By Chris Vetter, ProWrestling.net Contributor (@chrisvetter73)
AEW “The House Always Wins”
April 9, 2021, in Jacksonville, Florida, at Daily’s Place
Recently released via MyAEW.com and AEW YouTube
Tony Schiavone and Eddie Kingston provided commentary. The crowd was sparse, and most fans were wearing face masks. (No one misses the COVID era!) Notably absent were on-screen graphics.
* I truly had no idea if this event had commentary from 2021, or if new commentary had to be dubbed in. This really looks no different than any other episode of Dynamite in 2021. This was released on both MyAEW and on YouTube, but the YouTube version has the pesky commercials. Of course, this show was released in the wake of the death of Andy “The Butcher” Williams. Quite frankly, I don’t know why this has sat in the vault all this time.
1. A battle royale for a TNT Title shot later in the night. The participants are: The Butcher, The Blade, Ethan Page, Scorpio Sky, Austin Gunn, Colten Gunn, the Dark Order, Lance Archer, Ricky Starks, and Powerhouse Hobbs. So yes, I’m seeing about 15 competitors in there. “Five” (Alan Angels) was tossed almost immediately. Both Gunns were eliminated early. Archer tossed Alex Reynolds. Stu Grayson was tossed. Archer tossed Starks. Evil Uno accidentally stepped onto the adjacent stage and was ruled to be eliminated! Colt Cabana and Ethan Page were eliminated. Sky was eliminated. Archer eliminated Blade.
The final four were “Ten” Preston Vance, Lance Archer, Powerhouse Hobbs, and The Butcher. Hobbs tossed Vance. Archer hit a big Pounce on Hobbs at 7:30. Butcher was on the floor but hadn’t been eliminated. He was speaking to Matt Hardy on the floor. (It really was a different era!) Archer tossed Hobbs. Butcher snuck in and flipped Archer, but Archer held onto the ropes! The Bunny hopped on the apron and distracted Archer! It allowed Butcher to hit a running shoulder block, knocking Archer off the apron to the floor to win!
The Butcher won a battle royale at 8:41 to earn a TNT Title shot later in the show.
* Matt Hardy cut a heel promo, saying he’s going to win the TNT Title because Butcher is going to soften up the champion, Darby Allin.
* “The Pinnacle” MJF, Dax Harwood, Cash Wheeler, Wardlow, Shawn Spears came to the ring with Tully Blanchard. They talked about the Blood & Guts match coming up the next month. MJF asked the crowd, “What do you call a good-looking girl in Jacksonville? A tourist.”
2. “The Pinnacle” MJF, Dax Harwood, Cash Wheeler, and Shawn Spears (w/Wardlow, Tully Blanchard) vs. Jungle Boy, Christopher Daniels, Luchasaurus, and Dante Martin. Daniels and Cash opened. MJF entered and locked up with Daniels at 1:30, but then Max posed in a corner. The Pinnacle regrouped on the floor. Jungle Perry locked up with Spears at 3:30. Dante was briefly in against Spears, but then Luchasaurus entered at 6:00. None of the Pinnacle wanted to tie up with him!
Dax rolled to the floor, got on the mic, and warned the fans to stop chanting “Luchasaurus!” He got in the ring and attacked Luchasaurus from behind. Luchasaurus hit some shoulder blocks. Dante hit a springboard moonsault press on Dax for a nearfall. Dax hit a brainbuster on Martin. The Pinnacle immediately began working over Dante in their corner. Jack Perry got in and hit some German Suplexes at 10:30. The Pinnacle immediately threw Jungle Boy into their corner and worked him over. (Yes, this very much has the pacing of a house show.)
Luchasaurus got a hot tag at 12:30 and began punching each heel, as the Pinnacle took turns charging at him. Luchasaurus launched Daniels onto MJF for a nearfall, then Daniels hit an STO uranage on MJF for a nearfall. Spears hit a D’Lo-style Sky High. Martin hit a plancha to the floor on Spears. Daniels hit the Angel’s Wings on MJF, but FTR pulled Daniels to the floor at 14:00. Tully hopped on the apron for a distraction. MJF kicked the ropes to crotch Daniels. MJF slapped on the “Salt of the Earth” Fujiwara Armbar, and Daniels tapped out.
