After successfully retaining the AEW World Championship over Christian Cage this past Sunday at AEW Double or Nothing, Swerve Strickland will be returning to action tonight as he goes one-on-one with another member of The Patriarchy, Killswitch. Killswitch, Nick Wayne, and Mother Wayne tried to help Christian dethrone Strickland, but were ejected from ringside when the referee caught them doing so. While Nick later returned while the referee wasn't looking and landed a Wayne's World on Strickland to try to once again help Christian, Prince Nana chased him away from ringside.
Speaking of Strickland, he will find out who his next Number One Contender for the AEW World Championship is as several talents compete in a AEW World Championship Casino Gauntlet Match. The winner of the match will receive their title shot at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door on June 30 in what will be the first official bout for the pay-per-view event.
Mercedes Mone defeated Willow Nightingale to become the new TBS Champion in Las Vegas in one of the night's three main events as Kris Statlander and Stokely Hathaway watched from ringside. Following the match, Statlander helped Nightingale to the back, but turned her back on her when she blindsided her as a delighted Hathaway watched on. In light of such, Statlander and Hathaway have something on their minds to share.
Chris Jericho defeated HOOK and Katsuyori Shibata in a Three-Way FTW Rules match to continue his reign as FTW Champion on Sunday with some help from Bryan Keith. With Keith now joining Big Bill under the branch of "The Learning Tree" and another successful defense in the books, Jericho will be hosting the inaugural "TV Time".
We are live! Excalibur, Taz, and Tony Schiavone greet audiences at home as Mercedes Mone makes her way down to the ring.
Mercedes Mone Commemorates Becoming The New TBS Champion
Mone tells Los Angeles to say hello to their CEO and their new TBS Champion, then asks the crowd if she was worth the wait. She recalls saying Mone changes everything, and says she did exactly what she said at Double or Nothing. She says not only was five years of AEW celebrated, but so was her in-ring return. She says she's proud to say that herself and Willow Nightingale tore the house down in their TBS Championship match. She then says Nightingale had the one of her life as titleholder, but she's too nice. She says she could've told her that Kris Statlander and Stokely Hathaway would betray her, then says she hopes Nightingale comes back and gives them the beat down they deserve. Mone then says being the CEO and the new face of TBS puts a target on her back, but says she's ready. She says AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door is only four weeks away.
Skye Blue then appears on the big screen and throws it to a video of Mone being attacked in an interview several weeks ago. She takes credit for the attack and says while that was some of her best work, she's just getting started. Mone dares Blue to come to the ring, but unbeknownst to her, Blue appears through the crowd and sends Mone crashing into the mat. She jams her knee into Mone's throat as she holds up the TBS Championship, then mocks her as she retreats up the ramp.
We then head outside and see The Elite pull up to the Kia Forum before we head over to a video showcasing some highlights from Double or Nothing this past Sunday.
Bac at ringside, Swerve Strickland and Prince Nana make their way down to the ring. Killswitch follows.
Swerve Strickland (w/ Prince Nana) vs. Killswitch
The bell rings and Strickland delivers a chop to Killswitch. Killswitch then clotheslines Strickland out of the ring and looks to follow him out there, but Strickland catches him with and delivers a dropkick to him through the ropes as he gets back inside. He follows it up with a neckbreaker and gets Killswitch onto the ramp, then lands a swinging neckbreaker on him. Strickland then delivers a headbutt on Killswitch, but Killswitch lands a chop on Strickland. The pair get back inside the ring, and Killswitch levels Strickland with a boot.
Back from the break, Strickland locks in a Triangle on Killswitch. He follows it up with a jumping codebreaker and a running uppercut in the corner, then fires off several more uppercuts and delivers a kick to Killswitch's thigh. He then delivers an uppercut off the middle rope and lands a vertical suplex on him before going for a pin. Killswitch kicks out and lands a back elbow on Strickland, then lands a headbutt on him when he goes for a move and follows it up with a chokeslam. He goes for a pin, but Strickland kicks out.
