SEScoops

Category: AEW

  • AEW Fyter Fest (Night 2) Results: Chris Jericho vs. Orange Cassidy, Tag Team Title Match

    AEW Fyter Fest (Night 2) Results: Chris Jericho vs. Orange Cassidy, Tag Team Title Match

    Night 2 of Fyter Fest aired on TNT tonight. Omega & Hangman Page defended the AEW Tag Team Championships against Private Party. FTR teamed up with the Young Bucks to face Lucha Bros and Butcher & Blade. Chris Jericho battled Orange Cassidy tonight as well. Taz brought back the FTW Championship and awarded it to Brian Cage during tonight’s show. Moxley will defend the AEW Championship against Brian Cage next week at Fight for the Fallen.

    Fyter Fest (Night 2) Results

    1. Omega & Page def. Private Party to retain the AEW Tag Team Championships
    2. Lance Archer def. Joey Janela
    3. Lucha Bros, Butcher & Blade def. Young Bucks & FTR
    4. Nyla Rose def. Kenzi Paigie & Kilynn King
    5. Dark Order def. SCU
    6. Chris Jericho def. Orange Cassidy

    Here are 5 takeaways from Night 2 of Fyter Fest:

    Omega & Page Are Still The Tag Team Champions

    Omega and Page defended their AEW Tag Team Championships against Private Party (Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen). Matt Hardy accompanied Private Party to the ring.

    Match Recap: Quen and Omega locked up in the middle of the ring to start off the match. Kenny took control and stomped on Marq in the corner of the ring. Quen battled back with a Dropkick to Page and Omega. Marq hit Kenny with a couple chops and tagged in Isiah Kassidy.

    Isiah planted Omega with a DDT as Hangman brought Marq out of the ring. Hangman Powerbombed Quen onto the crowd outside the ring. Kassidy then hit Hangman with a Dropkick and followed it up with a Cannonball onto the crowd. The action returned to the ring and the champs took control once again.

    Hangman connected with a German Suplex but was then knocked out of the ring. Private Party planted Kenny with a double Spanish Fly for a near fall. Omega hit Kassidy with a chop but Isiah shrugged it off and connected with a Backbreaker for a two count. Hangman tagged in and Powerbombed Quen on top of Kassidy in the middle of the ring. Page and Omega then hit Kassidy with the Last Call for the pinfall victory. Hangman Adam Page and Kenny Omega are still AEW Tag Team Champions.

    Lance Archer Picked Up A Win

    Lance Archer
    Lance Archer (Photo: AEW)

    Joey Janela battled Lance Archer tonight at Fyter Fest.

    Match Recap: Archer launched Janela into the barricade and rolled him back into the ring. Janela caught him with a forearm to the face and followed it up with a Dropkick through the ropes. Joey climbed to the top rope and leveled Archer with a Crossbody outside the ring.

    Janela brought out a table from under the ring and set it up. Joey hit a couple punches to the back of Archer’s head before grabbing a steel chair from under the ring. Joey made his way to the top rope but the referee ripped the chair away from him.

    Lance took advantage of the distraction and slammed Joey to the canvas. Archer sent Joey flying into the ropes with a massive shoulder tackle. Archer beat Janela down for the next few minutes before Dynamite went to a commercial break. When Dynamite returned, Joey battled back with a couple of Clotheslines but couldn’t knock Archer down.

    Joey countered Archer’s finisher with an elbow to the face and followed it up with a knee strike. Jake Roberts hopped on the apron and Joey hit Archer with a Senton. Sonny Kiss hit Archer with a 450 Splash and Joey went for the cover but Lance kicked out at two. Archer hit the Blackout on Janela through the table outside the ring. Lance bashed Joey’s head off the table several times and covered him for the victory.

    https://twitter.com/AEWrestling/status/1281024053009137676?s=20

    Lucha Bros, Butcher, Blade Defeated Young Bucks & FTR

    FTR and Young Bucks teamed up to face Lucha Bros, Butcher and Blade tonight at Fyter Fest.

    Match Recap: Pentagon hit Dax Harwood with a chop to the chest and Dax got pissed off. Dax leveled Pentagon with a Clothesline and followed it up with some stomps. Pentagon battled back with another chop to the chest that echoed throughout Daily’s Place. Fenix tagged in and hit a springboard kick to the back of Dax’s head for a one count.

    Cash tagged in and connected with a Slam on Fenix for a near fall. Matt Jackson and Blade then tagged in. Nick tagged himself in and planted Blade with Backbreaker. Young Bucks hit Butcher and Blade with a couple Dropkicks. Blade planted Nick with a Powerbomb for a two count. Fenix tagged in and Nick hit him win an awesome Hurricanrana off the top rope as AEW went to a commercial break.

    Back from the break, Blade had Cash Wheeler in a Headlock in the middle of the ring. Wheeler broke free and planted Blade with a Back Body Drop. Matt Jackson tagged in and slammed Fenix to the canvas. Matt climbed to the top rope and hit Butcher and Blade with a Crossbody outside the ring. Matt went back to the top rope and hit Fenix with an Elbow Drop for a two count.

    Dax tagged in and planted Blade with a DDT. Dax and Matt hit Butcher with a couple Superkicks and turned around into a Dropkick from Fenix. Wheeler and Nick Jackson hit Fenix with Goodnight Express and Matt and Harwood hit Blade with a Piledriver. Young Bucks and FTR worked together and hit a Superplex, Splash, and a Senton but Fenix broke up the cover at the last moment.

    Pentagon hit Matt hit a chop to the chest as Rey ran across the ropes to boot Nick in the face. Fenix then leaped off of Pentagon’s back and hit Nick with a Canadian Destroyer onto everyone outside the ring. Matt accidentally hit Dax with a Superkick and Lucha Bros took advantage and planted Matt with a Piledriver for the pinfall victory.

    https://twitter.com/AEWrestling/status/1281030899967111169?s=20

    Opinion: I was looking forward to this match the most tonight and I thought it delivered. I cannot wait to see Young Bucks versus FTR down the line.

    Brodie Lee Made Sure That Colt Cabana Got The Pin

    Dark Order faced SCU tonight on Fyter Fest. Brodie Lee approached Cabana as he was being evaluated backstage with a massive bruise on his side from being thrown into a barricade last week. Brodie told Cabana that these accidents won’t happen anymore with the Dark Order watching his back. Lee told Cabana to get ready for his match and Cabana said “you’ve got it Mr. Brodie”.

    Match Recap: Daniels and Stu Grayson started off the match as members of Dark Order watched from the entrance ramp. Stu leveled Daniels with a Dropkick and went for the cover but Daniels kicked out at two. Daniels planted Grayson with a Backbreaker and tagged in Frankie.

    Kazarian hit Stu with a Double Stomp and followed it up with a release German Suplex for a near fall. Brodie Lee planted Scorpio Sky and told Colt Cabana to cover him. Scorpio kicked out at two as Dynamite went to a break. When Dynamite returned, Mr. Brodie Lee tagged in and walked into a Dropkick from Frankie.

    Frankie followed it up with a DDT and went for the cover but Brodie kicked out at one. Brodie battled back and hit Frankie with a Sidewalk Slam. Daniels knocked Brodie to the outside and hit him with a Suicide Dive. Back in the ring, Daniels connected with a Uranage and followed it up with a Moonsault onto Grayson but Cabana broke it up at two. Brodie Lee leveled Daniels with the Discus Lariat and demanded that Stu tagged Colt in. Cabana pinned Daniels to give Dark Order the victory.

    Chris Jericho Defeated Orange Cassidy In A Great Match

    Chris Jericho faced Orange Cassidy in the main event of Night 2 of Fyter Fest. Orange Cassidy told Best Friends to not come down to the ring with him and go backstage. Jericho came to the ring with Santana and Ortiz. Jericho had “Floyd” the baseball bat and Santana & Ortiz had gallons of orange juice.

    Match Recap: Orange Cassidy dominated the action early and connected with a Crossbody off the top rope. Jericho locked in the Walls of Jericho but Cassidy fought through the pain and reached the bottom rope to break the hold. Ortiz hit Orange Cassidy with the madball while the referee was distracted. Jericho mocked Orange Cassidy and slapped him across the face.

