWS Dustin’s eyes! The ref reprimands but Jack CLUBS Dustin. Jack CHOPS, fires forearms, then whips. Dustin CLOBBERS Jack on the return! Jack flounders, Dustin is right on him, and CHOKES Jack with his T-shirt! Dustin drags Jack up by his hair, but Jack grabs a buckle pad! The ref counts, Dustin CLUBS Jack, but the buckle pad comes free! Jack ELBOWS Dustin, TOSSES him out of the ring, then AX HANDLES from the apron! Dustin hits back with body shots, then scoops, but Jack slips free to POST Dustin!
Jack brings Dustin around, RAMS him into steel steps, then starts pulling up the floor mat! The fans boo and the ref reprimands but Jack scowls as he goes back for Dustin. Jack drags Dustin up, CLUBS him, reels him in, but Dustin fights the lift! Dustin back drops Jack onto the concrete! We see Dustin is still busted open from hitting that post, and the ref checks him while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Dustin seems alright to continue, and he storms over to Jack. Dustin puts Jack in the ring, storms in, but Jack CLUBS him down! Jack rains down forearms, lets off so the ref can check Dustin, and Dustin crawls to ropes. Jack storms up on Dustin to CHOKE him on the ropes! The ref counts, Jack lets off at 4, but then he CHOKES Dustin again! The ref counts again, Jack steps away, and Dustin sputters, that crimson mask starting to match his face paint. Jack goes out of the ring, and is he putting something in his boot or taking something out? Either way, Jack then brings a chair over to the ring!
Dynamite returns to single picture, the ref sees that chair and takes it right away from Jack, but Jack CLUBS Dustin! Jack CHOKES Dustin, and he is fiddling inside his boot again! The ref counts, Jack lets off, and then mocks Kenny Omega with the finger gun! BANG and Jack runs, into a SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up as Dustin finally gets back at Jack! The fans rally up, Dustin slowly sits up, and Jack follows. Jack stands but into an UPPERCUT! Jack ROCKS Dustin, but Dustin eggs him on! The fans fire up and Jack fires forearm after forearm! Dustin kick slow, RHODES UPPERCUTS, then runs to BOOT!
Dustin keeps going, and he hits a BULLDOG! Jack flounders around, Dustin storms after him in a corner. Dustin climbs up and he rains down fists! The fans count along and Dustin goes all the way to TEN! Dustin lets off, flips Jack off, then puts the legs in the ropes! Jack’s wide open and the ref reprimands. Dustin says fine, he’ll get the chair! The ref says no, no chair! The ref takes the chair away, and Dustin hits SHATTERED DREAMS! The fans cheer, and Dustin gets Jack in the dragon sleeper. Jack snapmares free, but Dustin blocks the superkick! Dustin spins Jack to JAB! JAB! JAB! And then flip, flop, fly and dirty bird! BIONIC ELBOW!
The fans fire up as Dustin gets Jack up and in, for the CROSS RHODES! Cover, TWO!!! Jack survives and Dustin is beside himself! Dustin pounds the mat, the fans rally up, and Dustin rises up! Dustin gets fired up, and he brings Jack up and in. Dustin suplexes, but Jack wrenches out to KNEE low! Jack RAMS Dustin into the bare buckle! Dustin goes down, Jack pushes him out and heads for the bare concrete! DDTon the cement!! Jack leaves Dustin behind, letting the count handle this. The fans boo but the count climbs while Dustin is down. Dustin reaches out at 4 of 10, sits up slowly at 5, and then flounders at 7.
The fans rally as hard as they can, and Dustin stands at 9! Dustin slides in at 9.9 and Jack is stunned! But then Jack laughs at Dustin still trying to get up. The fans rally for Dustin as he drags himself up with the ropes. Dustin pushes the ref aside to run up on Jack, but Jack LOW BLOWS Dustin!! Payback behind the ref’s back, and Jack paints himself with Dustin’s blood. Jack then lines up the shot, “We all have to sacrifice, Dustin.” Dustin flips Jack off! Jack KNEES Dustin down!! Cover, Jack wins!
Winner: Jack Perry, by pinfall (advances to Forbidden Door)
The Scapegoat just made Dustin the sacrifice needed for him to qualify. Jack gives a smile as he looks at the TNT Championship, will he be the final piece to a new Golden Elite?
Backstage interview with Orange Cassidy, Mark Briscoe & Kyle O’Reilly.
Renee Paquette is with this eclectic trio as they are teaming together tonight to face some common enemies. However, it was only just last Saturday on Collision that Cassidy and Kyle were opponents. How are they gonna make this work tonight? Kyle says hold on, they’re all pros. They can be against each other on Saturday and tag on Wednesday just fine, and now they’ve got Mark Briscoe with them! Renee says okay, then let’s address the elephant in the room. Kris Statlander put her hands on Orange, Trent’s go this own issues with him, the entire Don Callis Family is now coming for him, what is he going to do about this situation?
Cassidy says it looks like there are afew people who have his back. But there is one person he definitely knows does, and in walks Willow Nightingale. Mark asks if he could say something real quick. Now, Renee, you’re bringing up last week, but that’s things in the past. You don’t get where you’re going by looking in the rearview mirror. Today is today, and the word of the day is: conglomeration! This is a conglomeration of dangerous individuals right here in these three men, who are in dire straits! Roddy Strong, Kyle Fletcher, Konosuke Takesh*ta, they’re coming for you boys!
Mark has Kyle O’Reilly right here! What he gonna do? He’ll snatch your leg off and kick you in the face! YES! That’s the answer! He’ll do it all! And then we have the mighty man with a plan, with his hands in his pockets! But watch your jaw cuz he gonna rock it! OC, Orange Cassidy! They comin’ for you! You got three bad boys, but these are the three most dangerous, most unpredictable men in pro-wrestling right here! Tonight, you boys are in trouble! There’s only one thing you can do, and that’s get your asses whooped! It’s going down in Des Moines, Iowa! Let’s get it! RARARARAR! Mark is fired up, it has Kyle motivated, and Willow sure loves it!
Renee says wow. Cassidy asks how Renee’s doing. Great now. How’s Cassidy? He’s okay. One wild and wooly trios match is on its way, will The Chicken, Violent Artist & Freshly Squeezed make sure Roderick Strong & The Don Callis Family feel every bit of that fire?
Rush VS Deonn Rusman!
El Toro Blanco told off Maxwell Jacob Friedman last week in regards to the hypocrisy and bias from the fans. Will Rush show everyone, but especially MJF, that Rush runs things now?
The bell rings, Rush and Rusman circle, and then Rush CLOBBERS Rusman! Rusman flops out of the ring, Rush goes out and CHIPOS him! Rush whips Rusmanhard into railing, thenhard into more railing! Rush THROWS Rusman into railing, CLUBS away on him with haymakers, and the ref reprimands. Rush lets off, soaks up the heat and tells MJF that this is coming for him! Rush CHOPS Rusman, puts him in the ring, and then stalks Rusman to a corner. Rush CHOPS, CHOPS, then sits him down to stomp away! The ref counts, but Rush goes corner to corner! BULL’S HORNS!! Cover, Rush wins!
