Source: All Elite Wrestling
Jim Ross, Tony Schiavone, and Excalibur were the broadcast team for tonight’s event.
The AEW World Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks—Matt & Nick Jackson vs. The Hybrid 2—Angelico & Jack Evans!
TH2 attacked The Bucks before the bell rang! The Bucks rallied back quickly and dropkicked TH2 to the outside. The Bucks speared TH2 on the arena floor!
“The Bucks came to fight, they came to fly, and more importantly, they came to win,” said Jim Ross.
The Bucks connected with a double dropkick on Jack Evans, but Angelico tagged in. Nick countered Angelico with an arm drag off the middle rope. Matt tagged in and dropped a leg across Angelico’s spine!
TH2 began to double team Matt Jackson at this point. Jack Evans nearly put away Matt with an assisted 450 splash! They tried a second time but Nick hit a superkick to counter. Nick tagged in and hit a knee strike on Jack Evans and then a diving bulldog clothesline combination on TH2! Nick jumped off the ropes and spiked Angelico head-first! On the outside of the ring, Matt Jackson powerbombed Jack Evans over the guardrail, sending him crashing onto The Acclaimed, who were watching ringside.
The Bucks hit their Risky Business on Angelico, but Angelico kicked out, showing his resilience. Jack Evans jumped in with a 450 splash onto Matt Jackson but Matt kicked out! Angelico attempted a BT Bomber in the corner but Nick Jackson saved his brother by kicking Angelico! The Bucks used a Doomsday Device on Evans on the ramp! They isolated Angelico in the ring and blasted him with stereo superkicks! Angelico kicked out again!
The Bucks tried More Bang for Your Buck but Angelico moved. Jack Evans spiked Matt with a hurracanrana. Angelico wrenched Matt’s knee in a death roll while Jack Evans stood by, making sure Nick couldn’t make the save. But Nick was able to connect with a swanton onto Angelico, getting Matt out of Angelico’s submission. Evans flipped over the top but the Bucks caught him. The Bucks spiked Evans on the outside! They finished off Angelico with stereo superkicks and the BTE Trigger!
“Man, this is a war here,” said Jim Ross.
“That was an incredible opening contest, but how much damage was done to Matt’s knee,” wondered Excalibur.
The Acclaimed jumped the guardrail and tried to make their move on The Bucks, but SCU—Frankie Kazarian and Christopher Daniels ran out to block them and prevent them from attacking The Bucks!
Up next, “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes!
Cody entered the ring with Arn Anderson. TNT Champ Darby Allin (who earlier in the night, during a vignette, challenged “The Machine” Brian Cage), was seen watching in the stands.
Tony Schiavone was in the ring to interview Cody Rhodes. Tony wanted Cody’s reaction to Sting’s appearance last week, when suddenly, Sting’s music hit!
It began to snow in Jacksonville as Sting walked out and made his presence known!
“Why is he here?” asked Jim Ross.
Arn Anderson held a microphone and approached Sting.
“Sorry, I just had to get a little closer to make sure this was real,” said Arn.
Sting asked Tony Schiavone for a hug, and thanked him for helping him out during his career. Schiavone and Anderson excused themselves, but first, Sting asked Tony to say, “It’s Sting!” one more time. Tony obliged and the fans chanted “This is awesome!”
Cody welcomed Sting back and said, “I’ve been waiting to share a ring with you for a very long time.”
“Cody, I’m not here for you, at least not right now. There’s something really familiar about this place,” said Sting, as he gestured to Darby Allin up in the stands.
“I’m in the jungle, I’m on TNT, and I’ve come full circle,” said Sting.
“Like I said, sir, welcome back,” said Cody.
“Cody, I know you know every single thing that goes on in this place, but the only thing that’s for sure about Sting is…nothing is for sure. Except this: I am signed with AEW and I plan on being close to the AEW fans and in this promotion for a long time. I plan on spending a lot of time right here. But the way I chose to play it is my business. See you around, kid,” said Sting, as he left Cody Rhodes standing alone in the ring.
