WWE Monday Night Raw 10/30/2023

WWE Monday Night Raw 10/30/2023

Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2023/10/wwe-monday-night-raw-10232023.html

Rhea, Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonaugh come out to talk. Rhea said they took care of every star in their way and said Priest took out Cody's ankle. She said JD will remind Seth Rollins what it's like to be an enemy of Judgment Day. She said Seth and Drew have decisions to make and says their decision decides who walks out champ at Crown Jewel. Rhea said the odds will be stacked against her at the event, but it's another chance to prove herself.

Sami Zayn comes out. He said he's sick of hearing Rhea talk. He said he has fought people like Judgment Day all of his life. He said his name isn't Sami Zayn but rebellion and resistance. He said as long as there is a breath of air in his body, he will fight Judgment Day. Rhea said he can resist all he wants, but they don't need the numbers against him. Rhea then says he should face Damian Priest tonight. Dom said they should teach him a lesson right now. Sami is about to be beaten up then Ricochet comes out to save Sami. JD goes after Ricochet but ends up over the top then Dom backs off of Ricochet.

Ricochet vs Dominik Mysterio

This started during the break. Ric hits a dropkick then has his leg pulled, which puts his crotch into the middle rope. Ric is sent into the announcer's table outside then Dom hits corner spears on him. Dom hits stomps on Ric then has his head banged off the buckle. Ric kicks the buckle while his head is on it then Ric step up enzugiri's him.

Ric hits a northern lights suplex then a suplex for 2. Ric then does a standing shooting star press for 2. Ric tope crossbodies Dom on the outside and we go to break. We return and Dom hits three amigos. Ric is catapulted into the 2nd rope but avoids a 619. Ric handspring back elbows him.

Ric flying hurricanrana's him then springboard crossbodies him. Ric then hits an asai moonsault for 2. Dom neckbreakers him then takes a superkick. Ric goes up top and Rhea gets on the apron. JD then distracts Ric and Dom rolls up Ric with his feet on the ropes and with a grab of the tights to win.

It was an okay opener. Not great or memorable but they matched up okay and kept a good pace.

Ric superkics JD after and codebreakers Dom. Rhea then pulls out Dom to escape further damage.

We get a package on DIY.

Raquel Rodriguez talks about the women's match at Crown Jewel. She said not one of her opponents has the fight or drive that she has. She said she will show the world why she is the most dominant woman on Raw.

We get a package on The Creed Brothers.

Alpha Academy (Chad Gable and Otis) vs The Creed Brothers

Julius and Chad mat wrestle. Julius is slammed down the he slams Chad down. They trade armdrags and stand off. Chad trips Julius then Julius puts him in a suplex position while seated and gets up. Chad is passed over to Brutus then takes a one arm suplex. Brutus lips out of a hiptoss and fireman's carry takeovers him.

Otis gets in and bodyblocks him. Otis misses a splash in the corner then takes a 2nd rope double hammerfist. Otis hits a double lariat on both Creeds then Chad top rope double clotheslines both opponents. The Creed's then take stereo exploders and we go to break.

We return and Chad rolls Brutus into an ankle lock. Brutus reverses it into a pin attempt and does a torture rack drop on him. Chad deadlift germans Brutus. Otis gets in and runs through both. Otis does a double lariat, slams both and short arm clotheslines Julius.

Otis hits the caterpillar on Julius for 2. Julius flying knee's Otis then Brutus top rope double axe handles Otis. Julius hits a standing ssp and Brutus hits a standing moonsault. Chad crossbodies Julius over the top then Brutus and Otis lariat battle. Brutus comes off the 2nd rope and is caught and slammed. Julius 450's Otis off the top to break up the pin then Chad moonsaults Julius, and the 2 other people in the ring as they are on each other.

All 4 men are down. Maxine gets on the apron and Ivy pulls her off. Ivy gets on the apron and Maxine pulls her off. They argue and Tozawa tries to break it up. Ivy germans Tozawa on the floor and Chad is thrown out by Brutus. Otis lariats Brutus then Otis takes a doomsday device brutus ball. Julius Creed picks up the win over Otis!

This was a good match as expected. The Creed's busted out a lot of their better stuff here and they got put over well here. The Creed's definitely looked a little heelish when Ivy beat up Tozawa so we'll have to see if there is anything to that or not and we'll have to see where this goes. It was nice to see The Creed's win as I did not expect it. 

Finn Balor and Damien Priest talk in the back. Someone knocks on the door saying Trick or Treat. The New Day then walk in dressed up as The Judgment Day. They say they are The New Judgment Day. Kofi has an empty food carton for some reason and Finn throws eaten candy in Woods' bowl. Woods say something to Rhea then Kofi pulls him out.

JD McDonaugh and Dom walk in. Finn says what happened after with Ricochet and Dom was no bueno. Priest said Ric wouldn't have gotten away with the win if the entire Judgment Day was out there. Priest says he has a lot on his place and talks about maybe cashing in at Crown Jewel. He talks about possible people to cash in on. Priest asked if he missed a meeting where they decided matches on each other. Priest said tonight shouldn't be about himself bu The Judgment Day. they all start getting hyped up and Rhea says Judgment Day runs Raw.

Nia Jax does a promo. She said she has squashed everyone since she returned and did what she said she would. She said she has squashed the most dominant women's champ in Rhea. At Crown Jewel, she says she will show she is the most dominant woman on Raw and become women's champ. 

Miz TV with Gunther

Miz introduces Gunther and Gunther doesn't come out. Kaiser and Vinci come out instead. Kaiser said Gunther isn't coming down just because he was told to and said Miz is everything wrong with the WWE Universe today. He calls Miz a clown. Miz calls Vinci the 3rd wheel and mocks him for speaking. Vinci says something about Miz's wife. Vinci grabs the mic and says he talks when he wants to talk then Kaiser said he talks when Gunther or Kaiser tell him to talk.

Gunther then comes out. He says he is not Miz's guest. He says it's 2023 and he tries to run a talk show. Gunther says the ring is sacred to him and everything Miz does is beneath him. He says Miz is beneath him and says he does not respect him. Miz said he interviewed an invisible John Cena that was more entertaining than him. He said he is the biggest star that WWE has. Gunther says it doesn't matter how entertaining you are, it only matters how good of a wrestler you are. He said that is why Miz is a talk show host and why he is the longest reigning IC champ of all time.

Miz says he can be serious when he wants to be. He said he was serious when he beat Cena and Orton and when he won the WWE championship. He said he was serious when he made Gunther's title the most relevant title in WWE. He said he'd have no problem doing it again. Gunther laughs. Gunther says Miz is all about creating memorable moments and said let's create one he'll never forget. Kaiser then grabs a pumpkin and breaks it on the mat in front of Miz. Gunther asks if he will do anything about it thne Kaiser throws Miz's chair. Miz hits Vinci and Kaiser then is dropped with a Gunther chop. Gunther holds the title over him and says he is not in his league. Miz fires on Gunther then is held for a face kick. Miz then walks away.

I don't know if they are turning Miz, but he was the face here and he did a good job in this segment.

 Miz goes up to Adam Pearce in the back. Miz said he was never disrespected like that in his career. Miz says he wants a match with Gunther for the IC title. Adam asks why he should do that. Miz runs down his credentials. Adam said he can't just give him a championship match, but can give him a chance to earn one. He said someone else wants one too and brings in Bronson Reed. Miz backs off and tells him he will be the one taking the title off of him.

DIY vs Imperium (Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci)

Vinci shoulders over Johnny. Johnny flying headscissors him. Vinci takes a double kick to the head in the corner. Vinci euros Ciampa then hits a hard lariat. Kaiser takes a hard lariat from Ciampa then Vinci is knee'd off the apron by Ciampa. Johnny then topes Vinci. Vinci backdrops Johnny on the apron then Kaiser topes Johnny. We go to break and return. Johnny is tilt-a-whirl dropped by Kaiser then Kaiser is thrown out. Vinci goes over the top then Vinci takes an enzugiri. Vinci pop-up tilt-a-whirl backbreakers Johnny.

Johnny trades shots with Vinci then ddt's him. Ciampa hits lariats on both opponents when he gets the hot tag in. Ciampa then hits a double clothesline. Ciampa hits a Thesz press with mounted punches and reverse ddt's Kaiser. Kaiser rolling death valley drivers Ciampa for 2 then Johnny rolls Vinci into a kick.

