The AEW World Championship is on the line in a street fight on tonight’s episode.
Jon Moxley defends the AEW title against Cope in a street fight tonight in a rematch from the main event of Revolution, where Cope’s one-on-one bout with Mox became a three-way for the title with Christian Cage involved. Moxley defeated Cage with a bulldog choke, leaving Cope with a rematch claim. The winner of tonight’s match will defend the title against number one contender Swerve Strickland at the Dynasty pay-per-view on April 6.
In another bout with Dynasty implications, the four-way final of the International title eliminator tournament is set for tonight’s show. Mike Bailey vs. Orange Cassidy vs. Ricochet vs. Mark Davis will decide who wins the tournament and will challenge Kenny Omega for the AEW International Championship at Dynasty.
TBS Champion Mercedes Mone will be in action on tonight’s episode against Billie Starkz, the “minion” of ROH Women’s World Champion Athena, as the seeds continue to be planted for a Mone vs. Athena meeting.
Megan Bayne will go one-on-one with Kris Statlander in another women’s division contest on the show. Bayne defeated Statlander in their prior AEW Dynamite meeting on February 19.
AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Taz & Tony Schiavone as they run down tonight’s card and talks about the blizzard conditions going on outside.
Ricochet & Speedball Mike Bailey defeated Orange Cassidy & Mark Davis in a 4 Way Title Eliminator Tournament Final to earn an International Title shot at Dynasty
(Wild and action-packed opener, as everyone involved got their moments throughout, as Bailey & Cassidy were super over with the crowd, who hated Ricochet, while Davis was the monster the whole time. Ricochet played the role of vulture in this one, as he snuck in and got a double pin to make this a 3-way at Dynasty in what should be an incredible match. Commentary really kept talking about thinking Cassidy might’ve torn his bicep in this, which I really hope doesn’t end up being true.)
Don Callis joined commentary, as it’s Bailey who got a loud chant from the crowd to start, so Callis calls him a scumbag for being from Quebec. Cassidy plays early mind games, slowly somersaulting into a one-man stalemate that got Holy Sh*t chants before a lightning quick start from everyone, as Davis was sent outside and Ricochet faked a group dive. Bailey lit him up with speedball kicks, until Cassidy was in with his little kicks and hands in the pockets. Bailey tries a series of kicks, but Cassidy countered all, kipping up, only to be pulled outside by Ricochet and tossed into the barricade. Taking too long posing, Bailey flew in with a baseball slide hurricanrana. Davis, picking his moment, cut of a dive and powerbombed Bailey on the edge of the ring, caught a diving Cassidy and planted him with a back suplex as well. Ricochet literally hit and ran, allowing Bialey to get a roll-up for two. Davis no sold Bailey’s chops and demolished him with one shot of his own, Cassidy suffered the same fate. Ricochet grabbed Callis’ headset and said he’s not stupid like Schiavone, who would charge right into the ring, it’s about picking your spot.
Ricochet tried to steal a pin on Cassidy, but was launched outside by Davis. Bailey & Cassidy tried a double team, but were thwarted with a series of sentons. Cassidy tried a Stundog, but held Davis down enough for a Bailey flying double knees to the back. Ricochet & Bailey take turns hitting standing Shooting Star Presses, as the match starts breaking down until all three opt to go after Davis. Ricochet wanted to take a breather, but it backfired and he was fed to Davis, who ran down everyone into break.
Davis controlled nearly the entire commercial, but Cassidy finally hit a suplex to a huge pop, only to be attacked from behind by Ricochet. Vertigo missed, allowing Cassidy to hit a déjà vu head scissors, but Ricochet countered the spinning DDT into a Northern Lights. While going for a roll through, Cassidy countered into a Stundog, while holding his right arm, as commentary question if he’s tore his bicep. Bailey hit a dive outside on Ricochet & Davis, as back inside, Cassidy rolled through a hurricanrana for a two count. Roundhouse kick and Falcon Arrow from Bailey, who went up top for a big Shooting Star Press for two, as Davis pulled Bailey outside, but was met by a diving Ricochet. Back inside, Ricochet up top for a Shooting Star Press of his own, but Cassidy kicked out.
Handspring kick sent Davis back outside, as Bailey was back in and ate a combo of strikes and turned inside out with a lariat. Ricochet hit a powerbomb into a DVD for a near fall, but Cassidy recovered to hit his spinning DDT and dropped Bailey with Beach Break. Davis returned, missed an enzugiri, ate an Orange Punch for a close two, as Ricochet flew in with a springboard lariat. Bailey & Ricochet were left alone throwing wild kicks and counters until both were mowed down by Davis lariats. One arm powerbomb on Bailey led to a pop-up powerbomb on Ricochet before a pendulum piledriver spiked Cassidy, only for Bailey to save it nearly. Crazy series of near falls by Davis & Bailey, who hit his backflip double knees, roundhouse kick to the head, but as Bailey went for a backslide, Ricochet jumped in and got the pin as well with his feet on the ropes. Referee Bryce told Justin Roberts that both Bailey & Ricochet won the match and move on to Dynasty.
