Tag: The Butcher

AEW Rampage results 03/29/24: Matt Menard seeks his first title match

A look at the results from the March 29 episode of AEW Rampage.

The latest stop on AEW’s Canada tour takes Tony Khan’s crew to Quebec City for Rampage. With shows on the schedule already featuring a heavy north-of-the-border flavor, the March 29 episode will prove no different, with local favorite “Daddy Magic” Matt Menard in action. The part-time AEW commentator faces Roderick Strong in an AEW International Championship match to earn his first-ever AEW title bout.

While this isn’t AEW’s strongest Rampage card, it still has veterans such as Dustin Rhodes and The Butcher competing. Rising star Mariah May receives another opportunity to showcase her in-ring prowess, as well.

Let’s see what this hour of action has in store.

AEW Rampage results from Quebec City:

  • Dustin Rhodes def. The Butcher by pinfall
  • Jay White and Austin and Colten Gunn show up at Daddy Ass’ house for dinner, and while they search for him and The Acclaimed, they destroy the house; White says if The Acclaimed want the version of Jay White who dominated the pro wrestling world, it’s who they will receive; Daddy Ass arrives while his sons and White are there, however, chasing them away
  • Deonna Purrazzo def. Rose by submission; it was easily Purrazzo’s most aggressive performance since joining AEW
  • A video package teases Bryan Danielson vs. Will Ospreay at AEW Dynasty
  • Toni Storm joins Mariah May in the ring and says she can’t compete due to a hamstring injury, so May will take her place against Nikita
  • Mariah May def. Nikita by pinfall
  • Zak Knight says in an interview backstage that he’s in Angelo Parker’s head; Parker attacks Knight by surprise and makes Saraya’s brother flee; Ruby Soho kisses Parker but walks away after accusing him of going back on his word looking for a fight
  • A promo package from The Righteous teases their match with Lance Archer against Katsuyori Shibata and the BCC for the Saturday, Mar. 30 episode of Collision
  • Roderick Strong def. “Daddy Magic” Matt Menard by pinfall in an AEW International Championship Elimination match; Orange Cassidy and Trent Beretta save Menard from a post-match attack at the hands of Matt Taven and Mike Bennett; The Young Bucks intervene at the end of the brawl, hitting low blows and EVP Triggers on Cassidy and Beretta to close the show

AEW Dynamite results 03/27/24: Swerve stomps his way to No. 1 contender status

Also on AEW Dynamite, Willow Nightingale earned a TBS Championship shot at Dynasty.

Though he’s not the only big name recent addition to the roster, it’s hard not to get swept up in the pure enthusiasm that Will Ospreay has brought with him to AEW. In the ring? Of course, that’s a given, and we should see it again tonight in Quebec City when he takes on Konosuke Takeshita.

It’s more than that, though. Ospreay was rarely a straightforward babyface during his time in New Japan, but he’s embraced that role wholeheartedly since he made the jump. He speaks about AEW as an ideal in a way that we have rarely heard (though stalwarts like Jon Moxley and Britt Baker have expressed similar feelings through the years), and in a manner that makes you want to buy whatever he’s selling.

And that’s great. Having two strong national wrestling promotions in the U.S. is a boon for the talent and for fans. Yet it’s even better when someone like Ospreay is where he truly wants to be, not just because one company paid him more or the like.

It’s no doubt easier for Ospreay to feel this pumped since he already has a juicy match set for AEW Dynasty next month. In fact, Ospreay vs. Bryan Danielson is the only match finalized for that event so far, which makes one wonder if we might see more movement on that end tonight on Dynamite.

Certainly, the four-way women’s match slated for tonight will do that, as the winner gets a TBS Championship shot. Two tag team matches are part of a tournament for the vacant titles at Dynasty as well, though the winners won’t be able to say “meet me in St. Louis” just yet since these are only the quarterfinals.

Anyway, we’re ready to recap all the action, so let’s light the fuse (RIP original Dynamite theme).

AEW Dynamite results from Quebec City:

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

  • Will Ospreay def. Katsuyori Shibata by pinfall
  • A hype video is shown for Bryan Danielson, narrated by Excalibur

  • Matthew and Nicholas Jackson don’t like Renee Paquette’s “ambush journalism,” but they talk about their biggest goal, which is getting their AEW Tag Team Championship belts back

  • Kazuchika Okada pulls up in an expensive sports car, as one does if one is the Rainmaker
  • Young Bucks def. Private Party by pinfall in an AEW World Tag Team Championship Tournament Quarterfinal; the finish was a little strange and both teams attempted to cheat to win
  • Don Callis appears to talk up Konosuke Takeshita, who is facing Swerve Strickland in tonight’s main event
  • Mercedes Moné rolls up, ready to do guest commentary
  • Darby Allin and Tony Hawk talk about the charity he was going to climb Mount Everest to support, The Skatepark Project
  • Paquette gets Chris Jericho and Hook together, and it sounds like Jericho is offering to mentor or manage him, though Hook is understandably a little wary
  • Willow Nightingale def. Anna Jay, Kris Statlander and Skye Blue in a 4-Way match for a TBS Championship shot; Julia Hart attacks Willow from behind after the bell but backs off when Mercedes gets up from the announce table
  • Dustin Rhodes says nothing’s different even at age 55, and he’s as passionate as ever; The Butcher shows up and challenges him to a Bunkhouse Brawl on Rampage

  • Ben Mankiewicz appears with “Timeless” Toni Storm and ends up completely befuddled by her catchphrases

  • Best Friends def. Undisputed Kingdom by pinfall in an AEW World Tag Team Championship Tournament Quarterfinal, as Chuck Taylor was able to neutralize Roderick Strong’s attempt to interfere; the Bucks make a brief appearance afterward to stare down Best Friends
  • Kyle O’Reilly talks to Paquette about getting a win under his belt to kick off his comeback, and he says he’s going to go it alone again on Collision to keep proving he doesn’t need Undisputed Kingdom backing him
  • An Adam Copeland video goes back through his TNT Championship victory, which he will defend for the first time Saturday on Collision
  • Swerve Strickland def. Konosuke Takeshita by pinfall in a No. 1 Contenders Match
  • Samoa Joe appears briefly with Paquette to menacingly say Swerve is not the man he thinks he is, and he’ll prove it next week

Will Ospreay gets a fun victory over Katsuyori Shibata

Courtesy of NJPW, we see footage from these two gents wrestling each other seven years ago. Ospreay looks like he’s a teenager, and Shibata was victorious on that night.

