Tag: rush

AEW Continental Classic participants, groups revealed

Take a look at the 12-man field and the groups they’ll compete in during the AEW Continental Classic.

Who doesn’t love a good pro wrestling tournament? AEW is hoping the answer is “nobody” as it prepares for its inaugural Continental Classic.

Undoubtedly drawing a bit of inspiration from NJPW’s annual G1 Climax, the Continental Classic will feature two groups, or Leagues, as they’re being called, of six wrestlers each. They will compete in round robin fashion against the other members of their League, with a point system for wins, losses and draws along the way.

The top two wrestlers in each League will go head to head on the Dec. 27 episode of AEW Dynamite, with the winners of those two matches competing in the tournament final at Worlds End on Dec. 30. Not only will the winner become the first ever AEW Continental Champion, but since Eddie Kingston also put his two titles up for grabs, that winner will also be a Triple Crown Champion defending three championships going forward (at least that’s what we gather).

Since only four wrestlers in the 12-person field were announced ahead of time, all eyes were on the Selection Special live stream Wednesday afternoon. Here’s how the groups shook out.

AEW Continental Classic participants and groups:

Blue League

  • Bryan Danielson
  • Andrade El Idolo
  • Brody King
  • Claudio Castagnoli
  • Daniel Garcia
  • Eddie Kingston

Gold League

  • Jon Moxley
  • Swerve Strickland
  • Rush
  • Mark Briscoe
  • Jay Lethal
  • Jay White

The AEW Continental Classic kicks off with the first round robin matches on the Wednesday, Nov. 22 episode of Dynamite and continues through the end of 2023.

AEW Full Gear 2023 results: MJF, Swerve, Julia Hart big winners in Inglewood

A dramatic journey to the main event and an incredible Texas Death match were highlights from Full Gear.

In pro wrestling, it’s common to talk about someone as champ and another wrestler chasing them. When the main event of AEW Full Gear 2023 hits the Kia Forum tonight, it will be a rare case of one man filling both roles.

MJF is in the midst of an impressive AEW World Championship reign, but he hasn’t actually had his beloved Triple B title belt for some time. That’s because Jay White took physical possession of the championship and simply refused to give it back — and not for MJF’s lack of trying.

One expects that he’ll have to relinquish it if MJF emerges victorious in Inglewood. And considering White is the biggest underdog on the card at places that traffic in betting lines and such, there’s not a whole lot of belief that he’ll get the job done.

Other challengers seem to have better odds. The consensus seems to be that “Timeless” Toni Storm has a good shot at dethroning AEW Women’s World Champion Hikaru Shida, especially since Full Gear is being billed as Toni’s “Hollywood Homecoming.” Kris Statlander may be in a precarious situation as well, considering she’s going to be defending her TBS Championship against both Julia Hart and Skye Blue.

Amidst all of that, the most anticipated match of the night may be the Texas Death match between Swerve Strickland and Hangman Adam Page, the latest showdown in a program that has become very personal.

We’re looking forward to the whole Full Gear card, so here we go.

AEW Full Gear 2023 results from Inglewood:

(click on any match or segment with a link for full details)

  • The broadcast begins with a replay of the end of Zero Hour, where MJF was taken away in an ambulance, making his status for the main event seem uncertain
  • Adam Copeland, Darby Allin and Sting def. Christian Cage, Luchasaurus and Nick Wayne by pinfall in a match that involved Ric Flair taking a low blow and Cage accidentally hitting Luchasaurus with his tile belt and then running out on the match
  • Allin reminds the fans that this could be Sting’s last match ever in California and asks for more applause for the Icon, who returns to the ring to soak it all in
  • Tony Schiavone and Bryce Remsburg call out Jay White and Schiavone is about to say that White will get the world championship by default, but Adam Cole, on crutches, says he will defend it in MJF’s place
  • Orange Cassidy def. Jon Moxley by pinfall to retain the AEW International Championship
  • “Timeless” Toni Storm def. Hikaru Shida by pinfall to become the new AEW Women’s World Champion
  • Eddie Kingston tells Renee Paquette that he wants to up his game, putting both of his titles on the line in the Continental Classic, so the winner will grab both those belts plus the Classic trophy
  • Big Bill and Ricky Starks def. Kings of the Black Throne, FTR and La Facción Ingobernable (Rush and Dralístico) in a Ladder match to retain the AEW World Tag Team championship
  • Julia Hart def. Kris Statlander and Skye Blue by pinning Blue to become the new AEW TBS Champion
  • The AEW blockbuster signing is revealed … and it’s Will Ospreay, who says he’s going to “finish up” with NJPW before joining on “the road to Revolution”
  • Swerve Strickland def. Hangman Adam Page by 10 count in a Texas Death match
  • Chris Jericho and Kenny Omega def. The Young Bucks by pinfall, earning an AEW World Tag Team Championship shot any time they choose
  • MJF def. Jay White by pinfall to retain the AEW World Championship

