Dominik Mysterio got married to his longtime girlfriend Marie Juliette Virissimo yesterday in a private ceremony attended by several WWE Superstars, including members of the Judgment Day faction.
The two childhood sweethearts, who met each other when they were 14 and in school, have been dating for a long time and got engaged in January of last year.
Austin Theory and Damian Priest were two of the groomsmen and keeping with his current WWE persona, guests at his wedding kept hilariously booing Dominik every time he tried to speak at the wedding, bringing out out laughs from those in attendance.
The two danced to the Lewis Capaldi “Pointless” song as their first dance and then he also took the dance floor with his mother.
Congratulations to the couple!
STUNNING
Congratulations to the newly weds
Mr & Mrs Gutierrez 🥂❤️
AEW commentator Kevin Kelly has been fired from the company according to Wade Keller of the Pro Wrestling Torch.
Kelly, who has been working the Collision commentator booth alongside with Tony Schiavone and Nigel McGuinness, was not at the Collision tapings this week. While he served as the lead commentator for the show in the first few months, he was eventually replaced by Schiavone in October of last year.
Kelly was fired due to comments he made on social media last week after he wrote that ROH commentator and fellow AEW employee Ian Riccaboni libeled him.
“The idea of what I bring to the table is lost there because Ian libeled me,” Kelly wrote. “So I sit on the bench, valued by my peers, waiting to get my number called.”
Kelly added that he keeps asking why he keeps getting pushed aside.
“It’s ok because there is no one better than me. Ask the ones that know and they’ll tell you,” he continued.
Kelly worked for New Japan Pro-Wrestling doing the English commentary for their shows before joining AEW full time in June of last year.
WWE today announced that the U.S. Express, the tag team of Mike Rotunda and Barry Windham, will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2024.
Paul “Triple H” Levesque informed the two personally in a video chat which was published on WWE’s social media properties. Levesque told them that both of them were there to start it all at the very first WrestleMania and he was here to tell them that both of them are going in as a tag team.
Rotunda was visibly emotional as both of them thanked Triple H for the honor.
This is Windham’s second time in the Hall of Fame, having previously been inducted as part of the Four Horsemen. This is Rotunda’s first HOF induction.
“From the very first #WrestleMania… to the WWE Hall of Fame. Mike Rotunda & Barry Windham are a legendary tag team with deep family ties to our business, and their influence will be felt for generations to come. It was an honor to tell the US Express that they’re #WWEHOF bound,” Triple H wrote.
The duo join Paul Heyman and Bull Nakano as part of this year’s class.
From the very first #WrestleMania… to the WWE Hall of Fame.
Mike Rotunda & Barry Windham are a legendary tag team with deep family ties to our business, and their influence will be felt for generations to come.
Tokyo Sports is reporting that Kazuchika Okada has signed a three-year deal with AEW worth a total of $13.5 million.
That means that the former IWGP Heavyweight champion will be making around $4.5 million per year while he’s wrestling full time with the promotion, becoming one of the highest-paid athletes in the company.
There were rumors that WWE did offer Okada a deal but it was nowhere close to what AEW offered. Okada made his full-time debut on Dynamite this week and joined The Young Bucks as part of The Elite.
He will have his first match on tomorrow’s Collision, an episode which was taped yesterday in Duluth, Georgia, in front of just over 2,000 fans.
A WWE Games Instagram post with a photo of Cody Rhodes flanked by Rhea Ripley and Bianca Belair as cover Superstars for WWE 2K24 received several racist comments as “fans” targeted Bianca Belair.
“Bianca doesnt belong. But I guess gotta have a black,” IG user e3crock wrote on the post.
“The two on the left yes. Bianca. Absolutely not,” said another IG user.
“Why Bianca,” wrote garou_gl, while hdotlika added, “Lol y’all only included Bianca because, you know, “diversity.'”
User realist_feline_inthe_sticks added, “F bianca in a Confederate flag way.”
Pedro5753 wrote, “3?? All I can see are Rhea and Cody only…”
These comments are just some of the tons of comments posted by racist so-called fans, most of which were met with condemnation from other Instagram users.
Current WWE Women’s World champion Rhea Ripley also posted on X reacting to the horrible comments.
“EST ain’t just a nickname… @BiancaBelairWWE is a history maker, a trailblazer, and one of the nicest humans that you would have the privilege to ever meet. Y’all just mad that she’s better than you,” Ripley wrote.
Zelina Vega also chimed in, adding, “Bianca is one of the best this business and WORLD has ever seen. When I think of a hard worker, stand out, path paver, and someone who is genuinely a proud representation of her culture, it’s Bianca. She deserves everything she’s gotten and MORE. She EARNED the name EST. The “fans” that took part in the blatant disrespect and hate towards her and other black men and women should be ashamed and embarrassed. It’s disgusting. But your hate will never EVER dim their shine. We love you B. You continue to be an inspiration to all of us.”
Former WWE champion Big E wrote that black women in this industry face a regular barrage of racism and misogyny from “fans” and have been for far too long.
“You cannot diminish their light. You cannot erase their contributions to this industry,” E wrote.
