offical wwe thread

Shane Taylor has been having great matches lately. I'm glad he was rewarded with the ROH TV title.

He may have suffered in the short term when WWE swooped in and signed his tag team partner literally hours before Keith Lee was going to sign with ROH, but I think it was good for Taylor in the long term as he became a more well rounded wrestler and performer. He used to coast on Keith Lee's leftover charisma for character work, and in the ring he was basically there to compliment Lee rather than be the focus.

So Lee really may have done him a favor. First by getting Taylor signed in the first place, then leaving so that Taylor no longer wrestles in his shadowv.

https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2019/05/aew-to-officially-launch-on-tnt-654117/
AEW To Officially Air On TNT Later This Year

AEW will be presenting statistics for the first time ever in wrestling by tracking each competitor's wins and losses, analyzing their moves, assessing damage to their opponents, and providing insights into their winning streaks.

Click to expand...

While it is not "The first time ever", this is what I like. Even if the analysis/statistics is part made up to fit the storyline. Instead of announcers putting over product tie ins and other crap, I want them to put over the in ring action and the moves. Take a kinesiological approach and explain how a guy is using technique to get a bit of extra torque (even if it is partly made up) or give the scientific name of a body part.

Smackdown posted the lowest viewership in history again last night.

Double or Nothing will be $50 on B/R live. Probably ten bucks more on cable/satellite.

WWE Money in the Bank PPV Results: 5-19-19

(1) WOMEN’S MONEY IN THE BANK LADDER MATCH – Naomi, Bayley, Nikki Cross, Dana Brooke, Mandy Rose, Bayley, Natalya, Ember Moon, Carmella

The announcers talked about how Nikki Cross is a wildcard in this match and that everyone should throw out their gameplans. Saxton suggested “setting the gameplans on fire.” Saxton said it’s nice to have Renee out there to agree with him about Mandy rather than drooling over her every week.

Nikki went crazy with the ladder early, swinging it around, hitting Rose, Bayley, Natalya, and Naomi. Dana Brooke drop-kicked her to stop her flurry. Natalya entered and catapulted Carmella into the ladder. Naomi charged at Natalya, but Natalya catapulted her. Naomi landed on the ladder feet-first and leaped onto Natalya. Naomi and Mandy battled next. Carmella re-entered the ring and dropped everyone, but when she teased setting up the ladder, Mandy stopped her by kicking the ladder into her knee. Carmella went down and sold a knee injury. Mandy kept going after her, but Carmella pushed her off and dropped to the floor. Referees checked on her. They helped her up the ramp.

Naomi leaped off a ladder that Bayley and Nikki were holding and landed on others. Two pairs of women tried to sandwich Naomi between ladders, but Naomi ducked and the ladders crashed. Natalya dropped Naomi onto a ladder next. Bayley took control in the ring until Broke knocked her down and rammed her into the corner turnbuckle. Naomi went at Brooke with kicks, but Brooke hung Naomi upside down on a ladder leaning in the corner, then hit a handspring elbow. Ember rolled to the floor. Bayley sunset flipped Brooke back-first into the ladder.

Bayley then set up the tall ladder mid-ring. The crowd seemed to have mixed reactions to the prospects of her winning. Rose and Natalya sandwiched Bayley between the ladder three times until she dropped. They set up the ladder. Naomi gave Bayley a split-legged moonsault on the ladder. natalya fought off Rose, but Nikki speared her. Naomi climbed the ladder for the first real tease of a win. Moon yanked her down, then pulled Nikki down seconds later. Dana tipped the ladder onto Cross. She was alone in the ring and set the ladder up after assessing her opportunity. When she climbed, Rose met at the top. Dana swung from the chain as Rose grabbed at her legs. Brooke stepped back onto the ladder to fend off Rose. Bayley yanked Rose down and climbed one side. Naomi yanked Dana down. Cross climbed right past Bayley quickly. She got her hands on the ladder. Natalya tipped all of them over.

Natalya threw Bayley shoulder-first into the corner. Moon then gave Bayley an Eclipse by leaping off the ladder set up at ringside over the top rope in a cool spot. The crowd popped and chanted “Holy sh–!” Rose butterfly suplexed Moon onto a flat ladder. She then set up the ladder while alone in the ring. Carmella limped back out. Rose went after her instead of climbing the ladder. They fought at ringside. Carmella rammed Rose’s head it the ringside ladder and toss her into the ringside barricade a few times. Carmella entered the ring and gingerly climbed the ladder while favoring her knee. As she got to the top, Sonya Deville grabbed at her leg. Saxton said she’s not in the match. Sonya speared Carmella, who rolled to the floor. Sonya set up the ladder and then helped Rose into the ring. Phillips said this is an example of how selfless of a friend Sonya has been to Rose. Sonya lifted Rose onto her shoulders and carried her to the top of the ladder. Renee said it was an amazing feat of strength. Saxton said, “This isn’t right!” Rose stood and saw the briefcase. She clutched it. Bayley ran to the top and stared down Rose, then knocked them both down. Bayley then pulled the briefcase down and won, which got a big pop. Saxton said he can’t think of a Superstar who deserves it more.

WINNER: Bayley in 14:00. (***1/4)

Good ladder match. They didn’t burn out the crowd, but had just enough moments for each of the women involved, and a dramatic ending. Good to see Bayley get a chance to move up and be in the middle of the title picture.

(2) SAMOA JOE vs. REY MYSTERIO – U.S. Title match

The announcers talked about Rey righting a wrong that happened at WrestleMania. Graves said Rey was humiliated at WM by losing in 60 seconds then. Joe went after Rey early and shoved him off easily hen he attempted a comeback. Rey landed an enzuigiri and a seated senton off the ropes. Joe fought back with elbows, but Rey slipped out of it. Joe chopped Rey down hard. Joe was bleeding from his nose. Graves said he thinks Joe’s nose was broken. Joe lifted Rey for a powerbomb, but Rey rolled through and leveraged Joe’s shoulders down for the three count. Joe looked on in shock as his nose continued to bleed. They showed Dominic cheering and applauding backstage. Graves accurately pointed out Joe’s shoulders weren’t pinned down to the mat. He said the ref’s view was blocked, though. Cole agreed the referee missed the call.

WINNER: Rey in 1:15 to capture the U.S. Title.

-Dominic ran out and accompanied his dad to the back. Joe ran back out and attacked Rey, charging right past Dominic. Joe gave Rey a urinage. Dominic watched from ringside. Joe taunted him. Joe gave him a one-armed slam. Dominic asked Joe to stop. Joe landed a senton splash, then left. Dominic entered the ring to check on his dad’s condition.

That’s a surprise, but also a somewhat logical follow-up to continue this feud. Dominic was good here as the happy and then scared son watching his dad.

(3) THE MIZ vs. SHANE MCMAHON – Cage match

Cole said Shane has brought out a side of Miz they had never seen before. Shane tried to climb the cage and escape to victory as soon as the bell rang. Miz yanked Shane down and punched away at him. Shane broke free and tried leave again. Graves said Shane lives to fight and is a daredevil and a risk-taker. When Cole said that was the cowardly way to win, Graves said that’s the right strategy for this match. After kicks by Miz, Shane caught him and powerbombed him into the side of the cage. Cole said Shane won the World Cup, although acknowledged it was under controversial circumstances. (He didn’t say it was in Saudi Arabia, for those keeping track of the next time WWE avoids saying the name of the controversial country they went into business with.) Shane threw Miz into the cage and then threw a hook kick that came up way short, but Miz sold it anyway. It showed a lot of light.

