Appearing on the SI Media Podcast with Jimmy Traina, Paul Heyman was full of compliments towards Sami Zayn and said that he guarantees we haven’t seen the last of him.
Admitting that they never envisioned that Zayn would get so over with the crowd in the angle with the Bloodline, Heyman gave all the credit to Zayn for “seizing the moment.” Heyman explained how they gave Zayn just “crumbs” of a segment and then he would just turn it around into a moment of his own and connect with the audience like never before.
“I think Sami resonates with the audience just because Roman Reigns will turn to him and lean in on him about something and Sami gets that hush puppy face and that sad look on his face and the camera zooms in on the sad look on Sami’s face…and everybody feels for him,” Heyman said.
Heyman said that Zayn’s story connected with the fans because he was in pursuit of acceptance with The Bloodline, something that everyone can relate to in everyday life and credited him for his acting and authenticity which helped to ensure the angle was a home run.
The former leader of ECW said that none of the players within this storyline, be it Sami Zayn or Kevin Owens, or anyone else involved, are going away and guarantees that we haven’t seen the last of them. He said the flip side of losing to Reigns is that now you are worth far more, have a bigger fanbase, and sell more merchandise than ever before.
“That’s the whole object of what we do,” Heyman noted.
Live tonight from the Chase Center in San Francisco, California, AEW presents Revolution 2023 on pay-per-view. The full card is as follows:
MJF vs Bryan Danielson in a 60-minute iron man match for the AEW World title; Jamie Hayter vs Saraya vs Ruby Soho in a three-way match for the AEW Women’s World title; Samoa Joe vs Wardlow for the AEW TNT title; The Gunns vs The Acclaimed vs Jay Lethal and Jeff Jarrett vs Orange Cassidy and Danhausen in a four-way tag team match for the AEW World Tag Team titles; The Elite vs The House of Black in a six-man tag team match for the AEW World Trios titles; Jon Moxley vs “Hangman” Adam Page in a Texas death match; Chris Jericho vs Ricky Starks; Christian Cage vs “Jungle Boy” Jack Perry in a final burial match.
The Revolution Zero Hour show will feature John Silver and Alex Reynolds vs Claudio Castagnoli and Wheeler Yuta; and Mark Briscoe and The Lucha Brothers vs Ari Daivari and The Varsity Athletes in a six-man tag team match.
The Zero Hour show will air free live at 7PM ET on the AEW YouTube channel and FITE.TV while the Revolution pay-per-view will start at 8PM ET streaming on Bleacher Report in the United States and Canada and FITE.TV internationally.
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.
Star quality is within the company/to the company’s fans. If scores are even, matches’ll be ranked according to personal preference.
We’ll then predict the winner(s) of each contest.
Without further ado.
Gunns vs Acclaimed vs Triple J vs Danhausen & Orange Cassidy, Tag Team Titles
Star quality: 5 – Cassidy’s one of the most popular acts on the show, ditto the Acclaimed, and Danhausen is legit. the biggest shirt seller post-Punk.
But the Gunns are as close to a ‘0’ as you’ll find on this card and even putting personal bias aside, Jarrett & Lethal would not be any fan’s first choice for a title shot.
Match quality: 4 – Given the complete mess that’s ensued whenever AEW has packed a ring with teams lately, it’s hard to have much faith. There’s no ‘great’ team here to pull everything together and given who’s in this, it’s likely they’ll go the comedy route.
The only glint of sunshine is just how ‘over’ the babyfaces are. We’ve all seen before how a hot crowd can make an average match seem very good.
Build: 0 – Unfortunately, negative numbers are not an option here.
An example to speak for the totality: Sonjay Dutt tried to take out Max Caster’s eye (!!!) with a pencil last Friday. They didn’t mention it the rest of the show; it didn’t come up Wednesday. Stuff just happens.
Overall Score: 9
So why did they take the belts off the Acclaimed. Was it just to give them back at a big show? Or to pass them on to somebody else?
Best guess would be the former but the only real surprise would be if the Gunns come out the same way they went in. And can’t shake a nasty feeling that they’re going to belt the team managed by the guy on the creative team.
Look out for Paul Walter Hauser, perhaps to help his Best Friends or even to pull a Swerve Bro! and help out the J’s.
RIP the tag division.
WINNER: the Acclaimed
Jamie Hayter vs Saraya vs Ruby Soho, Women’s Title
Star quality: 4 – The champ’s about as popular as anyone on the roster. The fans certainly enjoy Soho’s music. While Saraya is victim of what might be the worst booking of any new star in AEW history.