“The Pinnacle” MJF, Dax Harwood, Cash Wheeler, and Shawn Spears defeated Jungle Boy, Christopher Daniels, Luchasaurus, and Dante Martin at 14:22.
3. Reka Tehaka vs. Jade Cargill. I doubt I’ve seen Reka in years! Jade hit some clotheslines, and she jawed at the crowd. Reka hopped up and hit a headbutt. Jade hit a Pump Kick to the chest, then paused to do some push-ups. She threw Reka into a corner. She tried a second Pump Kick, but this time Reka caught the leg, and Reka hit another headbutt and was fired up! Reka hit a top-rope double ax handle for a nearfall at 3:00. However, Cargill hit the Jaded (Implant Buster faceplant) for the pin. Schiavone said it was called “The Glam Slam” at this point.
Jade Cargill defeated Reka Tehaka at 3:21.
* (I see on cagematch.net that Reka had her last AEW match in April 2023, and she hasn’t wrestled at all since June 2024.)
* Britt Baker came out and hugged Schiavone. Britt said she hopes this is the last time they ever have to do a show in Jacksonville ever again! She made fun of the Jacksonville Jaguars (Hey, it’s not football season! This was April!).
4. Cody Rhodes vs. Aaron Solo in a street fight. I wasn’t sure if they would edit off Cody’s match; I’m glad they didn’t. Solo stalled at the bell, refusing to lock up. They brawled through the crowd — it can’t be stressed enough how empty this really is. People are pretty spread out still. They finally got back into the ring, and Cody hit a bodyslam onto a sideways garbage can at 5:00. Cody hit a powerslam and was fired up. Cody set up for a dive, but Solo struck him with the garbage can lid.
In the ring, Aaron hit some more blows with the garbage can lid. He hit a snap suplex at 6:30, and more chair shots to the back. Solo hit an Exploder Suplex for a nearfall at 9:00, and he was livid he didn’t win there. They hit stereo crossbody blocks and were both down at 10:30. QT Marshall appeared, not dressed to wrestle, and he had a kendo stick, which he handed to Solo. Billy Gunn came out and clotheslined QT, and those two brawled on the floor. Cody got the kendo stick, and he struck Aaron on his back, then across his stomach.
Rhodes rolled to the floor and got a thick dog collar chain, and he threw it into the ring. Cody finally hit the Cross Rhodes, then a second one, and a third! He pulled up Solo at the two-count at 13:30. Cody went under the ring, got a table, and slid it into the ring. They fought in the corner above the table. Cody nailed a top-rope superplex, dropping Solo stomach-first through the table. (Cody took just as much of that table as Aaron did. He struck the table first.)
Cody Rhodes defeated Aaron Solo in a street fight at 15:43.
* Anthony Ogogo rolled into the ring and punched Cody in the stomach!
* Ricky Starks and Colt Cabana joined Schiavone on commentary. No more Kingston?
5. Orange Cassidy, Trent Beretta, and Chuck Taylor vs. Jack Evans, Angelico, and Max Caster (w/Anthony Bowens). We got a rap from Caster! He told the crowd they are a bunch of “smelly virgins.” He’s gonna get Trent’s mom in the back of the minivan! Trent (with a full head of hair!) opened against Max. (Was Bowens injured at this time? I don’t recall.) Orange entered at 2:00 and hit a crossbody block, with his sunglasses still on. The Best Friends were going to hug, but the heels blocked it. They did a multiple man sleeper spot, but Orange broke it up.
Jack Evans got on the mic and yelled at Cassidy. Jack challenged Orange to “a dance-off.” Jack performed a breakdancing move. Orange didn’t dance. Bowens got on the mic and asked the crowd if they wanted to see Max vs. Orange in a “rap battle.” Orange went to put his hands in his pockets, but Evans and Angelico attacked him at 6:30. Orange and Angelico traded standing switches for some comedy. Taylor got a hot tag and hit some clotheslines on all the heels. Jack was dropped face-first into Angelico’s groin.
