FTR have been a busy team lately, having made successful defenses of their AEW World Tag Team Championships against Jay White & Juice Robinson in a 58 minute long Best Two Out Of Three falls match – and against AEW World Champion MJF & Adam Cole.
However, there is little rest to be found for them as champions, and tonight – they face a new level of challenge. Big Bill & Brian Cage won a tag team battle royale for the next shot, and these two powerhouses will look to break down Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler tonight and take the belts for themselves.
FTR Are Always Ready For A Fight
FTR would have a hometown edge tonight, having a lot of family and friends from around South Carolina in the house tonight. Wheeler would start with Cage, but took a moment to hug his mom at ringside. Getting back into the ring, Cage would run him down with a shoulder tackle – and Harwood took a tag.
Cage would level Harwood with a hard short arm lariat – before a press slam was blocked into a crossbody for a one count. An O’Connor Roll would get a one count for Harwood, before a tag to Wheeler. Bill got the tag, and Wheeler was run down with a set of shoulder tackles before an elbow drop from Bill.
FTR would work together to cut Bill down to size, and stopped Bill from getting involved. Harwood was unable to lift Bill into the Shatter Machine, and would be chokeslammed onto Wheeler shortly after. FTR was kicked to the floor, and things were not going according to plan.
Brian Cage Falls To The High Ring IQ Of FTR
Cage would catch Wheeler in the face with a dropkick back in the ring, before tagging in Bill to keep the punishment coming.
Infront of the mother of Wheeler, Bill would hit some big right hands – and when Bill got cocky, she got a strike in. Bill was fired up and stomped on Wheeler, losing his cool.
Cage would maintain control with a deadlift superplex, getting a two count. Wheeler would manage to find an opening for the tag, and Harwood would come in with jabs for both Cage & Bill.
Cage would be set up for the Steiner Bulldog from FTR – but managed to kick out. A suplex and chokeslam from Bill & Cage got a near fall, but FTR were not giving in.
Doomsday Device would be avoided by FTR – but with both members on the floor, Cage dove over the top rope. Bill hit a Big Boot in the ring, but a tag to Cage would prove to be a mistake. FTR would get into position and hit the Shatter Machine on Cage – marking another successful night for FTR.
After the bell, Harwood would detail the rise of FTR – but there is one thing left for them to do. Wheeler would call out the Young Bucks – saying there is unfinished business, and would lay down the challenge Bucks for All In at Wembley – to find out who the best tag team in the world is in what is shaping up to be the biggest show in professional wrestling.
Kris Statlander Looks To Defend Her TBS Championship Again
Kris Statlander was ready to come to the aid of Kiera Hogan last week after Mercedes Martinez refused to stop her attack depsite the bell having rung.
Martinez had played things perfectly to get the TBS Champion in position to smash her with the belt. Tonight, the former ROH Women’s World Champion has a chance to win her first piece of gold in AEW, as she goes one on one with Statlander with the TBS Championship on the line.
Martinez would rush in as the bell rang, making this a physical match early before taking a dropkick in the corner. A somersault plancha landed from Statlander, with Martinez forcing her into the ropes soon after and using them to punish her.
Martinez hit a series of Butterfly Suplexes, but Statlander refused to stay down. Statlander tried for the back drop, but took a series of elbow smashes to the back of the neck.
Attacking the face of Statlander, Martinez would continue to put the pressure on, trying to force a pinfall – but was unable to get the win.
The shoulder and knee of Statlander would be targetted, Martinez knowing the injury history of the champion. A camel clutch would be applied, and Statlander used the corner to break free after fighting to her feet.
Willow Makes The Save Once Again
Despite this, Martinez remained in control – before a rising knee in the corner sent the challenger to the floor. A crossbody off the apron saw Statlander miss and hit the floor, but managed a backbreaker on Martinez.
Snap powerslam in the ring got a two count for Statlander, only for Martinez to recover for the Spider Suplex off the top rope and a running knee.
Fisherwoman Buster would be blocked, and Statlander hit a Spinning Fisherman Buster instead – but only got a two count.
Statlander would be driven head first into the mat but ducked an elbow to the head and got a pinfall clutch to secure the victory. It was a close kickout at the end, but the referees choice stands.
Martinez would attack after the bell, prompting Diamante to make the save… only to attack Statlander herself. Help would come from Willow Nightingale, who drove Diamante & Martinez off – and potentially setting up a tag team match in the future.
What is next for the TBS Champion? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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