Winner: Rush, by pinfall
Rush just destroyed Des Moines’ own, but it seems he’s not done. He goes up to Justin Roberts, snatches the mic, and tells Iowa to shut up! Rush drags Deonn around, steps on his head, and then laughs! “Typical American, like all of you. WEAK!” Rush drags Deonn back into the corner, stomps away on him, and then goes corner to corner, but here comes MJF! The fans fire up as The People’s Scumbag still stands up to bullies! MJF takes the jacket right off, and he runs right down to the ring! MJF and Rush brawl! They go haymaker for haymaker, security hurries out here, but Rush and MJF DECK them one at a time! Rush HEADBUTTS the last guy!
Rush and MJF snarl, and they see they’re alone with each other. The fans are thunderous for MJF, and the brawl is on again! Christopher Daniels is back out here, shouting at them to stop, but MJF BITES Rush’s forehead! Rush gets away, but he drags MJF out of the ring! Rush sends MJF into railing, then runs him down, but MJF turns it around! MJF TOSSES Rush up and over barriers! The fans fire up as the brawl continues out in the crowd! Rush SMACKS MJF off railing! Rush and MJF continue fighting in the bleachers! Security does what it can, MJF CLAWS Rush’s face then throws him down! Des Moines is all fired up for MJF!
MJF CHOPS Rush, brings him to the stage and then around the back! MJF throws headlock punches as he keeps going, but Rush sends MJF into a road case! And then throws a crate at MJF! Daniels keeps shouting at them to stop but MJF SPINEBUSTER Rush through a table!! MJF rains down fists, CHOKES Rush, but Rush CHOKES MJF! They both separate, but then Rush throws a trash can! The locker room hurries over to separate these two, but Rush and MJF are far from through with each other! How much wilder can this get?
Well BREAKING NEWS from Tony Khan! MJF and Rush will have it out next week to OPEN Dynamite, in a COMMERCIAL FREE match! What won’t these two do to take the other out?
Six Man Tag: Orange Cassidy, Kyle O’Reilly & Mark Briscoe VS Roderick Strong, Kyle Fletcher & Konosuke Takesh*ta!
We heard from Freshly Squeezed, Violent Artist & Sussex County Chicken earlier, now it’s time to see them in action! Will they tear down The Savior of the Backbreaker, the Aussie Arrow & The Alpha? Or will the combined forces of The Undisputed Kingdom & Don Callis Family be too much for even this all-star conglomeration?
The teams sort out and Callis joins commentary while Cassidy starts against Roddy. This is a rivalry revisited, but then Cassidy looks over to Kyle O’Reilly. Kyle is staring daggers at Roddy, so Cassidy tags him in! But then Roddy tags out to Kyle Fletcher! Fletcher’s a bit annoyed but now we get Kyle and Kyle circling. O’Reilly gives a kick, Fletcher gives a forearm, and they go back and forth! Fletcher kicks low, headlocks, but O’Reilly powers out. Fletcher runs O’Reilly over then keeps moving, but O’Reilly kitchen sink knees! O’Reilly gets Fletcher’s arm, wrenches, and tags in Mark! Mark CLUBS Fletcher’s arm, wrenches, and puts him in a corner.
The fans cheer as Mark CHOPS, whips, but Fletcher reverses. Mark goes up and around to DECK Fletcher! Fletcher falls back, and Konosuke tags in. Mark eggs Konosuke on, so Konosuke fires a forearm! Mark give sit back, they go back and forth, until Konosuke CLAWS Mark’s eyes! Konosuke whips, Mark gets under the boot to BODY SHOT! Mark bumps Konosuke off buckles, CHOPS him, then tags Cassidy! Cassidy goes up to CROSSBODY, but Konosuke catche shim! Konosuke SMACKS Mark with Cassidy, BOOTS O’Reilly, then hits a LANDSLIDE! Konosuke runs to SLIDING KNEE! Konosuke stomps away on Cassidy, then rains down fists!
Callis admits on commentary that he told Konosuke to just hurt Cassidy for being a turncoat. Fletcher tags in, the Family double whips Cassidy, but Cassidy ducks the lariats to DOUBLE RANA! The fans fire up as Konosuke tumbles out of the ring! O’Reilly FLYING KNEES Konosuke down! But then Roddy WRECKS O’Reilly with a dropkick! Mark runs up to dodge Fletcher, then DIVE onto Roddy! Cassidy is stunned seeing that, but then Fletcher DIVES onto Mark! Cassidy sees Kyle and Kyle brawl, then Konosuke and Mark join in! Roddy does, too, then Cassidy SPRINGBOARD CANNONBALLS! Direct hit and the fans are thunderous!
Cassidy then stares down Trent. Trent and Cassidy argue, but Konosuke DECKS Cassidy! Trent says that’s what happens! The Don Callis Family high-fives and stands tall with The Kingdom while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Konosuke stands on Cassidy, Fletcher stomps him, and then they put Cassidy in the ring. Fletcher hurries in to whip Cassidy to ropes. Fletcher ELBOWS Cassidy down, covers, TWO! Fletcher drags Cassidy over, bumps him off buckles, and Roddy tags in. Roddy CHOPS Cassidy, brings Cassidy around to scoop and BACKBREAKER, then he tags Takesh*ta. Konosuke stays between Cassidy and his team while taunting him. Cassidy slowly rises, and he fires a chop. There isn’t much to it, but Cassidy throws more and more and starts getting some force behind the shots! So Konosuke DECKS him! Konosuke stalks Cassidy as he flounders, then tags in Fletcher.
Fletcher & Konosuke double whip Cassidy to run him over! Then they BLAST O’Reilly & Briscoe! Fletcher soaks up the heat, then drags Cassidy up by his arm. Fletcher scoops to SLAM Cassidy, then soaks up the heat. Tag to Takesh*ta and he stomps Cassidy. Konosuke snapmares Cassidy, goes up a corner, and soaks up heat before the SUPER SENTON! Konosuke thendeadlifts Cassidy in a waistlock! Konosuke goes for the full nelson, but Cassidy reaches for his pockets! Konosuke shoves Cassidy to ropes, Cassidy ducks ‘n’ dodges to tilt-o-whirl, but Konosuke blocks the DDT! Konosuke then HOTSHOTS Cassidy off ropes!
Konosuke runs to LARIAT Cassidy down! Cover, TWO! Konosuke CLUBS away on Cassidy, tags Roddy in, and Roddy goes for legs! Cassidy fights the turn, reaches for his corner, but Roddy YANKS Cassidy back! Dynamite returns to single picture as Roddy BLASTS Briscoe! O’Reilly avoids the cheap shot and he glares at Roddy. Cassidy rolls Roddy up! TWO, and hot tag to O’Reilly! O’Reilly rallies on Roddy with kicks and forearms and knees! O’Reilly whips, Roddy stops himself and tags in Fletcher! But O’Reilly BOOTS Fletcher, and he DRAGON SCREWS Konosuke in the ropes! Fletcher returns to kick but O’Reilly kicks back!
