By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
AEW Double Or Nothing
Aired live May 30, 2021 live on pay-per-view and B/R Live
Jacksonville, Florida at Daily’s Place
The Buy In Pre-Show
Excalibur and Tony Schiavone served as the hosts of the pre-show and touted the return of fans. They ran through the some of the pay-per-view matches…
Backstage, Matt Hardy was with The Blade, The Bunny, and Private Party. Hardy delivered a Matt Fact that he would win the Casino Battle Royale. Hardy said he would cut Private Party’s fee to 15 percent if they can guarantee him a win…
The hosts ran through the rest of the pay-per-view matches and then set up a video package on Hikaru Shida vs. Britt Baker for the AEW Women’s Championship…
1. Serena Deeb vs. Riho for the NWA Women’s Championship. Justin Roberts was the ring announcer. Excalibur noted that Riho celebrated her 15th anniversary in pro wrestling on Saturday and has announced that she is making the United States her permanent home. There were dueling chants for the wrestlers.
Riho offered an early handshake. Deeb slapped Riho, who returned the favor. Deeb had the first prolonged stretch of offense. Deeb place Riho on the top rope. Riho shoved her off and performed a top rope double stomp. Riho sold knee paid, which Excalibur attributed to an earlier dragon screw leg whip.
Riho performed a 619 and then covered Deeb for a near fall. Deeb came back with a standing guillotine, but Riho countered into a nice suplex and got a near fall. A “this is awesome” chant broke out. Riho draped Deeb over the middle rope and then went for a double stomp, but Deeb moved, causing Riho to land on the apron.
Deeb regained offensive control and performed a neckbreaker for a two count. Riho caught Deeb with some kicks from the corner, but Deeb performed a double dragon screw leg whip and then powerbombed Riho before covering her for a near fall.
Riho rallied and performed a foot stomp to the back of Deeb, who came right back with a single leg submission hold. Riho broke the hold by reaching the ropes. Deeb performed another dragon screw. Riho caught Deeb in a nice pin for a good near fall. Deeb slammed Riho’s bad knee into the mat repeatedly and then applied her submission finisher for the win…
Serena Deeb defeated Riho in 14:05 to retain the NWA Women’s Championship.
Powell’s POV: A terrific opening match. Remember when the AEW women’s division was considered an early weakness? Things have changed dramatically since those days. I love that the match ended with a straight up submission. Deeb looked strong, but Riho won’t miss a beat due to tapping out. The venue looks cool with the sun setting. They have a casino theme with the big poker chips near the entrance ramp, though the small venue (compared to a big arena) limits how much they can do with the set. More than anything, it’s awesome to have a live crowd again.
A video package aired on the fan fest that AEW held on Saturday… Excalibur hyped more pay-per-view matches… A video package aired on the AEW Tag Title match… Taz was introduced as a commentator for the opening match involving Hangman Page and Brian Cage, then Jim Ross was introduced…
AEW Double or Nothing Main Card
Jim Ross welcomed viewers to the main card and was joined on commentary by Excalibur and Tony Schiavone…
1. “Hangman” Adam Page vs. Brian Cage. Taz was on commentary for the match. Cage came out wearing Terminator cosplay gear. Page received a big reaction from the crowd. Page performed an early suicide dive. He tried to follow with a dive over the top rope, but Cage caught him and powerbombed him into the ring post.
Back inside the ring, the wrestlers traded strikes. Cage got the better of it with a jumping knee strike. Cage did curls with Page, then went for a Samoan Drop, but Page countered into a crucifix bomb for a near fall. Page clotheslined Cage, causing both men to tumble over the top rope to ringside. Page performed a moonsault from the top rope onto Cage on the floor.
Page sent Cage back inside the ring and then went up top, but Cage cut him off. Page ended up performing a huracanrana from the ropes and got a near fall. Page set up for his finisher, but Cage superkicked him while he was on the ring apron. Page knocked Cage down with a big forearm and got another two count. Page set up for a Deadeye, but Cage stuffed it.
Cage performed a nice neckbreaker for a near fall. Cage dropped Page over the top rope. Cage stood outside the ring on the middle rope and then suplexed Page from the ring onto the ramp, which drew gasps and a “holy shit” chant from the crowd. Cool spot. Cage put Page on his back on the ropes and performed an F5 for a near fall.
