The AEW tag team division is one of the most competitive on the planet, and even a team as good as Santana & Ortiz are failing to stand out. Within The Inner Circle even, they’re often overlooked as a tag team in favour of ‘Le Sex Gods (Chris Jericho & Sammy Guevara). Their skills aren’t disputed however, and they’re never easy to put down.
Opposing them this week is Best Friends, who recently faced the AEW Tag Team Champions. Alongside Orange Cassidy, they have been a thorn in the side of The Inner Circle for weeks now. Would this match add to the problems of Inner Circle? Would Trents mom’s van survive the night?
Best Friends Get Early Control
Taylor & Santana would start this one, with Santana getting the upper hand on the opening lock up. A go-behind would lead to Taylor getting a hammerlock, as we’d see some impressive chain wrestling from both men. The pace would pick up, as Taylor blocked a hip toss into a pinfall attempt.
Ortiz would be tagged in, dropped with an armdrag and Trent would come in. Double knees would take Ortiz down, followed by a bridging Northern Lights Suplex for a near fall. Taylor would tag in and be rocked by Ortiz, giving control back to them briefly.
We’d go to a commercial break, as Best Friends would regain control off a tornado DDT and an assisted cutter. They’d hug in the middle of the ring, and wait as Santana & Ortiz regroup. Santana would be isolated in the corner of Best Friends, taking plenty of double team moves as quick tags are made, keeping them fresh.
Santana & Ortiz Brutalize Trent
Finally Santana would break free, and tag in Ortiz. He’d nail a perfect Fisherman Suplex on Trent, then lock in a single leg crab, just to hurt the leg some more. They’d exchange strikes in the middle of the ring, with Ortiz coming out on top.
The momentum of the match was fully with Santana & Ortiz, and he’d be planted with a uranage for a two count. Trent would fight back on the apron, but fall hard on the back of his neck after being yanked by Ortiz.
The lower back would be the target now, and a double vertical suplex would see Trent in a lot of pain. Taylor would crawl to the apron as Trent fought free from Santana & Ortiz. He’d make the tag and deliver a flurry of offense before a brainbuster would be countered. Soul Food would be followed by a Falcon Arrow for a near fall.
One Mistake Ends The Match
Trent would tag in and try for a superplex, with Taylor helping out by lifting Trent up. The bad back would be hurt by this. Santana would take out Taylor on the outside leaving him isolated again.
He’d do his best to survive, and some combination offense of a powerbomb into a PK would nearly end it, but Trent doesn’t give up easily. The Street Sweeper would almost be set up. But a last second save from Taylor allowed Trent to get the roll up on Ortiz for the win.
This was a very close match, and both teams made key mistakes near the end. A three match win streak from Santana & Ortiz would be lost, as Best Friends get another win on their way to another tag team title shot.
Later in the night, Santana & Ortiz would destroy Sue’s minivan with a sledgehammer, and this one is now very personal. Do Santana & Ortiz need to refocus somehow? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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