Trent got back in at 8:00 and hit a running knee. He hit a tornado DDT on Evans for a nearfall. Jack got a jackknife cover on Trent for a nearfall. Evans hit a top-rope 450 Splash at 9:30, but Taylor made the save. Taylor tagged in and powerbombed Angelico. Orange hit a top-rope splash (basically just falling on Evans). Max grabbed a boombox to use as a weapon, but Kris Statlander appeared and took it from him. Orange hit the Orange Punch! Trent and Chuck hit their piledriver-and-double-stomp combo to pin Evans. The four best friends hugged.
Orange Cassidy, Trent Beretta, and Chuck Taylor defeated Jack Evans, Angelico, and Max Caster at 10:53.
6. Eddie Kingston vs. Cezar Bononi. A clean lockup to open. Cezar is taller and visibly stronger. Schiavone noted that Bononi “looks like an action figure,” and Cezar hit a back suplex. Eddie hit a standing neckbreaker. Cezar hit a Mafia Kick and several stomps, then knee strikes to the spine. He hit a bodyslam for a nearfall at 3:30, and the crowd rallied for Eddie.
Cezar hit a running Bulldog Powerslam for a nearfall. Eddie leaned Cezar against the ropes and hit some chops. Cezar hit a back suplex at 7:00, then a running knee for a nearfall. Cezar hit a powerbomb with a jackknife cover for a nearfall. Eddie hit some enzuigiris, then a T-Bone Suplex. He applied the Stretch Plum, and Cezar immediately tapped out. Solid brawl.
Eddie Kingston defeated Cezar Bononi at 9:21.
* Eddie got on the mic. He talked about how he nearly left wrestling, but was asked to come to AEW, and for the first time in his life, he felt wanted.
* Vickie Guerrero came to the ring and yelled at Justin Roberts.
7. The Bunny, Britt Baker, Rebel, and Nyla Rose vs. Red Velvet, Ryo Mizunami, Hikaru Shida, and Tay Conti (w/-1). Hikaru was champion at the time, but of course the belt isn’t on the line. Britt opened against Red Velvet and traded basic reversals. Velvet tried a standing moonsault at 2:00 but really overshot Britt. Tay and Bunny jumped in and traded punches, and Colt was surprised at how aggressive Bunny was. Shida entered to battle Rebel. Rebel was immediately selling a knee injury, but of course she then kicked Shida.
Nyla entered and knocked Ryo down with a shoulder tackle, then they traded forearm strikes. Ryo hit a spear at 5:00! They all jumped in, and the babyface quartet hit the team suplex spot on the four heels. Nyla nailed a Pounce on Velvet! Nyla set up for a dive at 7:00, but everyone fled! Rebel grabbed a crutch and traded strikes with Shida, who had a bo staff. In the ring, Rose threw Velvet Sky into their corner, and the heels worked Hikaru over.
Bunny hit some knee lifts. They did the double hair-mare faceplant spot, and both were down. Shida got a hot tag at 10:30. Tay jumped in and hit some kicks. Tay applied a submission hold on Rebel on the mat. Nyla hit a standing powerbomb on Shida, then a big senton for a nearfall. Britt jumped in and got a nearfall on Shida. Britt went for the Mandible Claw, but Shida rolled Baker over for a nearfall at 12:30. Ryo jumped in and hit a clothesline on Baker. Velvet hit a top-rope dive to the floor onto several women. Tay hit some clotheslines on Rebel, then a Dragonscrew Legwhip and a DDTay for the pin. Fun match.
Red Velvet, Ryo Mizunami, Hikaru Shida, and Tay Conti defeated The Bunny, Britt Baker, Rebel, and Nyla Rose at 13:56.
8. Rey Fenix, Penta, Pac, Matt Sydal, and Mike Sydal vs. Kenny Omega, Konosuke Takeshita, Matt Jackson, Nick Jackson, and Michael Nakazawa. Takeshita’s hair was much shorter at this time; I think this might have been his AEW debut. (I recall hearing the praise for this newcomer before I had seen him.) Anyhow, Fenix and Nick Jackson opened. Omega was champion, and he stomped on Pac. Cabana said a second referee was needed for this match. Takeshita entered and knocked Pac down with a shoulder tackle at 3:00.