Killswitch gets Strickland on the apron and grabs a chair from the timekeeper's area. He looks to use it, but Nana grabs it from him. Killswitch kicks the chair out of Nana's hand, opening the door for Strickland to land three kicks and the Swerve Stomp off the apron. Strickland gets Killswitch back into the ring, then ascends to the top rope. Killswitch sits up, and Strickland hops down before Killswitch can knock him down. Strickland looks to land House Call, but Killswitch sees him coming and lands a chokeslam. He follows it up with a moonsault. Strickland then delivers House Call and the Swerve Stomp, then goes for a pin. Killswitch kicks out, but Strickland lands a second House Call and pins Killswitch for the win.
Winner: Swerve Strickland
After the match, Strickland gets hold of a pair of scissors and cuts off Killswitch's braid.
Back from the break, Tony Schiavone announces that Tony Khan has made a TBS Championship match between Mercedes Mone and Skye Blue official for later tonight.
We then head backstage to Jon Moxley, who sends a message to Rocky Romero ahead of their IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Eliminator Match later tonight.
Back inside the ring, Big Bill is waiting.
Chris Jericho Hosts The Inaugural Edition of TV Time With The Learning Tree Chris Jericho
Bill welcomes fans to the inaugural "TV Time With The Learning Tree Chris Jericho", then introduces Chris Jericho. Jericho then makes his way down to the ring.
Jericho asks who wants more TV time and says he does, then invites Bill to continue introducing him. Bill says if there's one thing Jericho has always taught him, it's that the leaves that grow back in the fall come back brighter and stronger than ever. Jericho then thanks fans for making the new Learning Tree University t-shirt the #1 shirt on AEW's Merchandise Shop, then thanks fans for their support. He then says if adversity is ice cream, then you always put a cherry on top. He says many are reached out, but only a few are chosen. He says that only a few can walk the walk, then introduces Bryan Keith.
Keith's music hits, and he makes his way down to the ring. Jericho invites the crowd to give Keith a round of applause, then asks Keith what made him want to get sucked into the Jericho vortex. Keith says he notices a lack of respect for Jericho in AEW, then says he can't believe more people didn't jump at the chance to be under the branch of "The Learning Tree". He says fans are lucky enough to breathe the air Jericho is breathing, and Jericho says the lesson here is if you want something, you go out there and get it. He says Keith is welcome to grow under "The Learning Tree" as long as he wants to.
HOOK's music hits, and he marches down to the ring. Security tries stopping HOOK, but he clocks them. Samoa Joe's music then hits, and he appears on the ramp. He stares down HOOK and whispers something into his ear, then makes his way to the back with HOOK.
We then head over to a video hyping up Stephanie Vaquer.
Back at ringside, Jon Moxley makes his way down to the ring. Rocky Romero follows.
Jon Moxley (c) vs. Rocky Romero in an IWGP World Heavyweight Championship Eliminator Match
The bell rings and Romero wastes no time. He delivers a tope suicida to Moxley on the outside, then sends his head bouncing off the commentary desk. The pair get back in the ring, and Romero delivers a series of kicks to Moxley's injured arm. Moxley lands a series of Hammer and Anvil Elbows and kicks to Romero's spine, but Romero delivers a double stomp to Moxley's injured arm and sends it crashing into the mat. He lands a dropkick on it, then delivers a dropkick to it off the top rope and sends it bouncing off the mat.
Back from the break, Moxley bites Romero as the pair teeter on the ropes. Moxley then delivers a superplex to Romero before he rains down right hands on him in the corner. Romero and Moxley then exchange kicks and forearms, and Romero looks to lock in an arm submission on Moxley. Moxley blocks it and fires off knees on Romero's midsection, then locks him in a chokehold. Moxley lands a boot on Romero and ascends to the middle rope, but Romero pulls him down and wears down his injured arm with an arm submission. Moxley escapes and lands a clothesline on Romero, then follows it up with Death Rider for the win.
Winner: Jon Moxley
We then head backstage and see Renee Paquette catching up with Samoa Joe and HOOK. Joe sends a cryptic message to Chris Jericho, Big Bill, and Bryan Keith.
Back from the break, Don Callis makes his way down to the ring with a contract in hand.i
The Don Callis Family Gains A New Member
Callis says he has something important to tell fans. He says the contract in his hands to work for The Don Callis Family is more valuable than gold and diamonds, then says it's been one of the greatest pleasures in his life to scout a talent like Orange Cassidy. He says when he sees Cassidy, he sees himself.