Cage stood on the apron and went for his own Buckshot Lariat, but Page stuffed it and performed an F5 for a near fall. Cage came back with a powerbomb and a buckle bomb. Page rolled him into a pin for a near fall, but then Cage got up and turned him inside out with a clothesline. Cage followed up with a spinning powerbomb for a near fall.
Ricky Starks and Hook ran out. Hook distracted the referee while Starks slid the FTW Title belt to Cage, who threw it back at Starks. Cage threw Page over the top rope, but he skinned the cat. Cage jawed at Hook for a moment, then turned into a Buckshot Lariat from Page, who scored the pin.
“Hangman” Adam Page beat Brian Cage in 12:00.
After the match, Page drank beer while Ross praised Cage for his performance in the match. Taz said he was disappointed that Cage turned down help from his teammates. Page left the ring. Cage argued with Starks and Hook. Starks pointed at his bad neck. Hook tried to calm down Cage, who shoved him and left the ring…
Powell’s POV: A hot opener. The story was that Cage didn’t want any help from his Team Taz faction mates, so that’s why he rejected their help and was upset with them for coming out. It was a really good back and forth match and the finish obviously protects Cage, who may be on the verge of a babyface turn. Meanwhile, Page is clearly one of the most popular acts in the company.
A video package set up the AEW Tag Title match…
2. “The Young Bucks” Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson (w/Brandon Cutler) vs. Jon Moxley and Eddie Kingston for the AEW Tag Titles. Moxley and Kingston entered to the Major League version of “Wild Thing” by X and got a big reaction. The Bucks came out with Don Callis, who sat in on commentary. Once the Bucks were in the ring, their streamers shot off and they were attacked by the challengers. After some brawling at ringside, Moxley and Kingston took out Cutler with a clothesline and suplex combo move inside the ring.
The bell rang to start the match. Moxley and Kingston had a pair of the stolen Bucks’ Dior shoes in their corner. The Bucks isolated Kingston. Callis spoke about the advantage that the Bucks have as brothers and a longtime tag team. Matt hammed it up and mocked the crowd, but Moxley pulled him to ringside and clotheslined him. Nick tagged in and went for a springboard move, but Kingston gave him an exploder suplex. Kingston sold knee pain, but he tagged in Moxley.
Moxley hit a double DDT on both Bucks. Karl Anderson walked onto the entrance ramp. Doc Gallows showed up at ringside, but Kingston took him out with a dive. Frankie Kazarian ran out and attacked Anderson and fought him to the back. Matt sprayed the cold spray into the eyes of Moxley and then slammed the aerosol can over his head while referee Rick Knox was distracted. Matt covered Moxley for a two count. Moxley came up bleeding. A “this is awesome” chant broke out.
The Bucks performed a Meltzer Driver on Moxley on the ramp. “I think a spot just opened up on the roster,” Callis said. The bloody Moxley got up, stumbled around, and fell over. Back inside the ring, Moxley motioned for Matt to bring it. Matt worked over Moxley with punches to his bloody forehead. Matt placed Moxley’s legs over the apron and then Nick, who tagged in, performed a senton onto him, which led to a two count. Callis called for a doctor and said they should stop the match due to Moxley bleeding.
The Bucks double teamed Moxley and bumped fists, which drew good heat from the live crowd. Moxley fired up and worked over both Bucks, then made a hot tag to Kingston, which popped the crowd big. Kingston worked over both Bucks and dropped Matt with a DDT and then applied a submission hold. Nick tried to break it up with punches that Kingston no-sold. Kingston blasted Nick with a big boot and then went back to work on Matt. Nick superkicked the back of Kingston’s bad knee to put the Bucks back in offensive control.
Nick went up top and went for a swanton, but Kingston put his knees up. Moxley tagged in and immediately took a double superkick. The Bucks set up for More Bang For Your Buck, but Moxley caught Matt in a sleeper. Nick eventually performed a top rope 450 splash onto Moxley, then Matt covered him for a near fall. The Bucks set up for the Meltzer Driver on Kingston, but Moxley tripped up Nick on the apron. Kingston and Moxley came back with a Doomsday Device and had Matt pinned, but Nick broke it up. A “fight forever” chant broke out.
Moxley stuffed a Nick superkick attempt and went for the Paradigm Shift, but Nick flipped out of it and countered into a Sharpshooter. Matt held Kingston on the apron, but he broke free and broke up the submission hold. Moxley took out Nick with a lariat and then put him down with a Paradigm Shift. Moxley had the pin, but Matt broke it up. Nick kicked Kingston’s bad leg. Moxley ended up taking a double superkick, but he bounced off the ropes and blasted them both with lariats.