Pac hit a huracanrana, but Takeshita rotated and landed on his feet. Pac hit a shotgun dropkick. Matt Sydal entered and beat up Nakazawa. Fenix, Penta and Pac hit stereo dropkicks on Nakazawa at 4:30. Mike Sydal entered and hit some forearm strikes. The Lucha Bros hit stereo superkicks on the Young Bucks, then stereo flip dives to the floor! The Sydals went to the top rope, but Omega and Takeshita yanked them down to the mat. Omega bent Mike Sydal backward over his knee at 7:30. Looks painful!
The heels continued to work over Mike Sydal and kept him grounded. Takeshita hit a flying shoulder tackle. Omega had his teammates put their “eight boots” up on the top turnbuckle, but Mike slammed Kenny’s head on the boots. Matt got the hot tag at 11:00. Pac entered and hit some quick kicks on Omega. The heels began taking turns striking Fenix in a corner. Fenix hit a stunner on Takeshita for a nearfall! The Bucks hit superkicks on Pac. Matt Sydal hit a double huracanrana on both Bucks. Rey hit a rewind kick out of the ropes on Omega.
Takeshita hit a Blue Thunder Bomb on Pac for a nearfall at 14:00. The Bucks and Omega hit stereo superkicks on Pac for a nearfall. Nick hit a Swanton Bomb. Matt hit double Meltzer Drivers, but Fenix made the save. We had six guys fighting in the ring. Pac hit a Dragon Suplex on Pa at 16:00. Takeshita hit a clothesline on Pac. Nakazawa got in, but Pac hit a German Suplex on him. Penta hit a package piledriver on Nakazawa. Pac applied a Rings of Saturn, and Nakazawa tapped out! Good action.
Rey Fenix, Penta, Pac, Matt Sydal, and Mike Sydal defeated Kenny Omega, Konosuke Takeshita, Matt Jackson, Nick Jackson, and Michael Nakazawa at 17:22.
* Pac got on the mic and told the Young Bucks that he, Penta, and Fenix are coming for their belts.
9. Darby Allin vs. The Butcher (w/Matt Hardy, The Blade, The Bunny) for the AEW TNT Title. Darby hit a dropkick at the bell that knocked Butcher to the floor, and Allin immediately dove onto him. Darby rolled him into the ring and got a nearfall. Darby knocked Matt Hardy off the apron to the floor. Butcher hit some LOUD chops, then a big boot to the chest at 2:00. He hit a gutbuster over his knee and a powerbomb for a nearfall. Schiavone noted that Butcher has gotten “leaner and stronger” since he debuted.
Butcher stomped on Darby and kept him grounded. Matt Hardy kept barking at Allin. More deafening chops from the Butcher! He hit a knee drop on Darby’s sternum at 4:30, and Darby gasped for breath in the corner. Butcher stayed on offense, hitting some more punches. Darby hit some shotgun dropkicks. Butcher caught his feet and applied a Texas Cloverleaf! Butcher hit a standing powerbomb. They fought on the floor, and Darby slammed Butcher’s hand on the guardrail.
Back in the ring, Darby applied a rear-naked choke, but Butcher got to his feet and ran backwards into the turnbuckles at 7:00. They fought in the corner, and Darby hit some open-handed slaps. Darby hit a Stundog Millionaire, then a Code Red for a nearfall! Darby nailed the Coffin Drop for the pin! They got a lot in for a match that short.
Darby Allin defeated The Butcher to retain the AEW TNT Title at 8:16.
* Matt Hardy jumped in the ring and struck Darby. Butcher and Blade held Darby’s arms. Colt Cabana left commentary. The entire Dark Order faction ran in and chased off Matt Hardy and his lackeys. Darby gave away a skateboard to a young kid.
Final Thoughts: Definitely a moment in time. I’m glad that AEW finally released this. It really captured the vibe of where AEW was at this time, with nearly everyone on the roster appearing.
The ten-man tag with Omega had some great action. The main event was fun, and it was nice to see Butcher get a main event. Sure, Cody vs. Solo went way too long — they never would have gone that long on TV — but it was acceptable at a house show.
A long show, coming in at 2 hours, 38 minutes (and keep in mind, that’s without any commercials).
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