The question about this matchup was whether Ospreay would wrestle something more akin to Shibata’s style and pace, and he does … for a bit. He eventually takes to the air, however, and takes the bigger of the bumps when Shibata nails him with a big boot from the apron to the floor.

Oh, and he gets suplexed and kicked on the floor too.

Shibata gets to show off his striking game as well, plus they trade submissions. Yes, Ospreay can do those as well as the fancier stuff.

Ospreay has to fight out of several submission holds, and he eventually hits an Oscutter. Both men escape some close calls before Ospreay hits the Hidden Blade, but it’s still not enough to end it.

You know what is? A Tiger Driver followed by a second Hidden Blade. Good stuff.

Willow Nightingale earns a TBS Championship opportunity

Mercedes Moné is on guest commentary for this, and there’s plenty of intrigue involved. Skye would be going up against her own friend, Julia Hart, if she wins, and Willow and Stat are tag team partners most of the time.

There’s an awesome sequence after the commercial break with a Code Blue by Skye, people getting dropped onto each other, and more. Willow and Stat finally end up facing each other, but Skye barges in and they join forces against her (though also get knocked together).

Willow DVDs Skye on the apron, leading to amazing reactions from both Mercedes and Stokely. Eventually, Nightingale ends up isolated with Anna Jay, hitting a pumphandle sitout powerbomb that wins it.

Right after the bell, Julia Hart attacks Nightingale from behind, which gets Mercedes up from her seat … but only for a staredown.

Swerve Strickland stomps his way past Konosuke Takeshita to become No. 1 contender to Samoa Joe

Strickland offers a handshake, which Takeshita accepts but turns into the beginning of the grappling. Swerve has the upper hand early on, controlling the action and the pace.

Does he hit the Griddy? Yes, yes he does.

Takeshita fires himself up by hitting a sheer drop brainbuster, which actually is a good motivator. Or I’d imagine, I’ve never hit one.

It’s also fair to wonder if there’s an overrun tonight as we head toward six minutes left in the show. Strickland hits his somersault to the apron into a hurricanrana, which is wild.

Swerve is selling the heck out of his neck/shoulder region. Takeshita finds him with a tope con hilo on the floor, also outstanding.

Strickland fires back with a nasty DDT out of the corner and a corkscrew senton, earning both a near fall and a “this is awesome” chant from the Quebec City crowd.

Takeshita pulls off a nasty poison rana and a Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall. We’re going past 10 p.m. and into “what will it take to win this” territory.

Maybe a Swerve Stomp on the apron? That sets off a series of counters and reversals, plus a nasty knee strike that gets Takeshita a two count.

Another Swerve Stomp after a House Call? No, but a standing Swerve Stomp and a JML Driver finally do it. Hot damn.

AEW Dynamite results 03/20/24: Copeland has grit, friends to make Cage quit

Toronto also saw Kazuchika Okada win gold on AEW Dynamite.

When two former friends from Ontario want to settle their massive, ongoing beef, maybe the only real way to do it is in an I Quit match in Toronto. Wouldn’t you know it, that’s exactly what awaits tonight on AEW Dynamite.

Adam Copeland and Christian Cage have clashed over the TNT Championship before, with Cage emerging victorious thanks to the aid of The Patriarchy. He dismissively sent Copeland to the back of the line, figuring that would be the end of it.

Copeland brushed himself off and jumped into the idea of working his way back to title contention with gusto thanks to his series of “Cope Open” matches. They didn’t really go on as long as he and AEW would have us believe, but it’s a fine narrative regardless.

If you didn’t think we were always headed back here, you must be relatively new to pro wrestling (so welcome!). An I Quit match in front of what is a hometown crowd for both men should be excellent.

It’s not the only title match on Dynamite tonight either. Eddie Kingston actually has several titles that confusingly are sometimes referred to as one. Only one of those three, the still fairly new Continental Championship, is at stake when Kingston faces Kazuchika Okada.

A villainous Rainmaker took some getting used to but seems like a stroke of genius for AEW. Will Okada break through this early in his time in the U.S.? We’ll find out tonight.

AEW Dynamite results from Toronto:

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

  • Mercedes Moné is here, as is Willow Nightingale, but are they united even against Julia Hart and Skye Blue?
  • Matthew and Nicholas Jackson want Alex Marvez to talk Japanese to Kazuchika Okada, or to learn how by next week, but the Rainmaker knows enough English to tell Eddie Kingston he’s coming for the title
  • Kazuchika Okada def. Eddie Kingston by pinfall to become the new AEW Continental Champion, however …
  • … after his victory, Okada sees Pac come out to the stage, insinuating he’ll be going after the Continental title
  • Renee Paquette speaks with Swerve Strickland, who accuses Samoa Joe of running and ducking him but is in the mood to issue an open challenge for a fight tonight
  • Paquette next speaks with Nightingale and Statlander about their Street Fight on Rampage, with Willow noting that she’s completely different in that environment; Moné stops by and exchanges thanks with Statlander but freezes out Nightingale (and Stokely Hathaway for that matter)
  • Hook def. Chris Jericho by pinfall
  • Adam Cole talks about how disappointed he is in Wardlow, so now the big man’s job is to protect the gold Undisputed Kingdom has, framing it as wanting what’s best for Wardlow
  • Paquette grabs a minute with Jericho backstage, and he says Hook lived up to what he expected from the “future world champion”; next week, Jericho says he has a proposition for Hook
  • Tony Schiavone calls Will Ospreay to the ring, and the Aerial Assassin says he’s changed and is now here for the betterment of AEW but needs some maple syrup from Canada in return; he also addresses Bryan Danielson claiming he couldn’t walk in Bryan’s shoes and tells Katsuyori Shibata he wants to face him next week
  • A hype video is shown for the Adam Copeland-Christian Cage I Quit match later tonight
  • Deonna Purrazzo and Thunder Rosa def. “Timeless” Toni Storm and Mariah May by pinfall
  • Swerve Strickland def. The Butcher by submission, then cuts a promo on Samoa Joe which is answered in the flesh by the AEW World Champion, and then by Don Callis, which apparently sets up a match between Swerve and Konosuke Takeshita
  • Adam Copeland def. Christian Cage in an I Quit match to become the new AEW TNT Champion