    Jericho planted Cassidy with a Backbreaker as the crowd booed. Cassidy rolled up Jericho for a two count and followed it up with an Arm Drag for another near fall. Orange Cassidy went for the Superman Punch but Jericho avoided it and sent him out of the ring. Jericho then hit a Dropkick through the ropes that sent Cassidy into the barricade as Dynamite went to a break.

    When Dynamite returned, Jericho was still in control and had Cassidy in an Abdominal Stretch in the middle of the ring. Cassidy broke free but Jericho once again sent him flying into the barricade. Santana and Ortiz got in some cheap shots on Cassidy before the action returned to the ring.

    Orange Cassidy fought back with a few forearms and a boot to the face. Cassidy put his hands in his pockets and delivered a Superkick for a near fall. Cassidy made his way to the top rope but Jericho caught him with a right hand. Chris went for a Superplex but Cassidy blocked it and sent Jericho to the canvas.

    Cassidy connected with a Splash off the top rope and went for the cover but Jericho kicked out at two. Orange sent Jericho out of the ring and then flipped onto everyone. Cassidy rolled Jericho into the ring and planted him with a DDT for a near fall. Cassidy went for the Superman Punch but Jericho caught him. Chris locked in the Walls of Jericho in the middle of the ring but Cassidy countered into a roll-up for a two count. Orange followed it up with a massive right hand but Santana threw orange juice in Cassidy’s face. Best Friends rushed down the ramp and battled with Santana and Ortiz through the crowd.

    Jericho hit Cassidy with the bat while referee Aubrey Edwards was distracted. Jericho followed it up with the Codebreaker and went for the cover but Cassidy kicked out at two. Jericho went for the Lionsault but Cassidy got out of the way. Cassidy hit Jericho with a Michinoku Driver for a near fall. Cassidy hit the Stundog Millionaire and followed it up with a swinging DDT for another near fall. Cassidy went for the Superman Punch but Jericho countered with the Judas Effect for the pinfall victory.

    Opinion: Jericho versus Cassidy was a very fun match to close out another solid edition of Dynamite. This was one of those matches that I really wish there was a crowd there because they would have popped after Cassidy kicked out of the Codebreaker. Overall, both weeks of Fyter Fest were entertaining and I’m looking forward to the AEW Championship match next week at Fight for the Fallen.

  • Taz Awards Brian Cage With FTW Championship

    Taz Awards Brian Cage With FTW Championship

    Taz decided to bring back the FTW Championship and give it to a new generational star in Brian Cage. 

    It happened in a promo segment on Wednesday’s special edition of Dynamite on TNT during the Fyter Fest broadcast.

    Taz cut a promo about how he wanted Cage to go into his next match with some momentum and as a champion. He added that the FTW Championship represents who is the “baddest S.O.B. in wrestling.”

    Taz later wrote on Twitter, “Hopefully some of you guys learned a lesson tonight.  Don’t “assume” everyone reads these silly ass spoilers because MOST fans don’t read them.  And more importantly just because it’s not in the “spoilers” u read online doesn’t mean it didn’t happen! #FTW #AEWDynamite #FyterFest.”

    Taz used the FTW Championship in ECW in 1998 and 1999. Taz originally debuted the title and the only other wrestler to hold it was Sabu. Eventually, Taz unified the title with the ECW World Heavyweight Championship in March of 1999.

    Jon Moxley was supposed to make his next title defense against Brian Cage as the AEW World Heavyweight Champion on this show. However, due to COVID-19 concerns, AEW moved it to next week at Fight for the Fallen. 

  • Brian Pillman Jr. Discusses Appearing On AEW While Under Contract With MLW

    Brian Pillman Jr. Discusses Appearing On AEW While Under Contract With MLW

    Brian Pillman Jr. made his AEW Dark debut during last night’s episode of the promotion’s YouTube show. The son of a Four Horseman alum faced off against Shawn Spears, who is managed by legendary Horseman Tully Blanchard.

    In a recent interview with WrestleTalk’s Louis Dangoor, Pillman Jr. talked about how he was able to take this opportunity to appear on AEW despite being contractually signed to MLW.

    Pillman Jr. explained how MLW became “very apprehensive” about running shows during the coronavirus pandemic. He indicated how Impact Wrestling, AEW and WWE were all running shows in front of no fans during that time.

    Knowing this was happening, he confessed it was “hard for me to still and wait for them to bring me an opportunity.”

    Instead, Pillman Jr. “went out and chased the opportunities that were available to me.” He noted how his contract allowed him to accept the work. This created a “no-brainer” opportunity he wanted to pursue. As long as there was no conflict, Pillman Jr.’s contract reportedly allowed him to take other work with different promotions.

    Brian Pillman Jr. admitted he isn’t sure what MLW’s future plans will be given current coronavirus concerns. Pillman Jr. shared how that kind of uncertainty made it an easier choice to look for other promotions to work for.

  • FTR Reflect On Frustrations In WWE, Wanting To Leave A Pro Wrestling Legacy

    FTR Reflect On Frustrations In WWE, Wanting To Leave A Pro Wrestling Legacy

    All Elite Wrestling’s FTR recently appeared on Busted Open Radio. During their conversation, the team opened up about what frustrated them during their time in WWE. 

    Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler acknowledged how they have a lot to be thankful for during their time in WWE. Harwood explained how WWE gave him the opportunity to “allow my family to have the life they did.”

    Harwood then stressed how before he even had a family, he had a love and infatuation for professional wrestling. He confessed how FTR felt that, if they had stayed with WWE, they would be “spinning our wheels.” 

    “There is so much more I want to give back to professional wrestling. I don’t want to just sit back and relax,” Harwood explained. “I don’t want to rest on any laurels or anything like that. We want to leave a mark and we want to leave a legacy in professional wrestling, and obviously, on top of that, we want to make money too. 

    He explained how AEW and Tony Khan provided them with the opportunity to not only make money but to leave the legacy that matters to them. Harwood noted how they want to “do wrestling proud” and believes that competing in AEW is the way to do it.

    FTR Unshackled

    The team then turned their attention to their WWE finishing move, the Shatter Machine. FTR explained how, heading into AEW, there was one move both were eager to finally introduce into their arsenal: the spike piledriver.

    It was explained how they had always wanted to use that move in WWE. There were even conversations with Triple H, who said no. That didn’t deter them, however, as they then went to Vince McMahon to ask permission. Ultimately, however, they were denied permission. 

    Now in AEW, FTR has been using the spike piledriver as a purposeful “restart” for the team alongside the Shatter Machine.

    It was stressed how no one has ever kicked out of the Shatter Machine, something they learned from “another great tag team that had the same kind of finisher with the same kind of premise.”

    FTR is set to compete tonight on Fyter Fest Night Two. They team with The Young Bucks in an eight-man tag team match. They face off against The Butcher and The Blade and Lucha Brothers.

  • FTR: AEW Needs To Start “Clamping Down” On Tag Team Rules

    FTR: AEW Needs To Start “Clamping Down” On Tag Team Rules

    One of All Elite Wrestling’s newest tag teams, FTR, has stressed the importance of the promotion enforcing rules during tag team matches. FTR members, Dax Hardwood and Cash Wheeler, made their opinions clear during a recent interview with Busted Open Radio.

    Addressing AEW’s seemingly inconsistent rule set, FTR stressed how AEW needs to “start clamping down on those things.”

    According to FTR, more authority needs to be placed on the referee. The team argued how, without these enforced tag team rules, every match might as well be a Texas Tornado or Fatal Four Way match. 

    “If there are no rules, there is no heat. There is no way to make somebody care or somebody to be in danger. There is no way to put sympathy to put heat on a baby face.”

    They continued, “There is no way to get the explosion on a hot tag because the guy has already blown his own comeback before he’s down, before the tag. Then, all four guys are in the ring for the last 10 minutes anyway.”

    FTR On A Generational Tag Team Approach

    Clearly a passionate subject to the team, they confessed they “get pissed talking about it” as the flimsy ruleset needs to be “buckled down” on.

    FTR explained how by adhering to a tag team structure every team will subsequently mean more to the division. It was noted that the approach could be a “generational thing.” They acknowledged how wrestling has evolved to feature more “flashy” sequences and that this approach has led to a lackadaisical adherence to the rules. 