Given the reputation of their women’s division, they absolutely couldn’t afford to mess up their new star.
And yet did everything wrong:
throwing her out there in segments where she wasn’t the focus
making it seem as if she wasn’t going to wrestle (and not in a good – wink wink, she is really – way)
allowing Britt to cut total babyface promos which outdid her own
and putting her in singles when she needs to be protected in tags
Which this absolutely should’ve been.
Britt & Jamie vs Toni & Saraya was the way to go. Yes, it’s been done before. But not with Ruby Soho’s loyalty on the line. That’s the story here. Make her the ref… put her at ringside… however you want to go about it.
Match quality: 4 – Jamie Hayter’s had excellent matches since she became champ. Saraya on the other hand has looked good for about two minutes of a tag, admitting herself that she was ‘blown up’ afterward. Ruby just doesn’t convince.
If this is good, it’ll be because of Hayter. If it’s not, it certainly won’t be because of Hayter.
Build: 3 – There is a story here. Just not a particularly good one. It seemed to be heading in the right direction with a tug-of-war over Soho’s allegiance. Leaving the fans to guess the next move.
But instead of the White Rabbit this became your average Bray Wyatt promo: a lot of vapid nonsense, exemplified by the heels spray-painting undercard wrestlers and Ruby shrieking.
Overall Score: 11
Hikaru Shida should be involved here somewhere. Because that’s where this all started and leaves a gaping hole in the story if not addressed. It feels like this is building to Ruby turning on Jamie. Before Shida returns to confirm that she’s AEW 4… Life (since we’re copying the nWo here).
The question is whether she does this in time to save Hayter’s title or merely prevent a post-match beatdown.
Head says the latter and since I didn’t listen to it re: Death Triangle at the last ppv, I’m going with it here. New champ.
WINNER: Saraya
Samoa Joe vs Wardlow, TNT Title
Star quality: 6 – Joe as the King of Television has been a highlight of AEW programming and the TNT title hasn’t felt this important since 2020. But there are babies crawling around who didn’t exist last time Wardlow was ‘hot’.
Match quality: 6 – Don’t want to live in a world where Joe can’t have at least a pretty good match with anybody he faces. And Wardlow’s certainly talented.
Build: 3 – This goes all the way back to Full Gear. So should feel richer than it does. If they’d shown (rather than told) us that Wardlow had shared a really personal tidbit with Joe which the vet had then used against him, this’d be big time.
Overall Score: 15
Once you introduce the death of a relative, the babyface pretty much has to win. So it’s hard to see them not putting the belt on Wardlow here.
Which would be a mistake. It’s part of what got them into this mess in the first place. As an aimless champ he had sporadic, meaningless matches which couldn’t go too long because he’s still inexperienced, and which he couldn’t lose because they don’t like their champions to do so on tv.
An alternative suggestion: Will Hobbs (who’s had nothing to do for months) costs Wardlow the title at MJF’s behest, becoming his new bodyguard in the process. Hobbs gets a title shot either way, while Max has never forgotten what Wardlow did to him last spring, both against CM Punk and in powerbombing him into oblivion. Wardlow then goes on a rampage, building to a big match against Hobbs which he wins before going after Max.
Gives Hobbs a big tv presence, resets Wardlow and provides a logical opponent for MJF. Win/win/win.
WINNER: Wardlow
The Elite vs the House of Black, Trios Titles
Star quality: 6 – With no division to speak of, the Trios titles seem an afterthought, dragging down the Elite and Omega in particular, who feels way less special than he should.
While AEW only remember the House exist when the power goes out. Goddamnit Malakai!
Match quality: 9 – The match is essentially being sold entirely on this…
Build: 0 – because the build has been eerily similar to that of Full Gear. One team never appears on tv and has come out of nowhere to challenge the champs.
The differences being that, one – this time no-one was suspended so there was no excuse for them not appearing; and two – the challengers aren’t the former and unbeaten champs seeking the titles they were stripped of.
There’s no obvious story here. So one was needed. Yet doesn’t exist.
Overall Score: 15
The fact that the House of Black simply appeared on stage about two weeks before the show as the only suitor tells all you need to know about the trios division. If it were a Middle Ages bride, she’d already be in a nunnery.
It also tells you all you need to know about their chances of victory.