AEW has made a change to its logo and eliminated the wording “All Elite Wrestling” and the white border that surrounded the AEW initials.
The logo is now simply made of the AEW initials in their original color.
The change comes after the “new season” for the promotion kicked in yesterday, with a brand new set, color scheme, and theme for Dynamite. The set was designed in conjunction with Warner Bros. Discovery.
It’s unclear if Collision will also undergo a similar change in set. This week’s Collision will be taped tonight in Duluth, Georgia, the same location from last night’s Dynamite.
The NXT Roadblock episode on USA Network drew 654,000 viewers, up 84,000 viewers from the previous week and the most-watched episode since January 16. The show drew a 0.16 rating, the same number it did last week and was #14 on the top 50 cable chart for the night. (Ratings credit: SpoilerTV)
In a rare interview with Kick Rocks Wrestling Podcast recorded in Los Angeles, Mercedes Mone discussed why she left WWE in the first place and her future.
Asked about walking out of WWE in May 2022 along with Naomi, Mone said that she needed to stand up for herself and it was the hardest decision she ever made in her life.
“But it’s the most proudest. It’s crazy because I would not be sitting here, living the best version of my life and getting to be everything I’ve ever dreamt of. I get to be everything I ever dreamt of and more. You have no idea,” Mone told host Evan Mack, himself a former WWE employee.
Despite walking out and on/off negotiations for a return that went nowhere, Mone did not have one bad thing to say about WWE and credited them for giving her her dreams.
“I can’t say nothing but amazing things to WWE,” the former Raw and Smackdown Women’s champion said. “I’m so thankful for the career that they gave me, the fans that they gave me, the life that they gave me, the dreams that they gave me. So many dreams. I got to chase and live them all.”
Mone, who is also a former IWGP Women’s champion, said she’s ready and better than ever and can’t wait to see all the plans she had in 2023 come to life this year.
“I’ve been making some really big moves. Big business moves and big money moves,” she continued. “I finally think I’ve found a home in a wrestling place.”
Mone was dealing with WWE in December for a return but asked for a ton of money, something that WWE were not willing to pay. She then signed with AEW and will be making her debut next week at the Dynamite: Big Business show in Boston.
TKO’s Mark Shapiro revealed at the Morgan Stanley Technology Media & Telecom Conference in San Francisco that the group’s original talks with Netflix revolved around NXT and not the massive $5 billion deal that brought Raw and all WWE programming internationally to the streaming service.
Eventually, NXT went to The CW Network although it will be part of Netflix for all countries internationally where there’s no television deal in place.
Shapiro, who credited WWE President Nick Khan and TKO Chief Financial Officer Andrew Schleimer as the brains behind the deal, said that they’re looking forward to start the partnership and are confident in Netflix’s marketing strategy which will elevate WWE every time users log on to the service.
The TKO President and COO also talked about the WWE premium live events and sees those as the next opportunity to make a lot of money. Shapiro said that WWE’s deal with Peacock – $1 billion for five years – is underpriced and the WWE monthly events are surpassing all expectations for NBCU.
Shapiro noted that come 2026, when the domestic rights for WWE PLEs and the WWE Network expire, it will be a hotly-contested property and there’s a big demand already for those rights.
He didn’t say that they’re looking for Netflix to get everything but noted that with all providers they talked to, all conversations started with questions surrounding the WWE PLEs and their expiry.
NBCU will have a first shot at the renewal since they are the current contract holders for WWE Network and PLE content in the United States.
Speaking during Busted Open Radio, both Lex Luger and Diamond Dallas Page confirmed that they got permission from WWE to attend Revolution for Sting’s last match.
Luger and DDP, both of who are under WWE Legends deals, said that WWE allowed them to show up and sit wherever they want as long as they are not interviewed or shown on camera, sort of debunking Kevin Nash’s statement that he was denied permission to show up. Nash later reworded what he said, noting that he didn’t want to be shown on camera with an “all elite” graphic.
“They got out us out there so we could kind of soak in the atmosphere,” Luger said before DDP added that it was all off-camera and they didn’t want to be shown on TV.
“WWE is classy. They said you can go and everything just don’t be on camera, interviewed or be part of the match,” Luger added.
Both legends are close friends with Sting, especially Lex Luger who shares a long history with The Icon in both NWA and WCW.
John Cena has been teasing an appearance at WrestleMania 40 although he’s not letting the cat out of the bag yet.
Appearing on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon last night, the 16-time world champion teased a face off with The Rock after Fallon pulled a print from his latest IG post which simply had He-man in a face-to-face situation with Fisto.
Fallon ask Cena if he can confirm it.
“People are talking. WrestleMania 40. They’re speculating that The Rock and I will be in the ring in Philadelphia for WrestleMania 40, they’re going to keep talking until it happens…we don’t know yet,” Cena said.
Cena then asked Fallon if he wants to make a promise he can’t keep or write a check that he can’t cash.
“Is that what we’re doing here? Is that what type of outfit you’re running?” Cena questioned Fallon.