Shane went for a Coast to Coast, but Miz grabbed his legs mid-air and then applied a figure-four. The ref asked if he was going to give up. Cole said: “Can you imagine the humiliation of Shane taps out here in the cage!” Shane tried to drag himself out of the door. Miz let go and dragged Shane back into the ring. Shane kicked Miz and almost escaped. Miz dragged Shane back in, but Shane brought a chair with him. Shane swung the chair, but Miz kicked it out of his hands. Miz grabbed the chair first, so Shane begged off. Miz bashed Shane on his back with a chair several times. Fans chanted “One more time!” Miz then gave Shane a Skull Crushing Finale onto a chair. Shane put his leg on the bottom rope before the three count. Cole pointed out that shouldn’t matter and it shouldn’t stop the count “because there’s no disqualification inside a cage.” (What does a DQ have to do with this?) Miz grabbed Shane’s head and shoved him into the corner as fans chanted “bullsh–!” Miz then set up a Skull Crushing Finale from the top rope, but Shane fought back and shoved Miz down. Both were down and slow to get up. Shane climbed the side of the cage and sat on top. Miz bashed his legs from below and then met him up there. They sat and exchanged punches. Miz got the better of Shane and then rammed his head into the cage a few times before yanking him to the mat. Miz then landed a sloppy looking splash mid-ring, but Shane kicked out. (Seriously?) Graves said that fall would cripple most men, but Shane absorbed it and kicked out. Shane then surprised Miz with a triangle choke. Miz bridged back and scored a two count, plus forced Shane to let go. Shane then tried to escape out the door, but Miz ran over and pulled him back in. Miz then catapulted Shane into the side of the cage. Shane grabbed the side of the fence and went to the top again. Miz set up a suplex from the top. Graves implored him not to do it. Miz tried, but Shane resisted. Shane slipped out of his t-shirt and dropped to the floor to win.

WINNER: Shane in 13:00. (**3/4)

If you are wondering if Shane, who stops selling during most of his matches to be sure his shirt is tucked in, protected his belly from showing after falling to the floor, yes he did. He was selling the match and the impact of the fall, but still had the wherewithal to pull his t-shirt onto his abdomen and cover up his navel area. Is there a tattoo he’s ashamed of down there or something? Seriously. As for the match, it was on the higher end of what you’d expect from these two, even if the Super Shane-o-Mac moments are nauseating.

(4) TONY NESE vs. ARIYA DAIVARI – Cruiserweight Title match

Aiden English sounds eerily like Disco Inferno. Daivari drove to the ring in a sports car. They fought back and forth in the early minutes, then fought to ringside. Nese eventually landed a dive at ringside and then landed a 450 slash for a near fall in the ring. Daivari caught a charging Nese with a superkick, then landed a frog splash. Daivari then landed a frog splash and his lariat finisher for a believable near fall. Nese came back with his running knee for the win.

WINNER: Nese in 9:00 to retain the Cruiseweight Title. (**1/2)

Not a lot of crowd heat, but most fans probably aren’t watching 205 Live regularly. Good action, though.

(5) BECKY LYNCH vs. LACEY EVANS – WWE Raw Women’s Title match

Lacey pulled out guns that shot paper money out of them with her face on them. Renee said Lacey isn’t focused enough on Becky and wondered what she is doing. Cole disagreed. Graves said she’s trying to get in her head. There was a buzz in the building after Lacey’s music stopped and before Becky’s began. Then they popped for her entrance and sang along to her song. She was easily the biggest star o the show so far. After formal ring introductions, fans loudly chanted “Becky Two Belts!” as the bell rang to start the match. Renee said Becky is white hot right now. Cole hyped the Becky Lynch special on WWE Network after MITB tonight.

Becky took it to Lacey early, including aggressively at ringside. Back in the ring, Lacey caught Becky’s foot on a kick, then twisted her arm and sent Becky face-first to the mat. Fans kept singing Becky’s theme song. Lacey concentrated on Becky’s left arm to weaken her Disarmer finisher. Lacey gator-rolled Becky to the corner and yanked her arm around the ringpost. Lacey sling-shot her herself into the ring and landed a turning elbow drop to Becky’s chest for a two count. Lacey then settled into an armbar while bending Becky over her knee. Lacey landed a neckbreaker a minute later and then floated over to score another two count. Lacey pulled white cloth out of the front of her trunks and patted her armpits and then her face. Renee said that’s nasty. Lacey then shoved it over Becky’s mouth. Becky angrily fought back. Becky kicked Lacey in the chest and then leaped off the second rope with a flying shoulder. Both were slow to get up.

Becky came back with a flurry of offense including a top rope dropkick. The camera angle made it look like Becky came up short. Graves said Lacey might have take a step back. Becky leaped off the ring apron and hit Lacey at ringside. Back in the ring Becky covered Lacey for a two count. After catching her breath, Becky climbed to the top rope. Lacey moved and then gave Becky a push-off stunner and then a kick to the chest for a near fall. Nice sequence. Lacey wrapped Becky’s hair round her wrist, but Becky fought back and applied a Disarmer. Lacey grabbed the bottom rope to force a break. Lacey clipped Becky’s knee from behind, then rolled her up. The ref for some reason didn’t count Becky’s shoulders down. He moved to the other side to check the other shoulder. Becky then countered and applied the disarm her and leveraged back for the tapout win.

WINNER: Lynch in 9:00.

Nice match. Lacey put in a good showing there. I was going to praise WWE for giving Becky a solid clean win, but then they showed on replay that it appeared Lacey pinned Becky but the ref inexplicably didn’t count. So Becky won the belts even though it wasn’t a full three count, and now in this defense, it appears her shoulders down? Strange.

WWE Money in the Bank PPV Results: 5-19-19

(6) BECKY LYNCH vs. CHARLOTTE – WWE Smackdown Title match

Charlotte laughed like her plan worked and Becky made a big mistake. Charlotte took control early, but Becky fired back with a forearm and spin kick. Charlotte avoided a diving Becky and then punt kicked her in the chest. Charlotte took over again, but Becky ran up to her when she climbed to the top and slammed her to the mat. Becky rolled up Charlotte for a two count. Charlotte stood up and chopped Becky hard in the chest a half dozen times. Becky fired back with an enzuigiri. Charlotte came back with a Boston Crab mid-ring. Becky crawled over to the bottom rope to force a break.

They stood mid-ring and exchanged strikes. Charlotte kicked Becky’s left leg to drop her to her knees. Charlotte slapped Becky, but Becky knocked Charlotte down. Both were slow to get up. Charlotte punched away at Becky. Becky fired back and set up a Disarmer. Charlotte blocked it and hit Becky on the chin. Charlotte stepped on Becky’s head and pushed down with leverage from the ropes. Charlotte then wrapped Becky’s head into the bottom rope and broke just before five. Charlotte went for Natural Selection off the ring apron, but Becky held onto the second rope. Charlotte grabbed her back in pain after landing at ringsidelotte th. The ref began counting Charlotte out. Lacey ran out and gave Becky a Woman’s Right. Charlotte then re-entered the ring and covered Bercky for the three count.

WINNER: Charlotte in 6:00 to capture the Smackdown Women’s Title.

Good action, but not a full-fledged match as it was more of a continuation of the previous match with a new opponent for Becky. It was a good cheap way to have heel Charlotte become champ without Becky looking weak. It also continues the Lacey-Becky feud, despite Becky pinning her.

-Afterward, Charlotte taunted Becky. Becky dove out of the ring and attacked Lacey. Charlotte jumped Becky from behind. The two heels double-teamed Becky in the ring. Fans chanted “We Want Bayley!” Bayley ran out and made the save, but Charlotte and Lacey knocked her down Fans chanted, “Bayley!” Charlotte lifted the Smackdown Women’s Title belt, but then dropped it and charged at Bayley. Bayley side-stepped Charlotte, who went head first into the ringpost. Bayley then soaked up the moment as the fans cheered. Bayley looked over at the MITB briefcase. Fans got louder and chanted “Yes! Yes”! She then cashed in.

