Ricky Starks has really not done much as FTW Champion since liberating the belt from that turncoat Brian Cage, at least in terms of defenses. He has been living the FTW lifestyle, but Team Taz got played recently. Dante Martin signed a Team Taz contract, before betraying them soon after.
Tonight, as a sign of what is to come – Starks will face the former mentor of Martin, the veteran Matt Sydal. It took Martin three times to defeat Sydal, but tonight Starks intends to do it the first time. With the extra motivation of his FTW CHampionship on the line, folks will get a reminder tonight of why you shouldn’t sleep on Starks as a potential pillar of AEW.
Ahead of this match, Daniel Garica would officially get his chance to become TNT Champion – getting a match on AEW Dynamite. Once again, someone jumps the line ahead of Scorpio Sky.
Matt Sydal Is No Slouch
With Powerhouse Hobbs at ringside to defend that FTW Championship from thieves, this one would start. Sydal got started fast with a hurricanrana and leaping kick before a standing moonsault for a two count. Starks would finally get some offense in, as he threw Sydal with a back suplex. He’d tush into Sydal in the corner and get kicked in the head. On the outside, Hobbs would prevent Sydal from getting any more damage in.
Hobbs didn’t do anything but stare, not wanting to cause a DQ – but gave Starks a chance to recover. Starks played possum until Sydal sent him to the apron – where he’d hit a spin kick. Back in the ring, Starks would hit some downward punches before Sydal blocked into the Manhattan Drop. Starks would get back into the fight and get Sydal cornered, before taking some time to taunt. Taz & JR discussed this on commentary, but Sydal was the one on the defensive.
Ricky Starks Claims The Win, Dante Martin Spoils The Victory
Starks would hit a delayed vertical suplex, carrying Sydal around the ring twice before slamming him down for a two count. A uranage would slam Sydal down once again, before Sydal would find his feet. The rolling solebutt would send Starks into the corner, before a dashing knee strike into the corner. Starks wanted Roshambo off the top rope but couldn’t get it.
Instead, Sydal planted him down on his head with a Michinoku Driver for a two count. Sydal would try to roll up Starks but was lifted into a Roshambo attempt. Starks couldn’t get it, and Sydal slipped out and hit Lightning Spiral for a two count. The flying meteora would land, but Starks was too close to the ropes. Starks exploded back with the spear, and ended this one with Roshambo for the win!
Following the match, Matt Sydal would get beaten down by both Starks and Hobbs. Lee Moriarty would try to make the save but was run down. Dante Martin would be down next, before clearing the ring with his speed. He takes on Powerhouse Hobbs on Dynamite. Also announced is CM Punk vs. Wardlow, and Shida vs. Deeb.
Can Powerhouse Hobbs defeat the speed of Dante Martin? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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