Tag: Jon Moxley

AEW Dynamite preview 02/14/24: Copeland vs. Garcia, Dax vs. Mox

Austin will also see the debut of Toni Storm’s new film, plus Orange Cassidy in a Texas Death match on AEW Dynamite.

Happy Valentine’s Day! What better way to show your love for someone than to cuddle up in front of AEW Dynamite, right? We thought so too, and tonight’s show from Austin looks like it should keep passions burning, though perhaps not necessarily of the stereotypical Valentine’s kind.

Is Daniel Garcia finally ready for his signature win?

There’s no rush for Daniel Garcia to get to the top of AEW since he is, incredibly, still just 25 years old. He’s had his brushes with the very best, but with the exception of a 2022 victory over Bryan Danielson, he’s usually booked to look good in a losing effort.

That might be his fate in Austin against Adam Copeland too. But thanks to his recent rub from teaming with FTR, Garcia has arguably never been hotter than he is right this second. Might he dance his way to an upset on Dynamite?

Who wins the battle of the ‘x’ names?

It’s been a little bit since some fans were pushing Dax Harwood as a potential Wrestler of the Year candidate, as he hasn’t wrestled too many singles matches as of late. FTR has also mostly been featured on Collision, but that changes tonight as Harwood has a high profile match against Jon Moxley.

The odd for hijinks appear high, however, since Blackpool Combat Club has been embroiled in a battle against AEW’s “guests” from CMLL. This has the feeling of a bout that will be excellent while it lasts but won’t make it to a clean finish, but we shall see.

A Texas Death match is the perfect way to spend Valentine’s Day

Because what Orange Cassidy definitely needs is not an occasional day off, but a Texas Death match against Matt Taven. We feel guilty about it, but we’re definitely in.

Also advertised for Dynamite tonight from Austin:

  • We’ll hear from AEW World Champion Samoa Joe and both of his Revolution challengers, Hangman Adam Page and Swerve Strickland
  • Toni Storm debuts her latest film, “Wet Ink”
  • Matthew and Nicholas Jackson take on Top Flight
  • Skye Blue goes one-on-one with Willow Nightingale

We don’t need candy nor flowers when we have AEW Dynamite arriving tonight at 8 p.m. ET. Check back with us here at Wrestling Junkie for live results and more throughout the show.

AEW Collision results 02/10/24: The Stone Pitbull gets Freshly Squeezed

Toni Storm and Deonna Purrazzo each picked up victories on AEW Collision near Las Vegas as well.

Las Vegas sure has been the center of attention for all kinds of sports, unscripted and otherwise, this week. We’d like to think AEW Collision is part of it, even though it’s technically not in Las Vegas, but in nearby Henderson.

That’s really not that big a distinction, honestly. The point is that it’s somewhat out of the way of being swallowed up by all things surrounding the big football game on Sunday. And it appears some of AEW’s most compelling subplots will be furthered on this show, including the great program between Toni Storm and Deonna Purrazzo.

We’ll also see the latest visitors from CMLL as they continue their battle against the Blackpool Combat Club. And the Forbidden Door will stay open for what we assume will be the main event, as Orange Cassidy takes on Tomohiro Ishii.

That sounds like a very fine appetizer before tomorrow’s big game. Let’s check it all out from the top.

AEW Collision results from Las Vegas:

  • Claudio Castagnoli and Jon Moxley def. Esfinge and Star Jr. by submission
  • Mox gets on the mic afterward and says whether it’s CMLL or any other team in the world, anyone who steps up gets stepped on; that boast brings FTR to the ring, and it doesn’t take long for fisticuffs to break out, and it takes referees, officials and other wrestlers to break it up

  • Daniel Garcia def. Shane Taylor by submission
  • Highlights from Dynamite show Darby Allin and Sting winning the tag team titles, then getting attacked by the Young Bucks
  • Lexy Nair talks to Eddie Kingston, who chastises the Bucks and Bryan Danielson for taking the spotlight away from others; as a result, he’s challenging Danielson to a match at Revolution, and if Eddie wins, Bryan has to shake his hand

  • Brian Cage def. The Outrunners by submission; afterward, the Vegas Golden Knights mascot Chance does the Nana dance with Prince Nana and gets laid out by Cage, which in turn brings Hook to the rescue to battle Cage to the back

  • Roderick Strong and The Kingdom talk some smack to Tomohiro Ishii, who is in no mood to shake hands with them

  • Adam Copeland joins Tony Schiavone in the ring to discuss the pros and cons of challenging for each title when he’s joined by Garcia, who notes that he’s also been picking up plenty of wins; Copeland proposes they battle it out on Dynamite, with the winner going on to challenge Christian Cage for the TNT Championship, but he also warns Garcia that he’s going to get a beating next week

  • Renee Paquette talks to Stokely Hathaway, who says there are only two badasses in the women’s division, Kris Statlander and Willow Nightingale, and they want him to get them a match against Julia Hart and Skye Blue
  • Brody King def. Mark Briscoe by pinfall, helped in part by a timely distraction from Julia Hart, who also attacks Briscoe after the match with a metal spike
  • Bryan Keith warns everyone in AEW that they’ll have to pay up
  • Deonna Purrazzo def. Kiera Hogan by pinfall
  • Toni Storm def. Queen Aminata by pinfall in a match that’s probably a little tougher than the champ would have figured; afterward, Timeless Toni says she’ll be releasing a new film on Dynamite and warns Purrazzo as well
  • Orange Cassidy def. Tomohiro Ishii by pinfall to retain the AEW International Championship
  • After the bell, The Kingdom attacks Cassidy, but Ishii hustles back to prevent more than one move, as does a chair-wielding Trent Beretta

AEW Dynamite results 02/07/24: Golden Sting, Bucks gone wild and Big Business

Also on AEW Dynamite, Hangman Adam Page and Swerve Strickland had a banger that made them both contenders.