Video package on The Hurt Syndicate is shown, as Nigel McGuinness is heard calling them the Walking Armageddon.
Mercedes Mone defeated Billie Starkz to retain the TBS Title
(This turned into a hell of a match, as Starkz put up a fine effort, but even in defeat, she got a lot of fans out of this. There were points where I was really wondering if we’d get the flash upset of the year, but understand Mone should hold onto the title longer. All signs point to Athena eventually being a challenger for the TBS Title, when that happens, is up in the air. I hope Starkz sticks around on the AEW roster after this, she’s a great talent that I hopes get showcased more going forward.)
Commentary put over Starkz’s brief success in AEW, but mostly in Ring of Honor, as we get a nice highlight video of her past few years. Excalibur is also really driving home Mone’s undefeated record in AEW so far. Big match intros from Justin Roberts, as Starkz offers a handshake, but Mone decked her into the ropes and paint brushed the head. Snapmare into a Meteora got a quick near fall, as Starkz fights out of the corner with a Tornado DDT, but as she signaled for her top rope senton, Mone bailed outside, so Starkz met her with a suicide dive and somersault senton off the second rope. Back inside, Starkz up top and hit her top rope senton flush, but Mone, in serious pain, kicked out. Starkz wanted the Sugoi Driver, but Mone escaped into a backstabber, as she dispatched of Starkz to the outside heading to break.
Things returned with Starkz wanting a Tombstone, but Mone countered into seemingly a Tombstone/Lungblower for two. Excalibur put over Starkz having a 4.0 average in high school while wrestling, as Taz pointed out his was 3.9, as Schiavone called him GPA Jones, which broke everyone on commentary. Mone wanted Three Amigos, but Starkz countered right at the end into a neckbreaker on the knee. Crowd loudly behind Starkz, who hit a rolling elbow and high stack German suplex for a close two. Mone caught a charging Starkz in the corner with a face buster in the buckle, but Starkz avoided Mone Maker, hit a pump knee and spin kick, but Mone answered with a discus lariat into the double down in a great sequence.
Starkz slid through a backstabber for a two count, as the ladies traded near falls until Starkz got a John Woo dropkick. A violent Water Wheel Drop into the corner from Starkz, who again, looked for the Sugoi Driver, but Mone just barely got her foot on the rope and Starkz couldn’t believe it as the fans chanted This Is Awesome. Starkz went for a somersault senton off the top to the apron, but Mone moved and Starkz crashed and burned on the edge of the ring. Mone pulled her back into the ring, locked on the Statement Maker and got the submission.
Video package from The Outrunners, who are the unofficial mascots to the Omaha Mavericks, as footage of them amping up the team before their March Madness game against St. Johns tomorrow night.
We’re told coming up next, Jon Moxley vs. Cope in a Street Fight for the AEW Title
Footage of MVP & MJF’s in ring segment last week was shown, ending in MVP’s offer to MJF to accept his offer to join up with The Hurt Syndicate. We go backstage to MJF, holding the business card and said many are placing their bets on who will be the next AEW World Champion? Some think it’s Darby Allin, who MJF has beaten twice with a side headlock and could be dead on a mountain. Some think Will Ospreay, who MJF beat for the International Title last year. Some think it could be Hangman Page, but says there’s only one thoroughbred to put your chips on and you’re looking at him. Looking at the business card has gotten him thinking, the title is held by Dictator Jon, who has an army surrounding him, so maybe he needs a kliq of his own, but the last time he trusted someone, he got burned, so MVP will have his answer next week. MJF said the time for daddy crying over spilled milk is over and it’s about time again to pop some champagne.
Jon Moxley defeated Cope in a Street Fight to retain the AEW World Title
(The positives, this was a lot better than the Revolution match, as the fans were really into it and weren’t exhausted by seeing three 5 star matches back to back to back. This turned incredibly violent and the spiked board spot to Moxley’s back was one of the grossest moments in AEW history. Now, the negative, it was exactly the kind of finish you’d expect from this reign of Moxley, which is beyond overkill at this point. This had more run-ins than a House of Torture match and that’s saying something. I know when Moxley loses the title it’ll be a huge pop, but I’ll be happy to have a break from all the interference. I am intrigued by Dax Harwood walking out on Cope post-match, as a positive out of all the run-ins was a lot of directions you could go after this.)
