Jack Perry returned to AEW last night at Dynasty after being exiled for the past eight months following his involvement in the All In brawl with CM Punk.
Perry made his presence felt during The Young Bucks vs FTR ladder match for the vacant AEW Tag Team titles and helped the EVPs win the titles for the third time.
As Dax Harwood was inches away from winning the match for his team, Perry, in a mask and hood, jumped the ring and pushed him off the ladder. Security quickly entered the ring and unmasked him.
The interference led to Nicholas Jackson to run up the ladder and grab the titles to secure the victory.
The titles were vacated last month after Sting and Darby Allin defeated The Young Bucks in the main event of Revolution, a match which also served as Sting’s retirement.
A tournament kicked off to determine the two finalists, with The Young Bucks eliminating Private Party and Best Friends to advance while FTR defeated The Infantry and Top Flight.
The natural herb Kratom, first found in Southeast Asia, has become a trendy one in the last few years owing to many reasons, such as its diversity and range of health benefits. Every breed of kratom has a different pattern of characteristics and production of effects.
The kratom strain guide serves to emphasize the key differences and appropriate usage for the different kratom strains through a detailed exploration of the different kratom varieties.
Whether you consider yourself a beginner-level user or a regular enthusiast, it’s vital to learn the many different types of kratom strains. To cater to most tastes and needs, the market is full of various types of kratom, from the stimulating Maeng Da to bearers of enormous calming powers like the Bali.
This kratom strain guide will be indispensable for you as it is meant to help you determine the strain that is most suitable for you based on the strain characteristics.
What Is Kratom?
Kratom, also called Mitragyna Speciosa, is a tropical tree that occurs simultaneously in Southeast Asia, especially in areas of Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. This tree of “The Coffee Family” is similar to the coffee leaves, and they have been used by indigenous for their therapeutic purpose for a long time.
The leaves of kratom include alkaloids named mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, which are, respectively, the most abundant and significant constituents of it. These alkaloids are the reason why kratom has a diverse range of effects, which can range from stimulating on a low or high dose to sedative on any strain.
A range of benefits of kratom is considered, which include being a substitute for pain, mood-building, and energy boost among the many that exist today. With the increasing demand for this kind of strain, there has been an emergence of a wide range of forms to use in, such as powder, capsules, teas, and extracts. Despite its therapeutic potential, kratom’s legal status remains a topic of debate in many countries, with ongoing research into its benefits and risks.
Different Kratom Strains
Besides different strains of kratom, they are all known by the vein color that passes through the leaf before processing. The leaf’s maturation and the kinds of effects the user can anticipate are indicated by these colors: yellow, red, white, and green. Each strain has a particular advantage for different needs and individual preferences. Understanding these differences is key to finding the right kratom strain for your specific requirements.
Green Vein Kratom
Green vein kratom leaves have the equilibrium of energizing and calming effects of red vein and white vein strains, each having its own unique profile. The choice of this particular type is nourished by its moderate taste, which makes it suitable even for novices. Get ready for a slight uplift in mood, a general excellent mood, and a sharp focus without the overwhelming effects of other strains. Being a versatile choice is one other reason why green vein kratom stands out among the rest. It can be taken during the daytime, just like other top kratom strains.
Red Vein Kratom
The Red vein kratom type is known to be the most common among users, and it comes in a variety of vein colorations that make it widely popular. It is most famous for its calming properties, which makes it an ideal resource for people who are simply trying to relax or take away pain. Those who experience trouble sleeping may use red veins to promote their sleep during the evening or just before bed. Moreover, their strong sedative effects can manage ailments that are co-related to this problem, like chronic pain and anxiety.
White Vein Kratom
While white vein kratom is widely used by energy seekers, green vein kratom is preferred for its calming effects. It is usually preferred to feel like having a strong cup of coffee with a taste of alertness, energy, and persistence. White vein strains help fight fatigue; therefore, they are the choice of those individuals who are suffering from fatigue or facing a challenging day. The white-colored vein kratom has an energy-boosting effect apart from improving mood and cognitive functions.
Yellow Vein Kratom
Yellow vein kratom is a blur because, whereas the others have the location and method of processing in order, it does not. Meanwhile, it is thought to be a mix of different grains, or it can be due to the unique fermentation process. Yellow vein kratom offers effects that are a blend of the other three strains, often described as uplifting and euphoric while providing moderate pain relief and relaxation. Its versatile profile makes it a favorite among users looking for a well-rounded experience.
What Is The Recommended Dosage of Kratom?
The dose of kratom can reliably be changed based on the user’s tolerance, the particular kind of strain, and the type of desired reactions. Most often, kratom’s effects depend on the dose, with the lower one being stimulating and the higher one – producing a feeling of sedation.
For beginners who begin their doses with a low dose, typically between 1 and 2 grams, it is advisable to consider the tolerance and then gradually increase as needed. The usual range is a medium dose between 3 and 5 grams, which allows for both stimulating and soothing effects.
A large dose from 5 to 8 grams might be proper for someone who aims to receive better pain relief or to relax more. On the other hand, it’s necessary to be careful with higher doses as these can cause vomiting, dizziness, and sleepiness.
One should keep in mind that the reaction toward the use of kratom can differ a lot from one subject to another, and what is helpful for one man could be unsuccessful for another. Along with that, the amount of kratom that will affect the individual will depend on the strain of kratom and its supplier, so one should be careful with the dosage.
How to Choose the Best Kratom Strain for You?
Every strain has its own advantages, so knowing your goals is the first point of choosing the right one. Here’s a guide to help you select the best kratom strain.
Identify Your Needs: Begin by outlining what you intend to accomplish with kratom. Do you need pain relief, anxiety reduction, mood improvement, or added energy? The primary aim of the treatment would, therefore, have a big effect on which strain could be best for you.
Consider Strain Effects: Get yourself acquainted with the general effects of various types of kratom. Note that red vein strains are mostly consumed to achieve a calm state and pain relief; green vein strains provide a combination of energy and relaxation; white vein strains are known for their ability to increase mood and energy, while yellow vein strains provide all the effects.
Start with a Sample Pack: Vendors often have selection of sample packs available where they include small quantities of different strains. Going from one to the other will let you know which one will be the most conducive to your needs without you making a big investment.
Adjust Based on Tolerance: If you are a newcomer, start with lower doses to find out your body’s response and caution. By doing this, you can adjust strain and dosage gradually depending on how you feel and also take into account your own tolerance levels.
Quality Matters: Make sure you get kratom from trustworthy vendors who provide testing results that are carried out in a lab. The high-quality kratom grade can vary a lot, and reliable products are likely to deliver effective and consistent results.
What Are the Benefits of Using Kratom?
Increased Energy and Focus
The characteristic feature of white and certain green vein strains of kratom is said to be their potential to boost one’s energy level and improve concentration. As like caffeine, these strains stimulate the brain, and users are now feeling awake and become focus. Therefore, they are best suited for such a person who is looking for the remedies to conquer tiredness and enhance performance during difficult obligations or long working hours.
Pain Relief
Kratom’s pain-relieving effects are one of the main advantages for which it is particularly popular. The red variant strains are very valued for their strong analgesic impact, which is carried by high alkaloid concentrations like mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. These chemicals serve as pain relievers in the brain by interacting with pain receptors, which allows kratom to be referred to as a natural substitute for painkillers by some users.
Mood Enhancement
Kratom can also have a positive effect on mood. Many users report feelings of well-being and euphoria, especially when using green and white vein strains. The mood-enhancing effects of kratom are attributed to its impact on serotonin and dopamine levels, neurotransmitters that play a key role in mood regulation.
Reduce Social Anxiety
For social anxiety sufferers, kratom may offer a ray of hope by way of inducing relaxation and relieving stress. Red and green vein strains aid best in this matter, enabling consumers to stay on track without the drugging effect close to certain anxiety medications.
