The next Battle of the Belts will be held later this month on Saturday, October 21 in Memphis, Tennessee.
The show will air live immediately following the conclusion of the two-hour Collision on TNT from the FedEx Forum, so AEW will have a three-hour block that night starting at 8PM ET.
This will be the eighth Battle of the Belts show, with the last one held in July. The three-card show was headlined by Luchasaurus vs Shawn Spears for the TNT title.
With the speculation that CM Punk is returning to WWE at the Survivor Series in Chicago, secondary market tickets for the premium live event are pretty much all over $200 each, including the nosebleed sections.
Ticket resellers such as Stubhub, SeatGeek, VividSeats, and many others have a limited number of tickets available for the show but they’re all through the roof in terms of pricing. The cheapest seat in the top section is going for $211.
Survivor Series is virtually sold out, with only a handful of official platinum seats at $750 each available on Ticketmaster.
The show takes place from the Allstate Arena in Rosemont on Saturday, November 25. The same arena will also host Smackdown the night before and that is also close to another sellout.
Dragon Lee has been moved from the NXT roster to the Smackdown roster on WWE.COM and it looks like the 28-year-old Mexican high-flyer is staying on the main roster from now on.
Lee signed with WWE in the beginning of this year after stints with CMLL, ROH, NJPW, AAA, and even AEW where he was part of a trios title match in August of last year.
The popular luchador wrestled on Raw for the first time late last month, losing to Dom Mysterio in an NXT North American title match and then followed that with a win against Austin Theory on last week’s Smackdown.
FTR’s reign as AEW World Tag Team champions came to an end last night on Collision in a very decisive fashion at the hands of Ricky Starks and Big Bill.
Cash Wheeler was taken out of the match as soon as the bell rang and Harwood ate three chokeslams by Big Bill, one of which was through the announce table. Starks finished him off with a spear for a quick ending.
The surprise result meant the end of FTR’s 185-day reign as champions, having won it from The Gunns during an episode of Dynamite back in April in a title vs career match.
It is believed that Wheeler was actually injured and which is why he was taken out of the match immediately.
Harwood posted a message on X saying what a run they had and they loved everyone, ending with “Top Guys out.” That led to some speculation about their future but Harwood quickly put an end to those speculations saying that they’re not going anywhere and AEW was their home.
Impact Wrestling on AXS TV drew 110,000 viewers this week, down 16,000 viewers from last week’s show. It had a 0.01 rating in the 18-49 demo, down 0.02 from the prior week. (Ratings credit: Wrestlenomics)
Jade Cargill made her on-screen WWE debut during the Fastlane Kickoff show, arriving in a white SUV and coming out looking like a billion dollars.
As cameras followed her, Triple H met her at the arena for a handshake as commentary put over Jade big time.
The video was also replayed during the Fastlane premium live event for added exposure and of course on WWE’s social media properties.
Asked by the press when Cargill will make her proper debut during the Fastlane post-show press conference, WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H said, “When she’s ready to blow the roof off.”
Triple H admitted that her rise was quick in AEW and that was great, but this is at a different level.
“She’s ready for it all, she’s ready to dig in and work her ass off, she wants to be the best,” Triple H answered.
He said that he’s very patient when it comes to these things and does not want to rush it.
“The thing you don’t wanna do is you don’t want to put somebody in a position they’re not ready for,” Triple H continued.
He said he’s not sure when Jade will show up on Raw or Smackdown but he knows the people from both brands want her there.
“When she’s ready, she’s going to be huge,” he said, noting that her amazing path before gave her the exposure but he’s very glad she’s here with them now and they’re ready to strap a rocket on her.
Triple H talked about Edge leaving WWE in one of the final questions asked at the post-Fastlane press conference yesterday night.
“The time was right for him, the time was right for us,” Triple H said about his departure, noting that WWE gave him an amazing send off and agreed with Copeland that he was right in his thought that they somewhat outgrew each other after 25 years.
“I wish him the best, no animosity, he’s doing what’s right for him and his family,” he continued, saying that he sent him a text message after he made his AEW debut telling him that he’s happy and proud of him.
“If someone feels a different opportunity is better for them, great,” Triple H said, adding that the machine doesn’t stop for anyone and they will continue to do what they do.
He said that Edge leaving creates another opportunity to fill his role and there’s a huge line of people way more than capable ready to take that spot.