Kaiser hits a nice lariat on Ciampa. Kaiser comes off the 2nd rope and gets superkicked by Johnny. Vinci euros Ciampa then runs up the buckles and misses a moonsault. Ciampa pumping knees Vinci then Vinci takes a super kick + pumping knee combo. Johnny gets the win.

It was what you would expect with them keeping it moving and doing superkicks and lariats. I really don't get excited to see Gargano in 2023.

Kaiser shakes his head at Vinci after. 

Shinsuke Nakamura does a promo. He tells people to step forward and be his opponent so he doesn't have to look for them. He says to show yourself and says he is waiting.

We get a Candice LeRae video. She  talks about being resilient and not to worry about what comes in front of her.

We get a Xia Li video. She says to embrace fears and says she is the storm while doing kung-fu weapons stuff.

Candice LeRae vs Xia Li

Lerae dodges a kick then flurries on her with strikes. Lerae snapmares her and climbs on her back for a senton. Xia pulls her on the apron then puts the ring skirt on her head and knees her. LeRae rolls her up then Li hits a jumping knee. Li spinning high kicks her and LeRae is out of it. The ref lets her try to get up but she can't. Xia wins by knockout.

It was short and not particularly special. I'm pretty sure it was a work but LeRae did a good job selling it. This was a pretty lame way to re-introduce LeRae after 2 months of not wrestling.

Sami Zayn and Jey Uso talk in the back. Jey says he's ready to go and Sami says he is fired up. Sami thanks him for having his back. The interviewer then comes in and wants to talk to Jey. Jey says Sami will hand business tonight and says he wants to get the tag titles back with Cody. He said he wants to see how Rhea feels about that. 

We get a video on Shayna Baszler. She said she wants to rip and tear her 4 opponents up limb by limb at Crown Jewel. 

Candice LeRae is being looked at in the back and surrounded with friends. 

We get a video of Drew McIntyre at the Performance Center. He talks about winning the WWE title during covid and nobody getting to see it live. He talks about his career in WWE and complains more about nobody being at Mania that year. He said Seth is willing to break his back to win the title, but he's willing to break it for him.

Zoey Stark then talks about the 5-way at Crown Jewel. She said she will be the new champ and prove she is the most dominant on the roster.

Seth Rollins comes out to talk. He does his usual lines and said he will beat up JD McDonaugh tonight. He said he's beating Drew on Saturday but says he's a fan of him. He mocks him for crying about Mania and said people had it worse than him. Seth tells Drew to wait in line and says he's a hell of a champ. He said he will be the first man to shake his hand and call him champ if he wins. He said he isn't the same guy he was the last time they fought. JD McDonaugh then jumps him from behind.

Seth Rollins vs JD McDonaugh

Seth facekicks him then chops him. Seth throws him into the rails. JD begs off then takes chops. JD's head is banged off the buckles then he takes a back body drop. JD slingshot corkscrews onto him inside then foot chokes him. JD is back body dropped over the top rope then JD is tope'd over the announcer's table.

We go to break and return. JD takes a flatliner into the 2nd buckle. Seth misses a corner splash then lariats him. JD backrolls him then takes a sling blade. Seth pumping knees him for 2. Seth misses a curb stomp then JD headbutts him. Seth misses pedigree attempts then takes a standing spanish fly for 2.

JD takes a buckle bomb then Judgement Day come down. Seth gets distracted. JD top rope backdrops him then Seth hits a pedigree. Seth hits a curb stomp and wins.

It was a flippy match without a ton of selling or logic. It was kind of indy and I wasn't a big fan of it.

Seth goes outside and tells Damien Priest to make his move. He says he's waiting on it. 

Adam Pearce and Ricochet talk in the back. Adam offers him a chance to compete in a match for the IC Title. Ric says he wants a match with Dom instead. Chelsea Green and Piper Niven go up to Adam and are dresed like The Hart Foundation. Green isn't happy about the trick or street fight. Adam says the match is next and says he has a lot on his plate. Green tells him nice costume, even though he isn't wearing one. Ivar and Valhallah go up to Adam. Val says the god demand they speak to him about the IC title. Ivar says they will see him in his office. Adam says he needs a drink.

Becky Lynch is interviewed. She talks about Lyra taking the NXT title and basically says she was worthy of it. She said she defended her title more times in 42 days than Roman and Rhea did all year. She said she didn't need the title, the title needs her. Xia Li comes in. Li asks if she is scared other and complains that she didn't get a title shot. She asks what she is doing. Becky says they can fight right here, right now. Li says they will fight, but on her time. Lynch complains, asking when her time is.

Trick or Street Fight - Chelsea Green vs Natalaya

Green is dressed as Bret Hart and Natalya is dressed as some kind of black bunny. Green teases giving herglasses to a fan but takes them away. Nat is thrown backwards and then pied in the face. Nat's head is banged off the mat.

Green throws candy in the ring and Nat hits her with a kendo stick. Nat spinning lariats her over the rail. Green hits her with a trash can lid. Piper sprays whipped cream onto Nat. Green then gets on the rail and misses a senton, going through the table. Green's head is thrown into the bobbing for apples bucket. Piper steps in and Nat nails her. Nat goes to put Piper in the sharpshooter and Green literally tries to put herself in it too.

Nat picks up a pumpkin but is kicked. Green pulls another pumpkick off the table and Nikki Cross' head is sticking out of the table. Green gets spooked and drops a pumpkin on her head. Nat is thrown into the steps. Green is spooked by Cross then powerbombed on candy corn. Nat sharpshooters Green then Piper gets on the apron. Green pies Piper on accident then then Green hits an unprettier on Nat to win it.

You know the deal here. It was a comedic street fight. Silly and goofy but it has its moments. 

Rhea Ripley talks about the 5-way.

Damien Priest vs Sami Zayn

Pretty weak main event here. They lock up and Sami is backed up in the corner. Sami bangs Priest's head off the buckles then 2nd rope elbows him in the head. Sami is whipped into the rails outside and moonsaults off of them onto him. Priest then kicks him when he gets back in.

Priest hits kicks then jumping back elbows him. Priest throws him on a falcon arrow for 2. Sami walks up the buckles and tornado ddt's him. Priest chokeslams him on the apron.

We go to break and return. Sami blind springboards over Priest then lariats him. Dom and Finn come down and Sami rolls up Priest. Sami hits Dom on the apron then Priest hits a cross rhodes on Sami.

Priest misses a splash and Finn gets in the ring. Dom nails Sami then Jey Uso comes out. Jey lariats Dom outside and punches Finn. Jey superkicks Priest and the ref calls for the bell.

Jey goes to help up Sami then both are jumped by Judgment Day. Cody Rhodes comes out and trades with Priest. Cody knocks him out of the ring then bangs his head off a table. Dom and Finn are knocked out of the ring then Jey and Sami tope both. JD saves Priest from a cross rhodes on the announcer's table then Sami facekicks JD. JD takes a cross rhodes on the table twice.

Cody gets on the mic after and says Priest was unsuccessful in trying to take him out. He says he was put down but got back up. Cody says Priest is a walk-behinder and says he walks behind the other Judgment Day members. Cody said his path goes straight through him at Crown Jewel.

The main was okay enough but nothing memorable.

Overall thoughts: A pretty weak Raw. Go-home shows usually aren't that great as they want to save stuff for the PPV. The Creed's vs Alpha Academy was the best match on this show and the trick or street fight had its moments, but it was a skippable show.

AEW Collision 10/28/2023

AEW Collision 10/28/2023

Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2023/10/aew-collision-10212023.html 

Jay White vs AR Fox

Jay hits a corner spear and a headlock takeover. Jay shoulders him over and hits corner chops. AR hits chops and is pounded on. AR back cutters him off the 2nd rope then kips down out of a shot. AR kips up and enzugiri's him then plants off the post and moonsaults him outside.

They get back in the ring and AR takes a half-butterfly suplex into the buckles. Jay hiptosses AR then ddt's him. We go to PiP break and return. AR hits some shots. Jay slingshots in but AR does too with a swanton. AR then tope con hilos Bullet Club Gold minus Jay, then tope con hilos Jay.

AR does a twister brainbuster for 2 then top rope swantons him for 2. Jay is up top and AR hits a seated spanish fly off the top for 2. AR misses a 450 then takes a sleeper suplex. Jay then hits a blade runner and wins it.

It was a longer match with the result never really in doubt. They gave AR some big moves here to make people think he would win. AR did a little much but I think the idea was overall okay.

MJF comes out and tries to take the belt back. MJF then runs away which wasn't exactly a great look for a face.