Sleep Aid
Along with being a stimulant, one of the most commonly utilized Kratom strains can also act as a natural sleep aid-red vein strain, which is known for its calming properties. Kratom use contributes to one’s relaxation along with the tenderness of pain and anxiety, which are probably the conditions that often interfere with sleep. It can thus be helpful for sleepers to get a more restful night.
How To Use Kratom Strain?
Kratom is available in several forms, each offering different conveniences and effects. Here’s how to use the most common forms of kratom: powder, gummies, and capsules.
Kratom Powder
Kratom powder is the most convenient form of kratom in terms of usability. It can be used in multiple ways. It is prepared by grind of kratom tree dried leaves into powdered form. Another common method is the “toss and wash” approach, which entails measuring the desired dose amount of the powder and then putting it in your mouth, and following this up with a drink of water or juice.
This way ensures fast digestion but patients see it as displeasing because of its bitterness. Unlike normal chewing, kratom powder can be blended into smoothies, juices, or teas to hide the taste. In the case when you use kratom powder, make sure you begin with a small dose to assess the acceptable level and then increase it based on your necessity.
Kratom Gummies
Kratom gummies offer an easy and discreet alternative for people who find it challenging to consume plain kratom powder. They are uniform in size and can be divided into known dosages, making it simple to control how much is consumed.
As for use, it is advisable to take the prescribed number of gummies. In this case, be aware that gummies may take longer to take action than powder because – first of all – they need to be digested.
Kratom Capsules
Kratom capsules offer a tasteless and convenient option for consuming kratom, with the added benefit of precise dosing. Each capsule contains a specific amount of kratom powder, eliminating the need for measuring doses.
To use, swallow the recommended number of capsules with water. Like gummies, capsules take longer to take effect than powder because they need to be digested. Capsules are ideal for those seeking convenience and discretion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I overdose on kratom?
The traditional overdose on kratom is rather challenging. On the other hand, taking too much of it might cause such side effects as nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. Always initiate with a minimal dose and later on raise.
Is Kratom Legal?
Kratom legality is different from country to country and within the countries. In the US, the federal level has legalized it but there are some states that ban or restrict it. Verify the local legislation before buying or taking kratom.
How Often Can You Take Kratom?
Frequency has to be controlled to prevent tolerance or dependence. Most of the users agree that taking kratom 2-3 times weekly is enough to get all of the benefits without any side effects.
What does kratom taste like?
The bitter and earthy taste is the hallmark of kratom and for most people, it is not a pleasant one. This flavor can be hidden by adding kratom to drinks or meals or by using capsules or gummies.
Does kratom help with pain?
Yes, many users mention that kratom is beneficial for pain, especially red vein strains. The compounds in kratom interact with pain receptors in the brain to cause analgesic effects.
Conclusion
This guide discussed kratom, its types, its uses, and how to use it. We got to know the various types of kratom such as green, red, white, and yellow. Every kind has its unique advantages, for example, providing you with energy, relieving pain, making you feel good, or relaxing or helping you fall asleep.
We also touched on the methods to determine which kratom to use, the doses, and how to consume it in powder, gummies, or capsules. Keep in mind that you should start with a low dose to see how it influences you.
Although kratom has potential benefits, it is advisable to confirm its legal status in your area as it may differ. For additional information about the kratom products offered by the brands we’ve covered, we suggest going to their websites and selecting the one that best fits your needs.
It was a long journey for the 33-year-old Swerve Strickland but it finally happened! At last night’s Dynasty pay-per-view, Strickland defeated Samoa Joe to win the AEW World title, his first-ever world championship in his 13-year wrestling career.
Strickland pinned Joe clean after hitting the Swerve Stomp finisher and the new champion celebrated in style with the fans and Price Nana as pyro went off and streamers filled the ring. A very emotional Strickland closed the show with tears in his eyes and his AEW World title held high.
In the post-show press conference, Strickland said that Kofi Kingston winning the WWE title at WrestleMania 35 was for him one of the most inspiring things ever and motivated him to do the same.
Just a couple of years ago, Strickland was wrestling as Isiah “Swerve” Scott as part of Hit Row in WWE but getting released from the company was the best thing that could ever happen to the Tacoma native.
Strickland, who joined AEW in 2022, quickly rose to fame and made a name for himself by being involved in some classic matches and it all paid off after yesterday he also made history for AEW by becoming the first African American World champion for the promotion.
Samoa Joe ends his title reign after 113 days, having won it at Worlds End last year from MJF.
Here are the results from last night’s Dynasty 2024 pay-per-view which took place live from the Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis, Missouri.
ZERO HOUR: Trent Beretta defeated Matt Sydal; Katsuyori Shibata and Orange Cassidy defeated Shane Taylor and Lee Moriarty; Bullet Club Gold defeated The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn in a winners-take-all title unification match for the AEW World Trios and ROH World Six-Man Tag Team titles.
PPV: Kazuchika Okada defeated Pac to retain the AEW Continental title; House of Black defeated Adam Copeland, Eddie Kingston, and Mark Briscoe in a trios match; Willow Nightingale defeated Julia Hart to become the new AEW TBS champion; Roderick Strong defeated Kyle O’Reilly to retain the AEW International title; Chris Jericho defeated Hook to become the new FTW champion; Toni Storm defeated Thunder Rosa to retain the AEW Women’s title; Will Ospreay defeated Bryan Danielson ; The Young Bucks defeated FTR in a ladder match to become the new AEW Tag Team champions; Swerve Strickland defeated Samoa Joe to become the new AEW World champion.
We are just hours away from the much-anticipated Dynasty pay-per-view live from St. Louis and today we will look at the odds of most of the matches as not all of them are available to bet on.
These odds might change by the time the show starts so please be careful if you are using real money.
In the AEW World title match, Samoa Joe is the underdog and likely to lose the title with his odds at 17/4 while that of Swerve Strickland are 1/8. If Strickland wins, he becomes the first African American AEW World champion. No pressure!
The Continental title is on the line with Kazuchika Okada defending against Pac. Okada is the heavy favorite with 1/50 odds while Pac is 12/1 and pretty much a lock he’s walking out with any gold.
Former Undisputed Era members Roderick Strong and Kyle O’Reilly collide for the AEW International title. Strong is strong in his odds with 1/7 while O’Reilly is 4/1 to win.
Is the “Timeless” era continuing? Bookmakers think so as Toni Storm is 1/10 favorite to retain her AEW Women’s title while Thunder Rosa is 11/2 to win back the gold she actually never lost.
New AEW Tag Team champions will be crowned tonight as The Young Bucks battle FTR in a ladder match for the vacant titles. The Bucks are the heavy favorites with 1/20 odds while FTR are 7/1.
The House of Black will take on the team of Adam Copeland, Mark Briscoe, and Eddie Kingston in a trios match with HOB the favorites having odds of 2/5 while their opponents are 17/10 for the victory.
And probably the most anticipated match of the night is Will Ospreay vs Bryan Danielson which surely will be a five-star classic. Ospreay is 1/20 favorite heading in to the match while Danielson is 7/1.
Matt Hardy has clarified in a post on X that he is still a free agent after someone asked him if he signed with TNA following his appearance at Rebellion last night in Las Vegas.
“No. I’m a free agent,” Hardy wrote. “I will appear when I want to appear.”
Hardy dropped a lot of hints at returning to WWE over the past several days and during his podcast, he said that he’s been doing what he should be doing as a free agent, and that is create hype for himself.
“I have been speaking with AEW constantly. I have been speaking with WWE. I’ve been speaking with several people across several different platforms,” Hardy said after he revealed he was a free agent. “So I think the next couple of weeks are going to be fun.”