WINNER: the Elite
Chris Jericho vs Ricky Starks, JAS banned from ringside
Star quality: 7 – Jericho’s unquestionably ‘main event’; Starks is on his way up.
Match quality: 7 – Still don’t have a great feel for just how good Starks can be between the ropes: hasn’t had a ton of longer matches. This is certainly a test.
Jericho had good ones with a variety of opponents in the Fall while defending his ROH title, though has had some bores lately.
Build: 3 – The premise behind this match makes a ton of sense. Starks, fed-up with the JAS’ constant interference, manipulated Jericho into agreeing they’d be banned.
The problem is that they didn’t cost him a match with Chris, they caused his partner to lose to Sammy Guevara in a tag. After he’d already beaten Jericho one-on-one.
So what should’ve been a clean story of Ricky being cheated out of victory but emerging the better man when Jericho’s back-up is banned, was muddied as they sought a reason to drag out a feud already showing signs of mold.
And we’ve already seen the match.
Overall Score: 17
There should only be one winner here.
WINNER: Ricky Starks
Christian Cage vs Jungle Boy Jack Perry
Star quality: 6 – Perry’s tv presence waxes and wanes. He’s not yet a strong enough character or promo to overcome this and should be wrestling more often.
Cage certainly knows how to draw boos in the arena. Don’t know that it translates to general fan interest, despite the internal hype surrounding his signing two years ago (remember that?).
Match quality: 8 – Between Jungle Boy’s athleticism and Christian’s skill this could be the best match on the show.
Build: 3 – I’m a sucker for creativity. Take MJF’s promo to Danielson’s kids. He took a real-life situation but twisted it around until it fit his character, revealing his own inner sadness, inner weakness and making both guys feel more human.
Christian essentially said ‘Haha your dad’s dead’ a bunch of times.
They might not deliver the lines as well as Cage, but literally anybody could’ve come up with that. It’s bland.
Then there’s Perry.
He should’ve been ready to destroy Christian the moment he saw him. If what Cage’d already done last year wasn’t enough to hit him with a chair, it makes no sense that one more week would convince Perry of the need to literally bury the guy.
It’s like they jumped straight to the end of the movie without us seeing the hour in between.
And another case of there being a good (if tactless) story there but AEW being unable to tell it.
Overall Score: 17
The possibility of Luchasaurus returning to aid Christian and continue the neverending spiral has to be considered. But if AEW are serious about Perry – and they largely seem to be – he needs to win here then move on to pursuing a singles title as promised.
WINNER: Jungle Boy Jack Perry
Bryan Danielson vs MJF, Iron-man Match, AEW Title
Star quality: 9 – Inarguably two of the biggest stars in the company.
Match quality: 7 – It’s a damn shame this is an iron-man match. That might be blasphemous to some fans, but they lack drama. There’s a reason the last five minutes of an NBA game are so much more exciting than the preceding forty-three. Because that’s usually when the contest is decided.
And if the fans aren’t screaming and the result’s not in doubt (more in a min), it just doesn’t matter how technically good the match is. There’s a ceiling.
Build: 8 – It certainly seems like fresh ideas to keep MJF from fisticuffs are in short supply. It was only about eighteen months ago he made Jericho run the gauntlet.
And in doing so with Danielson they seemed to spend more time booking ‘good matches’ than putting him in situations where he might actually lose. There was very little drama.
The fact that not a single one of his win or go home matches main-evented the show is testament to this. Whatever else their foibles, there’s no way WWE would book a number one contender in the mid-card every week heading into a pay-per-view.
And let’s not even get into the whole William Regal backstory.
But… (and I cannot lie) then the last two weeks happened. And we got the real story. That Max doesn’t have anything else. That he’s sad and lonely and the title is the only thing preventing him from taking pills and calling it a day.
Insanely jealous of the full and happy life Danielson lives, the champ can’t believe he wants to take the single thing Max has. And is sacrificing a healthy life with his family to do so.
We got a reason why MJF hates Danielson and a reason why he must hang on to his championship.
We also got Danielson’s why. The Dragon believes you have to fight for your dreams. He fought back from retirement and gave up a lot to come and ‘fight’ in AEW because his dream is to become the AEW champion.
And if there’s a good why, there’s a reason to care. A claim few other matches on the card can make.
Overall Score: 24
And now for the final problem.
Bryan Danielson is about the only AEW star who loses regularly. He’s very unselfish. Perhaps too unselfish. Because there doesn’t seem a chance in hell the vet’s going to come away with the title here. He’s become a little too established as the Guy who puts the younger guys over.