AEW Collision results 11/17/23: Final pieces fall in place for Full Gear

A special Friday episode of AEW Collision finalized some more stipulations and matches for Full Gear.

Saturday night may be alright for fighting, but when Full Gear takes up that night, AEW Collision has to try to prove that Friday is fine for fighting as well. It’s actually going to be a very full Friday, with Collision followed by Rampage and then an ROH taping.

But we care about Collision for now, where there will be several matches with potential Full Gear repercussions and another where someone will earn a TNT Championship shot … for later tonight on Rampage. We told you, there’s a lot of wrestling coming up.

With that in mind, let’s not waste any more time, we’re diving in.

AEW Collision results from Inglewood:

  • Tony Schiavone reluctantly holds the mic for Christian Cage, who claims Full Gear will be Sting’s last match ever and says he’s going to break Adam Copeland’s neck
  • Big Bill and Ricky Starks tell Lexy Nair that they’ve asked for and been granted the request to make the four-way tag team title match at Full Gear a Ladder match
  • Miro def. Daniel Garcia by submission, with Daddy Magic taking an accidental bump from Garcia after trying to stop Daniel from dancing during the match
  • Andrade El Idolo is happy to have CJ Perry as a manager, and they reveal that he’s entered into the Continental Classic
  • Kings of the Black Throne (Brody King and Malakai Black) def. The Boys by pinfall
  • A vignette promotes the three-way TBS Championship match at Full Gear
  • Trent Beretta def. Brian Cage. Komander and Penta El Zero Miedo to win a TNT Championship shot at Christian Cage later tonight on Rampage
  • Don Callis and Powerhouse Hobbs talk up what Hobbs did to Paul Wight and say that proves “anyone can get it”
  • Wardlow def. Evan Daniels by referee stoppage in a matter of about a minute
  • Dax Harwood vs. Rush ends in no contest as Starks and Big Bill attack both men during the match, eventually leading to all four teams from the Full Gear title match plus some others getting involved in a huge brawl that takes the efforts of many to break up
  • Nair talks to Action Andretti, who ends up the next “victim” for Roderick Strong
  • Buddy Matthews def. Wheeler Yuta by pinfall, but Claudio Castagnoli prevents Matthews from beating Yuta more after the bell and challenges Buddy to a match at Full Gear
  • Jon Moxley and Orange Cassidy offer their final thoughts before they collide again on Saturday night
  • Kris Statlander and Hikaru Shida def. Ruby Soho and Saraya by pinfall, thanks in part to Angelo Parker checking on Soho during the match and taking Saraya off her game
  • MJF sits down with Schiavone to discuss his two title matches at Full Gear, and he explains that he will retain the ROH Tag Team Championship because of the promise he made to Adam Cole while also promising to teach Jay White a lesson

AEW Collision results 10/21/23: House of Black runs roughshod but faces rally to end the show

The AEW tag team champions were the unexpected beneficiary of the return of Malakai Black and company.

It’s not fun to think about, but since Bryan Danielson has said it himself, it’s time to face facts: We won’t have the pleasure of watching the American Dragon in the ring forever. That’s why it behooves AEW to get him in the ring with as many amazing opponents as possible while he’s still around, which is exactly what’s happening on tonight’s episode of AEW Collision in Memphis.

Tony Khan announced a few days ago that he had a dream match lined up for tonight, and while that inevitably led to fans’ imaginations running wild with potential opponents from just about everywhere, it turns out there was one within the company who has been appearing on Collision quite often. That’d be Andrade El Idolo, who has, pretty incredibly, never faced Bryan in a televised match of any kind.

(Seriously, we had our research intern look it up. Just kidding, we don’t have one of those.)