Live from the Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis, Missouri, AEW presents Dynasty on pay-per-view. The full card is as follows:
PPV: Samoa Joe vs Swerve Strickland for the AEW World title; Toni Storm vs Thunder Rosa for the AEW Women’s title; The Young Bucks vs FTR in a ladder match for the vacant AEW Tag Team titles; Kazuchika Okada vs Pac for the AEW Continental title; Julia Hart vs Willow Nightingale for the AEW TBS title; Roderick Strong vs Kyle O’Reilly for the AEW International title; Bryan Danielson vs Will Ospreay; Hook vs Chris Jericho for the FTW title; Adam Copeland, Eddie Kingston, and Mark Briscoe vs Malakai Black, Brody King, and Buddy Matthews in a trios match.
ZERO HOUR: The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn vs Bullet Club Gold in a winner-take-all match for the AEW World Trios and ROH World Six-Man Tag Team titles; Trent Beretta vs Matt Sydal; Orange Cassidy and Katsuyori Shibata vs Shane Taylor and Lee Moriarty.
Dynasty is available on Bleacher Report, Triller TV, YouTube, and traditional pay-per-view in the United States and on Triller TV internationally.
Matt Hardy was not the only former star to return to TNA last night as both Sami Callihan and Mike Santana also returned at Rebellion.
Santana showed up and wrestled former TNA World champion Steve Maclin in a match which was not advertised on the card. This was Santana’s first appearance in TNA since 2019 after he and his former tag team partner Ortiz left for AEW. Unfortunately the former TNA Tag Team champions, things fell apart between them last year and parted ways, with Santana also leaving AEW.
Callihan, another former TNA World champion, also showed up unannounced at Rebellion and made an appearance during the Knockouts title match as he tried to somewhat even the odds for champion Jordynne Grace. Callihan left TNA in September of last year after a six-year stint.
It remains unclear if both have signed a deal with the company at this point.
If you missed it (Toni says ‘How…dare… you!’), you can check out Part One here.
Willow Nightingale vs Julia Hart (TBS Title)
Star quality: 5
Both suffered from long spells without being featured. If Willow continues to receive regular screen time, that number will be much different by the next big show.
Julia was off tv long enough for fans to forget about one of far too many titles. But has been rehabbed the past few Wednesdays.
Match quality: 5
Speaking of rehab, this is just impossible to predict due to her shoulder. She wasn’t wincing or holding it awkwardly on Wednesday; neither did she actually participate in the match. She might be good to go; she might be ‘banged up’ the way Jamie Hayter was. Twelve months ago.
Build: 7 Peaking
They’ve done a very nice job, particularly lately, of not only highlighting these two but having them share screentime with Copeland. And Mercedes Mone. One of the few positives since her debut has been the belt she’s chasing being featured. And the performers with it.
While Willow cut just an excellent babyface promo a couple weeks back, encompassing everything fans want in their good guys and girls. And got mad last night on Collision, even bringing out the word ‘bitch,’ which really worked because of the contrast with her character. She’d been pushed. Enough was enough.
Overall Score: 17
Mercedes made it clear she pegs one of the two as her attacker. It’s possible they’ll continue her implicitly hostile relationship with Willow by sliding a weapon in without it being clear who it’s for or some such stunt.
They’re certainly building to Nightingale vs Mone. They could stave that off by having Julia retain and Mone take the title Willow wanted next month. They could even do a three-way.
Again, pretty much all of this depends on Hart’s dodgy limb. Which only adds to the likelihood of Willow winning.
WINNER: Willow Nightingale
Kazuchika Okada vs PAC (Continental Title)
Star quality: 7
No wrestler has come and gone over AEW’s history more than Pac. And he hasn’t been a main eventer since the earliest days. Luckily he’s awesome. And brings a serious, bad ass look and promo style.
If Ospreay’s been a ten so far and Mercedes a zero, Okada’s about a seven. He’s received generally strong reactions but hasn’t been properly explained to the wider audience. Not helped by essentially being forgotten for a fortnight after bagging his belt.
None of which is a knock on him. His heel character’s a hoot – sneer down, facials on point – it’s clear he’s having fun with a refreshing new persona. ‘No… sing it.’
Match quality: 10
As might have been predicted, audiences have been unwilling to boo the Rainmaker. Despite his best efforts. Including his ring style: minimalist, light on flashy moves, teasing what the fans want then tagging out.
But now it’s time to shine. Time to show the entire pay-per-view audience what he has to offer. Long, dramatic, big show matches – this is dude’s bag. And he has a dancing partner who can go in any style. Whether speeding up into flashy athletics or exchanging crisp strikes.
It’s hard to think these two, Danielson/Ospreay and Bucks/FTR won’t be keenly aware of match of the night honors.
Build: 3 Premature
But the atmosphere will probably be less heated and more appreciative. Likely skewing Japanese. Since not only has Okada struggled for boos, there isn’t much of a feud here.
The Geordie returned out of nowhere to ask if the Elite were ‘looking for trouble?’ Then he told Tony Khan that if he didn’t find him some, he’d go looking for it. And decided Okada fit the bill. There’ve been attacks. There’ve been brief exchanges Pac has got the better of.
What there hasn’t been is a storyline reason for the match. Outside the legit one of it probably being phenomenal. At best, the feud’s a worse version of Danielson/Ospreay. One of which matches you might think should decide the number one contender for the AEW Title. But that brings in the messy Continental Championship situation.
A belt that’s barely been brought up since Okada bagged it. And that Pac’s shown zero interest in.
Overall Score: 20
It seems like Swerve’s winning the AEW Title at Dynasty. And the combination of a short reign for Strickland and all-babyface clash means he against Ospreay at Wembley is unlikely.
So perhaps Will goes after Okada and the Continental Title. Particularly if Kenny Omega doesn’t return soon. It’d be most unfair to lay Okada/Omega expectations on him when he’s not in top form.
Anyway, whether or not that’s happening there, Okada’s winning here.
WINNER: Kazuchika Okada
Swerve Strickland vs Samoa Joe (AEW Title)
Star quality: 7
There’s little doubt Swerve has his share of fans. But it doesn’t feel like a groundswell. Like every single thing and person and moment is with him. The way it should for a first-time babyface champ who’s finally climbing that mountain.
Beginning with Joe receiving some cheers. Yeah, he’s a badass and it’s harder than ever to truly be a heel. But some of the audience have decided they like him better than Strickland in this feud. Yours truly among them.
Perhaps the biggest argument is that as Swerve began his ascent following the last pay-per-view, viewers have turned away in droves. In absolutely no way is this an attempt to blame Strickland for the drop in viewership. But he hasn’t helped in the way a coming babyface champion probably should.
Jon Moxley returning with a prestigious belt over his shoulder, as an undoubtedly bigger star than either, doesn’t help. Ditto Copeland. And then there’s the new English guy:
‘Will Ospreay right now, is the single hottest wrestler in this business,’ said Schiavone last night, unprompted, during a match the Brit wasn’t even in.
Match quality: 8
Speaking of prestige, the world title should generally close any show. But the pair’ll have a hell of a time following at least two and possibly three of these matches.
When he’s not dancing or asking opponents to sit up straight for his finish, Swerve’s an excellent, fluid performer. Joe’s still great at what he does and knows how to play immovable object. And the crowd.
What helps is the story they’ve established. Allowing them to really milk the drama out of Swerve being beaten down but getting back up.
Build: 6 Peaking
Don’t think I’m with the majority on this one. So let’s quickly get the negative out of the way before moving on to the good.
Swerve seems determined to maintain this cold, slightly unhinged mob boss character he honed last Fall. So has added the thinnest of babyface veneers. Cannot tell you why he is this mad at Joe. Intensity jumped from like a 5 to an 11 after one Kokina. And every time he ‘give(s) a brother a fair one,’ as Rakim one rapped, he gets his ass handed to him.