O’Reilly fires off strikes, SWEEPS the leg, but Konosuke returns! Konosuke BOOTS O’Reilly, whips corner to corner, but O’Reilly goes up and over! Fletcher runs in but is sent into Konosuke! O’Reilly blocks Fletcher’s kick, hands it to Konosuke, then he gets Konosuke’s leg! CHAIN DRAGON SCREW! Roddy is back and he KNEES O’Reilly low! OLYMPIC- NO, O’Reilly slips free, ELBOWS Roddy, and hot tags Mark! The ROH World Champion dodges Roddy to BOOT the ROH Television Champion! O’Reilly ROCKS Roddy, fires off, and Mark fires off on Fletcher! The fans fire up as Mark sets Fletcher up for O’Reilly’s BOOT!
Mark now brawls with Roddy while O’Reilly waistlocks Fletcher. Fletcher elbows free, Roddy CHOPS Mark, CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Roddy runs, but Mark ROCKS him! Mark CHOPS Fletcher, CHOPS, then ROLLING ELBOWS! Roddy storms up but Mark blocks to REDNECK KUNG-FU UPPERCUT! The fans fire up as Mark hits the crane stance! Roddy blocks the kick, half nelsons, but Mark breaks free to PELE! The fans fire up with Mark, he runs in, but into a BOOT! Roddy goes up but Mark UPPERCUTS him down! The fans fire up, Mark builds speed and Cassidy tags in. Mark WRECKS Roddy with a dropkick!
Mark avoids Konosuke’s leg sweep, and O’Reilly JUMP KICKS Konosuke down! Mark CANNONBALLS Fletcher down! Mark calls to Cassidy and puts Fletcher in for him. Cassidy is up top and Fletcher stagger sup, into the DEEP IMPACT!! Cover, TWO!?! Fletcher survives and shocks everyone! Cassidy throws off his elbow pad and the fans fire up! Cassidy aims, but Konosuke anchors his feet! Fletcher runs up, GAMANGIRI! SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF! O’Reilly is back but Fletcher ducks the roundhouse! SUPERKICK! Fletcher runs, into a KNEE! Roddy gets O’Reilly, BACKBREAKER! But Mark gets Roddy, spin and FISHERMAN BUSTER!
Konosuke runs up, Mark kick shim and reels him in. Mark underhooks but Konosuke wrenches out for a BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cassidy runs up, but turns Blue Thunder into a tilt-o-whirl DDT! Fletcher runs up, Cassidy gets around! Fletcher switches and shoves, but Cassidy tilt-o-whirls! Fletcher says no to the DDT, suplexes, but gets STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Cassidy holds Fletcher down so O’Reilly can AX & SMASH! Then with Cassidy, SHOTGUN HIGH LOW!! Cassidy hurries up the corner, but Roddy is there to anchor him! Kyle SWEEPS Roddy’s legs! But Kyle GAMANGIRIS Cassidy!
Fletcher goes up, but Mark sneaks a tag! TURNBUCKLE BRAINBUSTER for Cassidy!!! Fletcher covers but the ref tells him it’s not Cassidy! FROGGY-BOW!! Cover, RODDY BREAKS IT!! But O’Reilly clamps on with a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! Roddy puts O’Reilly in a corner, the ref is busy with them as Mark underhooks Fletcher. Des Moines declares “This is Awesome!” as Fletcher fights the lift! Konosuke returns, Mark dodges him once, but the ALPHA ELBOW hits the mark! And then the POWER DRIVE KNEE!! Fletcher gets Mark up, PILEDRIVER!! Cover, The Family & Kingdom win!!
Winners: Roderick Strong, Kyle Fletcher & Konosuke Takesh*ta, by pinfall
The conglomerate could not keep up with the chaos, and now the ROH Television Champion has pinned the ROH World Champion! Will the Protostar look to take Briscoe’s belt for his own? And wait, Trent is going after Cassidy on the outside! Konosuke stomps away on Briscoe, and Fletcher joins in! Meanwhile, The Kingdom keeps Kyle O’Reilly isolated, saying this isn’t his fight! The fans boo as Trent sends Cassidy into steel steps! But here comes The Babe with The Power! BUT WAIT! Kris is attacking her in the tunnel!! Kris throws Willow down, stomps her, and Stokely has the mic to say wake up, Willow.
Well, he tried. But hey, when she watches this back, there’s a message for her. The next time Willow gets in the business of Kris & Stoke, they won’t be dragging her on stage. They’ll be dragging her to the ER! The fans boo but Big Stoke takes a pic of this for posterity. Is there any hope for Cassidy and Willow with enemies all around them?
Backstage interview with Rey Fenix.
Renee Paquette is now with The Immortal Firebird ahead of his main event match, where he has the opportunity to become atwo-time International Champion. His first run was cut short due to injury, but he has been an AEW World Tag Team and AEW World Trios Champion, as well as champion all around the world. Earlier, he told Renee that of course he knows just how good Ospreay is, but Fenix is one of one. Then will that one of one become the two-time two-time International Champion? Or will the Firebird be taken down by an Ospreay?
AEW hears from Shingo Takagi!
“My time is coming! TOKI GA KITA! I’m Shingo Takagi, The Rampaging Dragon, The NEVER Openweight Champion. The AEW Owen Hart Tournament? I’m ready. Now, The Japanese Dragon is in America. That’s all I wanted to say.” Is the Owen Hart Cup about to go through a Forbidden Door of its own?
Christopher Daniels speaks.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I’m back. And I’ve got some news regarding The Elite. Now Matthew & Nicholas Jackson, Kazuchika Okada, next week, Tony Khan has decided that you will wrestle in Eliminator matches. Matches where if your opponents win, they will earn title shots for the World Tag Team Championships and Continental Championship respectively. Now Okada, you’re used to having all seconds barred from ringside, but Matthew, Nicholas… Tony Khan has decided that your match next week will have all seconds barred from ringside! NO outside interference! And we’ll get a chance to see howelite you really are.”
The Fallen Angel lays down the law on behalf of TK, but then who will get themselves some golden opportunities at The Elite’s treasure?
Samoa Joe & Hook w/ Katsuyori Shibata VS The Premier Athletes w/ Mark Sterling!
The Samoa Submission Specialist told the Cold-Hearted Handsome Devil that they would handle Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari on their terms, and they did just that last Saturday night! Now they take that fight from locker room to ring, will Joe & Hook humble the pompous Premier Athletes? Or will Nese & Daivari prove they’re not just big muscles and big bank accounts?
While Nese & Daivari are making their entrance, we cut to the “Shibata Cam” as Joe & Hook prepare on their side of gorilla. Joe has a theory why Taz loves orange so much. They’re from New York, Syracuse is known for orange, boom. Hook says nah, Taz hates Syracuse. Figures. Okay, quick stretch, and let’s go. Joe & Hook storm out the tunnel and CLOBBER The Premier Athletes from behind! The fans fire up and Sterling panics as Joe & Hook beat Nese & Daivari down! Hook keeps Daivari on the ramp while Joe sends Nese into the LED! Shibata’s cam catches Joe storming up on Sterling. Joe says WORLDSTAR~!