    They then argued how there is an opportunity to be creative within a tag team ruleset. FTR’s belief is that creativity in tag team wrestling comes from building a story around the tag team rules. 

    FTR will be in action tonight on AEW Fyter Fest Night Two. They team with The Young Bucks in eight-man tag team action. They will face off against The Butcher and the Blade and Lucha Bros.

  • Kenny Omega Comments On Kota Ibushi-Vince McMahon Story

    Kenny Omega Comments On Kota Ibushi-Vince McMahon Story

    All Elite Wresting’s Kenny Omega has chimed in on a recent story revolving around his former NJPW tag team partner, Kota Ibushi, and WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon.

    The 2016 story by Rob Wolkenbrod was recently re-shared on Twitter. The article recounted a meeting between Ibushi and Vince McMahon backstage at NXT TakeOver: Dallas.

    According to the article, Ibushi went backstage during the show and “gave a ‘high-five’ to a ‘big man’.” As it turns out, that ‘big man’ was none other than Vince McMahon. Apparently, Ibushi had no clue who Vince McMahon was which caused several staff members to allegedly become “upset.”

    Ibushi competed in WWE’s Cruiserweight Classic back in 2016. He would later decline a WWE contract. Last year, Ibushi signed a full-time deal with NJPW.

    Kenny Omega’s Thoughts

    Kenny Omega shared his thoughts on the matter having seen the story once again enter the public eye.

    Taking to Twitter, he stated:

    “Hard to believe, but yeah, some of the most talented wrestlers in the world aren’t constantly walking on eggshells and scared shitless of their boss.”

    Kenny Omega is scheduled for action tonight at AEW Fyter Fest Night Two. He looks to defend the AEW Tag Team Champions with his partner Hangman Page. The duo will face off against Private Party, who will be accompanied by Matt Hardy.

  • CM Punk Reacts To Cody Rhodes’ Open Challenge Question, Tony Khan Chimes In

    CM Punk Reacts To Cody Rhodes’ Open Challenge Question, Tony Khan Chimes In

    CM Punk noticed a tweet from AEW TNT Champion Cody Rhodes so he decided to respond to it.

    It happened on Monday afternoon when Rhodes asked fans about who they would like to see answer his next open challenge. 

    This led to Punk reacting to it in a joking way by bringing up people like former WWE star Domino with valet Cherry, “Fearless” Jack Bull, former HWA star Dean Visk, and former ECW wrestler New Jack.

    AEW President Tony Khan then commented on Punk’s response by recalling how he witnessed Punk work a house show that also featured Deuce & Domino. He wrote the following: 

    “Duly noted. Fun facts: I saw you on a house show in Champaign on Super Bowl Sunday 13.5 years ago with Domino and Cherry (and Deuce). Also, New Jack was really really nice to me when I was a 13 year old kid visiting Philadelphia. My dad loved New Jack.

    Punk finds himself on the sidelines in the pro wrestling business as FOX Sports decided to cancel WWE Backstage, which Punk had been working on as a part-time analyst.

    As of this writing, there’s been no reports about any interest from WWE about bringing him back. 

  • Brian Pillman Jr. Excited For AEW Debut This Week On Dark

    Brian Pillman Jr. Excited For AEW Debut This Week On Dark

    Brian Pillman Jr. is set to debut for All Elite Wrestling this week on AEW Dark.

    Pillman has spent the past few years working for Major League Wrestling (MLW). He is a former MLW Tag Team Champion as part of the new Hart Foundation team with Davey Boy Smith Jr.

    The 26-year-old second-generation star is still under contract with MLW. His contract allows for him to work with AEW. The fight league has temporarily suspended live events due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Brian Pillman Jr. was in attendance at last week’s AEW TV tapings from Jacksonville, FL. He tweeted a photo of the Fyter Fest stage.

    Attending an AEW event is one thing. Wearing your ring gear is another. This photo with Le Champion Chris Jericho led to speculation that Brian Pillman Jr. will be gracing an AEW ring soon.

    Brian Pillman to Debut for AEW

    AEW has since confirmed that Pillman will make his AEW debut this week on Dark. He will face Shawn Spears.

    In an interesting note of trivia, Pillman, the son of a former member of the Four Horsemen, faces a man who is managed by Tully Blanchard, a founding member of the legendary faction.

    Brian Pillman Jr. says this match is quite literally the biggest opportunity of his life.

    Catch Brian Pillman Jr.’s AEW debut this Tuesday on AEW Dark.

  • Reported Reason CM Punk Didn’t Join AEW

    Reported Reason CM Punk Didn’t Join AEW

    Tony Khan is said to have been interested in building a wrestling promotion with CM Punk long before he began working with the Elite. It never materialized, however, and neither did a deal to bring Punk to AEW once the promotion had been created.

    On a recent episode of his podcast, Konnan addressed the reason CM Punk didn’t join AEW.

    “I do remember when I was negotiating with AEW and they were telling me about him, they were telling me that he was asking for like (an) astronomical amount of money,” Konnan said on the show. “They really wanted to work with him but…”

    “I’m sure if they wanted to do something with him and Jericho or him and Cody, I’m sure they could,” Konnan continued. “Like I said, from what they told me, he was just asking for way too much. And this is a company that is willing to spend, so who knows what he was asking for?”

    Did the UFC and WWE Backstage Hurt CM Punk’s Potential Drawing Power in Wrestling?

    Disco Inferno and others on the podcast felt that Punk’s drawing power has decreased recently. They noted that he did not draw big ratings for WWE Backstage. They also noted that his drawing power in wrestling was hurt by his 2 fights in the UFC. Konnan disagreed with this sentiment, however.

    “I don’t think that he’s damaged irreparably,” Konnan said. “I think if he was in a real good storyline and the type of promos he can cut, people would get behind it but I don’t think that joining AEW right now is going to mean anything. Timing is a lot of everything.”

  • Kenny Omega Comments On The Pressure Of Having 6-Star Matches

    Kenny Omega Comments On The Pressure Of Having 6-Star Matches

    Kenny Omega is currently 1/2 of the AEW Tag Team Champions along with Hangman Page. He recently spoke to the entertainment website the Natural Aristocrat about a variety of subjects including the pressure he feels after having had matches rated 6-stars and over.

    “Yeah, I mean it’s a double-edged sword really because when you set that standard, that precedent that you can have a six-star match… For some people, there’s an expectation that ‘Oh, if I see Kenny Omega, this is what I expect and hope to see!’” Omega said during the interview.

    Omega then commented that what is a 6-star match to one person isn’t necessarily a 6-star match to someone else. He wants to diversify the type of matches he can have to appeal to the widest range of audience possible.

    “What I’m trying to do is just diversify my resume, I never want to have to give what in one person’s mind is a 6-star match. That 6-star match to him isn’t necessarily what I think is a 6-star match. It isn’t necessarily what my neighbor that was beside me thinks is a 6-star match. It’s not what little Jimmy who lives across the world and generally likes watching Sailor Moon, maybe he doesn’t consider that a 6-star match,” Omega continued.

    Omega and Hangman Page have been AEW tag champs since winning the belts from SCU aboard the Jericho cruise in January. They have defended the titles successfully 6x already. They’ve defeated SCU, the Lucha Bros, the Young Bucks, Kip Sabian & Jimmy Havoc, the Natural Nightmares, and the Best Friends. This Wednesday on Dynamite, they are scheduled to face Private Party.

    The full interview with Kenny Omega can be read here.

  • Brian Pillman Jr. To Wrestle On AEW Dark This Week

    Brian Pillman Jr. To Wrestle On AEW Dark This Week

    AEW has announced the matches for Dark this week and Brian Pillman Jr. is on the card. He is scheduled to face Shawn Spears who will have Tully Blanchard in his corner. Spears recently began using a loaded glove in his matches as well, so Pillman may need to be wary of this.

    Pillman is signed to MLW but the two promotions appear to have a working relationship that allows talent to work for both companies. Maxwell Jacob Friedman wrestled for both promotions for months prior to going to AEW full-time in early 2020. In fact, Pillman’s Hart Foundation and MJF’s Dynasty stable had quite the rivalry in MLW.

    This will not be Pillman’s first match for the promotion, however. The 26-year-old was an entrant in the 21-person Casino Battle Royale at Double or Nothing in 2019.