The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn do an interview. They say next Collision is 69 days as AEW trios champs. Max said MJF just texted him. Max gives Bowens the phone and Bowens says he is being catfished. Billy then makes Max stand in the corner an thye do the usual "everyone loves The Acclaimed" line.

The Boys vs The Gunn's

The Boys are wearing cornrows and it's even harder than usual to tell them apart. Austin shoulders one over then takes a step up enzugiri. Austin takes a running back elbow in the corner then hits a double throat thrust.

Brandon is flipped with a Colten clothesline then thrown over the top. Brandon takes a wild bump for it. Brent then takes a big 310 to Yuma and is pinned in this quick squash.

The Boys were completely brought out at random here and they haven't even been on ROH lately, yet alone an AEW TV show. This was all squash.  

We get a Danhausen Very Evil video. 

Ryan Nemeth is interviewed by Lexi in the back. He says he wants his Hollywood successes to translate here. We then see he is front of CJ Perry's door. Miro answers the door and throws him in. The door closes and we hear Ryan being beaten up.

AEW Women's Title - Fright Night Fight - Hikaru Shida (c) vs Abadon

There's pumpkins, fake spider webs, fake tombstones and a trash can in the ring for this. Boy, I better not hear any WWE complaints for doing lame stuff like this after this one. They lock up and Ab tries to bite her arm. Shida's in a dress for some reason here and shoulders her over.

Ab spinning headscissors her. They duel a bone vs a tombstone and Shida dropkicks her. Shida hits corner punches then 2nd rope dropkicks her. Ab goes under the ring and tries to pull Shida down with her. Ab goes under again and punches her. AB hits her with a trash can lid.

We go to PiP break and return. They trade shots and Shida flying knees her. Shida grabs a witches broom and tries something off the top but misses. They then clothesline each other at the same time. Ab hits her with a bat in the gut and then Shida chokes her with it.

Shida facekicks her then is lariated. Shida is whipped face first into the middle bucket. Ab then top rope blockbusters her onto candy. Ab swings a pumpkin at her then Shida hits her with a kendo stick. Shida then does a running knee. Shida puts a pumping on Ab's head and spinning knees her to win it.

This was a WWE style goofy hardcore match with Halloween themed weapons. It wasn't going to be good as a normal match and wasn't much better as a hardcore match. It also went on too long.

Toni Storm comes out and lays on the announcer's table.

Dax does a promo on Ricky Starks. He says they fight tonight and says he doesn't respect him as a man, just a performer. He said he will beat him like he stole something. Ricky said it took them years to become the tag team they are, but it only took them one night to become champ. Ricky said he will stomp Dax out as quick as he can in absolute fashion, in the biggest way he knows how. He then points at Big Bill.

Keith Lee says he wants to talk history with Shane Taylor. Shane says he wants to be the best. Keith said they ran over people and had fun as a team. Keith said this will be a great way to make an exmaple of him and Keith says something about testing Keith's limits. Shane was impossible to hear here and I'm really not sure what he said.

ROH TV Title - Samoa Joe vs Rhett Titus

Rhett earned this shot by likely never winning an ROH match since AEW bought the company. He hasn't even been on the ROH show for a while and he's coming in cold here. Rhett hits forearms and chops then a running back elbow. Joe hits a punch flurry and Joe corner enzugiri's him.

Rhett goes for a top rope crossbody and Joe just walks away from it. Rhett running facekicks him then takes a corner uranage. Joe then chokes him out and wins it.

This was just a quick squash.

QTV is interviewed. Renee says it's been a while since they have seen a new QTV ep and Harley stops her. Harley says they have a new music video coming up. QT was asked where he's been and he said he's going to be back in AEW, defending against AEW's luchadores. He said he will be defending the title soon and didn't name anyone he wanted to face.

We see clips of Bryan Danielson being injured on Dynamite. Claudio says Bryan has a broken orbital bone. He says he doesn't know if it was Orange or Okada who did it, but he will make both pay. He says he is coming for them, will find them and will make them pay. CC said they hurt one of them and now he will hurt one of them in return.

Ricky Starks vs Dax Harwood

The lights go out and House of Black appear in the stands. They do some amateur wrestling. Dax shoulders him over and hiptosses him. Starks upkicks him then armdrags him. Dax side headlocks him then snap suplexes him. Starks walks the top rope and clubs Dax off of it.

Starks legdrops him on the apron then shoulders him over. Starks is thrown over the top. Dax slides out, is trapped in the ring skirt then Starks hits a bunch of shots on him. Starks suplexes him on the ramp.

We go to PiP break and return. Dax hits a superplex. Starks hits a big lariat then Dax hits a bunch of jabs. Dax cradles him and rolls him up for 2. Dax hits a brainbuster for 2. Dax spears the post on accident but recovers and piledrivers him. Big Bill interrupts the count. FTR get in Bill's face for it then Dax gets in and takes a piledriver. Starks wins.

It wasn't awful or anything but the finish wasn't good and brought done any goodwill it had going for it.

The lights go out and come back on. Julia Hart is on the ramp and the lights go off. House of Black are in the ring and surround FTR. LFI then come down the ramp for some reason. LFI goes after House of Black and then is in the ring with FTR. 

Andrade El Idolo is interviewed. He was asked about LFI and his partner ship with them. He said something about being a businessman and being worried about his business and that was it.

Kris Statlander, Willow Nightingale and Skye Blue are interviewed. Kris wants to know whats up with Willow and Skye. Willow said she wanted to be the one to wrestle Shida tonight and said she feels tension between them. Willow said things have gotten worse between her and Skye. Willow asks to talk to Julia Hart with Skye and Skye says anything she talks about with Julia is just between them.

Claudio Castagnoli vs Tracy Williams

Tracy is run over with a euro. CC pounds on him with euros in the corner then short arm lariats him. CC then wins this with a euro in a short squash.

CC puts Tracy in a lebell lock after.

Samoa Joe goes up to MJF in the back. He says he's going to get his title shot one way or another and tells him to scream his name if he needs him, and he'll be his friend. He then said he's up against a dangerous opponent.

AEW World Title - MJF (c) vs Kenny Omega

 

MJF headflips out of a wristlock and they do a stand off. Kenny drops down and MJF walks on his back. Kenny cartwheels over him then MJF counters his drop down. They each do side headlocks and headscissors then stand off. MJF calls for "sportsmanship" shakes his hand then eye pokes him.

MJF is backbody dropped over the top and hits his head on the apron. Kenny then tope con hilos him. MJF then gets in and hits a fosbury flop on him, which he never does. Kenny top rope crossbodies him. Kenny goes for a hurricanrana but is powerbombed on MJF's knee.

MJF belly to belly suplexes him then lifts him up and ddt's him. MJF mocks Kenny's mannerisms then takes a snap dragon suplex. Kenny does an over the back bulldog. Kenny gets on his back and straightjacket chokes him. Kenny laraits him over the top then 2nd rope connector triangle moonsaults him outside.

Kenny top rope dropkicks him in the back of the head. Kenny goes for a 2nd buckle moonsault and MJF gets his feet up. MJF bangs Kenny's head off the top buckle. MJF bites him in the head then arm throws him into the buckles. MJF kangaroo kicks him, which Tony Schiavone doesn't pick up on. MJF then takes a knee to the gut.

Kenny baseball slides him on the outside. Kenny sets up a table outside then slingshot sunset flips him. They try to bridge up together but slip. MJF backslides him takes a buckle bomb. MJF no sells it and lariats him, then both go down.Kenny dragon suplexes him on the apron and Tony says "he broke the man's neck". Kenny then slingshot sitout powerbombs him off the apron through a table. We go to PiP break and there is a timer on the screen during it which was odd.

We return and they trade strikes. Kenny pumping knees him then MJF poisonrana's him off the OWA attempt. Kenny poisonrana's him. MJF double stomps Kenny's arm then Kenny pumping knees him. MJF then hits a made in Japan for 2. Kenny twisting brainbusters him then piledrivers him. We go to PiP break and return.

MJF is powerbombed on the rail. Kenny goes up top and is crotched. MJF goes up top and is brought down face first on the buckle. Kenny v-triggers him then hits a snap dragon and another v-trigger. Kenny hits more v-triggers then Don Callis comes out.

They roll each other up and Don gets on the apron. MJF hits a heat seeker piledriver over the 2nd rope. MJF goes for the panama sunrise but Kenny blocks it. MJF superkicks him then hits the panama sunrise. MJF then hits a heatseeker piledriver for the win.

They did too much here as expected and it did go on longer than it needed to. I don't know why Don Callis came out, but he didn't really do anything of note.

