AEW Dynamite & Collision live results: WrestleDream go-home show
The Road to WrestleDream reaches its final stop with tonight’s three-hour AEW Dynamite and Collision programming block on TBS and HBO Max.
In a six-man tag, Kenny Omega teams with Jurassic Express against Hechicero, Mark Davis, and Josh Alexander of The Don Callis Family.
The AEW Trios Championship will be on the line as The Opps (Samoa Joe, Katsuyori Shibata, Powerhouse Hobbs) defend against La Faccion Ingobernable (Rush, Dralistico, The Beast Mortos).
Before their Women’s World title match at WrestleDream, champ Kris Statlander and challenger Toni Storm will have a “Famous Last Words” segment on tonight’s show.
Jon Moxley and Darby Allin will square off in an I Quit match at WrestleDream, and the two will have one final face-to-face segment on tonight’s episode.
Orange Cassidy and Kyle O’Reilly will team up against Wheeler Yuta and Daniel Garcia of The Death Riders.
Claudio Castagnoli and Roderick Strong will go one-on-one in singles competition.
Skye Blue vs. Jamie Hayter, plus Harley Cameron vs. Megan Bayne are two women’s division singles matches set for tonight.
In tag team action, The Hurt Syndicate’s Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin will take on Bishop Kaun and Toa Liona of Gates of Agony.
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The special 3-hour edition of AEW Dynamite & Collision comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Tony Schiavone & Bryan Danielson before running down tonight’s card.
Kris Statlander & Timeless Toni Storm’s Famous Last Words
Renee Paquette is backstage with AEW Women’s Champion Kris Statlander & Timeless Toni Storm for their Famous Last Words. Statlander & Storm start trying to one-up each other by taking off items of clothes, which frustrates Paquette so much she takes her jacket off and slams it to the ground.
Storm said when she lost the title, she thought she’d feel free, but ultimately felt nothing, her canvas went blank. Storm is the AEW Women’s Title, doing with that title what no other woman has been able to do. If Statlander is her murderer, so be it, Storm doesn’t know who she is without the title, but questions who Statlander is altogether.
Statlander told Storm she’s never able to figure out Statlander, as she is always evolving. She’s already different than who Storm saw at All Out, as they’re living in this world that Statlander is the champion of. A person who will live longer than her doubters and deserving of this prestige, she’ll give Storm the send-off she has dreamed of. Storm said pro wrestling is the lie that reveals the truth and at WrestleDream, they’ll find out the truth. Statlander said the truth is what Storm will have to accept. Both ladies stood up, Paquette tried to intervene, but both ladies asked if this interview is over, Paquette said yes, so Storm said for Statlander to meet her in the ring.
Both ladies power walked to the ring right behind one another and started slugging it out, as Storm hit a Thesz Press, but Statlander responded with an Angle Slam. Storm threw Statlander the AEW Women’s Title and gave her a free shot, but Statlander didn’t take it, allowing Storm to fire off a headbutt and release German Suplex. Statlander then tried handing the title to Storm for a free shot, but Storm also couldn’t pull the trigger, instead placing the title on Statlander’s shoulder and giving her a kiss on the forehead before walking away. This was the most civil and respectful brawl you’ll ever see in professional wrestling.
-Jurassic Express are backstage with Jack Perry carving something out of wood with his knife, saying he doesn’t hate The Young Bucks, he loves them, always grateful for what they did for him. But when he needed them the most, they didn’t pick up the phone or have his back, so he had to look into his past that would. Luchasaurus walks in and growls.
The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin w/MVP) vs. G.O.A. (Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona w/Ricochet)
(Another chapter in this story, as the most notable piece of news is that Lashley & Benjamin suffered their first loss as a tag team in AEW. Feels like this could’ve been made a bigger deal with how long they’ve been in AEW, but it was just a quick note before their next match at the PPV. The match itself was solid, as Benjamin & Kaun and especially Lashley & Liona have good chemistry with each other.)
Benjamin & Kaun slugged it out at the bell, with Benjamin no selling early, floating over Kaun and trying a bulldog choke, but settling for a big boot. Lashley tagged in with a stalling vertical suplex before driving shoulders into the midsection. Kaun managed to make the tag, but Liona was instantly clotheslined over the top by Lashley. Ricochet took the ref, allowing Kaun to get a low blow using the ropes, as Liona hit a Samoan Drop off the apron with things going to commercial.