But Cena did confirm that he is free on April 6.
“I mean, I’m free that day,” Cena said. “I’m just saying. I’m just saying to you guys out there.”
Cena also toyed around with the idea of appearing at WrestleMania 40 when he appeared on ESPN’s First Take yesterday morning.
Jim Ross is a happy man after he got what he wanted: a brand new AEW contract.
The WWE Hall of Famer revealed on his latest episode of Grilling JR that he signed a completely new deal for one year, calling it the “quickest and easiest negotiation” he’s ever done in his career of 50 years.
“That’s all because of Tony Khan’s commitment to me as a broadcaster. And he’s always been a fan of my work, which helps your cause, when your boss is a fan of your work. It never hurts anything, so we got a new deal,” Ross said.
JR added that he’s happy with the year-long deal and financial-wise, it was everything he wanted.
“I was very blessed to be working with Tony on that deal, he wanted me signed. He got his man and I got my company, so it all worked out real well,” he continued.
Ross returned at Revolution to call the final two matches after several health issues prevented him from traveling and doing any work for the company.
Adam Copeland returned to AEW television after several weeks out and set up a third encounter against Christian Cage.
The Rated-R Superstar showed up when The Patriarchy were posing at the top of the ramp, sneaking from behind. Copeland shoved Luchasaurus off the stage and then chocked out Nick Wayne. He also managed to block a low blow from Shayna and proceeded to chase his former tag team partner backstage and out of the arena.
After Cage managed to escape, Copeland challenged Cage to an I Quit match for the TNT title at the Dynamite in Toronto, a match which was immediately made official by AEW President Tony Khan.
Dynamite in Toronto will be held on March 20 at the Coca-Cola Coliseum.
The Rainmaker is All Elite! AEW announced yesterday that former IWGP Heavyweight champion Kazuchika Okada has signed a deal with the company after his surprise appearance on Dynamite.
Okada, who finished up his duties with New Japan Pro-Wrestling last month weeks after he was officially a free agent, showed up at Dynamite in Duluth, Georgia to a big pop from the crowd. He came out during The Young Bucks segment with Eddie Kingston and while at first he gave the impression that he was going to help Kingston, he eventually joined The Elite.
The 36-year-old Japanese star was highly rumored to be moving to AEW after he announced his intentions to depart NJPW after 14 years. While WWE were interested in his services, the company never aggressively fought for his signature and while they did make an offer, AEW’s offer money-wise was significantly bigger.
This is Okada’s first full-time contract with a U.S.-based promotion. He is obviously not new to AEW or its audience as he made several appearances in the previous years.
Okada and Mercedes Mone were two of the biggest free agents and it’s a big win for AEW and Tony Khan to manage to land them both. Mone will be making her debut on next week’s episode of Dynamite: Big Business from her hometown of Boston.
So the Bucks have a ‘huge announcement’. Okada? I actually thought him coming in as a heel whose coat-tails they hang on to would be really fun. The obvious flaw being that there’s not a single chance he’d be booed.
*****
Dynamite has a new theme. A new set too with a new color scheme. Back to the separate tunnels except they kind of look like light tubes given the vibrant colors. I like it: like the return to the separate tunnels, like the move away from a set which too closely resembled WWE between the main entrance, the reds and the blues.
You can see a sample of the lettering in the image which accompanies this review, editors and admin on top of their game.
Schiavone waiting in the ring. For Mr Strickland. Nana totally played to the crowd. The same Nana JR and Schiavone talked about Swerve not being able to trust on Sunday. They played clips of Swerve coming close in the match until Page tapped. And looking ‘distraught’ after.
Fans loudly chanted ‘Swerve’s house’ while Tony asked what came next. Swerve said he didn’t know if he deserved that fan reaction. Because he just couldn’t get it done Sunday. He said it was two years to the day since he signed his AEW contract. When he’d first vowed to be the AEW Champion.
Yet still he stands without the gold. Part of him thinks it’s karma – ‘I’ve done some really terrible things in AEW bro’. He sounded a little manic as he said this and kind of giggled. Undercutting the sincerity.
He said maybe he’s supposed to be the guy who gets close but can’t quite grasp it. Crowd chanted ‘You deserve it’.
He said Sunday felt different though. It felt like people were rooting for him for the first time (you deaf dude?). He even heard some fans had flown in in to see him win, so ‘I will not let you down’.
So ‘Samoa Joe,’ I’m comin for you. He vowed to defeat him for the world title, mere seconds after saying he’d beat him whether he had the title or not. Speaking to the general promo – which had the gist of a good idea but was just missing something. I didn’t believe the words he said. And he’s still intent on playing this slightly sinister character with the cackling and some mannerisms
This brought out the champ who deliberately waved his title high and polished it in front of Strickland. ‘For a man I beat down the other day you sure are talkin funny’. And is making promises he’ll never keep. So Joe’s come out to be a reality check.
‘Unfortunately, your house exists in my world.’
So he thought he’d come out and let fans see an actual champion. Swerve pointed out Joe didn’t beat him and hasn’t beaten him yet. Since Joe was all parading the belt around, ‘how about we do this shit right now?’