(7) CHARLOTTE vs. BAYLEY – Smackdown Women’s Title match

The crowd roared as the announcement was made. The bell rang. Bayley dragged Charlotte to mid-ring. She climbed to the top rope and leaped off with her elbow. 1-2-3.

WINNER: Bayley in under 1:00 to capture the Smackdown Women’s Title.

WWE needed to give a boost to another women wrestler, and this gives Bayley real momentum. The crowd absolutely ate up the way things played out and it created real moment for Bayley’s character after a couple years of bad booking softened her support.

WWE Money in the Bank PPV Results: 5-19-19

-They showed Roman Reigns backstage. Cheers and boos. Elias showed up behind him and hit him with a guitar. Reigns went down hard. Some fans cheered. Elias said, “Showtime.” He headed to the ring.

-In the ring, Elias strummed an electric guitar. He said it felt so good to hit Reigns. He said normally he’d be playing an acoustic set, but “as saw, my guitar broke.” Fans laughed. Elias said he’s the biggest acquisition not just in Smackdown history, but all of WWE. He said Vince McMahon told him he can sleep well at night knowing WWE is good hands. He said that all “begs the question” of why he’d come to a substandard toilet bowl like Hartford. He sang that the people are so boring, their lives would suck without him, he brings energy to the world, no one wants to hear Roman talk, and Elias just took him for a walk. He said he visited North Carolina, what a beautiful place, now he understands why the Whalers left this city, “because Hartford is a disgrace.” (Not quite the fresh wound that the Seattle Supersonics are, apparently. Considering the adopted Boston Bruins are on their way to the Stanley Cup finals, maybe it stings even less.) Elias thanked the fans for their applause. “Thank you, good night, I love none of you!” Graves said it was transcendent. He said it took him a while to come around, but that was like Bob Dylan at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival. Elias said he was now going to get the hell out of Hartford. He struck a final pose. Reigns’s music then played and came out and hit Elias with a Superman Punch. That didn’t get the pop it was designed to get, but they did find a fan sign that said “Roman Reigns Supreme.”

8) ROMAN REIGNS vs. ELIAS

Reigns yelled, then speared Elias, for a sudden pin. Graves said there is no longer any doubt who the big dog is on Smackdown Live.

WINNER: Reigns in under ten seconds.

A fine angle, especially since few were probably highly anticipated a full-fledged match between those two.

(9) SETH ROLLINS vs. A.J. STYLES – WWE Universal Title match

The announcers talked about Styles wanting to cement this legacy, and how winning here would be a great way to do that. Fans were fired up for the match and engaged in dueling chants of “A.J. Styles” / “Let’s Go Rollins!” Slow methodical back and forth opening minutes. Styles landed a nice high dropkick. Graves put it over as one of the finest dropkicks you’ll see anywhere. Renee said this math is an example of iron sharpening iron. Styles gave Seth a backbreaker and settled into full-fledged control. Styles set up a Styles Clash on the ring apron, but Seth slipped free. Styles instead kneed him from the ring apron to the side of Seth’s face.

Styles threw Seth back into the ring. Seth surprised Styles with a forearm and then dove through the ropes and tackled Styles into the announce desk. Both were slow to get up. Back and forth action back in the ring. Styles dropped Seth over his knee. Both were slow to stand again. Later Styles lifted Seth into a torture rack and then dropped him with a spinning powerbomb for a near fall. Seth set up a to rope move, but Styles countered, then Seth rolled through and planted Styles for a near fall. They showed fans going bonkers in the crowd. Styles countered Seth into a Calf Crusher a minute later. Seth cried out in agony. Styles leaned into it. Seth rolled out of it and kicked Styles in the head. Both were slow to get up. Styles gave Seth an inverted DDT and leveraged him down for a near fall that popped the crowd. Seth caught a charging Styles with kick. Both were down again and slow to get up. (That looked a trillion times better than Shane’s casual kick that showed light but Miz sold anyway earlier. Leave it to the pros.) A new battle-chant broke out. They went into a rapid-fire back-and-forth. Seth went for a stomp, but Styles turned it into a Styles Clash for a believable near fall that the crowd popped for. Then they chanted “This is awesome!”

Styles leaped off the top rope, but Seth countered with a ripcord knee and then a superkick to the chin. He followed with a running stomp for the win.

WINNER: Rollins to retain the WWE Universal Title. (****1/2)

Great match. This lived up to expectations, perhaps exceeding them or at least erasing concerns or fears that it would come up short given the magnitude of each of their track records and the possibility that this would be a classic. It’s quite the act to follow, and I’m curious about not closing the show with this match other than not wanting the men’s MITB winner looming over the finish and distracting from this one-on-one epic battle.

-Afterward, Seth was celebrating to his music. Styles left, but then returned to the ring suddenly. Seth’s music stopped. There was tension. Then they walked into each other’s space. Seth raised the WWE Universal Title belt. He had a few words for Styles. Styles hung his head and soaked up the moment, then offered a handshake. Seth didn’t accept at first. Styles said a few words, then Seth shook his hand. Styles then left and Seth’s music started up again.

WWE Money in the Bank PPV Results: 5-19-19

(10) KOFI KINGSTON vs. KEVIN OWENS – WWE Title match

They fought in the ring and took it to ringside early. Kofi got the better of KO at ringside, whipping him hard into the ringside barricade. Back in the ring, KO took over with a superkick and some stomps. KO landed a senton splash for a near fall. KO landed a frog splash at ringside on Kofi a minute later. Kofi backdropped a charging KO into the turnbuckles. KO almost landed on his head. Kofi landed a Boom Drop, but Owens popped up and turned it into a Boston Crab mid-ring. Kofi crawled to the bottom rope. KO set up a powerbomb on the ring apron, but Kofi fought back and eventually took KO down with double knees to the chest. Owens fell to the floor.

Back in the ring, they went back and forth rapid-fire. Owens went for a stunner, but Kofi blocked it and hit an SOS for a near fall. Both were slow to get up. Kofi blocked a kick and then pounded KO from a rear mount. KO came right back and gave Kofi a Pop-Up Powerbomb for a near fall. KO yelled at the fans to stop clapping. KO went for a stunner, but Kofi blocked it and then connected with Trouble in Paradise. Owens spilled to the floor. Owens surprised Kofi with a Stunner a minute later. Kofi grabbed the bottom rope stop the three count. KO climbed to the top rope and leaped off with a cannonball splash, but Kofi raised his knees. Kofi then gave KO a Trouble in Paradise for the clean win. Xavier cheered on Kofi after the match as the New Day music played.

WINNER: Kingston to retain the WWE Title. (***1/2)

Good match. They had a tough act to follow, but did a really good job with a challenging match placement. The crowd was energized for Kofi early, but seemed fatigued understandably as the match got rolling.

WWE Money in the Bank PPV Results: 5-19-19

(11) MEN’S MONEY IN THE BANK LADDER MATCH – Baron Corbin, Finn Balor, Ricochet, Randy Orton, Drew McIntyre, Ali, Andrade

Corbin insisted on a long list of accolades being listed by the ring announcer for his introduction. Then Finn Balor came out as Cole said it is every man for himself in this one. Ricochet, Andrade, Ali, McIntyre, and Orton came out next. The announcers wondered if Sami’s vacated spot would be filled. The bell rang with only seven wrestlers out there.

They brawled at ringside with a lot of athletic spots. Orton entered the ring and set up a ladder alone. Andrade springboard dropkicked the ladder away and then knocked Orton to the floor.

