Post by sethisthegoat on Jun 12, 2023 15:04:55 GMT -5
I’m going to be skipping forward after Double or Nothing to AEW’s “premiere” event, Road Rager, which is scheduled for the Dynamite and Rampage episodes on June 21 and 23. Here’s a preview for that event. I’ll have a follow-up post that recaps other AEW happenings that aren’t on this card -
June 21, 2023 - Dynamite: Road Rager preview -
AEW Men’s World Championship: Goldberg © vs. Ken Shamrock
Following Goldberg’s defense against Big E, the champion bemoaned the lack of true competitors in AEW. This led to the surprise debut of Ken Shamrock, who mentioned the pair’s history. In fact, Shamrock noted, the last time they faced off for a top-level championship, Shamrock pinned Goldberg for the UWF World Championship last Halloween. Then Goldberg tucked his tail between his legs and left the company. This enraged Goldberg, who tried to spear Shamrock, but the wily veteran dodged the spear and hit a German suplex.
In a later week, Shamrock said he doesn’t agree with Goldberg’s assertion that there are no true competitors in AEW. He ran down the list — Jon Moxley; Samoa Joe; Cody Rhodes; Jeff Jarrett; Brian Cage; and more — each of those men has the chance to be AEW Champion one day. But now is not their time. It’s time for the World’s Most Dangerous Man to put Goldberg in his place for a second time and become AEW World Heavyweight Champion.
—
AEW Women’s Championship: Paige VanZant © (14-4) vs. Madison Rayne (11-3)
Following VanZant’s huge victory in the four-way match at Double or Nothing, she earned the respect of much of the locker room, with a few exceptions. The Beautiful People couldn’t believe that such an ugly woman is representing the pinnacle of AEW women’s wrestling. VanZant challenged Rayne to prove it in the ring, and Rayne defeated Riho and Michelle McCool in back-to-back weeks to earn her match.
—
AEW Tag Team Championships: Chosen Bros © (10-2) vs. The Outsiders (6-2)
Matt Riddle and Jeff Cobb opened the Dynamite after Double or Nothing with a celebration. Riddle got them party hats, which Cobb refused to wear. They did sip some champagne, while they talked about their goals as tag team champions. Cobb wants to hold the belts for a long time.
They were interrupted by Scott Hall and Kevin Nash, high off their victory over the Steiner Brothers. Hall and Nash said it’s cute that the Chosen Bros have such lofty goals. But the fact of the matter is that beating Natural Selection is nothing compared to beating the legendary Steiner Brothers and sending them packing. Riddle and Cobb agreed to put their belts on the line against The Outsiders.
—
All-Atlantic Championship: Last Man Standing: Brian Cage © (14-3) vs. Samoa Joe (9-3)
Samoa Joe demanded a rematch from Cage following Cage’s victory at Double or Nothing. Now the pair is 1-and-1 against each other, and it’s time to discover who the bigger beast truly is. Cage declined, and said that AEW doesn’t have an automatic rematch policy. Joe will have to earn his way back to him.
Joe went after the other members of Cage’s Natural Selection stable — Cedric Alexander, Shelton Benjamin and manager Cesar Duran. He suplexed Alexander through a lunch table in the back; then smashed Benjamin into a vending machine; before grabbing Duran and dragging him to the ring, where he threatened to put Duran in the Coquina Clutch until Cage gave him his rematch.
Cage relented, and said he’s going to make Joe suffer. Their third match isn’t going to be a regular match. They’re going to fight until one of them can’t stand up. At the end, Cage will show everyone why he is a true freak of nature.
—
Extreme Rules: Taz (4-2) vs. Cactus Jack (5-3)
Mick Foley appeared to be ready to hang up his boots before Double or Nothing, until Taz came out and said that he and Foley have never really had a go at each other. He wanted to reawaken the fire inside Foley; he wanted to bring out Cactus Jack for one more battle.