FTR—Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood (with Tully Blanchard) vs. Varsity Blondes—Brian Pillman, Jr. & Griff Garrison!
Pillman and Cash locked up and Cash grappled Pillman down to the mat. Dax tagged in and chopped at Pillman’s chest. He snap suplexed Pillman, keeping him isolated from Griff Garrison. Pillman fought back with a thrust kick to Dax and then a dropkick to Cash! He tagged in Griff and he and Pillman used effective tandem offense on Cash Wheeler, including a quick leg drop. Dax tagged in and FTR hoisted Pillman up and then dropped him sternum-first across the ring ropes.
Pillman took down Cash with a diving shoulder block and then tagged in Griff, who cleaned house on FTR with a splash and then a double spear on Dax for a near fall!
“That’s what you call a prodigy,” said Jim Ross.
Pillman tagged, attempted a springboard, but Dax dodged it and countered with a brain buster! Cash tagged in, FTR used the Goodnight Express on Pillman, and that spelled the end of the night for the Varsity Blondes!
FTR pushed Jurassic Express at ringside before they returned to the back.
Alex Marvez interviewed “Hangman” Adam Page.
John Silver and Alex Reynolds appeared and asked to be tag partners for one match with Page, next week against Private Party and Matt Hardy. “Hangman” agreed but said, “It’s one and done.”
This was followed by “The Natural” Dustin Rhodes (with Lee Johnson of The Nightmare Family) vs. Dark Order’s 10!
Dustin connected with rights and lefts to 10’s body, and then a big right hand to 10’s head! The action spilled outside and 10 planted Dustin. He pulled him back in the ring and exploded with a spinebuster on Dustin! 10 pump kicked Dustin, knocking him back to the arena floor!
Dustin responded with a series of clotheslines back in the ring. Dustin started to bite on 10’s mask and then followed up with a running bulldog for the pin!
Evil Uno stormed out with Dark Order: “Dustin, I can’t change the past, but I can change the future. Your name comes with pressure. Here alone you are the third most important Rhodes. We can help you. Will you take your rightful place as 7 of the Dark Order? What do you say…7?”
Dustin hesitated, lifted his hand, and then slapped Evil Uno to the ground. Evil Uno ordered the Dark Order to back up. “When you see the light. When you understand what I understand, you’ll come begging for it,” said Evil Uno.
Shaq was on hand to address AEW!
A video played from earlier in the day. Tony was sitting with Shaq and Chief Brand Officer Brandi Rhodes.
“The other day I was watching the lovely Jade and her interaction with Cody. I love her and care about her and want her to do big things, but I didn’t appreciate what she did to your arm, Brandi.”
“I didn’t deserve that. She came into my house,” replied Brandi.
“No disrespect to Cody, I was just messing with him on Twitter. But Brandi and Jade, I’ll be there to see that. And Brandi, while your arm is in a sling, I think you should watch Jade. Maybe you’ll get some pointers,” said Shaq.
“I’m sick of this. You are an overgrown A-hole!” said Brandi, as she threw Tony Schiavone’s drink in Shaq’s face!
It was time for the Inner Circle Ultimatum!
Jericho entered the ring with the members of the Inner Circle. Every member had their own microphone.
“This could be the last time you ever see us together in an AEW ring, and the reason is because last week I said we have seven weeks to continue to build the Inner Circle into the most powerful faction in pro wrestling, or we disband. Because the stuff that’s been happening, with everyone pushing and shoving like little punks, isn’t acceptable,” said Jericho.
MJF spoke first: “I love each and every one of you like brothers. I feel like maybe I might be the issue here and I think I know why: people think I want to break up this group, or that I want to take over this group. But I want to make something clear: I chose to join this group because I wanted to be a part of the greatest faction in professional wrestling and create bonds that’ll never be broken. A band of brothers. And Sammy—”
Sammy told MJF to shut up when MJF accused Sammy of betraying them.