Later Balor rallied against Drew and Corbin in the ring. Andrade took over and bridged a ladder in the ropes and a mid-ring ladder. Ricochet entered, but Andrade knocked him hard to the floor. Graves said, “Ricochet is broken. That was nasty.” Balor and Andrade met at the top of the ladder on opposite sides. They exchanged punches. Balor touched the briefcase briefly. Andrade kept punching him. Andrade then sunset flipped Balor off the ladder and powerbombed him onto the ladder which rebounded and flung Balor in the air several feet and he landed on the ladder back-first again. Cole asked how Balor is still alive. They replayed it three times from different angles. Yowza.

Ali re-entered with a tornado DDT on Corbin. He kicked Drew, and then reverse rana’d Ricochet onto the back of his neck. Ricochet sold being knocked out with stiff limbs. (I hope it was selling, at least.) Andrade hung Ali upside down on a ladder, then climbed another one next to it. Ali sat up and met Andrade up there. Side-by-side, they battled, and Andrade ended up giving Ali a modified Spanish fly off the ladder. “No way!” exclaimed Cole. “What is wrong with these guys!”

Drew set up a ladder at ringside. Ali grabbed his foot, but Drew yanked him up and chopped him hard in the chest. Drew then lifted the ladder so it bridged the ring and the desk. Corbin came out and chokeslammed Ali through the Spanish announce table. Fans chanted, “You still suck!” at Corbin. Corbin then knocked Drew over the ringside barricade. Cole said he stabbed him in the back. Corbin entered the ring and went after Balor, slamming him onto the side of a ladder. Ricochet then hit Corbin with a missile dropkick. When he dove at Corbin at ringside, Corbin gave him a Deep Dix out of mid-air. Drew then hit Corbin with a Claymore Kick.

Drew yanked Balor off of the ladder mid-ring, then shoved it at him. Then he suplexed Balor onto a flat ladder. Drew catapulted Andrade onto Balor who was still flat on the ladder. The crowd chanted “This is awesome!” Ricochet leaped at Drew and knocked him down, then climbed the ladder. Drew grabbed Ricochet and tossed him over the top rope onto the bridged ladder that split in half. Cole wondered how anyone was still walking.

Drew set up a ladder mid-ring and climbed. Orton yanked Drew off and delivered an RKO. Corbin then threw Orton shoulder-first into the ringpost. Corbin climbed the ladder. Ali climbed onto Corbin’s back and right over him. Corbin set up a powerbomb, but Ali head scissored Corbin over the ropes to the floor. Ali then climbed the ladder, although slowly as he sold the brutality of the match. He grabbed the case and appeared ready, at which point Brock Lesnar ran out and knocked over ladders on his way, then knocked Ali over. He then smiled and set up a ladder. He climbed the ladder and pulled the briefcase down. “Brock is the eighth man!” Graves said. The crowd didn’t really love the finish. They were sort of standing in stunned silence. Cole acknowledged they were “dumbfounded.” Lesnar sat atop the ladder and laughed as the show went off the air at 10:39 p.m.

WINNER: Brock Lesnar.

While shocking, I think the finish might have actually been flat. Fans wanted someone who “earned it” to win it, and this felt like a continuation of some of the heel heat that felt real that they put on Lesnar for being a part time guy who didn’t want to be there in the build to the Roman Reigns loss last summer. Tough to tell, but the way Cole talked about the crowd not reacting by trying to frame it as being “dumbfounded” is telling. Lesnar didn’t just win, he took a win away from seven other guys, many of whom fans really wanted to win.

My little girl was going bananas watching the womens MITB match. She had to go to bed before she saw the womens' title matches though. Even my wife got into the Rollins vs AJ match, that's probably the best match I've seen since I started watching WWE again. One thing that annoyed me was the cruiserweight match. I don't watch 205 so I barely know who Nese and Daivari are, but they put on one of the better matches of the night and the crowd was dead and I think they even had a brief "boring" chant. I was just thinking "are these guys watching the same match I am? This is pretty good." My wife made the comment later she wants to see Nese against Rollins.

Surprise of the night: Randy Orton was actually really entertaining in the MITB match.

Watch good wrestling instead. Throwaway undercard matches in ROH or NJPW are as good as any WWE main event.

Former WWE wrestler Ashley Massaro died of an apparent suicide recently

It has come to light that on a WWE Tribute to the Troops tour in Kuwait, she was drugged and raped by a US military member. When Vince McMahon heard about it he told her not to tell anyone for fear it would damage the reputation if the US military as well as the business relationship between the military and WWE

famicommander said:

Watch good wrestling instead. Throwaway undercard matches in ROH or NJPW are as good as any WWE main event.

Click to expand...

In a shocking turn of events, famicommander hates WWE.

GohanX said:

In a shocking turn of events, famicommander hates WWE.

Click to expand...

See post right above yours.

AWESOME KONG

That's a hell of a get for AEW. She has a history with Impact, WWE, and ROH not to mention starring on Netflix's GLOW but she's working AEW.

I love Kong so much. This is great!!

AEW has clean finishes, a variety of styles, past/present/future stars...they really seem to be making a hard play for the lapsed fan.

MILLIONS more people watched wrestling years ago, than now.

They all didn’t quit wrestling entirely to go collect pogs or something.

They’ve been asleep.

Like locust.

I welcome the lapsed fans back!

*scuttlebutt around my water cooler-the DoN PPV did ~200k buys. @ $50/pop. W/ no TV. If true, wooooooooooow.

All NJPW and ROH had to do was bet on these guys and they'd have seen these same results.

But instead a promotion started by and largely staffed by talent from those two promotions has surpassed them months before their first episode of television even airs.

At least Jon Moxley (or FCW Dean Ambrose) promos are back.

It's about to go down, y'all

famicommander said:

It's about to go down, y'all

Click to expand...

Holy smokes!

This match is happening 45 mins from me, the day before my birthday.

I haven’t been to a RoH show, since 2003 (Muta!).

I’m going to try and make it.

wataru330 said:

Holy smokes!

This match is happening 45 mins from me, the day before my birthday.

I haven’t been to a RoH show, since 2003 (Muta!).

I’m going to try and make it.

Click to expand...

Go to that shit, their shows are worth every penny.

famicommander said:

All NJPW and ROH had to do was bet on these guys and they'd have seen these same results.

But instead a promotion started by and largely staffed by talent from those two promotions has surpassed them months before their first episode of television even airs.

Click to expand...

Are you upset about AEW or something?

Not at all. I'm going to watch AEW and I hope they do well.

It's more frustration at ROH and NJPW. I've been following both promotions for years and this should be their momentum right now, but they blew it.

AEW DOUBLE OR NOTHING PPV RESULTS: 5-25-19

Better late than never (especially with my current life events)...

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Keller's complete report).

BUY IN PRE-SHOW REPORT

(A) CASINO BATTLE ROYAL

(My DirectTV feed started five minutes late.) A few minutes in, Billy Gunn came up behind MJF and threw him over the top rope, but MJF stood on the ring apron. Bria Pillman Jr. then went after Joey Janella with a flying tackle. They did various spots where wrestlers nearly landed on the floor.

The next batch included Marco Stunt and Tommy Dreamer, among others. Dream bashed people in the heads with trash can lids including Jimmy Havoc. A “Tommy Dreamer!” chant started. The 21st entrant was Hangman Page. The announcer called it was Page when the camera, inexcusably cut back to the ring and not to the entrance stage. (WWE makes mistakes like that, but it’s rare. I can’t even imagine what was going through the director’s head to not stay on the stage, and perhaps just as much of a miscue was the announcer – not sure if it was Marvez or Excalibur – saying it was Page before the camera cut back to show him.)

Stunt and Jungle Boy went after Ace Romero mid-ring. Romero tossed Stunt out of the ring by catching him mid-air. Havoc eventually eliminated Dreamer. Havoc bite the fingers of Jungle Boy causing him to lose his grip on the top rope and drop to the floor.