The Bucks came back with a series of superkicks on Moxley. Nick covered Moxley, who kicked out at one, which drew a big pop from the crowd. The Bucks hit Kingston with multiple superkicks. The Bucks hit Moxley with four BTE Triggers and then Matt pinned him clean…
“The Young Bucks” Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson defeated Jon Moxley and Eddie Kingston in 21:00 to retain the AEW Tag Titles.
Powell’s POV: An awesome match. This was a mismatch of styles on paper, but it totally worked. Great action with excellent near falls, and all four guys showing off a ton of personality. This show is off to a fantastic start with the pre-show and both main show matches delivering huge.
The broadcast team spoke about the Casino Battle Royale. Excalibur stated that QT Marshall suffered a wrist injury and would be replaced by another member of The Factory. Paul Wight was introduced as the guest commentator for the Casino Battle Royale. He walked out dressed in a suit, played to the crowd, and joined the broadcast team…
3. The Casino Battle Royale for a future AEW Championship match. Justin Roberts read through the rules and then called for a shuffling of the deck. The first entrants were Christian Cage, Matt Sydal, Powerhouse Hobbs, Dustin Rhodes, and Max Caster, who were in the “Clubs” category. Caster got a big pop and then rapped on his way to the ring. Caster eliminated Sydal. Christian eliminated Caster, who held his left knee and limped away.
The next round of entrants were “Diamonds” and consisted of Matt Hardy, Isiah Kassidy, Preston “10” Vance, Nick Comoroto, and Serpentico. Hardy and Kassidy tried to attack 10, but he roughed them both up. Luther came out with Serpentico and threw him over the top rope and into the ring. 10 eliminated Serpentico. Hardy and Kassidy were still on the stage.
Rhodes eliminated Comoroto and 10 while they were fighting by the ropes. Comoroto hit Rhodes with a bull rope. Hobbs powered up Rhodes and threw him over the top rope to eliminate him. Hardy and Kassidy finally entered the ring.
The next wave of entrants were “Hearts” and consisted of Brian Pillman Jr., Griff Garrison, Colt Cabana, Anthony Bowens, and Penta El Zero Miedo. There was some confusion with the broadcast team as to whether Hobbs was still in the match (good, I’m not the only one struggling to keep up!), but he was still active.
The final big batch of wrestlers were “Spades” and featured Jungle Boy, Marq Quen, Aaron Solow, Evil Uno, and Lee Johnson. Hardy eliminated Solow. Penta eliminated Uno. Jungle Boy eliminated Penta. Hobbs returned to the ring and worked over the Private Party duo of Quen and Kassidy. Cage eliminated Hobbs.
The “Joker” and final entrant in the match was Lio Rush, who worked over the Private Party duo. Hardy tried to eliminate Rush, but he held onto the ropes. A brief “Lio” chant broke out and then Rush performed a springboard cutter on Hardy. Rush tried to eliminate the Private Party duo, who were both on the apron, but Hardy ended up tossing Rush over to eliminate him from the match.
Hardy and Private Party showboated. Hardy performed a Side Effect on Jungle Boy, but he came right back. Christian put Private Party back in the same position that Rush had them in. Jungle Boy and Christian eliminated the Private Party duo, leaving Hardy alone with the two babyfaces. Hardy tried to play on his history with Cage, who teased an alliance and then tossed Hardy over the top rope to eliminate him.
The match came down to Christian Cage and Jungle Boy (unless someone is hiding at ringside). The wrestlers eventually fought onto the apron. Jungle Boy hit a pendulum kick. Cage went for a Killswitch on the apron, but Jungle Boy avoided it. Christian threw Jungle Boy toward the ring post, which he swung around. Jungle Boy eventually eliminated Cage to win the match.
Jungle Boy won the Casino Battle Royale in 23:30 to earn a shot at the AEW World Championship.
Afterward, Marko Stunt and Luchasaurus came out to celebrate with Jungle Boy. Cage returned to the ring and hugged Jungle Boy in a sign of respect…
Powell’s POV: My apologies for missing some of the eliminations. There was a lot going on inside and outside the ring. Anyway, Lio Rush was well received by the live crowd. You never know how fans are going to react to a mystery person. The company didn’t go overboard in hyping it this time around, which was the right move. That said, Rush is a nice addition. I will miss seeing him in the MLW Middleweight Division, assuming that he’s going to stick around in AEW. This was really good use of Cage in terms of the veteran putting over the young star. Jungle Boy challenging Kenny Omega should be a lot of fun.