Moxley was making his entrance by walking outside of the arena, but was met by Cope, who attacked him from behind and they brawled into a loading truck as the bell sounded. Cope smacked a guitar against Moxley’s leg before dropkicking him out of the truck into the garage door. Moxley recovered, smashed Cope against the door before grabbing the briefcase (presumably holding the AEW World Title) and cracked Cope in the head with it. They brawl into the arena, as Cope decked Moxley with a microphone before blasting him with a trash can and hitting a snap suplex on the floor. Moxley battled back with a Rear Naked Choke before slamming Cope’s head against the LED board. Moxley pulled out a kendo stick and wore out Cope. Both spilled into the crowd once again, as Moxley trash talked the fans, allowing Cope a chance to get back into this, as things went back ringside. Cleaning off the commentary table, the brief delay allowed Moxley to recover and drop Cope with a Paradigm Shift on the solid oak table, as doctors tended to Cope as things went to break.
When things returned, Moxley had set up a table ringside and was laying in chair shots to the back in the ring before choking Cope with the legs of the chair. Moxley wanted to Pillmanize the neck, as he went to the top, but Cope recovered, chucked the chair at the face of Moxley and joined him in the corner, raking the back and hitting a superplex as Prince Nana was shown watching on backstage. Forearm battle ramped up, as Cope delivered a series a lariats and flapjack before going under the ring to reveal Spike, the nail covered board. Cope rolled into the ring and was immediately dropped by a Moxley cutter. Moxley slid another table in the ring, but in taking time to set it up, Cope grabbed Spike and hit him in the ribs and back before delivering a suplex onto it and it was literally stuck in the back of Moxley, as the fans are losing their minds, this is gnarly.
Wheeler Yuta hit the ring, took out Cope with a Busiaku Knee, as Yuta tried getting the board out of Moxley’s back and it initially wouldn’t come out, which was sick. Referee Paul Turner finally got it free, as Yuta charged at Cope, but was hit with a pop-up powerbomb through a table. All of a sudden, Claudio Castagnoli & PAC made their returns and attacked Cope, looking for a Con-Chair-To, but FTR sprinted out from the back, as Cash Wheeler wiped out Castagnoli with a dive, as Dax Harwood planted Moxley with a piledriver before tackling PAC outside. Moxley & Cope remained, as they slowly rose to their feet and Cope hit a Spear through the table. Cope made the cover, but Marina Shafir returned and broke up the count. Willow Nightingale ran out and wiped-out Shafir with a clothesline and cannonball off the apron to the floor. Kip Sabian ran in and ate a Spear, as Nick Wayne flew in with Wayne’s World, as Moxley made the cover, but Cope kicked out. Bulldog Choke applied, Cope went out and Moxley retained. Mother Wayne looked on with Sabian & Nick, as the Death Riders gathering up and bailing, flipping fans off, with Prince Nana shown making a phone call in the back.
Post-match, Nightingale & Wheeler tended to Cope, who reached up for Harwood’s hand, but he didn’t offer it, instead, he left. Wheeler went to ask his partner what was up, but Harwood violently shoved his partner away and walked to the back. Wheeler helped up Cope and hugged him before going after his partner, as Nightingale gave Cope the ring, as the fans gave him a loud ovation. Commentary questioned if this was Cope’s last bite at the apple, his last chance at the AEW World Title?
Footage of The Learning Tree laying out Bandido & Gravity at Revolution Zero Hour was shown. Bandido was backstage with Renee Paquette, who said wrestling runs through his veins, he understands the dangers, but what Jericho did to his family, humiliating them, is something he’ll never forgive Chris Jericho for. Bandido said on Collision, he hopes Jericho shows up and gives him his brothers mask back. Johnny TV struts in and says who cares, as Bandido isn’t ratings, but wrestling Johnny on Slam Dunk Sunday would do more ratings than the Super Bowl (ok, sure) and Bandido accepts.
Will Ospreay defeated AR Fox
(It’s weird to see Ospreay in the match of the week where a lot of it happened during commercial, but Ospreay got in a few of his signature moves, while Fox did the same as well. The crowd got to see Osperay, who is still visibly feeling that Spanish Fly off the cage against Kyle Fletcher. Ospreay’s road to the Owen Hart Cup and AEW World Title is just getting going.)
Fast series of switches, as both blocked the others cutter attempt into a stalemate, as Ospreay was still selling the effects of his Cage Match at Revolution. Leg sweep on the apron by Fox, who hit an up and over double stomp to the ribs before floating back in, looking for a brainbuster, but Ospreay countered into a Stundog. Fox went outside, as Ospreay flew out with a slingshot dive as things went to break.