Ortiz said MJF and Wardlow are assets to the group, but as human beings, it’s debatable. Ortiz told Sammy to shake MJF’s hand. MJF offered his hand. “Sammy, be the better man. You’re better than him and you know it. Shake his hand,” concluded Ortiz.
“Alright, I’ll shake his hand, but if one more thing, and I mean one more thing, I’m telling you MJF, and I’m telling you (Jericho), I’m quitting the Inner Circle. I’m serious.”
Sammy and MJF shook hands.
“I would think at this point in time we’re on the same page, correct?” asked Jericho.
“Why does this guy keep staring at me?” asked Jake Hager of Wardlow.
“What! You’ve been staring at me since I started in this company,” replied Wardlow.
Hager and Wardlow agreed to stop staring at one another.
Jericho was happy that they were finally on the same page, and Jericho said it was time to look toward the future.
“The MurderHawk Monster” Lance Archer (with Jake “The Snake” Roberts) & The Lucha Bros (Rey Fenix & Penta El Zero Miedo) vs. Eddie Kingston & The Butcher & The Blade (with The Bunny)!
Archer charged the ring and jumped over the top at Eddie Kingston! Penta El Zero Miedo chopped away at The Butcher outside the ring. The Butcher had enough and suplexed Penta El Zero Miedo onto a ringside table!
Back in the ring, once the bell rang, Archer continued to work over Kingston. Penta El Zero Miedo was helped to the back by AEW officials and medical staff.
The Butcher connected with a cross body block onto Rey Fenix. Kingston took over and body slammed Rey Fenix, and then dropped an elbow on him for good measure. Blade tagged in and dropped a knee across Rey Fenix’s throat. While the referee had her back turned, The Bunny took a cheap shop on Rey Fenix from the ring apron! Rey Fenix fought back with a cutter on Kingston!
“That’s not easy to execute. Rey Fenix is so extraordinary,” said Jim Ross.
Rey Fenix got a burst of speed and tagged in Archer. The Bucher and Archer slugged it out with one another. Archer used running elbows onto The Butcher and The Blade who were in opposite corners of the ring! Archer suplexed The Blade after Jake Roberts grabbed Blade’s ankle from the outside. Rey Fenix tagged in and connected with a springboard on Blade. He hit a roundhouse kick on Butcher and then a tope con hiro through the ropes to Eddie Kingston! Back in the ring, Butcher and Blade hit the powerbomb neck breaker combo and Blade pinned Rey Fenix!
“Guys, Lance Archer and Rey Fenix were basically outnumbered here,” said Tony Schiavone.
Lance Archer ran into the ring and threw Blade with one hand. He attempted a Black Out on Blade but Butcher grabbed Blade and pulled him down. Kingston, Butcher and Blade taunted Archer from ringside, safely out of his reach.
Backstage, Brandi Rhodes had been attacked by Jade Cargill and Nyla Rose until Big Swole and Serena Deeb made the save.
Up next: Abadon vs. Tesha Price!
Abadon smacked Tesha with a big clothesline! Tesha fired back with a big right hand, but Abadon bludgeoned her in the corner and then dropped her with a powerful leg trip! Abadon planted Tesha Price and then pinned her. She continued to assault Tesha after the match. Hikaru Shida’s music played, and Shida walked to the ring and blasted Abadon with her kendo stick! Abadon sat up, but Shida helped Tesha to the back, as they both looked on in disbelief!
New AEW World Champion Kenny Omega with Don Callis arrived via helicopter!
Alex Marvez tried to get a word with them, but they ignored him and said to watch like the rest of the world.
Tony Schiavone was in the ring waiting to interview Omega.
“What about the gentlemen’s agreement, champ?” asked Tony Schiavone.