There was a brief ceremony for a charity that supports injured servicemen getting service dogs. The crowd chanted USA. Cool charity… A Memorial Day video package aired…
4. “The American Dream” Cody Rhodes (w/Arn Anderson) vs. Anthony Ogogo (w/QT Marshall). Cody walked out wearing a red, white, and blue jacket. He gave a similar themed weightlifting belt to a young fan at ringside. A tale of the tape appeared on the big screen and the match got underway. Ogogo hit Cody with an early punch, which led to him taking offensive control.
Excalibur noted that Ogogo had nine surgeries to save his eye. Cody kicked Ogogo and then charged him, but Ogogo moved and Cody crashed into the ropes. Cody conferred with Anderson while Ogogo was down in his corner. Ogogo came up with some blood on his forehead after talking with Marshall. Cody ended up placing Ogogo on the top rope. Ogogo punched Cody in the ribs and then in the jaw, causing Rhodes to fall from the ropes.
Ogogo went up top and frogsplashed Rhodes. Ogogo clutched his ribs, then covered Cody for a two count. Cody came back with a dropkick and applied a figure four. Ogogo hit Cody with a left jab. Cody fell back and the referee counted to two before Cody sat up.
Ogogo reversed the figure four and the hold was eventually broken. Cody headbutted Ogogo and set up or his CrossRhodes finisher, but Ogogo punched him. Ogogo hit his gut shot punch and covered Cody. Ogogo went for the pin, but Cody’s arm was under the bottom rope so referee Paul Turner didn’t make the count. Cody came back and hit a Vertebreaker and scored the pin…
Cody Rhodes beat Anthony Ogogo in 10:55.
Powell’s POV: This didn’t work. The live crowd had been really hot for everything leading up to this, but they were very tame for this match. AEW just didn’t do enough to establish Ogogo’s personality on Dynamite to make viewers feel strongly about him. He did well as far as his ring work is concerned, so that’s encouraging. Maybe Ogogo will have a bigger moment on Dynamite next week? It’s nice that Cody is working with undercard talent, but at some point he needs to put one of them over to really make them.
5. Miro vs. Lance Archer for the TNT Title. Archer dove over the top rope onto Miro during Miro’s entrance. He rolled Miro inside the ring and referee Aubrey Edwards called for the bell to start the match. They fought to ringside early on. Miro took offensive control before rolling Archer back inside the ring and putting the boots to him. Archer came back with a helicopter slam for a two count.
Archer went for a moonsault, but Miro moved. Miro went back on the attack and picked up another near fall. Excalibur noted that the rules for the TNT Title are different in that there’s a 20-minute time limit. Jake Roberts showed up with a snake bag in hand, but Miro cut him off before he could enter the ring. Miro knocked Roberts down, shook the bag, and then threw it up the ramp, which drew loud boos.
Miro tried to charge Roberts in the corner, but Archer cut him off and chokeslammed him for a near fall. Miro avoided one of Archer’s big moves and then fired away with kicks. Archer knocked Miro out of the ring with a shoulder block. Back inside the ring, Miro rallied with a big kick. Miro applied the Camel Clutch while Excalibur pointed out that Archer had spinal surgery four years earlier. Miro released the hold to throw strikes to Archer’s back, then he reapplied it and wrenched back. The referee called for the bell while the broadcast team said that Archer was out…
Miro defeated Lance Archer in 9:50 to retain the TNT Championship.
Powell’s POV: The snake bag bit was clever. The match was decent. Perhaps I had my hopes up for something more. It was fun, but just not as much fun as I envisioned it being. I was surprised to see a clean finish, especially after Excalibur made a point of mentioning the time limit.
A video package hyped AEW All Out for Labor Day weekend in Chicago on Sunday, September 5…
6. Hikaru Shida vs. Britt Baker (w/Rebel) for the AEW Women’s Championship. Justin Roberts delivered in-ring introductions for the title match. Referee Paul Turner held up the new title belt. Baker went for the Lockjaw early. Shida avoided it and then went for a running knee that Baker ducked. A short time later, Shida went for a dropkick, but Baker rolled out of the ring. Shida rolled out to follow, but Baker rolled back inside the ring and then caught Shida with a knee when she tried to reenter.
