Ricky Starks was able to start 2023 in a huge way, defeating Chris Jericho on the first episode of AEW Dynamite of the year. However, that was the start of a drawn out battle against the Jericho Appreciation Society – which could conclude tonight. Starks has been outnumbered ever since, with Jericho finding every single chance to cheat to beat Starks. However tonight, Starks was able to play the ego of Jericho, who banned the JAS from ringside as we get the much anticipated rematch.
Chris Jericho Fights Alone Against Ricky Starks
They’d waste no time getting into a brawl in the middle of the ring, as Starks pummelled Jericho into a corner. Jericho would respond with some heavy chops, only for Starks to rush in with a shoulder tackle. This one would spill to the floor near the pro-Starks crowd, with Jericho able to gain control of the match.
Starks would be whipped into the corner hard, with Jericho trying to follow up with a Lionsault, narrowly missing. Jericho would drop Starks ribs first onto the top rope, before a shoulder tackle sent Starks flying into the barricade. Starks would pull himself back into the ring, where Jericho stomped him into the corner.
Butterfly Backbreaker would land, continuing to weaken the back and ribs of Starks. Some mocking strikes to the back of the head would follow, which would simply fire Starks up. Jericho would send Starks to the apron for the Triangle Dropkick, before a Baseball Slide sent Starks tumbling to the floor.
An abdominal stretch would be applied in the ring, with Starks fighting free with a hip toss – and following up with the Spinning DDT for a near fall. The damage to Starks ribs would make a follow up slow, only for Jericho to look for a superplex. Starks fought free, but dove off into a knee strike before a Death Valley Driver got Jericho a two count.
Starks Will Not Be Cheated Tonight
Codebreaker was blocked into a powerbomb, getting Starks a near fall. Roshambo was blocked, and the spear was countered into the Codebreaker – with Starks able to survive. Jericho & Starks would trade strikes in the middle of the ring, with Jericho going to the top rope and missing the double axe handle. Starks would be quick to react, nailing a spear for a near fall.
Starks would take a punch to the ribs, and came back with a jumping superkick to the jaw of Jericho. Springboard Moonsault was avoided, and Jericho would apply the Walls Of Jericho – the perfect way to finish someone with a hurt back. Starks was somehow able to fight free, and applied a Lance Storm style Single Leg Crab. Sammy Guevara tried to come to the ring to help Jericho, but Action Andretti would make the save.
This would cause a distraction, and Jericho would use his trusty baseball bat to hit Starks in the ribs. Judas Effect was blocked by Starks, who pummelled Jericho into the position for the Roshambo – getting his first singles PPV victory in AEW in the process. It also marks his second victory over Jericho, which is something few in AEW can claim.
Christian Cage & Jack Perry Have Every Reason To Hate Each Other
In 2022, Christian Cage would betray ‘Jungle Boy’ Jack Perry, after he realised he could no longer use Perry to make money. Cage would turn Luchasaurus against Perry leading to a quick loss at All Out, and a violent steel cage match at Full Gear – hiding behind the giant due to his broken arm. He’d make his return from injury in 2023, taking offence to the plans of Perry to win a singles championship. Their rivalry has gotten back to heated levels, and tonight they meet in a Final Burial match – as Perry looks to put Cage in the ground for good.
Wasting no time, these two rivals would brawl it out in the middle of the ring with Perry getting the better of Cage. Cage would flee the ring and tried to yank Perry into the ring post, but Perry was able to instead cause Cage to hit the post face first. Perry would cause Cage to run off into the crowd, and they’d brawl on the stairs – a dangerous spot for both men.
Remaining in control, Perry would chuck Cage over the barricade – getting him back in the ring and biting his forehead in the corner before some downward punches. Cage would slip out and yank Perry down by his hair. Perry was choked by the boot of Cage, before his hair was used to hold his head in place as Cage yanked at his arms.
Cage would be caught with a suicide dive on the floor after being sent over the top, with Perry slamming Cage’s head off the steel ring steps. Perry would try to break the arm of Cage on the steps, but was tripped up with his head meeting the steel instead. Cage would take the belt of Perry – and whipped him with it.
Closing The Lid On This Violent Feud
Perry would be whipped up the ramp, with the casket in sight, with Cage opening it to reveal a set of steel chairs. Cage would be unable to use them, with Perry looking for a powerbomb into the casket – but was countered. Killswitch onto the chair was set, but instead Perry shoved Cage off the stage and hit a flipping senton onto his rival.
Perry would look to use the steel chair, but was met by a low blows – before Cage bounced his skull off the top of the casket. Cage had the win in sight with Perry in the casket, but Perry fought free. Perry had dirt kicked into his eyes, before Killswitch landed. Conchairto would be avoided, and Perry disarmed Cage with the shovel – before choking Cage with the handle.
Cage got free by attacking the eyes, only to end up in a shovel assisted Snare Trap. Perry would finally hit the Conchairto on Cage, before locking him in the casket – defeating the multi-time world champion, and ending this violent feud.
Will Jack Perry move on to win singles gold after this monumental victory? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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