Swerve Strickland was incredibly close to ending the AEW International Championship reign of Orange Cassidy last week, with Cassidy barely slipping away with his championship using a roll up.
After the match, Mogul Embassy would look to beat down Cassidy – and in his condition, a four on one attack would likely leave the belt vacant. Quick action from Darby Allin & Sting would ensure this didn’t happen, and with Swerve’s ex-tag team partner Keith Lee now joining them – we have a massive eight man tag team match.
SANADA Issues Open Challenge For Forbidden Door
Before this match, we’d hear from the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion – SANADA. He would issue an open challenge for Forbidden Door, welcoming anyone on the AEW roster to challenge him for the top prize in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Last year, the match saw Adam Cole, Hangman Page & Kazuchika Okada challenge Jay White – with White able to retain.
This is a huge match, adding to Bryan Danielson vs. Okada and Will Ospreay vs. Kenny Omega, which were previously announced.
SANADA has made two defences since taking the belt from Okada, defeating Hiromu Takahashi & Yota Tsuji. Now, he has a chance to get one more in before the G1 Climax begins next month.
Sting, Orange Cassidy, Darby Allin & Keith Lee Score Eight Man Tag Team Victory
We’d see Cassidy dive as the match began, before being caught by Brian Cage – who was in Surfer Sting cosplay. Cage applied a bearhug, while Sting & Allin would attack Swerve in the ring. Allin nailed a Code Red on Swerve before setting up the Coffin Drop, but was unable to launch before being tripped up.
Cage would hit a massive superplex, getting a nearfall on Allin before tagging in Kaun for some heavy strikes. Liona would toss Allin across the ring with ease, as the crowd chanted “We Want Sting”. The Embassy would run Sting, Cassidy & Lee off the apron before a massive knee strike to the face of Allin.
The JML Driver from Swerve would be blocked into a Sunset Flip by Allin, before a stunner opened a tag to Lee. Lee would run down anyone that was moving, including a rolling elbow to Cage and a body splash to Swerve. A four man attack would end in a Swerve Stomp, before Cassidy & Allin made the save.
Allin would be overwhelmed by Kaun, but a tag to Sting would be the save. Liona would run into the legend, before being pounced by Lee. Kaun was suplexed over the top rope, before a spinebuster to Swerve. Cage was left to fight Sting, and took a lariat before an Orange Punch into the Scorpion Death Drop for the win.
After the match, The Gunns would call for a match against The Hardyz next week – wanting to prove who the best brother tag team is.
Wardlow Crushes Jake Hager
Wardlow had to take some time to recover following his battle with Christian Cage at Double Or Nothing 2023 – but it’s time to defend the TNT Championship once again. An open challenge was issued, and answered by a former World Heavyweight Champion in Jake Hager.
The powerhouse of the Jericho Appreciation Society is no stranger to Wardlow, having faced him in the past – and being someone able to easily match the pure power that the TNT Champion brings to the ring.
Hager would jump Wardlow from behind during his entrance, ensuring a fast pace in this match. Wardlow would recover as they hit the ring, hitting a Release German Suplex before a spear into the corner. Hager was tossed to the floor, where Wardlow ran him down with a stiff lariat.
Back in the ring, Wardlow would stomp Hager out – before a release Vertical Suplex showed the power of the TNT Champion.
Hager would manage to apply the Ankle Lock to Wardlow, but was unable to make the champion submit. Wardlow hit a spinebuster, before setting up the Powerbomb Symphony – but was distracted by Matt Menard & Angelo Parker. They were stopped by Brock & Arn Anderson, and back in the ring – Hager hit a spinebuster, but only got a one count.
Hager Bomb was countered by an upkick, and Hager was sent to the floor with a lariat. Vaulting Body Press & Swanton Bomb showed the agility of Wardlow, and Hager was set for the Powerbombs. Two powerbombs later, and Wardlow remains the TNT Champion.
After the bell, Christian Cage appeared on the big screen – and called for Luchasaurus to battle Wardlow during the debut episode of AEW Collision.
MJF Gets Challenged For Forbidden Door
After this match, Hiroshi Tanahashi from New Japan Pro Wrestling would call for a one on one match against AEW World Champion MJF. This match would quickly be made official, despite the complaints of MJF. The champion would say that he’s not facing some nobody from a random indy promotion. Khan might have booked it – but MJF intends to no show.
Will we see Tanahashi vs. MJF? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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