Lashley was worked over during the entire break, but finally was able to hit an overhead belly to belly on Liona to cause a reset. Benjamin made the hot tag and ran wild with corner splashes and wheel kicks on Kaun, as Ricochet saved Kaun from a pump knee, only eating one himself for his troubles. Kaun was taken to Suplex City until Liona tried to make the save, but Benjamin responded with a Pendulum DDT, which Liona no sold. The match broke down, as Lashley & Liona both got heads of steam and collided like two trains right at the commentary table. Benjamin hit a belly to belly throw off the top on Kaun, as somehow referee Bryce had MVP’s cane and went to give it back to him, allowing Ricochet to hit Benjamin with The Spirit Gun. MVP cracked Ricochet with the cane ringside, but Kaun crawled over and got the pin on Benjamin to win the match. Commentary talked about how this was The Hurt Syndicate’s first pinfall loss as a tag team in AEW (I guess MVP took the pin in the Trios match at All Out).
Match Result: G.O.A. defeated The Hurt Syndicate when Kaun pinned Benjamin
Jon Moxley & Darby Allin’s Final Face-to-Face
Footage of Darby Allin attacking Jon Moxley at New York Comic Con was shown before cutting to Allin earlier today at an undisclosed location. It was almost like a jail cell, as Jon Moxley walked in on the other side of the glass, (this gave off Batman & Joker vibes) saying to make sure the implications of an I Quit Match. In Toronto, there was zero chance Allin would ever put Moxley into a Coffin, the game was rigged. This I Quit is rigged in both directions, as Moxley knows neither of them will quit, so questions what Allin wants to do, he’s out of ideas. If Allin wants to be on the right side of history, it’s never too late. Allin said he wishes he could, but he can’t, he understands the cause, not a day goes by he doesn’t think about joining the Death Riders, but he doesn’t respect Moxley after what he did to Bryan Danielson. Why would he go to war with someone who would stab his brother in the back? Moxley said he did the best he could for Danielson, as this is a war for the future of the sport, their craft, sacrifices needed to be made, which was tough for Moxley. Allin doesn’t know what sacrifice is.
Allin said when he was at the summit of Mt. Everest, raising the AEW flag, he looked down and saw Moxley chipping away at what makes AEW so special. Allin will hang that flag in his house so he’s reminded every day at what AEW gives him, but before then, he’ll wrap that flag around Moxley’s throat. The entire operation will come crumbling down. Moxley said it might not mean much to Allin, but he’s never lied to him. Regardless of what Allin tries to do to harm himself, he’s just fighting ghosts, chasing highs, trying to prove to the world he’s indestructible, which is a selfish game. Biggest difference between the two is this isn’t about Moxley. PAC then appears behind Allin and slams him repeatedly into the wall and against the glass, bloodied. Allin slowly collapses into a bloody heap with PAC standing over him as Moxley leaves his side of the room. I loved the way this was shot, an amazing go home segment for the I Quit Match this Saturday, as Moxley, Marina Shafir & PAC were then shown walking into the arena.
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Claudio Castagnoli vs. Roderick Strong
(Win number 100 for Castagnoli in AEW, as these two former PWG Champions beat the living hell out of one another. A hard-hitting battle that I wish went longer.)
Before the match got going, Excalibur wished Taz get well wishes as he had shoulder surgery today. Strong & Castagnoli exchanged chops and forearms immediately, before Castagnoli kept Strong grounded. Trying to break free and create some distance, Strong went to the apron, where he fought off a suplex attempt, cracked Castagnoli in the head with an enzugiri before dropping the bottom out with a backbreaker on the apron. Strong tried a baseball slide, but Casatagnoli caught him in mid-air with a Giant Swing into the barricade.
Strong finally fought back when things returned from commercial with a dropkick to create a reset. Trying to ramp up locomotion forearms, Castagnoli put a halt to that momentum, turning Strong inside out with a lariat before sinking in a Crossface, but Strong got a rope break. Big time slam from Castagnoli, who wanted a proper Giant Swing, but Strong kicked free with a leg lariat. Castagnoli missed a boot, crotching himself over the top rope, allowing Strong to charge in with a running boot to the floor. Backbreaker onto the LED board before heading back to the ring. Castagnoli blocked a running knee, brought Strong to the corner, wanted a gut-wrench superplex, but Strong slipped out and hit a super backbreaker on the top turnbuckle. Strong up first, who charged for a running knee, but Castagnoli caught him in the air into a pop-up uppercut for the flash pin.
Match Result: Claudio Castagnoli defeated Roderick Strong
-A few days ago, Don Callis celebrated his birthday with his Family (no El Clon, Andrade or Mark Davis), as they sang ‘For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow’ for him. Konosuke Takeshita was revealed on the TV to record a birthday message for Callis saying Don has done so much for his career and now, he’ll win the IWGP Title for Don and the Family and hopes he can make him proud. The video cuts out, as Okada was the one to turn it off saying he pressed the wrong button, he’s so sorry. We then see footage of Takeshita (accompanied by Rocky Romero) winning the IWGP Title against Zack Sabre Jr in a classic of a match at King of Pro Wrestling, making good on his promise.