If you like your shows packed and your stakes high, this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite from the Footprint Center in Phoenix looks like the one for you.

Let’s start with title matches and shots at title matches, because this card has both of those. Darby Allin and Sting will battle Big Bill and Ricky Starks for the AEW World Tag Team Championship in a match that has the potential to make The Icon a champ for the final time in his legendary career.

As for championship opportunities, that’s what Hangman Adam Page and Swerve Strickland are fighting for, since the winner gets to go on and battle Samoa Joe for the AEW World Championship at Revolution. Swerve has had the upper hand, winning the first two bouts between them, but Hangman is desperate now and would be distraught if he lost a third straight.

On top of that, Tony Khan will make his latest in a long line of big announcements. Could someone be on their way in? Does the fact that there’s going to be a Dynamite/Rampage taping in Boston next month have anything to do with who that might be? Or does TK have something totally unexpected up his sleeve?

That’s not even all, as we’re also looking forward to some role reversal when Toni Storm takes on Red Velvet with Deonna Purrazzo on guest commentary. The Virtuosa has gotten under the skin of the Timeless champ like no other since she first arrived in AEW, and that should only continue in Phoenix.

How will AEW fit this and more into a two-hour show? It won’t, as Khan has already promised he’s secured an overrun. So let’s light the fuse already.

AEW Dynamite results from Phoenix:

(please scroll down for full details on any match or segment in bold)

  • Hangman Adam Page vs. Swerve Strickland ends in a time limit draw, and as a result, both men will be in the championship match against Samoa Joe at Revolution
  • Samoa Joe is asked about this turn of events by Renee Paquette, angrily ranting about having the deck stacked against him and vowing to walk out champ despite that

  • Toni Storm def. Red Velvet by submission; after Storm won’t let the hold go, Deonna Purrazzo gets in the ring to confront the champ
  • Paquette talks to Orange Cassidy about wrestling Tomohiro Ishii and says competing on Saturday after also having a match on Rampage will still be fine; Best Friends also agree to go check on Chuck Taylor

  • Blackpool Combat Club (Bryan Danielson, Claudio Castagnoli and Jon Moxley) def. Hechicero, Mascara Dorada and Volador Jr. by pinfall, but only after Castagnoli uses a low blow to set up the finish; after the finish, Mistico leads more CMLL luchadores into the ring from the crowd, prompting more AEW wrestlers to come from the back and even the odds
  • Taylor is shown getting attacked in the back by Undisputed Kingdom
  • Tony Khan makes his big announcement: the March 13 episode of Dynamite in Boston will be titled “Big Business”

  • Konosuke Takeshita def. Chris Jericho by submission, thanks in part to Don Callis sneaking in a screwdriver, and despite Sammy Guevara appearing earlier to neutralize Powerhouse Hobbs on the outside
  • Darby Allin and Sting def. Big Bill and Ricky Starks by pinfall in a Tag Team Tornado match to become the new AEW World Tag Team Champions
  • As Sting calls his sons into the ring to celebrate with him, the Young Bucks arrive with white bats to beat him down; they also beat Allin bloody and hit him with the EVP Trigger before laying the tag team titles over the unconscious new champs

Hangman Adam Page, Swerve Strickland battle without a winner … though in a sense they don’t lose either

The crowd seems very into this as the two bitter rivals stare holes in each other after the bell rings. The announce team remind us that Strickland needed assistance from the Mogul Embassy to win both previous meetings, though Taz is the dissenter who believes that means little.

It takes little time for the fight to spill to the floor, where Swerve sends Hangman over the barricade then leaps over it to join him. Page is unceremoniously sent back to ringside and then to the ring, where he’s able to get in his first offense by stomping Strickland into a corner.

Page lights up his foe with chops and right hands along the ropes. But Swerve reverses an Irish whip and delivers a big boot to the face, following with some stomps of his own.

As Swerve looks to fly, Hangman sweeps his legs out and smashes home some right hands. He takes his time playing to the crowd for a second, which turns out to be a mistake as Swerve works on a flying octopus hold before dropping into a crucifix on the mat. Strickland wants to snap Page’s right arm but can’t ever pull it off, and Hangman ends up plastering him out on the apron and running him into the turnbuckle.

They spill out to the floor again, with Page continuing to work on Swerve’s head and neck. A fallaway slam is next, and the battle back in the ring leads to a low dropkick and a cover broken only when Strickland gets his hand to the bottom rope.

Another two count goes in Page’s favor, and he drops Swerve to the floor to land with a thud. Hangman signals for his top rope moonsault only to see Strickland roll away and quickly pounce with a flatliner.

With the fans urging him on, Swerve hits a back flip plancha to the outside, then a jumping top rope elbow to the back of the head. His offense continues into a vertical suplex, followed by the House Call and a close two count.

Page’s rally leads to a Liger Bomb that earns him a near fall. The ref checks on Strickland for a second as the announcers ponder whether he landed on his head during the last exchange of counters.

Boos greet Page as he lines up for the Buckshot, but Swerve dodges it and hits his own version. There’s a Swerve Stomp too, but Page kicks out at two.

Now it’s Hangman who look stunned a bit, and he finds no respite on the outside. Strickland takes him up on top of the guardrail, which turns out badly as Page nails him with a DDT on the barricade.

During picture-in-picture, a table is set up on the outside, though it doesn’t immediately come into play. An exchange of strikes goes Swerve’s way as he ends with a backbreaker and another near fall.

With Page tangles up over the ropes, Strickland stomps him so that he rolls onto the table, which promptly breaks. An undeterred Strickland sets up another table, but his first move is to try a 450 splash in the ring which catches nothing but knees.

