AEW Dynamite live results: Blood and Guts Advantage Battle
AEW’s Blood and Guts Advantage Battle best-of-three series in both the men’s and women’s divisions kick off on tonight’s Dynamite.
Two men’s matches in the series to decide the order of entry advantage in next Wednesday’s Blood and Guts match are set for tonight’s episode, with Orange Cassidy facing Claudio Castagnoli, plus Darby Allin taking on Daniel Garcia. If necessary, the third and deciding matchup will be Jon Moxley vs. Roderick Strong on Saturday’s Collision episode.
One women’s match in the best-of-three series is set for tonight’s episode, with Queen Aminata facing Megan Bayne. The second match in the series takes place on Collision with Jamie Hayter vs. Skye Blue. If necessary, Thekla vs. Harley Cameron will take place on Collision as the deciding match.
The Women’s Tag Team title tournament continues on tonight’s show as well, with Mercedes Mone and Athena vs. Willow Nightingale and Harley Cameron in a first round matchup.
A trios bout is also on tap for tonight’s show, with Hangman Page, Eddie Kingston, and Hook facing The Opps (Samoa Joe, Katsuyori Shibata, Powerhouse Hobbs).
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AEW Dynamite comes on the air with Excalibur welcoming us alongside Bryan Danielson before they go back to last week in Hangman Adam Page’s switcheroo with Tony Schiavone to pull one over on The Opps, laying out Samoa Joe, which leads us to tonight’s main event.
Tony Schiavone is in the ring and said there’s a big announcement regarding a new National Championship that will be determined at Full Gear, but before he could go any further (it was announced by Tony Khan & Schiavone on social media just before the show began that it’ll be a Casino Gauntlet), Samoa Joe’s music hit and The Opps were out to interrupt. Joe said Houston, we have a problem, there’s a term he’s heard a long time ago that applies to the person standing in the ring. Joe knows Schiavone will say he had nothing to do with last week, but finds that very hard to believe. Schiavone tried to tell Joe he has respect for him, but Joe yelled at him to shut up and there’s consequences we choose to engage in and those have come for the Georgia peach. The Opps try to get in the ring, but security rush the ring to stop them. Joe said Schiavone is only getting more people hurt in this equation.
Hangman Page’s music hit and the AEW Men’s World Champion sprinted to the ring and was held back by the security, as Joe said now they can take care of two problems at once. The Opps go to get in the ring, but Eddie Kingston & HOOK rush to the ring and keep The Opps at bay. Kingston is wielding a crutch, as Page said Hangman is right here and said if Joe wants to handle his problem, he’ll beat Joe’s ass in his Wranglers. HOOK took the mic and said The Opps are Trios Champions, ones they won with him and challenges Joe to make the main event for the Trios Titles. Joe screamed that HOOK will never speak to him like that and if he wants a Trios Title shot, that’s what they get. Schiavone said Tony Khan has made it official, the main event will be for the Trios Titles.
Orange Cassidy vs. Claudio Castagnoli in Match 1 of the Blood and Guts Advantage Battle
(These two always have excellent chemistry with one another, as the power of Castagnoli and the speed of Cassidy gel very well and almost always result in a very solid match. Great start to this unique Advantage Series for next week, as this first win for the Death Riders now puts the babyface team in a must win for the next two matches if they want the advantage at Blood and Guts.)
I feel the need to point out a fan had a Chuck Taylor on a Stick that Cassidy proudly showed to the camera during his entrance. Before Castagnoli even got to the ring, Cassidy wiped him out with multiple Tope Suicidas and 10 punches against the barricade, but Castagnoli pressed Cassidy over his head and chucked him to the ring. The match officially began, as Castagnoli tried a pop-up uppercut, but Cassidy countered into an arm drag. Castagnoli went to the outside, where he caught Cassidy, who tried a third Tope and slammed him ribs first on the barricade before getting Cassidy in a suplex position, walking up the steps and slamming him on the mat. Cassidy desperately tried a slingshot DDT, but again, Castagnoli caught him in mid-air, which Cassidy was able to counter into a sleeper. Castagnoli tried to do a Giant Swing variation, but Cassidy hung on for dear life. Finally able to get free by snapping Cassidy’s fingers, Castagnoli swung him around for a proper Giant Swing and gained control heading into commercial.