We see Samoa Joe, Wardlow, Hobbs and Bullet Club watching this on TV in the back after.

Overall thoughts: This wasn't good. There were a lot of people randomly wrestling here for no reason. The women had a terrible match and they did too much in the main as expected.

AEW Rampage 10/27/2023

AEW Rampage 10/27/2023

Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2023/10/aew-rampage-10202023.html 

No DQ - Mike Santana vs Ortiz

Ortiz puts his hands behind his back and allows him to hit him. Mike forearms him then takes a leg lariat. Ortiz then plancha's him and hits punches while she's down. Ortiz hits him with a trash can and the lid. Oritz hits him with a kendo stick and throws him into the rails.

They slap each other around outside then Mike suplexes him in of the apron. Mike then asai moonsaults him outside. Mike hits him with a trash can then is back body dropped on the floor. Ortiz then powerbombs him on a table and Mike kind of hits his head hard off of it. Ortiz then gets a 2 count on the pin attempt.

Mike suplexes him off the apron onto chairs on the floor. We go to PiP break and return. They are on their knees in the ring and headbutting each other. They trade shots and Mike is german'd. Mike no sells it, germans him and Ortiz doesn't sell it either. They then lariat each other at the same time.

Mike enzugiri's him then Ortiz enzugiri's him. Mike backrolls into a cutter. Ortiz powerslams him for 2 then suplexes him for 2. They trade shots. Ortiz is almost pushed into the ref then rolled up. Mike spinning lariats him then corner cannonballs him. Mike does a torture race bomb and wins it.

There wasn't a lot of selling here and they did too much. The general idea was okay though and they actually did make it seem like they were angry at each other.

Mike wags his finger at Ortiz after and has words for him. Mike offers a fist bump and Ortiz declines.

Sonjay Dutt gets in the ring after and tries to talk to Ortiz. Dutt says something in his ear and tries to get him to come with him.

We get a hype video on Kenny Omega vs MJF for Collision. 

MJF says calling this a dream match is an understatement. He said Kenny watched his match when he was on the indies and said he will go down as the greatest champ if he beats him. Kenny says he never expected the title to be around MJF's waist and said he would have laughed if you told him MJF would be one of the greatest AEW champs. He says it's his responsibility to protect his title record. MJF says they both made it to the pinnacle of their industry. Kenny says MJF is the future of the business, but Kenny says he is still here.

Kenny says it's a rough year and he wants to pay back the losses he endured. Jay White walks in and says Kenny knows what happens when it's 1v1 against them. He says he knows Kenny is broken and beaten up. He then says he will be waiting for him at Full Gear. Don Callis then goes up to MJF with an offer. He said MJF should join his family. MJF talks about the endless opportunities and said maybe with his help, he can become champ. He then says he is champ and doesn't need his help. He then tells him to get his forehead checked out.

Kris Statlander, Willow Nightingale and Skye Blue are interviewed. Willow now has one of her eyes painted. Kris says she gathered these girls here today and said both have been acting weird since they got misted. Skye says she's fine. Willow questions it and says the eye paint isn't who they are. Skye says she is worrying about the match tonight and says Willow should do the same. 

Kip Sabian is in the ring with Penelope Ford. He says he's a higly intelligent sex idol and a sports guy too. He talks about sports icons in this city like Rocky and says there is no better time to be a Phillies fan. He then brings up them losing in baseball and says they will come back and win the Superbowl. He then corrects himself and says, "World Series".  He says to put their money on James Harden as Kip says he will be the glue who holds the Sixers together this season and says he loves Philly as much as him. This was lame and for those who don't know, Harden hadn't showed up to practice and was blocked from coming on the plane for his first regular season game.

Mark Briscoe's music hits. Kip says Mark has as many teeth as the Eagles have Superbowl rings. Mark decks Kip and hits chops. Mark flying forearms him then lariats him over the top. Mark then poses on the ropes.

The ex-JAS are interviewed. Anna Jay said she feels ago ahead of the four way match. Anna says she needs the crew to be there for her. Don Callis then walks in and talks to Jake Hager, saying he looks huge. Matt Menard tells him they are doing a promo and says he's building a family here. Don says he needs a tag team and Matt says he knows a tag team. Don asks them to take care of Jericho and Omega for them. Garcia interrupts, calling Don a parasite and they argue. Anna then says let's go. Ruby Soho then goes up to Angelo Parker and said she found his comb in catering. Ruby said she didn't want to talk about anything, just wanted to return what was his. Parker grabs her and asks what she wants to talk about. Ruby gets mad and both leave.

AEW Women's World Title #1 Contenders - Willow Nightingale vs. Anna Jay vs. Abadon vs. Skye Blue

Abadon hasn't been on TV for a while and if you want to know how she got into this one, I got nothing for you. Anna goes out and Abadon takes a 1v2. anna forearms Skye then Abadon germans Skye. Abadon codebreakers Skye and Willow at the same time. Music hits and Toni Storm comes out with her butlet, Luther. The screen goes black and white.

We go to PiP break and return. abadon and Skye trade then Willow 2nd rope dropkicks both. Willow hits corner moves then runs into an Anna forearm. Willow pounces her then Skye top rope crossbodies her for 2. Abadon knees her then Anna flatliners her. Willow spinebusters Anna.

Skye throws Willow's shoulder into the post. Abadon fights off Anna Jay and Skye. Anna sleepers Abadom and Skye superkicks Anna. Abadon hits a stroke like move on Anna then drives her head into the mat. Abadon wins it.

It wasn't good and Abadon's finisher looked awful. Abadon being in this, yet alone winning this, was completely out of nowhere.

The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn are interviewed. They said they have been champs for 61 days and are 8 days away from 69 day. Max wants to invite MJF and says he wants to 69 him. Bowens then says he wants to 69 the fans. This was gay and awful.

We go to a press conference for the Orange Cassidy vs Claudio Castagnoli match. OC says he looks better in a suit. CC asks if we are playing mind games and that's it.

Kyle Fletcher vs Konosuke Takeshita

KT = Konosuke Takeshita

KT hits him on the ropes off a break then shoulders him over. KT armdrags him then blocks his armdrag. Kyle headlock takeovers him and takes a headscissors. KT backslides Kyle then Kyle slams him. KT is thrown over the rail outside.

KT hits a blue thunder on the inside for 2 and we go to PiP break. We return and both are down. KT headscissors him into the 2nd rope then Kyle enzugiri's him as he sits up top. Kyle topes him then top rope frogsplash crossbodies him inside.

They trade forearms and KT spinning forearms him. Kyle hits a half-nelson suplex then KT boots him and poisonrana's him. KT running lariats him then Kyle brainbusters him for 2. KT does a 2nd rope cradle tombstone for 2. KT backrolls and headscissors him then rolls him into a wheelbarrow german. Kyle hits a superkick and KT pumping knees him. KT then does a v-trigger and wins it.

Callis and Hobbs come down and get in after. Kyle chairs both of them. Hobbs grabs Kyle by the throat and Don tries to hold Kyle back. Don says that was great and says to look at the hate. He says this is what they want and says he earns this. Don says they want the hate and I think says that "we're family". KT holds the rope down for Kyle and Kyle walks out with Don Callis and crew.

They did too much in the match with a 2nd rope package tombstone not finishing things.

Overall thoughts: The No DQ match had the right idea, but they did too much. The women's match was bad and they did too much in the main also. This show was packed with storylines though and I thought they did a good job in regards to that. AEW has usually been light storyline wise, but there's a ton of stuff going on with MJF vs Kenny/Bullet Club/Joe, MJF vs the masked devil guy,  MJF and Max Caster's thing, Kyle now joining the Don Callis Family and the ex-JAS all going their own ways. The work may not all pay off today, but this is the kind of stuff that makes you want to tune in the next week and should lead to some increased ratings down the line. I may not love all the storylines or people involved in them, but I like the idea.

WWE Smackdown 10/27/2023

WWE Smackdown 10/27/2023

Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2023/10/wwe-smackdown-10202023.html

Roman Reigns came out with Paul Heyman for the contract signing. LA Knight comes out while he's walking and gets in the ring first, which annoyed Roman. LA sits at the head of the table and tells Roman its time to sign the deal and sign the title away. Nick Aldis talked about this then LA says the contract reads that Roman will hand over the contract to him.

Roman says this is crazy and LA must be stupid. Roman asks if he ever had a contract signing or a championship match before. He says LA has no clue what he's doing right now and says he will go easy on him. LA says Roman is already beat and says this is his first time. He said he's sitting at the head of the table after a year and ready to take his title.