It looks like Page has it won again after a nasty Buckshot, but Strickland gets his foot to the ropes to prevent the pinfall. They head back out to the apron, because why not, and Swerve takes a Deadeye there, slumping out to the floor. The ref starts his count, and Prince Nana does his dance to motivate his boss. That inspired Swerve to beat the count, but Nana pays for it when Page waffles him with a chair.

Strickland dropkicks Hangman on the floor then drops the Swerve Stomp, but it looks like his ankle might have paid for that. Page goes right after that ankle, staving off a JML Driver.

They battle to the apron again, and Strickland runs Page into the post to set up a Deadeye through the table. That brings fitting “holy s–t” chants, but when Swerve tries another Swerve Stomp, Page rolls away.

Strickland ducks a Buckshot and finally hits the JML Driver, but as the ref is making the count, the bell rings, signifying the 30-minute time limit had elapsed. Strickland grabs a mic, saying he hasn’t gone through so much to have it end like this. “Five … more … minutes,” he yells.

Hangman laughs and says no, but Tony Schiavone has one more twist to announce: Since this was a tie, both men will challenge Samoa Joe in a Triple Threat match at Revolution.

Tony Khan makes his big announcement, emphasis on big, we guess

TK discusses the March 13 episode of Dynamite revealed earlier today as happening at TD Garden in Boston. As it turns out, it will be called “Big Business.” Ah, not really what we were expecting, completely, but there is a money motif to the logo, so …

Anyway, Khan says people who can’t get to Boston will want to watch live on TBS, calling it “one of the most important nights in the history of AEW” and promising that people will remember it for years to come. The live fans seem a little underwhelmed by this, but hey.

Darby Allin and Sting win gold, defeating Big Bill and Ricky Starks

There are two referees since all four men can get involved at once, but alas we only have one recapper. We’ll do our best.

Sting and Starks immediately fight into the crowd, where Sting uses a trash can as a weapon. Bill and Darby battle into an entranceway to the concourse, unaware that Sting is lurking to dive from above onto both the champs. A “you still got it” chant rings out as side-by-side ads arrive.

Allin takes flight from the ring to the floor as soon as the full broadcast returns, but Bill catches him and smashes him to the floor with a Boss Man Slam. Ouch.

Darby gets tossed back into the ring, where Starks is waiting and soon joined by his partner. Bill tries for a two-handed chokeslam but settles for simply bouncing Allin’s head off the mat, then flinging him back overhead.

Bill summons a table from beneath the ring and Ricky helps him set it up. Sting finally returns to the fray to help Allin avoid being press slammed by the big man, but Bill finally tracks him down. Sting is able to step aside and crotch Bill on the top rope, only to be hit with his own Scorpion Death Drop by Starks, forcing Allin to make the save.

After some back and forth, Sting ends up isolated with Starks and puts him in the Scorpion Deathlock. Bill is on the apron, where Darby gouges his eyes and they end up falling through the table on the floor together. Starks reaches for the ropes but discovers there is no rope break in a Tornado tag. He frees himself anyway, sending Sting hurtling into an exposed turnbuckle. Though Ricky looks regretful, he spears the Icon but finds it’s only good for a two count.

Sting psyches himself up enough to counter a spear with the Scorpion Death Drop, and that’s enough to give us new champions.

AEW Collision results 02/03/24: FTGar? FTR, Garcia outduel The Patriarchy

FTR and Daniel Garcia grabbed another big victory on AEW Collision.

The news in the pro wrestling business continues to flow at such a furious pace that sometimes it’s nice that we actually get to watch some wrestling for a couple of hours. That makes this episode of AEW Collision from Edinburg, Texas almost a form of escapism, as it looks to have a very nice card.

The main event is an interesting matchup pitting Christian Cage and his henchmen in The Patriarchy against FTR and Daniel Garcia, a combo we wouldn’t have thought of a few months ago that’s turned out to make so much sense. There’s also a very intriguing bout between Bryan Danielson and Hechicero as CMLL’s semi-invasion continues.

Let’s sit back and enjoy.

AEW Collision results from Edinburg, Texas:

  • Eddie Kingston def. Bryan Keith by pinfall in a Proving Ground match, meaning Keith would have earned a title shot had he won … but he did not, so there we go
  • Tony Schiavone heads to the ring to announce that Keith is now All Elite, and the Bounty Hunter gets some props from Kingston, who looks irritated when Bryan Danielson also joins them and raises Keith’s arm

  • Jon Moxley cuts a promo about the CMLL wrestlers showing up and thinking this would be “like that show on the other channel” and feature “easy, lazy American wrestlers,” concluding by warning that they better hope the BCC never shows up in their backyard

  • Bryan Danielson def. Hechicero by pinfall; Claudio Castagnoli arrives in time to prevent a post-match sour grapes beatdown from the loser
  • Lexy Nair asks Daniel Garcia and FTR if they’re going to remain a trio, and even though they admit they didn’t expect it, they’re OK with sticking together, and Dax Harwood points out they’re in the trios rankings now to boot
  • Hook def. The Outrunners by submission
  • Mark Briscoe joins Schiavone in the ring and is psyched to be in there with him as he remembers watching Tony call wrestling as a kid; he has some words for House of Black too, who appear on the video screen to threaten to eradicate him from pro wrestling history
  • A hype video is shown to promote Adam Copeland working his way back to a shot at Christian Cage; he’ll be on the show next week

  • Serena Deeb def. Queen Aminata by submission
  • Schiavone is joined by Swerve Strickland, who shouts out other wrestlers he admires during Black History Month, including Ron Simmons, Kofi Kingston(!) and Athena; Swerve thinks he might make his own Black history by defeating Hangman Page on Dynamite and going on to win the AEW World Championship, but he also tells Prince Nana no interference as he wants no excuses when he wins

  • Toni Storm is occupied with her disdain for Deonna Purrazzo, so much so that she can’t be bothered to watch Mariah May’s matches, and she asks Luther to book her a public workout
  • Red Velvet def. Vertvixen by pinfall in a very quick match
  • Daniel Garcia and FTR def. Christian Cage and The Patriarchy by pinfall

AEW Dynamite results 01/31/24: Hangman, Swerve are on collision course again

After Swerve Strickland and Hangman Adam Page won again, they’ll fight for a title shot next week on AEW Dynamite.