MJF could break his ankle mid-match and still you’d have a job convincing me of any outcome other than the incumbent retaining.
WINNER: MJF
Jon Moxley vs Hangman Adam Page, Texas Death Match
Star quality: 9 – Jon Moxley has done more for Adam Page than the AEW title did.
In his inimitable style, he’s put him over directly in his promos and indirectly via his wife as someone he respects as an opponent, someone who pushes him, someone on his level. A level Page arguably hadn’t been near since the summer of 2021.
Match quality: 9 – These two have the best chemistry. They hit hard – perhaps too hard – and their contests thus far haven’t dipped below great. The only slight reservation is them venturing too far into the waters of ‘garbage wrestling’.
They don’t need nails, glass or lightbulbs: the story here is that they have each knocked the other out with their fists.
Build: 8 – Which may owe a lot to circumstance but doesn’t change what has been the best-built feud of this ppv. Capped by two killer promos on Wednesday.
Overall Score: 26
With no obvious candidate on the horizon, it makes sense that the winner of this be Max’s date at Double or Nothing. And since Moxley’s already danced with the Devil, and leads the series 2 to 1, common sense says ‘the Cowboy’ will be left standing here.
Probably barely.
WINNER: Hangman Page
Overall Thoughts
Predictable finishes equal a flat show. And to give AEW credit, there aren’t many here. Most of the matches could go either way.
They also deserve credit for booking so many singles clashes. Which must have left many disgruntled backstage considering their bloated roster but pay-per-view should be a venue to settle scores, not cram people onto a card.
And yet…
When you have two matches built around someone’s dead father, you’re running low on ideas. This is probably AEW’s lowest point creatively. The show just doesn’t feel all that special. In most cases, it’s due to the poor build. Continuing a theme from Full Gear.
Both Chris Jericho & Matt Hardy have lately talked about the need for filled-out characters who connect with the audience. Jake Roberts has recently been given a new role to help with character development.
And it’s noteworthy that easily the two top matches here involve some of the best, most believable personas on the roster.
Hangman might be the most well-rounded character in AEW; Max has given us a ton of backstory for why he is who he is. We know all about Danielson’s real-life struggles and what he’s overcome. And Moxley’s a sicko who loves to fight, recognizes that it’s a problem, doesn’t recommend it, a heel really who’s beloved because he’s a badass who does what he says he will.
Underneath that we have a Jungle Boy whose dad died, a charismatic young guy with a pose, a trio who speak in riddles and make the lights go out, another big guy whose dad died, a champion who ‘hits hard’ and a heel duo who call people ‘loser’ and spray paint them.
Mark Briscoe cut a tremendous promo on Rampage, Friday. About dozing off after a hard day’s work, waking to see a tag battle royale and rushing out to help his brother only to remember he wasn’t here anymore. But being helped emotionally and physically by another pair of brothers.
And now I really want to see him win on the pre-show because I feel for him. Can’t say there’s anything like that level of connection with the majority of guys and girls on this show.
John Cena has been announced as the new voice of Rocksteady in the upcoming animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie.
Set to hit theaters on August 4, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem will see the turtle brothers trying to win the hearts of New Yorkers and be accepted as normal teenagers through heroic acts after years of being sheltered from the human world.
Celebrities such as Jackie Chan, Ice Cube, Post Malone, Seth Rogen, and others join Cena as voice talent for this movie.
Fellow WWE Superstar Sheamus portrayed the Rocksteady character in the 2016 movie Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows.
WWE Women’s Tag Team champion Becky Lynch and Raw Women’s champion Bianca Belair appeared at the Nickelodeon’s 2023 Kids’ Choice Awards last night at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California.
Lynch and Belair posed on the red carpet with their respective titles and appeared on stage as well, presenting a “slimed” replica WWE title to Ariel Sherwood.
For the creative minds reading this, take a look at these Custom Belt Buckles, they are sure to be the perfect gift for any wrestling fan out there.
In wrestling-related winners, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson won the favorite movie actor award for his role as Black Adam. Johnson’s Young Rock series was also nominated in the favorite family TV show award but that one was won by Wednesday.
Xavier Woods was part of the favorite male creator award for his gaming channel but MrBeast beat him to the top spot.
Following last week’s big announcement, AEW President Tony Khan has already mentioned that he has more of those in store, coincidentally again following a slight drop in the Dynamite rating this week.