Kenny Omega & Jurassic Express (Jungle Jack Perry & Luchasaurus) vs. The Don Callis Family (Hechicero, Josh Alexander & Mark Davis w/Don Callis)
(Action packed party match, as they’re telling the story of Omega reluctantly trusting Perry very well. The post-match, for another week, teased Omega at least interacting with The Young Bucks, so we’ll see where that goes. I wonder how much plans for Omega will have to pivot now that Ibushi is unfortunately injured. As of this very moment, Omega isn’t on the WrestleDream card, but I wouldn’t be surprised if that changes.)
Callis introduced Davis saying “the dingo didn’t eat your baby, Mark Davis did”, put over Alexander for breaking Kota Ibushi’s leg on Collision before doing his over-the-top Hechicero intro. Callis told commentary he sent a note to Ibushi that in 5 years when he recovers, there’s a spot for him in the Don Callis Family.
Omega wanted Alexander, who bolted instantly, having Hechicero start for his team. A drop toe hold from Hechciero, but Omega went back the other way and screamed in pain immediately, as Hechciero zoned in on the left leg. Omega battled back and took out Hechicero with a slingshot dive, as Alexander scurried away, as you could also hear Callis scramble at just the sight of Omega near him. With Omega distracted, Hechciero & Davis got in a cheap shot to keep him isolated. Omega was finally able to break free and almost reluctantly tagged Perry, who made quick tags with Luchasaurus, launching off his back with a rolling senton. Davis tagged in and immediately launched Perry to the outside with a shoulder block as things went to commercial.
We return to the match breaking down ringside, as Perry was trapped in an Alexander ankle lock, as Omega was left pondering whether to make the tag. He finally does, as that’s his path to getting his hands on Alexander, who ate a series of sledgehammers until You Can’t Escape hit, but Alexander was out at two. Callis said this is shades of the Omega of old, which Schiavone said was when Callis disregarded of Omega and asked if Callis had a screwdriver in his pocket, but Excalibur was hilariously right on it, saying no, Callis was just happy to see him. Alexander scrambled out of a Snap Dragon into rolling Germans of his own, but Omega was able to hit a V-Trigger. Luchasaurus & Davis tagged in, as the two big men collided, until Hechciero was in and dropped Perry with a Mad Scientist Bomb. V-Trigger from Omega on Hechicero, Davis was in to drop Omega, leaving Luchasaurus to pop Davis with a huge headbutt. Right in position, Omega wanted a V-Trigger, but Callis jumped on the apron for distraction, allowing Alexander to drape Omega throat first on the top rope. Davis signaled for the home run lariat, but Perry shoved Omega out of the way and took the bullet.
Davis cracked Omega with an enzugiri and snap piledriver, but Omega just narrowly kicked out. Hechicero quickly in to apply the cross arm-breaker, but Luchasaurus grabbed Alexander and choke slammed him onto Hechicero. Perry tagged in, as Luchasaurus placed Hechicero on his shoulders, as Jurassic Express hit the Doomsday Device to win it.
Post-match, The Young Bucks hit the ring and laid out Luchasaurus & Perry with superkicks, leaving Omega stunned ringside. The Bucks wanted a TK Driver, but Omega put a stop to it, getting into Matt & Nick’s faces, until Luchasaurus mowed them down with a clothesline. Perry used his partner to walk the top rope and hit a huge moonsault onto The Bucks & Callis Family, as Jurassic Express stood tall on the aisle, while a frustrated Omega was left along in the ring.
Match Result: Kenny Omega & Jurassic Express defeated The Don Callis Family when Perry pinned Hechicero
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Jamie Hayter vs. Skye Blue (w/Julia Hart)
(I thought this was a solid back and forth match, with Blue getting in plenty of offense, but Danielson on commentary said this wasn’t about winning for Blue, more so softening Hayter up for Thekla this Saturday. Hayter looked really good in this and I’m really looking forward to her match with Thekla, as each woman could use the PPV win. This could also continue to plant seeds for the Blood & Guts match that Hayter called for a few weeks back.)
Commentary surprised that with all the bad blood between Hayter & the Triangle of Madness, that we got each trading hammerlocks to start. Both then opted to go for hair pulls until Hayter mowed Blue down with shoulder tackles. Hayter delivered 10 corner punches, as Blue went outside, where Hart checked on her teammate. Hayter went out after, got into Hart’s face, allowing Blue to deliver a thrust kick and roll of the dice off the apron to control into the break.