Pat McAfee made another surprise appearance last night at Fastlane, weeks after he showed up in Denver with The Rock on an episode of Friday Night Smackdown.
McAfee came out wearing an Indianapolis Colts replica WWE title and fans gave their hometown hero a big welcome. McAfee played for the Colts between 2009 and 2016.
The College GameDay host got on the mic and revved up the crowd before getting an even bigger pop for his next request.
“I think Indianapolis, Indiana has deserved a WrestleMania,” McAfee said as the crowd erupted in “Yes!” chants.
He then introduced John Cena for the tag team match and then joined Michael Cole and Corey Graves for commentary for the rest of the match.
Speaking at the post-show press conference, 16-time world champion John Cena had an honest assessment of himself and said he has “got some work to do” to function at the level he is used to.
Cena labeled this run of his as somewhat “selfish” as he is taking stock of where he’s at in-ring wise and needs to work out some tweaks and find his mojo somewhere.
The GOAT said that this wasn’t the last match obviously but there are not to much more in the pipeline and the last one is certainly on the horizon.
Asked if Hollywood will call him back once the SAG-AFTRA strike is over, Cena didn’t mince his words and once again was as honest as he could be.
“They do. And I’ve made it perfectly clear you can’t do both because of the liability insurance,” he said. “If I were to try and juggle both, that would be incredibly selfish because I’d put a lot of people in the movie business out of work if something happened to me.”
Cena made it clear that once the strike is over and they can get back to work, “I’ll get back to work,” mentioning that they had to stop a project in the middle of it because of the strike.
Cena’s last date is expected to be Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia next month unless the strike goes further.
Rey Mysterio’s phone call for help came through, albeit very late, as Carlito returned to WWE last night at Fastlane to help the LWO.
Mysterio and Santos Escobar worked mostly a two-on-three handicap match against Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits until the closing moments of the match when Carlito’s new theme song hit the speakers to a big pop from the crowd.
The former United States champion ran down and got the hot tag from Mysterio, cleaning house and eventually getting the quick pinfall on Montez Ford.
During the Fastlane press conference, Triple H said that he was excited to have Carlito “back home” and to see what he can do.
Carlito was last seen at Backlash in May in Puerto Rico when he received a monster pop for coming out to help Bad Bunny in his street fight against Damien Priest. He signed a new WWE deal soon after.
Here are the results from last night’s Fastlane 2023 premium live event which took place live from the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso defeated Damien Priest and Finn Balor to become the new WWE Undisputed Tag Team champions; Rey Mysterio, Santos Escobar, and Carlito defeated Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits in a six-man tag team match; IYO SKY defeated Charlotte Flair and Asuka in a triple threat match to retain the WWE Women’s title; John Cena and LA Knight defeated Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa; Seth Rollins defeated Shinsuke Nakamura in a last man standing match to retain the WWE World Heavyweight title.
AEW Collision tonight comes to us from the Maverik Center (when you’re so maverick you deliberately spell the word wrong…) in Salt Lake City, Utah. After last week drawing 327,000 & 0.08 in the 18-49 demo. Both of those are lows for the show.
*****
The production snafus started immediately – could hear the crowd too loudly before any of the promos even began. Riccaboni on comms.
FTR vs Ricky Starks & Big Bill (Tag Titles)
Backstory: The heels pinned Dax in last week’s multi-man, in strange fashion
The heels immediately left Cash laying at ringside. Bill sent Dax crashing out there too, but was ordered by Starks to target Cash instead, sending him through the announce table via chokeslam.
Before taking Dax back inside to face the heels two-on-one. Ducking and dodging, he avoided the big man, no tag available so he looked for the Sharpshooter, Bill fought him off, planted him with a big boot, chokeslam following, he went for the pin but Starks ordered him to chokeslam Harwood again instead. Rinse and repeat. And even a fourth. Cash still down outside.
Bill then held Dax in position for a Starks Spear and we have new champs. Guess Wheeler’s injury is legit? Or his legal issues are going to become a problem. Wonder if they knew all this when they made the Bucks #1 contenders?
Winner: Ricky Starks & Big Bill
Riccaboni sent to a replay of Will Hobbs joining the Callis Fam on Dynamite (with a long delay between that and the footage actually airing) and attacking Omega and Jericho.