It certainly feels like that whenever AEW is down a bit, Khan hypes up major announcements which will add some curiosity to the show, adding extra eyeballs to the show.
In a tweet yesterday, Khan mentioned that 2023 will be the biggest year yet for AEW. “I have major announcements coming soon that are important to AEW & our fans,” Khan said.
The tweet was met with some snarky responses from fans who swiftly pointed out to him that these major announcements are always done for the sake of a temporary ratings boost.
The new AEW: All Access reality TV show will start airing on TBS on Wednesday, March 29, following the conclusion of Dynamite.
This one-hour show will air for six weeks and will follow a group of AEW stars along with AEW President Tony Khan as they navigate their way backstage and at home.
Adam Cole and Britt Baker, who are being used in marketing to promote the show, will feature heavily and Cole, who hasn’t wrestled since June of last year, will return to action on the March 29 episode of Dynamite as well.
Others who will be appearing on the show including Sammy Guevara, Tay Melo, The Young Bucks, Saraya, Wardlow, and Eddie Kingston.
This show, ordered from Warner Bros. Discovery, replaces the second season of Rhodes to the Top, which obviously was not going to air once Cody and Brandi Rhodes left AEW.
Gunther’s WrestleMania opponent will be determined next week on Smackdown in a fatal five-way match.
The match will feature Kofi Kingston, Sheamus, Drew McIntyre, LA Knight, and Karrion Kross following a segment from last night’s Smackdown which saw everyone coming out demanding a shot after McIntyre came out first to call out the Intercontinental champion.
The Scotsman actually demanded Gunther last week in a post-show interview, saying he wants to go after the IC title and wants the leader of Imperium for his WrestleMania match.
A new match was added to tomorrow’s Revolution pay-per-view featuring Jungle Boy Jack Perry taking on Christian Cage in a Final Burial match.
The two have been engaged in a feud since last year when Cage turned on Perry and sided with Luchasaurus. Unfortunately, Cage got injured along the way and their All Out “match” ended very, very quickly with Cage going over.
The former World Heavyweight champion returned to AEW last month and resumed his rivalry with Jungle Boy, constantly running down his late father as well.
On Rampage, Perry told Cage that since he was a big fan of his father and always mentions him, he’s going to give him a change to say hello to him when he buries him into the ground.
Last Week’s Rating: 409,000 overall; 0.11 in 18-49 demo
Guess what’s back? Back again. Tony Khan’s, a-nnounce-ments.
Yep, he’s promised there are more to come. And here I was thinking they couldn’t possibly top the last one.
It’s Friday Night, and you know what that means… it’s time for our Rampage Review!
…..
Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta vs Alex Reynolds & John Silver vs Top Flight vs Aussie Open
Backstory: the DO were eliminated Weds by the BCC, ditto Top Flight by AO
Literally any of these teams would be better than every team competing Sunday, excepting the Acclaimed. In any combination.
The BCC got their entrance as the Dark Order attacked mid-way through, returning the favor from Wednesday. Top Flight pelted all four with dives, AO dropped them off the apron as they tried to get back in.
The Kingdom were watching from the front row.
Stereo offense from Top Flight: hurracanranas, dropkicks & lariats in the corner left AO reeling. Dante hit a senton from out-to-in as Jericho recalled Eddie Guerrero winning the title in this building.
Fletcher blocked a Darius suplex as Reynolds tagged himself in off the latter, ducking and dodged both Aussies, sending Davis to the floor as Claudio tagged himself in off Fletcher.
Silver in to double-leg the Swiss who had to cover up, seek a rope break then take a cheap shot to fend off Silver. Who’d also briefly woken a cold crowd. Silver fired back with a kick from the apron before running through his ‘comeback’ at ringside, smashing through all the others, emerging atop the buckle on the other side of the ring only to be caught into a backbreaker by Castagnoli.
LFI were shown watching backstage as Excalibur called them ‘another one of the great teams here in AEW’. Have they even won on TV? A lead announcer must have credibility, he can’t seem like a shill.
Reynolds in to attack both BCC but clobbered from behind by Yuta, a double boot from the pair left them on top as the ads arrived.
Yuta knocked Silver off the apron but lowered his head and was nailed by a Reynolds stomp, tags to Dante & Aussie Open as Martin took out both via diving cross body then ducked a lariat to soar over the ropes onto everyone at ringside; landing on his feet like it was nothing. And leaving Fletcher alone vs him and his brother: superkick, flatliner through the ropes, count of two broken up by Silver.