    AEW Dark Lineup

    Here is the lineup for Tuesday’s episode of AEW Dark:

    • Big Swole vs Rache Chanel
    • Orange Cassidy vs Will Jobbs
    • Frankie Kazarian vs Luther
    • Michael Nakazawa vs Shawn Dean
    • Brian Pillman Jr. vs Shawn Spears w/Tully Blanchard
    • Scorpio Sky vs Serpentine
    • Lucha Bros & Butcher and the Blade vs Joe Alonzo, Brady Pierce, Tony Donati & Faboo Andre
    • Brandon Cutler & Peter Avalon vs The Dark Order
  • Brian Cage Talks Why He Left IMPACT Wrestling for AEW

    Brian Cage Talks Why He Left IMPACT Wrestling for AEW

    AEW Star Brian Cage recently appeared on the official All Elite podcast, AEW Unrestricted. The former IMPACT and Lucha Underground star would discuss a number of topics on the podcast, including why he opted to leave IMPACT and head to Wednesday nights on TNT.

    “Well, you know, there was multiple factors as to why I came here” Brian Cage began. “Personally, I was more excited to come here than anywhere else. That wasn’t the be all end all, but this is where I wanted to come.”

    Brian Cage on Leaving IMPACT

    Brian Cage would elaborate further, saying “secondly? I felt like for me to break through the barriers that like I’ve kind of been capped out with? Especially as far as the reach that I’ve had? That helped here.” Cage would of course be referring to the greater audience that AEW has in television viewership compared to IMPACT.

    “Most importantly? This place [AEW] had the most amount of…not only unique or awesome matches that I wanted? But so many would be first time ever” Brian Cage would continue. “Almost everywhere elsewhere there was a lot of repeats; which isn’t a bad thing, but there’s just so many matches I wanted that I haven’t ever had that I like the idea of. That is of course artistically speaking. I’m like ‘well I feel like this would be the most fun place to go.’”

    Brian Cage is set to face Jon Moxley for the AEW Championship on July 15th at the Fight For The Fallen event. The match was originally scheduled for Fyter Fest but was postponed due to concerns surrounding Moxley and potential COVID-19 exposure.

    Who do you want to see Brian Cage face in AEW? Let us know in the comments

    Also Check Out:

    Brian Cage
    Brian Cage
  • WWE SmackDown Results (7/3): Sheamus Toasts Jeff Hardy, AJ Styles Defends IC Title

    WWE SmackDown Results (7/3): Sheamus Toasts Jeff Hardy, AJ Styles Defends IC Title

    WWE SmackDown aired from the Performance Center in Orlando. AJ Styles defended his Intercontinental Championship against Drew Gulak tonight on the show. It was announced that New Day will defend the SmackDown Tag Team Championships against Nakamura & Cesaro next week.

    SmackDown Results (7/3)

    1. Matt Riddle def. John Morrison
    2. AJ Styles def. Drew Gulak to retain the Intercontinental Championship
    3. Bayley def. Alexa Bliss via DQ
    4. Shinsuke Nakamura def. Kofi Kingston

    Here are 4 takeaways from this week’s show:

    Matt Riddle Defeated John Morrison In A Great Match

    Michael Cole interviewed Matt Riddle to open up this week’s SmackDown. Riddle stated that to be on SmackDown is a “lovechild of a lot of work and a lot of dreams, bro”. Matt said that he likes AJ Styles and respects him but after beating him he is pretty sure Styles doesn’t like him. Cole brought up Riddle wrestling in his bare feet and Matt said it was a long story. Riddle stated that his family took him on vacation in Wisconsin and he got frostbite on his feet.

    Matt added that the doctors almost amputated his toes and because of that he never wears shoes. King Corbin interrupted and told Matt that nobody is happy that he is here. Corbin vowed to make Riddle pay for second he is out here. Riddle said “you do you, bro” and challenged Corbin to a match. King Corbin declined and said that Riddle is wrestling John Morrison tonight. King Corbin joined commentary for the match.

    Match Recap: Morrison controlled the action early and connected with a springboard Corkscrew Crossbody for a near fall. The crowd got behind Riddle as Morrison applied a Headlock. John hit Riddle with two knees to the face and went for the cover but Matt kicked out at two. Morrison poked Riddle in the eye but Matt battled back with a Fisherman’s Suplex. Morrison and Riddle hit a headbutt at the same time both superstars fell to the floor. Riddle launched his flip flop in Corbin’s face as SmackDown went to a commercial break.

    When SmackDown returned, Matt hit the Bro to Sleep and followed it up with a German Suplex for a near fall. Riddle climbed to the top rope and went for the Floating Bro but John got his knees up. Riddle locked in the Bromission but Morrison escaped. Riddle and Morrison battled on the second turnbuckle and John slammed Matt to the canvas. John followed it up with a Standing Spanish Fly for another two count. Riddle hit the Ripcord Knee and followed it up with a Powerbomb for a near fall. Matt then rolled up Morrison for the victory.

    After the match, AJ Styles attacked Riddle while he was posing on the entrance ramp. Drew Gulak quickly made the save before the brawl was broken up by WWE officials.

    Opinion: I’m not sure Matt Riddle’s feet needed a backstory but I guess this satisfied those who wanted to know why he wasn’t wearing shoes. Riddle and Morrison put on a excellent match tonight and I’m positive it will be much better than the eventual bout between Riddle and Corbin.

    AJ Styles Retained The Intercontinental Championship

    AJ Styles defended his Intercontinental Championship against Drew Gulak tonight.

    Match Recap: AJ dominated early and beat Gulak down in the corner of the ring. The crowd got behind Gulak and started banging on the plexiglass. Daniel Bryan joined commentary through Zoom and essentially stated that Gulak was looking good in the match. Corey Graves asked Bryan if Styles had any holes in his game and Bryan said that he didn’t think so.

    Styles focused his attack on Gulak’s knee before Drew locked in a submission hold. AJ escaped out of the ring and banged on the plexiglass out of frustration. Gulak leveled Styles with a Dropkick through the ropes as SmackDown went to a commercial break. When SmackDown returned, Styles was back in control as Bryan stated that Drew was more technically sound than him and he wants to learn from him.

    AJ controlled the next several minutes as Bryan said that he wasn’t losing hope for Gulak in the match. Gulak battled back with three Dropkicks in a row and a Body Slam for a near fall. AJ battled back with a Powerbomb and followed it up with a Styles Clash. Styles didn’t go for the cover and made his way to the apron. AJ connected with the Phenomenal Forearm for the pinfall victory. AJ Styles is still the Intercontinental Champion.

    Opinion: Styles and Gulak put on a solid match tonight. Bryan’s pre-recorded Zoom call segments were useless and hopefully they don’t try that again. It was obvious that he wasn’t actually watching the match at that moment and it didn’t work at all.

    Cross & Bliss Interrupted Bayley & Banks

    Women’s Tag Team Champions Bayley and Sasha Banks came down to the ring and boasted about being on all three shows. Bayley claimed that The Undertaker called her and said that he is embarrassed about all the tributes he has been getting when she is clearly the best champion WWE history. Bayley stated that The Undertaker told her that he cannot wait for them both to win at Extreme Rules to hold all the gold in WWE. She claimed that The Undertaker wanted WWE to have a tribute for them and they agreed.

    Sasha Banks claimed that Bayley was better than Trish Stratus, John Cena, and Lita during the tribute to themselves. Banks started to chant a “thank you Bayley!” chant before Bayley started a “thank you Sasha!” chant. Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross interrupted and said that they didn’t want to be left out so they prepared a list of their own accomplishments. Bliss said that Nikki was 325th in line to the thrown of England and Nikki stated that Bliss was the first woman to drive across Antarctica in a go kart.

    Alexa and Cross got into the ring and told Banks & Bayley that they sounded ridiculous. Cross told Bayley that she got here because of her heart and that she puts everything she has into this she can take the SmackDown Women’s Championship. Bayley laughed and Bliss slapped her in the face. Sasha Banks then announced a match between Bliss and Bayley.

    Match Recap: Alexa controlled the match early and slapped Bayley in the corner of the ring. Alexa connected with Double Knees to Bayley’s ribs for a two count. The SmackDown Women’s Champion battled back and sent Alexa to the ring apron. Bliss tripped Bayley up and got distracted by Banks. Baley capitalized and stomped on Alexa’s hand several times and Banks mocked Bliss’ pose. Bayley hit Bliss with an elbow in the corner of the ring and continued to go after Alexa’s hand.