This was so rushed that while they showed the headshots to both (Jericho’s with the edge), they didn’t actually mention or emphasize them: no disgust from the announcers, no inset with talk of repercussions from the faces, nothing. So essentially, no heat and no build. Thanks for risking CTE though Kenny!
They showed a graphic for Hobbs facing Jericho Tuesday.
*****
A ref helped Cash to the back. Danielson came out to a nice pop.
Bryan Danielson vs Kyle Fletcher
Backstory: They thought the match would be good (weren’t wrong tbf)
So is Kingston main eventing? Toni? Neither match is anywhere close. These camera shots are all exceptionally tight so clearly not many tix have moved. Nigel continues to insult Danielson from the booth – ‘Brittle Bryan’.
After circling and locking up, Fletcher overpowered Danielson to the mat. The Dragon responded by wrestling Fletcher to the ground, the Aussie avoided a leg lock, fought his way up, smashed through BD with his shoulder then landed a stiff kick to the spine.
Reset.
Test of strength, Fletcher again powered the vet to the mat, he came back with a leg-trip, looking for the ankle lock, Fletcher immediately got the ropes. Easy story so far of Fletcher having the advantage when they’re vertical but Danielson’s wrestling winning down on the mat.
(So what I thought was the live crowd at the outset is actually a weird background noise that’s been playing all show long – like low-level cheering – which has finally stopped about twenty minutes in.)
Collar and elbow, Danielson backed to the corner, break. After a big chop, Fletcher landed a bodyslam and another kick to the spine. Danielson eyed him warily, looked to work the arm, Fletcher countered into a headlock, sent into the ropes, BD kitchen sink and a little payback via kick to the spine.
Into a surfboard – always goes over well with the live crowd – before bending the youngster back while still in the hold to smash his face with rights, transitioning into shots from the mount – looked so violent – Fletcher covered up and got the ropes.
(Now there’s more background music, like another show’s intro is playing, immediately stopped, very distracting).
Fletcher hit shots to the gut, whipped BD in but dropped his head for a body drop and took a boot to the face, avoided a rushing Danielson, smashing him via running leg lariat, Danielson landed outside. The Aussie went for a suicide dive and was guided into the barricade by the Dragon. Looked painful as hell.
Both guys in a crumpled heap at ringside as the ads arrived. Very good so far.
Fletcher back with a bodyslam, wrist clutched on Danielson’s injured arm, another, maintaining the grip, Danielson slipped behind, running lariat, both down. Chants of ‘yes!’ from those in attendance, brutal yes! kicks with Fletcher on his knees, final one to the head, cover, two.
Stiff chops in the corner, kicks mixed in – god damn wrestling Bryan looks zero fun – rana from the top, the Dragon firing up, crowd too, running dropkick in the corner, a second, Fletcher no-sold, catching him with a dropkick of his own, brainbuster, two only.
TiA from the crowd as Fletcher fired off a flurry on the corner, Danielson sinking to the mat, whipped across, flipping over off the buckle only to be nailed via superkick but avoiding another leg lariat from Fletcher in the opposite corner. Both down again.
Fletcher clutching his knee after that, crowd clapping, BD placed the injured limb over the middle rope, went after it with kicks, mixed with chops to the chest, Fletcher shoved him away, threw a superkick, caught into the ankle lock, dead center, dragged back from the ropes, crowd baying for the tap, Fletcher climbed to his feet but was dumped via bridging German for two. Danielson maintaining his grip, back to their feet, Fletcher slipped behind, dragon suplex but too exhausted to capitalize.
Struggling to their feet, Danielson using the ropes, Fletcher took aim via leg lariat, went for his wrist clutch piledriver, Danielson escaped over the back, to the corner, boots up, he ran at Fletcher who planted him via Michinoku Driver for a near fall. Right into a dragon sleeper, merged into a reverse ddt, maintaining the hold down onto the mat. Brutal.
Fletcher set him atop the buckle, H&A to the injured shoulder, avalanche reverse-superplex, maintained back into the dragon sleeper, Danielson rolled through into a bridging pin using his feet to pin the Aussie’s shoulders to the mat. Dude is so creative with his finishes.
This was really good. Fletcher clearly has some fans backstage. With reason.
The Gates of Agony attacked the second the bell rang; Claudio and Yuta hit the scene to send them packing.