Reynolds took out Top Flight, Davis him, Darius took an AO superkick party which barely connected as he landed short off the top, pendulum powerbomb, the save at two by Dante.
Sandwich lariats by the Aussies to Claudio, Davis levelled his teammate as Dante ducked another lariat, DO took him out with superkicks, ran through their rapid-fire combo offense (which always looks great) on Darius, Yuta stole the pin via seatbelt.
Very entertaining match. Be surprised if the four-way Sunday can lace this one’s boots.
They should do more with Silver & Reynolds, who look, act and feel like a proper tag team. Most importantly, the crowd respond to them.
As if on cue, the Dark Order duo took their revenge on the BCC as the four brawled to the back. It’d be great to have a tag feud outside of the titles.
WINNER: BCC
Hype package for Page & Moxley. They had plenty to work with here & the result was very good.
…..
Jack Perry promo. He wants to ‘end’ Christian. There are going to be ‘grave consequences’ as he gives Cage a chance to meet his dad.
Sorry, don’t believe you. You couldn’t even hit him with a chair last week.
They’re now billing this as a ‘Final Burial’ (someone laughed backstage when they came up with that) match. In typical AEW fashion not explaining at all what that means.
Riho vs Emi Sakura
Backstory: None
Riho got her usual nice pop way out of whack with how often she’s used. JR really put over Sakura for her match with Hayter.
Trainer and trainee got to it, Sakura cackling after launching a chop in the ropes as the crowd chanted for Riho. A vicious hair-mare followed, Riho being choked in the corner via Sakura’s boot then dumped on her back after being caught in mid-air.
But bridging up to avoid the pin, shotgun dropkick, running knee in the corner, northern lights, count of two.
An irish whip reversed, Riho got her boot up in the corner then deposited Sakura outside via headscissors, taking to the sky, or about to when Sakura spoiled the fun by backing away. A charging Riho then snatched into a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker and absolutely crushed against the barricade via running cross-body splash.
Very good so far.
Firing shots, Riho fought up from her knees but was brushed aside by the vet. Though avoided a lariat via cartwheel: drop toe hold, 619, to the top, diving cross body for two. But saw an attempted suplex countered into a reverse ddt and was again crushed via body splash.
Count of two for Sakura.
Riho responded with two near falls of her own via quick roll-up as the two wrestled fluidly and quickly in and out of pinfalls, Riho kicking out of the last in the closest thing to three I might have ever seen.
A leaping knee-strike was immediately countered by a Sakura lariat. The vet headed up top, coming off with a tired-looking moonsault which caught Riho when it wasn’t meant to.
The latter missed a diving foot stomp but came back by weaving her way around Sakura like a hula hoop, down into a cradle to snag the win.
In what’s becoming a theme, I’d be shocked if the women’s match Sunday can MC Hammer this. Same for the crowd reaction unless Hayter is victorious.
WINNER: Riho
Package for the women’s match Sunday. Soho put herself across as the underdog who shouldn’t even be here, Saraya as the natural who was born to be here and Hayter as the proud champ who ‘hits hard.’
Powerhouse Hobbs vs Serpentico
Backstory: None
Hobbs better hope they come to his home-state more often since the company actually remember he exists.
Inverted DVD in under a minute. Clutching his brass ring, Hobbs vowed that it didn’t matter who wins the TNT title Sunday, him taking it is the next chapter in the Book of Hobbs.
The whole ‘brass ring’ thing is another example of AEW not knowing when to leave the comedy out. Sure it’s a nice, snarky in-joke but it looks stupid and anyone flipping channels would wonder why Hobbs was walking round with a swimming aid.
WINNER: Powerhouse Hobbs
Renee with Takeshita. Who isn’t happy because he’s not winning enough. ‘Maybe I need to go back to Japan’ (the entire crowd responded as if they’d simultaneously been given the most terrible news).
Just as the used car salesman himself, Don Callis, appeared. Pleading with Takeshita to give him a little time to help him before deciding to return to his home country.
‘It’s not a bad idea.’ Said JR. Can we please help the heels be heels!
…..
Mark Briscoe promo. He woke up from a nap last week and saw a tag team battle royale going on and raced out to help his brother. Only to remember he wasn’t there.
But did see that ‘prick’ Mark Sterling. And a couple ‘hermanos’, which warmed his heart.
