This past Wednesday, we’d see Swerve In Our Glory take down FTR in tag team action – earning a shot at the AEW World Tag Team Championships. However, that was not enough for Keith Lee – especially after Swerve Strickland would taint their victory with a low blow. Tonight, Lee has his first singles match since April – and will remind everyone that he is truly limitless, even without Swerve in his corner.
AEW World Championship Eliminator Tournament Announced – Finals At Full Gear
Before this match would begin, we’d get the announcement of the annual Full Gear AEW World Championship Eliminator tournament. For the past two years, eight of the best wrestlers in the AEW men’s division have clashed, with a title shot at Winter Is Coming as a reward for the tournament finals at Full Gear.
2020 saw Hangman Page win, and 2021 was a win for Bryan Danielson. The first name announced for the 2022 tournament would be Dante Martin – with more names to be announced soon.
This tournament is something fans look forward to every year now, but the recent Tournament of Champions might have AEW fans a touch burnt out on the tournament format. We can only hope some big surprise names are in the mix, adding some extra excitement.
Keith Lee Crushes Serpentico, Swerve Strickland Goes Too Far With Billy Gunn
Meanwhile for the match, Serpentico would be the unlucky name to face Lee in singles action here tonight. He’d rush in with a chop, and was dropped with the Spirit Bomb. Instantly done, Lee getting the win. Sadly, he’s booked for Full Gear alongside Swerve Strickland against The Acclaimed – or else he’d be a favourite to win this tournament. Perhaps 2023 will be his year.
The Acclaimed would come to the ring to confront Lee after the match, accusing Swerve of attacking Billy Gunn. Lee tried to deny this, before Swerve appeared with Gunn tied up backstage as Swerve imitated a horror movie interrogation scene. Swerve still blames the loss at Grand Slam on Gunn, and will ensure he will not be there.
He’d pull out some grip pliers, and attack the hands of Gunn – keen on putting him in the hospital until after Full Gear. Even Lee was shocked by how far his tag team partner went on this front, and The Acclaimed tried to rush to his aid.
A Sports Entertainer vs. A Professional Wrestling Coach
Recently, Tay Melo & Anna Jay would defeat Madison Rayne & Skye Blue in a tag team match, with Melo & Jay especially mocking the so called veteran of the industry in Rayne. Tonight, Melo gets a proper taste of what this former Women’s World Champion is capable of as she meets Rayne in a singles match. The experience edge is clear, with Rayne close to legendary status in the industry – but Melo has been proving herself every single time she hits the ring for AEW.
Melo would get a one count off a pinfall after an early takedown, before grappling with Rayne on the mat. Cross armbreaker would be attempted, but Rayne had the counter. A slap to the face of Rayne would follow, before getting sent into the corner. Melo would set up a backbreaker using the top rope, dropping Rayne hard.
Melo would keep the advantage through the commercial break, but got caught taunting and was rolled up for a two. Rolling elbow would follow from Melo, before applying the body scissors and looking for a Full Nelson. Rayne would fight this off, and hit elbows to the midsection. A backdrop would get Rayne an opening, and elbow strikes kept the pressure on.
Melo would go to the top rope, but was taken down with a neckbreaker. Pump Kick on the apron would miss, but Melo regained the advantage in the ring. Gotch Style Piledriver was blocked, and Rayne hit a sliding lariat. Tay-KO would land, and this one was over.
What will Tay Melo be doing at Full Gear? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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