Cassidy's music hits and he makes his way down to the ring. Callis says this is a moment the world has been waiting for. He puts his hand in his pocket, then says Cassidy is an iconic performer in the wrestling industry. He says Cassidy is a star wherever he goes and while he's been confused with a few bad choices, it's his pleasure to welcome him into The Don Callis Family with the contract he has. Callis says he already filled out the contract.
Cassidy takes the contract from Callis and slowly rips it up. He drops it at Callis's feet, and Callis collects the pieces of the contract. He tells him no to joining The Don Callis Family and looks to leave. Callis grabs Cassidy and tells him no one says no to him.
Stokely Hathaway and Kris Statlander then make their way down to the ring, and Hathaway tells Cassidy there's nothing about him he likes. He says Cassidy is just like Willow Nightingale, and says the only reason he's out there is because of Statlander. Statlander then announces that her Best Friend accepts Callis' offer into The Don Callis Family.
Trent Beretta then appears in the ring and blindsides Cassidy. He rains down right hands on Cassidy, then hugs Callis and signs the contract Callis has. He hugs him once again. Callis fires off stomps on Cassidy and leaves the ring, and Beretta stomps on Cassidy.
We then head backstage to Renee Paquette, "Daddy Magic" Matt Menard, and Daniel Garcia. Garcia warns Will Ospready that he's coming for the International Championship.
Back at ringside, Mercedes Mone makes her way down to the ring. Skye Blue follows.
Mercedes Mone (c) vs. Skye Blue for the TBS Championship
The bell rings and Mone sends Blue crashing into three of the corners. She fires off right hands on her, but Blue whips her into the corner. Mone delivers an arm drag to Blue, then delivers a kick to her. Mone delivers a hurricanrana to Blue that sends her crashing out of the ring, then lands a boot on her face to level her and delivers a meteora off the apron. The pair get back inside the ring, but Blue dumps Mone onto the apron. She then delivers a hanging DDT to her and goes for a pin. Mone kicks out.
Back from the break, Mone delivers a Stunner to Blue. Blue charges at Mone, but Mone catches her with a back elbow. She sends her crashing into the middle turnbuckle face first, then delivers a pair of running double knees and a backstabber. Mone ascends to the middle rope, but Blue stops her and lands a thrust kick on her face. She looks to land a powerbomb on her, but Mone counters into a hurricanrana. Blue then delivers Skye Fall and goes for a pin, but Mone kicks out. Blue gets Mone on her shoulders, but Mone escapes and lands a knee on her. Blue responds with a thrust kick and looks to land Code Blue, but Mone avoids the maneuver and connects with Mone Maker on Blue for the win.
Winner (and still): Mercedes Mone
Stephanie Vaquer's music hits, and she makes her way down to the ring. She holds up the NJPW Strong Women's Championship and stares down Mone as Mone holds up the TBS Championship.
We then head backstage to Renee Paquette outside the trainers room. Kris Statlander and Stokely Hathaway interrupt, and address Willow Nightingale Hathaway takes several shots at Nightingale and says that she was a terrible friend to Statlander for getting in the way of Statlander reclaiming the TBS Championship. Statlander then grabs the microphone and says she's tired of being the bodyguard for everyone else. She puts the women's division on notice and says they'll all need protection from her.
Back from the break, we head over to a video showing MJF surprising Adam Cole at Double or Nothing in his return to AEW. We then head over to a second video hyping up MJF.
Back at ringside, The Elite make their way down to the ring.
We Hear From The Elite
Fans boo The Elite, and Kazuchika Okada tells them to quiet down. Jack Perry then says The Elite runs AEW, and says Kenny Omega and Tony Khan put together their dream team for Anarchy In The Arena. He says while AEW pulled out all the stops, The Elite still came out on top because he pinned Bryan Danielson. Nicholas Jackson then says it's been a fantastic week for The Elite, then promotes The Young Bucks' Reebok shoes. He then says they got a gift for Okada and points to the big screen, where someone driving a sports car pulls in.