Mercedes Moné still has business with Willow Nightingale, which only gets more complicated

Please say hello to your new CEO. Mercedes says she’s still on a high from her debut in AEW last week, and goes on to talk about her near-career-ending injury 10 months ago when she was facing Willow Nightingale.

Cognizant that some people might not know exactly who she is, Mercedes shows a video package to fill them in. No, there are no Sasha Banks highlights in it.

She’s not here to lead a women’s evolution, as she’s done that before. Mercedes says she wants to lead a global revolution, facing the best women all over the world.

For now, it seems she wants to focus on Nightingale, but the lights go out when she does her mic drop, then come back up to find Julia Hart standing on the ramp. Skye Blue attempts an attack from behind, but both heels are easily repulsed.

Hart and Blue go under the ring for chairs but are neutralized by the arrival of Nightingale and Kris Statlander, both carrying chairs of their own. The lights go out and back on again, and it appears Willow was considering hitting Mercedes, which of course ticks off the CEO as she leaves.

Kazuchika Okada makes it rain gold against Eddie Kingston

Kingston has been talking about how Okada has never faced anyone like him, but an argument can be made that he’s as rooted in Strong Style as any current non-Japanese wrestler, so perhaps that’s not 100% true.

It’s also fun to see how some of Okada’s trademark mannerisms and bits still work even now that he’s a heel. We also see Matthew and Nicholas Jackson in the back, working as producers for the match as they promised Okada they would.

OK it’s not all business as usual with Okada as he’s a lot cockier than normal, but he’s bumping like the top level pro he is as Kingston hurls him around with suplexes. Eddie is getting plenty of support from the fans but there are some chants for the challenger as well.

Signature Okada dropkick? Check. But Kingston is able to nail the spinning back fist not long after for a near fall.

A running clotheslines has Eddie pulling down his straps, but Okada is able to gouge the champ’s eyes after a quick ref distraction. A spinning powerslam leads to a Rainmaker, and Okada is golden in AEW already.

Deonna Purrazzo, Thunder Rosa get one over on Toni Storm, Mariah May even though they aren’t completely aligned

The framing here is about how Storm and May are a proven team while Purrazzo and Rosa may not be on the exact same page. It’s not a problem in the opening minutes, and Rosa looks good in one of the longest matches we’ve seen from her on TV since she returned from her long injury layoff.

Ah, but things change when the Virtuosa has things rolling against May and Rosa tags herself in. That proves to be a tactical error as she eats a hip attack from the champ, but Thunder reverses a piledriver and gets the victory out of nowhere.

It doesn’t look like Deonna is 100% happy with things after the match, however.

Adam Copeland gets help to overcome The Patriarchy and makes Christian Cage quit

The fans enthusiastically sing along with Copeland’s theme a cappella even after the music stops, but the mood changes quickly when Cage makes his ring walk. There’s also a “holy s–t” chant that rings out in the early going.

It doesn’t take long for the two Canadians to fight into the crowd, where Cage dons a Bruins sweater and Copeland wears a Leafs sweater for an additional hometown pop. During picture-in-picture action, they battle out onto the concourse and then back toward the ring.

The crowd starts a “TLC” chant as a ladder comes into play, and both men are hurt when Copeland pulls Cage backward onto the steel. That gets a “this is awesome” chant going as well.

Now Copeland gets out a table, leaning it against the barricade. Cage leapfrogs a Spear and sends Copeland into the ringpost after a quick poke to the eyes.

Copeland ends up getting driven through the table when Cage jumps off the top rope, and he’s busted open as a result. They head back into the ring, where Cage catapults Copeland into a ladder laid across the ropes. The ref asks Copeland for a response but he’s not ready to quit.

Cage’s frog splash finds no one home, and Copeland grabs him in a crossface. The champ also isn’t quitting and gouges the challenger’s eyes to free himself.

During more picture-in-picture, Cage looks like he’s trying to walk out on the match, but Copeland catches up with him and catapults Cage off the stage. The champ also briefly gets thrown into a hockey net, as one does.

While they fight back toward the ring, Mama Wayne runs up and uses a hockey stick to hit a low blow on Copeland from behind. Cage breaks the stick over Copeland’s back and they head back inside the squared circle.

Cage unloads with the blade half of the stick and flexes to a chorus of boos. He jams the stick into Copeland’s throat, and the ref asks him several times if he’ll quit and still gets a quiet no.

Looking under the ring again, Cage slides several chairs into the ring. He produces one with barbed wire around it too, looking for a devastating Con-chair-to. Copeland rolls away at the last second and now he has the barbed wire chair, but Cage kicks it away.

Copeland runs Cage over with the hockey stick and tries choking him out, then takes the drawstring out of his tights to choke the champ. Nick Wayne and Killswitch pick that moment to jump in again, and they invite Mana Wayne to slap him.

Daddy Magic and Daniel Garcia run down to attack The Patriarchy, and Killswitch takes a DDT on the barbed wire chair. They also send Wayne flying to the floor, and Copeland climbs a ladder and dives to the floor onto both of them.

Garcia produces handcuffs, and the faces end up cuffing both Wayne and Killswitch to opposite corners. Mama Wayne sees more handcuffs and decides to make a run for it.

Cage is now left three on one, which makes things look grim for him. He’s handcuffed to another corner, where Copeland kicks him in the junk repeatedly.