LA said Roman's going to wonder what happened say LA walked out with his title. LA says it's his first time, but he only needs one time. LA says Roman failed over and over again and was busy doing "suffer succotash". He said he can't stop the gravy train and can't stop being LA Knight. Roman flips the table on him and stomps him.

LA blocks Roman's punch then beats up on Roman. Jimmy Uso gets in the ring and stomps LA. LA backdrops Jimmy through a table and Roman exits the ring.

The Street Profits vs The LWO (Santos Escobar and Carlito)

Dawkins side headlocks Santos then shoulders him over. Dawkins cartwheels over him then Santos sunset flips over him. Santos hits a dropkick. Carlito body blocks Dawkins and argues with Lashley outside. Dawkins nails Carlito from behind and Ford mocks Carlito.

Carlito hits a nice dropkick on Dawkins. Both Street Profits end up outside. Santos wants to do a moonsault onto them, but Carlito says he wants to dive on them and does a tope con hilo on both. We go to break and return.

Ford has Santos in a chinlock. Ford rolls through a sunset flip and kicks him then hits a jumping splash. Santos hits shots on Ford then takes an enzugiri. Ford lariats Santos then Santos is popped-up and down by both opponents. Dawkins hits a corkscrew splash in the corner then takes a flying pumping knee by Santos.

Carlito and Ford get in. Carlito beats up the Profits then knee lifts Dawkins. Carlito hits a sit out spinebuster on Ford for 2. Carlito spinning neckbreakers Ford for 2. Rey Mysterio is watching in the back on a TV and is nailed by Logan Paul. He's down and Carlito goes back to help Rey.

Santos flying headscissors Ford then misses a plancha on him outside. Santos gets in and takes the revelation then Dawkins pins Santos.

It was okay with a quick pace but not a classic or anything. Santos having Carlito strand him out there 1v2 was stupid.

Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman are in the back. Paul shows him a title with The Green Bay Packers logo on it. Paul says he will give it to LA Knight, as it's the closest LA or the Packers will ever come to being champ. Jimmy Uso literally dives in and lays on the couch. He said he was in the trainer's room tingeing looked at. He said he ran a play and Roman said he ran the wrong play. Roman said he needs to handle things tonight. Jimmy says he's on the injured reserve list and can't do anything. Roman questions him then Jimmy says he's off the injured reverse list. Paul then confirms that it is Jimmy Uso vs LA Knight tonight.

Logan Paul is interviewed in the back. He was asked about sucker punching Rey. He said you never let thme know your next move and said his fist is as big as Rey's head. He then walks away and runs into Kevin Owens. He said something about Owens' Rey Mysterio shirt. Grayson Waller and Austin Theory walk up to Owens. Owens said he'd love to punch them in the face and said he could punch both in the face at once with one fist. Jamie Noble and others then intervene. Theory and Waller argue whether or not he could do this then Owens punches both in the face with one fist.

Dragon Lee is interviewed. He talks in half-Spanish and says he's happy to be here on SD. Cedric Alexander walks in and says Lee is like him looking in the mirror. He said Lee lights that competitive fire in him and he'd like nothing more than a match with him tonight. Lee says it would be his pleasure.

Shotzi vs Chelsea Green

We see an inset of clips from earlier in the day. She thanks Nick Aldis for letting her host on NXT. Chelsea Green and Piper Niven walk in. They said it feels personal with Nick Aldis, who they say snubbed them. Chelsea said she should have hosted NXT and dresses up better than Shotzi did. Shotzi asks if she could shut up Chelsea once and for all tonight. Nick makes the match.

Green shotgun dropkicks her to start. Shotzi goes over her in the corner then rolls her up. Shotzi does a hanging triangle over the ropes. Green calls for timeout and Shotzi cannonballs her off the apron. Shotzi gets on the 2nd rope and Green russain legsweeps her off of it. Green does a low dropkick for 2.

Green lariats her and steps on her neck. Shotzhi high kicks her on the apron. Shotzi goes for a superplex on the 2nd rope but is slammed down then Green hits a nice top rope dropkick. Green showboats and Shotzi rolls her up to win.

The finish was lame, out of nowhere and nobody reacted to it. They weren't doing a bad job prior to it though. I liked Green's dropkick off the buckles.

John Cena comes out to talk. He says there's special energy and excitement here in Milwaukee. He said it's serious energy though and it reminds him of 20 years ago when WWE wanted to fire him. He said the fans have given him support when he needed it most and gave him respect. He said he feels he is in jeopardy of losing the fans respect after 20 years. The fans chant "you still got it" and Cena says, "what if I don't?". Cena says if he loses he could lose all of this and said there's only one thing to do at Crown Jewel - win. He said Crown Jewel isn't just a must see, it's a must win. He said the time has come to deliver.

Paul Heyman then comes out. He says he's out here with respect. He thanks Cena for the sold out house. He said he picked Cena for Smackdown years ago in the draft which lead to him getting into WWE. He said he raised his kids to be more like Cena than more like him. Paul said Roman proved Cena isn't the GOAT in the ring anymore at Summerslam. He said as long as Cena can pick up a mic, he is still the GOAT of communication in WWE. He says Cena has a bond with the fans that he will never have. He said Cena could have been him until he p!ssed off The Bloodline.

He said it's not enough to break his ribs or crack his sternum as he came back from that. He said if Solo hits him with the spike, he can't talk anymore. He said if Solo takes that from him, then Cena is taken away from the WWE Universe. He said in the one match in his career that Cena must win, he can't win. He said it's not a prediction, it's a spoiler .Solo then nails Cena from behind. Solo uranages him and hits a samoan spike. Cena is then left laying. It was a good segment but Solo already hit Cena with the samoan spike and he's going to be able to talk.

LA Knight talks in the back. He said The Bloodline needs to start worrying about who they are p!ssing off, not the other way around. He said he didn't forget about Roman spearing him. He said tonight, he will grab Jimmy Uso's pigtails and ride him around the ring.

Dragon Lee vs Cedric Alexander

Lee rolls through a wristlock and flying headscissors him. They try to dropkick each other at the same time then both do headflips up. Ced armdrags him then boots him out of the corner. Lee pumping knees him on the apron then Lee is STO'd on the apron.

We go to break and return. Lee hits another pumping knee then takes a michinoku driver for 2. Ced hangs from the top rope and takes a double stomp off the top rope. Lee sitout powerbombs him for 2. Lee reverses a michinoku driver then hits a knee to the back. Lee then does a standing shiranui variation and wins it.

The crowd didn't care at all and it wasn't a real interesting juniors match. Ced really has a Swerve Strickland vibe to him with his new look.

Bianca Belair comes out to talk. Damage Ctrl is watching in the back. She says she's excited to be back on SD and says she is just getting started. She then shows us video of Damage Ctrl attacking and injuring her two months ago. She said for the first time, she was out. She said she could just not let this go. She said she was consumed with vengeance. She said she is challenging Iyo Sky for the title at Crown Jewel and says she will challenge Bayley next week too. She said she won't be happy until she takes down all of Damage Ctrl and reclaims her title. This wasn't good. The energy just wasn't there and the crowd didn't care.

LA Knight vs Jimmy Uso

Uso shoulders him over. LA hits some punches then a back elbow. LA suplexes him then armlocks him. LA lariats him then does a baseball slide. LA slingshot sunset flip backbreakers him. Uso suplexes him on the apron and we go to break. We return and LA hits a shoulder block. LA sunset flips him for 2.

Uso uppercuts him then hits punches. Uso hip attacks him in the corner. LA running lariats him. Uso throws LA into the post, shoulder first. LA reverse ddt's him. LA hits some punches then does a flying crossbody. LA then ddt's him for 2.

Uso slides out then LA bangs Uso's head off the commentator's table. Uso samoan drops him. They fight up top, LA is pushed down then Uso top rope splashes him. Uso goes back up top and LA jumps to the top and superplexes him. LA hits the BFT and wins it.

It was your usual LA Knight match that was rough around the edges and not that good. I didn't like them having Uso job here, though I'm not saying he should have won - he shouldn't have been in the match. It won't mean anything in the long run, but I do think Uso's character right now is kind of working and I wouldn't want to make him look bad.

Roman goes after LA. LA avoids it and hits a BFT to drop him.

Overall thoughts: The Cena/Heyman segment was good as was the Roman/Knight segment. The crowd wasn't that into this one and the wrestling wasn't that good. Like usual, it wasn't like it was bad, but it was not a must see show.