Winner: Bryan Danielson
They went to the announcers in front of a broken announce desk before replaying the highlights from the tag title match. And going backstage where the new champs were with Tony. Bill said they whupped the ass of the best team in the world. He and Ricky walk, talk and act like stars and deserve respect.
Starks said FTR aren’t getting any rematches. Now they’re the ones everyone’s after, the real faces of Collision. They are the new top dogs: ‘top dogs out’. Good from Bill; great from Starks.
Bullet Club Gold vs Metalik, Gravity & Angelico
Backstory: None
White isn’t wrestling but is wearing the AEW Title. Cardblade came with. For some reason they gave the opposition their entrance so Gravity could do his lame moonwalking and Angelico could do his insatiably goofy dancing (dude has done MMA, could whip your ass, though looks like anything but).
The announcers debated who’d attacked White in the MJF mask. As Gravity started against Austin, coming to mid-ring with his stupid walk – ‘He’s in slow motion, it’s a tactic!’ yelled/warned Juice from the apron. Don’t think anyone’s done more this year to win me over. He’s a riot.
Gunn mocked the walk then smacked him with a right. Well deserved. Gravity hit a springboard wristlock-takedown then an armdrag, torquing the arm before doing the stupid walk again to tag Metalik. Juice in too, looking for a bodyslam, Metalik slipped behind, thrust kick to the gut, forearm, leg up in the corner, slingblade bulldog (basically a reverse slingblade), Juice kicked out before one.
Angelico in, working the arm, Juice hit a knee to the gut but couldn’t fight out of the hold. Gravity came in off the top via stomp. Juice hit a knee to the gut, tagged Colten, big dropkick leaving Gravity down. Shots from the mount as the ads arrived.
Back to Robinson/Gravity, Juice hit snapping rights and a big left, Gravity down. Austin demanded in, and came in to hit Road Dogg jabs. Colten in now looking to carry on the jabs, Gravity kept crumpling to the match, playing possum, cradle for two, tag to Angelico, clotheslines for all, enziguri to Juice, stepover deathlock to Colten, snatching Austin into a god knows what at the same time.
Juice broke it up with a big left, knocked Metalik off the apron, was low-bridged out, managing to yell ‘Hi Nigel!’ as he nearly collided with the announcers, Austin blocked a Gravity springboard and Juice smashed him into the barricade. Metalik cross body to both Gunns, hurracanrana to Austin, Austin blind tag to Juice as Metalik stumbled into a 3:10 to Yuma. Juice is Loose for the win.
The rest of the BCG lay posing in the ring while White posed above with the belt. He took a mic to call Cardblade into the ring. They’re back on Collision and have brought some gold.
Before moving on to MJF. A middling chant briefly kicked up. White told Max he’d lead by example. ‘Example one’: he’s here on Collision and Max isn’t. Is he home nursing his wounds? Maybe Cole’s? White expected MJF to care, to show up for his belt, ‘after all isn’t this the thing that matters most to you…? No’.
‘Example two’: a champ needs challengers, he’s facing Hangman on Title Tuesday. He’s 3-0 against Page. So Page hasn’t earned a shot, thus the match’ll be non-title. ‘What do they call it here?’, ‘An Eliminator!’ yelled Austin’. Love. White mockingly repeated it.
And at the end of it, Page’ll do what he does so well, ‘breathe with the Switchblade’. He told MJF to relax, sit back, take notes, ‘I’ve got it from here pal, because I do it better than you and every-body knows it’. Damn that’s a promo. That’s also called swagger, carries himself so well. The title hasn’t been made to feel near this important during MJF’s entire reign.
‘If you ain’t down with that, we have two words for you, Gunns… up’.
Winner: Bullet Club Gold
Nick Wayne package. Allin was his big brother but left and he didn’t know when he was coming back. The best way to get back at him was join his enemy. And in just a week under Christian he’s realized he’s the father figure he’s always needed. Like Allin wasn’t there for him, ‘I won’t be there for you’.
This was good. Effective.
Acclaimed & Billy Gunn vs Iron Savages & Jacked Jameson (Trios Titles)
Backstory: None whatsoever
Are they making this card up as they go? Swear this was not mentioned earlier in the show: another high point for these belts. The Iron Savages came out in full 1980s mode, Jacked Jameson shouting loudly into the mic with lots of words that rhyme – ‘dreamin and creamin’.