The crowd were hype but quickly brought down by the Undisputed Kingdom’s theme. They all came out, Cole still in his wheelchair.
He did the storytime thing and drew boos: the only story is the UK – just like they promised, Strong is the new International champ. The Kingdom are still the greatest ROH tag champs. Whereas Joe is only champ because the UK let it happen. ‘And Swerve, six months from now no-one’s gonna give a damn about you,’ – there’s no way in hell he’s winning the AEW title.
Because Wardlow will. ‘Very, very soon,’ he’s going to compete for the title and bring it back to the UK.
Swerve said he’s really taking to Cole’s new role as a manager. He called him ‘Dr Claw from Inspector Gadget.’ Crowd laughed. He said he even had Britt’s number if they needed new members.
Cole got hot and challenged Swerve and Joe to face the Kingdom. Joe laughed, Swerve said ‘Why wait?’. Cole said Swerve didn’t make the rules, they do, so the match will be next week. Schiavone interjected to say Tony Khan had made the match ‘right now, bring out the referee.’
Really like the immediate focus on the title and presumably the build to the next ppv. Swerve still seems to be between roles on the mic but this was definitely a strong move toward babyface.
Also the whole heels refuse the match only for it to be made anyway gimmick has been proven now and forever if it got the crowd to cheer about seeing the Kingdom.
Swerve Strickland & Samoa Joe vs the Kingdom
Backstory: See above
Joe jabbed Taven back to the corner, Bennett ran in and the same happened. Joe avoided Taven and continued to get the better of both heels. Big boot, senton, two. Joe preened and refused to tag, Bennett tagged in and Taven hit a gamengiri from behind as Bennett got two.
Ads. Busy start to the show.
Back to fans chanting ‘We want Swerve’. STJoe out of the corner on Taven, tag to Swerve, big cheer, Strickland fluidly struck and moved, diving elbow to the back of Bennett, kick to the face of Taven off the apron, flatliner on Bennett inside, sweeping into the brainbuster, crowd going wild, Swerve preening rather than pinning for some reason.
Bad case of DBS as it allowed Taven to return and block a Stomp. Swerve fought him off, Taven fell to the apron, the invisible teacher told Bennett to sit up straight so he did so Swerve could Stomp him. He then hit Big Pressure (JML Driver) to win.
Then eyed and smiled at Joe who remained on the apron, irritated.
Wardlow hit the ramp, Swerve turned his back on Joe and paid for it, into the Kokina, he went out, Joe posed over him holding his belt aloft. Very nice stuff. A little frantic.
Winner: Swerve Strickland & Samoa Joe
They played clips of Hook and Brian Cage in Team Taz then showed their recent feud.
We then headed backstage to Hook with Renee. She asked how he was feeling. Jericho walked up and said his first ever match in America was vs Taz. So he always felt a connection to Taz and thus Hook and respects him now after being in the ring with him Sunday.
‘Maybe you are the real deal, so… congrats on that’. He offered Hook a fistbump, Hook said ‘bet’ and reciprocated.
So Jericho’s Lebron James now? Man I told y’all, I knew from the start, took one look at Taz’s testicles and said ‘one day one of those swimmers is going to be a champion’.
Everything’s through a self-congratulatory prism. His approval is itself something to be congratulated on.
*****
They pushed Big Business next week then replayed Hangman destroying ref’s Sunday and said rumors had been circulating all day about what’d happen to him. We cut to the Bucks who mimicked Tony Khan’s very wooden, painted-on smile when he does announcements. And said they had two major ones.
But they’d announce them later, in the ring.
Enjoyed this. Also like teasing announcement for later. Nick in particular’s mimicking Tony was very good.
Hook vs Bryan Cage (FTW Title)
Backstory: They’ve been feuding, can’t remember why
It’s really dumb throwing this out here tonight and not having it on the ppv/pre-show either. You make matches mean something by making them seem important. Getting Twitter fingers hours before doesn’t come close.
Cage was wearing a weird cape for some reason. He looked a complete doofus. Not what a guy his size should be going for. They really pushed that this was presented by Woo Energy.
Hook looked for a t-bone early, Cage blocked it then smashed him in the corner. Overhead belly to belly after yelling ‘this is for you Taz’. Taz said he’d once suggested Cage add that to his arsenal.
It’s FTW rules so Cage grabbed a chair. The crowd booed cause dey wanted tabews. Hook smashed Cage with a trashcan lid until Cage launched him into the steps. But moved when Cage attacked only to be caught into a ringside powerslam after leaping off the apron.
Cage then missed another charge, crashing through the barricade.
Ads.
Cage smashed Hook in the back with a chair then rolled him back inside. Hook countered an F5 into a weak looking ddt. Crowd chanted for Hook. Who launched big rights and finally took Cage down with a diving shoulder. Beautiful t-bone, trashcan shot to the head (very light thankfully), t-bone onto a guardrail propped in the corner, Cage out just before three.