The positive spin is that’s a big part of the story. Swerve won’t stay down. No matter what Joe does. And the Samoan highlighted this just superbly in mocking the obviously babyface trait as more befitting a punching bag than a champion.
While also painting him as an underdog who can’t get it done when it matters. All of which again gives them plenty to work with during the match. Even if it does feel that when Hangman left he took the most interesting dynamic with him.
Overall Score: 21
And the single way Swerve can come up short here, dignity intact, is if the Cowboy returns to continue his maniacal quest to keep Strickland away from his goal, prolonging the chase until Swerve reaches it in front of AEW’s biggest house of the year in August. Few things make a star like being crowned before an audience that size.
‘I will not let you (the fans) down,’ vowed Strickland on the post-Revolution Dynamite. We all know what happens to babyfaces who make promises they don’t keep.
WINNER: Swerve Strickland
Bryan Danielson vs Will Ospreay
Star quality: 8
With crowds getting smaller, it’s harder than ever to judge ‘star quality.’ Ospreay’s the exception. An unmitigated success (I guess unless you look at the ratings) since arriving in AEW: the energy, connection with the crowd, everyman affability. And particularly the promo work.
He’s the closest thing the company’ve had to a hot top babyface since Hangman left to be a baby daddy three summers ago.
Meanwhile, Bryan Danielson’s spent the time being Bryan Danielson. Having overly long matches with opponents he’s obviously going to beat. And explaining that he doesn’t measure himself against other wrestlers except that he does but only as a means to compare himself to himself.
Match quality: 10
Fuego del Sol semi-recently spoke of judging a contest between the Dragon and Pac. And Danielson aiming something painful at his crotch when he picked the Geordie.
Over a backstage squat competition.
Imagine then how he’s going to view Okada vs Pac. And the Bucks vs FTR with a bunch of ladders. In front of a pay-per-view audience. ‘The whole damn world is Fuego’s crotch!!!’ he’ll yell. Probably. Maybe not.
Forgetting motivation for a minute, the premise here is Best Ever vs Best this Century. Will’s younger, quicker, better in the air; Danielson’s better on the ground but Ospreay’s acknowledged that he’s fairly well versed here too after his time in Japan.
It’s something of the story of Danielson vs time itself.
Build: 4 Premature
This all started very nicely. Especially the microphone exchange on the 3/9 Collision.Tons of respect and recognition with just a little bit of ‘Oh, you think you’re better?’
But then things were allowed to cool. Each came out and wrestled. Each won. Without any true element of competition. Very little interaction between the two. Which can be a good thing but this was only just starting to bubble. It needed a finale.
Even when Danielson recounted being told Ospreay was the best wrestler someone’d ever seen, he was more incredulous and amused than truly angry.
And there was such easy drama to be had here.
Starting with assuming everybody saw what happened to Danielson last Saturday. Continuing with him not being present on Dynamite but it not being mentioned. Is he hurt? How hurt? Can he go Sunday? Is it a neck injury? That’d sure make him susceptible to the Oscutter and Hidden Blade. Is he mad? Does he blame Will? Question his loyalty? Think he’s being misled?
And then there’s Ospreay.
Is he with the Fam? Does he want to be? Does he secretly want Danielson weakened? What are his relationships with the other members after beating them? Sure would mean something if his best friend Fletcher turns on him after that relationship’s been rammed home.
Aspects of which they did bring up last night, but too little, too late.
There’s no doubt a vast chunk of the pay-per-view audience would’ve shelled out their money even if Danielson crashed through a stage with a tinfoil mask on. But man there was so much more here.
Overall Score: 22
Clean wins and losses help both sides. The loser can really benefit; everybody loves a redemption story.
This works double for respected vets fans genuinely don’t want to see hang it up. So Ospreay winning works for him. While simultaneously allowing Danielson to question himself a bit as he approaches the end. Before fighting back to kick ass a few more times.
If they do want a reason to keep Ospreay away from the AEW Title, the Family could cost him here. But then he has already beaten them. All of them.
What might be interesting is the Family costing Danielson and him questioning whether Will was in on it as they build to Ospreay’s clean win over him and clean split from the group.
WINNER: Will Ospreay
They got me. Again.
Every time my fandom’s at its most frustrated, they wheel out at a show like last night’s Collision. Which forwarded storylines nicely, had a fun opener and an absolute screamer of a main event where stars pinned stars. This is what I want from my wrestling.
So now instead of entitling the preview ‘Total Title Overkill,’ I’m looking forward to what should be three fantastic matches. Regardless of how they got here. And regardless of where they’re going next.
Which appropriately sums up AEW.
If you can manage to switch your mind off, you’ll probably enjoy most of what happens, especially at a big show. If you start to analyse it… you’ll end up confused, hitting the treadmill or reaching for Headspace.
Wondering why potential young stars Bullet Club Gold or the Callis Family can’t make tonight’s show proper. Why the lottery tickets of long undercard title reigns (traditionally a vehicle for building up-and-comers) were exchanged for a bag of oranges in being placed on veterans who either didn’t need or warrant them.
When it comes down to it, I really hate the idea of crapping on somebody’s anticipation of a good time. So if you’re frustrated by some of the booking, right there with you. But this should also be a hell of a show. Particularly looking forward to Okada/Pac after that six-man.
The pre-sale for the AEWxNJPW: Forbidden Door pay-per-view kicks off this morning at 10AM ET on Ticketmaster.com using the code AEWFD24.
The show will be taking place from the UBS Arena at Belmont Park in Long Island, New York, after it was originally marked for Arthur Ashe Stadium in nearby Queens.
This is the third Forbidden Door pay-per-view collaboration between AEW and New Japan Pro-Wrestling, with the first one held at the United Center in Chicago and last year at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
Tickets go on sale to the general public on Thursday, April 25 at 10AM ET.
Top Flight & Action Andretti vs Adam Copeland, Eddie Kingston & Mark Briscoe
Backstory: NONE
Briscoe and Andretti to start. Andretti got in a Karate Kid stance and I’m already done. You’re losers, you’re not serious, go away.
He kipped up to grab a headlock, Briscoe rolled through a sunset flip attempt, basement lariat into a headlock. Andretti landed on his feet out of a hiptoss then landed a tejeiras and a dropkick. Springboard tornijo, Briscoe out at barely one.
Turnaround forearm off the buckle from Briscoe, stiff chop, Andretti to the vets’ corner, Copeland in, double shoulder charge, Andretti down. Vets very popular here. Crowd must feel they’ve hit the jackpot with this lineup too compared to your average Saturday.
Andretti began throwing crisp kicks, weak chops and strikes, handspring back elbow, trying to tag, Darius in, right after Copeland’s shoulder, backslide for two, dropkick, tag to Dante, crowd chanting for ‘Adam’ as Top Flight got into their double team game. So were booed.
Dante missed then dodged a corner charge but was hauled out of the corner via running powerslam. Kingston in, headbutts to the corner, stiff chop knocking the youngster to his knees, he came back via springboard senton but was just walloped down via lariat.
Loud ‘Eddie’ chants, break.
Dante struggling to his feet, ducking a lariat, step-up tejeiras, leaping knee, Darius in, Briscoe too, Darius shots and lariats for the opposition, tornado ddt on Copeland into a double ddt on he and Briscoe. For two.
Andretti and Dante took out the others via dive.
Briscoe fought the youngsters off with exploders, Kingston back in to take a Dante tornado ddt off his brother’s chest, Andretti running shooting star, Copeland saving the pin. Nice sequence.
All six struggling to their feet, racing at each other, all six lariats, all six down. Crowd loving this. Andretti and Kingston up first, the vet yelling at Andretti to bring it, shaking off his shots until an enziguri landed. Dante landed a thrust kick, seemed to hurt his left leg landing after a moonsault, taken out by impaler, Briscoe Jay Driller on Darius.