Foley said Taz should be careful what he asks for. There’s a reason that Cactus Jack has been suppressed for a while — he’s a little bit crazy. Taz replied that he’s a little bit crazy, too — so let’s get crazy together. Taz and Foley tagged with each other against the Headbangers, who were brought in for a special match. After the win, Taz challenged Cactus Jack to an extreme rules match at Road Rager. “Let’s knock the piss out of each other and find out who the true king of extreme really is.”
—
Cody Rhodes (14-3) vs. Kenny Omega (0-0)
Rhodes came to AEW with the goal of becoming World Champion. The Young Bucks joined him last year, in a bid to even the odds against Jeff Jarrett and the Apex. Rhodes accomplished his goal and defended the belt gamely against Brian Cage, Jarrett and Sammy Guevara, before losing to a powerful Goldberg during February’s Revolution PPV.
Through it all, The Young Bucks had Rhodes’ back. The trio attempted to win the AEW King of Trios tournament, but their run was thwarted by Rhodes getting distracted by Goldberg. The next week on Dynamite, the Bucks surprisingly superkicked Rhodes, then later attacked his brother Dustin. The Rhodes Brothers faced off with the Bucks at Double or Nothing in a no-DQ tag match that saw the AEW debut of Kenny Omega, who attacked the brothers with a lead pipe and helped the Bucks win.
The Elite have finally come to AEW. Omega said that Rhodes isn’t Elite, and that is why he lost the World Championship so easily. And it’s why he got distracted and failed the Young Bucks. Hell, if it wasn’t for Rhodes being selfish and keeping the attention on himself, the Bucks would be tag team champions by now. Omega came to AEW to be with his friends; to become AEW World Champion; and to rescue the Young Bucks from the loser that is Cody Rhodes.
—
Miro (0-0) vs. MVP (6-2)
After a few segments promoting “The Redeemer” coming soon to AEW, interrupted MVP’s VIP Lounge, where the Baller superstar was talking about his bonafides. Miro didn’t say a word, as he hit a jumping side kick (Machka Kick) to MVP and followed it up with the Bulplex (Oklahoma Roll into a release German suplex). A match was set for Road Rager.
—
June 23 - Rampage: Road Rager
FTW Championship: Hook © (17-3) vs. Sammy Guevara (18-6) w/ Tay Melo
High off of his cage match victory against Rey Mysterio at Double or Nothing, the “Spanish God” set his sights on capturing AEW gold for the first time. He said he’s proven now that he is one of the cornerstones of AEW, and has the most wins among all of the men in the company. He called Hook out as another cornerstone of AEW, and said it’s time for Hook to put his FTW Championship on the line against a real competitor. Hook is now the longest reigning champion in the company. Guevara wants to take the belt and make it his own.
Hook isn’t one to back down from a fight, and the match is set for Road Rager.
—
Casino Battle Royale for chance at tag team titles - featuring Los Parks, LAX, The American Wolves, Jurassic Express, The Acclaimed, RVD & Sabu, Natural Selection, the New Day, The Young Bucks and a wild card team
—
Sasha Banks (7-2) vs. Bianca Belair (0-0)
Belair attacked UWA Universal Women’s Champion Jade Cargill during Cargill’s fatal four-way match at Double or Nothing — after Cargill secured her UWA Championship defense, but before VanZant pinned Ronda Rousey to become the AEW Women’s Champion. Belair debuted in AEW and set her sights immediately at the top. She wants a shot at the Universal Women’s Championship.
Sasha Banks said that she’s tired of people coming to this company and immediately expecting a shot at the top. She throws some shade at Goldberg and Ken Shamrock for doing the same thing, before circling back to Belair. She and Banks have some history. And, as a former UWA Women’s Champion herself, Banks said she should be AEW’s next challenger for the UWA Women’s Championship.
Jade Cargill responded, saying that she doesn’t care who she faces. She’s still undefeated — she won the first fall at Double or Nothing, and then Belair cost her the AEW Women’s Championship. She and Belair clearly have a score to settle. But, for now, Cargill is headed around the world to defend the UWA Universal Women’s Championship. Specifically to WCW.