    Bliss battled back with a punch but grabbed her hand in agony. Bayley brought Alexa to the apron and slammed her hand once again. Bayley connected with a Bulldog and went for the cover but Bliss kicked out at two. Banks hit Alexa with a cheap shot. Nikki got pissed off and leveled Banks with a Clothesline. Cross then attacked Bayley in front of the official and the match ended in a DQ. Banks and Bayley then retreated out of the ring.

    Opinion: Bayley’s Undertaker impression was hilariously terrible and I thought their tribute to themselves was very entertaining. I think Bayley and Banks have become the best thing going in WWE right now. I can tell you that right now I’m more invested in Banks versus Asuka, and Bayley versus Cross at Extreme Rules than I am Ziggler versus McIntyre for the WWE Championship. I enjoyed how Sasha Banks finally put Bayley in a match that she wanted no part of after Bayley had done that to her for weeks.

    Sheamus Dared Jeff Hardy To Take A Drink

    Sheamus held a toast for Jeff Hardy at the conclusion of this week’s SmackDown. Jeff Hardy came down to the ring first and demanded that Sheamus join him. Sheamus showed up on the screen from the bar in his house and told Jeff it must have felt great to honor The Undertaker last week on SmackDown.

    Sheamus claimed that Hardy is looking for a quick fix and that Jeff has a problem facing reality. Sheamus boasted about beating Jeff at Backlash and said that it was pathetic that Hardy thinks everything is right again after he beat King Corbin. He added that the solution to Jeff’s problems was in one of the bottles and joked about Hardy’s addiction issues.

    Jeff Hardy wondered if Sheamus really thought it was funny to joke about all the pain he has caused his family with his alcohol addiction. Sheamus’ personal bartender entered the ring and Sheamus told Jeff to take a drink. Hardy grabbed the glass of champagne and brought it to his lips. Jeff then poured the drink on the bartender’s head and broke the glass over his face. Hardy climbed to the top rope and hit the bartender with a Swanton Bomb to close the show.

    Opinion: I thought this was going to be a much better segment since it closed the show, but this fell flat for me. This storyline started off with an interesting hit & run angle and has devolved into piss throwing and now Sheamus daring Jeff to take a drink. Overall, I still really enjoyed this week’s show. Every match delivered tonight and that makes it even more puzzling why this was the final segment of the show.

  • AEW Suspends And Fines Jake Hager Following Fyter Fest, Hager Responds

    AEW Suspends And Fines Jake Hager Following Fyter Fest, Hager Responds

    All Elite Wrestling has posted a storyline update following Jake Hager’s actions at Fyter Fest Night One. Hager competed in a losing effort for Cody Rhodes’ AEW TNT Championship. After the controversial ending, Hager attacked the referee by punching him in the face. 

    Furthering the storyline repercussion’s of the Inner Circle member, AEW addressed his actions via Twitter. AEW revealed that Hager has been suspended and fined for the assault. He has been suspended for 10 days, with the fine being listed as an “undisclosed amount.” 

    Jake Hager responded to AEW’s ruling via social media, calling it “BS.” According to Hager, Cody had been choked unconscious after he had secured his Head and Arm submission hold. Cody Rhodes managed to maneuver himself on top of Hager into a pin. Hager maintained the hold throughout. The referee, however, didn’t check on Cody and instead made a three count. 

    Relinquishing the submission, Hager initially believed he had won the match and TNT Championship as Cody came to. Hager believes that the referee’s decision to count the pinfall instead of registering the fact Cody Rhodes had been choked unconscious was a “blown call.” He noted the situation was made worse by AEW’s decision. 

    AEW Fyter Fest Night Two takes place next Wednesday night on TNT. 

  • NXT Tops AEW In Viewership, But Dynamite Wins In Key Demo Again

    NXT Tops AEW In Viewership, But Dynamite Wins In Key Demo Again

    Viewership data is in for this week’s battle in the WWE NXT vs. AEW Dynamite Wednesday Night War.

    NXT won the night in total viewers, but it was AEW, which won in the key 18-49 demo. Here is the breakdown of the live and same-night DVR viewership, courtesy of ShowbuzzDaily:

    WWE NXT Viewership

    NXT on the USA Network averaged 792,000 viewers, up last week’s 786,000. In the 18-49 demo, they drew a 0.22 rating, up from 0.19 last week.

    The episode featured Mia Yim vs. Tegan Nox vs. Candice LeRae vs. Dakota Kai in a Fatal 4-Way Elimination Match, Dexter Lumis vs. Roderick Strong in a strap match, Sasha Banks vs. Io Shirai in a non-title match, Rhea Ripley vs. Aliyah and Robert Stone, and Oney Lorcan vs. Timothy Thatcher.

    AEW Dynamite Viewership

    AEW Dynamite on TNT was watched by 748,000 viewers, up from the 633,000 viewers last week. In the 18-49 demo, Dynamite pulled in a 0.29 rating, up from the 0.22 rating that the show did last week. 

    AEW Dynamite featured bouts such as AEW TNT Champion Cody Rhodes vs. Jake Hager, AEW World Tag Team Champions Kenny Omega & Adam Page vs. Best Friends, AEW Women’s Champion Hikaru Shida vs. Penelope Ford, Private Party vs. Proud ‘n’ Powerful, and Jurassic Express vs. MJF & Wardlow.

  • EC3 Puts AEW Talent On Notice In Latest Video

    EC3 Puts AEW Talent On Notice In Latest Video

    EC3 is back with his latest “Control Your Narrative” video.

    In this installment, EC3 delivers another monologue challenging viewers to think and fight for themselves. “You are more than elite, you are free,” he says.

    EC3 makes not-so-subtle references to no less than 20 AEW performers. He references an American Nightmare, an inner circle, young bucks, a dark order, an omega, the elite and a ‘con.’ The video ends with an All Elite Wrestling logo projected on the wall behind him.

    EC3 was part of the mass wave of WWE releases that took place in mid-April. He will be a free agent in just a matter of weeks.

    https://www.facebook.com/therealec3/videos/the-narrative-07012020/271568364072797/

    You can spend your life letting the world tell you what to do.
    Dictate your path.
    Choose your fate.
    Do you decide your future or is it chosen for you?

    We are in an unprecedented time. From lockdowns, to quarantines, to turmoil in the streets. It’s truly an American nightmare.

    From coast to coast, from Maine to SoCal, uncensored chaos and confusion reign. When you go outside it feels like you’re in the jungle…

    You fear the revolt is coming for you if you don’t subscribe to the popular opinion, adhere to the group think, you feel like you are left out to hang…

    The natural state of things has fallen into this dark order, and you plug away, day after day like a gear in a F’n machine.

    Society is BROKEN

    These are the times you keep your inner circle small.
    You don’t have best friends.
    You can only trust yourself.

    Age doesn’t matter whether you are an old man or a young buck now is the time For you to speak your truth

    you stand tall
    exalted
    rise like a phoenix
    carry yourself with moxie
    and seal it with a sunny kiss.

    These bastards may criticize you, mock you, cancel you hell they might imitate you.

    But it’s never the end.
    Never apologize.

    There is never an omega if you are an alpha.

    Now, you Think for yourself
    Now, you Fight for yourself
    Now, you control your narrative

    If you don’t, you’re just part of the con.

    You are more than elite, you are free.

    They have been warned.

    #ControlYourNarrative
    #FreeEC3

  • Backstage Reaction To Taz’s Promo On Dynamite

    Backstage Reaction To Taz’s Promo On Dynamite

    AEW World Champion Jon Moxley’s match against Brian Cage has been postponed until Wednesday, July 15th. The bout was initially scheduled to headline Fyter Fest, a special event spanning 2 weeks of AEW Dynamite.

    This is due to Moxley having been potentially exposed to COVID-19 through his spouse, Renee Young. She recently tested positive for the virus, as did several others who had been at the WWE Performance Center. Jon Moxley has taken several COVID-19 tests since then. Those tests were negative. However, he made the call to self-quarantine in an effort to protect the AEW locker room.