What wrestling fan doesn’t love them some mystery opponent? We’d say none, which is why the Dealer’s Choice matches on tonight’s episode of AEW Dynamite from New Orleans should be a lot of fun.

In fairness, Swerve Strickland already took some of the surprise away by revealing he’s going to send fellow Mogul Embassy member Toa Liona to fight Hangman Adam Page. A perfectly defensible selection, that, given that Liona is a beast who should benefit from the additional spotlight.

But Hangman hasn’t revealed his choice to be Swerve’s opponent, and that has us hoping that everyone’s favorite cowboy really gets creative. And yes, that actually means Tony Khan getting creative, but let’s not lose ourselves in the space between kayfabe and real life.

Strickland and Page are having the kind of long-term feud that just satisfies that place in a wrestling fan’s heart, because even when they branch off and do other things, they can’t seem to help but cross paths again. Long may it continue.

Beyond that, we’ll see the first ever singles match between Jon Moxley and Jeff Hardy. And Deonna Purrazzo will take on her toughest foe since joining AEW, Taya Valkyrie. “Timeless” Toni Storm will once again be on guest commentary, which is pretty close to guaranteed entertainment value.

So yeah, looks like a decent enough two hours. Let’s run it all down as it happens.

AEW Dynamite results from New Orleans:

(please scroll down for full details on any match or segment in bold)

  • Jon Moxley def. Jeff Hardy by submission
  • After the match, Mistico and the other three CMLL wrestlers who were watching the opening match attack Moxley after the bell, but Matt Sydal, Daddy Magic and Cool Hand Ang eventually come to the rescue and drive the luchadores off
  • Hangman Adam Page def. Toa Liona by pinfall
  • Nicholas Jackson fines a staffer for not using the Young Bucks’ full names, and Matthew apologizes but still expects the fine to be paid by end of day

  • Wardlow def. Komander; after the match, Orange Cassidy and Best Friends come to prevent Roderick Strong and The Kingdom from administering a post-match beating, and the heels want no part of a scuffle tonight
  • Tony Schiavone mediates a sitdown interview with Big Bill and Ricky Starks on one side and Darby Allin and Sting on the other; Starks seems upset that Sting got his first ever AEW victory over him, and Ricky and Darby start yelling at each other while Sting wonders if Bill is a killer like other big men he’s fought; Starks throws a drink on Darby, who has to be restrained by The Icon

  • Chris Jericho def. Kyle Fletcher by pinfall; Konosuke Takeshita appears on the stage afterward to taunt Jericho
  • Deonna Purrazzo explains the meanings behind her tattoos, including the identical ink she and Toni Storm got, wondering if it means the same thing to Timeless Toni
  • The Bang Bang Scissor Gang does some good natured guns up and scissoring along with Rock Card Juiceboard

  • Deonna Purrazzo def. Taya Valkyrie by submission with Toni Storm watching closely from the commentary desk
  • Allin is being interviewed by Renee Paquette when the Young Bucks stop by to propose becoming a trio with Darby, but jokes aside, they also accuse him of ducking them

  • AEW World Champion Samoa Joe joins the announcers for the main event
  • Swerve Strickland def. Rob Van Dam by pinfall in a Hardcore match that also sees Brian Cage and Hook briefly get involved
  • Hangman comes down to mock congratulate Swerve, noting that both of them are likely to top the rankings when they come out tonight before vowing to never let Strickland become world champion; Swerve yells back that he has two victories over Page and says Hangman is obsessed with the idea that he can’t win … but Page says it took the whole Mogul Embassy to beat him, and Strickland says they can fight one more time before he leaves this feud behind him to focus on the AEW World Championship
Lee South

Jon Moxley vs Jeff Hardy

New Orleans, LA

AEW Dynamite

January 31, 2024

Jon Moxley grinds out a victory over Jeff Hardy

Hardy wastes no time taking to the air, diving onto Moxley from the apron. The announce team suggests the rules for this one are “lax,” so they can do some extreme stuff without fear of DQ and probably won’t be counted out either. Moxley takes flight with a tope suicida, not something he always does.

Back in the ring, Moxley stomps on Hardy’s left arm. Jeff gets flipped over with a suplex of sorts and has to kick out of the ensuing cover.

Mox goes right to a submission attempt, scissoring Hardy’s neck with his legs. Their battle eventually goes back outside the ring, where Moxley end up over the barricade among the CMLL talent that is here for tonight’s show. A right hand from Mox smashes Hardy in mid-flight right as the side-by-side pics arrive.

Th full picture returns to find Hardy running through a bunch of offense, leading to a near fall Tony Schiavone believes Jeff will need to keep Mox on the mat, but he doesn’t and pays for it as he takes a piledriver.

Moxley wants another piledriver on the apron, but Hardy counters with a Twist of Fate. He follows with the Whisper in the Wind, and he’s back up top but met by Moxley, who treats him to a superplex.

They both rise to trade right hands until Hardy’s Twist of Fate attempt is countered with a cutter. Jeff comes right back with a Russian leg sweep, then uses a legdrop right into a pinning predicament that comes oh so close to winning it.