Crossfaces now, Cage countered behind, cazadora into a neckbreaker, powerbomb right back up into an F5 on the chair. No one should kick out of that but Hook did after Cage only used one arm. Tony slammed the ‘arrogant’ cover.
Cage then grabbed a bag from under the ring. Oh yay, tacks. How original.
Hook countered a suplex into Redrum but was crushed against the buckle as Cage immediately escaped. Hook grabbed a kendo stick, hit two shots, t-bone into the tacks, back to crossfaces, into the Redrum; Cage dropped Hook back into the tacks but Hook maintained the hold and Cage passed out.
Very much over dudes ‘passing out rather than tapping out’.
The Gates of Agony immediately attacked, Jericho legged it down and the heels fled.
Winner: Hook
They played a clip announcing a tag tournament for the vacant belts. Not really making it very clear if you didn’t already know that’d happened.
And very strangely without showing Sting and Darby winning Sunday. It highlighted lots of different teams and was voiced over by Tony Khan, who sounded like he was about to fall asleep. Couldn’t they have someone else do this?
*****
Renee backstage with Best Friends and Orange Cassidy. She asked what was next and he said he wanted to fill his backpack with another championship. Chuck’s still not cleared for the tournament but said Trent and Orange are teaming and that starts Friday.
They did a hands-in – ‘win the big one.’
Matt Menard vs Killswitch
Backstory: Killswitch chokeslammed Menard onto a chair Saturday
Literally never heard Menard’s music before.
Killswitch was on top for a bit, Menard briefly fought back but took a chokeslam. Very hard to care about this. Cage was on comms and argued with Excalibur about cheating to win Sunday.
Killswitch hit his lame lariat to the back of the neck. Then did it again after hitting the ropes.
Caffeine was invented for matches like this.
Danny Garcia hit the ring but was quickly overcome by Killswitch and Nick Wayne. Saurus held Garcia so Wayne could hit Wayne’s World. Looks like they’re setting up a match there which should be fun, those two were awesome during a recent Collision tag.
The heels were posing atop the ramp when Adam Copeland appeared from behind. He shoved Luchasaurus off the stage, choked out Wayne, blocked a low blow from Shayna then chased Cage all the way through backstage.
Cage carjacked somebody and fled. Adam Copeland runs slowly. Doesn’t he bike?
Copeland spoke to the camera and said ‘this has to end where it started’. He challenged Cage for the upcoming Toronto Dynamite in an I Quit match.
Tony Khan made it official.
This show definitely isn’t boring but is absolutely manic. Already forgotten half of what’s happened.
Winner: Killswitch
Rene backstage with Kyle O’Reilly. He said he hates admitting it but he thought he’d never wrestle again. To get a second chance to do the only thing he’s ever been good at, he’s just grateful. He said he has nothing but love and respect for the Undisputed Kingdom.
But he wants to take his own path.
Very likeably ‘babyface’ until the whole respect for the despicable heel group thing. Couldn’t he at least say he loves the guys but questions their methods?
*****
They finally got around to replaying clips from Sting’s final match along with clips of his speech.
Very cool.
Back in the arena, Schiavone brought the EVP’s to the ring.
Seems they’re now using Cody’s old entrance – rising up through the stage – permanently.
Schiavone started with the ‘asskicking you guys took Sunday’ (which was very funny) and Nick lost it and told him to get out the ring. He then ranted that Sting cheated, bringing out all his old friends and his sons etc. But then Matt whispered in his ear and he calmed down and said they’d ended Sting’s career forever.
And are entering themselves in the tournament to get their titles back.
Nick did try but he’s not great on the mic.
Matt took over for their two huge announcements.
The first is ‘really tough’ about their ‘dear friends’ but they have to make tough decisions. No bias. Their hands are forced. So Hangman’s suspended indefinitely ‘from the Elite’, for putting his hands on two officials. And Kenny Omega hasn’t been making his dates lately (that’s tremendous), so he’s ‘fired’ from the Elite.
Matt said they still loved them. And can sort it out in the group chat.
He was starting on #2 when Eddie Kingston stormed the ring. He pointed out he wasn’t paying attention to the dresscode so threw money at Nick for future fines. Matt tried to talk him down, Kingston hit first but the numbers were too much, he was about to get an EVP Trigger…
When the coin dropped.
The Rainmaker hit the ramp. In a suit. Uh oh.
Crowd went nuts.
They chanted ‘Oka-da’, until he gave a Rainmaker to Kingston from behind. Wow, they’re really doing it.
This is the second announcement, the newest member of the Elite: Kazuchika Okada. Crowd booed, Okada’s music played again. He made the ‘belt’ gesture at Kingston.
I’m into this. Don’t know it’ll work. But it’s interesting. Having him work with maybe the most popular babyface in the company will definitely help him stay heel. If anything’s going to. Also works since Matt can speak for him. They’re real life friends if anyone wasn’t aware.
*****
They pushed Big Business again and raced to clips of Ospreay’s match from Sunday. Was wondering when they’d get to this. Would’ve been criminal not to. Though in typical AEW fashion they focused on the moves and not on Ospreay Pied Piper-ing the shit out of 16,000 people.