Luchasauraus, Page, Havoc, and MJF were the last four in the ring. Luchasaurus knocked Havoc to the floor. Page then ducked a charging Luchasauraus and knocked him over the top rope to eliminate him. MJF had been legally hiding at ringside, but ran in to eliminate Page, but Page held on. MJF prematurely celebrated, and then Page clothesline him over the top rope to win.

WINNER: Page to earn one slot in the AEW World Title match, facing the winner of the Chris Jericho vs. Kenny Omega main event.

Rough start. Just too many wrestlers all at once out of context for a new audience, and with all due respect to Tommy Dreamer’s backstory, we didn’t need in 2019 him out there hitting people with trash can lids. There were amateurish looking spots and overacting throughout. It was just a clustermess of people who had no business being within a mile of a lucky shot at winning and becoming the other half of AEW’s first title match. No suspense at the end because nobody in that final four other than Page was a potential winner. It sent a poor opening message to people watching the free show to decide whether to order the PPV portion.

(B) SAMMY GUEVARA vs. “SUPER BAD” KIP SABIAN

Marvez thanked those watching on iTV watching late in the UK and invited them to buy the event on PPV. The camera man was surprised by a Guavara dive and barely caught the end of it, which the announcers noted. Understandably the announcers are hard-selling the PPV, but in the process are overselling the action on the pre-show as “the reason” to order in a infomercial pitchman way rather than a professional sportscaster way. It’s not awful, but it feels like a little much. Late in the match Guavara landed a guillotine shooting star press off the ring apron onto Sabian who was leaning over the ringside barricade. Back in the ring Sabian lifted his knees on a 630 attempt and then Sabian quickly finished him with his finisher for the three count.

WINNER: Kip Sabian in 10:00. (**)

Some good wrestling, but again from a standpoint of AEW branding themselves early and trying to sell people on a PPV, this came across as two wrestlers doing nice moves that you might like to see again, but just not enough time to establish why viewers should be invested in them.

DOUBLE OR NOTHING PPV EVENT

(1) STRONG HEARTS (Cima & T-Hawk & Lindaman from OWE) vs. SCU (Christopher Daniels & Kaz & Scorpio Sky)

SCU came out first. They did a little mic work. The announcers talked early in the match about the time difference with China and Vegas, forecasting a loss by building in an excuse. Marvez at one point said SCU is a new team, which is crazy. Excalibur clarified without showing up Marvez a minute later. Ross referred to the OWE wrestlers as Chinese, but they’re Japanese wrestlers performing for OWE, and Cima in particular is a big Japanese name for the last 15 years. Pretty much start to finish steady action with one spot after another.

WINNER: SCU in 14:00. (**3/4)

Good athleticism throughout. A showcase spotfest, but not really much else came out of it. Ross did some play-by-play, but Excalibur jumped in and seemed to call most of the moves, sometimes yelling and over-modulating in a jarring way. The announcer team felt like three play-by-play men and no personality or chemistry yet.

(2) “SMILY” KYLIE RAE vs. “THE NATIVE BEAST” NYLA ROSE vs. DR. BRITT BAKER, D.M.D vs. AWESOME KONG

Ross said you can’t help but like Rae. Marvez said her smile lights up the room. After the three women made their ring entrance, out walked Brandi Rhodes. Allie asked if she was “inserting herself into this match.” She was in her ring gear. Brandi said the women in the ring shouldn’t look confused like they lied to her. She said she meant it when she told them that this Triple Threat match could be a great match, she 100 percent meant it. “But I ran into a problem,” she said. “I don’t want a great match. I want a match that is awesome.” Then out came Awesome Kong. The crowd popped. Ross said there is no one like this woman.

All three went after Kong when the match began. Kong knocked Rose out, then went after the other two. Brit pulled the ropes down and Kong tumbled to the floor. Kylie and Brit then squared off. A minute later Kong caught Brit at ringside, then Kylie dove onto both of them at ringside. Rose and Kylie then battled. Rose scored a two count with a soft cover after dominating. Marvez hyped the “Fight for the Fallen” on July 13 in Jacksonville, Fla. Brit came in and scored a two count on Rose. They cut to a wide shot of the arena as Brit had Kylie covered for a two count (which was an awkward director’s choice, not sensing at all the key moment of the match happening).

Brit and Kylie set up Rose for a superplex, but Kong entered and powerbombed all three to the mat. An “Awesome Kong!” chant broke out. Kong set up Brit for a move at ringside, but Brit fought out of it. Kong delivered a spinning backfist instead, then threw her into the ring. Kong set up an Awesome Bomb on the ring apron, but Brit escaped and kicked Kong off the ring apron. Rose then speared Kong hard into the ringside steps. Brit and Kylie battled in the ring next. Kylie kicked Brit in the head with a loud slapping sound. She overshot on it badly and it showed light, but Ross said it was “right to the temple.” Brandi hung out at ringside conspicuously. Kylie dead lift German suplexed Brit for a two count. Kylie showed fire, but turned and ate a kick to the face. brit then gave her an ushi giroshi for the win.

WINNER: Brit Baker in 11:00. (**3/4)

Some awkward exchanges, but mostly exciting with steady action. Again, Excalibur seemed to be the most prepared to call the moves by their names.

(3) THE BEST FRIENDS (Trent Barretta & Chuck Taylor) vs. JACK EVANS & ANGELICO

Excalibur noted that it’s the AEW debut of Barretta and Taylor. (Both teams had neon green accents on their gear. That shouldn’t happen.) Angelico and Evans broke up an early hug attempt by Barretta and Taylor. Ross said Evans is like a deadly wasp with a deadly stinger. When the Best Friends finally hugged, it got a pop. Taylor lifted Evans into a crucifix and then Barretta then gave him a cutter for a near fall. When Angelico and Evans took over, fans chanted “Best Friends.” Angelico gave Barretta a running crucifix bomb. Evans then landed a top rope 630 for a near fall, but Chucky T made the save. An “A-E-Dub!” chant broke out. then came a “This is awesome!” chant. Taylor lifted Evans onto his shoulders and then Chucky T leaped off the top rope with a flying doomsday knee. Excalibur was doing the heavy lifting on naming the moves. Taylor leaped off the ropes and stomped Evans into the mat and Barretta. Ross said he hopes this is a sign of tag team wrestling becoming great again. He talked about being a big fans of tag teams when he was a kid including The Kentuckians and The Assassins.

WINNERS: Barretta & Taylor in 13:00. (***)

Another nice dose of athletic highspots. It’s tough without TV and backstories to really do much more than just try to dazzle with athleticism. Evans and Angelico stood out with some graceful flying moves and double-team moves.

-After the match, the lights went out as the Best Friends were lobbying for a hug. Then the lights came on and Excalibur yelled, “What are they doing here?” Marvez asked who they were. It was the Super Smash Brothers, but no one said their name. The lights went out again. Then several masked wrestlers joined the other two and beat on all four wrestlers. Marvez said the great tag match was spoiled by “these goons.” Nobody on the announce team would say who the wrestlers were by name even though Excalibur indicated he knew which was just awkward. They should have had a name for them they felt comfortable saying instead of putting the announcers in that awkward position. (Might I humbly suggest The Smash Experience?) The lights went out again and came on and they formed a human throne.

One of many things AEW could do to set the tone on in terms of being different and starting a new era of presentation of pro wrestling is avoiding the tired and overplayed and, frankly, silly “lights out, someone shows up mid-ring” schtick. If someone “isn’t supposed to be there,” but they take control of the lighting in the arena, it just defies logic. It feels like a 1990s concept that a lot of bad companies and bookers have overdone over the years. AEW should fine fresh ways to present the product and fall back on these tired overplayed cliched.