Castagnoli controlled the entire break, but Cassidy kept trying to hulk up by going to his pockets, as he absorbed all the gut wrenches suplexes, which only infuriated Castagnoli. The brief delay allowed Cassidy to hit a corner hurricanrana and dropkick before kipping up and getting a backslide for two. PK took Castagnoli’s head off, as Castagnoli went to the outside, where Cassidy flew under the bottom rope in the corner with a sliding tilt-a-whirl DDT and diving DDT back inside for two. Castagnoli countered Orange Punch into a massive Liger Bomb and transition into a Crossface. Castagnoli wanted a Neutralizer, Cassidy attempted a counter with Beach Break, but settled for a roll-up for two. Castagnoli popped right up with a flying low uppercut, but again, Cassidy wouldn’t quit. Trapping Cassidy in the ropes, Castagnoli unleashed machine gun uppercuts before taking Cassidy up to the top, which Cassidy countered into an Avalanche Stundog Millionaire. Castagnoli blocked Orange Punch with a pop-up uppercut, tried again, but Cassidy hit an Orange Punch mid-air. Cassidy went for a home run shot, but Castagnoli connected on one final pop-up uppercut to win it.
Match Result: Claudio Castagnoli defeated Orange Cassidy (Death Riders are up 1-0 in the Blood and Guts Advantage Battle)
-Renee Paquette is backstage with Mark Briscoe, Kyle Fletcher & Don Callis, as Briscoe requested this time, as he’s received a response from his challenge a few weeks ago from Callis, but not Fletcher. Briscoe said his thought process was a swift kick to his family jewels is what helps Fletcher win, which can’t feel good, it’s like making out with your sister. Briscoe wants to make Fletcher a real man and said let’s do it again at Full Gear, No Disqualification. Fletcher told Callis he might enjoy that and Callis said he loves to see when Fletcher is happy. Callis said if Briscoe gets a shot at the title, he needs something from Briscoe. When Briscoe loses to Fletcher, he must join the Don Callis Family and leave The Conglomeration forever. Callis said Briscoe should make it about himself for a change and Briscoe called Callis a silver-tongued snake and said he’s not losing, it’s Callis who made a deal with the devil and accepts the stip.
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-Renee Paquette is backstage with The Young Bucks, Don Callis & Josh Alexander after the announcement of the $1,000,000 Trios Match for Full Gear. Paquette asked if The Bucks have joined The Don Callis Family and before they could answer, Callis cut them off and said he sent a nice care package to make sure The Bucks get the treatment they deserve and not some jobbers like they have been. When they’re part of the team, they’re Family. The rest of the Callis Family walked in and Callis introduced The Rainmaker, as Kazuchika Okada walked in. Matt said this is all overwhelming, as Callis said to take their time before leaving with his Family, as Okada stuck around and told The Bucks not to take too much time deciding.
TBS Champion Mercedes Mone & ROH Women’s Champion Athena vs. The Babes of Wrath (Willow Nightingale & Harley Cameron) in an AEW Women’s Tag Team Title Tournament Quarterfinal
(Chaotic, but action-packed match, as there was a point where referee Aubrey should’ve just made this a Tornado Tag, as it’s what it became. The game plan for Head Minion Billie Starkz didn’t work the way she wanted and the appearance of Kris Statlander set the wheels in motion of having a pretty big upset in the first round. I will say that Nightingale looked fantastic tonight and this was also easily Cameron’s biggest win of her career.)