Joe drags Nese down the ramp, Sterling is furious, but Joe puts Nese in the ring. The fans are singing “Joe is gonna kill~ you!” and the bell rings. Nese stomps and kicks at Joe, then runs, but Joe ELBOWS him down! The fans fire up, Joe waits on Nese, and then JABS! JABS! BODY BLOW! JAB! Repeat! Joe fires off in the corner, RIDGE HANDS Nese down, then tags in Hook. Joe drags Nese up, he and Hook double whip, then Joe clotheslines Nese in the corner. Feed to Hook’s LARIAT, and the fans fire up! Hook drags Nese up, but Nese TACKLES Hook! Tag to Daivari, the Premier Athletes mug Hook!
The fans boo, the ref counts, and the Premier Athletes let off. Daivari tags Nese, and they stomp away on Hook! The ref counts, Sterling says they have ’til five! Nese lets off, tags Daivari back in, and they stomp away on Hook again. The fans boo, the ref reprimands, and Nese steps out. Daivari bumps Hook off buckles, pushes him out, then goes up the corner. Daivari CROSSBODYFLOPS as Hook learns from Joe’s style! Nese runs up, Hook gets around, T-BONE! The fans fire up and Hook runs, but Sterling trips him up! The fans boo but Daivari CLOBBERS Hook! Daivari & Nese stomp Hook, but Shibata runs up to DECK Sterling!
The fans fire up as The Wrestler doesn’t let the ambulance chaser turned manager get away with one! Nese swings on Joe but gets caught into a SLEEPER! Daivari drags Hook up, wrenches an arm, but Hook ducks the Lion’s Lariat to get the REDRUM!! Body scissors, and then Daivari TAPS! Joe & Hook win!
Winners: Samoa Joe & Hook, by submission
OH, Shibata’s had Sterling in a sleeper this whole time! No wonder Sterling wasn’t protesting! But while Nese & Daivari are Premier Athletes, we know Joe, Hook & Shibata are some dangerous men! Will this trio take over AEW by putting all their opponents to sleep?
AEW hears from Stephanie Vaquer.
La Primera says, “Mercedes, I will give you props. You are one of the best. And now, you are coming for the title that was ‘supposed to be yours?’ Hmm. Your arrogance is just plain offensive. I work hard every day, all over the world, instead of just sitting around and walking on red carpets. This belt is mine, and it’s not going anywhere. At Forbidden Door, Stephanie Vaquer is going to become the first-ever NJPW Strong AND TBS Double Champion. Because I am La Primera.” To be the best, you gotta beat the best, so will Vaquer prove she’s truly THE best when she dethrones The CEO?
AEW TBS Championship: Mercedes Mone VS Zeuxis!
Well speaking of The CEO, she’s now in action against Vaquer’s CMLL Women’s Tag Team Championship partner, the very title Vaquer wants being on the line! Will Mone prove she’s not just a fighting champion, but that she’s got what it takes to stay champion? Or will La Diosa Guerrera use her Puerto Rican Power to make her and Vaquer into a Two Woman Power Trip?
The introductions are made, the TBS title is raised, and we see who will walk through The Forbidden Door!
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Zeuxis puts Mone on ropes, then pulls hair! The ref counts, Zeuxis lets off, and Mone is annoyed already. Zeuxis eggs Mone on but the fans rally behind The CEO. Mone and Zeuxis tie up, Zeuxis waistlocks, spins Mone, then gets around again, to flying-mare! Zeuxis chinlocks and grinds Mone down, but Mone fights up fast. Zeuxis shifts to a headlock, Mone powers out, but Zeuxis runs her over! Things keep moving, Mone drops but Zeuxis rolls. Zeuxis sidesteps Mone, hurdles, then drops down but Mone rolls! Mone does her dance, the fans cheer, but Zeuxis kicks low!
Zeuxis mocks the dance, CLUBS Mone, then whips. Mone tilt-o-whirls, just manages the second time, and DEJA VU RANAS! Mone then waits on Zeuxis, then basem*nt dropkicks! Cover, TWO! Zeuxis is tougher than that but Mone keeps cool. Mone CHOPS Zeuxis, knuckle locks, then goes up and up and FLYING ARM-DRAGS! The fans fire up with Mone, she runs up at Zeuxis, but Zeuxis rolls her up, with a bridge! TWO!! Mone escapes that, but Zeuxis ROCKS her, then ROUNDHOUSES her! Mone drops to her knees, Zeuxis BOOTS her, then runs. Mone runs and trips Zeuxis, then drags her out! Mone uses the desk to FLYING ARM-DRAG again!
The fans fire up with Mone, then storms up on Zeuxis. Mone puts Zeuxis in, drags her up, but Zeuxis fights the suplex! Zeuxis ROCKS Mone, SWEEPS the leg, then SHOTGUNS her off the apron! Mone tumbles, Zeuxis builds speed, and Zeuxis DIVES! Direct hit with the tope suicida, and then Zeuxis RIPS a fan’s sign for Mone! The fans boo but Zeuxis soaks it up as Dynamite goes picture in picture.
The ref checks Mone and she’s okay to continue, so Zeuxis drags her up. Zeuxis puts Mone in the ring, then CHOKES her on ropes! The ref counts, Zeuxis lets off, and she argues with the ref. Zeuxis then drags Mone up, whips her corner to corner, and runs in to UPPERCUT! Mone sits down, Zeuxis swaggers back to the far side, and then runs in to METEORA! Cover, TWO! Mone’s tougher than that and Zeuxis grows frustrated. Zeuxis drags Mone back, hooks up the legs, and then pulls on the arms! Right up into the ROMERO SPECIAL! Mone endures, so Zeuxis drops her, but keeps the legs hooked. Mone turns things over and goes for Zeuxis’s arms!
Mone pulls, pulls andpulls into the ROMERO SPECIAL! Zeuxis endures, Mone drops herhard, and is finally free of the leg hook. Mone storms up, drags Zeuxis up, but Zeuxis ROCKS her! Zeuxis TOSSES Mone by her hair, then soaks up more heat. Zeuxis goes over to Mone, drags her around, and clamps on a CAMEL CLUTCH! Zeuxis makes Mone smile with fishhooks, but lets off as the ref reprimands. Zeuxis then ties up Mone’s legs and pulls her into the BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Dynamite returns to single picture as Mone endures being bent back! Mone manages to pop free and cover, TWO! Zeuxis and Mone both rise, and Mone blocks a kick!
Mone KNEES Zeuxis, runs, but into a fireman’s carry! POP-UP POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Mone survives and Zeuxis is seething! Zeuxis vows to end this, and she drags Mone up. Zeuxis fireman’s carries, but Mone turns pop-up into RANA! Cover, TWO!! Zeuxis escapes, and she RAMS Mone into a corner! Zeuxis RAMS in again and again, then SLAPS Mone! The fans boo but Mone BOOTS Zeuxis back! Mone goes up, leaps, sunset flip, but Zeuxis rolls through! POINT-BLANK METEORA! Cover, TWO! Mone survives again and Zeuxis scowls. Zeuxis wheelbarrows, but Mone makes it a BULLDOG! The fans fire up as both women are down!