While that bout may just be for the pure in-ring excitement, the rest of Collision looks like it stems from things going on over AEW programming in recent weeks. Eddie Kingston will battle Jeff Jarrett in a Memphis Street Fight, attempting to keep Jay Lethal from earning a shot at his ROH World Championship.

New-ish AEW World Tag Team Champions Big Bill and Ricky Starks will try to remain in that position when they face Claudio Castagnoli and Wheeler Yuta, while the previous titleholders, FTR, return to action for the first time since losing them. And Action Andretti will try to keep his head attached to his shoulders while staying out of any marital drama as he takes on Miro.

If that weren’t enough for you, be sure to stay tuned afterward as Battle of the Belts VIII presents three championship matches. We’ll get to that in due time, but for now, let’s see what Collision has in store.

AEW Collision results from Memphis:

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

  • Bryan Danielson def. Andrade El Idolo by pinfall, but Malakai Black appears after the bell and lays out Danielson with a spin kick
  • Skye Blue def. Hollyhood Haley by pinfall
  • The Gunns def. Outrunners by pinfall; after the match, the lights go out and the man in the devil mask appears on screen, but doesn’t go after Bullet Club Gold
  • While Orange Cassidy is being interviewed, Kris Statlander says she needs a pump before her match and squats the interviewer
  • Jeff Jarrett def. Eddie Kingston by pinfall in a Memphis Street Fight thanks to help from Jay Lethal, Karen Jarrett, Satnam Singh and Sonjay Dutt (yes, all of them); Lethal will receive a ROH World Championship shot as a result
  • The Acclaimed and Daddy Ass have to apologize for Max Caster’s behavior but are ready to take down Daniel Garcia, Daddy Magic and Cool Hand Ang on Battle of the Belts
  • Miro def. Action Andretti by submission in a match that was probably harder than Miro would have figured; C.J. Perry applauds from ringside and Miro decides against beating up Andretti after the bell in what passes as a show of respect from him
  • Anna Jay seems like she’s still trying to keep the peace between Daniel Garcia and Matt Menard; Angelo Parker and Ruby Soho have an amusing exchange about family problems before Soho says she deserves to be a champion and is willing to challenge any of them
  • Rush says he’s sick and tired of all the opportunities going to other wrestlers and mad about the company saying he’s too dangerous … to be continued …
  • Kingston is getting checked out by the trainer but still delivers an angry promo to Lethal, calling him “Jeff Jarrett’s little bitch” and promising to beat Lethal down in front of his mother
  • FTR vs. Bad Thad Brown and Darian Bengston is interrupted by an attack from the House of Black, who lays out FTR
  • Big Bill and Ricky Starks def. Claudio Castagnoli and Wheeler Yuta by pinfall to retain the AEW World Tag Team Championship thanks to interference by the House of Black, but …
  • … when the House of Black tries to press its advantage after the match, the faces get reinforcements: from Bryan Danielson, FTR, and eventually, Jon Moxley, leaving the faces standing over a prone Starks to end the show

AEW Collision results 08/19/23: CM Punk has a surprise for Samoa Joe

AEW Collision from Lexington made one more match official for All In and several matches for All Out as well.

Even though we’re only eight days away from what is being billed as the biggest event in pro wrestling history, one gets the impression that the card isn’t quite finalized just yet. Fortunately, there are several AEW shows between now and then, one of which is AEW Collision tonight in Lexington.

The home of the Kentucky Wildcats won’t see too many big matches, though the main event between Darby Allin and Christian Cage is definitely intriguing. For a completely different reason, plenty of eyes will be on the segment where we’ll hear from FTR. It should be a talking point, let’s put it that way.

Let’s take a trip to Lexington together and find out what’s

AEW Collision Fight for the Fallen results:

  • Samoa Joe is supposed to have a squash match with “The Golden Vampire,” who stuns him with a quick assault and a GTS … then reveals himself to be CM Punk, who says “I accept, bitch” to Joe’s challenge for a match at All In
  • Jay White def. Dalton Castle by pinfall
  • Tony Schiavone talks to Bullet Club Gold, and White has a message for Kenny Omega: Gold is going to show it’s a cut above The Elite in London; also The Gunns and Juice Robinson want a match tonight, so the Iron Savages come out to accept their challenge
  • The Gunns and Juice Robinson def. Iron Savages by pinfall with White sitting in on guest commentary
  • A video message from House of Black is their version of a funeral for Billy Gunn
  • Rush wants to rebuild LFI and seems like he’s willing to go to some pretty wild lengths to do it
  • Ricky Starks talks to Schiavone and insists that he’s going to bring chaos live tonight … possibly with Big Bill?
  • There’s also a pre-recorded Starks promo before he accompanies Big Bill to the ring
  • Big Bill def. Derek Neal by pinfall in a quick squash match, and Starks lashes Neal with his belt after the match
  • Willow Nightingale def. Diamante by pinfall, with Kris Statlander arriving to help keep Mercedes Martinez at bay at ringside
  • Toni Storm is still confused about who’s interviewing her and offended that anyone would question the loyalty that The Outcasts have for each other
  • Powerhouse Hobbs def. Kevin Ku by pinfall, then puts him in Miro’s submission hold; Miro appears on the big screen to … challenge Hobbs, we guess?
  • Darby Allin def. Christian Cage by pinfall despite intervention by Luchasaurus
  • After the match, Schiavone talks to Allin, who is smashed from behind by Cage and chokeslammed by Luchasaurus, which amuses Swerve Strickland and AR Fox watching backstage

AEW Dynamite results 05/17/23: Hangman sides with The Elite, spelling Anarchy for the BCC

This week’s AEW Dynamite includes a big women’s tag team match and Roderick Strong vs. Chris Jericho in a Falls Count Anywhere match.

When someone says you’re more than a friend to them and are indeed more like family, it takes a special kind of jerk to betray them in a very public and violent fashion. Don Callis is proving to be exactly that kind of jerk, which is relevant for tonight’s episode of AEW Dynamite from Austin.

See, Callis turned on Kenny Omega in the middle of a Steel Cage match, making him bleed with a screwdriver and gift-wrapping a victory for Omega’s bitter rival, Jon Moxley. So far, he hasn’t explained himself, but he’s supposed to tonight on AEW Dynamite.

Other parts of tonight’s show will need much less exposition. For example there’s no mystery about why Britt Baker, Hikaru Shida and Jamie Hayter want to get their hands on The Outcasts. Heck, the only thing to wonder about is why it took so long (OK, probably because of the need to wait for Shida to return, but still).

Similarly, there’s not much mystery around why Ricky Starks is eager to step in the ring to face Jay White, or why Roderick Strong is sticking up for his friend Adam Cole to the point where he’s facing Chris Jericho in a Falls Count Anywhere match. The battle lines in these programs have been pretty well drawn.

There’s also a good chance we’ll find out more about the big wrestling news of the day, which was the official announcement of AEW: Collision. Will there be another name revealed as a star for the new show? A certain Second City Saint, perhaps?

Let’s find out.

AEW Dynamite results from Austin:

  • Wardlow wants Christian Cage to back up his tough talk, but he’s not about to let Cage actually spit on his face; the problem is that Luchasaurus is there too, and the two of them beat Wardlow down with a ladder
  • Orange Cassidy and Darby Allin def. Big Bill and Lee Moriarty by pinfall
  • The Young Bucks get approached by the Blackpool Combat Club in the parking garage, which stinks for them since they’re outnumbered; Jon Moxley grabs the camera and says they’re the only elite in this business
  • Renee Paquette is on hand to see Wardlow and Arn Anderson discuss what just happened, which leads Wardlow to challenge Cage to a Ladder Match at Double or Nothing
  • Paquette talks to Cassidy, who tells Kyle Fletcher, or anyone really, to find Tony Khan and ask for a title match at Double or Nothing
  • Sammy Guevara def. Exodus Prime by pinfall in a squash match, then cuts a short promo about his long, winding road leading to his championship opportunity at Double or Nothing
  • Tony Schiavone tries to summon Jay Lethal and Jeff Jarrett, but they get attacked by FTR before they can even make it to the ring … which ends badly for the outnumbered tag team champs as they take twin guitar shots

  • A very busy Paquette gets a word with Allin when he’s visited by Guevara, who says he won’t be laying down for MJF and gets a “may the best man win” fist bump from Darby
  • Ruby Soho and Toni Storm def. Britt Baker and Hikaru Shida by pinfall, with some cheating involved, naturally
  • Paquette tells Cassidy 20 people asked for a shot at his title, so he says he’ll fight them all in a 21-person (including him) battle royal for the Intercontinental Championship