They went back to ringside where Shida threw Baker headfirst into the barricade. Shida set up a chair on the floor. Shida dove onto Baker and Rebel, who had her crutch with her. Baker came back moments later with a kick from the apron. Baker had a prolonged stretch of offense. Shida eventually tripped her and then fired punches at her head. Shida hit a running knee strike to the back of Baker’s head and covered her for a near fall.
Baker came back with a neckbreaker for a two count. Shida tripped Baker and went for a stretch muffler, but Baker reached the ropes. Shida pounded on the back of Baker, who got up a kicked her. Baker took Shida down with a sling blade clothesline. Baker slammed Shida with an Air Raid Crash and went for her finisher, but Shida was able to avoid it. Shida put Baker down with a wicked suplex and then blasted her in the face with an elbow and got a near fall.
Shida stood on the middle rope and put Baker on her shoulders, but Baker slipped off. Shida superplexed Baker and covered her for a two count. Shida tried to take Baker back to the ropes, but Baker rolled her into a pin for a two count. Shida applied the stretch muffler. Rebel grabbed the title belt and stood on the apron, causing Shida to break the hold and take a swipe at her.
Moments later, Rebel accidentally hit Baker with the crutch for a good near fall. Shida performed a falcon arrow for another near fall. Rebel climbed on the apronwith the crutch and was ejected from ringside. Shida stopped Baker from hitting her with the title belt, but Baker eventually Stomped Shida onto the belt. The referee turned and counted another good near fall.
Shida rallied with a leaping knee strike. Shida performed a running knee strike and only got a near fall. Baker rolled Shida into a pin for a two count, then applied her Lockjaw finisher and got the submission win…
Britt Baker defeated Hikaru Shida in 17:20 to win the AEW Women’s Championship.
Rebel entered the ring and celebrated with Baker, who then went to the ropes and held up her title belt. Ross noted that Schiavone, who was in cheerleader mode for Baker, left the broadcast table. Schiavone hugged Baker on the stage and patted her on the back…
Powell’s POV: It wasn’t always pretty, but they worked with a gritty intensity and the right person went over. Shida brought stability to the division and should remain a player and could eventually regain the title, but this is definitely Baker’s time.
Split screen shots aired of Kenny Omega, Pac, and Orange Cassidy…
Ethan Page and Scorpio Sky made their entrance. A black and white video aired with Darby Allin skateboarding on a road when a classic convertible driven by Sting pulled up next to him. Allin hopped into the car. Sting and Allin looked at one another. “It’s showtime,” Sting said. In the building, Sting and then Allin made their entrances…
7. Sting and Darby Allin vs. Ethan Page and Scorpio Sky. Allin performed a dive onto Page. Sting fought with Sky and ran him into the barricade. Excalibur noted that Allin’s brothers were at ringside. Sting and Sky fought to the stage where Sky performed a suplex. Sky stood on the big poker chips and didn’t realize that Sting popped up and was standing behind him. Sting shoved Sky off the poker chips and onto Page at ringside. Sting removed his t-shirt and dove onto both heels. Once they entered the ring, the bell rang to officially start the match while the fans chanted “you’ve still got it.”
Allin was isolated by the heels early on. At one point, Page pressed Allin over his head and threw him over the top rope and over the barricade and into the arms of his brothers in the front row. Damn. Sting picked up dead weight Allin, but couldn’t muscle him up. Allin eventually shot up and rolled back in the ring to avoid being counted out. Allin performed a Stunner on Allin, then made the hot tag to Sting for a big pop.
Sting performed Stinger Splashes on both opponents. String dumped Sky over the top rope. He followed with a soft Code Red on Page for a two count. The fans chanted “you’ve still got it” at Sting again. Sting put Page in the Scorpion Leg Lock. Allin applied a Fujiwara Armbar on Page. Sky returned and pulled Allin off Page and put him in a heel hook. Allin and Page traded blows while locked in holds. Sting and Sky released the holds and went to their corners because Allin and Page were apparently the legal men.
Sting and Sky tagged in. Sting no-sold some Sky shots and pounded his chest. Sky avoided a Stinger Splash. Sky went for a cutter that Sting blocked. Sting hit the Scorpion Death Drop and pinned Sky clean…
Sting and Darby Allin beat Ethan Page and Scorpio Sky in 12:30.