Gunn flexed a bit then was beaten down, to the heels’ corner, big shoulder tackle from the Savage who isn’t Bronson or Jameson. Tag to Bowens, he and Billy did the double team scissors elbow. Bowens then got into a slugging match (the lad has him some great looking punches) and was winning until Bronson came in to flapjack him. Don’t think there was a tag. Can live with the ins-and-outs for flurries but a lack of tags just sucks. Why wouldn’t a fresh babyface just come in to replace Bowens? #ThingsJRwouldsay
Break.
Back to Bowens struggling, seeking a tag, cut off, Gunn knocked off the apron. Bronson paused to shake his ass then missed a moonsault. Riccaboni made a lot of Heavy D & the Boyz references (Now that we Found Love is a lot like Toni Storm tbf) as Caster tagged in, running through the heels with rights, to the top, cross body onto Jameson for two.
The other four were fighting around ringside, the Iron Savages came in to hit a double team spinebuster to Caster, Bowens saved the belts at two. On this ‘must-see edition of Collision,’ per Riccaboni. Agree to disagree.
Gunn and Caster landed a double suplex to Bronson, Bowens in for Scissor Me Timbers, Jameson then wandered in to take the losing pin. If you’ve ever seen an Acclaimed match, you know how. They all seem to go exactly like this.
Winner: the Acclaimed & Billy Gunn
They played a highlight reel from all of Toni Storm’s interviews with RJ City. Including her revelation from Wednesday that she’s ‘timeless’.
*****
Then showed highlights of Shane Taylor and Keith Lee teaming in the past with voiceovers of their current issues. Lee said he’s not who Taylor will make his name off of. Taylor that he hates that people think Lee’s better than him. Lee ended with ‘Run’. So clearly that’s a new catchphrase.
Toni Storm vs Kiera Hogan
Backstory: None
Storm had her black and white entrance again and was handing out scripts to fans and announcers – some of which Riccaboni read: ‘Toni Storm’s entrance is beginning and the crowd is enthralled’. It continued in this vein. Cannot say she’s lacking ideas, the gimmick’s far more creative than almost anything else in the company.
Hogan’s entrance music got zip, zilch, zero reaction. Hard on the girl when Storm’s basically a babyface and so is she.
Storm handed her a script too. And asked if she minded following it. Hogan ripped it up – the crowd booed, Storm gave her the ‘Hoooow dare you!’ then ran through her with a lariat and stomped away as the crowd chanted her name. She missed the hip attack, Hogan hit a slap and hip attack in the ropes, thrust kick, two count.
The script said Toni would win immediately per Riccaboni. It’s an entertaining gimmick but that’s a bit too cute.
Storm hit back with a hairmare, a second, hip attack coming, very fake looking: Hogan had already left the ring when Storm arrived yet she tried it anyway. Hogan came back in off the top via cross body for another two. Individual fans can be heard.
Storm suckered Hogan in and tripped her into the buckle then knocked her off the apron with a hip attack. Then, like Weds, she sent us to the ads – ‘We’ll be right back, stay tuned’. And was hitting Hogan with a ‘titty slap’ as we went to break.
Hogan got a boot up in the corner, dropkick from the middle rope, Storm down in the corner. Hogan hit a hip attack, basement dropkick, another two count.
Storm got a two count and gave the ref a loud: ‘Hooooow dare you!’ after, as she did Weds. So that’s clearly intended to become a spot late in her matches. Crowd didn’t join in this time but will learn to. Hogan took advantage with a step-up legdrop/curb stomp. Another two. Storm slipped behind, bit Kiera’s ass, release German, ‘Mr Khan I’m ready for my (something)’, vogue pose, hip attack, Storm Zero.
This needed to be waaaay shorter. Not because of the action, but because the crowd didn’t care a lick about Hogan and didn’t believe she’d win for a second. So were dead.
Winner: Toni Storm
Renee backstage with Ruby Soho. Who lost to Shida on Rampage. Renee asked where that left her. She claimed she had Shida beat when Shida’s ‘fat fingers’ took out the ref. But she’ll be cheering Saraya on from ringside Wednesday. Renee then told her she was banned. She freaked out but then said Saraya doesn’t need her: ‘there’s a reason she’s the champ’.
Yep, they had a show in London and Jamie Hayter’s injured.
Eddie Kingston vs Komander (ROH Title)
Backstory: Komander won a 4-way last night
Weren’t we assured ROH was going away behind a paywall?