Action ran at a ducking Briscoe, right into an Uriken, right into a Spear, Briscoe to the top, Froggy Bow, Kingston got the pin.
Fantastically fun, fast-paced tag from start to finish. Helped by a crowd who loved the vets here. The vets held up the youngsters’ arms. Before the inevitable dulling of the lights. Spooky promo from the House. Malakai addressed ‘Adam’ personally. They’ll take them to hell or something. But ‘hell is where the heart is.’ Whatever that means. Copeland went all serious; Kingston’s dismissive, quizzical smirk more apropos.
Collision feels like a show they should be using to build up young acts like the losers here. Obviously that changes a bit the day before a ppv.
Winner: Adam Copeland, Eddie Kingston & Mark Briscoe
Recap of the Joe/Swerve feud. Particularly the show-closing angle Wednesday. Good job making it seem dramatic. This was very good.
Will Hobbs vs ???
Backstory: NONE
‘Nice, they’re actually featuring all of the Callis Fam,’ I thought as Hobbs was coming out. Then remembered he’s facing Mox Weds and it’s the standard, feature a guy once against a nobody before he loses to a somebody.
Will won quickly with the Torture Rack. Playing into the whole I break backs thing.
Callis left the announce booth and grabbed a mic. Heavy boos as norm. He won’t be at ringside for the bunkhouse match out of concerns for his personal safety. He said he was responsible for Omega winning the IWGP title in 2017 and Jericho/Omega in 2018.
New Japan considered that a favor, so he’s cashed that in (Please no, not another pointless title match) and Hobbs match with Mox is for the title. Yaaay, 99% certainty just became 100.
Total waste of time. Tonight and Wednesday. This formula doesn’t work Tony. If it did, you wouldn’t be showing Brawl In footage.
Winner: Will Hobbs
Ospreay/Danielson promo. Really ramming home Danielson being the underdog. All of the quotes here from Ospreay, since Danielson hasn’t really said anything of note during the feud.
*****
Recap of Hook/Jericho from Weds.
Jericho promo from backstage. Booed from the start, he nonetheless went back to his early days in WCW, playing the OTT Sorry I lost my temper babyface. He said Hook was justified in what he did after Jericho’d put his hands on Taz.
And they at least back-splained that Jericho asked Tony Khan for the FTW Title to be on the line. Though it’s ‘tell’ rather than ‘show.’ He said he’s going to teach Hook lessons and they’ll hurt him more than they hurt Hook.
Boos were pretty drab here.
The Gunns vs the Acclaimed
Backstory: The Acclaimed challenged the Gunns Weds ahead of their unification match tomorrow
Though better than the non-response for BCG as they made their entrance. Damage done. Acclaimed weren’t all that much hotter. Caster cut a lame rap about incest among other things.
Schiavone got on a mic to say Tony Khan threatened to remove them from the ppv if BCG tried to leave. This was not smoothly done.
Acclaimed quickly hit scissor me timbers to Austin, Colten missed a corner splash. But of course got back on offense because the break was coming.
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Caster kept being cut off from the tag till finally getting it, Bowens’ comebacks always good, really should do more with this guy, over the shoulder fameasser which Billy called from ringside. For two.
Schiavone pointed out that ‘Jay White wants nothing to do with the legend himself Billy Gunn.’ Lesson not learned. And the word legend just lost like half its value.
Colten nearly got a pin with his feet on the ropes after causing Bowens to knock Caster outside. Austin just saved the pin, this crowd could not care less about these guys. The contrast with the opener is striking.
Colten got two with a fameasser. There’s just constant silliness and interference here. Austin got another two count. They were going to hit their finish but Bowens backed up, Caster tagged in, Colten raked the eyes but it didn’t matter since he just waited till Caster got up. Caster was crotched by Austin, Bowens smashed him into the ring and took out the Gunns with superkicks.
Briefly anyway, they hit him with 3:10 to Yuma, Caster came down via mic drop for two. This is a mess. Barely any tags, constant stupidity. As I was writing that, Jay White gave Colten leverage to bag the pin.
This stuff was Jarrett-esque.
Winner: The Gunns
Lexy with Danielson. She mentioned that Takeshita took him out with a brainbuster last week (which they still haven’t shown). Danielson said he ‘feel(s) alive.’ He wonders if Callis doesn’t have the faith in Ospreay that he says he does since he keeps trying to take Danielson out.
And tonight he’ll get revenge against Takeshita then test himself tomorrow against Ospreay.
Far too late in the day, Ospreay barged in to say he had nothing to do with Dynamite or last week’s Collision. *Shakes head*.
He wants Danielson at 100%, he had nothing to do with any of this stuff. Danielson smiled wryly then said, ‘Sure.’ And left. As Will continued protesting and wasn’t happy.
*****
They showed Rosa beating down then lipsticking Storm Wednesday.
Then cut to a Toni promo. She wanted it in full color to show what Rosa did. Problem is, the lipstick was now red. And there was more of it. Fairly certain it was purple Wednesday.
Storm said there’s nothing worse than a wrestler who says they’re not selfish. This business is selfish. If Rosa wanted to uplift women she should’ve remained a social worker. Rosa might be a fighter but she’s a star.
And Toni’s made the belt a star. She said a bunch of serious stuff then a bunch of sexual stuff about her bottom and hell being in her bedroom.
Edged toward good, stayed the wrong side of whacky.
Backstory: Takeshita laid Danielson out last Saturday with a brainbuster on the ramp
Sure would be nice if the Fam got a win for once. They attacked during the BCC’s entrance. All four dressed for a fight. They brawled into the crowd. Claudio ran down the steps into Fletcher as Danielson held him.
Danielson went retro to choke Fletcher with a chain. ‘Didn’t work out very well the last time he did that,’ observed Nigel (it got him fired from WWE). Claudio and Takeshita finally made it to the ring. The other two still brawling outside.
Takeshita bit Claudio but ran into a swing. Danielson returning to end with a dropkick. But was cut off on a dive by Fletcher flinging a chair at him. Claudio had Takeshita in the sharpshooter but was really dumb so just watched as Fletcher prepared then threw powder at him.
Impressive last ride for two. Fletcher has him some strength.
Ads. Danielson’s bleeding.
Back to him slipping out of a brainbuster on the ramp to land a ddt instead. Claudio obliterated Fletcher with something (it went flying so couldn’t see) then ran him headfirst into a chair. Then did the same into the steps.
Danielson was then striking Takeshita right by the camera and you could hear the thump of each blow. Claudio flung him back in then propped him across the top rope. Danielson off the top via leaping knee, Takeshita on his knees for yes kicks. Even the roundhouse at the end landed for once.
Busaiku coming, leading a yes chant, Fletcher grabbed his boot, Claudio took a German from Take, the heels hit synchronized brainbusters, both babyfaces out at two. Fletcher pulled out a chain from under the ring – that weapon’s vastly overused.
Danielson fought free to block a blow from it, heels taken into stereo H&A down into the LeBell. Hobbs out to spinebuster both. Facials were great as he heard the first strains of Wild Thing. These fans seriously hit the damn jackpot tonight.
He and Mox brawled around ringside then into the crowd and disappeared.
Danielson down, heels up, Claudio nowhere. They readied a top rope powerbomb onto a propped chair; Danielson rana’d Takeshita onto it instead. Claudio returned with his arm wrapped in a chain and waylaid the heels.
All leaving Fletcher to take a busaiku knee then LeBell with the chain in what was the most predictable individual winner and loser.
Fun enough. Not my style of match.
An angry Danielson then got on the mic to complain that people had complained about him having a bunkhouse match the night before he wrestles Ospreay. ‘It’s because of this!’ Some people think of heaven as gold or forty virgins. When Danielson dies he’ll be bleeding in the ring before a bunch of people.