    Moxley vs. Cage will instead take place on the 7/15 episode of Dynamite. This show is now being promoted as Fight for the Fallen. As part of the FFTF theme, AEW will be raising funds for COVID-19 relief efforts.

    This week on AEW Dynamite, Taz and his client Brian Cage came to the ring to promote the rescheduled match. During his promo, Taz mentioned that Moxley has already tested negative for the virus twice. Taz continued to say that if Moxley had shown up to Daily’s Place, he would have been tested again because “we don’t run a sloppy shop.”

    As Taz said that line, Brian Cage made the “finger gun” motion, perhaps insinuating the comments were a “shoot.”

    Reaction to Taz’s Shoot Promo

    According to comments made by Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez on Wrestling Observer Radio, the line really upset some in the wrestling industry.

    “Boy, were there people upset with that line,” Meltzer said.

    “That’s ridiculous. Doing jack s**t until you had an outbreak and now you’re upset that people point that out?” added Alvarez.

    “Yes, there were people very upset with that line,” Meltzer responded.

    “If you explain to a doctor what they did, the term would be ‘morally reprehensible’ because that’s the term that I was given,” Meltzer continued regarding WWE’s previous COVID-19 policies.

  • AEW Fyter Fest (Night 1) Results: Three Title Matches, Tag Team Title Match Set For Next Week

    AEW Fyter Fest (Night 1) Results: Three Title Matches, Tag Team Title Match Set For Next Week

    Night 1 of Fyter Fest aired live from Daily’s Place in Jacksonville. It was announced that the AEW Championship match between Jon Moxley ( and Brian Cage was postponed to AEW Fight for the Fallen on July 15th. Kenny Omega & Hangman Page defended their AEW Tag Team Championships against Best Friends in the main event. Taz took an epic shot at WWE’s COVID-19 testing and said AEW doesn’t run a “sloppy shop” in a promo tonight.

    Fyter Fest (Night 1) Results

    1. Jurassic Express def. MJF & Wardlow
    2. Hikaru Shida def. Penelope Ford to retain the AEW Women’s Championship
    3. Cody def. Jake Hager to retain the TNT Championship
    4. Private Party def. Santana & Ortiz to earn a shot at the tag titles next week
    5. Hangman Page & Kenny Omega def. Best Friends to retain the AEW Tag Team Championships

    Here are 5 takeaways from Night 1 of Fyter Fest:

    Jurassic Express Picked Up A Win

    MJF and Wardlow came down to the ring to begin Fyter Fest. Maxwell complained about having to face Jungle Boy again and figured that he would have more fun at home counting his daddy’s money. MJF said he was confused why this match was even happening and then realized it is happening because it is happening because they are in a ratings war. MJF added that AEW expects to get a win because they are leading off with him. Wardlow and MJF faced Luchasaurus & Jungle Boy in a tag team match.

    Match Recap: Jungle Boy leveled MJF with a Clothesline but MJF knocked him out of the ring. Wardlow launched Jungle Boy into the ring post and rolled him back inside. MJF and Wardlow took turns beating MJF down before Luchasaurus tagged in. Luchasaurus booted Wardlow in the side of the head and knocked him to the canvas. Wardlow got back and traded punches with Luchasaurus in the middle of the ring.

    Luchasaurus connected with another kick to Wardlow’s face and followed it up with a slam. Jungle Boy tagged in and Clothesline MJF to the outside. Jungle Boy hit two Suicide Dives and followed it up with a flip onto MJF before the action returned to the ring. Luchasaurus then hit Wardlow with a massive Senton as an AEW chant broke out.

    Back in the ring, Jungle Boy hit MJF with a Cutter but Wardlow broke up the cover. Wardlow set up for the F10 but Jungle Boy countered into a Hurricanrana. Wardlow immediately hopped up and leveled Jungle Boy with a Clothesline. Jungle Boy planted MJF with a Destroyer as Marko Stunt tried to hit Wardlow with a Crossbody. He caught him and sent Marko flying onto Jungle Boy outside the ring.

    MJF hit Luchasaurus with a low blow and rolled him up but he kicked out at two. Wardlow hit Luchasaurus with a Senton off the top rope but Luchasaurus kicked out once again. MJF put on the Dynamite Diamond Ring but accidentally hit Wardlow. Jungle Boy sent MJF out of the ring and planted Wardlow with a DDT. Luchasaurus then hit Wardlow with a Shooting Star Press for the pinfall victory.

    Opinion: Fyter Fest started off with an excellent tag team match that once again showed how ridiculously well MJF and Jungle Boy work together. I’m looking forward to watching many more matches between those two in the years to come.

    https://twitter.com/AEWrestling/status/1278482889664012290?s=20

    Hikaru Shida Retained In A Great Match With Penelope Ford

    Hikaru Shida defended the AEW Women’s Championship against Penelope Ford tonight at Fyter Fest. Kip Sabian wanted to be ringside but referee Aubrey Edwards immediately kicked him out. Sabian took Shida’s kendo stick backstage with him.

    Match Recap: Shida dominated the action early and hit Ford with a knee to the face. Penelope rolled out of the ring and Hikaru hit her with a Dropkick through the ropes. Back in the ring, Ford battled back and bounced Shida’s face off the top turnbuckle several times. Penelope hit a running kick (Helluva Kick) and went for the cover but Shida kicked out at two.

    When Fyter Fest returned, Penelope Ford was in control and had Shida in a Headlock. Hikaru broke free but Ford planted her with a reverse DDT for a near fall. Ford went for a Stunner but Shida countered into a Sleeper Hold. Shida hit a Backbreaker and went for the cover but Ford kicked out at two. Shida went for the Falcon Arrow but Ford countered into a roll-up for a near fall. Ford followed it up with a Stunner for a near fall. Penelope got out of the ring and grabbed the title. Referee Aubrey Edwards stopped her as Kip Sabian rushed the ring. Shida took the kendo stick out of his hand and hit him over the head with it. Penelope capitalized on the distraction and hit another Stunner for a two count. Penelope climbed to the top rope and went for a Moonsault but Shida got out of the way. Shida hit a knee to the face and followed it up with a Falcon Arrow but Penelope kicked out at two. Hikaru then hit Ford with a running knee to the face for the pinfall victory. Hikaru Shida is still the AEW Women’s Champion.

    https://twitter.com/AEWonTNT/status/1278488851476918272?s=20

    Opinion: Penelope Ford has been making a name for herself on recent episodes of Dynamite and she put on a great match with Hikaru Shida tonight. AEW has been criticized for not putting enough emphasis on their women’s division and hopefully it continues to get better over time. Ford and Shida delivered a great title match tonight and this performance should help Penelope become a bigger star.

    Hager Punched The Referee In The Face After Losing To Cody

    Cody defended the TNT Championship against Jake Hager tonight at Fyter Fest. Catalina accompanied Hager to the ring.

    Match Recap: Hager controlled the match early and beat Cody down in the corner of the ring. Cody battled back and knocked Jake out of the ring. Cody hit him with a Crossbody and brought Jake back into the ring. Cody went for another Crossbody but Jake caught him. Cody escaped and locked in the Figure Four in the middle of the ring. Jake attacked Arn Anderson and sent him into the barricade. Hager then planted Cody with a German Suplex on the floor outside the ring as Fyter Fest went to a break.

    When Fyter Fest returned, Hager was in control and brought Cody out of the ring. Jake was about to slam Cody into the ring post but Arn got in the way. Cody sent Hager into the ring post and rolled him back into the ring. Cody leaped off the top rope and hit Jake with a Cutter and followed it up with a Powerslam for a two count.

    Jake battled back with a Hager Bomb for a near fall. Cody planted Hager with a reverse DDT and went for the cover but Hager kicked out at two. Hager applied an Ankle Lock but Cody fought through the pain and grabbed the bottom rope to break the hold. Catalina slapped Cody in the face as Dustin Rhodes in the face. Hager locked in a choke but Cody countered into a pin for the victory. Hager thought he won the match and punched the referee in the face.

    Opinion: Every Cody match takes me back a couple of decades and I love it. His matches are physical and almost always involve some kind of shenanigans like what we saw at the end of this match tonight. I’m assuming Hager is going to be “suspended” due to his actions after the match.