JR was out for this one. As was Eddie, to his usual nice pop. Chants for Kingston as they locked up, he shoved Komander away, repeat. The youngster struck back via armdrag, ducked a backfist, was shoved away again but landed another armdrag.
They keep coming together then resetting as one gets the advantage.
Another takedown saw Eddie take a powder, he did the Joe ‘walk away’ to avoid a 619 through the ropes. But was snatched into an Octopus stretch as he returned, still in it down to the mat, he finally got the ropes after struggling. Komander then made the mistake of chopping the champ and was smashed to the corner, machine gun chops, suplex back out.
Komander took a chop but rebounded off the ropes, fired up, asked for another, ducked it, fired shots, corkscrew cross body off the ropes for two, beautiful move, running shooting star for another.
Eddie to the outside, Komander launched himself off the apron and over the ringpost to crash through the champ. Then headed upstairs, 450, another close call. Eddie recovered to catch him up there, big chop, a battle ensued atop the buckle until Kingston landed a superplex, countered into a cross body by Komander for another two.
Eddie came back via uranage for two; short arm lariat, same result. He missed the backfist, was countered into a sloppy ddt, la magistral, Eddie got the ropes, rolled his weight back to get two then hit the Uriken for the win.
This was wrestling for the sake of wrestling. Pretty good, but if Komander’s not being built for anything, he shouldn’t push someone on Kingston’s level like this. As per the last match, the crowd didn’t buy Komander winning. Not surprisingly.
Kingston helped Komander up, bowed and pointed to the challenger, the crowd cheered.
Winner: Eddie Kingston
They ran through the Dynamite card, none of which they’ve done a thing to build here – no interviews, they haven’t even made anything out of Mox’s return.
Of course we’re ending with Copeland again. Might say something for me, might say something for them, but I’ve forgotten he’s coming on both shows now.
He came out to a nice pop, beckoned the crowd to make some noise, then put over JR for signing him back in the day. Ross mentioned they had breakfast this morning. Copeland then said things didn’t go to plan Wednesday. He’s confused because the whole reason he came here was to team with Christian.
Again mentioned that he’d lost nine years but come back through hard work and persistence. The same was true of Cage for seven years. Yet here they are and Cage doesn’t want to team. Cage had stopped taking his calls lately and he’s not the best guy, he’s a ‘dick’ but Copeland loves him anyway. He said Cage was a Bond Villian, so if Saurus is his ‘heavy’ then Nick Wayne must be his hairless Persian cat that sits in his lap. The crowd chanted this, Copeland said if they do that every time they see Wayne, ‘I’ll be smiling’.
But ultimately he’s out here for answers so beckoned Cage to come out. Christian appeared on the big screen to tell Copeland he doesn’t call the shots. As for his demanding an answer, it won’t come tonight but on Dynamite Tuesday. He’ll be there ‘but are you gonna make it?’.
Luchasaurus’ music hit, Nick Wayne came with him, in that same sweater. He took a boot from Copeland, Saurus was Speared off the apron, Edgecution to the youngster, Spear coming, Saurus snuck back in and chokeslammed him. Apparently Luchasaurus has a lariat called The Extinction and he hit Copeland with it.
Then grabbed a chair, Copeland down and out. Conchairto coming. Darby Allin’s music hit ‘well he better get here quickly’ yelled Nigel, who mustn’t have watched Sunday. Allin appeared from behind with a chair and smacked Saurus. It’s a miracle this dude’s shoulder isn’t ruined. Wayne cowered and begged off, Allin hesitated, turned his back to go after Luchasaurus, Wayne hit him with a shotgun dropkick and Luchasaurus flung him shoulder-first into the buckle then ripped away the brace.
They positioned Allin’s arm for a conchairto, Wayne hit it. What a dumb babyface. He already screwed you Sunday, warned you earlier in a promo and you turned your back on him. Possible Allin does need surgery and this writes him off? The injury list’s growing again.
_________________________________________________________________
Next Dynamite (Title Tuesday):
Next Collision:
Thumbs Up/Down
*****
To sum up – hour one = good and stuff happened; hour two = boring and nothing happened
Appreciate you reading. Enjoy the rest of the weekend.