Hardy connects on another Twist of Fate but finds no one home for the Swanton Bomb. Moxley drops to the mat and locks on his bulldog choke, and Hardy eventually goes to sleep.

Lee South

Adam Page vs Toa Liona

New Orleans, LA

AEW Dynamite

January 31, 2024

Hangman Adam Page pulls off an AEW first, pinning Toa Liona

Page notes during a quick pre-match promo shown during his entrance that Liona has never been pinned or submitted in AEW. Did not know that. Early on, Hangman is able to stay one step ahead of the bigger man, at least until Liona can slow the pace.

Two springboard lariats aren’t sufficient to knock Liona off the apron, though he has no such trouble hurling Page over the top rope and out to the floor. Liona hits a diving cross body to the floor, looking very confident.

Liona sits on Page’s chest back in the ring, good for a near fall. A series of right hands from Hangman leads to Liona chucking him back out to the floor as boos rain down.

After more commercials, it’s not looking much better for Page until he’s able to get Liona to miss and land hard on his back. Hangman steps on the gas, leading to a high cross body off the top for a near fall.

Page tries but can’t get Liona hoisted for the Deadeye. A thrust kick comes back and leads to a near fall for Liona.

What will it take to get Liona off his feet? Three lariats finally do the trick. This time Page is able to get the Deadeye on target too, but Liona pops right back up for a headbutt.

A discus lariat smashes Page back down, and though he’s able to kick out again, he takes a senton on the apron right after that. Liona tries and misses on a moonsault, but Hangman doesn’t miss his off the top rope.

The Buckshot looks like it’s next, but even though Liona evades it and hits a Samoan drop, Page is able to roll up his shoulders and hold on for a pin.

Lee South

Deonna Purrazzo vs Taya Valkyrie

New Orleans, LA

AEW Dynamite

January 31, 2024

Deonna Purrazzo keeps rolling by tapping out Taya Valkyrie

AEW Women’s World Champion Taya Valkyrie joins the announcers for this one, claiming she has no knowledge of the matching tattoos that Purrazzo has been talking about. The Virtuosa gets off to a strong start, controlling Valkyrie with a variety of holds until a leg sweep tilts the momentum.

Purrazzo goes hard into the steps on the outside, giving Valkyrie a chance to do some making out with Johnny TV as commercials slide in. They battle back to the ring during the half-break, with Purrazzo using knees and kicks to set up a Russian leg sweep. A pump kick leads to the second of two quick two counts.

Valkyrie’s Blue Thunder Bomb gets her a two count right back. A sliding lariat makes Purrazzo kick out again as Storm mugs for the camera.

A baseball slide drop kick is on target for Purrazzo, who ends up flinging Valkyrie into the champ. Back in the ring, Deonna gets both of Taya’s arms pulled up behind her while sitting on Valkyrie’s back, and that’s enough to get the submission.

Lee South

Swerve Strickland vs Rob Van Dam

New Orleans, LA

AEW Dynamite

January 31, 2024

Swerve Strickland outdoes Rob Van Dam in his own game: a Hardcore match

Hangman Page appears on the screen after RVD heads to the ring to reveal one more twist: Dealer’s Choice means they get to pick the match, not just the opponent, so this is a Hardcore match.

Van Dam wastes no time putting chairs to good use once the bell rings thanks to that stipulation. He sends Strickland into and over the ringside barricade, and the fans are already happily chanting “we want tables.”

After some picture-in-picture, Swerve has taken control, using a chair to assist him. He sets that across one corner but ends up getting an Irish whip right into it.

Rolling Thunder is on target by RVD, and he picks up another chair to use for a Van Terminator in the corner. A cover follows but Swerve kicks out at two.

Van Dam wants a monkey flip but sees it countered into a sitout powerbomb onto the chair, somehow managing to kick out. Brian Cage arrives to lend a hand to Swerve, but he’s neutralized by a chair-wielding Hook. They fight out of the ring and up the ramp.

RVD is distracted but manages to counter into a pinning predicament and a near fall. Strickland comes right back with a near fall of his own, and now it’s reaching “what will it take to win it?” territory as the crowd calls for tables again.

There is one set up on one side of the ring, but the two combatants fight to a chair on the opposite side. RVD takes a Swerve Stomp and falls back into the steps.

With Van Dam rolled into the ring, Strickland climbs up top but takes a thrown chair to the face and crashes down from the top rope through the table. Rob tries to follow with a Five Star Frog Splash but finds no one home and eats a chair to the face before kicking out at two.

Both men head to the top rope again, though Van Dam is knocked to the mat. He flips Strickland the double bird but takes a Swerve Stomp, and that’s it for the legend as Swerve is victorious.

AEW Dynamite preview 01/31/24: Mox vs. Jeff Hardy, Dealer’s Choice matches in NOLA

Deonna Purrazzo will also look to continue her winning ways against Taya Valkyrie on AEW Dynamite from New Orleans.

It’s been two years since AEW Dynamite last paid a visit to New Orleans, but that changes tonight. UNO Lakefront Arena, which we assume is actually right by a lake, is set to light the fuse.

Jeff Hardy vs. Jon Moxley, first time ever

When The Hardys mentioned a few weeks ago that they’d prefer to be used differently, Tony Khan apparently took notice … for Jeff Hardy, anyway. He’s been more active on TV as of late, and he’s in for it tonight as he has his first ever singles match against Jon Moxley.

AEW has noted that with the wrestler rankings returning soon, this would be a big win for Mox. We’d argue it would have a bigger impact on him if he lost, but either way, you’d assume he comes out of this with a dub and is high up on said rankings early on.

What opponent will Hangman choose for Swerve?

Hangman Adam Page and Swerve Strickland can’t seem to let go of the beef they have with each other, and AEW is helpfully facilitating its continuation by allowing them to pick the other’s opponent in a pair of Dealer’s Choice matches on Dynamite.