‘Tomorrow at Dynasty, Will Ospreay, (right into the camera) I’m gonna beat your ass!’
Cannot believe they saved all this until the night before the ppv on a show half the audience watches. This is what was needed Wednesday – teasing that Danielson didn’t trust Ospreay, a fired-up promo…
Winner: Bryan Danielson & Claudio Castagnoli
Recap of Willow, Julia, Mercedes from Weds. Willow and Statlander with Stokely. Statlander played around with the letters ‘F U’ in corny fashion. Till Stokely said they meant something else where he’s from.
So offered the letters to the House and Julia.
Willow asked if a confident champion needs to use a chain just days before a title match. So Sunday Willow’s going to raise her high and ‘slam you! Powerbomb you through that mat.’
‘Tomorrow at Dynasty, I’m walkin’ out TBS Champion ya bitch!’
Now that’s how you use that word! After the nicest, most babyface babyface in the world takes a cheapshot and finally has enough. Less is more yo.
Stokely and Statlander both acted shocked she’d said it. Based on her character, it was a big deal. Very nice.
Skye Blue vs Leyla Hirsch
Backstory: NONE
Don’t think I’ve seen Leyla since covid. Not great just throwing her out in a cold match.
Blue attacked at the bell until being swept into ground and pound. Don’t want to be a dick (always a good start I know) but Skye runs the ropes and it just feels like you’re watching your friends practice moves on a trampoline.
Anyway, the ensuing Code Blue was countered. Very nice pump kick from Leyla, Blue bailed outside. And hit a swinging neckbreaker off the apron. Dude, why would you take that move!? Brutal.
Skye’s ‘almost unstoppable’ since aligning with Julia, per Nigel. Crowd silent. Tony pushed a Britt Baker action figure.
Leyla landed a few strikes but one from Skye took her down. Handspring elbow strike which Leyla immediately shook off. Wheelbarrow German. Seemed like a miscommunication since Leyla waited in a stance for Blue to get up but eventually had to just walk over to her.
Skye put her upstairs, thrust kick, Leyla blocked a superplex to hit a flipping German, looked dangerous as hell, neither looked comfortable with it, Blue’s head really snapped against the mat. Leyla then legit tripped up top and took a nasty spill. Skye got a dragon sleeper for the tap.
No business being on tv. Was worried either would legit get hurt several times. AEW need some sort of feeder system.
Winner: Skye Blue
The Elite vs Pac & FTR
Backstory: The Bucks are facing FTR tomorrow; likewise Pac and Okada
Did not expect this to get the usual Collision thirty mins. Even all of his Okada bucks couldn’t have bought a boo.
He and Pac to start. Loud chants for Okada. As happened Wednesday, he turned Pac’s back to the Bucks and they tried to attack from behind. Unlike Wednesday, Pac was ready so took them out then introduced Okada to the buckle.
Shots to the gut and face, Cash in, more stomps to the gut. European uppercut rocking Okada as Pac quickly back in. Bucks making the save by dragging Okada outside, to boos. Faces following with trio baseball slides, splitting off and brawling around ringside.
Until Pac flung Okada back in, tag to Dax, stinging chop, uppercut, Okada had enough and walked toward Dax, exchange of rights until the Japanese laid Dax out with an uppercut. Matt in right into a hip toss, Cash more uppercuts, Jackson stuck until raking Pac’s eyes and tagging Okada back in.
Quick tags from the faces as Pac came in off the top via stomp to the shoulder, Brutalizer coming, the Bucks raced in to break it. Nick in, the heels tried trio baseball slides, the faces moved and they brawled again around ringside, faces on top into the break.
Ads.
Cash in trouble after his balls were taken on a date with the ringpost. Boos for the heels turning into Punk chants which were themselves booed. Sigh.
Fist drop from Matt, into a sleeper on the mat, Cash fighting up seeking a tag, belly to back freeing him, Nick in to cut off the tag and whip Cash back to the Elite corner. Okada in via senton, exchange of words with Pac before Matt came back in. And raked the eyes but missed a cross body, Pac in, Nick too, Pac accelerating into a running elbow strike, surgical kicks into a running boot, brainbuster, two.
Dude’s so good.
Both FTR down, Pac fighting off the Elite: rebound German for Okada, twisting dive for the Bucks, off the top for a Dax-assisted spike piledriver. For two. Black Arrow coming, Matt and Nick booted off the apron but this left him open as Okada aimed a big boot. Then took the ref as the Bucks sent Pac to the steps.
Then sent him back inside, right into an Okada flapjack.
Ads.
Pac rana’d out of powerbomb in the corner, causing Nick to gamengiri his bro. Then run into a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, Pac crawling, tagging, Dax in – snapping jabs, hammerlock lariat, just wailing on Nick in the corner till Okada entered.
They played around with Dax seeking the hammerlock lariat (obviously a bit like the Rainmaker) until he landed a brainbuster instead. This allowed Nick to recover but he was crotched up top. Landing in a tree of woe. Pac and Cash dragging Matt so his crotch crashed into his brother’s face and they crashed together. Crowd liked that. Very funny, very creative.
Nick was then tossed by Dax into a Pac German as Cash dove over into a jackknife pin for two. Already massively regretting only giving the Bucks and FTR an ‘8’ for match quality at Dynasty.
Matt returned to help his bro and Okada tagged in. Matt took out Nick when Dax ducked but Okada hit a ddt. His chest red as he aimed raking boots at Harwood. Then offered his chin for a wobbly Dax. Who responded with a wicked flurry until running into the dropkick.
Rainmaker coming, Dax ducked under, sharpshooter, the Bucks held back by the other faces until finally fighting free, superkick party to break the hold. Dax left 1:3, running Okada attack/Bucks double gamengiri in the corner, Okada avalanche, Nick running knee, Matt diving elbow, the faces saving the pin.
All six fighting now, powerplex coming on Matt right into a Pac 450, Okada and Nick shoved FTR down onto the pin to break it. All six slowly to their feet, head-to-head, three pairs of exchanges, Bucks superkicked FTR out of the ring, Shatter Machine to Pac for a very near fall.
EVP Trigger, Cash just making the save, sending Nick out, Matt right into a Shatter Machine, Okada bridged outside, dragging Dax out, ddt, Cash taking out Okada and Nick via tope, Matt down, Pac to the top, Black Arrow, ‘boom!’ as Tony Schiavone yelled, 1, 2, 3.
Good. God. That was phenomenal. Nice seeing the Bucks working a slower-building match. But bloody hell did they all make it peak. You must watch this.
The heels were beating down the faces when Daniel Garcia ran out but was taken down 1:3. Until Pac and FTR recovered, the Geordie locking Okada in some sort of crucifix hold, Okada screaming as the Bucks pulled him to safety and the heels fled up the ramp.
Plenty going on, far more than your average Collision, a very effective ‘go home’ show in fact, outside of not featuring Joe/Swerve this should’ve been a Dynamite, possibly my favourite AEW show of the year
*****
Could they have left the Ospreay/Danielson drama any later (that’s rhetorical yet also has an answer – ‘no’)
Anything involving the former BBSGang
Appreciate you reading. Enjoy Dynasty and the rest of the weekend.
Matt Hardy made his return to TNA Wrestling last night at Rebellion, coming out in his Broken gimmick to spoil Moose’s celebration at the end of the pay-per-view.
With Moose victorious over Nic Nemeth, lights inside the Palms Resort went out and a “lights out” video played on the big screen. When the lights came back on, Hardy was there in his full Broken gear, kicked the champion and hit the Twist of Fate. He then held the TNA World title as cameras faded to black.
Hardy, who is a free agent after he turned down signing a new AEW deal, had been teasing a return to WWE. It’s unknown if he is signed to TNA as no announcement was made.