(4) HIKARU SHIDA & RIHO & RYO MIZUNAMI vs. AJA KONG & YUKA SAKAZAKI & EMI SAKURA

The announcers talked about the background of Aja Kong. Ross said he has never called a match with her before. Kong no-sold Riho’s offense a few minutes in and then basically sat up on a pin attempt pretending there was a kickout. Kong then landed a leaping pile driver, but her cover was broken up by Shida and Mizunami. Marvez talked about fans chanting “This is wrestling” and said this is indeed pro wrestling. A few minutes later Riho avoided a top rope elbow by Kong. Shida tagged in and went after Kong with an enzuigiri. Sakura interfered with a kick. Kong tried to use a trash can. Shida brought in a kendo stick. Shida went for a flying knee, but Kong blocked it with a can and tagged in Sakura who led the crowd in claps and the singing of “We Will Rock You!” Kong and Sakura eventually double teamed Shida and scored what appeared to be a two count, but the bell rang. Fans loudly chanted “You f—ed up!” The ref signaled the match should continue. Sakura and Riho battled, but Kong entered and mistakenly back-fisted her partner. Shida then finished off Sakura with a running knee.

WINNERS: Shida & Kong & Sakazaki in 13:00. (**1/2)

Some good action, some not so good action in this one. The mistaken bell ringing is bad. Really, this is just too many wrestlers doing too many spotfests. I think AEW would be better with an NXT Takeover format with a three hour max show with six matches focused on the primary stars. This is just too many wrestlers on the show from the battle royal to all of these tag matches. It’s ultimately a blur of appearances and spots. It’s not brand-building, it’s an international all-star show that feels exciting and exhilarating at times, but also overwhelming and busy and hardly exclusive.

AEW DOUBLE OR NOTHING PPV RESULTS: 5-25-19

Continued from previous post...

(5) CODY (w/Brandi Rhodes) vs. DUSTIN RHODES

Cody’s ring entrance began with an extended dark stage and generic music playing. Then a throne on the stage was lit up. Cody and Brandi walked out and looked at the throne which had several skulls on it. They looked at it and then walked to the ring. Brandi pulled a sledgehammer out from under the ring. Cody looked at it, then brought it to the stage and broke the throne with one big swing. Brandi yelled, “Bring it down!”

Cody stood on the second rope in the ring and fans chanted “Cody!” Dustin made his ring entrance to a variation of the Goldust song. He then stepped out onto the stage in a black and red shiny bodysuit with half his face painted. Marvez asked if this is the last ride for the 50 year old Dustin. Ross said Cody is looking to “eliminate the perception of the Attitude Era” that his brother Dustin was a big part of.

When the bell rang, fans chanted “This is awesome!” Fans then switched to a loud ‘Dusty!” chant. Marvez said he’s getting emotional, so it’s tough to see how the wrestlers can focus. Cody dove through the ropes onto Dustin at ringside a minute in. Cody was going to throw Dustin into the crowd, but fans didn’t move. He reversed direction and nothing happened. They tried again and Dustin spun around under the bottom rope and kicked Cody, then flipped onto him. The fans chanted, “You still got it!” Dustin mounted Cody in the corner and punched away at him. The announcers settled into interacting with each other by distracting the personalities and back story and felt more comfortable than calling the spotfests. Brandi threw a drink in Dustin’s face and then Cody landed a gut-buster for a two count. Ross said he thought Dustin took a while to kick out, so is Dustin at age 50 fading. It was actually a fast two count, so it was a strange observation.

Cody dragon leg whipped Dustin and covered him, but Dustin rolled out from under Cody’s unconventional cover. Cody snap powerslammed Dustin for another two count, then settled into a leg hold. There has been very little mat work and submissions on this show. Dustin did his signature drop down uppercut during a comeback. Cody sent Dustin head first into the middle turnbuckle which was exposed. Brandi then interfered by bashing Dustin in the head from ringside, but they were at a replay on split screen when she did it. The crowd booed, but the announcers missed it entirely and didn’t even reference it even as the fans were booing loudly. Brandi then speared Dustin at ringside. “What kind of family is this, for goodness sakes?” exclaimed Ross. Ref Earl Hebner kicked her out of ringside. (The Cody and Brandi characters are as inconsistent as Triple H and Stephanie, unfortunately, playing for cheers one second and getting booed as heels the next. I hope they clean this up right away, or at least in time for the TNT debut.) DDP came out and carried Brandi to the back.

They showed that Dustin was bleeding heavily from the face. There were blood smears all over the ring apron. Ross said if Dustin can’t protect himself, the ref may need to stop the match to protect the athlete. Cody looked at his brother’s blood all over his hands, then went for the cover in the ring and scored a two count. Cody kicked Dustin a few times. Dustin couldn’t see. Cody drop-kicked him and scored a two count. Cody landed a Curb Stomp for another near fall a minute later. “This has become a bloody mess,” said Ross. Dustin surprised Cody with a powerslam for a near fall. Ross called it an instinctive powerslam. Cody then put Dustin in the figure-four mid-ring. Dustin reversed it. Cody rolled to the ropes to force a break. The blood was smeared all over the mat. Cody was covered in blood splatters. Dustin came back and yanked Cody’s trunks down and whipped him with his weight belt. “The Cheeks of Wrath!” said Ross. Dustin delivered a Code Red for a near fall that popped the crowd. Ross said this is what wrestling fans live for, a match like this.

Dustin lifted Cody on the top turnbuckle and set up a superplex. The announcers talked about how light-headed he must be. He delivered a suplex off the top rope, then a Crossroads for a believable near fall. Cody blocked Dustin’s next move and then mule kicked Dustin low. Then he hit a Disaster Kick followed by a Crossroads for a near fall. The crowd popped for the kickout. They showed an emotionally spent fan reacting. Marvez noted that Dustin was losing a lot of blood. Fans chanted “Fight Forever!” Ross compared it to a Dusty Rhodes-Terry Funk bloodbath. Dustin then gave Cody a Crossroads for another near fall. Ross asked when and how this odyssey will end. Another chant of “This is awesome!” Cody and Dustin exchanged exhausted punches mid-ring. Cody landed a dropdown uppercut and a bicycle kick to the face. Dustin took Cody down out of mid-air with a flying neckbreaker. He draped his arm over Cody for a near fall. Another “Fight Forever!” chant. Ross called it one of the most emotionally charged matches he’s ever called.

Cody lifted and dropped Dustin behind him neck-first with his Din’s Fire. Cody looked at his fallen brother and pondered the situation. Ross said someone should just win with a wrestling hold. Cody delivered another Crossroads for the three count.

WINNER: Cody in 23:00. (****1/2)

Tons of blood, and it really stands out in this era when that is just not happening in major packed U.S. arenas broadcasting on TV or PPV. The crowd ate it up, and Cody and Dustin were two pros telling a dramatic story not just with moves, but with their pacing and body language and facial expressions. Ross got into his groove here and really seemed 100 times more comfortable calling a match like this compared to everything else on this show. He took command of the calling of the match and brought it to another level. He seems to have more confidence when there aren’t a ton of wrestlers he doesn’t know doing moves he doesn’t know the names of, and that’s understandable.

-Cody left, then returned to the ring. Fans chanted, “Thank you, Dustin!” Cody said, “You don’t get to retire here because I have to ask you a favor in front of God and the whole world.” Cody listed his name along with Matt, Nick, Kenny, and Tony. Cody said at the Jacksonville show he put his name on a contract for a tag match with a partner of his choosing against The Young Bucks. He said he doesn’t need a partner or a friend. “I need my older brother,” he said, his voice cracking as he said it. He asked Dustin to join him. Fans cheered. Dustin and Cody hugged. Big cheers. They left arm-in-arm.

Cody was fantastic here. The cadence of his comments and the voice cracking at the end was tone-perfect. I really liked the idea of them beating the tension and resentment out of their relationship here, then wanting to unite for a signature tag match with The Bucks.