Since Swerve rolls with a crew, it’s only natural he selected a member of the Mogul Embassy, Gates of Agony’s Toa Liona, to face Hangman. But Page is a more solitary type these days, so who will he tap to step in against Swerve? We’ll have to wait to find out.

Can the Virtuosa keep conducting victories?

It’s obvious by now that Toni Storm perceives Deonna Purrazzo as a threat, even in her eccentric state. The question is whether anything can stop Purrazzo before she gets a title shot, whether Storm likes it or not.

So far no one has been able to defeat Purrazzo, and while Taya Valkyrie figures to be her biggest test since joining AEW, the chances are high that Storm will be on guest commentary again watching Purrazzo’s hand get raised, maybe she’ll think of something to change the script.

Also advertised for tonight’s Dynamite from New Orleans:

  • Chris Jericho battles Kyle Fletcher in his latest showdown with a member of The Don Callis Family

AEW Dynamite hits the airwaves at 8 p.m. ET on TBS, and we’ll be set with live results and updates all throughout the show.

AEW Rampage results 01/26/24: Komander commands the ring

See how Komander earned a title shot against Orange Cassidy this week on AEW Rampage.

AEW returned on Friday night after a heavily storyline-driven episode of Dynamite. The quest for the next contender to Samoa Joe’s AEW World Championship progressed, including Adam Copeland’s latest “Cope Open” against Minoru Suzuki and a subsequent callout to Christian Cage.

Meanwhile, Rampage featured its own developments, such as the “Freshly Squeezed 4-Way” match for the No. 1 contender to Orange Cassidy’s AEW International Championship and the ongoing story involving Ruby Soho, Saraya and Harley Cameron. Multiple angles unfolded in Savannah, Georgia, creating another chaotic hour of AEW programming:

AEW Rampage results:

  • Jon Moxley def. Lee Moriarty by submission, drawing “this is awesome” chants in a lengthy match showcasing Moriarty’s in-ring prowess; Shane Taylor thwarts Moxley’s show of respect after the match as he and Moriarty beat down the Blackpool Combat Club member
  • As Anna Jay gets interviewed backstage, Angelo Parker tells her that he believes he knows who is responsible for everything and questions if Anna was behind Harley Cameron’s kiss; Anna slaps Parker and says she is tired of having everyone’s back when no one supports her in return
  • Konosuke Takeshita def. Christopher Daniels by pinfall within minutes; Don Callis says after the match his family is taking everything from Chris Jericho and challenges the Fozzy singer to face Takeshita in two weeks on Dynamite; however, Kyle Fletcher intervenes, claiming his right to a shot; Callis agrees and says Fletcher will face Jericho next week, while Jericho battles Takeshita the following week
  • Backstage, Renee Paquette announces Top Flight vs. Private Party for next week; Action Andretti says he’ll be in Top Flight’s corner next week to make sure nothing crazy happens
  • Anna Jay def. Ruby Soho by submission
  • In a backstage interview, Eddie Kingston tells Renee Paquette he has no respect for Bryan Danielson; Kingston then challenges Willie Mack to a non-title match on Collision, but if Mack wins, he earns a chance at the AEW Continental Championship
  • Komander def. The Butcher, El Hijo del Vikingo and Kip Sabian to become the No. 1 contender to Orange Cassidy’s AEW Intercontinental Championship

AEW Dynamite results 01/24/24: Adam Copeland survives Minoru Suzuki

AEW Dynamite also set up a tag team title match and new challenges for Swerve Strickland and Hangman Page.

It’s time to light the fuse for a dream match kind of night on AEW Dynamite from Savannah.

Actually, no, scratch that. Adam Copeland vs. Minoru Suzuki is more like a fever dream, the product of some random half-awake ranting at some point. It’s not a pairing we ever thought to even ask for at any point, honestly.

Yet it should be great. The Rated-R Superstar taking on Murder Grandpa is not the kind of thing Copeland’s “Cope Open” matches have typically been to this point, which is him working with talent that doesn’t always get enough exposure.

Suzuki is pretty much the exact opposite of that. But Copeland has also said he wanted the Cope Open to be unpredictable, and tonight’s showdown definitely qualifies in that respect.

Speaking of unpredictable, that term should also apply to Toni Storm and Deonna Purrazzo having a face-to-face interview. The AEW Women’s World Champion has been typically dismissive of The Virtuosa ever since her arrival in AEW, but Purrazzo has had the type of in-ring success that is pretty much unavoidable now. Add in some real life history between them (whether Timeless Toni chooses to remember it or not) and you have the makings of a fun program.

We’ll also hear from Sting and Darby Allin, see Thunder Rosa in action again, scissor with The Acclaimed and Daddy Ass, and much more. Light the fuse.

AEW Dynamite results from Savannah:

(please scroll down for more details on any match or segment in bold)

  • Samoa Joe tells Hook to get to the back of the line for a world title shot
  • Hangman Adam Page def. Penta El Zero Miedo by pinfall with Joe watching from the commentary table; afterwards, Page yells “I am taking that from you” to Joe
  • Renee Paquette speaks with Orange Cassidy, who says it’s fine that Roderick Strong wants to challenge him at Revolution, but he’s also going to keep wrestling in the meantime, including this week on Collision

  • The Young Bucks have arrived, saying they’ve fixed catering, and they give Top Flight of not being at the show on time or wearing their credentials

