Ruby Soho recently returned from injury with a victory over the woman who put her on the shelf with Tay Melo. However, the numbers advantage imposed by Anna Jay always being near ensured that Soho won the battle, not the war. Needing an ally in these hard times, Soho would reach out to the always lovable Willow Nightingale – who was more than willing to rise to the occasion. Tonight, Soho & Nightingale will face one of the most established female tag teams in AEW – making this a true test of how well they can mesh as a tag team.
Tay Melo Gets The Better Of Ruby Soho
Willow would start the match alongside Melo, able to throw her with a mat return before nailing the double overhand chops. Soho would tag herself into the match, with Melo fleeing the ring before making the tag. Jay would be taken down to the mat into a headlock, nailing some punches to the face.
Willow & Soho would be able to work together in their corner with some fast tags and strikes, before a body slam from Willow was followed by a body slam from Soho for a two count. Jay was hit with the sliding crossbody splash for a two count, before Melo took Soho off the apron. Willow would try to react, but took a chopblock from Jay.
Jay & Melo were able to isolate Willow in their corner, choking her on the ropes and getting cheap shots in. Soho would stew on the apron on the opposite side of the ring, eager for a tag. Willow would be able to nail a massive lariat, and got the tag to Soho. Melo would hit the ring and was dropped with a spear before some heavy forearm blows.
Soho hit Deadly Nightshade in the corner, before Jay pulled Melo from the ring. Keeping a cool head, Soho would fight off Jay before the No Future Kick on Melo for a two count. Willow would hit the ring to help, only to be dropped with the Pump Kick to the jaw from Melo.
Soho & Willow would recover first, with Soho hitting a Saito Suplex for a two count. Jay took a suplex on the floor from Willow, as Soho took the DDTay in the ring. Soho & Melo would trade blows in the middle of the ring. A pump kick assisted by a chair would be follow by the TayKO for the win.
Can Wardlow Make It To This Main Event?
At AEW Full Gear 2022, Samoa Joe would be able to win the TNT Championship from Wardlow during a Triple Threat match. Powerhouse Hobbs was the third man in the match, and had been taken down with a series of powerbombs from Wardlow – who lost himself in the moment. The wiley veteran Samoa Joe would strike, sending Wardlow from the ring and pinning Hobbs for the victory.
Since then, due to being both the ROH World Television Champion and TNT Champion, Joe has dubbed himself the King of Television – and Wardlow has had to wait for his rematch. That comes tonight, and it’s fitting that it comes on a show titled New Years Smash – as that’s what these heavyweights are ready to do for the right to be the face of TNT.
Earlier in the show, Wardlow would be attacked by Joe – being smashed in the knee with a steel pipe, but Wardlow is determined to get his title shot. Joe would look confident as Wardlow didn’t immediately come down the ramp, and he’d take the microphone. He’d claim Wardlow had stage fright, and no one else was brave enough to step up. Wardlow would finally limp down to the ring – medical staff failing to stop him – and we have a main event!
Samoa Joe Retains The TNT Championship
Wardlow would drive Joe into the corner with some strikes, focusing on brawling – as even a shoulder tackle caused damage to the knee. Joe would hit some kicks to the leg, before being caught with a spinebuster and some ground and pound style blows. A lariat in the corner was just ducked by Joe, before the Uranage planted Wardlow.
Wardlow would be lifted up and dropped with a kneebreaker, causing him to roll to the floor. The referee would call Doc Sampson to check on Wardlow, and this match could end in a stoppage. EMT’s would follow, and Joe was enjoying a nice break in the ring. Wardlow fought to his feet, punched two EMT’s in the face and made the ring before the count of ten.
Immediately, Joe would attack and go right after the knee on the ropes. Wardlow would roll back to the floor, and Joe let him pull himself back in before some more stomps. Joe would drive his elbow into the injured knee, before setting up a superplex in the corner. Wardlow shoved Joe off and nailed the Swanton Bomb – but was unable to capitalise with a pinfall. Joe would be thrown with two German Suplexes.
Wardlow finally got that rush of adrenaline and nailed the Whisper In The Wind. Wind Up Lariat would be ducked, before Joe took a headbutt and the lariat. Joe would just roll to drop Wardlow, before looking for punches in the corner and taking a powerbomb. Wardlow looked to hit a second powerbomb using his own power, only to get dropped and choked out with the Rear Naked Choke – ending this match.
Darby Allin Wants Another Shot
After the bell, Joe would hit Wardlow in the face with the TNT Championship before looking under the ring. He was not done with Wardlow, grabbing a tool box and grabbing scissors. Warlow would have his braid cut off, a show of complete disrespect. Wardlow isn’t going to let this stand – and neither is Darby Allin.
Allin would rush the ring and catch Joe from being with the skateboard, sending Joe from the ring. Joe nearly lost the TNT Championship to Allin a few weeks ago, and Joe might need to defend it against him again very soon.
Will we see Joe vs. Allin II on January 4th? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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