Sting and Allin hugged after the match. They stood on the ropes and played to the receptive crowd…
Powell’s POV: A crowd pleasing match. Sting performed his greatest hits spots and the fans loved it. This was fun. I’m not sure where Sting and Allin go next. There’s no reason to think that this will be Sting’s last match, but he could walk away with his head held high after that performance if he chose to.
A video package set up the AEW World Championship match… Entrances for the main event took place. Pac came out alone. Orange Cassidy was accompanied by Trent, Chuck Taylor, and Kris Statlander, but they didn’t go to the ring with him. Kenny Omega was out last with Don Callis and they carried/wore all of his title belts…
8. Kenny Omega vs. Pac vs. Orange Cassidy in a three-way for the AEW World Championship. Justin Roberts delivered in-ring introductions for the title match. A graphic noted that Omega was unbeaten in singles matches over the last 638 days. Callis joined the broadcast team. The bell rang and Pac went after Omega, who ducked between the ropes. Cassidy stood and watched while wearing his sunglasses. Omega knocked Cassidy out of the ring with a punch, then worked with Pac to start.
Omega and Pac performed dueling cross body blocks. Cassidy returned to the ring with his shades on and tried halfheartedly to pin both men. Omega and Pac stood up and glared at Cassidy, who teased putting his hands in his pockets. Both opponents charged at Cassidy, who rolled under them and performed a double huracanrana. Cassidy dove onto Pac at ringside, then returned to the ring and performed an around the world DDT on Omega for a near fall.
Pac eventually returned and took out Omega with an Asai moonsault on the floor. Pac returned to the ring and the fans chanted “this is awesome.” Pac worked over Cassidy, then went up top and hit him with a nice missile dropkick. Moments later, Pac performed a missile dropkick on both opponents. Omega came back with a rolling senton on Pac into a backstabber on Cassidy. Omega and Pac traded blows. Pac raised his arms and jawed at Omega, who responded by kicking him across the ring. Cassidy rolled Omega into a pin for a two count. Omega came right back with a backbreaker.
Pac dragged Cassidy to the floor and threw punches at him, then Omega baseball slide dropkicked both of them. Omega ran the ropes and performed a flip dive that took out Pac and Cassidy. Back inside the ring, Cassidy hit the Stundog Millionaire. Cassidy and Omega trade pin attempts. Pac went up top and performed a 450 splash onto both men, which drew a holy shit chant (and for good reason). Omega came right back with a snap dragon suplex on Pac, then performed the same move on Cassidy twice.
A short time later, Pac shoved Cassidy out of the way and took a V-Trigger from Omega. Pac threw a superkick at Omega, who ducked, causing Cassidy to take the move. Omega turned Pac inside out with a clothesline. Omega set up for a snap dragon suplex on Cassidy from the ropes, but Cassidy powered his hands into his pockets to block it. Pac snuck up behind and performed a release German suplex on Omega. Cassidy kept his hands in his pockets and then dove onto Pac at ringside. Cassidy entered the ring and looked to the fans. Omega kicked Cassidy and gave him the Tiger Driver 98 for a near fall.
Omega went for his finisher on Pac, who blocked it, but Omega shifted into a wicked German suplex into a bridge for a near fall. Omega lowered his kneepad, then slapped Cassidy before hitting him with a knee strike. Omega followed up with another. Omega backed up for a third, but Cassidy put his hands up and then put them in his pockets before falling face first to the mat. Pac fired strikes at Omega, who returned fire with a chop and a V-Trigger knee to the head. Cassidy caught Omega running the ropes and gave him a Michinoku Driver. Pac put Cassidy down with a brainbuster for a near fall.
Pac set up Cassidy for a superplex, but Omega hit Pac from behind, causing Cassidy to fall to ringside. Omega stood on the middle rope with Pac on his shoulders. Pac countered into a sunset bomb. Pac took Omega to the other corner and performed an avalanche falcon arrow. Cassidy threw Pac to ringside and then tried to steal the pin, but Omega kicked out at the last moment. A “that was three” chant broke out. The replay showed that referee Bryce Remsburg made a good count. Cassidy performed the soft kicks on Pac, who responded by kicking him in the balls. Awesome.
Pac took out Omega with a dive on the floor and then returned to the ring to hit the Black Arrow on Cassidy. Pac had the pin, but Omega returned to break it up at the last moment. Pac put Omega down and went for the Black Arrow, but Omega moved. Omega set up Pac for the One Winged Angel, but Pac countered into the Brutalizer. Cassidy returned to the ring and hit Omega with the Orange Punch. Cassidy hit the Beach Break on Omega for a great near fall.