WWE NXT Level Up 10/27/2023

WWE NXT Level Up 10/27/2023

Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2023/10/wwe-nxt-level-up-10202023.html

Jacy Jayne vs Izzi Dame

Jacy pushes her into the buckles then Izzi does it back to her. Jacy pulls her down by the hair and tells her to suck it. Jacy rolls her up for 2 then back splashes her in the corner. Jacy clips her.

Jacy gets her 2nd rope crossbody caught then she is dropped stomach first on the ropes. Izzi chest kicks her for 2. Izzi cranks her neck and bangs her head off the buckles. Izzi's head is banged off the buckles then she is rolled up for 2. Izzi slams her and does a bad sliding boot for 2.

Jacy hits punches and lariats, then a step up enzugiri. Jacy cannonballs her in the corner then spinning lariats her for the win.

It was short and nothing too special, but Izzi didn't botch anything and there weren't any real low lights here. It was acceptable and not a disaster and that's okay enough for a rookie like Izzi.

Riley Osborne is interviewed. He said he can make mistakes when he gets too excited but says his shoulders were not down when he was pinned. He said he is excited he gets to fight Axiom again. He said he hopes the ending will be different this time and said he knows neither wanted it to end like it did last time. He says nobody is more excited to be here than him. 

Axiom vs Riley Osborne

This is a rematch of their match 2 weeks ago. Riley rolls through a wristlock and puts on his own then Ax does the same. Riley headscissors him and Ax handstands out of it. Ax flips out of a headscissors from the mat. Riley bridges, Ax gets on him then Riley monkey flips Ax. Riley back rolls into a kimura from Ax.

Ax jumps off th e2nd rope and armdrags him then dropkicks him over the top to the floor. Ax goes to dive on him but is hit. Riley then does a nice slingshot shoulderblock for 2. Ax hits a euro on a seated Riley. Riley leg lariats him.

Ax half-nelson suplexes him then hits a PK for 2. Ax hits chops then Riley rolls into a hurricanrana, but is countered and powerbombed. Riley rolls out. Riley tries to moonsault off the apron onto him but Ax ducks it then superkicks him into the table. Riley beats the count in and upkicks Ax as he comes off the 2nd rope.

Riley does a standing corkscrew splash on him. They trade chest chops. Ax lariats him against the ropes then Riley throws him over backwards from the reverse ddt position. Ax top rope spanish fly's Riley then hits the golden ratio kick to win it.

It wasn't as good as the last one as they had less time, but they had a fun juniors match. It was fast paced and they did some impressive athletic spots here before the finish. These two match up really well and it's a shame these matches aren't happening on the main NXT show where more people would see them.

Overall thoughts: Only 2 matches again tonight. The women's match was acceptable but barely average. Axiom and Riley Osborne had a good match but their last match was better.

Ring of Honor on HonorClub 10/19/2023 Episode #34

Ring of Honor on HonorClub 10/19/2023 Episode #34

Angelico vs Gravity

Grav = Gravity, Ange = Angelico

Ange wristlocks him and grabs him by the chin. Grav headflips out and is put in another one. They tie up each others legs and Ange armdrags him. Ange does Grav's slow walk taunt. Grav hiptosses him, dropkicks him and hits a tope con hilo outside.

Grav goes for a top rope crossbody and takes a dropkick in mid-air. Ange backdrops him then does a one legged surfboard type of move. Ange does pelvic thrusts then Grav slingshots over the ropes into an armdrag. Grav rolls him up for 2 then Grav goes around him and rolls him up. Ange catches him in a triangle then Grav powerbombs him down. Ange gets his knees up on Grav's top rope splash. Ange puts him on his shoulder, ripcords him down and then puts him in a tequila sunrise to win.

They matched up okay and even got the crowd into it. Grav's usual weaknesses were pretty well hidden here and I'd call it a success. 

We go to The Righteous. Vincent says paper people have no eyes and says people only see the surfac,e not the depth. Vincent said they would tear apart the friendship of Adam Cole and said the ywere right. Vincent said MJF walked into WrestleDream alone and left alone. Vincent said the devil isn't pulling all the strings, he's playing with the chess pieces. He says when they talk, you should listen as he speaks the truth. This would have worked better if MJF didn't have a million people coming to help him on Dynamite this week.

Shawn Dean vs Peter Avalon

Dean does a headlock takeover on him. Peter shoulds him over and does his pose. Dean hits armdrags and a dropkick. Dean bangs Peter's head off the top buckle then slams him. Ryan Nemeth trips Dean outside and Trish Adora goes up to Nemeth.

Peter gets the edge on Dean while the seconds fight outside and Ryan is chased up the ramp by Trish. Dean hits lariats on Peter then spinning lariats him. Dean ddt's Peter then Peter rolls him up for 2. Peter superkicks him then death valley drivers him for 2. Dean hits a step up enzugiri and a jumping corner lariat.

Dean goes up top and hits a big splash off the top to win it.

It was just kind of an indy match with a lot of enzugiri's and stuff. It started off well though. I really don't get why they had Peter cut his hair and switch to normal bland attire.

Mercedes Martinez vs Marti Belle

MM = Mercedes Martinez

Marti wristlocks her then escapes out of one. MM gets out of  headscissors and slaps her. MM hits stomps in the corner then short arm lariats her. MM hits some chest clubs and chest forearms her. MM then hits a knee to the face. MM bridging neckbreakers her for 2.

MM hits crossface shots and pulls on her mouth. Marti hits forearms and chinbreakers her. Marti hits a running boot to the chest. MM hits a forearm then double arm chokeslams her. MM then does a grounded guillotine hold with the arm and wins it.

It was mostly a squash and wasn't that special.

We go to Athena with Billie and Lexi. Athena says this is a Minion Empowerment Meeting. Athena says they got dropped last week and she doesn't like when people get the better of her. Athena says Billie is facing Diabla tonight and asks what she will do. Athena say the baddest one swings first and says while Diabla is bad, her minion is the baddest. Lexi tells her to punch her in the face and Athena says she still sucks.

Tony Nese gets on the mic during his entrance. He says he is going to make an example of him. He says group training is cancelled as he has to wipe the floor with him. Tony then says to send that jack@ss out.

Ethan Page vs Tony Nese

Nese stops him and poses. Page then lays on the ropes and waits. Nese evades a move and slides out to do jumping jacks. Nese slides out again. Page goes after Mark Sterling, Nese grabs him then Nese gets nailed. Page sits on Nese and holds up a "Tony Nese Sucks!" sign.

Nese running shoulders Nese and Nese takes a nice bump for it. Nese is thrown on a slam then Mark Sterling grabs Page's boot. Nese eyepokes Page and legsweeps him. Nese then plancha's him outside.

Page is put in tree of woe and takes boots. Nese then does boots out of the crunch position. Nese and Page trade shots then Nese hits a shot to his throat. Nese pulls his thrown down over the top the Page suplexes him. Page running lariats him then hits a powerslam for 2.

Neses misses a spin kick and takes a high kick. Page then does a cradle slam and cutters him off the bottom rope for 2. Mark gets on the apron, Nese knees Page into the buckles from behind. Nese puts his feet on the ropes and pins Page.

It was a fun little face vs heel match. Simple for the most part but it made sense and worked. If it's going to lead to a rematch or something, that would work, but it would suck if this just ends here.

Nese pulls his hand away on a handshake after. He says to give him a call to take care of his gut then Page nails him. Page goes to powerbomb Sterling but Sterling escapes thanks to Nese.

Diamante vs Billie Starkz

Dia = Diamante

Billie back elbows her in the gut and throws her out. Billie topes her outside then celebrates. Dia hits her from behind and neckbreakers her over the middle rope. Dia hits mounted punches then pulls the t-shirt off of Billie. Dia neckbreakers her for 2 then dropkicks her hard in the back.

Dia backcrackers her as she hangs off the 2nd rope then hits corner punches. Billie knees her then hits a spin kick. Dia tries to roll her up off the wheelbarrow, is caught and pinned.

Mercedes Martinez nails Billie from behind after. Athena comes in to help and gets 2v1'd. Mercedes grabs chairs and Athena ends up with one. The refs try to break it up and Billie throws Dia into the steps.

It was an acceptable match but the post match angle was really good. The heels did a good job of wrestling Athena down and it just felt like a real fight. 