That’s such a miss. He came off as such a star and this didn’t show that to fans who didn’t get the ppv. Which is a minimum of ¾ of the audience.
Also think they jammed waaaaay too much in there. Signing one of the greatest wrestlers of all time should be allowed to breathe.
Kris Statlander vs Riho
Backstory: NONE
Statlander came out with Stokely but without Willow.
Dueling chant as Statlander hit a delayed scoop slam and posed before missing a senton. Riho avoided two sweeps then hit a dropkick, fought out of a gutwrench, tripped Stat into the ropes, fans with her as she went for a 619. Which Statlander avoided, shoulder block, Riho bridged out of the pin but was caught trying a sunset flip, up into a bearhug then up into a delayed vertical suplex which had an awkward landing.
Riho hit a flurry in the corner, headed upstairs, cross body caught up onto Stat’s shoulders then launched off. Both are babyfaces here.
Ads.
Riho hit a low dropkick, running shot in the corner, ducked a back elbow, northern lights with a bridge for two. Stat avoided a stomp from the top and hit a pair of big lariats, make that three. Riho tried to fight up, was muscled up but countered a powerbomb into a rana, to the top once more, cross body, Stat rolled through, Riho slipped behind, dragon suplex with a stack, Stat out at two.
Statlander avoided a running knee and hit a big powerbomb with a stack, Riho out on the brink of three. Stokely threw a chain in and took Aubrey. Statlander picked it up, fans booed, she tossed the chain, countered a cazadora into a wheelbarrow German, a second, Riho countered forward on a third to snatch the pin.
Decent story – Statlander’s eventually going to decide she needs to cheat since being ‘good’ is getting her nowhere.
Riho comes and goes too often (without explanation too) for fans to grow attached. But is generally popular when she does appear.
Winner: Riho
Clips of Toni Storm vs Deonna, including the stupid dumb – distracted ref – finish.
Backstage to her with Renee.
Mariah May is now dressing as the old Toni. So Renee confused them. Toni said it’s award season and on Saturday she’s presenting the first ever ‘Toni Award – with an I, so we don’t get sued’. She then presented Mariah with her first ever shirt. Which is of May dressed as the old Toni and Storm’s getting a cut of the sales. Mariah was delighted.
It seemed Storm was a babyface here. Guess we’ll find out Saturday.
*****
Renee with Stokely and Willow. Stokely said Stat was his favorite and Willow gave him a nasty look. She’s facing Riho next Wednesday. Willow said she wants to be a champ and has her sights set on Julia Hart after she beats Riho.
*****
Back to Schiavone in the ring. He announced Darby Allin would face Jay White next week, which got a mild pop. Then called out the nutjob himself. He brought a bat
Schiavone asked what things’d be like for him without Sting. Darby paused as the fans chanted his name. He said it isn’t going to be easy. He’s gone from being homeless near here to main-eventing a ppv.
He’s lacerated, beat up and tired. But next week he has Jay White then is flying to go climb Mount Everest.
He got emotional and said he’s talking from the heart: he might not come back from Mount Everest so thanked all the fans and talked about going out fighting for his life next week. He can’t replace Sting as a partner so won’t be entering the tag tourney. He placed the belt down in the ring.
When BCG’s banger interrupted. Jay came out with the Gunns. He said he didn’t want to come out and interrupt the sob story but Darby’s so elusive he wanted the chance to talk to him face-to-face. He congratulated him on Revolution.
And said he showed he’d do anything to make sure Sting retired a champ. He asked the crowd to give it up for Sting (this all sounded sarcastic). He then called Darby stupid for diving through a pane of glass. Since it left Sting to fight two-on-one. And now Sting’s gone, and what is Darby without Sting? A little lost puppy. No-one to hold his leash.
And now he has a match with him, the catalyst and yada yada. And that’s why he’s out here – their match doesn’t need to happen. Nobody would think any less of him after what he’s been through if he doesn’t wrestle. If he gets in the ring with him, a lot worse can happen than ‘just a few little scratches’.
Instead, why doesn’t he come back and hang out with the Bang Bang Scissor Gang? They even have a nickname ready for him, since he looks like he loves playing with scissors.
Darby got angry. And asked if Jay was done. He said White main evented the Tokyo Dome and won titles ‘then came to AEW, and did what…? Play with cardboard cutouts?’. They’re going to have this ‘fight’. And if Jay’s as good as he says he is, he’ll come alone. He then whispered something in White’s ear. Then put his bat in White’s throat. He said he’d see him at Big Business.
Darby talking about climbing Everest is really counterproductive since it makes it obvious he’s losing. I get that he legitimately might die (he really might, look up the stats) and wanted to say goodbye, but perhaps he could’ve done so after the match?
Away to another segment, there is no time for anything to settle here. Its ridiculous. White was great on the mic btw. Pointing out that he’s done nothing so far in AEW is fine as long as it now leads to him actually being impactful.
*****
Backstage to Julia Hart with Skye Blue. She has an open challenge for Rampage.
An open challenge. That’s definitely worth racing away from the previous segment.