Pac returned and went for a powerbomb on Cassidy, who slipped away and hit him with the Orange Punch. Omega went for a V-Trigger on Cassidy, who ducked it and put Omega down with the Orange Punch. Cassidy played to the crowd and they popped big. Cassidy hit Pac with the Orange Punch, but Callis was at ringside and pulled the referee out of the ring. Cassidy glared at Callis, who backed away. The crowd erupted with “F— You Don” chants. Cassidy tried to go up top. Omega cut him off, but Cassidy headbutted him away.
Cassidy went for diving DDT, but Pac caught him and ended up putting him in the Brutalizer. Omega returned and kicked Pac twice, but he didn’t release the hold. Omega turned and hit the referee instead to make sure that he didn’t stop the match. Callis slipped a title belt to Omega, who hit Pac with it. Callis tossed Omega another belt, which he also hit Pac with. Omega called for another belt. Omega blasted Pac again. Omega called for his final belt, which Callis handed him. Omega waited for Pac to stand up and then hit him with it. Omega picked up the belt and took a lap around the inside of the ring, but Cassidy hit him with with an Orange Punch. Cassidy covered Omega for a two count, but Omega hooked him into a pin and got the three count.
Kenny Omega defeated Orange Cassidy and Pac in 27:00 in a three-way to retain the AEW World Championship.
Powell’s POV: An outstanding three-way match. There was no reason to think that there would be a title change and yet they delivered some very convincing near falls. I’ll have to limit my gushing because they are moving right along with the show, but it really was one hell of a match with great performances from all three men.
An AEW Full Gear graphic listed the event for Saturday, November 6 in St. Louis…
Tony Schiavone stood in the ring and introduced “The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry as a special analyst for TNT. The crowd popped big as Henry walked out and waved. Schiavone said fans would hear from Henry on Friday’s AEW Dynamite…
Excalibur announced Nick Comoroto vs. Dustin Rhodes in a bull rope match, Young Bucks vs. Pac and Penta El Zero Miedo, Cody Rhodes and Lee Johnson vs. QT Marshall and Anthony Ogogo, and Britt Baker’s championship celebration for Friday’s Dynamite. Omega vs. Jungle Boy for the AEW Championship was announced for the following show…
9. “The Inner Circle” Chris Jericho, Santana, Ortiz, Sammy Guevara, and Jake Hager vs. “The Pinnacle” MJF, Dax Harwood, Cash Wheeler, Wardlow, and Shawn Spears (w/Tully Blanchard) in a Stadium Stampede match. The Inner Circle must disband if they lose. A limo pulled onto the field. Fozzy’s “Judas” played and then the Inner Circle members repelled down the scoreboard and stood behind pyro boxes that shot flames. The Inner Circle members were dressed in black. Jericho had his elbow brace on.
MJF called for the Inner Circle to bring it. Once they approached MJF, he ran back inside the limo and locked the door. The FTR classic truck arrived with Harwood, Wheeler, Wardlow, Spears, and Blanchard. The brawling started on the football field. Once MJF thought his team was in control, he emerged from the limo, but Jericho was standing behind him. Jericho worked over MJF and then tried to toss him in the trunk of the limo. MJF fought him off and then sprayed him with a fire extinguisher that was in the trunk. “Screw you, Jericho,” MJF said before running away. Jericho caught up to him inside a building. MJF threw coffee in his face and then slammed a telephone on his head.
Jericho grabbed a megaphone and yelled into hit while it was inches from MJF’s face. Funny. They brawled into a room where Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer and assistant head coach Charlie Strong were located. Strong tossed Jericho footballs, which he hurled at MJF. Meyer handed Jericho a laptop, which he slammed over the back of MJF twice. MJF gouged Jericho’s eyes and then missed him with a Jags’ helmet. Jericho responded with a big punch. Jericho placed MJF onto an office chair and wheeled him into another room and through a table on the floor. “Holy shit,” Meyer said. Awesome.