Fox controlled during commercial, but things ramped up right as things continued, as Ospreay hit a standing Spanish Fly for a near fall. Hook kick decked Fox, who ducked Hidden Blade, hit a short Cutter and Helluva Kick. Ospreay managed to get a Cheeky Nandos Kick, but took too long to follow up, allowing Fox to answer with Lo-Mein Pain, missing the 450 Splash follow, as Ospreay clobbered him with Hidden Blade to win it.
Match graphic for the AEW World Title at Dynasty between Jon Moxley & Swerve Strickland is shown as Renee Paquette said it’s official for the PPV before welcoming Hangman Adam Page. Paquette asks what his thoughts are about Strickland getting this match and Page said he’s said he’d never let Strickland hold the AEW World Title again and he’s a man of his word, but after what he’s gone though with MJF, he realizes his focus needs to be on himself. Page officially joins the field for the Owen Hart Cup and become the next AEW World Champion.
As Excalibur runs down the cards for Collision this weekend, a video package for Julia Hart vs. Queen Aminata 3 on Saturday Night Slam is shown, as both are 1-1 in their series.
Mercedes Mone is backstage with Renee Paquette, who asked her thoughts on that kid, Billie Starkz, putting up a great fight tonight. Mone questioned who trained Starkz, but said if it was her, Starkz would’ve had a chance at winning tonight, but cackled saying who’s she kidding, no she wouldn’t. There’s no stopping the Mone Train, as it’s now onto 17-0. Taz said Mone is so likeable.
Timeless Toni Storm, with Luther by her side, joined commentary before the main event to a massive ovation from the crowd, as she skipped her way to the table with Taz singing Skip to My Lou. Excalibur congratulated Storm on her victory in The Hollywood Ending at Revolution, as Storm said she heard Schiavone had a Hollywood Ending, but had to pay $45 for it, which popped Taz.
Megan Bayne (w/Penelope Ford) defeated Kris Statlander
(I will not disagree with anyone who still questions why The Hollywood Ending didn’t get top billing over the AEW World Title match at Revolution, but this one did tonight. That said, this was an impressive main event and Bayne’s best showing in AEW thus far, despite literally never cutting a promo (nor has Ford for her for that matter I don’t think). Storm did a fantastic job in the post-match really amping the crowd up to see this title match at Dynasty. This accomplished exactly what it was meant to do in making continuing to make Bayne look like a monster that Storm must try and slay.)
Bayne sent Statlander to the floor in the early going, but Statlander battled back with a moonsault off the apron and shotgun dropkick back inside. Storm said Statlander has done this impossible, earn her respect. Storm refers to herself as the Stormodo Dragon, as Bayne caught Statlander’s cross body attempt, but Statlander got free with a short dropkick for one. Back elbow out of the corner by Statlander, who followed up with a charging corner knee. She tried again, but ran into a Bayne boot and Exploder. Storm said the thighs on these women are made for crushing watermelons, as Ford ran distraction on the apron successfully, with Statlander being hit with a back suplex from the apron into to the ring heading into break.
Bayne hit a running Liger Bomb when things returned, looked for Fate’s Decent, but Statlander got free and hit an Axe Kick for the double down. Both ladies slugged it out while sitting, as they rose to their feet with Statlander hitting an enzugiri. Referee Aubrey blatantly sees Ford trip Statlander, but just ejects her instead of disqualifying Bayne. Storm said farewell sugar tits, as Statlander avoided a pump kick into a powerbomb and spinning sit-out slam for two. Statlander went for another leaping back elbow, but it led to both ladies trading release German suplexes. Both kept no-selling until a leaping lariat sent Statlander to the floor. Bayne connected on the Tope Suicida, as back inside, she hit a Falcon Arrow for two. Low bridge to the apron by Statlander, who hit a draping DDT and somersault senton to the floor. Bayne reversed a whip and launched Statlander into Storm before laying out Statlander with Fate’s Decent on the outside. Bayne told Storm to watch this, as she laid out Statlander with another Fate’s Decent to win the match.
Post-match, Storm taped up her right hand and came in the ring for a slug-fest with Bayne, as security and officials separated the two to little success. Storm clotheslined Bayne over the top, landing on her feet as Storm grabbed the microphone and said Bayne was a big bitch and she always said the bigger they are the harder they come, so it’s time they get tantric. Bayne keeps looking at her title, but not much to say, so she’ll make it easy for her, they’ll have a date at Dynasty and she’ll make her thighs shake, her body quake and leave with this strap on, as she’s Timeless Toni Storm and she’ll rip her tits off.
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