Orange Cassidy has become one of the more dominant champions in AEW history, managing defense after defense as AEW All-Atlantic Championship.
The belt has now evolved into the AEW International Championship, but Cassidy remains the man holding the gold. Tonight, The Butcher looks to change this – and as one of the most physically imposing men on the AEW roster? He’s got as good a chance as anyone at cutting Cassidy down.
Orange Cassidy Survives One On One Encounter With The Butcher
Butcher & The Blade would attack Cassidy before the bell, with Blade trying to use a crowbar – and getting kicked out of ringside as a result.
However, the early attack on Cassidy would ensure Butcher starts with the advantage. Cassidy tried to rush into the Orange Punch, with Butcher blocking before also countering the Beach Break.
Butcher would catch a crossbody from the top rope, before a press slam back into the corner. He’d yank Cassidy off the top into a gutbuster, before sending the champion out to the floor.
A brawl on the floor would add to the damage on Cassidy, and Butcher would keep the pressure on in the ring. The bear hug was applied in the middle of the ring, with Butcher hammered with elbow strikes – leading him to dropping Cassidy and hitting a knee to the midsection.
Butcher would bend Cassidy over his knee in a backbreaker, before the sidewalk slam for a two count. Cassidy would be put in the Cloverleaf and fought free.
Powerbomb attempt was avoided, with Butcher nailing a Chokebreaker before trying for a brainbuster. Butcher would take a big DDT from a desperate Cassidy, but kicked out at two. A diving DDT would follow, but Butcher was still able to kick out.
Butcher would distract the referee as Blade snuck into the ring and hit Cassidy in the spine with the crowbar. Somehow, a Chokebreaker didn’t defeat Cassidy, and Best Friends would take down Blade and even the odds – hitting Butcher with the crowbar, before an Orange Punch & Beach Break ensured Cassidy remains champion.
Willow Nightingale Looks To Beat Some Sense Into The Outcasts Ruby Soho
At the start of 2023, it looked like Ruby Soho & Willow Nightingale could have been the first big female tag team in AEW. They won a harrowing street fight against Anna Jay & Tay Melo – but Soho was then pulled in another direction.
She would be pulled into the middle of the feud between The Outcasts & The AEW Originals – choosing to side with Saraya & Toni Storm. Willow tried to talk some sense into Soho, only to be laid out with a kick – and tonight gets her chance at revenge.
Soho would flee the ring as this match began, confiding in Storm & Saraya before getting started. She’d try to flee a second time, with Willow dragging her back in by her hair.
No Future Kick was avoided, before Willow hit a big sidewalk slam. The running crossbody would follow, getting a two count. Keeping the pressure on, Willow would hit a series of bodyslams, before some stiff elbow smashes in the corner.
Soho would get aid from The Outcasts in taking down Willow, before just raking the forearm across her face. Soho would choke Willow using the bottom rope, before a hair pull sent Willow face first into the canvas.
Willow would get Soho on her shoulders, before another rake to the eyes. Finally getting some good strikes in, Willow would gain some steam before a spinebuster for a two count.
Death Valley Driver would follow – but it was still not enough to keep Soho down. Storm stopped Willow from coming off the top rope, and two No Future kicks would follow.
Destination Unknown was blocked into a backslide, before Willow nailed The Pounce. Storm helped Soho set up a roll up, and got her feet on the ropes – ending this match.
The Outcasts had plans for make damage after the bell – with Skye Blue & Riho making the save – following by AEW Women’s World Champion Jamie Hayter.
Who can stop The Outcasts? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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