    Private Party Earned A Shot At The AEW Tag Titles At Night 2 Of Fyter Fest

    Private Party (w/ Matt Hardy) faced Santana & Ortiz tonight on Fyter Fest. Orange Cassidy came down to the announce table and sat near Chris Jericho to piss him off.

    Match Recap: Private Party controlled the action early as Quen hit a Moonsault off the middle rope but Santana kicked out at two. Ortiz tagged in and planted Kassidy with a DDT. Private Party battled back during the commercial break and took control of the match. When Fyter Fest returned, Ortiz and Quen were battling in the ring.

    Santana tagged in and hit Marq with a chop to the chest. Isiah tagged in and launched Ortiz out of the ring. Kassidy hit Santana with several shots to the face and followed it up with a spinning dive onto Ortiz and Santana outside the ring. Back in the ring, Kassidy hit Ortiz with a Swanton Bomb for a near fall.

    Ortiz Powerbombed Quen and Santana followed it up with a Cannonball in the corner of the ring. Santana sent Kassidy into the barricade and brought the madball into the ring. Matt Hardy ripped it away as Kassidy hit Ortiz with a Slingblade. Private Party then planted Santana with Gin & Juice for the pinfall victory.

    After the match, Jericho launched a drink at Orange Cassidy and tried to attack him but was held back.

    Omega & Hangman Retained The AEW Tag Team Championships

    Kenny Omega and Hangman Page defended their AEW Tag Team Championships against Best Friends in the main event of Night 1 of Fyter Fest. Trent’s mom drove Best Friends to Daily’s Place.

    Match Recap: Omega and Chuck started the match off by trading shots in the ring. Trent and Hangman tagged in and Trent connected with a Belly to Back Suplex. Chuck tagged in and planted Hangman with a Suplex for a two count. Hangman battled back with a Suplex of his own and tagged Omega in. Kenny sent Chuck to the outside and hit Trent with a Backbreaker for a two count.

    Omega sent Trent to the canvas and tagged in Page. Hangman connected with a Shooting Star Press and went for the cover but Trent kicked out at two. FTR showed up with a couple of lawn chairs and a cooler and took a seat next to the announce table. When Dynamite returned from a break, Trent leveled Hangman with a Clothesline as FTR enjoyed some beer on the stage.

    Chuck flipped onto Omega and Page outside the ring and then beat Hangman down against the barricade. Trent hit Omega with a Suicide Dive and then Chuck sent Kenny flying onto Hangman. Back in the ring, Hangman planted Trent with a Fallaway Slam and followed it up with a massive Clothesline.

    Omega tagged in and planted Trent with a Brainbuster for a two count. Omega went for a Moonsault but Trent got his knees up. Trent hit Omega with a knee to the face and tagged in Chuck. Taylor hit Omega with a Piledriver for another near fall. Omega battled back with a Snap Dragon Suplex. Trent tagged in and walked right into a Snap Dragon Suplex from Omega.

    Hangman tagged in and hit Best Friends with a Splash in the corner. Chuck dragged Omega out of the ring and Best Friends hit Strong Zero on Hangman but Kenny broke up the cover at the last moment. Chuck planted Omega with the Awful Waffle that sent Kenny out of the ring. Hangman booted Chuck out of the ring and hit Trent with an elbow to the face.

    Page went for a Powerbomb but Trent escaped. Trent rolled up Hangman for a near fall. Hangman battled back and connected with the Dead Eye for a two count. Page leveled Trent with the Buckshot Lariat for the pinfall victory. Page and Omega are still AEW Tag Team Champions and will defend the titles against Private Party next week at Night 2 of Fyter Fest.

    After the match, FTR came down to the ring and offered Omega and Hangman a beer. The champions accepted and Hangman guzzled down the beer as Kenny poured it on the floor outside the ring. FTR got pissed off but Young Bucks rushed the ring and broke it up. The teams argued as Night 1 of Fyter Fest went off the air.

    Opinion: Night 1 of Fyter Fest featured several great matches and I’m definitely looking forward to Night 2 next week. It sucks that the AEW Championship match was delayed a week but it was the right call with Moxley’s wife, Renee Young, testing positive for COVID-19. There are still several matches that should be great on next week’s show.

  • Jon Moxley vs. Brian Cage Moved To AEW Fight For The Fallen

    Jon Moxley vs. Brian Cage Moved To AEW Fight For The Fallen

    In a precautionary move, AEW has decided that the scheduled match between Jon Moxley and Brian Cage should be slightly delayed. 

    Moxley was supposed to make his next title defense against Brian Cage as the AEW World Heavyweight Champion next week on night 2 of AEW Fyter Fest. 

    However, the promotion announced on Wednesday that the match has been moved back until the July 15th episode of Dynamite, which is now being hyped as Fight For The Fallen. 

    Last week it was revealed that Renee Young tested positive for COVID-19 and since he lives with her, Moxley took a test, but his results came back negative. 

    Moxley was informed by AEW’s doctor to start isolating himself. The original plan was if Moxley didn’t test positive or show symptoms for the virus, he was set to go ahead with performing for his title match on the July 2nd set of TV tapings. Clearly, that’s not happening. 

    AEW Fyter Fest Night 2 Card

    • FTR and The Young Bucks vs. The Lucha Brothers & The Butcher & The Blade – Eight-Man Tag Team Match
    • Chris Jericho vs. Orange Cassidy – Singles Match
    • SCU vs. The Dark Order – Six-Man Tag Team Match
    • Lance Archer vs. Joey Janela – Singles Match

    Jon Moxley Shows Off Bruised Tailbone (Photo)

  • Jake Roberts On WWE Counter-Programming AEW Fyter Fest With NXT Great American Bash

    Jake Roberts On WWE Counter-Programming AEW Fyter Fest With NXT Great American Bash

    Jake Roberts has previously worked for WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon, but is now under contract with WWE’s latest rival promotion, AEW. 

    The WWE Hall of Famer recently did an interview with the Wrestling Inc Daily podcast. This is where he spoke about the latest attempt done by WWE to counter-program AEW with NXT content. 

    Over the next two weeks, AEW will be airing its Fyter Fest show on TNT while WWE will be airing editions of NXT with its Great American Bash thme. According to the legendary pro wrestler, WWE is feeling the heat. 

    “Well, they feel the heat. You know, competition is good for everybody. It makes people step up their game. Obviously, I’m gonna tell you who I’m going for – AEW and just because I want to. 

    I think they have a good product. It’s a different product and different is good, especially with where WWE is and different is good. At the end of the day, competition is good because it just makes people go out there and work harder and that’s great for the fans. The fans reap the benefits of that.”

    WWE announced the special weeks after All Elite Wrestling had already announced and was building matches for its Fyter Fest. 

    Once AEW signed a television deal with TNT, WWE was quick to react as they signed a deal with the USA network in order to counter-program the rival promotion. 

  • AEW Rankings Report (7/1): Mox, MJF & Cage All Undefeated In 2020

    AEW Rankings Report (7/1): Mox, MJF & Cage All Undefeated In 2020

    AEW released its official top-5 rankings ahead of tonight’s first night of Fyter Fest.

    AEW World Champion: Jon Moxley (13-0)
    TNT Champion: Cody (13-1)

    1. MJF (7-0)
    2. Brian Cage (5-0)
    3. Lance Archer (8-1)
    4. Brodie Lee (5-1)
    5. Chris Jericho (2-1)

    There was no change in the men’s single’s rankings this week. The top wrestlers in the men’s single’s rankings are starting to show a noticeable trend. Moxley, MJF, and Brian Cage are all undefeated in 2020. Cody, Archer, Brodie Lee, and Chris Jericho only have one loss each. Archer, Lee, and Jericho’s one loss each all came from Moxley. Cody’s loss came to the still undefeated MJF.

    World Champion Jon Moxley, TNT Champion Cody, #1 MJF, and #5 Chris Jericho all had the week off.

    #2 Brian Cage defeated Jon Cruz on Dynamite. #3 Lance Archer defeated Pineapple Pete on Dark.

    #4 Brodie Lee teamed with Colt Cabana and defeated Joey Janela and Sonny Kiss on Dynamite. Lee and Cabana will be joined by Stu Grayson to take on SCU next week at Fyter Fest.

    Moxley will defend against #2 Brian Cage at Fyter Fest (unless the match gets postponed due to Moxley’s situation) on the 2nd night of Fyter Fest.