Copeland gets in one shot from Spike, his nail-studded 2×4, and threatens another to finally make Copeland say “I Quit.”

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 Rampage results 01/05/24: Wheeler Yuta keeps it Pure

More developments in the ongoing Kris Statlander-Stokely Hathaway saga also unfolded on AEW Rampage.

While some people question the need for ROH when it is a sub-brand of AEW these days, here’s an even more pertinent question for tonight’s episode of AEW Rampage: Does there need to be a ROH Pure Championship?

We say yes. There’s something cool about a title having its own specific set of rules in a day and age when there are so many championships overall with very little to distinguish between them in many cases.

It’s even good when a heel has it, like Wheeler Yuta does right now, because we get to see how rulebreakers operate within the confine of, well, rules.

Just something to think about while we dive into this AEW Rampage.

AEW Rampage results:

  • Mark Briscoe and The Hardys def. The Butcher, The Blade and Kip Sabian by pinfall
  • Renee Paquette asks Sammy Guevara about his singles match against Ricky Starks, who he praises as a great talent but says he isn’t better than the best, while Chris Jericho promises to make Uncle Joe cry if Big Bill interferes
  • Paquette speaks with Anna Jay ahead of her match against Hikaru Shida, and Anna says it’s time for this to be her year and that she needs to do this for herself; Harley Cameron stops by to say he wants to help everyone there, including Daddy Magic, Cool Hand Ang and Jake Hager, and she seems to say something suggestive to Coll Hand Ang
  • Stokely Hathaway does the ring intros for the next match, not sus at all, especially since she praises Kris Statlander and disses Willow Nightingale
  • Kris Statlander and Willow Nightingale def. Kennedi Hardcastle and Notorious Mimi
  • Private Party walks in on The Hardys’ convo with Paquette, which turns into something of a sarcastic show of respect
  • Hikaru Shida def. Anna Jay by pinfall
  • Sonjay Dutt gives a pep talk to Jay Lethal and Jeff Jarrett, but there’s a bit of dissension in the room (also Karen Jarrett hilariously points out that she’s been there for a while and the team has no name); Dutt and Karen end up having to play peacemaker when tempers flare
  • A Christian Cage highlight video (if you can call it that) is aired
  • Wheeler Yuta def. Komander by pinfall to retain the ROH Pure Championship

AEW Rampage results: Jade Cargill falls to Kris Statlander in possible AEW farewell

Get full AEW Rampage results for the Sept. 15, 2023 episode, with Kris Statlander defending the TBS Championship against Jade Cargill.

Is it already time to say goodbye to Jade Cargill after we just welcomed her back? That seems to be a real possibility and one that is very much hanging over tonight’s episode of AEW Rampage.

This week, a Fightful Select report suggested that Cargill is likely done with AEW and potentially on her way to WWE. It’s a pairing that makes a lot of sense, but the timing and potential impact of it is a bit surprising, to say the least.

That means that Cargill will most likely end her time with two consecutive losses, albeit months apart, after going undefeated for so long. That’s going to be strange indeed, but here’s hoping for all the best for her whether she’s headed to the other company or not.

Now, on with the show.

AEW Rampage results:

  • Lucha Bros. and The Hardys def. Jay Lethal, Jeff Jarrett, The Butcher and The Blade by pinfall, though Satnam Singh lays out The Hardys afterward and The Righteous is lurking too
  • Britt Baker tells Renee Paquette that nothing has gone to plan the last two months, but she promises to make history by holding both women’s titles at once … and that tonight’s TBS Championship winner will face her in the main event Saturday night at Collision

  • Johnny TV assures the QTV that QT Marshall is coming back, and we can’t believe we’re saying this but it would be much better if he did
  • The Kingdom def. Christopher Daniels and Matt Sydal by pinfall; afterward, Matt Taven says they need to rush back to the hospital to check on Roderick Strong and that they blame Adam Cole for what happened to Roddy, while Mike Bennett says we should give anyone who doesn’t believe in neck health a piledriver
  • The Mogul Embassy is upset with the Young Bucks, so Swerve Strickland proposes Gates of Agony and Brian Cage vs. The Hung Bucks at Grand Slam

  • The Acclaimed and Daddy Ass def. Peter Avalon and The Outrunners by pinfall …
  • … but get challenged by the Dark Order, and after a futile game of rock-paper-scissors that comes up all scissors every time, Anthony Bowens says he’ll face any of them on Collision, and if the Dark Order rep wins, they can have a title shot
  • Aussie Open def. Damian Chambers and Lord Crewe by pinfall in a very short squash match
  • Kris Statlander def. Jade Cargill by pinfall to retain the AEW TBS Championship; afterward, Cargill shows Statlander a nice show of respect

AEW Dynamite results 07/05/23: ‘Can they coexist?’ gets a workout

Edmonton is also set to welcome Kenny Omega in singles action against Wheeler Yuta on AEW Dynamite.

If you think WWE is the promotion that made “Can they coexist?” into its own trope, AEW is about to say “hold my Canadian beer” tonight for Dynamite in Edmonton.

Odd couples are the name of the game for this show, including the first match with the pairing of MJF and Adam Cole. You may recall that not long ago, Cole came within a whisker of defeating MJF and earning a shot at his world title. He probably isn’t thrilled about this partnership, but MJF seems pretty enthused about it — likely because he thinks he can keep Cole from coming after his beloved BBB. We’ll see if they win despite themselves tonight.

Another match in the Blind Eliminator Tag Team Tournament will see an actual former tag team reunited. Alas, the days of Swerve in Our Glory are long past, and since Keith Lee and Swerve Strickland weren’t always on the same page even in the best of times, heaven only knows if they’ll be able to make it five minutes into their matchup with Darby Allin and Orange Cassidy without trying to destroy each other.

Then we’ve also got matches of the more traditional variety, meaning the combatants just flat out can’t stand each other. That goes for Kenny Omega vs. Wheeler Yuta, an offshoot of the feud between The Elite and Blackpool Combat Club that is headed toward Blood and Guts, as well as the Women’s Owen Hart Cup Tournament bout between Britt Baker and Ruby Soho.