Maria, Cole Karter and Griff Garrison are interviewed. Griff says he thinks they feel good. Cole then interrupts and says he has a gift for Maria, it's a shirt that says "Hot Mom's <3 Professional Wrestlers". Cole asks if she can wear it. Maria says she is dressed already but hesistantly agrees. Cole is thrilled and Griff says he is so weird.

Pure Rules Match - Josh Woods vs Pat Buck

This is a follw-up to an angle where Pat was going to teach Josh but was turned down. Woods blocks a hiptoss and rolls him into a figure four on the legs. Pat trips Woods, making him use a ropebreak as he tries to break his fall. Pat gets his back and makes him grab the ropes, using a 2nd ropebreak.

Sterling gets on the apron and Pat punches Woods while he isn't looking. Woods then punches him, is caught and gets a warning. Woods bangs Pat's knee in the mat then Pat backslides him.

Pat rolls him up and crucifixes him for 2. Woods kicks him in the shin then knees him in the face. Woods hits a gutwrench powerbomb then ties up both legs and submits him.

It was clever with Pat trying to outsmart Woods before eventually being put down. The logic was good and they had some fun with this instead of doing the usual match. We'll see if anything comes of this or not.

Griff Garrison and Cole Karter with Maria vs Ren Jones and Myron Reed

Maria did wear the shirt out. Reed kips down out of a lariat and kips up, then hits an enzugiri. Cole knees Reed on the apron then Griff facekicks Reed. Griff corner stomp flurries Reed then Griff drops down, making Reed run into a big dropkick.

Ren slingshots in and facekicks Griff off the apron. Ren flying euros Cole then hits a nice brainbuster for 2. Ren takes a spinning Griff forearm then a powerbomb into a ddt from Cole. Griff picks up the win on Ren.

It was a short but good squash. Everyone looked good here and everything hit. Everyone seemed to have extra energy for this. 

Dalton Castle does a promo. He said he knows TV gets better when he is on camera. He said this gives him a lot of pressure to keep the viewer happy. He said he is what the viewer craves and he said he'll be d@mned if he lets anyone step in the way of giving us what we deserve. He says ROH TV has been filled with too much ordinary and it's time he does everything he can to give us extraordinary.

Allysin Kay vs Kiera Hogan

Kay misses a pump kick and is dropkicked in the knee. Hogan hip attacks her on the ropes then spin kicks her. Hogan kicks her in the leg then hits a chop. Hogan crossbodies her but takes a backbreaker off of it.

Hogan is caught and takes a wheelbarrow german for 2. Hogan 2nd rope dropkicks her then running hip attacks her. Hogan does a running baseball slide for 2. Kay lariats her for 2. Hogan top rope dropkicks her then spinning fisherman neckbreakers her for the win.

This was short with a fast pace but nothing special.

The Righteous vs Kevin Matthews & Rod Gordon

The Jobbers get nailed as this starts and Kevin is sent over the top. Dutch black hole slams Rod then Rod takes a sliced bread #2 and is pinned.

This was just a quick squash.

Lady Frost vs Zoey Lynn

Zoey crucifixes her for 2 then knees her in the gut. Frost hits a chop then corner boots. Frost spinning high kicks her then cartwheels on her and hits an air raid crash. Frost hits a top rope corkscrew moonsault.

This was another quick squash and we got the usual 2-3 cool moves from Frost. It's nice to see her squashing instead of being squashed, which she was doing earlier in the year.

Komander vs Metalik

Kom = Komander, Metal = Metalik

Metal's wearing different gear here and does a slingblade bulldog. Metal walks the 2nd rope and dropkicks him. Metal then plancha's outside. Metal springboard splashes him for 2. Kom enzugiri's him then walks the top rope and headscissors him from behind.

Kom walks the top rope again and headscissors him. Kom then tope con hilos him. Kom top rope crossbodies him then does a Toyota roll for 2. They fight on the ropes and Kom top rope hurricanrana's him for 2.  Metal hurricanrana's him off the 2nd rope and spinning cradle shocks him for 2.

Metal goes for a top rope moonsault and Kom gets his feet up. Kom does a fireman's carry into a double knee then walks the top rope into an SSP for the win.

They overdid it a little here but they stuck with just the flying for the most part and that's a lot better than doing various drivers. 

The Gates of Agony vs Action Andretti and Darius Martin vs The Workhorsemen

The GoA get knocked off the apron to start. Action and Henry are back body dropped onto them outside. JD and Darius trade chops. Darius dropkicks him. Action double jump twisting crossbodies him off the buckles then Darius top rope double stomps his arm. JD corner lariats Darius then Darius takes a lariat in the back into a ddt.

Toa gets in and knocks over Darius and Henry. Darius is pounded on by both GoA then takes a double thrown. Kaun sentons Darius for 2. Darius hits a ddt + reverse ddt combo. Action is popped up by Toa but hits a dropkick. Toa misses a corner splash.

Action hits forearms on Henry then Henry release germans Action. Action takes a kick + pendulum flatliner. We get a whole bunch of moves in a quick sequence then AA springboard 450's JD for 2. Henry fights the GoA v2 then takes a Toa headbutt. Henry takes a sandwich lariat and is pinned.

This was about 6 minutes long and they did what they could with it, but this could have had another 20 minutes easy and been better.

Overall thoughts: As usual, no champs were found here and there wasn't much built up for next time. It wasn't a bad show though with some shorter but decent matches. The main didn't get enough time as it often does.

AEW Dynamite 10/25/2023

AEW Dynamite 10/25/2023

Last week's show is here: https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2023/10/aew-dynamite-10182023.html 

MJF is interviewed. He calls Adam Cole. The Kingdom and Roderick Strong walk in. Cole then hangs up. MJF asks Strong what he wants. Strong says MJF is the man behind the devil mask. Strong says he will help him with Bullet Club Gold then MJF pushes him away. MJF then says he will send Jay White a message in blood. He says he has a bullet with his name on it and says he won't miss.

We then see the devil mask person. He doesn't say anything and cuts the feed.

Dynamite Diamond Ring - MJF (c) vs Juice Robinson

MJF hurries down to ringside then takes down Juice. MJF mudhole stomps Juice. Juice is sent into the rails outside then is thrown over a table. MJF spits water in his face then running facekicks him over the rail. Juice is catapulted into the post.

Juice is bleeding and his head is banged off the steps. MJF teases curb stomping Juice. The Gunns distract MJF then MJF is pulled into the steps. MJF is ddt'd on the apron. Juie chokes MJF with his scarf while the ref is arguing with Colten Gunn. Jay White comes out and we go to PiP break.

We return and MJF ends up choking Juice with his scarf. MJF back elbows and slams Juice. Juice's head is banged off the buckles, then he takes corner punches. MJF hits a kangaroo kick and shakes the ropes. MJF takes a leg lariat. Juice eye rakes him then MJF eye pokes him. Juice spits blood in his face then powerbombs him for 2.

MJF springboard double stomps his arm then topes the Gunn's outside. MJF traps Juice in the ring skirt and eye rakes him.  Juice low blows him with the rope while he's getting in then Juice ddt's him. The Gunn's try to get in and the ref kicks the ropes. MJF gets the diamond ring and punches Juice with it. MJF then hits a heatseeker piledriver and wins it.

The match was kind of average but at least they did push that they hated each other. There was lots of shenanigans and cheating.

The Kingdom and Roderick Strong come down to help out MJF, but are lariated over the top. MJF is held up for a beating then The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn come out to make the save. The Bullet Club runs. Jay White then gets on the mic. Jay says MJF will never get his hands on the belt again and says he will pummel his face into the ground. Colten says MJF has his ring back, but not the belt. Colten then challenges MJF for the ROH Tag Titles.

MJF gets on the mic. He stupidly agrees to the ROH Tag Title match. He then says it will be The Bullet Club Gold vs MJF and 3 tag partners. MJF says Jay will then give him the belt back when he wins. Strong yells "Max" and says MJF will pick them, right? MJF tells Strong and Kingdom to roll off a cliff. Max Caster then asks if they will be picked. MJF said he never liked Caster and said he wouldn't tag with him if he had a fire on his body and teaming with Caster was the only way to get rid of it. Caster then said, "so you are saying there's a chance?". MJF then refuses to scissor and heads up the ramp.

Kenny Omega then walks up to MJF on the ramp. They stare down. Kenny says MJF seems to have a lot going on and has something he wants. Kenny said he has something MJF wants and its the AEW title. Kenny said he deserves the right to defend his streak and tells him not to be afraid to show up. MJF challenges him for Collision. They shake on it. MJF says may the best man win and says he will. Kenny then does his stupid kissing goodbye thing and says, "three days, b!tch". 