Fastlane kicks off in just a few hours on Peacock and WWE Network and the five-match card looks all solid on paper. We will present the latest odds below for the full card but remember, these odds will probably still change by the time the show goes on the air.
Seth Rollins battles Shinsuke Nakamura in a last man standing match for the WWE World Heavyweight title. Rollins remains favorite with 1/10 odds while Nakamura is 4/1 for his first major title on the main roster.
IYO SKY defends her Women’s title against Charlotte Flair and Asuka in a triple threat match and the champ has 3/10 odds and favorite to win this one, with Flair at 7/4 and Asuka at 9/2.
John Cena teams up with WWE’s hottest star at the moment, LA Knight, to take on Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa of the Bloodline. The favorites are of course Cena and Knight who have 1/10 odds while their opponents are 9/2.
The Undisputed WWE Tag Team title match remains the same in odds as yesterday, with Judgment Day still favorites with 33/100 odds while Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso are 2/1 to walk out of Indianapolis with the titles.
Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits look like a lock to win their six-man tag team match against the LWO who will have a mystery partner with them. Lashley and Profits are 2/9 favorites while LWO are 11/4.
Hey everybody! It’s @TheMagnumDA here with the pick’em report for tonight’s Premium Live Event, WWE Fastlane 2023!! This evening, I will be defending the WOPC Championship against the one and only Colin Vassallo. We’ve got bonus questions, so there’s sure to be a clear cut winner tonight! But…in case it ends in a tie, the champion keeps the strap on a draw.
So with that in mind, ON WITH THE PICKS!!
Latino World Order (Rey Mysterio, Santos Escobar, and either Joaquin Wilde/Cruz Del Toro) (with Zelina Vega) vs. Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford)
Magnum: Ever since there was discussion about a mystery partner, I’ve been thinking about picking the LWO. That said, Lashley and the Profits can’t lose their first outing as a unit. I’ll take Lashley and the Profits.
Colin: I mean, LWO stands zero chance here. Can I give it less than a zero %? It would be great if Jade Cargill debuts here and aligns herself with Lashley and The Profits. Have her come out for Zelina Vega and make that her first feud. Anyway, Bobby, Angelo, and Montez for the win here.
Bonus #1: Who gets the winning fall in this tag match?
Magnum: Lashley
Colin: Ford
WWE Women’s Championship – Triple Threat Match
Iyo Sky (c) vs. Asuka vs. Charlotte Flair
Magnum: This is the Charlotte formula – stick nose into feud, get a title shot, and then take the title. I do believe the title will come back to Charlotte, somehow, but not tonight. I’ll take Iyo to retain.
Colin: I just hope to God they don’t give Charlotte the title just now. I love IYO SKY, she’s tremendous and deserves a good run with the title. With The Pirate Princess coming in soon, that would be a great program. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for an IYO win.
John Cena and LA Knight vs. The Bloodline (Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa) (with Paul Heyman)
Magnum: Since he is sticking around for a little longer, it only makes sense for Cena and Knight to pick up a huge win. LA Knight getting the endorsement from Cena would be huge.
Colin: Looking forward to this match, actually. It’s LA Knight’s time to shine and Uso and Sikoa can take the loss here and stay strong. Cena will do his usual stuff and I expect Knight to work most of the match, which isn’t a bad thing. Cena and Knight win.
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship
The Judgment Day (Finn Bálor and Damian Priest) (c) vs. Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso
Magnum: This could be the match that solidifies the alliance between the Judgment Day and the Bloodline. While Solo and Jimmy are not favored to win their match, I would not be surprised to see them reappear in this match and cost Cody and Jey the titles. Judgment Day retains.
Colin: Judgment Day are on a roll and I can’t see them losing the Tag Team titles now, even against the opposition of Cody and Jey. It will be interesting how this ends, but I don’t see it ending in a fair way, typical of JD. I’m more interested in who gets the pinfall loss here, unless they go the DQ route. Either way, Judgment Day wins.
Bonus #2: Who gets the winning fall in this tag match?
Magnum: Priest
Colin: Balor
Last Man Standing match for the World Heavyweight Championship
Seth “Freakin” Rollins (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Magnum: So I’m actually going to take this a step further – I do believe there will be a cash-in at the end of this match. I don’t believe it will be in the middle of the match, but I think it will take place afterwards. I’ll take Rollins to win the match…but don’t be surprised to see Damian Priest take the Fast Lane to the World Heavyweight Championship by the end of the night. See what I did there? I…never mind.