But you know who can coexist? You, dear reader, and your friends here at Wrestling Junkie. We’re ready to serve up the latest AEW Dynamite results fresh out the oven, so let’s get to it.

AEW Dynamite results from Edmonton:

Renee Paquette lets Darby Allin give Keith Lee a pep talk before they meet in the ring. Interesting motivational ploy. Lee’s response? “Ballsy. Stupid. But ballsy.”

Orange Cassidy and Darby Allin def. Keith Lee and Swerve Strickland by pinfall in a Blind Eliminator Tag Team Tournament match

Lee doesn’t even acknowledge Swerve as he walks down the ramp to get this started. The announcers sell the idea that Cassidy’s Orange Punch is losing some of its steam as he gets worn down from defending his championship every week, and indeed, Lee eats two without even leaving his feet.

In an “only Darby” bit, Allin ends up trapped under the steel steps. Swerve ends up hitting a 450 splash on his own partner while trying to break up a pin, then kicks him in the head by accident as well. Allin and Cassidy end up prevailing, then fist bump Lee afterward.

Allin narrates a video about the arrival of Nick Wayne in AEW. And it’s “to be continued” so there’s more to come.

Jack Perry pulls up and tells Tony Schiavone he’s going to demand an FTW Championship match. But when Hook runs up and tries to get a piece of him right there. Perry jumps back in his SUV and has the driver speed him out of there.

MJF and Adam Cole are shown working out together and bond over mocking Schiavone, and MJF seems stunned by how strong Cole is.

The Acclaimed and Daddy Ass def. The Blade and Bollywood Boys by pinfall

Max Caster gets in both Canadian wildfire and Justin Trudeau’s blackface incident punchlines during his entrance rap, for those of you who track such things. Despite the best efforts of Skinny Goldberg, a.k.a. The Blade, The Acclaimed win with a Caster Mic Drop.

Afterward, the winners are interrupted on the big screen by Harley Cameron. She claims she made a video and will drop it on The Acclaimed next week. She also appears to still be after Anthony Bowens, but Daddy Ass says he has two words for her, and you know what they are.

Jon Moxley says he wishes Eddie Kingston would embrace what’s next and help train up the next generation, but he knows that’s not reality. He also tells Eddie to answer his phone.

Matt Hardy watches as RJ City draws his tag team partner, and it’s Jeff … Jarrett.

Wheeler Yuta cuts a promo promising to end Kenny Omega tonight.

Chris Jericho comes to the ring and says it’s time for him to reevaluate things and make some changes. And what better place for that than Alberta, where he started his wrestling career?

Hearing this talk, Don Callis arrives to plenty of boos and says he can help Jericho make a change. Callis calls Jericho his best friend and that he’s there to ask if Chris will join the Don Callis Family.

Jericho almost seems offended by that, but then says “maybe” before leaving the ring.

Paquette gets a medical update on Roderick Strong, who gets a quick visit from Cole ahead of his tag team match with MJF.

MJF and Adam Cole def. Matt Menard and The Butcher by pinfall in a Blind Eliminator Tag Team Tournament match

Pretty sure Taz called the team of Daddy Magic and The Butcher “Magic Meat,” which, if so, well played. MJF peer pressures Cole into lending a hand with an abdominal stretch, some rulebreaking he clearly doesn’t want to do.

Cole is able to get the pin for his team in the end, but that’s not the end of the segment …

… because MJF grabs the mic afterward to put over Cole and asks the fans if they want to see another hangout session this weekend. The champ seems psyched when Cole accepts, then wishes Cole happy birthday, leading a cheer complete with streamers.

Alas, after MJF brings out a cake and leads the birthday song (remember he actually can sing!), Cole smashes his face into it. But Adam does thank him, sounding sincere, for doing all of this.

Paquette catches up with Britt Baker, who says Ruby Soho lied to people when she said she took everything from Britt. Now, Baker says she plans on winning the Owen Hart Cup tourney again, starting by beating Ruby.

Jericho is confronted by Daniel Garcia and Sammy Guevara, but tells them “you can’t be with me forever, think about that.”

Ruby Soho def. Britt Baker by pinfall in a Women’s Owen Hart Cup Tournament first round match

The other Outcasts are on hand, naturally, providing just enough of a distraction to allow Ruby to get the upper hand. Once they get down to brass tacks, there’s a pretty damn good match going on.

But of course the Outcasts spoil that, cheating to hit a belt shot and set up the No Future. Baker kicks out of that, but the cheating continues and helps Ruby get the pin and advance.

Skye Blue, who Soho will meet in the next round of the tourney, comes out for a brief staredown.

Kenny Omega def. Wheeler Yuta by pinfall

The announcers point out that Omega is coming off consecutive singles losses for the first time in his AEW career. Kind of reinforces the idea that he’s not losing here, but we shall see.

Omega sells some of the damage he suffered during his Forbidden Door bout against Will Ospreay, leaving Yuta very confident as he goes about his attacks.

Let’s be real, though: It’s still Kenny, even at less than 100%. He’s still able to run through most of his trademark offense, though he can’t get the One-Winged Angel off on the first try and has to scramble to kick out after Yuta pulls the seat belt pin on him again.

Callis comes down the ramp and is chases back up the ramp by security, but that gives Konosuke Takeshita a chance to sneak in from the other side of the ring for a Blue Thunder Bomb. Yuta hits a splash and covers, but Omega kicks out.

As Yuta goes up top, Omega uses that as leverage to hoist him for a One-Winged Angel that ends it.

Right after the bell, Takeshita and Claudio Castagnoli invade the ring, but the Young Bucks and Hangman Adam Page arrive with chairs. As the show fades out, however, after overrunning the time slot by a few minutes, the Dark Order is seen taking the chair away from Hangman.

AEW Dynamite live results: The battle for Takeshita’s soul turns bloody

Plus there’s two title matches and an appearance by Tony Khan.