Enter the Lucha Bro’s. Who have their friend’s back as they challenged Sterling and co. for Sunday. They all did the ‘Cero Miedo’ as it was announced the trio would face Nese, Daivari & Josh Woods during Zero Hour before the ppv.
And the theme continues. Hard to imagine many acts getting a better reaction than the babyface trio come Sunday.
They should show this promo to any babyface who wants to humanize themselves and connect with the crowd.
…..
They then ran down the Revolution card. None of which got the same reaction as Takeshita’s pledge to return home.
And honestly, the visual of the competitors for the tag titles looked like a spoof promo for a bad new tv show.
Dustin Rhodes & Keith Lee vs Swerve Strickland & Parker Boudreaux
Backstory: Swerve & goons took out Lee with a cinder block & were about to do the same to Rhodes till Lee made the save
Lee now wears a cape with a hood. Not a great look.
The good guys were attacked while posing, another bad look.
Lee quickly turned the tables, beating Boudreaux in the corner before a silent crowd. Tag to Rhodes, drop-down uppercut, punches in the corner, Boudreaux got one shot in, it seemed like he tagged out, the announcers certainly thought so. Instead, the youngster hit a short-arm clothesline to bring the break.
Hopefully both the crowd and action picks up when Strickland enters.
Wish had been granted as we returned, Swerve eating a snap powerslam from Rhodes, tags to Lee and Boudreaux. Keith smashed the youth in the corner, shook off a few chops then hit a pounce (which Boudreaux just-about got in place for). Thereafter dragging Swerve in over the top, as the announcers finally mentioned the cinderblock attack.
A couple big boots from Swerve were shaken off, the agile Strickland kept avoiding the big man until being snatched out of the air and drilled to the mat via basically a one-armed chokeslam out of a flapjack.
Swerve bailed to the apron, Lee hooked him in a suplex position, Boudreaux was late but eventually low-blowed the big man, flung Rhodes to the floor, then held Lee in place so Swerve could spring off his chest into a moonsault on Rhodes.
Strickland came up clutching his wrist after a nasty spill.
Leaving Boudreaux and Lee. Boudreaux sauntered across the ring (can’t say ran because he didn’t) to hit an incredibly weak glancing kick to Lee’s head. Then positioned Lee for the Swerve Stomp, Lee kicked out. The crowd barely cared. Almost no reaction.
Dustin came back in to bulldog Boudreaux, was blasted with Swerve’s running back-kick, Lee took out Boudreaux via cross body only to be caught in Strickland’s rolling flatliner (If you imagine the spots in the Bucks’ matches where everybody takes out everybody but play it at 0.1 speed, you’ll about have the picture).
Rhodes then nailed Swerve via destroyer to wake the crowd, before Lee tossed Rhodes onto Boudreaux, the experienced vet using all his tricks to get the crowd going. And they did respond. He then flung Boudreaux in to eat Lee’s Jackhammer and the pinfall.
This was good when Swerve was in by himself; bad and slow whenever Boudreaux was in there with anyone. Saw absolutely nothing in the youngster. Nor did the crowd.
WINNER: Naturally Limitless
Jericho was promo-ing on Starks as the show closed when Ricky appeared behind him, ribs wrapped, attacking Jericho as a bunch of guys separated the pair.
…..
Added to Zero Hour:
Lucha Bros & Mark Briscoe vs Varsity Athletes & Ari Daivari
…..
Overall impressions
Don’t know if it’s because expectations are lower or because an hour’s easier to digest but I’ve enjoyed Rampage more than Dynamite the last two weeks. The main event ended the show on a flat note but the prior action was very good.
And unlike the Rampage preceding Full Gear, this actually felt connected to the rest of the AEW ‘Universe’ as they promo’d the pay-per-view throughout.
Check Out
The four-way tag (That’s the last time you’ll hear those words this weekend)
Riho vs Emi Sakura
Thanks for reading. Have a great weekend and enjoy Revolution if you’re watching!
Ronda Rousey is currently injured but is not expected to miss WrestleMania 39 according to a report by Wade Keller of the PWTorch.com. Keller adds that Rousey aggravated a previous injury.
Rousey was on Smackdown last night and was supposed to be part of a tag team match with Shayna Baszler against Natalya and Tegan Nox but they filmed an angle before where Rousey “suffered” the injury. The proposed tag match was then changed to Shayna vs Tegan only and Rousey wore a sling on her arm at ringside.
Rumors are that the former Women’s champion will team up with Baszler to go for the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles at WrestleMania, currently held by Lita and Becky Lynch.