Don Callis grabbed the microphone: “Oh, Tony Schiavone you’re upset? The rest of the world is upset. Tony Khan is upset. You got your first lesson. Welcome to the wrestling business, kid. I heard hell froze over last night because you were on Impact Wrestling with that belt, Kenny. I’ve known this man for years and I watched him as he became the best in the world, like an invisible hand, watching. You might say Kenny and Don created AEW because of Kenny’s match against Jericho in Japan three years ago.”
Kenny Omega: “You didn’t see me crawling on my knees asking Tony Khan to get my friends a job. No, we waited, we plotted and planned. Everything pales in comparison to the championship belt I’m holding right now. What we pulled off last week, aside from it from being a seven star match, it was a performance, it was fine art. And everyone watching fell for it, hook line and sinker. And I don’t care if anyone fell for it, but we needed Jon Moxley to buy into it. You’re the real deal, but you don’t got it up here (pointing to his head). You thought last week was a big surprise. You thought Tuesday was a big surprise. We’re just getting started.”
Don Callis: “They can’t handle it, Kenny. Some people make matches. And some people make money.”
Kenny said goodnight and he and Don Callis left the ring.
Main event time!
Dynamite Diamond Final! For the Dynamite Diamond Ring!
MJF (with Wardlow) vs. “Freshly Squeezed” Orange Cassidy (with Chuck Taylor and Trent—Best Friends)!
Earlier in the night, Chris Jericho said the Inner Circle would be sitting ringside to observer MJF, just in case he needed a hand.
MJF won the ring last year, so he has a chance to win it again tonight.
MJF tried to get an early advantage and charged Orange as Orange was taking his jacket off in the corner. MJF suplexed Orange and covered him immediately for a one-count. MJF hit another vertical suplex. MJF tried again, but Orange countered with StunDog Millionaire!
Orange attempted the Orange Punch but MJF moved and Orange hit the steel ring post! MJF powerbombed Orange on the ring apron! MJF attempted to break Orange’s fingers to neutralize the Orange Punch.
Orange tripped MJF, but MJF followed up by pancaking Orange Cassidy for a near fall.
“Look at the face of MJF. Devious. Evil. That tells you all you need to know,” said Tony Schiavone.
MJF distracted the referee while the Inner Circle mugged Orange Cassidy on the outside. Sammy rammed Orange’s head into the ring post! The Varsity Blondes, Brandon Cutler, and Top Flight came out to even up the odds with Best Friends. They cheered Orange on from ringside.
Cassidy connected with a tope suicida and then a diving crossbody onto MJF. He followed up with a massive DDT! And then a second diving DDT for a near fall on MJF! Cassidy rolled up MJF for a near fall. Cassidy went for the Orange Punch but MJF got out of the way and countered with a shoulder breaker and then a Tiger Driver on Cassidy for a near fall!
MJF looked for the heat seeker but Orange Cassidy dumped him over the top! Orange Cassidy followed up with a huge springboard senton to the outside! Cassidy returned to the ring but MJF caught him with the heat seeker! Orange kicked out before three!
MJF brought Jericho’s bat into the ring, but Orange Cassidy outsmarted him. Orange connected with the Beach Break and MJF kicked out. MJF applied the Salt of the Earth arm bar but Cassidy rolled out. Cassidy nailed MJF with the Orange Punch but MJF kicked out! Orange used a second Orange Punch but Wardlow placed MJF’s foot on the bottom rope so the ref had to break the pin. Miro ran into the ring, and decked Orange Cassidy while the referee had his back turned. MJF draped his arm over Orange Cassidy and scored the victory!
Best Friends sprinted toward Miro and Kip Sabian and they began to brawl until security broke them up. Miro tore through security, even throwing one security guard off the ramp onto the concrete floor!
“I beat him clean smackdab in the middle of the ring,” said MJF as he held his Dynamite Diamond Ring!