Okada asks if this is a dream, then begins to cry and thanks the rest of The Elite. Matthew Jackson then grabs a mic and addresses the TNT Championship. He apologizes to Adam Copeland for telling him to break a leg before his Barbed Wire Steel Cage match on Sunday, and wishes him the best in his recovery from injury. He then strips Copeland of the TNT Championship, and awards the TNT Championship to Jack Perry.
Christopher Daniels interrupts them, and says while The Elite tried firing him, he's the Interim Executive Vice President. He says any announcements from him come directly from Tony Khan, then says the TNT Championship won't be given away. He tells Perry if he wants to become the TNT Champion, he has to earn it. He says a series of qualifier matches will take place with all managers and associates banned from ringside. He says the winners of all those matches will compete in a Ladder Match with the TNT Championship on the line at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door.
The Elite looks to attack Daniels, but The Acclaimed's music hits and they appear at ringside along with Billy Gunn to even the odds.
Back from the break, Jay White makes his way down to the ring. PAC follows.
AEW World Championship Casino Gauntlet Match
The bell rings and PAC lands a boot on White. He fires off stomps in the corner, then jams his boot into him and sends him bouncing face first off adjacent corners. PAC dumps White out of the ring, then sends White crashing into the barricades twice. PAC then repeatedly sends White's head bouncing off the ring apron, then gets him back in the ring. PAC lands a hurricanrana on White, then flies over the top rope to level him on the outside. PAC gets White back inside the ring, then ascends to the top and delivers a missile dropkick. White sends PAC's face bouncing off the top rope.
Mistico is the next entrant in the match, and he lands a kick on White's head. He delivers a hurricanrana to White that sends him crashing out of the ring, then lands a kick on PAC and follows it up with an arm drag out of the corner. He lands a kick on him, then delivers a dropkick to White. White and PAC both land on the outside, and the two begin to brawl. Mistico then ascends to the top and flies to level them both.
Back from the break, Will Ospreay is next in the match, and he lands a forearm on Mistico off the top rope. White sneaks up on him, but Ospreay levels him and lands a chop on him. He then delivers a kick, but PAC rolls Ospreay up. Ospreay kicks out and Mistico flies to level Ospreay and PAC. He then sends Ospreay crashing into the mat.
The next entrant in the match is Shota Umino, and he delivers an uppercut on Ospreay in the corner. The two then go back and forth before Umino lands a dropkick on Ospreay and lands a DDT on Ospreay through the middle rope. He plants him again and goes for a pin, but White breaks the fall. White lands a series of chops on Umino.
Claudio Castagnoli is next in the match, and he lands an uppercut on PAC on the outside. He chases White around the ring, and lands a pop-up uppercut on Umino. Castagnoli lands a spinebuster on White, then executes The Swing on him.
Back from another break, Lio Rush is next in the match and he stares down Castagnoli in the ring. Rush lands an enzuigiri on Umino, and the pair try to level one another. Castagnoli lands a double clothesline on Rush and Umino.
The next entrant in the match is Orange Cassidy, and Castagnoli gets Cassidy up for a vertical suplex. Cassidy escapes with a series of knees to Castagnoli's head, then delivers Stun-Dog Millionaire and a Tornado DDT. Ospreay and Cassidy then stare one another down, but White blindsides Cassidy. White then goes after Ospreay and Cassidy.
Hechicero is next in the match, and he delivers a step-up knee to White in the corner. He levels Castagnoli, then goes after Ospreay. Ospreay flies to level Hechicero, but Mistico takes him down with a hurricanrana. Umino lands a dropkick on Cassidy on the outside as Mistico levels Castagnoli with a hurricanrana in the ring. He lands a second one off the top rope on the outside, then delivers a knee to CAssidy. Cassidy responds with Orange Punch, and PAC looks to roll Cassidy up. Cassidy blocks him and sits into a pin. PAC kicks out. White goes after PAC before PAC ascends to the top. Juice Robinson trips him, and White sets up for Blade Runner on Cassidy. Ospreay gets in the ring and lands the Hidden Blade. He follows it up with a Os-Cutter on Cassidy for the win.
Winner: Will Ospreay
After the match, Swerve Strickland's music hits and he makes his way down to the ring along with Prince Nana. Strickland and Ospreay then stare one another down as the show goes off the air.
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