Blue took Hayter to the corner when things returned, but Hayter headbutt her way free and hit a missile dropkick. Backdrop suplex followed for a near fall, as Blue ate a big boot, but again, kicked out. Blue side-stepped an enzugiri into a stunner, but missed a charging knee, rolled through Hayt-breaker, as each lady threw some wild shots until Hayt-breaker connected successfully into the double down.
Blue dragged Hayter to the floor, as she leapt off the apron, but was caught with a Hayter fall away slam, as you could hear the thud. Back inside, Hayter hit a fireman’s carry neckbreaker and sliding lariat, but Blue was out at two. Hayter signaled for the end, but Blue hit a desperation Sliced Bread for a near fall of her own. Blue wanted Code Blue, but Hayter waffled her with a lariat, then a Hayter-ade proper for the victory.
Post-match, Hart helped Blue up the aisle, as Hayter celebrated until Thekla was shown on the tron applauding herself. Thekla has been around the world and she’s not impressed with Hayter, as the reason she attacked her back in May was because she was just there. Thekla’s name means chaos, poison and Saturday will get toxic to the core and asks Hayter to impress her.
Match Result: Jamie Hayter defeated Skye Blue
-Renee Paquette is backstage with “Ultimo Mone” Mercedes Mone, as Paquette put over Mone winning another title in Denmark for her 10th title. Paquette wants to talk WrestleDream, but Mone wants to talk about wrestling in Mexico against Persephone this Friday, where she’ll be the longest reigning TBS Champion of all time, 509 days. Mone will be at WrestleDream, but we’re never told if she’ll actually wrestle on the show or just celebrate with all her titles.
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AEW Men’s World Champion Hangman Adam Page is out to join commentary ahead of the upcoming Trios Title match.
The Opps (Samoa Joe, Powerhouse Hobbs & Katsuyori Shibata) vs. ROH Six Man Champions La Faccion Ingobernables (Rush, The Beast Mortos & Dralistico w/ Sammy Guevara) for the AEW Trios Titles
(Exactly what you’d want in a match like this, as it was action from the opening bell. LFI put up a great fight, but no way were The Opps losing tonight, especially with Joe challenging for the World Title this weekend. I could certainly see a rematch happening down the line, but as of right now, I’m not sure who is a credible threat for The Opps and the Trios Titles going forward.)
Mortos & Hobbs start, so the Meat chants ring out immediately, as Hobbs unloaded corner clotheslines until Dralistico caught one on the apron. That brief distraction allowed Mortos to dive with a clothesline out of the corner until Rush tagged in and called out Shibata, who obliged. Shibata ramped up the forearms, just walking through a Rush chop, so both traded loud overhand chops. Both switch to release Germans, which each no sold, as Rush hit a headbutt, but Shibata responded with a back heal trip for the double down. Joe tagged in and wanted Mortos, who threw some shots, but Joe absorbed with a charging corner splash and enzugiri. Page called Joe a “Christmas Ham of a Man” who can move around very well, as Shibata tagged back in and blindsided Rush with a running boot, but in doing so, was beat down by Mortos & Dralistico. Hobbs & Joe knocked from the apron, allowing Shibata to be picked apart by locomotion corner attacks and triple dropkick into commercial break.
Dralistico & Mortos did an assisted rolling Spear, that had Shibata really smack his neck against the bottom rope, as commentary pointed out the head injuries Shibata has had in his career. Dralistico briefly argued with referee Aubrey, which was all the time Shibata needed to meet Dralistico with his signature stalling corner dropkick before tagging Hobbs, who stacked LFI in the corner. After mowing down Rush & Mortos with clotheslines, he caught a defiant Dralistico with a World’s Strongest Slam. Joe tagged in and was on fire, squashing Dralistico with a running senton for two before spiking him with a snap powerslam. Joe wanted a Muscle Buster, but Mortos & Rush made the save. Shibata & Hobbs joined, as Rush was clutching his arm ringside while Shibata went out after him, so I hope he’s not legit hurt. Dralistico leapt off the second, but right into the clutches of Joe, who put him to sleep with a Coquina Clutch.
Post-match, LFI attacked The Opps, as Rush spat at Page on commentary, so he placed down the AEW Title and hit the ring to clean house. Dralistico & Mortos was sent flying, but Guevara pulled Rush to safety and avoided a Buckshot. Joe grabbed the AEW Title and came face to face with Page, shoving the title into his chest. Joe said Page is going to find out at WrestleDream as the Dynamite portion of the night has concluded.
Match Result: The Opps defeated LFI to retain the AEW Trios Titles when Joe submitted Dralistico