Matt competed in TNA between 2014 and 2017 and had a quite successful run in the promotion, winning the Impact World title and the Tag Team titles twice.
Here are the results from last night’s TNA Rebellion pay-per-view which took place live from the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.
PRE-SHOW: Leon Slater, Ace Austin, and Chris Bey defeated Trey Miguel, Zachary Wentz, and Myron Reed in a six-man tag team match; Laredo Kid defeated Crazzy Steve to become the new TNA Digital Media champion; Dani Luna and Jody Threat defeated Havok and Rosemary to retain the TNA Knockouts Tag Team titles.
PPV: Mustafa Ali defeated Jake Something to retain the TNA X Division title; Rich Swann defeated Joe Hendry; Frankie Kazarian defeated Eric Young in a full metal mayhem match; Mike Santana defeated Steve Maclin; Eddie Edwards and Brian Myers) defeated Mike Bailey and Trent Seven to retain the TNA Tag Team titles; Josh Alexander defeated Hammerstone in a last man standing match;Last Man Standing match; Jordynne Grace defeated Steph De Lander to retain the TNA Knockouts title; Moose defeated Nic Nemeth to retain the TNA World title.
AEW is back on pay-per-view tomorrow for its second show on its 2024 calendar with new arrival Dynasty.
Today we’ll take a look at the betting odds for some of the top matches and tomorrow we’ll have odds on most of the other matches as the show gets closer. Remember, these odds are preliminary and could change any time.
In the AEW World title match, Samoa Joe will defend his gold against Swerve Strickland. Strickland is the heavy favorite heading into the match with 1/10 odds while Joe is 11/2 to retain.
New AEW Tag Team champions will be crowned as FTR and The Young Bucks battle in a ladder match for the vacant titles. The EVPs are favorite with 1/20 odds while FTR are 7/1 for the big upset.
If there’s one man who is unlikely to lose according to bookmakers is Kazuchika Okada whose odds in the Continental title match are at a whopping 1/50 to retain while his opponent Pac is 12/1.
And in the AEW Women’s title match, Toni Storm is also 1/10 favorite to retain the title while Thunder Rosa is at 11/2.
AEW will have a three-hour block on TNT tonight with live Collision and then an episode of Rampage airing immediately after.
Collision will be headlined by a trios match featuring The Young Bucks and Kazuchika Okada against FTR and Pac. Another trios match will pit Adam Copeland, Eddie Kingston, and Mark Briscoe against Top Flight and Action Andretti. Sky Blue battles Leyla Hirsch, The Acclaimed go up against The Gunns, Bryan Danielson and Claudio Castagnoli vs Kyle Fletcher and Konosuke Takeshita in a bunkhouse brawl, and Powerhouse Hobbs will also be in action.
Rampage will follow with Kyle O’Reilly, Rocky Romero, and Daddy Magic vs Undisputed Kingdom in the third trios match of the night, Yuka Sakazaki vs Emi Sakura, and Rob Van Dam vs Komander vs Isiah Kassidy vs Lee Johnson in a high-flying 4/20 four-way elimination match!
Live from the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, TNA Wrestling presents Rebellion 2024 on pay-per-view. The full card is as follows:
PPV: Moose vs Nic Nemeth for the TNA World title; Jordynne Grace vs Steph De Lander for the TNA Knockouts title; Mustafa Ali vs Jake Something for the TNA X Division title; Eddie Edwards and Brian Myers vs Mike Bailey and Trent Seven for the TNA Tag Team titles; Josh Alexander vs Hammerstone in a last man standing match; Joe Hendry vs Rich Swann; Frankie Kazarian vs Eric Young in a full metal mayhem match.
PRE-SHOW: Crazzy Steve vs Laredo Kid for the TNA Digital Media title; Dani Luna and Jody Threat vs Havok and Rosemary for the TNA Knockouts Tag Team titles; Leon Slater, Ace Austin, and Chris Bey vs Trey Miguel, Zachary Wentz, and Myron Reed in a six-man tag team match.
Rebellion is available on TNA+ in the United States for $39.99 or via TRILLER TV everywhere else.
It’s time once again to forensically analyze guys – and girls – fighting in tight shorts.
Quick reminder, there are three categories: star quality, match quality, build. For each we’ll assign a score out of 10. To get a total score with which to rank the matches.
Scores are intended to be objective. If scores are even, matches’ll then be ranked according to personal preference.
New – each feud will be assigned a rating judging whether the promotion got it ready for the big show: Polar, Premature, Peaking, Peaked, Past It
We’ll then predict the winner(s) of each contest.
Without further ado.
Chris Jericho vs Hook (FTW Title)
Star quality: 5
Jericho turns so often it’s hard to care. And people don’t. They’ve done a much better job than usual keeping Hook involved after his title match with Joe. Fans like him coming out and killing people. It remains to be seen how they like him in longer matches. Since he doesn’t wrestle any.
Match quality: 4
Speaking to AEW’s need to get their youngsters more reps. And as a guy to do a house show loop with, Jericho’d be a good choice. As a guy to have one good match with? As of late, not so much.
Taz’ seed would benefit from a New Japan stint where he’d wrestle regularly and receive promo time away from prying eyes.
Build: 1 Past It
Why oh why is this for the FTW Title?
Let’s pretend for a second it isn’t a poorly defined, wholly unnecessary addition to what’s already just a pile of belts. Did Jericho say he wanted it? Did the youngster vow to back up his words by beating the vet again and he’d even put his title on the line?
Nope. It’s just there. Which is unfortunately a good way to describe oh so many AEW championships.
And resembles the scattershot booking of this feud. Which has vacillated like a speed-riddled mouse at an ice rink – friends, frenemies, respect, enemies. Largely because the company didn’t see which way the fans were blowing.
The angle Wednesday did make Hook look strong; this storyline’s already gone too long; fans want a break from Jericho.
Overall Score: 10
This should be Hook getting a win over a name before moving on to something else. But a hallmark of Jericho’s AEW run has been dragging things past their sell-by – the Inner Circle, the Appreciation Society and several feuds.
It is possible we’re just getting started here. And that would be with Hook winning the feud but not this match.
WINNER: Hook
Thunder Rosa vs Toni Storm (Women’s Title)
Star quality: 4
Toni’s act is entertaining and popular but at a cost to everyone she faces. She’s a sheep in wolf’s clothing. Frequently leading to her babyface opponents being booed. And just overriding everything she’s involved with.
Take her opponent’s recent #1 contender clash with Mariah May:
Peeing the chair, going commando, trying to pop the announcers, not remotely a heel, not getting the match over, neither were the cameras or the announcers, it was all about her, her character and her comedy.
Leaving Rosa, already at a deficit after coming back to little fanfare and rarely appearing on Dynamite, up shit’s creek. As Toni herself might say.
It’s also debatable whether fans actually care about seeing her wrestle r/t performing whacky antics.
Match quality: 5
Neither does Storm’s character lend itself to quality matches. And Rosa hasn’t seemed quite back in ring shape since returning.
However, if the Mexican does manage to get her cardio up and Storm performs as she did against AZM last Saturday, this score could look very dumb.
Build: 1 Polar
‘Well, they want women kissing on the show,’ said Dave Meltzer recently. And it about sums this feud up.
AEW really tried with Toni and Deonna. They were on tv every week, there was a story and a reason for their mutual dislike.
None of that applies here. Despite the obvious story of Rosa fighting back from an injury which took two years of her career. And which could’ve easily been storylined by Storm into Rosa ‘ducking her’.
Instead, they zoomed through Toni breaking a champagne bottle over her challenger’s head, making Rosa look dumb in the process. So that they could use the time to imply lesbianism between Storm and May. And between May and Mina Shirakawa, whose champagne smooch got more screen time than a laid-out Rosa, despite not a single fan having any idea who Shirakawa was.