  • Tony Khan promotes the June 17 premiere of AEW: Collision, including the fact that the first few shows will be in Canada
  • Roderick Strong def. Chris Jericho by pinfall in a Falls Count Anywhere that ranged all over the arena and eventually outside the building, meaning Adam Cole could lend a hand … which he did

  • “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry def. Rush by pinfall, then gets a hand from Allin and Guevara to fight off an attack from Rush’s teammates
  • MJF angrily knocks the microphone out of Paquette’s hand instead of answering her question about his title match at Double or Nothing

  • Paquette talks to Storm, who mocks Jamie Hayter for not being there tonight and challenges the champ to put her title on the line at Double or Nothing
  • Jay White def. Ricky Starks by DQ after Starks is caught using a chair introduced to the match by Juice Robinson
  • “We are … THE ELITE!” Instead of talking about what he did to Kenny Omega, Don Callis wants to talk about what Omega did to him, and when Kenny comes out, the Blackpool Combat Club immediately beats him down; the Young Bucks limp out there with weapons and are joined by Hangman Adam Page, who says at Double or Nothing it’s The Elite vs. Blackpool Combat Club, Anarchy in the Arena

AEW Dynamite preview: Anti-Outcasts team finally bands together, Don Callis speaks

This week’s AEW Dynamite also features Ricky Starks vs. Jay White and “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry vs. Rush.

Faces need more friends. It’s one of our mantras here at Wrestling Junkie when it comes to the usual pro wrestling fare, where the bad guys inevitably outnumber the good guys. It’s been true for The Outcasts most of the time since they formed, but it won’t be tonight on AEW Dynamite in Austin.

That’s because the “homegrown” side of the feud that has been top of mind in the women’s division for some time got a much needed boost with the recent return of Hikaru Shida. Now she, Britt Baker and AEW Women’s Champion Jamie Hayter will fight together against The Outcasts in what figures to be one of the night’s biggest bouts.

We’ll also hear from the man who was front and center for AEW’s most shocking recent plot twist, Don Callis. Though it appeared he was reinforcing The Elite by recruiting Konosuke Takeshita, he revealed that wasn’t the case when he betrayed longtime friend Kenny Omega at a pivotal time during his Steel Cage match with Jon Moxley.

Why did Callis turn? Fans in Austin will supposedly have a closeup view to find out.

Another potential showstopper on the card will put one of AEW’s foundational talents against a man who’s only recently arrived. Chris Jericho has been doing all he can to torment Adam Cole to the best of his considerable abilities, but Cole got some backup when Roderick Strong arrived a few weeks ago. Tonight, the two men will do battle in a Falls Count Anywhere match where both Cole and the JAS are banned from participating.

Also being promoted for tonight:

You know what to do if you want to see everything in store for Austin: Tune in at 8 p.m. ET on TBS. We’ll also have live AEW Dynamite results right here on Wrestling Junkie if you can’t, so you’re covered either way. See you then!

AEW Dynamite results: Ruby wins but has had it with women’s division turmoil

Live AEW Dynamite results for Feb. 15, 2023 from Laredo, TX, including a three-way battle between Toni Storm, Britt Baker and Ruby Soho.

It’s time for the first part of a little Texas two-step for AEW. Tonight it’s Dynamite from Laredo, and the path to Revolution should start getting a bit more clearly illuminated.

But the highlight of tonight’s show should be the in-ring action, which will be plentiful and varied. The headline bout is a Texas Tornado tag team match (never more appropriate than when it’s, you know, really in Texas) that features Jon Moxley and Claudio Castagnoli going up against Rush and Preston Vance.

Want an even bigger tag team match? We’ve got that too. Orange Cassidy, The Acclaimed and Daddy Ass are on one side of it, with Jeff Jarrett, Jay Lethal, Satnam Singh and Sonjay Dutt on the other.

The women’s division has been full of intrigue, and Ruby Soho has been in the middle of most of it. She’ll experience that in the most direct way possible in Laredo, as she’s slated to be in a three-way dance that also involves Toni Storm and Britt Baker. Is this the night where Soho will have to pick a side?

There’s much more, as well. Even AEW World Champion MJF will appear, even though he’s made it clear he’d rather not. Will be run scared again from his Revolution opponent, Bryan Danielson, or has he finally found his courage ahead of the pay-per-view?