It’s time to find MJF a top contender once and for all tonight on AEW Dynamite from Sunrise, Fla.

You may recall that the AEW World Champion has been called one of the Four Pillars of the company, and that the other three all made it clear they’d like a shot at his title. MJF skillfully played them off against each other, even aiding Sammy Guevara in defeating “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry.

But now Guevara is just a victory over Darby Allin away from getting that title shot himself. Is having Sammy win part of MJF’s plan too, or does he have another trick up his sleeve?

There are also two title matches on the AEW Dynamite card tonight. Jade Cargill will put both her TBS Championship and her undefeated record on the line against Taya Valkyrie, possibly her most powerful opponent to date. And since it’s another week, it must mean another Orange Cassidy title defense, this time against Bandido.

Also, as you may have heard Tony Khan will be appearing on this week’s episode as well. Is he about to confirm to the world that we’ll all be watching two more hours of AEW action every week on Saturday night? Or is this particular announcement about something else?

There’s only one way to find out, and that’s to tune in tonight at 8 p.m. on TBS. Well, actually two ways, because you can also return to this post as we update it with AEW Dynamite live results as they happen from Sunrise.

AEW Dynamite results from Sunrise, Fla.:

(click on any match with a link for more details)

  • Orange Cassidy def. Bandido by pinfall to retain the AEW International Championship; after the match, the two men share signs of respect, including Cassidy putting his sunglasses on Bandido
  • Adam Cole tells Renee Paquette he’s going to call out Chris Jericho … and if Jericho doesn’t come out, Cole will go find him; Cassidy and Bandido are told what’s going on and say “oh”
  • Darby Allin tries to squash things with Jack Perry, but they seem too competitive with each other to be sure that Perry will prevent any hijinks in Allin’s match tonight
  • Jeff Jarrett def. Dax Harwood by pinfall … by cheating, of course, then poses with Harwood’s tag team title bout
  • Tony Khan announces the Owen Hart Foundation tournaments are back again this year, and will include matches at Forbidden Door with the finals in Calgary this summer
  • Wardlow def. a jobber by pinfall in a quick squash match, and has another staredown with Luchasaurus
  • MJF and Sammy Guevara sure seem to still be on the same page as they vow that Sammy will defeat Darby, and they exchange gifts (vests and scarfs)
  • Poor RJ City gets laid out backstage by the Blackpool Combat Club
  • Sammy Guevara def. Darby Allin by DQ when MJF makes it seem like Darby used a skateboard to hit Sammy … but an announcement is made that Allin and Perry will team to face MJF and Guevara next week, and if the faces win, both of them are added to the title match at Double or Nothing
  • MJF and Guevara are furious, but Sammy gets left behind as MJF leaves the building
  • “Jericho, I know you can hear me you son of a bitch!” Cole swears he will beat Jericho within an inch of his life, but all he gets is The Ocho on the big screen sending the JAS to the ring … but Cassidy, Bandido and the debuting Roderick Strong help even the odds and clear the ring
  • QT Marshall tells the QTV crew they need to “go to Plan B” after a visit from an angry Powerhouse Hobbs
  • Jade Cargill def. Taya Valkyrie by pinfall to retain the AEW TBS Championship
  • Britt Baker and Jamie Hayter look somewhat the worse for wear but vow that even though The Outcasts declared war, the only way they’ll stop coming is if they are sent to the morgue
  • Ricky Starks and Shawn Spears exchange trash talk with Jay White and Juice Robinson ahead of their match on Rampage this Friday
  • Kenny Omega and Konosuke Takeshita def. The Butcher and The Blade by pinfall, but Bryan Danielson is with the announcers and distracts them for a full scale BCC assault … until the Young Bucks arrive, though Takeshita stops Omega from using a screwdriver on Jon Moxley and ends up having Mox use it on him

AEW Dynamite results: Adam Cole wins in his return, Kenny Omega has a Dragon problem

AEW Dynamite results for March 29 in St. Louis, with Adam Cole making his in-ring return against Daniel Garcia.

Yes, it’s the week of a certain really big show in another wrestling promotion, and thanks to Supercard of Honor, even AEW has its eyes partially on L.A. But AEW Dynamite has business elsewhere this week, and specifically in St. Louis.

If you’ve been watching AEW programming the last few weeks, this is a big night because it marks the long awaited in-ring return of Adam Cole. While his emotional battle to come back from concussions is playing out on “AEW: All Access,” the cool part is that we know the ending, and it’s a happy one. Alas, Daniel Garcia is poised to make it somewhat less joyful when they meet in the ring tonight.

Kenny Omega turned in a rare singles performance on Dynamite last week, introducing the wider wrestling world to the wonder that is El Hijo del Vikingo. Yet he’s going to be right back at it this week, defending his IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship against Jeff Cobb. The two have yet to meet one-on-one, so it should be a fun matchup.

And while Orange Cassidy would probably bristle at the idea of being called the hardest working man in AEW since it runs counter to his personal ethos, he really is since he puts the International Championship (and its predecessor) on the line weekly. He’s doing again in St. Louis, as The Butcher will look to take his gold away. No word on whether he gets the backpack to carry it around with him too.