Banks and Belair agree to a match at Road Rager.
June 21, 2023 - Dynamite: Road Rager preview -
AEW Men’s World Championship: Goldberg © vs. Ken Shamrock
Following Goldberg’s defense against Big E, the champion bemoaned the lack of true competitors in AEW. This led to the surprise debut of Ken Shamrock, who mentioned the pair’s history. In fact, Shamrock noted, the last time they faced off for a top-level championship, Shamrock pinned Goldberg for the UWF World Championship last Halloween. Then Goldberg tucked his tail between his legs and left the company. This enraged Goldberg, who tried to spear Shamrock, but the wily veteran dodged the spear and hit a German suplex.
In a later week, Shamrock said he doesn’t agree with Goldberg’s assertion that there are no true competitors in AEW. He ran down the list — Jon Moxley; Samoa Joe; Cody Rhodes; Jeff Jarrett; Brian Cage; and more — each of those men has the chance to be AEW Champion one day. But now is not their time. It’s time for the World’s Most Dangerous Man to put Goldberg in his place for a second time and become AEW World Heavyweight Champion.
—
AEW Women’s Championship: Paige VanZant © (14-4) vs. Madison Rayne (11-3)
Following VanZant’s huge victory in the four-way match at Double or Nothing, she earned the respect of much of the locker room, with a few exceptions. The Beautiful People couldn’t believe that such an ugly woman is representing the pinnacle of AEW women’s wrestling. VanZant challenged Rayne to prove it in the ring, and Rayne defeated Riho and Michelle McCool in back-to-back weeks to earn her match.
—
AEW Tag Team Championships: Chosen Bros © (10-2) vs. The Outsiders (6-2)
Matt Riddle and Jeff Cobb opened the Dynamite after Double or Nothing with a celebration. Riddle got them party hats, which Cobb refused to wear. They did sip some champagne, while they talked about their goals as tag team champions. Cobb wants to hold the belts for a long time.
They were interrupted by Scott Hall and Kevin Nash, high off their victory over the Steiner Brothers. Hall and Nash said it’s cute that the Chosen Bros have such lofty goals. But the fact of the matter is that beating Natural Selection is nothing compared to beating the legendary Steiner Brothers and sending them packing. Riddle and Cobb agreed to put their belts on the line against The Outsiders.
—
All-Atlantic Championship: Last Man Standing: Brian Cage © (14-3) vs. Samoa Joe (9-3)
Samoa Joe demanded a rematch from Cage following Cage’s victory at Double or Nothing. Now the pair is 1-and-1 against each other, and it’s time to discover who the bigger beast truly is. Cage declined, and said that AEW doesn’t have an automatic rematch policy. Joe will have to earn his way back to him.
Joe went after the other members of Cage’s Natural Selection stable — Cedric Alexander, Shelton Benjamin and manager Cesar Duran. He suplexed Alexander through a lunch table in the back; then smashed Benjamin into a vending machine; before grabbing Duran and dragging him to the ring, where he threatened to put Duran in the Coquina Clutch until Cage gave him his rematch.
Cage relented, and said he’s going to make Joe suffer. Their third match isn’t going to be a regular match. They’re going to fight until one of them can’t stand up. At the end, Cage will show everyone why he is a true freak of nature.
—
Extreme Rules: Taz (4-2) vs. Cactus Jack (5-3)
Mick Foley appeared to be ready to hang up his boots before Double or Nothing, until Taz came out and said that he and Foley have never really had a go at each other. He wanted to reawaken the fire inside Foley; he wanted to bring out Cactus Jack for one more battle.
Foley said Taz should be careful what he asks for. There’s a reason that Cactus Jack has been suppressed for a while — he’s a little bit crazy. Taz replied that he’s a little bit crazy, too — so let’s get crazy together. Taz and Foley tagged with each other against the Headbangers, who were brought in for a special match. After the win, Taz challenged Cactus Jack to an extreme rules match at Road Rager. “Let’s knock the piss out of each other and find out who the true king of extreme really is.”