AEW Dynamite results in 60 seconds:

  • Orange Cassidy, Daddy Ass and The Acclaimed def. Jeff Jarrett, Jay Lethal, Satnam Singh and Sonjay Dutt by pinfall
  • Bryan Danielson thinks MJF is scared and desperate, which … perhaps
  • Jon Moxley and Claudio Castagnoli def. Rush and Preston Vance by submission
  • The Butcher and The Blade attack Hangman Adam Page backstage, who was busy watching the previous match
  • Wardlow tells Jim Ross a personal story about his dad and how Samoa Joe used some personal knowledge of his younger days against him
  • Mark Briscoe def. Josh Woods by pinfall
  • Adam Cole tells Renee Paquette when he’s cleared to return, he has a few ideas of who he’d like to face
  • MJF reluctantly makes his appearance to run down Danielson again, but Christopher Daniels won’t join in with him, even for big money
  • The Gunns brag about winning the tag team titles and say Revolution will be The Gunn Show
  • “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry def. Brian Cage by pinfall, but is confronted by a returning Christian Cage, who maces him and delivers the Killswitch on the ramp
  • The Acclaimed says they will invoke their rematch clause and take the tag team titles back at Revolution
  • The Elite talk NBA All-Star weekend and accept another challenge from Top Flight and AR Fox for Rampage
  • Hangman Adam Page def. Kip Sabian by pinfall
  • The Blackpool Combat Club comes to the ring and surrounds Page, and Moxley tells Hangman to let things go between them … but Page says they can settling things at Revolution, and Evil Uno ends up getting in Moxley’s face before Mox proposes a Texas Death match
  • Chris Jericho says another match for Ricky Starks isn’t going to happen, but Daniel Garcia looks forward to facing him Friday on Rampage
  • Stokely Hathaway says Hook broke his arm, and he and The Firm laugh it up when Tony Schaivone says Hook has been suspended pending investigation
  • Ruby Soho def. Toni Storm and Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. by pinning Baker

Please scroll down for more details on every match and major non-match segment.

AEW Rampage results: Orange Cassidy retains again

Get quick AEW Rampage results for the November 11, 2022 episode, featuring Orange Cassidy vs. Lee Johnson for the All-Atlantic Championship.

Who would have imagined that Orange Cassidy would be the hardest working champion in AEW? It doesn’t really fit his personality at all, but Freshly Squeezed is back at it again on AEW Rampage, defending his All-Atlantic Championship after several tough defenses just last week.

This time out, it’ll be Lee Johnson getting a shot at the gold. And speaking of gold, the AEW World Title Eliminator Tournament was supposed to have all three of its remaining first round matches on tonight’s show. However, Ricky Starks isn’t cleared to compete, kicking his match with Lance Archer into next week.

We’ll still see two other tourney matches as Brian Cage takes on Dante Martin and Rush collides with Bandido. The winners of those matches will join Ethan Page in the semifinals after his victory on Dynamite.

Let’s check out what’s going down as we wrap up the week in AEW on TV.

AEW Rampage results in 30 seconds:

  • “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry wants to challenge Luchasaurus to a Steel Cage match face to face, but it doesn’t go so well when he ends up getting slammed onto a steel chair
  • Pac lectures the rest of Death Triangle again for not cheating like he does, saying they need to defend their trios titles by any means necessary
  • Brian Cage def. Dante Martin by pinfall in an AEW World Title Eliminator Tournament match
  • Lee Moriarty says he wants any champion in AEW … but even Stokely Hathaway loses some of his bravado when Hook shows up
  • Another promo video airs for the House of Black
  • Bandido def. Rush by pinfall in an AEW World Title Eliminator Tournament match after John Silver helped counteract interference from Jose The Assistant
  • Jake Hager made a challenge of some sort to Claudio Castagnoli
  • Nyla Rose def. Kayla Sparks by pinfall, but gets dropped by a pump kick from an angry Jade Cargill
  • Orange Cassidy def. Lee Johnson by pinfall to retain the AEW All-Atlantic Championship

Breaking down the AEW World Title Eliminator Tournament bracket

We’re ready to tear up our bracket after Dynamite just like we often do after the first day of March Madness if we’ve got this wrong.

