Orange Cassidy has been AEW International Champion for 227 days, and managed 22 successful defences so far. He’s been a workhorse of a champion, defending week after week despite racking up a list of injuries.
Tonight he faces his biggest challenge to date – as he looks to defend in a Blackjack Battle Royale. 21 other men have a chance to leave as champion – but Cassidy will not go down without a fight. With the likes of Jay White, Keith Lee, The Lucha Bros, Komander, Dustin Rhodes, Ricky Starks, Brian Cage and Swerve Strickland in this match – it’s as big as a Battle Royale in AEW gets.
22 Of AEW’s Best Battle For The AEW International Championship
As soon as the bell rang, Kip Sabian tried to throw Cassidy out, but was less than successful. Lee & Rhodes were battling Butcher & The Blade on the floor, as Tony Nese was lifted into a stalling suplex by Bandido – with Komander & Lucha Bros fighting off anyone trying to save Nese. Nese was thrown out of the match, and Ari Daivari would follow.
Cage finally got in the ring, and started to target anyone wearing a lucha mask, including a double German Suplex on the Lucha Bros.
A double superkick would follow, with one for White following. Juice Robinson was beaten down by the luchadors of the match, with Komander shoved to the floor during a rope walk by White – eliminated in the process.
White & Robinson threw Starks over the top rope, but he managed to hang on. Best Friends eliminated Sabian. Blade was thrown from the ring by Lee, who would throw strikes of Cage afterwards and was met by his former partner in Swerve. Swerve took a powerslam, as Lucha Bros eliminated Butcher with a double superkick.
Bandido was eliminated by Lee Moriarty, who was out next by Trent Beratta – before Big Bill ran him out with a big boot. Cage threw Lee over the top, with Fenix & Robinson out shortly after.
White faced off with Penta, hitting a Blade Runner before being run through with a spear from Starks and being thrown from the ring.
Orange Cassidy Wins His Own Way
Starks was beaten on the floor, but didn’t go over the top rope. Bill pulled him back in, and took him out with a big boot. Cage & Rhodes were out next, leaving Bill, Swerve, Penta & Cassidy.
Penta would hit some signature offense including a Slingblade & Backstabber – but took a big boot and lariat from Biill – and there was three men left in the match.
Swerve threw Cassidy into a huge Bossman Slam from Bill – only for them to argue on who eliminates Cassidy. Bill felt it was his spot, and Swerve shoved him out instead.
Swerve & Cassidy had close calls of Elimination – with Cassidy hitting a superkick and Stundog Millionaire. Swerve would fall into the ropes, and come back hard with the House Call kick.
The Swerve Stomp would follow, and Cassidy was deadweight. Swerve would get distracted and looked to mock Cassidy, shoving his hands into pockets – and taking a massive set of DDT’s as a result. Orange Punch would send Swerve to the apron, and a second would be the win – but Swerve blocked.
Both men took to the apron where Prince Nana would grab the ankle of Cassidy but was kicked off. Swerve hit a stiff knee strike, but Swerve Stomp was blocked. Using the ropes to hold himself up, Swerve was vulnerable – and Cassidy kicked Swerve’s hand in lax fashion, sending him off the apron to remain International Champion!
Issues Between Adam Cole & Chris Jericho End Tonight
Since Adam Cole made his return to AEW, he’s been in the crosshairs of Chris Jericho. Daniel Garcia was the return opponent of Cole, and when Cole won – his celebration went on a bit too long.
Cole was kissing his girlfriend as Jericho helped Garcia to the back, and that’s just disrespectful. Jericho & Cole would meet face to face, with Jericho conspiring with The Outcasts to beat down both Cole & Britt Baker.
This took things to the next level, with Cole requesting an Unsanctioned Match against Jericho. It was accepted, and AEW accepts no blame on what these two will do to each other in between the bell.
Add in Roderick Strong & Sabu who will be in the corner of Cole – and chaos is confirmed. However, Jericho has Matt Menard, Angelo Parker, Daniel Garcia & Jake Hager – meaning a clear numbers edge for The Ocho.
Sabu would quickly get involved as a brawl broke out, with Garcia stomping out Cole on the floor – and Jericho having a chair duel with Sabu. Jericho lost, and Sabu would launch himself through a table and Menard.
Hager would take Strong out, as Sabu took on Garcia. They would all brawl to the back – and finally, we’d get Cole & Jericho in the ring – and they’d get to fighting.
Jericho would be dropped and pulled to the corner, with Cole using the ring post to batter both legs. Cole would be caught on the apron, and suplexed to the floor.
Back in the ring, a chair was wedged into the corner by Jericho – who met it face first. Jericho would try to jump into Cole, but took a Superkick.
Adam Cole Gets His Revenge
Panama Sunrise would be blocked into the Walls Of Jericho – and Cole would pull himself to the side of the ring and grab a fire extinguisher. Jericho got a face full of foam – and the hold was broken. Cole then used the tank as a weapon, getting a two count. The Boom was set – but Jericho caught Cole with a Codebreaker instead.
Now looking to use the extinguisher himself, Jericho would stun Cole – and looked to use a Kendo Stick. Britt Baker would rush the ring with a stick of her own, and beat Jericho into the corner. Saraya came to the aid of Jericho, but Baker would attack and chase her to the back. Cole would hit a Kendo Stick aided Backstabber, and got a near fall.
Cole would head to the top rope – but Jericho would chuck a steel chair, causing Cole to tumble down and through a table. Jericho would grab a chain with some handcuffs from under the ring, hoping to rend Cole helpless once again. COle would be handcuffed, but so was Jericho – making this a chain match.
sJericho would be hit with the Panama Sunrise – but was able to survive. Cole would be choked with the chain, but fought free with a set of superkicks before nailing The Boom.
Jericho was done, but Cole was not done yet. He’d wrap his knee with the chain – and this one was over after Cole kept punching Jericho – with it being a stoppage.
What is next for Adam Cole? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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