-Jack Whitehall stood mid-ring and introduced Bret Hart for the presentation of the new AEW World Title belt. (This spot was originally supposed to be Ric Flair, but health issues caused a change of plans. Bret is a great replacement and, in a way, sends more of a message to fans since Bret is more of a “WWE guy” than Ric.) Bret walked out with the belt in a sack in a scene reminiscent of Mick Foley last Monday on Raw. Fans chanted “Holy sh–!” Bret said he feels so grateful and thankful to be there. He said 26 years ago he “defended the world title here.” He said it’s great to be standing there at “another sold out world championship match.” He said wants to be the first presenter of “this absolutely beautiful belt.” He said it’s as beautiful as any belt you’ll ever seen. He introduced Hangman Page. He said he’ll face either Jericho or Omega “in the next PPV next month or a few months from now.” Fans laughed. “It’s been a while,” Bret said. Out limped Page. Marvez talked about Pac being his scheduled opponent, but they had another match and Pac injured Page’s leg. So Page entered the battle royal, but in the 21st spot. Page entered the ring.

MJF’s music played and he walked onto the stage. Fans chanted “Asshole!” at him. He said he’s the asshole but they’re the ones who paid to see him. He introduced himself as the fastest rising star. He called the fans nimrods and said they boo him because he’s jealous. He said he is the quintessential future of AEW. He said a horse can’t be the face of this company, looking Page’s direction. MJF said when a race horse has a bad leg, no matter how face they are, they become about as useful as these fat white trash hicks in the crowd. He said you take them out back and blow their stupid little brains out. He told Page to do the right thing and relinquish his title shot because his win was a fluke, and give the title shot to “a real man.” He called Bret “old man” but the director showed Page instead. MJF began to say he’s the new best there ever was, but then said that catch phrase sucks. Page heard enough and took a swing at MJF. MJF backed up and said he doesn’t ned this. Jungle Boy, the son of the late Luke Perry, walked out. MJF called him a prepubescent teenager and walked away. Suddenly out walked Jimmy Havoc. MJF was stuck between Page and Havoc and Jungle Boy. MJF said they should talk about this like grown men, but then tried to punch Jungle Boy. Page threw MJF into the crowd and then almost ran into a cameraman who walked right into the view of the other cameraman on the scene at ringside. Bret then held up the AEW Title belt and spun around. “Now that is a strap!” said Ross. Fans chanted “Thank you, Bret!”

The belt looked great. Too bad they barely got a shot of it because Bret pointed away from the hard cam at first, then the director cut to a crowd shot after we got a brief glimpse of it. The surprise appearance by Bret, and his endorsement of the belt, is a great christening. It’s also a signal AEW is at war with WWE, and it indicates Bret probably has made his last appearance for WWE. It’s funny because Bret was Vince’s secret weapon against TNA when they debuted on Monday night up against Raw years ago when TNA has Hulk Hogan. MJF was a little heavy-handed with his comments. Some of the comments came off as indy cheap heat. I’d have dialed it back by 20 percent. He’s super-talented, but it was a little much. Then treating him as a comedy guy getting beaten up by three others wasn’t framing him as a potential top act. He was more Sami Zayn or Elias in how he was framed, which isn’t awful, but it pegs him as a mid-carder, and I hope they have higher aspirations.

AEW DOUBLE OR NOTHING PPV RESULTS: 5-25-19

Continued from previous post...

(6) THE YOUNG BUCKS (Nick & Matt Jackson) vs. THE LUCHA BROS. (Pentagon Jr. & Rey Fenix) – AAA Tag Team Title match

The Young Bucks came out in Elvis jump suits customized and modernized. Ross noted both teams are real-life blood brothers. They also noted they’re almost the same ages with two at age 34 and two others in their late 20s. They opened with Matt vs. Pentagon. Ross said their program tonight is trending worldwide – #AEWDON. Marvez said, “Continue to tweet, we love the attention.” He said they want to “bring back some wrestling fans.” Fenix outwrestled the Bucks and double arm-dragged them both. The Bucks regrouped at ringside. Nick and Fenix had a cool exchange at ringside that led to a surge of applause. They returned to the ring and exchanged chops. Lucha Bros. superkicked Matt from opposite sides. Nick returned, but got kicked by both one after another and eventually Pentagon scored a near fall. Marvez said this is like when the home team falls behind 28-0 in the first quarter of a football game. Marvez plugged ticket sales launch this Wednesday for the Jacksonville show.

Matt made a comeback and pressed Fenix and then splashed Pentagon. The announcers noted that Matt’s back seems better after having several months to heal. Excalibur noted that The Bucks during their time away from actual matches have added more moves. He said he’s called more matches of the Bucks than anyone and he’s seeing moves he’s never seen before. The Bucks took over with some double-team moves. Ross said they seemed to have found their range and are in a groove. …

Eventually the Bucks applied stereo Sharpshooters. The Lucha Bros. reached the bottom rope to force a break. Ross said it’d have been humiliating for the Lucha Bros. to lose the belts in Mexico, then lose a rematch in the U.S. by submission. Nick landed a 450 for a near fall, broken up by Pentagon.

The Bucks did a double team move on Fenix out of the corner for a near fall. Ross said it was an example of Fenix’s resilience. Excalibur said that was a shout out to Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley, a move that the Bucks have been on the receiving end of many times. The Bucks went into a series of super kicks and roundhouse kicks. All four were down and slow to get up. Fans stood and applauded.

Pentagon and Fenix hit Canadian Destroyers one after another, one on the ring apron on Nick and the next in the ring on Matt with Fenix scoring a believable near fall that popped the crowd. “If that didn’t do it, what will?” asked Ross. A “This is awesome!” chant broke out. Pentagon lunched Fenix off of his shoulders onto the Bucks at ringside. Fenix played to the crowd and got a reaction. Pentagon landed a package pile driver on both Bucks, then Fenix launched onto Nick from the top rope with a near fall. A minute later Fenix launched at the Bucks, but they double stereo superkicked him out of mid-air. Matt gave Fenix a brainbuster off the top rope in what Excalibur called a shoutout to Tijuana’s own El Generico. The Bucks then delivered a 450 splash and moonsault sequence for a near fall. The Bucks reacted like they didn’t know what to do next.

Matt lifted Fenix and then Nick dropkicked him and Matt gave him a package pile driver. Nick dove at Pentagon to knock him off the ring apron as Matt went for the pin, but it was good for only two. Excalibur said they’ll pulling moves out of former rivals playbooks, first The Motor City Machine Guns and now El Generico & Kevin Steen. Matt set up Pentagon for a tombstone, but chaos ensued and then Pentagon then applied an armbar submission and snapped his arm back. He followed with a Pentagon Driver for a near fall. Ross said he’s emotionally exhausted and said this was amazing. Fenix played to the crowd and charged at Matt, but Matt caught him and held up Fenix. Then Nick leaped at them and delivered the Meltzer Driver for the win.

WINNER: The Young Bucks in 25:00 to retain the AAA Tag Team Titles. (****1/2)

A top-shelf tag team match start to finish. Just another level of big spots with enough psychology to build to the near falls and eventually finish logically. The callbacks to former rivals signature moves was a really cool touch. It made as clear a statement as you’ll see that tag team wrestling can co-main event pro wrestling shows in 2019. AEW made it clear they want fans to know they intend to bring back tag team glory days.