World championship eliminator matches, where a challenger has to beat the champ to get a shot at the champ’s title, aren’t cool. You know what is cool, though? Tournaments for a world championship opportunity, which is exactly what is kicking off this week with the AEW World Title Eliminator Tournament.

The format couldn’t be simpler. It’s eight men vying for a chance to take on the AEW World Champion — which could be current holder Jon Moxley or MJF by then —at Winter is Coming in December. The first round matches are this week, one on Dynamite and three on Rampage, with the semifinals following next week ahead of the final, which will be part of the Full Gear card on Saturday, Nov 19.

None of the eight competitors have held the AEW World Championship, though several have had previous title shots. There are some of the usual suspects but some refreshing new faces as well.

Let’s break down the bracket ahead of the first round and see where we land.

First round: Eddie Kingston vs. Ethan Page

Eddie Kingston has a history with Moxley as both friend and foe, and another championship opportunity for him would likely be received warmly by AEW fans. Yet it feels like Ethan Page, who always felt like he was taking a backseat to partner Scorpio Sky in Men of the Year, may finally have found his footing in The Firm.

Is AEW ready to push Page harder? Giving him a win here only really makes sense if the company is committed to at least having him in the final. It’s hard to say for sure but it certainly might be his time.

Prediction: Page advances

First round: Bandido vs. Rush

This is a nice showcase for both men, put particularly Bandido since he is going to be sticking around as an AEW regular. He is a fantastic talent who should only get more love from the fans as they are exposed to more of his work.

Rush is great too, but has been on TV a fair amount over the past few months. A win for him is logical if Kingston wins the other quarterfinal on this side of the bracket, but since we’re rolling with Page, we’ll go with the face here.

Prediction: Bandido advances

First round: Lance Archer vs. Ricky Starks

Though Lance Archer hasn’t consistently been on AEW TV for a while, the company always treats him like a big deal when he’s around. Thus, his inclusion in the tournament is fine even though he’s barely been on Dynamite or Rampage for months.

So he’s moving on for sure, right? Not so fast. AEW just had Ricky Starks cut a promo last week touting his entrance in the tourney and positioning him for bigger things. Like Page, Starks is a very talented performer who simply hasn’t been given the push to prove it. It would be disappointing if AEW went to the effort to highlight that just to have him lose in the first round, whereas a victory over Archer would be huge for Starks.

Prediction: Starks advances

First round: Brian Cage vs. Dante Martin

This feels like the clearest first round match of the four. Brian Cage has recently been back on TV quite a bit, albeit on the ROH side as part of The Embassy. Dante Martin is the perennial “look great in a losing effort” guy and that would apply here once again.

The x-factor would be if Cage’s Embassy beef with Samoa Joe and Wardlow spills over into this bout, which could definitely happen. Otherwise, Cage should move forward.

Prediction: Cage advances

Semifinals

Page vs. Bandido wouldn’t really be a battle of contrasting styles as much as a showdown between two wrestlers who can do a little bit of everything. We haven’t even mentioned The Firm giving Page the edge, but it’s not hard to picture the faction lending the hand he’d need to overcome Bandido, who doesn’t have obvious friends to come to his aid since he’s still new to AEW. That could be the difference.

On the other side of the bracket, Starks and Cage have history as former Team Taz members who eventually had a falling out. Things are different now since Cage was (sort of) the fan favorite when he left the group and Starks is now in that position. Cage also has a team backing him whereas Starks doesn’t, but maybe this is where Joe and Wardlow show up to counter The Embassy. Either way, Starks making the final would be great for him.

Prediction: Page, Starks advance

Final

If it is indeed Page and Starks in the final, it could be a bellwether for what goes down in Full Gear’s main event. A Page victory makes more sense if it’s Moxley who retains, seeing as it would make for a more classic heel vs. face title match at Winter is Coming.

That said, MJF has been showing face tendencies of his own, and while it’s possible he’s simply going to show his true colors after he dethrones Mox — in which case having Starks win this tournament would be the way to go, particularly since Max and Ricky would be a really fun battle of dueling promos for a few weeks — it’s just as likely AEW wants him to keep leaning into that for a bit longer.

As well, MJF has had a falling out with The Firm that could carry over for another month if he wins the AEW World Championship and Page emerges here. For that reason, Page going all the way is the outcome we’ve talked ourselves into.

Prediction: Page wins the tournament