For a guy who we have been told has no friends, he suddenly seems to have friends coming out of the woodwork. That was weird as was suddenly everyone wanting to challenge MJF. I didn't like them making The Kingdom look like jobbers here. But it did put together some storylines at least. Omega/MJF is a hotshot though, no doubt about it.

Wardlow does a video. He says he was sitting at home for 4 months being depressed. He said he hated seeing MJF become champ and main event their biggest show. He said there is nothing left to take from him and says he will take everything from MJF. Wardlow not being around didn't make sense to begin with and they didn't explain it much better here. Wardlow being depressed isn't a good storyline for him.

Hook and Rob Van Dam vs Dark Order (Alex Reynolds and John Silver)

Hook slams down Alex. Hook hip throws him then RVD armdrags Alex. Alex nails RVD from behind then Silver stomps him. RVD monkey flips Silver then Hook and RVD lariat their opponents over the top. Uno gets on the apron and is nailed.

We go to PiP break and return. Silver hits crossface shots on Hook then takes an overhead suplex. RVD superkicks Silver then legdrops him over the back of the neck while he is bent over. RVD springboard back kicks Alex on the apron then hits rolling thunder on Silver. RVD hits a northern lights suplex on Alex. RVD springboard kicks Silver.

Hook hits crossface shots on Silver. Uno goes for a chair shot on RVD but takes a vandaminator. RVD then spin kicks Alex. RVD hits a top rope frogsplash on Alex then Hook puts red rum on Silver and wins it.

It was a basic but okay tag. Nothing too special about it, just basic face and heel stuff. 

We get a Toni Storm skit during PiP break. 

Tony Schiavone brings Sting and Darby Allin out. Sting thanks Tony Khan for bringing him back. Tony Schiavone says 35 years ago, Sting put pro wrestling on the map on TBS. Ric Flair's music hits and Ric Flair comes out.

Ric Flair gets on the mic. He says Sting is the nicest guy he has ever known. Ric gives Sting a chop. Christian. Luchasaurus and Nick Wayne come out. Christian says the gift for Sting seems to be gold chains and a black liver. Christian asks Darby how his arm is feeling. Christian says he wants Sting gone right now and doesn't want to wait until after Revolution next year. Christian says he wants a 6 man tag at AEW Full Gear with Christian, Luchasaurus and Nick Wayne vs Sting and two partners. Sting accepts.

Renee interviews Chris Jericho. Jericho admits his match against Hobbs was a destruction. Jericho says his ribs are still hurting. Jericho said he didn't see Hobbs coming when he fought him. Jericho said he needs to self-reflect and asks if he should step back or get stronger and more intense. Jericho said he has more friends bigger than Hobbs and says maybe it's time he gives them a call.

ROH Six-Man Tag Titles - The Young Bucks and Adam Page (c) vs The Hardy Boyz and Brother Zay

 

 

Nick shoulders over Zay. Zay is then hiptossed and slammed. Zay takes a bridging neckbreaker then a swanton in that position. Zay then takes a cannonball in the corner. Page top rope lariats Zay. Matt Hardy trades shots with a Buck then hits a side effect for 2. Zay does a nice tornillo outside onto Page and Nick. Zay and Matt Hardy then do The Bucks' pose.

We go to PiP break and return. Matt Jackson hits a double northern lights suplex on his opponents. Page springboard lariats Matt. Zay springboard crossbodies Page but is caught with a fallaway slam. Page plancha's Matt Hardy outside then death valley drivers Zay.

Zay does a silly strong off of Jeff's back and tornado ddt's Page. Nick hits superkicks on all opponents. Zay swings Nick's leg into Matt Jackson's head then Zay hits a double dropkick on The Bucks. Zay does a tope con hilo outside off the back of Jeff Hardy. Jeff hits a top rope swanton for 2.

Zay springboards but ends up taking a buckshot lariat off of it. Zay takes a BTE trigger and is pinned.

It was what you would expect with a lot of flying around. The Hardy's didn't look bad here so it was watchable.

We then cut to the tron. We see Prince Nana breaking into Adam Page's house with Swerve. Swerve said this family owes him something for taking his opportunity away and rips up refrigerator art. Swerve plays with some kids book. They then hear something. Swerve goes up to the crib and asks if hangman Jr. is going to give him his opportunities. He then leaves a Swerve shirt in the crib. Nana says they have to go.

Hold on, Adam Page leaves his baby home alone? He should have CPS called on him.

Adam Copeland is interviewed. He said his friendship with Christian is more important than anything else. Darby and Sting come in. Darby says it's kill or be killed and this is not a world where Adam and Christian are going to be friends. Sting says he had the blinders on when he was with Lex Luger and said he learned from Ric Flair. He said he can see through Christian and Adam need to before it's too late. Sting then gets up in his face and says they go way back and not to mess it up now.

AEW Women's Title - Hikaru Shida (c) vs Ruby Soho

Ruby hits chops and Shida messes up a 2nd rope twisting crossbody. Shida slams her then Ruby sto's Shida. Shida rolls her around the ring and hits bad corner punches. Shida dropkicks her off the 2nd rope. Shida is pulled off the apron and Ruby hits a weak no future kick.

We go to PiP break and return. They trade forearms and Shida punches her. Shida running forearms her for 2. Ruby throws her off the buckles and pulls off the middle turnbuckle pad. Ruby then gives Shida spray paint. The ref sees it and Shida says she didn't do it. Ruby grabs the title belt and blocks spray paint with it. The ref takes the belt, Ruby chokes Shida with something and hits a blade runner for 2. Shida blocks a no future kick and hits a spinning knee.  Shida pumping knees her and hits a falcon arrow for 2. Ruby reverses it, is sent into the exposed buckle and takes a spinning knee. Shida wins.

This was really bad. Everything before the break looked awful and the stuff after it wasn't much better. It had the usual shenanigans with Ruby and was just ugly all around.

Toni Storm then comes out with some guy in a suit. 

MJF is interviewed in the back. Samoa Joe comes in. He says MJF suffers from a lack of friendship. Joe says he will be his friend. MJF agrees then Joe says it's only if MJF gives him his rematch for the AEW Title. Joe said he doesn't have to give him his answer now, but will get it soon enough with how things are going.

Orange Cassidy and Kazuchika Okada vs The Blackpool Combat Club (Claudio Castagnoli and Bryan Danielson)

Bryan drops him with a leg kick and works the arm. OC just lays on the mat while in a wristlock. CC does nice slams on OC then Okada is tagged in. Okada elbow drops CC's back then trade forearms with him. Okada slams CC and OC does some silly top rope elbow on CC.

OC is put on the top rope and Bryan knees him off the top. We go to PiP break and return. CC is back body dropped over the top. They block each others moves and OC is pulled up into a ddt on CC.

Bryan and Okada get tagged in at the same time. Bryan hits kicks on Okada then Okada running back elbows him. Okada hits a ddt for 2 and slams him. Bryan takes a flapjack for 2. Bryan its chest kicks on Okada then is rolled up for 2. Bryan puts him in the lebell lock.

Bryan and Okada trade shots. Bryan flips over him from the buckles and they collide in mid-air. OC top rope crossbodies CC, is caught and Okada boots CC to knock him over. OC does his usual weak kicks on CC then hits better kicks. CC counters OC's ddt then is cuttered off a suplex. OC tornado ddt's CC. OC plancha's Bryan.

CC giant swings OC and sharpshooters him. Okada breaks the hold then over the back neckbreakers him on the knee. Okada top rope elbow drops CC. Okada and OC hug then take a double dropkick from the top. Okada dropkicks Bryan then rainmakers him. CC 2nd rope twisting euros Okada then pop-up euros OC to win it.

OC brought it down as usual, doing his usual comedy spots in a match that should have been heated. The whole premise of this was dumb. Bryan and Okada hadn't referenced each other in months and OC chose Okada as a partner over Hook and Best Friends for unknown reasons. Okada also isn't a big draw in the US, so he was brought in essentially to bring down ratings.

Bryan holds his face after. Book and Best Friends come down. Okada kind of stares at Bryan and maybe makes a gesture, but it wasn't that easy to make out. I don't know what they were going for, but it didn't work.

Overall thoughts: Ir was a middle of the road show. Everyone being after MJF is kind of out of nowhere and MJF suddenly having all of these friends is odd too, but at least they are trying to do something with MJF. The main and the angle after didn't work and the women's match was awful. Adam Page seemingly leaving his baby home alone was a stupid moment as well.