*****
Back-to-back House of Black blather in the dark. Blah blah blah blah blah re: Mark Briscoe. Pain and threats couched in too many words. Brody asked if he should dig one grave or three.
Briscoe instantly replied and vowed to take them on by himself Saturday in a streetfight. Jay Lethal appeared and said it’s time he ‘man up’. Briscoe insisted he didn’t want to tag with Jeff Jarrett though (my kinda guy).
Lethal called Jarrett ‘a low down grimy bastard’. The announcers then suggested Jarrett was actually the partner. Haven’t we done all this before with Briscoe and those jokers?
Kyle Fletcher vs Will Ospreay
Backstory: The announcers pitched Fletcher as Ospreay’s ‘best friend’ Sunday, they hugged after the match and threw up the United Empire sign; the announcers also noted Callis was pitting his guys against each other
Fans chanted Ospreay’s name as they locked up, the announcers talked about Ospreay barely being cleared.
They grappled on the mat, riding one another up into an Ospreay headlock, he gave Fletcher a shoulderblock and took an almighty one back but sprang to his feet. Crowd loved that. He ducked a pair of lariats, step-up headscissors. Fans chanted for him again.
Fletcher took a chop but then sent Ospreay to the buckle hard, the Brit really sold his back as we went to break.
Love watching Ospreay but have a feeling I’ll hate documenting him. Rapid.
He’d recovered as we returned, vaulting cross body with a little snap. He almost hangs in the air on that. Callis is on comms btw. Will got two after a suplex. Fletcher deadweighted to block a piledriver, took a chop but recovered to nail a half and half, brainbuster, near fall.
Ospreay stayed down. Chop fight as they returned to their feet, Fletcher talked a little trash, they clutched wrists before continuing the chopfest, a stinging one sending the Aussie to his knees. Begging for another, Ospreay put his hands behind his back, Fletcher nailed a thrust kick instead and yelled ‘psyche’.
Ospreay hit back with a snug elbow strike, heel kick, oscutter blocked by Fletcher taking Will onto his shoulders, Ospreay tried a rana, Fletcher held onto the legs, Ospreay did a situp into a ddt. Crowd ‘oohed’.
Pad down, Blade coming, Fletcher sensed it, ducked, hit snake eyes on the middle buckle, both down. Now on the apron, Ospreay wriggled out of a powerslam, heel kick, oscutter on the apron. Dude why!? Your poor damn back.
Ads.
Callis said he feels ‘like a proud older brother’ watching this. He’s amazing.
Fletcher fired forearms, Ospreay flipped into a step-up enziguri, countered a tombstone, Fletcher countered back but Ospreay sprang up into a poisonrana. Dude is incredible.
Fletcher cut him off up top, Ospreay landed on his feet out of an avalanche half and half, floatover into a Liger bomb, Fletcher out at 2.9. Series of kicks to the jaw, Fletcher escaped a stormbreaker, double underhook slam for a near fall, big last ride for the same.
Can’t believe some of these bumps given how bad his back looked the other day.
Fans chanted ‘AE-dub’ as both recovered.
Fletcher running kick in corner before trying the same buckle buster Takeshita injured Ospreay’s back on the other day (btw, is he seriously just being forgotten again?), Ospreay hit a Nando’s kick, springboard poisonrana, running back elbow, Fletcher kicked out.
Will hit Kawada kicks, Fletcher stumbling to his feet, they went head to head before stiff Fletcher forearms, Ospreay landed a hook kick, Fletch countered another floatover powerbomb, ducked and dodged, hit a thrust kick, Ospreay nailed a Spanish fly out of nowhere, Fletcher kicked out, oscutter finally landed, Fletcher out again.
Crowd losing their ish.
Fletcher on his knees, nodding his head, knowing the ends coming, Hidden Blade, win. No-one should kick out of that for a long time.
So this was very good. I was too busy trying to keep up to properly appreciate just how good. Full of spectacular sequences and a story of Fletcher knowing his friend well so avoiding the oscutter all match and even sensing the Hidden Blade early despite having his back to the Brit.
They were exchanging a hug when Bryan Danielson’s music interrupted and he headed to the ring. They’re wasting no time here. They went face to face as the show ended. Hell of a tease.
Winner: Will Ospreay
It was exhausting trying to keep up with that whole show. There’s a lot I’d clean and tighten up: little details, slowing down to focus on the really important things. But it’s inarguable it was exciting and they’re already positioning future matches between Joe/Swerve, Okada/Kingston and Ospreay/Danielson.