Mone & Athena immediately rushed their opponents, as it’s Cameron that was worked over and isolated to kick things off. A back suplex was what it took to break free and make the hot tag to Nightingale, who ran wild with clotheslines and corner splashes. Double shotgun dropkick sent Mone & Athena flying, as Cameron quickly tagged back in and dished out double enzugiris, as Bryan Danielson questioned how fast Cameron returned after being worked over so long. Cazadora splash led to a two count, as Athena broke up the count with a running senton. Nightingale ate an enzugiri off the apron, as Mone saved Athena with a backstabber on Cameron, held the ropes open, as Athena hit a low Tope on Nightingale. Athena used Mone to hit a Gory Bomb onto Cameron for two, as things head to a commercial.
Back from break, Mone was in the process of Three Amigos, when she tagged Athena, which allowed Cameron to float over, make the blind tag and hit a double crucifix bomb. Nightingale in, who completely mowed down Athena & Mone with stiff clotheslines. 10 corner clotheslines and cannonball to follow, as Athena was planted with a spinebuster for two. Athena spun to her feet and hit a discus forearm, as Mone hit the tag and delivered a cross body for a near fall of her own. Mone tried a head scissors, but Nightingale planted her with a side suplex. Cameron tagged back in, as Mone was ping ponged with strikes until a backstabber laid out Nightingale. Cameron was there with Sole Food, but Athena dropped her with a front face suplex. Nightingale again made the save with a lariat on Athena, who responded with a double Code Breaker, sending Cameron falling back into a lungblower/Statement Maker. Nightingale launched Athena with a Pounce, resulting in the breaking up of the submission and reset.
Athena & Nightingale tag in and exchange strikes until another lariat folded Athena up. Nightingale laid out Mone with a Death Valley Driver, but missed a corner cannonball on Athena, who hit a spinning double knees. Blind tag by Cameron, as Athena was able to hit an impressive Samoan Drop/Fall Away Slam combo on Nightingale & Cameron for two. Billie Starkz sprinted out ringside and grabbed the ROH Women’s Title, but Kris Statlander appeared and laid out Starkz before chasing Mone around the ring. As Athena was about to use the title, Nightingale caught her with a Doctor Bomb, as Cameron flew in with Her Finishing Move! (Roll of the Dice) and pinned Athena. Both Nightingale & Cameron were shocked, as Statlander headed to the back
Match Result: The Babes of Wrath defeated Mercedes Mone & Athena to advance in the AEW Women’s Tag Team Title Tournament when Cameron pinned Athena
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AEW National Championship & First Casino Gauntlet Competitors Announced
Tony Schiavone is in the ring and officially announces that at Full Gear, Tony Khan has signed a Casino Gauntlet Match for the newly formed National Championship. Schiavone said it’s been about 40 years since a National Championship has been on TBS and wrestlers backstage have been lining up wanting to be part of it. Schiavone introduces two men who will be in that match, Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin, who make their way to the ring alongside MVP. Bryan Danielson said he wants Lashley & Benjamin to go at it in the Gauntlet, but can’t bring himself in choosing who would win. Schiavone said this brings up an interesting situation possibly for The Hurt Syndicate. MVP said what’s interesting is the history of the newly debuting National Championship and brings up Paul Orndorff, Jack Brisco, Dusty Rhodes, Wahoo McDaniel & Nikita Koloff. MVP said they are businessmen and they will do what’s best for business, but who will win in that scenario is the AEW viewing audience.
The Demand interrupt, as Ricochet said he’ll make this as quick as possible, since he doesn’t want to be in this trash ass state. Ricochet they want to give The Hurt Syndicate the credit they deserve, as it doesn’t matter how old and hobbled they are, he admires them. Every time Ricochet opens his mouth, he’s spitting out facts and saying I told you so. Ricochet said he promised The Syndicate will never win gold and asked Lashley how his back was from last week. They’re starting to piss Ricochet off, as MVP cut him off saying no one cares about what he has to say and they best they’ve ever looked was getting their asses kicked by The Syndicate. Ricochet said at Full Gear, The Demand will be met and he’ll be the inaugural National Champion. MVP says Ricochet talks sh*t, while they run it.