    #5 Chris Jericho is scheduled to face Orange Cassidy on the 2nd night of Fyter Fest.

    TNT Champion Cody is scheduled to defend against the unranked Jake Hager tonight.

    AEW Women’s Division

    Champion: Hikaru Shida (12-1)

    1. Nyla Rose (6-2)
    2. Penelope Ford (4-3)
    3. Big Swole (4-3)
    4. Kris Statlander (4-4) (injured)
    5. Britt Baker (4-4) (injured)

    There was no change in the women’s rankings this week.

    Champion Hikaru Shida picked up a rather quick victory over Red Velvet on Dynamite. She’ll defend against #2 Penelope Ford on tonight’s Fyter Fest card.

    #2 Nyla Rose is scheduled to face an opponent TBA on the 2nd night of Fyter Fest. She is also said to have an announcement to make.

    AEW Tag Team Division

    Champions: Kenny Omega & Hangman Page (8-0)

    1. Best Friends (10-3)
    2. The Dark Order (6-0)
    3. Young Bucks (4-2)
    4. The Natural Nightmares (5-1)
    5. Private Party (4-2)

    There was no change in the tag-team rankings this week either. FTR defeated SCU but still remain outside the top-5.

    #3 the Young Bucks picked up a victory over Peter Avalon & Brandon Cutler on Dark. They will team with FTR to take on the Butcher and the Blade and Lucha Bros next week at Fyter Fest.

    Tonight at Fyter Fest, Champions Kenny Omega and Hangman Page will look to defend against the #1 ranked Best Friends.

    #5 Private Party are scheduled to face Proud and Powerful tonight at Fyter Fest.

  • Cody Rhodes Hopes Great American Bash Is “Something Special”

    Cody Rhodes Hopes Great American Bash Is “Something Special”

    All Elite Wrestling’s Cody Rhodes was a recent guest on SiriusXM’s Busted Open Radio. During their conversation, he was asked about WWE using the Great American Bash name in association with its upcoming special two-week NXT event. 

    Cody admitted he wasn’t angry about it. He mused on how some people mistakenly think Dusty Rhodes simply named Starrcade and the Great American Bash. Cody argued how it goes beyond just devising an event name. Instead, “It’s a matter of booking them, of marketing them, of the creation.”

    According to Cody, Dusty Rhodes once told him that Starrcade was for his sister and that Great American Bash was for him. For that reason, both events hold a special place for them. Cody noted how it doesn’t anger him in any way as it’s an excuse for people to once again talk about his father in a positive way. 

    Cody Rhodes On WWE’s Marketing Nostalgia Efforts

    “The American Nightmare” likened WWE’s recent use of In Your House and Great American Bash to Disney’s nostalgia marketing strategies.  

    “The marketing of the event reminds me a lot of what Disney currently does. If you go to Disney World, they still sell Haunted Mansion shirts and they’re all done retro-style. They market nostalgia.”

    He acknowledged how his sister found NXT’s sudden Great American Bash announcement strange. Cody then reflected on how the announcement seemed to be “willy nilly, last-minute, in the strangest of ways.” 

    Cody Rhodes pointed to WWE’s decision to utilize the Starrcade name for a WWE Live Event. He believes this decision diminished the name value of the event and was done because “they weren’t selling any tickets in North Carolina.” He shared his hope that WWE would instead do “something special” with Great American Bash.

    NXT’s Great American Bash is a two-week special airing on USA Network. It competes head-to-head with AEW’s Fyter Fest on TNT. Both events begin tonight.

  • Chris Jericho Shares AEW’s Original Plans For The Exalted One

    Chris Jericho Shares AEW’s Original Plans For The Exalted One

    All Elite Wrestling’s Chris Jericho divulged AEW’s original plans for the Dark Order’s Exalted One. Speaking on a recent episode of his podcast, Talk is Jericho, alongside his guest Luther, Jericho mentioned Luther’s initial audition.

    Jericho noted how AEW Executive Vice President Cody Rhodes was a fan of Luther’s audition. Acknowledging how the Dark Order was “kind of Nick and Matt’s thing,” Jericho confessed he sent the audition to Cody and AEW President Tony Khan for consideration.

    “Cody is like, I like his delivery, he’s got that cadence of Jake Roberts,” Jericho said. “And then they said, let’s bring him in for basically a screen test, that’s kind of what it was.”

    Chris Jericho shared how Matt and Nick Jackson were lobbying for Ring of Honor’s Marty Scurll to be the Exalted One “right off the bat.”

    When it became unlikely that Scurll would be joining AEW, they then wanted Matt Hardy for the role. This then “morphed of course to Luke Harper.”

    Jericho shared how Luther was “out of the equation” at this point as The Young Bucks ultimately had other guys in mind for the character. Luther would instead debut as a part of the ill-fated Nightmare Collective.

    Chris Jericho is scheduled to compete against Best Friends’ Orange Cassidy during AEW’s upcoming two-week event Fyter Fest. The two clash on July 8.

  • Big Swole: Tessa Blanchard’s Best Choice Is AEW

    Big Swole: Tessa Blanchard’s Best Choice Is AEW

    For the first time in 2 years, Tessa Blanchard is a free agent. There have been reports that WWE is interested in her and others have suggested she could end up in AEW where her father Tully is.

    Last September, Big Swole and Tessa Blanchard met in single’s action at an independent show in Orlando. They’ve also wrestled in a multi-person match for Warrior Wrestling in February. According to comments Swole made on Twitter recently, she thinks Blanchard’s best choice is to sign with AEW.

    Swole was asked on Twitter about the possibility of Tessa ending up in AEW:

    https://twitter.com/SwoleWorld/status/1277220368751702017

    Both wrestlers were trained by George South Jr. before starting their careers. Cedric Alexander, Swole’s real-life husband, is also said to have had a hand in training Blanchard.

    https://twitter.com/SwoleWorld/status/1277404866655268864

    Swole also suggested that perhaps apologizing for past behaviour would be in Blanchard’s best interest, however.

    https://twitter.com/SwoleWorld/status/1277408341610856451
    https://twitter.com/SwoleWorld/status/1277418975081771008

    The match between Big Swole and Tessa Blanchard from last September can be viewed in the player below:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGv91ZGy4rQ

    Big Swole In AEW

    At the moment, Big Swole sits outside AEW’s top-5 rankings. She seems more focussed on making life miserable for Dr. Britt Baker DMD. In recent weeks, she has dumped Baker in a dumpster and taken her “Role’s Royce” for a ride. Swole is sporting a 4-3 record in 2020 and a career 5-7 record in AEW.

  • Cody Rhodes Comments On Sammy Guevara’s Suspension

    Cody Rhodes Comments On Sammy Guevara’s Suspension

    All Elite Wrestling’s Executive Vice President and in-ring talent Cody Rhodes has commented on the recent Sammy Guevara controversy that came to light. Guevara has been suspended from AEW without pay and will undergo sensitivity training after he came under fire for comments he made about Sasha Banks on a podcast back in 2016.

    Responding to a fan on Twitter, Cody Rhodes addressed the situation after being asked to reinstate Guevara. The AEW TNT Champion stated:

    “Sammy will return. And he will be a better professional wrestler, and a better man when he does.”

    Sammy Guevara Apologizes

    Since the clip of Guevara’s comments surfaced, the Inner Circle member released an apology video addressing his statements. He acknowledged that he has grown as a person over the past four years and would be taking a break from social media:

    “I just want to apologize to anybody I let down, to Sasha, to anybody I hurt with my words.”

    Guevara continued, “It just sucks cause 2016 me is not me today. 2020 me would never say those kind of hurtful things that I did in 2016. I used to think it was funny to do some kind of shock humor to pop the room I’m in. I thought it would be funny to do that kind of humour, shock humour and it’s not.”

    He stated how some people may be dubious over his statement. For them, four years may not be that much time for genuine change. He argued that so much has happened in his life as wrestling allowed him to travel the world and grow as a person. Guevara stressed he now understands the words he says can have an impact on people. He promised to never joke or take sexual assault lightly again.

    Sasha Banks would speak with Sammy Guevara about his words. She explained how the two had an open discussion. Banks stressed how “the comments he made, jokingly or not, have absolutely no place in our society!”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aDopYWwfH0&feature=emb_title