None of which could be saved by a passionate though disjointed rah rah Rosa promo last Saturday.
Overall Score: 10
They really should get the belt off Toni. Her act is easily enough that they could simply place her in a feud that isn’t about a title.
However, Rosa got the better on Wednesday and we’re close enough now to Wembley that they probably want to hang on and have Jamie Hayter end a long title reign.
Given Storm’s ppv outings are to shenanigans what a rotting corpse is to bacteria, chances are Deonna will cost Rosa the match and the gold, cementing a much-needed heel turn. And providing another opportunity for a feud between women over an actual issue. Make us dream Tony!
WINNER: Toni Storm
Kyle O’Reilly vs Roderick Strong (International Title)
Star quality: 2
The Two Man Bland between them have the character of shouting guys’ first names.
After being off tv for two years, O’Reilly hasn’t been on Dynamite or Collision in the month of April. And has been closer to Kurt Angle’s deliberately heelish babyface than anything else. Except he’s not a heel.
Relative to the months of tv sunk into their arrival, the Undisputed Kingdom are the flattest group in company history.
Match quality: 8
If there’s a good match but nobody cares, is it really a good match?
There are so many talented young wrestlers who can’t sniff this show. Including a guy who had the best AEW bout of 2024 at the last one. This seems a waste of pay-per-view time and a missed opportunity to feature guys who might one day main event shows like these.
It’s a Rampage match for the purest of fans, placed onto the biggest of stages.
Build: 2 Polar
Don’t know about you guys, if I bumped into some friends I hadn’t seen for two years beating people up in a gang, I’d have some questions.
Not Kyle O’Reilly. Mr. Gee Shucks was just so gosh darn tickled to be back that he was happy enough for his ex-pals to be devil mask-clad psychopaths. Just so long as they let him fight his own battles against some of the lowest AEW’s roster had to offer.
He didn’t care when they were destroying other people, hard to feel sympathetic when they destroy him. Dug your own grave there dude. And did nada to merit a title shot.
Overall Score: 12
Probably Strong. As applied last time, his group are being held together by decaying twigs and his title.
WINNER: Roderick Strong
Adam Copeland, Eddie Kingston & Mark Briscoe vs House of Black
Star quality: 6
Despite varying levels of stale feuds, misuse, repetition and gobbledygook, all six remain pretty popular. Copeland certainly seems to be getting stronger as he goes and feels more a part of the show than separate to it as he did when feuding with Christian.
Won’t go into a whole thing on Kingston here but my god what a decline from December to April.
Match quality: 8
A large part of what keeps the House in popularity is their in-ring. They’re not only good, they’re all different to one another and in Malakai’s case just flat out different. The crowd will care because they like all three babyfaces too.
Assuming the finish is clean and decisive – which between AEW and Malakai is certainly an assumption – this should be a nice bang, bang, bang palette cleanser amid high-stakes singles.
Build: 0 Polar
Briscoe and the House trying to outright murder one another seems a long time ago and AEW have done nothing to remind us of it.
So the real issue here seemed to be with Malakai and Copeland. Adding the others a combined effort to get guys on the card and avoid the impermeable business of convincing Mr. Black to lose wrestling matches.
Overall Score: 14
Will respected vet Copeland be the exception? Perhaps building to a dodo-rare singles scrap for Malakai at DoN or in-between?
If that is the case, the House will win with Black pinning Copeland. If not, babyfaces time.
WINNER: Adam Copeland, Eddie Kingston & Mark Briscoe
Young Bucks vs FTR (Ladder Match, Tag Titles)
Star quality: 6
Despite their fresh, entertaining characters, it still doesn’t feel like the Bucks are all that hot. Possibly because they border on cartoon-y. In FTR’s case, no-one who appears only on Collision can be. Neither side helped by either this woeful tournament, the Punk/Perry video or the ongoing de-emphasis of tag wrestling.
Which was touched on the other day.
Match quality: 8
On some ‘fool me once’ ish, they’re not getting no 10 here. Both sides have competed in some of the best matches of the last few years. But never against each other.
There’s always just a little something missing. The Bucks’ best clashes have come against their Elite buddies and the Lucha Bros. FTR’s against the likes of Jay White, who’s never been accused of too many high spots.
Nonetheless, this should still be very good. And might even benefit from fans’ expectations being lowered after they failed to have the anticipated classic last summer. Try not to die guys.
Build: 0 Polar
AEW had all this inherent value in the tag belts courtesy of Sting going out the way he did. That Darby about killed himself for. And just let it die. While outside of their original one in 2020, these four’s feuds have been the victims of Tony Khan 101 – Dude, the match’ll be sick!
Which was his approach for their clash at All In last year.
The backstage footage of which will inevitably dredge up the divisive feelings Adam Copeland maturely implored us all to move on from. Feelings which help neither team here.
Big Punk fan? Then the Bucks might be bigger heels than they were before. But the babyface in the situation isn’t FTR, he no longer works for the company.
AEW backer? Then the Bucks are absolutely right about Punk and Jack Perry really is a scapegoat. Nothing like sympathy for heels. (To be very clear, I’m speaking hypothetically, not trying to take sides.)
We’ll get to the genuine reason for it being a ladder match below. As for the storyline one? Well, it doesn’t exist.
Not even one as basic as – the Bucks are experienced in ladder matches while FTR are not, so as EVP’s they’ve demanded this stip. That took like five seconds to think of. It’s not good; it’s far from creative, but at least it’d bring heat for the heels and sympathy for the babyfaces. It’s better than nothing. But nothing we got.
Overall Score: 14
So why would a company who’ve had a minimum of six weeks to plan a match suddenly jam a ladder stip in barely a week beforehand?
Well, because they’d clearly finally decided on a finish. Someone is going to interfere. And while the Bucks generally seem okay with their ref looking like a moron; FTR are not. So they needed a match where interference was outwith the official’s control.
It’s not an original thought to project the interferer as Jack Perry. It’s also believed the Motor City Machine Guns are AEW bound so there could just be a whole mess of run-ins here. But Perry as the decisive factor makes sense if they’re going to have him return (because re-debut isn’t a word AEW!) with a bang.
WINNER: Young Bucks
Danke for reading as always. Part two tomorrow. Where the big boys play. Feel free to ‘look at the adjective(s)!’
The new WWE Women’s World champion will be crowned on Monday Night Raw via a battle royal.
The title was vacated by champion Rhea Ripley on Monday after she suffered a shoulder injury the prior week in a backstage segment with Liv Morgan. Mami warned everyone that whoever is the champion when she returns, she will be back for blood.
16 WWE Superstars – including Xia Li who was released last night – were shown in the commercial which aired during Smackdown as participants.
Those shown included Becky Lynch, Candice LeRae, Chelsea Green, Indi Hartwell, Ivy Nile, Kayden Carter, Katana Chance, Liv Morgan, Maxxine Dupri, Natalya, Nia Jax, Piper Niven, Shayna Baszler, Tegan Nox, and Zoey Stark.
In the latest episode of his Six Feet Under podcast, The Undertaker seemed like he gave away the location of next year’s WrestleMania.
“It’s in Vegas next year,” Taker said before a long pause. “That’s what I think, I think I heard that…good Lord!”
The location has not been officially announced by WWE yet with Minneapolis being one of the frontrunners to host the show.
But this is the first WrestleMania location to be chosen by the new regime, and considering Nick Khan’s ties to Las Vegas, the location makes perfect sense.
If Vegas is indeed the place, the Allegiant Stadium would be hosting the show and presumably the next-door T-Mobile Arena the home of the other events.
WWE are expected to formally announce a location within the next month.
Undertaker just leaked the Wrestlemania location for next year accidentally.