Mone rises, Zeuxis is in a corner. Mone runs in to DOUBLE KENE! Zeuxis sits down, so Mone METEORAS! Snapmare and Mone goes up top! METEORA! Cover, TWO!! Zeuxis survives and Mone is shocked! Mone brings Zeuxis up to snap suplex, and that’s Una Amiga! Then another for Dos Amigas! Zeuxis blocks the third, wrenches and reels Mone in, underhooks for a TIGERLUNG BLOWER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Mone survives and Zeuxis is beside herself! “This is Awesome!” as Zeuxis climbs up, MOONSAULTFLOPS as Mone moves! Mone runs, rolls, slips around, and Gory Especials for the MONE MAKER!! Cover, Mone wins!
Winner: Mercedes Mone, by pinfall (still AEW TBS Champion)
The CEO got more than she bargained for out of Zeuxis, but nothing she couldn’t handle! Will Mone make sure that she not only holds onto this gold, but adds the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship to the collection?
AEW hears from Mina Shirakawa.
The Fighting Gravure Idol says, “AEW, you love me~!” Mariah May helps read the résumé: a FIVE-TIME Stardom Champion; singles, tags, trios, she’s done them all! Mariah always knew Mina was special, and that America would fall in love with her. Mina says she used to be a model, but wanted to put on a big show. Her entrance is colorful, exciting, energetic, and of course, sexy! Mina & Mariah founded Stardom’s Club Venus, won the tag titles together, and Mina has always been like a big sister. They love wrestling and being together.
Mariah assures us, when that switch flips, she goes from “kawaii Mina-chan” to one of the most dangerous women Mariah’s ever seen. And that’s why Mariah’s glad they’re friends. Mina says she’s come to America and AEW to take over! She wants all the matches, all the gold! You want Mina? She wants everything~!
Cut to Mariah by Toni Storm’s side.
The protege snuggles up with her mentor, The AEW Women’s World Champion, and we also have Luther and Renee Paquette. Renee says we just saw the video package from Mina, and while Mina is a very credible opponent, she is also very…close with Mariah. Toni says that was hardly a video worth watching. Mariah thanks “Miss Storm” for getting her into the Women’s Owen Hart Cup, she will not let Storm down. Storm knows. And secondly, Mariah is happy that Mina is coming back next week! Sigh. And? She wants to do a contract signing with Storm, face to face. Storm scowls but Mariah says she will host it to keep everyone on the same page.
Renee says before that, Storm does have a match on Rampage against Alex Windsor. Oh what a tangled web we weave when everyone wants a shot at the “wide load that holds the gold!” Nevertheless, Storm’s chin is lifted, her tit* have persevered, and you ALWAYS watch for the shoe! Come, Mariah, time for a waxing. They head out, Luther shrugs and follows. Will the Leading Lady use “Iron Will Windsor” as a mere warm-up for the real attraction? Will Mina behave herself when she and Storm are face to face next Wednesday night?
“Big Bill” Morrissey is in the ring.
“The Redwood” welcomes us all to TV Time with The Learning Tree, Chris Jericho. “If there is one thing that Chris has taught me, it’s that it’s never too late to start learning, and it’s never too early to start winning. Am I right? This guy knows what I’m talking about!” With that in mind, here he is! The Socrates of Pro-Wrestling, The Guru of Giving Back, The Michael Jordan of Michael Jordans! The Learning Tree, Chris Jericho! Jericho makes his entrance, “Bad Apple” Bryan Keith following behind as the tron now says Jericho’s been “For The World” Champion for 53 days. Jericho waves hi to everyone as he steps into the ring.
Jericho gets his own mic and says, “Hi, guys~! Hi, everybody~! Who wants more TV Time? You know I do! I also wanna says thanks to all the Branches, this new Learning Tree T-shirt just came out 15 minutes ago on Shop AEW, already one of the fastest selling shirts in AEW history. Thanks, everybody~! Who wants one? Who wants one?” The fans cheer, but Jericho doesn’t throw the shirt. Jericho also wants to add that he was eating some corn backstage at catering, and he knows it was grown right here in Des Moines, Iowa. He’s gotta say, it was a little bit ripe and here’s why, because he knows a little bit about farming.
You need to grow corn in fertile, well-trained soil with a pH level of 6 to 6.8. This corn was about a 7, and that doesn’t work for Jericho, brother. So next time, please fortify the soil with more compost if you wanna make better corn. Jericho smiles and Keith says unless you wanna grow some lame ass corn, RESPECT Chris Jericho! And speaking of respect, Jericho knows they all respect each other here. The Learning Tree respects all of his Branches in the Jericho Vortex, both out here in the arena, at home watching on TV, and the wrestlers in the back. And there are a couple youngsters who need a little advice to reach the next level.
Let’s bring ’em out right now. Everyone give it up for Marq Quen & Isiah Kasisdy, Private Party! The fans do cheer as Quen & Zay make their way out, Big Bill vibing to the theme song. Private Party steps into the ring, and Jericho says if they’re gonna do shots, make sure they have a designated driver. But also, Jericho wants to say they have been doing great work. Right, everybody? Private Party’s high-flying is off the charts, next level, and they’ve done great things. The one thing they haven’t been doing lately, though, is winning matches. The reason for that is that their basics just aren’t up to snuff. Jericho doesn’t know who trained them, but he wasn’t very good.
And since Jericho was trained by the late, great Stu Hart over 33 years ago in the Hart Dungeon in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Jericho knows a thing or two about doing the basics properly. Headlocks, running the ropes, proper takedowns. He saw them fly off the top rope, but they don’t even do that properly! It’s technically unsound, guys. Zay says well, how about he teaches them? Zay wants to see it. Quen wants to see it! And pretty sure everyone in Iowa wants to see it! In fact, Jericho is a legend, an OG. Some might even call him…The Caitlin Clark of AEW. Iowa likes that shoutout! Kevin says respect.
Jericho says yeah, he might even throw a three-pointer! He’ll show them how to climb a corner, just as the late, great Owen Hart, one of the greatest high-flyers of all time, showed him. Jericho shows you put a foot here on the bottom rope, then the second, then the very top. See? That easy. And then you stand and do a move. Makes sense? yes, thanks for this lesson. Did they learn from The Learning Tree? Yes, they did. But here’s a lesson from them! Zay TRIPS Jericho up! Jericho gets stuck on the top, Keith runs up but Quen TOSSES him! Bill’s too busy making sure people are admiring Jericho to know what’s happened!
Bill turns around, sees what happened, and then he runs up! Private Party DUMPS Bill out, then they build speed to DOUBLE DIVE! Down go Bill & Bryan! The fans fire up as Zay uses that lesson to climb, and SWANTON BOMB! Quen does the same, so he can hit a SHOOTING STAR! Bill & Bryan run back in but Private Party gets outta there! Quen & Zay just taught us that Jericho’s arrogance makes him gullible. But will the Redwood & Bad Apple make sure Quen & Zay pay for their disrespect?