  • Wardlow def. Trent Beretta by pinfall; Best Friends hit the ring to prevent a post-match beating, and the Undisputed Kingdom convinces Wardlow not to press the issue at the moment
  • Adam Copeland cuts a promo for his main event meeting with Minoru Suzuki and says you can sum it up with three words: grit your teeth
  • Renee Paquette sits down with Deonna Purrazzo and Toni Storm, who exchange some verbal jabs and real shoe-throws
  • Jon Moxley puts over the titles and victories the Blackpool Combat Club has piled up but says they spend zero time celebrating, because that’s the way they stay as hungry as they need to be; Mox says he will beat and pulverize everyone who isn’t willing to step up and give their all this year, and he’s very believable when he says it

  • Taya Valkyrie and Johnny TV reintroduce themselves, and Valkyrie challenges Purrazzo to a match next week, vowing to send her to “the back of the line”
  • Swerve Strickland def. Jeff Hardy by pinfall
  • Paquette is caught in the middle as Swerve and Hangman nearly come to blows, and she tells them that they’ll get to choose the match for the other man next week on Dynamite in a pair of “Dealer’s Choice” bouts

  • Thunder Rosa def. Red Velvet by pinfall
  • Darby Allin and Sting hold court, discuss going after the tag team titles
  • Big Bill and Ricky Starks accept the challenge from Allin and Sting, apparently because they’re happy the face painted duo mentioned them by name
  • The Acclaimed and Daddy Ass def. Mogul Embassy (Brian Cage and Gates of Agony) by pinfall to retain the AEW World Trios Championship, getting some help from Bullet Club Gold to prevent chicanery
  • One final Serena Deeb highlight video is shown before she returns on Saturday
  • Adam Copeland def. Minoru Suzuki by pinfall
  • After the match, Copeland offers a show of respect to Suzuki, who refuses it, and says he’s still coming for Christian Cage

Samoa Joe says title shots will need to be earned, Hook needs to get to the back of the line

Looking spiffy in a suit, the AEW World Champion says from now on, title opportunities must be earned. Your favorite superstars are all going to battle it out for the right to challenge for his gold.

Alas, Joe says all it’s going to mean is an opportunity to have the worst night of their life. A man who kind of experienced that last week interrupts, as Hook makes his way to the ring … with a mic in hand, unusually.

Hook says he lost and shakes Joe’s hand, promising that he’ll see Joe again. But the champ isn’t as gracious, asking for security to get “the unworthy” out of the ring. A few arm drags and such later, Hook leaves on his own instead of being escorted out by guards.

Hangman Adam Page goes to 3-0 in 2024 by beating Penta El Zero Miedo

With the announcers reminding us the rankings are returning Saturday, that makes this match a little more important, as does Samoa Joe watching on guest commentary. Page scores the first near fall after a rolling shooting star press, then goes to work in the corner.

Joe taunts Hangman a bit but Page stares daggers at him in return. A bottom rope legdrop (yes, that’s right) earns a two count for Penta, and he escapes a Deadeye attempt to trade strikes. A double clothesline finally sends both men down to the mat, perfect for sending us to picture-in-picture.

The full broadcast returns just in time to catch Penta flying to the outside, though he has to pull up on a second aerial move inside the ring and gets caught with a Death Valley Driver for two. Penta fires right back with another near fall before zeroing in on Page’s right arm.

Hangman hurls his foe away and then connects on a Liger Bomb for another two count. A series of counters leads to a Made in Japan by Penta, and Hangman barely kicks out in time. Joe is shown looking a little upset, perhaps hoping Page would be pinned.

Out to the apron they go, where Penta is hit by the Deadeye and a moonsault to the floor. Back in the ring, Penta evades one Buckshot but not the second, and the cowboy is your winner.

Deonna Purrazzo, Toni Storm share some of their past, but a violent future awaits

The AEW World Champion is in black and white, and while she admits they have a past together, Toni says that doesn’t mean Deonna can waltz right to the front of the line. Storm admits that Purrazzo might be the best technical wrestler in the world, but it’s not going to help her if they meet.

The Virtuosa says she didn’t come to AEW to make friends but to become champion. It just so happens that Storm used to be her friend, but Purrazzo will gladly take her apart limb by limb. Deonna also doesn’t want to face this “delusional sham” but the version of Toni that was once one of the best in the world.

Purrazzo says Storm should look at her ankle because it should look a lot like hers, and the two women reveal identical tattoos. Toni doesn’t take kindly to that and throws a shoe at Deonna, who throws it right back and tries to apply the Venus De Milo. The champ needs to be bailed out by Luther and Mariah May, and Deonna poses with the title belt before tossing it to the butler.

Darby Allin convinces Sting to pursue tag team gold before he hangs it up

Allin tells the story of when Sting first was announced as coming to AEW, rolling around in the ring at his house and telling the Icon “you still got it.” He thinks the fans would agree that’s still the case, and with the rankings coming back, Allin believes they should take advantage of that and challenge for the tag team titles.

Sting says alright, I’m all in. No, not that All In, sorry. But clearly he’s on board with going after Big Bill and Ricky Starks.

Adam Copeland survives, pins Minoru Suzuki

The crowd starts a “holy s–t” chant right away, anticipating the chops and forearms that come soon enough. Suzuki tries for a Gotch style piledriver but get back body dropped instead.

Suzuki goes for an armbar across the top rope but ends up eating a big boot. He catches Copeland with a knee coming toward the apron and drags Adam out to the floor. They go stumbling back through the barricade together in painful fashion.

Both men barely beat the ref’s 10 count, sliding in together at nine. Suzuki laughs, as he does, before they start smashing each other with elbows and forearms on their knees, then up to their feet. Here come the slaps, which end up knocking them both down at the same time.

Suzuki slugs his way into an armbar attempt, but Copeland counters with an Impaler. Dueling chants break out for each man as they rise slowly again. Copeland heads in for a spear but is countered by a Fujiwara armbar, forcing Copeland to a rope break.