Colin: The last match was a bit underwhelming so hopefully this one goes better. I really want Shinsuke to win the title, I really, really want it. But considering how it ended on Raw, Rollins will probably win this and moves on to someone new.
Alright fans! That’s going to do it for us – enjoy the show tonight and we’ll see you next time for the Pick’em report. @TheMagnumDA signing off.
Live tonight from the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, WWE presents Fastlane 2023 on Peacock and WWE Network. The full card is as follows:
Seth Rollins vs Shinsuke Nakamura in a last man standing match for the WWE World Heavyweight title; John Cena and LA Knight vs Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa; IYO SKY vs Asuka vs Charlotte Flair in a triple threat match for the WWE Women’s title; Rey Mysterio, Santos Escobar, and a mystery partner vs Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits in a six-man tag team match; and Finn Balor and Damian Priest vs Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso for the WWE Undisputed Tag Team titles.
The Fastlane Kickoff show starts at 7PM ET on WWE.com, WWE Network, Peacock and WWE social platforms, including YouTube and Facebook. The premium live event then starts at 8PM ET.
The subtle CM Punk references on WWE television continued yesterday, with Corey Graves dropping the latest hint when plugging the Seth Rollins vs Shinsuke Nakamura match for tonight’s Fastlane.
“The greatest trick the devil ever played was making the world forget that he existed,” Graves said as the graphics for the match aired.
That is a line that Punk used when he was in Ring of Honor as well as during his feud with MJF last year in AEW. It’s also one of the most popular lines in the movie The Usual Suspects.
A few weeks ago Michael Cole also dropped another CM Punk hint when he interviewed Seth Rollins, calling him a “manipulator” and “puppeteer.”
That is also something that came from a CM Punk promo in ROH when he declared ROH as his stage, his theater, and everyone is his puppet and he pulls all the strings.
Both Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins have also used words that could be referenced to CM Punk over the past several weeks, with Rollins even saying that when he’s at 100%, he’s the best in the world.
WWE did a similar thing with the lead up to Cody Rhodes’ return at WrestleMania.
Tonight’s Collision will be airing an hour earlier than usual in a bid to avoid another disastrous number against the WWE Fastlane premium live event.
Collision has suffered big time when going head-to-head against WWE PLEs since it started in June and took its biggest loss this past week against NXT No Mercy.
Collision tonight starts at 7PM ET which gives them an hour advantage versus Fastlane which kicks off at 8PM on Peacock and WWE Network.
Rated-R Superstar Adam Copeland will be on the show tonight to respond to Christian Cage after on Wednesday he told him to go f*ck himself after Copeland proposed to reunite their tag team.
You can add The Undertaker’s name to the growing list of WWE Superstars who will be showing up at NXT this coming Tuesday as the Wednesday Night War is revisited when Dynamite moves to Tuesday for one night only.
Earlier yesterday, PWInsider.com reported that Taker will be at the Performance Center next week and was booked for Tuesday as well.
Yesterday on Smackdown, a commercial for the biggest NXT show ever aired and it closed with The Undertaker’s signature gong.
John Cena will be appearing on the show in Carmelo Hayes’ corner in the main event and so will Paul Heyman who will do the same for Bron Breakker. Cody Rhodes will also have a major announcement, Asuka will return to take on Roxanne Perez, and NXT alumni The Brawling Brutes are also being brought in to take on Gallus.
The Smackdown season premiere next week will see the return of the Undisputed WWE Universal champion Roman Reigns.
Reigns has not been seen on television since the Smackdown following SummerSlam so it’s been a full two months since the Tribal Chief has graced the WWE Universe with his presence.
Also, Triple H will be making an appearance on the broadcast as well, his first one since the post-WrestleMania shows.
Next week’s Smackdown goes head-to-head with AEW Collision, which moves to Friday for one time only.
The LWO will have a mystery partner tonight at Fastlane after Cruz Del Toro and Joaquin Wilde were attacked by The Street Profits on Smackdown.
Rey Mysterio and Santos Escobar are a man down for their six-man tag team match tonight against Bobby Lashley and The Profits, but Mysterio said he would fix it by making a phone call.
One potential name who could be coming in is Carlito, who was signed to a WWE deal months ago following his appearance at Backlash in Puerto Rico, but has never been used since then.