The Forbidden Door has an IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match set!
After Jon Moxley retained the title in a wild Lumberjack match, he dared anyone to step up to the plate. And who stepped up? Tetsuya Naito did! Moxley took the title from Naito in Chicago, so now Naito looks to return the favor in Long Island! Naito’s a big baseball fan, will he knock this one out of the park? Or will Moxley strike him out, for good?
Bullet Club Gold speaks.
Bang Bang Gang has so many title belts, they’re using them as weights for a good pump. Austin Gunn says it is the ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY of Collision, and all they keep hearing about is how badass The House of Black is. But what? Are they returning? In action? Sitting all crisscross applesauce? What do they even do?! Colten knows! Lights off. Lights on. OOOH~!! How scary~! The House of Black call themselves “the reapers of the trios division,” but three-quarters of the trioschamps say otherwise. All they reap is GOLD~! Juice Robinson says ooh~, House of Black~! They want some action on Saturday night?
Then how about some action with the Bang Bang Gang? They ARE the Collision Cowboys! Collision is the House The Bang Bang Gang Built! And in Youngstown, Ohio, this town ain’t big enough for the both of ’em! The House’s asses are getting kicked! DO YOU GET IT!? Juice smacks #Cardblade, and Austin says if they’re not down with that, they’ve got two words for ya! GUNS UP! Will the Bang Bang Gang really shoot down Malakai, Brody & Buddy? Or will they all regret it in The End?
Daniel Garcia VS Nick Comoroto w/ Jacoby Watts!
The Red Death has gotten back on track as he chases down the International Championship, but he still needs more. Will he get more than enough out of the Wrecking Ball that stands before him? Or will the teachings of HE, Jacoby, finally lead Comoroto to a bright future?
The bell rings and Comoroto runs up, but Garcia dodges! Garcia fires off fists int he corner, lets off, then stomps away! The ref counts, Garcia digs his boots in, but lets off to runs side to side. BOOT WASH! The fans fire up, Jacoby is upset, and we see Will Ospreay watching this. The Aerial Assassin may have Fenix to worry about in the main event, but seems he’s keeping an eye on Garcia. Garcia goes corner to corner at Comoroto, but Comoroto scoops and trophy lifts! Garcia slips free, reels Comoroto in, and hits a SAIDO! We also see MJF watching this now, hand wrapped in an icepack. Could the Wolf of Wrestling be interested in Garcia’s future, too?
Garcia drags Comoroto up, into a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! Comoroto flails but that grip is tight! Comoroto fades, but Garcia gives him the RED CROSS! Cover, Garcia wins!
Winner: Daniel Garcia, by pinfall
The fans are all fired up with Garcia, and he raises his fists, to do his dance! Garcia made quick work of abig opponent, but will he be going after bigger and better soon enough?
In fact, Renee walks over to Ospreay and notes Garcia’s made it very clear he wants a shot at the International Championship. In moments, Ospreay puts that title on the line against Fenix, but how is his body holding up after all these defenses against all these different wrestlers? Well, the body is fine. He’d love to stay and talk about how sick a wrestler Garcia is, but he does have to focus on Fenix. His mind is elsewhere because of Forbidden Door. So uh, he’s got a match to deliver, and a contract as well. See you soon. Ospreay heads out, will he still have his gold when he arrives in Long Island?
PAC speaks.
“What a triumphant return to the company. Loss after loss, failure after failure. I have been extorted and trodden on by every Tom, Dick & Harry going, and I’ll be honest with you… It’s humiliating. I’m supposed to be a bastard, but I feel like a bitch. But good news? The good news is, that ends now. I am done with apathy. I’m angry, I’m angry again! And I am at my very best when I’m angry. So here’s what’s gonna happen. I will be entering the Owen Hart Cup. I will bewinning the Owen Hart Cup. And I will go on to claim my AEW World Championship opportunity at Wembley Stadium.
“Because I will be DAMNED if a talent of my caliber never gets his Wembley moment. And I will be DAMNED if a talent of my caliber never wins the biggest prize in this industry! This will be my redemption story. Oh, and one more thing. Bang Bang Billy Gang? Don’t you dare for one second think that Death Triangle has forgotten what you did to us. We don’t forget.” The Bastard’s sinister smile surely means bad things for all who stand in his way. Will Pac take the Cup to then go All In on the world title?
BREAKING NEWS for Collision!
On top of it being the one-year anniversary, we will see another Forbidden Door appetizer as The Blackpool Combat Club is in another 8 Man Tag! They’re taking on Rocky Romero, Lio Rush and the NEW Undisputed NJPW Tag Team Champions, TMDK’s Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls! Will Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Bryan Danielson & Wheeler Yuta keep up the momentum from last week? Or will Azucar, The Bad Child & The Mighty score an early victory for NJPW?
AEW Blood & Guts 2024 is official!
While The Elite want to fight the best of the best, we still don’t know who is stepping inside the double-ring, double-cage! However, we know that it will all go down on Wednesday, July 24th, in Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena! Who will be brave enough to face Jack Perry, Kazuchika Okada & The Bucks on that brutal battlefield?
BREAKING NEWS for next week’s Dynamite!
Speaking of facing The Elite, Christopher Daniels has found contenders to take on the champions in the Title Eliminators! First, The Young Bucks have had beef with The Acclaimed, so now they’ll settle this in a match! Can Max Caster & Anthony Bowens earn some golden tickets to the tag titles? And then
AEW International Championship: Will Ospreay VS Rey Fenix!
We know The Aerial Assassin is ready, we know The Immortal Firebird is ready, so all that’s left is to do the damn thing! Ospreay drops off his signed title match contract to Nana & Swerve as they sit ringside, will he still be golden stepping into The Forbidden Door? Or will Fenix lighten his luggage on the way to Long Island?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who flies high, and who crashes and burns!
The bell rings and the fans fire up as these two stare down. The fans already cheer “A E DUB! A E DUB!” for making this one possible. Fenix and Ospreay step up, and the forearms start flying! The fans cheer as they go forearm for forearm, neither man backing down! They do hit harder, and Ospreay ROCKS Fenix! Then CHOPS! Then whips, but Fenix ducks ‘n’ dodges to tiger feint rewind! Ospreay ducks the heel kick, Fenix ducks the hook kick! Fenix kicks low, whips, but Ospreay handsprings! Fenix dodges to handspring, and Fenix hits a LETHAL INJECT- NO, Ospreay handstands out of the cutter!
Fenix avoids Ospreay’s Buzzsaw kick, then kips up! Both men stand off and the fans are thunderous already! Iowa cheers “Both These Guys! Both These Guys!” and Ospreay blocks Fenix’s superkick. Ospreay ROCKS Fenix again, CHOSP again, then whips again. Fenix ducks ‘n’ dodges again, then RANAS! Ospreay tumbles out of the ring and the fans fire up! Fenix goes up and up and tightrope walks, but Ospreay avoids the kick to BOOT! Fenix CHOPS! Fenix blocks a boot, puts that leg in ropes, but Ospreay just slips inside. Ospreay ROCKS Fenix, builds speed, and BOOTS Fenix down! The fans fire up and Ospreay gets that energy to build!