Now Suzuki goes for a rear choke in the corner, but Copeland gets loose and hits a spear for a close two count. Suzuki scoots over and applies a sleeper with his legs hooked in as well. Copeland nearly escapes it before sinking to his knees with his face turning purple.

After the ref checks him once, Copeland is up and manages to hit the Killswitch, which is enough to win it.

 

Orange Cassidy calls Jon Moxley his role model for leading by example

You might not want to model yourself after Jon Moxley for everything, but for quiet leadership for AEW, he fits the bill.

Orange Cassidy is not a rah-rah, cheerleader type.

That much is obvious if you’re at all familiar with his work. The AEW International Champion, currently in his second reign, is the last person you’d look to for an inspiring speech.

What Cassidy has done over the past few years, despite the slacker nature of his character, is work his butt off. He’s been omnipresent for the company, arguably having the best combination of quantity and quality of work of anyone.

That in itself is a form of leadership, and Cassidy isn’t the only one in AEW who does it. In a recent interview with Adrian Hernandez, Freshly Squeezed named the person he looks up to for a similar style of positive influence (h/t Fightful for the transcription).

Jon Moxley is a leader for AEW and I think a lot of people look to Jon Moxley for leadership. I am too, like Jon Moxley, a person that leads by example and I saw the example that he was setting and I was like, ‘You know, I want to do that.’ I try. I try, but no one can be Jon Moxley because there is no (other) Jon Moxley. I am forever in his debt for him changing and bringing out this version of me that is clearly a better version because I still have [AEW International Title].

It makes perfect sense to hold up Mox in this fashion, as like Cassidy, he has been as reliable a performer as AEW has ever had. There are countless stories of Moxley being slated for time off and delaying it because the company needed someone to step up due to injuries and other unforeseen circumstances, and he truly was the rock on which AEW’s foundation was built.

The only difference is that one could picture Moxley being more vocal when need be, but he still doesn’t fit the mold of a stereotypical pep talk enthusiast. Nevertheless, there’s little doubt that other wrestlers can learn a lot from both Moxley and Cassidy, and having them both on the roster is a big feather in AEW’s cap.

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 results: Finlay goes Global, outlasting Moxley, Ospreay

See how David Finlay prevailed against two top stars at Wrestle Kingdom 18.

Quite the contrast in styles between these three as they make their entrances. David Finlay is low key menace. Jon Moxley has a mask on like the Red Hood of DC Comics fame. And Will Ospreay makes his way in to an extra dose of orchestral showmanship before his normal theme hits.

Ospreay and Moxley seem to agree to take out Finlay as they talked about at the press conference, backing the Bullet Club leader into the corner and taking turns stomping him. He tries to rush out and eventually ducks out to the floor … but the other two men meet him there and crotch him on the barricade, where he also takes a lariat from Mox.

Things don’t get much better for Finlay as the fight goes further out into the crowd, and Moxley is able to suplex him on the floor right in front of the announcers. Mox gets out a table, and Finlay is quickly sent through it by both of his enemies.

That allows Ospreay and Moxley to settle things between themselves in the ring for a bit, where they trade strikes and suplexes. Mox rains down right hands in the corner, then rakes Ospreay’s back in the opposite corner until he gets a thrust kick to the face.

Moxley counters an Oscutter with a suplex, then shrugs off a standing Spanish Fly to try for an armbar. He switches to a triangle choke, shrugs off a buckle bomb and runs over Ospreay with a lariat.

The battle goes to the apron, where Ospreay is back dropped before Finlay finally rejoins the fray and runs Moxley into the post. Ospreay smacks Finlay with a hook kick but is taken right back down with a shillelagh-assisted neckbreaker.

Moxley is bleeding now, to no one’s surprise, and Finlay is just making it worse. Way worse. Mox finally suplexes his way out of trouble, but now Ospreay is back for a back handspring double kick.

Ospreay runs off Moxley’s back to elbow Finlay, and after seeing Mox deliver a tope suicida to Finlay, he one ups them with a moonsault that offers a pretty hard landing for the Aerial Assassin.

A right hand from Mox greets Ospreay as he springboards back into the ring, and a Death Rider comes close to winning it for Moxley. A bulldog choke comes right in its wake, as well as hammer and anvil elbows.

Moxley goes back to the choke, then bites Ospreay on the face. Finlay comes in and gets piledriven right onto Ospreay’s chest; Mox covers Ospreay and gets two.

Moxley decides to throw a bunch of chairs into the ring, then into the faces of his foes. He sets two chairs up back to back, but he’s the one who ends up feeling the pain thanks to Finlay, who also uses a Dominator on Ospreay to smash Mox and cover him for a near fall.

Ospreay counters Oblivion with a Stundog Millionaire, setting off a series of moves by all three men in turn. Finlay throws Ospreay out of the ring after a Hidden Blade on Mox, trying in vain to steal the win.

Oblivion comes for Moxley, and suddenly all three men are breaking up each other’s pinfalls. No one is particularly quick to get off the mat, however.

Forearm shots are flying in every direction, but Finlay is between a rock and a hard place. A defiant middle finger salute and expletive only ensures both his opponents will focus on him. Just when it looks bleakest, the War Dogs hit the ring, quickly overpowering Ospreay and choking Moxley.

Moxley and Ospreay finally recover enough to dish out punishment to the War Dogs as the 20-minute mark passes. If that isn’t enough, Ospreay hits a Swanton Bomb to send both War Dogs through the tables, or partway through at least.

Back in the ring, Mox gives Finlay two Death Riders, and Ospreay hits the Hidden Blade and Stormbreaker on Moxley. Finlay executes Oblivion on Ospreay and looks like he’s stolen it, and is frustrated when it’s only for two.

Lifting Ospreay up, Finlay drops him down for a knee to the face, and the Rebel Club boss is the first ever Global Heavyweight Champion.

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