It’s Wednesday, you know what that means. We are officially on the go-home show for WrestleDream, which takes place this Sunday. There will be four-way action as Penta El Zero Miedo faces off against Matt Jackson, Orange Cassidy, and Austin Gunn. Julia Hart will go against Willow Nightingale, ahead of her TBS title match this Sunday. Minutes before the show it was also announced that Rey Fenix will defend his newly won International title against Jeff Jarrett. Nick Jackson, Brian Cage and Claudio Castagnoli will also be in three-way action for a chance at the International title next week.
AEW International Championship: Rey Fenix defeats Jeff Jarrett
Jarrett coming in as the challenger was an interesting choice, considering the deep roster AEW has. Early on Fenix tweaked his knee which gave Jarrett a few opportunities to steal the victory. Fenix barely escaped with the win at the end despite shenanigans on the outside.
Adam Cole & MJF Segment
Cole & MJF were seen hanging out on a boat in Long Island. The two partners had some back and forth about last week. MJF was a little jealous by Cole’s friendship with Roderick Strong. MJF even teased hitting Cole with the Dynamite Diamond Ring. Cole told MJF that it’s healthy to have multiple friends, a concept MJF is still new to. There was also a Paul Wight sighting, as the duo looked like they caught a big fish, but it was just Wight in a floaty.
Don Callis & Konosuke Takeshita In-Ring Interview
Callis, interviewed by Renee Paquette, introduced the newest member of the Don Callis family, Sammy Guevara. Callis then showed footage of him and Takeshita storming into Ibushi’s dojo in Japan. Takeshita took out Ibushi with a kettlebell and had him knocked out in his own ring. Guevara then spoke about Chris Jericho constantly holding him back. Guevara is not a great promo but what he said made sense and was to the point, however he does heavily rely on yelling in his promos.
Ricky Starks & Wheeler Yuta Pre-Taped Segment
Starks spoke about surviving Bryan Danielson and never being pinned or submitted by him. Wheeler Yuta confronted Starks and called him entitled. Yuta told Starks that he can’t withstand what Yuta withstands with the BCC. The challenge was made for WrestleDream for the two wrestlers, the match graphic confirmed it a few moments later.
Nick Jackson defeats Brian Cage & Claudio Castagnoli
Early on, Castagnoli and Cage went tit-for-tat, strike for strike, which made for some good exchanges. Jackson was the x-factor in this match as he provided something different compared to the other two wrestlers. The match was great, Jackson hit a picture-perfect 450 splash and Cage deadlifted Castagnoli into a big suplex. Castagnoli hit a Ricola Bomb on Cage, Jackson came in with a springboard to take Castagnoli out and steal the victory by pinning Cage in the middle of the ring. Jackson will now face Fenix next week in what is sure to be an unreal bout.
The Righteous Segment
The Righteous spoke about their upcoming match with Adam Cole & MJF for the ROH tag titles at WrestleDream. The Righteous have been getting a big push recently but their cult-like characters have been overdone in the pro wrestling landscape over the past decade, they will need to separate themselves in a big way in order to make a mark.
MJF & Adam Cole In-Ring Promo & MJF & Jay White Back & Forth:
Due to his ankle injury, Adam Cole will have to go under the knife. Cole announced that they will relinquish the tag titles, however MJF said that this wasn’t an option. MJF is going to step up in a handicap match and defend the titles against The Righteous. Soon after, Roderick Strong interrupted and was wheeled out by The Kingdom. Strong was in his hospital gown and told Cole that he needed him and that it was an emergency. Cole left with Strong and The Kingdom, and Bullet Club Gold’s music hit. Jay White sent his stablemates to the back and went to confront MJF. White and MJF went to war on the mic. Both are two of the best talkers in the world and if this is the World Title feud going forward, then we are in for a treat.
Christian Cage & Darby Allin Sit-Down Interview
Jim Ross sat down with Cage and Allin ahead of their TNT title match at WrestleDream on Sunday. Cage and Allin had a passionate back and forth. Christian went after Allin’s dead uncle, predictably. Allin vowed to win the TNT title in his hometown, something he has already done before. This has been a great feud over the past few months, and with these two great workers going at it in a two-out-of-three falls match, we’re set for a barn burner.
Orange Cassidy defeats Penta El Zero Miedo, Austin Gunn & Matt Jackson
The match had some decent spots but wasn’t anything to write home about. The tag match between these four and their partners will certainly be more memorable on Sunday. Orange Cassidy hit the orange punch on Matt Jackson to pick up the victory.
Julia Hart defeats Willow Nightingale
Nightingale is one of the best women’s wrestlers in the company, and it’s unfortunate that she had to lose here. The match was fine, with Julia Hart picking up the victory after a top rope moonsault. Hart is going into a title match on Sunday which makes the choice of her winning more understandable. However, Nightingale should be getting pushed to the moon after this current PPV cycle ends.
Swerve Strickland & Hangman Adam Page Contract Signing
Swerve has pushed Page into another gear. This program has been brilliant, and it plays on an age-old wrestling trope. One guy wants another guys spot, however, these two are prolific on the mic which adds to the storyline. The back and forth between the two ended up in security coming to break the two up. Tensions are high, the match on Sunday will certainly be hard hitting.
Jay White Attack Backstage
Camera cut to backstage where a mob of men covered in black were attacking Jay White. One of the men had the infamous devil mask that MJF wore in the past. The segment was short but it was the last thing audience members saw as the show faded to black. Is MJF behind the attack, or is just a red herring? The story will be one to follow.