Mark Briscoe, Jay Lethal & Jeff Jarrett vs House of Black (Streetfight)
Jericho vs Titan (Yet another CMLL dude)
Debut of the Elite
Mariah May vs TBA
Danielson vs Shane Taylor
Next Dynamite (Big Business):
Joe vs Wardlow (Wow, that’s soon for Wardlow to lose, me suspects shenanigans)
Darby Allin vs Jay White
Riho vs Willow Nightingale
Thumbs Up/Down
Bucks’ ‘huge announcement’ was indeed huge. As noted above, I like Okada being with them as a heel – he can be the centerpiece of the act – which makes him seem a big deal, Matt can speak for him… all as long as the audience will actually boo him
World title was highlighted, clear direction for it and seemingly, finally, for Swerve – ending with him being choked out
Jay White badly needs heating up so a win over Darby will be a good start – was good on the mic as usual and that segment built the match nicely
They’re beefing up Collision a little – did wonder if some of these new stars would make their way over and Okada is
Ospreay vs Fletcher
Having Ospreay main event – he’s hot, he’s popular, keeping his momentum is important (and getting right to Danielson continues that: the big stars see him as one of them)
*****
However, they didn’t make him main eventing enough of a big deal, and not highlighting what a megastar he came off as Sunday is such a miss – they have a hot babyface for the first time in years, they really can’t afford to screw this up
Lots of uninteresting matches with obvious outcomes
Mark Briscoe tried to actually murder the HOB Saturday and it wasn’t even worth a recap. And this feud was uninteresting enough before adding the Js
Appreciate you reading. Hope you’re having a good week.
Week two of the new season of WWE on A&E had Jake “The Snake” Roberts vs Macho Man on Rivals and then was followed by the biography of Sgt. Slaughter.
The 8PM showing of The Snake vs Macho Man had 316,000 viewers an a 0.06 rating in 18-49, landing in #59 on the chart. That is down from last week’s 351,000 viewers and 0.07.
The Sgt Slaughter episode of WWE Biography followed with just 276,000 viewers and 0.07 rating in 18-49, finishing in #50 on the chart. That is also down from the 377,000 and 0.11 of last week. (Ratings credit: SpoilerTV)
A new era for AEW will kick in tonight live on a new-look Dynamite from the Gas South District in Duluth, Georgia.
Only three matches have been announced at time of this writing, with newcomer Will Ospreay taking on former partner Kyle Fletcher, Kris Statlander battles Riho, and FTW champion Hook wrestles Brian Cage.
Plus, Matthew and Nicholas Jackson of The Young Bucks will have a huge announcement, seemingly taking over Tony Khan’s gimmick as well!
Speaking of Khan, the AEW President has hinted at several cool things which will happen at these back-to-back Dynamite and Collision tapings in Georgia.
The only bad news is that after the high of 16,000+ fans this past Sunday, it’s back to just over 3,000 for Dynamite tonight and even less tomorrow for Collision.
Yesterday evening, Amazon MGM Studios hosted the red carpet world premiere of the new R-rated comedy Ricky Stanicky, which stars John Cena, at the Regal Times Square in New York.
Attendees included director/co-writer Peter Farrelly and stars John Cena, Andrew Santino, Jermaine Fowler, Lex Scott Davis, Jeff Ross, and Anja Savcic as well as producer John Jacobs and more.
Special guests included R’Bonney Gabriel, Eric West, Liris Crosse, Kalen Allen, Richard Kind, Joey Valence & Brae, Troy Iwata, Jojo & Nicky Scarlotta, James Murray, Joe Gatto, Clark Gregg, Mekhi Becton and many more.
The movie features John Cena in the role of Ricky Stanicky, a nonexistent person created by three friends to serve as an alibi for their immature behavior. Unfortunately, the man portraying Ricky Stanicky takes his role of a lifetime too far and the friends begin to wish they’d never invented Ricky in the first place.
The movie is released on Prime Video tomorrow, March 7.
Speaking at a conference in San Francisco hosted by Morgan Stanley, TKO President Mark Shapiro has doubled down on the fact that Vince McMahon is not coming back to the company.
McMahon was forced to resign from his post as Executive Chairman of the TKO Board of Directors in January when the Janel Grant lawsuit came to light. Shapiro and Endeavor and TKO chief Ari Emanuel made the call to McMahon to ask for his resignation.
“We’re not in conversations with McMahon. We don’t know his motives, his plans or his timeline,” Shapiro said according to a transcript by Deadline.com. “He doesn’t work for the company, doesn’t come into the office and he’s not coming back to the company. And that’s where we sit.”
Shapiro also added that TKO “did not participate in the recent sale” of Vince McMahon’s TKO shares. In a SEC filing on Monday, McMahon noted that he’s selling 5.3 million TKO shares for over $400 million.
McMahon now holds 15 million TKO shares, down from the original 28 million shares.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful is reporting through his Select service that Sammy Guevara has been suspended by All Elite Wrestling following his match against Jeff Hardy last month.
The no DQ match, which aired on the February 14 episode of Rampage, saw Guevara knock out Jeff Hardy with a shooting star press after his knee crushed Jeff’s face, leaving him with a broken nose and seeing stars.
Despite Hardy being visibly hurt, the match continued as the referee did not interfere and Guevara then went ahead and hit his Go to Hell finisher on an injured Hardy, something that Sapp said was not proper concussion protocol procedure.
While Guevara got heat for going ahead and hitting his finisher despite the obvious, the referee and the ringside medic also have to share some of the blame as they did not act accordingly and didn’t bother to stop the match.
This is the third time that Guevara has been suspended by AEW.
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