Ospreay aims, PLANCHAS, but Fenix slides in! Fenix BOOTS Ospreay, steps out, and FLYING RANAS! Fenix then gets Ospreay back in, to springboard FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives and Fenix frowns, but the fans rally as Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Fenix clamps onto Ospreay, traps an arm, and then pulls on the other. Fenix learned this one from Penta, but Ospreay fights it off! Fenix CLUBS Ospreay, drags him up, and bumps him off buckles. Fenix CHOPS, then stalks Ospreay to another corner. Ospreay ROCKS Fenix, ROCKS him again, then ROCKS him again! Fenix CHOPS back! And ROCKS Ospreay in return! Fenix fires off in the corner, then digs his boots in. The ref counts, Fenix wrenches to WRING Ospreay out, into an omoplata, and RINGS OF SATURN! Ospreay endures, even as Fenix digs an elbow into the ribs! Ospreay fights around, but Fenix CLUBS him again and again!
Fenix drags Ospreay up to run and basem*nt DROPKICK! Cover, ONE!! Fenix BUZZSAWS Ospreay! Ospreay writhes and Fenix fires up. Fenix goes to the far side, comes back as Ospreay stands, and CLUBS him to a corner. Fenix CHOPS, and CHOPS, and Swerve seems mildly impressed. Fenix snapmares Ospreay, traps an arm, then pulls on the other. Ospreay fights but Fenix has the double wristlock. Fenix CLUBS the arm, pulls on it, but Ospreay fights free. Ospreay ROCKS Fenix, but Fenix CHOPS Ospreay! Fenix eggs Ospreay on, so Ospreay fires another forearm. Fenix CHOPS again, and that fires Ospreay up!
Ospreay CHOPS, and CHPOS, but Fenix knees low! Fenix CLUBS and HAMMERS Ospreay, Dynamite returns to single picture, and then Fenix says “CERO! MIEDO!” Fenix whips, Ospreay reverses but Fenix tilt-o-whirls, into the IRON OCTOPUS! Ospreay endures, fights up and THROWS Fenix away! The fans fire up again as Ospreay goes to a corner. Fenix runs in, Ospreay BOOTS him away, then Ospreay goes up and out to springboard, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Swerve is still only mildly impressed as Ospreay kips up. Ospreay drags Fenix up but Fenix fires a forearm. So Ospreay fires a flurry!
Ospreay whips, Fenix reverses, but Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! Ospreay hurries to cover, TWO! Fenix stays in this but Ospreay stays cool as the fans rally up. Ospreay brings Fenix around, reels him in and underhooks, but Fenix back drops free! Ospreay staggers up, Fenix runs in, but into an elbow! Ospreay goes up, Fenix somersaults to SHORYUKEN! Fenix climbs up after Ospreay, but Ospreay fires forearms in return! Fenix drops back, comes back, and JUMP SOBATS! Ospreay wobbles, Fenix goes to the apron, and then Fenix climbs up. Ospreay fires forearms in return, then ROCKS Fenix!
Ospreay HEADBUTTS Fenix, Fenix sits on the rope, but then Fenix jumps up to SUPER DUPER STEINER!!Only for Ospreay to land on his feet!! He’s done stuff like that before, but it’s still amazing every time he does! As such, Des Moines is thunderous as Ospreay dusts himself off. Ospreay runs up, dodges Fenix, and then tilt-o-whirl DDTS!But Fenix handsprings through!?Now that’s wild! Ospreay is just as stunned as the fans, but then things speed up again. Tiger feint rewind, HEEL KICK! HOOK KICK! Ospreay loads up, HIDDEN- NO, Fenix dodges! Osprey ducks a roundhouse, Fenix blocks a roundhouse, but then DOUBLE ROUNDHOUSES hit!!
Both men wobble, Fenix SOBATS! Fenix whips, Ospreay reverses, and SPANISH- NO, Fenix smothers that, only for Ospreay to lift Fenix up! AIR RAIDBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!! Fenix survives that modification and the fans are thunderous again! Fenix and Ospreay slowly stir, “This is Awesome!” as Dynamite goes picture in picture again!
Ospreay waits on Fenix, then calls his shot! But Fenix falls over! Ospreay stops his jump, Fenix rolls out of the ring and to the floor. Ospreay keeps cool, letting the ring count handle this. Fenix is still down at 5 of 10, but he rises up at 7. The count is 9, but Fenix slides in at 9.5! Fenix staggers but he hasn’t given up! Ospreay eggs him on, so Fenix fires forearm after forearm! Ospreay DECKS Fenix with just one! The ref checks Fenix while Ospreay paces. Fenix is still in this so Ospreay sits him up. Ospreay gives Fenix Kawada Kicks! Ospreay tops it off with a KICK, and Fenix flops back over! Ospreay waits on Fenix, and Fenix rises again.
Ospreay eggs Fenix on, then CHOPS him back down! Fenix reaches out, sits back up, and Ospreay brings him around. Fenix CHOSP, but OspreayCHOPS! Fenix falls back over, Ospreay gets Des Moines fired up again, and Fenix flounders. Dynamite returns to single picture again, and Fenix CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOSP! Ospreay DECKS Fenix again! Ospreay stands Fenix up, DECKS him again, then stands him back up. Ospreay ROCKS Fenix, but Fenix suddenly tilt-o-whirls into an IRON OCTOPUS!! The fans fire up as Ospreay endures, powers up again, but into a CRUCIFIX DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up as Ospreay escapes, and Fenix hurries to a corner. Ospreay runs up, Fenix ELBOWS back, then goes up and QUEBRADAS! Ospreay gets under, only for Fenix to waistlock and GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!!! Ospreay escapes again and the fans fire back up! Fenix stands Ospreay up to fireman’s carry, but Ospreay slips free to underhook! STORM- NO, Fenix somersaults through to a cover, TWO!! Fenix BOOTS, whips, but Ospreay reverse to TIGER WALL KICK, ENZIGIRI, and then springboard! OSCUT- NO! Fenix turns that into a back suplex! Ospreay lands out, dodges the elbow, and springboards again! OSCUTTER!!
Both men are down and the fans are fired up again! Ospreay crawls to a cover, TWO!! “This is Awesome!” as neither man is done yet! Ospreay rises, he pulls off the elbow pad, and he takes aim from the corner. Fenix sits up, into the HIDDEN- SOMERSAULT RANA! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay stands up, into Fenix’s SUPERKICK! Ospreay goes to a corner, Fenix says “ANIMO!!” Somersault and- HIDDEN BLADE!!! Ospreay isn’t done there, he goes to the corner. Swerve actually looks intrigued as he sees Ospreay climb up. Ospreay looks over at Swerve and now Swerve stands up. Does Ospreay dare do what it looks like he’s gonna do?