AEW Dynamite results in 60 seconds:

  • “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry def. Matt Hardy by pinfall, but MJF joins him afterward and the two have plenty to say before briefly coming to blows
  • Don Callis asks Kenny Omega why he assumed Hangman Adam Page attacked Callis last week and says he’ll apologize to Hangman
  • The Jericho Appreciation Society wined and dined The Acclaimed to try to get them to join
  • Blackpool Combat Club def. Dalton Castle and The Boys by pinfall
  • A video package plays up the title match between Omega and Jeff Cobb later tonight
  • Page is approached by Callis and wonders if his apology is for real, but neither has time to resolve anything as the BCC comes by and lays them both out
  • Kenny Omega def. Jeff Cobb by pinfall to retain the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship, but …
  • … he gets attacked by the BCC afterward, including Bryan Danielson, who teases aiding him before joining his teammates in their assault
  • The Gunns tell FTR they are one of the best tag teams ever, but they’re no heroes to the champs, who don’t respect them, and vow to end their careers next week
  • Orange Cassidy def. The Butcher by pinfall to retain the AEW International Championship
  • Jade Cargill is still upset about Taya Valkyrie, and wants her team to handle things legally for stealing her move and all
  • Juice Robinson warns Action Andretti their meeting on Rampage will be a fight, not a match, one designed to deliver a message to Ricky Starks
  • Ruby Soho def. Willow Nightingale by pinfall, and Jamie Hayter leads a charge afterward to chase off The Outcasts before having a brief friendly staredown with Riho
  • Powerhouse Hobbs says the TNT Championship is never leaving his waist
  • Adam Cole def. Daniel Garcia by pinfall
  • Britt Baker joins Cole in the ring, and streamers rain down on the couple while the fans salute him; Chris Jericho comes to get Garcia but has a look of disdain for Cole

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

Jack Perry gets a big win, but MJF is unimpressed

Dueling chants for both men is definitely interesting. The announce crew frames this as an important bout for Perry against a bona fide legend. Facts.

Perry uses his speed to keep Hardy at bay early on, but Ethan Page steps in and keeps Jungle Boy from a follow-up dive to the floor. When he finally launches himself, Hardy is ready, countering with a Side Effect as Darby Allin is shown watching backstage.

He gets to see Perry take another Side Effect on the apron, which looks painful and leads to Hardy controlling the action during side-by-side commercials.

Perry is getting a lot better at selling specific damage, or so it seems to us. Page intervenes again, and Hardy tries to capitalize with a superplex that only gets two.

Who can even the odds? Hook, of course. Perry manages to counter a couple of Hardy’s signature moves, and a Flatliner sets up a running elbow to the back of the head to give Jack the pin.

No time to celebrate, however, as MJF makes his way to the ring. The champ disses the St. Louis fans and takes issue with Perry’s assertion that he had it easy in his climb to the top. He does give Jungle Boy credit for clawing his way up but thinks Jack should be upset with himself.

Say what? MJF says he thought a previous meeting with Perry showed him they would be rivals at the top level forever. He gave Jack some advice, which Perry remembers as needing to dump all his friends and stop being a nice guy. MJF says everyone he palled around with betrayed him, and Hook will do the same eventually.

Is MJF right? Well, he’s the champ and Perry is “still just Jungle Boy.” Perry said a long time ago he thought they might be friends, and in some ways, Jack wishes he could be like MJF … but it wasn’t him to not care about anyone but himself. If his road to the top is harder as a result, so be it.

MJF agrees maybe they could have been friends, but says Jack is a “massive disappointment” and is weak everywhere, including, he claims Anna Jay said, between the knees.

Naturally, Perry isn’t taking that, and he ends up laying out the champ with a lariat before Max scoots to safety to avoid a running elbow.

Dalton Castle and The Boys get ambushed, figuratively and literally, by Blackpool Combat Club

Castle and company learn the hard way you have to have eyes in the back of your head against BCC even when making your ring walk. A pre-bell assault has Dalton’s side in bad shape, with Claudio Castagnoli finishing one of The Boys in supremely quick fashion.

Then BCC hops the barrier and they leave through the crowd. Job done.

Kenny Omega puts drama aside to defeat Jeff Cobb, but the BCC isn’t done with him

Right before he comes through the curtain, Omega is informed by Tony Schiavone about the BCC attack on Don Callis and Hangman Page, but he tris to shake it off since he has a tough match and needs to focus. Schiavone notes as the bell rings that it could mean a distracted Kenny … or an angry one.

Omega gets in the first big move, landing his tope con hilo but also selling the impact on his already taped ribs. Kenny’s attempt to hoist his foe goes awry, and Cobb hits a running brainbuster to start his first big offensive sequence.

Just when it looks like distracted Omega is the one we’re seeing, he makes a strong rally that leads to a knee strike and a two count. A snapdragon suplex is answered by a huge Cobb lariat, bringing the fans to their feet.

They inevitably end up on the top rope together, where Cobb delivers a delayed vertical suplex from the middle turnbuckle. He’s slow to cover, but gets an even close near fall after a standing moonsault.

Cobb uses Omega’s own V-Trigger against him, then takes things a step too far by trying Kenny’s famous finisher. Omega reverses a Tour of the Islands into a knee, follows with a V-Trigger and uses the ropes to get Cobb up for the One-Winged Angel. He pulls it off and even walks around for a bit before dropping Cobb down for three.

The BCC comes to surround Omega after the bell, but they pause when Bryan Danielson arrives. He looks like he’s going to help Kenny fight off his teammates, but as soon as Omega turns his back, Danielson blasts him with a Busaiku Knee. All four men beat the crap out of Omega, and Danielson berates Kenny before leaving, saying he’s everything wrong with pro wrestling.

Orange Cassidy, Best Friends have to cut some corners to keep Freshly Squeezed the champ

The Blade gets himself ejected from ringside before the bell even rings, which isn’t too effective a way to help one’s partner. The Butcher’s strength is apparent as he gets in plenty of offense, but Cassidy has answers, including a diving DDT for a near fall.

Maybe we were wrong about Blade BTW, because he’s able to lend a hand when the referee isn’t looking, until the Best Friends arrive to neutralize him. Chuck Taylor hits Butcher with the crowbar that Blade had previously used on the champ, and Freshly Squeezed hits the Orange Punch to seal a win.

The announcers don’t let that heel tactic from Cassidy go without a mention, for what it’s worth.

Willow Nightingale learns fighting alone won’t work vs. Ruby Soho, but the champ arrives to chase The Outcasts away

Willow needs to keep here eyes on a swivel here with The Outcasts lurking. She isn’t as happy go lucky as usual and that’s bad early on for Soho, who is taking quite the beating, including repeated body slams.

Of course Soho is willing to bend the rules when the ref isn’t looking, and Ruby delights in causing some extended pain to Willow.