-Jurassic Express are walking backstage where Jack Perry said there’s things more important than money, like friendship. Perry knows The Young Bucks have been having problems with money, so this should help. He takes $100 and stabs it with a knife out in front of The Don Callis Family locker room. Luchasaurus was about to take the money when Perry told him to leave it.
Darby Allin vs. Daniel Garcia in Match 2 of the Blood and Guts Advantage Battle
(The heart of Allin was too much for the overconfident Garcia, who is still looking for his first singles win against Allin in AEW. I’d say this was the best Garcia has looked since joining Death Riders, but it doesn’t feel like he’s been winning many matches since his change of attitude. With this win, it means the Jon Moxley vs. Roderick Strong match on Collision will determine the man advantage for next weeks Blood and Guts.)
During Garcia’s entrance, Jon Moxley was backstage with him and told Garcia to finish this so they can win the Advantage Battle right now (meaning Moxley wouldn’t have to face Roderick Strong on Collision). Allin shot early double legs and worked a headlock, resulting in Garcia wrenching at the ear and cross chopping the windpipe. Garcia brought Allin to the apron, but a delay by posing allowed Allin to pull Garcia throat first into the corner and follow with a somersault dive to the outside. A shotgun dropkick launched Garcia into the barricade, as Allin threw him back inside, but Garcia scrambled quickly back outside. Allin had his feet swept off the apron and trapped in the ring skirt, allowing Garcia to hit a charging boot before slamming Allin into the ring steps.
Back from break, Garcia rolled through a sunset flip, but Allin kicked out the legs, causing Garcia to fall right into a Guillotine. Both reversed submissions, as Garcia locked in a Rear Naked Choke, but Allin rolled back into a pin attempt for two. Garcia held on, as he pulled Allin up into a choke in the corner and let Allin crumble. Garcia followed with a huge Superplex, held on, but Allin floated over a suplex into a Scorpion Death Drop for the double down. Allin slowly went up top for a Coffin Drop, but Garcia crotched him and sent Allin crashing outside. Quickly out after, Garcia trapped Allin between the post and steps and hit a running dropkick, demanding referee Bryce put a count on Allin. Garcia broke the count, as he distracted the ref long enough for PAC to appear and turn Allin inside out with a lariat before hightailing it. Allin didn’t move until about 9 and managed to break the count. Allin is bleeding from the back of the head, as Garcia starts chopping him violently before locking in the Dragon Tamer, mocking Sting with a wooooo in the process. Allin was about to get the ropes, but Garcia pulled back to the middle of the ring. In doing so, Allin quickly repositioned and sank in the Scorpion Death Lock. Garcia scrambled, but ultimately tapped out.
PAC hit the ring again, as Allin tried fighting him off, but ate a big boot to the face. Orange Cassidy ran out and lit up PAC in the corner with punches until Wheeler Yuta appeared with a Busiaku Knee. Claudio Castagnoli joined the beatdown until Roderick Strong hit the ring, while Jon Moxley blindsided Kyle O’Reilly ringside, going after his knee. PAC laid out Cassidy with a Tombstone, while Castagnoli flattened Allin with a Neutralizer. O’Reilly was held down and Moxley was about to take him out, when Strong leapt over everyone with a huge knee to Moxley, causing Death Riders to scramble. Commentary was asking where Mark Briscoe was during this, as Excalibur said he had his own battles tonight (which, all he had was a backstage promo, so that didn’t make sense).
Match Result: Darby Allin defeated Daniel Garcia (Men’s Blood and Guts Advantage Battle now 1-1)
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Since 2022, Ryan has been the Recapper/Reviewer for both AEW PPVs & Dynamite for F4WOnline & the Wrestling Observer. Previously, he recapped AEW Dark from 2021-2022 for PWTorch.