Ospreay says this is HIS house! Swerve takes off the sunglasses in indignation, as Ospreaysteals the KILL STOMPS!! Fenix flounders, Ospreay reloads, HIDDEN BLADE!!! Cover, Ospreay wins!!
Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall (still AEW International Champion)
The Aerial Assassin continues to show his arsenal is endless, and that he can even use someone else’s weapon just as masterfully! Swerve storms up to the ring, and now the champions both stare down. Ospreay smiles and offers a handshake, but Swerve says Ospreay thinks this is a game. Does Ospreay think Swerve’s playing with him? This is LIFE they’re playing with! This title changes your LIFE! Swerve’s the one standing in between Ospreay and that! Ospreay is still that immature little child Swerve met 10 years ago! Ospreay wants to keep having these matches? Then keep doing that week after week, because he can’t hold the world on his shoulders! He’s not strong enough!
But then Ospreay SNATCHES the belt right out of Swerve’s hands! The fans are going nuts as Ospreay looks at both belts, and then puts them both on his shoulders! Swerve scowls as Ospreay says it looks like he is strong enough. The fans chant “OSPREAY TWO BELTS!” Swerve steps closer, and says Ospreay’s lucky they’re still friends. Anybody else does this, he puts them in a grave. Swerve takes his title back, and Ospreay points to the Forbidden Door sign in the rafters. Will we see Ospreay Two Belts become a reality? Or will AEW still be Swerve’s House?
My Thoughts:
A great Dynamite here, a lot of great wrestling, but I wouldn’t say this was a full show of wrestling as Daniels said. That first hour was definitely much more wrestling than talking, but then like hitting a speedbump, there was TV Time with Chris Jericho. Now, that was probably on purpose, because that’s the gag. Jericho continues to be this obnoxious and disingenuous locker room leader that does things like a kids show host talking down to grown adults, and it’s hilarious to me. Especially put alongside Bill constantly bringing up these sayings that I doubt Jericho actually taught him, and Bryan demanding respect on Jericho’s behalf. But at the same time, of course Private Party showed Jericho up, and now we’ll get Private Party VS Bill & Bryan for like Rampage or Collision.
Great opening promo segment here, we got a LOT out of it. For one, Blood & Guts is coming back, The Elite VS some other form of Team AEW, which has at least Swerve and what looks like Acclaimed & Daddy Ass. I kinda wouldn’t mind if they just kept this at 4v4 but there’s a lot of potential for finding a fifth man for each side. And y’know what? Hangman Page needs to be in this match. Hangman has his beef with Swerve, but he might also dislike how The Bucks have handled things, so he could pull a swerve and turn on The Elite to help Team AEW. I also like that instead of the tradition of shirts, The Elite is using Reeboks as the recruiting item.
Another thing was it gave a great segue into Dustin Rhodes VS Jack Perry. Should’ve figured Dustin would bleed, and that he would lose. Jack Perry gets his shot at the title he was gonna be gifted, and depending on who else gets in on this match, there’s still a very good chance Jack wins just to rub this in everyone’s faces. Now, Daniels making Title Eliminators, Acclaimed VS Bucks, there’s a good chance The Acclaimed finds a way to win so that they’ll force a tag title match at Forbidden Door or some point along the way, but certainly before Blood & Guts in late July. And they’re probably still working on who is facing Okada, to try and make it someone who stands a chance.
Great squash win for Rush, and great brawl with MJF. I don’t know why AEW needs to make Rush “foreigner who talks trash on America” when he could just talk trash on MJF directly, but whatever, great brawl with MJF and great move giving us a commercial free grudge match next week. Great promo segment from Cassidy, O’Reilly & Briscoe, Mark Briscoe is a highly underrated promo guy because everything he said felt so natural, off the top of his head, and it had such great energy. Kyle’s face during that was basically my face, I was loving it all. Great Six Man Tag, and I suppose the Heels winning makes sense, especially with all the extra guys on the outside. And of course Kris gets her shot on Willow. Definitely gonna need a Mixed Tag/Mixed Six/something big for this story’s blowoff(s).
Great stuff from Joe & Hook just punking out The Premier Athletes, hilarious even with how Shibata had another camera and then got after Sterling. Not sure why Josh Woods hasn’t gotten involved yet but maybe they wanted to keep this from being a trios thing just yet. Good promo from Bang Bang Gang to call out The House of Black, and if not for Edge’s leg injury, I feel like he’d be leading The House in fighting Bang Bang Gang for the Unified Trios AND TNT Championships, so that one faction would have (for whatever goofy reason) TEN belts to carry around. In fact, they could’ve been the Blood & Guts match instead. But instead, I fear The House of Black is being fed to Bang Bang Gang to help build them up now that Juice is back.
Pac had a very good promo to put his comeback in perspective. Maybe Pac gets in on the TNT Championship story to be the one guy other than Jack Perry who could win. And then maybe we get Death Triangle having a feud for all those belts instead of House of Black? Hard to say, but something has to go right for Pac at some point. Very good promos from Mina, Mariah and Storm, especially with Mariah trying to be peacekeeper. Shingo Takagi having a quick message to say he’s getting in on the Men’s Owen Hart Cup is great stuff. The Rampaging Dragon is a great wrestler, has a great attitude, he’ll make the tournament a lot of fun.
Great match from Mone VS Zeuxis, both women looking great. But naturally, Mone was gonna win that so that we stay on track towards Mone VS Vaquer. Very good promo from Vaquer, and while it’s all kayfabe, I like her telling Mone is horribly arrogant to think any belt was made for her. I said before that it’d be awesome if Vaquer actually won and that angered Mone into becoming a Heel that then goes after the women’s world title. At the same time, Vaquer being a CMLL talent, she probably loses to let Mone be the one going between AEW and NJPW. As wild as it would be for Vaquer to hold four belts at one time, that’s a lot of work, so it’s more reasonable for Mone to be doing double duty and let Vaquer focus on her CMLL belts.
Garcia got quite the quick win over Comoroto, which certainly serves his story of being title worthy. Ospreay watching made all the sense in the world but MJF’s is an intriguing one. MJF is from Long Island, Garcia is from Buffalo, could there be a New York connection going? And of course Ospreay VS Fenix was an awesome main event, it wasn’t gonna be anything less, even if the title wasn’t on the line. Swerve being ringside was good for that final moment where Ospreay uses Swerve’s move just to add on to his own stuff. Great closing confrontation, and it seems Ospreay’s story is mostly that wrestlers who’ve been here just a few years more than him still look down on him on some level.
Now, I’m still thinking Ospreay will pull double duty on Forbidden Door, which could be him trying to earn that respect from Swerve by retaining one title while going for another, but it might just upset Swerve that Ospreay thinks he can win twice on one night. All the more reason Swerve will retain at Forbidden Door, but they probably won’t do that. Ospreay might end up losing the belt before Forbidden Door, proving Swerve is right that Ospreay can’t do it all. There’s a lot of variables here, and that does make it pretty fun to see how it goes.
My Score: 9/10
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