(7) CHRIS JERICHO vs. KENNY OMEGA – Winner Faces Hangman Page for AEW Title

Jericho stood on the stage and extended his arms on a dark stage with his light-up jacket, teasing that version of his persona. Eventually he came out to a Fozzy song with a darker, disheveled look. It was a pretty low-key ring entrance given the occasion, but it set the tone well. He, of course, had a signature look for the match that was main event level and distinctive. Then Omega came out, proceeded by some “Kenny” chants. Jericho watched intently. Justin Roberts did a really nice job hitting the right notes and cadence and intensity for each of the wrestlers in this main event. Ross said it’s a main event vibe as these two Winnipeg natives get set to battle. Ross said Jericho is in as good a shape as he’s been in years (which isn’t close to true cosmetically, as Jericho looked overweight and flabby here). Ross did seem to focus on the idea that Jericho’s been MMA training and has great cardio. Marvez said he’s reinventing not just his persona, but also his ring style. Jericho pushed the cracker barrel out of the ring as part of AEW’s partnership with Cracker Barrel restaurants. Ross told everyone to settle in. The bell rang.

Jericho shoulder-tackled Omega. Omega fired back with chops to the chest and then attacked Jericho in the corner aggressively. Jericho avoided a V-trigger and Omega went into the corner. Jericoh then chopped away at Omega. Marvez said #AEWDON is the no. 1 trend on Twitter. Omega went for a huracanrana, but Jericho reversed Omega into a Walls of Jericho. Omega crawled over to the ropes quickly and somersaulted to the floor. Jericho slidekicked Omega, sending him into the ringside barricade. Ross complimented Jericho for not joking around at all and taking this seriously. One second later Jericho grabbed the ringside bell and rang it and declared himself the winner. Omega eventually made a comeback at ringside, but Jericho shoved him off the ringside barricade into the lap of fans in the front row. Jericho grabbed a camera and filmed Omega trying to recover. Omega sprayed something in Jericho’s eyes, then missile dropkicked him. Ross said there are countouts, but the rule is discretionary. He said given the stakes, it’s a good move to let this go. Excalibur said you can only imagine the reaction in wrestling if he counted out both wrestlers here to end this match with these high stakes.

Back in the ring Omega landed a moonsault for a near fall. They exchanged chops. Jericho caught a charging Omega in the eye with a boot, then drop-kicked Jericho. Ross said he thinks Omega has a broke noise. They stood and exchanged punches. Ross said Jericho was aiming for Omega’s bloodied nose. When Jericho grabbed a table at ringside, Omega slidekicked it into Jericho, then did a leaping dive at the table and knocked Jericho down hard on the floor. They were slow to get up. Omega then leaped over the top rope and double-stomped the table onto Jericho. “Holy sh–!” chanted the fans. Omega set up the table legs. Ross said Jericho is the “forever young 48 year old.” Omega slid Jericho into the ring, the drove Jericho’s face into the mat and scored a two count. Omega’s bloody nose dropped to his lips, teeth, and chest. Jericho blocked a snap dragon suplex. Omega kicked Jericho into the corner face-first and then V-triggered the back of his head. Ross plugged AEW.com (a real estate site), then corrected it and said it’s AllEliteWrestling.com. “There’s a lot going on here,” he said.

Omega set up a snap dragon avalanche style off the middle ropes. Jericho elbowed out of it. Omega climbed to the top rope and then back suplexed Jericho hard to the mat. He was slow to roll Jericho over and roll on top. When he finally did, Jericho kicked out at two.

Jericho made a comeback and went for a quick Lionsault, but Omega lifted his knees and hit a V-trigger. Jericho came back with a released German suplex, then kneed Omega on a Lionsault. He did it again and this time landed it the usual way for a two count. Omega blocked a Code Breaker and kneed Jericho in the chin, then set up a tiger driver. Jericho backdropped out of it and Omega landed on the table at ringside, crashing through it. Omega was really slow to get up, and Ross noted he must be hurt. Omega took some swings at Jericho from the ring apron, but Jericho punched back also. Omega headbutted Jericho. Jericho raked Omega’s eyes. Jericho then springboard dropkicked Omega on the ring apron. Omega took a bump onto the back of his head on the ring apron. Both were down and slow to get up again.

Jericho set up a superplex, but then stepped to the top rope. Omega blocked it and knocked Jericho to the mat. Omega then leaped at Jericho, but Jericho caught him with a Code Breaker out of mid-air for a near fall. A couple minutes later Omega hit a sitout dragon suplex for a two count. Both were slow to get up again. Jericho blocked a V-trigger and then quickly applied a Walls of Jericho. Omega crawled toward the bottom rope, but Jericho yanked him back toward the center. He twisted a little extra, but Omega rolled out of it and upkicked Jericho three times to break the hold. Omega hit a discus right and then a V-trigger. He was slow to get up, but when he did, he lifted Jericho Jericho onto his shoulders. Jericho twisted into a sloppy DDT. They were both slow to get up again. They cut to amazed fans. Ross called it an “amazing and epic contest.”

Jericho gave Omega an enzuigiri. Jericho avoided a one-winged Angel and turned it into a DDT of Omega. He then hit a Code Breaker on Omega. Both stood slowly. Jericho gave Omega the Judas Effect back elbow for a three count.

WINNER: Jericho in 27:00 to earn a shot at the AEW Title. (****)

The crowd seemed stunned by the finish. The announcers did, too. Athletically up and down in terms of crispness, but really strong psychologically at telling an epic story.

-After the match, Jericho took the mic. “You want to be boo me after that, huh?” he said. “You ungrateful jerks. You can say whatever you want, I don’t give a rats ass about your boos or your cheers. Lighten up, marks.” He said the bottom line is he just got the crap kicked out of him, but he’s smart enough to know it’s his time now. He said this isn’t a company for the fans, it’s a company for him. He said they have a fancy logo, fast ticket sales, and a big TV deal. “What’s the reason for that?” he said. “It’s me.” He said he told them when he beat Kenny, he was going to demand one thing from everyone – a thank you. He demanded it again.

-Suddenly Jon Moxley came out through the crowd. The arena burst into cheers. He entered the ring and stared down Jericho. Fans chanted “Moxley!” Then he DDT’d Jericho. He then gave the ref a DDT. A loud “Moxley!” chant broke out. Moxley then gestured toward Omega. He leaned down and grabbed him by his hair and lifted him. Then he kicked him and set up a DDT. Omega tackled Moxley through the ropes and they fought at ringside and into the crowd. “A-E-Dub!” chants broke out. They brawled over to the giant poker chips that were part of the set. Moxely then DDT’d Omega on top of the stack of giant chops. He sat and smiled. “Oh, what a moment! How do you like AEW now?” Ross said. Moxley then lifted Omega while standing on the chips and slammed Omega off of them onto a platform below. He stood on the chips and extended his arms and then laid down and looked at the crowd wide-eyed as Ross signed off.

Great ending. I loved the sense – and NXT has done this effectively at times – that the show was ready to end after the Jericho heel promo, and instead it was “extended” by an “unexpected arrival/angle.” Moxley was great here in his demeanor and intensity. He went after everyone, signaling he’s going to be his own man. This sets up Moxley vs. Omega at All Out, which explains why Jericho beat Omega to set up Page vs. Jericho for the AEW Title – although I do wonder if Page had faced Pac, who would have won the battle royal. I’m really excited to see Moxley be the character he wants to be instead of the compromised presentation he felt trapped in when he was in WWE.

FINAL THOUGHTS: The last two hours really turned around my opinion of the show. The first two hours contained good athleticism and a lot of prospects to be regular full time valuable roster members, but it was just a parade of tag matches and too many spots and not enough backstory. That is, to a degree, built into a big show without TV storylines to support it. So the pre-show was awful to an alarming degree, the first two hours of the PPV itself was athletically strong but a blur of too many wrestlers without back stories, and the final two hours was two of the best hours of pro wrestling PPV in years. If AEW wanted to give fans a reason for confidence going into this fall, the final two hours did that. I’m very comfortable with a top singles core of Moxley, Omega, Jericho, Page, Cody, and Pac. They need to build a few more stars in the singles men’s division, and there were some prospects on this show, but a strong mid-card is also important and there’s a ton of candidates for that, too, on this show.