A short time later, Wardlow and Hager were shown brawling in another part of the building. They fought into a freezer at one point. Wardlow speared Hager through a wall. They cut to Guevara, who was looking for Spear. Spears was shown seated on a chair while tapping another chair on the ground in front of him while in a room filled with chairs. They weren’t in the room long. Spears put Guevara down and then picked up a pair of bolt cutters, which he tossed aside in favor of a chair. He did a little Mr. Blonde from Reservoir Dogs dance with it. A short time later, Spears pulled a ladder down so that it hit Guevara in the face. Spears pulled out handcuffs and used them to tie Guevara to a shelf. “You’re done,” Spears said before leaving the area. Once Spears left, Guevara spotted the bolt cutters.
Cameras cut to a nightclub area for a Harwood and Wheeler vs. Santana and Ortiz brawl. Blanchard was in the room. The DJ in the nightclub turned out to be Konnan. Nice. Ortiz hit Harwood with a tray and then covered him for a two count. Blanchard tried to hit Ortiz with an object, but Konnan stopped him. Santana jabbed Blanchard’s head with a stick. Santana and Wheeler fought into an elevator and the door closed behind them while Santana was dominating. The next cut was back to Wardlow and Hager brawling in an equipment area. They fought on top of a motorized cart. Hager chokeslammed Wardlow through a wooden contraption.
They cut back to Jericho and MJF in the office area. MJF swung and missed Jericho, causing him to hit a cardboard cutout of Shad Khan. Jericho hit MJF with the cutout. They fought into an office where MJF stood on and then stomped Jericho’s bad arm. Both men fought into a boardroom area where Jericho stapled a Jaguars’ thank you card to MJF’s forehead. Jericho threw MJF over the boardroom table. MJF came back with a big punch and then gave Jericho a piledriver onto the boardroom table. MJF covered Jericho for a near fall on the table. MJF grabbed a hammer, but Jericho stopped him from using it. Jericho opened a cabinet and pulled out his bat, which he worked over MJF with.
Jericho ran MJF through the glass portion of a door. Excalibur said it’s a good thing that tomorrow is a holiday because someone would need to clean that up (it’s not a good holiday for the poor person who has to clean it up!). The Inner Circle’s motorcycle buddies chased Spears, who ducked away from them. Jericho and MJF brawled their way into crowd at Daily’s Place. MJF was bleeding. MJF tried to push Jericho off the upper deck that they were in, but Jericho recovered and ended up slamming MJF through a wooden contraption.
Spears exited the building and ran into a parking area. Guevara chased him down with a golf cart (in a callback moment) and hit him with it. Guevara entered Daily’s Place through the crowd and ended up inside the ring with Spears. Guevara landed a kick and then went for a springboard move, but Spears blasted him with the chair and covered him for a near fall. A “this is awesome” chant broke out. Guevara flipped off Spears, who then destroyed him with the chair (it appeared to hit his shoulder rather than his head, but it was a wicked shot). Spears covered Guevara for another near fall.
Spears wedged a chair between the ropes. Guevara recovered and gave Spears a GTS. Guevara pulled Spears’ arms behind him and then kicked his face into the chair. Guevara went up top and performed a 630 senton on Spears and pinned him to win the match…
“The Inner Circle” Chris Jericho, Santana, Ortiz, Sammy Guevara, and Jake Hager defeated “The Pinnacle” MJF, Dax Harwood, Cash Wheeler, Wardlow, and Shawn Spears in a Stadium Stampede match.
Jericho, Santana, Ortiz, and Hager joined Guevara in the ring. “Judas” played while the Inner Circle members celebrated their win. Pyro shot off behind the ring while they held up their middle fingers. The music stopped and the fans continued to sing the chorus of the song to wrap up the show…
Powell’s POV: The second Stadium Stampede worked for me because they took a more serious tone that matched the level of intensity level of the feud. I’m sure it will be polarizing (what isn’t these days?), but it’s impressive that they seemed to keep the live crowd entertained despite most of the match playing out on the big screen.
Overall, this was a top notch pay-per-view. The pre-show match and the first two matches were very good. Cody vs. Ogogo brought things down and it didn’t seem like the show completely found its stride again until the Sting tag match. The AEW Championship match was great, and the Stampede match was fun.
I will have more to say about the show when I team up with Will Pruett and Jake Barnett for our Dot Net Members’ exclusive audio review. Let me know what you thought of the show by grading it and voting for the best match below.
“through a table of foot.”
What exactly is a table of foot?
“MJF flipped off Spears”
Face turn by one of them, Jason? (Oops)
I dunno if anyone else is seeing it, but the entire article is appearing in a left hand sidebar for me.