—
Cody Rhodes (14-3) vs. Kenny Omega (0-0)
Rhodes came to AEW with the goal of becoming World Champion. The Young Bucks joined him last year, in a bid to even the odds against Jeff Jarrett and the Apex. Rhodes accomplished his goal and defended the belt gamely against Brian Cage, Jarrett and Sammy Guevara, before losing to a powerful Goldberg during February’s Revolution PPV.
Through it all, The Young Bucks had Rhodes’ back. The trio attempted to win the AEW King of Trios tournament, but their run was thwarted by Rhodes getting distracted by Goldberg. The next week on Dynamite, the Bucks surprisingly superkicked Rhodes, then later attacked his brother Dustin. The Rhodes Brothers faced off with the Bucks at Double or Nothing in a no-DQ tag match that saw the AEW debut of Kenny Omega, who attacked the brothers with a lead pipe and helped the Bucks win.
The Elite have finally come to AEW. Omega said that Rhodes isn’t Elite, and that is why he lost the World Championship so easily. And it’s why he got distracted and failed the Young Bucks. Hell, if it wasn’t for Rhodes being selfish and keeping the attention on himself, the Bucks would be tag team champions by now. Omega came to AEW to be with his friends; to become AEW World Champion; and to rescue the Young Bucks from the loser that is Cody Rhodes.
—
Miro (0-0) vs. MVP (6-2)
After a few segments promoting “The Redeemer” coming soon to AEW, interrupted MVP’s VIP Lounge, where the Baller superstar was talking about his bonafides. Miro didn’t say a word, as he hit a jumping side kick (Machka Kick) to MVP and followed it up with the Bulplex (Oklahoma Roll into a release German suplex). A match was set for Road Rager.
—
June 23 - Rampage: Road Rager
FTW Championship: Hook © (17-3) vs. Sammy Guevara (18-6) w/ Tay Melo
High off of his cage match victory against Rey Mysterio at Double or Nothing, the “Spanish God” set his sights on capturing AEW gold for the first time. He said he’s proven now that he is one of the cornerstones of AEW, and has the most wins among all of the men in the company. He called Hook out as another cornerstone of AEW, and said it’s time for Hook to put his FTW Championship on the line against a real competitor. Hook is now the longest reigning champion in the company. Guevara wants to take the belt and make it his own.
Hook isn’t one to back down from a fight, and the match is set for Road Rager.
—
Casino Battle Royale for chance at tag team titles - featuring Los Parks, LAX, The American Wolves, Jurassic Express, The Acclaimed, RVD & Sabu, Natural Selection, the New Day, The Young Bucks and a wild card team
—
Sasha Banks (7-2) vs. Bianca Belair (0-0)
Belair attacked UWA Universal Women’s Champion Jade Cargill during Cargill’s fatal four-way match at Double or Nothing — after Cargill secured her UWA Championship defense, but before VanZant pinned Ronda Rousey to become the AEW Women’s Champion. Belair debuted in AEW and set her sights immediately at the top. She wants a shot at the Universal Women’s Championship.
Sasha Banks said that she’s tired of people coming to this company and immediately expecting a shot at the top. She throws some shade at Goldberg and Ken Shamrock for doing the same thing, before circling back to Belair. She and Banks have some history. And, as a former UWA Women’s Champion herself, Banks said she should be AEW’s next challenger for the UWA Women’s Championship.
Jade Cargill responded, saying that she doesn’t care who she faces. She’s still undefeated — she won the first fall at Double or Nothing, and then Belair cost her the AEW Women’s Championship. She and Belair clearly have a score to settle. But, for now, Cargill is headed around the world to defend the UWA Universal Women’s Championship. Specifically to WCW.
Banks and Belair agree to a match at Road Rager.