It’s … not really going much better after side-by-side commercials. But then it is, thanks to a big spinebuster that has Soho begging off. A huge Death Valley Driver is next, and Nightingale has a determined look on her face even after Soho kicks out.

Ruby responds by hitting No Future twice in a row, then looks surprised when Willow kicks out. Nightingale nearly wins it with a backslide and connects on a Pounce that smashes Soho halfway across the ring.

Willow wants a Doctor Bomb, but the other Outcasts intervene, and Soho steals a pin using the ropes for leverage. Toni Storm and Saraya quickly attack Willow once the bell rings, and they bring in a steel chair instead of the spray paint can.

Here come Riho and Skye Blue to the rescue. They aren’t faring very well, with Blue getting thrown to the floor. But one more person sprints tot he ring, and it’s the champ, Jamie Hayter. She clears the ring out and offers a hand to Riho, who will challenge her next week.

Adam Cole triumphs over Daniel Garcia in his return to wrestling

It’s hard to describe how great it is to see Cole back in the ring after nine months away. Fans are psyched to see him, as you’d expect, but Garcia is more than ready to match him hold for hold while simultaneously disrespecting Cole.

A piledriver sends Cole out to the floor, ushering in a full commercial break, sort of a bummer when there’s been split screen ads all night.

Cole has things going back in his favor when the broadcast returns, though he whiffs on an enzuigiri and falls victim to a German suplex. Cole is clutching his head, heightening some of the drama of his return.

The fans spur Cole to a superkick, and he covers for a two count. After missing the Boom, Cole gets hit with some elbows before countering into a pinning predicament. Cole goes for Panama Sunrise only to see Garcia counter it into a Dragon Tamer. Cole crawls and reaches the rope to break the hold.

Another piledriver gets Cole with his arms trapped, yet he’s able to kick out at two again. His second attempt at Panama Sunrise works, and he lowers the Boom with his exposed knee to win it.

Opening Bell: Last shows before WrestleMania, Adam Cole returns on Dynamite

Get set for the week in WWE and AEW with Opening Bell: quick previews of Raw, SmackDown, Dynamite and Rampage.

Welcome to the Opening Bell, where we round up what’s been announced for WWE (Raw and SmackDown) and AEW (Dynamite and Rampage) programming for the week we’ve just begun.

WWE Raw preview – Monday, March 27, Footprint Center, Phoenix

Hey, it’s the week of WrestleMania! We made it. Good job everyone. The question now is if Cody Rhodes will make it to the end of the week and his date with destiny.

See, not surprisingly, the Bloodline is making it as difficult as possible for him to arrive in Los Angeles in one piece. To that end, he has to face the group’s enforcer, Solo Sikoa, this week on Raw. He’s bravely told Sikoa he’s not ready for the top level of WWE, but we’ll see if he ends up eating those words — painfully — in Phoenix.

Another big match for WrestleMania, and we mean that literally, will see Brock Lesnar go toe to toe with Omos. To emphasize just how large they are, Raw will host a weigh-in for them, something generally seen in boxing and MMA but should provide some entertainment value in this context as well.

Here’s what else WWE is promising for the final Raw before the Show of Shows:

  • Miz TV will welcome Becky Lynch, Lita and Trish Stratus as guests
  • The team slated for the Fatal 4-Way WrestleMania Showcase tag team match will engage in an eight-man tag match, which works out perfectly since there are two fan favorite teams and two villainous duos … but will Otis tear himself away from his modeling career long enough to participate?

AEW Dynamite preview – Wednesday, March 29, Chaifetz Arena, St. Louis

That Kenny Omega. He put his body on the line last week in a bout that lived up to all the hype against El Hijo del Vikingo, and does he take a week off? Absolutely not.

Omega is right back in there this week on Dynamite, facing Jeff Cobb. The NJPW talent has never had a chance to fight Omega in a singles match, but he promised to come looking for Kenny this week, and AEW has made it easier for him to do so by booking them in a match instead of making him literally knock on Omega’s door.

Oh, and it’s for Omega’s IWGP United States Championship, a title we forgot he held.

But an even more exciting match is also scheduled for Dynamite, as Adam Cole (bay bay!) is making his long awaited return from injury. While Cole was ready to name his first opponent after months on the shelf last week, Daniel Garcia talked his way into the spot instead. We’ll see if that proves to be a mistake.

Dynamite has some other great stuff announced as well, including:

  • Orange Cassidy puts his AEW International Championship on the line yet again, this time against The Butcher
  • “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry goes up against Matt Hardy
  • Willow Nightingale will have to keep her head on a swivel for the rest of The Outcasts when she takes on Ruby Soho
  • The Blackpool Combat Club will be in trios action against Dalton Castle and The Boys

WWE SmackDown preview – Friday, March 31, Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles

This is the absolute last WWE show prior to WrestleMania, the “so close you can taste it” edition of SmackDown. While you can’t expect anything that will mess up the Showcase of the Immortals too much as a result, there’s still some interesting stuff planned.

For starters, Rhodes and Roman Reigns will have their final face-off. Is there anything left to be said, any small mental advantage one of them could still gain? We’ll find out Friday night.

That goes for the Intercontinental Championship situation as well. Drew McIntyre and Sheamus are both vying to win that title, and their friendship has unraveled because of it. Yet they’ll have to try to put their disagreements aside to battle Imperium, or else they risk Gunther having a leg up on both of them come WrestleMania.

Finally, the Andre the Giant Battle Royal has become a tradition for WrestleMania, but this time it will take place the night before the Showcase of the Immortals instead. See who ends up taking the big trophy this year on SmackDown.

AEW Rampage preview – Friday, March 31, Chaifetz Arena, St. Louis (recorded on March 29)

You might have heard there’s a lot of wrestling going on this week, much of it in Los Angeles. As a result, there’s every chance Rampage will get swallowed up in everything else going on. But nevertheless, it will air this week in its regular time, in contrast to the last two weeks.

As usual, AEW social channels and Dynamite should let us know what to expect before Friday night rolls around.