PWInsider.com is reporting that the March 28 episode of NXT will be taped the week before following the live broadcast on March 21.
The reason for the taping is due to WWE personnel moving to Los Angeles that week for WrestleMania. Production as well as talent will be heading to LA following Monday Night Raw to start the grueling week which will include endless public appearances and hard work to produce Smackdown, Hall of Fame, NXT Stand & Deliver, two-night WrestleMania, and Monday Night Raw.
Tickets for Stand & Deliver at the Crypto.com Arena have sold well although not the full arena will be used and only floor, and the 100 and 200 sections are open. Tickets are available through AXS.COM.
Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns will come face-to-face for the first time since Cody’s return tonight live on Friday Night Smackdown on FOX.
The WrestleMania main eventers have so far avoided each other since Cody won the Royal Rumble, mainly because Reigns was pretty busy in his program against Sami Zayn. But with Zayn out of the way, at least for now, the attention turns to Cody Rhodes who is trying to be the first member of his family to win the WWE title.
So far it has been Paul Heyman who has done all the talking on Reigns’ behalf when crossing Cody on Raw. This will also be Cody’s first appearance on Smackdown in a very long time.
Also set for tonight are Sami Zayn versus the newly-married Solo Sikoa and Liv Morgan against her former tag team partner and Royal Rumble winner Rhea Ripley.
The Revolution go-home episode of Dynamite drew 833,000 viewers, down 195,000 viewers from the prior week. NBA competition returned this week compared to last week, which had no NBA head-to-head with AEW. Show did a 0.27 rating in the 18-49 demo, down 0.08 from last week, and was #3 for the night. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
Impact Wrestling on AXS TV drew 95,000 viewers this week, up 8,000 viewers from last week’s broadcast. The show did the same 0.01 rating in 18-49 as the prior week and did not have a place in the top 150 cable chart for the night. (Ratings credit: Wrestlenomics)
WWE today announced additional live events for May and June as part of the 2023 touring schedule. Tickets for all listed shows go on sale on Friday, March 10.
Television tapings include Smackdown at the Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on May 12, Raw at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina on May 15, Smackdown at the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina on May 19, Raw at the MVP Arena in Albany, New York on May 29, Smackdown at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania on June 2, Raw at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut on June 5, and Raw at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio on June 19.
Four non-televised WWE Supershow live events announced will take place on May 13 at the James Brown Arena in Augusta, Georgia, May 14 at the North Charleston Coliseum in North Charleston, South Carolina, May 20 at the Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and May 21 at the Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, Virginia.
Season three of Young Rock wrapped up airing on NBC last week and the show did not benefit at all from airing head-to-head against Smackdown.
Typically, when networks move shows to Friday nights, it is seen as the final nail in the coffin although it remains to be seen if Young Rock will get the axe too.
This season, Young Rock failed to cross the 2 million viewership mark, something it did nine times out of 12 episodes last season. Young Rock season three averaged 1,431,000 viewers over 13 episodes, down significantly from the 2,152,000 of season two.
With the start of the ROH weekly television shows, Eddie Kingston is expected to move full time to Ring of Honor for now.
Kingston taped a post-Dynamite interview at the Cow Palace where he told Lexy Nair that he is quitting the promotion. Kingston, along with Ortiz, were part of the Face of the Revolution ladder match but quickly took each other out at the beginning and were never seen again in the match.
In the 20-second segment, Kingston simply said, “I quit AEW. Peace.”
Kingston was heavily featured in the first set of ROH TV tapings and for the time being will be moved to that roster. Kingston made his AEW debut in July 2020 and has been part of the company ever since.
Weekly Ring of Honor shows return tonight starting at 7PM ET on HonorClub, the promotion’s streaming service.
It’s a big card with 10 matches for the first episode, headlined by ROH World champion Claudio Castagnoli defending his title against AR Fox.
Other matches include Metalik vs Ari Daivari, Madison Rayne and Skye Blue vs The Renegades, The Embassy vs Joe Keys, Rex Lawless, and LSG, The Infantry vs The Kingdom, Rohit Raja vs Christopher Daniels, Lady Frost vs Willow Nightingale, Konosuke Takeshita vs Josh Woods, Mark Briscoe vs Slim J, and Zack Sabre Jr vs Blake Christian.
HonorClub is $9.99 a month and gives you access to the whole ROH video library. Pay-per-views are no longer streaming there but are made available 90 days after they air on Bleacher Report.
